KSR Gameday: Shorthanded Kentucky travels to Kansas
Kentucky is playing in Lawrence, Kansas today, which means this sports journalist is obligated to share the following line: “I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore.” I know, it doesn’t really make any sense at all, but the journalism mandate must be met. Now that we’ve gotten through that, let’s get to the meat and potatoes of the biggest college basketball game of the day that tips-off at 6 pm ET on ESPN.
Kentucky has all of the Injuries
The Wildcats are dealing with so many injuries, Brad Calipari might need to suit up Saturday. John Calipari did not share who was able to practice Friday, but he did reveal all of the absences from Thursday’s practice: TyTy Washington, Jacob Toppin, Daimion Collins and Orlando Antigua.
Just because the Wildcats are short-handed, doesn’t mean Shaedon Sharpe will play. “I’d rather not right now, only because I think he needs more time to elevate the intensity, the fight, all of the stuff you need,” said Calipari.
A “Rough House” Game
Having a banged up team is not ideal entering a matchup with Kansas. Calipari believes this will be a physically demanding game, pitting two similar teams against one another.
“We have to do our stuff better than they do their stuff, because it’s really similar,” Calipari said. “They take 20 threes a game. They shoot them at a high percentage, especially a couple of the guys that they know to get them off. They do a great job. Bill’s always done a great job of creating post areas for people to score so that they get easy baskets. They play really fast. They’re running dribble drive. This is the ultimate challenge going to Allen Fieldhouse. They’re a top-five team.”
College GameDay returns to Arenas
ESPN’s college basketball preview show is back for an 18th season and on location for the first time since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Rece Davis will be joined by Jay Bilas, LaPhonso Ellis and Seth Greenberg for the one-hour program, tipping off at 11 am ET on ESPN. This will be the 20th time UK has been in the featured College GameDay matchup. LaPhonso Ellis gave us a little preview of what’s to come on Zoom Friday afternoon.
TV, Radio Info
The game tips off at 6 p.m. ET with ESPN’s A-team on the call: Dan Shulman, Jay Bilas and Holly Rowe. The last time that triumvirate called a UK game, Kentucky beat Tennessee by approximately 277 points. 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 190, Sirius 158, SXM App: 961
- Online: iHeart Radio
The KSR Pregame Show will begin at 3:30 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. Kansas
The Wildcats are 4.5-point underdogs Saturday night at Phog Allen Fieldhouse. For over/under bettors, the total is set for 153. KenPom gives the Kentucky just a 40% chance to win on the road, predicting an 80-77 Kansas win.
SEC/Big 12 Challenge Schedule
No. 19 LSU at TCU | 12 p.m. | ESPN2
Oklahoma at No. 1 Auburn | 2 p.m. | ESPN
Missouri at No. 23 Iowa State | 2 p.m. | ESPNU
West Virginia at Arkansas | 2 p.m. | ESPN2
No. 4 Baylor at Alabama | 4 p.m. | ESPN
Kansas State at Ole Miss | 4 p.m. | ESPNU
Oklahoma State at Florida | 4 p.m. | ESPN2
No. 12 Kentucky at No. 5 Kansas | 6 p.m. | ESPN
Mississippi State at No. 13 Texas Tech | 6 p.m. | ESPN2
No. 18 Tennessee at Texas | 8 p.m. | ESPN
Big-Time Kentucky Football Commitment
Kentucky got the ball rolling in a big way in the 2023 recruiting class. Friday afternoon Shamar Porter announced his commitment to the Wildcats. The outstanding Nashville athlete is the 2023 class’ seventh-ranked receiver and No. 60 overall prospect in the On300. The addition continues a trend for the Cats: stealing the best players from the state of Tennessee from right under the Vols’ nose. Porter is a bonafide stud that produces one highlight after another. What a big get for Eric Wolford, Scott Woodward and Mark Stoops.
Dancing Brian Kelly is Back
The new LSU coach is steering into the skid. After sharing an awkward breakdown of Callin’ Baton Rouge, Kelly hopped right back in the saddle for another cringeworthy video with a top-ranked recruit.
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