Category: Kentucky Wildcats

Reports indicate Kentucky guard Adou Thiero to enter transfer portal

Kentucky guard Adou Thiero to reportedly enter the transfer portal.

According to multiple reports, Kentucky Wildcats guard Adou Thiero will be entering his name into the transfer portal, becoming the first Wildcats player to do so since the program’s 2023-24 season came to a conclusion.

Thiero, a former three-star prospect from the 2022 class, enjoyed a breakout 2023-24 season with the Wildcats in which he averaged 7.2 PPG, 5 RPG, 1.1 APG, and 1.1 BPG. Starting in 19-of-25 games, Thiero also shot 49.2% from the field, as well as 31.8% from three and 80% from the free throw line.

Across his two seasons at Kentucky, Thiero started 19-of-45 games for the Wildcats, averaging a combined 5 PPG and 3.6 RPG on 46.6% shooting from the field. Thiero also shot 32.3% from three, as well as 76.1% from the free throw line.

As mentioned previously, Thiero is the first Kentucky player to enter the transfer portal so far this offseason, and is likely a key blow to the Wildcats 2024-25 roster as he was a potential starter once again next season. Could any others from Kentucky follow Thiero to the transfer portal?

For more on Kentucky check out UK Wildcats Wire

Gonzaga picks up much needed victory over Kentucky at Rupp Arena

The Gonzaga Bulldogs picked up a much needed Quad 1 victory over the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena on Saturday afternoon.

The Gonzaga Bulldogs came into Saturday’s road tilt against the Kentucky Wildcats in dire need of a marquee victory – and for first time all season long they got it done.

Mark Few’s team picked up their first Quad 1 win of the year, 89-85, over John Calipari’s team at Rupp Arena thanks to a monster night from the frontcourt, led by 23 points and five rebounds from Graham Ike.

Gonzaga is in a rare spot where they are not the favorite to win the WCC Championship and – if they don’t – might not have the resume to secure an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament. If that were to happen, it would end a streak that dates back to 1998, one year before Few took over as head coach.

The decision to schedule this premier non-conference game in February paid off in a massive way for the Zags, as it gave them a huge momentum building victory and memorable performance a month before the Selection Sunday committee makes their decision.

The story is not as happy for Kentucky, who have now lost three of their last four games. They struggled on both ends of the floor in the first half, getting into a 12 point hole and never fully recovering – despite an insane effort from freshman guard Reed Sheppard, who had 21 points in the second half and kept the ‘Cats in this one until the final buzzer.

Gonzaga (18-6) now has five days off until they take on LMU on Thursday, February 15, while Kentucky hosts Ole Miss on Tuesday at 9:00 PM ET on ESPN.

Kentucky offensive coordinator Liam Coen reportedly taking NFL job

Kentucky’s offensive coordinator is reportedly returning to the NFL.

Only a year after returning to Kentucky from the NFL, Liam Coen is now set to make the move back to the professional game according to reports, as the Wildcats’ offensive coordinator is reportedly taking the same position with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

After serving as an assistant with the Los Angeles Rams from 2018-20, Coen was originally hired as Kentucky’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach ahead of the 2021 season, where he would lead the Wildcats to a solid year offensively. Under Coen, the Wildcats ranked No. 36 nationally with an average of 32.3 PPG, as well as 425.4 yards of total offense.

Coen would go on to re-join the Rams in 2022 however as their offensive coordinator, but would remain in Los Angeles for only one season before returning to Lexington this past fall as OC.

In 2023, the Wildcats ranked No. 58 nationally with an average of 29.1 PPG offensively, while also averaging 339.5 yards per game.

Coen is now reportedly set to takeover a Buccaneers offense that ranked No. 20 in the NFL this past season with an average of 20.5 PPG.

Kentucky center Zvonomir Ivisic cleared to play by NCAA

Croatian center Zvonomir Ivisic has finally been cleared by the NCAA and can suit up for John Calipari and the Kentucky Wildcats right away.

A great start to the season for the Kentucky Wildcats just got better with the news that Zvonomir Ivisic, a freshman center from Croatia, has been granted immediate eligibility by the NCAA.

“Hey BBN, guess what? I’m free,” Ivisic posted on social media. “See y’all tonight at the game. Thank you for all the support. Go BBN!”

Ivisic is a 7’2 center with rim protection skills and the ability to space the floor, but after arriving in Lexington back in October the NCAA did not grant him eligibility while investigating if he had previously been paid to play while in Europe.

Coach John Calipari had expressed frustration with the process as recently as this week, and indicated he was not planning to redshirt the big man if he was granted eligibility.

“He’s just a great kid and he deserves it,” he said. “If he becomes eligible, I’ll play him. I don’t know how much.”

“Hopefully we hear something,” Calipari continued. “I just know that around the country, people are being very aggressive when it comes to different stuff with the NCAA. My hope is if this thing lingers too much longer, we become aggressive too.”

Kentucky hosts Georgia on Saturday, although it is unclear at this time if Ivisic will suit up against the Bulldogs or not.

No. 9 Kentucky at Louisville tickets: How to buy tickets for the in-state showdown

Want to watch Kentucky vs. Louisville in person? Tickets are still available for as little as $83.

After a big win against North Carolina, the Kentucky Wildcats moved all the way up to No. 9 in the most recent USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.

While it hasn’t been the best start to the year for Louisville, nothing would turn their season around faster than a big win over their in-state rivals.

The Cardinals host the Wildcats on Thursday, Dec. 21 at 6 p.m. EST.

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If you want to be a part of the action in person, tickets still remain for this matchup between two of the winningest programs in the history of men’s college basketball.

At the time of publication, the cheapest ticket available for the game is only $83.

