KSR Gameday: Kentucky vs. Kansas, Jayden Quaintance Decision Day

The 2023-24 college basketball season tipped off last week but in many ways, it feels like the action begins tonight. At approximately 9:30 p.m. ET (or, if we’re honest with ourselves, closer to 10 p.m.), No. 17 Kentucky (2-0) takes on No. 1 Kansas (2-0) in the Champions Classic at the United Center in Chicago. It’s a showdown of college basketball’s two winningest programs (the Cats reclaimed the top spot last month) and part two of a doubleheader. No. 9 Duke and No. 18 Michigan State get the party started at 7 p.m.

This is the first real test for both Kentucky and Kansas and unfortunately, it’s one the Cats must face without their seven-footers. Aaron Bradshaw and Ugonna Onyenso are out as they continue to recover from foot injuries. Assuming the NCAA doesn’t make a decision on Zvonimir Ivisic before tipoff, he’s out too. That leaves 6’9″ forward Tre Mitchell as Kentucky’s man in the middle, with Adou Thiero (6’8″), Justin Edwards (6’8″), and Jordan Burks (6’8″) rotating at the four to provide support.

How Kentucky’s makeshift frontcourt fares against 7’2″ center Hunter Dickinson, the Michigan transfer who chose the Jayhawks over the Cats in May, could be the deciding factor tonight. Having Thiero — who missed the game vs. Texas A&M-Commerce on Friday due to concussion protocol — back helps.

“Adou being back is big,” John Calipari said on Monday. “In this game, if we didn’t have Adou, it would be really hard. It would be really hard.”

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Kentucky vs. Kansas, Champions Classic History

Kentucky is 24-11 vs. Kansas, 2-2 in the Champions Classic. The last time the Cats and the Jayhawks squared off in the event was in 2017, with No. 4 Kansas defeating Kevin Knox, Hamidou Diallo, and the No. 7 Cats 65-61. Kentucky is 5-7 in the Champions Classic overall, with only one victory since 2016, the 2019 win over No. 1 Michigan State in New York.

John Calipari is 5-8 vs. Bill Self and the Jayhawks. He is 6-4 vs. No. 1-ranked teams in his career, 3-2 at Kentucky. According to ESPN, Cal is the only coach with a winning (.600) percentage against No. 1 ranked teams (minimum of 10 games). With a thin and very young but talented roster, he knows the odds are in the more experienced Jayhawks’ favor.

“Kansas is the number one team in the country and should be,” Calipari said. “They’re not going to beat themselves, they play hard, they’re very aggressive, they’ll play fast when they can.”

We’ve got all day (and part of the night) to talk about the game. Not only do we have to wait for Duke vs. Michigan State to end, but ESPN will also reveal the latest College Football Playoff rankings during the break between games, making for a very long day in the Bluegrass. Thankfully, we’ve got a LOT to keep us occupied, including, potentially, a HUGE basketball commitment.

Kentucky vs. Kansas: How To Watch, Listen

It’s a big night of college basketball, and in turn, we’re getting the A-Crew. Dan Shulman and Jay Bilas will be on the call for Kentucky vs. Kansas, with Holly Rowe providing updates from the sideline. If you can’t watch the game, there are plenty of ways to listen.

• TV: ESPN (Dan Shulman, Jay Bilas, Holly Rowe)
• Streaming: WatchESPN
• Local Radio: 630 WLAP, UK Sports Network (Tom Leach, Jack Givens)
• Online Radio: iHeart
• Satellite Radio: Sirius 106 or 190
• Live Stats: Statbroadcast

The KSR Pregame Show will begin at 7 p.m. ET on 630 WLAP live from KSBar and Grille, just as Duke vs. Michigan State is tipping off. Ryan Lemond and Drew Franklin will preview the game, but Matt Jones is scheduled to return from his trip in time for the postgame show, which will probably start after midnight.

Latest Odds from FanDuel Sportsbook

Kansas is currently a 6.5-point favorite on FanDuel Sportsbook, with the total set at 147.5 points. KenPom is predicting a 76-72 Kansas victory, giving Kentucky only a 35% chance of pulling off the upset. Bart Torvik and ESPN’s Matchup Predictor go lower, at 34% and 25.2%, respectively.

We’re excited to partner with FanDuel Sportsbook. Head to FanDuel.com/kysports. New customers get $150 in BONUS BETS with any winning $5 moneyline bet.

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Jayden Quaintance Decision Day

There could be some fireworks while we count down to tipoff. Five Star Plus+ center Jayden Quaintance is expected to announce his college decision today at Noon ET, per Joe Tipton. The No. 4 overall prospect and No. 1 center in the 2024 class is down to Kentucky and Missouri and the Cats are now considered the frontrunner, with a 92.4% forecast in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine. Here is the latest intel from On3 National Recruiting Analyst Jamie Shaw.

“Sources told me that Kentucky emerged as the strong leader over the weekend,” Shaw wrote yesterday. “Missouri has been in the lead group for Quaintance for a lot of the process. The Tigers have long-standing connections to Quaintance and they reportedly knocked the visit out of the park. At the end of the day, with all else close, a source told me that John Calipari’s track record with bigs and Kentucky’s marketing ability with players went a long way here.”

Quaintance would become the fourth — and highest-ranked — member of Kentucky’s 2024 recruiting class, which is currently ranked seventh nationally. Four-star guard Travis Perry committed to the Cats on Sunday, while four-star point guard Boogie Fland and four-star center Somto Cyril both signed their letters of intent last week. The early signing period ends on Wednesday — and we’re hearing another surprise could be in store before it wraps up.

Last night, Jack Pilgrim and Shawn Smith discussed the latest rumblings on a new episode of “Sources Say”:

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Kentucky WBB vs. Austin Peay in Georgetown

It’s also gameday for the Kentucky Women’s Basketball team, which plays Austin Peay at 6 p.m. at Davis-Reid Alumni Gym on Georgetown College’s campus. Kentucky WBB is 2-0 on the season, defeating ETSU (74-66) and USC Upstate (82-54) thus far. As part of the program’s 50-year anniversary celebration, tonight is 70s night, with shoutouts to the greatest moments of Kentucky WBB’s first decade of varsity status, throwback jams, and a tie-dye scrunchie giveaway to the first 250 fans.

A limited number of tickets remain but if you can’t be there in person, you can watch on SEC Network+/ESPN+. Phoenix Stevenson and Katie Hutchison will be there to cover the action for us.

Liam Coen, Offense Day at football practice

We’ll also get some football updates prior to basketball. Liam Coen and members of Kentucky’s offense will chat with reporters following the Cats’ practice late this afternoon. This weekend, the Cats face South Carolina in Columbia, a must-win for both sides as Kentucky looks to finish the season strong and the Gamecocks fight for bowl eligibility. On Monday, Mark Stoops said getting the running game back on track is paramount, starting with the offensive line.

“I think our yards per attempt weren’t very impressive if you take that run out,” Stoops said of Kentucky’s ground game vs. Alabama. “So, we need to be a little more efficient. We need to get back to the point of attack. Some strong defenses up front, but we still have to do a better job.”

Check the site this evening for more comments on the offense from Coen and others. Last night, the KSR Football Podcast crew vented their frustrations over the loss to Alabama and looked ahead to the Gamecocks. Catch the replay on YouTube or wherever you find your podcasts.

Got thoughts? Continue the conversation on KSBoard, the KSR Message Board. New members can try 1 month for $1.

College Basketball on TV Today

Plenty of other roundball happening tonight, along with three college football games. The MACtion starts at 7 p.m. with Toldeo vs. Bowling Green (ESPN2), Western Michigan vs. Northern Illinois (ESPNU), and Akron vs. Eastern Michigan (CBSSN).

TIME	TV	AWAY	HOME	VENUE
6:30 PM	ESPN+	Wofford	#7 Tennessee	Thompson-Boling Arena
7:00 PM	ESPN+	Florida A&M	Florida	Stephen O’Connell Center
7:00 PM	FS2	Miss Valley St.	#5 UConn	XL Center
7:00 PM	ESPN	#9 Duke	#18 Michigan St.	United Center
7:00 PM	ESPN+	E. Michigan	#10 FAU	FAU Arena
7:30 PM	ESPN+	N. Alabama	Mississippi State	Humphrey Coliseum
8:00 PM	ESPN+	South Alabama	#22 Alabama	Coleman Coliseum
8:00 PM	FS1	#4 Marquette	#23 Illinois	State Farm Center
8:00 PM	ESPN+	#13 Texas A&M	SMU	Moody Coliseum
8:00 PM	ESPN+	Detroit	Ole Miss	The Pavilion at Ole Miss
8:00 PM	ESPN+	UNC-Greensboro	Vanderbilt	Memorial Gym
9:00 PM	PACN	Milwaukee	#25 Colorado	CU Events Center
9:00 PM	ESPN+	E. Oregon	#11 Gonzaga	McCarthey Athletic Center
9:30 PM	ESPN	#1 Kansas	#17 Kentucky	United Center
10:00 PM	FS1	Iowa	#8 Creighton	CHI Health Center Omaha
10:00 PM	ESPN+	UMKC	#15 Baylor	Ferrell Center
11:00 PM	PACN	UC Irvine	#16 USC	Galen Center

We’ll be here all day, so come back early and often as we get ready for one of the best college basketball nights of the year.