December 2004 WildcatZone.Com News Archive (12-31-04)       Basketball            Men Wildcats looking at rough week    What should have been a pleasant seven days of practice leading up to the University of Kentucky's Southeastern Conference opener against South Carolina next week will now amount to a week's worth of basketball boot camp. Campbell meaningful after all     Maybe these games are meaningful.  In a game that wasn't supposed to be this close, Kentucky took a lesson from Campbell it will need down the road as the Wildcats prepare to enter the Southeastern Conference portion of the schedule Tubby ticked at Cats' effort     It was a memorable win for Kentucky coach Tubby Smith, but not a game to remember.           Women Cats make growth spurt at right time   UK DOESN'T FOLD AMID BARRAGE OF 3S   The growth was visible, like pencil marks on a kitchen door frame. Wake Forest would make a run and Kentucky would answer. The Demon Deacons would hit a big three-pointer and the UK women would respond again. Wildcats Upset Wake, 66-61    Freshman Sarah Elliott scored 20 points and senior Sara Potts added 15 as the Kentucky Wildcats held off a second half rally by Wake Forest to take down the Demon Deacons 66-61 Thursday night at Rupp Arena in front of a season-high 5,785 fans. It was only the second loss by Wake Forest, who had been receiving votes in both national Polls. Kentucky beats Wake Forest 66-61   Freshman Sarah Elliott scored 20 points and Sara Potts added 15 as the University of Kentucky women beat visiting Wake Forest 66-61 last night. (12-30-04)       Basketball            Men UK's Thomas had tumor removed     Sheray Thomas knows numerous rumors and questions have surfaced about what was wrong with him when he needed a major surgery in October that forced him to miss over two months of the basketball season. Camels no match for Cats     With Kentucky looking to avoid the post-Christmas blahs, Campbell the basketball team proved to be like Campbell the soup: "Umm, umm, good!"  Cats cruise, snooze   Holiday blahs set in after dominant 1st half   Beating outmanned Campbell by more than 30 points last night should have made Kentucky feel mm, mmm good. But a poor second half turned this unavoidable victory into a thin gruel that UK Coach Tubby Smith found most distasteful. Kentucky vs. Campbell Post-Game Quotes     Kentucky Head Coach Tubby Smith    “I’ve got to compliment Campbell. I thought, in the second half, they didn’t stop playing. They didn’t give up. I think our players thought the game ended at half time. They really came out and made some shots and did some good things. We started to turn the ball over because Campbell got a little more aggressive. They showed a lot of pride and a lot of heart, which players are going to do.” Wildcats roll, but Tubby not thrilled   The University of Kentucky's 82-50 men's basketball victory over Campbell last night had to feel like "Groundhog Day" for season-ticket holders. Six times this season they've showed up at Rupp Arena to watch the Wildcats pad their stats and pummel an opponent better fit for the local church league Kentucky routs Campbell to give Smith his 200th win with Wildcats     That Tubby Smith would win his 200th game as Kentucky's basketball coach Wednesday night was a given. That a freshman would lead the way was not.   Sorry second half gives Tubby a talking point   That sly old dog, Tubby Smith. He hasn't won a national championship and now 200 games at Kentucky for nothing, you know. On the outside, the coach might have been fuming over his team's sloppy second-half performance in last night's mundane 82-50 win over the Fighting Camels of Campbell College. But on the inside, there might have been the slightest hint of a Tubby grin. Wildcats disappoint Tubby    University of Kentucky head coach Tubby Smith's 200th career win at the helm of the Wildcats came with ease, but it wasn't the way he would have liked to reach the milestone. Smith not happy despite 200th win  The 82-50 victory over Campbell gave Tubby Smith his 200th victory as Kentucky coach. But the way the victory came (sub-par second half suggesting lessons not yet learned about consistent effort and concentration) left Smith in no mood to celebrate.           Women UK Hoops Meet Wake Forest In 2004 Finale    The Kentucky women’s basketball team looks to enter the new year on an upswing when the Wildcats play host to Wake Forest in Rupp Arena Thursday, Dec. 30 in their final game of 2004. Game time is set for 7 p.m. ET. (12-29-04)       Basketball            Men Cats Cream Camels, 82-50     No. 8/10 Kentucky held the Campbell Fighting Camels to 28.5 percent shooting and cruised to a 82-50 win Wednesday night in Rupp Arena. Freshman Randolph Morris scored a career-high 25 points on 11-14 shooting. Senior Chuck Hayes narrowly missed his fifth double-double of the season with nine points and 11 rebounds. He also dished out five assists. Wildcats Face Camels in Holiday Home Game     After a rare three-day break for the Christmas holiday, the Wildcats returned to practice Monday in preparation for Wednesday night’s game with the Campbell Fighting Camels. It’s the first meeting between UK and Campbell, who became a Division I school during the 1977-78 season. Tubby goes for No. 200    Even if the University of Kentucky obliterates an opponent by 30 points, UK head coach Tubby Smith will find a polite way to commend the overmatched loser. Yet Smith's words never reek of the hyperbole some other coaches ooze to trump up the value of a lesser opponent. Tubby defends early cakewalk    Cats have 238th toughest schedule   While acknowledging the need for more serious-minded play, Kentucky Coach Tubby Smith defended a schedule full of laughers. "Well, it's not like these aren't Division I teams," Smith said yesterday of a UK schedule that includes Coppin State, Ball State, Georgia State, Tennessee Tech, Morehead State, William & Mary and -- tonight in Rupp Arena -- the Fighting Camels of Campbell. 