Even With Terry Wilson Out, Positivity is Surrounding Lexington

~ Tristan Pharis ~ Leave a comment

This weekend the Kentucky football team will take on the No. 9 Florida Gators at Kroger Field.

After last year’s victory over Florida in Gainesville and a 10-win season, Coach Stoops and company confirmed this is no longer the Kentucky Football of the past, and the Cats are ready to compete with Florida and Georgia in the SEC East.

Now without Terry Wilson, beating Florida and starting a streak of our own seems a little more daunting but it can be done and there is a buzz in Lexington and some big news

Xavier Peters Has Been CLEARED To Play

The NCAA has a heart and has made the right decision as they cleared linebacker, Xavier Peters.

Peters, a former high school All-American, transferred from Florida State in the Spring in an effort to be closer to his family and his one-year-old son in Cincinnati.

With so much depth at the linebacker position, Peters is unlikely to start until he is able to get his game feet under him. With that being said, Peters definitely has the talent and potential to make an impact this season.

Two More UK Basketball Commitments this Week?

The fall recruiting period just began on Monday and the Cats are poised to get two more commitments to add to next year’s class, which could be one of Cal’s best at UK.

Lance Ware, a four-star recruit, is described as a “finesse forward”. After being visited on Tuesday, Ware is set to make a decision this Thursday. All signs are pointing towards the Cats.

Terrence Clark, a top-five recruit in the 2021 class, is widely expected to reclassify to the 2020 class barring any academic hurdles. At 6-7, Clark is an elite athlete with elite scoring ability.

Clark is set to announce his college decision on Thursday, and his Crystal Ball is currently 100% Kentucky. If Clark does commit to Kentucky, he will the highest-ranked commit since Skal Labissiere in 2016.

As Lynn Bowden says, lets have a fun weekend and “come see about it”.

John Calipari, the Next UK Quarterback?

~ Tristan Pharis ~ Leave a comment

Football returned to the bluegrass and it is as good as time as any to bring back this video of Swaggy Cal, and to remind Coach Stoops and Company that they have another quarterback on campus.

With that accuracy, Cal could give Tua Tagovailoa and Trevor Lawerence a run for the Heisman.

In all reality, Coach Cal was a solid athlete once upon a time and played D-1 basketball at UNC Willmington, but it looks like being a college basketball coach has more than worked out for him.

#CAL4HEISMAN

Terry Wilson to Wear No. 22 in Honor of Jared Lorenzen

~ Tristan Pharis ~ Leave a comment

UK Hall of Famer and former quarterback Jared Lorenzen passed away in early July after battling an infection.

The Big Blue Nation and the entire country responded with nothing but love and support. In addition to the University announcing “Jared Lorenzen Day” Ā on Oct. 12 as the Wildcats take on the Arkansas Razorbacks, quarterback, Terry Wilson is doing his part.

As the Cats took on Toledo on Saturday, Wilson dawned these custom “Jared Lorenzen” cleats created by True Blue Customs.

During the Third Quarter of the Toledo broadcast, the SEC Network confirmed the rumor that Terry Wilson will wear No. 22 on Oct. 12 as the Cats take on Arkansas in Lexington.

October 12th will be a special day in the Bluegrass, don’t miss a “hell of a game” as Touchdown Terry dawns the No. 22.

Football Is Back In the Bluegrass: Beat Toledo

~ Tristan Pharis ~ Leave a comment

It has been 242 days since Kentucky’s New Year’s Day victory in the Citrus Bowl, but fear no more, it is Game Day in the Bluegrass!

GET HYPE

“They built this thing up to be a program, it was not about just one year. THEY’RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE.“

Keys to Victory

Limit Bryant Koback

The Rocket’s biggest offensive weapon is a former Wildcat. After transferring from Kentucky, Koback became one of the MAC’s best running backs as a redshirt sophomore with 917 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Take Advantage of Toledo’s Offensive Line

Last season the Rockets, gave up 30 sacks and 80 tackles for loss, and while Josh Allen is not lining up to dominate, the UK defensive line is more than capable of having a big day

Toledo’s Weak Secondary

Similar to Kentucky this season, the Toledo secondary is a big uncertainty. Last season, the Rocket’s secondary did not perform well and they lost six of their starters. If Terry Wilson and the Cats want to throw it 40+ times, this is the game to do it.

Saturday’s Uniforms

If you look good, you play good. Take a look at the beautiful blue and white combination the Cats will wear against Toledo.

The Big Blue Drum Debut

The newest feature at UK football games, the Big Blue Drum, will make its regular-season debut and will feature a former Wildcat before every game this season.

2019 Football Captains

On Friday, Coach Stoops picked is 2019 captains and it would be very difficult to pick a better group.

Now let’s BEAT TOLEDO, GO CATS!

BBN Wake Up! There is a New Cat Coming to Lexington, Kelvin Joseph

~ Tristan Pharis ~ Leave a comment

YAHTZEE! While most of the BBN was getting tucked into bed Monday night, reports were coming out fast about former LSU defensive back and transfer, Kelvin Joseph.

Around 9 pm ET on Monday night, it was reported that Joseph was in Lexington taking a visit, and not even two hours later, Joseph announced his commitment to the University to Kentucky.

Joseph’s commitment follows a “Jarren Williams” type journey, as he entered the transfer portal twice before committing to Kentucky over the likes of Florida, Auburn, Mississippi St., and others.

Joseph is undoubtedly one of the most talented gets in the Secondary to ever choose to play at Kentucky.

As a standout player back in high school, Joseph was as the 42nd overall recruit (24/7 Sports), and had his pick of where to attend college receiving offers from practically every college, including Alabama and Clemson.

In his lone season at LSU, Joseph played in nearly every regular game, however, that time was limited in a very loaded LSU secondary. In that limited time, Joseph amassed 12 tackles and one pass deflection for the season.

One thing to note is that during Joseph’s rocky tenure at LSU, the one game that Joesph did miss was the Fiesta Bowl, as he was suspended for a ā€œviolation of team rulesā€. Coach Mark Stoops and Company have shown the ability to develop players off the field and will look to do the same with Joseph.

Joseph will join an already loaded and historic 2020 recruiting class that could help Kentucky Football to take the BIG step.

P.S. It looks like Joseph is already doing his part on the recruiting trail and is recruiting former LSU teammate, defensive back, Mannie Netherly, who announced he entered the transfer portal on Monday night.

Kentucky Football is Back, IT’S GAME WEEK!

~ Tristan Pharis ~ Leave a comment

One of the most exciting times of the year is back, College Football season!

It has been nearly nine months since Kentucky capped off a historic ten-win season with their Citrus Bowl win over Penn State, and the Wildcats will look to make another run at ten wins as they kick off the season against the Toledo on Saturday.

Let’s take a look at some of Monday’s football headlines.

Coach Stoop’s Press Conference

Swaggy Stoops Anyone?

It’s no secret the Coach Stoops is much more confident now that he has built a program that can back it up with their play. Stoops has and continues to build something special in Lexington.

Take a look at today’s presser.

Still No Decision on Xavier Peters’ Eligibility

With five days left till kickoff, the NCAA has yet to make a decision on the eligibility of linebacker, Xavier Peters, who transferred from Florida State as a redshirt freshman back in the Spring.

The Cincinnati native and former high school All-American made the decision to transfer in an effort to be closer to his family and his one-year-old son.

In his weekly press conference, Stoops’ when on to say, “Thereā€™s a lot of things that we had to get in order as well, information we had to get from Florida State. They have to do part, so it takes some time.ā€

Peters will definitely make an impact whenever he is able to play, however, the Cats are loaded at the linebacker positions with Kash Daniel, “Boogie” Watson, and DeAndre Square among others. I believe this will ultimately benefit Peters, giving him more time to learn the system

The Depth Chart

Can we go ahead put Lynn Bowden in the secondary too? Asking for a friend.

Toledo Had Praises for the Cats and Announce Starting QB

ā€œI think itā€™s a program thatā€™s built for stability and built for longevity”, said Toledo head coach, Jason Candle, when talking about Kentucky and Saturday’s matchup.

Candle also went on to name Mitch Guadagni, a fifth-year senior, the starting quarterback. Guadagni started only seven games last season after a shoulder injury, but finished with the MACā€™s highestĀ passing efficiency with over 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Toledo has talent, but they haven’t beaten a Power Five team since beating an 8-5 Arkansas team in 2015, 16-12. If this Kentucky team is who they say they are and are prepared to play, the Cats should win comfortably on Saturday.

Let’s have a fun season!

