Kentucky Sports Radio

I’m not done with this .gif yet.

During his weekly chat, ESPN’s Chad Ford addressed the uncertainties regarding the Cavaliers number one pick and what it will mean for Nerlens Noel. Ford said that the Cavs are looking into trading the first pick, but so are half of the GMs in the league. According to Ford, no one really wants the #1 pick, nor are they willing to give up a valuable asset to get it, therefore the Cavs might be stuck with it, and in turn, Nerlens Noel.

If they do keep the first pick, what will Noel’s future look like in Cleveland? Ford predicts that Noel will have “almost zero impact” in his first year, if he plays at all, and that because of his slight fame, “year two also might be rough.” However, the Cavs have enough big players that they can be patient with the flat top feller, who, right now, Ford calls “a runner and a shot blocker.”

Ford adds that if the Cavs want immediate help, they should take Otto Porter, not Nerlens Noel; however, if they want a chance at the number one pick next year (aka Andrew Wiggins), Nerlens is the smarter choice. If the Cavs do pass on Noel, Ford sees him sliding as far down as Charlotte, in part because Victor Oladipo might not be an ideal fit alongside Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.

For the record, Ford still predicts that Nerlens will go to Cleveland in his latest mock draft. What do you think the ideal spot is for Nerlens?

A few weeks ago I wrote on here about how this is going to be the “Summer of Transition” on KSR as we move to some new endeavors and expand what we do on this site. We are very excited about the changes and looking forward to announcing new additions to the site in the months to come. One of those additions is bringing on some new writers, a couple of which are names from the past (BTI and John Wilkinson), some new names you don’t yet know and a couple of folks you do know that you will be excited (and surprised) to see in the KSR environment.

But along with that, it is time to once again cast a net and add some new writers to the KSR family from our readership. It has now been 2 1/2 years since our last blogger contest and in these 30 months, we have not added on any new writers from outside the KSR world or the KSR College environment. This summer that changes. Over time, the most important names at KSR have come from either the Blogger contest or writing on separate blogs and then joining Kentucky Sports Radio. Now we will set out to look for the new Beisner, Drew Franklin and Tyler Thompson from our KSR Readership. So we are asking you, do you have what it takes to write for KSR.

Here is What We are Looking For:

1. Creative Writers to Cover UK Sports: You know the KSR style. Do you think you can do it? If so, we would like to read your submission. If you decide to apply for one of these positions, make sure and let us know what sports you would focus on and what you consider your expertise. Remember, most will say basketball and football, so if you have an interest in another area, please let us know. You can be any age, any walk of life and have any profession…just a desire and ability to write at a high level about Kentucky sports.

2. College Students: Many of our best writers have come from KSR College and we are continuing another year of that starting in August. The form of KSR College will alter slightly and the posts will be integrated into the main site as part of the redesign. But if you are interested in joining the KSR College group, you should apply for this position. This involves actual covering of UK games, press conferences and events (last year writers from KSR College were able to cover the John Calipari Fantasy Camp). We prefer to have students who can be in the Lexington area for events, although this is not required. If you are a college student, this is the best position to apply for and we have had a number of writers coming from KSR College land full time sports reporting jobs after their time with us.

3. Creative non-UK Sports Writers: Part of our new endeavor will be to create a “Culture” page, similar to what Bill Simmons has done with Grantland that will include writing beyond the world of UK sports. Some of our best writers, such as Tomlin, Drew and others will be writing extensively here. If you think you are particularly capable of writing about interesting, non-UK topics (movies, politics, pop culture, long features), this is the position for you and you can be part of building a spin-off phase of KSR going forward.

These are the three main types of writers we are now seeking. We are adding a KSR Photographer, but she has already been picked and will be joining us in June. What we are looking for now are great writers and I know you are out there. If you come down this path, it can literally change your career, just as it did for Thomas Beisner, Drew Franklin and Tyler Thompson. And now is the time for you to try as as well.

To Apply, EMAIL KSRJOBS1@gmail.com with this information:

— Reference in SUBJECT OF THE EMAIL as to which position/s you are interested in

— A couple of paragraphs on who you are, where you live, what you do for a living, why you are interested…a biographical look at the person applying. Make sure to use this as a time to sell us on you as it will be (at least until we interview you) our only chance to know who you are as a person.

— At least 2 WRITING SAMPLES OF YOUR WORK. This can be created specifically for this application or something you have done elsewhere. But we are interested in seeing your writing ability.

— Contact information and schedule availability. If you are chosen, how often, and when, would you be available to write.

Our vision is that you will join us as a secondary hobby to whatever career you are pursuing now, but with the possibility of advancement, just as other KSR writers have done before. We need your submission by TUESDAY MAY 28 at 5 PM. We will spend some time reviewing the applications and then be in touch by mid-June. This is an exciting time for KSR and we are eager to pursue the next phase of the site’s growth this summer. We hope to have you a part of it and look forward to reading your submissions. Thanks!

The Cleveland Cavaliers select… Nerlens Noel from the University of Kentucky.

Kyrie and Nerlens will be a solid combo. Maybe the Cavs will be back in the lottery next year to add another Wildcat to its roster?

Vandy freshman Sheldon Jeter wants to transfer to a school closer to his home of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania because of some personal issues with his family. Vanderbilt’s head coach Kevin Stallings has granted him a release, and in a statement through the school, said the following: “Sheldon has indicated that he’d like to play closer to home, and we wish him the best.” Sounds fine, right?

Wrong. Beaver Falls is a suburb of Pittsburgh, about 40 miles out. Pitt is the biggest major college basketball program in the area, and for some reason, Kevin Stallings is blocking Jeter’s transfer to Pitt, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Why does Stallings not want Jeter to go to Pitt? Who knows. There are message board rumors that Pitt actually knew about Jeter’s intent to transfer there before Vandy granted his release, which could be considered tampering, but there is no concrete evidence of that. Now, Jeter’s only option if he really wants to enroll at Pitt is have his family pay for the first year, and then accept a scholarship for the remaining three years.

Stay classy, Kevin.

Fake trade: what about Boogie Cousins to Washington for the 3rd pick? A reunion of buddies Wall + Cousins! @kysportsradio approves.

— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) May 22, 2013

Bill Simmons asked his Twitter followers about a potential trade that would send DeMarcus Cousins to Washington to team up with John Wall. Simmons seems to think Cousins is on the move this summer and he wonders if the Kings and Wizards would have any interest in swapping Cousins and the third overall pick.

Keep in mind, this is just Simmons throwing out fake trade scenarios to get everyone’s NBA GM wheels turning this offseason. But this one is too good to simply brush off as internet fodder without raising a discussion.

So, how about it? Boogie to Washington for the third overall pick?

Simmons’s tweet says Matt approves.

Steven Pearl has been an easy target for Kentucky fans over the years. The goofy son of Bruce Pearl played at Tennessee while his dad was coaching, and was always a fun foil for UK fans. After Bruce Pearl was fired for inviting Aaron Craft to a BBQ and lied about to to NCAA investigators, we didn’t really hear much from Steven…until now.

Like his father, the younger Pearl proves he has an awesome sense of humor in an ad for a Knoxville BBQ restaurant. He starts the ad with the line, “If there’s one thing we Pearls know, it’s how to throw a barbecue” and keeps the laughs rolling with “Just remember, my two rules for legendary backyard barbecues: get your food from Calhoun’s and absolutely no photography” before ending with this disclaimer: “Offer not available to Aaron Craft.”

Props, Steven. Props.

In 100 days, your University of Kentucky Wildcats will take on the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at LP Field in Nashville. Mark Stoops vs. Bobby Petrino. Another fun roadtrip to Nashvegas. Do you have your tickets? They range from $25 – $75 (plus Ticketmaster fees).

UK season ticket holders can purchase their tickets through the University here.

