Kentucky head coach John Calipari spoke to the media today. He discussed Tuesday's game against Tennessee and discussed the Kentucky team in "crisis mode":
* Video by bluenationblog on YouTube
Monday, February 7, 2011
Terrence Jones is a Finalist for Dunk of the Year
Kentucky's Terrence Jones is one of eight finalists for 2011 Intersport Dunk of the Year.
Here is an excerpt from UKAthletics.com:
In the national competition wholly determined by fan voting on Facebook, Jones landed 61 percent of the vote in week four to overcome impressive slams by Indiana State's Dwayne Lathan (18 percent), Washington's Isaiah Thomas (13 percent) and Missouri Southern's Jason Adams (8 percent).
Jones' dunk, in which he crossed over his defender to throw down a thunderous slam, will join seven other dunks in the finals, which begins March 7. Fans can support Jones by visiting the Dunks of the Year fan page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dunksoftheyear.
Complete Article
Here is an excerpt from UKAthletics.com:
In the national competition wholly determined by fan voting on Facebook, Jones landed 61 percent of the vote in week four to overcome impressive slams by Indiana State's Dwayne Lathan (18 percent), Washington's Isaiah Thomas (13 percent) and Missouri Southern's Jason Adams (8 percent).
Jones' dunk, in which he crossed over his defender to throw down a thunderous slam, will join seven other dunks in the finals, which begins March 7. Fans can support Jones by visiting the Dunks of the Year fan page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dunksoftheyear.
Complete Article
UT's Jordan McRae Reinstated, Will Miss UK Game
Tennessee has fully reinstated freshman Jordan McRae but he will not travel with the Vols to Lexington.
Here is an excerpt from GoVolsXtra.com:
Tennessee freshman wing Jordan McRae has been reinstated to the team after missing the past five games while suspended for using inappropriate language on the team bus during the Vols’ trip to Connecticut for a Jan. 22 game.
Men’s basketball coach Bruce Pearl announced the reinstatement today, and McRae took part in practice. He will not, however, accompany the team to Lexington, Ky., for Tuesday’s 9 p.m. game against Kentucky.
Complete Article
Here is an excerpt from GoVolsXtra.com:
Tennessee freshman wing Jordan McRae has been reinstated to the team after missing the past five games while suspended for using inappropriate language on the team bus during the Vols’ trip to Connecticut for a Jan. 22 game.
Men’s basketball coach Bruce Pearl announced the reinstatement today, and McRae took part in practice. He will not, however, accompany the team to Lexington, Ky., for Tuesday’s 9 p.m. game against Kentucky.
Complete Article
Georgetown Falls to No. 9, Pikeville Enters NAIA Top 25
Georgetown College (22-3) drops three spots to No. 9 in this week's NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll.
University of the Cumberlands (13-8) falls as single spot to No. 20.
Pikeville College (20-5), fresh off a win over then No. 6 Georgetown, enters the poll at No. 24 this week.
St. Catharine College received votes, but is currently sitting just outside the top 25.
2010-11 NAIA Division I Men’s Basketball Coaches’ Top 25 Poll – (Feb. 7)
1 1 Robert Morris (Ill.) (7) 21-1 308
2 2 Concordia University (Calif.) (5) 22-2 305
3 3 Louisiana State University Shreveport 21-1 292
4 4 Mountain State University (W.Va.) 21-2 278
5 7 Azusa Pacific University (Calif.) 21-3 261
6 5 Texas Wesleyan University 20-2 259
7 8 Oklahoma Baptist University 18-4 254
8 9 Martin Methodist College (Tenn.) 22-1 245
9 6 Georgetown College (Ky.) 22-3 234
10 11 Xavier University (La.) 22-2 221
11 10 Lindenwood University (Mo.) 21-3 212 12 15 Lee University (Tenn.) 19-5 197 13 12 Southern Nazarene University (Okla.) 19-5 185 14 21 Columbia College (Mo.) 20-3 176 15 17 William Jewell College (Mo.) 19-3 168 16 14 Union University (Tenn.) 19-5 159 17 13 Park University (Mo.) 15-5 149 18 18 Biola University (Calif.) 20-4 142 19 RV University of Montana Western 18-6 129 20 19 University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) 13-8 114 21 22 Tougaloo College (Miss.) 18-4 102 22 23 Shorter University (Ga.) 19-5 77 23 24 Northwestern Oklahoma State University 16-7 75 24 RV Pikeville College (Ky.) 20-5 71 25 RV Montana State University-Northern 16-7 69
1 1 Robert Morris (Ill.) (7) 21-1 308
2 2 Concordia University (Calif.) (5) 22-2 305
3 3 Louisiana State University Shreveport 21-1 292
4 4 Mountain State University (W.Va.) 21-2 278
5 7 Azusa Pacific University (Calif.) 21-3 261
6 5 Texas Wesleyan University 20-2 259
7 8 Oklahoma Baptist University 18-4 254
8 9 Martin Methodist College (Tenn.) 22-1 245
9 6 Georgetown College (Ky.) 22-3 234
10 11 Xavier University (La.) 22-2 221
11 10 Lindenwood University (Mo.) 21-3 212 12 15 Lee University (Tenn.) 19-5 197 13 12 Southern Nazarene University (Okla.) 19-5 185 14 21 Columbia College (Mo.) 20-3 176 15 17 William Jewell College (Mo.) 19-3 168 16 14 Union University (Tenn.) 19-5 159 17 13 Park University (Mo.) 15-5 149 18 18 Biola University (Calif.) 20-4 142 19 RV University of Montana Western 18-6 129 20 19 University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) 13-8 114 21 22 Tougaloo College (Miss.) 18-4 102 22 23 Shorter University (Ga.) 19-5 77 23 24 Northwestern Oklahoma State University 16-7 75 24 RV Pikeville College (Ky.) 20-5 71 25 RV Montana State University-Northern 16-7 69
Others receiving votes: University of St. Francis (Ill.) 50; Southern Polytechnic State University (Ga.) 50; Life University (Ga.) 42; St. Catharine College (Ky.) 32; Freed-Hardeman University (Tenn.) 21; Westmont College (Calif.) 19; John Brown University (Ark.) 18; Carroll College (Mont.) 16; Westminster College (Utah) 7; Rogers State University (Okla.) 1; McKendree University (Ill.) 1; Our Lady of the Lake University (Texas) 1; Evangel University (Mo.) 1; Emmanuel College (Ga.) 1; Cumberland University (Tenn.) 1; Point Loma Nazarene University (Calif.) 1; Texas College 1; Fresno Pacific University (Calif.) 1
Pikeville's Trevor Setty buries a long range 3-pointer against Georgetown:
Kentucky Wesleyan Falls Flat at Maryville
Maryville 69
Kentucky Wesleyan 54
Final from St. Louis, Missouri
The Kentucky Wesleyan College men's basketball team couldn't locate its shooting touch Sunday afternoon.
The Panthers hit just 33 percent (19-of-58) of their attempts from the field in a 69-54 loss to Maryville at Moloney Arena in St. Louis.
"We didn't do a lot of things right," said KWC coach Todd Lee, whose club made 4-of-27 attempts from 3-point range (15 percent). "I wouldn't say we forced any 3s. Guys had shots. We just didn't knock them down, and you've got to step up and make shots."
While the looks were good, Lee thought his Panthers (15-6, 8-6 Great Lakes Valley Conference) were too content to take 3s instead of working for higher-percentage shots.
"We shot too many and too early instead of attacking the basket," he said.
Kentucky Wesleyan 54
Final from St. Louis, Missouri
The Kentucky Wesleyan College men's basketball team couldn't locate its shooting touch Sunday afternoon.
The Panthers hit just 33 percent (19-of-58) of their attempts from the field in a 69-54 loss to Maryville at Moloney Arena in St. Louis.
"We didn't do a lot of things right," said KWC coach Todd Lee, whose club made 4-of-27 attempts from 3-point range (15 percent). "I wouldn't say we forced any 3s. Guys had shots. We just didn't knock them down, and you've got to step up and make shots."
While the looks were good, Lee thought his Panthers (15-6, 8-6 Great Lakes Valley Conference) were too content to take 3s instead of working for higher-percentage shots.
"We shot too many and too early instead of attacking the basket," he said.
Bellarmine's Kendle Named GLVC Player of the Week
Bellarmine University's Jeremy Kendle has been named Great Lakes Valley Conference Player of the Week.
Here is the release from the GLVC:
INDIANAPOLIS - Bellarmine University senior guard Jeremy Kendle (Jeffersonville, Ind./Jeffersonville) is the Great Lakes Valley Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Week. Kendle paced the second-ranked Knights to road wins at Missouri S&T and Maryville last week.
In Friday’s 76-56 win at Maryville, Kendle scored 18 points on 6-of-12 shooting. He also chipped in two assists, two rebounds and two steals in the victory. Kendle converted 1-of-2 three-point attempts and 5-of-6 from the free throw line.
Here is the release from the GLVC:
INDIANAPOLIS - Bellarmine University senior guard Jeremy Kendle (Jeffersonville, Ind./Jeffersonville) is the Great Lakes Valley Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Week. Kendle paced the second-ranked Knights to road wins at Missouri S&T and Maryville last week.
In Friday’s 76-56 win at Maryville, Kendle scored 18 points on 6-of-12 shooting. He also chipped in two assists, two rebounds and two steals in the victory. Kendle converted 1-of-2 three-point attempts and 5-of-6 from the free throw line.
On Sunday, Kendle just missed a double-double in Bellarmine’s 87-73 win at Missouri S&T. He tallied 17 points and nine rebounds in the victory while shooting 6-of-10 from the field. Kendle pulled down four rebounds and added an assist. He was 2-of-3 from the three-point line and 3-of-5 from the free throw line.
For the week, Kendle averaged 17.5 points, 5.5 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. He shot 54.5 percent from the field, 72.7 percent from the free throw line and 60 percent from the three-point line.
Kendle is averaging a team-best 18.0 points per game this season. He is also posting 4.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game for the Knights.
Bellarmine (21-1) has won 13 straight games and is leading the GLVC East Division with a perfect 14-0 league mark. The Knights will return to action at Northern Kentucky on Thursday and will host Southern Indiana on Saturday.
Other top performers in the GLVC last week included Indianapolis’ Adrian Moss, Lewis’ Dennis Thomas, Jr., Maryville’s Mike Ford, Missouri S&T’s Bryce Foster, Quincy’s Josh Edmonds and Southern Indiana’s C.J. Trotter.
UK Drops to 5-Seed in Bracketology; U of L Holds
After a pair of SEC losses, Kentucky has slipped to a 5-seed in Joe Lunardi's updated Bracketology.
Louisville holds as a 4-seed this week.
Murray State makes an appearance this week as a projected No. 16 seed.
Here are the top seeds in today's version:
1- Seeds
- Texas
- Pittsburgh
- Kansas
- Ohio State
2-Seeds
- San Diego State
- Duke
- BYU
- Notre Dame
3-Seeds
- Villanova
- Georgetown
- Connecticut
- Purdue
4-Seeds
- Louisville
- North Carolina
- Wisconsin
- Syracuse
Seth Davis Still Believes in the Kentucky Wildcats
Seth Davis says on SportsIllustrated.com that he still believes Kentucky is the best team in the Southeastern Conference.
Here is an excerpt:
I stand by my earlier assertions that by the time the NCAA tournament rolls around, Kentucky is going to be the best team in the SEC. The Wildcats are thisclose to figuring out how to win. That was clear last week in their near-misses at Ole Miss and Florida. Even so, I still believe John Calipari needs to recruit a few high-character players he knows are going to be around for a few years. Yes, you have to have lottery-level talent to win an NCAA championship, but you can't get that trophy when you are this dependent on freshmen.
Complete Article
Here is an excerpt:
I stand by my earlier assertions that by the time the NCAA tournament rolls around, Kentucky is going to be the best team in the SEC. The Wildcats are thisclose to figuring out how to win. That was clear last week in their near-misses at Ole Miss and Florida. Even so, I still believe John Calipari needs to recruit a few high-character players he knows are going to be around for a few years. Yes, you have to have lottery-level talent to win an NCAA championship, but you can't get that trophy when you are this dependent on freshmen.
Complete Article
Faried Named OVC Player of the Week for Sixth Time
MOREHEAD , Ky.— Morehead State senior center Kenneth Faried added to his record Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Week total, winning the award for the 13th time in his career the league announced Monday afternoon.
Faried has had three of the five 20-20 games in Division I basketball this season, including last Thursday when he had a 21-point, 20-rebound performance at Jacksonville State, shooting 9-of-13 from the field. He added to his stat line at JSU with two assists and three blocks to lead Morehead State to a win. He also had 11 points and seven rebounds in the win over Tennessee Tech, helping propel the Eagles to their fifth straight win.
Faried moved up the NCAA career rebounding chart as well. Faried is now third (among players whose career began after 1973) with 1,520 board, placing him just behind Tim Duncan (Wake Forest) and Derrick Coleman (Syracuse). He also has 19 double-doubles, which is second nationally, and his career total of 76 ranks 10th in NCAA history.
