KSR Today: Offseason Kentucky Workouts, Retreats, and Talking Season

Good morning, and a Happy Hump Day to Big Blue Nation. Is “Hump Day” a tired phrase? Pardon me for being the Dad in the room. I’ll be better. Speaking of getting better, that is exactly the focus of your favorite Kentucky sports programs during the first week of June.

The photo you see above includes almost every coach employed by the University of Kentucky. Mitch Barnhart shared the image from yesterday’s UK Athletics retreat. Events like this are to ensure everyone in the program is pulling on the same rope. In the changing climate of college athletics, alignment is key to success.

With that being said, I am happy that I was not involved whatsoever. Imagine the coach-speak and word salad being shared throughout the day. Not for me. Nevertheless, let’s hope they’re all on the same page ahead of what could be a monumental change in college athletics if and when the House settlement is finalized ahead of the July 1 deadline.

Kentucky Wildcats Begin Summer Workouts

It is move-in week for the Kentucky basketball program. Mark Pope’s players will be filtering in over the next few days. Before too long, we’ll get reports from open gyms. Who’s the next beast, a la Matt Pilgrim? I can’t wait to find out from Jack Pilgrim.

Meanwhile, the Kentucky football team has already started its summer training program. Players moved in over the weekend and are sweating it out at the Joe Craft Football Training Facility.

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Kentucky Football gets a Much-Needed Commitment

Kentucky was the only power conference program that kicked off the month of June with just one commitment. That number grew to two on Tuesday when Davis McCray pledged his allegiance to the Cats.

A three-star talent from San Antonio, McCray pulled the trigger and committed shortly after visiting Kentucky. McCray is listed by some recruiting services as an athlete. He recorded 32 receptions for 639 yards and 10 touchdowns last fall. He also tallied 38 tackles. When he isn’t on the gridiron, he’s a star in track events. Hopefully, the addition can give the Cats some much-needed momentum.

Two New Must-Listen KSR Podcasts

Speaking of the lack of Kentucky football commitments, Adam Luckett joined me for a new edition of 11 Personnel on Tuesday. We all know what is happening is bad, but there’s much more nuance behind the why. It’s not just the 4-8 record. Allow us to dive into a few red flags that have popped up this offseason.

If you’d rather not be so depressed, the Kentucky basketball offseason has provided unbridled optimism for Big Blue Nation. Jack Pilgrim and Shawn Smith took questions in a brand new edition of Sources Say.

Stanley Cup Finals Begin

The best trophy in sports is on the line. The Stanley Cup Finals begin tonight in Edmonton, where the Oilers are trying to give Canada the Cup for the first time since 1993. Can Connor McDavid prevent the Florida Panthers from going back-to-back? The Panthers are +105 to retain the title, but Edmonton is a 1.5-goal favorite tonight. The puck drops at 8 PM ET on TNT.

The New York Knicks Need a New Head Coach

Being an NBA head coach is a thankless job. Tom Thibodeau made the playoffs in four of the last five seasons and took the Knicks to their first Eastern Conference Finals in 25 years. Three days later, he’s unemployed.

The sad part is that this isn’t all that unusual. Michael Malone led the Nuggets to their first NBA Finals win in 2023. He was fired before the start of the 2025 playoffs. What’s even worse? This Knicks coaching search is going to be all over the national talking shows in the weeks that come. At least we only have to wait one more day to see the Pacers and Thunder tip off the NBA Finals.

The Reds Robbed a Win

Redlegs fans in Northern Kentucky rarely get to appreciate clutch performances. They got one on Tuesday night. Leading by two with two outs, it looked like the Milwaukee Brewers were blasting a game-tying home run. That’s when TJ Friedl intervened at the wall. What a moment.

TJ FRIEDL ROBBERY TO END THE GAME #ATOBTTR pic.twitter.com/us9OqA1tYS

— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) June 4, 2025

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An Exceptional Salute to a Kentucky Hero

Nick Rodman was a Louisville Metro police officer who lost his life in the line of duty back in 2017. The son and brother of LMPD officers, he was a stand-up member of the community who is still mourned today. This week, the city honored his service with a new park in his name.

The Nick Rodman Legacy Park officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday. Located near his home in the South End, just off Third Street Road, the park has more than 40 acres of green space, trails, a splash pad, and a playground. Even though he will not be there to see his two children grow up, countless children from his community have a new home away from home for years to come.

“Nick was so proud to be from the South End, and it means so much to see our community come together in his honor,” his wife, Ashley, said. “Knowing that families will now gather in this park laughing, playing, and making memories of their own fills my heart with joy. It is a powerful reminder of the life Nick lived and the love he gave so freely.”