True Blue Kentucky

UK will look to move to 2-0 on the season as they face WKU on Saturday.  Kentucky is fresh off of their win against instate rival Louisville.  The Cats beat the Cards 23-16 in a packed Papa Johns Stadium.

WKU did not have such luck as they traveled to Nebraska last weekend.  The Hilltoppers were drilled 49-10 in head coach Willie Taggert's first game.  The Toppers extended their losing streak to 21 consective games which started when UK beat the Tops 41-3 in 2008.  Coach Taggert says he hopes to have a better effort against the Cats this go around in this article courtesy of the Advocate Messenger.  Here are a few excerpts. 

Eamonn Brennan says things are finally "looking up" in Louisville.  Quincy Miller and Deuce Bello, The No. 4 and No. 50 ranked players nationally could possibly commit to Louisville any day now.  Many news outlets are saying Miller and Bello are right on the verge of committing to Pitino.  Brennan says this means Pitino could lay a very legitimate claim on the best class in 2011. 

Let's look at the future 'Cats vs. The Future Cards.

2011 Cats:

2. Marquis Teague G
3. Mike Gilchrist F
6. Anthony Davis F
25. Kyle Wiltjer F

Before I get started into the recent allegations and reports regarding the amateur status of Enes Kanter, let me be clear about one thing - NOBODY who you hear talking knows ANYTHING specific about this situation.  The people who REALLY know what's going on are bound to silence and aren't saying a word.  This includes me.  I don't KNOW specifics, just generalities.  The difference is, I'm willing to admit that right up front.

Let me also be very clear.... the reports that UK took the Kanter commitment "just in case" Kanter got cleared to play are ABSOLUTELY WRONG.  Those who are closely involved with Kanter are very confident that he will be cleared to play.  The only people claiming he is a pro are those with clear motivations to hold that belief.

So, what's the deal?  For me, the first thing to look at is motivations.  It's absolutely clear as day that EVERYONE involved with International basketball is absolutely 100% opposed to Enes Kanter playing in the NCAA.  It has nothing to do with any dislike for Kanter or the NCAA, it has to do with money.  If the top talent in the international game were to stop signing contracts with international teams in favor of going to college for a year, those international teams would lose a LARGE pot of gold.... the amounts they are paid when those youngsters finally make it to the NBA. When international players are drafted into the NBA, the teams who hold their rights get a LOT of money to let them go to the NBA.  If the youngsters go to college and never sign with the international teams, there IS NO contracts and that means no payday for these teams.  Every person associated with International Basketball is going to do anything to make sure Kanter can't play NCAA basketball.

Check out some of today's most popular topics on the TBK message boards:

• Pete Thamel of the New York Times with another controversial story.
• More on Pete Thamel and Enes Kanter.
• Matt Jones with a good rebuttal for Pete Thamel.
• Mike DeCourcey with a good take on the Kanter situation.
• John Calipari promoting World Equestrian Games.
• Lee Todd stepping down as UK President.
• Micah Johnson living up to expectations in Miami.
• Mike Gilchrist Summer Mixtape.

Kentucky's running game behind Derrick Locke and Randall Cobb is a weapon that teams will turn their focus to all season long.  Yet, Kentucky had a spot to fill after fullback John Conner took his game to the Big Apple to play for the Jets.  If you have watched any of the HBO's Hard Knocks, then you would know that Conner left a huge spot to fill.

The replacement that Coach Phillips had in mind did not want to be UK's next fullback at first.  Moncell Allen was a tailback, and that is where he wanted to play.  Allen soon changed his mind after talking to his teammates and Joker about playing at the fullback spot.  Chip Cosby updates us in this article courtesy of the Lexington Herald Leader.  Here are some excerpts.

Brandon Knight interview with the Hoop Doctors.  Kentucky's Hero?

Check out some of the most popular topics from the weekend on the TBK message boards:

• KACAT's post UL-game comments.
• More reviews from KACAT on the UK/UL game.
• Mike Hartline had a solid showing against UL despite many UK fans' appraisal.
• Chane Behanan picks Louisville.
• If Pitino doesn't get Quincy Miller is he done being an elite coach?
• Coach Cal at the UK/UL game.
• Who is the team to beat this year?
• More observations, commentary, and opinions after the UL game.

Joker Phillips and Mike Hartline both hoped that they were able to silence a few of their doubters in UK's victory over UL on Saturday.  Phillips, who has been around the UK program for a while now, got his first win as a head coach.  Hartline showed much improvement and poise against the Cardinals.  John Clay writes about the two in this article for Kentuckysports.com

Here are a few excerpts.

Thanks to John Clay for posting this video of Danny Trevathan talking about winning SEC Defensive Player of the Week:

Click "read more" to see a video of Coach Phillips discussing Danny's recruitment and more.