OMG! ROTFL! TTYL!

So..........the coverage of A.J. Stewart is starting to look like an US Weekly, Access Hollywood, Entertainment Tonight marathon. He's on, he's off, he's on, he's off, where are Brangelina?!?!?! If you read the previous link, you know nobody has 100% knowledge of what happened last night. Don't let them fool you. I have lived in Harrodsburg before. Stories can change at the drop of a hat, especially from people involved. I'm sure there was a fight of some kind, but a family(ish) fight at that. Stuff that has later been retracted. And probably an ending with all parties involved holding hands and skipping down the sidewalk.

That's it for me. The three people carousing this site will have to fend for themselves as I am leaving for a place far, far away. A place so deep into the world, no Internet connection is available. A place where we start fires for warmth, kill to eat, and wear beaver pelts for clothing. A place called Sharon Grove, KY. I will be back Sunday to recap the drama that is.............................UK basketball.

Oh, and the baseball team starts a four game homestand today against Western Michigan. And the Lady Cats lost senior night. Click here for all your weekend needs.

A.J. Stewart off team?

So says Matt Jones at Kentucky Sports Radio. The snow ball keeps keeps getting bigger and bigger.

Award Night: Player of the Year

To date Jodie Meeks has become a finalist for three major Player of the Year awards and a countless number of crap awards no one cares about probably made up by these people. The James Naismith, John Wooden, and Oscar Robertson awards have listed Meeks, along with the usual suspects to shortened list of 30. Someone please explain to me how this is a shortened list. These 30 players will on gather the first week of April on a deserted island and vote each other off every third day until only one is left.

2009 SEC Honorees Announced

On Tuesday, the SEC announced the former players they would be honoring at this year's SEC Tournament in Tampa. Kentucky's Louie Dampier is our 2009 Legend in what will be the 11th year of the Legends program. Dampier will be recognized during halftime of UK's first game in the tournament, hopefully Friday.
A member of Rupp's Runts, Dampier was a two-time All American (first team in 1966, second team in 1967) in his three years for the Blue. He finished his career as the 3rd leading scorer in UK history, and currently sits at 12th. For a complete list of honorees, click here.

Sums it up

This is the last post about whatever transpired in Columbia Wednesday night. And it is summed up best by Larry Vaught (Advocate-Messenger) this morning. Nodding in agreement the entire way through the article. If I had been in a texting mood, I could have seen myself either sending or receiving each of the texts listed. Guess its human nature for any Wildcat fan, especially after experiencing one end of the spectrum like last night.

Cocks 77 - Cats 59

Don't know about you, but I can't wait to see the behind-the-scenes magic of Wildcat preparation on national TV this weekend. ESPN All-Access might give us a glimpse of what went wrong, but I doubt it. I'm sure our team will be described as "tougher'n nails", "hard-working", "courageous"........whatever. Maybe they are, maybe they aren't. One thing is for sure, though, they were not tonight. South Carolina played with an intensity I long to see in the blue and white. Their team looked freakish against our team. Every lob, steal, and loose ball was taken by the best team in the SEC East tonight. Cats Pause recap is here. Read at you own risk.

"They" always say the lows aren't as low as you think, and the highs aren't as high as you think. Betting "they" were never UK fans.

Absolutely Embarrassing

Well, that was pathetic. The most hard to read team in recent memory is starting to become less difficult to read. Performances like tonight are becoming all too common place. UK has lost 5 out of 8 at the most important time of the year, including a destruction by South Carolina in the most recent "biggest game of the year." As a UK fan, all of your worst fears came true tonight. Every weakness was exploited to a level that makes my hair hurt. Dreadful offense and dreadful defense is a very bad combination. More deep thoughts later, just trying not to say (type) something I'll regret.

In the mean time:

Galloway Out Tonight

So says Matt Jones at KSR.

"Kevin Galloway is not with the team tonight in Columbia due to a family issue. We will let you know more as we hear it, but for now he will not play against the Gamecocks."

Tough news for tonight's enormous game. This is a blow for our bench, but leaves an opportunity for someone to step up in his place.

