Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
The other lawyer/sports journalist from Duke penned a column on ESPN.com today where he noted what he’s looking forward to this season. Bilas also took opinions from his ESPN peers (not that anyone is on his level) and, not surprisingly, the Cats factored into quite a few of their 2009-10 plans. Here is what they said:
Bilas
Watching Kentucky’s freshmen mature under John Calipari, and seeing whether they can get the Dribble Drive Motion going and embrace defense, the real reason that Cal’s teams win …
Will Kentucky’s John Wall or Georgia Tech’s Derrick Favors be the rookie of the year, or will it be someone else?
Dana O’Neill
Last year was the season of the none-and-done. Now we’re looking at the potential for a mass college basketball flyby, with a ridiculously deep and talented rookie class. Texas’ Avery Bradley, Kentucky’s John Wall, Georgia Tech’s Derrick Favors, Kansas’ Xavier Henry, Washington’s Abdul Gaddy, Oklahoma’s Tiny Gallon, Villanova’s Mouphtaou Yarou … it’s an extensive list. From coast to coast, league to league, there are kids not old enough to shave ready to make a huge dent on the sport. The quest for a national championship is rarely led by a freshman, at least all on his own (Carmelo Anthony being a rare exception), yet some of these players — Wall, along with Eric Bledsoe and Daniel Orton, and Favors in particular — will be asked to carry much of the load. So I’m looking forward to seeing just how good the Class of 2013 is. Before they pack their bags and move on.
Dick Vitale
I want to see how John Calipari holds up under the expectations at Kentucky. He is competing in a tougher conference, and the fans of Big Blue are as passionate as any in America. Calipari has Patrick Patterson and a lot of young talent, led by DeMarcus Cousins and John Wall. There is potential, potential, potential for the Wildcats!
Doug Gottlieb
I want to see the Big Ten for the unreal parity and quality of its teams. Though Iowa, Indiana and Penn State appear to be mediocre by comparison, the top eight are ridiculously close, and due to some teams playing slow, the scores will be equally close. Some other things I’m looking forward to? The big games in the Big 12. Kentucky versus Mississippi State. Cal versus Washington (Jerome Randle has unlimited range, and Isaiah Thomas simply cannot be kept out of the lane). North Carolina versus Kentucky. Dayton against both Creighton and Georgia Tech early in the season.
Pat Forde
John Calipari against the world. He moves into a new realm of prestige, a new power conference and a new tax bracket after his bank-breaking move from Memphis to Kentucky — but he brings the same chip on the shoulder. The coach’s inherent chippiness should enhance several rivalries: Calipari vs. Rick Pitino is the must-see game of the year; Calipari vs. Bruce Pearl goes from a once-a-year blood feud to twice annually; Calipari vs. Jim Calhoun on Dec. 9 reignites an old New England hatefest; Calipari vs. Billy Donovan (which is almost like playing Pitino by proxy) has great promise; Calipari vs. Tom Crean will test the bonds of friendship amid a new rivalry setting; and, potentially, Calipari vs. Bill Self — a rematch of the thrilling 2008 national title game and a chance for two guys who dislike each other to feign otherwise in an NCAA tournament setting.
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November 6th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Remarkably the best take was from Forde. I love that Calipari doesn’t shy away from rivalries and will take digs at opposing programs. It’s much more fun that way.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Dana O’Neill must not be aware of DeMarcus Cousins.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Ed O’Neill knows more about college basketball than Dana O’Neill
November 6th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
Dayton v. Creighton. I’d steal someone’s credit card to see this incredible matchup.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
I’m not surprised Forde was able to mention Pitino twice in his write up. Ace & Gary: The Ambiguously Gay Duo.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
Man, that Censorship is affecting everyone, because I’ll guarantee that someone edited out the Part where Forde mentioned Cals two previous Final Four Vacancies.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
let the John Wall show begin tonight baby!
November 6th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
Wow, I didn’t realize that many people didn’t like Calipari until I read Forde’s article. Let’s see… Pitino, Donovan, Pearl, Calhoun, and Self. Thanks Pat.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
Do you think Richie can win the governor’s race next election? I’ll hand up and listen…
November 6th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
#8 think they dont like each other now, wait till UK spanks all of the above.
sit back & think about it, do you like any of the coaches you mentioned??
November 6th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
4, I agree. After all, I don’t think Cal scheduled a single team that rhymes with “Kentucky” this year. Step it up!
November 6th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
4…should be streamed online, lol.
PS. No mention of that one guy who transferred to OSU?
November 6th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Is there any way to watch tonight’s game on replay? I won’t be around to watch it live on Justin TV.
November 6th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
Good One Dana O’Neil. Idiot.
November 6th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
I think Dickie V summed up UK quite well - “Potential, potential, potential”. At this point, that’s what we have, but we sure have alot of it. By February, that potential should be realized (fingers crossed).