Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones, Drew Franklin and Tyler Thompson]
[Moderated by Matt Jones, Drew Franklin and Tyler Thompson]
The picture above is from a simpler time in my life. It was taken my Freshman year at Transylvania, when my friends and I “won” a contest to sleep a night in Raf’s Tomb in the building of Old Morrison. Not only does everyone above look much younger than they do now (although in my case with, unbelievably, worse hair), it also is appropriate since tonight Kentucky will renew its century-old rivalry with Transylvania in Rupp Arena. We at Transy have waited over a century to make the four block walk down to Rupp Arena to play against the Cats again. And now, that moment is here. For me, it is odd having my two worlds collide. On the one hand, you have my favorite team in all of sports and the one who essentially provides my living on a daily basis. And on the other hand, my alma mater, a school I loved to attend and who I would have never imagined would ever actually play the Big Blue. KSR’s history with Transylvania is strong. The Turkey Hunter, Mosley, Tomlin, Hubby, Duncan Cavanah, Macon Vol Fan and I, all of whom were part of the creation of the site went to school there. Most of us will be in attendance tomorrow night as the Pioneers take their 50 point beating on behalf of John Breckenridge, Stephen F Austin, John Marshall Harlan, Cassius Clay, Ned Beatty, Teresa Isaac, Judge Karen Caldwell, Vince Bingham, Bob Fleu and all the other famous Transylvania alumni. I set the line at 43 1/2 and I believe we will cover.
To the news of the day:
— The big news broke late, as word of a possible transfer from Kentucky became prevalent. The name was first kept quiet, but it wasn’t a surprise as it leaked out late that Stacey Poole was contemplating leaving the UK basketball program. His father did an interview with the Courier Journal in which he seemed to suggest that the impetus for the potential transfer had less to do with Stacey himself, and maybe more to do with his father’s desire to see his son play more often. He said,
“in love with UK basketball, but at the end of the day, you need to be on the floor. You’re not part of UK basketball if you never step on the floor. What he doesn’t see, I may have to see it for him. He may have a little too much blue in his eyes.”
“I want to look in his eyes and see what’s what,” he said. “At the end of the day, I’m going to make the call. He’s 20, but he’s still a kid. Four years from now, he can blame his father if it doesn’t work out.”
Some pretty astounding words there from Poole’s father if you think about it. For Poole’s dad to suggest that “at the end of the day, I’m going to make the call” about his 20 year old son is bizarre. Being a controlling parent is one thing, but to literally admit in a newspaper that you are going to plan the direction of your adult child’s life is without question, strange. Even though his father says he will come see him this weekend, the early part of the decision may have to come sooner. If Poole plays in the exhibition game against Transy, he will lose a semester of eligibility. That means, unless he is sure he is staying or is willing to forfeit that year, uncertainty could lead to him staying off the court. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out for Stacey. There is playing time to get this year (UK only has two true guards out of the main 7), but it isn’t clear if he will earn it.
— Calipari had a number of words to say about his team today, but most interestingly were his comments saying that Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is “vicious” as a player. He said that the past week of practice from Gilchrist has been outstanding and said his practice two days ago was as good as he has ever had from a player. Now that type of hyperbole is Rick Pitino-esque, but it does suggest that one of the things I was concerned about, tempering expectations for Gilchrist, is not a Calipari worry. Having seen Michael a decent amount, I have been under the assumption that it would take him some time to really adjust to the college game and find his offensive skill set (he will be a beast defensively from day one). But Calipari seems to disagree, or at least expect a great deal early on. I will take his word over mine and assume big things.
— Kentucky may be close to losing its first big-time football commitment since the problems on the field began. Shadrach Thorton, a RB from Georgia who looked to be a HUGE get for UK early in the year has re-opened up the process, visiting this weekend at Georgia Tech. He said the Tech visit was great and he is also looking at Vanderbilt, a program that is all of a sudden, becoming a very solid recruiting group. We hope this isnt the first of many, as keeping this class together will be a huge test for Joker Phillips and Tee Martin. Those two have proven to be very successful at bringing guys in, now keeping them will be huge this offseason.
