The Big Blue Daily Mail -- Walking Away From Memphis Edition

by Truzenzuzex on Aug 22, 2009 5:04 PM EDT in News Comment 49 comments

I must confess, I am rather tired of talking about the Memphis violations, and having to explain the same point over and over and over again to people who insist on ignoring what I wrote the first time. I guess one of these days I'll learn just to write something and not bother to defend it, or perhaps I just need to become a better writer so nobody will ask.

Either way, I am moving on, at least for the nonce. But Calipari has a defense coming from me to the voluminous complaints against him. I just don't have time to do that today, because Mrs. Tru and I are heading off to the Kentucky State Fair to see Keith Urban in concert. Oh, yeah, babe -- Fair food and fair tunes -- gotta love it.

Here are some news articles for your perusal. Yes, there are some Memphis items in there, but mostly offered for their unintended humor.

UK Basketball News

Geoff Calkins: In Calipari's defense — oh wait, there is none
I'm not going to go on and on about this. Calkins plows no new ground here, he just concocts a conspiracy theory that, like all conspiracy theories, sounds plausible but is likely to be false. There is no evidence whatever to support any of these allegations -- none. It's just what we have come to expect from this writer.

But it's instructive to compare his strident failure to reason with others actual sportswriters like Mike DeCourcy, and with this post which is just as plausible (but just as much a conspiracy theory) as Calkins. Do yourself a favor. Read this for its unintended hilarity. (Via Bluegrass State Basketball)
Bluegrass State Basketball: ESPN's Pat Forde Continues to Stir the Pot
BSB takes on Pat Forde.
The Herald-Leader Editorial Board quotes The Loathsome Troll Geoff Calkins
As Memphis Commercial Appeal columnist Geoff Calkins put it: "Look at the bright side, Memphis basketball fans. At least your head coach hasn't had two Final Four appearances stripped from the record books. John Calipari is Kentucky's problem now."

Heh. Embrace. The. Hate.
Kentucky, Louisville fans stay true blue | CapeCodOnline.com
"I don't know that we're too loyal," said UK fan Jeff Brannon. "I just think we see the energy and the players he's brought to the program and he deserves the benefit of the doubt."

Read the whole thing. This is a pretty good piece of fair and balanced journalism, something that The Loathsome Troll Geoff Calkins could learn from. But I don't think he will.
C.M. Newton stands up for Coach Cal.
"I think Calipari is one of these guys who's not unlike many, many others," said Newton, whose son Martin is Calipari's director of basketball operations. "He's very bright, and operates in the area of 'I'm going to go to the edge of the rule but I'm not stepping over it.' … Guys who are successful in intercollegiate athletics are in that grey area sometimes. … You'd like to think everybody operates within the spirit and intent of the rules, and you can shoot for that. But in the real world we're now, where the dollars are driving it, you're in a big business. That's where we've evolved to."
Parrish's and Calkin's "conspiracy theories" regarding Calipari grow tired
Another take on The Loathsome Troll Geoff Calkins' most recent piece.
Calipari's reputation forever blemished with NCAA ruling - Gary Parrish
And forget about the Hall of Fame. That's over.

Once again, offered for its unintended hilarity. These guys, they kill me.
Memphis Speaks: Open Letter to Coach Cal
More unintentional hilarity. This is great. I just love having all this stuff to put a smile on my face. It started out to be a bad morning before I got going with these.
Danny Jett's Inner Circle: The Immortals: UK's 25 'Legends' #10
What Will the Kentucky Homers Say About John Calipari Now?
I think we've said plenty, and we know bovine excrement when we smell it.
Are Kentucky fans too supportive of John Calipari?
Eamonn Brennan is concerned that UK fans are just not concerned enough.

Well, all I can say is that if Eamonn were a Kentucky fan and had to live through the Tubby Smith Wars, the Billy Gillispie Insurrection, along with four years of wandering in the desert of irrelevance, he might be able to understand. So don't judge him harshly, I'm sure his heart is in the right place.

UK Football News

Notes from UK's second scrimmage
-"It was a much better scrimmage than last week," Brooks said. "A lot more energy, a lot more hitting. Really good plays on both sides of the ball."

Great to hear.
Video: Rich Brooks talks about UK’s Saturday scrimmage John Clay’s Sidelines
Great stuff. Brooks gives lots of candid info.
Jarmon's loss left hole at UK
Yeah, no kidding. I sure hope Evans can get that sore hamstring worked out soon.

Other UK Sports News

None today

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Comments

I just want to

be the first one to comment!!!!

When a great nation falls, it falls from within. There is only two ways to do this. One must "take" power by force, or when the other side simply "gives" it to them. me

by blubloodcatfan on Aug 22, 2009 6:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Truz

You don’t have to defend him to me. I’m a believer. Did nothing wrong. Knew nothing. Expected nothing.
We don’t need any defense for him. Honest. I’ve comvinced. Really I am. There is nothing you could say that would make me more convinced he was the right move. The perfect hire.
Anyone else agree?

by ParisGuy on Aug 22, 2009 7:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

absolutely..........

only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team

by memphis wildcat on Aug 22, 2009 10:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I abhor Duke!

But I’d rather see Western Michigan meet Michigan. There are certain coaches I personally do not care for, but I will concede that they are talented at their craft (Coach K and Bobby Petrino come to mind). But I see absolutely no redeeming qualities in Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez.

by mrmondaynite on Aug 22, 2009 7:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed 1000%

by wldcatsfreak on Aug 22, 2009 9:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Do you live in Columbus?

If you don’t mind me asking.

by mrmondaynite on Aug 23, 2009 7:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

A bit north of Columbus in Lexington, OH

by wldcatsfreak on Aug 23, 2009 8:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

My second guess was going to be

Morgantown, WV

Heh.

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

by chirop1 on Aug 24, 2009 8:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's funny

Yep, can’t imagine you would find to many people singing Rodriguez’s praises in WVA.

by wldcatsfreak on Aug 24, 2009 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just one last question...

What got the ETS interested in Rose’s test to begin with? They had already certified him to the NCAA Clearinghouse, I suppose, when the Clearinghouse made its determination that Rose was eligible.

Was there a tip from someone? Has this source, if it exists, been identified?

by MTCAT on Aug 22, 2009 8:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think there was a tip.

If you read the report over at Basketball Prospectus, it has the whole timeline discussed.

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

by Truzenzuzex on Aug 22, 2009 11:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wonder if just anyone can make a tip...

Seems like if someone really wanted to just foul us up they could just “tip off” the NCAA or a group like the ETS.

That is a little worrisome as it doesn’t seem like the NCAA doesn’t need a lot of evidence to convict.

by scfcats on Aug 23, 2009 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Heh.

If you ask me, they needed so little evidence in this case that it sets a remarkable, almost inconceivable precedent. But then again there is the Corey Maggette thing, so I suppose unbelievable precedents aren’t really so unbelievable after all.

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

by Truzenzuzex on Aug 23, 2009 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

this controversy could be eaily avoided

if the testing agency just took pictures of the applicants when they are taking the exam. If they used a digiatal camera this would cost almost nothing.

by gright on Aug 23, 2009 9:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

good idea.....never even thought about that.....simple fix

nice job there gright….

Remember, we're having fun now!!!

by ALLBLUCAT on Aug 23, 2009 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's why ...

… it’ll never happen. Makes way too much sense.

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

by Truzenzuzex on Aug 24, 2009 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Much easier and much less costly would be to fingerprint each test taker.

Any questions later about identiy? Check the prints.

