John Clay's Sidelines

Big Blue Links for Friday:

Steve Kelley of the Seattle Times says Terrence Jones showed his immaturity:

But Terrence, you screwed up and you no longer can hide behind the excuse that you’re only 18 and just a kid. It’s time to start acting like a grown-up.

You jacked around a lot of people for a long time. You played an immature shell game with those six college hats you placed in front of you at the news conference you held at your high school last month.

Judging by your recent tweets, you still don’t understand the idea of a commitment. But let me tell you, when you picked up that black Washington cap at that charade of a news conference, you made a commitment.

John Canzano of the Oregonian questions Kentucky’s recruitment of Terrence Jones:

I’m not buying that Jones was motivated solely by the idea of a bigger national stage at Kentucky. Or the idea that the Wildcats are a better fit for his style of play. And I certainly wonder about the people who surround Jones today, including his summer coaches, because they feel a lot like a pack of guys sucked into the jet stream of grandeur they found drafting behind the kid.

We’re being told the chapter on Jones recruitment is closed. Nothing more to say. Nothing more to see. Move along, right? Except, Kentucky coach John Calipari is involved.

Mark Story of the Herald-Leader says that UK basketball 2010-11 has a lot of ifs:

Let us count the Ifs. This week brought reports that the basketball power broker William Wesley – the ubiquitous Worldwide Wes – is working back channels to NBA teams to package free agent LeBron James with UK Coach John Calipari. If this talk proves to be smoke, not fire (which I believe), then you can count on next season’s Kentucky roster to be robust.

Jerry Tipton of the H-L reports that Daniel Orton has not been happy with fan reaction to his decision:

Yet the passion that some fans typically bring to UK basketball led them to insensitivity in Orton’s case. Orton recalled a fan suggesting that he had used the death of his mother the previous year as an excuse for his low productivity.

“Using my mother as an ‘escape-goat,’” Orton said before making sure reporters heard him clearly. “He said, ‘escape-goat,’ not scapegoat.”

Kyle Veazey of the Clarion-Ledger reports that Arnett Moultrie could still end up at Mississippi State:

Valentine told us yesterday that UTEP wasn’t going to release Moultrie to Mississippi State – and that he wasn’t sure why, either. Today, he says some things may have changed on that front, which could lead toward a release to State. “Just clearing some things up,” Valentine said.

. . . Of course, there is this: Texas and Kentucky are also in the running for Moultrie’s services, Valentine said.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Pacific Northwest unhappy with Terrence Jones’

Big Blue Links for Wednesday:

Insight Cable will show the UK-Austin Peay game to its customers: “The game is being carried on the Comcast/Charter Sports Southeast channel – one Insight doesn’t usually carry – but the company made an agreement to broadcast the game on basic cable on channel 17 in Lexington, 2 in Louisville, 6 in Northern Kentucky, 5 in Bowling Green and 2 in the Evansville/Henderson area. Channels might be different for customers with digital packages. Contact Insight at (859) 514-1400 for more information.”

Yahoo Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski on John Calipari: “What’s more, James’ cozy relationship with Calipari has long inspired discussion within the league that the star could make a power play for him to become his coach. Calipari has deftly created the illusion that James is his player, a powerful association in the recruiting battles. In fact, a source says LeBron was on the Rupp Arena pass list – along with his two Cavs teammates, UNC alums Jawad Williams(notes) and Danny Green(notes) – for Kentucky’s victory over North Carolina on Dec. 5. They were supposed to fly down in a private jet for the Saturday afternoon game, but a snag in Cleveland cancelled the trip.”

Tom Leach talks to Greg Anthony about John Wall.

Zagsblog on Brandon Knight: “The 6-foot-3 Knight, the top prospect in the Class of 2010, has narrowed his list to four schools – Kentucky, Kansas, UConn and Florida – and will sign in the spring. Considering Kentucky freshman John Wall will likely be the top pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, does it make sense that Knight will end up following in Wall’s foosteps?”

