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Kentucky Kernel

The independent student newspaper at the University of Kentucky.
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07/06/2024

Kentucky men’s basketball had no choice but to completely restructure its 2024-25 roster through the transfer portal after seven players transferred out, three graduated and four declared for the NBA Draft following the departure of hall of fame head coach John Calipari

With that in mind, it’s little surprise skeptics have said that the Wildcats are likely to experience growing pains as the team was not only built entirely from scratch, but it’s also welcoming a brand new head coach in Mark Pope, formerly of BYU.

As the Wildcats step up to the plate in his inaugural season, it’s going to take a full-team effort to overcome the brutality of the SEC, but if there was one player who may be able to handle the leadership role on a Frankenstein’s monster roster, it’s former West Virginia guard Kerr Kriisa.

Kriisa joined Kentucky after playing for the Big 12’s West Virginia last season and the Pac12’s Arizona from 2020-23. The speed and competitiveness of the two power-five schools have mentally and physically shaped him to join his third and arguably most challenging conference.

From his time with Arizona, where the Estonian played a crucial role under a national microscope with a team that has had high expectations for years, to playing for West Virginia and competing against collegiate powerhouses like Houston, Kansas, Baylor and Iowa State, Kriisa has continuously delivered a contagious spark.

Now entering his newest home after improving every season up to this point, Kriisa’s game itself won't be the only help the newly assembled Wildcats get from him as his on-court experience and off-court grit to battle through mental challenges will be key for a Kentucky team entering uncharted territory.

With a new coach, a new roster and even a new SEC, Kriisa’s experience as a journeyman and with entering programs in precarious situations will prime him to be a leader for Pope’s inaugural Kentucky team.

07/03/2024

COLUMN: One thing that Kentucky baseball proved with its 2024 season is that it properly arrived in the SEC in 2023 and is here to stay.

After a stellar 2023 campaign, the biggest question surrounding the program was whether that run was a flash in the pan or the beginning of bigger things to come.

This season proved that it was indeed a sign of bigger things to come as, for the first time ever, Kentucky baseball was amongst the final eight teams standing in Omaha, Nebraska, for the Men’s College World Series, becoming the final SEC team to make it to Omaha.

How the Wildcats pulled this off and why they can easily remain near the mountain top in the sport is because of the excellent recruiting by head coach Nick Mingione and recruiting coordinator Austin Cousino.

With Mingione, Cousino and the rest of staff’s ability to find talent at "lesser" schools, recruit out of high school and the growing status from success drawing bigger names in, the perfect storm is brewing for Lexington to become a college baseball talent hotbed.

Kentucky baseball may have been the last in the conference to make it to Omaha for the Men's College World Series, but if Mingione and Co. can continue building upon the strong foundation it created, the Bat Cats certainly won't be a stranger to the event.

One thing that Kentucky baseball proved with its 2024 season is that it properly arrived in the SEC in 2023 and is here to stay. After a stellar 2023 campaign, the biggest question surrounding the program was whether that run was a flash in the pan or the beginning of bigger things to come. This...

06/28/2024

When former Kentucky guard Rob Dillingham was drafted eighth overall to the San Antonio Spurs in the 2024 NBA Draft on Wednesday night, his fortunes quickly changed.

Instead of landing in San Antonio with former No. 1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama, he was instead dealt to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for an unprotected 2031 first-round pick and a 2030 top-one protected pick swap.

Minnesota, which made the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2004 this past season and was three wins away from punching a ticket to the NBA Finals, opted not to select a player with the No. 27 overall pick it owned, instead making a deal that also allowed it to add Dillingham in what seems to be like a match made in heaven.

Many franchises who would’ve welcomed Dillingham with open arms will now have to watch from afar in agony as the qualities he holds not only bring more of an attractive level of play to any NBA team but even more so to the Twin Cities.

Aside from driving in ticket and merchandise sales with his easy to love personality and playing style, Dillingham will, perhaps more importantly, give the Timberwolves a greater shot at winning their first ever NBA championship, completing the journey the team started in recent years.

As is the case in any sport, often the team that drafts a player is just as important as the player being drafted. Not everyone is a good fit for every system and great players across the board fail because of bad systems.

In Dillingham's case, Minnesota might just be the greatest thing that ever happened to him and, if so, Dillingham might be one of the greatest choices Minnesota could've made.

06/27/2024

Former Kentucky forward Justin Edwards signed a two-way contract with the NBA Philadelphia 76ers after going undrafted in the 2024 NBA Draft on Thursday.

