John Calipari either has a great knack for timing or knows when to get the hell out of dodge.

Back in 1996, after leading UMass to the Final Four and a 35-2 record, he accepted a job offer to coach the New Jersey Nets. Soon thereafter, it was determined that Marcus Camby, UMass' star player, accepted $28,000 from an agent and UMass was therefore forced to vacate their Final Four and all 35 of their wins from the '96 season. Now, it is being reported that a key player from Memphis' national semi-final team from 2008 never passed his SAT. If this is true, Memphis will surely be forced to vacate all 38 wins from their '08 season and be stripped of their Final Four accomplishment. Calipari will then hold an interesting record - the only coach to have ever lead two teams to illegal Final Four appearances. Hmmmm! Not sure that one goes on your resume.

The player in question from the Memphis allegations is surely Derrick Rose although that has yet to be reported as fact. What other freshman would qualify as being an intergral part of that team? Rose was Memphis' key recruit so to think that Calipari was oblivious to the fact that there were issues surrounding his eligibility is ludicrous. However, I'm sure that will be his claim. Not his department right? Riiiiiiiiiiiiight!

Calipari is now the coach at UK so, interestingly enough, allegations that surround his former program, his former star player and his most recent success are once again left to be sorted out by his former employer. Ironic? I think not.

The allegations surrounding Memphis were brought about back in January so Calipari was aware of this situation when he capitalized on an opportunity to take the Kentucky job. I have to think this made Calipari's decision to accept the Kentucky position a little easier than he let on. Nonetheless, I have to wonder if Mitch Barnhart and Kentucky were equally aware of this situation. The last person that can afford to have egg on his face is Barnhart. If he's not there already, Barnhart is becoming notorious for botching the due dilligence aspect that is required of his position. Therefore, I'm sure he will have yet another fool-proof defense to his decision to pursue Calipari in the face of these allegations - especially considering he claims to hold compliance in such high regard. However, if he did in fact know about these allegations and proceeded with the hire anyway it appears as though satisfying the faithful is more of a priority than compliance. If he did not know about these allegations then he's once again proven himself a fool when it comes to the background check that goes with analyzing viable candidates for one of his athletic progams. Regardless, rest assured that whatever he says will not be met with much understanding from the media hounds that make it their job to question his authority, process and motives.

Since taking the job Kentucky fans have been caught up with the Calipari love affair that currently surrounds their program. After all, in just a couple of weeks, Calipari's snake oil has landed them the top recruiting class in the nation and once again has the Bluenecks thinking about banner number 8. Therefore, don't expect Cats fans to do anything but justify Calipari's Memphis discretions as nothing more than something out of his control.

Out of his control? Doubtful. On his watch? Definately!

When Kentucky hired Calipari they were handed a double-edged sword. The Big Blue Nation figured the good edge would soon take them to great heights and that the bad edge would be holstered without consequence. However, in just a matter of weeks it appears that the bad edge is not only apparent, but could soon be wielded upon themselves. If the NCAA comes down on Calipari in addition Memphis (see Simpson, Kelvin), Kentucky could once again be doing business with one hand tied behind their back.

Maybe the consequences of these allegations never find their way to Lexington and Cats fans will get the next banner that they so covet. However, you might want to keep the ladder handy in case that banner needs to be taken down in the future. After all, that seems to be the modus operandi of the Music Man known as coach Cal.

In the meantime, Mitch Barnhart - call your office.

Just Horsing Around...

If I hear another sports radio personality or other member of the media say Rachel AlexanDER I'm going to bang my head against my steering wheel. I was going to say "shoot myself" but that hardly seems justifiable. Anyway, just so I can get this off my chest to all those listening, it's Rachel AlexanDRA! After all, she is a girl!

Okay, now that I just lowered my blood pressure by issuing that statement, I'll opine about the Triple Crown trail - well, I guess it's not a trail anymore since no Triple Crown is at stake in the Belmont. However, it has still maintained a high viewing priority - at least for me.

Derby:

I'd be lying out of both sides of my mouth if I were to say I had anything to do with Mine That Bird as I evaluated my picks. The object of my affection for 135 was Frisean Fire, Pioneerof The Nile and Papa Clem. Two out of three were in the hunt, the other is still running. Oh well. Such is life when you're trying to make sense of 19 horses I guess.

