Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
You hoped all the events that went down today were just a cruel April Fool’s joke that would somehow be forgotten. But unfortunately that was not the case, as April 1, 2008 was a surreal day filled with tough events for the Big Blue Nation. On a normal day, the news that Adam Delph, a Kentucky kid from PRP high school in Louisville, would be walking on next season would have been enough to make people across the state happy. Delph is a kid who can put the ball in the basket and should be an asset to the program. But over the course of the day, the Delph news had to fade as one story after another came out that hurt the Kentucky program and those that were a part of it.
First of course was the day of grief for Mr. Bill Keightley. Today was a day of rememberance for the man and was full of comments about his importance by those that knew him best. Over the course of the day individuals in the coaching profession ranging from Billy Gillispie to Tubby Smith to Rick Pitino to John Pelphrey to Billy Donovan to Travis Ford, etc all spoke about how important Keightley had to been them during their times at Kentucky. Current and former players spoke publically about their connection to the man and I personally had a conversation with one former player who was nearly in tears at the news. I thought today representation of the dedication of Mr. Wildcat to the Kentucky basketball program and the people in it shown by the dual pictures of Keightley crying when he heard the news that his good friend Tubby Smith was leaving the University and then a few weeks later, embracing the new Coach Billy Gillispie at his introductory press conference. Mr. Bill Keightley, the equipment manager for a men’s basketball program, made national news all across the sports landscape and those with a connection to college basketball mourned his loss. Plans were made for what will be quite an event on Thursday, as a public memorial service and viewing of his body will take place in Rupp Arena. It is a testament to the man and how important he has been to the University that the loss has been felt so hard and by so many.
If there could be news that is even sadder than the passing of a legend like Bill Keightley, it might be the news of the passing of a young man like Marvin Stone. The former Kentucky and Louisville player died of an apparent heart attack in Saudi Arabia during a playoff basketball game against a team that included former Kentucky Wildcat Jules Camara. Stone, who came to Kentucky as one of the highest rated recruits in its history, had a difficult time in his college years and during the last few years of his life. He was immensely talented, but struggled with issues that were often secondary to basketball. The loss of his life at such a young age is truly tragic and has hit both the Kentucky and Louisville basketball communities hard.
Those two tragic stories make the rest of the news seem trivial, and it is. But the trivial things do matter as well, and Kentucky also today found out that Scotty Hopson has decided to attend Tennessee next season. As often happens when a kid chooses a school that is not Kentucky, many want to suggest it isnt a big deal….but that simply isnt the case. Scotty would have been of immense help to the team and the program next year and his scoring ability is the #1 thing lacking with next year’s group. Billy Gillispie and the staff decided sometime in January to make Hopson a priority and he was scheduled to visit the Cats on Wednesday. However Scotty always seemed to want to head to Knoxville and after Pearl’s assurance he would be staying, he joined the Big Orange. With Hopson, there are always other issues and one wonders if he would have been able to handle Gillispie and his system, but now we will never know as he takes the court for Bruce Pearl.
And also occurring today was the resignation of former Cat Sean Sutton as coach at Oklahoma State. While Sutton is often forgotten due to the time he was here, he is another member of the Kentucky fraternity and his job loss today opens up the coaching search in Stillwater.
All in all, a very difficult and strange day indeed around the Kentucky family. I dont think I can remember a day where so much happened having an effect on the program (we didnt even get into the Crean hiring at Indiana) took place over the course of one day in the off-season. It is a tough day to be a Wildcat fan, but one that showcases just how close-knit this Big Blue Nation can be.
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Bill Keightley Report : Never to be forgotten.
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April 2nd, 2008 at 12:18 am
worst April fools day ever.
April 2nd, 2008 at 12:28 am
Let’s pray April 2nd turns out to be a little better.
April 2nd, 2008 at 2:50 am
Good summary but, “…the Big Orange?” Are you serious?
