John Clay's Sidelines

(AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Some links and notes to get you ready for Washington:

• Washington is ranked 13th in latest AP poll.
• “We respect Kentucky’s program and the job they do,” Lorenzo Romar said. “Terrence Jones is a fantastic basketball player, but we’re not coming out there because of any type of rivalry. We’re coming out because this is the next opponent and we have to play at a high level.”
• Romar also said: “”If I really wanted to do the media a favor, I could just makeup a wild story that we hate Kentucky and all that. But that’s not the case. Sorry. Kentucky is the next opponent. If it wasn’t Kentucky and if it was Oklahoma, then we’d have animosity towards them because they’re the next opponent.”
• The Huskies are averaging a Division I-best 107.3 points.
• Washington made a school record 17 three-pointers in its 106-63 rout of Virginia on Monday.
• Isaiah Thomas scored 14 of his 18 points in the first half.
• Terrence Jones‘ high school teammate Terrence Ross scored 12 points for Huskies on Monday.

Continue reading ‘Scouting report on the Washington Huskies’

Some notes and stats for 3-0 Kentucky:

• Kentucky has made 28 of 64 three-point attempts thus far for a percentage of 43.8. Before you are convinced this is a better shooting team than last year, the 2009-10 Cats made 21 of 52 threes in its first three games for a percentage of 40.4.
• Free throws are a definite problem. Through three games, Kentucky has made just 35 of 65 from the stripe for 53.8 percent.
• Surprising free throw stat: Jon Hood is just three of seven at the line.
• Rebounding has not been a problem, or was not against Oklahoma. The Cats got 35.3 percent of the available offensive rebounds. Oklahoma snared 28.2 percent of its available offensive boards.
• Josh Harrellson grabbed a season-low three rebounds against the Sooners.
• DeAndre Liggins has played 103 minutes and is still looking for his first offensive rebound.
• Liggins did have three steals against the Sooners.

Continue reading ‘UK basketball notes and stats after three games’

(H-L photo/David Perry)

Herald-Leader photo gallery from Kentucky’s win over Oklahoma.

Big Blue Links for Tuesday:

Terrence Jones’ double-double leads Kentucky to win in Maui

Jones’ 29 points equaled the second-most by a Kentucky freshman (Jamal Mashburn scored 31 against visiting Georgia in 1991) and advanced Kentucky into Tuesday’s semifinals of the EA Sports Maui Invitational. Jones also posted career highs with 13 rebounds and four blocks, plus he equalled his previous best of three assists. (Jerry Tipton, Herald-Leader)

Kentucky’s Terrence Jones was too much for Oklahoma

When Oklahoma basketball coach Jeff Capel recruited forward Terrence Jones, he envisioned a player who could dominate games at both ends of the court with his versatility. Jones ended up signing with the University of Kentucky, and on Monday he validated Capel’s assessment, torching the Sooners for 29 points, 13 rebounds, four blocks and three assists to lead No. 8 UK to a 76-64 win in the first round of the Maui Invitational. (Brett Dawson, Courier-Journal)

Washington crushes Virginia 106-63 to earn date with Kentucky

This was the game the Huskies wanted the country to see. They showcased their size, speed, diverse offense and unrelenting defense in a spectacular display that overwhelmed Virginia in a game that turned into a rout soon after the purple-clad capacity crowd at Lahaina Civic Center settled into their seats. Washington not only defeated Virginia 106-63 in the first round of the Maui Invitational on Monday, the 13th-ranked Huskies sent a message to everyone else in the tournament that they’re a legitimate contender to take the title. (Percy Allen, Seattle Times)

Randall Cobb tries to play down importance of the UK-Tennessee football game

Randall Cobb was trying to play it cool Monday when addressing the media about the upcoming game at Tennessee. Despite the fact that Kentucky will be playing to: A) end the nation’s longest losing streak to another school at 25; B) to finish in a possible tie for third in the SEC East; and C) to improve its bowl destination, Cobb wouldn’t give the media much ammo with regards to the importance of the game. That’s not even taking into the fact that Cobb is a native of nearby Alcoa who didn’t get the recruiting love he probably should have from Tennessee. (Chip Cosby, Herald-Leader)

