John Clay
@johnclayiv.bsky.social
📤 1582
📥 309
📝 180
Sports Columnist at Kentucky.com.
reposted by
John Clay
Cameron Drummond
about 1 month ago
Is tonight the night that Jaland Lowe makes his Kentucky basketball debut? What about Trent Noah's status? All the pregame injury updates before UK plays Valparaiso at Rupp Arena: ⬇️
www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...
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Will Jaland Lowe, Trent Noah play for UK basketball against Valparaiso?
Injury updates for Kentucky basketball prior to UK’s home game against Valparaiso.
https://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-basketball-men/article312727602.html
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reposted by
John Clay
Cameron Drummond
about 1 month ago
Jaland Lowe is going through pregame warmups for Kentucky. Wearing a significant wrap on his right shoulder (non-shooting shoulder).
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reposted by
John Clay
Lexington Herald-Leader
about 1 month ago
Kentucky football QB Zach Calzada has apologized for video bragging about NIL salary, mocking critic he sent to fan who criticized him on social media.
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UK QB apologies for video bragging about NIL money he sent to social media critic
Kentucky football QB Zach Calzada has apologized for video bragging about NIL salary, mocking critic he sent to fan who criticized him on social media.
https://bit.ly/47FR1Mk
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Saturday will be the second Saturday without college football televised by the ESPN family of networks on YouTube TV. I am standing strong with YouTube TV. I'm not giving another penny to Disney and ESPN (if I can help it).
about 1 month ago
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Thoughts From an Off-Off-Year Election, 2025
whatever.scalzi.com/2025/11/05/t...
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Thoughts From an Off-Off-Year Election, 2025
Well, that was an evening, wasn’t it. Zohran Mamdani won decisively in NYC, of course, and that was the headline event in terms of optics, but then there was everything else, that went the De…
https://whatever.scalzi.com/2025/11/05/thoughts-from-an-off-off-year-election-2025/
about 1 month ago
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As if the mess with YouTube TV wasn't bad enough, ESPN has now changed the way it does NBA and college basketball box scores. Makes no sense.
about 1 month ago
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reposted by
John Clay
Lexington Herald-Leader
about 2 months ago
Examining Cutter Boley's rapid growth, Kentucky's midseason offensive tweaks and whether Mark Stoops' quarterback decisions altered the Wildcats' 2025 trajectory.
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Did Mark Stoops err by not starting Cutter Boley this season
Examining Cutter Boley's rapid growth, Kentucky's midseason offensive tweaks and whether Mark Stoops' quarterback decisions altered the Wildcats' 2025 trajectory.
https://bit.ly/4nucq0I
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reposted by
John Clay
Ben Roberts
about 2 months ago
I sat down with Mark Pope and Otega Oweh this preseason to dive deeper into that Kentucky basketball dynamic. It became clear that -- while Pope has helped make Oweh a better player -- Oweh is also helping Pope in his quest to become a better coach. Story:
www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...
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How Kentucky’s Otega Oweh, Mark Pope make each other better
UK basketball star Otega Oweh and Kentucky coach Mark Pope have formed a special relationship in their time together with the Wildcats going into this season.
https://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-basketball-men/article312656833.html
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At the "No Kings" protest today in Lexington, Kentucky.
about 2 months ago
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Bravo!
golfweek.usatoday.com/story/sports...
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Lynch: The Ryder Cup got stuck with the one thing it didn’t need — Donald Trump
Trump arrived at Bethpage wearing golf shoes, perhaps expecting that his success in winning golf tournaments might see him asked to suit up.
https://golfweek.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/ryder-cup/2025/09/26/lynch-ryder-cup-stuck-donald-trump/86371522007/
3 months ago
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reposted by
John Clay
Ben Roberts
5 months ago
Jasper Johnson has been talked about in UK basketball circles for years. Now, he's finally here. Learn more about the Lexington native's game, with the one thing he should bring to the Wildcats immediately and what stands in his way of being a one-and-done NBA pick:
www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...
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A basketball star is finally back home in Kentucky. One word sums up his game
Jasper Johnson should bring one thing, in particular, to Mark Pope’s second UK basketball team. But he knows he needs more to his game.
https://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-basketball-men/article311507155.html
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Beware what sprouts in a news desert
kentuckylantern.com/2025/06/30/b...
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Beware what sprouts in a news desert • Kentucky Lantern
My town's once robust newspaper was our town square. Its decline has left a news desert where anonymous Facebook posters fill the vacuum.
https://kentuckylantern.com/2025/06/30/beware-what-spreads-in-a-news-desert/
6 months ago
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My farewell column after 44 years at the Lexington Herald-Leader.
www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-c...
