Tag: Kentucky Wildcats

Ohio State 4-star OG target Jager Burton picks Kentucky

It wasn’t expected to go Ohio State’s way, but four-star offensive guard Jager Burton picked the hometown Kentucky Wildcats Sunday.

The writing was on the wall as of late, but there was still some holding out hope that 2021 four-star offensive guard prospect Jager Burton would find it in his heart to pick Ohio State.

In the end though, the 6-foot, 4-inch, 271-pounder from Lexington, Kentucky stayed with the hometown team and announced his decision to commit to the Wildcats. But again, not many in the OSU camp saw this one going the Buckeyes’ way anyhow. The staff was unable to get Burton to campus again for an attempt to sway the No. 8 offensive guard and No. 125 overall prospect in the class according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings.

Burton picked Kentucky over OSU, Oregon, Clemson, and Alabama.

So, OSU will now turn the page — if it hadn’t already — and will continue to mine for more talent that’s still out there to put the finishing touches on a 2021 class that’s still considered the top overall class in the country.

If you’re into these sorts of things for commits that choose elsewhere, here is Burton’s commitment video that he shared to Twitter.

As always, we wish Burton luck in his future endeavors, just not if he comes toe-to-toe with Ohio State in the future.

 

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Draymond Green reveals his ‘sleeper teams’ for the NBA’s Orlando Bubble

If there’s going to be a “sleeper team” in the Orlando Bubble, Draymond Green has his eyes on the Miami Heat and Houston Rockets.

As 22 teams make a push to the NBA playoffs in the Orlando Bubble, Draymond Green and the Golden State Warriors are in offseason mode. While he may not be on the court at Disney World, the former Defensive Player of the Year has some predictions for teams that could go for a run in the NBA’s restart.

Green joined his “The Arena” cohost, Charles Barkley, and Ernie Johnson on “The Steam Room” Podcast to discuss the NBA’s return to action. When asked about “sleeper teams” inside the bubble, Green landed on a familiar rival in the Western Conference. The Golden State forward thinks the high-powered Houston Rockets could “cause problems” at Disney World.

Via The Steam Room Podcast:

Let me make one of my ridiculous ‘Chuck’s bold predictions’ — Houston. They got Russ [Westbrook], they got James [Harden] — who obviously can both go for 40 or 50 on any given night. They got a bunch of shooters, and they’re going to create problems for people because their plan is switching defense. The first thing that people try to do — we saw the other day with the Bucks — you try to pound the ball inside. You’re not just going to run James Harden over in the post. You’re not just going to run PJ Tucker over. I think a lot of teams will make that mistake, and Houston can be really sneaky.

Since entering the NBA’s restart, the Rockets are 3-1 with wins over the Dallas Mavericks, the Milwaukee Bucks and the top-seeded Los Angeles Lakers. In Houston’s four games, Harden has registered scoring totals of 49 and 39 points. Before missing the Rockets matchup with the Lakers on Thursday due to a quad injury, Westbrook opened up the bubble with back-to-back 31 point-scoring efforts.

For the Eastern Conference, Green named a South Beach squad that features his former Golden State teammate as another “sneaky” sleeper to watch.

Out of the East, I think Miami is a sneaky team out of the East. They play really hard. They got guys that’s tied in together. They got my guy Andre [Iguodala] over there who we know — during the finals and postseason —  is great. The only thing with the Heat, I think they struggle at times to find consistent scoring, but I think they’re a sleeper team. They got a lot of talent, a lot of pieces.

Erik Spoelstra’s Miami Heat team has split the first four-game in the bubble. With a 2-2 record, the Heat will welcome a matchup with Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns. Since entering the bubble, former Warriors Andre Iguodala is averaging 5.8 points on 38.1% shooting with 4.5 assists and 4.3 rebounds per contest.

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With Golden State’s extended offseason underway, Green will have plenty of room on the schedule to follow Iguodala and the rest of the NBA in the Orlando Bubble.

