Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones, Drew Franklin and Tyler Thompson]
[Moderated by Matt Jones, Drew Franklin and Tyler Thompson]
If Louisville basketball is having the worst week ever after dropping 3 straight games, Villanova is having the best week ever. Even though storming the court has lost all of it’s magic (more on that later…), you know it’s been a good week for your team when your fans have felt compelled to storm the court twice. Villanova was having a rather lackluster season until this week when they knocked off 2 top 5 teams in back to back games. After knocking off #5 Louisville at home on Tuesday, Villanova did their best to prove it wasn’t simply a fluke by handling 3rd ranked Syracuse at home again this afternoon. The Wildcats move to 13-7 overall (4-3 in the Big East). A team that was an afterthought a week ago has now gained a palpable buzz as we head toward the halfway point in conference play. The only thing certain about college basketball this season is that absolutely nothing is certain. Someone random WILL win your office bracket pool. That much I’d be willing to bet on.
While on the topic of Villanova and their spectacular week, let’s quickly discuss the growing obsession with storming the court. Does it really matter if people storm courts or don’t storm courts following games? No. Of course not. Is a huge deal? No, it’s not. Is it a bit excessive though? Yeah, I tend to think so. And I’m not saying this as a “snobby Kentucky fan who thinks no one should ever storm the court.” Here are a few simple terms that the college basketball world could use to determine whether or not a court should be stormed or not. Take it or leave it…
And now on to the news and views from a game day here in Lexington…
—– Kentucky moved to 13-6 on the season with a win over LSU, one of the SEC’s bottom dwellers, tonight in Rupp Arena. Kentucky improves to 4-2 in SEC play with the 75-70 win over the Tigers.
—– Kentucky once again pieced together a solid performance in the first half. A pleasant surprise came in the form of freshman Alex Poythress, who looked sharp, decisive and energetic from the start. Poythress got the ball down low with his back to the basket early and often, finding ways to aggressively attack the basket for big baskets around the rim. His teammates were thrilled for him, and you could see it in their reaction to each of his baskets. Players were coming up and chest bumping Poythress. For Poythress’ part, he was enthusiastic and all smiles as well.
—– Two of Poythress’ teammates talked about their excitement for his strong performance on the night (he finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds). Fellow freshmen Archie Goodwin and Nerlens Noel both admitted to feeling sorry for Poythress at times this season, watching him struggle to find his game. Goodwin said he “feels sorry for him for what Cal puts him through.” Goodwin says that Poythress gets Cal’s worst in practice and “it’s not even close.”
—– Nerlens Noel chimed in though, adding that it’s been good for Poythress and perhaps even necessary. “It’s for his own good. He has to change,” Noel said. “We need him.”
—– Poythress seemed looser and even genuinely happy following today’s win. When asked how fun today was on a scale of 1-10, Poythress responded with “11.” He said he finally smiled because, “who wouldn’t after 20 and 12? I love playing basketball. I’ve been playing since I was a little young pup.”
—– Although Poythress has struggled to fulfill the effort being asked of him by his coach, he might have taken a big step forward tonight. “Playing hard for me and playing hard for Coach Cal is a whole different level.”
—– Calipari could hardly contain his joy and pride for Poythress’ performance after the game. He went into a long and detailed speech about him to the crowd in his IMG post-game press conference. “A guy like Alex thinks he’s really going hard. But he’s not. You don’t go long enough. He’s starting to accept that and he’s starting to practice different. He’s starting to change his habits. One of the greatest developments for human kind was us realizing at some point ‘we can change our attitudes and we can change our habits.’ And if we do that, our life changes. Wow.”
—– You’ve probably already read it on here earlier, but these Calipari comments on Poythress deserve repeating: “I was so proud of Alex. I can’t begin to tell ya. He’s getting it. Without him, we don’t win.” That right there… has been a long time coming.
