John Clay's Sidelines

Post-game videos from Columbia after Kentucky’s 86-52 win over South Carolina.

Kentucky coach John Calipari, plus players Terrence Jones and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

South Carolina coach Darrin Horn

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Vanderbilt coach Kevin Stallings is objecting to Kentucky’s SEC basketball schedule, reports Jeff Lockridge of the Tennessean. Stallings objects to the fact that for the second straight season UK does not have a Thursday-Saturday rotation in its slate.

An excerpt:

But the league’s second-longest-tenured coach wants to know why Kentucky will not play a Thursday-Saturday combo for the second consecutive season. And it’s not just that. The Wildcats have Saturday games with four SEC opponents that are coming off Thursday night games — the most of any team in the league.

“Go figure that one out for me, would you?” Stallings said. “We all agreed to do it, so if you have one, like we have one, I’m not going to complain. To not have any and to be able to play four teams that have to do it to play you … that’s not right.”

Kentucky does have one Thursday game, on March 1 vs. Georgia, but it’s followed by a Sunday game at Florida.

Kentucky has very little to do with its conference scheduling. That is set by the conference office in Birmingham, with the league working with schools and television on dates and times. The key word there is television. ESPN likes Kentucky in its Super Tuesday slot. The Cats were in that very slot for last night’s 86-63 thumping of Arkansas.

In fact, UK has five Super Tuesday slots this year:

• Jan. 17 – Arkansas
• Jan. 24 – at Georgia
• Jan. 31 – Tennessee
• Feb. 7 – Florida
• Feb. 21 – at Mississippi State

(H-L photo/Pablo Alcala)

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A’dia Mathies was the Big Blue story on Thursday, scoring 34 points and hitting the game-winner as No. 9 Kentucky beat the No. 6 Tennessee women 61-60 before a sold-out crowd at Memorial Coliseum.

The Kentucky men travel to Knoxville on Saturday to play the Tennessee men. It’s a noon start on ESPN. John Calipari and selected players will have a media opportunity this afternoon, so look for notes, video, etc. on this blog later today.

Big Blue Links for Friday:

• Mathies’ 34 saves Kentucky, reports Jen Smith of Herald-Leader.
• More lore for Memorial Coliseum, writes Mark Story of H-L.
• Photo gallery from UK-UT women, by Herald-Leader.
• UT’s comeback stalls at Memorial, reports Dan Fleser of KNS.
• Kidd-Gilchrist could be No. 1 pick, writes NBA.com’s Scott Howard-Cooper.
• Judd’s kindness lifts Malone’s spirits, reports Larry Vaught of A-M.

Collin Cowgill gets pie in face after Arizona win on Sunday. (AP photo)

From Brent Ingram of UK sports:

Former Kentucky All-America outfielder Collin Cowgill launched his first career MLB home run as part of a career-best 4-for-4 game, leading the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 6-1 win over the San Diego Padres, in front of 27,564 fans on Sunday afternoon at Chase Field.

A Lexington, Ky., native, and the 2004 Kentucky High School Mr. Baseball out of Henry Clay, Cowgill came into the game riding a 1-for-25 stretch in the big leagues, before busting out in a key win for the Diamondbacks, who are currently leading San Francisco in the National League West.

Continue reading ‘Collin Cowgill’s career MLB day for Diamondbacks’

Media releases from UK sports information on UK volleyball, soccer, women’s clinic for men’s basketball and baseball.

UK volleyball opens at FSU tourney on Friday

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky volleyball team will officially begin its quest for an unprecedented seventh consecutive run to the NCAA Tournament with a round-robin tournament on the campus of Florida State in Tallahassee, Fla., Friday and Saturday. UK is set to take on Albany, Florida State and No. 23 Tulsa in the opening weekend of competition.

“It’s that time of the year when players are really amped up to begin playing some matches, and our team is no exception,” UK coach Craig Skinner said. “We’ve made a good deal of progress during preseason and we’re looking forward to a great weekend ahead of us.”

