Tyndall's Eagles are Cats' first prey

Morehead's Tyndall is hoping for lucky Friday the 13th

By Jerry Tipton / Herald-Leader Staff Writer

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Calipari outshines the spotlight

The game is on Friday 13th. It will be the first game of the John Calipari era.

Yes, you could say Morehead State Coach Donnie Tyndall wanted to play Kentucky in the worst way.

"I don't know what made me do that," Tyndall said, tongue firmly in cheek, about the Eagles' opening the season at UK on Friday, Nov. 13.

Tyndall knows full well why he scheduled the game. Morehead State needs the money that comes with a guarantee game. Plus, it has to help in-state recruiting to tell a prospect you'll give him a chance to play Kentucky in Rupp Arena.

Yet, the first game of the Calipari era will also give UK fans their first chance to let loose in support of the new coach and his revamped, high-powered roster.

"We know — especially that night — it'll be rockin' in there," Tyndall said.

Tyndall took the initiative to schedule the game. He called the UK offices and spoke to assistant John Robic. Earlier this spring, Calipari noted how the credibility of non-conference opponents can greatly affect a team's Ratings Percentage Index.

He was not kidding.

Robic told Tyndall that Calipari wanted opponents to have an RPI of 140 or better. If that holds true, Kentucky fans will see a better quality of sacrificial lambs.

Calipari also told reporters that he wanted opponents who figured to win 20 games.

"He asked me point-blank how good we'd be," the Morehead State coach said. Tyndall said he thought the Eagles could win between 17 and 20 games. He also sees MSU finishing in the top third of the Ohio Valley Conference despite losing the team's best player, Leon Buchanan.

The Eagles return four starters and six of their first seven players from an NCAA Tournament team. Senior Maze Stallworth, a native of Elizabethtown, figures to become a 1,000-point career scorer this season.

"It is Friday the 13th," Tyndall said, "and stranger things have happened on that night."

The mind drifts back to 1989 and the start of the Rick Pitino era. Ohio U lost to Kentucky by three when its top player, Dave Jamerson, missed a three-point shot in the final seconds.

"Trust me," Tyndall said. "I'd take the same shot to tie it this year."

Dear John

Just like the common salt-of-the-earth sportswriter, UK President Lee Todd gets plenty of feedback. So no surprise that the hiring of John Calipari produced a response.

"The positive ones came in early," Todd said. "Now, it's calmed down. People don't have the time to write me or e-mail because they're Twittering with him."

Straight shooter

Former UK All-American Kenny Walker expects John Calipari to handle the give-and-take of post-game press conferences.

"I think he'll be able to come out after a tough game and say, 'Hey, guys, we didn't get it done tonight, and here's why,'" Walker said.

"That's what the fan base needs: a guy that will shoot you straight."

Great Wall of UK

Former UK coach Joe B. Hall needs no more convincing about mega point guard prospect John Wall.

"Oh, he's a magician," Hall said. "He's as good as it gets at penetrating and being in traffic and finding the open man and getting the ball to him in a variety of ways with either hand. I mean, he does things you wouldn't believe."

His UK teammates will need to play with Wall to get used to receiving such unlikely passes.

That said, not everyone is bowled over by Wall.

Longtime recruiting analyst Bob Gibbons ranks Wall No. 4 for his All-Star Sports service. He's got forward Derrick Favors No. 1 followed by Xavier Henry and DeMarcus Cousins.

"He doesn't shoot it consistently well enough," Gibbons said of Wall. "He's just a jet going up and down the floor. If it's a slam-dunk contest, he's flashy and fun to watch."

Gibbons also found Wall turnover prone.

Good deed punished

Former Indiana player Dan Dakich later coached at Bowling Green. Now he plays host to a sports radio talk show out of Indianapolis.

That career path served a purpose last week when Dakich asked a guest how many Kentucky players would have to forfeit scholarships in order for the program to meet the limit of 13 per team.