Kentucky Wildcats

Forget what people might say at Duke or North Carolina, UCLA or Kansas. Nobody loves their college basketball program like Kentucky fans -- nobody. Where else but Kentucky would a charity auction see a book signed by former President Jimmy Carter go for $70 ... and a basketball signed by Joe B. Hall go for $300? That happened in 2003, a good twenty years after both men had done their best work. You'll find Hall in this book, by the way. Kentucky fans sell out Rupp Arena for home games and invade opposing gyms for road games, earning the nickname The Blue Mist. Kentucky fans loved their basketball players, and that love doesn't fade over time. Years and even decades after their playing careers are finished, Kentucky basketball players routinely win whatever political office they seek in their home state. The 2003 election for state agriculture commissioner came down to one former Kentucky guard (Richie Farmer) against the wife of another former Kentucky guard (Scotty) Baesler). You'll find Farmer and Baesler in this book, by the way. This book is for you, Wildcat Nation. Catch up with more than 50 of your former heroes, guys who went on to become politicians and pastors, artists and dentists, convicts and coaches. Catch up with two former victims of Duke villain Christian Laettner -- Aminu Timberlake (The Stomp) and Deron Feldhaus (The Shot). Learn the heart-warming tale of Dirk Minniefield, who overcame his drug addiction to become a drug cunselor for the NBA. Learn the heartbreak of Tom Payne, who broke Kentucky's color barrier in 1970 in his only season with the Wildcats but has spent most of his adult life in prison. Whatever happened to perhaps the greatest Wildcat of all time, Bill Spivey? It's in this book. How about Tubby Smith's son and point guard, Saul Smith? He's in here, too. Mike Casey? Gimel Martinez? Lou Tsioropoulos? In here, in here, in here. You don't have to be Bob Wiggins, who once saw 615 consecutive UK game and remains the most intense Kentucky fan alive, to enjoy this book. Whatever happened to Wiggins? We checked--he's still attending games. This book is for Wiggins and the rest of the Blue Mist, and for anyone else who has ever wondered, Where have you gone, Linville Puckett?