John Clay's Sidelines

Big Blue Links for Monday:

WLEX reports that UK assistant basketball coach Rod Strickland was arrested for DUI:

According to police reports, they arrested Strickland just before 3 a.m. at Tates Creek and New Circle Road. The report says an officer saw Strickland run a red light at the intersection, nearly striking another vehicle. Investigators say he failed a field sobriety test, including standing on one leg, walking and turning, and reciting ABCs. Strickland refused a breathalizer and had the smell of alcohol on his breath.

Fabian Lyon of the Miami Herald reports that UK leads on Brandon Knight:

The two-time National Gatorade Player of the Year has kept things close to the vest since narrowing his choices to Kentucky, Kansas, Syracuse, Florida and Connecticut but several sources believe Kentucky will emerge victorious in the Knight sweepstakes.

Gregg Doyel of CBS Sports says that Calipari will clean up:

Calipari is a genius at this sort of thing. I’m guessing the man knows his X’s from his O’s, though I myself am not qualified to make that declaration — but I’m positive he’s a recruiting genius. Look what he did last year at Kentucky, when he surveyed the scorched earth left behind by Billy Gillispie and immediately planted trees named DeMarcus Cousins and Wall, then landscaped with Daniel Orton and Bledsoe.

My column on Patrick Patterson delaying his NBA decision:

He wants to be the one to make an official announcement about his draft status. He wants a little solo time, after often operating in the shadows of fabulous freshmen most of the recently complete college basketball season. He’ll take some pats on the back, pun intended. His parents want that for him.

Mark Maloney of the H-L reports on Alabama baseball’s win over Kentucky:

UK out-hit the Crimson Tide 17-14, but left 12 on base to Alabama’s nine. UK pitchers walked four and hit a pair, adding a balk and three wild pitches. Two errors compounded the problems. Chad Wright, one of three Cats to finish with three hits, drove in three runs – one on a two-out double in the fourth and two more on a two-out single in the fifth.

Aaron Smith of the Kentucky Kernel on UK baseball losing a nine-run lead:

But UK (21-12, 4-8 Southeastern Conference) saw a nine-run lead erode under the tides of Alabama’s late-inning offense, culminating in an 11-9 Alabama victory that was UK’s third straight Sunday come-from-ahead loss. “You lose a Sunday game and you give it away after you’ve had a big lead,” UK head coach Gary Henderson said. “It’s pretty hard to see the rosy picture at that point in time.”

Chandler Howard of the Kentucky Kernel reports on UK softball sweep:

UK came out of the dugout looking for offense. Senior shortstop Molly Johnson, senior second baseman Natalie Smith and junior catcher Megan Yocke each reached base with no outs to begin the bottom of the first inning. Junior first baseman Samantha DeMartine then singled to the left side of the field, scoring Johnson and Smith, pushing the Cats up 2-0 early.

Draft Express has a recap of the Nike Hoops Summit:

It wasn’t until the third quarter that the tone of the game changed noticeably. After looking excellent in the handful of minutes he played in the first half, Enes Kanter took over the game in the third quarter. On his way to 34 points and 13 rebounds, the Kentucky-bound big man showed the outstanding feel around the basket that he’s become known for. Finishing the game having played just 24 minutes, he broke Dirk Nowitzki’s 12-year old record for points in the game, on 13 for 21 from the field.

Tom Leach has video interviews after UK’s Saturday football scrimmage.

Kentucky Sports Network has a fan report from the Derby Classic:

On a side note, Justin Coleman is absolutely SICK and was by far the most talented player there tonight. He showed great offensive skill, good shooting, and absolutely freaking UNREAL leaping ability.