Sunday, March 07, 1999
UK NOTEBOOK
Wildcats in hunt for 2 seed
BY NEIL SCHMIDT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
ATLANTA — The immediate impact was vindication for an inconsistent team. The end result, though, could show up in seeding.
Kentucky's impressive victory Saturday over fourth-ranked Auburn could spell a better draw when the NCAA Tournament field is announced tonight at 6:30. While a loss likely would have meant a fourth seed, UK now seems safe for a third seed and in the hunt for a No. 2.
“I think we're no lower than a three now,” UK senior forward Scott Padgett said. “Hopefully we can play our way to a No. 2. Three or four teams ranked ahead of us have lost, so we might have a shot.”
UK began the week ranked 14th in both major polls. More significantly, it stood 12th in the Rating Percentage Index and seventh in the Sagarin ratings. A win in today's tourney finals over Arkansas could well push UK into the nation's top eight — thus seemingly winning a No. 2 seed.
“I don't really keep track of the polls,” senior point guard Wayne Turner said, “but if we win the game (today), that stuff will take care of itself.”
UK was a second seed last year, and wound up winning the NCAA title. It was a No. 1 seed the three previous seasons.
The last time it wasn't a first or second seed came in 1994, when it was seeded third and was upset by sixth-seeded Marquette in the NCAA's second round. The last time it didn't draw at least a No. 3 seed came in 1987, when it was seeded eighth and lost a first-round game to Ohio State.
Not freshmen
UK's three biggest shots Saturday came from underclassmen.
With UK's lead whittled to 48-42 with 8:53 left, freshman Tayshaun Prince banked in a three-pointer with the shot clock running out.
“He didn't call "bank,'” Auburn coach Cliff Ellis joked. “They oughta wave it off.”
Auburn's Doc Robinson answered with a three-pointer, so when UK freshman Desmond Allison made a 14-footer with the shot clock again expiring, it was just as huge. On UK's next possession, sophomore center Michael Bradley drove for a layup.
“Those were three big shots,” Allison said. “Tayshaun's shot set the tempo. You could tell that just devastated Auburn.”
Said Prince: “Coach (Tubby Smith) told us that since the tournament's started, we're not freshmen anymore. We have to think like upperclassmen.”
Turner's record
Saturday's win means Turner likely will break the NCAA record for most games played. He has played in 146 games, and needs just three more to break the mark of 148 held by Duke's Christian Laettner.
Turner will play today, so UK seemingly needs only one more win — in an NCAA first-round game — to ensure Turner will play in 149.
'Cat tales
UK junior center Jamaal Magloire blocked two shots to bring his career total to 201, becoming just the fourth player in school history to exceed 200. ... UK is now 11-1 against Auburn in the SEC Tournament. ... UK is 12-0 all-time in the Georgia Dome.
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