KSR Today: Derby Week, Draft Rundown, Basketball Updates, and More

Well, look who it is. How have you been? We haven’t seen you around these parts lately. It’s good to have you back. You must be here because you’re procrastinating on this Monday morning back at work, probably reading the internet up and down until you finally have to do something. Whatever the case, good morning to you and welcome to another Monday with KSR. Happy Derby Week too.

If you’re looking for a rundown of the big news of the weekend, Kentucky’s four draft picks are the talk of the town. Another four signed free-agent deals after going undrafted.

Kentucky in the NFL Draft

Round 2, Pick 43: Wan’Dale Robinson, New York Giants

Round 2, Pick 46: Josh Paschal, Detroit Lions

Round 3, Pick 65: Luke Fortner, Jacksonville Jaguars

Round 5, Pick 145: Darian Kinnard, Kansas City Chiefs

UDFA: Justin Rigg, Cincinnati Bengals

UDFA: Marquan McCall, Carolina Panthers

UDFA: Quandre Mosely, Dallas Cowboys

UDFA: Yusuf Corker, New York Giants

NFL Draft content dump

Want more from the NFL Draft? There’s plenty to read right here on KentuckySportsRadio.com.

Wan’Dale Robinson: How Kentucky Replaces the New York Giant

Wan’Dale Robinson is good fit for Giants with Brian Daboll calling plays

Wan’Dale Robinson describes “surreal” NFL Draft Selection by the New York Giants

Josh Paschal: How Kentucky Replaces the Detroit Lion

Josh Paschal adds versatility to deep Lions defensive front

Josh Paschal: “I don’t think it’s really hit me yet”

Luke Fortner: How Kentucky Replaces the Jacksonville Jaguar

Luke Fortner will be walking into great opportunity with Jaguars

Darian Kinnard: How Kentucky Replaces the Kansas City Chief

Darian Kinnard will add OL depth to Chiefs power scheme

Justin Rigg: How Kentucky Replaces the Cincinnati Bengal

Yusuf Corker: How Kentucky Replaces the New York Giant

Marquan McCall: How Kentucky Replaces the Carolina Panther

Will Levis got a new Ford Bronco through NIL deal

One player expected to be drafted next year, Will Levis, announced a new NIL deal with Paul Miller Ford in Lexington. You may see him driving around town in his new Bronco.

Kentucky quarterback Will Levis signs a NIL deal with Paul Miller Ford that includes a new Bronco. Wan'Dale Robinson was the first Wildcat to partner with them last year. @will_levis @nil_athlete pic.twitter.com/Yh99UpQtxR

— Tyler Thompson (@MrsTylerKSR) May 2, 2022

Levis will attend his first Kentucky Derby later this week. Rough life for QB1.

Zan Payne leaving Kentucky Basketball

As expected, the Payne Train is leaving the station on a one-way trip to its next destination, likely in Louisville where Zan can play for his dad, new Louisville head coach Kenny Payne. It was pretty clear the Zan Van would head west on I-64 when his old man took the job; now Payne’s departure from Kentucky is being reported by @VerbalCommits with a statement from Payne likely to come soon.

Steal and the score for Zan💨

Let’s gooo, @young_payne2321! pic.twitter.com/Qj9HmjLrtj

— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) November 17, 2021

College basketball’s transfer deadline passed

As of midnight, the transfer portal is closed in college basketball. Players had until 11:59 PM last night to submit their transfer papers and schools have another 48 hours to evaluate those papers. A few portal names can still pop up today or tomorrow, but it’s too late for anyone who didn’t already file.

Adou Thiero enjoyed his Kentucky visit, will announce a decision soon

Last week, Kentucky Basketball hosted Adou Thiero on an official visit for the unranked Class of 2022 prospect. Late last night, Thiero tweeted photos from his stop in Lexington.

Had a great official visit to Kentucky, Thank you @UKCoachCalipari and the rest of the coaching staff for having my family and I! pic.twitter.com/5Mh52TtmN4

— Adou Thiero (@Adou_Thiero) May 2, 2022

Thiero will announce his decision this Sunday, May 8.

Former Wildcats headline tonight’s NBA Playoff match-ups

The NBA Playoffs had a wildly entertaining first round and have shown no signs of slowing down in the second. Last night, the Warriors and Grizzlies’ first game came down to the final shot, following the Bucks’ upset of the Celtics in a rowdy TD Garden in Boston.

Tonight, four former Kentucky Wildcats take the NBA stage beginning with Tyrese Maxey and the Philadelphia Sixers versus Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo’s Miami Heat. Game 1 tips at 7:30 PM on TNT.

Then in the nightcap, Devin Booker’s Phoenix Suns continue their run as the West’s No. 1 seed in Game 1 of the second-round series against the Dallas Mavericks. The Suns were fined over the weekend for failing to disclose Booker’s injury status for Game 6 of the first-round series against New Orleans.

Kentucky Baseball dodged a sweep in Gainesville

With Sunday’s win at Florida, the University of Kentucky’s baseball team was able to avoid getting swept in a three-game series against the Gators. The Cats dropped games Friday and Saturday, but pitcher Sean Harney brought his best stuff to Sunday’s game as he threw seven innings with only one run allowed in 100 pitches. Tyler Guilfoil struck out five in two innings of relief in the 8-1 win.

Up next, Kentucky hosts No. 1 Tennessee in a three-game series at Kentucky Proud Park beginning this coming Thursday. Tennessee is one of the best teams college baseball has seen in many years, so it’s an opportunity for Kentucky to spoil some of the Vols’ fun.

Hope to see you out there. I’m going Thursday.

Kentucky Softball clinched its series versus Mississippi State

Also from Sunday, Kentucky Softball won its home series against Mississippi State by winning Game 3 yesterday, 9-5. The win was significant because it was the final home game of the season and redemption for Saturday’s loss to the Bulldogs on Kentucky’s Senior Day. The Wildcats also moved to one game above .500 (11-10) in Southeastern Conference play.

The regular season concludes this weekend at South Carolina.

Kentucky Derby post positions to be drawn today

At 2 PM today, post positions for the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby will be randomly drawn and presented on the big board. The draw will be streamed live on KentuckyDerby.com, or you can come back here later for the post positions if you don’t have the time to watch the live stream.

While you Derby enthusiasts wait for the order, read Nick Roush’s thoughts on the upcoming makeover to the paddock area at Churchill Downs.

Tune in to Matt Jones and Ryan Lemond on KSR

Coming up at 10 AM, Matt Jones and Ryan Lemond will kick off the week of Kentucky Sports Radio with two hours of radio banter. Come back for the show thread at 9:55 AM for how to listen live.

Go Cats.

Y’all have a good week.