— Max Smith has the lead on the QB job according to Phillips going into the Ole Miss game. He has excelled in practice and it looks like the performance on the field against Miss State should make him the pick this week. I think it is a no-brainer choice and if Joker goes in a different direction, he will receive a great deal of push back from a fanbase that needs all positivity possible.
We will have pre-game coverage of Transylvania all day long here on the site as we get ready for opening night in Rupp. There is a lot going on, as I will be on with Rob Bromley on WKYT at 5:30, KSTV airs at 6:30 pm and then we will LIVE BLOG beginning at 6:45. Make sure and check it out and get ready. Cats vs Pioneers once again…a rivalry for the ages.
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Bill Keightley Report : Never to be forgotten.
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November 1st, 2011 at 11:45 pm
Matt, so is the supposed forde expose piece on Anthony Davis have some truth or just rumor?
November 1st, 2011 at 11:48 pm
The Poole situation sounds like a family issue and BBN should not pass judgement on Stacey or his father – we can, however, be supportive of the kid. He should feel empowered to make his own decision as an adult without any outside pressure.
November 1st, 2011 at 11:49 pm
I don’t have confidence in my own son’s basketball abilities.
November 1st, 2011 at 11:52 pm
Hey, Matt! I noticed you snubbed my name when you were mentioning Transy alums. What gives?!?! The frat building is named after me for God’s sake!
November 1st, 2011 at 11:52 pm
Anywhere I’ll be able to find a stream online?
November 1st, 2011 at 11:54 pm
I hope whatever Stacey and his family decide he ends up in a good situation for himself.
November 1st, 2011 at 11:56 pm
food in both hands there jones?
November 1st, 2011 at 11:59 pm
Old Morrison
November 2nd, 2011 at 12:00 am
Only the one hand is mine…the others is the man, the myth, the legend Victor Enaker
November 2nd, 2011 at 12:04 am
OH NO! If we loose football recruits, we might drop from our 11th best class in the SEC.(13th after Mizzu and TAM join) Please tell me how he is any better at bring players in than most of the other coaches we’ve had.
November 2nd, 2011 at 12:07 am
yes, i think leave the player evaluations to Cal. just my opinion…
November 2nd, 2011 at 12:13 am
As a trnasy grad, I too look forward to the game tomorrow night. I am a diehard cats fan, BUT I know taking this licking will be good for my beloved Pioneers, and will be good for the athletic program in general.
Go Cats, Go Pioneers, and lets just have fun with the events surrounding the game and the competition tomorrow night.
November 2nd, 2011 at 12:21 am
Someone tell Matt Jones that being a good offensive player is about more than hitting jumpshots. That might account for why he can watch Kidd-Gilchrist and think he’s struggling, while the coaching staff can watch him and drool.
Some of the best players on the planet don’t have great jumpshots- Dwyane Wade, Lebron, even Kobe, though he’s a good shooter, is not someone you’d take in a shooting contest. Michael Jordan’s jumper was sketchy in the early part of his career/ What those guys all had/have in common is the ability to smoke their man off the dribble, and MKG showed that in a big way in the Blue/White game.
November 2nd, 2011 at 12:22 am
Hey Matt why is this in black in white? The 90′s wasn’t that long ago
November 2nd, 2011 at 12:22 am
Is Mr. Poole Sr single? If so, Mr. Poole, we would like to introduce you to your soulmate, Ms. Legion…
November 2nd, 2011 at 12:28 am
@15 D;. i cried a little on that one.
November 2nd, 2011 at 12:28 am
Look at the academic team getting all rowdy.
November 2nd, 2011 at 12:29 am
That looks like a future sig/avatar picture on a Louisville message board to me.
You parlayed your fashion sense and that hair into a powerful force in UK media…mad props my man.
November 2nd, 2011 at 12:31 am
10) >loose
November 2nd, 2011 at 12:40 am
Tate Cox of Transy is going to give Marquis Teague a lesson tomorrow night. Tate was WAY overlooked by the state schools. He is just as good as Elisha Justice, Jared Polson, etc. LOL. I can’t even kid myself. Tate Cox is going to get a dose of D-1 basketball tomorrow night.
