John Clay’s Sidelines

(H-L photo/Mark Cornelison)

Update: Jeff Goodman of Fox Sports reports that sources say Wall is likely to be cleared before the Sept. 13 opener.

Update: Dan Wolken of the Memphis Commercial-Appeal adds a thought about the Wall situation.

Big Blue Links for Friday:

• The ESPN story on John Wall’s eligibility issue.
• Gary Parrish of CBS Sportsline reports that UK is confident that Wall will be eligible, but may miss 3-4 games.
• My two cents on the Wall story.
• Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader reports that Patrick Patterson embraces the leading-man role.
• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader gives the UK football team mid-season grades.
• Chip also reports that Derrick Locke has been upgraded to probable for Saturday.
• Mike Griffith of the Knoxville News-Sentinel reports on the SEC Media Day back-and-forth between John Calipari and Bruce Pearl.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Is John Wall issue no big deal?’

Update at 5:40 p.m.: As expected Irving committed to Duke.

Big Blue Links for Thursday:

• Dan Wiederer of the Fayetteville Observer writes that Kyrie Irving only visited UK and Texas A&M as favors.
• Gary Parrish of CBS Sportsline thinks Irving will pick Duke today at 5:30 p.m. on ESPNU.
• Bob Herzog of Newsday reports that Tobias Harris will announce Nov. 19 on ESPNU.
• Ken Tysiac of the Raleigh News and Observer writes it’s going to be an interesting week for Duke.
• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes on UK linebacker Danny Trevathan.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal also writes on Trevathan.
• B.W. Jones of the Kentucky Kernel writes on running back Alfonso Smith.
• Larry Vaught of the Advocate-Messenger writes that UK has a true Kentucky offensive line.
• My column on the seventh-ranked UK volleyball team, which was upset by Tennessee last night.
• T.J. Walker of the Kentucky Kernel reports on Tennessee’s upset of the volleyball Cats.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Irving announces today; Harris to announce Nov. 19′

(H-L photo/Pablo Alcala)

Let’s break it down to three highlights from the Rich Brooks’ press conference today:

• 1. Derrick Locke is doubtful for Saturday’s game with Louisiana-Monroe because of a nagging knee problem. In fact, Brooks said the running back, coming off a 126-yard game, is probably out. Locke has a slight tear of the MCL that will take three or four days to “calm down” said Brooks. That means Alfonso Smith and Moncel Allen are likely to share the load. True freshman running back Donald Russell will also get some playing time.

• 2. Brooks said Morgan Newton will most likely make his second start. Brooks admitted that wasn’t fair to Will Fidler,  but the coach likes the idea of bringing in Fidler off the bench if things aren’t going well. That worked Saturday at Auburn, when Fidler, the junior, engineered those two fourth-quarter scoring drives.

• 3. Last Saturday’s game may have been one of the better ones in UK linebacker history. Micah Johnson was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week, thanks to his 14 tackles. But Danny Trevathan could have received the honor, as well. Trevathan was credited with 14 tackles, as well, by the Auburn stat crew. Trevathan has been leaving the field when UK goes to an extra defensive back, but the Cats played a more conventional defense Saturday, leaving Trevathan on the field.

UK senior running back Alfonso Smith talks about the offensive improvement after Saturday’s scrimmage.

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?’

Matt Lentz (H-L photo by Charles Bertram)

Big Blue Links for Tuesday:

• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes on the bulked-up football Cats.
• Mark Story of the Herald-Leader writes on the archive of memorable UK football games.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes on UK running back Alfonso Smith.
• Dawson blogs about the John Wall highlight dunk.
• Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports that recruit Rakeem Christmas doesn’t like UK’s style of play. (Hat tip Spam’s Wildcat Page.)
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger reports that an Alabama linebacker still has UK on his list.
• A Sea of Blue calls the SEC a media gestapo.
• Kentucky Sports Radio has a couple of updates on recruit Chane Behanan.
• Straitpinkie takes a look at the UK quarterbacks.
• Wildcat Blue Blog writes that John Calipari and Jim Calhoun will battle on and off the court.
• Bluegrass State Basketball writes that UK is better off without Dominique Ferguson.
• Cat Scratches has a few UK football notes.

Big Blue Links for Monday:

• Zagsblog reports that Josh Selby will visit UConn on Wednesday.
• Chip Cosby of the H-L writes that UK has high hopes for junior college teammates.
• Cosby also writes on UK linebacker Danny Trevathan.
• H-L reports that UK has picked IMG to continue plans for new arena.
• Jody Demling of the Courier-Journal writes on the return of UK cornerback Paul Warford.
• Brett Dawson of the C-J writes on the UK juco duo from Los Angeles.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger writes on Christian Johnson.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Josh Selby to visit UConn on Wednesday’

Big Blue Links for Sunday:

• Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader has a blog entry on John Calipari defending his salary, deferring roster decisions.
• My column saying players should have unrestricted movement after coaching changes.
• Mark Story writes that coaches can soar or plummet in a season or less.
• Tipton’s notebook leads off with high expectations, high salary.
• The H-L’s Chip Cosby writes on running back Alfonso Smith.
• Cosby’s notebook reports on UK putting on the pads.
• William Rhoden of the New York Times writes on the Calipari contract.
• In the Boston Globe, Derrick Z. Jackson writes on the college basketball charade.
• Tim Stevens of the Raleigh News and Observer reports on John Wall’s recruitment. (Hat tip to Spam’s Wildcat Page.)
• Keith Taylor of the Winchester Sun reports that Clark County girls’ coach Scott True is a Calipari disciple.
• ESPN’s Andy Katz writes that Calipari is ready for the Kentucky stage.
• In the Memphis Commercial Appeal, Ron Higgins writes that Calipari’s move was just business.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger reports that Vinny Zollo is waiting to talk to Calipari.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Calipari debate; spring football revs up’

Did you know Kentucky was the only team in the SEC that did not have at least one rusher gain at least 100 yards in any of its games this season?

It’s true.

UK had six individual 100-yard rushing games a year ago, all by Rafael Little.

This year, Derrick Locke came the closest when the sophomore rushed for 96 yards on just six carries against FCS team Norfolk State back on Week 2 of the season. That was before Locke was lost for the season with a knee injury.

If you want to stick to FBS opponents, Randall Cobb rushed for 82 yards on 18 carries in the 42-38 loss to Georgia.

Here’s the chart of the Cats’ top 10 rushing performances this season: