John Clay's Sidelines

Tim Tebow (AP photo)

SEC links for Wednesday:

Brad Locke of the NE Mississippi Daily Journal reports that MSU’s Renardo Sidney has spoken: “‘I was hurt, because I knew I hadn’t done anything wrong. It just killed me, because I really wanted to be on the floor helping my team win. Someone else was deciding my fate and it didn’t feel fair. It was tough, and I experienced a lot of emotions. It was like a dream, but a bad one.’”

NCAA investigators returning to South Carolina, reports Joe Person of The State: “NCAA investigators will return to Columbia this week as part of their ongoing probe into possible illegal activity between sports agents and college football players, two sources told The State on Tuesday. NCAA officials met with South Carolina tight end Weslye Saunders last month about whether the senior from Durham, N.C., engaged in any impermissible dealings with agents.”

Tim Tucker of the AJC reports that Aaron Murray looked good in first Georgia scrimmage: “On offense, Richt said Murray ‘made a lot of very good decisions and good throws,’ although his one interception ‘was not a very wise decision.’ Murray completed 12 of 21 passes for 237 yards, highlighted by the two touchdown throws to Green.

Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel writes that Tim Tebow’s departure might not be a bad thing: “Even at UF’s Media Day Tuesday, the major storyline seemed to be this: How can the Gators possibly avert a Biblical plague and keep Ben Hill Griffin Stadium from getting turned into a dust bowl by a swarm of locusts without Timmy Terrific here as its protector and promise keeper.”

Continue reading ‘SEC: Renardo Sidney speaks; NCAA back to Columbia’

SEC links for Wednesday:

• The NCAA denies Renardo Sidney’s appeal, reports Kyle Veazey of the Clarion-Ledger.

• Buddy Collings of the Orlando Sentinel reports that North Carolina has entered the battle for Florida commitment Austin Rivers.

• Dayton knocks off Ole Miss in the NIT semifinals, reports Rick Cleveland of the Clarion-Ledger.

• Kevin Brockway of the Gainesville Sun on ex-Florida assistant Donnie Jones being named the new head coach at Central Florida.

• Tommy Deas of the Tuscaloosa News reports that a deal to have Alabama and Texas Tech play in Cowboys Stadium is not done yet.

• New Tennessee defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox is eager to make  his mark, writes John Adams of the Knoxville News-Sentinel.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Sidney’s appeal denied; UNC after Rivers’

SEC links for Tuesday:

• Jeff Lockridge of the Tennessean writes that Vanderbilt wants to stay hot at Florida.
• It’s another season-defining game for Florida, reports Kevin Brockway of the Gainesville Sun.
• No shock, but no Renardo Sidney for Mississippi State, reports Kyle Veazey of the Clarion-Ledger.
• In Mobile Press-Register, Mike Herndon goes inside SEC basketball.
• Mike Griffith of the Knoxville News-Sentinel reports that Tennessee is preparing for Arkansas.
• Senior moments can last forever, writes Mike Strange of the News-Sentinel.
• Wes Rucker of the Chattanooga Times Free Press writes that Tennessee is wary of Arkansas.
• But Seth Emerson of The State writes that it will be a tough Senior Night for South Carolina’s injured Dominique Archie.
• In the Mobile Press-Register, Paul Finebaum writes that Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart’s huge payday is a sign of the future.
• Russell Shepard is happy with his move from quarterback to receiver, reports Randy Rosetta in The Advocate.

(AP photo/Butch Dill)

SEC links for Tuesday:

In the Mobile Press-Register, Paul Finebaum writes that Nick Saban knows its lonely at the top: “After hearing this, I was surprised Saban allowed the school to even schedule a national championship celebration last Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium. With this attitude, he probably would have preferred his team to runs stadium steps. Of course, the party was only for an hour, which was perhaps why the attendance read 38,000 vs. 98,000, which might have been the number if the school had allowed something fun to happen like maybe a parade and day long party vs. a scripted made-for-DVD event.”

Brad Locke of the NE Mississippi Daily Journal on Renardo Sidney: “On Friday, Mississippi State filed a response to the NCAA’s statement of facts regarding its recently completed amateurism evaluation of Sidney, the 6-foot-10 Bulldog freshman. That has given head coach Rick Stansbury reason to believe that a resolution might finally come after eight-plus months of NCAA scrutiny.”

Cecil Hurt of the Tuscaloosa News previews tonight’s Alabama-Tennessee clash: “The University of Tennessee men’s basketball team didn’t need to look any stronger than it did in its just-concluded homestand – but the Alabama Crimson Tide will be facing a bolstered version of the Volunteers (14-2, 2-0 SEC) when it hosts No. 8 UT at Coleman Coliseum tonight. The game will tip off at 6 p.m. and will be nationally televised on ESPN.”

Tim Gayle of the Montgomery Advertiser writes that Anthony Grant is looking for intensity: “Before the first-year Alaba­ma head coach can worry too much about the Vols, he has to figure out what’s going on with his team’s sporadic play. The Crimson Tide took a step backward in its game at Arkan­sas on Saturday, displaying little intensity in the paint and less effectiveness on the perime­ter in dropping a 71-59 decision to the Razorbacks.”

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Nick Saban knows it’s lonely at the top’

SEC links for Friday:

• Kyle Veazey of the Clarion-Ledger reports that NCAA has ruled that star MSU basketball recruit Renardo Sidney is “non-certified.”
• Robbie Neiswanger of Morning News reports that Arkansas coach John Pelphrey promises appropriate action will be taken regarding players involvement in a fraternity party.
• Bryan Mullen of the Tennessean writes that ex-Tennessee defensive coordinator John Chavis has found a good fit at LSU.
• Scott Hotard of The Advocate writes about Vandy’s new no-huddle offense.
• Joe Person  of The State writes that South Carolina is preparing for multiple Georgia quarterbacks.
• But Tim Tucker of the AJC reports that Joe Cox will start at quarterback for the Bulldogs.
• Chris Low of ESPN writes that Georgia faces a must-win in week two.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: NCAA rules Renardo Sidney non-certified’

SEC links for Tuesday:

• Ex-Tennessee coach Phil Fulmer tells AP he wants to be back on “the big stage.”
• Kyle Veazey of the Clarion-Ledger reports that prize Mississippi State hoops signee Renardo Sidney has cleared first obstacle.
• Veazey also reports that State running back Anthony Dixon may still be in Dan Mullen’s doghouse.
• ESPN’s Chris Low reports that Arkansas has lost starting cornerback Isaac Madison for the season.
• Kevin Scarbinsky of the Birmingham News writes that Auburn coach Gene Chizik made a tough quarterback call look easy.
• Gentry Estes of the Mobile Press-Register writes that Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy has not been happy with his play.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Fulmer wants to return to “big stage”’

Lane Kiffin

SEC links for Thursday:

• Robbie Andreu of the Gainesville Sun writes that there’s plenty of speculation about what Lane Kiffin’s billboard in Florida might look like.
• Mark Bradley of the AJC wants to know if Mark Richt will ever win the big one at Georgia.
• David Paschall of the Chattanooga Times Free Press writes that Georgia knows it has to beat Florida.
• Kyle Veazey of the Clarion-Ledger reports that NCAA has asked Renardo Sidney’s family for more documents.
• John Davis of the Oxford Eagle writes that SEC’s new TV deal makes other leagues jealous.
• John Adams of the Knoxville News-Sentinel writes that the schedules favor the top SEC teams.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Tennessee’s planned billboard for Florida’

Chris Warren

SEC links for Wednesday:

• David Brandt of the Clarion-Ledger reports that Ole Miss’ Chris Warren and Eniel Polynice have been cleared for basketball practice.
• Kyle Veazey of the Clarion-Ledger reports that the NCAA has finished interviews with MSU basketball signee Renardo Sidney and family.
• Terry Wood of the NW Arkansas Times believes D.J. Williams could be Arkansas’ first All-American tight end.
• Gary Laney of The Advocate writes on a top elite basketball camp that came to Baton Rouge on Monday.
• Scott Ostler of the San Francisco Chronicle writes on ex-Florida pitcher Ryan Sadowski, now starring in the Giants’ rotation.
• Seth Emerson of The State reports that a suspended South Carolina cornerback must now clear the Spurrier hurdle.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Ole Miss clears Warren, Polynice for practice’

SEC links for Friday:

• Kyle Veazey of the Clarion-Ledger reports that NCAA has delayed interviews in case of Mississippi State basketball recruit Renardo Sidney.
• Randy Rosetta of The Advocate writes that LSU coach Paul Mainieri shares CWS title with family and friends.
• Gainesville Sun reports Timberwolves could pay $500,000 buyout to get Nick Calathes out of his Greek contract.
• David Climer of the Tennessean writes that a massive clean-up project awaits ex-Tennessee coach Kevin O’Neill at Southern Cal.
• Kevin Scarbinsky of the Birmingham News on whether Nick Saban deserves a new deal.
• Joe Person of The State writes that a new conditioning coach has brought a different approach to South Carolina.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Interviews delayed in case of MSU’s Sidney’