John Clay’s Sidelines

The mother of UK target Terrence Jones tells The Shiver that her son will “most likely” wait until spring before picking a school.

The 6-foot-9 forward from Portland, ranked 13th in the Class of 2010, was at UK’s Blue-White Game. He is also believed to be high on Washington and Oregon. Jones is also considering Kansas, Arizona and UCLA.

Jones recently topped the Best of the West voting for the best prep players.

Big Blue Links for Friday.

Traditional:

• Doug Binder of the Oregonian reports that UK target Terrence Jones may wait until spring before choosing a school.
• Gary Bedore of the Lawrence Journal-World reports that Brandon Knight will also wait until spring. (See Zagsblog link with blogs section.)
• In the Herald-Leader, Chip Cosby reports that UK’s defensive line wants redemption.
• Mark Story of H-L writes on Eastern Kentucky coach Dean Hood’s connections.
• Jerry Tipton of the H-L reports that John Calipari is challenging his team to improve.
• Tipton of the H-L writes that Mark Krebs’ focus is paying off.
• Tipton also blogs that Calipari said Patrick Patterson needs to be more aggressive.
• Paul Gattis of the Huntsville Times writes that Tennessee basketball has taken a backseat to Kentucky this off-season. (H/T to Aaron’s UK Basketball Blog.)

Continue reading ‘BBL: Terrence Jones is waiting; Knight to visit Florida’

A ten-spot from the Blue-White scrimmage:

• 1. This team is athletic. I know that’s obvious. But when was the last time we could truly say that about a Kentucky basketball team. Not that the Cats lacked athletes in the past few years. It’s just that they haven’t had this many athletes on one team since, when, 1996?

• 2. John Wall is ridiculous. But then you already knew that. As for the eligibility issue, John Calipari tried to play coy in the post-scrimmage press conference, answering Alan Cutler’s first question about Wall’s status as if it was another question entirely. But Wall was made available to the media afterward, where he didn’t have much to say about what was going on, or how he felt about what was going on. But at least we got the opportunity to ask.

• 3. Darnell Dodson will fill a key role on this team. The sophomore juco transfer was slighted on the publicity, what with Wall and DeMarcus Cousins and Eric Bledsoe, Daniel Orton, etc., being in the newcomer class. But Dodson’s outside shot is a needed asset on this team. He made four-of-11 threes on the night, and that after looking a bit nervous in the early going

• 4. Calipari claims that Wall and Bledsoe play better together than they do apart, and that may in fact be true. I’m not going to doubt the coach. So whatever happened to all those who said, before Bledsoe signed, that the two could not co-exist in the same backcourt. I’m with Cal. There’s no reason they can’t do better than that in the same backcourt.

• 5. The best move of the night was when Calipari pulled Joe B. Hall off the front row behind the bench and had him sit on the bench with him. That got a standing ovation from the Rupp crowd of 14,060, and deservedly so. I know, Joe has said all the right things about this Wildcat Coal Lodge controversy. And I have no doubt he understands the difficulties of raising funds for facility improvements, etc. But still, it’s the only thing on campus named in his honor, a former basketball coach who won a national championship and went to three Final Fours. And you’re going to tell me there’s anyone out there who loves the program more than Joe? Mitch Barnhart said the school will find another way to honor Joe. It better.

Continue reading ‘A 10-spot from the UK Blue-White scrimmage’

Kyrie Irving

Big Blue Links for Wednesday:

• Zagsblog reports that Kyrie Irving has committed to Duke, with an announcement to be made this week.
• Irving says via Twitter he has not committed, however.
• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes on UK quarterback Will Fidler.
• My notes column, leading with Rich Brooks being honest about being dishonest with the media.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal also writes on how Will Fidler supported Morgan Newton.
• James Pennington of the Kentucky Kernel writes that other UK teams can learn from win at Auburn.
• Tom Leach talks to espn.com basketball writer Dana O’Neil.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger writes on DeMarcus Cousins.
• A Sea of Blue says SEC officiating stinks.
• Mr. SEC compares UK’s football commitments with rest of the league. (Hat tip to Aaron’s UK Football Blog.)
• Wildcat-Den writes on UK freshman Jon Hood.
• Wildcat Blue Bog looks at Doron Lamb and Terrence Jones.

The Shiver is reporting that it received an e-mail from Terrence Jones’ mother saying the Portland big man is no longer considering Kansas and Arizona.

Jones’ mother said her son will pick from Oklahoma, Washington, UCLA, Kentucky and Oregon.

An excerpt:

“I wish both Arizona and Kansas the best of luck,” said Mashia-Jones. “We still plan on taking our official visits to UCLA on November 6th and Kentucky on October 27th for their blue and white game. We will also take an unofficial visit to University of Oregon on October 31st,” added Mashia-Jones.

By the way, Jones attended Washington’s Madness on Oct. 16.

(Photo by John Clay)

Big Blue Links for Friday:

• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes that UK expects tough South Carolina defense.
• Joe Person of The State writes about how injuries have forced defensive changes for USC.
• Mark Story of the H-L writes that Mike Hartline is still UK’s best option at quarterback.
• Armchair Quarterback writes an open letter to Hartline.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger talks to Dusty Bonner about Hartline’s play.
• Chris Low of ESPN writes that Derrick Locke is an unsung hero.
• Michael Grant of the C-J writes on UK corner Martavius Neloms, who will be making his first start Saturday.
• Kenny Colston of the Kernel writes that UK needs win at South Carolina to escape SEC cellar.
• Tom Leach gives a video scouting report on UK-South Carolina.
• WLEX’s Brent Carney gives his UK-South Carolina prediction.

Continue reading ‘BBL: The Mike Hartline debate continues’