Kentucky Tradition

What I Did On My Vacation

2010-06-05T19:38:00.001-04:00

420 feet, 120 mph in 4 secs, 90 degree rise and drop. First row!

Cumberland Falls Moonbow

2010-05-27T20:48:00.001-04:00

Last night I was able to witness something only visible in one place in the western hemisphere: the moonbow at Cumberland Falls. If you have not made your way to this beautiful state park, I suggest you take a weekend to check it out.

Odds ans Ends

2010-05-24T11:09:00.000-04:00

As a kid, I was naive to the thought that all people ate the deliciously salty dish known as country ham. Imagine my shock- no, horror, if you will- when I found out the hard way that northerners had never heard of country ham OR biscuits and gravy. I'll never forget walking into a McDonald's as a teenager on the northeast coast and scouring the menu for biscuits and gravy, only to receive blank stares when asking at the counter.

While biscuits and gravy may be a general southern "thang," country ham's recognition is becoming more localized. Where else but Kentucky?! Be sure to check out the NY Times article about the culinary resurgence of "My Old Kentucky Ham."

Kentucky is also receiving regonition in the literary realm. Not for any particular piece of writing, but rather, a word. Hornswoggle to be exact. Imagine my surprise when spell check actually identified it as a real word!! Warren Clements writes about the word hornswoggle and its Kentucky roots.

Ex-UK star Witten to make French Open debut | KentuckySports.com

2010-05-24T00:00:00.000-04:00

The Bat Cats may have disappointed in the spring term of UK sports, but UK Tennis continues to shine, including its former players. Jesse Witten, a former Cat, will make his French Open debut on Monday. Witten racked up the accolades while he was a Wildcat, so make sure to cheer him on this week. Ex-UK star Witten to make French Open debut | KentuckySports.com

DeMarcus Cousins Draft Combine Interview - Part 1

2010-05-23T23:36:00.000-04:00

Lexington entrepreneur develops web commenting tool - Business - Kentucky.com

2010-05-20T18:36:00.000-04:00

Lexington has long sustained web development, including such creations as Fark. Could this new web application be a hit?
Lexington entrepreneur develops web commenting tool - Business - Kentucky.com

Terrence Jones Commits, Coach Takes a Shot

2010-05-20T07:47:00.000-04:00

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/huskymensbasketballblog/2011907299_report_terrence_1.html

This Just In- UK Fans Pack the House!

2010-05-12T22:00:00.000-04:00

Oh...wait, you already knew that?! In what seems like a mere formality for Kentucky fans now, the official attendance figures for college basketball have been analyzed and the Big Blue Nation retains their rightful spot on the average attendance throne. For 14 of the past 15 year, Kentucky fans have claimed the title of highest attendance. The season home average for 2009-2010 was 24,111 over 18 home games, which is over 100% capacity. Considering that Syracuse can squeeze in nearly 33,000 for a home game, and their second place average of 22,152 over 19 home games just seems pathetic. Can you imagine what it would be like if UK played in a 33,000 seat arena?!

Well, at least Syracuse isn't UCONN, the school with enough gall to actually ask for state funding to support their legal woes stemming from a lengthy NCAA investigation into the men's basketball program. Go Huskies...I wonder if residents of Connecticut can claim a deduction for legal fees for this...

Finally, I received some flak for criticizing the UK Baseball team the other day, and with their series win over #4 South Carolina, I would almost be willing to take back my comments. However, Kentucky slid back in to, albeit meaningless, games this week. Losses to Indiana and Lipscomb can't help morale much as the Bat Cats try to salvage any post-season hopes. Add that to the fact that Tennessee, the team UK is fighting for the last spot in the SEC tourney, absolutely shellacked Georgia in a sweep last weekend, and the door certainly is closing quickly. I remain cautiously optimistic that UT will falter, but only time will tell.

More Catching Up...

2010-05-08T16:35:00.000-04:00

The legal representation of Steve Masiello...seriously

There is once again too much news to keep up with in the Bluegrass. One of the most interesting stories just recently broke, though. Former UK basketball human victory cigar, Steve Masiello, has been named in a ticket fiasco. It is alleged that Masiello made out with approximately $50,000 from a ticket broker. While it will take some time to sort out all of the details, which include a cash transaction with “a woman standing under the street light by the Smoothie King in St. Matthews,” the story is already providing entertainment. It turns out Masiello's attorney has an interesting past, as in, he likes to sleep in trash cans.

