University of Kentucky men's basketball beat writer for Inside Kentucky Basketball, an independent website covering the Cats. Formerly: Lexington Herald-Leader.
Big personal news: I've left the Herald-Leader, but I'll still be covering the Kentucky men's basketball team full time.
If you enjoyed my coverage in the past, I’ll need your support to make this work.
Here’s more on my new (independent!) approach: insidekentuckybasketball.com…
Where does Milan Momcilovic need to get better?
Differences between Kentucky and Iowa State?
How can Pope’s offense open him up even more?
What’s a “bad shot,” according to the UK coach?
A 1-on-1 conversation with the Kentucky forward: insidekentuckybasketball.com…
🔵🏀 “He's gonna be fine with any 3 I take.”
Milan Momcilovic goes 1-on-1 with Inside Kentucky Basketball for a conversation that dives deeper into his game. Areas of improvement. Mark Pope’s offense. 10 3s a game. And a whole lot more.
Check it out: insidekentuckybasketball.com…
If you're a fan of Kentucky high school sports, you need to be subscribed to Kentucky High School Daily by @JoshMooreKY. The rundown of scores from around the state, all in an easy-to-read format, makes it worthwhile. kentuckyhighschooldaily.com/…
🔵🏀 Mason Williams hasn't even played his first real college basketball game yet, and he's already looking like something special for this Kentucky team.
Last night's win over No. 19 Texas Tech was just the latest example: insidekentuckybasketball.com…
Final box score from Kentucky's preseason win over No. 19 Texas Tech in Rupp Arena.
Mason Williams was impressive again. Alex Wilkins found ways to make a difference despite his shot not falling for much of the night.
Halftime box score.
Kentucky used a 15-0 run there, with some nice defensive pressure during that stretch, to take the lead over Texas Tech at the half, despite shooting 1/11 on 3s.
11 assists. No turnovers in the final 9:07.
Alex Wilkins' shot hasn't been falling as a Wildcat so far (4/14 FGs, 2/10 3s) but Pope wants him to keep shooting when open. And he's a feisty competitor with real vision.
Some big defensive plays and nice passes from him in that stretch. Cats on a 10-0 run here and up 28-25.
Good stuff here from Derek on an intriguing 2027 center who was in Lexington earlier this month and would be a big addition to Mark Pope's recruiting class.
On the UK visit: "He was blown away."
Two weeks ago, 7-foot-5 center Cherif Millogo made a surprise visit to UK. His high school coach, Todd Wolfson, talked about the visit and what it's like to coach Millogo.
"Our point guard looks at me and goes, ‘Coach, he’s like AI generated.’" insidekentuckybasketball.com…
🔵🏀 Free Friday newsletter: An interesting test for Kentucky tonight in Rupp Arena, an update on Kam Williams, who is back in practice with the Cats, and much more from Week 2 on the website: insidekentuckybasketball.com…
The regular Friday newsletter from @InsideKentucky and a Cherif Millogo story from me at Inside Kentucky Basketball coming tomorrow, plus the Cats' exhibition against Texas Tech tomorrow night at Rupp Arena. Great time to sign up! insidekentuckybasketball.com…
🔵🏀 What's it like sharing the court with Franck Kepnang?
"I mean, you feel like you're damn near immortal."
But the backup big man will need to stay healthy for the Kentucky Wildcats to reach their ceiling this season.
A closer look at "Big Franck": insidekentuckybasketball.com…
🔵🏀 I caught up this week with Kentucky basketball great Dan Issel, who discussed his new book before a release party tomorrow night on UK's campus.
Story: insidekentuckybasketball.com…
ICYMI earlier today: John Clay's (@johnclayiv) first column for Inside Kentucky Basketball.
And UK's regular season tips off 2 weeks from ... right now. insidekentuckybasketball.com…
Thrilled that John Clay will be joining Inside Kentucky Basketball to offer his commentary on the Cats this season.
Check out his first column for the site right here ...
🔵🏀 A conversation with Jack "Goose" Givens, who has been a fixture in Kentucky's practices this summer and fall.
The UK basketball legend discusses what excites (and concerns) him about Mark Pope's team entering the 2026-27 season: insidekentuckybasketball.com…
A closer look at the good and the bad from Kentucky's 69-49 exhibition win over Little Rock last night.
These Cats have a lot of room to grow, but there were some surprises, too ... insidekentuckybasketball.com…
Here's the full halftime box score.
Kentucky with some pretty disciplined defense (a preseason concern) for the most part.
Ball wasn't popping on the offensive end nearly as much as predicted (some lackadaisical passes, among other issues).
But, it's early.