< Previous58 @KentuckyMBB A former McDonald’s High School All American and now a highly-respected coach, Jai Lucas joined the Kentucky men’s basketball staff as a recruiting coordinator in August of 2020 and was quickly transitioned into a full-time assistant coaching role for the 2020-21 season. As an assistant, Lucas has been tasked with taking a lead role in Kentucky’s recruit- ing efforts while filling the traditional on- court roles of an assistant, including helping with game and practice preparation and playing a key role in player development through practice and individual workouts. Additionally, as recruiting coordinator, he manages official and unofficial visits and is responsible for the recruiting strategy for the program. Lucas spent the previous seven seasons at his alma mater on the University of Texas’ coaching staff. A native of Houston, Lucas began his career as a special assistant of the basketball program under Rick Barnes for two seasons. Upon Shaka Smart’s hiring, Lucas moved into the director of basketball operations role for a year before being ele- vated to an assistant coach for the 2016-17 season. Lucas is known in basketball circles for his high-level player development and a penchant for formulating strong relation- ships. In his first season as an assistant at Texas, he aided in the growth of freshman Jarrett Allen, who earned All-Big 12 Conference honors and was selected No. 22 overall by the Brooklyn Nets in the 2017 NBA Draft. Mohamed Bamba was an honorable mention All-America selection and was a fi- nalist for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year award in 2017-18. He was picked No. 6 overall by the Orlando Magic and was the eighth lottery pick in school history. In 2018-19, with Lucas playing another key role, Jaxon Hayes was named the Big 12’s Freshman of the Year. He was selected eighth overall by the Atlanta Hawks. With Hayes’ draft selection, Texas joined Ken- tucky and Duke as the only programs with a lottery pick in back-to-back drafts. Lucas was an integral part in helping Texas land three top-20 classes during his tenure as an assistant coach. The Longhorns hauled in the No. 6 (2017), No. 8 (2018) and the No. 17 (2019) classes (according to 247Sports) with Lucas among the team’s full-time assistants on the recruiting cycle. The sixth-ranked class in 2017 was high- lighted by the signing of Bamba, who was rated as the No. 3 player in the class. Prior to entering the coaching ranks, Lucas played three seasons of profession- al basketball. He spent two seasons in the NBA D-League and one year overseas in Latvia with BK Valmiera in the Baltic Bas- ketball League. A two-year letterwinner for the Long- horns, Lucas was a part of a pair of NCAA Tournament teams. He earned his bache- lor’s degree in corporate communication in 2011. He began his collegiate career at the University of Florida, where he was an All-Southeastern Conference Freshman Team honoree after helping the Gators to a 24-12 record. Lucas was a McDonald’s All American, a Jordan Brand Classic selection and a Pa- rade All-America Second Team selection as a senior. He was a three-year starter and a three-time District 21-5A Player of the Year who led Bellaire High School to three con- secutive district titles. He is married to Kori and the couple has one son, Jaxin. Jai Lucas n Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator (second season) n Second season overall at UK60 @KentuckyMBB Location: Durham, N.C. Founded: 1838 Enrollment: 6,542 Colors: Duke Blue & White Website: goduke.com 2020-21 Records: 13-11 overall, 9-9 ACC 2020-21 Postseason: None Assoc. Head Coaches: Jon Scheyer, Chris Carrawell Assistant Coach: Nolan Smith Starters Lost (2): DJ Steward, Matthew Hurt