John Clay's Sidelines

Michelle Beadle

Alabama-Auburn. Lakers-Celtics. Yankees-Red Sox. Calipari-Pitino. Now add Michelle Beadle-Erin Andrews to the list of great sports rivalries. That’s according to the new ESPN tell-all book, written by James Andrew Miller and the great Tom Shales. (I’m sure Miller is great, too.) Deadspin has put its hands on an advanced copy and posting excerpts with a passion. Some of it is very interesting inside baseball. But the Beadle vs. Andrews rivalry is a real head-turner about two real head-turners. Seems Ms. Beadle doesn’t care for Ms. Andrews, who has returned the favor. Beadle even admitted to the book’s authors that she watched the infamous Andrews peephole video.  Personally, I’d  give “The Beadle” a break. She has to work with Cowherd every day.

Continue reading ‘A real sports rivalry: Michelle Beadle vs. Erin Andrews’

(H-L photo/Joseph Rey Au)

Big Blue Links for Wednesday:

• Dedication and technique have lifted Luke McDermott into starting spot, writes Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader.
• McDermott is new to Kentucky’s spotlight, writes Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal.
• My column saying that Joker Phillips is demanding physical football from his Cats.
• Victoria Dunlap is soaking up a summer of sweat, reports Jennifer Smith of the Herald-Leader.
• Erin Andrews will be featured at the UK Basketball Women’s Clinic, blogs Jerry Tipton of the H-L.
• Louisville quarterback Adam Froman has plenty of options, writes Mark Maloney of the Herald-Leader.
• Jody Demling of the Courier-Journal writes that the Louisville recruiting war has been shaded blue of late.
• Predicting Governor’s Cup winner is no easy task, writes Eric Crawford of the Courier-Journal.
• Other recruits were part of the right fit for UK basketball commit Kyle Wiltjer, writes Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger.
• The 2011 recruiting class may be best ever for Calipari, blogs Eamonn Brennan of espn.com.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Links, links and more links for UK-U of L’

(AP photo)

Big Blue Links for Wednesday:

• Fresh from Germany, Michael Gilchrist scores 26 in Peach Jam game, reports Mike DeCourcy of the Sporting News.

• Gilchrist wants to bring Anthony Davis to Kentucky, reports Zagsblog from the Peach Jam.

• Tony Wroten tweets: “I Have NOT committed anywhere yet. But UK is in the lead right now. Then comes UW,Uconn,Nova.”

• Kentucky football makes Greg Nord hire official, reports Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader.

• Joker Phillips has big plans for Kentucky football, writes Olin Buchanan of Rivals.com.

• Houston Rockets reach deal with Patrick Patterson, reports Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle.

• Kevin Arnovitz of ESPN’s True Hoop likes DeMarcus Cousins’ finesse.

• Cousins turned in his second double-double, reports Adam Hill of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

• Michael Lee of the Washington Post reports that John Wall is headed to Los Angeles for the ESPYs.

• Wall gets a double-double in his second summer league game, reports Lee in the WP.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Michael Gilchrist scores 26 in Peach Jam debut’

SEC links for Tuesday:

• Florida football in trouble over misuse of Facebook, reports Jeremy Fowler of the Orlando Sentinel.

• Erin Andrews is joining ESPN’s College GameDay, reports Gainesville Sun.

• Ex-Vol Wayne Chism has joined DeMarcus Cousins no Sacramento Kings’ summer team, reports Mike Griffith of the Knoxville News-Sentinel.

• Ex-Vandy star David Price starts tonight in All-Star game, reports Gannett Tennessee’s Tom Kreager.

• Paul Finebaum of the Mobile Press-Register thinks that Mark Richt is headed for trouble.

• Don’t blame Richt for his players’ bad choices, writes Mark Bradley of the AJC.

Continue reading ‘SEC: Florida football in trouble over Facebook’

News from USA Today says that as her contract with the World Wide Leader comes to an end, Erin Andrews has reached a tentative agreement to remain with ESPN.

