U of L fans - are they for real, or just lack education like most U of L b-ball players?

I saw some reader mail from a U of L fan whining about how much UK is willing to pay a coach. However, she doesn't seem to mind that I, as a tax-payer from Louisville will have to help cover the cost of U of L's new basketball arena. She also doesn't seem to mind the fact my niece who attends U of L has about a 98% chance of also being affected by this.

I hope U of L has two or three bad seasons. Like with football, fans won't show up. Instead, they will cry. U of L fans never seem not to amuse or amaze me lol.

Is U of L even Elite?

Sure, Kentucky basketball has been down. I blame this mainly on Mitch Barnhardt for being too lazy to hire a real coach. However, how dare U of L claim to be "Elite". How dare they compare their second rate program to that of UNC, Kansas and UCLA.

Fact 1 - U of L has not been to the NCAA finals since 1986 (nor won a championship since then). That is a 23 year dry spell to say the least.

Fact 2 - U of L has only been to one Final Four in since 1987. Wow, that is now where close to that of UCLA, UNC, Kansas, Duke or Kentucky!

How can you call a team with only one Final Four appearance in the past 22 years, Elite?

Looks like Arizona new coach will be Tim Floyd

http://www.latimes.com/sports/college/basketball/la-sp-tim-floyd-arizona2-2009apr02,0,1909829.story

Tim Floyd, who took USC's basketball program to new heights, was offered the Arizona job Wednesday, a source familiar with the situation said.

The source, who asked to remain anonymous as he was not authorized to speak about the situation, said that Floyd met with Arizona Athletic Director Jim Livengood and was offered the position. Floyd is believed to have 24 hours to make a decision.

Floyd could not be reached for comment and did not respond to a text message.

Arizona asked for permission to speak with Floyd on Tuesday. At the team banquet that night, Floyd gave an impassioned speech to players about staying at USC to win a national title, and not jumping to the NBA. He flew off to interview at Arizona on Wednesday.

"Arizona called me and asked for permission. I gave them permission to talk to him," USC Athletic Director Mike Garrett said. "I know that was in the process."


Asked if he had spoken to Floyd, Garrett said, "He'll come to me and tell me what he's decided. That's how it works."

Floyd, 55, was wooed by Louisiana State a year ago, which offered a multi-million contract. Floyd turned it down and said at the time, "This is my last job at SC."

Said Garrett: "If people don't want to be here they can go somewhere else. And if Tim has decided that, I thought he was a great coach and we've just got to find another great coach."

Asked about a possible coach search, Garrett said, "Of course I always have people in mind and I'll just have to go deal with those people that I have on a short list that I would consider."

Floyd spent the last four seasons at USC, compiling an 85-50 record. The Trojans reached the NCAA tournament the last three seasons, a first in the program's history, and made it to the Sweet 16 in 2007.

This season, USC won the Pacific 10 Conference tournament and reached the second round of the NCAA tournament.

"He was just saying that we would have a good year next year and that he believed in us, and that he thinks we could make a Final Four run," USC guard Marcus Simmons said. "Not just win one game, a Final Four run, and have a great team next year if everybody comes back."

Simmons said players were completely in the dark.

"He hasn't shown any signs at all," Simmons said. "When you talk to him, you would think he's staying here forever. No sign at all. I'm clueless right now as to what's going on."

Floyd built a large part of his USC success on transient players, with O.J. Mayo and Davon Jefferson leaving for the NBA in 2008 after one season. Freshman DeMar DeRozan, a key player for the Trojans this season, is considering declaring for the NBA draft.

Floyd would replace Russ Pennell, who spent one season as the Wildcats coach after Lute Olson stepped down for health reasons last fall. Arizona reached the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament this season.

Under Olson, Arizona became a national power and has reached the NCAA tournament 25 consecutive seasons.

If Floyd leaves, it could affect the Trojans' incoming freshman class. Solomon Hill and Renardo Sidney, two top recruits for Los Angeles Fairfax High, have committed to USC but have not signed letters of intent. Hill, a 6-foot-6 forward, originally committed to Arizona, but pulled back after Olson stepped down. Sidney, a 6-10 center, is a highly sought after player, but has yet to take the SAT.

