John Clay’s Sidelines

Big Blue Links for Tuesday:

• Jerry Tipton of the H-L reports that John Calipari is bringing more staff members from Memphis.
• Herald-Leader columnist Mark Story writes on the “what if” of Mike Casey’s Kentucky career.
• Brett Dawson of the C-J reports that Calipari will be on three national radio shows today.
• The C-J’s Jody Demling reports that Calipari and Tom Crean will be on ESPNU’s coverage of signing day Wednesday.
• Bluegrass State Basketball thinks that UK may be putting all its eggs in the John Wall basket.
• Dan Wolken of the Memphis Commercial Appeal reports that Calipari received a lukewarm reception at charity fundraiser in Memphis.
• Michael Eaves blogs on John Wall.
• Tim Stevens of the Raleigh News and Observer has a short on Wall’s play in Portland.
• Jon Hale of the Kentucky Kernel writes on the UK baseball schedule.

Mike Casey

Here are the arrangements for ex-UK basketball star Mike Casey, who passed away this week at age 60:

Monday — Visitation at Shannon’s Funeral Home in Shelbyville — 2-9 p.m.

Tuesday — Funeral at Shelby County High School — 4:30 p.m.

Burial at Baghdad Cemetery.

Thanks to Ken Howlett of A Sea of Blue for the info.

Big Blue Links for Friday:

• Jennifer Hewlett of the Herald-Leader writes on the death of former UK star Mike Casey.
• Tom Leach writes on Mike Casey.
• The H-L’s Jerry Tipton writes that Nolan Dennis is in no rush to commit.
• Tipton also writes that Daniel Orton is keeping his options open.
• Here is a Herald-Leader page devoted to possible UK recruits.
• Chip Cosby writes that there is strength in UK’s offensive line numbers.
• Mark Story writes that Rajon Rondo and the NBA are a perfect fit.
• David Climer of the Tennessean writes that John Calipari raises the bar high for the SEC.
• Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today writes that top recruits are scrambling.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger reports that Eric Bledsoe has UK behind Florida on his list.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Mike Casey’s passing; recruiting news’

A friend of Mike Casey’s passes along word today that the former UK basketball star is in need of prayers as he remains in a Nashville hospital suffering from a heart condition. The 60-year-old Casey has been in critical condition.

Keep Mike in your thoughts and prayers.

A Sea of Blue’s Ken Howlett has an interesting interview with former Wildcat great Mike Casey, the former Shelbyville star who was the state’s Mr. Basketball in 1966 and went on to be the 13th all-time scorer in UK history.

Casey is not very complimentary of Billy Gillispie, however.

“First of all, I think he’s in over his head.  I think he has no clue as to what’s going on in the game.”

“I just don’t think he knows what it means to coach at UK.  I hate to say it, but a change has to be made, and soon, or we’re going to lose what UK is all about.  Ask (Richie) Farmer, or (John) Pelphrey, or (Deron) Feldhaus what it means to play at Kentucky.  Ask them what that “Kentucky” across their chests means.  Somehow we’ve let that go.  If we lost we came out fightin’ mad; we weren’t going to lose two in a row.  It’s beyond me why (Mitch) Barnhart and (Lee) Todd put up with it.”

The interview also has some interesting memories of playing for Coach Rupp.