Dick Vitale, left (Jeff Houchin Photo)

New York, NY – The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) announced that Dick Vitale, one of the most well-known and entertaining sports analysts ever, will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for Sports this year at the 40^th Annual Sports Emmy® Awards May 20th.

“Dick Vitale is one of the most unique, effusive and recognizable voices in sports broadcasting today,” said Adam Sharp, President and CEO, NATAS.  “His knowledge, enthusiasm and love of the game is captured in every comment, call and catchphrase he creates.  He is a master behind the microphone and a great humanitarian.  The National Academy could not be more proud to honor him with our distinguished, Lifetime Achievement Awards for Sports!”  Read more... (851 words, 1 image, estimated 3:24 mins reading time)

Reid Travis (Jeff Houchin Photo)

By LARRY VAUGHT

Because he was on the bench when LSU scored its winning goal in Tuesday’s 73-71 win over Kentucky, senior Reid Travis didn’t get a good look at “all the chaos” involved with the controversial play that ended UK’s 10-game winning streak.

“I saw the replay. I think it’s a tough call to make in live action (to call basket interference). Obviously, I can’t put myself in their (the officials’) shoes and make that call,” Travis, who had nine points and nine rebounds in 37 minutes, said.  Read more... (371 words, 1 image, estimated 1:29 mins reading time)

EJ Montgomery (Jeff Houchin Photo)

By LARRY VAUGHT

The first thing LSU forward Emmitt Williams wanted to do after his team beat Kentucky 73-71 in Rupp Arena Tuesday night was give a “shout-out” to Kentucky.

“They played a good game, and I’ve known those guys since high school, and it was amazing to play against them,” Williams said.  “I know Keldon Johnson, PJ Washington, Nick Richards, all those guys. They played a great game tonight, but LSU came out with the win.  Read more... (371 words, 1 image, estimated 1:29 mins reading time)

LSU’s Javonte Smart celebrates after the final shot was ruled good to beat UK. (Vicky Graff Photo)

By LARRY VAUGHT

Kentucky blew all but one point of an 18-point second half lead at Mississippi State Saturday before winning. The Cats also let off the rope against Auburn in the second half earlier this season before winning.

Kentucky had a nine-point lead in the second half Tuesday in Rupp Arena before losing 73-71 to LSU when Kavell Bigby-Williams tipped in Skylar Mays’ missed shot when the ball appeared to still be on the rim, which is offensive goaltending. However,  officials cannot review judgment calls such as basket interference or goaltending.  Read more... (515 words, 1 image, estimated 2:04 mins reading time)

Tyler Herro (Vicky Graff Photo)

UK MEN’S BASKETBALL POSTGAME NOTES
KENTUCKY vs. LSU
RUPP ARENA | LEXINGTON, KY.
FEB. 12, 2019
ATTENDANCE: 23,490

Final Score: No. 19/21 LSU 73, No. 5 Kentucky 71

Team Records and Series Notes
Kentucky is now 20-4 overall and 9-2 in the Southeastern Conference. Tonight’s loss ends a 10-game winning streak – the longest since the 2016-17 season – including a nine-game SEC win streak.
LSU is 20-4, 10-1 in the SEC.
Kentucky leads the series 89-27 with tonight ending a three-game winning streak vs. the Tigers.
UK leads 45-6 in games played in Lexington.
Next for Kentucky: the Wildcats stay home to host No. 1-ranked Tennessee on Saturday at 8 p.m. The game will be televised on ESPN.
For the second time this season, Kentucky will host ESPN College GameDay on Saturday at 11 a.m. The venue will be historical Memorial Coliseum on the UK campus. Doors will open at 9:30 a.m. Admission is free  Read more... (519 words, 1 image, estimated 2:05 mins reading time)

Kentucky fans signal for the officials not to count the final goal, but they did and UK lost 73-71. (Vicky Graff Photo)

By LARRY VAUGHT

Kentucky just let LSU stay in the game and it cost the Cats dearly in the end.

A controversial tip-in by Kqvell Bigby-Williams just before time expired gave LSU a 73-71 comeback win over UK — the Cats’ first loss in Rupp Arena this season and only their second in SEC play.  Read more... (563 words, 1 image, estimated 2:15 mins reading time)

EJ Montgomery (Vicky Graff Photo)

By RICHARD CHEEKS, Contributing Writer

The first 23 games are in the books, and the Cats have overcome an embarrassing start, defined by its 34- point humiliation at the hands of Duke, an inexplicable overtime loss to Seton Hall at MSG, and a 2-point loss in the SEC opener at Alabama to amass a 20-3, 9-1 record.

The Cats are positioned to lay claim to the 2019 SEC regular season championship, and the two games this week against 9-1 LSU and 10-0 Tennessee are necessary wins to achieve that important goal. Two wins will place these Cats at 11-1 in the SEC and in first place in the SEC standings heading into the final 1/3 of the SEC schedule.  Read more... (534 words, 1 image, estimated 2:08 mins reading time)

LSU coach Will Wade, right, with Dan Hudson at Marshall County Hoopfest. (Larry Vaught Photo)

LSU coach Will Wade had a lot to say about Kentucky — the team his Tigers play tonight in Rupp Arena — at his press conference Monday.

“This is obviously a different animal than we’ve been playing. Their size, their length, their athleticism, how big they are down low, the way they defensive rebound the ball,” Wade said. ” (Ashton) Hagans at point guard has helped them tremendously since they’ve made that change. He’s just an absolute pest defensively and does a great job blowing up your offense, blowing up handoffs, blowing up ball screens. He does a phenomenal job with that.  Read more... (1084 words, 1 image, estimated 4:20 mins reading time)

Naz Reid (McDonald’s All-American Game Photo)

By LARRY VAUGHT

LSU has not won at Rupp Arena since Feb., 2009, the season before John Calipari’s arrival.

The Kentucky coach hopes that streak continues Tuesday night when his No. 5 Wildcats entertain No. 19 LSU in a matchup of two teams with 9-1 Southeastern Conference records.

“Let me tell you what will be interesting in this game: This will be a team that will go at you at certain guys and try to beat people on the dribble,” Calipari said Monday. “This is going to be a challenge. They’ll pick and choose. They do a lot of that. A lot of times they are doing that trying to get you to collapse a little bit, shoot the ball off the backboard so you can rebound it, dunk it, tip it in.  Read more... (555 words, 1 image, estimated 2:13 mins reading time)