A two-way contract indicated that Edwards' contract will be held by both the 76ers of the NBA and the team's G-League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats.

Edwards — who was a projected NBA lottery pick in the beginning of the season — didn’t have the campaign most expected him to as he averaged just 8.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 0.9 assists through 32 games played with an average of 21.5 minutes per game.

The 6-foot, 6-inch Philadelphia native shot 48.6% from the field and 36.5% from beyond the three-point arch while helping at the charity stripe, making 77.6% of his shots.

Throughout the course of the season, Edwards had 14 double-digit point performances with his best game coming at home against Alabama on Feb. 24. In that game, he lit up the Crimson Tide with 28 points, five rebounds and two assists while not missing a shot, going a perfect 10-10 from the field and 4-4 from three.

In his one-and-done year with the Cats, Edwards showed some positive NBA signs but mixed in some poor performances as well, going 0-6 from the field and 0-3 from three against Kansas in the StateFarm Champions Classic.

After an up-and-down season with Kentucky, Edwards now has the right to a fresh start with the 76ers franchise, joining the likes of former Cat Tyrese Maxey and former NBA MVP Joel Embiid.

06/27/2024

Former Kentucky guard Antonio Reeves was drafted No. 47 overall by the New Orleans Pelicans in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft on Thursday.

The 6-foot, 5-inch Chicago native played a large role off the court as well as on as he was really leaned upon for his leadership and veteran experience as a fifth-year senior playing around a Kentucky roster that was funded mostly by freshmen.

Reeves, who transferred to Kentucky from Illinois State after the 2021-22 season, played a pivotal role on the court for the Cats this past season as he averaged a team-high 20.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists through 33 starts.

Reeves had 20 20-plus point outings this past season and went on a hot streak towards the end of the year in which he served up 20-plus points in seven straight games.

He reached a season-high 30 points in Kentucky’s 95-76 win over Louisville on Dec. 21 and, in that game, he shot 62.5% from the field and thrashed the Cardinals by nailing four of five attempted threes.

In his senior season and his first campaign with UK, Reeves averaged 14.4 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists. He finished shooting 39.8% from three, which was the best of his collegiate career before he upped it this past season.

In that same season, he finished with a team-high 22 points in Kentucky’s first round victory over No. 11 Providence in the first round of the 2023 NCAA Tournament.

At Illinois State, Reeves averaged 7.2 points his freshman season, 12.4 points his sophomore season and 20.1 points junior season.

Experts were unsure if Reeves was going to earn a spot on an NBA roster due to his age, but he once again proved the doubters wrong and will join the likes of Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum in New Orleans.

06/27/2024

Kentucky men’s basketball star Rob Dillingham was selected No. 8 overall in the 2024 NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday before being traded to Minnesota.

Dillingham was the second Cat to hear his name called in the 2024 edition of the draft after his former teammate and fellow freshman Reed Sheppard was selected No. 3 overall.

Dubbed “shifty” by fans and teammates alike, Dillingham made an immediate impact in his single season in Lexington, averaging 15.2 points, 3.9 assists and 2.9 rebounds per game, shooting 47.5% from the field and 44.4% from beyond the arch.

Hailing from Hickory, North Carolina, many expected Dillingham — a former FIBA U16 Championship MVP — to follow through with his initial plan to play for the NC State Wolfpack, but the freshman had other plans, flipping to Kentucky and former head coach John Calipari.

Being a spark plug off the bench for the Cats, Dillingham racked up a few accolades during his time in Lexington, being named SEC Sixth Man of the Year and to the SEC All-Freshman Team. He was also named to the All-SEC Second Team.

A five-star recruit by Rivals and ESPN, it came as little surprise when Dillingham declared for the NBA Draft following Kentucky’s shock NCAA Tournament loss to Oakland, becoming the latest in a lengthy streak of “one-and-dones” for Calipari.

While size is a concern for Dillingham, his explosiveness with the ball in his hands and energy on the court made him perhaps the most “NBA-like” of any of the Wildcats last season.

Now joining the Timberwolves following the trade, Dillingham will join former Wildcat Karl-Anthony Towns and superstar Anthony Edwards. Dillingham also became the 60th Kentucky Wildcat drafted in the first round of an NBA draft, a college basketball record.

06/27/2024

Kentucky’s own Reed Sheppard was selected No. 3 overall in the 2024 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets on Wednesday, becoming the first Wildcat to hear his name called in the draft.

