Sunday Morning Newspaper for April 5th, 2009
by Glenn Logan on Apr 5, 2009 6:36 AM EDT
in Kentucky Wildcats News
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PrintThe big news of this morning is that the NCAA championship game is now set, and it will be Michigan State and North Carolina. I saw all of the Michigan State game, and came away more impressed than ever at the coaching talents of Tom Izzo. Maybe it's just me, but that game looked like anything but the plodding, half-court style that had been so many Kentucky fans' justification for not wanting to invite Izzo to run our men's basketball program. In fact, Calhoun's Huskies looked more like a plodding, half-court plow-horse, and the Spartans looked more like a racehorse. Congratulations to the Huskies for a great season, and the Spartans for a great victory.
I understand North Carolina won the second game, but I was not conscious for the second half of that one. I spent all day doing yard work yesterday, and that plus a big, bone-in ribeye was just too much for me.
And now, the news:
Kentucky Basketball
- Jason Whitlock says that Kansas fans can root for Roy Williams. The big news in this article comes here:
Yeah, I'm sure this will happen. These guys really don't want to play basketball, they want to compete with each other and spend a lot of time riding the pine. Not.Well, I had a coach swear to me early Friday morning over drinks at the Canadian Ballet that Lance Stephenson would join Henry at Kansas. Yes, Stephenson and Henry play the same position. Yes, Stephenson, Rivals.com’s No. 9 player and No. 2 big guard, delayed committing to Kansas once it became obvious Henry might join the Jayhawks.
OK, here’s the kicker. Daniel Orton, Rivals.com’s No. 22 player and a Kentucky-Gillispie recruit, is allegedly considering asking Kentucky for a release and signing with the Jayhawks. Orton is a 6-10 post player.
I suppose anything could happen when it comes to an 18-year old kid making a decision. I just don't a) see Orton leaving and b) see Stephenson and Henry going to the same place. It could happen. I could flap my arms and fly to the moon. I consider the above scenario only marginally more likely. - I do believe Xavier Henry will eventually sign with Kansas.
- Mike Pratt is very impressed with John Calipari. It's interesting the comparison between his impressions of Gillispie's desire to come to UK vs. those of Calipari.
- Ashley Judd thinks John Calipari is pretty. I'm sure the reverse is true, as well.
- Those who climb to the highest heights have the furthest to fall, and sometimes that's what happens.
- Calipari relishes UK stratosphere. Welcome to Mount Olympus, coach. Enjoy those robes while you can, and you can as long as you win.
- The SBN Washington State blog, CougCenter, thinks WSU should take a look at Gillispie.
- John Clay says that recruits should have unrestricted freedom to transfer after a coaching change. I agree. Putting restrictions on transfers looks like questionable ethics to me.
- Steve Moline has some first impressions of Coach Cal.\
- Scott Padgett wants a shot at assisting Calipari.
Other Kentucky Sports
- Ole Miss wins a series over UK in baseball. Baseball isn't exactly setting the world on fire this year. Maybe losing John Cohen really did make a difference.
- UK football notebook. Consider me still a Hartline skeptic, but the news on the receivers has been good, particularly EJ Fields.
- Alfonso Smith is raising his game.
Discuss, and treat as an open thread. I'll be golfing this morning.
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I hadn't really noticed it previously...
but Waits’ article on Gillispie’s rise and fall points out that Gillispie is truly an embodiment of the Peter Principle, the organizational concept that workers are continually promoted until they reach one level beyond the ideal fit for their talent and skills – until they reach their level of “incompetence.”
"The employee’s “incompetence” is not necessarily exposed as a result of the higher-ranking position being more difficult — simply, that job is different from the job in which the employee previously excelled, and thus requires different work skills, which the employee usually does not possess."
Gillispie has many wonderful skills and talents – here’s wishing him the best in finding that ideal match once again!
Interesting And Valid
Excellent observation and derivation, TXCat, I’ve made the exact deduction myself regarding other UK hires and put forth the same comment dozens of times in many media. It’s my hope that we don’t see further repeats in misjudgment by the University.
Other Hires?
I know who you mean by that.
Sorry but no comparison between the two. One was successful although not so much at the end.
The other (Gillispie) was a miserable failure from Day 1. You and your group of Alums And Fraternity Brothers are part of the reason UK hired him.
by FortyYearCatFan on Apr 5, 2009 7:02 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm Quite Sure Not
Mitch botched the Gillispie and DeMoss hires but succeeded with Brooks and Calipari.
by FortyYearCatFan on Apr 5, 2009 10:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Demoss
How can you say Mitch botched the DEmoss hire. She was great for women’s hoops and there was no one out there with a bigger name willing to take the job. It’s unfortunate she didnt want to stay. If you asked me he botched the Mitchell hire though.
