Big Blue Links for Friday:
- Ryan Alessi of the Herald-Leader writes that UK has asked a Kentucky court to rule on Billy Gillispie’s contract.
- Alessi and Jerry Tipton of the H-L report that UK president Lee Todd says he knew of the John Calipari issue.
- Mark Story of the H-L writes that Todd is carrying Calipari’s baggage.
- Tipton reports that Orestes Meeks says son Jodie is looking to be picked in the first round of NBA draft.
- Tipton also reports that ex-Cats say Memphis investigation may dog UK.
- Andy Katz of ESPN talks to Meeks at the pre-draft camp in Chicago.
- Bryan Mullen of the Tennessean reports that Nashville is courting UK for a non-conference basketball game.
- Pat Forde of ESPN writes that it’s see no evil, hear no evil in Kentucky.
- Jason Smith of the Memphis Commercial Appeal reports that SAT fraud easily falls through testing cracks.
- Pete Thamel of the New York Times writes that coaches don’t go by the book with the NCAA.
- Rick Telander of the Chicago Sun-Times writes on Derrick Rose and the ripple effect.
- Mike Decourcy of Sporting News writes that spirit of the law follows John Calipari, but not Memphis golf.
- Tom Leach says we should let the Memphis situation play out first.
- Dick Weiss of the New York Daily News writes that NCAA will scrutinize Calipari’s recruits.
- Kevin Scarbinsky of the Birmingham News writes that another cloud hangs over a John Calipari program.
- Caulton Tudor of the Raleigh News and Observer writes that Calipari is leaving behind a mess at Memphis.
- Cecil Hurt of the Tuscaloosa News has a mixed reaction to the Memphis news.
- Jim Litke of the AP writes that Calipari was the wrong man in the wrong place — twice.
- Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal reports that Mitch Barnhart supports Calipari.
- Josh Herwitt of Fox Sports writes that Calipari won’t be sweating this one either.
- Mr. SEC writes that Gillispie might be making a big mistake in suing UK.
- Inner Circle says UK fans should have faith in Calipari.
- Kentucky Sports Radio gives a Gillispie Memory Refresher.
John Clay is a sports columnist for the Lexington Herald-Leader. A native of Central Kentucky and graduate of UK, he covered UK football for 13 seasons before being promoted to columnist in 2000. Born in Paris, he graduated from George Rogers Clark High School in Winchester in 1977. He lives in Lexington with his wife and two sons. You can e-mail him at jclay@herald-leader.com.
Surprise surprise surprise. Pat Forde is trying to drag Kentucky through the mud. I guess he’s trying to make up for his “in depth” look at the Pitino scandal. (to summarize the article “Rick Pitino is a poor defenseless victim”). So much for unbiased reporting.
I must admit, I’m pretty disappointed in Pat Forde. I’ve always enjoyed his writing, but this “I told you so” article is really unbecoming of a journalist. Mike Decourcy’s article is far more unbiased, presenting facts, not conjecture.
Even ESPN.com “news services” column does a better job of revealing this situation from the standpoint of the accused university, which is Memphis, not UK (regardless of what Mark Story & Pat Forde would have you think).
Overall, it feels like a snapshot in the decline of journalism vs the rise of sensationalism.
I like Erin Calipari’s take on the situation.
http://deadspin.com/5272807/the-caliparis-continue-to-use-social-networking-tools-to-bash-pat-forde?t=13176225