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SEC 14 wins … ACC 2 wins …

… the SEC crushes the ACC and a lot of the games were beatdowns by the SEC … unfortunately, the Cats didn’t hold up their end of the deal … and Duke won … aarrgghh … both ACC wins at home

… the SEC is going to be ridiculously difficult … if a team finishes 0.500 in league play you are a good tournament team … so be prepared to deal with losses this year, just can’t string losses together …

… as for Duke, the schedule is very favorable for them in the ACC … I don’t see them losing more than 1-2 games in league play … whether we like it or not, they will likely be a 1-seed whether they earn it or not …

2025 Class offers and official visits list

It's always good to try and compare offers/interest from other P5 programs as measure of commits perceived value.
Pulled offers and visits from the class and listed below. Reinforces the quality of the top half of the class.
Outside of losing Kattus and the huge hole left by the Daviess flip i'm pretty happy with what we're bringing in considering the year.
These are all per their rivals page and in the descending order of their Rivals grade.

Martel Carter S - 24 other P4 offers, Auburn, Vandy Nebraska never relented
Quinton Simmons WE - 13 other P4 offers per rivals profile
Andres Purcell DB - 9 other P4 offers (officialed miami, georgia, Un-official auburn late )
Cedrick Works DE - 12 other P4 offers, (officialled penn st, cinci, florida)
Javeon Campbell DE - 18 other P4 offers (officialled georgia, bama, auburn, ohio st)
Kalen Edwards DT - 8 other P4 offers (officialled auburn, louisville
Mikkel Skinner TE - held off SC, 4 other P4 offers
DJ Miller WR - held off ole miss 20 other P4 offers (officialed UCLA, Tenn, Ole Miss) oregon, usc, ark offers down stretch
Darren Strey OT - 20 other P4 offers (Stanford, Wisc, Northwestern offcials)
Preston Bowman WR - 3 other P4 offers including ohio st after committing to UK
Dyllon Williams DB - 6 other P4 offers, (officials to miss st, cinci, mizzou commited
Montavin Quisenberry WR - 5 other P4s, flipped from WVU
Cam Miller WR - 16 other P4s, flipped from Wisconsin
Stone Saunders QB - 19 other P4s Un-officials to Nebraska, mich, ND
Nick Smith DE - 4 other P4s
Demarcus Gardner DB - 2 other P4s, ole miss offered late
Bryan Auguste OL - 8 other P4s, official to BS and Syracuse
Jayden Clark OL - 5 other P4s, offical to Cinci, indiana
Brenned Ward QB - 3 other P4s
Jermiel Atkins OL - 4 other P4s, VT official
Grant Grayton DB - 1 other P4, flipped from Minnesota
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Any chance

that Dane Key could come back now? Since Stoops prepared us for it in his "don't panic remarks" I assume not. But players have entered transfer portal and then changed their minds. In reality, if Dane does not come back - what does it say about your program when a local kid who was your best receiver and a legacy as well decides to leave? Of course we also lost the one year "whiz" receivers coach too. I'm probably one of the few - as I still hope the football program will change direction with new leadership once the portal fully opens. If UK has a mass exodus - of the main nucleus of the team - isn't that enough for the administration to see we need a full house cleaning? It is still not too late to change directions!

I am, like many others who post on here, a season ticket holder who is waiting to see what everything looks like early next year - but if changes aren't made I will not be renewing. I know many who post here are not season ticket holders - but it is important that people who are supporting the program financially stand up and be counted. I can hardly believe that major donors will go along with what we have seen happen to the program over the last 3 years. This has not been a one year meltdown - it has snowballed with major talent evaluation failures as well as several questionable coaching hires. If it was just my opinion - then it wouldn't matter - but all of what I am saying is not conjecture - it is facts! Anyone with their eyes open can see it and look at the rosters and results.

This is not what I want to be posting or saying - I have followed UK football for almost 60 years now. I have had season tickets and sat thru ZERO win seasons and many seasons of less than 4 wins. Is it the worst we have ever been - NO! But it is definitely headed for an ultimate low - when that happens - in this new world - it may take another 30 years to get it back to where it was only 4 seasons ago.

Go Big Blue!

  • Poll
Best Christmas Movie - Round Two - Game 5

Best Christmas Movie

  • 3 White Christmas

    Votes: 7 38.9%
  • 14 The Grinch

    Votes: 11 61.1%

This thread is for the matchup between the number 3 seed and the winner of the 14 and 19 seeds game.

The three seed was a money grab resulting from the popularity of a song in another movie. Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, and George Clooney's aunt (and KY native) lead the cast. Bing looks half asleep during the movie, but it turns out that is just his face.

Speaking of faces, Jim Carrey stars in the movie adaptation of a much better animated version of the story of a mean old green being who will eventually suffer from an enlarged heart. It's so over the top mad cap pace and jokes can either be endearing or annoying as hell.

  • Poll
Best Christmas Movie - Round Two - Game 3

Best Christmas Movie

  • 5 Home Alone

    Votes: 12 66.7%
  • 12 A Christmas Carol

    Votes: 6 33.3%

This thread is for the matchup between the number 5 seed and 12 seed.

