Well, folks, not only are we on the top of the charts but we're a UNANIMOUS #1 in the AP Poll! Now let's just make sure that's how we finish on April 5th
Well, it looks like noooooo undefeated season for us. And we couldn't even hold on to our #1 ranking for two frickin' days. But, I have always maintained that the important thing is to go undefeated where it really counts--in the big dance.
Dodson's miss of an easy, virtually uncontested lay- up / dunk , was crucial. About 4 and half min left, would tie up the game and very likely take the wind out of So Carolina's sail.
Perhaps some of coach Cal's relatively short player workouts, should be devoted to lay-up practice ?
This aint no party,... this aint no disco,.. this aint no fooling around.
For those of you who didn't see this game, DEVON DOWNEY WAS AMAZING! That kid was unstoppable. Kentucky didn't really play all that bad. It's just that South Carolina (especially Downey) played out of their minds! I have never seen a guy 5'8" take over a game like that (and I've watched basketball for years). If Devon Downey is playing on TV, I will be watching next time.
UK plays great defense. It's not like they weren't trying. They double teamed Downey, and he still was unstoppable. I would have been impressed if Downey was 6'6", but this guy is 5'8". Truly amazing.
Brings back bad memories of Marquette and DeWayne Wade stopping us from going to the Final Four in 2003 (my last year there at UK!). To have had that happen after running the table in the SEC (like we did in 1996) and Tubby getting AP Coach of the Year was a huge letdown.
And then to add insult to injury, we come up just a double OT short of the Final Four in 2005 against Michigan State; the same team that stopped us from going to the Final Four in 1999. Until this year, we hadn't been a serious Final Four contender since and I hope and pray this year will be different.
Here is an very nice article by Gregg Doyel of CBS Sportsline.
************
The biggest winner all week was Kentucky basketball, and don't look at me like that. I know the score from Tuesday night, when unranked South Carolina beat the No. 1 Wildcats. That was Kentucky's first game in the No. 1 spot, and it was Kentucky's first loss of the season. The Wildcats will not be perfect this season.
Although, if you ask me, they already are.
And don't look at me like that. Like I said, I know what happened Tuesday at Columbia, S.C.: South Carolina 68, Kentucky 62.
But I know the score. The bigger score. And the biggest winner all week was Kentucky, which raised more than $1 million for Haiti. It's $1 million and counting, by the way. Kentucky isn't finished raising money for Haiti in the wake of a devastating earthquake.
Put that number in perspective. The American Red Cross, the gold standard in this country when it comes to helping others in their time of need, was among the first international groups to pledge money for Haiti. And how much did the Red Cross pledge? Exactly $1 million.
Kentucky basketball tried to send more money to Haiti than the American Red Cross.
That's not a swipe, in any sort of way, at the American Red Cross, which has since upped its donation to $10 million. It's applause for Kentucky basketball, and also for Kentucky's basketball fans. They are one and the same, this team and this fan base -- more than any team-and-fans in any sport in this country. The only symbiotic sporting relationship that comes close is the connection between the Green Bay Packers and their fans, but that's an imperfect analogy. The people of Wisconsin love their Packers, but they also have the Brewers in baseball and the Bucks in basketball, to go with a handful of colleges. They love a lot of teams in Wisconsin, although again, their love for the Packers is so powerful that it's the only one worth comparing to the connection between Kentucky basketball and the state of Kentucky. (And I hear you retching, Louisville fans. You're allowed to hate this story. Even if you know every single word of it is true.)
So while I'm applauding Kentucky basketball, I'm also going to applaud Kentucky basketball fans. It's too simplistic to say Kentucky basketball has raised more than $1 million (and counting) for Haiti without saying who wrote most of the checks: Kentucky basketball fans. This $1 million wasn't a money order from the Kentucky athletic department to Haiti. This was a whole lot of $5, $10 and $25 donations from the good people of Kentucky, a state that has been hit as hard as any by our country's economic struggles.
I'm not here to tell you the people of Kentucky have it worse than other people in other states. I'm just here to tell you that the people of Kentucky dug deep last week for almost $1 million for Haiti, which makes this a story that crosses basketball and even racial lines. According to the U.S. census, the state of Kentucky is about 7.7 percent black. Almost 95 percent of Haitians are descendants from Africa. What does the typical Kentuckian have in common with the typical Haitian? Very, very little. But they gave, did those people in Kentucky.
They gave more than China, which pledged $1 million for Haiti. They gave half as much as Germany, which pledged $2.17 million. Britain sent $10 million. Japan sent $5 million.
Kentucky basketball fans sent $1 million, and counting.
This remarkable story about Kentucky basketball, off the court, started with the same thing that has kick-started Kentucky basketball on the court: the vision of John Calipari. After the earthquake he organized a "Hoops for Haiti" telethon and urged UK fans to help, using his Twitter account -- which has more than 1 million followers -- to mobilize the masses.
Calipari then promised to get together a group of wealthy donors, himself included, that would meet whatever the rest of the Kentucky fan base produced. The first wave of callers donated more than $500,000. So the second wave, a group called "Cal's Pals for Haiti," matched it. That second, smaller group will be recognized at halftime Saturday of the Arkansas-Kentucky game at Rupp Arena. But the applause they receive will be applause for an entire fan base.
And if you're feeling good at this moment about Kentucky basketball fans, please allow yourself to feel good about the Kentucky basketball coach. Calipari isn't well-liked by people outside of the Kentucky fan base. We all know that. Memphis and Massachusetts reached the Final Four under him, and both schools symbolically vacated those appearances after reports of NCAA violations. That's the history, and you know the history, and because of that history, a lot of people -- a lot of you -- don't like John Calipari. I get that.
Me, I like Calipari. Always have. I have no idea if he knew that an agent had seduced his star player, Marcus Camby, back when Camby was a junior at UMass in 1996. And I have no idea if he knew that his star recruit, Derrick Rose of Chicago, had found an objectionable way in Detroit to post the SAT score necessary to be eligible as a freshman at Memphis.
