Oldercoach

Just saw Angel Reese that once again was spotted playing bad-girl celebrating Carter’s mugging was fined for not showing up for obligatory postgame. Probably knew Caitlin’s mugging and her response were going to be questioned. Just don’t understand why the players aren’t celebrating the new riches the league is on the threshold of capturing rather than jealously (?) trying to illegally and brutally injury it. Play her hard and competitively, but don’t try to take her out. Hope the knees aren’t attacked next. Refs…..do your job.

Well, it’s not getting any better. In yesterday’s game Chennedy Carter literally blind-sided Caitlin with a thrusting shoulder to her back knocking her airborne to the ground. There was absolutely no reason except the intent to injure was very obvious. Neither were part of any action taking place when Carter targeting her. No review just a common foul. It is almost like the rookie will have to survive gen-pop before the refs are going to do their job fairly. Fever are now sending special highlights to the league. Caitlin is just playing ball and keeping her mouth shut.

Just read the announcement in the NKy Tribune and related article about the family businesses that with his father turning 90 now need his full-time attention in Sandusky, Ohio. Classy guy, great coach and perhaps there is no conspiracy here at all. Just time to do exactly what he feels is right. The article seemed to indicate that the family would stay local and the 3 kids remain in their present schools while he would commute to Sandusky.

Amari Williams withdraws from NBA draft and confirms Ky bound. Go Cats!

So good seeing Diaz throwing like his old-self. Sure been awhile.

This mornings NBA draft projections on ESPN still project Reed going to the Houston Rockets at #3 and Dillingham going to San Antonia at #4. I still marvel how exciting it was when these two came off the bench before the first TV timeout. Instant energy erupted in the stands and on the floor. Isn’t it amazing how Reed, a Ky high school star, questionable by much of BBN as to whether he was big enough, fast enough, and athletic (?) enough to play at the SEC level could have risen so high, so fast. Truly a great story. isn’t it amazing how many of our BBN experts are saying exactly the same things about Travis Perry and Trent Noah? I truly believe both are going to make major contributions to a pretty fun Ky team to watch and hopefully we get to support their successes for more than one year.

Has anyone watched replays to verify or negate my thread observations that the referees were holding Caitlin and her defensive opponents to radically different standards? Ticky-tacky calls against Caitlin on D, and non-call muggings when she is on offense. I remake that observation again after rewatching the Tuesday game.

Agree with the whining and untimely turnovers; but, I do think the exasperation she vocalized came from the physical beating she was subjected to and the imbalance of how the game was called. Refs are obviously dishing her a little humble pie and she is going to have to just zip her lip and earn her stripes.

Wow, I am not one to complain about referees (tough job doesn’t come close). But, the treatment Clark got last night against Connecticut was blatantly brutal. The opening play was a defensive kicked ball (not called) resulting in a defensive run out that saw Clark get a phantom foul called on the layup. So in 1st 12 seconds the refs missed 2 calls and set the tone that the rookie was going to have to earn her bones. Caitlin is obviously physically weaker than the stronger level of mature WNBA competitors. But the consistent mugging she took and ticky-tacky fouls that seemed to be one-sidedly called against her was visually disturbing. League going to need to have discussions with refs to cut out the rookie bias before the glitter is gone off this real chance for the league’s profile to exponentially and permanently be raised. Refs, especially the male, just need to get themselves in position and call the game consistently.

With all the movement, is there any such thing as academic eligibility to compete anymore? Are we transitioning (with the unionization of players and potential employee status) to where academics has no place in big time basketball?

Golly, I am so old that I think fundamentals are still important. Things like make contact when runners are in scoring position, or catch the ball with two hands (did artificial turf take all the bad hops away ?, even on fly balls coaches would holler quit showing off and your out of position to grab the ball and throw), or hit behind the runner, or never get thrown out at 2nd to 3rd when ground ball is hit in front of you. Gee whiz, game sure has changed. Old ruddy-Duffy here!

My wife and I visited Independence Frisch’s one day last week at 12:30. One server, one cook and one food server/bus person. Probably 10 of us in there and nobody very happy. Someone previously mentioned the business concept of “dumb-sizing” which refers to continually cutting costs (staff, serving sizes, and/or food costs) to make present sales levels profitable. All of these efforts deteriorate the demand and further sink your losses, so you repeat the cycle and dumb-size so more. Sounds like the Frischs’ business plan right before the final gasp.

Latest roster announcements only have Arkansas at 7 players, with ex-Cats Wagner and Oneysco still in the portal/NBA evaluation process. It would be shocking if Wagner didn’t eventually follow Cal. I don’t know what to think makes sense for O. Guessing Arkansas, too, giving Cal his 9?

Just saw on ESPN that Cal is considering limiting his current and future teams to 8-9 players. Seems his reasoning that everybody entering the portal makes him question why he should develop players for other coaches. He wasn’t worried about depth and plans to fill the roster out with walk-ons. Don’t I recall about 2 Cats out every game because of some injury or another? What’s really going on her Cal?

Retired legend Roy Williams was quoted Tuesday saying what a sad state college sports now finds itself. Don’t recall his offering solutions, only opining that NIL and transfer portal were two much change to absorb at the same time.