John Clay's Sidelines

Ryan Harrow, a self-professed sneaker freak, has over 200 pairs of shoes. For media day, he broke out his “Bedrock” shoes, Flintstones style.

(Photo by John Clay)

UK guard Ryan Harrow returned to North Carolina on Tuesday to play in the Pro-Am league. Here are some video highlights. Hat tip to All Ky Hoops.

(H-L photo/Mark Cornelison)

Big Blue Links for Thursday:

• Kentucky defense adopts an in-your-face attitude, writes Jennifer Smith of the Herald-Leader. This would have to do with defensive boss, Rick Minter. “He takes a tad bit of adjusting,” admits defensive back Anthony Mosley.
• Mike Fields of the Herald-Leader reports that ex-UK star receiver Craig Yeast is trying to change the game at Bryan Station High School in Lexington. Yeast takes over a team that lost 10 of 11 games last year.
• My Thursday notes column leads with the fact that just four of the top 25 prep basketball prospects in ESPNU’s latest rankings are committed to schools. But it was a note that the Yum Center exhibition game is far from a sell-out that got the attention of John Calipari, apparently. He tweeted that Big Blue Nation has been challenged.
• Ryan Harrow willing to wait for his opportunity, writes Eric Lindsey for Calipari.com. If you remember, last month Josh Harrellson predicted in this video that UK fans would love the transfer from North Carolina State.
• Matt Painter likes Darius Miller’s versatility, reports Andy Katz of espn.com. ”He has really improved his shooting since we had him in New Zealand,” Painter said.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Minter’s face, Harrow’s opportunity, Rock’s video’

Kentucky officially announced today that former North Carolina State point guard Ryan Harrow has enrolled in summer school at UK. The former five-star recruit will sit out this season, then be eligible for 2012-13.

From UK: “A 6-1 guard, Harrow averaged 9.3 points and 3.3 assists as a freshman at North Carolina State last season. He was named the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Rookie of the Week on Dec. 15 after his performance against USC Upstate where he came off the bench to score a career-best 20 points on 10-of-13 shooting. He also dished out five assists to zero turnovers and added three steals.”

Continue reading ‘John Calipari comments on addition of Ryan Harrow’

(Raleigh News Observer photo)

On-the-market Ryan Harrow, the touring former North Carolina State point guard, tells Zagsblog by text message that he has not decided on his landing spot yet. Harrow has visited Kentucky, Louisville and Georgia. He was expected to visit St. John’s, as well, but the Johnnies may be getting another point guard transfer, Momo Jones from Arizona. Harrow spoke to the St. John’s coaches by phone, but may not visit.

Jared Lorenzen

This morning’s Big Blue Links is highlighted by the biggest quarterback in Kentucky football history. We’re talking the Round Mound of Touchdown, the Hefty Lefty himself, who, judging by the pictures in the Cincinnati Enquirer, has continued his love affair with food. Lorenzen is playing an indoor team called the Northern Kentucky River Monsters in something called the Ultimate Indoor Football League. The team drew nearly 3,000 for its opener, and has averaged about 1,600 since then. Others are starting to take notice, including those are the people at the Scott Van Pelt Show. Jared seems right down Van Pelt’s alley.

Ryan Harrow, Rodney Purvis, Torian Graham, Brandon Knight and Josh Harrellson are among those in this morning’s Big Blue Links. Click on the continue line to check them out.

Continue reading ‘BBL: The Hefty Lefty is back in the spotlight’

Adam Zagoria of Zagsblog has some recruiting updates, including one on former North Carolina State point guard Ryan Harrow, who visited UK this week.

Excerpt:

Meantime, former N.C. State point guard Ryan Harrow is currently at Texas with his mother, Fern Matthews, following a visit to Kentucky.
“The University of Kentucky was very impressive,” Matthews said by text. “I am currently with the University of Texas.”

Harrow will also visit Louisville, Georgia and St. John’s.

His mother previously said “St. John’s is our home,” because both parents grew up in Queens.

(Raleigh News Observer photo)

Adam Zagoria of Zagsblog has talked to Ryan Harrow’s mother about the former N.C. State guard’s visit to Kentucky today. Actually, Harrow arrives tonight.

An excerpt:

“I’m actually leaving out today,” Matthews said Tuesday by phone. “We get there this evening. We’ll have our visit tomorrow [Wednesday] morning. I’ll be meeting the coaching staff, the strength and conditioning coach is very important, and the academic staff.”

After Kentucky, Harrow and his mom head to Texas, Louisville, Georgia and St. John’s without going home in between.

Harrow was a top recruit who played his freshman year last year in Raleigh. The point guard asked for his release after Sidney Lowe was fired as coach. Zagoria thinks St. John’s will be a major player in the end.

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’

Jeff Borzello of cbssports.com reports that Ryan Harrow says he will visit UK and Louisville.

Harrow is the N.C. State point guard who was granted his release when Mark Gottfried was named head coach of the Wolfpack.

Continue reading ‘Ryan Harrow tweets he will visit UK and Louisville’