Kentucky
What to like and what needs to improve after Kentucky’s 2 exhibition games
The Kentucky Wildcats wrapped up their second and final exhibition game Tuesday night before shifting their focus towards the regular season opener against Wright State next Monday.
The Cats were pretty much held in check by the defending Division II National Champions, Minnesota State, for the first 15 or so minutes before an offensive surge that willed the Wildcats to a 21-3 run to end the first half.
Minnesota State presented to be a much more difficult matchup for the Wildcats than Kentucky Wesleyan was in the first exhibition game, but what we learned from Tuesday night is that once this team starts cooking offensively, as well as being locked in defensively, a 2-point Kentucky lead can turn into a 20-point Kentucky lead in a matter of seconds.
As we head into the regular season, there is a lot to like about this new-look Kentucky team, and there are also some things that will have to improve as the season goes on. What was there to like, and what needs to improve after the Wildcats’ two preseason performances?
What to Like
Otega Oweh
The Oklahoma transfer was, in my opinion, the most underrated addition to this year’s Wildcats squad, and through two exhibition games, Otega Oweh was massively impressive in those two outings. He scored the Wildcats’ first seven points Tuesday night and ended with 15 on the night. His ability to finish downhill and his intensity on the defensive end was put on display in both performances. Otega scored 33 total points through his first two exhibition games and shot 14/17 from the field combined. We all know how good Otega is in transition, but if his shot starts to fall more as the season goes on, the Wildcats will be even more dangerous offensively than they are now.
Lamont Butler
The former Aztec put on a defensive clinic in his first two exhibition performances, which included nine steals combined in those two outings. Guards from opposing teams will have their hands full throughout the season trying to get around the reigning Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year due to his steady disruptiveness on that side of the ball. When it’s all said and done, Butler could be up there with the likes of former Kentucky PGs such as Rajon Rondo, Tyler Ulis, Ashton Hagans, and Cason Wallace in terms of defensive-minded Kentucky point guards.
Jaxson Robinson
Before Robinson ended up taking his name out of the draft this past summer, we talked about how significant it would be to add him to this year’s Wildcat roster, and after these two exhibition performances, now you see why. Jaxson Robinson had a total of 43 points on 15/24 shooting in his first two games and was also a combined 13/21 from three. He went on a surge from three Tuesday night (8/12) and ended with 24 points. There was so much talk this offseason about when Kentucky needs a bucket in a crucial stretch of the game, who will be able to put this Wildcats squad over in those situations? I think Robinson has put those questions to rest as of now.
A prolific offense
This Wildcats squad showed how quickly they can put up points in their first two exhibition games. They shot 21/42 (50%) from 3 in their first matchup against Kentucky Wesleyan. Although they were held in check for the first 15 or so minutes in the first half of Tuesday night’s game, Kentucky’s 2-point lead went to 20 in just a matter of minutes. We know what this offense is capable of when they are able to make shots at a consistent rate.
Defensive intensity
Last year’s Kentucky team struggled on the defensive end all season, but that seems unlikely to continue because you already have seen the disruptiveness from the Wildcats on that end through the two exhibition outings. Yes, they are playing inferior opponents, but you have to like what you see from this squad on that end, considering you have a center in Amari Williams, who is a former and reigning two-time CAA Defensive Player of the Year, and a reigning Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year in Lamont Butler. If the offense can continue scoring at a high pace as well as being locked in on defense, all I have to say is look out!
What to Improve
Rebounding
Kentucky was in a dogfight in both games in the rebounding area. They were plus 12 against Kentucky Wesleyan but only plus two against Minnesota State. The thing that was worrisome through two exhibition games was the offensive rebounding. Kentucky lost the offensive rebounding battle in both matchups, which is worrisome. As the regular season sets to tip off next week, the Wildcats have to improve in that area because, going forward, you’re going to meet more teams that will be able to match up with your physicality, so that will need to be addressed.
In these days of cell phones, social media and hundreds of TV channels, teenagers have a lot of distractions.
To be good in fishing, you have to set all of that aside and be locked in to what you’re doing for eight or more hours.
Ten Northern Kentucky high schoolers will take on that challenge this weekend at the Kentucky High School Athletic Association state bass fishing tournament. The event is a two-day competition, May 8-9, at the Kentucky Dam Marina in Gilbertsville, western Kentucky.
Anglers can catch a maximum of five fish per day. Teams win by accumulating the highest total weight of fish.
“I’m pretty excited,” said Covington Catholic junior Drew Berling, one of the competitors. “Fishing up in Northern Kentucky doesn’t get a lot of recognition and hopefully we can do pretty well.”
Berling and teammate Eli Scroggins are one of five two-person teams that will have a boat in the competition after qualifying from the Region 2 tournament in Jamestown. They finished 14th in the regional.
Grant County has two boats. Hunter Lilly and Kyle Lilly finished third in the regional, Brian Hamm and Raymond Hamm finished 27th. Bishop Brossart’s Cooper Lackey and Paxton Litmer finished sixth. Ryle’s Tanner Norman and Owen Miller placed 28th.
Berling and Scroggins finished 49th in the state meet last year. Scroggins is competing at state for the third straight season.
Northern Kentucky has never won a bass fishing state title. CovCath has a strong recent history of success, with three top-10 finishes in the past five seasons, including second place by Brandon Smith and Phoenix Parks in 2024.
Grant’s Hunter Lilly finished 14th last year with a different partner. Dixie Heights had a fourth-place showing in 2015.
