Former UK wide receiver Dicky Lyons Jr. joins Ken, Norm Haney, and Seth Burchett for Wildcat Wednesday on 1340 WBGN. We'll talk football and why Duck Dynasty is so addictive.

The show starts at 5:00 ET. To listen to live streaming go here and click on the iTunes or Windows Media Player logo. To call the show: 270-746-9246, or email your questions or comments to sportsguys@1340wbgn.com.

The No. 11 Kentucky Wildcat baseball squad (43-16) will make the trip north to Gary, Ind,. to participate in its seventh NCAA regional tournament. No.1 seed Purdue, regular season and tourney champion from the Big Ten, will serve as host of the event, although the games will be played at U.S. Steel Yard, home of the American Association's Gary Southshore Railcats. This is only the second NCAA baseball tournament the Boilermakers have played in.

The other two teams of the field include No. 3 seed/25th ranked Kent State (41-17), who is playing in its fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament after winning the Mid-American Conference, and Valparaiso (35-23), winner of the Horizon League.

Kentucky's last appearance in the NCAA tourney was 2008, when they finished as regional runner-up, tying the best finish in Bat Cat history. The 2012 NCAA Tournament bid is UK's third since 2006, after having received only four bids between 1949 and 2005.

UK's record against this year's tournament field is 14-13, and the Bat Cats boast a 10-5 mark against top-10 competition.

Kentucky opens the double-elimination tournament Friday at 4:00 ET (game-time is tentative) as they take on Kent State.

For the full story, go here to UK Athletics.com.

In a somewhat surprising development, the No. 11 Kentucky Wildcat baseball squad has been left off the NCAA's 16 team regional host list. The Bat Cats, who lost to No. 21 Mississippi State 2-1 in the semifinals of the SEC tournament, the farthest UK has advanced in the SEC tourney since the field was expanded in 1998, are only one win away from tying the school record for victories, which currently stands at 44 (2006).

After losing to the baseball Bulldogs and ex-UK coach John Cohen, the 43-16 Bat Cats still felt confident they would be selected as a regional host.

"I would think so, sure," Bat Cats coach Gary Henderson told the Herald-Leader about UK's chances of being a regional host. "I would certainly think the four-seed in the SEC that's won 43 games, 20 of them against SEC competition, deserves a spot."

Unfortunately, it wasn't to be. Kentucky will learn its NCAA tournament fate Monday at noon (ET), as the NCAA will announce the field for this year's college baseball post season action.

The genius and passion stowed away inside a high number of Kentucky fans came blasting forth last night, but I couldn't resist offering up my own salute this afternoon.

Ever sit around wondering how to turn cereal into art? And I don't mean cheap, ill-conceived motel room art. No, I'm talkin' a blue-blooded Picasso or da Vinci here.

Well, Danny Palmer, a Kentucky basketball fan extraordinaire, along with his young son, have meticulously constructed what just might be the coolest player portrait in the history of sports, as they labored to make this incredible likeness of UK's own Anthony Davis ... out of cereal, specifically Kix, Reese's Peanut Butter Puffs, and Cap'n Crunch (normally I would frown on the seemingly frivolous waste of Cap'n Crunch, but this incredible achievement is neither frivolous nor wasteful).

From this day forth Palmer is my hero, for the patience, passion, and perseverance one must possess in order to so exactingly capture the essence of any one individual, are indeed rare commodities sought-after by men (and women) the world over.

So Palmer and Son, take a bow. The fruit of your labor is now and forever an example of the BBN's unmatched creativity in honoring its hard-court heroes.

I say hang the 4 x 4 portrait in Rupp Arena or the Craft Center, anything less would be hiding the light under a hat.

In the final installment of my Championship Moments series at CoachCal.com, I look back at how the 'Cats beat Louisville and Kansas to bring home UK's eighth national championship. Here's an excerpt:

"I kept telling them to keep attacking," Cal said after the game. "I want them to be aggressive. We're an attacking team, that's what we are. I don't want them to change."

