KSR Today: Happy 'EA Sports College Football 25' Day! Plus, SEC Media Days and lots more

Today’s the day, friends. We’ve waited over a decade for a new college football video game, and EA Sports College Football 25 will finally be released later this afternoon to all who pre-ordered the deluxe edition. The game will launch to everyone else on Thursday.

A couple of weeks ago, I shared my very serious concerns about the game and what it will do to families. Those concerns become a reality today as many of us 80s and 90s kids welcome video gaming back into our lives after many years away from the sticks. How will we balance full-time head coaching and our daily responsibilities at home and work? I don’t know. I’ve already made my bed on the couch, just in case. The fridge is stocked for a week, too.

Before I lock myself in a cave for the unforeseeable future, join me for another Monday morning rundown on KSR. This one is pretty busy.

SEC Media Days begin today in Dallas

Nick Roush, Adam Luckett, and Steven Peake made the long drive from Kentucky to Texas, continuing a longstanding KSR tradition of driving across the country, for this week’s SEC Media Days in Dallas. Today, Greg Sankey will open things up with his highly anticipated comments on the state of the league and its future. Four head coaches will follow at the podium on Monday. Mark Stoops will be the last coach to speak on Thursday.

9:05 a.m.: Greg Sankey
10:00 a.m.: Brian Kelly, LSU
11:35 a.m.: Shane Beamer, South Carolina
1:50 p.m.: Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss
3:20 p.m.: Clark Lea, Vanderbilt

Even better, 11 Personnel will recap the day live from Dallas around 4 p.m. on KSR’s YouTube. The guys in Texas will provide daily recaps throughout the week.

Thanks to our friends at Friends of Coal for sponsoring KSR’s trip and coverage. Friends of Coal is dedicated to informing and educating Kentucky citizens about the coal industry and its vital role in the state’s future. They provide a united voice for an industry that has been and remains a critical economic contributor to Kentucky. By working together, they can provide good jobs and benefits for future generations.

Friends of Coal is a volunteer organization. All are invited to be a part of the organization, which consists of proud Kentuckians as well as residents from beyond our borders. Head to friendsofcoalkentucky.org to learn more.

Reed Sheppard is the star of the NBA Summer League

Reed Sheppard played his second summer league game on Sunday. This time, he earned the respect of NBA stars Trae Young and Ja Morant, who tweeted about the Kentucky freshman in Vegas. “Reed Sheppard nice y’all,” Young wrote from courtside.

!! https://t.co/tK9EdTSWGg

— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) July 15, 2024

Sheppard scored 22 points with six rebounds, seven assists, and five steals, shooting 60% from the field. Unfortunately, Reed’s outstanding start to his NBA career has the internet mocking Kentucky and John Calipari.

If I was a Kentucky fan stuff like this would turn me into the Joker https://t.co/ZTt7kQIEdK

— Eamonn Brennan (@eamonnbrennan) July 15, 2024

The jokes aren’t going away anytime soon, I am afraid. Still, BBN is thrilled for Reed and his family. Go Rockets.

In other summer league news, Rob Dillingham had his breakout game in Minnesota, scoring 14 points with eight assists and two steals on Sunday. Go Wolves, too.

Rob Dillingham got shifty today 😎

14 PTS
8 AST
2 STL pic.twitter.com/adhabTmfRz

— Overtime (@overtime) July 14, 2024

Team USA to play Australia in an exhibition tune-up

Around lunchtime today, you can watch the U.S. Olympic Basketball Team play another exhibition game, this time against Australia in Abu Dhabi. Australia won the bronze medal in the last Olympic Games, so the Americans have some competition with the Aussies, including NBA players Josh Giddey, Joe Ingles, Dante Exum, Jock Landale, Dyson Daniels, Patty Mills, and Josh Green.

You can watch the USA-Australia exhibition at noon on FS1.

MLB Home Run Derby

The busy day in sports continues on into the evening with the MLB Home Run Derby from Dallas. Tonight’s event debuts a new format. MLB.com’s Q&A explains it much better than I can. I can give you the eight participants and their betting odds, though.

Pete Alonso +340
Marcell Ozuna +380
Gunnar Henderson +475
Adolis Garcia +500
Bobby WItt, Jr. +550 
Teoscar Hernandez +1000
Jose Ramirez +1300
Alec Bohm +1600

Three Wildcats selected in the MLB Draft

The MLB Draft began on Sunday and will run through tomorrow with three days of selections. Day 1 saw three Kentucky Wildcats drafted, starting with Ryan Waldschmidt to the Arizona Diamondbacks with the 31st overall pick. Waldschmidt is Kentucky Baseball‘s eighth-ever first-rounder and the third under Nick Mingione’s tutelage. He’ll receive around $2,904,000, the slot value for the 31st pick in the draft.

After Waldschmidt, second baseman Emilien Pitre was next at No. 58 to the Tampa Bay Rays. The slot value for the 58th pick is $1,525,200.

Tampa Bay needed another Wildcat eight picks later, drafting UK signee Tyler Bell, a shortstop, at No. 66. Now, Bell has to decide if he wants to turn pro or follow through with his commitment to the Cats.

The draft continues today at 2 p.m., streamed on MLB.com.

TBT coming to KSBar and Grille

It’s TBT week in Lexington as La Familia prepares to play the 305 Ballers on Friday at Rupp Arena. Before the tournament begins, the team of Kentucky Basketball alums will have a meet-and-greet during Wednesday morning’s show at KSBar and Grille. Join KSR and some of your favorite former Wildcat stars to meet the team from 10 a.m. to noon.

Myron Medcalf is back hosting KSR

Myron Medcalf returns from his family cookout to host two hours of Monday morning KSR. Ryan Lemond and I will join him through the iHeart studio in downtown Lexington. Tune in at WLAP.com.