Men's Basketball

Kentucky vs Eastern Kentucky: TV/Streaming Info, Keys to the Game, and Predictions

Published

3 years ago

September 8, 2023

Kentucky Wildcats wide receiver Dane Key (6) and tight end Jordan Dingle (85) celebrate after Key scores a touchdown during the third quarter at Kroger Field.

When you open the season with a 30-point victory, covering the spread, you would anticipate the winning team being happy. That was not the case for the Kentucky Wildcats after beating Ball State 44-14.

“I don’t think I’ve ever won a game by that score and been so disappointed with some of our play,” Stoops said. That sentiment was shared by the rest of the staff and the players following the game. While always appreciative of the win, they made sure to note that is far from their best football.

Stoops also added that a team improves the most in-season between week one and week two, citing that the Wildcats“need to improve this week.

“We need to improve this week. We need to coach harder in more detail. We need to execute better in critical moments,” said Stoops.

What team stands in their way? That Eastern Kentucky Colonels. Let’s take a look at the matchup.

Focus on the Details and Execute

After a long talking season, it was clear players were eager to get on the field and play against a real opponent. Combine that with the game being several player’s first at Kentucky, especially on offense. This resulted in some uncharacteristic football at times from the Wildcats. That lack of attention to detail was the biggest complaint of the Kentucky staff.

“I tried like heck to constantly preach that in Game 1, because in Game 1, they have been training for so long and putting in all that hard work. They want everything to happen immediately. Instead of doing their job and doing it fundamentally sound, doing all of the things they’ve been coached to do,” said Stoops.

The theme of practice this week has been “details, details, details” as Kentucky offensive coordinator Liam Coen put it on Wednesday. Through practice this week, Stoops and Coen have been “impressed” and seem optimistic about how this team will respond come Saturday.

That starts with playing sound and clean football.

See More of the Offense

Looking at the Wildcats’ stats from their season opener, the offense racked up 357 total yards and 30 offensive points on just 51 plays, averaging out to 7 yards per play. In comparison, only one team in the FBS averaged more than 7 yards per play last season, the National Champion Georgia Bulldogs.

However, if you used the eye test, it would likely tell a different story. Your eyes would say the Kentucky offense did not do that great, nor that bad, it was solid. That would be true.

“I thought there was some really good things and some not-so-good things. It was just kind of the theme of the day,” Coen said of the game after practice on Tuesday. Getting a chance to look at the tape, Coen says the offense is “hungry” after seeing their missed opportunities.

With a renewed hunger and hopefully more plays, the offense will look to provide a more consistent showing against Eastern Kentucky.

Honoring a Legend and UK Connections

While preparing for this weekend’s contest, the Eastern Kentucky football family received the unfortunate news that legendary EKU Football coach Roy Kidd has been moved into hospice care. Serving as EKU’s head coach for more than three decades, Kidd led the team to more than 300 victories, 16 Ohio Valley Conference titles, and two national championships. He remains the sixth all-time winningest coach in NCAA history.

On a more positive note, Saturday’s contest will return two former Wildcats, CJ Conrad and Maxwell Smith, but this time they will be on the EKU sideline, where they both serve as assistant coaches.

“We’re all going to be trying to beat each other’s brains in on Saturday,” Stoops said. “After that, heck, they know where my house is and where my basement bar is. The door’s always open for those guys.”

Kentucky Wildcats (1-0) vs. Eastern Kentucky Colonels (0-1)

Time/Date: 3:00 pm ET on Saturday, September 9th, 2023

Location: Kroger Field in Lexington, Kentucky.

TV Channel: SEC Network+ and ESPN+ (go here for more info)

Online Stream: WatchESPN, ESPN+, SEC Network+, or the ESPN app.

Radio: Tom Leach and Jeff Piecoro have the UK radio network call on the UK Sports Radio Network.

Replay: WatchESPN and SEC Network (check local listings).

Rosters: UK | EKU

Odds: ESPN’s matchup predictor has an overwhelming amount of confidence in the Cats, giving them a 99.0% chance to win. Check back at DraftKings Sportsbook later this week for an official game spread.

Predictions: Kentucky runs away with this one and scores a 48-13 win, improving to 2-0 heading into next week’s clash with Akron.

Also published on A Sea of Blue.

BB Recruiting

James Madison Transfer Justin McBride to Visit Kentucky on Tuesday

Published

3 days ago

April 17, 2026

Tristan Pharis

Kentucky will host James Madison transfer James McBride for a visit on Tuesday, after communicating with Mark Pope and the staff via Zoom video call.

James Madison Athletics

While much of the attention in the transfer portal goes to the top targets, you need to build a full roster. Still with starting spots to be claimed, Kentucky also looking at depth pieces. The most recent, James Madison transfer Justin McBride.

After talking to the staff this week via Zoom video call, McBride is scheduled to take a visit to Lexington on Tuesday.

A three-star transfer, ranked 201st overall according to 247Sports, McBride is being recruited by multiple power conference teams including Baylor and Cal, as well as SEC foes Mississippi State and Ole Miss.

Out of high school, McBride was a four-star recruit, ranked in the top 150 nationally.

“He is a versatile player who has that IT factor about him. You can tell by the passion he plays with that there is a huge chip on his shoulder,” 247Sports asked program director Vonzell Thomas said as he evaluated McBride out of high school. “What I like about his game is his will to win. He does whatever it takes to win and not every kid has that mentality.”

