Friday, Oct. 12 Tubby Smith and Mike Krzyzewski squared off in the title game of Michael Jordan's Fantasy Camp, with Coach K's middle aged rich guys beating Smith's middle aged rich guys. Smith told Krzyzewski he hoped it was a prelude to the NCAA Championship game, and it may have been. Kentucky has size, depth, and two legit All-America candidates. Tayshaun Prince struggled at the three spot last year, but was SEC Player of the Year as a power forward, while Keith Bogans found a more consistent mix between his shot and putting it to the deck. Kentucky's only question marks are the point guard, limiting turnovers and consistent perimeter shooting. Bogans and Prince were Kentucky's only real 3-point threats in 2001, but Rashaad Carruth and Josh Carrier should improve the Wildcats from deep. Kentucky's great defense will always keep the 'Cats in it, and improved shooting and passing can put them over the top.

4
Kentucky
LAST SEASON: 24-10
2001 FINAL RANKING
ESPN/USA Today: No. 8

Why No. 4?
The Wildcats could easily make a case for No. 1. Kentucky is as deep a team as any in the country. They've got one of the best scoring/shooting power forwards in Tayshaun Prince. The reigning SEC player of the year carried the Wildcats throughout last season. He doesn't look intimidating, but the thin Prince is one of the toughest matchups for opposing coaches. Keith Bogans flirted with the NBA but returns with a passion to prove he belongs in the league with former high school teammate Joseph Forte. Bogans has his streaky moments, but he's still one of the strongest guards in the nation and adds a toughness quotient the Wildcats need to beat Florida in the SEC and contend for the national championship. Gerald Fitch returns as one of the best-kept secrets and gives the Wildcats a combo guard who can handle the ball and be a threat to score from the perimeter. But the inside game is where the Wildcats might be strongest. And that's even without Jason Parker, who is rehabbing from a torn ACL. Parker could be back by late December but he'll have to compete for time when he returns. That's because Jules Camara is back after a one-year suspension. Camara could be the best shot-blocker in the nation and what he doesn't block, he'll alter. Marvin Stone and Marquis Estill are hard to move out of the post, although they could be better finishers. The key position for the Wildcats will be the point where Cliff Hawkins takes over fulltime from Saul Smith. He'll have to be a playmaker and doesn't have to be a scorer. The Wildcats have two good looking scoring guards off the bench -- if they don't find a way into the starting lineup -- in freshmen Josh Carrier and Rashaad Carruth. J.P. Blevins will log minutes at the point with Hawkins and Erik Daniels will find a spot.

Will Rise If ...
They can settle on a point in Hawkins or Blevins. If the position is stable, especially defensively and the point limits turnovers, then there's no stopping the potential of this team. They've got plenty of shooters and scorers on the wings and finishers in the post. Defensively, Camara will change their approach, giving the Wildcats a second-line of defense.

Why Fall If ...
Chemistry isn't found. Tubby Smith has to keep a lot of egos massaged. He had to corral Stone last season and ensure he was a happy camper. He'll have as many as 11 players who can command playing time, 12 when Parker returns. But he probably can't play more than nine to 10 on a regular basis. Accepting roles will be more critical with Kentucky than, perhaps, any other team in the top 25.

-- Andy Katz, ESPN.com

SCOUTING REPORT: One SEC coach's take on the Wildcats

“

They're as deep as any team in America. You've got to rebound well against them. They've got so many big guys with Stone, Camara and Estill. Tayshaun was as good as anybody down the stretch last season. Cliff Hawkins could be a question at the point and how well he'll shoot the ball. Keith Bogans is a big, strong defender. You've got to find a way to defend. Teams zoned them at times last season and that was successful. A lot of their success this year will depend on their point guard. That's where the question is. You might have to help off him and make him beat you. ”

2001-02 KENTUCKY ROSTER
Player	Yr.	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Key 2000-01 Stats
(3) J. P. Blevins	Sr.	G	6-2/180	PTS: 2.8 | REB: 0.9 | AST: 0.6
(10) Keith Bogans	Jr.	G/F	6-5/205	PTS: 17.0 | REB: 4.6 | FG%: 47.3
(40) Jules Camara	Jr.	F/C	6-11/225	Trouble kept him off court in 2000-01; Will fill void created by Parker's bum ACL
(5) Josh Carrier	Fr.	G	6-5/196	Kentucky's Mr. Basketball is a shooter who'll help raise Wildcats' team FG percentage
(2) Rashaad Carruth	Fr.	G	6-3/195	Should keep zones honest with deadly 3-point shot -- something 'Cats need
(22) Adam Chiles	Fr.	G	6-1/192	Could provide insurance at point, or at least give Hawkins an occasional blow
(14) Erik Daniels	So.	F	6-7/200	PTS: 5.2 | REB: 2.6 | FG%: 56.6
(50) Marquis Estill	Jr.	F	6-9/240	PTS: 7.3 | REB: 3.8 | FG%: 60.3
(4) Gerald Fitch	So.	G	6-3/188	PTS: 6.8 | REB: 4.4 | 3PT%: 40.8
(1) Cliff Hawkins	So.	G	6-1/190	PTS: 3.0 | AST: 1.6 | FG%: 39.0
(44) Chuck Hayes	Fr.	F	6-7/237	California kid has solid outside game and can handle the ball well for his size
(15) Matt Heissenbuttel	So.	G	6-4/188	PTS: 0.9 | REB: 0.3 | AST: 0.2
(42) Jason Parker	So.	F/C	6-8/255	PTS: 8.6 | REB: 4.7 | FG%: 55.2
(21) Tayshaun Prince	Sr.	F	6-9/215	PTS: 16.9 | REB: 6.5 | 3PT%: 35.8
(33) Cory Sears	So.	G/F	6-6/193	PTS: 0.2 | REB: 1.1 | AST: 0.4
(24) Marvin Stone	Jr.	F/C	6-10/253	PTS: 6.0 | REB: 4.6 | FG%: 50.7
Head Coach: Tubby Smith (110-33, 4 years; Overall: 234-95, 10 years) Assistant Coaches: Mike Sutton, David Hobbs, Reggie Hanson Home Court: Rupp Arena (23,000); Lexington, Ky.

2001-02 KENTUCKY SCHEDULE

November 15: W. Kentucky (a) 16: Marshall/GW (b) 24: Morehead St. 28: at Kent State

December 5: VMI 8: North Carolina 15: Kentucky St. 18: Duke (c) 22: Indiana (d) 29: Louisville

January 2: Tulane (e) 5: at Miss. St. 9: Georgia 12: at S. Carolina 15: Mississippi 19: at Notre Dame 22: at Auburn 26: Alabama 29: at Florida

February 2: South Carolina 6: at Tennessee 9: at LSU 13: Vanderbilt 16: at Georgia 19: Tennessee 23: Arkansas 27: at Vanderbilt

March 2: Florida 7: SEC Tournament