Continue reading ‘BBL: Could John Calipari become LeBron’s coach?’

Big Blue Links for Monday:

• Chip Cosby of the H-L blogs on UK defensive tackle Myron Pryor being drafted by the New England Patriots.
• Jerry Tipton’s Sunday notebook leads with Jodie Meeks. (Didn’t get this link in yesterday.)
• Zagsblog talks to John Wall, who says he will cut his list to two or three teams by end of the week.
• Bluegrass State Basketball claims that Patrick Patterson and Jodie Meeks will withdraw from the NBA draft.
• Chris Fisher of Kentucky Ink talked to Brandon Knight, a top UK basketball target for 2010.
• Yardbarker has a note on Wall’s visit to Miami.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Wall to cut list; Patterson and Meeks returning?’

Big Blue Links for Thursday:

• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes on UK receiver Aaron Boyd and his brother Shane.
• Bulldogs Blog does a Q&A with Chip about this year’s Kentucky football team. (Hat tip to A Sea of Blue.)
• Jerry Tipton reports in the Herald-Leader that John Calipari’s assistants will receive academic incentives.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes on UK defensive tackle Myron Pryor.
• Dawson and Jody Demling of the C-J report that Memphis signee Darnell Dodson is “seriously looking” at Kentucky.
• Ryan Aber of the Oklahoman reports that Xavier Henry and his brother C.J. will pick Kansas.
• KU Sports will have a livestream of the Henry press conference, scheduled for 11:15 a.m. CDT.
• Zagsblog cites sources saying Manhattan coach Barry Rohrssen is mulling an offer to join Calipari’s staff.
• Same Zagsblog story says that ex-Memphis signee Nolan Dennis has committed to Baylor.
• The Wilmington Star-News writes that Gerald Henderson’s decision could impact John Wall’s decision. (Hat tip to Aaron’s UK Basketball Blog.)

Continue reading ‘BBL: Spring football, plus some recruiting links’

Derrick Favors

Georgia Tech signee Derrick Favors beat out UK signee Demarcus Cousins and UK target John Wall for USA Today Player of the Year honors, announced today in the newspaper.

The paper’s first-team consists of Favors, Cousins, Wall, Avery Bradley and Renardo Sidney.

UK signee Daniel Orton was a third-team pick. Xavier Henry, who may or many not have committed to Kansas last night, was a second-team selection.

One interesting factoid, Wall’s list of possible college choices inlcuded Kansas, Memphis, Noth Carolina State, Duke, Miami and Baylor, but no Kentucky.

First team

• Derrick Favors, 6-9, Atlanta, GA (Georgia Tech)
• Avery Bradley, 6-3, Henderson, NV (Texas)
• Demarcus Cousins, 6-10, Mobile, AL (Kentucky)
• John Wall, 6-4, Raleigh, NC (Undecided)
• Renardo Sidney, 6-9, Los Angeles, CA (USC)

Continue reading ‘Favors beats out Wall, Cousins for POY honors’

Update: Henry calls a Thursday press conference to announce choice, reports Lawrence Journal World.

Update: Tipton reports that Henry is near 100 percent for Kansas.

Big Blue Links:

• Andrew Wiebe of the Daily Kansan writes on the “Young and the Ambivalent,” i.e. the Henrys. (Hat tip to Spam’s Wildcat Page.)
• Chris Fisher of Kentucky Ink reports his sources claim Xavier Henry is 100 percent committed to Kansas.
• Bluegrass State Basketball calls a Henry to Kansas commitment “unofficially official.”
• Jody Demling of the C-J is hearing it both ways.
• Ryan Aber of the Oklahoman writes on the X-traordinary anticipation.
• The Kansas City Star blog offers a roundup of Henry updates.
• My column about UK basketball recruiting and one-and-dones.
• David Wescott of Business Lexington writes on the Calipari stimulus package.
• Chip Cosby of the H-L writes that UK football stars don’t regret decision to skip draft.
• The H-L’s Jerry Tipton writes that analysts are split on how Daniel Orton and Demarcus Cousins might fit together.

