John Clay’s Sidelines

UK’s Perry Stevenson talks to the media after scoring eight points in a healthy 19 minutes in team’s 117-52 rip of Clarion at Rupp. Stevenson played only the last couple of minutes against Campbellsville on Monday. Perry shows some of the old Perry humor when he says late in this clip that DeMarcous Cousins is like a more mobile Shaq.

SEC links for Friday:

• Kevin Scarbinsky of the Birmingham News writes that you should vote Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain for the Heisman.
• Gary Laney of The Advocate writes that special teams has been a big part of LSU’s success.
• Tommy Deas of the Tuscaloosa News reports that Alabama will change-up its red-zone offense.
• The Tennessean’s Joe Biddle writes that  Florida’s Brandon Spikes did the right thing.
• Geoff Calkins of the Memphis Commercial Appeal writes that quick decision led to Lane Kiffin fun.
• Austin Ward of the Knoxville News-Sentinel writes that Tommy West’s joke upset Tennessee players.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Rolando McClain for Heisman?’

Anthony Grant

SEC links for Thursday:

• Gentry Estes of the Mobile Press-Register reports that crowd of 10,245 shows up for Anthony Grant’s first game at Alabama.
• Mark Bradley of the AJC writes that Georgia AD Damon Evans still made his point while backing Mark Richt.
• Randy Rosetta of The Advocate writes about the challenge facing LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson.
• Tommy Deas of the Tuscaloosa News writes that Alabama wants to improve its downfield passing game.
• Jeff Lockrige of the Tennessean reports that Vandy back Warren Norman is running for league’s top freshman.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Anthony Grant makes Alabama debut’

Wondering what ex-Southern Cal basketball coach Tim Floyd has been up to since the Trojans showed him the door for alleged recruiting violations? Apparently, he’s breaking up girl fights at casinos. Herm’s Perm has the details.

Update: Everyone under the sun is reporting that Payne is picking Michigan State — Scout.com may  have actually confirmed it first — but we’ll still Liveblog, anyway.

If Adreian Payne is indeed going to make his college choice at 5:30, then we’ll talk about it here. Payne is reportedly down to UK, West Virginia and Michgian State. Buzz this morning is the choice is Michigan State, but people were saying West Virginia last night. Anyway, we can always talk about the Blue-White scrimmage. We’ll start at about 5:15.

Update: UK is No. 4 in the first AP poll.

The initial USA Today coaches’ basketball poll is out this morning, and Kentucky checks in at No. 5.

Here’s the top 10:

• 1. Kansas
• 2. Michigan State
• 3. Texas
• 4. North Carolina
• 5. Kentucky
• 6. Villanova
• 7. Purdue
• 8. Duke
• 9. West Virginia
• 10. Butler

UK junior Patrick Patterson talks about his play, and the team’s play after tonight’s Blue-White Scrimmage. Patterson finished with 24 points, eight rebounds and made a pair of three-pointers.

Update: C-J now reporting that a contract has been signed for a Sunday practice at Freedom Hall that is expected to be open to the public.

WKYT is reporting that Kentucky coach John Calipari is working on practicing at Freedom Hall on Sunday.

UK would neither confirm nor deny the report, but Freedom Hall officials said they have been contacted.

No word yet on wether the workout would be open to fans.

Kentucky Sports Radio spread the Freedom Hall rumor earlier today.

Gary Bedore of the Lawrence Journal-World has a pair of interesting nuggets this morning:

• Ex-UK coach Billy Gillispie, who reportedly checked himself into the John Lucas rehab facility in early September, was in Lawrence to attend former boss Bill Self’s coaching clinic. Said Gillispie, “I came here because I’m great friends not only to coach (Self), but the entire staff. I feel very honored. I’m definitely missing the game, and I love watching practice, those kind of things, but coach has been so good to me. I would never have had any opportunities if not for him. He’s got such a great staff and leadership up top starting with (athletic director) Lew Perkins. This place … what a beautiful facility they’ve built. I’m just having a great time visiting here.”

• And UK target Adreian Payne has canceled his visit to Kansas and will choose among Kentucky, Arizona, West Virginia and Michigan State.