Scott Brown's SportsBytes on WKDZ

How many names can Dick Vitale drop in a broadcast?

Kentucky plays Notre Dame tonight on ESPN2.  How many names can Dick Vitale drop during the broadcast?  It can't be current players, coaches, or people in the house.

The over/under is 75.

Here we go.

1. Darius Miller

2. Doron Lamb

3. Terrence Jones

4. UCLA player

FIrst TV Timeout

5. Harvey Grant

6. Horace Grant

7. Brian Kelly

8. John Wall

9. Marcus Teague

10. Brandon Knight

11. Coach K

Second TV Timeout - Dick Vitale warming up

Digger Phelps stepping in and stealing some of Dick's thunder here

12. John Wooden

13. Al McGuire

14. John Sumate

15. Austin Carr

Third TV timout.  Digger helped Dick out there

16. Mike Golic

17. Jim Boeheim

18. Desmond Howard

19. Chris Fowler

20. Eddie George

21. Mark Packer

22. Chris Caraway

23. Skylar Diggins

24. Greg Wiltjer

Under 4 timeout and Dickie-V is now on a roll.  Getting closer to the 75 over/under pace

25. Jay Williams

26. Tom Izzo

Kentucky timeout

27. Steve Nash

28. Billy Gillispie

29. Jimmy Valvano (can't fault this one.  Dick Vitale has done wonders with this charity)

Halftime.  He's running slightly under the 75 over/under pace.

30. Phil Martelli

31. Robbie Hummel

32. Derrick Rose

Under 16 timeout

33. Magic Johnson

34. President Obama 

Mantei Te'o cutting into Dick Vitale's minutes here

Under 12 timeout

35. Mason Plumlee

36. Cody Zeller

37. Michael Kidd-Gilcrist

38. Anthony Davis

39. Georgi Dieng

40. Rick Pitino

Under 8 timeout - Dick is really going to have to rattle off the names to reach the over/under

41. Tyreke Evans

42. John Saunders

43. Bob Lloyd

Under 4 timeout - Right now it's going to be tough for Dick to hit 50 -- which is still a lot.

44. Eric Murphy

45. Kenny Boyton

46. Mike Rosario

47. Mike Groce

48. Scott Wright

49. Dan Dakich

50. Paric Young

51. Glenn Robinson III

52. Jordan Morgan

53. Nik Stauskas

54. Tim Hardaway Jr.

55. Seth Greenberg

56. Karl Ravich

57. Mel Kiper Jr.

58. Kirk Herbstreit

Dick Vitale came on strong at the end but couldn't quite get to the 75 over/under.  Over a name a minute though.

The on-air time of Digger Phelps and Manti Te'o during the ESPN/Notre Dame lovefest hurt Dick's numbers though.

 

 

Report: Mark Stoops to be named Kentucky football coach

Several media outlets and websites are reporting that Mark Stoops will be the next head football coach at the University of Kentucky.  Kentucky Sports Radio, a fan site run by Matt Jones, says the announcement could come as early as today.

Stoops is the current defensive coordinator at Florida State and has served on the defensive staffs at the University of Miami, Florida and the University of Houston.

Stoops’ brother Bob is the head coach at Oklahoma.

Stoops takes over for Joker Phillips, who was fired after a 13-24 record over three years.  UK won just four of 24 SEC games during that time including 0-8 this past year when the Wildcats were 2-10 overall.

The key for Stoops will be who he brings in or decides to retain as assistant coaches.  Rich Brooks had a solid coaching staff during his tenure at UK, and it was when Phillips replaced the offensive and defensive line coaches and brought in Rick Minter as defensive coordinator that the program began to head south.

Cameron Mills talks about UK's eighth national title

Days after the University of Kentucky basketball team won the program’s eighth national title, response continues to trickle in from around the state.

Former Wildcat player Cameron Mills, who was a member of both the 1996 and 1998 UK national title teams, was in Cadiz Wednesday as part of his youth ministry program.  He said it’s been an exciting week for him as both a former player and a UK alum

Mills was a walk-on at UK in 1995 and played in seven games as a sophomore during the 1996 national title run.  He was a key member off the bench when Kentucky finished as runner-up in 1997 and again in 1998 when the Wildcats won their seventh national title.  Mills uses those experiences as part of his youth ministry, which he has been conducting statewide for nearly 14 years.

