KSR Today: Kentucky Baseball Home Opener, Previewing LSU
Good morning, friends. It’s another weird week where the Kentucky Basketball team plays on Wednesday, not Tuesday. Although, if you were off work Monday for President’s Day, that might actually feel normal. You might as well quit while you’re ahead and head over to Kentucky Proud Park, where the No. 24 Kentucky Baseball team (3-0, 0-0 SEC) hosts Morehead State (2-1, 0-0 OVC) in its home opener this afternoon.
The Cats are coming off a successful trip to Spartanburg, South Carolina, where they swept USC Upstate. Kentucky scored 23 runs over the three games, including four home runs from four different players, and the starting pitchers (RHP Travis Smith, LHP Dominic Niman, and RHP Mason Moore) totaled an impressive 2.84 ERA. That’s a pretty impressive showing against a team picked to win the Big South Conference.
Morehead State is 2-1 entering today’s game, winning two of three vs. Davidson. The Eagles are led by defending OVC Player of the Year Ryley Preece, a Paintsville, Ky. native who started every game the last two seasons in centerfield. The Cats are 49-27 all-time vs. the Eagles, most recently winning last year’s matchup 15-1.
It’s a beautiful day for some baseball. First pitch is at 4 p.m. ET. If you can’t make it to Kentucky Proud Park, you can stream the game live on SEC Network+ or listen to Darren Headrick’s call on the UK Sports Network (98.5 FM in Lexington).
Elsewhere in UK sports land, today will be spent getting ready for tomorrow night’s very important basketball game at LSU. Let’s hop right in, starting with what you may have missed on John Calipari’s call-in show last night.
Tre Mitchell did not practice on Monday
John Calipari continued his Auburn victory lap on last night’s call-in show, further addressing those who levied criticism at him following the team’s historically bad rough patch. In between all of that and some fun stories from NBA All-Star weekend, we got some updates on the current Cats. Tre Mitchell, who suffered a shoulder injury vs. Ole Miss, did not practice on Monday, bringing his status vs. LSU into doubt.
“He did not practice today,” Cal said of Mitchell. “I think he ran a couple of times, but wasn’t on the court. But he’s getting better.”
Calipari said Monday’s practice was one of the best of the season; however, he knows this team isn’t past growing pains just yet. With six regular-season games remaining, he’s content to keep taking baby steps toward the postseason even if it comes with some slippage.
“So there may be some bumps in the road, but I come back to this team is built for March.”
Kentucky moved up five spots in the AP Poll to No. 17 on Monday, one of six SEC teams in the Top 25. We’ll get updated Bracketology later today, but the Cats were trending as a No. 5 or No. 6 seed following the win over the Tigers. With three Quad 1 games to go, there’s still plenty of room to grow.
Top 10
- 1Breaking
Phil Longo Fired
Wisconsin announces firing of OC
- 2
AP Poll Shakeup
New Top 25 shows big fallout from Saturday
- 3
JuJu Lewis
Elite QB decommits from USC
- 4New
5-star QB flip
Texas A&M commit Husan Longstreet flips to USC
- 5
Coaches Poll
Big changes to updated Top 25
John Welch Previews LSU
In about an hour, we’ll get to hear a different perspective on this team and tomorrow night’s game vs. LSU. Assistant coach John Welch will meet with reporters to talk about the win over Auburn and what the Cats need to do to keep the momentum rolling.
By our count, this is only Welch’s second media opportunity of the season. The first, prior to the Missouri game, was chock full of great insight about this squad and the offense, so we’re looking forward to hearing more coming off a very balanced performance on the Plains. Check the site and YouTube Channel later this morning for a full recap and replay.
ICYMI: New Episode of Sources Say
While you’re on the KSR YouTube Channel, check out the latest episode of the Sources Say podcast. Following Cal’s radio show, Jack Pilgrim and Shawn Smith discussed the big win over Auburn and what’s next.
Former UK opponent involved in postgame brawl
Remember Texas A&M-Commerce? Kentucky hosted the Lions in the second game of the season, winning by 20. Last night, a brawl broke out following Texas A&M Commerce’s overtime win over Incarnate Word. It’s hard to tell what exactly started the fight, but words were exchanged in the handshake line, leading players from both sides to throw punches for well over a minute.
College Basketball on TV tonight
Hopefully, no punches are thrown during tonight’s slate of college hoops. No. 1 UConn vs. No. 15 Creighton is the biggest game of the night, followed by No. 11 Baylor vs. No. 25 BYU. There are two SEC games, although neither is expected to be close. But, you never know with the way this season has gone thus far.
- 7:00 PM (SECN): No. 5 Tennessee (-11.5) vs. Missouri
- 7:00 PM (ESPN): Arkansas vs. Texas A&M (-10.5)
- 8:30 PM (FS1): No. 1 UConn (-2.5) vs. No. 15 Creighton
- 9:00 PM (ESPN): No. 11 Baylor vs. No. 25 BYU (-4.5)
- 9:00 PM (CBSSN): No. 19 San Diego State vs. Utah State (-2.5)
- 9:00 PM (ESPN2): TCU vs. No. 23 Texas Tech (-5.5)
- 11:00 PM (ESPN2): San Francisco vs. No. 18 Saint Mary’s (-7.5)
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The (entire) KSR crew is back
Monday was a company holiday at iHeart Radio, but Shannon and Billy took over the airwaves in exchange for a comp day. Today, Matt, Drew, and Ryan will join them to share their thoughts on Kentucky’s win over Auburn, tomorrow night’s game vs. LSU, and whatever else is on their minds. The fun starts one hour from now on 630 WLAP and affiliates across the state or right now on the KSR Preshow.
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