Kentucky
Tennessee transfer and former UK commit Gerald Mincey is a name to watch for Wildcats
While transfer portal activity has slowed down with the deadline passing, teams are still looking at potential additions through the portal.
There is a new name that Kentucky Wildcats fans may want to keep an eye on: Gerald Mincey.
The Tennessee Volunteers offensive tackle entered the portal last week and could be a possible option for Kentucky.
Kentucky Sports Radio’s Matt Jones recently posted that Mincey is a key player to watch for Kentucky in the portal.
Mincey’s name could be familiar to Kentucky fans. He committed to Kentucky in the 2020 class, but ultimately ended up decommitting and going to Florida. Things didn’t go as intended, and Mincey ended up transferring to Tennessee.
He was a redshirt junior this past year and played in all 13 games, including the bowl game, in which he started in seven of those matchups.
Mincey initially said he planned to return to Tennessee, but instead will test the waters of the transfer portal. He was viewed as a likely starter for the Volunteers next season.
Mincey has played left and right tackle for the Vols, and would have two years of eligibility remaining at his new school.
Mincey has also drawn interest from Ole Miss, and with the way Lane Kiffin has attacked the portal this offseason, that could present a challenge, but Kentucky seems to be a realistic landing spot.
Bringing in an experienced tackle from the SEC who can play both left and right tackle would certainly be a boost for this Kentucky offensive line.
Let’s see if Mark Stoops and Co. can seal the deal on another portal target.
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 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.
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