The Big Blue Daily Mail -- News for Kentucky Wildcat fans, May 13th 2009
by Glenn Logan on May 13, 2009 7:18 PM EDT
in Kentucky Wildcats News
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PrintBelatedly, but better than never, we have today's news post, most of which may well be old news by now, but maybe not.
I have not had time yet to listen to the Calipari news conference, which was apparently the same kind of "knock it out of the park" love-fest we have begun to get used to here in Kentucky, judging from some of the reaction I have seen. There is little doubt that John Calipari was born for a job like this, and if he keeps his head about him and the fantastic attitude he has displayed so far, I am convinced that he has only begun to create something very special here at Kentucky -- something that we have all been yearning for since the halcyon days of the late 1990's.
No matter what happens in November (and Calipari has warned us that it won't be a thing of basketball beauty, and trust me, I am taking him at his word), what is really important is what happens in March. Kentucky fans have suffered four years of irrelevance in the NCAA tournament with low or nonexistent seeds, early exits (or a failure to be invited) and a general malaise that is completely uncharacteristic of Kentucky fans. When Coach Cal says that the Kentucky brand "has been tarnished," he is talking as much about the perception Wildcat fans have of their own program as that of the rest of the nation.
I will have much more on the perception of Kentucky and how it is changing tomorrow, but for now, let us be happy that we are seeing a rebuilding of the Roman Empire of college basketball. It has been ravaged by Visigoths to some extent while in its weakened state, but it is clear that the borders are now being reestablished, and the Legions rebuilt stronger than ever.
The rebirth of Kentucky basketball has begun. And now for the news ...
UK Basketball News
- Calipari has a press conference today at 10:30. Yours truly will be visiting the dentist at that time.
- Wall is likely not to sign a national letter of intent with anyone, according to this Herald-Leader article, which quotes Rivals' Jerry Meyer. That wouldn't really surprise me.
- The Duke Basketball Report has a post on John Wall that actually makes sense for once, and I find myself in agreement with. If Wall choses some school other than Kentucky, I hope UK fans will just shrug and wish him the best. And I think we will.
- John Clay has a post that links Luke Winn's article on John Wall that talks about how Wall and Bledsoe might play together. Winn quotes Wall advisor Brian Clifton, who essentially says what we all had been thinking -- that Bledsoe coming to UK gave him, and Wall, pause.
- Steve Moss has lots of interesting stuff about Coach Calipari.
- Luke Winn's article linked earlier also has a ton of stuff about Jodie Meeks. Jodie makes no bones about the fact that if he isn't a first-rounder, he will be back. But he does apparently intend to go to the NBA pre-draft combine.
UK Football News
Other UK Sports News
- Bat Cats win home finale over Morehead, 18-10.
NCAA Sports News
- Uh oh. The legacy of O.J. Mayo could mean deep, deep NCAA trouble for Tim Floyd and the USC Trojans if this turns out to be true. Conquest Chronicles (SBN's USC blog) calls the Yahoo report a "vendetta." This story will bear watching.
- Doug Segrest at al.com writes that the Academic Progress Report was sold as containing incentives for success and disincentives for failure, but wound up being all stick and no carrot. I love this Wimp Sanderson quote:
Former Alabama basketball coach Wimp Sanderson had the greatest line ever when asked how many of his players graduate: "All who want to. We can provide the tools, and we do. We can't force them."
- Now the Knight Commission is talking about taking on coaching salaries by asking Congress for an anti-trust exemption for the NCAA. Given what we have seen from the current congress attempting to limit CEO salaries, there seems little doubt to me it would be granted. But since most coaches are compensated by money from sponsorship deals and contracts, it seems unlikely to succeed in a meaningful way.
In related news, Mark Wiedmer has a bunch of suggestions for the Knight Commission.
Other News of Interest
- Former Bearcat star Corie Blount is on trial for being a dope dealer, and faces sentencing today.
- Kevin Pelton of Basketball Prospectus has an NBA Playoff prospectus. Great work from a great blog, as always.
- Kenny the Jet lays the wood to Mark Cuban via Twitter.
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I have the perfect idea for achieving good APR results: Extra scholarships
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
You know ?,
just like he said.
Another possible incentive would be scholarships. If you’re taking them away from schools that fall short, add them for schools that finish at the head of the class.
If they can be taken away, why not add one? Even if it is for one year. I see no harm in that. If the NCAA is worried about some schools abusing the extra scholarship, it could only apply to a walk-on, if need be..
Blue, there is no other color to Bleed !!!
I think you may be inviting "playing with the system"
byt schools hoping to take advantage. I know they do this now as well, but giving more to the “haves” might just make it worse. Does anyone know if they count “non-scholarship” players grades and grad rates?
