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Good morning Big Blue Nation. Today the Kentucky Wildcats are in Nashville to face the Vanderbilt Commodores in what could be the worst gym in the country. John Calipari’s teams have fared fairly well in Memorial Auditorium and the Kentucky fan base usually has an extremely large presence there.
But the Cats are only a 3.5 point favorite on the road in a weird environment. And once again, they may be shorthanded.
Tweets of the Day
If the moon landing happened today... pic.twitter.com/vHbC2F89MG
— World and Science (@WorldAndScience) January 13, 2018
This isn’t sports related. I just thought it was funny.
Skal Labissiere might be the kindest and most impressive young person my job has ever allowed me to get to know. He’s from Haiti. I’m glad we live in a country that allowed him to come here and flourish after he nearly died in an earthquake.
— Gary Parrish (@GaryParrishCBS) January 12, 2018
Presented without comment.
Really sad to hear that the iconic Keith Jackson died last night. He was the soundtrack to so many of our Saturdays.
— Sam Farmer (@LATimesfarmer) January 13, 2018
One more ‘Whoa Nelly!’ for the legend. The Rose Bowl was never the same once he retired. He is, and will always be, THE voice of college football.
Quickies
Quade Green in doubt vs. Vols | SEC Country- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had to play 39 minutes vs. Texas A&M on Tuesday night and he may have to do it again as Green is still doubtful vs. the Dores as he is again dealing with a back injury. Calipari also talked about Jemarl Baker and it seems doubtful that he plays at all this season.
Can a UK player sneak onto the Wooden Award list? | WDRB- The Kentucky Wildcats don’t have a player in the top 25 of the Wooden Watch List. Rick Bozich nominates a couple of guys that may have a shot to sneak in there.
Here are some interesting analytics about Nick Richards:
Here’s the strange thing: The numbers from two analytics site say that another Kentucky deserves more minutes.
That player is freshman center Nick Richards.
The National Statistics site puts Richards atop all of John Calipari’s guys in its Player Context ratings. At Pomeroy, Richards is the only Kentucky player with three Top 100 ratings, primarily for his ability to rebound and block shots.
Here are the top UK guys in Player Context numbers:
Richards 9th in the SEC/72nd nationally; Washington 20/171; Gilgeous-Alexander 23/187; Knox 25/204; Hamidou Diallo 36/262.
Kentucky’s goals reach beyond the next opponent | Lexington Herald Leader- “The problem is we have a bigger picture here,” Calipari said. “It’s not just try to play the next games. It’s to try to grow. It’s to try to get better. It’s trying to be one of those teams by the end of the year. And we know we’re not right now.” In order to be one of those teams at the end of the year, it would help if everyone could get and stay healthy.
Zion Williamson’s recruitment ‘wide open’ | SEC Country- I’m not getting my hopes up here. I’ve already mentally prepared myself for Zion committing to a bummy Clemson team.
Cats in wintry Nashville ready for a showdown | CoachCal.com- John Calipari will see some familiar faces as Jeff Roberson, Riley LaChance, and Matthew Fisher-Davis are all back for their senior seasons at Vandy. The Dores can shoot, but they have no inside game to speak of. Thank goodness Luke Kornet (aka baby Tim Welsh) is no longer there.
Josh Pastner files lawsuit | ESPN- The Georgia Tech head coach is fighting back after a man and a woman from Arizona accused him of violating NCAA rules. There are also allegations of sexual assault that Pastner is fighting.
NFL playoff picks | Sporting News- The NFL Divisional rounds start today with the Eagles vs. the Falcons at 4:30 this afternoon followed by Patriots vs. the Titans at 8:15. The Eagles are home underdogs thanks to Carson Wentz being out because of a knee injury while the Pats look to roll Tennessee. Tomorrow the Steelers look to avenge their loss against the Jaguars in the regular season at 1:00 and the Vikings will face Drew Brees and the Saints later that afternoon.
2018 NFL mock draft says 5 QBs taken in first round | CBS- Sam Darnold at number one to the Browns has disaster written all over it. I don’t get the allure of Darnold. I really don’t. Lamar Jackson stays a Cardinal as he is drafted by Arizona in this version.
Leo set to star in Quentin Tarantino’s latest | Deadline- The film will be set around the Manson Family Murders as DiCaprio plays an out of work, down on his luck actor.
John Wick spinoff series in the works for Starz | Rolling Stone- The series will be called The Continental, named after the assassin friendly/neutral hotel from the movies. And yes, Keanu Reeves will reprise his role. I’m very excited.