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The Big Blue Daily Mail -- SEC Officials Stink Edition

Cal and Lebron, they be buds.

More photos » by David Coyle - AP

Cal and Lebron, they be buds.

By now you have surely heard all the sturm und drang about successive weeks of bad calls by the same SEC officiating crew.  Needless to say, this situation has many SEC watchers, bloggers and pundits fairly displeased.  The SB Nation SEC blog Team Speed Kills has more on the subject here.

The bottom line is, there have been a lot of really bad calls in the SEC this year, and with all these admissions of error, there are sure to be calls for some kind of overhaul of the officiating crews.  I have no idea if this will happen or not.  What I do know for a fact is that Georgia and Auburn have a serious beef about the potential impact of those bad calls on the outcome of their games. 

The worst thing about the Arkansas call was that there were two other situations, one a pass interference call and the other a non-call that clearly (to my eyes, anyway) was PI on the Gators, that have the unfortunate effect of making the officiating look intentionally one sided to the conspiracy-minded.  That's not a good thing, especially in case where the SEC is repeatedly forced to admit error.

Now, for the news

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The Daily Schadenfruede

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"Dude. You have no idea."

I love that—I think it sums up our giddy excitement more than any other phrase I’ve heard : )

by blue kentucky girl on Oct 20, 2009 3:54 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

From the Katz article on Midnight Madness
UConn freshman forward Ater Majok suffered a stress fracture in his left tibia and is out of practice for a few weeks. Majok isn’t eligible to compete until mid-December.

I blame Billy Gillispie.

Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."

by chirop1 on Oct 20, 2009 4:05 PM EDT reply actions   1 recs

That brought a smile to my face and a chuckle to my...throat?

mouth? Where precisely does a chuckle go?

Either way – that was funny.

There is no gravity - the earth just sucks.

by JLeverenz on Oct 20, 2009 7:59 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I feel sorry for all of these folks that have no idea how much fun we are having

RIGHT NOW!!!……..imagine when the season starts…..lol

Remember, we're having fun now!!!

by ALLBLUCAT on Oct 20, 2009 4:39 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I wonder if we're feeling some fallout from the AFL dissolving

I know that a baseball, having a farm type system, brings up umpires just as it does players. Basketball has a similar structural set up. But, between college, arena, and pro football, there are now fewer levels for referees to gain experience. It seems that fewer referee jobs means fewer refs. This could translate into a larger distance between the great refs and the terrible ones, if the great ones retain their jobs and the terrible ones have no opportunities to improve. I could be way off base here, but it makes sense to me.

by tyler cottrell on Oct 20, 2009 4:56 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I've never understood

the whole “rightful place on top of the mountain” attitude. Nobody “deserves to win” just because of the name on the front of a jersey; or because of what happened in the past.

by don'tshootmei'macard on Oct 20, 2009 7:19 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

It's tough to explain ...

… to fans of lesser programs. :-)

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Oct 20, 2009 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

Zinnnng!

"Were we directed from Washington when to sow, and when to reap, we should soon want bread."
—Thomas Jefferson

by Wild Weasel on Oct 20, 2009 9:52 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

+1

First time I shot her, shot her in the side.
Hard to watch her suffer, but with the second shot she died...

by btcoop71 on Oct 21, 2009 8:17 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

It's not about "deserving" without earning

It’s more about the natural order of things!

by Gobe Igbloo on Oct 21, 2009 12:55 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

just because of the name on the front of a jersey..?

Really???? When the jersey says K E N T U C K Y , the game changes. It is all about heart. Our teams want to win it for those who came before us and leave something extra special for those who will come after us. It is not about individuality when you are a Wildcat. It is all about adding to great tradition. :-)

Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!

by a2d2 on Oct 21, 2009 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

"its rightful place at the top of the mountain."

I actually took that to mean that Coach Cal wanted to return Kentucky to its glory days of being feared, respected and among one of the nations most talked about programs instead of being one of the bottom-feeding teams that are not even close to reaching the mountain and that no one is talking about in a positive way such as the UK teams of the past two years.

And you know, even though I think Tru’s post was somewhat funny and admittedly laughed to myself (‘cause that’s just what you do to rival fans, you jeer them when given the chance — don’t take it too personally : )) — I actually think you are right, nobody "deserves to win" just because of the name on their jersey. I think that’s rather silly myself, and I don’t completely get that attitude, either. I am of the mind that you must earn your place in the order of things and must continue to work no matter what has happened in the past. For example, just because you are a trust fund baby born with a silver spoon in your mouth doesn’t mean you should automatically expect things be handed to you. That’s ridiculous. You end up lazy, complacent and a rather unproductive member of society that way, IMO.

