Entries from June 2011 ↓

During the Spring Meeting in Destin, Fla., Vanderbilt Coach Kevin Stallings suggested the SEC go to a 22-game, double round-robin scheduling format.

That may have been a tongue-in-cheek suggestion. On a SEC teleconference Monday, Stallings acknowledged that the idea is all but a non-starter.

“We feel drug through Armageddon after 16 games,” he said of the current format. “I don’t think (22 games) has got a lot of traction.”

No coach voiced support for a 22-game SEC schedule, but several noted that it was the fairest way to determine a “true” champion.

SEC coaches saluted Kentucky Coach John Calipari for the new contract extension and raise announced Monday.

“Well, obviously, Coach Cal has done a tremendous job,” Ole Miss Coach Andy Kennedy said on a  SEC teleconference Monday. “And I’ve said this many times, I think when you start setting the standard for the epitome for success for college basketball, you start with Kentucky. No offense to Cal, but that started way before he got there. Obviously, it’s the most storied program in the history of college basketball. The most passionate fan base of any collegiate following that I’ve ever been a part of. And he’s done a tremendous job of going in and selling that product. He’s an excellent coach.

“I’ve always said, it helps SEC basketball for Kentucky to be Kentucky. So I think it’s good for our league for them to be enjoying the success that they have.”

Florida Coach Billy Donovan noted Kentucky’s unmatched tradition.

“Every program aspires to build that kind of tradition,” Donovan said. ” . . . Kentucky’s always been Kentucky. It’s been that way for 60 years. . . . They are truly the measuring stick.”

During his appearance on a SEC teleconference Monday, Kentucky Coach John Calipari noted how well the summer has been going for the UK players.

“They seem to be getting along and forming good bonds,” Calipari said of the players.

According to the Detroit Free Press, former Kentucky player Brandon Knight was satisfied with his effort in throwing out the ceremonial first pitch before the Detroit Tigers’ game against Arizona Friday night.

Knight, who was drafted by the Detroit Pistons Thursday night, threw the first pitch from the mound to Andy Dirks.

“It feels great to be here in Detroit and be recognized by the fans,” Knight said. “Throwing out the first pitch was a lot of fun, and I’m glad I didn’t bounce it.”

Former Kentucky guard Brandon Knight, the first-round draft choice of the Detroit Pistons Thursday, will throw out the first pitch at the Detroit Tigers’ game against Arizona Friday night.

Surely Knight will have no problem surpassing the recent first-pitch attempt of John Wall, his immediate predecessor as UK point guard.

Knight will throw out the ceremonial first pitch around 7 p.m.

Utah Jazz general manager Kevin O’Connor lauded Enes Kanter’s work ethic.

“You have to remember he’s 19 years old and didn’t play last year, but he is a willing worker and I think that is key,” O’Connor told reporters after the NBA Draft Thursday night. ” Here is a kid that didn’t play last year and had a 5.9% body fat, and did as well as anybody on the treadmill.”

When asked if the Jazz had Kanter in mind all along, O’Connor said, “I wouldn’t say all along, but it got clearer and clearer as we went through it.
“I think it was the best player available at three. We did add a bit of toughness, but again he’s a teenager. It
will take a couple years to develop, maybe he’s quicker than that. The thing I’d suggest you do is go back
and look at the Hoops Summit tape, he got 34 points in 23 minutes and besides that he got 14 rebounds.
Everywhere he’s played he’s rebounded. Even when he played at 17 in one of the best leagues over in Europe
he rebounded the ball. Normally that transfers very well into the pros.”

In tweeting his reaction to four Kentucky players drafted by NBA teams Thursday night, UK Coach John Calipari said, “Unreal night! 4-for-4, so happy for them. The Kentucky Effect!”

The four players connected to UK drafted were Enes Kanter and Brandon Knight in the first round, then Josh Harrellson and DeAndre Liggins in the second round.

With the New Orleans Hornets taking Josh Harrellson with a second round pick, UK Coach John Calipari noted the player’s rise from career afterthought.

“He’s a prime example of how you can benefit from hard work!” Calipari tweeted. “So proud of him.”

Here’s a transcript provided by the Utah Jazz involving first-round pick Enes Kanter:

Opening Comment
“I’m so happy. I’m so excited. I know the Utah Jazz fans are crazy and I love them. I will bring the team
toughness and post moves, rebounding everything. I will try to do everything to make the playoffs.”
What was the feeling like when you heard your name at number three?
“First of all, I felt great because it’s the Utah Jazz. I have family there. Like Mehmet Okur plays there too, so
it’s kind of like my family. So I was very happy.”
On the Jazz watching him practice back in November
“I just tried to show my best. No one had seen me play yet so I just tried to show myself.”
On playing one-on-one with Head Coach Tyrone Corbin in Chicago
“It was great. He was really tough. I’m just looking forward to playing with him one-on-one. He’s tough. I just
want to say he’s tough.”
On not playing this last season
“It was so difficult because I couldn’t play. I still didn’t give up. I knew in the end I would be fine. Right now,
I’m trying to help the Utah Jazz. I’m trying to bring more energy and everything.”
When did you realize you had skill in this game?
“I knew my skill when I first played basketball. I knew myself.”
Do you play other sports?
“I play ping pong.”
Closing Comments
“I just want to say thank you to the Miller family. Be ready Utah Jazz fans; Undertaker is coming

Here was the tweet of UK Coach John Calipari in reaction to the Detroit Pistons taking Brandon Knight with the eighth pick of the first round.

“Tayshaun (Prince) will be able to show him the ropes,” Calipari tweeted. “2 down 2 to go.”

The latter was in reference to two UK products still undrafted: DeAndre Liggins and Josh Harrellson.

Of course, Prince was a UK star early in the last decade. He’s played with the Pistons his entire NBA career.