Thank you, Jared Carter

On the eve of Senior Night, I'd like to express my thanks to Jared Carter in appreciation for four years of hard work and dedication to UK basketball. I've always been of the opinion that Kentucky needs a Kentucky boy to maintain a sense of tradition, an understanding of the pride of program. No matter what one might say of Jared's contributions to the team, he has been able to consistently provide that element. We need the guy who knows the Cawood of the court, who is still mad at Christian Laettner, who understands why it is so wrong to see Pitino at the other end of the bench, who pretended to be Mashburn, or Sheppard, or Prince in his backyard. Thank you, Jared, for sticking it out, and maintaining the Kentucky pride on the Kentucky team. Now Darius can carry the torch.
It can't be easy---playing on a UK team that isn't winning at the expected pace. You find yourself the object of scorn and taunt during your meal at Applebees (or O'Charleys if you're Jared.) Your mom gets the repeated question, "When will he transfer?" during every errand. I'm sure Jared's mother is far more gracious than I am. The response, "When will your son graduate/get a job/go to rehab?" sits too readily on the tip of my tongue. Jared, you deserve the praise and applause of the Big Blue Nation for living your dream and contributing in the ways you were asked. We will miss you.