http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/players/devan_downey/18577 Recent articles about Devan Downey en-us Frank Martin said he's ready to take on the difficult task of turning last-place South Carolina into winners. Martin was introduced Tuesday as the Gamecocks new coach, leaving Kansas State after four NCAA tournament appearances in five years. ''Some people run away from challenges,'' Martin told a crowd of about several hundred people gathered at the Colonial Life Arena. ''I run to them. I always have.'' And make no mistake, this job is a challenge. The Gamecocks have only been to the NCAA tournament once since 1998. They finished last in the Southeastern Conference this season at 2-14, leading to coach Darrin Horn's firing after four seasons. South Carolina gave Martin plenty of time to turn things around with a six-year, $12.3 million contract. The university's board of trustees approved the deal shortly before Martin met with fans and the media. Martin called it a whirlwind courtship with South Carolina that really took off this weekend while the coach was in New York helping CBS Sports with its coverage of the NCAA tournament. Martin joked that he had basketball studio analysts Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith urging him to take the job before he left. ''That's how much respect people have for South Carolina,'' Martin said. Martin was 117-54 in five years with the Wildcats. They reached the NCAA regional finals in 2010 and lost to Syracuse in the third round this season. Martin thanked everyone at Kansas State and discounted any rift with the athletic administration contributing to decision to leave. Martin was upset that the school suspended forward Jerrod Samuels for the Wildcats' NCAA tournament loss to Syracuse. ''Everybody's trying to create a firestorm,'' Martin said. ''But they've been tremendous'' at Kansas State. Martin is the son of Cuban immigrants who coached high school basketball in Miami for 15 years and was an assistant at Northeastern for four seasons before Bob Huggins brought him on to his staff at Cincinnati. Martin credits Huggins with jump starting his career, saying the current coach at West Virginia helped him get into college coaching. Martin knew about South Carolina's program from following former Gamecocks star Devan Downey, who spent his freshman year at Cincinnati when Martin was assistant to then Bearcats coach Bob Huggins. Martin remembered watching highlights of Downey and his teammates celebrating their stunning 68-62 victory over then No. 1 Kentucky in 2010. Things slumped for South Carolina under Horn since that high point. The Gamecocks lost 24 of their last 27 SEC games. Horn finished his career at South Carolina 23-45 in league games and 60-63 overall with thee losing seasons in a row. Attendance fell drastically this season with opponents like Ohio State and Kentucky outdrawing the Gamecocks in games played here this winter. Martin praised Horn for running a clean program and improving the team's once poor academic showing. Horn did a lot of good for this basketball team, except for winning. ''It's my duty to try and complete that part,'' he said. Martin promised his team's tough-nosed style and relentless work ethic would fill the arena. ''We will put 18-thousand in this place every game,'' he said. The new coach met with his players earlier Tuesday and asked them to get ready to work hard. It will take plenty of effort to catch up with South Carolina's other successful major programs. Football coach Steve Spurrier won a record 11 games last fall, baseball coach Ray Tanner has won the past two College World Series and women's basketball coach Dawn Staley earned the team's first trip to the NCAA tournament in nine years. Spurrier said he met with Martin for a few moments before the press conference. ''I think we've hired a winner,'' Spurrier said. ''I think he's got a pretty good track record.'' Martin was asked about his plain-spoken, harsh style and that famous glare. The coach said he's worked on calming his brash nature the past few years but said it might not be long before South Carolina fans see the stare. ''Probably after the first turnover,'' Martin joked. Mon, 26 Mar 2012 19:54:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/s_carolina_hires_frank_martin_as_coach/10411993 