April 2005 WildcatZone.Com News Archive (4-30-05)       Baseball Shelby Lifts Kentucky to Doubleheader Split    John Shelby hit three home runs and drove in a career-high five runs to lift Kentucky to an 11-8 victory in game two of the Wildcats doubleheader against Arkansas, which won game one 8-5, on Saturday at Cliff Hagan Stadium. Rain Postpones Baseball Game     Kentucky’s baseball game Friday night against No. 15 Arkansas has been cancelled due to inclement weather in the Lexington area.        Basketball            Men Hayes' agent says he's been told of rape inquiry   POLICE, UK ARE RELEASING FEW SPECIFICS; WOMAN REPORTED ATTACK AT WILDCAT LODGE   An agent for University of Kentucky basketball star and potential NBA draft pick Chuck Hayes said yesterday that he had been notified of a police investigation into a woman's allegation that she was raped at Wildcat Lodge last week Respected as a player, as a person    From his freshman debut to his senior send-off, Chuck Hayes exemplified the good side of college athletics. When his career ended with a loss to Michigan State in this year's NCAA Tournament, Spartan Coach Tom Izzo went out of his way to comfort the distraught Hayes. "I'd give my right arm for Chuck Hayes," Izzo said. Rape investigation continues     Lexington police described their ongoing investigation of an alleged rape at a University of Kentucky dormitory as in its infancy stages. Rape complaint at Wildcat Lodge    Lexington police said Friday they are investigating a complaint filed by a woman alleging a rape at Wildcat Lodge, a University of Kentucky residence hall that is home to the basketball team and other students (4-29-05)       Baseball Kentucky Faces Defending SEC Champion Arkansas    Kentucky returns to action Friday at 6:30 p.m. when it hosts No. 11 Arkansas in the first game of a three-game series at Cliff Hagan Stadium.       Football NCAA approves 12th football game    BYE WEEK GONE; NUMBER OF WINS FOR BOWL UNCERTAIN    The NCAA Board of Directors yesterday approved a 12-game schedule for NCAA Division I-A and I-AA football programs beginning in 2006. Brooks needs a season of PSI   What I know: University of Kentucky President Lee Todd said Saturday that he has no set "parameter" for the number of wins Rich Brooks must produce in 2005 to get a 2006 season as Kentucky's football coach. Franklin still impacting Kentucky football    Tony Franklin might not be coaching a specific team any longer, but he's certainly still having a big impact on Kentucky football. Dickerson's Kentucky journey goes from walk-on to scholarship     After the monotonous routine of one drill after another during spring practices, most of the University of Kentucky Wildcats were hungry for the action that the annual Kentucky Blue/White Game provided.       Basketball            Men Rape alleged at Wildcat Lodge    Lexington police are investigating an allegation of acquaintance rape in Wildcat Lodge, the home to University of Kentucky men's basketball players and other UK students. (4-28-05)       Baseball Kentucky Pitches Way Past Marshall     Senior J.B. Schmidt’s two-out, two-run single in the fourth inning proved to be the difference as Kentucky downed Marshall in a pitchers duel on Wednesday night at Cliff Hagan Stadium       Basketball            Men Cats can start winning now    PRACTICE FACILITY WAS ALL THEY NEEDED    How has it gotten along without it? How did Kentucky basketball go 87-15 overall and 43-5 in the SEC the past three years? How did it win a pair of SEC titles and two SEC Tournament titles and twice reach the NCAA's Elite Eight? Cats and Cards need new facilities    Louisville went to the Final Four last season and Kentucky came within one more point in regulation of the first overtime of joining the Cardinals at the Final Four (4-27-05) 2005 CATSPY Award Winners Announced     UK Athletics held the third annual CATSPY Awards Tuesday night at Rupp Arena. A spinoff of ESPN's ESPY awards, the CATSPY’s celebrate the academic and athletic achievements of UK student-athletes.       Football 'Cats looking for depth    When your starting quarterback passes for 478 yards and four touchdowns - even if it is against your second-team defense in a glorified scrimmage - a football coach has reason to be excited, and the University of Kentucky's Rich Brooks was no exception. Titans sign Boyd, Guidugli    BOLDIN SKIPS ARIZONA WORKOUT    A pair of quarterbacks who succeeded Jared Lorenzen -- Shane Boyd at Kentucky and the University of Cincinnati's Gino Guidugli at Highlands -- were among 36 undrafted free agents signed by the Tennessee Titans yesterday. No magic number for Brooks; Barnhart just wants 'progress'    Among the favorite summertime activities for University of Kentucky fans will be predicting the number of victories that football coach Rich Brooks needs to keep his job Lewis switches to defensive end in third season at UK     Dominic Lewis is something of a mover and a shaker, although not necessarily by choice.       