Big Blue Links for Thursday:
- Dan Wolken of the Memphis Commerical Appeal reports that sources say Memphis will be forced to vacate its 2007-08 NCAA Tournament run.
- Commercial Appeal columnist Geoff Calkins writes that NCAA ruling is less about Memphis and more about Calipari.
- Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes on UK safety Ashton Cobb’s fresh start.
- Ryan Alessi of the Herald-Leader reports on John Caliapri’s speech in Louisville, in which the coach says his newcomers “think they poop ice cream.”
- My column on programming suggestions for a UK TV network. (They’re only jokes.)
- WKYT reports that Landon Slone has withdrawn from Morehead State.
- Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger writes that NBA is not a priority for Demarcus Cousins.
- Kentucky Sports Radio has the latest on Micah Johnson’s missing dog.
- Straitpinkie looks at UK’s tight ends.
- Cat Scratches reports that Patrick Patterson has been named to the Wooden Award pre-season list.
Geoff Calkins is a hack. That’s a cheap shot column from a guy who, if you go back and look at his clips from the Calipari hiring, got his feelings hurt when Cal left Memphis.
Seriously, it’s like a jilted girlfriend wrote that column.
To me the real issue here is the NCAA itself. Jay Bilas, a lawyer who happens to be a college basketball broadcaster brought out some interesting points for ESPN:
The NCAA rule book is gigantic, and it is impossible to properly interpret. One basketball program I know uses an interesting system to determine what to do with regard to the NCAA’s archaic rules. When there is a question about an interpretation, three members of the staff separately call the NCAA for an answer. Invariably, there are three different interpretations provided by the NCAA, and the staff then chooses the interpretation it likes the best.
The NCAA is ill-equipped to gather facts and properly adjudicate these matters, and the process is incredibly unfair to those alleged to have violated the rules. As the system works now, you are guilty until you prove yourself innocent. The NCAA does not make its allegations public, and does not comment on investigations, yet the institutions are expected to air everything publicly when accused of rules violations, investigate themselves, and penalize themselves before the NCAA has to do it. While there is an allegation pending, the NCAA rules mandate that any player with a cloud will not compete until that cloud is affirmatively proven to be untrue.
There is no burden of proof for the NCAA to satisfy when it makes allegations. None. The NCAA is investigator, prosecutor, judge, jury and executioner. The NCAA is allowed to believe or disbelieve anyone involved in the process, and is allowed to consider or disregard whatever evidence it likes, no matter how unreliable it might be. It is a stacked and unfair process; there are legitimate ethical questions at every step.”
The NCAA clearinghouse cleared the kid then retroactively they decide to impose penalties? That doesn’t seem right or fair.
Mark Liptak
You can hear in reading that article that the man is hurt that John Calipari left Memphis, but just say IF coachcal did not come to UK I think that article would be very different. The Memphis fan base and town are very angry with OUR coach and they are throwing him under the bus any way they can. I hope CoachCal will have a press conference and answer all the people that are after him right now. As for me I will take the fact that the NCAA found John Calipari done nothing wrong (in either case) and look forward to the upcoming season. GO BIG BLUE!!!!
You can rest assured that the media would not be blaming Calipari if he was still the coach at Memphis. It is unbelievable to me that educated (allegedly) people think that Calipari had any control over Rose taking (or not taking) his SAT, and the NCAA qualifying Rose to attend college. Do some research – it would be a welcome change. If not, try for a job at the Lexington Herald Leader. That is their style of journalism.
I have to agree with Brian, Calkins is a hack. I’ve been reading your column and links for a long time and have followed this thing since it started. Calkins can’t write anything about Memphis basketball without libeling Cal, and I mean anything. What was Cal supposed to do? Should he have went to Chicago and sat in on the exam? I can only imagine what the headlines would have been if he had. The NCAA had all the info, heard the accusations and investigated them before the season started, while Memphis was up front with them on the issues during the process. Yet, the NCAA cleared him to play. No one from Memphis was present during Rose’s exam, nor should they have been, especially since it was taken in Chicago. Yet, Calkins blames Cal. I want to get a look at his personal crystal ball and or Ouija board.
MR. John Clay,
While I realize that your article on programs for UK was an attempt at humor, and yes some were funny, you fail to realize that humor poking fun at the wildcats isn’t accepted by the wildcat nation. Not now anyway! We have been mired in a funk that was the Billy Clyde backwards slide.
We have seen Jodie Meeks look like superman in Knoxville, only to have Billy Clyde use kryptonite on him in the next games.
We have been missing from the college polls for the better part of three years, while Ricky Quikie, ( also a new pork dish at a PORNicini)took UofL to the number one overall seed. We have also watched the Tarheels close in on us for overall wins and add another title as well.
Now finally we have a team to contend for a national title and a coach, while not loved in memphis, is the best one we have had since Tubby Smith in his early years. Yet we still have to listen to the national press blast UofK’s hiring of coach Cal, and accuse him of being a cheat.
Now I don’t claim to be the smartiest man around or have any direct knowledge of what occured with the Rose SAT test, but I’ve never heard of a player taken a test after he is enrolled in college. So how can you blame Coach cal for what is a students (Rose) wrong doing? Even if he heard rumors the coaches depend on the NCAA clearinghouse to say who is and is not eligible.
But now the NCAA is going to take away the final four and 38 wins? What is there penalty for clearing him?
You see Mr. Clay wildcat nation is just happy to be back to having fun, getting big recruits, having a coach who understands what UofK is all about, and finally after three years of disappointment, we have a season to look foward to.
So can you see while jokes are funny at times, this is not the time for jokes taking aim a the wildcats. Now if we have a great season, bring on the jokes and everyone will laugh.
Wildcat fan – JOHN
John Ky, thanks for the comment. Column was just an attempt at some light-hearted humor. Sports is best when it’s not taken too seriously.
Hey John, you should point out that Duke didn’t have to vacate their 1999 final four after it was found that Corey Maggette received cash from his AAU coach.
Also, Darrell Arthur who played for Kansas didn’t even have the grades to graduate high school. So does this mean the 2008 title game is between UCLA and UNC. Schedule it!!!
John Ky needs to get a real life. I can not believe the insults against Rick Pitino the Greatest UK Coach Ever. Heck Rick Pitino and President Clinton are great role models just ask Michael Vick. That Calamari guy is just another grease ball. Now that Memphis will be stripped of the final four showing, Calamari has the same qualifications as Gillispie: HE HAS NEVER BEEN TO A FINAL FOUR.
The Death Penalty draws nigh.