Alabama

LEXINGTON - One player Rich Brooks has not had to worry about being emotionally ready to play is Andrew Hopewell. The former Danville all-state linebacker has found his niche on the University of Kentucky special teams since joining the Cats as a walk-on running back last season. He played so well in the opening-game loss to Louisville that he was named a game captain last week against Murray State. "He's a guy that gives you everything he's got," said Brooks. "He's undersized and he's not as fast as SEC players at his position normally would be, but he has the heart of a SEC player.

LEXINGTON - Most of Western Kentucky's players liked what they saw from Kentucky, but don't think the Wildcats will be able to match up with No. 8 Alabama. "Alabama is not a joke," Western quarterback A.J. Black said. "Alabama is tough. They've been blanking everybody. " Kentucky takes on the Crimson Tide in its conference opener this Saturday in a nationally-televised contest in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide is 2-0 in the SEC after its win over Georgia on Saturday and 5-0 overall in Nick Saban's second season as coach.

LEXINGTON - As a kid growing up in Alabama, Tony Dixon always remembers having Alabama football T-shirts and hats. Since his home was only about 30 minutes from the University of Alabama, Dixon always dreamed of playing for the Crimson Tide. "It was amazing to go there and watch. I was thrilled to be recruited by them," said Dixon. However, Alabama didn't offer a scholarship even though he was the Alabama Class A Back of the Year in 2003 when he ran for 2,298 yards and 36 touchdowns and set a state record with 43 touchdowns.

LEXINGTON - As a kid growing up in Alabama, Tony Dixon always remembers having Alabama football T-shirts and hats. Since his home was only about 30 minutes from the University of Alabama, Dixon always dreamed of playing for the Crimson Tide. "It was amazing to go there and watch. I was thrilled to be recruited by them," said Dixon. However, Alabama didn't offer a scholarship even though he was the Alabama Class A Back of the Year in 2003 when he ran for 2,298 yards and 36 touchdowns and set a state record with 43 touchdowns.

Eddie: I'm in Nashville, just got done reading your story on my blackberry - great one! How BOUT THEM CATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Larry: It was truly a great win for Kentucky football. Now you can finally do some bragging about Kentucky football to your country music buddies, especially since Mississippi State beat Alabama Saturday. Good week for Kentucky and Louisville.

Upper arena tickets to UK's games with Mississippi Wednesday and Alabama Feb. 10 are on sale. They are $22 each via UK's official website, via telephone at 859-257-18181 or at the ticket office in Memorial Coliseum.

Thursday, March 8 College Men's Basketball Southeastern Conference Tournament at Atlanta: First round, Alabama vs. Kentucky, 1 p.m. (WRNZ-FM 105.1) High School Boys Basketball 12th Region Tournament at Lincoln County: First round, Boyle County vs. East Jessamine, 6 p.m. (WRNZ-FM 105.1); Southwestern vs. Somerset, 8 p.m. Friday, March 9 College Baseball Defiance at Centre, 5 p.m. College Men's Basketball Southeastern Conference Tournament at Atlanta: Quarterfinal, Alabama-Kentucky winner vs. Mississippi State, 1 p.m. (WRNZ-FM 105.1 if Kentucky plays)

LEXINGTON - Kentucky has lost senior receiver Dicky Lyons for the season with a knee injury and sophomore receiver Kyrus Lanxter is now doubtful for Saturday's game with Arkansas after spraining his knee in practice Tuesday. However, UK coach Rich Brooks does expect junior receiver DeMoreo Ford to be able to play in Saturday's game. Ford returned to practice Tuesday after missing last week's game with a shoulder injury suffered on his touchdown catch against Alabama Ford injured his sternum/clavicle joint while being tackled in the end zone on a 48-yard touchdown reception at Alabama.

Garland Frederick of Danville not only thought No. 1 Alabama would win at LSU, but he got the score of the Tide's 27-21 win over LSU exactly right. That helped enable him to win last week's Central Kentucky Plumbing Beat the Experts Football Contest. Frederick was one of nine contestants to get nine games right. However, he was the only one with the exact score of Alabama's win. He wins a $10 Marathon gas card that can be picked up at The Advocate-Messenger circulation office during regular business hours.

LEXINGTON - Defense wins championships. It's also helping Kentucky win a few basketball games, especially in the Southeastern Conference. "It all starts on the defensive end," Kentucky senior Joe Crawford said. "We are not scoring a lot of points, but we are doing a good job of not letting our opponents get into their offense. " Alabama was in a flux playing without its start player - Richard Hendrix - but the Wildcats shut down the Crimson Tide offense even more, with a solid defensive effort that propelled Kentucky to a 62-52 win on Saturday at Rupp Arena.