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Celebrate Josh Allen’s birthday with some highlights of his dominant rookie season

Josh Allen was phenomenal during his rookie campaign in 2019, however, it’s highly unlikely that fans were shocked because he had a top-4 grade from most draft pundits. After he fell to the Jacksonville Jaguars with the seventh overall pick last …

Josh Allen was phenomenal during his rookie campaign in 2019, however, it’s highly unlikely that fans were shocked because he had a top-4 grade from most draft pundits. After he fell to the Jacksonville Jaguars with the seventh overall pick last April, there probably wasn’t a single disappointed fan in Duval as it appeared the team could have a star on their hands.

As expected, when the Sunday (and Thursday) spotlight was put on him, Allen answered the call putting together the most dominant showing of any defensive rookie in team history. He was so dominant that he beat out the franchise’s rookie sack record held by Yannick Ngakoue, racking up 10.5 on the season while also earning Pro Bowl honors.

With all of that behind him, Allen turned 23 Monday, which means Jags fans will have him around for a very long time if the front office does its job. To celebrate alongside him, here are some highlights he put together as a 22-year-old rookie phenom.

Despite not being a full-time starter, Allen was in the running for Defensive Rookie of the Year alongside San Francisco 49ers pass-rusher Nick Bosa. While the argument could be made that Allen should’ve won it due to producing more sacks with fewer snaps (634 to 777), Bosa ended up taking the award earlier this year, but fans are now over that and ready to see what 2020 brings.

At just 23 years of age, Allen will enter 2020 as one of the team’s leaders after the defense parted ways with veterans Calais Campbell, Marcell Dareus, and A.J. Bouye. He also has a high chance to become a full-time starter this season as Ngakoue may sit the season out in hopes to get traded. If that is the case, fans certainly won’t be complaining as Allen is set to become one of the league’s top-5 pass-rushers in a short period.

 

Steph Curry serves as presenter for USA TODAY High School Sports Award show

Stephen Curry presented Kentucky commit Brandon Boston Jr. with the honor of USA TODAY High School basketball Player of the Year.

Stephen Curry made an appearance in USA Today’s High School Sports Awards. The two-time Most Valuable Player presented a bevy of honors including, the High School Boys Basketball Player of the Year.

After recording 19.7 points and 7.0 boards per game during his senior season, Brandon Boston Jr., out of Sierra Canyon School in Chatsworth, California brought home the award presented by Curry.

Next season, the McDonald’s All-American product will report to Lexington to play college basketball in John Calipari’s program at the University of Kentucky.

Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs presented Boston with his second piece of hardware of the evening. Boston was also named California Boys Athlete of the Year. After presenting the award, Mahomes congratulated Boston and wished him luck at Kentucky. 

Via @Tarek_Fattal on Twitter:

ESPN’s Jesse Palmer and Sage Steele hosted the event. Venus Williams, Drew Brees, Gabby Douglas, Rose Lavelle and Michael Phelps joined Mahomes and Curry as virtual presenters.

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Michigan overseas battle postponed to 2022

What was supposed to take place this December has been pushed back due to coronavirus concerns.

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It wasn’t that long ago that Michigan and Kentucky announced a three-game series in basketball, with the first contest due to be in London at O2 Arena in 2020, before it became a home and home starting in 2021.

However, with coronavirus concerns ongoing, there’s been something of a shift in those games to come.

Multiple reporters on the basketball front have confirmed that the Dec. 6 matchup between the Wildcats and the Wolverines in the United Kingdom will be delayed, but still happening. Though fans hoping to catch a glimpse of the two big time programs will now have to wait until 2022 to see them tip-off across the Atlantic.

There is still no word yet about what will happen now in 2020 or in 2021. Certainly, there could be a swap of the game that was set to take place in Rupp Arena in 2022 to 2020, if the two teams are intent on keeping their contest in place.

For now, we’ll await further details about the big non-conference matchup seriess.

Q&A: Mychal Mulder talks quarantine, Kentucky hoops, ‘The Last Dance,’ playing with Steph Curry and his long journey to the NBA

While the NBA season is on hold, Mychal Mulder joined Warriors Wire for a Q&A about life in quarantine, Kentucky hoops, Stephen Curry, “The Last Dance,” and his journey from junior college to the NBA.

Mychal Mulder’s arrival to the Golden State Warriors has been one of the 2019-20 season’s late surprises. After an impressive 10-day contract stint, the Warriors signed the Canadian guard to a three-year contract.