In other news:

Many of you have asked about the Mint Julep cupcakes I mentioned in my last post, so here is a link to the recipe. They were absolutely delicious. Also delicious from that site: Irish Car Bomb cupcakes and Bacon cupcakes. If you are lucky enough to live in the Knoxville area, I highly recommend ordering a batch of specialty cupcakes from the creator of this site for your next event.
Congratulations to Ramon Harris, Mark Krebs, Patrick Patterson, and Perry Stevenson for graduating this weekend. Thanks for all of your time and effort given to UK.
Good luck Eric Bledsoe and Daniel Orton. These two young men have officially decided to stay in the NBA Draft. And just like that, Kentucky's roster is really thin...
WinStar Farm is on the fast track to success in the thoroughbred industry. It's been quite a turnaround from where the farm began.
60 countries have signed on for the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington. Let's just hope the sidewalks get done in time!!
Is one year at the helm really long enough to contemplate a "lifetime" contract a la Duke and Coach Krybaby? Perhaps whatever keeps Cal from going to Chicago?

The season is winding down for UK sports, and it doesn't look well for UK Baseball. The program has taken a small step back after Cohen left for his alma mater. Let's hope Coach Henderson can pull out a miracle and end the year on a high note for Kentucky athletics.

All Things Sports...and more...

2010-05-04T21:40:00.002-04:00

What is this?! Is Bledsoe a "Buyers Beware" type pick??!! Hmmm.... will he come back?

Life after Derby isn't all it's cracked up to be. For two weeks, Louisville and the rest of Kentucky throw good times into high gear, so the lull that comes on the first Sunday in May can be hard to handle. Contrary to what most Kentuckians think, their state is not the center of the universe. Alas, life, and sports, goes on. Here are some things I have learned since the 136th running of the Kentucky Derby:

TV ratings were surprisingly up for the Derby, and Todd Pletcher isn't a complete failure (I kid, I kid...)
Perhaps not so surprising: Thoroughbred betting is down. The shocking part? A drop of $26 million dollars is only a 2.52% drop in numbers. Yikes! Over $1 billion was wagered on horses in April.
Mint Juleps are good, Mint Julep cupcakes are better. I will share more later...
Even though it's not basketball season, Calipari will always make waves. He's interested in the Bulls job, he's not interested in the Bulls job, his players don't take school seriously, he's the reason for the poor economy, blah blah blah...
Pitino's agony continues to be drawn out
~~Duke~~ Puke and Butler will play next season
Even college football players can get star struck (really Zipp Duncan? Michael Vick?)
The Denver Broncos are becoming Kentucky West
UK Tennis continues to shine
Rajon Rondo is the man! 19 assists in basically 3 quarters of work. Simply amazing!

There is so much more going on in sports, it's hard to imagine this as a "down time" for fans. MLB is heating up (except for the Reds...), NASCAR is prepping for the best All-Star event in sports, and the NBA Playoffs are actually tolerably this year. It's a good thing I've got something to keep me entertained, because truthfully, like most of you, I'm just biding my time until college football. Go Cats!!!

Kentucky Derby 136

2010-05-01T14:11:00.001-04:00

The rain isn't going to stop Kentucky from putting on it's annual party. Things wound down last night with the glitz and glamour of the Derby Eve Parties, and by post time today, you can be sure the infield and grandstands will be packed for the 136th running of the Kentucky Derby. This is one tradition that just may stand the test of time. The Kentucky Derby continues to charm and entertain with no signs of slowing down.

This year's Derby is a wide open race, with no runaway favorites. Of course, that could mean little with the sloppy track and the fact that Mine That Bird won the race at 50-1 last year. All of the questions surrounding this year's race hasn't stopped people from making their picks, though. Everyone has their own method, and as I've clearly indicated before, mine is absolutely terrible. Hopefully some of you will have better luck that I today.

If you are like me and just can't wait for national coverage of the Derby festivities, consider watching a live link here (time sensitive link). NBC's coverage is always top-notch, but it just feels like I am getting cheated to catch only a few hours of race day coverage. Good luck today, and happy betting. Enjoy the races, try a mint julep, and don't forget to sing all the words to My Old Kentucky Home!

Keeping Up...

2010-04-28T11:15:00.001-04:00

Once again, maintenance is taking a front seat to the blog site. While complications may arise with any project, the good news is you can now access the site from it's intended web address: www.kentuckytradition.com or even simply www.kytradition.com .

