UK Basketball preview: Know Your Enemy- Pikeville Bears

By Alan Smith

EXHIBITION GAME #1- 11/01/2010

7:00 PM- RUPP ARENA- LEXINGTON, KY

PIKEVILLE BEARS (1-0)

TV- FS SOUTH/BBSN

SECOND EVER MEETING BETWEEN TEAMS

Despite the Bears being only a little over an hour drive away from Lexington, this is only the second time these two programs have played each other, the first being in Billy Gillispie’s inaugural seasonin 2007 as an exhibition game as well, with UK winning 99-64. Coach Calipari believes that by playing Pikeville, as well as other in-state programs throughout the season, it will help the Cats early on as well as their opponents in hope for preparing for a great season.

“It’s funny, I went with (UK) President (Lee) Todd to speak in Pikeville a couple of weeks ago, and we walked into the convention center and in the arena, Pikeville was practicing,” UK coach John Calipari said, “so I tried to do a little scouting, but they were just wrapping up. (Pikeville) Coach (Kelly) Wells does a great job with his team, and it will be a good test for our young squad. I like that we are able to play other Kentucky schools and help them prepare for their season as well.”

A couple storylines with this story include: the reunion of UK player Darius Miller and his former high school coach at Mason County, Kelly Wells, and former UK walk-on and current Pikeville guard Landon Slone and his first basketball game since leaving UK two seasons ago. Both parties seem very excited about the game. “We’re looking forward to getting out to Rupp Arena and playing against some competition other than each other,” Miller said. “I’m also looking forward to playing against one of my high school teammates, Trevor (Setty), and my old high school coach Kelly Wells.” Landon Slone had some thoughts as well, saying, “The reason I was so excited was not so much to go down there to beat Kentucky. I know how good they are. It’s exciting for me because, being a fan my whole life, I didn’t think I’d get to play in there again.”

THE STARTERS

F- QUINCY COLE-HASKINS, SR, 6’8, 245–10 pts., 10 reb.

G- VANCE COOKSEY, SR, 6’0, 182– 11 pts., 5 ast.

G- RYAN WHITAKER, SR, 6’3, 190– 11 pts., 4 ast.
F- CARLOS WOODARD, SR, 6’6, 240– 8pts., 8reb.

F- KANE BELCHER, JR, 6’7, 190– 11pts., 6 reb.

The Bears all put up solid numbers in their lone game so far this season, which was this past Friday when they defeated Temple Baptist College 107-62. All 14 players managed to score and five of the players scored in double-figures, although none of them scored over 11 points. In a way, they are similar to Kentucky in that they do not have much frontcourt depth and will have to rely on their perimeter game, as Kane Belcher went 5-for-6 beyond-the-arc in their last game.

OUTLOOK

Although it is just an exhibition game, don’t think that the Cats will not come out ready to play. They have already demonstrated what they can do so far, just take a look at the trip to Canada in August. Now that the Cats can play against some competition, it will put into light the strengths and weaknesses of this team early on so they can improve throughout the year. With out Enes Kanter practicing or playing with the team, UK will have to rely on Terrence Jones and Josh Harrellson in the post. I don’t think the Cats will have a problem at all though in this game, as they should win. I predict a 89-60 victory for UK tonight.

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