Morning Newspaper for April 23nd, 2009
by Glenn Logan on Apr 23, 2009 8:18 AM EDT
in Kentucky Wildcats News
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Print[UPDATE 1]
This morining, The Hoops Report asks, "Is it too early to predict the 2010 Final Four?" Well, since we don't even know who will be playing for many top teams right now due to draft ambitions, I'm thinking, "probably." But what the heck, let's play along for the nonce. His picks are:
Kansas. It's easy to see why with the entire roster plus the Henrys back from a Sweet 16 appearance this year.
Duke. Yes, they will be very good, and if they were to somehow land John Wall, no doubt they belong here. But I really think the loss of Henderson will be felt much more than the author thinks.
Kentucky. His choice of Kentucky is predicated mostly on the return of both Patrick Patterson and Jodie Meeks, and I think that is right.
Texas. Again, Texas is largely predicated on what Damien James does during his flirtation with the NBA.
Washington is the first Pac-10 entry. The Huskies bring in some top talent along with key returning players.
California is next. California made a little noise in mid season but fell back. Next year they could stick.
North Carolina. This is very obvious. Quality recruits and returning players.
Clemson. Many good players returning.
Wake Forest's membership in this club is dependent upon Jeff Teague.
Xavier. I doubt this one due to the coaching change, but the talent is there.
Villanova. Definitely a contender, especially if Reynolds returns.
Michigan State. Probably would be the favorite along with Kansas and UNC if I were ranking them.
And now, the news.
Kentucky Basketball News
-
UK plays UConn next year in the SEC/Big-East invitational. As Dick Weiss says, it sounds delicious.
- Calipari's assistants get academic incentives. It's really nice to see that UK's APR score was in the top ten. It is disappointing that the basketball team was the only UK team to make the APR top ten.
- Stone Cold Sports has a debate about the same question so many other sportswriters have raised -- how long will it be before UK draws an NCAA investigation under Calipari? I find it interesting that Joe Dwyer thinks that the Kentucky fans and program will make sure that Calipari does not go off the reservation. I think he has a point.
- The Henry's putative decision to go to KU has affected several recruiting situations. Jerry Meyer of Rivals runs them down. Especially interesting is Meyer's comment that Coach Cal may snatch up one of Louisville's prime targets, Marquis Teague.
- [UPDATE 1] Henrys officially commit to Kansas.
- [UPDATE 1] Check out this poll.
- [UPDATE 1] Now we know why John Wall won't go to the NBA -- he promised his dad before he died that he wouldn't go straight from high school to the Association.
- [UPDATE 1] John Wall is above average. Video included. Plus, more from John Clay -- Wall says he is pretty close to making the call.
- [UPDATE 1] Memphis signee Darnell Dodson likely to follow Calipari to Kentucky
- [UPDATE 1] Some situational statistics on power forwards from Draft Express. Patrick Patterson converts 73% of his opportunities around the basket.
- [UPDATE 1] Hypocritical U of L fans?
Kentucky Football News
-
The Bulldogs Blog has an excellent interview with Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader discussing the status of the UK football team. This is a must-read with a ton of great insights.
- Aaron Boyd depends on his older brother Shane for advice and help. I can understand why Aaron feels a bit disappointed in last year, and I think given the setback with mononucleosis, many of our fans were surprisingly harsh in their criticism. I look for Aaron to make a real impact this year.
- Myron Pryor is ready to bring the heat.
- Mike Hartline finishes spring as the clear starting quarterback. He will have even more comp this fall when the two highly touted freshmen, Newton and Mossakowski, arrive on campus.
Other Kentucky Sports News
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#12 UK faces Arkansas in the first round of the SEC tennis tournament today.
-
Freshman pitcher Rachel Riley pitches a shutout in softball against EKU.
- Bat Cats drop another game, this time to Evansville. Kentucky travels to Tuscaloosa this weekend for a series with the Tide.
NCAA Sports News
- Tyler Smith takes the expected step of making himself available for the NBA draft.
- Louisville loses a committed recruit to -- Europe? Man, the Cards are just having all kinds of fun this off-season.
