Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
What a day! Actually forget about a day….what a week! Remember where we were just five days ago? We had just gotten rid of a controversial coach in a bizarre scene that left no one with a smile on their face and questions as to who could be the coach for a program that looked to be in turmoil. Now five days letter, and as Gregg Doyel suggests in this article, the Kentucky basketball juggernaut is back! Since the first inkling that I received on Saturday afternoon that this could happen occurred, I have been afraid to get too excited. There simply cant be a better marriage than Kentucky basketball and John Calipari. A charismatic winner who is dying to take a place among college basketball’s all-time elites joins a program that needs reassurance it is the best in the land. A perfect marriage and one that is exhilirating for the Big Blue Nation.
There will be plenty of time over the next couple of days to dissect how we got here and what the future holds, but lets start with this. TEN THINGS THAT CHANGE TODAY in KENTUCKY BASKETBALL:
(1) The Fanbase is Unified:
I have been running this blog for almost four years and without a doubt, the most frustrating part of it has been a continous divide amongst the UK fans. First it was pro-Tubby vs anti-Tubby, then it was pro-Clyde vs anti-Clyde…..both splits causing one set of fans to disagree with, and at times dislike, the other half. No more. The fanbase is as unified as one could ever imagine at this moment. There is not a person I have spoken with who thinks this is a bad move. Some have concerns about this or that but all agree that UK basketball is back as the Big Blue Nation’s emotion is palpable. Its One fanbase going forward….how long we have waited for that.
(2) Kentucky is a Final Four contender….NEXT YEAR
We all imagined there would be rebuilding time to get adjusted to the new coach. Some thought a couple of years, some were more dire but all agreed it would take some time. Not now….if Calipari brings a couple of recruits, this team can be very good immediately! Give me a core group of Patterson, Meeks, Miller, Harris, Stevenson, Galloway, Orton and Hood….throw in John Wall and Demarcus Cousins and then see what happens with Matt Pilgrim and DeAndre Liggins…..folks that is a group that can beat anyone….NOW. This team is immediately preseason top 10 and has as much upside potential as anyone. Watch out folks…
(3) The School Down the Road is on Notice
My what a difference 72 hours make. On Saturday night, UL fans were literally dancing in the streets, talking about their future Final Four and UK’s coaching disaster. Three days later, they were embarassed by Tom Izzo, their coach is rumored for other jobs and the Cats just became explosive again. The UK-UL rivalry just got heated again as two men whose career paths have intersected (as this article showcases are now in the same state. Think that UK-UL game is all of a sudden a little crazier? I wouldnt be surprised to hear Calipari say tomorrow that he is going to own the state….in fact I hope he does. This rivalry should be right up there with Duke-UNC….now I think it might be.
(4) The SEC Got Its Bad Guy Back:
I have been very impressed with the hires in the SEC recently…Trent Johnson, Anthony Grant, etc have added to a conference that already had talent with Billy Donovan, Bruce Pearl, Rick Stansbury and others. But we all know that the SEC is not the SEC unless UK is great….now they are. Sellouts when the Cats come to town will be prevalent and the new ESPN contract will have its marquee team for its big affairs. Its time to dominate the conference again and make the one school where basketball is the biggest deal, the dominant group yet again.
(5) Mitch Barnhart and Lee Todd Deserve Praise:
Just last Friday, message boards and call-in shows were filled with ill-timed demands for a change in leadership at UK. At the press conference announcing Gillispie’s departure, Lee Todd said unequivocally that Mitch was his man. Now we see again why. Barnhart is the best at finding a Coach and making a deal get done. Yes he messed up with Gillispie…..but we all make the occasional hiccup. This my friends is a homerun. All those who called for the departure of two individuals who have been great for their University, step back. They showed what they are made of again.
(6) The Former Players Are Back in the Fold
Over the last two seasons, former UK players have found themselves shut out of the UK program. After Gillispie got rid of the longtime secretary for UK basketball, older players found themselves either ignored, or in some cases actually pushed away. I have had conversations with over ten former players from all generations who said that while during the Rick and Tubby years they felt a part of a program’s history, in the last two they had no connection. Former players who would traditionally come on campus and play pickup games with the current players were told not to show up and the traditional games (which includes NBA players like Bogans, Hayes, Magloire, etc and other non-NBA guys) were actually played at Georgetown College. Older players said they never even met the Coach, even when it was requested. That changes now. I spoke with a former player today who knows Calipari and who told me, “he has already said to me that he wants to meet EVERY Kentucky player to ever wear the uniform.” That is all I need to hear.
(7) Kentucky Now Has its Pick of the Nation’s Top Players
For those of us that take some interest in recruiting, it has been clear that for the last few years, only North Carolina and Duke could basically pick whoever they wanted. It is not that other schools couldnt get great classes, but those two schools basically had their selection of the elite of the litter. Now add Kentucky to that list as well. With Calipari, Kentucky will compete with UNC for the best of the best and will be spending their time deciding who they want instead of who wants them. Following recruiting will not be about which player is “leaning” UK but who UK wants. What an interesting and refreshing change…..oh yeah and no more eighth graders.
(8) The National Media Will Remember What Kentucky Means
UK still sells and has since the dawn of college basketball. But with Calipari, they join the Duke-UNC duo as THE Story in college basketball. In the middle of Final Four week, the Kentucky coaching search was the only topic on ESPN and national talk radio. Get used to it….everything Kentucky does will become a national story and as with Duke and UNC, their players will be national celebrities. Get ready to love and hate national reporters more….because they will be talking about Kentucky a lot.
(9) Kentucky will be the “Cool” Program Once Again
Combine John Calipari, the most popular coach on the AAU circuit, with all of his recruiting connections (including “World Wide Wes”) and all of a sudden people with no connection to the Wildcats will once again be cheering on UK. You can see it in articles like this one referencing Dirk Nowitski saying “We are Back” in reference to UK (and notice as well a shout out to our own KSR writer Tomlin’s little brother). The Cats will become a top seller of merchandise to those with no fan affiliations, thus helping recruiting and selling the program. Just wait, it will be big….
(10) It Will Finally be FUN AGAIN
Finally, and most importantly, how good will it be to have fun with college basketball again. For the past two years, we have spent most of our time debating losses, off the court incidents and bizarre decisions. We have had to defend actiosn that we didnt really like and debate things we werent really comfortable with. But actually ENJOYING watching a game? It didnt happen much. Thats about to change. You remember how giddy you were when Jodie went for 54? Were you like me, standing in your living room and jumping up and down with each three? That is what it is supposed to be like…..pure UNADULTERATED FUN. Thats back starting tomorrow. Kentucky basketball will not just be your passion, it will be your joy….and we have all missed that.
As you can tell, I cant wait. I am getting up at 6:30 am to get there early and get ready. I hate mornings but I am not going to hate tomorrow morning. UK basketball as I know it is back….and I could not be happier. Dont believe me? Then read what Calipari said to the AD at Memphis when he asked how much money Calipari needed:
“You don’t have to give me anymore. It’s Kentucky.”
Once again, it certainly is…..
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March 31st, 2009 at 11:55 pm
Heck yeah!!!!!!!
King Cal
March 31st, 2009 at 11:55 pm
EPIC WIN!!
March 31st, 2009 at 11:56 pm
amen
March 31st, 2009 at 11:57 pm
I was watching Notre Dame and Penn State tonight in the NIT and couldn’t help but think how happy I was that UK lost to Notre Dame. I know that sounds awful to say because I love UK so much but if we hadn’t of lost to Notre Dame then King Cal might not be our coach right now. I’m glad it worked out the way it did. And I still can’t get over the fact that King Cal hasn’t lost a single game in Conference USA in the past 3 years and has only lost 14 games overall in the last 4 years!!!
PS: We gotta give props to our boy Jon Hood for calling John Wall and trying to lure him to UK.
April 1st, 2009 at 12:02 am
I think Barnhart and President Todd deserves alot of credit for this, they were being highly questioned as of late, but this solidifies them both in UK history.
April 1st, 2009 at 12:04 am
http://grfx.cstv.com/schools/kty/graphics/2009/mbb09_calipari_splash.j pg
pic from ukathletics splash page. GO BIG BLUE!!!
April 1st, 2009 at 12:07 am
9. No offense at all but who’s BCG???? LMAO!!!!!
April 1st, 2009 at 12:08 am
9. After a couple seconds of reading other people’s screen names, I guess I need to change mine now. But I’ve enjoyed being a beer can during this week long soap opera.
