I have been considering what name could best fit this group of Wildcats. This one came to me just earlier today. The Magnificent Seven (Davis, Kidd-Gilchrist, Jones, Lamb, Miller, Teague and Wiltjer). As the tagline for the 1960 movie says, "They were seven... they fought like seven hundred." These Wildcats were indeed magnificent in absolutely every way. And now that six of those seven are on to the next chapter in their lives, we wish them more magnificence in the years to come.

Does anyone know if it is possible to locate an mp3 of the radio call of the entire National Championship game? I enjoy hearing the call from Tom and Mike, but have only heard Tom's call of the final seconds of the game. I actually had to work Monday night and didn't get to see the game until later that night on DVR. And being able to get a clear signal of the radio call is rare for me in any case as I live just outside of Nashville. I know it's probably a long shot but it would be a really nice treat to experience Number 8 with Tom and Mike.

Like so many others, I am sick of Bobby Knight's hatred for anyone and anything that doesn't follow his own idea of what's right and what's wrong.  But, then again, I don't really believe that his sadness (or sickness, if you prefer) has anything to do with his idea of right and wrong.  I believe it's only about his hate.  And I believe that Knight revels in his hate.  I believe that he revels in the buttons his hate pushes in everyone else. 

I don't believe that Bobby Knight expects everyone to bow down and kiss his feet because he is currently the winningest coach in NCAA men's basketball history and soon to be number two on that list.  I don't believe that Bobby Knight expects everyone to bow down and kiss his feet because he believes that they view him as some great oracle of college basketball.  What I do believe is that Bobby Knight has always expected everyone to bow down and kiss his feet simply because he is Bobby Knight.  To him, his own name and his own voice, more than anything else, are what fuels him with a sense of entitlement which he will always believe that he is due no matter what comes out of his mouth.

I have said before that I can admire Bobby Knight's achievements as a basketball coach.  Those achievements have a place in college basketball's Hall of Fame.  However, I do find it sad that his name must be attached to those achievements.  I also find it sad that a 70 year old man has learned absolutely nothing about humility and decency through the course of those 70 years.  And I find it sad that, to this point at least, the world's largest sports media outlet has continued to support this sad old man's persistence to hate everything that does not fit into his warped perspective of the world and all of the other people who live in it.

The following link was my response to Knight's previous rant against John Calipari, originally posted February 17, 2010.  I hope this gives you an even greater sense of my feelings regarding the great (or so HE believes) Bobby Knight.

Hate Leads To Suffering   

Now just one more thing to set my stomach in knots.  This may call for a few more drinks tonight.  Can we ever just have the ability again to enjoy our favorite sport without the NCAA micromanaging every movement and every breath taken?  I cannot bear the thought of giving up my fanship simply because the ruling body known as the National Collegiate Anal Association jumps every time someone dials a phone number one too many times or someone who isn't supposed to dial a phone number dials a phone number.  So long as money isn't changing hands between recruits and universities, why do such insignificant actions matter?

That will be one of the topics of discussion in the days leading up to this Saturday's rematch between the Wildcats of Kentucky and the Huskies of Connecticut.  And true enough, much time has passed since that first engagement in Maui.  Improvements have been made.  Identities have been established.  Many will therefore base their predictions for this game on the here and now and not give further thought to the one that came before.  But I see problems with that philosophy.

Continue reading this post »

The link is to an excellent article about Demarcus Cousins written by Yahoo Sports' Jason King.  I found this to be a terrific read and some great perspective on our beloved big man.  It allows you to further see just how far Cousins has progressed.  I really didn't need this to convince me that Demarcus isn't the thug other fanbases would like to believe him to be, but it does give me even more respect for him to know all the trials and tribulations he has endured to come so far.   

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/news;_ylt=AuYIQLMLoksbgC2z98n_vdfevbYF?slug=jn-cousins031610&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Hate seems to be the growing theme these days. Whether it come from hacks named Bill Mayer (KUSports.com) or Frank Therber (Indiana Daily Student) or elsewhere, the Kentucky basketball program is unwillingly playing the part of punching bag to those who would like to consider themselves to be sportswriters with a legitimate and learned opinion.

