Bob Watkins' Sports in Kentucky
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Page 12, The Estill County Tribune, November 18, 2015 has a slightly different view. isville, the buzz is that there “Last year I saw that tent might not be enough fans at UK basketball is under grow. Commonwealth Stadium Isaac Humphries It was a huge tent. At the end Saturday to fill Rupp Arena. “The kid is really skilled. of the year, everybody was in I doubt UK fans will bail that He makes 15-footers, makes that tent. Anybody who wrote much — after all, they have free throws. Anything around about college basketball, or endured years of misery. But the goal he makes,” the UK wrote period, was trying to the loss at Vanderbilt last coach said. “When he shoots get something from this team week certainly soured the fan it, you just think it is going or staff. There were a lot of base and should have. in.” people hoping they would What would quarterback Humphries says going lose,” Pratt said. Patrick Towles say to fans? against Labissiere and Lee “I watched this team keep “We got two chances to daily have made him quickly its composure. They did not go to make the postseason. improve. get rattled. They had TV Charlotte next week and then “They are both different people go to class with them. Louisville comes to town. I players and both such good They hounded these young can tell you this every person players. It’s very good for me guys. But until the NCAA in that locker room is go- to go against them and learn Tournament, I never saw it ing to give everything they Larry Vaught how to play against that style bother them. They walked possibly have these last two of play,” he said. “I think I right through it. games,” Towles said after the When John Calipari flew will have to adjust a little bit “Starting with the NCAA, 21-17 loss at Vanderbilt. “If to Indiana to watch Isaac to the speed but one of my I just saw a change in their we come up short we come Humphries play last season, reasons for coming to high body language. They were a up short, but like I said I can he said it was during the school (at La Lumiere School little more frustrated with the never fault our effort. We “worst snow storm” he en- in Indiana) was to somewhat same questions from the me- gave it everything we had, countered last year. get adjusted to that American dia. It took a lot out of them and we were fighting to the “I almost didn’t even go,” style of play. Now that I have being unbeaten. They just last minute and I totally ex- said Calipari. done that, I think I will be one got worn out under that big pect that from my guys every Once he landed, he called step closer to adjusting to the tent. It’s so hard to go 38-0. Saturday.” former Notre Dame coach college level.” We may never see that again. Towles was benched for Digger Phelps and current He likes the talent on the Last year just wore those part of the game in favor of Irish coach Mike Brey who team and the friendship off guys out. It made them better Drew Barker, who followed told him it never snowed like the court. men and I give them a lot of his first scoring pass with an Isaac Humphries, left, has accepted his role play- that. “I think they are all really credit for handling everything interception that was returned ing behind talented teammates at Kentucky but “That’s when I was fight- great people off the court and they did as well as they did.” for a score. also knows that will only make him better. ing to get to the gym,” Cali- on the court they are obvi- * * * “I have 100-percent con- (Vicky Graff Photo) pari said. “But I watched him ously really good players. Finally, let’s look at Ken- fidence in this team and that left, so if you can’t get fired but also continuing miscues play and said that is a 7-footer They are just great guys and tucky football as it gets set we can bounce back,” Barker up for two games and we by a coaching staff that is who has skills and is big- I am looking forward to be- to host Charlotte Saturday in said. “We are really talented, have to win both, then I don’t being paid way too much to ger than (former Cat) Josh coming brothers with them,” hopes of ending a five-game we just haven’t put it all to- know if you should really be make the decisions it has dur- Harrellson. I knew he was a Humphries said. losing streak. If the Cats don’t gether yet in a full game. We on this team. It was a tough ing games. young kid. I just wanted to Tai Wynyard of New Zea- win this game, maybe coach have spurts where we look re- loss, we are mad about it, but * * * take a glance at him. Then land plans to join the team Mark Stoops should just call ally good but we haven’t put we just got to keep moving If you have a comment, when he said he was reclas- in December. Will that give it quits and leave. But with it together in a full game. I forward and go and get these suggestion or criticism, sifying (to the 2015 recruit- Humphries a mater he can re- the way this season has gone, have 100-percent faith in this next two wins.” let me know at larryvau@ ing class), I said he would be late with? who knows. team. Sounds good, but count gmail.com or on Twitter at @ good for us.” “We have conversed a Even though UK is 4-6 “We still need two more me as one not convinced that vaughtsviews. I’ve enjoyed The Australian center few times at tournaments and can still get bowl eligible wins to get to a bowl game UK can overcome not only hearing from a lot of you the helped his country win a sil- and games. I know him well by beating Charlotte and Lou- and we got two more games player mistakes on the field, last few weeks. ver medal at the 2014 FIBA enough if saw him I would say Under 17 World Champi- hi,” Humphries said. “But I onship. He averaged 18.9 don’t really know many New points, 11.6 rebounds and 3.3 Zealanders, so I imagine they blocks per game in seven are probably really different. Bob Watkins’ Sports In Kentucky games. Humphries scored The culture there is different. 41 points and grabbed 19 re- To us, it is very different.” Night Kentucky saved Duke Basketball ... was a Saturday bounds against Canada and He said teammates ask Jamal Murray, another sum- him few questions about 79. Was the night in Col- are about increasing their Statistically and for mer UK addition. Australia, but fans and other lege Park, Maryland when bowl game cha-ching. leadership, Doughty is The Humphries let few know students do often. Rupp’s Runts saved Duke • Louisville fans. Hap- Deal. Here’s howl: Dough- that he was interested in com- “I have never been around basketball. py but subdued. Boys and ty is one of 10 finalists for ing to Kentucky before he an Australian,” Hawkins said. Saved the Dookies? The girls wearing red and black the 2015 Senior CLASS made a summer decision to “This is my first one. He is a No. 2 ranked Blue Devils would be chortling louder, Award. CLASS: Celebrat- sign with the Wildcats and it really nice guy. Has a great (all white skinned) were but for a road game still ing Loyalty and Achieve- became official on Aug. 20. personality but is very shy. I eliminated at the Final Four ahead in Lexington. Rea- ment for Staying in School. “My circle is very, very remember when I was a fresh- by No. 1 Kentucky on a son Two: UofL is still un- Total student-athlete and close. We are not the type that man I was shy. Hopefully we Friday. On a Saturday Tex- der clouds of sexual scan- role model, Brandon tells everyone everything. I can get him out of that.” as Western (not all black dal and sombrero damage Doughty. skinned, despite the the control. wanted to keep it quiet until Humphries is used to be- PHILIP HAYWOOD everything was final. Having ing on his own. He left home myth) shocked college bas- • Mark Stoops. Grit- such a small circle did help at age 15 to move to another ketball beating (all white ted teeth and seething. Ex- In support of the idea and everyone understood state to attend the Australian skinned) Kentucky. pressions familiar to UK good things come in bunch- what I wanted,” Humphries Institute of Sport where he Bob Watkins Eureka Moment. The fans older than 70 who es ... said. “I planned to reclassify trained and lived for a year. national media herd found witnessed Blanton Collier, Philip Haywood at Belfry in March. It had been in the “Then after that year Kentucky and Duke. its voice for social justice Charlie Bradshaw, John High has become one of 15 works but I had just been try- I moved to America for a year Tuesday’s renewal of and need for a villain.