July 11th: On this date...

... in 1990, as only Kentucky could, we found a victory over Louisville from 1914 that wasn't counted as a part of our overall win total and petitioned the NCAA to add it. They did, and with that victory, Kentucky and North Carolina were tied in all-time wins. It was this moment when Kentucky basketball took off again and put some distance between themselves and the Tar Heels. In conclusion, the joke was on the NCAA. They successfully put the Wildcats on probation, but we got the last laugh.

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Darius Down Under VIII

Darius Miller and Team USA continue their hot run through the FIBA U-19 World Championships moving to 8-0 and earning a spot in Sunday's gold medal game against Greece.

They held on after a huge comeback from Croatia in Saturday's semifinal matchup, 81-77. The Patriots were up 13 at half, but down 2 going into the final period. But the Kentuckians play proved to be difference.

Darius' line: 0-0 FG, 1-2 FT - 1 pt - 1 reb - 1 asst - 1 blk, playing time 10:00 minutes

Shelvin Mack: 2 pts - 4 rebs - 3 assts

Sunday's final is versus Greece at 7:30 pm local NZ time, 3:30 am EST. Darius Miller and Shelvin Mack have travelled around the world and earned at least a silver medal. What have you done with your summer?

Summer Camp With Jodie

While everyone here in Lexington is counting down the days to basketball season, Jodie Meeks wasted no time in getting his going. The NBA Summer League kicked off their 10-day session tonight in Las Vegas.

You have to wonder why a league with such a black eye has a Summer League in Las Vegas, but to each their own. Guess its a good way to recoup some of the freshman money.

Anyway, Jodie started off solid for the Bucks in their victory over the Mavericks, 65-59 (this is the NBA, right?).

Jodie's line: 6-9 FG (1-1 3PM, 1-2 FT), 14 pts - 2 reb - 1 stl - floor time 26:50

Nice start for the UK record-setter. He is adjusting to his new life very well.

Next up is Cleveland on Sunday at 10:00 EST.

PGA Championship at Valhalla?

Read that.

So says MJP at WLEX. Her source says the PGA will announce July 30th that the 2014 PGA Championship will be held at Valhalla, along with the 2012 Senior PGA Championship. It would be the first time since 2000 that the PGA Championship would be in Louisville.

July 10th: On this date...

... in 1999, the mini-dynasty game at Rupp Arena between 1996 and 1998 ended in a 132-132 tie (almost Clay), because in today's society, there are no losers! Derek Anderson corralled everyone he could to come play the game for his foundation and the UK Basketball Museum. Nazr Mohammed led the 1998 squad dropping 51 points on the '96ers. Allen Edwards added 28, Heshimu Evans 21, and Scott Padgett 13. The '96ers were led by Waltah McCahtee with 31, Derek Anderson's 25, Ron Mercer's 24, and Tony Delk's 23. It was a showcase game for Big Blue Nation with a slew of Kentucky greats being honored at halftime. Ralph Beard, Joe B, Wah Wah Jones, Vernon Hatton, Adrian Smith, Derek Hord and more. The official attendance for the game was 18,437.

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Erin Andrews has balls flying at her face

The entire sporting world held their collective breath last night as Erin Andrews got blasted in the face by a foul ball at the Mets vs. Dodgers game last night. The ball came off the bat of Mets' player Alex Cora. Andrews was taken to the hospital, but only suffered a bruised chin. Cora was taken into protective custody (think: Steve Bartman) as a precautionary measure.

Let the puns and inuendos begin.

Darius Down Under VII

Team USA beatdown the friendlies north of the border today to advance to the semifinals of the FIBA U-19 World Basketball Championships. The Patriots came out on fire, hitting 11-16 3-pointers in the first half and were never seriously challenged. The result was a 96-76 victory.

Darius' line: 1-2 FG, 5 pts - 3 rebs - 3 assts - 1 stl - 1 blk, 16 minutes played

Shelvin Mack: 6 pts - 5 rebs

Team USA will be playing for a medal at this point. We just need to know what color. Croatia is up next Saturday night 8:30 pm local NZ time, 4:30 am EST.

Joe's Bro Talks About Crammin' on Lebron

Coach Cal needs to quit chillin' with Lebron if he's gonna keep acting like a third grader. Show us the tape.

July 9th: On this date...

... in 1972, one of Rick Pitino's first recruits, Carlos Toomer, was born. So why do I have a picture of new recruit Daniel Orton? Because on this date in 2008, the man shown above was at the Lebron James Skills Academy. Not a huge bit of news, except for a small nugget that happened at the event. Jody Demling (Courier-Journal) was taking in the action and got a chance to speak to a few stars. After he got gone speaking with Daniel Orton, he stopped to ask John Wall about his recruitment. Here was his report:

•North Carolina guard John Wall, the No. 1 recruit in the '09 class by Rivals.com, mentioned Oklahoma State, Oregon, Kansas, Kentucky, Memphis and N.C. State when I chatted him up about his college recruitment.

•I talked to Wall after I spoke with Oklahoma big man Daniel Orton, another top UK target from the '09 class. As Wall was getting up from the table, Orton came over and said "did you tell them we're going to Kentucky?" Both players smiled and Orton said, "let's just do a press conference here." He laughed and Wall didn't say a word.

The rest his history. How great is that?

How You Like Me Now?

Jodie Meeks decision to stay in the NBA Draft has paid huge dividends just two weeks after being 41st by the Milwaukee Bucks. He has been signed to a three-year deal to be in the land of cheese.

It seems as though Jodie's source was the only legitimate one when speaking on Jodie's future and his confidence of staying in the Draft and getting a guarantee from a team. It also shows what the Bucks think of Jodie after signing him this soon, when they could have waited to see if he would even make the team.

Congrats to Jodie on his accomplishment as it was definitely the right choice.

In other news, Jeremy Jarmon will be working out for NFL teams tomorrow at UK in hopes of being drafted in the NFL Supplemental Draft July 16th. Most see Jarmon going no later than a supplemental 3rd round pick.

Sacha Baron Cohen on Letterman

Discussing an interview with a terrorist for his new movie Bruno.

Coach Cal's Life is Better Than Yours

So Coach Cal is chillin' with Lebron today, what are you doing? This pic is from Twitter and shows Big Blue Nation just how much better this guy is than Billy Clyde. Look at the that picture and tell me it doesn't have an impact on young kids when they're choosing a college destination.

To be honest, I'm not even for sure Cal can coach effectively, but throwing photos like this around just tells me he doesn't even really need to. Marketing yourself and your University is 90% of the battle and can set yourself up to make the 10% much easier.

He is currently meeting with Nike and is getting a first look at what the new jerseys might look like, with potential photos to follow. Evidenced by his last few tweets:

Meeting with Michael Smith and Eric Lautenbach of Nike. They want to show me the new uniform designs. Photos may follow...

The Nike machine is alive and kicking. Wait to you see the creative plan they have for us. Classy and creative.

Like I've said before, this guy could sell a chocolate popsicle to a lady dressed in white.

Go Cats.

July 8th: On this date...

... in 1999, fans were getting anxious to see a matchup of recent NCAA Champions as most of the players of the '96 and '98 team held a charity exhibition in Rupp Arena. The proceeds from the event would be benefiting the Derek Anderson Foundation and the UK basketball museum. Tubby Smith would coach the '98 Champs and Delray Brooks would be given the luxury of "coaching" the '96 Champs. 18,000 tickets were sold for the charity exhibition as Cat fans got a chance to see the mini-dynasty in action. The Derek Anderson Foundation provides assistance to disadvantaged youth in a variety of ways.

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Darius Down Under VI

Darius Miller had one of his more complete games today in Team USA's 76-69 squeaker over the Lithuania Eastern Europeans. The Patriots got outrebounded by 14, but Lithuania turned the ball over 23 times to help clinch a quarterfinal berth for the US Americans.

Darius' line: 5-7 FG, 10 pts - 3 rebs - 1 asst - 3 stls - 2 blks - 1 TO

Shelvin Mack: 5 pts - 2 rebs - 1 stl

Next up for the Americans is the Canada Moose in a knockout quarterfinal Thursday at 8:30 pm local NZ time, 4:30 am EST. Win or go home.

The New Jersey Numbers Are Out!

