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 Freshmen Come Up Big for UK Women    Kentucky’s freshmen combined for 45 points and 16 rebounds to lead the UK Hoops team to a convincing 73-55 win over Marshall Sunday in front of a Mid-American Conference record 7,017 fans in the Cam Henderson Center. Rookie center Sarah Elliott led the way with a career-high 22 points on 9-of-15 shooting from the field, 18 coming in the second half. 'Rookies' crowd scoring column    Say this for Kentucky's freshmen: They don't rattle easily. In front of a record crowd of 7,017 at Marshall's Cam Henderson Center, UK's freshmen combined for 45 points and 16 rebounds to lead the Wildcats to a 73-55 rout of Marshall. UK trumps Marshall, record crowd    Freshman reserve Sarah Elliott scored a career-high 22 points and the University of Kentucky shot a season-high 55.8percent to beat host Marshall 73-55 in a women's basketball game yesterday.           Men Wildcats pass test against IU     Because he felt that his team had failed its first big test a week earlier at North Carolina, Kentucky coach Tubby Smith had a simple pregame message Saturday. AIRWAVE ARGUMENT IS PERFECT PRELUDE TO HOOPS   It just keeps getting better and better. Just when you think this Kentucky-Louisville, UK-U of L, red state-blue state rivalry had reached its peak, Christmas comes two weeks early. Smith's emotions back for all to see    University of Kentucky basketball coach Tubby Smith showed more moves than many of his players Saturday in the Wildcats' 73-58 win over Indiana University at Freedom Hall. Not a detail of the game passed Smith without an emphatic reaction. Kentucky turns to big men    Indiana landed the first blow, but the University of Kentucky delivered the knockout punch. Showing a resolve from start to finish and unleashing a dominant inside game, the No. 10 Wildcats provided some insight on how good they can become in a 73-58 victory against the Hoosiers at Freedom Hall on Saturday. (12-12-04)       Basketball            Men Cats Rule the Paint, Down Indiana 73-58     Patrick Sparks scored 16 points and No. 10 Kentucky dominated Indiana inside in a 73-58 win over the Hoosiers on Saturday. Chuck Hayes added 14 points and nine rebounds for Kentucky, which has won five straight games and 12 of the last 14 in its annual series against IU. Kentucky mows down IU in Bluegrass State     The local weather fella said it would be getting colder in the Louisville area this weekend, and that the “mild December” we’ve been enjoying is about to come to an end.  Alleyne mean machine    Shagari’s 4 blocks, 10 points, 5 rebounds help Cats establish identity  The sight of his undersized, under-experienced big men trying to score over the tallest player in Kentucky’s basketball history yesterday moved Indiana Coach Mike Davis to a metaphorical high. Davis empties bench with little success in loss to Kentucky     First one off the bench Saturday was senior walk-on guard Mark Johnson. Then came freshman forward James Hardy, the Elmhurst graduate whose previous college experience was all of one game and three minutes. Then … well then it was clear that Indiana coach Mike Davis was apt to send into the game anybody dressed in red with eligibility.  Cats' big men turn Hoosiers inside out    University of Kentucky men's basketball coach Tubby Smith said he still is waiting for the Wildcats to form an identity. It might be as simple as looking inside. 'Cats aren't great now, but just wait until spring     Think of the Kentucky Wildcats as college basketball's Chia pet for 2004-05. A little nourishment, a little nurturing, some direct sunlight -- then watch them grow. (The Wildcat Chia pet would make a great holiday gift, too. Operators standing by!)  Big-game 'Shagari Safari' taking Cats fans on a joy ride   We've got to come up with a nickname. A cool nickname. A great nickname. Like maybe The Shagarific Shagari Alleyne. Or the Shagtastic Shagari Alleyne. Or how 'bout, how 'bout the Shagsational Shagari Alleyne. Kentucky's new big man shows signs of dominance     Call off the search, because it's over. We found college basketball's next dominant big man playing for Kentucky.   Four plays reveal the truth about Cats and Hoosiers     They were only four plays. Two by Kentucky. Two by Indiana. Just four plays in a game of dozens. I can't argue they were the difference in the Wildcats' 73-58 victory yesterday in Freedom Hall. They were not. In fact, they were four consecutive plays from the second half, and UK had shoved this game into the "safe" column before halftime. Kentucky vs. Indiana - Post-Game Quotes     Kentucky Head Coach Tubby Smith  “I thought it was a hard-played game, both teams really went after each other. I was very impressed with Indiana’s physicality. They were very physical throughout the game and in the game. I thought we played with a lot more poise and a lot more patience today than we have in the past. We played a lot smarter. I have to compliment Indiana because they made us do some things and our kids stepped up. Sparks' no-look passes keep his teammates guessing   You. Yeah, you, reading the paper. HANDS UP! 