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Today's quickies have a lot of recruiting stuff, because right now, that's the hottest thing going in the Big Blue Nation.
Tweet of the Morning:
No-show classes are a disgrace. And limiting access to athletes only. Clustering of athletes or frat guys in easy classes? That's "college."
— Michael DeCourcy (@tsnmike) October 3, 2012
It was that way back in the mid-1970's when I was in college. But you did have to show up ...
Today's Quickies:
Under Armour could be key as Harrison twins choose Kentucky or Maryland // Indianapolis Star
Harrison Sr., who finally gave select coaches his sons' numbers by September, said no college coach has ever offered him money and founder Kevin Plank, a Maryland alumnus, has not called him to talk about the Terps. Harrison Sr. said Tuesday, "This thing for me is about what's best for Aaron and Andrew and not about any shoe company."
Interesting quote. You read the rest of this article, it doesn't seem to quite fit.
Twin tussle: Kentucky/Nike vs. Maryland/Under Armour // Detroit Free Press
*But except for Shabazz [Muhammad] -- extenuating circumstances -- is there another can't-miss kid that Calipari has missed on?
The answer: None that I know of.
OSU president expenses in the millions // www.daytondailynews.com
A very interesting story on how much Ohio St.'s president makes, and spends. It's staggering, really, and the school seems to go out of its way to make the full amount unknowable.
Hat tip: Jay Bilas.
I think Paul has a good point here. It's interesting, too, that celebrity contact is something famously used by William Wesley. I wonder who learned what from whom?
UNC seeks change by putting all the pressure on players instead of professors // CBSSports.com
If you thought the University of North Carolina would put the onus on itself and its faculty for the recent smear against its academic reputation, you'd be wrong. Which probably qualifies you for an "A" in many UNC courses.
Ouch. Smackdown!
Calipari Hopes to Land Harrison Twins at Kentucky
Next Cats: Randle cuts Duke, North Carolina from list // Kentucky.com
But Scout.com analyst Evan Daniels tweeted Tuesday that "it will be overhyped that Duke & UNC aren’t on Randle’s list. They weren’t considered favorites. My take … UK, Florida & Texas are in hunt."
This looks right to me. Duke and North Carolina are banking on Jabari Parker.
Great read, overall, if you don't mind the math. It's amazing how Kentucky is absent for a long time, and then suddenly ... BAM!
Via Troy Machir.
Kentucky coach John Calipari benefits from ties to Jay-Z, Drake // SI.com
More on the Calipari/hip-hop connection.
Rivals.com Basketball Recruiting - Top player cuts his list again
As for his Midnight Madness plans, Randle says that the way it looks he won't be visiting anybody that weekend. It's homecoming at his school and his plan is to stay home and attend those festivities.
Now, that's kind of interesting -- and unusual.
Louisville Coaching Staff Not Happy with Nebraska Coaches // AllKyHoops.com
I don't blame them, but this is happening more and more often -- like in football.
Challenge of starting over with a new team excites Kentucky coach John Calipari // vaughtsviews
"That is exciting. People say to me, ‘Doesn’t it drive you crazy to have a new team?’ No, it is exciting. Think about it. You wake up every day and your whole thought is how do I make this better for these guys, how do I figure this stuff out," the UK coach said. "Guys staying with you three years … they don’t learn to hate you after one or two (years), but they do after three or four."
And people are still amazed he is able to recruit as well as he does?
3-point shot: Gonzaga's burly addition - College Basketball Nation Blog - ESPN
Andy Katz says UK will be fine if the Harrisons don't come. No doubt true, but I won't be happy. Not that anyone cares.
Roy Williams and Mike Krzyzewski are setting up for a similar battle over Jabari Parker.
CatsIllustrated.com - Unexpected offer piques Taylor's interest in UK
The state of Washington isn't exactly a place you will regularly find Kentucky assistant coaches. In fact, it's rare for any SEC school to offer football players from the state.
Interesting. That's a long way to recruit for football. [pay site]
Three Big Things: Kentucky - College Basketball Nation Blog - ESPN
But then again, perhaps Calipari has himself to blame, too. After all, these are the expectations he's created: that he can, on an annual basis, turn over the most important pieces of his team -- or even all of it -- and still recruit and coach well enough to compete for a national title a year later. After three Kentucky seasons and three legitimate title runs, there's little reason to expect anything different in Year 4.
This.
Letter to the Editor: Kudos to UK soccer // The Kentucky Kernel
From a Texas A&M fan. Absolutely worth the minute it takes to read.
Football Thoughts // Chris Diggs – UK Fan Blog
I think Chris' thoughts are similar to that of many UK fans right now -- Just win games.
Morning Five: 10.03.12 EditionRush The Court // Rush The Court
Lots of interesting stuff in here.