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After a disastrous couple of weeks, things just got worse for Matthew Mitchell and the UK Hoops team. Yet another player, center Alexis Jennings, will transfer from the program. She started in 18 games last season and averaged 10.2 points and 7.1 rebounds per game.
Mitchell is left with only six returning scholarship players for next season. Jen Smith from the Lexington Herald-Leader posted a timeline of the UK Hoops turmoil and it isn't pretty.
Matthew Mitchell is under fire from fans and the calls for his resignation are louder than ever, but Kentucky AD Mitch Barnhart is still in Mitchell's corner. For now.
Reached out to UK spokesman and was told that Mitch Barnhart had nothing to say beyond what he said last week. https://t.co/uX30edC2mb
— Jen Smith (@jenheraldleader) May 4, 2016
Mitchell is at a crossroads with his players, his staff, and his fan base. He has had a string of unprecedented success at Kentucky but in the "What have you done for me lately" culture, that can soon be forgotten with one disastrous season. And right now that looks like what will play out.
On a positive note, Mitchell has hired Niya Butts, a former UK Hoops assistant coach that was just recently dismissed as Arizona's women's head coach.
Tweet(s) of the Day
For those asking, I’ve tried to reach out to almost every player who has left or her parent. No one is discussing reasons for leaving.
— Jen Smith (@jenheraldleader) May 5, 2016
I have tried to give everyone a chance to say what is going on behind the scenes, and I get no reply or players decline to discuss.
— Jen Smith (@jenheraldleader) May 5, 2016
Loose lips sink ships.
Matthew Mitchell is inching ever closer to a final four.
— Bob Ballin (@brow_down) May 5, 2016
For the win!
Kentucky Wildcats Football:
Mark Stoops plans to do some satellite camps in Florida, Georgia, and Ohio but wants the main focus to be on getting recruits to take visits to the campus. I can't blame him with all of the exciting new facilities going up at UK. Players need to see the dedication the university has to football. With Lamar Thomas' recruiting connections in Miami, Florida can be a new fertile battleground for the 'Cats.
Tight ends figure to be a large part of the offense next season, especially with a potential beast like CJ Conrad. Many Kentucky fans were frustrated with Shannon Dawson's lack of plays designed for the tight ends. That won't be the case with Eddie Gran.
Kentucky Wildcats Basketball:
In what may be a direct result of Kennedy Meeks returning to North Carolina for his senior season, Marcus Lee has been invited to the NBA Combine and is no longer just an alternate.
Beyond excited to participate in this years NBA Combine!
— Marcus Lee (@JustMarcusLee) May 5, 2016
I think Marcus has made his mind up to stick in the draft. Hopefully this great opportunity plays out for him positively and he opens the eyes of some teams.
Isaiah Briscoe is still an alternate for the combine but he has been working out for NBA teams. Fret not, it still is more likely that Briscoe returns than he hires an agent and stays in the draft.
Devin Booker and Karl-Anthony Towns have returned to Lexington. This is further proof that John Calipari has built a second home for these players and they will continue to be a part of the program for the rest of their lives.
Aaron Harrison played six minutes in the final game for the Hornets in a 106-73 game 7 loss. Expect Aaron to get some major minutes in the NBA summer league
Other Kentucky Sports:
UK golfer Tyler McDaniel was named to the All-SEC team.He finished as the runner-up at the SEC Championship, the first top five finish for a Kentucky golfer since 2014.
Jasmine Camacho-Quinn of the #1 ranked UK Women;s track team was named the SEC freshman of the year.What an honor and what a season it has been so far for that squad.
Saturday is Senior Day for the UK Softball team.The ladies play at noon in the second game of a series against Mississippi State.
Sports Around the Country:
The Cleveland Cavaliers have not lost in the postseason and completely obliterated the Atlanta Hawks last night behind a barrage of three-pointers. The Cavs made a record 25 three-pointers last night en route to a 2-0 series lead. If Steph Curry is still hobbled by injury, the presumptive Cavs-Warriors Finals could be interesting indeed.
At least the Hawks had fun with it.
Johnny Manziel will make his first court appearance today at 10:00 AM in a Dallas court for a domestic violence charge. The man formerly known as Johnny Football has been on a downward spiral that started back when he was selling his autograph for money at Texas A&M.
Johnny Manziel Tweets & Deletes: "Just thankful I had a shirt this time" https://t.co/dOSCrQ9DHq
— The Big Lead (@thebiglead) May 5, 2016
Ugh.
Charles Barkley ,you better stop talking s*** about Cleveland you was never tough you hide behind TNT
— Charles Oakley (@CharlesOakley34) May 5, 2016
Charles Oakley: Not a fan of Charles Barkley.
Nyquist has moved ahead as the 3-1 favorite in Saturday's Kentucky Derby. Nyquist has not lost a race yet. He drew the number 13th post yesterday.
Random Quickies:
Captain America; Civil War is already drawing critical praise. Will it be the best superhero movie of all time? I think The Dark Knight will be tough to beat.
A new species of hairy weevil was named after Chewbacca. Well deserved!