The Big Blue Daily Mail -- Mid-Week Edition
by Glenn Logan on Mar 31, 2010 8:27 AM EDT
in Kentucky Wildcats News
Email
PrintThe Lady Wildcats just didn't quite have enough last night to make it to the women's Final Four, being defeated by the Oklahoma Lady Sooners. So basketball, as far as the University of Kentucky's chances in any tournaments are concerned, is officially over. But there is still recruiting, spring football and even a little baseball to talk about.
Now, the news:
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NCAA tournament: Need a Final Four rooting interest? Use Pat Forde's likability index - ESPN
Just ... whatever. -
(Coach in) waiting is over for UK's Phillips | KentuckySports.com
Phillips announced position changes that will take place in the spring: Junior Chandler Burden is moving from defensive end to left tackle, junior Greg Meisner will move from defensive end to fullback, and redshirt freshman Jordan Aumiller will move from linebacker to tight end. Also, in changes that were announced earlier, junior safety Matt Lentz has moved to strong-side linebacker, and redshirt freshman Dakotah Tyler has moved from tailback to safety.
Matt Lentz is now a strong-side linebacker? Did he gain 25 pounds? Wow.
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Rush The Court " Blog Archive " Comings & Goings: Oregon Chasing Tubby; Tim Floyd to UTEP – Really?
Oregon is offering everybody with a name big money, it seems. -
Tubby Smith says he hasn't received Oregon offer - Sporting News staff reports - College Basketball - Sporting News
Heh. Okay, when you hear the "working on an extension" thing, you know Smith is getting offers through third parties. I don't see Smith going to Oregon or anywhere else, but these reports suggest that something is afoot. -
» BBL: Selby, Leslie, Lamb and Luke Cothron updates John Clay’s Sidelines
John Clay's Big Blue Links. -
URI jobbed in final seconds; NIT title game saved! | College Hoops Journal
This is just wrong.
More after the jump.
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Facebook | Videos Posted by John Calipari: Mar 28, 2010 2:00am
Arrival at the airport. Just in case you had not seen it. - Future has never been brighter for UK Hoops
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Top prep event has Kentucky prospects | courier-journal.com | The Courier-Journal
Seven of the high school basketball stars in Wednesday's [McDonald's All-America] game are uncommitted, and Kentucky is after five of them.
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Wildcats are first-year coach's army | courier-journal.com | The Courier-Journal
The quarterback battle will be quite interesting this spring. -
Power Rankings: Which Rookie Coach Will Have the Worst 2010 season? | The Wife Hates Sports
Joker Phillips comes in somewhere in the middle of the pack. -
Kentucky Blog - University of Kentucky Official Athletic Site
Starting Wednesday, the Kentucky football team will reconvene for four weeks of spring football practice. Spring football will culminate on April 24 at Commonwealth for the Blue/White Game.
And we'll be covering this as much as we can.
- In The News: Kentucky’s Tom Payne Trying To Get Early Release From Prison After Life Sentence – LostLettermen.com
- In The News: Kentucky’s Tom Payne Trying To Get Early Release From Prison After Life Sentence – LostLettermen.com
- 'Cats ready for Joker || OnlineAthens.com
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No. 30 Baseball Hosts No. 18 Western Kentucky Wednesday - KENTUCKY OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE
After an efficient dispatching of Cincinnati on Tuesday night in the Queen City, the No. 30 Kentucky baseball team will return home for a midweek showdown with No. 18 Western Kentucky, with first-pitch slated for 6:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday at Cliff Hagan Stadium.
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Terrence Jones talks recruiting
This kid is a stud, but Portland is a long way from the Bluegrass. - Dunlap on AP All-America third team | Vaught's Views
- Doron Lamb talks recruiting
- Kentucky Sports Radio " Blog Archive " Recruits Being Told ‘Five Are Going’
- Kentucky Sports Radio " Joker talks more on "Operation: Win"
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Duke, Michigan St., Butler, West Virginia ride heart to Indy - Michael Rosenberg - SI.com
(By the way,I recently wrote a column trying to explain what makes Calipari tick, and why, of all the ethically challenged coaches in this sport, he is the most reviled. Is he really the worst of the worst? Or just the most successful of the worst? A few readers interpreted this to mean I was DEFENDING Calipari, which was never my intention ... but upon re-reading the piece, I see why they thought that. I was not clear enough. Writer failure. My point was that, whether he is the worst of the rogues, or just the best at being a rogue, he is still a rogue. So let me state for the record: I believe Calipari breaks rules that haven't even been created yet, and if I were a school president for a hundred years, overseeing a thousand sports, I would never hire John Calipari.)
This guy is the new Loathsome Troll. Jeff Goodman surrendered that title a while back, and this guy is his replacement.
