Ben Roberts
@BenRobertsHL
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University of Kentucky men's basketball beat writer for the Lexington Herald-Leader. ✉️ broberts @herald -leader.com
Lexington, KY
Joined September 2010
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Pinned Tweet
NEW: "That seems like a pretty good strategy for constructing a team ..."
A fun conversation with basketball analytics expert
@EvanMiya
, who helps break down the unexpected way that Mark Pope laid the foundation for his first Kentucky roster.
Story:
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Bill Self on Kentucky:
"That was a great basketball team we played tonight. ... That team that we played tonight could win it all."
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Just passed a UK fan and a Duke fan sharing a joint outside Bankers Life Fieldhouse. We can all get along if we try, folks.
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Bill Self said Keion Brooks tried out for his USA Basketball team and didn't make it. Self asked Brooks (career-high 27 points) after tonight's game:
"You still that pissed at me because we didn't pick you for the squad?"
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Stacey Reed Sheppard just ran through the Thompson-Boling Arena backstage area and gave John Calipari a big hug.
27 points for Reed today.
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NEW: The first person I interviewed this morning was Jeff Sheppard.
His first words re: the news that Mark Pope would be Kentucky's next coach: "I’m pumped up. I’m so excited. This is going to be awesome."
Much, much more from the UK basketball great:
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UK players eating in Cal’s living room:
Calipari walks in: “Guys, don’t you get anything on that floor.”
Hami: “OK, dad.”
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Big Z says hanging on the rim is OK in Europe. Not here.
“Ah, I don’t know. I forgot about it," Ivisic said with a big smile. "I’m still kind of knowing the rules. I don’t know every rule here. So, my bad, Coach Cal. My bad. I’m sorry.”
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NEW: Right after the buzzer, young teammates flocked to Reid Travis, who had just played his final game. They all told him the same thing: "I love you."
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If you’re shooting off fireworks at 10:30 pm on Tuesday, June 30, you’re an asshole.
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I haven’t been tweeting the past few days because my wife and I landed this little surprise 5 weeks early. Everyone is doing great, and our new addition should be playing home games later this week. I’ll be back on here soon, and thank you all for following!
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Oscar Tshiebwe also addressed the loophole that would allow him to transfer if he does ultimately decide to return to college. He moved to put an end to any speculation there.
"I will never transfer. Kentucky’s my home."
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Zvonimir Ivisic just made a cameo during John Calipari's press conference. He was jumping up and down in the back and caught Cal's attention.
"Look at Z going nuts. It's like he's 12. A 7-foot-2 12-year-old."
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Kentucky freshman Aaron Bradshaw putting up shots with UK assistant John Welch about two and a half hours before tipoff.
First time Bradshaw has gone through serious pregame warmups this season.
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NEW: Big Z is coming to Kentucky.
Zvonimir Ivišić has been admitted to the university as a student and still has a path to eligibility for the 2023-24 season, UK confirms to the Herald-Leader.
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Aaron Bradshaw just checked out of the game, sat down on the UK bench, and -- without turning around -- stuck his hand behind him so visiting 7-2 recruit Khaman Maluach could slap him five.
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Tubby Smith will represent Kentucky as a member of the 2024 Southeastern Conference Legends class at the SEC Tournament in Nashville next month, UK just announced.
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NEW: Ugonna Onyenso will return to Kentucky next season.
Over the weekend, I talked to the promising center about his first year at UK and what comes next.
"All I’ve been doing is just working on my game — waiting for my time to come."
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Benny Snell's take on the pre-game skirmish:
MSU guys pointed at him: "We want you! We want you!"
Benny: "Yeah, well I want you!"
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If you’re still waiting outside, probably best to go somewhere and find a TV.
Rupp Arena is full.
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Ellen Calipari just danced and dabbed in the crowd. HUGE grin from John Calipari.
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Oscar Tshiebwe on UK freshman Ugonna Onyenso:
"I’m in trouble in practice a lot. He’s blocking my shot, blocking my shot, blocking my shot. He will be a problem as a basketball player."
