The SEC is now in serious talks to create a cable channel, presumably in the style of the Big Ten Network. Obviously, that would be a big deal, and many will wonder, "What took so long?" I have no idea.
Today's Tweet of the Morning comes courtesy of none other than Nerlens Noel, offered in the style of a Jay Bilas "I gotta go to work" tweet:
Scary movie be screamin' when i ryhme. Ima 'king' u can ask 'steven' if im lyin. I gtta get #9.
— Nerlens Noel (@NerlensNoel3) May 22, 2012
There isn't a single member of the Big Blue Nation who won't appreciate that. Your quickies follow the jump.
SEC looking at cable channel as media rights talks with CBS, ESPN near // Sporting News
There are several different paths the SEC could take on a channel. It could follow the Big Ten model, where the conference is a 49 percent owner of Big Ten Network with Fox and shares in its revenue. Or it could go the Pac-12 route, which owns all of its regional networks. Texas, on the other hand, sold its rights to ESPN for a fee and ESPN owns all of the Longhorn Network.
Well, it's about time.
"The short answer is it’s practically impossible to get high caliber talent to come play football at Kentucky. All the talent is from states where there are elite football programs. How do you get someone in Georgia to say, "I’m not going go to Georgia or Auburn. I’d rather go to UK." It will rarely happen.
Hmm. Where have I heard that before?
Morning Five: 05.22.12 Edition // Rush The Court
Conference realignment and how it affects college hoops // CollegeBasketballTalk
I have to admit, my reaction to the CAA breakup has largely been "Meh." Dire warnings about mid-majors suffering just doesn't keep me up at night.
Former Kentucky men’s basketball All-Americans DeMarcus Cousins and John Wall will be suiting up for the Red, White and Blue this summer as members of the 2012 USA Men’s Select Team that will train against the 2012 USA Basketball Men’s National Team during its July 6-12 training camp in Las Vegas, Nev.
Well, good.
RTC NBA Draft Profiles: Darius Miller // Rush The Court
Miller's overall game will be the reason he sticks in the NBA, as well as his unselfishness and high basketball IQ. He's seen a lot in four seasons at Kentucky, and he found his way through a bunch of tough situations. The NBA will be no tougher than those, although he will need to commit himself to a level of fitness he never quite had to in Lexington.
Judge refuses to delay Jerry Sandusky's trial // NBC Sports
Kentucky centerfielder Austin Cousino named SEC Freshman of the Year // vaughtsviews
After leading Kentucky in nearly every offensively category during a historic 2012 regular season, centerfielder Austin Cousino has been named Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Year by SEbaseball.com, it was announced on Monday morning.
This should have been an easy call. This kid has been incredible, and we should have him for at least 2 more years.
Pro basketball players taught Kentucky Wildcats to stick together // The Courier-Journal
Before the fans got their first glimpse of this super squad, before John Calipari could even coach them and long before the University of Kentucky tore through the college basketball season, winning 36 of 38 games to get to the Final Four, a group of NBA players came to Lexington to play pickup ball against the newly assembled Wildcats. They left impressed.
"I called it," Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant said. "Everybody on our team said they’re the best team in the country. They have five pros on their team. Their sixth man is a pro also. They’re really, really good, man."
You have to love this. Good read.
SEC sneak peek: Top newcomers to watch next season in college basketball // Yahoo! Sports
After 2013, this author will look back and wonder what he was thinking when in included Marshall Henderson and did not include Archie Goodwin. And I'll laugh at him.
Rajon Rondo: There's Nobody Like Him // Wildcat Blue Nation
A nice article about Rondo, including a flashback to his days at UK.
What Is Rajon Rondo’s Greatest Skill? // Rick Bozich
Rondo's greatest skill is his ballhandling. That's what enables him to do all the wonderful things he does. He is so incredibly clever with the basketball, you just cannot guard him off the bounce -- he will get an assist or a basket, or a hockey assist almost every time.
How do you stop Rondo? Find a way to keep him off the floor, or the ball out of his hands. if he touches it, he will kill you.
Big Ten Network reportedly had $79.2 million profit in 2011 // CollegeBasketballTalk
This is why the SEC wants a TV channel. Good reason.