CLICK HERE TO BUY YOUR TICKET

Think of it now…Jalen Whitlow on the new Titantrons, the largest outdoor screens in the NFL:

The boys appear to be having fun on this morning’s radio show at Body Shapes Medical in Lexington.

Ewwww.

Photo by Malinda Adams/ESPN

Andy Katz spent the past few days by Nerlens Noel’s side during the NBA Draft Lottery festivities, and wrote a lengthy profile of the flat top feller for ESPN last night. In it, Katz follows Nerlens’ rehab, which is happening down at Dr. James Andrews’ Champion Sports Medicine Center in Birmingham. Katz interviews Nerlen’s physical therapist Kevin Wilk, who says Nerlens is three to four weeks ahead of schedule in his rehab:

“Nerlens is three or four weeks ahead of most people with an ACL injury,” Wilk said Tuesday after putting him through a series of strengthening and stretching exercises. “He doesn’t have any swelling, no pain, has a nice dry knee and everything has been smooth.”

Earlier this week, we showed you a video of Nerlens’ first day back on the court to start shooting drills, and Wilk says the projected number one pick’s next step is working on jumping and landing before he can begin scrimmaging. NBA doctors will evaluate Nerlens this weekend, and with a good report, Cleveland will likely have no problem taking him first.

Nerlens told Katz that he has no regrets about his decision to go pro early: “It has been surreal. It’s crazy. I could be graduating high school right now, walking out on stage. I definitely made the best decision for myself. My year at Kentucky was the best year I’ve ever had.”

Here is Noel’s interview with ESPN shortly after the Cavs were awarded the first pick in the NBA draft. He told Andy Katz he cherished every moment at Kentucky and learned so much under Coach Cal. “I’m very fortunate,” he said.

Good morning, Kentucky Sports Radio radio listeners. Got your Cleveland Cavaliers t-shirt yet? You better get on it.

On today’s show, Matt and Ryan will talk about the Cavs’ upset win last night’s NBA draft lottery and what it means for Nerlens Noel. They’ll also discuss a little football and our excitement as Charles Ramsey Day approaches.

Join in on the fun by calling (502) 571-1080.

Topics include:

– Nerlens to Cleveland?

– UK vs. WKU

– Atlases

– Thursday and Friday’s shows

Listen to Kentucky Sports Radio

KSR Affiliate List

WAIN (93.9 fm) Columbia
WHIR (1230 am) Danville
WCLU (1490 am) Glasgow
WJKY (1060 am) Jamestown
WLAP (630 am) Lexington
WFMW (730 am) Madisonville
WFTM (1240 am) Maysville
WKYM (101.7 fm) Monticello
WMSK (101.3 fm) Morganfield
WKJK (1080 am) Louisville
WKYH (600 am) Paintsville
WLSI (900 am) Pikeville
WPRT (960 am) Prestonsburg
WSFC (1240 am) Somerset
WTCW (920 am) Whitesburg
WBTH (1400 am) Williamson, WV

On Delay…

WBGN (1340 am) Bowling Green 3-5 pm
WKFC (101.9 fm) London 6-8 pm
WLBQ (1570 am) Morgantown 3-5 pm
WRIL (106.3 fm) Middlesboro Thur 8-10 pm
WKYQ (1560 am) Paducah 5-7 pm

On Tuesday, I broke down the strength of this non-conference schedule for 2013-14, and concluded that it will be one of John Calipari’s best non-conference schedules.  Often times, it is the second tier games that make or break the difficulty of the schedule.  UK will always have the UNC’s and Louisville’s of the world on the schedule.  But it’s Boise State and Belmont that make the schedule especially tough this year.  Those are mid-major teams with high NCAA Tournament hopes and the ability, on a great night, to challenge UK.  But I have to wonder: why not give a little more love to the in-state schools? 

