When you’re a sportswriter, you learn how to use your imagination … because it’s the same game played over and over again.

There’s nothing unique or marvelous. It’s not an earthquake, or a weird mass murder.

It’s same old game played over and over, and you have to bring out the personalities.

You have to drag them kicking and screaming out into the light of day, or you’re not a good sportswriter.

– Rick Bragg,

author extraordinaire

This week, a few let’s get a-few-things-straight items.

Too frequently lately I am asked (in colorful ways) why I hate John Calipari? While the word (hate) is alien to me, the word disapprove is not.

For the record, recruitment of bright young men who play basketball with extraordinary skill together and win games is a joyous combination. That Kentuckians enjoy it is important to me. That bright young men are encouraged (by an adult) to consider life beyond dollars, is another good idea.

And so, as Rick Bragg said eloquently, it’s important also that a sportswriter endeavor to “bring out the personalities … drag them kicking and screaming out into the light of day.”

And so, John Calipari’s record (and my disapproval), in light of day.

√ Braggadocio. University of Kentucky ought live up to its Flagship status, not feed images of arrogance.

√ Kentucky’s history of NCAA violations past, makes shameful that (my alma mater) hired him at all.

√ Shadowy methods used to climb up college basketball. His times at UMass and Memphis are hardly distinguished and are on file at the NCAA, despite being ignored by fans. His coaching wins at both schools and their Final Four banners are removed.

√ Academics, the college experience, progress toward an education-come-to-importance after the ball stops bouncing (late 20s), are secondary to this coach, making UK a university of basketball.

√ Twisted. Winningest program in Dr. James Naismith’s game is a semi-professional franchise in Lexington that exploits young men. Even those swept up to the NBA will be looking for “some kind of work beyond counting my money,” one day. Promising instant lollipop while enriching himself.

√ A coach giving scholarships to a couple UK students is commendable, but to publicize it is self-serving. Particularly since the scholarship money comes not from his pocket, but from funds gotten from a pay-to-attend clinic.

√ Humanitarian indeed, Calipari visiting a young fan in hospital, but curious how a camera seems always at hand to record it.

And so, no hate here for John Calipari. Putting his resume` out in light of day alongside opinion is an obligation to readers, what a sportswriter ought to do.

STOOPS & RICHT

Mark Stoops is dedicated enough, Mark Richt at Georgia is too.

In common their teams are coming off old fashion a beans-and-corn bread style whuppin’ last Saturday.

A writer in Georgia said, “If there’s a have-it-all program in college football that never seems to amount to the greatness it should. Great recruits: Check. Great fan base: Check. Great facilities: Check.”

Same could apply at Kentucky.

Stoops and Richt contrasts this week?

• The radio call-in crowd at Georgia want Richt fired yesterday!

• Callers in Kentucky want to know what time the basketball game starts.

On Saturday at noon, Kentucky (4-4) plays at Georgia (5-3).

HAPPY CAMPUS

Since college football season is entertainment, except in the south where it’s Gettysburg, Antietam and Bull Run combined, I wondered as we hit the get-bowl-eligible stretch, on what campus is football being enjoyed most?

Guess here: Iowa (8-0), Memphis (8-0), Ohio State (8-0), Notre Dame (7-1), and Temple (7-1). Receiving votes: Oklahoma State and Houston are 8-0, and Toledo 7-0.

Most entertaining locally, no contest: Western Kentucky. The 7-2 Hilltoppers celebrate homecoming this week against Florida Atlantic (2-6).

WORTH REPEATING DEPT.

Proving he is the low-life scallywag some of us thought when he played at Michigan, ESPN contributor Jalen Rose weighed in on University of Louisville’s sex scandal via podcast the other day. “What you see at a bachelor or bachelorette party is what happens on a recruiting visit.

“And, as a 17-year-old kid, first off, if I’m not getting laid, I’m not coming. I’m not signing. I’m not coming,”

And this …

At its basketball introductory scrimmage, University of Michigan included a nod to the 1990s Fab Five featuring Chris Webber and Rose. Wolverine fans took to Facebook to protest.

• “Webber and Rose were nothing but thugs,” said one.

• “These five are a disgrace to Michigan basketball and caused a decade of no tournament play. Every win is questionable. Anyone who throws a game for money should get no second chance.”

JOHN PELPHREY

One of the most popular Kentucky players ever, John Pelphrey did color analysis for the blue-white scrimmage last week and did it well. Reflecting his time-and-place travels since those heady days back home (Mr. Basketball 1987) and Unforgettable days in Lexington, Pelphrey-speak these days is notably polished and mid-America moving one eastern Kentucky fan to say, “Pel sure don’t talk like no mountain boy from Paintsville no more, does he?”

And so it goes.