KSR Today: Ole Miss prep ramps up, Basketball Practice begins

On3 imageby:Tyler Thompson09/27/22

MrsTylerKSR

Tuesdays are by far the most boring day of the week, but it’s another beautiful morning here at the KSR South compound and we’re one day closer to Kentucky vs. Ole Miss in Oxford. Also, Kentucky Basketball practice starts today. So, open the windows, fill up your coffee cup, and let’s get to the rundown.

Need-to-know from a busy Monday

We knew Chris Rodriguez would return to the Kentucky depth chart on Monday, but we did not know that J.J. Weaver would not. There was hope that Weaver would return to the lineup for the Ole Miss game after injuring his elbow vs. Youngstown State, but Mark Stoops essentially ruled him out during his press conference. That’s a big bummer as Kentucky looks to contain Ole Miss’ unique running game.

Ole Miss is dealing with its own share of injuries. On3’s Chuck Rounsaville reports running back Zach Evans (hip) is expected to play against Kentucky, but fellow RB Ulysses Bentley IV (wrist) will still be out. On defense, Rounsaville reports that linebacker Khari Coleman is not responding to treatment on his ankle as well as was initially hoped and is considered questionable. 

As for the rest of Stoops’ presser, he talked about how Chris Rodriguez doesn’t need to be Kentucky’s “savior” vs. Ole Miss, the challenges Lane Kiffin’s offense presents, and restaurant and tailgating recs for Oxford. Kidding. He was actually asked about that but has never been to Ole Miss before, which serves as another reminder that this is Kentucky’s first trip there in 12 years. That’s a long time!

You can see the entire press conference on our YouTube Channel or read the transcript if you prefer the written form.

After Stoops wrapped up his comments, Drew Franklin and Adam Luckett stepped onto Kroger Field to react to them all.

A few hours later, Drew, Luckett, Nick Roush, and Freddie Maggard came together on the KSR Football Podcast to wrap a bow on the Northern Illinois win and move forward to Ole Miss.

A QB name to keep an eye on

As much as we’d like to keep him for eternity, Will Levis is off to the NFL next year. Who will replace him? Deuce Hogan and Kaiya Sheron are Kentucky’s backups this season. Yesterday, a new name entered the chat when Boise State quarterback Hank Bachmeier entered the transfer portal. The former four-star, top-300 recruit has started 29 games over four years with the Broncos, racking up over 6,600 yards and 41 touchdowns while completing 61.6 percent of his passes. He’s only thrown 19 interceptions on 870 career passing attempts, compiling a QB rating of 136.6 in that span. If Kentucky dips into the transfer portal for a QB, Matt Jones is hearing Bachmeier is a likely possibility.

“Something to watch in the coming months,” Jones said of Bachmeier Monday evening. “… Kentucky’s OC Rich Scangarello has worked with Hank Bachmeier (and a number of other college QBs) since they were in High School…that only stopped when he got to UK.”

“(Scangarello) knows these guys much better than fans,” Jones added. “If UK gets a transfer 2023 QB, high likelihood it’s one of those kids.”

Rich Scangarello, Offense talk after practice

Speaking of Scangarello, he and members of the Kentucky offense will chat with reporters after practice. I expect more C-Rod and offensive line talk. Check the site or YouTube Channel this evening for a recap and videos.

It’s unlikely the offense fields questions on this, but if you were wondering, Levis is still taking care of his Big Blue Wall at Malone’s each Monday.

Mens and Women’s Basketball practice begins

Yesterday marked the first day men’s and women’s college basketball teams across the country were allowed to suit up for practice. The Kentucky Wildcats waited until today to get things rolling. Expect some fun pictures and videos to come out of the Joe Craft Center as the countdown to basketball season truly begins. Remember: Madness campout is THIS weekend.

While the wait for the complete 2022-23 basketball schedule continues, we did get some nuggets of news on Monday. As promised, the Blue-White Game will take place in Eastern Kentucky this year on October 22 at Appalachian Wireless Arena in Pikeville. All ticket revenue will go to those affected by the devastating floods through Team Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief and the team will do a community service project preceding the scrimmage. We also found out Kentucky will open the season vs. Howard on Monday, November 7 at Rupp.

Memphis hears from the IARP

The soon-to-be-defunct Independent Accountability Resolution Process (IARP) is finally rolling out some rulings. Today, we’ll hear what punishments await Memphis for Penny Hardaway paying James Wiseman’s family’s moving fees. The report will be released at 10 a.m. ET with a Zoom call scheduled with media at 11 a.m.

The IARP will dissolve after it hands down its rulings in the Memphis, Kansas, Louisville, Arizona, and LSU cases; going forward, the NCAA will modernize its enforcement process, or, at least, try to.

Sources Say LIVE at 8 p.m. on YouTube

We’ve been promoting the KSR YouTube Channel a lot lately and today is no exception. Our videographer Steven Peake is putting in work to bring you visual content in the most ridiculous manner possible, so if you haven’t yet, please subscribe.

Tonight for your viewing pleasure, we’ll have the Sources Say crew of Jack Pilgrim and Shawn Smith discussing the start of practice and the latest buzz in the recruiting world, including Aaron Bradshaw setting a commitment date. They go live at 8 p.m. ET and if you join them during the show, you can ask a question. Make it a good one.

“SEC Shorts” made me laugh

Tennessee’s win over Florida vaulted the Vols into the top ten and the Sugar Bowl in most bowl projections. The “SEC Shorts” crew shared their take on the Vols’ rise, and although they don’t quite give the Cats the respect they deserve, I still laughed, especially at the end.

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