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Kentucky Basketball: TMZ Blog Reports NCAA Investigation

The TMZ Blog is reporting that the NCAA is taking an "aggressive look" at four UK players, two current players and two recent NBA draftees.  The reported investigation allegedly centers around the possibility that these four kids had relationships with professional agents before they came to Kentucky.

According to a source who was interviewed by an NCAA investigator, the agency is interested in at least four players -- two current and two who were just drafted by NBA teams.

I cannot confirm this "investigation" with anyone, and neither can TMZ, apparently.  This report hinges on one person who was allegedly interviewed by the NCAA to whom the NCAA investigator revealed the entire scope of the probe.  If that sounds a bit suspicious, it does to me as well.  Something along these lines has been whispered for months and leaked out in various ways and from various places, but TMZ's high profile requires me to take this seriously enough to mention it.  Trust me, it will be mentioned by everyone else in the sports world, so we can't hide from it.

If there really is such an investigation, it will not be long before major news sources confirm it.  As of now, I am classifying this as rumor # 1,254,546.  One part that makes this seem less than credible is the idea that there are two Kentucky players currently on the team who have had contact with an agent.  I can think of one that may have, but that's all.  So it does make me wonder about the credibility of this report, not to mention the fact that TMZ isn't exactly in the sports reporting business.  But it would not be the first time they managed to scoop the New York Times, SI or ESPN, because they don't confirm their rumors before reporting them, and sometimes the rumors are right.

Star-divide

On a broader note, I think this points up a potential pitfall with Calipari's high-profile recruiting, and the importance of investigating any such potential contacts with agents as thoroughly as possible.  Calipari has effectively announced to the world that he will recruit "one and dones" every year, and these kids may hear that as carte blanche to begin preparing their entry into the draft as early as possible.  In other words, his recruiting strategy could actually encourage this sort of activity.  It could also encourage the NCAA to be especially aggressive toward Kentucky basketball.

I think it's very important that Calipari send a clear message that dalliances with agents will absolutely not be tolerated at Kentucky -- see Reggie Bush and his pre-USC plans for the reasons why.  These kids need to know that if you are going to play here, your record with agents pre-college had better be  pristine, and Calipari is recruiting well enough that he should be able to make that demand without losing his ability to land five star after five star.  The NCAA is definitely going to investigate this issue not just at Kentucky but elsewhere, and Kentucky is a logical starting place considering what we just saw in the NBA draft.

So, my fellow members of the Big Blue Nation, be assured that even if this report is wrong, and this is not actually happening, it surely will eventually.  It is just a matter of time.  It is the price every school pays for recruiting at the very highest level.  I recommend that Kentucky also invest in a substantial increase in the compliance staff if they have not already -- remember, a very small compliance staff was another thing that got USC in such a bind.

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Sigh

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

by chirop1 on Jul 2, 2010 6:50 AM EDT via mobile reply actions  

Heh.

The Neverending Story made for sports. :-)

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

by Glenn Logan on Jul 2, 2010 6:56 AM EDT up reply actions  

Isn't TMZ a gossip site?

This just in: Lady Gaga is having Calipari’s love child?

By the way, nice start to the morning. I’m going back to bed.

No matter where you're at, there you are

by cincyblue on Jul 2, 2010 7:07 AM EDT reply actions  

Heh.

See below.

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

by Glenn Logan on Jul 2, 2010 7:11 AM EDT up reply actions  

TMZ

I guess you have to report this, however as far as TMZ goes Proverbs 26:11 applies:

“As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.”

by BlueCollarMan on Jul 2, 2010 7:07 AM EDT reply actions  

I know.

I hate to report this kind of thing, but when you have a site like TMZ reporting it, you either lie down with the dogs or get accused of hiding your head in the sand.

It’s a no-win situation. I prefer eyes wide open.

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

by Glenn Logan on Jul 2, 2010 7:09 AM EDT up reply actions  

Excellent

By the way, the fool referred to above in Proverbs 26:11 would be TMZ, not anyone else who might closely resemble.

Gotta go to work. Something about making a silk purse from a sow’s ear.

by BlueCollarMan on Jul 2, 2010 7:31 AM EDT up reply actions  

You are right, Tru....

I was debating whether to cover this on my site, but then I saw your article and like you said, we really can’t hide from this.

I am pretty optimistic that this may be nothing. The Wall and Cousins rumors have been around forever (and didn’t the NCAA look at Wall’s dealings with an agent already with Clifton?) and like you, I struggle to think of two current players … I came up with one as well ….

And like you said, TMZ does not fact check. Let’s hope this is the same old stuff being repackaged

http://wildcatblueblog.com

by PJordan32746 on Jul 2, 2010 8:06 AM EDT up reply actions  

Yeah ...

… I hate the “head in the sand” charge worse than passing a report that is single-sourced and unconfirmed. Even though TMZ is far from a credible news organization, their profile gives them a panache that cannot be simply ignored like some random blog could be.

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

by Glenn Logan on Jul 2, 2010 8:36 AM EDT up reply actions  

Perhaps the two "current" players are actually incoming freshmen?

Just speculation, but it would be the only way this report could have credibility. No way Miller, Liggins, Jorts, or Hood were talking to agents.

Then it comes to be that the soothing light at the end of your tunnel, is just a freight train coming your way...

by btcoop71 on Jul 2, 2010 8:41 AM EDT up reply actions  

As to the source site, here is another one of their headline stories

http://www.tmz.com/2010/07/02/britney-spears-starbucks-photo/

Then it comes to be that the soothing light at the end of your tunnel, is just a freight train coming your way...

by btcoop71 on Jul 2, 2010 8:42 AM EDT up reply actions  

I'm having trouble hitting post too early

I was going to say that You have to take this UK report with a grain of salt when another of their major headlines is Brittney Spears holding a cup of coffee.

Then it comes to be that the soothing light at the end of your tunnel, is just a freight train coming your way...

by btcoop71 on Jul 2, 2010 8:44 AM EDT up reply actions  

if this was incoming freshman ...

the NCAA would be doing us a favor and jumping on it eaqrly and being timely ….

I don’t see the NCAA as proactive however

Ask Corey Maggette

http://wildcatblueblog.com

by PJordan32746 on Jul 2, 2010 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions  

their most likely lookin into enes katner since he played professionally overseas. but honestly is this what kentucky basketball has turned into? a place where theNCAA has under a microscope? since cal has gotto lexington, heres what has all happenedd. Firstjohn wall had to sitout a game because of the relationship wit his aau coach, then comes eric bledsoes grades in question and how he improved so dramatically, then enes katners eligibility is in question because of him possibly takin money from his pro team overseas and now this BS!!! I like coach cal, i want him to be nutin but sucessfull here but he IS NOT BIGGER THEN THE UKPROGRAM. im sorry ifi dont like the idea of one of are seasons either last years or ones in the future to be vacated and therefore giving the all time winningest program to freakin unc over recruiting a player or players that dont care about the program and jus wants to be a one and done. these players wit ?marks around their grades and benifits should not even step foot on the campus. letem go play overseas like brandon jennings or sign wit a nbadl league team, they dont belong here. ill always be a uk fan till the day i die, but calipari isnot worth allthe trouble we can be in if these allegations are true. and if they are he might aswell pack his bags and move on to the nba like kelvin sampson who will never coach college ball again

by bigbluemaniac on Jul 3, 2010 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions  

When you recruit at this level ...

… you are going to be under the microscope. It is inevitable.

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

by Glenn Logan on Jul 3, 2010 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions  

oh really........

duke has been landin some great solid recruits, are they bein reported for an ongoin investagation? roy williams has brought solid players in the whole time hes been at carolina, any serious investagtion? its not the program people, its the coach whos reputation is bendin the rules as far astheyll go and any fuckin retard can tell has crossed that line before. all im sayin is stay clear from the questionable recruits and avoid this. do u really want to hear every year after a season about all the allegations were facing? thats where the line isdrawn for true kentucky fans who wanna win at a high level evry year and compete for a national title while running a clean, very seldom allegation program and the fans who jus care about winning no matter all the risks that can leave thisprogram in shandles, jus like the sutton era

by bigbluemaniac on Jul 4, 2010 1:08 AM EDT up reply actions  

u can still win and compete with solid players who arnet big risks as recruits and want to come to school and compete, i blame all this on the high school nba rule. its stupid! a high school grad can go risk hislifefor his country but cant go straight to the nba? pathetic. ever since that rule as come to affect theres been more rules broken and fingers pointed then ever before. sad to say its kinda takin the joy out of watchin student athletes try their hardest on the court and in the class

by bigbluemaniac on Jul 4, 2010 1:15 AM EDT up reply actions  

Really?

How effective were we at doing that since 1998? How many championships? How many Final Fours?

The NBA rule may be stupid to you, but the NBA doesn’t think so. I’d also like to see it changed, but I think it is good for their business, so I don’t expect it to change much, if at all.

As far as “student athletes” are concerned, that died a long time ago for the top programs. Just a fact of life. Times have changed, and competing at the highest level requires better players.

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

by Glenn Logan on Jul 4, 2010 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions  

Please ...

… avoid the use of terms like “fuckin retard”. I allow some profanity in here, but this is over the top. Please see the community guidelines.

Also, don’t use the term “true Kentucky fans” in here. I don’t like it — it is inappropriate and provocative.

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

by Glenn Logan on Jul 4, 2010 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions  

TMZ

I agree with you but I was warned, a while back, to keep religion out of my comments. Do we now have a double standard? What a dumb question. Nicht wahr?

Happy days are here again,
The skies are Wildcat Blue again,
We've got the best recruits again,
Happy days are here again.

by alwaysblue on Jul 2, 2010 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions  

We can blast TMZ as a gossip site all we want

But the fact is, they break big stories with some regularity and they are generally reliable.

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

by chirop1 on Jul 2, 2010 7:58 AM EDT reply actions  

yeah,

Tiger Woods, anyone?

When I first read this (and btw, I got this article emailed to me from the TMZ staff at 2:00 am this morning, isn’t that kinda weird??) that’s the first thing I thought of — the Tiger Woods story. Yes, TMZ is known for gossip and trash and all that, but they did break the Tiger Woods story and we all know the media frenzy that created and what ultimately happened there.

