LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – Kentucky and Arkansas will face off at Rupp Arena on Saturday night.
Former Kentucky coach John Calipari is returning to Rupp Arena for the first time since leaving to coach Arkansas.
To say it’s one of the most sought-after tickets in recent memory would be an understatement.
Even getting into the cheap seats will be more expensive than usual. We found out that goes for both fans and students who haven’t already purchased a ticket.
We spoke with sports talk radio host ESPN Lexington 1300 Brad Taylor on those ticket prices. He did some research online and found the lowest-priced ticket going for $200.
Taylor says as the game gets closer, the price will jump. On Thursday, that same ticket was selling for around $175.
To put this in context, he says right now, next week’s home game against South Carolina is going for $150.
“So the tickets aren’t really fighting tooth and nail to get in the door for this one, but you can see there is a little bit more to get a big push to get the Big Blue Nation to get into this game,”
UK student Carson King got his ticket online, but he says it was after the Ticketmaster site had crashed. He said when he got back online, the $20 student tickets were gone. Another student sold him a student ticket for $80.
“I think it’s worth it once in a lifetime thing to see John Calipari come back for the first time hopefully we beat them,” King said.
Brad Taylor is also an expert sports handicapper. He says right now, the Wildcats are favored by 11 over the Razorbacks.
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John Calipari, the beloved former coach of the University of Kentucky Wildcats, is set to make his return to Rupp Arena with his new team, the University of Memphis Tigers. Fans are buzzing with excitement for this highly anticipated matchup, but they may have to dig deep into their pockets to secure a seat for the game.
Ticket prices for Calipari’s return to Rupp Arena are skyrocketing, with some seats going for hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. The demand to see the legendary coach back in the arena where he once roamed the sidelines is driving prices to unprecedented levels.
For die-hard fans, the high ticket prices may be worth it to witness the historic moment of Calipari’s return to Rupp. But for others, the steep costs may be a barrier to attending the game.
Despite the hefty price tag, one thing is for certain – Calipari’s return to Rupp Arena is sure to be a night to remember for all in attendance. Whether you’re able to snag a ticket or not, the excitement surrounding this game is palpable.
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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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.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — While the Kentucky men’s basketball team prepares for its latest knock-down, drag-out SEC road game — this time at No. 6 Tennessee on Tuesday — its former coach and several former players at Arkansas have a whole week to prepare for their much-anticipated return to Rupp Arena.
John Calipari and Arkansas will be in Lexington for a 9 p.m. showdown with Kentucky on Saturday night — but they won’t exactly be striking fear into anyone. Arkansas is 12-8 overall, just 1-6 in the SEC, and recently lost point guard Boogie Fland (a former Kentucky signee) for the season.
Asked about his return to the place where he won a national title, went to four Final Fours and won nearly 79% of his games, Calipari acknowledged it would be a challenge.
“There will be some emotion, walking into that building,” he said. “Really being in town. Probably get together with some of my friends.”
Calipari left Lexington out of frustration after loss to Oakland in a first-round exit of the NCAA Tournament, his second in three years. Fans had grown frustrated, and so had he.
Wildcats Adou Thiero, DJ Wagner and Zvonimir Ivisic followed Calipari to Arkansas, as did Fland, a Kentucky recruit, and Top 40 recruit Billy Richmond, who also was coming to Kentucky.
Arkansas rolled to an 11-2 start, its best win an 89-87 victory over Michigan. But SEC play has been difficult. Calipari and the Razorbacks lost their first five conference games, and limp into Lexington 1-6.
After telling his players just to get the games close at the end, and he would lead them the rest of the way, following Arkansas’ first SEC win, over Georgia, the Razorbacks faltered late in a 65-62 loss to Oklahoma, their third home-court loss in four games.
Despite Kentucky’s recent SEC struggles, Mark Pope’s Wildcats (14-5, 3-3) should be favored, though as always, Calipari has abundant talent and athleticism.
“They’re playing good,” Calipari said. “We’ve got our hands full. Let’s see what happens. You know, they’re a good team. Mark’s doing a good job with them. So, we’ve just got to keep going, keep fighting, keep figuring this out. What does this team look like? What do we have to play like?”
