John Clay's Sidelines

Harrison Barnes (Charlotte Observer photo)

ESPN has started a North Carolina basketball blog. The World Wide Leader has hired Robbi Pickeral, who covered the Heels for the Charlotte Observer and Raleigh News and Observer, to do daily updates on the Heels.

The blog debuted today, and among Robbi’s posts is one about five things to watch this season. An excerpt:

1. UNC-Kentucky

The season-opening Nov. 11 Carrier Classic against Michigan State will be memorable for its location (the deck of the USS Carl Vinson) and its audience (the majority of the tickets will go to the five branches of the military). The two rivalry games against Duke will be emotional because, well, it’s UNC-Duke. But most of the Tar Heels starters point to the Dec. 3 showdown at Rupp Arena as the game they are most looking forward to — because they can’t help but look back.

The 76-69 loss to the Wildcats in the Elite Eight last March left UNC’s players with a nagging feeling of unfinished possibilities — so much so, wing Harrison Barnes and forwards John Henson and Tyler Zeller opted not to leave early for the NBA in order to have another chance at the Final Four.

Continue reading ‘ESPN starts a daily North Carolina basketball blog’

Updated at 3:55 p.m. with Kaleb Tarczewski’s commitment to Arizona.

Here’s a look at the Class of 2012 top 40 basketball commitments using Rivals, Scout and ESPNU. Judging by this, Arizona looks on its way to ending Kentucky’s reign at No. 1. But there’s still time left and plenty of targets left on the board.

Click here and go to the jump for a look at who’s undecided.

Before last Saturday, Matt Roark had caught 12 passes in seven games. Saturday, he caught 13 passes in one game. It tied for second on the school’s all-time single game reception list. The accomplishment is even more interesting when you consider Roark’s reputation before Saturday. His rep was for dropping balls. More like a rap. Yet Joker Phillips said the senior always played hard on special teams, always practiced well. Here is 60 seconds of Roark talking about just that at today’s media luncheon.

Continue reading ‘Video: Matt Roark on affirming his coaches’ faith’

Some quick notes from Joker Phillips’ weekly press conference today:

- Phillips said Saturday’s opponent, Ole Miss, is similar statistically to his team. One difference is punt returns. Ole Miss is averaging 27 yards per punt return. Kentucky has 26 punt return yards on the entire season. Phillips said that “we don’t have an eraser on offense and one on special teams, also.” By eraser he means someone who can erase his team’s mistakes with one big play.

Phillips did say that Daylen Hall is healthy after missing Saturday with strep throat. The punt returner should be available Saturday.

- The coach said that he will probably wait at least until Friday and maybe Saturday morning before making a decision on the starting quarterback. The doctors say that Morgan Newton should be fine after suffering shoulder and ankle injuries on Saturday. Maxwell Smith and Newton will share reps this week. Phillips said that Smith needs “to learn to protect himself” as far as calling the right pass protections, etc.

- What is Morgan Newton’s mindset going into this week? It has to be tough for a junior who has been the starter all year to suddenly have to compete for a job. Phillips voiced confidence that it would not be a problem. He pointed to the fact that Newton was helping Smith throughout the game last Saturday.

- Asked about the progress of the defense this year, Phillips said it was hard to judge considering the number of snaps the until has been on the field because of the ineffectiveness of the offense. As for Saturday against Mississippi State, Phillips said that he was disappointed that the defense did not play the pass better. “We covered them, we just didn’t make the play.”

(Kansas City Star photo)

Eric Bossi of Rivals is reporting that Kansas big man Willie Cauley has committed to Kentucky.

Dave Telep of ESPNU also reporting that Cauley has decided to be a Cat.

Cauley is a 6-foot-11 center/forward from Spearville, Kansas who is ranked No. 28 32 by ESPNU. He had been considering Kansas State, Alabama, Florida and UK before picking the Cats.

UK coach John Calipari watched Cauley play football on Friday night, then Cauley visited Kansas State on Saturday.

He is the second prospect to commit to UK for 2012. Kentucky also has a commitment from Arkansas shooting guard Archie Goodwin.The early signing period begins Wednesday.

