John Clay's Sidelines

Over at the Big Lead, they have shots from this year’s NBA Draft Yearbook Photo Day.

Who knew they had such a thing?

You remember your school picture day, right? Smooth down that hair. Straightened that collar. Say cheese.

Only difference, you didn’t make a million-plus dollars the next day.

Click the link for pictures of Enes Kanter, Brandon Knight, Kyrie Irving, Jimmer Fredette and others.

Rumors run rampant the days and nights before every professional draft. This year’s NBA Draft is no different.

Since the night of the lottery drawing, when Daniel Gilbert’s courageous and young son ended up securing Cleveland the No. 1 pick, it was thought that Duke guard Kyrie Irving would end up being the first player selected by the Cavaliers.

Since then, especially this week, however, there have been reports that Cleveland might be waffling on Irving and could take Arizona’s Derrick Williams or even ex-UK student assistant Enes Kanter with the top pick. Jay Bilas says don’t believe it. He knows who the Cavs are picking.

(h/t All Ky Hoops)

David Teel of the Newport News Daily Press picked up on Sunday column about Kentucky fans unearthing other instances of schools continuing to include “vacated” victories in official publications and web sties.

David found a fascinating discovery.

Turns out Dennis Thomas, the MEAC commissioner and current chair of the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions, the man whose name is signed to the letter instructing Kentucky to cease counting John Calipari’s “vacated” victories, was the athletic director at Hampton for 12 seasons.

And guess what? Yes, you guessed it.

Hampton is counting “vacated” victories.

Continue reading ‘Dennis Thomas’ former school counts vacated wins’

(The State photo)

Big Blue Links for Wednesday:

• Football
  • ESPN ranks Danny Trevathan as the fourth-best linebacker in SEC
  • ESPN ranks Kentucky as having the sixth-best linebacking corp in SEC
  • ESPN ranks Kentucky’s defensive line at the bottom of the SEC
  • Sea of Blue: Kentucky football is at a crossroads
• Basketball
  • Calipari says he would like to see four 16-18 team conferences
  • Fake recruiting blogger says Kentucky fan base was easiest to sway
  • UK official hates that an attempt to honor Calipari is looked at differently
  • Brandon Knight and Kemba Walker give Jazz options with No. 3 pick
  • With point guards as a high priority, teams are looking at Knight
  • Knight could be the highest NBA pick ever from his home area in Florida
  • Is Enes Kanter a can’t miss? We’ll see
  • Wizards may be making a move to try and draft Kanter
  • Eligibility issues no longer in Kanter’s way
  • Josh Harrellson’s life as a hopeful draft pick
  • Experience guarantees nothing when it comes to Kentucky basketball
  • Raptors make it official by hiring Dwane Casey as head coach
  • John Wall gives a shout-out to Louisville guard Peyton Siva

(The State photo/Gerry Melendez)

SEC links for Wednesday:

• Baseball
  • South Carolina beats Virginia 7-1 for yet another win in Omaha
  • Morris: The pitchers shine at College World Series
  • Gamecocks tie record with 13th straight CWS win
  • Gators beat Vanderbilt to advance in College World Series
  • Florida now just one win away from championship round in Omaha
  • After losing to Florida, Vanderbilt needs a CWS winning streak
  • The Commodores’ offense has disappeared in Omaha
  • SEC dominance is on display as South Carolina, Florida advance
  • Today’s CWS schedule
    • North Carolina vs. Vanderbilt, 7 p.m., ESPN2
  • Rabalais: Some random thoughts from Omaha
  • Tennessee takes hard stance on violations with new baseball coach
  • Central Florida assistant expected to be named Ole Miss hitting coach
• Football
  • Scarbinsky: Chizik’s new contract still holds him accountable for compliance
  • Derek Dooley is eager for the next step at Tennessee
  • Proof that Florida’s Will Muschamp is a defensive mastermind
  • Expect Charlie Weis to break John Brantley in slowly
  • Former linebacker Tony Gilbert joins Georgia coaching staff
  • Bulldogs beef up their strength staff with Gilbert hire
  • South Carolina re-instates cornerback Victor Hampton
• Basketball
  • Billy Donovan believes Chandler Parsons will go in first round of draft

(AP photo)

Big Blue Links for Tuesday:

• Basketball
  • Calipari not fussed by NCAA decision to subtract wins from career total
  • Calipari says he doesn’t care about UK’s party foul
  • NCAA has opened a huge can of worms in Calipari case
  • Dwane Casey expected to be named Raptors head coach today
  • ESPN’s Ric Bucher says Cavs have decided on Kyrie Irving as top pick in draft
  • Cavs say no deal set with Duke’s Irving for No. 1 pick
  • NBA teams like that Enes Kanter took time to learn English
  • Could UK’s talent keep Terrence Jones from being No. 1 pick in 2012?
  • A photo gallery of camping with the Cats
  • Daniel Orton has been cleared to participate in summer league
• Women’s basketball
  • UK’s Amber Smith is thinking about Final Four for next year
• Baseball
  • Ex-Cat Collin Cowgill has chance to be Minor League MVP
• Football
  • Update with UK strong safety target Cole Champion
  • UK in the running for highly-regarded junior college lineman
• Other
  • Kentucky may behind U of L in Director’s Cup, but ahead on field

(AP photo/Dave Weaver)

SEC links for Tuesday:

• Basketball
  • It’s official, Arkansas grants Rotnei Clarke his release
  • Razorbacks end up with a zero from their 2008 recruiting class
  • Kenny Hall accepts challenge of leadership role with Tennessee
• Baseball
  • Storms forces suspension at CWS with Florida leading Vandy 3-1
  • Vanderbilt, Florida know all about game delays
  • North Carolina bounces Texas in CWS elimination bracket
  • Morris: New ballpark in Omaha creates a whole new ballgame
  • Scott Wingo’s heroics at CWS add to impressive career for South Carolina
• Football
  • Academic issues sideline Tennessee defensive lineman Rae Sykes
  • South Carolina picks up its fifth football commitment out of Georgia
  • Hicks: What would life be like if SEC dropped divisions in football
  • Judge denies youthful offender status for ex-Auburn football player
  • MSU legend Jack Cristil flattered to have his name on a highway
  • Mark Richt embarks on mercy mission to Honduras
  • LSU looking under radar for football recruits
• Other
  • Mike Slive one of four conference commissioners paid more than $1 million
  • LSU hires Florida International softball coach
  • Ole Miss to announce record receipts

(H-L photo/Mark Cornelison)

Big Blue Links for Monday:

• Basketball
  • Rivals: A final recap from the NBAP Top 100 camp
  • Brandon Knight and Enes Kanter both working out for Cavaliers
  • Could the Cavaliers be leaning toward taking Enes Kanter at No. 1?
  • Kanter showing both talent and character during workouts
  • Cavaliers still undecided about how to use No. 1 and No. 4 picks
  • Raptors appear to be opting for defensive-minded Dwane Casey
  • ESPN analysts discuss Brandon Knight’s workout philosophy for NBA draft
  • UK basketball fans shouldn’t use Alabama’s math as a precedent
• Football
  • Highlands’ Austin Sheehan will be a preferred walk-on at UK
  • Ex-UK star Derek Abney will be in Lexington this week to help with camp
  • UK tight end Aumiller says football is fun but also a lot of work
  • Update with Somerset lineman Rob Lewis

Scott Wingo watches his game-winning home run for South Carolina. (The State photo/Gerry Melendez)

SEC links for Monday:

• Baseball
  • Wingo’s walk-off lifts South Carolina past Texas A&M 5-4 in CWS
  • Morris: Beary adds another scene to script for Hollywood
  • Drama and winning seem to go together for South Carolina
  • Ready to meet again, this time in CWS, Florida and Vandy are friends and foes
  • Florida’s Bryson Smith is making most of his second chance
  • Bryson Smith rebounds for the Gators
  • Climer: Tennessee baseball needs to steal Vandy’s recruiting plan
• Football
  • Auburn football players get their BCS national title rings
  • Florida’s Charlie Weis is most intriguing offensive coordinator in SEC
  • The top mascots in college football
  • Is Georgia running the spread offense this year?
  • Rabalais: LSU’s Jefferson holds his own at ESPN
• Basketball
  • Hurt: Vacated wins can create a nightmare
  • Wiedmer: The NCAA needs to adjust
  • Former Tennessee point guard C.J. Watson stays humble in NBA
  • Rotnei Clarke’s official closure from Arkansas could come Monday