Sooo, what I’m trying to say so very early this morning (I haven’t even had my first cup of coffee yet!) is that I don’t really think this is something to be laughed off and I’m kinda concerned (which really isn’t like me normally, because I don’t consider myself one to jump to conclusions).

Crazy as it may turn out to be, that’s just how I feel at present, and like someone else mentioned above, Tru put something up on it. When I first read the email my heart sank a bit, but then I thought, ok, just relax — don’t worry about it unless Tru has something up on it. Well…. Thanks a lot, Tru ; )

by BigSkyCat on Jul 2, 2010 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions  

+1

giggling like a schoolgirl. . .

It's summertime - go Reds!

by NYCCats on Jul 2, 2010 8:23 AM EDT up reply actions  

That's probably the best one yet Coop

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

by chirop1 on Jul 2, 2010 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions  

btcoop71

Yo Coop. Do you just copy and paste these pix into your profile box?

Happy days are here again,
The skies are Wildcat Blue again,
We've got the best recruits again,
Happy days are here again.

by alwaysblue on Jul 2, 2010 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions  

right click, properties, copy the url

Then it comes to be that the soothing light at the end of your tunnel, is just a freight train coming your way...

by btcoop71 on Jul 2, 2010 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions  

btcoop71

Thanks a lot.

Happy days are here again,
The skies are Wildcat Blue again,
We've got the best recruits again,
Happy days are here again.

by alwaysblue on Jul 2, 2010 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions  

Do you

Have to get permission from originator to put these types of things in a blog?

by craftyno1catfan on Jul 3, 2010 12:33 AM EDT up reply actions  

And.......

Probably true that NCAA asked someone some questions. You can be sure that TMZ’s source did not have any detailed dirt to share or it would have been in the article. Amd because TMZ did not name names, they are not very sure of the strength of the story either. But now we have to find out just what this is all about. Of course there will be tons of chatter about what a cheater Cal is over this. Yikes!!!

by UKLOYAL on Jul 2, 2010 8:08 AM EDT reply actions  

You mean ...

… that people out there will actually jump to conclusions about Calipari??

Perish the thought! :-)

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

by Glenn Logan on Jul 2, 2010 8:32 AM EDT up reply actions  

Bumpy Roads

Regardless——-YOU CAN’T KEEP A GOOD “CAT” DOWN!! It’s time to get out the waders because it is going to get deep. If the info is correct, we have been down that road before, if not someone is going to have their dinner spoiled!! This stuff gets old, but WE WILL SURVIVE! I have had my grandchildren for 3 weeks!!!!! (don’t get me wrong, I love them) but I have survived!!!!!!!!!!!! and will rise again……….Bring it on WIN—LOSE or DRAW——I bleed BLUE!

by kentuckystrong on Jul 2, 2010 8:11 AM EDT reply actions  

Ortmayer Out! Nord In?

More than a rumor but no official announcement: Steve Ortmayer out as UK FB special team coach. UK alum Greg Nord to leave Illini for Cats as replacement.

(So U.S. voters did) "The gazing populace receive greedily, without examination, whatever soothes superstition and promotes wonder." - David Hume

by Wild Weasel on Jul 2, 2010 8:15 AM EDT reply actions  

Don't know enough about it to have a fully formed view

But I remember cursing Ortmayer’s name repeatedly the past couple years. So I’m going to take this as a positive. . .

It's summertime - go Reds!

by NYCCats on Jul 2, 2010 8:25 AM EDT up reply actions  

Kind of my thoughts as well

He’s probably the only coach on the staff other than Joker or Papa Brooks that I knew by name… and that’s not a good thing.

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

by chirop1 on Jul 2, 2010 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions  

Yep.

Saw Ortmayer got ousted. I know a lot of UK fans who are not upset about that.

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

by Glenn Logan on Jul 2, 2010 8:28 AM EDT up reply actions  

LHL Confirmation

On Ortmayer’s ouster but not Nord’s hiring.

(So U.S. voters did) "The gazing populace receive greedily, without examination, whatever soothes superstition and promotes wonder." - David Hume

by Wild Weasel on Jul 2, 2010 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions  

TMZ

While TMZ isn’t a sport reporting site, and does make much of it’s living running gossip, it should be noted it dropped the hammer on Tiny Gallon at Oklahoma.

http://www.tmz.com/2010/03/18/oklahoma-basketball-star-keith-gallon-ncaa-scandal/

by ebwithsomefeedback on Jul 2, 2010 9:05 AM EDT reply actions  

Yep

And just look at all he specifics in that article. They named Gallon, his mom, the financial advisor and the amount of cash involved. (All details that are missing from the UK story) What they missed but is later coming to light is the name of an assistant coach who supposedly called the advisor. That, if it pans out will get OU in some serious trouble.

