Big Blue Linkapalooza: Down The Stretch Edition
by Glenn Logan on Feb 18, 2011 8:18 AM EST
in Kentucky Wildcats News
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The SEC field is now at the top of the stretch, and the Florida Gators and Alabama Crimson Tide are four lengths ahead of the field. Will someone from the mid-pack find a way to run them down? Will they tire and falter? Can Kentucky find a way to avoid the first round of the SEC tournament? All these questions will be answered soon.
Todays links:
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Draft analyst: Lamb has attention of NBA scouts, but he likely will be back :: Vaught's Views
I think this is exactly right. Lamb's lack of elite athleticism limits his upside, but his great pace and ability to score from anywhere on the floor make him an NBA prospect at some point. I love this kid's game. I would really love to see him as a junior, but I'll take two years if that's all we can get. -
Tarik Adams :: Wake Up - Music video with UK connections
Normally, I'm not a big hip-hop/R&B fan and I didn't have high hopes for this when it was sent to me, but I must confess I liked it quite a bit. Not only that, a pair of UK logo shorts shows up at the 3:00 mark. The artist is apparently a 2009 UK grad. Definitely worth a watch. -
Lost Uniforms: 1996 Means Kentucky, Converse, And Those Denim Unis :: LostLettermen.com
Memories ... Like the corners of my mind ...
More after the jump
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Alabama 67, LSU 56: 3 points on the morning after :: al.com
The Tide keep rolling. - Penn State Outlasts Minnesota, 66-63 :: Black Shoe Diaries
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John Clay's notes: Georgia's collapse does Kentucky no favors
No, it didn't help. But right now, we have no right to complain. We had a shot at Vandy, and we didn't finish it off. - SEC baseball loaded with talent again :: The Town Talk
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UK women 'outhustled' in 69-51 rout at Georgia :: Kentucky.com
Ugh. -
Henry Mertens: Alex Legion's star-crossed college career ends with a whimper
We see this kind of thing now and again. I blame is mother, who I think is not a whole person, but clearly Legion had his own issues. Well, now that he's been unable to take advantage of his athletic gifts, perhaps he can take advantage of whatever other talents he has. -
John Wall learning to become a leader for Washington Wizards while learning the NBA
Even before he was told to take the reins, it was clear Wall was a leader.
Two words: No doubt.
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Demanding fans looking for Cohen, Bulldogs to produce on field in 2011 :: The Clarion-Ledger
Never should have left Kentucky, John. - Not all delay talk of NCAA :: Chattanooga Times Free Press
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Everything Kentucky: Brandon Knight describes Kentucky end of game execution as "Jumbled"
That sounds right to me. These guys need to just listen to the coach and play. That's all. -
John Calipari thinks the SEC is underrated, implies Big East is overhyped :: Card Chronicle
I think he's right. There is no doubt at all the Big East is better, but I do think they get more hype than they deserve. I also agree the SEC is better this year, particularly in the top half, than many expected. Our bottom half is much weaker than the Big East, though. -
John Calipari delivers season's most awkward in-game interview :: The Dagger - NCAAB - Yahoo! Sports
Heh. Actually, I didn't think of it as awkward so much as untimely. Sometimes, reporters accidentally choose the absolute worst moment to ask the coach perfectly reasonable questions. This seems like one of those times. -
Lost Uniforms: 1996 Means Kentucky, Converse, And Those Denim Unis :: LostLettermen.com
Memories ... Like the corners of my mind ... -
The Blue and the Gray :: Despite Win, Calipari's Frustration Starting to Show - Associated Content from Yahoo! - associatedcontent.com
Are the Wildcats turning Calipari gray this year? In my experience, that just happens to guys when they get past 50, and trust me, I know. But if he has one or two gray hairs extra, I think some of our games could be a proximate cause. -
Video: The coaches talk it out after Kentucky win John Clay’s Sidelines
Just in case you hadn't had time to check this out, you should. A lot of interesting points made in there.
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Didn't Bama play LSU last night?
Then it comes to be that the soothing light at the end of your tunnel, is just a freight train coming your way...
@btcoop71
Yeah. I don't know how I got that article in there.
Well, I’ll just make it go away! :-)
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Glenn Logan on Feb 18, 2011 10:46 AM EST up reply actions
Oh, I see.
That was the ladies game I accidentally linked. Fixed now.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Glenn Logan on Feb 18, 2011 10:50 AM EST up reply actions
With LSU
What’s the difference?
Ha!
by FortyYearCatFan on Feb 18, 2011 12:15 PM EST up reply actions
Thoughts
I hope Lamb stays and I think he will. I love the kid. Silky smooth. I also hope Knight stays but I think it’s 50/50.
I agree with Cal about the SEC being better and the Big East being overrated. Most analyst are saying 11 BE teams getting in but I don’t see teams like West Virginia,Cincinnati,Marquette and St. Johns doing anything in the tourney. I also think teams like UL,Syracuse,UConn and Georgetown will get bounced early.
I loved the denim uni’s in ’96. I also have two of the Makers Mark commemorative bottles with the denim look.
and more thoughts
I don’t see Lamb or Knight leaving for the NBA after only one year, particularly with an NBA lockout looming. They both need to hit the weight room in the off-season. I agree, there’s just something about Doron Lamb. He’s got a super sweet stroke and I also think he’s got really good basketball instincts. The SEC is underrated and the Big East is overrated. Comme d’habitude.
by chicagoblues on Feb 18, 2011 10:16 AM EST up reply actions
I don't agree
that Vandy’s win over Georgia works against us. Both teams were at 6 and 4 and we do not meet up with Georgia again before the tourney. We have a rematch with Vandy and if we win out, we move ahead of both. It is up to us to beat Vandy but somebody else had to take care of Georgia for us.
I woke up feeling BLUE this morning. It's gonna be a great day.
The Big East
gets the hype because of the media market, plain and simple. Their performance as a whole does not live up to the hype when they get to the NCAA tournament.
I woke up feeling BLUE this morning. It's gonna be a great day.
That ...
… will be interesting to see this year. But keep in mind, a BE team beat us last year.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Glenn Logan on Feb 18, 2011 10:50 AM EST up reply actions
BE Teams Are Worn Out By NCAA Tourney
They are good teams (top to bottom) but “whupped” by March every year.
by FortyYearCatFan on Feb 18, 2011 12:17 PM EST up reply actions
They did win championships in 2003 and 2004 - not to whipped then:-)
A man is nothing more than a summation of his scars!
But Louisville, Cincy, Marquette Joined BE In 2006
It made the BE that much tougher.
18 game conference schedule, mostly against Top 50 RPI teams.
by FortyYearCatFan on Feb 19, 2011 9:05 AM EST up reply actions
NCAA tournament
We will be lucky to be a 5th or 6th seed in the big dance. We could loose 2-3 more conference games and 1 in the SEC tournament. But thats ok. The team needs a little more beef. We are having some trouble guarding athletic centers and forwards as well as guarding on the perimeter with the 3 point shot. The defence needs to be better. Our shooting is great overall. This team has offense. Our guards need to hit the weight rm. Who is going to be our center next year-Davis?? With Eloy as backup. Thoughts??
Cats Will Be 3 Or 4 Seed IF They Take Care Of Business
5 straight W in regular season and 2 or 3 W in SECT = 3 or 4 seed.
I hope, not necessarily predict.
by FortyYearCatFan on Feb 18, 2011 12:17 PM EST up reply actions
Tarik Adams
should sell this song to Justin Bieber. It fits him and Tarik would make instant bank and industry cred affording him a higher production level and deeper lable commitment.
I kept waiting for it to take off and at the telegraphed bridge/breakdown it went even softer.
