John Clay's Sidelines

(H-L photo/Pablo Alcala)

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A’dia Mathies was the Big Blue story on Thursday, scoring 34 points and hitting the game-winner as No. 9 Kentucky beat the No. 6 Tennessee women 61-60 before a sold-out crowd at Memorial Coliseum.

The Kentucky men travel to Knoxville on Saturday to play the Tennessee men. It’s a noon start on ESPN. John Calipari and selected players will have a media opportunity this afternoon, so look for notes, video, etc. on this blog later today.

Big Blue Links for Friday:

• Mathies’ 34 saves Kentucky, reports Jen Smith of Herald-Leader.
• More lore for Memorial Coliseum, writes Mark Story of H-L.
• Photo gallery from UK-UT women, by Herald-Leader.
• UT’s comeback stalls at Memorial, reports Dan Fleser of KNS.
• Kidd-Gilchrist could be No. 1 pick, writes NBA.com’s Scott Howard-Cooper.
• Judd’s kindness lifts Malone’s spirits, reports Larry Vaught of A-M.

Ashley Judd at the UK-West Virginia game. (AP photo)

Big Blue Links for Wednesday:

• A tentative menu has been released for the Judd-Calipari dinner, reports Sharon Thompson of the Herald-Leader.
• Patrick Patterson canceled his workout with the Bucks because he doesn’t believe he’ll last to the 16th pick, reports Gary Woelfel of the Milwaukee Journal-Times. (Hat tip to Aaron’s UK Basketball Blog.)
• My notes column, which leads with the fact that Calipari’s APR numbers at Memphis rank favorably when compared to SEC schools.
• Alabama superintendent orders review of Eric Bledsoe’s transcript, reports Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader.
• Kenny Payne will be in Lexington next week, reports Kent Spencer of WTVQ-TV.
• Bluegrass State Basketball reports that Derrick Millar will receive a shock probation hearing.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Patterson cancels workout; Payne on the way’

(AP photo)

Update: Rich Copley’s excellent blog has Ashley Judd talking about her Cats on Jimmy Fallon.

Big Blue Links for Thursday:

• Dinner with Caliparis and Ashley Judd goes for $98,000.
• Geoff Calkins of Memphis Commercial Appeal writes that Memphis fails to break UK’s record.
• Jerry Tipton of the H-L writes that DeMarcus Cousins, like Tom Petty, won’t back down.
• Seth Davis of CBS and SI says John Calipari is easy choice for coach of the year.
• Metz Camfield of the Kentucky Kernel writes on Eric Bledsoe and possibility of being one-and-done.
• Stewart Mandel of SI.com gives the Joker Phillips hire a B+ grade, and Charlie Strong an A+. (Hat tip to Tom Leach.)
• Brett Dawson of the C-J writes that Patrick Patterson isn’t certain he will leave school after this year.
• Terron Hampton of the Gaithersburg Gazette writes on Darnell Dodson’s long journey. (Hat tip to Wildcat World.)
• My column on UK women wanting to build on national ranking.
• Those women get first chance to defend ranking tonight.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Memphis fails to break UK’s record’

(Photo by John Clay)

One UK fan, Derek, is not so enamored with Ashley Judd. He writes:

Ashley Judd “jumped the shark” with me in the fall of 2008 with the political statement she made. Her “deal” with the UNC students that she would sit in Tar Heel student section for the UK game if North Carolina went for Obama was all I needed to hear. As far as I’m concerned, she should have stayed in Chapel Hill and rooted for the other team in blue.

By the way, is Calipari’s “you (fans and media) know nothing about basketball” starting to wear a bit thin?

My reply was:

Cal was sticking the needle in the media, not the fans. Or at least he was in the post-game press conference. It’s a running gag.

And do you hold other Kentucky basketball fans to the same political standard?

Regards,
John

Personally, I see nothing wrong with Judd’s political views (but that’s just me) or her dedication to the Cats. You’d be surprised how many times I get the “Is Ashley Judd there” question on the liveblog. Or maybe you wouldn’t be surprised. But what do you think? And I don’t necessarily mean Judd’s political views. Do you approve of Ms. Judd’s status as Kentucky basketball’s biggest celebrity/fan. Here’s the poll question:

In town to see her Cats play for the first time this year, Ashley Judd drew a crowd in the media room.

(AP photo)

Big Blue Links for Thursday:

Tom Leach talks to Ashley Judd, who says she has been suffering from the flu, but hopes to be in Rupp on Saturday.

B.W. Jones of the Kentucky Kernel reports on the controversy surrounding UK pitcher James Paxton: “Senior pitcher James Paxton is suing UK, according to a New York Times blog post. According to the post, the lawsuit was filed in state court on Wednesday. The lawsuit alleges Paxton was approached by a university official in October and told he would have to meet with an NCAA investigator, though no one would tell Paxton what allegations had been brought against him.”

Cat Scratches has a letter from the brother of a former UK football commitment, who died in a car crash: “Chris Mosby’s family received that uniform during halftime of Saturday’s Tennessee game. Chris Mosby, who would have been a senior this season, was honored during Senior Day festivities as one of the 27 seniors in this year’s class. Mosby’s family received a framed jersey in his honor.”

My column saying that Saturday is why UK hired John Calipari: “Not every year, and not every game, perhaps, but if you’re the UK coach, you have to beat the Heels, who visit Rupp Arena on Saturday. You have to beat them in recruiting off the floor. And you have to beat them in points on the floor. Not every time. But you have to beat them enough times to make it competitive.”

Continue reading ‘BBL: Ashley Judd hopes to be at Rupp on Saturday’

Thanks to Barry for passing this along.