I have used this blog on a couple of occasions to bash the artist formerly known as John Clay, but I have to give him his props today.  I watched the game last night, enjoyed the win and talked about it into the wee hours with people.  But  Clay made a good point.  Think about this.  Last night...

(1)  we played one of the two best teams in the SEC on their home court and won, with
(2)  All of their old coaches there (and not looking the best by the way)
(3)  A capacity crowd of mostly UT fans, not Kentucky fans
(4) The fans in an orange and white checkerboard (which was great)
(5)  And any chance of an SEC title on the line for Tennessee

Even if we were a great team this year, this is the kind of game you lose.....yet Kentucky won.....hot on the heels of winning a similarly stoked game at LSU.  These two games showcase that the story of this team may not be done quite yet.

And props has to go out to Rajon Rondo.  We have bashed him on and off on this blog, but last night he was spectacular.  With Tubby implementing the spread offense and Genius Coach Bruce Pearl doing NOTHING to change up the defense, Rondo simply knifed through the Tenn defenders as if they were not there, scoring at will.  It was a great performance and shows you why he is still a lottery pick in the Draft this Spring no matter the quality of this season.

And finally, tell me that chest bump didnt make you holla.....

KSR Blue Blooded Opinions

Tennessee game a truly Big Win

Kentucky's first exhibition game in Rupp Arena went even better than the most optimistic Mark Pope fans could imagine. The Wildcats scored 123 points

kentucky-kwc-three-surprises

KSR Basketball

Three Wildcats who stepped up and shined in Kentucky's first exhibition game

It's tough to nitpick a 71-point exhibition win. It's tougher when Kentucky looked as good as it did on both ends of the floor. 123 points on offense

Kentucky coach Mark Pope gives a thumbs up during a game - Dr. Michael Huang, Kentucky Sports Radio

Kentucky was excellent against KWC, but Mark Pope saw one area that needs improving

How about those freshmen, huh? Expectations were low for the first-year kids compared to the rest of the roster -- understandable considering you

UK-306343

Mark Pope calls it a 'real gift' to coach Travis Perry and Trent Noah, raves about Collin Chandler

Kentucky's offense poured in 123 points on 21 made three-pointers in the first preseason game of the Mark Pope era. Eight Wildcats finished in double

Kentucky guard Lamont Butler guards a player during an exhibition game - Dr. Michael Huang, Kentucky Sports Radio

Mark Pope says guard your wallet around Lamont Butler: 'This dude is gonna steal everything.'

Yes, it's just an exhibition game. No, we're not going to get ahead of ourselves. Yes, we are going to acknowledge what an absolute demolition that

UK-306538

KSR's takeaways from Kentucky's 71-point win in Mark Pope's debut

It's been a busy week for Mark Pope. Not only did he lead Kentucky to a 123-52 win over Kentucky Wesleyan in his first exhibition as head coach, he

Mark and Lee Anne Pope pose on the Blue Carpet at Kentucky's Big Blue Madness - Dr. Michael Huang, Kentucky Sports Radio

Mark Pope wises up, takes full responsibility for car running out of gas

The Mark Pope era started off with a bang as the Kentucky Wildcats never trailed in a dominant 123-52 win over Kentucky Wesleyan on Wednesday night

Mark Pope postgame press conference

WATCH: Mark Pope, Kentucky players recap 123-52 exhibition win over KWC

What a start to the Mark Pope era. Kentucky beat Kentucky Wesleyan 123-52 at Rupp Arena, shooting 63% from the field, hitting 21 threes at a 50%

Kentucky forward Andrew Carr goes after a loose ball during a game - Dr. Michael Huang, Kentucky Sports Radio

WATCH: So many highlights from Kentucky's 123-52 win over Kentucky Wesleyan

Kentucky played its first preseason exhibition of the new season in Rupp Arena on Wednesday, beating Kentucky Wesleyan 123-52 in front of a full

watch-ksrs-kentucky-kentucky-wesleyan-rapid-reaction

WATCH: KSR's Kentucky-Kentucky Wesleyan Rapid Reaction

Kentucky looked a little bit different inside Rupp Arena on Wednesday night. A new head coach. A new staff. A new team. Even a new court. But what

Kentucky coach Mark Pope during a game - Dr. Michael Huang, Kentucky Sports Radio

FINAL: Kentucky destroys KWC 123-52 in first exhibition of Mark Pope era

A new SEC policy has arrived in 2024 with weekly injury reports being published during game week. The conference now requires each of their 16

kentucky-football-helmet

KSR Football

Kentucky Injury Report: Maxwell Hairston out versus Auburn, multiple new names appear

Kentucky football's recruiting dice remain hot. After picking up a pair of commitments last week, the Wildcats have landed another high school

Mikkel Skinner - UK Athletics

KSR Football Recruiting

4-star 2025 TE Mikkel Skinner commits to Kentucky

Well, that was fun. I mean, can you believe what we just watched? The Mark Pope Era is off to a red-hot start, Kentucky taking an absolutely

