KSR Today: Ole Miss, Lane Kiffin, and basketball highlights

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On3 image — Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin (Photo by Justin Ford | Getty Images)

Good morning, folks! Happy Thursday. Are we sleeping well or are the pre-Ole Miss nerves already creeping in? I’m somewhere in between right now. Tonight might feature more twists and turns than usual. I wouldn’t have it any other way, though. Now let’s dive right into the news and notes for today.

First things first, do we think Lane Kiffin retweeted this on accident?

Will Levis' unexpected path from backup QB and unnoticed transfer to big-time NFL prospect https://t.co/6LbB9eM6Xi
— Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) September 28, 2022

Kiffin didn’t stop there with the (unintentional?) Kentucky praise, either. During this week’s SEC teleconference, the Ole Miss head coach had plenty of good things to say about head coach Mark Stoops and the Wildcats.

Stop making me like you, Lane.

Now for the real content. We’ll hear from Stoops later this afternoon as we do every Thursday. He’ll preview Kentucky’s matchup against the Rebels and likely give some additional insight as to what this week’s practice has been like. As always, we’ll have everything coach Stoops says up on the website ASAP.

But before we get too ahead of ourselves, let’s quickly recap what defensive coordinator Brad White and members of the Kentucky defense had to say about this weekend’s showdown in Oxford. Spoiler: they’re all ready for Chris Rodriguez to return, too. Also, something to keep in mind is two key defensive starters for Kentucky, Keidron Smith and Jacquez Jones, are former Ole Miss transfers.

“First time I tackled him I ended up with a concussion…I didn’t know C-Rod was that powerful.”

-Jacquez Jones on his first meeting with Chris Rodriguez Jr. in 2020 https://t.co/W6kbX5z7iJ
— Adam Luckett (@AdamLuckettKSR) September 28, 2022

Defensive coordinator Brad White

Defensive backs coach Chris Collins

Keidron Smith

Jacquez Jones

While you’re here, check out the latest episode of 11 Personnel. Nick Roush and Adam Luckett explain how this Ole Miss team is not so different than the Florida one that spiraled after a loss to the Wildcats in 2021. Ole Miss still has plenty of unknowns. Can the Wildcats expose them?

For The Team Chapter 4 | NIU Recap

We’ve got practice highlights!

How did Kentucky men’s and women’s basketball look on the opening day of practice? See for yourself.

This is where it starts.#GoBigBlue pic.twitter.com/oXs88d9LgB
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) September 28, 2022

And so it begins…

Chapter 49. pic.twitter.com/6XwLVVqFj1
— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) September 28, 2022

DJ Wagner, Aaron Bradshaw visiting for BBM

John Calipari is looking to make this year’s Big Blue Madness a bigger spectacle than usual, and he’s loading up on premier guests to be in attendance. Class of 2023 five-star prospects DJ Wagner and Aaron Bradshaw will be in Lexington for the weekend of BBM, reports Travis Branham of 247Sports.

This will be Wagner’s second official visit to Kentucky after coming down for BBM in 2021 while Bradshaw will make his second trip back since June. Kentucky commits Reed Sheppard and Justin Edwards will also be at BBM alongside Wagner and Bradshaw. The third current UK commit, five-star PG Robert Dillingham, will not attend due to a previously scheduled tournament in Las Vegas.

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But that’s not even the juiciest part. Brahman also reports that neither Wagner nor Bradshaw will take visits to Louisville as of right now. While it would still be a bit shocking if UL doesn’t ultimately get at least one visit from Wagner, the writing does appear to be on the wall.

The current expectation amongst sources is that neither DJ Wagner or Aaron Bradshaw will visit Louisville. https://t.co/cNW3kDi1q7
— Travis Branham (@TravisBranham_) September 28, 2022

Kentucky WBB hitting national TV 11 times

Kentucky women’s basketball is going to grace national TV 11 times this coming season, one of which will air on ESPN with the remaining 10 on the SEC Network. UK will play its one ESPN game against in-state rival Louisville, which will take place at Rupp Arena on Dec. 11 at 1:00 PM EST. Check out the full schedule below.

Kentucky VB gets back on track

The No. 18 ranked Kentucky volleyball team (down a couple of key players) secured its first SEC road win of the season, moving the Wildcats to 7-5 on the season and 2-1 in league play. UK is coming off a weekend split against unranked LSU this past weekend but easily cruised to a 3-1 win over Missouri in Columbia on Wednesday night.

Make sure to check out Ian Alvano’s full game recap here.

Full strength tonight? No.

Full of heart? Yes. @KYBloodCenter | #WeAreUK pic.twitter.com/newDoGOz1s
— Kentucky Volleyball (@KentuckyVB) September 29, 2022

So… How old is Randall Cobb?

The answer is 32 years old, but if you’re not a Kentucky fan, you might think Cobb’s been playing football for over two decades in the NFL. Some do, apparently. This bit from Jimmy Fallon is good stuff.