Benny Snell does a lot of things well. Above all else, Snell scores touchdowns. Now there’s a song about it.
Tibor Burdette is a UK student who shares a class with Snell. When Burdette told Benny he could drop a beat, Snell challenged him to make a song by the next class period. This is the result of that bet.
After two versions of “Benny and the Cats,” what do you think about this original song?
(Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images)
Going to switch up the formatting a bit. I’ll only be doing recaps of games where former Kentucky players are significant figures. So, for example, the Celtics-Raptors game from last night will not be covered. Also, games where a Kentucky player is on a team but did not play or did not play significant minutes will not be covered nearly as extensively, if at all. Enjoy the recap and be stunned by the greatness that is Anthony Davis.
Recap
Charlotte 120 – Orlando 88
- Michael Kidd-Gilchrist came off the bench in favor of Jeremy Lamb for the second straight game to begin the 2018-19 season, something brand new to him in his still young career. Before the season began, MKG had played in a total of 357 games for the Hornets and started all but four of them. Three of the four games off the bench were following an injury during the 2014-15 season, the other was during his rookie year. Coming off the bench hasn’t appeared to hinder his game, however. MKG put together an all-around stat line of 12 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and two blocks in 22 minutes. Keeping Lamb in the starting lineup gives the Hornets four shooters surrounding versatile big man Cody Zeller inside. Bringing MKG off the bench adds a defensive intensity and veteran presence to the second unit. So far, this plan shows little signs of being a bad decision.
- Malik Monk‘s follow up to an 18-point performance in the first regular season game was rather disappointing, shooting 4-12 for just 11 points.
- As a result of being just an absolutely horrendous basketball team, Isaiah Briscoe was able to run for 10 minutes to end the blowout for the Magic. And he sure did look good against the competition in front of him (which included rotational/starting Hornets players despite them being up 30). Briscoe added 10 points on 4-5 shooting and three assists.
Knicks 105 – Nets 107
- Enes Kanter tried his best at some late-game heroics for the New York Knicks, converting an and-one with 15.9 seconds left to tie the ball game. However, the celebration was quickly spoiled by a Caris LeVert game-winning layup with one second left (LeVert is the “way-too-early” favorite for Most Improved Player). Kanter still dominated the game, scoring 29 points and grabbing 10 rebounds while abusing second-year player Jarrett Allen in the post all game.
- His first game was a dud, but Kevin Knox put together a solid shooting performance in game two. Knox added 17 points off the bench on 7-14 shooting and 3-4 from deep.
- Want an idea of the culture the coaching staff in New York is trying to build? Look no further than head coach David Fizdale lighting into Knox after he drilled a clutch three late in the fourth quarter. Knox was late on a rotation a couple plays earlier and Fiz made sure he knew exactly what he did wrong.
After Kevin Knox hit this three to tie the game, David Fizdale wasn’t celebrating
He waited to chew Knox out for not getting over quick enough on an earlier defensive rotation
Fiz, the teacher pic.twitter.com/Xz6wm3FefR
— Knicks Film School (@KnickFilmSchool) October 20, 2018
- Personally, I love this. And Knox’s reaction makes it even better. Fizdale is an excellent coach, he’s going to squeeze everything he can out of Knox.
AND-ONE ENES KANTER
The big man hits the free throw to tie the game at 105.
15.9 seconds left in the game, Nets ball.
Let’s go #Knicks!!! pic.twitter.com/eA4fAyHWtJ
— The Knicks Wall (@TheKnicksWall) October 20, 2018
THE ROOKIE!
Kevin Knox ties the game with the HUGE 3-pointer: pic.twitter.com/LKkgTKmxbk
— The Knicks Wall (@TheKnicksWall) October 20, 2018
Hawks 117 – Grizzlies 131
- Another game for the Memphis Grizzlies. Another game that Andrew Harrison doesn’t play a single minute. Harrison is a bonafide NBA player at this point. Keeping him on the bench is doing no one any favors. This should be an interesting subplot to follow throughout the season if the minutes don’t eventually come.
- How about Alex Poythress? The Kentucky fan-favorite recorded eight points and seven rebounds in 21 minutes for the Hawks. Through two games, Poythress has been a valuable rotational piece for the rebuilding Hawks squad. Hopefully, that continues to hold true.
