Big Year

If there's one thing Dick Vitale always has it would be enthusiasm. However, the colorful ESPN college basketball analyst is almost downright giddy when he talks about John Calipari's third Kentucky team. “Kentucky first seven players are going to be outstanding,” said Vitale. “Terrence Jones is on my preseason all-American team. But what a tandem Terrence Jones and freshman Anthony Davis will be. They will be dynamic. They will be difficult to defend. They can play inside or outside.

LEXINGTON - Joe Crawford couldn't wait to start his college basketball career at Kentucky. He was one of three McDonald's All-Americans in UK's highly-touted freshman class last year. He knew the Wildcats could be a national championship contender. He also thought his defensive prowess and scoring ability would make it easy for him to become an instant impact player. But while point guard Rajon Rondo and center Randolph Morris became fixtures in the starting lineup as freshmen, Crawford watched more than he played.

LEXINGTON - Kentucky defensive tackle Myron Pryor knows this could be a big year for him. He's being counted on to help anchor the defensive line on what coach Rich Brooks believes will be an improved defense as UK tries to put together its third straight winning season. However, Pryor's play will also help determine his possible National Football League future. "Yes, it could be a big year for me. I already know what my future is. There is always a lot of talk about me going to the next level," Pryor said.

LEXINGTON -- Kentucky defensive tackle Myron Pryor knows this could be a big year for him. He's being counted on to help anchor the defensive line on what coach Rich Brooks believes will be an improved defense as UK tries to put together its third straight winning season. However, Pryor's play will also help determine his possible National Football League future. "Yes, it could be a big year for me. I already know what my future is. There is always a lot of talk about me going to the next level," Pryor said.

It's drilled into an athlete's head not to look ahead. But Cumberlands senior Shelby Goldey knows what lies between the Patriots and a Mid-South Conference title. "Since I've been here, we've been close to winning the Mid-South, at least the Eastern Division, and nothing changes this year," he said. "It comes down to the Georgetown game, and we've come up short. We're going to change that this year. " Cumberlands returns three starters along the offensive line and seven total starters on offense.

Junior wide receiver Dicky Lyons is one of the more colorful players on the Kentucky football team. He shared his insight on a variety of subjects going into this season in this interview: Question: You had a great 2006 season with 50 catches for 822 yards and nine touchdowns, but yet you are not a marked man going into this season because of players like Keenan Burton, Rafael Little and Jacob Tamme. How does that feel? Lyons: "That is the best thing about it. There are going to be more guys step up this year like Steve Johnson.

HOOVER, Ala. -- Jeremy Jarmon emerged as one of the top pass rushers in the Southeastern Conference last year. He had nine quarterback sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss, numbers that helped put him on several preseason watch lists for national awards going into his junior season at Kentucky. Those numbers also have the defensive end admitting he would have to consider a possible early entry into the National Football League if he had another big season for the Wildcats. "I am sure if I had a big year I would put my papers in for NFL evaluation," said Jarmon here Friday during the SEC Media Days.

The Centre College field hockey team has added nine commitments for the 2004 season. After finishing third in the Kentucky-Indiana-Tennessee Tournament last year behind the play of seven seniors, Centre coach Tom Hobbs says he will need new team members to be ready to perform immediately. Joining the Colonels next season will be Kimberly Burke (Male), Ashley Dickinson (Collegiate), Ashley Distler (Assump-tion), Sarah Douglas (DuPont Manual), Taylor Gray (Collegiate), Ann Guagliardo (Assump-tion)

University of Kentucky assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Steve Ortmayer offered his view on who he thinks will have a breakthrough season this year. His top two candidates are Steve Johnson and Paul Warford. Breakout players? Steve Johnson (wide receiver) "It's hard to tell, because we have so much talent on offense. I really think a guy who will have a big year for us is Steve Johnson (wide receiver). He's going to be a good player. A lot of teams don't know much about him, but they will by midseason.

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If there's one thing Dick Vitale always has it would be enthusiasm. However, the colorful ESPN college basketball analyst is almost downright giddy when he talks about John Calipari's third Kentucky team. “Kentucky first seven players are going to be outstanding,” said Vitale. “Terrence Jones is on my preseason all-American team. But what a tandem Terrence Jones and freshman Anthony Davis will be. They will be dynamic. They will be difficult to defend. They can play inside or outside.

HOOVER, Ala. — No player has had a greater impact on Kentucky football the last two years than Randall Cobb. He’s done everything from catch game-winning passes to throwing game-winning passes to running for game-winning scores. He’s been special in returning kicks and even holds for extra points and field goals. More importantly, Cobb’s leadership has been essential during two more bowl seasons and he’s also become one of the most popular players.

LEXINGTON - Any time Patrick Patterson is asked about his NBA potential, the Kentucky sophomore politely sidesteps the question. He'll say he's happy at Kentucky, needs to work on his overall game and will worry about the NBA later. However, coach Billy Gillispie said Wednesday at Kentucky's media day that he wants Patterson to have an easy decision to make about his NBA future when this season ends. "I hope he has an easy decision after the year is over (about the NBA)

LEXINGTON - For the last two years, Myron Pryor has been touted as having the potential to be a dominant defensive lineman for Kentucky. He had 42 tackles as a sophomore, including five quarterback sacks. Last year his tackles dropped to 27 and he didn't have a sack even though he started 11 of UK's 12 games. So have expectations been too high for Pryor? "I expect a lot of out me, too. With everybody expecting big things out of me, I appreciate that," said Pryor. "I just feel I have to prove it like I did before my sophomore year.

HOOVER, Ala. -- Jeremy Jarmon emerged as one of the top pass rushers in the Southeastern Conference last year. He had nine quarterback sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss, numbers that helped put him on several preseason watch lists for national awards going into his junior season at Kentucky. Those numbers also have the defensive end admitting he would have to consider a possible early entry into the National Football League if he had another big season for the Wildcats. "I am sure if I had a big year I would put my papers in for NFL evaluation," said Jarmon here Friday during the SEC Media Days.

LEXINGTON - Kentucky defensive tackle Myron Pryor knows this could be a big year for him. He's being counted on to help anchor the defensive line on what coach Rich Brooks believes will be an improved defense as UK tries to put together its third straight winning season. However, Pryor's play will also help determine his possible National Football League future. "Yes, it could be a big year for me. I already know what my future is. There is always a lot of talk about me going to the next level," Pryor said.

LEXINGTON -- Kentucky defensive tackle Myron Pryor knows this could be a big year for him. He's being counted on to help anchor the defensive line on what coach Rich Brooks believes will be an improved defense as UK tries to put together its third straight winning season. However, Pryor's play will also help determine his possible National Football League future. "Yes, it could be a big year for me. I already know what my future is. There is always a lot of talk about me going to the next level," Pryor said.

University of Kentucky assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Steve Ortmayer offered his view on who he thinks will have a breakthrough season this year. His top two candidates are Steve Johnson and Paul Warford. Breakout players? Steve Johnson (wide receiver) "It's hard to tell, because we have so much talent on offense. I really think a guy who will have a big year for us is Steve Johnson (wide receiver). He's going to be a good player. A lot of teams don't know much about him, but they will by midseason.

It's drilled into an athlete's head not to look ahead. But Cumberlands senior Shelby Goldey knows what lies between the Patriots and a Mid-South Conference title. "Since I've been here, we've been close to winning the Mid-South, at least the Eastern Division, and nothing changes this year," he said. "It comes down to the Georgetown game, and we've come up short. We're going to change that this year. " Cumberlands returns three starters along the offensive line and seven total starters on offense.