John Clay’s Sidelines

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

Big Blue Links for Monday:

• Herald-Leader’s Chip Cosby reports on Mike Hartline, who says he is the guy at quarterback for UK.
• Cosby also reports that UK is in no hurry with football recruiting.
• The Gainesville Sun ranks Micah Johnson as the 18th best player in the SEC.
• H-L sports columnist Mark Story writes on Valerie Still’s financial troubles.
• With Darius Miller, USA Under 19 team stays perfect at world championships.
• The Oklahoman reports on ex-Wildcat Matt Pilgrim’s decision to transfer to Oklahoma State.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger wonders if Patrick Patterson can improve his draft status.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes that Jodie Meeks has no regrets.
• Jody Demling of the C-J says it’s time to start the camp countdown.
• Bluegrass State Basketball offers some summer league previews.

Big Blue Links for Tuesday:

• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes that UK quarterback Mike Hartline wants to go beyond managing the game.
• Chip blogs on the UK football leadership council.
• H-L’s Mark Story writes what a difference a month makes for UK, U of L.
• Herald-Leader reports that UK women have signed two basketball standouts from D.C. area.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger writes that Daniel Orton is 100 percent committed to the Cats.
• Vaught also gets a sense from Orton’s father that UK thinks Patrick Patterson may be leaving for the NBA.
• Kentucky Sports Radio has the same feeling about Patterson.
• The C-J’s Chris Diggs thinks Kentucky is in the driver’s seat for Xavier Henry.
• Ryan Abner of the Oklahoman reports that John Calipari has told Henry family he will apply with NCAA for waiver allowing C.J. Henry to play immediately. (Hat tip to Spam’s Wildcat Page.)
• The C-J’s Rick Bozich shoots down rumors that Kenny Payne will be on Calipari’s staff.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Orton 100% committed, Patterson maybe less so’

Big Blue Links for Wednesday:

• Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader previews tonight’s UK-Notre Dame matchup.
• Tipton also has some quotes from Billy Gillispie on Notre Dame.
• My column of random NIT notes.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes that Cats will have hands full with Luke Harangody.
• Tom Noie of the South Bend Tribune writes that healing Irish await Kentucky.
• Noie’s notes include question of how Notre Dame will slow Jodie Meeks.
• In the Ft. Wayne Journal-Gazette, Michael Rothstein writes that Notre Dame seniors appreciate NIT run.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger writes that Patrick Patterson is preparing for Harangody.
• Tom Leach writes that cutting turnovers has helped UK succeed in the NIT.
• On his WLAP blog, Dick Gabriel examines the UK coaching mess.
• In the Cats Pause, Darrell Bird writes about the clash of the titans. (subscription)

Continue reading ‘BBL: Bring on the Irish’

Photo by Mark Cornelison.

Big Blue Links for Friday:

• Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader reports that Billy Gillispie doesn’t think the season is over yet.
• Herald-Leader columnist Mark Story writes that firing Billy Gillispie would only fan the flames.
• The H-L has the report on UK women’s first-round loss in the SEC Tournament.
• Brett Dawson of the C-J writes on Kentucky’s slipping NCAA chances.
• Eric Crawford of the Courier-Journal says those wearing blue aren’t Cats.
• At the Bleacher Report, Trey Bradley writes it’s time to get Gillispie out of Kentucky.
• Tom Leach talks to Larry Conley after UK’s loss to Georgia.
• Ben Jackey at WLKY writes that the fans are after Gillispie’s head.
• Pat Dooley of the Gainesville Sun on why Billy Donovan benched Nick Calathes.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Kentucky basketball on red alert’

Big Blue Links for Wednesday:

• Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader reports that Jared Carter has no second thoughts about UK career.
• Tipton also reports that Billy Gillispie is wary of Georgia in tonight’s matchup.
• Tipton’s notes include item that Perry Stevenson believes he was Saturday’s singled-out player.
• My notes column, which leads with item that Jodie Meeks has plenty of competition for SEC honors.
• In the AJC, Chip Towers writes that Georgia hopes to pop Kentucky’s bubble.
• Roger Clarkson of the Athens Banner-Herald writes that special events follow Georgia.
• Doug Segrest of the Birmingham News asks if they can hold an NCAA Tourney without UK.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes that little-used Carter still holds head high.
• In the Kentucky Kernel, Bobby Reagan writes that Carter is at peace with his role.

Continue reading ‘BBL: UK-Georgia preview’

Photo by Pablo Alcala.

Big Blue Links for Tuesday:

• Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader writes that the Cats are walking a fine line between NCAA and NIT.
• Mark Story of the Herald-Leader writes that Kentucky has lost its swagger.
• Audio from the four coaches involved in the SEC East race.
• Joe Biddle of the Tennessean writes that Billy Gillispie’s act is wearing thin.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger writes that Gillispie needs to accept some blame, too.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes that Gillispie is sticking to his formula.
• David Brandt of the Jackson Clarion-Ledger writes that Jodie Meeks is not a lock for SEC Player of the Year.
• In case you missed it, A Sea of Blue has interview with ex-UK great Mike Casey, who is not a BCG fan.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Bubble Cats and Billy bashing’