7-foot-2 Carter interests 'Cats     University of Kentucky head coach Tubby Smith and his assistant coaches have racked up many frequent flier miles looking for a post player from the 2005 class. Smith won't commit to extra time for Thomas   Sophomore Sheray Thomas made cameo appearances in Kentucky's last two games. But Coach Tubby Smith stopped short of predicting more playing time tonight against Campbell. Men's Basketball Pre-Game Press Conference Quotes - Campbell     Head Coach Tubby Smith   On the William & Mary game… “After evaluating that tape, there are still a lot of issues and a lot of things we still have to get better at. The rebounding part is what really concerns me, but we rebounded the ball better against William & Mary and better in the second half against Louisville. We still need to improve in that area. We’ll shoot for a better percentage when we get the ball inside better and finish at the basket. Cats vs. Campbell is good as guaranteed    In college basketball, they're known as guarantee games. As in, the visitor from the little school is guaranteed a check and the home team from the big school is guaranteed a win. In the case of tonight's University of Kentucky game against Campbell, UK is supposed to get the win, while its opponent, a small Baptist college in Buies Creek, N.C., walks away with a tidy $45,000 check.     (12-28-04)       Basketball            Men Tallest Dreams on the Team     The most striking trait of Shagari Alleyne is his height, as is obvious to anyone who has ever passed him on UK’s campus or watched him keep the rim company during UK’s basketball games. If you’ve had the opportunity to speak with him, however, his height is less impressive than the friendliness he exudes. Not to mention the fact that he’s articulate, smart and introspective.   Has slate prepared Wildcats?     How affective has Kentucky's schedule been in preparing the Wildcats for their upcoming Southeastern Conference opponents?   Camels face big hump in Rupp   CAMPBELL'S FINAL RPI RATING LAST YEAR WAS 320 OF 326   Lord willing, the creeks don't rise and no ice on Jellico Mountain, Kentucky's next opponent will arrive in Lexington today. That would be Campbell, a notable brand name for soup but nondescript as a basketball entity. Most modest Kentucky opponents of the last 10 years with final RPl...    Most modest Kentucky opponents of the last 10 years with final RPl ranking from the previous season: Opponent (season) RPI 1. Campbell (2004-05) 320           Women UK Hoops Fall To Xavier in the Queen City    Xavier connected on a school-record 13 three-pointers and used a 12-0 run midway through the second half to defeat the Kentucky women’s basketball team 75-67 Tuesday afternoon in Cincinnati’s Cintas Center. The Wildcats snapped a four-game win streak despite shooting over 50 percent from the field for the fourth straight game. Cats look for defense, rebounding vs. Xavier  The Kentucky women's basketball team brings a four-game winning streak into today's 2 p.m. game against Xavier in Cincinnati. The Wildcats recorded their biggest win of the season -- a 106-51 decision over Nicholls State -- last Tuesday before taking a short Christmas break. (12-27-04)       Basketball            Men UK Notebook: Cats enjoy Rondo     Rajon Rondo came to Kentucky with a big reputation. Not only was he a McDonald's All-American, he was also known as a cocky, one-dimensional player. Or at least that's what some of his Kentucky teammates had heard before he arrived here.           Women UK Hoops Travel to Cincinnati to face Xavier   Coming off the season’s biggest win—a 106-51 decision over Nicholls State last Tuesday— and a short break for the Christmas holiday, the Kentucky women’s basketball team returns to the hardwood against Xavier in the Queen City Tuesday, Dec. 28. Tip off is set for 2 p.m. ET in the Cintas Center. (12-26-04)       Basketball            Men HOOP GENES  Scrawny, small and slow, Sparks was destined to win    It's well-documented that Patrick Sparks does not look the part of a basketball star. "Scrawny country boy" fits a lyric out of Nashville much better than, say, a University of Kentucky basketball uniform. A STORY FOR EVERY COUNTY     Start in College Park, Md., where Texas Western famously broke the heart of Adolph Rupp and his Runts.  Sparks proved himself long ago    The night before Patrick Sparks etched a place for himself in University of Kentucky basketball history, he got a call from his best buddy back home. Tubby: Time to end the silence     It's no secret that University of Kentucky coach Tubby Smith hasn't allowed his freshmen to be interviewed by the media since the (exhibition) season began.  Cats' fans pounce at chance to correct CBS' Packer    ANALYST SAID SPARKS WALKED TWICE; IT MAY HAVE BEEN JUST ONCE    Surely Kentucky fans have not been that good this year. Or maybe Santa Claus forgot to flick the off switch on his elves. As if rallying for a victory over archrival Louisville last weekend was not enough of a Christmas present, UK fans also can savor the chance to correct Billy Packer. Taking a break from basketball to talk basketball   It is a weekend without college basketball. It is not a weekend without college basketball talk. Not in Kentuckiana.       Football Manning endorses new quarterbacks coach   ARCHIE GIVES GOOD REVIEWS ON ROPER, WHO COACHED PEYTON AND ELI IN COLLEGE    Kurt Roper arrives as the new quarterbacks coach at the University of Kentucky with a glowing reference from a guy who knows a little something about the quarterback position.   (12-25-04)       Basketball            Men Size doesn't matter for Cats    UK HAS SHOWN IT CAN WIN WITH BIG, SMALL MATCHUPS   To beat Indiana, Kentucky went big and pounded the Hoosiers into submission. To beat Louisville, Kentucky went small and ran the Cardinals into a surrender. Obrzut still trying to learn how to play without fouling     Lukasz Obrzut is trying to throw around his 7-foot, 270-pound body without fouling.       