By Murray Evans
The Associated Press

LEXINGTON - Kentucky basketball coach Tubby Smith prefers to take time to ensure freshmen players have adjusted to college life and the college game.

He'll have no such luxury this season. With only two returning starters, Smith said the Wildcats must rely on a crop of highly rated recruits to sustain their recent level of success, which has included No. 1 seeds in the two most recent NCAA Tournaments.

It would be a surprise if one or two freshmen aren't in the starting lineup when Kentucky opens its season Nov. 20 against Coppin State, Smith said Thursday.

"You hope they're going to be as good as advertised," Smith said during Kentucky's media day. "I think some of our freshmen have really shown us that they're capable of being major contributors immediately in our program."

Three of the incoming freshmen - guards Rajon Rondo and Joe Crawford and center Randolph Morris - played in the McDonald's All-America game in March. A fourth, guard Ramel Bradley, also was the focus of intense recruiting interest from several schools, including Southeastern Conference rival Georgia.

"It's hard for anybody to live up to some of the hype that our young players are probably going to be exposed to," Smith said.

Smith, for the second time in a week, hinted that 6-foot-7 sophomore forward Sheray Thomas might not play this season.

On Oct. 6, Thomas underwent what Smith called "major" surgery for an undisclosed ailment.

Immediately after the surgery, Kentucky officials said Thomas could be sidelined four to six weeks.

Smith said Thursday that Thomas - who appeared in 23 games last season, averaging 1.7 points and 1.1 rebounds a game - has returned to classes.

"We're not sure what his status is or when he'll be able to come back," Smith said.

Three-fifths of the Wildcats' starting lineup appears set. Senior forward Chuck Hayes and junior swingman Kelenna Azubuike return from last season's 27-5 team that entered the NCAA Tournament as the overall No. 1 seed.

Junior guard Patrick Sparks, a transfer from Western Kentucky who led the Hilltoppers to NCAA Tournament appearances in 2002 and 2003, probably will start at the point after sitting out last season.

That leaves two open positions, and Smith said he won't be afraid to experiment with different lineups.

"We're all looking to come in and contribute off the bat," Morris said. "All four of us are pretty antsy for the season to start."

Of the four, the 6-10 Morris is the most likely to start.

Morris' main competition probably will be 7-foot Lukasz Obrzut, who averaged 1.2 points a game last season off the bench.

Bradley acknowledged the pressure the group is feeling.

"It's kind of scary, knowing the tradition of Kentucky. It's like, 'They've got to win, they've got to win,' " Bradley said. "I know that everybody thinks we're real good, but at the same time, we're still learning. If we were to lose, it would look bad."