Most sports fans believe that any NBA player who ends up with money problems is an 'idiot.' With the average salary well in excess of two million, I'm all for the average fan.

Talking to Nazr Mohammed brings a smile to your face. The former UK center who should log some minutes as a back up in Philadelphia has a terrific head on his shoulders. "You won't hear about a Nazr Mohammed being broke story. I'm going to do the right thing. The only reason I will work after I'm done playing is because I want to work. I want to open businesses to help neighborhoods. Not just to make money, but to help neighborhoods. Besides, I have everything I want or need. Most of the things I want are for my family."

Nazr hasn't graduated from UK. But, he plans on finishing up his degree in business management.

Nazr is going to play for Larry Brown. Brown, who once held the all time scoring record at my high school in New York, is one of the great teachers in the NBA. His problem ? Brown's tone of voice. After a while, it drives most of his players crazy. Playing for Pitino, where you learn to forget the tone and listen to the words should be a big help to Nazr's adjustment to life in the NBA.

Hal Mumme's new contract hasn't totally wiped out UK's recruiting problem. Forget that Mumme is looking at a new deal that will pay at least 4 million over the next five years at UK. Mumme's best buddy, Defensive Co-ordinator Mike Major has to deflect rumors in recruiting outside of Kentucky. "The hard part of recruiting is, I'll be honest about this, there are a lot of kids who ask how long will Coach Mumme be at Kentucky. That is what other schools are saying, that coaches break contract all the time. Kids don't understand what a contract is."

"I've been with Coach Mumme since 1977, and I think I'd know if Coach Mumme was moving. I think there are a lot of factors in Coach Mumme staying at Kentucky for a long time. If someone gave you a big break, wouldn't you have an obligation to stay out of loyalty ?

One of the greatest moments in Major's career happened when he walked on the field before playing Penn St. in the Outback Bowl. "Whenever you go to a bowl game, and we outnumber their fans 5-1, that is a big thing. I'm a pretty emotional guy, that got me teary eyed. That was a big factor for our kids. We have the best fans in the world."

Major is going to miss Tim Couch for much more than just his golden arm. "I just like being around Tim. I never heard him say anything bad about our defense. He is a great morale guy. I hope my boys are as good a person as he is. I've never seen Tim turn anybody away. For an autograph or a picture. He's a great leader. He will be a great quarterback in the NFL. He will have to learn the NFL game. It's a lot different, but he will adjust to that."

Major is still upset over losing to Penn St. "I haven't gotten over it and I know Coach Mumme hasn't gotten over it." There was something good to come out of the loss. "I finally got to change socks. I've been eating in the same place, same stuff, and use the same hands. I don't know if it does any good, but it sure doesn't hurt." Major, like so many coaches I've known through the years is superstitious, and like everything in life that isn't serious, he has fun with it.

There will be four quarterbacks competing for the right to follow the legend, Tim Couch. Major can't talk about Jared Lorenzen from Highlands High because he hasn't officially signed. Major isn't worried about the offense. "The three we have on campus, I've seen Hal do a quarterback thing with a lot less."

Major sizes up the quarterbacks he can talk about. "Dusty Bonner is a great mind with a good arm. Mike Scipione can throw the ball and has good command of the offense. Chase Harp can really throw the ball, make good decisions and he can run the ball. Is any of these guys Tim Couch ? I don't know if there will ever be another Tim Couch. But, we are going to score a lot of points. We are going to move the football. We'll still score 45 points a game. I really think we will, we'll be in the 40's maybe not 45. I can see us (the defense) getting a lot better. We're going to get better on scoring defense and coverage. I promise you that."

UK needs new blood on the defensive line next season. Major quickly named two freshman who are being redshirted. "John Robinson is going to have to come in and be a player. He's big, fast, has a bad disposition and makes good grades." Robinson is a 6-foot-4-inch 260 pounder from Ohio. Major is also high on a Kentucky boy, "Patrick Wells has the same qualities as John, and he is the strongest guy on the team bench pressing 500 pounds." Wells played at Western Hills in Frankfort.

One freshman who played this year is expected by Major to turn into a big time linebacker next year. Ronnie Riley is a 205 pounder who can fly. With a nickname of "8 Ball", this shouldn't surprise you. "He's the funniest guy on the team, next to me. He's always making faces and he's always messed up about something. "8 Ball" either has girlfriend problems or car problems. He's a lot of fun to be around."

Like most college coaches, Major is spending most of his time this month recruiting. Although NCAA rules prohibit Major from mentioning any names, he is happy with the process. "It's going real well. We're getting a real good reception. We're talking with a lot of guys who can make a big time difference. Kids who can make an immediate difference next year." Major believes that if things go according to plan recruiting wise this year and next, the defense will finally have enough horses to compete. One of UK's biggest problem on defense this year was quite simply not having enough players.

Quick thought about hoops. When UK gunned down Vandy in Music City, Vandy played the right defense. UK's outside shooting has been a question so Vandy went to a zone. What Vandy, and the SEC saw was a Kentucky team that is about to get a lot better. Not only is Kentucky taking smarter shots, some of the younger players are gaining confidence during games, which should be scary for the opposition. This could turn out to be a pretty good shooting team when its all said and done.

I am sticking with what I said before the season, Kentucky can be just as good if not better than last season. That doesn't guarantee another National Championship, but it is obvious UK is about to make another big time run in March.

Comments can be e-mailed to sportscut@mis.net. Alan Cutler is a motivational speaker, sports talk show host in Cincinnati and Lexington and a Lexington TV Sportscaster. Choose to have a great day !