John Clay’s Sidelines

SEC links for Friday:

• John Adams of the Knoxville News-Sentinel writes that Bruce Pearl is happy to welcome Tobias Harris to Tennessee.
• Wes Rucker of the Chattanooga Times Free Press writes that Harris puts the Vols in real paradise.
• Chip Towers of the AJC reports on the sudden death of Georgia’s beloved mascot, UGA VII.
• Tim Gayle of the Montgomery Advertiser reports that Alabama players are critiquing Nick Saban’s action abilities.
• Edward Aschoff of the Gainesville Sun writes on Florida defensive coordinator Charlie Strong, who could be in demand for head coaching spots.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Nabbing Tobias Harris puts Vols in paradise’

Heralded hoops recruit Tobias Harris signed with some school late last night, but won’t announce until today at 5:30 on ESPNU. Most think Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, Syracuse, Maryland and Louisville (outside shot) were the top contenders for Harris, ranked No. 5 by Rivals. But no one seems to know for sure where the 6-8 forward out of New York will play his college basketball.

• Chip Towers of the AJC writes, “Speculation is that Harris is going to become a Vol because Jayvaughn Pinkston, 6-6 forward from Brooklyn, planned to announce his decision to play for Tennessee on Wednesday but abruptly canceled his press conference. So, the theory goes, the Vols must’ve gotten Harris and rescinded Pinkston’s scholarship offer.”
• Mike Waters of the Syracuse Post-Standard writes, “The Harris family has kept the decision a closely-guarded secret, limiting the flow of information regarding Harris’ schools, his visits and his favorites. So why take the trip to Knoxville? A last-minute face-to-face with Bruce Pearl before committing to the Vols? Or was this a red herring? Could Harris be ready to pick Syracuse or West Virginia or Maryland and the Tennessee trip was a ruse to throw everyone off the scent? “

Continue reading ‘More on the Tobias Harris mystery’

Big Blue Links for Thursday:

• Fabian Lyon of the Miami Herald talks to top guard prospect Brandon Knight, who is considering UK.
• Bluegrass State Basketball says Tobias Harris made his decision just before midnight. (He announces it today at 5:30 on ESPNU.)
• Mike Griffith of the Knoxville News-Sentinel reports that Harris sat in Thompson-Boling’s upper deck on Tuesday.
• Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader writes that John Calipari has found plenty wrong with his Cats heading into tonight’s game with Sam Houston State.
• Tipton’s notes lead with some info on Sam Houston State.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes that Darius Miller fits the dribble-drive.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger reports on Darnell Dodson’s spot in Calipari’s doghouse.
• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes that Kentucky isn’t fooled by Georgia’s sub-par football status.
• Chris Low of espn sings Rich Brooks’ praises.
• My column saying Kentucky’s best football efforts have come on the road this season.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Tobias Harris’ midnight decision’

(H-L photo/Mark Cornelison)

Big Blue Links for Wednesday:

• Jennifer Smith of the Herald-Leader reports on UK women’s 72-55 basketball triumph at Morehead.
• Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader examines John Calipari’s statement that “we’re a post-up team.”
• My column arguing that Monday’s near-loss is actually a good thing for UK basketball.
• Chip Cosby of the H-L writes on UK’s old-school wide receivers.
• Herald-Leader photos from UK women’s win at Morehead.
• Bluegrass State Basketball reports that Tobias Harris was in Knoxville last night to see Tennessee’s romp.
• Josh Selby’s mother tells The Hoosier Scoop that her son is working on a visit to Kentucky. (Hat tip to Aaron’s UK Basketball Blog.)
• Wildcat Blue Blog thinks Harris is looking more and more like a Volunteer.
• Eric Lindsey of Cat Scratches runs down the UK volleyball SEC title scenarios.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Tobias Harris watches Vols; Selby setting up UK visit’

(H-L photo/Charles Bertram)

Big Blue Links for Tuesday:

• Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader has the game story on Kentucky’s 72-70 win over Miami of Ohio.
• Jerry’s notes leads with John Calipari wanting DeMarcus Cousins to lighten up.
• Mark Story of the H-L writes that Wall can live up to the hype.
• H-L photo gallery from last night’s game.
• Chip Cosby writes that football Cats’ goals extend beyond goal.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes on Wall’s winning shot in the “most-hyped debut in recent memory.”
• Matt May of the Cats’ Pause on John Wall’s unforgettable fire.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger writes on the Charlie Coles/Dick Gabriel post-game show.
• Bluegrass State Basketball checks in with Tobias Harris on the eve of decision-time.
• Metz Camfield of the Kentucky Kernel says Wall’s shot “UK’s nightmare of a catastrophic upset loss at home for the third consecutive season.”
• James Pennington of the Kernel writes that “Monday night, John Wall hit the shot of his career. Thing is, his career to that point had only spanned one game.”

