Kentucky Sports Radio

(Britney McIntosh/UK Athletics)

Ladies and gentlemen, good evening. Would you bring your attention to me? No, I’m not singing Saliva; I seriously just want to dedicate this post to the baseball team. I’ve done several posts over the weeks as the team has closed the regular season and entered the SEC tournament, well now the Cats are just two wins away from their first-ever SEC Championship – which is a massive accomplishment to win the best conference in college baseball. They had a chance to win a regular season title but the opportunity was spoiled. Now they have a shot to make an even greater statement.

The team is led by plenty of big names and young talent. Senior leaders Thomas McCarthy and Michael Williams aren’t the flashiest of players (though they do have their share of highlight reel plays), but are the core of this Wildcats club. Along with Luke Maile who is a junior, they anchor this team on the corners and behind the plate.

The young guns, like Austin Cousino who is a sensation in the batter’s box, A.J. Reed, the mister-do-it-all in the post-season, and even newcomer Jerad Grundy, a junior college transfer, has been a huge part of the Cats weekend pitching rotation. The team has a balance of power and speed, is willing to play small ball or take risks, and have solid pitching and a dynamite bullpen. But the best part about it all? The majority will stay together for at least another year.

Not to look too far ahead, of course; still plenty of noise to make right now.

And now the notes.

– Well, speaking of baseball, the team will face Mississippi State (again) tomorrow at 1:00 ET for a spot in the Championship game. The format shifts to single elimination from this point forward in the tournament, so if the Cats want a chance at a Super Regional host for the NCAA Tournament, they’ll most likely need to win at least one more game. MSU knocked off LSU tonight in the elimination game, for the second time in two days. The game was decided extras before the Bulldogs pulled out the win in the 10th inning. This will be MSU’s fifth game in five days, versus Kentucky’s third.

– Shifting gears to basketball recruiting news, there isn’t much news that involves Kentucky in 2012 any longer. Drew Franklin posted earlier that Louisville is still looking good to land Montrezl Harrell, if for no other reason than he is simply running out of time. Having his former high school coach on the Cardinals staff doesn’t hurt either.

– Adam Zagoria says the Harrison twins, Andrew and Aaron, could announce their college decision this fall. Their father says the decision should be made before the high school season starts, but after taking visits to the final four schools on their list: Maryland, Baylor, Villanova, and Kentucky. Aaron Harrison Sr. made it very clear he doesn’t want his sons holding out for a late announcement like many of the 2012 kids. If the decision is coming sooner than later, expect Coach Calipari to know about it and expect him to turn up the heat, if he hasn’t done so already.

– Hey ladies, want to see Michael Kidd-Gilchrist with his shirt off? This video is for you.

– We already know that Kentucky will NOT be playing Georgetown in the SEC/Big East Challenge, but who is it going to be? Calipari’s big blog reveal of the schedule highlighted plenty of marquee games, but none involving the Big East. Could it be Notre Dame like Matt Jones predicted? He was right about Baylor…

– From Taylor Stapleton, UK Media relations intern. The Nutter training facility had an upgrade to its exterior. Some fresh new lettering to help identify a pebble-covered building is always a good thing.

– Who knew gluing some cereal to a canvas could create so much e-fame? Obviously Danny Palmer had an idea it could go viral. His art has graced the pages of ESPN, Sports Illustrated and CBS Sports. Now General Mills wants in on the action.

@palmer102 Danny… great portrait! Can you folo us and DM me your email address? Would love to do a story on it for our blog! ^KH

— General Mills (@GeneralMills) May 25, 2012

Let me know if you need an agent to steer you through the crazy world of breakfast food art, Mr. Palmer. It’s dog-eat-dog competition. I have some ideas you might appreciate, too. It involves Eggs Benedict and Cruller’s. Call me and we’ll work something out.

That does it for tonight, so hit the hay. Rashawn Franklin and I will be back tomorrow. Remember to follow the Kentucky baseball team on Comcast Sports Southeast or on the AM dial, 630 WLAP or 1080 WKJK, tomorrow at 1 o’clock. Or follow me on Twitter for score updates, I’ll be keeping track.