John Clay’s Sidelines

Gary Bedore of the Lawrence Journal-World has a pair of interesting nuggets this morning:

• Ex-UK coach Billy Gillispie, who reportedly checked himself into the John Lucas rehab facility in early September, was in Lawrence to attend former boss Bill Self’s coaching clinic. Said Gillispie, “I came here because I’m great friends not only to coach (Self), but the entire staff. I feel very honored. I’m definitely missing the game, and I love watching practice, those kind of things, but coach has been so good to me. I would never have had any opportunities if not for him. He’s got such a great staff and leadership up top starting with (athletic director) Lew Perkins. This place … what a beautiful facility they’ve built. I’m just having a great time visiting here.”

• And UK target Adreian Payne has canceled his visit to Kansas and will choose among Kentucky, Arizona, West Virginia and Michigan State.

Reminder: UK Basketball Media Day is today. Be sure and join the Liveblog/Livechat for Calipari’s press conference at 2:30. Then look back here on the blog and on kentuckysports.com for videos, reports, etc.

Update: Bluegrass State Basketball passes along this John Wall comic. Not for the weak of stomach.

Big Blue Links for Thursday:

• Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader has the rundown on the recruits scheduled to visit Big Blue Madness.
• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes that UK’s offensive line has come a long way.
• My column giving the pros and cons on starting Morgan Newton at Auburn.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger says his sources confirm Newton will start Saturday.
• A Sea of Blue writes on the possible Newton start.
• C-J report on UK offensive lineman Jake Lanefski being lost for the season.
• Doron Lamb’s father tells Bruce Pascoe of the Arizona Daily Star that his son will visit UK on the 23rd.
• Connor Orr of the Daily Orange writes that Syracuse has a shot with UK target Tobias Harris. (Hat tip to Aaron’s UK Basketball Blog.)
• Michael Grant of the Courier-Journal writes on Auburn quarterback Chris Todd, former star at Elizabethtown.
• Jay Tate of the Montgomery Advertiser writes on the Auburn defense.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Top recruits on Friday, Newton on Saturday?’

Morgan Newton

Update: H-L’s Chip Cosby is on WKYT on-line with ex-UK defensive back Leonard Burress. And Morgan Newton’s father is scheduled to be on at 9:40 a.m.

Big Blue Links for Wednesday:

• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes that coaches are mum on whether it will be Morgan Newton or Will Fidler at quarterback for UK on Saturday.
• I was on WVLK-590 in Lexington with Larry Glover last night, and caller swore that he knew for 100 percent fact that players have already been told that Newton is the guy. I should point out that it’s in the first 10 minutes or so of the podcast, I think.
• Ryan Alessi of the Herald-Leader reports on the $3 million Billy Gillispie agreement with UK.
• Both sides agree not to speak ill of the other.
• Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader writes on DeAndre Liggins.
• Doron Lamb tells Zagsblog he will visit either UK or UConn on Oct. 23, but says UK, Oklahoma and Kansas are his top three.
• The H-L’s Jennifer Smith writes on Rebecca Gray’s second chance with UK hoops’ team.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal reports that Jake Lanefski could miss Auburn game.
• Mary Jo Perino of WLEX reports that Joker Phillips thinks the Cats are no joke.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Could Morgan Newton be the guy? UK isn’t saying’

So who got the better of the $2.98 million settlement between Kentucky and ex-UK basketball coach Billy Gillispie?

I say Kentucky is lucky it didn’t have to pay more, considering that it tried to play it both ways with the infamous “Memorandum of Understanding.”

And I wonder if Gillispie’s side was afraid that his reluctance to sign the contract, meaning he was open to the argument that he never intended to sign it, put the former coach in a weaker position.

I’m no attorney, but I really don’t see how is DUI figured into the equation. It would come down to whether a judge or jury believed the MOU was a valid contract.

What say you?

Quick read of the UK $2.8 million settlement agreement with Billy Gillispie brought me to my favorite passage.