But I know this:
An earthquake devastated Haiti on Jan. 12, and within five days Calipari had used the power and the passion of Kentucky basketball to raise more than $1 million for victims, with more on the way as Calipari is auctioning off a dinner with himself and Ashley Judd to the highest bidder. President Obama felt the need to call Calipari and thank him, and Kentucky basketball fans, for their help. Maybe you can tell, but I still can't believe this story. The Kentucky basketball community gave $1 million! That's as much as all of India. It's more than Sweden ($850,000). Nothing against those countries, either. Good for them. Every bit helps.
Kentucky lost to unranked South Carolina on Tuesday night, but I've never been more impressed with the Wildcats.
I'm certainly very pleased that we managed to beat Vandy by a pretty convincing margin; that's the way to shake off a loss! I have no doubt though Vandy will put up a much better fight when we play them at their house later though. But we'll be ready for 'em! And Mr. Cousins, you're not going to do us much good on the bench or in the locker room; PLEZ learn to play nice!
All that matters now is a number 1 seed. I would still love to see them win out and be 39-1. Probably won't happen, though. >>
Not bad but I consider the AP poll the REAL poll. But seriously, the important thing (like you said) is to clinch the top seed (to give us the highest probability of reaching the Final Four) and bring home that shiny gold trophy come April 5th. After all, we can't let probable one year wonders Mr. Wall and Mr. Cousins go to waste, now can we?
<< <i>Thanks for the beating. I think we may need one more this year. >>
Your welcome. I think you will get revenge come football season....or maybe we just got revenge for this past football season...or maybe that was your revenge for the previous basketball season...or maybe that was our revenge for the previous football season... or maybe... I think you get the picture!
I'm sure pleased that though Tennessee hung in there for most of the game, we (as always) were able to pull away at the end! Though I imagine come Feb 27 when we play at their place, we'll most definitely get a much better fight! Though unfortunately for us, Mr. Cousins got a "T" in that game. So it looks like he still has to continue working on playing nice, especially seeing as how other teams are trying to intentionally rough him up to try to provoke him and get T's. Sounds pretty dirty and unsportsmanlike to me, but I suppose all's fair in love and basketball. The fact that the rest of the SEC no doubt views us as the "Evil Empire" probably has something to do with that conduct too.
EDIT--I don't believe this; you know how in order to move up in the rankings, either Kansas or Syracuse has to lose? Well lookie who's playing Syracuse today. Now this is not good... Do we really, really actually have to root for LOSERVILLE??? True we'd move up to second place if they win but still, this is LOSERVILLE we're talking about! Now I could handle pulling for Indiana over Duke in 2002 (as much as I love to tease and call Indiana "Clown U", we really, reallyHATE the Dukes!!), but I don't know about this one...
Well, I was asleep at the time (I work overnight shifts so I must sleep during the day) but I'm pleased that Syracuse was properly disposed of and thus we will move up to second place.
It sure was a nailbiter but I'm very pleased that we pulled through despite Coach Cal's self-described "stupid timeout". With only four regular season games to go (and other than the Tennessee game, they shouldn't be much of a challenge), we should be well on our way to wrapping up a #1 seed! That'll give us the highest probability for making the Final Four (though it's certainly no guarantee; see how we did in 2004 with the overall top seed ) and ultimately becoming the champs!
Who do you think? After South Carolina lost us our undefeated season, you can bet we'll be hungry for revenge! And we must stay focused on wrapping up that top seed! Though if we can get a little help from Kansas, we could get the top overall seed... That would give us the highest probability of winning the championship, though it's certainly no guarantee (see 2004 ).
Frank Hardy, good call on the South Carolina game, looks like it was a thumping.
Estil, I'm a Kansas fan, looks like we clearly have the two best teams in the country this year. We have three tough games left, Oklahoma State at their place, then home games against K-State and Missouri. So Kentucky could possibly get the No. 1 overall ranking if we stumble. I sure hope not though.
Edited to say the Missouri game is away, so its even tougher.
You sound like a rational, well mannered fan of an enemy team. Let's keep it that way. I hate all of the fighting that goes on at team message boards. I like fun, good natured rivalries. Let's hope UK and KU meet in the National Championship and may the best team win. Of course, that would be UK!
<< <i>Frank Hardy, good call on the South Carolina game, looks like it was a thumping.
Estil, I'm a Kansas fan, looks like we clearly have the two best teams in the country this year. We have three tough games left, Oklahoma State at their place, then home games against K-State and Missouri. So Kentucky could possibly get the No. 1 overall ranking if we stumble. I sure hope not though.
Edited to say the Missouri game is away, so its even tougher. >>
Oh believe me, I hope we get put on opposite halves of the bracket and we meet each other for the championship! That nice silver trophy will look very nice in Kansas' trophy case.
But yes, I wouldn't mind if you gave us a little help and put us back at first place in the poll.
How could this have happened????? Tennessee was supposed to be in a freefall, losing 3 out of their last 5 games! They should've been easy pickin's for us and we didn't get it done. And to make matters worse, Kansas FINALLY did indeed lose, but a lot of good that does us now...
We could've moved back into first place if we had just taken care of business!!!!!
Well folks, we just properly disposed of Florida on our Senior Night (it looks like Mr. Patterson isn't quite sure if he's coming back or not though...) and so now it's SEC Tournament time, baby!! I listed after our regular season schedule (only two losses and we completely ran the table at home; way to go Cats!!!) and listed our most likely opponents for the SEC Tournament. Looks like as long as we don't do anything stupid in the SEC Tournament (like lose the first game), we'll have that #1 NCAA Tournament seed for sure!!
Although I was quite disappointed in our performance against Alabama, we sure made up for it against Tenneessee!! It looks like our boys have finally woken up and realized what they're playing for! Now all we gotta do is take out Mississippi State (who coincidentally is who we faced in the SEC Tournament Final during our magical 1996 season) and we'll be going snippity snip snip at the nets for the first of three times!
In not so great news, Kansas has won their conference tournament and have thus clinched the top overall seed, so it looks like we'll have to settle for a regular #1 seed.
THE KENTUCKY WILDCATS ARE 2010 SEC TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS!!!!!! SNIPPITY SNIP SNIP go the nets, baby!