Nonetheless, Mine That Bird and Calvin Borel made a huge move at the top of the stretch that was certainly deserving of the victory. That horse obvioulsy had another gear that made it appear that everyone else was simply standing still. Kudos. Great kick. Great ride. For Borel to have the nuggets to slip through that sliver of space on the rail and motor home to the finish line was impressive. However, when I looked back at my program after the race, I hardly felt like I missed an elelment of Mine That Bird's racing history that would have told me he was sitting on that kind of performance - wasn't alone on that sentiment either.

The Derby is a great spectacle and although my interest in horse racing wanes at other times of the year, I always love the pomp and circumstance, as well as the buzz, that is created in Louisville around the first Saturday in May.

Preakness:

Rachel Alexandra was the class of the field and she proved it. Calvin Borel had a decision to make (riding the Derby winner or riding the Oaks winner) and he made the right one by taking Rachel's reins. In the world of tough decisions to make, that's one that you'd like to be faced with. Which brings about a very interesting plot to the whole Triple Crown trail. Who in the world would think that the Derby winner would have three different jockies for the Derby, Preakness and Belmont. However, it seems likely this is what will happen. Unbelievable!

Can you imagine the quagmire: Hey, we have a Derby winner and need a jocky. You interested? Nah...

As impressive as Rachel Alexandra was in her wire-to-wire victory, Mine That Bird's performance was every bit as impressive. For a horse that everyone thought was a flash in the pan, his gutsy effort was more than a mere validation of his Derby victory. Had the race been the mile and a quarter that the Derby is, he probably would have won the second leg as well. However, it wasn't. So, he didn't. Still, he had another hard charging performance that only lacked the same real estate along the rail. Nonetheless, he was game all the way!

Another interesting comment that I heard about the Preakness is that there was no strategy or decision for Borel to make during the race since Rachel was the class of the field and lead wire to wire. Bullshit. Pardon my French. Breaking from the 13 hole, he had to guide his horse into position while steering clear of the danger that presents itself as the field approaches the first turn. The pace was another factor to feel out. The fractions were quick and, as a jockey, you have to (a) have a feel for it and (b) understand what that might mean for your horse's ability to finish. As well, once the race enters the top of the stretch, you have to gauge (a) what you have left underneath you and (b) be mindful of who's coming up from behind. Granted, Borel didn't have to seize an opportunity along the rail as he did in the Derby, but it was still a tactical ride that requires more skill than simply mounting the horse.

Even though a Triple Crown isn't at stake as we head toward the Belmont, there are still plenty of exciting storylines to play out. I think Mine That Bird is suited perfectly for the Belmont distance and think the owners of Rachel Alexandra should strongly consider skipping the race. Not because she couldn't win it, just not sure it is in the best interest of the horse - but what do I know. However, if they chose to run Ms. Alexandra, it should be another scintilating race.

Can't wait!

Swine Flu - Shmine Flu

Can someone please tell me what the big deal is about swine flu? And I refuse to use the politically correct term - H1N1...it's swine flu. Period!

As of yesterday, there were about 1,500 confirmed cases in the United States. Hardly an outbreak by my calculations. Rounded by four decimal places that figure still equals 0%. You have to go six decimal places before something other than a zero even shows up. Hardly a reason to cancel sporting events, weeks of school or any other social gatherings.

The confirmed deaths from swine flu - 2! I'm not even going to do the research but I suspect more people have died from getting struck by lightning since the so-called swine flu pandemic. PANDEMIC! Pa-Lease!

A pandemic is described as an epidemic over a wide geographic area and affecting a large proportion of the population. Riiiiiiight! Swine flu should be re-labeled the no-demic.

I chalk up the fear mongering going on about swine flu as merely a slow week in the news. After all...it's the FLU! It's not like the swine derivative causes your head to fall off your shoulders. That might actually be something to be worried about. But it's not! The flu has been around for, what, 1,000 years? I would suspect there have been more cases of the regular flu in the past few weeks. Don't hear a whole lot of coverage about the good ole fashion flu being a pandemic do you?

The next time there is a sickness that warrants the pandemic label and the amount of news coverage that the swine flu has garnered, I would suggest the over-under be at least 1% of the population, be a sickness that has more substantial consequences and has precautions other than washing your hands.

That being said, I still don't want it.