Baseball. Terry Shumpert to be Honored as SEC Baseball Legend

Source: Kentucky Official Site

Former Kentucky All-America infielder Terry Shumpert will serve as one of four members of the Southeastern Conference Baseball Legends, Presented by AT&T, to be honored at the SEC Tournament, May 21-26 at the Hoover Met.

Baseball. Baseball Opens SEC Tourney With Six-Seed Ole Miss

Source: Kentucky Official Site

For the first time in 14 years, Kentucky will be making back-to-back Southeastern Conference Tournament berths, drawing six-seed Ole Miss in the opener of the tournament on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. ET at the Hoover Metropolitan Stadium.

Baseball loses 2 of 3 in Missouri

Source: Kentucky Kernel by Sports

Staff report | @KyKernelSports

sports@kykernel.com

Needing wins to improve on its postseason standing, UK baseball lost the first two games at Missouri in its final series of the regular season before taking the series finale on Saturday at Taylor Stadium in Columbia, Mo.

Junior left-handed pitcher Corey Littrell threw seven innings in the final game of the series, allowing a run on six hits while striking out seven.

Littrell was given the lead by a UK offense that collected 13 hits. An RBI-single by senior catcher Micheal Thomas in the sixth inning gave the Cats a 2-1 lead. Freshman

Kentucky Football: A Brief History of the Tony Franklin/Neal Brown Version of the Air Raid Offense

Source: A Sea Of Blue by Hank Rippetoe

The Air Raid was developed primarily by Hal Mumme, his offensive coordinator, Mike Leach, and Dana Holgorson (QB Coach) at Valdosta State.

The Air Raid was something new and unique at the time at the Division I level. It was an immediate success in 1997 and 1998. The problem with Kentucky's Air Raid wasn't the offense, but Mumme's disdain for defense. That only goes so far in the defensive minded SEC.

When Leach left for Oklahoma to become Offensive Coordinator in 1999, he was replaced by running backs coach Tony Franklin. Franklin was the offensive coordinator until Mumme was fired two years later in 2000.

Most of us know about Leach's career at Texas Tech and now Washington State. One common misconception,

Kentucky Wildcats: Sunday Morning Open Thread, Oxbow Edition

Source: A Sea Of Blue by Glenn Logan

Oxbow won the Preakness yesterday, bumming me out. I really wanted a Triple Crown this year. Some links of interest:

Alford settles dispute with New Mexico
Former Wildcats in the NBA Playoffs
A historical look at Kentucky's basketball 2013 recruiting class

UK in the NBA Playoffs: Tayshaun Prince, Memphis through to conference finals

Source: Kentucky Kernel by Sports

The Los Angeles Clippers' Caron Butler collides with the Memphis Grizzlies' Marc Gasol (33) on a pick set for Memphis' Tayshaun Prince (21) in Game 1 of the first round NBA Playoffs matchup at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, on Saturday, April 20, 2013. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times/MCT)

By Brett Bibbins | @BBibbins_Kernel

sports@kykernel.com

The second round of the 2013 NBA playoffs have come to a close and the remaining four NBA teams are poised to start the conference finals.

A total of four former UK players retained hopes of winning a ring as round two

UK basketball notebook: Media part of problem when fans' Twitter trash gets credence

Source: Lexington Herald-Leader

After committing to Kansas on Tuesday, mega prospect Andrew Wiggins made a big mistake. He sat down in his coach's office, pulled out his cellphone and checked immediate Twitter reaction…

Click to Continue »

Cats defeat Virgina Tech, advance to regional final

Source: Kentucky Kernel by Sports

Junior second baseman Krystal Smith fields the ball during the UK vs. Virginia Tech softball game in the NCAA Tournament Lexington Regional at John Cropp Stadium in Lexington, Ky., on Saturday, May 18, 2013. Photo by Chet White | UK Athletics

By Tyler Spanyer | @KernelSpanyer

tspanyer@kykernel.com

After winning in extra innings on Friday, No. 12 seed UK used a two-RBI performance from junior second baseman Krystal Smith and a two-run homerun from junior Lauren Cumbess to beat Virginia Tech on Saturday.