Cavaliers 123- Timberwolves 131
- Something is going on with Karl-Anthony Towns. Yes, it’s only two games, but not once has KAT looked comfortable on the court. There are literally hundreds of possible explanations as to why, starting with the entire Jimmy Butler ordeal, his new contract extension, tension with the front office, it could be any number of things. Or it could just be the start of the season jitters and he could drop 45 points his next game. However, a 12-point, nine rebound performance last night was nothing short of disappointing (his off-ball defense was tremendous, however). He’ll turn it around eventually, that much I can guarantee. But will it happen sooner rather than later?
- TRADE JIMMY BUTLER
KAT PINNED IT ON THE GLASS ??? pic.twitter.com/PqFqJRifwM
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) October 20, 2018
Kings 129 – Pelicans 149
- There sure is a lot to unpack from this game, so let’s start with the Sacramento Kings. Willie Cauley-Stein and De’Aaron Fox both put together their second consecutive games of great production. WCS dropped in 20 points to go along with seven rebounds while Fox added 18 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. Skal Labissiere came off the bench and scored five points in seven minutes. Wenyen Gabriel did not play.
- As for the Pelicans, they look like a team ready to set the entire solar system ablaze. Their 149 points last night was the most in franchise history. Their 280 points through the first two games of the season are the second-most in NBA history. The Pelicans were all about pace last season and they tripled-down on that theory to start this season.
The Pelicans’ 280 points through the first two games is the second-most in NBA history. The 1962-63 Celtics had 282, per @bball_ref: https://t.co/4YWfqTV3Qg
— Machine Pun Kelly (@KellyScaletta) October 20, 2018
- Anthony Davis had another Anthony Davis stat line of 25 points (8-12 shooting), 10 rebounds, six assists, two steals, and two blocks. Julius Randle added another 13 points and 14 rebounds off the bench and is the “way-too-early” front-runner for Sixth Man of the Year. Darius Miller went 3-7 on threes. The entire New Orleans team is clicking so much earlier than anticipated. The losses of DeMarcus Cousins and Rajon Rondo have yet to make the type of negative impact some expected. Instead, the Pelicans look like the most dangerous team in the NBA at the moment.
Anthony Davis is ridiculous pic.twitter.com/9YnWKKguLM
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) October 20, 2018
Pacers 101 – Bucks 118
- The Milwaukee Bucks – similar to the New Orleans Pelicans – are experimenting with an offense they aren’t used to. And just like the Pelicans, it’s working. The Bucks are firing up threes like it’s nobodies business. They shot 47 threes Friday night, a franchise record. They attempted 34 in their season opener. They attempted at least 34 threes in only two games all of last season. So why am I telling you this? Because it’s opened things up for Giannis Anteotkunmpo, who should contend with Anthony Davis for MVP by year’s end. Both teams have revolutionized their offense to maximize the production for their superstars and it’s paying dividends.
- As for Eric Bledsoe, a 12-point, six rebound, seven assist, two steals, and two blocks display is exactly what the Bucks need from him on a nightly basis.
Thunder 92 – Clippers 108
- Nerlens Noel had another high-energy game for the Thunder, making hustle play after hustle play that is going to make it impossible for the coaching staff to keep him off the floor. He had nine points and five rebounds in 14 minutes but what has surprised me the most about Noel thus far is how in sync he is with his teammates. It may just be good instincts or even a bit of luck, but Noel has had no problem familiarizing himself with this Oklahoma City team.
- Hamidou Diallo found himself another burst of clock during his second NBA game, although not as productive as his first game. But, he didn’t make any glaring mistakes and played with a level head while attacking the glass. It’s going to be a long process for Diallo, but one that could pay off big time.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander only recorded two points in his second NBA game but was doing so many other things beneficial to the Clippers that they needed him to help close the game. Los Angeles went with SGA over starter Patrick Beverley to finish an impressive win over the Russell Westbrook-less Thunder. There were signs of the floor general we saw late in the season at Kentucky last year. He’s too smart of a player to not have in during important stretches of close games.