Football Title Town also sending Chase Harp to Kentucky     The Title Town connections with the University of Kentucky football program keep increasing. (12-24-04)       Basketball            Men Deck the hall in big blue, y'all    With sincere apologies to all who love the authentic song, we bring you ... The Twelve Days of Wildcat Christmas: On the first day of Christmas, Sparks down to earth, but game soars     He'd just made the game-winning free throws in one of the nation's fiercest basketball rivalries, and a horde of reporters wondered what Patrick Sparks thought of his heroics. Cats can be big, small, in between    Smith has more options than last season because of the emergence of Josh Carrier, Shagari Alleyne and Ravi Moss, among others. The return of physical forward Sheray Thomas gives Smith one more button to push, and Bobby Perry gives him a perimeter-oriented forward off the bench. Wildcats get to play in a 'fun' game     The game was so one-sided even Kentucky coach Tubby Smith had no real complaints. Crawford fitting in just fine     Kentucky had an 88-43 lead with just over a minute to play when Kentucky freshman Joe Crawford drove inside the William & Mary defense. (12-23-04)       Basketball            Men Wildcats don't waste any time     At least it was quick. The University of Kentucky dominated undersized and overmatched William & Mary, 92-47, in one hour and 42 minutes Wednesday night at Rupp Arena for its fourth consecutive victory.  Entering the game, perhaps the biggest concern for UK head coach Tubby Smith was how his team would respond coming off an emotional victory against archrival No. 18 Louisville. Hayes not about the numbers, except wins     When it comes to Chuck Hayes, numbers can be deceiving.  The University of Kentucky senior has not shot the ball as well as he would have liked in UK's two biggest games. He was only 2-for-10 from the field in Saturday's win at Louisville and was just 2-for-7 in the loss at North Carolina. Hayes, Sparks trade roles     Chuck Hayes regained his scoring touch, Patrick Sparks lost his, and neither seemed overly impressed or discouraged.  Kentucky avoids letdown to trounce Tribe     Kentucky avoided a possible letdown in an emphatic way on Wednesday night.   Kentucky vs. William & Mary Post-Game Quotes     Kentucky Head Coach Tubby Smith “Tonight, I thought it was a fun game. I thought our guys were playing the right way, distributing the ball, moving the ball. We want to thank William and Mary for coming in and playing. They’re having a tough time right now, losing four out of the last five. But, I’ve got a lot of faith in Tony Shavers and I know his staff and they’ll get it done. When you travel like they have and play the type of teams they have played, it’s tough.   Hayes finds his touch as Cats trounce Tribe    Chuck Hayes regained his scoring touch, leading the No.8-ranked University of Kentucky with 18 points in a 92-47 wipeout of William & Mary last night before 18,059 at Rupp Arena. Wildcats Take Care of Tribe, 92-47     Chuck Hayes had 18 points and six rebounds and Kelenna Azubuike added 17 points and seven rebounds as Kentucky knocked of William & Mary 92-47, Wednesday night in Rupp Arena. Sophomore Shagari Alleyne scored six points and blocked five shots in just nine minutes of action. Cats Continue to roll, Demolish William and Mary     Chuck Hayes and Kelenna Azubuike lead united effort. Joe Crawford chips in with season high 12 points. Cats pass, go    UK follows coach's orders, dishes liberally    In a 92-47 victory over outmanned William & Mary last night, Kentucky Coach Tubby Smith not only saw a benefit from this week's no-dribble drills. Gifts that could keep on giving    YOUNG CATS COULD USE THESE UNDER THE TREE    You could say the highlight of the night was the introductions. Like a group of veterans back from winning an important battle on foreign soil, Kentucky (especially that Patrick Sparks fellow) received a hero's welcome last night in Rupp Arena after slaying Louisville on Saturday. Cats trying to make right traveling calls    Most Kentucky players went home for the Christmas holidays after last night's 92-47 victory over Willilam & Mary. Only the two foreign-born Cats were expected to miss going home. That would be Polish big man Lukasz Obrzut and Montreal native Sheray Thomas.       Football Lonnell DeWalt Up for Special Teams Player of the Year at FansPoll.com     Lonnell DeWalt has been nominated for National Special Teams Player of the Year on the FansPoll.com website. You can vote for Lonnell by going to www.fanspoll.com.  (12-22-04)       Basketball            Women UK Hoops Too Much for Nicholls State     Freshman center Sarah Elliott charted her first career double-double to lead the Kentucky women’s basketball team over Nicholls State 106-51 Tuesday in Rupp Arena. Elliott led five Wildcats in double digits, scoring a career high 24 points. She also charted a career-best 10 rebounds. Elliott stars in UK rout, 106-51    Freshman Sarah Elliott posted career highs with 24 points and 10 rebounds to lead the University of Kentucky women's basketball team to a 106-51 victory over visiting Nicholls State last night.           Men UK 92  --  WMU 47   (final) Smith: UK has work to do vs. Tribe     Kentucky basketball coach Tubby Smith has a surefire way to keep the eighth-ranked Wildcats from gloating too much after their comeback win over Louisville.  Tubby outlaws the dribble    PRACTICE IS PASSING-ONLY AFTER 'HALF FROM HELL'    Kentucky Coach Tubby Smith called the first 20 minutes at Louisville on Saturday "the half from hell." To correct at least one of the problems evident in that half, he put the Cats through a drill from that same sweltering zip code. There's no doubting Thomas     Tubby Smith had his doubts about whether Sheray Thomas could help Kentucky this season. Back to business for Cats    While Big Blue Nation revels in one of the most memorable finishes in the history of the Dream Game, UK coach Tubby Smith would prefer that his players forget about it, at least long enough to get back to business tonight against William & Mary Men's Basketball Pre-Game Press Conference Quotes - William & Mary Game     On the Louisville game… “Louisville exposed a lot of the problems and issues that we had with our team, so we tried to address those yesterday through watching film and practice. I thought