The win sees the Cats advance into Sunday’s final of the NCAA Tournament Lexington Regional.

“I was just

Softball. Marshall-Virginia Tech Postgame Quotes

Source: Kentucky Official Site

Postgame quotes and video from Virginia Tech's 3-2 win over Marshall to advance to the regional final vs. Kentucky.

Video: D. Wayne Lukas after winning Preakness

Source: John Clay's Sidelines by John Clay

Trainer D. Wayne Lukas after Oxbow gave him his sixth Preakness victory.

Video: Gary Stevens after winning Preakness

Source: John Clay's Sidelines by John Clay

Jockey Gary Stevens talks to media after riding Oxbow to his third Preakness win.

Softball. Marshall-Notre Dame Postgame Quotes

Source: Kentucky Official Site

Postgame quotes and video from game four between Marshall and Notre Dame.

Video: Shug McGaughey after Orb loses in Preakness

Source: John Clay's Sidelines by John Clay

Shug McGaughey, trainer of Kentucky Derby winner Orb, talks about his horse’s fourth-place finish in the Preakness.

M. Golf. Kentucky Men's Golf Concludes Season in 10th place at NCAA Regional

Source: Kentucky Official Site

The University of Kentucky men's golf team closed the 2013 NCAA Fayetteville Regional on Saturday, shooting a 16-over-par, 304. The Wildcats moved up one spot for the second consecutive day climbing into 10th place in the 54-hole stroke play event held at Blessings Golf Club in Fayetteville, Ark.

Kentucky Sports Weekend: Softball, Baseball Both Win Big Games

Source: A Sea Of Blue by Glenn Logan

Today, the Kentucky softball team defeated the Virginia Tech Hokies and move on to the Lexington Regional Final versus either the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Virginia Tech, Or Marshall, depending on the results from the rest of today's action.

Kentucky has now won 40 games, tying the school record for wins, and has a chance to advance to only its second ever Super-Regional. Kelsey Nunley and Crystal Smith were the heroines today:

Nunley was fantastic in

Softball. Kentucky-Virginia Tech Postgame Quotes

Source: Kentucky Official Site

Postgame video and quotes from the Kentucky-Virginia Tech game.

Kentucky tops Missouri 5-1 in regular-season baseball finale

Source: Lexington Herald-Leader

The University of Kentucky baseball team slumped badly in the second half of the 2013 campaign but closed the regular season on a high note Saturday, beating Missouri 5-1 in…

Click to Continue »

Softball. Nunley's One-Hitter Paces Softball to Regional Final, Ties Record

Source: Kentucky Official Site

University of Kentucky freshman pitcher Kelsey Nunley threw seven strong innings, allowing only one hit and no earned runs, while junior infielder Krystal Smith went 2-for-3 at the plate with a home run and two RBI, as the No. 12 Kentucky softball team posted its school-record tying 40th win of the season and clinched its ticket to the NCAA Lexington Regional Finals on Sunday with a 6-2 win over Virginia Tech at John Cropp Stadium.

Baseball. Baseball at Missouri -- Game Three -- Postgame Notes

Source: Kentucky Official Site

Baseball at Missouri -- Game Three -- Postgame Notes

Baseball. Littrell, Storm Highlight 5-1 Win at Missouri

Source: Kentucky Official Site

Junior Corey Littrell worked his ninth quality start to win his 21st career game and Kentucky got a three-run homer in the ninth from freshman Zack Storm, posting a 5-1 win at Missouri to conclude the regular season, on Saturday afternoon at Taylor Stadium.

Updated Preakness odds as of 5 p.m.

Source: John Clay's Sidelines by John Clay

Preakness odds as of 5 p.m. 1-Orb 4-5 2-Goldencents 7-1 3-Titletown Five 17-1 4-Departing 10-1 5-Mylute 8-1 6-Oxbow 13-1 7-Will Take Charge 10-1 8-Governor Charlie 10-1 9-Itsmyluckyday 8-1 Preakness odds as of 4 p.m. 1-Orb 4-5 2-Goldencents 8-1 3-Titletown Five … Continue reading →

Kentucky basketball notes: Media part of problem when fans' Twitter trash gets credence

Source: Lexington Herald-Leader

After committing to Kansas on Tuesday, mega prospect Andrew Wiggins made a big mistake. He sat down in his coach's office, pulled out his cellphone and checked immediate Twitter reaction…

Click to Continue »

Nunley's one-hitter moves Kentucky into NCAA softball regional finals

Source: Lexington Herald-Leader

Freshman Kelsey Nunley pitched a one-hitter Saturday as the University of Kentucky softball team defeated Virginia Tech 6-2 in the NCAA Tournament Lexington Regional at UK's John Cropp Stadium.

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Updated Preakness odds as of 4 p.m.

Source: John Clay's Sidelines by John Clay

Preakness odds as of 4 p.m. 1-Orb 4-5 2-Goldencents 8-1 3-Titletown Five 16-1 4-Departing 10-1 5-Mylute 8-1 6-Oxbow 13-1 7-Will Take Charge 9-1 8-Governor Charlie 10-1 9-Itsmyluckyday 8-1 Preakness odds as of 3 p.m. 1-Orb 4-5 2-Goldencents 8-1 3-Titletown Five … Continue reading →

Updated Preakness odds as of 3 p.m.

Source: John Clay's Sidelines by John Clay

Preakness odds as of 3 p.m. 1-Orb 4-5 2-Goldencents 8-1 3-Titletown Five 16-1 4-Departing 10-1 5-Mylute 8-1 6-Oxbow 14-1 7-Will Take Charge 9-1 8-Governor Charlie 10-1 9-Itsmyluckyday 9-1 Preakness odds as of 2 p.m. 1-Orb 4-5 2-Goldencents 8-1 3-Titletown Five … Continue reading →

Updated Preakness odds as of 2 p.m.

Source: John Clay's Sidelines by John Clay

Preakness odds as of 2 p.m. 1-Orb 4-5 2-Goldencents 8-1 3-Titletown Five 18-1 4-Departing 11-1 5-Mylute 8-1 6-Oxbow 14-1 7-Will Take Charge 9-1 8-Governor Charlie 11-1 9-Itsmyluckyday 9-1 Preakness odds as of 1 p.m. 1-Orb 4-5 2-Goldencents 8-1 3-Titletown Five … Continue reading →

Only a few more months...

Source: True Blue Kentucky

Updated Preakness odds as of 1 p.m.

Source: John Clay's Sidelines by John Clay

Preakness odds as of 1 p.m. 1-Orb 4-5 2-Goldencents 8-1 3-Titletown Five 18-1 4-Departing 10-1 5-Mylute 8-1 6-Oxbow 14-1 7-Will Take Charge 9-1 8-Governor Charlie 11-1 9-Itsmyluckyday 8-1 Preakness odds as of 11 a.m. 1-Orb 4-5 2-Goldencents 7-1 3-Titletown Five … Continue reading →

Kentucky Wildcats: Afternoon Quickies - Preakness Edition

Source: A Sea Of Blue by Glenn Logan

The Preakness Stakes is today, and I'm hoping for an Orb win. It would be so nice to get this Triple Crown monkey off horse racing's back.

Also, a couple of administrative notes:

SB Nation has fixed the hardware problems responsible for all the errors we have been experiencing over most of the last week. Performance should return to normal very quickly.

I will be on a golf holiday from Sunday until Wednesday, so the quickies are probably on hiatus until midweek. I'll try to post a morning open thread for the news, at minimum, but no promises.