The six OVC awards this season passes his previous single-season total of five, which he won last year as a junior. Former UT Martin standout Lester Hudson holds the record for the most selections in a single season with seven in 2007-08.
Morehead State will play its final two regular season home games this week versus Eastern Illinois (Thursday, 7:45 p.m.) and Southeast Missouri (Saturday, 7:45 p.m.). Faried, along with fellow seniors Sam Goodman and Demonte Harper, will be honored prior to Saturday’s game as part of the senior day festivities.
* Article by Morehead State University
Faried has had three of the five 20-20 games in Division I basketball this season, including last Thursday when he had a 21-point, 20-rebound performance at Jacksonville State, shooting 9-of-13 from the field. He added to his stat line at JSU with two assists and three blocks to lead Morehead State to a win. He also had 11 points and seven rebounds in the win over Tennessee Tech, helping propel the Eagles to their fifth straight win.
Faried moved up the NCAA career rebounding chart as well. Faried is now third (among players whose career began after 1973) with 1,520 board, placing him just behind Tim Duncan (Wake Forest) and Derrick Coleman (Syracuse). He also has 19 double-doubles, which is second nationally, and his career total of 76 ranks 10th in NCAA history.
The six OVC awards this season passes his previous single-season total of five, which he won last year as a junior. Former UT Martin standout Lester Hudson holds the record for the most selections in a single season with seven in 2007-08.
Morehead State will play its final two regular season home games this week versus Eastern Illinois (Thursday, 7:45 p.m.) and Southeast Missouri (Saturday, 7:45 p.m.). Faried, along with fellow seniors Sam Goodman and Demonte Harper, will be honored prior to Saturday’s game as part of the senior day festivities.
* Article by Morehead State University
Kentucky Fans, Are You Ready for Bruce Pearl?
Bruce Pearl, fresh off an eight-game Southeastern Conference suspension, will lead the Tennessee Volunteers into Rupp Arena tomorrow night.
Pearl spoke to the media today. Here are some of his comments from SportingNews.com:
“I think he really punished me by allowing me to come back and go to Rupp Arena and the O-Dome,” Pearl said Monday. “What a wonderful reward to be able to come back and go to those places.”
Tennessee completed Pearl’s suspension with a 5-3 mark in the games he missed, which puts them 1-½ games behind Florida for first place in the SEC East. The Vols, though, have a big opportunity – or obstacle – ahead when they visit Kentucky for a Tuesday night game and Florida on Saturday evening.
Pearl reiterated that he is pleased with the work his coaches did during the games he missed. Pearl had been permitted to work with the team in practice and game prep and only had to remove himself from the premises as tip-off approached, but he did pass on making a couple of road trips.
“We’re still in a competitive situation,” Pearl said. “We’re one game out of first and we’re one game out of last. The league is very, very balanced.”
Complete Article
Pearl spoke to the media today. Here are some of his comments from SportingNews.com:
“I think he really punished me by allowing me to come back and go to Rupp Arena and the O-Dome,” Pearl said Monday. “What a wonderful reward to be able to come back and go to those places.”
Tennessee completed Pearl’s suspension with a 5-3 mark in the games he missed, which puts them 1-½ games behind Florida for first place in the SEC East. The Vols, though, have a big opportunity – or obstacle – ahead when they visit Kentucky for a Tuesday night game and Florida on Saturday evening.
Pearl reiterated that he is pleased with the work his coaches did during the games he missed. Pearl had been permitted to work with the team in practice and game prep and only had to remove himself from the premises as tip-off approached, but he did pass on making a couple of road trips.
“We’re still in a competitive situation,” Pearl said. “We’re one game out of first and we’re one game out of last. The league is very, very balanced.”
Complete Article
This never gets old:
Northern Kentucky Defeats Drury on Clutch Three-Pointer
(24) Northern Kentucky 72
Drury 69
Final from Springfield, Missouri
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Chris Knight buried a 3-pointer with 1.8 seconds remaining in the game to give No. 24 Northern Kentucky University a 72-69 victory against Drury on Sunday, extending the Norse’s winning streak to five.
Drury, which trailed by as many as 23 points in the second half, tied the game at 69-all with 27 seconds left on a basket by Dennon Mitchell. NKU held the ball for the final shot, and Knight drained a 24-footer to give the Norse a 72-69 lead.
Drury could only manage a desperation heave at the buzzer, and NKU won for the 10th time in the past 11 games.
Knight finished with 14 points and five rebounds for NKU, which improved to 18-4 overall, 11-3 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Dennis Gagai added 11 points as the Norse handed Drury its first home loss of the season.
The Panthers, in their first season playing in the O'Reilly Event Center, were 11-0 at home prior to Sunday’s loss.
Ethan Faulkner, Malcolm Eleby and Bobby Shannon all added eight points for NKU, which held a 51-28 lead with 16:18 left in the game. The Norse still owned a 66-54 lead with five minutes remaining, but Drury stormed back with a 15-3 run to tie the score at 69-all, setting the stage for Knight’s heroics.
Complete Recap
Drury 69
Final from Springfield, Missouri
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Chris Knight buried a 3-pointer with 1.8 seconds remaining in the game to give No. 24 Northern Kentucky University a 72-69 victory against Drury on Sunday, extending the Norse’s winning streak to five.
Drury, which trailed by as many as 23 points in the second half, tied the game at 69-all with 27 seconds left on a basket by Dennon Mitchell. NKU held the ball for the final shot, and Knight drained a 24-footer to give the Norse a 72-69 lead.
Drury could only manage a desperation heave at the buzzer, and NKU won for the 10th time in the past 11 games.
Knight finished with 14 points and five rebounds for NKU, which improved to 18-4 overall, 11-3 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Dennis Gagai added 11 points as the Norse handed Drury its first home loss of the season.
The Panthers, in their first season playing in the O'Reilly Event Center, were 11-0 at home prior to Sunday’s loss.
Ethan Faulkner, Malcolm Eleby and Bobby Shannon all added eight points for NKU, which held a 51-28 lead with 16:18 left in the game. The Norse still owned a 66-54 lead with five minutes remaining, but Drury stormed back with a 15-3 run to tie the score at 69-all, setting the stage for Knight’s heroics.
Complete Recap
No. 2 Bellarmine Pulls Away from Missouri S&T
(2) Bellarmine 87
Missouri S&T 73
Final from Rolla, Missouri
ROLLA, Mo.--The No. 2 Bellarmine University men's basketball team fought off a challenge from Missouri S&T to record an 87-73 victory this afternoon in a Great Lakes Valley Conference contest at Billy Key Court.
The Knights improved to 21-1 on the season and ran their perfect GLVC record to 14-0. The Miners fell to 4-17, 2-12.
Missouri S&T turned in a gutty performance and kept it close over the first 20 minutes by hitting seven of 10 3-point field goal attempts. Bellarmine countered with a strong first half performance by Luke Sprague, who had 15 points on five of six shooting in the opening period.
In the second half, the scrappy S&T team kept the game within range until Jeremy Kendle and Braydon Hobbs hit back to back treys to give the Knights an 18-point cushion with just 1:19 remaining.
Complete Recap
Missouri S&T 73
Final from Rolla, Missouri
ROLLA, Mo.--The No. 2 Bellarmine University men's basketball team fought off a challenge from Missouri S&T to record an 87-73 victory this afternoon in a Great Lakes Valley Conference contest at Billy Key Court.
The Knights improved to 21-1 on the season and ran their perfect GLVC record to 14-0. The Miners fell to 4-17, 2-12.
Missouri S&T turned in a gutty performance and kept it close over the first 20 minutes by hitting seven of 10 3-point field goal attempts. Bellarmine countered with a strong first half performance by Luke Sprague, who had 15 points on five of six shooting in the opening period.
In the second half, the scrappy S&T team kept the game within range until Jeremy Kendle and Braydon Hobbs hit back to back treys to give the Knights an 18-point cushion with just 1:19 remaining.
Complete Recap
Kentucky Drops to No. 18 in Both Major Polls
After losing back-to-back road games, the Kentucky Wildcats (16-6, 4-4 SEC) have dropped to No. 18 in both major college basketball polls this week.
The Louisville Cardinals (18-5, 7-3 Big East) are No. 16 in the AP Top 25 and No. 15 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll this week.
The Louisville Cardinals (18-5, 7-3 Big East) are No. 16 in the AP Top 25 and No. 15 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll this week.
AP Top 25
1 Ohio State (65) 24-0 1,625
2 Kansas 22-1 1,519
3 Texas 20-3 1,509
4 Pittsburgh 21-2 1,438
5 Duke 21-2 1,341
6 San Diego State 23-1 1,259
7 Brigham Young 22-2 1,212
8 Notre Dame 19-4 1,185
9 Villanova 19-4 1,047
10 Connecticut 18-4 1,040
11 Georgetown 18-5 1,009 12 Syracuse 20-4 919 13 Wisconsin 17-5 790 14 Purdue 18-5 754 15 Arizona 20-4 630 16 Louisville 18-5 604 17 Florida 18-5 534 18 Kentucky 16-6 519 19 Missouri 18-5 511 20 North Carolina 17-5 461 21 Utah State 22-2 347 22 Texas A&M 17-5 231 23 Vanderbilt 16-6 128 24 Temple 17-5 110 25 West Virginia 15-7 93
Others receiving votes: Minnesota 88, Wichita State 29, Coastal Carolina 26, Cincinnati 22, Saint Mary's 22, Alabama 21, George Mason 19, Washington 15, Marquette 12, Xavier 12, Florida State 11, Belmont 5, Illinois 5, UCLA 5, UNLV 5, Baylor 4, Colorado State 2, UTEP 2, Tennessee 2, Missouri State 1, Duquesne 1, Cleveland State 1
ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll
ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll
1 Ohio State (31) 24-0 775
2 Kansas 22-1 732
3 Texas 20-3 721
4 Pittsburgh 21-2 678
5 Duke 21-2 642
6 San Diego State 23-1 614
7 Notre Dame 19-4 575
8 Brigham Young 22-2 564
9 Connecticut 18-4 496
10 Villanova 19-4 495
11 Georgetown 18-5 447 12 Purdue 18-5 401 13 Syracuse 20-4 369 14 Wisconsin 17-5 361 15 Louisville 18-5 350 16 Arizona 20-4 273 17 Utah State 22-2 257 18 Kentucky 16-6 246 19 Florida 18-5 243 20 Missouri 18-5 234 21 North Carolina 17-5 165 22 Texas A&M 17-5 128 23 Saint Mary's 20-4 64 24 Vanderbilt 16-6 39 25 Minnesota 16-7 37
Others receiving votes: West Virginia 29, Temple 27, Washington 21, Coastal Carolina 15, George Mason 13, Xavier 13, Wichita State 12, UCLA 9, Alabama 8, Florida State 6, UTEP 4, Illinois 3, Virginia Commonwealth 3, Marquette 2, Valparaiso 2, UNLV 2
Goodman: Kentucky Has Virtually No Leadership
Jeff Goodman of FoxSports.com says Kentucky has virtually no leadership on its roster. He labels Darius Miller and DeAndre Liggins as "quiet followers" and says of Josh Harrellson "let's be honest: No one is following his lead."
Here is an excerpt:
However, Calipari has no other option. DeAndre Liggins and Darius Miller, the team’s two upperclassmen, are quiet followers. Harrellson has gotten the most out of his ability, but let’s be honest: No one is following his lead.
The Wildcats have lost two straight for the first time in the Calipari Era in Lexington — and the schedule doesn’t get much easier.
Kentucky has Tennessee at home on Tuesday in the return of Bruce Pearl, whose eight-game Southeastern Conference suspension is over, and still has a pair against Vanderbilt, a game at Tennessee and a home date against Florida. There also are home games against Mississippi State and South Carolina and a game at Arkansas in the remaining eight regular-season games.
This is a team that’s playing for a seed — and also some confidence. And right now, this young group has no one on the court to show it the way.
Here is an excerpt:
However, Calipari has no other option. DeAndre Liggins and Darius Miller, the team’s two upperclassmen, are quiet followers. Harrellson has gotten the most out of his ability, but let’s be honest: No one is following his lead.
The Wildcats have lost two straight for the first time in the Calipari Era in Lexington — and the schedule doesn’t get much easier.
Kentucky has Tennessee at home on Tuesday in the return of Bruce Pearl, whose eight-game Southeastern Conference suspension is over, and still has a pair against Vanderbilt, a game at Tennessee and a home date against Florida. There also are home games against Mississippi State and South Carolina and a game at Arkansas in the remaining eight regular-season games.
This is a team that’s playing for a seed — and also some confidence. And right now, this young group has no one on the court to show it the way.
2012 Star Alex Murphy Commits to Duke
Alex Murphy, a talented 6-8 small forward in the 2012 recruiting class, has committed to the Duke Blue Devils.
Murphy ranks No. 11 on the Rivals.com list and is the No. 2 small forward in the Scout.com rankings.
He had interest from many high-major programs, including Kentucky.