Continue reading ‘BBL: As Xavier Henry’s world turns’

Update: Jody Demling says the Henry commitment report may not be true. Bluegrass State Basketball also says reports may be premature.

There is word on the internet tonight that Xavier Henry has committed to Kansas.

Jody Demling of the C-J is also hearing that Henry has committed to the Jayhawks.

Earlier tonight, Ryan Aber of the Oklahoman spoke with Carl Henry, who spoke as if a decision was imminent and that his sons would not be visiting Kentucky.

Excerpt:

It appears that Henry’s college decision will come soon, especially if Carl has anything to do with it.

“I’m ready to get it over with,” Carl Henry said. “I think it’s been going on too long.”

More details to come.

Big Blue Links for Tuesday:

• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes that UK quarterback Mike Hartline wants to go beyond managing the game.
• Chip blogs on the UK football leadership council.
• H-L’s Mark Story writes what a difference a month makes for UK, U of L.
• Herald-Leader reports that UK women have signed two basketball standouts from D.C. area.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger writes that Daniel Orton is 100 percent committed to the Cats.
• Vaught also gets a sense from Orton’s father that UK thinks Patrick Patterson may be leaving for the NBA.
• Kentucky Sports Radio has the same feeling about Patterson.
• The C-J’s Chris Diggs thinks Kentucky is in the driver’s seat for Xavier Henry.
• Ryan Abner of the Oklahoman reports that John Calipari has told Henry family he will apply with NCAA for waiver allowing C.J. Henry to play immediately. (Hat tip to Spam’s Wildcat Page.)
• The C-J’s Rick Bozich shoots down rumors that Kenny Payne will be on Calipari’s staff.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Orton 100% committed, Patterson maybe less so’

Adam Ganeles of nbadraft.net has some interesting things to write about those who participated in the Jordan Brand Classic over the weekend. His insights:

On John Wall:

An absolute freak, his movement is amazingly fluid. Incredible handle, quickness and ability to change directions at full speed. Impossible to keep out of the paint when he gets a head of steam. Put together a string of jaw dropping drives late in the 2nd half. Did appear to get taken out his element early on by Bradley, forcing passes and penetrating into traffic with no plan. Not sure he truly sees the game unfold, yet but the sky’s the limit….. A cross between Derrick Rose and Rajon Rondo.

On Demarcus Cousins:

Cousins and Sidney apparently made a pact at halftime to not guard one another as both players had impressive showings offensively (in 2nd half) due to the fact that the other played matador defense. Appeared stiff and out of shape moving around the court. Scored his points on lay ups/dunks off penetration and on put backs. Has extremely long arms, able to grab offensive boards while barely leaving the floor. Played catch with himself on the O glass. Created havoc with his shot blocking and the intimidation factor is evident. Showed three point range in warm ups, but puts odd spin on the ball. I see him as a more agile/versatile and athletic Erick Dampier, but the explosiveness doesn’t appear to be there. He’s in danger of losing a lot of his skills due to lacking great speed and conditioning.

Continue reading ‘Analysis of UK targets after Jordan Brand’

Carl Henry, father of Xavier and C.J. Henry tells Zagsblog that his two sons will visit Kentucky, after all:

An excerpt:

Despite reports that Xavier and C.J. Henry will not visit Kentucky, the latest news is that the brothers will trip there this coming weekend.

“Now they’re going to visit Kentucky at the end of this week,” Carl Henry said early Monday afternoon. “My youngest son [Xavier] called me and said he wanted to go visit. It just happened thirty minutes ago.”

Carl had initially told reporters the boys would not visit and would announce Wednesday between Kansas, Kentucky and Memphis. Now that decision – and potentially Lance Stephenson’s as well – will be put off. Stephenson could end up at Kansas if the Henrys go to Kentucky or remain at Memphis; and he could go to St. John’s or Maryland if they pick Kansas.