Saturday Quickies: Beat Bama Edition

Good morning Big Blue Nation! It’s Saturday and the Kentucky Wildcats are back in Rupp Arena to face the Alabama Crimson Tide. Last season the Tide surprised Kentucky in Tuscaloosa and won 77-75. That Alabama team went to the NIT and the one coming into Lexington doesn’t look much better.

This season’s version of Alabama is 8-6 on the season and 1-1 in the SEC. ESPN’s matchup predictor gives Kentucky an 80% chance to win today. UK is also -11 for the spread.

I expect Kentucky to win but this is one of those early in the day, sleepy SEC games that worries me a bit. This team likes to start slow for whatever reason and Alabama has a player in John Petty that is feast or famine. He could go for 30 or 3 depending on the game.

The good news is, like most teams, they don’t have anyone like Nick Richards. The Kentucky big man should have another double double today.

Tweets of the Day

That’s all kinds of awesome.

Not clear on the status of Johnny Juzang today but he’s the cover boy for this tweet.

I think we are going to be watching Logan Stenberg in the NFL for years to come.

Quickies

UofL fans have to ride a UK themed bus to Notre Dame | WDRB- The reaction to the people as they realize they have to ride a UK bus to a UofL basketball game is priceless.

Calipari continues to challenge the crowd at Rupp | Cats Pause- If there is one thing I’ve noticed about this team, it’s that they react to crowd noise. Both positive and negative energy. And they react well to it.

Immanuel Quickley isn’t just instant offense | Lexington Herald Leader- The sophomore guard has transformed into a lockdown defender and it has helped his offense in the process.

UK to face off against a fast paced team in the Tide | UK Athletics- The Cats are at their best when it’s an up and down the floor kind of game. I expect the over to hit in this game.

UofL taking threat to Jordan Nwora’s life seriously | WDRB- Jordan Nwora received a death threat after the loss to Kentucky from a disgruntled fan that lost a $15 bet. Louisville fans have been insistent that Nwora never clarified that it was a UofL fan. Now there’s an investigation. I guess we will find out soon enough.

NFL Divisional games predictions | ESPN- I’ve got the Niners, Chiefs, Ravens, and Seahawks making it out of the weekend.

Lynn Bowden named to AP’s All-Bowl team | Cats Pause- More and more accolades for Bowden. He truly was one of the best players in the entire country in 2019.

Bill Belichick refused to allow MacDaniels to move interviews | CBS- Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels will likely be a head coach next season but his boss isn’t making it easy on him. He wanted to move up his interviews for head coaching positions but Belichick wouldn’t allow it. They’re trying hard to keep him but it seems like it’s a done deal between McDaniels and the Browns.

Yesterday was a sad day for fans of music as one of the all time great drummers passed away from brain cancer. Rush’s Neil Peart hid his years long battle from fans and media. The Canadian rockers are a recent Hall of Fame addition after years of complaining from their rabid fan base. They were indeed one of the most musically gifted, dynamic power trios in the history of rock.