Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones, Drew Franklin and Tyler Thompson]
[Moderated by Matt Jones, Drew Franklin and Tyler Thompson]
We’re just 14 hours away from one of the biggest recruiting announcements from an in-state prospect in as long as I can remember. Ryan Timmons, the explosive do-all back/receiver from Franklin County High School, is set to announce his decision at 1:00 p.m in a press conference from the school. He is down to Kentucky, Florida, Ohio State and Illinois.
Kentucky is in good position to win the recruiting battle but the Florida Gators are fresh on Timmons’ mind, after his visit to Gainesville this past weekend. Timmons really enjoyed the trip to Florida — who wouldn’t? — and you better believe Joker Phillips made a strong push to lure him away from Kentucky. Ohio State is also high on Timmons’ list, although reports last week say Ohio State has backed up its pursuit. Timmons likes Illinois, the longshot, for all the same reasons he likes Kentucky — immediate impact, spread offense, potential to save the program. I can’t imagine him picking Illinois over Kentucky.
If Timmons does pick the Cats, as many experts predict, he could be a playmaker in the new Air Raid offense from the moment he steps on the field. Neal Brown already has three receivers in the incoming class and some young talent on the roster in Collins, Robinson, Sweat and Legree, but take one look at Timmons’ YouTube highlights and you’ll see why Kentucky fans are drooling over the thought of him catching the ball in space in Commonwealth Stadium. He gets touchdowns.
Tuesday could be a HUGE day for Kentucky football and a commitment from Timmons would create some late momentum going in to National Signing Day.
Come on down?
South Carolina comes to town Tuesday night, which means someone will tell you Bruce Ellington plays football and Frank Martin will make his debut against Kentucky as an SEC foe. It’s a day we’ve had circled on the calendar since Martin took the job back in March. The most intense coach in all of college basketball will bring his intimidating stare and underachieving basketball team to Rupp Arena in the Wildcats’ first home game since the too-close-for-comfort win against LSU. It’s the first of two very winnable home games before the Cats go down to Florida to see how they stack up against what I believe is the best team in the country. Kentucky needs to win Tuesday night in convincing fashion, demolish Auburn on Saturday, and then play a competitive game in Gainesville. If that’s how it plays out, we’re talking about a potentially scary Kentucky Wildcats team in March. But if they struggle with South Carolina and Auburn and then lose big to Florida, it’s more of the same talk about no fire, urgency, or toughness. Turn that corner, Cats. Turn that corner.
If you saw either of South Carolina’s last two games, you understand how important it is for Kentucky to blow them out. The Gamecocks are on an ugly two-game slide and Kentucky doesn’t need to be the team to make them look competitive again. They’re coming into Lexington off a double-digit home loss to sub.-500 Georgia and a 39-point drumming at the hands of the Florida Gators. There’s no reason why UK shouldn’t pile it on. Vegas expects it, too; the line is -17.5 for the Cats.
John Calipari met with the media on Monday, as he always does before game days, and he didn’t hold back when talking about the mental discipline of some of his players. ”Ryan doesn’t have it; (Archie) doesn’t have it; Alex doesn’t have it,” he told reporters. ”They’ll play for a little bit, then they just stop. If they do something on offense, their heads go down and then they can’t play defense. They don’t have the mental discipline.” Calipari used Mays as the example of a tough player, made clear in his performance at College Station. ”He knew how important it was. The other kids don’t have that discipline yet.”
Cal also addressed lineup issues, specifically the adjustments he’ll make with Willie Cauley-Stein back in the lineup. He said Alex Poythress and Kyle Wiltjer deserve to play more because of the way they’ve played recently, so he’s forced to take minutes away from Ryan Harrow and Archie Goodwin. That also means Cauley-Stein has to perform if he wants to see the floor. Only Nerlens Noel is guaranteed 35-40 minutes per game. ”He needs to be on the floor,” Cal said of Noel. ”You can’t say, ‘I’m going to take 15 minutes from Nerlens.’ Ain’t happening.”
Calipari said he still likes Wiltjer off the bench and he thinks Kyle has been great in the sixth man role.
Kentucky received votes in the AP and USA Today college basketball polls this week! The Cats are still unranked, but they’re making a charge. One AP voter had them as high as No. 20.
On the SEC teleconference Monday morning, Calipari said his team has struggled in part because they’ve been in flux for most of the season: “Ryan was out early, now Willie was out. We’re trying to get guys to play up to their abilities, so we’ve been in flux the whole year. We have not settled in to, OK, here’s who we are. We’re playing hard, we’re playing a little tougher, we’re executing a little bit better. Guys, individuals are playing a little bit better, but we’re still in flux.”
So, what he’s saying is, for Kentucky to reach full potential they need to be on Team No Flux.
Ever wanted to hang out with Marcus Lee? This ‘Day In The Life’ feature on Lee is the next best thing:
Oh, so spicy top ramen is the secret to a 27-rebound, triple-double. And cake.
NBA Update: DeMarcus Cousins was ejected at halftime. Ugh.