Leaving aside the fact that he has no proof of any wrongdoing by Calipari at all, the phrase " I believe Calipari breaks rules that haven't even been created yet," is the height of an unethical comment. It's perfectly fine for him to believe that Calipari cheats, even if he has no proof to support his belief (which he does not). It is completely another matter to make a defamatory remark (yes, lawyers, I know Cal is a public figure, it's an opinion, yada, yada, yada) about him.
So let me say this to Michael Rosenberg -- You are wrong, and profoundly so. You are hiding a bias in your writing, and that becomes obvious anytime a writer has an unqualified opinion that is unsupported by facts. Don't give me the "two vacated Final Fours" claptrap -- the NCAA found nothing nefarious in Calipari's actions in either case and Calipari reported the Camby matter to the NCAA himself.
Your opinion of Calipari is essentially exactly like belief in the shooter behind the grassy knoll. In other words, you are a conspiracy theorist, mentally and rationally equivalent to people who think that the moon landing was faked, or that September 11th was orchestrated by the U.S. government.
In other words, a wack-job.
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DT Corey Peters on Browns' draft radar | Big C's NFL Blitz
Peters worked out for Cleveland a week ago and impressed members of the coaching staff. He has generated some interest around the league working out for New England as well. He is scheduled to visit the New York Jets and Tennessee Titans this week.
Go, Corey! Good on ya, big man.
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10 Final Four storylines - Beyond the Arc - msnbc.com
Duke's return to the Final Four is a conspiracy: The Blue Devils ran through the weakest region of the tournament, advancing as the only No. 1 seed in the Final Four. They were on the receiving end of a couple of beneficial calls in their Elite Eight game as well. Connect the dots, and it can only be a conspiracy to get Duke back to the Final Four for the first time in six years. Right?
Heh. After all the hate and invective Kentucky has suffered through this year (and continues to suffer through), I am revising my opinion of the Blue Devils. No, I'm not pulling for them, but now that I know how it feels to be hated on a lot, I feel a bit of a connection that I did not feel when Kentucky's program was way down.
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Patterson always sacrificed for the team | Vaught's Views
What can you say? - Basketball Prospectus | Articles | Tournament Preview: Michigan State vs. Butler
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Nets landing Jeff Van Gundy? - Sports Rumors - NBA Blog - Yahoo! Sports
I hope so. Anything to make the Calipari to the Nets talk go away. -
At least Kentucky won't have to take it back | The News-Sentinel - Fort Wayne IN
Three of the four No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament failed to reach the Final Four, but there was good news for at least one of them: Kentucky will not have as much hardware to surrender when coach John Calipari leaves for a new job and the school goes on probation.
Sigh. Well, at least the column is aptly titled -- The Cheap Shots Column. I can respect those who at least own up to what they are doing in advance.
- Fans impressed Wall from the start | Vaught's Views
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Calipari Thanks Fans For Support Despite Loss - Louisville News Story - WLKY Louisville
"UK fans are spinning so hard I think they're digging holes in the ground. It's ridiculous -- the rationalization I'm seeing about Kentucky basketball," 84 WHAS Sports Talk anchor Lachlan McLean said.
This guy is, unfortunately, a douchebag. I have to listen to him occasionally, and it is not a pleasant experience.
Note to Lachlan -- UK doesn't need to rationalize an Elite Eight with a team full of freshmen. "Better to be silent and thought a fool ..."
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general - Are Boston fans racist? - WEEI | Jerry Thornton
Right. Because one columnist wrote a puff piece about rooting for Cinderella, that makes us a city filled with card carrying Klansmen. Of course, one could point out that while Kentucky’s legendary racist old coot Adolph Rupp was still keeping his team segregated, Red Auerbach was winning championships with the most pioneeringly color-blind, racially bonding team in the history of American professional sports. Or point out that they named an arena after Rupp. We built a statue of Auerbach, while he still was alive.
Will this never end? Good grief, the Boston media are an elitist bunch.
Racist? I doubt it. Arrogant, ignorant, and condescending? Yes, yes, and yes.
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The Daily Bruin | Final Four far from fantastic
Well, now here is an opinion that goes against the mainstream sports media's narrative. I don't necessarily agree, but he makes some good points, and I like contrarian pieces like this. -
Column: Fans should be proud of Calipari’s first season : The Kentucky Kernel
Kenny gets it right. -
Two famous coaches, two strange turns - College Basketball Nation Blog - ESPN
And before those of you starting bringing up the John Calipari-Memphis-Kentucky thing, remember that Calipari was never individually named or implicated in any of the Derrick Rose SAT stuff from last offseason. To the NCAA's lights, Calipari had nothing to do with that, and his move to Kentucky was treated accordingly. Floyd's situation seems far more specific.
Thank God somebody has the rationality to get that straight. But don't worry -- we'll see others claim a double-standard or some such drivel. It never fails.
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'One and Done' Is for Losers -- NCAABB FanHouse
As for the present, you'll mostly become a one-and-done tease in March Madness, which is why Calipari's Wildcats are back at their old Kentucky homes.
