UFC 100

The centenial celebration of the UFC can be looked at in many lights. For in ways it was merely a celebration of the past, present, and future. The past was put on display all week as Spiketv(UFC's biggest cable tv affiliate)counted down UFC's 100 Greatest Fights leading up to the event. Also honoring UFC's past was one of its most dominate competetitors in Mark Coleman. Coleman, who was on the undercard and not featured on the ppv itself scored an impressive win over Stefan Bonnar.

The Present was also on display as Welterweight Champion, Georges St. Pierre, defended his title against Welterweight phenomn Thiago Alves. Alves the young and powerful upstart, who as recently as two fights ago dismantled the greatest welterweight of all time (Matt Hughes), was in no way the same fighter against St. Pierre. Which I don't think anyone is or ever has been. GSP's wrestling and grappling is something off the Olympic amateur mats. He takes down his opponets at will, and this was no different with Alves. With ten total, GSP's takedowns set the tone for what was a very one sided five round fight. Alves went the distance, but was very unimpressive doing so. What is astonishing about Georges St. Pierre's wrestling is that he does not come from a wrestling background. Guys with wrestling backgrounds such as Matt Hughes flourished in the octagon, which is no suprise GSP's skills now have him holding the same belt Hughes had for so long. However, St. Pierre does not share this background, he has never wrestled, not in high school, certainly not in college. However, this has not kept him from obtaining an offer from the Canadian Olympic Wrestling team who sent him an invite to wrestle for them in the Olympics. Not often do you see Olympic like qualities, especially those that normally take years in disciplined training and matches to obtain. The special qualities though have propelled Georges St. Pierre through the likes of the UFC Welterweight division, and only parlay the question, who is next for him to fight. At 170, the answer is just another Welterweight served up for St. Pierre to win without effort. At 180 and the Middleweight division though lies a guy named the Spider, who is even more dominant than GSP. Will this Anderson Silva/Georges St. Pierre match ever take place? Who knows, but the two most dominant guys in the present will make for one of the more premiere fights in the future.


So with the past, and present accounted for, what about the future? Well after Saturday nights event in Las Vegas, that answer is simple, Brock Lesnar. A guy who was once dubbed the "Next Big Thing" during his time in the WWE, is now "The Big Thing" in the UFC. After having to stew on his heartbreak loss to Frank Mir for over a year and a half, Lesnar got his chance for revenge Saturday, and did not let it slip like he had that knee he let Mir get in the first fight. With viscous ground and pound, the fight was stopped early in the second round, leaving Mir unconsious and bloody next to the cage fencing, and leaving Lesnar the Unidisputed Champion of the UFC Heavyweights. Much like the St. Pierre/Alves fight, this one was a one sided drumming. Only instead of superior wrestling, Brock combined his unmatched wrestling background with vicious right hands that delivered his 3XL gloves to the face of former champ Frank Mir. The first fight Lesnar dominated Mir much in the same fashion, only to get hooked in a desperation knee lock, and only to be tapped out. This time Brock was not letting that happen. His 6'3'' 260 lbs frame smothered Mir the entire fight, and when Brock had him pinned against the cage early in the second round it didn't take long to finish it. Brock Lesnar's display of dominance, and the realization he is honing his MMA skills is serving as a clear consesus that he is the future. Now 4-1, Lesnar is already the two time champion of the UFC, and doesn't look ready to lose anytime soon. Personally, and untill Dana White gets Russian Fighter Fedor Emilienanko into the octagon, it will be all Brock Lesnar in the heavyweight division for a long time to come. BUT, Fedor is scheduled for his last fight with AFFLICTION on August 1st. If White can strike a deal soon after, a superfight of the two most dominant men in the sport will be right around the corner. Until then, it will be all Brock.

The highlight of the night for me though was undoubatably Dan Henderson knockign out Michael Bisping in their Middleweight matchup. For weeks and through the course of the show The Ultimate Fighter (In which Bisping coached the United Kingdom team against Henderson and the USA team) Britishman Michael Bisping talked smack. With two UK victories in the Ultimate Fighter finale, Bisping had even more reason to talk trash. Making up for the sluggish US performances on the Ultimate Fighter, Henderson put Bisping to rest with a picture perfect shot to the mug that buckled him unconcious. Henderson followed that up by smashing a flying elbow from the top to the downed Bisping. So with the only trash talked through his fists, Henderson shut Bisping up quickly and hopefully for good.

Its Been A While

Sorry for the long lay off. Summertime mixed with a slow moving month for sports news has translated into an absence of articles on the site. Now with a new job allowing me more computer time while at work, I will be able to frequently update with more and more articles. Whether they are to your enjoyment or not are for you to decide. :)

You Know, The Magic Win Game Three, You Know

Orlando Gets Back In Series, Lakers still lead 2-1


After one of the best all around shooting games in NBA Finals history, the Magic stayed just hot enough to get back into this series. With five players contributing at least eighteen points apiece, the Orlando Magic set an all time Finals record in FG % with an incredible 65% from the field game. Even more impressive was their 75% first half. However, they still only nudged out the Lakers by four, with a final score of 108-104 (and the final two were scored with Rashard Lewis free throws with just .2 seconds on the clock). Magic stars Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis both had 21 last night, that could have been expected. What wasn't though may have been Rafer Alston's night, who without a doubt sparked the Magic, and coming off very sub par game one and two performances. Skip To My Lou (Alston's streetball name)must have thought he was back at Rucker Park after chipping in his twenty, with four assists to go with. His hot shooting first half battled Kobe Bryant's almost dominating first half. Kobe finished with 31, but only ten of those came in the final two quarters (4 for 14 shooting) which is very un-Kobe like. Hedo Turkoglu and Mickael Pietrus were the other Orlando players at 18, both with 18. Pietrus having a breakout game on his 7-11 shooting, (one incredible turnaround) to go along with his always stellar D on Kobe Bryant.

So with all these storylines, where could a non-famous blogger like myself turn for a feature story. Like said, both Pietrus and Alston both had career playoff nights. While Kobe's struggles (when normally the games clutchest player)could have resulted in the Lakers first loss of the series. Then there was the hot shooting from both teams that could take center stage and top story.

But no, I walked away from this one thinking, what was Dwight Howard thinking? Of course the young superstar center was delighted in helping the Magic win their first ever Finals game. BUT, I think you need to go back and watch yourself in the post game interview there superman. In fact, I think you need to grab a sheet of paper, then mark how many times you said the phrase, "You Know", in that interview. Or better yet grab two sheets and maybe an extra pen, there will be much marking to do :D. Of course Howard's post game words of wisdom far in comparison to that of Kevin Garnett's frantic "Anything's Possible" rage, but IMO is up there with some of the best. Best Damn Sports Show Period get ready, because I have a feeling the next bloopers countdown you do may have to include this one, and you may have to put it right around Allen Iverson's "practice" rant. So I know your thinking what? Cannot be that noticeable right? Well it was.

Not the on court interview with Rachel Nichols, but Dwights still at it......"You Know"

Hero of the Day? Well, maybe another day.........

Who wouldn't have wanted to see NBA rookie Courtney Lee dagger Kobe and the Lakers last night in game two of the Finals? Well of course Laker Fans everywhere, with maybe the slight exception of those in the Bluegrass. Nawwww, who am I to kid, they're Laker fans. However, for every other basketball fan in the commonwealth we almost witnessed WKU alum Courtney Lee end the game twice in the Magic's favor. ALMOST, being the key word.

His college career couldn't have went any better considering the circumstances. The Indianapolis native traded flat land for flat land as he decided to play his college ball for Western Kentucky University. Even before becoming a Hilltopper, Lee was no stranger to playing, and winning the big game. He led his Pike High team to the Indiana 4A State Championship in 2003. He then followed that up by tying for the All-Time WKU scoring lead with 2,238 career points. Not too mention plowing the Sun Belt Conference (winning conference player of the year as a senior)and most importantly leading the Toppers to a memorable 2008 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 run. So it seems Courtney Lee has been there, and done that.

