Kentucky

Jayhawks Coach Complimentary of Calipari’s First Hogs’ Team

Published

1 year ago

October 26, 2024

Jayhawks Coach Complimentary of Calipari’s First Hogs’ Team

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Two Hall of Fame coaches faced off for Game 13 against each other, but this time Calipari was somewhere different for the first time in 15 years. His Razorbacks dispatched the No. 1 Jayhawks in an exhibition setting 85-69 inside a sold out Bud Walton Arena.

Arkansas was led by a duo of guards in Kentucky transfer DJ Wagner and 5-star true freshman Boogie Fland who both alternated at point guard throughout the game. Wagner and Fland combined to score 46 points against a Jayhawks team without a pair of starters in the line-up.

Arkansas Razorbacks guard D.J. Wagner (21) celebrates after a play in the second quarter against the Kansas Jayhawks at Bud Walton Arena. / Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

Being shorthanded didn’t stop Self from complementing the Razorbacks. He compared the Hogs to some of the quality Kentucky rosters Calipari assembled over the past 15 years.

“I actually think this team is better than some of the ones he’s had at Kentucky,” Calipari said. “There were a couple of [Kentucky] teams that were elite, elite, elite. This team, to me, has a chance to be terrific and may be more talented than some of the teams that [Calipari] had at Kentucky. Not all of them, but some of them.”

Calipari tried to temper expectations ahead of the charity event as some of his players were still in recovery mode from various injuries. Florida Atlantic transfer Johnell Davis returned from an injury to his shooting wrist which held him to just seven total points, yet still made his presence known in other ways with solid defense and attacking the glass.

Arkansas Razorbacks guard Boogie Fland (2) shoots over Kansas Jayhawks guard Jamari McDowell (11) during the second half at Bud Walton Arena. / Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

All-SEC defensive team center Jonas Aidoo wasn’t available Friday night, but that didn’t keep Arkansas’ depth in the post from being displayed. Forwards Adou Thiero, Trevon Brazile and Zvonimir Ivisic showed themselves more than capable of performing at a high level in his absence.

Self’s comments were shared with Calipari during his press conference and he responded in a way most would expect him to at this point.

“Very early to make that statement,” Calipari said. “Very early to make that statement. And yeah, I had some [elite] teams, I had some teams in the middle and I had all of it. Where will this thing play out? All I know is when you have really good guards you usually have a really good team.”

• Five reasons why Arkansas will win, lose against Mississippi State

• REACTION: Fland, Wagner combo electrify in Hogs’ win over No. 1 Kansas

• Live blog: Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Kansas Jayhawks

• Of Razorbacks’ complaints, not many coming about Devin Bale

• What Razorback Fans Can Expect Against Kansas

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Kentucky

Which Northern Kentucky boys basketball teams can win regional titles?

Published

9 hours ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Which Northern Kentucky boys basketball teams can win regional titles?

The best week of the boys Kentucky high school basketball season is here, as the regional tournaments begin.

Three boys basketball tournaments with Northern Kentucky teams begin next week as they try to punch their ticket to Rupp Arena. They are all in their traditional homes: The Eighth Region takes place at Henry County, the Ninth Region at Truist Arena and the 10th Region at the Mason County Fieldhouse. Here is a look at those brackets.

Eighth Region (at Henry County)

Wednesday, March 4: Henry County (19-11) vs. South Oldham (20-8), 6:30 p.m.; Simon Kenton (16-10) vs. Spencer County (19-13), 8 p.m.

Thursday, March 5: Walton-Verona (17-15) vs. North Oldham (22-5), 6:30 p.m.; Woodford County (17-7) vs. Gallatin County (11-20), 8 p.m.

Monday, March 9: Semifinals – March 4 winners, 6:30 p.m.; March 5 winners, 8 p.m.

Tuesday, March 10: Final, 7 p.m.

What to watch: Simon Kenton edged Walton-Verona 56-51 for the 32nd District championship. Bray Bilton was the tournament MVP. SK did not play Spencer County this year, and lost to South Oldham in its half of the draw by 20. North Oldham and Woodford County are considered the two favorites, and are both 8-0 in the region as they have not played each other. WV lost to North Oldham by 20 on Feb. 6.

Ninth Region (at NKU’s Truist Arena)

Saturday, March 7: Highlands (25-5) vs. Conner (14-12), 1 p.m.; Covington Catholic (28-2) vs. Dixie Heights (18-12), 2:30 p.m.; Lloyd Memorial (22-4) vs. Holy Cross (21-9), 6:30 p.m.; Ryle (21-8) vs. Newport (21-9), 8 p.m.

Sunday, March 8: Semifinals – Highlands/Conner vs. CovCath/Dixie winners, 6:30 p.m.; Lloyd/Holy Cross vs. Ryle/Newport winners, 8 p.m.

