April 18th Update

Kentucky loses starting 5

• Each starter from the national champion Kentucky Wildcats has declared for the NBA draft. It was widely expected that at least two of the five would leave early as they are the consensus top two picks in the draft. The other three will be joining their teammates in the NBA next year.
• Anthony Davis is the unanimous first overall pick and a defensive savant. He will be the prize of the NBA draft lottery. Fellow Freshman Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is the front runner to be the second overall pick. These two were not surprising.
• The third of the highly touted freshman, Marquis Teague will be joined by two Sophomores, Terrence Jones and Doron Lamb. To join these five players who have decided to leave early, Kentucky senior Darius Miller will also be leaving the program, and is also expected to be drafted. Kentucky coach John Calipari, who has made his riches on highly talented players who leave after a year or two, will be looking to reload again, after losing an astonishing amount of talent.

ANOTHER coach causes headlines

• Generally we like to stick to stories about players or games, but in the past few weeks coaches have done more and more to force their way into the limelight.
• Boston Red Sox Manager Bobby Valentine, in an interview this weekend, criticized star 3^rd baseman Kevin Youkilis. Valentine’s comments came after Youkilis had a poor first three games. Valentine challenged Youkilis on his mental and physical readiness for the beginning of the season.
• Valentine is the new manager of the Red Sox and has had a rocky start, with many in Boston calling for his ousting already. This situation will likely continue to progress throughout the summer, and is something interesting to keep an eye out for.
• Red Sox star and former AL MVP Dustin Pedroia stepped up for his teammate, first saying that he hadn't questioned his effort at all. Later, when asked if Valentine's comments were a ploy he cracked a smile and said "Maybe in Japan or something (referring to Valentine's last managerial stint) but over here in the US we’re on a three-game winning streak and we want to feel good and keep it rolling."