Calling a team that has never been to the Elite 8 in it’s history and only won 4 SEC titles in 48 years BIG is historically inaccurate.
Who’s muffin are you buttering anyway?
April 2nd, 2008 at 3:05 am
3 - chill, big orange is just a nickname for UT. Let’s see you run this blog flawless
April 2nd, 2008 at 4:10 am
#4 Pete - Yea, there’s a bunch of nicknames for UT, that’s the last one anyone I know would use.
April 2nd, 2008 at 4:55 am
My point is, if you call your girlfriend “sweetcakes”, I’m not calling her that. That’s made up by you two and for you two.
You chill with your Big Orange pete. Were you a Tubby sympathizer too? lol
April 2nd, 2008 at 5:16 am
Yeah Splat I agree, I loved the article where Hopson talked about all the tradition at UT. He does realize he is going to be playing on the mens team right? Also in that article he said that he would not commit to a school and not sign. The funny part is he was talking to a reporter from Mississippi.
April 2nd, 2008 at 5:38 am
Would Hopson have been an asset? Of course. Am I sorry to see him play for UT? Perhaps. Do I think we’ll be okay without him? You better believe it.
April 2nd, 2008 at 6:21 am
Hopson to Tennessee is no bid deal.
Remember he is a “one and done” - his words not mine!
He also knows that the 2 guard is available next year and he has more than likely been promised that spot by ole Brucie. Hopson won’t have to work on the defensive end either. After all, it’s all about scoring, right?
April 2nd, 2008 at 6:56 am
Yes, those losses make the other stuff trivial.
April 2nd, 2008 at 6:57 am
Mr. Keightley was perhaps the most beloved figure in UK sports history (alongside Cawood). May his spirit and love of life reside in all of us.
April 2nd, 2008 at 8:15 am
Compared to other highly touted recruits losing Hopson to UT makes sense. They’ve been on him longer and offer more immediate playing time. Can’t fault the guy really.
I do believe he’ll be there more than 1 year though.
April 2nd, 2008 at 8:49 am
#8) Thanks Coach Clyde. I feel much better now.
April 2nd, 2008 at 8:58 am
Now its time to be honest. I can’t tell you how much more excited I am for basketball now that we have lost Hopson to UT. I can not wait for the day that MR. BASKETBALL wears him out. Kudos Scotty, I think its safe to say that you will be the most booed person at Rupp next year, and that is a mighty fine feat considering we Usually play Billy and Nicky in a very important game at the end of the season.
April 2nd, 2008 at 9:07 am
Hopson wasn’t the end-all for our program. This wasn’t a huge deal like Pat. Hopson wouldn’t play in front of a healthy Jodie Meeks. Jodie is insane. 19 points at half against houston while injured! Scotty knows what he wants and we don’t know the kid so we need to move on. No body thought we would get him that knew anything on the inside. Let it go.
Terrible news about Stone. I think he could’ve blossomed into something better if he didn’t have to compete so much. It must have really bothered him to have to go up against Parker(pre-transfer and ensuing drop-out) Estil(one of the most underrated UK bigs) and at PF they had Camara Daniels and sometimes Prince
April 2nd, 2008 at 9:15 am
Hopson is very talented but a better fit at Tennessee. We’ll have some great plyers on our team next year. I wouldn’t be worried one bit about Kentucky basketball right now.
April 2nd, 2008 at 9:15 am
players.
April 2nd, 2008 at 9:17 am
I really didn’t ever think we would get Hopson and I really didn’t care for his demeanor. Can he score? Sure. Is that a need? Most definitely. However, could he have been a quality team member (”family” member) and could he have taken boot camp and Coach’s style? That I’m not sure about. I saw an interview and he was talking about being one-and-done and wanting to go to the NBA and I think that speaks volumes about him. One thing I’ll always remember was when Magloire and Mercer came in and what Pitino’s assessment of each was. He said that he knew Mercer was going to be great because he asked him what he wanted coming to UK and Mercer said to develop into the best basketball player I can be…Magloire’s answer?? I want to come and play for a year or so and then go pro. Not that I didn’t like Magloire and he did play well for us, but not early on in his career like he did later. I say we get Ebanks and Harrelson and be on to the ‘09 guys.
