KSR Today: Kentucky Opens SEC Play with a BANG!
We knew this SEC season would be unlike any other. The opening game of league play for the Kentucky Wildcats lived up to the hype, and then some.
A true back-and-forth affair, the Cats dug into another early hole, then rallied with a 21-3 run. Florida bounced back to tie the game, then Lamont Butler sparked a 12-2 run to give the Cats a double-digit lead at the half. The runs weren’t as large in the second half, but you still had the Gators make an early one to cut the deficit to one. Kentucky responded, then Florida responded.
It was a see-saw for Big Blue Nation to sweat out, all while neither team could seemingly miss.
Kentucky and Florida each shot better than 55% from the field and hit more than a dozen threes. Walter Clayton Jr. tied his career-high with 33 points, while Koby Brea went 7-9 from three-point land to score 23 points, both of which were career-highs.
“If you guys didn’t have fun tonight, you should quit right now and find a new job,” Mark Pope quipped with the media to open his postgame presser.
It was so much more fun because — unlike last year — Kentucky closed out the Gators down the stretch. Leading by five with under two minutes to play, the Cats ate up the entire shot clock before Andrew Carr delivered a dagger in the form of a corner three.
The 106-100 Kentucky win over undefeated Florida was an electric start to SEC play. If this is just the beginning, we’re in for a real treat in the spring of 2025.
Mark Pope is Officially Blazing Hot
The victory over No. 6 Florida improved Mark Pope to 3-0 vs. Top 10 teams. Not too shabby. Only one other Kentucky basketball coach has started his career this hot vs. Top 10 teams and that guy’s name is on the arena. Adolph Rupp won his first seven games against AP Top 10 foes between 1948-51.
“I’m so happy, you know,” Pope said after the win. “The one thing that you learn when you have been coaching for a little while is that it just really doesn’t have to do with us. I mean, this is about this community and these players growing and learning and the fact that we get to be here to bear witness is unbelievable. It’s really special.”
“Yes Ma’am, I’d Love to Sign Your Baby”
The old adage of holding hands and kissing babies became a reality for Koby Brea. Hopefully, he just passed the gift of the hot hand to the child. If his hands stayed hot, that might scald the newborn.
Jaxson Robinson Quickly Went Back to Work
When you score 106 points, you’re going to have quite a few players in double figures. Kentucky had six, and Jaxson Robinson was one of them. But it took him 12 shots to score 14 points. If you had to describe his performance in one word, you might say, “Fine.” That’s why Robinson wasted no time getting back onto the court.
Even though he surpassed 1,000 career points, Robinson was unsatisfied with his performance. Once all the fans emptied Rupp Arena, Robinson spent 30 minutes working out with a graduate assistant. He’s got the right mindset. Hopefully, this extra effort results in more production throughout the grind of SEC play.
Postgame Links from the Win over Florida
KSR’s 10 Favorite Things from the Win
Kentucky Beat Florida with three “kill shot” scoring runs, an unbeatable combo
Recapping the 106-100 Kentucky Win
Kentucky’s playmaking carved up Florida’s defense, “We trusted each other”
Otega Oweh provided a spark, “He’s a bucket”
Pope, Butler, Williams, and Brea spoke with the media after the win
The win was so much fun, Pope is already sad about when the season will end
Highlights from the Win
A Closer Look at the Box Score
See how Kentucky celebrated the win on the floor of Rupp Arena
Mark Pope Celebrated by Singing Happy Birthday to a Fan at Carson’s
Andrew Carr organized a Surprise for Kerr Kriisa, “Those Moments Bring Us Together”
Top 10
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Statement on pending snow
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Paul Finebaum
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Texas AD blasts rumors
Sarkisian, NFL links draw response
- 5Hot
AP Poll
Hoops Top 25 shakeup
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Kentucky WBB Hits the Road
If you didn’t get enough exciting Kentucky basketball action on Saturday, we got some more for you this afternoon. Kenny Brooks’ squad is 12-1, fresh off a dominant win over Mississippi State in the SEC opener. Now they’re hitting the road to take on Vanderbilt at 3 pm EST on SECN+. Phoenix and Katie will have everything you need to know about the Cats and the Commodores’ duel in Nashville.
Kentucky Football Lands an Impressive Commitment
While you were celebrating a Kentucky basketball win, the Kentucky football program picked up arguably its best addition from the transfer portal so far. Washington State DT David Gusta told On3’s Hayes Fawcett that he’s committing to Kentucky. He’s ranked as the second-best defensive lineman to enter the transfer portal after he was one of the five best iDL pass-rushers in the country last fall.
This Kentucky football transfer portal haul didn’t have a ton of star power. Gusta adds that to the equation after choosing the Wildcats over Texas A&M and Tennessee. There could be more on the way.
More Transfer Portal Visitors
Kentucky is in a great spot to add another star to the defensive line. Mi’Quise Humphrey-Grace was one of the best EDGE players in FCS football last fall. The talented EDGE is going to make an immediate impact at his next stop. He made a pitstop in Lexington on Friday. USC and Mississippi State were trying to close out the weekend by getting him on campus. We’ll see if Kentucky can close the deal.
We also learned on Saturday that the Wildcats were hosting former Clemson slot WR Troy Stellato for an official visit. Lengthy Louisiana Tech receiver Tru Edwards is expected to arrive for a visit today. Don’t be surprised if the day ends with another commitment or two.
One Final NFL Regular Season Sunday
It’s the day before a bunch of guys get fired. Can they finish with a flare for the dramatics? We’ll definitely get that when the Lions duel the Vikings for the 1-seed and the top spot in the NFC North during Sunday Night Football. Hopefully, Will Levis can put out some good tape today when he starts for the Titans. Who knows when he’ll get his next NFL start…
Bills (-3.5) at Patriots
Panthers (+7.5) at Falcons
Bears (+9.5) at Packers
Texans (+1.5) at Titans
Jaguars (+3) at Colts
Saints (+14) at Bucs
Giants (+1.5) at Eagles
Commanders (-7) at Cowboys
Chiefs (+11.5) at Broncos
Chargers (-6) at Raiders
Dolphins (+.5) at Jets
Seahawks (-7) at Rams
Niners (+4.5) at Cardinals
Vikings (+3) at Lions
Stay Safe, Kentucky
Speaking of the Chiefs, they spent quite a bit of time hanging out on a tarmac, stranded at the Kansas City airport by icy conditions. A winter storm is barreling toward the Commonwealth of Kentucky and almost everyone should be affected in some form or fashion. There will be snow and ice, all mixed together to create one big mess. Please, stay safe, and let’s winter this weather together.
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