Barnhart Hopes Tubby Stays Every time Tubby Smith’s Kentucky basketball team has even a minor
misstep, people across the commonwealth cry out for the coach’s dismissal.
Kentucky-South Carolina Scouting Report South Carolina has won just three times in Columbia, but UK needed a Cliff Hawkins’ miracle shot last season to avoid starting
0-3 in the SEC.
USC's Odom Talks About UK Game South Carolina Coach Dave Odom spent much of his allotted time on the Southeastern Conference’s Thursday teleconference with the media
talking about the Gamecocks tilt with surging Kentucky this Saturday.
Cats' ability to win on road signals new maturity level Kentucky's ability to win away from its comfort zone in Rupp Arena is a clear signal
of why coach Tubby Smith was bubbling with enthusiasm in October about this team.
Kentucky Wildcats Report Many coaches look forward to an open week, but the University of Kentucky's Tubby Smith would have preferred to play this week. With the
Wildcats riding a nine-game winning streak, he's concerned that a week between games could do more harm than good.
Coaching search cost UK $20,000The University of Kentucky spent close to $20,000 on its search for a football coach, half of which went to a firm
that did background and reference checks.
(01-30-03)
Basketball
Kentucky at South Carolina NotesKentucky, one of two undefeated teams remaining in league play, makes its first appearance in the
Gamecocks' new Carolina Center when the two teams battle for the second time this season. Just 19 days have passed since the first meeting that saw host UK build a 21-point second-half lead before holding off South Carolina for the 62-55 victory on Jan. 11.
A Labor Of Love For Big Blue FansKentucky can make the claim that it is to college basketball what Notre Dame is to college
football. Only Kansas can come close to such sustained success for such a long period of time.
Gerald Fitch's statistics at UK Year G-S MPG FG-A PCT 3FG-A PCT FT-A PCT RPG APG TO BS ST PPG 00-01 34-26 19.8 76-167 .455 29-71 .408 49-71 .690 4.4 1.9 46 8 40 6.8
Fitch's switch lifts UK Kentucky guard Gerald Fitch has gone from grating to grateful in the last 12 months. Despite Fitch's many misadventures last season, UK Coach Tubby Smith gave
him second, third, fourth and fifth chances last season.
Football
UK Football NotebookTexas natives Otis Grigsby, Ronnie Riley and Nick Seitze honored by the San Antonio News-Express;
Glenn Palulak will participate in the Hula Bowl in Wailuku, Maui. The game is scheduled for Sat., Feb. 1, at 9 p.m. EST, will be televised live on ESPN
UK adds Murray to schedule Division I-AA Murray State has replaced Florida Atlantic and coach
Howard Schnellenberger on Kentucky's 2003 football schedule, which was released Wednesday.
Cats to challenge Murray State during 2003 The University of Kentucky football schedule for 2003 has been completed, with the addition of in-state foe Murray State, UK Athletics
Director Mitch Barnhart has announced.
(01-29-03)
Basketball
Defense Is A Key To Kentucky's SuccessIt seems to be their birthright, yet it's important to note that the Kentucky Wildcats are solidly
in the top 10 and at the top of the Southeastern Conference.
Women's Basketball
UK Women's Basketball Participates In NCAA 'Take A Kid To The Game' ProgramArea youngsters will have an opportunity to experience the college
game-day atmosphere when the Kentucky women's basketball team plays host to NCAA basketballs' annual Take A Kid The Game (TAKG) program on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2003. Kids, ages 18 and younger, will receive a free ticket to watch the Wildcats take on No. 16 South Carolina in Memorial Coliseum at 2 p.m. ET. UK students and
employees with valid faculty/staff identification will be also be admitted free. All other adults are only
Football
UK Football Notebook: Murray State Joins the ScheduleThe Kentucky football schedule for the 2003 season has been completed with
the addition of in-state foe Murray State, UK Director of Athletics Mitch Barnhart has announced. The Wildcats will play host to the Racers on Sept. 6
Brooks making major strides with Wildcats in early going The University of Kentucky men's basketball team has won nine straight games and
turned an otherwise vulnerable defense into a smothering unit that continues to stifle the most potent offenses.
Cats get two new commitments The University of Kentucky has picked up two more verbal commitments for its 2003 recruiting class. Woodstock (Ga.) tight end Eric Scott and Carbon (Utah)
linebacker Jan Jorgensen have told Rich Brooks and his staff that they will sign with the Wildcats on national signing day Feb. 5. Both players visited the UK campus this past weekend.
UK hires final two assistants Kentucky football coach Rich Brooks completed his new coaching
staff Tuesday with the hiring of Pittsburgh Steelers linebackers coach Mike Archer and UCLA wide receivers coach Ron Caragher.
Holmes star could still sign with UK While it is appealing to Brandent Englemon that a
football program as rich in tradition as the University of Michigan is interested in him, the Holmes High School football standout said Tuesday night he still may wind up signing with the University of Kentucky next week.
three to the fore If the University of Kentucky Basketball Museum is on the ball, it will soon unveil a new interactive exhibit: Visitors will be asked to vote for college basketball's
2003 national coach of the year.
Tubby happy but not satisfied with Wildcats After Kentucky limited Alabama to 23.8-percent shooting (the worst accuracy for a UK opponent in 10 years), Tubby Smith called for his team
to improve defensively.
Break gives Wildcats chance to refuel With the University of Kentucky basketball team riding a
nine-game winning streak and playing so well it has outscored Southeastern Conference opponents by 13 points per game, it would not seem to be the best time for UK to have a week between games. But coach Tubby Smith and several players say otherwise.
Football
UK Football Staff Loaded With Experience With the official announcement Tuesday of Mike Archer as defensive coordinator and Ron Caragher as running backs coach, Rich
Brooks has now completed his first staff as boss of the Kentucky Wildcats.
Cats Land TE From Peach Tree StateKentucky's search for a tight end in the Class of 2003 has come to a conclusion with Woodstock (Ga.) standout
Eric Scott giving his verbal commitment to the Wildcats.
Utah Prep LB Jorgensen Commits To UKThe Utah Utes are getting close to finishing their first recruiting class under new football coach
Urban Meyer. After securing verbal commitments over the weekend from junior-college linebacker Reza Williams and prep defensive lineman Tony Castaldi, a total of 13 players have promised to join them. It would have been 14, but Carbon linebacker Jan Jorgensen has decided to sign instead with Kentucky.
Cats Reportedly Get Prep LB From Utah
Kentucky football came a step closer to finalizing its recruiting class Monday night, landing another verbal commitment from Utah linebacker Jan Jorgensen.
Prized recruit visits UK While one of the nation's premier high school football recruits is
now seriously considering playing for the University of Kentucky, another player who has already committed to UK is now considering playing elsewhere.
Archer, Caragher Complete Coaching StaffCoach Rich Brooks' full-time coaching staff has been completed with the official hiring
of Mike Archer as defensive coordinator and Ron Caragher as running backs coach.
(01-27-03)
Men's Basketball
UK Fans Should Appreciate Tubby
Don't they make your brown (black, green) eyes blue? We're talking about those Kentucky Wildcats. And can Kentucky head coach Tubby Smith get just a little bit of love? At least blow him a kiss. How he does what he does may not make for "SportsCenter" highlights, but if
you want results, Mr. Smith delivers.
UK's Smith knows defense wins championships Get over it. Tubby Smith's teams are never going to consistently average in the 90s. They are never going to shoot you out of the gym by
threes. They are never going to full-court press you into one expanding puddle of nervous sweat.
Kentucky's defense still improving It is a 3½-game stretch that has not only turned the
University of Kentucky basketball team's season around, but has now turned the Wildcats into a legitimate Final Four contender, and it all began with a halftime speech and a new belief in defense and teamwork.
Women's Basketball
Georgia free throws nip Cats' comeback Christi Thomas had 18 points and 12 rebounds and made six free throws in the final 40 seconds as No. 24 Georgia defeated Kentucky 71-59 yesterday.
When Larry Ivy was ousted last March as University of Kentucky athletic director, UK President Lee Todd promised tighter university control over the sanction plagued department.
The University of Kentucky athletic department could face a deficit of $750,000 or more for the 2002-03 academic year, athletic director Mitch Barnhart said in a recent interview.
Men's Basketball
Wildcats embarrass Alabama With a swarming defense and a barrage of uncontested shots, No. 8
Kentucky showed Alabama how a true basketball power plays.
UK the big squeeze of SEC The Kentucky Wildcats are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of SEC basketball. They are the Baltimore Ravens, circa 2000, of SEC basketball.
WIPEOUT: UK RIPS TIDE Mike Tyson versus Pee Wee Herman in the ring. Catherine Zeta-Jones against Olive Oyl in a beauty contest. The matchup of Kentucky's defense against Alabama's
offense suggested a mismatch of such proportions.
Rupp-arena debut Many fans go a lifetime without attending a Kentucky basketball game. But after last Wednesday, Goldie Hart is not among them. Hart, a 79-year-old grandmother from
Corbin, has been a UK fan for years. Yet she had not been to a game.
Hawkins' fire gets some players a little hot Kentucky's defensive leader, point guard Cliff Hawkins, showed again last night that there's no off switch on his intensity. With UK well on
the way to a 63-46 victory over Alabama, Hawkins dived to the floor to try to grab the ball from a prone Mo Williams. In the tussle, Hawkins kicked the Alabama player.
UK defense turns Tide For the second straight Southeastern Conference basketball game, a University of Kentucky guard who was silent in the first half broke loose in
the second to carry the Wildcats to victory.