Lee came into this season as the 22nd overall pick by the Orlando Magic. He also came into the league with an agenda, to show everyone he could play, and deserved to be worthy of a first round pick. By mid to late season, Lee was doing so, even playing himself into the Orlando starting lineup. Everything was going great for Lee, and true to his past it just kept on getting better as the Magic continued to win their way into the NBA finals, setting up a match-up with former league MVP Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Bryant and the Lakers are certainly no stranger to the big stage. By many considered to be the leagues best player, Kobe is the heartbeat to one of the leagues most historic teams. Furthermore, he has three rings to go along with the reputation, and after last years near miss is hungry for a fourth. In game one, it looked as if the plate he was eating from was about to empty quick as the Lakers rolled the Magic. However, game two was a different story. After both teams endured a sloppy first half, the second half transpired into a very entertaining duel. For the longest time it seemed as if Rashard Lewis could not miss for Orlando, while Kobe and company returned the favor on the other end. Dwight Howard, who always is a focal point of the other teams D was doing what he could, while Hedo Turkoglu was also having an incredible game for the Magic. But when it came crunch time, one player found himself with the ball, and he was a rookie, (the only rookie on the floor) and he was Courtney Lee. After an impressive drive to get to the basket, Lee went up strong, but his attempt caught too much glass and instead of netting the go ahead bucket, he instead rimmed around what would be a Laker rebound.

On the ensuing possession, it was of course Kobe Bryant with the ball. With just second left, he made his move, blowing past Turkoglu in the process. BUT, just when it appeared he had freed himself to sink the game winner, Turkoglu recovered to pick up a game saving (to that point) block from behind. With tremendous hustle, he also gained possession of the ball, and achieved an Orlando Magic timeout. While the referee's huddled to see how much time to set on the clock, Magic coach Stan Van Gundy was busy drawing up what was to be the game winner. So with less than a full second on the clock and with the Magic inbounding across the half court line, Stan Van had drew up a flawless looking lob play at the basket. It could have been a catch and shoot to Lewis/Turkoglu, but instead he had the right call. It was a beautiful design, but surprisingly didn't involve the likes of his prized seven footer either (Dwight Howard). However, what Van Gundy had drawn up was the perfect decoyed lob intended to go to Courtney Lee, and it was on the money. Although contested late by Laker big man Pau Gasol, Lee got his hands on the perfectly thrown oop, just feet from the rim. As everyone in the Staples Center held their collective breath, it appeared the series was going back to Florida tied at 1-1. BUT, once again, the glass wasn't the friend of Courtney Lee (neither was his touch), as the attempt banked off the backboard just hard enough to keep it on and off the rim instead of down the net for the win. Lee went 0-2 in just under ten seconds, but the game still wasn't over. As Overtime started, and played though, the game quickly was. Ending with the Magic out of the picture for any chance at anymore last second breath takers. Instead of 1-1, the series now goes to FLA in favor of the Lakeshow 2-0, and Lee and the Magic with their heads in their laps.


Through so much triumph, Courtney Lee has now got a taste of what he himself has put other teams through, his entire basketball career. Only in this story you cannot help but to feel horrible for him. There wasn't anyone else I wanted to see succeed more on the court last night than Indy native and Hilltopper alum Lee, but it just wasn't there. So with I'm sure both plays replaying through his sleep, maybe, just maybe he may get another shot to seal the deal. And once again the Commonwealth will be anxiously around their tv sets, hoping that it goes in.

Stevie-Stylin

TO's not the only Wide-Out turning heads in Buffalo


When most Kentucky fans (and Louisville fans :D) think Steve Johnson, they see him trucking down the sidelines on his way to defeat the Louisville Cardinals in white knuckling fashion. Now football fans in general may get to see him in a new light.

