John Clay's Sidelines

Big Blue Links for Friday:

Despite those reports that Shabazz Muhammad is UCLA’s to lose, Muhammad says that he is a long way from deciding. “I don’t think I’m that close at all,” the 6-foot-6 Muhammad out of Las Vegas Bishop Gorman told ESPNU after he was named a McDonald’s All-American. “I really havne’t been looking at it. Just been working on this season for high school, but when I get down to it it’s going to be really stressful for me. But I’m just going to talk to my family and talk it over with them.”

The Providence College students newspaper thinks that Nerlens Noel could join his friends on the Friars. James Kirby writes, “Without a doubt, Cooley has already made an impact that is yet to be felt in Friartown with the acquisitions of Kris Dunn and Ricardo Ledo, both of whom are in ESPNU’s Top 25.  . . . And now, Cooley wants even more. Enter Nerlens Noel. . . .  In fact, reports that have neither been confirmed nor denied state that he may be leaning to team up with his good friends, Ledo and Dunn, and bring the Friars back to the forefront of college basketball.” (H/T Aaron’s UK Basketball Blog)

Greg Kocher of the Herald-Leader reports that UK has asked people to stop selling those Anthony Davis wingspan posters on the internet. UK can ask all it wants. It can send out a cease-and-desist order. But it can’t stop people from selling them. I have the poster. There is nothing printed on it that says it cannot be re-sold. This appears to be a simple case of the school trying to cover itself in case the NCAA gets its nose out of joint.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Shabazz, Nerlens Noel and that Davis poster’

(H-L photo/Mark Cornelison)

Big Blue Links for Sunday:

• Saturday’s SEC-opening 79-64 opening-game win over South Carolina was a confidence-builder for Terrence Jones, reports Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader. Jones scored 20 points.
• Check out the Herald-Leader photo gallery from UK-USC.
• Kentucky capitalizes on South Carolina’s mistakes, reports Darryl Slater of the Charleston Post and Courier. Bruce Ellington was three-of-13 from the floor, including one-of-eight from three-point range for the Gamecocks.
• UK signees Alex Poythress and Alex Goodwin provided a peek at their potential, reports Mike Fields of the Herald-Leader. Poythress scored 42, Goodwin 37 at Lexington Catholic last night.
• Marquis Teague listens, learns and thrives, says my column from the South Carolina game. The freshman point guard scored a career-high 17 points.
• It was a return-to-form for Terrence Jones, writes Brian Rickerd of the State-Journal.
• Terrence Jones’ 20 points leads Kentucky to win, writes Michael Grant of the Courier-Journal. A late miss of a three-pointer was all that kept the sophomore from a perfect night from the field.
• A rapid rewind on Kentucky’s 15-point win, by Matt May of the Cats Pause. Anthony Davis turned in his ninth double-double in 16 games.
• Calipari says that’s the Terrence Jones he knows, writes Keith Taylor of the Winchester Sun.
• Jones and Teague led the way toward UK going 1-0 in the conference, reports Jon Hale of KY Forward. Calipari told Jones, “Now you work even harder.”

Alex Poythress (H-L photo/Jonathan Palmer)

Archie Goodwin (H-L photo/Jonathan Palmer)

Kentucky signees Alex Poythress and Archie Goodwin both played at Lexington Catholic last night. Poythress scored 42 points. Goodwin scored 37. Mike Fields of the Herald-Leader has the details. Be sure and check out the H-L photo gallery from last night.

Patrick Towles (AP photo)

Big Blue Links for Friday:

• UK signee Towles wins Mr. Football award, reports AP.
• Chuck Hayes undergoing more health tests, reports Sacramento Bee.
• Chattanooga coach expects a sharp UK, writes Jerry Tipton of H-L.
• Mocs bring a 3-7 record to Rupp, writes Brendan Quinn of nooga.com.
• UK signee Poythress makes Naismith list, reports H-L.
• Terrence Jones has room to improve, writes Kyle Tucker of C-J.
• Cat Scratches has television information for UK-Chattanooga.
• Daniel Orton not ready, says Brian Schmitz of Orlando Sentinel.
• Paul deal is good for Bledsoe, says Jeff Sentell of Birmingham News.
• Rondo most hated player in NBA, reports Tom Curran of Celtics Town.

