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LEXINGTON, Ky. – I will not be surprised if C.M. Newton sends limousines for Kentucky players tonight to transport them from their dorms or apartments to Memorial Coliseum.
I won’t be surprised if he gives them a pep talk before the game and even massages their feet at halftime of their NIT game against UNLV at Memorial Coliseum.
So far, Newton has catered to and coddled his program, and the entire commonwealth, with his influence.
“Enjoy it and pull them through and get them to New York,” Newton told the Lexington Herald-Leader.
The former Wildcats athletic director was the chairman of the NIT selection committee, which just happened to deign Kentucky as a No. 4 seed in the secondary tournament to the NCAAs.
When the NIT committee saw UNLV on its big board Sunday, it must have cranked up “My Old Kentucky Home” on its juke box, started frothing at the mouth and high-fived C.M. The Rebels were slapped with a No. 5 seed and given marching orders to come here.
UNLV-Kentucky represents two of the three most successful programs, by winning percentage, in the history of the game.
In an interview with the Lexington paper soon after the NIT field was revealed Sunday, Newton wasn’t even asked why Kentucky deserved a home game.
In these parts, they take care of their own.
The Herald-Leader pointed out that, by NIT rules, Newton “wasn’t allowed to vote on a bid or seeding involving a school where he formerly worked.”
C.M. might not have made the decision, but his peers on the committee surely took care of him and the Wildcats by making the Rebels – which have a better Ratings Percentage Index than the Wildcats – trek here for tonight’s game.
Kentucky (20-13) lost nine of its past 13 games, and it deserves a home game in a postseason tournament? UNLV (21-10) losing six of its past 10 doesn’t look so bad by comparison.
Pack 23,000 into Rupp Arena and it’s understandable why the committee wanted to take care of Kentucky, but that building isn’t even available.
So tonight’s game will be played in the antiquated Memorial Coliseum, which may or may not be filled to its 9,000 capacity.
The Thomas & Mack Center holds twice that figure and would have been much more appropriate for such a showdown between two of the game’s most vaunted programs.
Anything to trickle a few more bucks into the Bluegrass machine called Kentucky basketball.
“These are good young people,” Newton said of the Wildcats. “They’re well coached. They come to play. I’d just be glad you can see them play again.
“I enjoy watching (Jodie) Meeks and (Patrick) Patterson and (Perry) Stevenson and the others. They play hard, and they play pretty well.”
Any UNLV fan who paid the astronomical air fare – few seats were available, and they went fast – on such short notice, on such a quick turnaround, deserves season tickets for next season.
Memo to Rebels athletic director Mike Hamrick – those fans are your best ones and deserve to be pampered. Maybe get ahold of C.M. to learn some tricks.
But let’s get back to Newton.
The homer Herald-Leader writer even coaxed more fodder from C.M., asking him for advice to UK fans.
“Don’t feel sorry for yourself,” Newton said. “Get ready for next year. Get (freshman DeAndre) Liggins (from Findlay Prep) and some of the young guys ready for next year …
“I don’t have much sympathy or patience for people who think like that. That’s not the real basketball fan. That’s the basketball fanatic.”
The Rebels have played their best ball in tough road environments, at BYU, at UNR and, oh yeah, just down the road in Louisville on New Year’s Eve.
It’s difficult to tell how well the Wildcats will be supported tonight, with so many ambivalent about the program under second-year coach Billy Gillispie.
But it doesn’t matter.
Kentucky has already received some incredible support.
What planet are you on Mr. Miech!? You've obviously not done your homework. Are you in Lexington!? For the record, your comment about C.M. Newton sending Limos for UK players to travel to the game tonight is incredulous! The Cats dorm is directly across the street from Memorial Coliseum. They live less than 200 feet from the doors of the Coliseum and they can simply walk over.
Also, your question about whether or not the Coliesum will be filled to capacity is ridiculous. Again you didn't do your homework. The game was sold out by yesterday morning! You also contradicted that very statement later in your article! Too much to drink last night maybe? Maybe too many shots on the flight out here?
As for calling the Lexington Herald-Leader a "homer" for the Wildcats? That's hilarious! The editorial board at the H-L loves the chance to slam UK whenever they can!
If you are in Lexington, you must be doing your work from a hotel room. Get out and about and research things before you attempt to write about them!
Hey Greg. Hope you're having a nice day. Sending limos was a figure of speech. The comment about the arena being filled was taken directly from Patrick Patterson's comments to my esteemed colleague Ryan Greene while in the Houston airport yesterday. Patterson himself was curious about the turnout and how fans would react to the game.
Doesn't matter to me how the H-L editorial board has treated UK in the past. That story did not do the game justice because that was a very simple question. What DID the Wildcats do to deserve a postseason home game?