Sorry for the delay folks, I actually had to DVR the game because I work overnight shifts and it came on too early (I was sleeping at the time), but yes, my wife and I watched it together and that was so exciting to see us with literally only 0.1 seconds remaining make the bucket that led to Mississippi State kicking the bucket in OT! Though it certainly sucks balls for the Bulldogs to literally miss the NCAA Tournament by an inch off a fingertip.
But anyway, I'm just as pleased as punch for us to win the conference tournament for the first time since 2004, though we would've gotten the second #1 seed win, lose, or draw. But playing for pride and extra hardware sure can't hurt, right? Now we're only four wins away from going snippity snip snip again! And then two more (hopefully we'll get the Dukes and then Kansas; I'm definitely looking forward to facing them for the pennant and then the championship) to go snippity snip snip a third time!
BTW, talk about no respect from the CBS Selection Sunday hosts!! Neither of them picked us to go to the Final Four even though we have just as good a record and hardware this year as Kansas!!!!! Someone should ring their necks! We'll use the nets we cut down to go to the Final Four to do so. Also, I thought local Murray State (with only four losses) would get a better seed than 13th. Oh well.
EDIT: Well, I just posted our road to the Final Four! Though our second round match up is a toss up (like any 8 vs 9 matchup), for the next two games I simply put for the time being the highest seeds as that is who we'll most likely face.
You're sorry for the delay? How many people do you think read this? Let's face it, its you, Frank, Ashley Judd and me. And I just read it to find out what's going on with the second best team in the country. Let's hope Kentucky doesn't meet Kansas, we really don't want to make Ashley cry.
Well folks our journey begins today! I don't know about the rest of you but I'm just a little anxious to watch Kentucky get up there and whup ET's ass that's all. I'll give you a cookie if you can tell me what movie quote that's based off of.
EDIT: And whup ET's ass we did!! I'm so pleased to see us so properly dispose of them by 29 points. Just one down and five more to go till we have that big blue 2010 NCAA Champions banner hanging in the rafters of Rupp Arena!!!!!!
I got to tell ya, when Kansas lost in that shocker, it kinda freaked me out a little because I figured Wake Forest was no doubt watching and wondering/hoping they could do the same to us. And they did indeed give us a good fight...for the first few minutes. I definitely did not believe we would beat Wake Forest even more convincingly than ET. And of course it's always nice for three of our "Rudys" (walk-ons) to get a basket in the big dance, right?
If only Cornell and West Virginia were that easy...
If Kentucky gets beat, they were too young and inexperienced.
If Kentucky wins in all, Kentucky cheated and Calipari is a slim ball. It will also be said that this was a "down year" for college basketball.
Mark my words, that is what you will hear. No credit will be given to them. Nothing will be said about how Calipari got three freshmen (4 if you count Orton) and possibly 4 first round picks to gel and become an unselfish basketball team.
What we are watching is amazing. John Wall could average 30 points per game if he wanted to, but he is so unselfish and so poised running this team. Patrick Patterson is a tremendous basketball player and could get really ticked off at the publicity that the younger guys are getting, but he is so mature and classy that he doesn't let that stuff bother him. Patterson also will graduate after only 3 years in college. John Wall also is a tremendous student. He doesn't skip class and leads the team in GPA. And what about DeMarcus Cousins? Everybody has been saying that Cousins would implode emotionally during this tournament. He hasn't even come close to flying off the handle. That thug from Wake Forest mugged Cousins, and Cousins just got up and started clapping. He has really grown up.
If people would just get past their hatred for Kentucky and Coach Cal, they just might appreciate what is happening here - a bunch of young guys gelling as a great team and having a great time doing it.
If Kentucky gets beat, they were too young and inexperienced.
If Kentucky wins in all, Kentucky cheated and Calipari is a slim ball. It will also be said that this was a "down year" for college basketball.
Mark my words, that is what you will hear. No credit will be given to them. Nothing will be said about how Calipari got three freshmen (4 if you count Orton) and possibly 4 first round picks to gel and become an unselfish basketball team.
What we are watching is amazing. John Wall could average 30 points per game if he wanted to, but he is so unselfish and so poised running this team. Patrick Patterson is a tremendous basketball player and could get really ticked off at the publicity that the younger guys are getting, but he is so mature and classy that he doesn't let that stuff bother him. Patterson also will graduate after only 3 years in college. John Wall also is a tremendous student. He doesn't skip class and leads the team in GPA. And what about DeMarcus Cousins? Everybody has been saying that Cousins would implode emotionally during this tournament. He hasn't even come close to flying off the handle. That thug from Wake Forest mugged Cousins, and Cousins just got up and started clapping. He has really grown up.
If people would just get past their hatred for Kentucky and Coach Cal, they just might appreciate what is happening here - a bunch of young guys gelling as a great team and having a great time doing it. >>
Well I have no hatred for Kentucky. I do think Calipari is a cheater, but that has been discussed by all and doesn't matter anymore. If they win, they win. Been a good run for them. Not as impressive to me as U-M's 5 freshman starting and making it to the finals, but hey... They apparently were cheaters too.
Well folks, Cornell sure tried to keep up with us, and a couple of times there they thought they could sneak back in. But I knew Kentucky wasn't going to let that happen, and in the end we pulled out a fairly convincing 17 point win! Kentucky is now in their 30th Elite Eight! Now all we gotta do is take out the Mountaineers on Saturday and it'll be snippity snip snip time for the Cats!
This has got to be our year; I can just feel it...
Well, I'll give you this--after 3 straight years of "Kentucky Quest for the Final Four" Jinx threads, this one had the most posts. Looking forward to next years jinx thread.
I collect Vintage Cards, Commemorative Sets, and way too many vintage and modern player collections in Baseball (180 players), Football (175 players), and Basketball (87 players). Also have a Dallas Cowboy team collection.
This really reminded me of 2003 when we ran into Marquette (except without getting beat by one particular player). It just didn't help matters that we waited so long to figure out how to shoot 3's today. In any event, congratulations to the Mountaineers; good luck in Indy and beat Duke for us, okay?
*sigh* I guess it just wasn't meant to be... But then again, who before the start of this season really thought we'd even get this far?
I wonder if we can sweet talk Wall/Cousins/Patterson into coming back for 2011...
