Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
As I was looking through the list of historical birthdays for tonight’s post, a lot of names jumped out. I could have focused on an author named Mischner, an actress named Fairchild or a Senator named Clay….but then I would have had to leave out a former Rocker named Janetty. I have had a rebirth of 1980s and 90s wrestling in my mind in recent weeks, thanks to the movie “The Wrestler” and memories from my childhood have overflowed. Whether it is Snuka coming off the cage, Virgil kicking the Million Dollar Man or Papa Shango making the Ultimate Warrior puke, all of the things that made wrestling great are returning and calming me, like a midnight reading of “Goodnight Moon.” Along those lines, seeing that Marty Janetty turns 49 today was somehow comforting. You may remember Janetty as the “Cooper Manning” of the Rockers, destined to be overshadowed by his more interesting, handsome and successful tag team partner. Janetty’s fate was sealed that summer day when the WWF creative team came to him with the idea of a breakup between the two partners that “surely will launch the career of both of you to the top.” Next thing you know, Michaels is the Heartbreak Kid, headed for a Hall of Fame career, and Janetty is thrown through a window, headed to a local Dennys. Marty joins the likes of the rest of the Police, N Sync and the Davidson basketball team as the partners left behind. He may have nothing else, but today he has our birthday wishes.
To the news Jeeves….
(1) Slowly, like a Ventrell Jenkins fumble return, the 2009 Kentucky football recruiting class is rumbling towards the homestretch. And one of the best kept secrets of this year is that it could very well be Kentucky’s best class ever. Folks need to be excited about the ramifications as with a couple of late commitments, Kentucky could get a Top 25 class for potentially the first time in this program’s history. When you consider that the vast majority of those commitments are from out of state kids who the Cats got after top schools had recruited them as well, then the enormity of what will happen on Wednesday finally takes shape. Folks this is a TOP notch job by the UK recruiters and it deserves to be celebrated. Not one, but TWO top notch QBs coming in, a host of RBs that fill big voids, a great athlete at TE, a celebrated center wanted by every school in America….and that is just what we know now. Wednesday will be a great day for the UK football program….so even if you dont follow FB recruiting, take a minute to keep up with the happenings….who knows when we will see this kind of class again.
(2) And even though the group already assembled is impressive, there could be more to come. I continue to hear that there is another commitment held by the FB staff that hasnt yet been made public, and I am not the only such source on the subject. Rob Gidel (whose source is different than mine) is hearing the same thing and thus speculation races as to who it could be. The two most interesting possibilities are 5 star safety Darren Myles out of Georgia (whose teammate may have committed earlier) and in state stud Justin Green, who as of now, has a verbal to Ohio State. IF the Cats can pull EITHER one of these players, they all of a sudden rise a few more spots in the rankings and knock on the door for a class that gets national notice. Both kids have been considered a long shot….but you just never know and if you sense the good feeling coming from the football complex in Lexington, you start to wonder if they have some big news that they cant wait to share. We shall see.
(3) On the basketball front, Billy Gillispie had a press conference tonight at Sal’s. I was unable to attend due to a prior press conference commitment for Bruce Pearl at Hooters, but it looks as if we missed little in the way of news. Gillispie still believes that the Cats arent “taking it personal” when they are beaten on defense, but it is still unclear what exactly he means or how it is different than the ubiquitous comments about “being tough.” Gillispie did hear some criticism on his call-in show tonight from a fan, who let him have it a bit. To Gillispie’s credit however, he treated the man with respect (more than was given him by the caller) and handled the instance well, remarking again about Kentucky fans’ passion. Mississippi State comes to town tomorrow night in a (yes we will say it again) BIG game. Last year Jarvis Varnardo dominated this game and controlling that matchup (whether it be by Patterson or Stevenson) could be the key to the game.
(4) Finally, some sad news tonight. It has been learned that Hal Mumme has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and will be receiving treatments in Lexington, Kentucky over the next couple of months. Mumme made the decision to make the announcement public today and will have a press conference tomorrow on the subject. We wish Hal nothing but the best and pray for his recovery.
