At the beginning of this week, the Kentucky Wildcats were 13-5, 4-2 in the SEC and facing a daunting week ahead.
First, the Wildcats had to visit No. 16 Ole Miss at the Tad Smith Coliseum in Oxford. The Rebels were one of the hottest teams in the country, and featured the conference's leading scorer in Marshall Henderson.
It looked like a tough situation for a young team that had recently lost on the road at Alabama, in a game they probably should have won. After falling in Tuscaloosa, the Wildcats had to hold off a pesky LSU team, winning 75-70 in Rupp Arena.
In Oxford, Kentucky was able to keep Henderson in check, as he hit only 5-of-19 from the floor and scored 19 points. Kyle Wiltjer had a career high 26 for Kentucky and Archie Goodwin added 24 as the Big Blue won 87-74.
But Kentucky could not rest on its most recent victory. Staring them in the face was a trip to College Station to face Texas A&M, a team that had beaten the Wildcats 83-71 in Rupp Arena just three weeks ago. In that game, it was the Aggies' Elston Turner who stole the show, scoring 40 points, one of the best games ever by an opponent in Rupp Arena.
On this Saturday, it was Kentucky that appeared to be the better team. Kentucky raced out to a big lead, but A&M held the lead down, and was able to tie the game at the end of regulation, sending it to overtime.
In the extra period, Kentucky turned not to one of its talented freshmen, but to senior transfer Julius Mays, who scored 19 points, including five in overtime, to seal the win for the Big Blue.
Kentucky led by one point with 15 seconds left in overtime, when Mays hit two free throws to make the lead three. Mays then did a great job guarding Turner, who missed a tough three-pointer. Mays was fouled and he hit another free throw to seal the game for the Wildcats.
Not to be overlooked, freshman sensation Nerlens Noel had a career-high 19 points, while adding 14 rebounds, three assists, two blocked shots and a steal in 41 minutes of action.
The results of this week prove that Kentucky, with an RPI of 48 before Saturday's game, is clearly an NCAA Tournament team. The Wildcats hold their own destiny in front of them. They need to continue to beat the teams they are supposed to beat, as well as beating Missouri (No. 32 RPI) and getting a win against Florida (RPI No. 7) at home to get into the field of 68.
Before this week, those wins didn't seem possible, but if Kentucky continues to improve, they could not only make the field of 68, they could make some noise in March.
Showing posts with label Kentucky Wildcats. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kentucky Wildcats. Show all posts
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Can College Basketball Produce an Undefeated Champion?
When the Indiana Hoosiers completed the 1975-76 season as undefeated NCAA Champions, few people probably thought that it would be 30-plus years (at least) before we saw another perfect championship team. After all, it was the fifth time in 13 seasons that the national champion had finished with an unblemished record.
However, in the 37 years since Bob Knight's squad pulled off the feat, no college basketball team has been able to match the level of perfection. Already this season, every Division I team has suffered at least one loss.
The 13-year stretch between 1964 and 1976 that produced five unbeaten champions is definitely the exception, rather than the norm, for two reasons: 1) the UCLA factor; and 2) there have actually only been seven undefeated champions since 1939, when the NCAA Tournament began.
UCLA had four unbeaten national championship seasons from 1964 through 1973. John Wooden's teams went undefeated in 1964, 1967, 1972 and 1973. Led by Lew Alcindor and Bill Walton, those teams had no rival that could match their talent at the time. UCLA won seven straight championships and 10 of 12 during Wooden's run in Westwood.
While UCLA's feat is indeed impressive, keep in mind that the NCAA Tournament field was only 22-25 teams in those days, meaning the Bruins only had to win four games to claim the championship, rather than the six (or seven) that teams would have to win today. That's two extra games, one likely against a pretty good team, that today's teams have to navigate which UCLA didn't.
Outside of UCLA's four unbeaten seasons, only three other teams have accomplished the feat. In 1956, San Francisco, led by center Bill Russell, won its second consecutive championship, with a 29-0 record. The next year, North Carolina and head coach Frank McGuire went 32-0 en route to the title. And in 1976, Knight's Indiana Hoosiers were also 32-0 in claiming the national title.
Since the 1976 season, several teams have come close to completing an unbeaten record. In 1979, Indiana State, led by Larry Bird, won its first 33 games before losing to Magic Johnson and Michigan State in the national championship game.
In 1991, UNLV was unbeaten heading into the Final Four before being upset by eventual national champion Duke.
In 2004, St. Joseph's had an unbeaten regular season before losing in their conference tournament. In 2008, John Calipari's Memphis team won its first 26 games before suffering their first loss.
So, what has changed in today's game that makes it so tough to go unbeaten? There are several factors.
First, in 1986, the shot clock was instituted in college basketball. This eliminated the deliberate style that could keep stronger teams from milking the clock to preserve a win.
In 1987, the three-point shot came to the college game. The long ball gave lesser teams a fighting chance, and made deficits easier to overcome late in games.
