MrSEC.com » Kentucky

Kentucky Headlines – 11/20/09

John — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:09:51 +0000

1. Kentucky has only seven more Kentuckians on its roster than Georgians… which makes tomorrow’s game special for a number of Wildcats.

2. UK’s offensive line will face a big challenge against Georgia’s D-line tomorrow.

3. To make matters worse, Randall Cobb will be a gametime decision due to a bruised shoulder.

4. In basketball news, freshman DeMarcus Cousins racked up 27 points and 18 rebounds to lead the Cats past Sam Houston State 102-92.

5. John Calipari said after the game, “This may be the worst defensive team I’ve had since 1988.”

6. Coach Cal also said, “I was so made a couple of times my head almost popped off.” And this… “I love my team, and we have a chance of being good. But we also have a chance of being bad if we don’t start changing some things.”

7. This writer believes UK needs more substance to go with their “wow” style.

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Kentucky Headlines – 11/19/09

John — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:04:57 +0000

1. Kentucky hasn’t won at Georgia since 1977, but the Dawgs won’t have AJ Green and the Cats are 6-7 in their last 13 SEC road games.

That’s yet another reason for fans to get off Rich Brooks’ back.

2. Georgia hasn’t put up a lot of yards this year, but “Georgia’s still Georgia.”

3. And Kentucky could possibly be without Randall Cobb.

4. Linebacker Sam Maxwell has gone from backup to star.

5. On the basketball front, it sounds like John Calipari is growing tired of his team’s play. “Our execution stinks right now. It stinks because everybody’s trying to get theirs.”

6. Outside-shooter Darnell Dodson is in Calipari’s doghouse.

7. Meanwhile, Darius Miller seems to be a good fit for UK’s new dribble-drive offense.

8. At least one Sam Houston State player is looking forward to facing Kentucky tonight.

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Rich Brooks Teleconference 11/18/09

John — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:53:29 +0000

* UK played the last 30 minutes at Vandy about as well as they could possibly play.

* UK is a little more beat up this week. Randall Cobb did not finish practice today and is questionable for Saturday’s game with Georgia. Micah Johnson did not practice, either, but he should be ready to practice tomorrow.

* Brooks caught the end of Georgia’s game with Auburn on television and was impressed.

* If Cobb gets healthy late in the week he will play.

* Asked about Georgia’s defensive line, Brooks said they give you all sorts of problems. “They get such a good push with those tackles” in the pass game and they stuff the run well, too.

* Morgan Newton will start at quarterback again for the Cats.

* This year’s “there’s more of a jumbled pack” in the SEC this year when it comes to bowl selections.

* Brooks said that its clear the depth is better at Kentucky considering all of the injuries UK has lost this season. UK hasn’t fallen off due to injuries “as we would have in previous years.”

* If Cobb can’t go Saturday because of his shoulder injury, UK will have to find someone new to return kicks, return punts, hold on kicks, and run the WildCobb spread formation. Cobb is also the Cats’ leading receiver. “Other than that…” Brooks joked.

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Kentucky Headlines – 11/18/09

John — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:20:43 +0000

1. Joker Phillips’ receivers are a big reason UK’s running game has been successful.

2. Kentucky will be trying to keep Georgia from clinching second place in the SEC East.

3. In basketball news, this writer likes that John Calipari LIKED the fact that UK got a wake-up call from Miami (Ohio).

4. There’s more to the Cats’ offense than just the dribble-drive.

5. Miami (Ohio) lit up the Wildcats from three-point range.

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How Hot Is Brooks’ Seat At UK? Source Says “Not Very”

John — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:44:37 +0000

According to Ray Glier of The AJC, Rich Brooks is on the hot seat in Lexington. Heck, even Brooks admits it:

“They put some ‘Ditch Rich’ bumper stickers on their cars. They say I’m too old and I gotta go, that they need a better coach. They’re howling. We lost to #1 Florida, #3 Alabama and South Carolina, then Mississippi State. Some of them want me out of here.”

Ah, but should they?

Traditionally, Kentucky is a program that nearly matches Vanderbilt in SEC futility.

Consider:

* UK has a 24-game losing streak to Tennessee

* The Cats have lost 23 in a row to Florida

* Georgia has beaten Kentucky 21 of the last 24 times they’ve played

* The Wildcats are 0-for-Spurrier all-time and have lost 10 in a row to South Carolina

* This year UK beat Auburn for the first time in 12 tries dating back to 1966

* Kentucky’s holds just a two-game advantage over Vandy in their head-to-head history (40-38-4).

Brooks has overcome that history. UK is now bowl eligible for the fourth consecutive season. The anti-Brooks faction doesn’t seem to care. Those folks would most likely point to two “yeah, buts.”

Yeah, but it’s not as hard to reach a bowl game today as it was 20 years ago, which is true.

And…

Yeah, but Brooks has feasted on weak non-conference opponents, not SEC foes. True again.

Looking at the bowl seasons of 2006, 2007, 2008 as well as the now bowl-eligible season of 2009, you’ll see that the list of Cat victories isn’t exactly stellar.

In those four seasons, UK has recorded wins over:

Texas State, Ole Miss, Central Michigan, Mississippi State (2), Georgia, Vanderbilt (3), Louisiana-Monroe (2), Clemson, Eastern Kentucky (2), Kent State, Louisville (3), Arkansas (2), Florida Atlantic, LSU, Florida State, Norfolk State, MTSU, Western Kentucky, East Carolina, Miami (Ohio), and Auburn.

