SAN ANTONIO - So how did Tubby Smith handle his first Final Four game? He made good on his Friday promise that he would be nervous.
''We had to straighten the coach out,'' UK senior guard Jeff Sheppard said. ''In the time out before overtime, he was yelling at us, asking whose ball it was. We said, 'Coach, it's a new rule this year. They jump ball in overtime.' ''
Despite his temporary memory lapse, Smith acquitted himself well Saturday. UK's three biggest baskets - three Sheppard three-pointers late in the game - all came after Smith drew up plays for him during timeouts.
When the game ended, the coaches' section of the crowd rose for a standing ovation.
''It is going to take a while for me to really appreciate it,'' Smith said. ''There are a lot of great coaches, a lot of great players that never had this experience. I just want to thank all the people who helped shape me and mold my coaching career.
''Any time there is a change in coaching staff, it is always a sensitive issue for players and for fans. To achieve so much, to follow in (Rick Pitino's) footsteps, is really a challenge. But we were blessed with good players and the belief we could get it done.'' Smith is trying to become the fourth different UK coach to win an NCAA title. UK is the only program which has won championships with three different coaches: Adolph Rupp (1948-49, '51 and '58), Joe B. Hall ('78) and Rick Pitino ('96).
Mohammed returns
UK junior center Nazr Mohammed's early foul trouble limited him to four minutes and no points in the first half. But he totaled 18 points, four rebounds and three blocks thereafter.
''While I was on the bench, I was just thinking one bad half doesn't mean I need to have another bad half,'' he said. ''I just had to go out and do whatever the coach asks of me to play hard. I didn't lose confidence.''
'Cat tales
UK had a season-low six turnovers Saturday.
UK is on a 12-game winning streak. In NCAA Tournament play, it has won 16 of its last 17 and gone 27-5 in the 1990s.
UK has won 24 consecutive games away from Rupp Arena this season. It is 14-1 at neutral sites.
UK now has 103 victories over the last three seasons and 131 over the last four seasons, breaking its own national records for most victories in three- and four-season spans.
UK rankings
UK is among the leaders in several Final Four-related lists. UK stands second in NCAA titles with six (UCLA has 11), third in Final Four appearances with 13 (UCLA and North Carolina each have 14), tied for fourth in most consecutive Final Fours with three (UCLA leads with 10), second in Final Four victories with 16 (UCLA has 24), third in Final Four games played with 22 (UCLA leads with 28), and eighth in Final Four winning percentage at .728, going 16-6 (UCLA leads at .857, going 24-4).
Today's NCAA coverage
Utah-Kentucky unlikely final
Kentucky 86, Stanford 85
All Stanford was missing was Sheppard Paul Daugherty column
Sheppard saves day for UK
Turner happy to get the win
UK victory thrills fans
UK Notes
Utah 65, North Carolina 59
Miller stops Heels in tracks
Final Four jinx gets Williams
Utah/UNC Notes
NCAA coverage from Associated Press
