Monday Morning Headlines: Hagans Out, Other Headlines In

Welcome to another weird Monday morning. Today we again begin the week with the headlines from another sports-less weekend, although this time there was at least a little bit of news regarding your favorite basketball team. We drop that, and more, to get you going this a.m.     Ashton Hagans is gone. Ashton Hagans has entered the NBA Draft, as expected, but has also made the final decision to stay there. He will not return to Kentucky for a junior season. "Always a Wildcat," Hagans wrote as he announced via social media that he is entering the NBA Draft. https://twitter.com/H23Ash/status/1246880689947062273 “When I chose to come back for my sophomore year, I had some goals in mind,” Hagans said. “First was to win a national championship. You know it’s killing me that we didn’t get the chance to compete for one this season, but I understand why we couldn’t. But, just know, we would have been right there. The second thing we did, which was to win an SEC championship. I also wanted to become a better all-around point guard. My coaches and my teammates really helped me improve and now I know I’m ready to take the next step. “I just wanted to let you all know that even though I love Kentucky with all of my heart and really wish I could have played for a ‘ship, it’s time for me to live out my life-long dream and declare for the NBA Draft. It’s been my No. 1 goal since I first picked up a ball to take this step and I know my time is now. It’s so hard for me to say goodbye to the best fans in the world, because these last two years have been some of the best of my life. “I want to give some shout outs to Coach Cal, KP (Kenny Payne), Barb (Tony Barbee), Joel (Justus), Robes (John Robic) and all of the staff. You helped me grow into a man and I know you’ll be there supporting me forever. To all my brothers, you all know how much love I have for you. Wish we could run it back one more time. Lastly, I need to thank my family. You’ve been there with me since day one. We’ve been through a lot and I hope I’ve made you proud.” In a release from the program, John Calipari responded to Hagans' decision by saying, "Ashton is ready for this. From where he was when he got here two seasons ago to where he is now isn't even close. He's a completely different player and he's built his skills and his confidence to take that next step. "We know what Ashton can do to change the game defensively and how much better he got offensively, but what's going to separate him is his competitiveness. That kid is a winner. His competitive spirit drives him and is why I love him." Hagans leaves Lexington ranked 12th in program history in assists, and his career assist-per-game average ranks fourth. The SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year as a freshman and two-time SEC All-Defensive Team Selection, he is third behind only Rajon Rondo and Derek Anderson in steals per game for a Wildcat career.   John Calipari live-tweeted the TV replay of the 2012 title game. Some examples: https://twitter.com/UKCoachCalipari/status/1246911894994247680 https://twitter.com/UKCoachCalipari/status/1246918025577627655 To see all of Cal's tweets, click here.   I shouldn't have to say this, but grown men shouldn't be trying to choke out 18-year-old girls. I thought we established this generations ago. However, that's what we see in this cell phone video from a social distancing-related argument in Prospect, KY, just outside of Louisville.

Man strangles teenage girl for failing to social distance - Is this Norton Commons? from r/Louisville

Couple of thoughts here: -- We can't be doing that. Sir, you're a grown man. We don't choke teenagers. We shouldn't choke anyone. If it's a lifelong dream to be the Undertaker, we'll find you a spot with Shannon The Dude in OVW. -- The girls should've been practicing safe social distancing in what looks to be like a public park with a walking trail. These are stressful times; give people their space, especially during their peaceful evening walk when they're probably trying to put the world's problems aside for an hour. -- What happened in the moments leading up to the video? In no scenario ever should he have reacted that way and you won't catch me defending him, but I find it hard to believe he went straight to that step without a little poking of the bear. -- This is a good example of why we shouldn't try to police others. Everyone is crazy and high-strung right now. An argument among strangers is not what anyone needs. Read the Courier-Journal's story on the matter here.   The national championship will not be played tonight. The winner of the NCAA Tournament was scheduled to be declared tonight down in Atlanta. We should be there right now, counting down the hours until UK vs. Dayton for UK's ninth national title! Ugh.   But we're still doing a KSR Pregame Show! Before the UK Sports Network re-airs the radio broadcast of the 2012 national championship game, KSR will hold a live pregame show from 6-7 p.m. to get you ready for it. We're up first, live, pretending to be in the year 2012, followed by the Countdown to Tip-Off (not live) and then the tip-off at 8 p.m (also not live). Again, this is radio only, and for those of you who have enjoyed our isolation pregame shows the last three weeks, this is the last one so be sure to tune in.   Here's a neat post from yesterday's Kentucky Sports Radio dot com fun. Sam Gorley found that the Rule of 71 held true in 97.8 percent of games in which 71 points were scored in the John Calipari era of basketball at Kentucky. "The Rule of 71... Revisited"   The whole crew is on KSR radio this morning. Tune in in one hour!