- [UPDATE 1] Nolan Dennis decides on Baylor.
- [UPDATE 1] Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington will announce this afternoon if they will return for their senior season at UNC.
Other News of Interest
- The Herald-Leader finally weighs in on Pitino, and it's John Clay.
- Eight entered for the Derby Trial. Derby day is rapidly approaching.
- The blonde and the damage done. I could write a 2000-word essay ripping Billy Reed's comments, but I don't have the desire to dedicate one microsecond to that douche.
- Good question.
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Tru, I understand your loathing of Billy Reed
So I did a little retort …..dont know if they will keep it up on his comments, but here it is. Didnt use your name….just gave him my thoughts….
Greg // Apr 23, 2009 at 8:01 am
Billy,
I am just curious…Rick and this woman obviously have SOMETHING between them. Assuming all facts in evidence right now, that may be nothing more than a FBI investigation right now, but that is the ONLY thing being told. I appreciate the fact that journalists should have to get verification of a story, and agree wholeheartedly.
Whatever this story ends up being, the only thing that is keeping it alive at this point are blogs, internet reports, newspaper stories, TV and radio shows and the like, so who is at fault here? You state that Fox 41 should be treated as an "accomplice of sorts", and they have done nothing more than put a face to the existence of the investigation, besides Coach Pitino’s.
Seems to me that you, every other blogger, website, newspaper, TV or radio show that talks about this has as much blame as Fox 41. Now, I consider Coach Pitino to be one of my lifelong heroes, and I have said it to anyone that will listen. However, in a situation involving legal proceedings he gets the same treatment as this woman does until something is proven one way or the other. I applaud Coach Pitino for going to the FBI to handle this situation. That says something to me right there. But until I know what happened, and all the information has been presented, I think that judgement, (and any further press coverage) should be held off.
Unfortunately you decided to continue putting this issue out there. I would think that silence would have been a better statement in support of Coach Pitino.
Also of note, why would the death of Coach Pitino’s brother-in-law raise your opinion of him? Sounds just a little too morbid to me. Mentioning that would do nothing but drag up bad memories for all involved. Stick to one story at a time.
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Well said
Couldn’t have said it any better myself!
by WildcatInHouston on Apr 23, 2009 9:47 AM EDT up reply actions
2010 FF
That’s an interesting mix of teams. I give Feldman credit for looking at teams beyond the usual suspects, but there are a few choices there that I find suspect.
Duke isn’t going to the FF next year. Last year’s squad was Gerald Henderson and a bunch of guys. Scheyer and Singler can’t carry this team. Tru, you are absolutely, positively spot on about the loss of Henderson. Without him, Duke would not have made the tournament last year – he’s that important to the team. I expect another first weekend exit for the Dookies next year.
Clemson isn’t going to the FF either. This will be their best team since the 96-97 season and as in that season I believe they’ll make it to the Sweet 16. And I (as well as all other Clemson fans) will be thrilled if that happens.
I have a hard time seeing Wake in this conversation too. Jeff Teague is important, but James Johnson was their best player last year IMO and he’s gone. I think Dino Gaudio is a terrific coach, and they’ve got some good talent but I don’t see a FF appearance next year, more like a S16.
I like important stuff just as much as the next guy, but please, for a little while, deliver us from meaning, baseball. That's your greatest glory, and we thank you for it very, very much. -- Craig Calcaterra
Hard to make a Final 4
when you don’t know who is coming back and who isn’t. But I guess you can when you give 15 possibilities.
Duke – just don’t see unless they get Wall and even though I still dont think they are athletic enough on the wings for big enough inside. Plumlee is another Kyle Singler not a Shelden Williams.
UNC – yes
Kentucky – yes, with another key signee and Meeks and Patterson back.
Clemson – No. they are the Tracy McGrady of the NCAA. Can’t get out of the 1st round.
That's a bogus classification of Clemson
They’ve played 2 NCAA games after a 10 year absence. The first loss came to a Villanova team that was WAY underseeded. That Nova squad should have been – at worst – a 7 seed. The loss to Michigan was more questionable, but Clemson had one of those games where nothing they shot would go in and Michigan’s defense had only a little bit to do with that. And don’t get me started on the ridiculous TO ejection – that was just absurd. Despite that, they still had a shot to send the game to overtime.
