KSR Today: Kentucky Basketball Open Practice at Rupp Arena

Are you ready for some basketball action? Tonight the Kentucky basketball team will open up Rupp Arena for one of its final summer practices to raise money for flood recovery efforts in Eastern Kentucky. Officially hosted by John Calipari, Joe and Kelly Craft, 100% of all proceeds will go directly to the American Red Cross.

The Rupp Arena doors will open at 5 pm ET. Coach Cal’s squad will take calls for the first hour of the event. After a brief warm up, the action on the court is set to begin around 6:30 pm and run until 8 pm. Fans who attend can receive a free t-shirt and poster from Calipari’s western Kentucky tornado relief tour. If you can’t make it to Rupp, all of the action will be broadcast live on LEX18 and LEX18.com. You can also call to donate (859.787.0909) or simply scan this QR code:

KSR will have boots on the ground for the event. Not only is it an exciting way to get to know the team, it’s a great way to help Eastern Kentucky get back on its feet.

But First, Team Bonding

In order to be completely prepared for next week’s trip, the Cats can’t just practice on the hardwood. They had to practice in the pool too. Kentucky’s pool is nice, but it’s not Bahama Big Blue.

Ugonna Kingsley Onyenso is a Wildcat

These Cats have a new teammate, but he won’t make it in time to enjoy the Caribbean sun. Monday afternoon Ugonna Kingsley Onyenso announced he will join the Kentucky basketball team for the 2022-23 season. The top shot-blocking rising junior reclassified to get to work with Oscar Tshiebwe right away.

“They know how to develop their bigs to get to the next level, that was one of the main reasons,” Onyenso said. “My second reason for choosing Kentucky is I have seen them play. They play my kind of basketball.”

KSR covered Onyenso’s announcement from front to back. We dove into the Film Room, spoke to national experts, podcasted and even reacted on the KSR YouTube page. If you haven’t subscribed yet, what are you waiting for?

TBT Final

Once you finish watching the Wildcats at Rupp Arena, flip the channel to ESPN at 8 pm ET to watch the finale of The Basketball Tournament. If you have missed out so far, you’re in for a real treat.

There’s something about TBT basketball that I love. It’s not just the thrill of the Elam Ending. TBT is somewhere in-between college and pro basketball. It’s kind of like watching the wildness of a JUCO football game. At that level the players are great, but they’re undisciplined, leading to chaos. It’s the inverse in TBT. The players don’t have the elite size to be in the NBA, but they have a ton of skills and play well together. With $1 million on the line, dudes are flying all over the court, diving on loose balls and getting into shoving matches. It’s high quality basketball.

The Buffalo alumni team Blue Collar U could be the third straight alumni team to take home the grand prize, unless Americana for Autism can cash in the Sling Shot. Don’t miss it.

Grant Godfrey Commits to Kentucky Football

Onyenso’s decision was known well in advance. A four-star football player gave Kentucky fans another reason to be happy it’s August. Grant Godfrey turned heads when the Top 25 linebacker pledged his allegiance to the Big Blue Nation. A significant recruiting win for the impressive athlete, his high school film is not so different than Jamin Davis‘. There’s a lot to love about Grant Godfrey and I was not shy about it.

What makes this decision even better? He picked the Cats over Tennessee. Just don’t mention that to Volunteers. They’ll tell you they didn’t want him anyway.

New 11 Personnel

In the midst of the recruiting madness, Adam Luckett joined me to record a brand new edition of 11 Personnel to preview Kentucky football fall camp, which is set to begin later this week. After 155 episodes, we have a new way to record that will soon be coming to every KSR podcast. Don’t worry about technical difficulties either. We are in good hand with out new producer, Trey. It’s almost as exciting as Luckett is about Izayah Cummings this fall.

Kids These Days

There’s always one guy who doesn’t know how to put in their football pads. This is new in 2022.

First day in full pads. I had to explain to a freshman that the pockets on his pants were NOT for his cell phone. pic.twitter.com/LZRYWqqSnX

— Richard Fong (@3anout) August 2, 2022

Beau Allen to… Tarleton State?

The former Kentucky quarterback is going to the home of Billy Gillispie. In a surprising twist, we learned this morning that Beau Allen is beginning practice at Tarleton State. He wasted no time, finding a new college football home in less than a week. Best of luck to Beau.

Kentucky Football Players join KSR

A couple of current Kentucky Wildcats will join Matt Jones on this morning’s edition of Kentucky Sports Radio. Tune in to hear from QB Will Levis and WR Tayvion Robinson.