I would also like to add, however, that although at present we do have somewhat of a climb to return to the "top of the mountain" as I described it above, there are some really attractive pieces in place right now that we can add to the pieces of the past that make the chances of us getting to the top of that darn mountain pretty good. ; )

by BigSkyCat on Oct 21, 2009 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Amen

sister! That is what I thought too. I am so tired of Kentucky not being at least talked about as a NC. We are not used to that and it was becoming to famaliar. Not since 04 have I heard dangerous and Kentucky mentioned in the same sentence.

Kentucky bretheren united once again! Thanks Cal!

by tenken on Oct 21, 2009 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Basketball Reality -- an early Fall

1. Coach Cal recently said this team might not even currently be Top 25 caliber.
2. the players, though probably tired and overwhelmed last Friday night, were less than stellar in many areas.

What happens if we get blown out by UNC and are upset a couple of times in November? And how will we all feel if the team falls from the top tier of the polls? And we have to deal with nay-saying from the press and the nuts on other blogs?
Anybody ready for that?

According to Cal’s assessment, we could possibly have to DEAL WITH “THAT”.

It’s been a fun summer, here at ASOB. The Summer’s optimism was uplifting after 4 years of disappointment. It is well founded under CoachCal; with Patterson and Wall. Come Spring, thing’s might look entirely different. But, are we ready for an early “Fall”?

It could happen. Just a thought: Maybe we should prepare for it.

No matter where you're at, there you are

by cincyblue on Oct 21, 2009 6:18 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Doubtful

Cats have Top 5 talent.

Calipari knows that.

by FortyYearCatFan on Oct 21, 2009 6:50 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Top Five Talent -- Agreed

But they have to become a team first. Cal’s gone on record numerous times saying, this team has a long way to go. He might be blowing smoke to lessen expectations — to cover his tail. I am saying we may need to expect a stumble or two in November — that could cause some who expect a near perfect season to think the-sky-is-falling. It’s OK. Pitino’s 96-97 team lost their first game as I recall. I remember hearing the score as I left a Garth Brooks concert up here in Cincy and telling my buddy, “man we’re going to stink”. I was a wee bit off base on that.

No matter where you're at, there you are

by cincyblue on Oct 21, 2009 7:28 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

At the concert

I had to put up with a Hoosier in the row above me insulting all the Kentucky’s hicks in the crowd. The drunk later spilled a beer down my back. We had some words. Actually, I had some sentences — the best he could do was words.

So we may lose a game or two early. By God, come December 12, I hope this team will be good enough to bury IU.

As a side note, I grew up on the KY-IN border. I’ve known many, many Hoosiers over the years and a couple were actually pretty nice folk. :) (just kidding, we’re all in this together)

No matter where you're at, there you are

by cincyblue on Oct 21, 2009 8:00 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Compare To 1980, 1993, Or 2005

Those teams were the combination of #1 recruiting classes (1979, 1992, 2004) and some returning talent from the prior years.

1980 = 29-6.

1993 = 30-4 and FF.

2005 = 28-6.

I expect very similar results, perhaps better than 1993 even.

by FortyYearCatFan on Oct 21, 2009 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

You are kidding yourself.

Patterson is the only upperclassman with top talent. Hence the challenge.

'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'

by HozeKing on Oct 21, 2009 11:38 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions   0 recs

Ditto

Macy in 1980. Mashburn in 1993. Hayes in 2005.

by FortyYearCatFan on Oct 21, 2009 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

It has been proved before you can win big with underclassmen

but this team has just enough jr/sr leadership, along with some interesting role players….and the right approach to win 38-40 games this year….and no I am not joking….I will take UK’s lineup, from 1st starter to last sub, and put it up against any team in the country……and never look back….Kansas compares, and MAYBE UNC….that’s it…..they may lose a game or two(and I think that will be all they lose), but I have no problem with comparing this team’s talent to anyone this year

Remember, we're having fun now!!!

by ALLBLUCAT on Oct 21, 2009 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

UK History

The Cats won big in 1946 and 47 with talented underclassmen. Ditto 1951.

The 62 and 68 Wildcats won because of talented underclassmen.

And several more recent examples, too.

by FortyYearCatFan on Oct 21, 2009 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think the Spartans tough small in number were talented, too.

And I’m not writing about MSU. It is ancient history though, so daggone it…..it has been done before.

'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'

by HozeKing on Oct 21, 2009 1:00 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions   0 recs

Talent > Experience

Most of the time.

Not always.

by FortyYearCatFan on Oct 21, 2009 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hoze

has a valid point there……….experience does count. Especially come tourney time.