Frankly, WKU has made the last 2 tournaments.  Murray State has won games in the tournament TWICE in the last couple years.  Morehead State beat Louisville just 3 years ago in the tournament.  Eastern Kentucky has a really awesome looking mascot.  But the point is scheduling these teams would not decrease the quality of the schedule one bit.  Would we rather see WKU and EKU in Rupp Arena or UNC-Asheville and Robert Morris?  Below are the 5 in-state Division-1 schools not named Louisville in the state and the times UK has played them in the John Calipari era:  

Morehead State: 2009 and 2012
Western Kentucky: 2012 (NCAA Tournament, Last regular season game was 2001)
Eastern Kentucky: NONE (Last scheduled game was 2006)
Murray State: NONE (Teams have never played)
Northern Kentucky: Scheduled for 2013

How big of an issue is this for me?  Not very big.  But look, I am a WKU alum.  In my 4 years in Bowling Green, I saw WKU play UL twice, play Murray every year, Eastern Kentucky every year, and never even sniff playing UK.  And I can tell you in those 4 years, WKU would not have beaten UK once, or played them within 10 points.  Point being, there was no harm in scheduling WKU.  All it would do is give the UK fans another non-conference game that would garner more interest while keeping the schedule strong.

And if you’re argument is that you are scared these teams might actually beat the Cats, then what does that say about you?  That you are scared of mid-major programs in the state?  And that is no way to approach a schedule.  I see no negatives to scheduling these teams.  They wouldn’t try and make you play in their gyms, big interest in the state, small chance of losing.  I don’t see any reason not to seriously consider this.    

I just wonder what you all think.  Do you want to see more in-state schools on the schedule on a yearly basis?  Or is that an unimportant factor in the schedule for you? 

On a completely unrelated note to a trivial basketball schedule, take a minute to watch this video of a CBS report from Oklahoma.  So much grief in that state right now, it’s great to see an occassional bright story.  Especially when it comes to family pets:  

Follow me on twitter @BryantheIntern

Many of you may not know the two young women up above, but they are all the rage for the high school and college basketball set. They are the Gonzalez Twins, Dyl and Kota (short for Dylan and Dakota) and they are the next big thing in women’s college basketball. The two young women are headed to Kansas next year, but they have already spawned tons of admirers in the Twitter world and have met celebrities ranging from Kevin Hart to Magic Johnson. Some even joked when Andrew Wiggins picked Kansas that he was doing it for the Gonzalez duo (which would be more understandable than if he had picked for Bill Self). But now as the world admires the Gonzalez Girls, they seem to admire Anthony Davis. Our favorite Unibrow has been rumored on the social media sites to be dating one of the girls (I think its Dyl, but I am not a specialist on telling twins apart…I still dont know which Collins twin is gay). The girls posted these pictures recently of a visit from Davis with them:

Then, Dyl got the speculation going even further with this tweet to Anthony this week:

I miss you 😩😩😩 @antdavis23

— Dyl & Kota Gonzalez (@Dollbaby_duo) May 21, 2013

Now I of course have no idea if the two are an item, and honestly I don’t care. But I do think it is interesting that these two women, who will be the stars of college basketball…at least from the fan point of view…next year have found their way into a rumored fling with Anthony Davis. It shows just how far Davis’s media profile has risen and just what a future star he is. Plus, I think it is a better rumor than when everyone said he was dating Brittney Griner. Do your thing Anthony.

This photo of a teacher reunited with one of his students who was pulled from the rubble is particularly moving.

The stories don’t stop coming out of Moore, Oklahoma after Monday’s devastating tornadoes. Some stories are tragic, some are heartwarming, and some give you faith in mankind, like the news that NBA superstar Kevin Durant is donating $1 million to tornado relief. Durant has been in Oklahoma City for five years, and in a message through his foundation, said that he considers the town his home:

“As the day went on and I saw the footage and the casualties and the houses being blown away, it was tough to see. I call Oklahoma City my home. I go through Moore all the time. It’s unfortunate. We’re going to come together as a city like we always do and we’re going to bounce back.”

Durant was in Minneapolis during the tornadoes, but says he hopes to be back in Oklahoma City on Wednesday to continue to give back:

“Just to get to the hospital, see some kids. Something. Just something to give some hope. Playing for the Thunder, we mean so much to the state. So many people support us and I just want to go back and support those people.”

