Saturday's Top 10: A WILD Football Friday, Bowden's Announcement and a Matchup with Auburn

[caption id="attachment_214766" align="alignnone" width="2048"] Badet photo by AP; Bowden photo by R. Michael Semple, Tribune Chronicle.[/caption] Normally gamedays begin by discussing the game, but today is different.  Yesterday I woke up to Ryan Lemond's laugh.  The roster news didn't end there.  We might even receive more football roster news before the day is done.  Here's what happened and what could happen before the day is done.

1. Jeff Badet to Graduate, Transfer

Kentucky's leading wide receiver is leaving the program.  Badet caught 31 passes for 670 yards and 4 touchdowns.  At 21.6 yards per catch, he led the SEC in yards per catch and was sixth in the nation.  What's most problematic: Kentucky's two fastest players on the 2016 team, Boom and Badet, left with a year of eligibility remaining. It stinks, but it makes sense.  Badet was recruited into an Air Raid offense.  He struggled with injuries until his talents were finally validated this year, but in a run-first offense.  Even as Kentucky's greatest homerun threat, getting 10 caches in a game is improbable.  The most any receiver had in a single game this season was when Badet caught seven passes against Miss. State. It stinks, but it makes sense, and we wish him the best. Moving forward, Kentucky has plenty of receivers ready to fill his spot.  Tavin Richardson, Jabari Greenwood and Kayaune Ross have adequate experience on the outside, and Garrett Johnson can be a speedy deep ball threat (just ask UofL).  Also, the highest-ranked recruit in the 2017 class, Javonte Richardson, plays his position.

2. UK Announces Seven Mid-Year Signees

Fifteen minutes after breaking the Badet news, Kentucky announced the addition of seven early enrollees: QBs Danny Clark and Walker Wood, WR Clevan Thomas, RB Bryant Koback, OLB Jamin Davis, and DBs Cedrick Dort and Lonnie Johnson.  Of the seven, JUCO safety Lonnie Johnson is the only one guaranteed to play immediately, filling the holes left by Blake McClain and J.D. Harmon. Jamin Davis is Freddie' favorite, but mine is Bryant Koback.  Koback's play is reminiscent of Benny Snell's.  He doesn't run over people like Snell, but he plays with a low pad level, carrying his momentum forward whenever he's hit. Koback could have attained some HUGE offers, but was injured in just the fifth game of the season.  Prior to the injury, Koback rushed for 1,096 yards on 93 carries (11.78 yards per carry) and 21 touchdowns in just four games (more than 5 scores per game).  His highlights are not too shabby. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtXrTuK3m68 You can see highlights from of all seven early enrollees here.

3. Lynn Bowden Announcement

Before the craziness of yesterday, I planned on leading off with Bowden's announcement.  Even with a home basketball game, the potential addition of Bowden is the biggest news of the day.  He's that good. I've ranted and raved about Bowden before, but you can't say enough about Youngstown's finest.  The No. 5 athlete in the nation is a program-changing player.  Just like Boom Williams, Bowden has the potential to bust open a big play on any given snap.  Bowden is set to choose between Penn State, West Virginia and the Cats.  If Ohio State stays away, Bowden will be in blue next fall. Bowden said he'll announce "around 1:45ish."  Don't wait around on your computer for the announcement like last Saturday.  Just download the KSR app (Google Play and iTunes), turn your notifications on and I'll let the sound of Ryan Lemond's laughter bring you joyful news.

4. Bruce Pearl Returns to Rupp

The former head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers is in his third season at Auburn.  This year the Tigers are 11-5, but I'm more focused on the coach than the players.  Pearl has a 2-7 record against John Calipari.  He's never won at Rupp Arena, but the Tigers enter with a one-game winning streak over the Cats after last year's win at Auburn Arena. Even though he's been a Tiger for three years now, this is still the first thing that comes to mind every time I hear Pearl's name. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="940"] Getty Image[/caption]

5. Quick-Hitters on Today's Game

• It tips-off at 4:00 on ESPN with Tom Hart, Kaylee Hartung and Kara Lawson Barling on the call.
• The KSR Pregame Show begins at 1:30 on 630 WLAP.
• Auburn is led by Mustapha Heron, a fourth team preseason All-SEC selection. Heron averages 16.2 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.
• Auburn has two signature wins. They beat Oklahoma by four and defeated UConn by three in overtime.

More on the Tigers later today.

6. Go Behind-the-Scenes for Today's Game

Drew Franklin is busting out the Snapchat machine to take you behind-the-scenes for today's game at Rupp Arena.  From watching warm-ups on the floor to the City BBQ nachos, Drew will show you what it's like to cover a Kentucky basketball game for KSR.  Take a pic of the pic below or add him at drew_franklin.

7. Watch Bamba Play Ayton After UK

After you watch your Kentucky Wildcats, grab a meal, then head back to your TV to see the two best post players in the country face off at 8:00 on ESPN.  DeAndre Ayton, the No. 1 player in the nation, is committed to Arizona.  Mohamed Bamba, the No. 3 player in America, first entered Cal's radar after dominating Ayton in the first event of this year's EYBL.  The 247 Composite gives UK and Duke a 50/50 shot at landing Bamba. The Cats are also recruiting Bamba's teammate, Cameron Reddish.  The No. 4 player in the 2018 class, John Calipari watched the Westtown teammates play on Wednesday.

8. Today's Sports Schedule

With the NFL Playoffs beginning at 4:35, it's a front-loaded college basketball schedule.

• Noon: Trippers vs. Strippers on ESPN
• Noon: UGA at No. 23 Florida on ESPN2
• Noon: UConn at Georgetown on Fox
• 2:00: No. 9 Florida State at No. 11 North Carolina on ESPN
• 2:00: Oklahoma State at No. Kansas on ESPN2
• 2:00: No. 15 Xavier at No. 12 Butler on FS1
• 4:00: No. 10 West Virginia at Texas on ESPN2
• 4:30: No. 1 Baylor at No. 25 Kansas State on ESPNU
• 4:35: Seahawks at Falcons on Fox
• 8:15: Texas an Patriots on CBS
• 10:00: No. 21 St. Mary's at No. 5 Gonzaga on ESPN2

9. You Need to start Watching Taboo

This week FX debuted Tom Hardy's new show Taboo.  I will not geek, but let's just say I'm glad I used my DVR. Without providing spoilers, I'll set the scene.  It's London in 1814.  Many thought Hardy's character was dead, but he returns from Africa for his father's funeral.  His inheritance causes a split between Hardy and the East India Company.  Hardy's badassery and the wonderfully created setting will make this show one of the best this year.  Hurry up and start it before you get too far behind.

10. Ali's 75th Birthday Celebration Begins Today

Muhammad Ali would have turned 75 this upcoming Tuesday.  The Center bearing his name will host a four-day celebration beginning today.  There will be a service project with Ali Center staffers, a new Ali Art Tribute exhibit and free film screenings in the auditorium.  Today's lineup features a documentary I'm ashamed I've yet to see, When We Were Kings. Ali Bomaye! 10:00 a.m.: Ali Rap 11:00 a.m.: When We Were Kings 1:00 p.m.: The Trials of Muhammad Ali 3:00 p.m.: Muhammad Ali: Through the Eyes of the World Unfortunately, it will not be as star-studded as his 50th birthday celebration. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pq1v5R8L3jw w