Good morning, Big Blue Nation. Today is one day closer to the Thanksgiving holiday when we'll all be feasting somewhere. Yours truly will be feasting in Sin City. I need a break from the insanity of Louisville.
Tweet of the Morning:
It's really sad that two fairly historical athletic programs (UConn, Louisville) have been reduced to begging. Nice job, power brokers.
— Ed Daigneault (@EdDaigneault) November 20, 2012
Well, "sad" wouldn't be my word of choice ...
Your Quickies:
Kentucky football
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Notebook: Tennessee the final stop in sendoff of seniors, Phillips - Kentucky Wildcats
There is no group more interested in Phillips replacement than the players set to return next season, which leads classmates, family and friends to ask them often for the scoop. The Cats' answer is pretty simple.
"We don't even know," junior defensive tackle Tristian Johnson said. "When people come up and ask you questions about the next coach is I want to say, 'I'm in the same boat as you.' "
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The Herald-Sun // Cutcliffe pledges loyalty to Duke
That's not surprising. It's who he is. -
Joker Phillips begins his separation from UK // Kentucky.com
In token ways, Joker Phillips already has started to part ways with Kentucky.
The head coach, who was fired two weeks ago, has started wearing less UK gear, including at Monday's news conference, where he donned a simple black Nike pullover and khakis.
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Wesley Woodyard // A Sea Of Blue
Good fanpost. -
Scout.com // Rumph honored by SEC
Rumph played really well against Samford. He did a real good job of getting off blocks.
Kentucky basketball
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What has happened to student section attendance at Rupp Arena? // vaughtsviews
"I miss last year’s team; this year’s team is disappointing."
"Nerlens sucks compared to Anthony Davis."
"Where was this team against Duke? Last year’s guys would have clobbered them."
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Under the lights: An extended look at the 2012-13 season opener // CoachCal.com
Wild Weasel linked this yesterday, but in case you missed it, be sure and watch. It's worth your time. -
Sean Woods criticizes Kentucky, backpedals // ESPN
I get what Woods was saying. In a way, he's right. Kentucky players no longer have a sense of history. The world is different now, and in some ways, worse. He should have kept it to himself, but I do get what he meant, and in my view, he wasn't being critical, just honest.
I think any Wildcats fan who grew up during or before the Joe B. Hall era gets what he means. All our players are imports from other states. They think about the NBA nowadays, not about making a mark in college. Oh, some do, at Morehead and Murray and Mississippi Valley St. Those guys are playing what is likely to be the last team basketball of their lives, and they know it.
Any honest Kentucky fan has to admit that UK has become a stepping stone to the NBA (more of a touchstone, really), but that's not the fault of the university -- it's either ride the bull, or be gored by it. I like riding it better. Yes, I miss the old days, but living in the past is impossible.
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Kentucky Sports Radio // Joe B. Hall’s Tuesday News and Views
The big news of the day came from Coach Cal’s weekly radio show when he announced a potential return to practice on Tuesday for Ryan Harrow. Calipari said Harrow was with the team on Monday in the Joe Craft Center and spent some time on the treadmill. They’ll evaluate him Tuesday afternoon and see if he is ready for practice. Cal said he didn’t know if Harrow would be available for the Morehead State game on Wednesday, but he didn’t sound confident that his point guard will be ready for game action. Harrow has lost seven pounds since the "flu-like symptoms" showed up prior to the season opener against Maryland.
This is good news, but not great news. I am concerned about the weight loss.
Other UK sports
- Macumber and Oswald Named Cross Country All-Americans // UKAthletics.com
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Kentucky Sports Report (week of Nov. 19) // Cat Scratches
Don't forget to vote for Ashley Frazier for the Senior CLASS award.
Links posts
- BBL: Is Tennessee a top 20 job? // John Clay's Sidelines
- The Morning Mix // Troy Machir, CollegeBasketballTalk
- Tom Leach // Tuesday Links
- Wakeup Call: Good hoops overtake realignment fallout // CBSSports.com
College football
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Expansionocalypse continues: Maryland to the Big Ten is real // CollegeBasketballTalk
What next, North Carolina to the SEC? - The Maryland and Rutgers football history kit, for Big Ten fans // SBNation.com
College basketball
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UCLA stumbles in Shabazz Muhammad's debut // ESPN
MUhammad looked fine, for his first game. It was the other guys, particularly Anderson and Drew, that looked overmatched. This team, unlike Kentucky, looks cobbled together out of spare parts. Talented, but I expect major chemistry issues. -
Too early to peg UCLA's Shabazz Muhammad as lock for NBA's top draft pick // Yahoo! Sports
I think there are several players who could wind up going #1. -
Free from NCAA grip, Shabazz Muhummad proves work left to do in UCLA loss - Luke Winn // SI.com
Luke Winn on Shabazz Muhammad. I think he's right. -
Race and the N.C.A.A. // NYTimes.com
Could it be that the N.C.A.A. rules are inherently discriminatory, or that its investigators are primed to think the worst of talented black football and basketball players, even before an inquiry?
The racist accusation, predictably. I'm so tired of this. When all you have is a hammer ... -
Night Court: Chaminade upsets Texas in the always-charming Maui Invitational // CBSSports.com
Rotnei Clark. Wow. -
UNC looks sharp in rout of Mississippi State // Kentucky.com
The SEC is suddenly a whipping boy. -
VIDEO: Rotnei Clarke's three sinks Marquette at Maui Invitational // SBNation.com
It's moments like these that make college basketball so popular.
Other sports news
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Carmelo Anthony of New York Knicks to face Anthony Davis of New Orleans Hornets, his Olympics teammate and student // NYPOST.com
This one's probably worth watching.