The Big Blue Daily Mail -- Leprechaun Edition
by Glenn Logan on Mar 17, 2010 6:26 PM EDT
in Kentucky Wildcats News
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PrintHappy St. Patrick's day to everyone!
- Who’s Hot? Kentucky’s Deron Feldhaus, Helpless Defender Now Golf Course Owner In Bluegrass State – LostLettermen.com
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Rush The Court " Blog Archive " The Argument for the 96 Team Tournament? 31 Fewer Hot Seats
While coaches like to pontificate about expanding tournament to let more "deserving" teams in and give more players a chance to play in March Madness it is pretty clear to most neutral observers that the real motive is quite clear–keeping their jobs. With the recent spate of firings the coaches will continue to lobby hard for expansion.
This is an argument for expanding the tournament that is somewhat convincing. The "hot seat" is responsible for a lot of the unsustainable upward spiral in coaching salaries, and it may be seen as a worthwhile trade-off to keep coaching jobs more stable and begin to stabilize escalating salaries.
The downside is, it promotes mediocrity and a race to the bottom. From a fan standpoint, this is a no-brainer -- don't fix what isn't broken, and coaches, you are on your own. But ultimately, that may be a bit too facile.
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Could Orton’s stock be rising, too? | Vaught's Views
I don't know about the NBA, but it's certainly rising in my eyes. - Sprints Doesn't Have Much to Say Beyond Congratulating Kentucky Basketball // 03.15.10 - Team Speed Kills
- Kentucky rallies to split with Tide | Tidesports.com | TideSports.com
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Nut Punch Night in the NIT | The Elitist Jerks' Sports Information Collective
What the heck is going on with elbows and punches to the junk? Since when did this become the cool thing to do on the basketball court? -
Defending champions North Carolina have struggled all season and are the biggest name not to be at the tournament. But UNC is far from alone in watching from the outside. Also not at among the NCAA 65 teams are such esteemed programs like UCLA, Connecticut, Indiana, Arizona, Memphis, LSU, Stanford, Cincinnati, USC, Massachusetts, Michigan, Utah, NC State and Providence.
Kentucky was in this group last year, and I'm so happy not to be there again.
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Kentucky turnover: Six players moved on after Calipari's arrival - USATODAY.com
In Pilgrim's interview with USA TODAY, he declined to discuss Kentucky, but he made his feelings clear about that situation when he told Outside the Lines, "It hurt because I feel like I abided by the rules. I did everything I was supposed to do. I went to class every day. I didn't fail any tests. For following my part of the contract, they should follow theirs."
I've said this before and will say it again -- I cannot disagree with Matt Pilgrim about this. What Calipari and UK did was not good, and Pilgrim has a right to complain and be upset, and he's not the only one.
- Look to the stars when filling out your bracket
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FOXNews.com - Kentucky right back where it belongs
Unless the team that earns the first pick decides it would prefer to employ mammoth center DeMarcus Cousins, who looks nearly as nimble as Wall but is actually the same size as Dwight Howard (6 feet 11 and 265 pounds). With hands. And footwork. And the remarkable ability to pluck difficult rebounds and convert them into layups at the buzzer. Ask Mississippi State for details.
Heh. Ouch. Hey, Bulldog fans, I didn't say it.
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NCAA Tournament preview: East regional
Everyone likes to talk about how youth will eventually derail Kentucky at some point. I can't help but chuckle when I hear this. The problem with that particular mindset is that we've never actually seen a freshmen-led team play as well as the Wildcats have for an entire season.
Well, there's that.
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UT's Goins knows San Diego State players well " GoVolsXtra
"I'm pretty sure I'm not that popular right about now in Kentucky,'' Goins said. "I actually wanted to reach out to DeMarcus and send him some kind of apology.''
I'm sure an apology would be appreciated. Just so you know, Melvin, the address to Kentucky's athletics department is:
UK Athletics
Joe Craft Center
338 Lexington Ave.
Lexington, KY 40506-0604Just put: "Attn: DeMarcus Cousins" on the envelope. Nothing says "I'm sorry" quite like a nice handwritten letter addressed to the offended person.
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I’m not picking Kentucky to go to the Final Four… – Jake One for the Team - The Dispatch - Davidson County's News Source - Archive
Embrace the hate. -
’Cats’ fabulous freshmen refuse to lose | The Times Leader, Wilkes-Barre, PA
"I don’t think experience has anything to do with it," Donovan said. "These kids like at Kentucky, the season they’ve had, it’s for a reason. They’ve won some games where they had to come from behind, and they’ve played in every possible situation."
