Random thought, Joker Phillips is currently the WRs coach at NC State. Any chance he would be interested in coming back to Kentucky? He was obviously a failure at head coach but we had some great WRs under his time (Keenan Burton, Dicky Lyons, Steve Johnson) come to mind. Not sure if he has a grudge but it would be an interesting hire. Thoughts?

Both on the road. Both had chances.

There will be no cakewalks this year in the SEC. Better come to play every single night.

Price went up more than 25%, but at $510 for the season for a pair of tickets.It's still a great deal comparatively to other sports.

We're a baseball school now anyway. 😁

Our fans being this irrationally pissed over losing in a one possession game in the first true road game of the season versus a top 50 KenPom team. That’s how you know the agony of defeat is back — people care again! Go Cats!

Is this a fluke?

SEC favored in 9 of the 10 games tonight.
UL (surprisingly over #23 Ole Miss) is the only ACC favorite tonight.
But tomorrow I expect ACC to be favored in 3-4 of those 6 games.

He did sign today correct?

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.

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.

Said he wanted a core of players plus this class to build a better program.

Sounds to me we have spent about 3 years of bad player evaluation or that much poor coaching.

Maybe a bit of both.

@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?

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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.

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.

Ever notice how EVERY single player from every school who either re-opens their recruitment or enters the transfer portal uses this phrase? I just find it funny for some reason. It’s like they all bought the same template or something.

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.

Link: "Now we starting to see what UK fans were talking about."

Here's some of the best posts:
"They'll beat this Hog team by 15+ at Rupp. They hit the nail on the head about what we're financially stuck with until he retires."

"Cal completely relies on his player's individual talent on both ends of the court, and if they can't produce turnovers or scoring (off the dribble drive, three pointers, or freaking free stinking throws), there simply ain't gonna be any "set play" forthcoming that'll save this team of individuals. Daylight is burning for them to prove me wrong. I pray they will."

"I expect many talented players on the court, but the coaching I've seen has been mediocre. Cal's teams came in here plenty of times and beat our good teams, so it will be fun to watch, but the honeymoon is about over, and Cal will have to prove he's not what the Kentucky fans say he is. I still think he can."
Illinois Game Thread Link

Quote from: ErieHog on November 28, 2024, 04:00:17 PMIllinois will spend most of this season ranked. Let's not pretend this is nobody we're playing.

Click to expand...

"Yes, aaaand half the SEC is way better that Illinois SO if we continue to play like this against any good team we play, well we wont be ranked.,...We may win, but C'mon this isnt a great example of an great team.."

"Cal can't be bothered to wear red on national TV."

"This is embarrassing. These guys are going to score a hundred on us today."

"No shooters on the roster except Z."

"It would be awesome if Davis wasn't such an unbelievable bust. He's just awful in every phase of the game."

Quote from: ErieHog on November 28, 2024, 04:11:19 PMWeird, I thought he was a basketball coach, not a runway model.

Click to expand...

"Weird, I thought he was a basketball coach, not just a recruiter"

Quote from: TNhawgfan on November 28, 2024, 04:12:49 PMWeird, I thought he was a basketball coach, not just a recruiter

Click to expand...

"He has a national championship and a host of Final Four banners, and hundreds of wins. You'd be wrong."

"I am not thankful for this team."

"Cal is a lousy basketball coach. Always has a bench full of top talent but has very little to show for it. Welcome to Kentucky."

"I'm thankful for 200+ other channels and bourbon."

"We got outplayed and outcoached."

"Probably our best player, but Theiro is incredibly selfish. Down double digits and instead of finding three opportunities, he's focused on driving and getting to the line so he can miss a few more free throws."

"It was fun being ranked for a bit! Back to real world now."

"It gets really tiring watching our guys brick every three they're shooting year after year while everybody else in the country shoot lights out from behind the line."

Here's the MdWildcat, circa 2021-24 of their message board:
"This team is fine. If you haven't seen any ugly spots for the Illini, you haven't been watching all that closely. Jackuconis has been lax with the basketball, they've had stretches where they have attacked the rim very poorly-- they could have easily put this thing away by trying to get to the line earlier. We fouled way too much early, but managed to not develop serious foul trouble-- that kind of lack of aggression will lose them a game later this year. When they have got to the line, they have been every bit as bad as we have. What they did right? Few live ball turnovers, a fast start, and then shooting the hell out of the 3."

"Cal need to quit politician..and coach. This team does not put out the effort to win."

"There's no excuse for letting a team shoot that great from 3. This on Cal."

"There is an odd coldness to this team. Very businesslike. Lacking passion. Not lacking effort necessarily, just no passion. Feels like an NBA team, not upset by losing. Even our bad teams with Mike Anderson you could tell the players were pissed losing. Everyone on the bench smiling and laughing. Games don't matter to them."

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.......

2 minutes to go in the first half. Damn.

If you are interested, send me a message

ACC or SEC ?

Per TOS

He was one I wasn’t even thinking about. And he was one of my favorite recruits in HS.

Only:

Duke
Zags
Houston
Iowa St

Have better O, D and SOS and we beat Duke and play the Zags Sat.

Pretty much what a lot have been saying. -10 rebounding first half, poor free throw shooting, said he made a disaster decision going small at one stretch. Says guys trust each other but not leaning on the system.

For me:
I really like this team. On a night where just about everything from odd officiating to bad shooting occurred they were 2 made threes from a W on a rough night.
Wouldn't surprise me to get a W at the Zags, or an L.
For all the maturity of the individual players this is an awful young team. (Odd to say but true). Several guys were come off the bench specialists that have to adjust.

I'd be a lot more concerned if this were game 16 or 17 rather than game 8.

Respond and get better.

We all knew it was coming. UK loses a game and some fans panic. But guess what, EVERY team will lose at least one, probably multiple games that they shouldn't lose. Games where if they replayed it 10 times, they would win 6+ of them. That is why there has not been an undefeated team in nearly 50 years. Players have off nights. Opponents have career nights. You get a bad call or two. They bank in a 3. You have a shot go halfway down and come back out. Things happen!!! When is the last time a team went undefeated in SEC play, I think it was our 2015 team 10 years ago, and the league has gotten much better since then. We heard them, 12 teams (almost 13) out of 16 projected to get in NCAA-T, 3/4 of the league. Did I hear them right, that the SEC was 12-1 vs the ACC before last night, so now is 21-2. Damn!!! Yes, it sucks having our team as 1 of those 2 losses. But we also have 1 of those biggest 21 wins. AND as I said earlier, by the end of the year EVERY team will have lost to some teams that they probably shouldn't have.

The key thing is what do we learn from our loss(es), is it something that we can improve on, and do we (improve on it).