KSR Gameday: Kentucky vs. Bellarmine, USA vs. Iran

Good morning, Big Blue Nation, and welcome to a very big gameday. Tonight, your No. 19/18 Kentucky Wildcats take on the Bellarmine Knights at Rupp Arena, but first, the United States Men’s National Team plays Iran for a spot in the Round of 16 of the World Cup. Add in football coaching staff changes and transfer portal whirling and it’s a very busy Tuesday. Let’s break it all down.

7 PM: Kentucky vs. Bellarmine (SEC Network+)

It’s hard to believe it’s been almost a week since we watched Kentucky beat North Florida by 40. Tonight, the Wildcats host Bellarmine, the first-ever meeting between the two in-state programs. The Knights are 2-5, beating Louisville and CU-Harrodsburg and losing at Morehead State, at Clemson, at then-No. 8 Duke, at Loyola-Marymount, and at No. 19 UCLA. With tonight’s game, Bellarmine will become one of just five schools to play in Cameron Indoor, Pauley Pavilion, and Rupp Arena, and the first team to do it in a single season. Scotty Davenport ain’t scared.

Yesterday, Bruiser Flint previewed the game with reporters. He’s expecting a spirited effort from the Knights, who play a unique style of offense.

“They’re going to test our discipline defensively, that’s for sure, because of what they run. I don’t want to say they hold the ball, but they’re going to work the shot clock. Our discipline on defense, our communication on defense, it’s going to be important because of the type of offense they run. It’s a good test for us.”

Subscribe to the KSR YouTube Channel for press conferences, interviews, original shows, fan features, and exclusive content.

Bellarmine is banged up

The Knights could be shorthanded tonight. On Saturday, three Bellarmine players were injured in a ten-minute span at practice. ASUN Preseason Defensive Player of the Year Juston Betz, who leads the team in rebounds and assists took a knee to the labrum; Nick Thelen suffered a knee injury and Zac Jennings dislocated a shoulder. All three missed the UCLA game on Sunday. No word on if they’ll be able to go today.

Tale of the Tape

Radio, Streaming, Vegas

Kentucky opened as a 23.5-point favorite yesterday. The line has since moved to Kentucky -25.5. The total is 139 points.

Tom Hart and Jon Sundvold will be on the call tonight for the SEC Network+/ESPN+ broadcast, so make sure your streaming setup is in order (here’s a refresher) to hear all the KSR Easter eggs. If you don’t want to deal with all that, come on down to KSBar, where we’ll have the game on our TVs. You can also listen to Tom Leach and Goose Givens on the UK Sports Network.

• AM: 840 WHAS, 630 WLAP
• FM: 98.1 WBUL
• Satellite: Sirius 133 or 191, SXM App: 962
• Online: iHeart Radio

The KSR Pregame Show will begin at 4:30 p.m. on 840 WHAS, 630 WLAP, and iHeart Radio.

2 PM: USA vs. Iran (FOX)

Before you don your Kentucky Blue, Imma need you to sport the stars and stripes for USA vs. Iran at 2 p.m. If you haven’t kept up with the World Cup — you’re missing out — the United States must beat Iran to move to the Round of 16. They cannot qualify with a draw or a loss. If you want to go a little more in-depth, USA can even win Group B with a win IF England loses to Wales or if England and Wales draw and USA beats Iran by five goals.

As an American, I want USA to advance because patriotism. As a soccer fan, I want USA to advance because it would be great for the program’s and sport’s future in the country. As someone flying to London on Thursday night, I want USA to advance because it would be a heck of a lot more fun to watch the World Cup there if they did.

I hear the World Cup watch parties have been some of our best atmospheres at KSBar. Do your patriotic duty and come cheer the USMNT on. Make a day out of it and stick around for the pregame show and even the Bellarmine. Why should today be a normal Tuesday?

Need-to-know from a busy Monday

— Kentucky is looking for a new running backs coach after firing John Settle. Settle also handled a portion of special teams duties. On his radio show, Mark Stoops said a designated special teams coach is coming as staffing changes happen this offseason. Adam Luckett has an early list of replacements.

— Three wide receivers are now planning on entering the transfer portal when it opens on Monday, Dec. 5: DeMarcus Harris, Chauncey Magwood, and Chris Lewis. That said, Stoops said he’s feeling VERY optimistic about the future of the program after meetings all day Monday.

