BY NEIL SCHMIDT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
LEXINGTON, Ky. - Scott Padgett, Kentucky's Naismith Award candidate, opened the season Tuesday with game-high totals of 21 points and 21 rebounds.
But enough about that. He didn't want to talk basketball.
Padgett, a pro wrestling fanatic, had his dander up talking about the World Wrestling Federation event held Monday night at Rupp Arena.
"It's probably a good thing I couldn't go," he said. "I would have been so mad, I would have had to get in the ring and start busting heads."
Padgett couldn't go because of a 10 p.m. team curfew Monday. The event started at 9 p.m. and didn't end until 11.
Padgett is a huge fan of "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. Austin had a two-count on his opponent, "The Rock," and was about to pin when the referee was pulled out of the ring.
Another wrestler, "The Undertaker," crept in and hit Austin with a shovel, knocking him out so The Rock could pin him.
Padgett watched on TV.
"Stone Cold is like Kentucky (basketball)," Padgett said. "He's the best, and everyone wants to beat him."
CAMARA BULKS UP
Since Souleymane "Jules" Camara signed, UK's coaches have been trying to get him bigger. The 6-foot-10 forward has bulked up from 180 pounds to 215 since last winter.
The extra bulk helped Tuesday. He muscled his way to 10 points and 11 rebounds in his collegiate debut.
"He needs to get stronger, but that's something that will come with weight training and him growing into his physique," coach Tubby Smith said. "He's a great talent. He hasn't yet realized his potential."
CLANK:
UK's only subpar stat was free-throw shooting. It made just 7-of-16 for 43.8 percent.
"I guess we'll go back to the drawing board on that," Smith said.
UK shot .675 from the line last year.
'CAT TALES:
UK observed a moment of silence before the game for Artie Steinmetz and Christopher Brock, the two men killed Sunday in a crash in Somerset, Ky. ... With the victory Tuesday, UK now boasts a 14-game winning streak dating back to last season. Its last loss was a 73-64 setback to Mississippi on Feb. 14 at Rupp Arena. ... UK also boasts 14-game winning streaks both in road games and neutral-site games.
