Records: SDSU is 14-5 (7-3); Wyoming is 11-10 (4-6)
Series history: SDSU leads 51-41, winning 11 straight overall and 16 straight at Viejas Arena. The last home loss came in 2007, when Wyoming scored a basket with 4.9 seconds left to win 66-65. They met only once last season, an 81-65 Aztecs win in San Diego.
Aztecs update: They get a much-needed bye after this and an extra week for starting center Jared Coleman-Jones to heal his injured shoulder. Coleman-Jones missed two weeks of preseason practice in October when the shoulder popped out. It happened again at Nevada last Saturday, and the 6-foot-10 senior sat out Tuesday’s nervy 71-68 home win against San Jose State (which dropped the Aztecs five spots in the Kenpom metric to 42nd). Coach Brian Dutcher said he’ll be a game-time decision, although there is some thought to not pushing it with the bye ahead. Sophomore Miles Heide started in his place Tuesday. The Aztecs continue to struggle at Viejas Arena: They have already lost three times this season after going 70-6 over the previous five. In addition, they trailed 20-8 against Air Force and 33-12 against San Jose State before rallying. With another win, Dutcher will become the fourth coach in Mountain West history with 100 conference victories. The others: Steve Fisher (168), Boise State’s Leon Rice (159) and Steve Alford (128) with New Mexico and Nevada. Ted Leitner, in his final season as SDSU’s radio commentator, will be honored in a halftime ceremony that will include more than a dozen former players.
Cowboys update: They have outperformed expectations under first-year coach Sundance Wicks, who grew up in the state and was a former assistant. They have wins against Nevada at home and UNLV away, and the losses include a near miss against New Mexico. The star is Obi Agbim, a 6-3 senior guard who spent one year at a junior college and three in Division II. He averages 18.1 points per game, second in the Mountain West behind New Mexico guard Donovan Dent (19.6), and leads the conference (and is fourth nationally) in 3-point accuracy at 47.0%. The next highest scorers are senior guards Jordan Nesbitt (8.6 ppg) and Cody Newton (8.4 ppg), who both come off the bench. The Cowboys prefer a deliberate tempo, probing multiple sides of the floor deep into the shot clock. They rank 354th nationally in average possession length at 19.8 seconds. In conference games, they’re averaging 63.6 points per game; only 0-10 Air Force scores less at 60.1. The Cowboys can, however, get hot from deep; they made 17 3-pointers in Tuesday’s 83-72 overtime win against Fresno State. That brings shudders to Dutcher, whose team just surrendered 15 3s against San Jose State, the most by an SDSU team in a Mountain West game. Wyoming is 183rd in Kenpom, which projects a 71-55 Aztecs win.
Next up: Feb. 8 at Colorado State (7 p.m. PST, CBSSN)
–MARK ZEIGLER
The Aztecs are gearing up to face off against the deep-shooting Cowboys in a highly anticipated matchup at Viejas Arena. With both teams coming off strong performances, it’s sure to be a thrilling game that fans won’t want to miss.
The Aztecs have been on a hot streak lately, showcasing their strong defense and potent offense. Led by star players like Matt Mitchell and Jordan Schakel, they will look to continue their winning ways and defend their home court against the Cowboys.
On the other side, the Cowboys have been lighting it up from beyond the arc, with sharpshooters like Marcus Williams leading the charge. Their ability to knock down threes at a high rate could pose a challenge for the Aztecs’ defense, making for an exciting and high-scoring affair.
As both teams battle it out on the court, fans can expect a fast-paced and competitive game that will keep them on the edge of their seats. Be sure to tune in and support the Aztecs as they take on the Cowboys in what promises to be a thrilling showdown at Viejas Arena.
TAMPA, Fla. — Lainey Wilson, the award-winning artist and so-called “romantic survivor” by the New York Times, is hitting the road this year.
Wilson, who has accrued Grammys, CMAs and more, is bringing her Whirlwind World Tour to Tampa to celebrate her latest record, “Whirlwind.” She’ll take the stage at Amalie Arena on Nov. 7, joined by special guests ERNEST and Drake Milligan.
Other Florida stops include Orlando and Panama City Beach.
The country singer’s Wild Horses fan club will get first dibs on tickets during an exclusive early-access sale on Tuesday, Feb. 4, at 8 a.m. The general sale starts Friday, Feb. 7 at 10 a.m.
Wilson was noticed by the Grammys yet again this year when “Whirlwind” snagged the nomination for Best Country Album. The record debuted at #8 on the Billboard 200 chart, marking her first top 10 entry.
For a complete list of tour dates and ticket sale information, click here.
“I’ve gotten exhausted from FEMA. We’re 62 and 72 years old, and we’re on Social Security/Disability. What the hell does this country want from us?” John King shared with ABC Action News the flooding in his Zephyrhills community – more than 3 months after Hurricane Milton.
Pasco County community remains flooded months after Milton
Country music sensation Lainey Wilson is set to bring her whirlwind of talent to Amalie Arena this summer! Get ready to be swept off your feet by her powerful vocals, infectious energy, and heartfelt lyrics.
