John Clay's Sidelines

(H-L photos/David Stephenson and Charles Bertram)

Big Blue Links for Wednesday:

• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes that player bouts with the flu is giving Rich Brooks a headache.
• Jerry Tipton of the H-L writes that in basketball a dribble-driver’s license doesn’t come easy.
• My column saying that some UK fans need a reality check.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes about the UK football flu outbreak.
• Chris Low of ESPN has Kentucky headed to the Papajohns.com Bowl.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger writes that Kentucky must focus on EKU.

Continue reading ‘BBL: The flu, the fans, the recruits, and other links’

A ten-spot from the Blue-White scrimmage:

• 1. This team is athletic. I know that’s obvious. But when was the last time we could truly say that about a Kentucky basketball team. Not that the Cats lacked athletes in the past few years. It’s just that they haven’t had this many athletes on one team since, when, 1996?

• 2. John Wall is ridiculous. But then you already knew that. As for the eligibility issue, John Calipari tried to play coy in the post-scrimmage press conference, answering Alan Cutler’s first question about Wall’s status as if it was another question entirely. But Wall was made available to the media afterward, where he didn’t have much to say about what was going on, or how he felt about what was going on. But at least we got the opportunity to ask.

• 3. Darnell Dodson will fill a key role on this team. The sophomore juco transfer was slighted on the publicity, what with Wall and DeMarcus Cousins and Eric Bledsoe, Daniel Orton, etc., being in the newcomer class. But Dodson’s outside shot is a needed asset on this team. He made four-of-11 threes on the night, and that after looking a bit nervous in the early going

• 4. Calipari claims that Wall and Bledsoe play better together than they do apart, and that may in fact be true. I’m not going to doubt the coach. So whatever happened to all those who said, before Bledsoe signed, that the two could not co-exist in the same backcourt. I’m with Cal. There’s no reason they can’t do better than that in the same backcourt.

• 5. The best move of the night was when Calipari pulled Joe B. Hall off the front row behind the bench and had him sit on the bench with him. That got a standing ovation from the Rupp crowd of 14,060, and deservedly so. I know, Joe has said all the right things about this Wildcat Coal Lodge controversy. And I have no doubt he understands the difficulties of raising funds for facility improvements, etc. But still, it’s the only thing on campus named in his honor, a former basketball coach who won a national championship and went to three Final Fours. And you’re going to tell me there’s anyone out there who loves the program more than Joe? Mitch Barnhart said the school will find another way to honor Joe. It better.

Continue reading ‘A 10-spot from the UK Blue-White scrimmage’

UK sophomore Darnell Dodson talks about his 26-point performance in the team’s Blue-White scrimmage tonight. Dodson made 9-of-19 shots, including 4-of-11 three-pointers.

Big Blue Links for Tuesday:

• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes that UK football seasons have hinged on the Mississippi State game.
• Mark Story of the H-L writes about Rich Brooks’ record against the SEC West.
• Minneapolis Star-Tribune has note on the death of Tubby Smith’s father.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes about the Blackout.
• Blair Kerkhoff of the Kansas City Star writes on John Calipari’s salary, and the high salaries of others. (Hat tip to Walter’s Wildcat World.)
• Brian Rickerd of the State-Journal writes that UK football is better, but not quite there yet.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger writes on Darnell Dodson.
• Tom Leach has a video interview with Dodson.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Cats get ready for crucial football game’

Juco transfer Darnell Dodson admits he is a good shooter. It’s something he has worked on. But he says there are other good shooters on the team, mentioning Mark Krebs among others. Dodson talks about how well the team has gotten along with each other to this point. Seemed like a soft-spoken kid with a big smile.

