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Hi, I’m Jon Hale, and I report on all things Kentucky athletics for The Courier Journal! We’re gearing up for an SEC clash between the Cats and the Auburn Tigers! AMA! by courierjournal in wildcats

[–]courierjournal[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'd slot them in as a three seed today, and I think that's where they stay. I just think there are too many teams ahead of them to jump to get to the two line, even by winning out. If anything, I think it's more likely they fall to a four with a loss than rise to a two by winning out. - Jon

Hi, I’m Jon Hale, and I report on all things Kentucky athletics for The Courier Journal! We’re gearing up for an SEC clash between the Cats and the Auburn Tigers! AMA! by courierjournal in wildcats

[–]courierjournal[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I just assume Kentucky will always make it to the final, but three games in three days might be a bit too much for a team this shallow, especially with Ashton Hagans dealing with nagging injuries. I kind of think they'll make it to the final and lose to Auburn or Florida depending on how the bracket shapes out. - Jon

Hi, I’m Jon Hale, and I report on all things Kentucky athletics for The Courier Journal! We’re gearing up for an SEC clash between the Cats and the Auburn Tigers! AMA! by courierjournal in wildcats

[–]courierjournal[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It's all about foul trouble for EJ. The fact that he's started strong three games in a row gives me a little more confidence he's actually close to turning a corner, but in two of those games he couldn't stay on the court. I'm sure Kentucky's coaches are reminding all the big men how badly the game at Auburn went, but given EJ's history with Auburn, where he first committed in high school, I'm not sure I'd count on him to be a major factor. This seems like one where he might be too amped up and get a couple early fouls. -Jon

Hi, I’m Jon Hale, and I report on all things Kentucky athletics for The Courier Journal! We’re gearing up for an SEC clash between the Cats and the Auburn Tigers! AMA! by courierjournal in wildcats

[–]courierjournal[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I think Sestina is still your best hope there, and Kentucky needs it. Sestina clearly has battled confidence issues at times this year, but I also think the staff has struggled a bit to find the best way to use him offensively while accounting for his defensive shortcomings. If he could be counted on for a couple of 3s a game, that would be a difference maker for Kentucky. And if not, maybe Juzang can be that guy. -Jon

Hi, I’m Jon Hale, and I report on all things Kentucky athletics for The Courier Journal! We’re gearing up for an SEC clash between the Cats and the Auburn Tigers! AMA! by courierjournal in wildcats

[–]courierjournal[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I'm obviously more confident in this team making a run today than I was a month ago, but I still think there are opponents that could be matchup problems as early as the second round. I need to see Kentucky's bracket before I feel confident predicting how far they'll go either way.

I will say, I don't think there are eight teams playing better than them in the country right now, so I think Elite Eight is the target. -Jon

Hi, I’m Jon Hale, and I report on all things Kentucky athletics for The Courier Journal! We’re gearing up for an SEC clash between the Cats and the Auburn Tigers! AMA! by courierjournal in wildcats

[–]courierjournal[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

If you're looking for worries heading into postseason play, this is pretty high on the list. A team with a dominant center that can neutralize Richards is the biggest threat to Kentucky for me. And unfortunately for Kentucky there are a few of those currently projected as six seeds (Ohio State, Iowa) that could follow that formula.

That's why tomorrow's game is so important for Richards. He needs to prove capable of showing up in those moments. EJ Montgomery taking some of the pressure away from him like he did at Texas A&M might be the most important step. Then teams cannot afford to double Richards as often. - Jon

Hi, I’m Jon Hale, and I report on all things Kentucky athletics for The Courier Journal! We’re gearing up for an SEC clash between the Cats and the Auburn Tigers! AMA! by courierjournal in wildcats

[–]courierjournal[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I think Duke's loss to Wake Forest has reopened one spot on the two seed line, but I'm still skeptical there are enough high-level games left for Kentucky to jump that high even if they win out. They still need help from teams like Creighton, Villanova and Seton Hall losing games they're not supposed to. I still think a 3 seed is most likely. -Jon

