The Big Blue Daily Mail -- One Week to Kickoff

Next Saturday afternoon, only one week from today, we'll be finding out if Joker Phillips' "Operation Win" will be getting off on the right foot, or suffering a major setback at the hands of a bitter rival.

Now, for the news:

• Rivals High - Perseverance pays off for student manager

  Lipson's story proved inspirational enough to earn him a spot as a student-manager at Kentucky. He is expected to live at Wildcat Lodge - the same building that houses the players.

  An absolutely heartwarming piece that you must read.

• UK Prepares for Final Scrimmage of Preseason Camp

• From the Cards to the Cats | courier-journal.com | The Courier-Journal

  Greg Nord knows special teams can make a difference early in the season.

  As UK has seen, special teams always make a difference.  Poor special teams play has cost us at least four games in the last three years.

• " Why we’re not appearing on the KSR radio show John Clay’s Sidelines

  I don't really want to get into this much, but two things come immediately to mind:
  
  - You should never use photographs for which you do not have the permission of the copyright holder.  KSR should either use photos for which they have permission, Creative Commons photos, or none.  There is almost no such thing as fair use of a photograph.
  
  - The Herald-Leader loses this argument.  They look incredibly petty, even if they do have a beef with Jones & Co.  The correct thing for them to do was to either decline and shut up, or participate with the price being an agreement that KSR will no longer use photographs from the Herald-Leader without permission, if KSR are still doing so.

  John Clay, Jerry Tipton et. al. have no choice here, but if they did, they might still decline to participate based on a plethora of reasons.  None of those reasons need be public, nor will this petulant whine by the H-L editors be in any way beneficial to either of them.  If they have a case, they know where the courtroom is.

  I'm not couching this in a new media vs. dead tree media argument, because I'm not sure that's what it really boils down to.  But the H-L could use the exposure, "free content" or otherwise.  It is the print media furloughing authors, not the new media, who are getting new gigs like this all the time.  A pistol shot to the right toe comes to mind here.  Unwise in the best of times, which these are definitely not.

• Ex-Wildcat Davender sentenced to 8 years for ticket scam | KentuckySports.com

  Former University of Kentucky basketball star Ed Davender was sentenced to eight years in prison Friday on numerous charges related to a UK basketball ticket scam in which victims lost tens of thousands of dollars.

  This is a sad affair for a former Wildcat great.  I hope he gets his life in order after paying his debt to society.  He also owes a good number of people compensation for his wrongdoing.

• Robinson surprised at preseason rise | Vaught's Views

• The Winchester Sun: Winchester, KY

  "This year’s schedule challenges us from game one and I hope it will prepare our young team for the battles we will face in March," Calipari said. "(It was a) great job by John Robic and our athletic department in getting the schedule together. There should be lots for the Big Blue Nation to get excited over."

  I think that's right, coach.  We're looking forward to it.

• Kyle Wiltjer announcement?

  "I love the program," he said. "They're recruiting classes are very strong and the history of the program. (The coaches) keep telling me they are trying to get me to be the last piece to the puzzle for this year. I want to make a visit to see it.

  There is a ton of buzz that this guy is about to commit to Kentucky.  What will happen?  I don't know.  But here's a tweet from The Cats Pause recruiting guys:

  This Kyle wiltjer to uk talk would be big surprise. He and parents like uk a lot, but he's never even visited

  A surprise, indeed.

• Numerical and Alphabetical Rosters

  You have to check this one out.  Very nice work.

• The Winchester Sun: Winchester, KY

  The honeymoon is over. Almost.

  Indeed.

• Aumiller moves to No. 1 at tight end | Vaught's Views

• Pitino confirms Sallie, Coleman will not be Cardinals - Card Chronicle

  The Cardinals just got a lot thinner ...

• I Like Mike - Kentucky's Starting Quarterback Mike Hartline | Saturday Down South

  Let’s start with a little logic exercise here:

  - I am a good fan
  - Good fans support the decision of the head coach
  - The head coach went with Mike Hartline
  - Therefore, I support the decision to go with Mike Hartline

  Okay then.  Seriously, this is a good article.  Read the whole thing.

• UK's Phillips Visits Alumni Luncheon; Locke on Walker Watch List

  Phillips addressed the crowd of more than 800 at the Kentucky International Convention Center, reportedly the largest attendance ever for the event. The head coach spoke mostly about his "Operation: Win" initiative to win in the classroom, win in the community and win on the field.

  Cool.

• 2010-11 RTC Class Schedule: Kentucky Wildcats

  Nice work by Rush The Court as always.

• Ace Weekly: Mitch Barnhart's Birthday

  Want to know more about UK Director of Athletics Mitch Barnhart?  Then this article is for you -- well written and full of insights.

• UK commitment has big game

  Despite battling cramps in the second half, Hall had a 52-yard pass interception return for a touchdown, blocked a punt that resulted in a TD, had several pass break-ups and around 10 tackles in a 35-34 win over Ballard on Friday night.

  That's what I'm talking about!