we did a better job in transition defense, although I didn’t think Louisville attacked us on the break as much, probably because we did a better job of it. With their changing defenses, we didn’t handle that very well. We’re just not a very good passing team right now, and that’s something we’ll have to improve on. Our turnovers reflect that we are handling the ball well, though we’re still not. I say that because it really attributes to our poor shooting percentage when you don’t make a decent pass. One of the things we stress all the time is that a good shot starts with a good pass. That’s something that’s disappointing that we haven’t improved on more. I can’t put our finger on exactly why. We play quite a few players. We’re pleased with the win. We’re certainly excited for Patrick (Sparks) being player of the week in the SEC and in the country. That’s quite an achievement there. We had a lot of people that did a lot of things well down the stretch in the second half and made good decisions. That’s something we can build on.”   UK tries to maintain its focus    For the past three days, the University of Kentucky men's basketball players have received nothing but praise and adulation following their remarkable comeback victory against archrival Louisville on Saturday. William and Mary at Kentucky    When: 7 p.m. Records: William and Mary 3-4; Kentucky 7-1 TV: Channel 27 (delayed, 11:35 p.m.) Radio: WLAP-AM 630, WBUL-FM 98.1, Tribe coach recalls watching Smith play    William and Mary Coach Tony Shaver grew up in High Point, N.C. From that vantage point, he watched Kentucky Coach Tubby Smith play for High Point College in the early 1970s. Today's opponent    William and Mary Location: Williamsburg, Va. Enrollment: 5,560 Founded: 1693 Nickname: Tribe School colors: Green, gold and silver       Football Brooks hires two coaches, lands a QB   BOYLE COACH SMITH TAKES OVER LINEBACKERS    Kentucky Coach Rich Brooks has given himself a couple of early Christmas presents: a pair of new assistant coaches and a commitment from its top quarterback target. Boyle Co. coach Smith named UK assistant    Chuck Smith, who coached Boyle County High School to five state championships in the past six seasons, and former Mississippi assistant Kurt Roper have been added to the University of Kentucky's football coaching staff. Boyle Co. coach joins Brooks' staff    It's time for Chuck Smith to start living the dream. The coach who built Boyle County High School into a state football power is looking forward to the challenge of competing in the college ranks. (12-21-04)       Basketball            Men Wildcats Return Home After Thrilling Win to Host Tribe    Kentucky returns home riding high after a thrilling 60-58 victory over rival Louisville Saturday. The Wildcats face William & Mary for the first time in school history in the team’s final game before the Christmas holiday. Dewalt won't play basketball for UK    Lonnell Dewalt, the University of Kentucky football player who has been practicing with the basketball team, will not continue with the latter, basketball coach Tubby Smith said on his radio show last night. Depth a UK strength    Reserve players usually don't score the most points, grab the most rebounds or get much glory. But when they do their job, they can affect the outcome of a game just as much as the heralded stars. Packer blows whistle on Sparks   CBS ANALYST SAYS TRAVELING SHOULD HAVE BEEN CALLED   Kentucky prevailed over Louisville on Saturday. CBS commentator Billy Packer's compulsion for what he sees as accuracy won out over his desire for popularity the same day. TUBBY NOTHING IF NOT GUTSY    Now for my favorite part of the Kentucky-Louisville basketball game ... ... the 364 days or so of post-game rehash. Winners: Patrick Sparks and Rajon Rondo. Lost in the glowing Sparks tributes (all deserved) was the fact that Rondo's second-half penetration ignited the Kentucky rally. Dewalt won't play basketball this year    Football freshman Lonnell Dewalt will not join the Kentucky basketball team, Coach Tubby Smith said on his radio call-in show last night.       Football Chuck Smith Joins UK Football Staff    Chuck Smith, one of the most accomplished coaches in the history of Kentucky high school football, has joined the University of Kentucky staff as assistant coach for linebackers, Coach Rich Brooks announced Tuesday. Stull calls Kentucky's number     Seton-La Salle star Bill Stull was on a return flight Monday from a recruiting visit to Maryland when he received a voice mail on his cell phone. Highly regarded QB from Pittsburgh commits to UK    Billy Stull's first recruiting letter came from the University of Kentucky. So did his first scholarship offer. In the mind of Stull, rated by Rivals.com as the No.11 pro-style quarterback prospect in the nation, it only made sense to reward the Wildcats with a commitment. Kentucky Football Notebook: Turituri Signs With UK    Fatu Turituri, a 6-2, 290-pound offensive lineman from Los Angeles Harbor College, is Kentucky’s first signee of the 2005 recruiting class, Coach Rich Brooks announced Monday. Junior-college lineman signs    Kentucky has received its first official signee for the 2005 recruiting class in Fatu Turituri, a 6-foot-2, 290-pound offensive lineman from Los Angeles Harbor College. (12-20-04)       Basketball            Men Sparks Earns National Player of the Week Honors    Kentucky junior guard Patrick Sparks has been named the National Player of the Week by The Sporting News, ESPN.com and Dick Vitale after sinking three free throws to seal a 60-58 come-from-behind win over No. 13 Louisville Saturday. Sparks Named SEC Player of the Week     Sparks scored a game-high 25 points to lead Kentucky to a stunning 60-58 come-from-behind win over arch-rival Louisville.  Carrier, Moss find ways to help Cats win     While their more highly-touted freshmen teammates watched, Ravi Moss and Josh Carrier were finding ways to help Kentucky win. Smith inspires Wildcats     Tubby Smith may have a lost a little of his religion, but he found a basketball team.   Did the win reveal a bright future?    