The NCAA scholarship reductions, from 15 to 13, also leveled the ground for lesser teams. Big-time teams could no longer load their roster with such superior talent that it was hard to overcome.
And finally, but perhaps most importantly, the NBA has changed college basketball. Players leaving school early has depleted the talent in the college game. Players that would have stayed in school and developed into outstanding players are now leaving school early for the riches of the NBA.
Take a look back at Wooden's UCLA teams. Experience is the common them among nearly all of his 10 championships. And in 1976, Knight started four seniors and a junior on his unbeaten team.
Today's norm is much different. For example, the 2012 national champion Kentucky Wildcats started three amazingly-talented freshman (Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Marquis Teague) and a pair of super sophomores (Terrence Jones and Doron Lamb). Coming off the bench was a senior playmaker (Darius Miller). That team was able to go 38-2 en route to the national title.
Kentucky's team was as talented as any in recent memory. All of its top six were taken in the NBA Draft, including all five starters in the first round. Davis and Kidd-Gilchrist were the top two overall picks in the draft.
Yet, Kentucky had a few flaws. Their only regular season loss came at Indiana, in front of a hostile crowd in Bloomington and on a last-second shot by Christian Watford. Experience, or the lack of it, played a big role in the loss. Kentucky missed a few free throws down the stretch that could have iced the game.
Secondly, despite such massive talent in its first six players, Kentucky lacked depth. That proved to be an Achilles heel in the Wildcats' second loss of the season, to Vanderbilt in the SEC Tournament Championship. Kentucky was playing for the third time in three days, and the Wildcats didn't have much left in the tank.
That being said, can college basketball produce an unbeaten champion in today's atmosphere? I think it would be tough, but there is a formula in which it could happen.
Take out all of the power conferences. With the level playing field of today, it's highly unlikely that a power conference team could go unbeaten. There are as many as nine road games within the conference for those teams, and winning on the road, in the conference, is always tough.
However, take teams like Gonzaga, Memphis or UNLV. These teams play in lesser conferences, but they almost always seem to have top-level talent. If a school like one of these were to put together a non-conference schedule in which they could remain unbeaten, and then ran the table in conference play and the conference tournament, they would head into the tournament with not only and unbeaten record, but with a ton of momentum (and a number one seed).
From there, the anything-can-happen NCAA Tournament could give such a team a chance to win it all. Granted, there would be significant pressure, being undefeated and likely ranked number one in the country. And there would be challenges, facing battled-tested teams from power conferences along the way. But that's the scenario, in my mind, that could produce an unbeaten national champion.
I don't see any teams with the talent of the 1990s UNLV teams at this time, so this is not likely to happen for at least a couple of years. But if college basketball is to have an undefeated champion, that's the way it could happen.
However, in the 37 years since Bob Knight's squad pulled off the feat, no college basketball team has been able to match the level of perfection. Already this season, every Division I team has suffered at least one loss.
The 13-year stretch between 1964 and 1976 that produced five unbeaten champions is definitely the exception, rather than the norm, for two reasons: 1) the UCLA factor; and 2) there have actually only been seven undefeated champions since 1939, when the NCAA Tournament began.
UCLA had four unbeaten national championship seasons from 1964 through 1973. John Wooden's teams went undefeated in 1964, 1967, 1972 and 1973. Led by Lew Alcindor and Bill Walton, those teams had no rival that could match their talent at the time. UCLA won seven straight championships and 10 of 12 during Wooden's run in Westwood.
While UCLA's feat is indeed impressive, keep in mind that the NCAA Tournament field was only 22-25 teams in those days, meaning the Bruins only had to win four games to claim the championship, rather than the six (or seven) that teams would have to win today. That's two extra games, one likely against a pretty good team, that today's teams have to navigate which UCLA didn't.
Outside of UCLA's four unbeaten seasons, only three other teams have accomplished the feat. In 1956, San Francisco, led by center Bill Russell, won its second consecutive championship, with a 29-0 record. The next year, North Carolina and head coach Frank McGuire went 32-0 en route to the title. And in 1976, Knight's Indiana Hoosiers were also 32-0 in claiming the national title.
Since the 1976 season, several teams have come close to completing an unbeaten record. In 1979, Indiana State, led by Larry Bird, won its first 33 games before losing to Magic Johnson and Michigan State in the national championship game.
In 1991, UNLV was unbeaten heading into the Final Four before being upset by eventual national champion Duke.
In 2004, St. Joseph's had an unbeaten regular season before losing in their conference tournament. In 2008, John Calipari's Memphis team won its first 26 games before suffering their first loss.
So, what has changed in today's game that makes it so tough to go unbeaten? There are several factors.
First, in 1986, the shot clock was instituted in college basketball. This eliminated the deliberate style that could keep stronger teams from milking the clock to preserve a win.
In 1987, the three-point shot came to the college game. The long ball gave lesser teams a fighting chance, and made deficits easier to overcome late in games.
The NCAA scholarship reductions, from 15 to 13, also leveled the ground for lesser teams. Big-time teams could no longer load their roster with such superior talent that it was hard to overcome.
