John Clay's Sidelines

SEC links for Wednesday:

• No excuse for Auburn this time, writes Kevin Scarbinsky of the Birmingham News.
• This is a least-expected SEC final, reports David Paschall of the Chattanooga Times Free Press.
• Mark Bradley of the AJC likes South Carolina to pull the upset in title game.
• Stephen Garcia is sporting a sling, but should be fine, reports the Charleston Post and Courier.
• Alabama staff helped choose controversial songs, reports Tommy Deas of the Tuscaloosa News.
• MSU coach Dan Mullen denies job speculation, reports Brandon Marcello of the Clarion-Ledger.
• Matt Jones of the NW Arkansas News handicaps Arkansas’ bowl possibilities.
• Tennessee basketball whips Middle Tennessee, reports Mike Griffith of the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
• Miami holds off Ole Miss rally, reports Manny Navarro of the Miami Herald.
• Billy Donovan ready to square off with former assistant, reports David Jones of Florida Today.

SEC links for Wednesday:

• The NCAA denies Renardo Sidney’s appeal, reports Kyle Veazey of the Clarion-Ledger.

• Buddy Collings of the Orlando Sentinel reports that North Carolina has entered the battle for Florida commitment Austin Rivers.

• Dayton knocks off Ole Miss in the NIT semifinals, reports Rick Cleveland of the Clarion-Ledger.

• Kevin Brockway of the Gainesville Sun on ex-Florida assistant Donnie Jones being named the new head coach at Central Florida.

• Tommy Deas of the Tuscaloosa News reports that a deal to have Alabama and Texas Tech play in Cowboys Stadium is not done yet.

• New Tennessee defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox is eager to make  his mark, writes John Adams of the Knoxville News-Sentinel.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Sidney’s appeal denied; UNC after Rivers’