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MSU 106, UMass 68: Afterglow Thread

LVS — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 02:12:51 -0000

Would have been more useful last night, but hey, c'est la vie.

Your Spartans truly took out their frustrations against UMass tonight, winning in convincing fashion to take third place in the Legends Classic. State literally ran away from UMass in the first half, displaying a frequently-dominant transition offense punctuated by a 30-3 run. Perhaps most encouraging is that the three players who struggled the most yesterday -- Chris Allen, Raymar Morgan, and Korie Lucious -- rebounded with strong performances tonight, scoring 18, 17, and 13 points, respectively. State hit 14 of 22 from behind the arc, led by four each from Allen and Kalin Lucas; undoubtedly, the eFG will be quite gaudy for the second night in a row. Only surrendering 11 turnovers in a game which surely had a ton of possessions is another big improvement from the Florida game.

NCAA Basketball Stats

You know it's a one-sided game when the lead is 90% safe with 14 minutes to go . . .

Of course, tonight also marks the ascension of Tom Izzo to the top of MSU's coaching list: his 341st win vaults him over Jud Heathcote. It's a bit of an anticlimax, as the accomplishment would be much sweeter without the bitter taste of last night's game. But, it's nonetheless still a great accomplishment, and congratulations to Mr. Izzo; here's to many, many more.

State wins. Up next: North Carolina.

Gator Basketball vs. Michigan State

mlmintampa — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 20:00:19 -0000

Tonight is a huge test for the Gators (4-0) as they face No. 2 Michigan State (4-0) in Atlantic City. Facing No. 2 is always a big deal, even early in the season. But the Gators have had to deal with the critique that they have been soft the last two seasons, lacking the toughness of the Oh Fours, Lee Humphrey and even Matt Walsh (you forget he played his last season with skin literally falling off his foot). The Spartans are anything but soft. Returning three starters from last season's National Runner-up, State won games by force alone, not jump shots and set plays. In their second game against Gonzaga, the Spartans rallied from a 10-point second half deficit to win 75-71. Contrast that with UF allowing a 22-point second half lead drop to 5-points, before they recovered and won by 16.

Win or lose, tonight's game does not have that great of an effect on the season. It is enough for the Gators to play a team that will punch them in the face and not let up. For Florida to improve, they have to learn how to play with rough teams like Michigan State. That's a benefit of Florida's games against Syracuse, Xavier and UMass or Rutgers on Saturday. This is a resume builder for March.

BtB 2009-10 Atlantic 10 Preview

Chris Dobbertean — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:58:39 -0000

Xavier was the team of the 00s in the A-10, reaching the NCAAs under the late Skip Prosser, current Ohio State boss Thad Matta, and new Arizona head coach Sean Miller. Matta guided the Musketeers to the Elite Eight in 2004, and Miller did the same in 2008, then guided them to the Sweet Sixteen last season. Now, it's Chris Mack's turn to keep things going, albeit with a retooled roster.

But if you're looking for an A-10 favorite this season, you need to travel 49 miles up I-75. Brian Gregory's Dayton Flyers, led by Chris Wright and Marcus Johnson, is loaded and ready to take the A-10 crown away from their Southwestern Ohio rival, and maybe even plant the seeds to being the conference's team of the 10s.

However, there are a few other teams in the Atlantic 10 who are ready to make some noise this season. Chris Mooney's Princeton-style offense will be humming more efficiently at Richmond now that center Dan Geriot is back from a knee injury. Ron Everhart's Duquesne and John Giannini's La Salle both have squads that could end long tournament droughts. And you can't sleep on traditional tournament fixtures Temple, St. Joe's, and Charlotte, even if each has challenges to figure out this season.

It should be another interesting season in the league of 14, but the big question is whether the A-10 will match the three bids earned each of the last two seasons. More on each team after the jump.

Let's first take a look at the 2008-09 Atlantic 10 standings.

Atlantic 10 Conference Standings

(updated 3.26.2009 at 10:49 PM EDT)

	Conf		Overall
	W	L	W	L
Xavier Musketeers	12	4	27	8
Dayton Flyers	11	5	27	8
Rhode Island Rams	11	5	23	11
Temple Owls	11	5	22	12
Duquesne Dukes	9	7	21	13
Richmond Spiders	9	7	20	16
La Salle Explorers	9	7	18	13
St. Joseph's Hawks	9	7	17	15
Saint Louis Billikens	8	8	18	14
UMass Minutemen	7	9	12	18
St. Bonaventure Bonnies	6	10	15	15
Charlotte 49ers	5	11	11	20
George Washington Colonials	4	12	10	18
Fordham Rams	1	15	3	25

Now, here are my picks for 2009-10, presented in reverse order.

Fordham (last NCAA: 1992) Derek Whittenburg hasn't exactly gotten the Rams back to national prominence, as Fordham has only claimed 68 wins in his 6 seasons at Rose Hill. However, they completely bottomed out with last year's 3 win campaign. Adding insult to injury, Whittenburg lost two key players over the offseason, both of whom transferred. 6-5 swingman Mike Moore went over to Hofstra, and G Trey Blue left for Illinois State. The good news for the Rams is sophomore PG Jio Fontan (15.3 ppg, 4.7 apg), the team's leading scorer didn't leave, and 6-2 soph Brenton Butler (9.6 ppg) will join him in the backcourt after missing much of last season with an ankle injury, They'll be joined by 6-3 Alberto Estwick (7.1 ppg) and 5-11 Ryan Hage, who returns from a shoulder injury of his own. In the frontcourt, 6-9 junior Jacob Green (6.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg) is the anchor, and he'll be joined by athletic 6-7 freshman Chris Gaston, a high school teammate of Fontan and Estwick, and 6-10 Bosnian Fahro Alihodzic, another of Whittenburg's five newcomers. The Rams should struggle with all of their youth, despite a manageable schedule that includes a game at St. John's and a matchup with Villanova at the Meadowlands.

George Washington (last NCAA: 2007) Karl Hobbs' already warm seat could be completely on fire with another miserable season at the Foggy Bottom. Unfortunately, with leading scorer Rob Diggs gone and six freshmen on the roster, it looks to be another long season for the Colonials. 6-8 senior Damian Hollis (13.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg) is back, as are two capable, if inconsistent point guards--6-2 junior Travis King (6.2 ppg, 2.4 apg) and 6-1 sophomore Tony Taylor (6.6 ppg, 2.8 apg). Otherwise, there are a whole lot of new faces and returnees, like the frontcourt trio of 6-11 Joseph Katuka, 6-10 Jabari Edwards, and 609 Hermann Opoku, who have a lot to prove. GW welcomes Oregon State, Providence, and George Mason to the Smith Center, while they'll play Navy in the BB&T Classic.

St. Louis (last NCAA: 2000) Rick Majerus is facing the very definition of a rebuilding year, as his roster features eight freshmen, one junior, and no seniors. While 5-10 sophomore G Kwamain Mitchell--the Billikens' leading scorer (11 ppg)--is back, and soph F Brian Conklin (6.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg) and C Willie Reed (7.7 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.3 bpg) give SLU some punch inside, expect the newcomers to see a lot of action. Two Aussies, 6-4 shooter Christian Salecich and 6-8 F Cody Ellis, lead the freshmen. The highlight of the Billikens' schedule is the Chicago Invitational Challenge, where they open with Iowa State before facing either Notre Dame or Northwestern.