—– As happy as Calipari was with Poythress, his post-game comments allude to the fact that the overall attitude of the team and some of the individuals is still a work in progress. “Everything is about attitude. A bad team with a good attitude is going to beat a good team with a bad attitude. An attitude doesn’t mean you talk back to your coach either. It might mean you miss a play on offense and you put your head down and jog back on defense. An attitude where you say, ‘I don’t like to talk.’ Well, become an accountant (drink). You gotta talk, or play a sport where it’s just you. Because at the end of the day, we have to do all those things. Again, Nerlens played well and Alex was just tremendous. I wanted to get him out so he could get an ovation. I want him to understand you work, you sacrifice, and that’s what happens to you. It’s worth it. But you gotta see some success so they’ll want to keep going.”
—– So if we’re keeping tabs at home, I think this is where the team likely stands in Calipari’s eyes when it comes to giving the kind of effort he wants/expects (at least after today):
Guys on board most, if not all nights: Nerlens Noel, Kyle Wiltjer, Julius Mays
More than halfway there: Alex Poythress, Ryan Harrow
Still figuring it out: Archie Goodwin
*Willie Cauley-Stein is TBA due to sitting out the past 3 games
—– Speaking of guys who are starting to “get it”, Calipari spoke in detail about Kyle Wiltjer’s transformation over the past few games. He said that he talked to Wiltjer in front of the team the other day and asked, “Kyle what happened? Why did you change your attitude toward effort and your attitude toward practice?” Calipari said that Wiltjer replied: “I was embarrassed after Vandy. I didn’t wanna be that guy. I didn’t wanna get scored on. I didn’t wanna miss rebounds.” Calipari said you would love Wiltjer if you saw the way he practiced. He’s dunking, flying up and down the court, etc.
—– Then Calipari brought up someone a bit unexpected. Cal said “You know who else has gotten a lot better? Jon Hood.” Calipari went on to discuss the way in which Hood was been practicing, which has really impressed him. He says Hood has made some plays where Calipari has blown his whistle and stopped practice to cheer for him. He said Hood is all smiles, but now he wants to see him play that way in games. Calipari said Hood still plays too nervous and tentative, and he wants to see him play with the same energy he practices with.
—– Calipari said he has talked to this year’s group of players about how they want to be remembered. Calipari says he knows it’s hard to be the team that follows a national championship team. But he told his young guys that “you get defined as a player not just by wins and losses. You get defined by how you played. When you think of these guys 10 years from now, will you remember which games they won or lost? No. You’re going to remember how they played. That’s what we’re trying to get to. It’s just been a slow process.”
—– The road doesn’t get easier for Kentucky as they face one of the marquee games on their schedule on Tuesday. Kentucky will travel to Ole Miss, one of the few top-25 teams remaining on Kentucky’s schedule. Kentucky is in desperate need of quality wins, and a win against Ole Miss on the road would be huge. Calipari talked about how Ole Miss is ready to “womp on them.”
—– Calipari is excited about the chance to make a statement though. “Let’s go. Let’s see where we are.”
—– By the way, Ole Miss nearly coughed one up against Auburn tonight. Ole Miss hung on for a 63-61 win on the road. Marshall Henderson hit the game winning free throws and proceeded to pop his jersey to the Auburn student section. We might start to feel about Henderson the way we feel about Joakim Noah very soon.
(Clearly at least one Auburn fan isn’t amused…H/t Izzy Gould)
—– Willie Cauley-Stein missed his third consecutive game today as he continues to nurse a knee injury. Calipari seemed optimistic about Cauley-Stein’s return next week, although he believes Saturday is more likely than Tuesday. However, he did not rule out a return for the Ole Miss game. For his part, Cauley-Stein is anxious to get back on the court…
—– Before we move on from tonight’s game and post-game commentary, let us once again send a big thank you to UK assistant coach John Robic for pulling Nerlens Noel off the court to keep Kentucky from potentially receiving a technical foul in the closing seconds of the game. #GoldenHairDoesCare
(From Randall Cobb: “Thanks to all of BBN for continuing to make memorable moments for me!) Right back at ya, green eyes.
