Kentucky
Kentucky basketball under Mark Pope: Transfer portal news, 2024 roster, targets, recruits from KY insiders
The Kentucky Wildcats are one of college basketball’s blue blood programs, but will have an almost entirely new look next season. After 15 memorable seasons, John Calipari left Lexington to take the head coaching job at Arkansas. The Wildcats hired Mark Pope, a former standout guard on Kentucky’s 1996 national championship team, away from BYU to replace Calipari. Pope was tasked with building an entirely new Kentucky basketball roster and has managed to hit the ground running. The bulk of the new 2024 Kentucky basketball recruiting class followed Calipari to Arkansas, but Pope was still able to add a pair of in-state high school recruits to his Kentucky basketball lineup.
The Wildcats have hit the Spring Transfer Portal hard and continue to be in contact with multiple available players. If you love the Wildcats, or just want the latest roster updates and college basketball transfer portal news, be sure to see what the proven team of insiders are saying at CatsPause, the 247Sports affiliate that covers Kentucky.
The team of insiders at CatsPause.com are providing up-to-the-minute scoop on the latest intel surrounding the Kentucky basketball coaching transition and roster changes. CatsPause has built a solid reputation over its 20+ years covering the Wildcats, and has deep-rooted sources inside and around the Kentucky athletic department. And right now, CatsPause is offering 50% off the first year of an annual subscriptions*, so now is the time to sign up.
The team at CatsPause has full coverage of who is coming and who is going on the Kentucky basketball roster. Head to CatsPause now to see all the insider info.
Kentucky basketball roster departures
No sooner had Calipari departed Kentucky that a number of Wildcats from last year’s roster were on the move as well. Aaron Bradshaw was the first to commit to a new team when he joined the Ohio State Buckeyes, while Zvonimir Ivisic became the first player from last season to follow Calipari to Arkansas. Calipari is also reportedly encouraging Bradshaw’s high school teammate, D.J. Wagner, to join the Razorbacks.
The transfer portal isn’t the only reason the Wildcats roster will look different next season. Antonio Reeves and Tre Mitchell, who were two of Kentucky’s top scorers last season, are both graduating. Meanwhile, Justin Edwards, Rob Dillingham and Ugonna Onyenso have all declared for the 2024 NBA Draft. There is also movement within the recruiting class, so Pope’s roster is clearly far from solidified for the 2024-25 season. Join CatsPause to see the latest on all of Kentucky’s roster changes.
Kentucky basketball news, roster
Pope has already added eight transfer players, giving Kentucky the No. 5 transfer class in the country, according to 247Sports. One of the Wildcats’ first additions was former Oklahoma State center Brandon Garrison, who was ranked as a five-star prospect in the Class of 2023, to get things started. The 6-foot-11, 245-pound big man averaged 7.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game during his freshman season, and will give the Wildcats a physically imposing presence in the paint.
Pope also added a pair of potential instant impact guards in former Dayton sharpshooter Koby Brea and for San Diego State point guard Lamont Butler Jr.. Brea developed into one of the premier long-range shooters in college basketball. In 2023-24, Brea connected on 49.8% of his 3-point attempts and averaged 11.1 points per game. He should fit seamlessly into Pope’s fast-paced offense that is heavily reliant on 3-point shooting. Butler was a key piece in the Aztecs’ run to the national championship game in the 2023 NCAA Tournament. Join CatsPause to get the latest on all of Kentucky’s roster additions.
How to get insider Kentucky basketball roster updates
Pope could also be bringing at least one big-time BYU player with him, so be sure to join CatsPause to see who that is and get the rest of the insider roster news.
Who are the top names Kentucky basketball is pursuing under coach Mark Pope, and what former BYU player could land in Lexington? Go to CatsPause to see their insider information, all from a team of reporters with years of experience covering the Wildcats, and find out. And reminder, CatsPause is offering 50% off the first year of an annual VIP membership*, so subscribe now before it’s too late.
*Terms: This offer is only available for new members who sign up for a CatsPause annual subscription. After the first year, subscription will re-bill on an annual basis at the regular rate. 247Sports.com reserves the right to alter or cancel this promotion at any time. Please write support@247sports.com with any questions you may have.
Kentucky
Ryan Nicholson continues to come up big for Kentucky
Ryan Nicholson once again came up big for Kentucky on Saturday, belting a game-tying home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to send the game to extra-innings.
Kentucky pulled out the 5-4 win in 10 innings, earning its first College World Series win in program history to advance to the winner’s bracket.
“What a response,” Nick Mingione said postgame. “What a response. I mean, when I tell you guys in the ninth, this team has true belief. They really thought we were going to win the game.”
Since the beginning of the NCAA Tournament, Nicholson has been on another level. He’s 10-23 (.435 BA) at the plate with four home runs and eight RBI.
“I’ve made this comment multiple times,” Mingione started. “But when our offense really got going is when, back in March, we got Waldy in there full time, and when Ryan started hitting the ball over the fence. I think he hit maybe one home run preseason. When you look at the amount of home runs he hit in our league, I think he has the third most amount of home runs out of everybody in the SEC in SEC games.”
Nicholson’s 22 are tied for ninth most among SEC batters, but it’s even more impressive when you take into account he hit just one home run in the first 16 games.
“Not a lot of people are talking about him but there’s a lot of really good offensive players, a lot of good home runs hitters. And he’s certainly one of them.”