Sheppard burst onto the scene at Kentucky out of North Laurel High School in London, Kentucky, as the son of Kentucky legend and Atlanta Hawk Jeff Sheppard and Kentucky women’s basketball star Stacey Reed Sheppard.

With expectations being modest for the young Sheppard despite his status as Mr. Kentucky Basketball and McDonald’s All-American, few could have expected just how successful his lone season at Kentucky would prove to be.

Averaging 12.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.5 steals per game — all while shooting 53.6% from the field — Sheppard solidified himself as a true star in blue and white, being named SEC, NABC and USBWA Freshman of the Year.

Sheppard began playing at a high level early, dropping 25 points against Stonehill in mid November, but he only seemed to get better from there, reaching a season-high point total on Feb. 27 on the road against Mississippi State with 32 points and a game-winner.

Close to two weeks later he did it again, dropping 27 away at then No. 4 Tennessee to boost the Cats to an 85-81 victory to close the regular season.

Despite struggling in the postseason, Sheppard continued to impress at the NBA Draft combine and in subsequent workouts, being invited to the Draft “Green Room” and being called one of the best shooters available.

Now joining the Rockets, Sheppard will join the likes of Jalen Green and Fred VanVleet and will stand as the 59th Wildcat to be drafted in the first round of an NBA Draft.

06/26/2024

With the NBA Draft rapidly approaching, one of several former Kentucky Wildcats hoping to hear their name called is veteran Antonio Reeves.

Averaging 20.2 points per game in 2023-24 and scoring 27 points — second to only blink-and-you’ll-miss-it sensation Jack Gohlke — in Kentucky’s NCAA Tournament first round defeat against Oakland, Reeves solidified himself as one of the Cats’ best in a year full of disappointed and unmet expectations.

Officially entering the NBA Draft pool in April, it’s still an uphill battle for the veteran, as even just his status as a veteran hinders him. At 23 years of age, Reeves is on the higher end of prospects when it comes to age, especially compared to likely lottery picks and former teammates Rob Dillingham and Reed Sheppard, both of whom are just 19-20 years old.

Undeterred, Reeves, the highly efficient Third-Team All American, signed with agent Sam Rose — the same Rose who helped former Cats Isaiah Jackson and Jacob Toppin to sign NBA contracts — and hopes to hear his name called during the 2024 NBA Draft.

Whether or not he is drafted is to be seen, but one thing is for certain and followers of Reeves should make no mistake about it: Antonio Reeves will sign with an NBA team.

Dating back to his Redbird days, teammates had described Reeves as having a “professional mindset.” Now, whether through the NBA Draft or as an undrafted free agent, Reeves won’t just have the mindset, he’ll have the contract, too.

06/26/2024

Whether it was the nearly 20-second time drop from his entry time or the fact that second place touched the wall over 18 seconds after Carson Hick secured first during his preliminary heat, the freshman no doubt concluded his first season as a Wildcat with a bang.

Hick's preliminary time of 15:17.36 in the 1500-meter freestyle race granted him the eighth and last spot to compete in the final round the following night. The 2024 SEC. All-Freshman team member and NCAA qualifier became the only swimmer representing the blue and white in a final round.

Although Hick was unable to secure a spot on Team U.S.A. during the Saturday final, his personal-best performance showed a promising future for the star freshman.

Where one would normally find Indianapolis Colts players scoring touchdowns, Lucas Oil Stadium was instead occupied by a two million gallon pool and hundreds of the best swimmers around the country fighting for their spots on Team U.S.A. in the 2024 Paris Olympics. The nine-day competition was arguably the most stacked U.S. Olympic Trials in the sport's history.

The 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games will occur from Friday, Jul 26, until Sunday, August 11.

06/24/2024

The University of Kentucky Board of Trustees (BOT) voted to adopt President’s Resolution 6 (PR6), a bill that would affect the future of shared governance at UK, in a 19-1 vote on Friday, June 14.

Although PR6 had previously been passed at the BOT meeting on April 26, UK President Eli Capilouto reintroduced the bill with a series of revisions, including the repeal and replacement of Governing Regulations.

UK professor and Trustee member Hollie Swanson was the only board member to vote against PR6 as well as the first to speak regarding the bill.

“We are being asked to fundamentally change how this university operates,” Swanson said. “As an educator, I believe that educational decisions should be made by those closest to the classroom.”