St. Bonaventure (last NCAA: 2000) Mark Schmidt's Bonnies actually finished with a .500 mark last season, but will have a hard time matching or surpassing that feat with the departure of starting F Maurice Thomas and G Ray Blackburn. However, there's enough returning talent in place, led by team's three leading scorers, to complete another stage in a long rebuilding process. 6-4 senior three-point specialist Chris Matthews averaged more than 12 points per contest in his first season after transferring from Washington State. 6-foot junior Ogo Adegbonye arrives will take over at the point, freeing up junior Malcolm Eleby (7 ppg) to spend more time at off guard. 6-5 senior Jonathan Hall (12.9 ppg, 6.3 rpg) is a swingman who can really drive to the hoop, while 6-9 Andrew Nicholson (12.5 ppg, 6 rpg, 2.7 bpg) is a force inside. If 6-8 freshman Marquise Simmons or 6-9 reserve Da'Quan Cook can come close to replacing Thomas' production, the Bonnies could continue their rise up the standings. The schedule will include some challenges as SBU visits Syracuse, Mississippi State, Niagara, and Illinois State for a tournament.

St. Joseph's (last NCAA: 2008) The Hawks return to the newly-christened Hagan Arena after spending the bulk of last season at the Palestra. The problem is, two of the best recent Hawks--Ahmad Nivins and Tasheed Carr--have moved on. 6-1 senior G Darren Govens (12.5 ppg, 2.6 apg) is back to provide more scoring, while defensive stalwart Garrett Williamson, a tall 6-5 PG who averaged 6.1 points and 4.5 assists a contest, will create a lot of problems for opponents, especially if he decides to be more offensively-minded. In the frontcourt, 6-7 Idris Hilliard could have a breakout junior season after averaging more than 9 points and 5.5 boards a game as a soph. 6-8 freshman Carl Baptiste could see a lot of minutes right off the bat, as could guards Justin Crosgile and Carl Jones. The Hawks travel to the Virgin Islands for the Paradise Jam, where they'll open with Boston College before facing Purdue or South Dakota State on day 2. SJU reopens their arena with visits from Drexel and Holy Cross, and naturally has a full Big Five slate to contend with.

Massachusetts (last NCAA: 1998) Derek Kellogg's Minutemen lost three key players off a team that only managed to win 12 games, guard Chris Lowe and centers Tony Gaffney and Luke Bonner. UMass' strength will be its backcourt, led by 6-2 senior Ricky Harris (18.2 ppg) and 6-3 junior Anthony Gurley (11.2 ppg). 6-5 freshman sharpshooter Freddie Riley comes aboard to provide them with needed support. There will be a lot of new blood in the frontcourt, as 6-9 Oregon State transfer Sean Carter and 6-10 Memphis transfer Hashim Bailey will push 6-9 soph Tyrell Lynch (3.7 ppg, 3.6 rpg) for minutes. The Minutemen face former conference-mate Rutgers at the Legends Classic in Atlantic City, with a game against either Florida or Michigan State to follow. They'll also visit Seton Hall, Davidson, and Boston College, and host Memphis.

Rhode Island (last NCAA: 1999) One of the biggest issues confronting Jim Baron this season is finding someone who can shoot the 3 as well as his son, Jimmy. He also has to find someone to replace Kahiem Seawright, who also graduated after last season. Point guard is also an issue, as both 6-1 junior (6.1 ppg, 4 apg) and 5-9 sophomore Stevie Mejia (2.5 ppg, 2.1 apg) battled inconsistency last season. Those are big issues to resolve, and they may keep the Rams from being too competitive this year. However, some things are certain, such as the performance of 6-4 senior SG Keith Cothran (13.2 ppg) and the fact that URI has a solid frontcourt, featuring 7-0 C Will Martell (5.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg), the athletic 6-6 F Lamonte Ulmer (7.7 ppg, 5 rpg), and 6-8 senior Delroy James (9.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg). The Rams visit Davidson, VCU, Boston College, and Akron; host Northeastern and Providence; and face Oklahoma State at the Mohegan Sun Casino.

Temple (last NCAA: 2009) Christmas has come and gone for the Owls, now Fran Dunphy has to figure out how to replace Dionte's 19.5 points a game. He also has a big hole in the middle after 7-footer Sergio Olmos' departure. Temple does have two good building blocks back--6-9 junior F LaVoy Allen (10.9 ppg, 9 rpg) and 6-4 G Ryan Brooks (10.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg), a shooter who must have ice water in his veins--and a whole bunch of guys who could be good if they get a little more time, including 6-9 junior Craig Williams (5.3 ppg, 3 rpg), 6-11 senior Micheal Eric (2.7 ppg, 2.1 rpg), and 6-4 soph Juan Fernandez, who could see some time at the point because of his passing skills and court vision. Dunphy's squad faces a typically tough schedule that includes the Big Five; a home game with Siena in the Philly Hoop Group Classic; games with St. John's and Virginia Tech in the same event; a trip to Seton Hall; and home tilts with Penn State and Kansas.

Charlotte (last NCAA: 2005) The 49ers lost two key frontcourt players, Charley Coley III and leading scorer Lamont Mack, but get 6-3 freshman guard Shamarr Bowden back from a broken kneecap. His return and the presence of solid 5-9 senior PG DaJuan Harris (9 ppg, 7.2 apg) , 6-5 senior RaShad Coleman (8 ppg), and 6-4 senior 3-point ace Ian Anderson (9.7 ppg) means the strength of Charlotte's squad shifts to the backcourt. But there's still talent upfront, as 6-10 senior Phil Jones (7.3 ppg, 4.2 rpg) and 6-6 junior An'Juan Williams (7.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg) are capable of stepping up in Coley and Mack' absence, and 6-6 BC transfer Shamani Spears and 6-7 frosh K.J. Sherrill will provide an immediate interior boost. Bobby Lutz's team will face Elon in the NIT Season Tip-Off, with a matchup with Duke likely to follow. They'll also host Georgia Tech, and visit Louisville, Old Dominion, and Tennessee.

La Salle (last NCAA: 1992) John Giannini has a team that could make some noise after an 18-win campaign. If 6-9 F Vernon Goodridge, a solid defensive performer, wouldn't have left last in the offseason, all five senior Explorer starters from a season ago would have been back. Giannini could slide in 6-8 junior Jarrell Williams (6.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg as a part-time starter) into Goodridge's slot in the lineup. The backcourt will be led 6-5 Rodney Green (17.8 ppg, 3.4 apg), who needs to work on taking care of the ball after turning it over an average of 3.2 times per contest, and 6-6 3-point ace Ruben Guillandeaux (10.1 ppg, 3 apg). In the frontcourt, 6-6 Kimmani Barrett (11.8 ppg, 5 rpg) and 6-7 Yves Mekongo (10.4 ppg, 6 rpg) will be joined by highly-touted 6-10 center prospect Aaric Murray and 6-8 redshirt frosh Devon White. Naturally, La Salle will be tested by Big Five games, but they'll also take part in the Charleston Classic where they'll face South Carolina in their opener. They will also face two Big 12 schools in semi-away games, Kansas in Kansas City and Oklahoma State in the All-College Classic in Oklahoma City.

Richmond (last NCAA: 2004) While the Spiders, who made the CBI last season, lost 6-9 Jarhon Giddings graduation, they get back junior C Dan Geriot, who missed last season with an ACL tear. Giddings averaged more than 14 points and 5.5 boards a game in 2007-08 and his return adds another dimension to Chris Mooney's Princeton offense. Add in the fact that UR already features two guards who can score from anywhere on the floor, 6-4 senior David Gonzalvez (16 ppg, 4.8 rpg) and 6-0 junior Kevin Anderson (16.6 ppg, 2.8 apg), and another solid interior presence in 6-10 F Justin Harper (9.2 ppg, 4.6 rpg), and it's no wonder people are expecting big things out of the Spiders this year. Richmond will play Mississippi State at the Padre Island Invitational, then either Missouri or Old Dominion. They'll face the Monarchs at home right after the Texas trip, then VCU. Richmond also travels to South Carolina, face Florida in the Orange Bowl Classic, and visit Wake Forest on New Year's Eve.

