Where in the world is John Calipari? Washington D.C. apparently. This morning, Cal took a Twitter video from a hotel lobby, telling fans he’s headed to the Capitol to do some “special things” :

— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) July 20, 2017

What are those special things? One of them is watching his friend Kelly Knight Craft be confirmed as the US Ambassador to Canada:

— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) July 20, 2017

Congrats, Kelly. I’m sure Cal will post plenty more from his trip to Washington, so stay tuned. In the meantime, here’s today’s Top 10.

1. Last night, Cal was in Philadelphia

This is another big recruiting weekend and Cal started things off in Philadelphia at the UAA All-American Camp, where he watched 2018 big men Moses Brown and Naz Reid and 2019 stars Scottie Lewis and Bryan Antoine. Cal has yet to extend an offer to Brown, but could soon should things not go well with UK’s primary target at center, Bol Bol.

2. Naz Reid says he wants to take an official visit to Kentucky

Adam Zagoria spoke to Reid last night. and even though the 6’9″ power forward doesn’t have an offer from Kentucky yet, he said he’s been in touch with Tony Barbee and hopes to land one soon. He also wants to visit Lexington.

“They just definitely want me to be the best version of me,” Reid said of the Kentucky coaching staff. “If I can keep that consistent 110 [percent] battle effort, then the sky’s the limit.”

Want more recruiting talk? Check out Nick’s extensive update from last night.

3. I can’t stop watching this video of Jonny David playing “Basketball Hero”

A post shared by Kentucky Men's Basketball (@kentuckymbb) on Jul 19, 2017 at 12:41pm PDT

Back at home, the current team is hard at work in summer workouts, and I can’t stop watching this video of Jonny David playing with the “Basketball Hero” machine last night (nicknamed so because it’s like Guitar Hero). It’s oddly fascinating.

4. More #HorseWithTheCats is on the way

Yesterday, Rex Chapman squared off against PJ Washington and Quade Green for the latest installment of the #HorseWithTheCats series. KyWildcatsTV should release the final versions of the videos soon, but here’s a sneak peek from @KentuckyMBB:

— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) July 19, 2017

5. The new deal between UofL and the Yum Center will be announced today

Last night, we first got word of a new deal between the University of Louisville and the Yum Center, which should apparently loosen the stronghold the university has over the arena’s finances. Under the amended lease, UofL will pay the arena authority $2.5 million each year for debt payments. Most interestingly, the deal was apparently made behind Tom Jurich’s back in what is being called a “shift in power” from the athletics department to the president’s office. As you might imagine, that didn’t go over well:

SOURCE: Many UofL coaches enraged over Greg Postel's "shift in power" as he stiff arms Tom Jurich in Yum deal https://t.co/pNlCEbEKaS

— Terry Meiners (@terrymeiners) July 19, 2017

Right now, the UofL Athletics Association is learning about the deal, which will then go to the Board of Trustees for approval. Should it pass, the arena authority will announce all of the details to the public. In the meantime, feel free to laugh at this:

Just read @CardChronicle story on the horribly proposed Yum Center lease. Cards fans show your support by retweeting #TomsLouisville. pic.twitter.com/XicCEFJMEE

— John Ramsey (@JohnRamseyUofL) July 19, 2017

6. Details on Rajon Rondo’s deal with the Pelicans

Word that Rondo is headed to the Pelicans broke last week, but yesterday, Shams Charania reported that Rondo’s one-year deal is worth $3.3 million. With DeMarcus Cousins set to be an unrestricted free agent next summer, this is a make it or break it year for the Pels. Will Rondo help or hurt?

7. I love this interview with UK’s 13-year-old football recruit

Over the weekend, you may have seen the picture of the 13-year-old 6-6 350 lbs. football recruit at one of UK’s camps. KSTV caught up with him, and it turns out he’s probably the most likable 13-year-old ever.

He’s 6’6′, 350 pounds….and he’s still in middle school. @LGonTV will have more with UK recruiting target Kiyaunta Goodwin this week. pic.twitter.com/GOv0YnB0od

Speaking of KSTV, major congrats to TJ Beisner and his son, Tyler. Tyler, a wide receiver at North Oldham High School, just got an offer to walk on at UK in 2018. Simply awesome. If you don’t know Tyler’s story, I suggest you take some time and read this today.

