John Clay's Sidelines

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’

Orange Fizz, a Syracuse basketball blog, (great name for a blog, by the way) tracked Orange target Tobias Harris all the way to Lexington for Harris’ visit to Big Blue Madness.

The Fizz also couldn’t help but take a few shots at the competition.

Excerpt:

The Blue Grass State doesn’t do anything unique for the event (like an Ashley Judd strip-show), despite some Wildcat crazies spend as much as $175 for tickets to this jamboree (that’s like three batches of Meth for most of the state!). No worries, then. Tobias just spent the weekend doing just that (minus paying for anything the entire weekend, we’re sure) and going to a few practices.ere’s the kicker: he wasn’t alone.

In a purely Caliparian coincidence, heavily recruited point guard Kyrie Irving was also in Lexington for a little tour.

Big Blue Links for Monday:

• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes that Rich Brooks saw progress, but not perfection in UK’s 21-14 win at Auburn.
• My column saying we should recognize the offensive line.
• Jennifer Smith of the Herald-Leader reports on UK women hoops landing a top recruit.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes that win breates life into UK football.
• Dana O’Neil of espn.com writes about Big Blue Madness.
• Zagsblog writes on Tobias Harris and Kyrie Irving’s visit to Madness.
• James Pennington of the Kentucky Kernel writes on the quarterback rotation.
• B.W. Jones of the Kernel has the game story on Kentucky’s victory at Auburn.
• Tom Leach gives his take on the Kentucky win.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Could Harris and Irving both end up at UK?’

Reminder: UK Basketball Media Day is today. Be sure and join the Liveblog/Livechat for Calipari’s press conference at 2:30. Then look back here on the blog and on kentuckysports.com for videos, reports, etc.

Update: Bluegrass State Basketball passes along this John Wall comic. Not for the weak of stomach.

Big Blue Links for Thursday:

• Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader has the rundown on the recruits scheduled to visit Big Blue Madness.
• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes that UK’s offensive line has come a long way.
• My column giving the pros and cons on starting Morgan Newton at Auburn.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger says his sources confirm Newton will start Saturday.
• A Sea of Blue writes on the possible Newton start.
• C-J report on UK offensive lineman Jake Lanefski being lost for the season.
• Doron Lamb’s father tells Bruce Pascoe of the Arizona Daily Star that his son will visit UK on the 23rd.
• Connor Orr of the Daily Orange writes that Syracuse has a shot with UK target Tobias Harris. (Hat tip to Aaron’s UK Basketball Blog.)
• Michael Grant of the Courier-Journal writes on Auburn quarterback Chris Todd, former star at Elizabethtown.
• Jay Tate of the Montgomery Advertiser writes on the Auburn defense.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Top recruits on Friday, Newton on Saturday?’

(H-L photo/Charles Bertram)

Program note: I’ll be live-blogging from the Rich Brooks portion of UK’s weekly press luncheon, which starts around 12:10-12:15.

Big Blue Links for Monday:

• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader reports that UK is awaiting the full report from Mike Hartline’s MRI.
• My column saying that UK should not move Randall Cobb to quarterback full-time.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes that UK is expecting the worst for Hartline.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger reports that Rich Brooks thinks Cobb is a better receiver than quarterback.
• Vaught also writes that Hartline’s injury changes plans for Newton.
• Bill Bryant of the Huntsville Times writes that flattened Auburn must prove its resiliency.
• Andy Bitter of the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer writes that Auburn cites lack of focus as its problem.

Continue reading ‘BBL: UK not optimistic about Hartline’s knee’

(AP photo/Ed Reinke)

Big Blue Links for Saturday:

• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes that Kentucky is tired of losing to South Carolina.
• Chip also has the matchups.
• Chip reports that UK is starting to lean on Derrick Locke.
• Chip also talks to Morgan Newton.
• Joe Person of The State reports that three-back rotation is working for South Carolina.
• The State also gives a UK-South Carolina preview.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes that UK should be ready to “load wagon.”
• Tom Leach gives a gameday report.
• A Sea of Blue breaks down UK-South Carolina.
• Straitpinkie previews Kentucky-South Carolina.
• Garnet and Black Attack gives its thoughts on South Carolina-Kentucky.
• Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader reports that Marquis Teague will not attend Madness.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger talks to Darnell Dodson.
• Zagsblog gives a Kyrie Irving update.
• Kentucky Sports Network gives an update on Jon Hood.
• Mike Griffith of the Knoxville News-Sentinel reports on Tobias Harris’ visit to Tennessee.