In the UK world, things are about as quiet as you would expect them to be for late spring athletics. The athletic department continued to wow with their production of the Catspy Awards, better known as just "The Catspys." The quality and class with which this program is produced rivals few other athletic departments. It's a nice touch for the athletes that give so much to the university. Be sure to check out the photo gallery in the link. John Wall is a sharp dressed man.

While general athletic awards are nice, recognition should truly be paid to those on the SEC Academic Honor Roll. Kentucky placed 41 students on the 2009-10 Winter Honor Roll, or roughly 10.5% of all SEC recipients. Not bad for a 12-team conference.

Kentucky men's basketball continues to fill out its roster, adding walk-on Jarrod Polson from West Jessamine. Polson had a stellar senior season and will be a valuable addition to the team. With Mark Krebs, who could really play some ball, graduationg, Polson is a more than suitable replacement. Perhaps even more interesting is the news that Eric Bledsoe reportedly has not hired an agent. Conflicting reports were abound yesterday, but the sleuths that are UK basketball fans got to the truth eventually.

In other news, with the Derby rapidly approaching, two contenders have already pulled out of the race. The field will most certainly be full, but it's disappointing whenever a horse with promise can't make the race. The withdrawals may have been overshadowed by the chatter of moving the Derby, though. With the addition of lights to Churchill Downs, the discussion has already taken off about moving the Derby to primetime.

As for me, I can't wait until the first Saturday in May! If you haven't made plans to watch the Derby, do it now! Find a Derby party to attend, or throw your own! It's always a good time and nothing celebrates the genteel tradition of Kentucky better.

Football, Football, Football

2010-04-24T21:51:00.000-04:00

The NFL Draft is winding down, and UK is again slowly matriculating players into the league. Corey Peters made the first splash, picked in the third round by the Atlanta Falcons. This was a surprisingly early pick by some prognosticators. Trevard Lindley followed in the fourth round, and John Conner in the fifth round. Absent from the list of upcoming rookies is Micah Johnson, who did not get picked up, and will have to work on free agency. Some argue that Micah would have been better off at defensive end, but his career at linebacker was not without accolades, including All-SEC honors.

Along with the draft, the Wildcats wound down spring practice with the Blue-White Scrimmage. Reports indicate that there is no clear front runner in the quarterback battle, but as expected, the new offensive line excelled. Derrick Locke and Donald Russell racked up a large portion of the 307-yard ground attack. Fans may have been excited to see a much more aggressive defensive scheme, but with all the young players and new coaches, it's anybody's guess as to what is really happening on the field. The signs from Saturday's scrimmage either point to good things to come, or a long road ahead, depending on your perspective.

Bottom line, the UK football program seems to be continuing its upward trend. I look forward to the season ahead and a fifth consecutive bowl appearance. And I'm not talking about any of the newly created ourfootballteambarelyreached.500.com bowls. Look for UK to make a strong stance in the SEC this year, especially with Tennessee continuing to send their players to lock up.

NFL Draft 2010

2010-04-21T21:24:00.000-04:00

Another NFL season is approaching, but not before the rosters are improved with a fresh stock of upcoming talent at the 2010 NFL Draft. With the SEC's continued dominance in the college football realm, some might be shocked to see some of the mock drafts out there and find so few SEC players in the early picks. But, the fact is, even though the SEC is a battleground of a football conference, no system cranks out more top notch picks than the Big 12. In some mock drafts, the lofty conference could snag the first five picks.

The SEC is not without its stars, though. Tennessee looks to send two defensive players early in the first round (quite a contrast to what the Volunteers have had on the offensive end of late). If Eric Berry and Dan Williams are still available by the 20th pick, I would be shocked, truly shocked.

Perhaps in an effort to avoid some of the awkwardness that comes with waiting and waiting to hear your name called, Tim Tebow, the SEC legend, has elected not to attend the draft. Perhaps he got a phone call from Brady Quinn... Who knows, with Big Ben on suspension and giving the Steelers a black eye in PR, Tebow could be the polar opposite they need.

Kentucky has a few players that will get picked up, but probably not any on the first day. John Conner is one of, if not the highest ranked fullbacks in the draft. Unfortunately, fullbacks aren't a hot commodity. The real guess will be what happens to Trevard Lindley, who some say may have hurt his draft stock by coming back last season. There are plenty of other Cats that could wind up around the 6th round, mostly on the defensive side, but Alfonso Smith is also keeping his fingers crossed to land a spot somewhere. As the saying goes, you can't coach speed.

