A Sea Of Blue: FanPosts

2009 SEC Football Schedule

2009-11-06T05:48:54Z

We beat Louisville by four after having an extra week to prepare. Check Vanderbilt's bye week.

2009 SEC Football Schedule Grid|Dates and Matchups for all SEC Football Games for the 2009 SEC Season

2009 SEC Schedule Grid

Tickets

Sept 5

Sept 12

Sept 19

Sept 26

Oct 3

Oct 10

Oct 17

Oct 24

Oct 31

Nov 7

Nov 14

Nov 21

Nov 28

Alabama Crimson Tide

Bama Tickets

Va Tech

Fla Int

N Texas

ARK

@UK

@OM

OPEN

LSU

@MSU

UTChat

@AUB

Arkansas Razorbacks

Hogs Tickets

Mo St

OPEN

UGA

@ALA

@TexA&M

AUB

@UF

@OM

E Mich

Troy

MSU

@LSU*

Auburn Tigers

AU Tickets

LA Tech

MSU

W Vir

Ball St

@UT

@ARK

@LSU

Furman

@UGA

OPEN

ALA

LSU Tigers

LSU Tickets

@UWash

VAN

UL Laf

@MSU

@UGA

OPEN

AUB

Tulane

@ALA

LA Tech

@OM

ARK*

MSU Bulldogs

MSU Tickets

JSU

@AUB

@VAN

LSU

GATech

Houston

@MTSU

@UK

OPEN

ALA

@ARK

OM*

Ole Miss Rebels

OM Tickets

@Mem*

OPEN

USL

@SC*

@VAN

ALA

UAB

ARK

@AUB

NAriz

LSU

@MSU*

Florida Gators

UF Tickets

Char

Troy

@UK

OPEN

@LSU

ARK

@MSU

UGA

VAN

@SC

Fla Int

Fla St

Georgia Bulldogs

UGA Tickets

@OkSt

@ARK

ArizSt

LSU

@UT

@VAN

OPEN

@UF

TNTech

AUB

@GATech

Kentucky Wildcats

UK Tickets

@MiamiO

OPEN

Louisville

ALA

@SC

@AUB

Monroe

MSU

E Ken

@VAN

@UGA

South Carolina Gamecocks

USC Tickets

@NC St*

@UGA

Fla Atl

OM*

Citadel

@ALA

VAN

@UT

@ARK

OPEN

Clem

Tennessee Volunteers

Vols Tickets

W Ken

UCLA

@UF

Ohio

AUB

UGA

OPEN

@ALA

Memphis

@OM

VAN

@UK

Vanderbilt Commodores

Vandy Tickets

W Car

@LSU

MSU

@Rice

@Army

UGA

@SC

GATech

@UF

@UT

OPEN

Inconsistency plagues Kentucky football

2009-11-05T14:46:31Z

via gate21.net

There's been a considerable amount of fallout after Kentucky's disappointing loss at home to the hands of Mississippi State last Saturday. Before the game, a good percentage of Big Blue Nation had reason to believe that their Wildcats could win 9-10 games, beat Georgia and/or Tennessee, and travel to the Chick-fil-A or Outback Bowl.

Fans now question the Cats' chances at Vanderbilt and whether or not they'd travel to Shreveport or Memphis instead of Atlanta or Tampa. Who's to blame? Take your pick:

1. The players

Kentucky had consistently demonstrated quite a formidable defense the past few weeks. In the Cats' last four games before taking on MSU, they'd held Alabama, South Carolina, Auburn, and Louisiana-Monroe to under 5.0 yards per carry. Mississippi State, however, managed to rack up an alarming 7.7 yards per rush, led by SEC Player of the Week Anthony Dixon's career day (33 carries for a school-record 252 yards).

Inconsistent quarterback play has also hurt the Cats. Freshman Morgan Newton led UK behind center against MSU, completing 11 of his 18 passes for 119 yards, no TDs, and a game-changing interception inside the Bulldog 20 yard line. UK's 'Wildcat' formation was also held in check on Saturday, as Randall Cobb was held to 25 yards on eight carries.