Mills talked about how he can relate to fellow Kentuckian Darius Miller when it comes to a native Kentucky son winning a national title and also had a piece of advice for the Kentucky Wildcat team that cut down the nets in New Orleans as part of National Title number eight.

Mills spoke to a Trigg County Fellowship of Christian Athletes youth rally Wednesday night at the Cadiz Baptist Church.

Interview with Cameron Mills

 

Cameron Mills to speak to Trigg County FCA chapter tonight

Two days after winning the school's 8th National Title, a member of Kentucky's 7th national title team will speak to the Trigg County High School chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) tonight.

The event is being hosted by the Cadiz Baptist Church.  Activities begin at 5:30 with a meal in Cadiz Baptist Church Annex. A worship service will follow at 6:30 in the Cadiz Baptist Sanctuary.

Former University of Kentucky Wildcat Cameron Mills will be the speaker. Mills played for Rick Pitino and Tubby Smith while at Kentucky. When Cameron walked-on to the UK basketball team in 1994, he had no idea that he’d walk away with a full scholarship and two NCAA titles. Although it was a dream fulfilled, Cameron will be the first to tell you that the glitter of a championship ring is temporal and quickly fades.

Though basketball has been a big part of Cameron’s life, his calling since he was twelve has been ministry.

All Trigg County High School students are welcome to attend.

 

Kentucky Wildcats - 2012 NCAA Champions

Kentucky vs. Kansas tonight on WKDZ 106.5 FM

Kentucky goes for National Championship #8 tonight on WKDZ 106.5 FM.

CLICK HERE to listen to the pregame radio open for tonight's game from the UK IMG Radio Network

Pregame coverage on WKDZ begins at 6:30pm.

 

Pat Forde's UK/UL column makes mention of Cadiz

Pat Forde of Yahoo Sports talked about how the Kentucky/Louisville rivalry is no ordinary rivalry.

He even used an anecdote from former Louisville Courier-Journal sports writer and Cadiz native C. Ray Hall.

C. Ray Hall, a retired writer for The (Louisville) Courier-Journal and perhaps the pre-eminent expert on all things ‘Cats and Cards, said he knows a woman with an identity crisis from his hometown of Cadiz, Ky., deep in the western corner of the state. She moved to the Louisville area and gradually became a Cardinals fan, but couldn’t bear to tell the folks back home in Cadiz. She’s afraid the news would devastate her mother, so she keeps up Big Blue appearances whenever she’s around her family.

Click here to read the entire article from Forde.

 

 

 

Interview with Matt Jones of Kentucky Sports Radio

Matt Jones of Kentucky Sports Radio made the trip to western KentuckyThursday night to take in his first game at the CFSB Center.

We talked about the Racers and his first impressions of Murray, the upcoming toughness of the Kentucky hoops schedule, and his choices for the All-Calipari team at UK.

Interview with Matt Jones of Kentucky Sports Radio

 

Tom Leach's Look at UK Football

UK Broadcaster Tom Leach talks UK Football with Phil Steele, publisher of one of the nation's best college football preview magazines.

Tom Leach's Look at UK Football

 

Kentucky vs. Vanderbilt today on WKDZ

Kentucky hopes to avoid the "Memorial Magic" today as they play at Vanderbilt in a must-win game if UK wants to claim first place in the SEC East.

UK is 17-6 overall and 5-4 in SEC play.  Vandy has an identical record, thanks in part to the officiating of Tim Higgins in the last few minutes of their win over Alabama Thursday.

Airtime today is 10:30am on WKDZ 106.5 FM.

 

Steve Pardue named to UK's coaching staff

Steve Pardue has been named to Kentucky's football coaching staff and will be the new running backs coach.  The move was made official today.

Pardue is a Christian County native who played at CCHS for Fred Clayton and later played at Austin Peay.  He coached four seasons at Crittenden County before moving to Georgia.  He coached LaGrange High School to three state championships and helped send several quality players to Kentucky during his time at LaGrange.

HERE IS THE STORY FROM THE UK ATHLETICS WEB SITE.

Pardue joins former Cincinnati head coach Rick Minter as new members of the UK staff.  Minter will serve as co-defensive coordinator.

 

Kentucky vs. Washington on WKDZ

Kentucky will play Washington in the semifinals of the EA Sports Maui Invitational tonight in Hawaii.  UK advanced with a 76-64 first round win over Oklahoma, while Washington put away Virginia in the final first round win of the day.  UConn and Michigan State meet in the other semifinal.

