John Clay’s Sidelines

(H-L photos/David Stephenson and Charles Bertram)

Big Blue Links for Wednesday:

• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes that player bouts with the flu is giving Rich Brooks a headache.
• Jerry Tipton of the H-L writes that in basketball a dribble-driver’s license doesn’t come easy.
• My column saying that some UK fans need a reality check.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes about the UK football flu outbreak.
• Chris Low of ESPN has Kentucky headed to the Papajohns.com Bowl.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger writes that Kentucky must focus on EKU.

Continue reading ‘BBL: The flu, the fans, the recruits, and other links’

Here’s the audio from Rich Brooks’ press conference held earlier today.

Here’s a link to the liveblog I did during the Brooks’ press luncheon.

(H-L photo/Mark Cornelison)

Big Blue Links for Monday:

• Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader previews tonight’s UK-Campbellsville exhibition game.
• Tipton also reports on how games were chosen for John Wall’s suspension.
• Chip Cosby of the H-L writes that team focus worries Rich Brooks.
• Brett Dawson of the C-J writes that Cats are competing for starting lineup.
• Matt May of the Cats Pause writes that John Calipari wants to change UK’s approach.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Basketball Cats get ready for exhibition opener’

I’m out of pocket for most of today, at least until the basketball scrimmage tonight. So no SEC links, and an abbreviated Big Blue Links for Wednesday:

• Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader talks to Lee Todd about the UK eligbility issue.
• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader reports on the UK run defense.
• My notes column which leads with Wildcat Coal Lodge.
• Pat Forde of espn.com writes that the time to bash SEC basketball has likely passed.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes on DeMarcus Cousins.
• B.W. Jones of the Kentucky Kernel writes on UK defensive tackle Corey Peters.
• Tom Leach has video of Rich Brooks squashing the black jersey rumors.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger posts a letter from Mitch Barnhart about the blackout game.

Big Blue Links for Tuesday:

• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes that UK football seasons have hinged on the Mississippi State game.
• Mark Story of the H-L writes about Rich Brooks’ record against the SEC West.
• Minneapolis Star-Tribune has note on the death of Tubby Smith’s father.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes about the Blackout.
• Blair Kerkhoff of the Kansas City Star writes on John Calipari’s salary, and the high salaries of others. (Hat tip to Walter’s Wildcat World.)
• Brian Rickerd of the State-Journal writes that UK football is better, but not quite there yet.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger writes on Darnell Dodson.
• Tom Leach has a video interview with Dodson.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Cats get ready for crucial football game’

(AP photo/Butch Dill)

Big Blue Links for Tuesday:

• Mark Story of the Herald-Leader writes on Randall Cobb.
• Chip Cosby of the H-L reports that Kentucky wants to build on its credentials.
• SEC media picks Kentucky to win the SEC in basketball.
• Gary Parrish of CBS Sportsline says media was dumb to put John Wall on second team.
• Andy Katz of ESPN says that Big Blue Madness was unprecedented.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes that Kentucky fears another football scare.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger reports that the win was bigger to Micah Johnson than an individual honor.
• B.W. Jones of the Kentucky Kernel writes that UK is wary of a potential trap game.
• Tom Leach has some video from Monday’s UK football luncheon.
• WLEX’s Mary Jo Perino thought the media got it wrong on SEC hoops voting.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Big Blue Madness unprecedented, media dumb’

(H-L photo/Pablo Alcala)

Let’s break it down to three highlights from the Rich Brooks’ press conference today:

• 1. Derrick Locke is doubtful for Saturday’s game with Louisiana-Monroe because of a nagging knee problem. In fact, Brooks said the running back, coming off a 126-yard game, is probably out. Locke has a slight tear of the MCL that will take three or four days to “calm down” said Brooks. That means Alfonso Smith and Moncel Allen are likely to share the load. True freshman running back Donald Russell will also get some playing time.

• 2. Brooks said Morgan Newton will most likely make his second start. Brooks admitted that wasn’t fair to Will Fidler,  but the coach likes the idea of bringing in Fidler off the bench if things aren’t going well. That worked Saturday at Auburn, when Fidler, the junior, engineered those two fourth-quarter scoring drives.

• 3. Last Saturday’s game may have been one of the better ones in UK linebacker history. Micah Johnson was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week, thanks to his 14 tackles. But Danny Trevathan could have received the honor, as well. Trevathan was credited with 14 tackles, as well, by the Auburn stat crew. Trevathan has been leaving the field when UK goes to an extra defensive back, but the Cats played a more conventional defense Saturday, leaving Trevathan on the field.

Big Blue Links for Monday:

• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes that Rich Brooks saw progress, but not perfection in UK’s 21-14 win at Auburn.
• My column saying we should recognize the offensive line.
• Jennifer Smith of the Herald-Leader reports on UK women hoops landing a top recruit.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes that win breates life into UK football.
• Dana O’Neil of espn.com writes about Big Blue Madness.
• Zagsblog writes on Tobias Harris and Kyrie Irving’s visit to Madness.
• James Pennington of the Kentucky Kernel writes on the quarterback rotation.
• B.W. Jones of the Kernel has the game story on Kentucky’s victory at Auburn.
• Tom Leach gives his take on the Kentucky win.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Could Harris and Irving both end up at UK?’