The Lexington Herald-Leader revealed the winner of its 44th annual Kentucky Sports Figure of the Year award on Tuesday, Jan.

But Tuesday night was not a nostalgia-fueled fever dream. It was a clear-eyed toast to the future under Pat Kelsey, who's now one victory from tying Payne's two-year total. The buzz is intoxicating.

College basketball tiers took shape in non-conference play when many of the top teams squared off against each other, but now that league action is underway, the grueling demands of the season ...