Duquesne (last NCAA: 1977) The Dukes were oh, so close last season--first falling to Temple by 6 in the A-10 final, missing out on their first NCAA trip in 32 seasons. Then, they fell to Virginia Tech in a thrilling double OT first round NIT matchup. And while leading scorer Aaron Jackson, a point guard who averaged over 19 points and nearly 6 assists a game is gone, the Dukes have their next eight top scorers back for another crack at ending the drought. 6-7 junior F Damian Saunders (13.1 ppg, 7.6 rpg) and 6-5 soph swingman Bill Clark (12.9 ppg, 5 rpg) will lead the way, but watch out for one of the stars of the Dukes' postseason run, 6-4 sophomore G/F Melquan Bolding (9.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg), to build on those performances. 6-1 senior Jason Duty joins Clark as a three-point threat (7.4 ppg, 41.4% from 3), while 5-11 Eric Evans (9.8 ppg, 2.2 apg) will take over for Jackson at the point. Ron Everhart also gets a ton of help on the frontline to help Saunders, as 7-0 Kentucky transfer Morakinyo Williams is now eligible and 6-8 Rodrigo Peggau returns from a knee injury. The Dukes will travel to Iowa, a team that should fancy their chances against, for a game in the CBE Classic. Unfortunately a win in Iowa City won't advance them to Kansas City, so they will play in a weak "subregional" at West Carolina instead--featuring decimated Binghamton and D2 Arkansas-Monticello. The Dukes will also look to shock Pitt in their final meeting at Mellon Arena. Trips to Old Dominion and West Virginia will also be challenging.

Xavier (last NCAA: 2009) The Musketeers have a new coach, Chris Mack, and a whole bunch of new faces. But don't expect the X-Men to fall off the face of the earth after the departure of Derrick Brown, B.J. Raymond, and C.J. Anderson. Xavier's backcourt features 6-5 junior guard Dante Jackson, who averaged 6.5 ppg and 2.7 apg, but is capable of doing a lot more. So is his backcourt-mate, 6-0 soph Terrell Holloway (5.5 ppg), but he needs to really improve his 2.2/1.9 assist-to-turnover ratio. But the star among the guards is sure to be Indiana transfer Jordan Crawford, a 6-4 sophomore who averaged almost 10 points and 2.3 assists per contest during his freshman season and, oh, dunked on LeBron James in a now infamous video. 6-foot guard Brad Redford should also sese time thanks to his shooting ability (5.1 ppg, but 45.1% from 3). In the frontcourt, Mack will need to get a lot out of 6-9 senior Jason Love (6.7 ppg, 5.9 rpg), and two guys who need to work on their foul shooting--6-8 Jamel McLean (4.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 46.5% from the stripe) and 7-0 soph Kenny Frease (5.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 48.4% FTs). The Musketeers face a typically tough schedule. They travel to Disney World for the Old Spice Classic where they open with Marquette, then face Creighton or Michigan. Xavier travels to Kansas State, Butler, and Wake Forest (for the inaugural Skip Prosser Classic), while they host Cincinnati and LSU
.

Dayton (last NCAA: 2009) Unlike their archrivals, the Flyers have virtually everyone back from their NCAA team, led by electric 6-8 junior F Chris Wright (13.6 ppg), who will challenge for national honors this season. Brian Gregory will have two guards capable of running his offense as 6-0 senior London Warren (4.1 ppg, 4.4 apg), while earning all-A10 defensive honors) is back and 6-3 senior Rob Lowery (7.5 ppg, 3.4 apg) returns from a knee injury. 6-3 senior SG Marcus Johnson (11.8 ppg) is one of the biggest offensive threats on the team, and that's good as he'll get a lot of looks with team's keying on Wright. In the frontcourt, 6-10 senior Kurt Huelsman (3.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg) will man the post, but he'll get support from 6-10 junior Devin Searcy and 6-9 frosh Matt Kavanaugh. 6-6 Chris Johnson (6.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg) and 6-9 soph Luke Fabrizius (4.3 ppg)--a threat both inside outside--are capable of providing support to Wright as well. The Flyers face a tough schedule, opening with Creighton at home; taking on Georgia Tech at the Puerto Rico Tip-Off, visiting potential Puerto Rico opponent George Mason and New Mexico; and hosting another potential opponent in PR, Boston University, and Old Dominion.

I expect the Flyers to make it back to the Tournament this year, this time as A-10 champions. They'll appear in my final preseason bracket, which I'll release on Monday, November 9. Several Atlantic 10 teams should be at-large threats this season, so look for more than one team to appear in my projection.

To wrap up this preview, here is my preseason All-A-10 team, featuring the best returning players from last season.

Preseason All-A-10 Team

Player of the Year: Chris Wright, 6-8 F, Jr. (Dayton)

Remainder of the Team
Kevin Anderson, 6-0 G, Jr. (Richmond)
Rodney Green, 6-5 G, Sr. (La Salle)
Ricky Harris, 6-2 G, Sr. (Massachusetts)
Andrew Nicholson, 6-9 F, So. (St. Bonaventure)

Poll

Who is your pick to win the A10 this season?

Charlotte

0 votes

Dayton

6 votes

Duquesne

0 votes

Fordham

0 votes

George Washington

1 votes

La Salle

2 votes

Massachusetts

0 votes

Rhode Island

2 votes

Richmond

1 votes

St. Bonaventure

0 votes

St. Joseph's

0 votes

Saint Louis

0 votes

Temple

3 votes

Xavier

1 votes

16 votes | Poll has closed

2009 MMM UMass Minutemen Preview

umass09 — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:00:14 -0000

After coming off an average 7-5 season, UMass is looking to start the 2009 season with a clean slate. They will be opening the season with a new starting quarterback and a new Head Coach.

The Minutemen promoted offensive coordinator, Kevin Morris, to Head Coach. This could mean big things for the offense, as Morris is known more for his offensive mind. There has not been a definitive decision made on who will be under center when the Minutemen open up at Kansas State, but there are a handful of candidates. Kyle Havens, Octavious Hawkins, Scott Wallace, Spencer Whipple and Scott Woodward will all be vying for the position. Havens and Woodward might have a slight edge in the competition as they bring intelligence, experience and know how to manage the game.

Tony Nelson will be returning from last year’s breakout season in which he earned a spot on the CAA All-Conference First Team and averaged 110.4 yards per game. There are a couple of young guys that Coach Morris would also like to implement into the system during the 2009 season.

UMass returns a receiving core that has a lot of talent, leadership and experience. Victor Cruz, the leading receiver from last season, was a first team CAA All-Conference player last year with 71 catches and 1,064 yards. Jeremy Horne, an All-CAA third-team receiver, caught 50 passes for 895 yards and eight scores last year. Expectations will be high for Julian Talley, one of the younger receivers, to have a breakout season.

Whoever is under center will have solid protection upfront. The UMass line returns three starters in Vladimir Ducasse, Rob Getek and Josh Samuda. Brian Ostaszewski, Brandon Flanagan and Justin Sawicki will be fighting for the final two spots on the line.

The backbone of this UMass team has been the defense and that will not change in 2009. Brandon Collier, Michael Hanson and Kyle Harrington will be the leaders up front. This is a veteran group with plenty of experience, so there should be a lot of pressure up front. Josh Jennings, who ranked seventh in the CAA in tackles last season, returns at linebacker. Jennings is a beast in the middle that plays with great intensity and has a knack for being around the ball. Kurt Filler will get the starting nod at outside linebacker as he has consistently progressed during each game last season.

Jeromy Miles will be leading a very inexperienced secondary. Miles was a 2008 CAA All-Conference First Team who brings great leadership to the defense. Coach Morris is moving some offensive guys such as Ke’Mon Bailey and Warren Wilson over to help out the secondary. Corey Davis and David Cozzo will be seeing a lot of time on the corners this year as well.

Although the Minutemen have a talented team, I think it could be an inconsistent year on both sides of the ball. We don’t know who will be the signal caller for UMass and how they will handle their first season as a starter. The experience of Tony Nelson and the receiving core should help out a bit. On defense, the question will be the secondary where they are inexperienced and lack depth on the corners. Overall, UMass will play well, but won’t win the CAA and unless they can steal a few tough games at home (UNH and JMU), I see the Minutemen falling on the bubble of making the FCS playoffs.

