http://http://www.kentucky.com/232/index.xml News, sports, and entertainment from Kentucky.com en-us Copyright 2009 Kentucky.com SPORTS UPDATE 60 Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:32:43 EST http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss McClatchy Interactive's Workbench interactive-ops@herald-leader.com http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1015641.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1015641.html Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:29 EST
No big deal, the Colonels say.

"I think we're being overlooked but coaches polls and media polls, they don't really mean nothing," said Papa Oppong, a 6-foot-4 senior guard. "They're just people's opinions."

Besides, Coach Jeff Neubauer points out, EKU was picked sixth in 2004-05 and eighth in 2006-07. The Colonels won the OVC Tournament both seasons, advancing to the NCAA Tournament.

"So I really put very little into those projections," Neubauer said. "We are very much aware of the teams that are picked above us. ... You start with a thesis as far as who should win the league and who should be the best team, and then you play the games."]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1015685.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1015685.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:00 EST
"We've got a lot of flash and dash," Blue Devils Coach Sam Simpson said. "But if we didn't have those guys up front, we wouldn't be flashin' and dashin' near as much."

Those guys up front, the offensive linemen, toil in relative anonymity while Henry Clay's skill-position stars grab the glory and the headlines.

But the o-line doesn't feel unappreciated.

"Not at all," senior center Doug Dauer said. "They take care of us around here. They give us credit and pats on the back when we deserve it."]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1015672.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1015672.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:43 EST
Carson Palmer was the bearded one. His Bengals trailed the defending world champion Steelers 20-9 in the fourth quarter.

Then a six-play, 85-yard drive cut the Pittsburgh lead to five. Then a 16-play, 71-yard Bengals drive won it, with Palmer finding Andre Caldwell on a 4-yard touchdown pass with 14 seconds left, then Brian Leonard for the two-point conversion, for a 23-20 Bengals breakthrough.

As the commercial says, Troy Polamalu is the one with the hair. That Sunday, however, the Steelers' strong safety, the best in the business, was the one without a uniform. Polamalu was on the sideline, nursing a sprained left knee. Pittsburgh felt his absence.

This Sunday, he's back. But so are the blooming Bengals. The two AFC North rivals meet in Pittsburgh with much on the line. Cincinnati is 6-2, a shining 4-0 in the AFC North. Pittsburgh is also 6-2, but with a loss to Cincinnati smudging its scorecard. It can't afford another.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1015630.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1015630.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:48 EST
True enough. Morehead State returns four starters from a team that in March made the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance in 25 years. But the Eagles say Kentucky won't see that team Friday night in Rupp Arena.

"We show glimpses of that team," point guard Brandon Shingles said before Tuesday's practice.

Teammate Ty Proffitt, the former South Laurel star who is eligible now after transferring from Notre Dame, suggested that no team wants to claim NCAA Tournament status in mid-November.

"We've got a long ways to go," Proffitt said. "We don't want anything but the best. We could be playing perfectly and we'd think we had a long way to go."]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1015481.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1015481.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:27 EST
But this year's Wildcats have been able to keep their heads above water at 5-4 despite all those injuries thanks to some decent work from some key replacement parts.

Quarterback Mike Hartline has missed the past four games with a knee injury. And while the passing game has been inconsistent, the Cats still managed to go 3-1 during that stretch thanks to a mixture of freshman Morgan Newton, junior Will Fidler and sophomore multi-purpose man Randall Cobb.

Senior cornerback Trevard Lindley also missed four games (ankle) while fellow starter Paul Warford missed two (thigh), but sophomore Randall Burden was extremely productive during both players' absences.

"Our depth is better, and for the most part we've been able to respond with people stepping in and filling in for people who missed time," Brooks said. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1014358.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1014358.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:05 EST
"Cal did it a little disservice," Vance Walberg said in a telephone interview Tuesday. "Everybody thinks it's a dribble-dribble-dribble offense. That's not what it is. It's an attacking offense."

Walberg also finds Calipari's catchy nickname for the offense Princeton on Steroids a reflection of the UK coach's marketing degree.

"We both know Cal is a great businessman," Walberg said. "As good a coach as he is, he's a better businessman. He can sell anybody anything."

Marketing aside, Kentucky fans and players are about to learn all about the dribble-drive motion offense beginning with the season-opening game against Morehead State on Friday,]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1013842.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1013842.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:05 EST
Stacey Poole Jr., is expected to sign with UK as soon as Wednesday. But other prospects said to be on UK's wish list appear to be in no hurry to sign.

Evan Daniels of the recruiting service Scout.com said he expects such prospects as Josh Selby, Brandon Knight, Doron Lamb and C.J. Leslie to sign in the spring.