Wilson’s hit song “Things a Man Oughta Know” has been climbing the charts and capturing hearts across the country. With her unique blend of traditional country sound and modern flair, she is sure to put on a show that you won’t want to miss.
Mark your calendars and get your tickets now for Lainey Wilson’s performance at Amalie Arena. It’s bound to be a night to remember filled with unforgettable music and moments that will leave you wanting more. Get ready to experience the whirlwind that is Lainey Wilson!
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Lainey Wilson concert, Whirlwind tour, Amalie Arena event, country music artist, live performance, Nashville singer-songwriter, music news, concert announcement
La sosirea la Arena Națională, Gigi Becali a acordat un scurt interviu în care și-a manifestat optimismul înaintea partidei de gală cu Manchester United. Finanțatorul de la FCSB speră la o victorie și chiar la o clasare pe locul 3 în grupa unică din Europa League.
Gigi Becali a ajuns la Arena Națională pentru FCSB – United
“E o seară istorică pentru România și fotbalul românesc. E o încununare și pentru mine pentru că am adus cele mai mari cluburi – Real Madrid, Chelsea, City. I-am spus lui MM că la anul vin Barcelona și Paris Saint-Germain.
Eu mizez pe un 3-1. O să jucăm într-un sistem 3-5-1-1. Posesia va fi la ei. Noi vom scăpa pe contraatac și cu siguranță Bîrligea va da unul dintre cele trei goluri.
Nu există primă specială pentru acest meci. Eu vreau locul 3. 17 puncte înseamnă locul 3. Dacă vom câștiga meciul ăsta, înseamnă vrem 4,5 milioane de euro, cu locul și cu tot”, a spus Gigi Becali.
În următoarele zile, la FCSB este așteptat transferul unui atacant. Becali a explicat cine se va ocupa de această mutare.
“Eu le-am dat ordin de 10 zile să găsească un atacant. Toți impresarii fac vizionării. Și Pintilii, și Charalambous, și MM”, a mai spus Becali.
Astăzi, într-o mișcare neașteptată, patronul echipei FCSB, Gigi Becali, a ajuns la Arena Națională pentru meciul împotriva celor de la Manchester United și a făcut declarații surprinzătoare. Într-un discurs incendiar, Becali a anunțat că le-a dat ordin jucătorilor săi să lupte până la ultima picătură de sânge și să demonstreze că sunt demni de tricoul pe care-l poartă.
Cu o energie debordantă și o determinare de fier, Gigi Becali a transmis tuturor suporterilor prezenți la meci că echipa sa este pregătită să facă față oricărui adversar și să lupte pentru victorie. Cu privirea aprinsă și cuvintele pline de încredere, patronul FCSB a transmis un mesaj puternic de susținere și încurajare către jucătorii săi.
Într-un moment de mare emoție și intensitate, Gigi Becali a demonstrat încă o dată că este un lider puternic și hotărât, gata să-și conducă echipa către victorie. Cu determinare și pasiune, patronul FCSB a reușit să ridice moralul jucătorilor și să le ofere sprijinul necesar pentru a obține rezultate remarcabile.
Astfel, într-un gest memorabil, Gigi Becali a marcat încă o dată prezența sa puternică și influentă în lumea fotbalului românesc, demonstrând că este un lider de necontestat și că echipa sa este pregătită să facă față oricărei provocări. Cu optimism și determinare, FCSB va lupta până la capăt și va demonstra că este o forță de temut în fotbalul european.
SAN DIEGO – The San Diego State men’s basketball program, coming off a sweep of a two-game road trip, opens a two-game homestand on Tuesday night against San Jose State at Steve Fisher Court at Viejas Arena, a facility at which the Aztecs have never lost to the Spartans.
OFF THE BOUNCE The San Diego State men’s basketball team returns to Steve Fisher Court at Viejas Arena for the first of two home games facing San Jose State on Tuesday at 7:40 p.m. PT. The game will be broadcast on FS1.
The Aztecs and Spartans are meeting for the 85th time, with SDSU holding a 49-35 advantage in the all-time series. In the Mountain West era, SDSU has a 19-1 lead in the series, is 33-8 in San Diego overall, and a robust 13-0 at Steve Fisher Court.
With television not making things easy on the Aztecs, Tuesday’s game will be the third of four games over an 11-day stretch, which began last Wednesday night at Air Force (Jan. 22), continued at Nevada on Saturday (Jan. 22), and now home tonight for San Jose State and concluding on Saturday with Wyoming at Viejas Arena. So far SDSU is 2-0 in this four game stretch.
For just the 25th time in their last 502 games (since the start of the 2010-11 campaign), the Aztecs will don their red uniforms. The team is 2-0 this season in Scarlet, having worn them in a 74-57 victory at Steve Fisher Court on December 7, 2024, and last Wednesday’s 77-76 overtime win at Air Force. Since Coach Dutcher took the reins of the program, SDSU is 4-0 in the kit and since the start of the 2010-11 season it is 19-5 in the color.
How rare was San Diego State’s 68-76 loss on January 18 to UNLV, a Quad 3 defeat? Until that night, it had been 65 games or 1,792 days since the Aztecs had lost to either a Quad 3 or Quad 4 opponent. The last Quad 3 or Quad 4 team to defeat SDSU was Quad 3-UNLV on February 22, 2020, which halted that year’s longest win-streak to open the year, 26 games, and was the only loss the Aztecs suffered in the regular season.
