Good morning, folks! And Happy Sunday to everyone. I hope you’ve enjoyed your weekend so far. It’s hard not to when Kentucky football spring practice is in the air. Have you been out to Keeneland yet? How’s the construction out there? I’d like to know what I’m getting into when I make my trek over there next weekend.
Also next weekend is the Kentucky football Spring Game at Kroger Field. The KSR crew was actually able to get a sneak peek at what Mark Stoops’ squad has been up to during the last few weeks of spring practice. Stoops opened up Saturday’s practice to the media where we had plenty of boots on the ground to soak in the action.
KSR’s Nick Roush and Adam Luckett have a full breakdown of their top takeaways from yesterday’s practice that you can read here. If you’re more of a watcher/listener than a reader, we’ve got you covered there too with a Rapid Reaction, which you can find below along with over 11 minutes of spring practice highlights.
One thing to keep in mind? Kentucky is a bit banged up right now (JJ Weaver is fully healthy though). Stoops said yesterday that next weekend’s Spring Game won’t feature traditional tackling, instead using a “thud” style. It’ll be more like a full-on spring practice as opposed to an actual scrimmage. Regardless, that will be a great first chance at getting to see the 2024 edition of the Wildcats led by Georgia transfer QB Brock Vandagriff.
KSR’s Spring Practice Rapid Reaction
Spring Practice highlights
Bat ‘Cats look to sweep Alabama
There simply isn’t a hotter team in SEC baseball right now than Nick Mingione’s Wildcats. After No. 17 Kentucky (26-4) took down No. 13 Alabama by a score of 6-2 on Friday, Saturday’s matchup was even more favorable for the ‘Cats. UK shutout the Crimson Tide 7-0 to capture the series with a chance for the full sweep later today.
For a full recap of Saturday’s win, check out Daniel Hager’s write-up here.
Kentucky is now 10-1 in SEC play this season (and 8-0 against ranked teams), the best start in program history. This current six-game win streak in the SEC is the longest under Mingione, who is now just 16 victories away from becoming the school’s second-winningest coach. The ‘Cats have also won 14 of its last 15 games since a surprising home series loss to Kennesaw State.
Today’s series finale against the Tide is set for 12:00 p.m. EST on the SEC Network at Kentucky Proud Park.
Iowa vs. South Carolina for the WBB title
We’ve got a potential thriller in store this afternoon to decide the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball National Champion. Iowa (34-4) and National Player of the Year Caitlin Clark against top-ranked and undefeated South Carolina (37-0).
After the Final Four matchups between UConn-Iowa and South Carolina-NC State saw record TV numbers, don’t be shocked if today’s game does it again. Clark is the main draw with her limitless range, passing abilities, and overall (slightly terrifying) intensity, but South Carolina, led by legendary head coach Dawn Staley, is on the brink of establishing a full-on women’s college basketball dynasty.
Will South Carolina win its second title in three years and third since 2017? Or will Clark and Iowa get revenge on last season’s title game loss to LSU?
Tipoff is set for 3:00 p.m. EST on ABC/ESPN. The Gamecocks currently sit as a 6.5-point favorite, per FanDuel, with the over/under set at 160.5.
The MBB championship is set
The 2024 NCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship stage is officially set. Both of the 1-seeds in action, UConn and Purdue, truly didn’t have much issue advancing out of the semifinals.
The defending champion Huskies took down 4-seed Alabama 86-72 in a game that was closer than the final score indicated, but one that was still dominated by the winning side for most of the night. All five of UConn’s starters reached at least 12 points in scoring. The Huskies have now won 11 straight NCAA Tournament games by at least 13 points.
On the other end of the bracket, Purdue flat-out had NC State’s number from start to finish. The Wolfpack did enough to never let the Boilermakers run away with the win, but Purdue was always ahead by at least 5-6 points. Even on a night when Zach Edey turned the ball over five times, he still dropped 20 points and 12 rebounds on 9-14 shooting.
UConn and Purdue have been the top two teams for practically the entire season. It’s no major shock that they ended up in the title game. Tipoff for the crown is Monday night at 9:20 p.m. EST on TBS. UConn is currently a 6.5-point favorite with the over/under set at 146.5.
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Somto Cyril is stronger than us
Kentucky’s class of 2024 signee, Somto Cyril, might just be the strongest high schooler on the planet. The 6-foot-10, 250-pound beast was caught on video deadlifting over 600 pounds of weight with ease.
Cyril is ranked as the No. 42 overall senior in the country, per the On3 Industry Ranking. With strength like that, Kentucky shouldn’t lack much physicality whenever he’s on the floor. Cyril averaged 9.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks per outing this past season at Overtime Elite.
The post KSR Today: Spring Practice recap, WBB championship, Bat ‘Cats look to sweep appeared first on On3.