EVENTS
 Sportsman of the Year
 Heisman Trophy
 Swimsuit 2001

CNNSI.com GROUP
 Sports Illustrated
 Life of Reilly
 Television
 SI Women
 SI for Kids
 Press Room
 TBS/TNT Sports
 CNN Languages

COMMERCE
 SI Customer Service
 SI Media Kits
 Get into College
 Sports Memorabilia
 TeamStore

Click here for more on this story

Posted: Monday November 08, 1999 02:42 AM

Kentucky

1998-99 record

28-9 overall, 11-5 SEC (lost to Michigan State in NCAA regional final)

Coach

Tubby Smith, 63-13 (2 years at Kentucky); 187-75 overall

Projected starting lineup

G Saul Smith, 6-2, Jr. Coach's kid takes over starting point guard slot, and has shown steady improvement for two years (5 points, 1.8 rebounds per game last year); the key is how he reacts to starting role. G Desmond Allison, 6-5, So. Surprisingly, the Tampa, Fla. native is Cats' only returning starter, went from overshadowed recruit to team's best defender last year. C Jamaal Magloire, 6-10, Sr. Kentucky¹s intimidator almost jumped to the NBA, he must increase his offensive output from last year's 7 points per game and keep defense at high level (needs 16 blocks to set school record). F Tayshaun Prince, 6-9, So. Versatile left-hander can play all five positions on the court, ranks second among Wildcats¹ returners in scoring (5.8 per game) and rebounding (3.8). F Jules Camara, 6-11, So. Coaches are hoping added weight and strength will give Senegal native more confidence going to the hoop; averaged 4.4 points and 3.2 rebounds in 11 minutes per game last year.

Top guy off the bench

F Marvin Stone, 6-10, Fr. Fellow freshman Keith Bogans could also fill this spot, but Stone can give Kentucky some bulk inside when it needs it; Alabama¹s Mr. Basketball and a McDonald¹s All-American.

Key Newcomer

G Keith Bogans, 6-5, Hyattsville, Md. Another star out of DeMatha Catholic and another McDonald's All-American for the Wildcats, can play all three perimeter spots.

Key Games

at Maryland (Dec. 11). Young 'Cats get first taste of hostile environment; haven't played at Maryland since 1957. at Auburn (Jan. 11). Kentucky hasn't lost to Auburn since 1990 and spoiled Tigers' run last year with win in SEC tournament. vs. Florida (March 4). Wildcats hope this game is for SEC title; if so, Kentucky gets the not because of experience and Rupp Arena.

Outlook

The Wildcats were picked to finish second in the East by members of the media who cover the conference and third by most other prognosticators. That's not a lot of respect for a team that has won seven SEC tournaments since 1992, but Coach Tubby Smith says he has better things to worry about. "I would say that¹s a fair assesment," he said. "I'd like to think that we are as good as anybody." The key for the Cats will be how Saul Smith handles the starting point guard spot and how their three sophomores develop. Magloire should be a constant in the middle. If freshmen Stone and Bogans develop as planned, Kentucky could win the East going away. Under Smith, the Cats will be better in March than they are now. How much better might be the difference between first and third in the East.

Wildcats' 1999-00 schedule

 

Related information
Multimedia
Visit Multimedia Central for the latest audio and video
Search our site	Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day
	Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call your cable operator or DirecTV.

Copyright © 2000 CNN/SI An AOL Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved. Terms under which this service is provided to you. Read our privacy guidelines.