Basketball            Men Board approves practice facility    VOTE IS UNANIMOUS; TRUSTEES MUST SIGN OFF ON PROJECT    Tubby Smith's Kentucky Wildcats took a step closer to moving into the long-discussed new practice facility yesterday. The UK Athletics Association Board of Directors formally approved the project and a plan to pay its $27.5 million price tag for construction. Final approval must come from UK Board of Trustees, presumably at its May 10 meeting. That will set in motion a timetable that calls for construction to begin this summer and an October 2006 opening coinciding with Big Blue Madness next door... Funding plan for UK practice facility OK'd     The University of Kentucky's basketball teams could have a practice facility to use as early as October 2006 under a funding plan approved Tuesday by the university's Athletic Association board.           Women UK Hoops Inks Georgia Prep Star  The University of Kentucky women’s basketball team signed Oreonna (pronounced or-E-on-na) Taylor to a national letter-of-intent, Coach Mickie DeMoss has announced. Taylor is a 5-6 point guard from Stockbridge High School in Stockbridge, Ga. Georgia point guard is DeMoss' fifth signee    A visit to campus last weekend was all it took to help Oreonna Taylor make it official. The 5-foot-6 point guard from Stockbridge (Ga.) High School signed a national letter of intent to play for the Kentucky women, Coach Mickie DeMoss announced yesterday. (4-26-05) Are you ready for the CATSPYS?    Kentucky athletics is rolling out the blue carpet once again for its annual CATSPY Awards tonight at Rupp Arena. The CATSPYs, a spin-off of the ESPY Awards held each year by ESPN, features 24 individual and team categories, chosen from among 82 nominations from UK's 22 varsity sports.       Baseball Wimsatt signs with Wildcats'    Timmy Wimsatt, who committed to the University of Kentucky baseball program in the fall, made it official during a signing ceremony Monday at Daviess County High School.       Football Brooks says UK will be improved    Any inflection in Rich Brooks' monotone voice usually is kept to a minimum, but the University of Kentucky's veteran coach can't hide a cautious optimism that grew out of spring practice. UK searches for depth at QB, linebacker    When your starting quarterback passes for 478 yards and four touchdowns -- even if it is against your second-team defense in a glorified scrimmage -- a football coach has reason to be excited, and the University of Kentucky's Rich Brooks is no exception. South Carolina DB picks Cats    Calvin Harrison doesn't have to see if Kentucky improves next season to know that he wants to be part of the UK football program.       Basketball            Women Morehead women hire UK assistant    MITCHELL'S SPECIALTY WAS RECRUITING    The man in charge of wooing players to the Kentucky women's basketball program was wooed away from UK by Morehead State. Matthew Mitchell, who has been an assistant coach and the recruiting coordinator at UK the past two seasons, will be announced as the new women's basketball coach at Morehead at a news conference today. (4-25-05) CATSPY Awards Set for April 26     The third-annual CATSPY Awards, celebrating the 2004-05 athletic year at the University of Kentucky, will be held on April 26 at Rupp Arena.       Baseball Kentucky Meets Kentucky State in Mid-Week Battle      Kentucky welcomes Kentucky State to Cliff Hagan Stadium Tuesday afternoon at 3 p.m. for the first game of a five-game home stand this week. Mississippi State Rallies for Victory Over Kentucky     Mississippi State, ranked 29th nationally, rallied for three runs in the ninth inning to beat Kentucky 3-2 and claim the series on Sunday afternoon at Polk-Dement Stadium.       Football Indy's pick a sweet surprise for 'Sweet Pea'    Vincent "Sweet Pea" Burns was playing video games with his brother in his hometown of Lake Park, Ga., Saturday afternoon while the NFL Draft was on in the background when he got what he called "the biggest and best surprise of his life."       Basketball            Women  Mitchell Resigns To Take Head Coaching Position    Matthew Mitchell, assistant women’s basketball coach at the University of Kentucky, has resigned at UK in order to accept the head coaching position at Morehead State University, coach Mickie DeMoss has announced. (4-24-05)       Baseball Kentucky Routs No. 29 Mississippi State to Even Series    Aaron Tennyson threw the first complete game of his career to lead Kentucky to a 12-5 victory over No. 29 Mississippi State on Saturday afternoon at Polk-Dement Stadium.       Football Can UK improve?   Now that spring practice has ended, Kentucky coach Rich Brooks and his staff will have close to four months to contemplate what changes they may want to make before preseason drills begin in August. Brooks likes Woodson's accuracy    Quarterback Andre Woodson is still not nearly as polished as Kentucky coach Rich Brooks would like, but Woodson continues to do one thing the coach likes a lot. Woodson, Cook Shine in Blue-White Game    Sophomore quarterback Andre Woodson completed 30 of 47 passes for 478 yards and four touchdowns on Saturday to lead his team to a 49-3 win in Kentucky's Blue-White Scrimmage. Wildcats' Woodson gets serious   Andre Woodson admits that he just showed up last season. The University of Kentucky quarterback was a second-teamer who didn't count on playing much, and his work habits showed it. Woodson plays well in