And finally, but perhaps most importantly, the NBA has changed college basketball. Players leaving school early has depleted the talent in the college game. Players that would have stayed in school and developed into outstanding players are now leaving school early for the riches of the NBA.
Take a look back at Wooden's UCLA teams. Experience is the common them among nearly all of his 10 championships. And in 1976, Knight started four seniors and a junior on his unbeaten team.
Today's norm is much different. For example, the 2012 national champion Kentucky Wildcats started three amazingly-talented freshman (Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Marquis Teague) and a pair of super sophomores (Terrence Jones and Doron Lamb). Coming off the bench was a senior playmaker (Darius Miller). That team was able to go 38-2 en route to the national title.
Kentucky's team was as talented as any in recent memory. All of its top six were taken in the NBA Draft, including all five starters in the first round. Davis and Kidd-Gilchrist were the top two overall picks in the draft.
Yet, Kentucky had a few flaws. Their only regular season loss came at Indiana, in front of a hostile crowd in Bloomington and on a last-second shot by Christian Watford. Experience, or the lack of it, played a big role in the loss. Kentucky missed a few free throws down the stretch that could have iced the game.
Secondly, despite such massive talent in its first six players, Kentucky lacked depth. That proved to be an Achilles heel in the Wildcats' second loss of the season, to Vanderbilt in the SEC Tournament Championship. Kentucky was playing for the third time in three days, and the Wildcats didn't have much left in the tank.
That being said, can college basketball produce an unbeaten champion in today's atmosphere? I think it would be tough, but there is a formula in which it could happen.
Take out all of the power conferences. With the level playing field of today, it's highly unlikely that a power conference team could go unbeaten. There are as many as nine road games within the conference for those teams, and winning on the road, in the conference, is always tough.
However, take teams like Gonzaga, Memphis or UNLV. These teams play in lesser conferences, but they almost always seem to have top-level talent. If a school like one of these were to put together a non-conference schedule in which they could remain unbeaten, and then ran the table in conference play and the conference tournament, they would head into the tournament with not only and unbeaten record, but with a ton of momentum (and a number one seed).
From there, the anything-can-happen NCAA Tournament could give such a team a chance to win it all. Granted, there would be significant pressure, being undefeated and likely ranked number one in the country. And there would be challenges, facing battled-tested teams from power conferences along the way. But that's the scenario, in my mind, that could produce an unbeaten national champion.
I don't see any teams with the talent of the 1990s UNLV teams at this time, so this is not likely to happen for at least a couple of years. But if college basketball is to have an undefeated champion, that's the way it could happen.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
No. 1 Goes Down Again In Week 7
For the second straight week, the top team in the land was upset by a conference opponent, shaking up the college football landscape.
This week’s victim was Ohio State, which was dominated in the first half before mounting a valiant comeback against Wisconsin, only to lose 31-17. Quarterback Terrelle Pryor was average, at best, and he didn’t get a lot of help from his teammates.
Wisconsin’s mammoth offensive line was able to dominate the Ohio State defensive front, allowing the Badgers to run the ball 43 times for 184 yards, controlling the clock in the process.
Ohio State’s dream of an unbeaten season is done, and their hopes of making it to the BCS Championship Game took a major hit in this loss. However, if teams ranked above them continue to lose (three top ten teams lost on Saturday), perhaps the Buckeyes can climb back into the national championship hunt.
Stock up
Auburn – The Tigers got a big win on Saturday, beating Arkansas 65-43 on the Plains. Cam Newton was amazing again for Auburn, now 7-0 on the season. The Tigers are looking to return to the glory days of Bo Jackson and Pat Dye, and Gene Chizik has done a great job of restoring the prominence of the program. If Auburn can beat LSU this weekend, national championship and Heisman Trophy talk will get very serious.
Boise State – Sure, Boise State crushed San Jose State 48-0 on Saturday night. That’s not news. What IS news is that Boise State keeps winning, while many teams around them in the polls continue to lose. This can only help Boise State’s position as the Broncos hope to make the BCS Championship Game. The BCS standings show Boise State ranked third, but any slip-up by Oklahoma or Oregon, and they could be right there.
Kentucky – The Wildcats ended a couple of streaks in Saturday’s 31-28 upset of South Carolina. Kentucky broke a ten-game losing streak to South Carolina, and also beat Steve Spurrier for the first time in 18 tries. Quarterback Mike Hartline was huge for the Wildcats, as was receiver Chris Matthews, but in the end, it was Randall Cobb making the big plays for a huge Kentucky victory. If the ‘Cats can beat Charleston Southern and Vanderbilt, they’ll be bowling again.
Virginia Tech – Remember the team that barely lost to Boise State in the season opener, then lost to James Madison the following week? That team has since run off five straight wins, and is rallying in time to become the team to beat in the ACC. The Hokies put up 52 points in Saturday’s spanking of Wake Forest. The schedule does get tougher, as Georgia Tech, North Carolina and Miami remain.