Wildcats Downed By No. 24 Georgia 71-59Christi Thomas had 18 points and 12 rebounds and made six free throws in the final 40
seconds as No. 24 Georgia defeated Kentucky 71-56 Sunday. Alexis Kendrick had 16 points, eight rebounds and seven assists to lead the Lady Dogs, who won their eighth straight despite shooting 35 percent.
Road-challenged Cats in Dog house Kentucky has not won in six road games this season. Georgia has not lost in six home games this season. Therein lies the challenge for Coach Bernadette
Mattox's Wildcats today against the No. 24 Bulldogs at Stegeman Coliseum in Athens, Ga.
(01-25-03)
Men's Basketball
No. 8 Kentucky Shuts Down No. 15 Alabama, 63-46Gerald Fitch scored 16 points and No. 8 Kentucky kept No. 15 Alabama in a freefall,
beating the Crimson Tide 63-46 on Saturday night and ending its school-record 28-game home winning streak. The Wildcats (15-3, 5-0 Southeastern Conference) defeated Alabama for their ninth consecutive win. It's Kentucky's longest winning streak since winning the final 13 games and the national title in 1998
and the first four games of the following season.
Wildcats want to keep Tide at lowest point The saying goes, ''Kick 'em while they're down. They're that much closer to your foot.'' That will be
the University of Kentucky's mantra tonight when it plays at Alabama, a team formerly ranked No. 1 that has lost four of its past seven games.
Alabama in tailspin after fast start While the University of Kentucky is exceeding
expectations, the University of Alabama has failed to live up to its preseason hype.
Cats, Tide going opposite directions Tonight's Kentucky-Alabama game is like magnets and the Julia Roberts-Lyle Lovett marriage. Opposites come together. Kentucky entered the season
with relatively modest expectations, then made its relatively modest ranking a rallying cry. The Cats go to Tuscaloosa riding a season-best eight-game winning streak and newly minted top-10 ranking.
Notebook | Prosperity can be toughest foe Kentucky Coach Tubby Smith did not embrace the notion that great expectations can derail a team like Alabama. "I don't know if it's the
pressure of expectations as much as it's dealing with prosperity ... ," he said. "That pat on the back. Everything is hunky-dory. You've living on your laurels from the past season, and subconsciously, before you know it, it's upon you.
Kentucky-Alabama: Game Of The DayThe Crimson Tide hope its sweet home Alabama, as the team tries to turnaround a disastrous stretch in which it was
beaten up on the road.
UK Coach Knows How Bama FeelsTubby Smith figures Alabama has fallen prey to target
practice, a phenomenon the Kentucky basketball coach knows better than most.
Kentucky-Alabama: The Low Down
Lowdown: Tide is 3-0 this
season against ranked opponents. . . . With eight straight wins, the Wildcats are riding their second-longest winning streak under Smith.
Catching Up With Ex-Wildcat MashburnIn a league where names like Michael, Shaq and Yao command the headlines, Jamal
Mashburn of the New Orleans Hornets is flying below the radar, quietly producing big numbers in the 10th season of what has become a remarkably underrated career.
Ex-Cat Padgett Knows Hoops And MoviesAs much as he would enjoy it, the Jazz's Scott Padgett has never had a chance to attend the
annual Sundance Film Festival -- what with a young son, a pregnant wife and a hectic pro basketball schedule to juggle.
Women's Basketball
Mattox Returns To Alma Mater As Cats Take On No. 24 GeorgiaThe Kentucky women's basketball team travels to No. 24 Georgia on Super Bowl Sunday
for the only regular-season meeting between the teams this season. The game will tip off at 2:30 p.m. ET at Stegeman Coliseum in Athens, Ga.
Male's Bush says he'll visit UK today The University of Kentucky is now officially in the Michael Bush sweepstakes. Bush, Kentucky's 2002 Mr. Football and one of the country's top gridiron
prospects, said last night that he will be in Lexington today on an official visit to UK.
(01-24-03)
Men's Basketball
For UK, ugly looks so good Kentucky is proving that the allure of basketball, like beauty, lies in the eyes of the beholder. After his team lost to UK Wednesday night, Auburn Coach
Cliff Ellis gave his assessment of UK: What the Cats may lack in new-age flights of fancy, they can make up in sweaty old-school defense.
Wildcats Ready To Battle TideThe Alabama basketball team is learning how difficult maintaining success in the SEC can be and who better to ask advice from than the visiting Kentucky Wildcats.
UK Star Retakes Control Of GameNext is Alex Groza, the big man of Kentucky's first national championship team in 1948, the only member of the Fabulous Five among the Tremendous Ten, the upper reaches of UK's all-time scoring list. Then comes Cotton Nash, Kentucky's cover boy of
the 1960s.
Hawkins is UK's point man on defense, too It was a play late in Wednesday's 67-51 win against
Auburn which perhaps typified the relentless way the University of Kentucky basketball team has been playing defense lately, especially junior point guard Cliff Hawkins.
Kentucky vs. Alabama NotesKentucky will look to extend its win streak to nine games and remain undefeated in Southeastern Conference
play when it travels to Tuscaloosa to face the nation's 15th-ranked team, Alabama. Press Conference Quotes
Kentucky Wildcats Report Tubby Smith was joking a few weeks ago when he said he wasn't sure if his team would ever hold an opponent under 40 percent shooting.
Women's Basketball
Cats dump slump, 83-66 For the Kentucky women, it was nice to not be on the receiving end of a dominating performance. After being trampled in two straight games on the road last week,
the Cats did a little stampeding of their own last night with an 83-66 win over Mississippi.
JUCO running back will sign with Wildcats New University of Kentucky football coach Rich Brooks moved
within a couple of commitments of filling his first recruiting class when the coach of junior-college running back Draak Davis said he will sign next month to play at UK.
(01-23-03)
Men's Basketball
Cats D-molish Auburn "We want Heissenbuttel, we want Heissenbuttel," the students chanted. Victory was assured. His team led by 16 points with barely a minute left in this battle of
Southeastern Conference unbeatens. Yet Kentucky point guard Cliff Hawkins hounded Auburn's Derrick Bird into a five-second call.
Let's suppose Keith Bogans makes four shots Let's suppose Keith Bogans makes four shots. Out of 15. Let's suppose Erik Daniels and Marquis Estill combine for eight shots, six points,
and never see the free-throw line.
Bogans put focus on being stopper University of Kentucky senior guard Keith Bogans may not
have started out Wednesday's game against Auburn guarding the Tigers senior star forward Marquis Daniels, but he wanted to make sure he was on him when the game was on the line.
'Cats spread wealth The University of Kentucky basketball team is now showing that it's not
only going to defend well on a regular basis, but that it's going to be tough to defend against at all five positions on the floor, too.
Bogans climbing to new heights Next is Alex Groza, the big man of Kentucky's first national
championship team in 1948, the only member of the Fabulous Five among the Tremendous Ten, the upper reaches of UK's all-time scoring list. Then comes Cotton Nash, Kentucky's cover boy of the 60's.
Fitch finally gives 'em fits A frustrated Gerald Fitch walked off the Rupp Arena basketball court at halftime last night with his jersey covering his face after
missing all six of his shots.
Fitch goes from zero to hero in Cats' win
When Kentucky needed to find some much-needed offense Wednesday night to keep its perfect
Southeastern Conference season intact, Gerald Fitch not only jumped at the challenge, he took over the game.
Women's Basketball
Kentucky Takes Convincing 83-66 Win Over Ole MissThe Kentucky women's basketball team exploded on a 19-6 run in the second half to
defeat Ole Miss, 83-66, on Thursday, Jan. 23 in conference action at Memorial Coliseum. Kentucky improves to 9-7 overall, 2-2 in the Southeastern Conference
At home, Cats look to snap slump Coach Bernadette Mattox said she isn't worried about the UK women's confidence despite suffering their worst back-to-back defeats in school history.
Another Wildcat Out On Women's TeamKentucky women's basketball received more bad news Thursday as walk-on Jennifer Goin was
diagnosed with a stress fracture in her left foot. She could miss up to six weeks. Goin's injury comes just one day after Wildcat guard Jenny Pfeiffer broke her left hand, forcing her to possibly miss the remainder of the season.
Kentucky Football NotebookWildcat kick returner Derek Abney will travel to Orlando, Fla., Friday and Saturday for the All-America
Banquet sponsored by the Football Writers Association of America. The banquet will be Friday night and the FWAA All-America team will be introduced during the Rotary Gridiron Classic All-Star Game on Saturday
Cats land fast junior-college running back The University of Kentucky football program might have found its replacement for Artose Pinner. Draak Davis, a 5-foot-8, 165-pound running
back from Solano Community College in California, has committed to sign with UK in February, according to his junior-college coach, Floyd Burnsed.
(01-22-03)
Men's Basketball
No. 8 Kentucky Wins Eighth Straight; Downs No. 24 Auburn, 67-51Gerald Fitch scored 15 of his 16 points in the second half and Keith Bogans added 13 as No. 8 Kentucky beat No. 24 Auburn 67-51 Wednesday night, its eighth straight victory. Jules Camara also had 13 points for the Wildcats (14-3, 4-0 SEC), who are off to their best start
in league play since the 1997-98 team won its first eight SEC games.
Auburn may generate as much surprise as fear around the Southeastern Conference. Skeptics point to a, uh, manageable pre-conference schedule and a 4-0 SEC start built against teams
with a combined league record of 4-11.