(H-L photo)

Big Blue Links for Thursday:

• A source close to prized recruit Jarnell Stokes believes the forward from Memphis will enroll at Tennessee in January, reports Zagsblog. Kentucky is one of the six schools Stokes is reportedly considering.
• Alex Poythress continues to tear it up for his high school team, reports the Leaf Chronicle. The UK signee is averaging 30 points and 16 rebounds per game so far this season.
• On CoachCal.com, the Kentucky coach gives his five keys to building a culture of success. First, he starts with his players first motto. He says that means creating a family.
• As a follow to that, Glenn Logan of A Sea of Blue digs deeper to see if this year’s team is following those five keys to building success.
• Good news on the television front: Insight will carry Saturday’s Kentucky-Chattanooga game, says a Herald-Leader report. The game is to be carried by Comcast, which is unavailable in Lexington.
• Twany Beckham will be eligible to play in Saturday night’s game for Kentucky, reports Mary Jo Perino of WLEX-TV. The Louisville native transfer at mid-year last season from Mississippi State.
• Darnell Dodson could be in uniform for Southern Miss, reports Al Jones of the Biloxi Sun-Herald. You remember Dodson, played at Kentucky two years ago?

Alex Poythress

Alex Poythress went from being a near lock for Kentucky, to a what’s-he-waiting-on prospect, to a Vanderbilt-has-a-chance, to a Memphis-has-the-momentum back to, a couple of hours before his announcement today, a lock for Kentucky. And he was a lock, as it turned out. And locking the 6-foot-8 forward up flips the mood when comes to John Calipari’s recruiting class for next season. The Cats had been considered a bit of a disappointment to this point, but Poythress changes all that.

• Top 20 prospects picks Cats, says Ben Roberts of  H-L.
• Poythress felt comfortable with UK, reports Jason Smith of C-A.
• Poythress turns down Memphis, Vandy, writes Chris Cirillo of Tennessean.
• Dave Telep of ESPNU writes that UK is now in contention for top class.

Alex Poythress

Keith Easterwood, described as a “noted AAU insider” in Memphis, says Alex Poythress is coming to Kentucky.

Appearing on the Gary Parrish radio show, Easterwood was asked about Poythress, the 6-foot-7 forward from Cookeville, Tenn.

“He’s going to Kentucky,” replied Easterwood.

Poythress is down to Kentucky, Memphis, Vanderbilt and Florida. He is expected to attend Big Blue Madness on October 14.

Hat tip to UK Sports Info.

Related links:

• Duke no longer on list for UK target Poythress
• UK target Poythress doesn’t have a favorite
• Poythress had lots of questions for Calipari on visit

ESPN’s Dave Telep is reporting that UK target Alex Poythress has dropped Duke from his list.

The 6-foot-8 forward from the Nashville area is now down to Kentucky, Memphis, Florida and Vanderbilt.

Poythress is scheduled to be at UK’s Big Blue Madness on Oct. 14.

Related links:

• UK target Poythress says he doesn’t have a favorite
• Poythress had lots of questions for Calipari during visit
• Poythress, Goodwin added to Big Blue Madness guest list

Kentucky target Alex Poythress tells the Memphis Commercial Appeal that at this point in the recruiting game, he doesn’t have a favorite.

“All five schools are still there,” he said.

The 6-foot-8 Tennessee native is considering Kentucky, Florida, Duke, Vanderbilt and Memphis, which had its in-home visit this week. He has already had in-home visits from UK’s John Calipari and Florida’s Billy Donovan.

Poythress is expected to be at Big Blue Madness on Oct. 14 along with UK commitment Archie Goodwin, Shabazz Muhammad, DaJuan Coleman, T.J. Warren and Willie Cauley.

Kentucky received a commitment from Goodwin on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Kansas prep star Perry Ellis turned down UK on Thursday to commit to Kansas.

Bluegrass Hoops talked to Nashville area prep star Alex Poythress after John Calipari and staff visited the Nashville prep star’s home on Thursday.

Poythress said he had a lot of questions for Calipari.

Excerpt:

There were other subjects tossed around, but Poythress said the majority of the discussion came from where Alex would play.

“There were a lot of questions thrown around, but it was mostly about where I would play and how well I fit in,” he explained. “I think it went really well.”

Poythress, a 6-foot-7 forward, is ranked No. 16 nationally by Scout and No. 19 by Rivals. He recently visited Vanderbilt, and has Duke, Memphis and Florida also on his list.

Calipari is scheduled to visit Kansas prep star Perry Ellis’ home tonight.

Related links:

• Poythress enjoyed visit to UK but is not ready to commit
• Vandy basketball recruit Poythress talks about visit
• Tony Parker wants to visit Duke with Poythress