KSR Today: Kentucky Football Opens Spring Practice

On3 imageby:Nick Roush04/01/23

RoushKSR

Rain showers are covering the Commonwealth. Trees are blooming. You can smell spring in the air. That must mean it’s Football Time in the Bluegrass.

Saturday morning Mark Stoops is opening up the gates to the Joe Craft Football Training Facility to show fans what the Wildcats have been working on this offseason. Liam Coen is back to running the show on offense, with Devin Leary delivering darts to talented young pass-catchers. On the other side of the line of scrimmage, Deone Walker is destructive in the trenches, ringing in a new era for Brad White’s top 25 defense.

The team will be taking the field at approximately 11:45 am EST this morning, rain or shine. A free event, parking will be available in the Blue Lot. Ticket reps will be on the site, and you can also purchase merchandise, concessions and there will be giveaways for fans. The gates to the Joe Craft Football Training Center open at 11:15 am EST. There are a few different things you should keep a close eye on during practice.

KSR will have boots on the ground to make sure you know what went down even if you can’t make it to campus. Here’s what we saw the last time we were with the Wildcats during spring practice.

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

Jacob Toppin Bids the BBN Farewell

Jacob Toppin is hanging up the Kentucky blue after three seasons in Lexington. An anticipated decision, the forward announced he will enter the NBA Draft Friday afternoon after averaging 12.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists in his final season in Lexington.

“To Big Blue Nation, ever since I was a kid, it’s always been a dream of mine to play at the highest level of basketball. I came to Kentucky to chase that dream and in my time here, I’ve grown tremendously not only as a player but as a man,” Toppin shared.

“This place has taught me things that I will take with me for the rest of my life. For that, I want to thank my coaches and my teammates and most importantly the fans. Your support and passion are things I’ll never forget and I will carry with me. It has been a memorable time for me and Kentucky will forever hold a special place in my heart.”

His decision may not be the last from the Kentucky basketball team this week. We’ll keep our ears close to the ground.

Final Four Saturday

All eyes are on Houston were Jim Nantz is preparing to call his Final Four on CBS. A year after Blue Bloods dominated college basketball’s biggest weekend, it’s UConn and a bunch of first-timers. While some may argue it’s bad for the sport, it’s proof that parity makes this event the most unpredictable and entertaining way to crown a champion.

Five hours of basketball begins just after 6:00 pm EST with what many believe will turn into a rock fight. San Diego State has dragged every one of its opponents into the mud, and this time they have a dome on their side against FAU. Miami has shot the lights out to erase deficits and survive against a difficult Road to the Final Four. Facing a UConn team that has won every game by double digits, this is their tallest task yet.

  • San Diego State (-3) vs Florida Atlantic, 6:09 tip-off, 131.5 total
  • UConn -5.5 vs. Miami, 8:49 tip-off, 149 total

Kentucky Alive in the Manager Games

The best managers in college basketball are dueling in Houston. Teams from Louisville and Lexington traveled all that way, just for the Lexington team to win in sudden death. Kentucky’s managers knocked out Bellarmine in 2OT, thanks to a pair of free throws from Lafayette product Ray Surratt, to advance to the Final Four of the Manager Games. They’ll face Michigan today for a chance to punch a ticket to Sunday’s finals.

Women’s National Championship Game Set

If the men’s games are as competitive as last night’s women’s Final Four, we’re in for a treat. LSU erased a nine-point deficit in the fourth quarter with a 15-0 run to put the Tigers back in the National Championship Game in Kim Mulkey’s second season in Baton Rouge. Those fireworks paled in comparison to what Caitlin Clark delivered. The Iowa guard scored 41 points to knock off undefeated South Carolina, handing the Gamecocks their first loss since the SEC Title against Kentucky last season.

Iowa is an early 1.5-point favorite against LSU in Sunday’s National Championship. Tip-off is at 3:30 tomorrow on ABC.

Transylvania Competes for a Title

In-between the Division I Final Four and the National Championship, the Transylvania women’s basketball team is competing for a D-III National Title in Dallas. The Pioneers have only lost one game in two seasons, seeking the program’s first ever National Championship. The action tips-off at Noon on CBS Sports Network and you can watch with other fans at the Kentucky Theatre and KSBar and Grille.

Kentucky Baseball Hosts Missouri

The Bat Cats are rolling. A soggy Friday night was a victorious one for the Kentucky baseball team. The Wildcats dominated No. 25 Missouri in game one of their third SEC series, rolling to a 12-2 win in seven innings. The No. 16 Wildcats are now 6-1 in SEC play, seeking a third straight SEC series victory today at Kentucky Proud Park. The action begins right after Kentucky football practice concludes at 2:00 pm EST. You can stream the action online on SECN+.

Two Big Kentucky Derby Prep Races

We are only five weeks away from Kentucky Derby 149. The top contenders are back on the track today at Gulfstream Park and Oaklawn Park. Two-year-old champion Forte is the 4-5 favorite in the Florida Derby. A win will solidify his status as the favorite on the first Saturday in May. Post time is at 6:40 pm EST.

Steve Asmussen has a couple of contenders in the Arkansas Derby with Harlocap and Red Route One, the second choice at 3-1. Tim Yakteen’s Reincarnate is the 5-2 favorite. Post time in Hot Springs is 7:24 pm EST.

Discuss This Article

Comments have moved.

Join the conversation and talk about this article and all things Kentucky Sports in the new KSR Message Board.

KSBoard

2024-03-28