April 1st, 2009 at 12:08 am
I would not be making any final 4 reservations quite yet!
PP & Meeks may both go to the NBA.
We may not get Walls.
Orton might want out.
Liggins & Pilgrim may both not be here because of grades.
Lots of unknows about next season.
But, the future looks bright, Calipari is the perfect fit, it will be fun, but lets just be rational.
April 1st, 2009 at 12:09 am
wow, happy days are here again!
2010 NCAA Champions, baby!
April 1st, 2009 at 12:09 am
Well written Matt. I feel like a kid on christmas morning. Especially, since my christmas has been in Louisville for the last 5 years. I can finally walk around with some excitement. I can’t wait for tomorrow. I’m curious if there will be any questions about the player’s situations? Do you think any of those questions will be answered?
April 1st, 2009 at 12:11 am
http://www.ukteamshop.com/ukcart/customer/product.php?productid=17836& cat=0&page=
Go buy your new shirt!
April 1st, 2009 at 12:12 am
Calipari: “I was just kidding about the Kentucky job.”
MARCH 31, 2009 - 09:00 PM
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John Calipari, in Kentucky colors.
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Memphis Coach John Calipari told the Flyer today that he planned to remain the coach of the Memphis Tigers for “the rest of my life.” He said the recent stories about his departure from the Bluff City to take the University of Kentucky coaching job were all part of an elaborate practical joke.
“Everyone was in on it,” said Calipari, “the players, the assistant coaches, the recruits, everyone. I just got tired of all the silly speculation and decided to have a little fun with the media. Besides, do you really think I’d want to move to a rathole like Lexington, Kentucky? I mean, most of the fans there don’t even have teeth. My wife would kill me.”
“John is a guy who likes to have a good laugh,” said Memphis AD R.C. Johnson. “So when he came up with this idea, I thought, Why not? The publicity will be great for the university.”
As the news of Cal’s practical joke spread around the city, Memphians were seen high-fiving on the street and honking their car horns. “That Cal,” said Tiger fan I. B. Lyon, “he’s always one step ahead. I never believed he’d leave, really. It had to be a joke. I mean, c’mon, Kentucky???”
Calipari also announced today that top recruit John Wall would make a commitment to the U of M as soon as this afternoon.
In other April 1st news: Rush Limbaugh said he now hopes President Obama “succeeds,” and the Chrysler Corporation has announced a 68 percent increase in first-quarter profits.
April 1st, 2009 at 12:14 am
Missouri also deserves thanks for beating Memphis. Therefore avoiding a sagging productivity until Memphis lost. The market jumps 50 points at the open tomorrow morning. The economy recovers worldwide….GREAT HIRE!
April 1st, 2009 at 12:16 am
Nice post Matt and I agree completely. Mike Anderson is not coaching in the SEC however. LOL
April 1st, 2009 at 12:16 am
14: Good point, I am just glad it all worked out the way it did. I agree with Matt, I think the entire BBN is finally on the same page again and it’s a great time to be a KENTUCKY fan.
April 1st, 2009 at 12:17 am
Excellent post! I have chills!
April 1st, 2009 at 12:17 am
^ Ahh I see you’ve already changed it from Anderson to Grant. Anderson would have been a great get for UGa.
April 1st, 2009 at 12:18 am
Does anyone know if there will be a Pep Rally?? If so, when and where??
April 1st, 2009 at 12:20 am
I am a student at the University of South Carolina (only for the sole purpose of a degree that Kentucky did not offer) and I must say that tomorrow I can’t wait to walk around decked out in BLUE! The people HATE me out here!! I’m gonna make sure they ALL know Kentucky Basketball is back, and for the long haul! LETS GO CATS!!
April 1st, 2009 at 12:20 am
What did everyone think about the articles I posted above.
April 1st, 2009 at 12:21 am
This is the second best day of my life, the first is when my son was born, now John C taking the UK Job. Welcome aboard.
April 1st, 2009 at 12:21 am
I just scrolled through the “previous entries” on Matt’s page and those headlines bring back bad memories. LOL. These past few days have been the longest days of my life and my son is on spring break and I haven’t even been able to enjoy it for worrying about whether or not King Cal’s coming or not. I’m so relieved that the wait is finally over. I guess now I can start worrying about John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins and company:)
GO CATS
April 1st, 2009 at 12:22 am
19) Per Calipari, no pep rally. Not sure why though.
April 1st, 2009 at 12:23 am
I’m incredibly excited. Matt, I’ve been meaning to ask you this for a while. Could you put a poll on KSR to see how many of the fans/readers are from or live in the state of Kentucky, and how many are from outside the state? I am from Virginia, and I wanted to see how many other out-of-state fans Kentucky has reading this blog. Thanks!
April 1st, 2009 at 12:23 am
Big bro is back. Anyone who blindly and ignorantly defended bcg will be offerred undeserved amnesty for the next couple of days….get on board bluenecks….its gonaa be fun.
April 1st, 2009 at 12:23 am
For those of you who haven’t seen Cousins and Henry play, tune in to the McDonald’s All-American game tomorrow night. I haven’t seen Henry in action but I’ve seen Cousins on TV and that kid is a monster and is as good as Patterson was at that age.
April 1st, 2009 at 12:24 am
24: Thanks, I guess we’ll just have to wait until Midnight Madness. That does suck though because I wanted to go this time. Where did you get your info from?
April 1st, 2009 at 12:27 am
24)Hopefully he will be on his way to the McDonalds all-star game to make an appearence.
April 1st, 2009 at 12:27 am
28) Matt Jones posted it on the live blog earlier. I’m hoping he changes his mind, but doubt it. At least ESPN is covering the 9:30 am presser…live!
April 1st, 2009 at 12:28 am
I was definitely calling out Barnhart and co. last week, but they deserve alot of credit. Congratulations Mitch Barnhart on a job well done.
April 1st, 2009 at 12:29 am
30: Thanks again and I guess ESPN will just have to suffice:)
But then again, we could all still go and hang out in the parking lot and show our support.
April 1st, 2009 at 12:33 am
Hooray Mitch B! Boo douchebag, redneck tools who gave him a hard time for getting rid of bcg. I just hope that Clyde doesn’t get a dime more than he’s already been paid.
April 1st, 2009 at 12:34 am
http://espn.go.com/
Gotta Love It!
April 1st, 2009 at 12:34 am
WKTY at 11.30pm said he have to in memphis at 11.30am tomrrow for a press confernce.
April 1st, 2009 at 12:36 am
We will be in the Final Four next year guaranteed. Who’s with me? And probably win the mother f-ing national championship. YEAHHH!
April 1st, 2009 at 12:36 am
i just hope uk pays BCG his money soon so that situation won’t be able to create problems for the Cats.
April 1st, 2009 at 12:37 am
35) If I remember correctly, you were posting a lot negative smack last night….are you eating crow tonight?
April 1st, 2009 at 12:38 am
35–he’s gonna address the memphis fans tomorrow also ??
April 1st, 2009 at 12:38 am
They may have to cancel the college basketball season next year. We will be that good. UofL (loserville) might not even win one game because they will be so focused on big brother. Word out.
April 1st, 2009 at 12:39 am
I’d say he and his wife have alot to get done family wise…pullin kids out of school, getting a realtor to list their Memphis home and also I’d say he will be out recruiting for 2010 class tomorrow, there are only so many days you can recruit this time of year.
April 1st, 2009 at 12:40 am
33) You think that maybe the public pressure that Barnhart was feeling may have led to him going after the best possible coach out there? If he were to fail again, that would have been it for him.
April 1st, 2009 at 12:41 am
Memphis is holding a 12:30 presser to talk about the future of their program.
April 1st, 2009 at 12:42 am
41-That’s what she said.
April 1st, 2009 at 12:44 am
where is University of Jody Meeks and all you other punks who loved BG while he brow beat our players? WWhere are you? Where are you now you little biatches!!
Lexslamman was the only one who knew what he was talking about. Come on out and admit what dumb asses you are.
April 1st, 2009 at 12:44 am
Why would John C. Be at the confernce then.
April 1st, 2009 at 12:45 am
Yeah!! Come out jerks. Get your butts whooped. Eat some crow with your face, you big dummies. Stop hiding out. YEah!! Let’s get them.
April 1st, 2009 at 12:45 am
quit putting bad juju on us predicting next years rat race!!!!!!!!!!!1
April 1st, 2009 at 12:46 am
Does anyone think that John C was Really playing a april fool Joke on UK and the media like the
article said.
April 1st, 2009 at 12:46 am
Some recruits talking.
http://www.kentucky.com/1034/story/745951.html
April 1st, 2009 at 12:46 am
I don’t know what juju is, but I think some is coming out of my butt. Ugghh!!
April 1st, 2009 at 12:47 am
46–thats what i’m asking / is he going to do the classy thing and tell them why he left ? if so, i would prefer that he do it from the bullet proof presidential limo, ha-ha ! since i couldn’t get on here all night, was reading lots of the memphis post and they are really, really hating him & us right now.
April 1st, 2009 at 12:49 am
46) I’m guessing it’s to give his blessing/support for the new coach, which also happens to be the guy he lobbied for them to hire - Tony Barbee. Just a guess though. Who cares? All that matters is he’s coaching at UK now!
April 1st, 2009 at 12:49 am
42) No, I think he was doing a pretty good job all along. Unfortunately, much our fanbase decided to saddle Mitch with blame when he got rid of the bcg problem. Lots of people point toward Jurich as the gold standard of ADs. Well Mitch was man enough to admit a bad hire….and look where we are now!
April 1st, 2009 at 12:49 am
49) Are you retarded?
April 1st, 2009 at 12:50 am
Is there any chance this is a April fools joke? I still just can’t believe this is happening. GO CATS!
April 1st, 2009 at 12:50 am
I really hope we can steal as much of Memphis’ roster as we can. Besides Patterson and Meeks, who cares right? I mean, I hope all of their good players transfer, sit out a year, and then come to UK.
April 1st, 2009 at 12:51 am
Scratch that. You are retarded. Put your helmet back on. We are celebrating…go spread your negativity elsewhere.
April 1st, 2009 at 12:54 am
why do we want to steal Memphis players ? doesn’t seem quite right. if it was our recruits and our coach left, you would still want the recruits to stay wouldn’t you, especially if they were as good as he recruited for next year.
April 1st, 2009 at 12:55 am
59-Well yeah, but this is different. We’re UK.
April 1st, 2009 at 12:56 am
Plus, it might not feel right right now, but after we’re popping champagne after next year’s national championship, it won’t matter. We’re like the Yankees.
April 1st, 2009 at 12:56 am
Another angle on what it means to be a “dirty coach”. Contrast this perspective with Pat Forde’s column about Mitch’s gamble. http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/story/9400160/Let%27s-come-clean-about-%2 7dirty-coaches%27
April 1st, 2009 at 12:56 am
The only player I think he would take from Memphis as a transfer would be Wesley Witherspoon.
April 1st, 2009 at 12:57 am
55) said Obama to the bowling team
April 1st, 2009 at 12:57 am
I didn’t even want Calipari the most. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I think he’s great and all. But with Calipari we get the recruits, too. The way I look at it, we payed Cal for his coaching and the players.
April 1st, 2009 at 12:58 am
And that’s fine by me.
April 1st, 2009 at 12:58 am
60–just doesn’t seem quite right to take their coach and their players to
April 1st, 2009 at 12:59 am
Sorry To sound negative it just that the article about the april Fool Joke Scary me.
April 1st, 2009 at 1:00 am
as long as he wins games i dont give a crap what he does!
April 1st, 2009 at 1:01 am
65–disagree very much. the deal is for the coach, not for his players to. We are University of Kentucky, not Memphis University North.
April 1st, 2009 at 1:02 am
68) He’s signed, sealed, and delivered. What more do you want?
April 1st, 2009 at 1:03 am
I just have one very important question IS IT BASKETBALL SEASON YET?
April 1st, 2009 at 1:03 am
him wearing a ky blue jacket!!!!!!!!
April 1st, 2009 at 1:04 am
54) Very good point. I was a big BCG supporter, I feel like I had too because I live and breathe Kentucky basketball. When somebody would call out BCG, I would take it like they were calling out Kentucky. There is no way I could have known what was going on behind the scenes, and I would have been in denial if I had heard about it.
That is in the past. Calipari and Kentucky basketball is a perfect match and I am FU<KING PUMPED. GO CATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 1st, 2009 at 1:04 am
70-Wake up, man. We want to win, and that’s the bottom line. Stop the Moral Oral routine. We just hired JOHN-FREAKING-CALIPARI. If anyone else did it, you’d be skeptical because of the guy’s reputation. Don’t be a revisionist historian. Just sit back and enjoy the championships that are sure to accumulate.
April 1st, 2009 at 1:04 am
Kudos to Lee and Mitch, def got it right.
April 1st, 2009 at 1:04 am
69-I couldn’t agree more.
April 1st, 2009 at 1:04 am
I’m ready to purchase my FF tickets for next year…Indy is a very short drive away….
April 1st, 2009 at 1:05 am
Originally Published: March 31, 2009
Will the joke end up being on Barnhart?Comment Email Print Share By Pat Forde
ESPN.com
Archive And on April Fool’s Day, Mitch Barnhart will introduce John Calipari as the basketball coach at Kentucky.
This is the show-stopping conclusion to a two-year running prank Barnhart has been playing on the populace, showing what a wacky jokester the publicly bland athletic director really is.
Seriously, see if this isn’t short-sheet-the-bed hilarious: In two years, Kentucky has gone from paying national championship-winning coach Tubby Smith $2.1 million a year to reportedly forking over $31.65 million plus incentives over eight years for a coach with less bling on his finger and more bones in his closet.
[+] EnlargeLexington Herald-Leader/ZUMA Press/Icon SMI
Mitch Barnhart’s first hoops hire didn’t go so well. He is now all-in with John Calipari.
With a Billy Gillispie train wreck in between.
Mitch, you’re killing us! Enough with the tomfoolery!
But seriously, Mitch, given the embarrassing failure of the Gillispie Era, let’s hope this one goes better. At least you got what you most needed: a big name who actually said yes, and quickly.
Of course, the quick part didn’t really play to your favor last time, did it? Hopefully the exhaustive “fit” check on Calipari over the vast expanse of time between Friday afternoon (when Billy Gillispie was fired) and Sunday morning (when word first got out of your impending meeting with Calipari) came back to your liking.
I know in your research you came across many people who love Cal — they love the success, the coaching acumen, the energy, the charisma, the community generosity, the battler’s spirit, the dreamer’s ambition. I’ve heard those things myself from many people I respect in college basketball.
But I’ve heard a lot of other things, too. So before you two ride off to restore the glory of Big Blue Nation, a few questions for the AD:
Why didn’t you hire Calipari two years ago, or even entertain him as a serious candidate? Surely it wasn’t because Gillispie had a better coaching record — he didn’t. Surely it wasn’t because Gillispie is a better people person — few can match Calipari’s outgoing personality and zeal to sell his program on every platform.
So if Calipari were interested — and plenty of basketball insiders said he was at the time — what was the problem? Was there something else that made you leery?
Would the apparent change in your perception of Calipari as a UK coaching candidate have anything to do with the fact that your own six-figure job is very much on the line after the Gillispie fiasco? And maybe now it’s time to play ball with the boosters who see Cal’s excellent record in Memphis and want to win big again? No matter what baggage he brings to Lexington?
Look, we all know Calipari brings plenty of wins with him. Over the last four seasons, he won 136 of them — the most wins of any four-year stretch in college basketball history. That included four Sweet 16s, three Elite Eights and a national-title game appearance. Compare that to Kentucky, which in the same four-year span won only 84 games, didn’t win an SEC title, didn’t make a Sweet 16 appearance and failed to make the NCAA tournament this season for the first time in 18 years.
But let’s also examine some of the carry-on luggage Cal brought with him on that private plane to the Bluegrass Tuesday night.
[+] EnlargeBob Donnan/US Presswire
Calipari has an undeniable record of success, but it’s his residency in the gray area that troubles his critics.
When you introduce Calipari Tuesday in Lexington, will you make mention of him taking two teams to Final Fours? Or just one? Because the first one, with Massachusetts in 1996, was officially vacated from the NCAA record books after an agent hooked up star center Marcus Camby with cash and prostitutes. Calipari said he knew nothing about it and the NCAA did not charge the school with major infractions, but it happened on his watch.
That puts him in select company: one of two active coaches with vacated Final Fours on their resumes. (The other is Steve Fisher.) Will that be noted in the bio?
That leads me to another historical footnote: you’re aware that Kentucky has gone through the NCAA judicial system six times for major infractions cases, right, Mitch? The NCAA set up shop in the 1950s, and UK has had a major infractions case every decade but the nineties — two in the eighties for good measure.
