Before we turn the page to Kentucky–Louisville basketball, let’s start with a big Blue victory from Sunday.
Record Crowd, Record Energy in Memorial
Kentucky Volleyball delivered another statement win on Sunday, knocking off No. 19 Tennessee in four sets (22–25, 25–23, 25–18, 25–18) to stay perfect in SEC play. The No. 3 Wildcats extended their winning streak to 17 straight behind an electric Memorial Coliseum crowd — the largest since 1983.
Over 6,200 fans packed into “HMC,” as it’s now affectionately known, setting a new program attendance record for a home match. The energy was off the charts — from pregame lines wrapping around the block to the student section’s new anthem, “Monster Block,” which echoed through every rally.
Kentucky Football Prepares for Senior Day
After back-to-back wins, Kentucky Football is looking to keep its momentum rolling on Saturday with Senior Day at Kroger Field. The Wildcats host undefeated Tennessee Tech, the top-ranked FCS team in the country with a 10–0 record, leading the nation in scoring (45.2 points per game) and ranking fourth in total defense.
Mark Stoops’ squad will look to finish the home schedule strong, send off the seniors with a win, and keep building confidence before closing the season with two straight road games. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. ET on SEC Network+.
Monday with Mark Stoops
Expect a lighthearted tone from Coach Stoops today as he meets the media for his weekly press conference, followed by his Monday evening call-in show with Tom Leach at 6 p.m. on the UK Sports Network. Two straight wins have a way of improving the mood in Lexington.
KSR Football Podcast Returns
The KSR Football Podcast crew — Nick Roush, Adam Luckett, Van Hiles, and yours truly — will go live at 2 p.m. ET on YouTube. We’ll break down Kentucky’s dominant 38–7 win over Florida and look ahead to what it means for the final stretch of the season. Tune in for a good time; it’s another victory episode.
The Rivalry Returns: Kentucky vs. Louisville
It’s officially Louisville Game Eve. The annual Battle for the Bluegrass takes place Tuesday night at the KFC Yum! Center, tipping off at 8 p.m. ET. The timing is new — and not everyone’s thrilled about it — but the intensity will be the same. Mark Pope’s first road trip as Kentucky’s head coach just happens to be into enemy territory.
Collin Chandler and Otega Oweh Speak Today
Collin Chandler and Otega Oweh will preview tomorrow’s game in a Monday press conference. Both guards return from last season’s roster, with Oweh already having tasted victory against the Cards after scoring 17 points in last year’s 93–85 win. Expect their comments and full replay to drop around lunchtime on KSR.
Mark Pope Escapes Jury Duty
A bit of off-court relief: Mark Pope confirmed Sunday night that his jury duty was canceled. The Fayette County Circuit Court automated message informed him he wasn’t needed Monday or Tuesday — meaning no conflicts for game day. His reaction said it all:
> “Let’s go beat the Cards.”
Around Kentucky Athletics
Women’s Basketball: The Wildcats improved to 3–0 after an 81–47 rout of Buffalo. Clara Strack dominated in her homecoming with 27 points and 12 rebounds, while Teonni Key added 17 and 12. Kentucky outscored the Bulls 44–22 in the paint and forced 23 turnovers in a wire-to-wire win.
Men’s Soccer: Kentucky survived a 0–0 draw with Coastal Carolina, advancing 6–5 on penalty kicks. They’ll face UCF in the Sun Belt semifinals Wednesday at home.
What to Watch Tonight
If you’re looking for college basketball action, tune into:
No. 4 UConn vs. Columbia (6:30 p.m., FS1)
Mississippi State vs. No. 16 Iowa State (8 p.m., ESPNU)
No. 12 UCLA vs. West Georgia (10 p.m., B1G+)
Or, if hoops isn’t your thing tonight, Packers vs. Eagles on Monday Night Football should be a good one.
KSR Schedule
The KSR radio crew is live from the iHeart studio today and heads to Bearno’s in New Albany, Indiana, tomorrow for the annual Louisville game preview show — one of the most anticipated of the year.
It’s rivalry week in the Bluegrass — and everything from volleyball to football to hoops has Kentucky fans buzzing.
