KSR Today: Kentucky Basketball is 1-0 and Election Day notes
Good morning, friends, and happy Tuesday. The Kentucky Basketball team is officially 1-0 after last night’s 95-63 win over Howard and Ving Rhames had a front-row seat for it all! Why, you ask? Rhames’ son, Freedom, is a guard for Howard, so the actor flew in from London, where he’s filming the latest installment of the Mission: Impossible series, to see him play at Rupp. The younger Rhames finished with five points in four minutes. Great name, Freedom Rhames, and a cool moment for a father and son.
Anyway, it was a fun night at Rupp. Let’s quickly recap it, cover the other news of the day, and get you out the door so you can go vote. It’s Election Day, after all.
Even without three potential starters, Kentucky wins easily
The fact that Kentucky cruised to a 32-point win without Oscar Tshiebwe, Sahvir Wheeler, and Daimion Collins is impressive. It was the program’s largest margin of victory in a season-opener since the 108-58 win over Marist on Nov. 11, 2011. If you recall, that season ended well. Kentucky shot 54.8% from the field, including 45.8% from three, while holding Howard to 34.3%.
Four Cats finished in double figures, led by Antonio Reeves with 22 points and CJ Fredrick with 20. They’re the third pair of Kentucky teammates to debut with at least 20 points, joining Reid Travis and Keldon Johnson in 2018 and Doron Lamb and Terrence Jones in 2010. With Wheeler out, Cason Wallace started at point guard and almost got a triple-double on his birthday, finishing with 15 points (7-11 FG), 9 assists, and 8 rebounds. His nine assists are the second-most in a Kentucky debut in program history. Only De’Aaron Fox had more, with 12 against Stephen F. Austin on Nov. 12, 2016. Jacob Toppin got his first career double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Really, everyone played well, with Chris Livingston, Ugonna Onyenso, Lance Ware, and Adou Thiero all showing flashes of promise.
“I thought we defended pretty good today,” Calipari said after. “That’s a good team. Howard will win their league. I’ll be stunned if they don’t win their league. I watched the tape and I was scared to death prior to this game. Like they’re 6’9″, they’re 6’10”, they’re big, they can shoot. They took 48 threes in a scrimmage they just had played.”
“But we, you know, when you guard and then make baskets the other team’s rim shrinks…So this was, to be honest, I didn’t think we would have this kind of showing.”
The Cats will be back in action Friday night vs. Duquesne. The game tips off at 7 p.m. at Rupp Arena and will be broadcast on SEC Network.
KSR Postgame Coverage
- Jack Pilgrim’s takeaways
- Daimion Collins rejoined the team late last night
- Pikeville coal miner Micheal McGuire and his family are coming to Friday’s game vs. Duquesne
- Cason Wallace almost messed around and got a triple-double
- Calipari talks rotation
- Calipari Press Conference transcript
Tom Hart was on the call last night and fit in several KSR references, as he does. I didn’t keep an official count but heard him mention wiggle-wiggle-wiggle-WOOSH, garbage hot dogs, and political jingles. What did we do to deserve him?
Box Score
John Calipari Press Conference
Player Interviews
Highlights
Oscar Tshiebwe Pregame Ceremony
KSR Rapid Reaction
Photo Gallery
Kentucky WBB beat Radford
The Kentucky Women’s Basketball team also started the season with a win, albeit a much closer one. The Cats beat Radford 82-78 in Memorial Coliseum. Sophomore Jada Walker led the way with 19 points, four rebounds, and four steals. As a whole, Kentucky shot 45% (33-73) from the floor and only 11% (2-18) from three while giving up 40 points in the paint. Grant Grubbs has your recap.
Football quick-hitters from Monday
— 3-star tailback Khalifa Keith decommits: During the basketball fun, some bad football news broke. Kentucky has now lost two running back commitments in three weeks.
— Colin Goodfellow out for the season: As expected, Stoops confirmed that Goodfellow is done for the year after suffering the injury on the game-saving play vs. Missouri. As for the money that fans sent Goodfellow after the game, he’s working with UK’s compliance office to donate it all to charity.
— DeAndre Square may return vs. Vanderbilt: After missing the Missouri game, Kentucky’s super-senior linebacker could be back in the rotation Saturday vs. Vanderbilt.
— Georgia game gets the CBS treatment: Kentucky’s game vs. the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs will kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS on November 19.
— Stoops asks for NIL help: Kentucky’s NIL situation has been a big topic of discussion in the BBN lately. Yesterday, Mark Stoops put it bluntly yesterday when asked about where the program stands. “If we want to compete at the highest level, we gotta have money in the bank.”
Watch Stoops’ complete press conference below or click here to read the transcript.
Shortly after, the KSR Football Podcast crew went live to discuss the win and Stoops’ comments.
Tuesdays with Rich
Tonight after practice, Rich Scangarello and members of Kentucky’s offense will chat with reporters to discuss what they saw on film from the Missouri win and how they’re preparing for Saturday. Check the YouTube channel and site after dinner to hear what they had to say.
Will Levis shares his favorite restaurants in Lexington
Where does Will Levis like to eat in Lexington? He shared his top three restaurants in town in a conversation with Team Mercury’s Adam Breneman. The Keeneland track kitchen choice is a pleasant surprise, but I’m more intrigued by the $100 per person limit he and his offensive line have at Malone’s every week. My mind is racing with menu combinations to hit that magical number.
Watch SportsCenter to see ESPN’s All-Access feature on Kentucky
Last month, Seth Greenberg and an ESPN crew spent a weekend with the Kentucky Basketball team for a four-part All-Access feature that will air starting today on all SportsCenter editions. SportsCenter airs pretty much all day on ESPN, so either set your DVR for one of the many showings or just leave the channel on for a while and you’ll see it.
- Part 1: Calipari mic’d up; Team bonding; St. Peter’s loss
- Part 2: Wildcats’ Mental Health and Wellness featuring Dr. Bob Rotella
- Part 3: Oscar Unplugged
- Part 4: Coach Cal and Greenberg one-on-one
Sources Say LIVE tonight on YouTube
Jack Pilgrim and Shawn Smith are going live on YouTube tonight to discuss Kentucky’s first win of the season and the all-important early signing period, which begins tomorrow. When will DJ Wagner finally announce his commitment? Join Jack and Shawn live starting at 6 p.m. ET to ask and/or find out.
New College Football Playoff Rankings revealed
After a big shakeup in the top ten, who will sit atop the College Football Playoff rankings? Turn on ESPN at 7 p.m. ET to find out. Last week’s CFP top six was 1) Tennessee, 2) Ohio State, 3) Georgia, 4) Clemson, 5) Michigan and 6) Alabama. Tonight’s will be very different.
College Basketball scores from last night
- No. 1 North Carolina 69, UNC-Wilmington 56
- No. 2 Gonzaga 104, North Florida 63
- No. 3 Houston 83, Northern Colorado 36
- No. 4 Kentucky 95, Howard 63
- No. 5 Kansas 89, Omaha 64
- No. 5 Baylor 117, Mississippi Valley State 53
- No. 7 Duke 71, Jacksonville 44
- No. 9 Creighton 72, St. Thomas 60
- No. 10 Arkansas 76, North Dakota State 58
- No. 11 Tennessee 75, Tennessee Tech 43
- No. 12 Texas 72, UTEP 57
- No. 13 Indiana 88, Morehead State 53
- No. 15 Auburn 70, George Mason 52
- No. 16 Villanova 81, La Salle 68
- No. 20 Alabama 75, Longwood 54
- No. 22 Michigan 75, PFW 66
- Memphis 76, Vanderbilt 67
- Mississippi State 63, Texas A&M-CC 44
- Texas A&M 87, UL Monroe 54
- Missouri 97, Southern Indiana 91
- Georgia 68, Western Carolina 55
- Florida 81, Stony Brook 45
- Ole Miss 73, Alcorn State 58
Belmont may not be ranked in the Top 25, but they did get the season off to a great start with this buzzer-beater:
Sam Houston also got its first win in dramatic fashion, knocking off Oklahoma at the buzzer.
College basketball is BACK!
Today’s schedule
| AWAY | HOME | TIME / TV |
| Albany | Immaculata | 5:00 PM |
| Rider | Providence | 6:30 PM, FS1 |
| Milwaukee | Purdue | 6:30 PM, BTN |
| Montana | Duquesne | 7:00 PM |
| SC State | South Carolina | 7:00 PM, SEC Network |
| Rochester | Detroit | 7:00 PM |
| Mercer | East Carolina | 7:00 PM, ESPN+ |
| Sacred Heart | Hartford | 7:00 PM |
| Coppin St. | Georgetown | 8:30 PM, FS1 |
| Ga. Southern | San Jose St. | 10:00 PM |
Powerball drawing delayed
If you were hoping to wake up $1.9 billion richer, you’re going to have to wait at least a little bit longer. Last night’s drawing for the record Powerball jackpot was delayed due to a clerical error. The drawing is expected to happen sometime this morning. Fingers still crossed.
Go Vote!
It’s your constitutional right and civic duty. Plus, you get a sticker! Click here for a list of polling locations in Kentucky.
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