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LARRY VAUGHT, SPORTS EDITOR (859) 936-0353 | FAX (859) 236-9566 SPORTS DEPT. (859) 236-2551 or (800) 428-0409, extension 137 or 246 | To report a score, use extension 305. B WEDNESDAY SPORTS FEBRUARY 15, 2012 Give Calipari credit

Larry Vaught Sports Editor [email protected]

Sometimes takes a few playful jabs at national media members and the perceived lack of respect they have for the Kentucky pro- gram. He did so when he noted that the “talking heads” were picking UK to lose at Vanderbilt Saturday and he did so again Tuesday on a radio show when he admit- ted that might not be national player of the year because some media members would not vote for him sim- ply because he played at Kentucky. I’m not sure that’s true, but it certainly could come into play for the national coach of the year voting based on the thinking of Clay Jackson/[email protected] CBSSports.com’s Jeff Good- Kentucky’s Anthony Davis (23) blocked a shot by Florida’s Patric Young earlier this season, one of 127 shots he has blocked in 26 games to make him a candidate for three national man. He posted on Twitter awards. Tuesday that his top eight candidates for national coach of the year would be Mike Brey of Notre Dame, Tom Crean of Indiana, Frank Haith of Missouri, of Michigan State, of Kansas, John ompson III of George- SWEEP? town, Steve Fisher of San Diego State and Dave Rice Nevada-Las Vegas. Davis has numbers to win 3 national awards Certainly it’s easy to make cases for Haith or Izzo By LARRY VAUGHT all the top players or who and team projections. to be among the top candi- dates. However, I don’t see [email protected] would be the best candi- omas Robinson of dates for player of the year, By the Kansas is the one player how anyone could list all LEXINGTON — If Ken- but I have a hard time be- considered on the same those other coaches and tucky freshman Anthony lieving anybody could have numbers level with Davis in player of not have Kentucky’s John Davis needs any extra sup- more impact on the success A look at Anthony Davis’ the year projections with Calipari — or even Syra- cuse’s — on a port for national awards, of a team than Anthony statistics: Ohio State’s Jared Sullinger Vanderbilt coach Kevin Davis is and that would be also ranked as a possible short list to consider as n Blocked shots — 127 well. Stallings certainly could be whether it is a freshman or (4.8 per game). contender. his spokesman. any other classification,” Kevin Durant of Texas in Kentucky is 25-1, ranked Davis leads the nation in said Stallings. “I can’t imag- n Rebounds — 257 2007 is the only freshman to No. 1 and riding the na- blocked shots with 127, ine a more impactful defen- (9.9). be named national player of tion’s longest win streak. ranks third in field goal per- sive player in all of college n Points — 364 (14). the year. However, not since Many analysts now con- centage at 65.1 percent (140 basketball than he is. I n percent- Ed Macauley of St. Louis av- sider Kentucky the clear fa- of 215) and is 25th in re- would not be surprised in age — 65.1 (140 of 215). eraged 13.6 points in 1948 vorite to win the national bounding at 9.9 per game. the least if he swept all the n percent- has a player won the top championship. His 11 double-doubles tie awards, and he would be age — 70.6 (84 of 119). award with such a low scor- Calipari has done this him for 23rd in the nation. very deserving.” n Minutes played — ing average as what Davis despite losing three play- ers off last year’s team to He also leads Kentucky in Since the 1985-1986 sea- 811. has now. e last eight na- steals (38) and scoring (14.0 son, no player in NCAA Di- tional player of the year win- the NBA draft and having n Fouls — 53. four freshmen among his points per game). vision I men's basketball has n Steals — 38. ners averaged more than 20 at’s why not only could averaged at least 13 points, points per game. top seven players. Granted, he be in line for national de- 10 rebounds and four blocks n Turnovers — 24. Mike DeCourcy, Sporting they are talented fresh- fensive player of the year per game, and shot at least News college basketball men, but doesn’t recruit- and as well as freshman of 65 percent from both the Vitale said. “Also, don’t for- columnist, still believes it is ing talented players factor Victoria Graff/ the year, but also for the field and the free-throw line get the grand slam with possible for Davis to sweep into a coaching equation? [email protected] overall player of the year. in a season. Davis is on pace being No. 1 pick in the NBA the national awards despite Goodman said no on Twit- Opponents have had trouble “I would be surprised if to do all of that. draft.” his scoring average. ter after he said “no whin- stopping UK freshman Anthony there was anybody out “Yes, no doubt a shot for Davis is considered the “e player of the year ing” to Kentucky fans in Davis (23), a national player of the there who was any better. I triple crown. Amazing consensus top pick in the year candidate. can’t profess to say I study player,” ESPN analyst Dick June draft in mock drafts See DAVIS, on B10 See VIEWS, on B10 Boyle’s Cope has higher state aspirations this time

By HAL MORRIS drop the weight, but I couldn’t,” he said. 152 pounds, the area’s lone region [email protected] So, he adjusted and tried to get bet- champion, and is 42-5. ree other ter. He said the difference in the 145 wrestlers finished second — Boyle’s Last season, Zack Cope was just class is noticeable. Lucas McCain (106) is 37-9, Danville’s happy to be at the state wrestling tour- “It’s a whole different ballgame,” he Daniel Lannum (126) is 43-9 and nament. is year, the Boyle County said. “ey know their skils, and they’re Rhodes Bell of Danville (170) is 43-4. senior is hoping for some success at quick.” Danville’s Elliott Porter (28-5) was third state. But Cope feels he is a better wrestler and is 46-4. Pacing fourth was Dallin Cope finished second in the 145- than he was a year ago as well, and not Tritapoe of Boyle, who is 34-8 at 160, pound division at the Region 2 champi- just because he is stronger. and Boyle’s Austin Muntz (220), who onships, and heads into the state “Last year, I wasn’t nearly the had a 7-5 record. wrestling tourney more confident than wrestler I was this year,” he said. “But In addition, Danville’s Zach Phillips last season, which was just his second the weight class is definitely (113) and Boyle’s Kody Sacco (195) fin- on the mat. He goes into Friday’s first tougher.” ished fifth at the region and will go to round sporting a 38-10 record. Cope said he has improved his skill state as alternates. “Last year, my goal was just to make level, and has more to throw at his op- **** it to state, and this year, I’d like to place ponents than he has in the past. e tournament begins Friday at the hopefully,” said Cope, who was 2-2 at “Before, I only knew one move, and Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. e last year’s state tournament wrestling at that was the cowboy (throw). If I didn’t first round begins at 10 a.m., and the 135 pounds. get the throw, just heart, determination championship matches are set for He knows last year’s performance and strength was my goal. But now, I’m about 6:30 p.m. Saturday. will be difficult to improve on since he starting to get a little more skill,” the To see the first-round matchups, visit has bumped up two weight classes from Boyle wrestler said. http://www.khsaa.org/wrestling/2012/ Hal Morris/[email protected] last season. He credits weight lifting for Cope is one of eight wrestlers from state/khs2012rtlap001.htm Boyle County’s Zack Cope, left, said he is a better wrestler now the added bulk — he’s put on 10 Boyle and Danville competing this For ticket information, visit than a year ago, even though wrestling at 145 pounds has been pounds from last year. weekend. http://khsaa2012wrestling.eventbrite.c tougher than at 135. Cope is one of eight area wrestlers who will “I thought I was going to be able to Boyle’s Kody Wade won the region at om. compete at the state tournament this weekend.

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