Tuesday, November 9, 2004
Probation mars Panthers
Struggling Kentucky Wesleyan visits UK for an exhibition game
By Shannon Russell
Enquirer staff writer
Monday's drive to Rupp Arena was a long one for Kentucky Wesleyan University's men's basketball team, and the mileage toward tonight's exhibition game at Kentucky wasn't the concern.
An August 2003 Great Lakes Valley Conference investigation revealed eligibility violations, prompting Kentucky Wesleyan to be barred from the GLVC and NCAA tournaments during the 2004-05 season.
In a separate incident, two of the Panthers' top players - Dontae Truitt and Franklyn Ferguson - were ruled ineligible 12 days ago. The university has petitioned the NCAA for the players' reinstatement, citing that both are in good standing academically, but coach Ray Harper said the team is preparing to enter the season without them.
"Hopefully we can get them back and move forward," Harper said. "When we started this year, they were a big part of our plans."
Kentucky Wesleyan, Division II's winningest program (1,400-689-1) and owner of eight national titles, is playing the Division I powerhouse Wildcats for the first time in 66 years. Kentucky is Division I's winningest program (1,876-575-1) with seven national crowns.
The Wildcats, Southeastern Conference favorites, are ranked ninth in the ESPN/USA Today and Associated Press preseason polls. Kentucky Wesleyan is No. 13 in Division II and No. 2 in the GLVC preseason rankings.
The Panthers are the first program to be put on probation in GLVC commissioner Jim Naumovich's five-year tenure. He said eligibility issues were an "ongoing concern," launching the investigation.
"The team will play their regular season and conference schedule and the students are still eligible for all-conference recognition," Naumovich said.
Truitt, a 6-6 senior forward, is a Street & Smith's preseason second-team All-American. He led the Panthers in scoring (19.3 points), blocked shots (28) and was second in rebounding (7.5).
Ferguson, a 6-6 center, scored 8.6 points a game with 4.9 rebounds. Harper said Ferguson broke his left hand and wouldn't be able to play until the Nov. 20 season opener, regardless of sanctions.
Harper retooled his roster Nov. 3, redshirting Dewayne Rogers, Craig Schoen and Joplin Johnson. He added walk-ons and former high school starters Jason Aaron, a 5-9 guard, and Tyson Martin, a 6-3 forward, from other Panther squads. Aaron plays on the golf team and Martin is a left fielder on the baseball team.
Tonight's game will reunite Harper and Kentucky coach Tubby Smith. At Virginia Commonwealth University in 1985-86, Smith was the associate head coach and Harper was a graduate assistant.
This is the Wildcats' last exhibition before a Nov. 20 home opener against Coppin State.The Panthers lost to Louisville 81-51 in their first exhibition and play Georgia next.
"We're not dwelling on the things that have happened. It's done," Harper said. "You can't look back."
Kentucky Wesleyan at No. 9 Kentucky