If you are reading Tarik, find a soul singing girl to kick it in and give it a crescendo that pops it’s…..and hits the breaks hard leaving your breathy voice that you do really well in the break to repeat the chorus acapella. Mix in a little of the ambient sound from the video shoot if it is usable or even street noise.
Just having fun. If you are reading it is really nice as is. Good luck! I want you to stomp the crap out of that dUKe grad singin dork!
Love seeing UK magnet and shorts.
Adam Sandler gave love in Funny People in a really important scene where he is on the exam table in the doctor’s office. Lasted a long time and his Kentucky shirt was in your face the whole time.
Changing how you think will change what you think.
Big East, SEC, Lamb, Etc.
Big East may be overrated and no doubt the larger media markets and time zone contributes to that but, top to bottom, the Big East plays a more entertaining style BB than SEC and is just superior. I think that the same can be said for Big 10 (11) — better but not necessarily more entertaining — in fact after watching Gophers vs Nittany Lions I decided both were on par with UK, somewhere in top 30-35.
As for Lamb, he’s become my favorite player and I hope, and expect, that he’ll return for what should be an outstanding sophomore year.
"I bring reason to your ears, and, in language as plain as ABC, hold up truth to your eyes." Thomas Paine, December 23, 1776
Conference Rankings IMO - Not calculating in Pomeroy ratings
I would rank the SEC down to #4 for overall strength.
- - BE because they do have many good teams within the top 25.
- - Big Ten only three schools of real quality and competitive: OS, Purdue and Wisconsin
- - Big 12 but this is based solely on the very high rankings of Kansas and Texas only
- - SEC this low because of the west division of football schools – the highest ranked team in the west in RPI is Ole Miss at #61+- followed by Bama at #80+-
The rest of the conference rankings would be very debatable
A man is nothing more than a summation of his scars!
SEC Rated 7th By KenPom
Take it FWIW.
by FortyYearCatFan on Feb 18, 2011 12:18 PM EST up reply actions
Lamb and Knight stay, Jones goes
If they do we will be so stacked next year.
When does the transfer PG kid get to play. second simester?
If they stay and we get stacked, where do Hood and Poole fit?
Changing how you think will change what you think.
Transfer
The transfer guard is Twany Beckham from Miss. St. He’s eligible second semester next year. Heard he would have “preferred walk-on” status.
Not sure about where Hood fits in next year, but If I were Poole, I’d transfer.
Beckham
He can play the first game after 1st semester ends in Dec 2011.
by FortyYearCatFan on Feb 18, 2011 12:19 PM EST up reply actions
Any chance Liggins puts his name in just to see if there is any interest???
His offense needs work obviously .. but he is an excellent defender who I think will find his way into the league at some point …
It would be smart to do so
Since Liggins is a junior there is 0 downside to putting his name in, finding out what he needs to do, and then withdrawing it. Miller should do the same thing for the same reason – there is 0 downside and he might get some useful feedback.
I’m sure Cal knows the right people for them to talk to so they get good advice.
3 > 2, except for very large values of 2.
Just make sure they withdraw in time
If they go past the deadline, they’d be “permanently ineligible”. It isn’t like we’re Mississippi State or anything!
I think UK has used up it's "don't withdraw but get to be eligible anyway" card for the century
But DeAndre and Darius are smart guys – they’ll get it right. Also, I’m pretty sure Cal wouldn’t let them overlook the deadline.
Though if they did but somehow managed to get eligible anyway, I wonder how Stansbury would react?
3 > 2, except for very large values of 2.
You don't think Cal has an immaculate fax sitting around?
ROFL
Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."
I think so too ... another advantage in playing for UK ... you know plenty of scouts will be at your games ..
In my crystal ball (the one with the crack in it) … I see minutes for Liggins and Miller perhaps declining a little next year … especially if Knight decides to stay (which I think he will) … we will have a bumper crop of great players competing for PT… A really good thing
I've looked at several nba mock drafts
And none of them have either Liggins or Miller in their top 60 projections.