'Cause if you don't get 'em up and keep 'em up, Patrick Sparks is gonna bounce one of his clever no-look passes right off your nose. Wright's effort can't save IU    Indiana University may have experienced a changing of the guard Saturday against Kentucky -- point guard, that is.  Smith shows his rare flair for dramatics on sideline     Tubby Smith was not auditioning for "Cats on Ice," regardless of how he appeared yesterday during the University of Kentucky basketball team's 73-58 victory over Indiana University. Defensive pressure works wonders for Cats   Kentucky's inside scoring dominated post-game talk about the search for an identity. But Coach Tubby Smith spoke of another area where his team perhaps discovered its modus operandi in the victory over Indiana yesterday. UK guard provides Sparks to ignite Wildcats' attack     Patrick Sparks calmly directed traffic with his free hand while dribbling with the other on Saturday at Freedom Hall. Wildcats win the battle for Louisville's 50,000-watt WHAS    DEAL GRANTING UK GAMES PRE-EMINENCE STARTS IN 2007    During his famous job interview with University of Kentucky President Lee Todd three years ago, Mitch Barnhart brought a manila folder filled with scribbled goals he would pursue if hired as athletics director. One was to get UK's football and basketball teams back to the pre-eminent position at WHAS, Louisville's 50,000-watt radio station. Battle for airwaves gets personal    U OF L COACHES HURT, SHOCKED RADIO STATION WOULD REPLACE CARDS WITH CATS IN TOP SPOT    WHAS radio said it wanted to maximize profits by having Kentucky and Louisville make competitive bids for top status at the station. 'No hard feelings' from Jurich, plenty from U of L fans    University of Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich used the same phrase twice yesterday when reacting to the decision by Clear Channel Communications to sign a deal giving the University of Kentucky priority over the Cardinals on WHAS-AM sports broadcasts beginning in 2007.       Football Player's word not necessarily a bond   VERBAL COMMITMENTS FROM RECRUITS LOOK GOOD ON PAPER BUT CAN PROVE WORTHLESS   December is typically the hottest and heaviest month of the recruiting season, with coaches making in-home visits to prospects, prospects taking official visits to campuses and verbal commitments flying around left and right. (12-11-04)       Basketball            Women UK Women Travel to Marshall   The Kentucky women’s basketball team hopes to carry the momentum of its recent success over Charleston Southern Friday to Huntington, W.Va., as the Wildcats face Mid-American Conference foe Marshall Sunday, Dec. 12 at 2 p.m. ET in the Cam Henderson Center. Wildcats Dominate Charleston Southern, 89-33     Senior guard/forward Sara Potts led a trio of Kentucky players in double figures with 19 points as the Wildcats defeated Charleston Southern Friday in Memorial Coliseum 89-33. UK held the Lady Buccaneers to just 12 field goals in the game and the second-lowest point total against a Division I opponent in school history. UK freshman Buley suspended indefinitely in theft   Sade Buley has been suspended indefinitely from the University of Kentucky women's basketball team after her arrest on a theft charge. Buley, 18, of Knoxville, Tenn., is charged with stealing $675 from a Memorial Coliseum office.           Men UK  73  --  IU  58 (Final) UK Secures Major Radio Affiliates     University of Kentucky Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart Saturday announced a 10-year agreement with Clear Channel radio stations WHAS-AM in Louisville, WLAP-AM and WBUL-FM in Lexington and WSAI-AM in Cincinnati to serve as Big Blue Network affiliates, beginning in fall 2007. Alleyne making big strides    To truly understand how far University of Kentucky sophomore Shagari Alleyne has progressed in one year, all you have to do is look at the newfound trust head coach Tubby Smith has in his improved center. Cats move into 'real season time'   Players look to cure growing pains   At North Carolina last weekend, Kentucky faced the anxiety of taking a test. Against Indiana today, UK tries to perform under deadline pressure. Thomas cleared to practice     University of Kentucky forward Sheray Thomas has been cleared to practice with the 10th-ranked Wildcats. Cats say it's time to step up    The Hoosiers represent the portion of the schedule that signifies it's time to start playing. The Cats (5-1) have fed on a steady diet of mid-majors that did little to test their mettle. In their lone challenge, they slumped to a 91-78 loss at North Carolina. Forget Laettner; this game was better    UK'S CLASH WITH INDIANA IN '75 WAS MORE MEMORABLE    I