Shadow boxing Out of the shadows and into the light Ten years ago, the sanctity of the University of Kentucky basketball dynasty was crushed by the NCAA decision to put the winningest program in college basketball on probation.  Allegations of recruiting violations brought the nation's premiere basketball program to its knees, as well as claimed an athletic director and a coaching staff. In came C.M. Newton and former UK head coach Rick Pitino to pick up the pieces and to escape the shadows which hung over the program. A team wrecked by transfers and probation summoned up the courage and heart to finish 14-14 that first year. Now, 10 years, four Final Fours, a national runner-up and two National Championships later, the Cats have returned to their rightful place atop the college basketball world. It hasn't been easy, as the shadows have been lurking around Lexington, just waiting to creep back in at any given moment. But head coach Tubby Smith has displayed the charisma and character to continue the race to outrun UK's past, as he became the only head coach in history to win a title in his first full season at the helm of a Division I-A program. [ KENTUCKY KERNEL ] Comments or questions about KyKernel.com: kernel@pop.uky.edu ©1998 Kernel Press, Inc. All Rights Reserved -- Contact Information |
