Sunday, March 05, 2000
UK NOTEBOOK
Masiello makes 1st start in finale
BY NEIL SCHMIDT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Steve Masiello's final game in Rupp Arena was also his first career start here.
Not that he knew about it in advance. Or even when the lineups were announced.
Kentucky coach Tubby Smith didn't tell his senior guard of the surprise start Saturday until players lined up for introductions, at which point Masiello already had seen his name among the five listed starters on the scoreboard. Yet after five names were announced, he still hadn't been called.
“They said Keith (Bogans, for whom Masiello was starting), so I didn't know if was going in or not,” he said. “Then they said me, the sixth name. It was a little strange, but I was pumped up when I got out there.”
The former walk-on, who had scored just one point this season, played eight minutes Saturday. He didn't score — his season scoring total is one point — though he totaled one assist and one turnover.
But the fact Smith re-inserted him with 12:16 left to play and UK's lead cut to 16 points reflected his minutes didn't come out of pity.
“I thought J.P. (Blevins) was a little rattled, and Saul (Smith) had three fouls, so that's why I went back to Steve,” Smith said. “He gave us good minutes.”
Masiello had started once before, in a game against Wright State last season at the Firstar Center when two starters were suspended. He called Saturday much more special.
Veteran Magloire
UK's other senior, Jamaal Magloire, has played in 142 career games, third-most in UK history and ninth in NCAA history. In his next game, he will tie Jared Prickett (1992-97) for second on the UK list.
The UK and national record of 151, held by Wayne Turner (1995-99), could be matched only if UK plays the maximum three games in the Southeastern Conference Tournament and the maximum six in the NCAA Tournament.
Jules Rules
UK didn't have Jules Camara when it lost at Florida last month. The difference showed Saturday.
The 6-foot-10 sophomore made five of seven shots for 12 points, adding four blocks, two rebounds and an assist. Both coaches cited him as a difference-maker.
'Cat tales
UK's 14-0 home record was its eighth undefeated season in Rupp Arena, the first since the 1995-96 team also went 13-0. That team won the national championship. ... UK is 6-7 vs. ranked teams this year, including 3-3 vs. the top 10.
Sports Stories
UC poised to reclaim No. 1
Stop and enjoy this not-so-regular season
Next: So. Miss or St. Louis
Auld Lang Syne for seniors
10 Questions with Oscar Robertson
No. 1 Stanford loses to UCLA
UC women lose C-USA quarterfinal
Deion unveils latest persona: humbled hitter
Parris sharp in win
Finger sprain sidelines Reese
Saturday's game report
Sparky led and followed
X marks the spot for real-life success story
NCAA berth still in Muskies' minds
Xavier women roll into A-10 quarterfinals
Bengals optimistic about Mitchell
Williams lets Bengals out of corner