Halfway through the season, San Diego State is once again trending as one of the nation’s best in defense. After the games of January 25, according to KenPom, the Aztecs are No. 2 in block percentage, No. 5 in 3-point percentage defense, No. 6 in effective field goal percentage defense, No. 8 in adjusted defensive efficiency and No. 11 2-point percentage defense.
Since the start of the 2017-18 season, when Brian Dutcher took the helm of the San Diego State program, he has the No. 5 best win percentage in the nation (190-63, 75.1 percent) and since the start of the 2019-20 campaign his Aztecs are 147-39 (79.0 percent), the third best record in the country.
In the Aztecs win over Colorado State (Jan. 14) sophomore Miles Byrd scored a career-high 25 points, including five 3-pointers, grabbed six rebounds and had seven steals. He is the first player in Mountain West history to have a game with those numbers and just the third in the nation in the last 16 years.
In its 18 Division I games, San Diego State has held nine opponents to their worst shooting game of the season and three had their 2nd worst field goal percentage games.
San Diego State is No. 1 in the Mountain West and No. 3 in the nation in field goal percentage defense at 36.3 percent, and is one of two programs in the nation, also Tennessee, that is limiting opponents to a combined maximum of 36.3 percent from the floor and 28.1 percent from beyond the arc. In field goal percentage defense, San Diego State is No. 3 and Tennessee is No. 2 and in three-point field goal percentage defense Tennessee is No. 1and the Aztecs are No. 7.
With the Aztecs 69-50 win over Nevada (Jan. 25), San Diego State is 98-7 in the Brian Dutcher era, when it limits its opponent to 60 or fewer points. Overall, the Aztecs have won 32 straight when holding the opposition to 60 points or less and are 105-8 in its last 113 in the category.
In San Diego State’s last 10 wins it shot .440 from the field, including .330 from the bonus distance, and averaged 74.9 points per game, with an average margin of victory of 15.3 points. Defensively, in those games, the team limited its opponents to a .346 shooting percentage, including .259 from beyond the arc and for the season has limited the opposition to 36.3 percent shooting overall, which ranks No. 3 nationally.
The Aztecs have held 10 of their 17 Division I opponents to less than 40 percent shooting, seven games of less than 35.0 percent and three under 30.0 percent. SDSU limited California to just 25.5 percent shooting on Dec. 21, the third lowest opponent field goal percentage shooting night in the Brian Dutcher era.
In the team’s 73-70 overtime win against No. 6 Houston, the Aztecs overcame both a 5-point halftime deficit and trailed by 11-point with 14:58 to play to send the game to overtime and ultimately its 3-point win. The victory was Brian Dutcher’s 15th win in 26 games against top 25 opponents. Dutcher is the only head coach in program history with a winning record against ranked teams and it was the program’s first win against a top-10 team since a 71-64 victory over No. 1 Alabama in the Sweet 16 of the 2023 NCAA Tournament.
San Diego State, which in 2023-24 reached the Mountain West Tournament championship game for the seventh time in head coach Brian Dutcher’s seven seasons, looks for its unprecedented 17th Mountain West men’s basketball title. Entering the 2024-25 season, San Diego State has won nine regular season and seven Mountain West tournament titles, the most of any program that has ever been a member of the league.
Brian Dutcher is in his eighth season as San Diego State’s head coach and his 26th season on the Aztec sidelines. In his seven-plus seasons as head coach, he has led the Aztecs to five conference titles, seven Mountain West championship game appearances, a 190-63 overall record and 98-35 mark in league games, both league leading in that time frame, has been named the national coach of the year, twice the Mountain West Conference Coach of the Year and led this team to back-to-back Sweet 16s including a run to the 2023 NCAA national championship game.
Are you ready for an exciting night of men's college basketball? Join us at Viejas Arena on Tuesday night as the San Diego State Aztecs take on the San Jose State Spartans in what is sure to be a thrilling matchup.
The Aztecs have been on a hot streak this season, with standout performances from players like Matt Mitchell and Jordan Schakel leading the team to victory after victory. As they look to defend their home court against San Jose State, they'll need your support more than ever.
So grab your friends and family, put on your Aztec gear, and head to Viejas Arena for a night of high-flying dunks, three-pointers, and intense competition. Let's show the Spartans what it means to be a part of Aztec Nation and cheer our team to victory!
Don't miss out on this exciting game – get your tickets now and be a part of the action at Viejas Arena on Tuesday night. Go Aztecs!
Follow this article for live updates as the Billikens host the VCU Rams.
SLU up six with just over a minute to play
1:10, second half: A scuffle in the VCU section has delayed things as the security guards deal with that. A lot of shoving that appears to now be under control. SLU leads 69-63.
SLU inches closer to a huge win
3:58, second half: SLU is on the verge of its biggest win in two years after a foul called on VCU’s Max Shulga entering that TV timeout. The Billikens are still up 60-53.
VCU has missed eight straight shots and hasn’t scored in nearly four minutes.
Gibson Jimerson has 11 points in the second half and 21 for the game.
SLU up seven after Jimerson’s three
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4:49, second half: Gibson Jimerson knocked down a 3-pointer to give SLU its biggest lead of the game at 60-53.
Timeout VCU. The Rams haven’t scored in three minutes.
SLU loses, regains lead, up 55-51
7:59, second half: After VCU’s Zeb Jackson scored five straight points to give the Rams the lead, Gibson Jimerson drew Jackson’s fourth foul and scored on the play to regain SLU’s edge.
Robbie Avila is driving the ball far more aggressively this half. He has seven points in the half and 12 for the game.
This is easily the best game at Chaifetz Arena this season.
Dylan Warlick, SLU battling, up 45-42
11:39, second half: Dylan Warlick is playing some good minutes in relief of Kalu Anya, who has three fouls. Warlick also has three.
Warlick just grabbed an offensive board and drew a foul. SLU is up 45-42.
Warlick’s scrappy play is also igniting the crowd. He was pressed into service partway into the season due to injuries.
SLU hanging around in a physical game
15:36, second half: Gibson Jimerson’s jumper cut the deficit to three just after Phillip Russell hit a 3-pointer to give the Rams their biggest lead of the game.
Three SLU starters, Swope, Avila and Anya, have two fouls.
VCU up 31-28 at halftime after strong finish
Halftime: Kobe Johnson missed an open 3-pointer just before the halftime buzzer, and SLU trails going into the locker room.
SLU has missed five of its last six shots.
Gibson Jimerson leads SLU with 10 followed by Johnson with nine. Isaiah Swope (two points) and Robbie Avila (five points) have been relatively quiet.
Zeb Jackson and Phillip Russell each have eight to lead VCU.
VCU has nine offensive rebounds to SLU’s zero and a 10-0 edge in second-chance points.
VCU heats up, takes 27-23 lead
2:39, first half: VCU hit its second 3-pointer of the game, by Zeb Jackson, and the Rams lead this physical game. The Rams are 2-of-14 from 3-point range.
SLU’s Robbie Avila picked up his first three points, a basket and foul off a nice under-the-basket assist from Kalu Anya.
Isaiah Swope picked up his second foul, joining teammate Dylan Warlick and VCU’s Zeb Jackson with two.
SLU maintains one-point edge in a sloppy stretch
7:42, first half: SLU’s offense has started to sputter a bit, but VCU hasn’t been able to capitalize and the Billikens lead 18-17. At one point in that stretch, VCU missed five straight shots. SLU is up to four turnovers on the game.
SLU coach Josh Schertz is going to his bench a bit more than usual, with Warlick, Pikaar and McCottry all seeing several minutes.
SLU up 16-13 as Gibson Jimerson, Kobe Johnson lead the way
11:45, first half: Gibson Jimerson just finished off a driving layup and drew the foul to give SLU a three-point lead. He’ll have a free throw after the TV timeout.
Jimerson has five and Kobe Johnson seven. Johnson is driving with confidence.
VCU has two offensive rebounds and SLU has one turnover, two areas of concern entering the game.
SLU leads 8-6 early on the strength of 3-point shooting
15:56, first half: SLU has hit its first two 3-point tries, a good sign for a team that’s been slumping from 3. Gibson Jimerson and Kobe Johnson hit the two treys.
Before the game, St. Louis native and VCU guard Phillip Russell came out pointing at the student section with a big smile on his face as he was announced. He relishes playing the villain on the road. He later motioned at SLU students to get louder. Things may get interesting later between he and the crowd.
Previewing Tuesday’s SLU vs. VCU game
6:50 p.m.: Two weeks after the first meeting, St. Louis University hopes for a better outcome as it hosts Atlantic 10 preseason favorite Virginia Commonwealth at 7 p.m. Tuesday night at Chaifetz Arena.
VCU pummeled SLU 78-62 in Richmond in that first meeting. The Rams killed SLU with offensive rebounds, and SLU shot itself in the foot with its season-worst 29.8% turnover rate.
Ken Pomeroy gives SLU a 31% chance to win and has VCU, thge 35th-best teim in the country, prevailing 72-66.
SLU has been in a 3-point shooting slump, shooting about 20% from 3-point range in each of its last three games. The Billikens may need to break out of that funk to have a chance.
Tom Timmermann’s full game preview is linked below. The game airs on CBS Sports Network with Tom McCarthy and Chris Walker on the call.
Stay tuned and refresh this page for live updates from the game.
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Exciting news for SLU fans as the Billikens are set to face off against A-10 favorite VCU at Chaifetz Arena tonight! Stay tuned for live updates throughout the game as these two powerhouse teams battle it out on the court. Who will come out on top? Follow along to find out! #SLUBasketball #A10 #VCU #ChaifetzArena #LiveUpdates
LEXINGTON — In October 2022, Micheal McGuire went from an unknown, small-town coal miner to a household name almost overnight.
