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April L. Brown/AP/
Kentucky's A.J. Stewart, left, and Dwight Perry, right, during their game Feb. 14 against Arkansas.
GoGamecocks.com
UK player quits after USC loss, then returns
Written by WILL GRAVES
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Posted on 02.28.09
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Billy Gillispie stressed following Kentucky's 19-point loss to South Carolina on Wednesday that it wasn't the end of the world.
For forward A.J. Stewart, however, it was almost the end of his career with the Wildcats.
The sophomore quit the team after playing three minutes against the Gamecocks, then reconsidered on Thursday, Gillispie said. Stewart was allowed to return to the team after Gillispie met with the other players, who welcomed the fun-loving but emotional role player.
"Like we've all done before probably, he probably said a few things he didn't mean to say, and since that time he's had a great deal of remorse," Gillispie said. "I wish he wouldn't have said that, but he's part of our family and we move on."
It won't be easy. The Wildcats (19-9, 8-5 Southeastern Conference) host streaking No. 18 LSU (24-4, 12-1) today needing a win to bolster their suddenly at-risk NCAA tournament hopes.
Kentucky seemed like a lock a few weeks ago when it appeared to be the class of a weak SEC. Yet the Wildcats are just 3-5 in their last eight games and probably have to win at least two of their final three to lock up a tournament bid for the 18th straight season.
"We definitely need to win, but I don't think it's time to panic," said guard Jodie Meeks, who spent most of the second half of the South Carolina game watching from the bench as Kentucky got blown out. "This game is very important to us, as are all the other games. But (Saturday's) game, we've got to approach it like we always do and try and stick to the game plan and play as best we can."
While the Tigers have surged, the Wildcats have stumbled. Kentucky looked totally out of it for long stretches against the Gamecocks, though Gillispie said South Carolina's play had plenty to do with his team's problems.
Maybe, but for a team trying to return to its usual lofty perch atop the SEC, it's not the way the Wildcats wanted to end the most important week of the season.
"Every loss is devastating," Meeks said. "They took it to us, and it's hard to let that go."
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