Best umpiring call of all-time?
Is this the best umpiring call of all-time? Dude strait breaks it down on strike three.
Amile Jefferson to be a Blue Devil
Yuck. Amile Jefferson just announced that he will play for Coach K and the Blue Devils. According to most, UK was a very unlikely destination for Jefferson.
Have fun bumping this while in Durham. Wow, it’s awful.
Brandon Knight finishes 7th in Rookie of Year voting
As many predicted at the beginning of the season, Cleveland Caveliers Kyrie Irving was selected as the 2012 NBA Rookie of the Year. The overall No. 1 draft pick averaged 18.5 points per game and received 117 of the 120 first place votes.
Brandon Knight finished seventh and former Morehead State standout Kenneth Faried finished third.
2012 NBA Rookie of the Year Voting Results
Kyrie Irving, Cleveland*
Ricky Rubio, Minnesota
Kenneth Faried, Denver
Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio
Iman Shumpert, New York
Klay Thompson, Golden State
Isaiah Thomas, Sacramento
Brandon Knight, Detroit
Chandler Parsons, Houston
MarShon Brooks, New Jersey
Kemba Walker, Charlotte
Josh Selby, Memphis
Don’t expect Amile Jefferson to pick UK
Amile Jefferson is set to announce his decision today at 4 p.m. UK has been mentioned throughout his process, but the liklihood of him selecting the Cats has never been great. The chances of him picking UK now seem even less likely as Adam Zagoria is reporting that he will pick either Duke or NC State.
The Blue Devils and the Wolfpack have been the leaders in the clubhouse since day one.
Former Wildcats filling up USA basketball rosters
Everyone is well aware that Anthony Davis is on the 2012 U.S. Olympic Men’s Team Finalists Roster. Well, John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins have been named to the USA Select Roster, a team that will play the USA team as they prepare for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
In case you haven’t seen both rosters, here they are:
LaMarcus Aldridge F/C 6-11 240 7/19/85 Portland Trail Blazers / Texas
Carmelo Anthony F 6-8 230 5/29/84 New York Knicks / Syracuse
Chauncey Billups G 6-3 202 9/25/76 Los Angeles Clippers / Colorado
Chris Bosh F 6-10 230 3/24/84 Miami Heat / Georgia Tech
Kobe Bryant G 6-6 205 8/23/78 Los Angeles Lakers / Lower Merion H.S. (PA)
Tyson Chandler C 7-1 235 10/02/82 New York Knicks / Dominguez H.S. (CA)
Anthony Davis G 6-10 220 3/11/92 N/A / Kentucky
Kevin Durant G 6-9 230 9/29/88 Oklahoma City Thunder / Texas
Rudy Gay F 6-8 230 8/17/86 Memphis Grizzlies / Connecticut
Eric Gordon G 6-3 222 12/25/88 New Orleans Hornets / Indiana
Blake Griffin F 6-10 251 03/16/89 Los Angeles Clippers / Oklahoma
James Harden G 6-5 220 8/26/89 Oklahoma City Thunder / Arizona State
Dwight Howard F/C 6-11 265 12/08/85 Orlando Magic / Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy (GA)
Andre Iguodala G/F 6-6 207 1/28/84 Philadelphia 76ers / Arizona
LeBron James F 6-8 250 12/30/84 Miami Heat / St. Vincent-St. Mary H.S. (OH)
Kevin Love F 6-10 260 9/07/88 Minnesota Timberwolves / UCLA
Lamar Odom F 6-10 230 11/06/79 Dallas Mavericks / Rhode Island
Chris Paul G 6-0 175 5/06/85 Los Angeles Clippers / Wake Forest
Derrick Rose G 6-3 190 10/04/88 Chicago Bulls / Memphis
Dwyane Wade G 6-4 220 1/17/82 Miami Heat / Marquette
Russell Westbrook G 6-3 187 11/12/88 Oklahoma City Thunder / UCLA
Deron Williams G 6-3 207 7/26/84 New Jersey Nets / Illinois
And the USA Select Roster.
