UK optimistic that worst is over

ST. LOUIS -- After a tumultuous regular season, Kentucky is taking nothing for granted in the NCAA tournament.

The Wildcats are seeded No. 4 in the East Regional. But they have had their share of turmoil, with four losses in the last nine games, and coach Tubby Smith is less than confident heading into Thursday's game against Valparaiso.

"It's been a tough year, probably my toughest as a coach," Smith said. "We've had some issues and distractions, and I hope we're stronger because of it.

"I look at each incident and I think we've been able to recover in a positive manner."

Kentucky-Valparaiso is the first game in St. Louis today, followed by No. 5 Marquette against Tulsa in another East game. In Midwest subregional games here that night, top-seeded Kansas faces Holy Cross, and No. 8 Stanford plays Western Kentucky.

The lowlights for Kentucky (20-9) include the recent firing of athletic director Larry Ivy, and the suspensions of guards Gerald Fitch and Adam Chiles. Fitch has been suspended three times, for trying to use fake identification to get into a nightclub, for scuffling with teammate Cory Sears and for missing curfew.

The third time knocked Fitch out for the opening game of the Southeastern Conference tournament, and Kentucky lost 70-57 to South Carolina. Chiles has been suspended for the rest of the season for violating unspecified team rules.

Please, no more bad news

Players are hoping for no more bad news.

"It's March Madness and it's a whole new beginning," guard J.P. Blevins said. "Things have been a little rocky for us, but we've got a fresh start."

Valparaiso is in the tournament for the sixth time in seven years, and reached the round of 16 in 1998.

"Nothing's easy when you get to this point," Smith said. "The way we've been playing, we can't take anybody for granted. They've accomplished things we haven't, and we treat them with the utmost respect."

Valparaiso (25-7) set a school record for victories and can draw on its NCAA experience.

"This year we've proved we can play with the top teams," guard Jared Nuness said. "We're coming in as the underdog, but yet we've got confidence."