Comments
D's: 54S,53P,50P,49S,45D+S,44S,43D,41S,40D+S,39D+S,38D+S,37D+S,36S,35D+S,all 16-34's
Q's: 52S,47S,46S,40S,39S,38S,37D+S,36D+S,35D,34D,32D+S
74T: 37,38,47,151,193,241,435,570,610,654,655 97 Finest silver: 115,135,139,145,310
73T:31,55,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,80,152,165,189,213,235,237,257,341,344,377,379,390,422,433,453,480,497,545,554,563,580,606,613,630
95 Ultra GM Sets: Golden Prospects,HR Kings,On-Base Leaders,Power Plus,RBI Kings,Rising Stars
In other news, Coach Cal raises over $1,000,000 in Haiti relief effort.
Shane
<< <i>I'm sure Coach Cal, the slim ball, cheated in some way. >>
Now now, frankhardy, I thought you were on my side.
D's: 54S,53P,50P,49S,45D+S,44S,43D,41S,40D+S,39D+S,38D+S,37D+S,36S,35D+S,all 16-34's
Q's: 52S,47S,46S,40S,39S,38S,37D+S,36D+S,35D,34D,32D+S
74T: 37,38,47,151,193,241,435,570,610,654,655 97 Finest silver: 115,135,139,145,310
73T:31,55,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,80,152,165,189,213,235,237,257,341,344,377,379,390,422,433,453,480,497,545,554,563,580,606,613,630
95 Ultra GM Sets: Golden Prospects,HR Kings,On-Base Leaders,Power Plus,RBI Kings,Rising Stars
Shane
D's: 54S,53P,50P,49S,45D+S,44S,43D,41S,40D+S,39D+S,38D+S,37D+S,36S,35D+S,all 16-34's
Q's: 52S,47S,46S,40S,39S,38S,37D+S,36D+S,35D,34D,32D+S
74T: 37,38,47,151,193,241,435,570,610,654,655 97 Finest silver: 115,135,139,145,310
73T:31,55,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,80,152,165,189,213,235,237,257,341,344,377,379,390,422,433,453,480,497,545,554,563,580,606,613,630
95 Ultra GM Sets: Golden Prospects,HR Kings,On-Base Leaders,Power Plus,RBI Kings,Rising Stars
About 4 and half min left, would tie up the game and very likely take the wind out of So Carolina's sail.
Perhaps some of coach Cal's relatively short player workouts, should be devoted to lay-up practice ?
D's: 54S,53P,50P,49S,45D+S,44S,43D,41S,40D+S,39D+S,38D+S,37D+S,36S,35D+S,all 16-34's
Q's: 52S,47S,46S,40S,39S,38S,37D+S,36D+S,35D,34D,32D+S
74T: 37,38,47,151,193,241,435,570,610,654,655 97 Finest silver: 115,135,139,145,310
73T:31,55,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,80,152,165,189,213,235,237,257,341,344,377,379,390,422,433,453,480,497,545,554,563,580,606,613,630
95 Ultra GM Sets: Golden Prospects,HR Kings,On-Base Leaders,Power Plus,RBI Kings,Rising Stars
UK plays great defense. It's not like they weren't trying. They double teamed Downey, and he still was unstoppable. I would have been impressed if Downey was 6'6", but this guy is 5'8". Truly amazing.
Shane
And then to add insult to injury, we come up just a double OT short of the Final Four in 2005 against Michigan State; the same team that stopped us from going to the Final Four in 1999. Until this year, we hadn't been a serious Final Four contender since and I hope and pray this year will be different.
D's: 54S,53P,50P,49S,45D+S,44S,43D,41S,40D+S,39D+S,38D+S,37D+S,36S,35D+S,all 16-34's
Q's: 52S,47S,46S,40S,39S,38S,37D+S,36D+S,35D,34D,32D+S
74T: 37,38,47,151,193,241,435,570,610,654,655 97 Finest silver: 115,135,139,145,310
73T:31,55,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,80,152,165,189,213,235,237,257,341,344,377,379,390,422,433,453,480,497,545,554,563,580,606,613,630
95 Ultra GM Sets: Golden Prospects,HR Kings,On-Base Leaders,Power Plus,RBI Kings,Rising Stars
************
The biggest winner all week was Kentucky basketball, and don't look at me like that. I know the score from Tuesday night, when unranked South Carolina beat the No. 1 Wildcats. That was Kentucky's first game in the No. 1 spot, and it was Kentucky's first loss of the season. The Wildcats will not be perfect this season.
Although, if you ask me, they already are.
And don't look at me like that. Like I said, I know what happened Tuesday at Columbia, S.C.: South Carolina 68, Kentucky 62.
But I know the score. The bigger score. And the biggest winner all week was Kentucky, which raised more than $1 million for Haiti. It's $1 million and counting, by the way. Kentucky isn't finished raising money for Haiti in the wake of a devastating earthquake.
Put that number in perspective. The American Red Cross, the gold standard in this country when it comes to helping others in their time of need, was among the first international groups to pledge money for Haiti. And how much did the Red Cross pledge? Exactly $1 million.
Kentucky basketball tried to send more money to Haiti than the American Red Cross.
That's not a swipe, in any sort of way, at the American Red Cross, which has since upped its donation to $10 million. It's applause for Kentucky basketball, and also for Kentucky's basketball fans. They are one and the same, this team and this fan base -- more than any team-and-fans in any sport in this country. The only symbiotic sporting relationship that comes close is the connection between the Green Bay Packers and their fans, but that's an imperfect analogy. The people of Wisconsin love their Packers, but they also have the Brewers in baseball and the Bucks in basketball, to go with a handful of colleges. They love a lot of teams in Wisconsin, although again, their love for the Packers is so powerful that it's the only one worth comparing to the connection between Kentucky basketball and the state of Kentucky. (And I hear you retching, Louisville fans. You're allowed to hate this story. Even if you know every single word of it is true.)
So while I'm applauding Kentucky basketball, I'm also going to applaud Kentucky basketball fans. It's too simplistic to say Kentucky basketball has raised more than $1 million (and counting) for Haiti without saying who wrote most of the checks: Kentucky basketball fans. This $1 million wasn't a money order from the Kentucky athletic department to Haiti. This was a whole lot of $5, $10 and $25 donations from the good people of Kentucky, a state that has been hit as hard as any by our country's economic struggles.