Heh. This is a hilarious article. The author tries to make the case, with ... ahem ... John Chaney as his validation, that the reason Kentucky lost is because the players were more interested than getting theirs than playing as a team.
You have to wonder if any of these guys who write this dreck actually watch the teams they write about. This is Seth Davisesque in its ignorance. John Chaney, who once threatened Calipari, as your "expert?" Seriously?
There is no doubt that a team filled with "one and dones" are not the best way to win a national championship due to lack of continuity and youth. No doubt at all that is so. But it should be possible, and one thing you do tend to get is good basketball.
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*adjusting tin foil hat*
Your opinion of Calipari is essentially exactly like belief in the shooter behind the grassy knoll. In other words, you are a conspiracy theorist, mentally and rationally equivalent to people who think that the moon landing was faked, or that September 11th was orchestrated by the U.S. government.
Those are just crazy theories put out by the NCAA and UK Athletic Department to distract from the truth, which is that Ashley Judd leads the witch’s coven of lizard people casting spells to get Kentucky back to the National Championship which is the signal to the Nazis that have a secret base on the dark side of the moon to begin their conquest of Earth.
It’s true, I read it on the internet.
by Strangeite on Mar 31, 2010 9:32 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Recruiting tidbits
The 7-foot, 205-pound (emphasis added) Turpin has heard from plenty of colleges in the past two weeks including the most recent interest from Kentucky and Louisville.
My lord… almost a foot taller than me and weighs the same as I did in my heftier stage a couple years ago. (I was having problems fitting into my suits… I either had to lose weight or buy new suits. Losing weight was cheaper.) This guy would make Perry Stevenson look like an Olympic bodybuilder!
Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."
While I won't go into
my own distanced measurements as John Cal as a person, can I put in a request, if possible? I’d like to see the aSoB writers look at Cal’s ability to gameplan for and adjust his strategy in-game against foes other than Cornell, where a simple plan — with a harder execution that UK did wonderfully — was the obvious choice.
I ask this because, well, I’ve yet to see a big-time game where I was really impressed with some sort of decision Cal made, whether pre-game or at halftime, that had me thinking he was a good X’s and O’s coach. We all know he’s a great recruiter, but again, from my perception he is far from others as far as gameplanning and making the proper adjustments within the game itself. He’s been outcoached, in my mind, a time or two more than I’d think his salary pays him for.
I’m not trying to start any “z0mg Cal suxx!!” argument, I’m sure most of the readers know my opinion of him, I’m just wanting to hear your all’s perception of how well he does in the squiggly lines and 1s and 4s of coaching.
Tennessee Fans: We win at teh Internet!
Every coach ...
… gets “outcoached” at times.
The problem is that we really don’t know what adjustments he tries to make, and to what level those adjustments are executed.
With a team like UK had this year, where they usually had the advantage at every position, adjustments would tend to be very small, like changing a defender or an offensive tweak. We’ll be able to tell more about that when Calipari has a team that is actually down a significant amount more than just two or three times per year.
I think what really hurt the team this year was the level of competition, and the small number of big games UK played. Hopefully, that will be rectified next year. I have it in my mind that West Virgina’s schedule was the #1 contributor to their success against Kentucky.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Glenn Logan on Mar 31, 2010 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions
fair comments...
but my thought would be that either he did not or could not get the players to go inside with the ball versus WVA. My gut is he tried and being the great communicator that he is, i find it hard to believe he did not get through to the kids. however, Cal is emotion driven (not good nor bad, just is) and that might have hampered his ability to get the message through.
No question, Cal can communicate the big picture and get the trend right. i just wonder about getting the finer points across.
still happy he is here because it will be fun – just going back to my consistent thoughts on his in game abilities…
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Mar 31, 2010 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions
you have seen more of him than almost anyone on this site Memphis, so I have to assume your
questions are sound, and coming from experience, and maybe, just maybe, he does lack in some way to get kids through that type of situation, what I do wonder though, is how the kids were reacting to his coaching that day…..I dont know anything, I just raise the question, because no matter how good you are, 18-22 yr olds only listen to what you tell them so many times…
I AM THE CAT......The Cat In The Hat!!!
at 35-3,
its hard to say they do not listen to him quite a bit!
Seriously, maybe its a combination of youth, a weaker schedule that we thought, the way they were reacting that day, poor FTs, yada yada yada. given the talent on this team, it had to be more than just 1 thing – it was a combination…
i will leave it at that. i had some other thoughts but they make it look like i am really being critical of Cal. do not want to give that impression right now as i always longed for the excitement at memphis to be at uk – now we have it!
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Mar 31, 2010 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions
One thing about Cal that raises my eyebrows
Are some of the quotes made by Wall and Cousins at points in the season, and sometimes the “body language” on the bench. Like someone said, Cal is a very emotional person and often wears his thoughts on his sleeve. From what I can tell, I think he might be overtly .. something .. to rub his players the wrong way.
