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THURSDAY 3.10.16
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I Kentucky Kernel I 3.10.16
UK HOOPS SEEKS HISTORIC WIN By Jack Pilgrim | sports@kykernel.com
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K women’s basketball head coach Matthew Mitchell began his UK coaching career with a rough first two seasons from 2007-2009, failing to make the NCAA tournament and finishing just one game over .500 in that span. Since then, Mitchell has become the most winning coach in UK women’s basketball history, and he led the team to six consecutive NCAA tournaments, three Elite Eight’s and one Sweet 16. Despite Mitchell’s great success, the one thing he has yet to accomplish in his time at UK is reaching the Final Four. Analysts have been whispering about the possibility of UK being a dark horse Final Four team in this year’s tournament all year long. Though UK’s SEC tournament run ended in a tough loss to South Carolina, it’s impossible not to notice the strong start to the season and the late push the team made at the end of the regular season. Going into the year, it was expected by many that junior star Makayla Epps would lead the team. She lived up to expectation by earning All-SEC honors and also leading the team in points averaging 16.5 per game and coming in second in assists on the team averaging 4.5 per game. Senior guard Janee Thompson was coming off a gruesome leg injury that ended her season early last year. Thompson returned strong in the new season averaging 12.6 points and 4.9 assists per game. The guard from Chicago also stepped up as one of the team’s better shooters with a 41.3 three-point field goal percentage. The frontcourt left several question marks as well, with the majority of last year’s talent graduating. Newcomers freshman Batouly Camara and
JUCO prospect Evelyn Akhator helped fill the holes in the frontcourt. Akhator was a force inside, averaging 9.4 rebounds per game for the season. Camara also proved to be vital to the team, earning a spot in the starting lineup late in the season. Once the season began, the team raced to an 11-0 start, including major victories over Duke and Louisville. UK ended the year on an eight game winning streak before the loss to South Carolina in the SEC tournament semifinals, finishing with an impressive record of 23-7. Time and time again, UK was able to overcome countless deficits and finish teams
off late in the game, never easing off the gas pedal. Though UK has had the inability to get past the Elite Eight in three tries under Mitchell, the 2015-16 squad may be the first to break down that barrier. With the Women’s NCAA tournament Selection Show right around the corner, airing on Monday at 7 p.m. on ESPN, Mitchell and the UK women have a lot to be excited about. Here, they will find out their tournament seeding and the path they must take on their way to accomplishing an unprecedented feat; reaching the first Final Four in Mitchell’s career, and more importantly, the history of UK women’s basketball.
PHOTO BY MICHAEL REAVES I STAFF Many analysts and fans pegged Makayla Epps, left, as a preseason AllAmerican candidate.
PHOTO BY ADAM PENNAVARIA I STAFF Evelyn Akhator has been a force for the Cats on the inside, averaging 9.4 rebounds per game on the season.
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I Kentucky Kernel I 3
3 POINT SHOT VS.
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By Josh Ellis | sports@kykernel.com
AVOIDING FOUL TROUBLE Foul trouble has plagued UK throughout the year, and there is no doubt that teams facing the Cats in the postseason will maliciously attack the UK frontcourt. All five big men for the Cats have struggled to guard without fouling, and if Calipari and company want to advance, the bigs will have to learn.
The duo of Jamal Murray and Tyler Ulis is nice, but UK proved it needs more than just those two to win games. This season, UK has allowed opponents to score 24.8 percent of their points on free throws, the 14th highest percentage in the nation. That number will have to decrease in the tournament, or
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UK may take an early exit. Against Ole Miss and Alabama combined, Skal Labissiere had nine fouls, Alex Poythress had 10 fouls, Marcus Lee had eight fouls and Isaac Humphries had four fouls. Keep an eye on how the Cats’ frontcourt improves its foul trouble in the SEC Tournament this weekend.
WHO SHOULD UK PREFER? The Cats boast regular season sweeps against both Ole Miss and Alabama this year, beating Ole Miss by 22 in the only meeting of the season and beating Alabama by 16 on the road and 25 at Rupp Areana. Ole Miss and Alabama will square off at 6 p.m. CT on Thursday in the second round of the SEC Touranment, with
the winner receiving a chance to get a resume-boosting win against UK. The second-seeded Cats won’t get to choose who they face in Friday’s quarterfinals, but head coach John Calipari and company wouldn’t be opposed to facing the Crimson Tide for the third time this season. Outside of Alabama’s Retin
Obasohan, UK was able to contain the Tide offense and blow past its defense. Ole Miss provides more of a challenge for UK, as the Rebels have multiple scoring threats and a stronger frontcourt than Alabama. The team also gets to the free throw line at a higher rate, a category UK has sturggled with all year.
LABISSIERE ON A ROLL The sudden emergence of freshman big man Skal Labissiere has come at the best time possible for UK. After struggling to score double digits and grab even five rebounds for the majority of the season, Labissiere had breakout games against Florida and LSU. In his final 40 minutes of the regular season, the Port-
au-Prince native scored 29 points, snagged 17 rebounds and recorded seven blocks. Many national analysts said UK looked like a legitimate national title continder with Labissiere playing up to his potential. But if the Cats want another chance at a Final Four or National Championship, La-
bissiere will have to string together more than just two solid performances. Calipari said the freshman has been unbelievable in practice and is starting to gain more confidence each time he steps on the court. Whichever team UK gets on Friday, they better be prepared for a well-rounded Skal Labissiere.
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WHO WILL BE THE NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR? By Anthony Crawford | sports@kykernel.com
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Alex Poythress has made the Academic All-SEC every year since he enrolled at UK.