The University released the 2009-10 Kentucky basketball roster this afternoon, allowing us to see who takes over what jersey number. This is really the only thing to look at once the roster is released. I always like to look to see who takes over a number and has a chance to become the best player for their individual number, then forget about it five minutes later.

The newcomers (along with notable Cats who wore the same number):

#3 - Darnell Dodson (Rex Chapman, Chris Harrison, Allen Edwards, Ramel Bradley) -
Good luck Darnell, we'll be rootin' for ya!

#4 - Jon Hood (Kyle Macy, Derrick Miller, Gerald Fitch, Rajon Rondo) -
Being from Kentucky gives Hood some bonus points. Breaking into the top 5 at this means Hood had a great career.

#11 - John Wall (Dicky Beal, Sean Woods, Saul Smith) -
I think it's safe to assume, we'll be watching the best to have ever worn #11.

#15 - DeMarcus Cousins (Alex Groza, Ed Davender, Jeff Sheppard) -
He definitely won't be the best to ever wear #15, but he's definitely the most touted to have not even put the jersey on yet.

#24 - Eric Bledsoe (Jamal Mashburn, Antoine Walker, Kelenna Azubuike)
One word: FREAKS. If Bledsoe is as good as he practices during the summer, he could crack the top four at #24.

#33 - Daniel Orton (Ron Mercer, Antwain Barber, Randolph Morris) -
Mercer was great, but if Orton stays at least three years, he could easily be in the discussion.

July 7th: On this date...

... in 1993, the University expected the NCAA to declare Kentucky recruit Anthony Epps ineligible. Epps, a point guard from Marion County, Kentucky, played in a three-on-three tournament in which he dominated and won first place. Nothing wrong with that, right? That is until he accepted a cash prize for winning. By accepting this prize, he jeopardized his amateur status............until the shady Rick Pitino forced the NCAAs hand and made them make Epps eligible. Boy, that Rick Pitino.....he sure lives in the gray area with the NCAA.

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Darius Down Under V

Jamie Dixon must have felt the wrath of Big Blue Nation because Darius more than doubled his time in today's game against Puerto Rico. Miller-time went from 7 minutes to 17 minutes in the 82-61 thrashing of the tiny resort nation.

The Patriots have clinched top billing heading into the quarterfinals. No matter if they lose to Lithuania, they will be the top seed.

Darius' line: 2-3 FG, 4 pts - 3 rebs - 1 stl - 1 bs

Shelvin Mack: 7 pts - 4 rebs - 1 asst - 2 stls

Next up is Lithuania Wednesday 7:30 pm Local NZ time. Wednesday 3:30 am EST.

July 6th: On this date...

... in 1991, hotshot recruits Rodrick Rhodes and Jason Kidd were roommates at the Nike Basketball Camp, and according to Bob Gibbons, both had Kentucky on their wish lists. Jason Kidd was the more celebrated of the two, fielding offers from Kentucky, Duke, and North Carolina. He would eventually get a truck load of cash from Todd Bozeman choose California as his destination. Rhodes chose Kentucky and had a wonderful freshman campaign. Many will remember Dickie V calling Rhodes the prince of Kentucky basketball (to Jamal Mashburn's king) during an ESPN telecast. Rodrick would later transfer to USC after his junior season after he and Pitino had a falling out.

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Darius Down Under IV

Darius played the least of all the members of Team USA today in their 85-69 win over the Greece Philosophers. It was the least amount of playing time for Miller so far in the Tournament. Head coach Jamie Dixon is being briefed on the crapstorm that will be coming via Big Blue Nation.

Darius' line: 1-2 FG, 2 pts - 2 rebs - 2 blks - 3 fouls

Shelvin Mack: 8 pts - 5 rebs - 3 assts - 3 TOs

Game 2 of Round 2 will be against the Puerto Rico Fightin 51s at 7:30 pm Tuesday local NZ time, 3:30 am EST Tuesday morning.

Nothing More American than Gluttony

Joey Chestnut three-peated at today's Nathan's World Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest beating Takeru Kobayashi. Chestnut set a world record by wolfing down 68 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes.

The record was shattered again this year, leaving me with an all-important question:

Are these American heroes also on steroids?

Let the discussion begin.