Kentucky
Kentucky players express optimism for Lamont Butler’s return for NCAA Tournament
Kentucky Wildcats guard Lamont Butler is expected to return for the NCAA Tournament after missing the Wildcats’ 99-70 loss to Alabama in the SEC Tournament. Head coach Mark Pope shared the positive update on Friday, easing concerns about Butler’s shoulder injury.
Butler’s absence was felt in the loss to Alabama, as Kentucky struggled to keep up offensively and defensively without their dynamic playmaker. Fortunately, Pope clarified that the latest injury is unrelated to Butler’s previous shoulder issue.
Despite the loss, news of Butler’s return has lifted spirits within the team.
“That’s great. I mean, obviously, we were all worried about it,” said guard Koby Brea after the loss to Alabama. “Just knowing that we have such a big piece that’s going to be able to provide a lot for us going into this tournament is important.”
Amari Williams expressed his enthusiasm about having teammates return from injury, emphasizing the dedication they put into their recovery.
“I’m always excited when one of our guys comes back, just knowing they put in the work to recover and be back out there with us,” Williams said. “They give it 100% every time, and that’s what they showed, even the guys who weren’t able to return. We’re just thankful that we can get them back.”
With Butler’s return on the horizon, the Wildcats are hopeful for a strong showing in the NCAA Tournament as they look to bounce back from their SEC Tournament exit.
Kentucky
Officials: Evansville man fatally shot student at Kentucky college
Police in Frankfort, Kentucky say an Evansville man shot two Kentucky State University students on campus Tuesday afternoon, killing one and injuring another.
City officials identified the alleged shooter as 48-year-old Jacob Lee Bard in a news release Tuesday evening. Franklin County Regional Jail records showed Bard has been arrested on preliminary charges of murder and first-degree assault.
The two victims hadn’t been identified as of Tuesday night. Authorities didn’t divulge Bard’s relationship to the victims, why he was on campus, or what may have transpired leading up to the shooting, which took place about 175 miles from Evansville. Bard isn’t a student at the university.
According to a Frankfort news release, officers were dispatched to a campus dorm just before 3:15 p.m. EDT after a report of a shooting.
“Two individuals suffered gunshot wounds and were transported to a local hospital by Frankfort Fire and EMS,” the release states.
One of the victims died at the hospital. A release from KSU stated that the second student remained in stable but critical condition as of Tuesday night.
KSU officials are suspending all classes, final exams and campus activity for the rest of the week.
“Students may return home if they choose,” the release states. “… Counseling and support services continue to be available for students, faculty, and staff who may be impacted by this event.”
Kentucky
Kentucky native George Clooney nominated for 83rd Golden Globe Awards
Kentucky native George Clooney is in the running for a 2026 Golden Globe Award for his leading role in the feature length film, “Jay Kelly.”
For his role as an aging megawatt movie star searching to add meaning to his life beyond the silver screen, Clooney was nominated in the category for Best performance by a male actor in a motion picture (musical or comedy).
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association announced nominees for the 83rd Annual Golden Globes on Dec. 9.
Also nominated in the category are Ethan Hawke for “Blue Moon,” Jesse Plemons for “Bugonia,” Lee Byung-hun for “No Other Choice,” Leonardo DiCaprio for “One Battle After Another” and Timothée Chalamet for “Marty Supreme.”
Clooney’s recognition for “Jay Kelly” is his 14th Golden Globe nomination, which includes three wins for “O Brother, Where Art Thou?,” “Syriana,” and “The Descendants,” plus a Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015.
In “Jay Kelly,” Clooney’s agent is played by Adam Sandler, who is also nominated for a 2026 Golden Globe in the category “Best performance by a male actor in a supporting role in any motion picture.”
The 83rd Golden Globe Awards will be held Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California. The event will air live on CBS and stream on Paramount+. Comedian Nikki Glaser is returning as host for the second consecutive year.
Reach features reporter Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com.
Kentucky
Kentucky’s effort issues vs. Gonzaga made painfully evident in viral TikTok video
In the wake of Kentucky’s 94–59 loss to Gonzaga, the popular TikTok account MarchtoMarch, known for its basketball analysis and nearly 100,000 followers, posted a viral breakdown calling out what it described as one of Kentucky’s worst effort performances in recent memory.
The creator labeled the Wildcats’ outing “an absolute embarrassment,” pointing to repeated examples of poor hustle, defensive lapses, and questionable coaching decisions.
In the video, MarchtoMarch highlighted multiple plays where Kentucky failed to secure 50/50 balls, allowed uncontested layups, and showed no resistance in transition. One clip showed Gonzaga scoring easily after an offensive rebound, while another featured Kentucky failing to pick up the ball on a 3-on-2 break, leading to a free 12-foot jumper.
The critique extended to individual players, including frustration with Malachi Moreno’s slow recovery after a turnover and Otega Oweh’s lack of sprinting on defense. “He’s jogging while his man runs right past him,” the video noted.
Coaching decisions also came under scrutiny. MarchtoMarch pointed out two separate inbound plays where Kentucky placed 6-foot-10 Brandon Garrison on the passer, creating mismatches that Gonzaga immediately exploited for easy post scores.
The video concluded with a warning: with Indiana and St. John’s ahead, Kentucky could quickly fall to 6–6 if the effort and structure don’t improve.
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