By Josh Ellis | sports@kykernel.com hen h e stepped into the W i l d cat Coal Lodge for the first time, the 2012 Class AAA Tennessee Mr. Basketball probably expected a one-year stay. Now, four years later, he finds himself walking that same 30-foot saunter from the Lodge to the Joe Craft Center. But in just a few short months, Alex Poythress will no longer make the leisurely stroll from his dorm to UK’s practice facility. He will no longer get to “enjoy” Camp Cal with those he has made unbreakable bonds with, and he won’t get a daily glance at the eight National Championship banners hanging on the wall of the Joe Craft Center. What the Clarksville, Tennessee, native does get to continue doing, however, is finish an already unforgettable legacy at one of college basketball’s most prestigious programs. It will not (and should not) matter how far this year’s Cats squad goes in the NCAA Tournament: Poythress has already done his due diligence. He’s not like any one of the other 24 scholarship players in the John Calipari era — that alone should be enough to engrave No. 22 as a UK great. Poythress has made the Academic All-SEC every year since he enrolled at UK, he’s earned his undergraduate degree in business marketing in just three years, and he’s the only one of the 25 total scholarship players in the Calipari era to reach his senior year. The only piece missing to an already impressive resume is a National Championship — some-
thing only one Calipari-coached team has accomplished. The 6-foot-8 forward has a chance to change that number before all is said and done. In his first year at UK, many expected another solid season from the defending National Champs, despite the fact that seven players on the 2011-12 team departed to pursue professional careers. But in the team’s first game, the Cats barely edged out a Maryland team thanks to a lift off the bench from Jarrod Polson. Poythress posted eight points and seven rebounds in his first game as a Cat. Then UK took on Duke in Atlanta — a game the Cats lost — but the emergence of Poythress nearly masked the defeat and kept fans hopeful for another deep tournament run. The guy who tallied 20 points and eight rebounds against the Blue Devils was the same guy NBA Scouts had in their list of projected first-rounders. The season ended up taking a turn for the worse, as Poythress fought through inconsistency his freshman year, and UK, after missing out on the NCAA Tournament, was upset by Robert Morris in the first round of the NIT. He could have joined teammates Archie Goodwin and Nerlens Noel and fulfilled his dream to become an NBA player after one year of college, but Poythress wanted to stay in Lexington. “It wasn’t too hard. Every year you have to make a decision whether you stay or go,” Poythress said. “Decisions are made, I’m content with them. I feel like I made them for the best reasons, and I’m just moving on from there.” His decision almost paid off the next year.
t seems like so long ago that UK was on the edge of perfection before being forced to a crashing halt by a loss to Wisconsin in the Final Four. After the loss, seven Cats left for the NBA Draft, Tyler Ulis was one of the few remaining players on the team. It was at that point that John Calipari let the point PHOTO BY LEXI BASKIN I STAFF guard know he planned to build the team around him, and that he did, with the most important addition being Ulis’ backcourt mate Jamal Murray. Now UK has one of the best backcourts in the nation, and along with giving the Cats a chance to make it to another Final Four, both also are top contenders for national awards. When Ulis came to UK, he stood out because he didn’t fit the stereotypical mold of a Calipari point guard. Under Calipari, the FRESHMAN YEAR Cats have mostly In his first year at UK, Poythhad big, athletic ress’ breakout game against Duke launched him into NBA guards, like John Draft talk as a one-and-done. Wall. With his 5’9” Instead, he watched his team frame, Ulis gave struggle to win consistently UK something and decided to return to school after losing in the NIT. different — a true floor general. Other candidates, like Denzel Valentine out of SOPHOMORE YEAR Michigan State, The 6-foot-8 forward came may be able to off the bench his sophomore run an offense, season but continued to produce at a high level. Poybut only Ulis can thress and the 2013-14 Cats truly backup the made an incredible NCAA claim of being Tournament run, only to fall a coach on the short in the title game. floor. He showed his leadership abilities in the team’s matchup JUNIOR YEAR on the road at Eight games into his junior
South Carolina. After an early Calipari ejection, Assistant Coach Kenny Payne told Ulis he would coach the defense and the point guard would take the reins for the offense. The sophomore led the team to a win while posting 27 points and 12 assists. UK was able to clinch a share of the SEC regular season title mostly because of Ulis’ consistency running the offense. The guard led the conference with 7.4 assists per game, good enough for sixth nationally. UK boasted one of the top offenses in the nation since the start of the new year. The Cats rank inside the top five among major conferences in points per possession and fieldgoal percentage since Jan. 1 and you can safely assume that UK reached these heights because of Ulis’ play. After being named SEC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, Ulis now looks to collect some awards on the national scale. The point guard has a chance to receive one of the major player of the year awards as he was named one of 15 finalists for the John R. Wooden Award. The other half of UK’s dynamic backcourt also has a chance to win some hardware. Jamal Murray’s scoring abilities has set him apart as one of the top freshmen in
the country. The guard out of Canada currently boasts the highest scoring average for any player to play under Calipari while at UK. He also has hit a three in every game for the Cats this season. Murray had some growing pains at the begin of the season but has put his poor shot selecion behind him to become one of the most efficient scorers in the nation. As the season progressed, shot attempts went down for Murray, but his scoring continued to rise. Another freshman, Ben Simmons out of LSU, took SEC Freshman of the Year honors, but Murray should still be considered for the Wayman Tisdale award which is awarded to the best freshman across the college landscape. Murray has also played well enough for All-American consideration. Both Ulis and Murray have already been named All-Americans by USA Today and earned spots on the All-SEC First Team, but award season is just starting. Both should hear their names called for some of the national awards.
year, Poythress suffered a season-ending knee injury and had to watch his team win 38 straight games. The pursuit of perfection fell just short when Wisconsin defeated UK in the Final Four.
SENIOR YEAR The Clarksville, Tennessee, native had career highs and career lows in this season alone. Poythress will have one final chance this March to walk away with a National Championship trophy.
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The biggest thing that stands out in the team’s wins and losses is whether or not the big men get into foul trouble.
