By LARRY VAUGHT

Ryan Lemond had fun with Freddie Maggard Friday night. However, he’s had that playful side for many, many years. (Gary Moyers Photo)

Kentucky Sports Radio’s Ryan Lemond was at his best as master of ceremonies at my career change celebration Friday at Mallard’s in Danville. He got in a few playful jabs at me, and that was fine. But I asked one of his college buddies, Tim Rogers, to maybe share a story Ryan would probably not want us all to know.

So thanks Tim for some nice insights on young Ryan Lemond.  Read more... (385 words, 1 image, estimated 1:32 mins reading time)

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Kentucky women’s basketball team suffered its second straight loss in Southeastern Conference play on Sunday afternoon, dropping an 85-79 decision to the(RV) Florida Gators at the O’Connell Center.

Kentucky had the ball down three with 6.3 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter after being down as many as 12 points, but UK would turn it over off the inbounds play, and the Gators went the other way for an and-one that put UK down two scores with under five seconds to go.  Read more... (321 words, estimated 1:17 mins reading time)

Let me tell you I was stunned when Tina Cox put on a video at my “retirement” party Friday and the first person on the screen was Dick Vitale with a moving tribute that touched me deeply. I thought, “How could this get any better?” But it did.

Former Miss Kentucky USA Maria Montgomery Record had me near tears with her words. She continues to be an inspiration for everyone here.

Troy coach Neal Brown was someone I watched in middle school, high school and college as a player and now follow as a coach. There’s no one I respect or trust more than  Neal. I did cry a bit as he talked.  Read more... (282 words, estimated 1:08 mins reading time)

Marcus Lee was one of three Cats to foul out. Kansas shot 47 free throws in the overtime win. (Vicky Graff Photo)

Here is what Kansas coach Bill Self had to say after Saturday night’s overtime win over Kentucky.

Bill Self
Opening statement:
“We didn’t play well at all. We need (senior forward) Perry (Ellis) in the game and he only played five or six minutes in the first half. (Freshman forward) Cheick (Diallo) and (freshman forward) Carlton (Bragg Jr.) bailed us out and did a great job.  Read more... (707 words, 1 image, estimated 2:50 mins reading time)

This Kansas fan was wise for wanting to keep Tyler Ulis off the court Saturday. (Vicky Graff Photo)

Tyler Ulis had a career-high 26 points, eight assists and two rebounds — and never came out of the game — but still put a lot of the blame for UK’s 90-86 overtime loss at Kansas Saturday on himself.

“I didn’t have many openings. I forced a few things late, should have gave the ball up,” he said after ninth game of the season with at least 20 points and five assists, the most at UK since the 1972-73 season (Kyle Macy had seven in 1979-80 and Jamal Mashburn seven in 1992-93).  Read more... (288 words, 1 image, estimated 1:09 mins reading time)

Photos by Vicky Graff

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Kentucky coach John Calipari knows his team should have won at Kansas instead of losing 90-84 in overtime and did not mince words after the game.

“I’m still hacked off that we lost,” Calipari said. “I’ll probably think of something that was good. We fought. But when you have a chance to win like we did, you choke it – every play is a winning play. It’s not just about missing free throws. OK, we missed, but I showed them tape this week of teams down nine – Virginia, showed them the end of that game. You’re never out of it. Just keep playing.  Read more... (213 words, 1 image, estimated 51 secs reading time)

No. 20/19 Kentucky at No. 4/3 Kansas
Allen Fieldhouse – Lawrence, Kan.
Jan. 30, 2016
 Attendance: 16,300
Final Score: Kansas 90, Kentucky 84

Alex Poythress had 13 points, eight rebounds, two steals, one block and one assist. (Vicky Graff Photo)

Team Records and Series Notes
• Kentucky is now 16-5 on the season. Kansas is 17-4.
• Kentucky is 0-1 in overtime games.
• Kentucky leads the all-time series 22-6
• Kansas has a four-game winning streak in Lawrence. UK last won in Lawrence on Dec. 31, 1984.
• Kansas snapped UK’s three-game winning streak in the series.
• Kansas has won 35 games in a row inside Allen Fieldhouse.
• Next for the Wildcats: UK travels to Tennessee on Tuesday, Feb. 2. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET and it will air on ESPN.  Read more... (782 words, 1 image, estimated 3:08 mins reading time)

How awesome was it that a guy like J.D. Shelburne would take time to send me a good luck video at my change of career celebration party. The rising country singer, who had a pregame concert at Commonwealth Stadium this year, is a die-hard Kentucky fan and someone I am proud to call a friend. Thanks for doing this J.D.