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 Aug 24, 2009 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Football fans

If you want to hear the latest then go to the links that Tru put up. Good news coming out of the second scrimmage today.

by kykat51 on Aug 22, 2009 9:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I can't wait...

by hoboat33 on Aug 23, 2009 12:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kat

We aren’t going to talk football here. Not until Memphis gets back its wins and Cal gets a five year ‘get out of jail’ pass for any possible wrong deeds he might do.
We aren’t serious about football. And its a shame.
Still I want to know why we are defending our new basketball coach if there’s no wrong doing noted on his part.
I think we have a bunch of fans running scared of what might happen at Kentucky. Maybe if we build up a real good defense for him before anything happens we’ll feel better about it.

by ParisGuy on Aug 24, 2009 10:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey ...

… I put a football post up. What’s the beef? :-)

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

by Truzenzuzex on Aug 24, 2009 10:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Truz

Followed by a post on basketball.
Footballl is 12 days away and we aren’t focusing on the subject at hand.

by ParisGuy on Aug 25, 2009 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

C'mon Paris.....you dont call what is going on the subject at hand??

I really wish you could see the bigger picture here. No one is trying to take away from Football. We have had indepth analysis of everything from the season’s uniforms to the movie the guys went to see when Coach gave them their break. The truth is, until something else new happens with the football program, they are on auto-pilot barring any more injuries or suspensions. And every time one of those comes up it is dealt with in daily news or a fan post by someone such as yourself or another blogger. We have great participation here by the fans, and you yourself post some really good stuff. But don’t belittle Basketball. It got us to where we are today and who this University is. I am a big football fan, but it has only become a really relevant program in the last 10 years. Give it time, it will become an equal part of the fans attention. Tru takes us where the media and internet take us. He does a good job of covering everything that is Kentucky, both football and basketball. And your personal feelings may not be shared by everyone, but we do respect them.

Remember, we're having fun now!!!

by ALLBLUCAT on Aug 25, 2009 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I relate to both views

Basketball is king at UK; however, I’m about to bust a gut waiting for football. It’s my favorite sport and hope springs eternal for UK football. I referred to ASOB as standing for A Sea Of Basketball in a fanpost but that is not to criticize the basketball emphasis. We know basketball it is our identity.

I’ve enjoyed the football posts written here and links to other information and I’d just would like a little more love for football. Kick-off in 11 days.

by hoboat33 on Aug 25, 2009 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

hoboat

I agree with the ASOB thing.
Football isn’’t our sport and I don’t see it happening as long as the basketball coach"s removal of a tree is the lead story on the sports page.
That’s the reason we don’t have a hot seat for our football coaches. If any other coach in the country didn’t win a game against a single team with a winning record, he’d be on record as suspect of being there the following year. Not in Lexington. Tailgating is the perfect gathering place to discuss basketball season. Really nice until the rains of October and November set in. Then we can gather in the bars and watch the games on TV and talk about basketball.
The most secure job in the SEC is football coach at the University of Kentucky.

by ParisGuy on Aug 25, 2009 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

There's room for both sports

but many (like me) avidly support football but have memories of absolutely abysmal performances, gut wrenching loses and scandals that wrecked the program in years past (see Ray, Curci, Mumme, etc.). Until Kentucky can sustain at least 8 years without a “here we go again” event there will always be trepidation to jump in with both feet to support the football program. These wounds are still not healed.

Brooks has done an admirable job in helping to restore the faith in the program and maybe fans will, at some point, look at football as more than a pasttime leading up to basketball season. The biggest problem I have is that the level of support is reflected in UK blogs, news and press coverage. This is a big hill for Coach Brooks to climb and surely hinders his recruiting efforts. Prospective players surf through the Kentucky sites and see the overwhelming attention to the basketball program and likely see a less than insane football fanbase. If you were a recruit, wouldn’t that “lack of love” make you think twice?

by hoboat33 on Aug 25, 2009 9:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Paris ...

… as the young would say, “I feel you, dog.”

But there is a reason Bear Bryant received that pocket watch, and Adolph Rupp that Cadillac.

Football is a nice distraction until basketball season. That is the reality at Kentucky, just like basketball is something Alabama does in the wintertime so they won’t be accused of ignoring it.