Argument against: Fatigue. The Cats are banged up, and have faced numerous injuries to key players (Micah Johnson, Derrick Locke, Paul Warford), some of which has caused them to miss considerable amounts of time (Mike Hartline, Trevard Lindley).

2. The coaches

Rich Brooks has tried to shoulder most of the blame for Saturday's loss, claiming that it was the coaching staff's fault for lack of preparation, so take that for what it's worth. Brooks has rightfully been able to avoid the negative talks that surrounded him during his first few seasons as head coach in Lexington. Joker Phillips, the Offensive Coordinator and Head Coach-in-waiting, has not. Questionable playcalling, specifically in the opponent's red zone, has been a hot topic in both of UK's last two losses vs. MSU and South Carolina.

Defensive Coordinator Steve Brown has also faced a considerable amount of Anthony Dixon-caused scrutiny, as the Cats were simply baffled by the relative simplicity of MSU's offensive gameplan. Anybody recall the shotgun-counter running play the Bulldogs ran over and over?

Argument against: Kentucky wouldn't be where it is today (three consecutive bowl wins) without the help of Brooks & Co., so cut 'em some slack. Right?

3. The fans

Perhaps the most perplexing part of UK's struggle on Saturday was its lack of fan support. Setting aside the half-hearted 'blackout' effort inspired by A.D. Mitch Barnhart, only 67,953 showed up to Commonwealth for the Mississippi State game. That's less than the attendance for the Louisiana-Monroe game last week. Assuming that the Bulldogs travel much better than the Warhawks (they do), a lot of UK fans seemed to have had better things to do on Halloween.

In a most disturbing scene, a steady flow of UK faithful could be seen heading for Commonwealth Stadium's exits after Newton's interception in the fourth quarter. Mind you, there was still 10:47 left on the game clock of a one-possession game.

Argument against: I'll give Big Blue Nation the benefit of the doubt this time. Ticket prices, bad weather, and Halloween may have deterred many from attending on Saturday. But enough of declaring that the players need to 'show up' more often; if fans want Kentucky to climb into SEC football notoriety, they're going to have to spin the proverbial turnstiles as well.

The test

How to test the aformentioned 'weaknesses' displayed by UK football of late:

1. The players- quarterback play will continue to be spotty until Hartline returns (bet you never thought you'd read that). However, pay close attention to how well the Cats play against Eastern Kentucky, an FCS opponent. Kentucky will get the Colonels' best shot, but should be able to handle their intra-state foe from Richmond. The Cats are also preparing for their fifth contest in as many weeks, and are in the middle of a stretch in which they play nine Saturdays in a row.

2. The coaches- how well a team is prepared is tough to gauge. Playcalling, however, is not: hope for a more efficient performance from the Cats in their next few red zone possessions offensively. On the defensive side of the ball, Steve Brown will have to rally his bruised & battered troops; after UK's contest against EKU, Vanderbilt, Georgia, and Tennessee loom.

3. The fans- I can't blame Big Blue Nation for being hopeful of double-digit wins and a New Year's Day Bowl. However, it appears that a few too many clad in blue-and-white (and black) expected their Cats to accomplish those lofty expectations. Four bowl games in a row is an attainable and respectable goal, one which Brooks-backers can embrace.

So I leave it up to you, Big Blue Nation. Who's to blame? Anybody? Everybody? Post your comment(s) below.

Poll

Who's to blame?

Best Programs 2000-2009

2009-11-04T17:46:15Z

This is something I found,that rates the Top 20 basketball programs this decade.

The point structure.