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I was lucky, I got to do what I wanted to do. Now it’s time for something else
After 44 years at the Lexington Herald-Leader, sports columnist John Clay is ready to check out other things in life.
https://www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/john-clay/article309108525.html
6 months ago
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Saw Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit at the Andrew J. Brady Music Center in Cincinnati on Saturday. My 13th Isbell show and one of the better ones. Great venue. "A rock and roll room for a rock and roll band," as Jason said.
6 months ago
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Some personal news. After 44 years at the Lexington Herald-Leader, I am retiring at the end of the month. I've enjoyed every minute. Thanks to @JonHale_HL.
www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...
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Lexington Herald-Leader sports columnist, Hall of Famer John Clay is retiring
After more than four decades working for the Herald-Leader, John Clay is retiring at the end of this month.
https://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/article307942595.html
6 months ago
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From the great Charles P. Pierce: Can The NBA Still Produce Interesting Coaches? -
defector.com/can-the-nba-...
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Can The NBA Still Produce Interesting Coaches? | Defector
Like brother Magary, I have been re-energized as a fan by this year’s NBA playoffs, although I do admit that watching Jayson Tatum take one of Paris’s arrows harshed my mellow considerably—classical a...
https://defector.com/can-the-nba-still-produce-interesting-coaches
7 months ago
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www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-c...
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I didn’t know the late horse racing trainer Christophe Clement. Now, I wish I had
The tributes have poured in for classic-winning trainer Christophe Clement, who died last week at age 59.
https://www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/john-clay/article307268531.html
7 months ago
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My column: Once again, NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has proven the rankings wrong.
#BBN
#ukbasketball
www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-c...
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Once again, NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has proven the rankings wrong
NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was nowhere near the most highly regarded signee among Kentucky’s stellar freshman class.
https://www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/john-clay/article307060186.html
7 months ago
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My column: Las Vegas isn't being kind to Kentucky football, but that might be a good thing
www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-c...
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Las Vegas isn’t being kind to Kentucky football, but that might be a good thing
Circa Sports is out with its over/under win totals for the 2025 SEC football season.
https://www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/john-clay/article306751721.html
7 months ago
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Pete Rose may now be a Hall of Famer. Not living to see it is punishment enough.
www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-c...
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Pete Rose may now be a Hall of Famer. Not living to see it is punishment enough
Major League Baseball has reinstated baseball’s all-time hit leader, but should Pete Rose be in the Hall of Fame?
https://www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/john-clay/article306340491.html
7 months ago
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My column: Reaction to penalties levied against Kentucky Derby winning jockey Junior Alvarado shows racing's disconnect.
#KyDerby
www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-c...
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Reaction to penalties on Kentucky Derby winning jockey shows racing’s disconnect
The reaction to the fining and suspension or jockey Junior Alvarado for exceeding the maximum striking limit in the Kentucky Derby illustrates a horse racing problem.
https://www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/john-clay/article306253026.html
7 months ago
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My column: Sovereignty skipping the Preakness is another reason to change the Triple Crown.
www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-c...
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Sovereignty skipping the Preakness is another reason to change the Triple Crown
The debate over the dates of the Triple Crown will pick back up now that the Kentucky Derby winner is skipping the Preakness.
https://www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/john-clay/article305841796.html
7 months ago
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Horse racing will not have a Triple Crown winner this year. Sovereignty skipping Preakness.
www.kentucky.com/sports/horse...
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Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty bypassing Preakness to focus on Belmont
Trainer Bill Mott informed Pimlico officials that Sovereignty will not be making the trip to Baltimore.
https://www.kentucky.com/sports/horses/article305831171.html
7 months ago
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Sovereignty's connections soak in Kentucky Derby win, but running in the Preakness is far from a sure thing.
#kyderby151
#Preakness
www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-c...
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Sovereignty’s connections soak in Kentucky Derby win, but undecided on Preakness
Trainer Bill Mott would not commit Sunday as to whether Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty will run in the Preakness.
https://www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/john-clay/article305557316.html
8 months ago
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Kentucky Derby sees its second scratch, dropping size of field to 19 for Saturday's race.
#KyDerby
www.kentucky.com/sports/horse...
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https://www.kentucky.com/sports/horses/kentucky-derby/article305549976.html?mrfhud=true
8 months ago
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How 2025 Kentucky Derby horses in Saturday's field have raced on sloppy or muddy tracks.
