Kentucky Basketball: Wildcats Practice to Air Nationwide - Controversy to Follow
by Glenn Logan on Feb 14, 2012 8:30 AM EST
in Kentucky Wildcats Basketball
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PrintAnthony Wireman reports that Kentucky will air a 2-hour practice on Wednesday that will actually be seen nationwide:
As Kentucky head coach John Calipari often says...wow. UK has announced that Wednesday's two-hour practice and scrimmage will be aired live on national television.
It's hard to imagine that other basketball programs will fail to notice this, and there is almost guaranteed to be controversy. Remember, you heard it here first.
Airing a practice like this locally would be no big deal -- Kentucky is a small state with a rabid following of basketball lovers, and not just for UK alone, but for many of the Commonwealth's great teams like Louisville (my gorge is subsiding now), Murray St., Morehead St., and Western Kentucky. A local airing would be just more proof of the fondness for the game that suffuses this state, and that would surprise exactly nobody.
But to air it nationally on ESPN affiliates is another matter completely. This is exactly similar, albeit on a slightly different level, to when CBS used to air the singing of "My Old Kentucky Home" prior to UK's homecoming game. That practice was stopped due to complaints from other teams that it gave Kentucky a recruiting advantage.
Airing a practice nationwide like this will draw exactly the same complaints, and you can trust me on that. We may or may not hear about them right away, but hear about them we will. ESPN may or may not react to that, and if they don't, expect NCAA legislation banning the practice of airing games on national outlets, or some such.
All I can say is that Calipari is a marketing genius nonpareil, and I cannot imagine the reaction of most of the college coaches around that have to compete with this guy for recruits. It must be a maddening, humbling thing.
[UPDATE]: Larry Vaught agrees with me.
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I didn't know this
This is exactly similar, albeit on a slightly different level, to when CBS used to air the singing of “My Old Kentucky Home” prior to UK’s homecoming game. That practice was stopped due to complaints from other teams that it gave Kentucky a recruiting advantage.
Who complained about this?
Dayman, Fighter of the Nightman, Champion of the Sun
Other college basketball coaches, who knows? It happened back in the 19
I think, although I’m not 100% sure, that the NCAA asked CBS to stop doing it. They may have actually passed a rule, but I don’t remember for sure. It happened either in the late 1970’s or early 1980’s, IIRC. But my memory on that is a bit foggy.
See here.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
I'd never clicked that link on Jon Scott's page before
Interesting stuff.
Dayman, Fighter of the Nightman, Champion of the Sun
That place is a national treasure for Wildcats fans.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Glenn Logan on Feb 14, 2012 8:43 AM EST up reply actions 6 recs
+1
I was going to rec’d your reply, but I clicked on actions and “actions” literally disappeared. Therefore, +1 will have to do. ’-)
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
If that site had nothing but the quote below, it would be worth the rec......
“They had it before you, they had it during you, they’ll have it when you’re gone”…." – Al McGuire on Kentucky Basketball Tradition
I am now and shall forever be the Cat in The Hat, The Artist Formerly Known As ABC!!!
by Greg Alan Edwards on Feb 14, 2012 9:49 AM EST up reply actions
If I remember correctly
That was while he was coaching Marquette, which was good right around the time that those neighbors from the north were worshipping the Hoosiers. Too bad BK never listened to his coaching peer Al, maybe if he expected it, he wouldn’t hate us so much…… ;-)
Jon Scott has been my hero for several years now
You can get lost wandering around in the memories he serves up there. It is indeed a national treasure.
by sweasyf on Feb 15, 2012 5:38 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I have spent endless hours there.
And still there always seems to be something new. I love getting lost there.
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
Very interesting site.
Which brings up a question. How is Coal Lodge different from Wildcat Lodge?
War is God's way of teaching Americans geography. - Ambrose Bierce
GL
Glenn, I just went to this website and read all of that ridiculous stuff. I’m apalled at such bias. Being a fan of 49 years I still had no idea that these things were going on.
Unbelievable!
Slow day today so I spent some time reading this site.
It’s fabulous! I thought I knew quite abit about our history, but I didn’t know half of this stuff.
