KSR Today: Calipari in L.A., Keshad to visit, Bob Huggins, Kentucky Baseball and Softball...
The National Basketball Association headlines another busy morning here on KSR as several former Kentucky Wildcats continue to star in the league’s postseason tournament. Last night, John Calipari even appeared to support three of his former Kentucky players in the Western Semifinals, not the first time Calipari has been courtside so far in these playoffs.
We’ll start there since it’s fresh. (Good morning, by the way.)
Anthony Davis and the Lakers took a 3-1 lead in front of John Calipari
Despite Steph Curry’s best efforts, the Los Angeles Lakers won Game 4 of its Western Conference semifinals series with the Golden State Warriors, giving Los Angeles a 3-1 lead as the teams head to Oakland for Game 5 tomorrow night. Curry had a triple-double in last night’s 104-101 loss, but he needed one more 3-pointer to fall to keep the Warriors alive. Curry went 3-of-14 from outside as part of his 31-point, 14-assist, 10-rebound night in Crypto.com Arena.
For the Lakers, former Kentucky great Anthony Davis headlines the box score with 23 points and 15 rebounds while taking the second-most shots. Fellow Kentucky one-and-done Jarred Vanderbilt added two free throws and three rebounds in his starting role as Curry’s lockdown defender. The other ‘Cat, Wenyen Gabriel, played only two minutes off the bench.
One more ‘Cat was in the crowd to watch his former players compete in the NBA Playoffs.
Randle’s Knicks fell further behind Bam’s Heat
In the NBA’s other Monday night game, the Miami Heat hosted the New York Knicks in Miami for Game 4 of their heated East Semifinals matchup. Randle had 20 and nine for New York, but it was Bam Adebayo and the Heat scoring another win in the series to take a 3-1 lead. Adebayo added 23 and 13 to the box score in his starring role for Miami.
Tyler Herro (hand) and Immanuel Quickley (ankle) did not participate.
Tyler Herro (hand) and Immanuel Quickley (ankle) did not participate.
More NBA Playoff fun ahead tonight
More former Wildcats will play playoff basketball on TNT tonight, beginning with Game 5 in the Boston-Philadelphia series at 7:30 p.m., where Tyrese Maxey continues the pursuit of his first NBA Finals appearance out of the East. That series is tied at two games apiece.
Then the most entertaining of the four remaining series will play out its fifth game when Devin Booker takes his Suns into Denver to play Jamal Murray’s Nuggets. Booker is insanely hot right now as he and Kevin Durant aim to spoil Denver’s championship run in the West Semifinals.
Both games should be very entertaining.
Tuesday’s NBA Schedule
- Boston Celtics (-7.5) vs. Philadelphia 76ers, Game 5 (series tied 2-2) … 7:30 p.m. … TNT
- Denver Nuggets (-5.5) vs. Phoenix Suns, Game 5 (series tied 2-2) … 10 p.m. … TNT
Kentucky Baseball hosts Tennessee Tech in Lexington
If watching the Association isn’t your idea of a fun Tuesday night, consider heading over to Kentucky Proud Park, where Kentucky Baseball hosts Tennessee Tech in the final non-conference game of the regular season. Kentucky’s fourth-to-last home game in the regular season, the start time is 6:30 p.m. on campus.
The Wildcats travel to Knoxville for a three-game weekend series against No. 23 Tennessee, then one more series at Florida before postseason play.
Two other Kentucky Baseball notes:
— Zack Lee and Travis Smith earned weekly awards on Monday. Lee, a senior, was honored by Collegiate Baseball as one of its National Players of the Week, while Smith was named SEC Co-Freshman of the Week for his role in UK’s sweep of South Carolina.
— Kentucky moved back into the Top 25 at No. 19 in Monday’s update to college baseball’s rankings.
On3 released its final basketball rankings for the Class of 2023
Congratulations to Kentucky Basketball and its new crop of incoming talent after On3 ranked all five Kentucky signees within the Top 30 of the final On3 150 for the Class of 2023. Colorado, of all places, has the top-ranked player in Cody Williams.
Here’s where the future Wildcats landed behind Williams, Isaiah Collier, and Ron Holland up top:
6. DJ Wagner
26. Reed Sheppard
See the entire On3 150 here.
Keshad Johnson will visit Kentucky from the transfer portal
John Calipari may have five of college basketball’s best incoming freshmen, but he isn’t done shopping around for next year’s roster. Now he and his staff are having conversations with former San Diego State forward Keshad Johnson, who recently entered the portal to pursue other options and already planned a visit to Kentucky starting tomorrow. Johnson will be in Lexington through Friday, according to reports, as the 6-foot-7 forward weighs his options for his last year of eligibility.
At San Diego State, Johnson, a California native, started all 39 games for the Aztecs, including his 14-point, four-rebound performance in the national championship game. He can help next year’s Kentucky team in defense, experience, and rebounding, should he choose UK over other opportunities at Arizona State, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, and USC.
Kentucky Softball’s SEC Tournament journey begins tomorrow
The SEC Softball Tournament begins tonight at Bogle Park in Fayetteville, Arkansas, with (12) Mississippi State playing (13) Missouri in the only Tuesday game of the tournament. Tomorrow, (9) Kentucky Softball plays (8) Florida in the last Wednesday game at approximately 7 p.m. on SEC Network.
Some confidence heading into postseason play: Kentucky beat Florida in the last series of the regular season last weekend.
Kentucky Volleyball released its new schedule
All of you Kentucky Volleyball fans out there, the program released its new 2023 schedule on Monday. I’ll share it below for anyone who hasn’t already put it on the refrigerator.
2023 Kentucky Volleyball Schedule
- Aug. 25 (F) – vs. Colorado State
- Aug. 26 (Sa) – @ Northern Colorado
- Sept. 1 (F) – PITTSBURGH
- Sept. 3 (Su) – @ Pittsburgh
- Sept. 8 (F) – vs. Houston
- Sept. 9 (Sa) – SMU/Purdue
- Sept. 13 (W) – @ Louisville [KFC Yum! Center]
- Sept. 17 (Su) – @ Nebraska
- Sept. 22 (F) – LSU
- Sept. 24 (Su) – TENNESSEE
- Sept. 29 (F) – @ Georgia
- Oct. 1 (Su) – @ Alabama
- Oct. 6 (F) – @ Missouri
- Oct. 8 (Su) – OLE MISS
- Oct. 15 (Su) – @ Tennessee
- Oct. 20 (F) – MISSISSIPPI STATE
- Oct. 22 (Su) – ARKANSAS
- Oct. 27 (F) – @ LSU
- Nov. 3 (F) – @ South Carolina
- Nov. 5 (Su) – @ Florida
- Nov. 8 (W) – @ Auburn
- Nov. 12 (Su) – GEORGIA
- Nov. 16 (Th) – TEXAS A&M
- Nov. 19 (Su) – MISSOURI
- Nov. 22 (W) – @ Arkansas
- Nov. 25 (Sa) – FLORIDA
Bob Huggins in hot water for radio comments
West Virginia has a problem on its hands after Bob Huggins’ comments to a Cincinnati radio show yesterday. Huggins was catching up with old friends from the Cincinnati-Xavier rivalry when he crossed a line he may not be able to cross back.
Hear the conversation that may cost Huggins his job with the Mountaineers.
WVU is revewing the situation. Huggins released an apology.
Matt Jones to host KSBar and Grille’s Wednesday night trivia
Also tomorrow night, Matt Jones will host KSBar and Grille’s weekly trivia one more time before the $5,000 tournament of champions. Tomorrow night is your last chance to qualify to compete for the grand prize.
Speaking of Matt Jones, he and Ryan Lemond are back on the KSR airwaves with Shannon The Dude from 10 a.m. to noon today. Tune in and have a great day.
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