John Clay's Sidelines

(AP photo)

Say one thing for John Cohen, the former Kentucky baseball coach hasn’t lost his fight.

In fact, after Cohen’s Mississippi State Bulldogs lost to Florida in the finals of the Gainesville Super Regional, the MSU head coach nearly got into a fight with Florida head coach Kevin O’Sullivan.

It was hard to tell exactly what happened on television, but Cohen could be seen shouting some not-so-nice words in the direction of the Gators after Florida had clinched an 8-6 victory and a trip to the College World Series.

Earlier in the ninth inning, the Florida first baseman had tripped over the MSU first base coach while trying to get to a foul ball. The MSU first base coach went to help up the fallen Gator, who wanted no part of the help. O’Sullivan came out, and looked as if he had to be restrained. The camera also caught an exorcised Cohen in front of his team’s dugout, as well.

Continue reading ‘John Cohen goes down fighting — almost literally’

Mike Hamilton resigned as Tennessee

SEC links for Wednesday:

• Tennessee athletics starting over at the top, reports Andrew Gribble of the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
• Mike Hamilton’s departure doesn’t guarantee that NCAA will go easy on the Vols, reports Gribble.
• John Adams of the News-Sentinel takes issue with Tennessee awarding the resigning Hamilton a generous buyout.
• David Climer of the Tennessean writes that Hamilton’s exit ups the ante before NCAA rules committee.

Continue reading ‘SEC: Will Hamilton’s exit help Tennessee with NCAA?’

SEC links for Tuesday:

• Washaun Ealey is no longer a Georgia Bulldog, reports Seth Emerson of the Columbus Ledger-Enqurier.
• Ealey’s departure not as big as it might have been once, writes Mark Bradley of the AJC.
• Florida sets a high bar for SEC success, writes Antonya English of the Tampa Tribune.
• Charges reduced against Florida basketball players, reports Rachel George of the Orlando Sentinel.
• Phil Fulmer could get by as athletic director, writes John Adams of the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
• Mr. SEC looks at commitment lists for SEC football.
• Justice Department shouldn’t make a federal case out of the BCS, writes Kevin Scarbinsky of the Birmingham News.

Continue reading ‘SEC: Ealey departs Georgia; Florida sets the bar high’

(AP photo)

SEC links for Friday:

• Alabama pulls away late to beat LSU 67-56, reports Don Kausler of the News.
• Bama can clinch share of West title Saturday, writes Tuscaloosa News’ Cecil Hurt.
• LSU plays well, but falls at home, writes Glenn Guilbeau of the Shreveport Times.
• Toomer’s trees just latest SEC debacle, says Seth Emerson of the Ledger-Enquirer.
• Poison has filled the air in Alabama, writes Kevin Scarbinsky of the News.
• Time for the voice of reason to speak up, says Joe Medley of the Anniston Star.
• Air of sadness at Toomer’s Corner, reports Christian Boone of the AJC.
• Could the SEC be destroying itself, a la the SWC? asks Mr. SEC.
• A new low in Iron Bowl rivalry, writes Mark Schlabach of espn.com.
• Lady Vols roll over South Carolina 82-60, reports Dan Fleser of the News-Sentinel.
• Alabama women win at Auburn, reports Evan Woodbery of the Press-Register.
• Bats with less pop bode well for college baseball, writes Rick Cleveland of the C-L.

Continue reading ‘SEC: Alabama beats LSU; Air of sadness at Auburn’

(AP photo)

SEC news for Tuesday:

With a 7-1 record, Alabama making noise, says Don Kausler of the Birmingham News.

Now it is starting to get some attention. It isn’t ranked yet in the Associated Press poll or the ESPN/USA Today coaches’ poll, but for the first time this season, it has received votes in each poll. It would rank 31st in the AP poll and 34th in the coaches’ poll.

ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi projects Alabama as a No. 11 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Bama basketball continues to grow, reports Michael Casagrande of the Anniston Star.

According to RealtimeRPI.com, Alabama ranks 97th nationally trailing No. 57 Arkansas – the only conference foe to beat the Tide – in the West Division. Alabama also lags behind teams it beat including Tennessee (21) and Kentucky (12), but they are the only two wins the Tide has over a top-100 team. Both have top-10 schedules while the Tide ranks 146th according to the formula that helps decide who plays for the NCAA title and who stays home.

Tide hires Louisville coach Mike Groh, reports Chase Goodbread of Tuscaloosa News.