Drinks? Shots? C'mon Greg, you're better than that.
Hi Rob, my comments about drinks and shots were just "figures of speech" as well.
As for whether or not UK deserved a home game for the NIT? Actually I thought we should have received a higher seed! Florida garnered a #1 seed and they have been just as inept as we have this year, but we played a tougher schedule. Doesn't that count for something, even in the lowly NIT? Besides, if we win tonight our Cats will most likely have to travel to that beautiful exotic location of Omaha, Nebraska for our next game.
The bottom line to all this for me is who really cares. It's the NIT for goodness sakes and let's face it most UK fans are extremely disappointed that our program has slipped to this level. Do I want the Cats to win tonight? Of course. Will I bet watching? Darn right. But that still doesn't take away the "sting" of missing the Big Dance.
Yeah, that's understandable Greg. Many fans know what that "sting" feels like. It's been a tough season for UK, no doubt. Six home losses, though, is difficult to not notice. Pitino only lost seven times in the building during his eight years at Lexington. And losing 9 of their last 13 is an additional sting.
Looking at it impartially, just between UK and UNLV, it seems like one has the better resume and didn't deserve to travel, regardless of the venue.
Hey, it's all splitting hairs. When it comes down to it, tonight should be exciting and I hope you have fun. See you there
And next season should be better for the Wildcats, don't you think?
thanks
I have a lot of friends that are UK fans, and consequently, have become a very casual fan myself. I'm generally impressed by the fanbase, but every now and then....
The fact is that ALL publications had San Diego State, New Mexico, and UNLV among the first 8 teams left out.... With no mention of UK. The numbers just don't add up. That should put all three as 1-2 seeds no? From the bubble, to a 5 seed in the NIT???? 5 seeds should be those 17th-20th outside of the NCAA field.
I have no real problem with UK having a home game. I DO have a problem with UNLV getting a road game. Oh well, I'm excited about this matchup, because it's UK, a program that I have great respect for. Just wish it wasn't a road game.
Next season could be extremely good or extremely bad. There are a lot of undecided variables at this point. If Meeks and Patterson stay, combined with a couple of talented incoming recruits (i.e., Orton and Hood) and simply more experience on the bench in Miller, Liggins, Galloway et al., then it could be a very good year, maybe Top 10-15; however, should either Meeks or Patterson leave for the NBA and some of our talented freshmen, i.e., Liggins decide to leave then UK may be a mediocre .500 team next year at best.
And we haven't even discussed the possibility of Billy Gillispie leaving, which would throw an entirely new dynamic into the mix.
There is a potential for a huge amount of flux between now and October 15 in the Kentucky basketball program.
Bob, this is libel. "Enjoy it and pull them through and get them to New York"? C'mon, Bob, you know you took that statement way out of context. Newton was asked if he had any advice for UK fans who will only be satisfied with the NCAA tournament and a Final Four appearance. He responded in a very objective way.
As for saying the game may or may not be sold out and supported, the game was sold out immediately. You cite your source for that statement as a friend who saw Patrick Patterson in the airport? Do I really need to point out how absurd that is? Why are you using Patterson as your source for projected attendance?
The point is that this whole story is a low blow because CM Newton is beyond reproach with the way he handles his work and personal life.
The Cats deserve a higher seed because they had more quality wins and play in a tougher conference. The RPI is for crap and everyone knows that--it is only cited these days out of desperation and convenience. You cite big road wins for UNLV as BYU (home and away), Nevada, and Louisville. With BYU home and away, those must be UNLV's only quality wins this season. Overall, I have to say very objectively, I'm not so impressed. Are you? Louisville is a great team right now, but at the time UNLV beat them, they were very shaky. They had lost to Western Kentucky and Minnesota and National writers point to the one-point loss to UNLV as the low point in the season. Coincidentally, the turning point for UL came the next game against Kentucky when UL won on a buzzer-beater.
Kentucky, in comparison, beat West Virginia, Kansas State, and Tennessee twice. Objectively speaking, which team would you give a higher seed to: Nevada, Louisville and BYU 2x; or Kansas State, West Virginia, and Tennessee 2x? I suspect the answer is that these 2 teams should be ranked closely and not give top seeds overall. I think the latter team has a slight edge. Maybe you disagree, Bob, but the point is that it is not a big enough discrepancy to attack an esteemed NCAA official.
And c'mon--you had to find it a little funny that Greg was calling you a drunk, because his accusations have about as much credibility as your whole article.
That's for sure greg... could be an entirely different deal come next fall. LV fans were able to watch Liggins all last season at Findlay, in the Henderson foothills, and he can by explosive in the right situations. I wonder what Gillespie's future might play into the decisions of Meeks and Patterson?