As it is, the NCAA has to decide whether or not to vacate the season for OU, which if the past is any indication, it may or may not depending on the involvement or lack thereof of the OU staff. I think the NCAA has been taking rules enforcement lessons from FIFA!!!!

by UKLOYAL on Jul 2, 2010 9:22 AM EDT up reply actions  

They were allegedly in Knoxville for a week right after Kiffin left

looking for something, anything…and because of who they are, I kept waiting for them to just throw something out there, but they never did.

The lack of any real detail in the UK “story” makes me curious as to why they went ahead and threw this out there. Goes with the territory, like you guys have said.

by Will Shelton on Jul 2, 2010 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions  

That's what initially brought them to Knoxville

but they also went around a bunch of other places from what I heard, looking into a bunch of different things, and came up with nothing. They never even reported anything potentially suspicious or rumor-ish about the car wreck or the hostess situation, which surprised me.

by Will Shelton on Jul 2, 2010 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions  

Are you talking about TMZ or Pat Forde?

Then it comes to be that the soothing light at the end of your tunnel, is just a freight train coming your way...

by btcoop71 on Jul 2, 2010 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions  

ebwith.....

Yeah, but some of these stories are so obvious that it’s like a walk in the park looking for leaves and there everywhere. Just pick out what you want. LOL

Happy days are here again,
The skies are Wildcat Blue again,
We've got the best recruits again,
Happy days are here again.

by alwaysblue on Jul 2, 2010 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions  

Pitino Vis A Vis Smith

Mark Story has some interesting parallels.

(So U.S. voters did) "The gazing populace receive greedily, without examination, whatever soothes superstition and promotes wonder." - David Hume

by Wild Weasel on Jul 2, 2010 10:10 AM EDT reply actions  

Very VERY SIMILAR Coaching Careers

1 NCAA title in 19 years (Tubby) or 24 years (Pitino).

Moderate success at Tulsa (Tubby) or Boston U (Pitino). More success at Georgia (Tubby) or Providence (Pitino). Great promise but not much more at Minnesota (Tubby) or Louisville (Pitino).

Comparable success at UK – Tubby more SEC titles, Pitino more FF appearances.

Pitino is “different” in 2 other ways. Lousy NBA coaching record. And Karen Sypher mess.

by FortyYearCatFan on Jul 2, 2010 7:11 PM EDT up reply actions  

Can't agree

on comparable success at UK. Pitino inherited a mess and left a program in excellent standing, Tubby inherited the excellent standing and left a program wandering aimlessly.

I woke up feeling BLUE this morning. It's gonna be a great day.

by kywineman on Jul 2, 2010 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions  

Facts

8 years – 1 NCAA title, 2 SEC titles, 5 SECT championships, 27 W per season.

10 years – 1 NCAA title, 5 SEC titles, 5 SECT championships, 26 W per season.

Clearly those are comparable (not identical) results.

UK recruiting was in complete disarray in 1996 and 1997.

by FortyYearCatFan on Jul 3, 2010 8:26 AM EDT up reply actions  

Facts:

Pitino left UK with a suitable replacement - > Tubby
Tubby left UK w/o a suitable replacement - > Billy

'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'

by HozeKing on Jul 3, 2010 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions  

Actually ...

… Pitino did not leave with a replacement. He was recruited among several candidates. The same was true of Gillispie.

You’re right that Tubby was a suitable replacement and Gillispie was not, but that says more about the AD’s that hired them than the coach that left UK.

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

by Glenn Logan on Jul 3, 2010 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions  

Piino Recommended Ralph Willard, Not Tubby

A majority of UK players in 1997 preferred Donovan, not Tubby.

AD C.M. Newton preferred Tubby.

When Tubby left UK, nearly everyone thought Donovan would replace him. UK was SHOCKED when Billy D said No Thanks.

by FortyYearCatFan on Jul 3, 2010 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions  

Career Totals

P averages 23.8 W and 8.7 L per season in his 24 year career.

T averages 23.7 W and 9.7 L per season in his 19 year career.

P has won 5 conference titles and 9 conference tourneys (total of 14) in 24 years.

T has won 7 conferences titles and 5 conference tourneys (total of 12) in 19 years.

by FortyYearCatFan on Jul 3, 2010 8:48 AM EDT up reply actions  

With Cal as Coach

who needs an agent? 5 in the 1st, guaranteed money, 2 years on a roster. What more do they want?

by Fortunatus on Jul 2, 2010 10:16 AM EDT reply actions  

Doesn't four players

spread across the world (if Kanter? semi-pro?), send up a huge flag as to credibility to this? If this is true there there would be more than one “agent”, I would think. Four sounds like someone is trying to “break” a huge tangled web story.

Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!

by a2d2 on Jul 2, 2010 10:33 AM EDT reply actions  

d'oh

Not exactly the news I was looking forward to this Friday morning of what looks like it’s going to be a gorgeous 4th weekend. I am almost certain that the news about Bledsoe dropped right at the start of Memorial Day weekend—isn’t that ironic? Is there a conspiracy afoot to ruin the holiday weekends of UK basketball fans??

