John Clay’s Sidelines

(H-L photo/Mark Cornelison)

Big Blue Links for Monday:

• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader reports that Rich Brooks bemoans UK’s injury list.
• My column saying that SEC football has that old familiar feeling.
• Zagsblog reports that Tobias Harris had a good visit to West Virginia.
• Rivals says UK basketball has the nation’s best frontcourt.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes that Morgan Newton has been strong in Mike Hartline’s absence.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger is getting a lot of DeAndre Liggins questions.
• Cat Scratches reports on Jodie Meeks’ progress in the NBA.
• Brian Rickerd of the State-Journal writes on Kentucky’s win over Eastern Kentucky.
• Aaron’s UK Football Blog says Cats have lost a grid recruit to Nebraska.
• Wildcat-Den says UK football wants to finish the season on a high note.
• Wildcat Blue Blog is doing a “Meet the Wildcats” series.
• Inner Circle talks John Calipari and sustainability.

It was Jodie Meeks’ three-pointer with 29 seconds left that tied last night’s Milwaukee Bucks-Chicago Bulls’ exhibition game before the Bulls came out on top 87-86. Meeks played 14 minutes and scored six points.

You can see Jodie’s shot at the 1:51 mark of this video:

American Chronicle also catches up with Meeks, talking to the guard about his NBA learning curve.

An excerpt:

But the 22-year-old is eager to make an impact and will get a chance if he shows he can defend adequately and ignite the offense when called upon by Bucks coach Scott Skiles.

“It’s not going to be like last year where I averaged 24 points a game,” Meeks said. “I understand that coming into it. I just have to be patient, do what I can when I get in to help the team, and keep a good attitude.”

Meeks was playing just his third game against National Basketball Association players when the Bucks met the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night at the Resch Center. He was coming off a 10-point outing against Detroit on Wednesday, when he went 4 for 12 from the field and sank a pair of three-pointers while playing 23 minutes.

“He’s got great range, a really quick release,” said Bucks assistant coach for player development Bill Peterson. “Great shooters have that mantra; they never believe they’re missing the next shot.”

Big Blue Links for Tuesday:

• Tim Stevens of the Raleigh News & Observer reports that C.J. Leslie will be at UK’s Big Blue Madness. (Hat tip to Aaron’s UK Basketball Blog.)
• The Shiver reports that Josh Selby will attend Kansas’ Midnight Madness. (Hat tip to Bluegrass State Basketball.)
• Mike Griffith of the Knoxville News-Sentinel talks to UK and UT target Tobias Harris.
• Inside the Hall also has a Josh Selby update.
• Tickets are on sale today for UK-UConn in New York.
• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader reports on extent of Mike Hartline’s injury.
• Mark Story of the H-L wants Will Fidler now and Morgan Newton later.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Updates on C.J. Leslie, Josh Selby, Tobias Harris’

Jerry Stackhouse

Big Blue Links for Friday:

• True Hoop’s Henry Abbott talks to Jerry Stackhouse about the John Wall dunk video.
• Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader talks to Jodie Meeks about his super summer.
• Chip Cosby of the H-L reports on UK football’s Brandon Thurmond, back in action after three surgeries.
• Chip blogs that Rich Brooks showered praise on freshmen Larry Warford and Mertavious Neloms.
• Mike Decourcy of the Sporting News reports that John Calipari wants UK fans to show Rick Pitino respect.
• Jody Demling of the C-J reports that UK is in the mix for 2011 top hoops recruit Quincy Miller.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal reports on safety Winston Guy’s curvy road to Kentucky.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Jerry Stackhouse talks about that John Wall dunk’

Big Blue Links for Thursday:

• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes that Paul Warford is happy to be back.
• The Indianapolis Star believes that Indiana, Duke and Kentucky are basketball target Kyrie Irving’s top choices.
• Tom Leach has some UK football practice notes.
• Leach also has a video interview with DeQuin Evans.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger writes that freshmen Qua Huzzie and Ridge Wilson have been impressive early.
• Tyler Young of the Jessamine Journal reports that former UK walk-on Adam Delph will play at Asbury.