I wonder how many coaches complained when Coach K
was on CBS during the NCAA tourney recruiting via those credit card commercials he did? Commercials produced insided Cameron Indoor, showing banners, with the text spoken by K, “I’m not a coach, I’m a teacher …” Those could be construed to be a huge recuiting advantage for K, but on and on they played, for at least 3-4 straight years. And no, I don’t blame K for doing the commercials. Any coach interested in winning would jump at the chance to be able to recruit to a captivated nation wide audience in 30 second sound bites. Cal, with this practice, though, just trumped K’s commercials with an hour long commercial of his own, LOL … make adjustments or get run over.
Anybody (read: coach) complaining about UK airing a practice needs to re-think their time management. Instead of bitching and moaning about UK dusting them in creativity and use of media outlets, they should have an original thought and figure out a way to out-recruit Cal.
This (aired practice) was just another example of Cal’s forward thinking when it comes to recruiting and being as UK fan friendly as possible. Does that step on some toes … I sure hope so.
by Ken Howlett on Feb 15, 2012 11:39 PM EST up reply actions
Insight's the same way
BS.
The problem with quotations on the internet is, you don't know whether they're accurate. - Abraham Lincoln
by Anything but Gatorade on Feb 14, 2012 8:54 AM EST up reply actions
Just watch it on ESPN3.com on replay.
I “cut the cord” a long time ago, cancelled cable/dish/U-verse, and hooked up a dedicated computer to my TV so I can catch all the games (and other TV) through various internet sources. And now that broadcast signals are digital, a simple, cheap antenna makes all of them accessible as well.
by Mr Kilgore Trout on Feb 14, 2012 9:41 AM EST up reply actions
Mr Kilgore Trout
I have Insight Tel., TV and BB. Please tell me where can I get these periphriels? Thanks
Just got a text from Coach Cal.
It says “Happy Valentines Day BBN!” Who says we are not loved?!?! ’-)
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
No, he'll be sleeping outside Mike Brey's house tonight............
So his tomorrow is going to be rough.
On second thought, I'm going to say it:
This makes me a little uncomfortable.
I don’t know why, exactly.
Perhaps I shouldn’t comment without thinking it through a little better,
but this is my initial reaction. Just uncomfortable.
It probably should not.
I am sure that UK has checked to see if it is against any current NCAA rules. You can be sure that there will be some negativity generated by this but that is to be expected.
Making waves in a sea of blue.
I'm not sure that my discomfort comes from concerns about NCAA violations.
It just seems a bit self-aggrandizing.
I’m probably over-thinking it.
I mean, if ESPNU wants to air it, why not?
Every party has a pooper. I guess that’s me.
There's nothing wrong with feeling uneasy, that's why he is the Coach and we are the fans.....we get to ask those kinds of questions.....
And by the way…..I think it is self-aggrandizing…..and that’s part of the point……this couldn’t happen at other schools….we need to use that Kentucky brand when we can.
I am now and shall forever be the Cat in The Hat, The Artist Formerly Known As ABC!!!
by Greg Alan Edwards on Feb 14, 2012 10:29 AM EST up reply actions
This
There are maybe 3-4 other schools that could pull this off. And I still don’t think they would command an audience for ESPN to willingly air it nationwide.
by floundringaround on Feb 14, 2012 11:08 AM EST up reply actions
agreed.....
I am now and shall forever be the Cat in The Hat, The Artist Formerly Known As ABC!!!
by Greg Alan Edwards on Feb 14, 2012 11:24 AM EST up reply actions
He is doing this to ease the withdrawal symptoms
we UK fans have with a week off from games just when we are rising to a frenzy of anticipation of winning championships.
Such symptoms include:
Obsessing over the remarks of an old “never was” regarding fan comportment for a TV show.
Pulling for an arch rival to beat the team nearest us in the national rankings only to have them go brain dead and blow the game in the final moments.
Making waves in a sea of blue.
I was begging him...
to give the ball up and not dribble into three defenders. He never heard a word I said. My youngest grandson grew up a Cards fan and is still crying.
