KSR Today: Spring Football Kicks Off, First Four Tips Off

Just as March Madness is shifting into overdrive, we’ve got football to talk about. This morning, Kentucky Football spring practice kicks off, with 15 on-field practices culminating in the Spring Game on April 13. The first of those is this morning at the Joe Craft Training Center.

At another Joe Craft Center across campus, the Kentucky Basketball team is preparing for its run in the NCAA Tournament, which tips off this evening with the First Four. After getting in one more practice in Lexington, the Cats will make their way to Pittsburgh, where they’ll face No. 14 seed Oakland on Thursday night. Back across campus, the Kentucky Baseball team hosts Evansville tonight.

So much UK Athletics happening, so little time. We’ll cover it all, but first, a message from our friends at Louisville City and Racing Louisville.

Kentucky Sports Radio has teamed up with Louisville City and Racing Louisville to provide you discounted tickets in 2024! Both clubs play at beautiful Lynn Family Stadium, the perfect place to spend an evening while the Cats aren’t in action. LouCity is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, while Racing is the city’s only top-tier pro sports team newly featuring UK Hall of Famer Arin (Gilliand) Wright.

Mark Stoops opens Spring Practice

We haven’t heard from Mark Stoops in an official capacity since Kentucky lost to Clemson in the Gator Bowl on Dec. 29. Today, Stoops will meet with reporters following Kentucky’s first spring practice. I’m sure he’ll be asked about hiring Bush Hamdan as offensive coordinator and how new quarterback Brock Vandagriff is adjusting to his new school and system. Also, the return of Eric Wolford as offensive line coach and the addition of Daikiel Shorts as wide receivers coach.

Nick Roush previewed spring practice yesterday and is already in Lexington to bring you the latest. The updates will start rolling in once practice wraps in a few hours. While you wait, check out his spring practice preview in yesterday’s First Down Kentucky.

3-star OL Isaac Sowells on campus

One very important visitor will be taking in Kentucky’s first spring practice. Three-star offensive lineman Isaac “Spike” Sowells is the first of a dozen prospects expected to visit the program in the coming weeks. The 6’2″ 290 lbs. standout from Louisville Male is considered the fourth-best 2025 recruit in the state and one of Kentucky’s top targets in the class, already visiting campus multiple times. Here’s hoping he enjoys his day in Lexington.

Changes coming to the starting lineup?

The Kentucky Basketball team leaves for Pittsburgh tonight. Will we see a different starting lineup take the floor vs. Oakland on Thursday? John Calipari didn’t totally rule it out. On his radio show last night, Calipari downplayed the importance of the starting lineup — even though Kentucky started the game in an 8-1 hole vs. Texas A&M — but he did say he’d consider making changes against a team that plays a lot of zone…like Oakland.

“We have to start better,” he said. “Hopefully, if I do make any change, it will be because we need to start better against the zone. We’ll see.”

While Calipari didn’t mention the Cats’ opponent directly in his starting lineup comments, he did talk about the Golden Grizzlies’ unique zone and how Kentucky will have to combat it with an aggressive style of play. He also said he discussed potential changes to the starting lineup with one of his players, who said he’d trust whatever decisions Calipari makes. Hmm…

“Confident” and “Courageous” Cats

Cal spent most of the rest of his show talking about how he’s encouraging his team to tune out the “clutter” and “narratives” out there following the early exit from the SEC Tournament. We’ve heard that a million times in the past month, so I’ll focus instead on the two words he’s telling his team to live by this week: “confident” and “courageous.” Cal said he wants his guys to play loose and happy in the tournament and, when the opportunity arises, be ready for their March moment.

“If you’re going to hit game winners, you’re not afraid to miss it. If it goes in, it goes in. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t. But you’re not afraid to miss. That’s courage.”

I don’t know about you guys, but I need a Rob Dillingham and/or Reed Sheppard March moment. The entire country does.

Let the games begin!

Do people still use channel numbers? If so, it’s time to remember which one is truTV because the 2024 NCAA Tournament officially tips off tonight with the first two of the First Four. Wagner takes on Howard for the No. 16 seed in the West Region at 6:40 p.m. ET, followed by Colorado State vs. Virginia for the No. 10 seed in the Midwest Region.

Here’s the complete First Four schedule, with the latest odds from FanDuel.

Tuesday, March 19

• (16) Wagner vs. (16) Howard [-3.5] | 6:40 p.m. | truTV
• (10) Colorado State [-2.5] vs. (10) Virginia | 9:10 p.m. | truTV

Wednesday, March 20

• (16) Grambling vs. (16) Montana State [-3.5] | 6:40 p.m. | truTV
• (10) Colorado [-2.5] vs. (10) Boise State | 9:10 p.m. | truTV

On Monday, the NCAA Tournament unveiled the courts for the 2024 tournament. The one in Phoenix is pretty sweet.

The official #MarchMadness courts for the 2024 Men's NCAA Tournament 🤩 pic.twitter.com/tXjTdyuv3z

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 18, 2024

Kentucky Baseball hosts Evansville

Coming off a successful sweep of Georgia, Kentucky Baseball (17-3, 3-0 SEC) dips back into nonconference play to host the Evansville Purple Aces tonight at Kentucky Proud Park. It’s the final game of a lengthy homestead for the Cats, who head to Columbia, Missouri this weekend for their first SEC road series. Kentucky is now No. 21 in the NCBWA rankings and No. 12 in the NCAA RPI. Evansville (9-10, 0-0 MVC) is coming off a 1-2 weekend on the road at Michigan State.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET. If you can’t be there in person, it will be broadcast on SEC Network+ and UK Sports Network. Daniel Hager will be by later with a complete preview.

KSR’s NCAA Tournament Preview Show

How does the KSR crew believe Kentucky will fare in a make-or-break postseason for Calipari? Tonight, you can tune into the KSR YouTube Channel to find out. At 8 p.m. ET, our staff will share our upset picks, Final Four picks, National Champions, and, in case Kentucky isn’t among any of those, our thoughts on how the Cats will do. Subscribe to the channel to receive a notification when we’re live. Last night, Jack Pilgrim and Shawn Smith shared their thoughts on Kentucky’s postseason chances on a new episode of Sources Say:

Former President Barack Obama has Kentucky going all the way to the National Championship game and losing to UConn:

My picks are in! I sat down to talk about them with @CraigMalRob and @UKCoachCalipari on their podcast Ways To Win from @HGMedia. Check out our conversation wherever you get your podcasts. And please don’t rub it in when my bracket gets busted. https://t.co/pVLfuHjYmo pic.twitter.com/la2NTDh1z7

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) March 19, 2024

In this scenario, let’s hope for a different ending than the last title game vs. the Huskies.

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