Big Blue Brew 1/2: December Dubs

Today, we're looking at the basketball teams ending December with some dubs.

🔵 The Official Daily Newsletter For Kentucky Athletics

Good morning. Welcome to 2024! We hope you had a great time celebrating and that the new year brings you great fortune.

What else are we mixing into today’s Brew?

🏀 Sheppard earns second award
🏀 Men beat Illinois State
🏀 Women top Samford
🔵 And much, much more!

📈 STOCK UP 

🔼 Part 2. After recording his first career double-double and having a stellar performance in the win against Louisville, Reed Sheppard was named SEC Freshman of the Week. This is his second time earning the title and the program’s 98th time. Sheppard’s double-double was 11 points and 11 assists. His 11 assists were the most by any UK player in the Louisville series.

🔼 Jumping Up. The men’s basketball team is now ranked No. 8! That’s right. The Cats jumped from ranking No. 14 against North Carolina on Dec. 16 to No. 8 after defeating Illinois State on Dec. 29. The men shot 57.10% from the field and 44% behind the arc to win 96-70. The game brought back some old memories for Antonio Reeves since Illinois State was his former team. Although, Reeves fought hard and led the Cats with 27 points.

🔵 ONE BIG THING

More from Miles. The women’s basketball team defeated Samford, and head coach Kyra Elzy was more than impressed with Brooklyn Miles’s performance. Coach wanted to see Miles take more opportunities herself instead of always passing the ball off to others. Miles ended the game with 13 points and six assists to help the Cats win 72-59.

The women are 7-7 so far this season. They have finished non-conference play and hop into conference play on Thursday when they play Arkansas on Thursday at home.

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📅 THE WEEK AHEAD

Thursday, January 4

🏀 Women’s Basketball vs. Arkansas @ 7pm ET | Tickets

Friday, January 5

🤸 Gymnastics at Super 16 @ TBA ET | Las Vegas

Saturday, January 6

🏀 Men’s Basketball at Florida @ 12:30pm ET

Sunday, January 7

🏀 Women’s Basketball at Tennessee @ 12pm ET

🔵 Have a great Tuesday!