I wrote an article on October 17, pointing out the University of Kentucky and their relationship with John Calipari. In it, I wrote that Kentucky had decided to throw away integrity in an attempt to win at all costs and restore the struggling program by hiring Calipari. Well, it appears that former head coach, Bobby Knight agrees. On Thursday, he addressed the Calipari situation and had this to say. Thanks to ESPN for the video coverage.

Bobby Knight

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Believe it or not, Midnight Madness was last night in College Basketball which means the start of practice for the upcoming season. Of course, Kentucky was one of the featured schools on National television, mainly because of the renewal of the program with new coach, John Calipari.

Calipari climbed the elevated stage, in what looked like a Vegas act, to address the Kentucky faithful and assure them that he will lead the storied Wildcat program back to the top of College Basketball, where they belong. He is probably correct in that statement. But at what cost?

In my mind, Kentucky sold their soul in signing Calipari who brings with him a litany of baggage to Lexington. Behind him is a trail of destruction that he has left and has found a way to wade through it unscathed. It is obvious that this was a move by a desperate Alumni and program who will do whatever it takes to become relevant again. Otherwise, why would you bring in a guy who cost the University of Massachusetts a Final Four banner because of recruiting violations. Of course, he was no longer at UMass when that happened. He was counting his millions as a terrible NBA coach, laughing all the way to the bank.

Next stop, Memphis. Where he found himself in a scandal again. This time with former player Derrick Rose and test scores. Sure, he may not have been directly involved but it happened under his watch and as a leader, he is responsible. But of course, he was nowhere near Memphis when the hammer fell. In fact, when the NCAA conducted their investigation, he was somewhere in the Far East, apparently. And he was already hired by the University of Kentucky which had knowledge of the potential investigation. They hired Calipari regardless. This speaks as much or more to the University of Kentucky as it does John Calipari.

John Calipari

Why would you hire a guy with the chequered past that Calipari has? Sure, the guy can recruit and is a good coach. You can hide behind that all day long but the fact of the matter is, Kentucky wanted to win at all cost. North Carolina is on their heels in all time NCAA wins and Kentucky has fallen from the graces of the elite in College basketball since the departure of Tubby Smith. And make no mistake about it, Smith was run out of Lexington. Which brings me to the question, why would you not do anything to keep Tubby Smith? Here is a guy who wins Championships, does it with class and integrity. He was not good enough for Kentucky, so he is off to Minnesota where he is building a solid program there. But Calipari is good enough for Kentucky? You do the math.

I have no doubt that Calipari will restore the program and win a lot of basketball games. He will take them back to the top, much like Rick Pitino did when he turned the program away from one who was on probation to one who was at the top of College Basketball. And I understand the argument that all coaches operate in the gray area in terms of NCAA rules. But not all coaches leave a trail of scandal and violations. If the argument is that all programs cheat, then Calipari must be terrible at it because his name always surfaces. So be careful what you ask for Kentucky. When you sell your soul, at some point repayment is due.

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A look at the new phase of Kenan Stadium Expansion at the University of North Carolina.

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Del Potro wins Final in a Shocker!

Juan Martin Del Potro shocked the US Open by defeating 5 time defending Champion, Roger Federer 3-6, 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, 6-2. It is the first title for the Argentine and the first for his Country since Guillermo Vilas won in 1977.

After getting off to a shaky start, Del Potro got into a rhythm and seemed to frustrate Federer who made an unusual amount of errors during the course of the match. Federer, frustrated with a Del Potro challenge exchanged words during the change over which ended with the Umpire telling the Champion to "be quiet". The frustration appeared to build from there as Federer was not his usual sharp self. But give Del Potro credit as he hit timely winners and caused a lot of Federer's frustration.

(photo courtesy of nydailynews.com)
Juan Martin Del Potro, the 2009 US Open Champion

The win concludes a year in which Del Potro found himself climbing the rankings and going from a virtual unknown player to one of Men's tennis fresh faces. The 20 year old has the potential to climb as far as number 1 and a consistent Champion, if he continues to improve the way he has. As for Federer, one can only conclude that the defeat will only fuel the Worlds best player to get back and regain the title that he has held for 5 years. What an amazing streak for Federer whose 40 plus win streak at the Open ended on Monday.

(photo courtesy of timesonline.co.uk)
Federer questions Chair Umpire

(photo courtesy of www.bbc.co.uk)
Del Potro after he won match point

This concludes one of the best US Open's in recent memory which included many storylines. These past two weeks are two of my favorite in the whole sports calendar. Check back here for my recap of the 2009 US Open.

Del Potro Press Conference

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Clijsters wins the Womens Final

Kim Clijsters, 2009 Womens Single Champion

Kim Clijsters and Caroline Wozniacki battled in the first set. The set featured some very good rallies with both ladies scrambling to keep the ball in play. Wozniacki had seem to get the better of those points. It was a very entertaining first set. Wozniacki served for the set but could not hold it and the two went back on serve but Clijsters broke Wozniacki to win the set 7-5, and despite seemingingly outplayed, found a way to win it.

In the second set, Clijsters took control gaining a break. She cleaned up her play and reduced her unforced errors and won the second set 6-3. The match lasted an hour and 33 minutes and concludes a storied comeback as Clijsters won the Open four years ago. She looked as sharp as she did when she left, in her comeback. She was brought to tears in victory.

Federer heads to Finals again

In a very even first set, Roger Federer won a first set tiebreker 7-3 to take the it 7-6. Each player broke once in the set. Federer won an entertaining second set. One of the greatest points of the tournament, Djokovic playing the net, seemed to get back every Federer pass attempt until the ball set up perfectly for him. At which point, Djokovic turned around and gave Federer a target, his back side! Djokovic played very well but Federer finally came up with the first break of the second set to win 7-5. Federer made some incredible shots, including a between the legs passing shot to break Djokovic and win the third set 7-5. Djokovic played a very good match, Federer was just too good on this day. He moves on with a 7-6, 7-5, 7-5 win.

(photo courtesy of theglobeandmail.com)
Roger Federer makes circus shot to set up match point

Del Potro into his first Grand Slam Finals

Juan Martin Del Potro rolled into the Finals of the US Open with a 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 victory over Rafael Nadal in a match where he jumped on Nadal from the beginning and never let off of the gas. Nadal could never find his rhythm and fell in one of his worst Majors defeat of his career. Del Potro looked sharp from the beginning and frustrated Nadal. You have to wonder if the weather played a factor with Nadal having to finish up his quarterfinal match Saturday morning, due to the weather while Del Potro had plenty of rest. The loss finished up a tough year for Nadal who struggled with injury throughout. But credit to Del Potro, he has played very well throughout the year moving up in the rankings and culminating with a birth in the Finals of the US Open.

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