The future of Patterson & Meeks

Interesting tidbit this morning comes from Marc Maggard (via KSR) talking about next year's basketball team. According to Maggard (who is obviously closer to the situation than I) Patrick Patterson is 100% coming back next year, Jodie Meeks is 99%. He cites injuries in both seasons for PP being the key not being able to make the NBA Draft lottery. Meeks is simply not projected high enough. This is an excerpt from his website:

"Injuries happen....and they slow progression. Patterson took longer coming back from his foot injury than most thought and the finger/ankle thing didn't help either.

When Pat came, it a 3 year plan. After last year, a lot of people around UK and those around Pat were thinking 2 years (even though some continued to preach the 3 years.....) AT this point, the injuries have made it nearly impossible for Pat to make it to the lottery.....

So he will be returning for the 3rd and final year.

mm"

Take it for what its worth. Much can change between now and he end of the year, but to have post this on their site and go on TV with it, I'll take it. NBADraft.net's latest projections have Pat going 21st, and Jodie going 44th.

Meeks v. South Carolina

We're gonna need plenty of this Wednesday night.

Kentucky - USC II - A Numbers Game

76 & 48

These two numbers are the main reason we lost to South Carolina. Plain and simple. What do these numbers represent? They represent the number of shots South Carolina and Kentucky attempted, respectively, in their first matchup. With a disparity such as this, you would think UK got smashed on the boards. Untrue, 38-33 in favor of the CATS. South Carolina did its damage, like most teams, on the offensive boards against UK. The Gamecocks had 18. Sam Muldrow (who?) had 8 alone, matching UK's total. If Perry, Pat and (whoever else) continue to leave their man and go after blocks, nothing will change.

21 & 10

These two numbers didn't help either. Representing the number of turnovers UK and USC had respectively. Eight of the ten players seeing action for UK had a turnover. Seven of those had at least two turnovers. If we can at least makes these two numbers closer, we will be OK. Most likely meaning, UK needs to force more, because we all know our number isn't coming down much.

3

This number has dual meaning. The first meaning is 3-pointers made. The Cocks made 7. We made 3. I don't see their number coming down at all, especially at home. Whether Porter or Miller helps Meeks, we have to have a good night beyond the arc.
The more important meaning for the number 3 is the loser will leave with 3 division losses. With as many as four teams vying for the SEC East crown, we need to start looking at tiebreakers. Division record being a very crucial tiebreaker. UK, USC & Tennessee all have two division losses. Florida has four. With 3 division games left, the CATS have a chance to set themselves up for an extra day of rest come SEC Tourney time.

GO CATS!

UK-USC boxscore (Jan 31, 2009)

All Jodie, All the time

You gotta give it up to DeWayne Peevy, the new(ish) Associate AD of Media Relations for pounding his UK chest. Every time you hear Gillispie/Brooks making the ESPN rounds on radio and TV, its because of this guy. Now, UK Athletics has started a push for Jodie Meek's National Player of the Year candidacy by launching www.ukathletics.com/jodie23/. Everything from highlights to photos to interviews can be accessed through the website. And if you want to try and talk to Jodie, he'll be live blogging Friday at 1:00pm over at Cat Scratches.

Source: Cat Scratches Blog

CATS at the Combine

Marcus McClinton (see above) completed the 2009 journey for UK football at the NFL Combine. Tim Masthay went Friday, Myron Pryor went Monday, and McClinton finished Tuesday afternoon.

Masthay (4.76 - 40 yd) led the SEC and ranked 5th nationally in punting (45.3 yds/punt)

Pryor (5.08 - 40 yd) has already been getting some looks from Tampa Bay Bucs insiders. Also, uh oh, the Bengals.

McClinton (4.50 - 40 yd) is projected as a 6th-7th round type of guy by nfldraftscout.com

UK player bio's courtesy of nfldraftscout.com

"Bluegrass Hoosiers"

Excellent piece written by bluegrass homer Pat Forde on ESPN.com, giving a behind-the-scenes look at top ranked Elliot County's basketball team. This same team challenged for last years state title, but lost to eventual winner Marion County and you know who. Elliot County, with a population of approximately 7,000 and a senior class consisting of only 42 boys, tries to erase last year's memory and replace it with a Sweet 16 Saturday night win at Rupp. While this won't be the last time this ever happens, a legit run by a super small school has become a Sweet 16 anomaly.

