Workin' For The Weekend: Afternoon Delight

by Truzenzuzex on May 18, 2007 2:23 PM EDT in News Comment 24 comments

There's a few things of interest working in the UK sports arena, even on a beautiful Friday afternoon.

First off, my old buddy Gary Parrish has another article out, counting down to what he thinks will be the #1 school who will thrive in basketball for the next 5 years. Parrish clocks UK in at #3, amazingly ahead of North Carolina at 4. Parrish once again takes a shot at UK fans in what sounds like praise, but ... well, just read it for yourself and draw your own conclusions.

Dick Vitale, recent target of an arena-sized load of UK fan venom after penning an article blaming fans for Tubby Smith's departure, has a new article out with a UK mention. I know, I know, but some people might care ...

More coverage of the Donovan-Florida slow-dance from the loathsome troll Jeff Goodman. Some interesting quotes from Donovan in this one, like this:

"I'm committed to the University of Florida and when the time is right and it goes through the process, I plan on signing a contract," Donovan said. "But I need to see it first."

Anyone detect any weasel words in there? (Hint - they are the ones in bold for the very young, naive or politically challenged among you).

Yahoo rumors tells us that Tubby Smith is about to announce a double-super-secret super-recruiter who is going to join the staff at Minnesota.

I have two observations about this:

I thought Thad Matta already had a job, and;
I wonder why Tubby didn't hire him while he was here? I may be reaching here, but I think it could have saved him having to remove a "For Sale" sign or two from his front yard.

Finally, Section F Sports brings us an interesting article on Tayshaun Prince and his older brother, Tommie. I didn't realize Tommie played for Pepperdine.

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Tommy Prince

Tayshaun's brother was actually pretty good, but was best known for his outstanding giant 'fro. He played on a pretty good Pepperdine team, if I recall.

Vitale must have woken up the gimp to type out his "thoughts."

The Online home of Big Blue Nation ...

by JL Blue on May 18, 2007 2:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Tubby?

How can Tubby hire a recruiter? Doesn't he already have three assistants in Saul, Jirsa, and Vince Taylor?

by dave on May 18, 2007 3:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Taylor

Taylor must be the guy they're talking about because he hasn't officially been hired:

http://www.twincities.com/allheadlines/ci_5918022?nclick_check=1

by dave on May 18, 2007 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I report ...

you deride. :-)

by Truzenzuzex on May 18, 2007 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Parrish,

I found that article to be very funny and entertaining. I thought that it was actually aimed well and well spoken.
You guys have to admit that the BBN does have a few zealots and can definitely be a little embarassing at times. If you can admit that, then you should be able to laugh at his little jabs.
You don't have to take everything personally. We all know a 'Cat fan that deserves a little of what the nat'l media gives us.

by blueblood on May 18, 2007 4:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

But I want ...

to take it personally. How can I be critical of the media if there is nothing to criticize? :-)

But seriously. Yes, we do have more than our share of zealots, but my point isn't that he doesn't have a point -- it's just that it is always the same darn one.

We know we have some fans who are a bit addled. Every other college basketball fan in America knows that also. But why must we be reminded of this fact in every single article about Kentucky?

If you look back about three years, almost all the stuff about our fans from the mainstream media was reasonably positive. But since the recent hysterics of some of our Big Blue brethren who shall remain nameless, it has been a constant stream of "damning buts" from the media -- you know, "Kentucky fans are passionate and great, but ..."

I'm tired of it. Sick and tired. Laugh all you want, but remember, Parrish intended to include you and me in his not-so-flattering description. Maybe you can laugh it off, but I'm all out of laughs for this stuff. It's become freaking boilerplate, and that's just wrong.

by Truzenzuzex on May 18, 2007 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh yeah

...that last paragraph was dead-on. I am sick and tired of it as well. Do these guys have no creativity, no original thought, and as you said, no point? No. They take a snippet from a message board --- who knows who wrote it or how old they are -- and apply it to all UK fans.

In a previous article he was responding to the article's comments, so obviously he is looking for the page hits and reaction. No difference between him and a message board flyby. They're both masquerading as something they're not -- in his case a sportswriter.

by bluenva on May 18, 2007 8:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ok, ok

I get the reaction to the stereotype of the BBN, I don't blame you for that. I guess that I'm saying, if it doens't apply to you, then don't take offense to it. However, I don't really think it's the point of this article that you want to gripe about. From what you are saying, it's more the general consensus of the same, similar, repetative negative comments from sportswriters in general that keep coming up over and over and over again and again and again and just when you think they can't possibly find anything else to write about, they write it again, some more.

by bluebloodtoo on May 18, 2007 11:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, you're probably right ...

