The Week That Is About To Be

The sports schedule is getting a little hectic. The NFL is in full swing. College football is in the bowl season. High school, college, and pro basketball is running strong. To top it all off, the holidays are upon us. Mondays are good days to plan out your week and make sure you don’t miss any of the UK-related action. Monday -Men's Basketball - Drexel at Kentucky - ESPNU - 7:00: I know it has been said time and again, but I can't get over how this UK program turned things around so quickly. We were doomed to the inside of the track with a hard charging UNC car coming up on the outside to win the College Basketball 2000 (with Roy Williams playing the Rowdy Burns to Calipari's Cole Trickle). Even with all the recruits and hype surrounding Coach Cal's arrival to UK, I didn't really think we would hit the accelerator and leave the Tar Heels in our dust. Just when you think things are at their bleakest, someone always shows up to open the Matrix and light our darkest hour. You've got the touch, Coach! If you think it is a little much to mix an original Transformers reference with a Days of Thunder one, well, you're probably right but I don't care. I couldn't be happier that our team is hitting this milestone first. It is a pride thing and something Calipari was very aware of when he arrived in Lexington. Brett Dawson does a good job profiling that aspect here. Tuesday -Women's Basketball - UT Martin at Kentucky - Radio only - 7:00: You know UK Hoops is a big deal when I honestly wanted to watch the game on Sunday on CBS over the NFL match-up over on Fox. That was as entertaining a game as I have ever seen a UK women's basketball team play. I was glued to the tv for the entire contest, and every couple of minutes UK's athletes would make a 'wow!' play that made people in the room chuckle in amazement. That will happen when you watch a game where your team forces 38 turn-overs, notches 21 steals, and has four players score in double figures against a rival. We are awash in great basketball here in the Bluegrass, people. I consider it UK's Christmas present to us all. Anyway, the 1-7 Skyhawks (. . . Skyhawks? Really? Worst mascot ever?) should be no trouble for the Wildcats. Wednesday -Men's Basketball - Long Beach State at Kentucky - Fox Sports South - 1:00: Ah, the 1:00pm game. Is there anything better at work then knowing you are going to take a late, long lunch to watch some Kentucky basketball action? It is one of the more underrated aspects of being an adult. Honestly, any excuse to take a break during the day and pound a few brew-has has my absolute approval. The 49'ers come into Rupp sporting a 6-4 record with a win over UCLA. Normally, beating the Bruins would mean something, but this year I'm pretty sure our Rifle team has a shot at beating UCLA (the puns here are bad, folks. It is the best I can do on a Monday). LBS does have experience playing upper eschelion teams as this year they have already served as cannon fodder for Notre Dame, West Virginia, Clemson, and Texas. What does this all mean? Not much, but at least we are playing a team that shouldn't be totally rattled by the crowd at Rupp. Thursday -Christmas Eve What time does midnight mass start? Friday -Christmas Enjoy the day off work for those of you that get it. I hope you are able to spend time with your family and friends. If you are desperate for sports, remember that the NFL is in session with San Diego playing at Tennessee at 7:30p. Fantasy alert! Sunday -Men's Football (Is there another kind? /Nicholson) - Kentucky vs Clemson - Music City Bowl - ESPN - 8:30: I know that the general press leading up to this game has been that Clemson is the superior opponent and the Cats don't have a realistic chance at a victory. I love it. This team, and this coaching staff in particular, plays the underdog role like no other. Whenever there is general consensus that the Wildcats have no shot at a win is when Brooks and Joker hit the lab and devise a scheme that waylays their opponent. Expect some crazy shenanigans from the boys in blue as they unleash a fully rested arsenal on the Tigers. Let's say UK wins this one 27 - 17.