John Clay’s Sidelines

SEC links for Thursday:

• Bryan Mullen of the Tennessean reports that Vandy’s bowlers seek a second straight national title.
• Tim Tucker of the AJC writes about Georgia basketball practice with new coach Mark Fox.
• Also in the AJC, Chip Towers reports that Fox has hired ex-Alabama interim coach Philip Pearson.
• Robbie Andreu of the Gainesville Sun writes that Aaron Hernandez is now Florida’s go-to guy.
• Gary Laney of The Advocate reports that LSU’s Tasmin Mitchell has declared for the NBA draft.
• In The State, Paul Strelow reports that Clemson bounced back to beat South Carolina in baseball.
• Rick Fires of the NW Arkansas Times reports on Arkansas’ second straight win over Arizona State.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Vandy’s bowlers go for another title’

Devan Downey

SEC links for Wednesday:

• Seth Emerson of The State reports that South Carolina’s Devan Downey will test the NBA waters.
• Drew Edwards of the Knoxville News-Sentinel reports on Lane Kiffin’s decision to give Demetrice Morley the boot.
• Wes Rucker of the Chattanooga Times Free Press writes on Morley’s departure.
• Gary Laney of The Advocate writes that LSU’s Tasmin Mitchell mulls a draft decision.
• Kevin Brockway of the Gainesville Sun reports that Florida basketball recruit DeShawn Painter may be re-opening his recruitment.
• David Jones of Florida Today also reports on Painter’s problem.
• Kevin Scarbinsky of the Birmingham News reports that new Georgia coach Mark Fox is thinking of hiring former Alabama interim coach Philip Pearson.
• In the Mobile Press-Register, Paul Finebaum writes that even Nick Saban can’t contain expectations.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Downey testing waters, Morley out at UT’

SEC links for Wednesday:

• Kyle Veazey of the Clarion-Ledger writes that league volatility could offer tournament surprises.
• Clarion-Ledger columnist Rick Cleveland writes that the night the Georgia Dome shook is hard to forget.
• In the AJC, Chip Towers writes that Tampa is an odd venue for the SEC Tournament.
• Also in the AJC, Jeff Schultz goes looking for former Georgia coach Dennis Felton.
• Gainesville Sun columnist Pat Dooley writes on Billy Donovan.
• Seth Emerson of The State writes that veterans have fueled South Carolina’s revival.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Expect the unexpected in tournament’

SEC links for Friday:

• Bob Holt of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette writes that Arkansas broke the ice with its win over Bama.
• Gentry Estes of the Mobile Press-Register reports on Alabama’s loss at Arkansas in Philip Pearson’s debut.
• In the Tuscaloosa News, Cecil Hurt reports that Arkansas freshman ripped the Tide.
• Dan Fleser of the Knoxville News-Sentinel reports on the nail-biter that was Pat Summitt’s 999th win at Tennessee.
• In the AJC, columnist Terence Moore writes that Georgia should give Tubby Smith a call about replacing Dennis Felton.
• Also in the AJC, Chip Towers gets the player reaction to Felton’s firing.
• In the Athens Banner-Herald, David Ching writes that Felton’s firing was a necessity.
• Now former Alabama basketball coach Mark Gottfried tells Kevin Scarbinsky of the Birmingham News that he still loves his alma mater.
• News columnist Ray Melick writes that AD Mal Moore has a chance to define expectations for Alabama basketball.
• Mike Strange of the Knoxville News-Sentinel writes that the chairs have been pulled from SEC hot seats.
• David Climer of the Tennessean checks in on the lack of security for SEC basketball coaches.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Arkansas breaks the ice’

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.