So far with what’s out there right now, it doesn’t really seem freak out-worthy just yet, so I’ll hold off. The fact that there is so little meat to the rumor heartens me, but I definitely wouldn’t write it off just because it came from TMZ since they do break news..although the fact that it’s TMZ does make this somewhat surreal….

by blue kentucky girl on Jul 2, 2010 10:39 AM EDT reply actions  

TMZ......the "National Enquirer" of the internet......

unless like some people you consider the entire internet as the “National Enquirer”….Some day I want to put all of these people who make their living this way in a room, and one by one, I am going to make up stories about them, publish the stories on CBS, ABC, and NBC and Fox. I am going to offer no proof, just complete speculation. I will make several of them out to have bag men for the mob, some out to be complete frauds with no credentials( oh wait, the is what they already are), and some out to be just out and out liars, and the rest can all be child-molesting, murdering scum. See if they can all prove that they are not.

I AM THE CAT......The Cat In The Hat!!!

by ALLBLUCAT on Jul 2, 2010 10:52 AM EDT reply actions  

Jerry Tipton has his resume ready....

Then it comes to be that the soothing light at the end of your tunnel, is just a freight train coming your way...

by btcoop71 on Jul 2, 2010 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions  

TMZ........

Once again I am compelled to agree with your hypothetical assessment. Might be just the ticket. LOL

Happy days are here again,
The skies are Wildcat Blue again,
We've got the best recruits again,
Happy days are here again.

by alwaysblue on Jul 2, 2010 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions  

Just sitting here on the "What Next" fence....

Lots of different ways to look at this:

1. Common knowledge..if you mention NCAA and Kentucky in the same sentence, you get a media spike.

2. I think i’ll wait until there is more specific information/proof before I put myself on suicide watch.

3. Not sure about journalistic protocol, but would a news agency, even TMZ, really want to open a breaking story of this magnitude without more actual dirt?

4.Even if we are indeed experiencing some sort of wierd, anti-UK news cycle/conspiracy , seems that over time the audience will build up an immunity…a few weeks ago I would have been fretting big time..now, saying to myself “rubber bullets”..

5. If you want to climb to the top of the mountain, you had better be wearing some damn good snow gear…

by BlueOrion on Jul 2, 2010 11:30 AM EDT reply actions  

C-J Confirms Nord To UK

Greg Nord, Cat 1977-78 and graduate assistant ‘79, will be UK’s newest assistant, probably replacing the departing Steve Ortmayer. Joker has put together an interesting group of new, young faces.

(So U.S. voters did) "The gazing populace receive greedily, without examination, whatever soothes superstition and promotes wonder." - David Hume

by Wild Weasel on Jul 2, 2010 11:35 AM EDT reply actions  

C-J...

Thanks WW. I just hope that Nord didn’t learn TOO well from Fran.

Happy days are here again,
The skies are Wildcat Blue again,
We've got the best recruits again,
Happy days are here again.

by alwaysblue on Jul 2, 2010 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions  

This story may or may not have legs.

We’ll just have to see how it plays out. I do know that many so-called news organizations have a tendency to jump to conclusions. As an example, please check out the video by that world wide, highly-respected news organization, the Onion at http://fliiby.com/file/71166/wo618xlyzj.html. I particularly like the part at about the 1:30 mark. Enjoy and everyone have a Happy Fourth of July.

I may be paranoid, but that doesn't mean they're not out to get me.

by UKCat on Jul 2, 2010 12:02 PM EDT reply actions  

This story.....

I’m with you, UKCat. Because of TMZ’s reputation, if the story has “legs”, I’m thinking they are real short. We have to remember that old time rat poison was 95% cornmeal. LOL

Happy days are here again,
The skies are Wildcat Blue again,
We've got the best recruits again,
Happy days are here again.

by alwaysblue on Jul 2, 2010 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions  

I always heard that cement will kill rats

There’s no poison in it, but did you ever try to (shall we say “pass”) a concrete block?

Things are more like they are today than they ever have been.

by 6-6withglacialspeed on Jul 3, 2010 9:42 AM EDT up reply actions  

I always....

Can’t say I have but didn’t do too bad with a brick. LOL

Happy days are here again,
The skies are Wildcat Blue again,
We've got the best recruits again,
Happy days are here again.

by alwaysblue on Jul 3, 2010 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions  

I have a post on TMZ for you guys

….in the FANPost section. Please read it as I thought it a bit too long for here. I didn’t want it to get lost.
http://www.aseaofblue.com/2010/7/2/1549400/the-tmz-thing

Thanks.

by Juan4UK on Jul 2, 2010 12:44 PM EDT reply actions  

Gee, a big news break

About possible problems at KY just as the Sypher trial is set to start soon in Louisville. How convenient. I wonder if TMZ’s source is the same as the NY Times source about Bledsoe? Can you spell diversion. Even if there is some smoke here, the timing of the news release certainly is fishy. In addition to more compliance officers maybe we should also hire a PI to investigate Richy Jr.

by craftyno1catfan on Jul 2, 2010 12:49 PM EDT reply actions  

So you're implicitly saying that TMZ has a private relationship with RP,

and that’s why they’re creating this “diversion” to take attention off the Sypher trial?

by mrmondaynite on Jul 2, 2010 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions  

