KSR Today: Another game already?

I’ll be totally honest, BBN. This schedule is throwing me off. It still feels like we should be breaking down the Mississippi State win and letting that thing marinate another day or so before turning our attention to what’s next. Weren’t we just inside Rupp Arena watching Antonio Reeves drop 27 on 12 shots and listening to Chris Jans struggle to grasp the reality of someone scoring 90 on one of his teams for the first time since he arrived in Starkville? Maybe it’s this cold and snow speeding up time.

Either way, I’m not going to complain about it. You kidding me? This team is a freaking blast, they can play every day if they want to. I’m already daydreaming of a potential three-day run in Nashville, back-to-back-to-back games with a chance to take home the SEC Tournament hardware. Then quick turnarounds each weekend the rest of March and into April. If that’s what this is preparing me for, sign me up.

A first look at the Dawgs

So what do we need to know about Georgia? Well, expectations were low to start the season, the Bulldogs losing three of their first five games to Oregon, Miami (FL) and Providence. That earned them a starting point of No. 148 in the NET. From there, though, UGA has won 11 of its last 12 matchups, including all three games on the road. It won at Florida State as a 9.5-point underdog, then at Mizzou as a 5-point dog, and again at South Carolina this week as a 6.5-point dog. The team’s only loss since Thanksgiving? An 85-79 heartbreaker vs. Tennessee, a game where Georgia led by 11 down the stretch. The Bulldogs blew it, a real chance for 12 straight wins. And then they went and pulled off the upset in Columbia.

So here we are, UGA moving up to No. 79 in the NET and climbing. Similar to Mississippi State, it’s a tough defensive group ranked No. 44 in overall efficiency, No. 28 in effective field-goal percentage and No. 21 in three-point defense. The Bulldogs aren’t anything special offensively (No. 109 overall), but they do live at the free-throw line (top-20 in makes and attempts) with eight upperclassmen compared to just two freshmen in the rotation. And they’ve all got size, seven of the eight listed at 210 pounds or heavier, just one shorter than 6-4.

It’s technically a Quad 3 matchup for the Cats, but don’t look into that too much. This is a game Kentucky can lose if it’s not careful.

A new Sources Say to get your morning started

Wanting an in-depth look at where things stand with the Cats following MSU win and ahead of the UGA matchup? Sources Say has you covered, getting into the nuts and bolts of it all in the hour-long breakdown.

Why was this Kentucky’s most complete win of the season? And what is the latest with Zvonimir Ivisic (yes, there is an update on his eligibility)? Check it out.

Want the in-depth scoop on Big Z? We broke down his chances of playing at Kentucky over at KSR+ on Thursday. Do yourself a favor and read that while you’re at it. Promise it’s worth your time.

Join the KSR Club! With a KSR membership, you get access to bonus content and KSBoard, KSR’s message board, to chat with fellow Cats fans and get exclusive scoop.

Karter Knox begins his official visit to Lexington

As the current team continues to build momentum ahead of March, John Calipari is looking to wrap up his next star-studded recruiting class. The next name to keep an eye on? Five-star wing Karter Knox, the younger brother of former Cat Kevin Knox.

Standing 6-6, 211 pounds, the forward out of Riverview, FL is down to Kentucky, Louisville, USF and the G-League Ignite. And starting Friday, the nation’s No. 13 overall prospect and No. 5 small forward begins his official visit to Lexington as he inches closer toward a final decision.

“It’s a pretty good program, pretty good practices, style of play. They’re having a pretty good season so far,” Knox previously told KSR. “… Kentucky is definitely an option.”

What is he looking for when it comes time for a decision?

“It’s my relationship with the coaches, definitely need to have a good relationship with the coaches. You want to go to a college where you know the coaches, know the players,” Knox said. “And you want to go somewhere with a good fanbase, somewhere the crowd gets rocking. You don’t want to play in an open gym, so it’s always good to have those things.”

Fland, Quaintance make Naismith Trophy Midseason Team

Speaking of that ’24 class, two top signees have been named to the Naismith Trophy Boy’s High School Player of the Year Midseason Team, announced on Thursday afternoon. Boogie Fland and Jayden Quaintance were two of 25 players to make the cut.

Those two were also named to the 2024 Nike Hoop Summit USA roster last week.

Our @jerseymikes Naismith Boys’ High School POY 2024 Midseason Team has been announced
❗️❗️❗️

Full List: https://t.co/s9aI1lYfbc pic.twitter.com/PWvS7bWp1z

— Naismith Awards (@NaismithTrophy) January 18, 2024

Joining them on the list? Kentucky targets AJ Dybantsa (’25 SF), Cameron Boozer (’25 PF), Darryn Peterson (’25 SG), Koa Peat (’25 PF), and Caleb Wilson (’25 PF). All five have received scholarship offers from the Cats. They also rank — in order — as the top five recruits in the 2025 class.

Bring ’em all home, Cal.

ESPN profiles legacies Sheppards, Wagners

We’ve talked about the family dynamic of the Sheppards and Wagners for years now, Jeff and Stacey with Reed at Kentucky and Dajuan and DJ under Calipari. ESPN profiled both in a legacy college basketball feature this week, written by Myron Medcalf.

“There is nothing better than to be Reed’s dad right now, so it’s been a lot of fun,” Jeff Sheppard said.

“It’s nerve-wracking,” Stacey added. “I always warn the person next to me that I’m playing defense with my legs. I tell them, ‘I’m going to be kneeing you, because I’m playing defense.’ Trying to help them out. But it’s fun. We’re having a blast.”

It also touches on a few other familiar names: Jamal Mashburn and his son, Jamal Mashburn Jr.

“I always wanted to make a name for myself,” Mashburn Jr. said of his dad, a Kentucky basketball legend. “I knew I just couldn’t listen to the noise. My father is in my corner, he’s my mentor. But it was hard in high school and AAU basketball. It was hard not to listen to comparisons. But my parents raised me to block that out.”

Check out the entire feature here.

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Go Cats. Enjoy the snow. One sleep until Georgia.