It was Louisville, though, who answered the Cats' challenge, and kept the Kentucky lead manageable, with UK eventually going into halftime up seven, 35-28.

The second half unfolded much like the first with Kentucky opening a 13-point lead with 16:14 to play. It was UK 45, U of L 32 as Miller and Davis' versatility around the basket began to pay dividends. But the Cards, who fought through adversity all season, responded to Kentucky's sprinting start to the second half by going on a 17-4 run, closing the gap from a 13-point deficit to a 49-all tie with just over nine minutes remaining.

In true championship form, the Cats never relinquished the lead. They instead imposed their considerable will on the Cards, galloping to the gate with a championship in sight.

"They made runs, we made our runs," Jones said after the contest. "That's what coach always says; we don't get rattled."

For the full article go here and Go 'Cats!

The effervescent Chip Cosby of Cn2 Sports, formerly of the Herald-Leader, will join Ken, Norm Haney, and Seth Burchett on 1340 WBGN to talk UK basketball and football, as well as where he gets his beautifully designed suits. The show starts at 5:00 ET. To listen to live streaming go here and click on the iTunes or Windows Media Player logo.

To call the show with questions or comments: 270-746-9246, or email sportsguys@1340wbgn.com.

In my continuing Championship Moments series at CoachCal.com, I take a look at Kentucky's Sweet 16 win over Indiana and Elite Eight victory over Baylor, as each Wildcat, led my Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, stepped up their game in Kentucky's title chase. Here's an excerpt:

Following up Terrence Jones' and Anthony Davis' NCAA tourney double-double efforts, it was Michael Kidd-Gilchrist who did the most damage in Kentucky's epic 102-90 Sweet 16 win over the Indiana Hoosiers as UK's freshman leader scored a career-high-tying 24 points to go along with 10 rebounds.

MKG, who netted 18 points against IU in UK's last-second loss to the Hoosiers in December, was emotionally charged up from the opening tip and never relented.

"Mike's a spectacular player, he brings a lot of energy," Davis said after the game.

Kidd-Gilchrist's enthusiasm was not only evident on the court, but also in the Wildcat huddle.

"In the huddle, during timeouts, Michael was the guy firing us up," UK reserve guard Twany Beckham said. "It showed in his play."

For the full article, go here and Go Cats!

As I continue my series remembering UK's 2012 Championship Moments at CoachCal.com, I take a look at the Cats' NCAA tournament run beginning with Kentucky's first two games of the Big Dance. Here's an excerpt:

In Kentucky's third-round game against a tough Iowa State team, led by the gifted Royce White, it was the freshman point guard Marquis Teague and Darius Miller who stood and delivered their championship moment in UK's 87-71 third-round victory.

Teague, who scored a career-high 24 points (seven more points than his previous high of 17), and played a nearly flawless floor game, recording seven assists to only two turnovers, was able to get to the rim with relative ease, something he took advantage of all game long.

"I brought him here because when I watched him play, I absolutely loved his game," Calipari said after Teague's performance. "But today, they really left him (open). I told him, 'look, you've got to keep people honest.' "

Teague, who had a hand in 43 of UK's 87 points (24 points, plus 19 points scored off his seven assists), was a picture of versatility when it came to how he ran the Wildcat offense.

"I didn't really care about scoring points," Teague said after the contest. "I just wanted to get my teammates involved and do and do whatever I needed to do to help my team win."

For the full story, go here and Go Cats!

Glenn will join Ken, Norm Haney, and Seth Burchett for Wildcat Wednesday on 1340 WBGN as we discuss John Calipari's statement that UK is now a non-traditional program, the NCAA's investigation into the background of Nerlens Noel, as well as the Herald-Leader's not-so-subtle "cartoonish" blasting of Calipari.

The show starts at 5:00 ET. To listen to live streaming, go here and click on the iTunes or Windows Media Player logo. To call the show: 270-746-9246 or email sportsguys@1340wbgn.com.

There are several topics I'd like to touch on today since I've been essentially AWOL for the better part of two weeks. Let's lead off with ...

The end (for now) of the Kentucky vs. Indiana basketball series -- I don't like it.