NEWCOMER CONTRIBUTIONS, SOUND DEFENSE ON DISPLAY    A victory over archrival Louisville ensured a merry Christmas for Kentucky. More importantly, the game suggested that UK will enjoy a happy new year. Comeback was no tall tale    Years from now, when University of Kentucky fans recall the epic comeback the Wildcats pulled off against the University of Louisville in Freedom Hall on Saturday, it might sound something like this: Wild win more proof Smith is top tactician    Here's the best Christmas present you are never going to get: A column on how Tubby Smith can't beat Rick Pitino. I didn't want to write it; you didn't want to read it. Sparks shows nerves of steel     Their identities hidden, the four University of Kentucky fans huddled together in the last row of section 301 in Freedom Hall, hoping for a miracle. Sparks' winning free throws were shots heard all way to London    Steve Sparks, the coach of the Muhlenberg North basketball team, had been running late. But he wasn't about to leave the television. What we know about these Cats — nothing   They're that weird piece of art in the gallery. Oh, that's nice. But what is it?  It's a University of Kentucky basketball team, we think, and it's stylish, sort of, pretty much. Look on the right side, and these Wildcats are appealing. Look on the left, and they are appalling. Blink, and you'll swear you're staring at something totally different. (12-19-04)       Basketball            Men 'I haven't seen him miss many'     Patrick Sparks just kept pacing.  Twenty-four times now, Kentucky and Louisville have faced off in our state's modern Super Bowl of college basketball.  Cats live a dream, 60-58    It was halftime of the University of Kentucky-University of Louisville game yesterday, and you had to take three looks at the Freedom Hall scoreboard to determine if the Wildcats were behind by 16 or 66.   Sparks on way to becoming legend to legion of UK fans     Patrick Sparks made Saturday's most recent showdown between Kentucky and Louisville an instant classic and put himself well on his way to becoming another beloved home-grown legend amongst the legion of Wildcat fans.   UK gets Sparks they need     Patrick Sparks stood alone at the free-throw line as an arena erupted around him. He scuffed his shoe, tugged on his shorts, paced back and forth. He tried not to think.  Wildcats choose speed over size to rally back     Pregame conventional wisdom held that the University of Kentucky basketball team's best chance of beating the University of Louisville would be to pound the ball inside to its big men. With game on line, Smith goes with age     In the end, coach Tubby Smith turned to a veteran cast in Kentucky's 60-58 defeat of Louisville at Freedom Hall Saturday.  HAT-TRICK SPARKS    3 clutch free throws cap Cats' rally from 16-point hole    Though the outcome of one of the most dramatic "Dream Games" rested in his hands, Kentucky guard Patrick Sparks had to wait ... and wait -- to throw the win-or-lose lever. Cards fold down the stretch   University of Kentucky guard Patrick Sparks waited awhile to get hot, but when he did, the University of Louisville couldn't cool him off.  Sparks burns Cardinals   U of L's Ellis Myles fouled UK's Patrick Sparks, who scored the winning points on three free throws with 0:00.6 left. DREAM GAME FINDS NEW SPARKS    Down 16, UK rallies past Cardinals 60-58    They talk about that first Dream Game back in 1983. They talk about that first game in Rupp the following December, and Cedric Jenkins' tip-in in '87, and the Samaki Walker block party in '95 and Rick Pitino's return to Rupp Arena in 2001. Video link reunites families    Judy Rittenhouse had 15 min­utes yesterday to visit with her son in Iraq through a special video hookup during the UK-U of L basketball game. SPARKS MAKES HIS MARK ON A BIG STAGE    Patrick Sparks just kept pacing. Twenty-four times now, Kentucky and Louisville have faced off in our state's modern Super Bowl of college basketball. The final twist - Myles has no way to fix this mistake    Ellis Myles made a mistake, and he could not atone for it. He struggled to react. Cards too thin after Palacios makes exit    The way Freedom Hall was rocking and rolling in the first half, it seemed as if the Cards were just a 20-minute cruise-control trip away from their third straight win over Kentucky. A minute was all Thomas needed to energize Cats    Sophomore forward Sheray Thomas made a belated and timely debut in Kentucky's 60-58 victory over Louisville yesterday. Thomas, sidelined since undergoing surgery for an undisclosed ailment in early October, played one minute. But it was not an insignificant minute. Bluegrass Boys key in clutch    Tubby turns to Kentucky natives in crunch time    Josh Carrier had played a total of two minutes against Louisville in his three-year Kentucky career. That was until yesterday, when the senior guard not only found himself playing 13 minutes, but playing down the stretch when Kentucky overcame a 10-point deficit in the final five minutes to beat Louisville 60-58. How the Cats came back    Kentucky trailed Louisville 32-16 at halftime yesterday. The Cats were still behind by 16, at 46-30, after a Larry O'Bannon jump shot for the Cardinals with 11:10 remaining. Here's how the scoring unfolded after that, with Kentucky baskets in bold type: Kentucky leads 24-12    Season Score UK in post-season U of L in post-season '12-13 Kentucky 34, Louisville 10 None None '13-14 Kentucky 22, Louisville 17 None None Crowd control could help on road    POSSIBLE SEC PENALTIES WON'T BE AN ISSUE IN REGAL RUPP    Earlier this month, the Southeastern Conference announced a set of penalties designed to discourage fans from coming onto its basketball courts and football fields. (12-18-04)       Basketball            Men UK  60  -- UL 58 (final)  Cats' Comeback Win Ignited by Sparks     Patrick Sparks sank three free throws with less than a second left to cap his 25-point performance and complete ninth-ranked Kentucky's big comeback for a 60-58 win over No. 13 Louisville and Rick Pitino on Saturday. Atmosphere for 'Cats-Cards was electric     The electricity and enthusiasm in Freedom Hall was absolutely incredible Saturday afternoon. In the end, Kentucky got a great win and Louisville had a heartbreaking loss. Guard powers 'Cats to win over archrival     In a state where every boy grows up with visions of game-winning shots dancing in his head, Patrick Sparks lived the Ultimate Kentucky Fantasy on Saturday afternoon.  