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UKFCU Presents, KSR Today: Kentucky vs. North Carolina in the CBS Sports Classic

Nick-Roush-headshotby:Nick Roush•12/18/21•

RoushKSR

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The University of Kentucky Federal Credit Union has been a proud partner of the Big Blue Nation for over 80 years! As a locally owned business, we are a proud supporter of the University of Kentucky Wildcats and all its fans. Whether you are a UK employee, student or fan, there’s a place for you at UKFCU!*

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*Membership eligibility required. Federally insured by NCUA.

The long and winding road to the CBS Sports Classic in Las Vegas is (thankfully) ending with a basketball game, just not the one we expected. It actually could end up being for the best.

Instead of taking on Player of the Year candidate E.J. Liddell and the Ohio State Buckeyes, Kentucky will play first-year head coach Hubert Davis’ North Carolina Tar Heels. Tip-off is set for 5:30 pm ET at T-Mobile Arena.

North Carolina leads the overall series 25-16, but the teams have evenly split the last 20 games, dating back to 1995. UNC won last year’s forgettable COVID-19 plagued CBS Sports Classic 75-63 in Cleveland.

Davis is 8-2 in his first season in Roy Williams’ seat. The Tar Heels have losses to a pair of top 25 teams, Tennessee and Purdue, and an impressive 21-point win over Michigan on their resume. North Carolina is currently unranked. They come in at No. 31 overall in the KenPom rankings, which project a 74-73 Kentucky victory (a 56% chance for a Wildcat win).

Kentucky Needs a Feel Good Win

When was the last time you got excited for a Kentucky basketball victory? It probably was that last-minute tip-in from E.J. Montgomery at Florida more than 20 months ago. Twenty months.

The BBN is starving for a big win. We just want to have some fun watching the Wildcats win a basketball game. Kentucky can provide that Saturday in Las Vegas and inject some much-needed momentum into the program. It’s time to deliver.

Incredible Hype Video

Let’s add another memory to this highlight reel today, shall we?

Vegas, TV, Radio

Set in Vegas, Kentucky fans scouring sports books in the desert can find the Wildcats as 2.5-point favorites over the Tar Heels. The total is set at 148.

Brad Nessler, Bill Raftery and Jamie Erdahl will be on the call for CBS. Tip-off is set for 5:30 pm ET at T-Mobile Arena. If you’d rather listen to the Voice of the Wildcats, there are multiple ways to hear today’s game.

  • AM: 840 WHAS, 630 WLAP
  • FM: 98.1 WBUL
  • Satellite: XM-191, Sirius-153, SXM App-962
  • Online: iHeart Radio

More Laughs from UofLoL

We’re reaching the point in UofL hi-jinx where it feels like we’re living in a scripted television show. It’s the only way to explain the ridiculousness that continues to happen on a regular basis. The latest episode of this stupid sitcom: UofL’s interim president, a UK grad, said during Friday’s commencement, “I love the University of Kentucky.”

Lori Stewart Gonzalez shared a statement Saturday morning following the publicized gaffe. “Ouch! I’ve given a lot of speeches, but last night wasn’t my finest hour. I will do better. Congratulations again, graduates, on all of your accomplishments! Ls up!”

Bowl Season is Here

The first bowl games kicked off Friday and they did not disappoint. Northern Illinois fell apart against Coastal Carolina in the final minutes of the Cure Bowl, and Middle Tennessee took home a win in the Bahamas Bowl thanks to this late, nasty hit.

This highlight wasn’t from a bowl game, but it’s still so awesome, I am obligated to share it.

Western Kentucky kicks off today’s bowl slate.

  • 11:00: Boca Raton Bowl, WKU vs. Appalachian State, ESPN
  • Noon: Celebration Bowl, Jackson State vs. South Carolina State, ABC
  • 2:15: New Mexico Bowl, UTEP vs. Fresno State, ESPN
  • 3:30: Independence Bowl, UAB vs. #13 BYU, ABC
  • 5:45: LendingTree Bowl, Eastern Michigan vs. Liberty, ESPN
  • 7:30: LA Bowl, Utah State vs. Oregon State, ABC
  • 9:15: New Orleans Bowl, #23 Louisiana vs. Marshall, ESPN

Disney pulls the plug on YouTubeTV

You won’t be watching any of those bowl games if you are a YouTubeTV subscriber. After Disney and Google failed to reach a renewal agreement, all ESPN properties, including your local ABC channels, were pulled from the popular streaming service.

To be frank, I am shocked they actually went through with this. Typically when you see warnings about content being pulled from a provider, they end up finally reaching a settlement. This time the greedy corporations did not fold to pressure. Hopefully, an olive branch will be extended soon. At least the BBN will not suffer this Saturday. Thanks, CBS.

King of the Bluegrass Continues

KSR was at Fairdale High School Friday night for one of the state’s most prestigious holiday hoops tournaments. Reed Sheppard had 15 points, 14 assists, eight rebounds, five blocks and five steals in a 72-56 North Laurel victory over Louisville Eastern, keeping hopes alive for a final between the Kentucky commit and Louisville commit Kaleb Glenn (Male). North Laurel will play David Padgett and David Levitch’s top 25 North Oldham team Sunday at 7:30 pm ET. The rest of the action resumes tonight at 6 pm ET.

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2025-02-01