It is a big day today on the site….we will release the Kentucky Sports Radio podcast at 11 am, Bobby Perry brings a post this afternoon, we begin the Haters Ball bracket and we get you ready for Mississippi State…..all the while giving you any info on Signing Day that may break. You cant get better than that, even if you pay. So stay tuned…………
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February 2nd, 2009 at 11:22 pm
Sucks for Hal…hate to hear that. Cancer is horrible.
February 2nd, 2009 at 11:30 pm
I hope Mumme is okay.
February 2nd, 2009 at 11:35 pm
How did we get Rich Brooks anyway? Cheers for Mitch.
I think our basketball team has the players. In both of the last 2 games they just need a little more coaching. Go watch the tapes coach and I’m sure you’ll do better next time..
Just…DONT PLAY MIND GAMES WITH ME.
February 2nd, 2009 at 11:40 pm
Well I wonder how much treatment you get for a Million dollars.
I heard the ambulance played the air raid siren on the way to the hospital.
February 2nd, 2009 at 11:41 pm
Wow. How did I let Marty Janetty’s birthday get by me? I’m slipping. And I call myself a Rockers fan. Thanks for the head’s up, Matt.
February 2nd, 2009 at 11:46 pm
I am excited about this years incoming class. It would be sweet to get Green or Myles with the class already coming in. UK football is looking great.
February 3rd, 2009 at 12:12 am
Dominique D-Ferg Ferguson is just got home frm the UL vs UConn game…..UL fans are sore losers haha. 4 minutes ago
Gotta love our future stud already hating “da Ville”
February 3rd, 2009 at 12:26 am
My thoughts and prayers to the Mumme family.
February 3rd, 2009 at 12:49 am
#7God i hope he wasn’t at the south carolina game if he doesn’t like sore losers..
February 3rd, 2009 at 12:54 am
For all of you people out there who are constantly making fun of Coach G about his comments on his teams “toughness” or lack of and wonder what the in the world he is talking about, Jay Bilas may have the answers you seek. If you think all this talk of “toughness” is crazy or makes since this is a great read.
http://insider.espn.go.com/ncb/insider/columns/story?columnist=bilas_j ay&id=3868904&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.co m%2fncb%2finsider%2fcolumns%2fstory%3fcolumnist%3dbilas_jay%26id%3d386 8904
February 3rd, 2009 at 1:41 am
10. That is a great article. The toughness of which Bilas writes is slowly but surely on the return under Billy Clyde. For some reason a recurring theme on Matt’s posts has been poking fun at coach for mentioning “being tough”, or “playing with toughness”, and the like. Don’t be confused - coach has always meant being mentally tough which results in good team defense, boxing out and getting to the glass, and the other means of playing winning basketball.
February 3rd, 2009 at 4:50 am
hhhmmm so basically everything in college basketball comes down to toughness i get it now.In order to cut down on our turnovers we need to be tougher if we want to start shooting the three better we need to get tougher smart basketball players are the tough ones and that’s the reason we lose every game that we lose The other team was just tougher. Im so glad bilas confirmed this now lets just hope gillispie gives this team some spinach cuz im ready to start winning!!!!
February 3rd, 2009 at 7:22 am
Matt, can you summarize what the fan exactly criticized BCG for on his call in show?
February 3rd, 2009 at 7:59 am
[...] Matt Jones, as only he can, gives news and views at Kentucky Sports Radio. [...]
February 3rd, 2009 at 8:03 am
Matt, I don’t know what its gonna take to pound the hell out of what “Toughness” means. Look up the definition and try and use the word basketball in the same sentence. We’re tired of explaining to you.
February 3rd, 2009 at 8:09 am
They’re no Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson, AKA, the Rock N Roll Express.
February 3rd, 2009 at 8:10 am
Excellent read, #10. Every HS and college baller should be give a copy.
February 3rd, 2009 at 8:25 am
***** Newsflash *****
Bobby Knight was seen looking at houses in Andover yesterday… Could this be the “right” job ?