Tweet of the Morning:

twitpic.com/crhk3u - Umm. RT @

Updated Preakness odds

Source: John Clay's Sidelines by John Clay

Preakness odds as of 11 a.m. 1-Orb 4-5 2-Goldencents 7-1 3-Titletown Five 21-1 4-Departing 11-1 5-Mylute 8-1 6-Oxbow 15-1 7-Will Take Charge 10-1 8-Governor Charlie 10-1 9-Itsmyluckyday 9-1 Here are the odds for the nine Preakness entries after Friday’s advance … Continue reading →

Early Preakness odds

Source: John Clay's Sidelines by John Clay

Here are the odds for the nine Preakness entries after Friday's advance wagering: 1-Orb 4-5 2-Goldencents 7-1 3-Titletown Five 23-1 4-Departing 11-1 5-Mylute 7-1 6-Oxbow 14-1 7-Will Take Charge 12-1 8-Governor Charlie 11-1 9-Itsmyluckyday 9-1

Kentucky Basketball: Ranking the 5 Best Post Players in Wildcats History

Source: Bleacher Report NCAAB

Kentucky basketball has been known recently for its string of point guards coming through the program.

However, it's the presence in the post that has helped key the successful run for John Calipari and his predecessors in Lexington.

Much like the size of Rupp Arena is intimidating to opponents, the rebounding and blocked shots while controlling the paint has helped the Wildcats become the winningest program in NCAA Division I history.

This list will breakdown the five best post players in Kentucky's storied history.  

College Basketball: Time For Court-Storming To End

Source: A Sea Of Blue by Glenn Logan

Mike DeCourcy of The Sporting News had a piece the other addressing a few questions about college basketball, including Andrew Wiggins, Dick Vitale's recommendation to appoint a college basketball "czar," and this:

3. Speaking of czars, let’s say Mark Emmert gave you free rein to ban fans from storming the court. Would you favor it?

DeCourcy: The New York Islanders won a huge playoff game at home Tuesday over the Pittsburgh Penguins. See any fans storm the ice? Only in college sports do fans feel entitled to invade the

Nunley, Saegermann lead Cats past Marshall in NCAA Tournament

Source: Kentucky Kernel by Sports

UK freshman pitcher Kelsey Nunley throws a pitch against Marshall in the softball NCAA Tournament Lexington Regional at John Cropp Stadium in Lexington, Ky., on Friday, May 17, 2013. UK won the game in extra innings. Photo by Tom Hurley | Staff

By Tyler Spanyer | @KernelSpanyer

tspanyer@kykernel.com

Behind the arm of freshman pitcher Kelsey Nunley and the bat of freshman third baseman Nikki Saegermann, the No. 12 seeded UK softball team beat Marshall, 2-1, in eight innings on Friday in the NCAA Tournament Lexington Regional.

The extra-inning affair was the Cats’ seventh of the season and the first in UK

NCAA softball: Freshman's good glove, bat in eighth carry Cats past Marshall, 2-1

Source: Lexington Herald-Leader

Kentucky's brand-new John Cropp Stadium became a Field of Dreams for freshman third baseman Nikki Sagermann Friday night.

Click to Continue »

Softball. Kentucky-Marshall Postgame Quotes

Source: Kentucky Official Site

Kentucky-Marshall postgame quotes and video

Softball. Sagermann's Walkoff, Nunley's Pitching Pace UK in NCAA Opener

Source: Kentucky Official Site

Freshman infielder Nikki Sagermann went 2-for-3 in the game, including an RBI game-winning single in the eighth inning, while freshman pitcher Kelsey Nunley went eight strong innings in the circle, becoming the second rookie in school history to win a NCAA opener, as No. 12 Kentucky earned an extra-inning, NCAA opening round win, 2-1 over Marshall on Friday night at John Cropp Stadium in Lexington, Ky.

Baseball. Baseball at Missouri -- Game Two -- Postgame Notes

Source: Kentucky Official Site

Baseball at Missouri -- Game Two -- Postgame Notes

Baseball. Homer in Eighth Lifts Missouri to Series Win

Source: Kentucky Official Site

Keaton Steele's leadoff homer in the bottom of the eighth inning broke a tie and then Steele tossed a shutout ninth inning for the save to lift Missouri to a 4-3 series-clinching win over Kentucky, on Friday night at Taylor Stadium.