Berling, who has been fishing since seventh grade, said constant communication is a key between the partners.
“I like being out in the water and hanging out with my buddies,” he said. “Being out in the water is fun.”
While it’s fun, you have to be laser focused on what’s going on in the water. Patience is key.
“You can’t just be screwing around in the boat,” Berling said. “You got to really lock in and focus on the goal, which is to win the tournament. If you’re not focused, you’ll lose fish. You might pass over something that potentially holds the tournament-winning fish.”
The closest competition water to Northern Kentucky is Williamstown Lake, where Berling and others compete once or twice a week.
Berling said like any other sport the ability to stay in the present after a mistake is also important.
“If you’re angry and frustrated it’s pretty easy to lose your focus,” he said. “You just have to move past it.”
Bourbon and Beyond 2025 recap: See day one of music festival
Bourbon & Beyond brought thousands to the fairgrounds to enjoy the music, vibes, food and even Kentucky Kingdom. Recap day one.
Kentucky Kingdom opens for the 2026 season on May 9.
Whether you’re looking to soak up some sun at Hurricane Bay or check out the new $14 million roller coaster, the Flying Fox, it may be time to plan your next visit.
Here’s what to know.
When does Kentucky Kingdom open for the 2026 season?
Kentucky Kingdom will reopen for its 2026 season on May 9.
When does Hurricane Bay at Kentucky Kingdom open?
Hurricane Bay opens for the 2026 season on May 23.
How much is a season pass to Kentucky Kingdom?
Season passes start at $79.99 and go up to $209.99. Pre-K children’s passes are free.
How much is a single-day ticket to Kentucky Kingdom?
Single-day ticket costs vary by day. There is currently an opening sale, with single-day tickets available for $34.99. Tickets are valid for one day admission from May 9 to June 15.
When is Kentucky Kingdom open in May?
Beginning May 9, the park operates on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The park opens on weekdays beginning May 25, which is Memorial Day. Typical weekday hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and weekend hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
What are Kentucky Kingdom’s hours during the summer?
During most of June and July, Kentucky Kingdom is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
The park stays open longer from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 3-4 for its Bluegrass & Booms event.
When is Kentucky Kingdom open in August?
After Aug. 5, Kentucky Kingdom is closed on weekdays. The park will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 8-9, before hours switch to 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. starting Aug. 15.
The park will also be open on Sept. 7 for Labor Day from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
When does the summer season end at Kentucky Kingdom?
Hurricane Bay closes after Sept. 7, and Kentucky Kingdom closes for the season after Sept. 13. Hours will be reduced to 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 12-13.
When do Halloween hours start at Kentucky Kingdom?
The Halloween-themed Pumpkins at Kentucky Kingdom event begins on Oct. 2 and operates from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays, 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays and 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays. The last day for the event is Nov. 1.
When are Christmas hours at Kentucky Kingdom?
Christmas at Kentucky Kingdom opens on Nov. 21. Hours and days of operation vary. Visit kentuckykingdom.com for more details.
Reporter Maggie Menderski contributed. Reach Marina Johnson at Marina.Johnson@courier-journal.com.
Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo will not run in the Preakness Stakes next weekend, trainer Cherie DeVaux announced Wednesday.
DeVaux and owners decided to skip the Preakness and set their sights on the Belmont Stakes on June 6 at Saratoga Race Course in upstate New York. DeVaux, who became the first woman to train a Derby winner, is from Saratoga Springs, which is hosting the Belmont for a third and final time this year.
“We are incredibly appreciative of the excitement and support surrounding the possibility of a Triple Crown run,” DeVaux said in a statement. “Golden gave us the race of a lifetime in the Kentucky Derby, and we believe the best decision for him moving forward is to give him a little more time following such a tremendous effort. His health, happiness and long-term future will always remain our top priority.”
Golden Tempo is the third Derby winner in the past five years not to be entered in the Preakness. For various reasons, it is the sixth time in eight years the Preakness will happen with no chance of a Triple Crown on the line. American Pharoah in 2015 and Justify in 2018 are the only horses to sweep all three races over the past four decades.
The two-week turnaround from the Derby to the Preakness, which used to be commonplace, is considered a nonstarter for many trainers and owners given that most elite thoroughbreds now typically go a month or more between races. It has caused endless debate in horse racing circles about the spacing of the Triple Crown in modern times.
Maryland racing officials are considering moving the Preakness back from the third Saturday in May to the fourth to increase the chances of not just the winner but other horses from the Derby being considered for the second leg of the Triple Crown. None of the 18 who ran this year at Churchill Downs are heading to the Preakness, with Golden Tempo the only one considered.
The Preakness is taking place at Laurel Park between Baltimore and Washington, D.C., this spring while its longtime home, Pimlico Race Course, is rebuilt as part of a massive construction project that included demolishing the debilitating old structure. Pimlico is set to become the site for year-round racing in Maryland beginning next year when the state takes control from 1/ST Racing, with Laurel becoming a training venue.
Golden Tempo won the Kentucky Derby as a 23-1 long shot in spectacular fashion, making a charge from the back of the pack down the stretch to the finish line a neck ahead of morning line favorite Renegade. DeVaux and co-owner Daisy Phipps Pulito said they would see how the colt came out of the race before making any decisions.
They followed the lead of trainer Bill Mott and Godolphin Racing, which last year chose to bypass the Preakness with Derby champion Sovereignty to give him extra rest for the Belmont. Sovereignty rewarded them by winning the Belmont and the Travers Stakes and is back racing as a 4-year-old.
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