John Clay’s Sidelines

Kentucky sophomore Darius Miller talks to the media after last night’s game, giving his thoughts on what needs to be done to improve a defense that has allowed 33 made three-pointers the last two games. And that’s not a misprint.

Kentucky sophomore Darius Miller talks about Wall’s winning shot, and a pair of big shots of his own.

Here’s Kentucky sophomore Darius Miller saying, yes, John Calipari got on him tonight, and yes, he could have played better. The former Mason County star had just four points and three rebounds, plus he turned it over four times in 28 minutes. Calipari said that many of the good things Miller has been doing in practice disappeared on the Rupp floor tonight. But Cal also said he’s not that worried, that Miller will bounce back.

(H-L photo/Mark Cornelison)

Big Blue Links for Monday:

• Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader previews tonight’s UK-Campbellsville exhibition game.
• Tipton also reports on how games were chosen for John Wall’s suspension.
• Chip Cosby of the H-L writes that team focus worries Rich Brooks.
• Brett Dawson of the C-J writes that Cats are competing for starting lineup.
• Matt May of the Cats Pause writes that John Calipari wants to change UK’s approach.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Basketball Cats get ready for exhibition opener’

Here’s UK sophomore Darius Miller talking about the Dribble-Drive Motion offense and why he thinks the togetherness of the team will help players push each other at practice. At his part of the press conference, John Calipari said again that he thinks the offense fits Miller’s skills as well as anyone. Miller has been lost a little bit in the hype surrounding the newcomers — Miller said they deserve the hype — but he’s a really good player who should really improve this year.

(AP photo by Ed Reinke)

Big Blue links for Tuesday:

• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes that Rich Brooks is eager for Saturday’s opener.
• Mike Hartline of the Herald-Leader writes that this could be the year that Mike Hartline takes off.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes that UK expects victories in non-conference games.
• Pete Conrad of the Oxford Press writes that Miami’s running back battle is heating up.
• Metz Camfield of the Kentucky Kernel writes that Trevard Lindley is among the nation’s best.
• Keith Taylor of the Winchester Sun writes that UK is inching closer to the season.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Cats inching closer to season opener’

Big Blue Links for Monday:

• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes on UK offensive lineman Zipp Duncan.
• Cosby reports that Rich Brooks is urging patience on recruiting.
• My Sunday column on UK’s non-conference football schedule.
• Jody Demling of the Courier-Journal reports that UK has landed a commitment from a Georgia running back.
• Tom Leach talks to USA coach Jamie Dixon about Darius Miller.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger talks to UK basketball assistant John Robic.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Features, recruiting and schedule debate links’

Matt Pilgrim

Big Blue Links for Tuesday:

• H-L report on minor NCAA violation involving Darius Miller.
• In the Courier-Journal, Jody Demling writes on Joe Jackson and UK.
• Demling reports that California forward DeAndre Daniels visited UK on Sunday.
• Big Blue Uncensored writes on the curious case of Matt Pilgrim.
• Inner Circle wants UK basketball to give the open scholarship to Pilgrim.
• Kentucky State Basketball also has Matt Pilgrim on its mind.
• Andrew Gribble of the Opelika-Auburn News previews the UK-Auburn football game. (Hat tip to A Sea of Blue.)
• USA Today’s Jim Halley writes on the NBA player camp, focusing on Harrison Barnes and Brandon Knight.
• Zagsblog talks to Rod Strickland, who says Eric Bledsoe and John Wall can play together.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Blue blogs want Matt Pilgrim back’

Big Blue Links for Monday:

• Big Blue Uncensored attended John Calipari’s father and son camp, and has plenty of pictures to prove it.
• My Sunday column about the reunion of Bear Bryant’s former players at Kentucky.
• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes that right now UK football has no end in sight.
• H-L report that UK has been given more time to respond to Billy Gillispie’s lawsuit.
• C-J reports that camp pamphlet could pose eligibility problem for Darius Miller.
• Jody Demling of the Courier-Journal reports that Doron Lamb is one of UK’s top hoop targets.
• Demling also reports that another top recruit, Mychal Parker, will be on UK’s campus this week.
• Mark Mathis of the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer writes that Jon Hood could be the one to fill Jodie Meeks’ shoes.
• In the Danville Advocate-Messenger, Larry Vaught’s readers support Meeks’ decision to stay in the draft.
• David Aldrige of nba.com ranks Meeks as the seventh-best shooting guard in the draft.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Report from Calipari father-and-son camp’

Photo by Mark Cornelison.

Big Blue Links for Friday:

• Herald-Leader report on both Darius Miller and Shelvin Mack making the U.S. National Under-19 team.
• WHAS reports that Jim Host believes UK would be better off to avoid new Louisville arena and play in Freedom Hall.
• ESPN’s Andy Katz reports that Nebraska is looking at both Matt Pilgrim and Kevin Galloway. (Hat tip to Aaron’s UK Basketball Blog.)
• Tom Leach writes that Randall Cobb may be the key to early success in 2009 for UK football.
• Highschoolhoop.com reports that C.J. Leslie, a highly-regarded 2010 recruit, has his eyes on North Carolina, Florida and Kentucky.
• Fox Sports’ Jeff Goodman writes that UK is so talented that Daniel Orton may not see meaningful minutes.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger writes that tryout was great experience for Miller.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Jim Host says UK should stick to Freedom Hall’