The University of Kentucky Board of Trustees (BOT) voted to adopt President’s Resolution 6 (PR6), a bill that would affect the future of shared governance at UK. Passing in a 19-1 vote Friday, June 14, PR6 will allow the board to hold final policymaking authority, final administrative authority an...

06/12/2024

CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein reported on Wednesday afternoon that Kentucky men’s basketball will travel to Clemson, South Carolina, to take on the Clemson Tigers in the second annual SEC/ACC Challenge this upcoming season.

The matchup currently stands as Kentucky’s fifth confirmed non-conference matchup as the other official games are against Duke (Champions Classic), Ohio State (CBS Sports Classic), Gonzaga (Seattle) and Louisville as a part of the annual rivalry game.

The contest will mark the second annual SEC/ACC Challenge, which replaced the SEC/Big 12 Challenge, after Kentucky rolled past then No. 8 Miami (Fl) 95-73.

The whole college basketball world, especially the Big Blue Nation, is more than antsy to see how well Kentucky performs under new head coach Mark Pope and the test against Clemson could be a good deciding factor of how well this UK team will be next season.

06/12/2024

A line of hundreds of people trailed down the steps of a packed chapel, snaked its way through the grassy lawn, and wound down the sidewalk of a small Christian college in Wilmore, Ky.

The singing could be heard from outside the large Hughes Auditorium on campus, and people waiting for the chance to get in sang praise songs in time with those inside.

People knelt to pray at the altar, worshiped, and held friends and strangers alikeOverflow chapels across the street were just as full, the darkness outside broken by light streaming from the windows.

Lines of cars flooded into the campus, all full of people hoping for a chance to witness the phenomenon now known as the Asbury revival.

The revival began as a regularly scheduled chapel service for Asbury University students on Feb. 8, 2023, and turned into a two week non-stop worship service that drew thousands of people from across the country.

“People were just coming from every denomination...we just really experienced God doing a multi-ethnic kind of unity in the Body of Christ, every skin color being represented, people coming from countries around the world,” the Rev. Greg Hasseloff, Asbury University pastor said.

One year later, Asbury University reflects on the 2023 revival that took the internet by storm. A line of hundreds of people trailed down the steps of a packed chapel, snaked its way through the grassy lawn, and wound down the sidewalk of a small Christian college in Wilmore, Ky. The singing could b...

06/07/2024

As the regular season gave way to the postseason for Kentucky baseball, few have stepped up the way Robert Hogan has out of the bullpen.

“This place is unreal,” Hogan said. “There's no place I'd rather be right now than here in Kentucky playing for this school and this state. Guys too, they are my brothers. Being able to play for these guys, coach Minge (Nick Mingione), everyone, it's like nothing I could ever ask for.”

The Maplewood, Minnesota, native is in his first season in the blue and white after transferring in from Texas A&M, where he posted a 7.86 ERA in 38 games but struck out a staggering 10.94 batters per nine innings.

Hogan had a decent start to the season before hitting a roadblock as he gave up five earned runs in 5.2 innings pitched against Tennessee and South Carolina. Despite that, in his last seven appearances spanning across 11.2 innings pitched, the righty has only surrendered three earned runs.

In his most recent outing in the Lexington Regional, Hogan shut down a rallying Western Michigan Broncos lineup that had clawed its way back from an 8-0 deficit to cut the score to 8-5, keeping it off the scoreboard by pitching the final 3.1 innings of the game to secure the win.

As risky as entering the transfer portal can be, it seems like Hogan and Kentucky turned out to be a perfect match.

“BBN is pretty awesome, being here is probably the greatest decision I’ve ever made,” Hogan said. “I couldn’t thank Mingione enough and this place and what it means to me, so playing postseason baseball here means a lot.”

As Kentucky continues its run in the NCAA Tournament, the righty, nicknamed “Bobby Spinz” when he is on the mound, will be a critical part of the bullpen as it continues its quest to reach Omaha for the first time in program history.

As the regular season gave way to the postseason for Kentucky baseball, few have stepped up the way Robert Hogan has out of the bullpen. “This place is unreal,” Hogan said. “There’s no place I’d rather be right now than here in Kentucky playing for this school and this state. Guys too, the...

06/05/2024

While Mason Moore continued his postseason dominance for Kentucky baseball in his region-winning start against Indiana State on Sunday, there was initial doubt if he’d even take the mound.

