Dwayne Samuels Morehead Seeks Its First Win

Morehead seeks its first win at UC By Jeffrey Shelman, Post staff reporter

There are no million-dollar free agents that can be signed. No draft lottery than can infuse a team with talent. No magic potions that can make the Morehead State Eagles run faster, shoot more accurately and jump higher.

Kyle Macy realizes this.

Macy, a two-time all-America at the University of Kentucky, knew what he was getting into when he traded his banker's hours and cushy broadcasting gig in Lexington, Ky., for the job of coaching a team that was ranked No. 287 out of the 305 Division I men's basketball teams a year ago in one computer poll.

He's expects the transforma tion to take a while.

That's why Macy remains upbeat as he prepares Morehead State (0-3) to face the University of Cincinnati (1-1) Sunday at 2:05 p.m. at Shoemaker Center.

''We had to come in realistic that the road's going to be bumpy,'' said Macy.

''I have not had any regrets at all. I knew we were not going to be 20-4 the first year and win the conference and go to the NCAA Tournament. That adds to the challenge.''

The challenge is a big one for Macy, who recently worked for the Central Bank & Trust Co. in Lexington after spending 10 years playing basketball in the NBA and in Europe.

Not only does Macy not have enough experienced talented players to be competitive, but when he arrived in Morehead, Ky., he found the basketball office didn't have computers, a copy machine or a fax machine.

While most of the off-the-court improvements have been made, Macy said he's seen improvement on the court as well - even though his team has lost games to the University of Kentucky, Evansville and Robert Morris.

''It's kind of a learning process, but we feel things are improving,'' said Macy, who has one senior on his roster. ''In the Evansville game in particular, we did a better job defensively. The younger kids are stepping up and understanding things better.''

One player Macy singled out as a surprise is center Dewayne Krom. A 6-foot-8 center, Krom is the Eagles' second-leading scorer with 11 points per game. Jeremy Webb, a 6-5 forward, is averaging 13 points and 5.5 rebounds.

UC coach Bob Huggins understands how difficult Macy's task is at Morehead State. Huggins revived programs at Akron and at UC.

''You have to get guys who play hard and care,'' Huggins said.

''It's pretty easy when you're losing to have that "I don't care' attitude. Winning has to be important.''

Macy had expected to have just one scholarship available for next season, which he used to sign forward Dwayne Samuels of Hiwassee (Tenn.).

However, one player quit before the season started and another likely will transfer.

''No matter how good of a coach you are, you have to have players,'' said Macy. ''We need a better caliber of players . . . That's just reality.

''This is going to take some time.''