Mitch Barnhart spent the past few days wrangling over the Rich Brooks' contract, but he still doesn't have one himself. Barnhart said the delay -- since his Aug. 1 start date -- was due to several hitches, including the language on getting fired.
Men's Basketball
Kentucky vs. Alcorn State NotesKentucky plays its second consecutive home game for the first time this season when it plays host to Alcorn State. The Cats, who are coming off a 115-87 rout of Tennessee State, will meet the Braves for the first time in school history. The game will be part of a
double header at Rupp Arena as the women face Marshall at 5 pm followed by the men at 7:30 pm.
In more ways than one, Kentucky got rich in Rupp Arena last night. During the first television timeout, the crowd greeted an on-court appearance by new UK football coach Rich Brooks with polite applause.
Kentucky Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart saw possible long-range implications in the loss at Louisville last weekend. It confirmed his decision to look into softening UK's pre-conference schedule.
UK overcomes U of L hangoverThe University of Kentucky's 115-87 victory over Tennessee State may have the impressive margin one
would expect from the No. 20 team playing a struggling mid-major. But everything wasn't pretty for the Wildcats last night at Rupp Arena.
Tubby uses reserves to fire up Wildcats Even though it was a move made to jump-start his
basketball team from a slow start in its game against overmatched Tennessee State on Monday night, University of Kentucky basketball coach Tubby Smith found out that perhaps he will be able to press more after all.
Women's Basketball
Win Streak Climbs to Four as Wildcats Defeat Cincinnati on New Years EveThe Kentucky women's basketball team celebrated New Years Eve early and granted Coach Bernadette Mattox her birthday wish by defeating Cincinnati, 69-67, on Tuesday, Dec. 31 in Memorial Coliseum. It was the Cats' fourth straight win.
The Kentucky women's basketball team hopes to extend its three-game winning streak when it plays host to the Cincinnati Bearcats today at Memorial Coliseum.
UK Issues Statements Regarding Coaching HireStatement by UK President Lee Todd, Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart and UK Board Chair Steve Reed regarding hiring of
UK Football Coach Rich Brooks.
New football coach's violations record surprises some UK leaders The new coach hired to lead the University of Kentucky's football program out of probation has an NCAA violation record
of his own, something UK Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart didn't tell UK leaders about before making the hire.
LORENZEN SAYS CATS EXCITED ABOUT NEXT SEASON Jared Lorenzen has gone through three coaches in four years, so he's pretty good at sizing them up. And the quarterback thinks Kentucky
found a good fit in Rich Brooks.
Winning over fans Brooks' first task At 61, coach has 'energy' to do job You can say this much about new Kentucky football coach Rich Brooks: he's obviously studied what UK fans like to
hear.
Brooks is Cats' man Rich Brooks was introduced as the Wildcats' coach at a news conference yesterday, ending a search that started three weeks ago when Guy
Morriss left for Baylor.
Brooks is fiery; his teams will hitRich Brooks is the new University of Kentucky football coach. This might be the last time we see the words
''new'' and ''Rich Brooks'' so close together.
Barnhart was aware of violations at OregonUniversity of Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart said yesterday that he was aware of major NCAA
violations at Oregon when the team was coached by Rich Brooks, the Wildcats' new coach.
Coach who? UK fans are shaking their heads If you want my opinion on the arrival of Rich Brooks as the new University of Kentucky football coach, I'll give you the same
answer UK athletic director Mitch Barnhart got from the first 417 guys he interviewed.
After one wacky month, it's Brooks and done And so it came to pass, on the 30th day of the wildest month in memory, that University of Kentucky football was entrusted to a 61-year-old
who was approximately the 61st choice for the job.
Rich Brooks file National Coach of the Year in 1994 when he led Oregon to its first Rose
Bowl bid in 37 seasons.
Brooks' wait to return to coaching ends Rich Brooks said he felt like he had to get out
of football coaching for awhile to get back into coaching, at least as a head coach on the college level.
