QuoteThursday began with speculation regarding former Kentucky assistants Orlando Antigua and Kenny Payne. There was buzz that new Kentucky head coach Mark Pope could retain Antigua or bring Payne back to Lexington.

Neither happened.

Thursday ended with two more names.

One day after news leaked that BYU assistant Cody Fueger is expected to follow Pope to Lexington, two other names were reported on Thursday. Each has a previous relationship with Pope.

The Athletic's Kyle Tucker reports that Georgetown support staffer Mark Fox and NBA G League Ignite head coach Jason Hart are expected to join the Kentucky staff.

QuoteDrexel transfer Amari Williams has cut his list to three: Kentucky, Mississippi State and St. John's, according to On3's Joe Tipton.

He has already visited Mississippi State and St. John's, and is set to visit Kentucky on Saturday. Kentucky head coach Mark Pope reportedly visited Williams at home on Thursday.

A Nottingham, England, native, Williams averaged 12.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.8 blocks in 22.9 minutes per game as a senior for Drexel.

QuoteDavidson transfer shooting guard Grant Huffman officially committed to the Vanderbilt Commodores on Thursday evening, according to Jeff Borzello of ESPN. One of the more complete guard prospects in the portal, Huffman averaged 12.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game last year for the Davidson Wildcats, the former home of Steph Curry.

Huffman will join a couple of former Virginia Tech standouts on the Commodores roster, shooting guard MJ Collins and small forward Tyler Nickel, the all-time leading scorer in VHSL history.

Quote from: sickboy on Yesterday at 10:53:49 pmFellas, it takes time right now. Nothing moves fast with the portal open. Muss only has three guys left on his roster at USC and hasn't brought in a single player. Not a single one of his guys at Arkansas either. Players are going to feel out all their options right now.

Quote from: kibster on Yesterday at 12:38:34 pmMore like a "detox forum" based on some of these posters

Quote from: JonClaudeVanHam on Yesterday at 09:13:32 pmHe had a really tonedeaf quote about how he was praying God would lead Reed back to Kentucky. That's not what players want to hear in a time where the number one goal is to get to the league.

QuoteGene Stallings is still going. At 89 years old, he's moving a bit slower, but still has a crusher of a handshake, strength that betrays his time as a football player, and a rancher, north of Paris.

The man who coached Alabama from 1990-96 was in Tuscaloosa on Thursday, attending a fundraiser for children at the UA RISE Center. Stallings said he'd left his ranch behind for the evening to make the trip.

The RISE Center helps young children with disabilities. Stallings began supporting it shortly after becoming the Crimson Tide's head coach back in 1990.

The mission was personal for Stallings, who raised a special needs son of his own. These days, the RISE Center sits on Johnny Stallings Drive in Tuscaloosa, in honor of his late son.

Sitting in a chair at the NorthRiver Yacht Club, Stallings spoke of his love for the program.

"What a joy it is to be affiliated with the program," he said. "It gives them lots of opportunities for youngsters to go to school where they wouldn't have that chance ordinarily."

Stallings visited Tuscaloosa during a time of transition for the program he won a national title with in 1992. Kalen DeBoer just took over for Nick Saban, who had revived the Tide, ending a lull that followed Stallings' tenure and building one of the sport's greatest dynasties.

The main advice Stallings had for DeBoer was to avoid his start. Stallings lost his first three games at Alabama.

"I do not advise anybody go into Alabama and start out (0-3), Stallings said. "We finished pretty good, but we didn't start out that way."

Stallings said DeBoer had an excellent run at Washington. However, he cautioned that the SEC is a different animal.

The old coach also acknowledged the unique challenge UA's new leader faces.

"I think he got a good job," Stallings said. "But following coach Saban's going to be extremely tough."

Quote from: husker71 on Yesterday at 09:33:03 pmI will say this again   I dont know anybody who hates Sam on here   or actually anybody who could HATE Sam.  hate or hater is a lazy word .  so easy to use but so hard to explain how thinking someone is not good at their job can be justified as hate.  I dont know that anyone of us word turn down having dinner with him. 

Quote from: East Clintwood on Yesterday at 07:14:44 pmAnd stay off my lawn!!