Louisville

UK is back on top, with Anthony Davis emerging as perhaps college basketball’s most dominant player, or at least the one most fun to watch. Can anyone stop the ‘Cats? What about Murray State? Are they destined to become college basketball’s first undefeated team in over 3 decades? And what are Bellarmine’s chances of repeating as Division II Champs?

Special guest, c.d. kaplan, joins Matt and Mark with the answers and insights into these questions, and more, on this week’s Nothing But Net, the hoops podcast with a beat.

The last two days’ worth of discussions on the state of Rick Pitino’s Cardinals has centered around what’s wrong, how low can they go and can the slide be stopped? Nor does talk of the slump seems like an over-reaction; 1-4 in the last five games is cause for alarm. 1-3 in the Big East is a hard hole to climb out of, too. C.L. Brown, Rick Bozich (both with the erstwhile C-J), Mike Rutherford of CardChronicle and NBN’s contributing pundit, c d kaplan, have all penned insightful columns asking the right questions about the red bird nosedive. Is the NIT the best we can hope for in the post-season? Is there a “cancer” on the team, as some suggest? And where does responsibility lie?

We’ll also push away from the Card Criticism Buffet and look at the third team in the Division One community who might be be one win away from punching their ticket to the Final Four. Please join Matt and Mark in this edition of Nothing But Net, while watching the snow float by your window; we have the insights and the beat.

And I’d be dishonest if I stated I knew what THAT is. I’m not in the practices and locker room. So, I turn to music to salve my discontent. And pray I’m wrong… Take it away, Keef!!

Every picture tells a story, don’t it? Don’t it??!!

Remember the state of the Cards three weeks ago? 12-0, praise for Coach Rick Pitino (CRP) from all quarters, and his statements that this year’s squad was the most fun he’s ever had coaching? Then came Georgetown; not unexpected, but a game that should have been won. Then UK; yeah, totally expected. Then, Notre Dame and the 2OT tilt? Ruh-ro!! 1-2 in the Big East, and suddenly the drum beats on the Ohio are calling for CRP’s head, or at least an explanation. All these developments have the Card faithful looking wistfully to Lexington. AND Bloomington, where Tom Crean’s Hoosiers have emerged as a very legit national basketball player. What happened, and what’s ahead? Hear what Matt and Mark have to say in this week’s edition of Nothing But Net, the sports report that swings.

Hip Hop artist Big Boi, shows the Cards some respect; will UK?

The date circled on the calendars of many hoops fans in the Commonwealth of Kentucky is fast approaching. IF records hold fast, it will be 13-0 Louisville Cardinals visiting the 12-1 Cats of UK. But, uh, not so fast. The Georgetown Hoyas, the surprise of the Big East, pay a visit to the Bucket first, and offers the stiffest challenge Pitino’s young Cards have faced to date this season. Everyone knows Georgetown is for real, despite losing Austin Freeman, Chris Wright and Julian Vaughn; Henry Sims is a legit Big East MVP. While UK and U. of L. will be the number 3 and 4 ranked squads in the land, respectively, Louisville may have their first loss hung on them by the methodical and consistent Hoyas. See what Matt and Mark have to say (and play) on Nothing But Net, the hoops report that swings.

Merry Chris Smith!!

To all our listeners
Much good cheer,
Good luck to those cagers
That you hold dear.

To Kyle Kuric
and Gorgui Dieng,
Hope you can grab
That championship ring.

To Cal’s Cats,
And Murray State Racers,
And please no injuries
To NBA’s Pacers.

Another crown
For Scotty D.’s Knights,
And Cincy Bearcats!
Avoid those fights!!!

And to our listeners,
Both far and near,
May your holidays be filled
With all you hold dear.

Happy Holidays to all,  from Nothing But Net
(we’ll be back next week!)