KSR Today: Epic SEC Tournament Comeback, Kentucky Returns to Rupp

Craig Skinner’s Kentucky volleyball team taught Big Blue Nation a valuable lesson. Stay in the fight. No matter how ugly things got, the Wildcats kept swinging, and swinging, and swinging, until Texas tapped out (19-25, 26-28, 26-24, 25-22, 15-9).

It looked like Kentucky lost its chance to win the SEC Tournament, the first one held since 2005. After dropping set one, the Wildcats had a chance to equalize with a 21-16 lead in set two. If you blinked, you might have missed Texas’ furious rally to win that set 25-23.

They were down, but not out. They stayed in the fight. For Kentucky fans, the third set felt like deja vu all over again. Kentucky led 23-20. That’s when Texas mounted another late comeback, retaking the lead for a match and championship point. This time, the Cats did not flinch, scratching and clawing for a 26-24 win to keep the match alive.

You’ll never believe what happened in the fourth set. Again, Kentucky led 21-16, but it was a lead that wouldn’t last. Texas rattled off four straight points. This time, the Cats didn’t relinquish the lead. They stayed in the fight and forced a decisive fifth set. Texas was all out of fight.

Eva Hudson Brought the Juice

The match was tied at nine in the final set. It was Eva Hudson time. The SEC Player of the Year had a kill, a block, then two more kills, scoring four of the final six points to blank Texas with authority. It’s not just what Hudson does on the stat sheet — 25 kills on .300 hitting, four digs, 11 blocks, and two aces — that makes her so valuable to the Wildcats. She brings an immeasurable emotional energy that elevates the entire team. It doesn’t matter the circumstances, she’s going to keep swinging.

IT. JUST. MEANS. MORE.🔵#WeAreUK x #BBN x #SECTourney pic.twitter.com/vEnABPOhIv

— Kentucky Volleyball (@KentuckyVB) November 26, 2025

Hudson wasn’t the only standout. Lizzie Carr had 13 kills and nine blocks on .414 hitting, while Brooklyn DeLeye posted 13 kills and 11 digs. The libero, Molly Tuozzo, earned MVP honors after tallying 16 digs and dishing out seven assists. Kentucky will learn its NCAA Tournament draw during this Sunday’s Selection Show at 6 PM ET on ESPN.

The Kentucky Volleyball Effect on BBN

On Tuesday night, I was tasked to cover the final mid-week practice media session with the Kentucky football team. When I made the trek back to KSOffice to get to work, it was hard to find a parking spot. Big Blue Nation showed up to fill KSBar and watch the Wildcats together.

To hear the crowd-pop from a full bar after a point, man. It’s hard to quantify the meaning behind that sound. It’s not only a testament to what Craig Skinner has built, but to the power of BBN. There was a fan who brought his harmonica and played the fight song after big plays! That’s incredible, and another reason why BBN is one of one. Even though some may have tapped out, many followed the Wildcats’ lead and stayed in the fight until the very end.

KSBar was packed tonight for UK Volleyball but some folks quit during the third set thinking we were going to lose

But this group stayed until the end and celebrated the SEC title!!!

Really fun evening pic.twitter.com/ISZwn8bKep

— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) November 26, 2025

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Kentucky vs. Tennessee Tech

It’s only been a couple of weeks since we saw the Golden Eagles in Lexington. Mark Stoops’ Kentucky football team easily dispatched Tennessee Tech at Kroger Field. Now, Mark Pope can secure a clean sweep over Tennessee Tech tonight at 7 PM ET on the SEC Network.

Kentucky has not yet lost at home. However, the two times we’ve seen them away from Rupp Arena, things have not gone well. This will serve as one final tune-up opportunity before things get real. North Carolina comes to Rupp Arena next Tuesday, then the Wildcats take on Gonzaga next Friday in Nashville.