Continue reading ‘BBL: WonderWall, Tobias Harris update, Charlie Coles’

Big Blue Links for Thursday:

• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes that the backups are saving Kentucky’s football season.
• Jerry Tipton of the H-L writes about UK’s first basketball opponent, Morehead State.
• Jay Bilas tells Jerry that defense will be the key to the UK basketball season.
• Tobias Harris tells Bluegrass State Basketball that he has not trimmed his list to two schools.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger writes that UK linebacker Ridge Wilson is learning from his mistake.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes on Patrick Patterson’s non-summer vacation.
• A Sea of Blue calls this a basketball season to embrace.
• Tom Leach talks to Morehead radio voice Chuck Mraz.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Tobias Harris says he hasn’t trimmed his list’

Big Blue Links for Thursday:

• Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader writes that Clarion game brings back memories of John Calipari’s time there.
• Chip Cosby of the H-L writes about freshman quarterback Morgan Newton.
• The Easy Being Green blog reports on the Wildcat Coal Lodge banner protest at UK.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes on UK freshman receiver La’Rod King.
• Matt May of the Cats Pause reports that Trevard Lindley and Mike Hartline are making progress.
• Marlen Garcia of USA Today writes on the red-hot UK-U of L basketball rivalry.
• Brian Rosenthal of Husker Extra reports that Billy Gillispie was at Nebraska to watch the Cornhuskers. (Hat tip to Aaron’s UK Basketball Blog.)
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger reports that DeQuin Evans thinks Cats backed down.
• Kevin Patton of the Henderson Gleaner writes that Newton’s progress comes at Will Fidler’s expense. (Hat tip to Aaron’s UK Football Blog.)
• Metz Camfield of the Kentucky Kernel writes on John Wall and high expectations.
• T.J. Walker of the Kernel writes on volleyball’s Gretchen Giesler.

Continue reading ‘BBL: USA Today tackles UK-U of L, and other links’

(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’

Update at 5:40 p.m.: As expected Irving committed to Duke.

Big Blue Links for Thursday:

• Dan Wiederer of the Fayetteville Observer writes that Kyrie Irving only visited UK and Texas A&M as favors.
• Gary Parrish of CBS Sportsline thinks Irving will pick Duke today at 5:30 p.m. on ESPNU.
• Bob Herzog of Newsday reports that Tobias Harris will announce Nov. 19 on ESPNU.
• Ken Tysiac of the Raleigh News and Observer writes it’s going to be an interesting week for Duke.
• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes on UK linebacker Danny Trevathan.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal also writes on Trevathan.
• B.W. Jones of the Kentucky Kernel writes on running back Alfonso Smith.
• Larry Vaught of the Advocate-Messenger writes that UK has a true Kentucky offensive line.
• My column on the seventh-ranked UK volleyball team, which was upset by Tennessee last night.
• T.J. Walker of the Kentucky Kernel reports on Tennessee’s upset of the volleyball Cats.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Irving announces today; Harris to announce Nov. 19′

There’s such a blizzard of information out there about basketball recruiting, it’s hard to keep it all straight. So here’s a roundup of what we know, or what we think we know, about UK basketball recruits to this point. (Feel free to add any additional information.) In alphabetical order:

Tobias Harris

• Attended Kentucky’s Big Blue Madness on Oct. 16.
• Says he will visit Georgia Tech at some point.
• Reports are he will also visit Louisville, West Virginia and Maryland.
• May visit Louisville on Nov. 1.
• Made official visit to Tennessee, which painted his image on a rock.
• Has visited Syracuse.
• Ranked as No. 5 player in Class of 2010 by Rivals.
• A 6-8 forward from Glen Head, New York.

Kyrie Irving

• Confirmed that he will make his choice on ESPNU on Thursday.
• Will choose between Duke, Texas A&M and Kentucky.
• Dave Telep of Scout.com reports that Irving will make announcement on Thursday.
• Zagsblog reports on Oct. 20 that Irving has committed to Duke with an announcement coming this week.
• Irving denies Zagsblog report via his Twitter account.
• Attended Kentucky’s Big Blue Madness on Oct. 16
• Has already visited Texas A&M and Duke.
• Has said he will visit Georgia Tech at some point.
• Has said he will visit Seton Hall.
• Was thought to be a lean toward Indiana at one point, but eliminated Hoosiers.
• His family is close to UK assistant coach Rod Strickland.
• Ranked No. 9 in Class of 2010 by Rivals.
• A 6-3 guard from Elizabeth, New Jersey.

Continue reading ‘Where UK basketball recruits stand to this point’