KSR Today: Offense Updates, NBA Opening Night
Good morning, fans of the Kentucky Wildcats and KentuckySportsRadio.com. The football team and those who cover it got a much-needed breather last week, but on Monday, it was back in the frying pan to prepare for Saturday’s game vs. the No. 21 Tennessee Volunteers.
Before we look ahead to today’s agenda, let’s run through Monday’s headlines, because there were a lot of them.
Monday Football Need-to-Know
Three injured Wildcats back on the depth chart
Kentucky was banged up going into the bye week. Jager Burton, Keeshawn Silver, and Trevin Wallace were all back on the depth chart after missing the Missouri game, with Burton listed as an “OR” next to Dylan Ray. Jalen Geiger (elbow) remained absent after suffering an injury vs. Georgia.
Stoops likes team’s mindset, asks BBN to get rowdy on Saturday night
Back-to-back losses had the Cats reeling at the midpoint of the season. On Monday, Mark Stoops said he likes his team’s mindset following the bye. BBN also needs to get back on the horse, with Stoops calling for fans to get rowdy on Saturday night, a plea he echoed on the call-in show last night.
“We need every fan in there very loud,” Stoops said. “Our fans make a difference and I can tell you talking with opposing coaches and talking to coaches that we’ve already played and then coming into our stadium, they commented on the atmosphere and how great it is. You know, we’re doing it, we just got to continue that and keep faith and I greatly appreciate the support. Need you loud and proud here this week.”
Mississippi State is another night game
Get ready for a late night in Starkville. Game times for November 4 were released on Monday and Kentucky vs. Mississippi State will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET, 6:30 p.m. local time. It will air on the SEC Network.
Mark Stoops Monday Press Conference
Press Conference Rapid Reaction
KSR Football Podcast
A few hours later, Nick and Adam were joined by Freddie Maggard and Drew Franklin on the KSR Football Podcast to talk about how much they hate Tennessee.
Updates from Liam Coen, Offense after practice
Kentucky invested heavily in the passing game during the offseason, bringing back Liam Coen, bringing in Devin Leary, and keeping Barion Brown and Dane Key around with NIL. So far, there has not been a return on investment. On Monday, Stoops said Kentucky would remain committed to the passing game instead of going back to the ground and pound of yore.
“We can sit there and run the ball maybe 20 more times and have a better chance to win the game, but are we really growing as an organization? Are we really winning and becoming the team that we want to become? We’re never going to stop working at that.”
Top 10
- 1New
Calipari is in Lexington
Former coach returns for KAT's HoF induction.
- 2
UK-EMU PRIMER
Everything you need to know before Saturday's game.
- 3Hot
KAT's Here!
It's Hall of Fame weekend for Karl-Anthony Towns.
- 4
Staff Predictions
KSR crew picks UK vs. Eastern Michigan
- 5
Dwight Perry
Wofford fires former Cat after NCAA Tournament run
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This evening, we’ll hear from Coen and other members of the offense. Check the site and YouTube Channel tonight to read how they used the bye to regroup and hopefully get things on track. Tennessee allows 289.5 passing yards per game, which ranks No. 12 in the SEC.
Four Wildcats in action on NBA Opening Night
Believe it or not, the NBA season is officially here. Tonight, the 2023-24 season tips off with two games. Anthony Davis, Jarred Vanderbilt, and the Los Angeles Lakers face defending champs Jamal Murray and the Denver Nuggets at 7:30 p.m., a rematch of the Western Conference Finals. After that, Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns play the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco. Both games air on TNT.
The New York Knicks don’t start their season until tomorrow, but Julius Randle went on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon last night to talk hoops and his new shoe deal with Sketchers (yes, you read that right). We’ll have more from their conversation a little later, but enjoy this clip of Julius talking about his son Kyden, who is already a celebrity in his own right for his viral reactions to his dad’s performance on the court.
New episode of Sources Say
It may have just been an intrasquad scrimmage, but on Saturday, we were able to consume actual Kentucky Basketball. Tonight at 8 p.m., Zack Geoghegan and Shawn Smith will break down the Blue-White Game and look ahead to Friday night’s exhibition vs. Georgetown College on a new episode of Sources Say. Jack Pilgrim is currently on paternity leave, so Zack’s filling in while Jack and his wife Katie spend time with Billy Pilgrim, who is expected to be a top prospect in the 2041 class.
Zack and Shawn go live on the KSR YouTube Channel at 8 p.m. If you’re a KSR+ member, leave your question for them on KSBoard and you could be invited to ask it on camera. We’re holding a Flash Sale for the Tennessee game, so now’s the perfect time to try KSR+ out.
Matt Painter is talking Steven Peake’s language
If you’ve spent any time around KSR’s videographer Steven Peake, you’ve likely heard him talk about the Wilson Evo NXT basketball, which the NCAA uses during the NCAA Tournament. The fact that there isn’t a standard basketball in the sport drives Steven so crazy he made a video about it earlier this year. Purdue coach Matt Painter has joined the chorus, complaining about the Wilson Evo NXT ball on a podcast on Monday.
In case you missed it when it came out in April, here is Steven’s expose on the Wilson Evo NXT:
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