Kentucky

Standout players from Kentucky’s blowout win against Kentucky Wesleyan

Published

2 months ago

October 24, 2024

Standout players from Kentucky’s blowout win against Kentucky Wesleyan

Kentucky basketball had their first exhibition of the season on Wednesday night, and for the vast majority of fans, it was their first look at the all-new Wildcats squad. There was plenty to like including the incredible ball movement, a lot of threes put up, and a defensive intensity that held Kentucky Wesleyan to just 33% shooting overall and 15% from three-point range.

On offense, Kentucky’s numbers were impressive, and very much so for an offense that emphases a fast pace and non-stop ball movement. The Wildcats shot 63% overall and 50% from three point range. Kentucky shot 21-42 from deep. They also assisted on 32 of their 48 made shots, and just committed 5 turnovers on the night, so they really took care of the ball for how much they passed it.

There were some standouts from the 71-point victory. Here are three players who stood out on Wednesday night.

One of the more exciting storylines from the night, Butler was everywhere, but so much so on the defensive end. It’s crazy to think about, but the fiery guard actually had more steals himself than Kentucky as a team had turnovers. Butler had 6 steals, while the Wildcats had 5 turnovers on the night. Pope was very impressed by it after the game, saying he doesn’t remember a time he has seen that happen with a player. He also added 2 blocks to go along with all of those steals. He’s dangerous on the defensive end, but he was also very effective on offense. He had 11 points and 6 assists to go along with 6 rebounds. A very impressive performance to say the least.

There has been a lot of talk about Oweh’s energy, but you saw that on Wednesday night. He can shoot when he needs to, but the bulky guard has an unmatched knack of attacking the rim on offense, and he showed that skill off to the Big Blue Nation. He did go 2-2 from deep, but it was the paint where he was most effective. He had 18 points on 7-9 overall, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and a steal. He is known for his intense energy, and he put that on display, especially offensively. As a guy known for his defense, it was good to see the encouraging offensive performance from him. Oweh’s energy will provide a huge boost this season.

Robinson is expected to be a star for Kentucky this season, and arguably their best player. He showed signs of a player who is determined to show his skills in the spotlight at a place like Kentucky, someone looking to make the jump to the NBA after this season. He had 19 points and contributed well to Kentucky’s success from deep. He shot 7-12 overall and even 5-9 from three-point range. He also added 3 rebounds to the stat sheet on the night. Robinson will certainly be one of Kentucky’s top go-to scorers when they need a bucket.

There was a lot to like for Kentucky fans in Wednesday’s exhibition, and it was fun to watch Mark Pope’s style of play in full effect with the players together against an actual opponenet and not just against each other. It’s pretty encouraging when thinking about the fact that the Wildcats were without Kerr Kriisa (hamstring), who will provide a swagger and get his teammates involved on the offensive end, while being a really good shooter. Kentucky fans will see them back in action next Tuesday against Minnesota State Mankato in their final exhibition.

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Kentucky

Muñoz Canó gets Kentucky suspension for clenbuterol positive

Published

7 hours ago

January 3, 2025

Press Room

Muñoz Canó gets Kentucky suspension for clenbuterol positive

Photo:

Kentucky HBPA / YouTube

Owner-trainer Juan
Muñoz Canó was suspended indefinitely by Kentucky racing authorities after
federal regulators said a horse who suffered a fatal breakdown in an October race
at Churchill Downs failed a drug test.

“The owner-trainer
license issued to Juan Muñoz Canó is hereby suspended pending his appearance
before the board of stewards for his alleged conduct against the best interest
of horse racing,” Kentucky stewards said Thursday in their written ruling. “During
his suspension, Juan Muñoz Canó is denied the
privileges of all facilities under the jurisdiction of the Kentucky Horse
Racing and Gaming Corporation. Entry of all horses owned or trained by Mr. Cano
is denied pending transfer to persons acceptable to the stewards.”

The case
against Muñoz Canó was opened Oct. 31 after La Bukana, whom he owned and
trained, suffered a leg injury that led to her being euthanized. Testing
revealed the banned medication clenbuterol was in the 2-year-old filly’s system
at the time of her death, according to the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare
Unit. Muñoz Canó was cited by HIWU on Dec. 20.