Royal Flush: Kentucky deals Cards tough loss at home     Patrick Sparks sank three foul shots with 6/10ths of a second remaining in the game, lifting ninth-ranked Kentucky to a 60-58 come-from-behind win over No. 13 Louisville at Freedom Hall.   Sparks' quick thinking completes great Wildcat comeback     Ellis Myles was coming fast -- too fast. Kentucky guard Patrick Sparks saw Myles coming, did the math, and knew he wasn't going to beat Louisville from the field. Not enough time. Down 16, Kentucky rallies past Louisville on FTs in final second     Though the outcome of one of the most dramatic "Dream Games" literally rested in his hands, Kentucky guard Patrick Sparks had to wait and wait to throw the win-or-lose lever. Kentucky overcomes slow start to stun Louisville     The officials were checking TV replays to see whether Kentucky's Patrick Sparks should get three free throws in the final second against Louisville.   Kentucky vs. Louisville Post-Game Quotes     Kentucky Head Coach Tubby Smith "It was a tale of two halves. You expect your team to come ready to play, but as Rick Pitino's teams always do, they were tough and fought hard. We did things that championship teams do. I though our guys didn't panic, they kept their poise, and we did the things we needed to do to win."   SPARKS' FREE THROWS LIFTS CATS    Kentucky comes from 15 down in the 2nd half    Patrick Sparks made three free throws with :00.6 left to beat Louisville 60-58 today in Freedom Hall. Sparks leads UK comeback    Patrick Sparks sank three free throws with less than a second left to cap his 25-point performance and complete ninth-ranked Kentucky's big comeback for a 60-58 win over No. 13 Louisville. Preview UK vs UL     Louisville coach Rick Pitino almost never loses to a former assistant coach or player.   Coaches make the rivalry     At the risk of mixing politics into the sports section, it's important to note that public universities are prohibited from sponsoring specific religions.  Will win crown the quick or the tall?     The showdown between Kentucky and Louisville today boils down to this: Kentucky's size against Louisville's speed.  SIZE MATTERS     When he was coaching Kentucky, Rick Pitino remembers watching Louisville's Samaki Walker block 11 shots to help the Cardinals upset No. 5 UK 88-86 in Freedom Hall and ruin Pitino's 1996 New Year's Day.  Smith preaches patience, control amid Cards' chaos     Style, for an individual player, usually gets little respect in basketball. French pastry, as the late Al McGuire said dismissively. Meaningless, though difficult to ignore, sizzle.  Smith: Cats must control the tempo     For Kentucky to beat Louisville, coach Tubby Smith says his Wildcats must play the way they can, not the way the Cardinals want them to play.   Similarities run deep for Hayes and Myles     Chuck Hayes sees a lot of similarities between himself and Ellis Myles.   Both are undersized, rugged front-court players from California who lead their respective teams in not only rebounding but also in heart and soul.  Thomas, Dewalt Both Practice    Both Sheray Thomas and Lonnell Dewalt practiced with the University of Kentucky basketball team last night in Freedom Hall, but it is uncertain whether either will dress for today's game against the University of Louisville.   Freshmen know about rivalry     Since he played and coached in the Kentucky-Louisville series, Reggie Hanson knows a lot about the in-state rivalry. However, he says experience isn't necessary to understand the significance of this game.   Pitino adds fire to state rivalry    'Twas the week before Christmas and all across the state, all the last-minute shoppers took a little break ...  Fans have mellowed (some) since '83     The mystery is gone. After 21 years of public intimacy, Kentucky and Louisville know each other too well. Can the rivalry ever again be as vivid as it was on March 26, 1983? Wildcats Return to Freedom Hall to Face Rival Cardinals     Just a week after claiming a 73-58 win over Indiana in Freedom Hall, Kentucky returns to the Derby City to face homestanding Louisville in the 36th meeting between the intra-state rivals. Wildcats must control tempo    For the University of Kentucky, the difference between a win and a loss in today's game against archrival Louisville could boil down to three words. Control the tempo. The ninth-ranked Wildcats failed to do that in their only loss of the year, a 13-point setback at No. 5 North Carolina. Unlike predecessors, Pitino embraces rivalry    Even when he coached at the University of Kentucky, Rick Pitino had a thing for Louisville. As a city, that is. He thought it was critical for UK to break down the barriers there. He was an urban, up-tempo artist who, when he arrived at Kentucky in 1989, inherited a club of country boys. It helped when he recruited Jamal Mashburn out of New York. The game that started it all    Cardinals' overtime win in NCAA Tournament still measuring stick    The favorites flew in, befitting their gravity-defying reputation. The underdogs rode a bus. The favorites were a telegenic team coached by California-cool Denny Crum. Despite their old-money image, the underdogs were a blue-collar outfit coached by a tobacco farmer named Joe Hall from Cynthiana, Ky. Smith preaches patience, control amid Cards' chaos    Style, for an individual player, usually gets little respect in basketball. French pastry, as the late Al McGuire said dismissively. Meaningless, though difficult to ignore, sizzle. Dream Game Quiz     How much do you know about the 1983 UK-UofL revival? CAN'T STOP THE CARDS    5 REASONS KENTUCKY WILL BEAT LOUISVILLE    1. Precedence Kentucky doesn't lose to the same non-conference opponent three seasons in a row. At least, it hasn't in almost 15 years -- when Indiana did the trick, beating the Cats in 1988-89, '89-90 and '90-91. Louisville has never beaten UK three times in a row. 10 Great Performances   10 of the best individual performances in series history.   