John Clay's Sidelines

On an ESPN chat today, NBA draft expert Chad Ford said that UK target John Wall may be eligible for the draft, though he has not played college basketball.

Ford on Wall at the Nike Hoop Summit last weekend:

He was awesome and he’ll compete with Ed Davis and a few other freshmen for that. However, there is some buzz that Wall believes he might be eligible for THIS year’s draft. I’ve been doing some digging and will be filing a story later today. The short rub is this: Wall is a 5th year senior and depending on how you read the collective bargaining agreement, 5th year seniors are eligible for the draft as long as the turn 19 in the calander year (Wall does). The league is taking a wait and see approach. If he declares, they’ll research and make a ruling. If he does declare and is ruled eligible (two big ifs) he’s a Top 5 pick in this draft. Maybe Top 3.

Big Blue Links for Tuesday:

• Jerry Tipton of the H-L reports that John Calipari is bringing more staff members from Memphis.
• Herald-Leader columnist Mark Story writes on the “what if” of Mike Casey’s Kentucky career.
• Brett Dawson of the C-J reports that Calipari will be on three national radio shows today.
• The C-J’s Jody Demling reports that Calipari and Tom Crean will be on ESPNU’s coverage of signing day Wednesday.
• Bluegrass State Basketball thinks that UK may be putting all its eggs in the John Wall basket.
• Dan Wolken of the Memphis Commercial Appeal reports that Calipari received a lukewarm reception at charity fundraiser in Memphis.
• Michael Eaves blogs on John Wall.
• Tim Stevens of the Raleigh News and Observer has a short on Wall’s play in Portland.
• Jon Hale of the Kentucky Kernel writes on the UK baseball schedule.

David Huertas

SEC links for Tuesday:

• David Brandt of the Clarion-Ledger reports on David Huertas’ departure from Ole Miss basketball.
• Seth Emerson of The State reports on the lingering Darrin Horn to Xavier rumors.
• Robbie Andreu of the Gainesville Sun revisits his five keys to Florida’s spring practice.
• Drew Edwards of the Knoxville News-Sentinel writes that with Tennessee’s spring nearly over, competition has just begun.
• Writing for the Press-Register, Paul Finebaum says Alabama could roll again in 2009.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Huertas leaving Ole Miss’

Radio roundup for Monday:

• WLAP-630: I’ll be on with Ryan Lemond in the 6 o’clock hour. Ryan is filling in for Dick Gabriel, who has lost his voice.

It was a great tournament and a terrible final two holes for Kenny Perry at the Masters. The Franklin native led the touranment by two shots with two plays, but boeyed the final two holes. And, as you no doubt know the 48-year-old ended up losing the green jacket on the second hole of a three-way playoff to Angel Cabrera.

Some Perry links:

• Rick Telander of the Chicago Sun-Times writes that pressure turned Perry into a mere mortal.
• Christine Brennan of USA Today says Perry shows grace, but late blunders have to hurt.
• Bob Harig of ESPN.com says Perry gave the Masters away.
• At golf.com, Gary Van Sickle writes on Perry’s dream week.
• At CBS Sportsline, Steve Elling writes that Perry squandered the chance of a lifetime.
• Jeff Schultz of the AJC writes that it was a Masters to remember.
• The AJC’s Furman Bisher writes what a day, what a Masters.
• Larry Dorman of the New York Times writes about the Cabrera win.
• Bill Pennington of the New York Times writes on the Perry loss.
• Sky Sports writes that Perry says he can live with the loss.

Big Blue Links for Monday:

• A Kansas City Star blog reports that Xavier Henry will visit UK after an April 18 all-star game.
• Ray Melick of the Birmingham News writes on DeMarcus Cousins not receiving Mr. Basketball in Alabama.
• In the Oregonian, Nick Daschel writes on the U.S. (Henry, Cousins, John Wall) losing to the World.
• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes on seven players that are stepping up during UK’s spring drills.
• On his blog, Tom Leach writes that the offense must improve for UK football.
• Jerry Tipton of the H-L writes that Daniel Orton remains mum on the Cats.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger writes that Orton’s mother was/is his insipiration.
• Tipton’s Sunday notebook leads with Tubby’s top critic saying he is crazy for Calipari.
• Mark Maloney of the H-L reports on Georgia’s weekend sweep of UK baseball.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Xavier Henry to visit UK’

SEC links for Monday:

• Tim Tucker of the AJC writes that Georgia still has plenty of questions even after spring practice.
• Mark Bradley of the AJC writes that there’s still a pretty good team in Georgia.
• David Paschall of the Chattanooga Free Press Times writes that Georgia still has offensive concerns.
• Dave Hooker of the Knoxville News-Sentinel writes that Tennessee is looking for better receptions.
• Cecil Hurt of the Tuscaloosa News reports on LSU baseball’s series-winning 12-7 victory at Alabama.
• David Brandt of the Clarion-Ledger reports on Ole Miss’ series-salvaging baseball win over South Carolina.
• Robbie Andreu of the Gainesville Sun on Florida backup quarterback John Brantley.
• Jay G. Tate of the Montgomery Advertiser writes that Auburn’s quarterback battle may be coming into focus.
• Ray Melick of the Birmingham News writes that the Iron Bowl just got one day closer.
• David Jones of Florida Today writes that Gators’ spring is critical for four players.

Michael Eaves

Ex-WKYT reporter Michael Eaves, now in Los Angeles, is in Portland covering the Nike Hoop Summit.

Michael has talked to the trio of UK recruits about which of them might end up in Lexington.

An excerpt:

I just returned to my hotel after watching the practices for this weekend’s Nike Hoop Summit. I made a point to find DeMarcus Cousins and congratulate him on his recent commitment to Kentucky. He was excited to meet someone who had gone to school there.

After talking about all the positive experiences he should expect while at UK, I asked him flat out if he was going to bring some of his Team USA teammates with him to Lexington. And without blinking an eye, he said he thinks both Xavier Henry and John Wall will eventually sign with Kentucky. Neither player had told him that directly, but based on their most recent conversations, Cousins’ gut feeling told him that all three would end up playing for the Cats.

A few moments later, I spoke to Henry. He told me that since he had been released from his letter-on-intent by Memphis, he now had three schools on his final list: Memphis, Kansas and Kentucky. He wouldn’t say which way he was leaning, but he did say he was a huge fan of John Calipari’s dribble-drive offense. In fact, he said it was Cal’s system that led him to sign with Memphis in the first place, in addition to the opportunity to play with his brother CJ.

Mike Casey

Here are the arrangements for ex-UK basketball star Mike Casey, who passed away this week at age 60:

Monday — Visitation at Shannon’s Funeral Home in Shelbyville — 2-9 p.m.

Tuesday — Funeral at Shelby County High School — 4:30 p.m.

Burial at Baghdad Cemetery.

Thanks to Ken Howlett of A Sea of Blue for the info.