John Calipari has a team full of talented players, including John Wall — the No. 1 prospect in the nation.

First, Patrick Patterson withdraws from the NBA draft and decides to return to school. Then John Wall, the nation’s number one recruit and lighting-quick point guard, decides to sign with Kentucky.

I’m guessing that Coach Cal is chomping at the bit to get the 2009-2010 basketball season underway.

Even though Kentucky already signed Eric Bledsoe, another talented point guard, Wall is excited to compete for the starting position.

“Being able to play against Eric (Bledsoe) is a big plus,” he said, according to Rivals.com.

Duke, Miami and Florida were also at the top of Wall’s list. But playing for Coach Cal and the situation that has opened up for Kentucky is what ultimately swayed his decision. Wall joins No. 2 ranked prospect DeMarcus Cousins, No. 22 ranked prospect Daniel Orton, Bledsoe (No. 23 overall) and four-star prospects John Hood and Darnell Dodson. (As well as returning star, Patrick Patterson.)

Does anyone really want to question Coach Cal’s move from Memphis to Kentucky at this point?

Visit Rivals.com for John Wall’s scouting report.

Image: Zuma

Post from: EveryJoe

John Wall — No. 1 Recruit — Picks A School

John Calipari couldn’t be happier, especially since this will be his first go-round as Kentucky’s head coach — a position that is largely viewed in a fishbowl, with everyone (fans, trustees,the administration, etc.)  watching and scrutinizing the coach’s every move.

Patrick Patterson decided to return to Kentucky to play for John Calipari for his junior year.

The move comes as a bit of a surprise, since Patterson was projected as a first-round pick in the June 25th draft.

“I want to help Kentucky compete for a national title, and even more than that win its eighth national championship,” Patterson said in a statement released by the school. “I’m also really excited about playing for coach Cal and developing my game in the dribble drive offense.”

Image: Newscom

Post from: EveryJoe

Patrick Patterson Withdraws From NBA Draft

The current month is February. Lest you think I am mistaken, note the general sorrow around you and my general inability to find compelling stories to blog about. It is undoubtedly February. On Saturday, it will still be February when Tennessee plays Memphis. Now, this may be a one-versus-two matchup and Memphis may be undefeated and this may be an intra-state rivalry, but that in no way excuses the exorbitant amount of money people are willing to pay for a meaningless basketball game.

“Tickets are going online like they’re Super Bowl tickets,” Calipari said during a conference call. “It’s incredible.”

As of Tuesday, tickets were going for as much as $10,000 on Stubhub. The game’s timing has a lot to do with the soaring demand.

No doubt the winner will be #1 next week. But alas, the college basketball polls are more than worthless, and so a 1-2 matchup is essentially irrelevant. Both these teams will make the NCAA tournament come March, where they’ll be playing games that still won’t be worth paying $10,000 to see.

Post from: EveryJoe

People Will Pay Money for Anything