Big Blue Links for Friday:
- Ryan Alessi of the Herald-Leader writes that UK has asked a Kentucky court to rule on Billy Gillispie’s contract.
- Alessi and Jerry Tipton of the H-L report that UK president Lee Todd says he knew of the John Calipari issue.
- Mark Story of the H-L writes that Todd is carrying Calipari’s baggage.
- Tipton reports that Orestes Meeks says son Jodie is looking to be picked in the first round of NBA draft.
- Tipton also reports that ex-Cats say Memphis investigation may dog UK.
- Andy Katz of ESPN talks to Meeks at the pre-draft camp in Chicago.
- Bryan Mullen of the Tennessean reports that Nashville is courting UK for a non-conference basketball game.
- Pat Forde of ESPN writes that it’s see no evil, hear no evil in Kentucky.
- Jason Smith of the Memphis Commercial Appeal reports that SAT fraud easily falls through testing cracks.
- Pete Thamel of the New York Times writes that coaches don’t go by the book with the NCAA.
- Rick Telander of the Chicago Sun-Times writes on Derrick Rose and the ripple effect.
- Mike Decourcy of Sporting News writes that spirit of the law follows John Calipari, but not Memphis golf.
- Tom Leach says we should let the Memphis situation play out first.
- Dick Weiss of the New York Daily News writes that NCAA will scrutinize Calipari’s recruits.
- Kevin Scarbinsky of the Birmingham News writes that another cloud hangs over a John Calipari program.
- Caulton Tudor of the Raleigh News and Observer writes that Calipari is leaving behind a mess at Memphis.
- Cecil Hurt of the Tuscaloosa News has a mixed reaction to the Memphis news.
- Jim Litke of the AP writes that Calipari was the wrong man in the wrong place — twice.
- Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal reports that Mitch Barnhart supports Calipari.
- Josh Herwitt of Fox Sports writes that Calipari won’t be sweating this one either.
- Mr. SEC writes that Gillispie might be making a big mistake in suing UK.
- Inner Circle says UK fans should have faith in Calipari.
- Kentucky Sports Radio gives a Gillispie Memory Refresher.
Surprise surprise surprise. Pat Forde is trying to drag Kentucky through the mud. I guess he’s trying to make up for his “in depth” look at the Pitino scandal. (to summarize the article “Rick Pitino is a poor defenseless victim”). So much for unbiased reporting.
I must admit, I’m pretty disappointed in Pat Forde. I’ve always enjoyed his writing, but this “I told you so” article is really unbecoming of a journalist. Mike Decourcy’s article is far more unbiased, presenting facts, not conjecture.
Even ESPN.com “news services” column does a better job of revealing this situation from the standpoint of the accused university, which is Memphis, not UK (regardless of what Mark Story & Pat Forde would have you think).
Overall, it feels like a snapshot in the decline of journalism vs the rise of sensationalism.
I like Erin Calipari’s take on the situation.
http://deadspin.com/5272807/the-caliparis-continue-to-use-social-networking-tools-to-bash-pat-forde?t=13176225