Those currently at USC could also be affected. Besides DeRozan, junior forward Taj Gibson and junior point guard Daniel Hackett are contemplating jumping the NBA.

"I think this will play a major part in my decision," said DeRozan, who expects to decide this week whether to go to the NBA. "It's real heartbreaking. It's tough to see the coach you play for leaving. I'm just waiting to see what exactly is going on."

Floyd coached in the NBA with the Chicago Bulls from 1999 to 2002 and the New Orleans Hornets in 2004. He was also the coach at Iowa State, New Orleans and Idaho.
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U of L fans - why do they lie so much?

I am sick of U of L fans making the claim that Kentucky fans still want Rick Pitino. Why would we want him? The man is a selfish liar. He would back stab and lie to his own family if he could make a quick buck.

Yes, Kentucky fans miss our winning. We could care less who the coach is. Heck, they could hire Coach K and most Kentucky fans wouldn't care as long as he was winning SEC titles or hanging Final Four banners up.

I look at it like this, Pitino only one once at Kentucky. He has won nothing while at U of L. His days of being the number once coach in the nation is over. Since U of L has always been second to Kentucky and always willbe, please keep your second hand coach.

Iverson to retire?

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/breaking/news_breaking/20090402_Morning_Report__Iverson_mentions_retirement.html

Allen Iverson seems to be out of answers.

After missing a month with a back injury, then being relegated to the bench upon his return, The Answer began using the "R" word.

"I'd rather retire before I do this again," Iverson said last night.

The former 76er, acquired by the Detroit Pistons in a trade with Denver in December, missed 16 games with a bad back. He returned on Sunday, and coach Michael Curry has used him off the bench in the last three games.

Iverson had played only 18 minutes on Tuesday against Cleveland and complained mildly about that.

Last night he played only 17 minutes in a 111-98 loss to the Nets in East Rutherford.

"I'm in a position now that I've never been in my whole life," Iverson told the Asociated Press. "It's harder than I thought it would be. With the back injury, I have to sit out at the start, then go in, then sit again. It's tough to really get going. I take my hat off to the guys who can come off the bench and be effective. It's tough for me. I'm struggling with it."

Iverson went on to say he would not accept being a reserve next season.

"I'd rather retire before I do this again," he said. said. "I can't be effective playing this way. I'm not used to it. It's tough for me both mentally and physically. If I'm able to go out there, I should be able to get it done and I can't right now. It's my fault. I have to be able to overcome the adversity and do what I have to do. I just have to find a way to get it done. Not being 100 percent makes it harder, and you can see that I'm not 100 percent."

The 12-year veteran scored four points on 1-of-8 shooting last night. He has averaged 17.4 points in 54 games with the Pistons, about 10 points a game below his career mark.

On Tuesday night, Iverson had steered clear of saying he wouldn't be a bench-warmer next year.

"I'm looking at the big picture," he told the Detroit Free Press. "If I vent my frustrations, then it's on me. Being who I am, fingers are going to be pointed at me. People are going to make a big deal out of it. I'm just trying to laugh as much as I can and stop from crying."

It doesn't sound like he's doing much laughing right now.

Ashley Judd - the real reason John Calipari took the UK job

Hey, who could say no to her?

UK - say hello to new coach

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=4033967

LEXINGTON, Ky. --- Here's what it looks like when Kentucky introduces a new head basketball coach:

About 200 reporters, trustees, friends of the program and other hangers-on murmur in the team's practice gym, then fall into a funereal hush when the new coach enters. Nearly two dozen cameras point at the coach during his news conference, which is carried live across the state.


Immediately afterward, throngs of reporters form packs around the athletic director, the school president, the coach's teenage daughter, two current walk-ons, a former Wildcat who hasn't played basketball since 1992 and anyone else willing to share an opinion. Then, when the new coach leaves the building, he needs security personnel to guide him through the crush of fans wanting autographs and a piece of his time.


Welcome to Kentucky, John Calipari.


