KSR Today: The Last Day of February

We’re almost there, folks. At midnight, the calendar will turn from February to March, marking the start of the most wonderful time of the year. It’s been a wild ride for Kentucky Basketball and its fans this season (the past few seasons, really), but the Cats are finally firing on all cylinders heading into the home stretch. All that March optimism I quietly put away a few weeks ago has sprung out of the closet, manifesting in hours of research into seeding scenarios, first-and-second round destinations, and KSBoard posts.

The Cats don’t play until tomorrow — Senior Night vs. Vanderbilt — but there’s plenty to keep us busy until then. Here’s what you can look forward to on the final day of February.

Oscar Tshiebwe, Jacob Toppin, Brennan Canada talk Senior Day, Vandy

All six of Kentucky’s seniors — Oscar Tshiebwe, Jacob Toppin, Sahvir Wheeler, Antonio Reeves, CJ Fredrick, and Brennan Canada — will participate in Senior Night festivities tomorrow night. Don’t read too much into that. While all six still have eligibility remaining thanks to the NCAA’s extra year for COVID relief, UK says “decisions on the future will be made at a later date.”

Around lunch, Oscar, Jacob, and Brennan will meet with the media to talk about Senior Night and the rematch with Vanderbilt. Check the site and KSR YouTube Channel this afternoon to hear what they have to say.

ICYMI, John Calipari gave a Sahvir Wheeler update

On his radio show last night, John Calipari gave a not-so-promising update on Sahvir Wheeler, who has missed six straight games with an ankle injury.

“He didn’t practice today and the ankle injury — he’s really worked hard to get back at it,” Calipari said. “Being injured is killing him. The doctors are telling him how to proceed and keeping me informed. … We’re anxious for him to get back, but he’s got to be healthy.”

Further, Calipari said he plans to start Brennan Canada on Senior Night, ruling out the possibility of Wheeler, a fellow senior, returning to the starting lineup tomorrow night.

New Bracketology incoming

Joe Lunardi’s latest Bracketology will drop momentarily over at ESPN. Yesterday, Jerry Palm got a head start and listed Kentucky as his top No. 7-seed. The Cats are even higher, a No. 6-seed, over at Bracketville. I’ll bring you a rundown of all the latest NCAA Tournament projections as soon as I’m done writing this, so stay tuned.

Kentucky Baseball hosts Morehead State

After a very windy Monday, today’s forecast looks absolutely beautiful, 62 and sunny. If you don’t have plans, get on down to Kentucky Proud Park to see the Bat Cats host Morehead State. Kentucky Baseball is 5-2 so far this season, most recently winning the weekend series vs. Wright State. The Eagles are 8-0 this season.

First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. Tickets are available, but if you can’t make it in person, you can watch on SEC Network+ or listen on the UK Sports Network.

Our Spring Practice preview series continues

Believe it or not, Kentucky Football’s spring practice begins next Monday, March 6. Yesterday, KSR’s football guys Adam Luckett and Nick Roush kicked off our Spring Practice preview series with a look at the quarterback room, specifically who will back up Devin Leary. Check out Adam’s in-depth look at the QBs, or simply hit play below to see it all in video form. Today, they’ll cover the running backs.

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SEC Standings with 2 Games Left

With two games left in the regular season, Kentucky is third in the SEC standings and in the driver’s seat for the No. 3 seed in Nashville. The only way that changes is if Texas A&M loses out (games vs. Ole Miss and Alabama remaining) and Kentucky wins out (Vanderbilt, Arkansas). In that scenario, the Aggies and the Cats would be tied at 13-5, with Kentucky taking the tiebreaker and the No. 2 seed.

TEAM	CONFERENCE	GAMES BACK	OVERALL
Alabama	15-1	–	25-4
Texas A&M	13-3	2	21-8
Kentucky	11-5	4	20-9
Tennessee	10-6	5	21-8
Missouri	9-7	6	21-8
Auburn	9-7	6	19-10
Vanderbilt	9-7	6	16-13
Arkansas	8-8	7	19-10
Mississippi State	7-9	8	19-10
Florida	7-9	8	14-15
Georgia	6-10	9	16-13
Ole Miss	3-13	12	11-18
South Carolina	3-13	12	10-19
LSU	2-14	13	13-16

College Basketball on TV Today

Lots of Top 25 and SEC action tonight, including Arkansas at No. 12 Tennessee and No. 24 Texas A&M at Ole Miss. The Aggies are a 5.5-point favorite, but, as mentioned earlier, if the Rebels can pull off the upset, Kentucky still has a shot at the No. 2 seed in the SEC Tournament. Ole Miss won its first game under acting head coach Win Case on Saturday, beating LSU by 13 at home. Knocking off the Aggies is a whole other matter, so cross your fingers.

TIME	AWAY	HOME	TV	VENUE
6:30 PM	6 Marquette	Butler	FS1	Hinkle Fieldhouse
7:00 PM	Florida	Georgia	SECN	Stegeman Coliseum
7:00 PM	Iowa	15 Indiana	ESPN2	Assembly Hall
7:00 PM	Clemson	13 Virginia	ACCN	John Paul Jones Arena
9:00 PM	18 San Diego St	Boise St.	CBSSN	ExtraMile Arena
9:00 PM	Texas Tech	3 Kansas	ESPN	Allen Fieldhouse
9:00 PM	24 Texas A&M	Ole Miss	ESPU	The Pavilion at Ole Miss
9:00 PM	Arkansas	12 Tennessee	ESPN2	Thompson-Boling Arena
9:00 PM	South Carolina	Miss. St.	SECN	Humphrey Coliseum

The conversation is flowing on KSBoard

Kentucky Basketball is undefeated in the KSR+ era. Our new premium sister site is now two weeks old and rolling right along. Soon, we’ll unveil a new site design to make it easier to move back and forth between KSR and KSR+, but so far, I’ve been thrilled with the response. Each week, we’re unlocking one story from KSR+ reporter Jacob Polacheck, who has been churning out daily football and basketball recruiting updates. This week’s free story is an exclusive interview with Dan Morgan of Morgan & Morgan on the law firm’s NIL deal with the Kentucky Basketball team. If you haven’t read it yet, check it out to learn more about the six-figure campaign.

KSBoard, our new message board, is hopping too. We’re geeking out over SEC and NCAA Tournament scenarios, discussing the latest episode of “The Last of Us,” and sharing potential nicknames for the team and the best UK-sports-related wifi network names. Shoutout to former KSR writer Ally Tucker for her nomination, “Billy Gillispeed.”

If you want to try KSR+ out, it’s only $10 until football season. With football spring practice and basketball postseason play starting next week, now is the perfect time to join the conversation.