DeWayne Peevy, the Man Behind Cal’s Tweets
By Brian Smith
Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
Stories making news in Kentucky Wildcats athletics for Thursday, 29 January 2015.
DeWayne Peevy is a recognizable face around the UK athletic program, especially the men’s basketball team. And, as Mitch Barnhart’s deputy, Peevy could be the next in a line of Deputy Assistant Directors under Barnhart to land an AD position somewhere. But, Peevy had an odd start to a career in athletics administration. John Clay writes:
"“Asthma prematurely ended his college baseball career at Montevallo, but DeWayne Peevy wanted to stay around the sport so he was told he could help out in the school’s sports information department.He showed up for his first game only to find confusion over the starting time had left no one else to work. With no previous experience, Peevy served as public address announcer, operated the scoreboard and kept the scorebook. All at the same time.A career was born.”"
Thursday night, the Wildcats play Missouri in Columbia. In their first meeting in Rupp, Kentucky demolished the Tigers. So how can the ‘Cats maintain focus this time around? Kyle Tucker writes:
"“This will be a test of focus. When top-ranked Kentucky visits struggling Missouri on Thursday night, will the Wildcats be bored before the basketball game even starts? They beat the Tigers by 49 points barely two weeks ago at Rupp Arena, after all.‘Well, we’re playing them at their house. It’s totally different,’ swears UK sharpshooter Devin Booker, who is one Cat with sufficient motivation as he’ll play at his famous father’s alma mater for the first time. ‘Our fans back at Rupp, they helped us a lot during that game. So I feel like their fans are going to try to do the same for them.’”"
A win at Missouri Thursday night would put the Wildcats halfway to a 40-0 season. In the first half of the season, fans have watched Kentucky win close games, blow out teams, dominate offensively, and play suffocating defense. There aren’t many questions left with this year’s group of Wildcats but there are a few. Bobby Reagan writes:
"“It’s hard to come up with burning questions for the Kentucky basketball team when it’s sitting undefeated (19-0, 6-0 SEC) and steamrolling opponents.However, there are some issues that still need to be addressed.Whether it’s the growth or decline of a player, if the team can keep it up or the rotation, there are things that need to be sorted out. The Wildcats are in the midst of a semi-break since winning at South Carolina on Saturday, as they play at Missouri on Thursday night.”"
On Wednesday, the McDonald’s All-American rosters were announced, and once again, the game will feature a Kentucky signee along with others who are considering the Wildcats. Adam Zagoria writes:
"“Kentucky-bound guard Isaiah Briscoe of Roselle (N.J.) Catholic was among the 24 players selected Wednesday for the McDonald’s All-American Game April 1 at Chicago’s United Center (9 p.m., ESPN).The 6-foot-3 Briscoe is the 16th member of the NJ Playaz to make the prestigious game in 18 years. Former Playaz to make the McDonald’s game include the likes of Kobe Bryant, J.R. Smith, Kyle Anderson and Dajuan Wagner.Briscoe is the only Kentucky signee to make the game as Skal Labisierre was ineligible and Charles Matthews was not selected. A year ago, four Kentucky signees were McDonald’s All-Americans. Kentucky coach John Calipari has had 21 McDonald’s All-American at the school.”"
DeMarcus Cousins is, perhaps, the best big man in the NBA and yet he wasn’t voted by fans as an NBA All-Star starter. All-Star reserved, as selected by the coaches, will be announced on Thursday and Cousins deserves to have his name called. Jason Ross writes:
"“The fact that we can even debate if DeMarcus is the best big man in the NBA proves the point that he is one of the leagues best players. The statistics also back up that thought. Cousins is 4th in the NBA in scoring, 3rd in rebounding, 12th in blocks, and 3rd in double-doubles. It shouldn’t be all about stats, but sometimes you just can’t ignore the numbers.There hasn’t been a player in the NBA that has averaged 24 points and 12 rebounds and not made the All-Star game.How about his peers? Dirk Nowitzki said, ‘Of course he should be an All-Star’ when referring to Cousins. Rajon Rondo loves him some DeMarcus, ‘I don’t know what the definition of an All-Star is if he doesn’t make it. He should be the first guy selected by the coaches. The Kings have the best young player in the game.’”"