Relaxed, happy Cats meet the media

Posted 6:56AM on Wednesday 23rd October 2002 ( 22 years ago )

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY - Kentucky senior guard Keith Bogans walked onto the court at Memorial Coliseum Tuesday wearing a broad grin. He grabbed a ball, said something that triggered laughter from freshman guard Brandon Stockton and then swished a set shot from the top of the key. Across the floor, junior forward Erik Daniels joked with junior guard Matt Heisenbuttel as the two shot baskets. Even the usually stoic junior guard Gerald Fitch was smiling as Kentucky began practicing following the team's annual media day. For now, the Wildcats appear to be a much happier, more relaxed group than the splintered squad that struggled through a 22-10 season in 2001-02. ``Last year, we had emotional elevations and ebbs and flows that went in so many different directions,'' said coach Tubby Smith, starting his sixth season in Lexington. ``This year's group, they've developed that relationship with one another where they're going to want to see their teammates do well, and they're going to be inspired by great effort and extraordinary energy.'' Bogans and Fitch lead a group of eight upperclassmen, which also includes senior centers Marquis Estill and Jules Camara and junior guard Cliff Hawkins, who is practicing, but is ineligible to play until mid-December because of poor grades. The veterans will mesh with six newcomers, including Stockton, who was Kentucky's Mr. Basketball in 2002, junior-college transfer Antwain Barbour and high-scoring Oklahoma prep star Kelenna Azubuike. The incoming class completed an offseason overhaul of the roster. Guards Rashaad Carruth, Adam Chiles and Cory Sears left the team in May, and Jason Parker departed in August. Smith said the new players were recruited based on their character as much as their talent. ``We've asked them to be accountable and responsible, and they've shown that they are,'' he said. ``Over the years, we've done a pretty good job of getting guys to understand that individuals play the game, but teams win championships. ``You've got to sacrifice for the good of the team and we have the type of people who are willing to do that this year.'' The returning players have noticed a more positive atmosphere. ``Things are a lot different,'' said Bogans, who averaged 11.6 points per game last season. ``We're just having fun right now, things are going well, we haven't had any distractions, everybody's on the same page and working hard. ``It's a pleasant change. Every time Coach comes out with a smile on his face, that's a positive change. When Coach is happy, everybody's happy.'' But that doesn't mean Smith is worry-free. His numerous on-court concerns start with the offense. The Wildcats averaged 77 points per game last season, but were sixth in the Southeastern Conference in field goal percentage (45 percent) and 10th in 3-point shooting percentage (32 percent). Smith has tinkered with Kentucky's motion offense, now giving frontcourt players like the 6-foot-11 Camara and the 6-9 Estill more freedom to score on their own. ``It's not radically different,'' Smith said. ``It is a multiple offense that will allow guys to catch the ball in many different positions. Last year, we started out with a high-low set because we thought our interior was our strength. ``Now, we feel like our interior players have a little more mobility and versatility. That's come with maturity and development.'' Smith is also searching for a point guard until Hawkins returns. The 6-1 Hawkins started 29 games and led the team with 4.3 assists per game last season. Bogans and Barbour appear to be the likeliest candidates. Bogans had 79 assists last season. The 5-9 Stockton may also be pressed into service immediately. ``Our season's not going to be made or broken by Cliff Hawkins. It's going to be made by the guys performing on the court throughout the year,'' Smith said. ``With or without Cliff, we've got to move on and be a pretty good team.''

http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/10/188588