Kentucky bretheren united once again! Thanks Cal!

by tenken on Oct 21, 2009 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Sometimes Not

UK was very experienced (and talented) in 2004.

Talent > experience most of the time.

by FortyYearCatFan on Oct 21, 2009 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Really??? Are you sure?

Is there any other teams out there? Does experience or returning talent mean anything to anyone?

'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'

by HozeKing on Oct 21, 2009 10:19 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions   0 recs

On the Joe B and Denny Show earlier this week...

A Louisivlle fan called in and was touting Jerry Smith and Edgar Sosa and talking about how he’d rather have the experience over talent. He then asked Coach Hall and Coach Crum for their opinion.

Before Coach Hall had a chance to even take a breath, Denny Crum said “You take the talent.”

Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."

by chirop1 on Oct 21, 2009 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I dont disagree.

UK has the #1 freshan class, but there are at least 3 othe classes. Now back in the old days when fresmen played freshmen, the national championship in this ‘category’ is much more reasonable.

'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'

by HozeKing on Oct 21, 2009 10:57 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions   0 recs

John Wooden Won 10 NCAA Titles Because He Had TALENT

Experienced talent is > than inexperienced talent.

But inexperienced talent > than limited talent, experienced or not.

by FortyYearCatFan on Oct 21, 2009 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Inexperiecd talent < experienced talent

Whoop-dee-do.

I’m just saying that other teams are not lacking talent. If you think UK has cornered the market on talent you’re kidding yourselves. UK is talented but young. Cal is trying to tell you that but you won’t listen. Again.

'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'

by HozeKing on Oct 21, 2009 11:25 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions   0 recs

Talent Beats Experience

UK is no younger than it was in 1980, 1993, or 2005. Each of those talented teams had very good seasons.

So SHOULD the 2010 Cats.

by FortyYearCatFan on Oct 21, 2009 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I don't think that's right.

You have a few fans who are over the top, but I think most understand the reality that as talented as the ’Cats are, there is much more to being a great college team than just talent.

With that said, extreme talent will win you games you should lose. It will take a North Carolina or Louisville to beat UK early in the season, I expect, and then only if the team is slow to gel.

Think of it this way — you could take the McDonalds all-American team and beat 75% of the teams in college, regardless of their experience. For all intents and purposes, that’s what you have with Kentucky, with the addition of a very experienced Patrick Patterson.

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Oct 21, 2009 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

A 75% winning percentage is likely reasonable.

Nice perspective and certainly more reasonable than all tis discussion of a Final Four being a fait acompli. Or more crazy, an undefeated season. That’s all.

'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'

by HozeKing on Oct 21, 2009 11:41 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions   0 recs

75% Is Clearly Not Going To Be Acceptable

80% minimum, perhaps even higher.

UK has done this in the past MANY times.

by FortyYearCatFan on Oct 21, 2009 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

We'd make the sweet 16 with Patterson and and a bunch of high school players

His talent and experience equal any five man team. He is good enough of a leader to overcome any inexperience problems we may have with our freshmen. I can remember a few stumbles with him and Stevenson that came only because they were young and getting bounced around by older bigger league players. That only needs to happen once or twice to a player in order to learn how to deal with it. I expect all of our freshmen to have similar stumbles, but I also expect Patterson to have them prepared mentally for the UNC/UConn/IN stretch of games.

by tyler cottrell on Oct 21, 2009 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ding...ding....ding!!!!

Perspective alert!!!

'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'

by HozeKing on Oct 21, 2009 11:43 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions   0 recs

Perspective?

I’m not familiar with that term.

by tyler cottrell on Oct 21, 2009 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Wooden won all those titles because he had years of constantly flowing talent across all the classes.

It’s laughable that you even compare UK to this reality on where UK stands now. Sheesh.

'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'

by HozeKing on Oct 21, 2009 11:45 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions   0 recs

Read What I Wrote And PLEASE Comprehend It

I said Wooden Won 10 Titles Because Of TALENT.

by FortyYearCatFan on Oct 21, 2009 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

You read yourself.

Talent over time + classes > freshman talent. Get it?

'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'

by HozeKing on Oct 21, 2009 11:54 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions   0 recs

Yes But Your Point Is Not Well Taken

Alcindor plus 4 intramural players wins BIG in 1967-68-69.

Ditto Walton (plus 4) in 1972-73-74.

Those UCLA teams were very talented but included a mixture of a few stars and mostly role players.

I followed those teams closely. You weren’t born yet.