By Anthony Crawford
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hen a team has a backcourt as good as UK’s, it does not need much production from its frontcourt. Between Tyler Ulis and Jamal Murray, the Cats will get enough scoring to keep them in games, but the gap between struggling in close games and winning handedly can be closed with more consistent play from UK’s big men. The frontcourt’s struggles become more evident when comparing its performances in the team’s wins and losses. The biggest thing that sticks out in the team’s wins and losses is the number of fouls committed by UK’s big men. The group averages nearly 14 fouls per game in the team’s losses compared to only about nine in the wins. It is hard for the group to rebound and defend when they are stuck on the bench in foul trouble, and that’s exactly the case in the losses. Marcus Lee is notorious for getting into foul trouble. As a junior, he is expected to show more discipline when it comes to fouling, but he still finds a way to pick up fouls when he shouldn’t, whether it is pushing while going for rebounds or swiping down when going for blocks, which is known to earn a guaranteed whistle. Lee is vital to the team, as he leads the Cats in rebounding, but it is hard for him to do that when he gets disqualified from games with fouls. He has developed a habit of doing so. He has fouled out of the game in four of UK’s eight losses and only had less than three fouls in one of them: on the road against UCLA when he only played four minutes be-
fore sustaining a head injury. Inconsistency also plagues UK’s frontcourt, with the two biggest suspects being Skal Labissiere and Alex Poythress. After coming in as the number one recruit according to some sites, the expectations might have been too high for Labissiere coming in as a freshman. He showed great promise against some of UK’s easier oppononents in the nonconference schedule, even scoring a career-high 26 points against NJIT in the team’s second game of the season. Since then he has struggled especially with rebounding and being strong in the paint. Labissiere has slowly built his confidence back up, and it showed in his performance against LSU to close out the regular season. His shot-blocking was on full display as he came away with six rejections. Labissiere was supposed to be UK’s anchor in the paint, and he showed how different he makes this team when he plays that role, as his blocks sparked fast breaks and gave the Cats a safety net for defending on the perimeter. For Poythress, it has been the same narrative since his freshman year. One moment he is dunking all over the opponent and looks like the best physical specimen on the floor, and then the next he has disappeared in the background. UK needs him on the court and dominating down low. Poythress has shown as a senior that he can be the closest thing to a go-to scorer UK has in the post, and when he’s commanding double teams, UK’s guards are great at blowing by late closeouts. If the three players mentioned above played to expectations, the only minutes
freshman Isaac Humphries would have seen all season were garbage minutes at the end of blowouts. Fortunately for him, they have not, and he was forced to play. Humphries showed that he could be a legitimate backup option, even earning a starting spot because of injuries against Alabama. Humphries nearly played the role of savior in the road loss at Texas A&M after leading the team with 12 rebounds, showing that he had what it takes to mix it up down low and fight for rebounds. With Ulis and Murray manning the guard positions for UK, the team was always going to be good, but consistent play out of the big men can make this team great.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THEY PLAY POORLY? LOSSES
The worst of UK’s Bigs: Poythress @ Vanderbilt: o points, 0-0 FG, 3 rebounds, 5 fouls Lee @ LSU: 0 points, 0-2 FG, 2 rebounds, 5 fouls *5 minutes of play Labissiere @ Kansas: 4 points, 2-3 FG, 0 rebounds, 5 foul Humphries vs. Georgia: 0 points, 0-1 FG, 3 rebounds, 5 fouls Averages number of fouls commited by UK’s Bigs in wins: 13.7
TEAM STATS
UK Scoring in losses: 72.6 UK Rebounding in losses: 37.1 Opponents Scoring in losses: 81 Opponents Rebounds in losses: 40.4
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THEY PLAY WELL? WINS
The best of UK’s Bigs: Poythress @ Alabama: 25 points, 8-10 FG, 7 rebounds, 3 fouls Lee @ South Carolina: 11 points, 5-9 FG, 13 rebounds, 2 fouls Labissiere vs. LSU: 18 points, 8-10 FG, 9 rebounds, 1 foul Humphries @ Texas A&M: 6 points, 2-2 FG, 13 rebounds, 5 fouls Averages number of fouls commited by UK’s Bigs in wins: 8.6
TEAM STATS
UK Scoring in wins: 81.2 UK Rebounding in wins: 40.2 Opponents Scoring in wins: 63.3 Opponents Rebounds in Wins: 31
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WHO’S NEXT FOR UK? By Anthony Crawford | sports@kykernel.com
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he Alabama Roll Tide and Ole Miss Rebels face off Thursday in the second round of the SEC Tournament. Both teams will be playing for their lives as a trip to the NCAA Tourna-
ment is nearly impossible without winning the SEC Tournament. The winner of the matchup will move on to face UK in the quarterfinals. The Cats are 2-0 against Alabama this season and won the only game against Ole Miss this season. Here’s the matchups to watch in the game that will decide
who UK’s first opponent in the SEC Tournament is. Retin Obasohan vs. Stefan Moody This matchup pits two of the best scorers in the SEC against each other. Moody leads the SEC in scoring with 23.1 points per game, and he thrives on the perimeter
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hoisting up shots from deep. Moody is the type of player that is hard to game plan for because of his quick trigger. He has big game potential and is just two games removed from a 43 point outing against Mississippi State. Obasohan comes in at fifth in the SEC with 17.7 points per game, but he has a little bit more variation to his game than Moody. Obasohan is especially great at using his strength to drive inside and often picks up easy points at the charity stripe after getting fouled. The senior guard averages nearly six trips to the foul line per game. Arthur Edwards vs. Martavious Newby Edwards, a senior, complements Obasohan by being the Tide’s main perimeter threat. The guard is third on the team in points, averaging 9.2 per game, and also leads the team in threepoint shooting percent-
age, currently shooting at a 39 percent clip. With all the scoring that Moody provides for the Rebels, Newby, also a senior, can take a backseat and focus on helping the team in other ways. The main way he contributes is by helping out on the glass. The
the team’s sharpshooter, connecting on 40.5 percent of his three-point attempts. Norris, a sophomore, has been doing the opposite, trending downward for the Tide as of late. Norris hasn’t scored double digits since the beginning of February,
“This matchup pits two of the best scorers in the SEC against each other.”
6’3” guard is second on the team in rebounds per game, averaging 5.4 per game. Riley Norris vs. Anthony Perez Perez, a senior forward, has really come on for the Rebels since his 19 point outing in a loss at Georgia. He has settled into the role as
when he scored 11 points in a win against Texas A&M. Michael Kessens vs. Tomasz Gielo This matchup is intriguing because both players are foreign. Gielo, a senior from Poland, comes in with the advantage as a scorer for Ole Miss. He comes in at third
on the team, averaging nearly 10 points per game. Kessens, a native of Switzerland, comes in with modest averages. The Tide won’t turn to him for scoring much but will expect him to lock dowm Gielo. Jimmie Taylor vs. Sebastian Saiz This matchup heavily favors junior Saiz of Ole Miss. The forward is a constant double-double threat with averages of 12 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. Junior Taylor’s contributions for the Tide don’t blow you away, as he only averages 5.5 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, but he has been the team’s most consistent finisher inside, connecting on nearly 60 percent of his shots. Taylor also provides great rim protection as he ranks fourth in the SEC in blocks with 1.9 per game. With Taylor patrolling inside, the Alabama defense can focus on Moody out on the perimeter.