Terrence Jones steals the show, now ready for match with Washington

This summer, when Jones withdrew his commitment to UW, it was a big deal but no one knew quite how meaningful it would be. Jones was considered a top recruit, but wasn’t considered in the same league as Harrison Barnes, Perry Jones or Kyrie Irving. Enes Kanter’s defection from the Huskies to the Wildcats was seen as the bigger loss. But in mid-November, it looks like the Huskies may have lost more than they imagined. Kanter has been ruled ineligible by the NCAA and Jones has more than stepped in to fill the void. (Chad Ford, espn)

Continue reading ‘BBL: Terrence Jones makes waves in Maui’

SEC links for Tuesday:

Mississippi State knocks off Detroit 82-76

Ravern Johnson scored 25 points to lead Mississippi State to an 82-76 victory over Detroit on Monday night. Mississippi State (3-0) hit 31 of 67 shots in the game, including 10 3-pointers, and led 40-32 at halftime. Detroit (1-3) was 4 for 14 from beyond the arc and struggled offensively for most of the second half. (Associated Press)

Alabama falls to St. Peter’s in final game of Paradise Jam

Alabama had a 49-46 lead with 1:39 remaining, but allowed St. Peter’s to grab two offensive rebounds on a possession that ended with a Belin free throw with 1:08 to go. Leading 49-47, the Crimson Tide then turned the ball over with 40 seconds remaining as Senario Hillman’s pass into the post was batted away. St. Peter’s then worked the ball around the perimeter of the defense, finding Belin for a straight-on 3-pointer that provided the winning margin. (Cecil Hurt, Tuscaloosa News)

Arkansas whips Florida Gulf Coast 90-47 to go 2-0

The Razorbacks scored 35 points off 24 Eagles turnovers and shot 56.5 percent from the field. Florida Gulf Coast, meanwhile, converted only 25.4 percent of its shots. Arkansas needed only 4:26 to build its early 18-point lead. Marcus Britt gave Arkansas the lead after Tim Snyder’s dunk on the game’s first possession put Florida Gulf Coast on top. (Associated Press)

Lots at stake for both teams in Iron Bowl

It’s difficult to think about the Iron Bowl without playing the “what if” game. However, of all the beguiling questions involving the possibility of Auburn continuing its quest for the BCS national championship, I thought of something else that was almost unthinkable before this season started. What if Alabama actually loses this game? Remember three months ago, when Vegas had the Crimson Tide listed as an 11-point favorite? Today, that number has fallen to 4. (Paul Finebaum, Mobile Press-Register)

What if Auburn loses to Alabama, but wins the SEC title?

The key is how far Auburn falls in the BCS Standings if it loses to Alabama. My belief is that if the game is competitive and Auburn loses close, then the Tigers will drop to no worse that No. 4 (ahead of No. 5 LSU). In that sense Auburn really needs for LSU to beat Arkansas (in Little Rock) and stay at No. 5 because the poll voters probably won’t drop them below a team they beat head-to-head (24-17). Auburn is very strong in the computers (No. 1 in five of the six computers). TCU does not play on Dec. 4 while Boise is playing Utah State (4-7). So if Auburn wins the SEC championship, I think they can jump from No. 4 to No. 2 in the final BCS poll on Dec. 5. (Tony Barnhart, AJC)

Continue reading ‘SEC: Bama goes 0-3 in Paradise; Iron Bowl awaits’

At Kentucky’s football luncheon this morning, offensive tackle Brad Durham wore a white t-shirt with the numbers 5-1-7 in blue across the front. He confirmed the numbers contained significance. He would not reveal their significance, however. He said it was a team thing.

Any guesses?

(Photo by John Clay)

Tennessee native Randall Cobb tried to downplay the importance of Saturday’s game at Tennessee.