SPORTS
 
Christian Laettner to coach 'Villains' against former Kentucky basketball stars 

By Kyle Tucker | The Courier-Journal 
5 October 2011
The Courier-Journal Louisville, KY

Christian Laettner, arguably the most hated man in University of Kentucky basketball history, is coming to Rupp Arena to coach a group of "villains" against a team of famous Wildcats alumni on Oct. 24 at 7:30 p.m.
 
Former UK player Jeff Sheppard, who now owns an apparel company and is involved in sports marketing with Wazoo Sports, organized the game. Former Wildcat Rex Chapman will coach the Big Blue All Stars, whose roster includes DeMarcus Cousins, Brandon Knight, Eric Bledsoe, Jodie Meeks, Chuck Hayes, DeAndre Liggins and Josh Harrellson.
 
"It's going to be a special night. A lot of talent," said Sheppard, who played on both the 1996 and 1998 UK national championship teams. "The timing of this is great with the NBA lockout. Guys are just hanging out, looking for stuff to do. It just made a lot of sense."
 
The roster for The Villains has not been finalized, Sheppard said, but players interested include: Tyler Hansbrough (North Carolina), Nolan Smith (Duke), Rudy Gay (Connecticut), Eric Gordon (Indiana), Zach Randolph (Michigan State), Terrence Williams (Louisville), Shelvin Mack (Butler) and Kenneth Faried (Morehead State).
 
But Laettner, the former Duke star who hit the improbable, last-second shot to beat Kentucky 104-103 in the East Regional final of the 1992 NCAA tournament, is the big draw. How did Sheppard get him to agree to participate?
 
"Pretty simple: I picked up the phone, called the Duke basketball office and told them what I wanted to do," Sheppard said. "They got in touch with Christian, and he called me two hours later. He said, 'I would love to be the No. 1 villain in this game.'
 
"I'm pretty sure this is Christian Laettner's first game ever in Rupp Arena. I'm very excited."
 
Of course, security will have to be beefed up for his arrival. Some UK fans still wear T-shirts with Laettner-hating slogans.
 
"The entire Kentucky State Police force will be on call for this one," Sheppard said.
 
Pre-sale begins Friday at Ticketmaster.com, at which time Sheppard said about 10,000 of the tickets – ranging from $25-50 – can be purchased using the code "BLUE." The rest of the tickets go on sale Monday at Ticketmaster and the Rupp Arena ticket office.
 
The game at Rupp will conclude a six-game barnstorming tour for the Big Blue All Stars.
 
They'll first play five exhibitions around the state against small college teams: Pikeville at the Eastern Kentucky Expo Center at 7 p.m. Saturday, Alice Lloyd College at Knott County Central High on Sunday at 4 p.m., Georgetown College at Mason County High School at 7 p.m. Oct. 10, Union College at Pulaski County High School at 7 p.m. Oct. 11, Mid-Continent University at Graves County High School at 7 p.m. Oct. 13.
 
Kyle Tucker can be reached at (502) 582-4361