Cats Turn Attention to Hilltoppers
Kentucky was scheduled to face intrastate rival Louisville on Wednesday night at Rupp Arena. Instead, the Cards program was forced to go on pause due to COVID-19 protocols.
The Cats will still face an intrastate rival, even one that’s wearing red. But instead of Louisville, Kentucky will take on Western Kentucky in Wednesday’s game in Lexington.
UK head coach John Calipari was in search of an opponent to replace Louisville on Wednesday. But with such a tight window, it was tough to find a team to play.
“This was such a quick turn,” Calipari said. “We did start calling teams Saturday night. After the (North Carolina) game, we started calling teams. You just didn’t have a lot of time to get something together.”
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| Kentucky vs. Western Kentucky | ||
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Wed., Dec. 22 – 6:00 p.m. ET |
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TV: ESPN |
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| UK | Stats | WKU |
| 8-2 | Record | 8-4 |
| 82.1 | PPG | 78.6 |
| 62.2 | Opp PPG | 65.7 |
| .488 | FG% | .482 |
| .398 | Opp FG% | .382 |
| 43.9 | RPG | 38.3 |
| .321 | 3PT FG% | .333 |
| .284 | Opp 3PT FG% | .313 |
| 16.7 | APG | 16.6 |
| 6.8 | SPG | 9.3 |
| 5.4 | BPG | 6.6 |
Calipari wanted to make sure the Cats could play one more time before the holidays.
“There are two things that happened. This building is sold out, we have to try to get the best team we can get,” Calipari said. “We can make it about west Kentucky with another big-time opponent. But as you went through the list, there were none that were willing. Then it became, well, to what level do we do all of this. And is there a chance we’re going to postpone the game and not play anybody.”
Calipari searched far and wide but ultimately found that the best match was right in his back yard. Western Kentucky moved its scheduled game against Austin Peay to next season for the opportunity to face the Cats.
The WKU program is loaded with tradition. The Hilltoppers rank 15th all-time in college basketball wins, something that Calipari thinks may overlooked.
“With Western, the history of their program in our state, the respect they get within our state and even nationally,” Calipari said. “Everyone remembers Western Kentucky and Coach (E.A.) Diddle and the red towels.”
As for this year’s Hilltoppers, Calipari knows they are very dangerous.
“You talk about a top program and, what they’re doing now, they’ve got a good team,” Calipari said. “They beat Mississippi good. They beat Louisville good. Louisville made some threes to make it close. This is a team with a leading shot blocker, shooters, they’re well-coached, Rick (Stansbury) does a great job, always has. And this is a dangerous…I don’t want to call it a no-win because playing the game is a win. And let’s really bring light and honor to west Kentucky and do it in a way that the country’s watching.”
Kentucky is coming off its most impressive win of the season, a 98-69 pounding of North Carolina in Las Vegas. Guard Sahvir Wheeler had his best game as a Cat, scoring 26 points, dishing out eight assists, while adding four steals and three rebounds. Kellan Grady had 18 for UK while Oscar Tshiebwe had 16 points and 12 rebounds.
The Cats will look to carry that momentum into Wednesday’s contest against a different, red, intrastate opponent. But make no mistake, this is an opponent that will pose a challenge.
‘Kentucky United’ Telethon Raises Millions for Tornado Relief
Big Blue Nation proved last week that its passion goes far beyond just the athletic fields.
The University of Kentucky athletic department, along with JMI Sports and WLEX-TV, produced a “Kentucky United for Tornado Relief” telethon that helped generate more than $3 million (with matching funds) to assist victims of the devastating tornadoes that ravaged through the state last week. One hundred percent of the proceeds will go to the American Red Cross to aid in the relief efforts in Kentucky and to benefit the victims of the catastrophic event.
With donations still coming in at the conclusion of the telethon, the tabulation had reached $3,031,241. Through Monday, with the online portal donation remaining opening through December, the number was nearing $4.5 million. Donations can continue to be sent in to redcross.org/donate/cm/wlextv-pub.html/ or by mailing a check to the American Red Cross (Attn: Kentucky Tornadoes; 1450 Newton Pike, Lexington, KY 40511).
