For the first and last time this year, the city of Louisville becomes useful, as it hosts the Kentucky Derby.  To me, this is probably my favorite day of the entire year, and like Kentucky sports, it connects me to my home state from afar.  Every year I spend more time than is healthy analyzing this race backwards and forwards, and can usually come pretty close.

Super Saver?  Check.

Mine That Bird?  Uh. . . No.

Big Brown?  Had him 2nd.

Street Sense?  Check.

Barbaro?  Check.

What about this year?  I see it this way:

1.  Shackleford

2.  Archarcharch

3.  Dialed In

4.  Animal Kingom

So I ask you Big Blue Nation. . . who ya got?

Coach Cal has stated that this is a "business trip" for his players, and they need to be focused on the task at hand.  While for the fans going to Houston this may seem like a vacation (and yes, I am extremely jealous), you also have a job to do.  When we were playing UConn in Maui, we outnumbered the UConn fans in the gym by 3-to-1, easily.  But despite this numerical superiority, they were the better fans - so much louder, so much more into the game.  After beating Washington the day before, and then facing an unranked UConn team, it's like we were expecting a coronation, and instead we got a basketball game.  Our players played like "jagoffs" that day; our fans cheered like "jagoffs."  We failed collectively.

So this Saturday, BigSkyCat and everyone else who is heading down there - you've got to bring it.  You'll be in a huge stadium, so you will have to be louder than you ever have before.  The UConn fans are no joke, and your work is cut out for you.  I know you can do it, and if this game gets tight in the final seconds, every little bit of energy will be needed to pull this out.

We'll do our part from our homes - GAE will wear the hat, oldcat will keep his legs appropriately crossed, and we'll all drink a bourbon for Jobu.  But you guys that are there have to represent.  I want Kemba and Co. not to be able to hear that nasally Calhoun voice.

That is all.  Go Cats.

Hey gang,

Just wanted to see if any ASoBer's are headed out to the islands for the Maui Invitational?  I know Kentucky is absolutely taking over that place, so I figured some of you might be in that throng.  When I asked the concierge for help in getting tickets, I was told, "Well, we usually have no problem getting them.  But not when Kentucky's playing.  Those people are nuts."

But I eventually found them, so the wife and I will be in attendance (maybe not the wife for all games, depending on how it conflicts with her tanning schedule).  If anyone from ASoB is going to be out there and wants to get a drink pre/post game in Lahaina (or wants to carpool up from Wailea), let me know in the comments below.

Go Cats!

NYCCats

Ok, this is going to come off poorly, but here goes. . .

I've been around ASoB since the end of the Tubby regime.  One thing I've always liked about this site is the comments section.  Discourse on this site is supposed to be somewhat elevated, with intelligent, well thought out (and written) comments to articles or other germane topics.  Often, this is still the case - don't get me wrong.  But more and more so, it is degenerating into one line posts with multiple exclamation points, vapid observations, and general inanity.

Look, we all (myself included) make the occasional brief exclamation, the occasional lame attempt at humor, or the occassional irrational claim.  And obviously, I'm not talking about the comments in the game threads.  I'm just asking the commentariat if we can step it up a bit and return the discussion to the level it once was.  I know we can - there are plenty of intelligent people on here, old and new alike.   As I see it, here's a good decision rule - if the comment looks like it would belong in the comments section of KSR, it probably doesn't belong here.  I love KSR, but the comments section there is atrocious, and I'd hate to see us end up there.

I'm sure this is coming across as elitist and snobbish, but it's really not (ok, maybe a little elitist, but that's what I thought this site is supposed to be - a site for the discerning fan).  And it's not my site, so if that's the direction the mods want this to go, it's not my place to say otherwise.  So take this rant for what it's worth - a well-intended plea to get the dialogue back to the level I know it can be. 

Thanks for listening.

Does anybody have any suggestions as to how to get Maui Invitational tickets for this year?  I know they went on sale to the public (without buying the package) last week, but no UK tix were available.  I'll be going out there, but since I didn't book a package, I don't have tickets.  Any thoughts / suggestions / extras?  Thanks.

And now, here are the extra words to hit the quota I need to get this to post:  need tix, need tix.

This question has been growing in my mind over the last few games:  Does this team like each other?

Yes, I'm sure certain players are friends and get along great.  The question is more as a collective whole.  Witness DeMarcus jumping down Darius's throat towards the end of the Alabama game.  And at the end, it looked like DeMarcus and Wall were going at it (but I could be wrong).  All of that, however, could be dismissed as mere heat of the moment stuff.

What really prompted the question is the continual lack of "help up."  I have noticed (anecdotally), that when one of our players hits the deck, no one really goes to give them a hand up.  Sure, if someone is standing there, they may offer a hand.  But no one comes running over, unlike other teams who are seemingly more cohesive.  Last night, there were multiple instances where an Alabama player or the ref actually helped our guy up.  Perhaps I am just seeing things, but I can't help noticing it - it's like everyone out there is on his own little island.

Of course, even if true, that prompts the question:  Does it even matter? 

Am I off-base here?  I don't live in Lex-town, so I don't get any opportunity to witness any day-to-day interactions / news reports, so perhaps someone can provide a better perspective.

As we all know, our Cats will be travelling up here to New York to beat up on Calhoun's puppies at the "World's Most Famous Arena" on December 9th (game is at 9:00, preceded by St. John's vs. Georgia).

I just bought my tickets (www.thegarden.com) - sitting on the UK side, free throw line, 300 section - and I can't wait!

Here are the questions:

1)  How many of my fellow ASoBers will be in attendance?

2) Does any know if UK (or an alum association) will be planning any organized gathering spot for pre- or post-game libations/Husky baiting?

3) And if the answer to #1 is yes, and #2 is no, would there be any interest in organizing something through this site?  I may be willing to help with the logistics, if the interest is there. . .  


Respond as you will.

NYCCats

Ok, people, not to tear everyone away from the minute-by-minute excitement that is John Wall's recruitment (insert sarcasm tag here), but there is a fairly important horse race happening tomorrow.  So, predictions must be made. 

Add your trifecta to the comments - winner gets. . . well, absolutely nothing, unless you went down to your friendly neighborhood OTB to place a wager.  But you do get unofficial ASoB horse-picking bragging rights.  So you've got that going for you, which is nice.

For review, the field is as follows:

My picks:

1 - I Want Revenge (13)

2 - Regal Ransom (10)

3 - Friesan Fire (6)

WHO YA GOT?

There has been much recent (justified) chatter that UK may have two All-Americans on its team right now - Meeks and Patterson.  While individual accolades are nice, I'm sure all Kentucky fans are much more concerned with how the team does.  So how have teams that have had two All-Americans done where it matters the most - the NCAA tournament?

Let's look at the data.

Continue reading this post »

Halftime of the St. Mary's-San Diego game.  They do the highlights of West Virginia's win at Georgetown and the host turns it over to Stephen Bardo for analysis.  Bardo's statement:  "Well, they basically itch-slapped Georgetown on their home floor."

That was not a typo - it definitely sounded like he said "itch-slapped."  Is this a term I am unaware of, or did ESPN censor out the "b"?  I've played it back numerous times, and I still can't tell.  If they had to censor him, ESPN will likely not be pleased.

Anybody else see it and hear what he actually said?