Kentucky Wildcats 5 for Monday: The "Disappearing Daniel Orton" edition

Daniel Orton has only played in one and a half D-League game and already he is at the center of some mysterious action.  As of right now, he has simply disappeared.  Now, don’t panic and call missing persons, but it appears that Orton disappeared from his second game and did not appear back on the bench so there is speculation that either he was injured or was called back up to the Magic.

The Orlando Magic Nation has some speculation that Daniel Orton may be part of a big trade looming soon …. or that the Magic are planning to move Martin Gortat and that Orton will be come Dwight Howard’s main backup. 

"It could mean Orton has impressed some GM’s in the league and could be included in a monster trade, especially considering that Denver is looking for young talent to help replace Carmelo Anthony. If Orton can play like he did in his NBADL games, then it stands to reason that he might actually be a superstar in the making. I could see Denver making that kind of gamble on a player, considering they are more than likely going to lose Anthony.The other possibility is that the Magic are about to move Gortat, confident that Orton is going to be a suitable back-up to Dwight. While Gortat definitely played well on Friday, his contract is meant for a starting Center and the Magic, while willing to go into the luxury tax, would still be looking at ways to have a smaller salary cap without losing any of the talent they’ve managed to corral."

Yesterday was a rough day for the UK Hoops team as not only they did they suffer their first loss of the season, they lost to their biggest rival, the lady Dirty Birds.  Louisville packed over 22,000 fans into the new Yum! Center and the Lady Birds obviously fed off that energy as they blew out the #8 UK Hoops squad  78-52.  Victoria Dunlap led the Cats with 17 points and a career high 23 rebounds.  UK Hoops is now 5-1 on the season and next face Tennessee Tech Tuesday night at Memorial Coliseum.

As you know by now, Joker Phillip’s football Wildcats are going bowling for a fifth consecutive season so mark your calendar for Saturday, January 8 in Birmingham.  You can order games mfor the Wildcats matchup versus the Pitt Panthers by going to www.ukathletics.com/tickets/ or by calling 1-800-928-2287.

Well, we saw this one coming after Donald Russell’s mother publicly decried Joker Phillip’s handling of her son, but UK RB Donald Russell has been granted his release and will transfer from Kentucky.  This though, does present an opportunity for fellow Florida running back Brandon Gainer on next years squad.  Also, there are rumors that defensive Elliot Porter may be following Russell.  As we recall, Porter was a late edition to the Wildcats after LSU found they had no room for him.  Word is that he is homesick but no decision has been made on whether to leave or stay.

Finally, some good news for the UK football team.  Seven Wildcats were named to the All SEC team which was named by Phil Steele’s College Football.  Randall Cobb, the SEC’s leading pass catcher and Danny Trevathan, the SEC’s leading tackler were both named to the first team.  WR Chris Matthews and OG Larry Warford were both named to the second team and Mike Hartline, Derrick Locke, and Winston Guy were named to the fourth team.

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