Wildcats' scrimmage  Sophomore quarterback Andre Woodson completed 30-of-47 passes for 478 yards and four touchdowns Saturday to lead his team to a 49-3 win in the University of Kentucky's Blue-White Scrimmage. Solid showing should give Woodson peace of mind     Compared with just about every other University of Kentucky football player, Andre Woodson's uniform was pristine. Offense brightens up dreary afternoon    WOODSON-LED BLUE TEAM SCORES 49 IN ROUT    In pure atmosphere alone, yesterday's Blue-White spring game was much like those Kentucky-Vanderbilt clashes in November: cold, rainy and not a lot of people in the stands. Meet the new Andre Woodson    UK quarterback appears ready to silence his critics    Andre Woodson has not even begun his first year as Kentucky's starting quarterback. Yet already he has broken a major school record: for turnaround in PPQ. Opportunity knocks for Burns, Shelton   University of Kentucky defensive end Vincent "Sweet Pea" Burns was a surprise pick late on the first day of the NFL Draft yesterday. UK's movers and shakers of the spring    WOODSON, TAMME, OFFENSIVE LINE SHOW PROMISE    Here's a position-by-position spring-practice wrap-up: Andre Woodson sparkled for much of the spring. Now, the biggest challenge for Coach Rich Brooks this fall will be finding a suitable backup.       Basketball  Oak Hill might have its best yet    SENIOR-TO-BE DURANT, A 6-10 'STRAIGHT WING', SET TO VISIT CONNECTICUT AND NORTH CAROLINA    Kentucky Coach Tubby Smith came on Thursday. So did Georgia Tech Coach Paul Hewitt. Louisville Coach Rick Pitino came on Monday, Texas Coach Rick Barnes on Tuesday and Connecticut Coach Jim Calhoun on Wednesday. (4-23-05)       Baseball Big Innings Carry Mississippi State to Victory over Kentucky     After jumping out to a quick 4-0 lead, Kentucky’s bats went silent as No. 29 Mississippi State rallied for a 12-4 victory on Friday night at Polk-Dement Stadium.       Football Brooks knows Cats will be better    WINS STILL MAY BE TOUGH TO COME BY    The old saying goes that there are two types of coaches. There are coaches with great players. And there are ex-coaches. Is Rich Brooks one year away from being an ex-coach again? Spring game a springboard for Woodson    The University of Kentucky will attempt to put a finishing touch on what Coach Rich Brooks has termed a productive spring in today's Blue/White Game at Commonwealth Stadium. Cats' lineup unsettled going into spring game    The University of Kentucky's spring football game today will pit the first team against the second team, but it might be difficult to tell the difference at some positions.       Basketball  Wildcats land juco standout   Rekalin Sims, a 6-foot-9 junior college standout, committed to the University of Kentucky after meeting with Wildcats' coach Tubby Smith earlier this week. (4-22-05)       Football UK’s Burns expected to go on 2nd day of draft   U OF L’S SHELTON PREDICTED TO GO IN 3RD ROUND    Vincent "Sweet Pea" Burns' name doesn't figure to be called during the first three rounds of the NFL Draft on Saturday, and Burns himself probably won’t even be listening, instead opting to spend the day fishing near Lake Park, Ga, his hometown. Kentucky Football Notebook: Blue/White Game to be Played in Regular Format     The annual Kentucky Blue/White Spring Football Game will be played in a regular-game format this year, Coach Rich Brooks has announced. Spring game to go as planned despite injuries    Kentucky's annual Blue/ White spring football game still will be played in a regular-game format this year, Coach Rich Brooks announced. Most Devoted Fans Being Sought for New Kentucky Football Commercials    Die-hard UK Football fans get the chance to audition for a series of commercials which will air state-wide throughout this summer and pre-season. Auditions will be held at Commonwealth Stadium beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 23, 2005 prior to the Spring Football Game which kicks off at 1 p.m.       Basketball  Junior college power forward commits to UK    SIMS: JOINING CATS 'ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY' Kentucky got a commitment from Rekalin Sims this week and now will hope the junior college player's similarities to former UK standout Chuck Hayes extend beyond northern California roots. UK taps junior college ranks    Rekalin Sims' junior college coach cautions that his star player isn't the next Chuck Hayes, even though Hayes' position is the one the University of Kentucky will ask Sims to fill. JuCo star picks Wildcats    The University of Kentucky's search for a power forward concluded in Salt Lake City, Utah, Wednesday afternoon. UK Notebook: Sims picks Cats    Kentucky may have found its replacement for power forward Chuck Hayes. UK Basketball Announces Team Awards    The University of Kentucky men’s basketball team held its annual postseason awards banquet on April 14 at the Hyatt Regency in Lexington, Ky. Chuck Hayes was named Most Valuable Player for the 2004-05 season, one of five awards the senior captain took home that evening. (4-21-05)       Football UK offense struggles in scrimmage    After seeing his offense outplay the defense in Saturday's scrimmage, Kentucky coach Rich Brooks thought his offense was progressing the way he wanted. Injuries could force Brooks to change format   UK NOT THE ONLY TEAM WITH DEPTH ISSUES    Injuries and absences have Kentucky Coach Rich Brooks pondering how he'll conduct Saturday's annual Blue/White Spring Game. Brooks has split the players into two teams the past two years, but a lack of healthy bodies might force him to tweak things, possibly running a controlled scrimmage like the first two of the spring. (4-20-05)        Baseball Missed Opportunities Cost Kentucky in Loss    Missed opportunities plagued Kentucky while Cincinnati came through in clutch situations all night to earn a 7-2 victory on Wednesday night at the UC Baseball Stadium.       