John Clay's Sidelines

Joker Phillips’ announcement today that sophomore linebacker Qua Huzzie is transferring is surely a disappointment. There were high hopes for the LaGrange, Georgia product when he arrived in 2009.

There was talk that Huzzie was a candidate to play as a true freshman, but he ended up red-shirting after suffering a shoulder injury early. Last year, he played well enough in eight games to be named fifth-team Freshmen All-American. Huzzie had three tackles, and a tackle for a loss against Florida.

What does Huzzie’s departure do to depth at the position? Danny Trevathan, Ronnie Sneed and Ridge Wilson are the starters at linebacker heading into camp. In fact, Huzzie was third-string on the depth chart at weakside linebacker behind Trevathan and redshirt freshman Malcolm McDuffen. His departure means there is an opportunity for true freshman Tim Patterson, a grayshirt, to take a step forward and compete for playing time.

Here’s the video of Joker talking to media today. He also talks about Stuart Hines’ injury (sprained knee), and about the strides being made by freshman running back Brandon Gainer.

Big Blue Links for Sunday:

Seth Emerson of The State in Columbia on the relationship between former South Carolina assistants Joker Phillips and Charlie Strong:

They lived one house apart. So nearly every morning, Charlie Strong would walk to Joker Phillips’ house, or vice versa, and they would go for a run. Or sometimes, the run waited until the coaches arrived at their offices at the South Carolina football complex. In truth, there was more than the proximity of their homes that connected Strong and Phillips for that one year, 2002, they were together on Lou Holtz’s Gamecocks staff. They were both young, energetic and black – and working in a field in which opportunities for advancement seemed minimal.

From Twitter:

RT @Chandrathan: Daniel Orton just posted on FB he is indeed going to California tomorrow. Looks like he’s officially gone.

Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader reports that Elisa Justice has heard from John Calipari:

Apparently, Justice had his own pre-conditions before more serious discussions could ensue. “The only way Elisha would be willing to go to Kentucky, I’d say, is if it’s on a full four-year scholarship,” Booher said.

Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes that UK football has a hitter in Qua Huzzie:

So needless to say, the UK coaching staff was disappointed last August when prized freshman Qua Huzzie, a 2009 signee from LaGrange, Ga., suffered an injury to his left shoulder in August that caused him to redshirt. Huzzie had shown enough early in fall camp that he would have likely seen backup action behind Micah Johnson at middle linebacker as well as being a key contributor on special teams.

Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader on one-and-dones and Lee Todd:

Meanwhile, UK President Lee T. Todd Jr. sits uneasy at the head of an educational institution. “If you don’t recruit them, you’ll play against them very likely,” Todd said of one-and-done players in a recent interview. “It’s a system problem, I think.”

Continue reading ‘BBL: Strong, Phillips friendship back to South Carolina’

Big Blue Links for Friday:

• Mark Story of the Herald-Leader writes that the reputations of both UK and John Calipari have taken a hit.
• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader talks to Randall Cobb, who says despite back problems he’ll be ready for opener.
• But Cosby reports that freshman linebacker Qua Huzzie is out for the season.
• Eric Crawford of the Courier-Journal writes that Calipari’s image has been tarnished.
• Geoff Calkins of the Memphis Commercial Appeal believes that Calipari knew about Derrick Rose’s test.
• Mike DeCourcy of Sporting News wonders that when the NCAA let Rose play, why does Memphis pay?
• Tom Leach writes that there’s been no slack for Calipari.
• At SI.com, Seth Davis writes that Memphis situation illuminates a college hoops problem.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger says don’t throw stones at Calipari without proof.
• David Climer of the Tennessean writes that Calipari has slipped through the cracks again.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Calipari/Memphis fallout links’

Big Blue Links for Thursday:

• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes that Paul Warford is happy to be back.
• The Indianapolis Star believes that Indiana, Duke and Kentucky are basketball target Kyrie Irving’s top choices.
• Tom Leach has some UK football practice notes.
• Leach also has a video interview with DeQuin Evans.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger writes that freshmen Qua Huzzie and Ridge Wilson have been impressive early.
• Tyler Young of the Jessamine Journal reports that former UK walk-on Adam Delph will play at Asbury.

Continue reading ‘BBL: IU, Duke and UK top choices for Kyrie Irving?’