Kentucky Sports: Morning Quickies -- Dakari Johnson Edition

Tonight, Dakari Johnson, the best big man in 2013 according to many sources, will announce his college destination. As you might know, Kentucky is high among the candidates.

Tweet of the Morning:

Dakari Johnson announcing on TV. Plays at 6 on @espn2 then announcement is halftime of @espnu game which tips at 8pm. UK, Gtown, SYR

— Dave Telep (@DaveTelep) January 5, 2013

I really like our chances. Dave Telep gives us some further intel:

How's that for a Saturday morning surprise: Dakari Johnson will pick either Kentucky, Georgetown or Syracuse. Orange least likely IMO

— Dave Telep (@DaveTelep) January 5, 2013

Your Quickies:

Kentucky football

• Rivals scout predicts big UK football commitment // John Clay's Sidelines
  Oh, I can't wait to hear!

Kentucky basketball

• No. 1 center to announce on ESPNU // ESPN

  Dakari Johnson (New York, N.Y./Montverde Academy) will make his college announcement live Saturday night at halftime of the Gonzaga (D.C.) vs. Salesian (Calif.) game at 8 p.m. ET on ESPNU and WatchESPN.

  I know Johnson really likes UK. I think we will be happy, but I have no real intel on his likely choice.

• Poythress’ mother says not to believe that her son is not passionate on the court // vaughtsviews
  If Poythress were not passionate, he would not be here.

• Willie Cauley-Stein projected as a top 10 NBA pick // John Clay's Sidelines
  Interesting...

• Nerlens Noel and Willie Cauley-Stein won’t keep Dakari Johnson from UK // CollegeBasketballTalk
  It's quite possible neither one will be here, anyway. But if nothing else, this year has demonstrated that playing two big men at UK is no problem. It will be even less of a problem next year.

• Dakari Johnson to Announce Tonight // ZagsBlog.com

  Ironically, Johnson is down to the same three schools as current Kentucky freshman Nerlens Noel.

  Could we anger the Hoyas again?

• Dakari Johnson Set To Announce Tonight // Casual Hoya

  If you want a prediction, I'd be shocked if Johnson doesn't choose Kentucky, and that his announcement is being covered by ESPNU is all I needed to hear. If you have other Saturday night plans, I suggest not canceling them in order to stay home and watch the announcement.

  You never know. But I do like our chances.

Other UK sports

• Kentucky Gymnastics Begins Season on West Coast // UKAthletics.com

• UK Hoops gets shot of confidence heading into return trip to Alabama // Cat Scratches
  

  In spite of being tested in countless ways, Kentucky came away with a victory to open conference play. UK had some big wins in November and December, but nothing showed the Cats what they're capable of more than that 76-69 win.

Links posts

• Kentucky Sports Radio // Saturday Morning (B)links
• Tom Leach // Saturday Links

College football

• The Assumption Way: How Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly learned to win // SBNation.com
  This one is at least a full cup of coffee, but it's a good read.

• Updated list of SEC underclassmen already declared for NFL // Saturday Down South

College basketball

• Memphis ends rivalry with Tennessee with a win, Tigers AD takes blame // CollegeBasketballTalk
  Who the hell is on first here?

Other sports news

• DeMarcus Cousins goes off — in a good way // John Clay's Sidelines
  I really love linking good news about the Big Cuz. I so badly want him to overcome his challenges and reach all of his potential, both as a person and as a player.

• 2013 NBA D-League Showcase: Day One Preview // Ridiculous Upside
  Must be nice to be able to send a guy who can average 20 and 15 to the D-League.

• With move to stipends, gap may widen between haves, have-nots // CBSSports.com

  Small conferences already play at a financial disadvantage to the power conferences, but if the NCAA has its way with a plan to pay some athletes stipends, Jeremy Fowler says the gap between them will likely widen.

  Likely? Certainly.

Other news