Kentucky basketball
Nerlens Noel Out for the Season
LEXINGTON, Ky. – – University of Kentucky men’s basketball freshman Nerlens Noel will be out for the remainder of the season with a torn ACL injury suffered during Tuesday night’s game at Florida.
According to the UK medical staff, surgery should be expected in the next two to three weeks. The normal timetable for recovery is estimated at six to eight months.
The 6-10 freshman was leading the nation in blocks (106) and blocks per game (4.4) and ranked second in the Southeastern Conference in rebounding (9.5). He was also averaging 10.5 points per game for the Wildcats.
Warning: How gruesome was Nerlens Noel's injury? Check out this photo
Kentucky Head Coach John Calipari on Nerlens Noel's injury
I’ve been coaching for 22 years and this is the first injury we’ve had of this kind during the season, which makes it even more devastating. I met with Nerlens earlier today. The meeting was really positive, and I loved his attitude. The way he is already dealing with this injury lets me know that he is going to come back stronger than ever. The good news is he is insured, so he would have been fine even if the injury would have been worse. Obviously this is not a career-ending injury and it’s one that athletes bounce back from all the time.
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What?
Yesterday pitchers and catchers reported. Earlier in the week I was playing catch with Casey in the front yard. Today we get this? Come on.
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Xavier
CINCINNATI (Feb. 13, 2013) – Xavier University Athletics and its multimedia rights holder, Xavier Sports Properties, announced today a five-year extension of the radio agreement with Cincinnati-based Clear Channel Media & Entertainment, effective immediately.
Under the agreement, 700 WLW “The Big One” is home to Xavier men’s basketball games, marking a 30-year relationship between the news/talk station and the Xavier Musketeers. Additionally, Clear Channel’s WKRC “55KRC” will weekly air a one-hour Chris Mack Show, and its ESPN 1530 WCKY will broadcast The Musketeer Report, a daily radio segment on Xavier Athletics.
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Show preview
6:05, Sports Talk
6:35, XU basketball
Guest
Mike DeCourcy, 6:11
Did you miss him?
The Enquirer's John Fay checked in last night to talk Scott Rolen, Mat Latos, Aroldis Chapman and more. Listen here:
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Kentucky
As Noel's knee buckles, UK's hopes turn 'wobbly'
The Sporting News
“Can we get a wheelchair?” John Robic asked.
Nerlens Noel was wheeled out a few minutes later. His left knee was held straight on the padded extension. His head was draped in a white towel.
A half-dozen people surrounded the wheelchair as it went down a hallway. It had the feel of a funeral procession. Across the arena, Florida center Patric Young explained why.
“His leg was wobbly. Knee looked dislocated,” he said. “It was gruesome. I don’t want to think about it.”
Injury changes perspective on UK's season outlook
CBS Sports
It could be devastating news to a club that was barely an NCAA tourney team with Noel in the lineup. This was Calipari's one constant, the guy who he could rely on for consistent effort and toughness. Noel was the only player in blue who truly belonged on the O'Connell Center court on Tuesday night. This young Kentucky team wasn't ready for this test. Goodwin was a mess, Poythress also resembled a four-year player instead of a one-and-done guy -- and Harrow made zero impact on the game.
Fluke injury casts pall over promising career
Pat Forde, Yahoo
Really, the outcome of Kentucky's season is secondary, although a significant injury would increase the chances of the 17-7 Wildcats missing the NCAA tournament. The greater issue is Noel's future, and the way it is put at risk by a system that forced him to play college ball for a year instead of going straight into the NBA draft.
