Kyle Wiltjer will not transfer from Kentucky Wildcats basketball team

Aug 5, 2011; Lexington, KY USA; Kentucky Wildcats helmet and football sit on the field during media day at Commonwealth Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

On Friday, Kentucky football held their first scrimmage of the year and Mark Stoops seemed to see some positives in what he saw:

"Running approximately 140 plays in a morning session outside at the Nutter Training Facility, Stoops saw a UK defense that consistently had the upper hand over an offensive group still very much in a learning mode as Neal Brown installs his system. “The defense got some takeaways and got some big stops,” Stoops said. “I think that’s probably the best thing of the day. Offensively, they moved the ball, did some good things at times. Critical turnovers, penalties, things like that. Just typical things you would expect for the first time out.” As has been the case throughout the spring, tempo defined much of the action. Defensive and offensive players alike are adjusting to the speed with which they’re being asked to play. “For only doing it for half a spring, we’re doing well,” defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot said. “But we’re not where we need to be to handle that tempo. We had guys that weren’t lined up at times and those were free plays for the offense if you don’t get lined up.” Though spread offenses haven’t permeated the Southeastern Conference quite like in other leagues, having to defend this UK attack – which cornerback Cody Quinn has dubbed “NASCAR” – is the best preparation the defense could ask for. Not only are the Cats having to learn a new base 4-3 defense on the fly, they’re also having to do it with minimal time to think. “That’s pretty fast what they were doing and a lot of teams in the SEC aren’t going to go as fast as that,” linebacker Avery Williamson said. “So when we go against the different teams, other fast-paced spread teams, it’ll be a lot easier and we’ll be in a lot better shape than the other defense.” As for the offense, Brown sees a unit that is quickly taking to the pace of the new system, though mistakes – most notably in the form of dropped passes and fumbles – are inevitable. “I was really pleased with our tempo. I thought we moved around pretty fast,” Brown said. “Our operations were good, had very few penalties. Ball security, not where it needed to be. And it’s the first time we tackled, so not surprised by that.” At quarterback, contenders Maxwell Smith, Patrick Towles and Jalen Whitlow rotated with the first and second teams, while freshman Reese Phillips worked with the third team. Brown refrained from talking in depth about how the quarterbacks performed, opting to save his evaluations for after the spring. Even then, there’s a good chance Stoops and Brown will not name a starter until fall camp."

Mar 30, 2013; Bridgeport, CT, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Bria Goss (13) celebrates against the Delaware Fightin Blue Hens during the semifinals of the Bridgeport regional of the 2013 NCAA womens basketball tournament at Webster Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

Kentucky Hoops basketball is still very much alive and will play for a berth in the Final Four tonight  at 7:30 PM.  Standing in the way of UK for the second straight year?  The UConn Huskies.  One thing for sure, if Kentucky can get to a Final Four, it will be wide open as Louisville upset powerhouse Baylor last night.  Matthew Mitchell shares some thoughts as to how far the program has come:  

"Whether they advance or not, it’s already been a record year for the Wildcats (30-5). Kentucky has the most victories in school history. Not bad for a school rich in basketball tradition on the men’s side, winning its eighth national championship last season in New Orleans. While the Wildcats are hoping for their first national semifinals appearance, the Huskies are trying to make the Final Four for a record sixth consecutive year. It’s been an unusual season for UConn, which for the first time in 19 years didn’t win either the Big East regular season or tournament title. Now the Huskies have a chance at another title — an eighth national championship. “I’m hoping everybody realizes that this is literally the last opportunity,” UConn senior Kelly Faris said. “And I’m hoping everybody’s getting the sick feeling in their stomach from losing every time. We’ve just got to come together and play Connecticut basketball and listen to every single thing coach says because, obviously, he knows what he’s talking about. And if we listen to him, we’ll be all right.” The Huskies (32-4) have won 42 of their past 43 NCAA games in the state of Connecticut, including going 8-1 in Bridgeport. The lone blemish came against Duke in 2006 in the regional final."