John Clay’s Sidelines

(H-L photo/Charles Bertram)

Big Blue Links for Tuesday:

• Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader writes that UK’s first exhibition win was an eye-opener.
• Mark Story of the H-L writes that we can try and judge the Cats on an exhibition victory.
• Here’s Herald-Leader photo slide show from last night’s game.
• Video interviews with Darius Miller, Patrick Patterson and Daniel Orton.
• Here’s audio of John Calipari’s post-game press conference.
• Chip Cosby of the H-L reports that UK football hopes to salvage its season.
• Zagsblog says Doron Lamb will visit UConn on Nov. 15.
• Gary Parrish of CBS Sportsline writes that UK is cleared to play off the Wall.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes that Kentucky showed sloppy offense in its exhibition opener.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger writes that Eric Bledsoe and John Wall are better together.
• Matt May of the Cats Pause writes that UK has a long road ahead.
• Chuck Jones of the Elizabethtown News-Enterprise says don’t rush to judgment on these Cats.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Cats sloppy in win; Doron Lamb to visit UConn’

There’s such a blizzard of information out there about basketball recruiting, it’s hard to keep it all straight. So here’s a roundup of what we know, or what we think we know, about UK basketball recruits to this point. (Feel free to add any additional information.) In alphabetical order:

Tobias Harris

• Attended Kentucky’s Big Blue Madness on Oct. 16.
• Says he will visit Georgia Tech at some point.
• Reports are he will also visit Louisville, West Virginia and Maryland.
• May visit Louisville on Nov. 1.
• Made official visit to Tennessee, which painted his image on a rock.
• Has visited Syracuse.
• Ranked as No. 5 player in Class of 2010 by Rivals.
• A 6-8 forward from Glen Head, New York.

Kyrie Irving

• Confirmed that he will make his choice on ESPNU on Thursday.
• Will choose between Duke, Texas A&M and Kentucky.
• Dave Telep of Scout.com reports that Irving will make announcement on Thursday.
• Zagsblog reports on Oct. 20 that Irving has committed to Duke with an announcement coming this week.
• Irving denies Zagsblog report via his Twitter account.
• Attended Kentucky’s Big Blue Madness on Oct. 16
• Has already visited Texas A&M and Duke.
• Has said he will visit Georgia Tech at some point.
• Has said he will visit Seton Hall.
• Was thought to be a lean toward Indiana at one point, but eliminated Hoosiers.
• His family is close to UK assistant coach Rod Strickland.
• Ranked No. 9 in Class of 2010 by Rivals.
• A 6-3 guard from Elizabeth, New Jersey.

Continue reading ‘Where UK basketball recruits stand to this point’

Kyrie Irving

Big Blue Links for Wednesday:

• Zagsblog reports that Kyrie Irving has committed to Duke, with an announcement to be made this week.
• Irving says via Twitter he has not committed, however.
• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes on UK quarterback Will Fidler.
• My notes column, leading with Rich Brooks being honest about being dishonest with the media.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal also writes on how Will Fidler supported Morgan Newton.
• James Pennington of the Kentucky Kernel writes that other UK teams can learn from win at Auburn.
• Tom Leach talks to espn.com basketball writer Dana O’Neil.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger writes on DeMarcus Cousins.
• A Sea of Blue says SEC officiating stinks.
• Mr. SEC compares UK’s football commitments with rest of the league. (Hat tip to Aaron’s UK Football Blog.)
• Wildcat-Den writes on UK freshman Jon Hood.
• Wildcat Blue Bog looks at Doron Lamb and Terrence Jones.

Big Blue Links for Monday:

• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes that Rich Brooks saw progress, but not perfection in UK’s 21-14 win at Auburn.
• My column saying we should recognize the offensive line.
• Jennifer Smith of the Herald-Leader reports on UK women hoops landing a top recruit.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes that win breates life into UK football.
• Dana O’Neil of espn.com writes about Big Blue Madness.
• Zagsblog writes on Tobias Harris and Kyrie Irving’s visit to Madness.
• James Pennington of the Kentucky Kernel writes on the quarterback rotation.
• B.W. Jones of the Kernel has the game story on Kentucky’s victory at Auburn.
• Tom Leach gives his take on the Kentucky win.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Could Harris and Irving both end up at UK?’

Reminder: UK Basketball Media Day is today. Be sure and join the Liveblog/Livechat for Calipari’s press conference at 2:30. Then look back here on the blog and on kentuckysports.com for videos, reports, etc.

Update: Bluegrass State Basketball passes along this John Wall comic. Not for the weak of stomach.