Nice comments from Billy D.
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Basketball Prospectus | Articles | Is it Duke or Cameron Indoor?
John Gasaway's always worth a read. The home-road split is always fairly controversial around tournament time. I wish someone would correlate these stats over the last 10 years or so of tournament games and see if there is any statistical correlation to teams with a low road-home delta and success in the tournament. - Rose on Kentucky's Wall, Calipari - Bulls Blog - ESPN Chicago
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Fan Blog - Not much love for Coach Cal - Kentucky Sports Network
The Committee and Coaches really don't like Cal. The SEC certainly doesn't like him and basically slapped him in the face. They do not like the way he wins and wins big. So how do you handle someone you don't like? Make the road as difficult as you can for the type of teams he has.
Another conspiracy theory.
- Previewing the East: Who Can Stop the Cats? - CBSSports.com
- Nine teams that can win NCAA Tournament - Sacramento Living - Sacramento Food and Wine, Home, Health | Sacramento Bee
- Epoch Times - Kansas and Kentucky Will Overcome the Obstacles
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My chalky bracket ends in Jayhawk - Sports: Eric Degerman | Tri-City Herald : Mid-Columbia news
Ultimately, I've got West Virginia with beating Marquette (a sharp-shooting, but smaller Big East team that gets the nod Thursday over Washington) and then Kentucky in the East's "probation final" — a reference to the less-than-scholarly resumés of coaches Bob Huggins and John Calipari, respectively. Get ready for lots of ref baiting and a bizarre contrast in coaching attire.
More vitriol from Kansas. What did we ever do to these guys?
- How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love John Wall
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Tournament worth the wait | courierpostonline.com | Courier-Post
I'll cheer for Tom Izzo and Michigan State. I'll plead with somebody -- anybody -- to knock off Jim Boeheim and Syracuse. And I'll celebrate with the champs, as long as it's not Kentucky and its traitor coach John Calipari.
More Cal hate. Embrace it.
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Krause: Kansas looks like it has enough to win an NCAA championship
Let's establish one thing right away: I am pathologically incapable of rooting for any team coached by John Calipari ... and that means before I ever take part in an NCAA pool -- or put myself on the line as a prognosticator -- I have to declare that I'm not picking Kentucky to win this year.
Still more Cal hate. Are we sensing a pattern here?
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I do not believe that Kentucky is going to win this year's NCAA men's basketball tournament. This is one reason why: I watched them beat the tar out of Tennessee in the SEC tournament, a ridiculous 74-45 blowout during which freshman center DeMarcus Cousins took the opportunity to give head coach John Calipari one of the greatest "Honky, please" looks since the demise of Richard Pryor, and a backup named Daniel Orton was told to absent himself briefly from the proceedings and walked up the tunnel, leaving Kentucky undermanned and the broadcast crew completely baffled. Meanwhile, Calipari was all over starry freshman guard John Wall, who was visibly counting down the seconds until the end of the season, whenever it is. And all this in a game that Kentucky won by 29.
Cal hate and racialism to the nth power. This concludes our reality check. Calipari is hated everywhere, by many, many people. This we knew, but I think everyone needs a reminder.
I have crusaded quite a bit on this issue, but most of these comments and pieces are poster children for multiple ethics violations. They are a sad commentary on the state of sportswritng and journalism in general, and "It's only an opinion piece" is not a defense for the indefensible nonsense contained in many of these articles.
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There is not a shred of evidence that Calipari had anything to do with either of these transgressions, so Knight’s assertion that Calipari shouldn’t be coaching is absurd. Plus, it’s not like Coach Cal’s teams have been out of control thugs. And of all coaches to call out another coach for his transgressions…
Never let it be said that A Sea of Blue lacks balance on any issue. There are also some rational people out there writing about sports.
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I don't disagree with the fact that Duke got a ridiculously easy draw. It's insane. The selection committee did a horrible job. But I'm also not going to give the Blue Devils so much credit that I'm breaking out the Sharpie and jotting down "DUKE" on the Final Four line. There are four games to go before we confront that horror. And, unlike others, I'm holding out hope that no draw is too easy for the Dukies.
Heh. I love it.
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Bracket babble: Five bold predictions - College Basketball Nation Blog - ESPN
Eamonn Brennan is always worth a read. -
The NCAA Tournament, Reimagined: What If John Wall Had Picked YOUR School? - SB Nation
Interesting "what if" from Andrew Sharp. -
Bracket Beast - Home
Create your own ranking systems for the tournament.