Brooks to honor verbal commitments given to Morriss
If North Hardin quarterback Andre Woodson and John Hardin running back Dominic Lewis
aren't Kentucky Wildcats next season, it's because they have decided to go else-where.
Brooks flexible on offense, defense
At 61, Rich Brooks says he's a much wiser football today and that means he will adapt his coaching style
to match the personnel at the University of Kentucky.
(12-30-02)
Men's Basketball
Wildcats Bounce Tennessee State, 115-87Keith Bogans scored a season-high 26 points and ignited a decisive second-half spurt with a series of layups as No. 20 Kentucky pulled away to defeat Tennessee State 115-87 Monday night
It would probably be tough to come up with a worse scenario for the Tennessee State men's basketball team than tonight's challenge.
Smith Hopes Cats Can Regain SwaggerKentucky coach Tubby Smith said Saturday's loss to intrastate rival Louisville took its toll on his 14th-ranked
Wildcats.
Kentucky's Confidence Shaken Kentucky's promising season has been plunged into doubt by its humbling 81-63 loss to Louisville on
Saturday.
Kentucky wants more than a victory against Tennessee State tonight. After the dispiriting loss to archrival Louisville Saturday, the Cats want to remind themselves of their regal status.
Wildcats are eager to erase bad tasteThe last thing University of Kentucky players want to do following their 18-point loss to
the University of Louisville on Saturday is practice.
Louisville 81, Kentucky 63 Here's a recap of the University of Kentucky basketball team's
81-63 loss to Louisville before a crowd of 20,061 at Freedom Hall in Louisville:
UK seeks wins to ease the pain There's no time for players on the University of Kentucky
basketball team to wallow in the sorrow they displayed following Saturday's loss to rival Louisville, and they say that's a good thing.
Women's Basketball
Kentucky Women Look To Keep Win Streak AliveThe Kentucky women's basketball team hopes to keep its three-game win streak alive
when it plays host to Cincinnati at 3 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Dec. 31 at Memorial Coliseum. New Year's Eve party favors will be given away and junior Mason, Ohio native Racquel Ellis will be the featured player of the game.
Brooks Named Head Coach at KentuckyRich Brooks, the 1994 National Coach of the Year at the University of Oregon and a former head
coach in the National Football League, is the new head coach at the University of Kentucky, director of athletics Mitch Barnhart has announced.
Rich Brooks Press ConferenceQuotes from Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart, Rich Brooks and quarterback Jared Lorenzen at the press
conference announcing Brooks as the new head football coach.
Brooks Named New UK Football CoachFormer NFL coach Rich Brooks was named UK's new football coach at a Monday morning news conference.
The 61-year-old replaces Guy Morriss, who resigned on December ninth to become the coach at Baylor.
Brooks Hired To Coach Kentucky FootballRich Brooks is returning to football, introduced Monday as Kentucky's new head coach after two years
away from the game.
Plethora of queries surrounds Brooks It's the conclusion of Kentucky's three-week coaching search, and we are left with questions, questions, and more questions. Why do I have the
feeling that although by all indications Rich Brooks is a good, solid football coach, he is not the home run UK football fans were hoping for?
Ex-colleagues praise UK's choice Many University of Kentucky football fans probably woke up yesterday morning wondering just how the hiring of Rich Brooks will affect the future of the
program.
Brooks ready to take over 'sleeping giant' Rich Brooks said yesterday that he was attracted to the job in part by Barnhart, whom he has known since both worked at
Oregon in 1983.
Brooks set to be next UK coach The University of Kentucky will introduce its new football
coach today, amid reports that former University of Oregon and St. Louis Rams head coach Rich Brooks was hired.
Kentucky vs. Tennessee State NotesKentucky returns to Rupp Arena for just the third time this season as it plays host to
Tennessee State. The Wildcats are looking to get back on track after losing to in-state rival Louisville, 81-63, on Saturday.