Tennessee Fans: We win at teh Internet!
by bobo_the_vol on Mar 31, 2010 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions
Or
That the players just don’t want to hear such a critical assessment of their play, or something. All coaches go through it, I’ve just noticed it more with Cal — more in his time at Memphis than Kentucky, but I’ve seen it a few times at UK in his one season here.
Tennessee Fans: We win at teh Internet!
by bobo_the_vol on Mar 31, 2010 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions
I think he understands the give and take more than almost any other coach.
If you saw “body language” that made you think that, you should have seen the the players under Smith. I love Tubby, but he had a way of making guys hang their heads that puts Cal to shame.
Honestly, this appears to me to be the most harmonious and “on the same page” UK team in many, many years.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Glenn Logan on Mar 31, 2010 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions
Fair enough
And, not really paying too much attention to basketball during the Tubby Smith years, I’ll have to take your word for it.
And, in Cal’s defense, most of the time he was yelling he had a very good reason to.
Tennessee Fans: We win at teh Internet!
by bobo_the_vol on Mar 31, 2010 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions
Very true
However,on this year’s team Orton stands out as the player equivalent of coach’s “wears his thoughts on his sleeve” mentality. Of all the players on this team he needs another year of college just to get his emotions in check. He’s the one that had to take a walk during a game to refocus and he’s also the one that Cousins had to restrain. You could always just look at him and know how he felt. I’d sure like to get him into a poker game.
Cal has matured some....
in his early days at memphis, when his players did not do what he wanted them to do, he would look into the stands, shrugg his shoulders, and lift his arms in the air – as if to say “do you see what i have to work with? how can we win with these idiots?”
i did not once see that this season – and Cal did not do it toward the end of his days at memphis.
it also has to do with the players – Cuz sort of laughs about it (not necessarily during the heat of battle, but in interviews on non game days).
Maybe Cal has learned how to do a better job at recruiting (ie, fewer knuckleheads) and maybe he has been lucky. but his lack of throwing players under the bus this season is why i have known from day one that this team was special…
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Mar 31, 2010 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions
Xs and Os?
Is Cal a good Xs and Os coach? I dont know. But the WV game came down to WV shooting lights out from 3 and we shot like the lights WERE out. If we had shot better, even made 2 or 3 more 3s and maybe 4 or 5 more FT, we probably wouldnt be having this conversation. If you say he’s a bad coach because he allowed them to take 32 3s when they oviously were having an OFF night, then maybe he’s a bad coach. I DO wonder why we went away from forcing the ball inside. We had 3 big horses in there, Orton kinda took the night off scoring, and 15 fouls to give inside. Maybe Cal can be blamed that way, but the fact is we shot for poop.
by bigbill992001 on Mar 31, 2010 7:42 PM EDT up reply actions
This isn't
Something related to only the WV game.
Screw Miss Sue!! Screw Her With the Neyland Zombie Army!!
I probably will regret this bobo, but I am going to go into your "distanced measurments" of
John Calipari as a person……do you have some sort of “personal knowledge” of John Calipari? Was he a neighbor of yours or something? Did you go to college with the man?? While I appreciate your cordial comments on the site, (much better than most of your RTT cohorts), I am curious as to where you obtained this informed opinion you hold?
Let’s say I was willing to concede (which I am not) that Calipari has masterminded everything that has ever been written about him. He orchestrated the entire Marcus Camby situation, hooked him up with an agent, and arranged for Camby to get paid. Then years later, he makes sure Derrick Rose has a stand-in at the ready to take his SAT/ACT/ whatever test, and arranges for it all to be done under his direct supervision with no others being involved.
Other than helping 2 kids who he evidently liked, what did he do that makes him such a bad person? Are you saying that he is a cheat, so he obviously is a jerk? You place morality on such a high precipice, I will ask you. Ever cheated on your taxes? Ever returned something for credit and claimed that it didnt work, when you just really didnt like it?
No one in this world is without sin, so I wonder what makes this guy so bad that you seem to hold some personal contempt for him?
I AM THE CAT......The Cat In The Hat!!!
ABC....
i do believe bobo could have posed the question without his lead in paragraph and concluding paragraph, but in the middle paragraph, he does ask a fair question.
you just have to excuse his manners – after all he is a vol fan :)
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Mar 31, 2010 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions
That's why I didnt question the middle paragraph.....
I will discuss X’s and O’s all day long…..and if there had been forty articles this week about how many mistakes Cal made in the game, I would have been interested in most every one, but no one does that…..no one asks those questions…..everyone wants to talk about how we get what we deserve because we have put this man in charge……and so far I havent found one thing about him or his personality, character, or commitment that I bring into question.
