John Clay’s Sidelines

Matt Pilgrim

Loyal reader Ron e-mails:

I didn’t see this posted on any of the Kentucky basketball web sites. Matt Pilgrim, in an exhibition game played on 11/7 against Central Oklahoma, did not start but played 18 minutes and scored 14 points with 13 rebounds. He also shot 3-8 on FT, committed 4 of OSU’s 27 turnovers and fouled out. Who would you keep on your team, Pilgrim, Liggins or Krebs?

Indeed, a check of the box score from Oklahoma State’s 89-80 win over Central Oklahoma last Saturday shows that Pilgrim made five-of-seven shots, including a three-pointer, and had seven offensive rebounds. On the down side, besides fouling out, Pilgrim mde just three-of-eight free throws. And he did not start.

Continue reading ‘Matt Pilgrim stars in first Oklahoma State exhibition’

Matt Pilgrim

Brandon Chatmon of the Oklahoman reports that the ex-Wildcat who never got to be a Wildcat, in a game that is, Matt Pilgrim, has been cleared to play immediately for Oklahoma State.

The NCAA waived the transfer rule that would have required Pilgrim to sit out a year before playing for the Cowboys.

Pilgrim sat out at UK last season after transferring from to Hampton. But his scholarship was not renewed when former coach Billy Gillispie was replaced by John Calipari.

Excerpt from Chatmon’s story:

“He will make an immediate impact on this team with his abilities and experience,” OSU coach Travis Ford said in a release. “He will help make us a better team and brings a toughness with him.”

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.

Matt Pilgrim

Big Blue Links for Tuesday:

• H-L report on minor NCAA violation involving Darius Miller.
• In the Courier-Journal, Jody Demling writes on Joe Jackson and UK.
• Demling reports that California forward DeAndre Daniels visited UK on Sunday.
• Big Blue Uncensored writes on the curious case of Matt Pilgrim.
• Inner Circle wants UK basketball to give the open scholarship to Pilgrim.
• Kentucky State Basketball also has Matt Pilgrim on its mind.
• Andrew Gribble of the Opelika-Auburn News previews the UK-Auburn football game. (Hat tip to A Sea of Blue.)
• USA Today’s Jim Halley writes on the NBA player camp, focusing on Harrison Barnes and Brandon Knight.
• Zagsblog talks to Rod Strickland, who says Eric Bledsoe and John Wall can play together.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Blue blogs want Matt Pilgrim back’

Big Blue Links for Friday:

• Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader talks to Matt Pilgrim’s father, who says that both Matt and Kevin Galloway did not have their scholarships renewed.
• H-L reports that field has been set for Cancun Tournament.
• Mark Maloney of the H-L reports on UK baseball players taken in the MLB draft.
• Chip Cosby of the H-L blogs on next week’s Bear’s Boys Reunion.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger also talks to Matt Pilgrim’s father.
• On his C-J blog, Rick Bozich writes on former UK commitment Dominique Ferguson.
• At A Sea of Blue, Dicky Lyons posts another entry to his NFL tryout journals.

Continue reading ‘BBL: UK basketball moves and news’

Photo by Mark Cornelison.

Big Blue Links for Saturday:

• Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader reports on Patrick Patterson pulling his name out of the NBA draft.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal reports on Patterson’s decision to stay in school.
• Jerry Meyer of Rivals on UK’s recruiting for 2010 under John Calipari. (Hat tip to Spam’s Wildcat Page.)
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger looks at who might stay and who might go for UK basketball.
• Vaught also writes on Matt Pilgrim Patterson.
  
• In A Sea of Blue, Ken Howlett writes that for Patterson the third year is the charm.
• Bluegrass State Basketball hears that UK is still optimistic about John Wall.
• State of the Program hears the same thing on Wall.
• Kentucky Sports Radio on Patterson’s decision.
• Tom Leach reports that Andre Woodson has a revamped throwing motion for the New York Giants.
• Metz Camfield of the Kentucky Kernel reports on Patterson’s choice.
• Straitpinkie thinks UK has hit the jackpot with Patterson staying.
• Inner Circle sees a return to SEC beatdowns.
• Kentuckysports.com has reports on UK men’s and women’s tennis, plus softball.