Big Blue Links for Wednesday:
Jerry Tipton of the H-L writes that Calipari gets frank as foes get formidable: “As he has said earlier, Calipari noted how there are more problems than patches at this early stage. He saluted the players’ willingness to improve, citing DeMarcus Cousins’ working to become a better free-throw shooter. Heretofore a 50-percent free-thrower, the freshman big man made eight of 10 from the line against Asheville.”
A Sea of Blue writes on the Cardinal logo foot-stomping incidents: “Well, I have seen UK recruits and U of L recruits do various things to the team logos in the Derby Festival Classic game, and little is said. Frankly, I think this is much ado about nothing and if the Louisville fans want to refer to the UK team as ‘thugs’ or blame it on Calipari’s lack of discipline, I say go for it. After all, it would be a shame if all that pent-up frustration caused some random UK hater to rob a convenience store at Uzi-point, or something equally unfortunate.”
Matt Scott of The Shiver reports on Josh Selby: “‘As far as Miami, I don’t think we are going to pursue them anymore,’ Witherspoon said. ‘We are trying to get the flight situation worked out to visit UK on the 2nd (Jan) or 9th.’”
My column about UK landing in the Music City Bowl: “But if you think there’s nothing fair about the BCS – and come Sunday afternoon, unbeaten Texas Christian and possibly undefeated Boise State and Cincinnati will all bitterly complain there is nothing fair about the BCS – then you should pay a little more attention to the non-BCS bowls.”
Forget the John Wall dance, Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes on the John Wall drink: “They still don’t. There’s no sign advertising a “John Wall” anywhere in Two Keys. That fans still order rounds of them every time the Wildcats’ freshman point guard scores a basket is a sign of just how adored he’s become in his short stay at UK.”
Jennifer Smith of the H-L reports on UK women’s rout of Miami of Ohio: “UK, which has been one of the poorest shooting teams in the Southeastern Conference the past few years, got up over the century mark for the first time in four years. The Cats’ 107 points were the most scored by UK since a 108-102 overtime win in 2002. It’s the most points scored by Kentucky in a regulation game in nine years.”
Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger on UK’s presence in Louisville: “For the first time, I have to disagree with Kentucky coach John Calipari on a major issue.”
(H-L photo/Mark Cornelison)
Nick Craddock of the Kentucky Kernel covered the UK women’s win: “‘We just played some terrific basketball,’ said UK head coach Matthew Mitchell. ‘The defensive intensity in the first half was where we want it, and we finally got on track tonight shooting the 3-point shot, which I thought was coming on.’”
Eric Lindsey of Cat Scratches thinks UK is playing best ball of the Mitchell Era: “John Calipari’s basketball team is undefeated, ranked in the top five and generating more buzz than this state has experienced in years. But his team isn’t even playing the best basketball in Lexington.”
Inner Circle on the UK-North Carolina matchup: I watched Michigan State and North Carolina play last night and the Tar Heels looked surprisingly really good. I mean, they aren’t coming off of a National Championship or anything! However, I think that if the Tar Heels try to run with this Kentucky team we have the advantage. An up-tempo game would play well in our favor. That could spell trouble for UNC when they come to Rupp Arena.”
Walter’s Wildcat World has an interesting North Carolina picture.
Wildcat-Den on the UK-North Carolina game: “North Carolina wanted John Wall. So did Kentucky.
Wall eventually settled on the Wildcats during the recruiting process and didn’t look back. Seven games into his collegiate career, Wall will get his first look at the Tar Heels on the court, a contest that Wall is eagerly anticipating.”
Thomas Beisner of Kentucky Sports Radio likes the Music City Bowl matchup: “Not only is Nashville a fantastic place to spend the weekend as a fan, but the possibility of playing Miami or North Carolina (or even the loser of Clemson-Georgia Tech) gives the Cats a very attractive television matchup and a chance to again make a statement against a traditional power (Miami) or a big-time coach (North Carolina).”
Bluegrass State Basketball thinks the men are on track for a historical season: “That would be 4-6 losses if it holds true, but there is more. I think this team will almost certainly lose at least 1-2 games that no one expects them to lose. Perhaps to a mid-major team that heats up for one magical night or possibly to a lowly SEC team on the road. You can mark it down though, there will be an unexpected loss or two (or maybe more).”
Rob Elliott of Kentucky Sports Network gives some thumbs-up and thumbs-down: “Randall Cobb – Had just a terrible game for Cobb. He put the ball on the ground twice, once on the Cats side of the 30 leading to a UT score. Routinely ran the Wildcat right into the teeth of the UT defense instead of running it outside or cutting back. No idea why he kept running where there were no holes.”