Prediction: 7-4

Friday News and Notes: Regionals Begin Today and Thoughts on the Coach Cal Situation

Gamecock Man — Fri, 29 May 2009 15:47:55 -0000

The big news in Gamecocks land is that the regionals begin today. We're taking on George Mason. Since Leftover Hot Dog has such a nice preview up, I'm just going to direct you to his post for more info on the game. Comment on the game in the comments section if you like.

The other big news today (actually, yesterday) is that Memphis's basketball program is now mired in a huge academic fraud scandal that happened on new Kentucky coach John Calipari's watch. The situation apparently involves former Tigers star Derrick Rose. Apparently, Kentucky and the NCAA knew about the situation before Cal took the Kentucky job. That makes this the second time Calipari has had a situation like this happen under him without actually being implicated in the situation. The first involved Marcus Camby at UMass back in the 1990s.

I've previously come out in defense of Calipari against those that have accused him of running dirty programs. My thinking has been that folks are quick to jump on Cal because he seems to be able to do the impossible, namely bring players like Camby and Rose to schools like UMass and Memphis. While I'm still willing to recognize the possibility that Calipari really had no control over this situation, I'm now a little unsure on how to judge him. I think it would probably be prudent to wait this one out and see just how much Cal know about the situation, especially considering that the NCAA and UK athletics have come out in defense of him. However, we often throw the phrase "lack of institutional control" around in reference to coachs that have been involved in scandals like this. While I was willing to give Cal a pass for the one instance that he might have been implicated in lacking reasonable control of his program, when it happens twice it begins to become more of a trend. If I were a Kentucky fan, this would certainly be a little unsettling to me.

One other tidbit today--Heisman Pundit has up a list of the ten most overrated coaches, and Steve Spurrier makes number one. While I think HP might not quite appreciate how hard it is to win at South Carolina, I really can't argue too much with this choice. However, number two jumps out at me: Jim Tressel? Look, I enjoy seeing Ohio State lose as much as any southerner. However, Jim Tressell absoluately owns his conference. He finishes in the top 10 and plays in a BCS bowl almost every year. He has one national title and has played for two others. I wish I could have an overated coach like that. HP claims Tressell is overrated because he has lots of talent but fails to win the national title, but Senator Blutarsky reasonably asks why Pete Carroll isn't on the list if this is a criteria. I would have to agree. It's not that I think Carroll should be on the list, but I just don't think any reasonable person can call Tressell overrated. He may be fun to laugh at when he loses the big game, but simply put he's been extremely, extremely successful. He's not overrated, even if his team occassionally is.

Sprints Has No Personal Responsibility for This // 05.28.09

cocknfire — Thu, 28 May 2009 07:29:57 -0000

More photos » by Ed Reinke - AP

I stayed exactly this far away from NCAA violations at all times.

Browse more photos »

Kentucky Fried Wildcat? All of a sudden, the John Calipari hiring might not be looking like the best decision.

The first and worst news concerns allegations of major NCAA violations -- like, somebody taking the SAT for a player violations -- at Memphis while Calipari was the program's head coach.

Allegations of major rules violations while John Calipari coached at the University of Memphis became public Wednesday night, casting an ominous shadow on what had been his celebrated start as University of Kentucky basketball coach. ...

In its "notice of allegations," the NCAA asked that Calipari be present when its judicial body, the Committee on Infractions, considers the Memphis response at its June 5-7 meeting in Indianapolis. ...

But UK basketball spokesman DeWayne Peevy released a statement late Wednesday night that said Calipari had "received a letter from the NCAA stating that he is not at risk of being charged with any NCAA violations in this case."

That statement was enough for Tru at A Sea of Blue to relax a bit.

I think that should just about put this to bed. Me as well. Tomorrow, we can enjoy the tut-tutting from our rivals, and we can make remarks like "Yeah, we got the second coming of the Teflon Don."

Forgive me if I find Calipari to be a little too teflon for comfort. As the Herald-Leader story points out, this is not the first time Calipari has had major violations at his program but avoided any personal culpability. Once is believable. Twice doesn't make you guilty, but three could make a pattern. Kentucky better hope there's no pattern here.

While dripping with bitterness, Geogg Calkins of the Memphis Commerical-Appeal makes the point well.

He just happened to be in charge when the bad stuff happened at UMass. He just happened to be in charge when the bad stuff may have happened at Memphis. ...

Of course he knew [about the SAT]. They all know. It is part of the seamy world of college basketball.

You can't risk the future of a big-time star on something like a standardized test. So you get someone to take the test for the kid. (HT: Clay)

It just seems a bit too convenient. No, that's enough to convict someone, even in the court of opinion. But it is enough to raise eyebrows, and justifiably so.

At the same time, Calipari and Kentucky are receiving what even fans say is well-deserved heat for yanking scholarships to downsize the roster.

I am not happy with the way this has gone, and I do think Calipari could have handled the scholarship situation better. What he has done is effectively turn UK into an NBA franchise, and while that might be good for wins and losses and national championships, it isn't going to be welcomed everywhere. Some people are going to be very upset with how this is going down, and they have every right to be. ...

In the final analysis, UK and Coach Calipari will get criticized for this purge of the roster, and they should. It is a bad thing to do, and I am not going to sugar-coat that aspect of it.

Climer is less kind.

The result has been a scorched earth policy. As is his style, Calipari has recruited like a fiend. Top prospects who previously were headed to Memphis to play for Calipari have now followed him to Lexington. Others have come along for the ride. ...

When a high school senior pledges his or her allegiance to a college program, that school should live up to its end of the bargain - for four years. A new coach should be given time to let the roster regenerate without fear of repercussions.

Getting contrary is really the Mayor's thing, but I have to disagree at least a bit here. There are two competing ideas here, and you either reconcile them or refuse to do so. In this case, while Tru is one of the most thoughtful bloggers out there and Climer raises some good points, the are refusing to reconcile the competing interests.

The interest they are siding with is the feels-right factor, if you will, the idea that we all have an ethical or moral compass that will guide us and let us know if we're doing wrong. In this case, it feels ethically sketchy to essentially cut a college player.

But there's another interest at play here: Basic fairness. In other words, if you allow every college athlete who continues to qualify academically to receive their scholarship, you are extending to them an opportunity that other students on scholarships don't get.

I got some scholarships when I went to South Carolina. Some of them were pretty sizable -- otherwise, I wouldn't have gone to college. They were academic. But I couldn't continue to receive the scholarships just by remaining in good standing academically. I was required to do better than the minimum, to maintain a higher GPA than what was necessary to keep me in school, or I lost the scholarship. Like many of these athletes, that would have been curtains for my South Carolina career, and maybe college as a whole.

Sure, there are lines. If a kid is working hard to fit the system and keeping his grades up, he generally should be allowed to stay. I am uncomfortable with the idea of getting rid of a student just because he doesn't "fit" the system.

But to say doing so is beyond some kind of ethical boundary is to say all scholarships are not created equal and to use a different standard for athletics than for academics. That is also somewhere we shouldn't feel comfortable going.

Meanwhile, Billy Gillispie is taking Kentucky to court over his firing, asking for $6 million and showing that his time in Lexington hasn't hurt his pride.

Whether the buyout clause in that memorandum of understanding is binding has emerged as the central sticking point between the athletic department and Gillispie, whom the suit repeatedly describes as one of the country's "premier men's head basketball coaches." ...

"When he signed and accepted defendant's written agreement to act as the head coach of the University of Kentucky's men's basketball team, Coach Gillispie was at the pinnacle of a meteoric rise through the collegiate coaching ranks," the lawsuit says.

Wow. A "meteoric rise." What happened?

Kentucky might be asking the same question.

Mark Richt gets tiresome. I have said before that, as a South Carolina fan, it is frustratingly difficult to dislike Mark Richt. He is the coach of the Gamecocks' biggest SEC rival, and yet he goes helping Honduran children and appearing in Christian movies.