In seven games with Golden State, Mulder is averaging 11.0 points on 38.8% shooting with 3.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 29.1 minutes per game. The former Kentucky Wildcat tallied double-figures in scoring in four of his seven contests with the Warriors.

Against the Denver Nuggets, Mulder buried five triples from beyond the arc in Golden State’s 116-100 road victory. Mulder recorded a new career-high against the Philadelphia 76ers with 18 points on 5-of-10 shooting in another Warriors’ win. The Warriors have punched three of their 15 victories on the season since Mulder was added to the rotation.

While the NBA season is on hold, Mulder sat down with Warriors Wire for a conversation about life in quarantine, “The Last Dance,” Kentucky hoops and his journey from Canada to the association.

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College Football News Preview 2020: Kentucky Wildcats

College Football News Preview 2020: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the Kentucky Wildcats season with what you need to know.

College Football News Preview 2020: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the Kentucky Wildcats season with what you need to know.

CFN in 60 Podcast: 2020 Kentucky Wildcats
Kentucky Wildcats preview in 60 seconds

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– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

– What You Need To Know: Offense | Defense
– Top Players | Key Players, Games, Stats
– What Will Happen, Win Total Prediction
– Schedule Analysis
– Kentucky Previews 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015

2019 Record: 8-5 overall, 3-5 in SEC
Head Coach: Mark Stoops, 8th year, 44-44
2019 CFN Final Opinion Ranking: 26
2019 CFN Final Season Formula Ranking: 45
2019 CFN Preview Ranking: 38

NOTE: Obviously, no one knows what’s going to happen to the 2020 college football season. We’ll take a general look at where each team stands – doing it without spring ball to go by – while crossing our fingers that we’ll all have some well-deserved fun this fall. Hoping you and yours are safe and healthy.

5. College Football News Preview 2020: Kentucky Wildcats Offense 3 Things To Know

– Don’t get too comfortable with the Kentucky quarterback situation. Even if the depth chart is settled, the coaching staff might need to use smoke and mirrors again – like turning now-Las Vegas Raider WR Lynn Bowden into a devastating rushing quarterback last season.

Bowden stepped in after starter Terry Wilson suffered a devastating knee injury early on in the year. He’s expected to be back in time for the season – if it starts on time – but he still needs a whole lot of work to get back to 100%.

And then there’s Auburn transfer Joey Gatewood. The 6-4, 242-pound sophomore has the tools and talent to be the star of the program, but the NCAA’s flip-flopping on the one-time transfer rule makes him a question mark to be eligible for 2020.

If there are any issues with Wilson and Gatewood, senior Sawyer Smith suddenly gets the keys to the offense. Again, don’t get comfortable until someone runs out on the field for the first drive against Eastern Michigan.

CFN in 60 Video: Kentucky Wildcats Preview
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– Lynn Bowden was the running game at times last year, but no matter who’s at quarterback this year, don’t expect 1,468 yards coming from the position. 6-1, 210-pound senior Asim Rose is back after running for 826 yards and six scores. He’s surrounded by a whole bunch of promising underclassmen – namely sophomores Kavosiey Smoke and Christian Rodriguez, who combined for well over 1,100 yards with 12 scores –  for what should be a solid ground game.

The offensive line will be there to pave the way. Four starters are back from a group that got the job done for the nation’s fourth-best ground attack. There’s depth, size, and enough talent for the front five to be a major plus.

– Bowden was the team’s leading rusher, second-leading passer, and the top receiver. Assume more from the wide receivers, but Josh Ali is the top returning target with just 23 catches for 233 yards and three scores. Expect a lot more big plays from the mostly neglected group for a passing game that failed to connect on half of its passes.

NEXT: College Football News Preview 2020: Kentucky Wildcats Defense 3 Things To Know

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Ohio State basketball matchups for CBS Sports Classic extension announced

The four-team CBS Sports Classic will be extended with Ohio State basketball continuing to participate. It’ll play North Carolina in 2020.

If you’ve been following college basketball over the last few years, you are keenly aware that the CBS Sports Classic has pitted Ohio State, North Carolina, Kentucky, and UCLA against each other in rotating years. The format first appeared in 2014, and was extended through this past season after the 2017 matchups.

