KSR Today: Bruiser Flint previews a big week for Kentucky Basketball and more

Good morning, Big Blue Nation. How are you holding up? You alright? I’ve been better. Thanks for asking. The sky isn’t falling, but the fun has been completely sucked from Kentucky Basketball. In a year fans really expected a return to prominence, the Wildcats have instead lost two in a row at Rupp Arena and three of four games overall, removing itself from SEC contention before the first full week in February. That’s not The Greatest Tradition In College Basketball.

Moving on from a weekend we’d love to forget, Kentucky has a game at Vanderbilt tomorrow before returning home on Saturday to host Gonzaga, facing a third straight home loss for the first time in the program’s history. Those are two need-to-win games to avoid finding a new bottom on this fall from the gold standard.

Today, the critical week begins with an explanation of what’s going on from… Bruiser Flint. We’ll start there in today’s Monday morning rundown, presented by sadness.

Bruiser Flint’s Monday Press Conference

John Calipari stopped doing Kentucky’s pregame press conferences this season, passing those responsibilities on to an assistant coach for midweek games or two players before weekend games instead. Today, Bruiser Flint will sit in the coach’s seat at the podium to answer questions about the loss to Tennessee and the trip to Nashville to play Vanderbilt. The Big Blue Nation would much rather hear from Calipari on those matters, but as we saw Saturday night in Rupp Arena, Calipari is keeping his public appearances to an absolute minimum, unfortunately.

So, you can watch Bruiser Flint’s Monday press conference on KSR’s YouTube channel. Subscribe while you’re there so you don’t miss anything from Bruiser Flint.

No John Calipari Show Tonight

John Calipari’s call-in show is postponed as the team travels to Vanderbilt tonight.

Matt Jones’ State of the Program

Following Saturday night’s embarrassment in downtown Lexington, Matt Jones gave a must-hear monologue about his views on the state of Kentucky Basketball. Many of KSR’s listeners and fans of UK’s basketball program agree: Calipari needs to prove he can still do it in March.

Once you watch that, read Tyler Thompson’s take on the jarring fortnight for Kentucky.

Kentucky In The Polls

We will learn around noon how far Kentucky fell in the new polls after a two-loss week in Rupp Arena. Last Monday, Kentucky dropped from sixth to tenth in response to the loss at South Carolina. With two home losses since then, anything could happen when the AP and USA Today Coaches Polls are released later today. Kentucky is eighth in the latter as we await the new updates.

Over at CBS Sports, the Wildcats fell completely out of their Top 25 and 1 from a No. 18 ranking.

SEC Player of the Week Watch

Kentucky’s SEC Player of the Week drought will likely continue when the award is announced today for the 13th time this season. A winless week will do that. However, Rob Dillingham is in the mix for the SEC Freshman of the Week award for scoring a combined 55 points on 22-for-37 shooting from the field in the two losses. We’ll see how much winning and losing weighs into the selection process. 

New ‘Sources Say’ Podcast

On the latest episode of Sources Say, Jack Pilgrim and Shawn Smith wonder if it is time to panic in Lexington. They spent over an hour breaking down the loss and what is wrong with the Kentucky Wildcats.

Kentucky Women’s Basketball Lost At Georgia

Kentucky Women’s Basketball is in a three-way tie for last place in the SEC, having lost all but two of its nine games so far this season. On Sunday, the Wildcats suffered a 72-65 defeat in Athens, Georgia, their fourth in a row. Kentucky’s Ajae Petty scored 25 points, and Saniah Tyler added 18 in the losing effort.

College Basketball On TV Tonight

ESPN’s Monday doubleheader features a couple of teams Kentucky played in the non-conference earlier this season. First, Miami and Virginia meet in a battle of unranked ACC teams. The home team Cavaliers are laying 5.5 points to the Hurricane.

Then, in the nightcap, Kansas travels to Kansas State for a rivalry game in Manhattan. The Jayhawks are a 4.5-point favorite, fresh off the big win over Houston in Lawrence. Kansas State needs a win to snap a four-game skid.

A New ‘Fade This’ Podcast Coming Soon

Everyone’s favorite sports gambling podcast that doesn’t focus on sports gambling will return to your podcast airwaves later this week. Matt Jones and I took a short break once college football ended, but we are getting the Fade This band back together to preview the Super Bowl. We’ll let you know when you can find it.

My First Full Week On KSR

Coming up at 10 o’clock, I begin my first week on KSR’s morning radio program as a five-day-a-week personality. I’ve been a regular voice on the show since 2011, but today marks the beginning of my permanent spot on the airwaves with Matt Jones, Ryan Lemond, and Shannon The Dude. I’m excited to get going, even if the timing could be better. Thanks to our longtime listeners for their continued support and kind messages since Friday’s announcement.

Go Cats.