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UK hoping to feast on 'home cooking' at Rupp, but some upcoming games won't be on TV

UK Athletics

The Kentucky Men’s Basketball team continues a 7 game home-stand at Rupp Arena. Some of those games you’ll be able to watch on TV and some you will not. Tonight they take on the Ohio University Bobcats. Joining us to talk about the road ahead for the Big Blue is WUKY SportsPage podcast host Keith Elkins.

  

From UK Athletics:

No. 13 Kentucky welcomes unbeaten Ohio University to Rupp Arena in the Cats' final game of the Kentucky Classic.

After dropping the season opener against Duke in New York, Kentucky has won two straight games at home. The Cats topped Robert Morris 100-60 behind 19 points from Kellan Grady and 14 points and 20 rebounds from Oscar Tshiebwe.

UK beat Mount St. Mary's on Tuesday night, as Tshiebwe scored a career high 24 points and grabbed 16 rebounds, while TyTy Washington Jr. had a career best 16 points.

Now, the Cats face their biggest challenge since Duke as Ohio University comes to Lexington. The Bobcats are 3-0 on the season, having beaten Belmont, Cleveland State and Robert Morris.

UK head coach John Calipari is impressed with what he has seen from Ohio.

"This is an NCAA Tournament team, terrific for us to play," Calipari said. "And we're going to learn. These early games, that's what you do. You need games where you can work through the kinks and still build confidence and have guys understand what they can and can't do."

Calipari notes how the Bobcats effectively use the three-point shot in their offense.

"That's how they get on runs. They're scoring over 80 a game," Calipari said. "They've played good teams. The three, they shoot from every position. The point guard is averaging 20 a game. They were in the NCAA Tournament a year ago and most of their guys are back."

As for his team, Calipari knows that an opponent like Ohio can give Kentucky some stiff competition that could be beneficial moving forward.

"We need this game to continue our path," Calipari said. "You need to have tune-up games. You can't just throw kids into the fire. You need tune-up games. But you also need to be challenged."

Kentucky is being led by Tshiebwe and point guard Sahvir Wheeler. Tshiebwe is averaging a ridiculous 18.3 points and 18.7 rebounds per game. Wheeler scores 11 points per game and dishes out 10 assists per contest. He has a nearly four-to-one assist-to-turnover ratio.

Calipari remembers a couple of things about Wheeler when he was at Georgia.

"Two things – he didn't guard," Calipari said. "I'm not even sure he tried. The second was, you could go under a lot because he didn't shoot the ball."

When Wheeler and Calipari talked about the guard coming to Kentucky, Calipari told the guard three things that he needed to do.

"I said I know what you'll do for our team because you're a point guard. I know what you'll do for the speed of the game because of who you are," Calipari said. "There are three things that, if you're not wiling to do, you shouldn't come here. You have to be a disruptive defensive player or I'm not helping you. The second thing is, you've got to have a floater because you're not big enough to just go in and shoot layups. The third thing is, you can't shoot 22 percent from three. You don't have to shoot 50 percent but you can't shoot 22 percent. You have to get in the 30's. If you get those things done, not only have you helped the team, we've helped you."

Early in the season, it appears that Wheeler and the Cats are most certainly helping each other.

No Traditional TV:

The Kentucky men's basketball home games vs. UAlbany (Nov. 22) and Central Michigan (Nov. 29) will be streamed exclusively on SEC Network+ and ESPN+ and will not be available via traditional television.

 
Both games will tip at 7 p.m. at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center.
 
Every Southeastern Conference school has been assigned multiple SECN+ and ESPN+ games this season by the conference and its television partners.
 
The two games are a part of current a seven-game home stand at Rupp Arena for the Wildcats, who are 1-1 heading into Tuesday's matchup vs. Mount St. Mary's. Tuesday's game vs. Mount St. Mary's will televised by SEC Network.
 
Single-game tickets for the current home stand are available exclusively online at Ticketmaster.com or through the Ticketmaster app.
 