"If I can score in front of him, I can score in front of anyone.”
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I’m very excited to step into a new role as UK men’s basketball beat writer at the Herald-Leader.
I’ve had a blast covering recruiting over the past decade or so and greatly appreciate the support from you all through the years. Hope you’ll keep reading!
Congratulations to
@BenRobertsHL
, who this week becomes the new UK basketball beat writer for the
@heraldleader
-- the second person to hold that job in the last 41 years or so.
@KentuckySports
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Jay Wright says on CBS that John Calipari has always been known as a defensive coach, but he switched it up this season and is relying more on offense.
Calipari smiles as he watches:
“No! I just got no defenders!” he says.
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The area of seats in Rupp Arena that has often been somewhat empty in recent seasons is … not empty tonight.
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Arkansas players just smiled when asked about Oscar Tshiebwe and how difficult it is to play against him.
JD Notae: "That dude. He crazy down there. I ain't gonna lie."
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SIU Coach Barry Hinson has a message for "Big Blue Nation": "You need to read the book of Job. You need to have a little patience. Rome wasn't built in a day."
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Kentucky just made 18 of 20 shots over a span of 11 minutes and 28 seconds.
Cats were down 37-36 at the start of that run.
UK led No. 8 Miami 81-55 at the end of it.
That's unreal.
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The Kentucky-Indiana series will return in 2025-26 season, says John Calipari.
"We've agreed in principle that we'll be playing them."
Locations TBA.
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Rob Dillingham hit three 3-pointers in 64 seconds to give Kentucky a shot at the end. And when the end came, he took the shot.
“Honestly, I feel like that shot should have went in. But I feel like it didn’t go in, because it’s gonna go in in March."
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Urban Meyer. What an asshole.
The Ohio State University. What a joke.
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Tyler Ulis is also planning to remain with Kentucky as a student assistant next season. And he's already watching tape of UK's five-star guard recruits.
“You have to learn to play the game the right way. And that’s what I want to help them with.”
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John Calipari shaking hands with some visiting football recruits
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Mark Pope's current status in college bball:
"He’s turning heads. And it’s not just college coaches who are taking notice. It’s AAU coaches, agents, decision-makers, players. They’re getting blown up by players that they couldn’t get on the phone at BYU."
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John Calipari says he's not going to talk anybody on this team out of coming back to Kentucky next season.
If someone says they want to return, he says he'll tell them: "Under 8 months, and we got the first game of the year. Let's go."
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Immanuel Quickley walked down the sideline and gave Tyrese Maxey a big hug at center court right at the end of the first half there. Two stars from that 2019-20 Kentucky team now courtside for this one.
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NEW: Four-star defensive back MJ Devonshire commits to Kentucky
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Kenny Payne asks son, Zan, a UK basketball player, to stand up. Talks about sacrifices he's made as a coach and a father, to try and help others.
The lesson to his son: "You work your tail off. You do right by people. You be an ambassador for good. And your blessings will come."
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Unbelievable scene inside Rupp Arena for Mark Pope’s first appearance as Kentucky’s coach.
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Antonio Reeves warming up for the last time in Rupp Arena. (Assist to Ulis.)
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The collective 'Y' for UK tonight: Malik Monk, Alex Poythress, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kevin Knox and Isaac Humphries. Huge ovation.
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Kentucky's Reed Sheppard has been named the National Freshman of the Year by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association.
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Calipari told the team after the game that Dontaie Allen will be taking some PT from people moving forward: "He's earned more minutes."
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NEW: Big Z is free.
Zvonimir Ivisic ruled eligible to play basketball for Kentucky and will be available for the Wildcats tonight vs. Georgia.
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Big news from
@JerryTipton
: Quade Green will return to UK next season, according to his mom. Cats could have a terrific backcourt in 2018-19
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John Calipari giving the officials a nice round of applause after that foul call against TyTy Washington.
I think he's being sarcastic.
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Reed Sheppard posing for photos in Humphrey Coliseum after the game.
