Team Dominican Republic (Calipari Coached) vs UK All-Stars - 8/15/2011 @ Rupp Arena

College Sports 16 replies 3,773 views
Azubuike24's avatar
Azubuike24
Posts: 15,933
Jul 26, 2011 4:57pm
For those interested in some basketball, there may be some to watch (especially if televised locally or on FSN affiliates).

John Calipari is coaching the Dominican Republic National Team and they have been practicing this summer with Coach Cal. On August 15th, they will take on a team of Kentucky All-Stars at Rupp Arena. It looks like the game will be open to the public and based on past turnouts of things like this, will likely be quite popular.

The Dominican team will feature Charlie Villanueva, Al Horford, Trevor Ariza, Francisco Garcia, Luis Flores (led the nation in scoring for 2 years at Manhattan) and possibly Kentucky's own, Eloy Vargas.

The Kentucky team has John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Jodie Meeks, Eric Bledsoe, Patrick Patterson, Nazr Mohammed and Tayshaun Prince. The team will be coached by Joe B. Hall and Sam Bowie.

Would not be surprised if they brought in some revenue from different items (tickets, refreshments, autographs, etc...) and it ends up being a case where Calipari uses this for another charitable contribution. I'm posting because I'll be down there over the weekend, and if this is open and during the day, may just stop by and check it out. Lots of big, big-time names involved.
Azubuike24's avatar
Azubuike24
Posts: 15,933
Jul 26, 2011 9:37pm
OSH's avatar
OSH
Posts: 4,145
Jul 26, 2011 10:08pm
Shouldn't it be "coached?"

There is no "coaching" with those teams. Just figureheads making a buck or two...or at least making a buck or two for charity.
thedynasty1998's avatar
thedynasty1998
Posts: 6,844
Jul 26, 2011 10:33pm
Pretty cool event with some great talent.
Azubuike24's avatar
Azubuike24
Posts: 15,933
Jul 27, 2011 11:57pm
Official Kentucky All-Stars Roster

John Wall
DeMarcus Cousins
Rajon Rondo
Keith Bogans
Tayshaun Prince
Eric Bledsoe
Jodie Meeks
Nazr Mohammed

I'd venture to say the Dominican team is going to be outmatched :)
Azubuike24's avatar
Azubuike24
Posts: 15,933
Jul 29, 2011 11:03am
Haha. Ticketmaster released over 23,000 tickets this morning. They sold out over the internet in 15 minutes...go on CatsPause and people are PISSED about how their internet crashed or their Visa codes didn't get accepted and now they missed out. Funny stuff...
S
superman
Posts: 3,582
Jul 29, 2011 9:28pm
Look for the Dominican team to be investigated by FIBA next year.
sleeper's avatar
sleeper
Posts: 27,879
Jul 31, 2011 10:48am
Another Kentucky basketball fan who probably roots for another school in football.
Azubuike24's avatar
Azubuike24
Posts: 15,933
Aug 4, 2011 1:05pm
Not sure who sleeper's comment was referencing...but then again, I'm not sure why anyone would really care.

It looks like the first game was a huge hit in-terms of popularity and sales, so a second game has been schedule on 8/16/2011 at the KFC Yum Center in Louisville. For the second game, everything will be the same except Josh Harrellson, DeAndre Liggins and Brandon Knight will replace Prince, Bogans and Meeks on the UK Roster.

There are also rumors that the coach of the UK team may end up being former Louisville Coach, Denny Crum. What's interesting here is that the game will be a non-sanctioned event by anyone affiliated by UK and they are not taking any direct involvement in the facilitation of the game. However, the contract with the Yum Center and the University of Louisville clearly states that UK can NEVER play a game there without Louisville's permission. Many UL fans are taking this as a way for Calipari/UK to irk them by playing a "non-sanctioned" game on their home floor. Asking Denny Crum to coach just adds fuel to the fire. Tickets go on sale shortly, I believe Friday or Saturday.
Azubuike24's avatar
Azubuike24
Posts: 15,933
Aug 15, 2011 10:01pm
Francisco Garcia scored 30 points as Team Dominican Republic beat the UK All-Stars 106-88. DeMarcus Cousins scored 28 for the losing squad. John Calipari remains unbeaten at Rupp Arena since becoming coach at Kentucky :)
P
Prescott
Posts: 2,569
Aug 16, 2011 11:07am
Was this game televised?? I think it would have been fun to watch.
Azubuike24's avatar
Azubuike24
Posts: 15,933
Aug 16, 2011 11:28am
It was televised in the state. Also in the Dominican and some other obscure stations and online. They are playing again tonight with Josh Harrellson, Brandon Knight and DeAndre Liggins playing for UK.
S
sportchampps
Posts: 7,361
Aug 16, 2011 9:55pm
this would be cool to watch
Azubuike24's avatar
Azubuike24
Posts: 15,933
Aug 16, 2011 11:11pm
Team Dominican Republic wins again.

The rematch at the KFC Yum Center was won by the Dominicans 91-86. John Wall scored 26 and was the game-high scorer.
hoops23's avatar
hoops23
Posts: 15,696
Aug 17, 2011 2:24am
Surprised the UK team lost twice to the DR.
OSH's avatar
OSH
Posts: 4,145
Aug 19, 2011 1:37pm
hoops23;864973 wrote:Surprised the UK team lost twice to the DR.

Just shows that UK is overrated...and so isn't Coach Cal and his recruiting.

:)
Writerbuckeye's avatar
Writerbuckeye
Posts: 4,745
Aug 19, 2011 5:06pm
I'm sure this helped raise lots of cash that Coach Cal can now use on the recruiting trail. :)