Back to the Drawing Board

Ira D. Combs
Syndicated Columnist
Tri State Sports Media Service Inc.

It was a night that most in attendance at Commonwealth Stadium thought the tricks and treats of a normal Halloween night were left behind in their respective communities across the Commonwealth and as for candy, fruit, and gag gifts, they were right.

However, there were tricks and treats galore at the UK-Mississippi State game Saturday night.

The treat was for the Bulldogs and the trick was on the Cats.

Mississippi State's Anthony Dixon treated the UK defense to its most embarrassing effort in the run defense department in several years. Dixon gained 252 yards on 33 carries for 2 TD's in leading the 2nd half Bulldog comeback that finished off the Cats to the tune of 31-24 and pretty much crushed any hopes of UK stepping up the bowl ladder this season.

Now, it's back to the drawing board for Rich Brooks and Joker Phillips to tweak the offense and QB dilemma once again to hopefully circle the wagons and salvage enough in the final four games to pull out at least two wins and keep the bowl streak alive.

This week the Cats host their true little sisters, the EKU Colonels from Richmond and should get a comfortable win and provide some of the starters with a MUCH NEEDED rest for most of the second half. The game will be televised live by WKYT Channel 27 Lexington and WYMT Channel 27 Hazard with the kickoff slated for 1:00 p.m. EST.

All's Well Again As Cal's Cats Start Exhibition Season

John Calipari's first edition Kentucky Wildcats will hit the hardwood at Rupp Arena twice this week for their two annual exhibition games that do not count on the NCAA schedule toward the Big Dance during March Madness, Campbellsville University Monday night at 7:00 and Clarion State Friday night at 7:00, both games will be live on Fox Sports South and delayed at 11:30 p.m. on the Big Blue Sports TV Network. Don't expect the Cats to provide us with an error free exhibition in these two games but the new multi-talented roster that John Calipari has assembled should provide us with a few entertaining dunks and blocks to tease us for the future.

Excitement for this season had been boiling at fever pitch during the off season as it approached Big Blue Madness a few days ago, and then out of nowhere another NCAA cloud appeared concerning mega-talented freshman John Wall's eligibility status and all the preseason parties, celebrations, and post season championship banners were put on hold for a few days until last Friday night when it was announced that Wall would only have to sit out one exhibition game and one regular season game plus reimburse the NCAA through a donation to a local charity some $787.57 for expenses he reportedly incurred on two unofficial visits to UK from his AAU coach, who at the time was also listed as a pro agent for FIBA.

Another battle in the win column for Coach Cal vs. the NCAA which now stands at 3-0 in Calipari's favor.

Which is great for 2009-2010 but more reason for revenge from the NCAA in the future toward Coach Cal and UK basketball.

Let's enjoy the present Big Blue Nation because my sources tell me the folks at NCAA headquarters are one of the most revengeful minded organizations in American sports when you get the best of them.

Go to www.combsbrothersonkysports.com for more coverage of the Kentucky Wildcats and KHSAA sports.