A return to the top 10 this week made Kentucky a true athletic rarity: a team not looking for respect. "When you're in the top 10, that's respect," forward Chuck Hayes said. "That's what we always wanted. People know we're for real."
AUBURN Probable starters No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. 3 Marquis Daniels F 6-6 200 Sr. 4 Marco Killingsworth F 6-7 235 So. 34 Kyle Davis C 6-10 235 Jr.
Auburn surprising rest of SEC If everyone who believed that Auburn could challenge for the Southeastern Conference men's basketball title sat in the same room, coach
Cliff Ellis would be a lonely man.
Azubuike keeps his patience in backup role University of Kentucky freshman swingman Kelenna
Azubuike has a message for UK fans wringing their hands about his lack of playing time and that it might lead to him leaving after the season: relax.
'Cats hope to attack the inside The onus is on University of Kentucky senior center Marquis
Estill to take away Auburn's defensive weapon -- Kyle Davis who has helped the Tigers lock up opposing offenses so far this season.
Stopping Daniels Will Be Key For Cats
Auburn's Marquis Daniels and
Kentucky's Erik Daniels aren't related, but they'll know each other pretty well by the end of tonight's game between the teams at Rupp Arena.
UK To Find Out About AuburnThere are two schools of thought on the Auburn Tigers basketball team that will invade Rupp Arena Wednesday night, both of which
have merit.
Surging Wildcats Lean On DefenseThroughout his career, Kentucky coach Tubby Smith's reputation has rested on his teams' ability to
play solid man-to-man defense.
Women's Basketball
Wildcats Look To Get Back on Winning Track Against Ole MissThe Kentucky women's basketball team looks to snap a two-game losing
streak when it plays host to Ole Miss on Thursday, Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. ET in Memorial Coliseum. The Lady Rebels travel to Lexington with an 11-5 overall record, 1-3 in the Southeastern Conference
Watkins' Sports In Kentucky As Nolan Richardson brought forty-minutes-of-hell to
college basketball, Tubby Smith's troupe introduced Kentucky Wildcat fans last week to 60 minutes of heaven.
Kentucky vs. Auburn NotesTwo of the three unbeaten teams in Southeastern Conference play will square off when Auburn invades Rupp
Arena Wednesday, Jan. 22, at 7 PM ET. Kentucky is coming off a big win over Notre Dame while Auburn comes in after beating archrival Alabama. Tuesday's Press Conference
Kentucky-Auburn Is Game Of Week The surging Tigers take their perfect conference record Wednesday into that most inhospitable place for visiting teams: cavernous
Rupp Arena in Lexington.
Scouting Kentucky Auburn is ranked 24th by the Associated Press while Kentucky is ranked #8 by the Associated Press and 10th in the ESPN/USA Today poll.
The Tigers are ranked 25th by Collegerpi.com while the Wildcats are 16th.
Success no shock to Ellis Auburn Coach Cliff Ellis was college basketball's John the Baptist: a lone voice crying in the wilderness (or, as Auburn prefers, the "Loveliest Village on the
Plain").
Hayes is giving UK his best Chuck Hayes and Erik Daniels have agreed that if one of them has a big game, the other keeps egos in check.
No. 8 Wildcats, No. 9 Cardinals join AP's top 10 The University of Kentucky and University of Louisville men's basketball teams jumped into the top 10 of The
Associated Press rankings released yesterday.
Wildcats enjoy breather before SEC action Perhaps in making future schedules, the University
of Kentucky will look back on this season as a model for how to ease into Southeastern Conference play.
Jenny Pfeiffer Suffers Broken Hand; Out IndefinitelyThe University of Kentucky women's basketball guard Jenny Pfeiffer has suffered a broken
left hand and may be lost for the remainder of the season. The freshman starter fell during practice on Tuesday, breaking her third and four metacarpal bones of her non-shooting hand.
'Cats, Brooks land touted QB recruit Chalk up the first recruiting coup for new University of
Kentucky football coach Rich Brooks and his staff.
Woodson decides to stay with UK Andre Woodson may have had second thoughts about his football future at the University of Kentucky, but it
took only two meetings with new coach Rich Brooks and his staff to make him believe UK was still the place for him.
(01-20-03)
Men's Basketball
Pitino and Tubby are deserving of praise
We come today in praise of Rick Pitino and Tubby Smith. One coach who has gotten it done faster than many can believe. One coach who has gotten it done better than many can admit.
Shorter rotation boosts UK
Now that the University of Kentucky basketball team has found its identity over the last two games as Notre Dame coach Mike Brey said he believes it has, it will be up to UK coach Tubby Smith to find a way to keep the harmony.
Vandy drubs Cats in 84-50 rout Jenni Benningfield scored a career-high 24 points as No. 17 Vanderbilt beat Kentucky 84-50 yesterday. Vanderbilt (11-5, 1-2 Southeastern Conference)
trailed 30-28 with 3:43 remaining in the first half before Benningfield -- a former Kentucky Miss Basketball -- scored on a layup to tie the game, sparking an 11-0 run to close the period.
UK hires special teams coach First-year University of Kentucky football coach Rich Brooks essentially
finished filling his staff Saturday when the school released information that Steve Ortmayer had been hired to coach special teams and tight ends. He will also be assistant head coach.
(01-19-03)
Men's Basketball
Kentucky Trounces IrishRanked No. 10 by the Associated Press and No. 9
by ESPN/USA Today, Notre Dame was out-classed by the No. 16 Kentucky Wildcats, 88-73, on Saturday afternoon at Rupp Arena. The 88 points were the most yielded in regulation play during Mike Brey’s two-and-a-half seasons with the Irish.
Sudden surge shows Cats have found themselves They honored Kentucky's 1978 national championship team yesterday at Rupp Arena. The 25th anniversary edition. Givens. Robey. Macy. Lee,
Joe B and on down the line. The producers of a magnificent March in the days of the infamous January slump.
Irish suffer Hayes-ing His 17 points, 16 rebounds help Cats show why 'we're scary team' University of
Kentucky forward Chuck Hayes grabbed 16 rebounds, gave up his body on a diving save and surprised the opponent by getting inside for easy baskets.
Wildcats are really good; just ask Irish If you want a handle on where this University of Kentucky basketball team currently resides in the Hoopsworld
hierarchy, buttonhole Mike Brey.
Team Play Key To Wildcat Victory Notre Dame coach Mike Brey talked Saturday evening about Kentucky having found its identity
in the past two weeks.
Short Benching At Vandy Motivates HayesOn the sidelines, there's plenty of time to think. And so Chuck Hayes returned
from a brief benching last week as the most motivated he had been in his Kentucky tenure.
BLUE HAYES ENGULFS IRISH Four times in the first six minutes, a Notre Dame team supposedly brimming with confidence took high-percentage shots. Each time a Kentucky defender swatted the
shot away.
Hawkins' play off bench sparkling Content to come off the bench. Frustrated going to the bench. That's been the yin and yang of Kentucky guard Cliff Hawkins' game recently. Formerly the
starting point guard, he's content to contribute off the bench. And his play sends opponents to their bench frustrated.
Cats Drill Irish, Win Seventh Straight Whatever Tubby Smith said to Chuck Hayes at halftime of the Vanderbilt game earlier this week, it lit a fire under the
sophomore.
big-time player Kentucky's otherwise forgettable victory over Virginia Military Institute last season included a memorable individual performance.
Women's Basketball
Women's Hoops Falls To No. 17 Vanderbilt, 84-50Jenni Benningfield scored a career-high 24 points as No. 17 Vanderbilt beat Kentucky 84-50
Sunday. Vanderbilt (11-5, 1-2 Southeastern Conference) trailed 30-28 with 3:43 remaining in the first half before Benningfield scored on a layup to tie the game, keying an 11-0 run to close the period. The Commodores then outscored Kentucky 12-4 in the first five minutes of the second half. Rita Adams and SeSe Helm
scored 12 each for Kentucky (8-7, 1-2).
Rams connection provides Cats' assistant head coach Veteran NFL assistant Steve Ortmayer yesterday became the seventh coach added to Rich Brooks' staff at Kentucky. Ortmayer (ORT-my-er)
was hired as assistant head coach, special teams coordinator and tight ends coach. He has 25 years of experience in the NFL, 17 as a special teams coach.
(01-18-03)
Men's Basketball
No. 16 Kentucky Shuts Down No. 10 Notre Dame, 88-73Chuck Hayes had 17 points, 16 rebounds and five assists - all career highs - as No.
16 Kentucky used strong defense to beat No. 10 Notre Dame 88-73 on Saturday. Marquis Estill scored 18 - 14 in the second half - and Erik Daniels added 15 points and six rebounds for the Wildcats (13-3), who beat the Irish for the ninth straight time. Matt Carroll scored 29 and Chris Thomas added 14 for Notre
Dame (14-3), which shot 34 percent from the field and 32 percent from 3-point range.
Kentucky 88 Notre Dame 73 Kentucky coach Tubby Smith accurately predicted the key to
beating No. 10 Notre Dame.
Fitch's offense key to 'Cats' success Is junior guard Gerald Fitch's point production the biggest offensive key to the University of
Kentucky basketball team winning games?
'Cats to keep eyes on Thomas Notre Dame sophomore Chris Thomas is already known as one of
college basketball's best point guards, so the way University of Kentucky junior guards Gerald Fitch and Cliff Hawkins look at it, today is their chance to make a name for themselves.
Wildcats put focus on Thomas Notre Dame's Chris Thomas is one of the most dominant point guards in the nation. And that's just fine with the 16thranked
University of Kentucky basketball team as it prepares to face No. 10 Notre Dame at 2 p.m. today in Rupp Arena.