But the talking -- can he stop it with the talking?

The complaints about the Georgia-Florida game, which were ridiculous to begin with, are well documented. But now, Richt wants to pretend like they never happened.

"Here's the deal -- I don't know the answer to that, and I'm not going to answer any questions on that because every time I say something it becomes a much bigger deal than it is," Richt said, according to The Palm Beach Post.

"All I can tell you is somebody asked me awhile back, ‘Do I think it's neutral?' I said, ‘I really don't think it's neutral, no,' but everybody is wanting to make a big stink about, ‘Should we change the game?' and all that. I don't care where we play the game, quite frankly."

Huh?

First of all, much like Meyer with the "you're fur us or you're agin us" comments, this is trying to put the genie back in the bottle after he's popped up, taken a few laps around the building and settled down for a nap.

Second, it's a bit difficult to say you "don't care where we play the game" when you've already whined about it. In fairness, Richt's initial comments could be read to say that he didn't think it was neutral, but he'd play there anyway -- but that doesn't mean he's not still trying to give himself an excuse for losing that also serves as measure of how much better his team "actually" is if it wins.

But no, Richt has a better idea. What if another team were to give up a home game -- to play Georgia at the Georgia Dome. Now, that would be fair.

As well as a sign that the accepting coach should be fired immediately for cause.

Who needs Geraldo? I'll give out my strategy myself. Houston, when you pull the shocking upset, you might want to keep things like this to yourself. Then again, Nutt's "secrets" to beating Florida -- avoid turnovers, prevent big plays, score quickly -- aren't exactly an epiphany, or any less useful against the other opponents on your schedule.

Spurrier: Tebow will be fine in the NFL. The Ol Ball Coach continues to leap to the defense of the quarterback at his alma mater.

But Spurrier played and coached in the NFL, so his opinion certainly has merit.
"I think if an NFL team says he's our [quarterback], he'll do super," Spurrier said at the SEC Spring Meetings in Destin. "Everybody thinks he's going to play another position. The NFL people seem to think that. I think Tim can certainly play quarterback with the best of them."

Yes, Spurrier did play and coach in the NFL. Except, well -- it didn't turn out so well. He was 0-14 in his first season in the NFL. And we all know the Redskins story. So take this with a grain of salt.

Secret ballot. No card-check for the coaches' poll, as the American Football Coaches Association returns to season-long secret ballots.

Spurrier is among the opposed. You'll never guess one of the coaches who found it appealing.

I think that's good. I don't really have a strong feeling one way or the other, but I think it's fine. I think there's arguments both ways. We all know how competitive things are, whether it be a fan base, whether it be recruiting, whether it be friendships. I think at some point you have to trust people who vote.

That would be the same guy who wants off-the-record booster meetings -- Urban Meyer.

Gallup, in the meantime, says fewer teams should be ranked to begin with. As someone who votes in the BlogPoll, I have to say that this makes more than a little sense. After about 10 or 15, it becomes harder than you might imagine to tease out which 7-3 team should be in 19th place and which should be in 20th.

Play Ball! Word on Scott Bittle's NCAA performance comes today. Hint: He won't be on the roster. That could be a bigger problem for Ole Miss than you might think, based on who they've done without him so far.

Total: 48 innings (averaging 5.33 innings per start), 35 runs, 32 earned: Starters ERA in nine games: 6.00, Record 5-4.

Yeesh. Even the 2007 Rangers pitched better than that.

Wind Sprints. Forget getting rid of basketball players. Arkansas is adding them ... Paterno wants another team in the Big Ten, but not Notre Dame ... The Joe Cribbs Car Wash likes seeing future Auburn QBs touted as possible Heisman candidates. What, Kodi Burns wasn't a finalist last year?

Wind Sprints, Part II. Mike Slive wants tougher out-of-conference basketball schedules. What about football? ... Nick Saban doing it was okay, but Houston Nutt apparently took things too far ... Something to keep an eye on, with any luck in vain ...

John Calipari -- Myth, Legend and Fact

Truzenzuzex — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 11:29:32 -0000

More photos » by Ed Reinke - AP

"Play fast and loose with the rules? Moi? Never!"

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Over and over again, we have seen and heard commentary from sportswriters, opinion writers and broadcast journalists and editorial boards about John Calipari's fitness to become the 22nd Men's Head Basketball Coach at the University of Kentucky. As we all know, everyone who is anyone has some kind of opinion about Calipari, his past, and his possible future. What I will be doing in this multi-part series is looking at some of the questions that surround Coach Calipari, how those questions square with the available facts, and what all this may mean for the University of Kentucky.

First of all, a disclaimer -- I am a Kentucky partisan, and as such am predisposed to favor UK and, by extension, their hiring of John Calipari. I do not represent myself as an objective or unbiased source, although I intend to try very hard to be fair and objective in this series. The purpose of this exercise is not to defend the indefensible or ignore the unethical. However, I do think it is important to try to address the constant stream of negative commentary that has cropped up around the country regarding coach Calipari and test it's validity against what we actually do know.

This first part will be focused on the incident most often cited as a reason that Kentucky fans, school supporters and administrators ought to be concerned about -- the incident involving Marcus Camby during John Calipari's time as head coach of the University of Massachusetts Minutemen.

The story you will hear in the media goes something like this: "After taking UMass to the Final Four, it was revealed that Marcus Camby, Calipari's star center, took money, clothes, jewelry and the services of prostitutes from two sports agents while at Umass. But neither Calipari nor UMass were punished by the NCAA."

The implication of this is clear -- Calipari's proximity to a major NCAA scandal implicates him in that scandal in the minds of many. The complete story, at least as much of it as is ever likely to be told in detail, may be found at the Sports Illustrated site. It is a tale just as sordid as you would expect, and it's easy to understand why some in the sports media point to it whenever John Calipari's name comes up, despite the fact neither Calipari nor UMass was implicated in the investigation. It is pretty unusual, in fact, for the school not to suffer some sort of sanction when a player is involved in a scandal like this. UMass partisans would obviously tell you that having their Final Four erased and all the wins that Camby participated in vacated was a serious punishment, and indeed it is, but it could have been much worse.

So is the UMass scandal a valid criticism of Calipari, a cautionary tale for Kentucky? Yes and no, in my opinion. No, in the sense that it is clear from the NCAA investigation that neither UMass nor Calipari had any knowledge of the situation. Camby was apparently very careful to conceal his Golden Geese from the public, at least careful enough not to raise any red flags with the coaching staff or university.

But the other side of that coin is that when things like this happen under the nose of a coach who is supposed to be intimately involved with his players, you have to wonder why Calipari did not suspect. I'll be the first to admit that I am not a suspicious person, and it's pretty easy to get things past me. But Calipari is in a business where everyone is trying to get a leg up on everyone else, and he has thrived in that world. Surely there must have been something to make Calipari suspicious -- friends bedecked in finery or jewelry, the odd gold chain or nice wristwatch -- something. Even if there was nothing, a more engaged or experienced coach may have been able to glean that Camby was up to something not quite right, and would have watched a player who was sure to attract seedy and unethical characters more closely.

The counter argument to this is that this was Calipari's first NCAA head coaching gig, and his success came very rapidly. He had not yet been properly initiated into the devious ways of street agents and hangers-on, and Camby was his first real star. Taken in totality, it doesn't seem a stretch to suggest that Calipari was not really looking for anything nefarious, where a more experienced coach most likely would have. Inexperience, in my mind, is a solid defense against the, "why weren't you paying more attention" argument, if not quite a dispositive one.

The fact that no such situation has come up since despite numerous NBA-quality players moving through Memphis seems a testament to the idea that this lesson was learned by Calipari, and learned well. I tend to take the opinion that hard lessons learned are the best kind, because they stick. Calipari dodged a metaphorical bullet at UMass fired at close range with a large-caliber weapon. A similar situation at Kentucky would be more like trying to dodge a nuclear bomb than a bullet. His near-miss at UMass is likely to be invaluable to helping him avoid a recurrence of another silent scandal at Kentucky. A net positive? Arguably so.

