Tuesday, January 29, 2002
UK's Smith may bench stars for Florida
Prince, Bogans might not start
The Associated Press
LEXINGTON, Ky. — With his team in danger of falling out of the race for a Southeastern Conference title, Kentucky coach Tubby Smith hinted at wholesale lineup changes for tonight's game at No.5 Florida (15-3, 4-2).
“You shouldn't assume anything,” Smith responded Monday when asked if All-American forward Tayshaun Prince and junior guard Keith Bogans — the heart and soul of last year's team — would start against the Gators.
Tenth-ranked Kentucky (13-5, 3-3) had won four straight before Saturday's disappointing 64-61 home loss to then-No.14 Alabama — the Crimson Tide's first victory in Lexington since 1989.
As has been the pattern in earlier losses to Duke, Mississippi State and Georgia, the Wildcats held a narrow lead late against Alabama but could not make clutch plays down the stretch to put the game away.
Poor shooting didn't help matters, either. Kentucky shot 39 percent overall and only 23 percent from 3-point range — its worst performance since a 64-52 season-opening loss to Western Kentucky.
The starters never could find their range against the Crimson Tide, making just 12-of-41 shots.
Smith implied that the changes would help him make a point to certain players who have been struggling both on and off the court.
“(Forwards) Chuck Hayes and Erik Daniels have shown they are eager and are giving us the energy that we need ... so has (center) Marquis (Estill),” he said. “Let's just say those three would probably start. I don't want to say who might sit.”
That could leave several regulars on the bench come tipoff, including Bogans, who has been in a season-long shooting slump; 6-11 junior Jules Camara; and possibly sophomore guard Gerald Fitch.
Fitch said he didn't expect to start tonight, not because of his play on the floor but because he was 10 minutes late to a film session Sunday morning.
Hayes, Daniels and freshman sharpshooter Rashaad Carruth all said they spent time practicing with the first team Sunday. Prince and Bogans did not comment before Monday's practice.
Hayes, a 6-foot-7, 240-pound freshman whom Smith has called the team's toughest post player, said he'll be ready if called on to start against the Gators, the SEC's highest-scoring team at 86.7 points per game.
“There will be some pressure playing a big game in a hostile environment, but I welcome the challenge,” said Hayes, who has averaged 4.6 points and 3.5 rebounds over the last six games.
“This is a conference game against a highly ranked team that we have to win to achieve our goals. It's do-or-die, basically — a game that separates the champs from the chumps.”
Kentucky will have to be at its best against Florida (15-3, 4-2), an athletic team that likes to press, run and put points on the board.
Udonis Haslem (16.3 points, 9.4 rebounds), Brett Nelson (16.1 points) and Matt Bonner (15.9) all rank among the SEC's leaders in scoring, combining for more than 48 points and nearly 20 rebounds a game.
“It's going to be a good matchup between a very good defensive team and the highest-scoring team in the league,” Smith said. “But we're second in the league in scoring, so it's not like we can't score.”
Florida is looking to find its rhythm as well after suffering consecutive losses for the first time since last January. The Gators haven't lost three straight games since 1998, when they lost their last five to end the season.
“This is a big, big game for us against a team that has been ranked all season long,” said Donovan, whose squad fell to Georgia at home on Jan. 20 and in overtime at Arkansas on Saturday. “It's a long season and there's a lot of bumps in the road for every team in this league.”
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UK's Smith may bench stars for Florida