November 2nd, 2011 at 12:40 am
why is big vic enaker wearing a bama hat? c’mon man!
November 2nd, 2011 at 12:52 am
Matt Jones and Howdy Dowdy…
separated at birth?
November 2nd, 2011 at 12:53 am
13) WTF?? “Kobe,though he’s a GOOD SHOOTER, is not someone you’d take in a SHOOTING contest”????? hahaha oh ok. Who is a good shooter if Kobe Bryant isn’t?? wow.
November 2nd, 2011 at 12:55 am
Is that a young Matthew Modine? Or better yet, you look like a caricature drawing. Unfortunate.
November 2nd, 2011 at 1:10 am
23, Ray Allen
November 2nd, 2011 at 1:11 am
23- Kobe Bryant’s career FG% is .454, his career FT% is .837, and his career 3 pt% is .339. There are a ton of guys in the NBA you would take ahead of Kobe in terms of just hitting jumpshots. If you have a brain.
There’s probably no one you’d take ahead of him, other than Jordan, if you just need someone to get a basket. But that’s not because he’s a great shooter, it’s because he’s a good shooter who is also one of the best athletes to ever play the game, able to beat guys to the rim, post them up, or shoot over them from anywhere on the floor.
If you can do all that, the fact that you can’t consistently hit from 20 feet doesn’t mean much. All you have to do is keep defenses honest. Kobe does more than that, because he is, LIKE I SAID, a good shooter. He is not one of the great shooters in the game- that would be guys like Ray Allen, Stephen Curry, Dirk Nowitzki, and so on.
November 2nd, 2011 at 1:20 am
“I will take his word over mine”. You think? Best joke I’ve heard this year.
November 2nd, 2011 at 1:42 am
#14 I saw the pic and thought: Isn’t that guy on the left the one who shot MLK?
November 2nd, 2011 at 1:46 am
I have gas.
November 2nd, 2011 at 1:52 am
23) “Who is a good shooter if Kobe Bryant isn’t?? wow.”
The other guy said he was a good shooter. You even quoted him as doing so.
Anyway, Steve Nash, Ray Allen, Dirk Nowitzki, and more.
November 2nd, 2011 at 2:18 am
Matt Jones double fisting the pizza like a champ
November 2nd, 2011 at 2:25 am
So, will the Transy team walk the four blocks to Rupp in order to keep travel expenses low? Or, do they go all out and charter a Greyhound?
November 2nd, 2011 at 3:08 am
Nice picture, Jonesy. You looked like a complete and total dork who listened to Conway Twitty. Now you’re just a dork who listens to Conway Twitty…
November 2nd, 2011 at 3:09 am
Rooting for Stacey is all I can do. Whatever they decide I hope will in the long run benefit Stacey. While UK has had many players leave early lately I have to say I think Stacey would be a great player as a Junior and/or Senior and I hope his father considers the long run of what it could mean if Stacey leaves. I still believe if Stacey doesn’t play a ton this year the greatest chance for him to reach max potential is to stick around and practice against the best of the best. No better chance to do that anywhere else but here but they have to decide what is right for them as a family. I think Stacey is made of the right stuff and UK fans like him across the board and will continue to as long as he is here. He has tremendous energy for the game and UK, and always shows it. Hope to see him on the floor tomorrow and that he earns time on the team this year to settle all the family unrest. Rooting for you Stacey…. Go Cats!
November 2nd, 2011 at 5:14 am
Cats fans should root on Stacey for whatever happens. He certainly seems to love being a Wildcat and seems to bring great energy for the game and team. Hope whatever he chooses works out for him. Go CATS!
November 2nd, 2011 at 5:24 am
Heard from a friend who knows Forde. He said a Davis story will be released arounf the KU game.
November 2nd, 2011 at 5:29 am
Exactly how many people “working” for this website graduated from UK?
