Kentucky Wildcats Basketball: What to watch for against Transylvania and other Headlines
Oct 20, 2012; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers former head coach Phillip Fulmer waves to the crowd after he was inducted into the college football hall of fame prior to the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Neyland Stadium. Alabama won by a score of 44 to 13. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-US PRESSWIRE
The Kentucky football head coaching job search is officially underway and there has already been some chatter. Kyle Tucker from The Louisville Courier-Journal had a discussion with former Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer. Here are some quick excerpts:
On the UK job:
"My feeling on it would be they have great potential, being in the Souteastern Conference and obviously having a great history in basketball."
On UK commitment to football:
"They certainly seem very committed from the standpoint of fan loyalty and resources to build a football program."
On his interest in the job:
"That’s not really for me to say at this point. I haven’t had any conversations with anyone."
Tucker’s entire interview is well worth your time. It sounds as if Fulmer is interested. But is Kentucky?
Oct 6, 2012; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Joker Phillips during the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Commonwealth Stadium. Mississippi State won 27-14. Credit: Mark Zerof-US PRESSWIRE
It’s official that Joker Phillips will coach the remaining two games in the 2012 season. The Wildcats are on their bye week on the 10th but will finish the home season against Samford and then will travel to Knoxville to take on the Tennessee Volunteers for the last game of the season and of his career.
I think this is a great decision by Kentucky and by Joker. Hopefully coach can finish out his time at Kentucky with two consecutive wins.
Jan 14, 2012; Tallahassee, FL, USA; ESPN basketball analyst Jay Bilas during ESPN college basketball GameDay prior to the start of the game between the Florida State Seminoles and North Carolina Tar Heels at the Donald L. Tucker Center. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-US PRESSWIRE
Most Louisville fans would have you believe that the front court of Gorgui Dieng, Chane Behannan and Wayne Blackshear is the best in the NCAA. Not according to Jay Bilas who is one of the smartest minds in college basketball. Bilas gives the nod to Kentucky as the best of the best with Nerlens Noel, Willie Cauley-Stein, Alex Poythress and Kyle Wiltjer.
"1. Kentucky Wildcats After losing Anthony Davis, if seems crazy to believe that Kentucky could protect the rim as well as it did in its championship season. Yet, with Nerlens Noel, John Calipari has a rim protector and lane limiter that can be every bit as effective. Noel is a freak shot blocker with length, crazy athleticism and disciplined timing. He does not have the defensive range of Davis, nor does he have the offensive feel and potential of Davis, but Noel is jet-quick off the floor and a potential No. 1 overall selection in the NBA draft because he can control the lane. Another seven-footer, Willie Cauley-Stein, can play alongside Noel and can also clog the lane, finish plays and rebound. Cauley-Stein played wide receiver in high school, which had to make him the tallest receiver in football. He is a work in progress, but is making tremendous progress. So, with two true big men leading the way, 6-8 freshman Alex Poythress will have even better opportunities to attack the rim and the glass. Poythress can wind up being the best frontcourt performer on this Kentucky team. And, sophomore Kyle Wiltjer, a top recruit last year that couldn’t crack the lineup, is as good a face-up shooter as you will find anywhere. Wiltjer has a low post game and deep shooting range. All these Wildcats are so young, but so good."
Louisville comes in at #2, followed by Syracuse, UNLV, and Duke.