The only other time Kentucky faced Washington was in the 1985 NCAA Tournament when UK downed the Deitleif Schrimpf-led Huskies 66-58 in what was the final week of the Joe B. Hall tenure at UK.

Airtime on WKDZ 106.5 FM is 7pm with the pregame show, with the tip around 8:30pm.  The game will also be shown on ESPN.

 

Kentucky vs. Oklahoma on WKDZ

Kentucky takes on Oklahoma today in the first round of the EA Sports Maui Invitational.

The Wildcats last played in Maui in 2007 in what was Tubby Smith's last year at UK.  They beat DePaul but lost to UCLA and the John Calipari-coached Memphis Tigers.

Kentucky is 6-3 in three other appearances, winning their only Maui title in 1994 on Jeff Brassow's last second tip-in to beat Arizona.

CLICK HERE FOR THE MAUI INVITATIONAL BRACKET

It's hard to believe but Kentucky and Oklahoma have met just twice on the hardwood.  Once in 1946 and on Senior Day in 1987 when the Wildcats, led by James Blackmon, beat the Sooners 75-74.  That UK team went on to lose to Ohio State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Airtime for UK and Oklahoma is 3pm on WKDZ 106.5FM.  Tip-off is 4:30pm, and the game can be seen on ESPN2.

 

Kentucky vs. Portland tonight on WKDZ

Kentucky takes on the Pilots of Portland tonight at 9:30pm local time in Portland.  The game is a stop for UK on their way to the Maui Shootout.

Airtime on WKDZ 106.5 FM is 8pm.  Tip-off is at 9:30pm.  The game will also air on ESPNU.

 

NCAA rules Enes Kanter ineligible to play at Kentucky

The NCAA has ruled that Enes Kanter is ineligible to play basketball for the University of Kentucky.  The ruling was made official this afternoon through a press release from the NCAA.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE PRESS RELEASE

The main crux of the eligibility issue centered on benefits Kanter received while playing for a Turkish sport club.

According to the press release, Kanter played three seasons with the Turkish sport club Fenerbahce from 2006-07 to 2008-09. Although he competed primarily for the club’s under-18 junior team, he did compete on the club’s senior team in 2008-09. According to facts agreed to by the university and the NCAA Eligibility Center, Kanter received $33,033 more than his expenses for the 2008-09 season.  

The new NCAA rule that allows prospective student-athletes to compete on teams with professionals while maintaining their amateur status prior to college applies; however, the bylaw states any such benefits cannot exceed actual and necessary expenses, which was the case here.  

Kentucky has announced they plan to appeal the ineligibility ruling.

 

Kentucky announces 2011 football schedule

Even though Kentucky needs one win in their final two games to become bowl eligible for a fifth straight year, the final touches have been put on the 2011 football schedule, according to FBschedules.com.

The schedule includes a tough three-game stretch with Florida, LSU, and South Carolina in addition to a home game with Jacksonville State, one of the top FBS teams this year.  Also different is dropping Georgia between the Vandy and Tennessee games.

2011 Kentucky Football Schedule

Sept. 1 (Thursday) vs. Western Kentucky (in Nashville)

Sept. 10 vs. Central Michigan

Sept. 17 vs. Louisville

Sept. 24 vs. Florida

Oct. 1 at LSU

Oct. 8 at South Carolina

Oct. 22 vs. Jacksonville State

Oct. 29 vs. Mississippi State

Nov. 5 vs. Ole Miss

Nov. 12 at Vanderbilt

Nov. 19 at Georgia

Nov. 26 vs. Tennessee

Tom Leach's Look at Kentucky Football

UK broadcaster Tom Leach previews next weekend's Kentucky football game at Mississippi State.

Tom Leach's Look at UK Football

 

Tom Leach's Look at Kentucky Football

UK play-by-play voice Tom Leach recaps Kentucky's football win over South Carolina in today's Look at UK Football.

Tom Leach's Look at UK Football

 

Tom Leach's look at Kentucky Football

Here is Tom Leach's Look at Kentucky Football, recapping Saturday's 37-34 loss to Auburn.

Tom Leach's Look at UK Football

 

Coming Home: Al Baker

Al Baker, Trigg County's all-time leading rusher, came home to speak at the Trigg County Century Club annual dinner Thursday night.