Hopefully tonight's game makes people forget about the negative aspects of both UNLV's and UK's seasons.
A friend who saw Patrick in the airport? Now THAT is absurd Turnip. I distinctly said that my colleague, Ryan Greene, actually TALKED with Patterson in the Houston airport yesterday for a story that is on our site right now. And that is what Patterson said.
And who is making desperate statements now? Louisville was "shaky" when UNLV beat it on its own court without the Rebels' best player? Uh, yeah right. I'm no UNLV apologist, so you must be confusing me with someone else. I don't give a damn where they play or whom they play, regardless of what you think.
But this is a very convenient game tonight for your beloved Wildcats. Very convenient. By the way, you're also forgetting about a win over Utah for UNLV, a pasting of Arizona ... but, Turnip, I'll leave that alone.
Oh, by the way. The name's Rob.
Thanks. Have fun tonight
Hey Turnip, your Cats lost 9 of their last 13 games! That's ridiculous. Man, they're lucky they're not in the CBI or whatever that third-tier tournament is called.
Libel? We must understand that word differently. Maybe it's slang for bluegrass rolled in paper.
And, yes
@ UL (overall 1 seed), vs. Utah (5 seed) and vs./@ BYU (8 seed) >>>>>>>>> vs WVU (6 seed), vs./@ Tenn (9 seed), and vs. KSU (NIT).
doesnt get more objective than that.
you're all drunks
Why is UK at home? Because they play in a BCS conference and UNLV is in the Mountain West (sorry but the Vs channel covering MWC games just doesnt cut it). I don't agree with it, but it is a fact of life. It is the same reason that Minnesota and Arizona are in the NCAA tournament and St. Mary's and San Diego St are in the NIT. Plus UNLV could not even sell out their conference tournament home game. Do you think if the game was at Thomas & Mack without the UK fans coming to the game UNLV would have been able to fill 10,000 seats? I would have went if the game was here no matter who UNLV was playing (as long as it wasnt the same time as UK's game). I am a UK fan and live in Las Vegas and would absolutely love for the two schools to schedule and play each other every year. They are two great historic programs and Lon Krueger is a good coach, but he will never be at UK. We made that mistake with Gillespie. The next coach will have Kentucky roots.
By the formulas employed by the NCAA, UNLV deserved to have this game on their home court. The way they played down the stretch; however, the Rebels were fortunate to be playing in the post season at all.
Hopefully the UK faithful understand that they're no longer an elite program, put aside institutional arrogance and come out for an NIT game and get loud. The young Rebels would benefit from the experience, as would the young Wildcats.
"you're all drunks", wow.....that's your best response turnip boy? Generalizing and intelligent in the same fragment.
You just got b**** slapped by the editor....what you should be doing is tucking your tail between your legs and running.
Not to mention you haven't even heard form Lenny yet. Man, can't wait for that meeting. Keep it cool Lenny so we can read it this time.
Jeff, don't forget about the blasting we gave Arizona.
Kentucky may win tonight BECAUSE they're in Lexington with their fans but it doesn't mean that they should be a higher seed or get a home game.
To close the season; UNLV lost twice to SDSU, SDSU has two Vegas lads on the team. Now they can lose to UK with another home grown Vegas basketball player.
Figure it out Vegas, the title of the movie is; "Leaving Las Vegas"....for good reason(s)!
Liggins isn't home grown, he is from Chicago. He only played at Findley one year and that was so he could qualify for college.
Since UNLV won @UofL, beat Utah and zona. What does it matter where UNLV plays UK? After all Georgia beat UK at Rupp, and UNLV gets UK at Memorial. Should be a cake walk right? I would be more upset about only getting a 5 seed and having to play on the road, instead of bashing C.M. and UK. May get a little more support outside your community if you did.
Turnip,
I would like to thank the state of Kentucky for the bourbon I am consuming in honor of St. Patrick. It will taste even sweeter after UNLV shuts down Meeks and Patterson tonight.
all you uk fans that are invading our newspaper.. either go away.. or since you are such big time fans and boosters, please have your AD schedule a game at the thomas and mack next year. you'll all leave rebel fans
Put the Mountain West up head to head against any conference and I guarantee the opponents will leave saying, "Dang, they can play." I don't expect anybody from Kentucky to know jack about the Rebels except for their fans that live in Las Vegas. I hate the elitist attitude of the major conferences and the BLATANT homer tendencies of all their fans.
Completely unprofessional article and comments by the writer. This blog is on par with Perez Hilton.
the writer of this article seems to be a cheerleader for unlv, who should be thanking their lucky stars that they even got a NIT invite. the way they played against bad teams this year was disgraceful.