UK best in the history of the world.....again

So says basketball.org, who compiled a study of highest percentage of college basketball related searches on Google. We win! Of course, this again confirms that Kentucky is the most basketball crazed state in the country. That, and there probably isn't much going on in the Commonwealth. I wonder if they could find out how many of these searches happen at work. The production lost from UK basketball searches at work has to be in the trillions. While the UK Athletics Department loves seeing this, Billy Clyde knows it means that many more people are critiquing his every move.
Props to reader Tiffany for the link.

Oh, and Happy Fat Tuesday!

Devan Downey: How dare you sir

Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader gives us another reason to dislike Devan Downey. Not only does he want the ball at the end of a close game, he lets us in on a secret that is simply unfair. Downey used to practice game winning shots as a kid, simulating the clock counting down in his head. What? I've never heard of this before! How is this a revelation? Every kid in America that has ever shot a basketball has done the same thing. It's like saying, "Yeah, when I was young, I used to go to the bathroom and use toilet paper afterward."

ESPN has also been given access to UK's team practice today and tomorrow leading up to its crucial game with the Cocks. The full feature will be shown as a part of ESPN's College Gameday Saturday morning. Be sure and watch it if we win.

February 24: On this date.....

....in 1980, Kyle Macy hit a buzzer beater in Baton Rouge to secure an overtime win versus LSU, 76-74. Both teams entered the game with 14-3 league mark, so either team could have left with the regular season crown. The UK win clinched SEC title #31 for the CATS.

Season Never Ends Calendar

Chism on ya face Patterson on Chism's face

Came across this on YouTube today from ukcat8fan

Have a good night or good morning wherever you are. South Carolina is up next.

Suns get Rondo'd 128-108

Ol' Johnny Rondo lit up the Phoenix Suns (who originally drafted him in 2006) Sunday on his 23rd birthday. He ended the game with 32 points, 10 assists, 6 rebounds and 3 steals, leaving CAT fans everywhere wondering what could have been. Paul Pierce said of Johnny, "as Rondo goes, this team goes. If he plays as well as he's playing, then there's no way we can lose." Of course this is coming from a guy who faked an injury in the NBA Finals because..........well, because Kansas sucks.

Celtics run with Rondo

WoJo doesn't see anything wrong with this

A look into the future

KentuckySports.com has a nice feature keeping tabs on the future of Kentucky football and basketball. They list each of our committed recruits and how they have fared this season. And as much crap as G.J. Vilarino has been getting, I bet the 6' point guard doesn't have as much trouble as we do getting the ball up the court. Vilarino joins Daniel Orton and Jon Hood as the only basketball commits for 2009.

Adam Dunn looking for work with Mom

This photo was taken shortly before Dunn signed a 2-year deal with the Washington Nationals.
What do you make of the Reds this year? Personally, I'm split. I like the fact they moved both Dunn and Griffey late last year, but I'm scared to see what it might bring. The Reds were actually 22-16 (before losing their final five games) to close out 2008 without Dunn and Griffey. One thing is clear, the Reds weren't winning with those two cash cows in the outfield. I really like the small ball approach they're taking, I just wish Dusty Baker wasn't steering the ship.

On the other hand, here's a Quick fact:
Dusty Baker has 9 winning seasons as a manager.
Adam Dunn has 0 winning seasons as a major leaguer.

Here is a good guess on what the Reds will look like Opening Day 2009. I love the infielders and pitching, its the outfield that scares the bejesus out of me. This is a team that should make contact, steal bases, and play solid defense, none of which we had done since 1999. Can you believe that? Ten years since the Reds have even sniffed the playoffs. While it will be a longshot for the Reds to make a playoff run in 2009, one thing is for certain: the other way wasn't working. All of this might be false hope, but at least its false hope with young, inexpensive players.

YES WE CAN!

The new college basketball polls are out! Of course UK is not in either the ESPN/USA Today or AP top 25. There is good news though. One person in each poll thought the CATS were worthy of being the 25th ranked team in America. Obviously, these two are trying to set themselves up for a political career in Kentucky at some point in the future. Anyone else think the late game heroics of one Jared Carter on national TV is the only reason we got these votes? Me too.