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/s_carolina_hires_frank_martin_as_coach/10411993 S. Carolina hires Frank Martin as coach http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/s_carolina_hires_frank_martin_as_coach/10411993 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Syracuse and Cincinnati play tonight in the Big East semifinals and there's no doubt the greatest game ever played between the two teams happen in 2006 at the Garden. While I can't believe it's been six years, I can believe that it is still awesome - even if it was more awesome live when I was sitting in the stands.Besides the obvious, a couple of things really stand out in this clip:* The look on Boeheim's face after Gerry makes the running three (at the one minute mark) is priceless. After the way that season had gone, you could tell he wasn't expecting that.* I forgot Andy Kennedy was the coach for Cincy. He took over after the chancellor rode Bob Huggins out of town and I thought he did a good job there. Since then, he's just been average at Mississippi - when he's not getting arrested. * Devan Downey, the guy who missed the crucial free throw at the end transferred to South Carolina. At last report he's playing pro ball in France.* Raftery going ... Fri, 09 Mar 2012 09:52:00 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/beat_cincy/10268413 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/beat_cincy/10268413 Beat Cincy http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/beat_cincy/10268413 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/b/5/b5c8cb918e5f29146c169b243e40ecf0f117b391/mini/Vermont_v_Syracuse_7462.jpg Anthony Davis had 22 points, eight rebounds and eight blocks as No. 1 Kentucky wiped away the memories of the last time the top-ranked Wildcats came to South Carolina with an 86-52 victory Saturday night. Kentucky (23-1) has won 15 straight and moved to 9-0 in the Southeastern Conference for the first time in seven years. And they'll stay atop the rankings, unlike in 2010 when the No. 1 Wildcats were stunned 68-62 by the Gamecocks. This time, Davis and Terrence Jones made sure there wouldn't be a similar flop. The two combined for 34 points in the first half as Kentucky took a 52-25 lead at the break and eventually increased the margin to 41 points. Damien Leonard scored a career-high 19 points for South Carolina (9-13, 1-7). Davis made his first nine shots, finishing 9 of 10, and added two steals. Davis, who sat for long stretches of the second half, got back in the game with about six minutes to go and looked as though he might have a chance at the program's second-ever triple double. But when he took a hard spill on a collision with Anthony Gill, Kentucky coach John Calipari took his prized freshman out for good to the applause of several thousand Wildcats fans at the Colonial Life Arena. Doron Lamb had 18 points off three 3-pointers and Jones finished with 16 points. The 6-foot-10 Davis and the 6-9 Jones did most of the damage as Kentucky got things in hand early on. The two combined for eight dunks in the first half, including four straight during one stretch of the period as Kentucky moved in front 23-10 with 13:12 remaining before the break. South Carolina made one last drive to get back in it when Leonard hit a pair of 3s that cut the lead to 25-18. The Wildcats then took off on a 17-2 run the next six minutes - Jones scored nine of the points and Davis five - to take control. Davis didn't stop with a big lead, either. He grabbed a rebound from about 18 feet out as the shot-clock buzzer sounded and glided in for his fifth jam of the period to increase Kentucky's margin to 52-25 at the break. The Gamecocks, who have just one senior on the roster, appeared shellshocked through most the period. The team's best inside presence in 6-9 Damontre Harris played only seven minutes after getting three fouls. Malik Cooke and Bruce Ellington, South Carolina's top two scorers, were a combined 1 of 10 from the floor for 3 points. Kentucky kept it going with an 11-4 run to open the second half and eventually grew the lead to 41 points as the large Wildcat contingent of fans shouted, ''Go Big Blue!'' in the final minutes. The Wildcats have rolled since their only loss of the season, 73-72 at Indiana back