The Other Wiggins’ Wednesday News and Views
While all of America piles on board the Florida Gulf Coast bandwagon this March, another Cinderella team is poised to reach the Elite Eight this weekend. Wichita State, a nine seed in the tournament, is one win over LaSalle away from playing for a spot in the Final Four. The Shockers knocked off Pittsburgh and Gonzaga to reach the Sweet 16 last weekend, proving that Gonzaga is and always has been overhyped in the big dance. And though he never entered the game in the upset over the one-seeded Bulldogs, tonight’s News and Views are dedicated to Wichita State’s Nick Wiggins. That’s Andrew’s older brother, for those of you filling in the Wiggins family tree at home.
Wiggins is in his first season with Wichita State after two years of junior college. He got his start under Todd Franklin (#LaFamilia) at Vincennes before moving over to Wabash Valley for his sophomore campaign, where he was named second team All-American. This season he’s averaging five points per game for the Shockers with a season-high 18 against Drake back in January.
That’s enough with the irrelevant Nick Wiggins stats. Let’s get to the goods. He wants his kid brother to go to Kentucky. In an interview with North Pole Hoops prior to the season, the elder Wiggins said, “I’d love to see him go to Kentucky.”
If that happens, we’ll join in on some of this…
Good luck to Nick Wiggins and the Shockers in Thursday night’s West region semifinal. And good luck to John Calipari in the recruitment of Andrew.
UK Hoops won a school record 29th game Tuesday night in the second round of the NCAA tournament. Kentucky’s women’s basketball team defeated seventh-seeded Dayton, 84-70, to advance to the Sweet 16. A’dia Mathies led the way for Kentucky with 34 points and 13 rebounds. The Louisville native’s 34 points ties her career-high and marks the third time she’s eclipsed the 30 point mark in her career. She has now reached double-figures in 31 of 34 games this season.
UK moves on to face Delaware on Saturday in Bridgeport, Connecticut. A win there will set up a matchup with UConn in the Elite Eight on Monday, assuming UConn gets past Maryland. KSR will make the long trek to The Land of Steady Habits this weekend to follow Matthew Mitchell’s bunch in the pursuit of the Final Four.
That’s a long drive.
Kentucky’s win is pretty impressive considering many of the players missed shootaround with a stomach bug. Coach Mitchell said he didn’t know how things would go after the players woke up with the bug; A’dia Mathies said she didn’t think she could finish the game. Things were so bad, Samarie Walker vomited on the sideline mid-play and the bench had to be sterilized at halftime.
In men’s basketball news, Coach Cal drove over to Richmond on Tuesday night to test the new product at Orange Leaf. He also paid a visit to Dominique Hawkins while in town. Hawkins, a lifelong UK basketball fan, is still holding out for an offer and he plans to wait as long it takes before Cal gives him a definite answer on whether not a scholarship will be available. Hawkins’ spot basically rides on the future of Ryan Harrow, who I believe will seek other opportunities next season. If that’s the case, expect Dominique Hawkins to join Kentucky’s monster 2013 recruiting class.
Ryan Lemond calls him a young Anthony Epps and, as we all know, Ryan Lemond’s analysis is always spot on.
Still no word from UK on the futures of Nerlens Noel, Archie Goodwin, Alex Poythress and Willie Cauley-Stein. Calipari will meet with each player this week to weight the options and then we’ll get a statement or a press conference on their decisions. The Kyle Wiltjer to Gonzaga rumors are still out there but fading fast after a tweet Monday night from a classmates who says he overheard Kyle denying a transfer. Take that however you want to take it.
Marshawn Powell declared for the NBA Draft on Tuesday via tweet. Cool story, bro.
John Wall has been on a tear in the league lately and a writer from Grantland.com made a bold statement about the former UK point guard in this week’s Short-Attention-Span Power Rankings. Chris Ryan, the author, wrote, “John Wall might be the best player in the NBA right now not named Kevin or LeBron.” That’s a bit of a stretch, even for this blog to say, but it’s still good to hear Jimmy Wall getting some love. Wall recently said he deserves a maximum contract from the Wizards even though he hasn’t hit his peak yet.
Interested in purchasing UK football season tickets? UK has lower level and upper level season tickets for sale and has opened a satellite ticket office at Commonwealth Stadium so fans can tour seat locations. The tickets are located in the corner/end zone seats in the lower level and upper level public seats.