Rob:
Sorry about your resentment for C.M., and I might buy your argument if it was the only instance in the tournament where a team with the better RPI was having to play on the road. Based on CBS Sportsline RPI - Illinois St. (45) is at Kansas St. (83), UAB (46) is at Notre Dame (78), Miami (60) is at Providence (72) and George Mason (52) is at Penn St. (68). Why is CM helping out Penn State?
Based on RPI, George Mason (52) should be a 3 seed, not a 7. And how does Notre Dame (78) get a 2 seed?
At first when this was forwrded to me I thought it was from the local newspaper in Las Vegas and I was shocked! It sounded so much like a fan writing a letter! but, I admit I didnt look closely and see it was a fan site. So, now I understand why its so vitriolic, which is fine, beatwriters are allowed to be biased. I just hate to see a few things that are honestly a bit off base. again, simmer down, im not slamming the fact youre mad, Im just questioning a couple of points. This is good healthy debate. Not screaming crazy redneck.
The Herald-Leader is not a homer - honestly, they are hated in Lexington. I no longer live there. Remember, THEY broke the story that exposed UK in the 80's and earned the SI cover. They are universally hated in Lexington and have been ever since. Again, I dont blame you for being upset at the draw. Im just giving some insight on some of the comments you made. they are FAR from a homer newspaper.
C.M. of course wants to see UK do well. He is the ex-AD, wouldnt it be weird if he didnt? wouldnt you want an ex UNLV AD to comment on your current team as if he still loved the school? That being said, I dont think he is throwing his weight around in an NIT seeding committe over who gets the 4 or 5 seed? He was he head of the NCAA selection comm. and saw 2 NCAA titles at UK. I'm sure youre right and he would love to see UK play at home as much as possible, but honestly, the man lives in Alabama year round, and this has got to be the equivalent of seeding a YMCA youth league for him. I just dont think he is calling in favors on this one.
Comparing UNLV and UK as two of the greatest programs in College basketball history? I hate when we dont get mentioned with UNC, UCLA, and KAnsas in passing over the last few years, but I honestly havent ever heard UNLV mentioned out side of having one of the greatest TEAMS of all time, which is indisputable.
The last 15 games and RPI are legit arguments. Good points. I guess I agree with you though that the NIT IS out to make money. Thomas & Mack is bigger than memorial, and I am honestly asking here, but do you think it would have sold out in one day? Generated buzz for the tourney (again, I see you are responding so I wanted to ask without sarcasm which is evident on all these boards)? Would it have sold 9,000+ for an NIT game (not a regular season game when we BOTH still had hope)? I saw UNLV avg., 12000 a game this year early on in the season, thats only 2/3rds of cpapacity, was it that much by the end? Would it have sold out with UK in town? See in Vegas there are so many great distractions and back in KY there is nothing else.
I suppose I would be ticked too. If I were you and saw CM and a weakened Cats team making me get on the plane. But, all in all, I would still think the atmosphere and buzz ( what little the NIT has) and monetary outcome will be greater in an embattled lexington rather than in Vegas.Would love your thoughts. Are you going? Good luck to both.
tough game for the rebels, but we don't get to complain this year--we need to prove stuff now, and if we'd gotten a #1 or #2 we'd be facing exactly the kind of weak club we've played lousy against all year......we should force a million turnovers; our problem is we've got absolutely nobody to guard Patterson.
Rob Miech come in out of the sun. You're suffering from hallucinations writing such nonsense....and lay off the peyote.
For recruiting purposes you are better off playing this tournament on the road, where you will get more exposure and maybe be able to get the interest of a kid that can help your program. Since UNLV doesn't really recruit well with the Vegas kids, maybe they should try to recruit some of the Kentucky kids while they are there.
Jimmy, of course I'm here. Notice the dateline? Just got back from a tour of Memorial and Rupp. Damn, Rupp is awesome. A security guard squeaked us in as they were preparing it for the state tournament. He told us of tentative if not hopeful plans to build a 26,000-seat-ish arena in the near future because Rupp's contract with KU is coming up. That is impressive.
Memorial is pretty cool, too. Shows its age in spots, but who doesn't? That should be an awesome atmosphere tonight.
That reference to UK and UNLV was in overall winning percentage in the history of the programs.
They are #1 (.760, Ky) and #3 (.713). A pretty basic statistic.
A former AD is going to be enthusiastic about his former program, of course. But to get those quotes and not ask how the committee came about putting Kentucky at home?
To quote him saying, Let's support the boys so they can get to New York, soon after the selection committee gives that mediocre team a home game -- maybe giving it a jump-start toward New York? Wow, and you're calling me biased?
Getting a good laugh out of that one.
Fans who comment here, obviously, have their allegiances. Guess what? I do not. I could not care less who wins.