These people have no way to question the game conduct….other than we were too young……It’s kind of like trying to go bear hunting after you have used all the shells…..once they are gone, you better be able to talk your way out of the situation with the bear, because the gun wont help when it’s empty.
I AM THE CAT......The Cat In The Hat!!!
"everyone wants to talk about how we get what we deserve"
amen brother – living in memphis that is all i hear. guess i have become somewhat desensitized to it. it needs to be called out and i am glad you did (especially on a UK board) – i have gotten weary of it and try to ignore it….maybe thats not the right way to handle it, but that is where i am
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Mar 31, 2010 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions
I have a question for you memphis
Was the “Refuse to Lose” phrase strongly marketed during Cal’s time at Memphis? Still trying to figure out the guy, you know.
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
do not remember it right off the top of my head...
but it does sound familiar - tenken, if you are out there, you might comment.
but the seth davis comment on picking the germans was. the “we won’t lose due to free throws” was…the list is very long. but if it works, who cares…i am enjoying hearing them when referenced to our cats cause it is great fun!
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Mar 31, 2010 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions
Thanks...as I am having "blue" issues with "RTL"
I know that RTL was embedded in Memphis’ new uniforms (last year) and not sure you knew it or not, but it is copyrighted. I have a couple issues with using it, I even have an unpublished fanpost about it (I didn’t want to jinx us). Maybe tenken knows more. :-)
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
by distanced measurements
I meant that, no, I don’t have any personal knowledge of Cal. I’ve never met him, know him only from what I’ve been shown, so I have super solid basis of not liking him. I still don’t like him, but I was trying to point out that I don’t know him and could very easily be wrong with my view of him.
Tennessee Fans: We win at teh Internet!
by bobo_the_vol on Mar 31, 2010 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions
then why make the statements?
Would it not be easier to raise the questions without the rhetoric?
I know you have a good basketball mind bobo, you make too many comments that show your knowledge of the game…..forgive the overly sensitive reaction, but this stuff is getting old….making accusations, or assertions, or even off handed comments without knowledge is not a way to make one’s point seem valid
I AM THE CAT......The Cat In The Hat!!!
I know that on RTT it probably raises the response count, but on here it does you no favors
I AM THE CAT......The Cat In The Hat!!!
I was trying
to emphasize that I’m not trying to be a sleeze, which I’m sure you’ve gotten plenty of times — from that one Memphis fan, for example. Obviously I took a wrong turn somewhere. It wasn’t intentional.
Tennessee Fans: We win at teh Internet!
by bobo_the_vol on Mar 31, 2010 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions
bobo---
thats a tough one… if you had just asked the question, someone would have said you were doing it because you were a “hater” but if you preceed it with a disclaimer, you get accused of trying to get a shot in…
clearly the use of disclaimer did not work — try the other way next time (and if you get blasted for that, just remind me….) :)
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Mar 31, 2010 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions
I know that I probably went overboard on the response, but I
have reached my fill of people who dont know anything real about any situation that continue to perpetuate the myths…….and I also know it was not intentional bobo, but intentional or no, it still serves to do that every thing. You can keep asking any questions you like(as if I had any control over it) and we can keep discussing. I just dont think the “I hate Cal” approach is gonna fly for anyone around here anymore……there is simply no proof out there to support it.
I AM THE CAT......The Cat In The Hat!!!
nor should it fly...
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Mar 31, 2010 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions
No, you didn't.
You just can’t tiptoe around the subject enough to please certain people. The only thing you can do to please them is to abjectly adore Mr. Calipari.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
And that is what makes this a UK fansite......you you really want to
start out again on this kind of a thread around here?….I would have thought you learned your lesson last time…….If you dont like the man, fine…..keep it to yourself and keep your opinions on your own site……RTT loves that kind of stuff…..go bash the man all you like over there….here, it doesnt fly. Tiptoeing or not….
I AM THE CAT......The Cat In The Hat!!!
This IS a Kentucly site.
Not sure why its so shocking that we like our Coach and our team.
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 Mar 31, 2010 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions
It's not...
I expect you to. Bobo went out of his way to not say anything negative, and still got slammed…by one person. This person doesn’t want anyone to comment here who doesn’t like John Calipari. It’s not enough that they don’t say anything negative about him, they must think he is a great guy.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
I thought I explained myself pretty well on this but let me say it again
in case you didnt understand it earlier……if you want to run this team OR it’s coach down…..do it elsewhere……I actually have come to value bobo’s opinions on a few things, and it was much more intended to clear the air than anything…..
I AM THE CAT......The Cat In The Hat!!!
Yeah, you're fine.
Tennessee Fans: We win at teh Internet!
by bobo_the_vol on Mar 31, 2010 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Get over it.
That is all…….
Call it aftermath, she's turning blue, Such a lovely color for you.
Call it aftermath, she's turning blue, While I just sit and stare at you.
I don't ask anyone to adore him.
But I do ask people to be fair to him. And they refuse.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
i think you are wrong about Cal the person...
in many ways i like him more as a person than a coach.
only had a few direct dealings with him, but take away the coaching and i believe he is very likeable and just like you and me – puts his pants on one leg at a time and is the first to admit it…
he does get caught up in the hyperbole and that causes things to get overblown. deep down, i believe there is an insecurity in Cal that drives him – he just wants to be liked like all of us do.
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Mar 31, 2010 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah
And I understand that if I knew him there’s a more than fair chance I’d like him. But you’ve also got to excuse the dislike for a coach that has a shaky history as far as the rulebooks go and has coached two of Tennessee’s bigger rivals.
Tennessee Fans: We win at teh Internet!
by bobo_the_vol on Mar 31, 2010 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah...
and i might actually like pearl if i knew him….
well, let’s not go too far :)
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Mar 31, 2010 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions
No...
it’s inexcusable. You’re a bad man, bobo!
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
as a vol fan...
you have to be careful bringing that topic up on this board :) anyway – i am more in your corner than not having had 9 years of up close viewing.
see my comments the morning after our loss. My biggest concern has been his x and o ability – 14-2 in the SEC softened that somewhat and i do believe he is better (called more TOs, did not throw players under the bus, made some minor in game adjustments, etc) and i have greater respect for his defensive coaching abilitiy (non zone using, notwithstanding – didn’t we crucifiy our previous coach for not using zone – but of course he did not win – oh, i digress). but he is not a great in game coach, imo…
in his defense, i believe he coaches to his strength – focusing on getting his players ready to play their game. and with the athletes he recruits that is not a bad strategy but it leaves little room to make adjustments when they are off their game.
my solution would be for him to get a stud assistant that might help more with ingame adjustments. Cal is driven by emotion and someone with a more logical look at the game could help direct that emotion to changes that need making in game.
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Mar 31, 2010 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions
Alright
Yeah, that’s more of what I was after .. I know that for Bruce Pearl, one of his assistants is just top-notch at gameplanning, and Bruce always has him in his ear for small adjustments like that, such as “Sherrod Collins is better going to his left” or “they give up going inside easilly if you deny it early” sorts of things.
Tennessee Fans: We win at teh Internet!
by bobo_the_vol on Mar 31, 2010 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions
And the end to that UNC game was garbage.
It’s very questionable if UNC would have lost anyways, but URI deserved a chance to freak’n try for it! complete garbage, and I’ll be sure to rub it in the UNC fans’ noses today.
Tennessee Fans: We win at teh Internet!
It never ceases to amaze me.....they trashed us when they were afraid we were going to win it all
because we were obviously cheating to bring in all of these big name recruits. We didnt win, and now they are trashing us for bringing in all of these big name recruits?
I am beginning to think that I liked the world better when all I had to get my information was the coaches show on the radio on monday nights.
When we do the right thing, for any situation, they trash us because we should have always been doing it that way, which in most cases we were. If we make a mistake on something and we are the living embodiment of the anti-christ himself……What the hell do these low-life, pseudo-intelligent, wanna-be sports reporters want from us??
I have even money, that if we stopped all collegiate sports at UK tomorrow, they would still write hate-mail to us for at least 5 years.
I AM THE CAT......The Cat In The Hat!!!
No kidding
I’m beginning to wonder if the whole world hated us in 96 too? Did they hate the ’98 team?
Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."
probbably did not hate us as much in 98
because tubby was our coach – he is more likeable than pitino and classier…
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Mar 31, 2010 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions
Didn't have the anonymous bashing ability
afforded by the internet then. It was there, but in its infancy as to sports blogs, etc.
"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena . . .who spends himself for a worthy cause . . ."
I say bring it
If they dont’ hate you, you don’t matter
Call it aftermath, she's turning blue, Such a lovely color for you.
Call it aftermath, she's turning blue, While I just sit and stare at you.
The Tubby-2-Oregon Rumors Are Utterly False
But the rumor keeps getting spread anyway.
Media has become like National Enquirer.
by FortyYearCatFan on Mar 31, 2010 1:33 PM EDT reply actions
I dont know how many ways the man can say he is not going...lol...
but youre right Forty….this is becoming worse than a soap opera….and it wont end until all the open slots are filled
I AM THE CAT......The Cat In The Hat!!!
Oregon Senior Associate AD Says NO
Reports that Minnesota’s Tubby Smith was offered the job, and Michigan State’s Tom Izzo will be offered the richest contract in college basketball are not true, said Joe Giansante, a senior associate athletic director at Oregon.
“On the big ones, Tom Izzo and Tubby Smith, neither one of (the reports) have any truth whatsoever,” Giansante said Tuesday. “I don’t know where those reports come from.”
by FortyYearCatFan on Mar 31, 2010 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Tru,
Thank you soooo much for having some football news. The UK football spring program starts later than just about every other schools spring start date (for some strange reason) and reading up on all of our SEC brethren’s spring football has go me itching for football.