KHRGC did not
wait for federal wheels to turn. They voted 3-0 to suspend Muñoz Canó and
supersede federal rules that entitle Muñoz Canó to call for a second split
sample to be tested.

Muñoz Canó’s entry
Friday night at Turfway Park has been scratched, and the same is expected for
his three horses who were entered there for Saturday races. If Louisiana
stewards decide not to recognize the Kentucky penalties, he still would have
one horse on each of the programs Sunday and Thursday at Fair Grounds and two
more next Friday at Delta Downs.

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Kentucky

Here Comes the Boom: Predicting Where Kentucky's Top 2026 Targets Will Land

Published

18 hours ago

January 3, 2025

Press Room

Here Comes the Boom: Predicting Where Kentucky's Top 2026 Targets Will Land

Kentucky basketball has narrowed in on five-star Caleb Wilson (someone frequently mentioned on Here Comes the Boom) as its No. 1 priority left on the board in 2025. However, the 2026 class is expected to be a deep one and UK has already extended several offers.

Here Comes the Boom is back to predict where Kentucky’s top 2026 targets will land. Jacob Polacheck of KSR+ goes through each of Kentucky’s offers in the class and predicts where each player will commit.

Take a Look:

More Kentucky News and Views on the KSR YouTube Channel

Kentucky Sports Radio has expanded its coverage of the Wildcats in the most ridiculous manner possible on our YouTube Channel. Here you will be able to find interviews with coaches and players, as well as commentary from the KSR crew. From Rapid Reactions following big events to our lengthy lineup of live shows, subscribe to the KSR YouTube Channel to stay up to date on everything happening around the Big Blue Nation.

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Kentucky

The University of Kentucky Signs Kelsey Stuck For Fall 2025

Published

1 day ago

January 3, 2025

Press Room

The University of Kentucky Signs Kelsey Stuck For Fall 2025

Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.

Kelsey Stuck will head to Lexington, KY, for her collegiate career after signing with the University of Kentucky. The backstroke/sprint freestyler will arrive on campus from Wilmington, NC, in the fall of 2025 as part of the Wildcats’ class of 2029.

Stuck competes for the Waves of Wilmington Swim Team and Hoggard High School. During her junior season for Hoggard, Stuck was a two-time finalist at the NCHSAA 4A State Championship, notching seventh-place finishes in the 100 backstroke and 50 freestyle. A week earlier, at the NCHSAA 4A Eastern Regionals, she won the 100 backstroke and was the runner-up in the 50 freestyle. She won both at the 2024 3A/4A MEC Conference Championship in January, helping Hoggard claim the overall title.

She most recently competed for the Waves of Wilmington at the 2024 Winter Junior Championships – East, where she logged season-best times in the 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle, and 200 backstroke. Her best finish was in the 200 backstroke, where her time of 2:00.50 earned 48th place.

Stuck swum all her lifetime bests in her primary events in 2023, though she’s been close to them on multiple occasions in 2024.

Best Times (SCY):

50 freestyle: 23.55
100 freestyle: 52.13
200 freestyle:1:54.35
100 backstroke: 54.87
200 backstroke: 2:00.01

The Kentucky Wildcats are in a rebuilding phase and are looking to rebound from a ninth-place finish at the 2024 SEC Championships. None of Stuck’s lifetime bests would have scored at the 2024 SEC Championships, a conference that’s only gotten more competitive with the Texas Longhorns arriving this season.

However, Stuck will be a strong addition to the Wildcats’ backstroke and sprint freestyle groups as the team looks to add depth. Her lifetime bests would’ve landed her in a tie for fifth on Kentucky’s 2023-24 depth chart in the 50 freestyle, fifth in the 100 backstroke, eighth in the 200 freestyle and 200 backstroke, and ninth in the 100 freestyle.

The Wildcats have had a busy season recruiting in the high school class of 2025. Stuck joins Arianna Wertheim, Elizabeth Summa, Hadar Karp, Ava Fuller, Zalika Methula, Abby Dunford, Charlotte Driesse, and Sarah Shaffer in signing on with the Wildcats’ class of 2029.

If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected].

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