The Big Blue Lowdown

With the season inching ever closer, Kentucky Coach John Calipari is working hard to figure out a rotation and to solve the myriad chemistry issues that come from having a roster with 12 players who would start or merit major minutes at most D-1 schools.

He has his work cut out for him, but Coach Cal is optimistic about his chances. Here are some comments he made to reporters this week:

On the team’s depth:
“I thought in one way I like to play nine guys, eight or nine guys and maybe even a...

With comparisons between this year’s roster and the ‘95-‘96 team sure to be made, we thought we’d take a few short moments to recognize the uncanny talents of Rick Pitino’s national title winning squad of 13 years ago.

This montage reminds you of what Kentucky is trying to get back to.

Don’t be mistaken. The BBL is not attempting to make our own comparison between Coach Cal’s Cats and the team dubbed the “Untouchables.” There is a long way to go before this year’s group can come anywhere...

Seeing how the Wildcats adapt to the Dribble-Drive Motion Offense should be one of the more interesting developments to watch this season in Lexington. The BBL gives you a closer look at this trendy offensive strategy created 12 years ago by JUCO coach Vance Walberg.

The Dribble Drive Defined
In essence, the DDM is an uptempo variation of the Bobby Knight-style motion offense with several wrinkles. The philosophy is predicated on relentless dribble penetration where a ballhandler drives the...

As part of our series of snapshot previews of UK opponents, the BBL takes a first look at Billy Donovan’s Florida Gators.

Backcourt
Florida lost leading scorer Nick Calathes and Walter Hodge, the last remaining holdover from its back-to-back titles in ‘06-‘07. Expected to replace that production is freshman sensation Kenny Boynton. More of a combo guard than a true point, Boynton can score from anywhere on the court. He’ll be teamed in the backcourt with Erving Walker, a 5’8 fireplug who...

According to Pat Forde of ESPN, Kentucky’s prized recruit John Wall, already widely considered one of the nation’s top players, still faces serious eligibility issues.

Forde reports that SEC Commissioner Mike Slive stated that Wall is eligible to practice but is not currently eligible to play.

This is the first time that anyone has commented publicly that Wall’s eligibility is in question.

Sources close to the program have so far denied that any issues exist. “My understanding is that all...

Occasionally, we at the BBL like to take a quick look back into the treasure trove that is UK hoops history.

Azubuike had a breakout year with Golden State last season, averaging nearly 15 points and 5 rebounds per contest. He looks primed to carry on the mantle of great former UK products in the...

We present our first look at Darrin Horn’s South Carolina Gamecocks.

Backcourt:
Devan Downey might be the most underrated guard in D-1. He is virtually uncheckable in transition and in the open court. He has a rare combination of speed, athleticism and ball skills. Downey will get his 20 and 6 every night. The other SC guards are good in their own right. Brandis Raley-Ross is a decent scorer while Evaldas Baniulis hit an uncanny 48 of 100 3-point tries last season. Watch out for a good...

The BBL’s quick and dirty take based on the Big Blue Madness scrimmage.

Patrick Patterson
Looks totally reborn. Healthy and jumping out of the gym. Had a couple rebound dunks where he was looking at the goal. Already graduated so this will be his last season at UK.

John Wall
An absolute blur. Long arms. He dribbles the ball too high but covers ground like few can. May surprise with his shooting stroke. He squares his body every time. Jumps much better off his right leg in transition.

Eric...

The John Calipari era kicked off in grand style this weekend with UK’s Big Blue Madness, which attracted thousands of crazed fans to Rupp Arena for a night of pomp, pageantry and a little bit of basketball.

The ceremonial event, which represents the first official practice of the new college hoops season, featured celebrity cameos (rapper Drake), former UK standouts (Tayshaun Prince, Kenny “Sky” Walker) and a team scrimmage. Festitivies kicked off with this highlight video.

No part of the...

For UK basketball fans, the day of October 16th, 2009, represents a new lease on life.

With Big Blue Madness kicking off tonight, the ceremonial start of the college basketball season has arrived and there is a feeling of excitement and joy in Lexington unlike anything seen in 10 years.

Goodbye Recent History
UK hoops has struggled to remain relevant for a decade. After reaching dynasty status in the mid and late 90s, the program meandered off course. Gone were the household names, top five...

This season is shaping up to be another blockbuster year for beasts in the paint.  Here’s our list of 10 best post units.

1. UNC
It’s entirely possible that this year’s Tarheels could eventually be remembered as the first (and only) team in college basketball history to feature 6 future NBA players in the same frontcourt. Deon Thompson, Ed Davis, John Henson, David and Travis Wear, and Tyler Zeller would all start on any lineup in America. Finding them all minutes will be, um, interesting.

2....

The BBL is good at saving you time. That’s kind of the whole point. Read this email every day, which should take you 5 minutes or less, and you’ll feel completely on top of UK basketball.

In that spirit, we give you a quick snapshot of each of the three main preseason basketball magazines.

Athlon Sports
#1 Overall: Kansas
UK Ranking: #6

Highlights: Regional features (including a Calipari cover story), prediction of the full NCAA tourney field of 65, 10 Things to Watch feature
Why you...

We present the BBL’s first look at defending natty champion North Carolina.

Backcourt
The big question mark is at point guard. Larry Drew appears to be the man now that Ty Lawson is gone. After Drew, they have wing guards in Marcus Ginyard and incoming frosh Dexter Strickland. UNC is very inexperienced in the backcourt and Drew is a substantial fall off from Lawson.

Frontcourt
UNC is loaded down low. They are so skilled, in fact, they might be forced to play three bigs at all times. Deon...

With the season tipoff getting closer, reality is beginning to set in around Kentucky basketball. Sure, this has the potential to be one of the best Wildcat teams of the past 10 years. But truthfully, there are still a lot of question marks.

As deep and talented as the roster is, the Cats will rely on several players with absolutely zero college playing experience. In a rugged SEC, it’s fair to say that UK’s youth will lead to some disappointing moments.

But until then, there is still time to...

There is an old college hoops aphorism that says the national title is won by the team with the best backcourt. It would be tough to argue that this wasn’t the case the past two seasons (UNC and Kansas in 2009 and 2008, respectively) or that it won’t be again this year.

We take our first crack at NCAA basketball unit rankings with our preseason top 10 backcourts.

1. Kansas
The Jayhawks combination of national title winning PG Sherron Collins, athletic scorer Tyshawn Taylor, 3-point specialist...