The Wildcat righty can normally be seen in the dugout standing on the bench with his pink bucket hat on while cheering on his team, but in the team’s win over Illinois, he wasn’t. In fact, he was not even in the ballpark as he was sent home by the Kentucky training staff after he was sick with a stomach bug.

“It kinda hit me yesterday before the game in the morning, I had a bug,” Moore said. “Richie (Wells) and the trainers got me right, they put two bags of IVs in my arm.”

Despite being sent home to rest, his condition left doubt regarding whether or not Moore was going to be able to take the mound, but all that was relieved by a single text message to his skipper.

“At 7:36 my phone goes off, it's a text message from Mason,” Kentucky head coach Nick Mingione siad. “This is what he said, ‘HERE WE GOOOO, just to update you, I'm feeling better and back to normal, I'm ready to throw and win us a ballgame tomorrow coach.’”

With the Cats once again going on to secure the victory and the Lexington Region, one year after being on the mound in the region championship against Indiana, Moore once again found himself in a prominent role leading the Wildcats to a Super Regional.

“He has the clutch gene,” Mingione said. “To have a guy do this two years in a row, to have somebody for his state school who bleeds blue has been awesome.”

Since coming to Kentucky, Moore has solidified himself as a dominant pitcher in the postseason, having pitched 20.1 scoreless innings the past two NCAA Tournaments, but the righty refuses to take credit for it.

“It's really just the defense,” Moore said. “When you have guys like Grant, Pete (Pitre), (Ryan) Nicholson, Mitch and Waldy (Ryan Waldschmidt) everybody, it's easy to go out there and pound the zone and let them make plays for me.”

Moore will have a chance to further solidify his postseason legacy when he takes the mound next in the Super Regional round of the NCAA Tournament, which Kentucky will host for the first time in program history as it takes on the Oregon State Beavers.

06/04/2024

Chatter comes from all over the vehicle.

Students, professors and healthcare workers sit on the bus as the campus landscape blurs through the windows.

According to UK Transportation Services, there were over one million boardings on the Blue/White Routes, Yellow and Red Mile Routes during the 2023 calendar year, indicating the bus system plays a large role in transportation for the university.

This was not always the case. Lance Broeking, the director of UK Transportation Services, said UK’s bus system needed major change and improvement, which he helped spearhead in 2015.

“No one rode them because you couldn’t count on them. So, we really thought holistically about how can we improve the overall system?” Broeking said.” Reaghan Chen writes.

“Now approaching the steps,” booms over the speakers. The bus seats are filled with students and backpacks, professors and briefcases, healthcare workers with name tags clipped on their shirts and an elderly woman with a purse resting on her lap. Nobody gets off at the stop, but a man wearing a ...

05/31/2024

As Kentucky baseball heads into the NCAA Tournament, one arm that is sure to play a prominent role is Ben Cleaver.

While his name might not be as familiar as some of his teammates, within the team his ability is no secret and it would’ve been on display if it had not been for some injuries.

“Coming out of our fall, we did a ton of player evaluations, I had him as our midweek starter,” Kentucky head coach Nick Mingione said. “He was a guy that in my hopes would be our midweek starter and then much like we did with Travis [Smith] a year ago, when we got to the Regional, that would be our potential fourth starter.”

However, Cleaver has used these injuries as an opportunity to learn from those around them instead of letting them get the better of him while he was unable to pitch.

“He has been learning from a lot of us old guys, asking me a lot of questions,” senior reliever Cameron O'Brien said. “It’s awesome to see him out there doing what he is supposed to do.”

So far in his limited work, Cleaver has shown that no moment or stage is too big and his confidence along with his fearlessness on the mound has also instilled faith in the coaching staff.

“In a lot of ways, we feel like we are adding a quality arm to our bullpen and if we gotta start him I will feel totally comfortable doing that,” Mingione said. “He's a super talented freshman.”

So whether it's out of the bullpen or maybe even a starting assignment, Cleaver could serve to be a critical part of Kentucky baseball’s hopes to reach Omaha and the College World Series for the first time in program history.

As Kentucky baseball heads into the NCAA Tournament, one arm that is sure to play a prominent role on the mound is Ben Cleaver. While his name might not be as familiar as some of his teammates outside the dugout, within the team his ability is no secret and it would’ve been on full display...

05/30/2024

COLUMN: As the Lexington Regional approaches, Kentucky baseball's dugout antics have not only been key for the team's success, but have been good for college baseball.

