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COACH AND PROGRAM
JAMAL MAGLOIRE (6-10, 260 lbs., SR, C, #42, 7.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 1.9 bpg, 19.6 minutes, .531 FG, .576 FT, Eastern Commerce HS/Toronto, Can.) There might have been a time during the last two years, given Magloire's troubling rap sheet of on- and off-the-court problems, that Smith wouldn't have minded seeing the big man pack his bags and head back north. If that was true, Smith's opinion of Magloire began to change late last season. That's when Magloire, who once likened himself to a hockey goon, began to grow up. Not that he shied away from contact in the post. That will never happen. But last February and March, Magloire began to elevate his game by channeling his aggression. In postseason play, Magloire averaged 8.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.3 bpg and shot 55.8 percent from the field. Those aren't staggering numbers, but for a guy previously viewed only as a defensive-minded thug, they were impressive. And Magloire's contributions were vital to a postseason surge that led to Kentucky winning the SEC Tournament and advancing to the Elite Eight of the NCAAs. Magloire played so well and so often at crunch time that Michael Bradley, who started all 37 games at center, assessed his situation after the season and transferred to Villanova. Smith was surprised and disappointed by that move. But he would have been more disappointed had Magloire opted to enter the NBA draft, which he began strongly considering last May. Had Magloire left, Smith would have been in the unenviable position of entering a season without a single experienced post player. In the SEC, that's tantamount to disaster. Smith and Kentucky fans had some anxious moments as Magloire pondered his decision. Finally, on the last day he could withdraw from consideration for the draft, Magloire called Smith with good news. He would stay for his senior season. "It's a win-win situation," Magloire told The Cats Pause. "I wanted to make a great decision, not a good decision. The great decision was to come back." Magloire's reasoning was two-fold. Most experts didn't think he was ready for the NBA. By waiting, he definitely strengthened his position in the coming year's draft. Loyalty also played a part. Magloire, once a pain in Smith's posterior, didn't want to leave his coach and the program in a lurch. Smith had supported Magloire throughout the decision-making process, even accompanying him to a pre-draft camp in Chicago. "We've had some people transfer," Magloire told The Cats Pause. "I couldn't turn my back, and that really weighed into my decision." Smith will repay Magloire's loyalty this season. The truth is, he doesn't have much choice. After the death of freshman recruit John Stewart, the academic problems of recruit Marquis Estill (which will sideline him this season) and Bradley's transfer, Smith doesn't have many players in the frontcourt. Magloire will become a key part of everything Kentucky does, offensively and defensively. Now there's a switch Magloire a central figure in the Wildcats' offense. "We play team basketball here," Smith told The Cats Pause. "But within that concept, [Magloire] is going to be asked to carry a heavier load. He's going to get a lot more touches, because he'll be a focal point of our offense in a lot of ways." Magloire has busily prepared himself for his new role. Even last season, he was putting in extra hours in the gym, working on his shot. Magloire shot hundreds of times each day, and the result is he is now extremely confident in his jump hook and face-up jumper. That's why Blue Ribbon placed Magloire on its preseason All-SEC team. With his improved offensive skills, Magloire is the best center in the league. He was already the best defensive center. Last year, he led Kentucky and was third in the league in blocked shots (66). Magloire is the fourth Kentucky player to block at least 200 shots in his career. He is fourth on the school's all-time list with 211. Magloire has 34 blocks in 16 NCAA Tournament games, fifth all-time. Magloire's defensive game isn't limited to blocking shots. He has been taught sound defensive fundamentals by Smith, so he can stay in front of his opponent. And he is strong enough to muscle people out of the paint. Magloire should offer another little bonus in his final year at Kentucky. Last season, there was every reason to think Magloire was developing into a team leader. Smith is counting on him to provide senior leadership. "His