I'm just a regular guy who possesses no vast knowledge of the history books. I've not researched every last detail, good or bad. What I do know is that at certain points in its history, the Kentucky basketball program has made its mistakes. As one who bleeds blue, does it pain me to find acceptance in that fact? Sure it does. Can I wish it away or blindfold myself against it? No. It's there and it will always be there. Therefore, anyone choosing to call out the Kentucky basketball program for its past transgressions is certainly free to do so. Hey, it's a free country. However, to do so while at the same time turning a blind eye to a certain other programs own past transgressions and even claiming that programs excellence over the Kentucky basketball program is the very definition of hypocrisy.

Now let's talk about matters if integrity. Webster's Dictionary defines integrity as a "firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values".

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 UK will be firing John Calipari due to the loss at USC and his inability to control Demarcus Cousins.  The UK administration is also very displeased with the 20-1 record to this point. 

 "20-1?  Are you serious?  Those are unacceptable results to this point in the season.  We expected far greater from Coach Calipari.", UK Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart stated.  "We are also very displeased with the progression of Demarcus Cousins.  This is a young man with tremendous potential and he has come nowhere near that.  It also can't be accepted that Demarcus would have a two-way discussion with his coach on the sidelines."

 It has also been announced that Barnhart has made his apologies to Billy Gillispie and is asking him to return as head coach.  If he agrees, he will recieve a 6 year, $1.5 million deal with a free case of Kentucky Bourbon for each year of the deal. 

 It is only the second time in Calipari's coaching career that he has been fired.  It is the first time, however, that he has been fired from a collegiate head coaching position despite the fact that he is well-known to be a cheater. 

 More news to come.

Okay, I understand the concerns for safety, but for some reason I have trouble agreeing with this.  I know it's the rules, but it seemed to play out in a fairly orderly manner even though it looked like total chaos. 

If you are fining USC though, then maybe Devan Downey should cover some of that cost given the fact that he was the one directing the fans to storm the court once the buzzer sounded.  :)  just kidding of course

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/news?slug=ap-scarolina-secfine&prov=ap&type=lgns

My, how the media will relesh this chance to say "I told you so".  My how Seth Davis will relesh the chance to say "I told you so" with that patented Seth Davis smirk.  But, realistically, I also knew the Cats couldn't run the table.  In this day and age, it's a virtually impossible feat to accomplish, especially with a young team. 

Coach Cal wanted to know how the team would respond to the number 1 position.  We wanted to know how they would respond.  Well, there's our answer. 

Give the Gamecocks credit.  They took advantage of every mistake the Cats made and hit every big shot they needed to hit.  And, of course you can't find an answer for Downey when you play with your feet firmly set in cement.  It's hard to find an answer for that guy anyway.  But, we haven't seen the team look this flat-footed all season long.  And if there was a play that summed up the night for Kentucky, it was a steal by one Darnell Dodson and a subsequent shanked layup..er.. dunk...er...layup...er...how did that happen???

Cal spoke of how badly the guys wanted to be number 1.  On Saturday, he was right and the team showed us how badly they wanted it.  But, they clearly didn't know how to handle the position once they earned it.  I do believe that this will be, as any tough loss always is, a very good learning experience for this team.  This can only serve to make them hungrier and to get even better.

I'm sure I sound bitter and I shouldn't be.  After the hell we've been through over the last few years, 19-1 looks like a real handsome guy compared to that butt ugly guy with the big hairy warts we've been seeing prior to this season.  Ultimately it still feels good to have a team relevant enough to warrant an entire arena emptying onto the floor when they beat us.  It means we're on the right path again even if we've deviated from that path for one evening.  And to say that we are "relevant enough" is understating it.  Hey folks, 19-1 is pretty damn good! 

This stings, but they always do after enjoying a long winning streak.  Let's take a deep breath and know that our guys are going to go back to work and come back a refreshed group on Saturday.  Sorry Dores, this may hurt...just...a...little.     

This ham got overcooked and is a bit dry.  LOL

Hey, you think the guys might have learned their lesson about letting off the gas pedal?  Then again, they led by 30 at the half and only won by 31.  What's up with that?  LOL 

Now this is what we've really been waiting for.  If the Cats can keep pressing the issue for the full 40 minutes like they did today, I think we'll be just fine.  NUMBER 1 BABY!!!

GO BIG BLUE! 

13 games to go in the regular season now and just wondering which of those you think might serve to be the toughest tests for our Cats. 

For me, I have to point to the trip to Nashville on February 20th as a big test.  Vanderbilt at home is always a very difficult game for anyone.  I also think Tennessee in Knoxville a week later will be tough, especially with just one day of rest following the South Carolina game.

Your thoughts?

GO BIG BLUE!