Kentucky
Kentucky colleges are about to go on winter break. Here’s the schedule
Inside Christmas pop-up bar Merry at the Marriott in Louisville
Merry at the Marriott is just one of the many holiday pop-up bars in Louisville. Check out the festive cocktails and food they are offering.
As college students head into the final stretch of the academic semester, the approaching holiday season gives many a chance to rest and reset. Winter break is on the horizon for Kentucky’s colleges and universities.
Here’s a schedule of winter break dates to know.
Asbury University winter break
Winter break is from Friday, Dec. 12 through Sunday, Jan. 11, according to the university’s calendar.
Bellarmine University winter break
Bellarmine University is on winter break from Friday, Dec. 12 through Sunday, Jan. 4, according to the academic calendar.
Berea College winter break 2025
According to the college’s academic calendar, winter break is from Saturday, Dec. 13 through Sunday, Jan. 11.
Centre College winter break
Centre College is on winter break from Saturday, Dec. 13 through Sunday, Jan. 4, according to the 2025-26 academic calendar.
Eastern Kentucky University winter break
Winter break is from Monday, Dec. 8 through Saturday, Dec. 13, according to the university’s academic calendar. A winter semester begins on Monday, Dec. 15, but those taking spring semester classes only will return on Tuesday, Jan. 20.
Jefferson Community & Technical College winter break
Jefferson Community & Technical College is on winter break from Monday, Dec. 15 through Sunday, Jan. 11, according to the academic calendar.
Kentucky State University winter break 2025
Winter break is from Friday, Dec. 19 to Friday, Jan. 2, according to the 2025-26 academic calendar.
Morehead State University winter break
Morehead State University is on winter break from Friday, Dec. 19 through Sunday, Jan. 11, according to the university calendar.
Northern Kentucky University winter break
According to the 2025-26 academic calendar, winter break is from Saturday, Dec. 13 through Sunday, Jan. 11.
Spalding University winter break
Winter break is from Wednesday, Dec. 24 through Sunday, Jan. 4, according to the university calendar.
University of Kentucky winter break 2025
The University of Kentucky is on winter break from Friday, Dec. 19 through Sunday, Jan. 11, according to the 2025-26 calendar.
University of Louisville winter break
According to the academic calendar, the University of Louisville is on winter break from Wednesday, Dec. 10 through Tuesday, Jan. 6.
Western Kentucky University winter break
Winter break is from Wednesday, Dec. 17 to Friday, Jan. 2, according to the Western Kentucky University academic calendar.
Reach Marina Johnson at Marina.Johnson@courier-journal.com.
Kentucky
Kentucky is poised to land either Donnie Freeman or Sebastian Rancik this weekend, per report
Jones posted on Twitter that “Kentucky will have (absent a major change) either Freeman or Rancik by tomorrow,” while also noting the Wildcats still need to add another shooter and another big to round out the roster.
One of the top targets is Donnie Freeman, a 6-foot-9, 205-pound sophomore forward transferring from Syracuse. Freeman arrived in Lexington on Tuesday night and began his visit on Wednesday before leaving without a commitment. While there was concern he could land at UConn, that visit has since been canceled, leaving Kentucky and St. John’s as the top teams.
Freeman averaged 16.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game last season, while adding nearly a block and a steal per contest. He shot 47.4% from the field but 30.2% from 3-point range across 23 games.
The other option is Sebastian Rancik, a 6-foot-11, 220-pound sophomore forward transferring from Colorado. Rancik visited Kentucky starting Wednesday through Thursday and brings a versatile skill set, averaging 12.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2 assists per game while shooting 33.1% from 3.
Either Freeman or Rancik would provide a significant boost at the power forward position for head coach Mark Pope. Kentucky has already added guards Zoom Diallo and Alex Wilkins in the portal.
Kentucky
Kentucky football spring game offers early look at Will Stein’s Cats
Kentucky football coach Will Stein reflects on new position
Will Stein was officially introduced to fans and media as the head coach for the Kentucky Wildcats, replacing Mark Stoops.
LEXINGTON — Kentucky football had its first spring game under new coach Will Stein at Kroger Field on Saturday.
The offense, in blue jerseys, had its moments. So too the defense, donning white uniforms.
Ultimately, the blue squad earned a 23-18 victory in a game called just after noon because of inclement weather.
Stein admitted he “got emotional” as he charged onto the field prior to kickoff.
“I know it wasn’t a real game, but when I ran on the field, I definitely — man, I felt it,” he said. “It was like a wave running over me. And very, very, just cool.”
While it doesn’t count in the standings, Stein walked away pleased.
“I think we got a lot of really good work,” he said. “That’s the goal of spring is to improve with fundamentals and technique, learn how to practice, learn what winning edges that we need throughout spring to go into summer and fall and prepare the team for play. And we came out of the scrimmage clean. There (were) no injuries, which to me, that’s the biggest win of the day. I could (not) care less about the score.
“If we come out clean, that’s good. The Wildcats won.”
New starting QB Kenny Minchey looked about as expected, with sharp passes evened out by moments of inconsistency. Martels Carter Jr., a defensive back who is lining up at running back this spring, scored a touchdown and had several nice runs.
And the defense forced multiple three-and-outs and also picked off one Minchey pass on a two-point conversion.
This story will be updated.
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
Kentucky
Kentucky has reportedly moved on from top-10 transfer Paulius Murauskas

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