KSR Today, served up by Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse
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Now that we’re all hungry after looking at that delicious Steak Collinsworth, let’s dive into the news because there is plenty of it.
Mark Stoops is here to stay
Of course, the biggest news of the week is Mark Stoops’ new contract with Kentucky. Yesterday morning, Matt received a phone call during the show that prompted him to step away from the microphones. When he came back, he shared that Stoops and Mitch Barnhart came to an agreement on Saturday for Stoops to stay in Lexington contingent on a new indoor practice facility and recruiting budget. An hour and a half later, Kentucky made the news official, announcing a contract extension through June 2028.
The details of the contract have yet to be released because it hasn’t been signed, but Stoops felt it was important to let everyone know he’s staying, especially recruits.
“I didn’t even want any of our recruits, guys have been committed to us for a long time to even think I was out there entertaining any other opportunities or anything,” Stoops said during his call-in show. “There’s still things out there and there’s still people calling, but I’m committed to Kentucky and I wanted everybody to know that.”
Travis Tisdale enters the transfer portal
In other personnel news, sophomore running back Travis Tisdale entered the transfer portal, the ninth member of Kentucky’s 2019 recruiting class to leave the program. The former three-star prospect was buried on the depth chart, carrying the ball only one time for four yards in the season-opener vs. Louisiana-Monroe. Earlier this week, backup quarterback Nik Scalzo and offensive tackle Jake Pope entered the portal as well.
Speaking of the portal, this Twitter thread by someone sitting next to a Louisville player discussing transferring with two Kansas assistants is a wild ride.
Kentucky is No. 23 in the new College Football Playoff Rankings
After the win over Louisville, Kentucky is back in the College Football Playoff rankings at No. 23. As Adam Luckett wrote last night, unfortunately, that doesn’t provide much clarity on the bowl situation. Kentucky is one spot behind Arkansas but ahead of Texas A&M. The Cats have better records than both the Razorbacks and the Aggies. The Citrus Bowl has the first pick of SEC teams following the CFP games, the New Year’s Six Bowls, and the Sugar Bowl. Will the committee go with the Razorbacks, who are ranked higher in the CFP rankings, or Kentucky, which has the better record? Either way, the odds are still high that we’re spending New Year’s Day in Florida, whether it be in Orlando or Tampa.
Kentucky WBB hosts West Virginia in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge
Men’s Basketball is off until Dec. 7, but we’ve got a big Women’s Basketball game tonight. The No. 16 Wildcats host West Virginia in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge. The game tips off at 7 p.m. ET and will air live on SEC Network+ with Jeff Piecoro and Christi Thomas on the call. If you don’t want to deal with SEC Network+ again, you can either listen live on the UK Sports Network (630AM in Lexington) or go in person. Tickets are still available for as low as $3 at the door with a donation to the Lexington Fire Toy Drive.
The Cats get a big piece of the puzzle back tonight. Nyah Leveretter, who has been out all season with a non-COVID illness, will be available. Treasure Hunt will be a game-time decision. Hunt suffered a facial injury in the second half of Saturday’s game vs. La Salle.
Speaking of Kentucky WBB, FiveThirtyEight’s Howard Megdal published a story earlier this week about how Rhyne Howard can be the No. 1 pick in the 2021 WNBA Draft. Let’s enjoy her while we can.
Five-star point guard Robert Dillingham announces his decision
This afternoon at 2 p.m., 2023 five-star point guard Robert Dillingham will announce his college decision. Up until Monday night, Kentucky seemed to be the prohibitive favorite, but winds suddenly shifted to NC State. All of the picks in Dillingham’s 247 Sports Crystal Ball have flipped from the Cats to the Wolfpack.
Why? Jack Pilgrim has a great rundown of the factors leading to the sudden change of mind (which seems to be a pattern with Dillingham). Even though it’s looking like Kentucky will miss out on this five-star junior, there are plenty of other irons in the fire, namely DJ Wagner.
The Kentucky Basketball team is still sick
Thank goodness the Cats don’t take the floor until next week because they need the rest. Last night on his radio show, John Calipari said he has a head cold while three managers, his son Brad, Davion Mintz, and Daimion Collins are also ill. Hopefully, Cal didn’t pass whatever he’s got on to Joe B. Hall, who celebrated his 93rd birthday yesterday:
Yesterday was also Ellen Calipari’s birthday. Her gift from her husband? A portrait of his “princess.”
Will Levis’ Ls Down hoodie is amazing
How much does Will Levis love Ls Down? He wore a sweatshirt bearing pictures of famous Wildcats doing the gesture to the Pin It Deep Podcast on Sunday. After Bryce Stevenson, the designer, advertised them on social media, they quickly sold out; however, Stevenson said he hopes to get more in stock before Christmas, so stay tuned.
Ohio State takes down No. 1 Duke
Finally, it didn’t take long for No. 1 Duke to pick up its first loss. Last night, Ohio State stunned the Blue Devils, rallying from a 15-point second-half deficit to win 71-66.
It’s always fun to see Duke lose — especially on Coach K’s farewell tour — but remember that the Cats play the Buckeyes on Dec. 18 in Vegas. That game just got a little bit more interesting.
Elsewhere in college hoops, No. 2 Purdue rolled over Florida State and No. 13 Tennessee blew out Presbyterian. Here’s tonight’s schedule:
- 7:00 PM (ESPN+): No. 6 Villanova vs. Pennsylvania
- 7:00 PM (FS2): Wagner vs. No. 25 Seton Hall
- 7:15 PM (SEC Network): No. 18 Memphis vs. Georgia
- 7:15 PM (ESPN): Louisville vs. No. 22 Michigan State
- 8:00 PM (SECN+/ESPN+): Central Arkansas vs. No. 10 Arkansas
- 8:00 PM: No. 14 Florida vs. Oklahoma
- 8:00 PM (ESPN+): Arkansas-Pine Bluff vs. No. 19 Iowa State
- 8:00 PM (SECN+/ESPN+): UCF vs. No. 21 Auburn
- 9:00 PM (ESPN+): No. 12 BYU vs. Utah Valley
- 9:15 PM (ESPN2): No. 23 Wisconsin vs. Georgia Tech
- 9:15 PM (ESPN): No. 24 Michigan vs. North Carolina
- 9:30 PM (PAC12): Colorado vs. No. 5 UCLA
- 11:30 PM (PAC12): Utah vs. No. 20 USC
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