NEWSSTAND (8/4): Predictions, camp scoop, Nick Richards, confident Cousins
Today's CatsIllustrated.com Newsstand is once again full of Kentucky football preview material. There's also scoop from sources on how camp is going, more on Quentin Grimes' recruitment, talk about the best Calipari-era shooters, a Kentucky Mr. Football preview and much more.
SEASON PREDICTIONS
CatsIllustrated.com publisher Justin Rowland takes a stab at making some “still too early” (it's not “way too early” anymore) game-by-game predictions for Kentucky football in 2017.
Note: This is based on a snapshot in time early in fall camp and updated, probably different, game-by-game predictions will appear each week during the regular season.
BREAKOUT PLAYERS?
Benny Snell broke out last year. Does Kentucky's offense has a star in waiting with the 2017 season approaching?
The CatsIllustrated.com staff shares opinions on who might be in line for a big boost in production in the 2017 season on the offensive side.
LINK: Round table discussion on UK's breakout offensive performer in 2017
GRIMES CUTS LIST
Five-star shooting guard Quentin Grimes cut his list to seven on Thursday.
The 6-foot-5, 180-pound The Woodlands, Texas native will pick his school from a list of Kentucky, Kansas, Texas A&M, Marquette, Baylor, Arizona and Texas.
CAMP INSIDER NOTES
As has become customary, CatsIllustrated.com is talking to sources about who's standing out during camp. Almost nothing is open to media, but this information comes from trusted program sources and is for House of Blue premium members exclusively.
BUY OR SELL?
In this new Buy or Sell feature, CatsIllustrated.com publisher Justin Rowland takes a look at what Kentucky's coaches are saying during camp and telling camps whether to buy or sell.
Is it coach speak, a motivational tool or something to take literally?
Let's get it started.
LINK: Buy or sell some of the biggest statements coaches have made during camp season?
BIG PLANS
Lonnie Johnson obviously saw something in Kentucky's football program, otherwise he would have chosen any one of a number of other options he had as a junior college recruit.
But the first-year transfer told CatsIllustrated.com this week that even though he had high expectations and hopes for what UK would entail for him, he's been pleasantly surprised.
LINK: Lonnie Johnson says Kentucky can do something 'real big' in 2017
BEST CALIPARI-ERA SHOOTER?
When you think of the best shooters in Kentucky’s rich history, names like Tony Delk, Cameron Mills, Travis Ford, and Jodie Meeks quickly come to mind. Many talented sharpshooters, mostly spread over the course of several decades.
In the Calipari era, however, we’ve seen some of the most dominant three-point shooters to ever come through the program year after year. Nearly every year since Coach Cal arrived, the Wildcats have had at least one shooter make their mark in the record books and on timeless highlight reels.
PRIORITY CUSTOMERS
The partnership between Kentucky and Kroger can already be seen with the new Kroger Field lettering on the outside of the stadium, but the sponsorship deal will affect fans as well.
LINK: Kentucky football fans with Kroger Cards will have priority entrance gate
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TICKETS ON SALE
The 2017-18 Kentucky women’s basketball season is less than 100 days away and new season ticket purchases and season ticket renewals are available at ukathletics.com/tickets.
Purchasing season tickets offers the best option and price savings for fans. New season ticket purchases are available in upper-level reserved chairbacks (sections AA-JJ), lower-level reserved bleachers (sections R-Z) or general admission bleachers (sections RR-ZZ) for $65 per ticket. Lower-level reserved chairbacks (sections A-J) are sold out again this season. New season ticket seating will be assigned in late September after the Sept. 13 renewal deadline.
New season ticket purchases are available online at ukathletics.com/tickets, while fans can also call (800) 928-2287 or visit the UK Ticket Office in person. The UK Ticket Office is located inside the Joe Craft Center at 338 Lexington Ave.
Read more below.
EARLY BELIEVER
In Kentucky quarterback Stephen Johnson’s long journey from Rancho Cucamonga, California, to the Southeastern Conference, two phone calls played a pivotal role.
Former Super Bowl MVP Doug Williams was involved in both.
LINK: Redskins executive Doug Williams was among first believers in UK's Stephen Johnson
MR. FOOTBALL CANDIDATES
With no specific guidelines established by The Associated Press, media members have taken different approaches when it comes to voting for Kentucky’s Mr. Football award.
Some see it as a lifetime achievement award. Others vote with consideration only for the statistics compiled during a player’s senior season.
LINK: Top 10 candidates to win Kentucky's Mr. Football award
CAVS WANT BOOKER
The Cleveland Cavaliers would love a Kyrie Irving for Devin Booker trade, but would the Suns be willing to entertain the idea? Doesn't seem so, at least right now.
LINK: Cleveland Cavaliers Scribbles looking at Kyrie Irving trade possibilities
CONFIDENT COUSINS
DeMarcus Cousins has kept a close eye on the fast-churning NBA rumor mill over the last few weeks. As he says, “It’s hard to miss.”
“It’s been an interesting summer,” Cousins told The Vertical. “I can’t wait for the season to start.”
It’s a strange feeling for Cousins, really. Rumors, you know, that don’t involve him. For the better part of three years Cousins was the lead character in a dysfunctional soap opera. His battles with former Sacramento Kings coach George Karl were chronicled daily, his immaturity was criticized just as often. Sacramento was a toxic mix, and Cousins was the straw that stirred it. When the Kings shipped him to the New Orleans Pelicans in February, it was less about recouping equal value than starting over.
LINK: DeMarcus Cousins: Pairing with Anthony Davis features skill set 'league hasn’t seen'
GENTRY BACKS COUSINS
Alvin Gentry knows what a lot of people think of DeMarcus Cousins.
The All-Star center, who is routinely among the NBA’s leaders in technical fouls (averaging 15.4 per season) and highlight-worthy eruptions, is often held up by his critics as a poster child for immaturity.
LINK: Alvin Gentry brushes off the notion that DeMarcus Cousins is immature: 'I feel good about him'