Baker ran for 5,396 yards from 1981-85, which was the fourth highest total in Kentucky history at the time of his graduation.

Baker still holds the Class 1A state record in the 100-meter dash at 10.7 seconds.  The overall state record is 10.46 seconds by Tyson Gay of Lafayette High in 2001.  Gay recently beat Olympic Gold Medal star Usain Bolt in the 100 meters.

Baker's 40 time his senior year was 4.5 seconds.  Not bad for a guy who could also bench press 360 pounds, squat 600 pounds, and deadlift 585 pounds.

Baker went on to play football at the University of Kentucky, telling the crowd he came close to quitting the team his junior year but decided to stick it out on the advice of family and friends.

It paid off.  His senior season, Baker ran for a team-high 780 yards and 10 touchdowns.  He also caught 35 passes for 317 yards and two touchdowns and was named Second Team All-SEC.

Baker was taken by the New York Jets in the 10th round of the 1991 draft, although injuries caused him to leave camp before playing a game in the NFL.

Al currently lives in Ashland, Ky. with his wife and three kids.

Al talks about what he is up to these days

Back when Baker played, only the district champion advanced to the playoffs.  Despite a 27-14 record in his four seasons of high school football, Trigg was 0-4 against Mayfield which kept them out of the playoffs.

Baker said the 1984 team, which went 7-4 with losses to Glasgow, Christian County and Mayfield (10-0), would have had the best shot to beat the Cardinals had they met again in the playoffs.  He also talked about which team put a bounty on his head.

Al Baker talks about Mayfield and the rivlary

Baker chose UK over several high profile schools, including Ohio State, USC, and Tennessee.  He talks about the differences between Jerry Claiborne and Bill Curry and of the recruiting battle to get him.

Al talks about the differences in UK coaches Jerry Claiborne and Bill Curry

 

Al talks about the recruiting battles he went through and why he chose UK

Al also talked about what lessons he learned in sports that he passes down to his children.

How Al uses sports to pass down lessons to his children

Baker plans to attend tonight's Trigg County/Hopkinsville game at Perdue Field, which is the second game of the Wildcat Chevrolet Bowl.

 

Al Baker (center) poses with his high school track and field coaches Jim Wallace (right) and George Radford.

 

Baker poses with several members of this year's Wildcat football team. 

Micah Johnson may just make the Miami Dolphins final roster

Former Fort Campbell and University of Kentucky linebacker Micah Johnson may be close to earning a spot on the Miami Dolphins' final 53-man roster.

Johnson was undrafted out of UK and signed for a brief time by the New York Giants. He was signed by the Dolphins on Aug. 3.  In just a short time, he has impressed the Dolphins enough to the point where he was one of the first defensive subs to enter Friday's preseason loss to the Falcons.  He has been seeing time at inside linebacker.

Here are what some close to the Dolphins are saying about his chances:

• Mike Berardino of the Sun-Sentinel says Johnson stood out Friday
• Omar Kelly of the Sun-Sentinel says Johnson appears to have leapfrogged J.D. Folsom and Austin Spitler for the final LB spot on the roster
• Bleacherreport.com says Johnson's play on special teams gives him an inside edge to the final spot.

On Tuesday, NFL teams must cut trim their rosters to 75 players.  The final cut to the 53-man roster is Saturday.  Johnson has one more preseason game to solidify his case for a roster spot when the Dolphins play at Dallas Thursday.

Sun Sentinel Photo

John Wall on ESPN's Sports Science

Former University of Kentucky guard John Wall was the feature of ESPN's Sports Science features that measure his speed with and without the basketball as well as his reaction time and veritcal leap.

This segment shows off Wall's speed with and without the basketball.

This segment shows off Wall's impressive court vision and vertical leap.

Interview with Kenny Walker

Former University of Kentucky Wildcat great Kenny Walker was in town this week for the annual Cadiz Rotary Club's radio auction.

We talked about the expansion of the NCAA Tourmament, the rise of Kentucky basketball, and what the future holds for the Wildcats and coach John Calipari.

Interview with Kenny Walker

 

Kentucky vs. West Virginia

Kentucky has not made a Final Four since winning the NCAA title in 1998.  Standing in their way are the Mountianeers of West Virginia.

We had some audio from Kentucky coach John Calipari and West Virginia coach Bob Huggins on the Saturday Morning Sports Report today.