November 2nd, 2011 at 5:54 am
15 that’s funny hell
November 2nd, 2011 at 6:11 am
we’ve been waiting for this monster recruiting class to take the floor for some time now, little
did we know that Jones & Lamb would be with them. The journey begins tonight … lets set back
and enjoy the ride !!!
November 2nd, 2011 at 6:25 am
37- hey now, Transy is Lexington. hhaha
November 2nd, 2011 at 6:25 am
37- hey now, Transy is in Lexington. hhaha
November 2nd, 2011 at 6:29 am
Bob Fleu? Not THE “Bobby Fleu” that graduated from Russell High School circa 1993/94? Not the same Bobby Fleu who used to get smacked around the hallways to no end and had freshman football players flick boogers at him (with never a retaliation from fat Bob) every single day in study hall?
November 2nd, 2011 at 6:51 am
Stacy needs to keep working hard and he’ll get minutes. I saw he didn’t shoot so well in the Blue/White game though… it happens, but maybe he needs to develop work habits like Jones did.
I think the ONLY reason he should leave is if the NBA changes the rule to 20 and our freshmen this year have to stay another year (plus the newcomers).
Otherwise he should hang around, get better, and be on a team next year that may lack “superstars” but be very strong from top to bottom.
November 2nd, 2011 at 7:31 am
Is that my boy victor enaker in the pic with Matt Jones? I wish stacy the best but let’s be honest here, he’s never gonnap play
November 2nd, 2011 at 7:36 am
Hey there’s Jai Lucas with Matt! And to think it all started in Raf’s Tomb.
November 2nd, 2011 at 7:47 am
that Alfred Neuman is everywhere.
November 2nd, 2011 at 7:56 am
At first glance I thought this was a picture of Albert Pujols & friends celebrating his free agent signing w/ the Atlanta Braves.
November 2nd, 2011 at 8:02 am
I do not think Poole’s dad is wrong, his son needs to get better or he will not get on the floor at UK, if that is important to him.
November 2nd, 2011 at 8:07 am
It’s Howdy Doody Time!
November 2nd, 2011 at 8:19 am
Why is everyone worried about Poole? The more concerning news from yesterday was:
1. Shabazz – that was very bad news
2. To a lesser extent, Forde article
November 2nd, 2011 at 8:29 am
A Big Time football commitment for us is a 3 star player
UK FOOTBALL IS PATHETIC! LMAO
November 2nd, 2011 at 8:35 am
Stacey Poole could probably compare himself to Jeff Sheppard. He barely played his first couple years and ended up taking a redshirt because he was playing behind Mercer and Anderson. By his senior year he was a leader on a Championship team. Sometimes you just have to work hard and wait your turn and the playing time will come. His dad makes it sound like I dont want my son to have to work hard to get playing time, I just want him to go somewhere where he can play right away.
November 2nd, 2011 at 8:40 am
Matt why are you hanging out with Carlos Boozer?
November 2nd, 2011 at 8:46 am
And Gilchrist was only #1 player in his class the majority or the time so why wouldn’t he be a beast now? Matt doesn’t know talent when he sees it.
November 2nd, 2011 at 8:50 am
RI can’t believe so few realize how important Poole is to our depth this year. Until Beckham becomes eligible Stacey is one of only 2 wing reserves on this team. Hood didn’t play a ton last year but there were times and situations where he HAD to play. That is Pooles role this year. We will have our main 7 but you introduce foul trouble, injury, or fatigue into any situation and Stacey is absolutely the next guy up. If Lamb Miller or MKG get hobbled or into foul trouble at any point Stacey would be the only bench guy available and without him it’d only be
Polson…
Stacey will see the floor some this year regardless but he is absolutely crucial to our wing depth in the above scenarios
November 2nd, 2011 at 9:00 am
Is that Bomani on Matt’s right?
November 2nd, 2011 at 9:01 am
Hey Matt is that Brian Britt?
November 2nd, 2011 at 9:04 am
Stacey Poole is at best a Division III player. I watched him in high school and all I can say is somebody did a snow job on Cal. Great kid – no way he plays in the SEC. If he wants PT – he needs to suit up tonight with Transy.
