KSR Today: Drew Franklin gets married! (and the Cats play)

Today is the day for KSR’s own Drew Franklin, who is set to get married after what seems to be the longest engagement in the history of engagements. Instagram says it was 167 weeks since he proposed to his fiancee Abby, which comes out to about three years and change. After a few COVID-related setbacks, though, their day is finally here and the KSR family couldn’t be more excited for Mr. and Mrs. Franklin (later this afternoon, anyway) as they officially tie the knot. It’s going to be a beautiful celebration for a beautiful couple.

What does that mean for KSR website duties today, specifically during Kentucky’s matchup against Duquesne at Rupp Arena later this evening? Well, nothing! The show will go on, as we’ll be pumping out content all day and providing postgame coverage after what hopes to be an impressive win over the Dukes. Zack Geoghegan and I will be holding down the fort at Rupp Arena — after taking in the ceremony, of course — to bring you recaps, takeaways, press conference quotes, stats and notes. The whole nine yards.

Then hopefully we get out of there in time to celebrate the bride and groom on their special day before the party slows down (knowing Drew, that seems very likely).

Until then, congratulations to Drew and Abby on their wedding and the lifetime of happiness to follow.

Kentucky takes on Duquesne

The show must go on, with the Kentucky Wildcats set to take on the Duquesne Dukes on Friday at 7 p.m. ET. What do you need to know about the matchup? Let’s start with some viewing and listening information, along with some odds and numbers.

• Date: Friday, Nov. 11
• Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
• Location: Rupp Arena (Lexington, KY)
• TV/Stream: SEC Network, WatchESPN, ESPN+/SEC Network+
• Radio: Tom Leach and Jack Givens are on the call (630 AM, 98.1 FM, and the UK Sports Network)
• Odds: Kentucky -18, money line -2500, over/under 143.5
• Predictions: ESPN’s Matchup Predictor gives Kentucky a 95.2% chance of victory, while Bart Torvik gives the Cats a 94% chance to win (projected 82-65)

Chris Livingston, Lance Ware preview Duquesne

Will Oscar Tshiebwe, Sahvir Wheeler and/or Daimion Collins play?

The goal is to have all three absentees back vs. Michigan State next week in the Champions Classic, but what about tonight? John Calipari previously said he’d be somewhat surprised if Tshiebwe took the floor vs. Duquesne and said Wheeler’s status moving forward would depend on how quickly he returned to practice. He described the latter’s situation as a short-term issue, a twisted knee that wouldn’t keep him out too long.

As for Collins, Calipari said he returned to Lexington this week to get back in the flow of things following his father’s passing, but would have to go back home this weekend for the funeral. No official confirmation either way, but the safe bet is on the sophomore forward sitting out again before returning to game action next week.

In their absence, the Wildcats scored 111 points in an exhibition win vs. Kentucky State, then 95 in the win over Howard to open the season. 50% shooting overall and 46.2% from deep (26 attempts) in the first, 54.8% shooting and 45.8% from three (24 attempts) in the second. They’ve not just cleared Calipari’s goal of 80 points per contest thus far, they’ve shattered it.

The reason? Cason Wallace stepping up as the lead guard, with Lance Ware and Ugonna Onyenso filling in nicely for Tshiebwe and Collins. And then on the outside, shooting has been sensational, led by Antonio Reeves and CJ Fredrick.

No official word on Tshiebwe, Wheeler and Collins quite yet, but Kentucky’s got the depth and talent to keep things running smoothly until the Champions Classic, if necessary.

“We want those guys back and we want them playing, but I think we’re fine holding it down until they’re back — whatever happens, happens,” Ware said this week. “We’ll deal with that stuff when they get back, take things one game at a time, win these games and go out there and compete. We’ll figure everything else out later.”

Kentucky football prepares for Vanderbilt

The UK football team will be suiting up this weekend, as well, taking on the Vanderbilt Commodores at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday.

• Date: Saturday, Nov. 12
• Time: 12 p.m. ET
• Location: Kroger Field (Lexington, KY)
• TV/Stream: SEC Network, WatchESPN, ESPN+/SEC Network+
• Radio: Tom Leach and Jeff Piecoro are on the call (630 AM, 98.1 FM, and the UK Sports Network)
• Odds: Kentucky -18, money line -1000, over/under 47.5
• Predictions: ESPN’s Matchup Predictor gives Kentucky an 88.4% chance to win

Mark Stoops previews the matchup

What does Coach Stoops think of the Commodores? Any injury updates, specifically with DeAndre Square and Jacquez Jones?

For the latter, he’s not optimistic about either going into Saturday’s game.

“He’s trying, but I’d say (Square is) highly questionable,” Stoops said. “… “I’m just not sure (about Jones). Still no update.”

Kentucky’s head coach discussed his team’s preparation, the cold weather coming to town this weekend and the start of the early signing period (now less than six weeks away), among other topics. Take a look:

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Enjoy your Friday, BBN! Time to get Drew hitched.