Let’s talk a little football now, shall we?
—– Mark Stoops had yet another huge recruiting weekend for Kentucky football. By all accounts, at least four 4-stars were on campus this afternoon to take in the Kentucky basketball game. Jason Hatcher, Ryan Timmons, James Hearns and Marcus McWilson were all either on official or unofficial visits this weekend. Although the rumors began swirling after the game that Hearns and McWilson committed, the official word has yet to come. Regardless of the status of the commitments at this point, if Stoops can secure even 2 of those guys, that will continue to add to what might be Kentucky’s best class ever.
—– Stay tuned tomorrow. After a weekend like this, hopefully some good news might be on the way…
—– The news wasn’t all positive on the football front this weekend though. 3-star OL/DL Lovell Peterson de-committed from Kentucky. He will attend Grand Valley State instead to pursue football AND track and field. Reportedly his girlfriend will also attend school at Grand Valley State. As Doron Lamb would say…#NoCuffing.
—– And last but not least, the Washington Wizards pulled off a nice upset win against the Bulls tonight behind strong play from former Wildcat John Wall. Since Wall’s return, the Wizards have enjoyed a winning record after a dismal start to the season. Wall finished with 15 points and 7 assists in 27 minutes.
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Bill Keightley Report : Never to be forgotten.
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January 26th, 2013 at 10:33 pm
I know McWilson hasn’t committed yet but everybody is saying Hearns has… What’s the deal?
January 26th, 2013 at 10:36 pm
The game today was a complete disgrace. LSU is worse than awful.
January 26th, 2013 at 10:41 pm
A link to a KSR college article?
Leave it.
January 26th, 2013 at 11:00 pm
Loving all those middle fingers pointed toward Henderson. Keep it classy, Auburn and Ole Miss.
January 26th, 2013 at 11:01 pm
I am not exactly a model of excellence myself…
January 26th, 2013 at 11:02 pm
here I sit, broken hearted, came to s*it and on sharted
January 26th, 2013 at 11:06 pm
Cal says, he wants Hood to play in games, like he does in practice! Hood knows he is going to get plenty of playing time in practice. That is why he is more comfortable in practice! When you only get cameos in real games, it’s haed to get into the flow.
Cal need’s to let Hood play more, and play Mayes, and F#ckn Goodwin less! There is a direct connection between uk’s 2nd half stumbles, and Goodwin starting to hunt his shot to get his pts.
How about our gaurds spending extra time in the gym, shooting free thows, and three point shots?
Poythress played like a power forward is supposed to play.
Ok, I’m done
January 26th, 2013 at 11:06 pm
Henderson looks like a punk little white kid, hope UK kicks his A**!!
January 26th, 2013 at 11:11 pm
Evidently Kennedy has no ball$ whatsoever…You don’t allow one of your players to act like this clown and do this…Somebody should of busted him upside the head with something…Totally classless…
January 26th, 2013 at 11:18 pm
#10-you may or may not be ranked, we’ll know Monday. BUT…you sure ain’t 1 seed material.
January 26th, 2013 at 11:20 pm
10. Losing that 1 seed though. All ranked teams don’t get a 1 seed. UNC was a 2 seed last year and they were arguably one of the few teams that stood a shot at beating us. Slip ups now can cost you, especially if Pittsburg (am I right on that?) makes it 4 in a row.
January 26th, 2013 at 11:25 pm
Louisville has no shot of getting a 1 seed………….
two locks:
Duke
Kansas
They both play in shit conferences this year.
Other few
Florida=same as above (they will end season with at most 4 losses)
Arizona=same as above
Big 10 champ michigan?
