KSR - Hour 2 Podcast Summary
Release Date: December 20, 2024
Introduction
In the second hour of the Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) podcast, hosts Matt Jones, Drew Franklin, and Ryan Lemond delve deep into the current state of Kentucky sports, focusing primarily on the football and basketball teams. The discussion is peppered with insights from listeners, betting tips, and a critical analysis of the team's strategies and future prospects.
Football Quarterback Conundrum
Overview
A significant portion of the hour is dedicated to debating the future of Kentucky's football quarterback position. The hosts analyze the potential impact of new signees from the transfer portal, particularly focusing on Zach Calzada and Cutter Bowley.
Key Points:
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Transfer Portal Additions: Kentucky has recently acquired a tight end from Illinois, a wide receiver from Oklahoma, and confirmed Zach Calzada as their quarterback.
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Zach Calzada's Profile: At nearly 25 years old, Calzada brings a wealth of experience, including a notable performance leading a game-winning drive against Alabama during his time at A&M. However, concerns persist about his adaptability to Kentucky's offensive line, which has been a persistent issue.
Drew Franklin (04:50): "He has a lot of experience playing college football... he can be elusive if he needs to and make a few... a playmaker to him on his feet."
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Cutter Bowley's Potential: As a sophomore, Bowley represents the future. Ryan Lemond expresses his support for Bowlley, emphasizing his rapid decision-making and potential upside.
Ryan Lemond (06:22): "I kind of said yesterday, I'm hashtag team Cutter. I still feel like he's the guy of the future..."
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Host Perspectives: Matt Jones voices skepticism about relying on Bowley due to the immediate need for competitiveness, especially with concerns about the offensive line.
Matt Jones (07:02): "We don't have time for upside next year. We gotta be competitive next year."
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Consensus and Concerns: While there's acknowledgment of both players' strengths, the overarching concern is whether either can lead the team to success given the challenging upcoming schedule and existing structural issues.
Drew Franklin (11:07): "If you have a reason to be, hashtag team Cutter, I'm glad to hear it. But it can't just be because he might be good in the future. We have to be good next year."
Offensive Line Challenges
The offensive line remains a critical bottleneck for Kentucky's football aspirations. Without significant improvement, even the most talented quarterbacks may struggle to perform effectively.
Matt Jones (11:26): "The offensive line was so bad last year, I think you could put anyone back there. And I'm not sure it would have made a lot of difference."
Drew Franklin adds that the continued issues with the offensive line could negate the efforts of any quarterback, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive overhaul.
Drew Franklin (11:26): "They have so many problems to fix just to be good enough to have a shot with the schedule that the quarterback is just one spot of many that they need to be hit on perfectly."
Caller Interactions and Fan Sentiment
Behavior at Games
A poignant moment arises when a caller shares a personal story about his elderly father confronting a young fan's inappropriate behavior during a game. This anecdote sparks a debate among hosts about fan conduct and the responsibilities of attendees.
Caller (13:05): "...my dad tapped that kid on the shoulder with his cane... I thought, no way. I was like, you gotta stand up. A kid paid for their ticket just like we did."
Matt Jones critiques the caller's stance, questioning the fairness towards the elderly father, while Drew Franklin finds the call unexpected.
Fan Expectations and Coach Accountability
The discussion shifts to the expectations placed on Mark Stoops, Kentucky's head coach. The hosts debate whether Stoops is too receptive to criticism or not addressing fan concerns effectively.
Matt Jones (34:00): "He has to be good next year. We have to be good next year."
Drew Franklin contrasts Stoops with John Calipari, highlighting Stoops' heightened awareness of fan dissatisfaction.
Drew Franklin (34:16): "Cal had no idea what was going on and Stoops almost worries about it too much."
Culture and Leadership
The hosts delve into the broader culture within the Kentucky sports programs, discussing the importance of leadership and the impact of external pressures on coaching strategies.
Matt Jones (37:33): "If you try to hide it from them, that's a mistake. I think Cows people hid everything that people thought from him, and it made him clueless about what the fan base thought."
Ryan Lemond (35:17): "It makes me hopeful as a fan to hear that if they're aware of it, they'll make steps to correct it and fix it and not let it happen again."
Betting Picks and Playoff Predictions
Playoff Game Analysis
The hosts engage in a lively discussion about the upcoming playoff games, offering their predictions and reasoning behind their choices.
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Indiana vs. Notre Dame
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Bookie Odds: Notre Dame favored by 6.5 points.
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Picks:
- Matt Jones: Takes Notre Dame to win.
- Drew Franklin: Bets Indiana to cover, citing the wild atmosphere.