But as I said, I am a Kentucky partisan. Your mileage may vary.

UK Basketball: Breaking-Down the Meaning of C.A.L.I.P.A.R.I.

Ken Howlett — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 07:01:25 -0000

More photos » by Ed Reinke - AP

Kentucky will be #1

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It's official -- Kentucky fans are in seventh heaven.

I can't find a single UK fan that isn't elated with the selection of John Calipari as the next basketball coach at UK. He's the most dapper, charismatic stimulus package in the history of bail-outs; I have never seen/heard Kentucky fans so happy, other than after a UK championship, or maybe the signing of Sam Bowie (who like Cal, is from Pennsylvania). I expected a positive reaction, but not this.

Of course, reaction isn't limited to the boundaries of the Bluegrass: Innumerable articles have been written by sport-writers and bloggers all over the country, most praising the hire, while some offered words of caution. But, all admit that Calipari and UK make for a delicious combination.

So, in an attempt at creativity (however feeble), I've decided to offer up the reasons that I feel that Athletic Director Mitch "I Just Saved My Job" Barnhart, and UK President Lee Todd (with an assist from the marvelous Mike Pratt), cleared the bases with this hire. And the reasons start with ...

C. Championships -- With the hiring of Calipari, UK is now in a position to regain what has been lacking to a disheartening degree: Playing for SEC championships.

Most know that Kentucky has won more SEC Tournament titles than all of the other conference members combined. But, UK hasn't won a Tournament final since 2004. That's the longest SEC Tournament Championship dry spell UK has endured since 1980-1983.

Calipari's presence, and all that implies, will renew what once was a rite of passage; winning SEC Tournament championships.

Which lead to ...

A. Automatic Berths into the NCAA Tournament -- And an end to eight, nine or any seed with two numbers.

UK fans have grown so accustomed to one, two or three seeds in the NCAA Tournament, that the last four years have been a shock to the system: I'm ready for the first round yawners ... I will never, ever complain again.

There simply is no debating the fact that the road to the Final Four is much more passable when the first game is against a 13, 14, 15, or 16 seed. Having to play a solid team in the first round, then a #1 seed in the second, is a recipe for Bluegrass belly-aching. That nonsense ended Tuesday.

It will finally be nice to be able to relax on Selection Sunday. Something I haven't been able to do in four years.

L. Louisville -- More pointedly, Rick Pitino and U of L fans.

Deep, deep, deep down inside their hollow souls, Louisville fans, led by Pitino, are hating this hire. They know what's going to happen, and they know it's going to happen relatively soon -- It's not unlike that locomotive heading your way, with no where to run; not a pleasant sensation.

One may read the message boards, and the garbage dump that serves as the Courier-Journal "after-article threads," and come away thinking that Louisville fans think UK will end up -- 1. On probation 2. Looking for another new coach in two years, or 3. On probation.

But their rhetoric is a poor masking-agent for their fear. Their fear that big brother will re-assert itself as the preeminent college basketball program in the nation. This thought drives them crazier than they already are. What is it we say around here? Embrace the hate.

This rivalry just received a swift kick in the pants.

So, please Rick, don't leave ... We want you to stick around for this.

(Editor's Note -- I'm kidding the Card fans. I'm allowed, aren't I?)

I. Image -- The University of Kentucky basketball brand just received a significant upgrade -- Not since Rick Pitino ran off chasing the end of the rainbow has UK been so marketable to the elite high school ballers.

Pitino's signing of Jamal Mashburn signaled the beginning of the go-go '90's for the boys in blue. Likewise, Barnhart's hiring of Calipari is a beacon of light shining brightly into the eyes of the nations top high school round-ballers, beckoning. The allure, like that shiny new car, will be too great ... The Craft Center ... Wildcat Lodge ... Rupp Arena ... 24,000+ rabid Rupp fans ... The banners ...

This is one of the primary reasons Calipari took the job. He knows that the combination of his style of play, UK's tradition and facilities, plus his demonstrable ability to charm in the living room, will lead quite quickly to competing for championships. And that's why coaches, coach.

This is indeed a lethal combination that Barnhart has concocted. An explosion is imminent.

P. Pace -- Style of play is not as important to me as it is to some; I don't really care if UK wins 50-48, as long as they win. But, many UK fans haven't been happy with the pace of UK's offense since Pitino left.

Throw in an old tape from say, '94-'96. It's like watching Marat Safin versus Roger Federer. One wants to shout at the TV, "Slow down!"

Big Blue Nation hasn't enjoyed that style of play for some time now, but ...

That all changes with Calipari roaming the sidelines of Rupp.

The Dribble-Drive Motion Offense has been dissected and discussed on this site, as well as just about every media outlet (with a sports department) within the boundaries of the Bluegrass. So I'll spare the breakdown.

But, suffice it so say that the pace of UK's offense will be picking-up about November, which should be an immense pleasure to those fans who have suffered through the indignity of the 'Cats not averaging at least 75 points per game for, lo, these last many years.

Those formerly unhappy souls can rest assured that the hiring of Calipari, at last, heralds the return of The Fast and Furious Felines, who will once again be scampering upon the hardwood of Rupp.

(Editor's Note -- If Rex Chapman would have played his college ball in this system, I'm convinced he would've had to have elbow replacement surgery after his freshman year.)

A. Adjustments -- John Calipari made perhaps one of the biggest adjustments in the history of college basketball.

How many coaches, after nearly 15 years of head coaching experience, have completely trashed their offensive philosophy, and adopted an untested, unproven method of attacking the basket?

I'll answer; not many. But that's what Calipari did when he made the Dribble-Drive his own.

I know Bob Knight begrudgingly started playing zone after 30 years of coaching, and Eddie Sutton, after 25 years of deliberate offense, actually pushed the ball his last several years at Oklahoma State. But very few coaches, save the innovators of the game (Rupp, Wooden, Iba, Newell, etc), have totally re-written their playbook.

But, Calipari saw an opportunity to improve his ballclub, as well as his chance of winning a National Championship, and he adjusted. How refreshing.

R. Regional Championships -- As in NCAA Regional Championships, which of course means Final Fours.

Any UK fan older than my ham sandwich knows that Kentucky is suffering through their longest Final Four drought EVER. 1998 seems like eons ago.

Even though I think Billy Gillispie had UK on the right track for a return to glory, Calipari and his cache', will more than likely accelerate the process to a high degree. For the reasons I mentioned above, seeing UK in NCAA Regional Championship games will become a familiar sight.

And that's all UK fans really want; a consistent chance of making the Final Four.

I. Indivisible Nation -- The Big Blue Nation is once again whole.

For too many years we have bickered, argued, and debated the direction of the program, the players and coaches within the program, and how much longer will it take North Carolina to pass UK on the all-time win list.

At last the divisive forces have been held at bay. Calipari's signature on his record-setting eight-year contract was, in one fell dash of the pen, the death knell of the conflict which has resided in Kentucky for the last decade. Finally, UK fans can happily return to the long lost days of splendor on the hardwood, discussing which 'Cats (plural!) should be First Team All-SEC, instead of arguing about why UK lost the night before.

Also, coach-envy, which has been prevalent for many years now, should cease to be an ailment for the Big Blue faithful, because most agree; this is the right guy, at the right time

A united Big Blue Nation. At last.

Barnhart et. al.

Talk about a reversal of fortune.

As long as Calipari does "things" the right way, Mitch Barnhart, and quite possibly Dr. Lee Todd, have just executed a fabulous example of how to save ones be-hind from the office shredder.

There's no need to recount the reasons why, so I won't. I'll simply leave it at ... Gentlemen, my congratulations on a job well done.

Thanks for reading, and Go-Go 'Cats!