2 points NCAA Tournament appearance

5 points Regular season conference title

5 points Conference Tournament title

5 points Sweet 16

10 points Elite 8

20 points Final Four

30 points Runner-up

50 points National Championship

Here are the numbers-

1.North Carolina 366

2.Florida 336

3.Kansas 325

4.Michigan State 310

5.Duke 255

6.Uconn 231

7.UCLA 201

8.Maryland 176

9.Syracuse 169

10.Memphis 157

11.Arizona 145

12.Illinois 126

13.Gonzaga 125

14.Ohio State 107

15.Texas 105

16.Loiuisville 104

17.Oklahoma 103

18.Wisconsin 100

19.Kentucky 93

20.Xavier 91

Some things that I would like to point out.This point structure places a high emphasis on making a deep run NCAAT.I am ok with all the numbers except 30 pts for a runner-up.I would give 25 pts for a Final Four,and 50 for a National Championship.Some other things I disagree with,I would give more than 2 pts for a NCAAT appearance,would change that to 10 pts.Why?Because teams from non-BCS conferences can win the regular season title(5 pts) and still not make the tourney.I would give 10 pts for a NCAAT appearance.Also,I would subtract -5 pts for failing to make the NCAAT.

Bonus points.This would be in addition to the current point structure.

5 points Winning Regular Season Conference Title/Conference Tournament

5 points Getting a 1 seed

Any Ideas?

Excuses and Analysis of The Campbellsville Game

2009-11-03T15:37:48Z

The good news: we just held a team to 21% shooting on the night, forced them into 25 turnovers (against 6 assists), and had 10 blocks and 11 steals. We out-rebounded them by 10, and had twice as many assists as they did and committed fewer turnovers than they did, all with our starting point guard on the bench (A:12, TO’s:23 – still a bad TO number, but vs. last year…). They did not block a single Wildcat shot (but did get 10 steals).

In the first half, our defense was particularly outstanding – they missed 22 of the 25 shots they took. Had they missed that surprise early three-pointer, they would have scored a grand total of eight points in the entire half, and folks would have accused us of rubbing it in.

Once again, despite all of the hoopla about Patterson, Orton, and Cousins, our most efficient rebounder proved to be Josh Harrellson, and as the Camels began wearing down our out-of-shape Golden Boys in the second half (actually beating them for a long stretch), it was the senior leadership and play of Krebs, Harris, and Perry Stevenson (and the 18 points and 4 assists they combined for) that kept the second half from being an absolute embarrassment.

I do not point this out to lament the less than anticipated execution of our supposed stars, but to say we may take some solace in the apparent indication that no matter how scatterbrained and flustered our new guys get over the course of this season, it appears we will be able to interject the Old Guard from the bench and take advantage of some good, solid experience, and some darned fine talent that will be sitting there all year.

The play from Perry was especially welcome, as it reminded one of the five game stretch two years ago (after Pat hurt his ankle) during which Perry’s numbers, playing in Pat’s place, were actually better than Pat’s season averages. Three coaches have tried to encourage Perry to play with more aggression; let’s hope the lessons have taken now that he is a senior, with so much basketball under his belt. Let’s hope it wasn’t a fluke.

As an NAIA team, Campbellsville is not burdened by the NCAA’s practice time restrictions that faced our guys. They have surely been practicing for much longer than we have this semester, and that put us at a competitive disadvantage. Moreover, from last year to this, that team did not have 50% turnover with players, and 100% turnover with its coaches. Advantage camels.

On the other hand, that team sucked last year in a mediocre league, and I would have been more comfortable if the second half score had been more like the first: 36-11, not 38-27. Our play on both sides of the ball during the second half was unexceptional.

Needless to say, that game came after only two weeks of practice between six new and seven old players in a new system with a new coaching staff. There was no well of experience upon which we could draw. Additionally, I have to believe that in practicing in this new system Coach Cal has NOT asked the team to spend a great deal of time practicing as though its starting point guard were on the bench. Some time, yes, but I have to believe that this Wall-less episode was as new to the team as it was to us. Maybe one practice was devoted to running the team without Wall. We will have to see it for a few minutes every game while Wall takes a blow, but for 40 minutes last night, we were playing with one hand tied behind our back.

