John Clay’s Sidelines

SEC links for Tuesday:

• Joe Person of The State reports that returnees Devan Downey and Dominique Archie are thinking big things for South Carolina basketball.
• Randy Rosetta of The Advocate reports on LSU’s extra-inning win over Texas in first game of CWS finals.
• Jim Kleinpeter of the Times-Picayune writes on the clutch hits that drove LSU to victory.
• ESPN’s SEC blogger Chris Low writes on the good and bad of covering recruiting.
• At the Mobile Press-Register, Paul Finebaum writes on a shock jock who ridicules Alabama fans.
• Also in the Press-Register, Tommy Hicks writes that Florida is the near unanimous pick to win a second straight BCS title.
• Jon Solomon of the Birmingham News writes that spread offense quarterbacks find it difficult to adjust.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: South Carolina basketball is thinking big’

SEC links for Monday:

• Kevin Brockway of the Gainesville Sun examines whether Florida is getting a bad rap on crime.
• Seth Emerson of The State reports that Devan Downey has decided to return to South Carolina.
• In The State, Joe Person reports that Steve Spurrier thinks he has a team on the verge.
• In his AJC blog, Mark Bradley writes that ESPN likes the look of Georgia 2009.
• Brandon Marcello of the NW Arkansas Times writes that the Razorbacks’ second game in the CWS may be their toughest.
• Randy Rosetta of The Advocate writes that Arkansas presents a challenge for LSU at CWS.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Is Florida getting a bad rap on crime?’

SEC links for Thursday:

• ESPN’s SEC blogger Chris Low rates the league’s non-conference football schedules.
• Seth Emerson of The State reports that Europe may now be an option for South Carolina’s Devan Downey and Dominique Archie.
• Mike Griffith of the Knoxville News-Sentinel reports that a Tennessee basketball redshirt is expected to transfer.
• Ray Melick of the Birmingham News writes that Alabama needs to admit it has a problem.
• Kevin Scarbinsky of the Birmingham News writes that Bama’s choice of Anthony Grant is looking better all the time.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Rating the non-conference football schedules’

Greg Byrne

SEC links for Tuesday:

• Kyle Veazey of the Clarion-Ledger reports that Mississippi State athletics director Greg Byrne, former associate AD at UK, is being treated for melanoma.
• Jay Greeson of the Chattanooga Times Free-Press writes that Lane Kiffin is on a record pace for violations.
• Seth Emerson of The State writes that decision day is looming for Dominique Archie and Devan Downey.
• Maurice Patton of the Tennessean reports that a California point guard has committed to Vanderbilt.
• David Jones of Florida Today reports that Gators coach Billy Donovan is happy for the Magic.
• Kevin Scarbinsky of the Birmingham News reports that Alabama’s textbook scandal involves 200 athletes.
• Paul Finebaum of the Mobile Press-Register writes that Tommy Tuberville could be at the heart of the rumor mill.
• Daryl Maxie of the AJC reports that a top wide receiver prospect will commit to Georgia and Florida.

SEC links for Wednesday:

• Ron Higgins of the Commercial-Appeal reports that UT basketball coach Bruce Pearl thanked John Calipari for getting the Vols’ staff a nice raise.
• Kevin Brockway of the Gainesville Sun reports on Alex Tyus pulling a Billy Donovan and returning to Florida.
• The Athens Banner-Herald reports that new Georgia basketball coach Mark Fox has added his first oral commitment.
• The AJC reports that the NCAA has denied Georgia coach Mark Richt a waiver to attend ceremony.
• In the Birmingham News, Ian Rapoport writes that Bama coach Nick Saban is ready to battle for Memphis recruits.
• In the Mobile Press-Register, Paul Finebaum asks if Saban is on thin ice with fans?

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Pearl thanks Calipari; Tyus back at Florida’

Devan Downey

SEC links for Wednesday:

• Seth Emerson of The State reports that South Carolina’s Devan Downey will test the NBA waters.
• Drew Edwards of the Knoxville News-Sentinel reports on Lane Kiffin’s decision to give Demetrice Morley the boot.
• Wes Rucker of the Chattanooga Times Free Press writes on Morley’s departure.
• Gary Laney of The Advocate writes that LSU’s Tasmin Mitchell mulls a draft decision.
• Kevin Brockway of the Gainesville Sun reports that Florida basketball recruit DeShawn Painter may be re-opening his recruitment.
• David Jones of Florida Today also reports on Painter’s problem.
• Kevin Scarbinsky of the Birmingham News reports that new Georgia coach Mark Fox is thinking of hiring former Alabama interim coach Philip Pearson.
• In the Mobile Press-Register, Paul Finebaum writes that even Nick Saban can’t contain expectations.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Downey testing waters, Morley out at UT’

Update: Blog commenter wanted me to add Patterson to the mix, so I did.

Update II: Jeff Goodman at Fox Sports has Meeks No. 7 and Thornton No. 10 in his national Player of the Year rankings.

I still think Kentucky’s Jodie Meeks will be named the SEC’s Player of the Year. But in my column this morning, I note that Kentucky’s point machine has more competition than we once might have expected. Here’s a chart comparison of the top contenders:

Conference and non-conference games included. Leader in each category marked by gold box.

On the road, so these Big Blue Links are a bit late:

• Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader has the advance on tonight’s UK-South Carolina game.
• Jerry’s notes package includes note that UK has started a Jodie Meeks for Player of the Year campaign.
• My column on the breakdown of the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee, which includes just four of 10 members boasting a basketball background.
• There’s word from KSR that Kevin Galloway did not make the trip because of a death in the family.
• In The State, Seth Emerson writes that UK-Carolina is something to shout about.
• The State also has a Q&A with SEC commissioner and NCAA Selection chairman Mike Slive.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes on the Kentucky-South Carolina showdown.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger weighs in on tonight’s game.
• Bobby Reagan of the Kentucky Kernel writes on the battle for first place.
• The Kernel’s Jon Hale writes that a deep tournament run could send two Cats running to the NBA.
• Ken Howlett of A Sea of Blue breaks down the Cats and South Carolina.
• Straitpinkie breaks down the game.
• Kentucky Sports Radio talks about stopping Devan Downey.

Big Blue Links for Tuesday:

• Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader writes on South Carolina guard Devan Downey.
• Mark Story of the Herald-Leader asks what will Darius Miller do for an encore?
• Seth Emerson of The State writes that it’s “go-time” in the SEC East.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes that it’s a strange view for Gamecocks atop SEC East.
• Jody Demling of the Courier-Journal writes on Carly Ormerod, ending her career at UK.
• Hal Morris of the Danville Advocate-Messenger writes on UK’s show of support.
• Ken Howlett of A Sea of Blue writes on a ton of UK trends.
• Matt Jones at Kentucky Sports Radio reports that UK is allowing ESPN to go behind the scenes.
• Bobby Reagen of the Kentucky Kernel writes on the threat imposed by Carolina’s Downey.
• Tom Leach writes on a big week for the Big Blue.
• On his WLAP blog, Dick Gabriel writes on a foul trip to Myrtle Beach.
• Cat Scratches has a UK practice report.