KSR's Guide To New York and the CBS Sports Classic

This weekend, Kentucky Basketball and its traveling fan base will take over the Big Apple for the Wildcats’ annual appearance in the CBS Sports Classic. Kentucky will play UCLA in the second game of the doubleheader after the opening act of North Carolina versus Ohio State. The event will begin at 3 PM in Madison Square Garden with an estimated start time of 5:15 PM for Kentucky’s game.

For fans who are getting in there, KSR’s New York lover is here with tips and recommendations for a Big Blue weekend in the city. It’s Christmas time so there’s no shortage of options for fun, but I’ve narrowed the list down to some of my favorites after several holiday weekend trips around Manhattan.

But first, some basketball things to know and then the other non-basketball things.

KENTUCKY’S RECORD IN THE CBS SPORTS CLASSIC

Saturday’s CBS Sports Classic is the ninth of its kind since the two-game event began in 2014. This year, the Cats are playing to get back above .500 after splitting the first eight games with a 4-4 overall record.

Kentucky is also batting .500 against UCLA.

2014: (1) Kentucky 83, UCLA 44

2015: Ohio State 74, (4) Kentucky 67

2016: (6) Kentucky 103, (7) North Carolina 100

2017: UCLA 83, (7) Kentucky 75

2018: (19) Kentucky 80, (9) North Carolina 72

2019: (5) Ohio State 71, (6) Kentucky 65

2020: (22) North Carolina 75, Kentucky 63

2021: (21) Kentucky 98, North Carolina 69

FUN CBS SPORTS CLASSIC MEMORIES

Let’s ignore the losses and reminisce on the exciting wins from Kentucky’s CBS Sports Classic past. That first game against UCLA in 2014 was an all-timer.

Two years later, Malik Monk dropped 47 on North Carolina in Las Vegas.

Then two years after that, Ashton Hagans tied the all-time record for steals in a single game with eight in his breakout performance against North Carolina in Chicago.

And just last year, Kentucky beat North Carolina again in Vegas, this time by 29 points.

THERE ARE NO TICKETS (BUT THERE ARE TICKETS)

On Thursday, John Calipari called Saturday’s CBS Sports Classic maybe the toughest ticket to get since he’s been at Kentucky. “There are no tickets,” he said.

That may be the case in his brain, but in the real world, there are still tickets readily available at face value because the game has not yet sold out. There are lots of options on the secondary market too. It looks like you can get in the door for around 80 bucks.

Get your tickets here and be loud if you’re going. Go. Big. Blue.

FRIDAY NIGHT AND PREGAME FUN AT JACK DEMSEY’S

Kentucky fans looking for like-minded friends and “Go Big Blue” chants should consider one or both of the UK Alumni events at Jack Demsey’s, the official home of Big Blue Nation in New York. Jack Demsey’s is located at 36 W 33rd Street near the base of the Empire State Building and only a short walk to and from Madison Square Garden, making it a convenient stop for pre and postgame fun.

This weekend, there are two coordinated events but stop in anytime and you’ll likely run into Cats fans. There’s a high probability I’ll be in there too because it’s my favorite bar in the world and I say that as a bar owner. Anyway, here are two UK parties to consider:

FRIDAY NIGHT WITH JACK “GOOSE” GIVENS

Jack Givens will be at Jack Demsey’s Friday night to meet with fans and get the Big Blue Takeover started. Our friends at Day Chaser are also going to be there for giveaways and to keep the party stocked with their vodka and tequila canned cocktails.

SATURDAY PREGAME PARTY

Unless you sleep at Jack Demsey’s, which I’ve done, you’ll want to head back over there on Saturday to gather with fellow Kentucky fans before the game. The party will be on the third floor and it will last until Kentucky and UCLA tip off down the street. Then after the game, walk on back to celebrate the win or drink away a loss. Hopefully, it’s a big celebration.

CHRISTMAS SUGGESTIONS (BUT NOT THE OBVIOUS ONES)

A lap around midtown will fill up an entire day with touristy Christmas things, but here are a few gems I’ve found in the past, away from the obvious things like Macy’s and the Rockefeller tree and the Rockettes and Winter Village at Bryant Park. You should do some of those things too.

ROLF’S

There are many, many, many Christmas-themed restaurants, and Rolf’s is as Christmasy as you’ll find. Located near Gramercy Park at 22nd Street and 3rd Avenue, Rolf’s is a German restaurant that has to be in the conversation for a Christmas ornament world record.

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ICE SKATING IN CENTRAL PARK

I’m not an ice skater but I have found that the one in Central Park is better and not as chaotic as the rink at the Rockefeller Center or at Bryant Park. It’ll be cold out but a stroll through Central Park without ice skating is always a good time too.

DYKER HEIGHTS HOLIDAY LIGHTS

Over in Brooklyn, the Dyker Heights residential neighborhood goes crazy with Christmas lights and decorations. It’s pretty far out of the way if you’re staying near the action but worth the trip if you find yourself in or around Brooklyn.

230 FIFTH ROOFTOP

For a Christmas cocktail with a view, 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar gives its guests a big red robe when they enter to stay warm outdoors or you can rent an igloo for your entire party.

HUDSON YARDS

Hudson Yards is a new-ish tourist stop and at Christmas time the mall has more than two million lights shining down on shoppers and restaurant-goers. While you’re there, I highly recommend taking a trip up to Edge, the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere; although, I do not highly recommend standing over the glass floor that is 100 stories above the city streets.

SUNDAY FUNDAY

Anyone staying until Monday (or later) can have a fun-filled Sunday of watching more sports.

Watch the World Cup final at a pub

You can find good pubs all over the city and they should all be a fun atmosphere at 10 AM when Argentina and France meet in the World Cup final.

Watch Ian Jackson play in the Bronx

Up in the Bronx, five-star guard Ian Jackson of the Class of 2024 will play against Kiyan Anthony (that’s Carmelo’s son) when Jackson’s Cardinal Hayes High School hosts Christ The King at 1 PM. Don’t be surprised if Kentucky leaves a coach or two behind to check out that game and Jackson. I’ll be there. Maybe we can share an Uber?

Find your favorite NFL team’s bar

Most NFL fan bases have a set location in New York for watch parties. Do some Googling and you might find a great spot to support your Sunday team.

FIND KSR

KSR will be in New York from Friday until Monday and we’re doing lots of video content for the YouTube channel. If you run into us, we might ask you some questions about the Cats. We are also shooting a “24 hours in New York” video sponsored by our pals at Country Boy and there’s plenty of room for UK fan cameos.

See you there.