John Clay's Sidelines

With John Calipari having been on the job for two weeks now, we’ll have another livechat to discuss UK basketball, or UK football, or whatever, tonight from 8-9.

Practicing for the Jordan Brand Classic, Daniel Orton told Zagsblog that he will be at Kentucky next season.

Excerpt:

“I’m still at Kentucky, I’m still at Kentucky,” said Orton, the No. 4 center in the Class of 2009. “I’m going to stay here.”

When asked if he ever considered leaving after John Calipari took over for the fired Billy Gillispie, Orton said, “There was that time that from when Coach G got fired, I was little frustrated with everything. There was a thought of having to go back through the recruiting process, which is a little stressful. But I just kind of dealt with it all.”

In the end, he opted to stay with Calipari: “Coach Cal’s a great guy and he just seems like a great coach,” Orton said.

Kevin Armstrong at SI.com interviews four players at the Jordan Brand All-American game, including North Carolina signee John Henson and UK recruit Xavier Henry.

An excerpt:

What did you think of John Calipari leaving Memphis for Kentucky?

Henry: I was just shocked that he left Memphis. That’s all I can say on that. (Editor’s note: Henry had signed a National letter of intent with Memphis that a clause giving him an out if Calipari left and has now reopened his recruitment.)

Henson: I just felt really sorry for Xavier.

Henry: No, you didn’t. You just kept coming up to me at [the] McDonald’s [All-American game] saying, “You’ve got no coach. What are you going to do now?”

By the way, all four said that Louisville signee Peyton Siva is the best athlete in the class.

Jerry Tipton and myself spent more than 30 minutes with UK coach John Calipari, part of interview sessions he did throughout the morning, and may still be going on as I post this. Jerry will have the newsier stuff on his blog, but here are five quick impressions:

• 1. “I don’t hold players back.” That’s what Calipari said, and that’s why he gets players. As we were wrapping up, Sam Bowie came into the office to say hello to Coach Cal. On the way out, we were talking to Sam, and he was raving about Calipari and the offense and the whole attitude. Bowie played in the NBA. He knows the league. And he said that Cal’s approach is exactly what players are looking for to get to the next level. Make the players better. Make them play in a team concept. But don’t hold guys back.

• 2. Calipari said he had the feeling that this team wanted to be loved. No kidding. After two years of the emotional beat-downs they suffered under the tactics of the former coach, that’s no big surprise. The t-shirt story is just the latest example. Apparently, Billy Gillispie couldn’t handle one of his players getting publicity above and beyond the normal. (There are those who believe Billy G. started treating Jodie differently as soon as Meeks was being pushed for National Player of the Year honors.) Maybe those mind-games worked in Bob Knight’s glory days. They don’t work now. Those days are over.

• 3. Calipari said flat-out that he knows there are players on the current roster who can’t play his style. To me, there’s nothing wrong with that. Better to be honest now, when players have options, than to keep guys around just to have bodies. Be up front, even if it’s not what the players want to hear. Honesty is the best policy. Even if you don’t like, or even agree with, the answer.

• 4. Back to the NBA thing. As has been reported, and Jerry confirmed, Tony Delk and Scott Padgett will both be on Calipari’s staff in some capacity. That’s a two-fold bonus. By including former players, you do nothing but impress and please the basketball alumni, especially at a school with Kentucky’s tradition. Plus, both are NBA guys. Both played years in the league. Not only that, they played years, not as stars, but grinders who had to earn a roster spot each season. They know what that’s like. Now, if you come to Kentucky, you will be around three former NBA players — Delk, Padgett and Rod Strickland, who played 17 years in the league. Never underestimate the significance of that.

