John Clay's Sidelines

Nick Saban

Interesting comments from Alabama coach Nick Saban in an ESPN story about how a Crimson Tide player is now being investigated concerning possible contact with a sports agent.

Said Saban:

“What the NFL Players Association and the NFL need to do is if any agent breaks a rule and causes ineligibility for a player, they should suspend his [agent's] license for a year or two,” Saban said. “I’m about ready for college football to say, ‘Let’s just throw the NFL out. Don’t let them evaluate players. Don’t let them talk to players. Let them do it at the combine.’ If they are not going to help us, why should we help them?”

Saban said he also believes the NCAA should “take schools off the hook” for the actions of agents and players. In the end, however, he points at the former.

“Right now, agents are screwing it up,” Saban said. “They are taking the eligibility of players. It’s not right that those players do the wrong thing. We have a great education process here. We have a full-time worker who meets with players and their families and does everything else.”

The Alabama story comes on the heels of Thursday’s report that Florida and the NCAA are investigating whether former Gators offensive lineman Maurkice Pouncey took $100,000 from a sports agent in December. As stated in the Saban story, the NCAA is looking into possible contact between agents and players at North Carolina and South Carolina.

Plus, Southern Cal’s new president pushed AD Mike Garrett out after the school was hit hard by the NCAA over illegal benefits being given by agents to football star Reggie Bush and basketball star O.J. Mayo.

Earlier, of course, TMZ cited anonymous sources as saying that the NCAA was asking questions about agents and Kentucky basketball players.

Not only is Southern Cal giving back Reggie Bush’s Heisman Trophy, the school is removing all on-campus evidence that not only Bush, but former Trojans basketball star, O.J. Mayo, ever existed.

This from the Los Angeles Times:

Near the end of the letter he addressed Tuesday to “Members of the USC Trojan Family,” incoming university President Max Nikias dropped this bombshell:

“I have instructed the senior vice president for administration to remove athletic jerseys and murals displayed in recognition of O.J. Mayo and Reggie Bush by mid-August — before the incoming class of students moves on campus — from Heritage Hall, the Galen Center, and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The university will also return Mr. Bush’s 2005 Heisman Trophy to the Heisman Trophy Trust in August.”

As you remember, Mayo played for Rose Hill Christian Academy in Ashland, before transferring to Huntington High School where he played with Patrick Patterson. Mayo ended up with Tim Floyd at USC, but part of the recent sanctions against USC included allegations that the star received gifts both before and during his stay in Los Angeles. Mayo left after one season. He was the No. 3 pick in the NBA draft, and is now with the Memphis Grizzlies.

He is not, however, welcome back at USC.

From now until Kentucky’s season opener at Louisville, look for a post/chart concerning Cats’ football.

Today’s chart deals with Kentucky’s non-conference record over the past few years. Rich Books’ team had a streak of 18 straight no-conference wins snapped by the 21-13 loss to Clemson in last season’s Music City Bowl.

Joker Phillips’ team will have a chance to start a new non-conference streak, Sept. 4 at the renovated Papa John’s Stadium.

Big Blue Links for Tuesday:

• Anthony Davis could unseat Michael Gilchrist as best player in 2011 Class, writes Jeff Eisenberg of Yahoo Sports.

• Tayshaun Prince among six chosen for UK Hall of Fame, says Herald-Leader report.

• Jody Demling of the Courier-Journal reports that basketball coaches find ways to connect with recruits in 20-day span.

• Hoop Scoop’s latest rankings has Kentucky with commitments from three of the top 13 players.

• Tubby Smith and Minnesota are going after Bowling Green’s Chane Behanan, reports Bluegrass State Basketball.

• UK assistant basketball coach John Robic says August practices will benefit Cats, reports Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger.

• The Huffington Post thinks John Wall’s trick shot is quite impressive.

• A Sea of Blue believes John Calipari is setting UK up for years of success.

• Rob Gidel posts this video featuring UK strength coach Rock Oliver:

Continue reading ‘BBL: Anthony Davis could unseat Michael Gilchrist’

SEC links for Tuesday:

• ESPN’s Pat Forde breaks story on possible rules violation at Florida, where former offensive lineman Maurkice Pouncey may have received $100,000 from an agent last December.

• Jeremy Fowler of the Orlando Sentinel on the possible Florida football rules violation.

• Florida’s Sugar Bowl win over Cincinnati could be at risk, reports Robbie Andreu of the Gainesville Sun.

• Dark clouds loom over the SEC as Media Days prepare to begin, reports John L. Pitts of the NE Mississippi Daily Journal.

• SEC star power is unmatched, writes John Adams of the Knoxville News-Sentinel.

• Mr. SEC examines what we’ve learned from conference teams this summer.

• Florida coach Urban Meyer talks about the state of his illness, and the state of the SEC, with Paul Finebaum of the Mobile Press-Register.

• Jeff Lockridge of the Tennessean reports that Vanderbilt basketball star Jeffrey Taylor is picking up weight this off-season.

Continue reading ‘SEC: Florida may have to vacate Sugar Bowl win’

Patrick Patterson’s final diary installment about his summer league experience is now up on SportsIllustrated.com.

An excerpt:

I had a lot of free time during my days there, and since it was my first time being over 21 in Vegas I got to really enjoy the city. One night I was at one of the clubs at The Palms and DJ Jazzy Jeff from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was there. I recognized him right away because he was dressed just like his character in the show. It was hilarious.

We ended up going 3-2 in Summer League play, which is OK, but we really wanted to go undefeated. Fans probably think we don’t care about winning or losing in Summer League games, but our coaching staff really emphasized to us the importance of winning, even in what seems like a few meaningless games.

Maurkice Pouncey (Photo University of Florida)

Pat Forde of ESPN is reporting that, according to sources, both the University of Florida and the NCAA have launched a probe into Florida football, specifically whether an agent or agents provided extra benefits to Gators offensive guard Maurkice Pouncey last season.

An excerpt:

Florida is internally investigating what sources described as an allegation that a representative of an agent paid Pouncey $100,000 between the Gators’ loss to Alabama in the Southeastern Conference championship game to Alabama and their season-ending Sugar Bowl victory over Cincinnati. Florida apprised the NCAA of the allegation after it became aware of it.

“We were made aware of some information in early June that we reported to law enforcement and we then shared with the NCAA and the SEC,” athletic director Jeremy Foley said in a statement released Monday morning to ESPN.com. “At this time we have no information that has indicated that there are any compliance issues for the University of Florida.”

Jeremy Fowler of the Orlando Sentinel has a follow on the ESPN report.

Fowler uses that infamous six-letter word, vacate, in his report.

Rob Mullens introduced as Oregon AD. (AP photo)

Daily Randoms for a Monday:

Back from a few days vacation, so there’s need for catch-up.

On the UK front, congrats to Rob Mullens for snaring the Oregon AD job. Mullens is a personable and professional. He’ll do the Ducks proud. And as much as we’ve banged on Mitch Barnhart — I’ve done my share — the Kentucky athletics boss now has three of his UK proteges running big-time athletic programs elsewhere. Greg Byrne is AD at Arizona. Scott Stricklin is AD at Mississippi State. Now Mullens takes the reigns in Eugene. All three were hires made by Barnhart shortly after he arrived in Lexington.

That said, I’ve heard a lot of griping from UK football ticket holders about new parking policies, fees, especially with regard to the Blue Lot. What are you hearing?

And what about The State in Columbia’s report about South Carolina season ticket sales for football are on the wane? Georgia, Tennessee and Clemson have also seen declines in ticket sales. Has the sport finally reached its saturation point? Are there too many games on TV? Is it the economy?

I missed my old friend Greg Nord being officially introduced as assistant on the UK football staff. Excellent hired. Other than Joker Phillips himself, there may not be another coach with better Kentucky high school connections than Nord. His 15 years at Louisville obviously help with recruiting in the River City, where the Cats have made great in-roads the past few years. Steve Ortmayer, Nord’s predecessor as special teams coach, did some good things. UK ranked highly in some categories, especially returns. But blocked kicks were a constant problem. You cannot be a Kentucky in the SEC and continually give away points on blocked kicks.

UK assistant basketball coach John Robic told the UK convention in Ohio last weekend that Darnell Dodson is eligible and still on the team. What’s that? You say that another blog, Bluegrass State Basketball, reported that Dodson is ineligible and would sit out next season? Actually, BSB reported that as a rumor. And I linked to that rumor, clearly defining that it was a rumor. That’s one of the blogosphere’s hazards/problems, the propensity to throw out rumors in hopes that something will stick. Many times, they don’t.

Plus, Calipari is tweeting that he plans to press more next season.

Continue reading ‘Catching up from a short vacation’

Big Blue Links for Monday:

• DeMarcus Cousins stumbles on summer league’s final night, says Herald-Leader staff report.

• Kentucky sports love from first sight, by Mark Story of the Herald-Leader.

• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger writes that Scott Padgett is fired up for his first coaching job.

• Darnell Dodson is eligible and will definitely be at Kentucky, UK assistant John Robic tells Vaught.

• Tom Leach gives his take on the Kentucky football offense for this season.

• Praise for play is coming Cousins’ way, writes Ailene Voisin of the Sacramento Bee.

• Teage and Gilchrist looking forward to their days at Kentucky, reports Kentucky Sports Network.

• John Wall’s amazing underhand three-point shot, courtesy Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post:

Continue reading ‘BBL: John Wall’s underhand three-pointer’

SEC links for Monday:

• NCAA is investigating South Carolina tight end Weslye Saunders, Steve Spurrier confirms, reports Joseph Person of The State.

• College football season ticket sales are slumping at some schools, reports Person of The State.

• The SEC has built a dynasty in college football, writes Jon Solomon of the Birmingham News.

• Georgia basketball coach Mark Fox has landed a top-flight recruit, reports Marc Weiszer of the Athens Banner-Herald.

• Cameron Newton will heighten expectations at Auburn, writes Jay G. Tate of the Montgomery Advertiser.

• David Paschall of the Chattanooga Times Free Press writes that it’s a new year, whole new ballgame for SEC.

• Twenty questions for SEC Football Media Days, asked by Pat Dooley of the Gainesville Sun.

• John Adams of the Knoxville News-Sentinel writes that at Tennessee, it’s a hot hire or a hot seat.

• Vanderbilt must rebuild its offensive line, reports Jeremy Acre of the Tennessean.

• More on the Saunders investigation from Travis Haney of the Charleston Post and Courier.

Continue reading ‘SEC: Season ticket sales slumping at some schools’