Quick Hits for Thursday
June 14, 2007
Kentucky recruit Rotnei Clarke is dedicated, and wants to be at the top of his game. What sounds good today? Maybe…500 3-pointers, 200 free throws, some mid-range jump shots, and…OK I’m tired now.
Brett Dawson writes about coach Billy Gillispie working hard without a contract. How it’s not unusual, and has been happening with a number of coaches.
Here’s a story by Jerry Tipton on recruit Dakotah Euton. A scholarship offer is expected to be made toward the end of the month, with Euton possibly accepting.
Kentucky is really high on him, and he feels the same way. Euton also had a great time at the Elite Camp last weekend.
Hump Day Links
June 13, 2007
Another installment of Hump Day Links, boy does time fly.
Let’s see what we have here…
Mike DeCourcy looks at USA Today’s list of the Top 25 Greatest Sports Stories of the Last 25 years.
He decided to do his own rankings, and 2 were Kentucky related.
1. The Laettner shot
It ranks first because it was the astonishing punctuation mark to the most dramatic college basketball game since the sport became ubiquitous on television. It reminded people why this sport has such appeal to broadcast audiences. And it allowed Duke to complete its second consecutive NCAA championship, firmly establishing the Blue Devils as a dynastic program.”
4. Kentucky hires Tubby Smith
The school shoved its legacy as a segregated program deep into the past by hiring an African American to the most prestigious position in college basketball. He won a championship and coached several wonderful teams. But when the program slipped in the middle of this decade, the school felt comfortable enough with its progress in the diversity department to nudge him toward the door. Honestly, that’s progress.”
John Clay looks at listings of the top 50 recruits for 2008, and notes Kentucky has at least six of them in sight.
CatsPause (sub) says that UK has offered Courtney Fortson a scholarship, this after his impressive play at the Elite Camp this past weekend.
Fortson is a 5-10, 175-pound point guard out of Montgomery, Ala. (Video)
Word from the camp was that he put some sweet moves on former Wildcat Rajon Rondo.
Over at The Wildcat Blog, they need some Poll help. The Wildcat Blog has decided to let readers decide this upcoming season’s Game Blog Awards, per game and monthly, then for the Year award given to the top player.
Kentucky Wildcats: Around the Globe
June 12, 2007
Jerry Tipton gives us…Kentucky has offered a scholarship to Olek Czyz (pronounced Chizz), a 6-foot-8 native of Poland now living in Reno, Nev.
He appeared at Billy Gillispie’s Elite Camp over the weekend and apparently played well.
He sounds more like a project type player right now, but has potential. He’s not among the Top 100 players in the Class of 2008.
Besides Kentucky, Czyz is weighing offers from Arizona State, Pepperdine, Santa Clara and Washington State.
Also noted in the story is that Kentucky has not offered Dakotah Euton, who also attended the Elite Camp.
There was a blurb in a story from the Kansas City Star mentioning DeAndre Liggins has trimmed his list to Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky and Memphis.
Liggins is currently ranked 18th in the Class of 2008.
A Sea of Blue has their third in the six-part series of “The Best five starters and reserves over the last 27 years“.
They now take a look at: Shooting Guards
I have to definitely agree with number 1, he was a special player. I wish we would have more like him.
Aaron’s blog sends us to a story about Coach Gillispie appearing in Northern Kentucky at the Kicks For Kids Meijer Pairings Party June 25.
That’s all for now folks…Until we meet again.
Late Sunday News
June 10, 2007
The Elite Camp wrapped up today. There hasn’t really been much coming out from it. Hopefully, some info will come out later today, or tomorrow.
Some late Sunday news for your viewing.
Kinda yesterday’s news…(Didn’t get a chance to post). If you didn’t know already. The Kentucky and Louisville battle has been moved to Saturday, Jan. 5th, the latest ever regular season date.
The move was due to a scheduling conflict on Louisville’s part. They had already scheduled a game Dec. 15, when UK had hoped to play the cards.
Oh well, I guess it will have to do. It does suck for the Cats to play this game right before the start of SEC play.
You could also look at it as starting the New Year off with a beating of your in-state rival. 
The Wildcat Fan Report provides us with a transcript of ESPN’s Andy Katz answering a Kentucky fan’s question. Why do you hate my beloved Wildcats so much? I think many people would like to know the answer to this.
I really don’t know what to make of Katz, either you love him or hate him. I do see how some UK fans don’t like him much, I myself have called him a tool before. Maybe he’ll lighten up once Kentucky starts going to the top.
In other news…
Billy Gillispie is considering taking the team on a trip this fall, similar to the three-game tour of Canada U of L’s squad took last fall.
Also Coach Gillispie says he’s in no hurry to fill the vacancies on his staff. Currently UK is in need of an assistant coach, and a strength and conditioning coach.
He has been talking with a number of coaches, but is taking a careful approach.
I don’t think (assistant hires) are ever so pressing that you should rush into them,” he said. “It’s a really, really, really, really critical hire. I think in this situation it’s been important for me to be able to observe and listen and learn.”
You may have an unbelievable assistant coach, but it may be like putting a square peg in a round hole, or whatever that saying is,” he said. “They may be perfect somewhere else, but they may not be perfect here.”
Gillispie Elite Camp this weekend
June 8, 2007
It’s going to be a big weekend for coach Gillispie and his staff. Starting today though sunday will be the 2007 Billy Gillispie Elite Camp.
Many future recruiting prospects are expected to attend. Those include…Dakotah Euton, Chad Jackson (Teammate of Euton) and Tyler Zeller.
Of note was Euton’s father saying UK is number one on his son’s list. Also that UK was not a factor before coach Gillispie took over, and that Gillispie’s staff has been more aggressive than Tubby Smith’s.
There are many more players, including six from the Scott County team that won this year’s State Championship.
Gillispie Learning UK
June 7, 2007
There’s a great article by The Cincinnati Post’s Lonnie Wheeler on Coach Billy Gillispie.
We learn how the first couple of months have been for Gillispie, and him learning more about the UK program, it’s fans, expectations etc.
Some of the article highlights include…
The success of landing recruits Alex legion and Patrick Patterson.
Those guys are going to make a great impact on our program,” said Gillispie, who intends to do the same. “Signing them was big for us because we addressed needs that we have. It was really important for a number of reasons, the least of which is because we recruited against certain schools.”
We get his thoughts on the NCAA prohibiting text messages from coaches to recruits.
I would rather it had stayed in”. “But the reason you instill any rule is because there has been abuse, and I agree with that philosophy. I understand what they’re trying to do. I just think text-messaging gave us a great opportunity to develop relationships, because it’s the common communication link today for people the age we’re recruiting. So I really do like it.”
We just have to figure out a different way to communicate. I have an idea, but I’d rather not share that. I’d rather keep that amongst our staff.”
We all know coach Gillispie has been very, very busy and it’s paying off. The majority of fans are with him 100%, and have been loving every minute of it.
In quite some time I’m really, really anxious for the the season to start. I’m curious to see how the mesh of the returning players, along with the new breed works out.
I’m not expecting an NCAA Championship next season (It would be nice of course) , but I believe the team will be better. I think coach BCG will know how to work with the player’s strengths, and put a team out there that’s going to take care of business.
Hump Links for Today
June 6, 2007
It’s hump day…so I give you some linkers to browse. I’ll try to make the “Hump Links” a weekly thing.
A Sea of Blue has posted their second part (looking at the Centers) in the six-part series of “The best five starters and reserve over the last 27 years”. If you missed the first part…you can find that here.
They are also looking ahead at what to look for with next fall’s lineup.
Aaron’s blog points to a story from the LHL on Jodie Meeks favoring a 4-Guard lineup.
The Wildcat Blog has some Billy Gillispie quotes you may want to check out.
Early Mornin’ Talk
June 5, 2007
Not much to report on, or even talk about. Here’s a couple news items for today.
Pastner says no thanks. Arizona assistant coach Josh Pastner, who flew in last friday to talk with coach Gillispie has decided to stay with Arizona.
I love the U of A, and my loyalty is to coach (Lute) Olson, to U of A and Tucson,” Pastner said. “And I believe we have a chance to win another national championship and I don’t want to miss out on that.”
Update: Pastner didn’t need Kentucky - Bruce Pascoe provides his take on Pastner passing on the offer.
On to the never ending flip-flopper…If Orlando has their way, Billy Donovan will be stuck coaching college for at least 5 years.