— Deone Walker won SEC Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week. He’s one of the freshmen Stoops should feel very optimistic about.

— Stoops is going under the knife for a minor procedure on his shoulder today, so send your good vibes to him. Stoops being Stoops, he vowed to be back on the recruiting trail this weekend, including appearances at the KHSAA state final games at Kroger Field.

— John Calipari says the team worked on zone during practice this week. Yes, zone.

— The ACC/SEC Challenge is now a thing. It will replace the Big 12/SEC and Big Ten/ACC Challenges in ESPN’s programming. It starts next year, the week after Thanksgiving. We don’t know the matchups or dates yet, but as I’ll show you later, Kentucky vs. Duke is a safe bet.

— Will Levis had one more meal with his offensive line at Malone’s.

Last one best one at Malone’s last night with the guys. Witnesses reported an estimated amount of 230-240 ounces of beef consumed by the table. One went as far as to describe it as a “masterclass in steak consumption”. Truly one for the books. Thankful as always! @bhgrestaurants pic.twitter.com/RFAzdoW6HK

— Will Levis (@will_levis) November 28, 2022

On his radio show, Stoops said Levis needs some more time to decide whether or not he’ll play in Kentucky’s bowl game. That will be official on Sunday following the Bowl Selection Show.

— Don’t miss the KSR Football Podcast, which went live last night to recap the Governor’s Cup win and look ahead to what’s next for the program, including bowl scenarios and staffing changes.

Benny Snell scored the game-winning touchdown for Pittsburgh last night

Benny Snell didn’t have a single carry this season going into Pittsburgh’s game vs. the Indianapolis Colts last night. He finished the night with TWELVE carries for 62 yards and the game-winning touchdown, a rewarding moment for the four-year vet. It was his first touchdown and highest rushing total since the Steelers’ win over the Bengals on December 21, 2020.

Benny Snell was benched, kept grinding and when his number was called, delivered. He had 5.2 yards per carry on a dozen touches and the go-ahead touchdown on #MNF. pic.twitter.com/OntSG7o59a

— Nick Roush (@RoushKSR) November 29, 2022

We got some classic Benny after the game.

"Snell yeah!" @benny_snell checking in after the Steelers' win on #MNF pic.twitter.com/Gkh3Ay4lIO

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) November 29, 2022

Ashton Hagans posts historic triple-double in G-League debut

In other heartwarming former Cat news, Ashton Hagans made the most of his debut with the Greensboro Swarm. Hagans had 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 22 assists in his first game with the team after being picked up earlier in the day due to injuries. His 22 assists are the second-most in G-League history and the most in a triple-double performance.

15 PTS 🤯 22 AST 🤯 10 REB

Ashton Hagans posted a HISTORIC triple-double in his @greensboroswarm debut! The newly-acquired point guard dropped 22 assists – the second highest in G League history and the most in a triple-double performance – to lead his team to victory. pic.twitter.com/fi5iSiOquq

— NBA G League (@nbagleague) November 29, 2022

College Basketball on TV tonight

Not a ton of Top 25 games today, but Michigan does play No. 3 Virginia if you want to get a jump on scouting the Wolverines after Kentucky’s game vs. Bellarmine. We’ll also see if Louisville can pick up its first win of the season vs. No. 22 Maryland (they won’t).

TIME	AWAY	HOME	TIME / TV
7:00 PM	Bellarmine	19 Kentucky	SEC Network+/ESPN+
7:00 PM	22 Maryland	Louisville	ESPN2
7:30 PM	Syracuse	16 Illinois	ESPN
8:00 PM	Norfolk St.	1 Houston	ESPN+
8:00 PM	Missouri	Wichita State	ESPN+
8:30 PM	6 Baylor	Marquette	FS1
9:30 PM	3 Virginia	Michigan	ESPN
10:00 PM	UC Irvine	24 San Diego St	—

While we’re at it, here’s the World Cup schedule, too.

TIME	HOME	AWAY	TV
10:00 am	Netherlands	Qatar	FOX
10:00 am	Ecuador	Senegal	FS1
2:00 pm	Wales	England	FS1
2:00 pm	Iran	United States	FOX

Yellowstone, Season 5, Episode 4 recap

Too busy with other stuff to catch up on Yellowstone this week? Our friends at Outsider have you covered. Check out their recap of Episode 4 of Season 5, “Horses in Heaven.” Good luck to anyone that makes an enemy out of Beth Dutton.