Starters Returning (3): Wendell Moore Jr., Jeremy Roach, Mark Williams Quick Facts Meet the Duke Blue Devils No. Player Ht. Wt. Pos. Cl. Hometown 0 Wendell Moore Jr. 6-5 213 F Jr. Charlotte, N.C. 1 Trevor Keels 6-4 221 G Fr. Clinton, Md. 2 Jaylen Blakes 6-1 208 G Fr. Somerset, N.J. 3 Jeremy Roach 6-1 172 G So. Leesburg, Va. 5 Paolo Banchero 6-10 250 F Fr. Seattle, Wash. 12 Theo John 6-9 242 F Gr. Minneapolis, Minn. 13 Joey Baker 6-6 206 F Sr. Fayetteville, N.C. 15 Mark Williams 7-0 242 C So. Virginia Beach, Va. 21 AJ Griffin 6-6 222 F Fr. White Plains, N.Y. 30 Michael Savarino 6-0 182 G Jr. Durham, N.C. 34 Bates Jones 6-8 222 F Gr. Charlotte, N.C. 45 Keenan Worthington 6-9 224 F Jr. Chapel Hill, N.C. 55 Spencer Hubbard 5-8 160 G So. Los Angeles, Calif. 24 Coach K took Duke to the NCAA Tournament 24 consecutive years from 1996 to 2019 -— the longest streak in NCAA history. By the Numbers Duke leads: 12-10 Last Meeting: Nov. 6, 2018 (Duke 118, Kentucky 84) Series History Already the Division I men’s career wins leader, Coach K enters the season with 1,097 victories at Duke; an NCAA record by a coach at one school. His Blue Devils have won five NCAA championships during his tenure. #15 n C n So. n 7-0 n 242 Mark WILLIAMS Wendell MOORE JR. #0 n F n Jr. n 6-5 n 213 Mike KRZYZEWSKI Blue Devils Head Coach 47th season (42nd at Duke) 1,170-361 (.745 Win Pct.) Blue Devils Players to Watch Nov. 9 n New York n Madison Square Garden n Champions ClassicUK SPORTS NETWORK TV AFFILIATES SPORTS NETWORK Louisville Paducah Bowling Green Johnson City, TN SPORTS NETWORK62 @KentuckyMBB Location: Moon Township, Pa. Founded: 1921 Enrollment: 4,594 Colors: Blue and White with Red Website: rmucolonials.com 2020-21 Records: 4-15 overall, 3-12 Horizon League 2020-21 Postseason: None Assoc. Head Coach: Mike Iuzzolino Assistant Coaches: Vince Johnson, Dave Fedor Starters Lost (3): Jon Williams, Dante Treacy, Charles Bain Starters Returning (2): Kam Farris, Kahliel Spear Quick Facts Meet the Robert Morris Colonials No. Player Ht. Wt. Pos. Cl. Hometown 0 Kam Farris 6-3 165 G So. Burlington, Vt. 1 Michael Green III 5-11 150 G Jr. Bronx, N.Y. 2 Kahliel Spear 6-7 220 F Sr. The Colony, Texas 3 Rasheem Dunn 6-2 190 G Gr. Brooklyn, N.Y. 4 Mattia Acunzo 6-8 225 F So. Sardinia, Italy 5 Enoch Cheeks 6-3 190 G So. Providence, R.I. 11 Jaron Williams 6-6 210 F Sr. Rock Hill, S.C. 12 Chase Cook 5-10 170 G So. Washington, D.C. 13 Tristian Jeffries 6-6 185 G Fr. Jersey City, N.J. 21 Matt Mayers 6-8 210 F Jr. Hastings-On-Hudson, N.Y. 23 Brandon Stone 6-11 200 F Jr. Alverton, Pa. 31 Ferron Flavors, Jr. 6-3 190 G Gr. Federal Way, Wash. 35 Justin Winston 6-8 220 F Jr. West Orange, N.J. 9 Robert Morris welcomes nine newcomers to the roster this season — seven of which are transfers from a previous Division I institution. By the Numbers UK leads: 2-1 Last Meeting: Nov. 17, 2013 (Kentucky 87, Robert Morris 49) Series History During his tenure, Toole has overseen the most successful stretch in RMU history. The Colonials have six national postseason appearances and earned bids to the NCAA Tournament in 2015 and 2020. #2 n F n Sr. n 6-7 n 220 Kahliel SPEAR Kam FARRIS #0 n G n So. n 6-3 n 165 Andrew TOOLE Colonials Head Coach 2nd season (12th at RMU) 192-169 (.533 Win Pct.) Colonials Players to Watch Nov. 12 n Lexington, Ky. n Rupp Arena at Central Bank CenterWhen you become an Active Member of the University of Kentucky Alumni Association, you help UK transform the lives of our students, serve alumni and improve lives in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and beyond. www.ukalumni.net/membership You can help make Big Blue Nation Stronger than Ever!64 @KentuckyMBB Location: Emmitsburg, Md. Founded: 1808 Enrollment: 2,166 Colors: Blue & White Website: www.mountathletics.com 2020-21 Records: 12-11 overall, 9-7 NEC 2020-21 Postseason: NCAA First Four Assoc. Head Coach: Will Holland Assistant Coaches: Matt Miller, Justin Burrell Starters Lost (1): Damian Chong Qui Starters Returning (4): Josh Reaves, Mezie Offurum, Nana Opoku, Malik Jefferson Quick Facts Meet the Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers No. Player Ht. Wt. Pos. Cl. Hometown 1 Dakota Leffew 6-5 185 G So. Hampton, Ga. 2 Deandre Thomas 6-5 195 G Sr. Inglewood, Calif. 