KSR Today: A big weekend, the NCAA Tournament, and a Yahtzee?

Good morning, folks! It’s been quite a busy week so far in the world of UK Athletics, and it’s not slowing down as we head into a sports-filled weekend. Later this afternoon, we’ll hear from coaches on both the men’s basketball and football sides.

First, men’s basketball assistant Chin Coleman will talk with the media to recap Tuesday’s loss to Kansas while previewing what’s to come on Friday and Monday against Stonehill and St. Joseph’s, respectively. Not long after that, head football coach Mark Stoops will fulfill his media responsibility for the final time this week before he takes his Wildcats down to Colombia for a critical showdown against Shane Beamer and South Carolina on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. EST.

Yesterday, we heard from Kentucky defensive coordinator Brad White as he gave his thoughts on the Gamecocks and what’s at stake. We heard from Stoops, as well, who made his weekly SEC teleconference appearance to talk about South Carolina. You can read everything Stoops had to say from that discussion here. The full press conference with White can be found below.

Now let’s dive into the rest of today’s news and notes.

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Volleyball goes for 13th straight win

Now ranked No. 12 in the country, Kentucky volleyball will look to continue its winning streak with just four matches left until the postseason. Up next? The Texas A&M Aggies, which come to Rupp Arena tonight at 7:00 p.m. EST. The action will be aired live on the SEC Network+. As always, KSR’s Hunter Mitchell will be courtside to bring you instant coverage.

Following a slow 3-7 start to the 2023 season — albeit against mostly ranked opponents — Craig Skinner’s team is peaking at the right time. Kentucky has won its last 12 matches and is in a great position to win the SEC for the seventh season in a row. It’s Student Appreciation night at Rupp Arena too, so head to downtown Lexington tonight to watch some winning volleyball.

Men’s soccer in the NCAA Tourney

Not too far up north in Cincinnati, OH, Kentucky men’s soccer will take on the Xavier Musketeers in the first round of the 2023 NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats just snuck into the 48-team field earlier this week after making an impressive run to end the regular season. Kickoff at Corcoran Field is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. EST and can be found on ESPN+.

Kentucky is coming off a tough loss to No. 1 Marshall in the semifinals of the 2023 Sun Belt Conference Tournament while Xavier won its first-ever Big East Conference Tournament. Kentucky and Xavier hold an all-time series record of 8-5-3 (UK) with the last matchup taking place in 2020 which resulted in a 2-1 (OT) victory for the ‘Cats. The two programs first went head-to-head in 2000 which ended in a 3-1 win for the Musketeers.

Should you get the dice ready?

There’s certainly a good chance. At noon EST this afternoon, three-star class of 2024 IOL Marc Nave will announce his college decision. The former Ohio State commit has not gone on record much since backing off the Buckeyes, but there are a couple of things we do know heading into his decision.

For one, Nave, who decommitted from Ohio State in late September, took an unofficial visit to Kentucky last month. He was expected back in Lexington over the weekend for an official, although he told KSR on Wednesday that the trip never happened before adding that he was excited to come back soon. UK is the only school Nave has visited since reopening his recruitment.

The 6-foot-5, 315-pound lineman out of Toledo (OH) Central Catholic is considered the No. 629 overall high school senior in the country by the On3 Industry Ranking.

12pm eastern tomorrow tune in🍿@Hayesfawcett3

— Marc Nave (@marcnavejr) November 15, 2023

All 4 Kentucky MBB commits have signed

The Early Signing Period came to a close at midnight last night. As of Wednesday morning, we were still waiting on four-star point Travis Perry to put pen to paper. But by the afternoon, UK announced that the 6-foot-2 in-state product was officially a Wildcat. Perry committed to Kentucky on Sunday to the shock of many, including the entirety of the Big Blue Nation. He is the fourth class of 2024 commit to sign his National Letter of Intent with UK.

Welcome to #LaFamilia, @Travis_Perry11! pic.twitter.com/DPW1OBfGAd

— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) November 15, 2023

Perry, ranked No. 87 overall in the On3 Industry Ranking, joins a four-man class for Kentucky that also includes five-star C Jayden Quaintance (No. 8 overall), four-star PG Boogie Fland (No. 22), and four-star C Somto Cyril (No. 51). Could more help be on the way soon too? Predictions have been pouring in over the last few days projecting four-star Billy Richmond to ultimately land with the Wildcats, as well. Richmond is a 6-foot-6 wing out of Camden (NJ) High ranked No. 21 overall in the 2024 class.

Podcasts! Come and get your podcasts!

Wednesday night featured a KSR podcast doubleheader. The Sources Say crew got the YouTube page rolling first as KSR’s Jack Pilgrim wasted no time hopping in front of a microphone after his drive back from Chicago. Joined as always by Shawn Smith of Go Big Blue Country, the two broke down Kentucky’s performance against Kansas in the Champions Classic, what to expect moving forward from this group, and plenty of need-to-know recruiting updates.

Immediately after Sources Say wrapped up, we shifted to the gridiron. KSR’s Nick Roush and Adam Luckett went live for a fresh edition of 11 Personnel. As you might have guessed, there was plenty of Shane Beamer hate with Kentucky gearing up to take on South Carolina on the road this weekend. The guys also talk about the college football coaching carousel, Devin Leary vs. Spencer Rattler, and much more.

More Kentucky News and Views on the KSR YouTube Channel

Kentucky Sports Radio has expanded its coverage of the Wildcats in the most ridiculous manner possible on our YouTube Channel. Here you will be able to find interviews with coaches and players, as well as commentary from the KSR crew. From Rapid Reactions following big events to our lengthy lineup of live shows, subscribe to the KSR YouTube Channel to stay up to date on everything happening around the Big Blue Nation.

• Monday: Mark Stoops Press Conference & Rapid Reaction
• Monday, 8 PM: KSR Football Podcast
• Tuesday evening: Interviews with Liam Coen and the offense
• Tuesday, 8 PM: Sources Say
• Wednesday, 1 PM: Stoops’ comments from the SEC Teleconference
• Wednesday evening: Interviews with Brad White and the defense
• Wednesday, 8 PM: 11 Personnel
• Thursday Afternoon: Pigskin Preview
• Thursday evening: Final comments from Stoops after practice
• Thursday, 8 PM: Point Kentucky, KSR’s new Volleyball Show
• Friday night: Kroger KSR Game of the Week recap, highlights
• Saturday: Postgame Press Conferences, Interviews, Rapid Reaction