Football Kentucky Football Notebook: Fontaine Having a Good Spring    Coach Chuck Smith has had to deal with some changes during his first spring as Kentucky linebackers coach, but one constant has been the steady play delivered by Raymond Fontaine. (4-19-05)       Baseball Kentucky Coasts Past Northern Kentucky   Lexington natives Michael Bertram and John Shelby had three hits a piece to lead an offensive surge for Kentucky as the Wildcats cruised to a 10-4 victory over Northern Kentucky on Tuesday night at Cliff Hagan Stadium.       Football UK a little light at linebacker    EXITS, INJURIES HAVE UK LOOKING FOR HELP    You'd have to forgive University of Kentucky senior linebacker Raymond Fontaine if he looked at the guys lined up next to him and asked for a program. (4-18-05)       Baseball Kentucky Welcomes Northern Kentucky For Mid-Week Match Up     In a game added to the schedule this past weekend, the Kentucky baseball team welcomes Northern Kentucky to Cliff Hagan Stadium for a 6:30 p.m. start on Tuesday. Kentucky Falls to No. 23 Auburn in Series Finale     The Kentucky baseball team stranded the tying run on second base in the bottom of the ninth inning as its comeback effort fell short in a 4-3 loss to No. 23 on Sunday afternoon at Applebee’s Park.       Football UK's Smith happy to be back    There were a lot of rumors going around his hometown about Bo Smith's physical condition in the summer of 2004. A lot of serious rumors about how badly he was hurt. (4-17-05)       Baseball Kentucky Dominates No. 23 Auburn to Even Series    The Kentucky baseball team dominated every facet of the game on Saturday night to score a 6-2 win and even the series with No. 23 Auburn at Applebee’s Park.       Basketball  UK signee Carter shows promise    COACH 'PLEASANTLY SURPRISED' BY 7-FOOTER    Kentucky's lone signee in the Derby Festival Basketball Classic, Scott County center Jared Carter, played well enough to cause his coach to reconsider his recommendation of a redshirt season in 2005-06. A 7-2 gym rat? This tall tale is true    LOVE OF GAME DRIVES NEWEST CAT, WHO STILL MIGHT BE GROWING    Leftover notes from last week's ceremony in which Scott County center Jared Carter signed with Kentucky: At 7-foot-2, Carter only has to grown another inch to join Shagari Alleyne as the tallest players in UK history. Both his mother, Kathy, and father, Jeff, are tall. His great grandfather, also named Jeff Carter, was 6-11.       Football Tamme scores twice in UK scrimmage    Not everything about Saturday's scrimmage pleased Kentucky coach Rich Brooks. However, he had no complaints with Jacob Tamme.  Little could be key for UK    The more coaches and teammates see of running back Rafael Little this spring, the more excited they get about Kentucky's offensive potential. 4-3 defense won't look much different   SWITCH BEGAN AROUND MID-SEASON LAST FALL   The University of Kentucky's switch from a 3-4 defensive alignment to a 4-3 this spring has been well-documented. But does the move mean a drastic difference in the look of the UK defense in 2005? Woodson, Tamme continue progress    But defense's play in scrimmage isn't as 'crisp' as needed   The University of Kentucky's second scrimmage was a Catch-22 for the coaching staff. On one hand, the offense continued its steady progress. Quarterback Andre Woodson was solid throwing the ball, and tight end Jacob Tamme looked like a go-to-guy in the making. QB Woodson taking charge of offense    The University of Kentucky's defense made a sandwich out of quarterback Andre Woodson in a collision so bad that a player yelled out, "Trainer." (4-16-05)       Baseball No. 23 Auburn Walks to Victory Over Kentucky   Auburn used walks in each of the final three innings to score the winning run and pull away from Kentucky for a 8-4 victory on Friday night at Applebee’s Park.       Basketball  Spotlight shines on 7-2 signee    The announcer's voice blared over the sound system at Bellarmine University introducing the Kentucky Derby Festival Classic all-star participants before the start of the two-on-two, three-point contest and slam-dunk competition.       