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WHAT ABOUTBy Josh CAL? Ellis I
t’s that time of year. Teams across the nation are punching their tickets to the big dance, and conference tournaments are in full swing. But before we dive any deeper on how the chips will fall for this year’s UK team, here are some of John Calipari’s most memorable NCAA Tournament moments to look back on: 2010-11 Seed: 4 Overall record: 29-9 Finished: Final Four 2010-11 was a season where Brandon Knight 2010-11 SEASON Brandon Knight’s clutch shooting led the Cats to knock off 1-seed Ohio State and 2-seed North Carolina. UK fell just shy of making a National Championship appearance, as it lost to UCONN in the Final Four.
made the majority of the headlines, and the Cats were beginning to peak at the end of the season. They finished the regular season with three-straight victories and continued that momentum in the SEC Tournament, which resulted in a SEC Championship. Then in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, UK got a scare from 13-seed Princeton, where it took Knight’s only bucket of the game in the final seconds to surpass a gritty Tigers team. The Cats got past West Virginia the following game and faced 2011-12 SEASON The Cats dominated from the opening tipoff of the first game to the final buzzer of the last. Despite losing in the SEC Championship, UK cruised to the Final Four, where it beat Louisville and then Kansas for the program’s eighth National title.
1-seed Ohio State in the Sweet 16. Once again, it was Knight’s final second heroics who saved UK. The Cats took care of North Carolina in the Elite Eight and ended up losing a nail-biter to UCONN in the Final Four 56-55. It was a run few expected and a run filled with breathtaking moments provided by Knight. 2011-12 Seed: 1 Overall record: 38-2 Finished: National Champions One of Calipari’s best teams at UK, the 2011-12 2013-14 SEASON Earning an 8-seed in the tournament, UK took on an undefeated Wichita State team in what was considered a game for the ages. Aaron Harrison then took control and hit buzzerbeater after buzzer-beater to guide the Cats to another National Championship game.
team was loaded with pros like Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Terrence Jones. The Cats finished the regular season with one loss at Indiana and lost in the SEC title game against Vanderbilt, but they were still the unanimous favorite in the NCAA Tournament. And the team didn’t disappoint. UK cruised past Western Kentucky and Iowa State in its first two games, then got revenge over Indiana with a 12-point win in the Sweet 16. In the Elite Eight, Kidd-Gilchrist boosted the Cats over Baylor for a consecutive trip to the Final Four. A rematch of the Dec. 31 game against Louisville brought more than 70,000 fans to the MercedesBenz Superdome, and UK topped the Cards once more 69-61, which set up a UK-Kansas National Championship. Doron Lamb dropped 22 points and Davis grabbed 16 rebounds and had five blocks, earning UK its eighth National Championship. 2013-14 Seed: 8 Overall record: 29-11 Finished: National Runner-up The 2013-14 Cats began the year as the popular pick to win the title, but as the regular season came to an end UK found itself in unfamiliar territory for the 2014-15 SEASON An undefeated regular season and a three-game breeze in the SEC Tournament, most thought UK would return to another title game. Despite a Sweet 16 game that went down to the buzzer, the Cats returned to another Final Four only to be upset by Wisconsin.
NCAA Tournament. The 8-seeded Cats beat Kansas State in the opener and matched up with 1-seed Wichita State in the round of 32. In one of the best college basketball games in recent years, UK upset the undefeated Shockers in a game that was back-and-fourth — ultimately coming down to a missed shot at the buzzer by Fred VanVleet. The Cats continued their postseason magic against Louisville in the Sweet 16, thanks to some clutch shooting from Aaron Harrison. Harrison wasn’t done yet. In the Elite Eight against Michigan, he hit another dagger in the final seconds of the game to send UK to yet another Final Four. And in Texas against Wisconsin, Harrison did it again. Right on que with CBS announcer Jim Nantz’s, “This is the point where he always hits it,” he hit another deep three to advance the Cats. UK was unable to complete the six-game run with a win in the National Championship against UCONN, but the road to the title game will forever be remembered by Big Blue Nation.
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2014-15 Seed: 1 Overall record: 38-1 Finished: Final Four Arguably one of Calipari’s best teams of all time, the 2014-15 UK team boasted the famous “platoon system,” sending five guys in at a time, until Alex Poythress was injured. UK didn’t lose a single game in the regular season or SEC Tournament, giving the team the overall 1-seed in March. The Cats blew past Hampton and Cincinnati in their first two games, then held West Virginia to just 39 points in the Sweet 16. Notre Dame gave UK a scare in the Elite Eight, as a shot at the buzzer fell just short for Jerian Grant and sent the blue and white to another Final Four. Unfortunately for UK, Wisconsin ruined any chances of a perfect season by defeating UK 71-64 in the Final Four. Despite not reaching the title game, the 2014-15 team will go down in history as one of UK’s all-time greats.
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3 South Carolina Quarterfinals Semifinals First Round Second Round Championship Friday, March 11 Saturday, March 12 Sunday, March 13 Wednesday, March 9 Thursday, March 10 Quarterfinals Semifinals First Round Second Round Friday, March 11 Saturday, March 12 Wednesday, March 9 Thursday, March 10
Men’s
Men’s Basketball
Baske Tournament Tourna Championship Sunday, March 13
SEC FIGHTS FOR NCAA SPOT By Anthony Crawford | sports@kykernel.com
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he SEC Tournament offers UK a chance to gain some momentum as the team looks ahead to the main goal of competing for a Final Four in the NCAA Tournament. Some other SEC teams need to have a strong showing in Nashville if they hope to make it to the big dance. Here’s an outlook on how some of UK’s competitors in the SEC Tournament stand as far as making it to the NCAA tournament. Texas A&M University The Aggies came into the season carrying some heavy expectation as a veteranheavy team. Billy Kennedy has done a great job of managing those expectations and deservedly earned SEC
Coach of the Year honors for his coaching job this season. Texas A&M currently sits in a similar position as UK. It has done well to guarantee a spot in the NCAA Tournament, but the SEC offers a great chance to improve its seeding. Barring a loss in the first round in Nashville, Texas A&M only has one loss outside of the top 150 RPI. As long as the Aggies make it to the second day, they should have no problem making the NCAA with a top-five seed. University of South Carolina Frank Martin’s squad has been one of the surprises of the season. The Gamecocks had a terrific start to the season, winning 15-straight games, and picked up some quality, resume-building wins
along the way. South Carolina is a projected No. 8 seed and should stay in the field as long as the team comes away with one win in the SEC Tournament. If the Gamecocks were to face UK in the semifinals, or Texas A&M in the finals, those wins would be big boosters to seeding. No other team in the field in Nashville really helps the Gamecocks in sprucing up their resume, so having the opportunity to upset the Cats or Aggies is their only hope of improving their current situation in the NCAA Tournament. Vanderbilt University Where South Carolina has exceeded expectations, Vanderbilt has struggled to live up to them. The team features two future first round
draft picks in center Damian Jones and point guard Wade Baldwin IV and has great shooters to complement the two. Kevin Stallings scheduled a tough nonconference slate, and it didn’t pay off in the long run, as the Commodores weren’t able to come away with any quality wins. Match that with the fact that the team also had two bad losses to Arkansas and Mississippi State, and Vanderbilt is one of the teams with most to gain this week in Nashville. Ideally the team needs at least two wins in the SEC tournament to make Selection Sunday a little less worrisome, but a trip to the finals will all but guarantee them a spot in the field. University of Florida Expectations were low for
Florida in its first season under head coach Mike White, but an upset win over No. 9 West Virginia got Gators fans thinking a post-season trip to the big dance was possible for their team. The problem is the Gators lack other quality wins to help boost their resume. The team won the games it was supposed to win but left close games on the table— like against Michigan State early in the season, when the Gators lost by six, and at Vanderbilt, where they lost one point. If Florida can win its first game in Nashville, the team will have a great opportunity to get the quality win it needs against Texas A&M. Otherwise, the Gators are expected to be among the first four teams out of the NCAA Tournament.
