John Calipari is “disappointed” in Jeff Sheppard’s comments and the Louisville Cardinals to add Michael Dyer

Jul 18, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari ( r ) watches from the sidelines during the game between Team Canada and Team USA during the Nike Global Challenge at Trinity University. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

By now, the Big Blue Nation has to trust John Calipari explicitily when it comes to everything, but recruiting in particular.  So when you read the name, Tyler Ulis, don’t feel bad if you’re not familiar with him.  I wasn’t either but he happens to be the top PG prospect in the state in 2014 but hadn’t received any interest from Coach Cal…until recently.  He has already narrowed his list of schools to seven (7) and the Kentucky Wildcats were not among them.  According to James Ulis, his Father, they may need to revisit that list now that Kentucky is interested:

"James Ulis, Tyler Ulis’ father, told the Hoops Report early Saturday they are now trying to set a game plan for narrowing the list further and setting up some visits in September."

A bit about Tyler Ulis

"The buzz surrounding Tyler Ulis just keeps building. And the addition of powerhouse Kentucky to a list of suitors for the dynamic point guard won’t quiet it one bit.Even after cutting his list down to seven schools in the spring, the Marian Catholic star can’t help but listen to all the conversation and interest surrounding him after his stellar summer play. Many schools, such as Miami-Florida, Connecticut, Missouri and a few others, have tried to get in with Ulis and join the list of seven.But now with interest from coach John Calipari and Kentucky, the Ulis camp may have to take another look at the list that currently includes Michigan State, Purdue, DePaul, Northwestern, Iowa, Florida State and USC. Kentucky, with all its pedigree, history and tradition, is one school that may very well be let in at this stage.Following the final evaluation weekend of July in Las Vegas, Ulis began hearing from the Kentucky staff. There has been plenty of dialogue in recent days with Kentucky, and although an offer has not yet been made, Kentucky is now actively recruiting Ulis, with a visit to Lexington possible.Ulis, the top point guard prospect in the state in the Class of 2014 and now among the top 40 players in the country, has won everyone over. He averaged 22 points, 4.8 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 2.8 steals a game while leading Marian Catholic to its greatest season in school history last year. Ulis, who already holds the career scoring mark at Marian Catholic with 1,612 points, will surely become a 2,000-plus point scorer at some point during his senior year."

Should Ulis decide to ply his trade here in Lexington, KY then he could be part of the charity All-Star games that Coach Cal endorses every year. This year features the 2010-2012 teams and it should be out of this world but when John Calipari sat down with WKYT for an interview, he had a little to say about Jeff Sheppard’s recent comments that many have deemed disparaging toward the Kentucky Wildcats program as well.

From way out West, we have a Pac-12 sighting…well from their Commissioner anyway and while it doesn’t matter much (it is the Pac-12 after all), Larry Scott is on board with something John Calipari has sought change for for years: the NBA’s “one and done” rule.  I couldn’t agree more because, let’s face it, we would likely be the proud owners of at least one (1), maybe two (2) additional National Championships.

"“Anyone that’s serious about the collegiate model and the words ‘student-athlete’ can’t feel very good about what’s happening in basketball with one-and-done student athletes,” Scott told a small group of reporters at last week’s Pac-12 football media day."

"“We’ve managed with the NFL and football to have a reasonable policy that allows kids to go pro at the appropriate time. We’ve managed to do it in baseball. Basketball’s the only sport where we haven’t managed to come up with a responsible policy and the blame is with the NBA, the NBA Players Association and the NCAA, so now’s the time to take ownership of it. We’ve got time. We’ve made major changes in football. Now there’s time to make major changes in basketball.”"

ESPN’s Chris Low had a chat with Kentucky Wildcats RB Raymond Sanders recently during the SEC Media Days and there was much to discuss, with everything from the Spring Game attendance to the Kentucky-Georgia recruiting pipeline to Neal Brown’s balls-to-the-walls offense.  Needless to say, Raymond’s very excited.

In what is likely their last great chance at relevance, Charlie Strong and his Louisville Cardinals are, unofficially, welcoming former Auburn RB and 2011 BCS National Championship Offensive MVP to their family.  This is Dyer’s last shot at redemption on a college football field most likely, since he has had two arrests and hasn’t actually played since 2011 after a couple transfers and dismissals.  Coincidentally he becomes Louisville’s highest rated prospect (#11 in 2010) but he does come with a bit of baggage.  You can make all the jokes you want about adding a kid with that baggage but he will make their team much better because he’s a great RB and the baggage that’s not being considered that he is bringing is that BCS National Championship.  Personally I’m rooting for the kid.  Yes he’s made mistakes but haven’t we all.  I don’t want Louisville to have success but I’m not raining on his parade.

"When deciding where to continue his collegiate career, Michael Dyer sought more than a great football program.“I wanted a support system that would continue helping me develop socially, emotionally and spiritually,” Dyer said in a statement released Friday. “Most people know that I can play football and know I am very capable academically. But this decision is about more than just football. It is more about me as a person.”Dyer, a former Auburn running back who was later dismissed from Arkansas State’s program, confirmed through a news release the USA Today Sports report saying he’s decided to play for coach Charlie Strong and the University of Louisville.Twice a 1,000-yard rusher at Auburn and the 2011 BCS Championship Game’s MVP, Dyer has a scholarship offer from Strong and intends to earn a college degree, according to the release. That would likely mean two seasons playing for the Cardinals, as Dyer recently earned an associate’s degree at Arkansas Baptist College under guidance from school president Fitz Hil.Because Dyer isn’t yet enrolled at U of L, the Cardinals’ athletic department can’t announce his addition to the roster.But Dyer has already agreed to Strong’s principles, including on guns and drugs. Both of those led to run-ins with law enforcement during his previous college stops, though Dyer was never charged with a crime at Auburn, Arkansas State or Arkansas Baptist.At U of L, Dyer would have two seasons of eligibility and be able to play immediately.“I am ready to start a new chapter in my life,” the Little Rock, Ark., native stated. “I have learned from my past and feel that Louisville is the best place to play the second half of my collegiate football career. I thank God for Coach Strong’s belief in me. I am not going to let him down.”"