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John Calipari is rooting for Mark Pope and Kentucky: “They hired the perfect guy.”

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John Calipari is rooting for Mark Pope and Kentucky: “They hired the perfect guy.”


Mark Pope has refused to let the transition of power in Lexington be anything but peaceful, raving about the job John Calipari did at Kentucky and embracing the Hall of Fame-sized shoes he has to fill with the Wildcats. His predecessor’s departure to Arkansas may have been polarizing for those on the outside looking in, but for the new guy taking over, he’s happy to admit he’s rooting for Calipari’s success.

Well, outside of their head-to-head battle inside Rupp Arena on February 1, of course.

“You’ll never hear me say a negative word about Coach Cal, because there’s not a lot to say,” Pope said in his first-ever SEC Media Day on Tuesday. “He’s a Hall of Fame coach. As a diehard Kentucky fan and alumnus and former player, I’m grateful for everything, all the incredible things that Cal accomplished at the University of Kentucky.

“And he’s also been a good friend, he’s been a terrific mentor. … We’ll be cheering for him every day like crazy, except for February 1.”

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No controversy there. And there won’t be any from Coach Cal, either — no matter the clicks and headlines that’d pull.

When asked about his unique relationship with Pope and his thoughts on the new head coach’s first six months on the job, Calipari said there is no better person to replace him in Lexington than the guy Mitch Barnhart hired back in April. It’s a perfect fit, someone who understands the magnitude of the job.

“I think they hired the perfect guy for that job,” Calipari told KSR at SEC Media Day. “Part of it is because he played there, graduated from there, has a heart for the place and has an idea of what that is. When I walked in, I had Coach (Joe. B) Hall. I had Coach (Tubby) Smith too, but it was Coach Hall. It’s a different place if you’re just walking in, but he’s been there and understands it.”

Calipari hasn’t obsessed over Pope’s every move and the day-to-day at Kentucky since he left — he’s got a lot on his plate, he says — but there is nothing but love in his heart for the place he called home for 15 years.

“He and I have talked. I am fully immersed in what I’m doing. I’m like — you won’t believe this. I’m doing a lot of stuff, and I don’t have time for any of the other stuff, any of the things out there,” Calipari told KSR. “I’ll be rooting for ’em. I want Kentucky (to do well). Come on, man. 15 years. I gave them my heart and soul.”

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Like Pope, Calipari will be rooting for his former program to do well — again, on most days.

“You think I want — I want them to do well. Except on what date? (February 1.) OK, that date,” he joked.

Coach Cal has always said he wanted Kentucky to be left in good hands the day he walked away. Looking back six months later, the Hall of Fame coach is confident it is with Mark Pope leading the way.

“He’s a good man and a terrific basketball coach,” Calipari said. “They hired the right guy. They really did.”



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Kentucky

Kentucky May See Multiple Quarterbacks Against Louisville

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Kentucky May See Multiple Quarterbacks Against Louisville


The Louisville football team is limping into the last game of the season. After losing to Cal in overtime, they suffered a one-point loss to Clemson at home, then took a beating at SMU. In the middle of those losses, the Cards have lost quite a few players.

Louisville will be without its top three running backs and leading receiver Chris Bell. They also could be playing a backup quarterback.

The maligned Miller Moss dropped a dumbbell on his foot in the weight room, forcing him to miss last week’s game at SMU. He’s considered questionable for the Governor’s Cup against Kentucky.

“We’ll try to get him healthy,” head coach Jeff Brohm said earlier this week. “I could see multiple quarterbacks possibly playing again.”

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If Moss is unable to play, the Cards will turn to redshirt freshman Deuce Adams. In last week’s start, the Texas native completed 12-17 passes for 94 yards, and he carried the ball five times.

“Miller Moss, I would expect him to play and you have to prepare for that, but you have to prepare for Deuce as well,” said Mark Stoops. “Jeff has a lot of offense that he can go to and they are always hard to defend. I think they are really good in the pass game and they have a run game that can really hurt you. You have to be prepared for all of it.” 

If Moss plays, he may not play the whole game. Brohm is a believer in gadget plays, and with so many injuries on offense, you can expect plenty on Saturday. In the upset over Miami, the Cards put three quarterbacks on the field for a single snap. The Kentucky defense is preparing for anything and everything.

“Gadget plays are hard if you don’t know what you’re looking at. It can be hard to see what you’re looking at, but there’s always little tells,” said Kentucky linebacker Daveren Rayner.

“Maybe if they line up in a certain formation, they might bring in the slot a little bit closer, and in this formation on this part of the field, that’s not what they normally do. There are certain ways that you can see it, but it’s always something that you gotta just trust your keys. You might get caught in a bad situation, but you rely on what you’ve been coached to do.”

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No matter who is taking snaps for Louisville, the Kentucky defense cannot have a repeat performance from last week’s game against Vanderbilt.

Join KSR+ now for $1 your first week and enjoy a complimentary year of The Athletic – included with your membership.



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Kentucky Lottery Cash Ball, Lucky For Life winning numbers for Nov. 27, 2025

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Kentucky Lottery Cash Ball, Lucky For Life winning numbers for Nov. 27, 2025


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The Kentucky Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025 winning numbers for each game

Cash Ball

05-13-23-31, Cash Ball: 06

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Check Cash Ball payouts and previous drawings here.

Lucky For Life

08-12-13-16-45, Lucky Ball: 13

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Pick 3

Evening: 1-7-4

Midday: 8-8-3

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Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Pick 4

Evening: 2-7-9-4

Midday: 2-9-0-5

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

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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.



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Kentucky high school basketball rankings 2025-26, top players to watch

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Kentucky high school basketball rankings 2025-26, top players to watch



From previews of Louisville-area teams to key games this season and news to know, our coverage will get your ready for the season.

It’s high school basketball time in Kentucky.

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The 2025-26 Kentucky high school basketball season is here, and this is your one-stop shop for a sneak peek at what lies ahead for Louisville-area hoops.

We have coverage aplenty — from team previews to players to watch and much more — to get you prepped for the first day of the season on Monday. Our full list of stories can be seen below.

Top 10 Kentucky high school girls basketball teams and players in all 16 regions

Our girls basketball preseason poll: Meet the top 25 teams in Kentucky

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Top 10 Kentucky high school boys basketball teams and players in all 16 regions

Our boys basketball preseason poll: Meet the top 25 teams in Kentucky

Meet the top 30 Kentucky high school girls basketball players, ranked by coaches

Meet the top 30 Kentucky high school boys basketball players, ranked by coaches

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ZaKiyah Johnson’s graduation marked the end of an era for high school basketball in Kentucky — but here’s what to expect this season.

Top girls basketball teams and players in Sixth Region for 2025-26 season

Top boys basketball teams and players in Sixth Region for 2025-26 season

Top girls basketball teams and players in Seventh Region for 2025-26 season

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Top boys basketball teams and players in Seventh Region for 2025-26 season

Get to know the Louisville-area girls teams in Eighth Region for 2025-26 season

Get to know the Louisville-area boys teams in Eighth Region for 2025-26 season

Cole Edelen, ex-Male High School basketball star, returning to Louisville for senior year

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Boogie Cook, Class of 2028 basketball star, transferring from Christian Academy to Ballard

Collins basketball coach Chris Gaither suspended amid defamation lawsuit against parents

15 dates to circle on the 2025-26 high school basketball calendar

Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; Follow on X @kyhighs.



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