KSR Today: Wake Up With Rob Dillingham's Dunk And More From Kentucky-Louisville

Good morning and Happy Friday, Big Blue Nation. We’re still celebrating Kentucky‘s win over Louisville in the Yum! Center, where a Kentucky invasion took place last night. Blue got in to see the Wildcats beat the Cards, 95-76, in a special night for the BBN, UK’s basketball program, and the rivalry.

By halftime, Kentucky had a 20-point lead on Louisville’s home court. It could’ve worsened in the second, but Calipari let off the gas. Still, the 19-point victory and the Blue-White chants ringing throughout the arena were incredible.

Let’s recap more of Thursday’s fun to start our Friday…

Antonio Reeves named MVP

Antonio Reeves joined elite company with his high-scoring night against the Cards. With his 30-point effort in the Yum Center, Reeves became the fourth Kentucky Wildcat to ever drop 30 in the Battle of the Bluegrass.

He hit 10 of 16 shots from the field, four of five from outside, and gave Louisville 22 points by halftime. For his performance, Reeves received the Bluegrass Sports Commission’s MVP belt.

With a season high 30 points (22 in the first half), @KentuckyMBB @ToniooReeves is the BSC MVP award winner in this year’s #BattleoftheBluegrass pic.twitter.com/uG3lUKMGLc

— Bluegrass Sports Commission (@BGSportsComm) December 22, 2023

UK’s veteran guard was four points shy of Derrick Miller’s record of 34 points against Louisville. Kenny Walker (32) and Tony Delk (30) are also in Kentucky’s 30 Club in the rivalry game.

Reed Sheppard set the rivalry game’s assist record

While Reeves filled up the scoreboard, Reed Sheppard set a new Kentucky high for assists in the Louisville game. Sheppard dished out 11 assists, a new school record in the game, plus 11 points, four rebounds, two steals, and a PLUS TWENTY-SEVEN in the +/- column.

The double-double was the first of Sheppard’s career.

More stats from the 95-76 win

Let’s watch those highlights again

We’ll start with Rob Dillingham‘s exclamation point dunk, my favorite moment in the entire game.

ROB DILLINGHAM SHOWTIME 🙀 pic.twitter.com/cMg9G5Apnw

— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) December 22, 2023

UK Sports Video has more highlights from a fun night in the Derby City:

Kentucky-Louisville In Photos

John Calipari’s Postgame Press Conference

After the game, John Calipari spoke for close to 10 minutes about the victory in his postgame press conference. Also in that conversation, he made the case for Kenny Payne to stay at UofL and voiced his frustrations with the NCAA regarding Zvonimir Ivisic‘s pending eligibility case.

Calipari expects Ivisic to return to Lexington from the holiday break in time for the Illinois State game a week from today.

Hear from Tre Mitchell and Antonio Reeves, too.

Kentucky landed Billy Richmond’s commitment

Before the game tipped off, Billy Richmond announced his commitment to Kentucky. The four-star wing became the fifth member of Kentucky’s 2024 recruiting class, picking the Cats over Memphis, LSU, and Alabama early Thursday evening.

“The reason I chose Kentucky is because it felt like this where I need to be,” Richmond told On3’s Joe Tipton. “Felt like home basically. Great coaching staff, a lot of family ties which made it comfortable and confident for me to pick Kentucky, and just Cal always keeping it real with me.”

More on Richmond: What Billy Richmond’s commitment means for Kentucky

Cutter Boley received his Paul Hornung Award

More from Thursday in the city of Louisville. Around lunchtime, Cutter Boley received his Paul Hornung Award as the state’s top high school football player. UK recruiting coordinator Vince Marrow was in attendance to support the four-star QB, who signed with Kentucky on Wednesday.

Kentucky QB commit Cutter Boley was honored with the Paul Hornung Award today as the state’s top high school player.

Vince Marrow made an appearance too. pic.twitter.com/sYy0LeFcY3

— Zack Geoghegan (@ZGeogheganKSR) December 21, 2023

JJ Weaver coming back for another year

Lost in all of the excitement of yesterday, JJ Weaver announced his return to Kentucky Football for another year. The MVP of this year’s Governor Cup released a video to say, “I’m coming back for my last year. You dig?”

Unfinished business. Let’s go!! #BBN pic.twitter.com/ZIZOKt0wDE

— JJ Weaver (@jjtimeee) December 21, 2023

KSR is live from KSBar and Grille today

Coming up at 10 a.m., Matt Jones, Ryan Lemond, and I will be at KSBar and Grille for two hours of KSR’s morning radio show. It’s the last show before Christmas and we have LOTS to say, obviously.

Tune in, or even better, stop by and say hi if you’re in the area.

Go Cats.