|
 | ||
 |
 null 
|
Kentucky
Road to the Final Four.............................................................................................
It didn't look like the Wildcats would get here at all in December after a 3-5 start -- but slow starts and strong finishes have become the trademark of the Tubby Smith regime in Lexington. Another vicious early schedule (UCLA, North Carolina, Michigan State, Indiana and Georgia Tech, among others) toughened the Cats for SEC play -- in other words, just about the opposite tack that Alabama took to this point. Arkansas coach Nolan Richardson wryly noted the turnaround in attitude of Kentucky fans since that ugly start. "They came from 'Let's run him (Smith) out of Dodge' to 'Hail Mary! He's Moses!' It's just amazing." In conference play, Kentucky has rolled. Its only losses were on the road against NCAA teams Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas and Florida, and none by more than 10 points. The Wildcats went 9-1 in their division. Forwards Tayshaun Prince (the SEC Player of the Year) and Keith Bogans developed into a sensational 1-2 scoring punch, helping Kentucky cover for offensive inadequacies at point guard and center. Their seasons took off after feisty freshman guard Gerald Fitch entered the starting lineup in late December, moving Bogans to small forward and Prince to power forward and making them dicey matchups for bigger, slower forwards. Prince proved just how much of a problem he can be for the opposition by going for 27 against Holy Cross in a Round 1 win. Player to Watch Prince has truly become a complete player. The slender lefty (16.1 ppg) can score in the post with his hook shot, from the perimeter shooting the three or off the dribble. The 6-9 junior is also Kentucky's leading rebounder (6.3) and foul shooter (83.5 percent) and second in blocked shots and assists. He can bring the ball up against pressure on offense and guard the opposing center on defense. And he's one of the nation's best in the clutch. With the Ball Lacking a reliable post threat and with point guard Saul Smith unable to penetrate against most defenses, Kentucky's offense still is vulnerable to prolonged scoring droughts when its perimeter shots are not falling. But Prince and Bogans have been so consistently productive the past two months that the Cats have gotten their points. Defending the Ball This is a typical Tubby team: few easy shots available. Whether it's man-to-man or zone, full court or halfcourt -- and opponents will see all of them -- the Cats' trademark is defense. Kentucky was on pace to hold its opponents below 40 percent from the field until being strafed in the regular-season finale at Florida. Seed Analysis Exceeding the Seed Playing to Expectations Falling Short BRACKETOLOGY SCORE: 1.021 (1,000 is playing exactly to a team's historical seeding) Bracketology Report1985-2000: Kentucky is the only team besides Duke to win two national championships since the NCAA field expanded in 1985. The Wildcats cut down the nets in both 1996 and 1998, the latter as a No. 2 seed out of the South Region. Overall, UK has bagged five No. 1 seeds, two No. 2s and a No. 3 in 13 trips to the tourney. The Wildcats rarely play to their exact seed, and are equally likely to exceed projections or come up a little short. Roster
 NCAA Basketball Championship Week It's March, which means the madness has started and invitations are being reserved throughout Championship Week.  Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories |  |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Keith Bogans and the Wildcats made a run, but it just wasn't enough. (Courtesy: NCAA Prod.)
