John Clay's Sidelines

Big Blue Links for Tuesday:

• Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader writes that John Wall’s brush with the law isn’t likely to put off suitors. Tipton: “John Calipari’s record strongly suggests that John Wall being charged with a misdemeanor breaking and entering should have no impact on the University of Kentucky’s recruitment of the highly regarded point guard prospect.”
• Kevin Scarbinsky of the Birmingham News writes that it’s Kentucky or Memphis for Alabama point guard Eric Bledsoe. Scarbinsky: Another person familiar with Bledsoe’s thinking said he believes the No. 1 Birmingham News Super Senior has chosen Kentucky, but it’s important to remember two things about recruits and their college choices. Nothing is official until they sign a letter-of-intent.”
• Seth Emerson of The State writes that the John Wall recruitment is one of five questions that will shape SEC hoops. Emerson: “If Wall chooses the Wildcats, they probably will be the preseason favorite in the East. They might already be, depending on whether Jodie Meeks and Patrick Patterson return.”
• Bluegrass State Basketball gives its thoughts on Eric Bledsoe. BSB: “My gut instinct wants to tell me that he will be a Tiger, but if I were betting, my money would be on the Wildcats. Several sources have stated that Bledsoe has desired to play for Kentucky for several weeks now, but did not particularly enjoy playing “second fiddle” to John Wall. I think John Calipari has sold him on being a Wildcat regardless of what Wall decides and I also believe that Calipari has made Bledsoe feel “wanted” during the past two weeks.”

• Will Brinson of AOL Fan House thinks others may pull out of the Wall sweepstakes. Brinson: First of all, Mike Krzyzewski and Roy Williams might withdraw Duke and Carolina, respectively, from the race to recruit Wall. Sidney Lowe of NC State will be hard pressed to take the nation’s No. 1-ranked point guard as well. And it would seem difficult for Bill Self and Kansas to amp up their pursuit. However, John Calipari and Kentucky may not feel the same way; that’s not to indict Coach Cal or the Wildcat boosters who so desperately want a star point guard, but I think that the general consensus agrees with my perception that Calipari would still be amenable to the point guard.”
• College Football News’ way-too-early bowl projections have Kentucky in the Chic-fil-A Bowl. CFN: “Chick-fil-A Bowl
  Dec. 31 / 7:30 p.m. ET Atlanta, Ga. ESPN Tie-Ins: ACC No. 2 vs. SEC Way Too Early Projection: North Carolina vs. Kentucky Top 5 Others Considered: 1) Virginia Tech, 2) Alabama, 3) Georgia Tech, 4) LSU, 5) Ole Miss.” (Hat tip to Tom Leach.)
• Kentucky Sports Radio is positive that Calipari will continue chasing Wall. KSR: “Well one thing is clear, the Wall incident will have no impact on Kentucky’s recruitment of him. Coach Calipari was very clear in his introductory press conference that he believed in second chances and there is nothing in his past that would suggest that he will give up the Wall pursuit. If Coach Cal was fine going after Tyreke Evans, John Wall will not be a problem.”
• Straitpinkie looks at the UK ties to the NBA playoffs. Strait: “In the Celtics’ first round slugfest with Chicago, Rondo averaged 19.4 points, 11.6 assists, 9.3 rebounds and 2.7 steals. Rondo finished game one, a game that saw Boston storm back from 28 down to cut it to four, and Ray Allen got a wide open look to cut it to one with 45 seconds to play, but the ball went in and out and that was about the end of the comeback.”