Kentucky basketball isn't only the SEC's flagship, it's a yacht sailing in private waters of exposure.
At 7 p.m. tonight, ESPN will air the first of three installments of "All-Access Kentucky." A press release calls the series a "showcase (of) what life can be like on a top-level collegiate basketball team."
It's billed as a behind-the-scenes documentary.
It amounts to three, half-hour Big Blue commercials aired nationwide.
For Tennessee, like the rest of its SEC brethren, this is reality. The Wildcats, fresh off title No. 8 and the going-away league favorite in 2012-13, operate in a different orbit.
Is it fair?
Doesn't matter.
"The only thing you can control is what you do on the floor," Tennessee coach Cuonzo Martin said Tuesday. "You can't consume yourself with things you don't have control over."
The Vols nearly stunned then-No. 2 Kentucky at Thompson-Boling Arena last January. Despite the pomp and pizzazz around the Wildcats, the two went toe-to-toe like Tennessee whiskey versus Kentucky bourbon on the floor.
It's off the court, though, where the battle is diluted.
Nothing backs that up like ESPN's upcoming Cat-umentary.
"I don't think nothing of it," Vols junior point guard Trae Golden said. "If you win the national championship I guess they're going to do that for you. I don't know, it's like Hollywood at Kentucky. That's what they do."
Now a common occurrence, Kentucky will top the SEC preseason poll next week. The Wildcats return one contributor, Kyle Wiltjer, and add a
new flock of top recruits."
Tennessee, meanwhile, returns more than 80 percent of its scoring, a conference player-of-the-year candidate in Jarnell Stokes and its leading scorer in Golden.
The Vols, however, probably won't receive a single first-place vote.
"The writers can say what they want," Golden said. "Kentucky knows we're a good team. I think we're just a low key group."
Stokes is familiar with the bluster surrounding Kentucky. He was offered a scholarship by coach John Calipari and treated like a king by the Wildcats' fanatical following.
That is until he landed at UT.
Asked Tuesday about the exposure gap between Kentucky and the rest of the SEC, Stokes laughed.
"Oh I don't even know if I want to comment on that," he said smirking. "They'll be a good team. Obviously we have the experience over them, but they'll be ranked ahead of us in the beginning."
Entering his second year as UT coach, Martin is more than aware of Kentucky's never-ending presence. He is steadfast in saying the best way to "sell" Vols basketball is "just winning ballgames."
That doesn't mean Tennessee won't be increasing its own sales pitch.
Last Friday, while the Vols toiled through their first day of practice, Kentucky held Big Blue Madness. The party, which sold out in 35 minutes, drew more than 23,000 fans to Rupp Arena.
Tennessee has nothing comparable ... yet.
"This year we had fall break so you don't want to (have Midnight Madness) when the students are gone, but I think we'll do it next year," Martin said. "I look forward to doing it and I think our guys will be ready for it.
In the meantime, Kentucky will keep doing what Kentucky does.
Brendan F. Quinn covers Tennessee men's basketball. Follow him at Twitter.com/BFQuinn
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 75
mempuss writes:
cant spell sUcK without UK.
snowpeapod#263184 writes:
There is a simple way to slow Kentucky and Calipari down. Make it mandatory for players to stay two years in college before going pro.
ULTIMATEVOLUNTEER writes:
There are plenty of good basketball players to go around. The vols have great talent, good coaching, and can beat anyone in the country! Kentucky doesn't have them all. I'll take this Vol team anyday and run with it.
lomas98 writes:
Or let them go straight to the nba out of high school. He wouldn't have anyone left to recruit and then would be just a regular coach.
WetumpkaThumpa writes:
At least it's almost basketball season and we have a shot to challenge for the SEC. In football it's tough to see UT behind everybody but that Vandy Gold.
eduardo writes:
Start early hate Kenlucky now!!!!!
underthehill writes:
To rate Ky based on what they did last year will work in their opponents favor..UT knows what they have..Ky has to prove what they have..despite all the talent Cal has had..he has only won one NCAA ..
underthehill writes:
Let's wait until they play that Vandy Gold before reaching that conclusion..only then will we know for sure..