McGuire rocketed to fame after a picture of him from Kentucky basketball‘s annual Blue-White preseason game went viral. Holding the exhibition in Pikeville as a way to raise money after flooding devastated the region months earlier, McGuire had planned to shower prior to taking Easton, his then-3-year-old son, to the game. But pressed for time after coming out of the mine, McGuire went directly to the Blue-White contest, coal soot still covering his face and clothes. After the picture began making the rounds on social media, then-UK coach John Calipari reached out, wanting to learn the miner’s identity. Less than a month later, Calipari and the Wildcats hosted McGuire and his family at Rupp Arena, giving them the red-carpet treatment as Kentucky faced Duquesne, with Micheal serving as the Y as the cheerleading squad spelled “Kentucky.” Calipari’s program hosted the McGuires three more times after that.
The relationship has never abated.
“We still talk to him to this day,” Mollie, Micheal’s wife, told The Courier Journal. “He still checks in. We still talk to him frequently. He’s definitely a very genuine, down-to-earth person.”
Calipari texts Micheal and Mollie on their birthdays. They’ve received well-wishes from the Calipari family at Christmas.
“We had some bad weather come through last year,” Mollie said. “(Calipari) messaged to make sure we were OK, we weren’t affected (and) didn’t need anything.”
For the McGuires, it’s still surreal.
“Just to be a normal little family in eastern Kentucky and receive something from the Caliparis?” Mollie said. “It’s not something we ever expected — that we would even be a thought when it came to things like that.”
Yet Calipari also left a legacy of giving and outreach rivaling anything he ever accomplished on the court.
Years ago, Rabbi Shlomo Litvin had a weekly ritual, grabbing a cup of coffee at a Lexington shop every Friday morning. Each week, he usually had a partner: Calipari. Standing in line at the same time, they’d share small talk.
Everything changed Oct. 27, 2018.
The Tree of Life synagogue shooting. Eleven people died; it remains the deadliest attack on the American Jewish community. And it occurred in Pittsburgh, just south of Calipari’s hometown of Moon Township. Six days later, when Calipari walked into the coffee shop, he made a beeline for Litvin.
“He said, ‘What can I do? I’m so sorry. What can I do to help?'” Litvin said, recalling Calipari’s words. “And we spoke for a while. He told me about his ties to Squirrel Hill specifically, and to Pittsburgh. He had played sports in Squirrel Hill growing up, which is the Jewish neighborhood there where the attack happened. He still had a lot of friends in Pittsburgh, still had strong ties with the community.”
As Litvin processed Calipari’s question, the answer was clear. Litvin, the director of Chabad of the Bluegrass and senior rabbi at the UK Jewish Student Center, asked Calipari to take part in Hanukkah. Specifically, lighting the public menorah in Lexington.
“He said, ‘What’s the date?'” Litvin said. “I’m like, ‘Hanukkah is eight days long.’ December is a very tough month for him. It is still basketball season. He said, ‘Over eight days, I can make one clear.'”
To lock in the exact date, Calipari provided his private office number. When Litvin called, the staff was shocked.
“She said, ‘He doesn’t do this. What day do you want him there?'” Litvin said. “She made it very clear that this is way out of the norm of what the basketball coach would be doing in a week where they’re playing games.”
True to his word, on the fourth day of Hanukkah in 2018, Calipari was on hand to light the menorah. Which, that night, was far easier said than done. Wind wreaked havoc as Calipari attempted to light the candles. Despite the freezing temperatures, Litvin was “sweating profusely” as time dragged on.
“Here’s coach Cal. He’s got so much on his plate. He’s got so much to do,” Litvin said. “And he came here as a favor to the community, and we’re struggling (with the candles). And he pauses, turns to the crowd and goes, ‘Guys, I’m gonna stay here till this is lit. I’m not going anywhere.’ And it just took all the anxiety out of me. We got it lit. He stayed. He took pictures and signed things for people.
“And he made it very clear: I stand with the Jewish community — at an incredibly painful time.”
It’s a night Litvin never will forget. The same, he said, went for numerous Jewish students at the university. A moment, frozen in time, when the most well-known person in the Bluegrass State publicly proved his support.
Litvin’s appreciation for Calipari’s actions only grew with time.
A little more than a year later, a student forwarded Litvin emails obtained via an open-records request. Among the emails were those from UK professors who had vehemently opposed Calipari’s participation in the menorah lighting.
“I was aware there was some people uncomfortable with it; I wasn’t aware how overt the pushback was,” Litvin said. “… (The emails) really bothered me.”
In the years that followed the Hanukkah event, Litvin and Calipari worked many of the same events. Telethons. Raising money for statewide relief efforts following the tornadoes that hit western Kentucky in 2021 and the flooding in eastern Kentucky the year after.
“So it wasn’t just that when there was an issue, he dropped everything and did it in time,” Litvin said. “He put his own personal money where his mouth was. … He said, ‘This is something you should donate to.’ And then he himself led the way.”
To best describe Calipari, Litvin turned to the Yiddish language. Calipari, Litvin said, is a “mensch.” Not only does “mensch” simply translate to “man,” Litvin explained.
It’s the ideal man. The archetype all should aspire to.
“He’s upright. He’s caring,” Litvin said. “He’s not able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. But he cares. He’s what you want a man to be.”
Calipari is a devoted Catholic. He attends Mass every morning he can. His faith is essential to him. As he once recounted in his book, “Players First: Coaching From the Inside Out,” penned more than a decade ago.