Lamont Butler finishes at the basket for the Kentucky Wildcats

Kentucky is steamrolling KWC at halftime to open Mark Pope era

It's hard to believe, but Kentucky basketball is officially here, folks. At long last, the Mark Pope era in Lexington is ready to begin, starting

Kentucky coach Mark Pope at the Blue-White Game - Dr. Michael Huang, Kentucky Sports Radio

Kentucky vs. Kentucky Wesleyan: Preview & How to Watch

Kentucky will play its first exhibition game without Kerr Kriisa. The fifth-year senior guard will not play tonight vs. Kentucky Wesleyan due to a

Kentucky guard Kerr Kriisa at the Blue-White Game - Dr. Michael Huang, Kentucky Sports Radio

Kerr Kriisa will miss Kentucky's exhibition vs. Kentucky Wesleyan

After a whirlwind week, Lee Anne Pope finally found a moment to be still. She was sitting in her husband's new office at the University of Kentucky,

Lee Anne Pope stands by husband Mark Pope as he embarks on his first season at Kentucky, a full-circle moment for them both - Photos and illustration by Kentucky Sports Radio

"Our Dream": How Lee Anne Pope helped chart the course for Mark Pope's return to Kentucky

From the moment Mark Pope was hired as the new head coach of Kentucky men's basketball in April, there has been plenty of talk from both sides

Kentucky HC Mark Pope, Rick Pitino

Rick Pitino says home-and-home between Kentucky-St. John's will not happen

For obvious reasons, there is more buzz than normal surrounding the Kentucky men's basketball program. Tonight, in the preseason opener against

Mark Pope addresses the crowd at his first Big Blue Madness as Kentucky's head coach - Dr. Michael Huang, Kentucky Sports Radio

Kentucky falls in latest Bracketology ahead of preseason opener

Your new-look Kentucky Basketball team will play its first game in Rupp Arena tonight, a preseason exhibition against Kentucky Wesleyan College out

ksr-pregame-show

Tune in to the first KSR Pregame Show of the Mark Pope era

The Mark Pope era of Kentucky Basketball has already had many firsts. We all remember his first press conference in April, a standing-room-only event

Ryan Lemond cheers on his alma mater, Kentucky Wesleyan, in an exhibition against Kentucky in Rupp Arena - Photo by Dr. Michael Huang for KSR

ryan-lemond-kentucky-wesleyan

Meet the Fighting Ryan Lemonds of Kentucky Wesleyan, UKMBB's first exhibition opponent

Concerned Kentucky could be on upset alert after watching Kentucky Wesleyan defeat Louisville a season ago inside the KFC Yum! Center during the

Kentucky forward Collin Chandler drives against Travis Perry at the Blue-White Game - Dr. Michael Huang, Kentucky Sports Radio

Kentucky has been watching film on KWC: "We're looking to attack and make a statement"

As promised by Mark and Lee Anne Pope, the Women's Clinic is back -- rebranded to celebrate the start of a new era of Kentucky basketball in

Mark and Lee Anne Pope smile on the Blue Carpet at Kentucky's Big Blue Madness - Dr. Michael Huang, Kentucky Sports Radio

Kentucky announces inaugural Hoops and Heels Women’s Event

Before Kentucky and Kentucky Wesleyan College tip off in a preseason exhibition game in Rupp Arena, a look back at the most bizarre finish in the

Kentucky's 1917-18 team photo via Big Blue History

kentucky-basketball-1917-1918

That time Kentucky and Kentucky Wesleyan tied in a controversial finish

In the SEC, It Just Means More. This weekend at Kroger Field, it's going to mean more weird. Prepare for a wild Saturday night of college football by

11-personnel-e279-prepare-for-a-weird-game-against-auburn

11 Personnel E279: Prepare for a Weird Game Against Auburn

Evelyn Stoops, the mother of Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops and Kentucky linebacker coach Mike Stoops, has passed away.  UK Football posted a

Tennessee game a truly Big Win

Discuss This Article

Mark Pope calls it a 'real gift' to coach Travis Perry and Trent Noah, raves about Collin Chandler

Mark Pope says guard your wallet around Lamont Butler: 'This dude is gonna steal everything.'

KSR's takeaways from Kentucky's 71-point win in Mark Pope's debut

Mark Pope wises up, takes full responsibility for car running out of gas

WATCH: Mark Pope, Kentucky players recap 123-52 exhibition win over KWC

WATCH: So many highlights from Kentucky's 123-52 win over Kentucky Wesleyan

WATCH: KSR's Kentucky-Kentucky Wesleyan Rapid Reaction

FINAL: Kentucky destroys KWC 123-52 in first exhibition of Mark Pope era

Brady Cook injury

AJ McCarron slams Bama

Coach Prime

Not alright, alright

Travis Hunter