Kentucky Wildcats Morning Quickies: 2014 NBA Draft Day Edition

The 2014 NBA Draft is tonight, and of course, we'll have the obligatory open thread. There will also be an open thread for the World Cup game with Germany this afternoon in case some of you fine folks are able to watch.

Tweet of the Morning

BREAKING: FIFA bans Uruguay's Luis Suarez for 9 games and 4 months for biting opponent at World Cup (via @AP)

— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) June 26, 2014

I think they should have made him wear a mask like Bane in addition to his vacation.

Your Quickies:

Kentucky football

• Top offensive lineman target George Brown cuts his list, Kentucky still there. He is currently favored to become a Wildcat, and will announce his decision on July 25th. {Via Hank}

• OL Darryl Williams from Alabama was supposed to announce today, but he's postponed the decision. Actually, it could be good news since he's projected to go with Auburn. {Hank}

• 2016 UK QB recruit Austin Kendall plans to return to his original public school. {Hank}

• "Well, isn't that Special." - Church Lady. Damien Harris is Ohio State's third priority recruit. Come be a Hero at UK because you're number one in our hearts and minds. {Hank}

• 13 things you need to know about college football recruiting....a must read if you're a Kentucky fan. {Hank}

• Good Counsel players are coming to camp at UK on the 18th of July: {Hank}

  “@dpg4uk: Looks like there is going to be a large contingent of @gcfootball prospects headed to UK for camp on July 18th.” #GCSTRONG

  — GC Football (@gcfootball) June 26, 2014

• Mr. SEC has one big question for Kentucky football: Who will be the starting quarterback?

  Honestly, I think this has been answered, although Stoops & Co. will probably deny that it has. I firmly expect Patrick Towles to be named the starter, and I'll be really surprised if he isn't. He may not stay the starter all season, but I expect him to start out that way.

• Bud Elliott reminds us not to confuse recruiting rankings with blue-chip quality, and uses Kentucky as an example.

Kentucky basketball

• James Young wants to show the depth of his game in the NBA. Good. Then defend somebody for once. Seriously, that's why you're likely to be on the tail end of the lottery rather than the front — if you can't defend your position in college, no pro scout is going to reckon you can do it in the NBA.

  Nobody doubts Young's offensive ability. Everybody who has seen him play doubts his defensive ability.

• Calipari isn't going to win this — trust me. But that's okay. The only college program I want him to coach is the one he is currently coaching. So pick who you will, we know we have the guy whether you do or not.

• Kentucky announces it's television schedule for the Bahamas. Time Warner, the clock is ticking. Fail to deliver me my Kentucky basketball in August, and you can say goodbye to another customer.

  I will say that in general, I like TWC just fine. Their service when I had problems was better than their predecessor Insight, and their Internet has been fast and reliable for me, cable satisfactory, and telephone very good with some nice, advanced features.

  However, refusing to carry the SEC Network is an absolute deal-breaker, and once I change, it is extremely unlikely I will ever change back. So TWC management, if you are listening, I can assure you that holding out will cost you more money than it will save.

  John Clay has more on the looming TWC deadline here.

• Tonight's draft will provide some clarity for Julius Randle and James Young.

• New mixtape from 2015 wing Derrick Jones:

  I really like this kid's game. Notice that he has a right hand, even though he's left-handed. If Julius Randle had a right hand even as good as Jones, he would have been significantly better.

  Jones still wants to get to that left hand too much, but he has a live body and good range. Reminds me of a more athletic James Young. He seems to have a nice, even temperament as well. Hat tip: NextCats.

• Dwayne Bacon is another kid that really looks good for 2015. He isn't as athletic as Jones, but he uses both hands and has very deep range. Hat tip: NextCats.

• The Rupp Arena debate has become political fodder. You knew this would happen.

• Fran Faschilla says Julius Randle's intensity will serve him well in the NBA.

• James Young was in a minor car accident a couple of weeks ago, according to Chad Ford (via Zagsblog). That was sure kept quiet.

• 2016 forward Dedric Lawson down to Kentucky and Memphis, according to Zagsblog. He's the #6 player in 2016.

Other Kentucky sports

• Kentucky freshman Sonya May claimed the junior air rifle national championship earlier this week.

• Kentucky signs a five-year agreement with Fermata Partners to manage the trademark licensing program.

• Softball coaching staff named NFCA National Coaching Staff of the Year. Congratulations, and much deserved.

Links posts

• The Leach Report: Thursday Wildcat Links

College football

• Does the College Football Playoff mean no more "Mythical National Titles?" I'm not so sanguine. Hat tip: Real Clear Sports.

College basketball

• What you need to know about the O'Bannon vs. NCAA trial.

• Tom Izzo is changing his recruiting philosophy back to the way it was before 2013.

Other sports news

• I don't figure this. Cousins and Emiid make no sense at all to me together.

• The Boss is a fan of Pat Riley. Nothing wrong with that!

• A new and improved Tiger Woods? Consider:

  Now, he wants to be like us — well, a little bit anyway. Until this very moment, that has always proved impossible for him. Finally, after six years of constant physical pain and limitation, he says he has seen the light: either learn patience, listen to his body and moderate or forget about any more golf glory.

  Age catches up with us all. I remember the days of being young and indestructible. They are gone, and now I know what "limitations" means. If Woods has learned that, he may well return to the winner's circle. Hat tip: Real Clear Sports.

• Congratulations to the Vanderbilt Commodores for winning the College World Series. Anchor of Gold has more.

• Should the NBA Draft be more about potential or production?

• Wesley Woodyard and Avery Johnson are bonding together as Tennessee Titans. This could be very good.

Other news

• Be careful what you post on social media, it can really affect your chances of getting hired. Not only that, social media can ruin your relationships. I told you Twitter was the Devil.

• Going to the beach this summer? Beware beaches with bacteria problems.

• Is there anything it can't do? Low dose aspirin may reduce your risk of pancreatic cancer.

• Five things you didn't know about sushi.