Louisiana State University Johnny Jones has the number one draft pick in Ben Simmons on his team, and, sadly, he may never get to experience what it is like to play in the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers have done well in SEC play, earning a four seed in the tournament and coming away with quality wins against UK, Texas A&M and Vanderbilt. However, the team finds itself not even among Joe Lunardi’s First Four Out because of all the bad losses it picked up in its nonconference schedule. The Tigers have six losses outside the RPI top 100 and have no chance of making the NCAA Tournament field unless they secure the automatic bid with an SEC Tournament Championship.
NCAA MEN’S BASKETBALL 2016 NCAA MEN’S BASKETBALL BRACKET
MIDWEST Des Moines
Oklahoma City
Des Moines
St. Louis
Kansas Fairleigh Dickinson/Austin Peay
SOUTH
Virginia Texas Southern
South Carolina Colorado
Providence Vanderbilt
Iowa Arkansas-Little Rock
Iowa State Akron
Duke Stephen F. Austin
Purdue Northern Iowa
Texas Gonzaga
Baylor San Diego State
Indiana UAB
Utah Hawaii
Dayton USC
Notre Dame St. Joseph’s
Xavier Green Bay
Oklahoma New Mexico St
WEST Raleigh
Providence
Providence
Denver
Denver
Oklahoma City
EAST North Carolina Lehigh
Villanova Florida Gulf Coast/ Hampton
Butler VCU
Wisconson St. Bonaventure/ Monmouth
Seton Hall Pittsburgh Oregon Weber St
Brooklyn
Wichita St Cincinnati
Maryland Yale Kentucky Stony Brook
West Virginia Iona
Spokane
Raleigh
California South Dakota St Texas A&M Chattanooga This is a mock bracket, based on predictions from Joe Lunardi of ESPN. Seedings, team matchups and game locations could change based on the outcomes of games leading up to the NCAA Tournament.
ILLUSTRATIONS BY ADRIAN RUDD
Arizona Temple Miami UNC Wilmington Texas Tech Syracuse / St. Mary’s Michigan St UNC Asheville
Spokane
Brooklyn
St. Louis
kentuckykernel
est. 1892 I independent since 1971 I www.kykernel.com
THURSDAY 3.10.16
Comic Con beams down on Lexington
Spring weather arrives just in time for break
Guests include stars from fantasy films, wrestling legend By Cheyenne Abrams news@kykernel.com
Power Rangers, Doctors of all generations, vampire slayers and X-wing pilots will invade Lexington this weekend at the fourth annual Lexington Comic Con. The convention, where fans, clad in their favorite characters’ costumes, come together to meet their favorite heroes and childhood crushes, has grown into a three-day event, starting with a sold out V.I.P session Friday night from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and ending Sunday at 4 p.m. With a packed schedule, “Con-goers” are likely to find something of their interests. Theater sophomore Faith Murphy will be attending the event for the first time in Lexington, though she has attended conventions in other states. “I look forward to seeing the different vendors and the types of merchandise they have. I’ll be in Lexington all weekend,” Murphy said. Tickets can be purchased online until Friday, or at the gates all weekend, cash only. Tickets for Saturday are $35, $20 for Sunday, and $45 for the weekend. Guests for the weekend include Sylvester McCoy,
known for his work as the seventh Doctor on “Doctor Who” and Radagast in “The Hobbit” series, wrestling legend Mick Foley, the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, and Matthew Wood, known for playing General Grievous in “Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.” The event also features famous props, including the original 1967 Impala from the CW series “Supernatural.” Actor and musician James Marsters, known as Spike from the hit series “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” will perform a concert Saturday night at 7 p.m. “I definitely recommend others to (visit Comic Con). You’ll find something you’re a fan of because of the variety they offer,” Murphy said. Last year’s Comic Con had nearly 19,000 guests.
IF YOU GO What: Lexington Comic Con When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday Where: Lexington Convention Center Admission: $35 for Saturday, $20 for Sunday and $45 for the weekend
Students criticize UK carbon score
Sustainability group pushes university officials to adopt climate action plan By McKenna Horsley news@kykernel.com
For UK, it’s not easy being green. The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System gave UK a silver rating for sustainability. The university earned 43.25 percent of available points, along with two bonus points for innovation, which lifted UK out of the bronze category. The University of Louisville scored a total of 65.19 points, and Western Kentucky University scored 51.83 points. “Through our focused and ongoing efforts, UK has made undeniable progress in creating a more sustainable campus and reducing emissions in a methodical way,” UK spokesman Jay Blanton wrote in an email to the Kentucky Kernel. Blanton said other colleges such as LSU, Texas A&M and Vanderbilt have not signed the Second Nature Climate Action Plan, as Greenthumb, a student organization that promotes environmental substainabilty, advocated. “Like those campuses, we believe our ongoing efforts are — and should be — tailored to the specific needs and challenges of our campus,” Blanton said. Since 1990, Greenthumb
Overall
65.19
Points Possible
has introduced programs such as the Environmental Stewardship Fee, which brings in $100,000 for various projects, according to biology, chemistry and mathematics senior Ricky Grewelle, Greenthumb’s representative on the President’s Sustainability Advisory Committee. The group has campaigned for years for UK to sign the Second Nature plan, which commits universities to reduce carbon impacts and move toward carbon neutrality. “The mission of Second Nature was to establish a framework and accountability pact between universities,” Grewelle said. “A lot of universities have set a carbon neutrality date somewhere around 2050.” The University of Louisville has set a carbon neutrality date for 2050 and signed Second Nature’s commitment. Grewelle commended UK for some environmental efforts, but he said the university needs to continue improving. “The people that follow us, follow in our footsteps. I think it’s important to realize that if we don’t change our habits today, it could negatively impact our future,” Grewelle said. “I think Sustainability is one important way to strategically go about that.”