I can see why some Kentucky fans are grumbling. I can see it, but I don’t agree with it.

Brooks has made UK football better. No, he hasn’t turned the program into a contender in the SEC East, but he has improved the situation in Lexington considerably.

There was a time when Kentucky couldn’t sniff a bowl game… much less be invited to one every year for four years.

There was a time when UK couldn’t beat a Florida State or a Clemson even in a down year for those schools.

There are few victories in the school’s history that rank alongside the Cats’ 2007 win over #1 LSU.

Brooks has also taken control of in-state rivalry with Louisville.

And on those rare occasions when Kentucky has had success in their history, NCAA investigators have often showed up quickly to shut down the party. Brooks hasn’t landed the school on probation as Fran Curci and Hal Mumme did.

Brooks deserves to go out on his own terms. And according to what one source very close to the UK football program tells me, that’s what’s likely to happen.

Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart understands what Brooks has accomplished and he won’t be pulling any plugs at the end of this season even if the Cats finish 6-6 with losses to Georgia and Tennessee.

Also, while the talkshow and bumper sticker crowd is upset, the main UK boosters (who wouldn’t dare put bumper stickers on their Audis) aren’t complaining too loudly.

So would Brooks walk away on his own if his team stumbles down the stretch?

I’m told no. In fact, in my source’s opinion, Brooks would be more likely to step aside if UK ends on a high note.

Joker Phillips is the Big Blue’s coach-in-waiting. It is believed Brooks wants to hand him the reins after a good season, not after a disappointing one.

Therefore it’s likely that Brooks will be back on the Commonwealth Stadium sidelines next year at the age of 69.

And any Kentucky fan with a sense of the school’s football history should be just fine with that.

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Kentucky Headlines – 11/17/09

John — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:26:44 +0000

1. Kentucky’s players are happy to be bowl eligible, but they now want to line-up a better bowl. “We want to get out of Tennessee.”

2. Reaching six wins for the fourth straight year, the Cats didn’t celebrate as much on Saturday as they have in previous seasons.

3. In basketball news, John Wall’s last second jumper pulled out a 72-70 win for the Wildcats over Miami (Ohio) last night.

4. Wall showed brilliance (and a few faults) in his college debut. (Also, John Calipari says he was “ecstatic” to see his team fall behind by 18.)

5. DeMarcus Cousins says “John is legit. Everything you hear is legit.”

6. Meanwhile, Calipari wants Cousins to enjoy himself more on the court.

7. Kentucky already got a first-place vote in the first AP Poll of the basketball season.

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Wall Debuts, Saves Kentucky In The Process

John — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:54:03 +0000

John Calipari has been saying that the first concern for his team is to gain confidence in his new system. The wins will come.

Last night it looked like Kentucky fans might have to take that message to heart. The Wildcats trailed Miami (Ohio) by 18 points in the first half and were locked in a back-and-forth duel down the stretch.

The RedHawks tied the game at 70-70 with just six seconds to play on a deep, deep three-pointer… but that’s when freshman John Wall took over.

The player who is already expected to be the national player of the year and the first pick in next year’s NBA draft caught the inbounds pass, zipped up court and calmly nailed a pull-up jumper from 15 feet out as with 0.5 seconds left.

Cats win 72-20. Rupp Arena goes nuts. Wall announces his presence on the college basketball scene.

“John Wall catching it and going, I loved it,” Calipari said.

No doubt Kentucky fans loved it, too. One game down and Wall has 19 points, five rebounds and a last-second game-winner. Not a bad debut at all.

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Kentucky Headlines – 11/16/09

John — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:15:52 +0000

1. Quarterback Mike Hartline will have knee surgery and miss the rest of UK’s regular season.

2. In basketball news, John Wall makes his official debut tonight against Miami of Ohio.

3. That means Cat fans will finally see the freshman backcourt of their dreams.

4. Darius Miller lacks confidence when shooting.

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Cats handle Morehead in impressive debut

admin — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 12:37:36 +0000

Sip the champagne. Puff on the cigars. Check for a hotel room at the Final Four.

Well, scratch that third one … for now.

The John Calipari era began in grand style Friday night as Kentucky’s talented youngsters thoroughly whipped a veteran Morehead State team 75-59. But it wasn’t that grand.

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Kentucky Headlines – 11/13/09

John — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:58:59 +0000

1. Kentucky will have to be wary of Vandy’s super return man Warren Norman.

2. Linebacker Sam Maxwell has turned into a playmaker on the Wildcat defense.

3. Derrick Locke, Trevard Lindley and Randall Cobb are all expected to play tomorrow.

4. Rich Brooks will decide on his starting quarterback at gametime.

5. In basketball news, John Calipari said the goal tonight is for progress… not necessarily a win over Morehead State.

6. Tonight’s game will pit UK’s talent against Morehead State’s experience.

7. There’s no way in Hell that Kentucky suffers a Billy-Gillispie-like loss tonight. Is there?

8. Eric Bledsoe’s sprained ankle shouldn’t keep him out of tonight’s game.

9. Bledsoe will be at the controls tonight as John Wall sits out due to an NCAA suspension.

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Kentucky Headlines – 11/12/09

John — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:44:49 +0000

1. In a show of improved depth, Kentucky’s reserves have helped the Cats to their current 5-4 record.

2. Ridge Wilson is trying to bounce back from a fourth-degree assault charge that was brought against him back in September.