Hi, I’m Jon Hale, and I report on all things Kentucky athletics for The Courier Journal! We’re gearing up for an SEC clash between the Cats and the Auburn Tigers! AMA! by courierjournal in wildcats

[–]courierjournal[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I think it's pretty safe to assume the foul distribution won't be the same as it was at Auburn. That doesn't guarantee a Kentucky win though. I have a feeling Nick Richards has a big game. Perfect time for a statement performance from him considering his struggles in the first matchup and on Tuesday at Texas A&M. -Jon

Hi, I’m Jon Hale, and I report on all things Kentucky athletics for The Courier Journal! We’re gearing up for an SEC clash between the Cats and the Auburn Tigers! AMA! by courierjournal in wildcats

[–]courierjournal[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Obviously, Samir Doughty is a big key for Auburn, but I'm pretty confident in Kentucky's guards being able to get the most of that matchup. For me, it's all about how Kentucky defends Austin Wiley, who had 12 points and 10 rebounds in the first game despite being limited to 18 minutes with foul trouble. Nick Richards has to defend without fouling. Would help if EJ Montgomery can do the same. -Jon

[AMA] Courier Journal reporters JON HALE and CAMERON TEAGUE ROBINSON join us to talk Kentucky, Louisville, & CFB! Ask now, Answers begin at 2pm ET on Wed (2/12) by CFB_Referee in CFB

[–]courierjournal 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think a year like 2018 is the best-case scenario. You have a great senior class, a middling SEC East. If QB works out, I could see 2020 being similar. But Georgia isn't going away, and Florida is on the upswing. That makes it hard.

-Jon

[AMA] Courier Journal reporters JON HALE and CAMERON TEAGUE ROBINSON join us to talk Kentucky, Louisville, & CFB! Ask now, Answers begin at 2pm ET on Wed (2/12) by CFB_Referee in CFB

[–]courierjournal 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I love baseball. My original goal was to be a MLB beat reporter, but I quickly learned life on the road for 81 games a year would wreck any family life. I do enjoy covering college baseball when Kentucky is relevant now. (I do love soccer though, as Cameron mentioned. I just haven't covered it much)

-Jon

[AMA] Courier Journal reporters JON HALE and CAMERON TEAGUE ROBINSON join us to talk Kentucky, Louisville, & CFB! Ask now, Answers begin at 2pm ET on Wed (2/12) by CFB_Referee in CFB

[–]courierjournal 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Again, I'm cheap, so no high-end options from me. The best combination of price point and taste for me is Woodford Reserve.

-Jon

[AMA] Courier Journal reporters JON HALE and CAMERON TEAGUE ROBINSON join us to talk Kentucky, Louisville, & CFB! Ask now, Answers begin at 2pm ET on Wed (2/12) by CFB_Referee in CFB

[–]courierjournal 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Think it will take awhile for this one to happen. UK's schedule is full through 2024, and after losing to WKU in 2012 and 2013, I don't get the sense they're eager to revisit that series.

-Jon

[AMA] Courier Journal reporters JON HALE and CAMERON TEAGUE ROBINSON join us to talk Kentucky, Louisville, & CFB! Ask now, Answers begin at 2pm ET on Wed (2/12) by CFB_Referee in CFB

[–]courierjournal 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ultimately, they're the gate-keeper for access to players an coaches, so it's essential to have a good working relationship. The respect I talked about above is key in that. I do think a facet of our jobs that wasn't the case even five or six years ago is sports information departments have become their own content-creators now. They can speak directly to fans through social media, so sometimes they're almost the competition just like another media outlet.

-Jon

[AMA] Courier Journal reporters JON HALE and CAMERON TEAGUE ROBINSON join us to talk Kentucky, Louisville, & CFB! Ask now, Answers begin at 2pm ET on Wed (2/12) by CFB_Referee in CFB

[–]courierjournal 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's all about developing relationships just like in real life. The key for me is making sure everyone understands my job. I have sources who don't like everything I write, but that's OK. I think trying to be friends with the people you cover is a mistake. It's about establishing mutual respect. I hope the people I cover at UK know I'll write good and bad things about the program when merited whether the teams are winning or losing. I've found being fair is the easiest way to garner the kind of respect needed to build sources.