Football Spinal condition curtails Sumrall's career   CATS' TOP MIDDLE LINEBACKER WARNED BY DOCTORS TO QUIT FOOTBALL   University of Kentucky linebacker Jon Sumrall, the team's leading tackler last season, has decided to give up football because of a cervical condition, UK Coach Rich Brooks announced yesterday. UK loses Sumrall to spinal condition   Jon Sumrall, who has earned a reputation as an overachieving, undersized linebacker at the University of Kentucky, told his teammates yesterday that he must give up football because of a medical condition. UK's Sumrall forced to quit    Jon Sumrall, a linebacker who started every game for the University of Kentucky last season and led the Wildcats in tackles, is giving up football because of a medical condition, UK coach Rich Brooks said Friday. (4-15-05)       Basketball  Echefu to pay UK visit after Derby Classic    He's a former soccer player from Nigeria who too modestly says he still needs to work on speaking "American English" rather than "British English." If that isn't distinctive enough, he also mentions graduation rates first when asked about the factors that he'll weigh in making a college choice. Echefu may be missing piece for UK hoops     Declaring the University of Kentucky men's basketball team desperate for any single player would be as foolish as suggesting Beyonce Knowles would look better in a different shade of lipstick.       Football Kentucky Football Notebook: Louisville at UK Moved to Sunday, Sept. 4, for ESPN     Once again, the eyes of the nation will be on the Bluegrass for the Kentucky-Louisville football game, which is being moved to Sunday, Sept. 4, at 3:30 p.m., to accommodate a live telecast by ESPN. UK will play host to the game at Commonwealth Stadium ... Joe Schuler has been practicing at middle linebacker recently after beginning the spring as the starter at strongside linebacker. Phillips likes progress of Cats' offense    The rainy, cloudy weather here Wednesday didn't cloud offensive coordinator Joker Phillips' judgment about how spring practice has gone for Kentucky. Cats-Cards opener moved to Sunday    FUTURE OF FOOTBALL SERIES YET TO BE DETERMINED    The University of Louisville and University of Kentucky will once again square off on a Sunday to open their respective college football seasons. (4-14-05)       Basketball  Scott Co. center makes it official, signs with Cats   COACH SAYS CARTER NEEDS REDSHIRT YEAR   Scott County big man Jared Carter signed with Kentucky yesterday in a ceremony devoid of suspense. He had committed to the Wildcats two weeks ago. 7-2 Carter becomes future Cat    Jared Carter honored his commitment and signed with the University of Kentucky yesterday, then indicated that it's possible he could redshirt during his freshman season. Kentucky adds third 7-footer    The University of Kentucky signed 7-foot-2 center Jared Carter to a letter of intent on Wednesday, giving the Wildcats three players who stand 7-foot or taller.       Football Cats receiver Holt separates shoulder    University of Kentucky receiver Glenn Holt will miss the rest of spring drills after separating his shoulder yesterday morning during practice. Cards-Cats should kick off on a Sunday    Dave Brown is director of programming and acquisitions for ESPN. He is the guy who needs to nod before your college football game is televised by one of the network's collection of channels. Brown knows which games he wants -- and which ones he doesn't want       Baseball Kentucky Takes on No. 23 Auburn at Applebee's Park    Kentucky looks to continue its winning ways this weekend when it welcomes No. 23 Auburn to Applebee’s Park beginning for a three-game set beginning Friday at 6:30 p.m. UK nips U of L 4-3 in 10 innings    Ryan Wilkes' bases-loaded infield hit with two out in the bottom of the 10th inning gave the University of Kentucky baseball team a 4-3 victory over the University of Louisville last night at Cliff Hagan Stadium. (4-13-05)       Baseball Kentucky Completes Season Sweep of Louisville    Freshman Ryan Wilkes beat out an infield single with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the 10th inning to lift Kentucky to a 4-3 victory over rival Louisville on Wednesday night at Cliff Hagan Stadium.       Basketball  Big man Carter expected to sign with Cats today   UK LOOKS FOR COMMITMENT FROM FORWARD SIMS   Kentucky basketball's position as the spring signing period begins today is as easy to understand as 1-2-3: One prospect signing, a second prospect committed to join the team next season and the hope to add a third new player. Smith: Losing Azubuike no shock    Tubby Smith didn't want Kelenna Azubuike to sign with an agent yet, but the University of Kentucky basketball coach was braced for the possibility that the junior would leave early. College basketball    The University of Kentucky's men's basketball team enters what could be another busy signing period today. Jared Carter, a 7-foot-2 center from Scott County, is set to sign with UK today , and the Wildcats could add another recruit by the end of this period in May. Ex-Cats assistant Sutton in critical condition   Tennessee Tech men's basketball coach Mike Sutton was in critical condition and on a ventilator after being diagnosed with a disease that attacks the immune system, athletic director Mark Wilson said. UK looking for Hayes' successor    The departure of senior forward Chuck Hayes left the University of Kentucky with a big hole to fill next season. Over the next few days, the Wildcats will have some idea of how they're going to replace Hayes, who led the team in rebounding the last three seasons.       