Fryinpansvols writes:
Vandy returns nothing! John Jenkins and Jeffrey Taylor went pro. Even Vandy fans know they will stink with the loss of all that scoring and a subpar coach in Kevin Stallings. GBO!
underthehill writes:
The comment was about football..you are right about basketball..Vandy will be in a rebuilding year..lost about everything..the SEC team I am concerned about most is Mizzu..I think they got a transfer from Syracuse that is a hoss..I expect UT to have a great year and make the big show...
WetumpkaThumpa writes:
underthehill was referring to my earlier post that was about UT football only being ahead of Vanderbilt. underthehill is right though, that was last season, Vandy will probably shi*house us like everybody else on the schedule in football. Basketball can't start soon enough. I remember going to UK and UT football games in Lexington and their fans would always say..."just wait until basketball season." I find myself wanting to say that to everybody but Kentucky fans now. Ol' Kentuck owns us in about everything now. Things are a mess on the Hill.
TheEffect writes:
Kentucky is the gold standard for the SEC. Tennessee fans should be more grateful that the Wildcats allow them a sellout game at TBA each year (although most are wearing Blue). They should be more grateful that the Kentucky brand sells the entire SEC.
Hate them all you want....Kentucky likes it that way. They are everyone's Super Bowl. They are the winningest program of all time.....and Tennessee is nowhere near to be being close. I would bet on them winning another National Championship this year or next......while Tennessee will be hanging another NIT Appearance banner.
TheEffect writes:
A Tennessee midnight madness.....that would be funny. 10 or 15 people with shakers and kazoos watching the vols do a layup line. After five minutes, they give up and call it a night.
WetumpkaThumpa writes:
TheEffect...Haha...Another poor soul trying to torment UT fans. Must be a sad life, I wonder what could EFFECT somebody so much in life to spend there entire life trying torment and EFFECT UT fans? I will say a little prayer for you EFFECT, because we all know you need a something positive to EFFECT your life.
papavol writes:
c'mon dude, i give UK & Calipari all the praise in the world for what they have done. You have to at least admit the UT should field a pretty dang good team this year with all of the returning talent and chemistry. stop talking trash and show a bit of respect when coming to a UT site.
WetumpkaThumpa writes:
their, not there. You have negatively effected this fan. Must be some good self esteem points there for you?
tenndave writes:
Whether we like it or not and whether Cal gets caught now or never the only way to change it is to win. We have a team that can pull it off so we just have to be the 6th man and pull behind them to get it done. Ky will pay the price eventually. And I suspect that Cal will get more than just the hand slaps he got in the past. AH but I can't wait for those UK UT games. GO VOLS!
1vavolfan writes:
Brendan, I enjoy your blog but is this all you could come up with for an article? Can we just focus on UT basketball? If I want to see an article on UK I will go to one of their sites.
10seVol85_Part_Deux writes:
I'm wondering if you really thought that one through? If players had to stay two years in college, the Wildcats would just be coming back this year with more of the same phenoms that took them to the title last year. How would that slow them down?
The other commenter is right. Let them go to the NBA straight outta high school. Then Calipari would be just another coach.
10seVol85_Part_Deux writes:
Who is this new moron, TheDouche?
Hey kid, go play on your Kentucky site, where people give a rat's hiney what you think.
After the epic beatdown the Vols put on the mildcats at Neyland next month, you'll need the support group around you.
10seVol85_Part_Deux writes:
Kentucky fans show up for their Big Blue party as a way of trying to forget it's football season. Thinking about another 1-11 season is just tough to think about. (Well, they might pull off the upset of Samford and go 2-10, but I wouldn't count on it.)
