Yes I know that the most important game of the early football season is upon us, but the Kentucky Wildcats basketball times and dates have been released and that’s always a big deal around these parts.
As usual, the ‘Cats are scheduled for prime time slots on big time networks. Buckle up, it’s almost here.
Tweet of the Day:
Rick Pitino said he thinks he has five or six potential first round NBA draft picks on his team this year. https://t.co/XXwrEYGlKA
— Evan Daniels (@EvanDaniels) September 13, 2017
And to follow that....
Hey @GoCards, tell your boy he hasn't had six first round picks in the last decade. And then tell him to get Twitter.
— Drew Franklin (@DrewFranklinKSR) September 13, 2017
Quickies
Former UK Men’s Basketball All-American Billy Ray Lickert Dies - UK
Billy Ray Lickert, a Helms Foundation All-American in 1961 and three-time All-Southeastern Conference player for the Kentucky men's basketball team, died Wednesday. He was 78.
"Heightened sense of urgency" on defense for SEC opener - 247
Kentucky's SEC opener against South Carolina will present a big challenge for the Cats' defense.
Q&A: Matt House on preparing for South Carolina's top weapons on offense | Lexington Herald Leader
Kentucky defensive coordinator Matt House on issues created by South Carolina’s top offensive weapons and UK’s preparation for first Southeastern Conference game.
2017 John Calipari Women’s Clinic Set for Oct. 29 in Rupp Arena - UK
The ninth annual and always popular John Calipari Women's Clinic is set for Oct. 29 from 1-4 p.m. The clinic will take place in historical Rupp Arena for the second consecutive year.
UK basketball | Is Kevin Knox the next Malik Monk or Jamal Murray? - LCJ
An interesting look at how Kevin Knox fits into the pantheon of Kentucky's John Calipari Era shooters and makers.
Quentin Grimes Breaks Down Final Four | Scout- The elite five star point guard is down to Kentucky, Kansas, Marquette, and Texas. He has set an official visit to Kentucky and likes the prospect of playing against the best at practice. But with Immanuel Quickley visiting this weekend and likely to commit soon after along with the chance that one or both Quade Green and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander return, the likelihood he ends up a ‘Cat is minimal.
Stephen A. Smith Clowns Lavar Ball | KSR- Lavar is fond of saying Lonzo Ball is better than Steph Curry. Stephen A. conceded that may be the case but he sure ain’t better than De’Aaron Fox. BURN.
Chauncey Billups impressed by Fox | KSR- Former NBA Champ and All Star Chauncey Billups says that Fox is much better than he was when he was a rookie. Folks, I do believe our guy De’Aaron is THE next big point guard in the NBA.
Jim Harbaugh is trying to outdo John Calipari outside-the-box | Lexington Herald Leader
Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari is known for outside-the-box ways. Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh is trying to outdo him. Random notes.
Kunc, Thomson Sweep of SEC Runners of the Week for Kentucky - UK
On Saturday Kunc won the Bluegrass Invitational for the third year in a row and became the first woman in the SEC to break 17 minutes for 5k this season based on times reported.
2017-18 Kentucky men's basketball roster | Lexington Herald Leader
We are one month from Big Blue Madness. Do you know who your Wildcats are? This year’s Kentucky men’s basketball team is almost entirely new with eight incoming freshmen and only one returning player who saw significant minutes in the Cats run to the Elite Eight last season.
Le'Veon Bell Will Be Better in Week 2 vs. Minnesota Vikings, Says Mike Tomlin
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin isn't going into panic mode over running back Le'Veon Bell's underwhelming showing in the team's 21-18 victory over the Browns. Tomlin told reporters Tuesday that Bell's performance level needs to improve "and it will," per ESPN.com's Jeremy Fowler.
Ravens put perfect home record against rookie QBs at risk
The Ravens present a tough challenge for Cleveland Browns quarterback DeShone Kizer's first NFL road game. Some might even say it's the ultimate challenge. Under coach John Harbaugh, the Ravens are a perfect 5-0 against rookie quarterbacks at M&T Bank Stadium.
Danny Woodhead Reportedly out 4-6 Weeks with Hamstring Injury
Ravens running back Danny Woodhead will reportedly miss at least a few games due to a hamstring injury. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported the expectation is Woodhead will be out four to six weeks.
Jaguars vs. Texans: How did Jacksonville pull off the week's biggest upset?
The first NFL Sunday was a dud. The most exciting game might have been the Steelers at Browns. There was lots of bad play, highlighted by the Bengals and Giants offenses, and the entire Colts team.
Carson Palmer's Continuing Struggles Threaten to Sink Cardinals' Season
This year was going to be different. After struggling in 2016, veteran quarterback Carson Palmer of the Arizona Cardinals was supposed to rebound to his Pro Bowl form of 2015. Having rested his arm more this offseason than in years past, Palmer was supposed to be rejuvenated in 2017.
NFL1000: Doug Farrar's Week 2 QB Rankings
Thirty NFL teams faced off in Week 1, with the Dolphins and Buccaneers having their game postponed due to Hurricane Irma. For the teams that did suit up, unspectacular quarterback play was the norm.
David Johnson Reportedly to Have Surgery on Wrist Injury, to Miss 2-3 Months
Arizona Cardinals superstar running back David Johnson is undergoing surgery on his wrist this week and is expected to be sidelined for two to three months, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.
NFL Power Rankings: Where Does Every Team Stand Heading into Week 2?
Week 1 of the NFL season is tough; I don't care how impressive your team is. Even after the preseason, teams aren't sure what they are. They're even less sure what their opponent is going to be. I know I wasn't a superstar quarterback in the NFL, but take it from me: Teams are going to see wrinkles they don't expect and have issues they don't anticipate. This is why we end up seeing wild mistakes and plays and bizarre scores.
Fantasy Start ‘Em and Sit ‘Em Week 2 | CBS- I’m glad I have more starts than sits.
Red Sox Remove Racism Banner from Green Monster | CBS- Activists placed a large banner that read “Racism is as American as Baseball” on the Green Monster in Fenway Park yesterday. They were promptly escorted from the premises.
Frank Vincent of Sopranos and Goodfellas Fame Dies at 78 | Hollywood Reporter- Vincent was known for his portrayal of Wise Guys in the iconic productions of Goodfellas and The Sopranos. In Goodfellas he played the ill-fated Billy Batts who met his demise in the trunk of a car and Tony Soprano’s nemesis Phil Leotardo.
Distant Space Signals Detected | Astonishing Legends- Astronomers in West Virginia have detected signals from 3 billion light years away. Don’t get too excited, the signals could be from a distant neutron star collapsing into a black hole or some other natural cataclysm.