John Clay's Sidelines

(AP photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Big Blue Links for Friday:

Tony Woods has talked to Kentucky about a transfer, reports Jason King of Yahoo.

This could be Alex Meyer’s final home start, writes Mark Maloney of the Herald-Leader.

In his 29th year, UK tennis coach Dennis Emery still succeeding, reads my column.

UK men’s tennis team prepares for regional today, reports Maloney.

Kentucky softball falls to Tennessee in SEC Tournament, says H-L staff report.

Knight, Liggins and Kanter all invited to NBA pre-draft combine, reports H-L.

Don’t make players rush draft decision, writes Eric Crawford of the Courier-Journal.

UK and Louisville hoping for dream tennis match-up, writes Brett Dawson of the C-J.

Holdovers carry Kentucky basketball’s title hopes, writes Dawson.

Kentucky’s spring practice wrap-up, according to ESPN’s Chris Low.

Big Blue Links for Tuesday:

• Ryan Harrow will be visiting UK today, says Keith Bays of Kentucky Sports Report.
• Trevor Lacey done with visits, will make decision May 18, reports Gary Bedore of the Lawrence Journal-World.
• Roy Williams, John Calipari and Dick Vitale join together to fight cancer, reports Robbi Pickeral of the Charlotte Observer.
• Did Terrence Jones make the right decision? asks Mark Story of the Herald-Leader.
• DeAndre Liggins is ready to live with his NBA decision, he tells Cat Scratches.
• Kentucky at No. 2 behind North Carolina, according to Andy Katz of espn.com.
• Jones and Liggins both made the right calls, says Jeff Goodman of Fox Sports.
• Tom Leach gives his take on the decisions made by UK basketball players.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Report says Harrow visiting Kentucky today’

(H-L photo/Mark Cornelison)

Big Blue Links for Monday:

• DeAndre Liggins decides to keep his name in the NBA draft, says H-L report.
• Vandy rallies to take two of three from UK baseball, reports Mark Maloney.
• Liggins earned good reviews in pro workouts, reports the C-J.
• Lockout was big factor in Terrence Jones’ decision, reports Oregonian.
• NBA is bullish on Brandon Knight’s prospects, says Sporting News.
• Liggins gambling he can beat the odds, writes Larry Vaught.
• Kentucky Kernel takes a look at next year’s possible lineups.
• Liggins may be making right decision, says Eric Lindsey.
• A few football recruiting updates from Bleed Blue Kentucky.
• Rajon Rondo is set to give it a try for Celtics, reports Boston Globe.

DeAndre Liggins will keep his name in the NBA draft. Here is UK’s official release:

May 8, 2011

Liggins to Stay in NBA Draft
UK defensive All-American will not return for his senior season

LEXINGTON, Ky. – University of Kentucky junior DeAndre Liggins will forego his senior season and keep his name in this year’s NBA Draft.

Liggins, a 6-foot-6 guard from Chicago, served as the Wildcats’ defensive stopper this season, consistently drawing the assignment of guarding the opposing team’s top offensive threat. He averaged 8.6 points and 4.0 rebounds while shooting 39.1 percent from 3-point range.

“Coach (Calipari) encouraged me to come back for my senior season, but based on the feedback I got from NBA personnel, I felt it was in the best interests of me and family to stay in the draft,” Liggins said. “I learned a lot in my three years here at Kentucky, and I appreciate all the support I got from the people at UK as well as the Big Blue Nation.”

Continue reading ‘DeAndre Liggins keeping name in NBA draft’

(H-L photo/Pablo Alcala)

Big Blue Links for Wednesday:

• ESPN’s Andy Katz thinks DeAndre Liggins will withdraw from draft.
• DraftExpress hears Kentucky’s combine was a big disappointment.
• Those comments rubbed some the wrong way, reports All Ky Hoops.
• Joseph Uchebo hasn’t heard from Kentucky, reports Nation of Blue.
• Derrick Locke taken in the UFL draft, reports the Herald-Leader.
• But Locke insists he will be playing on Sundays, reports Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger.
• Kentucky’s Mr. Basketball, Anthony Hickey, signs with LSU, reports the H-L.
• Andre Woodson turns his attention to coaching, writes Matt May of the Cats Pause.
• Commonwealth Stadium will get its new scoreboards, reports WLEX.
• Kentucky men’s tennis to play host to NCAA regional, reports the H-L.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Katz thinks Liggins will return; Combine disappoints?’

Big Blue Links for Monday:

• UK target Archie Goodwin has game, writes Jerry Meyer of Rivals.
• UAB provost chosen as sole finalist for UK president’s job, reports the Herald-Leader.
• Faculty member says academics are an afterthought at UK, reports Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader.
• UK athletics is under assault from the UK faculty, writes Glenn Logan of A Sea of Blue.
• Calipari taking instructional camp on the road, writes Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger.
• Inaugural UK/NBA combine starts today, reports CoachCal.com.
• Liggins and Harrellson will work out for the New Jersey Nets, reports The Hoops Report. (Hat tip Nation of Blue)
• Bleed Blue Kentucky has even more news on UK football offers.
• John Wall attended the White House correspondents dinner, reports Half Smokes. (Hat tip Aaron’s UK Basketball Blog)
• Why does no one understand UK basketball? asks Wildcat Blue Nation.

Here’s the official release from UK:For immediate release

Three Wildcats Declare for NBA Draft

Underclassmen have until May 8 to withdraw from the draft

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky junior DeAndre Liggins and freshmen Terrence Jones and Brandon Knight have declared for this year’s NBA Draft. None of the three have signed or announced plans to sign with an agent.

Liggins, a 6-foot-6 guard from Chicago, served as the Wildcats’ defensive stopper this season, consistently drawing the assignment of guarding the opposing team’s top offensive threat. He averaged 8.6 points and 4.0 rebounds while shooting 39.1 percent from 3-point range.

He was named to the Lefty Driesell Defensive All-America Team and was also named the Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year by Yahoo! Sports, as well as being named to the SEC All­-Defensive Team by the league’s coaches.

Continue reading ‘Kentucky release on three players declaring for NBA draft’

Kentucky’s DeAndre Liggins on the missed three-pointer and his defense on Kemba Walker.

Kentucky players Josh Harrellson, Darius Miller and DeAndre Liggins were at the podium for the Friday press conferences at the Final Four.

Videos of Kentucky players Josh Harrellson, Brandon Knight, Darius Miller, DeAndre Liggins and Terrence Jones talking to media today in Houston.

Click here to see this video on YouTube.

Click here to see this video on YouTube.

Continue reading ‘Videos: Kentucky players talk to media in Houston’