KSR Gameday: Kentucky vs. Germany in the GLOBL Jam Opener

Kentucky basketball in July. It’s a rare treat for the Big Blue Nation. Today we get our first peek at the 2023-24 Wildcats when they represent Team USA in the GLOBL Jam. The Cats tip-off in the Toronto tournament at 1:30 pm EST against Germany. You can catch all of the action on CBS Sports Network.

This is the fifth time John Calipari has taken the Kentucky basketball team on an international summer excursion, and the first time they’ve competed in back-to-back summer sessions. Last year Antonio Reeves made the biggest splash in the Bahamas. The Illinois State transfer scored 20+ points in consecutive games to earn MVP honors in his first weekend wearing the Wildcats’ uniform.

Reeves is one of only three returning players the BBN will see in Canada. Talented freshmen are the foundation of this year’s squad. Will they fit their high-profile billing? Fireworks from DJ Wagner, Justin Edwards, Rob Dillingham and Reed Sheppard could inject some much-needed enthusiasm into the BBN after a rocky offseason. We’ll learn much more about these Wildcats over the next four games in Canada.

Injuries in the Kentucky Frontcourt

Kentucky will be without one of its most talented newcomers for the entire trip to Toronto. Aaron Bradshaw is recovering from a foot procedure and stayed home in the USA to recover. He’s expected to make a full recovery and be ready to play for the Wildcats this fall.

The other 7-footer on the Wildcats’ roster, Ugonna Onyenso, has not taken the next step yet this offseason. Now he might lose an opportunity against high-level competition. During a closed scrimmage, a big Kentucky win, Onyenso rolled his ankle. It’s unclear if the injury is severe enough to sideline him for the event. If he’s out, the Cats are playing small ball with West Virginia transfer Tre Mitchell and Adou Thiero, a stark difference in what we saw from Oscar Tshiebwe in the paint over the last two seasons.

KSR+ Flash Sale

If you were logged onto KSBoard, you found out about Onyenso’s injury before anyone else. The KSR crew is cranking up the content over the next two weeks with behind the scenes coverage of the GLOBL Jam and SEC Media Days on KSR+. Sign up now and get 3 months for only $1, or get your first year 50% off. If you’ve been thinking about giving us a try, the time is now. Don’t wait! The flash sale ends July 16.

How to Watch, Listen to Kentucky in the GLOBL Jam

• Time: 1:30 p.m. ET
• Location: Mattamy Athletic Centre (Toronto, ON)
• TV: CBS Sports Network
• Stream: CBS Sports, CBS Sports App
• Radio: UK Sports Network (Tom Leach, Jack Givens), 630 WLAP, iHeart Radio

Here’s a complete look at the TV schedule for the event in Canada:

• July 12: Team USA (Kentucky) vs. Team Germany, 1:30 p.m. ET live on CBS Sports Network
• July 13: Team USA (Kentucky) vs. Team Canada, 8:00 p.m. ET (tape delay July 14 at 12:00 a.m. ET on CBS Sports Network)
• July 15: Team USA (Kentucky) vs. Team Africa, 1:30 p.m. ET live on CBS Sports Network
• July 16: Gold Medal Game (if Team USA is playing), 8:00 p.m. ET live on CBS Sports Network

What You Need to Know About Team Germany

Kentucky’s first opponent has a few impressive players on the roster. Simas Lukosius is a 6-foot-6 guard that transferred to Cincinnati after starting his career at Butler. Last season he shot nearly 40% from three-point land to score 11.6 points per game. The German center, 6-foot-11 Bent Leuchten, made more than 57.1% of his shots last season for UC Irvine to average 9.3 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.

The German team also has a handful of players that star in the Bundesliga, Germany’s top professional basketball league. A couple of players, 6-foot-6 guard Joshua Obiesie and 6-foot-7 forward Jordan Samare, scored in double figures last season. The squad also has a pair of twins, Nicholas Tischler and Brandon Tischler. Zack Geoghegan has more on what you need to know about the Wildcats’ first GLOBL Jam opponent.

4-Star Kentucky Target to Announce Decision

A talented EDGE rusher is ready to announce his college decision. Will it be Kentucky? The Cats made a significant impression when Kendall Jackson officially visited in June, but there’s a lot going in Florida’s favor. He’s a Gainesville native and his Dad hosts a Florida football podcast. You think a little Roush or Luckett would be committing to the Gators? Kentucky took a big swing. We’ll know by 4:30 pm EST if those local ties were too much to overcome for the Cats.

Matt Jones Returns to KSR

After a little more than two weeks away of summer vacation, KSR’s Fearless Leader is back in the big chair at Kentucky Sports Radio. This morning he’ll catch up on everything he missed during that time and get you ready for an exciting week of basketball action across the border. Don’t miss it.