“It’s how I start my day and it’s my moment of peace, almost meditation,” he wrote.
Father Jim Sichko witnessed Calipari practicing what he preached. Regularly. Though they never worked directly together, Sichko remembered Calipari taking his players to eastern Kentucky to hand out shoes after the flooding. Any time a natural disaster struck, Sichko saw the coach lending a helping hand, in ways big and small.
“I’m called to do those types of things,” said Sichko, a papal missionary of mercy for Pope Francis, “but Calipari felt called to do them as well.”
Calipari’s giving nature also hit closer to home for Sichko. When his sister visited Kentucky for her 60th birthday, Sichko contacted Calipari. Sichko hoped his sister and her friends would be allowed to attend a Wildcats practice.
“Calipari arranged for them to attend the practice. He arranged for them to have a private tour,” Sichko said. “And then spontaneously, he was coming out of the practice, and he met with her and greeted her.”
Not that Calipari’s hospitality surprised Sichko.
“What always amazed me with coach Cal is that whether you love him or hate him, whether you think he’s great or not, I will say this: He always made time (when people) needed him the most,” Sichko said. “He always took the time to do that.”
Yet his repeated, public profession of his faith is Calipari’s most commendable trait in Sichko’s mind. In an area where Catholics are few and far between — according to the Diocese of Lexington‘s website, just 3% of the population (roughly 40,600 out of nearly 1.5 million, per 2021 statistics) identifies as Catholic — having the most high-profile figure in the state go to bat for his beliefs was an answered prayer.
“It’s this: Not only do you talk about it but you live it,” Sichko said. “… I see it as an evangelization effort that he is also willing not to shy away from that. For him to be able to say that and be proud of that and not hide from it speaks a lot.”
More than two years after Calipari’s social media post changed their lives, Mollie McGuire said it’s occasionally difficult for the family to grasp. At times, she said, “it feels like it was yesterday.” At others, it hits them how long ago it truly was, tracking the passage of time by their daughter, Lynlee. During that Blue-White game, she was still an infant. Now, she’s 3 years old.
Her older brother, Easton, is 5. He still isn’t old enough to understand his father’s brush with fame. What he does recall, Mollie said, is how Calipari and his players put their busy schedules on hold. Oscar Tshiebwe, Kentucky’s best (and most recognizable) player, passed and dribbled the ball with Easton. Calipari took him around the locker room, serving as Easton’s personal tour guide.
“Easton had just (taken) up basketball at that point,” Mollie said. “And so watching those guys interact with Easton was a big thing for us, them taking the time to get down on his level and give him that experience.”
When the family has traveled outside the Bluegrass State, strangers have stopped them, asking Micheal if he’s “that famous coal miner.” Not prone to monologues, the unassuming Micheal shrugs off the attention, saying it’s “not really embarrassing” to have that label.
“It’s one of those things where, he’s one of hundreds (of coal miners) around here, just in Pikeville, that does the same job every day, you know?” Mollie said. “And it just happened to be him that was there at that game.”
All thanks to Calipari’s gesture. One they’ll always treasure.
“We knew that he did a lot of things for outreach, community events and all of that with sports. Like, we were aware of all this stuff that he was doing,” Mollie said, “but we didn’t realize, on a personal level, the extent that he went to for people.”
As close as the McGuires’ relationship with Calipari is, the couple doesn’t have any plans to attend an Arkansas game soon. Life gets in the way. Their kids are continuing to grow up. Mollie has returned to school in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree. And Micheal, recently laid off, is looking for a new job.
Unquestionably, the McGuires are unabashed supporters of Calipari. When he brings the Razorbacks into Rupp Arena at 9 p.m. Feb. 1 — the capper to a pivotal, noteworthy week for Kentucky, which travels to take on Tennessee on Jan. 28 — the McGuires’ rooting interest is clear.
But their hearts are conflicted.
“We’re definitely cheering for UK that game. We would like to see ’em come away with the win,” Mollie said. “But, at the same time, we hate to see him take a loss as well. It’s a bittersweet kind of thing.”
Admittedly “not the biggest basketball fan,” Litvin confessed he didn’t even know the Wildcats’ record since Mark Pope assumed the reins of the program from Calipari. Litvin always wants the best for UK.
“But I also want the best for Cal at his new position,” he said. “I guess I can say that I won’t be disappointed no matter how the game ends. It’s a win (for me) either way.”
Sichko couldn’t say the same. His heart is wholly with the Wildcats. He believes UK will win. Then added he’s so confident, he’d “guarantee” the Wildcats will hand their former leader a loss.
Of course, he doesn’t want the result to obscure the bigger picture.
“I root 100% for UK, but I also will root 100% (for) UK fans being very respectful that day,” he said. “Because I think we — regardless of whether you like him or not, whether you’re glad he’s gone or not — owe a sense of respect to an individual that really did give a lot of time and a lot of influence to the commonwealth.”
“Sports play an important part in our culture, but I think that the entire point of sports is to find your heroes,” he said. “And I think that, sports aside, coach Cal was a hero in many ways. And it’s important to me that’s part of his story. They’re not cartoon characters on the screen.
“They are real people, and who they are matters.”
