King Kenny

Most Kentuckians will remember Kenny Perry losing the Masters. That is an unfair assessment. He did not lose the best tournament of the year, but he did let the green jacket slip through his fingers as if he was trying to grasp the dollar bill Coach Lane drops at his basketball camps. Perry hit an unbelievable shot on 16, nearly making a hole-in-one. This followed a two-putt birdie on 15. Sadly, the next two holes would not be kind to the kind man from Franklin. But, if the greatest golfer to ever swing a club can also bogey the last two holes, then KP should not feel so bad.

Speaking of Tiger Woods, his Championship Red on Sunday could not quite overcome the average start to the first three days. Paired with the phony and fraudulent Phil Mickelson, the two best players in the world put on a show for the pumped-up patrons scurrying about the hallowed grounds of Augusta. The atmosphere even seemed electric on television, although it came at the expense of Perry and the remaining groups.


The sudden-death playoff (one of the most exhilarating events in golf and comparable to a shootout in soccer) almost seemed anti-climatic. But, at least in these parts, a victory by the forty-eight year old with the hitch in his swing would have made the ultra-soothing music almost angelic. Unfortunately, el pato will be taking the green jacket back to Argentina.

Looking to the U.S. Open at Bethpage, Tiger will once again be the overwhelming favorite thanks to his typical practice session:


6-7:30 AM Lift Weights/Work Out

7:30-9 Shower, Eat Breakfast

9-11 Hit balls on the Range

11-11:30 Putt

11:30-12:30 Play nine

12:30-1 Lunch of champions

1-3 Back to the Range

3-4 Fine tune the best short game in the world

4-5 Play nine more

5-5:30 Putt

*Go home to beautiful wife, two kids and a dog

After seeing a typical day in the life of Tiger, one can understand how the guy is on a totally different level than any other golfer. However, the game of golf is impossible to dominate at all times and makes it possible for the likes of Kenny Perry and Angel Cabrera to beat him on occasion. Hopefully, the talented, gentle and humble Kentuckian will get another chance to conquer the current King of golf. But if he doesn't, he will always be a King in his own right.

Motown Madness

Big shout out to Furman Paladin Melissa Liebschwager for winning the 3-point contest tonight on ESPN. Having seen her shoot live and in person, glad the rest of the country had the chance to see the girl make buckets!

Another highlight from the Palace was the Dunk Finals. You will never see four consecutive dunks as good as the ones tonight. My favorite was Jimmy Baron's assist from what seemed like Greg Turcotte's house. The replay will be on ESPN again and is definitely worth watching.

As for the greatest Saturday of the year, look for two competitive games. UConn and North Carolina are both favored for a reason, but Michigan State is playing for the entire state and Villanova could easily play the role of spoiler, much like they did in 1985. Enjoy the action from Ford Field and hopefully there will be a performance as good as this one.

CALzones for Everyone

John Calipari will be able to buy multiple calzones for the rest of his life with the near $32 million he will earn over the next eight years. The guy will get well over 10,000 dollars A DAY for coaching basketball. Sound a little ridiculous? Well, it is. People across the country are losing their jobs and a record number of houses are foreclosing, yet the University of Kentucky can pay their basketball coach about $4 million per year. Two other coaches earn over $3 million/ year. Billy Donovan at Florida and Bill Self of Kansas can be added to the top ten list of people earning way too much money.

Sadly, many people in the commonwealth could care less about the amount of money Coach Cal will make as long as he can hang an eighth banner in the rafters. And as a fan, I am excited about the possibilty of getting back to the Final Four and playing for National Championships. But, what kind of world is it when Calipari will make in one week more than many teachers will earn in a year?

Getting beyond the ridiculous economics of the hire, this was the move that had to be made. Athletic Director Mitch Barnhardt and President Lee Todd did their best to make people forget about their last hire, but now their own jobs are on the line. Sure Calipari can win and recruit the best of the best. So, why didn't UK hire him two years ago? As Pat Forde says, Gellin' John brings a few skeletons with him to Lexington. Check out his article.

Looking at the facts, Calipari has never been found guilty of any recruiting violations. (Barnhardt and Todd hope that statement remains true for the duration of his tenure.) Another fact is Calipari is already 1-0 at Kentucky. The guy absolutely won his opening press conference. Look for the Cats to rack up many more wins under Coach Cal. A Final Four will definitely come in the near future, but the bet here is that the Minnesota Golden Gophers make it before the Wildcats!