The Inside Kentucky Basketball staff discusses players to watch, keys to a successful season, potential areas of concern and much more before tonight's opener.
Ahead of Kentucky’s regular season opener tonight, I wanted to let everyone know that I’ll be joining the Countdown to Tipoff pregame radio show on a full-time basis after working the exhibition games last month.
Tonight’s show is set for 5:30 p.m. — 90 minutes before the Wildcats’ 7 p.m. game against Manhattan in Rupp Arena — and you can listen on NewsRadio 630 WLAP in the Lexington area. (Here’s the full list of UK Sports Network radio affiliates.)
Countdown to Tipoff will also now be a TV show, and you can stream it through the ESPN app. Tonight’s game will be streamed on SEC Network+, and if you have access to that channel, you’ll be able to watch the pregame show, too.
The new Countdown to Tipoff lineup will consist of co-hosts Michelle Knezovic and Andrew Kappes, with former UK players Jack “Goose” Givens and Cameron Mills providing analysis, and I’ll be joining the group in a reporting role.
Ben Roberts launched Inside Kentucky Basketball in 2026 to bring a source of independent and objective coverage of the Cats to UK fans. He spent 20 years at the Lexington Herald-Leader, including four seasons as UK men's basketball beat writer.
