Morning Wake Up

Here are some links worth reading this morning …

· Barnhart says schedule's (football) a tall order.

· Gillispie admits early committments are a risk, “The younger the player, the greater the risk, for the player and the school. There's obviously the risk of injury, physical development, skill development.” - Gillispie.

· A year and a half, that's what Gillispie says it takes to feel comfortable at a new job. That would make mid-January of 2009 the deadline for which Kentucky fans will see the real Gillispie and what he's all about (in terms of coaching live games).

· DeMoss accepts becoming an assistant women's basketball coach at Texas. Says DeMoss stepping down from Kentucky, “I needed a break from the day-to-day grind. I needed to step away.” We here at the Wildcat Blog understand how she feels.

· We like a little NFL action here too from time to time, and well, Going For 8 knocks us up (lol) with a fantasy preview of the top running backs in the league.

· Head coach Rich Brooks predicts Kentucky will not only make it to a bowl game, but also make some noise in the conference race.

“It would be disingenuous for me to say we didn't have a good football team because we do. We just have to go out and prove it on the field and beat people we haven't beaten.”

· KC Ross-Miller has no regrets about committing to Kentucky early, however the most interesting thing is Willie Warren says KC can play!

“When he is out there with us, we have a lot of confidence that he is going to make good decisions with the basketball. He can handle dribble in traffic and I know if I get open, he is going to get the ball to me.”

· RUMOR via Slam Online: Kevin Durant didn't play cuz his mom told him not to.

“The new rumor was that Kevin Durant would not be attending because his mother didn't want him to risk injury; "technical difficulties," was the official explanation given to the media.”

· Jared Lorenzen will be on the Sports Mob today. :::praying for a download clip of show, crossing fingers::: I love the Sports Mob when they have guys I want to hear from. And Matt Jones, if you haven't heard him, has the best down home southern radio voice around. He's by far quickly becoming a personality of his own, and I ain't just sayin that cuz I want a clip of J-Lo. Well, maybe so. LoL. Hook me up Matt!

· Also, Matt Jones is highly optimistic that our man, the magician, Rajon Rondo will light. It. Up. Next year.

“Get ready for our man Rajon Rondo's stock to absolutely soar over the next year. In a manner similar to Tayshaun Prince, Rondo has fallen into a perfect situation on a team that is about to rise considerably in the rankings. With the acquisition of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and the decision to keep Paul Pierce, Rondo will now likely start for a team that could be headed toward the Eastern Conference Finals. On a team full of superstars, Rondo can do what he does best, focus on defense and creation for his teammates. However, unfortunately he will not likely be able to do what the Celtics may need him most to do…..hit the open jumper. Nevertheless, Rondo will rise in the nation's collective basektball consciousness over the year and that can only help his alma mater….the Cats.”

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