Ben Stein’s Sunday News and Views
Bueller?….Bueller?
Sunday, November 25th, 2012 will see one of America’s most beloved monotonous men turn 68 years young. If you haven’t figured it out yet, this version of the News and Views is dedicated to no other than Ben Stein. You may not know that he graduated from Yale Law School, or that he’s a famous economist, or that he’s a writer, or even that he’s a political commentator, but we all know his roles in commercials, television shows, and the famed Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Yes, Stein may be absolutely brilliant, but we don’t really care about that do we? Nope, we love Ben because of his acting. Of course, Stein and his monotonous characters may be the most typecast actor ever (it’s close between him and Samuel L. Jackson being typecast as a bad-ass in every single movie), but we love him just the same. From winning some of his money on Comedy Central to telling us to keep our eyes clear with Clear Eyes, Ben is America’s beloved boring guy. So Ben, in honor of you, we present Sunday’s News and Views.
–Today, in what was Joker Phillips’ final game as head coach, Kentucky was defeated by a final score of 37-17 at the hands of Tennessee. The Volunteers’ Tyler Bray threw for 293 yards, completed 20 of his 34 passes, and tossed four touchdowns while not being intercepted a single time. The Vols also had no issue rushing the ball for a total of 163 yards.
-Today’s game wasn’t all negative, though. Jalen Whitlow turned in a solid performance, throwing for 245 yards, completing 29 of his 45 passes, and even acquired a touchdown in the process. Running back, Jonathan George had a 45 yard touchdown run which put the Cats within a touchdown of Tennessee late in the first half. But unfortunately, the winning streak couldn’t be extended to two games as bad play calling and a noticeable discrepancy in the talent level ultimately sunk the Cats who finished the 2012 campaign 2-10 (without a single conference win).
–After the game Mitch Barnhart met with members of the media for the first time since the firing of Joker Phillips to discuss the season and the coaching search taking place.
-”No one’s been offered the job. People have been responsive.”
-There is no timeline for the hire.
-Barnhart is “not going to get into specifics” about what qualities he wants in the next football coach. “You’ll know it when you see it.”
-Mitch said he appreciates the fans’ patience and warned us that there’s been a lot of misinformation flying around.
-UK is a “good job” and there are plenty of interested coaches out there who want to work in the SEC.
-During Joker’s final press conference today he had a few notable things to say including the following.
“It’s time to go. I understand that. It’s definitely time to go.”
On the next coach,
“Give the guy a chance. This is Kentucky football… given a chance, this thing can be good.”
-We learned late tonight that CBS Sports had been tipped by an anonymous source that Florida State’s Defensive Coordinator, Mark Stoops, had been interviewed in regards to the vacant coaching job at Kentucky. It’s anyone’s guess if this is actually true given that Mitch Barnhart’s staying tight lipped about the search, but regardless, it’s my belief that this would be an excellent hire for the program.
-The Washington Wizards are really bad. Like really, really bad. So far they’re 0-10 and on the verge of becoming one of the worst offensive teams in NBA history. Part of the reason for this ineptitude is John Wall’s injury. As of this writing, the original 8-week healing period for his left knee injury is coming to a close, but there is still no timetable for his return. Michael Lee of the Washington Post had this to say about the injury.
Wittman also doesn’t have a timetable for Wall, only that he won’t be back [on Wednesday] against the Hawks.
“Everything is good,” Wittman said of Wall. “Went to the doctor, things are progressing. No setbacks, no things that look differently. Things are moving in the right direction in terms of what they are seeing, the doctors. Each day he’s taking the step of increased rehab work. Nothing on the floor, but that’s a good thing.”
-Justin Havens of ESPN’s Stats & Information group had a great write up on Anthony Davis and how he is on pace for a Tim Duncan like career.
-Finally we know that Joker’s career at Kentucky didn’t go as originally planned, but his three season’s as head coach did provide some memorable moments. Take the programs first victory over Steve Spurrier for instance.
48 Comments for Ben Stein’s Sunday News and Views
How in the hell did we go from Mark Stoops being interviewed for the UK football coaching job to how bad the Washington Wizards are and then back to Joker’s memorable moments as UK football coach??? Who gives a crap how good or bad the Wizards are!! We’re worried about who’s gonna be our next coach. Posts just keep getting worse all the time!!
That Kliff Kingsbury offense looks ten times better than the Mark Stoops defense. And that’s against SEC competition all year. I wish he was older but I say we go for it .
