Kentucky Wildcats are “simply a better team” with Ryan Harrow back in the fold
By Paul Jordan
Oct. 13, 2011; Lexington, KY USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Ryan Harrow (12) speaks to reporters about his team during media day at Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-US PRESSWIRE
After a couple of weeks of uncertainty, point guard Ryan Harrow was back at practice yesterday. And folks like Jeff Borzello think that this immediately makes Kentucky a better team:
"Harrow, a 6-foot-2 sophomore out of Georgia, has the ability to take Kentucky to the next level. Because the Wildcats have so many weapons, they have had the pieces to survive without Harrow — aside from the loss to Duke in the first week of the season. Archie Goodwin has been playing at the point, and he had nine assists in Friday’s win over LIU Brooklyn. But it’s certainly no secret that Goodwin is far better on the wing as a scorer. Harrow’s return enables everyone to play their natural positions. Harrow is extremely athletic and has a world of potential. If he is focused and on the floor, Kentucky is simply a better team."
Nov. 21, 2012; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Mike Brey watches from the bench in the second half against the George Washington Colonials at the Purcell Pavilion. Notre Dame won 65-48. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-US PRESSWIRE
About this time last year, Kentucky took a trip to Bloomington, Indiana that defined their season. On Thursday, Kentucky travels to Indiana, this time to South Bend to face the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. The Irish are 5-1 on the year and could be a ranked team yet again when the polls are released today. Notre Dame’s Joyce Center is one of the toughest venues in college basketball as the Fighting Irish are 37-1 over the last two plus seasons. That includes victories over top-ranked Syracuse, Louisville and Connecticut’s 2011 NCAA champs. Also expect to see the national title contending team to be trotted out in front of the crowd to amp the crowd even more.
Nov 21, 2012; Lexington , KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari before the game against the Morehead Eagles at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated Morehead 81-70. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-US PRESSWIRE
While most of us spent Thanksgiving weekend at the mall fighting crowds or on the couch watching football, John Calipari was back on the recruiting trail. Calipari was in Orlando to watch 2013’s Dakari Johnson and the center put on a double double performance for the UK coach:
"A big crowd in Orlando Christian Prep’s small gym included a courtside table occupied by head coaches John Calipari of Kentucky, Donnie Jones of UCF and Stan Heath of USF. Dakari Johnson, a 6-foot-11 center who was ESPN’s national player of the year for his grade level at St. Patrick’s of New Jersey two years ago, had 25 points, 15 rebounds and three assists in his official debut for Montverde Academy (1-0). The Eagles won 74-57 over reigning Class 5A state champion Lake Wales (0-1). Johnson sat out last season after following Eagles coach Kevin Boyle to Florida and recently announced his decision to switch from the junior class to the senior class and jump to college basketball next fall. “I wasn’t looking for my stats,” Johnson said. “We have so many pieces on our team. I just tried to come out and play my hardest and help us get a good win.”"