February 3rd, 2009 at 8:53 am
I wonder why Alabama hasn’t been brought up for Knight…
February 3rd, 2009 at 9:05 am
We know that BG is going to continue preaching toughness to the media and fans. He isn’t going to go into great detail about what all he wants to improve upon. I’m sure he does just that in practice. Our guards have to stop dribble penetration, and have to recover well to get hands up on shooters. Forwards have to hedge well on ball screens, stay home on D and quit trying to block every single shot, and box out like their playing time depends on it.
Besides that, I think too many have short memories. Have you forgotten what it was like to watch uninspired, soft, lazy basketball. It happened way too often before BG. Many of us said we could excuse poor shooting and decisions if our guys just went all out. Well, we are seeing that now. These kids work their tails off non-stop. It is time for them to put it all together and make this a special team. But even if that doesn’t happen, haven’t we all seen the improvement?
February 3rd, 2009 at 9:06 am
I also heard on Rivals Radio this morning that Green choosing UK over OSU could be “one of the big surprises of the day.”
February 3rd, 2009 at 9:20 am
I didn’t know that Marty Janetty was also Uncle Jessie and Uncle Joey!!! Wow!
February 3rd, 2009 at 9:24 am
18) You actually made that up…Bob Knight was in Oklahoma broadcasting a game vs. Pat Summit’s Tenn Vols. Is that sorta like Billy Donovan “just bought a horse Ranch right outside of Lexington” talk then decided he wasn’t even gonna listen to what UK had to say or offer. I hope Donovan didn’t gain any equity in that darn Horse ranch in the 3 days that he owned it! Lol. These rumor people and there…….um………..rumors.
February 3rd, 2009 at 9:25 am
Imagine this “dream team” coaching staff:
Head coach: Rick Brooks
Offensive coordinator: Hal Mumme
QB coach: Chris Hatcher
Receivers coach / recruiting coordinator: Joker Phillips
RB coach: Randy Sanders
Offensive line coach: Guy Morris (Hey, he took an assistant’s position at Kentucky State!)
Current defensive coaching staff
(Mike Major and Mike Archer not allowed anywhere near the practice field)
February 3rd, 2009 at 9:26 am
#23, I think most of us understood #18’s post to be humor.
February 3rd, 2009 at 9:28 am
24 Mike Archer has been at NC State for 2 seasons now
February 3rd, 2009 at 9:28 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9ZmZ0ZVq48
February 3rd, 2009 at 9:29 am
Toughness = An intangible quality you reference when you don’t know of anything specific to blame a loss upon other than your coaching/gameplan.
February 3rd, 2009 at 9:35 am
25) Read the last sentence of my #23 post..I was being sarcastic as well.
February 3rd, 2009 at 9:37 am
toughness = getting offensive rebounds, taking care of the ball under pressure, making sound decisions under pressure, taking charges, playing physical defense, making layups in traffic, making layups when getting fouled, hitting free throws in the clutch, diving after loose balls, keeping confidence when the other team is making a run, and playing like a beast when you’re tired at the end of the game. THAT IS TOUGHNESS IN BASKETBALL.
February 3rd, 2009 at 9:41 am
LHL: just reported J. Clay will challenge Billy Clyde arm wrestling after questioning the team’s toughness
February 3rd, 2009 at 9:46 am
Wonder if PaPaw and Joker are holding the news on a new recruit until we lose another basketball game…..
February 3rd, 2009 at 9:49 am
Anyone who does not understand what BCG means when he says the team is not ‘tough enough’ is missing the point.
I assume most posters here have played BB. That being the case I will present an example. You ever play with the guy who would always try to back tip for a steal? Invariably he would get beat on D exposing the rest of the team to have to cover for him. Of course the guy going for the steal always thinks he is playing good D whereas the fact of the matter is that he is taking the lazy way out.
On the other hand take a tough defender who does keeps his feet in front of his man and looks to help and hedge rather than just go for the steal.
Position defense versus lazy attempt for steal. That is an example of toughness that I think BCG is looking for. Don’t settle.
February 3rd, 2009 at 10:14 am
You’ve already seen the definition of tough!
Signed,
John Pelphrey, Deron Feldhaus, Sean Woods, Richie Farmer