In important news…Cal was in Orlando FL today to watch Montverde Academy play. They have big man Dakari Johnson and also guard DeAngelo Russell. Johnson had 25 points and 12-15 rebounds. Russell had 14 points as Montverde beat defending class, 4 or 5 A, champion Lake Wales who is usually good every year. Montverde is ranked top 5 in country. Hopefully Cal was there when Lake Highlands junior guard Joel Berry played as he had 38 in a win over a top Memphis recruit{Powell}. Berry is very very good.
I must say, I do not know much at all about Mark Stoops other than his big bro.
I meant to say important bball news in post #3. I do think our football team, players and the coaching search is important, unless we hire Jones from cincy.
We just couldn’t let this season go, so we took a detour down to Southern California to play another game. In case they haven’t made it out yet, you’ll find USC’s secondary locked in the supply closet on the first level of the colosseum. Two losses almost feels as good as a win…
Brooks — sec record= 16-39 man he was pretty successful
Of those 16 sec win only six came from schools not from Mississippi or named Vanderbilt
Ark 2 — ok in one and sucked the other
Georgia 2 — average
LSU 1. — #1 in country
Auburn 1 — sucked that yr
So stop acting like brooks was a great coach he played sh&t non conferance teams to pad wins……period. All he built was a house of cards
Do you guys NEVER learn??
Barnhart just finishes telling you that you’re chasing mis-guided rumors, and before he’s done talking, somebody else has you chasing a brand new rumor
No harrow update?
Down goes Louisville. Sucks that it had to be Duke that won, but at least Louisville fans will have to shut up for a couple days. And whenever they bring up Dieng, ask them if they’ve seen Ryan Harrow start for us yet.
7) Still the strongest house we’d had here in a while.
8) You’re right. We should all be respectful of Barnhart’s desire for a private coaching search and not talk about possibilities. And we shouldn’t follow recruiting until Cal gets a letter of intent. And we should never, ever discuss games before they’re actually played.
By the way, sometimes the rumors are true whether an AD, coach, or player admits it or not.
7 – We could use that same house of cards this year. Sure, Rich didn’t turn UK into a dynasty by any means, but we were happy with what he did. Call it low standards or whatever you want, but it just shows how bad we currently are versus even those Brooks-era standards. Speaking of cards, Brooks corrected the ship against the Cards.
Louisville gets beat against Duke. I think I can go to sleep now.
Duke and UConn have both won NCAA basketball championships in the last 5 years.
What else do those 2 schools have in common?
All I want to know is where in the world is Ryan Harrow? It’s been awfully quiet regarding him today.
Duke and UL just played heckava game. They will both there at the end of the year. UL will probably be favored when we play them and rightfully sol. Their guard play is excellent and I don’t know how Wiltjer and WCS can handle their bigs. They are not strong enough.
13 – They both beat up on an inner city commuter school in basketball and football respectively
15 – Yup, what a game, whew. UK bigs better get more physical or they won’t be able to hang. Also, Louisville has got the guard play, UK a little short there now too. (I think I just repeated your post, but it was correct.)
16, I’ll accept that. i would also have taken ‘both beat an over-rated team who’s fans regularly hold up to their foreheads the international symbol for LOSER’
Anyone watching the LA tech and San Jose St team? Very entertaining teams.
Both would have beaten UK this year easily.
Whether or not any of you all are watching the Louisiana Tech/San Jose St. game I dont believe the direction we want to go in is to any of these coaches. Alot of mistakes and I just have have a hard time trying to relate their style to how it would be effective in the SEC. I wish both these coaches lots of success however I think we would be going back to square 1 hiring 1 of these guys. Its time for a new idenity and direction and I for one trust MB in making that happen.
Would the new coach be able to bring players from his school to UK, assuming they are good?
I think we should hire the guy that coached UT today.
Let’s get to some real news, did Harrow make it back to campus tonight??
21) Assuming they’re fine with sitting out the transfer year, and assuming the school doesn’t block them from transferring to certain schools (like the one their coach goes to).
7) Amazing work!!
How naive we are…
Barnhart must see this and
bite the Petrino bullet
So who’s gonna be our next AD?
#26 Joker Phillips
that team was wayy better than 6 wins cosidering that schedule. everyone (at least shouldve) knew what we had if hartline, cobb, matthews, locke, trevathan, guy, etc couldnt do better that 1st year
Mark Stoops coached for the defensive juggernauts of Wyoming and Houston before Florida State. Why don’t we hire a Coordinator with new head coaching experience to come and replace the Coordinator with no head coaching experience who was just fired?