3 Jaylin Gibson 6-3 190 G Fr. Evanston, Ill. 4 Dola Adebayo 6-8 190 F Fr. Ocala, Fla. 5 Jalen Benjamin 5-10 160 G Jr. Raleigh, N.C. 10 Dante Bouchard 6-0 175 G Fr. Gloversville, N.Y. 11 Elijah Elliott 6-0 165 G So. Houston, Texas 12 Jedy Cordilia 6-9 210 F Fr. Tilburg, Netherlands 13 Mezie Offurum 6-8 230 F Sr. Germantown, Md. 15 Bankeys Omari 6-2 165 G Fr. Germantown, Md. 22 Nana Opoku 6-9 215 F RSr. Woodbridge, Va. 23 Josh Reaves 6-4 205 G So. Hamden, Conn. 24 František Barton 6-7 210 F So. Brno, Czech Republic 35 Winston Moore 6-5 210 G So. Frederick, Md. 42 Malik Jefferson 6-9 230 F Sr. Hopewell, Va. Dan ENGELSTAD Mountaineers Head Coach 9th season (4th at Mount St. Mary’s) 136-88 (.607 Win Pct.) Location: Athens, Ohio Founded: 1804 Enrollment: 26,000 Colors: Hunter Green & White Website: ohiobobcats.com 2020-21 Records: 17-8 overall, 9-5 MAC 2020-21 Postseason: NCAA Second Round Assistant Coaches: Kyle Barlow, Lee Martin, Lamar Thornton Starters Lost (1): Jason Preston Starters Returning (5): Lunden McDay, Dwight Wilson III, Ben Vander Plas, Mark Sears, Ben Roderick Quick Facts Meet the Ohio Bobcats No. Player Ht. Wt. Pos. Cl. Hometown 1 Mark Sears 6-1 185 G So. Muscle Shoals, Ala. 2 Miles Brown 6-1 180 G Jr. Rochester, N.Y. 3 Ben Roderick 6-5 205 F Jr. Powell, Ohio 4 Dwight Wilson III 6-8 250 F Sr. Tallahassee, Fla. 5 Ben Vander Plas 6-8 232 F RSr. Ripon, Wis. 10 Olumide Adelodun 6-6 -- G Fr. Calgary, Canada 11 Sam Towns 6-9 -- F So. Columbus, Ohio 12 John Tenerowicz 6-1 185 G Sr. Cleveland, Ohio 14 Michael Brown, Jr. 5-10 156 G Jr. Rochester, N.Y. 15 Lunden McDay 6-3 185 G Jr. Akron, Ohio 21 IJ Ezuma 6-8 -- F Fr. Raleigh, N.C. 22 Tommy Schmock 5-11 180 G Sr. Cleveland, Ohio 23 AJ Clayton 6-7 195 F Fr. Duncan Falls, Ohio 30 Jason Carter 6-8 227 F RSr. Johnstown, Ohio 32 Colin Granger 6-9 230 F So. Suwanee, Ga. Jeff BOALS Bobcats Head Coach 6th season (3rd at Ohio) 89-64 (.582 Win Pct.) 48 Nana Opoku led the Mount with 48 blocked shots last year en route to NEC Defensive Player of the Year honors. By the NumbersSeries History UK leads: 2-0 Last Meeting: Nov. 22, 2019 (Kentucky 82, Mount St. Mary’s 62) 8 Ohio’s 62-58 victory over Virginia in the NCAA First Round was its eighth NCAA Tournament victory. By the NumbersSeries History UK leads: 14-1 Last Meeting: Dec. 30, 2005 (Kentucky 71, Ohio 63) Nov. 16 n Lexington, Ky. n Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center Nov. 19 n Lexington, Ky. n Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center 2201 Regency Road, Ste 201 Lexington, KY 40503 859-278-7203 859-278-7204 www.ebcoinc.net 859.277.7100 reinhardtlaw.com Attorneys At Law 730 West Main Street, Suite 500 Louisville, Kentucky 40202 502.813.3600 WELDING-FABRICATION-MANUFACTURING www.tomrook.com 502-349-9126 Tomrook Architects, Engineers & Business Friends Working for the Future of Kentucky Ken Stewart owner 859-621-9011 stewart-contracting.com stewartcontract@yahoo.com Equestrian Barn Building | Excavating and Utilities WE SPECIALIZE IN: PROJECT MANAGEMENT | CRANE WORK MACHINERY MOVING/RIGGING | FABRICATION | AND MORE VISIT AICUS.COM TO SEE ALL OF OUR CAPABILITIES 2004 Duncan Machinery Drive | Lexington, Kentucky 40504 (859) 233-7333 | www.aicus.com American