KSR Today: Kentucky Basketball's First Exhibition; #BeatTennessee

Good morning, Big Blue Nation. Today, we finally get to see Kentucky Basketball play its first preseason exhibition game after a long and exciting wait for this team’s Rupp Arena debut. Tonight’s dress rehearsal is against our friends from nearby Georgetown College with tipoff set for 7 p.m. in downtown Lexington.

Here’s how you can follow that game if you’re unable to attend:

TV: SEC Network (Mike Morgan, Jimmy Dykes)
Streaming: WatchESPN
Home Radio: UK Sports Network – 630 WLAP, iHeart Radio (Tom Leach, Goose Givens)
Live Stats: StatBroadcast

We have a significant Kentucky Football game to preview, too. Let’s get right to it.

Big Z update

I like to get the bad news out of the way first, so let’s start with the latest on Zvonimir Ivisic. He’s not playing tonight. In a bizarre turn of events, UK released a statement yesterday to say Ivisic isn’t cleared to participate in the exhibition games.

“As a department, we want to clarify, Zvonimir Ivišić has been cleared to practice and play in all intrasquad games,” the note read. “That said, he can not compete against outside competition, including exhibition games, until he is approved by the NCAA. There was miscommunication in this regard and, as we always do, we plan to adhere to NCAA rules. Until he is fully cleared, Zvonimir will be withheld from games against outside competition.”

The miscommunication around Ivisic is frustrating, but at least we now know what’s actually going on.

Small ball time in the Bluegrass!

Jayden Quaintance on campus

Jayden Quaintance will be in attendance at tonight’s game. The five-star center touched down in Lexington for his official visit yesterday. He shared a picture of his welcome treats on Instagram.

My reaction to that picture:

VJ Edgecombe is also on an official visit to Kentucky.

Mark Stoops after Thursday’s practice

On the other side of campus, Mark Stoops is preparing his Wildcats for a rivalry game against Tennessee tomorrow. Stoops took a break from that work to talk about the game after Thursday’s practice. In his comments, he assured the Nation that Kentucky will be ready, saying, “We want to represent those fans the right way. We’ll be ready to play on Saturday.”

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Tennessee Sucks

I hate Tennessee today, tomorrow, and every day.

(Just wanted to type that out on this Friday morning. Thanks.)

Mizzou Game Memories

As we await the party around Kroger Field on Saturday, take a look back at the last time we tailgated for a UK game in this latest edition of “Show Me Your Tents.” Steven Peake and I had fun walking around the parking lots, so unaware of what was about to happen inside.

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Let’s do better tomorrow. Maybe I’ll see you around?

KSR is at Zips Car Wash in Lexington

Fridays mean remote shows for Kentucky Sports Radio’s morning radio program, and today we are at Zips Car Wash in Lexington for the two-broadcast. Come on out to see Ryan Lemond get all soapy on the hood of some cars.