The game will also mark a return to Rupp for Calipari assistant Kenny Payne, who spent two tumultuous years as head coach at his alma mater, Louisville, before being fired with a record of 12-52. The last time Payne coached in the building, his Louisville team lost to Kentucky 86-63. Before taking the job at Louisville, Payne was an assistant at Kentucky from 2010 to 2020, the last six of those seasons as associate head coach.
Kentucky won’t be able to turn its attention to the game for a couple of days. The Wildcats will try to snap a two-game losing streak at No. 6 Tennessee on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
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The upcoming matchup between Arkansas and Kentucky is sure to be an emotional one as former Wildcats player and current Razorbacks head coach, Eric Musselman, makes his return to Rupp Arena. Kentucky head coach, John Calipari, is expecting a passionate atmosphere as fans welcome back a familiar face.
Musselman, who played for Kentucky in the early 1980s, has quickly made a name for himself as a successful head coach in the college basketball world. His return to the place where his basketball career began is sure to bring out strong emotions from both fans and players.
Calipari, who has a long-standing rivalry with Musselman, knows that this game will be a highly anticipated one for both teams. The Wildcats will be looking to defend their home court against a tough opponent, while the Razorbacks will be eager to prove themselves against a top-tier program.
With both teams boasting talented rosters and passionate fan bases, this game is shaping up to be a must-watch event. The energy and excitement surrounding this matchup are sure to make for a thrilling and emotional night at Rupp Arena.
As Mark Pope said following Saturday’s tilt vs. the Tide, there are no off-nights in the SEC. Ask Alabama, who on paper were a double-digit favorite at home to Ole Miss, and then lost to that same Rebels squad by double-digits. Or ask the once-No. 1 Tennessee Volunteers, who made a short trip to a decrepit Nashville high school gym to pick up a pretty easy road win against the rebuilding Vanderbilt Commodores. The Vols left the victim of a court-storming.
Turns out that the truism still has veracity: Games aren’t won on paper. After three of the last four on the road, Alabama is back in the Mausoleum on Tuesday to face the surprising Vanderbilt Commodores, and what the Tide did on Saturday won’t matter much at tip-off. These ‘Dores are dangerous…because there are no off-nights in this league.
Tale of the Tape: No. 37 Vanderbilt (15-3, 3-2) vs No. 4 Alabama (15-3, 4-1)
UA Ken Pom: 8th (4 Off, 43 Defense, 1 Tempo) UA Evan Miya: 6th (3 Off, 23 Defense, 1 Tempo) UA Bart Torvik: 7th (3 Off, 33 Defense, 1 Tempo) UA NET Ranking: 7 (10-3 Q1/2) UA RPI: 2 UA Best KenPom Win: No. 3 (N) Houston UA Worst KenPom Loss: No. 20 (N) Oregon
Oh, look, another 5-out tempo-team!
In the case of Mark Byington’s ‘Dores, it at least makes sense. He was an all-conference 1000-point scorer in college, and as a former guard has catered his offense to a style of ball that is amenable to that experience. It’s worked too.
Byington is one of the nation’s up-and-comers, and has earned a reputation for both playing a high-tempo, high-scoring brand of basketball, and also quick turnarounds. After years of being mired in losing, Byington’s teams at Georgia Southern and James Madison immediately turned around and won 20+ games his first year. And in the case of the Dukes, even became a bit of a low-major power in their own right. His JMU squads took home conference titles, upended No. 5 MSU and No. 4 Wisconsin in NCAA tourneys, and had one of the nation’s most prolific offenses — hitting 80+ more often than otherwise.
We’ve covered the 5-out before, in a variety of iterations (high-tempo, like Kentucky; slow-paced defense, like South Carolina), so I’m not going to bludgeon you with another 1000 words on the system: the links are below, if you need a refresher. Instead, we’re going to see what it is that the ‘Dores do differently than someone like the Wildcats.