After being selected in the seventh round of last years NFL draft, not too much was expected from Steve Johnson. Buffalo had already nabbed a prize pick in the second round to fill the position via James Hardy, and playmaker Lee Evans had already asserted himself as one of the leagues top pass catchers. Then there was the likes of burner Roscoe Parrish, whose speed is tough to match, along with a professional guy such as Josh Reed to contend with. However, with nothing but hard work, Johnson was the guy who quickly gained respect from the Bills coaching staff. It is common knowledge that Wide Receiver is one of the toughest positions to translate from the college to pro game, but Stevie handled it like he had been around for years. With so much competition and depth at the position, one would think it would be hard for Johnson to have even achieved more than practice squad honors, let alone see game time. But, just as no one expected, Johnson's dedication got him onto the field and produced the rookie numbers of ten catches with one hundred and two yards. I know that doesn't seem like a lot, because frankly, its not. However, for practically a late round nobody, Steve showed a lot of people he belonged, and his spot on the team was well deserved.

Nothing has changed this off-season. Well, except for maybe the fact the Bill's added ex-Cowboy receiver Terrel Owens to their roster. BUT nothing has changed for Johnson, who is ready to prove last years rookie success wasn't a fluke.

"I'm approaching it with the same mentality as last year," Johnson says. "I was trying to make an impression every time I stepped on the field.

"Coming into this year, you're going to get a little bit of an opportunity and you've got to make the best out of all of them. Whether it's blocking or catching a 5-yard route, you've got to show the players and the coaches that you should be out there on the field."

An opportunity Offensive Coordinator Turk Schonert believes Johnson is ready to capitalize on. Stating.

"Steve proved last year that he belongs in this league. He's worked really hard this offseason, and it shows. I think he's only going to get better from here."


Johnson's play has certainly seemed to have earned him a spot on the field for the upcoming season, but he's really not that big of a deal is he? I mean with TO and Lee Evans opposite each other, Johnson has to be the least of QB Trent Edwards worries right? Well, heres what Trent had to say about SJ following one of last weeks voluntary workouts.


"If you guys could watch some of this tape of the past couple practices of him getting off of the press, it's ridiculous. It's making some of the best corners on our team [look bad], getting right by them. He's shifty, he moves well, he comes out of his breaks well and I'm happy he's one of our receivers."

Johnson took all of the first team snaps last week during the Bills' voluntary workout, and although Roscoe Parrish was absent, its becoming almost a certainty Stevie Styles will be getting looks in the four WR sets, and still some time in the slot while it is just he, Owens, and Evans in the lineup.


So needless to say, #13 has came a long way since leaving Lexington behind him. Going from a late round guy struggling to make the team, to a guy now ready to crack the starting lineup. Doing all of which with nothing but hard work, not to mention doing it all in getting prepared for just his second year in the league. Of course its not going to be easy, but what is easy in the NFL? No matter what the outcome, I wish the former Cat nothing but the best, and hope to see him catching passes opposite TO in the upcoming season. And although you need to stay away from him on your fantasy team, Steve Johnson is certainly a must keep on your "gotta love em" team.

"I'm still young in the game. I still have a lot to learn about the game," Johnson said. "I still have to have that go-get-it mentality. That approach helped me make this team, and it's what is going to help me stay on this team."

The Boy, the Myth, the Legend.

Not too many people can be considered phenoms at the lucrative age of sixteen. Of course you have Tiger Woods who shot a 48 over nine holes at age three. A mark in which many beer guzzling amateur golfers would be proud of as adults. Lebron James was, and now is NBA MVP and barely missed making his second NBA Finals appearance, all at age 24. Brazilian soccer star, excuse me, futbol star Pele was also a star by age sixteen, making his World Cup debut by age seventeen. Then there is Wayne Gretzky turning pro by age seventeen, then later became known as simply the "Great One." So what you have here is a handful of guys who have transcended (or will) their respective sports. Now you may have another.