April 2nd, 2008 at 9:19 am
With Lofton I understad, we had three all-american guards coming in at the time and we couldn’t give up Randolphs scholorship to another guard who many viewed as a project. Hopson has no excuse, we have playing time, facilities, and we’re close to home. Unexcusable we don’t get him. IMO
April 2nd, 2008 at 9:22 am
It would be miraculous if we get Ebanks, he’s not even listing UK. He’s a great player(better then Hopson) but I think he’s Memphis bound.
April 2nd, 2008 at 9:27 am
unexcusable that he didn’t give UK a chance…
April 2nd, 2008 at 9:29 am
who cares about hopson,, i say we try to get Ebanks and Harrelson and then try very hard to bring Mackey in as a walkon, then destroy UT every time that we play them, we have the better kentucky player in Miller and he will kill hopson every time
April 2nd, 2008 at 9:29 am
Just get Harrelson and we’re fine. Miller, Liggins, Galloway, Slone, and Delph will provide plenty of scoring along with Meeks, Jasper, Harris, P Steve, and P Pat. 2009 SEC champs.
April 2nd, 2008 at 9:34 am
19- you talk like it was something UK or Clyde did to not sign Hopson and that is bullish. This is all scotty all the time right here.
April 2nd, 2008 at 9:37 am
PPat is going get his 16 - 20
Stevenson, hopefully 6 -10 (mainly at free throw line)
Meeks 10 - 15 (he is streaky, so a 30 point game is not out of the question)
Miller 4 - 6
Liggins 4 - 6
Harris - 4 - 6
Galloway 4 - 6
Jasper - 2 - 4
There’s our 70 points a game. More balanced attack and everyone playing can play BCGs tough man to man D.
Scouting this team is going to be hard to do because of the balanced attack.
April 2nd, 2008 at 9:43 am
And look all the bodies he has to throw at other teams with that intense defenese. We went from 6-7, to playing 8 for sure and possibilities of Porter, Coury, Slone and Delph.
April 2nd, 2008 at 9:51 am
The only problem I see with what we have now, is that if teams focus on PPAT and Meeks is not on then we may struggle to score. We need that one person to step up and get their points, and I really think that a Harrelson, and or a flemings would be perfect. Also lets not forget about the taylor kid out west, he has put up some really good numbers, and I think he is still guy that we are looking at, and vice versa.
April 2nd, 2008 at 9:59 am
To say that the loss of Hopson “hurt” the Kentucky program has to be the largest joke I have ever heard. Time will prove me right as he is not the great player all of his friends talk about. He only played offense and then only when he could show boat. He would never have lasted under CBG practices nor played on a CBG coached team.
April 2nd, 2008 at 10:05 am
25) You forgot about Coury, between -2 and -4 ppg.
April 2nd, 2008 at 10:11 am
You’re assuming Meeks will be healthy, far from a certainty. He was hurt in Dec and is apparently no closer to getting on the floor today than then. UK’s med staff have failed this kid.
April 2nd, 2008 at 10:11 am
You guys are def. right in that I don’t think he is as good as he is sposed to be, but I’ve been wrong once or twice. That said, I think the reason we did not get him is that he may have felt a little shafted by his state in accolades. The kid was a McD AA and did not even get region player of the year in his own region. He was also overshadowed by Miller, which i liked, but he probably didnt. Then not to mention that he was not heavily recruited by any of the state schools until the last 6 months or so. He probably feels like he got a raw did, but I could care less, we got MR BBall and I think we got the best player in the state.
April 2nd, 2008 at 10:13 am
The talk of hopson being “preasured” into a commitment is a BOGUS lie or somebody is just SORELY misinformed. He decided sometime before last friday that he was going to commit. McCoy told me Friday night to not be suprised if scotty made a decision while in Knoxville. Then, yesterday I heard the EXACT same thing before the talk of the commitment was out.
