John Clay’s Sidelines

(H-L photo/Mark Cornelison)

Big Blue Links for Friday:

• Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader writes on UK’s 102-92 win over Sam Houston State, leading with, “Kentucky continued to show a record-breaking defense. Alas, for all the wrong reasons.”

• Mark Story of the H-L writes, “The performance on the substance side, however, left something to be desired. For the second straight game, the UK perimeter defense was defenseless.”

• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes that Saturday will be a homecoming for many UK players, “The 2009 Kentucky roster is nearly as much Peach as it is Bluegrass. UK has 22 native Kentuckians on scholarship, but Georgia ranks close behind with 15 scholarship Wildcats.”

• Matt May of the Cats Pause writes, “Corey Allmond must have been watching Miami’s Nick Winbush do his best Crispin brother impersonation Monday night the way he lit up UK’s perimeter defense.”

• Jody Demling of the Courier-Journal writes, “Three games into his career as the men’s basketball coach at the University of Kentucky, and coach John Calipari is already shaking his head. And his team didn’t even lose.”

• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate Messenger writes, “Mississippi State assistant coach Phil Cunningham says Rider, the team Kentucky hosts Saturday, is the kind of team in NCAA Tournament play that ‘can give you fits’ if you are highly-seeded team.”

• The Herald-Leader slide show from last night’s basketball game.

Continue reading ‘BBL: What others said about the UK win (plus football)’

This is UK coach Rich Brooks after this morning’s practice, where he opens by saying that Randall Cobb did participate in some practice reps, but that the sophomore’s availability Saturday at Georgia will be a game-time decision.

Big Blue Links for Thursday:

• Fabian Lyon of the Miami Herald talks to top guard prospect Brandon Knight, who is considering UK.
• Bluegrass State Basketball says Tobias Harris made his decision just before midnight. (He announces it today at 5:30 on ESPNU.)
• Mike Griffith of the Knoxville News-Sentinel reports that Harris sat in Thompson-Boling’s upper deck on Tuesday.
• Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader writes that John Calipari has found plenty wrong with his Cats heading into tonight’s game with Sam Houston State.
• Tipton’s notes lead with some info on Sam Houston State.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes that Darius Miller fits the dribble-drive.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger reports on Darnell Dodson’s spot in Calipari’s doghouse.
• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes that Kentucky isn’t fooled by Georgia’s sub-par football status.
• Chris Low of espn sings Rich Brooks’ praises.
• My column saying Kentucky’s best football efforts have come on the road this season.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Tobias Harris’ midnight decision’

Here’s UK football coach Rich Brooks talking to media after Wednesday’s practice:

(H-L photo/Mark Cornelison)

Big Blue Links for Wednesday:

• Jennifer Smith of the Herald-Leader reports on UK women’s 72-55 basketball triumph at Morehead.
• Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader examines John Calipari’s statement that “we’re a post-up team.”
• My column arguing that Monday’s near-loss is actually a good thing for UK basketball.
• Chip Cosby of the H-L writes on UK’s old-school wide receivers.
• Herald-Leader photos from UK women’s win at Morehead.
• Bluegrass State Basketball reports that Tobias Harris was in Knoxville last night to see Tennessee’s romp.
• Josh Selby’s mother tells The Hoosier Scoop that her son is working on a visit to Kentucky. (Hat tip to Aaron’s UK Basketball Blog.)
• Wildcat Blue Blog thinks Harris is looking more and more like a Volunteer.
• Eric Lindsey of Cat Scratches runs down the UK volleyball SEC title scenarios.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Tobias Harris watches Vols; Selby setting up UK visit’

So, based on what you saw yesterday in Nashville, can Kentucky finish 8-4? Or is the best Kentucky can do is a 7-5 finish with the split of the last two games? Or are the Cats destined for another 6-6 finish, like last year?

(H-L photo/Mark Cornelison)

Big Blue Links for Sunday:

• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader reports that UK’s ground game pounds Vanderbilt 24-13.
• Cosby’s notes leads with Derrick Locke’s new passing skills.
• My column saying UK might have what it takes to win out.
• Photo gallery from Kentucky’s win in the Music City.
• Jerry Tipton writes that D is the key to Kentucky’s success.
• Jennifer Smith of H-L reports that UK women’s commitment Samantha Drake has withdrawn that commitment.
• H-L report that UK women’s basketball faces veteran Butler team today.
• Mark Story completes his countdown of UK’s best basketball games.
• Brett Dawson of the C-J reports that Kentucky gets its sixth football win.
• Matt May of the Cats Pause writes that the Cats rode Locke and Cobb to victory.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger writes on Morgan Newton’s progress.
• Tom Leach writes that Kentucky accomplished its first job.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Grid Cats get six; women lose commitment’

(H-L photo)

Quick stats/notes from Kentucky’s 24-13 win over Vanderbilt:

• Kentucky rushed for a season-high 308 yards, the most in a game since 355 against Indiana in 2004.

• UK’s 308 rushing yards is the most in an SEC game since 310 against South Carolina in 1995.

• Derrick Locke rushed for a career-high 144 yards.

• Kentucky allowed 209 total yards, fewest in an SEC game since allowing Vanderbilt just 91 yards in 1996.

• Locke rushed for 83 yards in the second half. Vanderbilt rushed for 82 yards in the game.

• Punter Ryan Tydlacka averaged 45.2 yards per punt on five punts. That’s a career-best.

• Calvin Harrison intercepted his third pass of the season.

• Kentucky allowed 31 yards and one first down in the second half. Vandy was 0-of-5 on third downs in the second half.

• UK outgained Vanderbilt 399-209. That’s the most Kentucky has outgained an opponent this year since the opener against Miami of Ohio (488-188).

• The visiting team has won the last three games in the Kentucky-Vanderbilt series.

• Kentucky held Vandy to 11 first downs, the fewest by an SEC opponent since South Carolina managed nine in 1999.

Here’s more from Rich Brooks:

Rich Brooks on johnclay.bloginky.com from John Clay on Vimeo.

Videos from Derrick Locke, Randall Cobb and Morgan Newton after Kentucky’s 24-13 win at Vanderbilt on Saturday.

Here’s Locke talking about his 41-yard pass to Morgan Newton, and his career-high 144-yard rushing game. It’s a very good video, by the way, thanks to Locke, who is funny talking about how they first came up with the play.

Continue reading ‘Video: Derrick Locke, Randall Cobb and Morgan Newton’