John Clay's Sidelines

Tennessee

SEC links for Thursday:

• Scotty Hopson scores 18 to send Tennessee to NIT final, reports Mike Griffith of the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
• LSU basketball whips Centenary 78-36, reports Scott Rabalais of The Advocate.
• John Pelphrey must overcome attedance apathy at Arkansas, says John Pennington of Mr. SEC.
• Mark Bradley of the AJC takes his annual look at Georgia and Georgia Tech fans.
• Ron Higgins of the Memphis Commercial Appeal gives thanks for a plate of SEC treats.
• Auburn is undefeated, and the underdog, writes Evan Woodbery of the Mobile Press-Register.
• Mississippi State leader has a vocal critic in his wife, writes Brandon Marcello of the Clarion-Ledger.
• Gus Malzahn’s main focus is perfecting the Auburn offense, reports Jay G. Tate of the Montgomery Advertiser.
• Florida quarterback visits his namesake baby in hospital, reports Rachel George of the Orlando Sentinel.

Continue reading ‘SEC: Vols play big in Big Apple; Pelphrey problems’

SEC links for Friday:

• Mark Bradley of the AJC writes that Georgia should fire Damon Evans after DUI arrest.

• Damon Evans awaits his fate at Georgia, writes the Athens Banner-Herald.

• Evans’ image is forever altered, writes David Ching in the Banner-Herald.

• Tennessee adds a 6-foot-9 transfer from UNC-Wilmington, reports Wes Rucker of the Chattanooga Times Free Press.

• Vols will get immediate help from transfer John Fields, writes Mike Griffith of the Knoxville News-Sentinel.

• Alabama basketball signs a 7-foot-1 Swedish center, reports Gentry Estes of the Mobile Press-Register.

Continue reading ‘SEC: Evans awaits fate; UT, Bama get hoops additions’

SEC links for Thursday:

• Pat Summitt and Geno Auriemma actually talk, reports Dan Fleser of the Knoxville News-Sentinel.

• Tennessee basketball is eager to erase memory, writes Mike Strange of the Knoxville News-Sentinel.

• Scotty Hopson is getting serious about winning, reports Mike Griffith of the News-Sentinel.

• Georgia’s dream team recruiting pitch is getting a mixed review, reports Michael Carvell of the AJC.

• South Carolina credits its good-luck charm, writes Ron Morris of The State.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Tennessee wants to erase memory’

SEC links for Tuesday:

• Paul Finebaum of the Mobile Press-Register on Jeff Lebo’s shaky future at Auburn.
• Kevin Scarbinsky of the Birmingham News can’t make a case for bringing back Lebo.
• Doug Segrest of the News previews the SEC Tournament.
• Pat Dooley of the Gainesville Sun says Florida has some work to do.
• But some SEC coaches think Gators are a lock for NCAAs, reports David Jones of Florida Today.
• Seth Emerson of The State looks at what might have been for South Carolina basketball.
• Scotty Hopson is developing into Tennessee’s stopper, reports Mike Griffith in the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
• Wes Rucker of the Chattanooga Times Free Press says Tennessee is facing a revenge factor.
• David Brandt of the Clarion-Ledger reports that Ole Miss is trying to focus on the task at hand, not the NCAAs.
• Bubblicious Bulldogs need another SEC tourney like last year, writes Kyle Veazey in the Clarion-Ledger.
• Gary Laney of The Advocate reports LSU basketball now dealing with off-the-court issues.
• Austin Ward of the Knoxville News-Sentinel reports on new Tennessee quarterback Matt Simms.
• Tim Tucker of the AJC reports that a Georgia quarterback candidate has been arrested.

Monte Kiffin

SEC links for Happy Turkey Day:

• In the Knoxville News-Sentinel, Austin Ward reports that Tennessee wants to tame Kentucky’s wildcat.
• David Paschall of the Chattanooga Times Free Press writes on Lane and Monte Kiffin.
• Wes Rucker of the Times Free Press reports on the Tennessee kicker try-out.
• Writing for the Advocate, Adam Zagoria reports on LSU’s lopsided loss to Connecticut in the NIT.
• Kevin Scarbinsky of the Birmingham News writes that Auburn’s Ben Tate is making memories, while Bama’s Mark Ingram is making history.
• Also in the News, Ray Melick writes that Tate shouldn’t apologize for thinking he’s the best.
• Jay G. Tate of the Montgomery Advertiser reports that Auburn is eager to face Alabama defense.
• Mark Bradley of the AJC writes that Georgia fans tell Tech fans to shut up and deal.
• ESPN’s Chris Low breaks down the SEC quarterbacks.