If you’re looking for a more luxurious, courtside experience, the most expensive ticket to tonight’s game would only cost you $759.

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Kentucky gets commitment from North Texas WR Ja’Mori Maclin

The North Texas wideout caught 11 touchdowns and was one of 25 FBS receivers to surpass 1,000 receiving yards this past season.

Kentucky landed another offensive transfer for the 2024 season on Wednesday, this time in the form of North Texas wide receiver Ja’Mori Maclin.

The Mean Green wideout, the cousin of former NFL star Jeremy Maclin, started his career with Missouri. After one reception for five yards in 2020, he transferred to North Texas, and his career found a spark.

The 5-foot-11, 180-pound receiver caught 16 passes for 380 yards and a pair of touchdowns in 2022, but his real breakout came this past season. He finished the year with 57 receptions for 1,004 yards, one of just 25 FBS receivers to surpass 1,000 yards in 2023. He caught 11 touchdowns, tied for the ninth-most in the country.

Maclin’s best game last season came against Temple when he finished with six receptions for 163 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He surpassed 100 yards in four games this season, and he found the end zone in each of his first eight games.

Eleven of Maclin’s receptions gained at least 30 yards this past season. Only nine FBS receivers put together more deep receptions.

Maclin’s announcement comes a week after former Georgia quarterback Brock Vandagriff, a four-star prospect from the class of 2021, announced he would join the Wildcats next season. Mark Stoops’ new-look offense will have plenty of firepower next season.

Former UGA quarterback Brock Vandagriff reveals transfer destination

Didn’t have that one on the transfer portal bingo card.

While the Georgia Bulldogs are preparing for the upcoming early signing period and the Orange Bowl against the Florida State Seminoles, backup quarterback Brock Vandagriff is preparing for life after Athens.

On Wednesday, Brock Vandagriff announced that he will play the 2024 season with the Kentucky Wildcats. Big Blue played this past season with another transfer quarterback, Devin Leary. It didn’t go as planned but perhaps Vandagriff can give this team the boost they will need in the new-look SEC that welcomes both Oklahoma and Texas next season.

Vandagriff has spent the last three seasons in Athens as a backup to Stetson Bennett and Carson Beck. In that time he has appeared in 13 games with just 21 career passes. Most of his production came this season where he threw his first two touchdowns.

With Vandagriff leaving, the Bulldogs still have starter Carson Beck as well as backup quarterback Gunner Stockton. Not to mention they will sign the No. 1 quarterback of the 2024 cycle, Dylan Raiola. Should Beck remain with Georgia in 2024, we could see Vandagriff face off with Beck when the Bulldogs come to Lexington next season.

‘That’s what those dudes are doing’: Stoops asks Kentucky fans to increase donations

On a Monday radio show, Mark Stoops voiced to Kentucky fans that the best way to keep up with Georgia is through increased donations.

It makes sense that a 51-13 beatdown doesn’t go away overnight. When Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops spoke on a radio show on Monday, it was clear the loss to Georgia still weighed him.

He said his team won’t make excuses or complain about the performance, and he added that Wildcat faithful have the right to complain about the loss. But he did offer a solution for his frustrated fans.

“I just encourage them to donate more, because that’s what those dudes are doing,” he said. “I can promise you Georgia, they bought some pretty good players. You’re allowed to these days. We could use some help.”

An article from the Lexington Herald-Leader said Stoops grew frustrated earlier in the show when a fan pointed out he’d only beaten two SEC teams who finished with a winning conference record.

“You’re climbing the ladder in the SEC,” Stoops said in response. “You think it’s easy? I sat here and watched a bunch of people try to do it. It’s not easy at a lot of different schools.”

Since 2018, Georgia has finished no lower than 4th in 247Sports’ Composite Recruiting Class rankings, with multiple No. 1 classes and another seemingly on the way in 2024. Kentucky has finished inside the top 25 in the nation just once, when they were 14th in 2022.

In an undoubtedly new era of college football, this is one of the first instances of a coach calling for a fanbase’s financial assistance in the recruiting game.

Best Amazon Prime Big Deals Day deal for each team in the US LBM Coaches Poll

View our favorite Amazon Prime Big Deals Day deals for each team in the US LBM Coaches Poll Top 25.

The college football season is heating up and ranked teams are headed in all directions in the US LBM Coaches Poll.

Oklahoma leapfrogged Texas after a convincing win over their rivals. Following suit was another riser in Louisville, who sent Notre Dame down the ladder after a big home win.

No matter what team you pull for, it’s the perfect time to show your support. Amazon Prime Big Deals Day has arrived.

Amongst the slew of deals available on Tuesday, Oct. 10 and Wednesday, Oct. 11, college football’s top-25 will be well represented in the Amazon savings.

Check out our list of featured Amazon Prime Day offers for each team currently in the US LBM Coaches Poll top-25 right here:

Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation will partner with six college basketball programs this season

Did your school make it on the list?

Vanessa Bryant, the late Kobe Bryant’s wife, announced that the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation will partner with six college basketball programs for the 2023-2024 season. The schools are all sponsored by Nike and include Duke, UConn, USC, LSU, Kentucky, and Oregon.

“We are grateful for the amazing support of these prestigious universities (in no particular order) towards the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation – to further the legacies of Kobe and Gigi! So excited to see their players wearing Kobe and Gigi’s NIKE shoes this upcoming season!!!,” Bryant shared on Instagram.

“The Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating positive impact for underserved athletes and boys & girls in sports. Founded through the vision and loving memory of Kobe and Gianna ”Gigi” Bryant,” according to the foundation’s website.
This means that prominent college basketball players like Paige Bueckers of UConn, Angel Reese from LSU, and USC’s Bronny James will be wearing the kicks on the court this season.