The fact is you can't tell me that the NIT selection committee didn't take care of CM and the Wildcats with this little gem of a game.
A Kentucky-UNLV game at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas would no doubt draw more than 9,000, too, so that's not insignificant.
Get over all that, though. You're telling me this Kentucky team deserves a postseason home game with the way it has played lately?
If you think that way, then you're fine with Arizona and Maryland in the NCAAs.
Hey, you're a big fan. That's awesome. This is going to be an exciting game tonight, hopefully. But to think UK deserved this? I don't think so.
Are you serious...this is all about the money, just like half of the NCAA seeding decisions. UNLV wouldn't have brought in the cash that the game at UK will. And if you don't think the small 9,000 seat arena will be filled you are shoudn't be a sports writer because you don't have a clue. Did you write this stuff to get a rise out of UK fans or what?
Bob you are the weakest whore I've seen as a writer in a while.
First, you say you "could not care less" who wins , but I think any objective person(which I do not claim to be) who reads the article you wrote would agree that there was such venom and malice behind the article your allegiances are pretty clear from here.
Second, the comparison between UNLV and UK over even the overall winning percentage is laughable. To even begin to compare the men's basketball programs between UK and UNLV is like comparing Abraham Lincoln to George W. Bush. You seem to run on a pretty loose leash there at your "job as a writer". Maybe they should look into replacing their staff member like UK. When one goes off on such tangents and then stoops to arguing back and forth through the comments, that certainly from where I'm at lends itself to a very unprofessional employee. But hey, you are a writer in Vegas so morals gone by the wayside should not shock us. You keep spewing hate and we will keep on beating you guys and provide some more fodder for the "unbiased" writer you claim to be.
Would we have sold 9k tickets at the T&M? It would've been close. The fans are disappointed with the finish to this year's season and while we've had some rough times post-Tark, most fans still expect greatness and are not pleased with an NIT appearance. But even after the team started losing late in the year, the crowds were still strong. So I bet we'd have sold 11k or 12k.
If this game wasn't the first one in the old arena, do you think UK would've sold more than 9k? Your fans are just as upset with the NIT as ours. But the draw of playing in the old arena for the first time in 20+ years is a novelty that is bringing them out for an NIT game.
Yes, we sell tickets during the regular season. Sold more than 15,000 six times. Attendance in the conference season was much greater than OOC. Wyoming was 17k, BYU an 18500 sellout, Utah was 15k+, Air Force was 15k+.
We had either the highest or second highest attendance in the West (Haven't seen New Mexico's final numbers).
Why so many people are riled up over playing in the losers bracket is beyond me. Neither team's fan base wants to be in the NIT. Both teams played poorly down the stretch.
I am just hoping for a good game to watch. And yeah, hoping the Rebels win because I always hope they win. But losing tonight or winning the loser's bracket is not going to change my opinion about the season.
Let's book a home and home for the regular season.
And to say our win against Louisville was nothing is ridiculous because you played them the next game. The games were back to back. It's not like we played them a month before.
And let's use the Louisville game as a comparison. I think it means our teams are pretty closely matched, or were 3 months ago. Sosa's deep 3 misses and you win. Oscar's layup misses, and we lose. Both of us played them to the wire.
Your Louisville win was against a "shaky" cardinal team just as our loss on the desperation shot by the Count from Sesame Street was against a shaky Louisville team. One game does not end the comparison but if you look at the U of L win it was early when they were struggling and had been beaten by Minnesota and Western Ky. So to hang all your argument on beating U of L doesn't exactly work with me. Comparing schedules and teams and especially CONFERENCES is a lot better way to determine who is having a "better" year. This is all conjecture though as I'm sure you can find a way to twist the Mountain West into a tough league you had to navigate. Truth is UNLV is a one-time one-trick pony that IS NOT relevant on the national scene and from where I'm at I don't know that they ever will be relevant again. Not trying to be mean but when you guys start comparing UNLV and UK like its actually a comparison is when someone needs to step in and give a reality check. GO CATS!!!!
Todd12, ha ha. Wow, that's a good roll you're on. You, my friend, invite a "back-and-forth" discourse with your comments here, or why would you write them?
Facts are facts. UK and UNLV are 1-3, all-time, winning percentage. You call that what you want. You can even call me names.
By the way, the name's Rob.
Have a great game Todd
Rob,
You just really don't get it, do you? Both programs should be thankful to be in the NIT, and UNLV can gripe about having to travel for the first game, rather than being a host. That's fine. What you don't seem to understand is that people are telling you that you are making mistake in blaming C.M. Newton for the placement of the game. I guess they just want to have some proof, rather than your say so.