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UC basketball
UC 68 Villanova 60
Nice bounce back by the Bearcats. I'd agree with Dan Hoard's pregame comments, it wasn't a "must win", but it kind of felt like one going in. Ten minutes into the game it was 8-8 and tough to watch. I love Cashmere Wright. He is the symbol of the Mick Cronin era. He's a gritty leader and a scrappy fighter. The boxscore doesn't do his performance justice. Despite shooting 3 of 14 he was a tone setter. UC tracks deflections, how about number of times hitting the floor? UC turned defense into offense, with 21 points off turnovers. UC's second half defense was smothering (8-24). JaQuon Parker gave them a 3rd scoring option with 19 points. He got the ball to the rim and earned 11 free throw attempts, although he hit just four. Sean Kilpatrick could not hit the broad side of a barn early, but rallied with long-range daggers for 19 points and 8 boards. When he gets on a roll, he gets on a roll. There is, however, a fool's gold aspect to the 68 points, I'm not betting on UC hitting 12 of 25 three pointers on a consistent basis. Somehow, they were just 9 of 28 on two point attempts. I'm not sure I've seen a more confusing player, from a looks and results standpoint, than Titus Rubles. He was 1 for 5 from the field, after going 2 for 9 vs Pitt. Guyn played just seven minutes, but seemed to play with less hesitation in going 2 of 3 with 5 points and an assist. Nice 17 minute contribution from Jermaine Sanders. He provided points (7), board work (4) and an assist. Seven different Bearcats picked up at least one assist.
The 50 points allowed is the fewest by the Bearcats in the last 14 games, dating back to the Crosstown Classic vs XU. The 68 points scored is the most in the last 6 games. 18 points is the largest margin of victory in conference play and over the last 16 games, since a 32 point win vs Maryland Eastern Shore on Dec 8.
Wright plays through pain, shows grit for Bearcats
Mike DeCourcy, The Sporting News
A highly recruited playmaker from Savannah, Ga., Wright could have chosen lots of programs that were in better condition than Cincinnati when he finished high school in 2008. The botched firing of Bob Huggins had shut down Bearcats recruiting for nearly two years. Cronin essentially started with a single scholarship senior and an otherwise empty roster when he took over in 2006.
Wright became Cincinnati’s first marquee recruit, and Cronin considers him one of the most important pieces in rebuilding the program. So more than anything else, the coach wants Wright to be able to finish the year healthy and strong as recompense for his many contributions to rescuing Bearcats basketball.
Bearcats win over Villanova a throwback victory
Paul Dehner Jr, GoBearcats.com
Over the course of the last week week critics bemoaned each time Cronin referenced defense, rather than the struggling offense, to be the difference in the sumo wrestling matches the last few games devolved into. Yet, over the last two years nobody would classify the UC offense as a work of art. Around Fifth Third Arena, the calculation worked like a proven algorithm: shoot more shots, score more points. Defense equals offense.
Tough to argue with a 21-7 advantage in points off turnovers, 19 turnovers created, six more shots attempted and the widest margin of victory since Maryland-Eastern Shore. Tuesday night, UC blew dust off the old thesis for a throwback win it sorely needed if it wants to throw back to the postseason success of the last two seasons.
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NBA
I know the NBA does not get much run around here, but you have to appreciate what LeBron James is doing. Unreal.
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Reds
How would you like to cover the Reds for the Enquirer?
Reds face plenty of questions about Chapman's new role
The Sporting News
While the confidence is there, assurances are not. And even if the Reds can answer some of the questions about Chapman’s workload before spring training ends, only the regular season will tell how successful the move will be and how it affects the Reds’ chances at a third NL Central title in four seasons.
My reaction to Rolen news
I actually started writing this last night, in anticipation of Scott Rolen announcing his retirement today. His first ML at-bat came August 1, 1996 at Veterans Stadium, a groundout against Donovan Osborne of the Cardinals. It appears his final ML at-bat came in Game 5 vs San Francisco's Sergio Romo, a strikeout swinging as the final out of the 2012 NLDS.
In the 17 years in-between, Scott Rolen wore four different uniforms, went to the postseason on five occasions and won a ring in 2006. He went to All-Star games (7) and won Gold Gloves (8). He played the game the way it should be played, all out and with respect. Today he decided he's not prepared to say the R word...retired.