8. The Open begins

The British Open (aka The Open) begins today at the Royal Birkdale and action is already underway. You can watch live on the Golf Channel and see all of the tee times here. but the only thing you really need to know is Kent Bulle tees off at 10:54 a.m. alongside Haotong Li and Haydn McCullen. His cheering section is ready:

Go get ’em, Kent!

9. Interested in sponsoring one of KSR’s UK Football photo galleries?

KSR’s 2017 UK Football Photo Gallery packages are now on sale. We have mini season, full season, and title sponsorship options. Don’t miss your chance to have your business featured alongside the work of our award-winning photographer, Dr. Michael Huang. Email ksrads@kentuckysportsradio.com for more package info.

10. Today on KSR: Matthew Mitchell

Each year the live recruiting period provides more clarity as to where Kentucky stands with players in its upcoming recruiting class. After spending a weekend watching and talking to recruits on the Nike and Adidas circuit, I have some bad news, some good news and a few other nuggets of information. First, the bad news.

It’s Not Looking Good

Marvin Bagley
Power Forward | 6-11 | 200 lbs.
Phoenix, AZ | Sierra Canyon
AAU: Phoenix Phamily
★★★★★

Before the Peach Jam, two Rivals recruiting analysts predicted the nation’s top-ranked player would eventually become a Kentucky Wildcat. After his second game at the Peach Jam, Bagley said he’ll “eventually get to Kentucky,” but he did not mean that in a good way.

The 6’11” athlete that does it all will visit Duke this week. Now the most likely East Coast destination for the West Coast kid, the word on the street is that Bagley could reclassify to play college basketball this year. He should do it. He’s wasting his time playing high school basketball. I just hope it’s USC, not Duke.

If Bagley doesn’t reclassify to 2017, Kentucky will still be in the mix, but I would not get my hopes up.

Romeo Langford
Shooting Guard| 6-5 | 190 lbs.
New Albany, IN | New Albany High School
AAU: 22 Vision
★★★★★

Langford’s recruitment has been the most entertaining since Patrick Patterson/Jai Lucas. Living in the middle of UK/IU/UofL country, the country’s top-ranked wing from New Albany, Indiana has created a buzz the area hasn’t seen in years. Now everybody knows somebody that knows somebody that knows sumthin’ bout (h/t Trick Daddy ).

Amidst all of the buzz there were two schools that stood out early in the process: Duke and Kentucky, with the Blue Devils receiving a slight edge. Now, neither school is a serious contender, especially Duke. After a game at the Adidas Gauntlet Finale in Spartanburg, Langford said he is no longer communicating with Duke.

The Duke vacancy isn’t an opportunity for Calipari. Even though many believed coaching Team USA in Egypt would be nothing but a positive for Coach Cal, that’s not the case with Langford. Even if he wasn’t limited by back spasms, Langford still wasn’t going to be a star for that team, forced to take a backseat to another UK recruit.

Langford’s recruitment will be a circus for the next nine months. His recent, sudden change could reverse course later in the process, but it’s doubtful to turn toward UK following his Team USA experience. Indiana and Texas were two prominent names to watch, two places where Langford can be the show.

UK is the Team to Beat

Cameron Reddish
Small Forward | 6-8 | 196 lbs.
Norristown, PA | Westtown
AAU: Team Final
★★★★★

Reddish is the reason Langford will most likely not play college basketball in Lexington. A 6’8” forward with elite guard skills, Reddish received the starting two-spot for Team USA instead of Langford. Even if he didn’t directly take Langford’s place, the way Calipari played Reddish all but convinced Langford he can’t play with Cam.

This is not necessarily bad news. If Langford isn’t scoring, there’s not much else he can do to contribute. Reddish can do just about anything and everything at any given moment on a basketball court. His three-point shot has improved, but if it’s not falling he can get easy buckets in the post. Defensively, Reddish is a physical presence and an excellent rebounder.

Intitially perceived as a Duke-lean, Reddish told Kyle Tucker the Blue Devils are “absolutely not” his leader. Cal’s Team USA experience will help get Reddish to UK. For another recruit, that experience helped even more.

