KSR Today: Goodbye, Christmas; Hello, Citrus Bowl

Good morning and Happy Monday after Christmas, a day to return to work for some (me) or another day to eat leftovers and enjoy the company of friends and family for others. Whether your Christmas is over or you’re lucky enough to keep it going today, I hope you had/have a wonderful holiday, however you celebrate.

Maybe next weekend we can ring in a New Year together with a Citrus Bowl celebration. Now that Santa’s done his thing, we turn our focus in that direction to Kentucky Football‘s upcoming game against Iowa at Camping World Stadium.

So pick up all of that wrapping paper and put the stockings away until 2022. It’s football time in the Bluegrass (but in Florida).

Kentucky Football arrived in Orlando

The wheels on Kentucky Football’s chartered plane touched down in the Sunshine State last night to begin the week of Citrus Bowl prep in Orlando. By the looks of it, the players were greeted to a welcome party complete with food, NBA2K22, pool, ping-pong, and haircuts. The team released a 30-second video of their welcoming night fun.

Wholesome fun at the @CitrusBowl welcome party #ForTheTeam 😼🏈 pic.twitter.com/iOebW7VjUe

— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) December 27, 2021

Today, the Wildcats will have their first pre-Citrus Bowl practice from Orlando at a local high school.

Nick Roush’s trip is off to a great start

Flight got canceled, so it’s #WheelsUp to the Citrus Bowl (Even though it’s technically #WheelsDown in a car; semantics).

— Nick Roush (@RoushKSR) December 27, 2021

Roush will have KSR’s early-week coverage from the scene, whenever he gets there.

Drive safe, Nick.

Kentucky Women’s Basketball delayed due to COVID

Kentucky Women’s Basketball had to postpone its upcoming trip to Auburn due to a COVID outbreak on Auburn’s side of the matchup. Kyra Elzy’s Wildcats were set to play the Tigers (8-3) at Auburn Arena this coming Thursday; that game has now been postponed, per SEC rules.

No. 22 Kentucky’s next game is January 3 versus Mississippi State in Lexington. When it’s played, it will be only the second game in three weeks for the Wildcats and the first of conference play.

Reed Sheppard playing in Lexington again today

Kentucky’s most famous high school basketball player is back in action in Lexington today for Day 2 of the White, Greer, and Maggard Holiday Classic. Read Zack Geoghegan’s Part 1 and Part 2 recap of Day 1 and then get ready to head over to Lexington Catholic High School for more White, Greer, and Maggard Holiday Classic high school basketball.

Reed Sheppard is due up at 8 p.m. as North Laurel takes on Pleasure Ridge Park in the second round. Sheppard hopes to bounce back off an 0-for-6 shooting night from outside in Sunday’s win over Trinity.

Read the full tournament schedule/bracket.

Who ya got in the Quick Lane Bowl?

Coming up at 11 a.m. today, Nevada and Western Michigan will square off in the 2021 edition of the Quick Lane Bowl. Played at Detroit’s Ford Field and sponsored by Ford-owned Quick Lane Tire and Auto Center, the seventh running of the Quick Lane Bowl is must-see TV for anyone who enjoys football before noon and on Monday.

Western Michigan is a touchdown-favorite because several Nevada players are sitting out for the NFL Draft, including star quarterback Carson Strong. Strong threw 36 TDs in 2021. He will be replaced by the tallest QB in college football.

Brandon Boston Jr. can rebound and tie his own shoes at the same time

From Sunday’s NBA action, Brandon Boston Jr. (he no longer goes by B.J.) caught the eye of the internet for a casual rebound while tying his shoes. The former Kentucky Wildcat bent over during a live free throw to lace up his Nikes, hauled in the miss, passed the ball off, then went right back to tying his shoes.

Brandon Boston Jr. with the easiest rebound ever 😂 pic.twitter.com/3Sbyt1vjOO

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) December 27, 2021

Boston scored 18 points off the bench in a close Clippers loss.

And now a message from Oscar Tshiebwe

Cry. Forgive. Learn. Move on. Let your tears water the seeds of your future happiness.

— Big O (@Oscartshiebwe34) December 26, 2021

KSR is a ‘Best Of’ show today

The Kentucky Sports Radio radio crew needed a couple more days off for Christmas and to recharge from the cross-country road trip. Later this week, we’ll load up and take off for Orlando and a live show at Tin Roof on Friday. In the meantime, today’s show is a replay show. If that’s not enough Matt Jones for you, he’s hosting ESPN Radio today from 3-7 p.m. today and tomorrow. Or you can listen to the new episode of the Free Money Podcast.

Me, I’ll be here all day on the website as several of the KSR writers take the day off to ice and stretch for the Citrus Bowl.