John Clay’s Sidelines

Update: Blog commenter wanted me to add Patterson to the mix, so I did.

Update II: Jeff Goodman at Fox Sports has Meeks No. 7 and Thornton No. 10 in his national Player of the Year rankings.

I still think Kentucky’s Jodie Meeks will be named the SEC’s Player of the Year. But in my column this morning, I note that Kentucky’s point machine has more competition than we once might have expected. Here’s a chart comparison of the top contenders:

Conference and non-conference games included. Leader in each category marked by gold box.

Big Blue Links for the UK-LSU showdown (4 p.m., CBS):

• In the Herald-Leader, Jerry Tipton writes that this is a nighmare matchup for the Cats.
• Here’s my column saying today’s game poses the biggest test of the young Billy Gillispie Era.
• Tipton’s notes packages leads with the off-and-on status of A.J. Stewart.
• All your UK audio needs are on this link.
• Gary Laney of the Baton Rouge Advocate writes that Rupp Arena awaits the Tigers.
• Laney also writes that LSU is counting on Garrett Temple to contain Jodie Meeks.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger writes that Meeks impresses Temple.
• Vaught also writes that LSU awaits a “talented” UK.
• Hoops Report gives some love to LSU’s Marcus Thornton.
• Kevin Lyttle of the Austin American-Statesman writes that LSU’s turnaround season has been striking.
• David Helman of the Daily Reville writes that LSU is shooting for the SEC crown today.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes that Patrick Patterson is the Cats’ insider.

Continue reading ‘BBL: UK-LSU preview links’

A.J. Stewart

Big Blue Links for Friday:

• After initially reporting that Stewart had been kicked off the team, Kentucky Sports Radio says it may not be permanent.
• WKYT cites sources saying Stewart did quit the team.
• Is A.J. Stewart on the team? Mother tells C-J “as far as I know.”
• In the Herald-Leader, Jerry Tipton writes that Patrick Patterson is ignoring the pundits.
• Audio of Billy Gillispie from Thursday’s SEC teleconference.
• LSU coach Tent Johnson talks about Kentucky on the SEC teleconference.
• Jennifer Smith of the Herald-Leader reports on the UK hoops loss to visiting Georgia.
• In The Advocate, Gary Laney writes that LSU’s Marcus Thornton compares favorably to Jodie Meeks.
• ESPN’s Chris Low reports on a snag in the UK-Miami of Ohio football talks.
• Eric Crawford of the Courier-Journal writes that something seems amiss with these Cats.
• Also in the C-J, Brett Dawson reports that UK’s spirits are high even after loss.
• A Sea of Blue has the post-mortem on the South Carolina loss.
• In the Kentucky Kernel, B.W. Jones writes that the UK women’s comeback came up short.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger writes that UK just phoned it in.
• Cat Scratches has its practice report, with no A.J. mention.

SEC links for Tuesday:

• Birmingham News columnist Ray Melick writes that while Mark Gottfried was a fiery player, he was losing his intensity as a coach.
• In the Mobile Press-Register, Gentry Estes writes on Gottfried’s interim successor, Philip Pearson.
• On his blog, Mark McCarter of the Huntsville Times tackles the question of what Alabama will do next.
• Seth Emerson of The State writes that South Carolina coach Darrin Horn is breaking in new ground.
• In the Gainesville Sun, Pat Dooley writes that Chandler Parsons could be the key to the Florida season.
• In the Tennessean, Maurice Patton writes that A.J. Ogilvy’s health holds the key to Vanderbilt’s season.
• Bryan Mullen of the Tennessean writes that Tennessee faces a make-or-break week.
• Jay G. Tate of the Montgomery Advertiser writes that defensive work is paying dividends for Auburn.
• In the Baton Rouge Advocate, Gary Laney writes that LSU’s Marcus Thornton is thriving.
• Chip Towers of the AJC asks if Georgia is competitive with its checkbook.
• Dave Hooker of the Knoxville News-Sentinel sits down with Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton for a Q&A.
• Also in the News-Sentinel, Dan Fleser reports that Pat Summitt has lost her patience.

SEC links for Wednesday:

• In the Knoxville News-Sentinel, Mike Griffith reports on Tennessee’s 80-68 win over Marquette in the SEC/Big East Invitational.

• Tennessean columnist David Climer writes on the fine play of UT center Wayne Chism.

• Maurice Patton of the Tennessean reports on Vandy’s 71-52 blow-by of South Florida.

• News-Sentinel columnist Mike Strange writes that the SEC isn’t ready to challenge the Big East.

• In the Mobile Press-Register, Paul Finebaum writes that Auburn has blown its big chance.

• Birmingham News columnist Kevin Scarbinsky lists the no-shows at Gene Chizik’s introductory press conference.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: SEC takes lead over Big East’