Immanuel Quickley
Point Guard (2018) | 6-3 | 175 lbs.
Bel Air, MD | John Carroll School
AAU: Team BBC
★★★★★

The point guard has not committed to Kentucky, but everybody already considers Quickley a Wildcat. There are still some people in his ear trying to convince him to stay home to play for Maryland, but that’s highly doubtful. Quickley doesn’t just speak positively about his experience with Calipari, he provides glowing reviews and discusses the importance of working with him over the summer.

Even though I’d seen Quickley in action for Team USA, he was even more impressive in Spartanburg, playing off just one day of rest in the last month. An excellent passer with an improved shot, Quickley’s skills will be valuable to Kentucky, but maybe not as valuable as his ability to bring other elite recruits into the fold. Just like Quade Green in 2017, Quickley’s skill-set and personality will attract some of the best in the nation to UK.

Zion Williamson
Forward | 6-7 | 220 lbs.
Spartanburg, SC | Spartanburg
AAU: SC Supreme
★★★★★

The previous two players are certainly close to committing to Kentucky. Zion is not close to making a decision, but Kentucky does appear to be in much better shape, thanks to Quickley.

“Me and Immanuel are good friends,” Williamson said. “We bonded over the Adidas Path and I just love the way he plays point guard. That’s the type of point guard I want to play with.”

They don’t make big guys as explosive as Zion is. Truly a marvel to watch, his highlights don’t do it justice. I could write 1,300 words about him ( like Jack did here ) but it still doesn’t encapsulate his presence on and off the court.

A Spartanburg native, he brought crowds that are abnormal for AAU events. Those crowds will try to convince him to stay home and play for Frank Martin at South Carolina. After the Gamecocks’ Final Four run, it’s possible. He’s also the kind of kid that would stay home.

We will not know Zion’s destination for a long time, but Kentucky is in a better place now than they’ve ever been before.

There’s a Long Way to Go

Bol Bol
Power Forward/Center | 7-3 | 225 lbs.
Santa Ana, CA | Mater Dei
AAU: Cal Supreme
★★★★★

Bol is a beast that can help you quickly forget the Cats are seemingly out of the picture for Marvin Bagley. A 7’3” guy with elite offensive skills (even a jump shot that can extend beyond the three-point line), it’s unbelievable that he didn’t make the cut for Team USA. Bol did not sound too terribly upset that he did not make the team, but Kenny Payne made sure Bol knew immediately after the cut that he should have made the team.

Even though many recruiting analysts are hearing he will stay on the West Coast, Calipari is in a good position. Coach Cal will continue to build that relationship throughout the year until Bol makes a decision next spring.

Quentin Grimes
Point Guard | 6-4 | 175 lbs.
The Woodlands, TX | College Park
AAU: Basketball University
★★★★★

Considered one of the top point guards in the class, he’s not really a point guard, he’s a shooting guard. The one time I watched Grimes play, he scored 30 and made threes from all over the floor.

A guy that could complement Immanuel Quickley well on the wing, Kentucky likes their position with Grimes. even though the 247 Crystal Ball currently predicts Grimes will end up at Kansas.

Questionable

Darius Garland
Point Guard | 6-2 | 170 lbs.
Brentwood, TN | Brentwood Academy
AAU: St. Louis Eagles
★★★★★

The Cats held off on extending a scholarship offer to the nation’s top-ranked point guard until this weekend. Reading between the lines, the move was probably because of the situation with Romeo Langford. Long seen as a Duke-lean, it’ll be interesting to see if Kentucky gets any traction following the offer.

Moses Brown
Center | 7-1 | 210 lbs.
Briarwood, NY | Archbishop Malloy
AAU: New Heights
★★★★★

Calipari has watched the nation’s top-ranked center (Bol and Bagley are considered forwards) multiple times on the Under Armour circuit, including tonight. however, he has yet to extend a scholarship offer to Brown. The Cats might not lose a ton of talent in the post after next season. Brown will likely be UK’s next option if things do not go well with Bol.

Louis King
Small Forward | 6-6 | 205 lbs.
Columbus, NJ | Hudson Catholic
AAU: Team Final
★★★★★

One of the wings on Team USA and Cam Reddish’s AAU teammate, King has not been shy about his intentions: he wants a scholarship offer from Kentucky. King believes he did enough in Egypt to earn one. but Cal still has not pulled the trigger. If he does, it would not take King long to do the same and commit to Kentucky.

