John Clay's Sidelines

Zagsblog reports that DeAndre Daniels apparently enjoyed his visit to Duke over the weekend.

Daniels has visited Kentucky, but the Cats may not be among his top three choices.

An excerpt:

“From everything I’ve heard, he had a really good visit,” IMG Academies coach Andy Borman told SNY.tv Monday.

Daniels has now taken five officials – to Kentucky, Kansas, Texas, Oregon and Duke.

“I know it’s kind of the standard Big Three,” Borman said, “which would be Duke, Texas, Kansas.”

Some morning notes and Big Blue Links:

- Here we go again. Peter Vecsey of the New York Post claims that the New York Knicks are interested in John Calipari as coach and GM. I thought Cal was going to take his talents to South Beach and try and keep LeBron’s mom out of trouble. Or maybe he was succeeding the retiring Phil Jackson with the Lakers. Or . . .

- Alabama prep star and Kentucky target Trevor Lacey says reports that he’s down to Kentucky and Alabama and will announce soon are incorrect. Kansas is visiting the scoring machine today.

- Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger writes on the versatility of Kyle Wiltjer. The Kentucky signee is playing in this weekend’s Nike Hoops Summit on Saturday. Fox Sports South is scheduled to show the game, starting at 11 p.m. Michael Gilchrist and Marquis Teague are also playing in the game. Click here for the rosters.

- Meanwhile, could Duke be getting DeAndre Daniels?

Continue reading ‘BBL: Are the Knicks interested in John Calipari?’

BBL for Friday:

• DeAndre Daniels will visit Texas this weekend, reports Zagsblog.
• Anthony Davis plays well, but his team gets thrashed on ESPNU, reports Mike Helfgot of the Chicago Tribune.
• Trevor Lacey ready for battle of No. 1 teams tonight, reports Mike Easterling of the Huntsville Times.
• Mark Story of the H-L catches up with the quietly unforgettable Deron Feldhaus.
• Best diaper-dandy combination is in Lexington, writes Dick Vitale for espn.com.
• NFL decision weighing heavily on Randall Cobb, reports Jerry Tipton of the H-L.
• Chip Cosby of H-L reports that UK football has announced hirings of Rick Minter and Steve Pardue.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Daniels to visit Texas; Davis’ team whipped’

Big Blue Links for Tuesday:

TREVOR LACEY DECISION COMING? – All Kentucky Hoops reports that UK has offered the 6-foot-3 guard, ranked No. 34 by Rivals, and that Lacey could make a decision soon.

BRASSOW GETS HIS RING BACK – Eric Lindsey of Cat Scratches reports, “In the land of Kentucky basketball, finding a Final Four basketball ring of a former basketball player lies somewhere between the equivalent of discovering the Holy Grail and a 10-carat diamond. Quite literally, the ring is priceless. So imagine Jeff Brassow’s surprise when he was contacted by a Fayette Urban County Government employee and told his long-lost Final Four ring had been found. To give back an item of such worth and merit in a time of such dishonesty and underwhelming values was a jolt of shock for Brassow.”

DEANDRE DANIELS UPDATE – The 6-7 forward, who visited UK over the weekend, and can enroll in January, will visit North Carolina State. “NC State has been pushing hard for both Daniels and Garrett since this summer when Larry Harris first had contact with Garrett’s step-father and expressed NC State’s interest,” reports Pack Insider. “Since then it hasn’t been only Harris on the case, head coach Sidney Lowe and Monte Towe have also made their way down to Florida to visit the two stars. With NC State on both of their lists and the Wolfpack eager to land them, they’ve decided to take a visit to Raleigh together on December 19th when State takes on Arizona in the RBC Center, according to Garrett.” (Hat tip to Aaron’s UK Basketball Blog.)

– Jerry Tipton’s AP Top 25 college basketball ballot.

– Tipton writes that Knight, Liggins and Jones are eating up the minutes for the Cats.

– SEC basketball taking its early lumps, writes Mark Story of the H-L.

THE SWITCH TO THE 3-4 – Rick Minter could be named UK’s new co-defensive coordinator as early as today, and there is speculation the Cats will switch to a 3-4 scheme next season. Bleed Blue Kentucky writes, “Before Rick Minter is named the new Co-Defensive Coordinator, he is already telling recruits the Cats will switch to a 3-4 defensive scheme in 2011. I have to admit, I wouldn’t be a huge fan of the change. UK hasn’t shown the ability to stop the run well enough to make the change in my opinion. However, the Cats have recruited defensive lineman such as Brice Laughlin and Donte Rumph who are natural defensive ends.”

– Video from ESPN’s Chris Low on the Mike Hartline suspension.

– Jon Davis is solid with his UK commitment, reports Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Trevor Lacey offered; DeAndre Daniels update’

UK target L.J. Rose last night at Scott County. (H-L photo/Mark Cornelison)

Big Blue Links for Saturday:

• UK a tall order for Indiana, writes Terry Hutchens of Indianapolis Star.
• Brandon Knight making adjustments, writes Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader.
• Hoosier slump hurts series, says Tipton in notes.
• Prospect has a rough night at Scott County, reports Tipton.
• DeAndre Daniels on UK visit, reports Zagsblog.
• Cal is seen at Malones with Daniels, reports Nation of Blue.
• Kentucky’s new look worries IU, writes LaMond Pope of Ft. Wayne Journal-Gazette.
• Hartline puts Joker in a tough spot, says my Saturday column.
• The mistake of a glorified student, writes Chandler Howard of the Kernel.
• Hartline not alone, writes Nick Craddock of the Kernel.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Cats-Hoosiers, Rose, Daniels, and more links’

Big Blue Links for Thursday:

• USA Today says Kentucky is the biggest mover among merchandise sales, moving up five spots. (Hat tip to Tom Leach.)
• Jody Demling of the C-J reports that Chane Behanan has picked up an offer from Kentucky.
• Derrick Locke leads a deep stable of running backs at UK, writes Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader.
• Cosby reports that Joker Phillips wants Louisville to be recruiting hotbed for the Cats.
• Lexington Christian offensive lineman Zach West commits to Kentucky, reports Mike Fields of the H-L.
• DeAndre Daniels confirms Jerry Tipton’s earlier report, telling Zagsblog he is going to prep school.
• Zagsblog also reports that Quincy Miller wants to play with Deuce Bello in college.
• Kentucky seeks depth at wide receiver, writes Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Kentucky moves up merchandise ladder’

Big Blue Links for Tuesday:

• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader reports on Mike Hartline being named Kentucky’s starting quarterback.

• Mark Story of the H-L on Tim Couch’s return to the SEC, as a TV analyst.

• DeAndre Daniels will attend prep school, reports Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader.

• Hartline wins job for third year in a row, reports Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal.

• Hartline may not be the people’s chance, but he is Joker’s choice, writes Matt May of the Cats Pause.

• Tom Leach says the quarterback decision was a tough call for Joker Phillips.

• Nick Craddock of the Kentucky Kernel on Hartline taking over the No. 1 spot at quarterback.

• Mike Hartline’s experience was a deciding factor, writes Eric Lindsey of Cat Scratches.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Mike Hartline gets the job for third straight year’

Adam Zagoria of Zagsblog has talked to DeAndre Daniels high school coach, who says that the possible UK target will visit USC and UCLA this weekend.

Excerpt:

Taylor said Kentucky and Texas were also involved, but wasn’t sure who else the family was considering. Daniels recently decommitted from Texas.

(H-L photo)

Big Blue Links for Friday:

• Kentucky’s defensive line is young, but imposing, writes Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader.
• Joker Phillips wants quarterback race trimmed to at least two after Saturday’s scrimmage, reports Cosby.
• Kentucky women promote recruiting whiz Kyra Elzy, reports Jennifer Smith of the H-L.
• Freshman Nermin Delic gives Kentucky a European flavor, writes Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal.
• Mary Jo Perino of WLEX on Evan Daniels of Scout.com’s report that UK asked for Deandre Daniels’ transcript.
• John Calipari and Joker Phillips take time to help a UK fan, reports Keith Taylor of the Winchester Sun.
• Daniels tells Dimemag.com that Kentucky, North Carolina and Texas will rule in 2011.
• Jody Demling of the C-J reports that UK target Tony Wroten will visit Louisville.
• Lots of personnel talk at UK football practice, reports Tom Leach.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Is Deandre Daniels moving his way to UK now?’

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’