CBB News and Notes Thursday

Kentucky Falls at Missouri on Wednesday

Oscar Tshiebwe posted a double-double but No. 19/17 Kentucky lost its Southeastern Conference opener, falling at Missouri 89-75 on Wednesday night. Tshiebwe, the defending National Player of the Year, scored 23 points and grabbed 19 rebounds, posting his sixth double-double of the season and the 46th such game of his college career. It was the fourth time in his career that Tshiebwe has had at least 22 points and 18 rebounds. In the last 10 years, that has only happened seven times, and Tshiebwe has accounted for four of those. Freshman Cason Wallace had 19 points for the Cats but was saddled with foul trouble for much of the evening. Sahvir Wheeler had 12 points and eight assists for UK.

SEC Opener: Kentucky, Missouri Tip Off in Columbia Thursday Night

The University of Kentucky women’s basketball program will take on Missouri in its Southeastern Conference opener Thursday, Dec. 29 at 9 p.m. ET inside Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Missouri. The game will be broadcast on SEC Network, with Sam Gore and Aja Ellison on the call.

RV/RV Cardinals Return Home to Host Syracuse

The RV/RV Louisville women’s basketball team is back home for its first home game since Dec. 6 when they host the Syracuse Orange on Thursday, December 29. The Cardinals and Orange will square off at the KFC Yum! Center at 7 p.m. ET and will be streamed on the ACC Network Extra. The Orange and Cardinals both carry a five-game winning streak into the game.

Lady Toppers Begin C-USA Play at Rice

WKU women’s basketball opens Conference USA play and closes out a three-game road swing at Rice on Thursday, Dec. 29.

Hilltopper Basketball Returns Home for Final Time in 2022

WKU Hilltopper Basketball will start with a clean 0-0 slate in conference play on Thursday evening as it takes on the Rice Owls at home in E.A. Diddle Arena. The 6 p.m. CT game will stream on ESPN+. WKU wrapped up non-conference play with a tight game at South Carolina last Thursday. Rice defeated Jarvis Christian at home prior to the holiday break and is 0-1 in league action with an early loss at Middle Tennessee. The Hilltoppers are 8-2 all-time against Rice, with a 5-1 mark at home, winning the last six contests. Head coach Rick Stansbury is a perfect 7-0 against the Owls. Pre-Game at 5:30 on Newsradio 95.3 FM and 1230 AM WHOP.

Racers & Salukis Clash In the Valley Thursday at CFSB Center

The Murray State Racers begin the biggest part of the 2022-23 season with an 18-game run to March in the Missouri Valley Conference. The nine-week 18-game grind begins with the Southern Illinois Salukis coming to Murray on a four-game win streak. Tip time at the CFSB Center in Murray, Ky. is 7 p.m.

Austin Peay travels to Queens in ASUN debut

The Austin Peay State University men’s basketball team travels to Queens (N.C.) for a 5 p.m. tip-off, Thursday, in the ASUN Conference debut for both programs.

>>College Basketball Roundup

(Undated)  — Number-10 Tennessee beat Ole Miss 63-59 in college basketball action.  The Vols improved to 11-and-2 and will host Number-20 Mississippi State on Tuesday. Memphis hosts South Florida tonight.  The Tigers improved to 10-and-3 after a big win over Alabama State.  Vanderbilt plays host to Southeastern Louisiana tomorrow.  The Commodores are now 6-and-6 following a win over Alabama A&M.