Huggins and Calipari talk about their past and each other's coaching styles

Calipari breaks down the Mountianeers and their defense

 

Airtime today on WKDZ 106.5 FM is 4:30pm with the tip at 6pm.  The winner will play the Duke/Baylor winner in the Final Four next Saturday.

Seth Davis says Kentucky has the toughest road to the Final Four

Seth Davis picks three #1 seeds to advance to the Final Four, but Kentucky isn't one of them.  He says Kentucky has the toughest road to the Final Four.

Here are some of the highlights from my interview with the CBS college basketball analyst:

• Davis says Kentucky is capable of winning the NCAA Tournament but their age could work against them.
• Doesn't think Texas would be Kentucky's toughest opponent in the first three rounds.  He says Temple will be.
• Has Kentucky losing to West Virginia in the Elite 8.
• Likes Murray State but picked Vanderbilt to beat the Racers.
• Doesn't like Louisville's inconsistency at the guard position and says the likely won't beat Duke.
• Davis likes (11) San Diego State to beat (6) Tennessee, (13) Siena to beat (4) Purdue; and (12) Utah State to beat (5) Texas A&M.
• Doesn't think a mid-major will crash the Final Four.
• Says the NCAA uses geography in keeping team close to home over using the so-called 'S-Curve' when placing teams and seeds in the bracket.
• Picks Kansas to win it all.

My interview with Seth Davis

 

Kentucky at South Carolina

In their first game since rising to #1 in the polls, Kentucky (19-0, 4-0) travels to South Carolina to face the Gamecocks (11-8, 2-3) tonight in Columbia.

Airtime on WKDZ 106.5 FM is 6:30pm with the tip-off at 8pm

John Calipari on the Dan Patrick Show

Kentucky Wildcat basketball coach John Calipari was on the Dan Patrick Radio Show Thursday.

PART I

PART 2

Kentucky vs. Louisville highlights

Here's a brief highlight package from Saturday's Kentucky win over Louisville.  It's just a matter of the Wildcats finding that one spot on the Rupp Arena floor.

Rich Brooks announces retirement

In a move that shocked no one, Kentucky football coach Rich Brooks announced his retirement at a press conference this morning in Lexington.

Brooks was 39-47 in seven seasons at Kentucky and led the Wildcats to four straight bowl games, winning three.  Kentucky was 7-6 in 2009, losing to Clemson in the Music City Bowl.  In 25 seasons as a college head coach, Brooks was 130-156-4.

Offensive coordinator Joker Phillips will be the new head coach of the Wildcats.

Kentucky vs. Louisville today

Kentucky and Louisville square off for the 41st time today at Rupp Arena in one of the more anticipated matchups in the series' history.

Kentucky leads the all-time series 26-14, including a 17-10 mark since the annual series began in 1983.

The big questions surrounding today's game:

• How will the Rupp Arena fans treat Rick Pitino, given his off the court issues of the past year?
• Can UK snap a two-game losing streak to Louisville?  The Cards have never won three straight games against the Cats.
• Will John Calipari's dribble drive offense mean Kentucky scores 90 points against the Cards for the first time since 2001?
• How will John Calipari and Rick Pitino act before the game?  After the game towards each other?
• Will we see a repeat of the North Carolina game where the Cats get off to a fast start and then have to hold on down the stretch?
• How will UK's Super Frosh react in front of what expects to be one of the rowdiest crowds in Rupp Arena history?
• Will there be a new Rupp Arena attendence record set today?
• Does Ashley Judd have to buy her ticket to the game or does she get in for free?

Airtime for today's game on WKDZ 106.5 FM is 1pm with the pregame show, 2:30pm with the tip.

Music City Bowl tonight on WKDZ

Kentucky plays Clemson tonight in the Music City Bowl in Nashville.  UK is gunning for their fourth straight bowl win, which would extend their school record.

Airtime tonight on WKDZ 106.5 FM is 6pm with the pregame show, kickoff set for 7:30pm.

Someone having some fun at the expense of Joker Phillips

It hasn't been a good night for Kentucky offensive coordinator Joker Phillips.

His conservative playcalling at the end of the fourth quarter was called into question by many fans, seemingly happy to play for the field goal and the tie instead of the touchdown and the win.

It didn't get any better in overtime as Kentucky went three and out and missed a field goal.  Tennessee followed with a touchdown and their 25th straight win over the Wildcats.