We now know that the CBS Sports Classic will again be extended according to a report from CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein. There are no dates or venues scheduled yet, but we do know that Ohio State will face North Carolina this coming season, then UCLA in 2021, and Kentucky in 2022.

This is great news for college basketball fans, especially for the four teams that take part in the annual event.

And remember, many singled out Ohio State as the program that didn’t fit in this matchup. Of the four, those that don’t know much about the history of college basketball railed on a Buckeye program getting invited to this party.

The Buckeyes have equated themselves fine enough thank you very much, going 3-3 overall. The only team with a winning record in the Classic is North Carolina at 4-2. Kentucky is 3-3, and UCLA has finished just 2-4.

As we know more about dates and venues, we’ll be sure to pass on further information.

Kentucky’s Tyrese Maxey signs with Rich Paul and Klutch Sports

Rich Paul has landed one of his first big fish of the upcoming NBA Draft in Kentucky’s Tyrese Maxey.

While the word from basically every level of the NBA seems to indicate that players, owners and the rest of the apparatus are hopeful of finishing the season in some form, without fans. But whenever the NBA completes their season, there will be an NBA Draft at some point this year, whether it’s digital like tomorrow’s WNBA Draft or whether it will be another made-for-TV event without fans but includes the participants. No matter when and where the draft is held, Klutch Sports has signed its first player who is expected to go in the 2020 NBA Draft.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowksi reported on Thursday that Kentucky’s Tyrese Maxey has signed with Klutch Sports and Rich Paul.

Klutch also announced the move on Instagram.

View this post on Instagram

We are excited to welcome @tyresemaxey! #Klutch

A post shared by Klutch Sports Group (@klutchsports) on

Our own Bryan Kalbrosky had Tyrese Maxey going in the lottery at No. 7 in his latest Mock Draft. The NBA has yet to determine the draft order as there has been no lottery and with no clear return on the horizon for the NBA, it appears that everything is movable given the current circumstances. Maxey likely won’t be the last draft pick who ends up with Klutch by the draft gets here, whenever it does.

The Kentucky pipeline also remains strong for Klutch as Maxey joins other fellow Wildcats such as Anthony Davis, John Wall and Eric Bledsoe.

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Tracking the NBA draft stock of the top Kentucky Wildcats’ prospects

With the college basketball season officially over, USA TODAY SMG’s Rookie Wire is looking at draft stock for players on top NCAA teams.

With the college basketball season officially over, USA TODAY SMG’s Rookie Wire is looking at draft stock for players on top NCAA teams.

As of July 2019, there were thirty players who played college basketball at Kentucky playing in the NBA. That was the largest representation from one college in league history, per HoopsHype. That number will increase with a new draft class from the Wildcats set to hear their names called this summer.

John Calipari recently said that five players on Kentucky have entered their names into the 2020 NBA Draft (via 247 Sports)

“What we did before they left, I had individual meetings with each player and I had the staff in there. I wanted everybody to hear it together individually with players but with my staff. We just did a Zoom call yesterday with my entire team to try to keep touching base with them, but the reality of it was five of them have put their name in the draft.”

Based on their current draft stock, one would assume those players are: Tyrese Maxey, Ashton Hagans, Nick Richards, Immanuel Quickley and EJ Montgomery.

However, two others who played at Kentucky (Kahlil Whitney and Keion Brooks) registered on the NBA Draft radar points this season. As such, we research their draft stock for this study as well.

Two quick notes: evaluations will be based on the NBA Undergraduate Advisory Committee (UAC) scale of whether a player is a lottery pick, first-rounder, early second-rounder, late second-rounder or undrafted.

These numbers were determined by monitoring mock drafts and big boards published throughout the season, starting from immediately after the 2019 NBA Draft and updated in real-time.

Mock drafts and big boards are included not only from mainstream analysts and experts but also current and former agents, front office executives as well as various trusted sources around the league.

The composite results for Kentucky are included below but click the name of each player for a closer look at each prospect.

Tyrese Maxey | Ashton Hagans | Nick Richards | Immanuel Quickley | Kahlil Whitney | EJ Montgomery | Keion Brooks

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