The number 5 seed comes in as one of the most loved movies in history. The comedic tale of a little boy experiencing parental neglect. Sure, he was pretty safe and warm in a gigantic mansion of a house, and he could've called the police at literally any time throughout the film, but then we couldn't have seen the maiming of two pretty good actors.

There are some many versions of the number 12 seed, that any version you have of it in your mind's eye is the one I meant to use (except for Scrooged or the Muppets). It's probably the best Christmas story ever written other than the one from 2000 or so years ago.

Moving forward

@David Sisk @Travis Graf

I asked this question on KSR for Jack Pilgrim and Brandon Ramsey and want both of your thoughts as well.

We are now 7-8 games in. What are the things Pope needs to do roster wise in the coming years to improve?

Obviously more talent and a bucket getter would sure be nice.

My biggest concern is something I am pretty sure was a concern for Travis: Frontcourt athleticism/physicality… Carr is SOFT and really hasn’t been great on offense when he hasn’t been playing Center. There is no easy baskets.

I don’t think it is an accident Pope is targeting Wilson and was recruiting Cenac hard at a time. Both are more athletic and versatile than anything we have currently at PF…

Am I on right track here?

Football ***** Mark Stoops NSD Press Conference Notes *****

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MARK STOOPS Q&A:

* A little surprised how smoothly things went with the earlier signing day. Maybe we should have been doing this all along.

* We have 20 signees now, anticipate one more.

* Year didn’t go the way we wanted it to go, but I’ve been working around the clock to build for the future. Some “difference makers” in this group.

* A lot still to be resolved with the portal. Focusing on keeping quality people, character in the program.

* Players sometimes see opportunity, and that can help you when you have a rough season like this.

* Let’s be honest: We didn’t have a very good year, so I’m excited about change.

* Martels Carter is a guy who could come in and play right away.

* On QB room moving forward… Probably have to go get one guy out of the portal for stability.

* Likes the big, physical guys they’ve added on the lines and the length.

* Darrin Strey is an OL they have loved since the very beginning. Working hard to get the OL fixed for next year and the future, and he’s a big part of that.

* Says Chip Trayanum wants to come back and should be 100% healthy.

* Mikkel Skinner is “different” at TE. He’s a guy who can be multiple, could line up at WR if you needed him to. We’ll see where his body goes, but very athletic guy.

* Probably going to have a few guys enter the portal who hurt, but it’s going to part of the process for this roster. I’ve met with a good core group of players, have a few more to go.

* On the QBs… So much film on Stone Saunders. Should break the all-time PA yards record. Already has the TD record. He’s a guy that doesn’t take long when you turn on the film to see the ability. Brennen Ward impressed us with his skill set when we saw him in person. Didn’t play on a team that allowed him to show it fully.

* Thanked Daikiel Shorts for what he did, had a big buyout because UK wanted a two-year commitment at the very least, but notes that some schools are willing to write a big check to cover that. Says he’ll find another good one for that position.

* Ends with “Nobody panic. We’re going to have a better football team, alright?”

*******

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VINCE MARROW Q&A:

* On Skinner… The best athletic TE I've signed since I've been here. 6-4, 228, can really run. South Carolina and Ohio State really came after him. I was holding my breath on that one. Very excited about him.

* On the TE room and guys entering the portal… Says he understands. Had a lot of good guys in that room, and they want a chance to get the ball. Like what they’ll have with Kattus, Rodriguez, Skinner.

* On the Kattus family situation… It was his dream school and our season wasn’t great, so a tough situation. “And you never know, sometimes things come full circle.”

* On Martels Carter… We’re getting a good kid there. I love his leadership qualities. Last guy I signed like this was Mike Edwards. Really good ball skills.

* Asked who his sleeper is…. Simmons has 4 stars, so probably doesn’t qualify, but he’s a big-time athlete. 10.6 100 guy. Should be a great return man.

* When the portal opens, you’ll be really surprised at who wants to come here. “Recruiting ain’t never gonna be an issue here, I can promise you that.” I don’t plan on being at home on Christmas the next couple of years.

* On Boyle County’s Mantavin Quisenberry and his size… Everyone has always compared guys like him to Wan’Dale, sometimes inaccurately, but this kid is the closest thing to Wan’Dale I’ve seen. Went up and beat one of Ohio’s best programs, St. X, and he was the best player on the field. That says a lot.

* On OL Jeremie’s Atkins… That’s what an SEC lineman looks like. Big, long kid.

* Been doing more vetting, digging into players’ background and character in this class. When guys are almost “pro” now, making a lot of money, you have to treat it more like the NFL.

* On money situation for the Portal, NIL… I know our funding support is where it should be now. Very confident in the operation now. We’re ready to go attack it.

* Brennen Ward reminds him a bit of Dak Prescott.