DEEETROIT BASKETBALLL!!!
She's Not Here Any More
She left pretty quickly. I don’t know much about Mitchell. Doubt UK was expecting DeMoss to leave.
We know Mickie. Last I talked to her (a few years ago), she really liked being at UK.
by FortyYearCatFan on Apr 5, 2009 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions
i'd say mitch got lucky with Brooks...
…since he wasn’t even contacting Brooks for the hire but just for suggestions. In getting Calipari it was others, most notably Pratt, that came to his rescue.
Credit Where Due
Mitch hired him and stuck by Brooks when some were longing for the Baylor coach.
And he recognixed his 2007 mistake and corrected it in 2009. Credit where due 2 him.
by FortyYearCatFan on Apr 6, 2009 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions
A miserable failure from day one?
That is a pretty harsh thing to say about a man that was co-coach of the year last year – and before you say that conference coach award doesnt mean anything I call total BS on that. May not be national coach of the year but it sure as heck does mean something.
You have posted comments on here that Gillispie is a good coach – just a bad fit for UK. That is a pretty big leap from a miserable failure from day one.
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 Apr 6, 2009 8:34 AM EDT up reply actions
Indeed He Was (At UK)
He is a good coach. But he never belonged at UK. Even he recognized that. Google and read some stories from Texas newpapers in early 2007. One in particular was a Dallas Morning-News story in February 2007.
I’ve read a story that he re-contacted Texas A&M during his first few days at UK to see if he could return to TAMU.
UK was 18-13 in 2008 mostly due to injuries. But UK had a terrible start (6-7 in OOC schedule) that could be seen as a failure from the Get Go.
You may see it differently. I don’t think many will have fond memories of 2008 or 2009 in future years. Thankfully Mitch and Dr Todd recognized their mistake and corrected it.
by FortyYearCatFan on Apr 6, 2009 8:45 AM EDT up reply actions
Andy Katz interview with Cal on SportsCenter
It’s going to be on at some point this hour, maybe in the next few minutes after I post this, but I’m not sure.
Turned out to be pretty abbreviated
It was just a few short parts out of the Katz article Tru linked to above.
by WildcatFanInDC on Apr 5, 2009 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions
Cal CBS interview yesterday
Interesting comment about players not being miserable in Feb. because of lack of playing time. There are several current UK players that very well might be miserable and are unlikely to play well in the DDMO. Three players that I can think of (off the top of my head) Porter, Stevenson, Harellson.
I Think Seniors Are Unlikely To Leave
Harrellson, much more likely to leave.
by FortyYearCatFan on Apr 5, 2009 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions
Were I King
Or perhaps just a dictator where I had no concern other than the end I would revoke the scholarships of Porter, Stevenson, Stewart, Harrellson, and possibly Galloway. Of course that is not the case and even if it was one would have to consider the advice of that unlikely commentator Leon Trotsky who said of such a situation:
"The end may justify the means as long as there is something that justifies the end."
In this case and taking the long view there is nothing to justify such an end, thus we’re limited to using another metric to determine roster and playing time — the always appropriate “coach’s decision”.
I'm Utterly Glad You Have No Involvement With The UK Program
Very grateful that UK will never listen to you and those like you.
by FortyYearCatFan on Apr 5, 2009 7:03 PM EDT up reply actions
FortyYear...
Can you possibly drop the past and be nice to our fellow member?
You both have a lot to contribute to this site w/o the venom you display.
Read What Was Posted
Revoke the scholarships (mostly in their SENIOR years) of 5 UK players.
Why? Did they do something wrong? No. Academics? No. Off-the-court issues? No.
It’s utterly despicable.
by FortyYearCatFan on Apr 5, 2009 7:24 PM EDT up reply actions
It won't happen
Most of us know that. Did you read and comprehend what he actually said? Not just the first few words.
Shouldn't Even Be Discussed Or Mentioned
Players will decide what they want to do.
Revoke scholarships? Only if deserved for academics, off-the-court issue, etc.
by FortyYearCatFan on Apr 5, 2009 7:37 PM EDT up reply actions
You cant tell people what to discuss on a blog
You may disagree with him. That’s fine to express but unless your Tru I dont think you can tell people what to discuss and what not to on a blog.
DEEETROIT BASKETBALLL!!!