"SPORTS"--Not interested----"CATS"--Pull up a chair,I've got all night.
It's just something...
to keep the team wound up during a slow week. It has the additional benefit of expanding the brand but the open practice would have taken place regardless. It’s all about maintaining the level for the guys. No letdowns for this bunch.
The quickest way to a man's heart is Chuck Norris' fist.
kywineman
I agree. The university staff is not stupid. Afterall, look what they and we endured during Cal’s first year.
I can't see a problem here
How is this any different than all those spring football scrimages ESPN shows? This doesn’t even come close to approaching the Longhorn Network. Bob, if you’re feeling uncomfortable it’s because after seeing this Texas A&M will want to leave the SEC because they’re already tired of being UK’s red haired stepchild.
by chicagoblues on Feb 14, 2012 11:41 AM EST up reply actions
Great point....it's no different at all
I have seen lots of college football practices and scrimmages listed on the Worldwide Cheerleader. Sports fans aren’t normally that sophisticated though. If they don’t like you or your school, they will cry foul no matter what. It is so predictable.
Slower Traffic Keep Right!
I see a significant difference.
All those football scrimmages ESPN shows are not for one team in the middle of their conference schedule.
Again, I may be worrying too much, but is seems that we have a reputation for exaggerating our importance, and this will only feed that machine.
I love the idea of the open practice, and streaming it live, and even airing it on WKYT.
I must concede that it is ESPN’s decision to air it, so maybe I’m making too big a deal out of this. And who knows, maybe other schools will do more of this now.
We carry a really big stick. I think I’d just prefer that we spoke a bit more softly.
You know Cal woke up last week going, "man, we have a week off where there is going to be no weekday game......the fans are going to be going crazy....the women losing their minds.......what can I do to make it easier for them?"
“I know, let’s put practice on TV”……..
That’s a sick mind right there……lol…..I do love it so….
I am now and shall forever be the Cat in The Hat, The Artist Formerly Known As ABC!!!
by Greg Alan Edwards on Feb 14, 2012 11:27 AM EST reply actions
he did say after Vandy game
on his radio show, that he was gonna stream Wednesdays scrimage, like they did before, didnt mention ESPN tho
And I am positive UK fans would go bonkers if ESPN aired a Duke practice nationally.....
just sayin’
Slower Traffic Keep Right!
From what I have heard about Duke practices...
it would probably hurt their cause. I have been told that Coach K basically sits on the sideline and lets his assistants run practice these days. And spending 30 minutes a day teaching a player how to flop on a block/charge call would not exactly light up a recruit’s face.
Btw, anyone watch the “40 Minutes of Hell” documentary yet? I saw it last night and was really impressed with the way Nolan Richardson ran his practices.
The quickest way to a man's heart is Chuck Norris' fist.
"Ran" is the right adjective, for sure.
War is God's way of teaching Americans geography. - Ambrose Bierce
Probably.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Glenn Logan on Feb 14, 2012 12:39 PM EST up reply actions
Love the McGuire
reference. Watching on Saturday I was struck with what the pressure must be on Coach. He must have the thought that this is his year yet he must immediately move on from that thought in order to remain focused. I sense that he can almost “taste” the positive results of the final game this year. He has worked so long and so hard for that goal the pressure this year must be a real issue for him.
I had a few issues with KY chosing him in the beginning. Not the Camby/Memphis things. I don’t know about Camby and I think the NCAA absolutely screwed Memphis in that decision. I just thought he would not “get it” at Kentucky and just pass through. Boy was I wrong. I knew I was wrong quickly into that first team. Sure their play erased (almost) the Gardner Webb images but more than anything he seemed to connect on all levels. He has done a grand job on all levels. Back to my first thought --he surely knows on some level the big win is in front of him. I imagine I can feel the pressure coming through the tv screen. Good for him to have theESPN crew on campus for practice. Maybe they will send Digger and Knight. I am curious as to how it was arranged with ESPN.
Like the rest of BBN I can feel it everytime I see or read anything about this team.
Whatever the outcome I love our coach. and wish on him being the Kentucky coach for many years.
