The Big Blue Daily Mail -- Big Blue Everywhere Edition
Today's edition of the Big Blue Daily Mail comes near the end of a four-day stretch in which Kentucky continues to win games in every discipline -- men's basketball on Friday, football on Saturday and women's basketball on Sunday.
Tonight, the Wildcats welcome the Miami (OH) Redhawks into Rupp Arena for a men's basketball contest that will see John Wall and Eric Bledsoe play together for the first time this season. I expect some serious fireworks as UK puts its best team on the floor.
After Xavier Henry's 27-point performance on Friday night, some are now hoping that Wall will somehow improve on that. Not only is that not necessary, it is not even desirable. College basketball is a team game, and what I hope to see tonight is team basketball -- and I expect I will.
Midnight tonight marks the beginning of the 24 hours of hoops marathon on the ESPN family of TV stations. Rush the Court, incredibly, will be live-blogging the entire marathon. All I can say is, "You go, guys." Be sure to check back with them frequently to find out what's happening from work.
The news follows the jump.
- Wildcat Blue In a Sea of Orange: What a difference a Cobb and Locke make! UK becomes bowl eligible with 24-13 win over Vandy
I know that a lot of Kentucky fans are impatient to take the next step and they are now even questions the strength of schedule that allows UK to become bowl eligible. I have said before that as long as Florida can compete for national titles and be a top the BCS polls by playing 3 patsies and FSU every year, I have no problem at all with UK playing UL and teams like EKU and WKU.
Paul makes a great point here. For the schedule detractors, keep in mind that many successful teams in the SEC use the same strategy as UK. - Wildcat Blue In a Sea of Orange: Will other prospects join Stacey Poole in early signing period?
Paul Jordan and Wildcat Blue in a Sea of Orange bring us a good recruiting update. - RedHawks will have their hands full at No. 4 UK
"Kentucky ... I don’t know if we’ve played anybody that talented before," Coles said. "It’s by far the best freshman group we’ve ever gone up against."
UK probably has the best freshman group in at least the last 20 years. - UK's Wall ready for college debut | KentuckySports.com
With his belated college debut at hand, Kentucky freshman John Wall expects to be nervous at tip-off Monday night against Miami (Ohio).
"If you don't have jitters going into a game, you're not a basketball player," he said Sunday.
Heh. I agree, especially when you are going to be playing under an electron microscope and expected to jump over tall players with a single bound. - Danny Jett's Inner Circle: A Redhawk Review......A Look At Miami (OH)
- Vols lose to Ole Miss: 3 Tennessee football players arrested could have caused loss
Excuses, excuses. - Rush The Court " Blog Archive " Morning Five: 11.16.09 Edition
There will be no criminal charges filed stemming from the brawls between the Kansas football and basketball teams on September 22 and 23 of this year, but it would have been nice if Bill Self had taken more of an active role in punishing those responsible.
Offered without comment. - Rumely sets UK assist mark | courier-journal.com | The Courier-Journal
- Heels hang on to beat Valparaiso - North Carolina - NewsObserver.com
The sixth-ranked Tar Heels (3-0) managed to top Valparaiso 88-77 Sunday at the Smith Center, but if their performance continues to look effort-less instead of effortless, it could be a bumpier-than-expected season for what's left of the defending national champions.
UNC will get better. Don't get cocky. - 5 things to watch this week - Beyond the Arc - msnbc.com
Let the hype begin!
Two heralded freshmen make their debuts Monday: Kentucky’s John Wall and Cincinnati’s Lance Stephenson. Expect fireworks from both.
Indeed. - Cats fans to see full backcourt | courier-journal.com | The Courier-Journal
Wall, a 6-foot-4 point guard, is regarded as the nation's best incoming freshman.
He'd have to put on quite a show, though, to have the season's splashiest debut.
I just want the guy to play well. Forget Xavier Henry's great performance, just go out there and play. - Miami (Ohio)-Kentucky Preview - Nov. 15, 2009 - NCAA Division I Mens Basketball - CBSSports.com
Behind one of its talented freshmen, Kentucky played well in its season opener. Things could go even better when its top recruit finally takes the court. - UK notes: Miller 'trying to figure it out' | KentuckySports.com
Miller said he couldn't explain his slow start to the season: averaging 7.5 points in two exhibition games and then going scoreless (and taking only four shots) in 32 minutes against Morehead State.
Darius Miller is a great player, he just has to be more aggressive offensively. - CatsPause.com - Calipari warns 'old school' Miami will be challenge
"They have a nice little scheme that they are running. It looks a lot like a Florida team," UK coach John Calipari said Sunday. "If you try to go under, they roll. They'll slip the screen. A lot of the stuff is the same as the way Florida plays." - March Madness All Season: Friday, Nov. 13 Observations
- UK notebook: 'D' is key to Cal's success | KentuckySports.com
Despite the hubbub about Kentucky players needing to adjust to the dribble-drive offense, ESPN analyst Jay Bilas says there's a bigger — and more important — adjustment the Wildcats must make for new coach John Calipari this season.