Therefore I know > than you about UCLA in the 1964-75 era.

by FortyYearCatFan on Oct 21, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Two points:

1. Patterson ain’t no Walton or Alcindor.
2. Players like Wilkes weren’t all that weak.
3. You aren’t that much older.

Your lay-off is hurting your game.

'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'

by HozeKing on Oct 21, 2009 1:21 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions   0 recs

No Layoff Here

UCLA teams had a couple stars and lots of role players.

I followed them closely. You weren’t born yet.

Not that the latter would have mattered.

by FortyYearCatFan on Oct 21, 2009 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

depends

on the kid to be honest. There are so many variables there…….my experience in watching Cal’s teams is that the offense is tough to learn and fast paced. It takes time to get it together. I honestly can say that talent today is a whole lot different then talent was even five years ago……I think today’s talent can handle things better burt still I am worried come tourney time.

Kentucky bretheren united once again! Thanks Cal!

by tenken on Oct 21, 2009 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

In the "for what it's worth department" ...... MY opinion

I think that what will happen is that teams early on will be overwhelmed by the skill and speed of John Wall combined with inside domination by PPat … this will be during the “cupcake” part of the schedule – (it would not suprise me at all to see Wall take Jodie’s 54 point record) – hopefully during this phase, the team will hone their skills on the DDMO under “live fire” conditions. Later in the schedule when teams have film to watch, they’ll develop the John Wall “package” to try to stop him … by then, the other “stars” on this team will be ready to shine and we should win at least 30 and the SEC….

by ukcris on Oct 21, 2009 10:15 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

How will Wall break the record only playing 25 min/game?

'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'

by HozeKing on Oct 22, 2009 11:17 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions   0 recs

I Don't Often Agree With This Poster

But I do here. Wall won’t get near 54 points in any game this season.

by FortyYearCatFan on Oct 22, 2009 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

What's the basis?

Is it that there is to much talent on the team now for one player to have a big night? I might buy that …
I think there will be games where he is called on to break down defenses and score more than distribute- I also think he will get more than 25 min/game …

by ukcris on Oct 22, 2009 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Calipari Has Been Quoted

No UK player will get (much) more than 25 mpg in his DDMO.

by FortyYearCatFan on Oct 23, 2009 6:47 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Cal is trying to keep expectations as low as he can......

makes for a bigger splash when the season starts…..AND, he could be right, they may all be duds…….naaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh….he’s just pulling our legs……lol

Remember, we're having fun now!!!

by ALLBLUCAT on Oct 21, 2009 10:18 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

well

you make a very valid point. I think there is a strong danger that we will have a let down. I am reminded of the class of All Americans we got only to fall well low expectations for that class. We need to be sure to set realistic expectations. I think that not having Jodie hurt us pretty bad but I dont’ know how good these freshman are. I feel like Darius Miller has a strong chance of becoming our pure shooter like Jodie. I have watched Cal’s teams and will say that the dribble drive works well but it takes adjustment and I think he even said that expect turnovers early. We just cannot go into panic mode if we drop a few games before January. We must give him time.

Kentucky bretheren united once again! Thanks Cal!

by tenken on Oct 21, 2009 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Only Happened (Recently) In 1985 At UK

Cats had #1 recruits in 1984 yet struggled mightily in 1985.

by FortyYearCatFan on Oct 21, 2009 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Praise for Brooks

I loved this comment from the article in the State-Journal:

“Even as recently as two weeks ago there were at least some fans suggesting UK football hasn’t made progress under Brooks, which is a comment that falls well on the wrong side of ignorant.”

HA HA HA HA HA AHA!!! Too true!! Too true!!!

I LOVE COOKING WITH WINE
Sometimes I even put it in the food.

by bluecrip on Oct 21, 2009 9:52 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Love it.

Very nice.

Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.

by blbskue on Oct 21, 2009 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Speaking of officials

Just saw a headline about Spurrier fussing about tape for the kicker on Bama’s team being on the football????

Kentucky bretheren united once again! Thanks Cal!

by tenken on Oct 21, 2009 12:53 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

What more could you ask for..

Win the games you are supposed to win…be competetive against the “big boys”..do this and i’m a happy camper

by BlueOrion on Oct 21, 2009 1:07 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I'd just like to keep raising the bar

on who those teams are that we are “supposed to win”. There’s a big difference between supposed to win against EKU versus supposed to win against, say, South Carolina.

by hoboat33 on Oct 21, 2009 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

This won't end well

Tressel feeling the heat

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=4582474

First time I shot her, shot her in the side.
Hard to watch her suffer, but with the second shot she died...

by btcoop71 on Oct 21, 2009 1:19 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

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