KSR Today: Big Blue Madness is here, presented by Eckrich
Eckrich is proud to present the $1 Million Challenge for Teachers! This 2023 college football season Eckrich, in partnership with Extra Yard for Teachers and Kroger, will invite a local teacher (and true hero) onto the field at the Kentucky vs. Alabama game on November 11th.
The selected teacher, randomly selected from a list of nominations, will have a chance to throw a football through a target to win up to $1 million dollars in donations to fund local classroom projects and resources in their school and community. Nominate a teacher here for a chance to throw! Make sure to nominate your teacher by October 26th.
Kentucky basketball is here and it feels so good. Big Blue Madness, the unofficial season tip-off, is set to take place Friday evening inside Rupp Arena. Starting at 7 p.m. ET on SEC Network, the men’s and women’s basketball teams will be introduced for their first public appearances of the season while also going through drills and scrimmages.
It’s more fun than competitive, but that doesn’t mean the event won’t be worthwhile. Why? For starters, it will be a chance to meet Kentucky’s newest 7-foot-2 forward, who arrived from Croatia on Thursday.
Big Z is in Lexington
At long last, Zvonimir Ivisic is in Lexington, two months after signing with Kentucky and just in time for Big Blue Madness. It’s been a difficult road to reach this point, the international standout dealing with admissions hurdles that never seemed to go away — until last week, at least.
One passed English proficiency exam and Ivisic was off to the races, enrolling at the school and scheduling travel plans to get to the United States.
And then his awaited arrival.
“Hello Big Blue Nation,” Ivisic said at move-in. “I’m looking forward to seeing you tomorrow night. Go Big Blue.”
Ivisic got the lay of the land and took in his first practice as a Wildcat, watching from the sidelines.
How much will the 7-2 big man be able to do at Big Blue Madness? Will they have a special introduction set up for him? Will he participate in shooting drills or the team scrimmage? We’ll find out Friday evening.
Either way, we’re just happy he’s finally here.
Big Blue Madness visitors
Big Z isn’t the only high-profile basketball name making his way to Rupp Arena tonight. The guestlist of recruits is long and impressive, highlighted by some of Kentucky’s top priorities in the upcoming classes.
Take a look:
- Billy Richmond (SF) 6-6, 200 | Camden (Camden, NJ) – 4-star: No. 24 overall, No. 9 SF (2024)
- Travis Perry (PG) 6-2, 170 | Lyon County (Eddyville, KY) – 4-star: No. 88 overall, No. 11 PG (2024)
- Darryn Peterson (SG) 6-5, 175 | Huntington Prep (Canton, OH) – 5-star: No. 2 overall, No. 1 SG (2025)
- Caleb Wilson (PF) 6-9, 195 | Holy Innocents Episcopal School (Atlanta, GA) – 5-star: No. 4 overall, No. 3 PF (2025)
- Darius Acuff (PG) 6-0, 175 | IMG Academy (Detroit, MI) OFFICIAL – 4-star: No. 9 overall, No. 1 PG (2025)
- Jasper Johnson (CG) 6-3, 165 | Link Academy (Lexington, KY) – 4-star: No. 12 overall, No. 1 CG (2025)
- Malachi Moreno (C) 6-11, 200 | Great Crossing (Georgetown, KY) – 4-star: No. 41 overall, No. 4 C (2025)
- Jayden Johnson (SG) 6-5, 180 | Trinity (Louisville, KY) – 4-star: No. 37 overall, No. 11 SG (2026)
- Gabe Weis (SF) 6-7, 170 | Washington County (Springfield, KY) (2026)
- Tay Kinney (PG) 6-0, 160 | Newport (Newport, KY) (2026)
Who would you like to see rock Kentucky blue?
Mark Stoops previews Missouri
It’s our first basketball and football crossover weekend in Lexington — the most wonderful time of the year. After Big Blue Madness, all eyes will be on Kroger Field when the Wildcats take on the Missouri Tigers on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET on SEC Network.
Needless to say, it’s a big one for Mark Stoops and the football program.
“Excited to get back here in Kroger Field. Night game. Hopefully, we’ll have great energy and excitement. We need it. We need to bounce back as a football team. I like the response our team has given all week. They’ve done some good things,” Stoops said Thursday. “We have a lot of pride in our program. Didn’t like the effort we gave a week ago in any area.”
Kentucky vs. Mizzou Odds
The Wildcats hold firm as 2.5-point favorites against the Tigers with the over/under set at 50.5 points, money line sitting at -140.
ESPN’s Matchup Predictor gives Kentucky a 55.8% chance to win and move to 6-1 on the year — good for yet another season of bowl eligibility under Coach Stoops.
As for more of the fun betting odds, Devin Leary’s passing yards have been set at 230.5 with Dane Key’s receiving yards at 47.5, Tayvion Robinson at 45.5 and Barion Brown at 42.5. Superstar back Ray Davis’ rushing total sits comfortably at 97.5 yards.
Would be a good day for the over to hit on all of the above.
Poor Neal Brown…
It was a rough night for friend of the program Neal Brown, who saw his West Virginia Mountaineers crumble in historic fashion against the Houston Cougars.
Scored a 50-yard touchdown with 12 seconds left, only to fall on a 49-yard Hail Mary at the buzzer.
Brutal.
Want more coverage of the Cats? Join the KSR Club.
KSR has been delivering UK Sports news in the most ridiculous manner for almost two decades. Now, you can get even more coverage of the Cats with KSR+. Join the club for premium articles, inside intel, in-depth scouting reports, bonus recruiting coverage, and access to KSBoard, our message board featuring thousands of Kentucky fans around the globe. Just $1 gets you one month of access, and with Big Blue Madness and the Missouri game coming up, we’re taking 50% off the annual price. Hurry, this offer won’t last long!
KSR Blood Drive at Kentucky Branded
As much as Kentucky sports can seem like life and death, Kentucky Sports Radio and Kentucky Branded are partnering for something that truly is: boosting the local blood supply. Kentucky Blood Center will be at the KSR remote on Friday, Oct. 13 at the Kentucky Branded Fayette Mall location (3801 Mall Road) to collect blood. KBC and its donors provide lifesaving blood products for Kentuckians as a supplier for more than 70 local hospitals.
The KBC bloodmobile is parked outside Kentucky Branded from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. today during the KSR Preshow and KSR. As a thank you for donating, donors will receive an exclusive “KSR Save Lives” T-shirt. The shirt will only be available Oct. 13. Donors who cannot make the remote at Kentucky Branded can also receive the shirt if they donate at any of KBC’s eight donor center locations spread across six cities (Lexington, Louisville, Corbin, Frankfort, Pikeville and Somerset). The limited-edition shirt is available while supplies last.
Donors are encouraged to sign up here or by calling 800.775.2522. Walk-ins are welcome. For more details, visit kybloodcenter.org.
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