Every head coach who was in Lexington during the broadcast of the telethon volunteered his or her time. The coaches teamed with UK student-athletes, who took time off during exam week to handle the multitude of telephone calls.
“On an incredible night, the Big Blue Nation and all of Kentucky continue to show the special bond that exists throughout the people of the Commonwealth,” said Mitch Barnhart, UK Director of Athletics. “As relief organizations and volunteers continue to help rebuild the lives of so many, we are thankful to all who contributed to the telethon, the volunteers who made it happen, the American Red Cross, WLEX and JMI Sports. When you raise more than $3 million in four hours through the hearts of wonderful people who care so deeply about those who are hurting, it’s really special.
“We will continue to find ways to help rebuild, restore, heal and return stronger than before. Our hearts extend this hope and promise to the people of Western Kentucky.”
In addition to Calipari and his wife, Ellen, contributing to the cause, several former players also provided support, including: Bam Adebayo (2017), Eric Bledsoe (2010), Devin Booker (2015), Willie Cauley-Stein (2013-15), DeMarcus Cousins (2010), Enes Freedom (2011), Tyrese Maxey (2020), Malik Monk (2017), Jamal Murray (2016), Julius Randle (2014), Karl-Anthony Towns (2015) and John Wall (2010).
Ohio State head men’s basketball head coach Chris Holtmann, a native of nearby Nicholasville, Kentucky, called in to announce a $50,000 donation. UK was originally scheduled to play OSU in the CBS Sports Classic but the matchup was canceled due to COVID-19 results in the Ohio State program.. Additional notable contributions came from Iowa Hawkeyes’ head football coach Kirk Ferentz and Steve Hogan the CEO of the Citrus Bowl. The Wildcats will play the Hawkeyes in the Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1.
Kentucky United was broadcast by WLEX-TV, with assistance from JMI Sports, as University of Kentucky Athletics hosted the event at the Kentucky Farm Bureau Recruiting Room at Kroger Field.
Spearheaded by Calipari, UK has held three previous telethons to assist with natural disasters. In 2010, Kentucky and Calipari used a telethon to raise more than $1 million for victims of the devastating earthquake in Haiti. UK followed that up with another telethon in 2012 that generated $1 million for victims of Superstorm Sandy, and again in 2017 following Hurricane Harvey that devastated the city of Houston. Calipari also helped raise funds for West Liberty, Kentucky, after tornadoes ravaged the town in 2012.
Kentucky United Toy Drive Still Slated for Wednesday
The Kentucky United Toy Drive, which was originally scheduled for the Louisville game, is still scheduled for Wednesday’s game vs. Western Kentucky. The toy drive was initiated by Kentucky First Lady Britainy Beshear.
New, unwrapped toys in original packaging or $25 VISA or Mastercard gift cards will be collected and donated to families in Western Kentucky in need following the tragic tornadoes last week. The UK Police Department is working with UK Athletics on collection and distribution of the donated items.
UK will accept donations at all entrances of Rupp Arena during the game. Free admission with a donation cannot be offered due to limited availability.
The toy donation is in conjunction with the “Kentucky United for Tornado Relief” telethon that UK Athletics, WLEX-TV and JMI Sports hosted earlier this week.
The toy drive kicked off Sunday for the UK women’s basketball game vs. USC Upstate at Memorial Coliseum.
Calipari Helps Deliver Shoes to Western Kentucky
John Calipari, UK Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart, and former players Jack “Goose” Givens and Darius Miller joined Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Lt. Gov. Jacquieline Coleman in Western Kentucky on Sunday morning to hand out shoes to Kentucky residents displaced by the tornadoes last week.
The shoes were provided by Samaritan’s Feet, an organization that provides shoes in need. Samaritan’s Feet CEO Manny Ohonme also made the trip to deliver the shoes.
Approximately 5,000 pairs of shoes were on site for the two stops at Lake Barkley and Pennyrile state parks with another 5,000 on the way.
