The Associated Press

LEXINGTON - Kentucky forward Chuck Hayes said the Wildcats' matchup with Tennessee Tech today will bear an eerie resemblance to a typical practice.

"They have the same philosophy," Hayes said. "We're going to run the same plays, same defensive schemes, everything. It's kind of like practice all over again, just with different uniforms."

Hayes and most other Kentucky juniors and seniors understand why. Tennessee Tech coach Mike Sutton is in his second season with the Golden Eagles after a long run as Kentucky coach Tubby Smith's assistant.

Sutton followed Smith from Tulsa to Georgia to Kentucky before leaving before the 2002-03 season. Not surprisingly, the Golden Eagles try to emulate the plays and techniques that make Kentucky successful.

"There are some similarities in what we both do, but a little difference in the players," Sutton said. "I'd like to get a couple of those guys in a Tech uniform!"

Smith hopes the Wildcats correct the mistakes that led to 24 turnovers in their season-opening 65-44 win over Winthrop last Friday. Kentucky is seeking its first 2-0 start since the 1999-2000 season.

"Turnovers were our biggest problem," Smith said. "A lot of that was from playing too fast, being overanxious and trying to make plays that weren't there."

Senior swingman Antwain Barbour will make his first appearance of the season. Smith suspended Barbour for the Wildcats' two exhibition games and season opener, the result of an offseason traffic stop that involved marijuana.

Smith didn't promise anything, but hinted that Barbour probably will be the first player off the bench.

"He'll be a big boost," he said.

Tennessee Tech is a member of the Ohio Valley Conference.

"Kentucky is the best program in all of college basketball," Sutton said.

No. 10 UK vs. Tennessee Tech

Tipoff: 8 p.m. today, Rupp Arena (23,000), Lexington.

Records: UK 1-0, TTU 2-0.

Radio: WSAI-AM (1530).

TV: Ch. 64.

TENNESSEE TECH

Player	Yr.	Ht.	PPG
Milone Clark	So.	6-4	10.5
Willie Jenkins	Jr.	6-6	22.0
Rusty Strange	Sr.	6-9	3.0
Cameron Crisp	Sr.	6-4	15.0
Will Moore	Sr.	6-0	9.0

Coach: Mike Sutton (22-12, second season; same overall)

KENTUCKY

Player	Yr.	Ht.	PPG
K. Azubuike	So.	6-5	11.0
Chuck Hayes	Jr.	6-6	12.0
Erik Daniels	Sr.	6-8	15.0
Gerald Fitch	Sr.	6-3	12.0
Cliff Hawkins	Sr.	6-1	4.0

Coach: Tubby Smith (165-47, seventh season; 289-109 overall)