Not long after the game, someone had a little fun with Joker's Wikipedia entry.

 
  
 
 

Kentucky vs. Stanford tonight on WKDZ

Kentucky will play Stanford tonight in the championship of the Cancun Challenge.

The game is being played in the ballroom of the Moon Palace Resort.  There were reports of an open bar just a few feet away from the player's benches.  No word if the crowd was treated to a free continental breakfast.

Airtime on WKDZ 106.5 FM is 7pm, with tip-off at 8:30pm.  With their win over the fighting Mouse McFaddens of Cleveland State, John Calipari joins Eddie Sutton as the only coaches since Adolph Rupp to start their UK career 5-0.

Kentucky 72 Miami of Ohio 70

John Wall proved to be worth the wait.

The heralded Kentucky freshman scored 19 points - including the game-winning jumper with 0.5 seconds remaining - to lift the fourth-ranked Wildcats to a 72-70 win over Miami of Ohio on Monday night.

After Miami's Kenny Hayes hit a 3-pointer to tie the game at 70 with six seconds left, Wall raced down the floor and pulled up from the wing. The ball fell through the net and Wall raced up the floor pounding his chest in celebration as the crowd roared.

Patrick Patterson had 17 points and 10 rebounds and DeMarcus Cousins had 10 points and 10 boards for the Wildcats (2-0).

CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THE GAME STORY FROM UKATHLETICS.COM

Tom Leach's game-winning call on the UK Radio Network

John Calipari's post-game comments on the UK Radio Network

 

 

Tom Leach gives his take on UK's mysterious black uniforms and juggling between UK football and hoops

Tom Leach, the voice of the University of Kentucky Wildcats, was the guest speaker at the annual Christian County UK Alumni Club dinner Tuesday night in Hopkinsville.

You can hear Leach's comments in their entirity on the Saturday Morning Sports Report at 8:10am on WKDZ 106.5 FM.

Tom Leach on this week's game with Mississippi State

 

Tom Leach gives his opinions on UK's mysterious black uniforms

 

Tom Leach talks about juggling his duties between calling UK football and basketball games

 

ESPN reporting John Wall's eligibility at UK in question

ESPN.com is reporting that SEC Commissioner Mike Slive has confirmed there could be some eligibility issues regarding Kentucky freshman John Wall and Mississippi State freshman Renardo Sydney.

Something to do with contact with his AAU coach also being an agent.

HERE IS THE STORY FROM ESPN.com

Malcolm McDuffen commits to Kentucky

Christian County defensive standout Malcolm McDuffen has committed to play football for the University of Kentucky.

Jody Demling of the Louisville Courier-Journal reported on his blog Saturday that McDuffen was at the Kentucky/Louisville game and told Joker Phillips of his commitment following the 31-27 WIldcat win.

Tom Leach in Cadiz to discuss new book on Rich Brooks

University of Kentucky radio announcer Tom Leach was in Cadiz today to speak to the Cadiz Rotary Club about the upcoming football season and to discuss his new book on Wildcat football coach Rich Books entitled "Rich Tradition."

Leach said the inspiration for the book came following UK's 2007 win over top-ranked LSU

You can purchase the book by visting www.tomleachky.com

My interview with Leach and his comments to the Rotary Club can be heard on the Saturday Morning Sports Report at 8:10am this week.

 

Mitch Barnhart: Calipari 'gets it' as 'CEO of Kentucky Basketball'

Mitch Barnhart's job is a little easier these days. 

The questions he gets these days are about rising expectations and the good things his basketball coach is doing.  In just a short time on the job, new UK coach John Calipari seems to be pushing all of the right buttons, which in turn takes some of the heat off Barnhart, who hired Billy Gillispie away from Texas A & M after Tubby Smith left for Minnesota.

We all know how Gillispie's two seasons went in Lexington.

Mitch Barnhart:

"He embraces the opportunity to take on the job and understands what it means.  He is the CEO of basketball at Kentucky, and he understands it."

CLICK HERE for more audio from Mitch Barnhart on John Calipari

Kentucky and Western Kentucky sign 4-year football deal

The University of the Kentucky and Western Kentucky University have signed a four-year football deal that will begin in the 2010 season.

The details were announced at a press conference today at LP Field in Nashville.

