EMBATTLED

When Joker Phillips was fired last week by University of Kentucky Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart, most fans echoed the sentiment, "about time."  Whether letting Joker go was the right decision or not it certainly put Mitch in an untenable position.  If he kept Joker the fans would revolt, if he fires him and doesn't come up with a "home run" hire,  the fans will still revolt.  Such is the life of the Kentucky AD.  It wasn't that long ago when one of his first big moves at UK was to attain an elder football coach in Rich Brooks,  that most fans just could not believe.  Had they have bothered to look deeper in Coach Brooks career, they might have found that he was a highly respected member of the coaching fraternity, and the absolute right man for the job to rebuild a probation hampered program..  Not long after bumper stickers appeared with the phrase "Ditch Mitch and Rich."  Years later when Rich Brooks had brought Kentucky Football to a respectability that most had not seen in years, no one responded with a peep about how Mitch had made a good move, they just dwelled on how he could allow a "coach in waiting" to be named,  and of course, the increase price of ticket and parking passes.

Several years ago most fans had grown tired of Tubby Smith, the very successful basketball coach.  When the program started to become somewhat stagnant, and some fans voiced that a change might be in order, well, Mitch intervened and made suggestions to Tubby.  Tubby didn't like it and moved on to coach Minnesota.  Fans seemed happy,  but no one said "atta boy Mitch", they just continued to decide who Mitch should pursue as the next coach.  The worst decision of Mitch Barnhart's career was about to happen in the persona of a over hyped, vulgar man from Texas, who was an up and comer in the basketball world.  Again the criticism came, but not at Billy Gillispie, but at the man who hired him, Mitch Barnhart.  To Mitch's credit he realized the mistake and rectified it in record time.  Guess what the fans said? Mitch was crazy to pay so much to get rid of a man that might have destroyed Kentucky Basketball.

John Calipari was the absolute best man for the job at Kentucky.  But, what did the fans say?  If "Barnyard" wasn't so stupid we could have had Calapari the first time around.  Never once have I heard a nay say er of Mitch Barnhart utter a word of praise for a man that brought Kentucky one of the greatest basketball coaches of this generation.  All of this while Mitch continued to build the women's basketball program to national prominence, baseball has never attained the high level,  in a conference that is noted for baseball, and all while managing to build the Olympic sports to unprecedented heights.  Kentucky has become a destination for world class athletes and coaches.

Mich Barnhart has certainly made mistakes, but what AD doesn't?  He has an aloofness that doesn't always relate well to fans.  Some question his attitude as superior and righteous, he is not one of us, all while forgetting that he is trying to do his best for an athletic program that we all love.  Forget the national championship.  Forget the high rankings, and the number two finish nationally among all collegiate programs. Forget the notoriety that he has brought to this state in the form of a superior athletic program.  If Mitch Barnhart doesn't make a good hire as the next football coach and the football program continues to flounder in mediocrity, his legacy will be unfulfilled,  and forever he will be remembered as one of the most unjustly embattled  athletic directors at the University of Kentucky.

Bluegrass Horses and Basketball: DynastyWebsters defines dynasty as a powerful g...

Bluegrass Horses and Basketball:
Dynasty

Websters defines dynasty as a powerful g...: Dynasty Websters defines dynasty as a powerful group that maintains dominance for a long time.  That would describe many sports teams, t...

Dynasty

Websters defines dynasty as a powerful group that maintains dominance for a long time.  That would describe many sports teams, the New York Yankees, the Boston Celtics, the Montreal Canadians just to mention a few.  I could spend the entire column reciting franchises that could fit this definition.  In college basketball I think there is really just one, the University of Kentucky.  Sure there is a team that has won a couple more National Championships, UCLA, but none have been able to command the dominance that the Wildcats have shown going now on nine decades.  Since the arrival of Adolf Rupp in the 1930s right up to the present with John Calipari the Kentucky Wildcats have been an ever present force in college basketball.

Kentucky leads the college basketball world in almost every category, and now the present group of basketball Cats have moved the bar to an even higher level.  Since Calipari arrived in Lexington three years ago all he has manged to do is go to two straight Final Fours, three straight Elite Eights, and win a National Championship.  All while bringing in the greatest talent that this school or maybe any school has ever seen in history.  Criticism has come his way in the fact that this talent seems to only stay around for a short time and then move on to the NBA where they have fortunately become instant millioners. 

The so called Big Blue Nation, an already exuberant group, has moved the needle to a place that is even rarefied air for them.  I maintain there has been three distinct Golden Ages of Kentucky Basketball, the Rupp Years, the Pitino Years, with some really good years in between, and now the Calipari Years.  These rare occurrences happen even when sometimes we are not prepared, or perhaps, just overwhelmed by them.  This is what Big Blue Nation is in the midst of currently.  We almost take it for granted.  Sometimes it might be wise to just take stock and give thanks that we are along for the ride. In other words enjoy it while it's here.  Remember dynasties don't last forever, and they all are built on the shoulders of giants.

Mikey Cameron

Children of the Bluegrass

Long before basketball became the now sport of most Kentuckians, a sport existed that gave many of our citizens a pride that is now only rivaled or surpassed by the round ball.  Years before Coach Cal exploded on the scene with unbelievably talented youngsters from all across the nation.  Years before Rick Pitino, or even the legendary Adolf Rupp prowled the sidelines in Lexington, a different athlete was already making their names known, not just in America but all around the world.  The almost forgotten native sons and daughters of the Bluegrass, the mighty thoroughbred racehorse.

In a time when world war was common place a sport existed that had fans arguing, as they do today, about which athlete was number one.  Most of these great equine athletes,  as they do today, had their origins in the rolling hills and lush pastures of central Kentucky.  Hardened by the limestone that this magical land rests on, these world class athletes, nurtured by brilliant sunshine and temperate weather, have long made Kentuckians proud.  While we all celebrate the great accomplishments of our great basketball tradition, never loose sight of the fact that the tradition of altering the world horse racing scene has usually started on the hallowed ground of the Bluegrass.

Basketball is over for another season and most Kentuckians turn their sports interests to the Kentucky Derby.  The best young three year olds from around the globe will be positioning for a run at immortality and a chance to get to Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May.  If the fates cooperate and luck is with them, they may have a chance to realize that potential that began on a misty morning some where in the rolling hills of the Bluegrass.  Not all of the best athletes in the world start life with a basketball in their hands some do it by frolicking in the warm sunshine and on the fast race tracks of the world.  While we cheer the greatness of other sports and athletes, don't ever forget that some of the greatest athletes that ever lived, started life here in our own state and they will always remain the Children of the Bluegrass.

Spring Madness

The Bluegrass Region is quickly transferring it's self from winter to spring, flowers are pushing through the greening grass, and the trees are poised for an explosion of color.  The weather is warmer and the hearts of the people of this magical land have a bounce in their step.  Springtime is celebration enough, but around here it means two things, the start of basketball tournament time and the prep races for the Kentucky Derby.  Merged with the climate change is a sense of excitement that few states get the luxury of experiencing.

All ready the young colts and fillies are bounding through the rolling pastures of the great horse farms that dot this fairy tale land we inhabit.  The older horses are shedding their winter hair in anticipation of the strong sunshine that will grow and harden their resolve, and all the while the young three year olds that have a chance at immortality and greatness, are prancing in their morning workouts from New York, Florida, and the west coast.  Their destination is Kentucky for one chance at one moment of glory.

The same thing is true for the young human athletes and their fans, from small towns to the big cities, the goal is the same, a chance at greatness on the biggest stage in their young lives, Rupp Arena and the legendary "Sweet Sixteen".  All have dreamed of making that last second shot while bouncing countless basketballs on gravel courts and shooting at crooked hoops nailed to barns and garages.  This is the lure of this special time of year, a chance at glory.

The same thing holds true for all Kentuckians when their beloved college basketball team makes it's annual quest for a national championship.  Expectations run high only because we all have experienced just how hard it is to attain these lofty goals.  Championships are hard to come by.  Glory is rare, but the hope that arrives each springtime with the basketball tournaments and the road to the Kentucky Derby, makes for an unbelievably emotional high.  Maybe it is madness but what ever it is it sure gives us something to look forward to.  For us Kentuckians spring really is the best time of the year!

Forgotten Legends

It occurred to me while watching a recent game in Rupp Arena that I was watching the end of an era in Kentucky Basketball.  Very few opportunities are left to see the thrilling blocks and dunks of Anthony Davis and the blazing end to end drives of Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.   It's almost like a low flying fighter jet that streaks across our sky and then just as quickly all that's left is the distant thunder.  Sometimes you wonder if it really happened at all.

The new era of college basketball has ushered in the "one-and-doner's" and also has caused us to only glimpse these young superstars in their infancy,  while they hone their skills for the NBA.  However, we should not lose sight of the fact that their contributions are many to the basketball team they we love so dearly.  The names of John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Brandon Knight, and of course Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, have given us pleasure while winning many basketball games and prestige.  In fact while they are here they are ours to brag on and cherish.  But, all to soon they are gone!

The jersey's that hang in the rafters of Rupp Arena commemorate the greatest names that ever came through this storied program.  So far, you will not see the names of the "one-and-doner's that have so magically put Kentucky on the tip of the pyramid of college basketball.  Maybe it's time we thought about making a dispensation for these players, even if we only add multiple names on one jersey.  This would show some appreciation of what they have contributed, if for only one year.  After all Anthony Davis has already become the UK leader in blocks for one season, as well as moving up the list for all time blocks; and his one year is not even over.  In all to short a time they will be distant memories in a past that has always found ways to honor the greats.  For the generations of fans to come we shouldn't have them become Forgotten Legends.

Herding Cats

Did you ever try to get a cat to do something for you like come to you when you called it's name?  Dogs can't wait to please, they were born to make their masters happy, but not a cat.  That's kind of what it's like to coach a basketball team, particularly a basketball team that has a lot of freshmen players, who just got through being stars in high school, and now come together as stars, in hopes of making millions in the NBA.  That is what Coach John Calipari faces every year as the Head Basketball Coach at the University of Kentucky.

Coach Cal is a victim of his own success.  He has become the top recruiter of talented basketball players in the entire United States.  That's great right?  That's bad as well, since each year he is confronted with checking these enormous egos at the door of the Joe Craft Center{the practice facility of the UK Basketball Team} and get them to buy in to the team concept, and realize that most of the players that are now your teammates are just as good as you are.  And to make it just a little more difficult it has to be done in under six months. 

College basketball has changed.  No more do you see players coming and staying for four years unless they are not the McDonald's All Americans that have become the prize for the big time programs,  There was a time when players could grow and learn in a system that would nurture them into young adults, but now these young lions must come ready made,  with not just a jump shot, but real world experience and maturity.  Coach Cal has become the gold standard of taking the modern basketball youth and renovating them into a team that is not only good but will likely challenge for Final Fours and even National Championships.  A daunting task at best.  In Coach Cal's third season at Kentucky he has manged to do just that.  However at times I bet Coach Cal thinks it would probably be easier just to herd a bunch of cats.