Football Woodson knows he has to be Cats' leader    Andre Woodson knows he has to accurately throw the football for Kentucky next season. the family business    CATS' QB COACH ROPER FOLLOWED HIS DAD INTO THE PROFESSION   Coaches' sons usually follow one of two career paths. They buy into the family business. Or they run as fast and far as they can in the opposite direction. Cats have plenty of answers at receiver    UK WIDEOUTS LOOK TO BE A BRIGHT SPOT ON OFFENSE    The passing game, or lack thereof, has been one of the biggest sources of frustration for Kentucky football fans over the past couple of seasons.  Playing catch    Seventeen players who caught passes for the Wildcats last season could be back this fall. Those 17 are listed with last season's receiving statistics: (4-12-05)       Basketball  Hayes' hard work noticed at tryout camp    EX-CATS STAR IS NAMED MVP, BUT FIRST ROUND STILL STRETCH    Former Kentucky standout Chuck Hayes led his team to the championship of the Portsmouth (Va.) Invitational Tournament last week and was named Most Valuable Player of the NBA tryout camp.       Football New coaches feeling right at home    If Jimmy Heggins were still coaching at Florida State, the weather for spring football wouldn't be as cooperative.  Cats scream about an SEC Championship     Say this for the UK football players: They dream big Kentucky Football Notebook: Smith Enjoying Return to Football   Bo Smith feels right at home at his cornerback position, as the University of Kentucky junior is participating in spring practice after missing last season because of an injury.   Abdullah likes new position    Muhammad Abdullah isn't thinking as much these days, and he thinks that's a pretty good thing. Cats hope Smith's successes rub off    TO EX-BOYLE CO. COACH, UK MORE THAN A JOB    Going off to college is a little like baseball's spring training: A time for stretching. College being a chance to explore one's limits, to expand, to take chances you wouldn't or couldn't take in your hometown. Burton hopes to have a lot to say for UK   For the most part, the sophomore from Louisville has recovered. He runs routes and makes catches, even diving ones, but he can't block or hit in any of the contact drills, for preventive reasons. (4-11-05) No UK Sports News today (4-10-05)       Baseball Kentucky Drops Heartbreaker to No. 25 Tennessee  Kelly Edmundson’s slow roller down the third-base line proved to be the game winning hit as No. 25 Tennessee escaped with a 10-9 extra-inning victory over Kentucky on Sunday afternoon at Cliff Hagan Stadium.       Basketball  Azubuike should not be judged harshly   FAMILY MATTER HAD TO WEIGH HEAVILY IN DECISION   Don't be too hard on Kelenna Azubuike. Is Kentucky's junior forward making a mistake by not only declaring himself eligible for June's NBA Draft, but also signing with an agent thus ending his eligibility? Of course. Underclassmen remind us good ol' days are gone   It wasn't a perfect college basketball season. But it was close. Louisville and Kentucky carried us back into the '80s.       Football Offense, defense flash some promising signs for Brooks, Archer   For all the changes in staff, alignment and personnel, one question keeps cropping up for the University of Kentucky. Will the offense be better? Players like change in routine   BROOKS OBLIGES VETERANS' REQUEST TO MOVE UP PRACTICES TO MORNING   University of Kentucky Coach Rich Brooks picked up some good PR with his players by changing UK's practice routine, moving workouts from late afternoon to early morning. Offense moves ball well but can't punch it in    Both the offensive and defensive units had positives to take out of the University of Kentucky football team's first scrimmage of spring practice yesterday at Commonwealth Stadium. (4-09-05)       Basketball  NBA team will grab Azubuike, agent says    CRITICS CAN'T TELL HOW EARLY EX-CAT WILL GO, HE SAYS    While several NBA officials questioned Kelenna Azubuike's early exit from college, his agent, Joel Bell, spoke confidently of a bright basketball future for the now former Kentucky player. Junior college forward visits UK    Kentucky's search for a forward this recruiting season brought junior-college prospect Rekalin Sims to Lexington this weekend on an official visit.       Football Woodson working on intangibles    'BLESSED' QB NEEDS TO REFINE GAME    It's so far, so good for University of Kentucky quarterback Andre Woodson this spring. The 6-foot-5, 230-pound sophomore-to-be quarterback not only has been sharp throwing but has slowly been picking up on the intangibles.       