Mike Groh has been hired to replace Curt Cignetti on the University of Alabama football coaching staff. Groh, who was a graduate assistant under head coach Nick Saban at Alabama during the 2009 season, spent last season as quarterbacks coach at Louisville.

“We are excited to have Mike join our staff,” Saban said. “He did an outstanding job here a year ago and when he left, he was one that I hoped we could bring back to Alabama at some point.”

Ravern Johnson still in MSU doghouse, reports Clarion-Ledger’s Brandon Marcello.

Johnson violated the university’s class attendance policy, Stansbury said, prompting him to extend the suspension. Johnson didn’t play in last Saturday’s 58-57 win at LSU after sending “inappropriate tweets” on his Twitter account, criticized the coaching staff and fans following a 75-61 loss at Alabama.

After the loss Wednesday, Johnson “just disappeared,” Stansbury said, and missed practices Thursday and Friday. “After Thursday and Friday, he had no conversations with anybody.”

Chandler Parsons leading Florida, writes Gainesville Sun’s Kevin Brockway.

Parsons, who was named Southeastern Conference player of the week on Monday, has made his opponents’ dreams unpleasant of late. Going into Wednesday night’s game at South Carolina, Parsons had put together a string of five straight games with 10 or more rebounds. He’s averaging 12 rebounds per game during that stretch.

The 6-foot-10 Parsons posted the 11th and 12th double-doubles of his career in Florida’s back-to-back wins over Vanderbilt and Kentucky. The No. 17 Gators beat two straight ranked teams for the first time since 2007.

Continue reading ‘Bama basketball making noise; football hires U of L coach’

SEC links for Tuesday:

• Florida basketball signee Patric Young looks to start with a bang, reports Kevin Brockway of the Gainesville Sun.

• Kevin Scarbinsky of the Birmingham News thinks Alabama basketball coach Anthony Grant needs to get a better grasp on the state’s pipeline.

• It’s getting harder for John Cohen to find bright spots at Mississippi State, reports Brad Locke of the NE Mississippi Daily News.

• Tony Barnhart of the AJC asks whether Georgia Tech would say yes to an invitation from the SEC?

• Paul Finebaum of the Mobile Press-Register on Jim Delaney and Mike Slive.

• John Pennington of Mr. SEC says if SEC is going to act in expansion, it should act boldly.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Florida’s Patric Young ready to make impact’

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’

SEC links for Wednesday:

• Mr. SEC looks ahead to the league and the 2011 NFL Draft.

• Replica ring stirring up controversy at Florida, reports David Jones of Florida Today.

• Vanderbilt basketball gets commitment from a prep junior, reports Jeff Lockridge of the Tennessean.

• Marc Weiszer of the Athens Banner-Herald on more arrests at Georgia.

• Ex-Florida tight end Aaron Hernandez refutes story that he failed drug tests, reports Robbie Andreu of the Gainesville Sun.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Looking ahead to 2011 NFL Draft’

John Cohen

SEC links for Monday:

• Brad Locke of the NE Mississippi Daily Journal reports on Mississippi State baseball coach John Cohen’s troubles.

• Urban Meyer, not Tim Tebow, is the key to Florida’s success, writes Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel.

• Florida freshman Trey Burton remind some of Tebow, writes Joe Goodman in the Miami Herald.

• Mark Bradley of the AJC writes that aggressiveness and accountability are the watchwords for Georgia football.

• Mike Griffith of the Knoxville News-Sentinel reports from Louisville on Tennessee basketball signees Trae Golden and Jordan McRae.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Cohen having his problems at Mississippi St’

Bert Bank, Billy Martin, George Steinbrenner and Bear Bryant before a 1978 exhibition game between the Yankees and Alabama. (Photo/UA media relations)

SEC links for Wednesday:

• Randy Rosetta of the Baton Rouge Advocate writes that the CWS between LSU and Texas is now a one-game series.
• Jim Kleinpeter of the Times-Picayune writes on tonight’s deciding game of the CWS.
• Robbie Andreu of the Gainesville Sun offers a summer football forecast.
• David Jones of Florida Today writes that Urban Meyer’s contract could be a costly problem.
• In the Birmingham News, Ian Rapoport writes on the passing of Alabama legend Bert Bank.
• Tim Tucker of the AJC writes that there’s more talk about Georgia-Florida and Jacksonville.
• Marc Weiszer of the Athens Banner-Herald writes that there may be an extension in the works for Georgia-Florida.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: CWS finale and summer grid forecast’