Saturday, November 20, 1999
Majerus on UK: 'Terrific'
UK NOTEBOOK
BY NEIL SCHMIDT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Rick Majerus is as good a judge of Kentucky basketball as anyone, having seen his season end four of the past seven years at UK's hands.
So the media swarmed him Friday night to ask how these Wildcats rate.
“I think Kentucky's terrific,” Majerus said. “They have great depth, they have bodies, they have quickness and athletic ability. They're Kentucky.”
Majerus said several Wildcats have pro potential.
“The pro (scouts) have told me they really like (Jules) Camara. He's got to get a little stronger, but he's only a sophomore.
“(Desmond) Allison could be an unbelievable defender. He's a hell of an athlete. We played (Vince) Carter (in the 1998 NCAA Tournament), and he's not Carter yet, but Carter came along gradually, too. You look at (Tom) Gugliotta's stats from college, and his averages went up and up and up every year. (Allison) could be that good.”
Majerus coveted UK's two 260-pound athletes, Jamaal Magloire and Marvin Stone, and the athleticism of Tayshaun Prince.
“The whole world wanted Prince. He's really talented and athletic, and he's oversized at the three (small forward) spot. That's a great luxury.”
Saul stars The locker room hero was Saul Smith, who had a strong line in his second game as the starting point guard: seven points, four steals, three assists and just one turnover in 35 minutes.
“I thought he was awesome tonight,” coach/dad Tubby Smith said.
His game was a big improvement over Wednesday, when he made a career-high six turnovers against Pennsylvania.
“I had to improve on the turnover situation,” Saul said. “Those (turnovers) are real detrimental. It's the only thing I get down about.”
Magloire online Magloire, a senior center, has his own web site www.magloire.com which includes a picture gallery, info about his high school in Toronto and a link to his favorite team, the Toronto Raptors.
Magloire said he will update the site weekly and answer e-mail from fans.
'Cat tales
This was UK's 1,750th all-time win, most among college basketball teams. ... With four blocks, Magloire now has 218 for his career, tied for second with Sam Bowie on UK's all-time list. He trails only Melvin Turpin at 226. ... Keith Bogans and Nate Knight scored their first points as Wildcats Friday.
Up next UK advances to the Preseason NIT semifinals Wednesday at Madison Square Garden in New York. It will play Maryland, which defeated Tulane 78-70. The game will be broadcast by ESPN; game time will be set next week. A matchup with Maryland would be the first of two; UK will visit Maryland on Dec.11.
UK will play two games in New York regardless of Wednesday's outcome. The Preseason NIT includes a third-place game Friday, played before the championship game.
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