I'm not here to tell you the people of Kentucky have it worse than other people in other states. I'm just here to tell you that the people of Kentucky dug deep last week for almost $1 million for Haiti, which makes this a story that crosses basketball and even racial lines. According to the U.S. census, the state of Kentucky is about 7.7 percent black. Almost 95 percent of Haitians are descendants from Africa. What does the typical Kentuckian have in common with the typical Haitian? Very, very little. But they gave, did those people in Kentucky.
They gave more than China, which pledged $1 million for Haiti. They gave half as much as Germany, which pledged $2.17 million. Britain sent $10 million. Japan sent $5 million.
Kentucky basketball fans sent $1 million, and counting.
This remarkable story about Kentucky basketball, off the court, started with the same thing that has kick-started Kentucky basketball on the court: the vision of John Calipari. After the earthquake he organized a "Hoops for Haiti" telethon and urged UK fans to help, using his Twitter account -- which has more than 1 million followers -- to mobilize the masses.
Calipari then promised to get together a group of wealthy donors, himself included, that would meet whatever the rest of the Kentucky fan base produced. The first wave of callers donated more than $500,000. So the second wave, a group called "Cal's Pals for Haiti," matched it. That second, smaller group will be recognized at halftime Saturday of the Arkansas-Kentucky game at Rupp Arena. But the applause they receive will be applause for an entire fan base.
And if you're feeling good at this moment about Kentucky basketball fans, please allow yourself to feel good about the Kentucky basketball coach. Calipari isn't well-liked by people outside of the Kentucky fan base. We all know that. Memphis and Massachusetts reached the Final Four under him, and both schools symbolically vacated those appearances after reports of NCAA violations. That's the history, and you know the history, and because of that history, a lot of people -- a lot of you -- don't like John Calipari. I get that.
Me, I like Calipari. Always have. I have no idea if he knew that an agent had seduced his star player, Marcus Camby, back when Camby was a junior at UMass in 1996. And I have no idea if he knew that his star recruit, Derrick Rose of Chicago, had found an objectionable way in Detroit to post the SAT score necessary to be eligible as a freshman at Memphis.
But I know this:
An earthquake devastated Haiti on Jan. 12, and within five days Calipari had used the power and the passion of Kentucky basketball to raise more than $1 million for victims, with more on the way as Calipari is auctioning off a dinner with himself and Ashley Judd to the highest bidder. President Obama felt the need to call Calipari and thank him, and Kentucky basketball fans, for their help. Maybe you can tell, but I still can't believe this story. The Kentucky basketball community gave $1 million! That's as much as all of India. It's more than Sweden ($850,000). Nothing against those countries, either. Good for them. Every bit helps.
Kentucky lost to unranked South Carolina on Tuesday night, but I've never been more impressed with the Wildcats.
Shane
D's: 54S,53P,50P,49S,45D+S,44S,43D,41S,40D+S,39D+S,38D+S,37D+S,36S,35D+S,all 16-34's
Q's: 52S,47S,46S,40S,39S,38S,37D+S,36D+S,35D,34D,32D+S
74T: 37,38,47,151,193,241,435,570,610,654,655 97 Finest silver: 115,135,139,145,310
73T:31,55,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,80,152,165,189,213,235,237,257,341,344,377,379,390,422,433,453,480,497,545,554,563,580,606,613,630
95 Ultra GM Sets: Golden Prospects,HR Kings,On-Base Leaders,Power Plus,RBI Kings,Rising Stars
D's: 54S,53P,50P,49S,45D+S,44S,43D,41S,40D+S,39D+S,38D+S,37D+S,36S,35D+S,all 16-34's
Q's: 52S,47S,46S,40S,39S,38S,37D+S,36D+S,35D,34D,32D+S
74T: 37,38,47,151,193,241,435,570,610,654,655 97 Finest silver: 115,135,139,145,310
73T:31,55,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,80,152,165,189,213,235,237,257,341,344,377,379,390,422,433,453,480,497,545,554,563,580,606,613,630
95 Ultra GM Sets: Golden Prospects,HR Kings,On-Base Leaders,Power Plus,RBI Kings,Rising Stars
D's: 54S,53P,50P,49S,45D+S,44S,43D,41S,40D+S,39D+S,38D+S,37D+S,36S,35D+S,all 16-34's
Q's: 52S,47S,46S,40S,39S,38S,37D+S,36D+S,35D,34D,32D+S
74T: 37,38,47,151,193,241,435,570,610,654,655 97 Finest silver: 115,135,139,145,310
73T:31,55,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,80,152,165,189,213,235,237,257,341,344,377,379,390,422,433,453,480,497,545,554,563,580,606,613,630
95 Ultra GM Sets: Golden Prospects,HR Kings,On-Base Leaders,Power Plus,RBI Kings,Rising Stars
All that matters now is a number 1 seed. I would still love to see them win out and be 39-1. Probably won't happen, though.
Shane
<< <i>Number 2 in ESPN/USA Today rankings.
All that matters now is a number 1 seed. I would still love to see them win out and be 39-1. Probably won't happen, though. >>
Not bad but I consider the AP poll the REAL poll. But seriously, the important thing (like you said) is to clinch the top seed (to give us the highest probability of reaching the Final Four) and bring home that shiny gold trophy come April 5th.
D's: 54S,53P,50P,49S,45D+S,44S,43D,41S,40D+S,39D+S,38D+S,37D+S,36S,35D+S,all 16-34's
Q's: 52S,47S,46S,40S,39S,38S,37D+S,36D+S,35D,34D,32D+S
74T: 37,38,47,151,193,241,435,570,610,654,655 97 Finest silver: 115,135,139,145,310
73T:31,55,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,80,152,165,189,213,235,237,257,341,344,377,379,390,422,433,453,480,497,545,554,563,580,606,613,630
95 Ultra GM Sets: Golden Prospects,HR Kings,On-Base Leaders,Power Plus,RBI Kings,Rising Stars
<< <i>Thanks for the beating. I think we may need one more this year. >>
Your welcome. I think you will get revenge come football season....or maybe we just got revenge for this past football season...or maybe that was your revenge for the previous basketball season...or maybe that was our revenge for the previous football season... or maybe... I think you get the picture!
