KSR Gameday: Kentucky looks to bounce back at Vanderbilt
After losing three of the last four, including back-to-back games at Rupp Arena, Kentucky needs a win. While nothing is given in college basketball, especially this season, Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville provides a favorable setting for the Cats to get back on track.
At 8:30 p.m. ET, No. 17 Kentucky (15-6, 5-4 SEC) faces the Vanderbilt Commodores (6-15, 1-7). The ‘Dores are no longer the worst team in the SEC, beating Missouri on Saturday for their first conference win of the season. Jerry Stackhouse’s squad has also won the last two against Kentucky, although the Cats own the last seven in Memorial Gym.
What’s different with the ‘Dores this season? Tyrin Lawrence and Ezra Manjon, who played significant parts in Vanderbilt’s wins over Kentucky last year, are back and led the team in scoring with a combined 28 points per game. Notre Dame transfer Ven-Allen Lubin has joined the squad and is scoring in double figures in three of the last four games. There’s also a new assistant coach on the sideline: Brad Calipari, who is in his first season as Vanderbilt’s Director of On-Court Player Development. Which Calipari man will Ellen root for tonight?
As KSR’s Nashville correspondent, I’ll be attending tonight’s game, watching from high atop the stands in the Crow’s Nest, Vandy’s press box. Blue always gets into Memorial Gym and despite the recent skid, this year won’t be an exception. Let’s continue to break it down before I make the trek across town to West End.
The latest on DJ Wagner
DJ Wagner missed the last two games with a lingering ankle issue. Of course, the Cats lost those games, bringing their record with Wagner on the bench to 0-3. Clearly, the Cats miss their floor general, but it doesn’t look like he will return to action in Music City. Jack Pilgrim is hearing Wagner is trending towards sitting out tonight and potentially returning to action Saturday vs. Gonzaga.
Tre Mitchell is also reportedly dealing with a back issue and Zvonimir Ivisic missed the Tennessee game due to an illness. We’ll get official word on who’s in and who’s out shortly before tipoff, but it feels safe to say tonight will not be Kentucky’s first game at full strength.
How to Watch, Listen
If you’re in the Nashville area and want to attend the game, tickets are still available through Vanderbilt’s website. If not, here’s how you can watch or listen at home. Dave Neal and Jon Sundvold will be on the call for the SEC Network.
- Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
- TV: SEC Network (Dave Neal, Jon Sundvold)
- Streaming: WatchESPN
- Home Radio: UK Sports Network – 630 WLAP, iHeart Radio (Tom Leach, Goose Givens)
- Online Radio: iHeart
- Satellite Radio: Sirius 81 and on the SiriusXM App
- Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Kentucky vs. Vanderbilt Odds on FanDuel
Kentucky opened as a 9.5-point favorite on FanDuel yesterday, with the total set at 151.5 points. The line has moved slightly, to Kentucky -8.5. Kentucky’s team total is 80.5 points, while Vandy’s is set at 71.5.
Bruiser Flint talks morale, defense, Vanderbilt
Yesterday, Associate to the Head Coach Bruiser Flint met with reporters to preview the game vs. the Commodores. In addition to addressing the obvious issues with the defense, Bruiser said that he believes the team is in a good state of mind despite the recent slide. As for Vanderbilt, the staff is expecting the ‘Dores to guard the entire floor and throw in an action of some sort.
“Last year, they really beat us off the dribble when we played them, so we expect them to do a lot of that again this year with the way they play. They have a lot of those same guys back that gave us problems last year.”
Vanderbilt Game Day changes — and Red Panda!
If you’re attending the game tonight, a few items of note. Due to construction in the area, gates will only open 60 minutes before tipoff, with parking garages open two hours before. Gates 1, 3, 6, and 11 will be open for entry. You can find more gameday updates here.
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Spitting ejection
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Dealing with the construction is annoying, but well worth it not only to see the Cats but one of the best halftime acts in all of sports: Red Panda. I’ll have my iPhone ready to capture the unicycling, bowl-balancing acrobat.
ICYMI, Kentucky Football got a Yahtzee
The Kentucky Football team got some much-needed good news yesterday. Four-star wide receiver Quintin Simmons picked the Cats over Michigan and Penn State, becoming the second commitment in the 2025 recruiting class alongside three-star quarterback Stone Saunders. Amid the search for a new offensive coordinator, this is a good win for the program coming off Junior Day, one of the most important recruiting weekends of the year.
It’s Kentucky Baseball and Softball Media Day
We’re all preoccupied with the hardwood and gridiron, but spring is right around the corner, bringing with it a different playing field: the diamond. Kentucky Baseball and Softball seasons are just days away. Rachel Lawson’s squad opens play vs. UC Santa Barbara in the San Diego Tournament on Friday, while Nick Mingione’s team travels to South Carolina to play USC Upstate a week later on Feb. 16.
Today, both coaches will meet with the media to preview their seasons. KSR’s Daniel Hager and Katelyn Perkins will be on hand to bring us updates.
College Basketball on TV
It was another wild night in college basketball as Kansas State knocked off No. 4 Kansas in overtime. In lieu of storming the court, Wildcats fans partied with Jerome Tang — who is now 11-0 in overtime games — in the stands:
We’ve got another good slate tonight. Cross your fingers that Ole Miss vs. South Carolina, the game before ours on SEC Network, doesn’t go long.
- 6:30 PM (SECN): Ole Miss vs. No. 15 South Carolina
- 7:00 PM (ESPN): Clemson vs. No. 3 North Carolina
- 7:00 PM (ESPN2): Oklahoma State vs. No. 5 Houston
- 8:00 PM (LHN): No. 14 Iowa State vs. Texas
- 8:00 PM (CBSSN): No. 18 Dayton vs. Saint Joseph’s
- 8:00 PM (ESPN+): No. 21 BYU vs. Oklahoma
- 8:30 PM (SECN): No. 17 Kentucky vs. Vanderbilt
- 8:30 PM (FS1): Butler vs. No. 1 UConn
- 8:30 PM: No. 25 New Mexico vs. Wyoming
- 9:00 PM (ESPN): No. 23 Texas Tech vs. No. 13 Baylor
- 9:00 PM: Nevada vs. No. 22 Utah State
- 10:30 PM (FS1): No. 24 San Diego State vs. Air Force
St. John’s also faces DePaul tonight at 6:30 p.m. ET on FS1. If you’re in New York and going to the game, you’ll get this bobblehead that somewhat resembles Rick Pitino.
RIP Toby Keith
If you haven’t seen the news yet, country music star Toby Keith passed away on Monday from stomach cancer at the age of 62. Known for hits like “Beer With My Horses,” “Should’ve Been A Cowboy,” and “How Do You Like Me Know?!”, Keith was a staple in the industry and also close friends with the Stoops family. Over the years, he attended Kentucky games and even called into the Mark Stoops show to support his friend. Rest in Peace.
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