Kentucky Coach Billy Gillispie spoke glowingly of his counterpart in Saturday’s game: Arkansas coach and former UK player John Pelphrey.
When asked about the warm reception expected for Pelphrey, Gillispie said, “He deserves it. His jersey is hanging in the rafters here. Just a fantastic person.” [Hear Gillispie’s Friday news conference.]
Of Pelphrey’s return home as a head coach, Gillispie said, “We’ll embrace that 100 percent. Now when the game starts, we’re going to go at it like crazy. But we’ll definitely welcome him back, and I’ll be one of the guys clapping hands.”
UK does not plan any ceremony or presentation to recognize Pelphrey, spokesman Scott Stricklin said.
Jerry Tipton of the Lexington Herald- Leader has covered Kentucky basketball since the 1981-82 season. That time includes five coaches, five Final Fours, four athletic directors, two interim athletic directors and many memories. Before coming to Lexington, Tipton worked eight years for the Huntington (W.Va.) Herald-Dispatch. He covered Marshall’s basketball team for two seasons before coming to the Herald-Leader.
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