KSR Today: BBN Receives the Best Kentucky News

The vibes are at an all time high across the BBN. Seemingly at every turn there’s good news, from Kentucky basketball to Kentucky football and recruiting.

The ball got rolling when the Wildcats rolled over the Gators at Kroger Field. Since then the good news dominoes continue to fall. Instead of boring you with a long intro, let’s get right into the meat and potatoes.

Brian Robinson Commits to Kentucky

We first learned about Brian Robinson when he camped at Kentucky last summer. The Wildcats were in a great spot then and throughout his ascension up the recruiting rankings till the battle was won. The ninth-ranked EDGE and No. 131 player overall announced his commitment on Kentucky Sports Radio.

Robinson shared with On3’s Chad Simmons that Kentucky “checked every box.”

“Everything about it fits me because it’s a home, family atmosphere,” Robinson said. “It’s not a business atmosphere. Kentucky is the only university that I walk on and I feel at home. I don’t feel like I’m a guest, I don’t feel like I’m a visitor, I don’t feel like I’m a recruit, I don’t feel like I’m a prospect. Every single time I was on the campus at the University of Kentucky, I felt like I was at home.”

An impressive athlete, Robinson looks ready to play right now. Adam Luckett broke down what he does well and where he still needs to grow as a player in the KSR Film Room, then discussed the significance of this recruiting win with me on a Rapid Reaction.

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

Big Z is Free

Zvonimir Ivisic committed to Kentucky on Aug. 1. As the fall semester approached, the 7-footer remained in Croatia. Questions about his eligibility lingered and lingered and lingered, with no end in sight. We tried to #FreeBigZ, yet nothing seemed to happen for weeks. Finally, we received some clarity on Wednesday.

Big Z is officially in the student directory and has been admitted to the University of Kentucky. He still must pass through the NCAA clearinghouse, which is expected to be a smooth process. Once he accepts his visa, he could be practicing with the Cats in time for next week’s pro day in Lexington. Jack Pilgrim broke it all down with an emergency edition of Sources Say. John Calipari shared a statement Thursday morning.

I can’t tell you how happy I am with how this all turned out. The work was done by Big Z and his family. For him to be persistent and keep fighting was so impressive and it showed how badly he wanted to be a part of our team! He overcame all obstacles and just wouldn’t be deterred.

When we started recruiting Z, my mind started moving to how we can help our University become even more prominent worldwide. This basketball program is a global brand and now we can continue to open new avenues for students to come to the University of Kentucky. Let’s continue to pursue some of the best basketball players in the world and showcase what a great institution the University of Kentucky is!

John Calipari on X/Twitter

Want more good news? Jack shared the latest intel from early Kentucky basketball practices on KSBoard. Join KSR+ now to make sure you don’t miss any of the scoop.

Kentucky Football Practice

Mark Stoops will speak with the media one more time before the Cats travel to Athens this evening around 5 pm EST. When he spoke to reporters on Wednesday’s SEC Teleconference, he wasn’t too happy with his team.

“We’ve got to pick it up. You know, I thought we had a decent Monday, but were not up to par on Tuesday to go play the No. 1 team in the country on the road,” said Stoops.

Later that evening Kentucky defensive coordinator Brad White shared that the Wildcats’ responded to the head coach’s call to action.

“I feel like it was definitely better than it was yesterday,” White said Wednesday. “When you go into a season, they’re long seasons. You play an emotional game five games in, you hit lulls. Like anything else, you need to be corrected. You need that adjustment. It was great that coach (Stoops) made that adjustment and let the guys know about it and the practice today was much better in that regard.”

Relive the Florida Win one More Time

11 Personnel Breaks Down How Kentucky Beats Georgia

Defeating college football’s top-ranked team, the two-time defending National Champs, in their home stadium is a tall task. A No. 1 team has not lost at home in the CFB Playoff era. Even though history is not on the Cats’ side, there is a path to victory. On 11 Personnel we explain why Georgia is vulnerable and who is the key to an upset. Watch all of the action unfold and see what we’re playing this week with our FanDuel Single-Game Parlay.

Win $500 at KSBar and Grille

You could receive even more good news if you spend your evening at KSBar and Grille. For every edition of Thursday Night Football we’re giving away $500 to one lucky customer at halftime. Must be present to win.

Unfortunately, you will not be rewarded with the highest quality football game. The Chicago Bears might be the worst team in the NFL. Still, they’re only 5.5-point underdogs on the road at Washington as the Commanders try to get off the mat following a heartbreaking overtime defeat to the Eagles. Kickoff is just after 8 pm EST on Amazon Prime.

If the NFL doesn’t do it for you, the Tops are back in action on Thursday night. A week after covering against Middle Tennessee, Western Kentucky hits the road to Ruston to take on Louisiana Tech at 8 pm on ESPNU. Sam Houston State travels to Liberty for a 7 pm EST kickoff on CBSSN.

Wild Cards Swept in MLB Playoffs

The three-game opening round Wild Card series will not reach a third game in any part of the country. The Philadelphia Phillies used a grand slam to power past the Marlins and cap off a day without upsets. The Rangers took care of the Rays 7-1, Arizona eliminated Milwaukee with a 5-2 victory and the Twins won their first playoff series since 2002 by knocking off the Blue Jays 2-0. The field is set for the five-game divisional series that will begin Saturday.

ALDS

• Texas at Baltimore
• Minnesota at Houston

NLDS

• Philadelphia at Atlanta
• Arizona at Los Angeles

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.