DeMarcus Cousins F/C — Sacramento Kings
John Wall G — Washington Wizards
Ryan Anderson F — Orlando Magic
DeJuan Blair C — San Antonio Spurs
DeMar DeRozan G/F — Toronto Raptors
Derrick Favors F — Utah Jazz
Paul George F — Indiana Pacers
Taj Gibson F — Chicago Bulls
Gordon Hayward F — Utah Jazz
Kyrie Irving G — Cleveland Cavaliers
Kawhi Leonard G — San Antonio Spurs
Jeremy Lin G — New York Knicks
Klay Thompson G — Golden State Warriors
Michael Porter arrest on charges of sexual abuse
Not the kind of news you want to break, but former UK guard Michael Porter has been arrest on charges of sexual abuse. According to reports he met with a 14-year old girl while serving as church councelor. He faces six charges of sodomy and two charges of first degree sexual abuse.
Ugly, ugly stuff and I’m not going into more detail until more details are released.
Julius Mays is the newest Wildcat
In a welcome change of pace during a slow period for Kentucky basketball news, Julius Mays has heated things up. Reports indicate that the NC State-turned-Wright State transfer will be a Kentucky Wildcat in the 2012-2013 season. He will be filling a big hole in Kentucky’s shallow back-court, adding fifth-year senior experience and a deadly outside shot to Calipari’s arsenal.
Mays has been playing college basketball since 2008, the same year that Nerlens Noel started high school, meaning he adds much needed age and maturity to a Kentucky team with virtually none of its own. He’s experienced as both a role player in a major conference, and as a star among smaller fish, which should allow him to slot right into Kentucky’s lacking back-court with the perfect balance of confidence and humility.
His ESPN profile provides a deeper look into Mays’ past, including his impressive 14+ points per game and 40%+ shooting from behind the arc. Although it’s unlikely he turns in such big numbers at Kentucky, he will undoubtedly be a steadying influence and viable backup to both Ryan Harrow and Archie Goodwin.
Mays may not be the mind-numbingly strong recruit for which Kentucky fans are always looking, but he will be an important player regardless. The 2012-2013 Cats need mortar to hold the bricks together, and Julius Mays may be the senior mortar they need.
Calipari adds Wright State transfer Julius Mays
Wright State transfer Julius Mays has committed to play his final year of college basketball at the University of Kentucky says Steve Jones of Rivals.com. Mays is a perimeter threat and was also looking at Purdue. He will be eligible to play next season.
The 6-foot-2 Mays spent his first two seasons at NC State prior to transferring to Wright State a season ago. He averaged just under five points a game in his freshman and sophomore campaigns at NC State. Last year he led the Raiders in scoring with just under 15 points per game, while knocking down 50 threes and shooting 42-percent from deep. He put up a season-high 33 points on January 25 vs. Illinois-Chicago and knocked down 4-of-7 threes.
Calipari and the Cats may not be done yet as big man Amile Jefferson is set to make his decision on Tuesday.
StraitCats Baseball Preview: Alabama at Kentucky
After a fast start, the Kentucky offense has hit a few bumps in the SEC road facing the talented arms of Vandy and Florida, losing their first two weekend series of the year. In the six games against the ‘Dores and Gators, the UK offense managed only 16 runs while hitting a combined .239 as a team. But, on paper, this looks like a good weekend for the Cats to get back to the way they were swinging the bats in the first half of conference play as they welcome a struggling Alabama squad to Lexington this weekend. The Tide is/are just 7-17 in SEC play and has yet to scratch on the road sitting at 0-12. A sweep would go a long way as the Cats look to secure just the second SEC Baseball Championship in school history, but two of three is a must as they sit one game behind South Carolina and LSU in the SEC race with just six league games remaining.