No

I just think this all looks like a diversion. There was alot of stuff on the blogues that implied that Richy was the real source for the Times and because of the timing of this latest thing from TMZ it would be nice if it were investigated. TMZ doesn’t have to have a “relationship” with RP to get info from him or for him to try and plant something with them. They don’t even have to have any real contact. There could be an intermediary. It is just so very convenient to try to focus negative attention on KY when the Sypher trial is set to go.

by craftyno1catfan on Jul 2, 2010 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions  

I think that is too heavy on the conspiracy theory

Then it comes to be that the soothing light at the end of your tunnel, is just a freight train coming your way...

by btcoop71 on Jul 2, 2010 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions  

Really

Stop for a minute and think. How much better for your own fans to be focused on how bad KY is, how bad of cheaters they are than for them to be paying attention to this little trial that focuses on your own very bad behavior. From what I’ve seen the card fans are always frothing at the mouth for any tidbit of news they can get their hands on about how bad KY is. They would much rather be ragging on KY than talking about their own program. Pitino is in trouble. He has had to replace 3 assitants in 1 year. He is trying to “rebrand?” card basketball so he can try to compete with Cal in recruiting. Pitino is obsessed with KY. He can’t stand the thought that Cal just might equal or even surpass his own achievements here.
If this had come out after the trial was over, that would be another thing altogether. When nothing really came of the Bledsoe deal I wondered to myself what they would try next. It could be a complete coincidence, who knows. Whatever, whether any of the Ps or their entourage had anything to do with it or not, I’m sure they are happy because it will take attention away from the Louisville courtrooms.

by craftyno1catfan on Jul 2, 2010 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions  

I agree that most Cards fans are obsessed with UK and UK fans

But I don’t think TMX gives a crap about UK vs UL, just saying.

Then it comes to be that the soothing light at the end of your tunnel, is just a freight train coming your way...

by btcoop71 on Jul 2, 2010 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions  

*TMZ

Then it comes to be that the soothing light at the end of your tunnel, is just a freight train coming your way...

by btcoop71 on Jul 2, 2010 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions  

But they

Are just the vehicle aren’t they. Plus, if they are trying to get into more sports reporting, where better to start. The NBA draft was a big KY showcase. It was so and so from the University of KY all night. I’m sure they saw the John Wall welcome in D.C. Right now KY is the IT college bb program. The one that everyone’s been talking about. That draws TMZ like a magnet. I certainly hope there is nothing to their allegations. The NCAA should just announce whether or not there is an investigation going on and nip this in the bud right now.

by craftyno1catfan on Jul 2, 2010 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions  

The UNC fans are though

They have become pretty sanctimonious as it regards their own sucess and UK’s.

"all the way"

by ro307805 on Jul 2, 2010 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions  

Exactly...TMZ has no interest in this...

or at least not enough to need to create a “diversion.”

I second the conspiracy theory photo.

by mrmondaynite on Jul 2, 2010 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions  

TMZ is not

Interested in creating a diversion. They want the scoop. Others would be interested in using them to help create the diversion. TMZ doesn’t seem to really care whether what they put out is true or not. They just want the notoriety of being the ones who broke it.

by craftyno1catfan on Jul 2, 2010 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions  

So you're....

It wouldn’t surprise me in the least.

Happy days are here again,
The skies are Wildcat Blue again,
We've got the best recruits again,
Happy days are here again.

by alwaysblue on Jul 2, 2010 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions  

Then it comes to be that the soothing light at the end of your tunnel, is just a freight train coming your way...

by btcoop71 on Jul 2, 2010 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions  

A single facepalm?

We are so spoiled by the double. ’-)

Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!

by a2d2 on Jul 2, 2010 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions  

The double has a snide comment with it

I wasn’t going for snide this time

Then it comes to be that the soothing light at the end of your tunnel, is just a freight train coming your way...

by btcoop71 on Jul 2, 2010 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions  

More just wtf

Then it comes to be that the soothing light at the end of your tunnel, is just a freight train coming your way...

by btcoop71 on Jul 2, 2010 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions  

I'll

Take Jean-Luc over Riker any day.

by craftyno1catfan on Jul 2, 2010 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions  

If there's anything to this, we'll find out soon enough

As John Gasaway notes, it’s just a Freedom of Information Act request away from being confirmed or rebutted.

3 > 2, except for very large values of 2.

by JLeverenz on Jul 2, 2010 2:16 PM EDT reply actions  

I hope it's not true

Or we will be having an academics first program before you know it.

"all the way"

by ro307805 on Jul 2, 2010 2:57 PM EDT reply actions  

ro307805

Is your comment tongue in cheek?

Happy days are here again,
The skies are Wildcat Blue again,
We've got the best recruits again,
Happy days are here again.

by alwaysblue on Jul 2, 2010 3:12 PM EDT reply actions  

All I can say is

It must have been a slow day in Hollyweird.

Happy Days are here again! Wildcat's have #1 recruiting class again!

by oldcat70 on Jul 2, 2010 3:22 PM EDT reply actions  

I have

very mixed emotions about all college sports anymore. From top to bottom they are corrupt and reek of invitations to cheat. Before anyone gets bent out of shape, I am and always will be “blue.”

