[Quality88]

When University of Kentucky basketball coach Billy Gillispie was introduced at the tipoff luncheon yesterday, the Kentucky International Convention Center crowd of 1,200 gave him a standing ovation. For many, this was their first in-person glimpse of the coach.

Gillispie was in a jovial mood and poked fun at some of his assistant coaches. The first was assistant coach Tracy Webster.

“Tracy just joined us not too long ago,” the UK coach said. “He has on-the-court experience. He was a very average player. He played at the University of Wisconsin because nobody else would give him a scholarship.”

On a more serious note, Gillispie expressed concern over the team’s depth with so many injuries. Derrick Jasper has been "out the last couple of days" as he’s still recovering from microfracture surgery on his left knee in June. Jared Carter missed last season with his second shoulder surgery and has yet to practice. Joe Crawford is healthy but is not in condition after surgery on his left knee last month. Mark Krebs broke his foot and he won’t be back for four to six weeks. In recent days, Ramon Harris and Perry Stevenson have broken noses and are wearing masks.

Gillispie said Harris and Stevenson "will be OK." He’s more worried about Jasper and Carter. When asked about red-shirting, the UK coach said: “I don’t know. It’s too early to tell. Unless you had a season-ending injury already I don’t think you’d be considering red-shirting anyone at this point. I think in the next three or four weeks decisions will be made. I have not had one thought process about those two guys in that respect.”

Gillispie jokes but worries about injuries

[Quality88]

I don't like this. Season hasn't even started and already we are plagued by injuries.