Looks like Joker isn’t wasting any time putting his stamp on his team, or should I say “army”. There is a pretty dramatic personnel shift among the players going to different positions which will be interesting to watch going forward. Joker seems obsessed with getting defensive speed closer to the line of scrimmage. I sure hope these fast little guys can shed some blocks. Opponents will start running right at our linebackers if they are percieved to be undersized.
The biggest story line I’m waiting to follow will the quarterback battle. An open request to Joker: Please, no Hartline.
Matt Lentz has given up football due to concussions
Tough break, I wish him luck.
Call it aftermath, she's turning blue, Such a lovely color for you.
Call it aftermath, she's turning blue, While I just sit and stare at you.
That IS tough
I feel for him but glad that he made what is the hard but correct choice. Seems players are getting more realistic concerning concussions with some of the data that has been coming out.
Late breaking from the worldwide leader-
ESPN just reported that during an interview with C. J. Leslie, at the Mcdonald’s Game, Leslie said five players were leaving UK for the pros… ESPN says a lot of top high school players are just waiting for them to commit, so they can commit to UK…
"You are what you are and you ain't what you ain't"
I wouldn't call it late breaking news
Tru had the stories linked above earlier this morning and KSR and other outlets had it last night.
Otherwise, yes… I’d say the new haul of recruits is waiting for the old haul to clear out.
Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."
Sorry, didn't know of earlier posts-
And I was hoping we’d only lose three to the NBA…
"You are what you are and you ain't what you ain't"
Well... let me give you this little gem ;-)
Wherein Doron Lamb says he was told there would be nine spots open on the roster. NINE!!!
Now maybe the kid mis-spoke… but if he didn’t, it also means that not only are Bledsoe and Orton gone, someone else is transferring.
Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."
I've heard talk-
That J. Hood may be transferring. But, I did not know about nine open spots. I think we will get our share of top recruits, and next year could be as exciting as this one was. I just watched some C.J. Leslie highlights and this kid can really play. Along with T. Jones and S. Poole we would be extremely athletic. If we can get Brandon Knight and convince Daniel Orton to stay… Watch Out!!!
"You are what you are and you ain't what you ain't"
I'm sure the pundits
are giving their brains a workout (for many, the first time in years) trying to come up with a “clever” nickname for the UK men’s basketball program. Something like “UKNBA”, “NBA Farm Team U”, “OneDoneCats” or the like. Get ready for more slandering, it’s coming.
Maybe we should just beat them to the punch and come up with all the good ones so they have nothing original. Nevermind, original material isn’t required for most of them.
Some 8's Are Better
Such a newsworthy/comment-worthy pre-Final Four day. Allow me to begin with the Lady Cats and their Elite Eight finish and how pleased I — and likely most other UK fans — am with the accomplishment especially compared with the destitute emptiness following the men’s loss. Why the disparity in emotions? The simple answer is expectations: men were picked to win SEC, ladies 11 of 12; men nationally ranked in top 5, ladies no votes; men loaded with nationally-recognized talent (5 NBA draftees is unthinkable), women virtually unknown with possible exception of A’dia Mathies. Add in the vast divergence in tradition, fan following and the overall hype benefit of men over women and the women’s 8 is truly elite while the men’s 8 was merely expected. Using returning talent as a metric perhaps next year the roles will be reversed.
Re: The Final Four, it seems to me that this is basically a Coach’s Competition with Brad Stevens being the outlier but primarily due to his relative youth and experience. Consider the other 3: To me it becomes ever more unambiguous that Tom Izzo is the best in the NCAA — 6 Final Fours in 12 years is truly remarkable and he’s done it without having the most talent most seasons — Krzyzewski is HOF and Huggins will be, plus all 3 had to address impediments.
Coaching expertise discussion disposes one to address the various comments on Calipari, his skills and his place among the elite. I believe the data show that he excels in some areas and not so much in others. Won-loss record (conferences strength considered), accruing/inducing talent, managing talent, PR/marketing, innovation are areas of strength. On the other hand there are questions of structure, discipline, game management and sense of laxity in accountability. The listed strengths make him the near perfect leader for UK BB but the uncertainties can limit his (and program’s) success and prevent him from being listed among the truly elite.
Neither of the Tom Payne links on LostLettermen open. I would welcome any details on his quest for freedom.
"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
by Wild Weasel on Mar 31, 2010 4:08 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
The first one doesn't open for me, either.
But I think it’s supposed to be this article.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Right on for the most part, weasel, and a rec from me.
Only disagreements I have is with discipline and laxity in accountability. I don’t know, and I presume most of us don’t, what the situation with Liggins involved, but whatever it was, I thought Coach Cal handled it well and Liggins became a very important part of team chemistry after his return. In the area of discipline, I’m not aware of any circumstances other than the Liggins situation that called for disciplining a team member this year. Perhaps there was one that I missed.