Kentucky at Louisville    When: Noon TV: ESPN Records: UK 6-1; U of L 6-1 Series: Kentucky leads 23-12 Last meeting: Louisville won 65-56 on Dec. 27 in Rupp Arena Favored Cardinals don't feel that way    They are four-point favorites, according to Las Vegas oddsmakers. But the Cardinals (6-1) still feel like underdogs heading into today's noon matchup against the No. 9 Wildcats (6-1) at Freedom Hall. Joe B. and Denny, goodwill ambassadors...now    There they were, sitting side-by-side on Wednesday for all the bleary-eyed, early-morning television world to see. Talk about your morning jolt via a different joe. There was Joe B. Hall in a blue sport coat. Next to him was Denny Crum in a red sport coat. Dressed to kill. Pitino says he'll reinstate Farley     University of Louisville freshman Terrance Farley met with coach Rick Pitino and will be reinstated to the basketball team soon, Pitino announced yesterday. Kentucky leads 23-12    Season Score UK in post-season U of L in post-season '12-13 Kentucky 34, Louisville 10 None None '13-14 Kentucky 22, Louisville 17 None None Wildcats want bragging rights     Chuck Hayes' social calendar will be determined today by the outcome of the University of Kentucky's basketball game at the University of Louisville LINEUPS, STATISTICS    Louisville Probable starters No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. 32 Francisco Garcia F 6-7 190 Jr. 2 Ellis Myles F 6-7 245 Sr. 3 Juan Palacios F 6-8 245 Fr.           Women UK Hoops Win Third Straight with 90-60 Routing of UAB    Kentucky shot a season-high 57.6 percent from the field and five Wildcats scored in double figures to lead the UK Hoops team to a 90-60 win against Alabama-Birmingham Saturday in Memorial Coliseum. UK Hoops Meet UAB in Memorial    The Kentucky women’s basketball team looks to extend their two-game winning streak when they play host to Alabama-Birmingham Saturday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. ET in Memorial Coliseum. (12-17-04)       Basketball            Men Wildcats Return to Freedom Hall to Face Rival Cardinals     ust a week after claiming a 73-58 win over Indiana in Freedom Hall, Kentucky returns to the Derby City to face homestanding Louisville in the 36th meeting between the intra-state rivals. Men's Basketball Pre-Game Press Conference Quotes - UK vs. Louisville     Head Coach Tubby Smith     On the Louisville game…    “This is always a big game. It’s an important game for the fans and the people in the Commonwealth and around the country. It’s one of the best rivalries going and we’ve been on the short end of it the last two years. It will be a tough time going into Louisville. It’s always a challenge. Coach (Rick) Pitino has his team playing pretty well. They went into Gainesville (Florida) and beat the (Florida) Gators. That’s always a sign that you have a pretty good team. In their top six, with Otis George if he’s healthy, you’ve got as good of a top-six players that you’re going to find in the country. In (Francisco) Garcia, everyone has seen what he’s done. He’s able to beat you. He and Taquan Dean, along with Otis George, I thought they made a difference in the game last year. It will be a real test with a young team like ours with only a couple of guys that have been in the fires under duress like Chuck (Hayes) and Kelenna (Azubuike). The first time we did it, we didn’t have much success going into Chapel Hill (N.C.). I’m hoping we can respond better now that we’ve had a few games under our belt. We’ll have to get a lot of good play out of Chuck, Kelenna and Patrick (Sparks), because they are our veteran players.” UK-UofL: Big game is no season-breaker    Using the annual bloodletting between the Cats and Cards to gauge which team had the finer season is no more reliable than a street-corner psychic. Kentucky soldiers in Iraq to receive early present     Governor Ernie Fletcher announced an early Christmas gift for Kentucky soldiers stationed in Iraq, their families back home, and University of Kentucky and University of Louisville basketball fans everywhere.  Tallest Dreams on the Team    The most striking trait of Shagari Alleyne is his height, as is obvious to anyone who has ever passed him on UK’s campus or watched him keep the rim company during UK’s basketball games. If you’ve had the opportunity to speak with him, however, his height is less impressive than the friendliness he exudes. Not to mention the fact that he’s articulate, smart and introspective.   Alleyne keeps improving     Almost every game this season, sophomore center Shagari Alleyne has shown another skill that he didn't have last year when he was a seldom-used reserve at Kentucky.   two winners, two ways to win    Pitino's pre-game strategy vs. Tubby's in-game adjustments   Rick Pitino is H & R Block: The master of taxing preparation. For all the "Slick Rick" motivational spiel that can so inspire players, what makes Pitino a special basketball coach is this: To prevent knockout, Cards must block out    While he's no wizard, Pitino said he knows that his team is going to have to find a way to make size not matter against the Wildcats. Ado about ... what, exactly?    SORTING THROUGH THE HYPE AND SUBSTANCE OF UK'S WHAS DEAL    Thomas J. Stultz, the president and CEO of Host Communications, and his wife will celebrate their 33rd wedding anniversary on Saturday. Nothing casual about Tubby's ways this week   If black ties were required for this blue-and-red occasion, Tubby Smith would be perceived as the guest most likely to show up in a mangled sweater, dirty khakis and loafers. It's not his typical style Thomas, Dewalt may play for Cats   Kentucky fans might need to update their scorecards during Saturday's game. Louisville made a potentially important adjustment to its roster yesterday. Rondo plays it low-key    When Rajon Rondo arrives at Freedom Hall to play on the court that could have been his home floor against the coach who spurned him to chase a pipe dream, Rondo's older brother Will says he won't hold a grudge. Thomas, Dewalt may play for Cats    Kentucky and Louisville fans might need to update their scorecards during Saturday's game. The status of three players remains in limbo. UK might -- or might not -- use forwards Sheray Thomas and Lonnell Dewalt. And U of L forward/cen--ter Otis George is questionable.       