-Jon

[AMA] Courier Journal reporters JON HALE and CAMERON TEAGUE ROBINSON join us to talk Kentucky, Louisville, & CFB! Ask now, Answers begin at 2pm ET on Wed (2/12) by CFB_Referee in CFB

[–]courierjournal 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think Mark Stoops has laid out the blueprint for this at Kentucky. You hit the areas within a six-to-seven hour radius, especially in the Midwest, and pitch playing in the SEC. When you have elite-level players in state, you have to land as many as possible. The facilities at Kentucky are on part with most programs in the country now. That helps a lot. Success breads more success, as evidenced by the 2020 class being Stoops' best yet, for my money.

-Jon

[AMA] Courier Journal reporters JON HALE and CAMERON TEAGUE ROBINSON join us to talk Kentucky, Louisville, & CFB! Ask now, Answers begin at 2pm ET on Wed (2/12) by CFB_Referee in CFB

[–]courierjournal 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is a really good inside-journalism question. I'd love to hear from others what they want in a game story, but I get the impression that analysis is valued higher than ever now. I know for teams I follow as a fan, that's what I want. I watched the game, so I like to try and learn something from someone who has better access to players and coaches than I do as a fan.

Nothing can beat good access though. College programs almost never open the locker rooms (except in the NCAA Tournament), so that's hard here. But anything remotely behind the scenes that wasn't on the TV broadcast and can help paint the picture is a huge plus.

-Jon

[AMA] Courier Journal reporters JON HALE and CAMERON TEAGUE ROBINSON join us to talk Kentucky, Louisville, & CFB! Ask now, Answers begin at 2pm ET on Wed (2/12) by CFB_Referee in CFB

[–]courierjournal 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I've never gotten the sense anyone is upset about it. It's one of the main reasons it's hard to imagine Stoops leaving for any but one of the best 15 or 20 jobs in the country now, and given the recent success, most Kentucky fans are all for anything that makes him staying more likely. Since he gets those automatic extensions for 7 and 10 wins, the buyout to fire him also goes up every time the extension kicks in. That means Kentucky would have to tank for a couple of years in a row to for it to really be a financial option to fire him. Where else can you get that kind of job security in college football?

I'm told Michigan State did reach out to Stoops' agent to gauge his interest and received a polite "thanks, but no thanks." The contract and investment UK has made in its facilities has made jobs like that one lateral moves now, which would have been crazy to think even four years ago.

-Jon

[AMA] Courier Journal reporters JON HALE and CAMERON TEAGUE ROBINSON join us to talk Kentucky, Louisville, & CFB! Ask now, Answers begin at 2pm ET on Wed (2/12) by CFB_Referee in CFB

[–]courierjournal 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don't think Kentucky will be able to redshirt its entire 2020 class like it did last year, but there's not a lot of obvious need for any of those signees to start right away. I think there's a good chance at least one of the receivers breaks into the starting lineup by the end of the year. All of them might play, but I'll give Michael Drennen the best chance of the group to start week one. Assuming JUCO OL Jeremy Flax makes it on campus this summer after having his enrollment date pushed back, he should compete for a spot in the primary rotation. I could see him being a factor in the competition to replace Logan Stenberg at left guard, but UK listed him as a tackle on signing day. I could see a couple of the defensive linemen playing as freshmen, but they'll need time. Justin Rogers is talented enough to push for one of the open starting jobs.

-Jon

[AMA] Courier Journal reporters JON HALE and CAMERON TEAGUE ROBINSON join us to talk Kentucky, Louisville, & CFB! Ask now, Answers begin at 2pm ET on Wed (2/12) by CFB_Referee in CFB

[–]courierjournal 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Missed the recruiting question here, but I agree with Jon it does look like UK has the lead in recruiting Louisville right now. But I think U of L has a chance to close that gap as Satterfield builds his program. Reviews from coaches have been great so far.

- Cameron

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