John Clay’s Sidelines

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’

(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• Jennifer Smith of H-L reports that UK women’s commitment Samantha Drake has withdrawn that commitment.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’

Update: Click here for Jennifer Smith’s game story.

Here is video from post-game press conference after Kentucky’s 92-58 win over Boston University to start the women’s basketball season.

First up is coach Matthew Mitchell, who says he was happy with his team’s effort and enthusiasm.

Continue reading ‘Video: Kentucky women after opening win over Boston U’

I’ll be doing two liveblogs on Friday, starting with the UK women’s game against Boston U., which starts at 11 a.m. It’s the first game of the women’s college basketball season. Then Friday night, I’ll be at Rupp Arena to liveblog the UK-Morehead State basketball game.

Eric Bledsoe (H-L photo/John Clay)

Don’t forget, doing two liveblogs today. The first will be from the UK women’s game at Memorial Coliseum. The second will be from UK men’s opener tonight at Rupp.

Big Blue Links for Friday:

• Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader reports that John Calipari is focusing his lasers on progress for tonight’s opener.
• Tipton’s notes leads with the return of speedball Eric Bledsoe.
• Jennifer Smith of the H-L previews this morning’s opener — that’s right, morning opener — for the Kentucky women.
• Chip Cosby of the H-L writes on playmaking linebacker Sam Maxwell.
• Fabian Lyon of the Miami Herald reports that Brandon Knight is visiting Florida today.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes on the Kentucky-Morehead matchup.
• James Pennington of the Kentucky Kernel addresses the official start of the John Calipari Era.
• B.W. Jones of the Kernel reports that equal-opportunity Rich Brooks says both Mike Hartline and Morgan Newton will play Saturday.
• Eric Lindsey of Cat Scratches writes on the UK women’s early-bird special.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Brandon Knight visiting Florida today’

Big Blue Links for Thursday:

• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes that the backups are saving Kentucky’s football season.
• Jerry Tipton of the H-L writes about UK’s first basketball opponent, Morehead State.
• Jay Bilas tells Jerry that defense will be the key to the UK basketball season.
• Tobias Harris tells Bluegrass State Basketball that he has not trimmed his list to two schools.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger writes that UK linebacker Ridge Wilson is learning from his mistake.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes on Patrick Patterson’s non-summer vacation.
• A Sea of Blue calls this a basketball season to embrace.
• Tom Leach talks to Morehead radio voice Chuck Mraz.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Tobias Harris says he hasn’t trimmed his list’

A'dia Mathies (H-L photo/Mark Cornelison)

Big Blue Links for Friday:

• Jennifer Smith of the Herald-Leader writes that UK’s Amber Smith has shed her brace for a faster pace.
• Mark Story of the Herald-Leader writes that UK is a comfortable fit for the state’s Miss Basketball.
• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader reports on UK cornerback Randall Burden’s search for his swagger.
• Jerry Tipton’s clarification concerning Patrick Patterson’s new truck, something that got blown way out proportion on Thursday.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal reports that UK spent $185,000 more on Big Blue Madness than the year before.
• Chris Low of ESPN puts Micah Johnson as the fifth scariest player in the SEC.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger talks to Tywanna Patterson about the supposed truck-gate.
• Eric Lindsey of Cat Scratches previews the UK women’s basketball team.
• Nick Craddock of the Kentucky Kernel writes on the hope for a curling club.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Women’s hoops and UK-Mississippi St grid’

Mark Krebs

Big Blue Links for Wednesday:

• NEW: EDSBS notices the Mike Hartline mustache craze.
• John Calipari announces on his site that Mark Krebs will be on scholarship this season.
• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader previews UK’s kickers.
• Cosby also reports that Randall Cobb has returned to practice.
• Jennifer Smith of the H-L reports that there are two no-shows among UK women basketball’s rookie class.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes on UK running back Alfonso Smith.
• Nothing But Net thinks Kansas is the front-runner for Brandon Knight. (Hat tip to Aaron’s UK Basketball Blog.)
• Lawrence Journal World reports that Doron Lamb will also be at Kansas’ “Late Night with Phog.”
• Bluegrass State Basketball reports that Shagari Alleyne has signed with Norway team.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Krebs on scholarship; Kansas leads for Knight?’

Big Blue Links for Thursday:

• In the Herald-Leader, Jennifer Smith writes that the UK women have been on the ball all summer.
• H-L report that UK football signee Donte Rumph must attend junior college.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes on the Rumph move.
• Tom Leach has some issues and answers for UK football.
• Kentucky Sports Radio talks to Tobias Harris about his Wednesday visit to UK.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger writes that missed summer time doesn’t worry John Calipari.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Tobias Harris talks about his visit to UK’

On his livechat today on the UKAA site, UK athletics director Mitch Barnhart let it be know he is no fan of the Satirical Mitch Barnhart twitter page.

Said the Real Mitch:

First off, let me say there is somebody out there posing as me and saying some incorrect and at times, offensive, on a Mitch Barnhart Twitter account. I do not have a Twitter account nor do I think anyone is interested in the day-to-day activities of my life. I will leave that to Cal, Rich, Joker, Matthew and any of our other coaches.

Among the fake Mitch tweets:

Starting early on thinking about my Halloween costume. I’m thinking I’m going to be a Hee Haw charactor!

why can’t I have the same number of followers like Cal? What he got that I don’t..and I HIRED the guy!

Was told that in Billys new book he referred to me at the greatest AD of all time. I’m humbled