Happy Saturday, Big Blue Nation!
The Michael Avenatti Nike nonsense is raging, and of course, Yahoo! is all over it. The latest news has Kentucky’s Kenny Payne right in the middle. But it’s not what you think.
Basically, Nike EYBL director Carlton DeBose was allegedly texting KP to vent about having to pay money to high school basketball players to compete on the EYBL circuit.
That’s it. That’s the news.
In fact, here are the contents of the texts:
In that conversation, KP responded, “Wow,” then asks, “can it come back to hurt you?”
Debose replied, “Not really,” before adding “It’s a risk but my everyday job is a damn risk so I’m used to it now.”
KP responded, “Watch your back bro.”
Look, I’m not naive. College athletics is a dirty business and before this is all over Kentucky basketball may very well be involved. But if Louisville fans (or any other fans for that matter) are getting excited over this latest development... they’re going to be sadly disappointed.
I get why Louisville fans are pouncing on this. If my program was in complete shambles and looking at another postseason ban on top of other penalties then I would be pouncing too.
Tweets of the Day
Grissom: "Let's start with Coach Pitino fornicating on the table. In my world that would have been reason to have him dismissed the next morning." https://t.co/cQDRnT9dRp
— Jason Riley (@JasonRileyWDRB) August 16, 2019
Mr. Grissom, sir, this is an Arby’s drive through.
Blessed to see 19 thank God for another year pic.twitter.com/GMUgT3Ft9e
— DeAndre Square (@d_square10) August 15, 2019
Happy belated birthday to a budding star on the UK defense.
Spending a little time today thinking back but spending more time looking ahead. THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF MY SECOND TOUR AS THE HEAD COACH AT KENTUCKY!!! It’s exciting starting over! The last 10 years were a ball and I want the next 10 to be even better. Let’s go!!!!
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) August 16, 2019
10 more years of John Calipari: sign me up!
Quickies
Ranking all of the SECs non-con foes | Saturdays Down South- The Cats non conference is... not great. Tennessee Martin ranks last (52), the Louisville Cardinals are next (31), Eastern Michigan is the second highest (27), and the toughest non-con foe is Toledo (14). The toughest opponent on the list is Clemson.
4 Game Flex Package sold out | UK Athletics- This may be the hottest that UK football has ever been.
Five things coming from UK football camp | KSR- The best thing here is that Terry Wilson is taking the step that we all hoped he would.
Marty Brennaman in Reds Hall of Fame | Vaught’s Views- The legendary Reds broadcaster is the first broadcaster in their HOF.
Josh Gordon reinstated by NFL | ESPN- This came out of nowhere and is completely shocking. Not sure what happens to Josh Gordon from here but hopefully drugs won’t be involved.
Ranking Fantasy Football team Names | Sporting News- Baker of Chains is my personal favorite.
New details in the Dale Earnhardt Jr. plane crash | USA Today- This is one of the craziest stories I’ve heard in a long time. Glad Jr. and his family are safe and sound.