Happy days are here again,
The skies are Wildcat Blue again,
We've got the best recruits again,
Happy days are here again.

by alwaysblue on Jul 2, 2010 3:28 PM EDT reply actions  

Well said.

'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'

by HozeKing on Jul 2, 2010 6:05 PM EDT via mobile reply actions  

so let me ge this straight

for trusted news and sports info turn to …. tmz?….lol i think the “sources” that keep coming up with this bs needs to give it a rest… also since sources close to uk say that uk hasn’t been notified about any wrong doings or possible investigation the likelyhood of tmz knowing before uk is very slim… this will fade faster then bledsoe cheating… oh wait that was bs to

"It could be worst, i could be a UL fan, but mama raised me right"

by kentuckywild on Jul 3, 2010 7:46 AM EDT reply actions  

Well to be fair

The Bledsoe thing has yet to be resolved. There’s an independent counsel that has been hired in Alabama to review his high school records.

Which has already been done on multiple occaisions, and it is likely a CYA sort of thing… but it hasn’t been dismissed as total BS just yet.

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

by chirop1 on Jul 3, 2010 9:07 AM EDT up reply actions  

Yep.

I rest my case.

Happy days are here again,
The skies are Wildcat Blue again,
We've got the best recruits again,
Happy days are here again.

by alwaysblue on Jul 3, 2010 3:47 PM EDT reply actions  

cold hard facts

their most likely lookin into enes katner since he played professionally overseas. but honestly is this what kentucky basketball has turned into? a place where theNCAA has under a microscope? since cal has gotto lexington, heres what has all happenedd. Firstjohn wall had to sitout a game because of the relationship wit his aau coach, then comes eric bledsoes grades in question and how he improved so dramatically, then enes katners eligibility is in question because of him possibly takin money from his pro team overseas and now this BS!!! I like coach cal, i want him to be nutin but sucessfull here but he IS NOT BIGGER THEN THE UKPROGRAM. im sorry ifi dont like the idea of one of are seasons either last years or ones in the future to be vacated and therefore giving the all time winningest program to freakin unc over recruiting a player or players that dont care about the program and jus wants to be a one and done. these players wit ?marks around their grades and benifits should not even step foot on the campus. letem go play overseas like brandon jennings or sign wit a nbadl league team, they dont belong here. ill always be a uk fan till the day i die, but calipari isnot worth allthe trouble we can be in if these allegations are true. and if they are he might aswell pack his bags and move on to the nba like kelvin sampson who will never coach college ball again

by bigbluemaniac on Jul 3, 2010 5:12 PM EDT reply actions  

some of you ppl may think im crazy but im not, the uk basketball program has given me so much in life and i jus dont wanna see it end up in shambles. we are the the best college sports team in the land. think of all the hardwork ppl like rupp, hall, pitino and smith put into this program. tubby was a good coach who didnt win the games that counted but the program as i remember it was never in any question with the ncaa regarding recruiting, the program was clean. now cal comes right in and wat do u kno, things are already stirring up. if cal so much as crosses that line of bendin the rules and tryin to sneek behind the ncaas back then we will be in serious trouble, were under a microscope ppl, will always be not jus of bein the best program, but cuz of cal as well

by bigbluemaniac on Jul 3, 2010 5:19 PM EDT reply actions  

bigbluemaniac

Well said. I’m sorry that I have come to the same conclusion but my “gut” tells me I’m right. Before the 2010-11 season even tips off, we may very well not have a season.

Happy days are here again,
The skies are Wildcat Blue again,
We've got the best recruits again,
Happy days are here again.

by alwaysblue on Jul 3, 2010 5:30 PM EDT reply actions  

alwaysblue

im glad you can understand where im comin from. alot of other fans have forgotten the program and have jumped right on the calipari bangwagon. if he could jus go by the rules and do it the right way we’d be ok, but he will always bend the rules as far aspossible and when he goesover tht line were the ones who face the consequences. all i see while caliparis here is another more exciting version of the eddie sutton era. the only good that can come of this is mitch barnhart finnally gets canned, and for all i care cal can go wit him if this is what we gotta go thrugh every year hes here

by bigbluemaniac on Jul 3, 2010 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions  

I promise you ...

… that isn’t going to happen. Believe me or don’t, it will not.

You guys need to take a deep breath. :-) Enes Kanter cannot be a problem right now, he has not played a moment of college basketball and will not for 3 more months. By then, if there is a problem, it will be known.

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

by Glenn Logan on Jul 3, 2010 6:40 PM EDT up reply actions  

truzenzuex

im not worried about katner, he is honestly the least ofmy worries. my worry is what could happen if found guilty of these violations. if cal leaves, which if there are rules broken i believe he will or be fired, kanter will nvr wear a kentucky jersey. nor most of the other new recruits will because they dont care about the program and the great sucess its had, its all about the coach. calipari should show some intress in thisto because its his job and possibly his college coaching career on the line

by bigbluemaniac on Jul 3, 2010 6:49 PM EDT up reply actions  

You can't live in the past.