CARDS STONE UK Embarrassed. Manhandled. Outworked. And the unkindest selection from the sporting world's dictionary of insults: Quitters. Kentucky players slung those wounding words
after yesterday's 81-63 loss to Louisville.
UK FANS' DARKEST FEAR IS REALIZED: ITS NAME IS PITINO He sealed it with a kiss. There was Rick Pitino, in his stylish pinstripe suit and Cardinal red tie, exiting through the
impromptu mob that had joyously assembled on the Freedom Hall floor yesterday, blowing a kiss to the dancing fans in the stands as he disappeared into the tunnel.
Rupp-like superstition Kentucky will play host to a coaching giant this week when Alcorn State comes to town. Alcorn State's Davey Whitney is one of college basketball's most
accomplished coaches. He's also a man who refuses to tempt the fates.
How the game played Scoring Time (UK-UL) Daniels, jumper 19:41 (2-0) Garcia, 3 Ptr. 19:24 (2-3) Bogans, dunk 17:53 (4-3) Stone, jumper 16:29 (4-5) Estill, layup 16:10 (6-5)
Stone looks dazzling in Red The Kentucky-Louisville basketball game is never short on subplots, but all eyes were on the first player in the history of the rivalry to don both the blue
and the red.
Pitino's magic Got Pitino? I hope you didn't think that was merely a snappy phrase somebody plastered on some red T-shirts as soon as the University
of Louisville began this Rick Pitino energy transfusion 21 months ago.
UK finds a football coach It looks as if the University of Kentucky has finally found a new head football coach: Rich Brooks, a former head coach with the University of Oregon and the
NFL's St. Louis Rams.
Brooks appears set for UK job Rich Brooks, a former coach at the University of Oregon and of the St. Louis Rams, has accepted the job as the University of Kentucky's
new football coach, his wife, Karen, said last night.
(12-28-02)
Men's Basketball
No. 14 Wildcats Drop Battle to Louisville, 81-63Marvin Stone scored 16 points as Louisville beat No. 14 Kentucky 81-63 Saturday,
avenging last season's 20-point loss in Coach Rick Pitino's return to Rupp Arena. Keith Bogans scored 14 for the Wildcats (6-3), who shot 37 percent and went 3-of-18 from 3-point range
Cat confidence trumps Pitino Here's what Kentucky has going for it: The confidence that comes from beating North Carolina and Indiana, winners of the Preseason NIT and Maui
Invitational, respectively.
IT'LL BE A SCREAM Befitting the game's robust aura, Kentucky brings its full complement of players for the first time this season into today's game at Louisville. Transfer Antwain
Barbour, who missed a month because of a broken hand, expects to play.
Barbour set to give Cats energy boost Cliff Hawkins made a smashing, if belated, debut last weekend against Indiana. Now Kentucky hopes to get the same kind of instant gratification
from Antwain Barbour against Louisville today.
Cards 'hungry' to beat Cats The universities of Kentucky and Louisville will renew their basketball rivalry today with a first: Former UK player Marvin Stone will be in
uniform for U of L. A profile of Stone and other stories are in a special section previewing the game.
10 subplots to keep the pot boiling a little hotter The courtside officials won't be the only folks keeping score at high noon today in Freedom Hall. This
is Kentucky vs. Louisville, a game with more subplots than the season finale of ''The Sopranos.''
Star guards unlikely to go 1-on-1 much The head-to-head battle of Wooden Award candidates Reece Gaines of the University of Louisville and Keith Bogans
of the University of Kentucky would be the marquee matchup in today's game -- if it were to happen
Cards vs. Cats History (since 1983) After trailing by 13 in regulation, Louisville went on an 18-6 tear in overtime to win the NCAA Mideast Regional.