Coaching the Wildcats brings an extraordinary amount of attention, responsibility and pressure, which Billy Gillisipie either couldn't or wouldn't handle during his two short years in Lexington. Since Rick Pitino left for the NBA in 1997, Kentucky fans have longed for a coach who could not just hold the job but own it, someone who would win big, play an entertaining style, charm the commonwealth and turn every interview an event.


Calipari has a long way to go to fulfill all those roles. But he had a smashing debut in his first morning as the state's most powerful employee.


At his introductory news conference, the former Memphis coach mixed self-deprecating humor with reverence for the program's history. He name-checked Joe B. Hall, Tubby Smith, Eddie Sutton, Pitino, Kyle Macy, Rex Chapman, Richie Farmer, Adolph Rupp's son, Tayshaun Prince, Nazr Mohammed and the family of the late Bill Keightley. He preached patience while also pledging to "recruit the best of the best" and add to the seven national championship banners hanging on the wall to his right.


"Let's double these," he said.


In other words, he was nearly perfect.


"I think it's the closest thing to Coach Pitino that Kentucky fans have seen since Coach Pitino left," said Farmer, who was a senior on the 1992 "Unforgettables" team and now serves as the state's agriculture commissioner.


"The way he handles himself, the way he interacted with the media and with people, I think that's what a lot of people are looking for. He understands the tradition and what Kentucky basketball means on a national level. Big Blue Nation will be really excited about what's happened here, and I predict that tickets here are going to be at a premium."


Still, Calipari comes with question marks that have little to do with his .761 winning percentage.


His first trip to the Final Four, at Massachusetts in 1996, was vacated by the NCAA because of Marcus Camby's dealings with an agent. He has been accused of cutting corners in recruiting and giving troubled players multiple chances, even though he's never been slapped with any major NCAA violations during his career. His reputation -- fairly or unfairly gained -- combined with Kentucky's spotty history of following the rules should raise eyebrows at the very least.


Kentucky president Lee Todd said he had some concerns about Calipari but was reassured during their in-person visit on Sunday. He said he saw the coach's "interest in his players and what he's done as far as graduation rates."


"It's hard to beat a face-to-face meeting," Todd said.


Wildcats athletic director Mitch Barnhart said he worked "very diligently" on his background checks. He said he spoke with officials from the NCAA and Southeastern Conference and found that they had no qualms about Calipari. He also talked to Calipari's former bosses at UMass and Memphis.


Barnhart scoffed at the notion that the merger of Calipari and Kentucky would lead to a win-at-all-costs mentality that would eventually have the NCAA police sniffing around Lexington.


"We're a compliant place," he said. "I've seen the stuff people have said about us and … whatever. We've been compliant and we've been disciplined here, and that won't change. I take offense to people who say that's not our program. I take offense to people who take shots at John for that. He's worked hard at it, and the people I talked to said he works hard at it."


Calipari noted that 19 of the last 22 players who reached their senior year at Memphis graduated. Unsolicited, he brought up the case of former Tigers forward Jeremy Hunt, who was reinstated to the team a year after being kicked off for allegedly beating up a woman and getting into another fight. Calipari said Hunt got his degree and is now playing professionally in Europe.


"We made the right choice," he said. "It wasn't popular, was it?"


Calipari also addressed his relationship with influence peddler William Wesley, or "Worldwide Wes." Wesley is widely credited with helping steer players such as Derrick Rose, Tyreke Evans and Chris Douglas-Roberts to Memphis, although no one can ever really explain what it is exactly that Wesley does. There's little doubt that Worldwide Wes will soon be Wildcat Wes. But Calipari offered no apologies, saying his recruiting is based on having good relationships with everybody.


"William Wesley knows what he is allowed to do and not allowed to do," Calipari said. "He will never represent the University of Kentucky or me in any kind of recruiting."


Pitino famously referred to Kentucky as the "Roman Empire of college basketball." His successors, Smith and Gillispie, often seemed flummoxed by trying to preside over their vast domain. And Calipari insisted on Wednesday that he was "just a regular guy" and not "a grand pooh-bah" or an "emperor."