Eastern Michigan – Congratulations to coach Ron English and the Eagles, who snapped an 18-game losing streak on Saturday by beating Ball State 41-38. The Eagles fell behind 28-7, but ran off 28 unanswered points before eventually winning the game in overtime.
Stock down
Nebraska – What in the world happened to them on Saturday? This team had been outstanding all year, was facing an opponent that was reeling, and had home field advantage. All of those factors should equal a win, but they didn’t, as Texas beat Nebraska 20-13 in Lincoln. Freshman quarterback Taylor Martinez was largely ineffective, and the Nebraska offense never mustered much against the Longhorn defense. And now, the Cornhuskers visit No. 17 Oklahoma State on Saturday.
Florida – A three-game losing streak? Losing to Mississippi State at home? Scoring seven (SEVEN!) points in a game? What in the world is going on in Gainesville? Maybe Urban Meyer should return to being fired up on the sidelines (take care of yourself Urban, no matter what). This Florida team is experiencing serious troubles. The good news is, they get this weekend off before facing arch rival Georgia on Oct. 30.
Nevada – Everything appeared to be set for a Nov. 26 showdown between unbeaten Boise State and unbeaten Nevada. Then, Hawaii entered the fray. The Wolf Pack made the long journey to paradise on Saturday night, and returned only with a 27-21 loss. Nevada has now fallen out of the polls, and most people will give them little chance of winning in Boise late in the season.
Air Force – The Falcons had emerged as a contender in the Mountain West, but Saturday’s 27-25 loss at San Diego State derailed that train. And things don’t get easier, as Air Force visits TCU this weekend before hosting Utah on Oct. 30. Air Force should be bowl eligible, but this loss certainly hurt their national standing.
Oregon State – Can someone explain this team to me? Please? Just when I think I have the Beavers figured out, they do something that I can’t explain. On Saturday night, they visited Washington, in a game they should have won, and they couldn’t get the job done. Granted, they were without James Rodgers, but beating this Washington team is something Oregon State should have accomplished. And, they still must face USC, Stanford and Oregon later in the season.
Statistical Studs – Week 7
Cam Newton, Auburn – The Auburn quarterback has turned himself into a Heisman Trophy contender. In the huge SEC West win over Arkansas, Newton rushed 25 times for 188 yards and three touchdowns, while hitting on 10-of-14 passes for 140 yards and another score.
Ross Jenkins, Louisiana Tech – Jenkins hit on 31-of-44 passes for 422 yards and three touchdowns in a 48-35 win over Idaho. Jenkins also rushed eight times for 34 yards and a touchdown in the game.
Josh Harris, Wake Forest – In a loss to Virginia Tech, Harris had a huge game. He carried 20 times for 241 yards, including an 87-yard scamper. Harris scored two touchdowns for the Demon Deacons in the game.
Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State – If you haven’t heard of this player, you need to pay attention. On Saturday, he caught 10 passes for 207 yards and a touchdown, as the Cowboys beat Texas Tech 34-17. Blackmon leads the nation with 955 receiving yards.
Ronnie Hillman, San Diego State – Hillman rushed 24 times for 191 yards and a pair of touchdowns as the Aztecs upset Air Force, 27-25.
Games I’ll Be Watching in Week 8
No. 6 LSU at No. 5 Auburn
No. 3 Oklahoma at No. 18 Missouri
No. 10 Wisconsin at No. 13 Iowa
No. 14 Nebraska at No. 17 Oklahoma State
Air Force at No. 4 TCU
This week’s victim was Ohio State, which was dominated in the first half before mounting a valiant comeback against Wisconsin, only to lose 31-17. Quarterback Terrelle Pryor was average, at best, and he didn’t get a lot of help from his teammates.
Wisconsin’s mammoth offensive line was able to dominate the Ohio State defensive front, allowing the Badgers to run the ball 43 times for 184 yards, controlling the clock in the process.
Ohio State’s dream of an unbeaten season is done, and their hopes of making it to the BCS Championship Game took a major hit in this loss. However, if teams ranked above them continue to lose (three top ten teams lost on Saturday), perhaps the Buckeyes can climb back into the national championship hunt.
Stock up
Auburn – The Tigers got a big win on Saturday, beating Arkansas 65-43 on the Plains. Cam Newton was amazing again for Auburn, now 7-0 on the season. The Tigers are looking to return to the glory days of Bo Jackson and Pat Dye, and Gene Chizik has done a great job of restoring the prominence of the program. If Auburn can beat LSU this weekend, national championship and Heisman Trophy talk will get very serious.
Boise State – Sure, Boise State crushed San Jose State 48-0 on Saturday night. That’s not news. What IS news is that Boise State keeps winning, while many teams around them in the polls continue to lose. This can only help Boise State’s position as the Broncos hope to make the BCS Championship Game. The BCS standings show Boise State ranked third, but any slip-up by Oklahoma or Oregon, and they could be right there.