Clemson was still rebuilding from the utter devastation wreaked upon the program by Larry Shyatt. The last two seasons were part of that process. This year’s team will make the Sweet 16 (absent injuries).
I like important stuff just as much as the next guy, but please, for a little while, deliver us from meaning, baseball. That's your greatest glory, and we thank you for it very, very much. -- Craig Calcaterra
Shyatt has been gone for 6 years
Don’t get me wrong I think Oliver Purnell is a very good coach, but he has never won an NCAA Tournament game in five tries.
Could they make it to the Sweet 16 next year? Sure. Draw has a lot to do with it.
Are they one of the 16 best teams next year. Not so sure.
Coach Cal sure has us figured out
■ At a dinner with K-fund donors last week, John Calipari told the crowd he had been informed Las Vegas has North Carolina and Kentucky with the same odds of winning the NCAA title next year. Applause filled the room. But, Calipari cautioned, they haven’t seen UK practice.
You have to hand it to this guy, he is without a doubt, what fans and administrators were looking for…and I heard he has been looking for us, for 2 years, maybe longer….lol
Blue, there is no other color to Bleed !!!
Heh.
Yeah, I saw that one, too. I wonder how many of them actually heard it?
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Glenn Logan on Apr 23, 2009 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions
The question is....
did he say it to warn them about how bad we were, or how good??
Gotta love those open meaning answers of his…..makes for very entertaining reading!!
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
ABC,
remove that 3 letter word from your vocabulary, Please!!! :-)
Blue, there is no other color to Bleed !!!
oops.....sorry there a2
forgot that we were forgetting about that word…..it will never happen again!
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
Just letting you know, Tru
I do read all your links….lol…and always enjoy them, too….
Blue, there is no other color to Bleed !!!
Forde On Pitino
Pat Forde who spent a few years in Louisville and is a co-author with Pitino spent 5 hours with Karen Sypher and family. According to Twitter his report will be up later today on ESPN.
Be careful of wanting it all now.....
Cal does not work miracles people.
It took him nearly 10 years to turn Memphis from NIT team to Final Four; and he needed the BEST player in America, Derrick Rose, for that run.
He is a great recruiter and maybe that can eventually bring HIM a title.
However remember at this point he still has zero National titles lifetime and HE is the highest paid college BB coach in America!
Full Cabinet
If the cabinet was full,how did this team miss the NCAA? I wouldn’t say it was full,far from it ,but Cal is well on his way restocking some shelves. And those shelves were a little dusty.
by maysvilleblue on Apr 23, 2009 9:12 PM EDT up reply actions
You need to look at the bigger picture
I’m talking about talent (including recent Cal’s recruits), facilities, national exposure (which helps recruiting). That, combined with a new style of play that is more appropriate for most players on the roster, and you have a situation that cannot BEGIN to compare with what Cal had when he started at Memphis.
Cartier Rice And Danny Trevathan
Larry Vaught reports on two young players expected to have important roles in upcoming football season: redshirt Rice and sophomore Trevathan.
UK is not Memphis
Not saying that he will turn things around over night but UK is a far cry from Memphis 9 years ago. Our facilities are unsurpassed and our exposure on a national level is only exceeded by a very few teams. I dont think it will take Cal more than a couple years at the most to get things rolling as far as competing for (not necessarilly winning national championships).
DEEETROIT BASKETBALLL!!!
Yes I think he will have UK competing in the next few years but facilities and exposure will only help with recruiting, which is Cal’s strength anyway.
I believe Memphis has great facilities with an NBA arena and new, ultra-modern practice facility. They also had sold-out season tickets. He had signed the arguably the best class in history and with the returnees was not predicted to win it all.
Now at UK, he has lost all but probably two of them (Cousins, Dodson)
Kentucky does have great tradition but how does that translate to wins now?
I am just cautioning that Cal is not instant National Championship.
Is success to the level of Tubby Smith now the standard?