M. Golf. Kentucky Men's Golf moves into 11th place after Round Two of NCAA Regional

Source: Kentucky Official Site

The University of Kentucky men's golf team wrapped up round two of the 2013 NCAA Fayetteville Regional on Friday, shooting a 21-over-par, 309. The Wildcats moved up one spot into 11th place in the 54-hole stroke play event held at Blessings Golf Club in Fayetteville, Ark.

Softball. Virginia Tech-Notre Dame Postgame Quotes

Source: Kentucky Official Site

Quotes and video from game one between Virginia Tech and Notre Dame.

Track. Oswald Named SEC Track & Field Scholar Athlete of the Year

Source: Kentucky Official Site

Chelsea Oswald has added to her already-impressive collection of awards both on and off the track as she was named Southeastern Conference Track and Field Women's Scholar Athlete of the Year on Friday.

Kentucky Football: Kobie Walker’s Commitment is a Bigger Deal than You Think

Source: A Sea Of Blue by Hank Rippetoe

Kobie Walker's "only" a 3 star recruit. This comment has been both written and said. The fact is, for Kentucky, his commitment is a big deal; a very big deal. Here's four reasons why.

Walker's commitment placed UK 7th in the SEC in recruiting and 15th nationally. Nine SEC teams are ranked in the top 20. Our average star rating is 3.43 which ranks 9th in the conference. Another 4 star will put us back to an average of 3.50. If Louisville were in the SEC, they would rank 13th with their 3.08 average star rating.

Louisville's national team rank of 8th is based on the number of commitments (13) and not the quality. As other teams, such as Alabama, Florida St., Ohio St, Georgia, Clemson and others catch up to their numbers,

Video: One good thing -- South Carolina

Source: SEC Football Blog

Edward Aschoff discusses the success Gamecocks running back Mike Davis had this spring.

M. Soccer. Soccer Enjoys Banner Year in Classroom

Source: Kentucky Official Site

In his first season at the helm of the Kentucky men's soccer program, Johan Cedergren put a priority on success on as well as off the field, which translated in UK's highest semester team GPA since the 2001 season.

Ranking UF's recruiting needs in 2014

Source: SEC Football Blog

GatorNation's Rankings Week concludes with a list of the Gators’ top needs in recruiting for the class of 2014, as well as a list of the top players the Gators are pursuing at those positions. Ranking UF’s needs for 2014 1. Offensive line The Gators would like to sign at least four linemen to help build depth on a unit that will be losing center Jonotthan Harrison, right guard Jon Halapio and guard/center/tackle Kyle Koehne after the 2013 season and left guard Max Garcia and right tackle Chaz Green after 2014.

Kiper: Top five linebacker draft prospects

Source: SEC Football Blog

ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. is rolling out his early top five rankings at each position this week. Here are the positions he's looked at so far: Wide receivers and defensive ends Running backs and safeties Quarterbacks Cornerbacks Tight ends Now, we're checking out the top linebacker prospects for next year's NFL draft. Kiper divided things up to look at outside linebackers and inside linebackers . I'm just combing the two to make things easier for everyone.

1BR basement apartment, close to UK

Source: Kentucky Kernel by Heather Chapman

1BR basement apartment. Private entrace, full bath, clubhouse pool. Close to UK. $425/month, includes all utilities. Lease required, references needed. (859) 576-1881.

Looking for babysitter for two boys

Source: Kentucky Kernel by Heather Chapman

Looking for babysitter for two boys (ages 9 and 12 years). If interested call. (859) 621-9795.

Kiper: Top five tight end draft prospects

Source: SEC Football Blog

ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. is rolling out his early top five rankings at each position this week. Here are the positions he's looked at so far: Wide receivers and defensive ends Running backs and safeties Quarterbacks Cornerbacks Now we're looking at the top tight ends and linebackers to keep an eye on during the 2013 season. First, we'll check out the tight ends and then look at linebackers a little later. No SEC players made Kiper's top five, but Georgia's Arthur Lynch is in his "Next up" list.