Along with Nicholson’s success at the plate, he has truly reached another level as a fielder. Near the beginning of the season, it seemed like a move to DH was possible for the Cincinnati transfer. After making four errors in the span of nine games from April 11-April 27, Nicholson has made just one error in the last 19 games.
“But think about our defensive plays today,” Mingione said. “Ryan Nicholson made two plays where we need every bit — this game, you know this, the margin of victory is so small. What about the high chopper down first base that Nicholson jumps up and keeps fair? What about the pick that Nicholson jumps up and catches? We need every bit of his 6’4”. What about that first-and-second and nobody out and the double play we turned. That’s us at our best.
The Cats will now have to wait to see who wins the Saturday nightcap between Texas A&M and Florida, as they’ll play the winner Monday night at 6:00 p.m. CT/7:00 p.m. ET.
Follow KSR at the College World Series
KSR the show may not be headed to Omaha this weekend, but the website will be well-represented. KSR baseball beat writer Daniel Hager and videographer Steven Peake hit the road on Friday to capture all the action and excitement for Kentucky’s first College World Series appearance. They’ll be sharing all of their adventures on the site, social media, and special editions of “Bat Cat Beat” and Rapid Reactions on the KSR YouTube Channel, so make sure you’re following and subscribed to keep up with the Cats.
KSR’s trip to Omaha for the College World Series is presented by Summit Insurance Group, a veteran-owned, family-operated business. We want to introduce you to Steve Terrell, who is here to help and give you a tip.
Before signing any insurance policy, be sure to read the terms and conditions. Our practice goes much further than just writing your insurance policy. We want to make sure that in the event you are in an accident, and someone is injured, you have adequate coverage to cover any expenses related to the loss. Do you have enough money to pay for your medical bills? Do you have enough money to replace your vehicle? Our job as insurance advisors is to make sure that you do! We want to protect not only your vehicles but your home as well. We also offer business, life, Medicare supplements, and more. Give us a call at (859) 479-1234 for more tips!
Kentucky
Kentucky battles North Carolina State in first round of the College World Series
OMAHA, Neb. (WYMT) – Kentucky takes on NC State in their first ever College World Series appearance.
The Blue and White went undefeated throughout the regional and super regional rounds to punch their first ever ticket to Omaha.
UK enters the game with a 45-14 record. They face a Wolfpack team that is making its fourth trip to Omaha. North Carolina State is 38-21 on the season.
The Wolfpack leads the all-time series with UK, 4-3.
The Wildcats beat NC State in the Lexington Regional in 2017 to win the school’s first regional championship.
Copyright 2024 WYMT. All rights reserved.
Kentucky
What channel is Kentucky baseball vs NC State on today in 2024 CWS? Time, TV, streaming
OMAHA, Neb. — Kentucky baseball’s first College World Series game is on tap Saturday afternoon, opening against North Carolina State.
UK’s players took time to celebrate the super regional sweep of Oregon State, with Game 2 lasting into the wee hours Monday. But now that the Wildcats have boots on the ground in Nebraska, the time for talking — and celebrating past victories — is over.
“We’re all just ready to get playing,” third baseman Mitchell Daly said Thursday. “This first practice knocked the jitters off for a lot of people. I think everybody was just excited to get on the field, feel the dirt, see the scenery.
“Everybody is just ready to go.”
WATCH: Follow Kentucky baseball in the College World Series on Fubo (free trial)
A Kentucky (45-14) victory Saturday keeps it in the winners bracket; its next game would take place at 7 p.m. Monday. It would face the victor of Saturday’s second game: an all-SEC affair between Florida and Texas A&M. Should UK lose to N.C. State (38-21), the Wildcats will play an elimination game at 2 p.m. Monday against the loser of the Florida/Texas A&M tilt. The season is over for the loser of Monday afternoon’s game.
UK hopes Saturday’s game has the same result of its previous NCAA matchup against N.C. State: The Wildcats beat the Wolfpack in a winner-take-all game in a 2017 NCAA regional to advance to super regionals for the first time.
Here’s everything you need to know about Kentucky’s College World Series game Saturday at Charles Schwab Field, including time and streaming info:
NCAA College World Series: When is Kentucky vs NC State baseball on today?
Where: Charles Schwab Field (24,000); Omaha, Nebraska
Game time: 2 p.m. ET Saturday
Kentucky vs. NC State channel today in 2024 College World Series: Time, TV schedule
Kentucky’s College World Series game against North Carolina State will air at 2 p.m. Saturday on ESPN.
Kentucky vs NC State livestream in College World Series 2024
You can watch the game through WatchESPN.com, the WatchESPN app or fuboTV.
How to stream the Kentucky baseball vs NC State College World Series game for free?
You can stream ESPN on Fubo, which offers a free trial here.
College World Series schedule, bracket, TV info
All times Eastern
Friday, June 14
- Game 1: North Carolina 3, Virginia 2
- Game 2: Tennessee 12, Florida State 11
Saturday, June 15
Sunday, June 16
Monday, June 17
Tuesday, June 18
Wednesday, June 19
Thursday, June 20
- Game 13 (if necessary): TBD vs. TBD, 2 p.m.; TV broadcast channel TBD
- Game 14 (if necessary): TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m.; TV broadcast channel TBD
CWS championship finals schedule 2024 (best-of-three series)
Saturday, June 22
Sunday, June 23
Monday, June 24
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Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
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