• 5. On the eve of the SEC Tournament, I wrote that “If you’re Kentucky, be KENTUCKY,” column. Calipari is doing that, and then some. Everything is on bigger scale. The numerous radio and TV appearances. Being on the tube during the Final Four. Being on PTI, Dan Patrick, etc. The open workouts to the media, with unrestricted player interviews. At Wednesday’s practice, there was Kenny Walker, Joe B. Hall, Coach S.T. Roach, Scott Padgett, Chip Rupp, just to name a few. Word is Calipari had a dinner with many of UK’s biggest donors and supporters on Wednesday night. Those are all things you need to do as Kentucky coach to promote the “brand,” as Calipari is calling it.

Big Blue Links for Thursday:

• Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader reports on Patrick Patterson testing the NBA draft waters.
• Some Tipton notes lead with shirts finally being distributed commemorating Jodie Meeks’ 54-point performance against Tennessee, lending more truth to the fact Billy Gillispie and his leading scorer had their differences.
• My column on how the UK workouts under John Calipari are tryouts for some.
• DeMarcus Cousins makes its official by signing with the Cats.
• Hal Mumme is hired by a Division III team.
• Video of Calipari’s meeting with the press yesterday.
• Dan Wolken of the Memphis Commercial Appeal blogs that Darnell Dodson would like to follow Calipari to UK. And ex-UK assistant Glynn Cyprien could end up on Memphis’ staff. (Hat tip to Spam’s Wildcat Page.)
• USA Today reports that John Wall is not thinking pros.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Dodson would like to follow Calipari to UK’

SEC links for Thursday:

• Mike Organ of the Tennessean reports that the Music City Bowl is adjusting its calendar.
• Mark Schlabach of espn.com writes on the positive prospects of Ole Miss football.
• Seth Emerson of The State reports that South Carolina’s Dominique Archie will test the NBA waters.
• Dave Hooker of the Knoxville News-Sentinel reports on the Tennessee controversy over Phil Fulmer receiving an award.
• Joe Schiefelbien of The Advocate writes that there is no recession in big-time football.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Music City Bowl moving its date’

Audio from before today’s open practice at the Craft Center:

• New coach John Calipari talks about all sorts of issues during a 12-minute briefing with the media before UK’s workout.

Shagari Alleyne at Rosa Parks Elementary on Tuesday. (H-L photo/Charles Bertram)

Big Blue Links for Wednesday:

• Jerry Tipton of the H-L reports that barring a drastic twist, Daniel Orton should be a Cat.
• Brendan Murray of ESPN reports that Wall has added Florida to his list.
• ESPN chat with Xavier Henry, John Wall and others.
• My column on Shagari Alleyne, now playing for the Globetrotters.
• Chip Cosby of the H-L reports that Rich Brooks is “leery” of season-opener against Miami of Ohio.
• Jeff Goodmanof Fox Sports writes on Kansas, and mentions Xavier Henry.
• Tom Leach gives his thoughts after watching his first John Calipari practice at UK.
• Leach talks to UK defensive tackle Corey Peters.
• C.L. Brown of the Courier-Journal reports on UK baseball’s 8-7 win over Louisville.
• The C-J’s Jody Demling reports that the first week of signing period could be slow.
• Demling also reports that John Wall is not thinking about the NBA.
• Mike DeCourcy of the Sporting News writes on Wall.
• Bobby Reagan of the Kentucky Kernel writes on UK basketball’s new offense.
• Metz Camfield of the Kernel writes on the Kentucky victory.
• Kernel columnist Jon Hale writes that UK regains some early-season magic with win.
• Cat Scratches has UK baseball coverage.

SEC links for Wednesday:

• Doug Segrest of the Birmingham News reports that CBS thinks the Iron Bowl on a Friday will be a ratings home run.
• News columnist Kevin Scarbinsky writes about Bama tackle Andre Smith and the draft.
• Tony Barnhart of the AJC writes that there is no letdown at Florida.
• Edward Aschoff of the Gainesville Sun reports the Gators are looking for more from Carl Moore.
• Joe Person of The State gives five off-season storylines for South Carolina football.
• David Climer of the Tennessean writes that Tennessee quarterback is a position in transition.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Spring football still in the air’