Time Wastin'

On this slow UK news day, I thought I would throw some links out.
UK ended the week by dominating Tennessee in every sport imaginable. Cat Scratches has a weekend wrap-up that includes results from UK gymnastics, swimming, tennis, karate, air hockey, fencin-zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
I received an email from an inside source saying Andy Sandberg has a new album out. While I'm not a big fan of Andy Sandberg, he does have a few funny songs: Dick in a Box, Jizz in My Pants, I'm on a Boat. After re-reading the last sentence, I just realized I'm probably never gonna grow up.
I know this is a UK blog, but with baseball just around the corner, I'll probably take a look (later in the day) at what the Reds have to offer in 2009. Hint: It might get ugly this year.

Holmes comeback not enough

J.B. Holmes carded a -3 under par 68 to finish in a tie for 6th place at this week's Northern Trust Open. It was a valiant comeback for the former CAT, as he was near the back of the 144 player field after day one. This will definitely help Holmes' world ranking, which needs to be in the top 50 by April 6th, if he wants to get an invite to The Masters. He currently stands at 85th. That ranking does not include this week's results. Holmes great weekend play earned him in the neighborhood of $200K. Kentuckian Kenny Perry finished the tournament in a tie for 17th place at -8 under par.

PGATour.com: Northern Trust Open

Sunday afternoon humor

Baseball ends weekend with a new streak

And it's not a good streak. After winning their first two games of the 2009 season, the Bat Cats lost a pair to 22nd ranked Coastal Carolina in Myrtle Beach. The two losses were the first for the UK baseball team in the month of February since 2006. UK (2-2) comes back to Lexington for a four game set against Western Michigan starting Friday. For a recap of the most recent L's, click below.

Scout.com

Holmes goes Low in Los Angeles

J.B. Holmes went on a birdie binge today and fired a -7 under par 64 today in L.A. His round consisted of 9 birdies with only 2 bogeys, moving him into the top 10 before play had finished Saturday. He needs to keep this up to have any chance of making the Master field. GO CATS!

PGA Tour: Northern Trust Open

Miller Time - CATS pound Vols 78-57

Darius Miller showed Tennessee why he was named Kentucky's Mr. Basketball, not Scotty Hopson. Miller was a perfect 6-6 from the field (3-3 from long range) and 2-2 from the charity stripe. His play was the difference as Tennessee kept Jodie Meeks (14 pts) tied up for most of the game. Miller added 6 assists and 3 rebounds in what was easily his best game as a Cat. Patrick Patterson came back from a 2 game layoff with 17 points on 9-12 shooting. A very promising game by Darius and Co. in what was a must win to keep NCAA Tourney hopes alive. This gives the CATS a sweep against Tennessee, a team most see as a lock for the Tourney.

CBS Sports

February 21: On this date....

.... in 1970, Pistol Pete torched the CATS for 64 in his final home game......and still lost. Dan Issel (51 pts.) and Mike Pratt (21 pts.) led UK to the 121-105 win that ended with a Maravich 30-footer. This game concluded the Pistol's career against the CATS, one in which he was winless. This should be a good omen for today's game, right?

Source: Kentucky Basketball: The Season Never Ends 2009 Calendar

Baseball team starts off with a bang

The young, but talented Bat Cats (1-0) opened their 2009 campaign by setting a record. For the sixth consecutive season, UK won it season opener. The team is in Myrtle Beach, SC, playing a total of four games in three days. They have a double-header starting at noon Saturday facing James Madison. The second game is against the host, No. 22 Coastal Carolina, beginning at 3:30pm.

CatsPause.com: Cats open baseball season with a W

**BREAKING NEWS** - J.B. Holmes' 67 makes the cut

Just the breaking news you were looking for, right? After an opening round +2 (73), J.B. Holmes fired a second round -4 (67) to squeak into weekend play at Riviera C.C. in L.A. Holmes, tied for 113th after Thursday's first round, jumped up to 51st late Friday afternoon PST. Fellow Kentuckians Kenny Perry and Steve Flesch shot -3 (68) and -2 (69), respectively. Perry's round leaves him in a tie for 24th, while Flesch narrowly missed the cut by a single stroke.

