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Men's Basketball

Kentucky Fanbase Growing Frustrated with Mark Stoops After Embarassing Loss to South Carolina

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2 months ago

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Kentucky football fans are very upset with Mark Stoops after the Wildcats' embarrassing 31-6 loss to South Carolina.
© Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

Mark Stoops took over at Kentucky in 2013, when the Wildcats were not just one of the worst programs in the SEC, but one of the worst Power Five programs nationally. Over a decade later, he is the most tenured coach in the SEC and has accomplished things that many did not believe were possible: multiple 10-win seasons, eight straight bowl appearances, holding a winning streak over Florida, multiple NFL draft picks, and setting season ticket records.

For transforming the program, Stoops will forever be remembered as one of the two greatest coaches in program history. However, the fanbase is beginning to grow restless.

You could call Stoops a victim of his own success. In the process of setting records and becoming the program’s all-time winningest coach, he has raised the bar for Kentucky Football, something that he has even called on fans to do. Now, that bar is lower than that of Alabama or Georgia, where it is title or bust. However, reaching seven to eight wins, and earning an invite to a good bowl game is a reasonable annual expectation given the level of recruiting and facility upgrades.

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Stoops last exceeded that bar in 2021, winning 10 games and getting a Citrus Bowl victory over his alma mater Iowa. In the two seasons since, the Wildcats have finished with seven wins, but with a record of 4-6 against Power Five teams, with just two of those losses coming by one score or less, including a home loss to Vanderbilt. This past Saturday came another loss, nearly as embarrassing against South Carolina.

Looking at the schedule, this game was circled by many as a ‘must-win’ for a successful season, due to Kentucky’s difficult slate, which ranks fourth nationally. Entering the game as a ten-point favorite, the Wildcats failed to score a single touchdown and matched the offensive output of a team from the 1950s, completing six forward passes for just thirty yards. The end result, a 31-6 ‘whoopin’. As Stoops walked to the tunnel, frustrated fans shouted a familiar phrase at him, “pony up”.

Of course, this refers to the controversial comment that Stoops made last fall, as he called on fans to “pony up” and donate money towards Kentucky football’s NIL fund, following a 51-13 loss to Georgia. Since that comment, the Wildcats have just a 3-6 record. The wins aren’t the most impressive, coming against Mississippi State, Louisville, and Southern Miss. The losses include:

  • 2024: Loss to South Carolina, 31-6
  • 2023: Loss to Clemson, 38-35 (leading last minute)
  • 2023: Loss to South Carolina, 17-14 (-3 TO margin)
  • 2023: Loss to Alabama, 49-21
  • 2023: Loss to Tennessee, 33-27
  • 2023: Loss to Missouri, 38-21 (up 14-0 in 1Q)

To their credit, the fans and boosters did “pony up”, helping build one of the most talented rosters of Stoops’ tenure, at least on paper. However, the talent and product look much different. Between that comment and the on-field product, the fan discontent continues to grow. If it wasn’t for an upset win against Louisville to end the regular season last year, things could be even worse.

Coming off the all-systems failure, with the most difficult stretch of the schedule on the horizon, including No.1 Georgia this week, it is hard to be optimistic, even for Stoops.

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For Kentucky to have a successful season, all facets of the offense need to be better, and frankly, they are going to need to upset a team. Going into week three, there is still plenty of football to play and time to improve.

Some fans are calling for a change, but with a $44 million buyout, that Kentucky can’t afford, firing Stoops is not a realistic possibility. However, if the downward trajectory continues, it could be an interesting offseason for the football program. Stoops is publicly voicing more frustration and things are developing eerily similar to John Calipari’s departure.

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Men's Basketball

Former Kentucky Player, Top Recruit Could Be Involved in Point Shaving Scheme

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1 day ago

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November 23, 2024

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Kentucky transfer Aaron Bradshaw is alleged to be involved in a college gambling scandal.

Once a projected top-10 pick, former Kentucky Wildcat Aaron Bradshaw is now away from the Ohio State basketball program for unclear reasons.

On Friday, the program released a statement that Bradshaw is not currently participating in team activities, but that they could not comment further due to federal privacy laws.

“Aaron Bradshaw is not currently participating in team activities,” the statement read. “The university is following its established process. Due to federal privacy laws, we cannot share further information at this time.”

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Ohio State coach Jake Diebler held a press conference Friday night after the Buckeyes’ win over Campbell, where he said could not provide further comment and referred to the University’s public statement.

“Regarding Aaron, I understand you may have some questions,” Diebler said to open his postgame press conference. “As stated, have to refer to the statement that was released and can’t have any comment on that. Respect the job you have to do. Just know I cannot comment on that any further.”

This comes shortly after news of a federal investigation into sports wagering activities broke earlier this week. Former Temple and Virginia Tech guard Hysier Miller was dismissed from the Hokies last month due to the investigation which first started after the Owls were flagged in March by a watchdog group for suspicious gambling activity.