3. In basketball news, UK’s opening opponent Morehead State was an NCAA team last year.

4. ESPN’s Jay Bilas says defense — not the dribble-drive offense — will be the key for Kentucky this year.

5. And ESPN’s Dick Vitale says Patrick Patterson needs to be “more assertive.”

6. Patterson’s offseason conditioning work came under the tutelage of a man known as “Hell’s Trainer.”

7. The December 5th matchup with North Carolina at Rupp Arena has sold out.

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Kentucky Headlines – 11/11/09

John — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:01:57 +0000

1. It’s still “wait and see” with Mike Hartline’s knee.

2. Regardless of who starts at quarterback Saturday, Joker Phillips says UK will be ready to bring in the backup if needed.

3. The Cats will be up early for Saturday’s game at Vandy, but they’ll face a later than usual start time for their game with Georgia next week.

4. In basketball news, UK might not have to face one of Morehead State’s key players in their opener on Friday. Like it’s going to matter.

5. The man who invented the dribble-drive offense says it’s all about attacking.

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Rich Brooks Teleconference 11/11/09

John — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:55:00 +0000

Notes from Rich Brooks’ teleconference:

* “We’re gonna be a little healthier than we’ve been in recent weeks.” Derrick Locke and Randall Cobb will be ready to play against Vandy. Quarterback Mike Hartline has also been taking meaningful snaps in practice this week, too.

* Brooks said he’s never had a year where he’s had to use four players to take snaps.

* Brooks said Morgan Newton’s play bodes well for the future. He also says that this year’s injury issues have shown how much more depth UK has now than they did a few years ago.

* Mike Hartline will regain his starting spot when he’s ready. “Today’s practice was better than yesterday for him.”

* Brooks said that Dan Mullen’s offense is “quite different” than Florida’s offense. One run game is built around the running backs, the other is built around the quarterback.

* Brooks recounted the story of how UK’s track coaches brought Locke to his attention. The “speed and explosion” that he brings to the field make him one of the best multi-purpose backs in the league.

* Asked about two-sport athletes, Brooks said it’s important for young players to get a lot of reps. He also said it’s tough when track wants a guy to drop weight and football wants him to add weight.

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Kentucky Headlines – 11/10/09

John — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:16:42 +0000

1. Rich Brooks is trying to tell folks that Vandy won’t be as easy as they might think. (The Cats hold just a 39-38-4 edge all-time in the series… which is telling about the history of UK football.)

2. Defensive tackle Corey Peters believes Vanderbilt can be dangerous because “they have really nothing to lose.”

3. Mark Story of The Lexington Herald-Leader thinks Morgan Newton should get the start on Saturday… and Mike Hartline should only be used if needed.

4. In basketball news, Patrick Patterson dreams of being an outside gunner.

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Kentucky Headlines – 11/9/09

John — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:44:22 +0000

1. In Nashville, they’re writing that Kentucky could be much healthier on Saturday. In Lexington, Rich Brooks says UK has the longest injury list it’s had all year.

2. Quarterback Mike Hartline — who was expected to miss most of the rest of the season — might be ready to take some snaps on Saturday.

3. True freshman Morgan Newton has been filling in nicely for Hartline.

4. In basketball news, some Cat fans are wondering if DeAndre Liggins will get much playing time under John Calipari. He didn’t get into either of UK’s two exhibition games.

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UK’s Lindley returns, hopes for strong finish

admin — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 13:31:58 +0000

This wasn’t how Trevard Lindley’s senior season was supposed to go.

Lindley bypassed the NFL Draft, where he was projected to be a second-round pick, to return to Kentucky in 2009. He received pre-season accolades as an All-Southeastern Conference and All-America candidate.

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Kentucky Headlines – 11/6/09

John — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:00:38 +0000

1. Kentucky’s defensive line wants to redeem itself for a shoddy performance against Mississippi State last weekend. No offense, but I don’t think beating Eastern Kentucky will do the trick.

2. An EKU receiver will have extra motivation going against the Cats.

That’s it for football…

3. In basketball news, John Calipari is challenging his Wildcats to improve.

4. “I got on Patrick (Patterson). You took seven shots. You kidding me?”

5. Former walk-on Mark Krebs is drawing praise for driving to the basket aggressively.

6. DeMarcus Cousins says Calipari is through playing games. “Intense and focused. It’s a whole new Cal. He’s not the laid-back, chill Cal anymore. You’ve got to get with the program.”

7. John Wall will make his Kentucky debut in tonight’s exhibition against Clarion, but Eric Bledsoe may be out with a sprained ankle.

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Kentucky Headlines – 11/5/09

John — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:44:20 +0000

1. Morgan Newton’s first three games have yielded the up-and-down moments that one would expect of a true freshman quarterback.

2. Cornerback Trevard Lindley will finally return from a high ankle sprain this week, but tailback Derrick Locke will be out.

3. Receiver La’Rod King is catching the attention of the UK coaching staff.

4. In basketball news, the Wildcats will face John Calipari’s tiny alma mater tomorrow night.

5. A pair of ESPN analysts are interested to see how successful Patrick Patterson will be in Calipari’s new offense.

6. Those same analysts believe regular season losses will strengthen UK in time for postseason play.

7. The Kentucky-Louisville rivalry should only get hotter with Rick Pitino now having to go against John Calipari.

8. Calipari says that in his offense, “you’ve got to be aggressive, confident and skilled. We just had a lot of guys that were a little bit tentative (in their exhibition opener), which surprised me.”