You need to mend some fences
With WW IMO to make this blog more enjoyable.
The past is gone with Tubby and Coach G as well.
One Of Those 2 Was Successful At UK
The other simply was not.
They don’t belong in the same sentence.
by FortyYearCatFan on Apr 5, 2009 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Tru
Thanks for once again, for providing UK folks with a variety of links to view as we start our day.
Spork sent SOB the Whitlock link last night. I agree the report sounds very unlikely, Hilbert
wrote at the end of the report that Whitlock was liquoring up his sources. If true, I think that explains the story.
My thoughts
I agree that players shouldn’t be restricted regarding transferring. After all, they did sign with the coach, not so much the team.
I really feel sorry for the Memphis fans and the team because I (and all other UK fans know) what it feels like to lose your superstar coach. It just sucks for them. He is not only a phenom bball coach, but also an amazing and tenderhearted man by what I’ve seen and heard during the past week.
Regarding Ashley Judd……I read in a magazine during a movie filming it was rather chilly outside and someone offered her a jacket which just so happened to be a UNC jacket…..to which she replied she’d rather “freeze to death” than wear it.
Tru,
Let me just say that ribeyes are the ONLY steak I’ll eat. We always buy whole ribeyes when they’re on sale….at one point this year we had over 40 in the deep freeze!
NLOI Rules State > U Sign With School, Not Coach
If player doesn’t agree, then don’t sign LOI.
by FortyYearCatFan on Apr 5, 2009 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions
Good Lord
Yes theoretically the student DOES sign with the school, but the coach is who sells them on coming there.
All I’m saying is the students that signed WOULDN’T HAVE SIGNED if they knew Calipari wouldn’t have been the coach at Memphis next season. And given that circumstance, why not let them reopen their recruiting?
UK1982
If I read 40 correctly, he is stating that a player’s LOI is a formal commitment to the school. However, many times schools do let players out of their LOI, especially when a coach leaves.
I understand all of that.
But we’re dealing with 18 year old kids here. Like Clay says in his article,
Purists say a college athlete should choose a school, not a coach. And in a perfect world, that’s correct. But this isn’t a perfect world. In the big business of college sports, it’s a world where being the athlete is the full-time job.
I’m saying everyone knows that the coach is the reason a kid goes to a particular school. Why not in the situation of a coaching change, let their recruiting be reopened?
I just think it’s bad for all involved, player, team, school, new coach, etc. if they are made to stay at that particular school or whatever.
The coach signs a contract….right? Calipari got out of his (at a cost i’m sure). Why not just cut the student loose. The earth isn’t going to fall of its axis or anything.
Your position is well stated. Since the current system does not allow the scenario
Clay writes about. An equitable answer appears to be a de-commit clause included in the LOI should the coach leave the school. Appears to be a win-win at first glance.
Then Don't Sign LOI
Not required. But it IS binding on the recruit and the school, if signed.
by FortyYearCatFan on Apr 5, 2009 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Not Theoretical At All
We still have a copy of our daughter’s signed LOI with UCLA in 1989.
It states CLEARLY that the signed agreement is between the recruit and the school, not the coach.
by FortyYearCatFan on Apr 5, 2009 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Curious
Did your daughter play under the same coach for her entire stay at UCLA. If so, what would have been your recommendation to your daughter had the coach left and it was not the best situation for your daughter?
No, She Didn't (In Basketball) But Yes In Volleyball
She liked both coaches.
But if she didn’t like the new one, her option would have been to transfer and sit out a year.
by FortyYearCatFan on Apr 5, 2009 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Side Note-Living in Oregon
I know the Lady Ducks had some battles with UCLA. In the eighties, I know that Jackie Joyner was on the Bruins team, although she was not their best player The Ducks key player around that time was Bev Smith.
Bev was just released as the Women’s BB Head after an 8 year run. Bev’s early teams had tournament victories in the WNIT and in the WNCAA.
Nat PLayed 1990-91-92-93 (B-Ball) And 1989-90-91-92 (V-Ball)
So she was after those 2.
by FortyYearCatFan on Apr 5, 2009 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions
I understand that you're not signing something binding you to the coach
But I’m just saying, the coach is the salesman so to speak. If they don’t like the coach, I don’t care if they would be playing for God Himself, if they don’t like him, they’re not gonna sign. And I agree, fine, don’t sign the LOI. But this is just a hairy situation…….you sign with a school, you love the coach, his style, think you can showcase your abilities, etc. Then said coach leaves. I don’t think any school is going to want a kid on the team that doesn’t want to play there anymore for whatever reason.