Our old guys are picking up the DDMO a lot quicker than the newbies are. That could mean they are just smarter, or that a few more years on the court (and experience with three different D1 coaches) has given the gray beards a leg up on the new guys. I will note that Cal has said Wall picked up the DDMO a lot quicker than Rose, etc., so it could be that there is a great deal more difference in the team’s play with Wall on the court that even the most optimistic among us might expect.

Perhaps Friday will answer that question. I was not as wowed by the play of Bledsoe as some others, as it appeared to me he missed many opportunities to drive the lane that Wall would have exploited. Again, Friday will give some insight on that point.

I need tickets for Friday

2009-11-03T02:39:03Z

I need (4) tickets to Friday nights Ex. Game at Rupp. I can get upper level tickets online but wanted to see if I could get lower level tickets to take the wife and parents. We have been to a couple of games, but i have ALWAYS been in the upper level and would like to experience the cats up close. let me know if you have tickets and are willing to sell them.

Let me know, nicholas_todd@dell.com

Thanks, cat fan in Nashville

Gillespie changes plea

2009-11-02T15:20:51Z

In a story out this morning, ex-coach Gillespie changed his plea from "not guilty" to "guilty" to driving while under the influence. He received a fine of (according the the article) $1,000.00 and a revocation of his driving privileges in Kentucky for thirty days. I guess there was no extra consideration given for settling his civil case. For the complete article go to www.sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=4615954

Pure Defensive and Offensive Efficiency

2009-11-02T14:41:06Z

Thanks to Mr. SEC, some stats to ponder

SEC Stats: PUre Defensive Efficiency, Week Nine

November 2nd, 2009 8:42 am ║ Posted By: John Pennington ║ Permalink ║ Tags: Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vanderbilt

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When your defense ranks among the best of the SEC, it also ranks among the best in the nation. And that’s certainly true for the top three defenses in this week’s Pure Efficiency ratings for defense.

To tally this statistic, we take the total number of plays a defense plays in league-games only. Then we divide that number by the total number of touchdowns a team has allowed. This tells us how many plays (on average) teams run between touchdowns against the SEC’s defenses in conference play.

This measures a defense’s real stinginess. It also provides a look at overall team efficiency, as team’s with turnover-prone offenses tend to put their defenses in bad situations.

Pure Efficiency — Defense

Rank	School	Defensive Plays	Touchdowns Allowed	Plays/TD
1	Alabama	339	4	84.75
2	Tennessee	337	5	67.40
3	Florida	336	6	56.00
4 tie	LSU	332	8	41.50
4 tie	Ole Miss	332	8	41.50
6	Vanderbilt	361	12	30.08
7	S. Carolina	377	13	29.00
8	Miss. State	339	13	26.07
9	Auburn	425	20	21.25
10	Georgia	413	20	20.65
11	Kentucky	328	17	19.29
12	Arkansas	344	19	18.10

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SEC Stats: Pure Offensive Efficiency, Week Nine

November 2nd, 2009 8:32 am ║ Posted By: John Pennington ║ Permalink ║ Tags: Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vanderbilt

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Through nine weeks of the season — though we’re looking only at the results from in-conference games at the behest of some readers – it’s becoming clear which SEC offenses have what it takes to score. And which ones don’t.

The SEC’s defenses are clearly dominant this year, which makes those offenses at the top of our efficiency ratings so impressive: they’re putting up good numbers in the face of the nation’s top run-stuffers and ballhawks.

Here’s an example of just how good SEC defenses are. In five games against conference foes, Vanderbilt has scored just three offensive touchdowns. On Saturday against 11th ranked Georgia Tech, Vandy tallied — you guessed it — three touchdowns in one game.

The SEC is absolutely brutal when it comes to suffocating defenses.

As always, we figure “Pure Efficiency” for the offense by taking the total offensive snaps run by a unit and dividing that number by the total number of touchdowns recorded by that offense. That tells you how many plays each offense needs (on average) to score a touchdown in SEC play.

