H. Base OG

Rap artist Henry Ogirri is from Springfield, Mass. -- aka the birthplace of basketball -- and played hoops professionally, and he just so happens to have a cousin who is an assistant coach at the University of Kentucky.

You can probably guess where this is headed.

Ogirri turned his passion for the game and Wildcats basketball into "Drive for 9," an unofficial theme song for Big Blue Nation. The YouTube video of the song has already captivated the fan base, receiving more than 21,000 views, along with coverage from several national outlets.

His cousin, Kentucky assistant coach Orlando Antigua, along with several other family members, provided input and encouragement for both his music career and this Kentucky song.

"I'm not sure If Coach [John] Calipari has seen it yet, but my cousin loves the video. He was really excited about it," said Ogirri, who played college basketball at the juco and Division III levels before a brief pro career in the Dominican Republic and Portugal. "He's been very supportive and brings all the analogies about basketball to music into real life."

Although the Wildcats are not returning any starters from their 2011-12 NCAA championship team, Ogirri said he doesn't believe his video is putting any extra pressure on them.

"I think that's the expected pressure that comes with being at Kentucky," he said. "They're an elite team. Coming off an eighth title, there's an idea to repeat. We've got eight, let's get nine."

Among the lyrics in the song, which came out Oct. 7: “We heavyweights, our competition is super-light/Super-light! Our freshmens make your seniors look Fisher-Price ... They call me Derek Anderson, how I rock my "Js" ... Every trey I make, I Antoine Walker Harlem Shake ... United we stand, divided we fall/This is a celebration, Do the John Wall."

Fisher-Price?

"A lot of people have quoted me on that one. That's a popular line. There's a median where you want to represent the school but not be too corny have some fun...and it rhymes."

Several former Kentucky players, including Jamal Mashburn, retweeted the song, and others have contacted Ogirri, including Anderson.

"Drive for 9" was written in about six hours, Origgi said, following the Kentucky alumni game at Rupp Arena on Sept. 15 and a visit with his cousin and Calipari a day earlier.

"I got all my inspiration in that experience," he said.

Perhaps the Wildcats can find some inspiration in return.

”Good Morning Everyone! One last photo! With Coach Cal & my cousin O” - By Bill Speros

Kentucky and John Calipari will have to wait until Nov. 9 to begin defending their national title.

But they've already got a soundtrack.

The Wildcats, going after the school's ninth national championship, have lost Anthony Davis and Michael-Kidd Gilchrist, but Calipari hasn't exactly relaxed his standards on the recruiting trail.

This year's team will include blue chippers like Archie Goodwin, Nerlens Noel and Alex Poythress, along with transfer shooting guard Ryan Harrow.

It also has got a new anthem, courtesy of artist Henry Ogirri. - USATODAY

While there likely are a few Kentucky fans still basking in the glory of the school’s eighth national title, with practice beginning on Friday the focus for many turns to what John Calipari’s team can do for an encore.

Stars such as Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Doron Lamb (just to name three) are now in the NBA, but the Wildcats’ ability to reload on the recruiting trail has folks thinking that a repeat is possible.

And with that in mind, artist Henry Ogirri recorded the anthem for this year’s team, “Drive for 9.”

And while there’s definitely a high level of excitement for what Kentucky can accomplish next year with the Harrison twins committing, the Wildcats have the talent necessary to pick up another title this season.

Freshman center Nerlens Noel (don’t compare him to Anthony Davis) leads the way along with classmates Archie Goodwin and Alex Poythress, and sophomores Ryan Harrow (NC State transfer) and Kyle Wiltjer will also factor into the rotation.

Kentucky doesn’t have much in the way of experience (Wright State transfer Julius Mays and Twany Beckham are the lone Wildcats in their final year of eligibility) but that didn’t stop them last season. - Raphielle Johnson

Midnight Madness begins Friday across the nation, and good luck finding a university more excited for its team than at Kentucky. If reports out of Lexington are to be believed (and I don’t doubt this insane number one bit) The Big Blue faithful claimed Rupp Arena’s 24,000 tickets in just 35 minutes last month to see the reigning national champions begin the season. The Wildcats already have their own hype anthem for this season: “Drive For 9″ by Henry Ogirri.

Sadly, there aren’t any cameos by Kentucky’s rapping bench mob from last year’s title team, but you do get shots of Drake, the title celebration and plenty of Kentucky fans. - ANDREW GREIF