John Wall is popular, but, is he that popular.  Those Jerseys were extremely difficult to obtain.  I was able to get a John Wall Jersey for myself and my girlfriend and a friend of mine.  They sold out almost instantly online and in the store.

On Jeopardy, the topic was something like “College Movies.” Each answer contained the name of a college.

The clue was something to the effect of  “Coach K should be very familiar with this movie.” The correct answer was “What is ‘The Dukes of Hazard?’”

However, the contestant responded with “What is Jackass?”

Awesome!  The Dude had to be a UNC or Kentucky Alum.

Wherever he went to school, he definitely learned well.

Got this made in Afghanistan.

What do you think?

Thanks for all the information, game previews, game recaps and all the other stuff that you guys do on the blog.

I’ve been overseas for a while now and without you guys, I’d be blind on Kentucky Sports.

P.S.  WildcatRick hooks me up, too  (so don’t get sulky Rick…lol)

GO BIG BLUE!

From the UKAA website:

Oct. 30, 2009

LEXINGTON, Ky. – University of Kentucky men’s basketball student-athlete John Wall has been certified with conditions by the NCAA. The conditions are repayment of expenses and a two-game withholding, including the first exhibition game versus Campbellsville (Nov. 2) and the first regular-season game against Morehead State (Nov. 13).

Wall, a 6-4 freshman point guard from Raleigh, N.C., was one of five freshmen on the Naismith Preseason watch list. A pre-season All-American according to several national publications, Wall was the top recruit in the country last season according to Rivals.com.

“I’m grateful to have this decision behind me. All I ever wanted was to go to school and play ball with my team,” said UK freshman John Wall. “This has been really hard for my mom and I want to thank her for her support during this process.”

The repayment of expenses includes a total of $787.58, consisting predominantly of travel expenses incurred during Wall’s unofficial visits to various institutions during his junior year at Word of God Christian Academy.

“We’re appreciative of the process and the NCAA’s willingness to listen,” said UK Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart. “The NCAA staff worked to keep the welfare of the student-athlete in mind throughout this process. I’m happy for Coach Calipari and John Wall that he will get a chance to represent the Wildcats this season. He’s a great young man and deserves to be able to concentrate fully on his academics and basketball.”

“John Wall is a great kid who always tries to do the right thing and his mother is a great lady,” said UK head coach John Calipari. “I’m just happy this is behind us.”

John Wall must repay 757.58 USD to his former AAU Coach.  His AAU Coach was a registered, though, inactive agent.  It’s a bunch of hogwash.  The archaic NCAA rule book, though, is full of idiotic rules.

A Duke player can be paid.  A USC player can be paid.  ZERO repercussions to the program.  Those two incidents were proven and the parties involved even publically admitted to the facts and allegations.  A player is alleged to have cheated on an SAT.  No proof mind you.  The NCAA lays down sanctions.

What is the difference between what occurred at Duke and that which occurred at UMASS.

One thing:  Coach K!

That is the only difference.  Had it been any other coach or any other program and that Final Four banner would be gone from the official records.  Oh yeah, and most of the press would be writing articles about it and how it’s the end of the world for Amateurism.  Coach K could personally pay players.  Get caught red handed.  On video.  Deny it.  The NCAA would claim that it had no proof against him.

This time next year, I’m sure that the NCAA will re-open the investigation on John Wall.  I’m sure that they’ll find something that they missed.  I’m sure taht John Wall will be ruled retro-actively ineligible.

BUT!  Only if  UK and Coach Cal make it to the Final Four and Championship game.  If UK bails out of the tournament in the Sweet 16 or below.  No one will say a thing.

Either Seth is mad on crack or Billy G has some explainin’ to do. But that would explain the inconsistencies of the past season. Why Gs head and heart seem to be in and out of the game this year. Maybe he doesn’t like the fishbowl. Can’t handle the pressure.

If so. If he did seek that employment opportunity, I hope he leaves after this season. Simply resigns and moves on. But I hope he mans up and does so in time for UK to hire someone with time left to recruit and keep those 5 Star recruits that are lined up for UK already.

Maybe he can simply switch places with Travis Ford. Perhaps, Kentucky needs a favored son to lead it back to the mountain top.

Who knows. Perhaps G isn’t in the right place. Whatever happens, I hope he either signs that contract and makes Kentucky home or he makes up his mind to depart.

Time to man up Coach G!

What do you think?

During the Tennessee game.   This pass had me running around the room screaming like a mad man at 2 AM.

Damn, it’s good to be a Kentucky fan!

Perfect Form, Perfect Feet.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Jodie Meeks scored 45 points, setting a Bud Walton Arena record and leading short-handed Kentucky to an easy 79-63 win over Arkansas on Saturday.

Meeks scored 22 points in the first half and 23 in the second, capping his spectacular performance with a two-handed dunk with just over a minute to play. He helped the Wildcats (18-7, 7-3 Southeastern Conference) withstand the absence of center Patrick Patterson, who sprained an ankle in Tuesday night’s win over Florida.

The rebuilding Razorbacks (13-10, 1-9) were without suspended point guard Courtney Fortson. Michael Washington and Stefan Welsh scored 14 points each for Arkansas.

Meeks, a junior, went 17-of-24 from the field and 7-of-12 from 3-point range, breaking the 40-point mark for the third time this season.

Associated Press

Meeks gets 45 in 79-63 Win over Arkansas and John Pelphrey

Gillispie talks about Galloway and Patterson.

Next victim:  Vanderbilt!

Jay Bilas has an opinion and I like it.

Jodie Meeks, Kentucky: If anyone can claim to have improved more than Teague, it might be Meeks, but some forget that he was a very good player in his freshman season under Tubby Smith but spent his sophomore year injured. While nobody could have predicted the numbers he is putting up now, a healthy Meeks caused many to put UK in the preseason top 25. Meeks is a scoring machine with a Terminator build. He is averaging an SEC-leading 25.9 points to go along with 3.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.5 steals. Meeks is shooting 48 percent from the floor, 44 percent from 3 and a remarkable 91 percent from the line.

and

Patrick Patterson, Kentucky: Patterson is one of the toughest players in the country, and he probably doesn’t get the ball enough. He is averaging 18.4 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2 blocks while shooting 69 percent from the floor and 78 percent from the line. Patterson faces double-teams constantly in the post and never complains. He is the best low post player in the SEC, and one of the top five low post players in the country.