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Rich Brooks Teleconference 11/4/09

John — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:48:34 +0000

Notes from Rich Brooks’ teleconference:

* UK is “coming off a tough loss to Mississippi State.” Derrick Locke hasn’t practiced this week and is doubtful for this weekend. Seven guys were out with the flu yesterday — not the swine flu — but three were back today.

* Kentucky has never won 18 consecutive non-conference games before… and they can do that on Saturday against Eastern Kentucky. UK has the second longest non-conference winning streak in the country behind LSU.

* Asked about MSU, Brooks said they are a more productive offensive team than they have been in recent years. He was impressed by State’s offensive line play.

* Asked about Chris Todd and stopping Auburn’s offense, Brooks said his defense played “sounder” than it has all year. Last week, against State, they gave up a lot of yards on some of the same plays that they stuffed against Auburn. UK didn’t allow Todd to complete any deep balls. The weather also helped defend the passing game on that night as well.

* That’s it. Very few questions for Brooks.

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Kentucky Headlines – 11/4/09

John — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:44:53 +0000

1. Kentucky’s football team is the latest SEC team to have to deal with a flu outbreak. Seven Wildcats were sent home from practice yesterday.

2. “Injuries are one thing, but the sickness bug has really hit us good right now,” Rich Brooks said. “That usually means there’s going to be a lot more to follow.”

3. John Clay of The Lexington Herald-Leader believes UK fans need “a reality pill” when it comes to dealing with their football and basketball teams.

4. Speaking of basketball, John Calipari’s new dribble-drive offense requires players to actually drive to the hoop… something they were reluctant to do in their exhibition opener.

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Kentucky Headlines – 11/3/09

John — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:54:53 +0000

1. Rich Brooks wants his team focused on Eastern Kentucky, but his assignment is to salvage the season.

Hope that’s all the football coverage you wanted from the Bluegrass State, ’cause it’s on to basketball…

2. More than 21,000 fans showed up for UK’s 74-38 exhibition win over Campbellsville last night.

3. This writer has some first-game observations from last night’s opener… including the fact that “Kentucky is looo-ooooooo-nnnng.”

4. Another observation: the Cats’ offense was sloppy and showed some confusion.

5. Freshman John Wall will be eligible to play against Clarion on Friday. I didn’t realize hotel chains had basketball teams.

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Kentucky Headlines – 11/2/09

John — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:14:07 +0000

1. Rich Brooks is worried about his team’s “mental frame of mind and focus.”

2. The loss to Mississippi State at home was a big one.

3. Tailback Derrick Locke is questionable/doubtful for Saturday’s game against Eastern Kentucky due to torn scar tissue from a previous knee injury.

4. In basketball news, John Calipari isn’t saying who chose the two games John Wall will have to sit out as part of an NCAA punishment.

5. Calipari is taking the time to teach “everything” to his young team.

6. The Cats open their season tonight with an exhibition against Campbellsville tonight… sans Wall.

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Gillispie Pleads Guilty To DUI

John — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:30:33 +0000

Former Kentucky basketball coach Billy Gillispie pleaded guilty today to driving under the influence of alcohol in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky.

Gillispie was given the maximum penalty for a first-time offense in Anderson County — a fine of a little more than $1,000, a 30-day suspension of his license and order to complete an Alcohol Drivers Education Program.

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Kentucky Headlines – 10/30/09

John — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:05:08 +0000

1. Cornerback Randall Burden is finding his “LaGrange swagger.”

2. Linebacker Micah Johnson will play against Mississippi State tomorrow, but he won’t start.

3. State safety Jonathan Banks has become one of the SEC’s best freshmen.

4. In basketball news, UK spent about $185,000 more on their Big Blue Madness celebration this year than they spent last year.

Also, though no reason has been given yet, Kentucky has canceled a planned open practice at Louisville’s Freedom Hall scheduled for Sunday.

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Kentucky Headlines – 10/29/09

John — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:42:47 +0000

1. If the Wildcats are going to improve, they’re going to have to start throwing the ball. (Mike Hartline doesn’t seem so bad now, I bet.)

2. To win on Saturday, UK will have to find a way to stop Mississippi State’s ground game.

3. Scouts from the Chick-fil-A Bowl will be on hand Saturday.

4. In basketball news, the Wildcats held a scrimmage last night in front of 14,000 fans. Read that again. Scrimmage = 14,000 fans. According to John Clay of The Lexington Herald-Leader one thing was obvious from watching the intrasquad game — everyone on the UK team is athletic.

5. Here are 10 more observations from the scrimmage.

6. John Calipari says John Wall will have no trouble gaining his eligibility.

7. Wall and Patrick Patterson were the top scorers in the last night’s scrimmage.

8. Interestingly, on the same day that UK’s president said he didn’t want Wall to have face questions about his status in public, Kentucky’s media information department made him available to USA Today.

9. Get used to this nickname — “The Great Wall of Kentucky.”

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Kentucky Headlines – 10/28/09

John — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:13:26 +0000

1. Mississippi State has the nation’s 18th best running game. Kentucky is dead last in the SEC in stopping the run. Uh-oh.

2. This writer believes Saturday’s game is a “must win” for the Wildcats.

3. In basketball news, UK president Lee Todd admitted yesterday that one of the Cats’ basketball players faces questions about his amateur status. Todd wouldn’t admit that the player is John Wall nor did he sound too happy that Mike Slive outed Wall last week. “I think the commissioner made his statement, which I’m not sure he intended to make, but he made it.”

4. Todd said the press would get an answer when UK gets an answer. “It may come out that there’s nothing there, so why drag some child and the mother through all that because people want to sell newspapers?”

Maybe he can send Slive a reprimand.

5. Also, score a win for Big Coal. A proposal to build a new basketball dorm to be called the “Wildcat Coal Lodge” has been approved.

6. John Clay of The Lexington Herald-Leader writes that the name change is about the color of money, not the power of coal.

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Rich Brooks Teleconference 10/28/09

John — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:58:11 +0000

Notes from Rich Brooks’ teleconference:

* UK got off to a good start against ULM, but the didn’t play well in the second half.

* Micah Johnson might play on Saturday, but he won’t be 100% due to an MCL strain. Trevard Lindley will miss yet another game this weekend.

* This is “a critical game for both teams.” If State wants to reach a bowl, they need to win. If UK wants to make an impact in the SEC, they need to win.

* “Anthony Dixon is one of the best running backs in the league” and it would help to have Johnson in the middle of UK’s defensive line.

* The quarterback rotation is “not going as well as I’d like or we’d be throwing the ball better.” With the Wildcat package and Randall Cobb mixed in, UK has been “able to generate just enough offense to get it done and hopefully that will continue.”

* MSU does a lot of different things on defense — zone pressures, man pressures, 4-man fronts, 3-man fronts, etc.

* For a defensive player to win the Heisman, the top offensive players have to have “mediocre” years and a defensive player needs to be on a great team with great individual numbers. (Why do people care about this issue?)

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Kentucky Headlines – 10/28/09

John — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:31:41 +0000

1. Rich Brooks knows that to climb from the “lower half of the league,” teams like Kentucky and Mississippi State must first beat the other cellar dwellers.

2. Don’t expect to see black uniforms for UK’s blackout game this weekend. “We’re wearing our regular uniforms,” said Brooks.

3. Even though Cat players want to don black duds.

4. Kentucky hasn’t had a lot of success inside the SEC overall, but they are 7-4 in games versus West Division opponents since 2006.

5. Could Kentucky’s “Wildcat Lodge” really become the “Wildcat Coal Lodge?”

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Cats wary of Louisiana-Monroe

admin — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 12:27:48 +0000

Louisiana-Monroe isn’t your average, everyday hyphenated school.

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Kentucky Headlines – 10/23/09

John — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:58:31 +0000

1. The Lexington Herald-Leader reports that freshman guard John Wall could miss at least three games with eligibility issues.

2. Some UK fans are wondering if Duke freshman Ryan Kelly is also facing eligibility concerns… after all, he played for the same AAU coach/certified agent who Wall played for. (It’s a conspiracy, I tells ya!)

3. Everyone in the SEC seems to have accepted the fact that Kentucky is the league’s preseason favorite.

4. Patrick Patterson is ready to be a leader on this year’s Wildcat team.

5. Usually experience is the key in SEC basketball, but it’s UK’s newcomers who have folks buzzing this year.

6. The coach does have experience. And John Calipari says he’s ready for the pressure of being Kentucky’s coach.

7. In football news — what, UK has a football game tomorrow? — a check of the midseason report card shows there’s plenty of room for improvement.

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UK’s Wall Not Eligible Yet?!?!

John — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 23:10:08 +0000

Mississippi State’s Renardo Sidney isn’t the only incoming SEC freshman facing eligibility issues.

Mike Slive said today that both Sidney AND Kentucky superfrosh John Wall are still ineligible.

A source told ESPN.com that Kentucky has been investigating Wall’s eligibility for months because his former AAU coach was a certified agent.

Nice. Is there anything sleazier than AAU basketball and college basketball recruiting? A coach who is also an agent? Geez.

Any case involving pre-enrollment amateurism issues are investigated by the NCAA’s eligibility center. Wall and Sidney are not eligible to compete until their amateur status is confirmed.

“Those are amateur issues that arose prior to their coming to our schools,” Slive said. “Those are strictly amateurism issues. As we told our people, somebody needs to determine if they are eligible. It’s not relative to you, it’s relative to them.”

In other words, “We’re still clean, even if the kids aren’t.”

That said, a source told ESPN.com that the Kentucky compliance department has been working feverishly to clarify Wall’s eligibility. They have been tracking records as far back as 2007 to see how much money he may owe… based on the fact that Wall’s AAU coach was an agent.

UK media relations director DeWayne Peevey said, “My understanding is that all 13 players on our roster are eligible at this point.”

Apparently not. At least not officially.

Everyone knows of the on-going battle between Sidney, his agent, and NCAA investigators who are looking for proof that his family could afford a million dollar home that they lived in during Sidney’s high school career.

But no on knew — or at least wouldn’t publicly state — that Wall’s status was in question.

Wall is a major reason for Kentucky being picked to win the SEC and compete for a Final Four berth this season.

CBSSports.com’s Gary Parrish has all but called Wall the next “Greatest Player Who Ever Lived.”

UK fans had to have spilled a few bottles of “Kentucky Gentleman” when they heard this one.

Now, I’ll guess that Wall will indeed be deemed eligible in the end. His case sounds more in line with the case of Tennessee football player Bryce Brown (issues with a coach/advisor during high school) than it does with the Sidney situation (”Somebody gave your family cash!”).