Make sure to tune in prime time and watch the draft unfold. There's always a little excitement and surprise that makes it worth watching. Well, that and watching the poor Jets fans suffer :)

Rolex Three-Day Event

2010-04-19T19:15:00.000-04:00

It's hard to believe that the volcanic ash cloud from Iceland could possibly affect Lexington, but in a way, it already has. The Rolex Three-Day Event is scheduled to begin this Thursday at the Kentucky Horse Park, yet the prestigious equestrian event must first field all of its contestants, some of whom are still trying to get out of Europe.

If you have never been to the Rolex, it's a great way to spend a weekend. Kentucky's horse culture is so much more than just "betting on the ponies." Attending the Rolex would also be good for those planning to gear up for the World Equestrian Games this fall. From Dressage to Cross-Country, their is plenty to be exposed to, and it usually makes for a relaxing afternoon if the weather cooperates.

Along with the Rolex, The Kentucky Cup starts Tuesday, so the week is packed full of equine fun! Now that Thunder Over Louisville has passed, it is officially horse season, so get out and enjoy it!

Even More Recruits!

2010-04-18T15:22:00.000-04:00

Saturday brought in yet another recruit to the Kentucky program. Doron Lamb announced his decision to play for the Cats during the Jordan Brand Classic last night. The rest of the pieces are falling into place, and as expected, Josh Selby announced his intent to play for the Kansas Jayhawks.

It's been a fast and furious late signing period, and it's not over yet. Expect an announcement from C.J. Leslie soon, perhaps as early as today. Most people are locking him up to the Wildcats, and with Florida cancelling a visit, it seems he could be headed to the Bluegrass State.

Thunder Over Louisville

2010-04-17T10:16:00.001-04:00

The standard rule for remembering the date for the Kentucky Derby is to remember that it's the first Saturday in May. However, some may forget until they see the prep races, like the Bluegrass Stakes. Still, others have a more unique reminder. Two weeks before Derby Day, Louisville throws one heckuva party called Thunder Over Louisville.

Thunder is meant to be the kickoff event for two weeks of revelry known as The Derby Festival. The next two weeks will be filled with all kinds of events: celebrity parties, steamboat races, hot air balloon races, waiter races, concerts, you name it, it goes on at the Derby Festival. And what better way to kick it off than the largest fireworks display in North America? Featuring a mile-long waterfall and 28 minutes of excitement and color, Thunder is an extraordinary event.

Thunder is more than a fireworks show, though. An air show runs basically all afternoon, and there are plenty of activities on the ground to keep people busy until nightfall. And there are plenty of people! In good weather, the estimated crowds for Thunder can range anywhere from 750,000 to 1,000,000!

If you're not into large crowds, some local areas are nice enough to broadcast the fireworks show in the evening, but it's really an event you should try to attend at least once. Traffic is certainly a pain, and many of the streets and bridges close early in the day, but if you can set aside a weekend for Thunder, it's usually well worth it. A quick Google image search should provide all the motivation you need, or you could check out some video on the blog's video page.

Kentucky Basketball: Resurrected, Reloaded

2010-04-14T22:00:00.000-04:00

In only one year on the job, John Calipari has brought Kentucky out of their 10-year funk. In one short year he took an NIT team, added star recruits, and commanded his revamped squad to a 35-3 season and #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Over the course of the season, Cal and his players brought the swagger back to UK and put the program back in the media spotlight. It's safe to say the resurrection is complete.

Still, fear swept through the Big Blue Nation after so many players declared for the NBA draft. That was, until today. In merely 380 days, Calipari has secured three straight years of Kentucky having the #1 player in the country. Today's announcements from 2010's Brandon Knight and 2011's Michael Gilchrist added enough horses to the stable to sustain the program. Include Turkish sensation Enes Kanter and early commit Stacey Poole, and it's safe to say that Kentucky has reloaded.

What's the next step in the process? Simple: RESTORE! Kentucky has enjoyed one year of success after a decade of struggle. To maintain, the program will have to keep moving forward, pressing on to another national title. Then, order will truly be restored, unlike some posers who think it already has been.

Go Big Blue! Keep bringing in the recruits!

The Arboretum: State Botanical Garden of Kentucky

2010-04-12T21:12:00.003-04:00

With the beautiful spring weather finally arriving, I am reminded of one of my favorite spots in Lexington, the Arboretum located off of Alumni Drive behind Commonwealth Stadium. The Arboretum was always a great place to go and study, or even take a study break. Sprawling over 100 acres, it provides ample room to enjoy nature without having to feel to crowded. There are also many different areas to explore, from the Arboretum Woods to the Walk Across Kentucky to the newly planned Kentucky Children's Garden.