Beshear said on Saturday that 944 people were being house by the state after their homes were affected by the tornadoes. Nearly all seven state parks were at capacity as of Friday.
“The damage in the area is obvious and devastating, but buildings can be rebuilt,” Calipari said of the visit. “Our focus right now is on the people in that area and the enormous toll this has take on them. How can we lift spirits and let people know we care for them and are there for them.”
UK Blasts UNC in Rescheduled CBS Sports Classic
LAS VEGAS – Kentucky coach John Calipari gave a simple message to Sahvir Wheeler before the Wildcats’ showdown with North Carolina, both individually and in front of the team: “Lead us.”
Whether or not he produced offensively, Calipari pleaded with the team’s fourth-leading scorer who was averaging 9.9 points per game entering the game. Saturday, he led, on a stage he cherished.
Wheeler scored a season-high 26 points and No. 21/21 Kentucky beat North Carolina 98-69 on Saturday in the CBS Sports Classic.
“As players, not many people get the opportunity to play against a Duke, a Carolina, and later we play Kansas — all in one year,” Wheeler said. “I’m just super excited, super grateful to be here (and) have the opportunity to play against those types of programs. At the end of the day we just wanted to come here and win, and we did that.”
Wheeler, who shot a season-best 80% (12 of 15) from the floor, was one of four Wildcats to score in double figures in Kentucky’s first victory away from Rupp Arena.
Oscar Tshiebwe added 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Wildcats (8-2), while Kellan Grady had 18 points and Keion Brooks Jr. had 10.
“That’s by far the best we’ve played and we’re still trying to figure it out,” Calipari said. “Sahvir hasn’t been close to that, maybe the Duke game.”
The Tar Heels (8-3) had kept five straight opponents below 64 points. They were held to their lowest scoring output of the season.
Armando Bacot led North Carolina with 22 points and 10 rebounds, while RJ Davis had 10 points.
Ranked seventh in the country in 3-point percentage (40.9%) coming in, the Heels were a dismal 1 for 13 (7.7%) from long range.
The Wildcats disrupted North Carolina’s offensive sets to create turnovers, dominated the offensive glass and hit 54.2% (39 of 72) from the floor.
Kentucky limped into the game near the bottom of the rankings from 3-point range but buried 8 of 15 (53.3%) from beyond the arc — its best longrange shooting display this season.
The CBS Sports Classic was reshuffled days in advance due to COVID-19 to line up Kentucky against North Carolina for the second straight season Kentucky was previously scheduled to play Ohio State, but the game was canceled Thursday due to positive COVID-19 test results within the Buckeyes program. North Carolina was scheduled to play UCLA, but the Bruins have had ongoing COVID-19 issues.
North Carolina won last season’s matchup 75-63 in Cleveland, but the Wildcats had no trouble Saturday on Las Vegas Boulevard, winning for the sixth time in nine matchups overall in the Blueblood series.
For the first time this season the Wildcats were outrebounded (33-28)
- The Wildcats’ 29-point margin was the second largest margin in the series’ history. UK’s 39-point win on Jan. 9, 1950 is the largest. Kentucky won that game 83-44
- The Wildcats are now 4-4 in the CBS Sports Classic, including 3-1 vs. North Carolina. The Tar Heels lead the four-team event with a 5-3 mark, but the Wildcats have handed the Tar Heels all three of their losses in the annual event
- In a battle of two of the nation’s best rebounding teams, the Wildcats flexed their muscles by beating the bigger, taller Tar Heels 44-26. Kentucky entered the game No. 1 in the country with a plus-16.3 rebounding margin. UNC was ranked 13th coming into Saturday with a plus-10.7 edge per game
- The Wildcats grabbed 17 offensive rebounds that led to 15 second-chance points
- Kentucky dished out 20 assists with nine turnovers
- According to Big Blue History, Wheeler is the first player in school history with at least 26 points, at least eight assists and at least four steals in a game. His 26 points were the best by any UK player this season
- Tshiebwe moved back into second in the country with eight double-doubles while also recording his ninth double-figure rebounding game of the season