The most likely announcement this month from a prospect on UK's list would be Tobias Harris.

Daniels said the highly rated forward planned to visit Georgia Tech this weekend and Maryland early next week before making an announcement. Harris is considering Louisville, Kentucky, Tennessee, Syracuse, West Virginia, Maryland and Georgia Tech.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1014189.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1014189.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:27 EST
But he kept trying. Ten times McEnroe entered the singles draw at Roland Garros. Ten times he left empty-handed. He reached the finals once, losing in five sets to Ivan Lendl in 1984.

Yet Johnny Mac is considered one of the greatest players in the history of tennis.

It's an abject lesson to the great debate being staged by Thoroughbred racing fans after last weekend's thrilling Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita.

Does Horse of the Year go to Zenyatta, the 5-year-old mare who campaigned on Southern California's synthetic surfaces and improved to 14-for-14 by becoming the first female to win the $5 million Classic?]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1013834.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1013834.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:37 EST
Just how much of that groove he gets back in practice this week will determine how much Hartline plays in Saturday's pivotal contest at Vanderbilt.

Freshman Morgan Newton has started in Hartline's absence, but UK Coach Rich Brooks indicated that Hartline might play and possibly start if he proves he's healthy enough. Hartline suffered a complete tear of the medial collateral ligament from the femur, along with a slight tear of the posterior cruciate ligament and a small cartilage tear, during UK's 28-26 loss at South Carolina on Oct. 10. The MCL has basically healed; now Hartline has to play through the small cartilage tear.

While Brooks and head coach for offense Joker Phillips both said Hartline was a little rusty during Tuesday's practice, the key will be how Hartline's knee responds after practicing full-tilt.

Hartline said planting and throwing haven't been a problem. The biggest issues have been with running, rolling out and throwing on the run. Hartline is wearing a brace that he says is somewhat restrictive.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1013821.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1013821.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:39 EST
Coach Donnie Tyndall still prides his program on rebounding and defending.

And, yes, it will take team effort to fulfill the promise of a squad that Ohio Valley Conference coaches tabbed a co-favorite (with Murray State).

Yet, the Eagles' season seems to rely greatly on one player: Kenneth Faried.

Athlon, Blue Ribbon Yearbook, Lindy's, Sporting News, Yahoo! and league coaches, agree that Faried is the OVC pre-season Player of the Year.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/982345.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/982345.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:56 EST
No. 1: Duke 104, Kentucky 103 (OT) (NCAA Tournament East Region Finals: March 28, 1992 in the Spectrum, Philadelphia)

Mark Story's comment: Want the recipe for an all-time classic? Take a defending national champion (Duke). Add a massive second-half rally (Kentucky). Feature two teams continually one-upping each other with one stellar clutch play after another down the stretch and into overtime.

Have an amazing Sean Woods running bank shot to give UK a one-point lead with 2.1 seconds left in the OT. Counter it with a full-court Grant Hill pass that leads to Christian Laettner's buzzer-beater in response.

Put it together, you'll have what many say is the greatest college basketball game ever played.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1013782.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1013782.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 03:49 EST
The schedule includes 29 home games, 27 road games and 10 weekends of Southeastern Conference play.

UK Coach Gary Henderson said the Cats' schedule "is one of the best in the country."

For the second year in a row, UK (28-26 overall, 12-18 SEC last year) will open the season at Coastal Carolina's tournament. The Cats play Virginia Tech on Feb. 19, then West Virginia and Coastal Carolina on Feb. 20.

"I thought it was important that we test our kids early and get them ready for 10 weeks of SEC play," Henderson said.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1012731.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1012731.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:05 EST
"I'm going to play Jodie Meeks," he said. "Just like Tennessee."

The reference was to Meeks' school-record 54-point game at Tennessee last season.

"If I hit my first two, I'm going to look constantly to shoot," Patterson said. "... I'm going to pull it."

A moment later, he smiled and tied a bow around this dream gift to himself. "If I score 55," he said, "don't be surprised."]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1013186.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1013186.html Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:28 EST
There were several no-look passes, lots of pats on the back and chatter on defense.

"We are really close and we can read each other," said Victoria Dunlap, one of the five returnees. "It was fun."

UK made it look fun, downing the Knights 107-57 at Memorial Coliseum.

Dunlap was one of four players in double figures with a game-high 22 points. She was one of seven to score eight points or more for the Cats, who put up more than 100 points for the first time since December 2005.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1012506.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1012506.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:37 EST
"Sometimes perception and reality are two different things when it comes to down to this series," Brooks said.

When a reporter asked Brooks if his reference to perception and reality regarded the fact that many assume Vanderbilt to be an automatic win, he replied, "Absolutely. Thank you very much. Way to put perspective into it. I don't know when it was an automatic win for Kentucky. Never has been."

In fact, Brooks said the feelings and perceptions at the Vanderbilt camp are similar to those around UK. When asked if the Commodores look at the Cats as a win, he said, "Probably. Doesn't everybody in our league?"

UK senior tailback Alfonso Smith saw no harm in schedule-surfing and looking for potential wins.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1012771.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1012771.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:37 EST
21. Mike Hartline: It sure sounds that if the injured (knee ligament) Kentucky starting quarterback holds up this week in practice, he will get the call when UK goes for bowl eligibility Saturday at Vanderbilt.

20. Rich Brooks on Mike Hartline playing Saturday: "He has to do the things our offense requires without hobbling around and favoring his knee."

19. Rich Brooks on replacement QB Morgan Newton's improvement: "I think the Morgan Newton you saw (vs. Eastern Kentucky) was light years from the Morgan Newton you saw in the Auburn game."

18. UK's starting quarterback quandary: It's asking an awful lot of a quarterback to come back after missing four games and win the contest that may determine the outcome of the season.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1012532.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1012532.html Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:27 EST
Asked on Monday if he feels like Syracuse has served as a nemesis to the Cardinals (3-6, 0-4 Big East) over the last two years, Kragthorpe just laughed.

"They're all nemesis, wait, what's the plural?" he said. "I don't look at any game differently. I think they all are."

Maybe, but the Orange (3-6, 0-4) have been a particularly painful thorn in the side of the Cardinals over the last two years.

Syracuse upset Louisville 38-35 in 2007, a loss that knocked the Cardinals out of the Top 25 and sent them into a tailspin from which they have yet to recover.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1012493.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1012493.html Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:04 EST
The firing came less than 48 hours after the Hilltoppers (0-9, 0-5 Sun Belt Conference) lost 40-20 to Troy to extend their winless streak to 17 games, the longest in the country.

The search for Elson's replacement will begin immediately.

"We looked at stats, looked at attendance, looked at ticket sales almost across the board and by every measure we looked at and evaluated, the situation was worsening," said WKU athletic director Wood Selig. "We were going in a wrong direction from where we truly needed it to be going."

Elson, who is 39-41 in seven seasons as coach with the Hilltoppers and oversaw the move from the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) to the Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly I-A). Elson did not meet with reporters, instead issuing a statement.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/982344.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/982344.html Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:41 EST
No. 2: Kentucky 86, Duke 84 (NCAA Tournament South Region Finals: March 22, 1998 in Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Fla.)

Mark Story's comment: If Big Blue Nation carried psychic scars from Christian Laettner and six years earlier – and it did - Tubby Smith's first UK team supplied the healing salve. Down 17 points with 9:38 left, Kentucky rallied behind the penetrating drives of point guard Wayne Turner. With the score tied at 81 and 39.4 seconds left, Scott Padgett buried a trey that put the Cats ahead to stay in one of their most savored victories.

Excerpt from the original game story: In a 40-minute thriller about as exciting as the famous Christian Laettner game of six years ago, Kentucky beat Duke 86-84 yesterday.

"The ghost has now left the building," said Bill Keightley, UK's equipment manager since 1962 and its beloved Mister Wildcat. "We will no longer have to mention Christian Laettner any more."]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1012255.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1012255.html Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:43 EST http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1011504.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1011504.html Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:20 EST
What's that? You say there are games still left to play.

Well, it might as well be complete. Florida clinched the SEC East title last Saturday by gouging poor Georgia. Alabama clinched the SEC West title this past Saturday by knocking off Louisiana State.

For the second straight year, and the seventh year since division play began in 1992, the Gators and the Crimson Tide will meet in the SEC Championship game.

The more things change, the more the stay the same.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1011472.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1011472.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:37 EST
"It's a pretty extensive list," he said. "It's the longest one we've had all year. A lot of it is re-aggravation of old injuries and just the grind of the season kind of bumps and bruises."

The good news is that most of the injured players are expected to be available for Saturday's pivotal game against Vanderbilt. The lone exception is tight end T.C. Drake, who's doubtful with a pulled groin.

Tailback Derrick Locke, who sat out UK's 37-12 win over Eastern Kentucky, should return to the starting lineup. Sophomore receiver Randall Cobb was held from the EKU game with a sprained thumb that is in a cast, but Brooks hopes the worst-case scenario has Cobb playing against Vanderbilt in a splint. Senior tailback Alfonso Smith has played the last several weeks with a splint over his injured thumb.

"Randall's injury is not as bad as Alfonso's," Brooks said. "The ligament is not torn. It's still stable, it is not fractured. A bone bruise of the joint what we think it is. If that settles down, he'll have total function. We just don't know how quickly that will settle down."]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1011435.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1011435.html Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:23 EST
Halfway through the season, the Bengals' 6-2 record (4-0 in the AFC North) ties their best start in 20 years. They also started 6-2 in 2005 en route to winning their division. The last time Cincinnati started better 7-1 in 1988 it went to the Super Bowl.