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Tru,
I saw an interesting take on the tournament expansion the other day, from someone who suggested 4 play-in games. One for each region. I was at first dismissive until I thought about it. I really is an intriguing idea. would get an additional 6 teams in without expanding the brackets.
I AM THE CAT......The Cat In The Hat!!!
I noticed someone said that the other day, too,
and I just let it go then, but, since you brought it up again, that actually only adds 3 teams to the tournament, not 6. Each play-in game only adds 1 team.
I don't think 4 play-in games would be that bad either.
I would like to see the play-in games be for the bubble teams though, not necessarily the 16 seeds who won their conference tournament. Have the play-in winner be the 12 or 13 seed (presumably be the last at-large teams selected).
the person that thought up the idea added that it would be good to make the winner of the
play in the 8-9 seed. To add something interesting to the mix.
I AM THE CAT......The Cat In The Hat!!!
That's not as awful as a whole new round.
Still, I think the play-in game is a joke. I’d Rather they just went with 64 teams and have done.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Glenn Logan on Mar 17, 2010 10:11 PM EDT up reply actions
I've gotten use to the play-in game
but think the NCAA could better use the game. This year they had two tournament champions play to get that final seat.
A couple things could be improved. First, if you win a conference tournament, regardless of its quality, you should get a seat. It seems ridiculous that winning a conference doesn’t get you ahead of at least a couple of the at-large teams. Secondly, use some of those at large teams to build a quasi-marquee game to raise awareness of the tournament (not required for our area). With all of the games coming up this weekend I would have enjoyed watching something like Florida vs Wake Forest or Missouri vs Minnesota on a slow Tuesday night.
I actually like that idea.....make all of the play in games from the at large bids.....
I do wonder if it would water down the brackets though, some of the at-large teams are better than some of the conference champs
I AM THE CAT......The Cat In The Hat!!!
That's the best expansion suggestion I've heard
1. All conference winners get in without a play-in game.
2. Bubble teams get one last chance. (Rule: only the winning play-in teams are considered tourney participants; it’s a play-in, not an actual part of the tourney.)
3. TV gets the potential for some additional big-name match-ups, which I’m sure would draw better ratings than the current play-in game.
4. It adds uncertainty to the overall bracket, because they could play in for 10-13 seeds, which definitely have the potential to win a few games in the tourney, as opposed to playing in for the 16-seeds, followed 2 days later by a game against one of the top overall teams.
I hate the tournament expansion idea (to 96)...stupid stupid stupid
The argument that it may save some coaches from getting fired may be legit. However, what happens to those coaches that don’t make the tournament when there are 96 teams? Seems to me like it would open the door for more firings.
Slower Traffic Keep Right!
I don't think it'll save coaches at all
The first year or two it might – while everyone adjusts to the idea that it is no longer an accomplishment to make the tournament – but soon those same coaches will be fired because they can’t win a game or two in the new tournament.
The Incredibles got it right: “When everyone is made special, no one will be.”
Personally, I blame Boheim for this after he whined about going to the NIT a few years in a row.
3 > 2, except for very large values of 2.
Adding the play in games .... That would be me ....
I’m not sure logistically it can work though …. The 4 one seeds play two on Thursday and two on Friday so either there has to be 4 play-in games Wednesday or 2 Tuesday and then 2 Wednesday. But it would free up 6 additional at large bids.
Although the way Arizona State tanked in the NIT, it makes you wonder about the selections overall. I understand why Florida got in and MSU didn’t – I just thought MSU had really come together at the end of the season …. that got me to thinking.
I’m totally against going to 96 or more though.
It's the leprechaun
and I think he has been in the green beer. ;-)
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
Someone's been watching Spam-A-Lot
3 > 2, except for very large values of 2.
Spammers.
Now they are residing in /dev/null. :-)
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Glenn Logan on Mar 17, 2010 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Look at their bio
They joined and spammed on many of the SBNation blogs today. I think I need to visit their site just to * with them.
on orton...
i ran into a former assistant coach in the airport recently – i had met him at the father/son camps.
we talked about several interesting things. one thing he mentioned is that he thought orton was unhappy early in the season. i figure after missing your senior year in HS, the last thing you want to do is sit your freshman year – especially when he would have been the starter had Cal not come. although he has porbably gotten over it, as late as the game at vandy, you could see his frustration at coming out in his body language.
i believe it would be a huge mistake for him to leave after one year, but if he did have a good tourny, who knows. if he performed next year like he did during his stint in the miss state final, i have to believe he is a lock for a lottery pick next year
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Mar 17, 2010 10:20 PM EDT reply actions
I honestly cannot see wheere Daniel has shown himself to be a lottery pick, maybe I am being blind here.....
he hasnt even started a game yet has he???
