Friday Quickies: Burning the Rankings Edition

Good morning, BBN. It’s fair to say that Benny Snell is not fond of where Kentucky is ranked this preseason. After reading that USA Today had the Cats ranked No. 71 this preseason, he threw the paper down and he set it on fire, and dammit, it was the greatest thing a Kentucky player has done since Stephen Johnson made Lamar Jackson look like a JV high school player last year.

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Benny Snell does not care for your preseason rankings | Kentucky Sports Radio
Benny Snell got his hand on a copy of USA Today's College Football Preview and it's pretty safe to say he didn't see eye to eye with whoever contributed to it.

SEC Network analyst breaks down Wildcats' best OL - SEC Country
Cole Cubelic had a suprising response when asked which Kentucky player he's most looking forward to watch this season. Hint: It's an offensive lineman.

CatsPause: Matthew Mitchell says Kentucky emerged from roster turmoil a more developed program
When Kentucky women’s basketball went through tumultuous roster departures everyone knew they would be OK because Makayla Epps and Evelyn Akhator returned. But what about now?

CatsIllustrated.com - Bob Stoops' indirect role in changing the culture at UK
The now retired Oklahoma head coach has had an indirect impact on his brother's program.

QB Coach Knew Everyone Would Eventually Realize How Special Jarr - LEX18.com |
Atlanta-based quarterback coach Quincy Avery understands why UK fans might think Jarren Williams sounds too good to be true. “He is very consistent now and his throwing motion is even quicker. That has helped separate him from a lot of guys,” Avery said. “He’s one of the hardest workers I have ever been around. He’s dedicated to working hard and working right.”

Meet the Wildcats: Gilgeous-Alexander works with eye to the future - CoachCal.com
“My mom is probably my number one supporter and hater at the same time,” Shai said in an interview with CoachCal.com. “She always, always finds a way to criticize, but always finds a way to motivate me and keep me going.”

US buildings, NFL stadium check panels amid fears of fire
In promotional brochures, a U.S. company boasted of the “stunning visual effect” its shimmering aluminum panels created in an NFL stadium, an Alaskan high school and a luxury hotel along Baltimore’s Inner Harbor that “soars 33 stories into the air.” Those same panels also were used in the Grenfell Tower apartment building in London. British authorities say they’re investigating whether the panels helped spread the blaze that ripped across the building’s outer walls, killing at least 80 people.

Players Need to Do More Than Think About a Strike; They Need a Plan to Win One
History shows if NFL players go on strike, they get their ever-loving asses kicked. The union has fought hard during previous labor actions, but ultimately owners have "won" just about every times.

Every NFL Team's Biggest Reason for Optimism Heading into Training Camp
It's July, which is Optimism Month in the National Football League. Every free-agent signing has a chance to pan out, every draft pick has an opportunity to succeed and every roster is healthier now than ever...

Denzel Valentine & Miles Bridges linked up at Moneyball - 247
Former Michigan State standout guard Denzel Valentine and current Spartan Miles Bridges linked up at Moneyball for a highlight-reel slam.

Halftime: The 50 Most-Watched Sporting Events of 2017 (So Far)
The NFL owns the ten largest sports audiences of the year, led as usual by the Super Bowl. In a rarity, neither the AFC nor NFC title games took second-place. That distinction belongs to Packers-Cowboys in the Divisional Round, which had 48.5 million viewers.

A Q&A with Charlotte Wilder of SB Nation on her climb up the journalism ladder and writing about the “fringes of sports.”
30 Letter is running a Q&A with a reporter to talk about what’s right and wrong with journalism, their interests and random other stuff. This week, it’s with SB Nation’s own Charlotte Wilder.

Whatever Happened to O.J. Mayo? Not Even Some of His Closest Friends Know | Bleacher Report
With the exception of a TMZ airport ambush and a handful of Instagram posts from the other side of the world, NBA fans haven't heard a word from O.J. Mayo...

30 Inexpensive Products That'll Make Your Summer So Much Better - BuzzfeedAdam Jones is grateful that owner Mike Brown has his back | ProFootballTalk
Any other team might have washed their hands of Adam Jones this offseason. But the veteran cornerback grew emotional Thursday when discussing the team's support, saying that owner Mike Brown sticking up for him made an impact.

Flacco out with back injury; Ravens may bring in Kaepernick | FOX Sports
An injury to quarterback Joe Flacco might open the door for Colin Kaepernick to join the Baltimore Ravens. It'd be a long overdue signing for Kap.

Cavs' deep commitment to LeBron on display once again | SI.com
Faced with Kyrie Irving trade rumors, the Cavaliers made it clear that they are committed to LeBron James at a wide-ranging press conference.