Industrial Contractors, LLC In business since 1982! (859) 881- 4454 www.hemenway-concrete.com 1187 PAINT LICK ROAD BEREA, KY 40403 859-986-0355 Fax: 859-551-0045 pjennings@jenningshomecenter.com Patti Jennings - Owner/President DIVISION 10 SPECIALTIES TOILET PARTIONS & ACCESSORIES LOCKERS / COMBO LOCKS FIRE EXTINGUISHERS & CABINETS SIGNAGE & MUCH MORE LOCKER SPECIALTIES, LLC Plaza Carpets Inc. Bob Eckler Commercial/Residential Sales 1501 Russell Cave Rd, Lexington, KY 40505 859-299-7105 (Office) • 859-797-5732 (Cell) • beckler@mw.twcbc.com Jon Gott PRESIDENT 125 A Trade Street | Lexington, KY 40511 Office (859) 226-0318 Fax (859) 226-0324 Cell (859) 621-5568 jon@gottcaulking.comA-1-A ELECTRIC LLC. • ALL Phases • Commercial • Residential Lexington, KY & Nicholasville, KY Office 859-368-7745 Cell 859-312-7226 ESTABLISHED 1983 800-696-5608 www.ovsco.com Products Include: Corian® Solid Surface, Corian® Quartz, Corian® Endura High Performance Porcelain & More! Oram's Florist oramflowers.com Anne Oram & Susan O. Baker 859-266-2181 825 Euclid Ave. Lexington, KY 40502 Providing Quality HVAC Solutions in the Commercial, Industrial, and Research Laboratory Markets 1389 W. 86th Street, #333 . Indianapolis, IN 46260 . 317-667-1700 . mweber@webersales.com M.J. Weber Sales, Inc. www.wareinc.com Proud Fan of UK Athletics Boiler: Rental, Sales and Service (800) 228-8861 Southland Printing Co., Inc. 1079 Majaun Road • Lexington, KY 40511 859.276.1965 www.southlandprint.com We support UK Athletics Go Cats! From your Friends at Cintas. Contact us at: 859-252-8487 blandfordp@cintas.com www.cintas.com AUTO | HOME | BUSINESS 800-432-9349 www.avizionglass.com GO CATS! CREATIVE PARKING CONCEPTS Commercial Parking Technology Sales and Service • Solutions Consulting Systems Integration Mark Sudbury Director of Sales and Marketing • (615) 473-1656 mark@creativeparkingconcepts.com Good Luck Kentucky from your Friends in Business@UKSportsNetwork 67 Location: Albany, N.Y. Founded: 1844 Enrollment: 13,182 Colors: Purple & Gold Website: ualbanysports.com 2020-21 Records: 7-9 overall, 6-6 America East 2020-21 Postseason: None Assistant Coaches: Hamlet Tibbs, Matt Griffin, Dannton Jackson Starters Lost (3): CJ Kelly, Antonio Rizzuto, Kellon Taylor Starters Returning (3): Jarvis Doles, Jamel Horton, Chuck Champion Quick Facts Meet the UAlbany Great Danes No. Player Ht. Wt. Pos. Cl. Hometown 0 Ny’Mire Little 6-4 203 G Fr. Chester, Pa. 1 Will Amica 6-0 170 G So. Syracuse, N.Y. 2 De’Vondre Perry 6-7 220 F Gr. Baltimore, Md. 3 Trey Hutcheson 6-5 195 G/F Jr. Marion, Iowa 4 Jarvis Doles 6-9 215 F Gr. Baltimore, Md. 5 Jamel Horton 6-4 190 G Sr. Queens, N.Y. 10 Aaron Reddish 6-7 185 F Fr. Norristown, Pa. 11 Tairi Ketner 6-7 263 F Fr. South Philadelphia, Pa. 12 Justin Neely 6-5 200 F Fr. Miami, Fla. 13 Gerald Drumgoole 6-5 214 G/F Jr. Rochester, N.Y. 20 Matt Cerruti 6-4 190 G Gr. Huntington Valley, Pa. 23 Sam Shafer 6-6 200 G/F RJr. Frankfort, Ill. 24 Paul Newman 6-9 225 C Gr. Philadelphia, Pa. 25 Luke Fizulich 6-2 185 G So. Harrington Park, N.J. 30 Chuck Champion 6-4 185 G Gr. Philadelphia, Pa. 5 UAlbany has made five NCAA Tournament appearances in its history (2006, 2007, 2013, 2014, 2015). By the Numbers UK leads: 1-0 Last Meeting: Nov. 13, 2015 (Kentucky 78, UAlbany 65) Series History On Mar. 17, 2021, Dwayne Killings was hired as the 16th head men’s basketball coach in program history. He spent the pre- vious three seasons as associate head coach at Marquette. #5 n G n Sr. n 6-4 n 190 Jamel HORTON Jarvis DOLES #4 n F n Gr. n 6-9 n 215 Dwayne KILLINGS Great Danes Head Coach 1st season (1st at Albany) 0-0 (.000 Win Pct.) Great Danes Players to Watch Nov. 22 n Lexington, Ky. n Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center Next >