Kentucky Basketball: Examining the all-time Tubby Smith team

Kentucky basketball all-time Tubby Smith team: Power Forward

Chuck Hayes

One of 2001’s best high school athletes from California, Chuck Hayes chose Smith and the Wildcats and developed into a massive frontcourt weapon for the program. After playing as a reserve as a freshman, he grew into one of the best players in the SEC on both sides of the ball, standing out as a potent scorer and defensive menace.

On offense, Hayes would average greater than 10 points a game as both a junior and senior while also putting up solid rebounding numbers.

On the other side, he was named both First Team All-SEC and SEC Defensive Player of the Year as a senior, finishing among the leaders in steals as well. Hayes also put together four terrific efforts to lead Kentucky to the Elite Eight in 2005 to end his collegiate career.

Scott Padgett

Impactful as the starting power forward, Scott Padgett was one of the most important pieces that Smith inherited when he was hired in 1997. Padgett developed his skills as a top frontcourt weapon and was vital to Kentucky’s run to the national title during his junior season, scoring in double digits in all six wins.

Twice an All-SEC honoree, Padgett put up some significant numbers outside of the NCAA Tournament as well, averaging 12.6 points and 5.9 rebounds as a senior, similar numbers to his junior year.

As a senior, he also won SEC Tournament MVP, though Kentucky’s run beyond that didn’t last quite as long. A 29-point, 10-rebound effort against Kansas helped lead the Wildcats to the Elite Eight. Padgett would later return to Kentucky as a staffer under John Calipari.