KSR GAMEDAY: Kentucky dances with Oakland in Pittsburgh

You know that pure, raw joy you see with kids on Christmas morning? Wiping sleep out of their eyes and popping their heads up with the realization presents would be waiting for them at the bottom of the steps. It’s a feeling you only get once a year, one unlike any other.

We are those kids and this is our Christmas. March Madness is here and it’s here to stay through April 8 in Phoenix. This is the Kentucky basketball program’s why, what all of the ups and downs are for leading up to this very moment. “Built for March” begins now, a six-part final exam that’s pass/fail every step of the way. One slip-up and it’s all over, but earn six wins and you’re immortalized in Lexington. Four gets you to the Final Four, the official mark separating the best from the rest nationally each season.

What will this team’s legacy be? We’ll find out starting tonight, the Wildcats set to take on the Oakland Golden Grizzlies in Pittsburgh to open the NCAA Tournament.

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Quick-hitters on Oakland

What do you need to know about The Grizz ahead of tonight’s matchup? For starters, they enter the day at 23-11 (15-5) as the Horizon League champions, coached by Greg Kampe in his 40th season leading the program with 675 career wins.

Individually, Trey Townsend leads the way as the Horizon Player of the Year, averaging 16.9 points and 7.8 rebounds while coming off a 38-point effort in the conference championship. From there, three others score in double figures, senior guards Blake Lampman (13.2 PPG) and Jack Gohlke (12.2 PPG) next up as the team’s sharpshooters at 37% 3PT on a combined 19 attempts per game. Junior forward Chris Conway rounds out the group with 10.1 points and 4.1 rebounds per contest, standing 6-9, 221 pounds.

Ranked No. 126 in the NET, the Golden Grizzlies are a top-100 scoring offense (76.4) and top-75 three-point shooting team in terms of makes and attempts overall. Sitting at 1-5 in Quad 1 opportunities, the team’s biggest win came on the road at Xavier as a 15-point underdog.

Coach Cal prepares for ‘good team’ and ‘great coach’

John Calipari held court at the podium, talking about his Pittsburgh roots and returning home to coach in the NCAA Tournament. Through local slang and media jabs — conveniently both ‘jagoffs’ in his eyes — he talked about coaching against a talented team capable of giving Kentucky a run for its money to open the event.

‘We’re playing a good team now in Oakland. They’re good,” Coach Cal said. “What they do defensively, what they can do offensively with two kids taking 20 threes every game and having the freedom. Greg is a great coach, not a good coach, a great coach. And then they play funky defense. They play a defense that’s not normal. And I’m not — I’ll tell Greg, Greg, we’re not changing much. So when you watch what we do against zone, that’s what we do. I’m not trying to be tricky. Here’s how we play.

“I don’t want them thinking too much. I want them playing. Let’s just be who we are. And let’s see if that’s good enough.”

Tre Mitchell, Adou Thiero prepare for homecoming

It’s not just Calipari returning home, nor Orlando Antigua, who coached and played at Pitt before making his way to Lexington down the road. It will be homecomings for both Tre Mitchell and Adou Thiero, natives of the greater Pittsburgh area. The full-circle moment is special for each of them ahead of Thursday’s matchup against Oakland.

“You know, it means the world to be back home in my final year of college basketball and on this team, and kind of being able to have people around me kind of see this moment come full circle for me to play at Kentucky,” Mitchell said. “I honestly couldn’t give you a number of how many people that have hit me and said that they’re going to be there tomorrow.”

“I’m super excited to play at home,” Thiero added. “I got people texting me who haven’t seen me play since I was a little kid telling me that they’re coming to the game. Just like what Tre said, just super to be happy to be home and be able to play here.”

Content overload in Pittsburgh

Wednesday was a whirlwind in the Steel City with open locker room access for players from both teams, press conferences with Coach Cal and Greg Kampe and open practice to close out the day. Fortunately the KSR crew had the cameras rolling while running around PPG Paints Arena like chickens with their heads cut off ahead of Thursday’s games.

How did it all unfold in Pittsburgh? We’ve got you covered from start to finish.

Kentucky’s open practice was a success

John Calipari previews Oakland, shares Pittsburgh stories

Kentucky players share excitement for March Madness run

Oakland players preview the Cats

Sources Say recaps day one in Steel City

Pregame reading

• Takeaways From Kentucky’s Open Practice In Pittsburgh
• Oakland’s Greg Kampe ready to recreate Hoosiers vs. Kentucky
• Kentucky’s message ahead of March Madness: “Enjoy the ride.”
• Has Oakland sharpshooter Jack Gohlke ever taken a two? “It’s happened before, but maybe not tomorrow.”
• Tre Mitchell motivated by Oakland’s ‘disrespect’ ahead of homecoming: “It’s just another level of confidence.”
• John Calipari is very happy to be back in Pittsburgh (and other press conference notes)
• Brad Calipari is back right where he belongs in Kentucky blue

And there’s plenty more where that comes from ahead of tipoff later tonight.

Attend the UK Pep Rally before the game

Looking for something to do before making your way to the arena this evening? Join the UK Alumni Association for the official pregame party and pep rally in Pittsburgh from 4 to 6 p.m. ET at Café Fifth, 818 Fifth Avenue.

The event is free and open to the public. UK swag will be available while supplies last with food and drinks available for purchase.

From there, you’ll be able to make the short walk over to PPG Paints Arena to catch the Cats vs. the Grizz.

Sign up for the KSR and On3 Bracket Challenge

Time is running out! Join the KSR + On3 Bracket Challenge. Make your game picks now for the chance to win some great prizes! Selections lock in at noon EST on 3/21.

You can watch the tournament live on Prime Video. Add on your favorite channels and watch at home or at work!

KSR LEADERBOARD

• 1st place: $50 gift card to Kentucky Branded and a gift basket from Raising Cane’s
• 2nd place: $25 gift card to Kentucky Branded and a gift basket from Raising Cane’s 

OVERALL ON3 LEADERBOARD

• 1st place: 75-inch 4K Smart TV and 1-year comped subscription to On3
• 2nd place: 1-year comped subscription to On3
• 3rd place: 6-month comped subscription to On3