John Clay's Sidelines

Big Blue Links for Wednesday:

(H-L photo/Charles Bertram)

Jerry Tipton of the H-L writes that Calipari is ok with undefeated talk: “Yet the Cats have been talking for weeks about finishing with a record that has a zero on the right side of the hyphen. The quest, apparently serious, resumes Wednesday against Long Beach State.”

Jen Smith of the H-L reports on UK women remaining unbeaten: “The Wildcats’ show highlight was the high-flying act of Victoria Dunlap, who tried to become the first Kentucky woman to dunk in a game. The 6-foot-1 junior was just centimeters shy.”

(H-L photo/Joseph Rey Au)

Eric Lindsey of Cat Scratches on the Dunlap dunk attempt: “Victoria Dunlap nearly dunked herself into history. Yes, dunked. Late in the second half of UK’s 87-47 rout of UT Martin on Tuesday night, Dunlap tried to do what only five women’s college players and three WNBA players (according to various reports) have ever done before. With the game already well in hand, Dunlap tried to throw down a slam dunk, which had it gone in, would have been the first dunk in UK Hoops history.”

High School Hoop reports Knight’s comments didn’t bother Marquis Teague: “Pike High (Ind.) star guard Marquis Teague said that he “wasn’t moved at all” by Bobby Knight’s comments about Kentucky head coach John Calipari during a fundraiser for the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame last week.” (Hat tip Bluegrass State Basketball.)

My column on the return of DeAndre Liggins: “Such was the case with Liggins, the athletic but mercurial product of the Chicago City Schools who rode the Billy Gillispie-driven roller coaster through his freshman season. Then the driver changed, and the season started, and Liggins sat the bench through the first game, then the second, and the third, and so on and so on.”

Brett Dawson of the C-J writes on Liggins: “Don’t bother asking why he was out of it. Liggins met with reporters Tuesday for the first time since UK’s preseason media day, but that topic was off the table. Other than saying he wasn’t out for academic reasons, Liggins didn’t offer any explanation, nor has Calipari.”

Video of John Calipari talking about DeAndre Liggins:

Continue reading ‘BBL: UK prepares for Long Beach State’

(AP photo)

SEC links for Wednesday:

• Kim Shugart of the Mobile Press-Register reports on South Alabama’s win at Florida.
• Kevin Brockway of the Gainesville Sun writes that Florida was stunned by USA.
• At Florida Today, David Jones writes about the Gators’ hoops slide.
• David Brandt of the Clarion-Ledger previews tonight’s Ole Miss-West Virginia matchup.
• Also in the Clarion-Ledger, Kyle Veazey reports on Mississippi State’s easy win.
• Mike Strange of Knoxville News-Sentinel says Bruce Pearl wants to turn the page.
• Wes Rucker of the Chattanooga Times Free Press writes that Tennessee wants to shake off big loss.
• Gary Laney reports for The Advocate that Charles Scott will miss LSU’s bowl game.
• Jeff Lockridge of Tennessean reports that Vanderbilt reported a secondary NCAA violation in signing of juco quarterback.
• Bob Spear of The State writes on South Carolina’s Eric Norwood.

We just finished our day-before media meeting with UK players and John Calipari. One of today’s interviewees was DeAndre Liggins, who talked about his nine-game absence, though not the reason for his absence, and how happy he is to be back. Liggins said he has a new role now, play defense. And if he does that, he thinks he can contribute to this team.

Here is a pdf file of media notes for Wednesday’s Kentucky-Long Beach State game:

• Click here to get the media notes on UK-Long Beach State.

• Click here for a pdf file of Calipari’s quotes in his meeting with the media today.

Here’s entire audio of Calipari’s remarks today.

Here we have first part of John Calipari’s press gathering with the media before today’s practice. The coach talked about the short turn-around to Wednesday’s 1:00 game with Long Beach State, and dreaming big (undefeated) dreams.

Before today’s practice, we were able to interview both Patrick Patterson and DeMarcus Cousins about last night’s celebration. Patterson said he stayed up until 4 a.m. All Cousins would say is “no comment” with a huge smile. Later, when told that Patterson said at least he, and probably others, stayed up until 4 a.m, John Calipari said, “Better not have.”

Here’s Pat, who also talks about his speech:

And here’s Big Cuz, who also talks about the change in his game, and the possibility of UK going undefeated:

(H-L photo/Mark Cornelison)

Note: The Herald-Leader will have a 24-page UK2K special section in Wednesday’s edition of the newspaper. Be sure to check it out.

Big Blue Links for Tuesday:

Mark Story of the Herald-Leader writes that milestone belongs to Cats past and present: “The journey began Feb. 18, 1903. Win No. 1 for the Kentucky Wildcats basketball program came by one, 11-10, over the always formidable Lexington YMCA. On Monday night, the fascinating journey that is Kentucky basketball reached 2,000 wins first – before any other college hoops program – with an 88-44 obliteration of Drexel.”

Amy Wilson of the H-L on the fan celebration: “On hand were 10-year-old girls like Caitlyn Burdine, who got these tickets as an early Christmas present. It was just her fourth real-live University of Kentucky game, but her daddy, Chris, was making memories. Across a few aisles and down a few rows from Caitlin was 91 year-old Alta Wells, who has had season tickets since her employer transferred them to her in 1956.”

The H-L photo slideshow on 2,000 wins.

Jerry Tipton of H-L writes that the Cats cruised to UK2K: “But UK, which improved to 12-0 to match the program’s best start to a season since the Final Four team of 1983-84, made quick work of Drexel. After 40 minutes of basketball fun, the UK team and special guests celebrated from center court with 24,354 fans (the 11th-largest crowd in Rupp Arena history).”

USA Today’s Marlen Garcia writes on John Wall’s new-found maturity: “Not so long ago, though, his stubborn ways threatened to stunt his development. Wall recalls times in high school when he handled setbacks poorly. He had a knack for sulking when things went awry on the court. He says he took out his aggravation on teammates and coaches.”

Brett Dawson of the C-J on win No. 2,000: “University of Kentucky forward Patrick Patterson was wrapping up a speech to fans at Rupp Arena on Monday night in celebration of the Wildcats’ 2,000th all-time victory when a fan shouted his desire for another milestone. “Number eight!” he yelled, referencing UK’s seven national titles.”

Continue reading ‘BBL: A UK2K links roundup’

SEC links for Tuesday:

• Seth Emerson of The State reports that South Carolina’s Dominique Archie is out for the season.
• Kevin Brockway of the Gainesville Sun writes that Florida wants to bounce back after loss to Richmond.
• Gary Laney of The Advocate previews LSU’s road game at Washington State.
• Kyle Veazey of the Clarion-Ledger writes that Mississippi State wants to keep its win streak alive.
• David Jones of Florida Today reports that Brandon James will miss the Sugar Bowl.
• Gentry Estes of the Mobile Press-Register writes about the friendship between Alabama’s Nick Saban and Texas’ Will Muschamp.
• David Paschall of the Chattanooga Times Free Press reports that Georgia faces Joe Kines again.
• Jeff Lockridge of the Tennesssean reports that Vanderbilt has signed a junior college quarterback.
• Chase Goodbread of the Tuscaloosa News writes on Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy.
• Dan Fleser of the Knoxville News-Sentinel reports that Tennessee women trying to learn from loss to Stanford.

More of Calipari: