John Clay's Sidelines

Big Blue Links for Saturday:

At his day-before press conference on Friday, John Calipari went to canine lengths to describe the difference between Kentucky basketball and basketball at other schools. The coach talked about receiving a letter that had dog paw prints on it, and then imitated a conversation with the dog, in bark.

Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader: “Of course, Kentucky will try to be ruff and ready in Saturday’s game at LSU. But in assessing the game, Calipari stressed that he wants UK players to concentrate on what UK must do. Opponents will compete and play well. “I expect LSU to come out and play a good game,” Calipari said. “I expect them to play better than they have all year.”

Continue reading ‘BBL: Teague vs. Hickey gets the UK-LSU pre-game focus’

Chris Lofton

Former Tennessee and Mason County star Chris Lofton has signed a one-year deal to return to Spain.

Eurobasket reports:

sefa Estudiantes announced signing of a one-year deal with their former player Chris Lofton (188-G-86, college: Tennessee). It means that the American scoring machine is back to Estu after one season. He spent in NBA D-League and Russia. Lofton started last season with Iowa Energy. He appeared 34 times with them averaging 15.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.1 steals. In March this year he signed a deal with Lokomotiv Kuban. There Lofton had just 3.3 ppg for 6 Russian league games. They parted ways in May.

It has been going on four years since Lofton graduated from Tennessee, where he was the 2007 SEC Player of the Year.

(h/t All KY Hoops)

SEC links for Tuesday:

• Kevin Scarbinsky of the Birmingham News writes that the SEC should suspend Lane Kiffin.
• But John Adams of the Knoxville News-Sentinel writes that there is no such thing as bad publicity.
• Mike Griffith of the News-Sentinel writes that Chris Lofton is at home playing in Spain.
• Kyle Veazey of the Clarion-Ledger reports on SEC reprimanding MSU coach Dan Mullen.
• Jay Greeson of the Chattanooga Times Fress Press writes that SEC officials remain in the limelight.
• Ken Suguria of the AJC writes on Tim Tebow’s SEC legacy.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Those bad boy football coaches’

SEC links for Tuesday:

• Joe Person of The State reports that returnees Devan Downey and Dominique Archie are thinking big things for South Carolina basketball.
• Randy Rosetta of The Advocate reports on LSU’s extra-inning win over Texas in first game of CWS finals.
• Jim Kleinpeter of the Times-Picayune writes on the clutch hits that drove LSU to victory.
• ESPN’s SEC blogger Chris Low writes on the good and bad of covering recruiting.
• At the Mobile Press-Register, Paul Finebaum writes on a shock jock who ridicules Alabama fans.
• Also in the Press-Register, Tommy Hicks writes that Florida is the near unanimous pick to win a second straight BCS title.
• Jon Solomon of the Birmingham News writes that spread offense quarterbacks find it difficult to adjust.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: South Carolina basketball is thinking big’

Big Blue Links for Sunday:

• My column in the Herald-Leader on the return of Patrick Patterson.
• Mark Story’s column in the Herald-Leader on Jodie Meeks being the ultimate diversion.
• Jerry Tipton’s game story in the Herald-Leader on UK’s 77-58 drubbing of Tennessee.
• Tipton’s notes includes Bruce Pearl accusing his team of quitting.
• Brett Dawson’s game story in the Courier-Journal says UK showed a balance of power.
• Eric Crawford of the Courier-Journal wrote that Darius Miller played like the star UK needs.
• Brian Rickerd of the State-Journal looks at where the Cats go after the victory.
• In the Knoxville News-Sentinel, Mike Griffith writes that Pearl Era hits rock bottom at Tennessee.
• John Adams of the News-Sentinel writes that Tennessee is in a basketball recession.
• Mike Strange of the News-Sentinel writes that UT held Meeks but let the other Cats loose.
• The News-Sentinel’s Griffith caught up with Chris Lofton at the game.
• Bobby Reagan of the Kernel writes about Miller’s breakout game.
• Also in the Kernel, J.D. Williams columnizes on the Kentucky victory.
• A Sea of Blue gives its thoughts on the Kentucky win.
• Kentucky Sports Radio gives its post-game summary.
• Straitpinkie weighs in on the UK win.
• Cat Scratches reports that UK men’s tennis upsets No. 4 team in the nation.
• UK baseball splits a doubleheader.
• UK women head to LSU.