Syracuse at this point significantly better chance than ville at this point
The big east is not anywhere near the powerhouse they have been previously…nova sucks, pitt sucks, uconn sucks…..dont give a nova lecture they probably wont even make tourney
January 26th, 2013 at 11:35 pm
LIC4, How can you come here and talk smack after losing three in a row with your supposedly great team? Wow.
January 26th, 2013 at 11:36 pm
LIC4, you have an Inferiority Complex. Seek help now…
January 26th, 2013 at 11:38 pm
Nice losing streak LIC4! Keep it up.
January 26th, 2013 at 11:51 pm
I reckon’ UofL takes it as a compliment (obsession?) when you lead off a column with them. All. The. Time.
January 26th, 2013 at 11:55 pm
I am sure we will receive a home NIT bid!?
January 26th, 2013 at 11:56 pm
4… get off your high-horse douche. who cares that the auburn fans were flippin him off
January 26th, 2013 at 11:59 pm
L1C4 and UK Freshmen… When was UL’s last national championship again?
January 27th, 2013 at 12:10 am
I am upset, we are only a 13 point favorite against UK. We will beat UK by 20+.
January 27th, 2013 at 12:19 am
Lol. The line against Ole Miss won’t sniff 13. If it does I’ll be a millionaire Wednesday morning.
January 27th, 2013 at 12:21 am
It is really big of Cal to talk about Hood in practice…and just maybe, if he would play him for more than a freaking minute per game, Hood could develop and help this team. I write this on here a bunch, and I will keep it up until Matt addresses it…but Cal has always had something against playing Hood…and he is not a world saver, but could really help this team if developed. Jerking a kid after a minute is ridiculous, especially after Cal allows the garbage that we have seen all year from Poythress and Goodwin…his 5 star boys.
January 27th, 2013 at 12:24 am
Check this story out. It is why we play the game.
http://noahsdad.com/owen-groesser-teen-down-syndrome/
January 27th, 2013 at 12:31 am
Poythress was finally left in for the majority of the game and showed us all just how good he is. The sky is the limit for this kid. Now I can’t wait to watch us beat Ole Miss. Good for you Poythress!!! Way to shut all of the haters up!!!
January 27th, 2013 at 12:39 am
WBN reporting that Hearns committed tonight
http://wildcatbluenation.com/2013/01/26/4-lb-james-hearns-commits-to-kentucky/
January 27th, 2013 at 12:39 am
Hood should be starting. He has the speed, shooting ability and leadership to be the best player on this team. There is no reason, except for Cal, for hood not to average 20 Point per game. I really question if Cal is the right coach for UK.
January 27th, 2013 at 12:49 am
39 – yeah, me too. We really should bring back BCG or Tubby. SMH
January 27th, 2013 at 12:51 am
L1C4, you’re up late on a Saturday night trolling a rival fan website. Is your hermaphrodite lover passed out from his meth overdose again?
January 27th, 2013 at 1:21 am
Nice try 39…you must be a realy winner in life.
January 27th, 2013 at 1:24 am
I think it is funny how anyone who questions Cal in one decision has to be the UK antichrist. Get real…if Cal really did have the answers for THIS team, we wouldn’t be a likely bubble team right now. So 39, instead of trying to insult me with your petty “holier than thou” argument using my screen name, how about explaining to me why Cal talks about how good Hood does in practice, yet only lets him off the bench for a minute, while playing his precious Goodwin and his AAU level mentality that has absolutely lost us games.
January 27th, 2013 at 1:31 am
You people are crazy. Go to bed and let me get some sleep
January 27th, 2013 at 1:43 am
JBR, did u every think maybe just maybe Hood is not that good?
January 27th, 2013 at 1:58 am
Ally, you are a great writer!!
Cal still might turn this bunch
into a real team…
If Poy starts to click, WCS returns,
all that will be left is to get Archie
to focus on the opposing defense…
Archie has trouble ‘seeing’ the D.
We shall see.