Baseball Kentucky Holds Off No. 25 Tennessee, 5-4     Freshman Scott Green struck out the final two batters of the game with the bases loaded to deliver Kentucky a 5-4 victory over No. 25 Tennessee on Saturday night at Cliff Hagan Stadium. (4-08-05)       Basketball  Azubuike leaving UK    Rather than merely test the NBA draft waters, Kentucky's Kelenna Azubuike has decided going pro is the best choice for him. Azubuike signs with an agent    Entering draft a risky gamble, scouts say    There was a certain irony in Kentucky's announcement yesterday that Kelenna Azubuike had signed with an agent and entered the NBA's June draft. Azubuike's decision adds to his mystery    Kelenna Azubuike has this look. When you talk to him, his head tilts downward and his eyes concentrate on some area safely away from you. He deadbolts his lips, loosening them on occasion to say as little as possible. He arches his eyebrows, creases his forehead, and you wonder if a young man ever has tried so hard to vanish. Azubuike leaving Wildcats to try NBA draft    University of Kentucky swingman Kelenna Azubuike will forgo his senior season and make himself eligible for the National Basketball Association draft, the school announced yesterday. Azubuike has agent; won't be back at UK    Junior swingman Kelenna Azubuike, Kentucky's leading scorer this season, has signed with an agent and will forgo his final season of eligibility. Azubuike signs with agent     Junior swingman Kelenna Azubuike, the University of Kentucky's leading scorer this season, has signed with an agent and will forego his final season of eligibility.       Football Williams wants to make impact immediately    He passes the look test for a major college football player now, but Johnny Williams did not always envision himself as a football player.       Baseball  Hochevar, Tennessee Too Much for Kentucky      Tennessee junior Luke Hochevar worked seven shutout innings and struck out 10 to lead No. 30 Tennessee to a 18-2 victory over Kentucky on Friday night at Cliff Hagan Stadium. (4-07-05)       Football O-line offers challenge, potential    HEGGINS: YOUNG CATS CAN TURN IT AROUND    New Kentucky offensive line coach Jimmy Heggins said he's felt no culture shock during the Wildcats' first few spring practices. A move from Florida State, where Heggins coached eight future NFL Draft picks, to UK, which has had trouble piecing together a competent five-player line, is a little like going from the penthouse to the outhouse. Linebacker Anderson withdraws from UK    Chad Anderson has withdrawn from the University of Kentucky and no longer is a part of the football team, Coach Rich Brooks announced yesterday Anderson's up-and-down UK career comes to end     The saga of Chad Anderson officially ended yesterday when University of Kentucky coach Rich Brooks said the junior linebacker had withdrawn from school and had been dismissed from the team.        Basketball            Men  Kentucky’s Azubuike Enters 2005 NBA Draft   Kentucky junior Kelenna Azubuike has submitted his name to the National Basketball Association for its June draft and will not return for his senior season, the Tulsa, Okla., native announced today. JuCo forward making UK visit     Salt Lake Community College sophomore Rekalin Sims is expected to arrive here tonight for his visit to the University of Kentucky. (4-06-05)       Basketball            Men  Easy picking? Here's some help for '05-06    It was blatantly easy to predict how this past men's college basketball season would end. The best team all season played the second-best team all season, and the second-best team won because it had more overall talent and size Azubuike ready for NBA camps     UK junior forward Kelenna Azubuike is planning to include his name among those eligible for the NBA Draft.        Baseball Kentucky Routes No. 35 Evansville, 17-1    Billy Grace belted a pair of three-run home runs in the first three innings to lead Kentucky to its biggest offensive output of the year in a 17-1 rout of No. 35 Evansville Wednesday night at Cliff Hagan Stadium. Kentucky Opens Eight-Game Homestand Against Evansville     The Kentucky baseball team returns to action Wednesday at Cliff Hagan Stadium when it hosts Evansville at 6:30 p.m.       Football Turituri adjusting to whole new way of life    Learning Kentucky's offense has been a bit confusing for lineman Fatu Turituri, but that's not the biggest adjustment he's had to make since arriving here in January. (4-05-05)       Basketball            Men  Azubuike to test NBA Draft waters    SMITH ADVISES UK GUARD NOT TO RETAIN AGENT    Kentucky's leading scorer this past season, Kelenna Azubuike, plans to place his name in the NBA Draft. UK Coach Tubby Smith confirmed that open secret yesterday. Smith added that he would counsel Azubuike not to retain an agent so the player can keep the option of returning to Kentucky next season. Azubuike might leave UK    Kelenna Azubuike, the junior small forward who led the University of Kentucky basketball team in scoring this season, is contemplating an early entry into the National Basketball Association draft.       Football No shoes, no service for cornerbacks    Wherever the football goes, Muhammad Abdullah will usually find it.  