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
After a successful stint as the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats from 2009 to 2021, John Calipari is set to make his return to Rupp Arena. Calipari, who led the Wildcats to numerous SEC titles and Final Four appearances during his tenure, left the program to take on a new challenge as the head coach of the NBA’s Orlando Magic.
Now, after three seasons with the Magic, Calipari is ready to return to the college ranks and pick up where he left off with the Wildcats. Fans are buzzing with excitement at the prospect of having their beloved coach back on the sidelines at Rupp Arena, where he has become a legendary figure in Kentucky basketball history.
With Calipari’s track record of success and his ability to recruit top talent, the Wildcats are poised to once again be a force to be reckoned with in the college basketball world. As the countdown to his return begins, fans can’t wait to see what Calipari has in store for the Wildcats in the upcoming season. Stay tuned for more updates on John Calipari’s return to Rupp Arena.
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John Calipari, Rupp Arena, Kentucky Wildcats, college basketball, coaching, return, University of Kentucky, Wildcats basketball, sports, NCAA, SEC basketball, head coach, Kentucky basketball, basketball coach
The Arkansas Razorbacks have struggled this season. Conference play has not treated them well in John Calipari’s first year as head coach of the program. Arkansas is just one of three teams in the SEC with just one or no conference wins.
LSU has one (over the Hogs), and South Carolina has none to add more context to the above. The Razorbacks have been among the worst in the conference, losing to the Oklahoma Sooners this past Saturday and having dropped six of seven SEC battles.
Calipari, regardless of the record, will have the Razorbacks ready for a return to his former home this week when the Kentucky Wildcats host Arkansas.
“There will be some emotion walking into that building and really being in town. (I’ll) probably get together with some of my friends. They’re playing good. We’ve got our hands full. Let’s see what happens. They’re a good team. Mark’s doing a good job with them,” Calipari said after the Razorbacks’ game with Oklahoma on Saturday.
Calipari’s squad is going to have a difficult next battle as it will face the Wildcats at Rupp Arena, a place Calipari is clearly familiar with.
Kentucky, which has had its own programs in conference play, will have Tennessee on the road before then, so it should be wanting to get an easy home win under its belt if it loses Tuesday, a defeat that could mark its third straight SEC loss.
Let’s hope the Cats can come out on top in that one, and hopefully, those in Rupp Arena remember just what a job Calipari did in Lexington instead of tarnishing his legacy over his exodus.
As the Kentucky Wildcats gear up to face off against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Rupp Arena on Saturday, head coach John Calipari is preparing for an emotional return to the iconic basketball arena.
Calipari, who spent 12 seasons as the head coach of the Wildcats before parting ways with the team in 2021, will be stepping foot in Rupp Arena for the first time since his departure. The renowned coach, who led the Wildcats to numerous SEC titles and a national championship during his tenure, is sure to be met with a warm welcome from fans who have fond memories of his time at Kentucky.
In a recent interview, Calipari reflected on his time at Kentucky and expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to coach such a storied program. He acknowledged that his return to Rupp Arena will be emotional, but he is focused on the task at hand – leading his current team to victory against the Razorbacks.
Despite the inevitable emotions that will come with his return, Calipari remains focused on the game and the team in front of him. As he prepares to step onto the court at Rupp Arena once again, fans can expect a competitive and passionate performance from the legendary coach.
Stay tuned for what is sure to be a memorable game as John Calipari faces his old stomping grounds with a new team by his side.
After a brutal schedule of games in the month of January, the Lightning are back home at Amalie Arena for the foreseeable future ahead of the 4 Nations break. They’ll open their five-game homestand with a matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks who they faced just last week.
The Lightning won last Friday’s game in Chicago 4-3 in overtime. Jake Guentzel and Nikita Kucherov both scored, with Kucherov scoring the overtime winner on a 4-on-3 power play.
Right now the Lightning have the third best goal differential and are a Top 10 team in every major statistical category. When you look at the numbers in the first 48 games of the season, they should probably be higher in the standings than what they’re showing. Now with the schedule letting up a bit, they have a chance to start grabbing points at home.
“The problem is we’re struggling to score now,” said Lightning coach Jon Cooper. “And so I think anybody who watched Detroit game, saw that we had ample opportunity to score and we couldn’t do it. And even the Chicago game before that, it was tooth and nail.”
“The goal scoring at times in the season does dry up, but you just have to continue to stick to your process, and our process has been excellent.”
The Lightning recalled defenseman Declan Carlile and forward Gage Goncalves from Syracuse on Monday after it was announced that defenseman Emil Lilleberg would be suspended for two games for interference against Detroit’s J.T. Compher.
Noteworthy: Nikita Kucherov took a slight tumble during morning skate on Tuesday. Jon Cooper confirmed in his pregame availability that Kucherov was “fine”.
Here’s a look at the lines from Tuesday’s Morning Skate:
Forwards Jake Guentzel – Brayden Point – Nikita Kucherov Brandon Hagel – Anthony Cirelli – Conor Geekie Zemgus Girgensons – Nick Paul – Gage Goncalves Mitchell Chaffee – Luke Glendening – Mikey Eyssimont
Defensemen Victor Hedman – Darren Raddysh Ryan McDonagh – Erik Cernak Declan Carlile – Nick Perbix
Goaltenders Andrei Vasilevskiy
Get ready for an electrifying match as the Tampa Bay Lightning host the Chicago Blackhawks at Amalie Arena! The Lightning are looking to defend their home ice against the Blackhawks in what is sure to be an intense and action-packed game.