know, I know, it's already been decided. And by unanimous acclimation, to boot. When it comes to the greatest college basketball game of all times, as The Greatest used to say, there is no doubt. It's a no-brainer thanks to Christian Laettner. Game is turning from rivalry to clinic     If you warned me it was going to rain 10 of the next 11 days, I'd shrug. This is news? Ten of 11 football coaches say they would turn down the Notre Dame job? Some things are self-evident. Joining practice next for Thomas    Doctors are expected to clear forward Sheray Thomas to start working out with the Wildcats, Coach Tubby Smith said yesterday. "Great news," Smith said. "I'm really pleased. That's the best news we've had." Hoosiers say they've got much more confidence     Indiana University coach Mike Davis has more than meltdowns on his mind as the Hoosiers prepare to enter Freedom Hall for today's annual game against the University of Kentucky. Pitino uses radio host as leverage vs. WHAS   To: Rick Pitino From: Miss Manners Subject: Be polite to your hosts. The Kentucky-Louisville duel to see which school ranks higher at WHAS radio caused Pitino to forget his manners this week.       Football Phillips expects to see improvement soon    New Kentucky offensive coordinator Joker Phillips said Friday his system won't be predictable and will emphasize the strengths of the players in the system.  (12-10-04)       Basketball            Women RACHEL, SARA MEET AFTER LIFETIME OF COMPETITION    Sara and Rachel Potts are typical sisters. Less than two years apart in age, they have been mistaken for twins. "We don't look alike at all, but everyone seems to think we do," said Sara, the Kentucky women's senior star and leading scorer. UK freshman Buley charged with theft   GUARD ALLEGEDLY STOLE $675   The Kentucky women's most highly touted freshman, Sade Buley, has been suspended indefinitely from the team after she was arrested yesterday on a felony theft charge.           Men Kentucky Travels to Louisville’s Freedom Hall to Face Rival Indiana    After holding Morehead State to its lowest point total since facing Kentucky in 1995, UK travels to Louisville for the first of two consecutive games at Freedom Hall. The Wildcats, who defeated the Eagles 71-40 Wednesday, play Indiana in the schools’ annual neutral-site game this Saturday before returning to Freedom Hall next weekend to face Louisville. Hoosiers just have no shot   34.8 percent shooting leaves IU befuddled   Boos. Heckles. Losing streak. Late-arriving crowds. Inexperienced team/difficult schedule whipsaw. Rumors of a coaching change. As if that wasn't enough gloom and doom, his team is shooting -- this is no typographical error -- 34.8 percent. Macy says Cats aren't playing to potential    Kyle Macy figuratively stepped out of the suit and tie he wore as Morehead State basketball coach and into his University of Kentucky alumni sweatshirt shortly after his Eagles had lost to his Wildcats, 71-40, on Wednesday night. UK HAS DOMINATED HOOPS, FOOTBALL SERIES VS. IU   As a rule, I've always found Kentuckians to be the epitome of gracious neighbors. The kind of folk that go the extra mile when the people next door are in need. IU has trouble scoring    Indiana head coach Mike Davis hasn't had much time to reflect on IU's 80-41 loss to the University of Kentucky in Indianapolis last season. "It hasn't crossed my mind until this morning since we started preparing for Kentucky," Davis said Thursday afternoon of IU's worst loss in the 47-game series. "That game was probably over from the start. Having their way with the Hoosiers   Kentucky has won nine of its last 10 games against Indiana in both basketball and football. The scores: Basketball Year Site Winner Score       Football Kentucky Football Notebook - Dec. 10    The God’s Pantry food-relief organization has reported that Kentucky fans increased their donations of canned goods and money at this season’s collection.    Kentucky center Matt McCutchan, a former midshipman at the United States Naval Academy, talks about his experiences at last Saturday's Army-Navy football game. joker's expectations   UK assistant wants Cats in a bowl game   Joker Phillips has come full circle as a Kentucky Wildcat. A UK receiver from 1981-84, Phillips returned to Lexington for his second stint as an assistant coach last year to join Rich Brooks' staff. After offensive coordinator Ron Hudson resigned the week of the Tennessee game, Phillips helped call the plays for a UK offense that produced 31 points in a narrow loss, and Brooks named Phillips his new offensive coordinator on Sunday. Pulley will visit U of L, possibly 2 SEC schools   Mr. Football Curtis Pulley, the University of Kentucky football program's most-high profile recruit so far, will take official visits to other schools this winter. Johnson, Marchman leaving Cats    Two University of Kentucky football players have informed coach Rich Brooks that they're transferring. (12-09-04)       Basketball            Women UK Hoops Return Home to Face Charleston Southern      The Kentucky women’s basketball team returns home from a five-game road swing as it hosts Charleston Southern on Friday. Tip off is set for 7 p.m. ET in Memorial Coliseum.           