aggressiveness will be a big plus for our team, and we'll be counting on him to step up and be a leader," Smith said. "Hopefully, his aggressive quality will rub off on the younger guys." SAUL SMITH (6-2, 175 lbs., JR, PG, #11, 5.0 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 1.6 apg, 0.7 spg, 17.1 minutes, .367 FG, .356 3PT, .620 FT, Clarke Central HS/Athens, Ga.) The toughest job in the SEC this year belongs to Smith. It's hard enough following Wayne Turner, one of the winningest point guards in the history of the game. It's even harder when you happen to be the son of the head coach. Yes, the spotlight will shine brightly on Saul Smith this season. His every move will be scrutinized. Some of his moves will be criticized. Can he handle the job? Saul thinks so. He has been preparing for it for two years, observing master craftsman Turner at work. "Over the past couple of years, I've been building, learning, watching, trying to mold my way of leading," Smith told the Lexington Herald-Leader. Smith got to put his findings to good use in August, when a team of SEC All-Stars played a five-game series against the Japanese national team. Smith made the trip to the Far East with such league stalwarts as Auburn point guard Doc Robinson, Tennessee center C.J. Black, Mississippi State forward Tang Hamilton and Mississippi forward Marcus Hicks. Smith's jumper apparently didn't accompany him (he shot 30.4 percent from the field and 21.4 percent from three-point range), but he did have 17 assists, second on the team to Robinson, and just four turnovers. He also led the team in steals (seven). More importantly, Smith seemed to earn the respect of his teammates. "When a crucial point in a game occurred, a player would come and ask something," Smith told the Herald-Leader. "Or I'd tell them something and they'd do their job. No questions asked. When they look to you to provide guidance, that will give you more of a feel of whether you're doing your job." Smith will have to provide guidance this season. Seven freshmen and sophomores are on Kentucky's roster. Smith is the only junior who has been in the program his entire career. And Jamaal Magloire is the team's lone senior. Smith has some skills, although his shooting percentage last year wasn't good. He did shoot a respectable number from three-point range and was even better from behind the arc in March. In seven postseason games, Smith made 41.2 percent of his three-pointers. He hit two big "threes" in a victory over Kansas in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Smith was also one of Kentucky's best playmakers, passing for 61 assists (fourth on the team). Smith has served his apprenticeship. Now is he ready for more action, this time as a starting point guard in the SEC. His dad thinks the trip to Japan helped prepare him for what lies ahead. "FOR COACH (John) Brady and coach (Rod) Barnes to request that Saul make the trip shows their respect for his abilities," Tubby Smith said. "And it should give him a lot of confidence as well." DESMOND ALLISON (6-5, 214 lbs., SO, SF, #32, 4.7 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 1.2 apg, 0.5 spg, 15.4 minutes, .500 FG, .389 3PT, .656 FT, Robinson HS/Tampa, Fla.) If there's a better athlete in the SEC than Allison, he must be the second coming of Jim Thorpe. Come to think of it, that describes Allison perfectly. He's a multi-talented performer who could have played at the highest collegiate level in a number of sports. In football at Robinson High, Allison was a receiver who averaged 22.9 yards per catch his senior season. Florida and Ohio State would have signed him in a second. In track, he was regional champ in the 400 meters. And then there's basketball. During his senior season, Allison nearly averaged a triple double. He scored 34.5 ppg, grabbed 10.8 rpg and passed for 9.0 apg. Here's an interesting Allison anecdote: He scored six touchdowns in consecutive football playoff games in his senior season. In between his gridiron appearances, he averaged 30.5 ppg in a pair of basketball games. There's more: Allison is also a pretty fair pool player and knows his way around a bowling alley. Is there anything he can't do? It came as little surprise that Allison worked his way into Kentucky's starting lineup as a freshman. Smith predicted he could do so, primarily because Allison was ahead of his fellow Wildcat newcomers defensively. True enough, Allison became Kentucky's defensive stopper, but he didn't lose any of his scoring prowess. Consider that Allison shot 50 percent from the field and 39 percent from three-point range. Those are unreal numbers for a freshman. And Allison was a willing rebounder, a plus for a shooting guard. Allison will get every opportunity to help carry Kentucky this season. He should be more than able to handle any increased responsibility Smith wants to give him. KEITH BOGANS (6-5, 205 lbs., FR, SG, #10, 17.9 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 2.3 apg, DeMatha Catholic HS/Hyattsville, Md.) Bogans, a first-team Parade and McDonald's All-America last season, walks into a great situation at Kentucky. There are some serious minutes to be had, especially for a someone who can play three positions. Bogans comes to Kentucky with a wealth of high-level experience behind him. He played four varsity seasons at famed DeMatha. The only other player to do that in the school's storied history was Adrian Dantley. Bogans averaged in double figures all four years. Last season, Bogans led DeMatha to a 28-4 record and No. 6 ranking in the final USA Today poll. He was a coveted prospect. Bogans was chosen as the nation's prep Player of the Year by Basketball Times and a second-team All-America by USA Today. He had his pick of schools, eventually choosing Kentucky from among a group that included North Carolina, Michigan and Connecticut. Where will Bogans play? That's a good question. Shooting guard is his natural position, but he could also play small forward because he is rugged and doesn't mind rebounding. There is one other possibility for Bogans. He has played the point before, and could perhaps do so again on the college level if Saul Smith or J.P. Blevins aren't getting the job done. MARVIN STONE (6-10, 268 lbs., FR, PF, #24, 19.3 ppg, 12.4 rpg, 4.1 bpg, Grissom HS/Huntsville, Ala.) Like fellow freshman Keith Bogans, Stone will play a lot of minutes in his first season. His best position is power forward, but he could move to center if the need arose. Stone envisions himself stepping into Scott Padgett's old job as a mobile power forward who can knock down shots from the perimeter. At his size, it's safe to suggest Stone can do anything he wants to do. But he really does have shooting range. And there's no question he can bang with the best of them in the paint. Stone was the object of an intense recruiting battle. Kentucky was always rumored to be the favorite, but home state schools Auburn and Alabama were close behind. Had Alabama coach Mark Gottfried been on the job a while longer, the Crimson Tide might have gained Stone's services. As it was, Gottfried was hired too late in the game to convince Stone he didn't have to leave the state. Stone was a highly decorated high school player. Like Bogans, he was chosen a Parade and McDonald's All-America. Stone was also a finalist for the Naismith Prep Player of the Year award and was Alabama's "Mr. Basketball." Stone had a great career at Grissom High, scoring 1,866 career points and grabbing 1,174 rebounds. Last season, he led his team to a 31-6 record and the Alabama 6A championship.KEY RESERVES TAYSHAUN PRINCE (6-9, 213 lbs., SO, F, #21, 5.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.2 apg, 20.2 minutes, .414 FG, .287 3PT, .656 FT, Dominguez HS/Compton, Calif.) He might be listed here as a key reserve, but Prince could just as easily wind up starting. He is one of Kentucky's most versatile players, able to handle two and perhaps three positions. Prince's shooting and passing skills allow him to play big guard or small forward. And with his shot-blocking ability, Prince could defend post players if he had to. Prince saw a lot of action last season, playing in all 37 games and starting 11 times. His shooting percentages were down, but that's typical for most freshmen, who have to learn a thing or two about shot selection. Prince reached double figures in scoring seven times, including a career-high 15 points against Colorado. He also scored 12 points in an NCAA Elite Eight matchup against Michigan State. Prince showed other skills. Consider his line in the box score after Kentucky's victory over Arkansas in the SEC Tournament championship game: Seven points, eight rebounds, six assists, zero turnovers in 25 minutes. Prince, who has long arms and is a great leaper, proved a capable rebounder and a better-than average shot-blocker. His funky looking jump shot wasn't as good to him as it was in high school, but he'll learn to become less reliant on one scoring weapon and find other ways to get his points. JULES CAMARA (6-11, 223 lbs., SO, F-C, #40, 4.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 0.6 bpg, 11.2 minutes, .533 FG, .250 3PT, .519 FT, Oak Hill Academy, Va./Dakar Senegal) Camara turned out to be a pleasant surprise. No one questioned the fact he had plenty of talent, but it was considered raw talent. Camara showed flashes of a much more sophisticated game. Consider his shooting percentage. Not many freshmen can make more than half their shots, even if they do play in the post. Camara can do his damage inside, or step out past the three-point line. He only attempted eight three-pointers last year, but he made two of them just enough so opposing defenses have to respect him. Camara's shooting touch and agility allows him to play any of three positions power forward, small forward and center. Chances are good he'll get plenty of work in the post this year. Camara had a productive freshman season, playing in all 37 games. Here's a little stat Smith has to love about Camara: He blocked 25 shots, but didn't foul out of a game. That suggests Camara has mastered the art of intimidation without committing a foul a minute, as many young big men do. Camara knows he is much more valuable on the floor than the bench. Camara has an interesting story. He played just two seasons of basketball in his native Senegal before coming to the U.S. and Oak Hill (Va.) Academy. As a senior at Oak Hill, Camara averaged 15.1 ppg, nearly 10 boards and almost four blocked shots. He was ranked among the Top 30 players in the country by recruiting analyst Bob Gibbons. Camara is obviously a fast learner. He became fluent in English quickly, and also speaks French and his native French dialect. Let's see now. An intelligent big man who can run, jump and shoot past the three-point line? It sounds like Camara will get considerable playing time in his second season. Given Kentucky's frontcourt depth problems, count on Camara playing plenty. J.P. BLEVINS (6-2, 181 lbs., SO, G, #3, 0.8 ppg, 0.5 rpg, 4.9 minutes, .333 FG, .333 3PT, Metcalfe County HS/Edmonton, Ky.) After playing in just 14 games a year ago, Blevins is going to get a chance to drastically increase his P.T. this season. Other than Saul Smith, the Wildcats have no one to run the point, unless freshman Keith Bogans more of a scoring guard can help out. Blevins is a point guard by trade, but there are concerns about whether he is quick enough to handle the job in the SEC, where nearly every team has a speedy, ball-hawking guard who can make life miserable for a player who's a step too slow. Blevins didn't have many highlights in his freshman year. He did make a three-pointer against New Mexico in the NCAA Tournament. And the first shot he ever took, a three-pointer against Eastern Kentucky, went in the hole. That's about it. Smith hopes Blevins' sophomore season is a bit more memorable. NATE KNIGHT (6-8, 220 lbs., JR, F, #5, 14.5 ppg, 8.9 rpg, Utah Valley State, Oregon State & Alta HS/Sandy, Ut.) After the death of freshman recruit John Stewart and the transfer of last year's starting center, Michael Bradley, Kentucky was desperately searching for a post player. The questionable status of another recruit, Marquis Estill, made it imperative that Smith and his staff find another body for the frontcourt. The search took the Kentucky coaches to the junior colleges, where they tried to get involved unsuccessfully with two players, Shon Coleman of Indian Hills (Ia.) and Anthony Evans of Neosho County (Kan.), who eventually signed with Georgia. Kentucky also pursued a high school player, 6-9 Marcus Haislip of Lewisburg, Tenn., but, after a lengthy recruiting battle, he chose home state Tennessee. Luckily for Kentucky, assistant coach George Felton had one more angle to follow up. When Felton was an assistant at Oregon State two years earlier, he coached Knight, who started nine times, played 15.3 minutes per game and averaged 3.0 ppg and 3.2 rpg as a freshman. After his first season, Knight left for a Morman mission. That lasted a year, but Knight didn't return to Oregon State. Instead he enrolled at Utah Valley State, which he helped lead to a 24-8 record a year ago. Home state Brigham Young came calling, but when Felton contacted him, Knight signed with Kentucky. Knight's decision was a big one for the Wildcats, who still enter the season with little depth in the frontcourt. Had Knight not signed and Jamaal Magloire opted for the NBA, Kentucky really would have been hurting. Knight isn't the type of player who is going to dominate a game, but he'll be invaluable to Kentucky. He runs