Calipari has no major NCAA violations on his record — not at Memphis, not at UMass. So I’m not suggesting he’s going to come to Lexington and land the Wildcats on probation, Mitch. But I am saying that you, as the custodian of a historically checkered athletic program, have hired a guy who lives in the gray area, works every angle, pushes every corner of the envelope.
That’s all fine, as long as the envelope never busts the way that Emery Air Freight one did, spilling $1,000 from the Kentucky basketball office to recruit Chris Mills and sparking a scandal that leveled the program 20 years ago.
But why linger in the past, Mitch? Let’s talk about the future.
How do you feel about sharing office space? Because you might walk in one day and find Worldwide Wes sitting in your chair, with his feet on your desk.
You know about Wes, right? Of course you do. Everyone in basketball knows William Wesley, aka Wes, even if nobody knows exactly what the loosely defined but tightly connected power broker does. But the important thing isn’t his job description — it’s his results. Wes helped hook up Memphis with some of its best players under Calipari: Dajuan Wagner, Derrick Rose, Chris Douglas-Roberts and Tyreke Evans.
With those guys under his wing, Wes went wherever Wes pleased in Memphis — locker room, practice facility, good seats at the FedEx Forum, too. Heck, I even ate with him once at the Tigers’ training table. He’s a charming guy, has a lot of charisma — just don’t ask him too much about his business.
With Wes, your job is to accommodate. Not interrogate.
What’s your outlook on package deals, Mitch? You cool with them? If not, I suggest a change of attitude. When Calipari goes after big fish, the net tends to bring in some sucker fish, too.
AP Photo /Alan Spearman
The Dejuan Wagner signing gave notice that Calipari was ready to put Memphis back on the map.
When he signed Juanny Wagner, he also got his dad as a staff member (Milt Wagner, even without a college degree) and his best friend (Arthur Barclay, despite limited ability). The positive side effects: Milt stayed several years after Juanny left and got his degree.
When he signed Evans, he got his personal strength coach, Lamont Peterson, too. But really, what high school kid doesn’t come with his own strength coach these days?
And there even have been some pre-packaging efforts as well. C.J. Henry, who hadn’t played basketball in years after trying his hand at professional baseball, enrolled at Memphis last August to play hoops. Surprisingly enough, his brother, Xavier, considered by many the No. 1 high-school senior in America, signed with the Tigers in November.
What about an occasional scrape with the law, Mitch? Guys like Sean Banks, Jeremy Hunt, Andre Allen and Kareem Cooper got multiple chances to stay on the Memphis team and still couldn’t do it.
Any opinion on prep schools, Mitch? Some of them have gotten a lot of negative publicity as academically sketchy diploma mills in recent years from the likes of The New York Times and Washington Post, but be prepared to deal with them. Calipari has relocated many an academic reclamation project to prep school. Among them: Joey Dorsey, Shawne Williams, Antonio Anderson, Robert Dozier and the aforementioned Cooper.
Hey, you and I both know that Memphis is hardly the only place that works package deals. Or has players who get into trouble. Or works the prep-school route. These days that’s accepted as the price of doing business in the big leagues, isn’t it?
Well, Calipari manages to stuff that stat sheet on all those fronts.
But with him, you also get 30-plus victories a year for the past four years. You get the big-time recruits your new head coach will inevitably bring in. You get renewed dreams of winning an eighth national championship.
That’s why you’re hiring John Calipari, Mitch. We all get it.
Happy April Fool’s Day.
Hopefully the joke doesn’t end up on you.
April 1st, 2009 at 1:05 am
78-I’m already making plans. Seriously. I checked up on Indy night life earlier today when I heard the news.
April 1st, 2009 at 1:05 am
I think it is an April Fools Day joke, on everyone else! The Cats Are Back!
April 1st, 2009 at 1:06 am
68. So that Memphis sites was just being bitter and rude.
April 1st, 2009 at 1:07 am
nevermind the article was posted before Midnight so everyone was just being jackass.
April 1st, 2009 at 1:08 am
75–win with integrity ! Morals are a good thing. he recruited those guys to play for him at memphis, not at kentucky.
April 1st, 2009 at 1:08 am
59) honestly i think that’s a little selfish. when it comes down to a players decision it’s not about where he committed verbally or who else wants the child to sign with them. it’s about the dang kid. sit back. let them make their decisions. don’t feel sorry for memphis or ourselves if either doesn’t come out on top. we’ll be bringin in the true blue soon enough.
April 1st, 2009 at 1:10 am
84-Again, we just hired JOHN CALIPARI and you’re talking about winning with morals. Give me a break. The guy’s first trip to the final four was VACATED. Be honest with yourself. I am and I could care less about the guy’s skeletons. He’s a winner.
April 1st, 2009 at 1:11 am
Bruce Pearl talking…look at some of the dumb comments by UT fans. lol
http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2009/apr/01/pearl-knows-kentucky-got-up grade/
April 1st, 2009 at 1:11 am
45, 47 - I supported BCG. Why? Because I have no “inside” information. I don’t listen to rumors. Thus, I judged him on talent vs. wins. I thought the results were within the expected range.
I’m not happy about the inside stories I’ve heard recently. I doubt anyone is. I don’t think there’s any crow to be eaten, however. I just refuse to listen to rumors until they are substantiated. As we’ve seen with the hiring process, there are a million sources that know everything. It’s hard to decide what’s accurate and what’s myth. I’ll do the same thing with Calipari. When I hear rumors about him, I’ll ignore them until there’s some proof.
April 1st, 2009 at 1:14 am
One thing I will say was I was shocked to hear about the player treatment this season…as a fan it’s hard to really know why a player may be having a poor game.
April 1st, 2009 at 1:26 am
Obama is my president. Cal is my coach. I’ve waited a long time for this day.
April 1st, 2009 at 1:28 am
Uk athletics entrance page…awesome.
http://www.ukathletics.com/
April 1st, 2009 at 1:29 am
Can’t wait to watch the presser.
April 1st, 2009 at 1:29 am
Topsy Turvy Top 50 (Rivals)
This will read somewhat like a blog post by the length, but the topic interests me, so I went at it.
By my count, based on the ones I know about, there are 7 Rivals 2009 Top 50 Recruits whose status was directly affected today by Calipari’s decision to come to UK. (Four in the Top 10, including the Top 3 players in the class, per Rivals.)
First and foremost, the move by Cal to KY affects UK’s incoming Top 50 kids Orton (22) and Hood (32), both of whom expect to talk to Coach Cal before making a decision. (Vilarino is still expecting to come if welcome, apparently, and Tucker has reopened his recruitment – neither are Top 50). UK already has scholarship issues, but the new coach will likely have some freedom to set his squad, and the decisions of Jodie Meeks and Patrick Patterson will have a huge impact on the decisions of Orton and any other incoming players. Secondly (though first to Memphis, and to many UK fans), the move affects every kid committed to or considering Memphis. While Cal has advised all of them to consider honoring their commitments (likely to at least wait til they talk to the new coach), most, specifically the 5-stars, are expected to ask out of their letters/verbals, and potentially follow Cal. These players include the undecided John Wall, top PG and player in the class, DeMarcus Cousins (Rivals #2, verbal) and Xavier Henry (Rivals 3, LOI, supposedly conditional on Cal). Nolan Dennis (Rivals 47) is also rumored to seek release to either go elsewhere or follow Cal. Other Memphis players or recruits may seek to leave or follow Cal, but that is less rumored or not relevant to the top 50 class.
Outside of Memphis and UK’s 09 recruits, another top 50 player is also in limbo. Lance Stephenson (Rivals #9) nearly committed to Kansas, but now may reconsider his options. If Xavier (and his brother) go to Kansas, Stephenson may be back on the board.
(Note, Eric Bledsoe’s decision may hinge on Wall’s, but Bledsoe is not in the Top 50.)
The following are mostly speculation and these players are not included in the number above.
Additionally, coaching changes at Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Memphis and Virginia (as well as whoever they stole their coach from) may stir things up. Alabama has their man in Grant, and he may target Cousins or other newly-freed players. Memphis may go after Sean Miller of Xavier, or USC’s Tim Floyd. (Floyd has #10 player Renardo Sidney due, #28 Solomon Hill, and #38 Noel Johnson, as well – a hefty class, but if he were to be interested in leaving USC…). Jaime Dixon of Pitt is another possible target for schools like Memphis, Zona and Georgia (Pitt has #24 Dante Taylor due). Though unlikely with UK satisfied, Travis Ford could be a target, possibly freeing up #45 Karron Johnson). Capel at Oklahoma has 31 Keith Gallon coming in, but could another team snag Capel for the right price? His team failed to meet lofty expectations (like Louisville), and is about to get weaker with the departure of the Griffins.