THIS IS THE POINT A tattoo on one of his arms says something about Notre Dame point guard Chris Thomas and, perhaps, a lot about Kentucky's plan to beat the Irish today.
No. 10 Notre Dame at No. 16 UK When: 2 p.m. Records: Notre Dame 14-2; UK 12-3 TV: CBS-27 Radio: WLAP-AM 630, WBUL-FM 98.1 Series: UK leads 39-17 Last year: UK won 72-65 on Jan. 19 at
South Bend, Ind.
UK's 1978 champs get spotlight Kentucky will honor its 1978 national championship team at halftime today. Most of the members of the team, including the starting five and Coach Joe B.
Hall, will be honored in this 25th anniversary year of their ultimate achievement.
LINEUPS, STATISTICS Kentucky Probable starters No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. 44 Chuck Hayes F 6-6 247 So. 14 Erik Daniels F 6-8 214 Jr. 50 Marquis Estill C 6-9 236 Sr.
Don't hold your breath for Digger One and dones: My impression of a Digger Phelps pre-game analysis of Kentucky-Notre Dame: "A lot will depend on the defense, whether Kentucky will hit
them with the zone, and play that pressing man-to-man, which will cut the Notre Dame half-court pressure, and the way the Irish like to hit the glass, and Kentucky has been very good on the boards, of course, when they're not good on the boards, in that zone defense of theirs."
Women's Basketball
Cats no match for No. 2 LSU Doneeka Hodges snapped out of her shooting slump in time for Louisiana State to cruise to victory. Hodges, who averaged just 7.6 points, shot 6-for-8 from
three-point range and finished with 24 points as LSU beat Kentucky 82-39 on Thursday night to stretch its winning streak to 15.
Archer joins Kentucky coaching staff Pittsburgh Steelers linebackers coach Mike Archer has
resigned to become defensive coordinator at the University of Kentucky.
Archer will coach Wildcats' defense If new University of Kentucky defensive coordinator Mike Archer has been reminded of one thing this week, it's that life is short. Archer,
49, joined Rich Brooks' staff, in part, because of a series of events that made him cling even closer to his family.
Archer returning to Kentucky New University of Kentucky football coach Rich Brooks has brought another former Wildcats assistant back to the Bluegrass. Mike Archer, who has
spent the past seven seasons as linebackers coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers, will return for his second stint as UK's defensive coordinator. He ran the Wildcats defense from 1993-95 under Bill Curry.
Kentucky vs. Notre Dame NotesThe Wildcats play host to Notre Dame in the Cats' final non-conference regular season game. The
nationwide CBS game also serves as a 25th anniversary celebration of the 1978 National Championship team at Kentucky. Pre-Game Press Conference Quotes
Pressure a matter of pride True story: During Tubby Smith's first season as coach, his Wildcats compiled a 22-3 record by mid-February. This development prompted a fan to call in a
sports radio program. Despite that record, the fan said, "I haven't given up on them yet."
Hawkins' play might lead to starting role Kentucky fans should not be surprised if Cliff Hawkins makes his first start of the season Saturday against Notre Dame. Hawkins' leading role
in UK's come-from-behind victory at Vanderbilt on Tuesday has Coach Tubby Smith pondering the move. So does the task of trying to contain Notre Dame's quick, penetrating point guard, sophomore Chris Thomas, a former Indiana Mr. Basketball.
Hawkins may start at point Based on the way junior point guard Cliff Hawkins played in the
second half against Vanderbilt on Tuesday night, University of Kentucky basketball coach Tubby Smith is considering starting him in Saturday's game against Notre Dame.
LSU dominates Cats Doneeka Hodges snapped out of her shooting slump in time for Louisiana State to cruise to victory. Hodges, who averaged just 7.6 points, shot six of eight from
three-point range and finished with 24 points as LSU beat Kentucky 82-39 last night to stretch its winning streak to 15.
Cats Travel To Music City Looking To Slam `Dores Kentucky looks for its first win in the Music City in eight tries when the Wildcats travel to Nashville, Tenn., to
take on No. 14 Vanderbilt on Sunday, Jan. 18 at 3 p.m. ET at Memorial Gym. WLXG Sports Radio 1300 with Chris Cross will carry the game live.
Steelers coach may join 'Cats Pittsburgh Steelers linebackers coach Mike Archer is expected to
make a decision today about whether or not he will become defensive coordinator at the University of Kentucky, and according to a source he is leaning toward taking the job.
Choosing coach is athletes' right So Guy Morriss is trying to woo his former Kentucky recruits to Baylor, boasting to ESPN the Magazine that at least four would-be Cats may instead be
Bears.
University of Kentucky Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart signed a contract yesterday that holds him much more accountable than his predecessors for problems in UK's sports program.
Barnhart, UK finally agree on AD's contract Kentucky athletics director Mitch Barnhart on
Wednesday signed a seven-year contract laden with incentives for on-the-field successes but giving the school wide latitude to fire him.
Men's Basketball
UK sizes up Vandy, adjusts On-the-toes arousal creates unforgiving pressure. Emotional engagement activates sweaty effort. Kentucky showed its heart and its muscle in a second-half
dismantling of Vanderbilt on Tuesday night.
UK Basketball NotebookKentucky will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the 1978 National Championship this weekend, Jan. 17-18. All
but two members of the title squad are scheduled to return to Lexington for the UK-Notre Dame game on Saturday, Jan. 18 at 2 p.m.
Women's Basketball
Women's Hoops Falls To No. 2 LSU, 82-39Doneeka Hodges shot 6-of-8 from 3-point range and finished with 24 points as No. 2 Louisiana
State stretched its winning streak to 15 games with an 82-39 victory over Kentucky on Thursday night. LSU (15-0, 3-0 Southeastern Conference) matched the school record for longest winning streak - set in the 1995-96 season - and got off to its best start ever
Wildcats seeking first road win The Kentucky women's basketball team will take on No. 2 LSU in the first of two Southeastern Conference road games against ranked opponents this week.
The Cats and the Lady Tigers will tip off at 8 tonight in Baton Rouge, La.
Kentucky an easy sell for Phillips The native son comes home. Joker Phillips, who was a receiver at the University of Kentucky from 1981-84 and was an assistant coach under Bill Curry
from 1988-96, recently returned to the Bluegrass to serve as recruiting coordinator and receivers coach on Rich Brooks' first UK staff.
Archer taking time to weigh options Mike Archer, a candidate for Kentucky defensive coordinator, said yesterday that he should make a decision regarding his coaching future in the next
three days.
Kentucky Football NotebookLinebacker Brad Booker, defensive end Travis Day, wide receiver Maurice Marchman, offensive lineman Paul
Webb, and linebacker Durrell White, who committed to Kentucky last year, have enrolled in the University. All five players have begun the off-season workout program and will be able to participate in spring practice.
Nashville Cats showed value of grand theft This was big. "Huge," Tubby Smith said. Not that Kentucky's 11 previous victories in 14 tries were unworthy of acclaim, mind you. Not that
beating North Carolina in Chapel Hill, and Indiana in Louisville were somehow smallish feats.
Kentucky flips switch Kentucky faced, perhaps, a moment of truth at halftime last night. Riding a wave of confidence created by a victory over then No. 4 Alabama here three nights
earlier, Vanderbilt jumped on UK with two feet. No, make that three feet as the Commodores defied their track record by swishing three-pointer after three-pointer.
It's a man to man handling Forget all the talk about zone defenses. The University of Kentucky basketball team rediscovered its man-to-man last night and used it to
pummel Vanderbilt 74-52 in Memorial Gym.
Wildcats have what it takes to beat magic ''Memorial Magic'' is the popular term for the mojo Vanderbilt throws on visitors to quaint, quirky Memorial Gym. Alabama got a
lethal dose of it last Saturday, in fact.
Man, oh man, 'Cats get stingy The sticky man-to-man defense that had been a mainstay of Tubby
Smith's basketball teams at the University of Kentucky but had been missing for most of this season came back at just the right time for the Wildcats.
UK Turns Up Heat, Drills VandyPardon Kentucky if it thought it had stumbled into a horrific Groundhog’s Day movie, but 10 minutes into the Cats’ showdown with
Vanderbilt at Memorial Gym, the game mirrored UK’s meltdown here last season.
UK Used 25-3 Run To Defeat Vanderbilt No. 16 Kentucky (11-3, 3-0) used a 25-3 second-half run and stifling defense to defeat the Commodores (8-6, 1-2) Tuesday
night 74-52 in front of a sold-out Memorial Gym. Freshman Mario Moore led the 'Dores in scoring with 17 points on five three-pointers.
Women's Basketball
UK Women Prepare For No. 23-ranked LSU -- Complete Release in PDF Format The Kentucky women's basketball team will take on No. 23-ranked LSU in the first of two conference road
games against ranked opponents this week. The Cats and the Lady Tigers will tip off at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on Thursday, Jan. 16 at 8 p.m. ET in Baton Rouge, La. UK will travel to Nashville, Tenn., on Sunday, Jan. 19 to take on 14th-ranked Vanderbilt.
Kentucky Football NotebookWide receiver/kick returner Derek Abney, offensive tackle Antonio Hall, and quarterback Jared Lorenzen,
who considered forgoing their senior seasons in order to enter the National Football League draft, have decided to remain at the University of Kentucky to continue their studies and play for the Wildcats in 2003.
MURRAY STATE MIGHT BE TAPPED TO FILL VOID ON 2003 SCHEDULE University of Kentucky football coach Rich Brooks has talked with Pittsburgh Steelers' linebacker coach Mike Archer about a
position on his coaching staff, school officials confirmed yesterday.
