Kentucky Wildcats Defense of Historic Proportions
By Brian Smith
Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
The stories making news in Kentucky Wildcats athletics for Thursday, 21 January 2015.
Yes, Kentucky’s defense is very good. At this point, it may seem silly to discuss what has long been known—that Kentucky is the most dominant defensive team in college basketball. But, just how how good is the Wildcats’ defense? Kyle Tucker writes:
"“Just six games into the season, back in November, John Calipari said if his University of Kentucky basketball team committed to it, the Wildcats would have “a chance of being one of those teams you talk about defensively, like, (best) of all-time.”Now, approaching what they hope is just the halfway point of a championship season, and even after Vanderbilt’s second-half offensive blitz Tuesday night, Kentucky’s defense remains on an historic pace.”"
On a team with so many talented big men, might Karl-Anthony Towns be the most talented of them all? Perhaps, and John Calipari believes Towns can be the best in the country by the end of the year. Jerry Tipton writes:
"“Towns, a fixture at or near the top of the various mock NBA Drafts for this year, did not embrace the notion of becoming the nation’s top big man. That would be bad form on a Kentucky team flush with standout players and self-conscious about individual ambition clashing with a collective purpose.‘I’m just worrying about what I can give this team,’ he said. ‘I want them to say this team was the best. That’s what I worry about. If at the end of the season, they say I’m the best, then that’s perfect. I’m working hard every day to be that. But I’m also working even harder to be the best player I can be for this team.’”"
Isaiah Briscoe is one of the top guards—and top overall players—in the Class of 2015. The 6’3” guard from New Jersey committed to Kentucky last November, in part because of Calipari’s track record of getting guys ready for the NBA. Steve Jones writes:
"“Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari’s reputation for having so many players reach the NBA has no doubt helped his juggernaut recruiting efforts. In the 2015 class, that seems to be no more apparent than with five-star UK point guard signee Isaiah Briscoe.Briscoe, the supremely strong, competitive lead guard for Roselle Catholic High School in New Jersey, said after a loss at last weekend’s Spalding HoopHall Classic that he didn’t want to pass up a chance to join Calipari’s line of pros.”"
Charles Matthews took an unusual road to the NFL. But during Sunday’s NFC Championship game versus the Green Bay Packers, it paid off. Jonathan Lintner writes:
"“Chris Matthews, former Foot Locker worker and security guard, will on Feb. 1 become the 30th former University of Kentucky player to suit up for a Super Bowl team.The Seattle Seahawks might not be headed to a meeting with the New England Patriots if not for Matthews, who recovered the pivotal onside kick during the fourth quarter of Sunday’s overtime victory against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship game.”"
Oklahoma has two mascots—Boomer and Sooner—who entertain the crowd during basketball games. It appears as though one of those mascots wasn’t so entertaining and family-friendly during last weekend’s game versus Oklahoma State. Matt Norlander writes:
"“A report from The Oklahoman, citing multiple unnamed sources, claims the person underneath one of Oklahoma’s mascot costumes has been relieved of duty after allegedly harassing Oklahoma State fans, including the wife of OSU coach Travis Ford, during the Bedlam basketball game over the weekend.Oklahoma easily won its home rivalry game over OSU, 82-65, but in the midst of that victory came some unwanted behavior from one of the mascots, which reportedly repeatedly bothered a section of visiting Cowboys fans.”"