John Clay's Sidelines

SEC links for Monday:

• Randy Rosetta of The Advocate previews tonight’s CWS final round opening game between LSU and Texas.
• Jim Kleinpeter of the Times-Picayune writes that LSU and Texas have rich baseball histories.
• Nate Allen of the NW Arkansas Times writes that Arkansas’ loss to LSU in CWS doesn’t dim successful season.
• John Adams of the Knoxville News-Sentinel writes that Tennessee isn’t big news in pre-season football publications.
• Dave Hooker of the News-Sentinel writes that top quarterback prospect is still considering UT, but is not committed.
• Seth Emerson of The State reports that South Carolina players have found success overseas.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: LSU ready to battle Texas for CWS title’

Jimmy Williams

A coach who quit his job at Oklahoma State to join Tubby Smith at Minnesota, only to have the hired rejected by the university, is suing the former Kentucky coach.

Jimmy Williams left the OSU staff in 2007 to accept a Smith offer at Minnesota, only to have AD Joe Maturi turn down the hire because Williams was part of a Minnesota staff that committed NCAA violations in the 1970s.

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune has this from the suit:

“Between March 30, 2007, and April 2, 2007, Smith did not disclose to Williams that his authority to hire him was anything but complete and final.”

Photo by Mark Cornelison.

Big Blue Links for Friday:

• Herald-Leader report on both Darius Miller and Shelvin Mack making the U.S. National Under-19 team.
• WHAS reports that Jim Host believes UK would be better off to avoid new Louisville arena and play in Freedom Hall.
• ESPN’s Andy Katz reports that Nebraska is looking at both Matt Pilgrim and Kevin Galloway. (Hat tip to Aaron’s UK Basketball Blog.)
• Tom Leach writes that Randall Cobb may be the key to early success in 2009 for UK football.
• Highschoolhoop.com reports that C.J. Leslie, a highly-regarded 2010 recruit, has his eyes on North Carolina, Florida and Kentucky.
• Fox Sports’ Jeff Goodman writes that UK is so talented that Daniel Orton may not see meaningful minutes.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger writes that tryout was great experience for Miller.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Jim Host says UK should stick to Freedom Hall’

SEC links for Friday:

• Mike Griffith of the Knoxville News-Sentinel reports that UT’s Scotty Hopson is working on his shot.
• Kevin Brockway of the Gainesville Sun reports that ex-Gator Nick Calathes could still be picked in NBA’s first round.
• Brockway also reports that Florida freshman-to-be Kenny Boynton was cut from U.S. National Under-19 team.
• Rick Fires of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette writes that Razorbacks will throw it all into rematch with LSU at CWS.
• Randy Rosetta of The Advocate writes that beating LSU twice is a tough feat.
• Mark Bradley of the AJC writes that Florida has replaced Georgia as the summer focus of off-the-field problems.
• Dennis Dodd of CBS Sportsline writes that wins shouldn’t exacerbate Florida’s sins.
• Kyle Veazey of the Clarion-Ledger reports that MSU’s Jarvis Varnado makes the World University Games team.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Scotty Hopson working on his shot’

Big Blue Links for Thursday:

• At A Sea of Blue, top recruit Harrison Barnes voices some worries about John Calipari.
• Mike Fields of the Herald-Leader writes on Darius Miller and Shelvin Mack, Kentucky buddies competing for spts on the USA Under-19 National Team.
• My notes column, which leads with Rafael Little.
• Dave D’Alessandro of the Newark Star-Ledger reports that Jodie Meeks will work out for the Nets on Friday.
• The New York Daily News reports that Lance Stephenson is running out of options.
• ESPN’s Andy Katz also talks to Darius Miller.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes that Miller is confident about life after Jodie Meeks.
• Steve Moss of WKYT says hypothetically Meeks can return to UK.
• The C-J’s Jody Demling talks to recruit Jesse Berry about the “coaching trade-off.”
• Tom Leach points out that ESPN’s Joe Lunardi already has UK as a No. 1 seed for next season.
• ESPN’s Pat Forde ranks Kentucky No. 6 for next season.
• Inner Circle on where UK wants to be next season.
• In the Maysville Ledger-Independent, blogger Ron Bailey has a short note on Jodie Meeks.

SEC links for Thursday:

• Ian Rapoport of the Birmingham News reports that Bill Curry will face his former team when Georgia State plays Alabama in 2010.
• Kevin Brockway of the Gainesville Sun writes on new Florida assistant Richard Pitino.
• Brandon Marcello of the NW Arkansas Times reports on Arkansas’ comeback win over Virginia in the CWS.
• Rick Fires of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette calls Arkansas the Houdini Hogs.
• Mike Strange of the Knoxville News-Sentinel reports that Tennessee is paying its strength coach to hit the road.
• John Adams of the News-Sentinel writes that Tennessee recruits have faith in Lane Kiffin.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Bill Curry to face Bama; Pitino settles in at UF’

Big Blue Links for Wednesday:

• Jodie Meeks posts a thank-you to the Big Blue Nation on his web site.
• Mark Maloney of the Herald-Leader reports that UK’s Ashley Molly Johnson has been added to the U.S. Softball team.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger talks to Kyle Macy, who says an NBA decision should be business only.
• Tom Leach talks to Mike Pratt about Jodie Meeks’ departure.
• Jonathan Hines of the State-Journal writes that we shouldn’t begrudge Meeks if UK fails to live up to billing.
• The Myrtle Beach Sun News takes an early look at SEC basketball, with Meeks gone.
• Eric Crawford of the Courier-Journal blogs that everyone will now shoot the three at UK.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Even more on Jodie Meeks’

MoMo Jones

SEC links for Wednesday:

• Kevin Brockway of the Gainesville Sun reports that point guard MoMo Jones is visiting Florida.
• Kyle Veazey of the Clarion-Ledger reports that Mississippi State women’s coach Sharon Fanning, once the UK head coach, has received an extension and raise.
• Mike Griffith of the Knoxville News-Sentinel writes that Tennessee’s Cameron Tatum isn’t worried about the critics.
• Mike Strange of the News-Sentinel writes that UT’s Renaldo Woolridge has altered his game for the better.
• Jay Greeson of the Chattanooga Times Free-Press wonders which first-year SEC football coach will last.
• ESPN’s Chris Low asks what does vacating wins really mean?
• Nate Allen of the NW Arkansas Times writes that LSU continues to loom over Arkansas baseball.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Point guard MoMo Jones visiting Florida’

Here’s how the roster looks now that Jodie Meeks is off to the play-for-pay.

What I’ve heard from the local radio call-in shows:

• WLXG-1300: I’ll be on with Chris Cross and Mike Cameron at 6:05 p.m.