Who will be suiting up for the Cats? Jaland Lowe returned to practice this week, but only in a non-contact capacity after re-injuring his shoulder. Jayden Quaintance is mixing it up on 3-on-3 action, but not much more. Mo Dioubate suffered an ankle injury against Michigan State, forcing him to miss the Loyola (MD) game.

Even without a full arsenal of players, Kentucky should not have any trouble dispatching a Tennessee Tech team that ranks No. 322 in KenPom. Wednesday night’s game should serve as a nice Thanksgiving appetizer for Big Blue Nation.

A Familiar Face on the Other Sideline

A man whose jersey hangs in Rupp’s rafters will be on the sideline in different colors on Wednesday night. John Pelphrey was an Unforgettable who helped rebuild the probation-plagued program with Rick Pitino. Now in his seventh season as the Tennessee Tech head coach, he’s returned to Rupp plenty of times as an SEC assistant and the head coach at Arkansas. Even though he initially didn’t want to bring his team to Rupp, he’s embracing all of the emotions ahead of tonight’s matchup.

“The reality of it is, for me, this is not just another place, and certainly the building,” Pelphrey said earlier this week. “I’ve had a long relationship with it. Everybody knows my love affair with my alma mater. So I’ll have to deal with some of that, and I certainly tried to prepare myself. It’s just a lot of emotion there.”

Kentucky vs. Tennessee Tech: How to Watch, Listen

• Tipoff: 7:00 p.m. ET
• TV: SEC Network (Tom Hart, Dane Bradshaw)
• Local Radio: UK Sports Network (Tom Leach, Goose Givens)
• AM: 840 WHAS, 630 WLAP
• FM: 98.1 WBUL
• Online: iHeart Radio
• Sirius XM: 84

You can also follow along on the KSR LIVE BLOG, which will start a few hours before tipoff, and join the conversation on KSBoard.

Take advantage of our KSR+ Introductory Offer to get bonus coverage of the Cats, including game threads, in-depth scouting reports, and the latest recruiting and roster intel. $1 for a week.

Point Spread and Gambling Angles

Kentucky is a 38.5-point favorite over Tennessee Tech on BetMGM. The total is 157.5, giving us a projected final score of 98-59.5. KenPom is predicting a final score of 93-61, while Bart Torvik is calling for a 94-61 victory. The Cats are 3-1 Against the Spread at Rupp Arena, only failing to cover in the opener against Nicholls. Tennessee Tech has covered in every game as an underdog this season.

Top 25 Matchup for Kentucky WBB

The good news? Undefeated Kentucky is playing a Top 10 opponent. The bad news? It’s going to be hard to watch.

Kenny Brooks’ No. 16 Wildcats will take on No. 7 Maryland in the Discover Puerto Rico Tournament at 5:30 PM ET. It’s a big game, but you can only find it on FloSports, a streaming site that specializes in broadcasts for smaller sports. That’s a bummer. Don’t let it get you down and keep you down. Phoenix Stevens will share plenty of updates in the KSR Live Blog and on KSBoard.

Kentucky Football Talk: INCOMING!

Both the offensive and defensive coordinators debriefed with the media on Tuesday to share their thoughts on the rivalry game against Louisville. We also heard from Jager Burton and Daveren Rayner, who are well aware of the high stakes that lie ahead in this rivalry matchup. Not only does Kentucky want the bad taste out of its mouth from last week’s loss, but also last year’s loss to Louisville.

“I’ve watched that game, I don’t know how many times. Yeah, it definitely still stings,” said Burton. “I talked to Eli (Cox) on the phone the other day, and we started talking about it, just a couple guys from Kentucky. Obviously, wasn’t proud of that game either, so definitely have something to prove on Saturday as a team, just after last week, and it being the big game it is, so I’m excited for the opportunity.”

Adam Luckett and I will be sharing our thoughts on the matchup during 11 Personnel, which is at a new time today. We’re kicking things off at Noon ET on the KSR YouTube Channel.