Kentucky/Indiana is, and has been since 1969, a game to be circled on the UK basketball schedule. From Bob Knight's childish slap upside the back of Joe B. Hall's head in 1974, to the 'Cats victory over the Hoosiers in the 1975 national quarterfinal (IU's only loss in the 1975-'76 seasons), to Kentucky's 1985 Rupp Arena win over Steve Alford-less Indiana -- a game in which Knight and UK coach Eddie Sutton exchanged heated post-game "pleasantries" in the bowels of Rupp -- to Mike Davis losing his mind at the end of the Wildcats' win over IU in 2002 at Freedom Hall, to the 2012 season's college basketball game of the year, the series is filled with great characters, great memories, and great Kentucky wins over Indiana, along with a few Big Blue Nation heart breakers.

It seems to me to be unconscionable that the two coaches, who are friendly rivals, could not come to an agreement over the series venues. While I understand both coaches point of view -- Cal wants neutral sites, while Crean counters with a home-and-home preference -- the real reason the series is coming to an end (for now), is being kept within the confines of each coach's mind. In other words, I'm not buying the reasons for the series' termination (for now) given by the two coaches.

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In my latest installment of Championship Moments, I delve into the early season struggles experienced by UK point guard Marquis Teague, followed by his much improved play which allowed Kentucky to make its run to the title. Here's an excerpt:

Then, after a five-turnover effort in a 65-62 win at Tennessee, Teague turned the corner with a vengeance as the Cats beat an Arkansas team eager to test the Cats' open-court ability.

"I said in the locker room, 'Marquis Teague, unbelievable floor game. The best you've played this year. Unbelievable floor game,' " Calipari said after after UK pounded the Razorbacks, 86-63. "Nothing was forced. He didn't make any crazy plays. It was unbelievable."

Emphasizing the strides his point guard had made, Cal wasn't shy about drawing a parallel between his team's future success and the improvement of Teague's play.

"If we are close to getting him right, all of a sudden this thing (the season) takes on a different look to it," Calipari said.

For the full article go here and Go Cats!

For Wildcat Wednesday on 1340 WBGN, Paul Jordan, site owner of Wildcat Blue Nation, will be joining Ken, Norm Haney, and Seth Burchett as we discuss the 30 Wildcats who have impacted the Kentucky program the most, over the last 30 years. Also on the docket, Richie Farmer, and just how much he's damaged his legacy.

The show starts at 5:00 ET. To call with a question or comment: 270-746-9246 or email sportsguys@1340wbgn.com. To listen to live streaming go here and click on the iTunes or Windows Media Player logo.

At CoachCal.com, I continue my Championship Moments series with a look at the tremendous impact Michael Kidd-Gilchrist had on the 'Cats bringing home banner No. 8. Here's an excerpt:

It was perhaps that game, the North Carolina contest, where Kidd-Gilchrist established himself as the freshman leader of the future national champions.

"We see him working hard, diving for loose balls and everything, and we want to do the same thing," UK point guard Marquis Teague said. "It's follow the leader."

Although Kidd-Gilchrist paced the Cats in scoring in the UNC victory, it was fellow star freshman Anthony Davis who rejected UNC big man John Henson's shot at the end of the game, essentially sealing the UK win. Because of his tremendous late-game play, it was Davis who received the bulk of the post game ink and attention, but it mattered not to Kidd-Gilchrist.

"You have to know Michael," Calipari said. "He's just the best kid. He wants everyone to feel good, and he never wants it to be about himself. He's just an unusual kid."

For the full article go here and Go 'Cats!

Today on Wildcat Wednesday, Evan Daniels will be joining Ken, Norm Haney, and Seth Burchett on 1340 WBGN. We'll discuss Kentucky's incoming recruiting class, the chance of Cal landing another stud to fill out the front court, and take a look at some of the standouts from the 2013 class.

The show starts at 5:00 ET. To call with a question or comment: 270-746-9246 or email sportsguys@1340wbgn.com. To listen to live streaming go here, and click on the iTunes or Windows Media Player logo.