If you are lucky enough to live near the Lexington area and have never taken the time to visit the Arboretum, I suggest you give it a chance this season. The weather should cooperate through Thursday, but of course the Arboretum is open year round. If you hurry this week, you will be able to catch the Bonsai exhibit, which I'm sure would make Mr. Miyagi proud.

Another enjoyable tradition of the Arboretum is Shakespeare in the Park, formally known as the Lexington Shakespeare Festival. I remember having to squeeze in with other picnickers to catch a summer evening show in my early college years, but sadly, the event actually took a brief hiatus beginning in 2006/7 due to dwindling attendance. Watching Shakespeare in the dimming sunlight of a summer evening, reposed on a blanket with a nervously smuggled bottle of wine and a light meal were some of the best summer memories of my youth. I encourage anyone looking for something different and fun to do this summer put this on your calendar.

Whether it's a relaxing mid-afternoon stroll or an evening with the arts, the Arboretum is a great spot to visit. Make sure to check it out.

2010 Toyota Bluegrass Stakes

2010-04-10T17:09:00.003-04:00

It's great to see Keeneland getting some TV time on NBC. It looks beautiful in HD, and they are having amazing weather for the Bluegrass Stakes! I am not even close to a horse racing prognosticator, so pick your horse(s) wisely, somebody needs to!

Given my English background, it's hard not to pick Odysseus, but Make Music for me also has a namesake tie in for me. Pleasant Price certainly has the name pedigree behind it, and looks to be the early favorite, but with Kent Desormeaux riding Praddy O'Prado and the Todd Pletcher trained Aikenite and Interactif, this is clearly anybody's race.

Ultimately, my picks looks too close to call. I like Praddy O'Prado as a longshot bet, but I'm sure the odds will drop on him. I'd be tempted to take a trifecta with Odysseus, Pleasant Price, and Aikenite also. Good luck to all the horses and all the bet makers. Enjoy the afternoon of racing!

EDIT: And that's why I never win any money at the track. The three horses I just mentioned above for a trifecta pick... the last three spots in the field. That's right, dead last x 3. Honestly, who had Stately Victor, the longest shot on the board?! At 40-1, that's one heck of a payday. $82.80 for the win, $4,291 for the trifecta of Stately Victor, Praddy O'Prado, and First Dude.

Catching Up

2010-04-08T19:15:00.001-04:00

It's been hard to get back in the game after having to stomach Duke as the NCAA Champions, but life goes on...

Some people don't seem to think so after hearing UK fans talk about next season. The mass exodus of players is causing concern in the Big Blue Nation, but I have faith that things will continue to rise for the basketball program. If you are a prominent high school player, why wouldn't you come to Kentucky after seeing them put 5, count 'em 5!, players through the first round of the NBA Draft.

With Cousins hiring an agent today, it's looking more and more like all 5 players are a lock to leave, which opens the recruiting gate wide open. UK has already locked up Turkish phenom Enes Kanter and top 50 prospect Stacey Poole, but Coach Cal is anything but done. Top 10 stars Knight, Selby, Jones, and Leslie are still looking to find the right fit. And I doubt Cal takes this route, but Knoxville product Jalen Steele was granted a release from his LOI at Auburn today. It is reported that as many as 5 SEC coaches are making their way to Rocky Top to sweep in on Steele's ability.

In other Big Blue news, UK Baseball is trying to keep their season on the right track, recently taking it to #7 Louisville with a shutout win. The season started with promise, and the Wildcats worked their way up to #20 in the nation entering SEC play, but it has been a struggle to win in conference. Hopefully the Bat Cats can win a series this weekend against Alabama.

Along with celebrating their first ever Elite 8 appearance, UK Hoops was awarded a Pack the House Challenge conference title. Their marketing campaign was recognized, along with fan support, in the designated game against the Louisville Cardinals earlier this season. Matthew Mitchell is reigning in another top recruiting class, and the Cats should be even better next season!

UK Volleyball is trying to live up to high expectations this spring, preparing for another top 25 season next fall. Gymnastics continues to impress, tennis is on the ball, football continues spring drills, and so many other sports are shining as Kentucky has worked its way into the top 15 of the Director's Cup (see page 2) for the first time in...well... who knows! Most likely a very, very long time. It's a great time to be a Wildcat, Go Big Blue!

Go Butler Bulldogs!