EvanDanielscout BREAKING NEWS: Top 15 2012 prospect Alex Murphy (@AlexMurphy5) picks Duke ... http://scouthoops.scout.com/2/1046033.html
Murphy ranks No. 11 on the Rivals.com list and is the No. 2 small forward in the Scout.com rankings.
He had interest from many high-major programs, including Kentucky.
EvanDanielscout BREAKING NEWS: Top 15 2012 prospect Alex Murphy (@AlexMurphy5) picks Duke ... http://scouthoops.scout.com/2/1046033.html
Brandon Knight in Top 10 for Bob Cousy Award
Kentucky's Brandon Knight has made the top 10 list for the Bob Cousy Award. The Cousy Award is given to college basketball's top point guard.
Here are the top 10:
- Norris Cole, Cleveland State
- Corey Fisher, Villanova
- Jimmer Fredette, BYU
- D.J. Gay, San Diego State
- Brandon Knight, Kentucky
- Demetri McCamey, Illinois
- Mickey McConnell, St. Mary’s
- Nolan Smith, Duke
- Isaiah Thomas, Washington
- Kemba Walker, UConn
Beginning February 8, via the Bob Cousy Award’s website – www.cousyaward.com – fans will be able to vote for the top point guard. The player that receives the most fan votes will receive one vote toward the final committee vote. Fan voting will run one month – beginning February 8 and will conclude March 8.
The current listing of ten finalists will be narrowed down to five by March 10 – and the winner will be announced at the Final Four in Houston on Monday, April 4.
Here are the top 10:
- Norris Cole, Cleveland State
- Corey Fisher, Villanova
- Jimmer Fredette, BYU
- D.J. Gay, San Diego State
- Brandon Knight, Kentucky
- Demetri McCamey, Illinois
- Mickey McConnell, St. Mary’s
- Nolan Smith, Duke
- Isaiah Thomas, Washington
- Kemba Walker, UConn
Beginning February 8, via the Bob Cousy Award’s website – www.cousyaward.com – fans will be able to vote for the top point guard. The player that receives the most fan votes will receive one vote toward the final committee vote. Fan voting will run one month – beginning February 8 and will conclude March 8.
The current listing of ten finalists will be narrowed down to five by March 10 – and the winner will be announced at the Final Four in Houston on Monday, April 4.
Time to Panic? UK has Worst SEC Record Since 1989-90
The University of Kentucky basketball team currently has its worst Southeastern Conference record since 1989-90.
In 1989-90, Rick Pitino took over a team on probation and went 14-14. The stars back then were Derrick Miller (who is now Millar), Reggie Hanson, Deron Feldhaus, John Pelphrey, Sean Woods, Jeff Brassow and Richie Farmer.
For the first time since Pitino's first season, the Wildcats hold a 4-4 record in conference play.
Is it time for Kentucky fans to panic?
I don't think so. Obviously, Big Blue Nation is becoming increasingly "anxious" with each loss, but there is still plenty of basketball to be played and growing pains can be expected with a young team.
Here are five reasons why you should stick with this team:
- Kentucky has lost three SEC games by a total of six points. They are three or four plays away from being 7-1 in the SEC.
- All four losses were on the road. It's true that good teams can win on the road, but at least the Wildcats are defending Rupp Arena.
- This team will be tried and tested when March rolls around. Sometimes adversity can be bottled and repackaged as a positive attribute. When Kentucky gets into the NCAA Tournament and find themselves in a barn-burner, they'll be battle tested and know what it takes to win that game.
- John Calipari and his staff are good coaches. Calipari is as good or better than anyone in the nation at figuring out how to mold a young team of stars into a championship-level team.
- Solid guard play can take you a long ways in March. It's also true that Kentucky lacks a star big man and depth. The good news is that the Wildcats are loaded with star guards and wings. Good teams in March are often carried by solid guard play.
Bonus reason: This team can shoot. Kentucky will never be out of a game because they have the ability to hit big shots and score points in a hurry.
The Race to March Heats Up Around the Bluegrass State
Here's a schedule for the week:
Monday
8:00 p.m. Murray State University at Eastern Illinois*
Tuesday
7:30 p.m. Kentucky State University at Lane College
8:00 p.m. Alice Lloyd College at Berea College*
8:00 p.m. Cincinnati Christian at Asbury University*
8:00 p.m. Kentucky Christian University at Ohio Christian*
9:00 p.m. Tennessee at University of Kentucky*
Wednesday
7:00 p.m. Brescia University at Indiana East*
7:00 p.m. University of Louisville at Notre Dame*
7:30 p.m. Mt. St. Joseph at Transylvania University*
7:30 p.m. Waynesburg at Thomas More College*
7:30 p.m. Montreat at Union College*
Thursday
7:30 p.m. LeMoyne-Owen College at Kentucky State University
7:30 p.m. Southeast Missouri at Eastern Kentucky University*
7:45 p.m. Kentucky Wesleyan College at Northern Kentucky University*
7:45 p.m. Eastern Illinois at Morehead State University*
8:00 p.m. Middle Tennessee at Western Kentucky University*
8:00 p.m. Lindsey Wilson College at West Virginia Tech*
8:00 p.m. Campbellsville University at Pikeville College*
8:00 p.m. St. Catharine College at Virginia Wise*
8:00 p.m. Kentucky Christian University at Cincinnati Christian
8:00 p.m. University of the Cumberlands at Rio Grande*
8:30 p.m. Tennessee Tech at Murray State University*
9:00 p.m. Martin Methodist at Mid-Continent University*
Friday
7:00 p.m. Indiana University-Southeast at Alice Lloyd College*
8:00 p.m. Sewanee at Centre College*
8:00 p.m. Spalding University at Webster*
Saturday
12:00 p.m. Syracuse at University of Louisville*
1:00 p.m. University of Kentucky at Vanderbilt*
2:00 p.m. Free Will Baptist at Kentucky Christian University
3:00 p.m. Kentucky Wesleyan College at Indianapolis*
3:00 p.m. Indiana East at Berea College*
4:00 p.m. Lindsey Wilson College at Rio Grande*
4:00 p.m. North Texas at Western Kentucky University*
4:00 p.m. Union College at Milligan*
4:00 p.m. Campbellsville University at Virginia Wise*
4:00 p.m. Shawnee State at Georgetown College*
4:00 p.m. St. Catharine College at Pikeville College*
4:00 p.m. University of the Cumberlands at West Virginia Tech*
4:00 p.m. Asbury University at Brescia University*
4:00 p.m. Thomas More College at Bethany*
4:00 p.m. Anderson at Transylvania University*
7:00 p.m. Eastern Illinois at Eastern Kentucky University*
7:45 p.m. Southeast Missouri at Morehead State University*
8:00 p.m. Bellarmine University at Northern Kentucky University*
8:00 p.m. Kentucky State University at Central State
8:00 p.m. Spalding University at Fontbonne*
8:30 p.m. Jacksonville State at Murray State University*
Sunday
3:00 p.m. Oglethorpe at Centre College*
Monday
8:00 p.m. Murray State University at Eastern Illinois*
Tuesday
7:30 p.m. Kentucky State University at Lane College
8:00 p.m. Alice Lloyd College at Berea College*
8:00 p.m. Cincinnati Christian at Asbury University*
8:00 p.m. Kentucky Christian University at Ohio Christian*
9:00 p.m. Tennessee at University of Kentucky*
Wednesday
7:00 p.m. Brescia University at Indiana East*
7:00 p.m. University of Louisville at Notre Dame*
7:30 p.m. Mt. St. Joseph at Transylvania University*
7:30 p.m. Waynesburg at Thomas More College*
7:30 p.m. Montreat at Union College*
Thursday
7:30 p.m. LeMoyne-Owen College at Kentucky State University
7:30 p.m. Southeast Missouri at Eastern Kentucky University*
7:45 p.m. Kentucky Wesleyan College at Northern Kentucky University*
7:45 p.m. Eastern Illinois at Morehead State University*
8:00 p.m. Middle Tennessee at Western Kentucky University*
8:00 p.m. Lindsey Wilson College at West Virginia Tech*
8:00 p.m. Campbellsville University at Pikeville College*
8:00 p.m. St. Catharine College at Virginia Wise*
8:00 p.m. Kentucky Christian University at Cincinnati Christian
8:00 p.m. University of the Cumberlands at Rio Grande*
8:30 p.m. Tennessee Tech at Murray State University*
9:00 p.m. Martin Methodist at Mid-Continent University*
Friday
7:00 p.m. Indiana University-Southeast at Alice Lloyd College*
8:00 p.m. Sewanee at Centre College*
8:00 p.m. Spalding University at Webster*
Saturday
12:00 p.m. Syracuse at University of Louisville*
1:00 p.m. University of Kentucky at Vanderbilt*
2:00 p.m. Free Will Baptist at Kentucky Christian University
3:00 p.m. Kentucky Wesleyan College at Indianapolis*
3:00 p.m. Indiana East at Berea College*
4:00 p.m. Lindsey Wilson College at Rio Grande*
4:00 p.m. North Texas at Western Kentucky University*
4:00 p.m. Union College at Milligan*
4:00 p.m. Campbellsville University at Virginia Wise*
4:00 p.m. Shawnee State at Georgetown College*
4:00 p.m. St. Catharine College at Pikeville College*
4:00 p.m. University of the Cumberlands at West Virginia Tech*
4:00 p.m. Asbury University at Brescia University*
4:00 p.m. Thomas More College at Bethany*
4:00 p.m. Anderson at Transylvania University*
7:00 p.m. Eastern Illinois at Eastern Kentucky University*
7:45 p.m. Southeast Missouri at Morehead State University*
8:00 p.m. Bellarmine University at Northern Kentucky University*
8:00 p.m. Kentucky State University at Central State
8:00 p.m. Spalding University at Fontbonne*
8:30 p.m. Jacksonville State at Murray State University*
Sunday
3:00 p.m. Oglethorpe at Centre College*
Bellarmine's Braydon Hobbs Honored for Academics
LOUISVILLE, Ky.--Bellarmine University's Braydon Hobbs was named to the 2010-11 Capital One Academic All-District ® Men's Basketball Team, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Hobbs, a junior guard, earned a spot on the District IV third team.
Hobbs, a criminal justice major at Bellarmine, has helped lead the Knights to a 20-1 overall record and 13-0 mark in the GLVC. He boasts a 3.47 GPA and is averaging 11.9 points, 7.0 assists and 5.1 rebounds per game this season.
The Academic All-District ® teams are divided into eight geographic districts across the United States and Canada. The University Division team includes NCAA Division I participants, while the College Division team combines NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA, Canadian and two-year schools.
* Article by Bellarmine University
Hobbs, a criminal justice major at Bellarmine, has helped lead the Knights to a 20-1 overall record and 13-0 mark in the GLVC. He boasts a 3.47 GPA and is averaging 11.9 points, 7.0 assists and 5.1 rebounds per game this season.
The Academic All-District ® teams are divided into eight geographic districts across the United States and Canada. The University Division team includes NCAA Division I participants, while the College Division team combines NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA, Canadian and two-year schools.
* Article by Bellarmine University
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Calipari on SEC Race: "Lot of games left"
John Calipari spoke to reporters after Kentucky's loss at Florida and he was noncommittal on where the Wildcats stand in the SEC race at this point.
Here is an excerpt from the Lexington Herald-Leader:
"Lot of games left," UK Coach John Calipari said after Florida's 70-68 victory.
As Calipari looked ahead, it became clear he was not necessarily declaring the Cats still in the thick of the race, either.
"Finally, we get some home games," he said before adding, "and they're tough. Every game is going to be hard for us."
The loss at Florida ended a stretch of four away games in a five-game stretch. The Cats play Tennessee in Rupp Arena on Tuesday, but the relief brought by a home game will be brief. UK plays on Saturday at Vanderbilt, which beat South Carolina last weekend to improve its home record to 12-1.
Complete Article
Here is an excerpt from the Lexington Herald-Leader:
"Lot of games left," UK Coach John Calipari said after Florida's 70-68 victory.
As Calipari looked ahead, it became clear he was not necessarily declaring the Cats still in the thick of the race, either.
"Finally, we get some home games," he said before adding, "and they're tough. Every game is going to be hard for us."
The loss at Florida ended a stretch of four away games in a five-game stretch. The Cats play Tennessee in Rupp Arena on Tuesday, but the relief brought by a home game will be brief. UK plays on Saturday at Vanderbilt, which beat South Carolina last weekend to improve its home record to 12-1.
