KSR Today: Liam Coen is back, UK-UL volleyball, and Wrestlers

Good morning, folks! Saturday’s football game against Akron is right around the corner. This afternoon, we expected to hear from members of the Kentucky defense and defensive coordinator Brad White, but they actually took the podium on Tuesday. Why? Because offensive coordinator Liam Coen, who was scheduled to speak after Tuesday’s practice, was returning home from the hospital following a scary medical episode on Sunday.

Coen was released from the hospital on Tuesday though, and it sounds like he’ll be ready to take the sidelines for Saturday’s game. Although there’s no word as of right now on whether he’ll speak to the media this afternoon or not.

“My family and I thank you for all the support and prayers these past couple of days,” Coen shared on social media. “The #BBN community is truly amazing. I’m doing much better, thankful for the care I received at UK Chandler Hospital, and can’t wait to see you Saturday at Kroger Field — Go Cats!”

Good news all around.

With Coen on the mend, it was Coach White and company that took the podium in his place. Defensive backs Maxwell Hairston and Zion Childress also spoke with reporters following Tuesday’s practice. All three talked about the family-like atmosphere that has been ingrained within this team’s culture, and how the thought of seeing one of their own struggle can weigh on them so heavily. This is a tight-knit group.

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Akron has a turnover tire

Aside from being one of the worst teams in Division I football right now, Kentucky’s opponent on Saturday, the Akron Zips, might have the worst celebration tactic as well. During Akron’s narrow 24-21 victory over FCS challenger Morgan State over the weekend, the Zips needed a handful of timely turnovers to sneak out with the win. Akron’s Bryan McCoy recovered a fumble down the stretch that he turned into a 13-yard touchdown, giving the Zips the final lead for good.

So how do he and his teammates celebrate? By wearing an actual tire around their necks like it’s a necklace. Seriously. Come Saturday at 7:30 p.m. EST (ESPNU), there better not be any tire-wearing going on.

MACTI🛞N pic.twitter.com/Vzv6tJ0WEV

— #MACtion (@MACSports) September 9, 2023

While we’re talking about Saturday’s opponent, KSR’s Adam Luckett has everything you need to know about Akron in his Bio Blast, which you can find here. As always, Luckett and Nick Roush will go live this evening for another edition of 11 Personnel to talk about everything Zips and ‘Cats.

UK-UL volleyball

At 8:00 p.m. EST inside the KFC Yum Center, the No. 21 Kentucky Wildcats will take on the No. 2 Louisville Cardinals in a rivalry volleyball showdown. This match is even getting the ESPN treatment.

It’s been a rough start to the 2023 season for Craig Skinner’s squad, which started the year ranked No. 10 in the nation. A poor 2-4 start to the season — against admittedly tough competition — has the Wildcats reeling a bit. Beating then-No. 21 ranked Houston 3-1 on Friday was massive, but dropping the very next match to No. 20 Purdue the following day set them back once again.

It doesn’t get any easier with a road trip against undefeated Louisville tonight. Kentucky also takes on No. 4 Nebraska in Lincoln on Sunday.

Wrestlers debuted on Netflix

It’s finally arrived. The Netflix documentary on OVW where KSR’s Matt Jones is a prominent figure, Wrestlers, is now available for streaming. Reviews have been pouring in already, the vast majority of them positive. Personally, I haven’t been able to check it out just yet, but that will change this weekend — and I’m very much looking forward to it. KSR’s Richmond Bramblet will bring episode-by-episode recaps to the website starting later today, so stay tuned for that.

Want to talk more about the show? Hop on over to KSBoard where we have a whole thread dedicated to breaking down every single frame.

Travis Branham joins Sources Say

Episode 278 of the Sources Say podcast was a must-listen/watch event. KSR’s Jack Pilgrim and Go Big Blue Country’s Shawn Smith were joined by 247Sports recruiting expert Travis Branham at KSBar on Tuesday to talk all things Kentucky basketball. What is John Calipari up to on the recruiting trail? Which recruits should the Big Blue Nation keep an eye on? What in the hell is going on with Zvonimir Ivisic?

Branham and the Sources Say crew break it all down for you here.

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MBB on the recruiting trail

Speaking of recruiting, this week has been significant for in-person coaching visits. Coaches are now allowed to watch and evaluate prospects and can also host recruits for visits. Kentucky has already taken full advantage of the latter after hosting five-star point guard Boogie Fland for an official visit over the weekend. But who else is on the Wildcats’ radar?

Four-star wing Billy Richmond begins his Kentucky official visit on Friday. Four-star center Patrick Ngongba will take an official starting Sept. 29. Moving into October, in-state standout Travis Perry will be on campus for Big Blue Madness the weekend of Oct. 14, as will 2025 blue-chippers Darryn Peterson, Caleb Wilson, and Darius Acuff. Then five-star senior Jayden Quaintance has scheduled a follow-up official to Kentucky from Oct. 20-22.

As for this week’s in-person visits from Kentucky staffers, the coaches have already gone to check on Peterson, Quaintance, Ngongba, Wilson, current four-star center commit Somto Cyril, and five-star wing Karter Knox. More names will surface throughout the week.