Highlights and lowlightsTHE PREGAME WEIGH-IN U of L's 2002-03 media guide: 1 pound, 15 ounces (184 pages) UK's
2002-03 media guide: 2 pounds, 7 ounces (292 pages)
Cardinals don't put too much into game The one thing Rick Pitino has learned from the other
side of Louisville-Kentucky rivalry is that Cardinals fans don't take their annual meeting nearly as seriously as Wildcats fans.
Stone grabs spotlight Pitino had last year It's an ex-Kentucky player, not an ex-coach, who's
getting all the attention leading up to Saturday's game between the Wildcats and Louisville.
Buddies Estill, Stone to duel Marquis Estill and Marvin Stone were best of friends when the
two were teammates on the University of Kentucky basketball team, but they will have to put that friendship aside now that they are on opposite sides today.
UK fully loaded While the storylines are plentiful for today's University of Kentucky-Louisville clash -- from Louisville head coach
Rick Pitino's first home game against UK to Louisville center Marvin Stone facing his former team for the first time -- perhaps the most important is that the Wildcats will be at full strength for the first time this season.
Grambling's Williams interviewed While former Georgia head coach Jim Donnan was pulling his
name from consideration for the vacant University of Kentucky head football coaching position and Mississippi head coach David Cutcliffe said he was staying put at his current school on Friday, another candidate emerged for the position -- Grambling head coach Doug Williams.
(12-27-02)
Men's Basketball
Kentucky Basketball Press Conference QuotesKentucky men's basketball coach Tubby Smith and selected players addressed the media
prior to their game with the University of Louisville.
Pitino glad sequel lacks circus hype Last year's game was more exhibition than competition. As much side show as big show. UK-U of L was a circus event under the big top, with the
former coach of one, being the current coach of the other, standing squarely in the center ring.
Stone: It's not about coaching Good or bad, Marvin Stone's play in Saturday's Kentucky-Louisville game will unleash a torrent of speculation about the two head coaches.
Consider the Pitino payback factor Rick Pitino will tell you he doesn't believe in revenge. He'll tell you it's an unproductive emotion. He'll tell you there are far more noble
reasons to wake up before dawn than payback.
Kentucky Wildcats ReportBarnhart: Smith has done 'wonderful job' University of Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart gave Tubby Smith a pat on
the back Saturday, calling the coach's performance early this season ''wonderful.''
U of L needs to prove it's the real deal Louisville basketball fans haven't been this giddy since …. well, March 21, 2001, when Rick Pitino
took over a stale program from coaching legend Denny Crum.
UK, U of L not just another game
Just another game. Just another team. The Louisville Cardinals are saying Saturday's game is one of
many this sea-son against an opponent like any other.
Hawkins isn't worried
After seeing his college basketball career put on hold by academic difficulties, University of Kentucky junior point
guard Cliff Hawkins isn't going to worry now about starting.
UK Needs To Capitalize On Charity... Stripe
It is
simple really. You take the basketball from the referee. Dribble it a couple of times, the whole time focusing on the basket. Bend your knees slightly, have a good follow through and "swish."
Cutcliffe may be back in mix for UK coaching job The search for the next University of
Kentucky football coach may be coming back around to the candidate who withdrew from consideration for the position last weekend.
Ole Miss' Cutcliffe Talks About UK JobDavid Cutcliffe is not quite sure exactly what to expect from Nebraska's defense, and Frank Solich is just as
concerned about defending the Rebels' passing attack as Ole Miss is regarding Nebraska's option.
Kruczek withdraws from UK's coach hunt Another candidate has withdrawn his name from the search for a football coach at the University of Kentucky. Central Florida's Mike Kruczek said
in a statement on the school's Web site yesterday that he was no longer a candidate to replace Guy Morriss at UK.
It's 50 years since the season that never was Admirers and detractors alike call the University of Kentucky program ''The Roman Empire of College Basketball.'' The Empire
turns 100 years old this season. Admirers will light a candle -- or perhaps 100. Fifty years ago the detractors tried to light a torch to The Program.
