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

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.

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.
Stoops mentioned in Virginia Tech coaching search
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…

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.
Rank | Team | Record / Conference | Points (1st) |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Purdue | 0–0, Big Ten | 1485 (35) |
2 | Houston | 0–0, Big 12 | 1459 (16) |
3 | Florida | 0–0, SEC | 1382 (8) |
4 | UConn | 0–0, Big East | 1299 (2) |
5 | St. John’s | 0–0, Big East | 1203 |
6 | Duke | 0–0, ACC | 1123 |
7 | Michigan | 0–0, Big Ten | 1084 |
8 | BYU | 0–0, Big 12 | 1078 |
9 | Kentucky | 0–0, SEC | 1056 |
10 | Texas Tech | 0–0, Big 12 | 1015 |
11 | Louisville | 0–0, ACC | 966 |
12 | UCLA | 0–0, Big Ten | 741 |
13 | Arizona | 0–0, Big 12 | 715 |
14 | Arkansas | 0–0, SEC | 695 |
15 | Alabama | 0–0, SEC | 620 |
16 | Iowa State | 0–0, Big 12 | 616 |
17 | Illinois | 0–0, Big Ten | 567 |
18 | Tennessee | 0–0, SEC | 462 |
19 | Kansas | 0–0, Big 12 | 453 |
20 | Auburn | 0–0, SEC | 424 |
21 | Gonzaga | 0–0, WCC | 387 |
22 | Michigan State | 0–0, Big Ten | 188 |
23 | Creighton | 0–0, Big East | 158 |
24 | Wisconsin | 0–0, Big Ten | 136 |
25 | North Carolina | 0–0, ACC | 104 |
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.
Top 10
- 1Breaking
Jaland Lowe
tweaks shoulder in BW Game
- 2
Blue-White Game
Live updates
- 3Trending
$22 Million
UK's NIL payroll is $22M, per H-L report
- 4New
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KSR's UK/Texas picks
- 5Hot
Adam Sandler
wore a UK jersey at Rupp show
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- Florida
- Kentucky
- Tennesseee
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Auburn
- Missouri
- Ole Miss
- Texas
- Mississippi State
- Vanderbilt
- Oklahoma
- Texas A&M
- Georgia
- LSU
- 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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