Tuesday, March 10: Final, 7 p.m.

What to watch: CovCath is the overwhelming favorite. Its only losses are to other top Kentucky teams Male and Madison Central. CovCath has not played Lloyd or Newport but has beaten the other five teams in the field by an average of 27 points. The Colonels’ closest win against Ninth Region competition is by 18 (72-54) against its first opponent, Dixie Heights.

Conner beat Highlands 72-58 on Feb. 10. Ryle beat Conner by 12 in the 33rd District final for its first district title since 2014. Ryle beat Newport 45-30 on Dec. 17 but Newport has won seven of nine heading into the regional.

Lloyd is the hottest team in the region besides CovCath, winning 12 straight including a 21-point victory over Dixie in the 34th District final. Lloyd beat Holy Cross by 10, 63-53, on Jan. 6. Lloyd and Newport did not play each other this season, and time will tell if either can challenge CovCath if they get that chance. But barring injuries, it’s hard to imagine anyone other than the Colonels going to Rupp.

10th Region (at Mason County Fieldhouse)

Wednesday, March 4: Scott (15-14) vs. Mason County (7-19), 6 p.m.; Pendleton County (17-12) vs. George Rogers Clark (26-4), 8 p.m.

Thursday, March 5: Montgomery County (17-12) vs. Bracken County (14-15), 6 p.m.; Campbell County (21-9) vs. Nicholas County (20-12), 8 p.m.

Monday, March 9: Semifinals – March 4 winners, 6 p.m.; March 5 winners, 8 p.m.

Tuesday, March 10: Final, 7 p.m.

What to watch: George Rogers Clark is the heavy favorite here. Scott beat the host Royals 64-59 Dec. 18 in Taylor Mill. The hosts have struggled all year but won the 39th District. Scott survived a wild finish in the 37th District semifinals, with Jordan Clemons hitting a 3-pointer at the buzzer after a steal to give the Eagles a win over Brossart. Freshman Benjamin Brown has averaged 23 points per game in half a season. Pendleton County won the 38th District behind junior Kamden O’Hara, one of Northern Kentucky’s best shooters (15.4 ppg., 100 3-pointers). They drew the short straw after tourney favorite GRC lost the 40th District final to Montgomery County, 73-66. Campbell County has won four straight, including two dominant wins in the 37th District tournament. The streak started with a 90-89 win over its first-round regional opponent Nicholas County Feb. 13. Sophomore standout Austin Davie put up 50 points against Nicholas. Campbell lost by 12 to potential semifinal opponent Montgomery County Jan. 23.

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Kentucky

Cities Drive Kentucky License Plate fund aims to support disaster relief across the commonwealth

Published

21 hours ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Cities Drive Kentucky License Plate fund aims to support disaster relief across the commonwealth

(LEX 18) — With peak flood season approaching in eastern Kentucky, a new license plate is hitting the road with a mission: helping communities recover when disaster strikes.

The Kentucky League of Cities is launching the Cities Drive Kentucky license plate to raise money for communities affected by natural disasters. The plates are expected to arrive at county clerk’s offices across the state next month.

Kentucky League of Cities CEO J.D. Chaney said the idea grew from watching Kentuckians rally together during past disasters — most notably in 2021, when an EF-4 tornado touched down in western Kentucky as part of a widespread outbreak.

“We saw people from the far east going far west that weren’t even touched,” Chaney said.

Chaney said getting local governments back on their feet quickly is essential to helping residents recover.

“Getting the city up and going to be able to respond to the citizens they serve is absolutely critical for individuals to make recovery,” Chaney said.

The Kentucky League of Cities also aims to serve as a communication hub during disasters, helping local officials manage the flood of offers of support so they can focus on their communities.

“They’ve got [300] or 400 other phone calls they need to be doing, and we help on that other side. So, there’s one point of contact to facilitate those things,” Chaney said.

The need for that kind of support is growing. Research from the organization shows extreme weather caused $22 million in damages in 2025.

Chaney described the license plate program as a safety net for cities across Kentucky.

“It’s an insurance policy, for Kentucky cities to know that they have that backing with other communities that have the resources so they can immediately get back and start serving their constituency,” Chaney said.

“We hope others also see how important that is,” Chaney added.

The Cities Drive Kentucky license plates will be available at county clerk’s offices statewide next month.

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Kentucky

Western Kentucky residents share benefits of backyard chickens (copy)

Published

2 days ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Western Kentucky residents share benefits of backyard chickens (copy)

Members of the Kentucky House of Representatives voted to pass House Bill 276 earlier this month, which would allow Kentucky residents to keep up to six backyard chickens on residential properties while setting guidelines for local regulation.

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