Dec. 14, 2001
Following a historic win and a week off for exams, Kentucky coach TubbySmith would like to convince his Wildcats that Saturday’s meeting withDivision II Kentucky State is the only thing they should be thinking aboutthis week.
However, even Smith can’t ignore what looms ahead on the No. 9 Wildcats’schedule – Tuesday’s showdown with top-ranked Duke in the Jimmy V Classic.
“We’ll have to play a lot better than we’ve been playing to beat Duke.That’s for sure,” Smith said Thursday during his weekly press conference,during which almost all of the questions pertained to the Wildcats’ matchupwith the Blue Devils rather than their first-ever meeting with theThorobreds.
Kentucky (5-1) is riding a five-game winning streak, including a 79-59 routof North Carolina last Saturday.
Tayshaun Prince tied his career high with 31 points and hit seven 3-pointersin the first half as Kentucky became the first NCAA program to reach 1,800wins.
“We’re starting to mature as a team,” Smith said. “But we still haven’tplayed up to our potential.”
Although the Wildcats probably don’t have a chance to get past the BlueDevils on Tuesday if they don’t play up to their potential, Tubbs wouldfirst like to make sure his team doesn’t overlook Kentucky State (2-3).
Kentucky opened the season with a 64-52 loss to another intrastate rival,Western Kentucky, on Nov. 15, and Smith doesn’t want his team facing Dukejust after suffering a major letdown.
Kentucky State coach Wilson Bennett is a former Kentucky player andassistant coach under Rick Pitino.
Kentucky State has won two of its last three games, including lastSaturday’s 79-76 triumph over Oakland City.
Jason Pruitt leads four Thorobreds averaging double figures in points with17.0 per game.
