John Clay’s Sidelines

Big Blue Links for Friday:

• According to Columbus Ledger-Inquirer, UK’s Billy Gillispie has told top football recruit he can play basketball at Kentucky if he signs on to play football with the Cats. (Hat tip to Aaron’s UK basketball blog.)
• Meanwhile, Jason Leiser of the Palm Beach Post reports that UK Has a commitment from Florida prep running back Donald Russell. (Also on Kentucky Sports Radio.)
• On his blog, Chip Cosby also reports on Russell.
• Jody Demling of the Courier-Journal reports that St. X running back Deuce Finch has turned down UK in favor of Boston College.
• UK coach Billy Gillispie talks on the SEC teleconference about Saturday’s game at Alabama.
• Alabama coach Mark Gottfried talks on the same teleconference about Kentucky.
• In the Herald-Leader, Jerry Tipton writes that Perry Stevenson is leaving the praise to others.
• In the Herald-Leader, Mark Story writes that Jodie Meeks is showing the marks of a marked man.
• In the C-J, Brett Dawson writes on the beauty of Patrick Patterson’s beast.
• In the Danville Advocate-Messenger, Larry Vaught writes that Alabama’s athleticism worries Gillispie.
• In the Huntsville Times, columnist Bill Bryant writes that Ronald Steele is not to blame for his abrupt departure.
• Eric Lindsey of the Cat Scratches blog has a UK practice report.
• In the Kentucky Kernel, B.W. Jones writes that the Kentucky women are looking at LSU as a must-win.
• Also in the Kernel, Bobby Reagan has the diary of a UK walk-on, part 2.
• Adreaine Payne, a 2010 UK target, tells Chick Ludwig of the Dayton Daily News that recruiters can wait. (Hat tip to Aaron’s UK Basketball Blog.)