SEC Network+ is complementary to SEC Network viewers and accessible with your TV provider credentials. SECN+ can be accessed through the ESPN App on smartphones, tablets, connected streaming devices or via espn.com/watch.
 
ESPN+ is a standalone streaming service that requires a subscription separate from your TV provider credentials. It is available to stream through the ESPN App so your favorite connected streaming devices and on ESPN.com. Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $6.99 a month (or $69.99 per year) at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices). It is also available as part of The Disney Bundle that gives subscribers access to Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu for $13.99/month (Hulu with ads) or $19.99/month (Hulu without ads).
 
Fans who do not have access to SEC Network+ or ESPN+ are invited to listen to the UK Sports Network radio broadcast for free on the UK Athletics App, on a computer at UKAthletics.com or on UK Sports Network radio affiliates, including WBUL 98.1 FM/630 WLAP AM in Lexington.
 
Fans seeking guidance for games on SECN+/ESPN+ may contact ESPN customer care:

The following is an FAQ on how to watch the game via both streaming services as well as contact information for those fans seeking guidance on how to watch. 
Q: If a game is on ESPN+ or SEC Network+, can I watch it on TV?
A: SEC Network+ and ESPN+ are not television channels, but they are available via the ESPN App on your TV through connected streaming services and devices.
 
Q: What is the difference between SEC Network and SEC Network+?
A: SEC Network is a live 24-hour television network. SEC Network+ is a complementary digital platform providing hundreds of additional digital only events to fans through the ESPN App on connected devices. SEC Network+ is not a television channel.
 
Q: What is the difference between SEC Network+ and ESPN+?
A: SEC Network+ is complementary to SEC Network offering exclusive digital events. It is accessible with your TV provider credentials and is available via the ESPN APP on smartphones, tablets, connected streaming devices or espn.com/watch.
 
ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service that offers fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN's linear TV or digital networks and exclusive editorial content from dozens of ESPN writers and reporters. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to more than 14.9 million subscribers. ESPN+ requires a standalone subscription separate from your TV provider credentials. It is available to stream through the ESPN App on your favorite connected streaming devices and ESPN.com.
 
Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $6.99 a month (or $69.99 per year) at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices). It is also available as part of The Disney Bundle that gives subscribers access to Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu for $13.99/month (Hulu w/ads) or $19.99/month (Hulu w/o ads).
 
Q: If a game is airing on both SEC Network+ and ESPN+ simultaneously, where do I watch?
A: Both streams will be available in the ESPN App. SEC Network authenticated subscribers of AT&T TV, Cox, DIRECTV, DISH Network, fuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, Optimum, Sling TV, Spectrum TV, Suddenlink, Verizon Fios, Xfinity TV, YouTube TV, Vidgo, members of the NCTC, as well as those with access to SEC Network through TV connected devices, can watch the game via SEC Network+. If you do not have access to SEC Network, you can access games via a subscription to ESPN+.
 
Q: ESPN+ is a paid subscription. Do I have to pay separately to access SEC Network+?
A: No. SEC Network+ is complementary
 
Q: Will the games on SEC Network+ and ESPN+ look any different?
A: These games will have the same production value as games across all ESPN networks. For games airing simultaneously on SEC Network+ and ESPN+, both feeds will have the same on-air commentators and game coverage.
 
Q: Am I able to watch the network on my mobile phone or similar device?
A: Yes, SEC Network is available on SECNetwork.com and on connected devices. It is accessible with your TV credentials and can be accessed through the ESPN App on smartphones, tablets, connected streaming devices or espn.com/watch via participating providers.
 
Q: Can I pay to subscribe to SEC Network or SEC Network+ online, Pay-Per-View or via ESPN3 if I can't get it on TV?
A: No. However, with a cable or satellite subscription you can access the network using your TV credentials through the ESPN App on smartphones, tablets, connected streaming devices or via espn.com/watch.

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