Louisville won the tournament last night. You know that. I'm not loading up on Louisville attaboy articles here, if you want to read them, Google is your friend.
What is surprising is that Kentucky is in the news despite Louisville's victory. That feels good.
Tweet of the Morning:
John Calipari after winning a title: "I want to go 40-0."Rick Pitino after winning a title: "I wanna get a tattoo!!!"
— Not Jerry Tipton (@NotJerryTipton) April 9, 2013
Simply too awesome for words.
Your Quickies:
Kentucky football
Those of you who like football a lot will appreciate this. Via Hank:
THE RECRUIT: Fishers 2014 OL Drew Broughton
I wonder if UK has looked at this guy? (Hank)
Defensive backfield should draw Stoops’ focus // The Kentucky Kernel
A key area where depth is desperately needed is the defensive backfield. Last season, UK would routinely trot out four true freshmen. Seeing action in Division I football fresh out of high school and preforming well is a tall task in any conference; in the SEC it’s nearly unheard of.
I think this is right.
The Sweet 16: Breaking down the best 16 games of the 2013 college football season
15. Kentucky vs. Western Kentucky: Saturday, August 31 TBA (LP Field, Nashville, TN)
Yes, I already know what you’re thinking: "Aaron, have you been hanging out with Marshall Henderson? Because there’s no way anyone in their right mind would ever put this game on a list like this."
Pretty funny. Read the whole thing. Via Hank
Kentucky basketball
Coach Cal receives Barefoot Coach of the Year award // CoachCal.com
John Calipari was honored as the Samaritan’s Feet "Barefoot Coach of the Year" award winner in Atlanta on Saturday. Coach Cal was recognized at the Legends of the Hardwood Breakfast, which recognizes coaches who have demonstrated character, leadership, courage and compassion.
Congratulations to Coach Cal, a good man who walks the walk.
Ira Combs Weekly Column
Personally , I don’t feel as confident as some do about Kentucky’s chances of pulling Wiggins on board . My money is on North Carolina with Michael Jordan and NIKE carrying the torch for the Tar Heels . I just don’t think his parents will force their son to attend Florida State and become a Seminole just because they were all the time knowing he will only be in college for 8 months and he’s onto the NBA .
I have a better feeling about Kentucky’s chances with Wiggins.
Kentucky Is Favored to Win 2014 NCAA Title With Louisville Fifth // Businessweek
The Wildcats, who missed this year’s National Collegiate Athletic Association tournament after winning the 2012 title, are listed as the 4-1 favorites to claim a ninth championship, according to handicapping information website Pregame.com.
I like it. I like that we are already talking about Kentucky the day after the Cardinals win.
Top 5 Storylines for the 2013-14 College Basketball Season " CBS Atlanta
Many are already comparing them [2013-14 Kentucky] to the 1996 Kentucky team that won the Final Four with nine future NBA players. There’s even talk of 40-0, if the Wildcats can still get a commitment from the nation’s top small forward and number one overall player Andrew Wiggins. Perfection may not be in the works, but this collection of talent could be a team for the ages.
I love that we are talking Wildcats the day after Louisville wins the NCAA Tournament. That just goes to show you who the big fish is.
Very Early Top 25 for 2013-14 season // ESPN
Could the Wildcats really go from first-round NIT losers to NCAA champions? Absolutely. Kentucky’s 2013 recruiting class is already being hailed as the best in college basketball history.
Forecasting the NCAA basketball top 25 in 2013-14 // USA Today
Top 25 (and one): Way-too-early preseason rankings for 2013-14 // NCAA Division I Mens Basketball - CBSSports.com
A team from the Bluegrass State will enter 2013-14 with a target on its back. Only it’s not the one you think.
Other UK sports
Peevy Promoted to Deputy Director of Athletics // UKAthletics.com
Congrats to DeWayne Peevey.
No. 13 Baseball Hosts 25-Win Austin Peay Tuesday // UKAthletics.com
No. 20 Softball Hosts Marshall, Travels to EKU in Midweek Action // UKAthletics.com
Links posts
Tom Leach // Tuesday Links
College football
Mark May's feud with Ohio State fans continues
Who says Announcers and Common Taters are fair minded and balanced? (Hank)
SEC Drubs Big Ten 110-51
Wisconsin can’t match Kentucky or Tennessee in letter writing. What a bunch of pikers. (Hank)
Western Ky. football player arrested over weekend // Bowling Green Daily News: AP State
Okay, Bobby Petrino is coach and players get arrested. Yep, that sounds about right.
At least he didn’t rob a convenience store with an Uzi. That’s an improvement, I guess.
SEC Historical Football Series Mapped Out // Team Speed Kills
Pretty cool. Check it out.
Penn State Athletics Donations Dropped After Sandusky, But Football Giving Quintupled
Well, there’s that football culture again. With this news, the NCAA should come in and revoke Penn State’s membership in the association itself. Obviously, they’re just as evil as they were [/sarcasm].
Manti Te'o's fake girlfriend won ESPN's bracket challenge
Awesome!
College basketball
Video: Rick Pitino is scared for his life after national championship victory
I saw this live. Pretty funny.
Riot police brought in as Louisville fans celebrate NCAA win // NY Daily News
Louisville’s celebration following the Cardinals’ 82-76 victory over Michigan for the NCAA championship eventually required riot police and an armored carrier to quell a disturbance early Tuesday.
Next time a Cardinal fan gives you guff about burning couches, ask them about their riot.
3-point shot: Rules changes coming // ESPN
I like the sound of these rule changes. The elbow rule and the expanded use of replay late in games makes sense, but they do need to do it quickly.
NCAA won’t allow U of L men to attend women’s title game // John Clay's Sidelines
I agree with the NCAA on this. Seems petty, but there’s no doubt it is a rules violation.
Rick Pitino’s reward for winning the national title? A tattoo // CollegeBasketballTalk
A sixty year old man getting a tattoo? Whatever, it sounds stupid to me.
Alabama newspaper awards Syracuse basketball national championship // SBNation.com
There’s one in your eye, Cards fans.
Pitino secures legacy as one of all-time greats // SBNation.com
I don’t know… I don’t think they would have kicked him out of the HOF if Louisville had lost last night.
Michigan's John Beilein explains his coaching gaffe
"I thought we were in the 1-and-1," Beilein said. "It’s a coaching error. That falls right on me."
Though it wasn’t as egregious as Chris Webber calling timeout in the 1993 championship game when Michigan didn’t have any – resulting in a technical foul with the Wolverines down by just two points – it was certainly costly.
Wow, that’s something that should never happen.
One Whining Moment: SB Nation's NCAA Tournament Montage // SBNation.com
Heh.