Men Cats turn drought into 2nd-half rout   UK goes on 20-0 run after the break   Late in the first half last night, Kentucky Coach Tubby Smith turned to assistant Scott Rigot with a question. "Twelve straight possessions, right?" Smith asked. Wildcats cream Eagles, but it's more like half-and-half   For the past few days, the University of Kentucky basketball players and coaches talked about the importance of learning from the lopsided loss at North Carolina. Macy: Cats have to listen to Tubby   No doubt Kentucky had done a significant amount of chin-dragging and navel-gazing since being slashed at North Carolina on Saturday. UK near deal with Clear Channel   The University of Kentucky and its partner, Host Communications, say they are closing in on a deal with Clear Channel that will give UK's football and basketball broadcasts priority over the University of Louisville on WHAS-AM. Wildcats may steal U of L's spotlight   No doubt to the delight of its fans, the University of Kentucky might beat arch-rival University of Louisville twice this month. UK and U of L play their annual basketball game on Dec. 18. By then, UK might have already beaten U of L for the top spot in WHAS radio's broadcasting pecking order. ALLEYNE NOTCHES MORE CAREER HIGHS    Shagari Alleyne, the tallest player in Kentucky basketball history, flirted with another bit of hoops history last night. With nine points, five rebounds and six blocks in the first half, he was on pace for only the second triple-double in UK's storied basketball history. Tubby tirade at Rupp    As the University of Kentucky finally started pulling away from Morehead State in the second half, an Eagles supporter hoped aloud, "maybe the electricity will go out." At times during UK's 71-40 victory against the Eagles (4-2) Wednesday night in Rupp Arena, UK head coach Tubby Smith was probably thinking the same thing.       Football Kentucky Football Notebook - Dec. 9     Kentucky linebacker Wesley Woodyard has been chosen for the 2004 SEC All-Freshman Team as selected by league coaches.   Junior fullback Ronald “Rock” Johnson and sophomore wide receiver Maurice Marchman have asked for releases and plan to transfer, Coach Rich Brooks announced Thursday. Coach Rich Brooks Press Conference Quotes   Kentucky Football Coach Rich Brooks might be leading the nation in frequent flyer miles – or, at least he has for the last 11 days as he has traveled to much of the continental United States and Hawaii on recruiting visits. He returned to Lexington Wednesday night and met with the media on Thursday to catch up on his recent activities. UK's McBride to lead Weber State program   Ron McBride has resigned as the University of Kentucky's inside linebackers coach to take the head coaching position at Weber State, UK coach Rich Brooks announced yesterday. (12-08-04)       Basketball            Men Cats Ground Eagles, 71-40    Senior Chuck Hayes was back to his old form as he notched his fourth double-double of the season (10 pts., 10 reb.) as he led No. 10/11 Kentucky (5-1) past the Morehead State Eagles (4-2), 71-40 Wednesday night in Rupp Arena. Sophomore Shagari Alleyne posted career bests in points (11) rebounds (8) and blocked shots (6). Morehead State overmatched by Cats   UK OUTSCORES EAGLES 42-17 IN 2ND HALF   Kelenna Azubuike scored 21 points and helped break open a close game to lead Kentucky over Morehead State 71-40 tonight in Rupp Arena. Men's Basketball Press Conference Quotes - Morehead State    Head Coach Tubby Smith  On the North Carolina game… “I think our guys learned a lot from that game. We have responded the right way in practice. They came out and had a very intense practice yesterday in the areas where we needed more intensity, like our focus on our defense and in our rebounding that we’ve been harping about all year long. Transition defense and rebounding the ball have been a big concern, and North Carolina exposed that. It’s one more step in our process of growing and learning what we do best and what we can do best. The limited play of Chuck Hayes had a major impact on us when he picked up his second foul, which I’m still looking for. It was a real problem for us. I think a guy like Randolph (Morris) feeds off of him. He needs someone like Chuck Hayes at that spot. Our freshmen really played okay, other than fouling and reaching and doing some other things, like not getting back in transition. They weren’t really intimidated at all.” Class still in session for Cats    Following UK's 91-78 loss at ninth-ranked North Carolina Saturday, head coach Tubby Smith said his team failed its first big test.  