John Clay's Sidelines

Big Blue Links for Tuesday:

Sports Blog Nation’s Andrew Sharp writes about his trip to Rupp: “A game between the most successful program in college basketball’s recent history (and my favorite team in sports) and a program that looks primed to rule the immediate future. North Carolina and Kentucky. Two of college basketball’s titans for the past 30 years, going head-to-head on national television. A blockbuster event, sure, but given the context, it’d take a whole lot for the hoops to match the hype. I was prepared to come away a little disappointed. But that didn’t happen.” (Hat tip to A Sea of Blue.)

Jerry Tipton of the H-L reports that John Wall could be the SEC Freshman of Every Week: “The latest recognition made it necessary to find historical context to capture the start to Wall’s UK career. He became the sixth player to win the SEC’s Freshman or, as it was previously known, Rookie of the Week Award in back-to-back weeks.”

Chip Cosby of H-L reports on Randall Cobb’s SEC honor: “University of Kentucky sophomore Randall Cobb has been named first-team All-SEC by the Associated Press. Cobb, who has 1,656 total yards on the season, made the team as an all-purpose player.”

Metz Camfield of the Kentucky Kernel writes on one-and-dones: “In his introductory press conference Calipari said coming to UK presents him with the ability to recruit “the best of the best” and that’s one of the perks of coaching at UK. Bobby Perry, who played basketball for UK from 2003-2007, said coaches should take players regardless of whether they’ll leave after one year or not if the player is that talented.”

Wildcat Blue Blog on DeAndre Liggins: “It has been the great mystery this season: is DeAndre Liggins a victim of John Calipari’s doghouse or is his inactivity this season the result of something more nefarious? Truth be told, no one really know what is going on with Liggins except for Liggins, the team, and the UKAA.”

Bluegrass State Basketball catches up with Joe Crawford: “On Saturday, November 22, the Los Angeles D-Fenders took part in a community initiative to provide nearly 2,000 families from inner-city Los Angeles with Thanksgiving dinner. D-Fenders players, Ryan Forehan-Kelly, Joe Crawford and Longar Longar, along with Head Coach Chucky Brown gathered to help distribute the turkeys just in time for the holiday season.”

Tom Leach gives his take on the UK basketball start: “Kentucky is going to lose some games this season–maybe the first one as early as Wednesday night–but the Wildcats have not been higher than an eight seed on Selection Sunday since 2005. Saturday’s win over North Carolina was a statement that the Wildcats are indeed back in their customary spot of contending for Final Four spots and national titles and with John Calipari at the helm, that doens’t figure to change anytime soon.”

Eric Lindsey of Cat Scratches writes on UK running back Alfonso Smith: “The speedy senior tailback wants to once again prove he’s not only the fastest tailback in Kentucky or the Southeastern Conference – he wants to prove he’s the quickest senior in the nation.”

Aaron’s UK Football Blog has some grid notes: “UK had 10 football recruits on campus this past weekend instead of 13. For whatever reason, certain players couldn’t make it and some will reschedule (Rajaan Bennett 4-Star RB). UK has received commitments from Anterio Sloan (4-Star CB), Brice Laughlin (3-Star DT) and Dale Trimble (3-Star CB). UK could also land Joseph Byrd (3-Star RB) soon.”

Straitpinkie offers a UK basketball recruiting update: “Doron Lamb – Doron had targeted a fall decision with a spring signing, but he announced this month that he would postpone his commitment until spring. He was in Kentucky for the Marshall County Hoopfest and John Calipari stopped by to watch him play. Doron responded and dropped a triple double with no turnovers. Lamb has said his favorites are Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Kansas, but Arizona, West Virginia, and Connecticut are also involved.”