I see that WildcatRick has brought back RV as a moderator. That bullying blow-hard wouldn’t know a football from a bocci ball. Bad move, Rick. You might as well change the name from “WildcatNation” to “Tailgating Friends Nation”. Man, would Mel be pissed. If you are one of the tailgating buddies, you can do whatever you like on there. If should happen to disagree with a tailgating buddy, you will get banned.
Its time for the fans to have a GOOD football team. It starts and ends at the top. We should hire the best football coach we can find and if not find a new AD who can make the call. Hands down Petrino is the only $4 million a year coach we have a chance to get. Everyone else is 6-6 or 7-5. We continue to hire “up and coming” or retreads and just “flip the coin” and hope he works out. Why we are “satisfied” being middle of the pack SEC and going to low tier bowl games? BULL
It’s monotone, not motonunous you dope.
31. Middle of the Pack??? Since when?
Duke played the best perimeter defense I have ever seen last night against the Cardinals. They flat-out did not allow open shots from behind the arc. I was thoroughly impressed by Duke — just as I was when they played Kentucky. Every starter they put on the floor is a dangerous offensive weapon. Except for Plumlee, they all can shoot outside shots with a better than average accuracy. Cook, Sulaimon, Curry, and Kelly can all drill shots. Plumlee can handle his own down in the paint. Duke clearly dominated Louisville, having no problem with Louisville’s pressure by putting on a clinic on how to take care of the basketball. The only way Louisville stayed close was by offensive rebounding by Harrell and VanTreese. I do think Louisville is very good but they are not nearly the team as that Duke squad. Kentucky will have its work cut out vs. the Cards in the areas of handling defensive pressure and rebounding. That stated, if Kentucky can play similar perimeter defense on the Cards, limit turnovers, and rebound, they can beat Louisville.
We were middle of the pack during a couple of the Mumme / Morris years. But not consistantly since Claiborne. We have been at or near bottom since Brooks was hired.
^that was for 31.^
At least Brook’s teams played hard. His level of winning looks pretty good compared to Joker’s teams that were supposed to have been getting better because of Rich’s mild success.
31 what you said!
34 what you said and I think if UK develops we beat Duke later in the year.
Did Ryan Harrow return yesterday? I think this is the one question BBN wants to know and no one is talking, tweeting, or leaking anything!!!
34-hate to say it but dook looks good and will only improve. to beat them you have to defend the 3 and have good bigs under the basket. we can beat ul if we play team ball and archie continues to be an unstoppable force. dec 29 baby
Mitch says: “UK is a “good job” and there are plenty of interested coaches out there who want to work in the SEC.”
Unfortunately, after having a month’s head start and apparently not narrowing it down to a choice in that time, Mitch has now allowed several other “more attractive” SEC options to jump into the mix.
Remember all those Louisville fans that were posting on this site about how they were going to go undefeated and win the BCS championship ? Just set themselves up for the big fall. Then the same fans start crowing about their basketball team and how they were going to go undefeated and win the NCAA. Would not want to be a U of L fan today.
Anyone sighted Harrow?
UK football is full of young players. Players who pretty much stink. The new coach is going to have a couple of really bad years until he can get REAL talent on campus
Love how Joker didn’t game plan but cleaned out his office instead. Oh yeah, 2.5 MILLION dollars to get fired for sucking.
And how about Cal looking to see if any football players want to join his squad? Maybe a bruiser inside or a back up PG. The football team is always full of really good bball players
#43, they told Joker to have his office cleaned out. And the players don’t stink. Move to Tennessee if you don’t like it. I just love people that comment on something they know nothing about.
#41, the Cards are going to go undefeated in basketball this season. Point blank. Period.
Oh, wait – crap….
#34, Duke looked pretty good, but Siva and Smith helped them out quite a bit by driving inside in traffic and generally making poor decisions, forcing bad shots, and committing silly turnovers. If we get Harrow back and he is able to develop into a good point guard, and the rest of the squad continues to develop (and learn to play defense), I am not worried about UK running into the likes of Duke or UL in the tournament.
#44, uh yeah they do stink. You not see 2-10? Or how bad they looked yesterday? Some of the mistakes are because they aren’t very talent, some are because they don’t think, like Collins or whoever it was trying to stay inbounds catching a punt at the 9 yard line.
Again, Joker cleaned out his office, didn’t have a gameplan (which painfully showed) and gets 2.5 million to leave. Where do I sign up?
Duke is your typical peak early in the season team. The Cards would be a much tougher matchup for us in March than Duke would be. We’ll beat Duke handily in March. UL will/would be a battle in March.