Early entry attempts by Calathes (Florida) and Vasquez (Maryland) may also leave two championship winning coaches looking for talent. Likewise, 4 teams are still playing (Williams, Calhoun and Izzo — 3 championship winning coaches), and any unexpected early entries from them could leave their respected coaches scrambling.
The fourth final four coach, Jay Wright, has several big names coming in, and Tubby has 1, but both have already expressed their desire to stay with their teams, just as Missouri’s coach has just signed a new contract. Rick Pitino could theoretically go to Arizona (affecting #47 Siva), but that’s still speculation. Moves by any of the 3 (Wright, Smith or Pitino) would also shakeup the landscape of recruiting.
Know that many of the speculated players may be loyal to the school above the coach, but any time a coach changes schools, there’s a chance players will want out/want to follow. It’s also possible, though unlikely, that players at other schools could rescind verbals in the changing landscape, seeing an opportunity for playing time under a new coach.
Other Factors:
Many of Cal’s recruits were clearly coming to Memphis for Cal. Many want to play for him wherever he goes, and going to a BCS conference school like UK where they’ll play on ESPN or CBS every game can’t hurt. This is reinforced by the rumor that several (including Xavier Henry and possibly Nolan Dennis) have letters from Memphis saying they could reopen their recruitment if Cal left. (A condition that supposedly helped land Rose and Evans for Memphis the past 2 years.) Henry, Cousins and Wall have all said that they will now reopen/broaden their recruitment, but all have expressed some interest in following Cal. One article (http://www.zagsblog.com/2009/03/31/calipari-to-kentucky-recruits-in-f lux/#more-14279) even quotes the Henry father as saying Cal told both Henry boys he’d like to have them at UK (CJ Henry has yet to play for Memphis, but would have to transfer to leave, I believe). The article also states Henry’s father doesn’t really see why a kid wouldn’t follow Cal, since they were going to Memphis for him, and he can stand to make the move to UK. It’s important to note that Xavier Henry was primarily coming to Memphis for Cal and to play with his brother. It’s possible both he and his brother will look to Kansas. It doesn’t hurt UK and Cal that he is apparently bringing his whole staff with him. It is unknown if any former KY players (Padgett) or people with KY connections will join his staff, but the fact that he has already initiated contact with former coaches shows that he is more interested in the KY tradition than some former coaches.
For Wall, it seems the prospects of playing with other highly-touted recruits at UK under Calipari would vault UK back up his list. But other schools may still be ahead. Duke is bringing in quite a squad, and if someone else jumped in, say, like Donovan, it wouldn’t be the first time a last-minute move brought a Top 50 kid somewhere else (*cough* Jai Lucas *cough*).
Orton’s father told Larry Vaught that they had to wait and see and talk to Cal, but the prospects of Orton playing on a team with Patterson, Pilgrim, Stevenson, and possibly Cousins, a jaw-dropping front-line, was clearly appealing. Hood’s sound-bytes have seemed less optimistic, but if Cal goes after him and makes sure he knows he has a place on the squad, I expect Mr. Kentucky will still want to suit up in Rupp. The decisions of Hood and Meeks (as well as schollies) may also affect a decision by the likes of Henry or Stephenson to come to UK.
Many of these top 50 players at least hope to be one-and-done, specifically Wall, who is unlikely to be affected by the transfer of Seth Curry to Duke. It is likely Wall would be gone by the time Curry joined the roster. Likewise, the status of 2010 UK verbal Dominique Ferguson is unlikely to deter any elite player from coming to UK.
Suffice to say, many players will be calling up Coach Calipari (and vice a versa, where permitted) to set up visits or discuss scholarship offers. Tonight’s McDonald’s All-American game will showcase many kids who may end up somewhere completely different from where they planned 24 hours ago. Stay tuned. We’re in for a bumpy ride.
And as you get excited about what might be, don’t forget the kids who were recruited to UK and are now on the roster. They’ve given a lot to the school, and whether or not we’re happy with what they’ve given, they bleed blue, and have many of them actually bled for the team. If some of them leave, we should wish them well. And if some stay who many might want gone otherwise (to free up schollies), try to be nice. They’re still our players.
(Matt, not to sound arrogant, but if you all want to use this as a guest post or copy a bunch of it or anything, I don’t mind.)
April 1st, 2009 at 1:30 am
Hey Matt. Can you or some of your “people” start working on a charting system to keep track of the scholarship situation as it unfolds? This would include a list of returning players with definite scholarships, # of slots open, slots that may come open with transfers, etc. I really need to see this on paper. “We” need to see this on paper.
Let’s totally analyze all the possibilities. Porter quits=there’s one. Galloway transfers to Morehead (as was reported by a source close to galloway’s niece’s cousin’s myspace page)=there’s two. Liggins goes with Gillispie (per multiple sources in chicago…..”He’s [Gillispie] like a father to me….I’m his son….I could use next year to work on lowering my body in traffic to take care of the ball more….maybe get stronger.” =there’s 3 “ships” free. Then there’s the part of coach Cal’s player rules at memphis that states his players “cannot hunt using firearms.” A source close to harrelson’s family claims that Josh had already spoken to coach Cal about missing those games in high school to go hunting and that Josh came away feeling like coach was using the rule to push him away. I guess we’ll have to be patient and see how this pans out;)
April 1st, 2009 at 1:32 am
Hey Mitch. Just when I thught you couldn’t be any dumber, you went and totally redeemed yourself.
April 1st, 2009 at 1:49 am
One last comment before I read a bunch of articles and go to bed:
Regarding Memphis players transferring, or us “raiding” their roster: I do not think Cal should encourage anyone to transfer. He should encourage them to meet with the new coach and make their own decision about what they want to do, and if they want to leave, talk it over with their family and then call the appropriate coaches.
If any of those players decide to call Cal, and he wants them at UK, that’s fair.
Everyone knows that you bring in a big name to attract players. You want a good coach to win games, but also to bring in talent. A team like Memphis knows this more than most, as they apparently promised some kids they could de-commit if Cal left. Unlike some of the major programs (the Top Tier), smaller schools can depend wholly upon the coach. If your players don’t want to stay, let them transfer, as per the rules (sitting out a year). The best you can do is try to bring in another exciting coach to keep your players interested and bring in new players.
That’s what we’re doing - bringing in an exciting coach. I want Cal to take any player who wants to transfer from anywhere that is good enough for UK (and we have a schollie for). But I expect him not to violate any rules, or unofficial guidelines about poaching players. He doesn’t need to - he’ll be the first coach since Pitino to truly use the power of UK to recruit.
He has the number 1 fanbase (attendance), a school with oodles of records that is inarguably a Top 5 all time school, a BCS conference to play in/against (play against the top talent to prove yourselves, kids), an ESPN broadcast contract, a new athletics center, and soon a new arena. Add in the passion of the fans and the legacy, and it should be easy to attract kids.
Now, if only we can add a beach to Lexington…
April 1st, 2009 at 1:52 am
You can tell such a difference in the state. Everyone you talk to is in a great mood. Matt, you couldnt be more correct about a unified fan base, its a great thing. All the bad things that have happened in the last few years have weighed people down with negativity and pessamistic attitudes. It’s as if Calipari is one giant prosac making all of big blue nation chill out and know everything is going to be alright. Finally.
April 1st, 2009 at 1:59 am
Your “Ten Things That Changed Today” list hit the nail right on the head. I can’t wait to see ESPN’s college basketball analysts eat their crow while they witness UK’s return to its rightful place atop the college basketball world.
April 1st, 2009 at 1:59 am
Potential Phone Conversation between Rick and Billy D:
(phone rings and rick answers)
Rick: Hello….Hello…What?… Billy calm down and stop crying. I can’t understand you.
Billy D: I can’t believe this… (wheeping and blowing nose)
Rick: “What are you talking about?”
Billy D: “I can’t believe its over” (starts crying again)
Rick: Billy, I want you to stop crying and be that little bufford that I know you can be, and tell me what’s over?”
Billy D: “They hired Calipari and now we can’t dominate UK no more” (starts to sob)
Rick: “OMG! I don’t know what you are going to do”
Billy D: “Rick, what do you mean? aren’t we in this together?”
Rick: “Hell, no, I am going to take that Arizona job” (Does Dr Evil laugh and hangs up)
April 1st, 2009 at 2:11 am
98) Man, with the Georgia job still open (I hope they get someone snazzy), the SEC is looking pretty vicious in the coming years.
