KSR Today: Mark Pope, beer cans and a record-breaking Tennessee beatdown

If you’re still coming down from the high of Otega Oweh’s game-winner in Norman, you’re not alone. What a night that was, huh? Kentucky looked dead in the water, Jaxson Robinson out in the second half and Lamont Butler fouling out with momentum slipping in Oklahoma’s favor — and then OO happened, scoring the final 18 points to will the Wildcats to a victory.

It’s okay if you’re watching those highlights on a loop today, but just remember the show must go on, and Mark Pope’s group has more business to take care of before wrapping up the regular season. No. 1 Auburn is coming to town Saturday with tip-off scheduled for 1 PM ET at Rupp Arena, live on ABC. That’s the first of just three games left before postseason play, the finale a week from tomorrow before it’s time to head to Nashville.

We’ll preview that matchup while also talking through a big-time win over Tennessee for WBB and everything else in the world of UK Athletics. Let’s dig in, shall we?

Mark Pope previews No. 1 Auburn

With the early tip comes an early practice at Rupp Arena to get the Wildcats prepared to host the top-ranked Tigers on Saturday. Pope will speak to reporters at noon ET just 25 hours before Kentucky tips off against No. 1 Auburn, talking through what Bruce Pearl’s group does well (a lot) and how they’ve been able to roll through a historic year for the SEC — and, in turn, their program.

Will Jaxson Robinson be able to give it a go against the Tigers? Any setbacks for Lamont Butler or Andrew Carr? How about Amari Williams’ ankle, tweaked early in the win at Oklahoma before he battled through the rest of the way? Pope will share all of those updates, too.

KSR will be in attendance with plenty of updates to follow throughout the afternoon.

Oklahoma looks for the beer-can-thrower

Remember that loser who threw a beer can at a 20-year-old after a basketball game because their team lost? Oklahoma is looking for that person while also condemning the behavior — because, again, it’s loser behavior.

The Sooners said they are in contact with the SEC and reviewing all footage working to identify the involved parties.

“We are aware of an incident that occurred following last night’s men’s basketball contest against Kentucky involving the throwing of a beverage can toward players. … The University of Oklahoma does not in any way condone this type of fan behavior and it will not be tolerated. We will take appropriate and necessary action against anyone who conducts themself in such a manner. We apologize to the University of Kentucky players, coaches, and fans.”

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SEC Tournament projections get interesting

As things stand today, Kentucky sits at No. 8 in the SEC with just three games to go — the final team earning a bye in Nashville. The latest projections, though, move the Cats up to No. 6 with a 10-8 finish in league play. That’s calling for UK to go at least 2-1 down the stretch and Texas A&M going 1-2. Do that, and odds are good they play at 10 PM ET on Thursday with a potential rematch vs. Coach Cal and Arkansas on the line.

If they can win at least one of the next three — likely LSU on Senior Night — they’ll likely lock in that No. 8 seed with a potential Mississippi State battle on the line Thursday at 1 PM ET.

A lot left to shake out, but here’s what we’re looking at today:

1. Auburn (14-1)
2. Alabama (12-3)
3. Florida (11-4)
4. Tennessee (10-5)
5. Missouri (10-5)
6. Texas A&M (9-6)
7. Ole Miss (8-7)
8. Kentucky (8-7)
9. Mississippi State (7-8)
10. Vanderbilt (7-8)
11. Arkansas (6-9)
12. Texas (5-10)
13. Georgia (5-10)
14. Oklahoma (4-11)
15. LSU (3-12)
16. South Carolina (1-14)

Cats earn record-shattering over No. 11 Lady Vols

The men’s team already took care of business with a season sweep against Tennessee. Then the women’s team came in and finished the job to complete the all-around basketball domination against that disgusting orange — this one a 26-point beatdown, the largest victory over the Volunteers in school history.

Clara Strack finished perfect from the field, 11-11 shooting for 23 points while adding 15 rebounds, followed by Georgia Amoore and Teonni Key with 18 and Dazia Lawrence with 13. As a team, the Wildcats broke the single-season blocks record with 182 on the year, racking up nine against Tennessee. Kentucky would finish the day shooting 51.5 percent from the field, 23.8 percent from three and 90.0 percent at the line.

“Just their effort throughout the whole basketball game, their attitude leading up to the game. We were very disappointed Sunday with the outcome — we thought we played good enough to win, but didn’t,” head coach Kenny Brooks said after the win. “… I thought the kids did a really good job, I’m very proud of them.”

Up next? The season finale, No. 15 Kentucky set to take on No. 6 South Carolina on Sunday, March 2, at 2 PM ET, live on ESPN.

Kentucky a No. 4 seed in final NCAA Bracket Preview Show

Sticking with Brooks’ squad, now 22-5 entering the final regular season game of the year, Kentucky was also named a No. 4 seed and the No. 14 overall team in the field in the last official NCAA Bracket Preview Show before postseason play begins. That comes after the Wildcats were the highest No. 4 seed and No. 13 overall earlier this month.

There are six total SEC teams among the top 16 seeds with UK paired with No. 1 seed USC, No. 2 seed UConn and No. 3 seed Duke in the Birmingham 2 Region.

1. UCLA
2. Texas
3. USC
4. Notre Dame
5. South Carolina
6. UConn
7. LSU
8. NC State
9. TCU
10. North Carolina
11. Duke
12. Tennessee
13. Oklahoma
14. Kentucky
15. Kansas State
16. Ohio State

Baseball/softball action to get you to the weekend

It’s gonna be a beautiful day in Lexington on Friday, why not head out to the ballpark and enjoy the Bat Cats? They’ll be taking on Hofstra at Kentucky Proud Park at 4 PM ET, live on SEC Network +. It’s the start of a three-game series with game two scheduled for Saturday at 1 PM ET and Sunday at noon ET — all three streamed on SECN+.

Elsewhere, UK softball’s got a hectic weekend schedule with five games in three days down in Bowling Green, starting with a doubleheader vs. Evansville (11 AM ET) and WKU (4 PM ET) on Friday. They’ll take on Tennessee Tech (11 AM ET) and WKU (4 PM ET) again on Saturday before wrapping things up vs. Evansville (11 AM ET) again on Sunday.

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That’s all I’ve got for you this morning, BBN. Enjoy your Friday and get ready to beat No. 1 Auburn. Go Cats.