KSR Today: Cats prepare for Gonzaga -- plus portal chaos, UKVB advances and a WBB loss
It’s the first time in three weeks we haven’t had a Kentucky men’s basketball game on a Friday, Jackson State and Georgia State putting a bow on November. We get an extra day of rest this go-round — and it’s necessary given the competition. After falling at Clemson earlier in the week in the Wildcats’ first true road matchup, it’s time for a cross-country trek to Seattle to take on No. 7 Gonzaga with Mark Pope looking to avoid back-to-back losses (and the backlash that comes from those cold streaks in Lexington). That tips off on Saturday at 10 p.m. ET — the worst start time in the history of start times — on ESPN2.
The team flew out to the West Coast on Thursday to prepare for the top-10 matchup known officially as the Battle in Seattle.
Mark Pope previews Gonzaga
What did Pope have to say about the highly anticipated matchup of blue and new bloods? He’s expecting Gonzaga’s best shot, led by ‘one of the best people in the business’ in Mark Few.
“He’s just really special,” he said. “What he’s done in basketball has just been almost unfathomable. … He puts together incredible teams, incredible product. Every single year. He’s so good. He’s got a really distinctive style. They know exactly who they are. You could almost take the names off the jerseys, and you would know if you’re watching a Gonzaga team by the way they play. They win. So it’s going to be an epic adventure.”
An epic adventure that hopefully ends with a victory for the Cats to avoid back-to-back losses.
Kentucky VB advances to the second round
It’s postseason time for Craig Skinner and the Kentucky volleyball team, who are looking for their second national championship in five years after bringing the trophy back to Lexington in 2020. The Wildcats got off to a hot start in the NCAA Tournament opener, sweeping Cleveland State (25-15, 25-14, 25-16) inside Historic Memorial Coliseum to advance to the second round.
No. 3 seed Kentucky was led by senior setter Emma Grome with a match-high 33 assists as the reigning SEC Setter and Player of the Week. Five Wildcats totaled four or more kills, led by outside hitter Brooklyn DeLeye with 15 on a .481 clip.
“Thought our team did a good job of producing offensively and holding Cleveland State’s attackers to a low percentage,” Skinner said. “So happy to keep moving.”
Kentucky will take on Minnesota in the second round on Friday with a spot in the Sweet 16 on the line, first serve scheduled for 7 p.m. ET inside HMC and broadcast live on ESPN+.
Kenny Brooks’ squad falls in the SEC/ACC Challenge
What’s up with these road losses in the SEC/ACC Challenge? First it was Pope’s Cats at Clemson, and now, Brooks’ Cats have done the same, falling by a final score of 72-53 at No. 16 North Carolina.
Kentucky shot just 35.2 percent from the field and 29.2 percent from three with Dazia Lawrence leading the way with 17 points, followed by Amelia Hassett with 13 points and 13 rebounds while Georgia Amoore added 10 points and eight assists.
“They were better in every aspect of the game. They made shots, and you tip your hat to them,” Brooks said after the loss. “We’ll have to get back to the drawing board, but we were not very good tonight. … We have a lot to learn from it. Nobody’s gonna go undefeated this year. I was disappointed with our execution. We have a lot to learn from this. This is a good team we played.”
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KHSAA State Championships kick off at Kroger Field
The Wildcats’ season is over, but there is plenty of football still to be played at Kroger Field this weekend. KSR has been previewing the KHSAA state championships all week, and now, the trophies are officially up for grabs starting at noon on Friday.
Friday, December 6
| TIME | CLASS | MATCHUP | MASSEY PREDICTION | KSR PREDICTION | GAME PREVIEW |
| 12:00 PM | 1A | No. 25 Raceland (10-4) vs. No. 22 Sayre (14-0) | 28-20 (Raceland) | 30-13 (Sayre) | CLICK |
| 4:00 PM | 2A | No. 7 Owensboro Catholic (14-0) vs. No. 12 Beechwood (13-1) | 35-34 (Beechwood) | 35-30 (Owensboro Catholic) | CLICK |
| 8:00 PM | 4A | No. 5 Franklin County (13-0) vs. No. 1 Paducah Tilghman (14-0) | 34-28 (Franklin County) | 36-26 (Paducah Tilghman) | CLICK |
Saturday, December 7
| TIME | CLASS | MATCHUP | MASSEY PREDICTION | KSR PREDICTION | GAME PREVIEW |
| 12:00 PM | 3A | No. 11 Christian Academy-Louisville (11-3) vs. No. 23 Union County (12-2) | 45-13 (Christian Academy-Louisville) | 30-16 (Christian Academy-Louisville) | CLICK |
| 4:00 PM | 6A | No. 6 Ryle (12-2) vs. No. 3 Trinity (12-2) | 34-14 (Trinity) | 22-21 (Trinity) | CLICK |
| 8:00 PM | 5A | No. 2 Cooper (14-0) vs. No. 9 Bowling Green (12-2) | 35-28 (Cooper) | 38-26 (Cooper) | CLICK |
KSR will have coverage of all six matchups over the next 48 hours right here on the website. Stay tuned.
Barion Brown hits the portal (among other departures)
First it was Dane Key deciding to explore his transfer options. Now, Barion Brown has done the same, entering the portal on Thursday — one of three to do so in a busy day for the Kentucky football program. Brown joined fellow wide receiver Anthony Brown-Stephens and tight end Jordan Dingles as departures on day five of the offseason.
Though the portal does not officially open until Monday, Dec. 9, we now know of 12 players who are looking for new homes in the coming weeks.
- DL Keeshawn Silver
- DB Avery Stuart
- LS Walker Himebauch
- TE Tanner Lemaster
- TE Khamari Anderson
- LB Jayvant Brown
- OL Courtland Ford
- DL Tommy Ziesmer
- WR Dane Key
- WR Barion Brown
- WR Anthony Brown-Stephens
- TE Jordan Dingle
To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. Keep closer tabs on the Cats with our staff-only sticky thread on KSBoard, which will have updates on departures and targets throughout the offseason. Not a KSR+ member? Try it out today.
Ja’Mori Maclin announces return to Kentucky
One rumored portal addition has decided to stick with the Cats — massive news for a wide receiver room that needs all of the help it can get. Wrapping up the year with his best game in blue and white against Louisville, Ja’Mori Maclin announced he will be returning to Kentucky for the 2025 season.
“Here to stay. #BBN,” he wrote on social media.
Maclin recorded 13 catches for 313 yards and four touchdowns in 12 games as a Wildcat, highlighted by his 121-yard, two-score effort in the finale against the Cards.
What will the chaos of the transfer portal bring on Friday? How about any staff changes — incoming or outgoing? Keep your head on a swivel, BBN.
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