KSR Today: Will Levis is questionable and WBB Media Day
Good morning, folks. We have to start the day with some not-so-good news. Will Levis‘s status for Saturday’s game against South Carolina is currently up in the air.
Word began to spread on Wednesday that Levis was dealing with an injury not related to his previously dislocated finger. The rumors really began to swirl as the night went along, and eventually, KSR’s Matt Jones sent out a tweet to help clear the air: yes, Levis is indeed questionable.
Here’s what else we know. Levis is dealing with a lower leg injury that he suffered during the Ole Miss game this past weekend. He’s currently thought to be a game time decision, and if he can’t go, backup QB Kaiya Sheron will get the start against the Gamecocks.
Kentucky has been bet down from a double-digit favorite to just a six-point favorite as of Thursday morning, according to Circa Sports.
We could have a better idea of whether or not Levis will play on Saturday when head coach Mark Stoops speaks with the media later this afternoon. That being said, I wouldn’t bet on any definitive statements between now and kickoff against South Carolina.
Now that we’ve covered the bad news, let’s talk about something more fun. Like how the Kentucky women’s basketball team hosted the program’s annual Media Day on Wednesday, which was followed by an open practice.
10 new faces for Kyra Elzy
WBB head coach Kyra Elzy is entering year three in charge, but under much different circumstances than the first two. Rhyne Howard is off being the future face of the WNBA while 10 new faces (six rookies and four transfers) joined the Wildcats during the offseason. Elzy does return five critical pieces from last season’s roster, but for the most part, this is a new-look (albeit deep) group.
KSR was in attendance for Media Day, which began with Elzy taking center stage and answering plenty of questions from the press. Conditioning and hard work are at the core of what the team has valued this offseason. She even told a cool story about how she received a call from Mitch Barnhart during the middle of last season’s tumultuous 9-11 start. Obviously, Elzy was assuming the worst, but she received some unexpected encouragement from Barnhart, which she said gave her a much-needed boost of confidence. Kentucky went on to win the 2022 SEC Tournament.
You can watch her entire interview below.
Once Elzy wrapped up, we headed to the gym for player interviews and an open practice session. We heard from the likes of Blair Green, Robyn Benton, Jada Walker, Maddie Scherr, Eniya Russell, Cassidy Rowe, and Kennedy Cambridge. You can listen to everything they had to say by visiting the KSR YouTube page.
Also, make sure to check out KSR’s Three Biggest Takeaways from Media Day.
Kentucky FB defense prepares for South Carolina
Levis or no Levis, the Kentucky football defense will have to step up regardless. On Wednesday, defensive coordinator Brad White, linebackers coach Mike Stoops, and members of the Wildcat defense spoke with reporters to preview this weekend’s showdown against South Carolina.
Brad White
Mike Stoops
D’Eryk Jackson
Carrington Valentine
While you’re here, check out the latest episode of the 11 Personnel podcast with Nick Roush and Adam Luckett. The guys explain why this matchup comes at the right time for the banged-up ‘Cats.
You can easily stream online through Spotify, watch the action on KSR’s YouTube Channel or get the podcast sent directly to your phone by subscribing to 11 Personnel on Apple Podcasts.
KSR’s Big Blue Madness Campout 2022 Recap
Kentucky basketball’s modified campout for Big Blue Madness 2022 has come and gone, a one-night event that included pictures, autographs, interviews and pizza with the team, along with a watch party for UK football’s game at Ole Miss.
KSR was on-site to take it all in and speak with fans about their experience and thoughts on the 2022-23 roster — and why Jacob Toppin is handing out his practice shorts.
SEC basketball Media Days announced
“Tipoff ’23,” aka SEC Basketball Media Days, will take place October 18-19 at the Grand Bohemian Hotel in Birmingham, Alabama. Women’s teams go up on Tuesday the 18th and men’s teams on Wednesday the 19th.
Blair Green, Jada Walker, Oscar Tshiebwe, and Sahvir Wheeler will represent Kentucky along with head coaches Kyra Elzy and John Calipari. Jack Pilgrim and I will be there to cover it for KSR, but if you’d like to watch from home, the SEC Network will air it all starting at 11 a.m. ET each day.
BBNBA preseason action is well underway
The 2022-23 NBA preseason officially began over the weekend and has continued throughout the week as all 30 franchises prepare for another shot at winning the Larry O’Brien Trophy (or hoping to win the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes).
On Wednesday, a few former Kentucky Wildcats hit the hardwood, led by third-year Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey, who is out to prove his year two play was anything but a fluke. Maxey dropped 21 points on 9-11 shooting (3-3 from distance) in under 16 minutes of action against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
For the Indiana Pacers, second-year forward Isaiah Jackson posted 13 points, six rebounds, and four blocks in a 122-97 win over the Charlotte Hornets. He’ll fight for backup minutes in the frontcourt this season and could be a steady rational piece for the Pacers, if not a starter at one point during the year. PJ Washington added 13 points on 5-11 shooting for the Hornets while his teammate Nick Richards went for six points and seven rebounds in 17 minutes.
Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns took down the Anthony Davis-less Los Angeles Lakers 119-115, as Booker dropped 22 points in his 25 minutes of action. In place of Davis for L.A., Wenyen Gabriel earned the start and registered six points and one rebound in his 20 minutes.
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