KSR Today: Recapping a big afternoon for UK Athletics on NYE

Good morning, folks! And a happy New Year to everyone! Saturday sure was a busy one, eh? I hope you all were able to find the perfect balance of switching between basketball and football. One game ended exactly how Kentucky fans were hoping for. The other…? Not so much…

While it was admittedly fun at times to try and watch both games at once, I am perfectly fine with it never ever happening again. Let’s talk about it!

Kentucky MBB tops Louisville with ease in rivalry matchup

First, the good news.

In a matchup that Kentucky desperately needed to step up for, it was Jacob Toppin who led the way for the Wildcats. Powered by a season-high 24 points from Toppin, Kentucky (9-4) handled rival Louisville (2-12) from the opening tip to the final buzzer, coming away with an 86-63 win over the Cardinals in Rupp Arena. The senior forward shot 10-15 from the floor en route to his impressive afternoon, chipping in seven rebounds and two assists in his 35 minutes.

Kentucky, which rocked some sweet 1993 throwback jerseys, shot 60 percent from the floor throughout the game, although the ‘Cats finished just 4-13 from beyond the arc and 16-25 from the free-throw line. Meanwhile, Louisville shot 47 percent from the field and an even worse clip from distance at 2-13. UK won the rebound battle 33-20, finished with 13 more assists, and scored 12 more points in the paint than the Cards.

Reigning national player of the year Oscar Tshiebwe was his usual self, dropping 24 points and 14 rebounds on 10-13 shooting (but shot just 4-9 from the charity stripe). Toppin was named the game’s MVP in Kenny Payne’s first return to Lexington since accepting the Louisville head coaching job.

Next up for Kentucky is a showdown against the LSU Tigers (12-1) on Tuesday, Jan. 3 at 8:00 p.m. EST in Rupp Arena. The game will be available on ESPN.

Now dive into KSR’s postgame content!

• John Calipari thanks fans for welcoming Kenny Payne back to Rupp Arena
• KSR’s takeaways from Kentucky’s blowout win over Louisville
• John Calipari takes ownership of Kentucky’s struggles so far
• Jacob Toppin dug himself out of rock bottom ahead of breakthrough vs. Louisville
• John Calipari wants Kentucky to play “deliberate” basketball

KSR’s Rapid Reaction to the win

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Highlights and photo gallery

Press Conferences: John Calipari, Kentucky players

Watch the latest John Calipari press conference on the KSR YouTube Channel.

Kentucky FB shutout by Iowa in Music City Bowl

Now for the not-so-good news.

In a game with two third-string quarterbacks in the saddle, the Music City Bowl was going to be decided by which passer made the first mistake. It was the Wildcats’ Destin Wade. The true freshman’s Nashville homecoming was spoiled by a pair of pick-sixes in Iowa’s 21-0 victory at Nissan Stadium.

Kentucky was stuck behind the 8-ball before the game ever kicked off. The Wildcats were without their top two offensive playmakers, Will Levis and Chris Rodriguez, against the second-best defense in the country. Oh, and wide receivers coach Scott Woodward was calling plays for the first time. Kentucky needed to play a perfect game to have a chance to win and it was far from that on New Year’s Eve.

The loss to Iowa snapped Kentucky’s four-game bowl winning streak and FBS-leading 20-game non-conference winning streak. It’s their first loss to a non-conference foe since the 2017 Music City Bowl. Kentucky drops to 2-4 all-time in Music City Bowls.

Check out KSR’s postgame content below. Plenty more is on the way throughout Sunday.

• Destin Wade “Manned Up” in Difficult Situation
• Iowa’s defense, special teams dominate Kentucky in Music City Bowl
• Six Things Mark Stoops Said After The Loss
• Iowa Star Jack Campbell’s Grandfather Killed in Nashville Auto Accident

KSR’s Rapid Reaction to the loss

Press Conferences: Mark Stoops, Kentucky players

WBB takes on No. 24 Arkansas

For the first time in over 10 days, Kentucky Women’s Basketball is back on its home hardwood.

On Sunday afternoon, the Wildcats (8-5) will take on the No. 24 Arkansas Razorbacks (13-3) in Memorial Coliseum at 2 p.m. Kentucky lost its first SEC contest of the season to Missouri on Dec. 29 in a battle that came down to the final minute. The loss marks UK’s fourth over its past five games.

According to UK Athletics, the Wildcats would like to invite Big Blue Nation to “Kick Off the New Year” by joining the program in wearing your best pair of kicks. Fans are also encouraged to enter a raffle at the door for a free pair of custom shoes. 

Kentucky leads the all-time meetings with Arkansas, 25-14, in a series that began in 1983. UK also leads games played in Lexington, 16-3. The Wildcats have won 11 of the last 12 meetings. Making it 12 out of 13 later today would be a major momentum boost for Kyra Elzy’s group.

You can learn more about today’s matchup by reading Grant Grubbs’ preview here.