John Clay's Sidelines

Xavier Henry

The Lawrence Journal-World is reporting that Xavier Henry and C.J. Henry will not visit Kentucky, and will make a decision Wednesday about where the two brothers will play college basketball next season.

It was thought that Xavier Henry would visit UK this weekend, but he told interviewers after the Jordan Brand Classic in New York on Saturday that while he would probably visit Kentucky, he did not have one scheduled.

Both Kansas coach Bill Self and UK coach John Calipari talked to the Henrys in New York.

Here’s what Carl Henry told the LJW:

“They told me they want to get it over with and really don’t need to make a visit to Kentucky,” former KU player Carl Henry said. “They know the styles of play of both coaches and will make a decision without making any more visits. That’s what they told me.”

Here’s a video from The Shiver, which covers Kansas, with interviewss with Xavier Henry after the Jordan Brand Classic last night. He says he does not have a visit scheduled to UK, but expects to visit Kentucky. He said he will make a decision soon after his visit.

Big Blue Links for Friday:

• Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader reports that John Calipari is confident Demarcus Cousins will deliver.
• Tipton reports that Calipari says he is not a lifer.
• Calipari confirms that Scott Padgett and Tony Delk will be on his staff.
• Beverly Fortune of the H-L broke the story on Calipari’s house.
• John Wall tells Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger that he’s not interested in the NBA.
• Christopher Lawlor of espn.com writes that Xavier Henry’s decision could come soon.
• Casey Keefer of the University Daily Kansan also reports on Henry’s recruitment.
• Metz Camfield of the Kentucky Kernel writes on Calipari’s journey to the top.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Calipari, Calipari and more Calipari’

Kevin Armstrong at SI.com interviews four players at the Jordan Brand All-American game, including North Carolina signee John Henson and UK recruit Xavier Henry.

An excerpt:

What did you think of John Calipari leaving Memphis for Kentucky?

Henry: I was just shocked that he left Memphis. That’s all I can say on that. (Editor’s note: Henry had signed a National letter of intent with Memphis that a clause giving him an out if Calipari left and has now reopened his recruitment.)

Henson: I just felt really sorry for Xavier.

Henry: No, you didn’t. You just kept coming up to me at [the] McDonald’s [All-American game] saying, “You’ve got no coach. What are you going to do now?”

By the way, all four said that Louisville signee Peyton Siva is the best athlete in the class.

Shagari Alleyne at Rosa Parks Elementary on Tuesday. (H-L photo/Charles Bertram)

Big Blue Links for Wednesday:

• Jerry Tipton of the H-L reports that barring a drastic twist, Daniel Orton should be a Cat.
• Brendan Murray of ESPN reports that Wall has added Florida to his list.
• ESPN chat with Xavier Henry, John Wall and others.
• My column on Shagari Alleyne, now playing for the Globetrotters.
• Chip Cosby of the H-L reports that Rich Brooks is “leery” of season-opener against Miami of Ohio.
• Jeff Goodmanof Fox Sports writes on Kansas, and mentions Xavier Henry.
• Tom Leach gives his thoughts after watching his first John Calipari practice at UK.
• Leach talks to UK defensive tackle Corey Peters.
• C.L. Brown of the Courier-Journal reports on UK baseball’s 8-7 win over Louisville.
• The C-J’s Jody Demling reports that the first week of signing period could be slow.
• Demling also reports that John Wall is not thinking about the NBA.
• Mike DeCourcy of the Sporting News writes on Wall.
• Bobby Reagan of the Kentucky Kernel writes on UK basketball’s new offense.
• Metz Camfield of the Kernel writes on the Kentucky victory.
• Kernel columnist Jon Hale writes that UK regains some early-season magic with win.
• Cat Scratches has UK baseball coverage.

Big Blue Links for Monday:

• A Kansas City Star blog reports that Xavier Henry will visit UK after an April 18 all-star game.
• Ray Melick of the Birmingham News writes on DeMarcus Cousins not receiving Mr. Basketball in Alabama.
• In the Oregonian, Nick Daschel writes on the U.S. (Henry, Cousins, John Wall) losing to the World.
• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes on seven players that are stepping up during UK’s spring drills.
• On his blog, Tom Leach writes that the offense must improve for UK football.
• Jerry Tipton of the H-L writes that Daniel Orton remains mum on the Cats.
• Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger writes that Orton’s mother was/is his insipiration.
• Tipton’s Sunday notebook leads with Tubby’s top critic saying he is crazy for Calipari.
• Mark Maloney of the H-L reports on Georgia’s weekend sweep of UK baseball.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Xavier Henry to visit UK’

Michael Eaves

Ex-WKYT reporter Michael Eaves, now in Los Angeles, is in Portland covering the Nike Hoop Summit.

Michael has talked to the trio of UK recruits about which of them might end up in Lexington.

An excerpt:

I just returned to my hotel after watching the practices for this weekend’s Nike Hoop Summit. I made a point to find DeMarcus Cousins and congratulate him on his recent commitment to Kentucky. He was excited to meet someone who had gone to school there.

After talking about all the positive experiences he should expect while at UK, I asked him flat out if he was going to bring some of his Team USA teammates with him to Lexington. And without blinking an eye, he said he thinks both Xavier Henry and John Wall will eventually sign with Kentucky. Neither player had told him that directly, but based on their most recent conversations, Cousins’ gut feeling told him that all three would end up playing for the Cats.

A few moments later, I spoke to Henry. He told me that since he had been released from his letter-on-intent by Memphis, he now had three schools on his final list: Memphis, Kansas and Kentucky. He wouldn’t say which way he was leaning, but he did say he was a huge fan of John Calipari’s dribble-drive offense. In fact, he said it was Cal’s system that led him to sign with Memphis in the first place, in addition to the opportunity to play with his brother CJ.

Dave Telep of Scout.com has checked in on the John Calipari move to Kentucky.

There’s great stuff in there about Xavier Henry, John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, etc. But there’s a look to the future, as well.

An excerpt:

And finally, a glimpse into the future. Potentially, the nation’s best sophomore resides at Elizabeth (N.J.) St. Patrick. His name is Michael Gilchrist and he’s a gifted small forward with a huge motor and significant upside. While everyone focuses on the seniors and juniors, it’s important to point out that this is UK’s No. 1 target in the Class of 2011 and Calipari owns deep ties to the player. In the chaos of “the moment” many will overlook the future and Gilchrist is definitely in Kentucky’s plans.

Tuesday was a significant day in college basketball. One of the nation’s most storied programs aligned itself with a coach who is at the apex of his career on the sidelines and in the living room. It’s a powerful connection that should sway some of the recruiting swagger back to the SEC, especially with the addition of Grant at Alabama. A league that was on the ropes in the NCAA’s just became much more significant nationally.

Xavier Henry

Mark Lelinwalla of the New York Daily News writes about how John Calipari’s move to Kentucky has had an effect on the recruitment of Lance Stephenson.

But also in the story is info on Xavier Henry, who has now decommitted from Memphis and could end up being the focus of a battle between UK and Kansas.

Says Henry:

“(Calipari) just told me that he was leaving Memphis and that Kentucky was his dream school and he just didn’t want me to feel betrayed for him leaving Memphis,” said Henry, whose brother, C.J., is a freshman guard at Memphis. “He should follow his dreams just like I’m following mine, and if we cross paths and I go to Kentucky it’s still a good thing.”