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
I thought about that
In my comment I was trying to say the extra scholarship could be a way to play the system. That is why I concluded that by giving the scholarship to a walk-on already on the team, this might actually work. That should be a nice little incentive for the team to make good grades. See, there could still be some guidelines, as I’m sure there would need to be, in place.
Blue, there is no other color to Bleed !!!
So Cal
is going down. Floyd might become a barber next. Can’t shake hands with the devil and say you’re only kidding.
Now, if only the football program could be obliterated, or at least severely crippled, the Justice League will prevail again.
I want to die while asleep like my grandfather,
not screaming in terror like the passengers in his car.
SoCal: “We would’ve gotten away with it too, if it weren’t for those meddling kids street agents!”
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
Ruh Roh Raggy!
I want to die while asleep like my grandfather,
not screaming in terror like the passengers in his car.
Floyd the barber ---
has a nice ring to it, but there will only be one Floyd the barber to me (and one andy and one barney)
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on May 13, 2009 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Wall not being considerate of others
With Wall’s handlers saying he may not decide by May 20 and may not sign a LOI at all, he is not being considerate of the coaches who are recruiting him and need to plan, the players (Liggins, in our case) he would likely replace, and the other recruits trying to make decisions. Coach Cal steered away from one recruit saying he was a taker, not a giver. I’m wondering how he is classifying Wall right now. I’m sure Coach Cal will continue to appear to be recruiting him (to avoid crucifixion by the BBN), but he may be very happy with Mr. Bledsoe.
Just out of curiosity
who is he not being considerate of? The only people getting wound up in this are the fans, and we keep pushing it like a aluminum-siding salesman at a home improvement convention. We are the only ones getting our noses out of joint. If I am this kid and my future is at stake I take not only all the time I need, I take all the time I want. We can not even fathom what this kid is dealing with. No father to speak of to guide him, you know the mother wants him to do well, but would like to keep him close, and these “handlers” are no more than a group of flies at a summer picnic….they just keep swarming.
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
so lets see...
A LOI is essentially a cease-fire to coaches so that they can’t keep recruiting committed kids, because we all know that when they verbally commit, that there are still people trying to get them to decommit.
The LOI only serves as a method to allow coaches to know that their recruits are safe and they can move on. There are ZERO benefits to a kid, and in fact what few rights they have are gone the minute they sign one.
Someone please explain
What is a “handler”?Is it an agent?A middleman?A NCAA violation?
If UK lands Wall,great.If not,we are in good hands with Calapari.
a "handler"
depending on the context … (my experience is in the music world, so it may be different) … it’s the person who acts as the do-it-all representative and aide for another. They generally act as PR reps, promoters, personal aides, secretaries, etc. So yes, kind of like an agent, and kind of like a middleman.
The connotation i hear when people attribute this label to those around young Wall is negative, suggesting that they think Wall is … full of himself that he would need one (maybe?), or there is something shady going on (again, maybe?). In any case, i think it’s a wee bit unfair to use the word “handlers” when referring to a teenager’s mother and a coach he presumably trusts to help him sort out the mess that is his recruitment …
I agree whole heartedly on your last statement. it’d be nice if he comes, but it would be great just to quit hearing about it. Bledsoe and Calipari are good enough for me.
Cal's not worried
Wall is in the bag. Haven’t we been praising Cal on what a wonderful salesman he is? He is selling HIMSELF mainly by way of the BBN and profiting quite well. This kid Wall is doing the same thing. Sure no school has current Wall bragging rights and therefore no $$ to be made from him. Right now all the hype and glory is HIS and his advisors.
He is just getting his before he is bound by the NCAA for a year, i.e. his advisors are milking it for all it’s worth because, once Wall hits the campus they’ve lost him. He’ll get an agent, maybe LeBron’s, and the Clifton’s will get a severence package, while the Wall fortune will be amassed without them. I imagine John will give em some handouts or stop by their facility like he did at NC someplace so they’ll have some of the ol magic dust to get em by until some tragic end or another. blah blah blah……
I understand the idea that others plans are being held up but how often have you been held up by a late repairman? taxi driver? train? blind date? doctors appointment? (The doctors office is the one that annoys me. Why book 3 appts at the same time? Is it that Law of Deviation or something again?) Sure you have. What did you do about it? Go to another doctor? Tell them that you didn’t like waiting around for them? Did you tell the reapairman to go away and that you were getting another one? “I’ll just catch the next train…you were late!” These coaches get paid millions. Let them stew a bit. As for the other recruits, get the #1 ranking and you can take your time too. :)
The Bledsoe factor is the hat trick for Cal. Tells Wall that he is dispensable, wanted, coveted even, but dispensable. Already got a full roster, got a PG and got a team that will kick your ass come March. Wanna join? Take your time son. It’s a tough decision I know. So many bright lights to flitter around which one will provide the most warmth this winter?
