Scott Stricklin
SEC links for Friday:
Kyle Veazey of the Clarion-Ledger reports that ex-UK associate AD Scott Stricklin will be named AD at Mississippi State: “Mississippi State will introduce Scott Stricklin as its new athletic director at a 2 p.m. press conference today, The Clarion-Ledger learned late Thursday. Stricklin, a senior associate AD at State and a Jackson native, replaces Greg Byrne, who started his new job as Arizona’s athletic director earlier this week.”
Brad Locke of the NE Mississippi Daily Journal on Stricklin: “Keenum solicited the help of Parker Executive Search in Atlanta, and details of the process were kept well-guarded. Stricklin, who turns 40 on Saturday, was widely thought from the get-go to be a leading candidate and had strong support within the athletic department.”
Rick Cleveland of the Clarion-Ledger on Mississippi State’s baseball problems: “State, depending on primarily freshman pitchers, could just as easily have won two of the three games with Ole Miss. Against Jackson State, they ran into a red-hot team, using its two best pitchers in a weekday game. These things happen in baseball.”
David Climer of the Tennessean writes that on flood relief, Vandy hit it out of the park: “As the region recovers from the Flood of 2010, credit Vanderbilt’s baseball program for pitching in. The Commodores are offering free tickets to their game with powerful Louisville on Tuesday night. Instead of paying for a ticket, fans are asked to donate money for flood relief.
John Adams of the Knoxville News-Sentinel writes that Derek Dooley is not into a herd mentality: “Meanwhile, the story continues for UT’s two other high-profile goodbye guys, offensive tackle Aaron Douglas and running back Bryce Brown. They’re making more news off the team than anyone is on it. And their news value is confirmed at every stop of the Big Orange Caravan.”
Don Kausler of the Birmingham News on Alabama’s key baseball series with Florida: “At home, the Crimson Tide is 7-2 in Southeastern Conference games. On the road, it is 2-10. After playing three of its past four series on the road, Alabama (28-17, 9-12 in the SEC) is home the next two weekends. A three-game series against Florida (31-11, 15-6) starts with a 6:36 p.m. game today at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. Ole Miss visits Tuscaloosa next weekend.”
Kevin Brockway of the Gainesville Sun has an Alex Tyus update: “But not everyone in Tyus’ family believes returning to UF would be the right move. Tyus’ father, Thomas Tyus, told the Orlando Sentinel he would recommend that his son remain in the draft regardless of his draft status. And Tyus’ uncle, Charles Tyus, told the Sun on Thursday night there is “no chance” of Tyus returning to Florida.”
Seth Emerson of The State reports that Murphy Holloway will appeal Ole Miss’ decision on his transfer: “Murphy Holloway has been denied by Mississippi his request to transfer to either the Clemson or South Carolina basketball program. The 6-foot-7 forward from Irmo, a key player the past two seasons for the Rebels, plans to appeal the decision.”
Randy Rosetta of The Advocate previews LSU-Vanderbilt baseball: “LSU’s embattled pitching staff remains an unfinished puzzle, with a team ERA of 5.40 and 10.3 hits given up a game. Vandy’s staff is among the best in the SEC with a league-leading 3.31 ERA, a .258 opponent batting average (third) and 379 strikeouts (fourth).”