2010-04-05T21:20:00.001-04:00

I'll have to admit, I'm just ready for this year's tournament to be over. With Kansas, Syracuse, and Kentucky all fizzling out earlier than expected, there was little interest left for me. Especially since Duke is in the championship. Like any dutiful Kentucky fan, it goes against every fiber of my being to even think about liking the Blue Devils. What really chaffs my wheat is knowing that with a win tonight, Coach Krzybgcvoizhbgvfe would enter the same realm as such esteemed coached as Adolph Rupp to be one of the few coaches to win 4 or more national titles.

All is not lost, though. Butler can save the day, and how great would it be to see Duke fall to a team with a Lexingtonian! I've said it before, but as a high school coach, I had the pleasure of watching Shelvin Mack play at Bryan Station, and I wish him nothing but the best tonight.

It won't be easy for the Bulldogs, but they have to pull it off. If Duke wins, they will have walked through one of the easiest roads to a title ever. First, they get the play-in game winner, then it was California from the extremely meager PAC-10, then on to an undermanned Purdue. Baylor was Duke's first true test, and they responded, although some will argue it was with the help of the zebras. Regardless, they went on to face yet again an undermanned squad it West Virginia, and finally Butler, who have 2 players dealing with physical maladies from the previous game.

Compare that to Butler, who had to beat UTEP, Murray State, Syracuse, Kansas State, and Michigan State to make it through. Talk about a rough road!

I realize Duke has outlasted all the rest, and that should be lauded, but looking at how they got to the final, it's easy to play the what if game. Hopefully, Butler can expose them and put an end to this nightmare tournament. Go Butler Bulldogs!

Keeping It In Perspective

2010-04-01T20:11:00.000-04:00

With the Final Four approaching and all the internet chatter about players leaving early from the Kentucky program, it can be hard to find a positive attitude about basketball. That is, unless you live in Knoxville. Seeing the shirts posted above at Alumni Hall reminded me how lucky I am to be a Kentucky basketball fan. While others are celebrating near achievements, Kentucky is focusing on how to improve for the following year, never satisfied with past results.

At the end of the day. Tennessee will add another year to its Sweet 16 banner, and finally, FINALLY purchase an Elite 8 banner for their arena. It will be neatly tucked away, like all the other men's banners, behind all of the women's national title banners.

So just remember the next time you are in Rupp Arena, just because Kentucky only hangs banners for Final Fours and better doesn't mean other schools do. Heck, other schools may just now be getting around to celebrating an Elite 8.

Coming Back Down

2010-03-30T18:11:00.000-04:00

Friday night, still riding the high of an Elite 8 appearance, I set out on a trip to New York City. Unfortunately, this meant I would not have much time for basketball over the weekend. In a way, I'm glad things worked out the way they did. Had I been at home to watch the loss to West Virginia, I think it would have been harder to get past it. Admittedly, it was torture not knowing how things were going in the game. I figured I would be able to keep up with the score through my phone, but didn't realize I would actually be at Phantom of the Opera during the game. All in all, I am glad I had a chance to see Phantom instead of watching the Cats.

The rest of my trip to New York I spent like I was DeMarcus Cousins, hungrily stalking the Sabrett hot dog stand. After gorging myself beyond belief, I am glad to be back in the South, where it's a little quieter and a lot warmer.

The Final Four doesn't leave much to be desired, in my opinion. I am not even sure if I could root for Duke if my life was on the line, and who could possibly think positively of Huggins after his tenure at Cincinnati? That leaves the traditional Michigan State and the underdog Butler. Given that Shelvin Mack, a former Bryan Station player, is on the Bulldog roster, I think that is where my allegiances lay. During my coaching days, we played Bryan Station every year, and Mack was certainly a force back then. I'm glad to see him doing well and hope he continues to succeed in the tournament.

However, it is hard to ignore the fact that every player at Michigan State has had the opportunity to play in a Final Four under Tom Izzo. He seems to do it the right way year after year, and it is hard to not root for a guy like that. It kills me that Butler and Michigan State have to play in the semi-final. Regardless, whoever wins that game will be who I cheer for to win it all.

Demarcus Cousins- Photoshop Edition

2010-03-26T19:37:00.000-04:00

Travelling will limit blog posts for the next few days, so I am posting these wonderful photoshop pictures of Demarcus Cousins to pass the time. Kudos to the Big Blue Nation for following up after the amazing John Wall photoshop craze. Be sure to check out the original thread, there are many, many more!