Shane
EDIT--I don't believe this; you know how in order to move up in the rankings, either Kansas or Syracuse has to lose? Well lookie who's playing Syracuse today. Now this is not good... Do we really, really actually have to root for LOSERVILLE??? True we'd move up to second place if they win but still, this is LOSERVILLE we're talking about! Now I could handle pulling for Indiana over Duke in 2002 (as much as I love to tease and call Indiana "Clown U", we really, really HATE the Dukes!!), but I don't know about this one...
D's: 54S,53P,50P,49S,45D+S,44S,43D,41S,40D+S,39D+S,38D+S,37D+S,36S,35D+S,all 16-34's
Q's: 52S,47S,46S,40S,39S,38S,37D+S,36D+S,35D,34D,32D+S
74T: 37,38,47,151,193,241,435,570,610,654,655 97 Finest silver: 115,135,139,145,310
73T:31,55,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,80,152,165,189,213,235,237,257,341,344,377,379,390,422,433,453,480,497,545,554,563,580,606,613,630
95 Ultra GM Sets: Golden Prospects,HR Kings,On-Base Leaders,Power Plus,RBI Kings,Rising Stars
Shane
EDIT--Well, now it's official.
D's: 54S,53P,50P,49S,45D+S,44S,43D,41S,40D+S,39D+S,38D+S,37D+S,36S,35D+S,all 16-34's
Q's: 52S,47S,46S,40S,39S,38S,37D+S,36D+S,35D,34D,32D+S
74T: 37,38,47,151,193,241,435,570,610,654,655 97 Finest silver: 115,135,139,145,310
73T:31,55,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,80,152,165,189,213,235,237,257,341,344,377,379,390,422,433,453,480,497,545,554,563,580,606,613,630
95 Ultra GM Sets: Golden Prospects,HR Kings,On-Base Leaders,Power Plus,RBI Kings,Rising Stars
D's: 54S,53P,50P,49S,45D+S,44S,43D,41S,40D+S,39D+S,38D+S,37D+S,36S,35D+S,all 16-34's
Q's: 52S,47S,46S,40S,39S,38S,37D+S,36D+S,35D,34D,32D+S
74T: 37,38,47,151,193,241,435,570,610,654,655 97 Finest silver: 115,135,139,145,310
73T:31,55,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,80,152,165,189,213,235,237,257,341,344,377,379,390,422,433,453,480,497,545,554,563,580,606,613,630
95 Ultra GM Sets: Golden Prospects,HR Kings,On-Base Leaders,Power Plus,RBI Kings,Rising Stars
Shane
D's: 54S,53P,50P,49S,45D+S,44S,43D,41S,40D+S,39D+S,38D+S,37D+S,36S,35D+S,all 16-34's
Q's: 52S,47S,46S,40S,39S,38S,37D+S,36D+S,35D,34D,32D+S
74T: 37,38,47,151,193,241,435,570,610,654,655 97 Finest silver: 115,135,139,145,310
73T:31,55,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,80,152,165,189,213,235,237,257,341,344,377,379,390,422,433,453,480,497,545,554,563,580,606,613,630
95 Ultra GM Sets: Golden Prospects,HR Kings,On-Base Leaders,Power Plus,RBI Kings,Rising Stars
<< <i>I really, really look forward to Thursday against South Carolina at Rupp. I predict a major thumping. >>
Who's the Thumper and who's the Thumpee?
D's: 54S,53P,50P,49S,45D+S,44S,43D,41S,40D+S,39D+S,38D+S,37D+S,36S,35D+S,all 16-34's
Q's: 52S,47S,46S,40S,39S,38S,37D+S,36D+S,35D,34D,32D+S
74T: 37,38,47,151,193,241,435,570,610,654,655 97 Finest silver: 115,135,139,145,310
73T:31,55,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,80,152,165,189,213,235,237,257,341,344,377,379,390,422,433,453,480,497,545,554,563,580,606,613,630
95 Ultra GM Sets: Golden Prospects,HR Kings,On-Base Leaders,Power Plus,RBI Kings,Rising Stars
Estil, I'm a Kansas fan, looks like we clearly have the two best teams in the country this year. We have three tough games left, Oklahoma State at their place, then home games against K-State and Missouri. So Kentucky could possibly get the No. 1 overall ranking if we stumble. I sure hope not though.
Edited to say the Missouri game is away, so its even tougher.
You sound like a rational, well mannered fan of an enemy team. Let's keep it that way. I hate all of the fighting that goes on at team message boards. I like fun, good natured rivalries. Let's hope UK and KU meet in the National Championship and may the best team win. Of course, that would be UK!
Shane
<< <i>Frank Hardy, good call on the South Carolina game, looks like it was a thumping.
Estil, I'm a Kansas fan, looks like we clearly have the two best teams in the country this year. We have three tough games left, Oklahoma State at their place, then home games against K-State and Missouri. So Kentucky could possibly get the No. 1 overall ranking if we stumble. I sure hope not though.
Edited to say the Missouri game is away, so its even tougher.
Oh believe me, I hope we get put on opposite halves of the bracket and we meet each other for the championship! That nice silver trophy will look very nice in Kansas' trophy case.
But yes, I wouldn't mind if you gave us a little help and put us back at first place in the poll.
D's: 54S,53P,50P,49S,45D+S,44S,43D,41S,40D+S,39D+S,38D+S,37D+S,36S,35D+S,all 16-34's
Q's: 52S,47S,46S,40S,39S,38S,37D+S,36D+S,35D,34D,32D+S
74T: 37,38,47,151,193,241,435,570,610,654,655 97 Finest silver: 115,135,139,145,310
73T:31,55,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,80,152,165,189,213,235,237,257,341,344,377,379,390,422,433,453,480,497,545,554,563,580,606,613,630
95 Ultra GM Sets: Golden Prospects,HR Kings,On-Base Leaders,Power Plus,RBI Kings,Rising Stars
We could've moved back into first place if we had just taken care of business!!!!!
