KSR Today: Kentucky Basketball is Back to Work

Two weeks from today the Kentucky basketball team is tipping off against international competition in Canada. Two days ago another player was added to the roster. It’s an offseason unlike any other, but one thing still rings true: the Cats are getting after it at the Joe Craft Center.

Even though the roster has not been complete, members of the Kentucky basketball team have been practicing on campus and attending summer school classes throughout the month of June. Late Tuesday night we got a refresher featuring a familiar face, Antonio Reeves. The high-flying scorer’s future hung in limbo for weeks. We recently heard reports that he would in fact return from Kentucky, but this is the first time we’ve seen him back in his No. 12 jersey since his infamous NCAA Tournament performance. It’s good to see him back next to Ugo and Justin Edwards.

Back to work ✌️🤘 pic.twitter.com/sK7wcPBEhi

— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) June 28, 2023

Those weren’t the only snapshots the Kentucky basketball program shared from the gym. Drink it up, Big Blue Nation. Kentucky basketball is right around the corner.

'23-'24 loading . . . #GoBigBlue pic.twitter.com/pKSEdXA4R9

— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) June 28, 2023

Kentucky Coaching Staff Almost Finalized

There’s been a vacancy on the Kentucky coaching staff that remained open much longer than expected. Now a candidate has emerged to fill the void. KSR’s Jack Pilgrim reports Chuck Martin is likely the final addition to the coaching staff. It’s unclear which role he will specifically fill now that college basketball teams are allowed to have five assistants on staff. He previously worked in the SEC alongside Frank Martin at South Carolina and spent a few seasons in Memphis during John Calipari’s final two years coaching the Tigers.

ACC-SEC Challenge Matchups?

ESPN is losing the rights to broadcast Big Ten football and college basketball games. It’s forcing the four-letter network to abandon the decades-old ACC-Big Ten Challenge. This year they are pivoting to an ACC-SEC Challenge and there’s some internet scuttlebutt those inaugural matchups will be released today. Could we see Duke on the Wildcats’ schedule? Keep your head on a swivel.

Kentucky is a Finalist for Stone Saunders

The Kentucky football team has already secured a Blue Chip quarterback in the 2024 class. After Cutter Boley, Stone Saunders may be next in 2025. On Tuesday he announced his five finalists are Georgia, Michigan, Nebraska, Miami and Kentucky. He had a lot of nice things to say about the Cats in a conversation with KSR’s Zack Geoghegan.

“I have a great relationship with Coach Coen,” Saunders told KSR on Tuesday. “My dad trained him when he was trying to get into the NFL and I just love his system offensively. He has a very pro-style system coming from the (Los Angeles) Rams under Sean McVay. Coach Stoops, the whole staff has really just treated me like a family there. I love everything about Kentucky. Kentucky is great.”

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Time for Josh Ali to Shine?

Wan’Dale Robinson‘s success in 2021 overshadowed the contributions from one Josh Ali. The Kentucky wide receiver outperformed his recruiting ranking and showed enough on tape to secure a spot in the NFL, until an untimely auto accident derailed his pre-draft training. Despite the difficult circumstances, he persevered and found a home as an undrafted free agent with the Atlanta Falcons. After appearing in two games last fall, he’s put himself in position to secure a roster spot in training camp.

“In Atlanta’s wide-open receiver room after Drake London, an almost-unknown player has stood out. Ali, who was on the practice squad last season after suffering a knee injury late in his college career at Kentucky, worked a bunch in 2022 with Falcons starting quarterback Desmond Ridder,” wrote ESPN’s Michael Rothstein. “That chemistry has shown and Ali has gotten work with the veterans. (That’s) usually a good sign for a player with 14 career snaps and one career target.”

Wheel of Fortune has a New Host

Pat Sajak’s next season on Wheel of Fortune will be his last. After spinning the wheel for 40 years, he’s passing the cue cards to…. Ryan Seacrest.

I’ve never been a Wheel of Fortune guy. In fact, once Jeopardy ends, our family can’t change the channel quick enough. It does not matter who hosts that show, I will not be watching. However, I can’t think of a more boring choice than Ryan Seacrest. That dude hosts everything. What’s he going to add to the show? The safe, conservative pick is a boring one.

Prayers Up to One of the BBN’s Best

Kate Kaufling is in for a fight and UK dancer is not backing down. Shortly after completing her first year at Kentucky, the Louisville Assumption product was diagnosed with an aggressive bone cancer that is spreading. This summer she’s combating the disease with chemotherapy. An aspiring nurse who is on the dance team with her twin sister, please send thoughts, prayers and all of the good vibes Kate Kaufling’s way. For more information join Kate’s Krew on Facebook and contribute on GoFundMe.