A few notes for Sunday...

First and foremost, congrats are in order for Chuck Hayes. The Rockets announced yesterday that they have extended the former wildcat's contract for the remainder of the season. You just can't say enough about this guy's heart. It's all too evident on the floor this year, that we miss #44 a lot more than we expected. Just goes to show, you can be undersized and possess a jump shot the equivalent of Charles Barkley's golf swing, good things do happen to good people. 

Matt Jones is exactly right (you were expecting differently?) in highlighting the importance of this game. An 'L' today could really throw a monkey wrench into what momentum, if you want to call it that, UK has garnered the last three games. With Florida, UT, and LSU figuring to be very tough outs, the Cats must conquer the 2nd tier SEC clubs, like Arkansas. 

Arkansas Coach Stan Heath has made little secret all week that he plans to pound away down low. With Morris playing D like he's machetti-ing through Costa Rica, Thomas or Woo will have to contribute more than fouls and awkward lay-ups. The saddest stat of the season may have come last week agaisnt Auburn, a team that plays nobody over 6'7. My grandmother, sweet as can be, had as many rebounds as Morris and Thomas, COMBINED. Yep, zero. That has to change, or the Cats will be sharing a flight to MSG with Pitino's squad. 

Arkansas is very athletic, and very long. They are also streaky and impatient. Hopefully Sparks will hit some shots early, because it's going to take his maximum effort to D this team up. 

That being said, every year during the Arkansas game I'm reminded how thankful I am to not have to look at Nolan Richardson anymore. That guy made Larry King look suave, and resembled the alligator in which his boots were made from. 

KSR Intern's Insights

Quick game notes

Things move fast in the trenches. Collisions occur as soon as the ball is snapped. In a matter of seconds, offensive linemen must create a lane for a

Cutter Leftwich and the Kentucky offensive line at spring practice, via Elliott Hess, UK Athletics

KSR Football

Communication is Key for Kentucky Offensive Line

For Kentucky, its season came to an end as Texas defeated the Cats 76-54 in the Sweet 16. However, for Kentucky's five seniors — Tonie Morgan, Teonni

it-does-mean-lot-to-be-wildcat-kentuckys-seniors-reflect-time-lexington

KSR Women's Basketball

'It really does mean a lot to be a Wildcat.' Kentucky's seniors reflect on time in Lexington

Kentucky already added one late commitment in the class of 2026; are the Wildcats pushing for another? They've at least expressed interest in a new

Chris Washington Jr. Alabama Crimson Tide

KSR Basketball Recruiting

Kentucky reaches out to '26 four-star Chris Washington Jr.

There wasn't a whole lot of good to take away from the Texas game, but after the fact, Kenny Brooks confirmed that Clara Strack would be back for her

kenny-brooks-confirms-clara-strack-will-return-kentucky-senior-season

Kenny Brooks confirms Clara Strack will return to Kentucky for senior season

Tyran Stokes is the top-ranked 2026 recruit in the country. He has the tape to back it up.  Stokes' high school senior mixtape (via the folks over at

Tyran Stokes

Tyran Stokes' senior season mixtape will have you dreaming of him in Kentucky blue

After Kentucky pitching dominated the opening game of its weekend series with LSU, the Tigers returned the favor on Saturday in Baton Rouge.  William

Syndication: The Daily Advertiser

KSR Baseball

LSU shuts down Kentucky's bats to even series

Who says Kentucky's push for G League star Dink Pate is over following Jason Hart's departure? Mark Pope isn't going down without a fight, traveling

February 14, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Team G-League guard Dink Pate (1) of the Mexico City Capitanes shoots the ball against Team C during the 2025 NBA Rising Stars Game at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

KSR Basketball

Mark Pope watches Dink Pate drop 23 points in G League finale

Kentucky took on Texas back on Feb. 9, losing 64-53 to the Longhorns in Austin. Of course, Kentucky hung around for a while but came up short in the

kentucky-womens-basketball-texas-recap (1)

Kentucky watches its season end in Sweet 16 as Texas blows by in 76-54 rout

Kentucky football has another commitment. 2027 offensive lineman Matthias Burrell has committed to Kentucky, he announced on Saturday.   The

Matthias Burrell on his visit to Kentucky (Photo provided by Matthias Burrell)

KSR Football Recruiting

Kentucky Lands 2027 IOL Matthias Burrell

Mark Stoops made it clear that he didn't want to make headlines, but that's not unusual for college football coaches, particularly during spring

DJ Miller catches a touchdown during Kentucky Spring Practice, via Jacob Noger, UK Athletics

Offensive Line, DJ Miller Emerge During Kentucky Spring Practice

Alvin Brooks III will not return for year three at Kentucky, he officially confirmed on Saturday.   KSR broke the news on Friday that his time in

BW-361611

Alvin Brooks III says goodbye to Kentucky: 'We trust God's plan.'

