KSR Today: Mark Stoops, Availability Report, and ASB GlassFloor

Good morning folks! Crossover season officially begins tomorrow. We’ll have Big Blue Madness kick off the start of the 2024-25 basketball season on Friday before Kentucky football hosts Vanderbilt on Saturday in a game that suddenly has massive implications. Keeneland season is also upon us (and you couldn’t ask for a better week of weather to bet on some ponies).

But before we look too far ahead to the weekend, let’s step back and focus on the now. As Mark Pope would say: “Be still”. Let’s all be still for a moment. Thursday is just Friday Jr. We’ve almost made it through the work week and the reward is nothing but sports all weekend long. With that in mind, how should you distract yourself between now and tomorrow night’s BBM?

Let’s start with the head ball coach, Mark Stoops, who will meet with reporters later today for the final time ahead of Saturday’s game against Vandy. Don’t want to wait that long? Then catch up on everything the Kentucky defense said after Wednesday’s practice. We heard from defensive coordinator Brad White, defensive back DJ Waller Jr., and linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson. Listen to what they had to say about the Alabama-beating Commodores in the video below.

After that, we’ll dive into the rest of today’s news and notes.

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First Availablity Report of the week

Some notable names popped up on the first Availability Report of the week. While running back Chip Trayanum and defensive back Maxwell Hairston remain OUT, the likes of offensive lineman Courtland Ford and wide receiver Hardley Gilmore have been upgraded to PROBABLE. That doesn’t mean either Ford or Gilmore will actually suit up on Saturday for the first time this season, but it’s nice to see them trending in the right direction. Gilmore in particular was drawing rave reviews in the summer as a 17-year-old true freshman.

• Chip Trayanum | RB | Out
• Maxwell Hairston | DB | Out
• Darrion Henry-Young | DL | Out
• Josaih Hayes | DL | Out
• Tavion Gadson | DL | Out
• Terhyon Nichols | DB | Doubtful
• Keeshawn Silver | DL | Probable
• Brock Vandagriff | QB | Probable
• Hardley Gilmore IV | WR | Probable
• Courtland Ford | OL | Probable

We’ll see a second Availability Report released tonight, another on Friday, and one more on the day of the game.

KSR’s first-hand look at the ASB GlassFloor

Yesterday, I was allowed the opportunity (along with other media folks) to check out the new ASB GlassFloor that is being installed at Rupp Arena for Big Blue Madness. UK let me walk and bounce a ball on the floor, talk with the people running the show, and take plenty of pictures/videos.

My overall take? The fan experience should be very, very cool. There are literally endless possibilities when it comes to what the floor can display. With LED lights underneath the actual glass, the court serves as a giant TV screen that even an iPad can control. I think we’ll see lots of cool animations, graphics, videos, etc. on the floor before, during, and after BBM. My lone worry, if I’m being honest, is that the marketing element of this technology will be over-used and become distracting. But I think UK will find a good balance and create an entertaining product.

For more info on the ASB GlassFloor and what fans should expect to see tomorrow night, click here.

Here’s the floor changing backgrounds. https://t.co/0HMuYRrMCX pic.twitter.com/g6SIYba1kZ

— Zack Geoghegan (@ZGeogheganKSR) October 9, 2024

A new 11 Personnel in your feed

KSR’s Nick Roush and Adam Luckett didn’t expect this week’s game to end up being so important, but they’re still overly prepared for everything that can happen against the Commodores. In their latest episode of 11 Personnel, the guys discuss Vandy quarterback Diego Pavia, Clark Lea‘s unusual offense, Kentucky’s spectacular defense, and much more.

As always, this is a must-listen for football bennies as the ‘Cats prepare for the ‘Dores.

Take advantage of our KSR+ FLASH SALE to get bonus coverage of the Cats, including game threads, in-depth scouting reports, and the latest recruiting and roster intel. Use promo code JOIN50 for 50% off the annual price.

KSR Game of the Week headed to Georgetown

Most of the state will have eyes glued to the SEC Network on Friday night, but the high school football season stops for now person (or team). We’re in the middle of District play across the Bluegrass as we quickly approach the end of the regular season. KSR’s Daniel Hager will make the short trip from Lexington to Georgetown to cover one of the best matchups we’ll see this week.

The eighth KSR Game of the Week of the 2024 season will see host Scott County (4-3) take on No. 20 South Oldham (6-1) tomorrow in an important matchup for both teams. The Cardinals have won three straight while the Dragons have won six straight. These are two teams that lean heavily on the run and have plenty of talent on both sides of the ball. We should be in for a good one.

Looking at On3’s Massey Ratings score predictions, Scott County has an 80 percent chance to win this game with the projected final score favoring the Cardinals, 40-20. For a full preview of tomorrow’s showdown (kickoff at 7:30 p.m. EST), click here.

Going to BBM? Snag a free poster!

At long last, UK men’s and women’s basketball posters, presented by Kroger, are available to Big Blue Nation starting this weekend. Posters will be available first at Big Blue Madness on Friday in Rupp Arena, followed by Kroger locations statewide starting Saturday at 8:00 a.m. EST. Posters will be available while supplies last, so hop on over to your local Kroger this weekend to grab a small piece of history.

Women’s soccer hosts LSU tonight

Kentucky women’s soccer (9-1-3; 1-1-3 SEC) picked up its first SEC win of the season last week with a 2-0 win over Alabama. The Wildcats will look to turn that into a winning streak tonight when the LSU Tigers (7-5-1; 2-3-0 SEC) come to town. First kick is set for 7:30 p.m. EST on the SEC Network+.

LSU is coming off a 4-0 shutout home loss to No. 16 Auburn, the Tigers’ second straight defeat of the season. Kentucky leads the all-time series between these two programs 13-7-3 with a 5-2-2 mark at home. The last time they met was Oct. 2023 in the SEC Tournament which saw a 4-2 Kentucky win in penalties.

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