KSR Today: Bat Cats look to avoid elimination against USC Upstate

Good morning, folks! All eyes are on the Bat Cats today. It’s officially win-or-go-home time for Nick Mingione’s club.

After suffering another heartbreaking loss to open the NCAA Tournament’s Clemson Regional last night, Kentucky baseball is back in action this afternoon. That crushing defeat sent UK into the elimination round, meaning the Wildcats now need to win four games in three days to advance out of the region. Up first? USC Upstate, which fell to host Clemson not long after Kentucky’s 4-3 loss to West Virginia (a game UK led 3-0 through four innings before losing in walk-off fashion).

First pitch between the ‘Cats and USC Upstate is set for noon ET on ESPN2. UK has now lost five straight games despite scoring first in all of them. If Kentucky can sneak out a win today, they’ll return to action on Sunday against the loser of Clemson-WVU. For a full preview of today’s matchup, check out Daniel Hager’s breakdown here. Also make sure to watch Daniel’s Rapid Reaction with Derek Terry, which I’ve included below.

Today’s probable starters

Saturday, May 31, 2025 (Doug Kingsmore Stadium – 12:00 p.m. ET) ESPN+
UK: RHP Nic McCay (5-0, 4.37 ERA, 68.0 IP) vs USC Upstate: LHP Chris Torres (7-4, 4.99 ERA, 70.1 IP)

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Mark Stoops is back to having fun

In a recent exclusive sit-down interview with Kentucky great Randall Cobb, who now works for the SEC Network, Wildcat head coach Mark Stoops talked about his excitement to right the ship in 2025. Coming off an ugly 4-8 finish in 2024, there is pressure to bounce back and get the ‘Cats back in bowl game territory.

That’ll be tough with a hellacious 12-game schedule on the horizon, but it’s a challenge Stoops says he’s enjoying thus far.

“We brought in very good players, very experienced guys that are mature and fit our culture,” Stoops told Cobb. “I feel like we have a much more solid roster. I like this team, I like coaching them. I’m having fun. Just hitting that reset button as far as what we expect of this program and what the coaches have to demand and the players have to do.

“Just going through that process has just been fun, it’s been a great challenge.”

Will that fun translate into wins? We’ll find out beginning in a few months.

Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks look to force Game 7

After going down 3-1 in the Eastern Conference Finals, Karl-Anthony Towns and the New York Knicks took care of business in Game 5 at Madison Square Garden. Towns and Jalen Brunson were excellent as New York led the Indiana Pacers wire-to-wire, bringing the series to 3-2. But Game 6 shifts back to Indianapolis, where Pacers fans will be even louder — and more annoying — than usual.

Indiana does not want this to go seven games and head back to New York City. The Pacers enter as the betting favorite (-3.5). Tyrese Hailburton needs a bounce-back performance after a rough outing in Game 5. Towns has scored 24 points in three straight games now — the Knicks might need 30+ from him tonight to stave off elimination once again.

Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m. ET on TNT.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone in action today

Olympic gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone will return to the track this weekend in Philadelphia. Later today, she’ll participate in the women’s 100-meter hurdles at 6:22 p.m. ET before lining up again on Sunday to run in her first-ever 100-meter flat at 4:18 p.m. ET. You can watch live on The CW or stream it on Peacock.

McLaughlin-Levrone has spent the last several years dominating the 400-meter and the 400-meter hurdles. But now, she’s trying her hand at a new challenge.

🗣️ “It’s a great opportunity to see where I’m at, switch up training. I love challenging myself in these kinds of ways and I’m up against the best of the best.”

Sounds like Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s just as excited for the Short Hurdles 100m as the rest of us are… even if… pic.twitter.com/EmIQrXqJ8s

— CITIUS MAG (@CitiusMag) May 30, 2025

Who is visiting campus this weekend?

Kentucky football is hosting plenty of high school recruits for official visits this weekend. Here’s a quick rundown of all the expected arrivals. This is the first major OV weekend for the Wildcats. We could be on commitment watch for a couple of visitors, too.

Justin Williams (WR) 5-11, 190 | F.W. Buchholz (Gainesville, FL)
4-star: No. 189 overall, No. 27 WR

Jackson Ford (EDGE) 6-3, 240 | Malvern Prep (Phoenixville, PA)
4-star: No. 227 overall, No. 27 EDGE

Jarvis Strickland (OT) 6-4, 280 | Paducah Tilghman (Chattanooga, TN) KENTUCKY COMMIT
4-star: No. 350 overall, No. 27 OT

Tyran Evans (WR) 6-3, 180 | William Amos Hough (Charlotte, NC) TENNESSEE COMMIT
3-star: No. 529 overall, No. 81 WR

Jamyan Theodore (CB) 6-0, 165 | Baylor School (Chattanooga, TN)
3-star: No. 737 overall, No. 61 CB

Amante Martin (RB) 5-11, 185 | Memorial (Port Arthur, TX)
3-star: No. 747 overall, No. 41 RB

Charlie Edgeworth (OT) 6-7, 320 | Baylor School (Chattanooga, TN)
3-star: No. 1,057 overall, No. 84 OT

Cameron Miller (OT) 6-5, 310 | Morton Senior (Hammond, IN)
3-star: No. 1,201 overall, No. 94 OT

Davis McCray (ATH) 6-2, 190 | Cornerstone Christian School (San Antonio, TX)
3-star: Unranked

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