It's a beautiful Saturday in the bluegrass. Kentucky kicked off the day with a little spring practice. Will Stein did not get the team out in the

Copy of Copy of four-star-julian-phillips-discusses-recruitment-official-visits (26)

WATCH: Will Stein Breaks Down Competitive Kentucky Spring Practice

West Virginia was a smaller team than Kentucky and had some guards that were persistent on the defensive end the floor, looking to create as much

kenny-brooks-says-west-virginia-was-tremendous-preparation-for-texas-rematch

Kenny Brooks says West Virginia was 'tremendous preparation' for Texas rematch

Jaland Lowe will NOT be Kentucky's starting point guard in 2026-27, the Wildcat junior announcing Saturday that he will enter the transfer portal

Rapid Reaction

KSR Rapid Reaction: Jaland Lowe enters portal, more staff changes

Jaland Lowe will not return to Kentucky coming off a medical redshirt year with the Wildcats, suiting up in just nine games before undergoing

Jaland Lowe talks to Mark Pope during Kentucky's win over St. John's - Photo by Mont Dawson, Kentucky Sports Radio

Kentucky PG Jaland Lowe plans to enter transfer portal

Illinois is one game away from returning to the Final Four for the first time since 2005. Ahead of the enormous basketball game, the city of

The Illinois basketball team huddles in the NCAA Tournament, via Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Champaign Hates Fun, Limits Alcohol Sales Ahead of Illinois Elite 8 Game

In its first Sweet 16 game in 10 long years, 5-seed Kentucky women's basketball will go up against 1-seed Texas in Fort Worth. The Longhorns are the

preview-kentucky-seeks-revenge-against-texas-in-sweet-16

PREVIEW: Kentucky seeks revenge against Texas in Sweet 16

It doesn't happen often, but when it does, it's worth celebrating. Today is a MEGA SPORTS SATURDAY.   What exactly is a Mega Sports Saturday? It's

Kentucky commit Seth Williams via UK Athletics, Jaxon Jelkin via Jeff Drummond, Clara Strack via Imagn Images

KSR Today: It's a Mega Sports Saturday

Kentucky has added its first commitment in the class of 2026 as four-star point guard Mason Williams, who backed away from his pledge to Jackson

Mason Williams with Mo Williams

What 4-star PG Mason Williams' commitment means for Kentucky

Kentucky will wrap up its second week of spring ball with practice No. 6 on Saturday morning. Will Stein is using the opportunity to bring in some

Will Stein and Kenny Minchey at Kentucky Spring Practice, via Jacob Noger, UK Athletics

Kentucky Football Hosting Multiple Blue Chip Recruits for Spring Practice

Jaxon Jelkin delivered eight dominant innings on the mound Friday to get Kentucky's three-game weekend series at LSU started on a winning note.  The

z - Jelkin _MG_0380

Jelkin deals, Kentucky takes opener at LSU

Kentucky is seeing more movement in the staff ranks. UK associate head coach Alvin Brooks III is not expected to return to Kentucky for the 2026-27

Kentucky assistant coach Alvin Brooks III - Photo by Crawford Ifland, Kentucky Sports Radio/On3

Associate Head Coach Alvin Brooks Not Expected to Return to Kentucky

Oftentimes, it's Clara Strack or Tonie Morgan who ends up being praised after a big-time win, and rightfully so. Teonni Key has been a big addition

amelia-hassett-is-the-unsung-hero-that-has-propelled-kentucky-to-the-sweet-16

Amelia Hassett is the 'unsung hero' that has propelled Kentucky to the Sweet 16

It's going to be a late night at Churchill Downs on the first Friday in May. The Kentucky Oaks will race under the lights and patrons must prepare

Thorpedo Anna races to victory in the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs

KSR Horse Racing

Kentucky Oaks gets a LATE Post Time as Derby Contenders gear up for Final Preps

Jason Hart has officially been hired as Associate Head Coach for SMU Men's Basketball. The Mustangs announced the news on Thursday, just a couple of

Quick game notes

Discuss This Article

Kentucky reaches out to '26 four-star Chris Washington Jr.

Kenny Brooks confirms Clara Strack will return to Kentucky for senior season

Tyran Stokes' senior season mixtape will have you dreaming of him in Kentucky blue

LSU shuts down Kentucky's bats to even series

Mark Pope watches Dink Pate drop 23 points in G League finale

Kentucky watches its season end in Sweet 16 as Texas blows by in 76-54 rout

Kentucky Lands 2027 IOL Matthias Burrell

Offensive Line, DJ Miller Emerge During Kentucky Spring Practice

Clara Strack is BACK!

Jaland Lowe

WBB bested in Sweet 16

RAPID REACTION

Alvin Brooks III