# | Name | Pos | Class | Ht. | Wt. | Hometown (School) | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
#24 | Johnny Cox (L) | F | So. | 6-4 | 185 | Hazard, KY (High) | All-American [UPI (3rd), Helms (3rd)]; All- NCAA Regional Team; All-SEC [First Team (AP & Coaches)]; |
#10 | Gerry Calvert (L) | G | Sr. | 5-11 | 160 | Maysville, KY (High) | - |
#52 | Vernon Hatton (L) | G | Jr. | 6-3 | 195 | Lexington, KY (Lafayette) | - |
#32 | John Crigler (L) | F | Jr. | 6-3 | 180 | Hebron, KY (High) | - |
#34 | Ed Beck (L) | C | Jr. | 6-7 | 188 | Fort Valley, GA (High) | All-SEC [Second Team (AP)]; |
#50 | Adrian Smith (L) | G | Jr. | 6-0 | 178 | Farmington, KY (High) | - |
#55 | Ray Mills (L) | F | Sr. | 6-4 | 200 | Manchester, KY (Clay County) | - |
#70 | John Brewer (L) | G | Sr. | 6-3 | 180 | Louisville, KY (Eastern) | - |
#12 | Billy Ray Cassady (L) | F-G | Jr. | 6-2 | 191 | Inez, KY (High) | - |
#40 | Earl Adkins (L) | G | Jr. | 6-4 | 180 | Ashland, KY (High) | - |
#20 | Dick Howe (L) | C-F | So. | 6-5 | 210 | Carbondale, IL (Carbondale Community) | - |
#10 | Lincoln Collinsworth (L) | G | Jr. | 6-3 | 185 | Salyersville, KY (High) | - |
#88 | Bill Smith (L) | F | Jr. | 6-5 | 200 | Walton, KY (Walton-Verona High) | - |
#33 | Harold Ross (L) | G-F | Jr. | 6-3 | 175 | Hickman, KY (High) | - |
#66 | John Hardwick | G | So. | 6-3 | 185 | Lexington, KY (University High) | - |
#50 | Jay Bayless | F | Jr. | 6-4 | 205 | Knoxville, TN (Fulton) | - |
#14 | Phil Johnson | F-C | Acad | 6-5 | 190 | Lexington, KY (University High) | - |
| Schedule | Player Statistics | Game Statistics |
1956-57 Squad |
Seated (l to r): Coach Adolph Rupp, Ray Mills, Lincoln Collinsworth, Adrian Smith, Gerry Calvert, Bill Cassady, Harold Ross, John Crigler, Assistant Coach Harry Lancaster |
Season Review - Basketball (Kentuckian)
"This could be the worst season I've had in 15 years," Coach Adolph Rupp predicted before the season opened.
With only one senior returning and the loss of nearly all the scoring and rebounding power of the previous year, the experts figured the Cats wouldn't finish higher than 10th place in the polls. They ended the season in third place in both polls. The Baron had put together a top-notch team from mediocre material. His rival coaches said it was the best coaching effort ever put forward by Rupp.
This was a well-balanced ball club with no individual star. On any given night one of the starters or substitutes were liable to break loose. Johnny Cox, the sensational sophomore forward, received a third-place booth on All-American teams and several teammates got honorable mention.
Cox was All-SEC and the team's leading scorer. Ed Beck, the center, receives everyone's vote as the most courageous man on the team.
This was probably one of the most successful UK teams ever considering pre-season predictions. With all the members returning next year with the exception of sparkplug Gerry Calvert and senior subs, John Brewer and Ray Mills, the '57-'58 Wildcats will be a power to be reckoned with.
Johnny Cox - Sophomore - Hazard, Ky. (Foward)
An AII-SEC and third team All-American, averaged 19 points.
Gerry Calvert - Senior - Maysville, Ky. (Guard)
The floor general and sparkplug, hard to replace him.
John Crigler - Junior - Hebron, Ky. (Forward)
An all-around clutch player who scores when it counts.
Vernon Hatton - Junior - Lexington, Ky. (Guard)
Sorely missed when sidelined by an operation in December.
Ed Beck - Junior - Ft. Valley, Ga (Center)
The leading rebounder and a fellow who is an inspiration.
Ray Mills - Senior - Manchester, Ky. (Foward)
A pre-season injury marred his last season with U.K.
John Brewer - Senior - Anchorage, Ky (Forward)
Clutch play saved the Cats from a couple of losses.
Adrian Smith - Junior - Farmington, Ky (Guard)
Did a terrific job as filler during Hatton's absence.
Bill Cassady - Junior - Inez, Ky. (Forward)
Earl Adkins - Junior - Ashland, Ky. (Guard)
Abe Collinsworth - Junior - Salyersville, Ky. (Guard)
Dick Howe - Sophomore - Carbondale, III. (Center)
Harold Ross - Junior - Hickman, Ky (Guard)
Bill Smith - Junior - Walton, Ky. (Forward)
Jay Bayless - Junior - Knoxville, Tenn (Forward)
John Hardwick - Sophomore - Lexington, Ky. (Guard)
Charles Webb - Sophomore - Lafollette, Tenn. (Guard)