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NEW: D.J. Wagner’s wise decision in Starkville is a good sign for Kentucky in March.
"Everybody on the court wanted to shoot that shot, and everyone would have been OK with anyone (else) shooting that shot. ... Which is what’s so special about this team."
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The longer this day goes on, the more I'm hearing from people that Billy Donovan might accept the Kentucky job this time around.
But he's not talking to UK while the Bulls are still playing. Is it worth the wait?
ICYMI: A closer look at the situation...
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NEW: Despite his struggles on the court, Aaron Bradshaw has kept a positive attitude throughout this Kentucky basketball season.
"He’s the kind of guy that — if you’re feeling down — go talk to him, and you’ll be all right. I love how he is as a person."
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Aaron Bradshaw committed to Kentucky tonight. (I'm told he's actually not arrived here in Rupp yet due to a flight issue).
No matter what happens here over the next couple of hours, Big Blue Madness has been a successful night.
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Just spoke with Terry "Touchdown" Wilson. UK fans are going to like this guy. Also, he confirmed no more visits. He's all in with UK and excited about it.
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Kentucky and Louisville are a combined 20-1 over the past 3 NCAA Tournaments. The '1' came when they played each other.
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Adou Thiero went exactly 4 weeks between game appearances for Kentucky earlier this season.
"Every day, I was just coming into practice thinking, ‘Let me work and get better and try to show why I should be on the court.’ And try to get some more minutes."
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Derby-winning jockey John Velazquez asked about the protests outside Churchill Downs today. He paused to take off a black band that he wore during the race.
"If we had equality for everybody, we wouldn't be in the mess we are right now."
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This is the first time since 2017 (Bam/Fox/Monk) that Kentucky has been ranked in the top 10 in the first AP poll of the new year.
Only 3 Calipari teams have been ranked higher than this at this stage in the season. And those were his 3 best teams at UK.
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Alex Poythress cutting down the net. Big cheer from the UK fans ...
http://t.co/uiLdP5A7Ea
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Three-star quarterback Armani Gilmore just committed to Kentucky.
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Rob Dillingham has been praciticing this week, and he just stepped onto the Rupp Arena court to go through his normal pregame warmup routine.
Adou Thiero walked out right behind him.
Kentucky at full strength for the first time this season?
UK vs. Florida at 8 p.m.
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Dan D'Antoni on Kentucky's coach: "I'll give him his due. Came into the modern time."
Whipping passes around and shooting 3-pointers?
"Who was that?"
Joked that he didn't know that was John Calipari.
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Amari Williams has officially signed with Kentucky.
"Amari can make all of the reads, all of the passes, all of the plays and he fits into exactly what we want to do on either end of the court." -- Mark Pope
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Antonio Reeves can make 3-pointers. Everyone already knew that.
This season, he's 60.4% on 2s. That's a huge difference from previous years. And a scary thought for opposing defenses.
"I’m playing freely."
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NEW: Kentucky is getting a new basketball court in Rupp Arena for the first time in more than 20 years Saturday.
Why now?
How much did it cost?
What kind of wood is it?
What happens to the old court?
Answers to all of those questions, and more ...
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Not sure where that one ranks as far as most impressive victories in the Calipari era, but it's gotta be up there.
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NEW: The NCAA has approved Olivier Sarr's request to play basketball for Kentucky this season, confirming what
@DickieV
reported earlier
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John Calipari told D.J. Wagner he was starting in today's game.
"You should start Reed," the 18-year-old told him.
But Wagner was back, and he sparked some of Kentucky's biggest plays to help the Cats avoid another upset. "The kids fought today."
Story:
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John Calipari and Kenny Payne talking at the Kentucky Chamber Annual Dinner in Louisville tonight.
KP finishes a thought with … “This is a basketball state. It’s the best of the best.”
Cal: “Careful.”
(Laughter)
KP: “I said state. I’m not going to get into that.”
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NEW: Adou Thiero issues a statement on basketball future.
