Kentucky
What channel is Kentucky basketball vs Bucknell on today? Time, TV schedule, odds
Kentucky coach Mark Pope praises the ‘fantastic’ play of Amari Williams
Kentucky head coach Mark Pope says that Amari Williams is “400 lbs. of solid steel just racing down the floor”
LEXINGTON — Kentucky basketball’s assist-to-turnover ratio has been exemplary through its two preseason exhibitions and 2024-25 opener.
The numbers:
The level of competition has to be considered, of course. The Wildcats’ exhibitions were against a pair of Division II clubs. And Wright State was picked to finish fifth in the 11-team Horizon League this season.
Even Kentucky coach Mark Pope acknowledged none of those opponents were “built around turning you over,” with Bucknell coming to town for a matchup this afternoon.
“Our guys have been really focused on protecting the ball,” Pope said. “We actually try not to talk about turnovers very much. We talk about protecting the ball. And more importantly with protecting the ball, we talk about how we do it.”
Those concepts, ones Pope and his staff emphasize each day, already have begun taking hold.
“The reason we will continue to do well in the turnover game is because our guys, they don’t play to not turn the ball over; they’re playing to win gaps right and to get to 2 feet, and they’re playing to make two-hand plays,” Pope said. “And I’ve been really proud of that.
“Actually, (the shots) our guys have turned down so far has probably been more special to us than what they’ve taken.”
Here’s what you need to know to follow along from home:
UK and Bucknell are slated to tip off at 4 p.m. today at Rupp Arena.
Betting odds: Kentucky is a 23 ½-point home favorite (-110) on DraftKings, which set the over-under at152 points. The money line odds areUK -10000, Bucknell +3000.
The contest between the Wildcats and Bison will not air on a traditional TV channel.
Instead, it will stream live on SEC Network+.
Authenticated subscribers to SEC Network+ can watch the contest on WatchESPN.com, the WatchESPN app or ESPN+.
Those without access to SEC Network+ can access coverage via a subscription to ESPN+. (To sign up for ESPN+, click here.)
Tom Leach (play-by-play) and Jack Givens (analyst) will have the UK radio network call on 840 AM in Louisville and both 630 AM and 98.1 FM in Lexington.
You can also listen online via UKAthletics.com.
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Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
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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