Big Blue Links for Thursday:

• Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader has the rundown on the recruits scheduled to visit Big Blue Madness.
• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes that UK’s offensive line has come a long way.
• My column giving the pros and cons on starting Morgan Newton at Auburn.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger says his sources confirm Newton will start Saturday.
• A Sea of Blue writes on the possible Newton start.
• C-J report on UK offensive lineman Jake Lanefski being lost for the season.
• Doron Lamb’s father tells Bruce Pascoe of the Arizona Daily Star that his son will visit UK on the 23rd.
• Connor Orr of the Daily Orange writes that Syracuse has a shot with UK target Tobias Harris. (Hat tip to Aaron’s UK Basketball Blog.)
• Michael Grant of the Courier-Journal writes on Auburn quarterback Chris Todd, former star at Elizabethtown.
• Jay Tate of the Montgomery Advertiser writes on the Auburn defense.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Top recruits on Friday, Newton on Saturday?’

Morgan Newton

Update: H-L’s Chip Cosby is on WKYT on-line with ex-UK defensive back Leonard Burress. And Morgan Newton’s father is scheduled to be on at 9:40 a.m.

Big Blue Links for Wednesday:

• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes that coaches are mum on whether it will be Morgan Newton or Will Fidler at quarterback for UK on Saturday.
• I was on WVLK-590 in Lexington with Larry Glover last night, and caller swore that he knew for 100 percent fact that players have already been told that Newton is the guy. I should point out that it’s in the first 10 minutes or so of the podcast, I think.
• Ryan Alessi of the Herald-Leader reports on the $3 million Billy Gillispie agreement with UK.
• Both sides agree not to speak ill of the other.
• Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader writes on DeAndre Liggins.
• Doron Lamb tells Zagsblog he will visit either UK or UConn on Oct. 23, but says UK, Oklahoma and Kansas are his top three.
• The H-L’s Jennifer Smith writes on Rebecca Gray’s second chance with UK hoops’ team.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal reports that Jake Lanefski could miss Auburn game.
• Mary Jo Perino of WLEX reports that Joker Phillips thinks the Cats are no joke.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Could Morgan Newton be the guy? UK isn’t saying’

Adam Zagoria of Zagsblog just tweeted that Doron Lamb will visit UK on Oct. 23.

Rivlas ranks Lamb as the No. 21 prospect for 2010.

Click here to check out Zagsblog, which has tons of recruiting info.

Big Blue Links for Tuesday:

• Only the H-L’s Jerry Tipton actually talked to Josh Harrellson about the infamous bathroom stall episode last season.
• Chip Cosby of H-L reports that Mike Hartline still has the support of Rich Brooks.
• Mark Story of H-L reports on ex-UK quarterback Curtis Pulley.
• Superfan Jim Brown’s consecutive game streak is over.
• Gary Bedore of the Lawrence Journal World reports that Doron Lamb will visit Kansas for Late Night with Phog.
• ESPN’s Pat Forde doesn’t think UK should be ranked as No. 1 college basketball program of all-time.
• Neither does C-J columnist Rick Bozich.
• Andy Katz of ESPN has the various reactions to something that is only put out to illicit reaction.
• Tom Leach talks to Clark Kellogg.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Debating the top hoops program of all-time’

(AP Photo/ James Crisp)

Big Blue Links for Wednesday:

• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes that UK secondary is trying to live up to the hype.
• My column saying that, outside of natural rivals, SEC fans hate Florida the most.
• Ex-Kentucky basketball coach Tubby Smith is out pushing health-care reform.
• Kenny Colston of the Kentucky Kernel reports that Landon Slone is still at UK.
• B.W. Jones of the Kernel reports that UK defensive line looks for improvement.
• Chris Rodgers of the Spartanburg Herald-Journal reports that Stacey Poole’s mother wants him close to home.
• Mary Jo Perino of WLEX thinks Poole to Kentucky may have already leaked.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Landon Slone is back at UK, but not for hoops’

Big Blue Links for Friday:

• Mark Story of the Herald-Leader writes that Louisville fans are down, but not out.
• Chip Cosby of the H-L writes that less confusion means more production for UK offense.
• Jerry Tipton of the H-L blogs that UK was to meet with Doron Lamb.
• C.L. Brown of the Courier-Journal writes on the hometown antihero, U of L quarterback Justin Burke.
• Jody Demling of the C-J writes that it’s a big recruiting weekend for Kentucky.
• Brett Dawson of the C-J reports that UK cornerback Trevard Lindley is ready to take what’s thrown  his way.
• Dan Wiederer of the Fayetteville Observer believes Kyrie Irving could be headed to Duke.
• Tom Leach, voice of the Cats, talks to Paul Rogers, voice of the Cards.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger writes that Randall Cobb is being compared to Derek Abney.
• Kenny Colston of the Kentucky Kernel writes that the rivalry has diminished because of Louisville’s slide.
• A Sea of Blue looks asks about he importance of this year’s UK-U of L game.
• Straitpinkie honors UK hockey’s calendar girls.