well and also has good post-up skills. The brother of former Connecticut star Travis Knight, who now plays for the Los Angeles Lakers, Knight also brings leadership and previous Division I experience, important considering the Wildcats' youth. Knight didn't exactly take the Pacific-10 by storm as a freshman, but he had solid numbers with career highs of nine points against Portland and 10 rebounds against Arizona State. Last season at Utah Valley State, Knight led his team in rebounding, and also had 60 assists and 31 blocked shots while shooting 60.4 percent from the field. If he could come anywhere close to his junior college numbers at Kentucky, Smith would be elated.OTHER RETURNEES TODD TACKETT (6-2, 176 lbs., SO, G, #12, 0.9 ppg, 0.9 rpg, 5.1 minutes, .167 FG, .182 3PT, .500 FT, Paintsville HS/Paintsville, Ky.) The rumors circulating around the state of Kentucky suggested that Tackett, who could have signed with Clemson a year earlier, was unhappy with his playing time as a freshman and was ready to transfer. But other teammates beat him to the draw most notably guard Ryan Hogan and Tackett hung around. That might end up being a good decision. Given Kentucky's limited depth in the backcourt, Tackett could see considerably more action than he did a year ago, when he played in 14 games for an average of 5.1 minutes. Tackett was supposedly a long-range marksman, but you couldn't tell by his shooting percentages as a freshman. Then again, it's hard to judge Tackett's performance considering his sporadic playing time. Tackett did show other skills. He had six rebounds against Mercer. And in the SEC Tournament, when other teammates were in foul trouble, Tackett saw some serious action against Mississippi. His assignment was a tough one Tackett had to guard Ole Miss' high-scoring guard, Keith Carter. To his credit, Tackett limited Carter to one field goal. Was it luck, or does this one-time three-point bomber have a career as a defensive specialist? STEVE MASIELLO (6-1, 170 lbs., SR, G, #4, 0.7 ppg, 0.4 rpg, 3.2 minutes, .200 FG, .222 3PT, .400 FT, The Harvey School/White Plains, N.Y.) This could be Steve Masiello's year. The former walk-on was given a scholarship for his senior season, and he might also get to play a little bit, given Kentucky's depth problems. In his three-year career, Masiello has played in 55 games, averaging 2.9 minutes on the floor. A year ago, Smith rewarded him for his hard work in practice with a start against Wright State. In nine minutes, Masiello had two assists and two rebounds. Masiello had other moments in his junior season. He played in three NCAA Tournament games and notched his career high of six points against South Carolina in the SEC Tournament. Masiello usually appeared in mop-up roles, but here is a statistic to keep an eye on: In 14 games and 45 minutes of court time last year, he made just two turnovers. Masiello also passed for 10 assists, giving him an assist-to-turnover ratio of 5-to-1. If he can be so sure-handed in more critical portions of games, Smith might considering using Masiello more often. This year, the UK coach might not have a choice.OTHER NEWCOMERS None.STARTERS NOT RETURNING SCOTT PADGETT (6-9, PF 12.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.2 spg, 0.6 bpg, 29.1 minutes, .466 FG, .381 3PT, .681 FT) To no one's surprise, Padgett continued Kentucky's success in the NBA draft last June when he was taken with the 28th pick by the Utah Jazz. Seven Wildcats in the last four years Antoine Walker, Tony Delk, Walter McCarty, Ron Mercer, Derek Anderson and Nazr Mohammed were the others have been first-round picks. Padgett, a first-team All-SEC selection, was a solid performer for Kentucky. Few players in the country possessed his combination of size and shooting range. Padgett could do damage inside, as might be expected for a man 6-9 and 240 pounds, but he could also drift past the three-point line and make an opponent pay for being too lazy to follow him. Padgett was also a capable rebounder, passed better than most big men and could make defensive plays, as his final senior-year numbers in steals (47) and blocked shots (24) would attest. Padgett will be hard to replace, although freshman Marvin Stone has displayed several of the same skills and has a goal in mind. "I hope to be a versatile player at Kentucky," Stone told The Cats Pause. "I hope I can do what Scott Padgett did there." So does Tubby Smith. WAYNE TURNER (6-2, PG, 10.5 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 3.9 apg, 1.5 spg, 28.7 minutes, .495 FG, .279 3PT, .686 FT) Wayne Turner's departure after four great years leaves a big hole in the Kentucky lineup. Never flashy or able to get his job done on sheer talent, Turner had one thing going for him that couldn't be coached he was a winner. That much is evident in the record Turner leaves behind. During his four years at the point, the Wildcats played in three Final Fours and the Elite Eight and also won two national championships. Yes, Turner, will be missed. His leadership, playmaking ability and defense he finished as Kentucky's all-time leader in steals will be hard to replace. "It's just amazing what he's been able to accomplish with what a lot of people think are his limitations as an outside shooter," Smith told USA Today. "His work ethic was second to none. This kid, in two years, I've never seen him have a bad practice. I've never had to tell him to run. I've never had to tell him anything." HESHIMU EVANS (6-6, SF, 11.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 3.0 apg, 0.8 spg, 26.3 minutes, .463 FG, .290 3PT, .734 FT) Evans had a nice little career at Kentucky after transferring from Manhattan, starting for a national champion his first season and helping get Kentucky to the Elite Eight as a senior. He was a versatile performer who could play small forward or big guard and, like Turner, he was a leader and a winner. The only knock on Evans was his consistency. His jump shot was on some nights, AWOL on others. But Smith knew he could expect a generally solid all-around effort from Evans, who wound up second on the team in scoring, rebounding and assists and third in steals. MICHAEL BRADLEY (6-10, C, 9.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 1.0 apg, 0.8 bpg, 0.7 spg, 21.9 minutes, .657 FG, .455 FT) Imagine Smith's shock last spring when Bradley announced his intention to transfer. Bradley was the only other Wildcat besides Scott Padgett to start every game and was the team's fourth-leading scorer. There was every reason to expect Bradley might have become Kentucky's "go-to" post player this season, especially considering his shooting ability. Bradley's decision came on the heels of a similar one by friend and teammate Ryan Hogan. Hogan's transfer didn't surprise Smith. Bradley's was a different story. "Mike, I was really concerned with, because that's a guy who started 37 straight games and played 22 minutes [per game]," Smith told The Cats Pause. Bradley was the last of former coach Rick Pitino's recruits, which had something to do with his decision. Bradley never got to play for the coach who recruited him. Still, Smith had relied on Bradley, at least until Jamaal Magloire began playing better late in the season. Bradley had his pick of schools after he announced his decision. Most thought Ohio State, coached by Jim O'Brien (who had originally recruited Bradley to Boston College), would wind up with the big man, but he opted instead for Villanova. At least he is still a Wildcat of sorts. He'll even wear blue and white after sitting out the 1999-2000 season.OTHERS NOT RETURNING RYAN HOGAN (6-2, G, 3.7 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 9.5 minutes, .357 FG, .373 3PT, .889 FT) Hogan struggled for most of the season to find a spot in Smith's rotation. Nevertheless, he managed to shoot reasonably well and was even a factor in Kentucky's come-from-behind victory over Arkansas in the SEC Tournament. But when the season was finished, Hogan, along with good friend Michael Bradley, told Smith he was transferring. Kentucky can live without Hogan, who eventually signed with Iowa, where next season he will play for another shooter of some note, Steve Alford. With Tayshaun Prince, Desmond Allison and freshman Keith Bogans ahead of him at the shooting guard position, his minutes weren't going to increase.QUESTIONS Depth? The Wildcats are an injury or two away from a long season. Point guard? Is Saul Smith ready to take over this all-important position? Freshmen? Can heralded freshmen Keith Bogans and Marvin Stone live up to their clippings and provide immediate help?ANSWERS Tubby Smith! Smith has proven he is one of the best head coaches in the business by guiding the Wildcats to the NCAA championship in his first season and the Elite Eight in his second. Jamal Magloire! The return of this senior center turned out to be a blessing for Kentucky. Tradition! Never write off Kentucky. The Wildcats are always national championship contenders. Their proud tradition demands it.
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