Suspended Animation Kentucky's 1952-53 basketball season was canceled, but UK fans got their fix during four exhibition games in 11,500-seat Memorial Coliseum.
Wildcats Return to Freedom Hall to Face CardinalsArchrivals Kentucky and Louisville meet for the 34th time as the Wildcats travel
to play their third road game of the young season in the River City. It's the Wildcats' second consecutive game in Freedom Hall.
The greatest gift of all The children in line to see Santa have gauze bandages on their forearms. The bandages cover the intravenous ports used to drip chemotherapy
drugs into their veins -- poisons introduced from outside the body to fight what is attacking the kids from within.
ESPN Analyst Headed To UK?On Wednesday, ESPN Radio reported that UK might announce its new head football
coach Thursday. The network said it would be former Georgia coach Jim Donnan. But as of Thursday evening, no official announcement had been made by any of the parties involved.
MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!
(12-25-02)
Men's Basketball
An 'A' in chemistry Any concern about how Cliff Hawkins' return might adversely affect Kentucky's chemistry had been answered in the first half. His off-the-bench contributions provided a
needed boost as UK rallied from a slow start to beat Indiana on Saturday.
Big Ten asks IU to suspend Davis for tirade in UK game Indiana University will respond Friday to the Big Ten Conference's request that men's basketball coach Mike Davis
be suspended following his outburst at the end of Saturday's game against the University of Kentucky.
Two left in hunt at UK The search for the vacant head football coaching position at the
University of Kentucky is apparently down to two candidates after University of Southern California offensive coordinator Norm Chow pulled out of the running on Tuesday.
Morriss tells his side of the story He arrived back in the Bluegrass on Sunday night, was out at his farm near Perryville on Monday afternoon, then was getting ready for a Christmas
gathering Monday night.
Chow says he no longer wants UK jobSouthern California offensive coordinator Norm Chow took himself out of the running to be the
University of Kentucky's head football coach yesterday.
Search for coach nears conclusion University of Kentucky Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart said yesterday that his search for a football coach is coming to a conclusion, and an
announcement could come by the end of the week.
(12-24-02)
Men's Basketball
UK Vows To Battle Marvin Stone
Don’t look for Keith Bogans or any other Kentucky player to take it easy on former UK teammate Marvin Stone Saturday when the Wildcats play Louisville.
Women's Basketball
Cats shove aside Morris Brown with 106-32 win Jennifer Humphrey scored a career-high 20 points and Jenny Pfeiffer added 17 as the University of Kentucky women's basketball team
overwhelmed winless Morris Brown 106-32 last night in Memorial Coliseum.
Kentucky Football NotebookKick returner Derek Abney has been named first-team All-America by The Sporting News. TSN is the eighth
organization that has named Abney a first-team All-American following his record-breaking season
UK coaching search apparently narrows to threeThe University of Kentucky's search for a football coach apparently has narrowed to
three candidates: Central Florida coach Mike Kruczek, former Georgia coach Jim Donnan and Southern California offensive coordinator Norm Chow.
UK-U of L: 'Business' as usual? With about six minutes remaining in what otherwise qualified as a relaxing rout, the fans in one end zone of Freedom Hall tried a tepid chant of "Beat
UK."
Davis rues late-game meltdown Whether it was a foul or not, Indiana University basketball
coach Mike Davis knows his outburst at the end of Saturday's game against the University of Kentucky was wrong.
New combinations key in UK victory While Indiana University coach Mike Davis' emotional
outburst helped ice the victory for the University of Kentucky basketball team, it was UK's versatility which proved to be the bigger factor Saturday and could be a huge advantage for it the rest of the season.
UK Recruit Thomas Skating Through Foes Though Canada is internationally known for the superstars it produces in hockey,
one of its native sons has found success by choosing to pursue athletic endeavors by wearing high-top sneakers.