"Poor man want to be rich, rich man want to be king, and the king ain't satisfied until he rules everything."

Bruce Springsteen (Badlands' lyric)

When John Calipari was hired as the University of Kentucky basketball coach on April 1, 2009, his arrival in Lexington was met by the Big Blue Nation with an enthusiasm only surpassed by fan expectations for what lay ahead for the UK basketball program. Coming off a four-year drought, articulated by the team's 84-52 record, and an NIT appearance in 2009, 'Cat fans were weary of mediocrity and ready for the program to reclaim its spot atop the college basketball hierarchy.

Calipari, though, in his first public pronouncement after being hired to lead the Wildcats, made it abundantly clear that rebuilding Camelot would be neither easy, nor quickly attained.

"I told Dr. (Lee) Todd, and Mitch (Barnhart), 'If you want something to happen in a year, do not hire me," Calipari said, tempering 'Cat fan expectations. "'But when we get it right, you notice we're No. 1 in the country, we're No. 1 seeds (in the NCAA tournament), we're playing in Final Fours, when we get it right.'"

Calipari has not only gotten "it right" on the court, but he's nearly flawlessly navigated the myriad of responsibilities he's charged with as leader of the UK basketball program, from public relations, to recruiting, to coaching the team.

After the jump, I offer my take on Calipari's three-year performance in three different areas, beginning with ...

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In the second of a series of articles detailing Kentucky's 2011-2012 championship moments, I take a look at the early-season play of Anthony Davis, as the big man set a championship tone for the Wildcats, and declared to the nation he was a defensive force of fierce proportions. Here's an excerpt:

Davis arrived at the University of Kentucky with the reputation of being a strong defensive presence with a burgeoning offensive game. At 6-foot-10, the Chicago native was roundly considered one of the elite talents in the country and was named an ESPN Preseason All-American (second team) in early November. But in UK's first exhibition game of the season, against Transylvania University, UK coach John Calipari saw ample room for growth in the big man's game after Davis struggled to score against the diminutive Pioneers.

"He's good, but physically, you know, we've got to figure out where to play him; where we put him in where we can have success," Calipari lamented after the Transy game. "Just throwing him in the post, say, 'Here, post up, Shaq,' that's not who he is. I mean, he couldn't do it today."

I sense Davis got better ... for the full story go here and go 'Cats!

For Wildcat Wednesday on 1340 WBGN, the WBN's Kyle Tucker joins Ken, Norm Haney, and Seth Burchett as we talk Kentucky Wildcat spring football. The lack of depth in the secondary and linebacker corps, as well as the impending QB battle, will be the primary talking points, with a little basketball chatter thrown in.

The show starts at 5:00 ET. To call with a question or comment: 270-746-9246, or email sportsguys@1340wbgn.com. To listen to live streaming go here and click on the iTunes or Windows Media Player logo.

Larry Vaught, the outstanding long-time sports writer for the Danville Advocate-Messenger, has spearheaded a Kentucky Wildcat post-season championship celebration book entitled, Elite Eighth. The book, put together by Vaught, Advocate-Messenger staff member Gary Moyers, as well as Winchester Sun sports editor Keith Taylor, chronicles UK's championship season using both articles by Vaught and Taylor, as well as extraordinary photographs by Victoria Graff and Clay Jackson.

I picked up a copy over the weekend, and I honestly feel it's a must-read for Kentucky basketball fans. It's not a book to be read and tossed in a drawer, rather, it is a keepsake, to be treasured and passed down from parents to children. If one is familiar with the work of Vaught and Taylor, as well as photographers Graff and Jackson, one knows how professionally UK's championship memories have been preserved.

I did a quick Q&A with Vaught about Elite Eighth, and here is what he had to say, along with buying/ordering information on the book.

ASOB: What inspired you to put this book together?

LV: We had worked on a similar project the last two years, but then did not get to publish our work when UK did not win the championship. We felt that if UK did win the title, that the UK fan base would be ecstatic and would want ways to relive that special season. We just had a feeling this year it was definitely going to happen and worked even more on the book.