UK sophomore says he will enter the NBA draft "while keeping all of my options open, including a return to Kentucky."
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NEW: "Analytically, he’s off the charts."
"His numbers are just crazy."
Kentucky's Reed Sheppard is one of the best players in college basketball. Here's a deeper look into just how ridiculous his season has been.
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Dan's first tweet since August 2022.
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NEW: On the eve of their final game in Rupp Arena, the big brothers of Kentucky basketball reflect on their time as Wildcats.
Antonio Reeves and Tre Mitchell talk about their UK careers and leading a fun group of talented freshmen.
"It’s been a blast."
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Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and first lady Britainy Beshear sitting courtside at Rupp Arena with Ellen Calipari tonight.
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"I was messed up mentally. I wasn’t thinking right. Even when I was on the court, I wasn’t fully on the court. So it was really hard for me. But, like I said, I got through it. I had talks with people, and it helped me. So I’m moving forward from it."
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Reed Sheppard joins the Kentucky basketball media scrum to listen in and ask Justin Edwards a question tonight.
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Kentucky basketball star Oscar Tshiebwe is here at the Kentucky Derby (with the NBA Draft deadline just 25 days away).
Photo:
@jack_weaver_
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6 points, 4 rebounds and 3 blocks for Onyenso tonight.
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Wow. Sheppard transition dunk and Rupp goes nuts.
Then Justin Edwards hits a 3 and gets fouled, and Rupp goes nuttier. Aaron Bradshaw, who hasn't played much today, runs out on the court to celebrate with his teammates during the timeout.
Kentucky 74, Alabama 54.
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Dontaie Allen with 0 turnovers in 22 minutes tonight btw.
1 turnover in 87 minutes since Cal called him out for his TOs in loss to Georgia Tech.
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Sahvir Wheeler out here on the Rupp court putting up shots about 2 hours before Kentucky’s against Mississippi State tonight.
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NCAA Committee chairman says Michigan State leapfrogged Kentucky this week. The Spartans' prize for that is a possible Elite 8 matchup with Duke.
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Zvonimir Ivisic can play for Kentucky as soon as tonight vs. Georgia.
John Calipari has hinted that he'll get in as soon as he can.
“He is a great kid that deserves it, and if he becomes eligible I will play him. I don’t know how much."
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Oscar Tshiebwe says Shaedon Sharpe hasn't started actual practices yet, but he's been working on the side with UK trainers so far.
"I'm glad to see him. I can't wait to see what he brings to help us."
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Reid Travis walked out of the UK locker room with blood on his jersey, blood on his sock and blood oozing from his leg. "What a pleasure to coach him.”
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Warming up on the Rupp court about 2 hours before tip-off vs. LSU: Kellan Grady, Keion Brooks, Davion Mintz, Jacob Toppin and Shaedon Sharpe, who just made 3 halfcourt shots in a row like they were mid-range jumpers (seriously).
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After 0 in-state commits in last class, Cats now have JJ Weaver, Wandale Robinson, Demontae Crumes, Shawnkel Knight-Goff and Eli Cox. And could add another big one next week. "In-state kids will bring other in-state kids."
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Tyrese Maxey just made 7 straight midrange jumpers in this drill
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John Calipari and Chin Coleman are here to watch top-5 recruit Chris Livingston.
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Closer look at the 1992-93 shorts that Kentucky is wearing tonight.
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Worth tweeting again: The Cincinnati Reds currently have the best record in baseball.
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NEW: As of right now, John Calipari is planning to be on his weekly radio show tonight at 6 p.m. These would be his first public comments since Thursday night.
Details:
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Vito Tisdale: the No. 1 prospect from the state of Kentucky in the 2020 class.
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Video: Benny wants fans in the seats for UK-Mississippi State: "I expect it to be sold out. I expect everybody to come out for this one." Big game for Cats
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NEW: Aaron Bradshaw did indeed practice with the Kentucky Wildcats this week, John Calipari confirms.
"It’s nice to have Aaron in the practices."
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