Steelers assistant target of UK search Mike Archer, linebackers coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers, has emerged as the target of the University of Kentucky's search
for a defensive coordinator. Archer confirmed to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Monday that new UK coach Rich Brooks has requested permission from the franchise to talk to him.
Bat Cats' 2003 schedule has 33 home dates The University of Kentucky baseball team enters its 25th season under Coach Keith Madison with a 59-game schedule that includes 33 home dates.
(01-14-03)
Men's Basketball
No. 16 UK Controls Commodores, 74-52Gerald Fitch scored 16 of his 18 points in the second half as No. 16 Kentucky rallied from a
14-point deficit and beat Vanderbilt 74-52 Tuesday night for its sixth straight victory. Vanderbilt, fresh off upsetting then-No. 4 Alabama, was trying to beat a Top 25 opponent for the second time in as many games. The Commodores (8-6, 1-2 Southeastern Conference) looked ready to pull off that feat for the
first time since January 2000 as they went 7-of-9 from 3-point range in the first half. The Wildcats (12-3, 3-0) trailed 36-28 at halftime, but they looked like a different team in the second half as they turned up the defensive pressure and got 12 of their 15 steals. They limited Vandy to just one 3-pointer
and four field goals in the second half
Wildcats Will Test Vanderbilt's Progress It has been a rank-and-file season for Vanderbilt. Ranked opponents have been
filing in and out of Memorial Gym in a year when the Commodores men's basketball team was expected to take steps forward.
With those stats, can these be Tubby's Cats? Looking at the Southeastern Conference's basketball statistics is enough to blind defensive-minded University of
Kentucky coach Tubby Smith.
UK tape delay bumped because of conflict The delayed broadcast of the South Carolina-Kentucky men's basketball game was not shown as scheduled at 2 a.m. Sunday on
Fox Sports Net Ohio, and the cable network has no plans to run it.
Searching for answers to scoring droughts University of Kentucky basketball coach Tubby Smith
thinks he has a couple of solutions for the scoring droughts that have plagued the Wildcats in their last three games, leading to some tense moments in each.
Tubby's in the zone If Tubby Smith had his druthers his University of Kentucky basketball team
would play man-to-man defense as much as possible. But with the defensive numbers as ugly as they've ever been during his tenure as UK coach, he knew he needed to make a change in that philosophy.
Smith enters new zone with Cats Answer: Adam Sandler gets Oscar buzz for his acting in Punch-Drunk Love and Kentucky uses a zone defense to win games. Question: Name two shocking
surprises on new videos.
Defense Concerns Tubby Against VandyKentucky coach Tubby Smith knows good defense when he sees it. And he hasn't
seen much of it from his team lately.
Smith cites consistency as Wildcats' top priority Kentucky has enjoyed its best three-game shooting in the three-point era (59.3 percent against High Point-North Carolina-Tulane).
Kentucky also made only two of 22 three-point shots against Virginia and flamed out in the second half at Louisville.
Ex-Utah head coach added to Brooks' staff The University of Kentucky officially announced yesterday that Ron McBride has been hired to coach linebackers. McBride becomes the fifth
member of new head coach Rich Brooks' staff.
Morriss' star recruit looking elsewhere Perhaps the most high-profile class of 2003 recruit of
former University of Kentucky head football coach Guy Morriss is now looking at other schools because Morriss bolted for Baylor.
Steelers Give UK Permission To Contact Archer Two Steelers coaches might leave for other jobs. Offensive coordinator Mike Mularkeytraveled to
Mobile, Ala., yesterday for not one job interview but two. Steelers PresidentDan Rooney gave Jacksonville owner Wayne Weaverpermission yesterday to talk with Mularkey about the Jaguars' head coaching job. Mularkey was scheduled to have his second interview last night with the Cincinnati
Bengals for their vacant head coaching job. Bill Cowheryesterday gave new University of Kentucky Coach Rich Brookspermission to talk with Steelers linebackers coach Mike Archerabout becoming defensive coordinator for the Wildcats.
(01-13-03)
Men's Basketball
Plenty of fireworks ahead in SEC play
It took a week. Two games. Eighty minutes. That's all the evidence needed to see how hazardous life will be in Southeastern Conference basketball this season.
Kentucky vs. Vanderbilt NotesKentucky, which has opened Southeastern Conference play with a 2-0 mark, takes to the road again for
an ESPN Super Tuesday Showdown at Vanderbilt. The Commodores are coming off a thrilling upset of fourth-ranked Alabama, 70-69, as the "Memorial Gym magic" continued last Saturday. Pre-Game Press
Conference Quotes
Women's Basketball
Still scores another first The former head Lady Kat did not get the news until last Wednesday. A woman of action, Debbie Yow quickly juggled her schedule. She secured a pilot and the
use of a private plane. She canceled her Sunday obligations.
Still-inspired Adams leads Cats in SEC opener Even 20 years after she played in her final game at Memorial Coliseum, Valerie Still managed to have an effect on the outcome of a UK game.
Jersey retirement reignites Cats' fire All the big names were back at Memorial Coliseum yesterday. Names like Valerie Still, Patty Jo Hedges, Lea Wise, Jody Runge and Debbie Yow
returned to see Still's No. 12 jersey retired. Still became the first woman in UK history to have her jersey enshrined.
UK retires Still's jersey There are 41 retired University of Kentucky men's basketball jerseys hanging at Rupp Arena and 44 retired football jerseys at Commonwealth
Stadium. Now there's a jersey hanging in Memorial Coliseum for the greatest UK women's basketball player.
Adams leads UK past Alabama 59-55 On a day that saw the University of Kentucky women's basketball program retire the jersey of its greatest player, it was only
fitting that the Wildcats pulled out a victory.
Women's SEC standings SEC All Louisiana State 2-0 14-0 Arkansas 1-0 14-2 Tennessee 1-0 11-3 Georgia 1-0 8-5 Kentucky 1-0 8-5 South Carolina 1-1 13-2 Mississippi State 1-1 12-3
Kentucky Football NotebookWildcats participating in the post-season all-star games include wide receiver Aaron Boone, defensive end
Otis Grigsby, tight end Chase Harp, punter Glenn Pakulak, and running back Artose Pinner. Click to see a list of the games and the players who will participate in each game.
Woodson, Lewis visit with new UK coach North Hardin's Andre Woodson and John Hardin's Dominic Lewis met with the University of Kentucky's
new football coaching staff for the first time Saturday.
Hopkinsville tackle says yes to Wildcats New Kentucky football coach Rich Brooks picked up his second oral commitment of the week when Hopkinsville defensive tackle Ricky Abren
announced he would sign with the Cats in February.
Hopkinsville lineman Abren commits to Cats The University of Kentucky's first weekend of recruiting under new football coach Rich Brooks produced a commitment from
Hopkinsville High School defensive lineman Ricky Abren.
(01-12-03)
Men's Basketball
Kentucky 62, South Carolina 55 Here's a recap of the University of Kentucky basketball team's
62-55 victory against South Carolina on Saturday night before a crowd of 23,510 at Rupp Arena in Lexington:
Wildcats' depth the difference in SEC win While it was turning the ball over a season-high 22
times and squandering another second-half lead Saturday night, the University of Kentucky basketball team showed three signs of why it may wind up having the success fans hope for this season:
Amid the ugliness, Cats are 2-0 Compare it to the sausage adage. You do not want to know every little thing about every little ingredient that is in the final product. You do not want
to see how the makers eventually arrive at the final product. You just want to focus on the final product.
Cool 'tude lifts Cats From the dude with a 'doo to a dude with a 'tude. Erik Daniels continued to cement that personal transformation last night. His all-around play, which included his
matching a career high of 19 points, led Kentucky to a 62-55 victory over South Carolina.
Wildcat recruits proving their worth Kentucky recruits are playing well this high school season. Here's a quick appraisal from each one's coach: 6-foo, small forward from Durham, N.C.,
averaging 24 points and 12 rebounds entering this weekend.
UK coach digs deep for spark For a second time in the week, Kentucky's best weapon was a depth charge. UK Coach Tubby Smith repeatedly used his bench in the 62-55 victory over South
Carolina last night.
Wildcats call on their reserves The Wildcats used a 25-6 run to close the first half and establish a double-digit lead that grew to 21 before South Carolina's late run
narrowed the gap. UK's command of the game was never in question as forward Erik Daniels scored 19 points, tying his career high, in a career-best 34 minutes.
Dynamic Daniels puts Cats in motion This is not a stand-around sport, and Erik Daniels is not a stand-around player. Bodies at rest tend to go scoreless; those in motion
tend to be rewarded with easy baskets.
Gamecocks Fall Short Against KentuckyErik Daniels matched his career high with 19 points and capped a late first-half spurt with a
buzzer-beating 3-pointer as No. 18 Kentucky overcame a ragged start to beat South Carolina 62-55 on Saturday night.
Daniels Keys Kentucky Past South Carolina In a game that was mostly ugly, Erik Daniels played some pretty basketball to lead Kentucky to a 62-55 victory over South
Carolina in front of 23,510 fans at Rupp Arena.
Cats brace for Tide in SEC opener Coach Bernadette Mattox reminded the Kentucky women that they had miles to go before they slept. Miles of running and wind sprints and conditioning
this week.
still waiting no more As the ninth of 10 children born to what she calls a "dirt-poor family" in Camden, N.J., Valerie Still could barely find Kentucky on a map when her older brother
Art went there to play college football.