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At CoachCal.com, in a series of upcoming articles I'll recount some of the Kentucky Wildcats' championship moments from the 2011-2012 season to remember. In the first installment, I take a look at the expectations the 'Cats encountered prior to the start of the season, their answer to those expectations, and the attitude John Calipari imparted upon his troops. Here is an excerpt:

In the minds of Wildcat followers, the championship stage had been set: The team was the right mix of youth and experience, and the talent level was thought to be unmatched (despite the No. 2 ranking). Cat fans were ready for the season-long rumble, but were the players prepared for what surely would be an arduous journey?

It was a Kentuckian, someone who grew up in the middle of Cat country, who smartly knew the key to the Wildcats' championship success was the players' commitment to be a team.

"It takes a lot of hard work and dedication," Mason County's Darius Miller said about winning a championship before the season started. "There are going to be a lot of sacrifices made. One big aspect is that we have to be a team, and be on the same page. We have to be like a family. If people are on different pages then it's not going to work."

For the full article go here and Go 'Cats!

We have a big show in store today with former LSU head basketball coach Dale Brown and the Dean of Kentucky sportswriters, Larry Vaught, joining Ken, Norm Haney, and Seth Burchett for Wildcat Wednesday on 1340 WBGN. The show starts at 5:00 ET, and we encourage you calls at 270-746-9246, or email your questions or comments to sportsguys@1340wbgn.com.

To listen to live streaming go here, and click on the iTunes or Windows Media Player logo.

I can't imagine a Kentucky basketball fan not being happy right now. I mean, what's not to like? The 'Cats won the school's eighth national title, Anthony Davis was the runaway National Player of the Year, UK ran the SEC regular season table, the team won a national record 38 games (tying the 2008 Memphis squad), and Kentucky beat UofL not once, but twice, in the same season (gotta love that), and looking forward, John Calipari has more-of-the-same talent scheduled to arrive in Lexington for the foreseeable future.

Am I happy and satisfied and content? You betcha. But I'm not only happy for myself, I'm also ecstatic for several different people, from folks connected to the UK basketball program, to the fans who have waited 14 years for another Big Blue banner to be unfurled in the Rupp rafters.

So follow me after a jump for a sampling of those ...

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Ken, Norm Haney, and Seth Burchett will be discussing the Kentucky basketball season, the future of UK basketball, with a healthy beat-back of the John Calipari-to-the-NBA-nonsense on Wildcat Wednesday on 1340 WBGN. The show starts at 5:00 ET. Give us a call with your opinion or comment at 270-746-9246, or email sportsguys@1340wbgn.com.

To listen to live streaming go here and click on the iTunes or Windows Media Player logo.

I take a look at some of the game-changing moments in Kentucky's national title victory over Kansas. Here's and excerpt:

Surprisingly absent from UK's first half scoring column was (Anthony) Davis, though, who, with his outstanding defense, didn't have to score to make a difference for the Cats.

"I have to credit my team," Davis said. "Everybody is talking about me, but it was my teammates" who carried me in the first half.

"At halftime, I knew he didn't have a point," John Calipari said. "Before he left the locker room, I said, 'Listen to me, don't you go out there and try to score. If you have opportunities, score the ball. If you don't, don't worry about it.'"

For the full story, go here.

And the Kentucky Wildcats basketball team, along with coach John Calipari, bring to Lexington the hardware that matters most! If winning titles isn't nirvana, then I may need to call a doctor.

Congratulations to the Wildcats and Kansas Jayhawks as both teams played with great effort, and sportsmanship. Kansas, behind the coaching of Bill Self and the tremendous play of All-America Thomas Robinson, was simply an outstanding basketball team in 2012, a year many thought would be a re-loading season in Lawrence.

But, this was Kentucky's year, about that there can be no debate: 16-0 in the SEC, 24-game winning streak, ranked No. 1 for most of the year, and a school record 38 wins. There can also no longer be the doubters (well, they can "be," but no one will pay attention). Doubters who said "you can't win a championship with a freshman dominated team." Say what?!? ... is exactly what the 'Cats said Monday night, as they came away with Kentucky's eighth NCAA National Championship in a 67-59 championship win.