Kentucky – The Wildcats ended a couple of streaks in Saturday’s 31-28 upset of South Carolina. Kentucky broke a ten-game losing streak to South Carolina, and also beat Steve Spurrier for the first time in 18 tries. Quarterback Mike Hartline was huge for the Wildcats, as was receiver Chris Matthews, but in the end, it was Randall Cobb making the big plays for a huge Kentucky victory. If the ‘Cats can beat Charleston Southern and Vanderbilt, they’ll be bowling again.
Virginia Tech – Remember the team that barely lost to Boise State in the season opener, then lost to James Madison the following week? That team has since run off five straight wins, and is rallying in time to become the team to beat in the ACC. The Hokies put up 52 points in Saturday’s spanking of Wake Forest. The schedule does get tougher, as Georgia Tech, North Carolina and Miami remain.
Eastern Michigan – Congratulations to coach Ron English and the Eagles, who snapped an 18-game losing streak on Saturday by beating Ball State 41-38. The Eagles fell behind 28-7, but ran off 28 unanswered points before eventually winning the game in overtime.
Stock down
Nebraska – What in the world happened to them on Saturday? This team had been outstanding all year, was facing an opponent that was reeling, and had home field advantage. All of those factors should equal a win, but they didn’t, as Texas beat Nebraska 20-13 in Lincoln. Freshman quarterback Taylor Martinez was largely ineffective, and the Nebraska offense never mustered much against the Longhorn defense. And now, the Cornhuskers visit No. 17 Oklahoma State on Saturday.
Florida – A three-game losing streak? Losing to Mississippi State at home? Scoring seven (SEVEN!) points in a game? What in the world is going on in Gainesville? Maybe Urban Meyer should return to being fired up on the sidelines (take care of yourself Urban, no matter what). This Florida team is experiencing serious troubles. The good news is, they get this weekend off before facing arch rival Georgia on Oct. 30.
Nevada – Everything appeared to be set for a Nov. 26 showdown between unbeaten Boise State and unbeaten Nevada. Then, Hawaii entered the fray. The Wolf Pack made the long journey to paradise on Saturday night, and returned only with a 27-21 loss. Nevada has now fallen out of the polls, and most people will give them little chance of winning in Boise late in the season.
Air Force – The Falcons had emerged as a contender in the Mountain West, but Saturday’s 27-25 loss at San Diego State derailed that train. And things don’t get easier, as Air Force visits TCU this weekend before hosting Utah on Oct. 30. Air Force should be bowl eligible, but this loss certainly hurt their national standing.
Oregon State – Can someone explain this team to me? Please? Just when I think I have the Beavers figured out, they do something that I can’t explain. On Saturday night, they visited Washington, in a game they should have won, and they couldn’t get the job done. Granted, they were without James Rodgers, but beating this Washington team is something Oregon State should have accomplished. And, they still must face USC, Stanford and Oregon later in the season.
Statistical Studs – Week 7
Cam Newton, Auburn – The Auburn quarterback has turned himself into a Heisman Trophy contender. In the huge SEC West win over Arkansas, Newton rushed 25 times for 188 yards and three touchdowns, while hitting on 10-of-14 passes for 140 yards and another score.
Ross Jenkins, Louisiana Tech – Jenkins hit on 31-of-44 passes for 422 yards and three touchdowns in a 48-35 win over Idaho. Jenkins also rushed eight times for 34 yards and a touchdown in the game.
Josh Harris, Wake Forest – In a loss to Virginia Tech, Harris had a huge game. He carried 20 times for 241 yards, including an 87-yard scamper. Harris scored two touchdowns for the Demon Deacons in the game.
Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State – If you haven’t heard of this player, you need to pay attention. On Saturday, he caught 10 passes for 207 yards and a touchdown, as the Cowboys beat Texas Tech 34-17. Blackmon leads the nation with 955 receiving yards.
Ronnie Hillman, San Diego State – Hillman rushed 24 times for 191 yards and a pair of touchdowns as the Aztecs upset Air Force, 27-25.
Games I’ll Be Watching in Week 8
No. 6 LSU at No. 5 Auburn
No. 3 Oklahoma at No. 18 Missouri
No. 10 Wisconsin at No. 13 Iowa
No. 14 Nebraska at No. 17 Oklahoma State
Air Force at No. 4 TCU
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Calipari, Kentucky See Mass Defections
The 2009-10 season was a magical one for the Kentucky Wildcats. After suffering through two seasons of the Billy Gillispie error (um..era), the Cats were back among the nation's elite this season.
However, news came on Wednesday that five Kentucky players, including four freshmen, would enter the NBA Draft. Freshmen John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Eric Bledsoe and Daniel Orton have all submitted their names, and junior Patrick Patterson is widely expected to do the same, although he may not have done it just yet.
All of the players are projected to go in the first round by http://www.mynbadraft.com/2010-NBA-Mock-Draft.
Add this to the loss of seniors Perry Stevenson, Mark Krebs and Ramon Harris, and Kentucky only has five players left from last year's team. And it's not a star-studded bunch. Darius Miller, DeAndre Liggins, Josh Harrelson, Jon Hood and Darnell Dodson are the projected returnees, although there is some question about whether Dodson will return.