#KyDerby
www.kentucky.com/sports/horse...
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How 2025 Kentucky Derby horses have raced on sloppy or wet tracks
If it does rain at Churchill Downs on Saturday, here’s how Kentucky Derby 2025 horses have raced on muddy or sloppy tracks.
https://www.kentucky.com/sports/horses/kentucky-derby/article305477106.html
8 months ago
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Kentucky Derby 151's biggest question: Can anyone beat Journalism?
#KyDerby
www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-c...
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Kentucky Derby 151’s biggest question: Can anyone beat Journalism?
There are other serious contenders, but Journalism is the solid and laid-back favorite for the 2025 Kentucky Derby.
https://www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/john-clay/article305470626.html
8 months ago
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Coal Battle is one of the best underdog stories in the 2025 Kentucky Derby.
#kyderby
www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-c...
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Coal Battle is one of the 2025 Kentucky Derby’s best underdog stories
The Louisiana-based Coal Battle is taking longtime trainer Lonnie Briley to his first Kentucky Derby.
https://www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/john-clay/article305413441.html
8 months ago
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Controversy will never be behind him, but Bob Baffert is back where he belongs.
#KyDerby
www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-c...
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Controversy will never be behind him, but Bob Baffert is back where he belongs
His bitter, prolonged battle with Churchill Downs finally over, the Hall of Fame trainer is back in the Kentucky Derby.
https://www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/john-clay/article305235066.html
8 months ago
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reposted by
John Clay
katherine fitzgerald
8 months ago
Brandon Beane on Deone Walker says if they needed to play today, Walker could go, but the Bills do intend to get his back injury healthier and stronger -- he *could* be limited in the spring to be "more ready, more durable" for fall. Beane says he'll be full go for camp
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It looked like 2024 Kentucky Derby winning trainer Kenny McPeek might not have a horse in the 2025 Derby. Then Saturday happened.
#KyDerby
www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-c...
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With a last-minute entry, Kenny McPeek is back in the Kentucky Derby
After winning the Kentucky Oaks/Kentucky Derby double last year, trainer Kenny McPeek is back in the Derby, this time with a long shot.
https://www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/john-clay/article305147781.html
8 months ago
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Why have Secretariat's records from the 1973 Triple Crown never been broken. It's simple -- Secretariat was a freak -- but also complicated.
#KyDerby
#TripleCrown
www.kentucky.com/sports/horse...
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Why have Secretariat’s records never been broken? It’s simple and complicated.
Records are routinely broken in other sports, but Secretariat’s record-breaking times in the 1973 Triple Crown have never been matched.
https://www.kentucky.com/sports/horses/kentucky-derby/article304642976.html
8 months ago
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reposted by
John Clay
Linda Blackford
8 months ago
Fun story in the run-up to the
@kentuckyderby.bsky.social
from
@johnclayiv.bsky.social
www.kentucky.com/sports/horse...
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Why have Secretariat’s records never been broken? It’s simple and complicated.
Records are routinely broken in other sports, but Secretariat’s record-breaking times in the 1973 Triple Crown have never been matched.
https://www.kentucky.com/sports/horses/kentucky-derby/article304642976.html
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reposted by
John Clay
Red Sox
8 months ago
Buehler's day on the hill ⤵️
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reposted by
John Clay
Tyler Parker
8 months ago
Tayshaun Prince, Richard Hamilton, and Rasheed Wallace all started.
add a skeleton here at some point
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reposted by
John Clay
Ryan Hermens
8 months ago
Tyler Childers performs at Kroger Field in Lexington, Kentucky.
@heraldleader.bsky.social
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reposted by
John Clay
Cameron Drummond
8 months ago
What does the Kentucky Derby field look like after some contenders withdraw? ⬇️
www.kentucky.com/sports/horse...
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What does the Kentucky Derby field look like after some contenders withdraw?
Several horses who qualified to run in next month’s Kentucky Derby have opted out of the Run for the Roses.
https://www.kentucky.com/sports/horses/kentucky-derby/article304127701.html#storylink=cpy
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reposted by
John Clay
Cameron Drummond
8 months ago
A Saturday afternoon commitment for Mark Pope and Kentucky basketball. Croatian power forward Andrija Jelavic — one of the top European prospects set to play college basketball — is coming to UK. ⬇️
www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...