Both teams have a history of fierce competition and exciting matchups, so fans can expect nothing less than a thrilling showdown on the ice. With star players on both sides showcasing their skills, this game is bound to be a must-watch for hockey enthusiasts.
Don’t miss out on the excitement as the Lightning take on the Blackhawks at Amalie Arena. Grab your tickets now and be a part of the adrenaline-pumping atmosphere as these two teams battle it out for victory. Let’s go Lightning! #GoBolts #TBLightning #CHIvsTBL
A fan in the stands at Bridgestone Arena was hit by a puck at the 17:03 mark of the first period between the Nashville Predators and Minnesota Wild on Saturday night.
Play was stopped briefly so the woman could be attended to. An official with the team confirmed to the Tennessean that the fan was transported to nearby Vanderbilt University Medical Center and was alert when leaving the building.
A fan is assisted after being struck by a puck during the first period of a game between the Nashville Predators and the Minnesota Wild at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025.
After the delay, the teams resumed play. The Predators are leading the Wild 4-1 in the third period.
During the Predators-Wild game at Bridgestone Arena last night, a scary incident occurred when a fan was hit by a puck and had to be transported to the hospital. The fan, who was seated near the glass, was struck by the puck during the second period of the game.
Medical personnel quickly rushed to the fan’s aid and provided immediate care before transporting them to a local hospital for further evaluation. The extent of the fan’s injuries is currently unknown, but our thoughts and prayers are with them for a speedy recovery.
This incident serves as a reminder of the dangers that can come with sitting close to the action at a hockey game. We urge all fans to stay alert and aware of their surroundings while enjoying the game.
We will provide updates on the fan’s condition as soon as more information becomes available. In the meantime, let’s all send positive thoughts and well wishes to the fan and their loved ones during this difficult time. #Preds #BridgestoneArena #FanInjury
South Carolina’s athletic department apologizes to LSU women’s basketball star Flau’jae Johnson and her family after the Gamecocks’ arena DJ played a song by her late father during South Carolina’s win against LSU on Friday.
In a statement, South Carolina described the song choice as “inappropriate” and revealed the DJ, who is known as DJ T.O., has been suspended for the Gamecocks’ next home game.
“Her actions were understandably upsetting to Flau’Jae Johnson and her family and disrespectful to the LSU program and fans,” South Carolina said in a statement. “Conference rivalries and passionate fan bases should only serve to enhance sports, not be used to target individual players personally. We regret that it came to that in our venue after a game that saw both teams capture the level of national attention that women’s basketball has earned.”
No. 2 South Carolina defeated No. 5 LSU in one of the most anticipated matchups of the regular season. After the game went final, DJ T.O. played an instrumental version of “Cut Friends,” which was a song by Johnson’s father, Jason, who was a rapper known by the name “Camoflauge” in the early 2000s.
South Carolina hands LSU first loss: Gamecocks’ defense stifles Tigers in 2024 SEC championship game rematch
Isabel Gonzalez
Jason Johnson was shot and killed back in May 2003, which was six months before Flau’Jae Johnson was born.
Flau’Jae Johnson took to social media to weigh in on the situation, and her post included a screenshot of an Instagram story from DJ T.O. where she posted a caption “my bad” regarding the song choice.
“I’ll take my L on the chin, but this just nasty behavior,” Johnson wrote. “Nun funny bout that.”
After Johnson called out DJ T.O., she did apologize for playing the song and stated it was “never my intent to disrespect anyone or offend anyone.”
Johnson finished Friday’s game with 13 points on 6-of-18 shooting, while also tallying four rebounds and a pair of assists. LSU ended up shooting just 29.9% as a team in the loss.
Johnson was an All-SEC Second Team selection for her performance during the 2023-24 season.
South Carolina Apologizes to LSU’s Flau’Jae Johnson for Insensitive Song Choice
In a heartfelt gesture of apology, the University of South Carolina has issued an official apology to LSU’s Flau’Jae Johnson after a song by her late father was played during a recent basketball game at the Colonial Life Arena.
Flau’Jae Johnson, a talented rapper and daughter of the late rapper Camoflauge, was understandably upset when she heard her father’s song being played in the arena. The song, which featured lyrics that brought up painful memories of her father’s tragic passing, was a clear oversight on the part of the arena’s DJ.
In a statement released by the University of South Carolina, they expressed their sincerest apologies to Flau’Jae Johnson and acknowledged the insensitivity of playing the song. They have also promised to take steps to ensure that such a mistake does not happen again in the future.
Flau’Jae Johnson has graciously accepted the apology and hopes that this incident can serve as a learning opportunity for everyone involved. She continues to honor her father’s legacy through her music and hopes to inspire others with her talent and resilience.
Let us all learn from this mistake and strive to be more mindful and respectful of others’ feelings in the future. Our thoughts are with Flau’Jae Johnson as she continues to navigate the ups and downs of her musical journey.
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