I worry...
a little bit about Cal. I think he thrives on this kind of thing but he is looking a little rough lately.
The quickest way to a man's heart is Chuck Norris' fist.
jbt36
I’m not being offensive here but how would we look if our daily routine was anything like his? Man, he is into all sorts of extra activities. Plus he goes to mass every morning before work. Ya gotta respect that. And I’m sure you do.
i guess
It bothers me because all this talk from media and such about being clear favorites. Now this. You don’t need to do this five weeks before March madness. I don’t want to be in spotlight at this time. This just adds to it. Y’all remember Ohio State the clear favs last year? I want less national focus. Shoot, I hope we lose the next three games. Then get bombed in the SEC tourney. Then come out fighting like the Wildcats we know they are and win the danger thing. Kids play better when they are given low expectations! How many titles have we won in my lifetime (37) that came expected? One! I know I’m weird but just the way I feel!
by tenken on Feb 14, 2012 12:37 PM EST via mobile reply actions
If you listen to the guys...
I don’t really think the attention bothers them. Anthony Davis’ interview after the Vandy game was an example of this. They have a job to do and they are going out to do it. I think this team is having fun and they are focused.
I understand why it bothers you that everyone is crowning them but they do this to a team every year. Last year it was Ohio State, even though everyone knew the Buckeyes had flaws. It gives the talking heads something to blather about.
I’m not saying they will win it all because the tournament is so random in nature. But I really do believe that this Kentucky team has fewer weaknesses than most of the teams that media has annointed in the past few years.
The quickest way to a man's heart is Chuck Norris' fist.
oh
I’m not worried about our guys at all. I’m afraid of the big target on the back.
by tenken on Feb 14, 2012 1:42 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Tenken
Sir, I have been a UK fan since 1948. Believe me, that target has always been there. I listened on radio the night Georgia Tech ended our 129 game home winning streak. My world collapsed for a few minutes.
It had to happen. Everyone was playing over their heads at 110% when they entered Memorial Coliseum. Each opponent wanted to be the one to end the streak. Big Bullseye? You bet.
kywm
I’m not sure who is being addressed here. If I made a gender mistake please forgive. My only excuse is I simply didn’t know. Also I have no idea what FYI means.
If I am not the one being addressed then my comment is, of course, null.
For Your Information = FYI
If you want to know who a post is directed at, click on up in the bottom line of that post. It will adjust your screen so that the post it is directed to is at the top of your screen. People new to the blog don’t know many of the little tricks that help you navigate through the comments. New posts are highlighted in yellow when you open a thread and return to white when you exit, unless you press the z key which will take you to all new posts and then turn them white once you have read them and moved on. There are more shortcuts but I can’t think of them right now.
Making waves in a sea of blue.
your correct
But this is the first year since 2004 that we have been talked about as a national contender! I mean not a possibility contender but a probability contender. I think this is where youth gets in trouble but I think these guys are more mature then most freshmen.
by tenken on Feb 14, 2012 3:22 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I don't know if it's exactly healthy to be a fan or a player that fears attention....
Everyone will gun for UK no matter what the perception is as to how they are or aren’t.
Kids play better when they are given low expectations!
I really have no idea what this means. No leadership class or seminar I ever attended prescribed to that notion. If you have low expectations, you usually get poor results. That is why coaches stay on these player’s butt’s so hard.
Slower Traffic Keep Right!
the
Backs against the wall thing. That’s all. We beat two better teams last year with that mindset.
by tenken on Feb 14, 2012 1:39 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
oh
I meant low expectations by media not by the coach!!!!!
by tenken on Feb 14, 2012 1:40 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
That does make a difference in how your statement is interpreted.
When you are overlooked or snubbed, it is a great motivator for sure. However, the downside to that is to be overlooked usually means to under perform. That can be a sign of more serious issues like over rated ability, lack of team chemistry, individual player morale, etc. I prefer dealing with success and the pressures that come with being number one.
Making waves in a sea of blue.
One can not surrender to fear and run and hide.
We will have to overcome all kinds of pressures to win the championship. Now is the time to test the team under those pressures. The more we win, the more the nation will focus on us.