Here are some of the details announced at the press conference:

• Commonwealth Stadium will host the games in 2010 and 2012

• LP Field will host the games on Labor Day Weekend in 2011 and 2013

• Kentucky will pay WKU $500,000 to play at Commonwealth Stadium because of ticket allocation.  UK will get a split of the profits of the games played at LP Field

• WKU A.D. Wood Selig said he has been pursuing a deal with UK for while, even joking about camping out on UK A.D. Mitch Barnhart's door to get the deal done.

• Everyone involved said the deal makes sense.

• Each school will get a 30,000 ticket allotment at LP Field.

• Selig estimates the Nashville area has over 10,000 WKU Alumni

• With the addition of Kentucky to their schedule, WKU head coach David Elson joked that Selig had petitioned WKU for entrance into the SEC.  The Hilltoppers open the 2009 season at Tennessee.  Last year, Kentucky beat WKU 41-3.  The Hilltoppers lost to Florida in 2007, Georgia in 2006, and Auburn in 2003 and 2005.

• Nashville Sports Council president Scott Ramsay said the possibility exists down the road for the city to host a neutral site game involving the UK basketball team and the football series could help make that happen.

CLICK HERE for audio from WKU A.D. Wood Selig

CLICK HERE for audio from WKU head coach David Elson

CLICK HERE for audio from UK A.D. Mitch Barnhart

CLICK HERE for audio from U.K. head coach Rich Brooks

 

Follow Scott Brown on Twitter

Coach Cal's Twitter posts from the weekend

Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari has nearly 190,000 fans following him on Twitter.  Just what was going on with the coach this weekend?  Here are some of his Tweets from the weekend:

Back in Lexington tomorrow afternoon to visit with folks from Central Bank and Luther Deaton. Thanks for following.about 7 hours ago from txt

    

I have a few things to take care of in NYC tomorrow. More on that later. Will go to St. Patrick's Cathedral in the morning...about 7 hours ago from txt

    

No word from Jodie...Made me run faster 2day around campus...Headed 2 Markey Cancer Fundraiser @ Ashford Farms...Gonna b in NYC 2niteabout 7 hours ago from txt

    

    

http://twitpic.com/7cglr - Here's the pic of Coach hall, two uk students tommy smendinger and tony clarke...Tommy's dad the pres of raceway9:27 PM Jun 13th from TwitPic

    

http://twitpic.com/7c8d7 - With Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson in owners box at KY Speedway.8:11 PM Jun 13th from TwitPic

    

http://twitpic.com/7c7xr - This is what the speedway looks like from the owners box.....anyone want to hear my favorite??? Freisen fire ...8:07 PM Jun 13th from TwitPic

    

Coach hall, two uk students tommy smendinger and tony clarke. Tommy's dad the pres of raceway. Good stuff.4:06 PM Jun 13th from txt

    

They will be out real soon (weeks). They are the first tapes I've ever done. Time to share...I'm getting old!!!1:16 PM Jun 13th from txt

    

Went 4 a run then previewed the new video tapes I did on the dribble drive motion. Watched 3 last night & watched the other 3 today.1:15 PM Jun 13th from txt

    

Let's all say a prayer for him and his family. This one is tough for all. For Bob... let's think about staying in the moment.12:16 PM Jun 13th from txt

    

Sad note.. Bob Frederick passed away. He was the AD @ KU. Great AD but a better person. Leaves behind Margy & 3 sons, Brad coaches @ Vandy.12:14 PM Jun 13th from txt

    

Can't say no to Coach so we are leaving at 3...11:33 AM Jun 13th from txt

    

Had a great meeting w/ coach hall yesterday. We talked basketball & about my team. He invited me 2 go 2 the nascar race @ kentucky speedway.11:32 AM Jun 13th from txt

Billy Gillispie files a federal lawsuit against Kentucky

Former Kentucky basketball coach Billy Gillispie has filed a federal lawsuit in Texas asking for Kentucky to pay him the money he is owed.

But, because Gillispie never signed a contract with the university, he is claiming that Kentucky interferred with his re-negotiations with Texas A & M, which would have paid him around $7 million.

According to the lawsuit when Kentucky first contacted Gillispie about its basketball job he was in the process of negotiating a new seven-year contract with Texas A and M where he was employed at the time.

Here is part of the story from Fox TV 26 in Houston.