No arguments with other areas, though. As to structure, I’ve made my feelings known many times about the lack of what I consider one of the cornerstones of teamwork: pick/screen for a teammate with or without the ball. Coach Cal said we weren’t going to do it and we didn’t. The few efforts that were made, except for Patterson (who sets a great pick), were ineffective because of poor picks and poor drives off the pick. So, no argument with the concern about structure.
The game management area is somewhat tougher, although, as I said in a fanpost, he certainly got outcoached in the last game. Of course, had we shot well, the coaching shortcomings might have not been noticed, but we didn’t and they were.
Overall, one of the best comments I’ve seen this year. The Coach’s Competition paragraph is perfect. Thanks for provoking thought.
"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena . . .who spends himself for a worthy cause . . ."
Orton entering draft,
will not hire agent, according to KSR. Well, there’s one domino!
Hope no one has already posted this, I didn’t notice it anywhere.
by blue kentucky girl on Mar 31, 2010 7:09 PM EDT reply actions
Anybody think an NBA team will take him high?
He has great physical assets, but has shown very limited offensive skills so far. Defensively, pretty good. I think he needs some more college ball, but that may be my “wish” side thinking.
As for Bledsoe, there’s much of the same. Great physical skills, but frequent poor judgment in taking the ball into traffic and not enough ballhandling skills to get himself out of trouble when he does. Certainly has an offensive upside and his defense got better during the year, but, really . . .
"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena . . .who spends himself for a worthy cause . . ."
I am with you oc'69
While we definitely saw improvement from Daniel over the season, I don’t think he is ready for the NBA. He needs to work on a lot, IMO.
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
Orton
is just not ready. His skill set shows flashes but needs a lot more work, the kind of work he could get in another year of playing in games; not sitting on the bench and getting very limited minutes in the NBA while viewed as a project for the team. Another weak point is his emotional side. He frustrates early, angers quickly and loses focus in even the most average conditions. NBA players going against him would get in his head so easily he might not ever keep the composure nor have the fortitude to reach his potential. If he leaves early, he will likely be one of those players that bounces around the league for 10 years then gives up.
Did you see the comment from Orton's Dad?
Wow……
Call it aftermath, she's turning blue, Such a lovely color for you.
Call it aftermath, she's turning blue, While I just sit and stare at you.
Haters
The best thing you can do when haters post on here, or make derogatory comments, is to totally ignore that post or comment. It never happened. Haters WANT a response.
McDonald's All American game
Anyone know where I can find the game online (other than on ESPN360)?
Bill
I think you can catch the game on channelsurfing.net
by bigbill992001 on Mar 31, 2010 9:03 PM EDT up reply actions
So Orton's Dad says he is better than Cousins.....
….and Dodson might be transfering…….odd day.
Call it aftermath, she's turning blue, Such a lovely color for you.
Call it aftermath, she's turning blue, While I just sit and stare at you.
link fail
http://kentuckysportsradio.com/?p=48560
http://kentuckysportsradio.com/?p=48554
Call it aftermath, she's turning blue, Such a lovely color for you.
Call it aftermath, she's turning blue, While I just sit and stare at you.
this?
"if Daniel has a good workout, he might be a top five pick…If he had played more, he would have made DeMarcus look bad"
OMG, WTF. There is standing up for and believing in your kid, and then there is….this.
by blue kentucky girl on Mar 31, 2010 10:37 PM EDT up reply actions
This is a fricking Chinese fire drill.
Ignore this crap. When the truth is known, somebody with actual knowledge will tell us.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Glenn Logan on Mar 31, 2010 11:27 PM EDT up reply actions
"Starting all over again is gonna be rough, so rough, but we're gonna make it"
:-)
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
McDonald's game observations-
T. Jones and D. Lamb look really good. B. Knight is good but not even close to J. Wall good. K. Irving is very impressive (darn Dookies) as is T. Harris. J. Selby needs to move up on our list. Was nice to see J. Wall, D. Cousins, and E. Bledsoe at the game together…Seven of these guys are uncommitted.
"You are what you are and you ain't what you ain't"
Forgot to mention-
That C.J. Leslie would look very good in Kentucky Blue also…
"You are what you are and you ain't what you ain't"
No disrespect B. Knight-
No one is J. Wall good…
"You are what you are and you ain't what you ain't"
Comments-
On KSR tonight are really funny. Hoze King even posted there. One comment said Dodson was declaring for the WNBA. Another said Michael Porter was declaring. Good stuff…
"You are what you are and you ain't what you ain't"
I had forgotten how
entertaining/infuriating off-season basketball rumor-mongering could be!!
by blue kentucky girl on Mar 31, 2010 10:38 PM EDT up reply actions
So Hoze King lives?
I wonder why he don’t like us anymore?
Happy Days are here again The sky is all ways BLUE again Happy days are here again !
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