Pitching Match-Ups:
Alabama comes into the 9th SEC weekend last in ERA (5.68) during conference play, almost a full run worse than Tennessee (4.84). The Crimson Tide has continually juggled their weekend starters looking to find the right combination, but Fr. RHP Spencer Turnbull was inserted as the Friday night starter three weeks ago and has been very effective, allowing just 3 ER over 18 innings. His most impressive start came two weeks ago on the road at South Carolina when he had a no-hitter through 7 innings before lightning and weather caused the game to be delayed until the following day. Fr. LHP John Keller will get his 7th conference start on Saturday, followed by Jr. RHP Charley Sullivan on Sunday, who will be making his 6th start of conference play in the finale.
Friday (7:00 CSS):
Spencer Turnbull (Fr. 2-4 4.56)
Taylor Rogers (Jr. 5-3 4.81)
Saturday (2:00 FS-S):
Jon Keller (Fr. 1-5 4.14)
Jerad Grundy (Jr. 4-2 4.08)
Sunday (1:00):
Charley Sullivan (Jr. 2-2 5.03)
Corey Littrell (So. 7-0 2.30)
Lineup:
Just like the struggles on the mound, the story is the same for the Crimson Tide at the dish. Alabama hitters are last in the league in batting average (.253) and are in the bottom third of the conference in every major statistical category, including hitting only 19 homeruns for the season. For comparisons sake there are four teams, including Kentucky, that have hit more during conference play alone.
The Tide is led at the plate by a pair of outfielders, Fr. Ben Moore and Sr. Taylor Dugas. Moore leads all SEC freshmen with a .352 batting average and is 4th among all hitters in league play with a .366 average, but has just three extra base hits (all doubles) during conference play. Dugas, an 8th round pick of the Chicago Cubs last year, is considered one of the best defensive outfielders in the conference and is hitting .343 on the year, leading Bama in extra base hits with 12 doubles and 6 triples. On Saturday, Dugas set the school record for hits in a career, breaking former big leaguer Andy Phillips 13-year old record. He now holds the school record for hits, singles, doubles and triples. Sr. SS Jared Reaves and Jr. C Brett Booth are tied for the team lead with 4 homeruns apiece.
SEC Race:
South Carolina 16-8 (@ UGA, LSU)
LSU 16-8 (Vandy, @ USC)
Kentucky 15-9 (Bama, @ MSU)
Florida 14-10 (MSU, @ Auburn)
Kentucky holds the tiebreaker over USC and LSU, but would lose a tie with Florida.
Anthony Bennett trims Kentucky from his list of schools
The most prized prospect still out there will not be a Kentucky Wildcat next year. When you hear this news now, it almost comes as a surprise to you. When we spoke with Rick Broering, of MusketeerScoop.com, a week or so back he said that there was nothing to the rumors that Bennett had provided UK with a silent verbal, but did say that him going to UK would make perfect. It appears now that Bennett will be attending either Oregon or UNLV. This news comes just days after he removed Florida from his list, a school that many saw as a potential favorite to land his services.
John Calipari will now look to lock up Amile Jefferson and Montrezl Harrell.
A death at the Derby
I can’t believe no one’s made the connection yet. It’s no coincidence that Billy Gillispie and John Calipari crossed paths at the Kentucky Derby, and then just a few hundred yards away, a body was discovered.
Everyone in the state of Kentucky wants to know what was said between the two coaches in this brief encounter on Saturday, and more than a few must have wondered if it was Calipari who suffered at the hands of a jealous Billy G. Thankfully the savior of Kentucky basketball escaped with his life, while Billy Gillispie has, up to this point, yet to be apprehended as the Derby Killer. One has to wonder, though, how much a stretch it would be to see Billy’s rage taken out on an innocent bystander.
That’s not to say there’s no blood on his hands. He left Kentucky basketball with but a single last breath, ready to be put down. Then Calipari arrived and saved the day. There’s little doubt that Gillispie must look longingly at what Calipari has managed to achieve in just three short years, but I’m sure he managed to remain civil with his superior at Churchill Downs.
All joking aside (and there’s been a lot of joking), it’s quite a shame to see such tragedy so close to such a beloved sporting event. And it’s surprisingly welcome to see Kentucky’s past and present cross paths without any bodies being left behind.
