KSR Today, Presented by Justice Dental: March is Madness and Kentucky Spring Football Practice Begins
Bring on the Madness! Follow along with the KSR crew throughout the postseason as we bring you behind the scenes coverage in the most ridiculous manner possible. Welcome to our Justice Dental March Game Day Central!
The BBN finally caught its breath from the Wildcats’ improbable run through the SEC women’s basketball tournament. Before John Calipari tries his Kyra Elzy impression in Tampa, Mark Stoops is returning to the gridiron with his Kentucky football team for spring practice.
Kentucky is currently in the middle of the first of 15 spring practices. UK is breaking in three new assistants and 11 midyear enrollees. This transition period is not only vital for the development of younger players, but to maintain momentum from a 10-win season. The questions about this team will not be answered in one day, but today we could get a better idea of what this new offensive regime is bringing to Kroger Field this fall. Mark Stoops, Rich Scangarello and a couple offensive players will break down what happened during the first practice later this morning.
Madness in the SoCon
Silivio de Sousa is playing in the NCAA Tournament. Yes, that de Sousa that got Kansas into a bunch of trouble is still playing college basketball, thanks to a wild finish in the Southern Conference Tournament. Chattanooga hit a big three to tie it, Furman responded with a difficult go-ahead runner, setting up 26-year-old David Jean-Baptiste’s thrilling buzzer-beater. March is Madness.
Unfortunately, not every game can have such an exciting, happy ending. Sometimes the madness surfaces in the form of a Ref Show. We got that in the Colonial with this stupefying ending on an abomination of a block/charge call.
Bellarmine Hosts the ASUN Final
In just their second season of Division I basketball, the Bellarmine Knights are playing in a conference tournament title game. Scotty Davenport’s squad will host Jacksonville at Freedom Hall Tuesday evening at 5 pm ET on ESPN2. Tickets are still available for only $15, but they’re going fast. Sadly, even with a win over Jacksonville, the Knights will not be dancing during March Madness. The NCAA places team on a four-year probationary period when transitioning to Division I, prohibiting them from playing in the NCAA Tournament.
Bellarmine can’t punch an NCAA Tournament ticket tonight, but Northern Kentucky can with a win over Wright State in the Horizon League final tonight at 7 pm ET on ESPN. All of the conference championship games on Tuesday’s slate:
- Colonial | Delaware vs. UNC-Wilmington | 7 pm | CBSSN
- Northeast | Wagner at Bryant | 7 pm | ESPN2
- Summit League | North Dakota State at South Dakota State | 9 pm | ESPN2
- West Coast | Gonzaga vs. Saint Mary’s | 9 pm | ESPN
High School Hoops Buzzer Beater
March Madness isn’t just for college teams. High school hoopers dreams are coming true in Regional Championships and last night we had an all-time at Valley High School. In Chris Renner’s final game as the Bruins’ head coach, Ballard lost a triple overtime thriller 82-80 to Male in the Seventh Region Final thanks to a buzzer-beater from Louisville commit Kaleb Glenn.
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Kentucky Wildcats Prepare for Madness in Tampa
John Calipari’s basketball team received a brief break after defeating Florida in the season finale, moving up two spots to No. 5 in both the AP and Coaches’ Poll. Before the Cats begin their conquest of the Southeastern Conference in Tampa, a couple of players will speak with the media around lunchtime.
While the players get ready for the road trip, it’s time for the BBN to prepare for a new SEC Tournament destination. Don’t you worry, KSR’s Tampa correspondent has you covered. Ryan Lemond’s travel guide is so thorough, I’m worried he might get poached by AAA or the Travel Channel.
Herbstreit to the NFL
Kirk Herbstreit has a brand new gig. After Troy Aikmen left Joe Buck to join ESPN’s Monday Night Football, Amazon went all in to sign Herbie to its new Thursday Night Football package, partnering him with broadcasting legend Al Michaels. No, Kirk Herbstreit is not leaving his college football gig with ESPN. This new NFL assignment will just add to his already heavy plate. One of the best in the business and the most prominent voice in college football, it’s good to keep him in the fold while allowing him to spread his wings into the NFL.
Nathaniel Rateliff to the Infield
For almost as long as I’ve been writing words on this website, I’ve been critical os Churchill Downs Incorporated. CDI is a money hungry entity that will do whatever it takes to fill its coffers, often leaving the little guy behind. After years of bullying the suits, the little guy finally got a win.
Churchill Downs is reopening the Infield for Thurby and bring back live music between the races. They’re going big right out of the gate bv bringing Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats to Louisville. If I were to create a Venn diagram of things I love, the only thing missing from this equation is a football game. The Night Sweats put on one hell of a show, and during Derby week for less than $30? This is going to be the best day ever.
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