KSR Today: Mark Pope previews Louisville, UKVB advances to Elite Eight

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Duke was his first statement win at Kentucky, a chance for Mark Pope to prove he belongs on the national stage as the head coach in Lexington. Beating Gonzaga after falling behind by as many as 18 points in the second half earned him some love as an early National Coach of the Year contender — the perfect response to his first loss in a tough true road matchup at Clemson.

This one is different, though. The Cats are in a good spot as one of the best teams in college basketball, but what about the local bragging rights? That’s a non-negotiable for Big Blue Nation ahead of Pope’s first rivalry battle vs. Louisville, a chance to set the tone in what could be a long and healthy run against Pat Kelsey — he’s been a much-needed shot in the arm for the Cardinals, despite his first group dealing with some injury issues.

A new era of the rivalry begins on Saturday as Kentucky takes on Louisville inside Rupp Arena with tip-off scheduled for 5:15 p.m. ET., live on ESPN.

Does Pope participate in Louisville Hate Week?

How is the first-year coach preparing for his debut in the rivalry leading the program? Does his experience as a player with two head-to-head matchups against the Cards under his belt help as he prepares his own players for the emotions that come with this one? Also, how about Noah Waterman and Aly Khalifa — two former Cougars under Pope at BYU now with Kelsey at Louisville? They’ll reunite for the first time since becoming enemies following the coaching change. Maybe Pope sent them to the dark side as undercover spies to relay all of Kelsey’s deepest coaching secrets to guarantee a win for the blue and white?

The Kentucky coach will speak to the media at 12 p.m. ET to preview the matchup with plenty of coverage to follow right here on KSR. We’ll find out just how serious Pope is about celebrating Louisville Hate Week.

‘Everybody’s Super Bowl’ gets a brand new meaning

We’ve heard the phrase since the beginning of time, but have you ever heard of a player signing with a particular school specifically because Kentucky is on the schedule? Now that is a Super Bowl.

It’s the case for Louisville guard Terrence Edwards Jr., who said leading up to the rivalry game that he chose the Cardinals as a transfer from James Madison for the opportunity to take on the Wildcats.

“This big rivalry game, all of us really committed for this game,” Edwards said. “Some of us came here just to play against Kentucky, you know what I’m saying?” he continued. “That was a big part of it, to live up in that rivalry and try to be a part of some history.”

As for Kelsey’s thoughts on the Cats, he thinks highly of Pope and the team he’s assembled in year one.

“They’re very very good. Very good,” he said. “If the season ended right now, I think Mark Pope would be front runner for coach of the year…we know the challenge that’s ahead of us.”

Maybe Kelsey took the Louisville job just to play Kentucky too?

It’s No. 3 Kentucky vs. No. 1 Pitt in the Elite Eight

Craig Skinner continues to have the UK women’s volleyball program rolling, putting the Cats in position for their first trip to the Final Four since 2020. All it will take is a win over No. 1 seed Pittsburgh to get there.

Kentucky took down No. 7 seed Missouri 3-1 (25-20, 25-20, 16-25, 25-13) in the Sweet 16 on Thursday to advance to the Elite Eight, the team’s first Regional Final since that national championship run in ’20. Brooklyn DeLeye led the way with 22 kills while hitting .419 in the win to go with six digs, three aces and two blocks while Emma Grome added 50 assists, ten digs, three blocks, two kills and an ace. Megan Wilson and Brooke Bultema went for ten kills apiece while Molly Tuozzo and Eleanor Beavin finished with 11 and 10 digs each, respectively.

KENTUCKY ADVANCES ‼️#NCAAWVB x 🎥 ESPN2 / @KentuckyVB pic.twitter.com/QNN9LOHxIw

— NCAA Women's Volleyball (@NCAAVolleyball) December 12, 2024

The Cats will take on the Panthers on Saturday at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN2 with a spot in the Final Four on the line.

A Saturday triple-header

Get out your multi-TV setups, BBN. You know men’s basketball and volleyball are set to take the floor on Saturday within 15 minutes of each other, but don’t forget about women’s basketball either! Kenny Brooks and the Cats will be taking on Purdue on the road with that matchup also scheduled for 5 p.m. ET — convenient, right?

For those keeping track at home, that’s three high-profile, must-watch events going on at the same time for fans to enjoy.

• No. 16 Kentucky women’s basketball at Purdue – 5 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network)
• No. 3 seed Kentucky volleyball vs. No. 1 seed Pittsburgh – 5 p.m. ET (ESPN2)
• No. 5 Kentucky men’s basketball vs. Louisville – 5:15 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Not a bad way to spend your Saturday.

Dick Vitale says he’s cancer-free

Let’s wrap up with some awesome news coming from the most iconic voice in basketball, Dickie V.

ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale underwent surgery this summer when a biopsy of a lymph node in his neck showed cancer. Fast forward to December and the iconic figure’s latest scan revealed he is officially cancer-free.

“SANTA CLAUS came early as Dr Rick Brown called & said that my PET SCAN at 7 AM came back CLEAN OF CANCER !” Vitale posted on Twitter. “OMG thanks so much to ALL of YOU for your [prayers.] Yes I’m cutting the nets down baby it’s my National Championship!”

Keep it rolling, Dickie V. The basketball world needs ya.

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Enjoy your Friday, folks. The weekend is almost here.