The success of the program is history and will not, by itself, help us win another game, let alone a title. The game will pass us by if we dig in and chant “We were the best”. The problem lies with the NCAA not being able to control the changing atmosphere of college basketball. Cal is doing what we expect all UK coaches to do, recruit the best talent out there. Few, if any, have been as successful as he has recently. Everytime a rumor pops up, the Henny Penny’s start looking at the sky. None of the rumors have come true yet.

I woke up feeling BLUE this morning. It's gonna be a great day.

by kywineman on Jul 3, 2010 7:03 PM EDT up reply actions  

You can't live in the past.

What a pseudo philosophical statement. “They who ignore the mistakes of the past are doomed to repeat them.” A real philosopher made that statement and there are a great many examples in history to prove it. Including America.

Happy days are here again,
The skies are Wildcat Blue again,
We've got the best recruits again,
Happy days are here again.

by alwaysblue on Jul 4, 2010 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions  

Two different things.

“Living in the past means” not learning one kind of lesson. It means hiding your head in the sand from change.

Failing to learn the lessons of the past is an entirely different thing.

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

by Glenn Logan on Jul 4, 2010 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions  

Two...

Thanks for the insulting remark, Chief! If I did that you’d throw me out of here.
Really worthy of “The Managing Editor.”

No trolling, eh?

Happy days are here again,
The skies are Wildcat Blue again,
We've got the best recruits again,
Happy days are here again.

by alwaysblue on Jul 4, 2010 7:12 PM EDT up reply actions  

I beg your pardon?

How could that possibly be considered insulting?

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

by Glenn Logan on Jul 5, 2010 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions  

Well, I guess

I’m not a “real” philosopher since I don’t have a degree stating so. That doesn’t mean I can’t practice my own philosophy. I am just saying that you can post all of the statistics from the past you want, quote all of the former coaches, survey all of the fans and none of that will help us win the first game of next season. You can sit firmly on the past or be quick on your feet for the future. If you want to be in the game, you better keep moving.

I woke up feeling BLUE this morning. It's gonna be a great day.

by kywineman on Jul 4, 2010 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions  

kywineman

Totally expected response. However I’m still right and I know it. There is someone immensely more intelligent than either of us, and He says I’m right.

Happy days are here again,
The skies are Wildcat Blue again,
We've got the best recruits again,
Happy days are here again.

by alwaysblue on Jul 4, 2010 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions  

My comment above

had nothing to do with religion. Why you feel so compelled to keep injecting it into legitimate debates over basketball really puzzles me. I have beliefs on what life is all about but I will keep them to myself.

I woke up feeling BLUE this morning. It's gonna be a great day.

by kywineman on Jul 5, 2010 12:18 AM EDT up reply actions  

Found guilty of what violations?

There have been no violations even alleged, by anybody!

Calipari is not leaving, and there have been no rules broken that anybody knows about. He is not going to be fired, certainly not because a gossip magazine like TMZ reported an unnamed, anonymous person claimed the NCAA was looking into player’s possible relationships with agents before they even enrolled at UK.

You should calm down and familiarize yourself with the facts. This type of over-the-top commentary is not good for anyone. There have been no violations, there is just a rumor from a gossip site. The source could be a UK opponent trying to hurt us by passing disinformation, for heaven’s sake.

Let’s not fire Calipari after an anonymously-sourced, unconfirmed claim by a gossip site.

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

by Glenn Logan on Jul 4, 2010 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions  

Found..

Well I certainly agree with that.

Contrary to what you may believe though, I am very much into the 21st century. The reason I’m right and I know it is because my head is not in the “SAND.” Quite the contrary.

Happy days are here again,
The skies are Wildcat Blue again,
We've got the best recruits again,
Happy days are here again.

by alwaysblue on Jul 4, 2010 7:20 PM EDT up reply actions  

It may not be in the sand...

… but it is certainly drawing conclusions that are not reasonable. Claiming to know you are “right” does not make it so.

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

by Glenn Logan on Jul 5, 2010 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions  

kanter is jus one of risks, wat about bledsoes grades or relationship wit his agent.the same wit john wall whose agent is a CLOSE FREIND of cals, which is enough to raise intrest anywhere.

by bigbluemaniac on Jul 3, 2010 6:55 PM EDT reply actions  

Bledsoe's grades are being looked into ...

… but in all honesty, they have already been exhaustively examined by UK compliance and the NCAA, among others. Nothing will come of it.

John Wall’s relationship with Clifton has already been examined by UK compliance and the NCAA. John Wall’s agent is not a close friend of Calipari, you are confusing him with Bledsoe’s agent, Leon Rose, who is.

Why is that a problem? It isn’t, not on its face, anyway. Even if Calipari had something to do with Bledsoe’s agent, as long as he had declared for the draft and the deadline for backing out passed, it isn’t a violation of NCAA rules. Once Bledsoe declared and the deadline passed, he was no longer eligible to play in NCAA competition. If Calipari recommended his friend as an agent after Bledsoe was no longer eligible for competition, (which I highly doubt happened), it would not be a violation of NCAA rules as far as I know. So why should that “raise interest?”

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

by Glenn Logan on Jul 4, 2010 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions  

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