The Big Blue Daily Mail -- New Year's Eve Edition

John Clay: Cards may see opening in UK's porous three-point defense | KentuckySports.com
"We're not defending well at two or three positions," said Calipari.

He didn't really identify the positions, though the coach did single-out Darius Miller as one player he had to ride for not guarding up to his ability. But you could identify at least one area of concern — Hartford made 12 of 29 three-point shots. That's the fifth team in 14 games to make nine or more three-pointers against Kentucky.

For those of you who doubt my complaints about defense, do you trust the coach?

Recruits will stay with UK even if Brooks retires | Vaught's Views
By LARRY VAUGHT Standout Georgia running back Raymond Sanders says if Rich Brooks does retire, it won’t change his commitment to the University of Kentucky.

UK's Wall Sets School Record In Wildcats Win - KYPost.com
"I normally don't do it [put a player back in to break a record]," Calipari said. "I did it because it is a game he could have tried to have 30 points but he chose not to and pass to his teammates."

Pass, and you shall receive.

Montgomery: I was wrong about Brooks | Vaught's Views
A lot of us were, Eddie. You are in good company. Thanks for speaking for me, and I know a lot of others, also.

It's Louisville Week...Let the trash talk fly
Myself, I think I will leave the trash talk to those more able. I'm not really any good at it.

Texas Tech fires football coach Leach | courier-journal.com | The Courier-Journal
There are two sides to this story, and we have only heard one. I am reserving judgment, as I think there are some holes in the side we have heard.

The Saga of Mike Leach :: Something is Rotten in the state of Texas Tech University - Double-T Nation
Another view of the story from the SB Nation Texas Tech blog. I will be closely following this, as my nose is detecting an odor of marine decay.

James Gang helps Texas Tech get revenge on Leach - Matt Hayes - College Football - Sporting News
Does this remind anybody here of anything? Is an allegation of "player abuse" the magic bullet to getting rid of a coach you don't want anymore.

The Brief: Mike Leach Fired At Texas Tech And What It Means - SB Nation
As you can see, this story has begun to fascinate me. I wonder why?

College basketball Midseason All-American Team - College Basketball - Rivals.com
Check it out.

 " BBL: Mitch Barnhart, Rich Brooks, John Wall and more John Clay’s Sidelines
John Clay's Big Blue Links.

Davis: Spotlight about to return to Pitino - College basketball- nbcsports.msnbc.com
It was bad enough when he returned to the college ranks with wearing enemy red. Now Pitino is an admitted adulterer and the details of his marital infidelity have been spread across the commonwealth through banner headlines in newspapers and regular updates on the Internet, television and radio.

Ouch!

The Saga of Mike Leach :: The End - Double-T Nation
Double-T Nation weighs in on the termination of Mike Leach, who's to blame, the support of the community, and trying to move forward.

Digital Hoops Blast: SEC College Basketball Marketing: #1 Kentucky
Interesting. This blog thinks UK is the best in the SEC at communicating to the athletes and fans through digital media.

Rush The Court " Blog Archive " Backdoor Cuts: Vol. V
RTC relives some defining moments, including the Patrick Sparks 3-pointer versus the Spartans.

Cats stretching defenses with hot shooting | KentuckySports.com
By shooting up Hartford's zone, Kentucky improved its accuracy this season to 50.5 percent overall and 42.2 percent from three-point range. The former is on pace to be UK's best since 1985-86 (51.4 percent) and the latter would surpass the program's best accuracy in the three-point era (39.7 percent in 1995-96).

Who would have thought this at the start of the season?

Louisville wants to keep focus between lines | KentuckySports.com
"A lot of UK fans been writing me on Facebook, real disrespectful, stuff that doesn't even have to do with basketball," said Louisville's senior guard after the Cardinals had disposed of South Florida 73-52 on Wednesday night in Freedom Hall. "I guess they just hate me down there in Lexington. And that's cool."

Why do people do this? Bad fans make me want to yak. Good grief.

Anything but Gatorade: LET THE HATIN' COMMENCE
Rob remembers a few Kentucky games with just a tiny touch of smack.

Calipari and Wildcats Visit Kentucky Children's Hospital
Awesome.

WildcatCorner.com " Louisville fans, oh how I detest thee
More Cardinal loathing.

Louisville basketball downs South Florida 73-52 and can now focus on rival Wildcats | courier-journal.com | The Courier-Journal
"It's been talked about a lot," Delk said. "I'm definitely glad the game is here. … Everywhere we go it's like, ‘Beat UK

Everywhere but 90% of the state, bub.

Eric Crawford | This is all about John Wall, but it's not all about Wall | courier-journal.com | The Courier-Journal
Crawford thinks there is a lot more than sizzle to Wall's steak. I agree.

Sprints Is Trying to Be Careful With Urban Meyer's 911 Call // 12.31.09 - Team Speed Kills
Heh. Well, TSK probably doesn't remember that I have written all I am going to write about the situation with Calipari and the UK administration making room for recruits. So they will be denied the novel that they expect. Sorry, guys.

Rush The Court " The First Shot in Saturday’s UK-UL Game…
Heh. I don't condone vandalism, but this sure is getting a lot of exposure.

Reliving U of L - UK history since 1983 | courier-journal.com | The Courier-Journal
Look back at the Wildcat-Cardinal rivalry with capsules from each game.