Cats must crash boards    Kentucky will host Morehead State Wednesday night attempting to block out more than last Saturday's loss to North Carolina. Smith hopes loss shows weaknesses to Cats    Before North Carolina beat his team Saturday, Kentucky coach Tubby Smith already knew that transition defense and rebounding were problem areas for the Wildcats.   Live or tape: UofL, UK vie for radio priority     Contract negotiations affecting the radio broadcasts of local college sports may stir up those old rivalries of UK versus UofL. Tubby tries to get Cats on board    Tar Heels exposed Cats on the glass   Kentucky will look to rebound -- literally and figuratively -- after what forward Chuck Hayes called a sickening defeat at North Carolina last weekend. Smith: UK lacks toughness    When Chuck Hayes went to the bench, so did the University of Kentucky's inside muscle. That's the conclusion coach Tubby Smith formed after evaluating the Wildcats' 91-78 loss at North Carolina on Saturday. 'WE'LL BE LIKE A LITTLE DOE,' SAYS EAGLES COACH   Even in the best of circumstances, Morehead State would be a huge underdog at Kentucky. These are not the best of circumstances. The player Morehead State was counting on to step in for departed star Ricky Minard, junior college transfer Quenton Pryor, broke his wrist last summer and remains sidelined. Another player the Eagles counted upon was declared an illegal alien. 'Cats focus on boards    As soon as the ball bounces off the backboard or caroms off the rim, only one thought races through Chuck Hayes' mind: Go get it. "It's just an instinct," said Hayes, who leads the University of Kentucky with 10 rebounds per game. "My whole mind-set is to go get the ball because you need the ball to win."       Football UK linebackers coach McBride will be head coach at Weber State   Ron McBride, who has served as Kentucky's inside linebackers coach the past two seasons, will be introduced as the new head coach at Weber State at a news conference today. Abdullah second-team All-SEC    University of Kentucky junior safety Muhammad Abdullah has been named to the coaches' All-Southeastern Conference second team for the second consecutive year. (12-07-04)       Basketball            Men Kentucky Looking to Rebound Against Macy and Morehead State     After a tough road loss at No. 9 North Carolina Saturday, Kentucky returns home to Rupp Arena Wednesday to face former UK All-American Kyle Macy and his Morehead State Eagles. SEC is land of the lost weekend   COACHES CALL 1-10 SHOWING AN ABERRATION   Coincidence? Growing pains? Parity run (and dunk) amok? Southeastern Conference coaches offered several explanations for last weekend's lost weekend: losses in 10 of 11 games on Saturday and Sunday. Rando gives UNC guard slap on the wrist    Overshadowed by UK's first loss of the season Saturday - a 13-point drubbing at the hands of No. 9 North Carolina - was the 24-point performance by junior forward Kelenna Azubuike.        Football Phillips will give UK offense more flexibility     It was no surprise that Kentucky finally named Joker Phillips its new offensive coordinator Sunday Kentucky Football Notebook - Dec. 7   Junior safety Muhammad Abdullah has been named to the Coaches’ All-Southeastern Conference squad (second team) for the second consecutive year.  Senior punter Sevin Sucurovic has been chosen as the winner of the second-annual Wyndham New Orleans Bowl Inspirational Award Auburn tops first team; UK shut out    Southeastern Conference football champion Auburn has a league-high eight representatives on the All-SEC coaches' first team. Nine SEC schools had a member of the first team. Georgia had seven players honored. Kentucky, Mississippi and South Carolina were not represented. Prep star commits to Cats after promise of chance to run   The Kentucky football program picked up its 13th commitment for its 2005 recruiting class over the weekend when Waggener's Alphonso Smith told new offensive coordinator Joker Phillips on Sunday night that he would become a Wildcat. (12-06-04)       Basketball            Women Big Second Half Lifts Cards Past Cats  A 15-0 Louisville run midway through the second half allowed the Cardinals to break open a close game and defeat the Kentucky women’s basketball team 66-49 Sunday in Freedom Hall. Cards run past Cats in 2nd half    KENTUCKY HAS NO ANSWER AS CARDS GO ON 27-4 RUN    In the time it takes to exhale, the Kentucky women were blown away by Louisville. The Cardinals, trailing by as many eight points early in the second half, took just seconds and a couple of timely steals to get right back in it and take down their in-state rival 66-49 yesterday in their home opener at Freedom Hall. U of L blisters Cats 66-49    The Cardinals, appearing fully recovered from back-to-back road losses, nearly ran the Wildcats out of the arena in the second half of a 66-49 victory yesterday in their home opener in front of 3,427 fans.           