We have our first basketball practice report of the new season, brought to you by Eric Lindsey over at CoachCal.com. Hat Tip: Wild Weasel.
Consider:
Speaking of the veterans, their improved play was my biggest takeaway from the practice. Don’t get me wrong, the freshmen look very talented, but having seen the first few practices of the last several teams and the growing pains that each of those freshman-laden teams had to endure, this one seems like it’s ahead of those previous groups just because of the chemistry that’s already been built. The older guys are confident in what they’re doing, if for nothing else because they understand what they are doing and what Calipari is asking of them. It’s only natural for the freshmen to be a little hesitant because they are learning everything for the first time.
“Veterans” at Kentucky has a completely different meaning than at most schools.
Tweet of the Morning
Today's @UKFootball poster pickup begins now (9 a.m. ET) in the Joe Craft Center ticket office lobby. pic.twitter.com/fUh2jCwQOh
— Kentucky Athletics (@UKAthletics) July 23, 2014
Cool stuff.
Your Quickies:
Kentucky football
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Behind the scenes with Mark Stoops. Hat tip: Kentucky Sports Radio.
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Should the Governor’s Cup Luncheon be moved? Absolutely. But Stoops, in this writer’s opinion, should have honored this year’s commitment. Yes, I know he gave plenty of notice, to his credit. But he should have gone, and I think the commitment to this game should be multilateral and complete, not contingent on circumstances. I know many don’t agree, and that’s fine with me.
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Construction at Commonwealth Stadium will continue through the football season, apparently, until Thursday on game weeks. The construction will reduce capacity by about 6,000 seats.
Kentucky basketball
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Diamond Stone to announce his college on November 13th. I’m beginning to think a “package deal” between him and Malik Newman is less and less likely. But having said that, we’ve seen it before. Hat Tip: Aaron’s blog
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The UK alumni charity game is set for August 24th, tickets go on sale Monday.
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On the heels of my post about Malik Monk comes this one by Ricky O’Donnell of SB Nation.
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Despite a serious knee injury, nobody is losing interest in 2016 UK target Harry Giles.
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Coaches are apparently telling recruits that Calipari will be leaving UK after this season. Apparently, it’s the whole “LeBron” thing. Desperate measures for desperate people.
Other Kentucky sports
- UK’s Nick Anderson is in the semifinals of the World Junior Track & Field championships for the 110m hurdles. They will be run tonight.
Links posts
College football
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Jay Paterno sues Penn St., alleges a conspiracy and a number of other “harms.” Truth be told, this doesn’t look like it has much chance of success. As David Jones points out, people who succeed get hired, people who don’t … well, don’t. Did the Penn St. scandal and the actions of the university unfairly make the Paterno name toxic? Perhaps, but that looks like a tall, tough hill to climb, legally.
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Steve Spurrier, please don’t ever change. And don’t every retire. And if you do retire, stay in South Carolina so I can play golf with you sometimes in my dotage. Senator Blutarsky says that if Dabo Swinney didn’t exist, the OBC would have to invent him. Heh.
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Jimbo Fisher tries to explain Jameis Winston’s crab incident. Whatever. That’s so last month.
College basketball
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Montrezl Harrell, defensive end or wide receiver? He’s willing, but don’t count on it.
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Emmanuel Mudiay is going to China and being paid some allegedly serious coin. You’ll hear people carrying on about this, but don’t expect to see it except in cases of likely ineligibility. Plus, there’s this:
Do people really believe Emmanuel Mudiay will end up being paid $1.2 million in China? Think I believe in Santa Claus more than that figure.
— Michael DeCourcy (@tsnmike) July 23, 2014 -
Kyle Wiltjer has an interview over on OregonLive.com with John Canzano. In it he talks about Kentucky and Coach Cal a bit, very favorably, too. Hat tip: Anthony Wireman
Other sports news
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Donald Sterling sues … well, just about everybody. Popcorn, anyone?
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Isaiah Austin has reportedly been promised a job by Adam Silver if he finishes his college education.
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Fan vs. 4 lb. Hamburger. You know this didn’t go well.
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SAD: Pat Bowlen surrenders control of the Broncos. He’s been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. We wish him well.
Other news
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Last of the World War I planes still airworthy. Man, that was a real man’s war, when it comes to aviation. Technology was trumped by skill, determination, and yes, sometimes good luck.
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Can a high-fat diet affect your sense of smell? Well, if you’re a mouse, apparently so…
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New AIDS-preventing drug shows promise. Faster, please.
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Probiotics may lower blood pressure. Having just lost a fraternity and pledge brother to cerebral hemorrhage likely brought on by uncontrolled high blood pressure, I welcome this news.
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45 years since America landed on the moon. It doesn’t seem that long ago to me.