Best Anthony Davis photo ever? Baby so.
Of all the great Anthony Davis images that have been captured over the course of the last year, this one might take the cake.
Not only is that the coolest baby in Kentucky, but it’s a perfect symbol of what Kentucky basketball means to the state. From the day you’re born, you’re wearing blue and posing for mock Anthony Davis photos. The star center may not look particularly interested in a baby (which is probably a good idea for now), but he did take the time to tweet this picture. He clearly still cares about the fans and people that supported him all year, a strong statement for a young man in his position.
As if we needed another reason to love Anthony Davis any more.
Did You See This?
Bizarre scene in Denver last night. Near the end of the second half of the Lakers-Nuggets Game 4 Playoff game a fan walked out on the court in the middle of a play…
Makes me think back to the good ole days…
Mike Davis – anytime I ever see something like that I can’t help but think of the former Indiana coach. Just one of many memories we may never get to see again between UK and IU.
Calipari and Billy G?
This was a shot at the Derby on Saturday… Cal chatting with Billy Gillispie..Would have loved to be a fly on the wall for that encounter!
UK IU No More
Two of next season’s top ranked teams will NOT be meeting during the upcoming regular season. That’s right, the Hoosiers and Wildcats could not come to an agreement to play this upcoming season – thus discontinuing their long standing rivalry.
The largest sticking point between the two schools appears to be the two coach’s disagreement over where the rivalry should be played. UK and Coach Cal wanted the game played at neutral sites (Freedom Hall and Lucas Oil Stadium). Well, Tom Crean wanted the game on-campus (Lexington and Bloomington). Neither school could come to an agreement and now it appears we may have lost rivalry for awhile.
“While we understand that such neutral site games could be quite lucrative, we think the series should be continued as it is, home and home,” Indiana A.D. Fred Glass said. “Playing on campus enables our students to attend these marquee games which we believe is a great component of the overall college experience.”
UK Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart had this to say:
“We are extremely disappointed in Indiana’s decision to end our annual men’s basketball series. We were under the impression that we were in continued negotiations with Indiana University on signing a two-year contract to play the annual game at neutral sites. After the NCAA championships, both schools verbally agreed in principle to play for two years at neutral sites and agreed to revisit campus sites upon completion of the two-year deal.”
So what to make of this. Hard to say. On the one hand, Indiana was the only team (during the regular season) to defeat the Cats. It was at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, IN and the atmosphere was beyond electric. Some will say this type of an environment scares Calipari and is the reason why he wants to move the game to a neutral site. It is his attempt to give Kentucky a better shot when they play teams with equal or better talent.
That’s a legitimate argument and I think that definitely plays into it. But, it’s obvious Barnhart and Calipari had another reason as well. Think about it, Rupp Arena holds 23,500 and Assembly Hall holds 17,400 – Lucas Oil Stadium can hold 70,000 fans. More tickets, means more fans, which equals more money. Kentucky wants the money for sure, and in true Calipari form the bigger the better for him and his program. Can’t say I blame them on this one, it’s Kentucky, the biggest and greatest college basketball program in the country – they should play on the biggest stage.
Now, it’s great to watch the Cats play at arenas such as Madison Square Garden and Ford Field, but I have to agree with the Hoosiers on this one. I would much rather see this game played in front of those jam packed arenas with the ruckus crowds. It can be argued that after that Indiana loss this past season, the Wildcats really took off. It made them angry and they used that loss as motivation for the rest of the season. At the very least, I believe tough rivalry games during the regular season really gives a team an idea of where they are and what they need to work on. It certainly worked for the Cats.
Even though they will not play this year; I don’t believe this rivalry is over, not for a second. There is too much tradition and too much money lost if the game is cancelled. Within a year they will agree on a compromise that is conducive to both sides, just wait. A little bit disappointing that they will not face off this season, since they are both top 5 teams, but if fans are lucky Indiana and Kentucky will meet somewhere in March again. For now, fans will have to wait.
Wildcats and Hoosiers have been playing each other every season since 1969.
