Oct 04, 2022

Missouri Western men's basketball to face Kentucky in exhibition Oct. 30

Posted Oct 04, 2022 2:15 PM
Stock photo.
Stock photo.

By TOMMY REZAC

St. Joseph Post

Missouri Western men's basketball coach Will Martin came on the Griffon Luncheon Radio Show Monday to make a big announcement about his program.

"We're going down to Lexington, Kentucky at Rupp Arena and we're going to play Kentucky on Oct. 30 at 7 p.m.," he said."

Martin went to the University of Kentucky for undergrad and during that time, was a student manager for Coach John Calipari and was on the sideline for three Elite Eights and the 2012 national championship.

Two of Martin's assistants, Jon Hood and Perry Stevenson, played at Kentucky as well.

Martin says that's not what this is primarily about.

"That kind of pales in comparison to the opportunity our student-athletes have," he said. "To be able to play in that kind of environment against Kentucky, who's probably going to be a top four or five team in the country."

The game will be televised nationally on the SEC Network. Martin says this opportunity will be good for not only his team, but Missouri Western athletics in general.

"It should be really, really good for Missouri Western and our community," Martin continued. "Just to be able to play on that platform. Should get a lot of good, positive publicity for Missouri Western, our administration and everyone who has worked so hard to make this happen. Should be good for everyone involved for all of our sports."

Missouri Western men's basketball hasn't played a major DI in an exhibition since 2017 when the Griffons played at the University of Arkansas.

The game will be broadcast live on KFEQ Radio (680, 95.3) with pregame starting at 6:30.

Rupp Arena. Courtesy of University of Kentucky.
Rupp Arena. Courtesy of University of Kentucky.

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