Complete Article
Video: St. Catharine's Xavier Keeling Dunks on a Fastbreak
Here is Xavier Keeling from St. Catharine College with a fastbreak dunk in the Patriots win over Rio Grande on Saturday:
Calipari Says Delk and Turner Aren't Sharing Their Pizza
John Calipari is having a little fun with former Kentucky stars Tony Delk and Wayne Turner at his Super Bowl party tonight. He posted on Twitter:
UKCoachCalipari They both might be Kentucky Legends but they don't share. http://twitpic.com/3x9hsk
Here's the picture:
Calipari also announced a new partner for CoachCal.com:
UKCoachCalipari I'm proud to announce CoachCal.com's newest partner, Papa John's. Already on my second pizza. http://twitpic.com/3x9dvc
UKCoachCalipari They both might be Kentucky Legends but they don't share. http://twitpic.com/3x9hsk
Here's the picture:
Calipari also announced a new partner for CoachCal.com:
UKCoachCalipari I'm proud to announce CoachCal.com's newest partner, Papa John's. Already on my second pizza. http://twitpic.com/3x9dvc
Western Kentucky Runs Away from UL-Monroe
Western Kentucky 81
Louisiana Monroe 61
Final from Bowling Green, Kentucky
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Seniors Sergio Kerusch, Juan Pattillo and Steffphon Pettigrew combined for 50 points and 23 rebounds Saturday afternoon, as WKU defeated ULM, 81-61, to rebound from a loss to South Alabama the last time out. The win gets the Hilltoppers back to .500 in conference play at 5-5 and moves their overall record to 10-12 this season. ULM drops to 6-19 overall and 1-10 in Sun Belt Conference play.
Kerusch led the way with 17 points and a season-high 14 rebounds, which marks his seventh double-double in the last nine games. The reigning Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week's 14 rebounds are also the second-highest single-game rebounding total by a Hilltopper this season. Pattillo also had 17 points and was a perfect 6-for-6 from the field and grabbed six rebounds. Pettigrew contributed 16 points, and Caden Dickerson also added nine.
Guards Jamal Crook and Kahlil McDonald combined for 10 assists and just two turnovers in the game, and WKU is now 4-1 on the season when the two of them combine for at least eight assists. The Hilltoppers shot 50.9 percent from the field as a team in the game and held ULM to 43.1 percent shooting. ULM was led by Fred Brown's 16 points, due in part to four three-pointers.
Complete Recap
Louisiana Monroe 61
Final from Bowling Green, Kentucky
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Seniors Sergio Kerusch, Juan Pattillo and Steffphon Pettigrew combined for 50 points and 23 rebounds Saturday afternoon, as WKU defeated ULM, 81-61, to rebound from a loss to South Alabama the last time out. The win gets the Hilltoppers back to .500 in conference play at 5-5 and moves their overall record to 10-12 this season. ULM drops to 6-19 overall and 1-10 in Sun Belt Conference play.
Kerusch led the way with 17 points and a season-high 14 rebounds, which marks his seventh double-double in the last nine games. The reigning Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week's 14 rebounds are also the second-highest single-game rebounding total by a Hilltopper this season. Pattillo also had 17 points and was a perfect 6-for-6 from the field and grabbed six rebounds. Pettigrew contributed 16 points, and Caden Dickerson also added nine.
Guards Jamal Crook and Kahlil McDonald combined for 10 assists and just two turnovers in the game, and WKU is now 4-1 on the season when the two of them combine for at least eight assists. The Hilltoppers shot 50.9 percent from the field as a team in the game and held ULM to 43.1 percent shooting. ULM was led by Fred Brown's 16 points, due in part to four three-pointers.
Complete Recap
Super Bowl Party at Boogie's House
Former Kentucky star DeMarcus Cousins is hosting a Super Bowl party for his Sacramento Kings teammates tonight.
Here is an excerpt from the Full Court Press blog:
Cousins is eager to have his teammates over and anticipates the same outcome as Thompson and Greene.
“I’m going with the black and yellow,” said the rookie. “I’m not really a fan, but I choose the Steelers for this one. I don’t have a score, but the Steelers are definitely going to win.”
Aside from making their own predictions, the players also gave their opinions on who could make the cut as a football player.
“Jermaine Taylor is so athletic, I think he would be a good free safety,” said Jeter. “Cousins wouldn’t be a good football player. I wouldn’t go for him, unless he was a lineman – maybe he could block some field goals.”
Greene also doesn’t believe Cousins has a bright future in football.
“I think Carl would be a nice tight end, and I would be a quarterback,” said the forward. “DeMarcus wouldn’t play – he should stick to basketball.”
Complete Article
Here is an excerpt from the Full Court Press blog:
Cousins is eager to have his teammates over and anticipates the same outcome as Thompson and Greene.
“I’m going with the black and yellow,” said the rookie. “I’m not really a fan, but I choose the Steelers for this one. I don’t have a score, but the Steelers are definitely going to win.”
Aside from making their own predictions, the players also gave their opinions on who could make the cut as a football player.
“Jermaine Taylor is so athletic, I think he would be a good free safety,” said Jeter. “Cousins wouldn’t be a good football player. I wouldn’t go for him, unless he was a lineman – maybe he could block some field goals.”
Greene also doesn’t believe Cousins has a bright future in football.
“I think Carl would be a nice tight end, and I would be a quarterback,” said the forward. “DeMarcus wouldn’t play – he should stick to basketball.”
Complete Article
Matchup to Watch This Week: Pearl vs. Calipari
Mike DeCourcy of Sporting News says the matchup to watch in college basketball this week is John Calipari vs. Bruce Pearl.
Here is an excerpt:
Matchup to watch
Here is an excerpt:
Matchup to watch
Bruce Pearl, Tennessee, at John Calipari, Kentucky, Tuesday at 9 p.m., ESPN. They built their dislike for one another when Calipari was at Memphis and Pearl often tried to raid the city for players. Calipari’s move to SEC East power Kentucky didn’t figure to change that, and it hasn’t. This one has the added juice of serving as Pearl’s return from an eight-game league suspension, during which his team went 5-3. Properly motivated, Tennessee is a handful for any team in the country. Will Pearl do that for them?
Complete Article
No. 15 Louisville Barely Escapes DePaul
(15) Louisville 61
DePaul 57
Final from Louisville, Kentucky
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Kyle Kuric scored 19 points, including the game-clinching 3-pointer with just over 2 minutes remaining as No. 15 Louisville held off DePaul 61-57 on Saturday night.
Chris Smith and Terrence Jennings added 10 points each for the Cardinals (18-5, 7-3 Big East), who bounced back from a tough loss at No. 13 Georgetown on Monday despite playing without leading scorer Preston Knowles.
The senior guard watched from the bench in a sweatshirt and jeans after injuring his hamstring against the Hoyas. Kuric filled in capably, making several big shots, including a 3-pointer from the corner that put Louisville up 60-54 with 2:05 to go.
Brandon Young led the Blue Demons (6-16, 0-10) with 15 points and Cleveland Melvin added 12, but DePaul remained winless in conference play.
DePaul 57
Final from Louisville, Kentucky
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Kyle Kuric scored 19 points, including the game-clinching 3-pointer with just over 2 minutes remaining as No. 15 Louisville held off DePaul 61-57 on Saturday night.
Chris Smith and Terrence Jennings added 10 points each for the Cardinals (18-5, 7-3 Big East), who bounced back from a tough loss at No. 13 Georgetown on Monday despite playing without leading scorer Preston Knowles.
The senior guard watched from the bench in a sweatshirt and jeans after injuring his hamstring against the Hoyas. Kuric filled in capably, making several big shots, including a 3-pointer from the corner that put Louisville up 60-54 with 2:05 to go.
Brandon Young led the Blue Demons (6-16, 0-10) with 15 points and Cleveland Melvin added 12, but DePaul remained winless in conference play.
Can Eloy Vargas Build Off His Performance at Florida?
One positive side note that should be pointed out following Kentucky's 70-68 loss to Florida is the contribution of Eloy Vargas off the bench.
Vargas didn't light up the stat sheet by any means, but what he did do is give John Calipari some quality reserve minutes off the UK bench.
The junior center gave Kentucky 14 solid minutes off the bench. He did miss a couple of defensive assignments, but Vargas chipped in 2 points and 4 rebounds during critical stretches of the game.
Vargas has only played 14 minutes in one other game (LSU) since November 30.
For a Kentucky team that desperately needs something/anything off the bench, any positive production from Vargas is a good thing.
Optimistic Kentucky fans should be hopeful that Vargas, who has appeared out of sorts in most appearances this season, can build off of Saturday's minutes and continue to improve as the season approaches March.
Larry O'Bannon Released by Maccabi Haifa
Former Louisville star Larry O'Bannon has been released by Israel club Maccabi Haifa.
O'Bannon has missed the past two months while dealing with appendicitis and the team has decided it can wait no longer.
In eight games this season, O'Bannon averaged 12.1 points and 3.8 rebounds. He last played on December 21 against Ventspils.
Terrence Jones Needs to Take Over for Kentucky
Hoopsworld.com has taken a fresh look at the NBA Draft stock evaluation of Kentucky's Terrence Jones and Enes Kanter.
They feel that Jones would move in the draft's top five players if he would take over for Kentucky like he's capable of doing.
Here is an excerpt:
Terrence Jones (Kentucky) – 6'8, 244 lbs. Forward
It's been a tough last two games for Terrance Jones' Kentucky Wildcats as they have lost on the road to Ole Miss and Florida. Jones has continued to play extremely well, though, leaving no reason to move him down our board. He's a top 10 talent in terms of his potential and his production still justifies keeping him that high. There is a lot of room for Jones to grow; he's still far from peaking. In order for him to move up even higher on our board he has to start taking command late in games and make the right plays, even if it isn't necessarily taking a shot himself. Kentucky's last two losses have been by a combined four points – if Jones takes over like he's capable of late they win both and he's in the top five.
Enes Kanter (International) – 6'10, 250 lbs. Forward/Center
This is our first mock draft since the official ruling came out from the NCAA that Enes Kanter is permanently ineligible. Because of that he's no longer classified as a Kentucky Wildcat, although UK head coach John Calipari considers him a lifetime member of the family. While NBA scouts and GMs would have liked a chance to evaluate Kanter in the NCAA, they've seen him enough to know that he's ready to play at the next level. The NCAA's ruling guarantees that he'll be in the draft and that is more important to them at this point anyway.
Complete Article
They feel that Jones would move in the draft's top five players if he would take over for Kentucky like he's capable of doing.
Here is an excerpt:
Terrence Jones (Kentucky) – 6'8, 244 lbs. Forward
It's been a tough last two games for Terrance Jones' Kentucky Wildcats as they have lost on the road to Ole Miss and Florida. Jones has continued to play extremely well, though, leaving no reason to move him down our board. He's a top 10 talent in terms of his potential and his production still justifies keeping him that high. There is a lot of room for Jones to grow; he's still far from peaking. In order for him to move up even higher on our board he has to start taking command late in games and make the right plays, even if it isn't necessarily taking a shot himself. Kentucky's last two losses have been by a combined four points – if Jones takes over like he's capable of late they win both and he's in the top five.
Enes Kanter (International) – 6'10, 250 lbs. Forward/Center
This is our first mock draft since the official ruling came out from the NCAA that Enes Kanter is permanently ineligible. Because of that he's no longer classified as a Kentucky Wildcat, although UK head coach John Calipari considers him a lifetime member of the family. While NBA scouts and GMs would have liked a chance to evaluate Kanter in the NCAA, they've seen him enough to know that he's ready to play at the next level. The NCAA's ruling guarantees that he'll be in the draft and that is more important to them at this point anyway.
Complete Article
Kashiff Carr Leads St. Catharine Over Rio Grande
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St. Catharine 72
Rio Grande 67
Final from Springfield, Kentucky
St. Catharine College held on to defeat Rio Grande 72-67 Saturday in Mid-South Conference action.
The Patriots (15-6, 9-4 MSC) picked up the win despite shooting 39% from the field.
Kashiff Carr led St. Catharine with 26 points on 10-15 shooting. Brandon Johnson added 14 points and was 4-9 from long range. Xavier Keeling chipped in 10 points.
Coach J.T. Burton's club faces two crucial road games in the coming week. They play at U.Va.-Wise on Thursday and at Pikeville on Saturday.
Kashiff Carr with a nice reverse dunk:
Rio Grande 67
Final from Springfield, Kentucky
St. Catharine College held on to defeat Rio Grande 72-67 Saturday in Mid-South Conference action.
The Patriots (15-6, 9-4 MSC) picked up the win despite shooting 39% from the field.
Kashiff Carr led St. Catharine with 26 points on 10-15 shooting. Brandon Johnson added 14 points and was 4-9 from long range. Xavier Keeling chipped in 10 points.
Coach J.T. Burton's club faces two crucial road games in the coming week. They play at U.Va.-Wise on Thursday and at Pikeville on Saturday.
Kashiff Carr with a nice reverse dunk:
Kentucky's John Calipari Talks After Florida Loss
Here is Kentucky head coach John Calipari speaking with the media after last night's heartbreaking loss to the Florida Gators:
Georgetown College Holds Off U.Va.-Wise for Road Win
(6) Georgetown College 73
U.Va.-Wise 65
Final from Wise, Virginia
Georgetown College men's basketball team was looking to bounce back from only its third loss of the season. The No. 6 Tigers (22-3, 11-2 Mid-South Conference) took care of business in Wise, Va. With a 73-65 win, but it was not easy.
Foul trouble hampered Georgetown early as point guard Eddie Gray and post Maurice Pearson sat much of the first half. The Tigers had a 10-point cushion erased as the Cavs (9-13, 3-10) went into the locker room up 36-34.