I get that you are a football fan, but cold reality is that if I start posting mostly about football, my readership will quickly drop. How do I know? Experience. My job is to talk about what Kentucky fans want to talk about, and quite frankly, only a small minority want to talk about football all the time. When the season starts, we’ll see more and more football and less basketball, but in the meantime, you’ll just have to be patient, and bow to reality.

Most of the excitement right now, for better or worse, is about the basketball team. It may not be fair, but at UK, things are different than at the rest of the SEC, and it will most likely be that way when both you and I are taking a long, dirt nap. :-)

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

by Truzenzuzex on Aug 26, 2009 7:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Amen!

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 Aug 26, 2009 8:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

considering the fact that Ken Pomeroy put up

a couple of huge posts with a lot of unverifiable information, it will have some cause to continue the discussion on the Memphis matter. However, this is NOT about defending Calipari anymore, or about Memphis individually…..this is about the NCAA and it’s policies and rules that they seem to make up arbitrarily as they go along, and apply to whomever they choose. We cant stick our heads in the sand on this one folks. It will lead to more and more of these type situations. Public scrutiny is the only forum where these practices will be openly discussed, because the NCAA sure isnt going to do that.

Remember, we're having fun now!!!

by ALLBLUCAT on Aug 25, 2009 8:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I can NOT wait

to hear the eruption from the crowd when they announce our starting line up and our new coach at Big Blue Madness. It will be deafening!!!

;)

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 Aug 25, 2009 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Video: Rich Brooks talks about UK’s Saturday scrimmage John Clay’s Sidelines

.
.
I like his crack about the UK basketball schedule… :-)

…. but I had to watch this video twice because the first time through I kept getting distracted by his hat…

by Sonic on Aug 23, 2009 6:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Heh.

Yeah, he has that Greg Norman hat. I used to wear those when I played golf. Now, I’m back to a ball cap.

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

by Truzenzuzex on Aug 23, 2009 9:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe he can have the whole coaching staff wear one for a game as a tribute to that hat style.....lol

surely they make those with UK logos….

Remember, we're having fun now!!!

by ALLBLUCAT on Aug 23, 2009 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actually, that one he’s wearing has a UK logo on it…

I think it’s just the brim that’s kinda funky— it looks like maybe he had it in the backseat of his car and someone just sat on it…. reminds me of those kids in Little League who didn’t know how to turn down the brim of their ballcaps…. those were the ones you always wanted to hit the ball to….

:-)

by Sonic on Aug 23, 2009 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Flat bill are now cool

or so I am told by my Little League team. The entire team from Stanton Island is wearing theirs that way. Then again, they got beat by Georgia yesterday (and serves them right for intentionally walking a batter twice).

by GoLightning on Aug 23, 2009 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Really??

.
Oh great… so now not only are the 12 year-olds “cooler” than I am, but so is a nearly 70 year-old football coach…

… just throw in “and everyone in between” and I am all set… :-)

[ Good thing I never wear hats ]

by Sonic on Aug 23, 2009 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Watch Joker's video

I like his hat better. Has a more broken in look to it.

by hoboat33 on Aug 23, 2009 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You know hoboat, no offense to both Coach Brooks and Joker....

… but those guys are doing it wrong….

.
.

by Sonic on Aug 23, 2009 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

In the New York Post yesterday

“Calipari and Pitino got in trouble for similar offenses – Calipari for using an ineligible player and Pitino for using an ineligible receiver.”

It made me laugh. . .

"You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means." -Inigo Montoya

by NYCCats on Aug 23, 2009 11:13 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Haha!

Hilarious!

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

by Truzenzuzex on Aug 23, 2009 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And my lines got called bad!!.....ugh!.......lol

Remember, we're having fun now!!!

by ALLBLUCAT on Aug 23, 2009 12:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Brooks surprised the team today.

He cancelled practice and took the team to the movies. Gotta love that guy!

