Govs record 12 dunks in 98-74 win
Shon Robinson tallied career-highs in points (27), field goals (10), field goal attempts (16), free throws (7) free throw attempts (13), and steals (6), and Austin Peay State University totaled 12 dunks in a 98-74 win over Milligan on Monday. The Governors, who have won four of their last five games in the Winfield Dunn Center, were victorious in their seventh-straight home opener. Austin Peay (1-2) won its sixth-consecutive contest against the Buffaloes and improved to 11-1 at home and 20-6 all-time in the series. The Governors scored 98 points for the second-straight year against Milligan (1-2) and have totaled at least 98 in the last five meetings.
Calipari, Cats Face Michigan State in Champions Classic
Many Kentucky fans are wondering what to expect from their fourth-ranked Cats on Tuesday night, as they face their first Power Five opponent, Michigan State, of the season. Turns out UK head coach John Calipari is wondering the exact same thing.
“I have no idea what to expect,” Calipari admitted on Monday. “First of all, I don’t know if (Oscar Tshiebwe) is playing or how much he’ll play. Sahvir (Wheeler) just joined (the team). Daimion (Collins) had two days of practice before he left, then he came back. How’s he doing? That’s why I’ve said all along – it’s going to take us time to get this right.”
Calipari was non-committal on Monday.
“He’s supposed to practice (Monday), so we’ll have a better idea,” Calipari said. “He’s been doing the conditioning stuff but he hasn’t been on that court and that’s totally different. My guess would be he plays three or four minutes in a stretch – if he plays.”
Calipari has been forced to mix and match lineups early in the season, which has been a challenge for the staff and the team.
“There will be stuff out there that you’ll say – what in the world did he just do? Well, Oscar’s not been around for four weeks,” Calipari said. “We had Sahvir out for two weeks. Daimion has been out two weeks – in and out. You’re talking about three players that we could be relying on.”
The positive side of that is that other players who might not have played much have been able to see significant minutes, helping their progressions.
“But, it gave Lance (Ware) a chance, Ugo (Onyenso) a chance, it gave Jacob (Toppin) a chance to play more, it gave Chris (Livingston) a chance to play three and four. It gave Cason (Wallace) a chance to be a point, which means if we have any hiccups, he can move to point and we’ll be fine.”
The last time these two teams met, which was in the Champions Classic in 2019 at Madison Square Garden, UK freshman Tyrese Maxey put on an unbelievable performance. In his first college game, Maxey had 26 points and five rebounds as second-ranked Kentucky beat No. 1 Michigan State 69-62. Calipari is hoping for another game like that on come Tuesday. But he really doesn’t know exactly what to expect. Kentucky is 5-6 in Champions Classic games. UK leads the all-time series with the Spartans by a 14-11 margin. The teams have never met in Indianapolis.
>>Kentucky Lands Top 2023 Recruit
(Undated) — The Kentucky Wildcats are landing the number-one recruit in the country. Five-star guard D.J. Wagner announced Monday that he is committing to play for the Wildcats. Wagner chose Kentucky over Louisville after the two teams vied to land the coveted guard. His commitment secured Wildcats head coach John Calipari his fourth number-one recruit after landing Shaedon Sharpe, Nerlens Noel and Anthony Davis.
Louisville Welcomes App State on Tuesday to Wrap Homestand
The University of Louisville men’s basketball team finishes its three-game homestand to open the season against Appalachian State at 6 p.m. ET Tuesday at the KFC Yum! Center. The game will air on ACC Network. The Cardinals suffered their second straight one-point loss to open the season Saturday with a 73-72 defeat against Wright State. App State has started the year 2-0 with victories over Warren Wilson and North Carolina Central. Louisville is 1-0 all-time against App State with a win in 2009. UofL is 26-1 all-time against teams from the Sun Belt Conference.
Tops Host Greyhounds for Mid-Week Match-Up
WKU Hilltopper Basketball takes on the University of Indianapolis at 7 p.m. CT on Tuesday night. The game will stream on ESPN+. WKU opened its home slate with a 127-61 victory over Kentucky State on Saturday evening in E.A. Diddle Arena. The Greyhounds have already played two games and are 2-0 to start the season. Tuesday’s contest will be an exhibition game for U-Indy. This is the first time WKU or head coach Rick Stansbury have played the University of Indianapolis in a regular season game.
Sharp-Shooting Frampton Named C-USA Player of the Week
WKU Hilltopper Basketball sixth-year guard Luke Frampton was named Conference USA Player of the Week, the league announced Monday afternoon. This is the first award of the season and it is Frampton’s second of his career at WKU. It is the second consecutive season that a Hilltopper has earned the first Player of the Week honor of the year. Through WKU’s season and home openers, Frampton leads the team in scoring, averaging 20.5 points per game. He’s made 11 3-pointers, which is tied for third in the country, on 13 attempts, shooting 84.6%. His 3-point shooting percentage is the fourth-best mark in the nation.
WKU Women’s Basketball Drops Road Contest at Missouri
A sluggish offensive game doomed WKU women’s basketball (0-2) against Missouri (4-0) on Monday night in Columbia, Missouri. The Lady Toppers fell to the Tigers, 65-47.
Turner Inks Two In-State Standouts for 2023-23
Murray State Head Women’s Basketball Coach Rechelle Turner continues to bring in some of the best high school players in the Commonwealth, as evidenced by Monday’s signing of McCracken County’s Destiny Thomas. Thomas have already accumulated a significant list of awards and accomplishments, with still one season remaining in her career.
Destiny Thomas · 5-10 · G/F · Paducah, Ky. (McCracken County HS)
Averaged 16.2 points and 6.1 rebounds per game over past two seasons
Scored over 1,000 career point in just two seasons
2022 1st Region MVP
2022 All-State selection by Courier Journal and 2022 Purchase Player of the Year
Helped lead Mustangs to school’s first-ever KHSAA Sweet 16 Appearance
Dad, Roderick, played for Racers from 2000-02 and brother, Rod, is currently a senior for Racer men’s basketball
Turner on Thomas:
“Destiny is a gifted athlete capable of playing multiple positions on the court. She can score in a variety of ways and her length and athleticism allow her to impact the game on both ends of the floor. Destiny is a proven winner, as she has helped her high school team become one of the best in Kentucky. Destiny will become the third member of her family to wear the Racer uniform and we are excited to have her join our program.”