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UK Fan of the Day Wants 5 Happy Things on a Dreary Afternoon

On3 imageby:Tyler Thompson•about 22 hours•

MrsTylerKSR

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Screenshot via SEC Network

I can’t be the only Kentucky Basketball fan that woke up in a funk. Last night’s loss to Georgia was as depressing as Saturday’s win over Florida was thrilling. Yes, we knew life in the SEC would be brutal this season, especially on the road, but seeing the Cats once again shy away from physical play and fall into all of their bad habits was deflating. The misery was made downright painful by the officiating, which stretched the game to over two-and-a-half hours.

For me, on a cold, dreary day, it’s the type of loss that lingers. I’m going to keep writing my way out of it, starting with some happy things to brighten the mood. Seeing the news coming out of California with the wildfires, we could all use it.

Dick Vitale is cancer-free and cleared to return to games

The best news of the day is from Dick Vitale, who announced on social media that his vocal cords are cancer free and his doctor has cleared him to return to calling games. The scope comes one month after Vitale first announced his cancer was gone, which he called his “national championship.” Dickie V. has been battling cancer in various forms since 2021 and had to step away from broadcasting prior to the 2023-24 season, which would have been his 45th in the industry.

ESPN has yet to announce if or when Vitale will return to the sideline, but it sounds like today’s news puts the ball in their court. Awesome, baby!

Reed Sheppard goes for 49 in G League debut

On Monday, the Houston Rockets assigned Reed Sheppard to their G League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. It didn’t take long for Reed to prove he didn’t need to be there.

In his G League debut, Reed went off for 49 points on 17-33 shooting, including 8-19 from the three-point line, in a 130-125 loss to the OKC Blue. Sixteen of Reed’s 49 points came in the final five minutes of regulation as he fought to keep the Valley Vipers in the game. Even though they came up short, it was good to see Reed go off after averaging just 3.3 points in 30 games with the Rockets. Houston has a loaded backcourt and is doing just fine right now, second in the Western Conference standings, so this is a perfect opportunity for Reed to grow his confidence before moving back up.

As you would expect, Reed had an awesome attitude about it, as did his Rockets teammates when they heard about his performance.

Lamont Butler

There wasn’t much to be happy about in last night’s game, but imagine it without Lamont Butler. Butler had a team-high 20 points, 4 rebounds, 4 steals, and 3 assists in 34 minutes. He was the only Cat in double figures in the first half and continues to be the most consistent player on the team, all while playing without his backup Kerr Kriisa, who continues to recover from foot surgery.

“Lamont is really battling,” Mark Pope said afterward. “And Lamont is carrying a massive weight on his shoulders right now, and there’s still so much more he could bring to this game. There’s so much more he could do, but like I said, with Kerr [Kriisa] out, he’s just carrying a load, and that’s what he’s got to do and that’s why he’s here and he’s fully capable. We’ve just got to do better.”

Lamont is great. He just needs some (consistent) help.

Tennessee lost by 30

Does it make you feel any better that on a night Kentucky lost, Tennessee also lost by 30 to a team the Cats just beat? It certainly does for this Volunteer State resident. The No. 1 Vols were the only remaining unbeaten team in the country and got embarrassed at No. 8 Florida, 73-43. Tennessee made just four shots in the first half and 21.4% from the field overall, 13.8% from three.

The loss serves as further proof that no one, not even the No. 1 team in the country, is immune from the SEC’s madness this year. It also makes Kentucky’s win over Florida look better (even if the Cats dropped a turd in Athens).

(More) snow is coming on Friday

For a lot of you, this is not a happy thing at all. The Bluegrass has been under a thick blanket of snow and ice all week. Down here in Nashville, all we’ve gotten to accompany this Arctic cold weather is the occasional flurry.

I hesitate to say it at the risk of awakening the Dry Air Monster, but that’s going to change in a big way on Friday. The latest winter storm is forecasted to bring 4-6″ of snow to Music City, which is probably enough to put the city at a standstill. Even better, it’s supposed to finally get above freezing on Sunday and Monday, meaning it will all melt before we get sick of it. After scrolling through all my Kentucky friends’ snow day pictures and videos on social media, I’m ready for a little fun of my own, especially with our 10-month-old puppy Remy, who will probably lose his mind.

If you’re over the snow, here are some videos that might bring out that inner kid again.

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2025-01-08