It's not ALL about....
the coach….KY tradition is embedded deep down in the soul of those who choose to put on the blue and white jerseys. Past, present and future….That is the most overlooked element of KY tradition…..It is a fact…IMO
It doesn’t translate to, all about winning on the scoreboard….It is all about being proud to say, “I am a KY Wildcat.” And if winning turns into banners or trophies or titles, then the pride only grows from there….
Take for instance, when Jodie broke Dan Issel’s record this year at TN….Sure, beating TN was great, and Jodie scoring like he did was great. But did he say “Look at me?” NO He just couldn’t believe that he was included in some of KY’s greatest names of all time…..I call it, Wildcat Pride…
Blue, there is no other color to Bleed !!!
remember something there a2
Jodie’s a good kid…..a really good kid…..I think he’d have been humble if he broke one of Pistol Pete’s SEC records….he’s just that way, but you are right…..pride has to enter in to it somewhere….you have to have something deep inside to draw from when you have nothing else left in the tank….
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
National Championship
Memphis has great facilities now not nine years ago. Calipari made those facilities happen and didnt have them to play with when he first got to Memphis. He has all that in place at UK before he even set foot on campus. UK’s two incoming recruits Orton and Hood that Cal is adding Cousins and Dodson to arent exactly walk ons. He will get things going by year three minimum. I expect he will be very successfull right of the bat. That doesnt mean however that I expect him to win a national championship in the next two years.
DEEETROIT BASKETBALLL!!!
Tru, that poll
in your update, really made me laugh out loud when I saw the results….I think it is fair to say that KY fans always show up in big numbers….. :-)
Blue, there is no other color to Bleed !!!
In Case Anyone Is Interested
Xavier Henry makes it officially KU, plus GJ Vilarino will visit Gonzaga.
Lawson and Ellington headed for the draft
In other shocking news, the sun rose in the east, water is wet, and the Pope is Catholic.
I like important stuff just as much as the next guy, but please, for a little while, deliver us from meaning, baseball. That's your greatest glory, and we thank you for it very, very much. -- Craig Calcaterra
Heh.
I figured that. I still imagine there is a bit of hand-wringing going on in Carolina over it. :-)
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
I doubt it
It was a pretty big deal when they came back last year, and they won a championship. I would bet most Carolina fans are perfectly happy with 3 years and wish them well, in much the same way we will should Patterson decide to go pro.
I like important stuff just as much as the next guy, but please, for a little while, deliver us from meaning, baseball. That's your greatest glory, and we thank you for it very, very much. -- Craig Calcaterra
Does Lawson’s decision impact Wall’s? And is there any truth to the rumor that Tyler Hansbrough has changed his name and reapplied to UNC as a freshman?
You know, because he’s going to get his hat handed to him at the next level.
by IgnatiusJReilly on Apr 23, 2009 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions
haha
“I could write a 2000-word essay ripping Billy Reed’s comments, but I don’t have the desire to dedicate one microsecond to that douche.” hahahahaha that is so awesome
Tru on Billy Reed
I had to laugh at that also. Tru does not mince words on his opinion and that’s for sure.
I know I am being biased here
but I have looked at Wall’s videos…I have looked at Lebron’s as well….and I went back and looked at some Jordan video from NC….I honestly believe he is better than those two at the same point in their careers. He is I believe, the best I have ever personally laid eyes on. Unless all of his competition is just pathetic, which still wouldnt account for some of his athletic ability, he is head and shoulders above anyone else I have seen at his age.
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
He can do everything...
…except reliably hit a jump shot. Like Rondo, he’s so fast that it doesn’t matter, and he has a better shot than Rondo did at that point in his career. I don’t think he’s as good as Lebron was his senior year, but I didn’t watch enough of Lebron back then or Wall right now to make that comparison. Highlight videos aren’t very good methods of evaluating overall talent, at least not good enough to make comparisons like that.
I will say this, however: that highlight video is the best highlight video of any high school player I’ve ever seen.
He’s absurdly talented and will excel anywhere, but where he’ll excel the most is at Kentucky. I like our chances right now.
by BBallSophist on Apr 23, 2009 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions
My recollection is ...