Brown was cleared to play football after a couple of days of hand-wringing.

But then again, as Alabama fans well know, there’s no guessing what the NCAA is going to do on a case-by-case basis.

There’s one thing that isn’t surprising about this development: Wherever John Calipari goes, there are always a lot of grey areas, a lot of smoke and a lot of loopholes.

The man has never been caught doing anything dirty, but his recruits and players have an uncanny knack for popping up in NCAA reports and inquiries.

John Wall now falls into the inquiry category.

UPDATE — John Clay of The Lexington Herald-Leader points out that the issues facing Wall would still be on the table even if Billy Gillispie were still the coach at Kentucky.

Wall’s attendance at two UK events while still a high schooler are part of the investigation into his amateur status. And both of those events came while Gillispie was still the Wildcats’ coach.

However, if for no other reason than just dumb luck, Calipari is once again having to deal with questions about the eligibility of one of his players, which always seems to be the case.

Perhaps he’s just a jinxed guy, but for one reason or another, where Calipari goes… trouble seems to follow.

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Calipari Could Start 3 Frosh… And Still Be Picked First

John — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:12:40 +0000

John Calipari said today that he could open the 2009-2010 season with three freshman starters.

But when one of them is John Wall — possibly the most-hyped young basketball player since LeBron James — so what?

Calipari said at SEC Media Day that Wall is ahead of Tyreke Evans and Derrick Rose at this stage of his career.

I think that means he’ll be pretty good, don’t you?

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Media Day Quotes From Kentucky

John — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:56:15 +0000

Coach John Calipari on his team’s outlook:

“We are very big, athletic and fast. On our first day of practice, it seemed like we missed 70 layups and we do not shoot as well as I would prefer. We have got a lot of room to grow. I really thrive on coaching defense, which means teaching discipline and fundamentals.”

Forward Patrick Patterson on expectations:

“This year feels a lot different. Everyone expects us to have a great year this season, not only us, but our fans and people close to us expect us to have a true ‘Kentucky’ season. They expect a national championship, a run in the SEC Tournament and an SEC championship. They expect our team to be successful and have one of the best years in a while. We embrace expectations and do not see them as pressure. Everyone wants to be great and this year we think we can get it done.”

More quotes can be found here.

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Kentucky Headlines – 10/22/09

John — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:27:57 +0000

1. Running back Derrick Locke is listed as probable for Saturday’s game with Louisiana-Monroe.

2. Danny Trevathan is the fastest linebacker Rich Brooks has had at Kentucky.

3. Still, Brooks can’t correctly pronounce his new star’s last name. Linebacker Sam Maxwell says Brooks’ pronunciation makes Trevathan’s name sound “like something off of ‘Star Trek.’”

4. ULM’s new quarterback will have to face an SEC defense in his first start.

5. Finally, the Cats’ November 7th game against Eastern Kentucky will be a 1:00pm kickoff.

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Rich Brooks Teleconference 10/21/09

John — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:57:19 +0000

Notes from Rich Brooks’ just complete media session:

* “We had a much needed win on the road last week.”

* Louisiana-Monroe has lost their quarterback — like UK — and Brooks isn’t sure what they’ll get from ULM offensively.

* Derrick Locke hasn’t practiced this week due to a strained MCL.

* A few Wildcat players are also starting to deal with flu-like symptoms.

* Freshman quarterback Morgan Newton “needs to grow up fast.”

* To slow down Auburn, Brooks said his D-line did a good job of gap control and his team didn’t bite on the misdirection of Gus Malzahn’s offense, either. Also, UK covered well and benefited from the fact that it was a bad night weather-wise for passing.

* The win over Auburn ranks in the “significant wins” category, according to Brooks. The significance will only matter if the team builds on the win, he said.

* Brooks was asked about Paul Johnson’s triple-option at Georgia Tech. He said fans aren’t big on schemes that don’t pass much, so that’s hurt the triple-option. “Fans became a little disenchanted with that style of football. It’s always been a difficult offense to stop.”

* Randall Cobb is “the ultimate playmaker and leader. He’s about the most exciting football player that I’ve ever been around.” “He’s just the ultimate football player to me.”

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Kentucky Headlines – 10/21/09

John — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:12:52 +0000

1. Backup quarterback Will Fidler has earned some respect for the way he’s dealt with Morgan Newton getting the starting nod. “I couldn’t be prouder of Will Fidler if he was my own son,” said Rich Brooks.

2. Fidler was one of the first people to call Newton and congratulate him on winning their midseason quarterback battle.

3. This notes/thoughts column reveals that Brooks seemed to feel bad that he had to mislead the media last week with regards to UK’s quarterback situation.

4. In flu news, UK safety Taiedo Smith has been tested for the H1N1 virus.

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Kentucky Headlines – 10/20/09

John — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:37:08 +0000

1. Rich Brooks challenged the Lexington media yesterday to come up with the best words to describe Randall Cobb and his impact on the UK football program.

2. Kentucky is 3-3 heading into a homestand that includes Louisiana-Monroe, Mississippi State and Eastern Kentucky. Then comes a road game at Vandy. Could the Cats be 7-3 by mid-November?

3. True freshman Morgan Newton will likely start on Saturday.

4. The last time La-Monroe visited Kentucky, the Wildcats barely survived a 42-40 shootout.

5. On the basketball front, UK has been picked to win the SEC by a panel of media members.

6. Gary Parish of CBSSports.com believes the media was dumb to put freshman John Wall on the All-SEC second team… rather than on the first unit.

