Crow, medium rare, with a side of ranch

Well, I made the accusation that Cal wasn’t doing much to coach UK to beat a zone. So now, I’ll munch on those fine words, and savor them with salt.

To put it bluntly, Cal was sandbagging.

No question about it. No doubt in my mind. Flat out, SANDBAGGING. This team has just sort of muddled it’s way through the season. And don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying they were bad, they just kinda… went game to game, sometimes big, sometimes small, but just really sorta operated with a “shoot it and we’ll go get it attitude. Obviously worked to the tune of over 30 wins. But what we saw LAST weekend?.. No.

UK didn’t just have energy. I think most of us felt like they were just playing together the whole year for THIS tournament. To make their show here. But what we saw, was an exhibition. We saw meaningful cuts. We saw movement. We saw speed. We saw shooting. We saw passing. We saw depth.

Play a zone. Go right ahead. This team is ready. Play man to man. Play 6 on 5 if you think you can get away with it, because that will still only let you stay in the ballpark. It won’t get you a guaranteed win.

Cal was lying to the world. Just lying. He sat back. He kept his cards close. He low balled his way into this tournament, and now he’s putting it on display. And I mean all of that in the most respectful sense.

Like I posted in another thread on the board, and well before Kansas got their humble pie, and in SPITE of the ESPN twits, There is a biggest, longest, strongest, tallest, fastest, deepest, and most talented team in this tournament. And that team has “Kentucky” on its jersey.

Calonite

As Jimi might have sung. Have you been exposed well I have.

We all know the story of superman. How he was from Krypton and was sent away before the planet was destroyed and the only thing that could destroy him was pieces of the planet called Kryptonite.

There is another story out there that has been feeding off a more powerful element called Calonite. That story is the Kentucky Wildcats.

These super Cat’s have been exposed to Olroyonite, Calhounonite, Stallonite and Gaudionite this year with no ill effects. Even Foxonite and a light dose of Pearlonite did little but give the Cats a temporary headache.

Selfonite has been proven to be weak so there doesn’t seem to be to many onites left. Boeheimonite just doesn’t roll off the tongue right and Konite brings to many tears to the eyes to be strong.

Could there be a stronger onite out there? Sure there could but its going to take a good forty minute exposure to overcome the Calonite exposure these Cats have experienced.

Is there a player who has been exposed to Calonite more than Demarcus Cousins and responded as well to the exposure. The answer is one word “Nope”.

If I was a young man looking to play in the NBA I would look no further than Kentucky and what the exposure to Calonite has done to not just the freshmen but to every player on the team.

It’s NOT Business, It’s PERSONAL!

Happy “SUPER TUESDAY” CatLand! Ya’ll ready to put that #1 ranking on the line @ 9 & defend it like NoCats Business?!
I’m so past ready! We deserve this ranking more than any other team in the country right now & I’m hoping that the Cats conduct a ROAD STYLE CLINIC to emphasize the point! It’s not just because we know they deserve it. NO, for me, this has become PERSONAL. 

As a Cat by birthright, I’m used to all the negativity & hatred for the Wildcats & Big Blue Nation. Like many of you, my skin is riddled w/wrinkles & cracks but tougher than leather.
I professed my love for this team last week & like w/any & all things I love, I defend w/a fiery passion. Yes, I’m reveling in the hatred & envy we are once again receiving, but there comes a point in time when Kudos & Props are due! In our case, it’s quickly becoming Long Past Due & I’m going to start tallying the fines of the naysayers, haters & wannabe’s.