Greenhouse Coordination, Gas Emissions planning and governance
8
0.95
45.25 2.73
5.33
0
51.83 1.67
8
0
8
7
104
4.7
Investment
10
PHOTO BY JOSH MOTT I STAFF Hannah, left, and Lauren, right, are two of the many students who took their study sessions outside to celebrate an early spring.
Sunshine is on the minds of UK students, but despite the warm weather’s pleasant benefits, it could pose dangers for students going on spring break. Entomology professor Grayson Brown said mosquitoes in South Florida, some of which could be carrying the Zika virus, will be waking up soon. Grayson said students heading south, especially pregnant women, should make sure to pack bug spray.
Southbound open
I-75 lanes cleared just in time for spring break By Christina Buswell
Southbound I-75 near the KentuckyTennessee border reopened on Wednesday, easing some spring break headaches for UK students. The heavily traveled area on I-75, which stretches from Michigan to Florida, was closed in both directions following a rockslide on Feb. 26. The rockslide occurred just south of the state line in Campbell County, Tennessee. “Starting tonight (Wednesday) at around 9 p.m. that roadway will be back open; both lanes just as it normally is,” said Mark Nagi, a regional spokesman for the Tennessee Department of Transportation in Knoxville. Spring breakers should not experience any rockslide-related issues traveling southbound, but the northbound lanes will remain closed. Officials are working to have one northbound lane reopened by March 24. With favorable weather this past weekend, crews worked round the clock to get the roadway open as quickly as possible given the heightened traffic of spring break season. Nagi said officials hope to have both northbound lanes reopened on or before April 15. “For folks going down (south) for spring break, they would have to use an alternate route or take the northbound detour on their way back,” Nagi said. Travelers returning on I-75 northbound will be rerouted to US 25 West as they approach the rockslide.
Lexington
Two southbound lanes of I-75 have been reopened after a rock slide closed a section of the interstate on Feb. 26. One northbound lane will open by March 24. The alternate northbound route is about 33 miles long, compared to the normal 28 miles on I-75.
Richmond Berea
75 London
KY
Daniel Boone Corbin National Forest Section of I-75 South that reopens today for motorists.
TN
Jellico 25W
75
Knoxville
N
Motorists traveling I-75 North can take Exit 134 (Caryville/LaFollette). Follow US 25 West north to Lafollette, continuing to Jellico, and then re-enter I-75 North. GRAPHIC BY MAY MAY BARTON
The northbound detour is said to add an extra 50 minutes to one hour onto the drive depending on the time of day and day of the week, according to Nagi. The US 25 detour experiences delays at times when traffic from the interstate increases during weekends and rush hour. “The interstate in that area gets around 28,000 vehicles per day,” Nagi said. “That traffic has to go somewhere, and especially if there are a lot of folks going back and forth for spring break, it is expected to be even more traffic than the 28,000 vehicles.”
Spring break travelers are urged to take the proper precautions while driving to and from their destinations, especially when factoring in heavy traffic and roadblocks, according to Nagi. One way to monitor detours and heightened traffic is to download the Waze app, according to Keith Buckhout with the Kentucky Transportation Office of Public Affairs. The app provides real time traffic and incident information and is user-generated through Google to report information like traffic incidents and detours.
Nashville beyond the SEC Tournament Fans can visit top attractions, from Riverfront Park to St. Patrick’s Day celebrations By Lexington Souers features@kykernel.com
As the basketball team takes the court for the 2016 SEC Tournament, Wildcat fans will be taking Nashville by storm. As Cats fans head south, Nashville has a variety of options for food, music and fun. Music The Music City is hosting several St. Patrick’s Day events, including the Music City Irish Fest on Saturday. The all-day event will celebrate Irish culture through
traditional music, dance and of course, drinks. Whether it’s listening to street performers or stopping in for a show, there are a variety of unforeseen opportunities when it comes to
live music. The city also offers an app, Nashville Live Music Guide, for visitors who are looking to plan out their night. Parks Less than a mile from Bridgestone Arena, the Riverfront Park showcases the Cumberland River and Nashville’s downtown through a green space and walkway. Food The Bridgestone Arena is within walking distance from various bars, restaurants and pubs. Printer’s Alley is one of the city’s more famous streets for bars, clubs and nightlife.
Absentee ballots can make or break an election. For president, stakes are too high not to vote. SEE PAGE 2
I-75 southbound lanes open
news@kykernel.com
WannaB’s Karaoke Bar allows visitors to create music of their own, and, “You simply won’t find a better place to showcase your talents (or lack of them),” according to its website. Fans can also visit Tennessee Brew Works Crawfish Boil, which has no cover charge, live music and crawfish for $10 a pound. Museums The Johnny Cash Museum and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, among others, offer music history and memorabilia for visitors.