Perhaps the first thing you will notice is that Vanderbilt does not run many two-man screens or pick-and-rolls. Byington is a big believer in the three-man screen game. This draws defenders towards to the ball, fearing they will be outnumbered for an easy jumper, and then he hits you with backside screens and Bellarmine cuts to the basket. Like Ole Miss (and Bobby Knight), this is a style of basketball that doesn’t look to put the ball on the floor; instead it uses extra passes and a series of multiple rolling screens across the court which follow the ball. Then, when the offense gets a numerical mismatch, then they dart a quick look to the backside for an easy bucket.
It’s not a perfect analogy, but think of it as similar to the spread in football: Put players in space, then generate a numerical mismatch or busted assignment for a big play.
The passes are whipped around the perimeter at speed, high screens are set fast and continuously near the arc, and they dare defenders to keep up with their man amidst all the traffic and ball movement. It borrows some of the four-out reliance on spacing, with the no-dribble passing and ball screens of a traditional motion offense. It’s very hard to defend if you’re not man-sound on the defensive end.
Offense, naturally, is the strength of this Vandy team.
Watch this, if you want to see how to move the ball at tempo, with minimal-to-no-dribbling, and why this is called the “Bellarmine Cut.” It generates a lot of points quickly, and it does so without having to lean into the three-point shot — and Vandy likewise doesn’t rely on the perimeter ball.
And, while it is at tempo, because there are so many screens, it’s not as fast-paced as Alabama, and they do generally take until the second-half of the shot clock to find an open cutter.
Defensively, in many respects, the ‘Dores remind you of Kent State — they set up at the perimeter, get close enough to diagnose you with halitosis, and attack the ball. Unlike, say South Carolina or Ole Miss, they contest every pass, and stick to their man tight throughout the possession. You have to double-screen this team or find open looks and make good passes, because iso shots aren’t the easiest ones to get off. That face-up, man pressure presents the most danger when the ball is put on the floor or teams get careless with their passing: Vanderbilt will pick your pocket like a Gypsy in a Paris subway.
And, if you can’t find an open look (even when you’re not turning it over) you have to make contested shots. The defensive strength of this team is certainly not in rebounding; the strength is in forcing low-percentage shots from the perimeter, and most teams have struggled to hit them.
Like Kent State, they’re a small bunch and not very physical. But if a team like Houston is a killer hornet, capable of smashing you with one shot, don’t lose sight of the fact that even honey bees can kill you with death-by-a-thousand-stings. Alabama will have to play smart, particularly when making that first pass into the possession — that is by far when Vanderbilt is at its most dangerous defensively, and they excel at turning upcourt on the break when forcing quick turnovers.
Key Personnel
Vanderbilt is a guard-led team, in a guard-led offense. And, yes, the backcourt are the leading scorers — combining for a fairly modest 28 points per game. But like the Gamecocks, the strength of this offense, and easily its most dangerous players, are the two VU forwards.
In particular, F/PF Devin McGlockton has had a very strong start to the season and is the one player that Alabama must neutralize to have defensive success. He’s Vandy’s best floor shooter (an absurd 74%), its best rebounder, and for good measure is the one of the best perimeter shooters (35.7% on a team that lacks a lot of perimeter players and doesn’t attempt very many deep balls). You can’t just expect him to move to the basket: he will catch-and-shoot from the perimeter. I would expect that McGlockton will get a heavy dose of Little Mo and Cliff, who physically match up best with him (though for different reasons), with some backside help from Youngblood.
In the backcourt, PJ AJ Hoggard is the second-leading scorer for the Commodores, and one of their craftiest defenders, averaging almost four steals a night. Though not a prolific scorer (just about 12 a night), he sees the floor very well and is a 2:1 assist man from the point. Hoggard is a fairly poor shooter from deep, but still launches about four a game to keep his defender honest.
Now, small forward Tyler Nickel and SG Jason Edwards are the high-volume shooters from beyond the arc. The pair combine for 11.2 three attempts per contest, and both shoot a well-above average 37-38% from beyond the arc. However, that is about it for must-guard perimeter players: Nickel, Edwards, and McGlockton. It’s a poor shooting perimeter team (even worse than Alabama in percentage terms), but unlike the Tide, they aren’t a volume shooting squad.
