Each Wednesday here at Cat Scratches, we’re going to take a look back at the latest week’s news in UK Athletics from around the web.Best on the ‘netFootball: Blue Ribbon preview: Kentucky (ESPN Insider)
Despite losing his best offensive playmakers off a 6-7 team and going to a new defensive coordinator, coach Joker Phillips has lofty aspirations for the Wildcats in his second full season running the program.“I expect us to be in the title race longer than we have been,” Phillips said. “We have to talk titles. I do not want to talk about going to six straight [bowls like UK could do this season]. How long can we stay in the title race? We have a chance to stay in this race for a long time.
Men’s basketball: UK No. 2 in Summer Fine 15 (Los Angeles Times)
2. Kentucky: The loss of Brandon Knight was to be expected, and the departed DeAndre Liggins was the team’s glue and father figure on the court, but Terrence Jones returns with a year of seasoning and Darius Miller can fill Liggins’ void. Add in a typical John Calipari recruiting class (Anthony Davis, Michael Gilchrist, Marquis Teague) and the Wildcats should be Final Four- worthy again.
Football: Minter’s voice haunts film room (Jennifer Smith, Lexington Herald-Leader)
Even when he’s not in the film room, Rick Minter has found a way to hold his players’ attention.Like all coaches, Kentucky’s co-defensive coordinator can’t spend the summer working with his defense, but he’s in the film room in spirit.And in stereo.
Baseball: JT Riddle hopes summer mound work will pay off for UK (Jon Hale, WKYT)
Riddle, a graduate of Western Hills High School in Frankfort, is pitching for the Lexington Hustlers this summer in preparation for moving to the mound for UK in the future.“I know I can help the team out a lot in the field,” Riddle said Saturday after his third pitching appearance of the summer for the Hustlers. “If (UK head coach Gary Henderson) needs me to come in the late innings and be a closer type kind of guy, I can definitely do that too.”
Football: Nermin Delic to rejoin team (Herald-Leader)
Nermin Delic, who chose to give up football three weeks ago, has decided to rejoin the University of Kentucky football team.Delic, a 6-foot-5 defensive end who played in eight games as a true freshman last season, told his hometown newspaper, the Dalton (Ga.) Daily Citizen, that Kentucky Coach Joker Phillips has accepted him back.
Men’s basketball: Doron Lamb among nation’s top three-point shooters (Jason King, Yahoo! Sports)
Doron Lamb, Kentucky, sophomore – Lamb flew under the radar a bit in Lexington last season, when he was often overshadowed by Terrence Jones and Brandon Knight. Still, his contributions to the Wildcats’ Final Four squad were immeasurable. He averaged 1.8 3-pointers per game and shot 47.8 percent from long distance. His stats should soar in 2011-12.
Former Wildcats making headlinesBrandon Knight staying busy during lockout (Vince Ellis, Detroit Free Press)
So instead of hitting Vegas, this year’s Pistons draft picks Brandon Knight and Kyle Singler were in Maine last week participating in a basketball camp for foreigners from war-torn areas around the world.The event is sponsored by their agent, Arn Tellem, and it allows them a chance to help out those less fortunate.
Enes Kanter to play for Turkey in EuroBasket tournament (Jody Genessy, Deseret News)
Turkish basketball federation president Turgay Demirel confirmed that his country’s rising star and third overall pick of the 2011 NBA Draft will join that nation’s top squad.“He has been a good player for our junior program — for our junior national team he played very well,” Demirel told the website of the 19-year-old big man. “I think in the EuroBasket he will help the team.”
Catching up with James Paxton at Futures Game (Larry Stone, Seattle Times)
“When I first got there, I was trying to get my control back,” Paxton said today. “As you probably saw, I walked a lot of people. I was really trying to focus on throwing strikes and getting ahead in the count. That’s the biggest thing I’ve been working on.”Paxton earned a promotion to Class AA Jackson, where in his lone start so far he gave up three runs (two earned) in 4 2/3 innings while striking out just one.”I was a little wound up and nervous for that one,” he said. “I think my next start there will be a lot better. I was a little tight. I wasn’t letting the ball loose like I can.”
Collin Cowgill to play in Triple-A All-Star Game tonight (Chris Gable, Reno Gazette-Journal)
Cowgill earned the starting nod after putting together a dominant first half in his first season in Triple-A. The center fielder has 110 hits and 74 runs and ranks third in the league with a .363 batting average heading into tonight’s series opener against the Salt Lake Bees at Aces Ballpark. Cowgill also is second in stolen bases (24), fifth in on-base percentage (.437), third in total bases (175) and is tied for fourth with six triples.
News from UKathletics.comFootball: Installation of new scoreboards set to beginGymnastics: Dickerson, McDaniel to be on Garrison’s first staffBaseball: Rogers named Cape Cod Pitcher of the WeekFootball: Trevathan, Warford on pre-season watch listsMen’s golf: Jessie Mudd joins team as assistant coach
Video of the weekIncoming freshman Anthony Davis attended the LeBron James Skills Academy last week and spoke with reporters about his performance, his time at UK so far and the upcoming basketball season.
