It took a jumper from John Wall in the final second for Kentucky to thwart Miami's upset bid over UK.  Photographer Aaron Hancock shot some awesome highlights, and Randall Parmley has a wrapup from Rupp Arena.

Enjoy Cat Fans!

14,000 Big Blue fans enjoyed themselves at Rupp Arena to watch the Blue/White scrimmage game at the University of Kentucky.  The hype around the freshman does not seem to be false advertising.  Highly touted frosh John Wall had 25 points and 11 assists.

For some bizzare reason, the game was not on in the Evansville TV market.  I am not sure why.  Our sports staff watched the game on the internet.

However, by far the best UK writer John Clay had a nice breakdown on his blog.  Check it out here. 

Our fellow ABC TV affiliate in Lexington WTVQ was nice enough to supply us with some highlights.  Whoever the photogpher was had a great night.  He/She was all over the highlights we received.  The Wall left-handed tomahawk slam was sweet. 

We got the highlights just minutes before I went on the air.  I literally saw these the first time they hit the air.  I thought some of you UK backers would enjoy it.  It is going to be fun covering the Cats this season!

If you are just on the front page of my website, you need to actually click the UK story to see the video inside.

Three million dollars.  Think about how much money that is.  For most of us folks on the bottom of the money tree, it is hard to comprehend.  Now try and wrap your head around the fact that is the amount on the check that the University of Kentucky will write to fired head basketball coach Billy Gillispie.

The same Billy Gillispie who never signed a full contract to coach for UK.  The same Billy Gillispie that guided the Wildcats to an NIT loss to Notre Dame.  The same Billy Gillispie that has been accused of drinking and driving at least three times.  The same Billy Gillispie who said he didn’t think being an ambassador to UK was in his job description.

Both UK and Gillispie sued each other after the firing.  Now as the Wildcats are about to embark on the John Calipari era, the University has decided to payoff Gillispie to the tune of $2,984,536.07. Another $260,000 will be paid by the university for attorney's fees, as well as $5,623.75 for mediation.

So we have now answered the age-old question: How much money would a mediocre coach who is a drunk, and never signed a contract get after being fired? 

I can certainly see the reasoning behind UK wanting to put Gillispie permanently in the rear-view mirror.  It would only continue to stain Kentucky’s reputation with negative press.  However, three million dollars seems like an incredible amount for hush money.  Both sides agree in the settlement not to talk negative about one another.

So I ask if you were in charge of making this decision for Kentucky, would you have given Gillispie the three million dollar settlement and put the issue to rest, or would you have fought the battle in courts? Vote Below.  I would also love to ready your thoughts on it, in the comments section.

Kentucky fans are screaming. The Big Blue Nation is tired of excuses. The Cats have just lost at home on senior night to the lowly Georgia Bulldogs. I did not like the hiring of Billy Gillispie soon after his initial press conference. He didn’t get it then, he never got it during the season, and he was the worst person to run the Cadillac of college basketball programs.

On March 5^th, I told friends, UK should make a run at John Calipari. The timing is perfect. Memphis is getting hosed again in respect, Calipari has done everything there is to do there, and think about the dynamic of the country’s greatest recruiters at Kentucky!

I sound pretty boastful, but even back then Calipari to Lexington seemed like the perfect match. When Calipari was eventually hired, Randall Parmley got to cover his press conference.

This afternoon, I got to meet and interview Coach Calipari for the first time. I found him very engaging. He knows how to turn it on to the media. During soundbytes he would place his hand on the shoulder of a reporter. So much charisma, and the resume to back it all up.

I am not a Kentucky fan. I do enjoy covering UK more than any other school, because the university treats the media better than anyone. While I should be 100% objective in covering events, I am human, and it’s only natural to pull for the teams and coaches that go above and beyond to help my job.

I wish I could have interviewed Calipari one on one. Time restraints prohibited that. However, I was able to ask plenty of questions, and I look forward to interviewing him many more times.

I hope you enjoy the interview.