[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]As the 2010 Football season quickly approaches and the Big Blue Nation turns their eyes upon the playing field at Commonwealth, I thought ”what a great time to talk Kentucky Basketball.”
Especially since we will get our first taste of the 2010-11 B-Ball Cats before our beloved football team whips up on Louisville on September 4th. (UK 72 – U of L 2 – My prediction)[/SIZE][/FONT] [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK] [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last two months, you know that the 2010-11 version of the John Calipari Kentucky Wildcats are headed to the Great White North to take on two of Canada’s finest, neither of which would allow Bob or Doug McKenzie to enroll.
The schedule is as follows:[/SIZE][/FONT]
[LIST]
[*][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]Aug. 15 – University of Windsor – 7:00 p.m. ET[/SIZE][/FONT]
[*][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]Aug. 16 – University of Western Mustangs – 7:00 p.m. ET[/SIZE][/FONT]
[*][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]Aug. 17 – University of Windsor – 11:00 a.m. ET[/SIZE][/FONT]
[/LIST]
[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]All three games are being played at the St. Denis Centre on the campus of the University of Windsor.
The Big Blue Sports Network will televise all games live on:[/SIZE][/FONT]
[LIST]
[*][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]FS South[/SIZE][/FONT]
[*][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]WTVW-TV in Evansville[/SIZE][/FONT]
[*][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]WYMT-TV in Hazard[/SIZE][/FONT]
[*][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]WSAZ-My Z in Huntington, WV[/SIZE][/FONT]
[*][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]WKAG-TV in Hopkinsville[/SIZE][/FONT]
[*][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]WKYT-TV in Lexington[/SIZE][/FONT]
[*][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]WMYO-TV in Louisville[/SIZE][/FONT]
[*][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]WDKA-TV in Paducah/Cape Girardeau[/SIZE][/FONT]
[/LIST]
[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]More importantly this is our first opportunity to see, at least part of, the No. 1 ranked recruiting class with the likes of Knight (Jersey #12), Lamb (#29), Poole (#2), Jones (#3) and Polson (#5) all while getting a quick snapshot on the returning four of Miller, Liggins, Jorts and Hood.
All of which have recently been praised by Calipari for the improvement seen in their Great White North practices. Calipari stated that Miller has become the example while Liggins is the most improved Player on the team.
Recent reports say that Lamb might have a bum ankle, so playing time may be limited, but that is unofficial. Kentucky did make it official that Enes Kanter will not be playing.
One interesting fact about the three game tour is that their will be no fouling out for any player. A major plus for Kentucky considering that Kanter (#0) and Vargas (#30) won’t make the trip, leaving the Big Blue with really only one big man in Harrellson.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]
The Western Mustangs were 12-11 last year with a Summer loss to Ohio State, 101-68 and the Windsor Lancers ended the 2010 season with a 22-9 record including a OUA West Championship title. Like the Mustangs of Western, the Lancers suffered not one, but two defeats at the hands of Ohio State, 90-39 and 89-47.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]
Here are the official basketball sites of UK’s two competitors |[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]
[URL=”http://www.golancers.ca/index.aspx?tab=mensbasketball&path=mbball”]University of Windsor Lancers[/URL][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]
[URL=”http://www.westernmustangs.ca/index.aspx?tab=basketball&path=mbball”]University of Western Mustangs[/URL][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]
What we see in August will not be what we see come regular season. With Kanter and Vargas out and the possibility of Lamb and Jones playing little minutes, depending on their ankles, this team will be dramatically different at the first regular season tip off. [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]
Even though, I must admit I am excited to see the new Cats and the “much” improved returning Cats in full action. [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]
Here is some Bob and Doug McKenzie to get you in the proper mood…[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]
[youtube_sc width=430 url=GsgVspgy184][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]
[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]Go Cats!!![/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]
[/SIZE][/FONT] [CENTER]
[/CENTER]