I cannot agree that people perform better under low expectations. The players must have lofty goals and understand the difficult road to achieving those goal. Losing several games between now and the tournament would only instill doubt. Doubt leads to thinking about failure. You cannot achieve greatness traveling down that path.
Making waves in a sea of blue.
Bruce Pearl On Cats
Tim Brando has Pearl on call-in.
"In times of universal deceit, telling the truth will be a revolutionary act." - George Orwell
When I am out running around in my car I listen to a show on College Sports Nation on SIrius XM....
Jeff Goodman and Bruce Pearl normally do the Inside College Basketball show and Pearl glows about this UK team. So it isn’t surprising at all to hear him say those things on the Brando show.
I can already guess the shots that will be taken at Goodman and Pearl from UK fans, however it is a really good show.
Slower Traffic Keep Right!
Excuse Me !!!!
What Time & Channel Nationally ?
by RIP SEAN TAYLOR 21 on Feb 14, 2012 2:18 PM EST reply actions
this is in the first link Glenn included above:
The practice and scrimmage will air live from 3-5 p.m. ET on WKYT in Lexington, ESPNU, ESPN3 and UKathletics.com. Other affiliates will be announced tomorrow.
We talkin' bout practice!!!!!!! Practice!!!!!!!!!
Honestly I could care less what other college fans would think about this. Good to have my Cats on TV one more time. Way to go on this one CAL -——
Heh.
Yeah. That’s right, we are.
Well, it comes with the territory, I guess.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Ole Miss Game
I am headed to the game! Rare do I get an opportunity to go to Rupp but I am very amped. I have been enjoying every second of this season. I love this team. They play hard. They play as a team. They can beat you on offense or on defense. They also seem like good people. I am going to tell you, if someone clubbed me on the back of the head, I might have a bit of a problem. Worse, if someone clubbed a teammate, I would surely have a problem. Glad that those guys are so mature.
Also, I have been going back to school and working out so I feel as if I am relating to the whole Student Athlete experience.
I am trying to enjoy the ride and not get too caught up in speculation about the NCAA Tourney. Almost any team can beat any team any given day. Chance always plays a role in this. However, I am absolutely positive that in a 7 game format, UK beats anybody. In other words, we have the best team now all we need is a little luck. WIth that said, Championship Monday is on my 10th Anniversary. Omen. I think so.
Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
Just remember that Championship Monday
will be a great day for you regardless of what happens in a basketball game.
You will enjoy your Rupp experience this year. This team is awesome and you can’t really appreciate how much until you have watched them live.
Making waves in a sea of blue.
Yes I am Sure You Are Right
On both accounts.
Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
The practice is not yet listed on my Verizon program guide.
I’ll have to record the several shows that would have normally been aired from 3 to 5, hoping to get the practice in installments.
Without two of their top scorers, Bama is hanging with Florida.
Well, Bama hung for 20 minutes.
At the end, Beal slammed one home. To celebrate, he and Young put their hands together and gave one another an asian bow, ala Lin and the Knicks. One of the refs, apparently unfamiliar with what they were doing, called a technical. Dykes misread the situation as well, saying Beal shouldn’t be mouthing off to one of the Bama players. (sigh)
Wheatgerm
Man some of the officials this year act like they are in another universe. I’ve seen some real strange things this season.
Cal also announced today that more AD posters
Will be given out at the practice tomorrow. I guess we haven’t heard the end of that either. Maybe Cal just likes to appear to be stirring the pot. ’-)
Those coaches trying to recruit against him have to be thinking they are doomed when it comes to having a great chance at every top available recruit.
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
Apparantly there were a couple of boxes of the posters left.
It would be wise to give the rest of them away rather than have someone take them and try to profit off of them. This whole thing was much ado about nothing.
Making waves in a sea of blue.
a2d2
Hee. Hee. Hee. Leave it to Cal to kill two birds with one stone. You are probably right about not hearing the last of it. And those other coaches ARE doomed. LOL
I didn’t get to see the televised event tonight. Who won?
by BarryM on Feb 15, 2012 7:44 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
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