John Clay's Sidelines

Big Blue Links for Tuesday:

• Noel visiting Louisville for Georgetown game, reports Jeff Goodman.
• Hayes helps Kings to heart-felt win, reports Ron Agnosti of Modesto Bee.
• Knight struggles in Pistons’ opener, reports ESPN.
• Lamar ready to face second straight ranked foe, reports KFDM-TV.
• Live stream offers realistic practice view, reports Aaron Smith of Kernel.
• Top 11 Coach Cal stories from 2011, by Eric Lindsey of CoachCal.com.
• Louisville ready for tonight’s Belk Bowl, reports C.L. Brown of C-J.
• History of UK-U of L as far as rankings, from Kyle Tucker of C-J.
• Kentucky, Duke and UCLA tied for most NBA players, reports Zagsblog.
• UK women move to No. 6 in AP poll, reports H-L.
• Hayes happy to be back with Kings, writes Jason Jones of Bee.
• An in-depth look at UK’s football miracle, by Darrell Bird of Cats Pause.

Chuck Hayes is expected back in Sacramento tonight after signing a new four-year, $22.4 million contract with the Kings. That’s a $1 million more than Hayes originally signed for with the Kings, who voided the contract when the former Kentucky forward failed a physical because of a heart abnormality. After visiting the Cleveland Clinic, Hayes earned a clean bill of health and re-signed with the Kings.

• Chuck Hayes to have more tests after abnormality found
• Source of Chuck Hayes’ failed heart exam?
• Kings announce new deal with Chuck Hayes
• Hayes, Kings reach $22.4 million deal

(Sacramento Bee photo)

The Sacramento Kings have voided Chuck Hayes contract after the former Kentucky player failed a physical.

An abnormality was found on Hayes’ echo test last week and the former Houston Rocket had been undergoing more tests.

“This morning, in one of the most heartbreaking moments of my professional or personal life,” said Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie in a statement released by the team.

The Sacramento Bee reports that, “In his physical with the team, Hayes was found to have a heart abnormality in an echo stress test. He had undergone more testing before it was announced that the team would void the contract.”

Hayes had signed a four-year deal worth $21.3 million with the club.

Continue reading ‘Kings void Chuck Hayes contract after failed physical’

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/Jonathan Palmer)

Big Blue Links for Monday:

• Early 22-0 burst propels Kentucky women past Mississippi State, reports Jennifer Smith of the Herald-Leader.
• Forcing turnovers helps Kentucky beat Bulldogs, writes T.J. Walker of the Kentucky Kernel.
• Marquis Teague named MVP in Indiana tournament, reports Kyle Neddenriep of the Indianapolis Star. (Hat tip All Ky Hoops)
• John Calipari thinks summer basketball recruiting should be dropped, writes Ron Chimelis of the Republican. (Hat tip Spam’s Wildcat Page)
• Patterson has upper-respiratory infection; Hayes receives scare, reports the Houston Chronicle.
• Kentucky’s Eric Quigley reaches SEC Men’s Tennis Indoor final, reports the Courier-Journal.
• Anthony Davis puts on a show for John Calipari, reports Jody Demling of the Courier-Journal.
• Randall Cobb remains humble over his Kentucky stardom, writes Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger.
• Illustration of Kentucky breaking down the zone, from Aaron Smith of the Kernel.
• Kentucky burned a hole in the LSU zone, writes Brian Rickerd of the Frankfort State-Journal.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Teague named MVP in tourney; Patterson update’

Big Blue Links for Thursday:

Jonathan Abrams of the New York Times on Chuck Hayes:In the 63 years of the N.B.A., few teams have had a regular starting center as short as the 6-foot-6 Hayes, and certainly none in recent decades. Hayes is a full foot shorter than Yao Ming, the injured All-Star for whom he is filling in. Dikembe Mutombo, who backed up Yao last season before retiring, is 7-2.”