The Commonwealth satellite ticket office will be open on Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in March and April for potential season ticket holders. If you’re interested in buying, go to Gate 5 where K Fund staff members will be on hand to take you on a tour of the various seat locations and answer questions.
Lower seats are available for $242 each, plus a $100 K Fund donation for end zone seats and $300 for corners that are under cover. Upper level public seats are available for either $277 or $242 each, depending on location. If you can’t make it out to Commonwealth, visit UKFootballTix.com, go to the Joe Craft Center Ticket Office from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday or call the UK Ticket Office at 800-928-2287.
For fans of the world’s football, USA and Mexico are currently tied halfway through the World Cup qualifying match. Head over to ESPN to cheer on this land that we love.
We have an early favorite for Obituary of the Year…
Timothy Wayne “Tim” Hopkins, 54, went to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and Dale Earnhardt to contribute his building and painting expertise to the constructing of many heavenly mansions on Saturday, March 23, 2013, in Memphis… [Source]
Finally reunited with the No. 3 car in the sky.
The AT&T Cotton Bowl tweeted a photo of Cowboys Stadium as it awaits the South Regional this weekend:
Kentucky will face Baylor in that same venue next season. #RevengeTour
Wednesday’s edition of Kentucky Sports Radio radio will be coming to you live from UK football practice. Mark Stoops and the staff have invited the media in for photo opportunities and we’re using the opportunity to broadcast from the sideline. Matt and Ryan will be on the air for two solid hours and we hope to pull whoever we can aside to say a few words about how spring ball is going thus far. It should make for a very good show.
Go Cats.
52 Comments for The Other Wiggins’ Wednesday News and Views
Making fun of someone’s obituary is distasteful and plain rude. Was it necessary to be so disrespectful?
Didn’t they call Memorial the “White Elephant?” Well the Cowboys Stadium looks like a Black Elephant now, very intimidating when empty like that.
The rabbits say wiggins will were Kentucky blue and white next year
1. Ease up, I think it’s clear that obituary is celebrating a fun loving person. I would think whoever drafted it understood what they were writing.
So there’s a precident for turning down Fla. St. and going to another school. Sorry mom & dad, Andrew is gonna be a Cat!
Shouldn’t you have said UK will win the nationally championship in this building next season?
Nick Wiggins tells his brother to go to KY and you announce that Nick’s bio and stats are irrelevant? Please tell me you didn’t do that intentionally!
Jimmy ? Wall
USA-USA-USA!!! #points #USMNT
Jimmy and I are already on site at Cowboys Stadium.
We will be staying inside the stadium until game time…we are guarding our yard!!!
4. Take your own advice…ease up, it is his opinion and others like myself.
Cowboys Stadium is hosting a regional this weekend, which is a rehearsal for the KY. Invitational (Final Four) to be held there in April 2014.
We need a different title for next season instead of revenge tour. Who exactly are we getting recent on? This year sucked because of us and no one else.
*revenge
11. Same to you guy. Ease up. Others have the opinion of the guy who says that the guy with the first opinion needs to ease up.
Getting Randle was a Cal miracle.
Let’s hope Wiggin’s also sees the
light…
Man o’ man… Cross your fingers!!!
I’m going to go ahead and start this and maybe someone like Corey will pick it up because it seems like something he would write about. I would like to apologize to Cal for doubting him in the recruiting process. He had Chris Walker basically begging for an offer, who mind you is a top 10 recruit. Cal has some brass ones to do that, especially so long ago. He must have known or swung for the fences with the likes of randle. Never doubt the actions of Cal on the recruiting trail.
When will the Baylor vs UK tickets go on sale?
13. your right we should call it the stomp a mud hole and walk it dry tour.
15. your right I hope some day when I die I have the clap and get to go to heaven and be with nascar great dick trickle.
The world’s football is for girls.
That looks like the Death Star Arena
Did you guys miss it? Dominique Hawkins has been compared to Anthony Epps. In case your a youngster to UK Epps was an incredible guard for the Cats and maybe the most clutch player ever. When any game got close everyone wanted the ball in his hands because of his free throw clutch shooting. One of the unsung UK heroes from the past and one of my favorite players at UK. If Hawkins is anything like Epps then UK has to get him, make room Cal he is worth it.
