In the press room yesterday at the Yum!, I asked around to see if any of the scribes gathered from hither and yon had any inside skinny on the situation of former future Cardinal great, Fab Melo?

One columnist from a national sports website offered, “I’ve heard he concentrates on two things. Blocking shots. And smoking pot.”

To which, another reporter immediately deadpanned, “He’s prolific at both.”

At any rate, it appears as if his grades made a quantum leap after his in season suspension, which academic leap drew the attention of the NC2A, so ‘Cuse decided to sit him down to avoid any further unwanted attention.

* * * * *

Watching the Cats during their shoot-around in front of a pretty packed lower bowl of the Yum!, I came away with a couple of observations.

Kyle Wiltjer is as good a shooter as I’ve ever seen.

The team walked onto the floor. He palmed a ball and started firing away from beyond the arc. I swear for a ten minute period he didn’t miss a shot. I mean that literally. Until, bored, he started firing them left handed.

I walked over to sit next to the always affable Oscar Combs, who agreed he’d never seen anybody shoot quite like the baby-faced UK freshman. He mentioned as how he’d seen Wiltjer play last year in an all-star game held on an outside court in California. With the wind blowing, he hit 7 of 9 treys.

“In practice yesterday,” Combs advised, “he hit 76 of 81.”

* * * * *

I asked Combs, UK’s #1 fan, which of UK’s teams he thought was the best, and where this one ranked?

As many do, he thought the ’96 champs the best. But offered that this time could surpass that . . . if they win the tourney. And if this gang goes on to good careers at the next level.

* * * * *

Unlike the scene here in Hoopsylvania, I’m advised the U of L shoot-around in Portland was, let us say, somewhat less hectic. Apparently only a smattering of fans showed up.

It’ll be interesting to see how full — or empty — the arena is today for tipoff of the Cardinals’ tilt with Davidson? It comes at 10:40 am, PDT. Talk about your early wake up call.

(Though it does remind me of the halcyon days of the State High School Tournament, when there would be a 9:00 am tip on the opening Thursday.)

* * * * *

I haven’t seen Davidson play, so I don’t have a lot to offer about the Wildcats.

I note they are significantly taller than U of L. The starters are 6-10, 6-7, 6-7, 6-4 and 6-3. That’s almost a 2 inch per starter height advantage.

Plus their pivot man, Jake Cohen, has hit 30 of 81 three on the season, a glossy 37%.

After two NCAA opening round meltdowns in a row, Cardinal fans can only hope that their faves are focused and come with their Big East tourney game.

* * * * *

I’m a bit worried however about the Cards’ chances. I noticed that my bride washed the U of L shirt she wore during each of last weekend’s league tourney games.

Not a good sign.

However, I, an inveterate Cardinal fan, who wears school colors only during the post-season, have left my retro dunking Cardinal tee redolent with the shvitz and scent of victory.

A man’s gotta do what he’s gotta do.

– Seedy K