Daily Grind - Wednesday

John Calipari watch: As promised, here is a short report on John Calipari as a guest-host on the Tuesday edition of Best Damn Sports Show Period (BDSSP): Calipari was sitting in for John Salley. It didn't stop the other hosts from teasing Calipari (I wonder how Coach K would react if he was teased like that!). Calipari gave a "shout out" to DJ Wagner who is attempting to make a comeback to the NBA, and another shout out to Tony Barbee taking over at UTEP. They also showed a short videoclip of Tony Barbee's acceptance speech singing the praises of Calipari. Calipari ended by addressing UTEP fans and promising "we will still beat you when we visit". Not sure if Calipari will stay the whole week or he was doing just two days. Check local listings. BDSSP usually repeats at least once, maybe more depending on what else your local FSN has scheduled for the day/night/week.

The 144 previews at CHN continue with Penn State (a candidate for most surprising team in the Big11 next year), the rebuilding Fordham Rams and Digger Phelp's Notre Dame.

When you are Kentucky, releasing your 2006-07 basketball schedule is national news. Kentucky gets 5 CBS games, 7 ESPN*, 8 regionally syndicated, and 5 on FSN-South (and perhaps FCS). December 9 is the big game with Indiana.

CBS Sportsline reports of a possible extension for Alford (!).

Meanwhile Doc Sandler was hard at work already in Nebraska: Big Aussie Alecs Maric and guard Jamel White agreed to return! This leaves Doc Sandler with two scholarships open for 2006-07.

Flashback moment: NIVEA presents the Freshmen of the Week of the 2005-06 season. Of those only two are now in the NBA (Tyrus Thomas, Shawne Williams). The rest are coming back for the 2006-07 season. This is going to be highly unlikey this year :)

The new Greg Doyell at CBS Sportsline, Gary Parrish, updates his thoughts with tidbits on Kelvin Sampson/Indiana, the NCAA and faux prep schools, the Artesia HS coach and Herb Sendek...