Statistics
| Player | Result | Points | FG (3FG) | Reb. | Ast. | Steals | Blocks | TOs | +/- | Mins. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enes Kanter (NYK) | 105-107 L @ BKN | 29 | 12-18 (0-1) | 10 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +2 | 35 |
| Anthony Davis (NOP) | 149-129 W vs. SAC | 25 | 8-12 (1-1) | 10 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 4 | +21 | 26 |
| Willie Cauley-Stein (SAC) | 129-149 L @ NOP | 20 | 9-14 (0-0) | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -4 | 25 |
| De'Aaron Fox (SAC) | 129-149 L @ NOP | 18 | 6-12 (0-1) | 7 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 4 | -8 | 26 |
| Kevin Knox (NYK) | 105-107 L @ BKN | 17 | 7-14 (3-4) | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -4 | 28 |
| Eric Bledsoe (MIL) | 118-101 W vs. IND | 12 | 5-9 (2-5) | 6 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 0 | +17 | 26 |
| Julius Randle (NOP) | 149-129 W vs. SAC | 12 | 6-12 (1-2) | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | +14 | 24 |
| Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (CHA) | 120-88 W @ ORL | 12 | 5-8 (0-2) | 9 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +24 | 22 |
| Karl-Anthony Towns (MIN) | 131-123 W vs. CLE | 12 | 4-10 (2-2) | 9 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 4 | +2 | 34 |
| Malik Monk (CHA) | 120-88 W @ ORL | 11 | 4-12 (2-6) | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | +5 | 23 |
| Darius Miller (NOP) | 149-129 W vs. SAC | 10 | 3-7 (3-7) | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | +9 | 22 |
| Isaiah Briscoe (ORL) | 88-120 L vs. CHA | 10 | 4-5 (1-1) | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +1 | 10 |
| Nerlens Noel (OKC) | 92-108 L @ LAC | 9 | 4-5 (0-0) | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Alex Poythress (ATL) | 117-131 L @ MEM | 8 | 3-4 (1-1) | 7 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | -2 | 21 |
| Patrick Patterson (OKC) | 92-108 L @ LAC | 5 | 2-4 (1-2) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -9 | 19 |
| Skal Labissiere (SAC) | 129-149 L @ NOP | 5 | 2-4 (1-3) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | +2 | 7 |
| Hamidou Diallo (OKC) | 92-108 L @ LAC | 3 | 0-1 (0-0) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +1 | 8 |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (LAC) | 108-92 W vs. OKC | 2 | 0-2 (0-1) | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | +12 | 23 |
| Andrew Harrison (MEM) | 131-117 W vs. ATL | DNP-CD | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Wenyen Gabriel (SAC) | 129-149 L @ NOP | DNP-CD | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Tonight in the NBA
7:00: Nets @ Pacers
7:00 (NBATV): Raptors @ Wizards (Wall)
7:30: Celtics @ Knicks (Kanter, Knox)
7:30: Magic (Briscoe) @ Sixers
8:00: Hornets (Kidd-Gilchrist, Monk) @ Heat (Adebayo)
8:30: Pistons @ Bulls (Ulis)
8:30: Timberwolves (Towns) @ Mavericks
9:00: Suns (Booker) @ Nuggets (Lyles, Murray)
10:00: Spurs @ Trail Blazers
10:30 (ESPN): Rockets (Knight-out) @ Lakers (Rondo)
Follow me on Twitter: @ZackGeoghegan
The Cats will rock a classic look vs. Vanderbilt.
Kentucky will sport blue helmets, blue jerseys and white pants in the SEC Network’s Saturday night showdown at Kroger Field.
Kentucky opened as 13-point favorites over the Commodores. The number was bet down to 11, but rebounded back to UK -13 this morning. Kickoff is set for 7:30.
247 Sports
One of Kentucky’s top interior targets will be a Mountaineer. Oscar Tshiebwe announced on Twitter that he has committed to Bub Huggins and West Virginia.
I have been humbled by all the coaches recruiting me and people wondering where I would attend school. Thank you for everything. Time to go to work, KC Pride and Mountaineer Nation going for Championships. Country roads take me home???? pic.twitter.com/pNBEZ3r9gx
— Oscar (@Oscartshiebw) October 20, 2018
The No. 22 player in America chose West Virginia over Kentucky, Baylor and Illinois. At one time, many believed Coach Cal was in the driver’s seat for Tshiebwe. Kentucky fought tooth and nail, but could not compete with Oscar’s deep ties to West Virginia.
Bob Huggins was the first to recruit Tshiebwe. The exchange student also lives with the same family that hosted West Virginia center Sagaba Konate. The pull from the country roads was too much for Cal to overcome.
Saturday morning has come and gone and that means the talking heads from ESPN made their predictions. It was a wild scene out in Pullman, Washington this morning and unfortunately Coach Corso, Kirk, and Desmond did not make a prediction on the Kentucky-Vandy tilt. However, Desmond stated earlier in the show he saw a big Kentucky win coming.