on Dec. 10, with 14 straight wins. That's included a dominant first half run through the SEC, winning seven of their nine league games by 13 points or more. The Gamecocks who opened league play 0-4 for the first time since 2007 seemed to find some confidence in their play last week with their first league win, 56-54 over Alabama, and a last-second, 66-62, loss at Ole Miss. They put on a strong showing but fell again two days ago at No. 12 Florida, 74-66. Those were the same circumstances as two years ago when the Gamecocks pulled off their upset of No. 1 Kentucky. Devan Downey had 30 points and led a 12-4 run late in the second half as the Gamecocks took control and stayed out front for the team's first-ever win against No. 1 team. The basketball Gamecocks began a trend of toppling No. 1s that swept through the athletic department in 2010. The baseball team defeated No. 1 Arizona State on the way to a College World Series crown. And the football team beat No. 1 Alabama that fall as it won the SEC Eastern Division. None of that mattered to these Wildcats, who won their fifth in a row over South Carolina. Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:45:00 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/no_1_kentucky_86_south_carolina_52/9769336 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/no_1_kentucky_86_south_carolina_52/9769336 No. 1 Kentucky 86, South Carolina 52 http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/no_1_kentucky_86_south_carolina_52/9769336 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- Anthony Davis had 22 points, eight rebounds and eight blocks as No. 1 Kentucky wiped away the memories of the last time the top-ranked Wildcats came to South Carolina with an 86-52 victory Saturday night. Kentucky (23-1) has won 15 straight and moved to 9-0 in the Southeastern Conference for the first time in seven years. And they'll stay atop the rankings, unlike in 2010 when the No. 1 Wildcats were stunned 68-62 by the Gamecocks. This time, Davis and Terrence Jones made sure there wouldn't be a similar flop. The two combined for 34 points in the first half as Kentucky took a 52-25 lead at the break and eventually increased the margin to 41 points. Damien Leonard scored a career-high 19 points for South Carolina (9-13, 1-7). Davis made his first nine shots, finishing 9 of 10, and added two steals. Davis, who sat for long stretches of the second half, got back in the game with about six minutes to go and looked as though he might have a chance at ... Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:31:09 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/kentucky_wins_15_straight_defeats_gamecocks/9769312 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/kentucky_wins_15_straight_defeats_gamecocks/9769312 Kentucky wins 15 straight, defeats Gamecocks http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/kentucky_wins_15_straight_defeats_gamecocks/9769312 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- Anthony Davis had 22 points, eight rebounds and eight blocks as No. 1 Kentucky wiped away the memories of the last time the top-ranked Wildcats came to South Carolina with an 86-52 victory Saturday night. Kentucky (23-1) has won 15 straight and moved to 9-0 in the Southeastern Conference for the first time in seven years. And they'll stay atop the rankings, unlike in 2010 when the No. 1 Wildcats were stunned 68-62 by the Gamecocks. This time, Davis and Terrence Jones made sure there wouldn't be a similar flop. The two combined for 34 points in the first half as Kentucky took a 52-25 lead at the break and eventually increased the margin to 41 points. Damien Leonard scored a career-high 19 points for South Carolina (9-13, 1-7). Davis made his first nine shots, finishing 9 of 10, and added two steals. Davis, who sat for long stretches of the second half, got back in the game with about six minutes to go and looked as though he might have a chance at the program's second-ever triple double. But when he took a hard spill on a collision with Anthony Gill, Kentucky coach John Calipari took his prized freshman out for good to the applause of several thousand Wildcats fans at the Colonial Life Arena. Doron Lamb had 18 points off three 3-pointers and Jones finished with 16 points. The 6-foot-10 Davis and the 