KSR Podcast Episode Summary: Hour 2 (December 2, 2024)

Podcast Information:

• Title: KSR
• Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts and Sports Talk 790 (WKRD-AM)
• Description: Matt Jones and the KSR crew bring you the latest in UK news and views Monday through Friday from 10 AM to noon.
• Episode: 2024-12-2 - KSR - Hour 2
• Release Date: December 2, 2024

1. Kentucky Sports Radio Road Trip to Pizza Ranch, Iowa City

Setting the Scene: Matt Jones kicks off Hour 2 of the Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) podcast from Pizza Ranch in Iowa City. The crew is joined by six enthusiastic Kentucky fans sporting various team apparel, including a Mark Pope shirt and Kentucky gear, highlighting the strong fanbase following the team on the road.

Fan Interactions:

• Matt Jones: "Six good Kentucky fans have come here. Looking forward to taking the picture with the group as we go. One of them's got a Mark Pope shirt. You gotta like that." [01:30]
• Ryan Lemond: "And we're partying in the party room here at the Pizza Ranch." [02:00]

The atmosphere is lively, with the crew engaging in playful banter and enjoying the camaraderie with fans. The crew's interactions showcase the supportive and spirited Kentucky sports community.

2. Highlights from the Kentucky Basketball Game

Record Attendance and Player Interactions: The team recently secured a significant victory against Georgia State, winning by 30 points. Matt praises Mark Pope's influence on the basketball program, noting, "If you want to see the hold Mark Pope has on this basketball program..." [05:00]. The game also featured one of the largest November crowds the crew has experienced, surpassing even previous high-attendance games in December.

Clash Peters Incident: A pivotal moment in the game involved Clash Peters, whose aggressive actions ignited a brawl, altering the game's dynamics:

• Matt Jones: "Clash Peters... started a brawl." [07:03]
• Mario: "His mother was the lead singer... named him Clash after the band." [08:10]

The incident led to a dramatic shift, with Matt noting, "We were up six and we ended up winning by 30." [07:10]. The crew discusses the impact of Peters' actions on team morale and the overall game outcome, emphasizing the importance of player conduct.

Mark Pope's Outreach: Post-game, Mark Pope made headlines by generously buying ice cream for the crowd:

• Drew Franklin: "Vince Merrow... took care of everyone." [09:28]
• Matt Jones: "It was just on fire... he goes, the soft serve comb free." [09:02]

The gesture was well-received, with Matt highlighting the overwhelming support and the positive response from fans, especially the younger attendees during the holiday season.

3. Interview with Vince Merrow on Football Team's Performance and Future

Addressing Rumors and Team Performance: Vince Merrow, referred to as "Shannon The Dude," joins the show to discuss the football team's challenging 4-8 season. He addresses circulating rumors about his potential move to Louisville, stating, "Unless you take a job or you put out that you're taking a job, it's just rumors." [13:26]

Analyzing the Season's Shortcomings: Merrow delves into the factors contributing to the disappointing record:

• Team Culture: "Maybe it is lip. ... you start losing, it becomes A bigger issue because now you don't have no culture." [17:11]
• Transfer Portal Impact: "We are already on some guys in a portal that we doing a good job to say, okay, these are guys we gonna bring in here." [20:05]
• Recruiting Challenges: Merrow discusses the recent decommitments and his strategies to bolster the recruiting class, emphasizing thorough background checks and maintaining team culture.

Optimism for the Future: Despite the setbacks, Merrow maintains a positive outlook:

• Support from Administration: "You got from the top, Dr. Tabalu, Dr. Eric Monday, Mitch Marchiel, all the way on down." [18:31]
• Commitment to Improvement: "We just got to go get the right players. We will get this fix." [19:46]

He reassures listeners that with the right recruitment and organizational support, the team is poised for a turnaround in the upcoming seasons.