With more names expected to be released in the coming weeks, the investigation has begun to narrow its search to players with ties to Philadelphia, New Jersey, and Delaware. Of course, Bradshaw is from Camden, New Jersey, just across the Deleware River from Philadelphia, and those with knowledge of the situation are suggesting he could be involved.

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Court documents do show that Bradshaw recently failed to appear in court following a speeding violation, where he was clocked at 102 mph in a 65 mph zone. However, similar situations of student-athletes speeding have not been handled in this fashion.

The wording of the statement does not make it seem like a minor incident that will soon blow over. This is certainly something to keep an eye on, with some believing it could lead to a nationwide ban on college sports betting.

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Men's Basketball

Kentucky vs. Jackson State: TV/Streaming Info, Keys to the Game, and Betting Odds/Predictions

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2 days ago

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November 22, 2024

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Kentucky players encouraging each other at Rupp Arena.
Chet White | UK Athletics

The Kentucky Wildcats are back in action Friday to face the Jackson State Tigers in the second game of the BBN Invitational.

To put it simply, Jackson State is bad, very bad. Sitting at 0-5 and ranked 321st in KenPom, the Tigers will likely be the worst opponent Kentucky will play all season.

Coached by Mo Williams, one of LeBron James’ old teammates with the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Tigers have only finished above .500 twice in the last decade. This season, Jackson State is predicted to finish fourth in the SWAC.

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Mark Pope recently said he wanted to build a standard, regardless of opponent and, and that will be tested on Friday.

Let’s take a look at the matchup.

More 3-Point Attempts

Admittedly nitpicking, one of the things that Mark Pope was not happy with in Kentucky’s win over Lipscomb was the amount of three-point attempts. While they shot nearly 50 percent from deep, going 12-25, Pope wants to see the number of attempts closer to 35.

The Tigers have allowed their opponents to shoot 47.8 percent from deep, the second-worst mark in the country. Pope and the staff will certainly generate a game plan to take advantage of this. Expect to see 30+ attempts.

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Ball Movement

Despite beating Lipscomb by 29 points, the Wildcats had a season-low in assists with just ten. For context, Kentucky had averaged more than 23 assists per game entering the matchup.

“That’s not us. That’s not who we are,” Pope said after the game.

While there wasn’t a lot of selfishness, the ball just wasn’t ‘flying’ as it has been early this season. This is a priority for the staff and this mature group, and they will aim for 25+ assists.

Keep JSU off the Free-Throw Line

Jackson State ranks in the top 100 nationally in one area: Free throws made per game. So, Kentucky, defend without fouling.

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Kentucky’s offense makes headlines, but the defense has played very well to start the season, holding all four opponents to under 73 points. Let’s see if they can get down in a stance and defend well for 40 minutes vs. a team that stresses contact and drawing fouls.

Opposing Players to Watch

C Shannon Grant 6-11, 290 lbs

  • 7.5 PPG
  • 4.8
  • Preseason All-SWAC First Team selection

G Jayme Mitchell Jr 6-5, 190 lbs

  • 15.0 PPG
  • 3.8 RPG
  • 44.4% 3P

F Romelle Mansel 6-9, 220 lbs

  • 10.8 PPG
  • 5.8 RPG
  • 31.7% FG (second most FG attempts on the team)

Kentucky Wildcats Basketball vs. Jackson State Tigers

Time: 7 PM ET on November 22nd
Location: Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY
TV Channel: This game will not be on TV and is streaming only,
Online Stream: SEC Network+, ESPN+, and the ESPN app.
Radio: Tom Leach and Jack Givens have the radio call on the UK Sports Radio Network.
Replay: WatchESPN and SEC Network (check local listings).
Rosters: UK | JSU
Stats to Know: UK | JSU
KenPom: UK | JSU
Team Sheet: UK | JSU

Odds: FanDuel Sportsbook has yet to release the odds for the game, so check Thursday afternoon for an official spread. Multiple projections give Kentucky a 99% chance of winning: Bart Torvik (99%), EvanMiya (99.9%), and ESPN (99.0%). The exception is KenPom (92%).

Predictions: KenPom (93-63), Haslametrics (96-63), Bart Torvik (95-61), and EvanMiya (96-59) all are going with a 30+ point victory, Kentucky!

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Men's Basketball

Kentucky Basketball Players Say They Think About Winning National Championship “Every Second”

Published

6 days ago

on

November 18, 2024

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Kentucky basketball players celebrate after their big over Duke.
IMAGN

The expectations at Kentucky are the highest of any school in the country, and there is good reason why. The winningest college program ever. Eight national titles, under five different coaches. Seventeen Final Four appearances. You get it, a lot of success.

Fans want the players to have those same expectations. Despite not having the elite talent or preseason hype of great Kentucky teams past, this year’s team still has their eyes set on doing something “people will remember forever”, winning a national championship.

Asked on social media, if hanging banner #9 was all the players thought about “every second”, Ansley Almonor had a response.

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“We do.”

It takes a lot to win a national championship, including some luck, but this team is certainly going to be loved for their desire to live out their dream of playing at Kentucky and their unselfishness. Those two things can take them a long way this season .

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