GC left a lot of free points at the line in the first half, shooting 6-of-13 from the charity stripe, while UVA-Wise was 14-of-16. The second half was only slightly better from the line for the Tigers, 9-of-16, however behind Vic Moses were able to take control. The junior had 22 points and eight rebounds.
Complete Recap
U.Va.-Wise 65
Final from Wise, Virginia
Georgetown College men's basketball team was looking to bounce back from only its third loss of the season. The No. 6 Tigers (22-3, 11-2 Mid-South Conference) took care of business in Wise, Va. With a 73-65 win, but it was not easy.
Foul trouble hampered Georgetown early as point guard Eddie Gray and post Maurice Pearson sat much of the first half. The Tigers had a 10-point cushion erased as the Cavs (9-13, 3-10) went into the locker room up 36-34.
GC left a lot of free points at the line in the first half, shooting 6-of-13 from the charity stripe, while UVA-Wise was 14-of-16. The second half was only slightly better from the line for the Tigers, 9-of-16, however behind Vic Moses were able to take control. The junior had 22 points and eight rebounds.
Complete Recap
Indiana Southeast Drubs Asbury in Conference Showdown
Indiana Southeast 84
Asbury University 58
Final from New Albany, Indiana
NEW ALBANY, Ind. – Indiana Southeast scored 11 straight points after Asbury took their only lead of the game at 2-0, as IUS never looked back in a runaway 84-58 victory, snapping a seven game Eagles winning streak. The Grenadiers take over sole possession of first place at 8-1 in the KIAC, and the Eagles fall back to a tie for second with Indiana East, both at 7-2.
Jazzmarr Ferguson scored all 11 points in that opening flurry, knocking down three straight threes and a runner in the lane. Ferguson, who’s second in the KIAC and 6th nationally in scoring finished with 16 on 6-of-17 shooting, but his damage was done early.
Asbury’s (16-7, 7-2) Morrison, who ranks above Ferguson in scoring, led Asbury with 18 points. Morrison scored 10 of his points from the foul line as he struggled from the field, shooting 3-for-12 overall and 2-of-7 from long range. The Eagles shot 26% for the game and made only 4-of-23 from distance, their lowest field goal percentage of the season.
The Eagles continue to struggle to find an answer for Rick Bodiford who scored game-highs of 20 points and 11 rebounds. Bodiford did most of his damage at the foul line, hitting on 10-of-15
Complete Article
Asbury University 58
Final from New Albany, Indiana
NEW ALBANY, Ind. – Indiana Southeast scored 11 straight points after Asbury took their only lead of the game at 2-0, as IUS never looked back in a runaway 84-58 victory, snapping a seven game Eagles winning streak. The Grenadiers take over sole possession of first place at 8-1 in the KIAC, and the Eagles fall back to a tie for second with Indiana East, both at 7-2.
Jazzmarr Ferguson scored all 11 points in that opening flurry, knocking down three straight threes and a runner in the lane. Ferguson, who’s second in the KIAC and 6th nationally in scoring finished with 16 on 6-of-17 shooting, but his damage was done early.
Asbury’s (16-7, 7-2) Morrison, who ranks above Ferguson in scoring, led Asbury with 18 points. Morrison scored 10 of his points from the foul line as he struggled from the field, shooting 3-for-12 overall and 2-of-7 from long range. The Eagles shot 26% for the game and made only 4-of-23 from distance, their lowest field goal percentage of the season.
The Eagles continue to struggle to find an answer for Rick Bodiford who scored game-highs of 20 points and 11 rebounds. Bodiford did most of his damage at the foul line, hitting on 10-of-15
Complete Article
Eastern Kentucky Holds Off Jacksonville State
Eastern Kentucky 57
Jacksonville State 51
Final from Jacksonville, Alabama
JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – The Eastern Kentucky University men’s basketball team trailed by 11 at halftime, but battled back to earn a 57-51 win at Jacksonville State Saturday afternoon. With the win, head coach Jeff Neubauer tallied his 100th career victory at EKU.
Senior Spencer Perrin paced Eastern (13-11, 7-6 OVC) in scoring (19 points) and rebounds (eight). Freshman Jeff Johnson added 12 points, including two key buckets in the final 90 seconds of the contest.
Nick Murphy was the only Jacksonville State (4-20, 2-11) player to finish in double figures as the forward piled up 19 points.
The Gamecocks used an 11-0 run, where the Colonels went almost six minutes without a point, to build an early 24-13 lead. EKU went into halftime trailing, 29-18, marking the second lowest scoring half of the season for Eastern.
Complete Recap
Jacksonville State 51
Final from Jacksonville, Alabama
JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – The Eastern Kentucky University men’s basketball team trailed by 11 at halftime, but battled back to earn a 57-51 win at Jacksonville State Saturday afternoon. With the win, head coach Jeff Neubauer tallied his 100th career victory at EKU.
Senior Spencer Perrin paced Eastern (13-11, 7-6 OVC) in scoring (19 points) and rebounds (eight). Freshman Jeff Johnson added 12 points, including two key buckets in the final 90 seconds of the contest.
Nick Murphy was the only Jacksonville State (4-20, 2-11) player to finish in double figures as the forward piled up 19 points.
The Gamecocks used an 11-0 run, where the Colonels went almost six minutes without a point, to build an early 24-13 lead. EKU went into halftime trailing, 29-18, marking the second lowest scoring half of the season for Eastern.
Complete Recap
Morehead State Collects Critical Win at Tennessee Tech
Morehead State 76
Tennessee Tech 60
Final from Cookeville, Tennessee
COOKEVILLE, Tenn.—Morehead State men’s basketball turned a close game at halftime into a runaway Ohio Valley Conference victory Saturday night at Tennessee Tech. The Eagles shot 61 percent and outscored Tech by 13 in the final half to win 76-60 at Eblen Center.
The win catapulted MSU (17-8; 9-4 OVC) into a tie for second place in the OVC standings with Austin Peay, which lost to Murray State Saturday. It also marked the Eagles fifth consecutive win. Tech dipped to 12-10 and 8-5 in the league.
Redshirt freshman Drew Kelly lifted the Eagles to the win by scoring a career-high 21 points in 28 minutes on the floor. Terrance Hill chipped in with 17, while Demonte Harper had 10. Kenneth Faried scored 11 points and grabbed seven boards. Harper tied his season high with eight assists. Lamont Austin tied his career high in points, which was also established against Tech, with seven.
Tech was led by Kevin Murphy as the lone Golden Eagle in double figures with 13. No TTU player had more than six individual rebounds but as a whole, the hosts out-rebounded MSU 45-49.
The Eagles held Tech to 37 percent from the floor in the opening half, but led just 30-27. TTU out-rebounded MSU by two and turned it into an 8-1 advantage in second chance points, but the Eagles hit only 31 percent of their shots from the field.
Complete Recap
Tennessee Tech 60
Final from Cookeville, Tennessee
COOKEVILLE, Tenn.—Morehead State men’s basketball turned a close game at halftime into a runaway Ohio Valley Conference victory Saturday night at Tennessee Tech. The Eagles shot 61 percent and outscored Tech by 13 in the final half to win 76-60 at Eblen Center.
The win catapulted MSU (17-8; 9-4 OVC) into a tie for second place in the OVC standings with Austin Peay, which lost to Murray State Saturday. It also marked the Eagles fifth consecutive win. Tech dipped to 12-10 and 8-5 in the league.
Redshirt freshman Drew Kelly lifted the Eagles to the win by scoring a career-high 21 points in 28 minutes on the floor. Terrance Hill chipped in with 17, while Demonte Harper had 10. Kenneth Faried scored 11 points and grabbed seven boards. Harper tied his season high with eight assists. Lamont Austin tied his career high in points, which was also established against Tech, with seven.
Tech was led by Kevin Murphy as the lone Golden Eagle in double figures with 13. No TTU player had more than six individual rebounds but as a whole, the hosts out-rebounded MSU 45-49.
The Eagles held Tech to 37 percent from the floor in the opening half, but led just 30-27. TTU out-rebounded MSU by two and turned it into an 8-1 advantage in second chance points, but the Eagles hit only 31 percent of their shots from the field.
Complete Recap
DePauw Squeaks Out a Win Over No. 17 Centre College
DePauw 65
(17) Centre 63
Final from Danville, Kentucky
The #17 Centre men's basketball team hosted conference opponent DePauw University on Saturday, February 5 in Danville, Ky. and the Colonels were unable to come away with a win in the close battle, as they fell 65-63. Centre dropped to 15-4 on the season and to 10-2 in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference with the loss.
Centre opened the game winning the tip-off, but they were unable to score on their first shot opportunity. Centre then forced a turnover on DePauw's opening possession and junior Greg Ross (Cincinnati, Ohio) knocked down a jumper to put the score at 2-0 with 18:51 on the clock.
DePauw then went on a four point run, but the Colonels were able to tie the game at 4-4 following a made layup by senior Alex Lloyd (Versailles, Ky.) on an assist from freshman Donovan Whiteside (Knoxville, Tenn.).
Centre took an 8-4 lead after Lloyd and Whiteside each converted on a layup.
Complete Recap
(17) Centre 63
Final from Danville, Kentucky
The #17 Centre men's basketball team hosted conference opponent DePauw University on Saturday, February 5 in Danville, Ky. and the Colonels were unable to come away with a win in the close battle, as they fell 65-63. Centre dropped to 15-4 on the season and to 10-2 in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference with the loss.
Centre opened the game winning the tip-off, but they were unable to score on their first shot opportunity. Centre then forced a turnover on DePauw's opening possession and junior Greg Ross (Cincinnati, Ohio) knocked down a jumper to put the score at 2-0 with 18:51 on the clock.
DePauw then went on a four point run, but the Colonels were able to tie the game at 4-4 following a made layup by senior Alex Lloyd (Versailles, Ky.) on an assist from freshman Donovan Whiteside (Knoxville, Tenn.).
Centre took an 8-4 lead after Lloyd and Whiteside each converted on a layup.
Complete Recap
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Gators Chomp Kentucky in Heartbreaking Loss
(23) Florida 70
(11) Kentucky 68
Final from Gainesville, Florida
For the second time this week, the No. 11 Kentucky Wildcats suffered a heartbreaking Southeastern Conference loss on the road.
On the heels of a gut-wrenching 71-69 loss at Ole Miss on Tuesday night, the Cats fell two points short at Florida.
A Brandon Knight three-pointer as time expired rimmed out and the No. 23 Gators defeated the Wildcats 70-68.
Kentucky (16-6, 4-4 SEC) only trailed Florida 34-32 at the half but allowed Billy Donovan's club to get the lead as high as 13 points early in the second half.
As Kentucky fans have witnessed several times this season, the Wildcats made a dazzling comeback but fell just short as the final horn sounded.
Florida (18-5, 7-2) picked up 17 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists from Chandler Parsons. Erving Walker added 12 points and Vernon Macklin chipped in 11.
Brandon Knight led the Wildcats with 24 points on 7-14 shooting. Knight was 4-5 from long range and added 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Terrence Jones gave the Wildcats 18 points, but the freshman big man was only 7-18 from the field.
The loss marks the fourth time this season that Kentucky has lost by only two points.
Kentucky will now try to figure out how to regroup and turn perhaps the low point of the season around. The Wildcats host Tennessee at 9:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday.
(11) Kentucky 68
Final from Gainesville, Florida
For the second time this week, the No. 11 Kentucky Wildcats suffered a heartbreaking Southeastern Conference loss on the road.
On the heels of a gut-wrenching 71-69 loss at Ole Miss on Tuesday night, the Cats fell two points short at Florida.
A Brandon Knight three-pointer as time expired rimmed out and the No. 23 Gators defeated the Wildcats 70-68.
Kentucky (16-6, 4-4 SEC) only trailed Florida 34-32 at the half but allowed Billy Donovan's club to get the lead as high as 13 points early in the second half.
As Kentucky fans have witnessed several times this season, the Wildcats made a dazzling comeback but fell just short as the final horn sounded.
Florida (18-5, 7-2) picked up 17 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists from Chandler Parsons. Erving Walker added 12 points and Vernon Macklin chipped in 11.
Brandon Knight led the Wildcats with 24 points on 7-14 shooting. Knight was 4-5 from long range and added 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Terrence Jones gave the Wildcats 18 points, but the freshman big man was only 7-18 from the field.
The loss marks the fourth time this season that Kentucky has lost by only two points.
Kentucky will now try to figure out how to regroup and turn perhaps the low point of the season around. The Wildcats host Tennessee at 9:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday.
Pikeville College Simply Destroys Shawnee State
Pikeville College 109
Shawnee State 55
Final from Pikeville, Kentucky
PIKEVILLE, Ky. – Four players reached double figures on a day they hit 57.6 percent from the floor as Pikeville College knocked off Shawnee State University 109-55 on Saturday afternoon at the East Kentucky Expo Center.
Pikeville had nearly everything going its way en route to its 20th win on the season compared to five losses. The Bears, who have now had four straight 20-win seasons, improved to 9-4 in Mid-South Conference play with their third straight win, all against league competition.