Enter Bryce Harper. Featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated, and already dubbed as the first pick in the 2011 MLB Draft, he is no stranger to accolade on his rep sheet. The Las Vegas native was born October 1st, 1992,(sixteen) and was born to play the game of baseball. Already 6'2'' 205 lbs, Harper is a tremendous catcher, who can also play a little bit of third, not to mention pitch and throw a ninety six mile an hour fastball. From his knees, Harper easily guns runners out at second. Maybe most intriguing is Harper's speed. Last season Bryce scored six different times on wild pitches,....from second base! If that's not impressive enough, he has hit one of the longest homerun balls ever at Tropicana Field (home of the Tampa Bay Rays, a ball that traveled over the jumbo tron.

But ahh, that's just the comparison to warning track power when it comes to Harper and hit monster shots. As a freshmen at Las Vegas High School he hit a shot that traveled 579 feet. Oh My God. Yes, go back and read that again, I did say 579ft, as a freshmen. What else did Bryce throw in for his freshmen campaign? Well just some descent stats. Stats that included a batting average of an unheard of .867 with 41 dingers, 67 rbi's, and done all of which in just 113 at bats. They say baseball is a game of inches, and also a game of stats, but with stats like that you would think Bryce Harper was Jeff Hall of the Resmondo Slow Pitch Softball team rather than a freshman high school baseballer. I mean think about it, most puny freshmen are fighting for JV time on their baseball squads, not ripping balls that would go over the left field apartments at Wrigley. Harper was also the first ever sophomore to be named to Baseball America's All-American first team.

So with knowing that, common sense could tell you he is destined for greatness, and belongs to carry the title phenom. However, what are scouts saying about Bryce Harper? One scout says he has bat speed better than Mark McGwire, in his prime. Another say's he is the best he has ever seen, and no one else even comes close, not Alex Rodriguez, not Ken Griffey Jr. nobody. Pretty bold statement being both were breaking into the bigs fresh out of high school then dominating the game from then on. But just to some that all up, I will let this scout sum it up for me.

"I’m not the only one who feels this way about the 6-foot-2, 197-pound sophomore-to-be from Las Vegas. I spoke to a handful of the more than 300 scouts in attendance on the first day of the tournament about Harper and the responses – from those who have followed him closely to others who had seen him for the first time that day – ranged from “wow” to shaking head in disbelief to “the best high school hitter I’ve ever seen.”



So in a sport filled with a whole lot of bust potential, number one picks who can take years to finally make it to the show, and a game trying to recover from the steroids era you have Bryce Harper. What he represents is something not seen in a player of his age, ever. People often overlook the skill level involved in baseball, but being around the high school and college levels, I have a great deal of understanding of how everything works. So to close I will put it this way. If the majority of people only understood how good a single A baseball player really was at baseball, then it shouldn't take a rocket science to figure out baseball's next big thing.......And he's almost here.

Prepare Yourself,....To say bye-bye to Jodie Meeks.

To those out there in Big Blue Nation get ready. And no, not for anymore bad news concerning NCAA allegations against Coach Cal, or bad blog rumors saying John Wall to play professionally in Greece. Not that at all. What I am talking about is much worst. (slight sarcasm there, :D) Prepare yourselves for Jodie Meeks staying in the NBA draft and leaving his number twenty-three jersey hanging in one of the Craft Center lockers. Since putting his name into the hat of this years NBA draft, the talk around the bluegrass has been, "He's just testing the waters, Jodie is definitely coming back." "No way Jodie goes, he wants to stay here and win a championship." And up until recently I was one of those people as well. However, with the draft deadline (the last day to take your name out of the draft and return to school) less than two weeks away, I have taken my blue sunglasses off and stepped into the reality world. Jodie is GONE. Let me say it again, Kentucky fans, prepare yourself, Jodie Meeks will not return next season.

After playing for two different coaches, and with the possibility of a third, I think Jodie has had enough. Which who can blame him? Furthermore, he is enamored with the pro-game, and the likelyhood he would not improve his draft stock next year and feels like his game is NBA ready. After having a great Junior season and having an almost unheard of 54 point game he feels it is his time. His 23.7 points per game last year is impressive. However, his 1.8 assists per game or 3.4 rebounds per game is not. Pile on his horrible assist to turnover ratio then NBA execs may have a problem. But, Jodie is so frustrated with how last season went, he is willing to do anything to get out of town and is just holding to any reason to stay in the draft. Hurting the situation is the fact Jodie has worked out for about a dozen NBA teams, and every GM/scout/coach has been saying the same things. What they are saying is what I would call double speak, thus sounding good to Jodie, but sounding like a lie to Kentucky fans.