He won't go to camp with the Reds. But he won't close any doors. I take that to mean the dollars or playing time or guarantees were not what he was hoping for. I guess that means he will hang out at home, work out at home, and see if something develops with the Reds or another ML team. If he's not ready to file retirement papers, fine by me.
In the meantime, the Reds can move on. Todd Frazier is the starting 3B, Jack Hannahan is the back-up 3B and the Reds can carry a true back-up SS, in either Jason Donald or Cesar Izturis. I guess if Frazier or Hannahan were to be injured, there are worse things than calling Rolen off the couch.
I will always appreciate what Scott Rolen brought to the organization.
I'll never forget where I was when I heard about the trade on July 31, 2009.
I was sitting in a condo in South Haven, Michigan. I was stunned. Initially, the trade made no sense. Why would a rebuilding team, 45-58 and 11 games out of first place, deal young prospects for an aging and injured veteran?
Walt Jocketty knew why. He did it to bring stability and defense to the 3B position and to bring class and professionalism to the clubhouse. Without Rolen the Reds don't win the 2010 NL Central. For three months, from Opening Day to June 30, 2010 he was brilliant: .300-17-53 with a .944 OPS and was an All-Star. Sadly, his back and shoulder betrayed him. Injuries limited him to 65 games in 2011 and 92 in 2012. He played in 330 of 546 possible games with the Reds (60%). He was a marvel to watch at 3B. I've never seen someone consistently make chest high throws to 1B like Rolen.
He never said much, but when he did, it figured to be important. Or, it was with that dry, self-deprecating humor. I always appreciated how he approached his craft and was willing to share with others what he'd learned. Here's to Rolen taking a step towards being a full-time dad. Here's to Rolen showing up as a guest instructor at spring training whenever he feels like it. His impact on players in that clubhouse will carry on for years to come.
Career stats:
.281/.364/.490/.855
2,077 hits, 517 doubles, 316 HR, 1,287 RBI
Awards:
Rookie of Year
8 Gold Gloves
7 All Star teams
1 Silver Slugger
2006 World Series Champion
Acquired: July 31, 2009: Traded by Toronto Blue Jays to Cincinnati Reds for Edwin Encarnacion, Josh Roenicke and Zach Stewart.
As a Red:
330 games, .263/.332/.438/.771, 36 HR, 182 RBI
Playoffs 2010, 2012
Best seasons as a Red 2010:
.285/.358/.497/.851, 20 HR, 83 RBI
Statement from Jocketty and Rolen
Reds President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Walt Jocketty said of 3B Scott Rolen, who will not be attending camp with the Reds this spring, “Scott made significant contributions to our team’s recent success, and it isn’t a coincidence we made the playoffs in two of his three full seasons here. He made a huge impact in Cincinnati with his work ethic and leadership on the field, in the clubhouse and in our community.”...Rolen, who issued this statement through the team, said, “Right now I’m simply not ready to make a commitment. I would like to leave my options open, without closing any doors. I am looking forward to all of the challenges, both personally and professionally, I will face in the future.”
(Getty Images)
Elbow strain sidelines Gregorius
MiLB.com
It took Didi Gregorius five years and more than 1,700 at-bats in the Minors to make his big league debut. And while an elbow injury has all but ruled the shortstop out of contention for a spot on the Opening Day roster, the D-backs are optimistic it won't be too long before he has a chance to return to the Majors.
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Bengals
ProFootballFocus ranks the free agent WRs
Bengals put three on All-Under-25 team
Smith and Burfict make USA Today All-Joe Team
Ourlads' mock draft: 21. Bengals, Manti Te'o
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Cool
Joe Hughes is a former XU basketball player that was recently diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. He joined me in-studio two weeks ago. He tweeted this yesterday:
Coach Pagano just sent me a letter and signed hat! "This is just a setback for a comeback! Believe!" #chuckstrong hughes_33
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