I’m damn sure some teams are very aware of Liggins defensive abilitites and overall athleticism. I firmly believe he’ll be picked up by some nba team, Miller may have to look overseas.
A man is nothing more than a summation of his scars!
They Don't
"I bring reason to your ears, and, in language as plain as ABC, hold up truth to your eyes." Thomas Paine, December 23, 1776
by Wild Weasel on Feb 18, 2011 2:44 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Hood/Poole/Beckham
I won’t be surprised if Hood and/or Poole transfer. Poor Beckham, what was he thinking? Does he really think he’ll get any meaningful mins. next yr.? Same with Hood/Poole. They can’t get mins. this yr., how many do they think they’ll get next yr.?
by bigbill992001 on Feb 18, 2011 6:50 PM EST up reply actions
Did anyone think
that Harrelson would be getting so many minutes this year? If these guys stay and develop, opportunity may well come their way.
I woke up feeling BLUE this morning. It's gonna be a great day.
LOL................ever the optimist
but, I hope you’re right
by bigbill992001 on Feb 19, 2011 12:09 AM EST up reply actions
Mother Necessity
Harrellson’s minutes were/are due to desperation, I.e. he was/is the only choice.
"I bring reason to your ears, and, in language as plain as ABC, hold up truth to your eyes." Thomas Paine, December 23, 1776
by Wild Weasel on Feb 19, 2011 1:24 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
+1
but, I give him credit for what he’s done this yr.
by bigbill992001 on Feb 19, 2011 7:59 AM EST up reply actions
But that is my point.
Injuries or other circumstances can necessitate going deeper into the bench in every game let alone for the season. When they get their chance they need to be prepared to answer the call to duty. Lesser talented players who endure and get the added coaching may eventually perform above our expectations. Every team has to have a few of these.
I woke up feeling BLUE this morning. It's gonna be a great day.
This is Ky
We are all optimist, or at least we should be.
Keep it up, wineman.
"SPORTS"--Not interested----"CATS"--Pull up a chair,I've got all night.
well
I started out the yr. with a full cup of excitement and optimism, but after 7 loses and only marginal improvement from the biginning of the season something took the cream off the top and I’m left with a half cup of reality.
by bigbill992001 on Feb 19, 2011 8:03 AM EST up reply actions
Here is reality
as I see it. This is still much more enjoyable than watching the struggles and turmoil of the teams coached by BCG. These guys are not a physically dominating bunch like last year and their losses have been mostly very close games on the road. It has to be as frustrating for them as it is for us.
I woke up feeling BLUE this morning. It's gonna be a great day.
no argument there, I'm trying for forget BCG
but that’s off subject. I’ve stated many times that these guys need to be more physical on the court and quit getting bumped off the ball. BK/DL maybe should spend a little more time in the weight room. And, since they don’t have the overall talent of, say last yr., they need to execute better. So far, they haven’t done it at crunch time.
by bigbill992001 on Feb 19, 2011 11:46 PM EST up reply actions
Does anyone else want it all, or just me?
I want NCAA banners. I want to go to the Final Four every year. And there is no doubt that winning the NCAA is as good as it gets…but…
I am I the only one slightly offended by what appears to be an attitude that winning the SEC outright and winning the SEC Tourney doesn’t matter? I used to really enjoy telling people that UK had won the SEC more times than all the other schools in the conference combined… back when it was true.
I want to win the NCAA championship, but along the way, I want to always win SEC too. What do you think—is it just Cal-talk when he appears to blow right past the SEC as a goal that matters? Or does he really only have a single target?
I think Cal is focused on NCAA titles...
and views SEC titles as a stepping stone to the goal of winning the NCAA tourney. Chances are, if his team is good enough to win the NCAA title, he’s got a great shot at winning the SEC along the way.
Other UK Coaches
Adolph Rupp won 28 conference titles in 41 seasons. He also won 4 NCAA and 1 NIT (= NCAA in 1940’s) in 41 seasons.
Joe Hall won 8 conference titles in 13 seasons. He also won NCAA and NIT titles.
Eddie Sutton won 1 conference titles in 4 years. He won 0 NCAA titles.
Rick Pitino won 3 conference titles (counting 1991 as I do) in 8 years. He won 1 NCAA title.
Tubby Smith won 5 conference titles in 10 years. He won 1 NCAA title.
Billy Gillispie won 0 conference titles and 0 NCAA in 2 years.
I see a relationship between conference titles and national titles at UK.
by FortyYearCatFan on Feb 18, 2011 1:24 PM EST up reply actions
That is where Cal
is coming from. Besides, if we had to choose, we would pick winning the NCAA over the SEC every time.
I woke up feeling BLUE this morning. It's gonna be a great day.
I Don't See That In UK History
Only the coaches who consistently win SEC titles have won NCAA title(s) at UK.
by FortyYearCatFan on Feb 18, 2011 2:47 PM EST up reply actions
And UK Has Been SEC Champion EVERY Time The Cats Won NCAA Title
1948-49-51-58-78-96-98 = all were SEC champs before NCAA champs.
by FortyYearCatFan on Feb 18, 2011 2:48 PM EST up reply actions
i think
if he goes to some FF, the SEC will take care of itself, goes without sayin’. Few teams will go FF without winning SEC.
by bigbill992001 on Feb 18, 2011 6:57 PM EST up reply actions
I agree
I am sick of Cal saying the SEC doesn’t matter to him. Just play to win the games and you should win both. And the most recent games weigh higher in the NCAA tournament committees mind than the early games. Everything just fits for him to work on the SEC games hard and then move onto the NCAA tournament when it arrives.
"Come test me every day if you want," says Pujols, "Everything I ever made in this game I would give back to the Cardinals if I got caught."
Calipari Ahead Of His Time
I predict that his approach/attitude toward conference titles — important only as they pertain to NCAA seeding — will be the accepted one on a short time (actually might be true today if coaches were more forthcoming).
"I bring reason to your ears, and, in language as plain as ABC, hold up truth to your eyes." Thomas Paine, December 23, 1776
by Wild Weasel on Feb 18, 2011 2:52 PM EST via mobile reply actions
How About The Relationship Between Conference Titles And NCAA Titles Since 2000?
I think you’ll find that, more often than not, the NCAA champions also won their conference title that same year.
by FortyYearCatFan on Feb 18, 2011 3:18 PM EST up reply actions
10 Of 11 (Since 2000) Were NCAA And Conference Champs
Year Champion Runner-up Venue and city
2000 Michigan State (2) 89 Florida 76 RCA Dome Indianapolis, Indiana (4)
Mich St was also B10 champs
2001 Duke (3) 82 Arizona 72 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Minneapolis, Minnesota (3)
Duke was also ACC champs
2002 Maryland 64 Indiana 52 Georgia Dome Atlanta, Georgia (2)
Maryland was also ACC champs
2003 Syracuse 81 Kansas 78 Louisiana Superdome New Orleans, Louisiana (4)
Syracuse shared BE chmapionship
2004 Connecticut (2) 82 Georgia Tech 73 Alamodome San Antonio, Texas (2)
UConn was NOT BE champs (Pittsburgh was)
2005 North Carolina (4) 75 Illinois 70 Edward Jones Dome St. Louis, Missouri (3)
UNC was also ACC champs
2006 Florida 73 UCLA 57 RCA Dome Indianapolis, Indiana (5)
Fla was also SEC champs
2007 Florida (2) 84 Ohio State 75 Georgia Dome Atlanta, Georgia (3)
Fla was also SEC champs
2008† Kansas (3) 75 Memphis* 68 Alamodome San Antonio, Texas (3)
Kansas was B12 champs
2009 North Carolina (5) 89 Michigan State 72 Ford Field Detroit, Michigan
UNC was also ACC champs
2010 Duke (4) 61 Butler 59 Lucas Oil Stadium Indianapolis, Indiana (6)
Duke was also ACC champs
by FortyYearCatFan on Feb 18, 2011 3:38 PM EST up reply actions
Thank you Forty and StLHugo
It’s not about choosing; its about building. I appreciate that you understood what I was saying. Saw the point, and helped make it for me as I was out of the conversation all day.