A recent example is a workout Jodie had for the Philadelphia 76ers. Along with Jodie were four other potential draft picks, Tarrance Williams (Louisville), Ty Lawson (North Carolina, Toney Douglas (Florida State), and Stefon Jackson (UTEP). All five guys are considered by the 76ers organization as "possible" first round selections and some second round if they go that far. It is also considered up to three and possibly all four could be higher on Phili's agenda than Meeks. It is also thought that all five could potentially all still be on the board when it comes time to pick at 17. Furthermore, these aren't the only guys the 76ers have their eyes on, just the ones brought in the same day as Meeks. So what I am trying to say is this is not a good thing for Jodie, and although many are making him think he's first round material, they are only setting him up to be regretting his decision. Meeks has stated several times he wants a guarantee to be a first rounder in order to stay in the draft, a guarantee he has not yet received. However, maybe, just maybe what he has heard from front office guys are enough to keep him around, and enough to let them snag him in the second round.

For those who don't know, any player drafted in round two of the NBA draft are not guaranteed a contract, or even a spot on the squad. In fact almost more than half end up in the NBA's developmental league, the NBDL. That is the same fate that held up for ex-UK standout and NBA draft gun jumper Keleana Azubuike. Bookie too thought his game was NBA ready, and cost himself a lot of money and almost three years in the D-League battling to make an NBA squad. He now plays for the Golden State Warriors, but took the hard way to get there.

After the recent rookie scouting combine, Jodie's scouting report comes as follows.

STRENGTHS:
- Excellent skill-level
- Role-player potential
- High-level productivity
- Solid frame
- 3-point shooting
- 3-point shooting percentages
- Ability to come off screens
- Free throw shooting
- Pull-up jumper
WEAKNESSES:
- Scoring instincts
- Average ball-handler
- Ability to defend position at next level?
- Defensive awareness
- Did not win in college
- Limited upside?
- Average athleticism
- Undersized
- Ability to create separation from defender


So that's the scenario, will Meek's stay in, prevail, or turn into the next Azubuike? That is yet to be seen. Most mock drafts have Meeks going mid to late second round, still that is not deterring him. Instead he is listening to the guys who really matter, although like said could be setting him up for failure. An NBA GM is not going to tell you going back to college is the best choice when they can nab you with a second round pick, pay you the league minimum, and develop you. One person Jodie has looked to is former Kentucky coach, Orlando Tubby Smith. Like him or not Smith is a great guy and will never lead a player in the wrong direction. However, some people still may be in his ear telling him to go. So when it boils down to it, Meeks is in a battle of who to listen to, and all I know is I hope it is the right people.

This comes from Jodie's website...

My NBA predraft assessment was a snapshot, a picture of what the NBA saw in me when I entered into the draft. It said I could be as high as middle first round, could be late first round prior to any workouts, but as people declare for the draft it could change. I could also be as low as the early second round if the teams needs, or if other players were viewed ahead of me. I know the mock drafts didn't know that information, but it has been interesting to see people say I wouldn't even be drafted! I have only gathered input from NBA personnel. One of the GM's from the NBA shared with me that he thought I would be a better player in the NBA than I was at college, another said he thought I could be a big scorer in the pro's. One day I hope I can live up to their expectations. The input has been good. I will continue to work hard, and will make a decision prior to the deadline.

Thanks for all of your support and interest.


It could also be some of the last words Jodie comes out with as a Kentucky Wildcat. In the end though, the only thing that matters is what is best for #23. I wish Jodie the best no matter what he does, and have enjoyed watching him play in a Kentucky uniform. Him dropping 54 at Tennessee is one of the most incredible sporting moments I have ever witnessed. If he decides to stay in, I hope he makes a team, and has a great NBA career. If not, instead of saying told you so, I will feel very sorry for him and hope he eventually makes a pro roster. Again, I believe J Meeks is gone, but taking the Jeff Drummond approach its also a way of kind of jinxing him to stay. But in my very honest opinion his bags are already packed. If there is one thing I get wrong however, I hope that it is this.