November 2nd, 2011 at 9:12 am
I really want Stacey to stay at UK, I think he could contribute next year as a Junior, and be a successful player here. His father needs to just advise Stacey and let him decide on his own what makes him happy, why force a kid to do something he doesn’t want to do? Stacey would get much more exposure, and end up a better player by playing 10 minutes a game his last 2 years at UK, than he would playing 30 minutes at a mid-major school, hasn’t Stacey Sr. been paying attention? ever heard of a thing called the “Kentucky Effect”? Ask Daniel Orton what the Kentucky Effect has done for him. If STACEY JR. wants to leave for more PT, I am cool with it and wish him the best, I just hope he gets to make the decision instead of his dad.
November 2nd, 2011 at 9:25 am
If you were a big time football recruit would you play for UK and that loser coach we have? Sad commentary that Vnderbilt has been able to build a better program than Kentucky. What more does it take for the UK Board of Trustees to dump Joker and preferably Barnhart as well.
November 2nd, 2011 at 9:46 am
Another famous (or infamous) Transy alum: Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States of America
November 2nd, 2011 at 9:54 am
Matt, I was glad to see you gave my favorite lawyer a “shout out”, Duncan C!! You know he has a birthday coming up, right?
November 2nd, 2011 at 9:54 am
And it starts on the football side… Joker losing commits due to failing miserably at coaching! We will see Curry ball before we see another winning season!
November 2nd, 2011 at 10:04 am
I agree with poole’s father. Don’t let the door hit ya where the good lord split ya.
November 2nd, 2011 at 10:20 am
Stacey, I’m glad you’re a member of BBN! Keep your head up, get to work, and things will work out for you here.
November 2nd, 2011 at 10:52 am
For the sake of my entertainment, PLEASE, post a college pic with corey S.
November 2nd, 2011 at 10:52 am
For the sake of my entertainment, PLEASE, post a college pic with corey S.
November 2nd, 2011 at 11:19 am
If you don’t hit the floor, you are not part of the team? What an awful message to send to a young man. If Stacey wants to go someplace to get more playing time, that is fine, but the idea that you can only be part of a team by being the one in the limelight is a message for our sad me-first times.
November 2nd, 2011 at 11:41 am
Normally I’m more of a football fan and the news about Shadrach is disapointing however as far as I am concerned the football season comes to an end tonight at 7pm. Just in time too, because I can’t watch anymore of this pathetic excuse of a football team. I feel bad for the players but the Joke has got to go.
November 2nd, 2011 at 11:42 am
go easy on ‘em, Pioneers.
November 2nd, 2011 at 12:02 pm
Holy sh*t, look at all the sigs.
November 2nd, 2011 at 12:26 pm
jeez, how old is matt? judging by the sick bowl cut/butt cut combo i’d guess this picture was take in 1996
November 2nd, 2011 at 1:01 pm
Great picture from some of the good old days!
Sadler, Vic, Jones, Tall, Mo (& I think “Jerry”!), & maybe Tommy
In the back there! I’m hyped to be at the game tonight
November 2nd, 2011 at 1:37 pm
Kyle Sadler FTW!!
November 2nd, 2011 at 1:57 pm
That looks like Saul Smith in the cap….and Mr. Poole, nothing personal but now is not the time to be putting your son in an awkward position. You should have pulled the trigger this summer or waited until after the 1st semester.
November 2nd, 2011 at 3:22 pm
These comments are hilarious, I am wearing an Atlanta Braves for those of you who are wondering. Those were good times I’ll see everyone at Rupp tonight. Let’s go Cats and Pioneers!
November 2nd, 2011 at 3:23 pm
These comments are hilarious, I am wearing an Atlanta Braves hat for those of you who are wondering. Those were good times I’ll see everyone at Rupp tonight. Let’s go Cats and Pioneers!
November 2nd, 2011 at 6:03 pm
Hey Opie, Aunt Bee says Howdy
November 2nd, 2011 at 6:04 pm
Hi Opie, Aunt Bee says Howdy !
November 2nd, 2011 at 6:40 pm
My boy Victor Enaker, hope you got some Wu-Tang playing for me!