I think the thing that irks me the most is this WEAK argument of Kentucky hasn’t played anyone—- Okay, it’s all well & fine to have that opinion, but quit tryin to pass it off as a legitimate fact! The numbers don’t work in this arguments favor & the key witness is the SOS of the other Top 5 teams. I won’t even go into the Kansas schedule, it doesn’t take a basketball expert to see that their schedule is the laughin stock of the NCAA world this season. Yet, here the ACC chumps over on that Nazi Network aka espn is taunting them as the rightful #1. Question? Since when does the ACC  fall in love with the Big 12????? I think I’ve solved that mystery….. and the answer falls within an old cliche—-> The Enemy of My Enemy is my Friend. Don’t look now but the BLINDING HATRED by the powers that be is becoming more & more brazen, obvious & forthright. The characteristics that we, as Cat Fans, have known existed for years are beginning to solidy themselves from Paranoia to FACT. When the upper ranks of the college bb world begin to make off handed comments & suttle observations, you then finally know that YES, YOU ARE NOT CRAZY! (Well most of us, Mark—it’s okay hon, we love ya & would never disown ya. Every Family has Weird Ducks & you’re one of the more livelier ones!) Coach Cal~ is aware of this too…you can catch it all the time in his jabs when playing Meet The Press. Who all has he gotten at now??? I’ve lost count. But to date, my fav. was the WWII remark directed at that Creepy Old Notre Dame Coach, Digger. <— who by the way, will never let it go that we were always better than him & his Irish. ( 4-12 is the record btw) Digger is just one of a gazillion examples. Now the problem is this….. for those younger whipper snappers (not just w/in the BBN) The motivation is totally lost in translation simply because they don’t know their History & tend to look at the more popular analysts as the Be All End All truth in the wide world of sports with the result being what we’ve known for years, PREJUDICED, BIASED, SENSATIONAL JOURNALISM not only passed off but ACCEPTED AS PURE FACT. It disgusts me to NO END! Of course, I’m smart enough to know that this is a never ending battle that the BBN will NEVER win, but at the same time I refuse to sit idly by & allow these Haters to rage on w/o giving them my .2 worth.

You know, before Cal~ came here, YES! I was one of the Nations biggest finger pointers in regards to his record. And the 1st to shout out the words CAMBY & CHEATER! Ain’t it funny when the NIKE is on the other foot, you begin to look around for the facts of the matter? And then POOF! You discover that you were indeed wrong! That’s part of being a typical fan. However, it has taught me to look & look again when hearing & reading the supposed NEWS in college basketball. And when it comes right down to it, overall, we are generally GUIDED to misinformation & sensitized to the point that it becomes ACCEPTED information!

Now ya’ll know I LUVTHOSECATS but have the mindset that a loss or two is always, always good for TOURNAMENT DANCING. For once in my FELINE 9 LIVES, I HUNGER for an UNDEFEATED SEASON! Not just for that Banner #8 but out of sheer damned SPITE & We’ll show you attitude! I hope that same attitude resonates w/our Cats & Continues to make its presence known w/command & authority. I happen to love Boogie’s opinion—- “Us Against The World.” That’s right CUZ! In the end, banner or not, that’s the way it’s always going to be.

So, I say take everything we can & give nothing back!
1 world is going to become 1 BIG BLUE NATION! LIKE IT OR NOT!!! LOVE US OR HATE US you can’t deny one thing…..
WE’RE BACK, WE’RE BAD, WE’RE THE TEAM YOU WISH YOU HAD!
GO CATS
GO CATS
GO BIG BLUE!

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!

It’s official. I’m T totally 100% in love w/this team. I’ve always loved the Wildcats, it’s my family, friends & life all rolled into one. But every so often a team comes along, sneaks in, grabs your heart & runs w/it. Unlike the 96 Cats that delivered the Love @ 1st sight along w/my 1st love syndrome, the 09-10 team flirted, toyed & snuck in like a theif in the night w/a Big Thuggie Bear sealing the deal w/his 4 mos. old Peyton antics.

This team is setting itself apart from its predecessors in that they are forming an identity with characteristics of unity, compassion, involvement, & humanitarianism . I’ve told you in the past that there is no Coach better working w/these types of student athletes. Cal~ is not only bringing out the best in them on the court, he’s growing them emotionally as men leading by example. There is no doubt in my mind that every member on this team is going to contribute to society as a whole & will take pleasure in doing so in some way or another.
Just another ingredient in the kettle of Champions recipe.
Yes, Cal~ organized the Hoops for Haiti, making sure our Cats took on the active role, but you can’t make one enjoy & embrace such a role. It was obvious they did!
Maturity grew 10 fold yesterday & Mark My Words…. you will see it bear fruit on the Court, proving that all baskeball lessons aren’t learned in practices & games.
A heart of a Champion presented itself last night. Nevermind the struggle w/putting teams away early or the sluggish perimeter defense… these things will come w/time as they are growing up right before our very eyes. Ain’t it fun to watch?! (: It’s January & we’ve got a long way to go before Peak time….. why be in a such a hurry to reach it NOW???? I welcome watching them work through adversity. A lot of Cats were sweating that Auburn game & I heard many a time…… Auburn’s comin back on em, Auburn’s comin back on em —- to which I CONFIDENTLY replied “No, they’re not.” I know it makes many of us uncomfortable to watch them squander away the lead & play down to the competition …. you ever stop & think that this may indeed be this teams style & identity. It may very well be. Puts Me in the Mind of Sea Biscuit— always needing the challenge Neck To Neck to bring out his best.  Seabiscuit vs. War Admiral -1938 Match Race Pimlico “  “You know everybody thinks we found this broken down old horse & fixed him. We didn’t, he fixed us.  And I guess in a way, we fixed each other.”
Honestly, I hope they develop the skill of the KO punch, but we may all haft to realize that you don’t necessarily haft to EXCEL at every skill to get the W.
I’ve eluded many times to this being a Championship team. I’m starting to buy stock in it & if the Banner Market goes Belly Up so be it! It just seems we are watching History being made before our eyes. And I’m a firm believer in you get back 10 fold what you give.
I’ll end this w/some Kudo CatKisses to our King. BRILLIANCE Cats, BRILLIANCE PERSONIFIED. He’s smart enough to recognize the power at his hands & uses it for the greater good. That is LEADERSHIP. Do you realize that we just sent 500,000 dollars more to Haiti than the NY YANKEES!
WE’RE WINNERS on & off the court. And will be justly rewarded not just in March but for Life.
Coach Cal~ is showing the world just one of the few reasons we are the Flagship of College Basketball & why we SUCCEED.

