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by:Mrs. Tyler Thompson12/04/14

@MrsTylerKSR

11.11.2014 KSR post

The Kentucky Basketball 2015 Wall calendar is here. That’s right – we said “Wall calendar!”

Rest assured we’ve still got the best moments in UK basketball history on the days they happened – including games from UK’s 2014 NCAA championship game run – along with Top Ten lists, player birthdays, Follow Fridays and a ton of really cool things you’ll be sure to love.

Use the coupon code “KSR” to take $3 off the retail price of $14.95. Buy three calendars and the shipping is on us!

You can find the calendar at Kentucky Korner, Kennedy’s and more retailers will be added soon. You can also reserve your copy now at seasonneverends.com

Created by four UK grads who love the program and the school as much as you. Go Big Blue!

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Good evening, friends. I trust you had a pleasant Thursday? Mine was spent decorating for Christmas, finding a place to hide my husband’s presents, and researching the Marshall County Hoop Fest. Too exciting for you? I also discovered a really delicious soup: Progresso’s Lite Italian Style Meatball. Only 180 calories per can! (Progresso, I’m ready for that endorsement deal any time you’re ready.)

Thankfully, there were far more interesting things happening in the Joe Craft Center today. Let’s start with John Calipari’s comments in his pre-Texas presser.

Cal says this team hasn’t had a bad practice all season

Calipari said many things in his press conference today, but the one that stood out the most to me was that he believes this team hasn’t had one bad practice all season. The last time he said that? 2011-2012, the year we brought home #8. I’m going to call that a good omen.

“I’m happy with all these guys. Yesterday the practice was OK. It was good. It wasn’t one of our best, but it was good. But we haven’t had a bad practice. The practice are from good to oh my gosh. That’s where they’re falling right now. And there have been some, ‘Oh my goodness, let’s just stop. Let’s get out.’ I don’t expect them to be playing like it’s January right now, especially offensively we haven’t figured it out, but I just want to see great energy.”

In case you were wondering, that was a good “Oh my goodness, let’s just stop. Let’s get out.” To be a fly on the wall for that one…

The team is 50-60% there on offense

Calipari told reporters that he feels his team is 70-80% there on defense and 50-60% there on offense. Cal stressed that as the defense improves, so will the offense. But for now, he’s still waiting for that breakout game offensively. “If we’re stopping people 30 percent of the time, then that means 70 percent of the time we’re on a rebound, a break, steal or block going the other way,” Cal said. “We should be scoring at least 25 percent of those and we’re not.”

Andrew’s got the defense down, but he needs to score more

If you follow this site regularly, you know all about Andrew Harrison’s evolution. Cal never misses an opportunity to praise Andrew for his improvement, and did so today, but added that he wants Andrew to score more often. “Andrew’s got a tough job because he’s on a unit (where) there are times he’s gotta score,” Cal said. “I even told Willie, ‘Tell him, Willie. If there comes a point where you know, Willie, we’re out here dying, ‘Andrew, go get some shots. Go get us a couple baskets.’ ’ So he’s got a tough job.” But again, Cal followed that up with some love. “He is so much better than a year ago and so is his brother.”

There was also a lot of talk about how much Calipari loves Rick Barnes, but I’ve had enough of that love fest, so I’ll spare you.

UK opened as a 12-point favorite

If you’re thinking that’s a little high, you’re not alone; the line has already been bet down to 10.5. After all the talk about how Texas is the only team in the history of teams that matches up well against the Cats, I expect tomorrow night’s game to be a slugfest, but I have the Cats pulling away in the last ten minutes to win by double digits.

Toby Foster will be an honorary ball boy for tomorrow’s game

You may remember our story about Toby Foster from a few months back. Foster is a 10-year-old diehard UK fan who is fighting mitochondrial disease, a progressive, incurable metabolic disorder which causes a deficit in life sustaining energy. Toby’s mother, Amy, attended the Women’s Clinic this year, and Toby wrote Coach Cal a note to ask him to make sure his mom had a good time because she always put him first. Toby got an autographed picture from Calipari in return, but tomorrow night, he’s got an even bigger reward in store. Toby was randomly chosen to be a ball boy for tomorrow night’s game against Texas, which the folks at UK helped make happen considering Toby’s condition. You got this, Toby.

3-star DT DaVon Hamilton became UK’s 18th commitment in the 2015 class

It’s been a while, but CAN I GET A YAHTZEE??? 3-star defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton rolled the dice tonight after an in-home visit with Vince Marrow, becoming UK’s 18th commitment in the 2015 class. The 6’3″ 285 lbs. Hamilton is from Pickerington, Ohio, and if you think that sounds like prime Vince Marrow territory, you’re right. Hamilton is the 8th commitment Marrow has played a primary role in reeling in, putting him in the Top 30 of 247 Sports’ Recruiter Rankings. With Drake Jackson set to announce next weekend and Damien Harris around the first of the year, we’re just getting started, bro.

marrow-dance

Meanwhile, Derrick Ansley and Tommy Mainord visited Marcus Lewis

@THE_NUMERO_UNO

The 4-star cornerback is high on the Cats’ wish list. He’ll visit UK next weekend, along with all of UK’s current commitments, Tavin Richardson, Damien Harris, and other top targets. Let’s show him a good time.

LSU beat #16 West Virginia

I see you, Tigers. Thank you for doing your part to inch SEC basketball past mediocrity.

KSR will be at McDonald’s in Tates Creek Centre with Bud Dupree tomorrow

What better way to start your weekend than a chicken biscuit and KSR? Matt and Ryan will be live at the McDonald’s in Tates Creek Centre in the morning to preview UK/Texas and catch you up on the latest in the search for UK’s offensive coordinator. BUD DUPREE will also be there to talk with the guys and hang out with fans, so if you’re in the area, play hooky from work and make a morning of it. We won’t tell.

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