Kevin
12-22-2005, 09:27 PM
<b>Distracted Wildcats face tiny Iona</b>
Tiny Tim is visiting Kentucky this Friday and old Scrooge is none too happy about it.
Tiny Tim in this case is Iona, a small New York college that plays in the 10-team Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC).
Scrooge is Wildcats coach Tubby Smith, who had hoped to wrap up his team’s schedule early this week so his boys could have more time to celebrate Christmas.
Instead, he and the No. 19 Wildcats will be forced to travel to Louisville to play the Gaels the night before Christmas Eve in their annual Freedom Hall game (7:00 p.m. ET).
The Lexington-based Wildcats have played an annual home game in Louisville since 1958. Apparently it’s part of the school’s commitment to its fan base in the state’s largest city. But UK often runs into scheduling problems since its bitter rival, Louisville, holds rights as Freedom Hall’s primary tenant.
This year, UK’s Freedom Hall game was pushed to Dec. 23 because the Cardinals are hosting the Billy Minardi Classic in the arena. Smith is frustrated by the annual scheduling issue and is suggesting the home game in Louisville be scrapped.
“It’s something we’ll have to take a close look at in the future,” Smith told the Lexington Herald-Leader.
For the Gaels, meanwhile, Friday’s game might be the only time they face a ranked team all season. As such, it will likely be their biggest game of the year.
Unlike Smith, Gaels coach Jeff Ruland is “looking forward to the game.”
The Gaels are currently 7-0 straight up (3-1-1 against the spread) and lead the MAAC. They’re ranked No. 6 in CollegeInsider’s Mid-Major Top-25.
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Their highlight of their year so far was an 89-72 victory over Iowa St. The Gaels were listed as 13.5-point road dogs versus the Big 12 Cyclones, who advanced to the second round of last year’s NCAA tournament.
Iona also downed Vermont 68-56 earlier this season. Like the Cyclones, the Catamounts advanced to the second round of last year’s tournament after knocking off Syracuse. However, Vermont has lost four starters from that team, and legendary coach Tom Brennan retired.
The Gaels only lost one starter from last year’s team, and one of those who returned was star senior guard Steve Burtt. Burtt is averaging 24.9 ppg, which leads the team and is third-most in the nation behind Gonzaga’s Adam Morrison and Duke’s J.J. Redick.
Teaming up with Burtt in the backcourt is senior Ricky Soliver, who is second on the team in scoring with 16.3 ppg and leads the team in assists averaging 5.4 per game.
The scheduling frustration Louisville has caused Kentucky is likely being enjoyed most by the Cardinals, who were spanked by the Wildcats 73-61 last Saturday. The win was the biggest of the season so far for the ‘Cats, who were 2-point home favorites in the contest.
The win was sweet not only because the Cards are arguably UK’s biggest rivals, but because UL’s coach happens to be treasonous Rick Pitino, who coached the Wildcats to three Final Four appearances and a national championship in 1996.
Kentucky is now 7-3 SU (3-3 ATS). While that’s respectable, the Wildcats are currently last in the powerful SEC East. Kentucky is led this year by multi-talented guard Rajon Rondo. The 6-foot-1 sophomore leads the team in points (16.6 pg), assists (5.3 pg), rebounds (9.1 pg) and steals (2.1 pg). Against Louisville, Rondo had a career-high 25 points.
The ‘Cats victory over the Cardinals came on the heels of an embarrassing 79-53 loss to No. 18 Indiana in what was the UK’s most lopsided defeat in 16 years.
Despite coming off a big victory over Louisville, Kentucky has had to wait almost a full week before their final game against Iona. Coach Smith has suggested the wait could hamper the ‘Cats play. Smith is clearly not happy about playing this game and seems to be mentally focused on the holidays.
For the Gaels, this is arguably their biggest game of the regular season. No doubt they are relishing the opportunity to give a Top-25 opponent a run for their money.
Could Scrooge’s Wildcats be ripe for an upset at the hands of Tiny Tim?
Other notable games on Friday:
Morehead State at No. 2 Connecticut (2:00 p.m. ET, ESPN Full Court)
Prior to Wednesday, the Eagles were 1-6 SU (1-4 ATS) and were second-last in the Ohio Valley. The Huskies are 8-0 SU (3-2 ATS) and top the Big East. Both teams are 1-4 on the OVER/UNDER.
No. 17 Indiana at Butler (6:00 p.m. ET, ESPNU)
The Hoosiers are 6-2 SU (2-3 ATS) and are seventh in the Big Ten. The Bulldogs are 6-4 SU (7-3 ATS) and are fourth in the Horizon.
Tennessee State at No. 22 Ohio State (8:00 p.m. ET, ESPNU)
The Tigers are 2-3 SU (2-2 ATS) and are in the middle of the pack in the Ohio Valley. The Buckeyes are 7-0 SU (2-1-1 ATS) and are fourth in the Big Ten.
