Big Blue Links for Wednesday:
- Jerry Tipton and Ryan Alessi of the Herald-Leader on the hiring of John Calipari as UK basketball coach.
- My column saying that Calipari may be a risk, but he brings high reward.
- Mark Maloney writes that the hire has UK recruits buzzing.
- Valarie Honeycutt Spears writes that Calipari is a “marketable personality.”
- Alessi writes that some questions follow Calipari again.
- Pat Forde of espn.com asks if the joke will end up being on Mitch Barnhart.
- Andy Katz of espn.com writes that the Calipari hire is worth the risk.
- Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports writes that Calipari and Kentucky form a scary union.
- Geoff Calkins of the Memphis Commercial Appeal writes that Calipari is just the operator he always was.
- Ron Higgins of the Commercial Appeal writes that all Calipari did was win, graduate players and pack the house.
- Dan Wolken of the C-A has the nuts and bolts on Calipari’s departure from Memphis.
- The Courier-Journal’s Rick Bozich writes on how Calipari helped ex-U of L star Kenny Payne.
- Eric Crawford of the C-J writes that two stunning seasons brought Calipari to Kentucky.
- Bozich and Brett Dawson of the C-J report on the Calipari hire.
- Jody Demling of the C-J writes on whether Calipari will bring a crowd.
- Harvey Araton of the New York Times writes that Calipari is a good fit for Kentucky.
- Gregg Doyel of CBS Sporstline writes that it’s now over for college basketball.
- Tom Leach calls it a home run hire.
- Leach also has an interview with Jay Bilas, who says Calipari will thrive at Kentucky.
- Andy Staples of SI.com says Calipari could turn the SEC into a power conference.
- Seth Davis of SI.com writes that this is the perfect fit.
- Fox Sports’ Jeff Goodman writes that Kentucky made the right call.
- Fox Sports’ Jason Whitlock takes up for Coach Cal.
- Examier.com reports that top recruit Lance Stephenson has delayed his decision to see what Calipari will do. (Hat tip to Spam’s Wildcat Page.)
- Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger reports that Konner Tucker has re-opened his recruitment.
- Gary Parrish of CBS Sportsline reports on the Kentucky hire.
- Bobby Reagan of the Kentucky Kernel writes that the Calipari party has begun.
- Kenny Colston of the Kernel writes that Mitch Barnhart gets the home run hire he wanted two years ago.
- Remember, Bluegrass State Basketball predicted this day way back on Sunday.
- Inside the Hall takes issue with Gregg Doyel.
- Kentucky Sports Radio is in full celebration mode.
Pat Forde may have his doubts, but he will be elated once Ashley Judd gives her approval. He is always looking for a reason to include her picture in his column.