The Big Blue Daily Mail -- Late Monday Edition

by Truzenzuzex on Feb 1, 2010 7:25 PM EST in News Comment 13 comments

Just to give everyone a heads up, I have visitors coming in from out of town tomorrow, so I will be out of pocket all day. There will be a pre-game and there will be an open game thread for sure, so don't worry about that. I won't be around during the game, though, so I'll have to record it for later viewing.

The big news of the day was a comment John Wall made to the media after Saturday's game indicating that he wasn't having fun and that he was going to ignore Coach Cal's criticism. Today, after sitting down with the coach and reviewing the tape, Wall discovered what an unfortunate impression the tape left and he and the coach set things straight. Chalk it up to freshman growing pains.

The rest of the news follows the jump.

BBL: Kentucky women move up to second place John Clay’s Sidelines
John Clay's big blue links.
SEC links: Tennessee continues it mastery of the Gators John Clay’s Sidelines
John Clay's SEC links.
Wildcat Blue In a Sea of Orange: Inside the numbers: Which team DESERVES to be #1??
I'm going to guess Kansas. I think the 'Cats will wind up at #3 or 4.
Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Mississippi Rebels - Recap - January 31, 2010 - ESPN
The Hawgs take down the Rebels. Should be a tired, angry Ole Miss team rolling into Rupp for tomorrow night's game
Rush The Court " Blog Archive " Morning Five: 02.01.10 Edition
RTC wonders if John Wall is losing his focus. Nah. He played pretty well Saturday despite too many turnovers. He just needs to relax a little.
College Basketball Bubble Watch - Pac-10's struggles could result in unprecedented tourney haul - NCAA Men's Basketball - ESPN
Heh. Louisville and North Carolina in the NIT? We should be so lucky.
UNC loses to Virginia at home, is in 10th place in the ACC - The Dagger - NCAAB Blog - Yahoo! Sports
Ouch.
A recap of the end of today's game - Card Chronicle
Mike at Card Chronicle is pissed, and I think he has a right to be. The officials clearly made a mistake, and wound up making the wrong call, according to @ESPNAndyKatz.
Vaught's Views: So-called slump has freshman John Wall frustrated: AMNews.com
"I love college basketball. This is the probably the most fun you are going to have playing basketball. High school is fun, but college is where it is at. You could be here forever," he [John Wall] said.

Ah, John. If only.
Cousins growing up quickly for No. 4 Wildcats - ncaa - SI.com
This seems right to me.
Eric Crawford | Armed and ready, Kentucky basketball has high-caliber outing | courier-journal.com | The Courier-Journal
DeMarcus Cousins has 21 points and 10 rebounds in 24 minutes? "Ridiculous," Calipari said.

The Wildcats go from giving up 20 offensive boards to South Carolina to just three to a good rebounding team? "Ridiculous."

DeAndre Liggins doesn't hesitate to make the key shot of the second half, a three-pointer when Vandy was threatening with 12 minutes left? "Ridiculous."

Heh.
It's the same, old story for Duke - Stewart Mandel - SI.com
Just a bit of schadenfreude.
Updated Bracket projections - Beyond the Arc - msnbc.com
Rush The Court " Blog Archive " RTC Top 25: Week 13
White will test UK’s talented backcourt | Vaught's Views

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Comments

Wall will be ok!

He is just a kid. How many times to grown “adults” say something they regret. One of my best life lessons is that it is always better to respond than react. JW clearly reacted and then had time to think about it. I think he regrets that comment now.

by cwit on Feb 1, 2010 7:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

John Wall:

High school is fun, but college is where it is at. You could be here forever,

If he only knew. In a few years, he’ll fall asleep feeling fine but awake with a new muscle ache. And instead of having a really cool story about he pulled his hamstring (I was completing an alley-opp, must have jumped too high and the next thing I know, I landed awkwardly on Andrew Bynum’s shoulder), he’ll say: How the hell did I pull my hamstring while sleeping?

If youth knew what age would crave it would both get and save.

by Thomas Hunt Morgan on Feb 1, 2010 9:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Yep he'll be okay ...

It’s nice to know your coach can hook you up with two NBA point guards (Rose and Evans) to get another perspective from. Wall impresses me as the type that 1. doesn’t like to lose and 2. will show you his version of “fun” out on the court …

by ukcris on Feb 1, 2010 9:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Well, let's see.....the media couldnt turn the Cousins

situation into a distraction….so now they go for Wall…..they already tried Calipari before the season started……who’s next on the list???

I think they should try driving a wedge between Stevenson and Harrellson……

Or better yet….make fun of Lee Todd’s mother……that will make things really crazy…..

Remember, we're having fun now!!!

by ALLBLUCAT on Feb 1, 2010 10:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

i think they revisit bledsoe...

or liggins if he does not start – or miller if he sits – or…..

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

by memphis wildcat on Feb 2, 2010 11:57 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Bric-o-lage. The definition of "fun" is creatively making the DDMO work as an entire team

Each member of the team needs to trust when they pass the ball to their teammate it will create an opportunity for either an assist or an offensive rebound. Once everone is is involved, and we no longer have a series of one-on-one moves, we will individually be harder to defend. The paradox is that the better we play as a team, the higher our individual stats will go.

We particularly need to involve the small forwards and Patterson. I was really proud during the Vanderbilt game to see the number of assists. Wall gave out. To improve we need the following, no matter who is playing the position:

PG: double digit scoring, improved free throw shooting, less turnovers.
SG: more scoring, less turnovers, better free thow shooting, help out defending the great point guards
SF: Give the big boys more opportunities to rebound. shoot, defend and rebound
PF: Keep playing that hardnosed “team ball”, better free throw shooting, finish your shots
C: Keep dominating the center, get your team members involved with sharp outlet passes

Above all, don’t break under the pressure of expectations. Remember, champions have fun by playing team ball.

by Blueobsessed on Feb 1, 2010 10:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Today's JW YouTube video was very well done. IMO JW nipped this week's UK controversy...

in the bud!! Amazing for a 19 year old young man. Coach Cal handled situation like the professional he is!!! Coach Cal handled the mysterious benching of Liggins internally and now look at the results.

Love two games a week!! Bring on Ole Miss!!!!

by blue oregon on Feb 2, 2010 2:06 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Not even in the same league as Rondo

John Wall’s frustration pales in comparison with Rajon Rondo’s perpetual pouting during his career at UK. Now that we’re in the SEC the level of play has stepped up and things aren’t so easy for him anymore. He’ll be fine.

by chicagoblues on Feb 2, 2010 2:21 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

John needs a kid to give him a Coke while he’s going into the tunnel at halftime

by dannytanner on Feb 2, 2010 5:51 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Team unleashed

Remember way back when Cal said that when this team “gets it” they would be “unleashed”. He doesn’t talk that way anymore. “They are so young” he says. Do those words mean he doesn’t think he’ll get to the point he trusts them enough to “let go”, and let them just preform?

by UK1972 on Feb 2, 2010 8:04 AM EST reply actions 0 recs