"I think that biggest adjustment will be on defense," Bilas said on an ESPN teleconference last week. "Cal's teams won over the years not because of offense."
Bilas, as usual, gets it right. - No. 1 Jayhawks in Tigers' sights "
"Yeah, it's been a while since Memphis has been an underdog, so a lot of people will be rooting for us," junior guard Roburt Sallie said. "It should be an exciting game. Everybody wants to see the No. 1 team go down." - Miami’s point guard, defense worry Calipari | Vaught's Views
- Wildcat Blue In a Sea of Orange: Calipari still mum on Liggin's status
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24 comments
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Comments
Go Cats!!
I am SO ready for tonight!
It is not worth an intelligent man’s time to be in the majority. By definition, there are already enough people to do that.
by kentuckygirl0724 on Nov 16, 2009 9:10 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I noticed something over the weekend about college basketball
for all of the recruting experts and all of their talk and concerns and hype…..every one of the so-called “questionable” recruits has been enrolled somewhere and we have heard nothing of any NCAA penalties or suspensions, with the exception of John Wall’s 2 game deal. No problems with Lance Stephenson, or the kid at Miss St. or any of the other “tainted” recruits. Guess there was more hype to their problems than substance.
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
by ALLBLUCAT on Nov 16, 2009 9:48 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Tennessee loses to Ole Miss
OK….TRU was right I was wr……wr……..wr……you know what I mean.
Darius Miller is going to be fine, as he learns his way into being aggressive. I think he needs Patterson to sit him down and tell him how much it has helped him….or maybe he will just see it??
UNC WILL get better….they always do…..Roy Williams is Pitino-like in one way….he will allow his team to struggle through an opponent to get a point across….I would say that got their attention.
I have heard all the he said-she said about whether we will be better with Newton than Hartline or not….fact is now, that Newton must play, and play well if we are to stand a chance against the other two opponents we face. Our running game is spectacular for here at Kentucky….matter of fact, it aint too shabby for anywhere. Georgia and UT are going to jam up the line of scrimmage and cut off those outside corner lanes to keep Locke and Cobb penned up…..we better be able to open them if we want a shot at winning. I hate that they tried to bring Hartline back too soon.I wish Newton had more time to get ready for them, but ready or not…..Georgia is Saturday…..let’s go roast us a “hot” dog.
Wish Memphis would let Kansas have it…….just for a little of the Daily Schaden….whatever the devil that is…..lol……my honest assessment is that Miami wont score over 50 tonight……and we will…. ;-)
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
by ALLBLUCAT on Nov 16, 2009 10:00 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I like Miller. I really do.
I KNOW he has skills. I’m just saying that, in my opinion, he looks exactly the same as he did last year.
It is not worth an intelligent man’s time to be in the majority. By definition, there are already enough people to do that.
by kentuckygirl0724 on Nov 16, 2009 11:27 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
youre right Tink....he does, but I think it is honestly just a case of not wanting
to be a negative instead of a positive. He has never been a prima donna, and it doesnt suit him to be that aggressive….he likes to “fit in”….Cal will get him aggressive enough in time….
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
by ALLBLUCAT on Nov 16, 2009 11:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Team basketball is
always the most fun to watch. My mind has questioned whether we will see a lot of it or not. (Me really hopes we do.) Friday night’s assist numbers from our point has me wondering, wondering and wondering some more.
Tonight should really help me determine whether the DD could possibly be a pass killer. I remember hearing Cal during the game yell “SHOOT”. Not once did I hear “pass it”. I want the blind look passes from behind the back….LOL…..I will be okay….I still love it.
Can we have a superman on both teams, Tru? Have we ever seen that? I love the ‘little’ guys we watch on Saturdays. They may look smaller when the team is huddled, but they are just as big inside. Exactly how they should feel too.
RTC, 24 hour live-blogging marathon? I am anxious to see if I can keep up with 3 basketball games and one football game this week. :-)
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
by a2d2 on Nov 16, 2009 10:50 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Bowl Game!
Any one can play the likes of Eastern, Western and Norfork State.
The question is, do they need these wins to get to the sacred six win catagory? Think Kentucky could get there without the ‘buy wins’? Florida doesn’t need to play them, but they can us them to get their younger players some game time. Didn’t the Cats still have the first team in late in the game against Miami of OHIO? We needed to get the frist team ready to blou out Louisville by four.