Hopson had his mind made up guys. Sad but true. I honestly thought that UT was trying to preasure him by making him visit so quick. But it was the other way around. Hopson wanted to get this done before the dead period and asked if he could visit during the week.
April 2nd, 2008 at 10:14 am
#31- Players from UHA rarely win that honor. The public schools have a lot of jealousy for uha and they punish the kids by not picking them for all star teams and poy honors.
April 2nd, 2008 at 10:17 am
I would love for UK to get Ebanks, but it appears he is only considering 4 schools. With Tom Crean at IU, he might stick it out there.
Josh Harrellson still does not have his release from Westrn IL. That is just criminal.
April 2nd, 2008 at 10:18 am
Well I think you can change rarely to never, cuz if Hopson couldn’t do it this year then it should have never been done before.
April 2nd, 2008 at 10:19 am
Hopefully, and I think he will, this years KY Mr. BB(Miller) pans out better than the ones in recent history.
April 2nd, 2008 at 10:19 am
I’m loving all these pictures of Bill K. with the players. Anyone know where Cliff Hawkins is these days?
April 2nd, 2008 at 10:19 am
I believe everyone is overlooking Jasper. I believe next year is his come out year and he will be a bigger threat than Meeks. I think he was just a role player the last 2 years following in the footsteps of Ramel and Joe. This is year he will step up and make a major impact.
April 2nd, 2008 at 10:21 am
I think if Porter isnt having to handle the ball alot he can come in and spot up for a three or two. With all of the talent we will have he will get a couple of open looks where he can help the team more efficently. That might be spelled wrong dont have a cow if it is. GO CATS
April 2nd, 2008 at 10:32 am
even if miller, liggins, and galloway aren’t “score first” type guys, they have the athletic ability to go to the hole from the wing and make things happen…they all have the ability to play above the rim and score, it just isn’t necessarily their first option…we sorely missed guys last year who could create off the dribble from the wing, freeing other players or drawing fouls or dunking…i think we will see more easy baskets next year with this trio’s ability to create, and jasper at closer to 100% doing just the same…we will have about as much penetration next year as a Vivid Video.
April 2nd, 2008 at 10:32 am
The one thing Porter has going for him is that nothing really gets to him. He makes terrible on court decisions, and is not as good of a shotter as he was supposed to be, not to mention he seldom hits the backboard when attemptin layups. However, he always keeps his head, and those mistakes will be corrected. He is a tough kid that always hustles, and I really think he can come in eat up some minutes/fouls and maybe score a few in the next couple of years.
April 2nd, 2008 at 10:32 am
The two I am hoping for the most are Roderick Flemings(slasher/defender) and Harrellson(rebounding). They would both be immediate help.
April 2nd, 2008 at 10:37 am
Good article about the Hopson recruitment on Aseaofblue.com(the second best UK website).
http://www.aseaofblue.com/
April 2nd, 2008 at 11:58 am
#43- I agree with most of the article. BUt Scotty and his family have lived in the Hopkinsville area for years. I’m good friends with a cousin of his who is an administrator at the hospital here.
They are from the Trigg County area originally and have been in Hopkinsville for a number of years. These reports of him being from Florida are BOGUS!
April 2nd, 2008 at 1:22 pm
40, they better become scorers because with the current status of PP/Meeks and what we have returning……..
April 2nd, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Losing Hopson is crushing. We need scorers badly. Harris can’t be counted for 2 points in any certain game. Miller isn’t aggressive and we’ll be lucky to get 8ppg from him. Liggins and Galloway can’t score at the level they are now. Patterson is looking at 4-6 months recovery time. Meeks is hurt and may need surgery.
We need scorers. Hopson killed us. I don’t blame CBC but that moron Tubby…here is two middle fingers in the air for ya Tubby.