From Texas, McBride committed to Oklahoma State over the likes of Kansas and Arkansas, where he played alongside former Wildcat Bandon Garrison. There, he appeared in just 24 games, averaging just over five minutes per game.

Seeking a larger role, McBride entered the transfer portal and dropped to the mid-major level, committing to Nevada. With the Wolfpack he nearly tripled both his minutes and production, averaging 7.8 points and 4.2 rebounds in just under 20 minutes per game. His most recent stop, James Madison this past season, McBride had a breakout year, averaging 15.3 points and 5.6 rebounds on 40 percent shooting from deep.

Entering his senior season, the 6-7, 240 pound McBride is eyeing a jump back to the power conference level, prioritizing fit at his next stop.

Will that be Kentucky?

McBride has good size and athleticism, and has an inside-out style of game. Meaning he can work his away around the paint, but can also space the floor with his shooting, grading fairly well as a catch and shoot guy. Overall, he ranks in the 97th percentile in scoring volume. That said, there is come consistency to be lacked on the defensive side.

BB Recruiting

Multiple Transfers Meet With Kentucky on Wednesday

Published

2 weeks ago

April 8, 2026

Tristan Pharis

The transfer portal is active, and Zoom stock is going up as college coaches are video chatting around the clock to build their rosters, including Kentucky.

On Wednesday, Mark Pope and the Kentucky staff added three more names to the Zoom list.

Alex Wilkins (Guard, Furman), 4⭐️, 46th-ranked transfer

Class: Sophomore
Physicals: 6-5, 175 lbs
Last season averages: 17.8 PPG, 4.7 APG, 46% FG, 32.8% 3P

An underrated prospect coming out of high school, Wilkins splashed on the scene this year at Furman. As a freshman, he led his team to the NCAA Tournament, averaging 17.8 points and 4.7 assists and earning second team All-SoCon honors.

There were few players as critical to their team’s success as Wilkins, leading the SoCon in possession usage (34.4%) and shot usage (31.7%). That does lend some explanation to his poor shooting splits and turnover concerns (3.8 turnovers per game).

A quick, wirey guard, Wilkins is a capable scorer at all three levels, and can create for his teammates. However, he needs to add some muscle for power conference competition, and needs to have more consistent effort on the defensive end.

A freshman, those are both correctable things.

Isaac Celiscar (Forward, Yale), 4⭐️, 84th-ranked transfer

Class: Junior
Physicals: 6-6, 210 lbs
Last season averages: 13.2 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 3.2 APG, 57.3% FG, 40.7% 3P

Isaac Celiscar is one of the most efficient, versatile players in the transfer portal.

The first takeaway, averaging 13.2 point per game with 57.3 percent shooting, he is extremely efficient on limited opportunities. Shooting nearly 41 percent from deep, he is a threat from deep as well. That efficiency carries over to his passing, as he averages more than three assists per game, on just 1.3 turnovers per game.

Celiscar grades out as a glue-guy with great offensive skills and good feel for the game, but he does have limitations in terms of his athleticism and shot creation.

Jalen Cox (Guard, Colgate), 3⭐️ , 149th-ranked transfer

Class: Senior
Physicals: 6-3, 180 lbs
Last season averages: 17.9 PPG, 5.3 APG, 5.0 RPG, 52.1% FG, 36.5% 3P

Jalen Cox is the lowest ranked player Kentucky has reached out to, but the Wildcats need depth and Cox is a experienced guard with proven production.

Averaging 17.9 points and 5.3 assists (2.0+ assist-to-turnover ratio) per game on 52 percent shooting from the field, Cox is a versatile and efficient offensive player. He has also multiple conference All-Defense selections too, making him a two way player.

The biggest concern with Cox is his athletic ceiling and how that translates to power conference competition. However an experienced two way player is a great rotation piece.

BB Recruiting

Top Five Transfer Paulius Murauskas Moves Up Call, Talks With Kentucky on Wednesday

Published

2 weeks ago

April 8, 2026

Tristan Pharis

Kentucky met with Saint Mary's transfer Paulius Muruaskas, one of the top forwards in the transfer portal, on Wednesday and is looking to schedule a visit for him to come to Lexington.

Saint Mary's Athletics

Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats are as busy as anyone in the transfer portal. On Wednesday, they met with their biggest fish of this transfer portal cycle so far, Paulius Murauskas.

Originally scheduled for Thursday, the Wildcats met with Murauskas via Zoom video call on Wednesday, per source.

Currently ranked 4th overall in 247Sports transfer rankings, the top-ranked forward, Murauskas is the prototypical modern basketball player. Good size at 6-foot-8, 235 pounds, with the ability to create for himself and others, has a good handle, and overall good feel for the game.

Murauskas started his collegiate career at Arizona after some professional experience in Lithuania. Playing just five minutes per game with the Wildcats as a freshman, Murauskas transferred to Saint Mary’s, where he has flourished and earned All-Conference honors the last two seasons.

This past season, Murauskas averaged 18.4 points and 7.6 rebounds, on 48.2 percent shooting from the field and 33.3 percent from deep. As for his weaknesses, he is not super athletic, and he does need to be more consistent with his shot.

Originally thought to follow former Saint Mary’s head coach Randy Bennett to Arizona State, Murauskas is exploring all options. Following the Zoom, Kentucky is trying to get him on campus for a visit in the near future.