SPORTS

.......Intramural flag football at Southeast Community College's Cumberland campus recently crowned a new champion as the Sixty-Niners defeated the Professional Students in a third and decisive game to obtain victory.

.......The series was split between these two teams at one game apiece, and the final game was set for Oct. 29 with both teams expecting to win.

.......The game was close until the Sixty-Niners broke free in the second half and won 24-19 .

.......Only one player from either squad was available for comments on this game. Trampus King, a player from the Professional Students, commented on his team's loss and the rivalry, "I felt we had the best team. Our whole objective the entire season was to beat the Sixty-Niners. We still had fun this year while going against very talented teams."

.......Students activities coordinator Cookie Baker stated, "the Sixty-Niners played very well and at least showed up to play every week."

.......The University of Kentucky's basketball program is rich in pride and tradition. They previously have harnessed five national titles and tallied the most wins in NCAA history. In addition, the 1995-96 Kentucky Wildcats added another chapter to this school's legacy by beating the Syracuse Orangemen for a sixth national championship.

.......This season the Wildcats' mission is like any other championship team's mission--trying to defend their title.

.......Earlier this year, in mid-May, the heart and soul of this team, coach Rick Pitino, was offered everything but the kitchen sink by the New Jersey Nets of the NBA. He was offered a $30 million dollar contract to be the Nets coach, general manager, and even part owner of the franchise.

.......To the surprise of everyone, Pitino decided to stay in the Bluegrass state for another season.

.......The current Kentucky roster has some new faces, but the Cats will be missing some popular, talented personalities as well. Four of Kentucky's key players from last year's squad were taken in the NBA draft--Tony Delk, to the Charlotte Hornets; Antoine Walker, to the Boston Celtics; Walter McCarty, to the New York Knicks; and Mark Pope, to the Indiana Pacers.

.......This season's "would have been senior," Jeff Sheppard, has been red-shirted, obviously due to the backcourt depth of the Wildcats.

.......After reviewing last year's stats from these five players provided by the Sporting News and by the magazine Bravo Blue, Kentucky will be missing the following:

	69% of the scoring,
	60% of the rebounding,
	78% of the shot blocking,
	52% of the steals,
	63% of the three-pointers made,
	and 77% of the free throws made and attempted.
	OUCH!

.......These numbers are certainly staggering, but Kentucky can still contend.

.......Although Delk graduated and Sheppard has been red-shirted, Kentucky potentially will have the best backcourt in the nation. Senior leadership will be provided here with the steady point guard play of Anthony Epps and a streak-shooting defender named Derek Anderson. These two players have quality back-ups as well, with sophomore Wayne Turner probably seeing as many minutes as Epps because of his aggressive defense. Junior Allen Edwards can provide offense off the bench.

.......Meanwhile, the frontcourt situation seems a bit gloomy. Now that he is back from a medical red-shirt, senior Jared Prickett will be desperately needed to fill the interior void that the other big forwards left last year. He is a proven veteran player who can at times dominate the boards. Freshman Jamaal Magloire, at 6-10, will see a lot of time at center and must be a defensive presence. Oliver Simmons, Scott Padgett, and Nazr Mohammad will provide good, but not great, help off the bench.

.......The player that will carry most of the load is sophomore Ron Mercer. Although he was not a main option last year, Mercer will be called upon to lead the team in scoring and must be able to shoot the ball at crunchtime.

.......My prediction is that the Wildcats will not reach the promised land like last year's team, but they will be at the Final Four in Indianapolis. Teams with dominating big men will likely be the Cats' downfall.