A time to rest and heal from the minor injuries yesterday.

by kykat51 on Aug 23, 2009 5:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Uh-oh!!

Is taking them to the movies (presumably paying their way) an NCAA violation? Do we make them pay for their own ankle-wrapping tape? If not, why not? What about the “sports drinks” they drink and pour on the coach after a victory. Probably should pay for that, too. I think we have a potential investigation here. It should occupy a lot of NCAA investigators for a while looking into it. Of course, we can eliminate Duke form the full investigation, so that should save some time.

It’s a boring day off. When does the season, any season, start. No football, no b-ball, the golf majors are over, the US ladies won the Solheim Cup, don’t care about baseball any more. I’m gonna take a month-long nap. Wake me when something important happens.

No moral victories--it's all about Ws and Ls!!!

by oldcat'69 on Aug 24, 2009 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ha ha.

I always appreciate a little sarcasm in the morning, so thanks for that. : )

About taking the football team to the movies, though – I was actually going to ask, What did they go see?

On the surface it seems pretty cool to me that they got a day off from practice to go to the movies as I would absolutely love to go to the movies as opposed to a dreadful sports practice where you get all gross, dirty, and sweaty. But, the bigger question is — did Brooks take the team to a movie that they actually liked? I mean, if they aren’t exactly Tarantino fans, for example, and Brooks took them to see Inglourious Basterds, well, that might not necessarily be seen as a perk and better than practice, now would it?? ; )

by BigSkyCat on Aug 24, 2009 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He did take them to see Inglourious Basterds.

Brooks said he thought it was weird, and the rest of the team didn’t seem that into it. KSR had more on it this morning.

I’m still excited to see it.

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 Aug 24, 2009 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, right, KSR.

I don’t wander over there very often, or otherwise I suppose I would have seen that.

Basterds. FWIW — I thought the movie was awesome and I would totally give it a thumbs up for entertainment value. But then again, I have the sense of humor to appreciate a Tarantino film and it is definitely classic Tarantino in that it’s gloriously preposterous and fiercely funny. But, if you don’t particularly care for Tarantino’s films, then I can totally see how this movie would not be your cup of tea.

Without giving anything away for those of you who are planning on seeing it, I will say that it’s more about all the great and cheesy WWII movies than it is about WWII itself (which is no laughing matter, of course).

by BigSkyCat on Aug 24, 2009 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Personally, I like

the smell of napalm in the morning, but to each his/her own.

No moral victories--it's all about Ws and Ls!!!

by oldcat'69 on Aug 24, 2009 6:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Someday this war will be over. Just watched AN this weekend.

by blue oregon on Aug 24, 2009 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know

That it will ever be over…maybe in Iraq but the Afghan situation is worse. I really don’t know but I would love for our guys to be home. It’s been too long…8 years and counting. Reminds me of the Nam war, not good.

I remember sitting in a restaurant in Louisville with my husband and listening to Colin Powell. Hubbie was retired KNG and he agreed we should enter Iraq because he believed in Powell. But little did we know until later that Powell was duped by the government. A lot of US citizens were done the same way. I would believe Powell anyday before I would believe Bush and Cheney.

by kykat51 on Aug 24, 2009 8:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No month long nap Sir

Our first football game is coming Sept 5th. Get your juices flowing with the football team. I personally think this team will be better than last year’s team.

Go Football Cats!

by kykat51 on Aug 24, 2009 8:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

OK, you win.

For a nice UK lady, I’ll try to get excited about the football team. But I’m still waiting for b-ball season to start!! :-))

No moral victories--it's all about Ws and Ls!!!

by oldcat'69 on Aug 25, 2009 6:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh I know and agree with basketball

But at this time it is Football time in the country and I love the game only because I walked the sidelines with my Dad over 40 yrs ago when my brothers played. He would explain everything to me.

Get with it oldcat!

by kykat51 on Aug 25, 2009 9:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs