The Kentucky Basketball 2015 Wall calendar is here. That’s right — we said “Wall calendar!”
Rest assured we’ve still got the best moments in UK basketball history on the days they happened – including games from UK’s 2014 NCAA championship game run – along with Top Ten lists, player birthdays, Follow Fridays and a ton of really cool things you’ll be sure to love.
Use the coupon code “KSR” to take $3 off the retail price of $14.95. Buy three calendars and the shipping is on us!
You can find the calendar at Kentucky Korner, Kennedy’s and more retailers will be added soon. You can also reserve your copy now at seasonneverends.com
Created by four UK grads who love the program and the school as much as you. Go Big Blue!
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Hey, folks. How about those Titans? Hell of an unexpected effort against the Steelers. Shoutout to Avery Williamson for a huge game: eight tackles and two sacks. The more time goes by, the more I appreciate how great Avery is.
It’s Champions Classic Eve, which means it’s almost time to see what our Cats can really do. With less than 24 hours to go before UK’s big game against Kansas, let’s brush up on the headlines after a busy day of news.
Cal says bring on the real test
Remember last year when John Calipari complained that it wasn’t fair that his young squad had to face an experienced team like Michigan State in the Champions Classic? This year, Cal’s singing a different tune. Calipari told reporters today the circumstances are totally different from previous Champions Classics, and he’s anxious to see what his team can do. “We are in a little different position than we have been in the past, where we have a brand new team and trying to get your team together,” Cal said. “This team needs to be challenged to see where we are. This is going to be one of those kinds of games.”
However, just because Kentucky is the more experienced team this go around doesn’t mean Calipari feels any more confident than he did last year. “No, no because they are playing exactly like Michigan State. They are denying wings, they’re pressuring the ball, they’re trying to steal passes, they’re trapping pick and rolls and going nutty,” Cal said. “I would hope these veterans understand what they are walking into, but teams are going to play like their life depends on it and we have to do the same.”
You know, everybody’s Super Bowl, even Kansas.
About those comments after the game yesterday…
Yesterday, Calipari had some interesting remarks during his postgame show in which he warned fans to not criticize individual players so much because they’re all going to get equal playing time regardless of who performs well on a given night. What brought on that rant? Cal told reporters today that he feels the “clutter” from the media coming on and he just wanted to get ahead of it. “In the case of knowing that Andrew didn’t have one of his better games, knowing that Tyler had one of his better games, I knew where the dialogue was going. So I shut it down,” Calipari said.
Oh, hey Pat Forde reference
Cal said that he expects the media “clutter” about the platoon system to get worse, especially if the Cats struggle. Last season, Pat Forde finally got to publish the Calipari hit piece he’s been sitting on for years only for Kentucky to turn around and have one of their best tournament runs ever. In his comments today, Calipari pretty much called Forde out for that, which was kind of awesome.
“People are waiting. You’ve got people right now on radio silence because there’s not enough to write that story. The problem is they’ve written those stories and gotten burned because we turned it around and they look like fools, so there’s radio silence right now because they’re not going to do it yet. And even after this game there will be a couple that just can’t help themselves. ‘I gotta!’ They’ll write something like, what did you do? Why? I mean, it’s just how it is here. Sometimes it wakes me up in the morning and makes me laugh.”
In case you haven’t caught on that Cal’s sticking with the platoon system yet, this tweet should hammer it home:
We don't have subs. We have reinforcements. #2platoons1team
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) November 17, 2014
At this point, Calipari might as well have Nike make the team military style platoon uniforms.
If you’re in Indy and want to hang out with the BBN…
…head to the Tin Roof at 36 S Pennsylvania St #190. From what we’ve heard, that’s the gathering spot for the Wildcat faithful. Unfortunately, there are no plans for a remote radio show from anywhere in Indy, but I’m sure the crowd at Tin Roof will keep you entertained.
Trey Lyles named SEC Freshman of the Week
Congratulations to the freshman on his first award of the season. If his play so far is any indication, he’ll be bringing home a lot more of those throughout the year. Lyles has been one of the more pleasant surprises of the year so far, and tomorrow will be a homecoming of sorts. When asked how he anticipates Trey will play in his hometown, Calipari said if history is any indication, not well. “If he plays well he will be the first player that we have taken home in my career that has played well,” Cal said. “It is possible. He could be the first.”
You could argue that the Harrison Twins and Randle played pretty darn well in North Texas last April, but I see Cal’s point.
UK Hoops beats Baylor in a packed house at Rupp
UK Hoops gave 21,000+ fans a great show tonight in Rupp as they beat #8 Baylor 74-64. It was a gutsy showing by the ladies, who battled back from a 14-point deficit to beat the Bears. It was the 10th largest comeback in school history, spearheaded by Jennifer O’Neill, who led the way with 22 points, including a huge three with 1:17 left. Even on TV, the crowd at Rupp was LOUD, and I wish we could get the same kind of atmosphere for the men’s games. Scroll down for a full recap from Wilder and Hayley.
Ryan Harrow and Kevin Ware have unfinished business
Both now play for Georgia State and just lost to Iowa State over on ESPNU. In other transferred Cat news, Kyle Wiltjer and Gonzaga just tipped off against SMU if you’re looking for a nightcap.
No, we don’t know the game time for UK/Louisville yet
…And, unfortunately, we won’t know until this weekend’s games are over. The ACC put the game time on a six-day hold, which means we’ll probably find out on Sunday. Way to mess up Thanksgiving weekend planning, ACC.
Florida blew a 15-point lead to lose to Miami at home
Miami’s Angel Rodriguez pulled an Aaron Harrison and hit a clutch three with 16 seconds left to beat the #8 Gators. In the O’Connell Center. Wow. Predictably, the national media is already spinning it as the “adverse situation” Billy Donovan craves to make his team tougher later on. Odds Calipari would have gotten the same spin had UK lost to Buffalo on Sunday?
This video is by far the weirdest thing you’ll see all day
Is that what Tom Crean’s dreams look like? If you can explain it to me, I’ll make you a sandwich.
Busy day tomorrow, so get some rest. See you in the morning.