Not-so-Big Blue Nation (but not so big of a problem*)

Good news everyone. You can use the phrase “Taco Tuesday” without fear of reprisals. My kids were thrilled at the development, just in time for dinner.

Let's turn to the college hoops world.

1. Kentucky won’t have its big men for months

Kentucky’s summer trip to GLOBL JAM — a 4-0 record, a title and a look at a promising roster — certainly burnished what had been a trying few months for John Calipari’s program.

The Wildcats displayed a revamped offensive approach that didn’t have its usual diet of mid-range twos. Instead, it was mostly 3s and layups.

And with West Virginia transfer Tre Mitchell at the five, it ensures Kentucky can stretch defenses because of Mitchell’s shooting ability. Not that Calipari had much of a choice. Kentucky’s big men, sophomore Ugonna Onyenso and freshman Aaron Bradshaw are both dealing with injuries.

“Ugonna Onyenso underwent a successful minor procedure that will keep him out for a couple of months,” Calipari announced Tuesday. “Nobody hated missing last week’s games more than him, and I know he’s going to work his way back to once again have a positive impact on this team.”

Both are expected to be ready for the start of the season in November, but given Mitchell’s performance in Canada, maybe Kentucky takes even more time letting those two heal.

“I kind of like Tre at the five. Tre is really legitimate because you have a five that can shoot the 3, that can pass, can do those things and will fight like crazy. You may look at them and say, ‘They’re small, they’re skinny, they’re this,’ but they all can dribble, pass and shoot,” Calipari told The Athletic.

Is this an evolution of Calipari’s offensive philosophy? Or simply a blessing born out of necessity?

We’ll learn more in the fall.

2. San Diego State’s staying put (for now)

So much for San Diego State in the Pac-12.

After a long Monday night meeting, the Mountain West Board of Directors agreed to let the school stay in the conference, according to multiple reports. The gist?

According to Mark Zeigler of the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Mountain West will send the $6.6 million distribution share for 2022-23 that it had been withholding — minus about $100K in legal fees — and SDSU will stay put, likely through 2024-25. If it wants to leave before then, it’ll pay a $34 million exit fee.

MWC Commissioner Gloria Nevarez is expected to confirm the news today at football media days in Las Vegas.

It’s a rough landing for a school coming off the high of reaching its first Final Four and NCAA Tournament title game, but a landing nonetheless. Now the Aztecs can focus on winning their fourth conference title in five seasons.

And if the Pac-12 ever figures out its new media deal — it won’t be Friday at its football media day, but should be in the “near future” — maybe it can officially make the move to step into the gap left by Big Ten-bound UCLA and USC.

3. ‘It wasn’t a place for me’

Marcus Adams made headlines this week when he announced he’d leave Kansas and enter the transfer portal, which made most college hoops fans do a double take.

After all, Adams re-classified from 2024 to 2023, enrolled at Kansas, but left Lawrence after having been there barely a month. So what changed in that time?

It wasn’t projected playing time. He was complimentary of the coaching staff. He simply wasn’t feeling it.

“I felt like KU wasn’t the right place for me,” Adams told The Kansas City Star. “I see everybody in the comments and some reporters saying it was about playing time … it’s not. I felt like I would have been good there if I stayed, but I had a gut and heart feeling. I felt like it wasn’t a place for me.

“I felt like it was a bit odd with the team; I (didn’t) feel like it was the right fit, so I left when I had some time,” he said.

It’s not an insignificant decision, either. The 6-8 wing entered the portal, rather than requesting a release from his NLI, which means his one-time free transfer is gone. The Star reports he’ll need a waiver to play in 2023-24, which might be a good thing given his re-classification and current age.

Adams is a California kid who averaged 28.8 points last season and says his early list of new schools includes Gonzaga, BYU, Missouri, West Virginia, Oregon, Missouri, San Diego and Boston College, among others. He told the Star he’s “not good in the country” and wants a city location

Ram tough

Ryan Odom had his March moment in 2018 when UMBC became the first 16 seed to beat a 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Could he have more of those as VCU’s new coach? He talks with Greg Waddell about some big NCAA tourney wins, his time at Utah State and what’s ahead for the Rams.

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• McNeese State is setting itself up for a terrific non-conference record.

• Utah will have guard Karahan Efeoglu on its 2023-24 roster.

• George Mason picked up 2024 guard Justin Begg.

• Bethune-Cookman added 2023 forward Jakobi Heady.

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