John Clay's Sidelines

Big Blue Links for Friday:

Christopher Lawlor of espn.com on Terrence Jones’ announcement today:

Jones, the versatile 6-foot-9 power forward from Jefferson High in Portland, Ore., will break his silence Friday afternoon (6:30 p.m. ET) when he announces his college choice. The decision is late in the process for the prolific prospect, who played in the Jordan Brand Classic, Nike Hoops Summit and McDonald’s All-American Game — the trinity of senior all-star contests — this spring.

The Lawrence Journal-World will carry the press conference live.

Kentucky Sports Network has re-posted its interview with Terrence Jones from last month.

Percy Allen of the Seattle Times writes on the Jones’ pick:

While prolonging his recruiting with Washington, Kentucky, Kansas, UCLA, Oregon and Oklahoma, he was able to gain more information about the recruiting process to make an informed decision. The extra time allowed him to make an official visit to Lawrence, Kansas and determine where another standout recruit, C.J. Leslie, was going to college. Leslie decided to play at North Carolina State, which perhaps makes Kentucky’s offer more sweeter to Jones.

Brett Dawson of the C-J reports that John Calipari is considering a JV team:

Might John Calipari revive the junior-varsity basketball concept at Kentucky? According to a series of messages on his Twitter account today, he’s considering it. Calipari has been teasing this week about a suggestion made by Charlotte Bobcats coach Larry Brown. Today, he revealed that Brown suggested adding a JV squad, a longstanding fixture of the North Carolina program.

Gary Parrish of CBS Sports says there is zero chance Bledsoe and Orton return:

Zero (Technically, Daniel Orton and Eric Bledsoe are “testing the waters,” but nobody expects either to be a Wildcat next season. Both are projected first-round picks. Once they were told that, they were gone. For good.)

Continue reading ‘BBL: Terrence Jones announces decision at 6:30 p.m.’

Big Blue Links for Wednesday:

Mike Fields of the Herald-Leader on West Jessamine’s Jarrod Polson picking UK:

Polson, a 6-foot-3 point guard who averaged 18 points and six rebounds this season, announced his decision Tuesday in his high school library in front of teammates, students, teachers and fans. They gave him a rousing ovation when he slipped on a blue UK cap.

H-L staff report says Eric Bledsoe remains eligible, and has not signed with an agent:

Saying the update came from Bledsoe, UK announced that the player would work out for NBA teams and then make a decision about turning pro by the deadline. Bledsoe is eligible to return to Kentucky if he does not hire an agent and withdraws from the draft by May 8.

Phil Kornblut of Palmetto Sports says Marcus Thornton will visit Kentucky:

6-7 Marcus Thornton will make his first official visit since reopening his recruiting this Thursday when he visits Alabama according to his coach. Thornton once was a Clemson signee but he got his release after Oliver Purnell left. He also has scheduled an official visit to Texas for next weekend. His coach said he will also take officials to Kentucky and Michigan.

(Hat tip Aaron’s UK Basketball Blog.)

Gary Bedore of the Lawrence Journal-World on Terrence Jones’ visit to Kansas:

Blue-chip basketball prospect Terrence Jones, who completed his official 48-hour recruiting trip to Kansas University on Tuesday afternoon, returned to his hometown of Portland, Ore., with positive feelings about KU. “The support the players receive at Kansas is something that stands out,” Jones, the No. 13-rated player in the recruiting Class of 2010, told Rivals.com. “Everybody knows who those guys are, and there is a lot of support. Kansas is one of my options, and they are even with the other schools.”

Kentucky Sports Network has Polson video:

Continue reading ‘BBL: Marcus Thornton to visit UK; Jones enjoyed Kansas’

SEC links for Wednesday:

• Mr. SEC looks ahead to the league and the 2011 NFL Draft.

• Replica ring stirring up controversy at Florida, reports David Jones of Florida Today.

• Vanderbilt basketball gets commitment from a prep junior, reports Jeff Lockridge of the Tennessean.

• Marc Weiszer of the Athens Banner-Herald on more arrests at Georgia.

• Ex-Florida tight end Aaron Hernandez refutes story that he failed drug tests, reports Robbie Andreu of the Gainesville Sun.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Looking ahead to 2011 NFL Draft’

(H-L photo/Mark Cornelison)

Big Blue Links for Monday:

Mobile Press-Register has report on Auburn baseball’s win over Kentucky:

With a base available and a tie game on the line, Kentucky surprised just about everyone in Plainsman Park and chose to pitch to one of the best hitters in college baseball. Auburn first baseman Hunter Morris rocketed a single to right field to score Justin Fradejas and give the Tigers a 6-5 victory in the second game of Sunday’s modified doubleheader. Kentucky won the first game, a four-hour marathon that was continued from Saturday, 8-7.

