The "c" word has been used by Coach Cal to describe Kentucky's situation at the moment, and apparently, the coach took advantage of the flight back from Gainesville to Lexington to impress upon his young charges that going down in flames is not how he rolls.
Tonight, the Bruce Pearl has been released from Mike Slive's SEC dungeon and the Great Orange Goblin will once again be slobbering and sweating all over the hallowed hardwood of Rupp Arena in the hope of leading the Tennessee Volunteers to victory over the Kentucky Wildcats. I expect the Rupp Arena crowd to welcome Bruce Pearl with disdain at best, and make no mistake, Pearl has earned the scorn of every basketball fan in every town in America save one.
But Pearl-loathing or no, the Volunteers are a talented, experienced bunch, and talented, experienced teams have been just the ticket to send Kentucky back to the Kraft Center with their tail between their collective legs.
Today's links
- Calipari understands it is a "crisis" :: Vaught's Views
- SEC Coach's Teleconference
- Pearl returns to face Cats :: Evansville Courier & Press
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SEC Hoops Power Poll Results: 2/6-2/12 :: Garnet And Black Attack
I forgot to vote in this one. -
Vols still wary of Cats :: Chattanooga Times Free Press
Looks like Scotty Hopson will play, although he may be limited.
- UK’s time for change is now :: The Kentucky Kernel
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Calipari: Crisis brings about change :: Cat Scratches
But the issues may not be what many of you think. They aren't execution or a lack of will to win at the end of games, according to Calipari. It's the middle stretches of games where the Cats are falling behind and digging themselves in a hole.
I think this is right. In the bigger picture, these mental lapses that lead to double-digit deficits have been a common thread in all our recent losses.
- Kentucky's two-game losing streak a 'crisis' to Calipari :: courier-journal.com
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Pearl doesn’t sound nervous about SEC return :: Beyond the Arc
"Kentucky isn’t that loud; I’ve played in louder places,’’ forward Brian Williams told the News-Sentinel. "I can’t explain what it is about Rupp, but it’s something.
Whatever it is, we'll be needing all of it tonight.
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Tennessee at Kentucky Preview - Rupp Arena welcomes Bruce Pearl :: Rocky Top Talk
Great job by Will Shelton previewing the game. Recommended. -
Are schools getting better at gaming the NCAA’s rules system? :: Get The Picture
Interesting reading. - Rush The Court :: Around The Blogosphere: February 8, 2011
- Bruce Pearl to return in Rupp; Lady Vols win in Memorial :: John Clay’s Sidelines
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Rick Bozich | Bruce Pearl jam shouldn't merit encore as UT coach returns :: courier-journal.com
Why is Pearl coming back? Why hasn't he been replaced?
If breaking an NCAA rule and then lying to NCAA investigators about the rule-breaking isn't enough to inspire a school to shove a coach into the same orbit as Kelvin Sampson, what will it take?
Handing recruits stacks of $100 bills and gold-plated keys to Escalades with ESPN cameras rolling?Ouch. Bozich brings the pain.