(The graphic that accompanies this post should be credited. Except that I haven’t the slightest idea who created it? If anybody reading knows, please let me know so that credit can be given where it’s due.)
Transparency here.
I haven’t a whole lot to talk about this time around.
Snark Alert: Other than, you know, the Cards have a full roster. But other than that . . .
Truth is, some FB friend posted the above graphic. Which immediately entered my Top 3 Cardinal graphics of forever. Along with Dunking Card. Duh. And the cover of the ’74-’75 SI preseason hoops issue.
So I just wanted to post something to use it.
And, minor matter. we got a new COO around here. Some former Aussie footy player named Glock Dementus. Whose management style is, uh, heavy handed. Can’t imagine why similarly inclined Glorious Editor might have hired him. Anyway, he not so subtly advised I had contractual obligations to meet.
* * * * *
It is a phrase often heard to describe what’s just happened with Cardinal basketball.
“He hit the ground running.”
Which, let’s be frank, doesn’t really describe what Pat Kelsey has done in last couple of months or so.
He hit the ground like Usain Bolt. Like, beep beep, the Road Runner.
When he posted that recent selfie video name checking the roster, my mind went to this song.
Out in the fashion show/ down in the bargain bin/ you put your passion out under the pressure pin/ Fall into submission / hit-and-run transmission/ No use wishing now for any other sin/ Pump it up until you can feel it
Yes, He Who Would Rename Himself Elvis, the Red & Black Nation, as best I can tell, is pumped up. Ready to take flight.
So, I’ll go PK. (With a cheat sheet.)
Chucky, Aly, Koren, J’Vonne, Frank, Terrence, Kasean, Kobe, Khani, James, Reyne, Aboubacar and Noah.
The Card Nation turns its longing eyes to you.
What we have here — and I say this without having any significant remembrance of paying attention closely to any of these ballers’ game — is what appears to be a roster that has been thought through.
All things considered, this appears a bountiful harvest.
Extreme Makeover 502.
Enough size. Some scrappers. A wing or two. And lots of launchers. An alleged Top Ten all time Card recruit. A fellow who spurned the Rick and Coach Cal. A Big 10 conference honoree. Two league 6th Men of the Year. 80% FT shooters. 50% FG shooters. 40% three point shooters. A national POY finalist. The next Marcus Camby.
So, yeah. Oh yeah.
Though I fully understand it’s the new dynamic, old school me has always been skeptical of the four out and five out scheme.
But, ya know, bring it. It’s the Kelsey Way.
I, like the rest of the loyal fanbase, am ready for anything.
* * * * *
U of L hoops isn’t the only sea change in the game we cherish.
There’s lots of movement. Money talks, everybody walks.
Such that the NC2A, trying to herd the horses already roaming hither and yon, has made a couple of tweaks.
Student Athletes can now transfer as many times as they wish. They see a course in Seismic Vibrational Technology at another institution of higher learning, they can transfer there now and take enroll.
The Transfer Portal window has been reduced from 45 to 30 days.
But, do not delude yourself, the dudes up in Indy can still not things all the way through.
The Portal used to open the day after Selection Sunday. Meaning the staffs at 68 schools had to dress for the Dance, while recruiting at the same time.
It made no sense.
So that time frame has been tweaked. Operative word: tweaked.
It now opens the Monday after the first weekend.
Stoooooopid.
Sixteen schools remain hampered.
I dunno, just thinkin’. How ’bout movin’ it to, say, the Wednesday after the title game?
Too logical I surmise.
* * * * *
With hoops SID Zach Greenwell moving on, either of his own volition or having been pushed out (I’ve heard conflicting stories) there’s been no replacement yet.
Hopefully soon.
Fingers crossed that Coach Kelsey will soon have a presser to describe his last couple of months.
Your inveterate Cardinal Obsessive shall report in when it comes about.
— c d kaplan