After he wrapped up his analysis for ESPN College Gameday Saturday night, Jalen Rose went out in Bloomington, got drunk with IU students, and said Michael Jordan was hungover, not sick, in the flu game. Rose also turned down a bong hit at a house party before somehow making his early morning flight to New Orleans. This is quite the story, with pictures.
We already talked about the importance of landing Timmons, and there’s also still hope out there to see Jason Hatcher in blue. Hatcher will make his decision public at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, which just so happens to be when Mark Stoops is scheduled to meet with the media. I don’t know what that means, if anything, but I’ll let you recruiting conspiracy theorists present your ideas. Kentucky is still very much in the mix, though.
I mentioned this about an hour or two ago but it’s worth mentioning again, because it’s awesome news. Tevin Lawson, a top-rated defensive tackle, will wait to sign his letter on intent so he can visit Kentucky this weekend. Lawson committed to his homestate LSU Tigers last spring, but Les Miles has since asked him to greyshirt so he is having second thoughts about the Tigers. Lawson and his mother will meet with Stoops and the staff in Lexington this weekend before deciding what he should do. LSU is close to home, and it’s LSU, but Kentucky has the opportunity to compete right away and Mark Stoops’ track record with defensive linemen speaks for itself.
That’ll do it for now.
Go Cats.
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Bill Keightley Report : Never to be forgotten.
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February 4th, 2013 at 11:15 pm
He posted on me- fla and UK, hours ago. Get with it KSR.
February 4th, 2013 at 11:21 pm
Not to be a ‘Debbie Downer”, BUT we spent all this money on a coach, stadium plan and facilities to get excited about the FIFTH BEST PLAYER IN THE STATE!!! WE are always going to be a basketball school, let’s quit wasting money and get number 9!
This kid looks like he is in MIDDLE SCHOOL!
February 4th, 2013 at 11:23 pm
BTW, I hope Hatcher goes to “DA BILLE” that kid is a drama starter!
February 4th, 2013 at 11:24 pm
Big “Cuss” t’d up 2 times and ejected… Shocker.
February 4th, 2013 at 11:27 pm
Boogie ejected? No way. Get ready for the article tomorrow here that blame everyone but Cousins. Quit babying him and tell it like it is. If he went to UL we would be crushing him.
February 4th, 2013 at 11:28 pm
Count me as someone who will be trying to get Jalen Rose to party with me when Gameday comes to Lexington…guy is awesome.
February 4th, 2013 at 11:36 pm
#5 true. I don’t care how much he liked lex or UK, or how many kids he interacts with, his antics show he’s a punk. A couple incidents could be forgiven, but after all the b/s by him this year, it’s clear he’s a flake.
February 4th, 2013 at 11:39 pm
Off topic butPOI. I had a richie farmer spotting sunday morning at a downtown louisville hotel. He was at brunch buffet with girlfriend. I like all my uk players past and present regardless. I noticed when bellman came with his luggage that everything was uk logo almost like university issue. Was wondering if he was employed by uk in any capacity. Haven’t heard anything in awhile, just curious. It was kind of sad because everyone left him alone. Tim hardaway was there and some people approached him. There was a time when Richie could walk in any room in ky and be bombarded. Kinda strange seeing that.
February 4th, 2013 at 11:41 pm
“Flux” is an old term for diarrhea. True story.
February 4th, 2013 at 11:44 pm
Who’s trying to party?
February 4th, 2013 at 11:53 pm
G-Man Says:
February 4th, 2013 at 11:27 pm
Boogie ejected? No way. Get ready for the article tomorrow here that blame everyone but Cousins. Quit babying him and tell it like it is. If he went to UL we would be crushing him.
Down boogie Says:
February 4th, 2013 at 11:36 pm
#5 true. I don’t care how much he liked lex or UK, or how many kids he interacts with, his antics show he’s a punk. A couple incidents could be forgiven, but after all the b/s by him this year, it’s clear he’s a flake.
^^^^^^^^
I agree with the above. He did good things while he was here and I’m glad he played here for a year but he’s a punk. You can’t rationally defend him after so many incidents in such a short span of time.
February 5th, 2013 at 12:12 am
DeMarcus Cousins, the Rasheed Wallace of this generation
February 5th, 2013 at 12:23 am
Marcus Lee reminds me of Perry Stevenson. Just slightly more talented.
February 5th, 2013 at 12:32 am
Joker Phillips is not qualified to be a substitute PE teacher. If he screws us on Timmons…
February 5th, 2013 at 12:35 am
14. Jesus christ shut up. The man is a talented coach who got a big promotion before he was ready for it. He was a leading figure in the most successful period in the history of the program. Give him some credit.
February 5th, 2013 at 12:45 am
There is only one thing men and
women agree on…
They both get horny looking at
beautiful women…
It is a secret, just sayin…
February 5th, 2013 at 1:41 am
mitch’s plan was obviously to conquer recruiting in fertile florida. you gotta have a double agent, joker is our’s. don’t worry cats fans we’ve got this wrapped up. he’s a kentucky boy.