So Calipari must now do another magical recruiting job, just as he did last season. Some of the nation's best players are still considering UK, and it's Calipari's task to bring in another crop of super recruits to keep the Big Blue momentum.
Among those still considering UK are the nation's top player, according to Rivals.com, point guard Brandon Knight from Florida, the No. 4 player in the country, guard Josh Selby from Maryland, the No. 13 player, forward Terrence Jones from Oregon, and the No. 14 player, forward C.J. Leslie, a high school teammate of Wall from North Carolina. The 21st-ranked player, guard Doron Lamb, is also considering the Cats, who already have committments from forward Stacey Poole (No. 27 overall) and Turkish big man Enes Kanter.
The next few weeks will determine Kentucky's fate for the 2010-11 season. Big Blue fans are hoping Calipari can work his recruiting magic one more time.
However, news came on Wednesday that five Kentucky players, including four freshmen, would enter the NBA Draft. Freshmen John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Eric Bledsoe and Daniel Orton have all submitted their names, and junior Patrick Patterson is widely expected to do the same, although he may not have done it just yet.
All of the players are projected to go in the first round by http://www.mynbadraft.com/2010-NBA-Mock-Draft.
Add this to the loss of seniors Perry Stevenson, Mark Krebs and Ramon Harris, and Kentucky only has five players left from last year's team. And it's not a star-studded bunch. Darius Miller, DeAndre Liggins, Josh Harrelson, Jon Hood and Darnell Dodson are the projected returnees, although there is some question about whether Dodson will return.
So Calipari must now do another magical recruiting job, just as he did last season. Some of the nation's best players are still considering UK, and it's Calipari's task to bring in another crop of super recruits to keep the Big Blue momentum.
Among those still considering UK are the nation's top player, according to Rivals.com, point guard Brandon Knight from Florida, the No. 4 player in the country, guard Josh Selby from Maryland, the No. 13 player, forward Terrence Jones from Oregon, and the No. 14 player, forward C.J. Leslie, a high school teammate of Wall from North Carolina. The 21st-ranked player, guard Doron Lamb, is also considering the Cats, who already have committments from forward Stacey Poole (No. 27 overall) and Turkish big man Enes Kanter.
The next few weeks will determine Kentucky's fate for the 2010-11 season. Big Blue fans are hoping Calipari can work his recruiting magic one more time.
Monday, March 22, 2010
This NCAA Tournament Truly Provides March Madness
So, I had this dream over the weekend. It was about college basketball, specifically about this year's NCAA Tournament. Crazy things happened. For example, the 12 seed in the East, Cornell, not only beat fifth-seeded Temple in the first round. The Big Red followed that up with a pounding of fourth-seeded Wisconsin.
After that, my dream showed the tenth-seeded St. Mary's Gaels pulling a stunner by upsetting second-seeded Villanova in the South regional.
But the kicker was, get this, that "mid-major" Northern Iowa stunned overall number one seed Kansas in the second round in Oklahoma City, not far from Jayhawk head man Bill Self's hometown. Not only did the Panthers pull the shocker, but they pretty much dominated the game from start to finish.
Funny thing is, I woke up this morning and realized that all of those things actually happened. It was a wild weekend for sure, with four of those so-called "mid-majors" still alive in the Big Dance. Butler survived yet another "mid-major", Murray State, to make it back to the Sweet 16.
Sure, some things about this tournament seemed perfectly logical. The top seed in the East, Kentucky, dominated East Tennessee State and Wake Forest. Syracuse did the same to Vermont and Gonzaga. And Duke rolled through its two games in Jacksonville.
This NCAA Tournament has truly been March Madness. When the action gets underway again on Thursday, who knows what might happen next.
After that, my dream showed the tenth-seeded St. Mary's Gaels pulling a stunner by upsetting second-seeded Villanova in the South regional.
But the kicker was, get this, that "mid-major" Northern Iowa stunned overall number one seed Kansas in the second round in Oklahoma City, not far from Jayhawk head man Bill Self's hometown. Not only did the Panthers pull the shocker, but they pretty much dominated the game from start to finish.
Funny thing is, I woke up this morning and realized that all of those things actually happened. It was a wild weekend for sure, with four of those so-called "mid-majors" still alive in the Big Dance. Butler survived yet another "mid-major", Murray State, to make it back to the Sweet 16.
Sure, some things about this tournament seemed perfectly logical. The top seed in the East, Kentucky, dominated East Tennessee State and Wake Forest. Syracuse did the same to Vermont and Gonzaga. And Duke rolled through its two games in Jacksonville.
This NCAA Tournament has truly been March Madness. When the action gets underway again on Thursday, who knows what might happen next.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
NCAA Tournament Seeding Raises Many Questions
First of all, I'll admit that I'm a Kentucky fan. With that being said, I do not understand what the NCAA Tournament committee did with their seeding for the 2010 "Big Dance".