Good on ya, Kevin. Let’s all do the same by donating what we can to the victims through the Red Cross.

– The big news of the day was the Cleveland Cavaliers winning the number one pick in the NBA Draft Lottery. However, with their cap space, two first round picks and interest in improving fast, there were reports on Tuesday night that the Cavs are going to investigate trading the number one pick. If they keep the pick, it is widely expected that they will select Nerlens Noel. It’s a win-win for both parties: Nerlens gets to join forces with Kyrie Irving and potentially another top pick next season; and Cleveland gets a player that, once rehabbed, will have an immediate impact inside. Chad Ford said that Nerlens “might be the perfect fit for the Cavs” due to his compatible defensive presence and the fact that they can be patient for him to fully recover because of bigs Anderson Varejao and Tyler Zeller. Ford also said that barring any bad news about his knee (NBA docs evaluate him this weekend), he thinks Nerlens will be a Cavalier.

Smile, Nerlens, you’re probably headed to Cleveland!

(The size of Nerlens’ hand in this .gif might haunt me forever.)

– Right now, Draft Express has Nerlens going first to the Cavs, and Archie Goodwin going 30th to the Phoenix Suns, while Chad Ford left Archie out of his mock first round. Here’s the complete first round draft order:

1. Cleveland Cavaliers
2. Orlando Magic
3. Washington Wizards
4. Charlotte Bobcats
5. Phoenix Suns
6. New Orleans Pelicans
7. Sacramento Kings
8. Detroit Pistons
9. Minnesota Timberwolves
10. Portland Trail Blazers
11. Philadelphia 76ers
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Toronto Raptors)
13. Dallas Mavericks
14. Utah Jazz
15. Milwaukee Bucks
16. Boston Celtics
17. Atlanta Hawks
18. Atlanta Hawks (from Houston Rockets)
19. Cleveland Cavaliers (from Los Angeles Lakers)
20. Chicago Bulls
21. Utah Jazz (from Golden State Warriors)
22. Brooklyn Nets
23. Indiana Pacers
24. New York Knicks
25. Los Angeles Clippers
26. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Memphis Grizzlies)
27. Denver Nuggets
28. San Antonio Spurs
29. Oklahoma City Thunder
30. Phoenix Suns (from Miami Heat)

– Bill Simmons had to go and troll the BBN with this possibility on Twitter: if you were the Cavs, would you trade the number one pick to Sacramento for DeMarcus Cousins? Hmmm…

– Another Cat will have a shot at making a team when Julius Mays works out in the Brooklyn Nets’ league-wide NBA combine on Thursday. The combine features five-on-five competition between potential second rounders. Mays is scheduled to play with Pierre Jackson (Baylor), Travis Releford (Kansas), Marshawn Powell (Arkansas) and Alex Oriakhi (Missouri) in Thursday’s 11:15 a.m. session. Last week, Mays worked out for the Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers, and the Toronto Raptors. If Uncle Julius makes a team, Calipari is officially the king of getting players in the league. Game over, end of story, give him the scepter.

– The baseball team’s season ended on Tuesday with a 4-1 loss to Ole Miss in the SEC Tournament. The team’s late season collapse is truly disappointing, as they were ranked as high as seventh at times this year. The loss also kills any postseason dreams the Bat Cats have. The Bat Cats ended the season with a 30-25 record after a 22-6 start. Ouch.

– Rivals updated their 250 for 2014 on Tuesday, and some future Cats jumped up the list. Drew Barker moved up to #117 from #153, Mikel Horton up to #131 from #209, and Thaddeus Snodgrass jumped on the list at #205.