East: Cal, Donovan, Pearl, Stallings, Horn, (GEORGIA - go get Ford or Miller or someone!)
West: Johnson, Stansbury, Lebo, Andy Kennedy, Pel, Grant
Only LSU performed at or above expectations, I think, and while Georgia is in for a hard road without a huge hire, most other teams have rosier outlooks.
April 1st, 2009 at 2:22 am
“scholarships are technically one year renewables” says Katz. 13 total available. Carter frees up one. Anyone gonna help me geek out on this scholarship situation? possible list including non scholarship players of “Lexodus” might include……..anyone who walked on during the strike year of 08-09; anyone who’s last name is Perry; anyone who has a buddy on the team; anyone that is that buddy; anyone that may have started for UK because statistics showed that we outscored our opponents while they were in the game….all while averaging more turnovers than points; anyone who isnt at least a MacAmerican, derby city guy, or at very least a Mr b-ball from Kentucky; anyone who doesnt know how to drive and kick it……..mmmmm-kay…it’s easy mmm-kay.
April 1st, 2009 at 2:23 am
Anybody else noticed that NONE of the Memphis recruits or their parents want to have anything to do with Memphis without Coach Cal? I have never been to the university down there, but, man! No loyalty whatsoever. With that in mind, I won’t feel so bad if all the recruits come up here and leave the cupboard bare. Obviously, UM had nothing else to offer besides Coach Cal.
April 1st, 2009 at 2:27 am
sitting here reading all the news all over the internet, i found something that i “did not know” about uk. the dallas morning news reported that dirk nowitzki was excited over the calipari to uk news saying “we are back, we are back!!!” why was dirk so excited? he had comitted to playing for uk in the 90’s before deciding to jump straight to the nba from germany. Did anybody else know that Pitino had gotten a commitment from DIRK NOWITZKI during the 90’s. Why did i not know this?
April 1st, 2009 at 2:29 am
dirk nowitzki’s dallas maverick teammates were joking that dirk was in lexington long enough to pick up a fedex envelope. ouch, funny, but ouch
April 1st, 2009 at 2:29 am
^^^101^^^ That “loyalty” is a two way street. While you may look at it that the recruits are not loyal to the school, they made it very clear who their loyalty was with when they signed the LOI with a clause that pretty much stated, “If Cal is not at Memphis, then neither am I.” There is “loyalty” there–it is just with the coach.
April 1st, 2009 at 2:30 am
Calipari is all about being here - and most of UK’s recruits and players feel the same way. The ones who put in the academic work now at crunch time in this semester (hint hint) will get to be part of something very special. The ones who work hard to elevate their game to earn their scholarship offer here at UK (hint hint) will also be part of something very special. Otherwise, Coach Calipari has the most thoroughly badass recruiting staff in basketball and plays an exciting, fast-paced style that rips most people to shreds.
The beauty of UK is he gets to play 3 coaches a year by guarantee who provide the perfect counterpoint to his style: Pearl, Crean, and Pitino. Calipari is going to win an awe-inspiring number of games here and make those three match-ups the premier non-professional, non-olympic basketball events in the world. That much is almost certain. There are so many circumstances and ‘any given moment’ issues in tournaments that it may be 2-3 years before UK is back in the championship game - but one has to think with the foundation in place here that it won’t take Calipari very long at all to get this program back where it should always be, at the very top of college basketball.
April 1st, 2009 at 2:38 am
By the way, Coach Calipari needs to give Dominique Ferguson a call and reassure him enough to stay firm in his commitment. I got a chance to see some footage of Ferguson from this year, and this guy looks like the next Walter McCarty from what I’ve seen - almost 6′10, good handle and passing, great shot, fast, could play 4 different positions if he works on his strength. That is the kind of player UK wants playing at the 3 or the 4.
April 1st, 2009 at 2:46 am
102–jeanine edwards sly grin–It was not Rick that was recruiting him, it was Tubby in 1998. Rick had been gone for a year at that time. I believe this is correct but you can do a little research to confirm. See when he jumped into the NBA and that will answer your question.
April 1st, 2009 at 2:54 am
^^^ I checked it for you and Dirk’s rookie year was in fact the 98-99 season so Rick would not have been at UK. He would have been a Tubby recruit. This is the point that Tubby said, “Damn, I am not recruiting anymore guys that are good enough to play in the NBA. Instead, I will get only four year players to win 20+ and lose 10 a season while winning the SEC to insure job security. At least until the natives get restless and then I will run off to someplace cold.”
April 1st, 2009 at 3:13 am
Don’t put the ring on the finger just yet. Xavier and John Wall both still have Kansas on their list. If both go to Kansas it will tough to beat Kansas. It boils down to the relationship Cal has with them and the scholarship situation.
http://www.kansan.com/stories/2009/apr/01/lance_stephenson_delays_anno uncement/?sports
Hood called Wall to convince him to come and Avery still wants to come in 2012. He said he loves Kentucky regardless who the coach is. GJ and Avery’s fathers both said they needed to talk to Cal and make sure he still wanted them come before making any decisions. They were waiting on the call from Cal and not pressing the issue at this time.
April 1st, 2009 at 3:23 am
Having spent TOO much time online the last few days, I’ve discovered a couple of new pet peeves.
1) “Burger boys” for McDonald’s All-Americans. I almost couldn’t type it, it irritates me that much.
2) “Presser” for press conference. Grr…
3) “Scholly” for scholarship. No scholarship for you.
April 1st, 2009 at 3:36 am
#110–My pet peeve is people that post pet peeves. Well, that and “1st”. (Before you say it, I know I posted a pet peeve, that was the premise).
You left off “prolly” and “rediculous”.
April 1st, 2009 at 4:35 am
John Damn Calipari. Brought to you by those who didn’t slurp Billy Clyde over at some other site.
Would J.C.Pennies be the crappiest nickname for Cal in the world? Yeah you’re right. It is. Guesss I’ll settle on Don Calipari… He’s the Godfather of UK hoops.
April 1st, 2009 at 5:10 am
Excellent
I haven’t slept for two or three days waiting on this news.
GO BIG BLUE!!!!
April 1st, 2009 at 5:16 am
Amen, Matt, amen. It will be great to be back on top of the basketball world once again.
April 1st, 2009 at 5:34 am
if this is for real article is for real, i don’t know why but it’s the tipping point for me: GREATEST DAY EVER http://mavsblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2009/03/calipari-all-the-rage- pregame.html
Actually, there may have been one Maverick who was more excited: Dirk Nowitzki.
“We’re back baby,” Nowitzki yelled in the locker room before the game against Minnesota. “Kentucky is back on the map.”
Kentucky, of course, was where Nowitzki was going to attend college had he not bypassed college to go straight from Germany to the NBA.
April 1st, 2009 at 6:39 am
There is now order restored in the universe. Kentucky has a great coach, tops in the state, and scaring the shit out of every college in the nation.
April 1st, 2009 at 6:43 am
Is it me or does this feel like we’re about to wake up from a 2 year nightmare and our big blue dad comes in and says,”it was just a bad dream. EVERYTHING is OK NOW!”
April 1st, 2009 at 6:44 am
matt, i wish you would not have let me know that Tomlin’s brother works for the Mavericks. the only obsession of mine that rivals UK is the Dallas Mavericks. i was fine just living my life in private with my borderline obsessive collection of Mavericks memoribilia (Dirk bobbleheads approaching 15) and sending Mark Cuban emails about how he’s screwing it up.
now, i fear i’ll do something extremely embarrassing. sorry in advance to both you and tomlin.
oh yeah, go calipari.
April 1st, 2009 at 6:48 am
Man this feels so good. Can’t wait for the news conference to get here.
“Don’t offer me anymore money, IT’S KENTUCKY !!! How sweeeeeeeeeeeet is that to hear, WOW !!!
April 1st, 2009 at 6:54 am
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! I’M SO PSYCHED!!
April 1st, 2009 at 6:54 am
I’m still pinching myself. You think he’ll open with “No this is not an April Fools joke.”?
April 1st, 2009 at 6:59 am
I love this read.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=4031804
April 1st, 2009 at 7:11 am
I really think this news conference could rival Eddie Sutton saying that he would crawl on his knees to Lexington to take the Kentucky job. Maybe now all those people who say it’s Kentucky, so what, will listen and understand the emphasis, **** IT’S KENTUCKY ****
April 1st, 2009 at 7:16 am
I am as excited as anyone but jeez people, calm down. Talk of a guaranteed final 4 next year?? Lets see how things shake out. Give the man a chance. He needs time to rebuild and bring in his own guys.
….Ah, nevermind, FINAL 4 or BUST. You better deliver Cal!!!! We will all be in therapy if you don’t!!!
BTW, what are we going to do next year without all of this drama? Oh, that’s right, we will be CELEBRATING a NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP and all of the FUTURE NBA’ers that Worldwide Wes delivers to us. CALM DOWN PEOPLE, CALM DOWN!!!
GO CATS!
April 1st, 2009 at 7:19 am
I had the best night sleep last night I have had since Jody went for 54. This is incredible. I know that everyone is in celebration mode, and with good cause to be. But, I wanted to reiterate what Matt said about Barnhart. Everyone has been on him, but HE made this happen. And HE got rid of a guy that was going to take a program and run into the ground. The post Matt did about what BCG did to some of the players, is 100% true, and it is also 100% retched and putrid. I cannot believe that piece of shit got away with some of the stuff that he pulled. i would encourage everyone to do some research on blogs and posts to the internet. You will then find out how close UK came to total destruction, and how Todd and Barnhart (especially) were ahead of the curve and did not let that happen. THANK YOU MITCH FOR GETTING RID OF BCG.
April 1st, 2009 at 7:22 am
116 - It is called mean reversion. Everybody better get use to it, CUZ WERE BACK!!!!
April 1st, 2009 at 7:22 am
I hate to admit it but seein where we can be now I kinda do feel like maybe BCG would of knocked the program down another notch.
April 1st, 2009 at 7:24 am
124, STFU you Debbie Downer. Just enjoy this for what it is or get the hell out. finally we become united and theres p-ricks like you who cant get enjoy it.
April 1st, 2009 at 7:25 am
just kidding haha
April 1st, 2009 at 7:26 am
Gotta go to work in a few minutes, but I’ve got the DVR set for 8:30 a.m. on ESPN news. Am I the only one with that going on ?
April 1st, 2009 at 7:26 am
I am looking forward to the Louisville-Kentucky game next year—-but I have a feeling that Pitino will not be Louisville’s coach—–no sources just a gut feeling.
April 1st, 2009 at 7:26 am
129–you shoulda said April Fool’s
April 1st, 2009 at 7:27 am
All articles are saying that Pitino’s crown now may be in trouble. He feels the footsteps of the man they once dubbed “Little Ricky”. No wonder Pitino was pushing for Ford and Pelphrey, he had gotten wind of the Calipari talk before it intensified. I for one am tired of Rick trying to keep his stranglehold on this program…NO MORE!
April 1st, 2009 at 7:28 am
126. I love it! This the best day in UK basketball since 1998!!!!!!!
April 1st, 2009 at 7:30 am
Uk bball fans might be the fanbase most affected by this crazy virus thing bc we are eating up the internet today for sho
April 1st, 2009 at 7:31 am
matt, way to help with setting up realistic expectations. you only called for an immediate Final Four instead of a Championship.
April 1st, 2009 at 7:31 am
I have a feeling that Cal will spearhead getting Tubby honored some time soon…he’s that kind of guy.
April 1st, 2009 at 7:32 am
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=4018933&name=marchma dness
Pitino might want out of Kentucky now that in ONE DAY he’s the little brother again.
April 1st, 2009 at 7:39 am
What a pleasent surprize. I would have never
thought Cal would come.
April 1st, 2009 at 7:42 am
You damn skippy we’re back!!! And maybe this website as well. They can take the extra fans off the servers…after this morning. Until the onslaught continues. DANG THIS IS FUN!!!! I need to work!
April 1st, 2009 at 7:46 am
127 - Did you read what jonesy posted about how BCG was treating our players?!?!?!? Unbelievable! What a piece of shit!!! BCG would have destroyed UK basketball and all it stands for. I was a BIG BCg supporter until I saw those horrible things, and trust me, there is A LOT more where of those instances than most would probably care to know. Again, THNAK YOU MITCH.
April 1st, 2009 at 7:47 am
The Cal and Chaney video still cracks me up. lol “I’ll kill ya”
April 1st, 2009 at 7:47 am
Big Blue Nation…..we have just changed the face of college basketball. We just served notice to everyone that WE ARE UK! Every college coach in the country is sitting there thinking….damn, what are we going to do! UNC fans are thinking…..damn, I thought we might catch them! Louisville fans are thinking….damn, football and now basketball! They continue to trump us! This is like playing your little brother in a pick up game and scoring at will and blocking his shots everytime he shoots. It’s that big of a deal. I love the fact everyone is talking about us! I wasn’t going to watch the McDonald’s game becuase there was no UK players in it….that just changed. We will be very good my friends. This is bigger than Nick Saban going to Alabama! Coach Cal changed us once he signed on the dotted line!
April 1st, 2009 at 7:57 am
The first time the job opened my two picks were Tom Crean and Cal. When Indiana eventually gets going that will be a good rivalry also.
April 1st, 2009 at 7:59 am
Great article for sure! I’m so excited about this hire, makes me so proud to be a CAT fan that bleeds blue, counting down the minutes until 9:30!!!!
April 1st, 2009 at 8:04 am
Cutler on his AM radio show said somebody called him back from DeMarcus Cousins’ cell phone…and said 99%….”Ill see you in Lexington”
April 1st, 2009 at 8:07 am
Easy on the predictions of immediate success. No matter what kind of talent you have, these guys still have to learn a whole new system. That will undoubtedly take time.
April 1st, 2009 at 8:09 am
[...] Kentucky Sports Radio is in full celebration mode. [...]
April 1st, 2009 at 8:11 am
Im just focusing on the successes and possibilies that are open with this hire. If Calipari can get Wall here…and has Nolan Dennis/DeMarcus Cousins in tow….you cut some dead weight and become a hugely talented roster with a great balance of talented upperclassmen and Freshmen
April 1st, 2009 at 8:13 am
I knew Nowitski was going to come to UK, but I never realized he still felt an attachment to us enough to say “we”. Wow. Ironic that arguably the two best eventual pros that UK has had in the last two decades neither one ever played a game here - Shawn Kemp and Nowitski.
April 1st, 2009 at 8:20 am
How horrible would it be if LT & MB announced Coach Cal and everything, then it ended up being an April Fool’s joke!!! That would suck!
April 1st, 2009 at 8:21 am
151, Don’t even say it!!!
April 1st, 2009 at 8:24 am
I’m generally a Forde fan…but not after the article he just put on ESPN.com. Can’t we just have our fun for one day and forget about the carry-on baggage that Cal brought or didn’t bring to the Bluegrass. Who cares if he pushes the envelope? Push all you want…just don’t push it off the table.
April 1st, 2009 at 8:25 am
Great post, Matt. I can tell you that here in Hoptown/Western Ky we are united for the first time in years, and we are really looking to what comes next.
Thankfully, the Cardinals (baseball) will start soon so that will help me pass the time until it is “that time” again.
This was the best possible hire, and kudos to those who got it done…….
April 1st, 2009 at 8:25 am
For all of you negative nellies that blasted me for saying “It’s Kentucky” when asked why Calipari would leave Memphis, you need a history lesson. Obviously Cal gets it and you don’t. Time to read up on Kentucky of old and watch the old games. You need to know the team and program you root for.
April 1st, 2009 at 8:26 am
ORGASMIC EUPHORIA
April 1st, 2009 at 8:27 am
“This is like playing your little brother in a pick up game and scoring at will and blocking his shots everytime he shoots. It’s that big of a deal.”
And that makes you feel like a badass? OK.
April 1st, 2009 at 8:28 am
Special day for UK fans. Special thanks to this site. Special thanks to those of you who stuck with me. Was it worth it?
April 1st, 2009 at 8:34 am
Nice Post Jones
April 1st, 2009 at 8:34 am
best post of the year…
April 1st, 2009 at 8:34 am
(154) I’m with you all the way. From Henderson in western Kentucky and also a gigantic St. Louis Cardinals fan. CATS & St. Louis CARDS, all the way.
April 1st, 2009 at 8:35 am
the Rivals board appears to be down
April 1st, 2009 at 8:35 am
I’m already watching the wkyt coverage.
April 1st, 2009 at 8:35 am
So, I don’t have access to a TV here at work. Anyone have a link to an internet stream of the Press Conference? I assume almost all KY News stations will be showing it. Surely 1 will have a live stream up.
April 1st, 2009 at 8:36 am
164- http://ww2.wkyt.com/global/video/flash/popupplayer.asp?vt1=l&d1=0&Clip Id1=mms%3A//a1832.l731147410.c7311.n.lm.akamaistream.net/D/1832/7311/v 0001/reflector%3A47410&LiveURI=mms%3A//a1832.l731147410.c7311.n.lm.aka maistream.net/D/1832/7311/v0001/reflector%3A47410&h1=27%20NEWSFIRST%20 LIVE%20-%20Watch%20Coverage%20NOW&at1=Newstream&LiveURITitle=27%20NEWS FIRST%20LIVE%20-%20Watch%20Coverage%20NOW&LaunchPageAdTag=Newstream&fv CatNo=undefined&rnd=44426258
April 1st, 2009 at 8:38 am
they usaully have good coverage
April 1st, 2009 at 8:40 am
You know, I want to be happy about all this Cal stuff. I just have a strange feeling that something horrible within the program will happen in the near future, and I’m usually quite the optimist. I’m reserving my excitement until I see improvement with the team.
April 1st, 2009 at 8:40 am
get more server space. two years from now i don’t want the site crashing when sanctions are being handed out
April 1st, 2009 at 8:43 am
@166
Thank you so much for the link!
April 1st, 2009 at 8:44 am
WKYT coverage starts in one minute
April 1st, 2009 at 8:45 am
168–you must be a louisville fan /
April 1st, 2009 at 8:48 am
Worldwide Wes!! Along with Calipari we get the most powerful man in sports and it’s not who you think…Google William Wesley or check him out on wikipedia or go to this link..Apparently He’s close friends with Calipari
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/05/sports/basketball/05wesley.html?_r=4 &pagewanted=1&ref=sports&oref=slogin
April 1st, 2009 at 8:48 am
167/168 - Sanctions…. Come on! WE just got a geat head coach and you already want to piss on the parade. let’s be excited and upbeat. I would hate to have you all for friends, it would be depressing.
April 1st, 2009 at 8:52 am
I am happy.
April 1st, 2009 at 8:52 am
WKYT said after his presser in memphis to thank the fans there he is off to OKC to woo Daniel Orton…oh I love it.
April 1st, 2009 at 8:55 am
I want the DOOR!!!
April 1st, 2009 at 8:57 am
So KSR: you know the potential of the site, the last few days, while an outlier, should also prove to be an inflection point int eh base number of hits (sustainable growth, I mean), meaning you can sell more ads, meaning you can IMPROVE THE SERVER.
You’re gonna need it anyway, I would not assume you’d go back to previous activity levels.
April 1st, 2009 at 8:59 am
F@*k Rick Pitino.
Matt, I don’t mean to sound arrogant, but I spent a lot of time on this. You may use it as a post or copy any part of it you wish.
April 1st, 2009 at 8:59 am
You’re not the only one with server problems. The HOB on Cats Pause is down right now. Bummer!
April 1st, 2009 at 9:02 am
Here’s what I did when I found out UK got Coach Cal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pXfHLUlZf4&feature=PlayList&p=5A9C50B2 07ADC1E0&index=0&playnext=1
April 1st, 2009 at 9:03 am
Matt does Pat Forde really live in Kentucky?
April 1st, 2009 at 9:04 am
I haven’t posted for two days due to shock.
This is the best feeling I’ve had about UK basketball in a while…
April 1st, 2009 at 9:07 am
10 minutes till press conference
April 1st, 2009 at 9:07 am
182 Due to shock or Matt’s server being down (hahahah)
Great hire . . . good things will come quickly.
April 1st, 2009 at 9:09 am
He’ll be wooing Daniel Orton later today in OKC.
April 1st, 2009 at 9:17 am
It’s time, gotta go for now
April 1st, 2009 at 9:26 am
Where is the press conference?
April 1st, 2009 at 9:27 am
espnnews on TV or wkyt.com online
April 1st, 2009 at 9:27 am
Oh, got it.
April 1st, 2009 at 9:32 am
http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20090331/SPORTS03/303310014
Nice article by Demling
April 1st, 2009 at 9:37 am
Matt thank you for all the information on the UK program. Billy’s way, wasn’t the way, this program was meant to be run. The present, past and incoming players deserve to be treated with Dignitiy. My meals will consist of CROW the rest of the weeek.
I wish the media, would have imformed the UK fans, of these atrocities sooner. Though as a fan, I should have recogonised, some of the problems earlier. When former players are playing pick-up games in Georgetown, this should have been a red light for UK fans. These players made this program, they are Kentucky’s History. We need to bring them back, to Lexington, along with the older players, who have been shunned away by Billy.
Fans need to unite again and support this program. The fans who didn’t support this hire, should get behind him and his players. This program has been devided to long.
Again thank you for this GREAT site. I applaud you and your staff. I wouldn’t know what to do without the information you supply our UK fans with everyday.
April 1st, 2009 at 9:52 am
Let’s cool the final four next year talk. UK lost in the third round of the NIT. I think next year’s team will be a regular in the top 25, but final four is just too much. If it happens, we can all pee our pants. But, to be talking about it sounds ridiculous.
April 1st, 2009 at 10:06 am
Great post Matt. I am very happy with the hire, I don’t think he was involved with the UMass suspension and I think he will be able to recruit great players at UK without any of the “gray” areas some have mentioned. I probably disagree with a lot of the posters that seem to have a “win at all costs” philosophy, I think UK is bigger than that. If we have to kick some of our present players off the team to win it all next year then I say we can wait, I have been a fan through a lot of disappointing years, expecially in football. If we lose some players because they want to leave for more playing time or whatever then that is fine.
I do hope our athletic department is still in charge, it would be great to get Walls, etc, but we can’t afford to take all the one and dones and don’t have room for them. He is susposed to be a great coach, I think he can win with class with the talent available with the combo of him and UK. I think we might have room for at least one and Walls could be the missing piece to the puzzle, but like I said if we get him by running off a senior then I don’t want him.
First let me say I will try to support any coach at UK, and I supported BCG when he was coach. I think posts 88 and 141, Arms of Delk and Converse, explain the BCG supporters position better than I can, if you even care to understand our position then please read those posts. After what Matt put in print (I fault some for not saying more earlier but I appreciate that they couldn’t while BCG was here and would possibly stay, it would have hurt the program more than all the rumors did). I still think BCG was and will be a very good recruiter and he didn’t forget how to coach in one year but after reading some of the incidents about him I fully agree he had to go. He did it to himself, some of the things he did help explain some of the losses. I also think Cal can be/will be much better at UK.
I think you should read/reread the two above plus 92, 98, 108, and the article 122 referenced is very good.
Not a complete list by any means, lots of good posts.
April 1st, 2009 at 11:01 am
Hey Matt. Can you or some of your “people” start working on a charting system to keep track of the scholarship situation as it unfolds? This would include a list of returning players with definite scholarships, # of slots open, slots that may come open with transfers, etc. I really need to see this on paper. “We” need to see this on paper.
Let’s totally analyze all the possibilities. Porter quits=there’s one. Galloway transfers to Morehead (as was reported by a source close to galloway’s niece’s cousin’s myspace page)=there’s two. Liggins goes with Gillispie (per multiple sources in chicago…..”He’s [Gillispie] like a father to me….I’m his son….I could use next year to work on lowering my body in traffic to take care of the ball more….maybe get stronger.” =there’s 3 “ships” free. Then there’s the part of coach Cal’s player rules at memphis that states his players “cannot hunt using firearms.” A source close to harrelson’s family claims that Josh had already spoken to coach Cal about missing those games in high school to go hunting and that Josh came away feeling like coach was using the rule to push him away. I guess we’ll have to be patient and see how this pans out;)
April 1st, 2009 at 11:21 am
“Lexodus” begins. Says he’s gonna be honest with them. I do hope that Hood gets a chance, but not if it means missing out on a blue chipper. I said all along we were one guy away from having a sweet 16 team this year. Even if all we add from the Calipari mix is Wall, we will be very good. ……..just for the heck of it….possible lineups (however improbable) could be pg-Wall(best player from rivals) sg-Meeks(first team all america preseason?) sf-Cousins(#2 rivals) pf-Patterson (maybe 3rd team all america preseason) c-Orton(#22 rivals). second unit……….pg-liggins/villarino?,sg-hood,sf-harris,pf-stevenson,sf-pilgri m, sf-miller.
April 1st, 2009 at 9:06 pm
[...] disagree with Matt’s hyperbole that UK is suddenly a Final Four team. No matter what happens, I do think that UK has the [...]