Tag Archives: Jon Hale

UK baseball team faces must-win scenario
in SEC Tournament to reach NCAA regional

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What started as a promising season for the UK baseball team, has turned into a disappointment.   The Wildcats, who had already earned three weekend series wins versus RPI top-40 teams by the end of March, find themselves likely in …

UK softball beats Virginia Tech to advance
to second super regional in program history

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  After Virginia Tech forced a winner-take-all game two in the NCAA regional final Saturday, UK head coach Rachel Lawson had a simple message for her squad.   “I told them that the defense, if they wanted to extend their …

John Calipari confident Archie Goodwin will
‘be fine’ with hard work as NBA prospect

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Minutes after UK’s season-ending loss to Robert Morris in the first round of the NIT, guard Archie Goodwin said any of the Wildcats would be “delusional” to consider leaving school for the NBA draft.   Less than two weeks later …

John Calipari not shying away from 40-0 talk as staff looks ahead to next season’s team

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  The positive momentum surrounding the UK men’s basketball team since the season-ending NIT loss in March hit a bump Tuesday with top-ranked recruit Andrew Wiggins‘ commitment to Kansas, but expectations for next season are still skyrocketing.   With six …

UK men’s tennis team looks to establish
new program bests in NCAA Tournament

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  For the fifth consecutive season, the UK men’s tennis team will host a NCAA Tournament regional this weekend.   The Wildcats, ranked No. 8 nationally, have carried the success of the final years of the Dennis Emery Era, into …

Kyle Cody steps up in first weekend start as Cats look to get Jerady Grundy back on track

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The UK baseball offense has not given much run support to its pitchers in recent weeks, but the recent struggles of senior left-handed pitcher Jerad Grundy necessitated a change in the weekend rotation versus Arkansas.   In Grundy’s place, freshman …

Larry Warford on track to be Wildcats’
first offensive lineman drafted since 1993

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On the field, offensive guard Larry Warford helped UK football end several of the longest losing streaks in college football history. This weekend he’ll look to end another long draught for the program, this one involving the NFL draft.   …

After 24 collegiate games, Nerlens Noel feels prepared for NBA, confident in full recovery

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UK freshmen forward Nerlens Noel never gave up on his dream of being an early NBA draft pick this year after a season-ending knee injury.   Now, six weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ACL, Noel is confident …

Jalen Whitlow turns in standout performance in spring game in front of record-size crowd

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  For one night at least, there was little question about which quarterback was the most productive in the three-headed position battle.   Sophomore Jalen Whitlow completed 17 of 28 passes for 193 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for …

UK baseball aims to move past LSU sweep
in time for daunting stretch vs. ranked foes

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  Almost halfway through the Southeastern Conference schedule, the UK baseball team’s season is at a crossroads.   UK is 23-9 on the season, 6-6 in SEC play and ranked No. 13 in the Baseball America top 25. The Wildcats …

Za’Darius Smith backing up recruiting hype during first spring practice of UK career

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When Mark Stoops was named UK’s new football coach in November, the program experienced the normal excitement surrounding a coaching hire.   Three weeks later, Stoops made good on that hype with the signing of four-star defensive end Za’Darius Smith, …

Ryan Harrow to transfer to Georgia State
to be closer to father recovering from a stroke

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Sophomore point guard Ryan Harrow is the first defection from the UK men’s basketball roster following a season that saw the team lose in the first round the NIT.   Harrow announced in an interview with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that …

Raymond Sanders making early statement
at tailback in Wildcats’ new spread offense

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  Senior tailback Raymond Sanders knew he was well suited for the spread offense being brought to UK by new offensive coordinator Neal Brown.   Seven spring practices into the Mark Stoops Era, the new UK coaches have realized Sanders’ …

UK Hoops has program’s first Final Four
in sight with matchup vs. Delaware looming

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  The UK women’s basketball team had more than a quality opponent to deal with in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.   A stomach virus, which affected several players and staff members, incapacitated some of the Wildcats for …

UK loses defensive tackle Donte Rumph
to ‘significant injury’ during spring practice

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Mark Stoops has made no secret of his need to increase the depth on the UK football roster since being named the Wildcats’ head coach in November.   That task just became more difficult after senior defensive lineman Donte Rumph …

Bud Dupree adjusting to life as defensive end, hopes to repeat success of Florida State stars

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Alvin “Bud” Dupree is getting used to moving around on defense.   The rising junior burst onto the scene with 21 tackles, including 14 while starting the final three games of the season, as a true freshman in 2011. As …

With up-and-down season finished in NIT, Calipari, players give reasons for future hope

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MOON TOWNSHIP, Penn. — A season that began with the WIldcats ranked No. 3 in both major polls, ended Tuesday with a loss to Robert Morris in the first round of the NIT in a gym that sat just more …

Wildcats calling on pride as motivation
to play well after missing NCAA Tournament

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John Calipari had no trouble summing up the benefit of his team opening the postseason NIT in Twitter’s 140 character limit.   “I’m not disappointed we have to start on the road because this team needs to prove it wants …

Wildcats will meet Vanderbilt for third time
this season in SEC Tourney quarterfinals

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — If John Calipari needs help with the scouting report for UK’s quarterfinal Southeastern Conference opponent, there were plenty of Wildcat fans in Bridgestone Arena Thursday who would probably be willing to help.   Despite the Wildcats having …

Wildcats not ready to declare turnaround permanent after strong win before postseason

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You could not blame UK fans for hoping the Wildcat’s win versus No. 11 Florida to close out the regular season is a sign that the young team has finally turned a corner.   Just don’t expect the Cats’ emerging …