Our Columns
Events
Site Navigation
Ira's Weekly Column
Harold's Blog
Andy's Recruiting Links
Brian Hyatt's Exclusive Videos
Harold's Blog
Andy's Recruiting Links
Brian Hyatt's Exclusive Videos
Joe B. Hall KY Classic
Appalachian Classic
Whitaker Bank Coaches vs. Cancer
Appalachian Classic
Whitaker Bank Coaches vs. Cancer
Home Page
Ira's Weekly Column
Harold's Blog
Andy's Recruiting Links
Brian Hyatt's Exclusive Videos
Ira's Weekly Column
Harold's Blog
Andy's Recruiting Links
Brian Hyatt's Exclusive Videos
UK Basketball
UK Football
KHSAA Rankings
Elite Football Players in KY
Meet Our Staff
UK Football
KHSAA Rankings
Elite Football Players in KY
Meet Our Staff
UK Basketball
UK Football
KHSAA Rankings
UK Press Releases
Tribute to Mr. Wildcat Bill Keightley
Elite KY Football Players
Meet Our Staff
UK Football
KHSAA Rankings
UK Press Releases
Tribute to Mr. Wildcat Bill Keightley
Elite KY Football Players
Meet Our Staff
University of Kentucky Football
Wouldn't you know it, the first UK-Tennessee football game I've missed in quite some time and what do the Cats' do? Break the 26 year losing streak in a way that you could not sell to a book publishing company that only publishes Joker Phillips not only got a win last Saturday, he get a reprieve, although only for the summer. The usually luckless Wildcats won a game, when they were decided underdogs, in a way that no one and I mean no one that knows anything about college football would have given them a chance to win. With both quarterbacks not physically able to play, the staff decided to use Matt Roark in a position that he had not taken a snap since his senior year in high school. Roark not only did a commendable job of no lost turnovers, he went beyond not hurting the Cats' offense to being the Cats' offense. He rushed for 124 yards on 24 carries and single handedly led the Cats to the most improbable win over the Volunteers in my lifetime. The only thing that happened last Saturday that could remotely top the accomplishments of Matt Roark would be the upheld play in which Roark fumbled after a huge 3rd down pick-up to put the Cats on the 12 yard line which eventually led to the winning scored. As I watched the review, I could not believe that the Cats were about to be given their 9 lives in the quest to end the streak. I still don't know why the play was not overturned, unless the crew did not make a final decision on which team ended up with possession of the football. I thought the visual replay clearly showed that Roark was lying on a Tennessee defender when he fumbled the ball, which would mean that the play was not over. Anyway, about time for some good fortune to go Joker and the Cats' way for a change.
My belief is that all coaches deserve a minimum of 4 seasons to field their team before being judged on the program’s success or lack of success, unless unlawful (NCAA or otherwise) or immoral problems occur prior. I still stand by my belief that no other coach will have the desire to see Kentucky succeed in football as much as Joe Phillips, with that being said, I'm not completely sold on the fact that Joker is head coach material. Some guys are great coordinators, recruiters, etc. and still have difficulty in being successful head coaches when given the opportunity. Give Joker another 2 years and then I think that will be adequate time for the UK administration to decide if he is the man for the job. I do not believe any coach can take the UK football team to the upper levels of their own division, let alone the conference as a whole. I stand by my belief that a state that has far less population than any other state in the SEC can consistently compete at a level any higher than UK has done in the last 5 seasons. Remember the SEC is and always will be “FOOTBALL” conference and UK is and always will be a “BASKETBALL” state. As most football people will tell you, it takes not only better, but MORE better Jimmys and Joes to win in football.
University of Kentucky Basketball
Now that the biggest part of the cupcake schedule is over, we will now see how much better the basketball Cats have to be in order to make another final four appearance in 2012. The games this week will be some early indicators as to what the Cats must do to keep improving as a team. I look for the BBN to be happy going into the UNC game this Saturday, but don't be surprised if you don't see the second upset of the #1 team in the country upset in its own backyard. I'll take the Tar Heels by 5 over the Cats in Rupp. (Coach Cal is looking for a way to let the boys know it ain't going to be easy to win it all! This will get their attention.) I also look for the Cats to lose a road game in the SEC and maybe one more non-conference game.
Don't be upset, I don't think there will be anymore undefeated seasons with the overall talent in the Division 1 level of the NCAA.
Wouldn't you know it, the first UK-Tennessee football game I've missed in quite some time and what do the Cats' do? Break the 26 year losing streak in a way that you could not sell to a book publishing company that only publishes Joker Phillips not only got a win last Saturday, he get a reprieve, although only for the summer. The usually luckless Wildcats won a game, when they were decided underdogs, in a way that no one and I mean no one that knows anything about college football would have given them a chance to win. With both quarterbacks not physically able to play, the staff decided to use Matt Roark in a position that he had not taken a snap since his senior year in high school. Roark not only did a commendable job of no lost turnovers, he went beyond not hurting the Cats' offense to being the Cats' offense. He rushed for 124 yards on 24 carries and single handedly led the Cats to the most improbable win over the Volunteers in my lifetime. The only thing that happened last Saturday that could remotely top the accomplishments of Matt Roark would be the upheld play in which Roark fumbled after a huge 3rd down pick-up to put the Cats on the 12 yard line which eventually led to the winning scored. As I watched the review, I could not believe that the Cats were about to be given their 9 lives in the quest to end the streak. I still don't know why the play was not overturned, unless the crew did not make a final decision on which team ended up with possession of the football. I thought the visual replay clearly showed that Roark was lying on a Tennessee defender when he fumbled the ball, which would mean that the play was not over. Anyway, about time for some good fortune to go Joker and the Cats' way for a change.
My belief is that all coaches deserve a minimum of 4 seasons to field their team before being judged on the program’s success or lack of success, unless unlawful (NCAA or otherwise) or immoral problems occur prior. I still stand by my belief that no other coach will have the desire to see Kentucky succeed in football as much as Joe Phillips, with that being said, I'm not completely sold on the fact that Joker is head coach material. Some guys are great coordinators, recruiters, etc. and still have difficulty in being successful head coaches when given the opportunity. Give Joker another 2 years and then I think that will be adequate time for the UK administration to decide if he is the man for the job. I do not believe any coach can take the UK football team to the upper levels of their own division, let alone the conference as a whole. I stand by my belief that a state that has far less population than any other state in the SEC can consistently compete at a level any higher than UK has done in the last 5 seasons. Remember the SEC is and always will be “FOOTBALL” conference and UK is and always will be a “BASKETBALL” state. As most football people will tell you, it takes not only better, but MORE better Jimmys and Joes to win in football.
University of Kentucky Basketball
Now that the biggest part of the cupcake schedule is over, we will now see how much better the basketball Cats have to be in order to make another final four appearance in 2012. The games this week will be some early indicators as to what the Cats must do to keep improving as a team. I look for the BBN to be happy going into the UNC game this Saturday, but don't be surprised if you don't see the second upset of the #1 team in the country upset in its own backyard. I'll take the Tar Heels by 5 over the Cats in Rupp. (Coach Cal is looking for a way to let the boys know it ain't going to be easy to win it all! This will get their attention.) I also look for the Cats to lose a road game in the SEC and maybe one more non-conference game.
Don't be upset, I don't think there will be anymore undefeated seasons with the overall talent in the Division 1 level of the NCAA.