KSR Today: Jaxson Robinson is a Fire Hazard

If you got within six feet of Jaxson Robinson on Tuesday night, you probably need to use some aloe vera. The Kentucky sharp-shooter was on fire at Rupp Arena.

The second exhibition game of the Kentucky basketball season ended with a 98-67 final score, but it wasn’t always a comfortable blowout. Kentucky only made two of its first 13 three-pointers and with seven minutes left in the first half, it was a 2-point game. Then Jaxson Robinson turned on the kerosene lamp and burned down the nets at Rupp.

Robinson threw up a dozen threes and sank EIGHT of them. Eight three-pointers, you kidding me? A few of those were in the middle of a 17-0 run that helped put Minnesota State away. The BYU transfer finished the night with 24 points.

“I can’t credit my teammates enough,” Robinson said. “They got me open and found shots for me, so it was just good to go out there and hit some open shots.”

The final appetizer before the season was flame-grilled in all of the right ways. Let’s take a few more bites before diving into the regular season against Wright State next Monday, Nov. 4.

The Rest of the Story from Three

It wasn’t a beautiful shooting performance. I mentioned the 2-13 start. It didn’t feel great there for a while and the box score tells that story. Take Robinson out of the equation and the rest of the team was 5-25 (20%) from three-point land. No other Kentucky Wildcats made multiple threes. Not Great Bob!

Counterpoint: You don’t need everyone to make a bunch of thress when Robinson is hot and Brandon Garrison is doing stuff like this.

SHUT IT DOWN, BG 🙀🙆‍♂️

📺 – @SECNetwork+ pic.twitter.com/4lT1QSM3B6

— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) October 30, 2024

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Kentucky Already Bit by Injury Bug

Kentucky fans got about a full half of the team at full strength. Kerr Kriisa made his debut, rocking a headband with No. 77, hauling in three points, six assists, and four rebounds. As soon as they got Kriisa back, Amari Williams went down. Fortunately, the right knee injury does not appear to be too serious.

Mark Pope believes the Kentucky center will be fine. “X-rays came back solid but we’ll get some more imaging tomorrow. We’re hopeful he’ll be back soon,” said the Kentucky head coach.

More from the Kentucky Exhibition Victory

If you didn’t stay up late to see the postgame coverage, you missed seeing Mark Pope crash the interviews with the players. It was a delightful surprise. Here’s what else we got for Big Blue Nation after the final preseason win.

Highlights from the Kentucky Victory
Robinson, Carr, Garrison talk about the Win
Kentucky Overcomes Slow Shooting Start to Blow Out Minnesota State
Everything Mark Pope said in his Postgame Presser
Kerr Kriisa brought an infusion of energy in his Kentucky debut
Kentucky Separated from Minnesota State with 2-Point Efficiency
Mark Pope rocked Devin Booker’s new signature shoe
Pope Pleased Kentucky Broke Out of its Funk

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More Kentucky Football Incoming

It’s fun talking about made three-pointers and Kentucky basketball wins. That is why it can be a challenge to bring up what lies ahead for the Wildcats this Saturday at Neyland Stadium. It’s uncomfortable just to imagine, but we’re pushing forward.

A few offensive players spoke with the media following practice on Tuesday. Today we’ll hear from Mark Stoops on the SEC Teleconference, his first speaking engagement since Saturday night. We’ll also get to chat with the defense, our first injury report of the week, and a brand new edition of 11 Personnel. Buckle up for a big day.

Tops are in Action

C-USA has had its turn in the national spotlight in the month of October and it’s given Big Red and the WKU Hilltoppers time to shine. They’ll get one more chance to put on a good show for a national TV audience tonight when they host Kennesaw State on ESPN2 at 7:30 pm EST. Despite the big upset of Liberty last week, Kennesaw State is a 24-underdog in Bowling Green.

The game on CBSSN should be tighter. Liberty is just a 2-point favorite at home against Jacksonville State. That game kicks off at 7 pm EST.

Big Night for Women’s Sports in Louisville, Kentucky

The best female athletes in the world are in Louisville, Kentucky tonight, and that’s no exaggeration.

The U.S. Women’s National Team is playing Argentina in an International Friendly at Lynn Family Stadium. The action begins at 7 pm and can be watched on TruTV and TNT. Tickets are still available to see the Olympic Gold Medalists.

Another athlete with a few gold medals will be right down the road. Simone Biles, ever heard of her? The most decorated female Olympian ever is taking her Gold Over America Tour to the KFC Yum! Center where you can see her gravity-defying acrobatics firsthand. It truly is an incredible night for women’s sports in the city of Louisville.

A Yankees Fan Went Too Far

But it was hilarious. There is fan interference, and then there’s this guy, who put in 100% effort to rip the ball from Mookie Betts’ hands and it didn’t work. The Yanks needed every ounce of that effort and energy to finally steal a win from the Dodgers, smashing three home runs to keep the World Series alive with an 11-4 win in Game 4. L.A. is looking for a world championship win tonight at 8:08 pm on FOX.

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