Kentucky, the committee said, was the number two overall seed in the tournament, the number one seed in the East Regional. With that seed, the Wildcats should have had the seventh best team as the second seed in their regional. Let's say that team should have been Villanova. Instead, the committee placed the Big East Tournament champion, West Virginia, as the second seed in the East. The same West Virginia team that, according to CBS analysts Greg Anthony and Seth Davis, should have been a number one seed.
But the Wildcats may not even make it that far. If they beat East Tennessee State in the first round (which they should), they will likely face Texas. The same Texas Longhorn team that, at one point this season, was ranked number one in the nation. Granted, the Longhorns have fallen on tough times lately, but the number one seed having to face a former number one team in the second round? I can't remember that ever happening.
The committee also did Kentucky no favors by placing Wisconsin and Temple in the same bracket as UK. Both the Badgers and the Owls play a style that could cause Kentucky some problems. Kentucky definitely has more talent than either of those teams, but the style of play could take Kentucky out of their comfort zone.
For argument's sake, let's look at Duke. The Blue Devils shared the regular season title in a very weak ACC, then won the conference tournament title. As a reward for roaring through a tournament with no other ranked teams, the Blue Devils were rewarded with the number three overall seed. The second seed in their region is a Villanova team that has fallen on hard times. The three seed is Baylor, which hasn't won an NCAA Tournament game in 60 years. And the four seed is Purdue, whose best player is out for the season. Duke's toughest game could be a second round matchup against Louisville.
So again this year, the committee has slighted Kentucky. The Wildcats are 32-2, regular season champions of the SEC, and SEC Tournament champions. Their reward is the toughest region of the four. Here's hoping that John Calipari and his young team can navigate their way through, and get the Wildcats back to the Final Four for the first time since 1998.
Kentucky, the committee said, was the number two overall seed in the tournament, the number one seed in the East Regional. With that seed, the Wildcats should have had the seventh best team as the second seed in their regional. Let's say that team should have been Villanova. Instead, the committee placed the Big East Tournament champion, West Virginia, as the second seed in the East. The same West Virginia team that, according to CBS analysts Greg Anthony and Seth Davis, should have been a number one seed.
But the Wildcats may not even make it that far. If they beat East Tennessee State in the first round (which they should), they will likely face Texas. The same Texas Longhorn team that, at one point this season, was ranked number one in the nation. Granted, the Longhorns have fallen on tough times lately, but the number one seed having to face a former number one team in the second round? I can't remember that ever happening.
The committee also did Kentucky no favors by placing Wisconsin and Temple in the same bracket as UK. Both the Badgers and the Owls play a style that could cause Kentucky some problems. Kentucky definitely has more talent than either of those teams, but the style of play could take Kentucky out of their comfort zone.
For argument's sake, let's look at Duke. The Blue Devils shared the regular season title in a very weak ACC, then won the conference tournament title. As a reward for roaring through a tournament with no other ranked teams, the Blue Devils were rewarded with the number three overall seed. The second seed in their region is a Villanova team that has fallen on hard times. The three seed is Baylor, which hasn't won an NCAA Tournament game in 60 years. And the four seed is Purdue, whose best player is out for the season. Duke's toughest game could be a second round matchup against Louisville.
So again this year, the committee has slighted Kentucky. The Wildcats are 32-2, regular season champions of the SEC, and SEC Tournament champions. Their reward is the toughest region of the four. Here's hoping that John Calipari and his young team can navigate their way through, and get the Wildcats back to the Final Four for the first time since 1998.
Friday, March 12, 2010
This is Why It's Called March Madness
Upsets, near upsets and more have turned Championship Week, literally, into March Madness.
On Thursday, it was the Big East's regular season champion, Syracuse, losing in the Big East quarterfinals to Georgetown. Not a bad loss for the Orange, mind you, but still an upset. Jim Boeheim's team now will sweat a little more on Selection Sunday, hoping to hang on to a number one seed. The Orange have now lost two in a row after taking over the number one spot in the rankings.
Friday started with what looked like an upset-in-the-making, as Alabama raced to an 11-point lead against Kentucky in the SEC quarterfinals. However, the Wildcats got their act together in the second half and rallied for a six-point win. The game was a lot closer than most anticipated, and it proved that Kentucky's youth could be a factor this postseason. While the Wildcats have as much talent as any team in the country, much of that talent had never played in a college postseason game until Friday. It will be interesting to see how Kentucky reacts in Saturday's semifinal matchup against rival Tennessee.
Friday evening, it was top-ranked Kansas falling behind in the first half before putting together a second half rally to down Texas A&M in the Big 12 Touranment. The Jayhawks are widely believed to be the best team in the country, but after two lackluster efforts in the conference tournament so far, some are beginning to question Kansas' superiority.
That's one of the great things about college basketball. In conference tournaments, as well as the NCAA Tournament, it's one-and-done. It's not a seven-game series. And in those one-game scenarios, anything can happen. That's why it's called March Madness.
On Thursday, it was the Big East's regular season champion, Syracuse, losing in the Big East quarterfinals to Georgetown. Not a bad loss for the Orange, mind you, but still an upset. Jim Boeheim's team now will sweat a little more on Selection Sunday, hoping to hang on to a number one seed. The Orange have now lost two in a row after taking over the number one spot in the rankings.