Brooks says steroid use has declined in football     The rage over steroids continues to grow in the aftermath of the congressional hearings' focus on Major League Baseball. Now, that same congressional hearing that grilled baseball has called on NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue along with representatives from the NBA, NHL, NCAA, U.S. Track and Field and Major League Soccer to discuss their respective policies on steroids (4-04-05)       Basketball            Men  Ex-Cat thrilled by 'the dunk'   James Lee has a little less hair on top, but there's more on his chin now. The hard-edged aura he brought to a basketball court is soft now. He laughs easily and frequently, often at his own expense Tubby Smith Earns National Coach of the Year Honors    After leading his team to a 28-6 record, University of Kentucky head coach Tubby Smith was rewarded with 2005 Jim Phelan National Coach of the Year award, edging Illinois’ Bruce Weber by ten points. Wildcat Wins Monster Mascot Challenge at 2005 Final Four    In front of a jubilant, standing room-only crowd at Center Court in NCAA Hoop City, the University of Kentucky Wildcat edged the Syracuse University Orange to claim victory yesterday in the Monster Mascot Challenge at the 2005 NCAA Men's Final Four in St. Louis, Missouri.       Football Abdullah Move to Strong Safety Continues to Go Well     Muhammad Abdullah, a free safety for most of his collegiate career, switched to strong safety for the last three games of the 2004 season and the coaches have continued the position change this spring (4-03-05)       Basketball            Men  Madness and sadness    Letters target tournament, from Tubby to Hayes, Ashley to Ingles   Thanks, Chuck Hayes, for four years of nothing but 100 percent effort. Thanks for all you did both on and off the court to manifest the spirit of what it means to wear the Kentucky uniform. 44 years bring renown to UK hoops manager   America's most famous Division I college basketball equipment manager — Bill Keightley, aka "Mr. Wildcat" — has just completed his 44th season with the University of Kentucky Time to relive the past   'Beyond the Glory' chronicles the Unforgettables and that infamous game with Duke Surely no Kentucky fan needs to relive the Christian Laettner game yet again. But there's a compelling reason to do just that tonight. Rebounding UK's top concern going into next year   With four starters returning along with seven more players who played significant roles at times this season, Kentucky coach Tubby Smith knows his team will have a chance to reach the 2006 Final Four Thomas wants bigger role    As Kentucky searches for a power forward to add to its 2005-2006 roster to help replace Chuck Hayes, Sheray Thomas is already working on trying to help fill that void himself next season.       Football Cat back after baseball-bat attack   CORNERBACK SMITH RECOVERS FROM FRACTURED SKULL   Bo Smith heard the whispers around him. He heard them as he walked around campus with a baseball cap covering his fractured skull. He heard them whenever he showed up at the Kentucky football complex last fall. And he heard the speculation on the street. Harp can help UK's Tamme    There's no way anyone could ever think Jacob Tamme and Chase Harp have the same personality on the football field.       Baseball  Kentucky Drops Another One Late to No. 7 Florida, 11-6    Jeff Corsaletti went 4-for-5 with four RBI, including the game-winner in the bottom of the eighth to lead No. 7 Florida to an 11-6 victory over Kentucky on Sunday afternoon at McKethan Stadium. (4-02-05)       Basketball            Men  Carter commits to UK    Scott County 7-footer Jared Carter had made it clear his top two college choices were Kentucky and North Carolina. Carter says he'll join Cats' 7-foot club    SCOTT COUNTY COACH HOPES UK REDSHIRTS BIG MAN    Kentucky's basketball roster is getting taller. Scott County's 7-foot-2 senior Jared Carter called Kentucky Coach Tubby Smith on Thursday and told him he was committing to the Cats. Scott's Carter commits to Cats    With the commitment of Scott County's 7-foot-2 center, Jared Carter, the Wildcats could field a roster next season that includes 6-10 starting center Randolph Morris and three 7-footers, Carter, Lukasz Obrzut and Shagari Alleyne       Football UK cornerback returns to field after head injury   It used to be that speedy University of Kentucky cornerback Bo Smith had the advantage when he lined up across from a UK receiver. Not anymore. They've discovered his weakness       Baseball  Baseball Game With Florida Suspended After Five  The finish of Kentucky’s baseball game with No. 7 Florida has been suspended until Saturday with the Gators leading 5-4 after five innings of play. (4-01-05) UK Athletics’ “Big Blue Caravan” Set for April 27 – June 6    Kentucky Wildcat fans are invited to join the UK Kentucky Athletics’ “Big Blue Caravan” that will tour the Commonwealth from April 27 through June 6.       Basketball            Men  This message not approved by NCAA     When you are at an NCAA Tournament basketball game, you have to have your drink in an NCAA-approved cup, so someone hired by the NCAA won't hunt you down and kill you.  Academic ratings work in progress     It's not perfect, but the NCAA's new method of tracking academic progress is effectively stressing improvement throughout Division I programs, NCAA president Myles Brand said Thursday, addressing media gathered for this weekend's Final Four.  UK's Hayes, Carrier to play in exhibition in Tell City, Ind.    University of Kentucky seniors Chuck Hayes and Josh Carrier will play in a barnstorming tour at Tell City (Ind.) High School at 7 p.m. April 22.       Football Brooks: Entering spring, Woodson looks like Kentucky's starting QB     Andre Woodson enters spring football practice as Kentucky's No. 1 quarterback.