Basketball UKWB to face North Carolina in ranked SEC/ACC Challenge matchup

ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS & PUBLIC RELATIONS
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

DEC. 4, 2024



Big Blue Preview: No. 14/16 Kentucky Women’s Basketball Plays at No. 16/15 North Carolina for SEC/ACC Challenge

The Wildcats are 2-0 against ranked opponents this season


Watch | Listen | Live Stats | Game Notes | Tickets


CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The No. 14/16 University of Kentucky women’s basketball program will play at No. 16/15 North Carolina on Thursday, Dec. 5 at 5 p.m. ET in Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, for the Southeastern Conference / Atlantic Coast Conference Challenge.

It will be UK’s first true road game this season.

The Wildcats are 1-0 in the SEC / ACC Challenge. Kentucky defeated Boston College, 83-81, at home last season. Former Cat Eniya Russell scored on a driving layup with less than a second remaining to take the win.

Fans in the area can still purchase tickets to the game here.

Darren Headrick will have the radio call for UK Sports Network, his eighth straight season as the voice of the Wildcats. His call will be carried on 630 AM WLAP (Lexington), 790 AM WKRD (Louisville) and on SiriusXM Channel 119 or 190.

Big Blue Nation also can watch the game on ESPN2, with Debbie Antonelli and Beth Mowins on the call.

UK goes into the matchup 7-0 for the first time since 2019-20, while UK defeated its first seven opponents of the season by at least 10 points for the first time since 2013-14. Kenny Brooks is just the second head coach in program history to begin their first season at UK undefeated through seven games. Terry Hall went undefeated through her first nine games in 1980-81

Thursday’s game will mark UK’s third ranked matchup of the season and its second straight.

UK is 2-0 against ranked opponents this season, defeating No. 18/18 Louisville, 71-61, On Nov. 16 and taking down No. 19/19 Illinois, 76-53, in its most recent game on Nov. 27. UK defeated each of its first two ranked opponents of the season for the first time since 2016-17, when UK defeated No. 14 Miami and No. 12 Oklahoma. It also marked the first time in program history that UK has defeated two AP-ranked opponents in November.

Clara Strack led Kentucky in its most recent game against Illinois, scoring a career-high 25 points on 12-of-18 from the field. She added a career-high-tying 15 rebounds, four assists, a block and a steal. She was named one of five Ann Meyers Drysdale National Players of the Week for her performances last week against both Arizona State and Illinois at the Music City Classic. She averaged 24.5 points per game on 60.0 field-goal percentage, 12.5 rebounds per game, 3.0 assists per game and 2.0 blocks per game in Nashville, Tennessee.

Teonni Key, who is a three-year transfer from North Carolina and a Cary, North Carolina, native, also averaged a double-double – 14.0 ppg, 11.5 rpg – at the Music City Classic. She is on a streak of three straight double-doubles.

The Wildcats trail the all-time meetings with the Tar Heels, 5-1, in a series that began in 1978. The Cats took the latest meeting, 85-75, to win the Paradise Jam on Nov. 24, 2018. The Cats rallied a second-half, double-digit deficit to beat the Heels. Then-freshman Rhyne Howard led the team with 25 points and 12 rebounds. Kentucky trails North Carolina, 2-0, in Chapel Hill, with those meetings occurring in 2001 and 1978.

Kentucky Recruiting Excuse

There's this big idea that Kentucky can't compete in the SEC due to the lack of talent in Kentucky. But reality is, a lot of these SEC teams are starting to go outside of their borders for the top guys. And that shift has happened on an even bigger level this year. There are some left that find most of their top guys in-state and it definitely helps, but a lot of these schools are getting top guys elsewhere.

Tennessee:
8 of their top 11 commits are from out of state

Alabama:
ALL of their top 9 commits are from out of state. 14 of their top 15 are from out of state

Florida:
Their class this year is their most Florida-based in awhile. But last year 5 of the top 7 were from out of state. Their 2 best freshmen; Lagway and Baugh were from out of state.

Missouri:
13 of their top 15 commits are from out of state.

SC:
6 of their top 9 commits are from out of state

Ole Miss:
15 of their 20 commits from out of state

Oklahoma:
5 of top 8 commits from out of state

Heck, even in talent rich states like Texas, 5 of A&M's top 9 commits are out of state.

Obviously having some good talent instate helps (we do have 3 4* instate commits), but it seems a lot fo the SEC's most successful teams right now are getting their top guys from out of state, which is something Kentucky has the ability to do.

Understand the Criticism, But It Is Way Too Early for us To give up on Kriisa (Based on his career)

IIRC he led the PAC-12 two times in assists and last year led the Big-12
2022 4.7 assists/game
2023 5.1 a/gm
2024 4.7 a/gam

Averaged 11 ppg last season at West Virginia. Has 997 points for his career

Before this season, in 4 years Kerr had 238 made 3 pointers at a 37.1% clip. Shot 42.4% last season.

79.1% career FT shooter

Career wise (in 4 seasons) Kerr has 997 points, 474 assists.

I fully expect him to start playing like his career suggests he can.

PS: I realize he is a bad defender.......
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