John Clay's Sidelines

Kentucky coach John Calipari and North Carolina coach Roy Williams talk to media after UK’s 73-72 win over the Heels.

Steve Lavin and his wife Mary Ann Jarou (AP photo)

Big Blue Links for Tuesday:

• In the Herald-Leader, Mark Story writes on the aftershocks of Kentucky finally putting a stop to its football futility against Tennessee. Jerry Tipton reports that John Calipari sees the Cats as being an even bigger target now that UK is No. 1 again. What’s bigger than being everybody’s Super Bowl? Jennifer Smith reports that the UK women have moved up to No. 12 in the AP poll.
• Andy Katz of espn.com reports that St. John’s coach Steve Lavin will not coach the Red Storm when it comes to Rupp Arena on Thursday to play the top-ranked Cats. Lavin is still recuperating from prostate surgery. He returned four straight games after having surgery Oct. 6, but now says his return was premature. St. John’s brings a 4-3 record into Rupp for the SEC/Big East Challenge.
• Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reports that a committee will be formed to study the NBA’s minimum age rule, but that most believe it will be unchanged for next year’s draft. That means that UK’s four freshmen would all be eligible for the 2012 draft next summer. The age rule is one of several B-list issues the league and players association have agreed to settle at a later date.
• Zagsblog reports that Duke is making a run at a couple of prime prospects, which could affect Kentucky. One is the gem of the 2012 class, Shabazz Muhammad, who was there live in person to see Duke’s most hated rival, North Carolina, fall to UNLV in Las Vegas on Saturday. Kentucky would love to sign Shabazz, as well. Duke is also targeting Tony Parker.

Big Blue Links for Tuesday:

• Ryan Harrow will be visiting UK today, says Keith Bays of Kentucky Sports Report.
• Trevor Lacey done with visits, will make decision May 18, reports Gary Bedore of the Lawrence Journal-World.
• Roy Williams, John Calipari and Dick Vitale join together to fight cancer, reports Robbi Pickeral of the Charlotte Observer.
• Did Terrence Jones make the right decision? asks Mark Story of the Herald-Leader.
• DeAndre Liggins is ready to live with his NBA decision, he tells Cat Scratches.
• Kentucky at No. 2 behind North Carolina, according to Andy Katz of espn.com.
• Jones and Liggins both made the right calls, says Jeff Goodman of Fox Sports.
• Tom Leach gives his take on the decisions made by UK basketball players.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Report says Harrow visiting Kentucky today’

North Carolina coach Roy Williams talks to the media after his team’s 75-73 win over Kentucky on Saturday.

Here is North Carolina coach Roy Williams after his team’s 68-66 loss to Kentucky.

Here’s a 10-spot of columns off last night’s NCAA final:

• At Yahoo Sports, Dan Wetzel writes that Roy Williams has won two titles in six years, and isn’t done yet.
• Rick Bozich of the Courier-Journal writes that this is the Tar Heels stayed to do.
• Mitch Albom of the Detroit Free-Press writes that while Michigan State was tripped at the end, the journey was worth it.
• William Rhoden of the New York Times writes that Michigan State’s script was perfect until the Spartans lost their place.
• Pat Forde of espn.com writes about a deceptively tough run to glory.
• Caulton Tudor of the Raleigh News and Observer writes that the goal was reached in emphatic fashion.
• CBS Sportsline’s Gregg Doyel writes on Roy Williams’ career accomplishments.
• Seth Davis of SI.com says Ty Lawson had the Tar Heel shine.
• Mark Kriegel of Fox Sports writes that Carolina lived up to the hype.
• Mark Whicker of the Orange County Register reminds us that President Obama was right about the Heels.

Hoops Links for Wednesday:

• Sports Illustrated’s Alex Wolff on how basketball shaped Barack Obama.
• In the Austin American-Statesman, Kirk Bohls reports that ex-Texas star T.J. Ford is high on incoming transfer Jai Lucas.
• At ESPN.com, Andy Katz writes that Minnesota needs to get its glass game in order.
• In the Cincinnati Enquirer, Paul Daugherty starts out his Wednesday Morning Line post with an ode to Miami coach Charlie Coles.
• On his blog, C-J columnist Rick Bozich asks if Auburn or Rutgers is worse.
• At SportingNews.com, Mike DeCourcy looks at the Big Ten.
• At SportsIllustrated.com, Seth Davis argues that college players should be allowed to pull out of the NBA draft.
• FoxSports.com’s Jeff Goodman feels sad for Alabama’s Ronald Steele.
• At CBS Sportsline, Gary Parrish writes on North Carolina coach Roy Williams.
• David Wharton of the Los Angeles Times writes that UCLA doesn’t get the benefit of the doubt.
• Mike Kern of the Philadelphia Daily News previews tonight’s Villanova-Connecticut clash.
• In The State, Paul Strelow previews tonight’s Clemson-North Carolina matchup.

On teleconference with North Carolina coach Roy Williams, who in response to a question said Tyler Hansbrough will not play Tuesday night against Kentucky.

More to come.

Update: Because of technical difficulties, the teleconference was cut off after just a few minutes. But on the first question, Williams was asked if Hansbrough was practicing and if he would play Tuesday night. The coach said the answer to both questions was no.