Shawnee State fell to 8-16 overall, 3-10 in the conference.
Pikeville dominated the glass, outrebounding Shawnee State 50-34. The Bears hit 18 three-point shots on the day, handed out 21 assists and had 14 steals on 23 SSU turnovers.
Shawnee State hit only 25.9 percent overall and was 1-of-10 from the arc.
Junior Chris Puckett hit 4-of-5 from the arc to finish with a game-high 16 points in only 14 minutes of playing time. Senior Justin Hicks, who became the 12th player in the history of Pikeville College basketball to reach 1,400 points, had 15 to go with three steals.
Senior Quincy Hankins-Cole and sophomore Trevor Setty followed with 13 each. Setty had nine rebounds and Hankins-Cole six. Junior Cordero Ellis led the rebounders with 11 in 16 minutes of action.
Complete Recap
Shawnee State 55
Final from Pikeville, Kentucky
PIKEVILLE, Ky. – Four players reached double figures on a day they hit 57.6 percent from the floor as Pikeville College knocked off Shawnee State University 109-55 on Saturday afternoon at the East Kentucky Expo Center.
Pikeville had nearly everything going its way en route to its 20th win on the season compared to five losses. The Bears, who have now had four straight 20-win seasons, improved to 9-4 in Mid-South Conference play with their third straight win, all against league competition.
Shawnee State fell to 8-16 overall, 3-10 in the conference.
Pikeville dominated the glass, outrebounding Shawnee State 50-34. The Bears hit 18 three-point shots on the day, handed out 21 assists and had 14 steals on 23 SSU turnovers.
Shawnee State hit only 25.9 percent overall and was 1-of-10 from the arc.
Junior Chris Puckett hit 4-of-5 from the arc to finish with a game-high 16 points in only 14 minutes of playing time. Senior Justin Hicks, who became the 12th player in the history of Pikeville College basketball to reach 1,400 points, had 15 to go with three steals.
Senior Quincy Hankins-Cole and sophomore Trevor Setty followed with 13 each. Setty had nine rebounds and Hankins-Cole six. Junior Cordero Ellis led the rebounders with 11 in 16 minutes of action.
Complete Recap
Hankins-Cole slams it home in Thursday's win over Georgetown:
John Calipari Discusses Game at Florida
Here are Kentucky head coach John Calipari's pregame comments as he prepares Big Blue Nation for tonight's important game at Florida (via UKAthletics.com):
On if anything stood out to him after watching tape from the loss at Ole Miss …
“Couple guys didn’t play very well. Like, really, I was stunned. What I’ve said to those players, it’s hard for me to watch individual performances when I’m watching a game. I’m trying to see the flow of the game; I’m trying to think ahead, I’m trying to see where I think this is going, what we need to do. It’s hard for me to zero in on one guy. When you do that on the tape you have the chance to rewind it, rewind it, rewind it, you’re like, ‘Uh-oh.’ We don’t have enough room for error, if two guys really play poorly, like, really play bad, we’re trying to play with 3.5 guys. So, guys have a responsibility to each other. We didn’t talk, we didn’t defend. We had a couple guys not defend at all; it was straight line drive, straight line drive to the basket. But Mississippi came out and they were the aggressor and that’s what happens.”
On if their defense against Ole Miss is why he’s emphasizing taking charges …
“No, just one guy. Not on his man, but away from the ball, Josh (Harrellson) needs to put his body out there. He’s not taken one charge all year. He now has a goal that he has to reach or he runs. He’ll be flopping all over that court. And you know what? It’s not his fault; I accepted that for 20 games. Now I’m not accepting it, it’ll change. What it always comes back to is, me. What I accept is what I’ll get. If you demand a lot you’ll get a lot, if you accept mediocrity you’ll get it every single time. We have some guys that I’ve accepted what they want to give and that’s why I’m saying there’s stuff we’re trying to do to cure some of that. We need to get some free baskets; we don’t get enough offensive rebounds. Why? Well, guys aren’t going to the glass. Well, that must be acceptable. We’ve got a lot of stuff that we’ve got to tie together.”
On Florida and how they match up against them …
“Hard game. They’re playing well, they play well at home. Their two-guard will control the tempo of the game, their big kids are good, they run a lot of pick and rolls and do a lot of good stuff. Billy’s (Donovan) done a great job.”
On if he hasn’t been tough enough on his team …
“No, I’ve been hard on them, believe me. But, there are things that they’re not doing that we must have let go because that’s where they are. So, it always comes back to me. Like I said, we’ve accepted certain things and for us to move forward, like I said, we can’t accept those things. Those are so important, that’s one or two possessions in a couple-bucket game. And for us, every game we’re going to play is going to be a couple buckets. Those are two-possession games. Everybody wanted to look at the last shot. ‘Why didn’t he shoot it, what was the…’ Well, there were about four or five plays before that, that that wouldn’t have been a factor if we had blocked on a weak side drive, guy shoots a six-foot run, a 5-9 guy, shoots a reverse layup and our guy is standing right there and doesn’t block it. I mean, just stood there and watched it. We had a bunch of plays like that, straight line drive off our guard. ‘I score so I’m going to go down here now and not going to get in a stance and he’s going to drive and score.’ We had a bunch of those. I score; I’m good now, and then they score quick because the guy’s not ready to play. But again, that’s the inexperience. That’s something that we’re just trying to work our way through, playing every possession, it’s what young guys and inexperienced guys do not do. They don’t understand every possession is important, every possession.”
On if he believes freshman guard Brandon Knight when he says that playing against Florida, a school that recruited him, and Kenny Boynton is just another game …
“We’ll see, we will see. I hope he’s accurate with that statement because I think what they’ll try to do is press him a little bit, get up in him and do some stuff. He needs to have poise down there because the place will go nuts. It’ll be interesting. It’s a good game for us to play right now – great game.”
Why?
“Because it’s a bounce back game and you better bounce back, and you’re going to do it against another team and they’re not going to go away. So, you’re going to have to play the entire 40 minutes and we have to find out at some point this year when will we do it because we haven’t done it yet. We’ve played for 30 minutes and 32 minutes, we’ve not been close to a 40-minute game. So, this one, you better challenge yourself. You make a basket, you better not go back and say now I’m good and they score quickly. If you do that you have no chance of winning the game.”
On if anything stood out to him after watching tape from the loss at Ole Miss …
“Couple guys didn’t play very well. Like, really, I was stunned. What I’ve said to those players, it’s hard for me to watch individual performances when I’m watching a game. I’m trying to see the flow of the game; I’m trying to think ahead, I’m trying to see where I think this is going, what we need to do. It’s hard for me to zero in on one guy. When you do that on the tape you have the chance to rewind it, rewind it, rewind it, you’re like, ‘Uh-oh.’ We don’t have enough room for error, if two guys really play poorly, like, really play bad, we’re trying to play with 3.5 guys. So, guys have a responsibility to each other. We didn’t talk, we didn’t defend. We had a couple guys not defend at all; it was straight line drive, straight line drive to the basket. But Mississippi came out and they were the aggressor and that’s what happens.”
On if their defense against Ole Miss is why he’s emphasizing taking charges …
“No, just one guy. Not on his man, but away from the ball, Josh (Harrellson) needs to put his body out there. He’s not taken one charge all year. He now has a goal that he has to reach or he runs. He’ll be flopping all over that court. And you know what? It’s not his fault; I accepted that for 20 games. Now I’m not accepting it, it’ll change. What it always comes back to is, me. What I accept is what I’ll get. If you demand a lot you’ll get a lot, if you accept mediocrity you’ll get it every single time. We have some guys that I’ve accepted what they want to give and that’s why I’m saying there’s stuff we’re trying to do to cure some of that. We need to get some free baskets; we don’t get enough offensive rebounds. Why? Well, guys aren’t going to the glass. Well, that must be acceptable. We’ve got a lot of stuff that we’ve got to tie together.”
On Florida and how they match up against them …
“Hard game. They’re playing well, they play well at home. Their two-guard will control the tempo of the game, their big kids are good, they run a lot of pick and rolls and do a lot of good stuff. Billy’s (Donovan) done a great job.”
On if he hasn’t been tough enough on his team …
“No, I’ve been hard on them, believe me. But, there are things that they’re not doing that we must have let go because that’s where they are. So, it always comes back to me. Like I said, we’ve accepted certain things and for us to move forward, like I said, we can’t accept those things. Those are so important, that’s one or two possessions in a couple-bucket game. And for us, every game we’re going to play is going to be a couple buckets. Those are two-possession games. Everybody wanted to look at the last shot. ‘Why didn’t he shoot it, what was the…’ Well, there were about four or five plays before that, that that wouldn’t have been a factor if we had blocked on a weak side drive, guy shoots a six-foot run, a 5-9 guy, shoots a reverse layup and our guy is standing right there and doesn’t block it. I mean, just stood there and watched it. We had a bunch of plays like that, straight line drive off our guard. ‘I score so I’m going to go down here now and not going to get in a stance and he’s going to drive and score.’ We had a bunch of those. I score; I’m good now, and then they score quick because the guy’s not ready to play. But again, that’s the inexperience. That’s something that we’re just trying to work our way through, playing every possession, it’s what young guys and inexperienced guys do not do. They don’t understand every possession is important, every possession.”
On if he believes freshman guard Brandon Knight when he says that playing against Florida, a school that recruited him, and Kenny Boynton is just another game …
“We’ll see, we will see. I hope he’s accurate with that statement because I think what they’ll try to do is press him a little bit, get up in him and do some stuff. He needs to have poise down there because the place will go nuts. It’ll be interesting. It’s a good game for us to play right now – great game.”
Why?
“Because it’s a bounce back game and you better bounce back, and you’re going to do it against another team and they’re not going to go away. So, you’re going to have to play the entire 40 minutes and we have to find out at some point this year when will we do it because we haven’t done it yet. We’ve played for 30 minutes and 32 minutes, we’ve not been close to a 40-minute game. So, this one, you better challenge yourself. You make a basket, you better not go back and say now I’m good and they score quickly. If you do that you have no chance of winning the game.”
Transylvania Holds Off Defiance in HCAC Action
Transylvania 72
Defiance 67
Final from Lexington, Kentucky
LEXINGTON, Ky. - Junior Ethan Spurlin scored 14 of his 20 points in the second half Saturday, lifting Transylvania to a hard-fought 72-67 win over Defiance in men's Heartland Conference basketball action at the Beck Center.
The win improved Transy to 15-6 overall, 9-5 HCAC, while the Yellow Jackets are 10-11, 5-9 in the conference.
Spurlin was seven of 12 from the field and six of seven from the free throw line. He also had four rebounds. Ashley Hatfield backed him with 14 points, all in the first half, and Barrett Meyer had 10 points and five assists.
Complete Article
Defiance 67
Final from Lexington, Kentucky
LEXINGTON, Ky. - Junior Ethan Spurlin scored 14 of his 20 points in the second half Saturday, lifting Transylvania to a hard-fought 72-67 win over Defiance in men's Heartland Conference basketball action at the Beck Center.
The win improved Transy to 15-6 overall, 9-5 HCAC, while the Yellow Jackets are 10-11, 5-9 in the conference.
Spurlin was seven of 12 from the field and six of seven from the free throw line. He also had four rebounds. Ashley Hatfield backed him with 14 points, all in the first half, and Barrett Meyer had 10 points and five assists.
Complete Article
Thomas More Falls Short at Washington & Jefferson
Washington & Jefferson 68
Thomas More College 64
Final from Washington, Pennsylvania
(WASHINGTON, Pa.) - The Thomas More College men's basketball team had two players reach double-figure scoring, but it wasn't enough as the Saints fell, 68-64, to Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) rival Washington & Jefferson College today (Saturday, February 5, 2011) at the Henry Memorial Center.
With the loss, the Saints fall to 11-10 overall and 7-3 in the PAC. With the win, the Presidents improve to 8-14 overall and 5-6 in the PAC.
W&J jumped out to a 23-10 lead with 10:35 to play in the first half when Paul Matthews made a three-pointer. The Saints answered with a 17-9 run capped by a jumper by senior shooting guard Aaron Miller (Lexington,Ky./Henry Clay) to cut the lead to 32-27 with 4:34 to play in the opening half. The Presidents closed out the half on a 9-6 run to increase the lead to 41-33 at halftime when R.J. Pilato made a lay-up with 1:41 to play in the half.
Complete Article
Thomas More College 64
Final from Washington, Pennsylvania
(WASHINGTON, Pa.) - The Thomas More College men's basketball team had two players reach double-figure scoring, but it wasn't enough as the Saints fell, 68-64, to Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) rival Washington & Jefferson College today (Saturday, February 5, 2011) at the Henry Memorial Center.
With the loss, the Saints fall to 11-10 overall and 7-3 in the PAC. With the win, the Presidents improve to 8-14 overall and 5-6 in the PAC.