… that LeBron’s jump shot was suspect at this point in his career. Is my memory flawed?
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
You're correct.
I think it was better than Wall’s is currently, though. Still, I didn’t see either of them play enough to say that with any certainty.
by BBallSophist on Apr 24, 2009 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions
Lebron's jumpshot is suspect at this very minute.
Dont get me wrong it’s gotten better but if he could shoot like Kobe can he would be the greatest player of all time. His jumper and free throw shooting are the weakest part of his game. Admittedly he’s still very young though.
DEEETROIT BASKETBALLL!!!
The kid seems to be able to
do it all…drive, score, pass, block, steal, and looks like executing the DDMO is no problem. He is so fast on the court, too. I hope no one takes this the wrong way, you know I am totally a UK fan, but, I am looking forward to watching him play, wherever he chooses….aagghh, I did not say that !!!!!
Lord, please don’t let it be Duke or North Carolina or Kansas or Memphis or Baylor or NC State or Florida……. :-)
Blue, there is no other color to Bleed !!!
prognosticators
UK in the lead, followed by Florida, Duke and NC State….Kansas, Memphis, Miami and Baylor will be bye-bye after this weekend…maybe even State…UNC won’t even enter the picture…Larry Drew won’t take too kindly to being pushed to the bench…plus the whole Clifton saga…
Football
It’s great to see Shane helping his younger brother develop his skills. Aaron had a setback last year with mono and I am hoping to see a big improvement this year. Isn’t it nice to see a loving and caring relationship between the two?
It makes me laugh and still feel very fortunate that my younger brothers came to my defense when I needed them during my first marriage…of course Mom was the leader lol.
Blue - White Teams
The Wildcat draft is complete and the teams are chosen. After close evaluation, well, after reading the names, my money is on Blue.
Blue-White Scrimmage
Should be a good game. I am hoping for a big turnout for Brooks and Company as the weather is supposed to be sunny and in the 80’s. Enjoy Wildcat fans!
One of the names
of the kids on the White team is Trevino Woods…..please tell me this kid plays golf in the off season?….With his age there is no way that the parents could have known is there….too cool
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
Cats Fans Not Alone In Noah "Hate"
Great piece by Bill Simmons on Celtics vs Bulls including salute to Rondo. Part 10 has this on Joakim Noah:
So under that umbrella, I present you with the following statement: I hate Joakim Noah. I hate looking at him. I hate his hair. I hate how he dunks. I hate the way he high-fives. I hate every reaction he has. I hate his game. I hate the way announcers pronounce his name. I hate the story that I’ve heard a million times about his tennis-playing father.
hahaha WW....funny funny piece....
He sure doesn’t like Noah, though that is probably an understatement……
Not going against you, or anything, but I am going with Joker and the white for Saturday…..either way UK wins……:-)
Blue, there is no other color to Bleed !!!
Great find!
Here is my favorite part:
Little does [Noah] know, but I already exacted my revenge on him a few months ago, when I took my daughter to a Clippers-Bulls game. She was entranced by Noah’s hair for some reason and asked me in all seriousness, “Is that a girl?” I thought it would be funny to convince her that, yes, Joakim Noah was a girl. She didn’t fully believe me for about a quarter. By the end of the game, Noah was her favorite player and she was excited that girls could play in the NBA. We came home and she said, “Mommy, we saw a girl play at the Clippers game!” My wife thought it was evil that I did this. She made me feel bad. Now I feel happy. I love that it happened. Just retelling the story makes me happy. I hate Joakim Noah.
I could just read that over and over again. :-)
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Nice Smackdown
by Boston last night too…..quite a few had them written off….lol….Rondo is playing like an MVP since Garnett’s injury….impresses me with him even more….did I hear right, that he is AVERAGING a triple -double in the series?….nice
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
That is so so funny....
I think it is the funniest thing I have ever read about Noah…..
Blue, there is no other color to Bleed !!!
Pat Forde/ESPN Pitino/Sypher
Mostly previous-plowed terrain but a bit more human insight.
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