John Clay’s Sidelines

(H-L photo/Mark Cornelison)

Here’s the post-game index on Kentucky’s 117-52 win over Clarion:

• Post-game video interview with John Wall after his 27-point performance.

• Audio of John Calipari post-game press conference.

• Herald-Leader photo slide show from the game.

• Jerry Tipton’s game story from the victory.

• Video post-game interview with Patrick Patterson.

• Video post-game interview with Perry Stevenson.

• Video post-game interview with Ramon Harris.

Here’s UK junior Patrick Patterson meeting with the media after the Cats trounced poor Clarion 117-52 at Rupp. Patterson played better than Monday, especially in the second half. He ended up with 14 points, though he acknowledges that he’s still not comfortable playing out on the floor. The big fellow did hit a pair of threes, after John Calipari encouraged him to take more three-pointers.

UK’s Perry Stevenson talks to the media after scoring eight points in a healthy 19 minutes in team’s 117-52 rip of Clarion at Rupp. Stevenson played only the last couple of minutes against Campbellsville on Monday. Perry shows some of the old Perry humor when he says late in this clip that DeMarcous Cousins is like a more mobile Shaq.

Here’s post-game press conference after Kentucky’s 117-52 win over Clarion:

• Coach John Calipari talks about his team’s improved play, having John Wall, getting Patrick Patterson comfortable, and other subjects. But he won’t say why DeAndre Liggins did not play for the second game. And, yes, we asked.

• Replay the liveblog and you can get comments from the Clarion coach, as well.

UK’s Ramon Harris, who turned in a nice game with 11 points and seven rebounds, talks about the team’s progress this week. John Calipari cracked the whip, putting in a curfew and conducting early-morning practices, and the Cats’ responded with a 117-52 crushing of poor Clarion, Coach Cal’s alma mater.

Here’s UK freshman sensation John Wall, who was all he was hyped up to be, scoring 27 points, dishing nine assists and grabbing four rebounds in the Cats’ easy 117-52 romp over visiting Clarion in an exhibition game before 23,802 at Rupp. Wall had to sit out last Monday’s exhibition game against Campbellsville, and he’ll miss the season opener next Friday at Morehead. He said he’s already thinking about that.

Big Blue Links for Friday.

Traditional:

• Doug Binder of the Oregonian reports that UK target Terrence Jones may wait until spring before choosing a school.
• Gary Bedore of the Lawrence Journal-World reports that Brandon Knight will also wait until spring. (See Zagsblog link with blogs section.)
• In the Herald-Leader, Chip Cosby reports that UK’s defensive line wants redemption.
• Mark Story of H-L writes on Eastern Kentucky coach Dean Hood’s connections.
• Jerry Tipton of the H-L reports that John Calipari is challenging his team to improve.
• Tipton of the H-L writes that Mark Krebs’ focus is paying off.
• Tipton also blogs that Calipari said Patrick Patterson needs to be more aggressive.
• Paul Gattis of the Huntsville Times writes that Tennessee basketball has taken a backseat to Kentucky this off-season. (H/T to Aaron’s UK Basketball Blog.)

Continue reading ‘BBL: Terrence Jones is waiting; Knight to visit Florida’

SEC links for Friday:

• Kevin Scarbinsky of the Birmingham News writes that you should vote Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain for the Heisman.
• Gary Laney of The Advocate writes that special teams has been a big part of LSU’s success.
• Tommy Deas of the Tuscaloosa News reports that Alabama will change-up its red-zone offense.
• The Tennessean’s Joe Biddle writes that  Florida’s Brandon Spikes did the right thing.
• Geoff Calkins of the Memphis Commercial Appeal writes that quick decision led to Lane Kiffin fun.
• Austin Ward of the Knoxville News-Sentinel writes that Tommy West’s joke upset Tennessee players.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Rolando McClain for Heisman?’

Was out of town most of the day, but was at football practice this morning where I shot this video of UK freshman quarterback Morgan Newton talking about what he’s been concentrating on this week, and about Saturday’s game with EKU.