Doug Robertson of the AJC on NCAA recruiting proposals: “During its annual convention, this year in Atlanta, the NCAA’s Legislative Council will vote on four proposals, two of which seem to be aimed at reducing the influence on the recruiting process that a player’s associates or coaches at the AAU and high school levels can have.”

Jennifer Smith of the Herald-Leader on tonight’s UK-South Carolina women’s clash: “In this week’s Associated Press poll, there are three teams that have similar records and less difficult schedule strengths than UK, according to RealTimeRPI.com. The Cats’ schedule strength was listed as No. 98. They are No. 29 in the national RPI, according to that site. The ranked teams with the weaker schedules are No. 25 Miami (Fla.) at 13-2, No. 17 Wisconsin-Green Bay, which is undefeated, and No. 9 Baylor (13-2).”

Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader writes on UK’s depth: “Eric Bledsoe took advantage of the opportunity when Florida concentrated – quite sensibly – on containing national player of the year candidate John Wall. Darnell Dodson, who missed all eight shots he took in the previous two games, hit a clutch three-pointer with the game on the line inside the final five minutes.”

Continue reading ‘BBL: New York Times shines light on Chuck Hayes’

Big Blue Links for Thursday:

• Fabian Lyon of the Miami Herald talks to top guard prospect Brandon Knight, who is considering UK.
• Bluegrass State Basketball says Tobias Harris made his decision just before midnight. (He announces it today at 5:30 on ESPNU.)
• Mike Griffith of the Knoxville News-Sentinel reports that Harris sat in Thompson-Boling’s upper deck on Tuesday.
• Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader writes that John Calipari has found plenty wrong with his Cats heading into tonight’s game with Sam Houston State.
• Tipton’s notes lead with some info on Sam Houston State.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes that Darius Miller fits the dribble-drive.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger reports on Darnell Dodson’s spot in Calipari’s doghouse.
• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes that Kentucky isn’t fooled by Georgia’s sub-par football status.
• Chris Low of espn sings Rich Brooks’ praises.
• My column saying Kentucky’s best football efforts have come on the road this season.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Tobias Harris’ midnight decision’

Big Blue Links for Thursday:

• Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader writes that Clarion game brings back memories of John Calipari’s time there.
• Chip Cosby of the H-L writes about freshman quarterback Morgan Newton.
• The Easy Being Green blog reports on the Wildcat Coal Lodge banner protest at UK.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes on UK freshman receiver La’Rod King.
• Matt May of the Cats Pause reports that Trevard Lindley and Mike Hartline are making progress.
• Marlen Garcia of USA Today writes on the red-hot UK-U of L basketball rivalry.
• Brian Rosenthal of Husker Extra reports that Billy Gillispie was at Nebraska to watch the Cornhuskers. (Hat tip to Aaron’s UK Basketball Blog.)
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger reports that DeQuin Evans thinks Cats backed down.
• Kevin Patton of the Henderson Gleaner writes that Newton’s progress comes at Will Fidler’s expense. (Hat tip to Aaron’s UK Football Blog.)
• Metz Camfield of the Kentucky Kernel writes on John Wall and high expectations.
• T.J. Walker of the Kernel writes on volleyball’s Gretchen Giesler.

Continue reading ‘BBL: USA Today tackles UK-U of L, and other links’

Henry Abbott’s excellent TrueHoop blog sends some love to Chuck Hayes in a post today, calling the current Houston Rocket and ex-Cat “a high priest of defending the post.”

An excerpt:

So, sure, some rebounds are nice, but the box score misses the point of Chuck Hayes.

Somebody somewhere has these stats, I’d imagine. If you post up Hayes’ man, I’ll bet you my laptop that man’s offensive efficiency tends to be vastly lower than it is against the average defender.

The Lakers tried it for a stretch with Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum. Nothing doing. Hayes is just too strong, too smart and too good getting low and using leverage to get the offensive player where he wants him.