This rank gives a good idea to overall team efficiency as well, because a turnover-creating defense can give an offense short fields with which to work.

Pure Efficiency — Offense

Rank	School	Offensive Plays	Touchdowns	Plays/TD
1	Georgia	359	18	19.94
2	Arkansas	329	16	20.56
3	Tennessee	324	15	21.60
4	Florida	398	15	26.53
5	Auburn	432	16	27.00
6	Kentucky	340	12	28.33
7	Alabama	326	11	29.63
8	LSU	316	10	31.60
9	Miss. State	339	10	33.90
10	Ole Miss	350	9	38.88
11	S. Carolina	420	10	42.00
12	Vanderbilt	330	3	110.00

Tipton Mans Up To Another Error

2009-11-02T01:53:46Z

In today's LHL Jerry Tipton admits to yet another error in his efforts to besmirch UK BB. Remember Tipton's alluding to NCAA violation by chanting of recruits' name during BBM. Well seems one Sandy Bell had to correct the twit with an enlightening email:

UK compliance director Sandy Bell and the NCAA e-mailed a list of do’s and don’ts involving fans interacting with prospects visiting a campus.

There was no mention of fans’ chanting the name of a prospect. So let the chanting continue. Even better, Patrick Patterson said such chants can really make a great impression with impressionable high school players.

My earlier question about the propriety of such chants was incorrect.

Here’s the do’s and don’ts:

■ A member institution shall not publicize (or arrange for publicity of) a prospect’s visit.

■ The prospect may not participate in team activities that would make the public or media aware of the visit.

■ A school may not introduce a visiting prospect at a function such as a game or banquet that is attended by the media or open to the public.

Violations of these bylaws do not affect a prospect’s eligibility and are considered school violations.

A Long Hard Look Ahead....

2009-11-01T19:24:43Z

OK, we got thumped by MSU at home on Homecoming Day. Now we have to move on.MSU did us a really big favor by showing the rest of the world what our weaknesses are. Maybe we can give Ol' Rich& Co. a hand in fixing them.

Let's break them down and see where the solutions are.

Injuries: They are killing us in more than one position, but the good news is that they are not serious and we should have most everyone back healthy BEFORE Vandy, and maybe as soon as Eastern.We should see Trevard back as well as Micah on defense. That should fill a few of those holes that allowed 300 yds rushing last night. Of course, if they are not utilized properly, it won't make a dime's worth of difference. Offensively, we need to rest Locke this week. Just put his butt on the bench and take his uniform if that's what it takes to get him healthy. We are going to need him to get through the rest of the schedule. We have very capable backups that need reps. Moncell Allen and Trey Bowland can run the ball. We do not have to give up the ground game to rest some guys.
Planning: There is no other way to say this nicely so I will just say it. We have been outcoached on more than one occasion this season. This is not a bash on anyone, it is a fact. We cannot continue to do the same thing week in and week out and expect thatno one will be able to adjust to us. We are NOT Bama. We cannot simply walk into a stadium, look the other side in the eye and say "We will be running the ball today and there is nothing you can do about it". We have got to put the ball in the air enough to keep the other side honest. And we have to complete the passes we throw. Randall Cobb CAN throw the ball. Is he the second coming of Willie Joe Namath?, no. But he has a great arm and can do anything with the football. He has shown he has legs that just won't quit. Now we need to showcase his arm some more.Newton is coming along nicely, and will continue to get better, but Cobb needs to be able to throw a pass when we need it. Have a little faith Joker, there are answers at WR. We will get into those in a minute. I know that for some reason we seem to think that Cobb and Locke are the only returners we have, but that is not so. Let the other guys return the ball this week. Let's see what they can do. And Steve Brown and Rick Petri.....let me just say this....I am 6'0", and weigh about 320lbs. I have 2 bad knees and move slower than molasses. And I will bet that I can gain yards on you guys just by being smarter. Use your heads. Adjust when necessary. A RUN blitz is not a bad thing. Let those safeties do their job and make the other team beat you by tricking you, not by slapping you in the face and running over you.
Personnel: We have some really good players on this team, and we have some superstars, and we have some decent utility players. Randall Cobb and Derrick Locke do not have to play every posiiton. Our receiver corps is good, but so far they are getting very little chance to show it. Chris Matthews needs catches.....I do not believe he is as bad as he seems to be so far. Gene McCaskill can catch, and knows how to run after he does it. LaRod King showed last night that he can take a hit and hold on to the ball. Reward him.....get the ball to him and see how he does. Our running back situation, while not quite as good, is still very adequate. Let's use our strengths and make the defense have to guess what is going to happen. Newton is coming along nicely as I said before, just keep moving the pocket. His 1st reaction should be to throw, and also his second....but using his legs has been successful, so why not let Cobb try and throw to him every blue moon. We have players that can run this Wildcat offense, and even the true option. USE that. But don't be so predictable that EVERY PERSON ON THIS BLOG would know what you were going to do like we did last night. We were calling the plays before you ran them, literally. If you rest our stars a little and let them take over a game in the 2nd half, they will make some big plays.
Coach Brooks, you have got to get everyone on your staff on the same page. Every week we have another facet of our team falling apart. Yes, the players must execute the game plan, but anyone could see that the Defense was out of it yesterday for the entire 2nd half. Players were out of position to help stop the run, and I for one do not believe it was all their fault. Dont let your coaches put Newton in a 3rd and goal, or a 4th and goal and have to throw the ball.....not to win a game at this point.

