KSR Today: Fresh Prints, UK Weekend Recap, The Final Four Is Stupid...
We’re keeping Will Smith’s wife’s name out of our mouths this morning and probably forever after last night’s 94th running of the Oscars, where Smith asked comedian Chris Rock what the five fingers said to the face on live TV. As you’ve probably seen many times by now, Smith charged the stage to assault Rock, a comedian, in response to a joke made about Smith’s wife, whose name is nowhere near my mouth.
Rock made a GI Jane joke regarding Smith’s wife, who struggles with hair loss, and her bald hairstyle. Out of line, yes, but Smith was even further out of line in what might be the wildest moment in live TV history.
Moments later, Smith accepted his first ever Oscar for best actor for his role as Richard Williams in “King Richard.” The tearful acceptance speech and apology (to the academy, not Chris Rock) were awkward considering everyone in the room and viewers around the world were in complete shock that the man accepting an Oscar just smacked another man on that same stage only minutes earlier.
Vince Marrow shared his thoughts on the matter early Monday morning:
Now for a bigger smack in the face…
The Final Four is set and it’s painful
The NCAA Tournament continued without Kentucky in it over the weekend and Sunday’s two Elite Eight games put the final two teams in this year’s vomit-inducing Final Four.
In the first game, Villanova sent the betting favorite home for good with a win over Houston in the South regional final. The victory put Villanova in its third Final Four since reaching the third weekend (and winning it all) in 2016.
In the second Elite Eight game, North Carolina did what Kentucky, Murray State, and Purdue couldn’t and sent Saint Peter’s bus back to New Jersey for the year. This year’s Cinderella story trailed by 19 at halftime in the 20-point loss to the Tar Heels.
Now it’s Duke vs. UNC and Villanova vs. Kansas in an all-blue blood Final Four in New Orleans. In Kentucky, we call it torture.
Kentucky Basketball Roster Watch
While our enemies play for another tally in the championship count, Kentucky’s coaching staff is already hard at work on next year’s roster…
NEW OFFER
Class of 2022 rising star Adou Thiero, the son of one of Calipari’s players at Memphis, picked up a scholarship offer from Kentucky after an in-home visit with Calipari over the weekend. Thiero is unranked in the recruiting services but a 10-inch growth spurt has the 6-5 guard drawing more attention before he heads to college. Kentucky is his dream school, he says.
TRANSFER OPTIONS
The transfer portal is already complete madness and only beginning. So far, Utah Valley’s Fardaws Aimaq is an early name to watch for a potential Oscar Tshiebwe replacement. From the SEC, journeyman Xavier Pinson and Mizzou freshman Trevon Brazile have reportedly been in contact with Kentucky. Texas Tech wing Terrence Shannon Jr. is another name to watch. Antonio Reeves from Illinois State is one more on the big board with more being added by the day.
Follow KSR’s Roster Tracker to keep up.
TYTY WASHINGTON GONE?
On Sunday, TyTy Washington shared a fan’s Instagram photo that may indicate Washington’s plans for the future. “Off to the league,” the caption read.
For what it’s worth, TyTy Washington’s dad tried to put away any speculation surrounding the photo. He tweeted, “I love the internet!! That was picture is what a fan took, and they tag him in and put the caption up! (TyTy) never had this on his IG story!!”
McDonald’s All-American fun is underway
Two of the players we know will be on next year’s roster, Cason Wallace and Chris Livingston, are busy in Chicago at the McDonald’s All-American game. Kentucky’s two signees are All-American participants and Wallace is already a hot name from early McDonald’s events.
Tonight, you can watch the high school 3-point and dunk contests at the 2022 POWERADE Jam Fest on ESPN2 beginning at 7:30 PM ET. Before the 3s and dunks, watch the boys’ and girls’ scrimmages on ESPNU.
The 2022 McDonald’s All-American Game is scheduled for tomorrow night, March 29, at 9:00 PM EST on ESPN. The two Kentucky commits will play on opposite teams: Wallace on the West, Livingston on the East.
Week 3 of Spring Football
Spring practice continues this week over at the Joe Craft Football Training Facility. Things will be a little quiet today but tomorrow we will hear from offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello and some of his players following Tuesday’s practice. In the meantime, there is plenty to read about the first two weeks of spring ball and the makeup of next season’s roster.
From the NBA: KD is too small to guard PJ Washington
Kentucky Baseball won its first SEC series
In baseball, Kentucky won its first series in Southeastern Conference play with back-to-back home wins over No. 14 Georgia in Lexington. The ‘Dawgs took the first game of the series on Friday, but Sunday’s win broke the 1-1 weekend tie and gave Kentucky the three-game series.
Sunday’s series-clinching win was powered by Kentucky’s bats as the Wildcats scored 18 runs against Georgia’s bullpen in the 18-5 victory. Kentucky is now 17-8 on the season and 2-4 in conference play with four wins over top-15 teams in 2022.
Want to follow along as the season continues? Kentucky is back at Kentucky Proud Park tomorrow night with Eastern Kentucky making the short drive to town for one game. 6:30 PM ET on SEC Network+.
Kentucky Softball won in walk-off fashion
More success on the diamond, Kentucky Softball beat Auburn with a walk-off bomb on Sunday. Down two with runners on the corners, senior Renee Abernathy called game with a three-run shot deep into the landscaping.
The game-winner was also a series-winner as Kentucky clinched the 2-1 victory in the three-game series against the 18th-ranked Tigers. On the year, Kentucky Softball is 22-7 and 3-3 in the SEC.
Ohio State comes to town next at 6:00 PM ET tomorrow night, also on SEC Network+.
USMNT made a giant step toward the World Cup
The United States Men’s National Team needed a win over Panama on Sunday to keep World Cup dreams alive. 27 minutes in, the U.S. held a 3-0 lead and coasted to a final score of United States 5, Panama 1.
Pulisic scored a hat trick as the Americans likely clinched a spot in Qatar later this year.
Like Christian Pulisic, there are two great Americans in Matt Jones and Ryan Lemond and they’re coming up in the 10 AM edition of Kentucky Sports Radio the radio show.
Go Cats.
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