Morning News Tidbits Have Ramifications

Morning News Tidbits Have Ramifications

by Matt Jones @ 11:36 am. Filed under Blue Blooded Opinions

The news today is exciting, less so for what it means in the short term, than the potential longterm effects:

1. Rod Strickland Reassigned to Basketball Operations Job:

The news of Rod Strickland being reassigned is a big one for the program for a couple of different reasons. First, it opens up an Assistants job for Kenny Payne, who all indications are will be hired after the seven-day posting period. He is an Oregon Assistant coach, former Louisville player and considered to be one of the best recruiters in America. I had been told this was a possible move for later in the summer but it has apparently been moved up rather quickly (and kudos to the NOB site for having it earlier in the week…nice work young men). The one reason that would make sense to make the more quicker…Terrence Jones. Jones is very close to Payne, and if for some reason he ends up making the decision to come to Kentucky…well you can thank Calipari for some quick maneuvering. Thinking about making a move in June or July? Move it up to May and get a great recruit in the process….might be quite a coup.

2. Trip to Canada:

I was wondering when they would do this, as Kentucky has been eligibile for a trip for a few years. But now $300,000 has been alotted for a trip to Canada for next year’s team. Why is this great? Well the biggest reason is that it will allow this team, which will be so young and inexperienced, some valuable time together to gel on a trip AND get practice time. Brilliant. Plus we can all see Magloire, Bernard Cote and Sheray for old time sakes.

Great decisions all the way around. If Payne is hired, it could be another great day for UK basketball….

UPDATE: A reader sends this in…posted at 8:30 am this morning, two hours before the news that he had been reassigned. Posted from another premium site without comment:

Maggard looking like a Dbag again.