Continue reading ‘BBL: IU, Duke and UK top choices for Kyrie Irving?’

Ex-UK star and current Milwaukee Bucks rookie Jodie Meeks was among the top 10 performers in the recently-completed NBA Summer League, so says nbadraft.net.

The site ranked overall top pick Blake Griffin as the best player in the league, followed by another Milwaukee Bucks rookie, guard Brandon Jennings. Houston Rockets’ rookie Chase Budinger ranked third.

Meeks was ranked ninth.

You can read the rest of the list here.

As for its analysis of Meeks, here’s an excerpt:

The Bucks quickly signed 2nd round draft pick Meeks, and his performance in Vegas showed us the reason. Meeks scored 19.0 ppg on 55.7% shooting. The Bucks traded away Richard Jefferson before the draft happened and opened up some minutes on the wing. If Meeks can continue to score at the pace he did in college and again in Vegas during the summer league, there may be an opportunity for Meeks to step right in and contribute.

Big Blue Links for Tuesday:

• Fox Sports’ Jeff Goodman reports that UK is in the mix for four top point guards.
• Herald-Leader’s Mark Story on 10 things to ponder as football looms.
• H-L’s Chip Cosby blogs that it’s football time.
• H-L report on UK’s Megan Broderick winning at Fifth Third Tennis tournament.
• Steve Moss at WKYT writes on former UK baseball star Michael Bertram, who is living his dream.
• The Courier-Journal’s Brett Dawson on what John Calipari really thinks of Louisville.
• The C-J’s Jody Demling reports that Mychal Parker is interested in UK.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger writes that Patrick Patterson will be UK’s leader.
• Kentucky Sports Radio says Josh Selby is the newest “it” name.
• At A Sea of Blue, Ken Howlett writes on Josh Selby.
• And Truzenzuzex at A Sea of Blue writes that John Calipari, the Godfather, made Selby an offer he could not refuse.

Continue reading ‘BBL: UK in mix for several point guards’

(David Coyle photography)

Big Blue Links for Monday:

• Mike Griffith of the Knoxville News-Sentinel reports on top hoops prospect Josh Selby, who has de-comitted from Tennessee and could be headed to Kentucky.
• At CBS Sportsline, Gary Parrish reports that Nike schools Kentucky and Oregon could be in line for Selby’s services, thanks to the William Wesley connection.
• Wes Rucker of the Chattanooga Times Free-Press writes on Selby giving Tennessee the slip.
• Kentucky Sports Radio says that Fox Sports’ Jeff Goodman says that UK is the strong leader for Selby.
• Bleacher Report gives Jodie Meeks’ summer-league play an A grade.
• In the Courier-Journal, Rick Bozich writes that UK will have a tough time gathering six victories.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Having rejected UT, could Selby be headed for UK?’

Big Blue Links for Tuesday:

• Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader reports that ex-UK commitment Vinny Zollo is weighing his options at summer camp.
• Courier-Journal columnist Rick Bozich writes that there are two sides to every basketball.
• The C-J’s Jody Demling gives a ItTakes5ive Classic recap.
• Demling also reports that Hoop Scoop has UK’s 2009 recruiting class No. 2 behind Marquette.
• Tom Leach says it’s a big month for John Calipari.
• CBS Sportline’s Gary Parrish thinks Brandon Knight will end up at Kentucky.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Hoop Scoop puts UK class at No. 2′

Big Blue Links for Monday:

• Herald-Leader’s Chip Cosby reports on Mike Hartline, who says he is the guy at quarterback for UK.
• Cosby also reports that UK is in no hurry with football recruiting.
• The Gainesville Sun ranks Micah Johnson as the 18th best player in the SEC.
• H-L sports columnist Mark Story writes on Valerie Still’s financial troubles.
• With Darius Miller, USA Under 19 team stays perfect at world championships.
• The Oklahoman reports on ex-Wildcat Matt Pilgrim’s decision to transfer to Oklahoma State.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger wonders if Patrick Patterson can improve his draft status.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes that Jodie Meeks has no regrets.
• Jody Demling of the C-J says it’s time to start the camp countdown.
• Bluegrass State Basketball offers some summer league previews.