Garrett Tucker talked to Archie Goodwin, who said of the Cauley commitment, “”I’m glad he did. He’s a great guy. It kind of surprised me though. Great we got him though.”

Continue reading ‘Report: Willie Cauley commits to Kentucky’

Photos by John Clay

Click here or click the continue line for a photo gallery from last night’s event.

Continue reading ‘Pictures from the UK-Transy dinner on Sunday’

SEC links for Monday:

• No one handles rematches like Saban, writes Jon Solomon of Birmingham News.
• Alabama-LSU setting up as a classic, reports Les East of The Advocate.
• Stakes raised as South Carolina visits Arkansas, reports Gene Saparkoff of P-C.
• Cecil Hurt of Tuscaloosa News writes that Bama basketball lacks size, not talent.
• Despite win, State must find answers, reports Brandon Marcello of Clarion-Ledger.
• Richt not considering sacking Walsh, reports Seth Emerson of Ledger-Enquirer.
• Marc Weiszer of Banner-Herald says Georgia still has some convincing to do.
• Dooley says Vols’ woes aren’t complex, reports Austin Ward of News-Sentinel.
• Auburn’s offense regains spark, writes Jay Tate of Montgomery Advertiser.
• Robbie Andreu of Gainesville Sun reports Florida now just hoping to get bowl eligible.

Not much has improved for Kentucky football in the NCAA statistics. Through Saturday’s games, the Cats are still No. 118 out of 120 FBS schools in total offense. Net punting fell out of the top 10. Fewest yards penalized per game dropped from No. 2 to No. 3. The Cats did pick up some ground in turnover margin after forcing three Mississippi State turnovers without giving the ball away once.

(H-L photo/Mark Cornelison)

Big Blue Links for Sunday:

• Newton hurt as UK falls to Miss State 28-16, reports Mark Story of Herald-Leader.
• Click here for the Herald-Leader photo gallery from last night’s game.
• It’s insult and injury as Cats lose, reports Kyle Tucker of the Courier-Journal.
• Maxwell Smith a ray of hope in another Kentucky loss, says my Sunday column.
• Good practices lead to Roark’s success, reports Mark Story of the Herald-Leader.
• State gets back on winning track, reports Brandon Marcello of Clarion-Ledger.
• Bulldogs find answers, get first SEC win, writes Brad Locke of Daily Journal.
• Donovan glad he remained in Gainesville, writes Jerry Tipton of the H-L.
• Kentucky women ranked No. 18 in AP poll, reports Jennifer Smith of H-L.
• Maxwell Smith makes a pitch for starting role, writes Matt May of the Cats Pause.
• Kentucky’s comeback stalls, reports Ben Jones of Cats Illustrated.
• Black uniforms don’t help the Cats, writes Larry Vaught of Advocate-Messenger.
• Cats get dogged by Mississippi State, writes Ethan Levine of the Kentucky Kernel.
• Kentucky falls short in hard-fought loss, writes Guy Ramsey of Cat Scratches.
• Kentucky volleyball set for showdown with No. 13 Florida, reports UK Athletics.

(AP photo)

SEC links for Sunday:

Georgia 24, Florida 20

• Bulldogs pick up crucial win, writes Seth Emerson of Ledger-Enqurier.
• Bulldogs earn their edge over the Gators, writes Chip Towers of the AJC.
• Georgia overrides history, writes Mark Bradley of the AJC.
• If Charlie Weis is a genius, writes Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel.
• Georgia shows a different mind set, writes Chris Low of espn.com.
• Woe for October for Florida, reports Robbie Andreu of the Gainesville Sun.
• Georgia leaves Jacksonville jubilant, writes Marc Weiszer of ABH.

Auburn 41, Ole Miss 23

• Tigers find balance to whip Ole Miss, reports Jay Tate of Montgomery Advertiser.
• Auburn should have started Moseley from start, says Kevin Scarbinsky of News.
• Moseley throws four TD passes, reports Charles Goldberg of the Birmingham News.
• Auburn runs away from Ole Miss, reports John Zenor of the AP.
• Ole Miss’ second-half funk remains a mystery, writes Rick Cleveland of the C-L.
• Rebels give up 24 unanswered points, reports Hugh Kellenberger of C-L.