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Mark Pope and UK basketball get commitment from top European prospect
A 6-foot-11 big man from Croatia is the newest member of the Kentucky basketball program.
https://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-recruiting/article304094486.html
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reposted by
John Clay
Ben Roberts
8 months ago
Brandon Garrison is back at Kentucky. UK will also have these guys at the 4 & 5: 6-10 Jayden Quaintance - projected NBA lottery pick 6-11 Malachi Moreno - McDonald's All-American 6-11 Andrija Jelavic - possible NBA pick 6-7 Mouhamed Dioubate - 2yrs SEC experience
www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...
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Brandon Garrison is coming back to Kentucky, a boost for Mark Pope’s frontcourt
Brandon Garrison is coming back to Kentucky for his junior season to bolster the Wildcats’ frontcourt for the 2025-26 campaign.
https://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-basketball-men/article303175566.html
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Little late to the party on this, but very proud to have received this honor.
apsportseditors.com/john-clay-of...
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John Clay of the Lexington (Ky.) Herald-Leader wins C Columns in 2024 APSE Contest
John Clay of the Lexington (Ky.) Herald-Leader won first place in the 2024 Associated Press Sports Editors contest in the Division C Columns category. APSE contest winners will be honored at the 2...
https://apsportseditors.com/john-clay-of-the-lexington-ky-herald-leader-wins-c-columns-in-2024-apse-contest/
8 months ago
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My column: I was at the Final Four. I can report college basketball is far from dead.
www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-c...
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I was at the Final Four. I can report that college basketball is far from dead.
The Final Four included three terrific games that finished a terrific college basketball season.
https://www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/john-clay/article303625601.html
8 months ago
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A magical SEC basketball season ends with a magical SEC team as national championship.
www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-c...
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A magical SEC men’s basketball season ends with a magical SEC national champion
SEC member Florida caps off the greatest conference season in college basketball by outlasting Houston to win the national championship.
https://www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/john-clay/article303625561.html
8 months ago
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reposted by
John Clay
Cameron Drummond
8 months ago
There's another new Kentucky Wildcat in the fold for next season. Former Alabama forward Mouhamed Dioubate has committed to UK out of the transfer portal. ⬇️
www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...
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The latest transfer portal add for Kentucky is a sophomore who plays in the SEC
Kentucky basketball’s latest transfer portal pickup previously played two seasons for another SEC school.
https://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-basketball-men/article303705671.html
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My column: Florida is showing that what Mark Pope is doing does work.
#BBN
#ukbasketball
#finalfour2025
www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-c...
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Proof of concept: Florida is showing that what Mark Pope is doing does work
Using an analytics-based approach similar to one Mark Pope is using at Kentucky, Todd Golden and Florida are in the national championship game.
https://www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/john-clay/article303251741.html
8 months ago
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Houston coach Kelvin Sampson said today he's received texts from Tubby Smith, Rick Barnes and Tom Izzo, among others, telling him to "win one for the old guys."
#finalfour2025
8 months ago
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Five factors and a prediction for Houston vs. Florida in NCAA title game.
www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-c...
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Five factors and a prediction for Florida vs. Houston in the NCAA title game
Todd Golden’s Florida Gators face Kelvin Sampson’s Houston Cougars for college basketball’s national title Monday night in the Alamodome.
https://www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/sidelines-with-john-clay/article303623586.html
8 months ago
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The SEC produced a Final Four special on Saturday night, but Florida had the special player.
#SEC
#finalfour2025
www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-c...
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The SEC produced a Final Four special, but Florida owned the special player
The Florida Gators are one win away from their third NCAA Tournament title after beating fellow SEC member Auburn 79-73 in the Final Four.
https://www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/john-clay/article303251676.html
8 months ago
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Showed Tubby and Donna Smith on the video board here at Alamodome. This was the sight of Tubby's 1998 national title at Kentucky.
#BBN
#FinalFour
8 months ago
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reposted by
John Clay
Cameron Drummond
8 months ago
Mark Pope has his second commitment from the NCAA transfer portal. One of the top available guards in the portal — Pittsburgh's Jaland Lowe — is coming to UK. ⬇️
www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...
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One of the top guards in the NCAA transfer portal has committed to Kentucky
Mark Pope has picked up his second commitment from the NCAA transfer portal for the 2025-26 season.
https://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-basketball-men/article303560741.html
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At the AP Coach of the Year announcement today in San Antonio, I asked Rick Pitino what he thought about Mark Pope's first year as Kentucky basketball coach.
www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-c...
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Rick Pitino on Mark Pope’s first UK season: ‘I thought he did a fabulous job.’
Named the AP co-Coach of the Year, Rick Pitino had some words to say about Mark Pope at the Final Four.
https://www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/sidelines-with-john-clay/article303522061.html
9 months ago
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