I have seen enough of this group this year to know that there are big time plays in a lot of guys. But when we allow ourselves to be so predictable that the opposition can see the holes, and then walk right through them, we have a problem. This late in the season is no time to go soul searching for what ails us. It is time to put our heads down and play football.

TWO MAIN REASONS UK LOST TO MSU EXCLUDING 348 RUSH YRDS

2009-11-01T16:30:57Z

I've read some great comments about the loss to MSU

While it was an entertaining football game to watch it's a shame

that two main screw ups occured on the coaching side that was the

major reason the CATS lost. I know that players have to execute!

1. Unexcusable that Def Coord Brown can not make a simple adjustment to

get out of "nickel" pkg and make them beat you with the pass.(passing was not their strength!)

2. Go straight into "wildcat formation" when we had the ball first and goal down 31-24. For

crying out loud Phillips called not one but two QB draws. Wouldn't you rather have a proven

stud like Cobb executing these plays out of the wildcat than a freshman who runs a 4.9 40 yrd

dash on a good day!

We've got to win two of the next four to go bowling. GO CATS!

Round 2: Make your prediction

2009-10-31T01:37:58Z

Last week the bragging rights went to ALLBLUCAT although others were right there with him. Figuring an exact winner is tough when no one gets the score perfect so he won the multiheaded coin toss. In any case, lets try again with the Missssssissssssippppppi State Bulldogs coming to Commonwealth.

MSU brings a top SEC rusher (Dixon) into our home along with some young talent brought in by first year coach Dan Mullen. The weather is forecast to be raining all day saturday with it diminishing towards gametime and the temperature around 50 at kickoff.

My guessimate: Ky - 34, MSU - 17. A surprisingly high scoring affair when Kentucky figures out it's quarterback rotation and the defensive secondary feasts on MSU miscues. Add to that ~~Superman~~ Cobb turning in another multi-headed offensive performance. My hopes are based on: two games experience with the Barnum & Bailey quarterback show; game film from the ULM game showing the defensive secondary what NOT to do; great player participation numbers from the ULM game raising the team confidence; UK's holding Dixon to 48 yards last year; and my irrational enthusiasm. Our major test will be coping w/o Micah and continuing to cover for the ailing Lindley.

Now each of you can add your more sensible predictions for this weeks bragging rights.

