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Former Kentucky guard Sean Woods will not hide from UK-Duke legacy, but he's ready to make new name at Morehead

May 22, 2012|By LARRY VAUGHT | larry@amnews.com
  • Sean Woods says his successful stint at Mississippi Valley State made him a better coach, but hes thankful for the opportunity to be coach at Morehead State, where better facilities will help him attract better players.
AP

It has been a little over 20 years since it looked like Sean Woods had hit the shot with 2.1 seconds left in overtime to give Kentucky a monumental upset of Duke in the NCAA Tournament East Regional final only to have Christian Laettner hit the shot that still makes highlight reels to beat Kentucky.

But rather than dreading those memories, Woods embraces them. And that’s probably wise, since the new Morehead State coach acknowledges the first thing people bring up when they see him or meet him is that game. The way Woods sees it, he’s glad he made a contribution that makes people remember who he was because he made that shot.

“How many go through life and one day pass away and have not left a legacy? When you mention Sean, Richie (Farmer), Deron (Feldhaus), we are always going to be part of history. How many young men or women can say that?” said Woods, 42. “This will be remembered past my lifetime. I look at it as an honor and privilege to be mentioned and remembered for what happened in that great game.”

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Woods’ players at Mississippi Valley State — who went 21-13 before losing a big lead and falling to Western Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament — were far too young to remember that game. So will his players at Morehead. However, Woods says college basketball players know about the shot.

“Kids will ask me about that play. Every March they see the game, or the highlights. So I cannot run away from it,” Woods said. “Anyone who plays the game wants to be remembered. I would rather be remembered for us winning the game, but it is what it is. I can’t hide from it, so I may as well enjoy it.”

Woods played at UK from 1998-92 under Rick Pitino and had been on the coaching staffs at TCU (2006-08), Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (2005-06) and High Point (2003-05) before taking over at Mississippi Valley State.

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