Desmond Howard thinks the Cats roll. pic.twitter.com/B3m5bS9NoM
— Adam Luckett (@AdamLuckettBOS) October 20, 2018
Over on SEC Nation, it was a unanimous decision. Pawl, Swagu, and Tebow all think UK gets the win at Kroger Field on Saturday night. However, each delivered a warning for Kentucky to not overlook Derek Mason’s scrappy football team. Finebaum believes there is a lot of talk about the UK-Georgia game but first the Wildcats must get through a pair of divisional opponents.
After a bye week, we’ll see if the Cats have any rust. Let’s go tailgate!!!
The downfall of the one and done rule appears to have been greatly exaggerated.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports talks to eliminate the NBA’s age restriction have stalled. Commissioner Adam Silver and the NBPA have reached an impasse on two issues.
Commissioner Adam Silver is pressing NBPA executive director Michele Roberts to require that player agents furnish all teams with medical information on prospective draft prospects, league sources said. The league also wants to mandate players attendance and some level of participation in the pre-draft combine, sources said.
The plan has not changed. The NBA still hopes to lift the age restriction and eliminate the one and done rule by the 2022 draft. These are the final two hurdles standing in the way.
[ESPN]
The college football season gets another week older, and many eyes will be focused on the SEC. Here is a rundown of the key storylines to watch for in the second half of the season as Kentucky takes on Vanderbilt in Lexington on Saturday.
1. Malzahn Officially on the Hot Seat
(Photo: John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports)
The SEC has seen many surprises both good and bad so far this season, however, no surprise has been bigger than the utter disappointment that the Auburn Tigers have been.
Remember when they were ranked in the top 10 at the start of the season and they just won a huge game over the Washington Huskies?
Well fast forward to the unofficial halfway point of the 2018 season, and the Auburn Tigers are in sole possession of sixth place in the SEC West after losing at home to hapless Tennessee.
What on earth has happened to the squad that was supposed to give Alabama a run for its money? It all starts with the head ball coach. Gus Malzahn was once prophesied to be the man who would take down Saban’s Alabama powerhouse after he led the Tigers to the National Championship Game in the 2013 season.
Almost five years later and underneath Malzahn in that timespan the Tigers are just 37-23, 1-3 in bowl games, and 1-3 against Alabama. They also only have one double-digit win season in that timespan, and unless they win out completely (including their potential bowl game) that will not be the case again this season.
Auburn Fans: “I’m tired of Auburn playing like crap…”
Gus Malzahn: pic.twitter.com/hcPgZYxcMu
— . (@csmit___) October 13, 2018
Seven games into a 7-year $49 million contract for his head coach, Auburn's AD was asked this question: "How do you assure fans Gus Malzahn is the coach for Auburn in the future?"
— Dennis Dodd (@dennisdoddcbs) October 15, 2018
With an offense that has been as bad as Auburn’s, who knows if the Tigers can even defeat an average Ole Miss team this weekend on the road. For Malzahn’s sake, he had better get this win.
Remember, Auburn still has Texas A&M, Georgia, and Alabama all still left on the schedule. The writing will be on the wall for Malzahn if he falls to a very beatable Rebels squad.
2. Disappointing Quarterback Play
Let’s get one thing straight here: this part of the post excludes Tua Tagovailoa completely. He is having (so far) the single greatest season a college football quarterback has ever had. That’s not an overstatement either just check the stats.
This is an analysis from top to bottom of the quarterbacks in the SEC until this point in the season. In short, this group has been underwhelming at best once we exclude Tua.
Guess who has the fourth highest quarterback rating in the conference? That would be Jarret Guarantano of Tennessee. Yikes. Guess who is second in passing yardage? That would be Kellen Mond of Texas A&M. Yikes again.
Out of all of college football in total QBR there is only three quarterbacks from the SEC in the top 30 which are Tua, Jordan Ta’amu from Ole Miss, and Guarantano.
Let me breakdown every starting quarterback really quick just so you can see how disappointing they have been.
Ta’amu is having a nice season thanks mostly in part to the best receiving core in the nation. Mond has played well but is still inconsistent. Guarantano has been bad his entire career until last week’s game against Auburn.
Jake Fromm has been lethargic lately and everyone is calling for Justin Fields to start. Feleipe Franks somehow has a completion percentage of 56% and is fifth in the conference in quarterback rating (plus he is bad). Drew Lock has disappointed so far as well as Jake Bentley. Kyle Shurmur is Kyle Shurmur.
Jake Fromm and Jarrett Stidham pic.twitter.com/NeAuVhm5kk
— Connor (@McCartyConnor) October 13, 2018
Jarrett Stidham and Nick Fitzgerald have had disastrous seasons and those entire fans bases are calling for them to be benched. Ty Storey is bad, and the last time we saw Terry Wilson he was scared to throw a football (plus he is second to last in quarterback rating among starters in the conference).
Jarrett Stidham: Will you marry me?
Kennedy Brown: Only if you give up your heisman hopes and completely stop trying to win.
Jarrett Stidham: ……..deal
— caleb (@calebcoons_) October 13, 2018
Also, don’t bring Joe Burrow into this as your savior. I doubled down on him two weeks ago as being good and that’s been my worst opinion of the season. He is 12th out of the 14 starters in quarterback rating and he has a completion percentage of 53%. Burrow is not a good passer.
Hopefully I’ve made my case clear. Tua and Ta’amu (both from Hawaii) are the only consistent starting quarterbacks in the SEC and we are heading into week eight.
Thank you very much Hawaii.
3. Is the SEC East Back?
In much more positive news, the SEC East has had an extremely impressive first half of the season when compared to how the division has played in recent years.
Now, three teams from the East are ranked within in the top 14 teams in the nation: Georgia, Florida, and Kentucky. That is simply an incredibly improvement from what we have come to expect from this division.
If Georgia beats Florida next week, then the Missouri game also becomes somewhat irrelevant for UK
The SEC East would come down to UK beating Georgia in Lexington. It is all there for the taking
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) October 13, 2018
The only question is can this success be sustained? We just saw Georgia play terribly at LSU and Kentucky fall at Texas A&M. Florida has been hot, but just how good are the Gators?
Considering that there are two head-to-head matchups left between these three teams, we will truly see who is for real. Florida and Georgia both have their bye this week and Kentucky gets Vanderbilt so expect the top of the East to still look great heading into week nine.
4. Mississippi State’s One Last Chance
There has been no denying that Mississippi State has had a disappointing season thus far. For a team that many people thought could contend for a SEC Championship, starting off 3-2 was terrible.
However, the Bulldogs were able to bounce back strongly with a huge win over Auburn, and they got a much-needed week of rest as they are coming off their bye.
It would be incredibly difficult, but this team can still contend for possibly second place in the very talented SEC West which means the Bulldogs could still make a large bowl game. Considering they are ranked once again (No. 22) they can still salvage their season.
The bad news is that they must travel to Death Valley today to take on the red-hot No. 5 LSU Tigers. The conventional wisdom here would be that the Bulldogs have no chance against a squad seemingly destined for this glory year especially when that team is playing at home.
I just don’t think it will be that easy for LSU. This will be the fourth ranked matchup in their last six games. It doesn’t matter how good you are that kind of wear and tear will start to show.
If Mississippi State wins it will reload their entire season and put them back near the top 15. They should be more motivated in this one, they are coming off a week of rest, and despite a bad season so far, the Bulldogs will have the best quarterback in this game with Fitzgerald.
Nick Fitzgerald has done it!
The top rushing QB in SEC history: @HailStateFB's @nickfitz07 pic.twitter.com/AzhEakfqjZ
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) October 7, 2018
Call me crazy but I think Mississippi State will cover the spread (6.5 points) in this matchup, and I would not be surprised at all if they won this one.
5. Time for Missouri to Hit Panic Mode
Missouri has been another disappointing team from the SEC so far. With Drew Lock at quarterback, many thought that they would have a great chance to place second in the East behind Georgia.
Well that did not work out the way people thought it would considering that it is halfway through October and the Tigers have failed to win an SEC game yet (0-3).
After losing three straight games, it is time for Missouri to start playing with an overall sense of urgency. They still have two ranked opponents on their schedule plus a Tennessee team that seems rejuvenated.
This week they play a nonconference game against the electric Memphis Tigers. If Missouri is not careful they could easily mess around and drop a game they should win. After all, Memphis has the nation’s leading rusher in Darrell Henderson who is averaging an insane 10 yards per carry!
CFB 20+ YARD PLAYS
1 Darrell Henderson/MEM 21
2 Jerry Jeudy/BAMA 14
3 AJ Brown/OLEMISS 13
3 Tylan Wallace/OKST 13
5 Travis Fulgham/ODU 12
5 Andy Isabella/UMASS 12
5 Jermar Jefferson/OREST 12
5 Dillon Mitchell/ORE 12
5 Jace Sternberger/TAMU 12
5 Papi White/OHIO 12— CFB Focus ? (@cffmwachsman) October 14, 2018
Sometimes you forgot how many categories Darrell Henderson leads the nation in. Good to be reminded of seven. #Memphis pic.twitter.com/nzuMWEZgkS
— Evan Barnes (@evan_b) October 15, 2018
Missouri has more talent and they are playing at home so they I think they should be able to win this one relative ease. However, if they underestimate Memphis’s offense they could get embarrassed.
And if they were to lose this game they would have to win three of their next five games against SEC opponents just to be bowl eligible. That’s just how fast things can fall apart in college football.
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Bowl eligibility is on the line when the Cats kickoff against Vanderbilt at Kroger Field tonight at 7:30 on the SEC Network. Beating Vanderbilt to ensure a bowl berth is something UK fans are familiar with, but unlike recent history, nobody is talking about it. The eyes of the Big Blue Nation are on a bigger prize.
To reach that ultimate goal, the Cats must do a few things well in a victorious effort against Vanderbilt.
First, Benny Snell needs to be Benny Snell again. Against Texas A&M he rushed for only 60 yards, his lowest total of the season. The team feeds off Benny’s Mojo. Today he needs to get it back.
When Benny is playing well, it makes Terry Wilson’s job easier. The Kentucky quarterback could not get into a rhythm at Kyle Field. Terry Touchdown does not need to be a superhero against Vandy, he just needs to get comfortable in the pocket and make confident decisions. Once he gets back in the groove, the whisperers will be silenced.
Most importantly, the Cats cannot let the Texas A&M loss linger in a bad way. If they come off the Bye angry about the loss and take it out on the Commodores, it will be a fun night. Kentucky cannot let Vanderbilt think they can hang around. Even though the Cats have their number across the board, Derek Mason’s team will take advantage of sloppy, undisciplined play.
There’s a few boxes Kentucky needs to check off on their to-do list against Vanderbilt. All of them are obtainable. Like Drew, I’m all in on the Cats. Ain’t no way Vandy is hanging with UK. If you aren’t confident about Kentucky, read this, this and watch the video below. That oughta change your mind.
Keeneland+Kentucky Football
It’s the only opportunity you’ll have all year to make the Keeneland-Kentucky football double. Thanks to Lextran, you can get to the track from Kroger Field and back for only $1 each way. You can catch a ride from near the stadium at the corner of University and Complex Drive. Click here more details on how to successfully master the double.
The Schedule
- 9:00 — KSBar opens for Breakfast
- 11:00 — Baseball scrimmage at Kentucky Proud Park
- 11:00 — Shuttle from Kroger Field to Keeneland Begins
- 1:05 — Keeneland First Post
- 2:00 — Football and Keeneland coverage will stream at Gate 12
- 3:30 — The KSR Pregame Show Begins on 630 WLAP
- 4:30 — Downtown Lextran Shuttle Begins; Virginia Avenue Shuttle (stop is by KSBar) starts one hour later
- 5:15 — The Cat Walk
- 5:30 — Countdown to Kickoff w/Christi Thomas, Jeremy Jarmon and Dusty Bonner
- 7:30 — Kickoff on SEC Network
How to Watch and Listen
Tom Hart, Jordan Rodgers and Cole Cubelic are on the call for the SEC Network. If you’re stuck on the road and can’t watch, there are multiple ways to listen to The Voice of the Wildcats.
- AM: 840 WHAS, 630 WLAP
- FM: 98.1 WBUL
- Satellite: XM-190 and Sirius-105
- Online: iHeart Radio
Wilbur Hackett is Back
You’ve seen a younger version of Hackett every Saturday outside of Kroger Field. One of four African-American football players immortalized in the Gate 12 plaza, today he’ll stand at the 50-yard as the Cats’ honorary captain.
Many remember Hackett as the first African-American team captain in SEC history. Others remember him as the SEC referee who used the truck-stick on South Carolina’s Stephen Garcia. In a fateful twist, SB Nation chronicled that 2008 game in a story earlier this week.
Snell Yeah
That’s what the student section will be saying tonight when they’re waving “Snell Yeah” rally towels.
??? UK Student Section ???
Your boy @benny_snell has a special treat just for you tomorrow! @BBNRewards @TeamWildcat#SnellYeah #GetUp pic.twitter.com/lf9bPKxJd0
— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) October 19, 2018
Official Visitors
There are a few big names on campus this weekend. On north campus the Kentucky basketball team is hosting five-star wing Keion Brooks. On south campus near Kroger Field you’ll find J.J. Weaver. The four-star pass rusher had a pick six last night to help Louisville Moore when a district title. Landing Brooks is a long shot, but Stoops and Marrow could seal the deal today with the elite in-state defender.
Oscar Tshiebwe Decides
The five-star center has reached a decision. In all likelihood, the No. 22 player in America will not commit to Kentucky today at 12:30. The Cats were once in great position, but his roots are planted too deep in West Virginia. Sorry Drew, but Bob Huggins won this round.
Today’s College Football Schedule
- Noon: #6 Michigan at #24 Michigan State on Fox
- Noon: #9 Oklahoma at TCU on ABC
- Noon: Maryland at #9 Iowa on ESPN2
- Noon: Auburn at Ole Miss on ESPN
- 3:30: #1 Alabama at Tennessee on CBS
- 3:30: #18 Penn State at Indiana on ABC
- 3:30: #16 N.C. State at #3 Clemson on ESPN
- 4:00: Memphis at Missouri on SEC Network
- 7:00: #22 Miss. State at #5 LSU on ESPN
- 7:30: #2 Ohio State at Purdue on ABC
- 7:30: #12 Oregon at #25 Washington State on Fox
- 10:30: Arizona at UCLA on ESPN2
KHSAA Football Scores
- LCA 14, Danville 13
- Bryan Station 27, Dunbar 26
- Boyle County 54, Western Hills 35
- Scott County 44, PRP 18
- Male 48, Manual 0
- Moore 34, John Hardin 7
- Trinity 19, Ballard 14
- Russell County 35, Clay County 26
- Letcher County Central 21, Whitley County 20
- Still County 26, Knott County Central 18
- Grant County 35, Mason County 27
- South Warren 38, Bowling Green 12
- Apollo 50, Marshall County 7
The KSR Shop and Kentucky Branded are wanting to say thank you to their loyal customers with a customer appreciation sale through the weekend! Now is the perfect time to stock up on new sweatshirts and long sleeve tees.
Head to ShopKSR.com to receive 50% off sweatshirts, 30% off tees, and more. Prepare to cheer on the ‘Cats in the cooler temperatures. Sale ends tomorrow at midnight.
You know the feeling when you’re so confident that you begin to worry because you shouldn’t be so confident? That’s me right now. I think Kentucky bludgeons Vanderbilt tomorrow to officially earn bowl eligibility and take one more step forward toward SEC East glory. I know Matt said on the show today he’ll be surprised if it’s not close in the second half, but I’ll be shocked if it is. I have the Cats winning, 34-6.
The reason behind my optimism is Vanderbilt can’t stop the run and Kentucky can run, run, run. Derek Mason knows his team’s weakness plays right into the Cats’ hands, too. Earlier this week he said, “Everything starts with stopping the run. We have had a hard time with that… if we allow this team to run on us, they will bleed the clock on us.”
And bleed the clock, they will. Kentucky has its starting center and left tackle back from injury, and everyone in home team blue will have fresh legs after the bye week. Throw in the fact Benny Snell has some ground to make up after a quiet game at Texas A&M and I think it’s going to be a very long day for the Vanderbilt defense, which ranks 95th in America in stopping the run. It’s also a defense that is exhausted after consecutive games against Georgia and Florida the last two weeks; the Dawgs and Gators combined for 1,136 total yards in those two contests.
Defensively, Kentucky’s will be the best Vanderbilt has seen all season, and again, they’re well-rested. Kentucky has only allowed 14 points per game and Vanderbilt’s offense isn’t anything special to give us a reason to think they’ll put up points. With the exception of one wide receiver (Lipscomb), a reliable tight end (Pinkney) and one running back (Vaughn) that can occasionally break off a big play, there isn’t much happening. Kyle Shurmur isn’t any better in his 11th season than he was in his first.
So outside of Kentucky beating Kentucky (which could happen, I guess), I don’t see any reason to think Vanderbilt will be in this game. If the Cats can avoid a sluggish, post-bye week start, they’ll be fine.
Tell me I’m wrong.
Go Cats.