While you spend a few hours in Lexington, or even after you return to Las Vegas, do some real reporting and talk to some people who actually know and have worked with Mr. Newton, and see what they think of your conjecture. Heck, call Tark, who loves to get his shots in at UK anytime he can, and see what he thinks of C.M.'s reputation. Your blog, or column, or whatever you call this, was a cheap shot at an honorable guy, who wouldn't bother himself to rig something as offhand as a first round NIT game placement. He's handled and dealt with people as facile as you, and chooses to be above that sort of thing. You and I, apparently choose not to.
As for attendance, that may have played an important role in the choice of venue. Both programs have gone through near "death sentence" times. When I lived in Las Vegas from 1994 to 1999, I had no trouble getting seats to a rarely sold out Thomas and Mack, and '94 was just 3 years removed from a Running Rebel back to back title appearance. UK, meanwhile has been no worse than #2 in NCAA attendance, since moving to Rupp. That includes the "near death" years. T & M and other venues in LV are more expensive to staff on a short notice, (even if available) whereas staffing Memorial is a snap, comparatively. Who would you, as a promoter (the NCAA) choose: A fickle populace that may or may not sell well in a market that has lots of activities to compete with, or a sure-fire sellout in an arena easy to staff in a city that has little entertainment competition on a Tuesday night?
So much for my semi-tirade.
So Rob, enjoy your stay in Lexington, and come back next month and visit Keeneland, and do some "gaming" at a more leisurely pace. We've been doing that well since about the time Boulder Dam was built, just like we have our basketball. There's no neon at either place. It might improve your disposition.
Yeah BOB I figured since I was already witnessing the unprofessionalism you seem to love to display, why not get in on it too. I mean it's not everyday that a writer for a newspaper gets into the comments and makes an ass of himself. I'll admit it was a lil much with the weak whore comment but I think the rest was spot on. Good luck with your "career", BOB!
One more thing, Robbie.
KU is in Kansas.
The team in Lexington is UK.
You'd think a sharp "sports authority" would know that...
but I guess you don't have an editor to watch over your blog, do you?
UNLV deserved a better seed than Kentucky this year, that much is without doubt. Rebels were right on the bubble, whereas Kentucky has been out of contention for a while.
The game's on now. I'm coming back to read the Kentnutty fan's comments. You got em all riled up, Rob. haha
Gillispie might need the classifieds after tonight's game.
Comment removed by staff.
I find it humorous that Bob Miche calls out the Lexington paper for the same slated, biased stuff that he is practicing. You should be ashamed.
So, Rob, how are your Rebels doing? Have you worn out your pompoms yet?
Kentucky won and deserved to. We couldn't hit the ocean in the 1st half. The no call on the trip foul was blatant but that's what you get on homer night.
You guys need to fire Gillespie. He can't coach a lick. Give Kruger the talent you guys have and we'd be a one or two seed in the NCAAs and headed to Detroit. Good luck the rest of the NIT and next year but you might struggle with him at your helm.
Good game, huh Rob?
Rob, don't bite again man. It's like feeding two or three piranha to placate the thousand. Just quietly get out of the water and hope the wound doesn't start bleeding again.
UK is the United Kingdom, so say 60 million Brits so lets not get pedantic, cat fans.
"Enjoy it and pull them through and get them to New York," Newton told the Lexington Herald-Leader.
Newton.
Those don't sound like the words of an unbiased adjudicator. That was Rob's point. And he had a bloody good point at that. Newton is a homer for the wildcats, there's no denying that. He said it himself.
"It's not the national championship," Newton said Sunday night. "But their resume was not a national championship resume.
"That's just the fact."
So Kentucky (20-13) failed to make the NCAA Tournament field for the first time since 1991. That ended a streak of 17 straight appearances, which ranked fifth longest by any school.
Instead, Kentucky will play in the NIT. The first-round opponent will be UNLV, coached by a familiar face, former Florida Coach Lon Kruger. The game will be Tuesday in Memorial Coliseum.
The winner will play either Creighton or Bowling Green in the second round.
As the No. 1 seed in the bracket of eight teams, Creighton would play host to a second-round game if it wins the first-round game. NIT rules say the better-seeded team gets the home game.
Only a scheduling conflict with the arena can move a game to the worse seed's hometown. Creighton has no conflicts with a second-round game in its Qwest Center Omaha home arena (capacity 17,272), publicist Rob Anderson said.
By Kentucky standards, the game and the NIT are a letdown.
But Newton, the chairman of the NIT Selection Committee, advised Kentucky fans to enjoy the chance to watch the team play again.
"These are good young people," he said of the Cats. "They're well coached. They come to play. I'd just be glad you can see them play again.
"I enjoy watching (Jodie) Meeks and (Patrick) Patterson and (Perry) Stevenson and the others. They play hard, and they play pretty well."