February 5th, 2013 at 1:43 am
KSR Moderator – Come on…get rid of all these UofL trolls…they are posing as UK fans and typing a lot of negative comments that we don’t need Timmons or Hatcher seeing!! GO Cats! #bbn
February 5th, 2013 at 2:06 am
WOW The Tard Trolls are out in full force tonight…
February 5th, 2013 at 2:11 am
UK Fan tee-shirt:
I STILL HATE LAETNER
Jalen’s tee-shirt:
I STILL HATE DUKE
February 5th, 2013 at 2:13 am
oops^ -put another “T” above but you get the point.
February 5th, 2013 at 2:37 am
Reminder… You can vote once every day!
Infinity Coaches Challenge South Region (Current Leaderboard)…Haith 22%, Calipari 19%, Gottfried 17%, Donovan 13%—C’mon BBN, let’s get to moving!
http://promo.espn.go.com/espn/contests/infiniti/2013/
February 5th, 2013 at 6:25 am
Stooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooopppppppppppppsssssssssssssssssssssssssss!!!!!
February 5th, 2013 at 6:49 am
Florida #1 in the country? They have played two decent teams all year……and lost both times. SEC is a little brother conference with little brother teams. Let us know when you can step up to the B1G.
February 5th, 2013 at 7:00 am
#2 He may not be the best player in the world, but we need to support the program. We can’t just be a basketball program all the time, football is where the money comes from. We are battling Florida, a school that has been a powerhouse in football, that should tell you something. Go big blue!
February 5th, 2013 at 7:04 am
Need a bullet point to note former wildcat and Cy Young award winner Brandon Webb retired. Why no love for a very accomplished Bat Cat?
February 5th, 2013 at 7:08 am
Jalen Rose is awesome
February 5th, 2013 at 7:50 am
Ohio State flipped a big time Oregon recruit last night. He’s now going to Ohio State. That means there is almost no way there is room on their roster for Timmons. It looks like they only have 1 scholarship left and Timmons is not on that list. He has to be UKs to lose.
February 5th, 2013 at 7:55 am
How the hell is Missouri still in the top 25? 0-4 on the road!
February 5th, 2013 at 8:09 am
What? Rose partied with IU after they waxed his old school? HAHAHAHA
February 5th, 2013 at 8:12 am
25, last time we checked, the b1g is the little brother conference. In the last 24 years, the b1g has only produced 1 NCAA champion. Legends? Leaders? More like Posers & Wannabees. And unless the NCAA Championship is played in assembly hall, your hoosiers aren’t going to win this year. So go ahead and build your little trophy case, and hang up all your newspaper clippings that show ui was #1 in 2013.
February 5th, 2013 at 8:16 am
cant wait till Lee gets here. for some reason he just looks like he has a MKG-liggins-Noel type motor/attitude.
February 5th, 2013 at 8:29 am
I have to troll cause we don’t have a site like this. Tween cuttin in my line beard and ironing my flat bill I have nothing else to do. Stupid check comes once a month, an I don’t see my girl cept during visiting hours. Besides, my prison hubby keeps me busy tossing salad.
February 5th, 2013 at 8:40 am
ESPN classic is replaying the UK-South Carolina game at South Carolina from Feb. 2012 at 4:30pm-6pm est today.
February 5th, 2013 at 8:50 am
I will be shocked if Timmons goes anywhere but Kentucky! He is a great kid with a good head on his shoulders. He can be a star at UK and make it to the next level. Timmons is the best football prospect to ever come out of Frankfort and there have been a few in the recent past years. GO BIG BLUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 5th, 2013 at 9:18 am
When UK lands Timmons- It will bump us to the 27th best class….
WOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW
STOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOPS!
February 5th, 2013 at 9:25 am
Excuse me, apparently I missed one if the new conferences. Who is B1G? I know its NIT the Big 10, because they have 12 teams. All this realignment is confusing, is ULoL still in ACC?
I know the trolls are back its the 5th of month, welfare already spent. Now we get deal with it until next month.
The sad thing is we all work for a living and the trolls VOTE for a living
February 5th, 2013 at 9:50 am
#24 is what is wrong with homer fans that don’t look at their own team/conference before bashing other’s. Yes, the SEC is down this year, but when you look at the Big 10 a lot of it is hype. IMO they just don’t have as many bad losses, but when you look at big out of conference wins they’re not that impressive. Remember Indiana struggling with Georgia? That was funny. They did beat North Carolina at home, and a barely above average Georgetown in OT. Fact is, look at them at home, and then look at them on the road. The #’s don’t lie. Then look at the Big 10 as 31 said…one championship since 1990. Sad. I’ve said it before, Big 10 fans feel that their basketball conference is the same as the SEC in football. However without winning championships there is no credibility.
February 5th, 2013 at 10:00 am
LAMAR DAWSON!!!! Sure we all new he’d pick USC but it was down to UK and USC, and he was a pretty BIG DEAL.
February 5th, 2013 at 10:27 am
a simple thought for MR. TIMMONS & MR. HATCHER , People remembered in history are the ones who helped build EMPIRES not the ones who visited them!!!!!
February 5th, 2013 at 11:39 am
Hey HOO, how do you explain Florida destroying Wisconsin this year? You all couldn’t even beat them at home.