KENTUCKY WILDCATS NEWS

The Courier-Journal Kentucky basketball's loss to Duke included positive signs from UK's veterans, but more is needed from TyTy Washington and Daimion Collins.

NOVEMBER 10, 2021 • COURIER-JOURNAL.COM

Coach K wins Garden finale as Duke tops Kentucky 79-71

Freshman Trevor Keels scored 25 points and classmate Paolo Banchero added 22 to help No. 9 Duke beat 10th-ranked Kentucky 79-71 in the nightcap of the Champions Classic

NOVEMBER 10, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

CJ Fredrick - No-go in opener As expected, Fredrick (lower body) did not take the court in Tuesday's season-opening loss to Duke.

Impact The Wildcats still managed to shoot a respectable 7-for-18 from distance without the sharpshooter, but Fredrick will eventually provide a big boost in that area, as the Iowa transfer knocked down 47.4 percent of his three-pointers last season. His next chance to take the court will be Friday against Robert Morris.

NOVEMBER 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Sahvir Wheeler - Double-double in opener Wheeler had 16 points (6-15 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 10 assists and three rebounds across 38 minutes in Tuesday's 79-71 loss to Duke.

Impact While the result didn't go Wheeler's way and he did commit seven turnovers in the contest, there were certainly some positives to take away. First, in a largely competitive game, Wheeler hardly left the court. He also attempted more shots than any other Kentucky player. That type of run may not hold up through a relatively soft run of non-conference opponents ahead, but it certainly bodes well for his long-term fantasy prospects.

NOVEMBER 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Oscar Tshiebwe - 19 boards in Champions Classic Tshiebwe had 17 points (8-14 FG, 1-1 FT), 19 rebounds and two blocks across 29 minutes in Tuesday's 79-71 loss to Duke

Impact It doesn't appear that the forward depth Kentucky possesses is going to limit Tshiebwe one bit, with the biggest risk to his minutes likely to come in the form of fouls. These types of stat lines were commonplace during his days with the Mountaineers before he and the program seemed to have a falling out. He looks to have adapted to his new system with ease, and while the result didn't go Kentucky's way, the Wildcats may have a first-team all-SEC asset here as they look to return to the NCAA Tournament.

NOVEMBER 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Jason McIntyre's top 50 college basketball players for the 2021-22 season

College basketball is here, and Jason McIntyre is ranking the top 50 players in the men's game. See who lands at No. 1!

NOVEMBER 9, 2021

Kentucky basketball recruiting: No. 1-ranked prospect Shaedon Sharpe to enroll at UK early John Calipari's highly touted recruit for Kentucky basketball's 2022 class is heading to Lexington early.

NOVEMBER 9, 2021 • COURIER-JOURNAL.COM

College Basketball: Top 12 nonconference matchups this season

Duke and Kentucky will meet in the Champions Classic, marking one of Andy Katz's top nonconference matchups this season.

NOVEMBER 9, 2021

2022 NBA Draft Big Board: Ranking the season's top 30 prospects There are several prospects who enter the season expected to be lottery picks, with three vying for the early No. 1 overall spot.

NOVEMBER 9, 2021 • 247SPORTS.COM

The Courier-Journal Due to a new NCAA rule, men's basketball transfers are up 75% this season. Even UK's John Calipari has more transfers than freshmen this year.

NOVEMBER 9, 2021 • COURIER-JOURNAL.COM

No. 10 Kentucky and No. 9 Duke get season underway in New York

Two blue bloods are set to square off as No. 10 Kentucky and No. 9 Duke get the 2021-22 campaign underway

NOVEMBER 8, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Oscar Tshiebwe - Grabs 12 rebounds Friday Tshiebwe added four points (1-3 FG, 2-5 FT) and 12 rebounds during Friday's preseason win over Miles.

Impact Tshiebwe led the Wildcats by a wide margin off the glass. The 6-9 center is expected to make a signifiant contribution off the boards this year for Kentucky. Kentucky ranked No. 6 last year in the SEC in rebounding at 38.0 total team rebounds per game. Alabama was No. 1 with 40.5 rebounds per matchup.

NOVEMBER 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Kellan Grady - Drains three threes in preseason Grady recorded 13 points (5-8 FG, 3-3 3Pt), one rebound, one assist and one steal during Friday's preseason win over Miles.

