KSR Today: Kentucky Derby Week, Carr's A Cat, Kentucky Basketball Roster Watch, Pope On KSR, and More

Things aren’t slowing down this week, only picking up speed as we welcome the Kentucky Derby to the madness. Today marks the beginning of Derby Week in Louisville, setting up the 150th running of the Derby on Saturday. Here are the post positions:

Before the Run for the Roses, the busy week at Churchill Downs begins with another Dawn at the Downs tonight, then 502’sDay tomorrow, and so on. (I can’t keep up.) KSR’s Derby expert, Nick Roush, will host a live show on KSR’s YouTube channel at 8 p.m. tonight to handicap and preview all that’s ahead. Roush will be joined by Pete Fornatale of In the Money Media.

The Bluegrass’s other pride and joy, Kentucky Basketball, also has a busy week ahead as the roster comes together. On Sunday, a new commitment kept the momentum going.

Andrew Carr is a Kentucky Wildcat

The biggest news throughout Big Blue Nation is the addition of Andrew Carr to Mark Pope’s first roster in Lexington. Sunday evening, the former Wake Forest star committed to Kentucky out of the transfer portal, giving Pope and the Cats a stretch forward who started every game for the Demon Deacons, averaging 13.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game in 2023-24. At 6 feet, 11 inches tall, Carr shot 52.6 percent from the field, 37.1 percent from 3 with nearly three makes a game, and 78.1 percent from the free-throw line.

“Excited to announce I am transferring to the University of Kentucky for my graduate season,” Carr announced. “I know what it means to wear Kentucky across my chest and couldn’t be more ready to get to work!! Go Cats!

Your current Kentucky Basketball lineup

After Kentucky landed three commitments in three days, we’re getting a sense of what the roster will look like in Year 1 of the new era. If the first game were today, the starting five would look like this:

PG: Lamont Butler (San Diego State)
SG: Collin Chandler (Fr.)
SF: Otega Oweh (Oklahoma)
PF: Andrew Carr (Wake Forest)
C: Amari Williams (Drexel)

Bench: Travis Perry (Fr.)

Great Osobor is on his visit right now

Last night, Mark Pope was back at Blue Grass Airport to greet his next visitor. This time, Kentucky is hosting Great Obosor, the 6-8 forward from Utah State, who averaged 17.7 points and 9.0 rebounds per game in 2023-24. Osobor is the fifth-best available transfer in On3’s portal rankings, and the speculation around his recruitment is the Wildcats are a heavy favorite. We’re keeping a close eye on this one throughout the day.

Koby Brea is still an option

Another name to watch: Koby Brea, the hot-shooting guard from Dayton, is expected to meet with Pope and Kentucky tomorrow. Brea originally planned to visit only UConn and Duke, but he will give Kentucky a chance to make its case for his services on Tuesday. Brea named UK one of his five finalists last week.

Mark Pope will be a special guest on KSR today

Today is the makeup date for Mark Pope‘s guest appearance on Kentucky Sports Radio. Pope was scheduled to join the program last Friday but canceled because he was on a flight to lock down Lamont Butler’s commitment. Today, Pope will call in to explain all of the madness around UK Basketball right now and what’s next for the roster and the program. You can listen live here at 10 a.m.

Kentucky Baseball dropped another series

After winning five straight SEC series, fourth-ranked Kentucky Baseball (33-9, 16-5) dropped two in a row after the midpoint in league play. Two weekends ago, UK lost two of three at home to Tennessee in Lexington, followed by another series loss at South Carolina this past weekend. On Sunday, the Gamecocks shut out the Wildcats, 10-0, to take the deciding game in Columbia. Kentucky had only five hits in Sunday’s loss, one day after scoring 15 runs in Saturday’s victory.

Still, in spite of the loss, Kentucky is first in the SEC East, leading the Vols by a game, and tied with Arkansas for first overall. That tie won’t last long because Arkansas travels to Lexington for a three-game series beginning this Friday.

Kentucky Softball lost its South Carolina series, too

No. 21 Kentucky Softball also struggled against South Carolina over the weekend, losing two of three in Lexington in the final homestand of the regular season. The Wildcats lost the rubber match, 3-0, on Sunday, marking the first time UK was shut out all season.

Former Wildcats in the NBA Playoffs

— Sunday’s NBA Playoffs action marked the end of the road for Devin Booker‘s Phoenix Suns, swept by Karl Anthony-Towns‘ Timberwolves in four. Booker had 49 points in the losing effort as the Suns’ disappointing year ended at home. Towns scored 28 with 10 boards in the win.

— In Sunday’s first game, Tyrese Maxey tried to carry the 76ers to a Game 4 win in Philadelphia, but the New York Knicks stayed hot and grabbed a 3-1 lead. Maxey scored 23 points on 8 of 21 shooting from the field. Jalen Brunson scored 47.

— The Mavericks-Clippers series is tied through four games after L.A. took Game 4 in Dallas on Sunday. PJ Washington Jr. scored 10 points with four rebounds in the loss, playing 41 minutes at forward for Dallas.

— Indiana beat Milwaukee in Game 4 to extend its lead on the East’s No. 3 seed. The Pacers hit 22 3-pointers in the win, a new record for the franchise. Isaiah Jackson grabbed two offensive rebounds in two minutes off the bench.

— Tonight, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro will help the Heat try to even the series with the Celtics in Game 4 in Miami. Then, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Cason Wallace are in New Orleans seeking a first-round sweep of the Pelicans. Lastly, Anthony Davis and the Lakers have their backs against the wall in Denver, needing to win Game 5 against Jamal Murray to stay alive.

Boston Celtics (2-1) @ Miami Heat – Game 4 | 7:30 p.m. ET | TNT

Oklahoma City Thunder (3-0) @ New Orleans Pelicans – Game 4 | 8:30 p.m. ET | NBA TV

Los Angeles Lakers @ Denver Nuggets (3-1) – Game 5 | 10:00 p.m. ET | TNT

Will Levis and the Catfish

In the NHL Playoffs, former Kentucky QB Will Levis had some fun watching the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena. The Tennessee Titans’ franchise QB joined the catfish tradition and took it to a new level with a smooch.

Will Levis making out with a catfish. Sign him to a lifetime contract @Titans pic.twitter.com/e4wVgFVysm

— Alex Daugherty (@AlexDaugherty1) April 28, 2024

However, the Preds lost the game in OT.

KSR coming up at 10 a.m.

Tune in for Matt Jones, Ryan Lemond, Shannon The Dude, Mark Pope, and me. Talk to you then. Go Cats.