[ducky]

Slone, the latest in a line of standout players from Paintsville (following John Pelphrey, Todd Tackett and J.R. VanHoose), has already made a winning impression on Gillispie despite this being the first semester of his freshman year. "He may be the toughest kid we have," said the UK coach, a Texan who prefers rawhide over peachy smooth. "There's no quit in him. He's tougher than nails."

As if on cue, Slone played on after diving for a loose ball and taking a Krebs shoulder to the face.

"Just being out there is the best feeling in the world," Slone said. "... I just want to help the team any way I can. Make defensive stops. Make three-pointers. If it's getting somebody water during a time out, that's what I can do."