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Reaching is not a foul
Last week, we talked about one of the most common phrases officials hear from the stands: “Over the back!” This week, we are moving to another gym favorite: “She’s reaching, ref!” Sometimes a coach yells it. Other times it comes from the bleachers. And sometimes it comes before the defender even gets close enough to…
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There is no ‘over the back’ call
I have been a basketball official in Martin County for more than 15 years. I have worked games across the Tri-State area and have also officiated semi-pro women’s basketball. No matter where I go, there is one thing I still hear from the stands almost every game. “That’s over the back, ref!” From the stands,…
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Clark debate needs more than a still shot
More people than usual are paying attention to the Women’s National Basketball Association this week. And if you have been on social media, you have probably seen the photo. You know the one. Caitlin Clark is on the floor, and Alyssa Thomas has a fist near her neck. It is the kind of still shot…
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Pope’s beard is working
Mark Pope is sporting a beard this summer and things are heating up. Since the lumberjack look popped out, Milan Momcilovic has transferred out of Iowa State and into Lexington. We are talking about the nation’s top 3-point shooter. Then Pope landed the first top-10 recruit of his career. Ryan Hampton, a five-star prospect out…
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Pope silences critics, Newsome leaves legacy
As Michael Scott famously said, “Well, well, well. How the turntables.” Just a couple of weeks ago, some Kentucky fans were ready to run Mark Pope out of Lexington. The transfer portal was not going the Wildcats’ way, and the social media panic button had been smashed repeatedly. Then Pope delivered. Kentucky landed the biggest…
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After the Whistle: Moreno keeps the dream alive
You guys want bad news first or good news? Let us go with bad. University of Kentucky head coach Mark Pope struck out on Tyran Stokes. The top recruit chose Kansas and left a gap for the Cats. Now for the good news: Malachi Moreno has withdrawn from the NBA draft and is coming back…
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All eyes on Stokes
The transfer portal has been a struggle for the Cats thus far. Mark Pope has had some swings and misses. As of this writing, Tyran Stokes has not announced his commitment between Kentucky, Kansas and Oregon. The Crystal Ball still has the nation’s top recruit trending toward the Jayhawks. I am hoping that by the…
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Roster roulette: The new reality
Mo Dioubate, Brandon Garrison, Jasper Johnson and Jaland Lowe have all entered the transfer portal as of this writing. Malachi Moreno announced he will test the NBA Draft waters but plans to return to Kentucky if he does not hear what he wants, and I am about 99% sure he will be back. That is…
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Kentucky’s identity: The Inconsistents
Kentucky basketball has been searching for its identity all season. We have seen the highs and we have seen the lows. And just when we think this team is finally starting to mesh, it feels like it all starts falling apart at the seams again. If I had to describe this team in one simple…
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After the Whistle: Stein back in his Old Kentucky Home
Another Christmas has come and gone. With record highs, we had sandal weather instead of sweater weather. Is this what it feels like to live in Florida during the winter? Sports teams are away for tournaments during the two-week break. As a teenager, I loved playing in the holiday tournaments. As an adult, I believe…