Friday started with what looked like an upset-in-the-making, as Alabama raced to an 11-point lead against Kentucky in the SEC quarterfinals. However, the Wildcats got their act together in the second half and rallied for a six-point win. The game was a lot closer than most anticipated, and it proved that Kentucky's youth could be a factor this postseason. While the Wildcats have as much talent as any team in the country, much of that talent had never played in a college postseason game until Friday. It will be interesting to see how Kentucky reacts in Saturday's semifinal matchup against rival Tennessee.
Friday evening, it was top-ranked Kansas falling behind in the first half before putting together a second half rally to down Texas A&M in the Big 12 Touranment. The Jayhawks are widely believed to be the best team in the country, but after two lackluster efforts in the conference tournament so far, some are beginning to question Kansas' superiority.
That's one of the great things about college basketball. In conference tournaments, as well as the NCAA Tournament, it's one-and-done. It's not a seven-game series. And in those one-game scenarios, anything can happen. That's why it's called March Madness.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
SEC Coaches Get it (Almost) Right
The SEC announced its All-Conference teams on Tuesday, and, for the most part, the league's coaches got it right.
Kentucky's sensational freshman John Wall was named the SEC Player of the Year, while teammate and fellow freshman DeMarcus Cousins was the Freshman of the Year.
Wall and Cousins were joined on the first team by Wildcat teammate Patrick Patterson, Trey Thompkins of Georgia, Jarvis Varnado of Mississippi State, South Carolina's Devan Downey, Tennessee's Wayne Chism and Jermaine Beal of Vanderbilt.
Varnado, the NCAA's career blocked shots leader, was named the league's defensive player of the year.
Kentucky appeared primed to sweep the major awards, but the coaches gave the Coach of the Year Award to Vandy's Kevin Stallings rather than UK head man John Calipari.
Throughout the week, many have said that Calipari had the most talented team, therefore he shouldn't be awarded as Coach of the Year. My argument would be that recruiting is a HUGE part of college coaching, and since Calipari was able to bring in the nation's top recruiting class (and perhaps one of the best of all-time), shouldn't that count for something? Plus, Calipari was able to mesh his talented recruiting class with the existing players on the UK roster, and turn last year's NIT team into this year's SEC Champions, and perhaps a Final Four team.
Calipari also walked into a tough situation in Lexington, one created mostly by former coach Billy Gillispie. The Wildcats were a team in limbo, and Calipari brought the team together, and plugged in his talented recruting class en route to a 29-2 regular season mark.
Calipari also took a team that had played a grind-it-out style the last two seasons and made it a running team that was among the league's leaders in points scored. He implemented his dribble-drive motion offense, to a certain degree, to make this happen. But he also had to play to his team's strength, which was the post presence of Patterson and Cousins. He tweaked his offense enough to make this a formidable offensive team.
Sure, Calipari rubs many people the wrong way, and, in fact, many people don't like him. His brash style can, many times, make people mad. But even with that, the job that he's done at Kentucky this season certainly warrants AT LEAST the SEC Coach of the Year award.
Kentucky's sensational freshman John Wall was named the SEC Player of the Year, while teammate and fellow freshman DeMarcus Cousins was the Freshman of the Year.
Wall and Cousins were joined on the first team by Wildcat teammate Patrick Patterson, Trey Thompkins of Georgia, Jarvis Varnado of Mississippi State, South Carolina's Devan Downey, Tennessee's Wayne Chism and Jermaine Beal of Vanderbilt.
Varnado, the NCAA's career blocked shots leader, was named the league's defensive player of the year.
Kentucky appeared primed to sweep the major awards, but the coaches gave the Coach of the Year Award to Vandy's Kevin Stallings rather than UK head man John Calipari.
Throughout the week, many have said that Calipari had the most talented team, therefore he shouldn't be awarded as Coach of the Year. My argument would be that recruiting is a HUGE part of college coaching, and since Calipari was able to bring in the nation's top recruiting class (and perhaps one of the best of all-time), shouldn't that count for something? Plus, Calipari was able to mesh his talented recruiting class with the existing players on the UK roster, and turn last year's NIT team into this year's SEC Champions, and perhaps a Final Four team.
Calipari also walked into a tough situation in Lexington, one created mostly by former coach Billy Gillispie. The Wildcats were a team in limbo, and Calipari brought the team together, and plugged in his talented recruting class en route to a 29-2 regular season mark.
Calipari also took a team that had played a grind-it-out style the last two seasons and made it a running team that was among the league's leaders in points scored. He implemented his dribble-drive motion offense, to a certain degree, to make this happen. But he also had to play to his team's strength, which was the post presence of Patterson and Cousins. He tweaked his offense enough to make this a formidable offensive team.
Sure, Calipari rubs many people the wrong way, and, in fact, many people don't like him. His brash style can, many times, make people mad. But even with that, the job that he's done at Kentucky this season certainly warrants AT LEAST the SEC Coach of the Year award.
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