I AM THE CAT......The Cat In The Hat!!!
Think you're right
A few decent games at the end of the season (including one he walked out on) and some flashes of brilliance sporadically through the season doesn’t really make up a body of work to make an NBA evaluation. Even if some NBAer said go he’d be a late rounder and a development project.
If he didn’t like the pine time at UK it would really upset him at the next level. Next year at UK – pine time only for resting and NBA value greatly increases.
Daniel may very well be next year's DeMarcus...especially if he spends another summer out in Cali with that training guru
Daniel has less fat than DeMarcus, and is in better shape, he just needs to learn the footwork and positioning that DeMarcus seems to come by naturally.
I AM THE CAT......The Cat In The Hat!!!
He definitely has the potential
and he is overcoming some of his passiveness. Hopefully, the footwork and positioning work will lead to some better shot conversion. He missed so many 3 – 6 foot shots it really discouraged him. He needs the confidence that is slowly building. Next year, assuming Cousins moves on, maybe not having the shadow of Demarcus’ aura around the whole team will give him the opportunity to blossom. It had to be hard to step back, even though Cousins was obviously on a development curve no one anticipated.
It would be great if they find another big man for the team, Daniel is going to have to be constantly challenged in practice to get where he needs to be. Are there any big men on the recruitment list that could fill the bill?
Enes Kanter could possibly come in and even challenge him for a starting spot......
Kanter is a serious prospect…….serious
I AM THE CAT......The Cat In The Hat!!!
He slipped my mind
(like so many other things). From what I’ve see of Kanter he would also be a good complement to Orton and could play PPat’s role used in this year’s hybrid offense.. Heh, we may never see the pure DDM offense.
With Patterson gone,
Orton and Kanter could both start…
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
You just said that.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
lol....ahh....its nice to summarize everyonce in a while.....
I AM THE CAT......The Cat In The Hat!!!
players are drafted on potential...
not many big guys are around. not saying he would be a lottery pick this year but no doubt he will be.
that being said, if he has a monster ncaa tournament – even if he does not start – an nba team desperate for a big man might take a chance on him
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Mar 18, 2010 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions
Game Time
Does anybody know what time Kentucky would end up playing on Saturday? I haven’t seen it released anywhere, but you would assume CBS would have it laid out by now.
UK Atheletics site still has it TBA
http://www.ukathletics.com/sports/m-baskbl/sched/kty-m-baskbl-sched.html
Would assume CBS wants to know who the matchups are before figuring out who gets prime time.
"Come test me every day if you want," says Pujols, "Everything I ever made in this game I would give back to the Cardinals if I got caught."
Orton Is No Cousins
Nor will he ever be — that is in no way disparaging Daniel Orton but more a commentary on the unique abilities* of Cousins — but he can be an outstanding college 5 and have a successful and profitable pro career.
- Primarily hands and feet supplemented with high basketball IQ.
"Perhaps the fact that we have seen millions voting themselves into complete dependence on a tyrant has made our generation understand that to choose one's government is not necessarily to secure freedom" - Hayek
I think the recruiting situation is going to sort itself out shortly after the tournament
As soon as John, DeMarcus, Patrick and the rest of the gang sit down with Cal and map out the future, we will know how many we need for next year. My gut tells me we will have 5-6 scholarship slots available, and since only one has been filled, we will be needing some of these high profile recruits who have yet to sign.
I really do think that is why some have waited to commit, they wanted to see how many slots we would have available.
I AM THE CAT......The Cat In The Hat!!!
by ALLBLUCAT on Mar 18, 2010 8:21 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
You hit the nail
When you read all of the recruiting news the better to best players are, for the most part, talking about making their decision in mid April. The dominoes are lined up – players satisfaction with tourney results determine whether to jump into NBA, Kentucky has the most players in that situation, decisions will dictate scholarship availability and which players are holding over for another year.
5 star recruits want situations where they can start immediately and should the bizarre happen and Wall stays, we’d be covered for the guard position. Once again, Kentucky is getting to be the lynchpin in recruiting. That’s nice.
hehehe....we are worried whether or not we will have John Wall or Brandon Knight next year
aint it grand????
I AM THE CAT......The Cat In The Hat!!!
Enjoyed the "what if" article by Andrew Sharp
And, did we hear if the apology letter from Goins ever got to Lexington? ;-)
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
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