Men Kentucky's freshmen will be just fine, thank you:     Kentucky's freshmen will be just fine, thank you: The Wildcats' guards won over plenty of fans among the North Carolina players, with most of them saying they expect Kentucky to be a factor in the race to March. Loss can be a lesson for UK    Whether it's his 30-plus seasons of coaching basketball or his even-keeled, gentlemanly manner, University of Kentucky associate head basketball coach David Hobbs has a way of putting things in perspective. Tar Heels humble Kentucky   The first 160 minutes of basketball the University of Kentucky played this season didn't prepare the Wildcats for the 40-minute baptism it faced in a loss to the University of North Carolina. It couldn't have.       Football Phillips Named Kentucky Offensive Coordinator   Joker Phillips, University of Kentucky wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator the past two seasons, will become the Wildcats’ new offensive coordinator, Coach Rich Brooks has announced. Joker Phillips new offensive coordinator   SCORING BURST IN LAST GAME SEALED PROMOTION   It took less than a week to transform a Kentucky offense that was lifeless virtually all season into an attack that was not only watchable, but surprisingly effective. Phillips gets shot to run UK offense    As Joker Phillips, the University of Kentucky's new offensive coordinator, darted in and out of recruits' homes in Louisville yesterday, he hardly had time to reflect on the significance of his promotion. (12-05-04)       Basketball            Men Cats Suffer First Loss of Season at North Carolina    Rashad McCants scored 28 points, and Sean May had 14 points and 19 rebounds, helping the ninth-ranked Tar Heels beat No. 8 Kentucky 91-78 Saturday in a game between the two winningest programs in college basketball history. HEELS' FIRE BURNS UK  UNC never trails after 24-6 burst   Kentucky lacked North Carolina's experience, home-court advantage and dig-in-the-Heels refusal to lose a fifth straight time to one of its few blueblooded brethren. Heels tar the Wildcats, 91-78   By the end of North Carolina's whipping of the Wildcats yesterday, the Tar Heels had given every indication that they were tougher, more athletic and faster than UK, which had won the past four meetings in the series. More primaries ahead for Hayes   FORWARD'S CAMPAIGN OFF TO ROUGH START   Before Kentucky's game yesterday with North Carolina, Chuck Hayes could not have been more excited. This was it, the first big test of the campaign, his team to lead, his time to shine. Young Wildcats receive the spanking on Initiation Day     Initiation Day concluded with the older guys raising their arms to provoke adoration and the younger guys walking away, heads lowered, shirts and egos untucked. ABRACADABRA; MCCANTS IS BACK   He reappears after vanishing into thin Rupp air    Just one year ago, Rupp Arena witnessed a paranormal extravaganza. Miraculously, the personage of Rashad McCants vaporized in front of 23,014 fans. Foul trouble makes Hayes a non-factor     University of Kentucky forward Chuck Hayes played just six minutes in the first half of the Wildcats' 91-78 loss to North Carolina yesterday because of foul trouble and never recovered in his worst outing of the season. Cats hope loss will help down the road   Kentucky Coach Tubby Smith had a pithy assessment of the 91-78 loss at North Carolina yesterday. "We talked about being tested," he said. "We failed that test." ON THE CHUCK WAGON?    Media reaction to senior's All-America chances is mixed    Kentucky's campaign to make Chuck Hayes an All-American visited an important precinct yesterday. Playing at North Carolina in a game televised by CBS gave Hayes a chance to breath life into UK's campaign slogan: All he does is win.       Football Brooks sleepless on recruiting trail    HE GOES TO HAWAII AND BACK IN A WEEK    Skeptics have looked at Rich Brooks' age and wondered whether he has the zest and zeal to rebuild the Kentucky program. But Brooks' travel itinerary this week certainly suggests that he isn't lacking energy on the recruiting front. Phillips expected to be named offensive boss    Joker Phillips, who has spent more than half of his coaching life at the University of Kentucky, is expected to be named the football team's offensive coordinator today. (12-04-04)       Basketball            Men UNC  91  --  UK  78  (Final) Wildcats Face First Road Test at No. 9 North Carolina     The nation’s two winningest programs meet Saturday in Chapel Hill when Kentucky travels to the Dean Smith Center to take on Maui Invitational champ North Carolina. The schools own a combined 3,712 victories, 81 NCAA Tournament appearances and 10 national championships. UK FACES MATCHUP PROBLEMS IN 3 AREAS   Of late, Kentucky has a hex on the Heels. The winningest program in all of college basketball, i.e. UK's Wildcats, has slain the second-winningest, i.e. North Carolina's baby-blues, four straight years now. Stretching that streak to five, however, will be a formidable task, indeed. Which McCants will show up vs. UK?   There sat North Carolina's Rashad McCants, one of the nation's most gifted offensive talents, watching from the bench as his team struggled to find a basket in a low-scoring loss at the University of Kentucky last season. Kiddy Cats get first test   Freshmen are key vs. UNC   It's examination time for Kentucky today. After warming up with four cupcake opponents (to borrow a term popularized by Dick Vitale), UK faces North Carolina. For this battle of the bluest of college basketball bluebloods, the Cats will bring their bluebooks and No. 2 pencils. Wildcats: 'Us against 20,000'    For the first time all season, the numbers in the stands won't favor the University of Kentucky. When the No. 8 Wildcats take on No. 9 North Carolina today at noon in the 21,750-seat Dean E. Smith Center, they won't have supporters all around them like they did in three home games and one in U.S. Bank Arena. Kentucky at North Carolina   When: Noon Records: UK 4-0; UNC 5-1 Last meeting: Kentucky won 61-56 last year at home Series: UNC leads 16-10 TV: CBS-27 Radio: WLAP-AM 630, WBUL-FM 98.1 LINEUPS, STATISTICS   North Carolina Probable starters No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. 21 Jawad Williams F 6-9 218 Sr. 32 Rashad McCants F 6-4 207 Jr. 42 Sean May C 6-9 266 Jr. (12-03-04)       Football three & out not unfair    Generally that's enough time to judge    Point the TV remote: Zap!!!! Zap!!!! Zap!!!! In Remote Control America, attention spans are shorter than Pat Day. And instant gratification is NOT the way of the world -- because who wants to wait that long? Abren makes All-America team    The honors keep coming for the Hopkinsville High School football program.   Kentucky Football 2004 Team Awards     Junior safety Muhammad Abdullah, who led Kentucky’s football team in interceptions the past two seasons, has been selected as the Wildcats’ 2004 most valuable player, Coach Rich Brooks has announced.         Basketball            Women UK Hoops Face Louisville in Annual “Battle of the Bluegrass”   The Kentucky women’s basketball team will take on intrastate rival Louisville on Sunday, Dec. 5 at 2 p.m. ET in Freedom Hall in the annual “Battle of the Bluegrass.” Kids under 18 get in FREE. For ticket information, call the UL ticket office at 502-852-5151. Update: 12/3 Press Conferece Quotes and Game Notes added           Men Hayes delivering for Cats    The little things make Chuck Hayes a special player. Whether it's a garbage basket or grabbing a rebound on both ends of the floor, the University of Kentucky forward and All-America candidate has delivered when it counts for the Wildcats throughout his career UK-Heels clash has Packer beaming    ANALYST: TEAM CONCEPT WILL BE ON DISPLAY    When Billy Packer saw the photograph, he had to send it to Kentucky Coach Tubby Smith. So Packer clipped the photo from his Charlotte Observer and slipped it in an envelop bound for Lexington. Hayes needs help     Chuck Hayes needs some help.   The senior forward and All-American candidate does everything for the Cats - he makes big shots, he battles on the boards and he shuts down opposing stars.  Out of the nest and into the test    It seems appropriate that as the fall semester comes to a close, University of Kentucky basketball coach Tubby Smith is likening tomorrow's showdown at North Carolina to a final exam for his four freshmen. Which Heels will show up?    There are easily three and possibly four NBA prospects on the University of North Carolina men's basketball team. Not that it matters to second-year head coach Roy Williams, the man who knows the most about the unpredictable ninth-ranked Tar Heels (5-1). 2002 class hasn't had it easy at UNC   Few things in life seemed as inevitable. The ascent of this University of North Carolina recruiting class was right there with the sunrise, snow in Colorado and Michael Jackson's lunacy on the certain-to-occur scale. 'Cat grew up a Tar Heels fan     From the moment Bobby Perry was born in Durham, N.C., he bled blue.  This is where shade becomes an important issue. (12-02-04)       Football Kentucky Football 2004 Team Awards    Junior safety Muhammad Abdullah, who led Kentucky’s football team in interceptions the past two seasons, has been selected as the Wildcats’ 2004 most valuable player, Coach Rich Brooks has announced. Click for the rest of the 2004 team awards. AKRON, TEMPLE ALSO ON FUTURE SCHEDULES   The University of Kentucky football schedule has undergone some changes both for next fall and the future. UK has replaced Texas State, which was scheduled to play the Wildcats at Commonwealth Stadium on Sept. 10 next season, with Idaho State. UK Executive Associate Director of Athletics Rob Mullens said the move was made at Texas State's request. UK bucks trend in sticking with its coach   U of K apparently will go with the diminishingly popular option of keeping its coach. Rich Brooks will be back, athletic director Mitch Barnhart has said, debunking rumors that everyone from Ron Zook to Mike Cassity to Butch Cassidy was in line to be UK's next coach.       Basketball            Women UK Hoops Defeat Northwestern in SEC/Big Ten Battle    Five Kentucky players scored in double figures, led by senior Sara Potts’ team-high 15 points, to pace the UK Hoops team to a 70-63 win over Northwestern Wednesday in Welsh-Ryan Arena.            Men PITINO REGRETS UK EXIT   Louisville Coach Rick Pitino said on his radio show this week that he regrets having left Kentucky after the 1997 season to eventually become head coach of the Boston Celtics. Heels take it slow but survive    So the traveling Tar Heels learned a bit about themselves after their journey to Sean May's hometown. North Carolina learned it doesn't need Sean May. Wildcats Face First Road Test at No. 9 North Carolina     The nation’s two winningest programs meet Saturday in Chapel Hill when Kentucky travels to the Dean Smith Center to take on Maui Invitational champ North Carolina. The schools own a combined 3,712 victories, 81 NCAA Tournament appearances and 10 national championships. JOURNEY OF SELF-DISCOVERY    So the traveling Tar Heels learned a bit about themselves after their journey to Sean May's hometown. North Carolina learned it doesn't need Sean May. Trading Carolina blue for UK blue   UNC tickets a hot item in Perry family   Turkey ... dressing ... a drawing for tickets to the Kentucky-North Carolina game. Those were the Thanksgiving holiday weekend highlights for Bobby Perry. (12-01-04)       Football UK-IU series to end after 2005 meeting   The University of Kentucky has moved Texas State off the 2005 football schedule and onto the 2006 schedule, officially terminating the Wildcats' series with Indiana University. Kentucky Football Notebook - Dec. 1    Nose tackle Ricky Abren has been named second-team Freshman All-America as chosen by Rivals.com ... Because of multiple injury problems, junior cornerback Warren Wilson has chosen to give up his final season of eligibility.       Basketball            Women UK Hoops Defeat Northwestern in SEC/Big Ten Battle    Five Kentucky players scored in double figures, led by senior Sara Potts’ team-high 15 points, to pace the UK Hoops team to a 70-63 win over Northwestern Wednesday in Welsh-Ryan Arena.  Healthy Potts looks to lead Cats; DeMoss calls for better defense   Coming off a 1-2 finish in the Paradise Jam, the Kentucky women's basketball team looks to get back on the winning track at Northwestern tonight.           Men Evansville and Louisville Markets Pick Up UK-UNC Game    College basketball fans in Louisville and Evansville will get double coverage on Saturday, as both markets will show both the Kentucky/North Carolina game as well as the Indiana/Connecticut game. No. 8 Kentucky Charges Past Tennesee Tech    Kelenna Azubuike found the way out of a season-long shooting slump - keep shooting. Azubuike scored 21 points - just two off his career high - and No. 8 Kentucky routed Tennessee Tech 92-63 on Tuesday night. Wildcats just too deep   10 players score in UK's 'best basketball so far'   At tuneups go, Kentucky saw last night's 92-63 victory over Tennessee Tech as a high-note performance. In particular, a second half that saw UK outclass Tennessee Tech at both ends of the floor, a dominating performance the Cats hope to use as a springboard to Saturday's battle of college basketball bluebloods at North Carolina. Cats sputter early, then get tuned up   The eighth-ranked Wildcats overcame a cold-shooting first half to pull away to a 92-63 victory over Tennessee Tech last night. TEST COMES SATURDAY   Come Saturday, time to step it up. Coppin State, Ball State, Georgia State, all just bricks in the Kentucky wall. North Carolina is a Heel of a different color. Wildcats hit stride    After his Wildcats defeated their first three opponents by an average of 23 points, University of Kentucky head coach Tubby Smith still hasn't been impressed by the way his team has performed. Williams will wait to study UK until after Indiana game tonight   Here's a surprise: Kentucky basketball developments do not fascinate everyone. Asked about Saturday's game, North Carolina Coach Roy Williams said he concentrates on one opponent at a time. That means Indiana, the Tar Heels' opponent tonight, occupies his mind. Saul returns   With sophomore Bobby Perry contributing career-best numbers, Kentucky won the rebounding battle against Tennessee Tech last night.       Our Privacy statement can be read here...   Disclaimer:  This site solely owned by WildcatZone.Com and is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by the University of Kentucky, the Southeastern Conference, or the NCAA copyright (c) 1997-2006, WildcatZone.Com (except where otherwise indicated)