The Big Blue Daily Mail -- South Carolina Edition

Since there is a game against the South Carolina Gamecocks tonight, I wanted to get the news post up early so we can focus on other things later.

I do have one announcement, which is a new widget at the bottom of the right sidebar.  A Sea of Blue is one of a few blogs chosen by the SEC Digital Network to use this new video widget, which will show highlights of selected teams.  I have selected the teams as the Kentucky Wildcats, Tennessee Volunteers and Vanderbilt Commodores.  So you can watch highlights of Kentucky, Tennessee and Vandy men's and women's hoops.  It does increase page load times a bit for the main page, but the highlights are cool, and I encourage you to give it a try and let me have your feedback.

The pre-game for tonight will be up later today as soon as Ken and I finish it, so be looking for that sometime this afternoon.

The news follows the jump.

• USC faces huge odds against No. 1 Kentucky" Anderson Independent Mail
• Calipari fills role as UK ambassador : The Kentucky Kernel

• Kentucky unanimous No. 1 in AP poll - Yahoo! News
  This is Kentucky's 89th week at No. 1, which trails only UCLA (134), Duke (111) and North Carolina (105).
  
  I think this answers a question somebody had.

• Crazy for Cal: Calipari exceeding even Kentucky’s high expectations with unbeaten start
  Barnhart knew Calipari’s eye-popping deal — the highest in college basketball — would raise some eyebrows, particularly in a state whose economy is slumping. He was almost defensive the day Calipari was hired, arguing it would be money well spent if Calipari could restore the program’s faded luster.
  
  Nobody asks Barnhart about Calipari’s salary anymore.
  
  Heh. There's some schadenfreude in there somewhere, I think.

• Kentucky-South Carolina Preview - Jan. 25, 2010 - NCAA Division I Mens Basketball - CBSSports.com
• College Basketball Power Rankings for January 25 | College Basketball Picks

• Draymond Green: U-M's loss, MSU's basketball gain | lansingstatejournal.com | Lansing State Journal
  I wish Green had stayed after Smith left. I love this kid's game.

• BBL: Kentucky ready to defend top ranking John Clay’s Sidelines
  John Clay's Big Blue Links.

• John Calipari Has Kentucky at the top of the Polls | My Wide World - MassLive.com - - MassLive.com My Wide World - MassLive.com
  Say what you want about John Calipari, and heaven knows I do whenever I can, but John Calipari is one of the greatest college basketball coaches of all-time. He's been in Springfield before, and one day he'll have a permanent place at the Basketball Hall of Fame.
  
  I think that's right.

• Downey, USC set to face off against Wall, Wildcats | GoUpstate.com

• Philly Sports History: Will History Hurt Kentucky?
  Syracuse in 2003 and Louisville in 1986 are the only teams since 1985 to win the national championship the year after missing the NCAA Tournament the previous year.
  
  The answer to another oft-asked question around here.

• Calipari: Cousins back to "his cute self" | Vaught's Views

• Wildcats' picture quality flummoxing viewers, station | KentuckySports.com
  "The problem I get from ESPN is that they as of yet have not really acknowledged that there's a problem," he said.
  
  I have noticed lousy picture quality on the SEC Network feeds coming through ESPN as well. This needs to be addressed. Who needs a 50" flat screen high def if garbage is sent into it.

• SLAM ONLINE | " First Take: Kentucky Back On Top
  The only thing scarier than young, jaw dropping talent, is talent that has proven it can perform under pressure.

• 5 Things to Watch this week - Beyond the Arc - msnbc.com

• John Calipari Insults ESPN Host on Live TV -- Back Porch FanHouse
  Interesting. I did see the interview, and I got the context right away, but I'm sure some people didn't. Calipari should probably avoid "inside baseball" stuff like this that can be misinterpreted.
  
  I get that he was just being playful, and I am positive that it was just Cal being Cal, and I certainly wasn't offended in the least. But he has to keep in mind that some people are just looking for excuses to jump up and accuse him of bad stuff, so he should probably consider his comments a bit more carefully.

• Downey to Wall: Bring it on | KentuckySports.com
  South Carolina's Devan Downey always feels like he's the best point guard on the court. Tuesday night's game against Kentucky and freshman sensation John Wall is no exception.
  
  "Yes, sir, I still feel that way," Downey said on Monday. "If you're on the floor and don't feel you're the best, what are you doing out here?
  
  Memo to Devan: Prepare to discover ... otherwise.

• First loss could be net gain for Cats | KentuckySports.com
  Ah, bother a loss. Win 'em all, I say.