by StillCatwoman on Feb 18, 2011 9:13 PM EST up reply actions
I wish...
more than anything, that they’d bring back those vintange uni’s. I’ve sad that for a long time now—and, though I am okay with the uniform’s they’re currently sporting, those vintage ones (a) look more comfortable, (b) are way sweeter looking, © and more authentic UK! Bring ’em back!!
GO CATS!
Cousins, Bledsoe and Wall back playing together tonight
.
Rookies vs. Sophomores Game
What: T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam
When: Friday, Feb. 18, 9 p.m. ET
Where: Staples Center
TV: TNT
- ROOKIE TEAM ROSTER
Eric Bledsoe, L.A. Clippers, G
DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento, C
Derrick Favors, New Jersey, F
Landry Fields, New York, G
Blake Griffin, L.A. Clippers, F
Wesley Johnson, Minnesota, G
Greg Monroe, Detroit, C
Gary Neal, San Antonio, G
John Wall, Washington, G
- SOPHOMORE TEAM ROSTER
Doesn’t matter
Go Rookies!
.
-- Tim | Lexington
"I watch (UK) every night... I am going to support them for the rest of my life. I'm a Wildcat for the rest of my life." -- JWall, 2/8/11
Wall 22 Assists, Cousins 33 Points
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20110218/SPT0104/102190367/Wall-Cousins-rule-Rookie-Challenge?odyssey=nav|head linked.
by FortyYearCatFan on Feb 19, 2011 6:12 AM EST up reply actions
The only sad part for me
was that there were a few times when Cousins and Wall looked so happy playing together again. I have watched these guys as much as possible this year (primarily the Wizards) and haven’t seen either guy smiling as much as they did last night. That was the happiest they’ve been all year. Bledsoe is also a joy to keep watching.
“We were trying to work together,” Cousins said. “He wanted to break the assist record, and I wanted to be MVP.”
"I had some flashbacks (to Kentucky)," Cousins said. "It was fun being out there with John. That year didn’t last long enough, but it’s over now."
Quit reminding us, DMC…. quit reminding us…
.
-- Tim | Lexington
"I watch (UK) every night... I am going to support them for the rest of my life. I'm a Wildcat for the rest of my life." -- JWall, 2/8/11
That makes sense to me
Wall and Cousins are both playing for some pretty bad NBA teams right now. It’s hard to have fun when your team is playing losing ball (in ANY sport). Plus, of course they got to relive some of the magic of last year.
I was really happy to see that article about Wall. I hope that due to their connections to Calipari, that Wall and Derrick Rose have talked to each other. Rose’s situation with the Bulls was nearly identical to Wall’s current situation with the Wizards. Rose was drafted onto a horrible Bulls team, surrounded by players who were picked up long before he was brought on board and didn’t necessarily complement his style of play. But Rose stepped up and over his first two years because the unanimous leader of the team, got terrific supporting players (including Keith Bogans, yea!), and now the Bulls should compete for the conference title. I think Wall has every reason to think he could go on the same trajectory, since I think ultimately, Wall has the ability to be a BETTER player than D-Rose. Yeah, I’m biased :)
You can put it on the board....YES.
Rose wasn't that good of a shooter when he went into the league
But he has worked on it and really improved his shooting skills – hopefully Wall will put in the same effort – I’m confident he will..!
A man is nothing more than a summation of his scars!
by KansasUKCat on Feb 19, 2011 11:55 AM EST up reply actions
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