Stallworth charged in man's death

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4033632

MIAMI -- Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte Stallworth was charged Wednesday with killing a pedestrian last month while driving drunk after a night out at a swank South Beach nightspot.

An arrest warrant charging Stallworth, 28, with DUI manslaughter was filed in the March 14 accident that killed 59-year-old Mario Reyes. If convicted, Stallworth would face as many as 15 years in prison.

Stallworth's blood-alcohol level after the crash was .126, well above Florida's legal limit of .08, according to results of a blood test. Stallworth also will be charged with DUI, which carries a possible six-month sentence plus fines and community service for first offenders.



Stallworth

"Whenever a deadly accident occurs and a driver is impaired, families suffer," Miami-Dade state attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said in a statement. "I can only repeat this message over and over: If you are going to drink, don't drive."

Stallworth, who is expected to surrender in court Thursday, released a statement last month saying he was "grief-stricken" over the accident. Prosecutors said they will ask that he be released on $200,000 bail.

Stallworth will be prohibited from driving while on bail and not allowed to drink alcohol, according to court documents. He also must observe a 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. curfew and must submit to random alcohol and drug testing through the NFL's substance abuse program.

A Miami Beach police report said that Reyes was not in a crosswalk on busy MacArthur Causeway when he was struck by the black 2005 Bentley luxury car driven by Stallworth. The construction crane operator was trying to catch a bus home after finishing his shift about 7:15 a.m.

The report also quoted Stallworth as saying he flashed his lights at Reyes in an attempted warning and that Stallworth was driving about 50 mph in a 40-mph zone.

An additional police affidavit filed Wednesday said that on the morning of the crash, Stallworth was drinking at a club in the posh Fountainebleau hotel on South Beach. He left to go to a nearby home -- it's not clear if the home was one of Stallworth's three Miami-area properties -- hen headed out to the causeway where Reyes was struck.

"I hit the man lying in the road," Stallworth told officers arriving to investigate the crash, according to the affidavit. One officer smelled alcohol on Stallworth's breath and said that his eyes appeared bloodshot and watery.

Stallworth's attorney Christopher Lyons did not immediately return a telephone call seeking comment.

Stallworth signed a seven-year, $35 million contract with the Browns before last season but was injured much of the year. He previously played for New England, Philadelphia and New Orleans.

Has anyone thought about this??? - Billy Gillispie to Arizona?

You know, I been thinking. I am sure Gillispie will get a new job. Has anyone heard about him taking the Arizona job?

Michigan State rips overrated U of L - like I said before, they were the fake number one overrall seed

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20090330/COLUMNISTS02/903300338/1002/SPORTS

INDIANAPOLIS -- After climbing as high as it ever has in the national rankings and NCAA Tournament seedings, the University of Louisville men's basketball team yesterday fell perhaps as hard as it ever has.

Michigan State delivered a jarring, 64-52 defeat to the No. 1-ranked and No. 1 seeded Cardinals, ending the school's hopes for a third men's basketball title before a Lucas Oil Stadium crowd of 36,084 -- about two-thirds of whom had made the short drive up Interstate 65 hoping to see a little history.

They did, but it wasn't what they expected.

Considering what U of L coach Rick Pitino's team had accomplished coming in, the experience on the roster and the expectations surrounding it, this may rank as his worst NCAA Tournament loss.

And though U of L has experienced other tournament heartbreaks -- the overtime loss to UCLA in the Final Four in 1975, U.S. Reed's miracle shot in 1981, losing to Houston as a No. 1 seed in the 1983 Final Four -- it's hard to find a better Cardinal team that exited so quietly.

Yes, this team became just the fourth at U of L to win at least 30 games, finishing 31-6. It won the Big East regular-season and conference tournament championships. It was the first in the school's proud history to be ranked No. 1 in The Associated Press poll.

Those are significant accomplishments that should not be forgotten.

But on this day they seemed only to underscore the shock of the loss.

"There are landmarks in basketball," senior Terrence Williams said. "You make it to the tournament, and then you make it to the Final Four. It's not you make it to the Elite Eight. That's the part that really hurts us."

It ended this way for the Cardinals. With 2:19 left and a 15-point lead, Michigan State called a timeout. In the huddle, Pitino told his team it was over.

"He told us to keep playing with our heads up," senior Will Scott said. "He told us to finish it the right way, to not foul, to end the game with class, to not do anything to mar what has been a great season."

(2 of 3)


Earl Clark came out of the huddle, slammed his hands together and stared at the ceiling. When the final horn sounded, Pitino quickly moved to shake hands with Michigan State coach Tom Izzo, and was off the court before most players began shaking hands.



Williams wandered to a corner of the court by himself, remaining there for a time, before turning, circling around and trying to slip down the stairs quietly. He couldn't. An arm reached out to stop him. Izzo had gone out of his way to find him, to shake his hand, to talk to him. He did the same for Clark.

"I think it was a great tribute to our guys to win the Big East, to win the Big East tournament and finish No. 1," Pitino said. "I don't think this is the most -- No. 1 most talented team in the country. I think we're an outstanding basketball team. ... We're a real good basketball team, and we were beaten by a better team tonight."

The Cardinals also simply couldn't do the things they had done all season. Just down the road from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, U of L had turned the court into a racetrack two nights earlier, hanging a school NCAA Tournament-record 103 points on Arizona. But Michigan State turned last night's game into a tractor pull.

If U of L was a test, Izzo looked as if he'd spent all night with the teacher's manual. In fact, he had stayed up into the wee hours (Indiana coach Tom Crean, a veteran of some U of L battles, visited the team hotel Saturday night.) and came to yesterday's morning walk-through with a new game plan for attacking U of L's press.

Izzo also solved the Cardinals' 2-3 zone like an easy Sudoku. In the first half, he used 6-10 Goran Suton in the high post to shred it with mid-range jump shots. The senior from Sarajevo had a career-high three three-pointers and scored 17 points in the first half. In the second, Izzo had his team exploit U of L's press on the fast break, getting three easy baskets with a tweaked press attack.

After trailing by three at halftime, the Cards opened the second half with their usual spurt of energy. The team started forcing turnovers and pushing the pace, but it wasn't scoring points. The Cards led just 34-32 with 15:28 left. Then came the game's biggest sequence -- and a failure to adjust by the Cardinals.

(3 of 3)


Michigan State scored on 11 straight possessions against the Cards' zone, opening a 55-43 lead before Pitino went to a man-to-man defense. But the Cards got no closer than 12 the rest of the game.



In the locker room after the game, Williams sat in front of his locker, his jersey pulled up over his face, while a bank of photographers clicked away. Freshman Kyle Kuric, wearing a Sweet 16 T-shirt, stared at an NCAA Tournament participant's pin in his hand.

Everybody was thinking about the hardware that had gotten away. For a second straight year, they left the court in the Elite Eight while a trophy presentation stage was being assembled for the other team.

U of L's program still took a step forward in prestige this season. It has now been to at least the Elite Eight three times in five years. But the loss was a missed opportunity.

Getting to compete in a game this big in front of what amounted to a home crowd -- and surely the largest U of L crowd ever to pack a neutral-court basketball game, estimated at nearly 25,000 in red and black -- doesn't happen often.

"It's a shock," Scott said. "We put ourselves in position to accomplish something big. We played great all year and accomplished a lot. I think we're all walking away from here believing that we were a better team," Scott said. "But we weren't today. Michigan State was better."

In the final minute before the locker room doors were closed to visitors, Cardinal players sat quietly. Pitino had left a few minutes earlier, down the underground stadium corridor and out the door. Players now sat amid empty pizza boxes, most still in uniform.

Williams pulled a Gucci duffle bag out of his locker to start getting dressed. There were tears. Most were reading and sending text messages.

Surely, one of them had to key the words, "Ended too soon."

Reach Eric Crawford at (502) 582-4372 or ecrawford@courier-journal.com. Comment on this column, and read his blogs and previous colums, at www.courier-journal.com/crawford.