Winning two conference games a year is not quite what I would consider gaining respect. If we go on and beat Georgia and Tennessee, then we’ve improved Beat either one of them and we have improved. Lose to both, nope, not in your wildest dreams.
Brooks and Barnhart got their bonuses. A bowl game. Isn’t that all that matters?
I have be correctly accused of having a 'football fetish'. You know, someone who doesn't think football is the warm up sport to basketball season.
by ParisGuy on Nov 16, 2009 10:51 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Truthfully Paris I think they could, but they wont.....If teams like Florida and Bama are going to schedule these cupcakes, then we will too
It wont change unless they ban those types of games from counting towards the school’s win total, and the NCAA isnt going to do that.
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
by ALLBLUCAT on Nov 16, 2009 11:56 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Bowl games
are all that matters when you are trying to overcome the stigma of being a “basketball school”. Now with the 4th straight bowl, this kids that are sophomores and juniors and such and are just starting to look at where they want to go to college will go “wow, UK. They make a bowl every year. Let me visit them”.
It’s small steps…
http://wildcatblueblog.com
by PJordan32746 on Nov 16, 2009 2:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Was at the game Saturday.
Again, not impressed with our coaching. The move to Hartline was just inexplicable in my book.
What a running game though. What always tickles me about attending games is the experts sitting around you. This one guy kept hollering in the first half “throw the ball down the field”…after the two picks, he pretty much shutup. We were running the ball too well to risk turnovers and sacks.
It’s always refreshing to go to a road game and see more blue than the opposing team’s colors. I would have been embarrassed if I was a vandy fan.
by daniel81 on Nov 16, 2009 11:08 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
They learned their lesson on Saturday, Daniel, causing Hartline to have to go into
surgery should be lesson enough…..but they got their heads on straight in time to pull it out….lol
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
by ALLBLUCAT on Nov 16, 2009 11:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah that's a tough break
For Hartline. But I think Newton is the qb now and of the future. He’s able to break plays when it breaks down, not a bad receiver either.
by daniel81 on Nov 16, 2009 3:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Try Georgia for atmosphere
Go to Athens this weekend. You’ll see some red. A bunch of red. And a white bull dog that has been known to bite opposing players when they score.
A great atmosphere. SEC style fun and I think you’ll see just what we need at Kentucky as far as tailgating.
Nothing beats going to the real football schools in the south and seeing the fun they have in the parking lots
This stull is a ‘religion’ to those fans.
I have be correctly accused of having a 'football fetish'. You know, someone who doesn't think football is the warm up sport to basketball season.
by ParisGuy on Nov 16, 2009 11:21 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
As a UGA alum...
It really is a great town if you’ve never been. It goes without saying that we live and die football, but Athens is such a special place if you can make the trip. Occasionally we’ll get a bad rep when we play rivals, but I expect this weekend to be fun and care free. We got the monkey off our back for now, so I would expect our team to come out relaxed and ready (hopefully not looking forward to the Tech game the following week). As passionate and knowledgeable as UK fans are about basketball, UGA fans are about football. Don’t ask any of us to name our starting 5 on the hard court.
It’s been relatively easy for me growing up a UK basketball fan and attending UGA as their sports prowness generally doesn’t overlap. I’ll root for UK every game but this one.
Should be a fun night between the hedges.
by JRod1229 on Nov 16, 2009 1:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I thought they broke UGA from biting people????......lol
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
by ALLBLUCAT on Nov 16, 2009 11:59 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Its a different Uga now.
Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."
by chirop1 on Nov 16, 2009 1:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Regarding Darius Miller....
The only sure way to fail is not to try.
GO BIG BLUE!!
by bluebloodtoo on Nov 16, 2009 12:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I haven't posted 4 times since joining this great site, but
damn, that was funny!
by bradcatfan on Nov 16, 2009 5:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Welcome!
Glad to have you with us.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Truzenzuzex on Nov 16, 2009 6:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Bubba and Earl
I’m reminded of a story by the late Lewis Grizzard about Bubba and Earl going to a Georgia football game. During a timeout Uga went out on the field, sat down and started doing to himself what dogs often do. Earl said, “I wish I was able to do that” and Bubba said, “You could, but Uga would bite you.”
by UKCat on Nov 16, 2009 2:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
LMAO......ROTFLMAO.......
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
by ALLBLUCAT on Nov 16, 2009 2:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
see above post
That’s why I don’t post often, sorry
by bradcatfan on Nov 16, 2009 5:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Whew!!!
I was really hoping that was a mistake… I didn’t intend for mine (above) to be funny. LOL
GO BIG BLUE!!
by bluebloodtoo on Nov 16, 2009 6:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That one is
always good for a belly bustin laugh.
by kywineman on Nov 16, 2009 4:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

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