By Neil Schmidt
The Cincinnati Enquirer

LEXINGTON - This was to be the breathe-easy portion of Kentucky's schedule, the chance to get acquainted with the role players and walk-ons.

Tennessee Tech's Leigh Gayden loses control of the ball as he is trapped by Kentucky players Gerald Fitch, left, and Sheray Thomas. (AP photo)

Yet Tubby Smith isn't feeling too comfortable with that crew. So the starting five, for now, is getting plenty of work.

The 10th-ranked Wildcats executed in spurts Friday during their 108-81 beating of Tennessee Tech in Rupp Arena. There were highlights, certainly, including a career-high 36 points from Gerald Fitch and a stunning 26-4 run that put away the game.

Yet there was enough trouble putting away an Ohio Valley Conference team that it's worrisome looking at some of the heavyweights coming up: UCLA, Michigan State, Indiana, Louisville and North Carolina.

UK (2-0) shot 51.9 percent, and all five starters scored in double figures. Yet UK allowed TTU (2-1) to shoot 49.2 percent and creep back within nine points with nine minutes left to play.

Though Smith played his bench extensively in the first half and removed his starters for good with 3:28 left in the game, the reserves combined to total just seven points.

It was a funny night.

Midway through the second half, UK had four scorers in double figures, two of whom had career highs - Kelenna Azubuike being the other, matching his prior best of 16 points. The Wildcats led by 17 points.

But a couple of minutes later, the lead was down to nine, and Smith was hurriedly sending his starters back in.

Those five looked like the world-beaters of last season. Over a five-minute span, they made eight of nine shots and went on a 21-2 run.

UK started penetrating and dishing, and that resulted in numerous easy shots inside. The only basket during the spurt that came from more than 3 feet from the basket was a Fitch 3-pointer.

Fitch was 14-of-20 and made five of 11 3-pointers. His point total was the highest by a Wildcat since the 2001-02 season. His previous career high for field-goal attempts was 13; he had 15 by halftime.

Cliff Hawkins had 17 points and a career-high 11 assists. Chuck Hayes added 13 points and 13 rebounds. Erik Daniels had 17 points, six assists and five rebounds.

UK was 10-of-30 on 3-pointers; the most 3s it attempted last season were 26, that in a 115-86 rout of Tennessee State.

UK was again sloppy, totaling 17 turnovers - albeit with 24 assists. UK's 24 turnovers in the season opener against Winthrop were the most committed by the Wildcats in nearly three years and the fourth-highest total in Smith's seven seasons.

Tennessee Tech put five scorers in double figures, led by 18 apiece from Willie Jenkins and Keyon Boyd.

UK next plays Monday, facing Marshall (0-1) in its annual visit to U.S. Bank Arena.

TUBBY IN TOWN: Smith's weekly radio show will air from 7-8 p.m. Sunday from the Great Hall (formerly Coyote's), located at the rear of the Montgomery Inn in Fort Mitchell. The event is open to the public. A limited number of tickets ($50) remain for a charity dinner that includes drinks and the show; call 859-344-5333 for reservations.

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E-mail nschmidt@enquirer.com

Tennessee 81, Tennessee State 56

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Brandon Crump had 13 points and 11 rebounds, and Scooter McFadgon added 12 points for Tennessee.

The Tigers (1-1) made a late rally but couldn't keep it up in the end when the Volunteers (2-0) scored the final 17 points of the game.

John Winchester scored 11 points and C.J. Watson added 10 points and eight assists for Tennessee, which is playing seven of its first eight games at home.

Tennessee was ahead by 19 in the second half with 10:52 to go when the Tigers mounted a rally with a 14-2 run. Garrett Richardson started it with a 3 followed by three baskets by Roshaun Bowens and Bruce Price's basket and 3-pointer that cut the lead to 60-53 with 7:24 remaining.

The Tigers couldn't get any closer although they kept trying with some help from the Volunteers, who were 20-of-33 from the foul line.