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As we ease toward a second-round tilt with the Iowa St. Cyclones, it's time to take a look at some of the interesting news around the Internet, including lots of Duke Blue Devils angst and anger at UPS by the Big Blue Nation.
Good times. Here are your links:
Kentucky Basketball – Player Evaluations // Sangaman's Blog
Nice work on UK's team
UPS Commercial Is Stupid Business Move // WebProNews
Wow. This is kind of a big deal. UPS has shot itself in the foot, and then chopped it off for bleeding so much.
Who knows, maybe it will work out for them. There are plenty of UK haters out there, but not many of them are Duke lovers. Personally, I'm not a big believer in secondary boycotts unless they're really, really convenient. Take that for what it's worth, which is probably about what it cost ...
White, Wildcats set to finally meet // Kentucky Wildcats
"When I met him and his mom, I was blown away, like I really want to coach this kid," Calipari said. "I knew he had some issues, but it wasn't anything of the heart. I've done this a long time, and if a young man has a good heart, I can deal with everything else, and I think he has a good heart."
The next step was a trip to Lexington to seal the deal that, in Calipari's mind, was already done. It would prove to be the fateful flight that wasn't that has become one of the stories of this college basketball season.
"He couldn't get on the plane," Calipari said. "And I'm like, 'If you don't come here now, if you can't show up in the summer, you're not going to be able to do this here, and he just couldn't do it."
So close, and yet so far ...
'Unforgettable' Feldhaus can't forget his memories as a Kentucky Wildcats // Cincinnati.com
The former University of Kentucky basketball star, who still looks to be in game shape, loves that he’s only an hour’s drive from Greater Cincinnati, where he can grab dinner at one of the upscale eateries at Crestview Mall, or take in a night of horse racing at Turfway Park.
One of the least heralded of the Unforgettables, but Feldhaus provided the toughness.
2012 NCAA Tournament | Iowa State hopes to surprise Kentucky basketball // The Courier-Journal
"I watched some tapes where I had to stop watching because I started getting worried that we can’t beat this team," Cats coach John Calipari said.
White, whom Calipari recruited for UK, is a major reason. He’s averaging 13.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, five assists, a block and a steal per game. In two meetings this year with Kansas power forward Thomas Robinson, a National Player of the Year candidate, White averaged 18 points, 13 rebounds and 4.5 assists.
We'll have to see how it all goes.
Rick Pitino, Tom Crean Will Not Be Taking The Portland Trail Blazers Job // SBNation.com
NCAA Tournament 2012: Speed is of the essence if Kentucky is to improve // Sporting News
If Kentucky coach John Calipari has his way, and he often does, his players will better resemble thoroughbreds than Wildcats as 2012 NCAA Tournament progresses. For UK to flourish as a championship contender, the next step must be taken at a sprint.
He wants them to push for fastbreaks and try to continue the attack through what some call a "secondary break" or others call "early offense." Calipari calls it "playing random."
John Wall has "Calipari won’t leave Kentucky" line down // ProBasketballTalk
Randy Wittman appreciates the love, John… it is Randy Wittman in D.C., right? Whatever. I’m sure he’s a very nice guy. Who fully recognizes the situation he is in.
If Calipari is coaching Kentucky next season, it’s because he really does want to be there. He has options.
He's had options every year he's been here, Mr. Obvious.
Kentucky Sports Radio // "This game will be of the toughest we’ve had in a while"
They're all tough from here on in.
ATB: Absolute MADNESS – Chaos Ensues As Round of 64 Concludes… // Rush The Court
Most brackets were busted from Missouri’s loss alone, but those who happened to have the Tigers falling early in their pools surely didn’t survive the rest of the night, either. The 7:00 PM ET block of games blew the roof off of this tournament, beginning with the little guys from the Patriot League. #15 Lehigh had a terrific year led by mid-major star guard C.J. McCollum, but nobody thought this team had a chance against Mike Krzyzewski’s Blue Devils, the most successful NCAA Tournament team of the past 20 years. #2-seed Duke, though, was vulnerable because of an injury to starting forward Ryan Kelly and an overall trend of weak recent play thanks to a porous defense.
Indeed
.
Bob Knight Refers To Kentucky As 'That Team From The SEC' // SBNation.com
And there lies the difference between Knight, a former coach, and Meyer and Hoke, or any other current coach. Bias is fine in the latter instance. But when one's job is to speak with a giant megaphone on a large network -- allowing one to help shape the nation's opinion -- this just can't happen.
From your keyboard to Gods eyes ...
After Surprising Loss, Duke Faces an Uncertain Future // NYTimes.com
Duke’s season ends in the first round for just the third time under Coach Mike Krzyzewski, but there is reason to believe the Blue Devils could make a strong run in 2013. Krzyzewski’s recruiting class is small at one player, but Rasheed Sulaimon, a 6-foot-3 shooting guard from Houston, has the potential to be a star in the A.C.C. Sulaimon will provide the Blue Devils with another talented scorer at guard, and one that can create his own shot.
I'm not sure what the big deal is about. Teams get upset. Coaches make new teams and try again. Wash, rinse, repeat.