By Savannah Patton on ©July 19th, 2017 @ 10:30pm

The one and only Big Mick is a meaty masterpiece in its own right. Composed of two quarter-pound patties* of never-fresh, frozen, mostly beef raised close to the processing plant. Only McDowell’s

has the frosted beef and processed cheese to give you a major reason for
the afternoon trip to the secret bathroom only you and Debra know about on the 9th floor that is under construction.

You can be a part of McDowell’s KSR Top 10 Tweets by using hashtags like #KSR #BBN or #KSRtop10. You can also nominate tweets by mentioning them with the hashtag. If we like what we see, it could be posted the next day.

Looks like something he would do.

#9 Len Combs

He’s the most honest ref in town.

#8 Robert Hill

Brady? Really? Come on guys.

#7 Keith Upchurch

Reppin’ UK while delivering equipment to MSU practice facility. Is this considered trolling? If so, then I’m ok with it. #KSR #BBN pic.twitter.com/ajiGUrjzi5

Keep it up Keith!

#6 Madi Karsner

@ryanlemond has knocked it outta the park last couple of days with guests on @KySportsRadio Very entertaining!

Ryan has been doing GREAT!

#4 Wes Ledford

That’s a story that never gets old.

#3 Chad Middleton

I’m so jealous of all these vacation tweets you guys keep bringing in.

#2 Eric Grimm

I want to live on this road.

#1 Jonas Larkin

With an arena this nice you’d think they’d have a championship within the last 30 years to justify it. #KSRTop10 pic.twitter.com/OIGOEyqu9M

But yet, they do not.

It seems like just yesterday Freddie and I were watching media members trip over this lovely Wi-Fi-filled pole in Hoover for SEC Media Days. It was actually a week ago today that Kentucky took the big stage.

After covering the hot topics and taking a little basketball recruiting trip, I’ve accumulated some of the things that fell through the cracks from your Kentucky Wildcats, along with a few other football notes.

1. Edwards is Helping West Get Back on the Field

Kentucky safety Darius West has had bad injury luck. He missed the 2014 season with a “lower leg” injury and the 2016 season after injuring his patella tendon in a preseason scrimmage. The guy who lines up next to him is excited to play next to him again.

“Having him back is a big help.” Mike Edwards said they’ve spent almost every day with each other off the field. Some times Darius asked simple questions like, “How was it out there?” Other times it was a much more detailed film session. Now that Darius has gotten over the physical hurdles of the injury, Edwards believes he’ll be better than ever.

“He took it pretty bad when he hurt it. That’s normal, but he’s progressing pretty well,” Edwards said in the grand ballroom at SEC Media Days. “I feel like he’s a better player now actually.”

2. Vince Marrow Explains the CFB Playoff Bracket

To all the haters, Vince Marrow has a few words for you, from KSTV .

UK has a sign hanging in the weight room that has them in the College Football Playoff.@vincemarrow explains why:#BBN pic.twitter.com/d4509t7X1B

3. Stephen Johnson has Come a LONG Way

And I’m not even talking about his play on the football field. A kid that grew up with Tourette’s spent a day answering questions while surrounded by cameras.

“It is really a blessing. It’s divine how it’s all come about,” Johnson said. “Where I started at and where I’m at sitting in this seat right now with a bunch of cameras on me. Growing up, I really couldn’t expect this. I dreamed of it all the time, but didn’t expect this. I’m really happy with how things are going right now.”

Johnson’s game against Louisville will always be remembered by Kentucky fans, but what he’s done off the field is even more impressive.

4. KSR’s Favorite SEC East Projection

Even though the entire conglomeration of media picked UK to finish fifth in the SEC East, a guy who watches more football film than Freddie Maggard picked the Cats third.

Don’t forget; Cole Cubelic will be sharing more wisdom like this one week from today on KSR.

5. Jonesin’ for Love

I regret to inform you that I cannot apologize for the terrible play on words to describe UK’s starting inside linebackers. Courtney Love and Jordan Jones are both from Youngstown, but the two personalities are polar opposites.

“I have to be kind of focused and call out the defense,” Courtney Love said. “But Jordan, he just goes.”