John_10065 writes:
All I have to do is remember what a racist Rupp was and remember a grainy B&W video that UK won't let air that shows the blue faithful throwing oranges, coins and lit cigarettes at UT players leaving the court.
All I have to do also is remembering a few years ago when we split with UK getting shoved around waiting in line in a grocery store by a bunch of guys wearing UK T-shirts because I had on my orange and white BCS championship hat on.
My hatred of UK has nothing to do with their success. It's the arrogance of many of their fan base and their blind devotion to the memory a pompous racist like Rupp.
You just confirmed why I feel that way once again.
usafvol writes:
Since you have to get on OUR site and crow, it appears Ky basketball is about the biggest thing in your miserable existance. You really need to get a life dude..
Rich_Is_Re-born writes:
Tennessee can beat Kentucky this year. The East will be tough with the addition of Mizzouri and the hiring of Frank Martin at South Carolina.
Katphan29 writes:
Good luck to UT this year. It's always a great game between UK and UT, no matter how good UK is.
Recruiting looks good for 2013 for UK. Cal has signed (well committed) three of the top five recruits for 2013 (including the vaulted Harrison Twins) and Ky's Mr. Basketball. May be his best recruiting year ever.
Looking forward to hoop season - we'll prolly get a new football coach too. Buy Joker.
SummittsCourt writes:
Pride always comes before the fall. This has backfire written all over it.
espn will be left with egg on it's face when UK is forced to vacate wins and cali leaves to avoid sanctions.
JayTee writes:
You got the "gold standard" part right. It's got to be costing KY a ton of it to keep on buying big time recruits.
It's only a matter of time until Calipari gets caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
underthehill writes:
The team Ky had last year will bear no resemblance to the one they will have this year regardless of the publicity..the team last year was experienced and this one is not..and it will show..TN was more physical last year than KY and will be far more physical this year..Cal will cry for the officials to help his little high schoolers and the refs will listen to him only at Rupp..How do you think Vandy handled the kittens in the finals of the SEC tourney..they whipped them physically and the refs didn't save them..I can't wait.....and for all the bragging about Cal and his recruiting..he has won one NCAA and that was last year..with the added strength in the SEC this year (Mizzu & AM) Ky may not make it to the NCAA...it will be Fla. TN Mizzu A & M and then maybe KY..I can't wait...
underthehill writes:
It is always a great game and Ky does have a huge number of fans with class..such as yourself..but I do not see Ky having a great team this year as predicted by the media simply because of their recruiting..the team last year was far more experienced and that was the difference..Miller and Lamb stepped up when things got tough..Davis may have had more effect on the outcome of games than any college player ever...you don't replace these with just recruiting ..it takes some time..time will not be one the Ky side this year..it is not unusual to rate a team based on what they did the previous year and it is not unusual for such a rating to be wrong..TN now has a coach who played at a high level and knows what it takes to get there..the way he is going..TN will have a strong future in basketball...
asmith writes:
deal with it. just because kentucky has a legacy program does not mean that tennessee cannot have a great program. maryland competes in the acc with duke and unc. nc state has found a way to hold their own as well.
usafvol writes:
Kentucky graduate I see..
lemme_axya_this writes:
Take your gold standard, melt it down, and make some teeth out of it. The few you all have look like raisins.
TheEffect writes:
That....coming from a school that chugs wine up its rear end!! LOLOLOL
UKblue02 writes:
You my friend are exactly right ..
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
Calipari's whole process takes a lot of fun out of college basketball..Reminds me a lot of Pro teams buying championships..The idea of players coming to UK just to make a more certain jump to the NBA just feels wrong..Winning feels good but at some point you have to look at the damage UK is doing to past champion teams..A lot of great Cat teams that won with Jr and Sr who wanted to wear blue and worked their rears off to win, earned my respect..These current teams of kids playing for greed and themselves could care less about UK's proud tradition and might as well be shooting holes in all those banners every time they take the court..
