LEXINGTON, Ky. — The University of Kentucky has sued former basketball coach Billy Gillispie the day after Gillispie filed suit against the school claiming breach of contract.

The university's suit was filed today in Franklin Circuit Court in Kentucky, which the school contends is the proper venue for any litigation involving the coach's former employment. Gillispie had filed his claim Wednesday in Dallas, asking for at least $6 million in pay, punitive damages, attorneys' fees and court costs.

Gillispie never signed a formal contract but was working under a memorandum of understanding when he was fired after last season. The two sides are clashing over whether a buyout clause in that memorandum is binding. That would require the school to pay him $1.5 million for four of five years left on his contract.