KSR Today: Kentucky MBB destroys No. 8 Miami, transfer portal buzz

Good morning, folks. It sure is fun watching Kentucky play basketball right now, huh?

The No. 12-ranked Wildcats absolutely smoked the No. 8 Miami Hurricanes last night in Lexington, using a 53-36 second-half run to cruise to a 95-73 win. There were plenty of fun stats from the win that you can relay to your friends and coworkers the rest of the week, too. The 22-point victory was Kentucky’s largest over an Associated Press Top-10 team ever inside Rupp Arena. The previous best was a 21-point win over No. 6 Louisville all the way back in 1983.

Or how about this one: A 22-point win is the second-highest over an AP Top-10 opponent (at home or on the road) during the John Calipari era. The Wildcats have now scored at least 81 points in all seven games this season for the first time since the 1970-71 season. The assist-to-turnover numbers for this group are just ridiculous. I could go on, and on, and on, and on.

Five different Kentucky players posted double-figures, too. Freshman Reed Sheppard was the star of the night with a game-high 21 points to go along with five rebounds, four assists, and three steals. Antonio Reeves added 18 points while Tre Mitchell stuffed the stat sheet with 14 points, five rebounds, seven assists, and two blocks. Freshmen Rob Dillingham (12 points, five rebounds, nine assists, zero turnovers) and Justin Edwards (11 points, three rebounds, two steals) also made significant impacts.

The only bad news? Freshman guard DJ Wagner went down with what appeared to be a leg injury near the end of the first half and quickly went to the locker room. Wagner attempted to make a return out of halftime and was even spotted riding the exercise bike, but ultimately did not make it back onto the floor. John Calipari said in the postgame press conference that he was told it was an ankle injury. Hopefully, it’s nothing too serious — especially with center Aaron Bradshaw‘s debut inching closer and closer.

As for Miami, that No. 8 ranking might not be accurate… Kentucky deserves credit for how they played, but the Hurricanes did not look like a team worthy of that position outside of one four-minute stretch in the first half. Miami shot just 5-19 from deep despite coming into the game leading the entire nation in three-point percentage at nearly 46 percent. They turned the ball over 15 times, failed to consistently score in transition, and finished with just eight assists. KenPom had Miami ranked in the mid-30s as of Tuesday morning. That feels like a more accurate spot.

Regardless, Tuesday night was electric. John Wall was the “Y”. Rupp Arena was rocking and Kentucky looked like one of the most exciting teams in the entire country. Everyone involved is having a lot of fun. Up next is another home game on Saturday against UNC-Wilmington. But before we look too far ahead, let’s soak in the win for just a bit longer. Check out all of KSR’s postgame content below.

• Kentucky proves it’s among college basketball’s best — and will only get better
• The college basketball world fell in love with Reed Sheppard tonight
• Aaron Bradshaw warms up for Kentucky
• The Governor’s Cup made an appearance at Rupp Arena
• Jim Larrañaga: Rob Dillingham and Reed Sheppard are “NBA guys”

KSR Rapid Reaction

John Calipari press conference

Kentucky player press conferences

Sources Say After Dark

Dr. Mike’s Photo Gallery

More Kentucky News and Views on the KSR YouTube Channel

Kentucky Sports Radio has expanded its coverage of the Wildcats in the most ridiculous manner possible on our YouTube Channel. Here you will be able to find interviews with coaches and players, as well as commentary from the KSR crew. From Rapid Reactions following big events to our lengthy lineup of live shows, subscribe to the KSR YouTube Channel to stay up to date on everything happening around the Big Blue Nation.

• Monday, 8 PM: KSR Football Podcast
• Tuesday, 8 PM: Sources Say
• Wednesday, 8 PM: 11 Personnel
• Thursday Afternoon: Pigskin Preview
• Saturday: Postgame Press Conferences, Interviews, Rapid Reaction

Transfer portal is buzzing

The college football transfer portal doesn’t officially open until Sunday, Dec. 4, but players all over the country are already letting it be known that they intend to enter “free agency” once it does.

Kentucky was not immune to some early hits, as IOL Grant Bingham, DL Jamarius Dinkins, and WR Dekel Crowdus all announced on Tuesday that they’ll hit the portal this Sunday. None will go down as significant losses for next season’s team, but Dinkins and Crowdus in particular showed signs of promise — it just never panned out. Additionally, DB Jalen Geiger announced his decision to enter the portal on Monday.

There is positive news though. Throughout Tuesday, a pair of Big Blue Wall members announced that they’ll be returning to Lexington for another season. Right guard/center Eli Cox and left tackle Marques Cox will both suit up for the Wildcats once again in 2024. Eli will be a sixth-year player while Marques will be a seventh-year. That’s some pretty good experience and leadership in the trenches for Mark Stoops’ program.

Transfer portal frenzy isn’t going to slow down either. To stay up to date on the happenings of the Wildcats’ roster (incoming and outgoing), make sure to follow KSR’s Kentucky Football Transfer Portal Tracker here for up-to-date information.

Malik Monk hit a wild game-winner

It was nearly 1:00 a.m. on the East Coast when Malik Monk banked in a go-ahead game-winning shot for the Sacramento Kings, which beat the Golden State Warriors during group play of the inaugural In-Season Tournament.

Trailing 123-122 with the game clock dipping under 10 seconds left in regulation, Monk dribbled to the right corner before cutting to the nail, rising over Andrew Wiggins, and drilling the off-balance, one-handed shot from the free-throw line. Steph Curry had a chance to respond at the buzzer but missed a tough, contested three-pointer. Monk finished with 21 points, but no shot was bigger than his last.

Monk’s game-winner pushed Sacramento to 4-0 in the In-Season Tournament’s West Group C, clinching them a spot in the IST quarterfinals. The Kings will now take on the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday, Dec. 4 with a shot at the semifinals on the line.

LIGHT THE BEAM 🗣️

MALIK MONK FOR THE WIN! pic.twitter.com/gt3PabmVsA

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) November 29, 2023