Football  LAGRANGE, GA., OFFERS ANOTHER TOP RECRUIT    The University of Kentucky added two oral commitments this week when LaGrange, Ga., linebacker Braxton Kelley and Hargrave Military offensive lineman Christian Johnson told the UK coaching staff they would sign with Kentucky in February. UK gets commitments from lineman, linebacker   Christian Johnson, a lineman from Chatham, Va., and Braxton Kelley, a linebacker from LaGrange, Ga., have joined the list of commitments for the University of Kentucky's 2005 football recruiting class. (12-16-04)       Basketball            Men Less talk, more action    Tubby to freshmen: Focus on game, forget interviews   What Kentucky's freshmen have to say about their first game against Louisville almost assuredly will take a back seat to how they play in their first game against Louisville. SEC approves fines up to $50,000 for fans    Southeastern Conference schools could face fines of as much as $50,000 if fans come onto the field or court during football or basketball games. Cards' loss, Cats' gain    On Saturday, Rajon Rondo finally will get to play before Louisville fans at Freedom Hall. He will wear blue, not red. If he's on, he will slash and dazzle, dunk and deflect passes, throw lobs and catch lobs. Telfair will not be around to stop him. He went to the National Basketball Association. UK vs. U of L is No. 1 rivalry in the nation    Tobacco Road will snicker. ESPN will argue. Jaws will drop in other steamy arenas. But the ultimate rivalry game in college basketball will be played in Freedom Hall Saturday. Here are 10 reasons even Kentucky and Louisville fans can agree on.       Football  Kentucky says it's playing by the rules    SCHOOL POINTS OUT AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT    A University of Kentucky self-study concluded that its intercollegiate athletics program is playing by the rules and that everyone from the president on down is fulfilling an appropriate role in support of the Wildcats. (12-15-04) Trustees OK UK's NCAA self-study    University of Kentucky trustees yesterday approved the school's NCAA self-study, which included recommendations to increase graduation rates for athletes in revenue-producing sports and possibly add a women's sport.       Basketball            Men UK Notebook: Thomas cleared to play     Sophomore forward Sheray Thomas has resumed practicing with the Kentucky basketball team and soon should be able to play in games. No more 'babying' UK frosh    Kentucky coach Tubby Smith is not running out of patience with his young team, but he's ready to see more consistent play.   Never mind this dud: Cards will be ready on Saturday   When you're proud of the recent past and anxious about the rapidly approaching future, sometimes it's hard to stay focused on the precious present. rondo needs a niche   Louisville native must find a way to fit into UK's system   A freshman ... returning to his hometown ... playing against his hometown university ... on national television ... in a Kentucky-Louisville basketball game. Born to play basketball   The first time University of Kentucky senior forward Chuck Hayes laid eyes on Patrick Sparks, he was skeptical. At first glance Sparks, a slight 6-foot guard from the sleepy town of Central City, Ky., could easily pass for a team manager. Sparks a celebrity in hometown     There's a running joke among the 5,000 or so residents here about why University of Kentucky head coach Tubby Smith has his hand on Patrick Sparks' shoulder in a team picture. Sparks before UK     High school highlights: Holds school records for points (2,653), assists (657), rebounds (607) and steals (409). Leading scorer in Kentucky his senior season with 31.4 ppg. Guided the Muhlenberg North Stars to four straight district titles and three regional championships. Scored 71 points his senior year in North's 105-70 victory over Owensboro Apollo.       Football  Joker rolls the dice again    Joker Phillips was trying to overcome the intoxication of his expired football career when he went to work for an easy-listening radio station in Lexington. (12-14-04)       Basketball            Men Intrigue comes with Cats-Cards rivalry     It's about pride, drama and even revenge. When Kentucky plays Louisville in basketball there's always the added intrigue that only comes from a deeply rooted rivalry.   U of L's inroads into Blue base hurt by Pitino   For the first time in my adult life, I actually think the University of Louisville could have a window of opportunity to erode the out-in-the-state fan dominance that has long been the University of Kentucky's. Alleyne is standing tall for UK    Shagari Alleyne rose out of the paint like a surfacing submarine: large, ominous and surprising. The 7-foot-3 University of Kentucky center blockaded the basket Saturday afternoon at Freedom Hall as Indiana University players took the ball to him at least five times in the first half. Finals week adds to questions   EXAMINATIONS GIVE UK, LOUISVILLE MORE THINGS TO THINK ABOUT   For many Kentucky fans, this season's most important game comes at a most inopportune time. Kentucky plays archrival Louisville on Saturday (a.k.a the end of finals week when the only exercise many college students get are leaps of faith, jumps to conclusion and finger crossing).       Baseball  Boyd puts baseball on hold   QB TO FOCUS ON PREPARING FOR NFL   Shane Boyd will pass up his final year of eligibility with the Kentucky baseball team to work out for NFL teams this winter. Boyd couldn't be reached for comment yesterday, but his uncle, Glenn Boyd, confirmed that his nephew is putting baseball on hold to attempt to play football professionally. (12-13-04)       Basketball            Women