All Entries Tagged With: "Kentucky basketball"
Selection Sunday
Here’s how Joe Lunardi of ESPN sees it: 
Not just your average NCAA Tournament bracket, obviously. Under this scenario, Louisville would have the responsibility for denying Kentucky another title. A possibility to savor.
Printable Brackets
NIT For The Unfocused
By Tom Stosberg At this point in time it might be appropriate to re-run my previous post in which it was suggested that the NIT may be in the near future for University of Louisville basketball. Having been been chastised by some readers, I must submit the skin is thick … and Stosberg is back. After much less than a lackluster performance against the St. John’s, it is now evident that an alternative competitive tournament may be in order for our men’s basketball team. And since there is really only one alternative to the “Tournament-Most-Sought-After-by-the-Most-Mature College-Student-Athletes,” let us now focus on the event sometimes referred to as the “Tournament For Underachievers Who are Unable to Focus For Periods of Time Longer Than Two Minutes.” Teams that go to alternative tournaments are coached by men who also are not focused, possibly pre-occupied by such things as seeking out opportunities to coach in the National Basketball Association. Let’s say the New Jersey Nets, for example, might be attempting to assemble the likes of LeBron James, John Wall and Terrance Williams. And such coaches also may wish to leave some problems behind and go to New Jersey. Purely theoretical. The good news is that Kentucky’s John Calipari is now being linked to the Nets’ job, as well as Mike Krzyzewski at Duke. But this season these guys are definitely headed to the other tournament.
NCAA Tightens Recruiting Rule
The proposal stemmed from recruiting instances involving Michael Beasley (former Kansas State player) and John Wall (Kentucky), where colleges hired their AAU basketball coaches seemingly in an attempt to improve their chances of signing the players.
Failing to pass was a measure that would have prevented schools from from using anyone not enrolled at a school, nor on the coaching staff, from teaching at a school’s camps or clinics. This was aimed at preventing schools from compensating family members or individuals with close ties to players being recruited. We could list another example here but won’t.
One step at a time …
Kentucky Milks ‘World Wide Wes’ Connection
Mention the name “World Wide Wes” to a Kentucky basketball fan, and the reaction is a wide grin or a snicker, followed by “whatever it takes” or words to that effect. They don’t know how it works, don’t care, but they know his relationship has something to do with the potential of an undefeated season or a possible championship.
The NCAA is also comprised of competing universities who recognize a threat to their abilities to compete for recognition and championships ...
At the same time, these fans appear to be greatly relieved that the program is even a contender again. After seeing the University of Louisville basketball team ranked No. 1 after last year’s regular season, they were adamant that UK take drastic steps to level the playing field.
Athletic director Mitch Barnhart did just that, firing Billy Gillispie and hiring John Calipari away from Memphis, bringing with him the association with World Wide Wes.
World Wide Wes, of course, is William Wesley who seems to wield considerable influence on the college choices of some gifted basketball players. For some reason Wesley attached himself to Calipari at Memphis, with Memphis suddenly becoming a magnet for top recruits.
Memphis would eventually be investigated by the NCAA. The school had to vacate 38 wins from the 2007-08 season after a player’s college test scores were invalidated. There’s no evidence that anyone else was involved, despite Wesley being a close friend and adviser.
The NCAA, if it has seriously investigated Wesley, has not turned up anything incriminating about his activities and how they benefit the schools with which he becomes connected. The body that governs college athletics is a bureaucratic and bloated organization, slow to respond to questionable activities, sometimes failing to act even when confronted with concrete evidence.
But the NCAA is also comprised of competing universities who recognize a threat to their abilities to compete for recognition and championships, and the prestige and money that goes with these honors. They will not stand idly by while another university is taking advantage of unique relationships to gain a competitive edge — even if no rules are being broken or nothing illegal is occurring, changing the rules if necessary to eliminate any perceived threats or disparities.
Too much at stake. Kentucky’s opponents may eventually have the last laugh.
Pick Your Louisville Arena Seat
Picked out your seats yet?
The University has unveiled an impressive new web site that enables you to select your dream seats. Prospective ticket buyers — and wishful thinkers — can go directly to any seating section for a view of the court. The place is going to be spectacular, matching the cost of the tickets.
Maybe there will be a scholarship program or a financial aid package? You wish. Anyway, go here for your 3D view.