D's: 54S,53P,50P,49S,45D+S,44S,43D,41S,40D+S,39D+S,38D+S,37D+S,36S,35D+S,all 16-34's
Q's: 52S,47S,46S,40S,39S,38S,37D+S,36D+S,35D,34D,32D+S
74T: 37,38,47,151,193,241,435,570,610,654,655 97 Finest silver: 115,135,139,145,310
73T:31,55,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,80,152,165,189,213,235,237,257,341,344,377,379,390,422,433,453,480,497,545,554,563,580,606,613,630
95 Ultra GM Sets: Golden Prospects,HR Kings,On-Base Leaders,Power Plus,RBI Kings,Rising Stars
D's: 54S,53P,50P,49S,45D+S,44S,43D,41S,40D+S,39D+S,38D+S,37D+S,36S,35D+S,all 16-34's
Q's: 52S,47S,46S,40S,39S,38S,37D+S,36D+S,35D,34D,32D+S
74T: 37,38,47,151,193,241,435,570,610,654,655 97 Finest silver: 115,135,139,145,310
73T:31,55,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,80,152,165,189,213,235,237,257,341,344,377,379,390,422,433,453,480,497,545,554,563,580,606,613,630
95 Ultra GM Sets: Golden Prospects,HR Kings,On-Base Leaders,Power Plus,RBI Kings,Rising Stars
of all time! Render to Caesar's what is
Caesars and give to God what is God's.
D's: 54S,53P,50P,49S,45D+S,44S,43D,41S,40D+S,39D+S,38D+S,37D+S,36S,35D+S,all 16-34's
Q's: 52S,47S,46S,40S,39S,38S,37D+S,36D+S,35D,34D,32D+S
74T: 37,38,47,151,193,241,435,570,610,654,655 97 Finest silver: 115,135,139,145,310
73T:31,55,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,80,152,165,189,213,235,237,257,341,344,377,379,390,422,433,453,480,497,545,554,563,580,606,613,630
95 Ultra GM Sets: Golden Prospects,HR Kings,On-Base Leaders,Power Plus,RBI Kings,Rising Stars
D's: 54S,53P,50P,49S,45D+S,44S,43D,41S,40D+S,39D+S,38D+S,37D+S,36S,35D+S,all 16-34's
Q's: 52S,47S,46S,40S,39S,38S,37D+S,36D+S,35D,34D,32D+S
74T: 37,38,47,151,193,241,435,570,610,654,655 97 Finest silver: 115,135,139,145,310
73T:31,55,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,80,152,165,189,213,235,237,257,341,344,377,379,390,422,433,453,480,497,545,554,563,580,606,613,630
95 Ultra GM Sets: Golden Prospects,HR Kings,On-Base Leaders,Power Plus,RBI Kings,Rising Stars
In not so great news, Kansas has won their conference tournament and have thus clinched the top overall seed, so it looks like we'll have to settle for a regular #1 seed.
D's: 54S,53P,50P,49S,45D+S,44S,43D,41S,40D+S,39D+S,38D+S,37D+S,36S,35D+S,all 16-34's
Q's: 52S,47S,46S,40S,39S,38S,37D+S,36D+S,35D,34D,32D+S
74T: 37,38,47,151,193,241,435,570,610,654,655 97 Finest silver: 115,135,139,145,310
73T:31,55,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,80,152,165,189,213,235,237,257,341,344,377,379,390,422,433,453,480,497,545,554,563,580,606,613,630
95 Ultra GM Sets: Golden Prospects,HR Kings,On-Base Leaders,Power Plus,RBI Kings,Rising Stars
Shane
Sorry for the delay folks, I actually had to DVR the game because I work overnight shifts and it came on too early (I was sleeping at the time), but yes, my wife and I watched it together and that was so exciting to see us with literally only 0.1 seconds remaining make the bucket that led to Mississippi State kicking the bucket in OT!
But anyway, I'm just as pleased as punch for us to win the conference tournament for the first time since 2004, though we would've gotten the second #1 seed win, lose, or draw. But playing for pride and extra hardware sure can't hurt, right? Now we're only four wins away from going snippity snip snip again!
BTW, talk about no respect from the CBS Selection Sunday hosts!! Neither of them picked us to go to the Final Four even though we have just as good a record and hardware this year as Kansas!!!!! Someone should ring their necks!
EDIT: Well, I just posted our road to the Final Four! Though our second round match up is a toss up (like any 8 vs 9 matchup), for the next two games I simply put for the time being the highest seeds as that is who we'll most likely face.
D's: 54S,53P,50P,49S,45D+S,44S,43D,41S,40D+S,39D+S,38D+S,37D+S,36S,35D+S,all 16-34's
Q's: 52S,47S,46S,40S,39S,38S,37D+S,36D+S,35D,34D,32D+S
74T: 37,38,47,151,193,241,435,570,610,654,655 97 Finest silver: 115,135,139,145,310
73T:31,55,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,80,152,165,189,213,235,237,257,341,344,377,379,390,422,433,453,480,497,545,554,563,580,606,613,630
95 Ultra GM Sets: Golden Prospects,HR Kings,On-Base Leaders,Power Plus,RBI Kings,Rising Stars
Let's hope Kentucky doesn't meet Kansas, we really don't want to make Ashley cry.
D's: 54S,53P,50P,49S,45D+S,44S,43D,41S,40D+S,39D+S,38D+S,37D+S,36S,35D+S,all 16-34's
Q's: 52S,47S,46S,40S,39S,38S,37D+S,36D+S,35D,34D,32D+S
74T: 37,38,47,151,193,241,435,570,610,654,655 97 Finest silver: 115,135,139,145,310
73T:31,55,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,80,152,165,189,213,235,237,257,341,344,377,379,390,422,433,453,480,497,545,554,563,580,606,613,630
95 Ultra GM Sets: Golden Prospects,HR Kings,On-Base Leaders,Power Plus,RBI Kings,Rising Stars
EDIT: And whup ET's ass we did!!
D's: 54S,53P,50P,49S,45D+S,44S,43D,41S,40D+S,39D+S,38D+S,37D+S,36S,35D+S,all 16-34's
Q's: 52S,47S,46S,40S,39S,38S,37D+S,36D+S,35D,34D,32D+S
74T: 37,38,47,151,193,241,435,570,610,654,655 97 Finest silver: 115,135,139,145,310
73T:31,55,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,80,152,165,189,213,235,237,257,341,344,377,379,390,422,433,453,480,497,545,554,563,580,606,613,630
95 Ultra GM Sets: Golden Prospects,HR Kings,On-Base Leaders,Power Plus,RBI Kings,Rising Stars
If only Cornell and West Virginia were that easy...
