KSR Today: Time to set (another) Kentucky Proud Park attendance record
OK, Big Blue Nation. There is new important business to take care of starting at 2 p.m. ET.
Remember exactly six days ago when you filled Rupp Arena from top to bottom for a press conference? We were all there or saw the videos, at minimum. It was something out of a movie, the reuniting of a fanbase to rally around new head coach Mark Pope and the future of the Kentucky men’s basketball program. That was special, the reason this fanbase is the best in all of sports, regardless of level.
Now how about another challenge, this time at Kentucky Proud Park?
BBN set the attendance record with 6,922 fans in the stands as No. 3 Kentucky defeated rival No. 4 Tennessee 5-3 in one of the biggest games in program history. Trailing much of the game, fans willed the Bat Cats back to execute the comeback for the team’s 11th consecutive conference victory with a 15-1 start in SEC play.
“There’s been times where there have been crowds where we maybe haven’t cashed in,” Kentucky head coach Nick Mingione said after the win. “This was absolutely an opportunity where we needed to cash in, especially in that environment.”
Emilien Pitre brought in two runs in a seventh-inning single to take the first lead of the game, followed by a solo shot from Nolan McCarthy to establish a two-run cushion. Johnny Hummel entered in the ninth to secure his fifth save of the season, while Ryan Waldschmidt and Trey Pooser helped set the tone early. It all led to Kentucky’s 32nd win on the year with just five losses, now just two wins shy of the conference record for best start in SEC play.
All eyes on 7K
The venue saw its largest crowd ever, including NCAA Tournament games. 6,922 is special and proved once again if you build it, fans will come. The state-of-the-art $49 million stadium was built on the dream of competing for SEC championships and College World Series titles, and thanks to Mingione, the on-field product is there. And with that, Big Blue Nation has done its part to follow and support at record-shattering levels.
“This isn’t only good for us, it’s good for our league, for our state,” Mingione said. “It’s good for the SEC to have an atmosphere and environment like this. We needed it. I really feel like we’ve earned it.”
Thing is, KPP has a max capacity of 7,000 — not 6,922. And I’m sure a few more can be squeezed in the grass berms.
Only 13 programs have cleared the 7K attendance mark nationally, and Kentucky has a chance Saturday to make it 14 with just 78 more fans to officially put the venue at capacity. SEVENTY EIGHT.
“Just to see all these fans out here and to give them what they really came to see was just awesome. I hope they keep coming back and keep coming to watch us play,” Waldschmidt said.
You heard ’em, BBN.
Nick Mingione, players break down the win
We know about the fans and excitement, but how did the win come together for the Bat Cats on Friday? Mingione, Waldschmidt and McCarthy broke it all down afterward.
Jordan Burks enters the transfer portal
Changing gears a bit to the hardwood, Mark Pope officially has a clean slate in terms of the Kentucky basketball roster in his debut season. Antonio Reeves and Tre Mitchell couldn’t return, Reed Sheppard, Rob Dillingham and Ugonna Onyenso have entered the NBA Draft, Zvonimir Ivisic has transferred to Arkansas, Aaron Bradshaw is now at Ohio State and Joey Hart has returned home to Ball State while DJ Wagner and Adou Thiero are still exploring their options.
Now, Jordan Burks has become the final outgoing piece for the Wildcats, entering his name in the portal on Friday.
The former three-star recruit appeared in 20 games during his freshman campaign in Lexington, averaging 1.9 points and 1.7 rebounds in 7.2 minutes per outing. Now, he’s looking for his new home.
This comes alongside Jayden Quaintance, Boogie Fland, Karter Knox, Billy Richmond and Somto Cyril all backing out of their Kentucky commitments, leaving only Travis Perry as the lone signee for next season.
Perry joins four-star guard Collin Chandler, who Pope flipped from BYU last week, as anticipated roster pieces following the new head coach’s first week on the job.
Adou Thiero includes Kentucky in final five
There is a chance Pope brings back one piece from last year’s group, though, as Thiero continues to leave that door open in the portal.
Originally announcing he’d be exploring his draft and transfer options before John Calipari left for Arkansas, the sophomore forward included Kentucky in his final list cut down to five schools.
Joining the Wildcats? North Carolina, Pitt, Indiana and, yes, Arkansas under John Calipari.
Thiero averaged 7.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.1 steals this past season in 21.3 minutes per contest. He finished the year shooting 49.2% from the field, 31.8% from three and 80.0% at the line.
Pitt and North Carolina are seen as the favorites to land his commitment, but hey, you never know.
Amari Williams begins official visit
Among guys you can start feeling good about for Kentucky? How about Drexel star transfer Amari Williams, who is set to visit Lexington this weekend with the Wildcats in his final three.
The three-time CAA Defensive Player of the Year announced the official on April 14, followed by an in-person meeting with Pope on Thursday. There was some speculation a quick commitment could come ahead of the trip to Kentucky, though a source close to the decision says nothing will be decided or announced until things wrap up in Lexington.
Until then, he’s down to Kentucky, St. John’s and Mississippi State.
“Nothing is done and no decisions have been made,” the source told KSR, adding that his meeting with Kentucky on Thursday “went well” and “he’s looking forward to his visit.”
It’s expected to be a head-to-head battle between Pope and Rick Pitino for the star forward, who averaged 12.2 points on 51.7 percent shooting in 22.9 minutes per game this past season at Drexel.
Keep your eyes peeled, BBN.
Until then, we’ll see you at Kentucky Proud Park.
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