Kentucky Kernel -- Hoops'98

THE PRICE OF SUCCESS

Great expectations

JOHNNY FARRIS | Kenrel staff

Wildcat head coach Tubby Smith addressed the media about this year's team. After winning a National Championship last year, he says the pressure is not on yet to repeat this year.

Facing the demon: Two NCAA championships in three seasons have made anything less than a Final Four almost meaningless for Wildcat faithful

By Katy Crossen
STAFF WRITER

The first time was exciting.

It was unexpected, well deserved and totally thrilling. Winning the National Championship was an experience that pulled Lexington, and the state, together for a moment of pride. That night in April 1996 baptized Euclid and Woodland.

Same place, next year. The National Championship was a nerve-wracking moment of overtimes and sharp shots from a kid named Bibby. It's a name many Kentuckians have hated ever since.

Three's a charm, and new coach Tubby Smith packed up the boys for a trip to San Antonio last March, coming back to the Bluegrass with a pretty nifty souvenir.

Kentucky is pretty spoiled.

For the past three years, UK's been to three Final Fours and three National Championship games, winning two. The question everyone begs to ask is, 'Will we go to the Final Four this year?'

Senior Wayne Turner heads a senior class that could lay claim to the string of good luck the Cats have had since 1996. For every year the Class of '99 has been here, UK has made an appearance at the National Championship. Turner says the Cats will need to work hard so he can make a fourth visit.

"It's a little early to be thinking about the Final Four, but I see some potential in the team," Turner said. "We're all bonding together, and we're all pretty close with each other, and we're just trying to find our identity.

"We're coming to practice every day, and all we can do is think about getting better and concentrate on learning some of the things Coach (Tubby Smith) wants us to learn."

One thing UK has to its advantage is a schedule that is more difficult than usual. The Cats are playing Kansas and Duke during regular season, something senior Scott Padgett says might beef them up for tournament play.

"We want to play the top teams, and we prepare for them just like any other game," Padgett said. "Those types of games early on in the season can do nothing but help us come tournament time."

Padgett also said experience is one of the key factors for this team to make it to St. Petersburg, Fla., this March.

"I think we'll probably have some struggles early on, because as far as our depth is concerned, it's going to be a pretty young team," Padgett said. "But as the season wears on, freshmen become sophomores, and sophomores really become juniors, and I think their experience factor will allow more players to find their roll. Our athleticism, and experience with Mu (Heshimu Evans) and guys that have been through two and three Final Fours, that will help pay off for this team."

Sophomore Saul Smith said a lot of this season will depend on the team's mindset.

"Our goal is to get back to the Final Four," Smith said. "Our goal is to be the best we can be, and if that's to make it to the Final Four, that's what we'll strive for. We have a team that can do anything we set our minds to. If we play our game, and play as a team, we can succeed against anyone."

With a more difficult schedule, potential losses could make UK's ranking lower than usual at tournament time. Smith said the team isn't worried about rankings, only playing well.

"We're not focused on rankings," Smith said. "We just want to go out and play a game, and play it well. "If we're ranked high, so be it. If we're not ranked high, we're not going to go home and pout about it or worry about if we're one, two, three or 20. Our goal is to be the best team we can be, and if that's the 25th team in the country, Coach will be happy with us playing hard and working our butts off."

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