Tiny Tim is visiting Kentucky this Friday and old Scrooge is none too happy about it.
Tiny Tim in this case is Iona, a small New York college that plays in the 10-team Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC).
Scrooge is Wildcats coach Tubby Smith, who had hoped to wrap up his team’s schedule early this week so his boys could have more time to celebrate Christmas.
Instead, he and the No. 19 Wildcats will be forced to travel to Louisville to play the Gaels the night before Christmas Eve in their annual Freedom Hall game (7:00 p.m. ET).
The Lexington-based Wildcats have played an annual home game in Louisville since 1958. Apparently it’s part of the school’s commitment to its fan base in the state’s largest city. But UK often runs into scheduling problems since its bitter rival, Louisville, holds rights as Freedom Hall’s primary tenant.
This year, UK’s Freedom Hall game was pushed to Dec. 23 because the Cardinals are hosting the Billy Minardi Classic in the arena. Smith is frustrated by the annual scheduling issue and is suggesting the home game in Louisville be scrapped.
“It’s something we’ll have to take a close look at in the future,” Smith told the Lexington Herald-Leader.
For the Gaels, meanwhile, Friday’s game might be the only time they face a ranked team all season. As such, it will likely be their biggest game of the year.
Unlike Smith, Gaels coach Jeff Ruland is “looking forward to the game.”
The Gaels are currently 7-0 straight up (3-1-1 against the spread) and lead the MAAC. They’re ranked No. 6 in CollegeInsider’s Mid-Major Top-25.
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Their highlight of their year so far was an 89-72 victory over Iowa St. The Gaels were listed as 13.5-point road dogs versus the Big 12 Cyclones, who advanced to the second round of last year’s NCAA tournament.
Iona also downed Vermont 68-56 earlier this season. Like the Cyclones, the Catamounts advanced to the second round of last year’s tournament after knocking off Syracuse. However, Vermont has lost four starters from that team, and legendary coach Tom Brennan retired.
The Gaels only lost one starter from last year’s team, and one of those who returned was star senior guard Steve Burtt. Burtt is averaging 24.9 ppg, which leads the team and is third-most in the nation behind Gonzaga’s Adam Morrison and Duke’s J.J. Redick.
Teaming up with Burtt in the backcourt is senior Ricky Soliver, who is second on the team in scoring with 16.3 ppg and leads the team in assists averaging 5.4 per game.
The scheduling frustration Louisville has caused Kentucky is likely being enjoyed most by the Cardinals, who were spanked by the Wildcats 73-61 last Saturday. The win was the biggest of the season so far for the ‘Cats, who were 2-point home favorites in the contest.
The win was sweet not only because the Cards are arguably UK’s biggest rivals, but because UL’s coach happens to be treasonous Rick Pitino, who coached the Wildcats to three Final Four appearances and a national championship in 1996.
Kentucky is now 7-3 SU (3-3 ATS). While that’s respectable, the Wildcats are currently last in the powerful SEC East. Kentucky is led this year by multi-talented guard Rajon Rondo. The 6-foot-1 sophomore leads the team in points (16.6 pg), assists (5.3 pg), rebounds (9.1 pg) and steals (2.1 pg). Against Louisville, Rondo had a career-high 25 points.
The ‘Cats victory over the Cardinals came on the heels of an embarrassing 79-53 loss to No. 18 Indiana in what was the UK’s most lopsided defeat in 16 years.
Despite coming off a big victory over Louisville, Kentucky has had to wait almost a full week before their final game against Iona. Coach Smith has suggested the wait could hamper the ‘Cats play. Smith is clearly not happy about playing this game and seems to be mentally focused on the holidays.
For the Gaels, this is arguably their biggest game of the regular season. No doubt they are relishing the opportunity to give a Top-25 opponent a run for their money.
Could Scrooge’s Wildcats be ripe for an upset at the hands of Tiny Tim?
Other notable games on Friday:
Morehead State at No. 2 Connecticut (2:00 p.m. ET, ESPN Full Court)
Prior to Wednesday, the Eagles were 1-6 SU (1-4 ATS) and were second-last in the Ohio Valley. The Huskies are 8-0 SU (3-2 ATS) and top the Big East. Both teams are 1-4 on the OVER/UNDER.
No. 17 Indiana at Butler (6:00 p.m. ET, ESPNU)
The Hoosiers are 6-2 SU (2-3 ATS) and are seventh in the Big Ten. The Bulldogs are 6-4 SU (7-3 ATS) and are fourth in the Horizon.
Tennessee State at No. 22 Ohio State (8:00 p.m. ET, ESPNU)
The Tigers are 2-3 SU (2-2 ATS) and are in the middle of the pack in the Ohio Valley. The Buckeyes are 7-0 SU (2-1-1 ATS) and are fourth in the Big Ten.