• Continue reading ‘SEC links: Tennessee wants to stop UK’s wildcat’

SEC links for Friday:

• Mike Griffith of the Knoxville News-Sentinel reports that UT’s Scotty Hopson is working on his shot.
• Kevin Brockway of the Gainesville Sun reports that ex-Gator Nick Calathes could still be picked in NBA’s first round.
• Brockway also reports that Florida freshman-to-be Kenny Boynton was cut from U.S. National Under-19 team.
• Rick Fires of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette writes that Razorbacks will throw it all into rematch with LSU at CWS.
• Randy Rosetta of The Advocate writes that beating LSU twice is a tough feat.
• Mark Bradley of the AJC writes that Florida has replaced Georgia as the summer focus of off-the-field problems.
• Dennis Dodd of CBS Sportsline writes that wins shouldn’t exacerbate Florida’s sins.
• Kyle Veazey of the Clarion-Ledger reports that MSU’s Jarvis Varnado makes the World University Games team.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Scotty Hopson working on his shot’

SEC links for Friday:

• In the AJC, Mark Bradley ranks the SEC’s most irritating football coaches, 1-12.
• Kevin Brockway of the Gainesville Sun writes that Florida’s Nick Calathes has been vital down the stretch.
• In the Knoxville News-Sentinel, Mike Griffith writes that Tennessee’s Scotty Hopson is pushing for a bigger role.
• Scott Hotard of The Advocate reports on the LSU women team’s win over visiting Tennessee.
• In the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Wally Hall writes that current Hogs could learn from 1994 Razorbacks.
• Brad Locke of the NW Mississippi Daily Journal writes that State’s youngsters are dealing with tough stretches.
• Kevin Scarbinsky of the Birmingham News writes that John Calipari is not thinking about Alabama.
• In the Clarion-Ledger, David Brandt writes that Ole Miss suffered a second-half breakdown at Auburn.
• Evan Woodbery of the Huntsville Times reports that the numbers are not good for Auburn’s offensive line.
• In the Knoxville News-Sentinel, Dave Hooker reports that Joe Montana’s son says he won’t wait on UT.

SEC links for Tuesday:

• In the Mobile Press-Register, Paul Finebaum asks if its time for a historic hire at Alabama.
• Mike Strange of the Knoxville News-Sentinel writes that talent is more than skin deep.
• Gary Laney of the Baton Rouge Advocate reports that LSU’s focus is on visiting Florida.
• Kevin Brockway of the Gainesville Sun writes on the ultimate Gator hangout, the barber shop.
• In the Tennessean, Bryan Mullen writes that Tennessee is struggling to keep focus on the court.
• Also in the Tennessean, Joe Biddle writes on a high-scoring high school star headed to Vandy.
• And Maurice Patton of the Tennessean reports that Vandy’s three-point shooting has not good.
• In the News-Sentinel, Mike Griffith reports that UT’s Scotty Hopson knows he must do more.
• In the Huntsville Times, Mark McCarter writes on Andre Smith’s problems.
• The AJC reports that Matt Stafford and Knowshon Moreno got passing grades at the NFL Combine.
• David Brandt of the Clarion-Ledger writes that Ole Miss is still searching for a 12th football game.
• Gentry Estes of the Mobile Press-Register writes on former Arkansas assistant and UAB head coach Mike Anderson who has found his groove at Missouri.

SEC links for Monday:

• Bryan Mullen of the Tennessean writes on Pat Summitt, who goes for her 1,000th win tonight.
• Also in the Tennessean, Mike Organ reports on the Vandy women’s win over Alabama.
• In the Birmingham News, Charles Goldberg writes on the Auburn women, who bounced back from their first loss.
• In the Gainesville Sun, Florida’s women race past Arkansas.
• In the Knoxville News-Sentinel, Mike Griffith writes that Scotty Hopson has emerged for Tennessee in the nick of time.
• Gary Laney writes in the Baton Rouge Advocate that LSU’s starters are logging plenty of minutes.
• In the Northwest Arkansas Times, Nate Allen reports that John Pelphrey cuts Arkansas no slack for play at LSU.
• David Brandt of the Clarion-Ledger writes that State fans cut Ole Miss coach Andy Kennedy some slack.
• In the Knoxville News-Sentinel, Dave Hooker reports that it was not good news for Tennessee football’s recruiting weekend.
• In the Montgomery Advertiser, Mike Gayle reports on Alabama’s recruiting.

SEC links for Monday:

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  Scotty Hopson

  In the Knoxville News-Sentinel, Mike Griffith writes that Tennessee freshman Scotty Hopson has picked a perfect time to step up.

• Nate Allen of the NW Arkansas Times writes that Arkansas needs all-around improvement.
• Also in the Times, Brandon Marcello reports that Razorback forward is suspended after DWI arrest.
• Randy Rosetta of the Baton Rouge Advocate reports that LSU wide receiver Brandon LaFell has taken name out of the draft.
• In the News-Sentinel, Drew Edwards writes that Lane Kiffin’s first UT staff is built around recruiting.
• The Birmingham News’ Charles Goldberg reports that Auburn has hired a Colorado assistant to coach offensive line.
• Also in the News, Ian Rapoport talks with Ronald Steele’s father, who says his son is healing.
• News columnist Kevin Scarbinsky writes that after loss to Auburn, Bama coach Mark Gottfried may have reached the point of no return.
• Gainesville Sun columnist Pat Dooley writes that Florida freshman Kenny Kadji is making strides in SEC play.
• In The State, Seth Emerson reports on the South Carolina women’s loss at Tennessee.
• Mike Organ of the Tennessean writes on Vandy’s win over LSU in women’s hoops.
• The Clarion-Ledger reports on Ole Miss’ win over Alabama in women’s hoops.