Big Blue Nation Linkapalooza: Post-Christmas Edition

by Glenn Logan on Dec 26, 2011 9:38 AM EST in Kentucky Wildcats News

Rajon Rondo looked very much like the best point guard in the NBA yesterday against the Knicks in a losing effort.

We're back now from our long winter's nap over the Christmas holiday. Speaking for myself, I feel rejuvenated after having taken a day and a half away from the computer except to amuse myself with games. Christmas here has been a peaceful, happy time, and I hope it has been for everyone in the Big Blue Nation.

Time to catch up on some comings and goings.

Here’s a great way to support Kentucky and help Special Olympics - vaughtsviews

The Challenge is a partnership between the Red & Blue Review TV Network and Special Olympics Kentucky that gives University of Kentucky and University of Louisville fans the chance to show their support for their team while also supporting Special Olympics. Red and Blue Review hosts Howie Lindsey of the Louisville Sports Report and Darrell Bird of The Cat’s Pause will compete to see whose fan base can raise the most money in support of them participating in the Lexington Polar Plunge on Saturday, Feb. 18, at Texas Roadhouse in Lexington.

This looks like a great opportunity to participate in a very worthy cause, the Special Olympics.

John Calipari Announces Gift for Kentucky's Big Blue Nation

Calipari announced that Kentucky will be live streaming the team's practice on Monday evening.

John Calipari Announces Gift for Kentucky's Big Blue Nation

Calipari announced that Kentucky will be live streaming the team's practice on Monday evening.

John Calipari Announces Gift for Kentucky's Big Blue Nation

Calipari announced that Kentucky will be live streaming the team's practice on Monday evening.

Bowl Pick'Em Guide: December 26th - 27th - SB Nation Chicago

Billy Gillispie Gives Away 500 Turkeys for Christmas

Good on ya, coach! Well done.

Chuck Hayes Signs with Sacramento, Named Team Captain

Go, Chuck!

Xavier ‘really needed’ Sunday’s win (that’s an understatement) - Beyond the Arc

That gust of wind you felt Sunday afternoon? That was Xavier, breathing a massive sigh of relief.

Boy, no kidding they needed that. The Musketeers, by the time the polls come out today, will most likely find themselves on the outside looking in. The season that looked so promising two weeks ago was completely derailed by the brawl with Cincinnati and the ensuing suspensions.

Kentucky, Louisville Getting it Done in the Classroom

2.7 isn't horrible, but it isn't impressive, either. Kudos to the Louisville Cardinals for their outstanding effort.

SEC Basketball Power Rankings for 12/25/2011 - Wildcat Blue Nation

The SEC Power Poll for basketball will be appearing shortly as well.

Satellite Piece Crashes Through Man's Roof - Slashdot

PolygamousRanchKid writes "A Siberian resident miraculously escaped serious injury or even death when a fragment of a Russian communication satellite crashed through the roof of his house. A Meridian satellite that was launched Friday from the Plesetsk space center in northern Russia on board a So...

Woah! Now there's a Christmas present for you ...

Which high-profile teams should start sweating at-large bids? - Beyond the Arc

Ole Miss and Vandy could really use victories in their next two games, but both are on the road against teams that look better than them. If they lose, their noncon season could be essentially a bust, and they'll have to do it in the conference.

ANIMATED: Vince Carter Finds Himself In The Matrix - SBNation.com

Nice Neo-dodge, Vince.

ANIMATED: Rajon Rondo Can Be Hurt By Elbows To The Head Like The Rest Of Us - SBNation.com

This was actually quite a scary moment in this game. Rondo was very uncoordinated when he got up, and "uncoordinated" and "Rondo" are words that rarely are uttered in the same sentence.

On this Christmas, we take an in-depth look at UK's own miracle

"Somebody said coming out, ‘We are either the smartest or the dumbest coaching staff,’" Phillips said afterwards, sporting the wry smile of someone having effectively drawn to an inside straight.

Heh. Indeed.

Calipari, Pitino Watch Jabari Parker, Jahlil Okafo-r ZagsBlog.com

Both Kentucky coach John Calipari and Louisville coach Rick Pitino were on Thursday to watch Chicago Simeon star Jabari Parker and his Chicago Simeon team beat Jahlil Okafor and Whitney Young.

Jim Calhoun's three-game suspension starts next Wednesday- The Register Citizen

Calhoun won’t even be allowed to preside over practices over that span. Last year, Tennessee’s Bruce Pearl was suspended for his team’s first eight Southeastern Conference games for lying to the NCAA. But he was allowed to coach the team during practices during that time, and even coached a non-conference game — against UConn, ironically enough — in the middle of it.

The difference?

"Call Indianapolis," Calhoun suggested to a reporter after the Huskies’ 79-71 win over Fairfield on Thursday.

I am starting to really dislike Jim Calhoun a lot.

BCS title game lacks one SEC touch: referees - The Tennessean

The BCS championship game will have all the elements of an SEC game -- two league teams playing in SEC country in New Orleans in front of a raucous SEC crowd with all day to "prepare" for the game.

It's all-SEC everywhere -- except for the guys in stripes.

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I guess all it takes is a good brawl for Xavier to get alot of pub around here :)

Slower Traffic Keep Right!

by SevenRings on Dec 26, 2011 10:05 AM EST reply actions

Heh.

Well, that and three losses in a row. :-)

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

by Glenn Logan on Dec 26, 2011 10:21 AM EST up reply actions

It's interesting that the fortunes of the donnybrook had vastly different impacts on Cincinnati.

Xavier obviously got the worst end of the brawl AND the affect of the follow-on suspensions. You had to expect the Musketeers weren’t going to do well against Oral Roberts with 3 starters, their entire backcourt, suspended. But Long Beach and Hawaii are not good teams and I expected the Musketeers to have won both games and especially beaten Hawaii with Holloway and Lyons both back – despite it being an away game. Perhaps understandably, Frease’s game has been off since he got drilled by Gate’s sucker punch.

On the other hand, I think it speaks volumes for Mick Cronin and the Bearcat’s backcourt depth that Cincinnati was able to go to a 4 guard lineup after losing their best frontcourt player – Yancy Gates. They haven’t played anybody of significance but, though their SOS wasn’t markedly different from what Xavier played, they haven’t lost (yet) despite having had to totally change their style of play.

The big tests will come this week when Cincinnati plays Oklahoma and Pittsburgh without Gates. Alternatively, as Wells’ four game suspension is now over, Xavier will have their entire starting lineup back on the floor. Xavier was significantly better than Gonzaga prior to the fight, but the Bulldogs seem to have got their season on a roll right now and it’ll be interesting to see if the Musketeers can pull themselves back into a top-10 team.

by TeamWeaver on Dec 26, 2011 4:26 PM EST up reply actions

The Knicks can crow all they want about beating a Pierce-less team

But to do it by one point doesn’t bode well for them imo. Rajon was absoulutely sensational and his outside shooting I hope wasn’t a fluke – if he continues this way the kid will be at the top of the running for MVP at years end.

A man is nothing more than a summation of his scars!

by KansasUKCat on Dec 26, 2011 10:38 AM EST reply actions