Kentucky
TideIllustrated – New Kentucky staff to meet with in-state F Malachi Moreno
HOOVER, Ala. – One of the most athletic and productive big men in the 2025 class, 7-footer Malachi Moreno is in the midst of a stock-raising spring with the Indiana Elite grassroots program and promises to have an interesting year on the recruiting front. Both Arkansas and in-state Kentucky are in pursuit of the Lexington-area center and other major players have also taken note of his talent.
Rivals recently spoke with Moreno about where things stand in his process and which schools are heavily in the mix.
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ON UPCOMING VISITS:
“There is nothing set in stone right now, but I just talked to coach [Kentucky] coach [Mark] Pope. He wants me to come on a visit there soon. I’m only like 15 or 20 minutes away, so I’ll go for sure in the next week or two.”
ON HIS FIRST CONVERSATION WITH POPE:
“He called me, like, give or take a week after he got the job. He just told me that he was looking forward to recruiting me and wants me to get on campus soon. He was saying that my play style fits his system, so it was nice to hear that. It was nice for him to call me so soon with him being a new coach because I know he has to get acclimated, so for him to reach out so quickly felt great.”
ON MARK POPE:
“I knew he was the captain of the untouchable, so he knows about the job and he knows how hard he’s going to have to work there. Seeing that and seeing his work ethic, I know he’s ready to bring Kentucky another banner. What is it? Banner No. 7?”
ON OTHER SCHOOLS IN FREQUENT CONTACT:
“Arkansas reached out to tell me I still have my offer. I talked to them about everything. USC, North Carolina and Kansas also reached out throughout my season. With North Carolina, they have a rule that Hubert Davis has a rule that he has to see you in person before they get you down there for visits, so I’m waiting for that.”
ON SEEING JOHN CALIPARI IN ARKANSAS RED:
“It’s a little weird to me just because he’s been at UK my entire life. I mean, this was a job he wanted and a job he went for, so I get it. He did all he needed to do at Kentucky, so I guess he wants to rebuild Arkansas now.”
Moreno’s standing as a Lexington-area native makes Kentucky impossible to dismiss, and the fact that Mark Pope has already reached out to schedule a meeting with the in-state star bodes well for the Wildcats’ chances.
Arkansas is expected to be a major pain in UK’s side here, however. Louisville, Iowa and Indiana are also in the mix to different extents, while other heavy-hitters could join the fray this summer. Moreno feels like a high-priority target for Pope, however, so the Wildcats will have every opportunity to close the deal down the road.
13 things more likely to happen than winning the Powerball jackpot
Hoping to win the Powerball jackpot? Here are 13 things more likely to happen than becoming an instant millionaire.
The Kentucky Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at Thursday, June 25, 2026 winning numbers for each game.
Cash Ball
02-08-24-32, Cash Ball: 09
Check Cash Ball payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 3
Evening: 6-3-0
Midday: 9-6-0
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 4
Evening: 5-7-6-0
Midday: 5-2-6-6
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Millionaire for Life
03-13-14-34-45, Bonus: 01
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Courier Journal digital producer. You can send feedback using this form.
On Thursday, Kentucky’s home and away SEC opponents for the 2026-27 season were revealed and on top of learning the three opponents who they will play twice, there are some very intriguing matchups. In conference play, Kentucky will face six teams who are among the top 25 in many preseason rankings.
In SEC play, Kentucky will play Tennessee, Vandy and Ole Miss all both home and away. The home matchups include Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, LSU, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Vandy. As for the road tilts, the Wildcats will face Florida, Georgia, Mississippi State, Missouri, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, Texas, Tennessee and Vandy. Let’s take a look at some interesting developments from the schedule release.
John Calipari returns to Rupp Arena (again)
In Calipari’s first year with Arkansas, he got the best of Kentucky when he came into Rupp Arena and left with a 10-point victory, a game where you could really feel the tension all game long in the building from Kentucky fans, which translated onto the court with the players. Last season, it was Kentucky who shocked everyone when they stole one on the road against a top 20 Arkansas team after a rough up-and-down season up to that point. Now, the two will face off again as Kentucky will look to get the win in Rupp and make sure Calipari doesn’t get two in a row in the building. It’ll be another highly-anticipated showdown.
Kentucky hits the road at Texas
This is shaping up to be a major challenge for Kentucky next season and may even end up being one of the biggest games of the season. Texas is seen by many as a clear top 10 team, with some even having them within the top five and when you combine that with the fact that the game is on the road, the Wildcats will have their hands full. The Wildcats fell to the longhorns in the 2024-25 season, and it’ll be a much stiffer challenge this time.
Which game could be a trap?
We don’t have the game-by-game dates yet, so it’s hard to say with a lot of confidence, but opponent-wise, Georgia could really give Kentucky fits. In Pope’s first year, his team struggled handling the physicality of the Bulldogs and now, they’ve retained one of their best guards for another year and have added physicality through the portal. Mike White’s teams love to make opponents uncomfortable and they could do that once again down in Athens. Another sneaky team to watch is Oklahoma, who will have very good guard play. Kentucky will face both teams on the road.
Overall, it’s a pretty fair SEC schedule for a Kentucky team who has the capability of a return to being atop the conference once again. Mark Pope has such a system-fit squad and he can do some damage in the SEC.
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Fourth of July festivities to celebrate in Louisville
See the Fourth of July festivities planned in Louisville for America’s 250th birthday celebration.
Fourth of July is almost here, and Kentuckians are getting ready to light up the sky.
Before you plan your fireworks celebrations, it’s important to know what is and isn’t allowed under Kentucky law. Here’s what to know about fireworks laws and safety tips in the Bluegrass State ahead of Independence Day.
Can you set off fireworks in Kentucky?
Yes. As long as you live in a place where local ordinances don’t prohibit it, according to the Kentucky State Fire Marshal’s website.
Are fireworks legal in Louisville?
In Louisville or Jefferson County, larger display fireworks are not legal due to a local law. Some consumer products that don’t leave the ground, such as sparklers, are allowed.
If the cautionary label on the firework has the words “explosive,” “emits flaming pellets,” “flaming balls,” “firecracker,” “report” or “rocket,” it is automatically a no-go, according to the Louisville-Jefferson County Code of Ordinances.
But, smaller ones like sparklers, cylindrical or cone fountains, wheels and ground spinners are legal. Still, don’t let the size fool you − they can burn up to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
Learn more: Check out these 4th of July events taking place across Kentucky
How to use fireworks safely
The state fire marshal suggests following the following advice when using fireworks:
- Use fireworks outdoors.
- Obey local laws.
- Keep a bucket of water or a working water hose nearby.
- Use fireworks as intended and avoid altering them or combining them.
- Never relight “dud” fireworks. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
- Spectators should keep a safe distance from the person lighting the firework (the individual lighting it should wear safety glasses).
- Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Have a “designated adult operator.”
- Do not use homemade fireworks or illegal explosives.
- Report illegal explosives to the fire or police department in your community.
- Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks.
- Read and follow all instructions on the label.
Former Courier Journal reporter Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez contributed. Reach Marina Johnson at Marina.Johnson@courier-journal.com.
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