I shouldn't be so thin-skinned. Heck, I'm really not when Gator fans or other foes go bashing away at us. I guess it's because I can respect that from fans, but I expect a little more ... I don't know, maturity or something from guys who get paid to do this for a living.

I excoriated Luke Winn yesterday for writing a vapid article, and I guess my real criticism here, as you imply above, is more about a lack of anything remotely resembling incisiveness or originality.

I feel like if we at ASoB were that bland or unimaginative, our readership would dwindle to nothing. I guess I expect similar from the MSM. I suppose I am destined to be disappointed. :-)

by Truzenzuzex on May 18, 2007 11:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Didn't you know...

The networks don't hire great writers, they are a retirement club for former pro athletes. How many of those athletes, do you think, actually EARNED degree in something.

by bluebloodtoo on May 19, 2007 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Correction...

Retired, injured or failed pro athletes.

by bluebloodtoo on May 19, 2007 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

My thoughts.

I agree blueblood. Sometimes you have to be able to laugh at yourself and I though overall it was a pretty decent article.

As for Tayhsuan, he was sic last night. He was the most animated I have ever seen him yelling at his teamates and chest bumping people. Did anyone else see him get in Sheed's face when sheed got that tech and tell him to zip it? It was great.
DEEEEEEEEETROIT BASKETBALLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!

As for Tubby- I was a total supporter while he was here but if he goes out and hires a great recruiter now that is really gonna fire me up. As for the rest of his staff, sounds like a national champiohsip caliber staff to me. Jirsa and Saul? What are you thinking? Do you want to win a game?

by davw83 on May 18, 2007 4:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Media on UK Fans

With as much as writers love to bash UK fans, I'm surprised to hear anyone, especially someone as reasonable as Tru, say they target our recruiting more. Very surprising.

by Clandestine on May 18, 2007 5:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm thinking ...

I don't understand this comment. Recruiting?

You lost me.

by Truzenzuzex on May 18, 2007 6:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Your response here:

http://aseaofblue.com/comments/2007/5/15/7324/79240/27#27

by Clandestine on May 18, 2007 10:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gotcha.

nm.

by Truzenzuzex on May 18, 2007 11:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know if you posted this article, Tru

but there is one comment that had me laughing hysterically. It's from CBS Sportsline on programs poised for success. The initial quote:

...there is something different about Kentucky fans. If you're wondering, the most recent time I realized there is something different about Kentucky fans came Wednesday when the school signed Patrick Patterson and more than 11,000 people gathered on a Wildcats message board to cry tears of joy, according to the following post: I could not even watch the presser live. I actually thought I would crap myself when I starting (sic) reading you (sic) guys' posts. To be truthful, man to man, the news brought tears to my eyes.

And the winner of greatest line ever:

When things are going well, no fan base is more positively passionate about its program than Kentucky's fan base, meaning Gillispie's recruiting, coaching skills and unique work ethic will be appreciated so much that when he gets the Wildcats at the level I believe he'll get them to, this rabid bunch of supporters will be crapping itself on a regular basis. Or something.

a perpetual state of bliss

by piketaylor on May 18, 2007 8:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Indeed

I see it was one of the first articles posted. I stand corrected, but the point remains the same.

Perhaps I should buy stock in Charmin.

a perpetual state of bliss

by piketaylor on May 18, 2007 8:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

mmmmm

crap

by boobs on May 18, 2007 11:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Really ...

I don't know, I guess the guy has a point. We do have some serious ... ah ... characters as fans.

I just wish we could get a little fan love from the media once in a while instead of scatology.

by Truzenzuzex on May 18, 2007 11:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

scatology IS fan love

honestly, i dont see this as a backhanded compliment. what other schools have fans that would crap themselves over recruits? not many... i honestly think this is a straightforward compliment, and im kinda flattered.

by boobs on May 18, 2007 11:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is another reason

I enjoy ASoB. In addition to the links and articles, I can get different perspectives/reactions to those links/articles.

Considering the source and recent media depictions of the UK fan, I would have never had boobs' response to this article...but I like it! Alot.

Especially, as previously noted, since I didn't think this was the reaction he was looking for -- therein lies another reason to like it.

I saw lemons, you saw lemonade (for lack of a better comparison). A better perspective for this new day (literal & figurative). Thanks!

by bluenva on May 19, 2007 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

All our commenters ...

add a lot to the discussion. Many challenge my take. I love that.

by Truzenzuzex on May 19, 2007 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Compliment

I pretty much took the crap you pants comment as a straight up compliment as well. The writer might not have meant it that way but I take a kind perverse pride in the fact that our fans are that devoted to their team.

by davw83 on May 19, 2007 1:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs