"... I couldn’t help but think of how many people had helped me along the way. One of those people I wanted to personally thank for opening doors was Jimmy Raye. This book tells how some of those doors got pushed open. I’m sure you will enjoy reading about the journey!" - Tony DungyKentucky
Tar Heels winning without the one and dones
Two years ago it looked like the one-and-dones had won. The college basketball world was theirs to rule.Duke captured the NCAA title behind three freshmen who left early for the NBA Draft: Jahlil Okafor, Justise Winslow and Tyus Jones. In that same 2015 Final Four, Kentucky – led...
Pitino sidesteps controversy by winning
The cover-up is always worse than the crime. That has been a catchphrase in American politics, sports, and life in general since Richard Nixon was caught covering up Watergate crimes and resigned as president in 1974.Rick Pitino didn’t understand that lesson in 1977 when he was a...
Tubby establishing Memphis roots
Memphis basketball coach Tubby Smith’s late hire on April 14 has him off to a slow recruiting start. He has only one modest commitment in the Class of 2016 from a two-star guard, Keon Clergeot.But that doesn’t mean the sage coach is failing to find his way around the recruiting...
ACC can top SEC in conference matchups
We all recognize the SEC is the nation’s top football conference, but many of us outside the SEC like to point out that the SEC is largely top heavy.Granted, the SEC has more schools that can annually contend for a national title and it is topped by Alabama’s modern dynasty, but...
Markell Johnson latest star to reclassify
Look for Markell Johnson’s reclassification gamble to land somewhere between Jamal Murray and Derryck Thornton.The North Carolina State-bound point guard is the latest example of a high-profile basketball recruit entering college early. Johnson, a four-star point guard as a...
Pitino finds ways to survive in coaching
“I will not resign and let you down. Someday I will walk away in celebration of many memorable years but that time is not now. I do not fight these accusations by others but rather turn the other cheek. Couldn’t do it at 33, but at 63 it’s the wise thing to do. Let’s let the...
Calipari fighting tried and true method at Duke and Stanford
Kentucky fans nod their heads, agreeing with their basketball coach over controversial words that appear aimed at Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski.Duke fans are upset at the thinly veiled shot. Coach K and his staff are above the fray — for now, anyway — but no doubt had some mocking if...
Kentucky recruits put on a show for Calipari
RALEIGH — Kentucky coach John Calipari made a quick trip to Tobacco Road to watch two of his 5-star bluegrass recruits – Bam Adebayo and De’Aaron Fox — battle head-to-head in the semifinals of the 44th annual HighSchoolOT Holiday Invitational at the Broughton High gym that...
Kentucky bluegrass flavor in Tobacco Road tournament
RALEIGH, N.C. — Three Kentucky 5-star basketball commitments add a bluegrass flavor to Tobacco Road’s 44th annual HighSchoolOT.com Holiday Invitational staged in the heart of ACC country.The Kentucky 5-star trio are power forward Bam Adebayo, a 6-foot-9, 230-pounder from...
Divide in developing talent separates Coach K and Coach Cal
Mike Krzyzewski heard himself described last year as moving to the dark side of recruiting where John Calipari resides. He was living and dying with three freshmen projected as one-and-done players jumping to the NBA.Indeed, Duke won the NCAA title behind three freshmen that soon...