7. Of all the Midnight Madness events around the country, Andy Katz of ESPN.com writes that UK’s “was unprecedented.”

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Kentucky Headlines – 10/19/09

John — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:39:31 +0000

1. In typical coach fashion, Rich Brooks is proud of his team’s win over Auburn, but he also sees room for improvement.

2. John Clay of The Lexington Herald-Leader writes that Kentucky’s offensive line saved the team’s season on Saturday.

3. Brett Dawson of The Louisville Courier-Journal also believes there’s now new life in the Wildcats’ season.

4. There were plenty of positive stats that came out of this weekend’s win.

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UK scores two late TDs to shock Auburn

admin — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 13:19:14 +0000

AUBURN, Ala. — Kentucky Coach Rich Brooks played coy all week about how he’d replace injured quarterback Mike Hartline, not announcing who his starter would be leading up to Saturday night’s game at Auburn.

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UK’s Patterson: Good Guy

John — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 18:16:17 +0000

As we wind down this week, I wanted to bring a story to your attention.

It’s about Kentucky basketballer Patrick Patterson. The same Patrick Patterson who turned down a chance at millions in the NBA to return to UK for one more year of college basketball.

We cover our fair share of suspensions and arrests and dismissals here at MrSEC.com. So it’s nice to tell you about someone who understands the difference he can make in other people’s lives… simply because he’s a college athlete.

Tim Tebow would be proud. Good story.

(And thanks to the Wildcat fan who tipped me off to it.)

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Kentucky Headlines – 10/16/09

John — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:33:56 +0000

1. John Calipari is promising big things for tonight’s Big Blue Madness event. “If you’re going to camp out for tickets, then we’re going to have an event and show them a good time.”

2. Calipari’s first job will be to bring the old Cats together with his new Cats with an all-for-one attitude.

3. With John Wall and Eric Bledsoe at the point, expect UK to be more up-tempo this season.

4. Speaking of Wall, he says the team has a couple of goals: “to be undefeated, win all our games and win a national championship.”

5. As we noted earlier in the week, the settlement between Kentucky and Billy Gillispie will provide the ex-coach just a tad under $3 million once legal fees are taken out. UK’s initial buyout offer? $925,000. No wonder he sued.

6. And, oh yeah, Kentucky plays a football game tomorrow at Auburn. Cornerback Paul Warford and O-lineman Justin Jeffries might play.

7. Also, Taylor Wyndham wants to be known for more than just his hit on Tim Tebow a couple of weeks ago.

So much for football coverage. Looks like it’s basketball time in the Bluegrass.

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Kentucky Headlines – 10/15/09

John — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:13:54 +0000

1. Rich Brooks won’t name a starting quarterback prior to Saturday’s game at Auburn. Not sure that it matters who starts because he also says it’s “very likely” both QBs will play.

2. John Clay of The Lexington Herald-Leader makes the case for and against starting true freshman Morgan Newton on The Plains.

3. An Auburn beatwriter helps Mr. Clay preview Saturday’s matchup.

4. Kentucky’s offensive line might just be “the team’s most effective unit.”

5. Unfortunately reserve O-lineman Jake Lanefski will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL.

6. Kentucky should be familiar with Auburn signal-caller Chris Todd… they recruited him out of Elizabethtown.

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Rich Brooks Teleconference 10/14/09

John — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:50:43 +0000

* Paul Warford made it through practice on a very limited basis, but he’s probably still out for Saturday.

* Historically, Kentucky’s had very little success at Auburn.

* Rich Brooks doesn’t believe basketball hurts his program. He believes it’s tough to build a program when you’re going against SEC competition.

* Brooks acknowledged that his team has won 16 straight games against non-conference foes, but he added, “We need to make a bigger impact in our own conference.”

* Charlie Strong does a great job with great talent, but you don’t put up the numbers Florida puts up without being “extremely well-coached.”

* “The cracks and creases” an offense might get against Florida (and Alabama) “close faster than they do against any other defense in America.”

* Martavious Neloms gave up some big plays last week, but had a good debut overall for a true freshman playing in the SEC.

* Twitter policy? “I try to have as few policies as possible.” UK’s only rule is the at you represent the school and team well. (Can’t wait to read this kid’s piece. Basically he got the same answer 12 times.)

* Asked how he’s doing, Brooks joked, “I’ve been better acually.”

* Kentucky will probably lean more on the run this week with Mike Hartline out, but “if you can’t throw it it’s gonna be a heckuva lot harder to run it.”

* Derrick Locke has got “great speed and explosion.” “He’s a very tough guy, as well. And he’s got great hands. He could move out and be a receiver.” Due to his size, UK has to make sure he doesn’t get too beat up.

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Kentucky Headlines – 10/14/09

John — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:56:57 +0000

1. It doesn’t look like Rich Brooks is going to announce who is starting quarterback will be until the Wildcats hit the field at Auburn on Saturday. “I don’t think they need the distraction of all the stuff that’s going on. Besides, that gives you guys more stuff to write about and have fun with and do your polls on who should start. This is more fun for you than if I say ’so and so is starting.’ I’m giving you some cannon fodder.”

Win or lose, Brooks always seems to come across as a pretty likeable guy.

2. Quarterbacks coach Randy Sanders said that both Will Fidler and Morgan Newton have made strides since the season started.

