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- Big Blue Brew 7/20: Sweet Sixteen
🔵 The Official Daily Newsletter For Kentucky Athletics
Good morning! On this date 54 years ago, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin set foot on the moon for the first time—setting a new record for human discovery and achievement that has yet to be bested.
So, whether it’s that one budget report you’ve been putting off for weeks or a nagging chore around the house, remember that small steps sometimes add up to one giant leap.
What else did we launch into today’s Brew?
🏆 ICYMI
📚 Academic honors on deck, y’all
🔵 And much, much more!
📈 STOCK UP
🔼 In Case You Missed It. Jamal Murray became the 16th Kentucky men’s basketball player to win an NBA Championship when the Denver Nuggets won earlier this year—and then he became the first player in program history to win an ESPY award for Comeback Player of the Year.
In one season at Kentucky, he was an All-American and an All-SEC performer as he averaged 20.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.1 three-pointers, and 2.2 assists per game. His single-season points average remains the highest scoring average of the John Calipari era and is the most by any freshman in program history.
The former Wildcat had a run of 12 straight games with 20 or more points and he became the first freshman in school history to amass 30 or more points in three games. His 113 3-pointers are the second most in a single-season in school history and he made at least one 3-pointer in 36-consecuitve games which broke Tony Delk’s record of 34 straight.
🔼 Sweet Sixteen. A total of 16 Kentucky track & field student athletes have been named to the All-Academic Teams for the 2023 NCAA Division I Track & Field season selected by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. Plus, the national office also announced both programs have been named an All-Academic team for the 2023 season.
The award recognizes the nation’s top student-athletes and programs for their combined performances in athletic competitions and in the classroom.
🤔 BIG BLUE TRIVIA
44 days until kickoff. This Kentucky football player has started 44 games in his career, held a 35-game streak where he caught at least one pass, and finished second on the team with 40 receptions last year.
Can you guess who he is?
Think you got it? Scroll on down to the bottom of this email for the answer!
🔵 ONE BIG THING
Center stage. It was Kentucky’s turn to shine at SEC Media Days yesterday, and Coach Mark Stoops, Octavious Oxendine, JJ Weaver, and Eli Cox made the rounds at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Nashville to preview this upcoming season.
Up today? The head coach himself breaking down what he sees highlighting this year…
▶️ On Devin Leary coming into his own as the starting quarterback: “[Devin is] a guy that competes, competes at a high level. I love the way he goes to work. He has a lot of confidence. He has a chip on his shoulder, which I like. You know, obviously for him, getting his season cut short a year ago with injury didn’t sit well with him. So he’s very anxious to get out there and lead.” (On3)
▶️ On Will Levis transitioning to the NFL: “I can promise you: from what I've seen, he's going to work ... He'll be relentless. It's not about being the starter. It's not about money. It's about winning and performing for his players." (The Courier-Journal)
▶️ On struggles responding to tough situations last season: “You might have a tough loss and I don’t like the way we responded the following week. That’s on me. And you have to look at that and you have to change that for whatever reason, however it happened. But those are on the head coach.” (On3)
📬 STICK WITH US
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📅 COMING SOON
Thursday, August 17
⚽️ Women’s Soccer vs. Eastern Kentucky @ 7:30pm ET (Season Opener)
Thursday, August 24
⚽️ Men’s Soccer vs. Florida Gulf Coast @ 7:30pm ET (Home Opener)
Friday, September 1
🏐 Volleyball vs. Pittsburgh @ 7:00pm ET (Home Opener)
Saturday, September 2
🏈 Football vs. Ball State @ 12:00pm ET on SEC Network | Watch Live | Reserve Your Tailgate
🎉 TRIVIA ANSWER
Answer: Tayvion Robinson!
🔵 Have a great Thursday, y’all!