On The Way To 8!
LuvThoseCaliCats!
Ms.Cats~

Roller Coaster Ride

HAPPY NEW YEAR CATLAND!
09 has been a roller coaster ride to say the least. And I’ll be the first to stand up & point my finger & call you a liar if you could actually say you knew all along what path our beloved program was going to take.

Snicker Snicker — remember back at the beginning of March what we’re all saying, thinking, anticipating—- “Oh God, just bring on Summer already.” I tell ya the opening of the Big Dance tore at my nerves more than Laettner’s last second shot ever could. And Cats, that’s sayin somethin!
When out in the parkin lot there arose a clatter of sordid beeps & pops …. the word was spreading like wildfire & BIG BLUE NATION dared themselves to get caught up in the moment—- MEMPHIS WAS OUT & RUMOR had it CAL~ WAS IN. Those millions of beeps & pops albeit a Memphis NewsCast’s chat room adorning the INFAMOUS DOOR in all its BIG BLUE WONDER teasing us, tempting us, demanding the attention of 1000’s…… with every swing it made the MIGHTY NATION that had fallen held its collective breath ONE MORE TIME.
Less was in Awe, Memphis was in Shock & BIG BLUE NATION was
INSPIRED!
The battle raged for what seemed like an eternity leaving in its wake a terrific twist of irony that no Cat Fan could ever dream. What started w/a “plane” leaving Florida 2 years ago transcended itself into the ENCORE of the Big Dance led by BIG BLUE NATIONS PLANE taking off in Memphis & arriving in KENTUCKY!
THE RETURN OF THE KING.
Ya gotta love it Catland~ we stole the show forcing the BIG DANCE & UofJail to become a mere warm-up act while capturing the minds & imagination of every journalists, analysts, commentator & coach from Sea to Shining Sea. Cats we gave a whole new definition to the word PartyCrasher. The hatred & envy began to swarm from Carolina to Arizona. All with the Signing & Playing of each NEW RECRUIT — We drew in our head each scenario best & bad but it was here, CAL~ was here with ABOUND!           

He dressed all in BLUE, a rather damper Gent I’d say, said all the right things, Gave us new goals to reach & DARED US TO DREAM!
Though some say he’s tarnished w/NCAA scandal, I choose to BELIEVE & Entrust the PRESSURE he can HANDLE!
In the end, it’s really no clue—- HE REALLY GETS IT Just like WE DO!
A marriage no better you’ll be hard pressed to find whilst leaving all the depression behind.

THE KING WILL BE CROWNED January 2nd — what of his arch rival ….. well, that remains to be seen. But all his glory & fame he lusted for ever after has left him only a bitter mean disaster.
Kinda odd how things can change so much in a year. The man many of us chose to Despise, Shun, Belittle & Ignore is no longer a fun target, but rather a pitiful lil soul. Yep, that’s  Kentucky Justice my fine fellow Cats & the evil doer’s are getting theirs AT LAST.

Here we are @ 13-0 with BIG BLUE CAT GRINS & RESOUNDING HO HO HO’s.
Will we go unbeaten? We just can’t say? But dernit we’re havin fun along the way!
SUCCESS is ours & we wear it well, just don’t ever forget the journey took us through Hell.
Appreciate, Have Fun & Enjoy this ride— it’ll be gone in the blink of an eye.
The luxury of being a fan is this— where our Cats can’t look forward, we can with BLISS.
I hope Santa Cat has one last trick & that’s beat down louisville with a BIG BLUE STICK. I don’t want it close, no overtimes, no last second shots although those are all fine…
NO A JAGOFF is what I want to be called as we dine on cardinal leftovers of a 35+ tail stompin.
I LOVE THESE CATS & I LOVE OUR NEW KING!
LET’S STAY BEHIND THEM & HELP GET THAT RING!
GO BIG BLUE!

Gunfight at the Calipari Corral

Mat Jones had a very good post on KSR where he calls out Pat Forde. Pat was quicker on the draw but dumber than the rattle snake he acts like. ESPN has once again allowed themselves to be embarrassed by Pat Forde and his inability to keep an objective view of what hes writing about when it comes to both Kentucky and his writing partner and heifer wrestler Rick Pitinio. He totally ignores the fact that while at U Mass. John Calipari informed the NCAA that Camby had signed with an agent in his eagerness to take the pressure off of cowboy Rick.

http://kentuckysportsradio.com/?p=26303

ESPN Fantasy World

Once again ESPN goes off the deep end into their fantasy world when Jemele Hill and Skip Bayless debate if John Calipari should be held accountable for the Memphis mess. Lets blame the coach not the clearing house or Rose who knew he was cheating.

Jemele Hill actually goes so far as to say its easy to understand how a kid can do something to bank roll his family. I agree its easy to understand but come on Jemele he knew he could hurt his team mates, Memphis and Calipari and you both put the blame on Calipari. Continue living in your fantasy world instead of putting the blame where it really belongs on the NCAA and Rose.

After listening to Pat Forde I still stand by my statement that ESPN is living in a fantasy world because the picture I used on the front page proves it. Funny how Forde conveniently ignores that Calipari is the one who found out that Camby had hired an agent and reported it to the NCAA.

UK Goes to The Wall!

What does John Calipari do with his # 1 ranked class in the country to enhance his recruiting season? Well, he goes out and lures the #1 player in the class to UK. Late last night, Slam Magazine confirmed that John Wall had selected UK among Miami, Florida, and Duke.

I can’t begin to express how ecstatic the UK fan base is now, what with the job that Calipari has done already in recruiting, and now landing Wall. Described by Dave Telep as, “The nation’s single most unguardable player”, Wall joins a class already loaded with 5- star recruits, Eric Bledsoe, Daniel Orton and DeMarcus Cousins. I foresee us fans talking UK basketball all summer.

There were some who believed that our signing Eric Bledsoe recently would affect John’s decision. It appears it had nothing to do with it. ““I’ve been thinking about it for the last couple of weeks. I sat down and prayed and thought about it. Last night we had a meeting and I just came out and told Brian “(Clifton).

It hasn’t been that long since some of the SEC coaches have said that UK’s dominance of the league was over…Well, that is about to change and change very quickly.

Calipari Gets His Man – Eric Bledsoe

UK filled a huge need for a point guard yesterday, when Eric Bledsoe announced he would play his college basketball for UK…The recruit from Birmingham, averaged 20.3 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 11.5 assists, per game last season for The Class 5A runner-up.

Bledsoe, is rated a 5 star pg, and 3^rd best in the class according to Rivals. ““It’s a dream come true for my son,” said Maureen.

The last year of Bledsoe’s life has felt like a dream. Seven months ago, nobody knew much about the 6-foot point guard from Parker. The only colleges who wanted him were UAB and Ole Miss — fine schools with fine coaches, but not exactly on the same level as Duke and UConn and Florida and Kentucky and Memphis.

“I was nervous (at not signing in November),” Bledsoe said. “Coach (Maurice Ford) told me if I waited, that a lot of schools were going to want a point guard. But I wasn’t sure. It wasn’t easy to wait.”

It was quiet in December and January. And then, almost out of nowhere, the phone started ringing. Jim Calhoun of UConn. Billy Donovan of Florida. Mike Krzyzewski of Duke. John Calipari of Memphis before he became John Calipari of Kentucky.

SEC Coaching Moving to Greater Heights

The SEC has 4 coaches who have won a national titles in Football. That’s impressive for any league and for any sport.

With the addition of John Calipari, Mark Fox and Anthony Grant to the conference, basketball is beginning to rival football in coaching abilities if not titles. If Bruce Pearl had gone to Memphis the SEC might have hit a small bump in the road to the top but who is to say that a better coach might not have taken the job.

Although it doesn’t have the depth of teams like the Big East nor the top heaviness of the ACC its obvious that the league can’t do anything but go up providing it shores up its cupcake schedules. One school almost sure to is Kentucky where new coach John Calipari knows the value of strong schedules.

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