There had been talk that after her successful stint on Dancing With the Stars, Andrews wanted to branch out and do more things, and might be willing to leave the network.

Interesting (my) household story about Andrews. She’s never been one of my wife’s favorites, until . . . Until she saw Andrews on Dancing With the Stars. There, the former Florida dance girl was able to show her goofy, sweet personality which won her a new fan in our family, and probably some other families, as well.

That’s why sports stars such as Emmitt Smith, Jerry Riche, Chad Ochocinco, Justin Taylor, etc., have done the show. It introduces them to a whole new audience.

And on this year’s DWTS, you had the side story of Nicole Scherzinger, a graduate of YPAS (Youth Performing Arts School of duPont Manual) in Louisville, and a current Pussycat Doll, winning the mirror-ball trophy.

Plus, DWTS is the one show that correctly uses Kenny Mayne.

SEC links for Thursday:

Memphis Commercial Appeal reports that Memphis is bidding on 2015 SEC Basketball Tournament: “The SEC has held two men’s basketball tournaments (1994, 1997) and one women’s tournament (2001), all at The Pyramid. Kane said that the SEC never asked Memphis to submit a bid and the city never pursued another bid since moving into FedExForum, because former Memphis coach John Calipari nixed the idea. Calipari made sure the U of M hosted the C-USA tournament, which was in Memphis for five straight years until this past season when it moved to Tulsa.”

Orlando Sentinel on Elizabeth Hasselbeck apologizing to ESPN’s Erin Andrews: “Elisabeth Hasselbeck made a sarcastic remark about Erin Andrews’ clothing saying ‘In light of what happened and as a legal [matter] – and as inexcusable as it was for that horrific guy to go in and try to peep on her in her hotel room,’ Hasselbeck said. ‘I mean, in some way if I’m him, I’m like, ‘Man! I just could’ve waited 12 weeks and seen this – a little bit less – without the prison time!’ Erin Andrews told Access Hollywood she cried when heard the comments and called it “a slap in the face to victims of stalking and sexual predators.”

John Pennington of Mr. SEC thinks Ole Miss perfect example of what’s wrong with college basketball: “After reaching the NIT semifinals this past season, Andy Kennedy’s program appeared ready to finally snap the SEC’s longest NCAA tourney drought and make the Big Dance in 2011. But then star guard Terrico White opted to test his NBA draft status. He can still pull his name out of the draft list, but most expect him to keep it in there. It would be a surprise if he returns. Eniel Polynice is also leaving early to pursue a pro career. His departure appears to have been mutually agreed upon by himself and Kennedy.”

Ray Melick of the Birmingham News thinks that Alabama has given itself a black eye over Justin Knox: “Instead, by playing hardball with Knox and refusing to allow him to transfer specifically to UAB, Alabama and Grant look like bullies. By having his uncle, Darien Knox, going public with allegations against Alabama, it makes Knox — a relatively insignificant player in the big scheme of things — look like a player whom other schools might think twice about signing if it means bringing with him an controlling family.”

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Memphis bids on 2015 SEC Tournament’

Erin Andrews

Update: Don’t try to link to the video in the comments section. Word is that there are several fake links out there that instead will infect your computer with a virus.

SEC links for Monday:

• Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel blogs on the sicko who videoed ESPN sideline reporter Erin Andrews through a hotel room peep-hole.
• Jon Solomon of the Birmingham News writes that the SEC and ESPN partnership is a grand irony.
• Dave Hooker of the Knoxville News-Sentinel reports that Tennessee quarterback target Jesse Scroggins will announce his college choice on Wednesday.
• David Climer of the Tennessean writes that quarterback questions swirl around the SEC.
• Kyle Veazey of the Clarion-Ledger reports that Mississippi State running back Anthony Dixon was arrested Saturday.
• David Brandt of the Clarion-Ledger writes on Ole Miss’ offensive coordinator Kent Austin.
• Mark Bradley of the AJC re-considers former Georgia coach Jim Donnan.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: The Erin Andrews peep-hole video debacle’