6-9 Jones did most of the damage as Kentucky got things in hand early on. The two combined for eight dunks in the first half, including four straight during one stretch of the period as Kentucky moved in front 23-10 with 13:12 remaining before the break. South Carolina made one last drive to get back in it when Leonard hit a pair of 3s that cut the lead to 25-18. The Wildcats then took off on a 17-2 run the next six minutes -- Jones scored nine of the points and Davis five -- to take control. Davis didn't stop with a big lead, either. He grabbed a rebound from about 18 feet out as the shot-clock buzzer sounded and glided in for his fifth jam of the period to increase Kentucky's margin to 52-25 at the break. The Gamecocks, who have just one senior on the roster, appeared shellshocked through most the period. The team's best inside presence in 6-9 Damontre Harris played only seven minutes after getting three fouls. Malik Cooke and Bruce Ellington, South Carolina's top two scorers, were a combined 1 of 10 from the floor for 3 points. Kentucky kept it going with an 11-4 run to open the second half and eventually grew the lead to 41 points as the large Wildcat contingent of fans shouted, "Go Big Blue!" in the final minutes. The Wildcats have rolled since their only loss of the season, 73-72 at Indiana back on Dec. 10, with 14 straight wins. That's included a dominant first half run through the SEC, winning seven of their nine league games by 13 points or more. The Gamecocks who opened league play 0-4 for the first time since 2007 seemed to find some confidence in their play last week with their first league win, 56-54 over Alabama, and a last-second, 66-62, loss at Ole Miss. They put on a strong showing but fell again two days ago at No. 12 Florida, 74-66. Those were the same circumstances as two years ago when the Gamecocks pulled off their upset of No. 1 Kentucky. Devan Downey had 30 points and led a 12-4 run late in the second half as the Gamecocks took control and stayed out front for the team's first-ever win against No. 1 team. The basketball Gamecocks began a trend of toppling No. 1s that swept through the athletic department in 2010. The baseball team defeated No. 1 Arizona State on the way to a College World Series crown. And the football team beat No. 1 Alabama that fall as it won the SEC Eastern Division. None of that mattered to these Wildcats, who won their fifth in a row over South Carolina. Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:31:09 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/kentucky_wins_15_straight_defeats_gamecocks/9769636 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/kentucky_wins_15_straight_defeats_gamecocks/9769636 Kentucky wins 15 straight, defeats Gamecocks http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/kentucky_wins_15_straight_defeats_gamecocks/9769636 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Face it, Kentucky Wildcat basketball fans.  We have been here before.  It’s time for John Calipari’s second ranked Wildcats to take their act on the road and face the rigors of SEC road play.  Two years ago, Kentucky was ranked number one in the country and 19-0.  Then came the road trip to 11-8 South Carolina.  Devan Downey happened and the Gamecocks celebrated a 68-62 upset of the Wildcats.  This year, Kentucky was ranked number one yet again and were beat by then unranked Indiana 73-72.  And we remember what happened last year with SEC play on the road.  Don’t get me wrong.  It’s tough for any team to win on the road, no matter what conference you are in,  Just take a look at what happened this weekon the road: … [visit site to read more] Kentucky Wildcats Basketball: Road Warriors or Road Worriers? - Wildcat Blue Nation - Wildcat Blue Nation - A University of Kentucky Wildcats Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more. Mon, 09 Jan 2012 00:00:53 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/kentucky_wildcats_basketball_road_warriors_or_road_worriers/9218788 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/kentucky_wildcats_basketball_road_warriors_or_road_worriers/9218788 Kentucky Wildcats Basketball: Road Warriors or Road Worriers? http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/kentucky_wildcats_basketball_road_warriors_or_road_worriers/9218788 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Today at 4 p.m. EST the Kentucky Wildcats, ranked #2 in the latest AP Poll, will open up their 79th season of SEC basketball at Rupp Arena against the South Carolina Gamecocks on the SEC Network. Here are some numbers and facts of interest headed into today’s game: Various Records Kentucky’s overall record vs. South Carolina: 44-10 (.815) (7-3 in the last 10 meetings) Kentucky’s record vs. South Carolina in Lexington: 23-2 (.920) (9-1 in the last 10 meetings) Kentucky’s record vs. South Carolina at Rupp Arena: 20-2 (.909) Kentucky’s record vs. South Carolina when UK is ranked in the AP Poll: 34-7 (.829) (7-3 in the last 10 meetings) Kentucky’s record vs. South Carolina when UK is ranked and USC is unranked in the AP Poll: 30-5 (.857) (7-3 in the last 10 meetings) Kentucky’s record vs. South Carolina at Rupp Arena when UK is ranked and USC is unranked in the AP Poll: 15-1 (.938) (9-1 in the last 10 meetings) Kentucky’s record vs. schools coached by Darrin Horn: 3-3 (.500) Kentucky’s record vs. schools located in the state of South Carolina: 62-14 (.816) (7-3 in the last 10 meetings) Kentucky’s record playing in the month of January: 563-193 (.745) (7-3 in the last 10 meetings) Kentucky’s record playing on January 7th: 15-3 (.833) (8-2 in the last 10 meetings) Kentucky’s longest win streak against South Carolina: 12 games (1/13/1998 to 2/2/2002) Kentucky’s longest losing streak against South Carolina: 3 games (1/31/2009 to 1/26/2010) Kentucky’s most points scored against South Carolina: 126 (12/10/1979) South Carolina’s most points scored against Kentucky: 89 (2/7/2007) Kentucky’s fewest points scored against South Carolina: 38 (2/2/1933) South Carolina’s fewest points scored against Kentucky: 25 (12/22/1941) Kentucky’s largest margin of victory against South Carolina: 45 points (12/10/1979) Kentucky’s smallest margin of victory against South Carolina: 1 point (2/7/2004, 1/12/2002) South Carolina’s largest margin of victory against Kentucky: 18 points (2/25/2009) South Carolina’s smallest margin of victory against Kentucky: 1 point (1/31/2009, 3/5/1994) Kentucky’s most points scored in a loss against South Carolina: 79 (2/4/1997) Kentucky’s fewest points scored in a win against South Carolina: 44 (1/10/1933) South Carolina’s most points scored in a loss against Kentucky: 89 (2/7/2007) South Carolina’s fewest points scored in a win against Kentucky: 44 (2/2/1933) Most combined points scored in a Kentucky/South Carolina game: 207 (12/10/1979) Fewest combined points scored in a Kentucky/South Carolina game: 80 (1/10/1933) Neighborhood Block Watch Anthony Davis 3 blocks vs. Arkansas-Little Rock 67 blocks this season (tied with Melvin Turpin (1981-1982), Perry Stevenson (2008-2009), and DeMarcus Cousins (2009-2010) for 10th most blocked shots in a single season in school history) Needs 3 blocks to tie Randolph Morris (2006-2007) and Patrick Patterson (2008-2009) for 8th most blocked shots in a single season in school history On pace to break single-season school blocked shots record on 1/17/2012 against Arkansas 1,000 Point Club Watch Darius Miller 15 points vs. Arkansas-Little Rock 1,010 career points (56th place all-time in school history) Needs 3 points to tie Ron Mercer for 55th place all-time in school history Terrence Jones 10 points vs. Arkansas-Little Rock 740 career points (92nd place all-time in school history) Needs 17 points to tie Ted Deeken for 91st place all-time in school history Doron Lamb 9 points vs. Arkansas-Little Rock 693 career points (103rd place all-time in school history) Needs 3 points to tie John Crigler for 102nd place all-time in school history Rankings RPI (As Of January 6th) Kentucky: 9th Kentucky’s Strength Of Schedule: 58th South Carolina: 189th South Carolina’s Strength Of Schedule: 191st Sagarin Ratings (As Of January 5th) Kentucky: 2nd South Carolina: 145th Pomeroy Ratings (As Of January 6th) Kentucky: 3rd South Carolina: 117th Team-By-Team Statistical Comparison (Ranking Out Of 345 Division I Teams) (As Of January 5th) Scoring Offense: Kentucky – 81 ppg (13th) South Carolina – 64.4 ppg (244th) Scoring Defense: Kentucky – 58.7 ppg (30th) South Carolina – 60.5 ppg (47th) Scoring Margin: Kentucky – +22.3 ppg (3rd) South Carolina – +3.9 ppg (149th) Field-Goal Percentage: Kentucky – 48.5% (23rd) South Carolina – 43% (188th) Field-Goal Percentage Defense: Kentucky – 34.7% (1st) South Carolina – 42% (152nd) 3-Point Field-Goals Made Per Game: Kentucky – 5.9 (202nd) South Carolina – 6.6 (134th) 3-Point Field-Goal Percentage: Kentucky – 36.4% (100th) South Carolina – 34.5% (153rd) 3-Point Field-Goal Percentage Defense: Kentucky – 31% (75th) South Carolina – 37.4% (295th) Free-Throw Percentage: Kentucky – 70.9% (100th) South Carolina – 68.8% (160th) Rebound Margin: Kentucky – +9.5 rpg (8th) South Carolina – +1.4 rpg (154th) Assists Per Game: Kentucky – 14.3 (82nd) South Carolina – 10.9 (295th) Assist-To-Turnover Ratio: Kentucky – 1.05:1 (94th) South Carolina – .83:1 (239th) Blocked Shots Per Game: Kentucky – 9.4 (1st) South Carolina – 5.6 (23rd) Steals Per Game: Kentucky – 6.9 (167th) South Carolina – 7 (150th) Turnovers Per Game: Kentucky – 13.6 (142nd) South Carolina – 13.1 (100th) Turnover Margin: Kentucky – +.6 topg (158th) South Carolina – +1.4 topg (114th) Personal Fouls Per Game: Kentucky – 15.6 (24th) South Carolina – 17.9 (138th) Individual Players In The Division I Top 100 (As Of January 5th) Free-Throw Percentage: Doron Lamb, Kentucky – 83.1% (90th) Rebounds Per Game: Anthony Davis, Kentucky – 10.6 (13th), Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky – 7.9 (94th) Assists Per Game: Marquis Teague, Kentucky – 4.5 (91st) Blocked Shots Per Game: Anthony Davis, Kentucky – 4.5 (2nd), Damontre Harris, South Carolina – 2.1 (44th), Terrence Jones, Kentucky – 1.9 (60th) Steals Per Game: Malik Cooke, South Carolina – 2 (52nd) Double-Doubles: Anthony Davis, Kentucky – 8 (10th) Kentucky Individual Game Records vs. South Carolina Points: 35, Joe Crawford (3/5/2008) Rebounds: 17, Jared Prickett (1/26/1994) Assists: 12, Anthony Epps (2/1/1995) and Allen Edwards (1/13/1998) Steals: 5, Anthony Epps (2/1/1995) Blocks: 4, Sam Bowie (12/10/1979), Jamaal Magloire (2/28/1998), Jamaal Magloire (2/5/2000), Perry Stevenson (1/31/2009), and Patrick Patterson (2/25/2010) Field Goals Made: 14, Jack Givens (12/13/1976) and Jamal Mashburn (1/4/1992) 3-Point Field Goals Made: 6, Jeff Brassow (1/26/1994), Tony Delk (1/7/1995), Tony Delk (1/3/1996), Jeff Sheppard (2/28/1998), Patrick Sparks (2/18/2006), and Darius Miller (2/19/2011) Free-Throws Made: 11, Rick Robey (12/12/1977), Jamaal Magloire (2/5/2000), and Joe Crawford (3/5/2008) South Carolina Individual Game Records vs. Kentucky Points: 36, Tre’ Kelly (2/7/2007) Rebounds: 14, Edmond Wilson (1/23/1993) Assists: 9, Carey Rich (3/5/1994) Steals: 5, Chris Leso (2/26/1992), Chuck Eidson (1/15/2000), Chuck Eidson (2/2/2002), and Devan Downey (2/25/2009) Blocks: 7, Sam Muldrow (2/25/2009) Field-Goals Made: 13, Tre’ Kelly (2/7/2007) 3-Point Field-Goals Made: 6, Chuck Eidson (2/2/2002) Free-Throws Made: 13, B. J. McKie (3/2/1997) Sat, 07 Jan 2012 02:34:48 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/inside_the_numbers_south_carolina/9185821 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/inside_the_numbers_south_carolina/9185821 Inside The Numbers: South Carolina http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/inside_the_numbers_south_carolina/9185821 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Coach Cal knows the gamut the Wildcats are about to run in the SEC is going to be tough, despite what pundits say about the SEC as a conference, the entire league will be after the Wildcats. The Wildcats need to get tough, according to their coach. Luckily they have been a couple of battles already this season (UNC, IU and UofL to name a few) and will be ready. Our very own Monster Mash has gone into detail what Saturday’s game against South Carolina means to UK fans. Even though it was two years ago, UK fans still haven’t forgotten Sand Storm, Devan Downey and the Gamecocks knocking off our #1 undefeated John Wall team. And for those reasons, beating them is always one of my favorite events of the basketball season. And we get to do it twice. Indiana knocked off another ranked team last night by defeating #13 Michigan 73-71. Again, this game was at home, they are only 1-1 on the road, co I am interested to see how they fare away from Bloomington. I still don’t think they are the best team in the Big 10. But the Cats lost to a very good Hoosier team by a fluke shot. Just ask Coach Cal about that one. Speaking of Coach Cal, he seems to agree with me that this issue of making it a law for Louisville and Kentucky play each other every year is ridiculous. It should not be a law that a team HAS to play another team. It should be left between the schools and that is it. This whole matter just shows how desperate Louisville is to play Kentucky every season. Beating the Cats is an obsession with them and it doesn’t happen often. That’s all for me today. Have a great weekend and enjoy the Cats beating the Gamecocks. Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:00:03 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/john_calipari_says_the_cats_need_to_get_physical/9176305 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/john_calipari_says_the_cats_need_to_get_physical/9176305 John Calipari says the Cats need to get Physical http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/john_calipari_says_the_cats_need_to_get_physical/9176305 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/e/4/e44e621c05d57a58af5275f073b7a6f1fa16ea4e/mini/NCAA_Basketball_Tournament_9538.jpg At 4:00PM this Saturday Kentucky plays their first SEC game of the 2011-2012 season. The team rolls into the SEC schedule and back into Rupp arena after fumbling around in Freedom Hall against Arkansas-Little Rock (UALR) earlier this week. The Gamecocks have been bad this year, losing to Elon, Tennessee State, North Southern California, and Providence and while they are coming into Rupp on a 4 game win streak, it has only consisted of South Carolina State, USC Upstate, Wofford, and Selena. Look, while the cover looks like a trashy romance novel and the pages certainly seem to match, this team is part of the SEC and you can’t sleep on anyone (without a sexual harassment suit or NCAA violations). The last time Kentucky did, they were handed a seat from the #1 ranking (January 10th 2010).  At the hands of Devan Downey in Columbia, the Gamecocks beat the overwhelming favorites in Kentucky and stormed the court – while playing sandstorm on a loop. South Carolina vs Kentucky That guy and his 30 point, 9 for 29 shooting, 5 rebound, 3 assist, B.S.  ”EPIC” performance. … grr. Anyways, Kentucky is 13-1 in Rupp in dating back to 1997 against USC and if you throw out the BCG years, they’d be undefeated during that time. The Cats have won the last 2 games against and last played the Carolina version of the Dirty Birds last February 19th last year winning handily 90-59. Here’s to a third win and a little further removed from that Columbia game. Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:05:00 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/phil_collins_presents_do_you_remember_uk_vs_south_carolina/9155890 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/phil_collins_presents_do_you_remember_uk_vs_south_carolina/9155890 Phil Collins Presents: Do You Remember UK vs South Carolina http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/phil_collins_presents_do_you_remember_uk_vs_south_carolina/9155890 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png    For the first time in my adult history, I have finished my Christmas shopping before the 23rd of December.  For the record, I actually finished my shopping on the 18th, which has to be a record for anyone in the male population.  So, with the extra time on my hands, I decided to go shopping for the head basketball coaches in the SEC.  I think I did a pretty good job.  Check out what I got: John Calipari, Kentucky - His own personal M*A*S*H unit to help deal with the sudden rash of injuries plaguing his Wildcats.  I know the team is on Christmas break now, but the M*A*S*H unit will be setting up their tent right outside the Craft Center and they have assured me we will be injury free by the Louisville game. Rick Stansbury, Mississippi State - Your own personal staff hypnotist to continue to keep Renardo Sidney from going crazy on you again this year and to keep from disrupting your team.  I have to admit, I am impressed with how your team is playing this year and that Sidney seems to be buying into your team concept.  Let’s hope it keeps up.  Tony Barbee, Auburn - Pre-diabetes screenings for all your players.  Honestly, I’m concerned.  The Tigers have feasted thus far on a vast array of cupcakes and that blood sugar level has to be getting dangerously high.  I know that last thing Barbee wants is his team to be sluggish and slow for SEC play.  Not too many cupcakes there. Billy Donovan, Florida - The ability to recruit big men as well.  Donovan has an overabundance of talent in the back court and a very thin front court this year.  A quick look at the Gator’s 2012 recruiting class show three guards and no big men.  Eventually you have to go after a big man, Billy.   Anthony Grant, Alabama- Your defensive mojo back. Last season, only Kentucky, Florida, Alabama , and Vandy cracked the 70 point mark over the last 15 games against the Crimson Tide.  Two of Alabama’s last five opponents have hit the “70 mark”.  It’s time for Alabama to get back what they do best and play that smothering defense. Andy Kennedy, Ole Miss - shooting lessons from Chris Warren.  I know the Rebels are 9-3 but jeez, this is a poor shooting team.  The Rebels are currently shooting 43.2% from the field, 59.1% from the line, and 29.3% on their trey attempts.  I also throw in a personal driver to keep you out of cabs.  Trent Johnson, LSU -  A real life “Groundhog Day” for December 19.  I don’t care what you have to do, but you need to make sure that your players believe it is December 19th all year around.  That’s  the day the Tigers stunned undefeated and #10 ranked Marquette.  Mike Davis, Arkansas - a successful redshirt request for Marshawn Powell and for his team to give him another “20 minutes of hell”.  Kevin Stallings, Vanderbilt - some trophy polisher for that 2010 SEC coach of the year award and a reset of this season back to when Vandy was still in the top five.  Mark Fox, Georgia - A guide to “when to not call timeout in the SEC Tournament” and plenty of patience from Bulldog fans this year.  They are going to need it, but Fox will recruit well for the Bulldogs.  Darrin Horn, South Carolina -  a reincarnation of Devan Downey.  The Gamecocks have played tough lately, winning three of four and knocking off in state rival Clemson.  The Gamecocks also played tough, losing to #2 Ohio State by just 8.  You get the feeling no team will want to travel to Columbia if Horn had that one great scorer.   Cuonzo Martin, Tennessee - I think you already got your gift yesterday, buddy, in the form of Jarnell Stokes.  Now go out there and try not to lose to East Tennessee State tonight so he will not reconsider joining this shipwreck. Fri, 23 Dec 2011 14:00:23 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/christmas_gifts_for_the_sec_basketball_coaches/8915011 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/christmas_gifts_for_the_sec_basketball_coaches/8915011 Christmas Gifts for the SEC Basketball Coaches http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/christmas_gifts_for_the_sec_basketball_coaches/8915011 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Game #8-100: Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils at South Carolina GamecocksNovember 22, 2011 7:00 pmCarolina CenterBBState Stats/RecapAs I wrote previously, some of us go from mid-majors to above the Red Line. Some, like Kyle, have gone from above the Red Line to below it. And of course there are people who work in Our Game who see moving above the Red Line as a step up in their careers, most notably coaches. Darrin Horn played for Western Kentucky, leading some of the Hilltoppers most successful teams in the early 1990s. As soon as he graduated from WKU, Horn began his coaching career as an assistant coach, first at WKU before moving on to Marquette. By the age of 30, Horn returned home as the new head coach of the Hilltoppers. Horn always had winning teams, but Western Kentucky fans wondered when he would lead them to the postseason success Horn had as a player. Finally in 2008, Horn had the right combination of athletes to do the job. Let by future NBA player Courtney Lee, t... Wed, 23 Nov 2011 11:47:00 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/the_perils_of_crossing_the_line/8285458 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/the_perils_of_crossing_the_line/8285458 The Perils of Crossing the Line http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/the_perils_of_crossing_the_line/8285458 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png