How To Watch
Tuesday 21 January, 6 CST, SEC Network
Prediction
Last week, I said this about the UK game:
I don’t think for all the admitted firepower on display it’s actually going to be won away from the basket; it’s going to be won by doing the dirty work the most consistently. Who has the most blue collar moments, who wants to fight for defensive rebounds, who wants to hit the floor, who wants to body their way through a screen, who wants to give some backside help or jump in to cut off the lane, who wants to take a charge.
This could be a game decided by the less-heralded players: Grant, Cliff (WHO NEEDS TO BE PLAYING FAR MORE — BB4), Youngblood, Little Mo — people who want to play tough. People who can play tough. I’d kill a man to bring Herb Jones in for this one.
That turned out to be prescient. Little Mo played superbly, and won the Hard Hat. Grant had his best game in two weeks and was arguably the player of the game in setting the first-half tone. Chris knocked down a few shots, got to the line, and played superb defense late. What can you say about Cliff? He was all over the floor, and had another good night, particularly offensively.
And Jarin…well, Jarin was Jarin. I swear, he has to have kompromat on this staff or something.
This game is apt to be a bit different than that one, though the names are likely to be familiar.
Rather than role-players in the post, Alabama needs to win at the rim and run much of their offense through the paint. Like Ole Miss, Vandy is a tiny team. Unlike Ole Miss, it is also inexperienced one that is just average in the paint on both ends of the floor. They are prone to being overwhelmed by more talented opponents who make a concerted effort to beat them up inside. And whereas Alabama was obstinate in trying to test the middle against a Rebel team whose entire MO is stopping interior penetration, the Tide can have success attacking precisely that weak link. And they no doubt will with dribble-drives, quick-cuts, lobs and timely offensive rebounding.
Alabama has a tremendous rebounding, height, and physicality advantage. I would expect the Tide to stuff these nerds in a locker.
As of this writing, the spread for this game is not out. KenPom projects a 12-point Alabama win. My offense-heavier modeling has it closer to 14.8-17.3 for the Tide. Alabama has covered six of its last seven though, and are 5-2 on the over since Christmas.
I’ll split the difference here, and say that Alabama gives up too many easy points with turnovers and losing their man in traffic, but all of that size and talent and depth is simply way too much for the ‘Dores.
Alabama 89 Vanderbilt 74
Hope for the best. Roll Tide.
Poll
Does Alabama have a hangover vs. Vandy?
27%
No, they come out focused and destroy the ‘Dores
(43 votes)
57%
Vandy will give them a game, but they’re not winning.
(91 votes)
12%
Tide comes out flat, struggles defensively and with ball control, and generally plays down to their competition in a squeaker
(19 votes)
3%
SWING YOUR CACTUS! The Tide spent the last 48 hours getting high on their own supply, and lose at home. Again.
After a thrilling victory in Lexington, the No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide must now turn their attention to a potentially tricky matchup against the Vanderbilt Commodores. Fresh off a huge road win in Rupp Arena, Alabama can’t afford to overlook their next opponent.
The Crimson Tide displayed their resilience and determination in their victory over Kentucky, showing that they have what it takes to compete with the best teams in the country. However, they must now avoid a letdown against Vanderbilt, who may not have the same level of talent but can still pose a threat on any given night.
Vanderbilt may have struggled this season, but they have shown flashes of potential and are capable of pulling off upsets. The Commodores have played tough against some top teams in the SEC and should not be taken lightly by Alabama.
As the Crimson Tide look to build on their momentum and continue their climb up the rankings, they must stay focused and not overlook their upcoming opponent. Every game in the SEC is a battle, and Alabama will need to bring their A-game once again to come out on top against the dangerous Commodores.
So, as the Tide prepare to take the court against Vanderbilt, they must remember that every game is a new challenge and approach each matchup with the same level of intensity and determination that propelled them to victory in Rupp Arena. Xs and Oats will be crucial in securing another important win for Alabama.
