KSR Today: Calm Before the Kentucky Storm

For the first time in a long time, Kentucky fans did not have to wade through a barrage of news on Tuesday. As they say in the movies, it felt quiet, too quiet.

The Kentucky football team is gearing up to host Tennessee on Saturday. That game will kick off about 24 hours after Mark Pope’s Wildcats host the top-ranked team in the country for an exhibition. Things will be happening fast and furiously. Until then, we’ve got you covered from every corner around Big Blue Nation.

Kentucky RB Details Wild Ride to the Hospital

We heard Seth McGowan had to leave the Texas game to go to the hospital. How did he get there and back so fast? The Kentucky running back detailed his wild ride on a golf cart around campus during Saturday’s game against Texas.

“We were passing the fans and all the tailgaters,” McGowan recalled. “They had their TVs up. They were looking up like, ‘Damn, I’m pretty sure he was just on the screen. Seth, what’re you doing?‘”

Once he was cleared to return, he ripped out the IVs to get back to his team. He nearly helped the Cats come from behind. One can only hope he’s got another miraculous story in store for the Vols this Saturday.

We’ll have much more on Mark Stoops’ football team today. The head coach speaks on the SEC Coaches’ Teleconference this afternoon. Brad White and the Kentucky defense will take turns talking after practice. We’ll have a brand new 11 Personnel once the availability report drops around 8:15 PM ET tonight.

Former Kentucky Wildcat Pours it on Duke

Remember Jordan Burks? He only had a cup of coffee in Lexington, appearing in 20 games during John Calipari’s final season in Lexington. After spending a year at Georgetown, he transferred to UCF this offseason.

Wearing No. 99, the small forward had 18 points in the first half of an exhibition game at Cameron Indoor. Duke only led by one, while Burks and former Florida Gator Riley Kugel lit up the scoreboard. Unfortunately, it was unsustainable. Duke pulled away with a 96-71 win, while Burks scored 21 and Kugel tallied 22 in the exhibition.

Sources Say Previews Kentucky vs. Purdue

Speaking of exhibitions, there is a big one Friday night at Rupp Arena. As we impatiently count down the days until tip-off, the Sources Say crew has everything you need to know about the matchup, and much, much more.

Subscribe to the KSR YouTube Channel for press conferences, interviews, original shows, fan features, and exclusive content.

NBA on NBC Brings the Nostalgia

In superhero movies, the ending is predetermined. You know the good guys are going to win, and yet, audiences worldwide were blown away when the Avengers reassembled in Endgame. That happened last night in the sports world.

We have known for quite some time that Roundball Rock was returning to the NBA on NBC. It didn’t matter. The first time we heard John Tesh’s jam, it brought back nostalgia in the form of goosebumps.

Here it is… John Tesh's 'Roundball Rock' to tip off the return of the 'NBA on NBC' and the 2025-26 NBA season.

Mike Tirico has the Rockets-Thunder call for NBC. 🏀 📺 🎙️ 🎶 #NBA #NBC #NBAonNBC pic.twitter.com/Mselz8qkfW

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 21, 2025

As for the actual games, the opener was a double-overtime thriller. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made a 15-footer to give fans free basketball. He had 24 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter and overtime periods, including the final two for the OKC Thunder. SGA drew a sixth foul from Kevin Durant, sinking two free throws and taking away the Rockets’ best option for a response, giving OKC a 125-124 win.

Cason Wallace sank a big three in the extra period on the night the former Cat received a ring. Reed Sheppard was in the game for all of its tense moments, but struggled to deliver any highlights, finishing the night 3-11 (2-7 3FG) for 9 points.

The Warriors won the nightcap 119-109 over the Lakers. Luka scored 43 points for the LeBron-less Los Angeles team.

Do we believe Michael Jordan?

MJ will contribute to the NBA on NBC, but it’s not exactly clear how. We got our first dose in the form of a sit-down interview with Mike Tirico in his home. Jordan explained why he’s been so private and reclusive in recent years. He also shared that he hasn’t picked up a basketball in years, with one exception. Do we really think he’s actively avoiding basketball?

Got thoughts? Continue the conversation on KSBoard, the KSR Message Board.

Watch C-USAction on Wings Day at KSBar

The NBA is back, but that’s not the only thing you can enjoy on the menu at KSBar. We’re serving up $1 wings — boneless or traditional, flats or drums — all day on Wings Day. In addition to the roundball, we’ve got some mid-week C-USA football to scratch that itch.

Middle Tennessee (+8.5) at Delaware, 7:30 PM, ESPN2
Missouri State (-1.5) at New Mexico State, 9 PM, CBSSN

Shout out to the Tops for getting it done on Tuesday night. WKU blocked a field goal to force overtime, then scored a two-point conversion at the end of the first additional period to take down Louisiana Tech and earn bowl eligibility.

Bryson Howard Commits to Duke

Kentucky had a hat on the table for a Top 20 talent. Ultimately, that’s all the Cats were. Bryson Howard rose quickly up the ranks over the summer, as high as No. 16, before ultimately committing to play at Duke over offers from Kentucky and North Carolina. The Cats still have plenty of other guard options in the 2026 class, and hopefully they have some good news for BBN in the near future.

Top 25 Kentucky Men’s Soccer Game

It’s been an exceptional fall for the Kentucky men’s soccer team. The Wildcats are 7-2-3, with a 4-1 start to conference play. Ranked No. 25 in the country, they’ll hit the road tonight to take on No. 20 Georgia Southern. You can catch the action on ESPN+.

Bourbon for a Great Cause

KSR photographer Dr. Michael Huang teams up with the Medicinal Whiskey Charity to give back with some brown water. This fall, they’re giving you an opportunity to pick a barrel of Eagle Rare with five others that will make 120 bottles. All proceeds are going to create the Love for Lenny Foundation. The charity will help families dealing with pediatric cancer in honor of Lenny, a courageous girl who was diagnosed with a rare, aggressive cancer at only 23 months old. Here’s how you can get in the bourbon sweepstakes and honor Lenny’s legacy.