The first domino of the Kentucky basketball offseason has fallen, as Kerr Kriisa has entered the transfer portal after receiving a medical redshirt.

Kriisa was an early fan favorite due to his energetic style of play and outgoing personality, but he appeared in just nine games for Kentucky this season after suffering a Jones fracture, which ultimately ended his season. He averaged 4.4 points, 3.8 assists, and 2.4 rebounds.

Kriisa has released a statement:

“To Coach Pope and the UK Coaching staff – It has been an absolute dream to play for the University of Kentucky. Thank you for your continued support.

To my teammates – I am so thankful for the relationships we’ve formed during my time at Kentucky, and I will keep those friendships for a lifetime.

To BBN – Your unending support of me and my team has been amazing. Playing at Rupp Arena in front of huge crowds has been a dream come true. I will always cherish my time in the Bluegrass state, and I wish Kentucky basketball all the best in the future.”

His last moment in a Kentucky uniform, was him getting back to play defense with that Jones fracture, and that says a lot about who Kerr Kriisa is.

Following the Wildcats’ Sweet Sixteen loss to Tennessee, he was in tears when talking to KY Insider.

“We brought the joy back to Kentucky,” Kriisa said. “To watch a group play, that plays for each other. That would take a bullet for each other. I’m just so sad.”

Krissa loved this team and he gave it all for the Cats when he was on the court this season.

Kriisa enters the portal with one year of eligibility remaining.

While it was the senior-heavy roster that dominated headlines throughout the year for Kentucky basketball, in their leave, there are still a collection of players who have the opportunity to return to Kentucky come November.

Starting with Travis Perry, he was the one player to give a definite answer, telling reporters, “Yeah, certainly,” that he would be back next season.

Fellow Kentucky native, Trent Noah, did not give a yes or no, but suggested that he would be back. “Just playing as hard as I can, that’s the main thing,” he said, answering what he would bring to the team next season. “Doing whatever I can to help the team win. It’s a privilege to wear this jersey, so whatever I am asked.”

Collin Chandler admitted that he hasn’t “thought about that whatsoever,” elaborating, “…we’ve been focused on what we’re doing and being present with this group.”

Chandler, who originally committed to BYU before following Mark Pope to Kentucky, had one of the most prominent arcs of improvement of any player on the team this year. ‘Cats fans would be happy to have him back if he so chooses. His fiancee recently shared an update on social media that she plans to move with Chandler to Kentucky this off-season.

Otega Oweh, who has one year of eligibility remaining, gave a similar answer: “I haven’t thought about none of that.”

Brandon Garrison kept it simple: “I’m going to go talk to Coach Pope and the staff and see what’s next for me.”

Time to Process

It’s fair for these players, regardless of where they stand as far as the transfer portal goes, to take the time to deal with a tournament loss before even considering such a question in the first place. Even so, Travis Perry delivered the clearest answer of the night, responding to the question of a return with an unequivocal “certainly.”

Regarding the rest of the roster, Brandon Garrison said that he’d talk to Coach Pope and his staff in order to determine his future, and beyond that, it’ll all come down to speculation. With the season officially over, Kentucky fans have entered the dreaded waiting game in regard to who’s coming, who’s leaving, and who’s staying.

But no matter what, every player on this year’s team deserves a hats off for their contributions to one of the most entertaining, memorable squads to ever roll through Rupp Arena. And at the end of the day, if Mark Pope has proven anything, it’s that he understands the transfer portal. Kentucky will be okay, along with whoever decides to stay.

The Kentucky Wildcats will face-off with the Tennessee Volunteers for the third time this season in the Sweet Sixteen, where Kentucky won each of the first two matchups. 

Head Coach Mark Pope and the heart-filled ‘Cats will look to beat Tennessee for the third time in a single season for the first time since 2005.

While previewing the game, Pope had nothing but nice things to say about the rival Volunteers. 

“If we really parse details, there’s certainly the emotional advantage of winning two that you feel like you know you can,” said Pope. “This is a great Tennessee team. It’s one of the top teams in the country. It’s the best defensive team in the country.” 

Pope, frankly, is right. The No. 2 seed rivals allow only 62.9 points per game, ranking eighth in the nation and hold one of the best defensive efficiency ratings in the nation. 

Although these stats haven’t really translated against the Wildcats this season, when it’s March, everything goes out of the door. 

It’s hard to beat a team three times. We know it, and legends have admitted it.

North Carolina vs. Duke (2024-25) 

North Carolina’s Dean Smith wrote in his memoir that “It was extremely hard to beat a good team three times in a row.” Look at his Tar Heels recently, who faced off against the Duke Blue Devils three times this season. Duke, by a landslide, was the better team all year, hinting at why the Cooper Flagg led team is still dancing.

Duke beat the Tar Heels by double-digit points in both of the regular season matchups, but in the ACC Tournament, no matter what the skill gap was, North Carolina outscored Duke 47-29 in the second half and would only lose by three points. 

When comparing a team who had lost only three games to one who had lost 13, you would think the score would be a landslide again. However, it’s hard to beat a team three times. 

Kentucky vs Auburn (2018-19) 

The Wildcats have experienced this downfall first hand in their last trip to the Elite Eight, where the No. 5 seed Auburn Tigers defeated them 77-71 in a heartbreaker. 

Kentucky had defeated the Tigers on the road 82-80 on Jan. 19 that year and would go on to blow them out by 27 points inside of Rupp Arena on Feb. 23.

Tyler Herro and Reid Travis would only combine for 16 points in the Elite Eight loss and Kentucky was sent home. 

Are we making some connections here? 

Michigan State vs. Maryland (2021-22) 

After Michigan State defeated Maryland on March 6 by a score of 77-67, this win would ironically, set up a rematch in the Big Ten Tournament the same week. 

After scraping by on the road earlier in the season by two points, and now beating them once again, Head Coach Tom Izzo would comment on the topic, stating “Now you’ve got to beat a team three times, but it is what it is.”

The No. 7 seed Spartans would scrape by once again, this time, by four points and would advance in the tournament.

Tonight, at approximately 7:39 p.m. ET, the ball will go in the air inside of Lucas Oil Stadium, and for 40 minutes, nothing else matters except surviving and advancing. 

However, that day old adage will linger in every Kentucky fan’s mind. 

“Can we actually beat Tennessee a third time?”