KSR Gameday: Vanderbilt tests Memorial Magic vs. Kentucky
Memorable basketball moments in Nashville have produced what Vanderbilt fans affectionately call “Memorial Magic.” Jerry Stackhouse’s version of Memorial Magic looks something like this:
Even though Vanderbilt and Scotty Pippen Jr. couldn’t figure out what to do in the final seconds of Saturday’s loss to South Carolina, the Commodores have a few decent wins on their resume. Vanderbilt has defeated a Power Five team on the road (Pitt), they own a victory over a 2021 NCAA Tournament team (BYU) and they opened SEC play with a win away from Memorial (at Arkansas).
This could become a significant challenge for Kentucky if the Wildcats do not have Sahvir Wheeler to defend Pippen Jr. TyTy Washington was outstanding against Georgia offensively, but he does not have the same defensive chops as the former Georgia point guard. Still considered day-to-day, if Wheeler practiced Monday, he’ll be available to play Tuesday (but I’m not getting over optimistic).
The Cats and the Commodores will tip-off tonight at 7 pm ET on ESPN.
Kentucky Needs a Road Win
Kentucky is winless in two road games this season. Just like the Wildcats on the road, Stackhouse is winless against Kentucky, 0-4 as the Commodores’ head coach. Even though the games are typically close, Vandy has only defeated UK once since knocking the Cats out of the 2013 SEC Tournament. The Wildcats are winners of 13 of the last 14 in the series.
No Students at Vanderbilt
Winning on the road should be a little easier without students filling up Memorial Gymnasium Tuesday night. The school has banned students from attending sporting events until Jan. 24, citing a rise in COVID-19 cases. Apparently the school is re-selling those tickets to try to fill up the arena, but it still won’t be the same without students in the stands.
Vegas, KenPom Prediction
The Wildcats are a 7-point favorite over the Commodores. The game’s total is 140.5. Kentucky has not covered in consecutive games after reeling off four straight wins ATS. KenPom predicts a 74-67 Kentucky win, giving UK a 72% chance to win outright.
TV, Radio Info
The game tips off at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN with Kevin Fitzgerald and Jay Bilas on the call. If you can’t watch it, you can listen in a variety of ways:
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- AM: 840 WHAS, 630 WLAP
- FM: 98.1 WBUL
- Satellite: XM-81, Sirius 81, SXM App: 81
- Online: iHeart Radio
The KSR Pregame Show will begin at 4:30 p.m. ET on 630 WLAP and iHeart Radio.
Grady, Lucas Preview Vanderbilt Matchup
UK-Vanderbilt Tale of the Tape
More Good News for UK Football
Mark Stoops’ program is just rolling in good news right now. On Sunday we learned that Jordan Wright and Jacquez Jones will be back for one more season in Lexington. Monday morning started with a commitment from Ohio State transfer Darrion Henry-Young. Later that afternoon Chris Rodriguez revealed that he will run it back, a sentiment DeAndre Square echoed hours later.
At this point, pretty much everybody who is anybody is coming back to Kentucky for the 2022 season. The Wildcats’ leading passer, rusher, tackler, sacker and interceptor (I guess that’s a real word) are all back, providing a ton of depth on both sides of the line of scrimmage. We’ll be talking about it all this afternoon on 11 Personnel.
Georgia Wins the CFB Playoff National Championship
Georgia defeated Alabama 33-18 to win its first National Championship since 1980. Apparently Nakobe Dean did not receive that message.
The best team all season, Georgia’s defense rose to the occasion in the red zone, forcing one Alabama field goal after another. Life was certainly easier for the Dawgs with John Metchie and Jameson Williams sidelined by injury, but when they needed to respond to adversity, Georgia was prepared. Stetson Bennett‘s fumble was not fatal thanks to a few late big throws and a pick six that decided the game.
Kirby Smart is now just the second former Alabama assistant to defeat Nick Saban. It’s a good thing he took advantage of this opportunity, because next year, Will Anderson and Bryce Young are back and the Tide are going to Roll.
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