By Bruce Schreiner
The Associated Press

LOUISVILLE - In Kentucky, where basketball reigns, politicians are courting voters by playing on their passion for the sport.

Both candidates for governor recruited past players or coaches from the University of Kentucky. The former Wildcats have barnstormed the state for their candidates.

Democrat Ben Chandler even sinks a jump shot in his latest television commercial to illustrate that he's a "straight shooter."

The basketball subplot is most obvious in the race for agriculture commissioner. Republican Richie Farmer, who played on a Kentucky team of beloved overachievers, is running against Democrat Alice Baesler, whose husband was a Wildcat team captain for Adolph Rupp.

Basketball's reach into politics is natural, said former Wildcats guard J.P. Blevins, now on the team of Republican gubernatorial candidate Ernie Fletcher.

"Everybody knows that Kentucky basketball is something that will always be huge here, and not to take advantage of that might not be in your best interest," he said.

Fletcher, who said he and his siblings "cut our teeth on UK basketball," said a former player such as Blevins can "bring some star power and draw a crowd. That's always helpful."

Chandler's campaign team includes former Kentucky coach Joe B. Hall, who compiled a 297-100 record in 13 seasons as Rupp's successor.

Hall, whose team won the 1978 national championship, has led a caravan of former players - dubbed "Champions for Chandler" - on tours of the state. The lineup included Kenny Walker, Rick Robey, Winston Bennett, Melvin Turpin and James Lee.

Hall signs autographs and chats with voters. The topic usually turns to Kentucky basketball. "Everybody has a story of their connection with Kentucky basketball," he said.

Such endorsements can influence some voters, especially those without "pre-existing attachments" to any candidate, said Joe Gershtenson, director of the Center for Kentucky History and Politics at Eastern Kentucky University.