Davis Sorry For Tirade At KentuckyNo matter how many times it's been replayed, no matter the angle of the camera, the
images were still smoking 24 hours after a Mike Davis team was left reeling after its coach went through the ceiling Saturday night against Kentucky.
Women's Basketball
UK Women Dominate Morris Brown 106-32Jennifer Humphrey scored a career-high 20 points and Jenny Pfeiffer added 17 as the University of Kentucky
women's basketball team overwhelmed Morris Brown, 106-32, in Memorial Coliseum Monday night. It was the second-straight win for the Wildcats (5-4), while the Lady Wolverines remain winless at 0-11
Waiting game continues in search for coach UK Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart spent yesterday waiting on phone calls as he tries to wrap up his search for a football coach to replace
Guy Morriss.
Riley, Cutcliffe not interested in UK
The search for the next University of Kentucky football coach concludes its second week today just as two more candidates for the position officially struck their names from consideration over the weekend.
(12-22-02)
Men's Basketball
Wildcats Feels Hawkins' PresenceCliff Hawkins was humble in victory. There would be no gloating in what's, for him, a
one-game season.
Hawkins, IU coach bring joy to UK's world Now this is the way to spend the holidays. What better way to experience a little yuletide joy than watching Mike Davis experience his annual
Big Blue-induced meltdown, than watching Cliff Hawkins return from aca- demic exile for many a happy return?
davis accepts blame It was shocking behavior for an Indiana basketball coach. Inside the game's final five seconds, Mike Davis lost his cool and cost his team any chance to
win the annual hoops Armageddon with Kentucky.
INDIANA LOSES IT For the second straight game, victory or defeat depended upon how Hemingway defined courage: grace under pressure. Or crisp last-minute execution, in the sporting
vernacular.
New lineup produces mixed results If Tubby Smith was hoping to shake senior forward Jules Camara out of a slump by benching him, he got
mixed results Saturday.
Cats win by TKO Indiana University basketball coach Mike Davis lost his temper in the final seconds yesterday, and the outburst that followed guaranteed another IU
loss to the University of Kentucky.
A terrific game soiled by Davis As the Wildcats beat IU 70-64, Mike Davis had a Jerry Springer Moment. He set an NCAA record for melting down.
Hawkins makes thrilling return Cliff Hawkins is back in the University of Kentucky lineup. Let the thrill ride commence.
Women's Basketball
Cats Play Host To First-Time Opponent Morris BrownThe Kentucky women's basketball team hopes for an early Christmas present when
it plays host to Morris Brown on Monday, Dec. 23 at 7 p.m. in Memorial Coliseum. Tickets are only for adults and for senior citizens and children (ages 18 and under). UK students, faculty and staff are admitted free with valid identification. The Memorial Coliseum ticket office is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.,
or may be ordered over the phone by calling 859-257-1818 or 1-800-928-CATS (2287).
Another sluggish start, but Cats pull out OT win The Kentucky women were about to bomb against Miami (Ohio). Then bombs away saved the day. Down as many as 18 points in the second half,
the Cats hit almost 90 percent from three-point range to sneak past the visiting RedHawks 108-102 in overtime.
UK rallies for OT win over Miami of Ohio The University of Kentucky women's basketball team erased an 18point second-half deficit to rally for a 108-102 overtime win
over visiting Miami (Ohio) yesterday at Memorial Coliseum.
Barnhart whittling list of candidates UK Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart said he's getting closer to finding a football coach to replace the departed Guy Morriss. Barnhart spent the
past week flying across the country interviewing candidates, and while he wouldn't reveal names, he said yesterday that he's in the "paring-down" process of his coaching search. Barnhart declined to say how many coaches remain on his list.
Mississippi's Cutcliffe bows out of UK searchMississippi's David Cutcliffe, once the focus of the
University of Kentucky's search for a new football coach, withdrew his name from consideration last night.