22, you’re right. Playing basketball games in a football stadium is STUPID! But, we all know it’s not about the money because the NCAA cares about the kids.
Not sure why ksr posted that obit – when it talks about heaven and God. Everyone knows half of all libs don’t believe in God and the other half think Barry Obama IS God. Way to confuse the libs, ksr.
I know D Hawk personally. Went to school and played ball with him, said Cal will have a decision by Friday. #DHawkToUK
25) You’re dumb, aren’t you?
NCAA rules Alex Len who played professionally for lub team in Ukraine eligible ?
# FREE ENES
Did Len not play for Cash?
25, can you leave the politics out of here? Its a sports blog about a team we all root for. Please go to Fox News or somewhere else if you want to bash libs and the president.
Is it just me or does that mascot for Wichita St bear a striking resemblance to Cody Zeller?
25- better watch out, I know some liberals that are hiding in some bushes trying to rob you of your freedoms. You better pull out that 6 chambered justice maker and show these pinko commie liberals how to be a real Murican’!!!
Thanks for the funny obituary Franklin. BTW as we all know, life is the #1 cause of death.
If Hawkins goes to uk he’s stupid. He’s not any bigger & not as good as Anthony hickey. He’s got other D1 offers. He should go there & be able to actually earn PT.
#31 – Correction: Lack of breath is the number one cause of death.
25- you really are an f-tard. You put the “dumb” in “dumbass”. News flash: both parties suck. No elected official is out to protect your interests.
33- thanks for clarification Michael J.
Funny when you guys are fine with political talk and when you aren’t. One minute this site is all about ‘most ridiculous manner possible’ – then the next minute it is only a serious sports site. And just because yalls God (Obama) hasn’t lived up to the hype, doesn’t mean you have to use such language – name calling is always strong for your argument.
So is Ryan Harrow transferring?
36) Yes, you are dumb, too
34. Study the meaning of “false equivalency”. One party is looking out for its re-election possibilities, but wants to do well by the people, and believes through logic and working together we can improve things. The Grand Obstructionist Party is a wholly owned subsidiary of the wealthiest .1 % and cares nothing about 99.9 % of the country, loathing 47% of our citizens. Not equivalent.
I’m with 7. Way to disrespect the kid’s older brother who is rooting for us.
39 did you drink the koolaid?
Our government is broke both sides but to believe
The divisive propaganda of Oboma “if THEY would
Only pay their fair share” is just simply ignorant.
I have served our nation for the past 15 years with
A sworn vow to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States
Of America agsinst all enemies both forgein and DOMESTIC. to defend the liberties that document guarantees Me. Liberals in my view have a government growing
Self seeking agenda using (racism, class warfare) as their human
Shield so they can quickly discredit with media support anyone who
Opposes them ( Ben Carson)
Patrick Henry’s famous quote has never rang clearer than these
Times. When I was sucking sand in Iraq 2003
I did not do so for a dysfunctional education system, for votes, for food stamps , for promised security
For republicans or democrats. I willingly sucked sand for the price of freedom. Many
Around me gave all but some things are worth dying for–Freedom
Almost forgot
Go Big Blue
32 He may not see the court much next year, but the year after he may start. AND have a ring.
39, Um, no. I am correct. All political parties suck. You really need to study on it. They all look only to serve the large corporations that pull their strings. None of these parties care about you, or me, or any working guy. That 1% you mentioned owns THEM ALL.
BTW, way to go Nick Wiggins. I’m pulling for Wichita St. to win it all.
43. He will NEVER start at UK. He will be twanny beckham 2.0, a practice player. He’s small, and not that fast. Please actually watch the kid play, not just read the KSR comments, before believing in this fairy tail. He has offers from morehead, wku, and South Carolina. UK will offer a scholly if one opens up (harrow), otherwise he is a walk-on
Drew!! “That’s enough with the irrelevant Nick Wiggins stats. Let’s get to the goods.”
You need to write an apology…Out right rude.
Thank you #46. you exactly right.
Has the date for the Kentucky/Baylor game at Cowboy Stadium been set yet? If so; when?
Leave the political talk off of KSR
If we had 3 extra schollies this year why wasnt one offered to the Young Wiggins?
@32 you said that yesterday, #43 is spot on. Hawkins will get some decent playing time, especially against, smaller, quicker players.