Kentucky and Florida have gone head-to-head on the hardwood 152 times throughout history, dating all the way back to the 1920s. Game No. 153 is set for Saturday morning. The Wildcats have dominated this series, winning 110 of those matchups which included a 16-game win streak from 1942-64. Only 12 times have the Gators come to Lexington and left with a win, 10 of them happening inside Rupp Arena, which was opened in 1976.
But we’re only less than a year removed from witnessing one of those 10 victories. Florida came into Rupp on Jan. 31, 2024, and beat John Calipari‘s final UK team in overtime. It’s one Kentucky fans would like to forget (sorry for bringing it up again), but there’s no denying it was an absolute thriller of a matchup — even if Kentucky coughed up the win down the stretch.
At the time, Kentucky was ranked No. 10 (the same ranking this season’s team will take into Saturday’s game) while Florida was unranked. The Wildcats had already taken down UF in Gainesville earlier that month. DJ Wagner and Justin Edwards were injured and did not play in the rematch, leaving the ‘Cats a bit short-handed.
After taking a five-point lead into the halftime break, Kentucky was up by four with under 30 seconds in regulation. Florida connected on a layup with 15 seconds left to make it a two-point game. Rob Dillingham then went 1-2 at the free throw line, leaving it at a one-possession game. Some defensive miscommunication from the ‘Cats left Walter Clayton Jr. open for a clean look from deep. He drilled the three-pointer to tie the game (which sparked a “should you foul up three?” debate) with three seconds on the clock. Kentucky went on to lose in overtime 94-91.
It was a rather heartbreaking loss for the Wildcats, right in the middle of a six-game SEC stretch that saw UK go 2-4. Reed Sheppard, Antonio Reeves, and Dillingham were awesome though. The same goes for Ugonna Onyenso, who damn near posted a triple-double. But no other Wildcat scored more than seven points. Those four and Tre Mitchell played nearly the entire game. There was little bench depth to aid UK’s stars as the legs wore down in the extra period.
The star for Florida in that game, Clayton Jr., finished with 23 points on seven made three-pointers, which is the new record for most triples made by a Gator ever against Kentucky. He’ll be back in Rupp again on Saturday as Florida’s leader and best player. A handful of his current teammates from last season played in that game, too.
We’ll be hoping for a different outcome when Mark Pope leads his team into the SEC-opener tomorrow morning. But if the game is anything like last year’s, we’re in for a fun time in Rupp. Tipoff is set for 11:00 a.m. EST on ESPN.
A look back at the last time Florida came to Rupp Arena
It was a highly anticipated matchup between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Florida Gators as the two SEC powerhouses squared off at Rupp Arena. The atmosphere was electric as fans packed the arena, eager to see their teams battle it out on the court.
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading baskets and playing tough defense. The Wildcats were led by their star guard, who put on a show with his scoring and playmaking abilities. On the other side, the Gators were determined to pull off the upset and came out firing on all cylinders.
As the game reached its final minutes, tensions ran high as the score remained close. With the crowd on their feet, the Wildcats managed to secure a crucial lead and hold off the Gators in the final moments. The final buzzer sounded, and the Wildcats emerged victorious, much to the delight of the home crowd.
The win was a memorable one for Kentucky fans, as they celebrated their team’s resilience and determination in the face of a tough opponent. It was a game that showcased the intensity and passion of college basketball, and a reminder of the thrill of watching top teams compete on the court.
As we look back at the last time Florida came to Rupp Arena, we can’t help but reminisce on the excitement and energy of that game. It was a moment that will forever be etched in the memories of both teams and their fans, and a testament to the fierce competition that defines college basketball.
Tags:
Florida vs. Kentucky basketball rivalry
Rupp Arena showdown: Florida vs. Kentucky
SEC basketball history: Florida at Rupp Arena
Gators vs. Wildcats: A historic matchup at Rupp Arena
Florida basketball at Rupp Arena: A retrospective
Kentucky Wildcats vs. Florida Gators: A classic rivalry
SEC basketball showdown: Florida takes on Kentucky at Rupp Arena
Remembering the last time Florida visited Rupp Arena
Florida Gators vs. Kentucky Wildcats: A look back at their matchup
Rupp Arena memories: Florida vs. Kentucky basketball clash.
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