W&J jumped out to a 23-10 lead with 10:35 to play in the first half when Paul Matthews made a three-pointer. The Saints answered with a 17-9 run capped by a jumper by senior shooting guard Aaron Miller (Lexington,Ky./Henry Clay) to cut the lead to 32-27 with 4:34 to play in the opening half. The Presidents closed out the half on a 9-6 run to increase the lead to 41-33 at halftime when R.J. Pilato made a lay-up with 1:41 to play in the half.
Complete Article
Morehead State Ready for Important OVC Test Tonight
COOKEVILLE, Tenn.--Morehead State men’s basketball survived a late barrage of 3-pointers at Jacksonville State Thursday, only to find a hungry Tennessee Tech team waiting for the Eagles Saturday. MSU and TTU, tied for third in the OVC at 8-4, square off at the Eblen Center at 8:30 p.m. Eastern.
The Eagles got 25 points from Demonte Harper, who shot 9-of-15 from the field, and 21 points and 20 rebounds by Kenneth Faried to hold on after a couple of furious rallies by the Gamecocks. The same kind of effort will be needed Saturday against a Tech team that beat Eastern Kentucky Thursday to maintain the two-way tie for third place.
Faried and Harper still lead the Eagles, averaging a combined 33.3 points per game.
MSU won the first meeting with Tech this season, 76-64 in Morehead. Morehead State also leads its long-time OVC rival Golden Eagles 72-61. MSU is 16-8 overall and is 12-9 overall and along with Tech is half a game behind Murray State and one game behind Austin Peay. With Murray and Peay also squaring off Saturday, the TTU-MSU game will have second place on the line with five games to go.
Tennessee Tech has four players that average in double figures, led by Kevin Murphy’s 15.6 points per game. Zach Bailey tallies 10.7 points per game and Jud Dillard and Zac Swansey each average 10 points.Terrell Barnes leads the Golden Eagles on the glass with 6.0 boards per game.
TTU has won three straight and four of the last five, losing at Tennessee State, but earning victories over Eastern Illinois, SEMO Eastern Kentucky and Austin Peay.
After Saturday, Morehead State will close out the 2010-11 home season with a pair of OVC games against Eastern Illinois (Thursday) and Southeast Missouri (Saturday). The SEMO game will mark senior night and the final home appearance by Sam Goodman, Harper and Faried.
* Article by Morehead State University
The Eagles got 25 points from Demonte Harper, who shot 9-of-15 from the field, and 21 points and 20 rebounds by Kenneth Faried to hold on after a couple of furious rallies by the Gamecocks. The same kind of effort will be needed Saturday against a Tech team that beat Eastern Kentucky Thursday to maintain the two-way tie for third place.
Faried and Harper still lead the Eagles, averaging a combined 33.3 points per game.
MSU won the first meeting with Tech this season, 76-64 in Morehead. Morehead State also leads its long-time OVC rival Golden Eagles 72-61. MSU is 16-8 overall and is 12-9 overall and along with Tech is half a game behind Murray State and one game behind Austin Peay. With Murray and Peay also squaring off Saturday, the TTU-MSU game will have second place on the line with five games to go.
Tennessee Tech has four players that average in double figures, led by Kevin Murphy’s 15.6 points per game. Zach Bailey tallies 10.7 points per game and Jud Dillard and Zac Swansey each average 10 points.Terrell Barnes leads the Golden Eagles on the glass with 6.0 boards per game.
TTU has won three straight and four of the last five, losing at Tennessee State, but earning victories over Eastern Illinois, SEMO Eastern Kentucky and Austin Peay.
After Saturday, Morehead State will close out the 2010-11 home season with a pair of OVC games against Eastern Illinois (Thursday) and Southeast Missouri (Saturday). The SEMO game will mark senior night and the final home appearance by Sam Goodman, Harper and Faried.
* Article by Morehead State University
Northern Kentucky Uses Depth to Defeat Missouri S&T
(24) Northern Kentucky 71
Missouri S&T 60
Final from Rolla, Missouri
ROLLA, Mo. – Northern Kentucky University’s deep bench helped the Norse avoid an upset at Missouri S&T on Friday night.
NKU reserves Ethan Faulkner, Jon Van Hoose and Chris Knight all scored in double figures as No. 24 NKU rallied in the second half for a 71-60 victory over Missouri S&T at Billy Key Court. Faulkner and Van Hoose both finished with 12 points for NKU, which has won nine of its past 10 games and is 17-4 overall.
Knight added 10 points off the bench as the Norse improved to 10-3 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference and remained unbeaten (7-0) all-time against Missouri S&T. NKU used a game-ending 16-5 run during the final six minutes to break away from a 55-all tie and defeat the Miners.
Knight started the run by making one of two free throws, and Faulkner followed with a basket to give NKU a 58-55 advantage. Van Hoose then keyed the spurt by draining a pair of 3-pointers. His trey with 5:01 remaining extended NKU’s lead to 61-55, and he later buried another 3-pointer to give the Norse a 64-58 advantage.
Van Hoose made four 3-pointers for his 12 points. The Norse, who trailed by a 37-34 score at halftime, were 10-for-23 from 3-point range.
Complete Recap
Missouri S&T 60
Final from Rolla, Missouri
ROLLA, Mo. – Northern Kentucky University’s deep bench helped the Norse avoid an upset at Missouri S&T on Friday night.
NKU reserves Ethan Faulkner, Jon Van Hoose and Chris Knight all scored in double figures as No. 24 NKU rallied in the second half for a 71-60 victory over Missouri S&T at Billy Key Court. Faulkner and Van Hoose both finished with 12 points for NKU, which has won nine of its past 10 games and is 17-4 overall.
Knight added 10 points off the bench as the Norse improved to 10-3 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference and remained unbeaten (7-0) all-time against Missouri S&T. NKU used a game-ending 16-5 run during the final six minutes to break away from a 55-all tie and defeat the Miners.
Knight started the run by making one of two free throws, and Faulkner followed with a basket to give NKU a 58-55 advantage. Van Hoose then keyed the spurt by draining a pair of 3-pointers. His trey with 5:01 remaining extended NKU’s lead to 61-55, and he later buried another 3-pointer to give the Norse a 64-58 advantage.
Van Hoose made four 3-pointers for his 12 points. The Norse, who trailed by a 37-34 score at halftime, were 10-for-23 from 3-point range.
Complete Recap
Kentucky Wesleyan Gets Back on Winning Track
Kentucky Wesleyan 76
Missouri-St. Louis 61
Final from St. Louis, Missouri
The Kentucky Wesleyan College men's basketball team got its toughest stretch of the season off to a solid start Friday night.
The Panthers were led by 19 points from Cardell McFarland and by a defense that held Missouri-St. Louis, and guard Gerald Fulton, in check in a 76-61 Great Lakes Valley Conference victory in St. Louis.
It was the second straight win for KWC (15-5, 7-5 GLVC), which had split its last six games. It also guaranteed the Panthers a berth in the GLVC Tournament.
The win gives the Panthers a momentum boost on the start of a four-game conference road swing that also includes stops at Maryville on Sunday and Northern Kentucky and Indianapolis before returning home Feb. 14 to face Southern Indiana.
"It's always big to win that first game on the road," KWC coach Todd Lee said. "Momentum. Now, you can focus on Maryville and the guys have got some confidence. That first game on the road is really big."
Wesleyan handed the Tritons (14-7, 8-5) their first loss on their home floor this season.
Complete Recap
Missouri-St. Louis 61
Final from St. Louis, Missouri
The Kentucky Wesleyan College men's basketball team got its toughest stretch of the season off to a solid start Friday night.
The Panthers were led by 19 points from Cardell McFarland and by a defense that held Missouri-St. Louis, and guard Gerald Fulton, in check in a 76-61 Great Lakes Valley Conference victory in St. Louis.
It was the second straight win for KWC (15-5, 7-5 GLVC), which had split its last six games. It also guaranteed the Panthers a berth in the GLVC Tournament.
The win gives the Panthers a momentum boost on the start of a four-game conference road swing that also includes stops at Maryville on Sunday and Northern Kentucky and Indianapolis before returning home Feb. 14 to face Southern Indiana.
"It's always big to win that first game on the road," KWC coach Todd Lee said. "Momentum. Now, you can focus on Maryville and the guys have got some confidence. That first game on the road is really big."
Wesleyan handed the Tritons (14-7, 8-5) their first loss on their home floor this season.
Complete Recap
Video: Jodie Meeks Converts in Transition
Former Kentucky star Jodie Meeks scored 14 points in last night's 100-98 win over the New York Knicks. He was 5-8 from the field and 4-7 from long range.
Here is his one field goal from inside the arc:
Here is his one field goal from inside the arc:
Jay Bilas Breaks Down UK vs. Florida; Picks Gators
ESPN basketball analyst Jay Bilas, who is generally one of the best at actual basketball analysis, breaks down No. 11 Kentucky at No. 23 Florida today.
Bilas makes some good points and then delivers a pick that Kentucky fans don't want to hear.
Here is an excerpt:
Kentucky's X factor: Doron Lamb. This kid can really shoot it. Whether it is from range or off the bounce and inside the line, Lamb does a really nice job of working for the ball. He can catch-and-shoot, pull up, and when he gets his feet set, he drills it. Lamb averages 14 points per game, has hit 42 3s and shoots 51 percent from the floor and 48 percent from 3-point range.
Florida's X factor: Vernon Macklin. The senior averages 11.1 points and 6.3 rebounds and is a workhorse inside and on the glass. But Macklin does not shoot free throws well, hitting only 39 percent from the line.
Key stat: Turnovers and offensive rebounds. Florida needs to get out in transition and needs to get Kentucky playing at different speeds. If Florida can turn the Cats over, provide different looks, and play ahead of the defense, the Gators can win at home. Florida is not a great shooting team, so getting easy baskets in transition and getting offensive rebounds for easier second-chance opportunities will be critical. Kentucky has done a good job limiting turnovers and needs to attack the pressure to score and must be strong with the ball. Knight and Lamb should get opportunities from 3-point territory against the Gator press and as Kentucky passes ahead, skips it and drives it.
Who wins: Kentucky has more pure talent, but has not played its best on the road. I think that Florida's pressure, the crowd, and the ballscreen action the Gators run will win out in Gainesville, but barely.
Complete Article
Bilas makes some good points and then delivers a pick that Kentucky fans don't want to hear.
Here is an excerpt:
Kentucky's X factor: Doron Lamb. This kid can really shoot it. Whether it is from range or off the bounce and inside the line, Lamb does a really nice job of working for the ball. He can catch-and-shoot, pull up, and when he gets his feet set, he drills it. Lamb averages 14 points per game, has hit 42 3s and shoots 51 percent from the floor and 48 percent from 3-point range.
Florida's X factor: Vernon Macklin. The senior averages 11.1 points and 6.3 rebounds and is a workhorse inside and on the glass. But Macklin does not shoot free throws well, hitting only 39 percent from the line.
Key stat: Turnovers and offensive rebounds. Florida needs to get out in transition and needs to get Kentucky playing at different speeds. If Florida can turn the Cats over, provide different looks, and play ahead of the defense, the Gators can win at home. Florida is not a great shooting team, so getting easy baskets in transition and getting offensive rebounds for easier second-chance opportunities will be critical. Kentucky has done a good job limiting turnovers and needs to attack the pressure to score and must be strong with the ball. Knight and Lamb should get opportunities from 3-point territory against the Gator press and as Kentucky passes ahead, skips it and drives it.
Who wins: Kentucky has more pure talent, but has not played its best on the road. I think that Florida's pressure, the crowd, and the ballscreen action the Gators run will win out in Gainesville, but barely.
Complete Article
John Calipari and Billy Donovan on ESPN College GameDay
Here is Kentucky head coach John Calipari and Florida head coach Billy Donovan on ESPN College GameDay this morning:
* Video from TheMichael2703 on YouTube
* Video from TheMichael2703 on YouTube
Daniel Orton's Off to a Difficult Start in the NBA
Hoopsworld.com spoke to former Kentucky big man Daniel Orton recently and Orton admitted that he's going through a difficult time early in his NBA career.
Orton had to have his knee surgically repaired and is likely to miss the entire NBA season.
Here is an excerpt:
It's really hard," Orton told HOOPSWORLD. "Of course you want to play and you come in having to learn a lot. Not being able to get in there and play is really tough. I'm not able to go in and learn from my mistakes and experiences or anything like that. It's tough just having to watch."
View Alex Kennedy Archive While he has tried to learn from his spot behind Orlando's bench, he has realized throughout this process that there is only so much a player can gain from watching others play the game.
"You learn from sitting on the bench, but there's more ways than just visual learning. I don't get to experience all of those other ways of learning. I just want to play. More than anything, I just want to play. It's really tough not being able to contribute," Orton said.
Complete Article
Orton had to have his knee surgically repaired and is likely to miss the entire NBA season.
Here is an excerpt:
It's really hard," Orton told HOOPSWORLD. "Of course you want to play and you come in having to learn a lot. Not being able to get in there and play is really tough. I'm not able to go in and learn from my mistakes and experiences or anything like that. It's tough just having to watch."
