KSR Today: Kicking off the Cobwebs after a Holiday Weekend

Good morning. The Sunday Scaries came a day late this week. The Commonwealth of Kentucky was blessed with beautiful weather from Pikeville to Paducah over Memorial Day weekend. Hopefully you were able to get outside and enjoy some sunshine. Will Levis certainly did. Unfortunately, today we must snap back to reality. Here’s what you missed in the real world during the holiday weekend.

Kentucky Baseball Misses NCAA Tournament, Again

The Bat Cats put together an admirable run in the SEC Tournament. Despite a late Thursday night loss to LSU, the Kentucky baseball team rallied with a win over Vanderbilt 12 hours later. They avenged that loss to LSU Saturday morning to earn a spot in the SEC Tournament semifinals Saturday night. Scratching and clawing, top-ranked Tennessee was on the ropes in the top of the ninth when the Vols delivered a three-run home run to end UK’s Cinderella run.

Kentucky won seven of its last ten games and had the third most wins over the RPI Top 25, including a series victory over Tennessee on its resume, but it wasn’t enough to get into the NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats’ 15-20 record against SEC opponents prevented UK from playing more postseason baseball. Kentucky has now missed four straight NCAA Tournaments since reaching the Super Regional in head coach Nick Mingione’s first season in 2017.

One NCAA Baseball Tournament Positive

The only good thing that came from the Selection Show was one sneaky “Horns Down” from the Sooners.

Oklahoma player flashing the “horns down” on the NCAA baseball selection show. pic.twitter.com/i3MhVLyCLr

— Creg Stephenson the First (@CregStephenson) May 30, 2022

SEC Spring Meetings Begin

The SEC Spring Meetings typically come and go without much fanfare. This year is an exception to that norm. Greg Sankey and reps from all 14 member schools will be discussing NIL, the transfer portal and most importantly, a new conference football schedule. It’s not clear whether any official decisions will be reached to determine the future of the SEC, but it’s not hyperbole to say this could be a transformative week for college football.

We Did Not Hear from DJ Wagner

The No. 1 player in America went to the epicenter of his recruitment and didn’t say a word to the public. It’s unfortunate that we have coaches/trainers etc. playing this game of keep away, but it’s the game Kentucky and Louisville fans must agree to play. Even though Zack Geoghegan and Jack Pilgrim did not speak with Wagner, they still caught up with a ton of UK targets at the Nike EYBL in Louisville and there’s much more to come.

• 5-star PG Rob Dillingham: “I’m ready to make a decision.”
• Ron Holland is “looking for a lot” on upcoming visit
• Matas Buzelis continues to hear from Kentucky; Reed Sheppard reaching out

Vince Marrow put Drew Franklin in a Coffin

Drew Franklin did the unthinkable Friday night. After talking trash to the Big Dog all day, Drew took it two steps too far in the ring: He threw an L up. Thankfully, Vince Marrow was prepared to immediately deliver retribution.

Mike Pratt Needs Your Help

A UK Hall of Famer on and off the court, Mike Pratt is in yet another battle with cancer. Over the weekend we learned he had a tumor previously removed from his colon and his liver. Now he must undergo radiation to his jaw and back. To help Mike in his fight against cancer, John Calipari has pledged to match the first $50,000 in donations. Let’s rally behind Pratt to kick cancer’s ass.

KSR Radio Returns

Matt Jones and the KSR crew will be back for four more days before our Fearless Leader hits the road and passes the baton to a talented group of guest hosts.