Never to early to go out on a limb

With a little over two months left till the football season starts its time to talk about what sort of season the Cats will have this year.

Starting off the season with Miami of Ohio 2-10 last year should give the Cats an easy win although the hiring of Notre Dame offensive coordinator Mike Haywood as head coach should put a little spunk in the Redhawks offense. Haywood has worked as an assistant at Texas, LSU, Ball State, Ohio, Army and Minnesota and in 2005, he was named NCAA Division I-A assistant coach of the year by the American Football Coaches Association. Kentucky 1-0.

Louisville 5-7 last year should be another win but this is a rivalry game. With Hunter Cantwell’s back up Matt Simms transferring Louisville has no experience at quarterback making it a little more difficult for Louisville to come away with win. Kentucky 2-0.

The third game of the season brings Florida 13-1 to Lexington. The best we can realistically hope for is that the Gators stomp Tennessee the week before and the Cats play the Gators much better than they did last year. A good game could be a launching board for a great season. Kentucky 2-1.

Alabama 12-2 last year is the next visitor to Lexington. Last year with one or two breaks the Cats could have beaten the Tide. Having them in Lexington and without an experienced quarterback they can be beaten. If Mike Hartline can connect with our receivers and couple of defensive stops go our way and this could be a big upset. Kentucky 2-2.

OK the Really Ole Ball Coach thinks he’s finally found his quarter back at South Carolina 7-6 last year. The Cats are due to win this game. Kentucky 3-2.

Auburn 5-7 last year had a problem the Cats use to have. According to Gene Chizik “Depth is an issue at this point, and I think that’s glaring”. Their offense also stinks so this is close but another winnable game. Kentucky 4-2.

We then get Louisiana Monroe 4-8 last year at home. The Warhawks beat Alabama in 2007 but wont beat the Cats in Lexington. This will be the game where a freshman quarterback gets a decent amount of playing time. Kentucky 5-2.

Mississippi State 4-8 last year doesn’t come to Lexington and win. Kentucky 6-2.

Eastern Kentucky 8-4 won the OVC last year but don’t look to match up with the Cats although they might play them better than people expect. Kentucky 7-2.

Vanderbilt 7-6 came into Lexington and beat the Cats. Mackenzi Adams is a good quarterback and running back Jared Hawkins should be much improved as a senior. This game is a toss up but I think injuries will be starting to plague the Cats by this time of the season. Kentucky 7-3.

Georgia 10-3 last year will be a tough game for the Cats. If they can go thru the season without as many injuries as last year they should beat the Cats. Kentucky 7-4.

The final game of the season is against Tennessee 5-7 last year. With Lane Kiffin bringing the Vols to Lexington the Cats welcome him to Kentucky. I’m gonna get out on my limb and say the Cats win with Morgan Newton running for a touchdown and tossing a touchdown to Cobb with little time left in the game. Kentucky 8-4.

Brandon Jennings to emulate Rondo

Brandon Jennings who was selected 10th by the Milwaukee Bucks thinks that the NBA guard to emulate is none other than former Kentucky guard Rajon Rondo.

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/bucks/49279172.html

Jodie Meeks Congratulations

I would like to congratulate Jodie Meeks on being drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks. Jodie now has a chance to live out his NBA dream, by being chosen with the 41^st pick in the second round of the NBA draft. We UK fans want to thank Jodie for being one of the bright spots on an NIT team that struggled mightily late in the season.

One thing that may help Jodie in making the team is the fact that the Bucks were very high on him from the get go, something that they had been keeping somewhat “close to the vest”, as most teams do. Consider this statement out of the Milwaukee camp after Jodie was chosen:

“He was a guy we had on our board for the last few days, and up until even last night, and we said, ‘No way this kid makes it to the second round,’” Bucks general manager John Hammond told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “I’m sure a lot of people are saying that about their second-round picks.”

“We just felt he’s one of the top-notch shooters in this draft. Our guys who were out scouting all year said he may be one of the better defenders, too. He has great strength and is a great athlete, but one thing he can do is shoot the ball the way he can.”

Meeks led the Southeastern Conference and ranked eighth in the country in scoring, averaging 23.7 points per game. Jodie set the school record for points in a game (54 at Tennessee) and three-pointers in a season (117) and shot an SEC-best 90.2 percent from the free throw line. He also had the highest 3 game point total of any player in collegiate basketball with 3 games of 54, 46, and 45 points.

“He arguably was the best shooter in college basketball last year,” Bucks coach Scott Skiles told the Milwaukee newspaper. “He’s a guy who has some toughness, a nice strong body and a really good defender.”

“I don’t think I get enough credit for my athletic ability”, Jodie said.

I believe that with his skill set, Jodie will make the Bucks roster and have a long NBA career. I also believe that he would have benefited by coming back and playing one more year under Cal, and changing his NBA perception from a “catch and shoot guy” to one who can also get to the rim.

Let’s face it, if Terrance Williams can go with the 11^th pick while averaging 12ppg, then anything in that range would have been possible for Jodie next year, if UK had made the deep run in the tournament that most everyone was predicting with Jodie on the squad.

I also must respect the fact that Jodie had been injured, and perhaps had that in the back of his mind, when he decided to stay in the draft. One more injury next year could have ruined his chances for an NBA career, so he choose to strike while the “iron was hot”.

Again, I wish Jodie nothing but the best for his future NBA career.

Will Coach Calipari Get Quarantined

I see where the New Orleans mayor is quarantined in China after sitting next to a passenger showing swine flu symptoms on the flight there. If coach gets quarantined imagine the headlines.

• Calipari hiding from NCAA in China.
• Calipari gets swine flu to save reputation.
• Calipari helps Chinese recruits cheat on swine flu test.
• Calipari gets quarantined with top Chinese prospects to circumvent NCAA recruiting rules.
• Kentucky fans defend coaches runny nose as part of recruiting.
• Todd told about flu before hiring Calipari.
• Todd admits not looking close enough at symptoms but still has faith that Calipari was right hire.

Scott Sets New Regional Record

Kentucky senior Rashaud Scott repeated in the discus at the regionals Saturday after capturing the shot put on Friday.

The senior led through the entire competition but his best effort came in his last throw of the day, getting him 216′ 2 and setting a new regional record.

Scott is ranked No. 1 nationally in the discus.

How to Appraise a Recruit

I thought I’d write a piece on how I appraise recruits. It may not be sound scientifically but having watched people for 60 years it works well enough for me to write write this. LOL

Positives to look for

• The obvious thing to look for is Basketball skills. The ability to drop kick a 3 pointer ranks at the bottom but is part of my Basketball skills list.
• Grades. Given the skills level of players I want to play for Kentucky I rank grades the second most important thing. I don’t want a player who doesn’t have the ability to do two things at once.
• Family. One parent or two parents not important. Closeness very important. Educated athletic parents even more important.
• Social skills. This is a hard one to judge since we are talking teens. Given two players with the same skills I’d be prone to pick the one with the better social skills. I know its not fair given the background some kids come from but its a good indicator of a kids confidence level.
• Potential. Does a player have another growth spurt. Can they add weight and strength and still get better.

Negative things to look at

• Still trying to pass a SAT or ACT in May.
• The “my people” syndrome. To much baggage.