(12-21-02)
Men's Basketball
Tubby seeks revival of UK Invitational If University of Kentucky basketball coach Tubby Smith
has his way with future schedules, he'd like to rekindle the UK Invitational Tournament and move the Indiana game to earlier in the season, he said Friday.
Hawkins' return should boost perimeter attack The University of Kentucky basketball team is
certainly getting junior point guard Cliff Hawkins back at just the right time in the short run, and only time will tell if it benefits the Wildcats in the long run.
Clutch Wildcats Beat No. 6 Indiana, 70-64No. 18 Kentucky beat sixth-ranked Indiana 70-64 Saturday, making five free throws with 2.6
seconds left after Hoosiers coach Mike Davis was ejected for running on the court to protest a non-call on a possible game-winning layup by freshman Bracey Wright. The Wildcats (6-2) took a 65-64 lead on a layup by Marquis Estill with 12.8 seconds left, the sixth lead change over the final 2:16
Today, talk is who will be where tomorrow In the circle of life, and sports, what's here today is gone tomorrow. Easy come, easy go. We have unbeaten Indiana and ranked Kentucky tipping
it up today at Freedom Hall -- Go Big Red! Go Big Blue! -- and all the talk on the state's sports scene is about who's coming and who's going.
Hoosiers suddenly have lost their touch While most of Hoosier Nation has been swept up in the euphoria of an unbeaten basketball season, Indiana University coach
Mike Davis knows some of that excitement could disappear if his team doesn't make shots today against the University of Kentucky
Hawkins got wake-up call, now ready to play Listen, Cliff Hawkins isn't trying to be somebody he's not. The University of Kentucky junior guard readily admits he
doesn't hop out of his warm bed on cold winter mornings fueled by his desire to go to class.
Game Of The Day: Kentucky-IndianaThe Indiana Hoosiers put their perfect record on the line against hated rival Kentucky in Louisville Saturday night.
Five Questions With Tubby SmithOrlando "Tubby" Smith is in his sixth season as coach at Kentucky, where he won the
national championship in his inaugural campaign in 1997-98. He is 137-45 overall with the Wildcats, whom he leads today against one of their biggest rivals, No. 6 Indiana, on a neutral court at Louisville's Freedom Hall. This past week, as the Cats took final exams, Smith answered five questions from
Enquirer reporter Bill Koch.
Hawkins Returns For IU GameIndiana coach Mike Davis hopes Kentucky junior point guard Cliff Hawkins tires early
Saturday in his first game back from a semester-long academic suspension.
IU Needs Big Effort, Davis Says Indiana University basketball coach Mike Davis has faced Kentucky twice in his short tenure at IU
Women's Basketball
Cats Come From Behind To Knock Off RedhawksThe University of Kentucky women's basketball team evened their record at 4-4 on the season with a 108-102 overtime
victory over the visiting Miami (Ohio) Redhawks, today, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2002 at Memorial Coliseum.
UK aims to avenge loss at Miami The Kentucky women's basketball team will play host to Miami (Ohio) at 1 p.m. today in Memorial Coliseum. The Wildcats (3-4) will try to play with the same intensity
they had in the second half against Long Island, when they came back from a 13-point deficit in the consolation game at the Hawaii Invitational last weekend.
Few signs of life in UK search One candidate for the vacant head football coaching position at the
University of Kentucky signed a contract extension with his current school on Friday, another said he wasn't sure if UK was even interested anymore and it's still unknown who else is really even a candidate
(12-20-02)
Men's Basketball
Rupp return excites Davis Kentucky fans of a certain age lament that the storied series with Indiana hasn't had a game played in Rupp Arena since 1988. After that year, the intensely
entertaining series has alternated between neutral sites in Indianapolis and Louisville.
Restocking the arsenal The return of Cliff Hawkins and Antwain Barbour should reinforce, not disrupt, Kentucky's steadily improving basketball team. That's how UK Coach Tubby Smith saw
the in-season addition of two contributors to the Cats' rotation.
