KSR Today: Time for Kentucky Fans to Catch a Breath

Wow. That was something, huh? The last 48 hours have been a whirlwind at the Kentucky Sports Radio compound, thanks to one Vince Marrow. Kentucky fans weren’t the only ones completely caught off guard by his decision to abandon ship and join the dark side at Louisville.

Not to beat a dead horse, but that was crazy as hell. There’s really no other way to put it. We’re in the middle of June. Cicadas are buzzing. Summer picnics are in full swing. Folks are going on vacation. This is supposed to be a time where we are scratching and clawing to find content. Instead, we’re covering one of the biggest Kentucky football stories of the last decade.

The dust has not completely settled on Marrow’s move from Kentucky to Louisville. Today may very well be the day the school makes the hire official. Mark Stoops has yet to make any comment. At this point, I doubt he will until he hires his replacement, most likely promoting someone from within the coaching staff.

Nevertheless, today should be a good day to move forward. Of course, it will not be completely put in the past — after all, we have a new 11 Personnel cooking for this afternoon at 4 PM — but we can start to turn our attention back to your regularly scheduled programming. Here’s what’s on the docket.

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Catch Up with a Couple of Kentucky Wildcats

The summer is our first opportunity to meet with many of the new Kentucky basketball players and also catch up with a few familiar faces. Each week will have a chance to talk to a pair of Cats, and first up are a few familiar faces, Brandon Garrison and Otega Oweh. There was one big topic of conversation: Everyone is hyped that 00 is back. KSR spent more than 20 minutes with each player. Dive right in, BBN.

Need more Kentucky basketball talk? Sure you do. That’s why Sources Say hit the airwaves Tuesday night. Catch up now!

New Rules Coming to College Basketball

Those returning Kentucky basketball players will be operating under a new set of rules next season. One does not apply to them as much as Mark Pope. The NCAA is eliminating end-of-game out-of-bounds reviews and is putting the power in the coaches’ hands. They will now have two challenges to use. If the first is unsuccessful, they lose the second, and they must have a timeout to use a challenge.

That rule change should make the game more watchable. The other rule should make Otega Oweh more dominant. Continuation is coming to college hoops. When defenders try to stop the physical guard from getting to the rim, he’ll be able to finish his field goal attempt. Those And Ones could make 00 an All-American.

Kentucky Only Draws Arkansas Once

The SEC has publicly declared that it hates money and ratings. For the second straight year, Kentucky will only play John Calipari’s Arkansas basketball program once in the regular season. The Hogs bested the Cats in the one major lowlight of the first year of the Mark Pope era. Kentucky will travel to Bud Walton Arena next season.

When the SEC was bad during the peak of John Calipari’s powers at Kentucky, most fans wanted to play all of the best teams twice. This isn’t the same SEC. Tennessee, Auburn, Florida, Alabama, and Arkansas are likely preseason Top 15 teams. We don’t have to worry about the Cats’ strength of schedule.

Game 3 of the NBA Finals

Indiana started the series with a bang, using a furious late rally to upset the Thunder in Oklahoma City. As most expected, the tables turned sharply in game two. Who wins the rubber match?

Oklahoma City’s impressive game two performance might have some thinking that a gentleman’s sweep in five games is on the horizon. These Pacers are too tricky, particularly at home. Indy is going to be an electric factory. Give me the Pacers and the +5 points and maybe even a +184 moneyline sprinkle. Tip-off is at 8:30 PM ET on ABC.

No. 44 Turns 42

Today is a great opportunity for Big Blue Nation to celebrate the outstanding career of Chuck Hayes. The former Wildcat power forward and current director of basketball operations for the Golden State Warriors turns 42.

Kentucky fans love an underdog and he personified that as a 6-foot-6 power forward who cleaned the glass as well as a 7-footer. A three-year starter for Tubby Smith, he finished his career with 910 rebounds, the most by a Wildcat since Kenny Walker. His career included many memorable moments, like the game-winner at Mississippi State, but allow me to use this opportunity to take you to the early internet when Hayes gave Kentucky fans a tour of the old Wildcat Lodge.