John Clay’s Sidelines

Update at 5:40 p.m.: As expected Irving committed to Duke.

Big Blue Links for Thursday:

• Dan Wiederer of the Fayetteville Observer writes that Kyrie Irving only visited UK and Texas A&M as favors.
• Gary Parrish of CBS Sportsline thinks Irving will pick Duke today at 5:30 p.m. on ESPNU.
• Bob Herzog of Newsday reports that Tobias Harris will announce Nov. 19 on ESPNU.
• Ken Tysiac of the Raleigh News and Observer writes it’s going to be an interesting week for Duke.
• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes on UK linebacker Danny Trevathan.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal also writes on Trevathan.
• B.W. Jones of the Kentucky Kernel writes on running back Alfonso Smith.
• Larry Vaught of the Advocate-Messenger writes that UK has a true Kentucky offensive line.
• My column on the seventh-ranked UK volleyball team, which was upset by Tennessee last night.
• T.J. Walker of the Kentucky Kernel reports on Tennessee’s upset of the volleyball Cats.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Irving announces today; Harris to announce Nov. 19′

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 Iriving, via Twitter, confirms report he will announce Thursday:

With reports that Kyrie Irving has committed to Duke, Scout.com’s Dave Telep is reporting (subscription required) that the New Jersey guard will announce his decision on Thursday.

Irving attended UK’s Big Blue Madness last Friday.

Meanwhile, both Rush the Court and Mike Miller of nbcsports.com believes the Irving-to-Duke news is true.

An excerpt from Rush the Court:

We know Zagoria doesn’t go around making things up, though, and he cited three separate confirmations from assistant coaches at rival schools who claim that Irving’s recruitment is over because Duke has locked him up. We’ll go with Zagoria on this one, as it’s more fun to speculate anyway, but we’ve been saying for a while that if Duke has plans on becoming Duke again, players like Irving and forward Harrison Barnes are must-gets.

An excerpt from Miller:

It could take a bit to shake out - he was just in Kentucky for Big Blue Madness and is slated to visit Georgia Tech and Seton Hall this month - but all signs apparently point toward the Devils.

His dad says Duke’s the favorite. Assistants are spreading the word. Irving admitted to “Dime” magazine that Durham was where he wanted to be, he just wasn’t ready to commit yet.

“I guess you could say that I’m leaning toward Duke,” he said. “I’m just not ready to commit. It was my first visit and of course I’m really high on them and like I said I have that feeling, but I think it’s only smart to compare it to something.”

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?’

(H-L photo/Charles Bertram)

Program note: I’ll be live-blogging from the Rich Brooks portion of UK’s weekly press luncheon, which starts around 12:10-12:15.

Big Blue Links for Monday:

• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader reports that UK is awaiting the full report from Mike Hartline’s MRI.
• My column saying that UK should not move Randall Cobb to quarterback full-time.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes that UK is expecting the worst for Hartline.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger reports that Rich Brooks thinks Cobb is a better receiver than quarterback.
• Vaught also writes that Hartline’s injury changes plans for Newton.
• Bill Bryant of the Huntsville Times writes that flattened Auburn must prove its resiliency.
• Andy Bitter of the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer writes that Auburn cites lack of focus as its problem.

Continue reading ‘BBL: UK not optimistic about Hartline’s knee’

(AP photo/Ed Reinke)

Big Blue Links for Saturday:

• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes that Kentucky is tired of losing to South Carolina.
• Chip also has the matchups.
• Chip reports that UK is starting to lean on Derrick Locke.
• Chip also talks to Morgan Newton.
• Joe Person of The State reports that three-back rotation is working for South Carolina.
• The State also gives a UK-South Carolina preview.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes that UK should be ready to “load wagon.”
• Tom Leach gives a gameday report.
• A Sea of Blue breaks down UK-South Carolina.
• Straitpinkie previews Kentucky-South Carolina.
• Garnet and Black Attack gives its thoughts on South Carolina-Kentucky.
• Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader reports that Marquis Teague will not attend Madness.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger talks to Darnell Dodson.
• Zagsblog gives a Kyrie Irving update.
• Kentucky Sports Network gives an update on Jon Hood.
• Mike Griffith of the Knoxville News-Sentinel reports on Tobias Harris’ visit to Tennessee.

Big Blue Links for Wednesday:

• Kryie Irving says on his Twitter account that he is coming to Midnight Madness.
• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes that UK is trying to jump-start its offense.
• My column saying that college football this year has shown you can’t put your eggs in the one-game basket.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal reports that Taylor Wyndham’s hit came in at No. 1.
• Dawson also writes on the ones-versus-ones change at UK practice.
• Gentry Estes of the Mobile Press-Register writes that Alabama is gaining attention after fast start.
• Don Kausler of the Birmingham News writes on Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Kyrie Irving tweets that he’s coming to Madness’

(H-L photo/David Perry)

Big Blue Links for Monday:

• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader reports that Rich Brooks won’t blame players for Saturday’s performance.
• Jerry Tipton’s Sunday notebook has John Calipari saying this is Patrick Patterson’s last year.
• My column saying Gators, then Tide a double headache for Cats.
• H-L slideshow from Saturday’s game.
• Rick Bozich of the Courier-Journal argues that Tim Tebow should not have been in game when he got hurt Saturday.
• Brett Dawson of the C-J writes on UK’s false starts.
• Zagsblog reports that UK is in final six for Josh Selby.
• Zagsblog also reports on Kyrie Irving’s visit to Duke.
• Larry Vaught of Danville Advocate-Messenger says scary Alabama gives UK chance at redemption.

Continue reading ‘BBL: UK in final six for Josh Selby’

Note: I’ll be liveblogging the Rich Brooks weekly press conference today, which starts around 12:15 p.m., if not a bit before.

Big Blue Links for Monday:

• Chip Cosby of the H-L writes that high-powered Florida is trying to contain the flu.
• My column saying that both Florida and Kentucky will have plenty to prove on Saturday.
• Jody Demling of the C-J reports that Stacey Poole is down to UK and South Carolina after his visit to Lexington.
• Zagsblog reports that Tobias Harris plans to cut list to five after Wednesday.’
• Eric Crawford of the Courier-Journal has some fun stats after a fun UK-U of L game.
• Brett Dawson of the C-J writes that Rich Brooks wants no blue flu.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger reports that UK can’t make same mistakes against Gators.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Stacey Poole down to UK and South Carolina’