Carson Palmer, who completed 20 of 33 passes for 224 yards and a score, wasn't around in 1988. But he was at the Bengals' helm in 2005.

Is this team is better?

"Definitely," Palmer said. "We're much more mature. We're a better team. We were a good team back then, and we were kind of young young and dumb. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1011529.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1011529.html Mon, 09 Nov 2009 06:30 EST
On the final day of the 2008 regular season, the Eagles dominated Dallas 44-6 in a do-or-die game for both teams. Philadelphia earned a wild-card berth with that victory, won two playoff contests on the road and advanced to the NFC championship game, losing at Arizona.

The Cowboys (6-2) spent the whole offseason thinking about that horrendous ending. They got their revenge and took over sole possession of first place in the NFC East with their fourth straight victory.

"Our last loss against them really motivated us to come out and play good," Cowboys DeMarcus Ware said.

The Eagles fell to 5-3 and the New York Giants are 5-4 after a 5-0 start.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1011680.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1011680.html Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:32 EST
School (record) Last week This week Rating

1. St. Xavier (10-1) Beat Boone Co. 49-0 vs. (6) Ryle 99.9

2. Highlands (11-0) Beat Montgomery Co. 60-13vs. (22) Dixie Heights 91.8

3. Trinity (7-4) Beat Southern 55-0 vs. (15) Shelby Co. 91.7]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1010133.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1010133.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:37 EST
Operating without its top running back, starting quarterback, and top all-purpose threat, Kentucky was far from a well-oiled machine Saturday against Eastern Kentucky.

But thanks to a steady-enough running game, a decent short-to-medium passing game and a solid defensive effort, the Cats still had enough in the tank to take care of the Colonels 37-12 in front of 67,053 at Commonwealth Stadium.

Kentucky Coach Rich Brooks knew he'd go into the game without his top running back, Derrick Locke, who sat out with torn scar tissue in his surgically repaired left knee. And starting quarterback Mike Hartline missed his fourth game in a row with a knee injury.

]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1010470.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1010470.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:37 EST
The Kentucky head man found himself in the stomach-churning position of playing Eastern Kentucky without his starting quarterback (Mike Hartline), his best running back (Derrick Locke) and, in a surprise, his best wide receiver/all-around player (Randall Cobb).

Yet UK handled outmanned but plucky EKU 37-12 thanks, in no small part, to a breakout day from its kiddie corps.

In his fourth start in place of the injured Hartline, true freshman Morgan Newton had his best game as a collegian. The 6-foot-4, 217-pound Carmel, Ind., product completed 20 of 29 passes for 187 yards and the first two touchdown passes of his Wildcat career.

Getting expanded playing time at wide receiver because of a thumb injury to Cobb, true freshman La'Rod King continued a late-season emergence. The 6-4, 190-pounder from North Hardin had career bests with four catches and 41 yards receiving.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1010589.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1010589.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:37 EST
Nine games in the books.

Three games remain.

The Cats are at Vanderbilt this Saturday. They're at Georgia the following Saturday. Then it's back home to Commonwealth Stadium to face Tennessee in the finale.

Win all three, and it's the best regular season in the Rich Brooks era. Win two of three, and stamp the season a success. Win one of the three, and UK will be bowl eligible, with fingers crossed. Lose all three, and it's a season where, after three steps up, the Cats took one step back.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1010455.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1010455.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 08:15 EST
In Stacey Poole Jr. , UK will sign the son of one of Florida's better players of 20 years ago. Father says Kentucky will get the better of the two.

"He's more skilled than I am," said Stacey Poole Sr. , who described himself as "a guy who could put up numbers. He brings more to the table than that. He's more refined than I am, a lot headier than I was."

In terms of reputation coming to college, the apple did not fall far from the tree. The son, like the father, is billed as a driver who needs work on his perimeter shot.

Father saw son coming to a better situation to improve. "I didn't improve much as a player," the elder Poole said.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1010637.html http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/1010637.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 08:36 EST
St. Xavier teammates all around him were hugging and bumping chests and cheering, but he was quiet with tears in his eyes.

The Tigers senior, future University of Kentucky player and state soccer tournament Most Valuable Player was happy, but he had a heavy heart thinking about someone that he would have liked to have seen in the stands with the other 2,200 fans at Toyota Stadium on Saturday night.

"We called her Granny," he said.

"A few years ago my grandmother died on this day and my dad was talking to me about it and saying it's never been a good day, but finally today was a good day for me."]]>