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I Kentucky Kernel I 3.10.16
OPINIONS
Put style over comfort in Nashville wardrobe
Apply football tailgate look to SEC tournament ASPEN GAGE Assistant Features Editor
Football gamedays in the SEC don’t mean jerseys and ball caps. Comfortability gets thrown out the window as cowboy boots are donned and blue and white dresses worn. Fashion in the South is a huge deal during football season; students come out in their Sunday Best dressed to the nines, simply to stand around and tailgate a few hours before trailing into the stadium and cheering on the Cats. It’s tradition, and the same standard should be held for basketball season, especially with the tournament season approaching. Anyone going to Nashville for the SEC Tournament knows this time is the best to show just how much we love our Kentucky home. From the continental breakfast at the hotel to bars after the game, fans will be showing off their big blue gear. So, before leaving for Tennessee, here are
some places to visit to get spirited for the game days. Bluetique: Located on the corner of Maxwell and Woodland Avenue, Bluetique serves as a Kentucky native’s alternative to the popular chain Francesca’s. They have everything from dresses to rompers to simple flowy tees, which are all perfect for springtime games in the South. Our local Bluetique also has a variety of Kentucky Blue accessories and stateshaped jewelry. Bluetique’s prices are comparable to other similar boutique chains, with clothing that ranges from $25 to upwards of $60. This boutique is great for girls who consider themselves trendy and like clothing that is more stylish than classic. Calypso: Another trendy boutique, Calypso, has a smaller selection but guarantees good quality and true-tosize clothing. They even cater to UK students and fans, with a “Gameday” selection on their online store that puts all the blue items on one page. Their website boasts a “friendly, unfussy, unpretentious service,” so this boutique would be perfect for
shoppers who are less inclined to endure the pains of finding an outfit on their own. Kentucky Branded: For some, dressing up is the most deplorable situation, and the thought of cheering from the stands in heels never crosses their minds. Those who would rather support their team in comfort would be right to check out Kentucky Branded. The store has awesome graphic tees with modern designs and expressions that would only make sense to a Kentuckian. Plus, pairing any T-shirt with a leather jacket or cardigan and cool accessories takes a plain top and jeans outfit to the next level of style. Remember though, one should buy clothes that bring personal happiness instead of trying to flaunt for a tradition. No matter where a person is from, there’s no closer bond than that of mutual fans on game days. So, don some blue, get those three goggles ready and prepare for some tournament excitement. Aspen Gage is the assistant features editor of the Kentucky Kernel. Email opinions@ kykernel.com
every hour. every day. www.kykernel.com
Editorial
Absentee ballots crucial for democracy Avenues exist to help students cast their votes
The last thing on a UK student’s mind is a ballot box. But with the upcoming presidential primaries deciding our future, students need to check in where it counts. The Kentucky GOP said 100 of the 120 counties saw an increase in voters in the recent Republican caucus compared to the 2012 presidential primary. However, according to Bluegrass Politics, a Twitter account run by Lexington Herald-Leader political reporters, unofficial voter turnout for the caucus was just 18 percent, an increase from 14.4 percent in the 2012 GOP primary. Participation from only 18 percent of voters shows a weak democracy. How the population is represented in government greatly suffers when 82 percent of people do not take part. Young voters are part of the problem. While Fayette County has a high number of college students, 38 percent of UK students are out-of-state — making it more difficult to vote. Although they might not know how, students from outside Fayette County can vote while in Lexington. According to Fayette County Clerk Don
Blevins, absentee ballots accounted for 17 percent of the Fayette County votes in the 2008 Presidential Election. This group of voters can sway an election and affect the way Americans live. “Students can register (in the county) where they go to school. And at that point, they would go locally in the precinct where they are registered,” said Paula Phillips, deputy clerk of elections at Fayette county clerk’s office. “Or students can register for the absentee ballot if they choose to stay registered in their hometown.” Plain and simple, it is important that young adults have a voice in our society. “There are avenues that are created specifically for (students) to make it easier to vote,” Blevins said. “In this year’s federal elections, student debt has become a huge topic, so you guys should be up in arms over the tuition you have to pay. You’ll have no say if you don’t vote.” According to Blevins, a student can vote in their home county courthouse 27 days prior to the election. Even if absentee
ballots seem like too much time or energy wasted, students can make the trek home to vote. Applying for an absentee ballot may seem like a meaningless task for someone who isn’t at all interested in politics, but voting for someone is better than not voting at all. Vote for Trump or vote for Clinton, either way, use your constitutional right — contribute to society so we can remain democratic. “It starts with the idea that your vote matters,” Blevins said. “I can give you all kinds of anecdotes about races that were won from a handful of votes, where every vote literally counted.” Email opinions@ kykernel.com
3.10.16
I Kentucky Kernel I 3
LA Times
CLASSIFIEDS
daily crossword
For Rent 1-9 Bedroom 1 & 2 Bedroom Luxary Apartments across from Gatton And Law School Best and closest to Campus. A must see! Call or text 859‑621‑3128 For lease. 1 & 2 BR apartments, on campus. Available in August. Call (859) 233‑1760. Newer 2‑5BR homes. Only a few left. Near UK. Pet friendly. From $349/person. www.lexingtonhomeconsultants.com Contact James McKee at (859) 221‑7082 or jwmckeebroker@msn.com. Walk to Campus. Houses 1‑ 6 Bedroom. Wayne Michael is now pre‑leasing 1‑6BR houses for the Fall 2016 semester. www. waynemichaelproperties.com. (859) 513‑1206.
Attention “You have come from the stars, shining like brilliant beacons of Love to awaken and acti vate this world.” Free event! Claim Your Brilliance: Samuel Discusses Your Galactic Family Inner Light Festival, Clarion Hotel; March 19, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Learn more: DiscoverSamuel.com
1 Bedroom 1 Beds & Studios, 5 Min Walk to UK, Call/ Text (859) 333‑1388 to schedule tour! Park ing, Laundry, Wifi, Online Payments
4 Bedroom Affordable student houses near UK! Parking, Yard, W/D Included, $349/bed Call/Txt Today to schedule a tour! (859) 333‑1388 Available August 1. 4BR/4BA like new home. Walk to campus and Lucky’s, parking, W/D. $499/BR INCLUDES UTILITIES. Call 859‑ 806‑9353 Preleasing for fall: 4 BR houses off Euclid. Includes W/D. Contact Integra Properties at (859) 428‑8271 or www.integraky.com.
For Rent August rentals. 1‑6 bedrooms. Above average in quality and great landlord. Call Denise (859) 983‑0726. sillsbrothers.com Great properties for rent, walk to campus. W/D included. (859) 619‑3232. www.myuk4rent.com. Now Leasing for Fall 2016. Rates starting at $379. University Trails. 859‑258‑2039. 845 Red Mile Rd.
Help Wanted A&W Restaurants Lexington is hiring Team Leaders and Team Members. Send applica tion requests to rlascano@awrestaurants. com or apply in person. Facebook at A&W Burgers Chicken Floats BurgerFi: Now Hiring cashiers and cooks! Apply in person at 141 Rojay Dr. #110 Lex ington, KY. 859‑272‑2747 nowhiringmvpz@gmail.com Kelly Services is now hiring for PT and FT positions in Lexington, KY. If interested, please contact our office at 859.373.0422.
