KSR Today: Talking season is over for Kentucky basketball

The final non-game event of the Kentucky basketball preseason occurred on Tuesday. Head coach John Calipari and players spoke with reporters at Memorial Coliseum for the final talking event of the 2022-23 preseason.

KSR had boots on the ground to provide the Big Blue Nation with full coverage as the basketball talking season came to a close. Let’s get the party started this Wednesday by looking back at what was covered before Kentucky’s first official exhibition game arrives on Sunday.

Full John Calipari recap

To kick things off on Tuesday afternoon, John Calipari fielded questions from reporters from across the state and spoke for over 25 minutes. Everything from Saint Peter’s to how old the team is was discussed.

KSR has a full transcript of the Q&A or the full video. Take your pick.

The KSR squad rolled out coverage all night Tuesday as our basketball team reacted to everything Coach Cal had to say. All of your morning links can be found here:

• John Calipari opens up on the coal miner story
• Jacob Toppin keeps developing
• WATCH: Comments from Kentucky players
• Kentucky has some issues on defense
• Photo Gallery: Kentucky media day
• Daimion Collins continues to grow
• Tyler Ulis is back on campus

The content train did not stop there as Jack Pilgrim and Shawn Smith jumped into KSR’s virtual studios to record a fresh episode of “Sources Day” to discuss everything that was covered.

Expect some more coverage today as we’re still unpacking all that was learned here at KSR HQ.

Oscar Tshiebwe loves Kentucky

The Oscar Tshiebwe experience just keeps getting better for those in the Big Blue Nation. On Tuesday, the reigning national player of the year spoke with reporters and could not stop saying positive things about the Bluegrass State.

“I feel like I’m home,” Tshiebwe said. “I feel like I’m home every time I’m in this place. I feel like I’m home. I even told my mom, I said, listen, I’m not leaving Kentucky. I’m gonna live in Kentucky. I love farms. I’m going to live in Kentucky one day at a farm. Because this place, people love me a lot. And I love them.”

Kentucky’s top player also does not think he will miss any games this season as he recovers from a minor knee injury. You can check out the full interview with Big O on the KSR YouTube Channel.

Offense day at the football facility

It was a busy Tuesday on the University of Kentucky campus as the football program is also busy at work. The bye week is officially over as the Wildcats are deep into Tennessee prep ahead of Saturday night’s showdown at Neyland Stadium.

After we heard from Mark Stoops on Monday, the offense took center stage at the Joe Craft Football Training Facility with offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello, quarterback Will Levis, and wide receiver Barion Brown each fielding questions from reporters.

Pace of play was a huge talking point on Tuesday as Kentucky and Tennessee have drastically different styles on offense. The Cats know that they aren’t built to get into a shootout with the Vols, but efficiency will be critical. Kentucky must finish drives and play complementary football on Saturday.

The offense’s performance will go a long way in determining the result of this rivalry game. Scangarello’s unit must place the Kentucky defense in some good situations.

KSR will be back at the football facility on Wednesday evening to speak with the defensive personnel. Stay locked in with us as another episode of “11 Personnel” will drop on YouTube at 7:00 p.m. ET. Nick Roush will be making his return after a one-week absence as we get ready for a heavyweight fight in Knoxville.

Things are getting uncomfortable for Kirk Ferentz and Jimbo Fisher

Entering this college football season, there were many jobs that we knew would be on the hot seat. A few of those head coaches have already lost their jobs. Neither Kirk Ferentz nor Jimbo Fisher is about to get fired, but things are getting uncomfortable at Iowa at Texas A&M.

Following a blowout loss to Ohio State, Iowa sits at 3-4 (1-3) with a top-10 defense. How did the Hawkeyes get to this point? The offense is unbelievably gross ranking last or nearly last in just about every statistical category.

After an awful year in 2021, Ferentz decided to double down in year 24 by bringing back his son, Brian, as offensive coordinator. Only this time, the younger Ferentz was asked to coach quarterbacks this season after an awful offensive season last year. Well, not surprisingly, things have gotten worse after the Hawkeyes refused to find answers in the transfer portal.

Iowa is fresh off an embarrassing 54-10 loss to Ohio State where the only touchdown was a defensive score. Ferentz is now feeling some real media and fan pressure, and he responded by taking a perceived shot at a reporter on Tuesday.

Kirk Ferentz complimented his players on how they handled the media on Saturday. Then… said during his line of questioning, he felt he was being interrogated at times on Saturday.

“It dawned on me coming home, as bad as today was, I could have been that guy… had his job…” pic.twitter.com/C0qzpDd0rY

— David Eickholt (@DavidEickholt) October 25, 2022

Down in College Station, Texas A&M has made Jimbo Fisher a very rich man, but the results have not come as expected. The former Florida State head coach is in year five and is off to a 3-4 (1-3) start after signing the No. 1 class in the 2023 recruiting cycle. However, the offense is again a huge issue as the Aggies could be starting their third quarterback in Saturday’s home game against Ole Miss. But the on-field stuff isn’t the only issue.

Fisher has had some weird answers about the Aggies being close, and for the second time this season, some star freshmen have been suspended.

A rough Texas A&M season getting even rougher, as Jimbo Fisher suspended three freshmen indefinitely following Saturday’s loss to South Carolina.

All three are from the Aggies’ historic No. 1 recruiting class. @billyliucci on it 1st. Story @TheAthletic: https://t.co/kcK6bbT8pz

— Sam Khan Jr. (@skhanjr) October 25, 2022

In what is being called a “locker room incident”, this is yet another distraction as Texas A&M is having a season that is getting off the rails.

Things can change fast in college football.