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KSR Today: Stoops talks Texas, an eye on Virginia Tech, and basketball takes center stage

Drew Franklinby: Drew Franklin10/14/25DrewFranklinKSR
stoops-pope
(Photos via Imagn Images)

Good morning, friends. After a quiet bye week, Kentucky Football is back in the spotlight, and so is Mark Stoops. The head coach spoke twice on Monday, previewing Texas, updating his team’s status, and reminding fans that there’s still plenty to play for. But while Stoops talked ball in Lexington, his name popped up somewhere unexpected, adding another twist to an already interesting start to the week.

Elsewhere, basketball season is crashing the party. The Wildcats landed in the preseason Top 10, the SEC handed out early hardware, and the league’s coaches and players are in Birmingham for Media Day. There’s even a little NBA news with some familiar faces lighting up the preseason box scores.

It’s a loaded Tuesday across KentuckySportsRadio.com. Let’s dive into it.

Oct 16, 2021; Athens, Georgia, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops looks on from the sidelines during the first half against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

We heard from Mark Stoops yesterday

Mark Stoops had a big Monday out of the bye weekend, speaking twice throughout the day about the state of his football program heading into the Texas game. First, Stoops held his weekly press conference on Monday afternoon, lasting around 15 minutes on campus. Stoops opened the conversation by saying Kentucky’s bye week was “productive,” helping the team get healthier and prepare for Saturday’s home matchup against No. 21 Texas. He praised the Longhorns as a complete, well-coached team under Steve Sarkisian and highlighted quarterback Arch Manning’s poise, arm talent, and ability to make plays on the run.

Stoops spoke highly of his own quarterback, too. He said Cutter Boley’s comfort level and leadership are improving with each game. Watch Stoops’ entire Monday press conference here.

Then, Stoops returned to his Monday evening call-in show for an hour with Tom Leach and the show’s callers after missing last week.

While Stoops spoke in Lexington yesterday, his name appeared on a list of potential candidates in Virginia Tech’s coaching search in Blacksburg. According to VT Scoop, part of the 247 network, Stoops was listed among eight potential candidates behind the scenes. James Franklin, Shane Beamer, Dan Mullen, Manny Diaz, Alex Golesh, Ryan Silverfield, and Jon Sumrall were also named.

The VT Scoop article (behind a paywall) lists many reasons Stoops’ time at Kentucky could be coming to an end and wonders if Virginia Tech is the fresh start he needs. It’s only a brief mention of Stoops, but still a surprising development in what is lining up to be a wild season for the coaching carousel. We’ll keep an eye on it.

Kentucky and Tennessee assigned the late start

No matter what happens between Kentucky and Texas, the Wildcats have a rivalry game waiting a week later, when Tennessee heads to Kroger Field on October 25. Yesterday, the Southeastern Conference assigned the Cats and Vols its 7:45 p.m. time slot for that game, giving Big Blue Nation the crew of Tom Hart, Jordan Rodgers, and Cole Cubelic on the call. Tennessee will be UK’s third straight ranked opponent.

Lane Kiffin on Kirby Smart

The quote machine, Lane Kiffin, strikes again:

Moving on…

Oct 15, 2024; Birmingham, AL, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope talks with the media during SEC Media Days at Grand Bohemian Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images

AP ranks Kentucky No. 9 in preseason basketball poll

Basketball season is almost here, and the Associated Press released its Preseason Top 25 on Monday with Kentucky slotted at No. 9, coincidentally, giving Mark Pope his first preseason top-10 team.

The Wildcats are one of six SEC teams in the poll, joining Florida (No. 3), Arkansas (No. 14), Alabama (No. 15), Tennessee (No. 18), and Auburn (No. 20). Our friends at Louisville are two spots behind Kentucky at No. 11.

RankTeamRecord / ConferencePoints (1st)
1Purdue0–0, Big Ten1485 (35)
2Houston0–0, Big 121459 (16)
3Florida0–0, SEC1382 (8)
4UConn0–0, Big East1299 (2)
5St. John’s0–0, Big East1203
6Duke0–0, ACC1123
7Michigan0–0, Big Ten1084
8BYU0–0, Big 121078
9Kentucky0–0, SEC1056
10Texas Tech0–0, Big 121015
11Louisville0–0, ACC966
12UCLA0–0, Big Ten741
13Arizona0–0, Big 12715
14Arkansas0–0, SEC695
15Alabama0–0, SEC620
16Iowa State0–0, Big 12616
17Illinois0–0, Big Ten567
18Tennessee0–0, SEC462
19Kansas0–0, Big 12453
20Auburn0–0, SEC424
21Gonzaga0–0, WCC387
22Michigan State0–0, Big Ten188
23Creighton0–0, Big East158
24Wisconsin0–0, Big Ten136
25North Carolina0–0, ACC104

Kentucky picked to finish second in the SEC

In the SEC’s preseason media poll, Kentucky was picked to finish second in the league, trailing only defending national champion Florida. Behind the Cats are Tennessee, Alabama, and Arkansas, rounding out the top five.

  1. Florida
  2. Kentucky
  3. Tennesseee
  4. Alabama
  5. Arkansas
  6. Auburn
  7. Missouri
  8. Ole Miss
  9. Texas
  10. Mississippi State
  11. Vanderbilt
  12. Oklahoma
  13. Texas A&M
  14. Georgia
  15. LSU
  16. South Carolina

Otega Oweh named SEC Preseason POY

Kentucky lost out to Florida in the predicted order of finish, but it does have the league’s top player, according to the media. Otega Oweh was named SEC Preseason Player of the Year after a breakout first season in Lexington, where he averaged 16.2 points per game and scored in double figures in 33 contests.

Oweh becomes the seventh Wildcat to earn the preseason honor since the poll began in 1997. He’s joined on the Preseason All-SEC lists by teammate Jaland Lowe (All-SEC Third Team).

On the women’s side, Clara Strack was named All-SEC Second Team, and Kenny Brooks’ team was picked eighth in a loaded conference.

It’s the start of SEC Basketball Media Days

SEC Tipoff ’26 begins today in Birmingham, Alabama, featuring coaches and players from the league’s 16 men’s and 16 women’s basketball teams. SEC Network will carry the two-day event live on TV with 18 hours of coverage, including Kentucky’s time in the spotlight.

Kenny Brooks and Kentucky WBB will go first, speaking today at 5:20 p.m., followed by Mark Pope and Kentucky MBB at 6:20 p.m. Tune in, or follow KSR’s coverage from the day. We have three sets of boots in Birmingham.

Lamont Butler had a breakout night in the NBA’s Preseason

Former Kentucky point guard Lamont Butler had a Monday. Butler woke up without a job, then signed with the Atlanta Hawks ahead of the Hawks’ preseason game against the Heat. How’d that go, you ask? The rookie scored 18 points with six rebounds, five assists, and three steals in a one-point win, stealing the show for Atlanta on his first day.

Another former Wildcat led the team in scoring. Jacob Toppin had 26 and nine rebounds in the win over Bam Adebayo (13 points, nine rebounds) and Miami.

Rob Dillingham was shifty for Minnesota

In another preseason game, Rob Dillingham was flashy for the Wolves, scoring 27 points with nine assists in a blowout win over the Guangzhou Loong-Lions in Minnesota.

KSR is live from 10 a.m. to noon today

We’re in the studio from 10 a.m. to noon. Find KSR at KSBar tomorrow and Thursday. Go Cats.

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2025-10-17