Skinner has led the Wildcats to six consecutive NCAA Tournaments. It is a feat only 17 other teams in the nation have achieved in that same six-year span. The Blue and White return four starters from a 17-win team a season ago, along with the reigning Southeastern Conference Libero of the Year in Stephanie Klefot.

UK opens with Albany at 11 a.m. ET Friday morning, before taking on the host Seminoles at 7 p.m. later that evening. Kentucky’s opening weekend is capped off by a 1:30 p.m. ET matchup with Tulsa Saturday.

Continue reading ‘UK volleyball, soccer open schedules on Friday’

(H-L photo/Mark Cornelison)

Big Blue Links for Wednesday:

• Dominicans hold off ex-Cats 91-86, reports Jerry Tipton of H-L.
• H-L photo gallery from Pros vs. Dominicans at Yum Center.
• Crowd of over 15,000  see Dominican domination, writes Michael Grant of C-J.
• Crum says great seats, no practice, reports Tipton.
• Terrence Jones says he’s ready for leading role, writes Yahoo’s Jason King.
• Kentucky lands commitment from Florida lineman, reports Jody Demling of C-J.
• UK’s football recruiting has improved, reports Edward Aschoff of espn.com.
• Burden anxious to catch punts, reports Jennifer Smith of H-L.
• For Joker, all it takes is eight, writes Mark Story of H-L.
• Who is best UK quarterback of all-time? asks Armchair Quarterback.
• Winston Guy ready to make big plays, reports Hal Morris of Advocate-Messenger.
• Rusin rising quickly in Cubs system, writes Guy Ramsey of Cat Scratches.
• A Sea of Blue takes a trip to the Yum Center for Tuesday’s exhibition game.
• Brandon Knight has no regrets, reports J. Michael Falgoust of USA Today.

Even though their team lost to the DRNT, Keith Bogans, Tayshaun Prince and Nazr Mohammed said they enjoyed Monday’s exhibition game at Rupp.

Trevor Gott

Tates Creek product and UK pitcher Trevor Gott has picked up a summer award, according to UK media relations:

After posting a league-leading 13 saves in as many opportunities, Kentucky sophomore right-hander Trevor Gott has been honored as the 2011 Russell Ford Award recipient as the Cape Cod League reliever of the year, it was announced during a pregame presentation on Friday night.

Gott paced the talent-rich Cape Cod League with 13 saves – in 13 chances – posting a 1.23 ERA in 18 relief outings for Orleans. The Lexington, Ky., native tossed 22 innings during the summer, fanning 28, allowing only four walks and 14 hits. The 2010 Kentucky High School Gatorade Player of the Year out of Tates Creek, Gott earned the save in the CCBL All-Star Game on July 29, played at the Boston Red Sox’s Fenway Park, with UK teammate Taylor Rogers notching the win as the starting pitcher.

“We are extremely proud of Trevor and his terrific summer,” UK head coach Gary Henderson said. “He has really continued the development he showed during his first year in Lexington and has emerged as one of the top relievers in the nation. To be chosen as the top relief pitcher among such a talented group of college players speaks to what an outstanding summer Trevor has had in the Cape.”

Kentucky’s Eloy Vargas talks to the media about playing recently in China and his preparations for next season.

Click here to see this video on YouTube.

Big Blue and SEC Links for Tuesday.

BIG BLUE LINKS

• Nationals take UK pitcher Alex Meyer in first round of MLB draft
• Alex Meyer sees his potential realized
• Meyer now in position to make good on his pro dreams
• Marquis Teague booed at Indiana All-Star scrimmage
• Former UK golfer Blackwelder qualifies for U.S. Open
• Story: King Rex to be inducted into Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame
• Joker Phillips thinks UK football can turn close losses into wins
• DeAndre Liggins confident after workout for Indiana Pacers
• Update with Georgia offensive lineman who is considering Cats
• Ex-UK star Walter McCarty may be out at Indiana
• John Calipari and the Knicks, a longshot at best
• Enes Kanter remains a mysterious NBA prospect

Continue reading ‘BBL: Meyer ready to realize dreams; Kanter a mystery’