KSR Today: Exhaling from a Chaotic Kentucky Basketball Media Day

The Mark Pope era began in earnest with a jam-packed Rupp Arena for the head coach’s introductory press conference. That was unusual and atypical of anything you see in this sport. The real unofficial intro to this era will be Friday at Big Blue Madness. The ball got rolling on Tuesday with Kentucky basketball media day.

KSR was well-represented at the crowded event, which looked similar to its predecessors but felt much different. There was one sentiment shared by everyone I spoke to who was in attendance. “The most notable difference about today’s press conference is the coach is answering each question directly and thoughtfully.” That was from WKYT’s Lee K. Howard and he wasn’t the only one thinking it.

It’s a stark contrast to, “This isn’t coach day, it’s media day.“ Yes, Pope still said some very “coach-y” lines. He opened by sharing a two-word point of emphasis: be still. That message may go in one ear and out the other for some, but the tone just felt different. It’s the start of something new, eliciting different feelings about our Kentucky basketball program. Media Day gave fans more reasons to be excited about the changes we will soon see on the hardwood at Rupp Arena.

ICYMI from Kentucky Basketball Media Day

We’ll be rolling out stories from interviews with players in the coming days and weeks. Until then, check out what we started with on Tuesday.

Roundtable Takeaways from Kentucky MBB Media Day
Mark Pope will take a Balanced Approach with Analytics
Mark Pope Embraces Rick Pitino’s Return to Lexington
Kenny Brooks’ Media Day Press Conference
Player Interviews from Kentucky MBB Media Day
Walk-Ons Providing Value as Returners
Sources Say Recaps Media Day
Takeaways from WBB Media Day
Media Day Photo Gallery

Changes Coming to the Transfer Portal

Every year the transfer portal rules get tweaked. The new changes shrink the time players can enter the transfer portal window to 30 days. It was originally a 60-day window and during the last cycle it was reduced to 45 days.

The basketball window opens after the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The NCAA considered eliminating the spring transfer portal window for football, but they opted to keep a 10-day window open in April. The traditional transfer portal is 20 days, running from Dec. 9 to Dec. 28.

Kentucky Prepares for Vanderbilt

On Tuesday we heard from Bush Hamdan and the Kentucky offense, who have the atypical task of preparing for a defense that is ran by the head coach. Clark Lea is calling plays for the Vanderbilt defense this fall. Hamdan knows his group needs to continue to push forward after steadily improving over the last three weeks of the season.

“If you’re feeling yourself one week, you could get hit in the mouth,” Hamdan said Tuesday night.

Today we will hear from Lea and Mark Stoops on the SEC Teleconference. Brad White and the Kentucky defense will convene with reporters following practice Wednesday evening. Tonight you’ll also get the first availability report of the week and a new edition of 11 Personnel.

Interesting Power Ratings

Hard to disagree here with Josh Pate.

⚠️JP POLL: WEEK 7 EDITION⚠️ pic.twitter.com/7QynH9UrHp

— Josh Pate (@JoshPateCFB) October 9, 2024

College Football and MLB Playoffs on TV

The first night of C-USA weeknight football was a doozy. Liberty fumbled twice near the end zone to keep FIU within arm’s length. The 15.5-point underdogs’ upset bid did not end until overtime when the FIU quarterback was stripped on a sack to secure a 31-24 victory for the Flames. Tonight New Mexico State (+20.5) and Jacksonville State are in action at 7:30 pm EST on ESPN2.

If C-USA football doesn’t float your boat, the Divisional Series is delivering the goods in the MLB Playoffs. Two National League teams have a chance to punch their tickets to the Championship Series tonight.

Guardians vs. Tigers, 3:08 pm EST, Series tied 1-1
Phillies vs. Mets, 5:08 pm EST, PHI leads 2-1
Yankees vs. Royals, 7:08 pm EST, Series tied 1-1
Dodgers vs. Padres, 9:08 pm EST, SD leads 2-1

You can catch all of the action at KSBar and Grille. It’s Wingsday, the home of $1 wings and .70 boneless. We’ll also be hosting Trivia, beginning at 7 pm EST.

Kentucky Fall Softball

We’re at a time of year when there are a ton of sports happening all at once. That includes action on the diamond and not just the MLB Playoffs. Kentucky softball is kicking off its fall schedule with a game at John Cropp Stadium. The first pitch against Morehead State is at 7 pm and admission is free.

Kentucky Falls to Indiana Soccer

I was looking forward to sharing the good news of a Kentucky victory over Indiana. Unfortunately, the Cats could not hold onto a 2-0 halftime lead. Indiana scored a goal in the 84th-minute to clinch a come-from-behind 3-2 victory over the Wildcats.

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