That quote says a lot about Love. A composed leader, he probably wanted to say something along the lines of, ‘He’s a wild card…he has a few screws loose…that boy’s crazy.’ Instead, Love refrained and gave praise to his partner in crime. If it holds true, which I have no reason to doubt, fans are going to ‘Love’ what they see on Saturdays this fall.

“He’s a phenomenal player. Probably one of the best players I’ve ever played next to and I can’t wait to see what he has next year. He has a lot more left in the tank. It’s going to be crazy .”

6. Become a Part of KSR’s Gameday

KSR’s 2017 UK Football Photo Gallery packages are now on sale. We have mini season, full season, and title sponsorship options available. Don’t miss your chance to have your business featured alongside the work of our award winning photographer, Dr. Michael Huang. Email ksrads@kentuckysportsradio.com for more package info.

Now that the live recruiting window has reopened, John Calipari has returned to the bleachers to watch some of the most talented high school basketball players in America. Adam Zagoria reports Coach Cal is spending his night in Philadelphia for the Under Armour All-American Camp.

The most notable name on the court from the 2018 class is Moses Brown. Calipari has yet to extend a scholarship offer to the nation’s top-ranked center, but he’s met with Brown on numerous occasions. Two of Cal’s top targets in the 2019 class, Scottie Lewis and Bryan Antoine. are also on the Under Armour court.

Calipari and Tony Barbee have just a little bit of company in Philly.

Stay tuned later tonight for more recruiting scoop.

Karl Towns is just about the nicest person you will ever meet, but even he couldn’t help but throw a little good-natured trash talk at Joel Embiid. The latest version of NBA2K comes out in two months, and to drum up publicity, the creators told several of the players their rating for an upcoming commercial. For gamers like Karl Towns, this is a pretty big deal, and when he learned his rating was higher than he thought, he threw a shot at Joel “Trust the Process” Embiid .

“Really?” Karl said upon hearing his rating was 91. “I can’t wait to tell Joel [Embiid] I have nothing to complain about. I do trust the process with that one, I do trust the process.”

A post shared by NBA 2K (@nba2k) on Jul 18, 2017 at 8:52pm PDT

What was Embiid’s rating? Eighty-six, which he said was “bullcrap” (I’m not going to lie, I find Embiid really, really entertaining):

For years, the University of Louisville has benefitted from a cushy deal with the KFC Yum Center, which continues to spiral more and more into debt. Is an end finally in sight?

Wave 3 is reporting that tomorrow afternoon, UofL and the Louisville Arena Authority (which manages the Yum Center) will announce an amendment to UofL’s lease as the arena’s primary tenant. We won’t know the full details of the new deal until then, but Wave 3’s sources say UofL will have to pay $2.5 million “in cash and other givebacks” to the arena each year and that the move represents a “shift in power from the athletics department to the president’s office,” to the point that athletics director Tom Jurich may not even know all of the details himself at this point.

How lopsided has UofL’s lease with the arena become? Check out this graphic from Joe Sonka, which shows how their profits have soared since they made the deal with the Yum Center in 2010:

Terms of UofL/Yum! lease agreement aren't public yet, but issue is how much $$ UofL bball gives up. Since 2011, profits have dwarfed others: pic.twitter.com/JL6FooSUcG

Meanwhile, the arena is critically in debt, to the point that officials warned that it may default on its bonds as early as 2020. In December, Jurich threatened that UofL would leave the arena should they be forced to restructure their deal.

“I’m tired of it. We’re tired of all the rhetoric. If they don’t want us, just tell us. We’ll leave. I’d love to build one on the silo site.”

By taking Jurich out of the equation, it looks like the arena — and the city of Louisville — may have finally found a solution.

Kids, here’s a helpful tip: Don’t ever tell your grandmother to just “google” something or you might wind up on the bad end of a story gone viral.

Today’s awesome and cautionary tale comes to us from the Euclid Kroger, where a grandmother sent in a comment card to thank one of the store’s employees for helping her get the yogurt-covered cranberries she’d been craving. The customer wrote that the employee was a “fine young man” who went to the trouble to “help an old lady like me” — unlike her grandson Tyler, who just tells her to “google” stuff when she asks him for help. Check out her note, which the store posted on its Customer Comment of the Week sign:

Photo via imgur.com

“I have trouble with all this new technology and it is nice to know that there are bright young people out there that will stop and help an old lady like me,” the customer wrote. “As I was leaving the store, I couldn’t help but wish my own grandson could be more like Nathaniel.

