The satisfaction of making it to a big time bowl game means different things to different people. For super freshman Dennis Johnson it's knowing that coming to UK over choices like Notre Dame was the right thing. "It makes me feel much better because people said if you go to Kentucky you probably won't go to a bowl. It makes me feel good knowing I made the right decision." Those people Dennis was referring to were recruiters. The only thing preventing Dennis from becoming the best defensive player at UK since Art Still is strength. Dennis understands that, and is going to take the proper steps.

Dennis is still thinking about hoops. After the Outback Bowl, he is going to show up and practice with Tubby.

UK defensive co-ordinator Mike Major has been forced to play a lot of players before their time, "It's kind of like a prom, you got everything set and then you get a pimple." UK's defense improved this year and that process will continue next year. The most overlooked part of this Kentucky football team is quite simply the effort. They never took a game off.

Don't let the lack of knowledge about next year put fear into your True Blue heart. UK's future offensive lineman might end up being better than some of the hard nosed veterans they will replace. Senior Jeremy Streck, a terrific young man, and a much better player than most expected he'd become, has a new opinion of freshman tackle Matt Brown. "To be honest, I'm surprised. I was nervous. I've had Jonus Liening next to me the last three years, and this freshman comes in against Tennessee and he was making calls for me."

Everyone has a theory about the next UK quarterback. One name you rarely hear tossed around is Chase Harp. One UK coach who has to remain unidentified tells me, "Don't count out Chase. He's mentally tough, the toughest mentally of all our young quarterbacks." During one of UK scrimmages preparing for Penn St., Chase took off scrambling, put his helmet into safety Anthony Wajda and knocked him back a few yards. Hal Mumme wasn't just smiling over the play, he was laughing with joy. It was one of the hardest hits you will ever see delivered by a quarterback ! Don't forget that Chase isn't just a coaches boy, but Sam Harp is one of the best high school football coaches Kentucky has ever produced.

The name you hear the most is Mike "Scippy" Scipione. I almost fell out of my chair when Hal Mumme said the 6-foot-6 inch freshman throws a better deep ball than Tim Couch. What Mumme does with his young QB's is remarkable. He makes them play safety on the scout team. Not only does it give them a chance to see things from a different perspective, it can only help with their footwork, a very under rated part of the development of any quarterback.

Poor Allen Edwards. Life for the former UK captain hasn't been easy. So far he's been traded, released, and played for three teams in two minor leagues. Stop number two was with Rockford of the CBA. Whose better, UK last year or Rockford ? "I'd have to go with Kentucky because of the chemistry." We might never know who had the most talent last year, but the history books will always say that Kentucky had the best team. Most of todays players don't seem to get it !

This is going to shock at least 99% of True Blue fans. I sat with an NBA scout during the Kentucky-Louisville game. If you exclude freshman, who would you think was the best NBA prospect on the court ? Would you believe Jamaal Magloire ? One of the knocks on the backup center is his hands. That is partly due to his lack of offense. This scout has a different view. "I like his hands. He just needs more experience. But, if he decides to start playing a lot more the way he did against Maryland, he can play in the NBA for a long time."

This NBA scout is constantly changing his mind about Scott Padgett. "Sometimes I think he can play, and sometimes I am not sure. Scott might end up being a good second round draft choice for some NBA team."

This scout shook his head when asked about Wayne Turner. "He has the best point guard skills in America, but his high school coach didn't do him any favors." The scout kept on shaking his head. He can't believe how bad Wayne's shot is. "I wouldn't draft him in the first round because of it."

I then pointed out to this scout that Avery Johnson has made it. True Blue fans might recall that UK beat Avery in the NCAA tournament. He was the best player on Southern University who lost to UK 99-84 in 1988. "Johnson couldn't shoot then, and he still can't today. But look how long it took Avery to make it," said the NBA scout.

To Heshimu "Moo" Evans. Against Maryland he looked like a high NBA draft pick. Against Duke, he looked like a senior who doesn't get past a summer NBA free-agent tryout camp. Moo had 79 friends and relatives watching him against Duke. "You don't realize how much pressure that puts on a young man," said the NBA scout.

Against Duke and Louisville, Moo seemed to be going through what I call senioritis. It is the same problem that Scott Padgett went through. So did former UK star Tony Delk and countless others. Your college career is winding down, the NBA is on your mind more than ever, you know NBA scouts are really watching closely, you don't want to admit it to yourself and the media, and until you start relaxing and dealing with it, it effects your game.

Thanks for all the comments. They can be e-mailed to sportscut@mis.net. Alan Cutler is a motivational speaker, Lexington TV sportscaster, and a sports talk host in Cincinnati and Lexington. Choose to have a great day !