View Alex Kennedy Archive While he has tried to learn from his spot behind Orlando's bench, he has realized throughout this process that there is only so much a player can gain from watching others play the game.
"You learn from sitting on the bench, but there's more ways than just visual learning. I don't get to experience all of those other ways of learning. I just want to play. More than anything, I just want to play. It's really tough not being able to contribute," Orton said.
Complete Article
No. 2 Bellarmine University Overwhelms Maryville
(2) Bellarmine 76
Maryville 56
Final from St. Louis, Missouri
Maryville 56
Final from St. Louis, Missouri
ST. LOUIS--The No. 2 Bellarmine University Knights used a 14-0 run to close the first half and cruised to a 76-56 victory over the Maryville University Saints tonight in a Great Lakes Valley Conference game at Moloney Arena.
The host Saints opened up a quick 9-4 lead to start the game, but Bellarmine quickly made up the five point spread and tied it at 9-9 with 15:30 remaining in the opening period.
Geral Shaw nailed a triple at the 7:35 mark of the first half to give the Saints a 22-21 lead, but that would the final points of the opening stanza for Maryville as Bellarmine held the hosts scoreless while reeling off 14 to take a 35-22 lead into intermission.
Bellarmine extended the lead to 25 points at the 11:02 mark and coasted to the 76-56 victory.
Jeremy Kendle led four Bellarmine double-figure scorers with 18, and Braydon Hobbs--who chipped in 10 points--led the Knights with eight rebounds and five assists.
Maryville's Asa Toney led all scorers with 22 points on 8-14 shooting including 6-11 from long range.
Complete Recap
The host Saints opened up a quick 9-4 lead to start the game, but Bellarmine quickly made up the five point spread and tied it at 9-9 with 15:30 remaining in the opening period.
Geral Shaw nailed a triple at the 7:35 mark of the first half to give the Saints a 22-21 lead, but that would the final points of the opening stanza for Maryville as Bellarmine held the hosts scoreless while reeling off 14 to take a 35-22 lead into intermission.
Bellarmine extended the lead to 25 points at the 11:02 mark and coasted to the 76-56 victory.
Jeremy Kendle led four Bellarmine double-figure scorers with 18, and Braydon Hobbs--who chipped in 10 points--led the Knights with eight rebounds and five assists.
Maryville's Asa Toney led all scorers with 22 points on 8-14 shooting including 6-11 from long range.
Complete Recap
Friday, February 4, 2011
John Wall Ejected for Arguing with Officials
Former Kentucky star John Wall was ejected in tonight's 110-92 loss to the Orlando Magic.
The Washington rookie was tossed late in the fourth quarter after receiving his second technical foul for arguing with referees.
As Wall headed to toward the locker room, he stripped off his jersey and tossed it into the crowd.
Kanter's Family is Exploring Potential Legal Action Against the NCAA
A lawyer representing Enes Kanter and his family has confirmed to ChicagoLawyerMagazine.com that his firm is "currently exploring legal action against the NCAA."
Timothy Epstein, a partner at SmithAmundsen law firm, is well-known for his representation in cases involving sports law.
Epstein serves as chairman of his firm's sports law practice group and represents clients in recreational, amateur and professional sports. He works on other distinct areas within sports law, including NCAA eligibility issues.
Here is an excerpt:
In one of his NCAA eligibility cases, he represents Enes Kanter, a freshman basketball player at the University of Kentucky who was ruled ineligible to play for the school in December. According to allegations, Kanter received more money than permitted by the NCAA when he played three seasons for a professional team in Turkey, his native country.
"He played basketball in Turkey as a high school kid and his father received actual and necessary expense money so that he could participate in a European basketball club similar to our AAU system in the U.S.," Epstein said. "In this case, you have a father trying to do the right thing to preserve his son's amateur status, so that he can play in the NCAA, but the NCAA staff considers the amount of expense money received to be a technical violation of NCAA rules."
In early January, a student-athlete reinstatement committee affirmed the NCAA staff's determination that Kanter is permanently ineligible, Epstein said.
"This is certainly difficult to swallow in light of the many NCAA athletes permitted to play despite willful violations by the athlete's representatives or the athletes themselves, including Cam Newton at Auburn and Terrelle Pryor at Ohio State," he said. "We are currently exploring potential legal action against the NCAA due in part to this disparate treatment."
Complete Article
Patrick Patterson Questionable for Saturday with Eye Injury
Former Kentucky big man Patrick Patterson suffered a scratched eye today and is questionable for Houston's game on Saturday.
Here is a report from Jonathan Feigen on Twitter:
Jonathan_Feigen Rockets collection of big men shrinks again? Patrick Patterson scratches an eye. Questionable for tomorrow. Miller, Hill out. #hounews
Asbury University Earns Crucial KIAC Win at IU East
Asbury 92
IU-East 90
Final from Richmonda, Indiana
RICHMOND, Ind. – What looked to be a replay of another Indiana-East blowout victory quickly turned into a thriller as Phillip Morrison knocked down the game winner with five seconds remaining to give the Eagles a 92-90 victory, their seventh straight since a loss to IUE in January.
Morrison converted an old fashioned three-point play after a David Sanders missed jumper with the Red Wolves up by one. Morrison bounced back with 34 points after scoring only nine in the Eagles’ last game; it was only the second time this year he didn’t reach double-figures.
IUE (17-8, 7-2 KIAC) looked to be on their way to another rout of Asbury (16-6, 7-1 KIAC) after a quick 17-7 start. The Red Wolves beat the Eagles 107-83 back on January 11th in the Luce Center. Asbury’s slow start caused head coach Will Shouse to call two quick timeouts. After that the Eagles fought back and didn’t let the game get out of hand.
The Eagles pulled to within one at halftime at 46-45. Flip Crawford led the Eagles with 13 of his 19 points in the first half and was perfect from the foul line at 7-for-7. He finished the game 7-of-8 from the charity stripe. He also grabbed 11 rebounds, his ninth double-double of the season and second straight.
Complete Recap
IU-East 90
Final from Richmonda, Indiana
RICHMOND, Ind. – What looked to be a replay of another Indiana-East blowout victory quickly turned into a thriller as Phillip Morrison knocked down the game winner with five seconds remaining to give the Eagles a 92-90 victory, their seventh straight since a loss to IUE in January.
Morrison converted an old fashioned three-point play after a David Sanders missed jumper with the Red Wolves up by one. Morrison bounced back with 34 points after scoring only nine in the Eagles’ last game; it was only the second time this year he didn’t reach double-figures.
IUE (17-8, 7-2 KIAC) looked to be on their way to another rout of Asbury (16-6, 7-1 KIAC) after a quick 17-7 start. The Red Wolves beat the Eagles 107-83 back on January 11th in the Luce Center. Asbury’s slow start caused head coach Will Shouse to call two quick timeouts. After that the Eagles fought back and didn’t let the game get out of hand.
The Eagles pulled to within one at halftime at 46-45. Flip Crawford led the Eagles with 13 of his 19 points in the first half and was perfect from the foul line at 7-for-7. He finished the game 7-of-8 from the charity stripe. He also grabbed 11 rebounds, his ninth double-double of the season and second straight.
Complete Recap
Donovan, Calipari to Appear Together on College GameDay
Kentucky head coach John Calipari and Florida counterpart Billy Donovan will appear together on ESPN's College GameDay Saturday morning.
The morning edition of GameDay will be televised at 10:00 a.m. on ESPNU and continues on ESPN at 11:00 a.m.
The one-hour evening edition will be televised at 8:00 p.m. on ESPN. The show is hosted by Rece Davis and includes analysts Jay Bilas, Hubert Davis and Digger Phelps.
Here is an excerpt about the coaches appearing together from TampaBay.com:
Florida coach Billy Donovan and Kentucky coach John Calipari will make an appearance together during the first hour of the show on ESPN.
Donovan, who is in his 15th season at Florida, said he can remember when it was tough to get his team on television, so he welcomes the national exposure College GameDay brings.
"I do think that environment where ESPN is selecting a game they want to highlight for the weekend is a good thing,'' Donovan said.
The morning edition of GameDay will be televised at 10:00 a.m. on ESPNU and continues on ESPN at 11:00 a.m.
The one-hour evening edition will be televised at 8:00 p.m. on ESPN. The show is hosted by Rece Davis and includes analysts Jay Bilas, Hubert Davis and Digger Phelps.
Here is an excerpt about the coaches appearing together from TampaBay.com:
Florida coach Billy Donovan and Kentucky coach John Calipari will make an appearance together during the first hour of the show on ESPN.
Donovan, who is in his 15th season at Florida, said he can remember when it was tough to get his team on television, so he welcomes the national exposure College GameDay brings.
"I do think that environment where ESPN is selecting a game they want to highlight for the weekend is a good thing,'' Donovan said.
Seth Davis Picks Gators to Defeat Kentucky
Seth Davis picks Florida to defeat Kentucky in tomorrow's Southeastern Conference battle in Gainesville.
Here is an excerpt about the game from SI.com:
No. 10 Kentucky (16-5, 4-3) at Florida (17-5, 6-2) I've been pretty bullish on Kentucky for most of the season, mostly because I'm waiting for this young team to grow up. The irony is, it's not the Wildcats' freshmen who are letting them down -- it's the upperclassmen. When 6-10 senior center Josh Harrelson went for 23 points and 14 rebounds in the win at Louisville, it looked like the start of something really good. It turned out to be the end, as Jorts hasn't broken double-digit scoring in a month. While freshmen Brandon Knight, Terrence Jones and Doron Lamb were combining for 57 points at Ole Miss Tuesday night, DeAndre Liggins and Darius Miller were combining for eight. I might give the 'Cats an edge in this one if the game were at Rupp, but they are going up against an older Florida team that is brimming with confidence, having won four of its last five (including Tuesday's escape at home over Vanderbilt in overtime). Chandler Parsons had 18 points and 11 rebounds in the win. The Gators are at their best when they play through him.
Complete Article
Davis' Pick: Florida 77 Kentucky 73
I can understand Seth's pick, but I feel a little differently. I think Kentucky will rally after a disappointing loss to Ole Miss and look like a different team at Florida.
My Pick: Kentucky 75 Florida 69
Here is an excerpt about the game from SI.com:
No. 10 Kentucky (16-5, 4-3) at Florida (17-5, 6-2) I've been pretty bullish on Kentucky for most of the season, mostly because I'm waiting for this young team to grow up. The irony is, it's not the Wildcats' freshmen who are letting them down -- it's the upperclassmen. When 6-10 senior center Josh Harrelson went for 23 points and 14 rebounds in the win at Louisville, it looked like the start of something really good. It turned out to be the end, as Jorts hasn't broken double-digit scoring in a month. While freshmen Brandon Knight, Terrence Jones and Doron Lamb were combining for 57 points at Ole Miss Tuesday night, DeAndre Liggins and Darius Miller were combining for eight. I might give the 'Cats an edge in this one if the game were at Rupp, but they are going up against an older Florida team that is brimming with confidence, having won four of its last five (including Tuesday's escape at home over Vanderbilt in overtime). Chandler Parsons had 18 points and 11 rebounds in the win. The Gators are at their best when they play through him.
Complete Article
Davis' Pick: Florida 77 Kentucky 73
I can understand Seth's pick, but I feel a little differently. I think Kentucky will rally after a disappointing loss to Ole Miss and look like a different team at Florida.
My Pick: Kentucky 75 Florida 69
Campbellsville Defeats Rio Grande in Mid-South Action
Campbellsville 74
Rio Grande 62
Final from Campbellsville, Kentucky
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. -- Campbellsville University men's basketball moved into control of its own fate in the MSC standings Thursday, as the Tigers' 74-62 win over the University of Rio Grande was accompanied by a few upsets in the Mid-South Conference. But before the Tigers could gain any ground, they had to first avoid becoming a milestone in Rio Grande history as the program's first MSC win.
The Tigers saw a nine-point lead slip away late in the first half, as the RedStorm went on a 17-6 run to take a 34-32 lead with two minutes left until halftime. Looking as if the game would enter halftime tied, 36-36, Adrian Whelan gave the Tigers a one-point halftime lead after being fouled at the buzzer while shooting a 3.
Rio remained close for the first eight minutes of the second half, and leading by as many as three, 47-44, before the Tigers went on a run.
Complete Recap
Rio Grande 62
Final from Campbellsville, Kentucky
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. -- Campbellsville University men's basketball moved into control of its own fate in the MSC standings Thursday, as the Tigers' 74-62 win over the University of Rio Grande was accompanied by a few upsets in the Mid-South Conference. But before the Tigers could gain any ground, they had to first avoid becoming a milestone in Rio Grande history as the program's first MSC win.
The Tigers saw a nine-point lead slip away late in the first half, as the RedStorm went on a 17-6 run to take a 34-32 lead with two minutes left until halftime. Looking as if the game would enter halftime tied, 36-36, Adrian Whelan gave the Tigers a one-point halftime lead after being fouled at the buzzer while shooting a 3.
Rio remained close for the first eight minutes of the second half, and leading by as many as three, 47-44, before the Tigers went on a run.
Complete Recap
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