John Clay's Sidelines

SEC links for Friday:

• USA Today reports that bidding war is shaping up for the NCAA Basketball Tournament.

• NE Mississippi Daily Journal reports that MSU coach Rick Stansbury has been fined $30,000 for knocking officials.

• NCAA’s new taunting rule is exercise in overlegislation, writes Mike Herndon of the Mobile Press Register.

• Josh Moon of the Montgomery Advertiser on the new taunting rules being a black and white issue.

• Robbie Andreu of the Gainesville Sun reports on NCAA banning eye-black messages, a la Tim Tebow.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: TV bids, rule changes and Stansbury fined’

Greg Byrne

SEC links for Tuesday:

• Greg Byrne leaving AD post at Mississippi State for Arizona, reports Kyle Veazey of the Clarion-Ledger.

• Byrne left his mark in Starkville, writes Rick Cleveland of the Clarion-Ledger.

• Brad Locke of the NE Mississippi Daily Journal writes that State is disappointed with Byrne’s decision.

• Auburn will interview North Texas coach Johnny Jones, reports Charles Goldberg of the Birmingham News.

• Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel thinks a Florida receiver should repent after dissing Tim Tebow.

• AP reports that father of Alabama’s Mark Ingram will serve more prison time.

• The State reports that ex-Carolina coach Dave Odom may be a candidate at Charlotte.

• Dan Fleser of the Knoxville News-Sentinel reports on Lady Vols’ drubbing of Dayton to reach Sweet 16.

• Georgia’s Lady Bulldogs reach the Sweet 16, reports Jack Magrudger of the Athens Banner-Herald.

• Duke women surge past LSU, reports Scott Hotard of The Advocate.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Byrne leaving Mississippi State for Arizona’

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.

Big Blue Links for Friday:

• Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader writes that an off week for both UK and Florida is not an off week.
• Tipton’s blog has report that Gillispie says in a speaking engagement, “I won’t run from a fight.”
• Herald-Leader columnist Mark Story says the Rupp Arena crowds aren’t helping.
• Kevin Brockway of the Gainesville Sun reports that the Gators’ Allan Chaney will miss the Kentucky game.
• Jennifer Smith of the Herald-Leader reports on the UK women’s win over South Carolina.
• The Kernel’s B.W. Jones writes that UK finds its way in win over Gamecocks.
• The Kentucky Kernel’s Melissa Vessel writes on the UK dynamo that is Austin Cox, son of UK assistant Jeremy Cox.
• Dave Telep at Scout.com reports that UK is among those on the crowded trail of John Wall. (Hat tip to Aaron’s UK Basketball Blog.)
• At ESPN.com, Mark Schlabach’s “Bubble Watch” says UK has some work to do. (Hat tip to Tom Leach.)
• Mississippi State athletics director Greg Byrne, a former UK assistant AD, proclams that it was a great day to be a Bulldog when State beat Kentucky.
• UK basketball featured in Ripley’s Believe it or Not.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Gillispie won’t run from a fight, UK women win’