Impact The Davidson transfer is expected to make an instant impact in the Kentucky offense this season, and he showed it during Friday's matchup. The 6-5 guard nailed all of this threes en route to 13 points. Grady has averaged at least 17 points in each of his four seasons at Davidson and converted 38.2 percent from deep in 2020-21.

NOVEMBER 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

How John Calipari used transfers to rebuild Kentucky basketball roster after 9-16 season Experience has been key in the NCAA Tournament in recent years. For once, Kentucky has plenty, but will transfers face their own adjustment?

NOVEMBER 8, 2021 • COURIER-JOURNAL.COM

Champions Classic Preview: Duke (0-0) v. Kentucky (0-0) Duke Basketball returns on Tuesday night as the Blue Devils take on the Kentucky Wildcats in the 2021 State Farm Champions Classic from Madi...

NOVEMBER 8, 2021 • 247SPORTS.COM

Jacob Toppin - Back from shoulder injury Toppin (shoulder) had 12 points (5-7 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds and an assist across 16 minutes off the bench in Friday's 80-71 exhibition victory over Miles College.

Impact It was originally unclear whether Toppin would be available for a lower-stakes exhibition contest, or if Kentucky would simply save the junior wing for the Nov. 9 opener against Duke. It seems coach Calipari went the tune-up route instead, and Toppin happened to be the leading reserve in terms of both minutes and scoring in the contest. While it doesn't look like he'll crack the starting five, early indications suggest Toppin should be a rotation piece as long as he maintains his health.

NOVEMBER 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

CJ Fredrick - Unlikely to play in opener Fredrick (lower body) is unlikely to play in Tuesday's season-opener against Duke, Jeff Drummond of Rivals.com reports.

Impact Frederick is still trying to make his way back from a lower body injury. Coach Cal said that Fredrick has been able to practice a bit, but that he's not sure this is the game he wants to put him in. It sounds like the transfer from Iowa is getting closer to a return, but his full impact probably won't be felt until further down the line this season once he is fully comfortable with his leg.

NOVEMBER 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Kentucky vs Duke Prediction, Odds, Spread, Line & Over/Under for College Basketball Game on FanDuel Sportsbook Kentucky vs Duke Basketball Game Info No. 10 Kentucky Wildcats (0-0) vs. No. 9 Duke Blue Devils (0-0) Date: Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021 Time: 9:30...

NOVEMBER 7, 2021 • FANDUEL.COM

CJ Fredrick - To practice Saturday Fredrick (lower body) is expected to practice Saturday for the first time since injuring his leg over the summer, Jeff Drummond of Cats Illustrated reports.

Impact The specifics of what his participation level at practice will look like is unclear. Previous reports indicated he had already joined practice, but as a non-contact participant. So, this most recent update indicates he may be more involved in his participation going forward. While this news is certainly encouraging, it remains to be seen if he will be in game-shape and ready for Tuesday's season opener verus Duke.

NOVEMBER 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Kentucky men's basketball beats Miles College in exhibition game The Kentucky Wildcats defeat the Miles College Golden Bears in an exhibition game Friday night at Rupp Arena.

NOVEMBER 6, 2021 • COURIER-JOURNAL.COM

CJ Fredrick - Sitting out exhibition Fredrick (lower body) will not take part in Friday's exhibition versus Duke, Maggie Davis of BBN Tonight reports.

Impact Fredrick appears to still be recovering from his injury with only days remaining before the regular season starts with a bang against Duke next Tuesday. Given his recent absences, it seems likely Fredrick would be limited for the Wildcats against the Blue Devils even if he's cleared as conditioning could be an issue.

NOVEMBER 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Jacob Toppin - Available, may not play Coach John Calipari indicated Friday that Toppin (shoulder) is available but may not play in Friday's exhibition versus Miles College, Maggie Davis of BBN Tonight reports.

Impact Toppin has been bothered by a shoulder injury but took part in warmups leading up to the contest and appears to be healthy enough to give it a go if needed. However, Calipari may opt to hold him out Friday, likely to ensure his health for the start of the regular season Tuesday versus Duke.

NOVEMBER 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE