Friday's Top 10: Beat Georgia

Greetings, friends, and TGIF. Shoutout to this Kentucky fan, who is repping Tyler Ulis and the Cats all the way from Iceland. Cheers, buddy. Enjoy Reykjavik, I hear it's a gorgeous place. Want to see your picture on the site? Put on your Kentucky shirt, go somewhere interesting, and then send photographic proof KSR's Facebook Page. If it's worthy, you'll see it on this here website sometime soon. We've got a very big game tomorrow, so let's roll through the top ten things you need to know...

1. Stoops says the energy has been great in practice this week

All week, Mark Stoops has been pushing his players to not get a big head after the win to Mizzou. Yesterday, he told reporters he's been happy with the team's attitude in practice this week. "Our guys have had good focus this week. They’re energetic. They’re excited and ready to go. So another day tomorrow, put the finishing touches on it. I see a great focus with them. Staying consistent, staying with the same plan that we’ve been doing the past couple weeks. I feel good about our prep and their mindset right now.” After the Mississippi State and Missouri games, Stoops raved about his team's preparation. Hopefully another good week of prep will lead to another win.

2. The running backs have a need, a need for speed

Kentucky has suddenly developed a reputation as a fast, physical team in the SEC, and Stoops said having a deep, talented rotation at running back has led to their faster ground attack. "I think we’re fresh and we seem to be really playing fast from our GPS units and just looking at us," Stoops said. "I’m pleased with what I’m seeing and our speeds are staying high. The guys are working extremely hard, so I think that’s a big piece of it, to be able to have the depth.”

3. Here are the rest of Stoops' comments from after practice yesterday:

https://youtu.be/jcNhL-8owjg

4. Georgia's still a 2.5-point favorite

Vegas was totally off last week when they predicted Missouri would beat Kentucky by seven, and this week's spread seems much more reasonable, with the Dawgs only favored by 2.5

5. Tickets are still available for the Georgia game

Only a few thousand tickets remain for Saturday's game. Don't be left saying, "Man I wish I'd been there" when the Cats upset the Dawgs tomorrow night. Go to UKFootballTix.com to secure your seat for Saturday.

6. John Calipari will preview Asbury at 2:15 p.m.

It's slipped under the radar with all the football excitement this week, but Kentucky has its second exhibition game on Sunday night. The Cats will host Asbury, and today at 2:15 p.m., John Calipari will meet with the media to preview the matchup and give us an update on how his squad's doing one week before the season opener. We'll have a live stream of his presser, along with the players' remarks, this afternoon, so check back after lunch.

7. It's about to get real with basketball recruiting

Five-star big man Nick Richards tweeted last night that he will announce his college decision on November 10, becoming the latest UK target to set their announcement date during the early signing period, which begins next week:

• John Petty (SG): November 10
• Nick Richards (C): November 10
• Quade Green (PG): November 19

Trae Young and PJ Washington have also mentioned the possibility of signing early. In my opinion, Kentucky leads for Richards, Washington, and Young and landing all three would be HUGE for the 2017 class, giving Calipari a core to build around heading into the spring. I also don't think it's a coincidence that Young only told reporters that he might announce in the fall after Quade Green set his decision date. While both could share the backcourt at Kentucky, I have a feeling Young may have felt a little bit of pressure after Green set his decision date.

8. Arizona's Ray Smith retires from basketball after tearing his ACL for the third time

Sad news yesterday out of Arizona, where redshirt freshman Ray Smith, a former five-star recruit, announced his retirement from basketball after tearing his ACL for the third time: https://twitter.com/raysmith2297/status/794273216780865537?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw Best of luck to Smith moving forward. Sometimes, sports can be cruel, which makes stories like this next one so refreshing...

9. I'm still not over watching Chicago Cub fans react to their win

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPB0UMVTlj8 As Kentucky fans, we've seen our share of great moments, but I'm not sure anything can compare to the sheer joy that erupted from the Windy City (and every bandwagon fan across the nation) Wednesday night. I'm no baseball fan, but I can't get enough of the videos of Cubs fans, young and old alike, completely losing it after their team won its first championship in since 1908.

10. That video reminds me of this one...

https://youtu.be/gTfzcrZQ9Qo I can't think of a better way to roll into Friday. Radio in an hour, live from the Nestle Toll House Cafe/Red Mango on South Broadway.