The Kentucky women's team wins against Navy, and the baseball team takes a series from their nemesis.
Tweet of the Day:
After speaking with a few people I can tell you this. Mark Stoops has recruits excited about UK football. Big time guys want to play here.
— Kullen Garner (@Kudge5) March 24, 2013
This is awesome.
Your Quickies:
Kentucky football
Mark Stoops miked up:
John Clay: Kentucky's football coaching staff brings new kind of energy // Kentucky.com
During spring drills, however, there has already been a noticeable improvement in effort.
We're not talking players.
We're talking coaches.
"These guys right here," Bud Dupree, UK's sophomore defensive end, said Friday, "they are all into practice."
Glad to hear it, but it makes you wonder about the previous staff.
D-line has become Kentucky's strength // ESPN
But one area of the Wildcats' team that he doesn't have to worry too much over is the defensive line. What was once a group of underachievers entered the spring as Kentucky's strength, with a hunk of experience returning.
They were supposed to be a strength last year. I just hope they can do more this year than last. (via Hank)
Ohio LB Dorian Hendrix is Kentucky’s 2nd commitment in 2014 // Courier-Journal
Williamson eager to pick up UK's new defensive scheme // Kentucky.com
Via Hank.
Kentucky basketball
Vaught's Views: Moving on might be the best move for Harrow, Kentucky // centralkynews.com
Those are all questions only Harrow and Calipari can answer, but based on the way Harrow finished the season, it seems that it might be best for both Kentucky and for Harrow if the point guard finds a new place to play.
It's just not really an option, though. We'll just have to wait and see, but Calipari isn't likely to refuse to renew Harrow's scholarship unless Harrow refuses to learn from this season.
That could happen, though. It's a situation that we all need to keep an eye on. Via Hank.
Mark Story: If Sean Woods was right about Cats, he's not gloating // Kentucky.com
It is true that the 2012-13 UK freshman class was not at the level of Calipari's first three, especially after the best frosh, Nerlens Noel, missed the last month of the season after tearing his ACL.
I, for one, think Sean Woods was right. (Hank)
I think there is more to it than Sean Woods' comments. (Glenn)
Other UK sports
Cousino's walk-off a fitting finish to UK's doubleheader sweep // Cat Scratches
On a 1-0 count, Cousino laced a single down the first-base line to score Kyle Barrett - the true freshman who reached on a double to lead off the inning - and send No. 8 UK (18-5, 4-2 Southeastern Conference) to a 4-3 victory and a doubleheader sweep of the visiting and 14-ranked Bulldogs (21-5, 2-4 SEC).
UK really struggled against MSU last year. We needed this series, bad.
Links posts
John Clay's Big Blue Links
Kentucky Sports Radio // Sunday Morning Links, brought to you by the Tubby-Billy D bromance
College football
AN ALABAMA FAN BEHOLDS THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM // Every Day Should Be Saturday
Heh.
College basketball
Gonzaga vs. Wichita State: Bulldogs fans frustrated after upset in 2013 NCAA Tournament // SBNation.com
I really have no comment.
NCAA Game Analysis: Third Round, Sunday // Rush The Court
UCLA says it has not fired coach Ben Howland // courier-journal.com
They will though. Via Hank.
Should Josh Pastner get out of Memphis? // CollegeBasketballTalk
My colleague Rob Dauster will tell you that Pastner is not a good fit in Memphis, where his clean-cut approach is out-of-sync with the city’s inherent toughness. He’s not wrong. Pastner also has a long way to go before anyone mentions his name and gravitas in the same sentence.
Young coach, familiar difficulties. He's better than Memphis deserves, in my view.
The Michigan State towel fight // John Clay's Sidelines
This was definitely weird, it's something you don't really see in games much.
But honestly, Kentucky could've used a ton of this kind of stuff during the year.
Five things to know from Saturday // ESPN
Gonzaga did not beat a team this season which won a game in the round of 64.
Says a lot, right there.
Medcalf: Zags lost more than just a game // ESPN
This is a program, of course, that hasn't advanced beyond the Sweet 16 since that stunning 1999 Elite Eight run that put it on the map. So why should anyone believe them now with so many missed expectations from the past?
Just one loss. That's all it took for the Zags to confirm their doubters' suspicions.
The wild West region gets more wild with loss by No. 1 Gonzaga // CollegeBasketballTalk
Raise your hand if you thought Gonzaga was a strong #1 seed. I didn't, so I'm not that surprised.
Other sports news
Wizards’ John Wall has costly ejection in loss to Golden State // Washington Post
"It’s always in the back of your mind, but the way I got those two techs, I felt I like I was stating my point to say something and I guess they just gave me a technical," Wall said.
Via Aaron's blog