Zagsblog reports that Terrence Ross has committed to Washington:

The 6-foot-5 Ross has decided to commit to Washington, the school he takes an official to Monday. “I am going to Washington because of the great relationship I have with the team and coaches. I thought it would be the best choice for me and I would fit in with the team,” Ross told ZAGSBLOG contributor Alex Kline via Facebook.

A Sea of Blue on the legacy of Patrick Patterson:

But every once and a while, a player comes along who transcends the admiration and respect afforded nearly all those who romped in Rupp Arena, Memorial Coliseum, or Alumni Gym. Some players, upon departure, find themselves thrust into a fraternity of greats, who for varying reasons, find themselves atop the pedestal, worshiped as heroes. Ralph Beard, Rupp’s Runts, Dan Issel, Kyle Macy, Kenny Walker, The Unforgettables, Jamal Mashburn, Tayshaun Prince, and Chuck Hayes among others … they all denote greatness. Whether for winning championships, or making a unique, indelible mark on the Kentucky basketball program, they are universally beloved by the Wildcat faithful.

Mike Miller of Beyond the Arc says Calipari’s recruiting is ridiculous:

For those not paying attention – or who ignore recruiting news – Calipari’s debut season with the Wildcats resulted in a freshman class for the ages: four five-star recruits, including the nation’s top two players, John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins. Last week, he secured the top players in the class of 2010, Brandon Knight, and 2011, Michael Gilchrist. And now, he added to his class of 2011 by convincing point guard Marquis Teague – the No. 2 overall recruit – to come to Lexington. More impressive was that Teague was seen as a lock to attend Louisville, which had recruited him hard the past two years. How many players can say no to Rick Pitino like that?

Continue reading ‘BBL: Terrence Ross commits to Washington’

SEC links for Monday:

• Tennessee isn’t alone with quarterback concerns, writes John Adams of the Knoxville News-Sentinel.

• David Paschall of the Chattanooga Times Free Press also writes about the league’s QB issues.

• Georgia’s Aaron Murray is ready to lead, writes Steve Hummer of the AJC.

• Ron Morris of The State thinks conference shakeup should put South Carolina back in the ACC.

• Florida was among those that ruled the NFL draft, reports Andrea Adelson of the Orlando Sentinel.

• Jessica Heslam of the Boston Herald reports on a Boston radio show host who used the word Nazis in referencing Tim Tebow. (Hat tip to Orlando Sentinel.)

Continue reading ‘SEC links: The league’s quarterback issues’

These are from the post-game press conference after Saturday’s Blue-White Game.

Joker Phillips talks offense.

Joker Phillips talks defense

Continue reading ‘Videos: Spring Game post-game interviews’

(H-L photo)

Big Blue Links for Sunday:

Jeff Rabjohns of the Indianapolis Star on Marquis Teague getting an early taste of UK mania:

The Wildcats basketball fans weren’t sure if Marquis Teague was going to pick their favorite school, or if the Northwestside high school would even allow them into the news conference to find out. But they came nonetheless. Kalen Harris, 29, left Lexington, Ky., early Thursday morning. “The chance to get a guy like Marquis, who we’ve goo-gooed and gah-gahed over for so long, the chance to be a part of history is something we couldn’t really pass up,” said Harris, a 2004 Kentucky grad.

Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader on the spring game star, running back Donald Russell:

With No. 1 tailback Derrick Locke seeing limited action, Russell took the reins and ran for 118 yards and two touchdowns on just nine carries, including a 70-yard scoring run. Russell also hauled in a beautiful 35-yard over-the-shoulder catch near the sidelines from Mike Hartline.

Jerry Tipton of the H-L has an inspiring story about a new UK basketball manager:

The most inspiring member of Kentucky’s basketball team next season may be a freshman student manager who stands no more than 4 feet tall. Birth defects caused doctors to give him no better than a 5 percent chance to live. He survives, but only after undergoing more than 30 surgeries to help him deal with a crooked spine, one leg longer than the other and stunted growth.

My column on UK quarterback Mike Hartline:

You’d have a hard time convincing some in the Big Blue Nation that is actually true. Those are the Hartline-haters, the ones thoroughly convinced the Canton, Ohio, native has never thrown a touchdown pass, never led the Cats on a scoring drive, and never directed Kentucky to win over any opponent of any consequence.

FanHouse’s Terrence Moore rips what he calls John Calipari’s minor league mentality:

Courtesy of Rose and his associates violating NCAA rules, Memphis’s trip to the Final Four was vacated. That means Calipari is the only coach ever to have such a thing happen at two different schools. One of his University of Massachusetts teams suffered a similar fate, but as was the case with Memphis, Calipari wasn’t found guilty. He was unofficially known as John Calisleazy in the aftermath, but Kentucky couldn’t care less.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Marquis Teague gets early taste of UK mania’

From Patrick Patterson’s press conference this afternoon:

Video from today’s press conference at Memorial Coliseum: