KSR Today: Scott Drew Watch is on in Lexington

Drew Franklinby:Drew Franklin•04/11/24•

DrewFranklinKSR

Thursday brings more waiting in Kentucky Basketball‘s coaching search, at least for now. Yesterday, fans tracked flights, and TV crews waited outside Blue Grass Airport as a private flight reportedly carrying members of Scott Drew‘s family traveled from Texas to Lexington and back. KWTX reported the family’s return around 7:30 last night.

With the buzz around Drew as a serious candidate, the BBN showed how crazy it can be by calling a restaurant where Drew was dining Wednesday afternoon. Some Kentucky fans even engaged in back-and-forth online jabs with Chip Gaines, a popular Baylor booster and HGTV personality. What’s that line Calipari always used? Yeah, you people are crazy.

Today, all eyes are still on Waco and Scott Drew as early-morning reports suggest his decision could be near. Our friend Keith Taylor from Kentucky Today has been on top of the Drew beat and he believes the decision will come today.

NJ.com reports the same, saying Kentucky and Drew are “in negotiations” with a “decision expected soon.”

So, the Scott Drew Watch is on in Lexington as he considers a move.

John Calipari introduced at Arkansas, but wouldn’t call the hogs

Before Kentucky finds its next head coach, Arkansas formally introduced John Calipari to fans with a press conference and celebration in Fayetteville. Before Calipari’s introduction, the athletic director oddly told the crowd that he was surprised by their turnout. “You guys know that we’re not playing Kentucky in basketball tonight, right?”

That’s not the flex that you think it is, sir. And it probably made Calipari’s stomach turn.

Once Calipari took the stage, he was very gracious to Kentucky in his comments while rattling off many of the catchphrases we heard in Lexington for years. And when it came time to call the hogs, an Arkansas tradition, he bolted from the stage to awkwardly “meet the coaches,” he explained while ignoring the hogs.

For the record, Ellen and Brad participated in the calling.

A new ‘Sources Say’ podcast broke down the search

Last night, Jack Pilgrim and Shawn Smith broadcast a new “Sources Say” episode, which featured reactions to John Calipari’s introduction at Arkansas and the ongoing hunt for his replacement in Lexington.

John Wall is a Kentucky fan for life

On John Wall’s new podcast, he shared his thoughts on John Calipari leaving Kentucky for Arkansas, saying “it was time” after the last four years of disappointing results and the following fan reaction. Wall spoke to Calipari the day after Calipari took the job and said he believed the move had re-energized his old coach, partly because Arkansas had made him feel loved again.

Like all of Calipari’s former players, Wall will support Calipari as a Razorback. However, Kentucky is still home, he says. “Even though Coach Cal has separated, that’s still the place I call home. That’s where I went to college. That’s why I left high school and learned how to be a man on another level to prepare me for the NBA. So, whoever they get, I hope it’s great. I hope I can build a relationship with them and I hope it’s a guy that can get them to where they want to get to and win more championships.”

Read more from Wall here. Listen to the entire new “Point Game” pod here. He’s the best.

Kentucky Sports Radio has teamed up with Louisville City and Racing Louisville to provide you discounted tickets in 2024! Both clubs play at beautiful Lynn Family Stadium, the perfect place to spend an evening while the Cats aren’t in action.

LouCity is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, while Racing is the city’s only top-tier pro sports team newly featuring UK Hall of Famer Arin (Gilliand) Wright. Take advantage of those special discounted tickets for KSR fans.

Kentucky Baseball begins a series at Auburn

Kentucky Baseball stayed in Alabama after losing Tuesday night’s game at Samford. The loss was part of a long road swing that will conclude with a three-game series at Auburn. Today, that Thursday-Saturday series begins with its first game at the Tigers’ Plainsman Park. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. on ESPNU and the UK Sports Network for anyone unable to attend in person.

Last weekend, Kentucky swept then-No. 11 Alabama, allowing only three runs over three games in Lexington. Tonight, the Cats aim to maintain that SEC-best record at Auburn. Kentucky is currently 11-1 in SEC play, the best start in school history.

Antonio Reeves to sign autographs at KSBar and Grille

Want to meet Antonio Reeves before he moves on to the next phase of his basketball career? He’ll be at KSBar and Grille tomorrow night to sign autographs with fans. Learn more about the event here.

It’s time for The Masters

Though rain in Augusta delayed Thursday morning’s tee times, The Masters will soon tee off one of the best weekends in sports. I spent Monday at Augusta National (without a phone for 12 hours while everything unfolded in Lexington… that was weird) and the course at that time was in pristine shape with some of the firmest greens the tournament has seen in many years. One Augusta expert on the grounds said the course looked as good as it has in 40 years. So, hopefully, the golfers give us a competitive and exciting Thursday-Sunday, whenever it stops raining. Go J.T. Poston. Go Stephen Jaeger. (Friends of the KSR program.)

Tune in to KSR at 10 a.m.

I don’t know if we’ll get another bag of frozen nuggets from Tyson, but it should be another wild time from 10 a.m. to noon on Kentucky Sports Radio.

Go Cats.

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2024-05-02