And like I said, you’re dealing with 18 year olds, not super sophisticated adults who understand everything and every ramification of their actions.(granted they hopefully have older wiser parents or other relatives to guide them in a decision, and maybe a lawyer to read over the thing)
Was it blue oregon that said maybe there could be some kind of clause saying if the coach leaves blah blah blah you can decommit? I’m not a lawyer, but that may be a decent idea.
Has a student athlete ever been not let out of a LOI? That’s probably a stupid question, just curious.
Then DON'T SIGN LOI
It’s not required. You can sign scholarship papers the day before you enroll in school.
Rarely (by exception with good reason) are recruits let out of LOI with school concurrence.
by FortyYearCatFan on Apr 5, 2009 7:04 PM EDT up reply actions
The LOI
You have to admit that the LOI is built in as a protection for the student athlete as much as the school. It’s in their interest to sign an LOI, to me it’s much more important that a school be bound to support a student than a student to the school. A student may have a harder time finding a berth at the last minute than a school finding a player to fill a role.
The LOI is their insurance so they don’t have to scramble for a scholly at the last minute, some of these kids don’t have a whole lot and a college scholarship is a pretty big deal. There should be (and is) some leeway in most schools with the LOI when a coach leaves.
For Most Recruits, Agreed
For the Top Shelf recruits, I don’t see why any of them sign LOI.
by FortyYearCatFan on Apr 6, 2009 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions
eh
the clock can run out on them too, especially if they play hard to get too hard and too long…Wall is lucky because he’s ridiculously good. They aren’t all like that, even the top shelf ones.
Any Top 25 Player Will Always Have Options
Not just Top 5 like Wall.
by FortyYearCatFan on Apr 6, 2009 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions
bottom line is
The LOI should stick around, but it should be more binding to the school than the player. A multimillion dollar school can roll with the punches a little better :)
Contracts Exist Between 2 Parties, Not Just 1
It has to go the same way for both sides.
by FortyYearCatFan on Apr 6, 2009 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions
not saying
it shouldn’t be difficult to get out of, the debate here is having to do with a coaching change, and most people agree that some kind of clause to that effect is probably pretty fair.
I think
you just like to argue…you must be a contrarion. I’m familiar with the type, I see one when I look in the mirror.
Debate, Yes
That’s what blogs are for.
by FortyYearCatFan on Apr 6, 2009 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions
Change The Rule
The point is, of course, not what the NCAA rules say about the LOI but rather what they should state. I firmly believe there will come a time, perhaps as a result of judicial review or organized effort by revenue-producing athletes resulting in legislative action, when the virtual serfdom of athletes will end and they will be recognized as free to negotiate their compensation for services rendered.
With...
all the media attention the Memphis recruits have gotten the past week or so, I would think most if not all future recruits, to any school, will want that clause in there LOI. If I were a recruit and not able to get that clause, I simply wouldn’t sign with them.
Recruits Are NOT REQUIRED To Sign LOI
Don’t sign it then. The LOI didn’t exist until 1964 but players still received scholarships before then.
by FortyYearCatFan on Apr 5, 2009 7:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Nice Piece On Meeks
54 points against Vols on CBS Sunday Final 4 TV Show. Comments from other players around the country , Patterson, BCG and Bruce Pearl
Correction
CBS show is not Final 4 show but rather 08-09 Best of College Basketball.
Back From the Woods
We had a wonderful time in Red River Gorge, Wow, so much has happened after one little trip to the woods! I am still trying to get up to speed.
Love...
hiking and camping, will be doing plenty this spring, summer, and fall, mostly at Mammoth Cave. Have been wanting to go to Red River Gorge for a long time, I hear its beautiful and the natural bridge is really something to see.
Lovely Place
If you like the Mammoth Cave area, you would love it in the gorge. It is the largest rock formation east of the Mississippi. We had a cabin on forty acrres. Very isolated
We were hiking through a trail towards double arches when some new arrivals to the group gave me the news Cal was hired. We had no TV or internet access. I’ll have to say I felt a million miles away. Spring blooms and yes Natural Bridge itself is a sight to behold. The weather last week was mostly ideal. Completely blue skies (Big Blue Sky Country) and just cool enough for a 6 mile hike.
Someone jokingly ask Tru if they had to look at the Cardinal Avatar a week ago or so
Tru said yes of course. However, maybe that Avatar was indeed roadkill.
It was me
that asked about the Cardinal. I guess it is gone!
Happy Days are here again
The sky is all ways BLUE again
Happy days are here again
Headline missed by The Lexington Herald Leader
The day after Calipari signed, should have read…
“Hear comes the CAL-vary”
oh well…
Steelers fan 1st! UK is my 2nd love.
Ken Pom
has UNC 3 point win over MSU.Izzo is smart,take away Lawson(easier said than done) and UNC will lose.
Ken Pom Has Predicted 3 Straight MSU Losses
Looks like they may be wrong a 4th time?
by FortyYearCatFan on Apr 5, 2009 8:37 PM EDT up reply actions
'Zona Offers Xavier's Miller
ESPN says Sean Miller to visit with Livengood
Now being reported Miller has offer $15 million for 6 years from Wildcats.
My Guess Is He Stays At XU
But earns more coin next year.
by FortyYearCatFan on Apr 5, 2009 8:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Depending on his career goals,
it might be time for him to strike while the iron is hot. He’s 41 and has hit the Elite 8 and Sweet 16 over the past two years at a non-BCS school. Xavier has traditionally been a feeder of coaching talent to the BCS conferences – Gillen, Prasser, Matta – and I think this may another one. If it’s not Arizona this time, it will only be a matter of time.
Late Night "Whispers" Say He's Staying At XU
But nothing’s for sure (yet).
by FortyYearCatFan on Apr 5, 2009 11:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Cincy Enquirer Today > Miller To Stay At XU
Not surprising to me. He’s East Coaster (Pittsburgh native like Calipari) and smart enough to see he’s a Bad Fit at Arizona.
by FortyYearCatFan on Apr 6, 2009 7:10 AM EDT up reply actions
Guess he's not smart enough after all
Miller to UA today and expected to double his salary. So XU is back to the drawing board and will have to create another “hot commodity” coach.
Nice Win For Ladybirds
I don’t normally watch women’s BB but started watching UL-OU and when Lady Cards fell behind 16-2 turned it off. Saw on computer that the score was closer so watched second half. Nice win 61-59 and OU had chance to win or tie, decent BB, UL is well coached and Angel McCoughtry is a player. If Stanford could upset UConn then we’d have Cardinals vs Cardinal.
Calipari Talks With Katz
Need to rebuild the brand. Would have taken less money.
The Brand Was Definitely Damaged The Past 2 Years
But Calipari will rebuild it quickly.
by FortyYearCatFan on Apr 5, 2009 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Amazing to see and hear
how much it has been “rebuilt” in just a week of positive buzz.
Cousins With Draft Express
Would definitely consider NBA if not for one-year rule, Europe out of the question. Young man does better as interviewee than the interviewer. Interview prior to Calipari taking helm at UK
Hard to believe
that Orton and Cousins would both join the roster. I would guess that Orton may be waiting to see what happens with Cousins before he jumps in with both feet. Have to wonder what Cal told Orton about his role and the Cousins situation during their face-to-face meeting in OK last week.
Billy to Memphis?
Interesting article on KSR:
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/apr/05/debunking-myths/
Cant say I wouldnt love it! ;)
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 Apr 6, 2009 12:22 PM EDT reply actions
Billy Is A Texan
He’d be well served to wait a year, then go back to Texas. Dallas Mornings News said:
Hasty hiring of Gillispie costs Kentucky
11:09 PM CDT on Friday, March 27, 2009
Kentucky president Lee Todd Jr. and athletic director Mitch Barnhart should have examined the goods before they swiped Billy Clyde Gillispie from Texas A&M in April 2007.
Because to hear them explain why they fired Gillispie on Friday, they must have thought they had hired a secure, charismatic, ambassador for the program as well as basketball coach.
In reality, they got the fellow we all knew at Texas A&M – the borderline-neurotic loner with dark half-circles under his eyes who built programs with his unhealthy work ethic and plain-folk, one-on-one appeal.
“This is a complete job that requires a lot more than just coaching and recruiting,” president Todd declared. Barnhart said Wildcats fans deserve someone who “understands that this is not just another coaching job.”
So, in hindsight, Kentucky made a hasty hire because it couldn’t get the Billy [Donovan] or Texas coach [Rick Barnes] it coveted. Terrible career move by Gillispie, though who could blame him for not turning down the opportunity of a lifetime?
Well, Texas A&M can and still does, which is why many Aggies today are chuckling at Kentucky’s and Gillispie’s expense.
Expect Gillispie, probably after a year off, to land somewhere in his home state, where he has relationships with high school and AAU coaches. A state where the grass must look a whole lot greener to Gillispie after his ill-fated stay in Bluegrass country.
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