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The Quest for National Championship Number Nine officially starts this evening as the Kentucky Wildcats tip-off at 7:00 PM against Albany in the first game of the season.
I am all set to gourge myself on college basketball this evening. I can't contain my excitement.
Tweet of the Morning:
De'Aaron Fox on Malik Monk: "Everybody's preaching John Wall-Eric Bledsoe 2.0. I honestly feel like we can be better than them." (I do, too)
— Ben Roberts (@NextCats) November 12, 2015
De'Aaron Fox seems pretty confident that five star shooting guard Malik Monk will join him in the back court at Kentucky, which would once again form one of the best guard duos in the country for John Calipari. Fox is already a 'Cat, which is a huge deal, and Monk will probably announce in the spring. What a time to be alive.
Kentucky Wildcats Football:
The esteemed Larry Vaught tells us that the Wildcats had a physical week of practice in preparation for a crucial game at Vanderbilt. Toughness is something that definitely has been lacking in the last three games.
Jenn Smith from the LH-L writes that linebacker Khalid Henderson is again starting to make an impact and is in attack mode after being relegated to the bench after the return of Ryan Flannigan. Henderson has been playing well when he gets the chance in games and Flannigan has been a ghost. About time Khalid gets his due.
With a win over Vandy, the Wildcats could close out the SEC schedule on a good note and finish with three wins in the conference.I know that doesn't sound like much, but it's a step in the right direction for the program.
Anchor of Gold writes that Kentucky "trudges" into Nashville for an almost must win game for both teams.Couldn't have put it better myself.
Kentucky Wildcats Basektball:
ICYMI, last night the #1 point guard in the 2016 class committed to Kentucky live on ESPNU. De'Aaron Fox is about as Kentucky as a player can be with his attitude, skill set, and mentality. He is a guy that likes the spotlight and enjoys interactions with fans. He's a helluva ball player, but I think BBN is really going to love this kid as a person.
Isaiah Briscoe may miss the first two games tonight and tomorrow night due to a knee injury he suffered in practice. I don't think the 'Cats are in any danger of losing the first two games without him, my concern is his readiness against Duke. The knee injury isn't serious. Hopefully he is ready to go for at least one game.
ESPN's Myron Medcalf asks if this Kentucky team is overrated. I'll help you with that one, Myron: NO.
I have a feeling this result will eclipse the 15 point romp the Wildcats enjoyed during the 2010/2011 season.
Other UK Athletics:
The UK Hoops squad starts play tonight in their 42nd season. They have won six straight season openers and will take on Rice.
The #9 Women's Doubles tennis team outlasted the duo from Ohio State.
Kentucky track star Kendra Harrison was named as a top 10 expempliary athelte by the NCAA.This is quite an honor for Kendra.
Other Sports Around the Country:
The University of Louisville received some bad news yesterday as "Escort Queen" Katina Powell's lawyer confirmed to ESPN's John Barr that they will release all of their records to the NCAA. That includes over 1400 texts between Powell and former UofL assistant coach and point man Andre McGee. There seems to be the feeling of impending charges against Powell, so this may be a twofold gesture: 1) She's going to have to release the info to the legal authroities anyway, why not go ahead and release it to the NCAA; 2) This shows that she is willing to cooperate and could be a gesture of goodwill. Or she could just be throwing up her middle fingers to everyone and saying shes's going to take them all down with her. Anyway you look at it, it's bad for Louisville.
Former Arizona recruit T.J. Leaf made it official that he will be a UCLA Bruin on the same ESPNU broadcast that De'Aaron Fox used to announce his commitment to UK. This is a very big get for Steve Alford.
Could Calvin Johnson be on the move from Detroit? That team is going nowhere and the veteran Wide Reciver deserves to be on a contender.
Karl-Anthony Towns notched his sixth double-double in eight games(17 points, 11 rebounds) in a home loss to the Warriors. Towns is the fourth player in 30 years to accomplish such a mark. Shaq O'Neal, Dikembe Mutombo, and David Robinson are the other guys on the list. He's going to be great, folks. But we already knew that.
Brandon Knight (37 points) and Eric Bledsoe (26 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists) helepd the Suns scorch the Clippers 118-104. The 37 points that Knight scored is a career high and Bledsoe was one assist shy of his second career triple-double. I think these former Wildcats like playing together. Knight was 6-10 from beyond the arch. And Austin Rivers was the starting point guard for the Clippers. Was glad to see him torched by Bledsoe.
Random News:
10 things we learned from EW's Star Wars: The Force Awakens issue. December can't get here soon enough.
Can Guns N Roses reunite peacefully for their first tour togehter since the 90's? Rolling Stones showcases the nastiest of the nasty mudslinging from the notorious rock band. I will be surprised to see this tour last the full lenght. Hopefully Louisville or Lexington is their first stop so I can see it. Some language is NSFW.
The novel The Martian and the film version have sparked new interest in Mars exploration. So why still no human voyage to the Red Planet?
There has been a discovery of a hidden chamber in the Great Pyramid of Giza. Is it the tomb of Khufu or is it the portal to the alien spacecraft? Only time will tell.
Enjoy basketball tonight, folks!