KSR Today: Arkansas prep and other Monday morning things to know in Big Blue Nation

Good morning and happy Monday to Big Blue Nation and congratulations to last night’s winners at the 65th annual Grammy Awards, where the tribute to 50 years of hip-hop stole the show from my perspective and Beyonce set a record for the most Grammys in a career with 32, which is outrageous. An extra congratulations to Beyonce from KSR. Someone tell her she can eat for free at KSBar and Grille next time she comes to Lexington.

Coming to Lexington today is the Arkansas Razorbacks for their Tuesday night date with the Kentucky Wildcats in Rupp Arena. Two of the SEC’s hottest teams will play tomorrow night at 9 pm and right now both sides are on the bubble, so the outcome is likely to have significant implications on the teams’ tournament status. KenPom predicts a tight game, specifically, a two-point Kentucky win. The official spread on the game will be out later this evening.

Until then, here’s what to know heading into that game and a new work week on the calendar.

Orlando Antigua will answer questions at today’s press conference

Looking at the rotation, it is Orlando Antigua’s turn to handle the day-before-game press conference responsibilities today. John Calipari’s assistant coach will be at the podium Monday morning to respond to any questions about Saturday’s win over Florida, plus what Antigua sees ahead tomorrow night in the return to Rupp to host Arkansas in the first of two meetings this season with the Razorbacks.

To learn what Antigua has to say about the Cats, Gators, Razorbacks, and more, check back here at Kentucky-Sports-Radio-dot-com around one o’clock today. He’s always a fun and enlightening conversation.

Monday nights with John Calipari are back

After a couple of weeks with a special Wednesday night show, John Calipari is back in his Monday night time slot for his weekly call-in radio show with Tom Leach and Bob in Jamestown on the UK Sports Network. The coach’s show begins at 6 pm with Calipari’s comments on Kentucky’s win, its next game, and the latest with ongoing lineup changes.

We’ll recap his comments here on KSR, too.

A new No. 1 in the Top 25?

Our nation’s first and second-ranked teams each lost last week–Purdue at Indiana, Tennessee at Florida–leaving a path for two-loss Houston to reclaim the No. 1 spot in the AP and USA Today Coaches Polls, likely another week of the Top 25 without Kentucky in it. Barring any surprises, it will be the sixth straight week Kentucky will go unranked in the updated AP. The Wildcats did not receive a vote in either poll a week ago before wins at Ole Miss and against Florida.

Kentucky up to No. 31 in the NET

With Saturday’s Quad 2 win over the Gators, Kentucky moved up four places in the NET to No. 31 among its peers in college basketball. Mrs. Tyler will take her usual Monday morning deep dive into Kentucky’s tournament resume a little later this morning, but for now, get excited about six Quad 1 opportunities in the remaining eight games. Tomorrow’s opponent, Arkansas, is two places ahead of Kentucky at No. 29.

Gotta build up that tournament resume!

Kentucky Women’s Basketball lost at undefeated, No. 1 South Carolina

South Carolina is really good at the sport of women’s basketball and on Sunday, the Kentucky Wildcats were reminded of that fact by losing a second game to the Gamecocks this season. Robyn Benton gave her best scoring effort with 24 points to help in the underdog fight, but South Carolina was and is the much better team and the end result was an 87-69 win in Columbia. The No. 1 team in the country moved to 22-0 and 10-0 in conference with the victory.

Some sunshine on Kentucky’s loss: it was much closer than the 95-66 result in the first meeting in Lexington. The Cats are making clear improvements against repeat opponents.

Devin Leary was a popular man at KSBar and Grille on Saturday

In case you missed it, new Kentucky quarterback Devin Leary met fans at KSBar and Grille prior to the start of the KSR Pregame Show before the Kentucky-Florida basketball game in Lexington. Offensive coordinator Liam Coen even stopped by to see all of the support for the new QB1 on campus and then KSR brought Leary onto the pregame show to talk about his warm welcoming to Big Blue Nation and what he’ll bring to Kentucky Football.

Watch a video recap of the afternoon below with lots of sound from the conversation with Leary:

It’s Super Bowl Week!

Yesterday was rough without any football to watch–although, I am one of the people who watched the new flag football format of the Pro Bowl–but we are now less than a week away from Super Bowl LVII out in Arizona. On Sunday, the Chiefs and Eagles will play it out for the Lombardi Trophy and right now the Eagles are giving up a point and a half out in Las Vegas (or in all of the states that aren’t Kentucky).

Will former Kentucky standout Darrian Kinnard get a ring in his rookie year? He’s the only Wildcat playing in this year’s game. Chris Stapleton is the next closest thing with his national anthem assignment prior to kickoff.

Matt Jones, Ryan Lemond, and Shannon The Dudes have thoughts about Kentucky-Florida

Coming up at 10 am on your radio airwaves, 3/4 of the Kentucky Sports Radio crew will recap the weekend and start the preview of tomorrow’s game and what it means for the season. Matt, Ryan, and Shannon will be live without me until noon however you get your KSR morning show, so tune in.

Go Cats.

I’ll leave you with Mike Pratt’s jersey retirement from Saturday for all who haven’t yet seen it.