It's Preakness day, ladies and gentlemen of the Big Blue Nation. The run for the black-eyed Susans takes place today in Baltimore at storied Pimlico Race Course.
Today's tweet of the morning comes courtesy of Jay Bilas (Note - he actually tweeted this yesterday, but it must be blogged):
Now, even road signs are talkin' noise. twitter.com/JayBilas/statu…
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) May 19, 2012
Your quickies follow the jump.
At Preakness, no one knows how horses with rebound // KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau
Horseracing, baby!
After rallying for two scores in the top half of the seventh, the Kentucky softball team fell in heartbreaking fashion in the home half of the inning to drop a 3-2 contest to No. 21 Michigan in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.
Ugh.
Defensive Miscues Boost MSU to Series-Clinching Win // Kentucky Wildcats Official Athletic Site
Two defensive miscues by No. 2 Kentucky led to four Mississippi State runs and a 4-3 win over the Wildcats in the second game of the three-game series to secure the series win, on Friday night at Dudy Noble Field.
Double ugh. UK must now have help from LSU in addition to defeating MSU in the third game today.
No. 11 Stanford Defeats No. 6 Kentucky 4-1 in Sweet 16 // Kentucky Wildcats Official Athletic Site
The sixth-ranked University of Kentucky men’s tennis team won the doubles point, but could not continue its momentum in singles action, dropping a 4-1 decision to No. 11 Stanford in the NCAA Men’s Tennis Tournament Round of 16 on Friday at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, Ga.
AARRGHHH. All news is bad news. UK's tennis season ends short of the Final Four -- again.
Much-anticipated UNLV campaign to begin in Canada // NCAA Basketball - Sporting News
Well, Kentucky's Final Four run in 2011 started this way.
Kentucky's Anthony Davis is so clearly the No. 1 pick that there isn't even a close second. Davis still doesn't have an agent as he works out with Kentucky assistant Kenny Payne. Davis' father, Anthony, said there is no rush. And every team agrees, saying that all Davis needs at this juncture is for someone to work on marketing deals.
Exactly right. The last time I remember this was the Greg Oden draft, when there was no serious challenger to the #1 spot.
Barclays Center nets college hoops bonanza // CollegeBasketballTalk
The windfall for college hoops fans will be excellent, as well, according to Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv: "Beginning in November, the new Barclays Center will host some of the most storied programs in college hoops," he wrote. "including Kentucky, UCLA, Indiana, Maryland, Georgetown, Michigan, St. John’s, Notre Dame and West Virginia."
Exciting for Brooklyn. Too bad Doron Lamb is no longer around to enjoy the trip up there.
VCU head coach Shaka Smart graduates from SEAL TEAM physical training // CollegeBasketballTalk
This kind of highlights why Smart is such a hot young coach. This guy understands that to win big, you have to do things you didn't think you could do.
Calling Josh Harrellson -- this seems like a perfect off-season exercise for you, big boy. You've already pushed past your comfort zone once, but the more times you do, the better you'll be.
Also check out Tom's podcast of Friday, where he talks to Steve Kerr. It's Saturday, you know you've got the time.
Kentucky Sports Radio // Montrezl Harrell to Visit Louisville First (Cardinal 4ever?)
I wouldn't be surprised if he committed to Louisville today. Kentucky is really an iffy destination for this kid.
Also, Card Chronicle, as well as some commenters, ask the legitimate question: Where will the scholarship come from? Louisville is oversigning in basketball more than any school I have seen in years.
SEC needed a partner ... even if it was a recent enemy // al.com
A new Jan. 1 bowl starting in two seasons will pair the SEC and Big 12 champions -- or a Cotton Bowl-type second-tier matchup if one or both of the leagues' champs reach the four-team playoff. The SEC and Big 12 staked their claim to New Year's Day, which badly needs to be resurrected as day to watch top-quality, meaningful football.
I am excited about a new top-level bowl game on New Year's day. That has become the most boring day on the holiday calendar.