ESPN's 2012 Tipoff Marathon features some great games, but none bigger than the final game of 24 hour period -- The Kentucky Wildcats vs. the Duke Blue Devils at the Champions Classic in Atlanta. The last time these two met was 2001, in an ESPN instant classic that Kentucky lost 95-92. That was one of the few games where former UK player and infamous malcontent Rashaad Carruth was a major factor.
Tweet of the Day:
Calipari and the DR play USA tomorrow in Vegas. Cal should be next U.S. coach - but won't. Politics > 2016 gold
— Gregg Doyel (@GreggDoyelCBS) July 11, 2012
Word. Your links follow the jump.
UK in the summer league: Kanter bounces back // Kentucky Wildcats
Ryan Suckow updates us on how the former Wildcats are doing in the NBA Summer League.
Wiggins, Randle talk of LeBron James Skills Academy // CollegeBasketballTalk
UK fans have every good reason to feel good about Wiggins but not necessarily about Randle.
Suck it up, UK fans. This schedule is what you wanted // CollegeBasketballTalk
I don't want to hear it, Kentucky fans. I don't want to hear one, single word of complaint about your Wildcats non-conference schedule. Because outside of a date with Baylor on December 1st, the only two relevant teams that the Cats will play at home in their non-conference schedule will be Marsh...
He's right you know. When we bought a Calipari's nontraditional theory, this is what we get.
The people who will suffer the most are those of season tickets. The schedule really isn't that bad except for the home games.
Ill be interesting to see the how strongly the season ticket folks complain.
Film Session: Terrence Jones // THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE HOUSTON ROCKETS
Typically our film sessions have spent the vast majority of the time discussing a player’s skill set on the offensive end, but with Jones it seems only appropriate to begin the conversation with a look at his ability as a defender. The 6-9, 252 pound 20-year-old excelled in nearly every defensive metric available this past season, wreaking havoc with length that allows him to protect the rim like a much bigger man and quickness that enables him to patrol passing lanes like a guard. Post-ups, spot-ups, isolations -- Jones slammed the door shut on his assignment with regularity regardless of the situation. Opponents shot a shade under 35 percent from the field against him in post-up opportunities and that number dropped all the way to an anemic 23 percent when anyone tried to beat him one-on-one via isolations.
Very good, analytical post that you should read.
Kentucky-Duke game part of ESPN marathon // Kentucky.com
Really looking forward to taking on Duke again.
College basketball fans eagerly anticipating next season's Duke-Kentucky matchup won't have to wait until Nov. 13 to see Mike Krzyzewski coach against John Calipari.
Heh. Should we be cheering for the Dominican Republic team? :-)
Kentucky's home schedule hardly enticing - College Basketball Nation Blog - ESPN
Kentucky released its 2012-13 nonconference schedule Tuesday, and the first thought that came to my mind was empathy for any UK fan hoping to see anything resembling last season's home dates with Louisville and North Carolina. The only thing close in the coming season will be Baylor's trip to Lexington on Dec. 1.
You're going to be hearing this a lot, over and over, ad nauseum.
Matt Smith Named to Rimington Trophy Fall Watch List // Kentucky Wildcats Official Athletic Site
University of Kentucky football senior Matt Smith, who has started the past two seasons at center for the Wildcats, has been named to the Rimington Trophy Watch List, which annually honors the best center in the nation, the trophy committee announced Tuesday.
Well, at least somebody from Kentucky's team is on a watch list somewhere. Congrats to Matt Smith.
Kentucky Football Fan Day set for Aug. 4 // Kentucky.com
Kentucky senior Craig McIntosh, who has made nearly 80 percent of his field goals the past two years, has been named to the watch list for the Lou Groza Award, which annually honors the nation's best place-kicker.
And another UK player on a watch list.
UK football opponent preview: Louisville // Kentucky.com
Overall: Strong has 15 returning starters, including the Big East's best quarterback in Bridgewater, so little wonder the Cards are picked to fight with South Florida for the Big East title.
Perfect. Nothing would piss off the Cardinal fans worse than a loss as a favorite in their home stadium.
2. The phoniness between coaches. Especially between John Calipari and Rick Pitino, John Calipari and Jim Calhoun, and well, John Calipari and just about everyone not named Derek Kellogg, Tony Barbee and maybe Chucky Martin. I'm kidding -- sort of. It'll be interesting and entertaining to watch Calipari, who isn't exactly well liked by many coaches in the industry, and his interactions with his peers on the recruiting trail.
Written by a guy who is mostly hated by those in his industry. Does that mean he knows from whence he speaks?
Everybody can hate Calipari for all I care, because 99.75% of it is pure, green-eyed jealousy, and no mistake. Pity Goodman can't say the same thing ...
Hat tip: Nation of Blue.
Doron Lamb Signs with the Bucks
Well, good!
Scout.com: UK Fans’ Slippery Slope
Social media has given fans an opportunity to interact with players and see their thoughts in real-time.
While these young men may be confident in their abilities, constant negative responses to their enthusiasm and hope does nothing positive for the football program that the Wildcat fans love. It only hurts.
Indeed. If you want to tweet bad crap about the Wildcats, back away from the keyboard and go take a cold shower or something.
Ventre: NCAA must give death penalty to Penn State // College football- NBC Sports
On what grounds? Seriously, this is a matter for the legal system, not the NCAA. This guy is so far off base he isn't even in the ballpark.
NBA Orlando Summer League Preview // July