Big Blue Linkapalooza: UK Softball Is Awesome Edition

The Kentucky Wildcats softball team has done it -- reached the super-regionals for the first time in program history.  The 'Cats will be facing off against the #7 seed California Golden Bears, who defeated the Louisville Cardinals; a 3-game series which will be hosted at Kentucky.

This is an amazing run by the Wildcats, and if they manage to defeat Cal, they will go on to the Women's College World Series.

Now for the rest of the news:

• 2011 NBA Combine Reactions - NBA - Yahoo! Sports
• Eloy Vargas Collects Another Double-Double

• Calipari stresses team now, lottery later :: Kentucky.com
  As it should be.

• Ex-Wildcat Liggins wanted more time before draft - San Antonio Express-News
  The NCAA isn't interested in making it easier for players to go pro. From their standpoint, it makes sense. Not surprised that players don't like it.

• Krebs: Calipari great recruiter, but also great bench coach :: Vaught's Views
  I think many people are coming to realize that Calipari is not just about recruiting. Having watched him these two years, I continue to wonder how he got the reputation of being a poor game coach.

• Shackleford, Animal Kingdom could meet again soon - Sports- NBC Sports
  Advantage to Animal Kingdom in the Belmont. But my feeling is that Dialed In will beat them both. I don't like Shackleford's chances at a mile and a half.

• Video: Lawson, softball players discuss UK's first Super Regionals berth

• Kentucky Sports Radio :: Is this supposed to be a big game or something?
  Seven months and no more media credentials. Amazing.

• Potential for a lockout adding intrigue to draft - The Boston Globe

  "But then again, this is a beauty-is-in-the-eye-of-the-beholder draft.’’
  
  So Kentucky guard Brandon Knight perhaps could vault over Irving in the next few weeks. But he is one of those prospects, pushed by agents, who are making decisions more difficult by playing chess games. Irving decided to skip the drill sessions at the combine, as did Knight and UConn guard Kemba Walker.

  Interesting.

• Cobbins understood why "good kid" Ratliff was put off Kentucky football team :: Vaught's Views
• Terrence Jones on All Sophomore Team
• 2011 NBA MOCK DRAFT - Consensus 3.0

• Is Pine Crest grad Brandon Knight next in line to impact NBA? - Inside the NBA - MiamiHerald.com

  "I’m confident in the things I do,’’ said Knight, who is going through measurements and medical tests at the combine but elected not to compete in any on-court drills for reasons he wouldn’t disclose. "I’m a hard worker. So in three to five years I’m comfortable that I’ll be the player a lot of people expect me to be. So I’m confident on being the face of the franchise.’’

  I would not be at all surprised.

• Former UK Big Man Jared Carter Named to All-PBL Team
• Ex-Cat Tamme waiting to build on his breakout year :: Vaught's Views