(AP photo/Ed Reinke)

Big Blue Links for Saturday:

• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes that Kentucky is tired of losing to South Carolina.
• Chip also has the matchups.
• Chip reports that UK is starting to lean on Derrick Locke.
• Chip also talks to Morgan Newton.
• Joe Person of The State reports that three-back rotation is working for South Carolina.
• The State also gives a UK-South Carolina preview.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes that UK should be ready to “load wagon.”
• Tom Leach gives a gameday report.
• A Sea of Blue breaks down UK-South Carolina.
• Straitpinkie previews Kentucky-South Carolina.
• Garnet and Black Attack gives its thoughts on South Carolina-Kentucky.
• Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader reports that Marquis Teague will not attend Madness.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger talks to Darnell Dodson.
• Zagsblog gives a Kyrie Irving update.
• Kentucky Sports Network gives an update on Jon Hood.
• Mike Griffith of the Knoxville News-Sentinel reports on Tobias Harris’ visit to Tennessee.

(AP Photo/Al Behrman)

Big Blue Links:

• My column on what could be keeping Rich Brooks up at night this week.
• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes that UK’s defensive line must jell without Jeremy Jarmon.
• Jerry Tipton of the H-L talks to UK president Lee Todd, who voices his belief that John Calipari will follow the rules.
• Mark Maloney of the H-L writes on two ex-Tates Creek stars now playing for Louisville.
• Jennifer Smith of the H-L writes on UK and Louisville re-newing its volleyball rivalry.
• B.W. Jones of the Kernel previews UK-U of L volleyball.
• Zagsblog reports that Kyrie Irving will visit Kentucky in October.
• Mike DeCourcy of the Sporting News thinks Darnell Dodson will be a starter at Kentucky.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Kyrie Irving to visit UK in October’

Darnell Dodson

Big Blue Links for Monday:

• John Calipari writes on CoachCal.com that Darnell Dodson is battling a hip injury.
• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes that Rich Brooks is tired of the talk and ready for the football opener.
• Cosby’s Sunday notebook leads with Chris Matthews praise.
• My Monday column saying UK is convinced that offense is “light years” better than a year ago.
• My Sunday column predicting Kentucky will go 8-4.
• Jerry Tipton’s Sunday notebook says John Calipari wants to instill confidence.
• Tipton also reports that Calipari insisted his book tour start in Kentucky.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes that Joker Phillips is happily soaking up the Rich experience.
• ESPN’s Andy Katz lists Eric Bledsoe as his top player to watch in the SEC.
• Jody Demling of the Courier-Journal reports that UK target Kyrie Irving will visit Indiana.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Darnell Dodson battling hip injury’

Big Blue Links for Wednesday:

• The Herald-Leader’s Jerry Tipton writes on former UK commitment Dakota Euton.
• Tipton blogs that time has tarnished Trae Golden.
• UK has released its official basketball roster for next season.
• Anthony Schoettle of The Score reports that UK-Indiana may be returning to Indianapolis. (Hat tip to Spam’s Wildcat Page.)
• At WKYT, Steve Moss writes that Kenny Perry and John Calipari are enjoying a budding friendship.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger writes that Wesley Woodyard will always be true blue.
• Jody Demling of the Courier-Journal has a day two recap from Cincinnati.
• Kentucky Sports Radio reports that hoops recruit Michael Gilchrist loves Kentucky and Villanova.
• Big Blue Uncensored has some video of Darnell Dodson.
• Jeff Goodman at Fox Sports reports that Kyrie Irving is considering UK, but says Cats aren’t in the lead.
• A Sea of Blue says Kentucky has a few debts to settle next year.
• Cat Scratches has a UK basketball roster breakdown.

Darnell Dodson

Kentucky Athletic Association just sent out a tweet confirming that junior college transfer Darnell Dodson has indeed signed a letter-of-intent to play at Kentucky next season.

The 6-7 forward, who originally signed with Pittsburgh, played the last two seasons at Miami Dade JC. He signed with Memphis, but was allowed out of his letter when John Calipari left for Kentucky.

Dodson played at Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Washington, D.C. He enrolled at Pitt was taking classes when the NCAA Clearing House ruled that he would not eligible for his freshman season. Unable to go to a prep school because he was already taking classes at Pitt, Dodson decided to take the juco route. Big East rules kept Dodson from re-enrolling at Pittsburgh.

Continue reading ‘UK says Dodson has signed with Cats’