I want to die while asleep like my grandfather,
not screaming in terror like the passengers in his car.
we've been "back" for what 40 days?
“Wall is in the bag”
now that’s the confidence i like to see …
Cal's goal publicly and privately is a NC
you can call it arrogance or confidence – or what ever.
but that is what we have been missing since pitino…..
I am personally one for less bravado and let my work on the court show – but Cal just lays it out there – and i, for one, must admit am enjoying it.
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on May 13, 2009 10:38 PM EDT reply actions
UK Teams And Coaches (since Pitino) Had Confidence, Too
The 2003 team (in particular) had it.
And the 2005 team (Rondo as a frosh) did, too.
by FortyYearCatFan on May 14, 2009 6:39 AM EDT up reply actions
Confidence
Those two teams can’t compare in the confidence department to most Pitino teams. Pitino teams had that killer instinct especially when they smelled blood. UK teams haven’t shown that since. But I think that will change under Coach Cal.
by maysvilleblue on May 14, 2009 9:17 AM EDT up reply actions
03
The 03 team cant compare in the confidence dept? They went 16-0 in the SEC. A feat Pitino never accomplished. I think they had plenty of killer instinct.
DEEETROIT BASKETBALLL!!!
Effin A davw!!!
That team may not have been big on offense but they knew how to shut a team down!!! I remember watching teams get flat out angry when they couldn’t score. That team was rabid on defense!
I want to die while asleep like my grandfather,
not screaming in terror like the passengers in his car.
In all fairness...
The 96 team did go 16-0 in the SEC.
What the ’03 team accomplished that they did not was an SEC tourney title that same year.
I agree that ‘03 and ’05 played with the kind of swagger and killer instinct that many of us yearn to see again. I’m still convinced that the ’03 team was just a Bogans sprained ankle away from a national title and the ’05 team ran into a team that played above itself and just plain won a hard fought game.
Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."
Also
The 2003 team is the only UK team since 1978 to finish #1 in AP poll.
1996 was #2 (in AP final poll) behind UMass.
by FortyYearCatFan on May 15, 2009 6:48 AM EDT up reply actions
I wasn't talking wins and losses
I was talking about confidence and that killer instinct. I would take any team in the 90’s and take my chances against the ’03 team.
by maysvilleblue on May 14, 2009 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions
I'll take that bet
Put me up against ‘94 or ’95 and I’ll take ’03 in a heartbeat. (And those are just the ones post “return to glory”)
Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."
Game On!!!!
You will be out hustled and out coached. : )
by maysvilleblue on May 15, 2009 7:05 AM EDT up reply actions
Rodrick Rhodes never out hustled anyone
Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."
And not to start a nasty debate...
But I’ll take the coach of the ‘03 team’s in-game coaching accumen over the coach of the ’94 team.
Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."
Nasty Debate
Don’t want to be a part of one either but the coach of the 94 team by that time had been to 2 FF’s and since has been to 3 more and won a National Title. The coach of the 03 team,which I agree is a fine coach,but he hasn’t been to a FF or come close to winning a National Champoinship. The 03 team was a fine one but to me,and I say this to not to offend anyone,I would take RIck P. over Tubby S. any day of the week and twice on Sunday. But I respect your opinion.
by maysvilleblue on May 15, 2009 5:51 PM EDT up reply actions
P And T
Overall their W-L (%) records are close, 73% P to 72% T.
In NCAA games, P has the W-L (%) edge over T.
But both have 1 NCAA title, P in 22 years and T in 18 years.
T has 7 conference titles and 5 conference tourney titles.
P has 5 conference titles and 7 conference tourney titles.
In terms of TITLES won, P and T are similar.
Head-2-head, P has 7-5 edge over T.
by FortyYearCatFan on May 15, 2009 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions
None of what you said goes back to your original comment
Now your comparing coaches. Thats all well and good but it doesnt go back to your original assertion that any team of the 90’s could beat the 03 team.
DEEETROIT BASKETBALLL!!!
Coming Close To FF
It seems Elite 8 is as close as you can get to FF without getting there.
1999, 2003, and especially 2005 (L in 2 OT) are “close to FF” anyway.
by FortyYearCatFan on May 16, 2009 9:06 AM EDT up reply actions
Comparing Teams, Not Coaches
That seems fair.
by FortyYearCatFan on May 16, 2009 9:07 AM EDT up reply actions
Dav was replying to Maysville
Unless I am mistaken.
Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."
Yeah
The reply Function gets “funky” sometimes.
I posted this in reply to another comment below.
by FortyYearCatFan on May 16, 2009 9:38 AM EDT up reply actions
this is fun
i’ll take that one too! gotta be a software designer that could set that up. ;)
I want to die while asleep like my grandfather,
not screaming in terror like the passengers in his car.
Actually 1996 Team Was 16-0 In SEC Conference Play
But 18-1 vs SEC opponents.
2003 was 19-0 vs SEC.
by FortyYearCatFan on May 15, 2009 6:47 AM EDT up reply actions
Yes but.....
the 96 team did win that little thing called a National Championship.
by maysvilleblue on May 15, 2009 7:12 AM EDT up reply actions
Maysville
That’s correct but you point wasnt that the 96 team was better than the 03 team. Your point was that any team of the 90’s could beat the 03 team and that any team of the 90’s has a “killer instinct” where in your opinion as I understand it none of Tubby’s teams did. That’s unprovable but preposterous IMO.
DEEETROIT BASKETBALLL!!!
My Point
Was directed to Forty, who seem to say by his statements,that the 03 team was better than the 96 team because of the 1 loss in the SEC. If anything was preposterous it was that statement. I think we know Forty’s opinion of RP as far as not giving him his due,which is fine if thats his or anybody elses opinion. But I will stand by my opinion that most of the 90’s teams would win over teams of the 2000’s although there is no way to prove that. It’s just my opinion and I respect yours.
by maysvilleblue on May 15, 2009 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions
In respect for you and many others on this site
We have all heard this same scenario over and over. Please Forty do not continue. Keep your opinions and let others keep theirs.
Thank you all!
Comparing Teams, Not Coaches
What’s wrong with that?
by FortyYearCatFan on May 16, 2009 9:08 AM EDT up reply actions
I Didn't Say That
I merely said that 1996 was 18-1 vs SEC opponents and 2003 was 19-0 vs them.
by FortyYearCatFan on May 16, 2009 9:08 AM EDT up reply actions
Now you're backing off your statement
I would take any team in the 90’s and take my chances against the ’03 team.
I will stand by my opinion that most of the 90’s teams would win over teams of the 2000’s
I said I’d take the ’03 team against ’94 or ’95 if we wanted to compare “post return to glory” teams. It should go without saying that I would also take ’03 over ’90, ’91, and ’92.
Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."
How About This?
Most teams in the 1990’s were better than most teams in the 2000’s.
by FortyYearCatFan on May 16, 2009 9:39 AM EDT up reply actions
Just Like
Most teams in the 1970’s were better than most teams in the 1980’s.
Or most teams in the 1950’s were better than most teams in the 1960’s.
You can do that throughout UK basketball history.
Only in the 1940’s and 50’s did UK have back-2-back DOMINANT decades.
by FortyYearCatFan on May 16, 2009 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions
I think the perception is that every team from the Pitino era was legendary… but when I look at it this way, really the only teams that I would pick over the Suffocats of ’03 are the actual Final Four teams from ’93, ’96, and ’97.
To Pitino’s credit, the only team of his that I would say “underachieved” was the ’94 team which garnered a 3 seed and lost to Marquette in the second round.
Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."
1995 Team Disappointing
- seed but looked bad against UNC.
1994 team was hurt by injury to R Dent mid-year. Actually did well to get to 27-7 (I thought).
by FortyYearCatFan on May 16, 2009 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions
I love being able to see the pressers
That is something I could not as a UK fan for many years and no Internet access as I would hear about it on the TV sports news or read about it in the newspaper.
Totally different today and I love it. He is the ultimate coach for UK as far as being media driven locally and nationally. This guy has completely blown my mind since his introduction to UK and he never stops. I love the guy!
Patterson Helps Himself With NBA
Calipari show video of Patterson’s announcement to NBA scouts: they’re impressed.
FIU, Er, Isiah Wanted Bledsoe ...
… and Latavious Williams, and Lance Stephenson, and …
Rondo's Crib
Rajan #9 gives a video tour of #9, his Boston home — including a mounted UK jersey.
Rivals 2010 Top 150
UK in the running for #’s 1, 2, 7, 8, 10, 16, 21, 45
Add To Above
#8 Adreian Payne will visit UK this weekend.
by Wild Weasel on May 14, 2009 12:29 AM EDT up reply actions
Will Richie Be Governor?
I’ll hang up and listen. Calipari predicts it.
Visigoths?
Love It! Don’t forget the Gauls (Tennessee?) and the Parthians (Florida?). Has Caesar come to claim what is rightfully his?
Man, I could go on with this string forever. Thanks Tru!
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