3. According to this notes column, UK will likely be without Mike Hartline (out), Trevard Lindley (out), Paul Warford (doubtful) and backup O-lineman Jake Lanefski against Auburn.

4. In basketball news, DeAndre Liggins has gone from struggling last year to supposedly thriving under John Calipari this year. “I think he was a little misunderstood,” the coach said.

5. Here’s some Kentucky perspective on Billy Gillispie’s settlement with UK.

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UK, Gillispie Settle Lawsuits

John — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:54:23 +0000

And like that… (blow on fingers)… he was gone.

Like Keyser Soze, former Kentucky basketball coach Billy Gillispie can now disappear into the history pages of UK’s media guide.

Gillispie and UK settled their opposing lawsuits yesterday for $2.9 million.

The ex-coach had been seeking $6 million for breach of contract and fraud. This all stemmed from his belief that the memorandum of understanding he signed with Kentucky (since he never inked an actual contract) entitled him to be paid $1.5 million per year for the years left on his agreement.

Kentucky said when firing Gillispie that they would not be paying any 6 millions bucks.

Turns out, they were right. However, according to attorney Demetrios Anaipakos, the nearly $3 million settlement was “significantly” higher than what UK had initially offered.

Gillispie’s attorney said the coach is glad to have the case settled and that “he looks forward to coaching basketball again soon.”

That might not be so easy. Billy G still faces DUI charges in Kentucky, the third time he’s been charged with drinking and driving. And his former players are now opening up about his “motivational” tactics (involving bathroom stalls and rides in equipment trucks).

It might be a while — and somewhere far from the national spotlight — before Gillispie gets another shot at coaching.

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Kentucky Headlines – 10/13/09

John — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:24:42 +0000

1. There is a chance that quarterback Mike Hartline’s knee injury could only keep him out for four to six weeks. But Rich Brooks says, “you have to go on the worst-case scenario and he won’t be back.”

2. This writer believes new QB Will Fidler should give way to freshman Morgan Newton if he struggles at Auburn on Saturday.

3. This writer points out that UK ranks 106th in the nation in passing offense. Ouch.

4. Kentucky fans can scout future foe Louisiana-Monroe on ESPN2 tonight.

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UK’s Hartline Could Return From Knee Injury

John — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:42:21 +0000

Kentucky quarterback Mike Hartline got some good news on his MRI report: no ACL damage.

He does, however, have a torn MCL and a slight PCL tear. He will undergo non-surgical treatment for several weeks to allow the MCL to heal and then doctors will give him a thumbs up or thumbs down on playing with torn cartilage.

There is a chance — though I would think it would be slim — that Hartline could return before the season’s end.

By that point, Wildcat fans will know if they were right or wrong to call for Will Fidler, Morgan Newton, Randall Cobb or anyone BUT Hartline for the QB job.

They might find out that Rich Brooks has been playing the right guy all along.

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Kentucky Headlines – 10/12/09

John — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:25:58 +0000

1. The Kentucky team is still waiting for MRI results before making an official announcement about the state of quarterback Mike Hartline’s knee.

2. That said, Rich Brooks doesn’t believe the news will be good.

3. John Clay of The Lexington Herald-Leader doesn’t believe moving Randall Cobb to quarterback would be in UK’s best interests.

4. Instead, the Cats will be looking at junior Will Fidler and freshman Morgan Newton — who will no longer redshirt — this week in practice.

5. When you look at how Ole Miss did against Bama and how LSU fared against Florida, the Hartline-led Kentucky offense wasn’t so bad after all.

6. Rick Bozich of The Louisville Courier-Journal writes that Steve Spurrier will never lose to Kentucky. He’s now 17-0 after Saturday.

7. In basketball news, Jerry Tipton of The Herald-Leader writes that John Calipari can try to temper expectations if he likes, but UK basketball won’t be “fun” for fans without Final Fours. (Great story from Dan Issel in this piece regarding the always lofty expectations of Kentucky basketball fans.)

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Gameday preview: USC vs. Kentucky

admin — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 10:45:16 +0000

Injury report, five game storylines, five questions with Hutch Eckerson and more.

Injury report

USC – TE Weslye Saunders (ankle) and OL Terrence Campbell (neck) are out; LB Shaq Wilson (neck) is probable.

Kentucky – CB Trevard Lindley (ankle), CB Paul Warford (quad) and OT Justin Jeffries (Achilles) are out; LB Danny Trevathan (flu-like symptoms) is probable.

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Kentucky Headlines – 10/9/09

John — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:48:59 +0000

1. Kentucky’s “head coach for offense” Joker Phillips claims South Carolina’s defense is faster across the board than Alabama’s or Florida’s.

2. Mark Story of The Lexington Herald-Leader has been shocked by “the level of anger” toward Rich Brooks’ decision not to replace Mike Hartline with a freshman quarterback.

3. Starting right tackle Justin Jeffries will miss the Carolina game with an injured Achilles. That’s three starters who’ll be out tomorrow.

4. Freshman corner Martavius Neloms doesn’t sound intimidated to be making his first start. “I’m very physical, fearless. I’m a very good player. I’m going to go out there and show everybody that they should have taken a chance on me and show them why.” Cocky much?

5. Brett Dawson of The Louisville Courier-Journal previews the UK-USC game with the help of a Carolina beatwriter.

6. The Gamecocks will be without top tight end Weslye Saunders.

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