Lefty Rosenthal's Wednesday News and Views

You know how everyone has those movies that come on USA, TNT or TBS that no matter when they are on, you will get suckered into watching them time after time? For me, Dumb and Dumber, Good Will Hunting and Casino are movies that I may have seen 100 times, but I would watch again if they came on tonight. Well if you are a fan of Casino, then you may know that the lead character was based on legendary Vegas casino kingpin Lefty Rosenthal, who passed away this weekend. Rosenthal was the big name in Vegas gambling when Vegas was at what many considered its glamorous peak. In the 1960s and 1970s, with the Rat Pack roaming the streets and the casinos controlled by mafiosos, Rosenthal rose to prominence, and became known as one of the movers and shakers in the corrupt town in the desert. If you have seen the movie, you know the drama between Rosenthal, a show-girl that he fell in love with and his friend and later enemy, who ended up stealing his lady. Rosenthal’s life saw time in prison, tremendous highs and unbelievable lows, all the while producing an “only in America” story that will love on via the film. He died at the age of 79, generally without the funds that he accumulated in his life and in relative obscurity toward the end. Next time you watch Casino, think of Lefty and for that matter, me….I am probably watching it along with you.

To the news…..

(1): Lets start today with basketball, as it is always an exciting beginning. Russell Byrd, the red-headed wonderkid from Indiana is close to making his decision. Reports indicate it will come on Friday and it is basically down to Kentucky and Michigan State. From everyone I have spoken with, it seems like Michigan State is the likely destination, but that of course is subject to change. Byrd is a three point specialist, who could be a good fit in certain offenses. He is weak on the defensive end of the floor, but has the ability to spot up from anywhere and would be very good in a motion offense. He has had a long relationship with Coach Izzo and it is very likely that relationship will win out in the end. As I have said on the radio show, I am not a huge fan of Byrd’s game and think that there may be better choices available in the class. But it is clear that Gillispie likes him and he will make his call on Friday….and hopefully this new server will pass the “will it crash” test for the first time. Cross your fingers!

(2): Things are starting to get exciting in basketball and the preseason All American teams are beginning to take place. Patrick Patterson was named by CBS Sportsline as a Second Team All American and Dicky Vitale had him as a Third Team contributor…..all very solid placements for the big guy. Patterson was picked second in the preseason ALL-SEC player rankings (behind Tyler Smith) and I think if healthy, he will put up the numbers to finish on most All American lists. The controversy here in Louisville today has been Patterson’s inclusion over Louisville’s Earl Clark, a player with tremendous talent, but not on most of the lists. While I think Clark projects as a potential better NBA player, Patterson is the better college talent and the lack of big men on UK (as opposed to Samardo Samuels on UL), means that Patterson will have better numbers. He deserves the accolades.

(3): In news that is an “only in Kentucky” situation, the basketball and football games on November 1st have caused some controversy within the Big Blue broadcasting world. A source earlier this morning said that the BBSN, which technically could cover both the Mississippi State football and UK Blue-White scrimmage games, had decided to only cover the basketball scrimmage and not the football game that could put UK in a bowl. So much for this being a new football state? At the end of the day however, it was announced that the scrimmage had been pushed back to 6 pm and that the football game would be on PPV at 2:30 PM. I have yet to hear whether the coverage will be the MSU feed with Kentucky announcers, or whether the BBSN changed its mind and decided not to ignore a potentially HUGE football game, but at this point, both will be televised in Kentucky…..although you gotta pay to see the football game. Basketball scrimmages are, once again, free to all.

(4): With Derrick Locke out for the year, expect to see a lot more Moncell Allen at the RB position. With UK’s offensive line run blocking just a bit above abysmal this year, the necessity to get ANY production from the position continues to grow and Moncell may be the newest answer. His ability to bull through the line and keep his legs churning, as opposed to the “scat backs” that Locke, Dixon and Smith tend to be, may be the only way to get consistent yards running between the tackles on this team and will likely make it necessary for him to continue to play more downs.

(5): I was told to expect “significantly more from the hurry up offense this week. The Cats will go no or partial huddle, a great deal in Gainesville to test it out and hopefully make Hartline more comfortable. We shall see….

Big day today…..Need To Know from Tomlin, SEC Slant from the Intern, a look at Patrick Patterson’s preseason hype and more on the Kentucky referee making national news. All that, plus my report from the UK basketball lunch in Louisville. On Thursday we announce the eight finalists in the blogger contest, so stay tuned…..