- Ryan Lemond: Conflicted, prefers Notre Dame.
Matt Jones (20:21): "I'm taking Notre Dame. What about you, Shannon?"
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Penn State vs. SMU
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Bookie Odds: Penn State favored by 8.5 points.
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Picks:
- All Hosts: Favor Penn State, with Matt Jones expressing skepticism about SMU's inclusion.
Drew Franklin (22:11): "Should be Penn State, Alabama. That's what it should be."
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Texas vs. Clemson
- Bookie Odds: Texas favored by 12.5 points.
- Picks:
- Matt Jones: Bets Texas to win, criticizing Clemson's ACC performance.
- Drew Franklin: Supports Texas, highlighting their strong defense.
- Ryan Lemond: Agrees with Texas, sees it as an "ass kicking" for Clemson.
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Tennessee vs. Ohio State
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Bookie Odds: Tennessee as a 7.5-point underdog.
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Picks:
- Matt Jones & Drew Franklin: Both bet on Tennessee to cover.
- Levar Arrington: Confident Ohio State will win but acknowledges strong Tennessee support.
Ryan Lemond (23:04): "I think this is an ass kicking a beat down tomorrow."
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KSR Parlay
Matt Jones introduces the KSR Parlay—a compilation of their combined bets for the playoff games.
Matt Jones (24:27): "So I'm taking Penn State, Moneyline, Texas Moneyline, the under in SMU, Penn State because of the cold and then Tennessee to cover the seven."
The hosts express confidence in their collective picks, anticipating favorable outcomes.
Basketball Bust-Out
SEC Basketball Predictions
One caller inquires about Coach Hope pulling out tricks in Kentucky's basketball strategy during the SEC stretch.
Caller (15:31): "Do you think down this brutal SEC stretch, do you think he's got enough up his sleeve to pull out as many big wins as he needs?"
Matt Jones provides a dual perspective:
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Best Case Scenario: Efficient three-point shooting, mirroring early-season performances.
Matt Jones (16:00): "Holiday magic is in the air... Make your season extra merry."
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Worst Case Scenario: Struggles with physicality and athleticism against SEC's highly athletic teams.
Matt Jones (16:00): "We are probably, if you're just looking at sheer athleticism, we're probably one of the least athletic teams in the SEC."
Drew Franklin counters by highlighting Kentucky's ability to adjust defensively:
Drew Franklin (17:07): "They do make the adjustments... sent Gonzaga into immediate second half scoring drought."
The discussion underscores the challenges Kentucky faces in balancing offensive efficiency with defensive solidity against formidable SEC competition.
Listener Engagement and Closing Remarks
Fan Base Rankings
In a segment inspired by Jeff Goodman's list, the hosts discuss the ten craziest fan bases in college basketball, expressing surprise and disagreement over certain omissions.
Matt Jones (40:15): "Number one is Kentucky. Yeah, but to me, that's easy... Number nine, Arizona. Okay, I'm all right with that one."
Discussions reveal differing opinions on which institutions boast the most passionate and intense fan bases, with particular surprise over the exclusion of powerhouse programs like Kansas and Duke.
Future Episodes and Events
The hosts tease upcoming episodes and events, including a pregame show, a trivia night, and a focus on Memorial Coliseum's women's basketball game. They also discuss the impact of player transfers and the importance of maintaining a strong offensive line.
Matt Jones (43:35): "We got historical. Oh, can't talk. Did you just stutter?"
Notable Quotes
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Levar Arrington on Hate:
"The hate in this country is getting out of control. It's at an all-time high. It's going to take all of us to stop it."
(00:00) -
Matt Jones on Competitive Necessity:
"We don't have time for upside next year. We gotta be competitive next year."
(07:02) -
Ryan Lemond on Team Cutter:
"I kind of said yesterday, I'm hashtag team Cutter. I still feel like he's the guy of the future..."
(06:22) -
Caller on Fan Conduct:
"...a kid paid for their ticket just like we did."
(14:12) -
Matt Jones on Offensive Line:
"The offensive line was so bad last year, I think you could put anyone back there. And I'm not sure it would have made a lot of difference."
(11:26) -
Drew Franklin on Culture Issues:
"They need whichever quarterback can help them win. As it is say like six games."
(20:20)
Conclusion
The second hour of the KSR podcast offers an in-depth exploration of Kentucky's sports landscape, highlighting the complexities of team management, fan expectations, and the ever-present challenges of collegiate athletics. Through spirited debates and listener interactions, the hosts provide a comprehensive view of where Kentucky sports stand and where they might be headed in the near future.