Ken's Email Was Hacked

2009-10-30T20:51:21Z

Hi guys and gals. I wanted to put this up in case you receive bogus emails from Ken Howlett asking for money or something. Ken's account was pillaged by hackers, and now they are sending fraud emails to everyone on the list. Please ignore any emails you get from howlettkl@yahoo.com.

Ken will have a new account working shortly.

Predict W Total For 2010 Cats

2009-10-30T14:33:28Z

15 OOC games - 13 W.

Possible L to UConn and UNC.

16 SEC games - 14 W.

Possible L in 2 road games.

3 SECT games - 3 W.

Cats are SECT champs!

4 NCAA games - 3 W.

Maybe more but...

So I predict 33 W.

What say ye? 30 W would be a darn good year but I want (and think UK will get) more.

I keep typing more words so I get to the 75 word minimum, sorry.

Looks Like Football Season Is Over In The Bluegrass

2009-10-30T14:24:18Z

Basketball and Bashing Columnists Have Taken Over!

The undefeated Wildcat basketball team, again, has erased football from the scene. Coming in a distant second is critiquing Jerry Tipton.

We wonder why recruiting is so difficult for the Football Cats. Just check out the posts on this site alone. Still in the hunt to get to the 'Sacred Sixth Win' but we worry about what a writer wrote that could or could not be factual.

Next we'll be worrying about what size shoes Cal wears or some other 'breaking' news.

Response to a Hoya

2009-10-30T13:04:25Z

(This was written as a comment to a post on a Casual Hoya, but it became too long for a comment, hence the FanPost).

I apologize for not writing a more timely follow-up to your post, but I passed a couple of full length mirrors and became distracted.

As an official representative of the People’s Mepublic of Big Bluistan, I would like to take this opportunity to express our extreme pleasure in your public acknowledgement of hating all things Kentucky. It is our policy to further advance animosity between our beloved Wildcats and other fans around the nation.

Poor inter-collegiate relations is an important component in the world realizing that the University of Kentucky possesses the most awesomely awesome basketball program in the entire galaxy. You question the need for our Big Blue Madness to be translated into 7 languages, but what you don’t understand is that it is for the betterment of mankind. Obviously, Wildcat basketball would be the primary reason alien intelligent life would visit our planet, and as such, probability states that the televised broadcast of Big Blue Madness would be the alien’s Rosetta Stone for understanding our languages.

In my anti-diplomatic role, allow me to provide you with a few more reasons to hate on Kentucky.

1. Our cheerleading squad has won the Division 1 National Championship, 13 out of the last 15 years. Not only are the extremely good at what they do, but they are awful purty doing it.

2. We get to drink bourbon as part of the eating locally movement.

3. Wind power is going to bring great wealth to our state because of the high wind speeds due to the fact that Ohio sucks and Tennessee blows.

4. We don’t have to live in such close proximity to Congress.

In closing, I would like thank you for hating Kentucky and look forward to fostering our status as enemies in the future.

Lest UK Fans Forget

2009-10-29T00:24:00Z

I belabor a point, but University of Kentucky basketball will not rise strictly on the eligibility of John Wall. While that young man is an otherworldly talent, the point guard cupboard is hardly bare. DeAndre Liggins is back, this time slotting into a system that ought to allow him room to utilize his talent. As importantly, there is a young man by the name of Eric Bledsoe on the roster and something tells me Wildcats fans will do well to take notice of him.

Liggins, we all know, had trouble figuring out how and where he fit into Billie Gillispie's style of play. For that matter so did the other players. And it showed. And all of that is a sorry chapter in history.

Under Coach John Calipari, I expect we will see more of Liggins and he will have more time to refine and display his considerable abilities. Remember, Calipari did recruit him while at Memphis and Liggins was ranked the Number 5 point guard and 21st player overall in the Class of 2008 by Rivals.com.