PGA Tour Northern Trust Open leaderboard

UK Cheerleading 17 > Ric Flair 16

WOOOOOOOOOO!!!! With the most recent National Championship, the UK Cheerleaders have surpassed a true legend. Brings it to a whole new level, right? And unlike Flair, you'll be able to watch the "WrestleMania of Cheer & Dance" free on ESPN2 this Sunday at 1:30pm.

Source: Cat Scratches Blog

More good news for former CATS

Wesley Woodyard (above), of the Denver Broncos is one of only about "10 defensive players from this past season" that could be on the 2009 roster. "Twenty-three defensive players in last year's media guide have an X over their photos. Another eight or so replacements came and went." The undersized linebacker with too much heart has a team that absolutely loves him. The UK stud couldn't get drafted in 2008, yet is one of a few left from an entire NFL defense. Suck on that Jamal Lewis.

DenverPost.com

Rafael Little also received a few words of encouragement from Titans Coach Jeff Fischer. The Titans coach was at the NFL Combine (NFL Network) and was asked if he'd ever fallen in love with a player at the combine. His answer............Rafael Little. Fischer said he had a few bad breaks during combine week, but stopped to tell Rafael he was going to give him a chance to play in the National Football League. The Titans are excited to watch Little "shine in '09."

NFL Network

Blake Griffin approves this message

SI.com's Andy Glockner makes the argument Jodie Meeks is college basketball's Player of the Year. He shows us a mathematical formula that indicates Meeks is by far the most important basketball player in the last 75 years. I think that's what it means, or at least that's what I'm taking from it. Along with the fact UK has never had a Wooden Award winner. It uses an Offensive Efficiency Ranking comparing him to the likes of J.J. Redick. Who is this guy again?

SI: Making the Case for Jodie Meeks

Seth Davis as a baby?

For anyone having a bad work week, or is in a bad mood in general, head over to Kentucky Sports Radio at noon to show your rage. Matt Jones will be conducting a live chat with Mr. Davis, fielding questions from our rabid UK fanbase. My guess is Davis is on cloud nine after our subpar performance in Nashville. You'll see a few, "I told you so" answers from the Duke grad.

Kentucky Sports Radio Seth Davis live chat

UK at the NFL Combine

For those of you that have the NFL Network, flip it over there for a bit today or tonight. UK's nasty Tim Masthay will be going through his drills, which are strangely hypnotic. It is at this time when the interviews, workouts, and Wonderlic tests are performed. Too bad for us, no cameras are allowed in the Wonderlic test room. Myron Pryor will do his workouts on Monday. Marcus McClinton will not be until Tuesday. For all of your NFL Combine needs, click here.

PaPaw Brooks: Man, Myth, Legend

Mark Story's article in the Herald-Leader indicates how PaPaw has changed the landscape for all college coaches........or at least should have. I'll have to admit I was ready for Brooks to get the boot a few years after his arrival, but patience indeed was a virtue. And for all the crap Mitch Barnhardt gets, he should get props for riding PaPaw out.

Mark Story: Brooks changed landscape for coaches

NEW BASKETBALL ARENA.......

......isn't coming anytime soon. Therefore, the two pictured above will happily occupy the lower arena in Rupp for the near future. Any upgrades will most likely be made to the UK Baseball Complex and Commonwealth Stadium. Beverly Fortune, of KentuckySports.com, gives us the latest on where everything stands.

Study on new UK arenas temporarily delayed

Lady CATS 66 - Lady Vols 56

Some form of the people pictured above took down Mr. Summitt and friends. "UK Hoops" built the lead to as many as 17 before hanging on at the free throw line. Celebrate accordingly.

UK Athletics

He shaved his armpit hair too!

This guy practiced today. But towards the end was walking very gingerly on Lexington's finest ankle. Kind of a wake up and see deal from now until Saturday. Everyone keep your fingers crossed and ankles upright.

I wonder if he looked good or was simply in the area when Porter & Harris dribbled balls off their knees and feet, causing an optical illusion.

Cat Scratches Blog

Uh-Oh. Guess Who's Back?