“I know that’s terrible of me to say as a grandmother. Don’t get me wrong I love my Tyler to death, but he is so rude to me sometimes. Whenever I ask for computer help he just tells me to google it. He dresses in all black and it really disturbs me. His mother says it’s only a phase. I hope so.”

Come on, Tyler. Be more like Nathaniel.

Pic by UHCougars.com

Are you pencil or Sharpie confident in the Cats winning its opener in Hattiesburg? UK is an early thirteen-point favorite and will be seeking redemption. Offseason motivation should look no further than week one. Let’s take a July look at the Golden Eagles.

Head Coach: Jay Hopson, 7-6 at Southern Miss

2016 Results: 7-6, beat Louisiana 28-21 in New Orleans Bowl

Pic of Ito Smith by Sun Herald

Southern Miss lost four-year starting quarterback Nick Mullens who passed for 11,994 career yards. Sophomore QB Keon Howard was forced into action following a Mullens concussion against Charlotte a year ago. The rookie struggled as he turned the football over at a high rate (5 fumbles vs. Old Dominion) and lost both starts. Howard is talented and was vastly recruited out of high school after passing for over 10,000-yards. Kwadra Griggs will also compete for the job. Either Howard or Griggs will have elite skill-position talent to ease the post-Mullens transition.

Ito Smith was one of the best running backs the Wildcats faced in 2016, period. He dominated the second half and finished the Golden Eagles’ upset win over the Wildcats with 173-yards. Smith is special as he’s the only active FBS player with over 3000 career rushing and 1000 receiving yards. He’ll be joined by Biletnikoff watch list receiver Allenzae Staggers (63 catches, 1165-yards, 7 TDs) as well as fellow pass catchers Korey Robertson and Isaiah Jones to form one of the most formidable skill groups that Kentucky will face in 2017.

Tackle Ty Pollard and guard Devin Farrior are the offensive line’s only returning starters. It must replace all conference center Cameron Tom which will be as challenging as replacing its starting quarterback.

Returning Statistical Leaders

-Returning Starters: 6

-Rushing: Ito Smith – 265 carries, 1459 yards, 17 TDs

-Passing: Keon Howard – 22/50, 365 yards, 1 TD, 4 INTs

– Receiving: Allenzae Staggers – 63 receptions, 1165 yards, 7 TDs, 18.5 yards per catch

2016 Offensive Standings

-Scoring: 32.8 ppg (Conf USA-5 th )

-Rush: 174.5 ypg (Conf USA-7 th )

-Pass: 298.2 ypg (Conf USA-4 th )

-Total: 472.8 ypg (Conf USA-4 th )

Pic of Xavier Thigpen by Hattiesburg American

Safety D’Nerius Antoine and DE Dylan Bradley were highly impactful in USM’s win over Kentucky last September. Much like QB Nick Mullens, the pair is now in the NFL. Hopson will deploy a nickel based defense in the opener. Expect safety/nickel Picasso Nelson and linebacker Sherrod Ruff to lead a unit that finished first in Conference USA’s total defense category by allowing just 324-yards per game. DE Xavier Thigpen led the team in QB sacks and will provide pressure off the edge.

Returning Statistical Leaders

-Tackles: Picasso Nelson – 48

-Interceptions: Picasso Nelson – 2

-Sacks: Xavier Thigpen – 5

2016 Defensive Standings

-Scoring: 29.5 ppg (Conf USA-4 th )

-Rush: 149 ypg (Conf USA-4 th )

-Pass: 174 ypg (Conf USA-1 st )

-Total: 324 ypg (Conf USA-1 st )

What does all this mean?

I expect M.M. Roberts Stadium to be filled to its 36,000 seat capacity on September 2; a significant portion will be wearing blue. First year defensive coordinator Matt House can anticipate a heavy dose of RB Ito Smith as USM offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson will likely test the UK defensive line early in the contest. Smith is arguably the nation’s best RB in the screen game which will be utilized to steady its new quarterback. WR Allenzae Staggers vs. Derrick Baity and or Chris Westry will be worth the price of admission. Staggers will be one of the cornerback duo’s top challenges in 2017.