NFL Veterans Have High Praise for Josh Allen

~ Tristan Pharis ~ Leave a comment

It’s no secret that Josh Allen is one of the two best, if not the best, defensive player to ever play football for the University of Kentucky.

With that being said, it should take no one by surprise that the tenacious pass rusher and No. 7 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, is already making his name known in the NFL in only three preseason games.

Allen’s first play in the NFL preseason was a tackle for loss and he tossed a 326-pound tackle off his feet in Week 2.

In Allen’s most recent performance, Thursday against the Miami Dolphins, he had least four quarterback pressures with two tackles for losses, and seemingly was in on every early defensive play. Allen was a large part in only allowing one Dolphin first down against the Jaguar starting defense.

Allen’s impressive performance has put the league on notice and two NFL veterans are giving him high praise.

Fourteen-year veteran and starting Miami Dolphin Quarterback, Ryan Fitzpatrick, lined up against Allen on Thursday and had this to say.

Furthermore, fellow linebacker and teammate of Allen, Myles Jack, even compares Josh Allen to “LeBron James”.

Thus far, Josh Allen is looking like he could be the next quarterback nightmare of the NFL. I bet there are at least six NFL teams that wish they could have a redraft.

Tyler “Bucket” Herro Voted As Best Shooter In NBA Rookie Survey

~ Tristan Pharis ~ Leave a comment

In recent years, NBA.com has sat down with the rookie class before the start of the NBA season and conducted a survey amongst rookies at the annual Rookie Photo Shoot (42 this season).

Since John Calipari arrived at Kentucky and created the “BBNBA Factory”, Wildcats have dominated these surveys, and this upcoming season is no different.

Last season, the BBN experienced the Bucket that is Tyler Herro, including this “BIG Balls” shot.

Herro continues to show what is to come in his career in the NBA Summer League, averaging 19.3 ppg and 32 3P%. With his performances in College and the Summer League, Herro’s fellow Rookies voted Herro as the best shooter in the 2019 Rookie Class.

  1. Tyler Herro, Miami – 33%
  2. Kyle Guy, Sacramento – 29%
  3. Cam Johnson, Phoenix – 13%
  4. Ty Jerome, Phoenix – 8%
  5. Jordan Poole, Golden State – 4%

Herro will be making fashion statements off the court and will be getting buckets in a Heat uniform as it was always intended.

You can check out the rest of the results here.

Former Cat and Card Go 1-on-1 in Summer Workouts

~ Tristan Pharis ~ Leave a comment

Chris Brickley, is a former Louisville basketball player, and is known as the NBA’s top workout guru. His gymā€™s All-Star open runs ā€” including LeBron James and James Harden ā€” have made him a viral sensation.

Brickley has had several Cats in his open runs including Enes Kanter, Hamidou Diallo, Nick Richards, and Demarcus Cousins among others.

Today, Brickley posted a video of former Wildcat, Isaiah Briscoe, and former Card, Russ Smith, battling 1-on-1.

It’s safe to say that this Battle of the Bluegrass 1-on-1 features two of the toughest players from each school in recent memory.

After the NCAA vacated Louisville’s 2011-2015 seasons following “strippergate”, Smith’s college career has become largely irrelevant, but one thing will always be remembered.

NBA to Expand Mental Health Services

~ Tristan Pharis ~ Leave a comment

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 1 in 5 Americans lives with a mental illness, ranging from children to adults. Even more worrisome, only 41 percent of those people received professional health care or other services.

The stigma around mental illness is no secret, and it is emphasized when you throw in sports and “toughness”.

Mental Illness has affected some of the worlds greatest athletes including Michael Phelps, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and Serena Williams. However, the harsh reality is there a large number of athletes that are afraid to receive treatment due to fear of being called weak.

The NBA has always been one of the most innovative professional sports leagues, and they are setting another example for the sports world to follow as they have introduced an expanded set of mental health policies for this upcoming season.

Reportedly, all 30 teams received a memo with the following requirements.

  • All teams must have at least one mental health professional on retainer. Each professional must have “experience in assessing and treating clinical mental health issues.”
  • Each organization must “identify a licensed psychiatrist” available to help manage any mental health concerns.
  • All teams must, “enact a written action plan for mental health emergencies.”
  • All 30 teams need to attend a “health and wellness meeting” in Chicago in September.

This doesn’t directly affect Kentucky, but the effects of this movement will be felt in all levels of sports and will benefit future athletes in Kentucky blue and beyond.