Will Barton to Memphis

What came as a shock to most in Big Blue land. Let me take that back. What came as a shock to most in the college basketball recruiting world was the commitment of Will Barton and his brother Antonio to Memphis yesterday. The duo from Baltimore is one of the few victories the Memphis program has had this offseason. First, they lost their coach to Kentucky. Next to go were recruits DeMarcus Cousins (Rivals 2nd ranked player) and Darnell Dodson. To make matters worst, Xavier Henry (another Memphis commit and Rivals 8th ranked player in 09)along with brother CJ fled to Kansas. Oh, and other top fifty prospect Nolan Dennis backed out of his LOI (letter of intent) in order to go to Baylor. See, I told you things were pretty bad. Memphis had established what was considered the top recruiting class for 09' and every piece of that class but one left for another institution. A JUCO transfer Will Coleman. Tough break for a team that was fresh off a championship game defeat, and then what was almost another run to the Final Four last season.

None-the-less the Tigers marched on, promoting former assistant coach Jeremy Pastner to head coach. Once everything seemed dulled out for next seasons hopes, the Tigers signed top 20 prospect Latavious Williams. A talented forward who is an athletic freak, however, whether he qualifies and passes the NCAA clearinghouse is another story. But just with the chance that Williams would qualify, he was the best news that Memphis had received all off-season. Until yesterday.

In a shocking decision the Barton brothers announced they would be headed to Memphis. Just a day before the vist a quote from the brothers godfather/advisor Roland Cox read as followed, "We're headed down to Memphis this weekend to visit,". "When we get back we will call Kentucky and set up a visit. We are going to look at those two situations and see what is best." All big time recruiting analysts had Kentucky as a virtual lock for the services of Will, and it was hard not to blame them. Even in first person interviews, analysis around the high school basketball recruiting circle came away thinking, this guys headed to Kentucky. Apparently the Memphis visit went better than expected.


“Me and my brother decided to choose Memphis because it was a great family atmosphere,” said Will Barton.

“We just went down there [to campus] and saw it for ourselves, man.”


Will Barton (The Baltimore native) happens to be one of the most sought after recruits in the class. The 6-6 Shooting Guard has a knack for scoring, and recently scored 38 points in a game against the team of fellow top ten recruit Harrison Barnes on the AAU circuit. Will is ranked 7th overall in the 2010 recruiting class according to Rivals.com. He also happens to be the number one shooting guard in the class, which made him a major target for John Calipari and a team looking to fill the shoes of Jodie Meeks. So as Kentucky fans were counting down the days until the announcement came for Will to choose Kentucky, he and family were weighing other options instead. Factoring into the mix is brother Antonio who also happens to be part of the 2010 class and is a three star point guard according to Rivals. Calipari and Kentucky was reluctant to offer Antonio a scholarship spot. After receiving numerous offers as a duo the Barton's were waiting for Kentucky and coach Calipari to do the same. That offer did not come, but a commitment did. So while the media and the common fan scramble to blame this as the reason for Kentucky's miss, there is just a little bit more to the story.

As Paul Harvey would say, here's the rest of the story.....


Late last week the Barton's took a vist to the Memphis campus, along with their mother and godfather Roland Cox. While most would think the timing could not get any worst for UM (under the siege of NCAA violation investigations), their new young coach found a way to call his own pitch and knock it out of the park. Coach Josh Pastner used the NCAA's recent investigation of the program to his favor. What many would consider a huge flaw, he turned into a great recruiting pitch, pinning all the blame on coach John Calipari and raising questions about what may happen if Barton were to end up at UK. Also thickening the case for Memphis is new assistant coach Glynn Cyprien who ironically had been coaching at Kentucky. Will had been a heavy UK lean long before John Calipari arrived, and his hiring only seemed to add the cherry to the top of what was thought to be a Will Barton/UK marriage. However, Will had formed an extremely close bond with coach Cyprien, so close that it may have been the deciding factor to go to Memphis. Barton almost committed to Kentucky while Glynn Cyprien was there, and Glynn seemed to have built a better relationship with Will Barton than any coach in the country.

“We had a great relationship with Coach [Glenn] Cyprien and Coach Pastner,” Will said.


I guess this holds true as Will Barton isn't the first or only thing that has been traded between Memphis and Kentucky this offseason.

Getting Back To Form

The past few years have been well, not good. Or at least by Kentucky standards. While most collegiate basketball programs would kill to have the resume of that of Kentucky over the past three seasons, Kentucky fans were starting to keep their big blue attire back into their closets and drawers. If things couldn't get any worst, Kentucky missed the tourney for the first time since its probation ridden seasons of the early 90's, then suffered an exit from the NIT before even reaching Madison Square Garden. Then April Fools Day came, and to a Kentuckians surprise, the joke was actually on everyone else in the college basketball world as Kentucky officially hired Coach John Calipari to fill its coaching void (left by the firing of Billy Gillespie). "Patience"is what Cal preached to all the Kentucky faithful, but with just barely a couple months gone by since the presser, there is very little reason for a Kentucky fan to be patient.

The first pieces fell into place as Calipari convinces Gillespie signee's Daniel Orton (Rivals 22nd ranked player) and Jon Hood (Rivals 40nd ranked player) to stay on board for next season. Then came ex-UAB/Memphis signee DaMarcus Cousins (Rivals 2nd ranked player) into the mix, along with another Memphis signee Darnell Dodson (JUCO transfer) who Jerry Meyer (Rivals.com recruiting expert) himself says would have been a top forty player if he would have been part of this years Class of 09'. Just if things could not get any sweeter for Cat fans, Kentucky favorite and prized big man Patrick Patterson announced he was coming back for his junior season, despite the fact he was a possible lottery pick in next years draft. And, no, I'm not finished yet. Joining fellow Alabamian Cousins, PG Eric Bledsoe (Rivals 23rd ranked player) also pledged his allegiance to John Calipari and the University of Kentucky. A huge signing for the Cats being PG was certaintly the biggest concern last year and Bledsoe is the third ranked PG in this class.

BUT, there's still more. If things didn't go from so bad to so good in under a month, Kentucky fans got the news they pateintly was awaiting for, the coming of high school phenom (and number one overall player in the nation) John Wall. Wall who shined as a senior at Raleigh, NC, Word of God Academy, has made just as much news off the court as he has on it. There was mention of Wall challening the NBA's one year removed of high school rule (in which he was predicted to be the number two pick behind Oklahoma standout big Blake Griffin), rumored to possibly go the Brandon Jennings route to Europe, and circumstances surrounding his committment and possible school destination kept a handful of schools fans/coaches at bay for more than a month. Not to mention the breaking and entering charge he recieved which is now basically water under the bridge and rightfully so being there was no wrong doing found. But, when the dust settled it left Kentucky with not only Wall but one of the best recruiting classes ever assembled.

The Cats are still waiting for Junior standout, and team scoring leader (among the nations tops in scoring) Jodie Meeks to pull his name from the NBA draft, but don't look for that to happen. However if it does, then look out. This team is already special, but adding Meeks would give the Cats four possible lottery picks in next years NBA draft, and that is unheard of. Calipari himself announced to the Kentucky faithful this may take time, and that he is not the Messiah. However, with what he has done with a historic team on the verge of extinction is very messiah like (in a basketball sense). As Kentucky was looking to have an even worst campaign next season than this, the Cats now are assure either one of the top two positions in next years pre-season polls. Wow, what a difference a couple of months make. I don't think anyone has ever looked forward to October 14th so bad in their life (the night of Midnight Madness, the first official practice of the season and first time Cats fans can see the 09-10 squad.


Did I mention Kentucky Basktball is back?