Kentucky will benefit from an experienced and highly talented linebacker corps and secondary to match up against an inexperienced quarterback. The Cats can present an overabundance of pre-snap looks that can quickly transition following the snap of the football which can complicate matters for a new signal caller. Thus, Dawson may keep it simple early with Ito Smith right and Ito Smith left.

Concerns for the Cats when Southern Miss has the football

Easy, prevent big plays. Trust me on this: strip the logo off the helmets and understand that Ito Smith and Allenzae Staggers are two of the better offensive players that UK will face in 2017. A missed tackle against either of these two could lead to an explosive play touchdown. The loss of center Cameron Tom decreases its capability in the physical run game. Tom’s absence plus three new OL starters could allow the UK defensive line to establish early confidence. But, expect Shannon Dawson to frequently test the Kentucky front. UK can’t allow early, physical run-game dominated drives for scores.

Concerns for the Cats against the USM defense

Easy again: UK cannot afford first half turnovers or miss during sure-completion passing game scenarios. Do-it-all defender Picasso Nelson will be Stephen Johnson’s key defensive read. Nelson is active vs. the run, in pass coverage, and frequently used as a blitzer. Kentucky has a significant depth advantage for the 4:00pm kickoff which will assuredly call for extremely hot weather.

Eddie Gran’s ability to challenge the Golden Eagles’ lack of front-seven depth and inexperience with a physical run game could be the difference. It could be wild early on, but Kentucky’s offensive line should win the battle of attrition in the trenches. As the BBN witnessed in 2016, if the Cats jump out to an early lead it must extend success into the second half.

Stay tuned for much more.

The SEC media may have picked Kentucky to finish fifth in the SEC East, but one national writer thinks the Cats will be one of the league’s dark horses this season. CBS Sports’ Tom Fornelli picked the Cats as one of three teams he believes can surprise people in the SEC thanks to a favorable schedule and an experienced offensive line:

The Cats will get both Tennessee and Florida in Lexington, which helps offset facing Georgia in Athens. Also, the cross-divisional draw is about as friendly as it can get when we’re talking about playing the SEC West as the Wildcats pull Mississippi State and Ole Miss.

Also, while Kentucky finishes in the middle of the SEC pack when we rank the teams by returning experience, it has one of the most experienced offensive lines in the conference. That can go a long way in the SEC. Maybe a SEC East title is too much to ask, but this Kentucky team is poised to be a thorn in the side of the SEC East this year.

I’m so on board with that prediction that I’m willing to overlook Fornelli picking Tennessee as another potential SEC dark horse. Check out his reasoning at the link below, along with his case for Missouri turning the corner.

ESPN’s stirring the pot today with a controversial selection that should get everyone in the Bluegrass talking. Myron Medcalf picked his “perfect college basketball team” for the upcoming season, and not only did he not select any Kentucky players, he chose Louisville’s Rick Pitino over John Calipari as the head coach. Don’t worry, he’s not totally insane; Medcalf chose Cal to be an assistant coach, along with Michigan’s John Beilein and Villanova’s Jay Wright.

Why Pitino over Cal? Medcalf argues Pitino would best “manage egos and build a variety of personalities into a motivated and competitive vessel.” Funny, seems to me that Calipari does that better than any coach in the sport and he’s got practically a new roster every year.

Even though Cal and Pitino hate each other, Medcalf believes they’d be the “perfect coaching combination.”

“Yes, Calipari under Pitino,” Medcalf writes. “Could you imagine? We can. The two would comprise the perfect coaching combination. Pitino’s defensive strategy with Calipari’s fluid offensive approach would make this group a monster against any opposing all-star cast.”

Talk about a pair of egos to manage. Click on the link below to see the 10 players Medcalf selected for his dream team. Spoiler: there are only three freshman, and none of them are going to Kentucky. See that, Kevin Knox? That’s what we call bulletin board material.

Where in the world is John Calipari? Washington D.C. apparently. This morning, Cal took a →

Each year the live recruiting period provides more clarity as to where Kentucky stands with →