UK Basketball: Pondering the Possibilities of Calipari

Ken Howlett — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 04:49:21 -0000

More photos » by Charlie Riedel - AP

Is this the next head men's basketball coach at UK?

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The Difference

No, nothing is "officially official," but my, how the mood of the Bluegrass can change: From sullen and downtrodden at the thought of a protracted search for a new head coach for Kentucky, to cautious elation at the mere mention of Memphis coach John Calipari's name as a potential candidate for the job.

And with the possible forthcoming announcement that Calipari will be the new head coach at UK, many fans, and media members alike are hailing the potential hire as not a home run, but rather a grand slam.

I would have to agree, but of course the determining factor in whether a Calipari hire is a grand slam selection won't be known for at least another year: If one recalls, Billy Gillispie coming to UK two years ago was greeted with praise and happy days are here again... not so fast my friend ...

But in Calipari's case, his body of work is much more substantial than Gillispie's, and his media savvy and fan friendly nature (i.e. he's not allergic to speaking to various organizations and boosters) are much more apparent than the previous UK coach -- Calipari has been a head coach either at the NCAA Division I level, or the NBA, since 1988 (he assisted his mentor, Larry Brown, with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2000). Contrast that bountiful experience with the fact that Gillispie had a total of five years experience as a head coach before taking the UK job, and one surely recognizes the difference between potential, and ...

... achievement: Calipari has won at the highest level of collegiate competition -- The NCAA Tournament: Calipari sports an impressive 25-11 record (.694) when it matters most, two Final Fours ('96, '08), and three Elite Eight appearances ('95, '06, '07). For those keeping count at home, that's a minimum of an Elite Eight run in '95, '96, '06, '07, and '08. In between his '96 Final Four with UMass and his Elite Eight with Memphis in '06, Calipari was occupied with coaching the New Jersey Nets, and rebuilding a moribund Memphis program.

Overall, his lifetime winning percentage of .761 (445-140) falls in line with what one would expect from a potential Big Blue head coach.

Dribble-Drive Motion Offense

Some may, or may not know that Calipari employs the Dribble-Drive Motion Offense. This offense can best be described thusly:

"The Dribble-Drive Motion is first and foremost a motion offense, complete with its own discipline, rules, and philosophy. The basic philosophy is the ball-handler tries to push the ball for a layup. If there is no help, he continues for a layup. If there is help, he finds the open man for either a shot, if on the perimeter, or a dump-off to the post. Driving lanes are created by great spacing and constant hunting of open areas for kick-outs."

Very similar to the Spread Offense in football.

Although Calipari did not invent this style of offense, the credit for that goes to former Pepperdine head coach Vance Walberg, but he has perfected its execution. So much so that many people now refer to the Dribble-Drive as the "Memphis Attack."

*This type of offense is not completely foreign to UK fans. Former UK head coach Rick Pitino used a variation of the Dribble-Drive Motion in his eight years in Lexington. He enjoyed a fair amount of success, if I remember correctly.

If Calipari matriculates to UK, it should be an exciting, fun style of basketball to watch. The combination of UK's tradition and facilities, along with this player-friendly offense, should ensure that Calipari has his pick of top-flight high school talent. Nearly as important; UK fans will once again have a fast-paced, high octane offense running the hardwood of Rupp Arena.

Potential Tag-a-Longs

There has been much speculation and conjecture around who Calipari may bring with him if he comes to UK. No one has any solid answers at this point, but let's take a look at the possibilities:

Current Memphis Tiger players, and former UK targets, sophomore Roburt Sallie and freshman Wes Witherspoon, have reportedly expressed interest in following Calipari to UK, if he decides to take the job. Of course, Memphis would have to release them to come to UK, and even then, they would not be eligible until the 2010-'11 season (I'm not crazy about current or signed players leaving one school, to follow a coach to his new job -- Ethically ambiguous is the best way to describe how I feel about this practice).
ESPN overall #1 player in the country Xavier Henry, a 6'6," 210 lb shooting guard reportedly has an "out" clause in the Letter of Intent he signed with the Tigers in the fall. This clause would force Memphis to release Henry if Calipari decides to leave the school. One can only speculate that Henry would then come to UK with Calipari, if that is how this high-drama ends. Henry's older brother C. J. Henry, a former #17 draft pick of the New York Yankees, is currently on the Memphis roster.
DeMarcus Cousins, a one time UAB commitment, verballed to Memphis on March 8 of this year. The 6'9" 250 lb power forward is listed as the #2 overall Rivals.com high school prospect. Obviously, he may choose to reconsider his verbal commitment if Calipari comes to UK.
Rivals.com overall #1, John Wall, a 6'4" 184 lb point guard, who earlier committed to Baylor, but later backed-off that verbal, has reportedly been the apple of Calipari's eye for some time now. The "love" has been requited according to most sources, but Duke, Kansas, and Baylor are still players for the probable one-and-done performer.
2009 prospect Eric Bledsoe, another guard (6'0" 160 lbs), also lists Memphis as one of his potential destinations. Bledsoe is rated as the #12 point guard in his class, and the #67 player overall by Rivals.

Who knows how all of this will play out if Calipari comes to Kentucky, but one thing is for certain, the UK roster will most likely receive a considerable upgrade for the '09-'10 basketball season. Of course, retaining current UK signees Daniel Orton, Jon Hood, and G. J. Vilarino should be a priority for any new coach.

It Ain't About the Benjamin's

I'm sure Calipari will take every bit of UK's reported eight-year, 35-million dollar offer, but the money, or more accurately, the mountain of money awaiting him in Lexington, will not be the primary reason he takes the job, if he indeed accepts.

No. Calipari will take the job because he knows that winning at Kentucky is unlike winning anywhere else in the country. The "Roman Empire" of college basketball has a habit of deifying it's college basketball successes, and he knows that he can succeed wildly at UK.

He's thinking like us: "If I can bring in great talent to Memphis, what can I do at UK?: I'll have the best facilities in the Craft Center and Rupp Arena, the most passionate fans, and endless opportunities to be adored."

As it stands now, Calipari is a big fish in a small pond, competing with the Memphis Grizzlies for the public's attention and adoration. Conversely, Kentucky gives him the best opportunity to showcase his coaching acumen on the biggest stage in college basketball. What more can one ask for? Simply put ...

... it's a priceless opportunity.

Thanks for reading, and Go Mitch, get your MAN!

UK Basketball: Searching for the Home Run Ball

Ken Howlett — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 18:50:30 -0000

Now that it has become official, and Billy Gillispie has (rightly or wrongly) been told to hit the proverbial pavement, the search team of UK Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart, Wildcat great Mike Pratt, and UK President Dr. Lee Todd will embark on a job-saving journey to find a home run hire for the nations most prestigious college basketball program.

I've gathered information on several potential candidates, but I have not included those who I feel pose a zero probability of accepting the position (Read: Billy Donovan and Rick Pitino). So without any further wasting of time, here we go, and IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER:

TRAVIS FORD

Date of Birth: December 29, 1969 (39 years old)

Birthplace: Madisonville, KY

Currently -- Head coach at Oklahoma State.

Head Coaching Experience

1997-2000 Campbellsville - 67 - 31 (25 - 11 in the Mid-South Conference - NAIA)

2000-2005 Eastern Kentucky - 61 - 80 (28 - 52 in the OVC)

2005-2008 Massachusetts - 62 - 35 (31 - 17 in the Atlantic 10)

2008-Present Oklahoma St. - 23 - 12 (9 - 7 in the Big 12)

Career Totals --- Division I -146 - 127 (.535)

NAIA - 67- 31 (.684)

Overall - 213 - 158 (.574)

NCAA Tournament Experience

2005 with EKU - 0 - 1

2009 with Okl. State - 1 - 1

Totals - 1 - 2

NIT Experience

2007 with UMass - 1 - 1

2008 with UMass - 4 - 1

Totals - 5 - 2

Championships Won

2005 with EKU -- OVC Tournament Champion

2007 with UMass - Atlantic 10 Regular Season Champion

Coaching Accolades

None

Double-digit loss Seasons

Seven of nine seasons.

