Good morning, ladies and gentlemen of the Big Blue Nation, and welcome to the Tuesday Morning Quickies.
Today’s top story: Benny Snell Jr. has been named to the ESPN Freshman All-American team. This is a big honor for Snell, and just underscores the remarkable achievement this season has been for him. Consider:
Snell, who set freshman school records for rushing yards (1,057), rushing touchdowns (13), 100-yard rushing games (5) and single-game rushing yards (192), was named to ESPN’s Freshman All-American Team Monday.
Snell’s outstanding freshman season would not have been possible without the vast improvement in the UK offensive line, which struggled during the first three football games of the season only to turn into one of the best lines in the SEC by the end of the season.
But that does nothing to minimize the accomplishments of Snell, who is the kind of runner Kentucky has not seen in many years — a pure power back who is nearly impossible for one player to drag down. Along with “lightning” teammate “Boom” Williams, “thunder” Snell has had a tremendous impact on Kentucky’s success this season.
The best news? Barring injury, we get him for at least two more years.
Tweet of the Morning
So many mid-year transfers leaving at the first sign of adversity. Wonder how these kids would handle West Virginia practice for a week.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) December 13, 2016
This is becoming a real problem.
Your Quickies:
Kentucky football
-
Full Q&A from Mark Stoops and D.J. Eliot on bowl prep and recruiting.
-
3-star 2017 cornerback from Stockbridge, Ga.:
Had a great official visit to Kentucky this weekend decision will be made on my B-day 12/26!!! @coachclink @CoachMHouse @UKCoachStoops #BBN pic.twitter.com/hrCvWHWgDT
— yusuf corker (@YCorker) December 12, 2016 -
Kentucky coaches finally seeing recruiting benefits of being able to sell success.
-
Chris Westry can’t wait to return home to Jacksonville for the bowl game.
Kentucky basketball
-
Coach Cal does not want your “too cool for school” self on his basketball teams.
-
This UK team to date is by far the fastest of the Calipari era:
Kentucky is currently #10 in KenPom's tempo rankings. Calipari's KY teams have avg'd out at #191, even with John Wall pushing the pace.
— Sean Moran (@SeanMoHoops) December 13, 2016 -
Coach Cal loves coaching Brad, but hates his tatoo. I hate it too, coach.
-
Ah, family love…
family love. @MeganteCalipari @bradcalipari pic.twitter.com/qX5vHC98ZE
— Dr.SicilianoCalipari (@TheErinCalipari) December 12, 2016 -
How Kentucky freshmen stack up to the other top 25 recruits from 2016 nationwide. Pretty well, I’d say.
Other Kentucky sports
-
Former UK golfer Chase Parker finishes 14th overall in the Web.com Qualifying School to earn an eight-start exemption for the Web.com Tour season. If he cracks the top 25 in money there, he will earn a 2018 PGA Tour card.
Links posts
College football
-
AP All-American football teams announced. Kentucky doesn’t have anyone on there, but Western Kentucky does.
-
College football conference power rankings before bowl season. The SEC limps across the line at #5.
-
Lane Kiffin will be the next head football coach of Florida Atlantic. Quite a step down from USC and Tennessee.
College basketball
-
The South Carolina Gamecocks, who had moved up to #16 in the AP poll, fell to Seaton Hall in a nailbiter last night in Madison Square Garden for the first loss of their young season.
-
Aaron Torres — Seven things you might have missed in college basketball this week.
-
Auburn falls at the buzzer to Boston College. Despite the close loss, Auburn has not had a terrible non-conference season. If they can pull off a win against Oklahoma or Connecticut, who knows?
-
Ugh. Western Michigan basketball player charged with murder.