Lexington Country Club seeking Outside Golf Staff, Golf Shop Help, Servers, & Kitchen Staff. Part‑Time, Full‑Time, & Sea sonal available. Apply in person, appropriate dress required. Local UK neighborhood restaurant, A.P. Suggins Bar and Grill, now hiring servers and bartenders. AM and PM shifts. Apply at apsuggins@windstream.net or in person at 345 Romany Road, Lexington, Ky, 40502. Now Hiring for Patio season Hosts, Bartenders, Bussers and Servers. Apply in person. 1074 Merrick Dr Monday‑Saturdat 2‑4p Physical Therapy clinic seeking front office staff. Experience with office duties, insur ance verification, scheduling, etc. preferred but not necessary. Billing and coding experi ence is also looked upon favorably. Please email Ron at ron@advantageptlex.com with an attached resume. Shamrock Bar and Grille on Patchen Dr. is now hiring servers and line cooks. Please apply within at 154 Patchen Dr. #87 Lex, KY 40517. Full and Part‑time positions available St. Patrick’s Anglican Church is seeking a qualified and reliable NURSERY WORKER for Sunday mornings (9:50‑11:50 am). The right candidate will love children (ages 6 weeks to 3 years), be responsible and reliable, have strong references and a clean background check. We pay $12.50/hour, two hours each week, and occasionally have a need for an extra 1‑1.5 hours during certain seasons. We meet five blocks from campus. Call or text (859) 248‑7228 or email eafp. peterson@gmail.com Visually impaired female needs assistance. Preferably a golfing coach for blind golf tournament. Call for more information. 859.269.8926
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HOROSCOPES To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging. Aries ( March 21-April 19) — Today is an 8 — Self-discipline makes a difference today. Take charge to realize a personal vision. Slow to avoid accidents. A surprising development charges your team. Research options. Taurus ( April 20-May 20) — Today is a 7 — Shopping could get expensive. Don’t waste money on stuff you don’t need. Pursue creative avenues. Wait until conditions improve. Emotions guide your decisions. Navigate chaos patiently. Keep your long-term vision in mind. Restrain your fantasies. Gemini ( May 21-June 20) — Today is a 5 — A careful, work-related investment may be necessary. Upgrade your communications infrastructure, maybe. Send long-distance messages. Use your powers of persuasion. Talk your way out of a complicated situation. Cancer ( June 21-July 22) — Today is a 5 — Verify a rumor before acting. Don’t depend on fantasy. There’s more to the picture than meets the eye. Costs may be higher than expected. Check numbers meticulously. Leo ( July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is a 7 — Practice a passion with discipline and watch your skills improve. Get physical. Play sports and games, and push for a challenge. Provide leadership. Make sure you understand the rules intimately. Connect with someone interesting. Virgo ( Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is a 5 — A professional challenge requires your attention. Something doesn’t work as planned. Learn a new trick from old friends. Change could seem abrupt.
Don’t let it ruffle your domestic tranquility. Libra ( Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 5 — Update your partner as work rolls in. Make corrections as needed. Unplanned distractions and disruptions abound. Keep complaints to yourself. Take a time out. Discover a brilliant but unusual solution. Get clever ideas onto paper. Scorpio ( Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is a 6 — Consider a family investment. Research practical options. Change directions intuitively toward more profitable ventures. Pool resources and share tasks with siblings and friends. Plan for contingencies. Talk about dreams and visions for the future. Sagittarius ( Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is a 5 — Take a pause in your journey. Plan your itinerary farther forward. Find a quiet spot to consider changes in circumstances. Listen to what others want. Clean up messes. Capricorn ( Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is a 5 — Stick to basics, with shifting circumstances. Handle details at work or suffer the consequences. Listen for the hidden elements. Slow down to get it done right the first time. Aquarius ( Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is a 5 — Friends share a valuable connection. Show up well dressed and on time. Keep your pitch brief and compelling. Conditions are changing in your favor. Track your cash flow. Practice compassion. Pisces ( Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is a 6 — In the eye of the storm, let yourself be led. When confusion reigns, act responsibly. Don’t fix what isn’t broken. Say the magic words for a surprising development. Connect emotionally.
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I Kentucky Kernel I 3.10.16
OPINIONS
Pack spring break cooler with variety of beer 7 season-appropriate brews will give vacationers refreshing options for warm weather destinations ADAM PENNAVARIA Beer Columnist
Ahoy, beer fans! I hope everyone is gearing up for next week’s inevitable debauchery and sunshine, because spring break is right around the corner. Next week, many of us will travel to sandy beaches or bustling cities for a mental break from our studies, turning our attention to beach bods and beer bongs. So, this week I’m here to fill you in on some exceptional beers to sample while you’re on vacation. If the Sunshine State is your
destination, check out Gainesville, Florida’s Swamp Head Big Nose IPA (7.3%). This Floridian pale ale is heavy in citrus and grapefruit notes. It’s also light enough to put back plenty and not feel full. The mouthfeel is soft and alluring, unlike many IPAs which have a harsh feel. The smell and taste have both blown my mind in the past. This brew will be delicious for IPA lovers and haters alike. If you’re traveling south of the border, turn your gaze from the dull Corona and choose a Modelo Especial (4.4%) (or the darker Negra variety). Modelo is the far superior Mexican lager. It is a characteristic lager, in that it pours a gentle yellow with a small white head. Its taste is reminis-
cent of corn, grains and faint hops. To be honest, this is a mass produced beer, but it’s an alternative to the bottled sewage that passes as Corona.
“Use the buddy system, and remember to hydrate (with water). Cheers.” The Negra Modelo (5.2%) is the heavier sibling, characterized by caramel and brown sugar tones. This is an exceptional option, especially
when paired with Mexican cuisine. For those of you heading to Texas for South Padre Island’s week of insanity, do yourself a favor and sample the Yellow Rose IPA (6.8%) from Lone Pint Brewery while you’re there. A distinct fruity and earthy profile makes this beer a real treat. The smell is hoppy, but not overpowering, as it is coupled with mango and pineapple. It’s creamy and smooth, making it unique in the IPA game. If you’ve decided to stay in Lexington for the week, now is an excellent time to check out Ethereal’s collaboration with Blue Stallion and Country Boy, a Belgian Pale Ale called Roundball (6.5%). I confess that I haven’t tried this beer yet and can’t find
BREW COLUMN est. 2015
any information about it on or Natty Light (4.2%) this the Internet, but based on my week. Regardless of qualprevious experiences with ity, at least you’re still drinkBelgian pale ales, this is prob- ing the best beverage on the ably a glorious marriage of planet. sweet and bitter. Everyone be safe, wear Plus, those three brewer- sunscreen, use the buddy sysies are all exceptional, so you tem and remember to hydrate really don’t have anything to (with water). Cheers. lose. Adam Pennavaria is the BREW Finally, if nice beer just COLUMN beer columnist of the Kenest. 2015 isn’t your thing, there’s nothtucky Kernel. ing wrong with guzzling a Email opinions@ few 12-packs of PBR (4.7%) kykernel.com
every hour. every day. www.kykernel.com
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