Playing Career

Missouri - 1989 - 1990

Kentucky - 1992 - 1994

Positives -- Kentucky native, and former star UK player ... He coaches an up-tempo style of play ... More than any other serious candidate, he knows what the job entails, and he knows what UK basketball means to the fan base ... His relative youth.

Negatives -- His relative youth ... Very little NCAA Tournament experience ... Only one year of experience at a non-mid-major.

Probability of accepting the job, if offered: 99%

JOHN CALIPARI

Date of Birth: February 10, 1959 (50 years old)

Birthplace: Moon Township, PA

Currently -- Head coach at Memphis.

Head Coaching Experience

1988 - 1996 Massachusetts 193 - 71 (91 - 41 in the Atlantic 10)

2001 - Present Memphis 252 - 69 (117 - 25 in C-USA)

Career Totals -- 445 - 140 (.761)

*Calipari also coached the New Jersey Nets from 1996-1999. He compiled a record of 72-112. He also served as Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations with the Nets.

NCAA Tournament Experience

UMass -- 11 - 5

Memphis -- 14 - 6

Career Total -- 25 - 11 (.694)

Final Four -- '96, '08

Elite Eight -- '95, '06, '07

Sweet 16 -- '09

NIT Experience

UMass -- 3 - 3

Memphis -- 12 - 2

Career Totals -- 15 - 5 (.750)

Championships Won

A-10 Tournament Champion -- '92-'96

A-10 Regular Season Champion -- '92-'96

C-USA Tournament Champion -- '06-'09

C-USA Regular Season Champion -- '04, '06-'09

NIT Champion -- '02

Coaching Accolades

Naismith College Coach of the Year -- '96, '08

NABC Coach of the Year -- '96

Basketball Times Coach of the Year -- '96

Sports Illustrated Coach of the Year -- '09

A-10 Coach of the Year -- '93-'96

C-USA Coach of the Year -- '06, '08, '09

Double-Digit Loss Seasons

Five of 17 seasons.

Playing Career

UNC-Wilmington -- 1978 - 1980

Clarion State -- 1980 - 1982

Positives -- Great recruiter ... NCAA Tournament success ... Final Four experience ... Media savvy ... Perceived to be fan friendly, but has been known to be surly at times ... Mastered the dribble-drive motion offense ... Comes from the Larry Brown coaching tree ... Coaches an up-tempo offense ... One of only four coaches to lead two different teams to #1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament ... He wins.

Negatives -- Calipari had a run-in with the NCAA while at UMass ... Star player Marcus Camby was found to have accepted money from a sports agent while still competing collegiately ... The NCAA found that neither the University, nor Calipari was culpable, in any sense, for Camby's actions ... But UMass was forced to vacate their 1996 Final Four appearance ... Calipari has had a few player arrests while at Memphis.

Probability of accepting the job, if offered: 40%

JAMIE DIXON

Date of Birth: November 10, 1965 (43 years old)

Birthplace: North Hollwood, CA

Currently -- Head coach at Pittsburgh

Head Coaching Experience

2003 - Present Pittsburgh 163 - 44 (.787) 70 - 30 in the Big East

NCAA Tournament Experience

Pitt -- 9 - 5 (.643)

Elite Eight -- '09 (Pitt still playing)

Sweet 16 -- '04, '07

NIT Experience

None

Championships Won

Big East Tournament Champion -- '08

Big East Regular Season Champion -- '04

Coaching Accolades

Big East Coach of the Year -- '04

Double-Digit Loss Seasons

One in six seasons.

Playing Career

Texas Christian -- 1984 - 1987

Positives -- Worked under UCLA's Ben Howland for nine seasons at Northern Arizona, and Pittsburgh ... Holds coach's record for most wins in first six seasons ... 8-3 record over last four years in the NCAA Tournament ... Excellent defensive coach ... Tremendous winning percentage ... Very solid recruiter ... Media friendly ... All of his coaching experience is at the high major level.

Negatives -- Only six years as a head coach.

Probability of accepting the job, if offered -- 60%

RICK BARNES

Date of Birth: July 17, 1954 (54 years old)

Birthplace: Hickory, NC

Currently -- Head coach at Texas

Head Coaching Experience

1987 - 1988 George Mason 20 - 10 (9 - 5 in the Colonial Athletic)

1988 - 1994 Providence 108 - 76 (47 - 55 in the Big East)

1994 - 1998 Clemson 74 - 48 (28 - 36 in the ACC)

1998 - Present Texas 270 - 105 (129 - 47 in the Big 12)

Career Totals -- 472 - 239 (.664)

NCAA Tournament Experience

George Mason - None

Providence - 0 - 3

Clemson - 2 - 3

Texas - 17 - 11

Career Totals -- 19 - 17 (.528)

Final Four - '03

Elite Eight - '06, '08

Sweet 16 - '97, '02, '04

NIT Experience

Providence - 5-2

Clemson - 0 - 1

Career Totals -- 5 - 3

Championships Won

Big 12 Regular Season Championship - '99, '06, '08

Big East Tournament Championship - '94

Coaching Accolades

Colonial Athletic Conference Coach of the Year - '87

Big 12 Coach of the Year - '99, '03, '08

Double-Digit Loss Seasons

Sixteen of 22 seasons.

Playing Career

Lenoir-Rhyne College - 1974 - 1977

Positives -- Great recruiter ... Very good with the media ... 8 - 4 record in the NCAA's over the last four years ... Final Four experience ... Fan friendly ... 21 years of "big time" experience ... Mentored former WKU coach Dennis Felton, and current head Topper Ken McDonald.

Negatives -- Nearly .500 record in NCAA's ... 72.7% of his seasons coached have resulted in double-digit losses.

Probability of accepting the job, if offered: 30%

TOM IZZO

Date of Birth: January 30, 1955 (54 years old)

Birthplace: Iron Mountain, MI

Currently -- Head coach at Michigan State

Head Coaching Experience

1995 - Present Michigan State - 334 - 136 (.711) 160 - 72 in the Big Ten

NCAA Tournament Experience

Michigan State - 29 - 10 (.744)

National Championship - '00

Final Four - '99, '01, '05

Elite Eight - '03, '09 (MSU still playing)

Sweet 16 - '98, '08

NIT Experience

Michigan State - 2 - 2

Championships Won

National Title - '00

Big Ten Tournament Champion - '99, '00

Big Ten Regular Season Champion - '98, '99, '00, '01, '09

Coaching Accolades

Big Ten Coach of the Year - '98, '09

AP National Coach of the Year - '98

Henry Iba Award - '98

Double-Digit Loss Seasons

Seven of 14 seasons.

Playing Career

Northern Michigan - 1973 - 1977

Division II All-America in '77

Positives - Bountiful NCAA Tournament success ... National Title to his credit ... Master strategist ... Good recruiter ... Fan and media friendly ... Four Final Fours in a seven season period ('99 - '05).

Negatives - Sometimes coaches a deliberate style.

Probability of accepting the job, if offered: 50%

Editor's Note -- This obviously is not an all-inclusive list of possible candidates. Thad Matta, Jay Wright, and Mark Few are just a sampling of the college coaches not included on my list. As the search progresses (and based on the length of the search) I will continue to offer-up in-depth information on possible candidates for the job.

Final Thought

I thought the best thing to come out of yesterday's press conference was the naming of former Wildcat Mike Pratt to assist in the search for UK's next coach. Pratt brings to the table a unique perspective, and an intimate knowledge of what it takes to succeed at Kentucky. His insight and advice will be invaluable to the impending search.

For a look into Pratt's way of thinking, here is an interview I conducted with him back in November of '08.

Good look to the trio. A restless Big Blue Nation anxiously awaits what the "chicks" dig: The long ball!

Thanks for reading, and Go 'Cats!