D's: 54S,53P,50P,49S,45D+S,44S,43D,41S,40D+S,39D+S,38D+S,37D+S,36S,35D+S,all 16-34's
Q's: 52S,47S,46S,40S,39S,38S,37D+S,36D+S,35D,34D,32D+S
74T: 37,38,47,151,193,241,435,570,610,654,655 97 Finest silver: 115,135,139,145,310
73T:31,55,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,80,152,165,189,213,235,237,257,341,344,377,379,390,422,433,453,480,497,545,554,563,580,606,613,630
95 Ultra GM Sets: Golden Prospects,HR Kings,On-Base Leaders,Power Plus,RBI Kings,Rising Stars
If Kentucky gets beat, they were too young and inexperienced.
If Kentucky wins in all, Kentucky cheated and Calipari is a slim ball. It will also be said that this was a "down year" for college basketball.
Mark my words, that is what you will hear. No credit will be given to them. Nothing will be said about how Calipari got three freshmen (4 if you count Orton) and possibly 4 first round picks to gel and become an unselfish basketball team.
What we are watching is amazing. John Wall could average 30 points per game if he wanted to, but he is so unselfish and so poised running this team. Patrick Patterson is a tremendous basketball player and could get really ticked off at the publicity that the younger guys are getting, but he is so mature and classy that he doesn't let that stuff bother him. Patterson also will graduate after only 3 years in college. John Wall also is a tremendous student. He doesn't skip class and leads the team in GPA. And what about DeMarcus Cousins? Everybody has been saying that Cousins would implode emotionally during this tournament. He hasn't even come close to flying off the handle. That thug from Wake Forest mugged Cousins, and Cousins just got up and started clapping. He has really grown up.
If people would just get past their hatred for Kentucky and Coach Cal, they just might appreciate what is happening here - a bunch of young guys gelling as a great team and having a great time doing it.
Shane
<< <i>You do know what will happen, right?
If Kentucky gets beat, they were too young and inexperienced.
If Kentucky wins in all, Kentucky cheated and Calipari is a slim ball. It will also be said that this was a "down year" for college basketball.
Mark my words, that is what you will hear. No credit will be given to them. Nothing will be said about how Calipari got three freshmen (4 if you count Orton) and possibly 4 first round picks to gel and become an unselfish basketball team.
What we are watching is amazing. John Wall could average 30 points per game if he wanted to, but he is so unselfish and so poised running this team. Patrick Patterson is a tremendous basketball player and could get really ticked off at the publicity that the younger guys are getting, but he is so mature and classy that he doesn't let that stuff bother him. Patterson also will graduate after only 3 years in college. John Wall also is a tremendous student. He doesn't skip class and leads the team in GPA. And what about DeMarcus Cousins? Everybody has been saying that Cousins would implode emotionally during this tournament. He hasn't even come close to flying off the handle. That thug from Wake Forest mugged Cousins, and Cousins just got up and started clapping. He has really grown up.
If people would just get past their hatred for Kentucky and Coach Cal, they just might appreciate what is happening here - a bunch of young guys gelling as a great team and having a great time doing it. >>
Well I have no hatred for Kentucky. I do think Calipari is a cheater, but that has been discussed by all and doesn't matter anymore. If they win, they win. Been a good run for them. Not as impressive to me as U-M's 5 freshman starting and making it to the finals, but hey... They apparently were cheaters too.
This has got to be our year; I can just feel it...
D's: 54S,53P,50P,49S,45D+S,44S,43D,41S,40D+S,39D+S,38D+S,37D+S,36S,35D+S,all 16-34's
Q's: 52S,47S,46S,40S,39S,38S,37D+S,36D+S,35D,34D,32D+S
74T: 37,38,47,151,193,241,435,570,610,654,655 97 Finest silver: 115,135,139,145,310
73T:31,55,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,80,152,165,189,213,235,237,257,341,344,377,379,390,422,433,453,480,497,545,554,563,580,606,613,630
95 Ultra GM Sets: Golden Prospects,HR Kings,On-Base Leaders,Power Plus,RBI Kings,Rising Stars
*sigh* I guess it just wasn't meant to be... But then again, who before the start of this season really thought we'd even get this far?
I wonder if we can sweet talk Wall/Cousins/Patterson into coming back for 2011...
D's: 54S,53P,50P,49S,45D+S,44S,43D,41S,40D+S,39D+S,38D+S,37D+S,36S,35D+S,all 16-34's
Q's: 52S,47S,46S,40S,39S,38S,37D+S,36D+S,35D,34D,32D+S
74T: 37,38,47,151,193,241,435,570,610,654,655 97 Finest silver: 115,135,139,145,310
73T:31,55,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,80,152,165,189,213,235,237,257,341,344,377,379,390,422,433,453,480,497,545,554,563,580,606,613,630
95 Ultra GM Sets: Golden Prospects,HR Kings,On-Base Leaders,Power Plus,RBI Kings,Rising Stars
<< <i>
*sigh* I guess it just wasn't meant to be... But then again, who before the start of this season really thought we'd even get this far?
. >>
Seeing as how KU was ranked 4th in the preseason AP poll, I think just about everyone figured KU had a chance to make it to the Elite Eight.
D's: 54S,53P,50P,49S,45D+S,44S,43D,41S,40D+S,39D+S,38D+S,37D+S,36S,35D+S,all 16-34's
Q's: 52S,47S,46S,40S,39S,38S,37D+S,36D+S,35D,34D,32D+S
74T: 37,38,47,151,193,241,435,570,610,654,655 97 Finest silver: 115,135,139,145,310
73T:31,55,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,80,152,165,189,213,235,237,257,341,344,377,379,390,422,433,453,480,497,545,554,563,580,606,613,630
95 Ultra GM Sets: Golden Prospects,HR Kings,On-Base Leaders,Power Plus,RBI Kings,Rising Stars
I was pulling for UK and Tenn. I wanted to see an all SEC final. We had one in football the last two years.