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Kentucky cracks Dick Vitale’s Sweet 16 teams for 2024-25 season

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Kentucky cracks Dick Vitale’s Sweet 16 teams for 2024-25 season


College hoops have changed immensely over the last decade. Unlike John Calipari’s extraordinarily stacked rosters, lots of young talent doesn’t always come out on top these days.

The Kentucky Wildcats showed that last season, being a first-round exit despite having two top-10 picks on their team. Kentucky is retooled behind former BYU head coach Mark Pope and has a slew of experienced players, including former BYU standout Jaxson Robinson.

For many early top-25 polls, those additions did little for Kentucky, but Dick Vitale, one of the most high-profile names in the sport, recently released his Sweet 16 teams, and the Cats were among them.

Pope’s squad came in at No. 15, and Vitale let everyone know of Kentucky’s recent struggles and what a Sweet 16 appearance would mean for the program.

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“With no Sweet 16 appearances since 2019, the Wildcats are looking to make a huge jump with new coach Mark Pope. With nine transfers and three freshmen, the Wildcats need time to mesh and gain confidence but should be primed come March,” Vitale wrote.

Of note, Calipari’s new-look Arkansas Razorbacks came in at No. 13. Kansas was No. 1, while Alabama, Gonzaga, Duke, and Auburn were in the top 10.

As Vitale noted, there will more than likely be some growing pains for this Cats team. There are many defensive-minded players, so the late addition of Robinson was a huge get for the Cats. He will provide scoring, but it still may be an upward battle to generate buckets consistently.

The defense and length are certainly there. Their schedule will be among the toughest in the sport, so they’ll be battled-tested come March.

Regardless, the Cats, if anything, will be a wild card in the coming season, and given the personnel on their roster, they should be able to churn out a solid year under Pope.

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Kentucky

WATCH: Tennessee HC Josh Heupel, Players Recap Kentucky and Preview Mississippi State Game | Rocky Top Insider

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WATCH: Tennessee HC Josh Heupel, Players Recap Kentucky and Preview Mississippi State Game | Rocky Top Insider


Tennessee HC Josh Heupel. Photo via RTI.

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel led off the Week 11 media slate on Monday afternoon in Knoxville with a 12-minute press conference.

The Vols will close out a four-game, five-week home stretch this Saturday night in a homecoming game against SEC foe Mississippi State. The Bulldogs are currently the SEC’s last-place team and are still searching for their first conference win of the season.

Tennessee is riding a three-game win streak heading into Saturday’s game after taking down Florida, Alabama, and Kentucky in the last four weeks. The Vols will look to continue that momentum and keep their playoff hopes alive with another SEC foe this weekend.

Tennessee also teased the return of the Summitt Blue accessories on Monday as November represents Alzheimer’s Awareness Month.

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In addition to Heupel, three Tennessee players also met with the media on Monday: tight end Holden Staes, safety Jakobe Thomas, and linebacker Jalen Smith.

More from RTI: Tennessee Football Teases Summitt Blue Twist For Saturday’s SEC Game

Check out all four interviews from Knoxville below:

Tennessee HC Josh Heupel

Tennessee TE Holden Staes

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Tennessee S Jakobe Thomas

Tennessee LB Jalen Smith

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Monday Headlines: Kentucky Basketball vs. Wright State Gameday

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Monday Headlines: Kentucky Basketball vs. Wright State Gameday


Good morning, BBN!

It is finally time to tip off the regular college basketball season for the Kentucky Wildcats as they welcome the Wright State Raiders to Lexington.

The fanbase has been itching for the real basketball games to start after two impressive performances against Kentucky Wesleyan and Minnesota State in their exhibition games.

Now, the games will count towards their record and start the countdown to the big first matchup against Duke in the Champions Classic next Tuesday.

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The Raiders head to Rupp Arena after posting an 18-14 record last season, which included a close loss to Indiana. Also arriving in Lexington is the Raiders, Brandon Noel, who was voted as the Horizon League Player of the Year. Can the Cats slow down the talented forward? That will likely be the difference between this game being close late.

For Kentucky, the fanbase will be watching to see how this team plays when the real horn sounds at the start of the season. Will they continue their offensive dominance? Can they continue to defend at a high level? We will find out tonight.

Go Cats!

Tweet(s) of the Day

Just a wild play.

Ray Davis is a rising star for the Buffalo Bills!

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Headlines

Big Blue Preview: Kentucky vs. Wright State – UK Athletics

The preseason is over and, beginning on Monday, the Cats embark on a new regular season with a new head coach and an entirely new team.

Know your opponent: Wright State Raiders- Cats Pause

Take a deep dive into the Wright State Raiders.

DeLeye’s 16 Terminations Hand No. 14 Kentucky 3-0 Sweep of UGA – UK Athletics

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Sophomore outside hitter Brooklyn DeLeye had 16 kills as No. 14 Kentucky completed its season-long five-match road trip 5-0 thanks to a 3-0 win over Georgia and held its position in the three-way tie atop the SEC with the win.

Kentucky left points on the field multiple times deep in Tennessee territory- KSR

Are we really surprised?

Q&A with Mark Stoops following loss to Tennessee- Cats Pause

Take a look at what Coach Stoops had to say following the loss to the Vols.

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Acaden Lewis and Jasper Johnson to from all-lefty backcourt- KSR

Will be fun to watch next season.

Cowboys lose Prescott to hamstring injury- ESPN

A tough blow to Dallas.

Oregon voted unanimous No. 1- ESPN

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The Ducks are legit.

Lamar Jackson breaks record for most career games with perfect passer rating- CBS

Lamar and the Ravens are legit.

Steelers still in trade market for Wide receiver- CBS

Will Russell Wilson get a new receiver to throw to?

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Oregon remains atop AP Top 25 ahead of first CFP rankings – ESPN

Oregon is No. 1 in the AP Top 25 for the third straight week, and unanimous for the first time, following its 21-point road win against Michigan.



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Kentucky State Police investigate an escape of two inmates at Blackburn Correctional Facility

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Kentucky State Police investigate an escape of two inmates at Blackburn Correctional Facility


FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18) — Kentucky State Police Post 12 in Frankfort, are looking for two inmates who they say walked away from Blackburn Correctional Complex.

Officials say they are looking for 38-year-old Adam E. Ball. Ball is from Russell Springs, Ky. State police say he was last seen wearing a full khaki jumpsuit and a khaki hat. He is described as being 6’03 tall and weighing 250 pounds.

KSP is also searching for 40-year-old Bradley E. Cornwell from Georgetown, Ky. Cornwell was last seen wearing a white t-shirt, gray sweatpants, white shoes, and a khaki hat. He is described as being 6’0 tall and weighing 175 pounds.

Reports say both inmates allegedly fled the complex together in a water truck.

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Anyone with information is asked to call local law enforcement or Kentucky State Police Post 12 at 502-227-2221.





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