John Clay's Sidelines

(H-L photo/Matt Goins)

Notes and links for a Sunday morning:

- Terrific story by John C. Cotey of the St. Petersburg Times on the late Desmond Allison.

An excerpt:

By now, everyone knows the tale, of how Desmond, a wonderfully gifted and silky-smooth sophomore starter on the Wildcats’ NCAA-bound basketball team, was pulled over on March 12, 2000, and arrested for DUI and drug possession.

He blew a 0.113, just over the legal limit of 0.10. He later pleaded guilty to the DUI, and the drug charge was dropped.

But his scholarship was gone, despite his pleas. He had begged coach Tubby Smith for a second chance. He cried, and Desmond never cried and may never have cried since.

Continue reading ‘UK policy and Desmond Allison, plus more Sunday notes’

(H-L photo/David Perry)

In the latest twist in the Joe B. Hall case, the NCAA has released the following statement:

NCAA statement on Dominican National team game at University of Kentucky

Public speculation, fueled by inaccurate media reporting, incorrectly assumed the NCAA denied former Kentucky coach Joe B. Hall the opportunity to coach in an exhibition game against the Dominican Republic. In reality, the University of Kentucky withdrew its involvement and association with this event due to a conflict with member mandated NCAA bylaws. These bylaws prohibit member schools from participating in events that pay former players and raise funds to benefit teams that include prospective student-athletes.

This appears to lend credence that it was UK that decided that Joe B. should not coach the Kentucky Pros.

Continue reading ‘NCAA statement says it did not make Joe B. Hall ruling’

(AP photo)

Duke announced Saturday that is looking into a possible recruiting violation by basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski.

(Yes, you read that line correctly.)

CBS Sports reported that Nashville prep star Alex Poythress, who is being recruited by Kentucky, said that he spoke with Krzyzewski during an AAU tournament in the Orlando and the Duke coach offered him a scholarship. Coaches are not allowed to contact recruits during tournaments.

Continue reading ‘Duke looking into possible Mike Krzyzewski violation’

Oscar Combs

UPDATE: Steve Moss of WKYT tweets: “John Calipari says move to make Joe B a Dominican assistant opens the door for Hall to coach the NBA players. More with Cal on WKYT at 6.”

When I was talking to Joe B. Hall on Friday, while the former UK coach wouldn’t say it, I got the feeling that Hall wasn’t convinced that it was the NCAA that ruled he and Sam Bowie could not coach the Kentucky Pros in the August 15 exhibition game against the Dominican Republic National Team.

“I can’t get anyone to tell me who made the decision,” Hall kept saying. “I don’t understand that.”

Continue reading ‘Did the NCAA make the decision on Joe B., or did UK?’

During his appearance at John Calipari’s ProCamp at UK, Josh Harrellson talked to the media about the incoming freshmen class — he loves Ryan Harrow — and how he fits in with the New York Knicks.

(H-L photo/David Perry)

Big Blue Links for Saturday:

• Joe B. Hall joins Caliapri’s coaching staff for Dominican Team, reports the H-L.
• With NBA lockout, DeAndre Liggins considering going overseas, reports H-L.
• Salt Lake Tribune reports that Enes Kanter is considering playing in China.
• Randall Cobb signs $3.2 million contract, reports H-L.
• Cobb can contribute to return game, says Green Bay Post-Gazette.
• Joker Phillips upbeat at Kickoff Luncheon, reports Michael Grant of the C-J.
• Guy Ramsey of Cat Scratches supplies notes from the luncheon.
• What UK football must do to move forward, by Larry Vaught of A-M.
• Ken Howlett of A Sea of Blue says the NCAA has redefined petty.
• If there’s a Comic-Con, shouldn’t there be a Kentucky-con? asks Nation of Blue.

SEC links for Saturday:

• Bear Bryant’s last Cadillac goes on sale, reports Laura Metcalf of the Tuscaloosa News.
• Suspended Alabama receiver Keiwone Malone is transferring back home to Memphis, reports Chase Goodbread of the Tuscaloosa News.
• Renardo Sidney’s return trip to Houston raises questions at Mississippi State, reports Brad Locke of the NE Mississippi Daily Journal.
• Recruiting services are now under tighter scrutiny, reports Les East of The Advocate.
• John Adams of News-Sentinel says All-SEC title game a possibility.
• Bolden wants to help Ole Miss get better, writes David Paschall of Times Free Press.
• Vanderbilt football gets a new locker room, reports Tennessean’s Jeff Lockridge.
• Florida closing practices, posts Rachel George of the Orlando Sentinel.
• Kragthorpe touting depth on LSU line, reports Chris Abshire of Times-Picayune.
• T.J. Carpenter of Arkansas 360 says Mike Slive’s proposals won’t make game better.

Click here for the Herald-Leader photo gallery from today’s John Calipari ProCamps at Joe Craft Center.

(H-L photo/David Perry)

Just got off the phone with ex-UK coach Joe B. Hall, who has gone from being the coach of the Kentucky Pros team in the August 15 exhibition game to now being an assistant for John Calipari on the Dominican Republic National Team.

After someone — Hall says no one has yet tell him who made the decision — said Hall and Sam Bowie could not coach the Kentucky Pros because of their past affiliation with UK, Calipari stepped in to ask Hall to coach with him.

“It’s a little bit embarrassing,” said Hall. “To have Coach Calipari ask me to coach the All-Star was an honor. I was happy to do it. He’s so thoughtful and been so good to me. He’s always been very respectful and supportive, including me in everything he does. I’m happy to help him out with coaching the Dominican Republic team in any way I can.”

Hall said that he thinks that he and Bowie were “unfairly singled out. We didn’t do anything. I don’t understand how the former players can play in the game, but we can’t coach. That makes no sense to me. I’m no danger to anybody. I would just be sitting on the bench. We’re not doing any real coaching. No one ever told me that I couldn’t be a part of it until I saw it on television and read it in the paper. No one talked to me to tell me why.”

Hall said he asked his good friend attorney Terry McBrayer to try and find out, but said as of now McBrayer had not received an answer.

“The whole thing just doesn’t make any sense,” Hall said.

John Calipari has just tweeted:

Continue reading ‘Joe B. Hall joins Cal’s Dominican Republic coaching staff’