John Clay’s Sidelines

Big Blue Links for Friday.

Traditional:

• Doug Binder of the Oregonian reports that UK target Terrence Jones may wait until spring before choosing a school.
• Gary Bedore of the Lawrence Journal-World reports that Brandon Knight will also wait until spring. (See Zagsblog link with blogs section.)
• In the Herald-Leader, Chip Cosby reports that UK’s defensive line wants redemption.
• Mark Story of H-L writes on Eastern Kentucky coach Dean Hood’s connections.
• Jerry Tipton of the H-L reports that John Calipari is challenging his team to improve.
• Tipton of the H-L writes that Mark Krebs’ focus is paying off.
• Tipton also blogs that Calipari said Patrick Patterson needs to be more aggressive.
• Paul Gattis of the Huntsville Times writes that Tennessee basketball has taken a backseat to Kentucky this off-season. (H/T to Aaron’s UK Basketball Blog.)

Continue reading ‘BBL: Terrence Jones is waiting; Knight to visit Florida’

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′

(H-L photo/Charles Bertram)

Big Blue Links for Friday:

• Here’s TV and internet streaming rundown for Big Blue Madness from UK Athletics.
• Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader reports from UK Basketball Media Day that Calipari mixes old with the new.
• Mark Story of H-L writes that Wall and Bledsoe give Cats a break.
• Tipton writes that Calipari thinks fans deserve a show at Madness.
• Herald-Leader photo gallery from Media Day.
• Zagsblog reports on a quartet of New York prospects headed to Madness.
• Chip Cosby writes on UK defensive end Taylor Wyndham, who wants to be known for more than the Tebow hit.
• Brett Dawson of the C-J writes that the Cats see this as a banner year.
• Jack Carey of USA Today asks if Calipari can be a contender right away?
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger thought Miss Kentucky USA was the star of media day.

Continue reading ‘BBL: From Media Day to Big Blue Madness’

Mark Krebs

Big Blue Links for Wednesday:

• NEW: EDSBS notices the Mike Hartline mustache craze.
• John Calipari announces on his site that Mark Krebs will be on scholarship this season.
• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader previews UK’s kickers.
• Cosby also reports that Randall Cobb has returned to practice.
• Jennifer Smith of the H-L reports that there are two no-shows among UK women basketball’s rookie class.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes on UK running back Alfonso Smith.
• Nothing But Net thinks Kansas is the front-runner for Brandon Knight. (Hat tip to Aaron’s UK Basketball Blog.)
• Lawrence Journal World reports that Doron Lamb will also be at Kansas’ “Late Night with Phog.”
• Bluegrass State Basketball reports that Shagari Alleyne has signed with Norway team.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Krebs on scholarship; Kansas leads for Knight?’

Head coach John Calipari has posted a statement/explanation on his web site regarding his decision not to retain at least three of the walk-ons from last year’s UK basketball team.

An excerpt:

In my 17 years of college coaching, I have very rarely had walk-ons and when I have it’s usually been another student-athlete, who could help us in practice or game situations because of his size, speed or skill level. I find my practices run at optimum performance when there are 12-13 players. Any more than that and we’re not able to accomplish what I want in each practice.

Calipari did say that he was considering a spot for Mark Krebs, but had not made a determination at this point.

UK individual player notes for basketball:

• 

  Photo by Pablo Alcala.

  Jared Carter: Played a season-high five minutes in win over Mississippi Valley on Sunday. Scored his first three points of the year.

• Kevin Galloway: Made his first start as a Wildcat on Sunday, but played just eight minutes. Three of those minutes came in the first half.

• Josh Harrellson: Played just 20 minutes in the two games. Did not make it off the bench in the second half against Miami. Made four of seven shots in the two games, but had had just one rebound.

• Ramon Harris: Wore a cervical collar around his neck on Saturday and Sunday. The date of his return is still up in the air.

• Mark Krebs: Played a season-high five minutes against Mississippi Valley.

• DeAndre Liggins: Was 0-for-10 on three-pointers over the weekend. Did have 10 assists and six turnovers in the two games.

• Jodie Meeks: After making just four of 17 shots against Miami, Meeks was 8-of-12 against Mississippi Valley from the floor. Scored 24 points in 22 minutes during Sunday’s win. Had just two rebounds in 56 minutes in the two games. Did not record an assist Sunday.

• Darius Miller: Played just 11 minutes and took just one shot against Mississippi Valley. Pulled down 10 rebounds against Miami, just one on Sunday.

• Patrick Patterson: Played 77 of a possible 80 minutes in the two games over the weekend. Made 16 of 24 shots for the two games, and had 26 rebounds. Dished seven assists while turning it over four times in the two games.

• Dwight Perry: Played two minutes against Mississippi Valley.

• Michael Porter: Played 35 minutes in the two games Played 51 minutes after suffering that nasty collision with Harris against Lamar. Played 34 minutes against Mississippi Valley Made just one of five three-point attempts and committed five turnovers in 18 minutes on Sunday.

• Landon Slone: Walk-on from Paintsville played a surprising 16 minutes on Sunday. That’s more time than A.J. Stewart has received in any game this year. Hit two of his three three-point attempts.

• Perry Stevenson: Played just 18 minutes, but grabbed 12 rebounds against Mississippi Valley. Made just three of 10 shots in loss to Miami.

• A.J. Stewart: Played eight minutes and scored six points against Mississippi Valley. Was the designated fouler against Miami, picking up three fouls, but his time on the floor did not total a minute.