– Cincinnati safety Mike Edwards reportedly enjoyed his trip to UK on Monday, and according to current 2014 commitment Mikel Horton, will be a Cat soon. Horton said that Edwards is a “UK lover,” and that he feels they’ve “got him.” What about Edwards’ BFF Darius West, who came in at #185 on the Rivals250? Horton called West a “hell of an athlete” that “gets the job done,” and said that West tells him loves Kentucky, but also has interest in Louisville. West will announce his decision on May 30th, while Edwards has yet to set an announcement date. They’ve both said that they plan on playing on the same team at the next level.

– Another exciting week rolls on, with a huge slate of radio guests set to end the week. On Thursday, Matthew Mitchell will be in-studio to co-host with Matt, and on Friday, Matt and Drew will travel to Floyd County where Cleveland superhero Charles Ramsey will be doing a public appearance. Ramsey has agreed to come on the radio show, which is just about the most exciting thing to happen around here since BTI came back. Don’t miss out.

Some good stuff as Nerlens interviews with ESPN on his “Car Wash” Tour

The NBA Draft lottery just wrapped up and the Cleveland Cavaliers have been awarded the number one pick. Most analysts, including ESPN’s Chad Ford, say the Cavs will select Nerlens Noel, who spoke to ESPN after the lottery concluded. Noel said that he thinks his game definitely translates well to the Cavs, and that once he returns to the court, his shot blocking ability will have an immediate impact on the Cav’s defense. He said he liked the idea of playing with Kyrie Irving, and as many people have mentioned, there is the possibility that LeBron James could return to Cleveland in two years, making the team an legitimate title contender.

Better stock up on some more knit caps, Nerlens. I hear it’s cold up there.

Since its inception in 2005, the one-and-done rule has completely changed the sport of basketball, and no one knows that better than John Calipari. Cal has become synonymous with the rule, and in turn, is college basketball’s biggest villain. The sport’s purists work themselves into a fury talking about how Cal’s “NBA factory” at Kentucky has demoralized and cheapened James Naismith’s great invention. To them, painting Calipari as the villain is easier than accepting the cold hard truth: the rule is a necessary evil for success in college basketball. And John Calipari’s the only one willing to do something about it.

Let’s start by looking back at how we got into this mess.

During collective bargaining talks in 2005, the players’ association and the league came up with the “one-and-done rule” as a solution to the influx of prep stars making the leap to the NBA without attending college. The NBA wanted more time to evaluate high school talent and hoped that a year in college would help players mature. The players’ association didn’t wholly approve of the concept, but agreed to it to get other things they wanted from the league. Therefore, the rule stating that a player must be 19 years of age, or have spent one season in college or playing abroad in order to play in the league was born.

In its first few years, the rule seemed to benefit both NBA and college basketball. Stars like Kevin Durant, Derrick Rose, and Greg Oden only spent the requisite year in college, but helped their teams to postseason success, and Durant became the first freshman ever to win the Oscar Robertson Trophy. College basketball benefited from a jolt of talent that previously, would have followed in Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James’ shoes by leaping to the league straight out of high school, and the NBA got its slightly more developed stars. At age 22, Rose became the league’s youngest MVP, a feat that LeBron James didn’t achieve until he was 24.

The problems with the one-and-done rule began once the sport had a few years to adjust to it. Some coaches accepted the rule and found a way to make it work, while others refuse to adapt their practices, and in turn, lag behind the curve. The nation’s top high school talent sees which coaches/programs are most successful in putting players in the league (Kentucky), and as a result, other coaches are left in the cold, which breeds jealousy and contempt.

Cal’s approach to the rule? Put the players first. “I’m not recruiting one-and-dones; I’m recruiting basketball players,” Calipari said in 2011. “I tell kids, ‘Don’t come here if you think you’re leaving after one year. If you’re ready to go after a year, I will be fine with it.’ You recruit the best kids you can recruit and then you make judgments when the year is over. People say, ‘Cal, if he had stayed, you would have had another guy and maybe won the national title.’ Maybe it would have been better for us, but it wouldn’t have been better for him.”

The fact that the media really only started making noise about the evils of the rule after Cal began to have success at Kentucky is not a coincidence; Kentucky was already the villain of the sport, and when Cal came along, he vaulted it back to elite status with such speed that the rest of the teams in the sport were left spinning. It didn’t take the critics long to take the low road to explain Kentucky’s sudden shot of success.