It’s No. 8, Non-Disparagement, where Gillispie agrees not to say anything public or private that disparages the university, or Lee Todd, or Mitch Barnhart.

Wonder how this will affect the book Gillispie was apparently writing with Steve Richardson?

Seems like that might take some of the “must-read” draw out of it, don’t you think?

By the way, UK agrees not to say bad things about Billy G., as well.

Click below to read the provision.

Continue reading ‘Does the agreement mean no Billy Gillispie book?’

(Photo by John Clay)

Big Blue Links for Friday:

• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes that UK expects tough South Carolina defense.
• Joe Person of The State writes about how injuries have forced defensive changes for USC.
• Mark Story of the H-L writes that Mike Hartline is still UK’s best option at quarterback.
• Armchair Quarterback writes an open letter to Hartline.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger talks to Dusty Bonner about Hartline’s play.
• Chris Low of ESPN writes that Derrick Locke is an unsung hero.
• Michael Grant of the C-J writes on UK corner Martavius Neloms, who will be making his first start Saturday.
• Kenny Colston of the Kernel writes that UK needs win at South Carolina to escape SEC cellar.
• Tom Leach gives a video scouting report on UK-South Carolina.
• WLEX’s Brent Carney gives his UK-South Carolina prediction.

Continue reading ‘BBL: The Mike Hartline debate continues’

Big Blue Links for Thursday:

• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader on how Steve Spurrier may test UK’s young corners.
• Jerry Tipton of the H-L covers John Calipari’s address to the Jefferson County alumni.
• My column on Billy Gillipsie’s borderline sadistic streak, and how that doesn’t work anymore.
• Seth Emerson of The State grades South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia.
• Jeff Goodman of Fox Sports claims Jim Calhoun and John Calipari are not the best of friends.
• Gary Parrish of CBS Sportsline picks John Wall as his preseason Player of the Year.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes that Spurrier doesn’t want to talk about streak.
• Dawson also covers Calipari’s speech.
• Tom Leach writes on Mike Hartline.
• A Sea of Blue knows its basketball season.

Dan Shaughnessy

Big Blue Links for Thursday:

• Dan Shaughnessy of the Boston Globe writes that UMass should not welcome back John Calipari. (Hat tip to Walter’s Wildcat World.)
• Fox 26 in Houston reports that Billy Gillispie voluntarily checked himself into the John Lucas rehab facility.
• Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader reports that John Calipari has given LeBron’s friend a job.
• WKYT talks to UK freshman quarterback Ryan Mossokowski, who confirms he is redshirting.
• The Los Angeles Times reports that prep hoops star Keala King has committed to Arizona State over Kentucky.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Columnist compares Calipari to Blagojevich’

John Lucas

Big Blue Links for Wednesday:

• WKYT reports that Billy Gillispie has checked into the John Lucas Aftercare Program in Houston for alcohol rehabilitation.
• Here’s info on the John Lucas Aftercare Program.
• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes on the “Wildcat” formation.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes on the “Wildcat” formation.
• Ashlee Clark and Karla Ward of the H-L report that ex-UK basketball player Derrick Miller has also been charged in ticket scam.
• Gary Parrish of CBS Sportsline comments on the ticket scam, and reports on Gillispie.
• B.W. Jones of the Kentucky Kernel writes on UK kicker Lones Seiber.

Continue reading ‘BBL: WKYT reports Billy Gillispie checks into rehab’

(H-L photo by Charles Bertram)

Big Blue Links for Thursday:

• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader reports that Micah Johnson might not play Saturday.
• My column on Miami of Ohio coach Michael Haywood.
• H-L photo gallery from basketball picture day.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes about UK’s defensive ends.
• Yahoo Sports says DeMarcus Cousins is a bad boy in a good way.
• B.W. Jones of the Kentucky Kernel takes a look at the Kentucky kicking game.
• WKYT has the 911 call that reported Billy Gillispie before his arrest on suspicion of DUI.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Prep days for UK football, picture day for basketball’