Nerlens Noel more worried about a National Title for the Kentucky Wildcats, not the NBA

Sept 8, 2012; Lexington, KY, USA; Kent State Golden Flashes running back Dri Archer (1) runs for a touchdown against Kentucky Wildcats cornerback JD Harmon (15) at Commonwealth Stadium. Credit: Mark Zerof-US PRESSWIRE

There were some bright spots for Kentucky in their loss to Missouri on Saturday. One of those was the play of JD Harmon and he was honored. Here is more information from the UKAA:

"University of Kentucky true freshman cornerback J.D. Harmon has been named Honorable Mention Defensive Back of the Week by the College Football Performance Awards for his impressive performance Saturday at Missouri. Harmon posted a career-best seven tackles and two interceptions in the game. The native of Paducah, Ky., picked off consecutive passes to start the second half. After Missouri received the opening kickoff of the half, Harmon gathered his first career interception on the second play of the drive, adding an eight-yard return. After UK punted and Missouri got the ball back, Harmon made a diving interception on the first play of the drive. Harmon is the first UK player since Winston Guy in the 2011 season opener against Western Kentucky to collect two interceptions in a game. Harmon’s seven tackles featured four stops in run support, two of which were for no gain. On his three tackles on pass plays, none went for more than eight yards. The 6-foot-2, 197-pound walk-on has 13 tackles, two interceptions and two pass breakups this season."

Oct 13, 2012; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Joker Phillips during the second quarter of the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-US PRESSWIRE

Coming into the Missouri game, I was one of the few remaining pundits still supporting Joker Phillips and thought that a 3-1 win down the stretch could save his job … providing there were no major embarrassments the rest of the way. Well, I think that Missouri would classify as that, and I really don’t see a way Joker can save his job. Larry Vaught has the same though and thinks that Mitch Barnhart has to do something soon:

"It’s time for Kentucky athletics director MItch Barnhart to take a stand. Season ticket sales are down. The team is not winning. Fans are irate. If Barnhart is not going to make a change, have the courage to say so now. If he knows one needs to be made, then let it be known now so the staff and players, especially the seniors, can somewhat enjoy the final three games. There are only two more home games. This week against Vanderbilt and then Samford after a bye week. If Barnhart doesn’t want to announce anything this week, he has to do it during the bye week. Kentucky players and fans deserve to know what direction he wants to go and Saturday’s 33-10 loss should certainly make it clear that a change has to be made because things are just not working."