Freshmen just one reason IU unbeaten Indiana University's basketball team is off to its best start in 13 years. The No. 6 Hoosiers haven't been ranked this high since
they were No. 1 at the end of the 1992-93 regular season.
Indiana: 8-0 and long way to go Even though his Indiana University basketball team is 8-0 and
off to its best start since the 1989-90 season and sports one of the nation's top backcourts, coach Mike Davis said Thursday he's still waiting for his team, especially that backcourt, to play as well as it has practiced.
Watching and waiting a tough transition for Azubuike The toughest part about being a player in one of college basketball's most storied programs has nothing to do with early
morning practices or balancing sports with academics for Kelenna Azubuike.
Kentucky Wildcats ReportDavis, Smith propose new venue for series
If the two
coaches have their way, the University of Kentucky and Indiana University basketball teams will play every other year in Rupp Arena instead of Freedom Hall. The Wildcats and Hoosiers currently alternate each season from the RCA Dome in Indianapolis to Freedom Hall in Louisville.
Davis wants IU-UK to also play at Rupp Indiana University basketball coach Mike Davis would
like to see the series his team and the University of Kentucky basketball team play take a stop every other season in Lexington's Rupp Arena rather than Louisville's Freedom Hall.
Davis prefers Rupp ArenaIf Indiana coach Mike Davis has his way, the Hoosiers will play Kentucky in Rupp Arena.
Kentucky considers Trojans assistant Kentucky Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart has been tight-lipped about who's on the list to become UK's new football coach, but one name emerging as
a serious candidate is Southern California offensive coordinator Norm Chow.
One of the most painful injuries I ever
received was being plunked in the back of the head with an ice ball.
Kentucky Football NotebookAbney named the 2002 SEC Special Teams Player of the Year and Pinner tabbed as the SEC's Most Improved Player of the Year
by the Southeastern Post.
Pinner named SEC Player of the Year by the Mobile Register.
(12-19-02)
Men's Basketball
Kentucky vs. Indiana Game NotesIn one of the most hotly contested rivalries in college basketball, Kentucky will face unbeaten
and sixth-ranked Indiana in Louisville's Freedom Hall Saturday before a split crowd divided at the midcourt line, a sea of red on one end and a sea of blue on the other
Tickets DwindlingTickets are only available to the following Kentucky men's basketball games: Alcorn State (Jan. 2), Ohio (Jan. 4)
and Auburn (Jan. 22). The Tennessee State, South Carolina and Notre Dame games are all sellouts.
This year's Cats have a real shot It's crack-of-dawn early. Much could change on the road from Midnight Madness to March Madness. But Kentucky is on pace to enjoy an unusually good
shooting season.
Bogans bleeding UK blue The gray home uniforms the University of Kentucky Wildcats recently
debuted -- ostensibly retro because they are belted around the waist but droop near the knees -- bear nothing but numbers on the players' backs. So what we now see in Keith Bogans is not only obvious, it is official: He is playing for the name on the front of the jersey.
Football
USC's Chow in mix to replace Morriss A source close to University of Southern California
offensive coordinator Norm Chow says that University of Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart discussed UK's vacant head coaching position with him over the weekend, but is unclear if his hiring is imminent.
Plenty of candidates for UK jobThe longer the University of Kentucky football coaching search continues, the more potential coaches it seems to produce.
Some 'Chow' For The Rumor MillJust one day after saying he had not spoken with the University of Kentucky, there
were reports from Los Angeles saying USC offensive coordinator Norm Chow met with UK athletics director Mitch Barnhart about UK's vacant head football coaching position.
(12-18-02)
Men's Basketball
Davis fired up for UK but cools the rhetoric
You could see Indiana University men's basketball coach Mike Davis flinch slightly when told that the next caller on his radio show was from Lexington, Ky. Davis relaxed a bit when the voice at the end of the line told him he was an IU fan.
