KSR Today: NBA All-Star recap, Cats in the Top 25, Calipari on radio, and more

On Sunday, John Calipari was in Indianapolis to celebrate the seven former Kentucky Wildcats participating in the 2024 NBA All-Star Game, a new record for All-Star selections from one school. Calipari and UK point guard legend Tyler Ulis made the trip from Lexington to support the former Cats, including Ulis’s former teammates, Devin Booker and Karl-Anthony Towns. Anthony Davis, Julius Randle (not pictured), Bam Adebayo, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Tyrese Maxey were Calipari’s other Kentucky stars in the game. Calipari, of course, snapped a family photo to frame and hang in his office.

#LaFamilia pic.twitter.com/PXgRgq8aZU

— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) February 19, 2024

He’s a proud Dad. After the win at Auburn on Saturday, Calipari told the room he was heading to Indianapolis on his day off. “‘Why would you go up there?’ Are you crazy? Do you understand it’s a record?’… the most ever from one school in an All-Star Game.”

The East won a record-setting All-Star game; Towns scored 50

The East beat the West 211-186 on a record-setting night in Indianapolis. The East shattered the scoring record by 15 points, the game’s total smashed the 2017 record by 23 points, and a record 66 3-pointers were made on a record 168 tries. The defense was non-existent as Damian Lillard won the MVP award with 39 points and 11 3s. A former Wildcat, Karl-Anthony Towns, was in the conversation with 50 points in the losing effort. Towns took the first-most shots, as Calipari would say.

Eastern Conference All-Stars – 211

• Tyrese Maxey – 10 pts, 3 ast, 3 reb, 17 min (3-5 FG, 2-4 3FG)
• Bam Adebayo (Starter) – 3 pts, 2 reb, 2 ast, 17 min (1-2 FG, 1-1 3FG)
• Julius Randle – Injured; DNP

Western Conference All-Stars – 186

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Starter) – 31 pts, 6 ast, 4 reb, 28 min (12-16 FG, 7-10 3FG)
• Anthony Davis – 6 pts, 8 reb, 8 ast, 22 min (3-5 FG, 0-2 3FG)
• Devin Booker – 15 pts, 7 ast, 4 reb, 19 min (7-14 FG, 1-7 3FG)
• Karl-Anthony Towns – 50 pts, 8 ast, 5 reb, 28 min (23-35 FG, 4-13 3FG)

Tweet of the Day

The Southeastern Conference took an internet victory lap during the All-Star festivities last night, sharing a graphic for the most selections by any conference. While the statistic is accurate–the SEC had a record eight All-Star selections–it’s hilarious that seven of the eight came from Kentucky. Anthony Edwards was the one SEC alum who didn’t attend UK.

The most selections of any conference. 🤩

📋: https://t.co/hp5CVkbX5Y#NBAAllStar x #ItJustMeansMore pic.twitter.com/8vTFYw1acT

— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) February 19, 2024

Listen to John Calipari’s call-in radio show tonight

Because Kentucky plays on Wednesday this week, there will not be a Monday press conference on campus to preview the next game. However, John Calipari can be heard on his Monday night call-in radio show beginning at 6 p.m. tonight on the UK Sports Network. He and Tom Leach will have a conversation about the win at Auburn, the challenge ahead at LSU, and probably a little bit about his Sunday trip to Indy.

A new Top 25

Kentucky’s Monday routine is a little different with the later midweek game. Still, the Associated Press will drop its Monday update to its poll right on schedule today. The USA Today Coaches Poll, too. Right now, the Wildcats are ranked No. 22/20, but the unbeaten week and Quad 1 win in Neville Arena should send them back into the teens. We’ll let you know around noon.

Is this the week?

Kentucky still needs an SEC Player of the Week this season. Crazy, right? Though the Cats have plenty of star power, the league’s weekly award has yet to go to Lexington. This week, Antonio Reeves will be in the conversation for scoring a combined 37 points with 12 rebounds in Kentucky’s two wins. Bruce Pearl said Reeves “killed” Auburn in Saturday’s game on The Plains. Will the SEC finally award Reeves its POTW trophy later this afternoon? We’ll see. If not, there are three more chances in the regular season.

UK Baseball completed the sweep in South Carolina

Kentucky Baseball opened its season over the weekend with three games against South Carolina Upstate in Spartanburg. After winning games on Friday (11-7) and Saturday (3-0), the Wildcats completed the sweep on Sunday, winning 9-3.

They’ll take today off before opening the season at Kentucky Proud Park tomorrow at 4 p.m. against Morehead State.

Kentucky Women’s Basketball snapped out of its losing funk

After losing six straight games in SEC play, Kentucky Women’s Basketball said enough is enough in Sunday’s game against Florida in Rupp Arena. With several of the program’s alums in attendance for a 50-year anniversary of women’s basketball at Kentucky, the Wildcats beat the Gators 81-77 to get back on track. Eniya Russell scored 24 to lead the Cats.

Rick Pitino threw his players under the bus

Rick Pitino is showing his ass at St. John’s (not literally, but, you never know with him). On Sunday, his team blew a significant lead on Seton Hall, losing a third straight game and the ninth in Big East play. Afterward, Pitino said fun things like, “I’m not gonna lie to you: This is the most unenjoyable experience of my lifetime,” followed by comments about “sh*tty facilities” and a shot at Mizzou. Read more.

Happy Presidents’ Day

My sincerest apologies to the birthday boy, George Washington, and all of our United States Presidents for waiting so long to wish them and you a Happy Presidents’ Day. Today, we celebrate them with a federal holiday, observed on the third Monday of February each year. 

Kentucky Sports Radio’s morning show has the day off, but the website crew doesn’t take days off, so we’ll bring you new content all Monday.

Go Cats.