KSR Today: Let the good times roll

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Dale Hollow — (Photo courtesy of Jim Lane/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Welcome to the first three-day weekend of the summer, Big Blue Nation. I hope your Memorial Day festivities are filled with cold beverages, a body of water, meats on the grill, and quality time spent with friends and family. While you are out enjoying the first big weekend of the summer, we’re here to set the table for a long weekend.

There isn’t any game action taking place this week as Kentucky baseball waits for Selection Monday to arrive. However, there is a Nike EYBL event down in Memphis where numerous prospects will be in action. We’ll be here to provide some updates.

For now, let’s take a look back at what was an eventful Friday that kicked off the three-day weekend.

8 vs. 9 in the SEC

Last year at SEC spring meetings, all signs pointed toward the conference shifting to a nine-game scheduling model with Oklahoma and Texas joining the league in 2024. Kentucky was one of the schools against that move preferring an eight-game model.

Some other schools have now joined them.

Momentum for the nine-game model is being lost. Nick Saban would now prefer to see the league stick to eight games. Georgia is worried about the financial compensation since a deal is already in place with ESPN. Arkansas, Mississippi State, and South Carolina also prefer an eight-game model. There will be some discussions about where the league goes in 2024 next week in Destin.

If the league sticks to eight games, the 1-7-7 model is fairly easy to project.

Alabama-Auburn
Arkansas-Missouri
Florida-Georgia
Kentucky-South Carolina
LSU-Texas A&M
Ole Miss-Mississippi State
Oklahoma-Texas
Tennessee-Vanderbilt

The Iron Bowl, the World’s Largest Cocktail Party, the Egg Bowl, and the Red River game between Oklahoma-Texas would remain on the schedule yearly. However, Third Saturday in October (Alabama-Tennessee), Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry (Auburn-Georgia), Kentucky-Tennessee, Missouri-Oklahoma, Texas-Texas A&M, Magnolia Bowl (LSU-Ole Miss), Florida-Tennessee, and Georgia-South Carolina would all be played on an every other year basis. However, SEC programs would have an extra game to keep non-conference rivalries alive such as the Governor’s Cup (Kentucky-Louisville), Bedlam (Oklahoma-Oklahoma State), Clemson-South Carolina, and Clean, Old Fashioned Hate (Georgia-Georgia Tech). Meanwhile, other programs could use that flexibility to schedule a prominent non-conference game ( LSU vs. Florida State this year).

All eyes will be on Greg Sankey as the SEC must figure out a plan moving forward.

SEC Tournament is down to 4

Down in Hoover, 10 teams have now been eliminated from the SEC Tournament. The semifinals are now set for the best conference in college baseball.

No. 1 seed Florida advanced by going 2-0 with a walk-off win against Alabama on Wednesday and a 6-3 victory against Vanderbilt on Thursday. No. 4 seed Vanderbilt took care of Auburn on Wednesday and avoided elimination by beating Alabama 9-2 on Friday. The winner of this matchup will move to the championship.

No. 2 seed Arkansas is undefeated taking care of Texas A&M in extra innings on Wednesday and beating LSU 5-4 on Thursday. No. 10 seed Texas A&M is the only surprise in the final four having gone 3-1 this week in Hoover with the only loss coming to the Hogs. The Aggies knocked off Tennessee 3-0 on Tuesday and then won two games against South Carolina (5-0) and LSU (5-4) when facing elimination. They’ll try to improve that elimination game record to 3-0 on Saturday.

First pitch for Texas A&M-Arkansas will be at 1:00 p.m. ET. Vanderbilt-Florida will follow. Both games can be seen on the SEC Network.

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J.J. Weaver will be at the Poke Sallet Festival

Every summer in Harlan County, one of the state’s most popular festivals takes place. From June 1-3 in Downtown Harlan, the 68th Poke Sallet Festival will occur. American Idol champion Noah Thompson will headline the event. There will also be another special guest.

Kentucky star outside linebacker J.J. Weaver will be making an appearance at Poke Sallet to meet fans and sign autographs inside the Harlan Center.

I will be in Harlan Kentucky for the 68th Annual Poke Sallet Festival on Friday June 2nd! Come see me at the Harlan Center at 201 South Main Street! I’ll be at the festival from 6:00-8:00p.m. I can’t wait to see all of you there! #ukfootball #BBN @nil_athlete pic.twitter.com/2USPNf8OHf
— JJ Weaver (@jjtimeee) May 26, 2023

The Louisville (Ky.) Moore alum will be a redshirt senior for Brad White’s defense in 2023. Weaver has totaled 120 tackles in his career with 23.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and two interceptions. Weaver has started 14 games over the last two seasons as he’s battled knee and elbow injuries.

The veteran will play an integral role for Kentucky’s defense next fall. Fans in Eastern Kentucky will get a chance to meet one of UK’s top players next weekend.

Playoff double-dip

For the most part, the conference finals have been fairly boring in both the NBA and NHL. The Denver Nuggets made quick work of the Los Angeles Lakers, and the crazy run by the Florida Panthers continues after they quickly swept the Carolina Hurricanes.

However, things are starting to get interesting.

After falling in a 3-0 hole, the Boston Celtics have recorded consecutive double-digit wins over the Miami Heat and are one victory away from forcing a Game 7 that will return to Boston.

The Dallas Stars staved off elimination on Thursday with a 3-2 overtime win against the Las Vegas Golden Knights. Game 5 returns to Vegas tonight. Both games will, unfortunately, occur at the same time. Expect some high-stakes playoff drama to cap off your Saturday night.