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
Good chance we play NC State in Puerto Rico..That will be some good basketball
underthehill writes:
Respect is something Ky will never have with Cal as their coach..too much evidence he don't deserve it..I don't think Rupp himself would even consider respecting Cal's reputation...
UKblue02 writes:
I agree totally with your assement on both teams UTH, our team will be terribly young and even the most seasoned teams have trouble on the road in this league, given the circumstances that coach Martin was hired under i think he is doing a great job so far.
asmith writes:
no. i hate kentucky.
ball1523 writes:
the transfer is the big man from uconn.
UkJarhead writes:
With all due respect John, bad fans are everywhere. You can't stereotype all fans because of a few idiots. A UT fan grabbed my wife on the arm in Knoxville a few years ago at a football game and said, "F-You, go back home" Does that mean you would act that way? I don't consider all UT fans to be like him. Every team has idiots and good people. As far as Rupp, you need to do some more research. You only hear what you want to hear. Much more to the Rupp story. He also retired over 40 years ago. Hardly think his spirit is represented much today, good or bad...
And UT will be a very good team this year. They are not getting much pub but I think they will be right in the thick of things.
UkJarhead writes:
As a huge KY fan, there is some truth in what you say. I hate the one and done, so does Cal. He didn't create the rule. He has lobbied to change it. But he contends, as long as it is the rule, he will work to get the best talent available. Can't argue with that. These players are going to go somewhere. Why not want the best? I love the winning and it feels good. I would rather have all KY boys stay 4 years and win just as much but that can't happen. So if the alternative is being in the hunt for title every year but not having that same tradition, I'll still take it. But I do miss the days- however, not many titles in those days....
UkJarhead writes:
Got proof Jay? Any? Or is your word just what matters? Even if Cal knew about issues at other schools, he didn't pay anyone. He don't have to pay. Lets see- Top player, NBA destined, go to best school,most wins, best tradition, exposure lottery pick, millionaire. Why would a top recruit go there? Jealousy will get you know where. Find some proof goober.
Lizardgrad89 writes:
On the other hand, the longer you have to stay in school, the less incentive there is to go to UK and "showcase your talents". If a kid only has to stay a year, doesn't matter where he goes, anybody can put up crepe for a year. If he has to stay 2-3 years, now you start looking at other factors, such as, do I like the school? Do I like the coach? Can my family come and see me play?
Also, if kids can stay 2 years, Calipari CAN ONLY RECRUIT HALF AS MANY. Think about it. If last year's team had stayed, he could have only brought in maybe 3 kids, rather than the 8 he is looking at. All those other 5 stars would go elsewhere, and other teams would end up being stronger as a result.
Lizardgrad89 writes:
UK, UF, and Mizzou are all head and shoulders better than UT. The Vols are going to be fighting for 4th in the SEC with 3-4 other teams that are right on par with them.
mocsandvolsfan writes:
I guess if you read an article about Kentucky's madness then you'll see a little posted madness.hehe
Go Vols Beat the mad cats. It'll be more fun this year and last year was a ride! We'll get the cats in our house. Away? Have to hope.
asmith writes:
that is fine. i'll take fourth in the sec and an ncaa bid after what we have been through here in the last two years. bama will be tough as well.
golfman1975 writes:
The point is...they would not be at UK in the first place...they wuld be in the NBA and he would have to recruit 3 & 4 stars...
TNACBOY36 writes:
How is this not a recruiting advantage ? I mean, they roasted Bruce Pearl for a BBQ at his house but Really? The NCAA does not see this as an unfair advantage? What kid would not be influenced by Calipari saying "Your going to get exposure no one else can offer because you will be on ESPN every week in a series about Kentucky and everyone will see your game and know your name!" Does the NCAA really care about a school having an unfair advantage? I think NOT !
usafvol writes:
Hey Beavis; how can you say Fla is head and shoulders better than UT when we beat them twice last year?
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