Introduction
Tweet(s) of the Morning:
Goodwin / Noel - gone... Poythress / Harrow - probably gone... WCS - probably back. Wiltjer - back.
— UK Recruiting (@WildcatRecruits) March 5, 2013
Staff is actually encouraging some of them to return... but certain guys already had their mind made up (even before the season began).
— UK Recruiting (@WildcatRecruits) March 5, 2013
Make of it what you will.
Your Quickies:
Kentucky football
- This was yesterday, so it can't be the Tweet of the Morning, but:
Final count for @ukfootball spring game tickets through Monday was 31,821 tickets out.
— Mitch Barnhart (@UKMitchBarnhart) March 4, 2013 -
Top 10 storylines for college football's spring practice // SportsonEarth.com : Matt Brown Article
And let’s not forget about Kentucky. As a mediocre (by Lexington standards) basketball season winds down, Kentucky fans are actually excited about football thanks to the efforts of former Florida State defensive coordinator (and brother of Bob) Mark Stoops, who landed a surprisingly good recruiting class.
There’s more, too, and it’s kind of surprising to see Kentucky mentioned in this way.
Read the whole thing.
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SEC coaching changes update // Saturday Down South
Just in case you need reminding about who our coaches are now…
- Spring game update: Nearly 31,000 tickets distributed // Cat Scratches
Kentucky basketball
- Where are they now: Delk’s career coming full circle // CoachCal.com
- The five teams in front of UK in RPI // John Clay's Sidelines
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Basketball is a spiritual experience here in Kentucky. Does that count?
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Randle will announce his college decision March 20 // NextCats
Where will he go? Hard to tell, but don’t rule out Kentucky.
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NextCats: Dakari Johnson 'ready for expectations' // NextCats
"I thought the crowd at Rupp was unbelievable," Johnson told the Herald-Leader over the weekend. "It by far was the most impressive atmosphere that I have been to for any game ever. The fans were loud and there was so much intensity."
We are going to love this kid. He is the kind of player that every team wants to have. What I think will particularly endear him to UK fans is the way he plays the game; Johnson is often described as a "throwback" player, but I would describe him as a "retro" big man, a guy who plays very much in the mold of Jared Sullinger.
Johnson is smooth, has that wide backside and plenty of bulk to eat space. He’s not a high riser, but he can wear you out in the post and can face and hit jumpshots. Johnson plays a very energy-efficient game, and he’s just what we need in a post player.
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UK, SEC has work to do before Selection Sunday // Kyle Tucker – UK Beat
John Robic yesterday:
ON HOW MUCH THEY USE THE NCAA TOURNAMENT BID AS A MOTIVATING FACTOR FOR PLAYERS: "You know what? We’ve never really even talked about it, as far as that. We were concentrating on our league games. It’s never once been mentioned that we have to do this or do that to have a chance to get there. Everything was in front of us. There’s still a lot of things in front of us. That starts with the Georgia game on Thursday."
Maybe you should, I don’t know, try that?
Look, I’m as much into "Next game up" as anyone, but these kids could probably use any additional motivation that is available. Maybe I’m wrong. If so, it’s only because I am feeling a touch DESPERATE!
I think a little desperation would be good for these guys.
Other UK sports
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Wildcats' Reed player of week // The Courier-Journal
Kentucky sophomore A.J. Reed is one of five Louisville Slugger National Players of the Week after hitting .526 with three home runs and 15 RBIs in five games last week.
You’ll be seeing him in this position a lot as the season progresses.
- Women: Baylor still No. 1 in AP; UK moves up to 7th // Kentucky.com
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UK women's coach nearly botches curtain call for senior star A'dia Mathies // Kentucky.com
“I’m not the smartest, sharpest guy in the room,” Mitchell said afterward. “I had to get her back in the game, which was just a disaster. I can’t sub nearly as well as she can play. That was a bit of an embarrassing moment for the coach, not for A’dia.”
Don’t sweat it, Coach. I’m sure A’dia is fine, and she will get plenty more love around here
Links posts
- John Clay's Big Blue Links // John Clay's Sidelines
- WC: Conference tourneys begin; it's the last Wakeup Call of the year // CBSSports.com
- Tom Leach // Tuesday Links
- The Morning Mix // CollegeBasketballTalk
College football
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Sunshine-pumping notes from every college football spring practice report // SBNation.com
Hilarious. I particularly like this:
Twitter has been banned.
Good. As we all know, Twitter is THE DEVIL!
College basketball
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Federal law possibly violated in UConn/Calhoun case // CBSSports.com
Interesting. For those of you wanting to vent on the NCAA, it seems unlikely that they have any liability in this matter, although the physician and others who discussed it with them certainly could.
This is a story worth watching.
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3-point shot: Zags should be applauded // ESPN
Baylor fell to Texas Monday night. Barring a win over Kansas this weekend and a deep run to the Big 12 title game the Bears will miss the NCAA tournament after an Elite Eight run.
Yet another blow to Kentucky’s strength of schedule.
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Report: Tim Floyd meets with USC about maybe returning to USC // CBSSports.com
This is… well, it’s just weird.
Other sports news
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Sacramento Press / Patrick Patterson gives Kings a different look
There’s no question that Patterson can spread the floor much greater than Robinson, who he is replacing on the roster. Robinson possesses more rebounding potential and the ability to get to the rim, but currently lacks Patterson’s outside shot.
Remember when Patterson came to Kentucky and couldn’t make a shot outside of ten feet? How things have changed.
I think Pat will be a nice addition to the Kings, and I think they actually got the better of the trade. Robinson is a powerful player, but he is entirely one-dimensional at this point in his career.
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Davis bounced back in a big way – 17 points, 15 rebounds, 4 blocked shots – in the 105-102 loss, thanks possibly in part to Williams’ ease off the pedal following last week’s injury.
Warms the cockles of my heart. Great to hear!
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Wizards’ John Wall gets a much-needed shot of confidence // The Washington Post
In past games, a late-game error might have sunk Wall into a funk. But he recovered with a performance that offered a reminder of the clutch player he was on the verge of becoming before he missed more than three months with a stress injury in his left knee and spent the subsequent weeks trying to regain his legs and rhythm. Wall scored the final six points and blocked a potential go-ahead jumper by 76ers swingman Evan Turner to lead the Wizards to a 90-87 win at Verizon Center.
Go, John!
Other news
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Dog poop causes big stink on Louisville's Big Four Bridge // The Courier-Journal
A sure sign of the apocalypse.