ESPN and CBS commentator Len Elmore in 2011: “You have coaches now running and telling kids, ‘Come with me, and after your freshman year I’ll have you ready for the NBA.’ It used to be in recruiting the coach would say, ‘Come with me and I’ll develop you into a man and you’ll get a degree.’ …I won’t name names, but you know who they are. And it still boggles my mind how a coach can think he can take a kid for six months and get him ready for the NBA.”

At this point, the one-and-done rule isn’t exactly helping the players out, either. The number of one-and-doners drafted that end up in the D-League is going up. While they’re getting paid, it is clear in some cases that another year or two in college would have helped both the players and the teams make a better decision. Now, teams are full of players who are young, raw players who need development. Critics love to blame Cal for the system, but he’s quick to point out that he’s not the one who created it, he’s just found a way to make it work, and in turn, reap more rewards:

“All these people are trying to make this one-year rule my rule. When did it become my rule? I don’t even like it. Would I like them to stay four years? Absolutely, I would like them to stay four years. But it’s not the rule. This is the rule,” Cal has said. “There’s only two solutions to it: Either I can recruit players who are not as good as the players I’m recruiting or I can try to convince guys that should leave to stay for me.” “

He’s even gone as far to trump his system’s “success rate,” aka a graduation rate in the one-and-done era. His players may not make it to their sophomore year, but they do put in work towards their degrees over the summer, while at the same time still chasing their dreams and taking care of their families’ financial situations. It ain’t pretty, but until the rule changes, it works.

When will that rule change? Probably not anytime soon. Yet, Cal has been one of the few college coaches to offer some solutions. He’s proposed the “two and through” system, in which the age requirement for the league would be bumped up to 20, or two years of school. The two-year rule would make it easier for players to get their degrees, while still having the time they need to develop their skills and mature in college. Cal told Mike DeCourcy back in 2011 that it’s the perfect medium:

“If it’s two years, the kids understand they’ve got to go to college. I think we would have 100 percent graduation rate along with all these kids getting drafted. When a kid leaves after one year and he’s 90 credits short, that’s going to take seven or eight years. …Two years is a good number. Kids can come in and do their thing, they can get close to graduating, you can have an impact on their lives.”

He’s also suggested that players who stay two years or more get a year off their initial contract in the NBA, which would give them a bigger contract sooner and provide incentive for them to stay in school. In the past, NCAA president Mark Emmert has proposed getting rid of the rule altogether and letting kids go to the league right out of high school, something which Cal pointed out in a 2012 speech was how we got into this mess in the first place:

“The NCAA president said let them go right out of high school? What? How many ninth graders will think, ‘I’m going right to the NBA?’ Five hundred? One thousand? Now those kids will be really focused on academics. How could you make that statement?”

Calipari’s ire for the NCAA and its rules has swelled to the point that on our radio show last week, he suggested that Kentucky may secede from the NCAA until things are changed. And while the one-and-done rule is an NBA rule, the NCAA is doing nothing to fix it. Until they do, college basketball and the nation’s top talent will continue to suffer from a broken system:

“I’m the one guy out there saying we’ve gotta change this somehow,” Calipari told Matt last week. “We’ve gotta encourage these kids to stay two years. But the NCAA’s gotta do some stuff, and if they don’t do it we need to separate from them. I’m not afraid to say it. Look, they’ve embarrassed me. I’ve done nothing, so they’re not gonna come in, show retribution to me and do stuff. I don’t really care. But something’s gotta change with this one-and-done rule. I seem to be the coach saying anything.”

We all joke about how often Cal talks about his “players-first” system, but the reason he does is because it falls on deaf ears to those who have the power. The system isn’t perfect, but right now, it’s the only line of defense until the NCAA, the NBA, and the Players’ Association come together to find a proper solution, which Cal has even already put together for them.

But he’s the villain, right?