The Alabama Crimson Tide comes into Rupp Arena today at 2:00 PM to face the free-falling Kentucky Wildcats. John Calipari already reached two firsts with his first three game losing streak followed by his first four game losing streak. He will try to avoid his first five game game losing streak.
The ESPN matchup predictor has the Cats with a 67.9% chance of winning today. Vegas has the Cats as a four and a half point favorite. The numbers point toward UK winning today but nothing has come easy with these guys.
John Calipari stands firm with the idea that if his team can just win one game, they can turn things around and be ready for March. I want to believe that, and in most seasons it’s In Cal I Trust, but the players have got to show that they want it.
Tweets of the Day
Isaiah Briscoe (@ZayBriscoe) scores 50 (!), brings Home Estonia/Latvia All Star Game MVP honors #EuroZay pic.twitter.com/5PvtUastLO
— NJ Basketball (@NJHoopRecruit) February 16, 2018
Congrats to Isaiah Briscoe! I’m glad he’s finding success. His tenacity and hustle is definitely something this current team could use right now.
NAME: Kentucky Colonels
— Tony Vanetti (@tonyvanetti) February 16, 2018
VENUE: yum center
OWNER:LaBron James
PLAYERS: bunch of former cats and a card
GM: Tom Jurich
COACH: Rick Pitino
EVERYONE HAPPY
In no universe or alternate dimension would Kentucky fans support an NBA team coached by Rick Pitino and run by Tom Jurich. I don’t think the majority of Louisville fans would support that either. I like Tony but he missed the mark by about 1,000,000 miles.
Quickies
Players say ‘it’s on us’ | SEC Country- John Calipari has valiantly tried to fall on his sword for this team, placing all of the blame on himself. But the players are going in the opposite direction and telling us the blame should be on them. I think it’s 80/20- players/Cal.
“I wouldn’t put none of this on Cal,” added forward Jarred Vanderbilt. “It’s on us as players. We’re the ones out there competing. We’re the ones that have to go out there and fight. It’s trust amongst each other. Cal’s going to coach us; we just have to come together as a team and fight.”
These guys have the right attitude but it needs to show on the court.
Three ways Kentucky can beat Alabama | Courier-Journal- I don’t care how many ways they can beat Alabama, just beat Alabama.
Kentucky baseball dominates in season opener | UK Athletics- The #8 ranked Wildcats beat Wofford 6-1 in their season opener behind the pitching of Sean Hejelle. Tristian Pompey homered. The Cats have high expectations this season and it looked like they are ready to deliver.
Players ignoring cameras there for Facebook documentary | SEC Country- A Facebook team of cameramen are following John Calipari’s team for an upcoming Inside the Madness documentary. Luckily the players have the right focus and have been ignoring the kerfuffle surrounding them.
Kentucky makes deal with Akron in football series | FBS Schedules- The Wildcats will face the Zips in two home games and one away in a new series deal. This series puts the Cats right in the thick of it with an Ohio school.
UK Softball run-rules Fullerton | UK Athletics- The softball Wildcats were winners 10-2 vs. Cal State Fullerton. They are 3-2 on the young season. Since dropping their first two against New Mexico State University, they are winners of three straight.
The highs and lows of the Rising Stars | ESPN- The World Team beat the USA 155-124 for the third time in four games. Jamal Murray earned an A- with 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists. De’Aaron Fox received a B- grade with 4 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists.
NCAA Tourney Bubble Watch | CBS- Kentucky isn’t on bubble watch just yet and they can avoid it by winning today. Their foe, Alabama, does make this list. While the Tide have had some impressive wins as of late, they’ve also had some bad losses.
Alabama has a nice collection of wins, but nearly all of them are at home. They are one good road win from getting off the bubble, and even though Kentucky has been scuffling, Rupp Arena is still a tough place for the visitor to win
The USA fails to medal for second straight day | Sporting News- Neither Lindsey Vonn nor Nathan Chen were able to bring home medals for Team USA in South Korea. It’s pretty obvious that snowboarding is our sport when it comes to the Winter Olympics.
Expert picks for All Star Weekend | ESPN- There are Wildcats all over the place in this weekend’s All Star game. Take a look at the events and take your pick as to who will win.
A timeline of The Smashing Pumpkins drama | Rolling Stone- With the announcement of a reunion tour, the usual drama surrounding The Smashing Pumpkins once again reared its ugly head. The original line-up, excluding orginal bassist D’Arcy Wretzky, are making a trek around the country.
Black Panther set to crush the box office | Variety- The latest offering for Marvel has a chance to make $200 million and be the biggest Marvel film to date. Until Infinity War comes out later this year.
As a reminder, I will be doing the UK postgame show immediately following UK vs. Alabama. If you’re in the Louisville area, head over to ESPN 680 AM, if you’re in Frankfort turn it to 105.7 FM, if you’re not in either city, find it on iHeart Radio or the Tune In app. Jason Ence will be co-hosting with me. We will have live sound from players and we will carry Calipari’s press conference live. And if you want to call in and talk to me, 502-267-9680.