Bulking up in the Bluegrass.
Apparently new UK hoops strength coach Scott Holsopple is taking the tough guy approach. The former Penn State boxer allows no cell phones — nay, talking of any type — during workouts.
Brooksie begone.
Hear me now and believe me later. This is Rich Brooks’ last season in Lexington. I’m told even Mitch Barnhart was upset at the major line-up changes before the Texas State game. Not that the AD doesn’t want the best the Cats have lined up. But he wonders why those players weren’t identified before the Louisville debacle.
Shaq attack in red & black.
One of the tales coming out of the recent celebration of U of L’s ’86 NCAA title involves Sir Shaquille. As the story told by several members of that squad goes, Shaq wanted to matriculate at U of L despite previous connections with Dale Brown at LSU when he was a kid. But he went to Baton Rouge when Denny Crum wouldn’t promise him a starting spot as a freshman.
State of Cardinal hoops, eh.
One former Louisville hoopster says this of the Canadian traveling Cardinals: “Rick has the team just like he wants it.” Stay tuned.
Iceman to the hot seat.
In case you hadn’t heard, former U of L Cardinal great Milt Wagner has left the evil empire in Memphis. He joined former Tiger assistant Tony Barbee as prime recruiter at UTEP.
SchnellSpeak of the Week.
Heading into Saturday’s game against K State, Howie the Hyperbolist saw some hope in a common opponent. So, of his squad that was crushed in its opener at Clemson, he opined: “I hope it will buoy their spirits at a time they need to be buoyed.” Sigh. The Wizard of Pigskin Wordsmithery’s Fighting Owls fell behind early (0-7 after the purple-clad Wildcats ran back the opening kickoff) and often (final score 0-45). The only respite for FAU came during a prolonged first quarter thunderstorm break. During which respite Schnell discovered his inner ethician: “All it did was prolong the agony. As our guys were becoming more demoralized, they were becoming more moralized.” Next stop Stillwater, where Find Another University will battle Okie State’s Cowboys in Boone Pickens Stadium.
BY SEEDY K
seedyk@culturemaven.com
This article appears in September 12, 2006.