KSR Gameday: Late Night at Rupp vs. Mississippi State
Tuesday night is a good night to fire up the coffee pot after dinner. Kentucky will host Mississippi State at Rupp Arena for a 9 pm ET tip-off on ESPN.
Unlike previous trips to Rupp, Ben Howland’s Bulldogs will bring an impressive resume to Lexington. Tied for third place in the SEC standings with a 4-2 record, they are fresh off an 18-point win over in-state rival Ole Miss. Mississippi State is led by Iverson Molinar, who ranks third in the SEC in scoring (17.7 ppg.) and in field goal shooting (48.7%).
“This game could be looked at as a trap game,” Orlando Antigua said Monday morning. “When you play the number two team in the country and (the) anticipation of playing Saturday at a top 10 team in the country, you can forget about this kind of a game. And it’s something that we’re not doing. (Mississippi State) is a really, really good team. Mississippi State is a well-coached team. Coach Howland is a Final Four coach who has done it and he’s done an incredible job at Mississippi State.”
It could be a late night that goes down to the wire at Rupp Arena. The Wildcats better bring their A-game back to Lexington.
Three Significant Injuries
Each team might be without its best player. Mississippi State big man Tolu Smith suffered a knee injury over the weekend. Even though there is no structural damage, the Bulldogs describe his condition as “week to week,” likely sidelining him for tonight’s game. The 6’11” forward averages 13.1 points and 6.6 rebounds per game.
As for Kentucky, John Calipari did not give Kentucky fans any reason to be optimistic that TyTy Washington and Sahvir Wheeler will play Tuesday night. Well, he simply refused to state whether or not the guards practiced Monday. “I’m sure the gamblers are mad,” he said.
Shaedon Sharpe Time vs. Mississippi State?
Calipari did not concede if his starting guards practiced, but he did share that Davion Mintz and Kellan Grady ran point guard at various times, while Shaedon Sharpe participated in full team action for the first time. According to Cal, Shaedon has “stepped on the gas.” His teammates have noticed a difference and are eager to see him play.
“He does something, they all kind of look at me like, ‘Come on now. That’s who he is, put him in,’” Calipari said. “But you got to make sure you’re looking after him.”
Could tonight finally be the night we see No. 21 on the court?
Cal’s Got Jokes
Auburn insists all of the hub-bub from Saturday’s game wasn’t over Kentucky. Calipari isn’t buying it.
TV, Radio Info
The game tips off at 9 p.m. ET with Karl Ravech, Jimmy Dykes and Marty Smith on the call for ESPN. If you can’t watch it, you can listen in a variety of ways:
- AM: 840 WHAS, 630 WLAP
- FM: 98.1 WBUL
- Satellite: XM 81, Sirius 81, SXM App: 81
- Online: iHeart Radio
The KSR Pregame Show will begin at 6:30 pm ET on 630 WLAP and iHeart Radio. Get your pregame kicked off even earlier with Jack Pilgrim on Sources Say.
Vegas, KenPom Predicts UK vs. Mississippi State
Kentucky opened as a 9.5 point favorite over Mississippi State, setting the total at 147.5. The over has hit in seven straight Mississippi State games. KenPom gives the Cats an 84% chance at victory, predicting a 79-68 UK win.
Louisville Lost to Virginia
In other news, this morning the run rose from the east. Tonight it’s expected to set in the west.
Get Well Soon, Dickie V
Monday evening ESPN shared some news that’s not awesome, baby. Dick Vitale will be sidelined for the rest of the college basketball season. While undergoing cancer treatment for lymphoma, Vitale encountered a separate setback, developing dysplasia on his vocal cords. The latest ailment requires rest and surgery.
“While I’m heartbroken that I won’t appear on ESPN for the rest of this season, I’m encouraged by the progress,” he said.
A Message from Vince Marrow
On3 released its final recruiting rankings Monday morning. Kentucky’s associate head coach was not too happy with our bosses.
Vince is upset because a slew of Kentucky commits fell down the list in the final On300 rankings. The most notable and dramatic drop was for Kiyaunta Goodwin, who went from No. 17 to No. 158. I’m sure our colleagues worked tirelessly to provide accurate information, but I will never be surprised or angry when future Wildcats fall in recruiting rankings after they sign with Kentucky.
Congrats to Mrs. Tyler!
Nobody works harder than Mrs. Tyler Thompson. You know it. I know it. Now the whole world knows it. Our editor-in-chief won the Don Meyer Leadership Award for the year 2021. That’s a fancy way of saying she was On3’s Most Valuable Employee for an entire year. It’s spectacular to see the wonderful woman that steers this ship receive recognition for all her hard work.
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