January 27th, 2013 at 3:40 am
… his back to the basket early and often, finding ways to aggressively attack the basket for big baskets around the rim. His teammates were thrilled for him, and you could see it in their reaction to each of his baskets.
baskets baskets baskets baskets baskets baskets baskets baskets baskets baskets baskets baskets baskets baskets baskets baskets baskets baskets baskets baskets baskets baskets baskets baskets baskets baskets baskets baskets baskets baskets
January 27th, 2013 at 8:34 am
Hood makes Wiltjer look like an athletic freak of nature, minus the jumpshot and 6 inches shorter. Best Hood can ever hope for is to come in and play a few minutes (maybe 10 tops) to rest the starters. He just doesn’t have the size or strength to play as slow as he does. The fact that you believe he can contribute more than that means you are either one of his family members or don’t actually watch the games.
January 27th, 2013 at 9:00 am
Supposedly, Hearns has almost no shot at getting eligible.
January 27th, 2013 at 9:02 am
43, I have said many times that I would like to see Cal play the bench more often. That being said, he addressed the issue in the post-game comments, saying that he wants Hood to translate that aggressiveness in practice to the games. Apparently he tightens up during the games. True, maybe more playing time will help with that. Chicken or egg.
I do agree that Goodwin should get the hook the very instant he reverts to “Selfish Atchie” and dribbles into a triple team without passing.
January 27th, 2013 at 9:11 am
49) I guess that is why Florida told him to look around.
January 27th, 2013 at 9:14 am
UK needs to win the next two games. If they get blown out at Old Miss, then they are NIT bound.
January 27th, 2013 at 9:14 am
Archie tried to pass yesterday with an alley-op to Noel but Nerlens hadn’t seen one since Dec and sadly turned it over he was so surprised. Happy that Poythress showed up but it’s almost Feb and this team ain’t showing any sign of turning the corner.
January 27th, 2013 at 9:41 am
Hood should play more so we can see who is right.
January 27th, 2013 at 10:05 am
UK Freshman has that special talent. His negativity is so well-developed that he manages to trash both UK and their opponent in his posts. Must have taken awhile to become so jaded, or perhaps he was born that way. The old nature versus nurture argument…
January 27th, 2013 at 10:54 am
26 your a idiot. Nerlens is going to be the first pick in the draft and you think hood could be our best player with more playing time. Again, idiot
January 27th, 2013 at 10:56 am
If Hood looks good in practice Coach Cal, give him some of Archie’s 37 minutes a game. No one can do any thing in the 1 minute Hood plays now.
January 27th, 2013 at 11:03 am
Is that a wildcat on Randall’s shirt?…..this guy ‘gets it’ !
January 27th, 2013 at 11:25 am
Worked out next to Jason Hatcher on Thursday at Urban Active on Dixie Hwy. That kid is a beast in the wait room. Even the “bodybuilders” looked like little girls working out around him. He was with a buddy of his and I heard them talking about the difference between the SEC and other conferences. He said “If I have 20 sacks in a season in some conference its pretty good, but if I do that in the SEC it’s unbelievable. I could play right away in the SEC or maybe play maybe wait a year somewhere else. I don’t know though.” He didn’t say Kentucky or any other school by name but, it makes me feel pretty good about Kentucky’s chances since UK and UL are his #1 and #2!
January 27th, 2013 at 11:26 am
***Weight room***
January 27th, 2013 at 11:39 am
46-If no one else believes that story, I do.
January 27th, 2013 at 11:51 am
Is Henderson an outie or an inie. guy on the front row knows
January 27th, 2013 at 11:57 am
Wouldn’t be to harsh about Henderson on the road in a close game listening to crowd cheer against you easy to understand why a kid would do that. Personally witnessed Randolph Morris do the same thing at Alabama a few years back and he wasn’t even the one who put the cats back into the game
January 27th, 2013 at 2:40 pm
Henderson is the one with the picture making out with the fat chick, right?