Auld Lang Syne

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Robert Burns' best poem was probably, according to this column anyway, "A Red, Red Rose" or "Scots, wha hae." Maybe even "Tam o' Shanter." However, his most popular, most recited (often by inebriated singers), is "Auld Lang Syne."

You likely know the lyric, first published in 1796, or pieces of it, even if you don't know Burns:

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to min'?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And days o'lang syne?
(Chorus)
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup o'kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

"Auld Lang Syne" is the New Year's song, to be sung with friends and countrymen alike. And as the second year of the second millennium A.D. approaches, let us take time to reflect on the year gone by and years long gone (in the spirit of Burns).

Okay, enough reflecting already.

Let's talk about next year.

Specifically, let's talk about the next year in University of Kentucky athletics. Here are ten persons and items of interest (in no particular order) that folks are feeling out now but will find the answer to in 2001:

The internal investigation of UK football

We'll probably know the outcome of this one earliest in the year. Allegations involve violations attributed to ex-UK recruiting coordinator Claude Bassett. The bet here is that nothing turns up. At least on Bassett. One would think that he has been in the business too long and knows it too well to frivolously flub up. He's a brilliant man, not just a brilliant recruiter. But-the big fallout may be with the 2001 recruiting class, a few of which, because of the termination of Bassett, have wavered on their commitment to the Cats. Hope that no more waver, and hope that UK fills Bassett's former position with someone who can bring in top-25 recruiting classes like he somehow did.

John Goodner's defense

Good, bad, or indifferent, it was always Mike Major's defense. That is, Coach Mumme did not interfere, other than a verbal or psychological stimulant (or barb) here and there. Will the same prove true for the defense under the command of Goodner, the new defensive coordinator? And will he be able to get the job done, or done better at least?

Dennis Johnson

How good of a job Goodner does depends somewhat on how well DJ plays. And how well DJ plays depends a whole lot on how well he's recovered from last year's ankle injury. The good news: Johnson still has All-American potential. The bad news: he's only shown it in spurts. Yet, expect him to elevate his game in 2001, and he'll have to in order to be considered the best player on what should be a formidable front four for the Cats, including fellow defensive end Otis Grigsby, and tackles Jeremy Caudill, and Dewayne Robertson.

The 2000-2001 basketball Wildcats

"Good and getting better," is what a long-time basketball coach used to say when somebody asked him how he was doing and it is also this year's UK men's team at this point in the season. Note: good isn't great, and getting better means there's a bunch of room to improve. However, Kentucky has a ton of talent and team leadership is solidifying in Saul Smith. With its grueling league schedule, UK may not win the SEC regular season title. But the Cats could be the team to beat in the conference tournament, and will undoubtedly make the big dance.

Tubby's fate

How ridiculous that people even talk about it; this should be a non-issue, no matter what comes of item number 4. Coach Smith isn't only a great coach but also a great man of integrity-something that cannot be said of several past UK coaches of renown. He's got the credentials folks, admit it.

Jared's weight

Believe what you see, not what you read. Although the papers reported a skinny 275, insiders say the talented UK quarterback tipped the scales at 296 last preseason. What's 21 pounds, you say? Well, a lot of avoided sacks. Lorenzen carries his weight well, but he'd carry less lbs. even better (and he'd probably admit that). Even 10 fewer could make a difference, make him even more dangerous. And 10 more could make people suggest UK marketing supplant "Air Raid" with "2001: A Space Odyssey."

Quarterback controversy

That's a question, not a statement. In different ways, redshirt frosh Shane Boyd's as talented as Lorenzen and can win ballgames. But Coach Mumme's never previously platooned signal callers. Not that he should have never tried it.

Bernadette Mattox

Title IX was a wonderful idea that gave women equal opportunity in college athletics. But women's sports still lack the spotlight shone on men's. And therefore, coaches of women's teams don't generally catch the same criticism as those of men's. After this season, though, Coach Mattox may be facing some equal opportunity agnostics-and even an axe. In four full seasons, her squads have been 68-84. Sure, she has a painfully young team this campaign, but so does Tubby.

The 2001-2002 basketball Wildcats

Unsurprisingly, chatter about next year's Cat pack is already underway. It's been mostly positive speculation, but the issue of senior leadership, or lack thereof, has emerged.

The altered UK athletics alcohol policy

Wow, this is a tough one to debate. Let's just pretend that it won't have to be enforced ever again.

And leave it at that.

As we leave 2000 behind.

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