Cats begin the re-recruiting of Woodson University of Kentucky recruit Andre Woodson admitted that he never heard of Rich Brooks when he was announced as UK's new football coach.
(01-11-03)
Men's Basketball
No. 18 Wildcats Rally Past South CarolinaErik Daniels matched his career high with 19 points and capped a late first-half spurt
with a buzzer-beating 3-pointer as No. 18 Kentucky overcame a ragged start to beat South Carolina 62-55 on Saturday night. With the teams tied at 15, Kentucky went on a 17-4 run over the final seven minutes of the half to take a 32-19 lead.
BASKETBALL PLAYER ALSO COACHED ONE ILL-FATED YEARHe held the lofty distinction of being the University of Kentucky's first
basketball All-American. He also is recorded among the very few who have coached the Wildcats to a losing record.
UK's first All-American in basketball dies at 103 In the midst of celebrating its 100th anniversary, the University of Kentucky basketball program mourned the loss
of one of its founding fathers yesterday.
Wildcats want to get Estill back in the mix His University of Kentucky teammates know how much
a motivated Marquis Estill can mean to the team's success and they think they know how to get him more interested.
Cats looking for some payback It doesn't have the ring of Remember the Maine or Remember the Alamo. But sloganizing aside, memories of an embarrassing loss in last year's Southeastern
Conference Tournament will be in the air when Kentucky plays South Carolina in Rupp Arena tonight.
South Carolina at No. 18 UK When: 7 Records: South Carolina 7-4 (1-0 SEC); UK 10-3 (1-0) Series: UK leads 29-5 Last year: UK won 51-50 at Columbia, S.C., won 91-74 at Lexington and lost
70-57 in SEC Tournament
Wildcats Developing Trust In One AnotherKentucky has had three or more double-figure scorers in 11 of 13 games,
and coach Tubby Smith said the offensive balance is becoming a product of smart passing as much as good shooting.
Smith calls for more aggressive post defense Needing to contain South Carolina's solid inside tandem of Tony Kitchings and Rolando Howell, Kentucky Coach Tubby Smith called for more
aggressiveness from center Marquis Estill.
UK schedule South Carolina Probable starters No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. 15 Carlos Powell F 6-7 220 So. 55 Rolando Howell F-C 6-9 220 Jr. 50 Tony Kitchings C 6-10 260 Sr.
UK seeks revenge on South Carolina Although the University of Kentucky basketball players have tried to forget the circumstances surrounding the beating they took
the last time they played South Carolina, they haven't forgotten the beating itself.
Unlikely point guard leads Gamecocks He looks very little like a basketball player and even
less like a point guard, but he is the glue that's holding injury-riddled South Carolina together right now.
Gamecocks Have Some Wildcats To CageUniversity of South Carolina coach Dave Odom remembers last year's 70-57 victory against Kentucky
in the SEC Tournament.
USC Looks To Make It 2 In A Row Vs. UKUSC will travel to play in Kentucky's SEC opener in Lexington on Saturday, Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. The game,
at Rupp Arena, will be on SEC-TV. Both teams are coming off SEC wins Wednesday night, with USC defeating Mississippi 55-49 and Kentucky winning at Tennessee, 74-71.
Brooks' first staff taking shape quickly New Kentucky Coach Rich Brooks continued to fill spots on his first Wildcat coaching staff, as the school officially announced the hiring of Ron
Hudson, Joker Phillips and Paul Dunn yesterday.
UK coaching staff A look at the coaching staff Rich Brooks has assembled thus far (x-hiring not yet officially announced by UK): Steve Brown -- Defensive backfield
Kentucky Wildcats ReportBogans hits the boards harder
The University of Kentucky men's basketball team struggled to find a rhythm on offense Wednesday night and found itself trailing Tennessee in the second half until Keith Bogans lifted the Wildcats to a 74-71 victory in their Southeastern Conference opener.
Kentucky vs. South Carolina NotesThe Wildcats face South Carolina in their first Southeastern Conference game in Rupp Arena
this season. UK rides a four-game win streak into the game, which is the 2,400th in the program's 100-year history. The Cats are coming off a thrilling 74-71 win over Tennessee in Knoxville to open league play.
Press Conference Quotes
Barbour still suffering from bad break Heralded newcomer Antwain Barbour continued to struggle Wednesday while making his first start since Maui. Nothing is wrong with Barbour that a
stretch of good health and productive practice time can't cure, Kentucky Coach Tubby Smith said yesterday.
Gerald Fitch getting chance for redemption University of Kentucky junior guard Gerald Fitch
got a chance to redeem himself for a poor decision at the end of the first half of Wednesday's game with Tennessee.
Defending ‘home turf' key to Cats in SEC play The Southeastern Conference basketball season is just six games old and already visiting teams
are serving notice that home teams better come ready to play.
Scouting Report: UK-South Carolina South Carolina has won just one time in Lexington, a 72-67 victory on Senior Day in 1994 to sweep that season series and claim the
SEC East division behind coach Eddie Fogler and guards B.J. McKie and Melvin Watson.
Boyle Co.'s Tamme is Brooks' first recruit The University of Kentucky's on-again, off-again relationship with Jacob Tamme is back on. Tamme, a 6-foot-5, 205-pounder who played wide
receiver and defensive back for the four-time state champion Rebels, gave an oral commitment to new UK coach Rich Brooks yesterday.
Brooks mum on coach hires New University of Kentucky football coach Rich Brooks said Thursday
night that his staff is almost complete, but that he's unable to comment on any of them except defensive backs coach Steve Brown and defensive line coach Michael Gray.
Brooks Adds Dunn, Hudson, Phillips to FB StaffPaul Dunn and Ron Hudson, who have helped guide Kansas State to a string of
consecutive bowl appearances, and former Wildcat player and assistant coach Joker Phillips, have been added to the coaching staff of new Kentucky head coach Rich Brooks. Hudson will be the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach while Dunn will be the running game coordinator and offensive line coach.
Phillips will coach the wide receivers and serve as the recruiting coordinator
Barnhart catching fire from legislator Poor Mitch Barnhart. Now, the University of Kentucky athletics director’s got lawmakers second-guessing his decision to move My Old Kentucky Home
to after the football games instead of before them.
(01-09-03)
Men's Basketball
Tickets Available for UK Basketball Game at VanderbiltTickets still remain for UK's game in Nashville, Tenn., against Vanderbilt on
Tuesday, Jan. 14. The tickets are 25 dollars apiece and can be purchased through the Commodores' website, www.vucommodores.com. Game time is 9 p.m. EST (8 p.m. CST) in Nashville.
UK dodges 'Turmoil' tag It began with a flashback. It ended with a step forward. Kentucky's Southeastern Conference season began with here-we-go-again leading into
surely-we-are-not-headed-down-this-thorny-road-again. Surely "Team Turmoil" has not reared its ugly head, eager for an encore. Surely these basketball Wildcats have not forgotten painful lessons less than 12 months old.
Cats benefit from charity Kentucky set season highs for free throws attempted and made in last night's 74-71 win over Tennessee. No coincidence there, UK Coach Tubby Smith said.
RESERVE CLAWS VOLS It was an epic game seemingly played to a Wagnerian soundtrack. Such a game demanded a hero and a most unlikely one emerged. Jules Camara, who lost his starting
position earlier this season, seemed all but forgotten as Kentucky and Tennessee did their longtime rivalry proud last night.
Opening night is UK senior night, too Freshmen are the rage in college basketball this season. You hear intelligent basketball people argue that this is the best group of first-year
players to crash the college game in 10, 15 or maybe 20 years.
Wildcats are Camara-ready, 74-71 In a basketball game where it seemed no one could make a play, University of Kentucky center Jules Camara made more in the final
five minutes than he had all night.
Bogans benched, Barbour steps in University of Kentucky basketball coach Tubby Smith said
Tuesday he was possibly going to juggle his starting lineup for Wednesday night's game at Tennessee, but he hadn't planned on juggling it the way he eventually did.
Camara to the rescue For the first 12 minutes of the second half of Wednesday night's game
against Tennessee University of Kentucky, senior center Jules Camara spent his time only as an observer and a cheerleader.
UT Lets Cats Out Of The BagAfter 39 tense minutes Wednesday night, a couple of unlikely
characters ended up with the ball in their hands to decide the game.
Kentucky Defeats Tennessee In SEC Opener Jules Camara got the opening he needed. The 6-foot-11 forward hit a jumper from the foul line with 53
seconds left to give No. 18 Kentucky the lead for good in a 74-71 victory over Tennessee on Wednesday night.
UK HIts Free Throws, Wins Thriller History had not been kind to Kentucky the last few years when road games came down to the final minute.
Fired Utah Coach Takes Job At UK Fired University of Utah football coach Ron McBride will be an assistant at Kentucky,
a Salt Lake newspaper said.
FISHING FOR TUNA Bill Parcells became a hot topic around the Bluegrass when it was learned that University of Kentucky Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart courted the two-time Super
Bowl-winning coach to replace the departed Guy Morriss last month.
Cats get Kentucky connection to recruit UK tabs Phillips as recruiter Rich Brooks' first two weeks on the job as the University of Kentucky football coach could have gone better. But
according to many high school coaches across the state, Brooks took a big step forward when he got former Wildcat Joker Phillips to join his first UK coaching staff.
Kansas St. coach joins 'Cats Ron Hudson, the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at
Kansas State, is leaving for a similar position at the University of Kentucky.
