There is a ton of news out there today, much of it focused on the 2013 recruiting class that is now heating up big time. For Kentucky, absent a surprise, 2012 is complete and we'll most likely compete with the team we have in place.
Today's Tweet of the Morning come from ESPN's Fran Fraschilla:
Talked with John Calipari over weekend about Baylor game in Cowboys Stadium. Wonder if Julius Randle knows that. Lol
— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) May 25, 2012
No doubt he does know. Coach Cal also knows the Harrison twins are from Richmond, which is just down by Houston. Killing three birds with one stone - priceless.
Your quickies are after the jump, and there are very many.
Here Are Some College Conferences As Liquor Brands // Blogger So Dear
You know we love our adult beverages here at A Sea of Blue. Blogger So Dear, the SB Nation Wake Forest blog does, too. Classic. Via CollegeBasketballTalk.
Report: Georgetown Will NOT Play Kentucky In The Big East-SEC Challenge // Casual Hoya
The Reading Level of Sports Writing // The Harvard College Sports Analysis Collective
I'm sorry I missed this a couple of days ago. For those of you who are interested in smart, analytical blog p
osts about sports topics, the Harvard Sports Analysis Collective is an indispensable resource. Recommended reading.
Harrisons Could Announce By October // ZagsBlog.com
"It’s around that time," Aaron Harrison Sr. told SNY.tv Thursday, confirming comments he made to the Kentucky Rivals site. "Their birthday is Oct. 28. They want to get it done before the high school season starts."
I consider these two to be mortal locks for UK. I could be wrong, I have no inside information, I just feel it deep in my soul. I hope my soul isn't lying to me ...
Welcome back, Coach! // Dawg Sports
When Dawg Sports posts about basketball, you know I'm going to link it. I met coach Fox at the Final Four. Nice man.
Tim Higgins Is Retiring // Card Chronicle
Jim Burr? Karl Hess? TV Teddy Valentine? Everyone's doing it, fellas.
For once, Mike and I are in complete agreement. Could this be a sign of the apocalypse? Nope, just fans recognizing bad officiating when they see it.
SEC Baseball: Grundy, McCarthy lead No. 11 UK to 5-1 win over Mississippi State // vaughtsviews
Great job on the mound by Grundy, great job with the bat by McCarthy. Let's do this thing, Bat Cats!
Morning Five: 05.25.12 Edition // Rush The Court
It wouldn’t be the Morning Five without a John Calipari mention, as the sport’s biggest newsmaker spins the media like a top with his almost-daily appearances, interviews, and social media missives.
Read the whole thing.
Kentucky Sports Radio // Rich Rodriguez’s Friday News and Views
- In a tiny bit of NBA news that slipped through the cracks today, former Kentucky PG Brandon Knight will represent the Detroit Pistons at the upcoming NBA Draft Lottery. Hopefully he will throw some 3 goggles to Anthony Davis.
Awesome. Brandon Knight is going to be a great pro. Think Joe Dumars.
The Morning Mix // CollegeBasketballTalk
SEC Network? Timing just right for mega-deal
Napoleon said, "If you start to take Vienna, take Vienna.''
And if you're going to build a college sports empire, as Mike Slive appears to be doing with the SEC, then, by golly, you'd better build it big, which is exactly what's happening.
Word.
Quick recruiting update // Bleed Blue Kentucky
A2D2 recently recommended BBK for their football reporting. This is a good example. You'll be seeing me link them a lot more.
Tom Leach Productions // Friday links
Trevathan signs with Broncos // Bleed Blue Kentucky
Now, as for the scheduling, there's a lot to be excited about. In addition to the Kentucky-Baylor game, the really refreshing news: Kentucky and North Carolina will revive their series after a one-year hiatus, which is taking place next season Even better, when it returns, it will again be a home-and-home. Games on campuses, yeah! Calipari wants to alternate years when playing at Louisville and at North Carolina. So, it looks like this: If for the next six years Calipari is at Kentucky, the only legitimate, true road game the Wildcats will play each year will either be in Louisville or Chapel Hill.
I can live with that.
Thank God, Matt. We wouldn't want your stamp of disapproval on our schedule < / sarcasm >
Clemson Tigers open to offers to leave ACC, board chairman says // ESPN
Clemson does not have a viable offer to leave the Atlantic Coast Conference, but the university's Board of Trustees would consider one if it was presented, the panel's chairman said Thursday, according to a report by The Associated Press.
South Carolina won't be letting them into the SEC, so where are the going to go?
Completely awesome workout by Michael Kidd-Gilchrist:
Calipari releases massive schedule plans // College Basketball Nation Blog - ESPN
Anyway, you get the idea. The whole Kentucky-Indiana mess still grinds my gears, and I would argue most fans would prefer a few more nonconference events on campuses, with real, actual college environments -- real student sections, pep bands, banners hanging on the walls and rafters, the whole nine yards. That's what makes college basketball different, and often more exciting, than anything the NBA has to offer in the regular season.
Well, we can't go grinding your gears, Eamonn, or that of "most fans." Sheesh.
Seriously, we here at Kentucky could care less about what the nebulous, milquetoast "college basketball fan" wants. Do you hear that, Eamonn? WE. DON'T. FREAKING. CARE!!!
Just so we got that straight. Oh, by the way -- Calipari DOESN'T CARE either.
ESPN Basketball Recruiting // Player Rankings - ESPN
A target-rich environment for Kentucky and Coach Cal.
NBA releases list of players invited to June draft combine in Chicago // CollegeBasketballTalk
There's still no excuse for Kentucky and Indiana not reaching a compromise to preserve one of college basketball's most significant regional rivalries, but nobody can accuse the Wildcats of ducking top competition.
Following a one-year hiatus next season in the series with North Carolina, Kentucky will once again play the Tar Heels and Louisville either at home or on the road in alternating years. The next two seasons, the Wildcats will also participate in the Champions Classic, next season against Duke in Atlanta and the following season against Michigan State in Chicago.
This is an opinion I can appreciate.
Karl Towns is another example of why Coach Cal is the best // CollegeBasketballTalk
This kid will remind you of a guy who's initials begin with A and D. Check out the video at the bottom.
Coach Cal's faith runs deep // WKYT
A continuation of WKYT's exclusive series on John Calipari.
Dave Telep and Paul Biancardi talk 2013 recruiting: