John Clay's Sidelines

DeAndre Liggins talks about being drafted by Orlando and spending time with former teammate Daniel Orton.

As part of the John Calipari ProCamps going on at UK, DeAndre Liggins was today’s featured guest. He met with the media this morning. Highlights:

• Liggins said that with the NBA lockout going on, he was giving serious consideration to playing overseas. He said his agent was exploring the possibility. Liggins was a second-round pick of the Orlando Magic.
• The money would be a factor, said Liggins, especially considering he has a son to support. “Money talks,” said DeAndre.
• Liggins said he was here a couple of weeks ago and played some pick-up games against the new players. He was particularly impressed with Anthony Davis. “He blocked a couple of my shots,” he said. “You’re going to have to dunk on him because he’ll block your shot.”
• Liggins said he has spent most of his time in Chicago working out.
• He said he was happy to be picked by Orlando, that the Magic are a good fit. “I can’t hold no regrets now,” he said. “I’ve got to stick with my decision and live up to it.”

Click here to see this video on YouTube.

(H-L photo/Mark Cornelison)

Big Blue Links for Friday:

• John Calipari tweets the secret word for this morning’s exhibition game pre-sale.
• Kentucky’s Phillips and Louisville’s Strong glad to have time to prepare for rivalry game, reports Jen Smith of the Herald-Leader.
• Coaches start the ball rolling toward the September showdown, reports Michael Grant of the C-J.
• Tayshaun Prince and Brandon Knight proud to always be part of the Kentucky family, says my Friday column.
• Details finalized for Dominican exhibition game, but not everything has gone as planned, reports H-L.
• NCAA needs more common sense, says Dick Vitale, via All Ky Hoops.
• Oscar Robertson shares business and basketball wisdom, reports Mark Maloney of the H-L.
• Kasey Hill has Kentucky in his top five, reports Nation of Blue.
• Do Charlie Strong and Joker Phillips realize urgency of their situations? asks Eric Crawford of the C-J.
• Larry Vaught of Danville Advocate-Messenger reports that Kentucky’s recent wins won’t change approach to Louisville game.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Calipari tweets secret word for exhibition tickets’

SEC links for Friday:

• Kevin Scarbinsky: T-Town Menswear owner isn’t only well-connected Tide fan
  • Joe Medley: As the scandal game turns
  • Garcia and Mangus to be reinstated next week
  • Oklahoma admits two major violations in men’s hoops (non-SEC link)
• Alabama receiver Darius Hanks must sit out season’s first two games
  • Hanks’ absence opens door for youth at position
  • Bama’s backfield needs a quick re-stock before season starts
• Gus Malzahn’s name already connected to sudden North Carolina opening
• New OC Steve Kragthorpe takes stage on LSU tour
  • LSU may no longer owe Les Miles a buyout after violations
• Arkansas’ assistant coaches share Bobby Petrino’s optimism
• Surgery forces Georgia’s Brandon Burrows to miss football season

Continue reading ‘SEC: As the scandals turn; Hanks must sit at Bama’

Click here for photos from the Governor’s Cup Luncheon today at the University Club.

(H-L photo/Mark Cornelison)

Video of Joker Phillips talking to media at Governor’s Cup Luncheon today.

Click here to see this video on YouTube.

How are season football ticket sales going?

OK, says UK athletics director Mitch Barnhart.

Click here to see this video on YouTube.

(H-L photo/Charles Bertram)

DeWayne Peevy, acting as spokesman for Pro Camps, confirms that neither Joe B. Hall nor Sam Bowie can coach in the Kentucky Legends vs. Dominican Republic National Team game on August 15.

“The University of Kentucky can not have any affiliation with the event, therefore no former players or coaches will be honorary coaches,” Peevy responded by e-mail to a question about reports that Joe Hall would not be allowed to coach in the game, as previously announced.

In fact, it was UK coach John Calipari, who is coaching the Dominican Republic National Team, that tweeted on Wednesday night that Hall and Bowie would be coaching the “Kentucky Pros” team. But the NCAA says that UK cannot be affiliated with game, so the team cannot be called UK Legends and that Hall and Bowie, since they are not playing in the game, are considered honorary participants and cannot be involved.

This game is not similar to either the recent North Carolina Alumni Game or the Illinois Legends game. Those events featured teams made up only of former players from the same school playing each other. The Aug. 15 game has former Kentucky players playing an outside team.

Though officially an Associate Athletics Director at UK, Peevy is working for ProCamps for the exhibition game.

Continue reading ‘Confirmed: Hall and Bowie cannot coach in Legends game’

Joe B. Hall was at the Governor’s Cup Luncheon today, but what people wanted to talk to the former UK basketball coach about was coaching the UK Pros in the upcoming exhibition game against the Dominican Republic National Team.

Continue reading ‘Video: Joe B. Hall talks about coaching UK Pros’