(01-08-03)
Men's Basketball
Men's Basketball Survives Tennessee Scare, 74-71Jules Camara hit a jumper and Gerald Fitch made a pair of free throws in the final
53 seconds as No. 18 Kentucky held off Tennessee 74-71 Wednesday night. The Volunteers (7-3, 0-1 Southeastern Conference) trailed by five with 6:27 to go, but rallied to take a 71-70 lead with 1:21 left on C.J. Watson's breakaway layup. He was fouled on the play but missed the free throw. The Wildcats (10-3,
1-0), who lost by a basket in overtime at Tennessee last year, weren't about to repeat history. Camara stepped back and made his jumper as Kentucky regained the lead. The Wildcats' defense then kept Tennessee from getting another good look at the basket.
SEC looking good, playing even better Of late, a fair amount of fear has accompanied Kentucky into conference basketball play. Pre-season missteps have narrowed the Cats' margin for
error and raised the state of alarm.
TONIGHT No. 18 Kentucky (9-3) at Tennessee (7-2) When: 8 p.m. TV: Channel 27 Radio: WLAP-AM 630, WBUL-FM 98.1 Series: UK leads 130-62 Last meeting: UK won 64-61 in Lexington on Feb. 19
Slay set to make some noise A flashy headband. A yapping mouth. An over-the-top court presence that's straight out of Actors Studio by way of World Wrestling Entertainment.
Smith says he may start Hawkins Because he sees defensive pressure as a key in wearing down Tennessee tonight, Kentucky Coach Tubby Smith is considering starting Cliff Hawkins.
Tubby may insert Hawkins into lineup University of Kentucky basketball coach Tubby Smith said
Tuesday he's contemplating a lineup change for tonight's Southeastern Conference opener at Tennessee to possibly get the Wildcats to play more up-tempo.
Slay talks the talk, walks the walk If the University of Kentucky basketball team is to win
its 42nd Southeastern Conference championship it must get off to a good start in SEC play. In order to do that it must find a way to contain Ron Slay tonight.
Slay at play Tennessee forward Ron Slay is among the Southeastern Conference leaders in three offensive categories: SCORING Player School PPG Ron Slay Tennessee 22.6
Cats confess: UT's Slay is hard to ignore
Kentucky junior guard Cliff Hawkins knows the frequent emotionally-charged outbursts, the fist
pumps and the trash talking from Tennessee senior forward Ron Slay are more the norm than just a good TV act.
Barnhart: Trust must be restored University of Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart admitted yesterday that his credibility has been damaged by the controversy
surrounding his first major hire.
UK hires offensive coordinator Rich Brooks' first coaching staff at the University of Kentucky is starting to take shape. Ron Hudson, who coached on Brooks' first staff at Oregon in
1977 and is the offensive coordinator at Kansas State, will reunite with Brooks as UK's offensive coordinator.
UK hires Kansas State aide, PhillipsRon Hudson, a veteran football coach who spent the past six seasons as offensive coordinator at
Kansas State, and former University of Kentucky player and coach Joker Phillips have agreed to join Rich Brooks' staff at UK.
Lorenzen's dad laughs off transfer speculation The father of University of Kentucky
quarterback Jared Lorenzen denied a note in a Memphis newspaper that his son would consider transferring if the junior was unhappy with new head coach Rick Brooks.
Brooks Announces Initial Hires to Football StaffSteve Brown and Michael Gray, who have a combined 25 years experience in playing
and coaching professional football, are the first assistant coaches hired by new Kentucky head coach Rich Brooks. Brown will coach the defensive backfield and Gray will lead the defensive line.
Kentucky Football NotebookWildcats participating in the post-season all-star games include wide receiver Aaron Boone, defensive end
Otis Grigsby, tight end Chase Harp, punter Glenn Pakulak, and running back Artose Pinner. Click here to see a a list of the games and the players who will participate in each game.
(01-07-03)
Men's Basketball
Kentucky vs. Tennessee NotesThe Wildcats open their 70th season of Southeastern Conference competition when they travel to Knoxville's Thompson-Boling Arena to take on Tennessee. UK is 53-16 all-time in SEC openers and has won 14 of its last 15.
Coach Tubby Smith and selected members of the basketball team talked with the media Tuesday afternoon about the upcoming SEC opener with Tennessee and their leading scorer, Ron Slay
Inside look at the SEC As the Southeastern Conference begins league plays in earnest, here is
a look at the conference:
UK considers using press more Using a fullcourt press worked well against the three cupcakes
the University of Kentucky basketball team played last week. Now will it work against Southeastern Conference competition and will UK head coach Tubby Smith be willing to use it as much?
One option. But not the only option. That's how Kentucky Coach Tubby Smith sees the press. Although UK got good mileage out of its full-court pressure last week, Smith saw the 94-foot game as merely one of many tools as his disposal.
Slay makes Vols tick, has UK on his mind Tennessee forward Ron Slay hasn't slept much the past few nights. His Volunteers will play host to the University of Kentucky
tomorrow in the Southeastern Conference basketball opener for both teams, and little else is on his mind, even in the wee hours of the morning.
Scouting Report: UK-Tennessee Kentucky opens Southeastern Conference play Wednesday at Knoxville against rival Tennessee. Tipoff is 8 p.m. on JP Sports.
SEC Race Hard To Handicap Kentucky coach Tubby Smith wasn't big on predictions at the Southeastern Conference's preseason Media Day gathering two months ago.
Cats Look To SEC Opener At TennesseeThe Kentucky Wildcats will open Southeastern Conference play
on Wednesday winners of three straight games -- although their most recent victory, an 83-75 decision over Ohio Saturday afternoon, came with its share of anxious moments.
Brooks airs his plans for Wildcats' offense In the last college football game Rich Brooks coached, his quarterback attempted 61 passes and threw for 465 yards. Brooks
said yesterday that University of Kentucky fans can expect their team's offense to move the ball in similar fashion under his guidance.
Officials' calls upset Ohio coach O'Shea
Ohio University head basketball coach Tim O'Shea took a subtle shot at the officiating in postgame remarks following Saturday's 83-75 loss to the University of Kentucky in U.S. Bank Arena.
Kentucky 83, Ohio 75 Here's a recap of the University of Kentucky's 83-75 win against Ohio
Saturday before a crowd of 14,506 at U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati:
Squeaker vs. Ohio not good sign for UK It wasn't a very good way for the University of Kentucky basketball team to set the stage for
opening the Southeastern Conference portion of its schedule.
Conference Call Beckons For Kentucky With the preliminaries out of the way, the Cincinnati, Xavier and Kentucky men's college
basketball programs begin conference play this week.
Fatigue Bothers KentuckyKentucky's final preseason tune-up against Ohio University Saturday exposed a number of holes, including the inability to put two solid halves together.
Women's Basketball
Cardinals dominate Cats, 86-62 Three minutes. Game over. It took just a three-minute spurt in the first half for the Louisville women to go on a 20-0 run and run all over Kentucky
to a final score of 86-62 at Freedom Hall.
Nord leads Cardinals past Cats in a rout University of Louisville women's basketball coach Martin Clapp was leery of a letdown yesterday after the Cardinals' upset of No.
12-ranked Vanderbilt on Thursday. But U of L did not let up at all against the University of Kentucky, rolling to an 86-62 rout in front of 4,563 fans at Freedom Hall.
Valerie Still To Be Honored With Jersey RetirementThe University of Kentucky athletics department will honor former women's
basketball standout Valerie Still with a jersey retirement ceremony on Sunday, Jan. 12 at 3 p.m. ET at halftime of the Alabama game. Still is the all-time leading scorer (2,763) and rebounder (1,525) for both the UK men and women. She will become the first female letterwinner in any UK sport to have her
jersey retired.
'The big guy' puts scare in UK The lead was 19, and then 14, and then 13, and then 11, then eight, then six, until with 1:54 left to play all that separated Kentucky from embarrassment
was one lousy three-pointer.
MILD CATS HANG ON U.S. Bank Arena concession stands sell beer. So maybe the stunning sight of fans drinking their bottles of brew near courtside confused Kentucky's players here
yesterday.
Wildcats find the finish line just in time Fortunately for the University of Kentucky men's basketball team, this collapse didn't have the same lasting effect. The
20th-ranked Wildcats blew most of a 19-point second-half lead against Ohio University yesterday before hanging on 83-75 in front of 14,506 fans in U.S. Bank Arena.
Ohio's Hunter: big-time or no big deal? Ohio forward Brandon Hunter's 16 rebounds yesterday were the most grabbed against Kentucky since the 2001 season. UK's most physical inside
presence, sophomore forward Chuck Hayes, came away impressed.
Next game Kentucky at Tennessee When: 8 p.m. Wednesday Records: Kentucky 9-3, Tennessee 7-2 TV: Channel 27 Radio: WLAP-AM 630, WBUL-FM 98.1 Series: UK leads 130-62
Cats, Cards both have a good shot in this showdown Still basking in the euphoria of Thursday night's 92-82 upset of No. 12 Vanderbilt, University of Louisville women's
basketball coach Martin Clapp admitted he had trouble sleeping that night.
star-crossed rivals no more
Even the houses of Capulet and Montague had some common ground. Bitter rivals with much to lose can still see the eery similarities.
New year brings new start Twenty resolutions (that should have been) made to start 2003: 20. Tom Jurich. Resolves not to be excessively smug over continually outmaneuvering his
counterparts at the University of Kentucky.
brooks seeks players Kentucky's new coach Rich Brooks spent his first two days on the job working the phones and introducing himself to the 14 players who gave former coach Guy Morriss
verbal commitments before he left for Baylor.
(01-04-03)
Men's Basketball
No. 20 Kentucky Holds Off Ohio, 83-75Keith Bogans scored 21 points and Erik Daniels repeatedly made clutch baskets down the stretch
as No. 20 Kentucky wasted most of a 19-point lead before beating Ohio 83-75 on Saturday. Daniels, who grew up in Cincinnati and had about 60 relatives and friends in the stands, had two dunks, a layup and a putback that helped Kentucky (9-3) hold off a late charge.
OHIO'S DELVAR BARRETT SQUEEZES HOOPS BETWEEN SCHOOL, AILING MOTHER Surely your life would be busy enough were you a 23-year-old, full-time university student working toward a degree in
economics, as well as a full-time basketball player on scholarship at a Mid-American Conference school.
Daniels doing it all for Cats No Kentucky player has busier statistical lines than forward Erik Daniels. Points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks all can have crooked numbers next
to his name
Daniels happy he stayed a Wildcat After a season in which he saw his role steadily diminish
and he was suspended for using a fake ID in an attempt to enter a Lexington bar, University of Kentucky sophomore forward Erik Daniels admittedly needed a little time in the summer before deciding if he would even return for this season.
Bobcats coach mulls upset formula Ohio Coach Tim O'Shea knows a victory over Kentucky today is improbable, but not impossible. "Certain teams in certain games have absolutely no shot,"
he said. "I don't know if we have no shot. But we're a long shot."
Wildcats seeking new sources of firepower That's what this stretch of three games is all about: finding offensive threats beyond Bogans and Fitch. This is the time for
reserves such as Josh Carrier, Kelenna Azubuike and Bernard Cote to show what they can do.
UK Waits BobcatsOhio's grueling non-conference road show comes to end Saturday when it travels to US Bank Arena in Cincinnati to take
on 20th-ranked Kentucky. The Bobcats (3-5) will have their hands full with another up-tempo offense. The Wildcats (8-3) like to get the ball up the floor averaging 80.9 points a game. OU has been shaky to say the least on defense where it has allowed opponents to shoot 49.5% and score 77.4 points a contest.
Women's Basketball
Kentucky Women Take On Louisville in Annual The "Battle of the Bluegrass" game between Kentucky and Louisville tips off for the 39th time in its
28-year history on Sunday, Jan. 5 at 2 p.m. in Louisville's Freedom Hall. Tickets are only five dollars for adults and children ages 18 and under get in free.
(01-03-03)
Barnhart needs to climb out of hole For Mitch Barnhart, the problem with digging yourself a public relations Grand Canyon is this: Athletics directors aren't like coaches.
Men's Basketball
Smith lays down 'law,' ignites Cats Difficult practice. Easy game. Kentucky credited cause and effect for the thoroughness of last night's 94-63 victory over outmanned Alcorn State.
Honors fine, but coach still driven by victories Central Kentucky saluted a native son yesterday. But Alcorn State's celebrated coach, Davey Whitney, did not get what he most wanted: an
upset victory over No. 20 Kentucky.
Cats throttle Braves It wasn't any previous night's carousing that had the University of Kentucky men's basketball players feeling awful on New Year's Day. They were
trying to work off a different type of hangover after enduring a practice-till-you-puke session imposed by coach Tubby Smith.
Carrier becoming confident They were shots that University of Kentucky sophomore guard Josh
Carrier simply would have passed up last season
Grueling practice pays off for 'Cats After University of Kentucky basketball coach Tubby Smith
watched his team allow an opponent as poor as Tennessee State to shoot 52.3 percent against it Monday, he decided to lay the hammer down on his players in practice Wednesday.
Kentucky Wildcats ReportTough schedule caught up with Cats
University of Kentucky men's coach Tubby Smith
said this week that he remains confounded by his team's second-half performance in Saturday's 81-63 loss to the University of Louisville.
Women's Basketball
Wildcats find even sweeter home: Rupp As the Kentucky women exited the Rupp Arena floor, Sara Potts turned to Coach Bernadette Mattox and had a single request. "Coach, can we play here
again?" Potts asked.
Thrills were hard to find on Jan. 1 Mitch-and-Rich-Free notes: New Year's Day was a letdown. I have made my peace with ABC stretching the major bowls across three
ratings-building nights.
Brooks 'surprised' past was an issue New University of Kentucky football coach Rich Brooks said he never feared for his job, even as a cloud of controversy hovered
over his hiring this week.
(01-02-03)
UK president upset with lack of information University of Kentucky president Lee Todd
said late Tuesday night he was "disappointed" that athletic director Mitch Barnhart didn't tell him about NCAA violations linked to new football coach Rich Brooks when he was at Oregon 21 years ago.
Men's Basketball
No. 20 Kentucky Crushes Alcorn St., 94-63Chuck Hayes scored 15 points and No. 20 Kentucky forced a season-high 28 turnovers in a
94-63 victory over Alcorn State on Thursday night. Erik Daniels had 12 points, seven rebounds and three assists for the Wildcats (8-3), who shot 52 percent (34-of-65) and won easily despite getting outrebounded 40-36. Lee Cook scored 15 points for Alcorn State (2-10), which lost for the eighth time in nine
games. The Wildcats dominated from the opening tip, taking a 7-0 lead before Alcorn State even attempted a shot.
Smith Finds Fault In WinKentucky coach Tubby Smith focused on defense in practices this week, and the move produced the Wildcats' most lopsided win of the season.
Tougher 'D' is Smith's pleaFoes shooting best mark in decade
Better defense
would make this the happiest of new years for Kentucky Coach Tubby Smith.
Smith talks defense; Cats listening? University of Kentucky men's basketball coach Tubby Smith gave his team one goal at halftime of Monday's easy victory over
Tennessee State.
Wildcats' bench has enjoyed a weak stretch After a difficult five-game stretch left his
basketball team and himself battle weary, University of Kentucky coach Tubby Smith has embraced this week's weak schedule of games so he can iron out some problems and give some substitutes more playing time.
MORE HOME GAMES NEEDED, SMITH SAYS Kentucky Coach Tubby Smith joined Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart in calling for an easing of the pre-conference schedule yesterday.
Probable starters Alcorn St. No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. 31 Dion Callans F 6-8 195 Fr. 4 Tori Harris G 6-4 180 Sr. 44 Rhau-Chavis Landfair C 6-10 255 Jr.
Women's Basketball
UK Women Roll Over Marshall; Extend Win Streak To SixThe Kentucky women's basketball team used a full-court press and balanced
scoring attack to win its fifth-consecutive game, 75-42, over the visiting Marshall Thundering Herd on Thursday, Jan. 2 at Rupp Arena. It was the first game played at Rupp Arena by the UK women in eight years.
Threes give UK women new threat Three-pointers have become tres important for the Kentucky women. The three-point shot is one of several new weapons for a team that relied almost
exclusively on the inside play of All-Southeastern Conference selection SeSe Helm the last couple years.
Ready to work New University of Kentucky football coach Rich Brooks is, by reputation, a master at organization. So one look at the cluttered desk in his office at the Nutter Training
Center shows how busy his first few days on the job have been.
OK, I earned a doctorate from MIT, started my own software company, was named president of a well-known university, but darned if I can figure out this college sports thing.
Mitch Barnhart has been on the job as University
of Kentucky athletic director since mid-July, yet as 2002 came to a close he still hadn't signed a contract binding him to the position.
Men's Basketball
Trust replaces rust
If December was "Respect Month," as Chuck Hayes called it, then this is "Opportunity Week." This week's games against Tennessee State, Alcorn State and Ohio give every Kentucky player an opportunity to get on the floor.
Men's basketball coach Tubby Smith and women's coach Bernadette Mattox spoke to the
media Wednesday afternoon about their Thursday double-header at Rupp Arena. The women's team faces Marshall at 5 pm followed by the men taking on Alcorn State at 7:30.
Women's Basketball
UK Women Meet Marshall In Rupp ArenaAfter a thrilling win over Cincinnati on Tuesday in Memorial Coliseum, the Kentucky women's
basketball team returns to action when they play host to the Marshall Thundering Herd on Thursday, Jan. 2 at Rupp Arena at 5 p.m. in a double-header with the UK men's team vs. Alcorn State. Tickets are still available. One ticket is good for both games.
Barnhart Fumbles Big ChanceWhen all else failed, University of Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart went with the name he
knows. Too bad no one else does.
UK's Todd backs new coach, head of athletics
University of Kentucky President Lee Todd is standing by his men. Last night, Todd strongly endorsed new football coach
Rich Brooks and the man who recommended him, athletic director Mitch Barnhart.
In a New Year's Eve news release from the University of Kentucky that contained statements by
athletic director Mitch Barnhart and President Lee Todd, Barnhart explains how he failed to inform Todd that new UK football coach Rich Brooks had been named in NCAA violations while coach at Oregon in the early 1980s.
The University of Kentucky athletic director, just months into his tenure as the guardian appointed to pull a program through NCAA probation,
selects a new coach and offers him the job.
University of Kentucky Board of Trustees Chairman Steven S. Reed said yesterday he supports UK athletics director Mitch Barnhart and incoming football
coach Rich Brooks, despite Brook's past NCAA violations record.
University of Kentucky President Lee Todd last night publicly chastised athletics director Mitch Barnhart for not disclosing details about the NCAA
violation record of new football coach Rich Brooks. But despite Barnhart's mistakes and Brooks' record, Todd said he stands firmly behind both men
New University of Kentucky football coach Rich Brooks expressed remorse yesterday for the negative publicity surrounding his hiring.
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