Cultural Rebuilding: Merrow emphasizes the importance of rebuilding team culture through disciplined recruitment and fostering leadership within the team:

• Background Checks: "You have to do your homework. You have to bring in the right guys and mix them in with the guys we recruited from high school who are guys that know what our culture is." [16:07]
• Leadership and Character: "High character, guys that also can play. I think that's a big combination of everything." [16:07]

4. Staff and Crew Dynamics During the Road Trip

Road Trip Anecdotes: The crew shares humorous and light-hearted moments from their road trip, including interactions with other team members and navigating challenging conditions like unexpected snowfall:

• Matt Jones: "Why don't they make it less expensive?" [24:46]
• Mario: "Better get used to it now." [32:38]

Building Team Camaraderie: Highlights include bonding moments between crew members, such as Mario and Shannon becoming closer through shared experiences:

• Matt Jones: "Like, these two, they don't... becoming fast buddies." [35:53]
• Ryan Lemond: "Romance is blossoming right in front of our eyes right here." [35:59]

These segments add a personal touch to the podcast, showcasing the team's off-air relationships and the lighter side of sports broadcasting.

5. Addressing Listener Concerns and Questions

Objectivity and Personal Bias: Matt Jones addresses listener questions regarding his objectivity, especially concerning his friendship with Vince Merrow:

• Matt Jones: "If you want to look at it through that thing, I get it. You should... But for everybody else, like, you know, I don't know these people." [39:19]

He clarifies that while he maintains personal friendships, his professional commentary remains unbiased:

• Matt Jones: "I freely acknowledge that when you hear me talk about specifically Vince, if you want to read it through that thing, that's Matt's friend. I get it." [39:19]

Criticism and Accountability: The crew discusses the importance of holding team members accountable, regardless of personal relationships:

• Drew Franklin: "If you don't want to be my promoter. So get that. That next match ready soon." [22:36]
• Matt Jones: "Do note, I can say Cal's a great guy. People would be like, you just hate California." [41:14]

This segment underscores the podcast's commitment to honest and constructive analysis, even when it involves friends or close contacts.

6. Promotions and Advertisements

Sponsored Segments: Throughout the episode, the crew promotes various sponsors, including Stockton Mortgage and Red State Barbecue:

• Ryan Lemond: "Stockton Mortgage... they have over 70,000 5 star reviews..." [01:42]
• Matt Jones: "Red State Barbecue... better than Big Cat barbecue..." [11:06]

While these segments are integral to the podcast's structure, they are designed to inform listeners about beneficial services and products relevant to the audience.

7. Closing Remarks and Future Plans

Upcoming Segments and Live Shows: Matt announces potential live shows on TikTok and YouTube, encouraging listeners to stay engaged:

• Matt Jones: "We may go live. We were prepared last night in the bar if I got a text..." [05:00]

Continuing the Road Trip: The episode concludes with the crew preparing to continue their road trip to Kearney, Nebraska, maintaining an upbeat and forward-looking tone:

• Matt Jones: "Thank you all you seven folks here. Thank you all very much. We will, will see you in Kearney, Nebraska, tomorrow." [38:02]

Notable Quotes:

• Matt Jones: "Clash Peters started a brawl... It was a dirty play. He could have hurt him." [07:10]
• Vince Merrow: "Mark is in the right place how he's starting this thing. And I feel really good where it's going to go." [14:18]
• Vince Merrow: "You have to do your homework. You have to bring in the right guys and mix them in with the guys we recruited from high school." [16:07]
• Merrow on Team Future: "You got the administration behind us... We just got to go get the right players. We will get this fix." [19:46]
• Matt Jones on Objectivity: "I freely acknowledge that when you hear me talk about specifically Vince, if you want to read it through that thing, that's Matt's friend." [39:19]

Conclusion

This episode of KSR's Hour 2 offers an in-depth analysis of Kentucky's sports landscape, blending critical discussions with engaging road trip anecdotes. Through interviews with key figures like Vince Merrow and authentic interactions with fans, the podcast provides listeners with a comprehensive view of the team's current challenges and future prospects. Notable incidents, such as the Clash Peters brawl and Mark Pope's fan outreach, are examined thoughtfully, offering insights into team dynamics and leadership. The episode successfully balances serious sports analysis with light-hearted moments, ensuring a rich and engaging listening experience for both regular followers and new audiences.