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KSR Today: Prepping for Bears, the Music City Bowl, and Oakland can do the funniest thing

Drew Franklinby:Drew Franklin•12/30/24•

DrewFranklinKSR

ksr-today-dec-30-24
George Jones, center, yells his support for the Kentucky Wildcats from the cheap seat high above the field at Adelphia Coliseum on Dec. 29, 1999, during the Music City Bowl game against Syracuse.

It’s a bittersweet Monday for you and me, my friend. It’s our last Monday morning edition of “KSR Today” in 2024. What a year we had together, you and me. Every Monday, I’d pour that first cup of coffee in total darkness, typically around 6 a.m., before writing a recap of the weekend’s news and a preview of the day ahead to a slowly rising sun outside and you, the reader, here on KSR. The first Monday blog post would be live by 9:00 a.m. here on KentuckySportsRadio.com for you to read at work or on your morning commute (hopefully not while driving). Thank you to everyone who takes the time to read these, and an early Happy New Year to you as we spend one more Monday together in 2024. Tomorrow, we count down to 2025 with our New Year’s Eve celebrations. Oh, and Kentucky plays a daytime basketball game. Let’s start there.

Lamont Butler and Jaxson Robinson to preview Kentucky vs. Brown

We’ll hear from Lamont Butler and Jaxson Robinson later today as Kentucky Basketball‘s 10-day quiet period winds down. They’ll hold a Q&A to preview tomorrow night’s game versus Brown University, and you can come back to KentuckySportsRadio.com to read/hear all about the conversation.

Go ahead and learn more about Brown with an early look ahead to the game.

Listen to Mark Pope on his call-in radio show

Mark Pope will also preview Kentucky versus Brown when he chats with Tom Leach tonight on his weekly coach’s show. You can tune in from 6-7:00 p.m. on the UK Sports Network as Pope provides updates on his team and shares his thoughts on Brown while taking calls from the fans.

Kentucky unlikely to move in the polls

There weren’t many games last week due to the holidays, so there shouldn’t be much movement when the AP and USA Today Coaches Polls are updated later today. Kentucky is ranked tenth in both polls after a six-spot drop last week. The Wildcats didn’t play a game since last week’s update and no top-10 team lost, so a climb is unlikely. Still, KSR will update you when the new rankings drop around lunchtime.

John Calipari’s redemption game versus Oakland

For reasons I don’t understand, John Calipari scheduled a revenge game against Oakland at his new headquarters in Arkansas, so tonight, Cal’s Razorbacks host the team that ended his time at Kentucky. Even though Oakland’s roster looks completely different and Calipari wears a new color, this is still an interesting matchup given the very recent history. You can watch the revenge game at 8:00 p.m. on ESPN2 when Oakland (4-9) has the chance to do the funniest thing as an 18-point underdog in Fayetteville.

Brock Vandagriff retired from football

On Sunday, Jon Hale of the Lexington Herald-Leader confirmed Brock Vandagriff‘s plans for the future, which is one without football, as the former Georgia and UK quarterback will step away from the game altogether rather than finishing out his college eligibility. The former five-star prospect threw for 1,593 yards and 10 touchdowns in Lexington in 2024 before stepping aside from the game to move on with his life.

Former Wildcats shined on NFL Sunday

WAN’DALE ROBINSON AND ANDRU PHILLIPS

Two former Wildcats helped the New York Football Giants beat Indianapolis on Sunday. Wan’Dale Robinson caught five passes for 71 yards, including a five-yard touchdown before halftime and a big first-down catch in the fourth quarter.

Then, rookie Dru Phillips sealed the win with his first career interception. Phillips never intercepted a pass in his four seasons at Kentucky.

CARRINGTON VALENTINE

Another former Wildcat, Carrington Valentine, intercepted a pass in Green Bay’s loss at Minnesota. Valentine’s second career INT came two weeks after his first.

CHRIS RODRIGUEZ
Former Kentucky running back Chris Rodriguez shined in Washington’s Sunday Night Football victory over the Falcons. Rodriguez scored a go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter, bullying his way into the end zone for his fourth career touchdown. Rodriguez carried the ball five times in the game, all on his touchdown-scoring drive. Washington fed the former Cat four straight times from the 14-yard-line for the score.

The Music City Bowl brings daytime football

The Music City Bowl holds a special place in Big Blue Nation’s heart. Kentucky played in six Music City Bowls in the last 25 years, including a run of three trips to Nashville in four years from 2006-2009. Kentucky also played postseason football in the Music City in 1999, 2017, and 2022.

George Jones, center, yells his support for the Kentucky Wildcats from the cheap seat high above the field at Adelphia Coliseum on Dec. 29, 1999, during the Music City Bowl game against Syracuse.

Today, three-loss Missouri will represent the Southeastern Conference in Nashville, playing the Iowa Hawkeyes, Kentucky’s 2022 Music City Bowl opponent. Mizzou is laying 2.5 points, with a total of 40.5 on the game. You can watch today’s only bowl game at 2:30 p.m. on ESPN.

Today’s sports schedule

  • CFB: #19 Missouri vs. Iowa • 2:30 p.m. (ESPN)
  • CBB: #18 Michigan State vs. Western Michigan • 3:00 p.m. (BTN)
  • CBB: #2 Auburn vs. Monmouth • 6:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
  • CBB: #17 Cincinnati vs. Kansas State • 7:00 p.m. (CBSSN)
  • CBB: #23 Arkansas vs. Oakland • 8:00 p.m. (ESPN2)
  • CBB: #15 Houston @ Oklahoma State • 8:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
  • CBB: #3 Iowa State @ Colorado • 9:00 p.m. (CBSSN)
  • CBB: #19 Mississippi State vs. Bethune-Cookman • 9:00 p.m. (SECN)
  • CBB: #14 Gonzaga vs. Pepperdine • 10:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
  • NBA: Hornets vs. Bulls • 7:00 p.m.
  • NBA: Wizards vs. Knicks • 7:00 p.m. (NBA TV)
  • NBA: Pelicans vs. Clippers • 8:00 p.m.
  • NBA: Jazz vs. Nuggets • 9:00 p.m.
  • NBA: Warriors vs. Cavs • 10:00 p.m.
  • NBA: Trail Blazers vs. 76ers • 10:00 p.m.
  • NBA: Kings vs. Mavericks • 10:00 p.m.
  • NHL: Panthers vs. Rangers • 7:00 p.m. (NHL)
  • NHL: Jets vs. Predators • 7:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
  • NHL: Kraken vs. Utah Hockey Club • 8:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
  • NFL: Lions @ 49ers • 8:15 p.m. (ABC/ESPN)

Where to find KSR this week

You have four opportunities to hang out with KSR at KSBar and Grille this week, beginning today at 10 a.m. for Monday’s show. Tomorrow, KSR will preview the Kentucky-Brown game with a hybrid morning/pregame show before a day off for New Year’s Day on Wednesday. We’ll be back at KSBar and on your radios in 2025 on Thursday and Friday.

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