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With the Kentucky Wildcats preparing to take on fellow college basketball blue blood, the Kansas Jayhawks, I take a look at how John Calipari has executed a program turnaround in his three years on the job. Here's an excerpt:

"There's three keys to winning championships," Calipari said. "The first thing is to have really good players, the second thing is have really good players. And I hate to tell you, that's the third thing" also.

In order to get Kentucky back to where Kentucky is accustomed to being, Coach Calipari made it abundantly clear: it was about the players, and it was his job to get them in the Blue and White.

"I'm here (at UK) because I can recruit the best of the best here," Calipari said. "That's why I'm here. We can get who we need, then, it's changing the culture" of the program.

For the full story go here and Go 'Cats!

Congratulations to the Louisville Cardinals for doing exactly what they needed to do to keep the National Semifinal game with the Kentucky Wildcats close: creating turnovers by playing tough, switching, frenetic defense, both in the half court and in its press -- thus making the game ugly -- and rebounding like mad men, particularly on the offensive end. In the final tally, though, UK's talent level was much too burdensome of an obstacle to overcome, as the 'Cats won the Battle of the Bluegrass, 69-61 (in Rupp Arena on December 31, UK came out on top 69-62). Kentucky will now play for its eighth national championship on Monday night against the winner of (2) Ohio State and (2) Kansas.

A win over the Cards, is a win over the Cards, with this win made sweeter by the championship ramifications. But UK did not play especially well (with the exception of Anthony Davis), and if an encore performance is in store for Monday night, the 'Cats will leave New Orleans with the second place trophy.

For my evaluation of individual performances, follow me after the break.

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In preparation for tonight's Final Four match-up with arch-rival Louisville, I take a look at Kentucky's rich Final Four history by recounting some of the great team and individual final weekend performances in Wildcat history. Here's an excerpt:

In the 1949 title game, Alex Groza, one of the truly iconic UK basketball figures, scored 25 of UK's 46 points as the Cats won their second straight national championship over Oklahoma A&M 46-36. Magnifying Groza's accomplishment: No other Cat scored more than five points in the contest.

For the full story go here, and Go Cats crush the Cards.

For those interested, I'll be on TribLiveRadio out of Pittsburgh this morning at 10:30 ET. I'm not positive, but I believe we'll be talking 'Cats and Cards. To listen live, go here.

And Go 'Cats crush the Cards!

At CoachCal.com, 1984 Final Four participant Winston Bennett and 1998 Final Four MVP Jeff Sheppard, share how they dealt with the pressure which permeates the event, their game preparation, and how difficult it was to stay focused. Here's an excerpt:

That nervousness Sheppard felt was mitigated a bit by the team camaraderie.

"But in 1998 we had such a good thing going with our team chemistry," Sheppard said. "We were practicing at 6 a.m., even after we beat Duke (in the Elite Eight), I can remember coach (Tubby) Smith saying, 'Well guys, I'm going to give you tomorrow morning off,' and we stepped up as a team and said, 'No coach, we're not taking tomorrow morning off, we'll be there at 6 a.m.'"

"That was the dynamic that existed on that team. We just had a good thing going and a lot of experience."

For the full article, go here and Go Cats!

I apologize to all you A Sea of Blue readers for the lack of content today. Glenn is in route to New Orleans, and I've been away from the computer for most of the day. So, in an effort to keep the conversation going, I'm going to list my five reasons Kentucky will win Saturday against UofL, and the five reasons the Cards could come out victors.

Of course, the two arch-rivals met back on December 31, with the 'Cats coming out on top, in a game with 70 fouls called, 69-62. Throw that game out the window. It never happened, at least as far it being a foreshadowing event for the Final Four match-up between the 'Cats and Cards. Both teams have improved in most all areas since that meeting in Rupp Arena, and with so much on the line, with a week to prepare for one another, what occurred in their last meeting seems irrelevant to me.

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