Newton noted that other teams, such as Vanderbilt and Mississippi (two teams that beat Kentucky in the regular season), will not play again.
"Enjoy it and pull them through and get them to New York," Newton said of his advice to UK fans.
When reminded that UK fans have eyes only for the NCAA Tournament and Final Four grandeur, Newton said, in essence, get over it.
"Don't feel sorry for yourself," he said. "Get ready for next year. Get (freshman DeAndre) Liggins and some of the young guys ready for next year. ...
"I don't have much sympathy or patience for people who think like that. That's not the real basketball fan. That's the basketball fanatic."
2009 Kentucky.com and wire service sources
By Jerry Tipton
jtipton@herald-leader.com
*******
The above uses every quote of Newton's in the Herald-Leader in the article by Jerry Tipton that you refer to. If you doubt me, look it up on line, you pompous know nothing. You quoted what the author of the article said, not an actual Newton quote. It would appear that you get your journalism ethics from the same place as your Las Vegas Sun writer.
So, in fact there IS a way to deny that. Newton did NOT say that himself.
You both have a future with the Weekly World News, however.
Ah, so I read some of hillbilly Todd's comments. Yeah, UNLV doesn't have the history of Kentucky. We had our dominant years, made four fours and one national championship to your seven. If Tark had stayed a little longer, that one might be two or three. That's all past now, just like your titles.
You're not even close to a top program right now and we've out performed you the last couple of years. And with a retarded, redneck fan base that ran off Pitino and made Donovan change his mind, your troubles are far from over.
So, how does it feel to be the 2nd best program in the state of Kentucky? Pitino and Louisville have made you their *itches.
Larry Johnson doesn't play there anymore. Augman, Anthony........for God sakes your only bright spot in the last 15yrs has been J.R. ....I mean Isaih Rider....LMFAO!
We are down Rob so take your shots at our team. Yes they are pretty bad defensively but they were still better than you guys. I think by this little board you see that UK fans will swarm your weak journalism. Feel free to down any other fan base that clames they have passion like us they will take it, we won't not from a guy who talks about the Thomas-Mack...Mack Daddy Center oh whatever the hell you guys call it that nobody sees as important like it's even seen 1/3rd of the victories Memorial Coliseum has......you guys were lucky to even get to grace that floor. We'll be back to kicking everybody's tell soon history tells us back...unlike you guys pur program has fought back from a little touch of probation? Have you guys really done that yet? Even in our worst yr since 79 we are still better than you and always will be. Stick to writing about basketball you know....don't stir up our pond. Big fish don't have time for guppies like you.
I'm sorry. I made a mistake in my above post. I gave you credit for being the 2nd best program in Kentucky right now but that's incorrect. Your third, behind Western Kentucky and their sweet 16 run last year.
Now, go back to your trailer. There's a curfew and it's lights out at 11, you don't wanna end up on an episode of cops.
By the way hillbilly, the Thomas and Mack is famous worldwide. Ever heard the names Evander Holyfield, Riddick Bowe, Mike Tyson, Oscar De La Hoya? They all fought there.
You think anybody outside the hardcore college hoops fan even knows the names of your arenas? Now, it's late I'm outta here and don't you have a lynching to go to.
Lenny_V,wow way to go after all they ky sterotypes that's real mature. UK basketball has been more relivant then UNLV has or ever will be. Tark was a sleezy coach who was always in trouble with the NCAA, every school he coached at came under investigation.We didn't run Pitino out of town, he took the Celtics job b/c he wanted another shot at the NBA. Oh yeah nobody outside of LV or the boxing world has ever heard of Thomas & Mack, because boxing is a stupid sport that lost it's luster a long time.
Boxing is a lot bigger world wide than college hoops is, just lettin you know that. In case you were under the illusion anybody outside the US acutally knows that Rupp is a basketball coach and not something that happens to your tire when you hit a kentucky fan in the street.
And I wouldn't be slinging any mud at Tark if I was you. It's not like the rules haven't been bent and broken in half in your school's history. I've heard Meeks would have gone pro already, except he'd have to take a pay cut to do it.
So don't start coming on here talking *hit about UNLV. Plenty a hillbilly has ended up as dust in the desert for raising a ruckus in these parts.
my my my, the writer got awful quiet, didn't he? a lot of chirping before the game and not a peep after his team lost. what a surprise.
Wow. Here's Meich calling a Kentucky sportswriter a "homer." That comment will come back and bite him on the ass.
