Big Blue Links for Sunday:
They lived one house apart. So nearly every morning, Charlie Strong would walk to Joker Phillips’ house, or vice versa, and they would go for a run. Or sometimes, the run waited until the coaches arrived at their offices at the South Carolina football complex. In truth, there was more than the proximity of their homes that connected Strong and Phillips for that one year, 2002, they were together on Lou Holtz’s Gamecocks staff. They were both young, energetic and black – and working in a field in which opportunities for advancement seemed minimal.
RT @Chandrathan: Daniel Orton just posted on FB he is indeed going to California tomorrow. Looks like he’s officially gone.
Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader reports that Elisa Justice has heard from John Calipari:
Apparently, Justice had his own pre-conditions before more serious discussions could ensue. “The only way Elisha would be willing to go to Kentucky, I’d say, is if it’s on a full four-year scholarship,” Booher said.
Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes that UK football has a hitter in Qua Huzzie:
So needless to say, the UK coaching staff was disappointed last August when prized freshman Qua Huzzie, a 2009 signee from LaGrange, Ga., suffered an injury to his left shoulder in August that caused him to redshirt. Huzzie had shown enough early in fall camp that he would have likely seen backup action behind Micah Johnson at middle linebacker as well as being a key contributor on special teams.
Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader on one-and-dones and Lee Todd:
Meanwhile, UK President Lee T. Todd Jr. sits uneasy at the head of an educational institution. “If you don’t recruit them, you’ll play against them very likely,” Todd said of one-and-done players in a recent interview. “It’s a system problem, I think.”
Tom Leach has videos from UK football practice.
Arkansas baseball crushes Kentucky 10-1 in Fayetteville:
UK starter Taylor Rogers (3-3) went four innings, allowing 11 hits and eight runs, while striking out two. UK freshman right-hander Jordan Cooper came on in relief and kept the UK bullpen intact for Sunday, going the final four innings, allowing six hits and two runs – one earned – not issuing a walk and striking out three..
Brett Dawson of the C-J also writes on Qua Huzzie:
Ask University of Kentucky football coach Joker Phillips about linebacker Qua Huzzie, and his answer includes the phrase “typical LaGrange kid.” By now that should resonate with Wildcats fans.
Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger on Eric Bledsoe:
Eric Bledsoe’s family has always believed in him, especially his mother, Maureen Reddick.
Rob Dauster writes for msnbc.com on whether Calipari can re-load again:
Then we have Daniel Orton. Over the last week or so, it has become clear that Orton intends to enter the draft. Orton, in a refreshingly candid and honest moment, said “You know, if I’m a lottery pick, it’s something I have to think about. … More than anything, it’s money. In this world, there’s only one color that matters, and that’s green. If that’s an option, then that’s real important. I’ve got to (explore) that option.” His father has said he is going pro, and Kentucky Sports Radio believes he may even be leaving Lexington this weekend to move to L.A. to train.
John, why did Bob Huggins try and make out with Butlet Saturday night? That was the most disturbing thing I’ve seen on TV in a long time. The hugging and face to face whispering was bad enough, but the carressing of the face was just too much.