 |
 |   |
|
EVENTS Fantasy Central Inside Game Multimedia Central Statitudes Your Turn Message Boards Email Newsletters Golf Guide Cities Work in Sports
CNNSI.com GROUP
COMMERCE |  |
Wildcats' rise due to man in middle
Posted: Monday January 10, 2000 08:51 PM
It appears that predictions of Kentucky's demise were premature, as the Wildcats reeled off six straight wins and scrapped their way back into the rankings. The main reason for Kentucky's resurgence has been the improved play of 6-foot-10 senior Jamaal Magloire. Magloire is the school's all-time leader in technical fouls, and he still needs to tone down his attitude, but he is asserting himself more in the post and is finally starting to hit his foul shots. Magliore has also benefited from the emergence of guards Keith Bogans and J.P. Blevins. Bogans was inserted into the starting lineup on December 18, and Blevins has developed as the team's best -- and perhaps only -- three-point threat.
Can't be badgeredAfter losing the starting backcourt of Sean Mason and Ty Calderwood from a team that set a school record with 22 wins, Wisconsin might have been expected to take a step back this year. But Dick Bennett's slow-it-down, grind-it-out system is proving once again that it's effective no matter who is playing.The Badgers played three ranked teams the last two weeks, beat two of them (Temple and Illinois) and almost knocked off ninth-ranked Indiana in Bloomington. Once again Wisconsin is leading the Big Ten in scoring defense, while averaging just 11 turnovers per game. The Badgers are also deeper than they were last year, with a nine-man rotation spearheaded by junior point guard Mike Kelly, the reigning conference Defensive Player of the Year. Kelly is second in the league in steals and has committed 14 turnovers all season.
Frosh to watchHere are three impact freshmen you probably haven't heard much about yet.Boston College point guard Troy Bell is third in the Big East in scoring, and he put up 28 points in the Eagles' win over Providence on Saturday. Seton Hall center Samel Dalembert blocked a school-record nine shots against Georgetown and is the team's leading rebounder despite playing just 18 minutes per game. And 6-9 forward Brian Jackson was the highest-rated recruit to sign with Oregon State since A.C. Green in 1981. Jackson missed the Beavers' first five games with a knee injury, but is now averaging more than 16 points per game and is leading the Pac-10 in three-point percentage.
| ||||||||||||||||||||