That maybe so, soccer is bigger world wide as well, but this is about college basketball (remeber it was UNLV BASKETBALL vs. UK BASKETBALL). Anyway boxing has been on the decline in the US for years. Yes UK has broken some NCAA rules, but were able to bounce back and win a couple championships. As for Tark, when he left you guys went down the drain, our program is more than a single coach. Oh yeah... i'll stop talking sh*t on UNLV when you stop making stupid comments about kentucky sterotypes deal?
Cry and pout and make up all the excuses you want ole Robby. I've got a fact for you. UK defeated UNLV. If you want to use traveling and such as an excuse, so be it. That is why UNLV is a mediocre program and will always be a mediocre program. Obviously Kentucky doesn't have a problem traveling across the country and winning games, seeing as they won the Las Vegas Invitational this year. Quit making excuses like a child and take the defeat like a man.
Farley, you're an idiot. If that game was played here you'd most likely lose. Why do you think Rob critized C.W. so much for fixing a home game for you? Cuz he knew we'd probably lose a road game at a difficult venue no matter how average and pathetic Kentucky has become.
If we're so average then how come you pissed yourself when we came back? I bet you were thinking at that time...hmmmm....yeah...UNLV is average. You're such a moron.
Can we get Greg back on here, he seems to be one of only a few Cat fans that have some dignity and humility when chatting with the opposition.
You wildcat bums have no business talking $hit on here when there's three kentucky teams in the NCAAs and you ain't one of them. ha ha toothless hillbillies you suck
Heaven forbid that a civil discussion takes place here
Wow, the hits just keep on comin' from both sides! Hey, the game is over! The lights are out and everybody has gone home. The Runnin' Rebs are back in Vegas and Gillispie has probably practiced the Cats 5 times today (since it is Spring Break)...ha!
As I said in an earlier post, I thought the UNLV players displayed a lot of class, dignity and poise after the game. Their post-game comments offered not excuses and were very refreshing, especially after a disappointing loss.
I'm sure UNLV will be back in the hunt next year. I hope the Cats are too! GO CATS!
Everyone keeps talking about how currupt Tark was but everyone seems to forget that the NCAA NEVER EVER found ANY VIOLATIONS. NOT ONE. Matter of fact I bet none of you KU fans even know the NCAA settled his lawsuit for $2 Million or so dollars because they didn't want all the dirt of how bad an organization the NCAA is to be made public. Besides, the NCAA didn't run him out of town, the president of the school did becuase he was jealous Tark was more famous and popular than him.
Wow, Lenny_V is really dominating the comments section over here. What's the matter Lenny? Trying to cover something up? Dissapointed in a lacklustre season? Yeah, we are too. That's ok though, I'm just going to look at our 7 National Championship trophies to make me feel better.
I'm always down to let Lenny deal with the Trolls
Spam, 4 of your 7 titles were when the NCAA tournament field was only 16, and prejudice dictated who was invited.
So, I guess it's appropriate you're bragging about that. Sitting around reminiscing about the good ole days when they were shining your shoes and calling your "sir", not eating in the same restaurant as you, and running up and down your hallowed basketball court. I hope a hurricane decimates your trailer park, racist scum.
By the way since the NCAA expanded to 64 and let those pesky coloreds play, Kentucky has won two titles, that's one more than UNLV.
Another couple years in the wilderness and your retarded hillbilly fan base, who have nothing to live for except UKKK basketball will start slitting their wrists.
Correction. Two of your titles were with 8 teams that's EIGHT TEAMS in the tournament. And you've got the balls to brag about that. You're pathetic.
YIKES! Someone is still a little bitter. Hahah
Bitter about what? Losing on the road in a fixed game by C.M. Newton? You're average team is no better than UNLV, you just played at home. The season is over, so just shut up moron.
Go Creighton!
Waaah, waaah, waaaaaah!
Last word, freak. Hillbillie hell sucks. Go Creighton!
I'm getting a kick out of this! The game has been over for a week and they're still bitter.
Your reputation proceeds your name in that you're trying to get some attention. Why not hot dog?
No one puts any stock in an NIT game or tournament, especially a fixed one. I don't care if Kentucky wins the NIT. I just want you to shut up. And I'll type as long as you do, freak.
go on...
and on....
hmm, that's what I thought! :D
you did? last word, hot dog
YEAH! GO CREIGH- Oh, wait. Their season's over.
"Go Irish!" Right guys?!
WOW Hot Dog! Kentucky! Kings of the NIT!!!
Once again hot dog, no one here cares. As a matter of fact I'm rooting for KU to win and for you to get hit by a truck.
Ha ha
ha
Kansas isn't in the NIT, Camron. You're a smart fellow, you know?
You're right hot dog! Kansas University isn't in the NIT, they're better than you, they're in the sweet sixteen of the real tournament.
But, it doesn't matter to me....UK, KU, USUCK.....
OOooh, nice cam haha. I think ham prefers UKKK.