That said, let us turn to one Eric Bledsoe. Rivals.com rated him the third-best point guard in the Class of 2009. (Wall was Number One and I am not quite sure who was rated 2.) Now here is the thing. Bledsoe's high school coach did not think his young charge should attend the same university as Wall. Playing time and all that. Yet Bledsoe chose to sign with Kentucky.

That speaks volumes. Granted, Wall came aboard after Bledsoe, but the latter knew that would likely be the case and he was still willing to take his chances. Compete against the best in practice. Never back down from a challenge.

To me, that speaks of heart, desire, character - those intangible qualities that cannot be coached. I suspect young Mr. Bledsoe possesses those in abundance. And I expect that in and around being a freshman, subject to freshman mistakes, UK fans will see him make plays. Maybe not of the WOW class, but the sort where you read the stat line after a game and discover that he had eight assists and a steal or three to counter a couple of turnovers.

Time will tell if I am correct or if I am viewing the world through Big Blue glasses.

Blue Happiness... See Me Doing the Happy Dance?

2009-10-28T22:43:03Z

For all of us who struggle to watch our Cats long distance ... I am drowning in A Sea of Blue happiness. Two weeks ago I changed my television service. Dropped my local cable provider, had my house and pool house rewired... 2 installers started at 10 am and did not leave until 8 that night.

But I now have Dish in virtually every room and it looks like seamless Cat coverage. When I could watch the ULM football game Saturday, my hopes soared for basketball possibilities. And tonight I am watching the Blue & White game live. Not on my computer; not on my phone; not delayed; but a scrimmage game "LIVE" despite the fact that I am here in the heart of Gator country!

Considering that I used to drive to the highest hill (hills can be hard to find in Florida) and sit in my car to listen to Kentucky games on the radio, and that I once listened to an entire game over the phone by making my mother (in Kentucky) sit her phone next to her radio... words cannot describe how happy I am with this coverage.

Only you all would understand...

Turning Blue -- 'Prickly'

2009-10-28T15:32:39Z

A Kind Request From Ken H.

2009-10-28T09:00:08Z

Those who have been reading A Sea of Blue for any length of time know that we seldom stray from covering the 'Cats and their athletic pursuits. But, for just a moment I would like to issue a non-sports related personal request.

My father-in-law, and huge UK fan, Joe Morehead, has recently been diagnosed with what amounts to terminal cancer. It's in his liver, and sadly, there just isn't anything they can do for him. He's only 58 years old.

I know that cancer strikes hundreds-of-thousands people every year, and my intent is not to imply that my family members plight is any more important than the thousands of others stricken with this terrible disease. But, I have decided to use the forum that Tru has given me to discuss UK sports, to in this case, ask for your help.

If you could find the time to send Joe and encouraging note, I think it would lift his spirits as well as his resolve. Hearing encouraging words from fellow UK followers, strangers in one sense, but kindred spirits in every sense, should have an uplifting effect, and that's what I'm looking for.

If you feel like this is something that you would like to do, Joe's address is:

Joe Morehead

1412 Clayton Court

Bowling Green, KY 42101

Thanks,

Ken

Punked by "One-And-Done"

2009-10-28T00:32:42Z

The honest move by Stern would have been to keep the old rule in place. Raising the age actually flew in the face of statistics showing that drafted high school players were relatively successful on and off the court. Did anyone truly believe that sending them off to college for a year would make any real difference, emotionally or academically?

Stern raised the age in large part because N.B.A. owners and general managers resented the amount of time it took to train players straight out of high school. He did it because owners did not like the possibility of players becoming free agents, able to join any other team in the league, in their early 20s. My guess is that he also did it to appease the National Collegiate Athletic Association; you could hear the whining that the N.B.A.’s version of cradle-robbing was denying the college game great players who could sell out

Buzz Bissinger, author of "Friday Night Lights" and LeBron James "Shooting Star" reverses his decision on the NBA's "19-Year Old" rule and suggests David Stern do the same. If you'll risk being corrupted by reading the NYT you'll find it interesting.