These types of things keep the game fun and interactive, and that’s good for the growth of the game of baseball as a whole. Anytime there’s a chance to make the fans a part of the game and make the experience at the ballpark more enjoyable, teams absolutely should.

All in all, the Kentucky baseball dugout is must watch and has not only proved to be essential in the team’s success, but also a great step forward in fan interaction and growing the game.

Everyone who dislikes it will just have to deal with it.

Kentucky baseball has had an historic season on the field this past season, but one part opponents have been most critical of has nothing to do with the actual play, rather it’s been the players in the dugout. Earlier in the season, the Bat Cats dropped two of three to Kennesaw State in surprising...

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Happy 4th🦅🇺🇸 Lexington held its annual Fourth of July celebration parade in downtown Lexington, KY. We went around and asked “American related” questions and quizzed attendees on American trivia! For more coverage such as photos from the event, visit our website at kykernel.com. #rahhhh #fourthofjuly #4thofjuly #4th #independenceday #america #murica #kykernel #lexingtonky #lexington #kentuckykernel #fireworks #publicinterview

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Founded in 1908 and independent since 1972, the Kentucky Kernel is the nonprofit student media outlet for the University of Kentucky. The Kernel offers the most extensive multimedia news coverage of UK’s campus and the surrounding metropolitan area. This year the Kernel is launching a digital magazine featuring broadcast. In this special episode we go off track and catch up on all the things you might’ve missed. YouTube: https://youtu.be/_bz8DBTBC1E

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Welcome back to Kernel at the Buzzer. This week, host Colton Johnson is joined by Sports Editor Cole Parke and reporter Tyler Russell where they discuss the recent allegations made against former head coach of Kentucky swim and dive Lars Jorgensen by former swimmers and staff members at Kentucky. YouTube: https://youtu.be/HoIEYbFTwMs?si=f6x-fZ9ciFRqAC5S Spotify: https://spotify.link/qSReFTU5VIb

Welcome to Catching Up with the Kernel. Today, hosts Giana Gallo and Owen Chesemore catch you up on some headlines, including the newly elected Kernel Media editors-in-chief, the death of former UK President David Roselle and the lawsuit involving former swim and dive coach Lars Jorgensen. Lastly, Staff Reporter Lilly Keith gives updates regarding the Senate Chamber. YouTube: https://youtu.be/ppe5LucujHU?si=G7PS9t-Ni-RWYhLd Spotify: https://spotify.link/Uc6V1gBwUIb

The Epsilon Chi chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Inc. partnered with the Black Student Union to play powderpuff, a game of flag football where women take the field and men coach. Here’s Drew Metanchuk with the story. YouTube: https://youtu.be/HW-LGtBK0lQ

Fashion students in the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment came together to put on the 7th annual Color Me Kentucky fashion show Thursday, April 11 at the Central Bank Center. Reporter Gabriella Mercedes brings more insight to the event. YouTube: https://youtu.be/80kkyHE4UcE?si=WR_B98Jo9rLadVTO

Two days after the official hire of former Wildcat Mark Pope, the new head coach of Kentucky men’s basketball received the warmest welcome possible in a packed Rupp Arena. Pope comes to Lexington after coaching at BYU for four years and leading his team to an NCAA National Championship as the team captain at Kentucky in 1996. YouTube: https://youtu.be/9HVDf4VzHmc?si=nEoi-98PTVpUWWdU

Mark Pope, the new head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats, has officially made it to Lexington for his free-to-the-public introductory press conference at Rupp Arena. We asked fans what their hope for Pope was. This is what they had to say…

Thousands of Kentucky fans wait outside Rupp Arena for the introductory press conference of new men’s basketball head coach Mark Pope.

The University of Arkansas announced Hall of Famer John Calipari will become its men’s basketball coach. The announcement came hours after Calipari released a video saying goodbye to the University of Kentucky and the Big Blue Nation after 15 seasons. https://youtu.be/LzMAjdc-GUk

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This week’s episode of Kernel at the Buzzer is out now! Tune in to hear host Colton Johnson along with Sports Editor Cole Parke and Assistant Sports Editor Ali Cetinok break down former Kentucky head coach John Calipari’s decision to step down in favor of becoming the head coach at Arkansas. You can find it on YouTube or Spotify under Kentucky Kernel. https://open.spotify.com/episode/1fGYBgYlwCkBnhXqGxaeuk?si=n1BRgfUMTUOWX1-ABqw9zw

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