NEWSSTAND (5/23): Down to the wire for Diallo, Guy Morriss update
Ready for closure in the Hamidou Diallo saga? It's going down to the wire, which means you won't have to wait long.
More on that in CatsIllustrated.com's Newsstand.
You'll also get an enormous amount of football recruiting content plus a lot more, including honors for UK baseball players, mock drafts (with some good news and some not-so-good news) and a story on former UK football coach Guy Morriss and his current condition.
If you're not a member of CatsIllustrated.com, change that and go premium today!
DIALLO: DOWN TO THE WIRE
"Kentucky “none-and-done” Hamidou Diallo will likely go up against Wednesday’s deadline before deciding his immediate future.
“It’s going to the wire on Wednesday,” a source toldZAGSBLOG. “A decision could be made before Wednesday but right now it’s looking like Wednesday.”
LINK: Adam Zagoria says Diallo's decision is going down to the wire
WKYT: GUY MORRISS BATTLING ALZHEIMER'S
"A man once named to the NFL pro bowl, who played in a Super Bowl, is now is tackling the greatest challenge of his life.
Since his days as an assistant and then the head football coach at the University of Kentucky, Guy Morriss was always known as a friendly and approachable guy. Lately, friends have noticed a change in the 66-year-old.
"People say, 'what's wrong with Coach Morriss? Why is he doing this? He's kind of sluggish,'" Morris described.
Now, the former coach, affectionately known as "Guy Mo," admits he hasn't been his old self, and there's a reason."
THE VERTICAL MOCK DRAFT 3.0
Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress has Kentucky guards De'Aaron Fox and Malik Monk being drafted in the top six.
Noticeably absent in the first round? Two others.
NOT SO FAST
Givony's reputation precedes him and there's no doubting the level of respect he enjoys as a draft prognosticator.
But not everyone agrees with his assessment. FanSided.com has Malik Monk falling all the way to the Hornets at seven, although there's still some talk he could go as high as No. 3 to the Sixers floating around.
SPEAKING OF MOCKS
The MLB Draft doesn't enjoy the national popularity that the NBA or NFL Draft spectacles do, but Kentucky has a projected first rounder and an elite talent in Evan White.
This article is dated by a few days, but in the spirit of mocks, acquaint yourself with what a reputable baseball source projects.
LINK: Baseball America predicts Kentucky's Evan White to Toronto at No. 22
THE WAR ROOM (5/23)
If you're not a premium member at CatsIllustrated.com then you can still get access to Monday's War Room. For the first time the curtain was lifted and it's a free feature. That won't be a regular thing, but reading this will catch you up to speed on all the major stories developing in the world of Kentucky football recruiting.
This was a very popular feature yesterday, so if you haven't read it yet, make some time and catch up.
Topics include:
- The latest on key targets Blue Smith and Xavier Peters (although there's already been another Smith update posted on both the free forum and the House of Blue as a key follow up)
- What CatsIllustrated.com learned at the Rivals 3 Stripe Camp presented by adidas in Illinois over the weekend, with updates on many targets.
- Tons of updates on relevant 2018 targets.
- In-state dynamics in 2019 and why John Schlarman has a very important job ahead of him
BASEBALL HONORS
"Nick Mingione is the Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year, the league announced on Monday afternoon. Sophomore righthander Sean Hjelle was named the Pitcher of the Year.
Mingione led the Wildcats to 38 wins in his first season with the Wildcats and kept UK in the SEC championship race until the final day of the regular season. UK is likely to host a regional bid and could also earn a national seed.
Hjelle was a key piece in UK’s run. The Minnesota native finished the season 9-2 with a 3.17 ERA. He's the first UK pitcher to win the award. It’s another prestigious honor for Hjelle as he was named a Freshman All-American last season."
LINK: Nick Mingione named SEC Coach of the Year, Sean Hjelle Pitcher of the Year
BASKETBALL INSIDER NOTES
T.J. Walker's popular weekly feature at CatsIllustrated.com touches on the big stories Kentucky basketball fans are talking about, and right now there's no shortage of big stories.
"Kentucky received some bad news last week when Mohamed Bamba picked Texas over UK. Today's Monday Insider Notes will discuss Bamba's decision, Hamidou Diallo's NBA Draft decision, Pitt grad-transfer Cam Johnson and the class of 2018.
You can discuss the Monday Insider Notes at the House of Blue."
LINK: INSIDER NOTES: Bamba fallout, Diallo's decision and Cam Johnson (premium)
BUCKS EVALUATE HUMPHRIES
"The Milwaukee Bucks' official Twitter account (@Bucks) tweeted that Humphries is one of six players who will be working out for the franchise on Monday.
The others: Frank Mason (guard, Kansas), T.J. Williams (guard, Northeastern), Luke Fischer (center, Marquette), Amida Brimah (center, UCONN) and Kennedy Meeks (forward, UNC).
Milwaukee owns the 17th pick in the first round and the 48th pick in the second round of the upcoming 2017 NBA Draft."