Its official. The University of Kentucky's own Eldrick Tont "Tiger" Woods is coming back next week to the WGC Accenture Match Play Championships. Actually, there is no affiliation to UK other than beating J.B. in this exact event last year. Its was one of the better matches of the match play style tournament with Tiger rallying on the back nine to down Holmes................who is from UK..............and Tiger's not.

TigerWoods.com

Golf Jokes = John Holmes = J.B. Holmes = UK Golf

University of Kentucky grad J.B. Holmes got off to a slow start at Riviera C.C. with a 73 (+2) this morning in L.A. Even through 16 holes, Holmes bogeyed his final two holes of the day. Fellow Kentuckians Kenny Perry and Steve Flesch finished with 70 (-1) & 73 (+2) respectively.

J.B. really needs to step his game up if he's going to make the 2009 Masters field. He either needs to win a tournament outright or jump into the Top 50 in World Rankings by April 6, a longshot at this point.

Northern Trust Open

We Need Answers!

With ya boy PP's status still in doubt for Saturday's game v. Tennessee, Larry Vaught (Advocate-Messenger) tells us who needs to step up for the CATS to be successful.

Anyone else starting to think this ball represents PP's feet/ankles?

Source: Vaught's Views

2009 McDonald's All-Americans Announced

And once again, no future CATS will be getting "McNasty" in the game. That's totally OK by me though. Woo and Shegari weren't McDonald's All-Americans and look how they turned out (although they both allegedly had ties to the All Tolly-Ho Team).

Source: McDonald's All-American

February 19: On this date.....

..........in 2005, UK's Johnny Rondo (far left) had 8 steals in a ESPN game against Mississippi State. The CATS took down the Bulldogs 94-78 in front of the likes of Mrs. Judd, ESPN Gameday's crew, and countless numbers of old people who were asleep by the second television timeout. It was "the loudest crowd ever recorded" (in the history of the world I'm guessing) for a ESPN Gameday segment. Which, as any fan will tell you, wasn't as loud as the next home win. Gets kinda watered down when every home win becomes the "loudest I've ever heard it". Anywho, Rondo's eight steals tied the school mark set by Wayne Turner in 1997.

Source: Kentucky Basketball Season Never Ends 2009 Calendar

Lets take a walk down Memory Lane

February 18, 1967

The man pictured above officially became the all time winningest coach after the CATS beat Mississippi State in Starkville 103-74. Rupp notched his 768th win passing Henry Iba. Louis Dampier led UK with 32 points and 7 boards. Pat Riley added 26 & 7. Rupp would hold this mark until March 15, 1997, when North Carolina's Dean Smith grabbed win 877.

Source: Kentucky Basketball Season Never Ends 2009 Calendar

So you're sayin' there's a chance...

...Just when the CATS throw a great opportunity down the toilet, the rest of the SEC East Division leaders do the same. Tennessee and South Carolina each blew a chance to take sole possession of first place Wednesday night. The dreaded Mississippi teams came to out rescue. The Rebels took care of the Vols, the Bulldogs tripped up the Gamecocks. In the meantime, Florida won to make it a four-way. Once again, the CATS are back in it with five to go. With remaining games against each of the division leaders....and Georgia.

SEC standings via Rivals.com:

Southeastern Conf All
East
Florida 7-4 20-6
South Carolina 7-4 18-6
Kentucky 7-4 18-8
Tennessee 7-4 16-9
Vanderbilt 5-6 16-9
Georgia 1-10 10-16

West
LSU (23) 10-1 22-4
Mississippi St. 7-4 17-9
Auburn 6-5 17-9
Mississippi 5-6 14-11
Alabama 3-8 13-12
Arkansas 1-10 13-11

Damn that Gym: VANDY 77 - UK 64

Who to blame this time? I'm fresh out of answers, so I'm blaming you. Sure the officials got us in foul trouble to begin each half. Sure Jodie Meeks had an off night. Sure Billy Clyde continues to baffle with his coaching decisions. Sure Michael Porter dribbles like a 3rd grader. But those are lame excuses. Either that or I've already used those this year.

To have everything go like it did in the first half (fouls, turnovers, etc.) and be tied at halftime, I felt like we would coast through the 2nd half. I couldn't have been more wrong.

Recap via Cat Scratches:
http://www.ukathletics.com/sports/blog/spec-rel/021709aaa.html