KSR Gameday: Kentucky hosts Missouri in SEC Home Opener

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ksr-gameday-kentucky-missouri-sec-home-game-tim-couch-hof — Photo by Dr. Michael Huang | Kentucky Sports Radio

Good morning, friends. There’s a new victor in college football, as Michigan topped Washington 34-13 to win its first national championship since 1997.

If we’re being honest, it was kind of a snoozer of a game, with the Wolverines holding Michael Penix Jr. and the Huskies’ high-flying offense to just one touchdown. I’m sure the Paul Finebaum Show will be full of callers today claiming the SEC would have provided a much more entertaining finale to the season, alas, college football is over until late August and when it starts back up, things will look pretty different. Texas and Oklahoma will officially be part of the SEC, Washington (Oregon, USC, and UCLA) will be part of the Big Ten with Michigan, and the College Football Playoff will include 12 teams, not four. It will be a long, hard wait until that kicks off.

Thankfully, we have plenty to keep us entertained closer to home, where midweek basketball is finally back in our lives. Tonight at 7 p.m. ET, your University of Kentucky Wildcats (11-2) host the Missouri Tigers (8-6) at Rupp Arena in the first SEC home game of the season.

First game vs. Missouri since upset in CoMo

Last year, Missouri upset Kentucky in Dennis Gates’ first game against the Cats. Never say never, but the odds of the Tigers pulling off the upset tonight feel low. Kobe Brown and D’Moi Hodge, who combined for 45 points vs. Kentucky in CoMo last season, are off to the NBA. Gates has restocked his roster with transfers and recruits. The Tigers play small ball but don’t have the talent or athleticism of last year’s squad, which could lead to a long night in Lexington.

Yesterday, John Welch used a different approach while previewing tonight’s game, instead pointing out the differences on Kentucky’s side from last year to this year.

“It’ll be an interesting game. They play very fast defensively. They trap, rotate so it’ll be a good test for our guys just to play against that type of defense. I think we have the personnel that has the ability to just make basketball plays. I think last year, we struggled against them because the skillset of last year’s team wasn’t quite what this year’s team is.”

On last night’s call-in show, Calipari said Missouri is much better than their 8-6 record indicates.

“We’re playing Mizzou tomorrow, and they’re really good, by the way. I don’t care, don’t look at the record and all that. They switch everything, they muck it up. They’ll press and they trap out of nowhere. Just people running to go trap. They play a funky zone out of bounds, so it’s a little bit different. They’ll trap, but they’ll play a zone. So we had to spend a little time today and we’ll do a little bit tomorrow (to prepare).”

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Missouri has never won a game in Rupp Arena, losing all eight tries. Kentucky is a double-digit favorite. Here’s what else you need to know as we count down ’til tipoff.

How To Watch, Listen

Time: 7 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN (Karl Ravech, Jimmy Dykes)
Streaming: WatchESPN
Home Radio: UK Sports Network – 630 WLAP, iHeart Radio (Tom Leach, Goose Givens)
Online Radio: iHeart
Satellite Radio: Sirius 106 or 190
Live Stats: StatBroadcast

Kentucky vs. Missouri Odds on FanDuel

Kentucky is currently a 12.5-point favorite on FanDuel, up from the opening line of -11.5. The point total is 159.5 points. Kentucky’s team total is 86.5 points. The Cats have covered their last five games and hit the over all but three times this season.

Will Adou Thiero play?

Sophomore wing Adou Thiero hasn’t played since the Louisville game. The school is calling it “general soreness,” but before the Illinois State game, UK Sports Network analyst Dave Baker said Thiero was dealing with a minor back injury. On last night’s call-in show, John Calipari said Thiero did not practice on Monday, bringing his availability in tonight’s game into doubt.

Other Updates from the John Calipari Show

Thiero’s status wasn’t the only topic Calipari discussed last night. Other topics Calipari and Tom Leach covered:

Coach K Podcast incoming: Coming to your podcast feeds this week: a conversation between Calipari and Mike Krzyzewski. Cal went on Coach K’s podcast this week and said he gave the fellow Hall of Famer a little bit of grief for copying his one-and-done style. Something else to look forward to this week.
Optimism for Big Z: Calipari remains optimistic that Zvonimir Ivisic will be cleared by the NCAA, opening up on Big Z’s decision to return to Lexington and telling Leach, “I really believe he’ll get his chance and it should be fun when he does.”
“Hey Cal, when’s Reed gonna start?”: The call of the night goes to Camden, a young UK fan who called in to ask Calipari why Reed Sheppard doesn’t start. Calipari’s response? “Richie’s not on the team anymore,” a reference to the countless calls Cawood Ledford once fielded about fellow home state hero Richie Farmer. Camden didn’t get the reference, but I’m sure his parents will fill him in.

"Why do you not start Reed Sheppard?"
Caller Camden had an import question on his birthday but he's not old enough to remember Richie. pic.twitter.com/fwKxQfc6Cm
— UK Sports Network (@UKSportsNetwork) January 9, 2024

Tim Couch talks about his HOF election

Tim Couch’s Monday was better than yours. Not only because, well, he’s Tim Couch, but because he was FINALLY elected to the College Football Hall of Fame. The news came hours after we also learned that Leslie County High School will build a life-size statue in the Deuce’s honor. Pretty awesome.

Today after lunch, Couch will meet with reporters to discuss the honor. We’ll have a replay of the conversation on the KSR YouTube Channel and this here website as soon as it’s available.

College Basketball on TV today

Kentucky vs. Missouri is one of four SEC games tonight. After it’s over, you can flip over to ESPN2 to watch Kentucky’s next opponent, Texas A&M, at No. 16 Auburn. The Tigers are coming off a 32-point win at Arkansas on Saturday and could be one of the top three teams in the league alongside Kentucky and Tennessee. South Carolina vs. Alabama is also an intriguing matchup.