The lawsuit states that new deal would have paid Gillispie an annual salary of $1.75 million. The proposed deal was to run through 2015 and if Gillispie had stayed with the Aggies through 2012 he would have received an additional $1 million. If he had stayed through 2015 he would have received yet an additional $750,000. The contract with Texas A and M was never formalized.

In his lawsuit against UKAA Gillispie alleges "defendant intentionally interfered with Coach Gillispie's contract negotiations with Texas A and M through its fraud as well as fraudulent misrepresentation and inducement."

The lawsuit states had defendant not interfered during Gillispie's negotiations with Texas A and M, Gillispie would have gladly remained the head basketball coach with the Aggies.

If this goes to trial, there may be some skeletons in Gillispie's closet that surface that he may not want to become public.

Stay tuned.

CLICK HERE to read the story from My Fox Houston.com

Patrick Patterson to return to Kentucky

Patrick Patterson has taken his name out of the NBA Draft and will return to Kentucky for his junior season, according to the Louisville Courier-Journal.

“I have the chance to graduate in three years, which is important to me and my family,” Patterson said in a release. “I want to help Kentucky compete for a national title, and even more than that win its eighth national championship. I’m also really excited about playing for Coach (John Calipari) and developing my game in the dribble drive offense.”

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Kentucky to play UConn in the SEC/Big East Challenge

Kentucky will play UConn in the SEC/Big East Challenge Dec. 9 at Madison Square Garden, according to Jerry Tipton of the Lexington Herald-Leader.

The other half of the doubleheader has St. Johns playing Georgia.

Tipton said the other matchups in the event had Florida playing Syracuse and DePaul squaring off with Mississippi State.  Those games would be in Tampa.

Porter out, Cousins in at Kentucky

It hasn't taken long for the dominoes to fall on the Kentucky basketball team.

Michael Porter has announced that he will not return to the basketball team next year, despite having one year if eligibility.  Jerry Tipton of the Lexington Herald-Leader said Porter is on schedule to graduate next month and has a child on the way later this year.

Just hours after Porter's decision became public, Kentucky received a verbal comittment from 6-10 center Demarcus Cousins, who had verbaled to Memphis before John Calipari took the UK job.

Cousins, from Alabama, was the #6 player in the nation, according to several recruiting services.  He averaged 24 points, 12 rebounds, five steals, and five assists.

John Calipari named Kentucky basketball coach at news conference

   The University of Kentucky held a press conference today to officially announce John Calipari as the new head coach of the basketball program. Click play to listen to the press conference.

Click here to listen to part one of the news conference.

Click here to listen to part two of the news conference.

Memphis TV station is reporting John Calipari to UK

Memphis TV station WREG (CBS) is reporting that John Calipari has made his decision on his coaching future and that future lies in Lexington.

"John Calipari is leaving to be the new coach at the University of Kentucky.

Right now, Calipari is at his home meeting with members of his staff explaining the decision."

 

Looks like the UK coaching search is in cruise mode

It looks like they are already having a good time in Lexington.

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John Calipari to Kentucky seems very close

Several sources are reporting that Memphis coach John Calipari will be the next head basketball coach at the University of Kentucky.

Jerry Tipton of the Lexington Herald Leader says the deal is just about done.

Rick Bozich of the Louisville Courier-Journal also says the deal is done and an announcement will be made no later than Wednesday.

The Memphis Commercial-Appeal reports that Calipari is meeting with several influential Tiger boosters, but there are mixed signals what the meeting is about.

The Tiger Sports Report says Calipari is heading to UK.

John Clay of the Lexington Herald Leader is reporting that the UK players have a meeting scheduled for this afternoon.  Any takers on the topic of discussion?

The Commercial Appeal says Calipari could bring one of his recruits with him to Lexington.

Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate Messenger says the deal is for roughly $4 million a year.

John Calipari is next on Kentucky's coaching radar

After apparently being spurned by Florida's Billy Donovan for the second time in as many years, Kentucky has apparently turned their coaching search towards Memphis head coach John Calipari.

ESPN's Andy Katz is reporting the Calipari has met with UK officials and could be mulling a multi-year, multi-million dollar contract.

Geoff Calkins of the Memphis Commercial Appeal says if Calipari goes to Kentucky, they will soon be naming race horses after him in the heart of the Bluegrass.

Of course, Calipari has flirted with other schools in the past to enhance his standing with his current school.  Can Memphis match what Kentucky is prepared to throw at Calipari? 

Stay tuned.