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Levar Arrington
Hey, what's up everybody? It's Levar Arrington here from up on Game and I need you to listen for a moment, all right, and get serious. 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. I mean think about it. We're all on the same team in this country, right? Let's take a break from hate so our team can regroup. We need to take a timeout against hate. Visit Stand up to all hate.org to help and join me in calling for a timeout against hate by following at what's up with Hate or posting the blue square emoji.
Matt Jones
Thursday Night Football is on and it's only on Prime Video this week. Keep the holiday celebration going as the Seattle Seahawks take on the Chicago Bears.
Drew Franklin
You're going to love this.
Matt Jones
Coverage begins with TNF tonight. Not a Prime member. Sign up for a 30 day free trial to stream the game. It's the Seahawks and Bears Thursday only on Prime Video. Restrictions apply. See Amazon.com amazonprime for details. Holiday magic is in the air and DSW's got all the shoes to make your season extra merry. Believe you've got parties to attend and list to check twice. So DSW is taking care of the details like gifts to make their eyes all aglow. Styles that bring joy to your world. Brands everyone wants like Ugg, Nike, Birkenstock and more and deals to make your budget bright. Find the perfect shoes for you and at a DSW store near you or.
Ryan Lemond
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Levar Arrington
Nmlsconsumeraccess.Org welcome to hour two of Kentucky Sports Radio presented by Stockton Mortgage. Now here's Matt Jones.
Matt Jones
Welcome back. Hour number two of Kentucky Sports Radio here live at the KS Bar and Grill. All right, thank you all very much. 859-280-2287 Text Machine 772-774-5254 Great crowd here joining us this morning on I guess a lot of you folks getting ready for Christmas break. Somebody told me over there there was a young man, you guys, who was it got up at 4:30 this morning and came. Am I right where you took a picture right there. Got 4:30 this morning. Came from just outside Owensboro.
Drew Franklin
Yeah, Ray Harper's nephew got some, some basketball.
Matt Jones
Yeah, it's Ray Harper's nephew.
Ryan Lemond
Wesleyan legend. Kentucky Wesleyan legend Ray Harper. We got a heck of a crowd in here for lunch today.
Matt Jones
Yes, big.
Drew Franklin
I was gonna mention you were talking about how busy weekend. You didn't even say we got graduation down the street at Rupp arena so.
Matt Jones
Oh, that right there is graduation this weekend.
Drew Franklin
When I drove by this morning it was pouring down rain. I've not stopped thought, have not stopped thinking about this poor young woman. She was running in her gown, holding her shoes in her cap and she was soaked and I have a feeling she did not make it. She was not very close to Rupp arena. She was farther down Broadway. But I've been thinking about her since I saw her.
Matt Jones
So the graduation's not going on right now.
Drew Franklin
I drove through the, through the mayhem. Saw a car going the wrong way on a one way street. You know the, the usual scene when you have graduation.
Matt Jones
Also looked over there, Mario has new KSR what's next podcast which is his podcast custom shoes over there. He's looking from true blue customs. Those look great.
Drew Franklin
Got the iheart logo on him too.
Matt Jones
That's a company man who gets the Iheart logo on his shoes. I like that. 859-280-2287 all right Drew, give us the update on the the portal thing. We got a kid, we got a tight end yesterday from Illinois. We got a wide receiver from Oklahoma and then our quarterback is now confirmed Zach Caldone.
Drew Franklin
Calzada.
Matt Jones
Calzada.
Drew Franklin
Calzones are what you get at Italian restaurants.
Matt Jones
He is going to be the quarterback. So tell me, give me the case for the Kentucky fan base of why they should be excited about our new soon to be close to 25 year old quarterback.
Drew Franklin
That's a big task to get the fan base excited about this that you're putting on me. He has a lot of experience playing college football.
Matt Jones
He does have a lot. He's a seventh year.
Drew Franklin
Yeah. It's looking like Kentucky will have the oldest quarterback in the sport next year. That's good for seasoned. His big thing that I brought up before that I keep hanging on to is when he was at A and M, he had to step in as the backup due to an injury. Had a good record and beat number one Alabama including leading him on a game winning drive. Made some huge plays in that put up great stats at Incarnate Word. It's hard to see how that will translate, but that's where Cam Ward came from and others who have had college success. He's kind of unorthodox, which may be good because we don't know how the protection will be. He's a guy who can be elusive if he needs to and make a few. Got a little playmaker to him on his feet if he has to do it. He's not necessarily a runner but he's capable. So it's just a guy that's played a lot of football and can do a lot of different things. He can be mistake prone if he's trying to force things but, but you know, just hope we get that dollar to protect him.
Matt Jones
Both Nick Roush and Justin Roland yesterday said Ryan, he is brought be being brought in to be the starter. That he, that this, that he is brought in to be the starter that they want Cutter to compete but that he is brought in to be the starter. Knowing that, how do you feel?
Ryan Lemond
You know, I kind of said yesterday, I'm hashtag team Cutter. I still feel like, you know, he's the guy of the future but you have to bring in a good veteran quarterback. Cutter's coming in as a sophomore. You have to bring in somebody. So I can see that you got.
Matt Jones
Somebody beyond just, you know, the kid, you like, the family. Why are you team Cutter? I mean, what you don't think we could go into to the SEC next year with that schedule playing a kid who had played one game?
Ryan Lemond
Basically I feel like he's our best option.
Matt Jones
But why we didn't. What did you see?
Ryan Lemond
I think he gets the ball of his hand really fast and seems to make decisions fast and I like that. And I know just from talking to Dane that he's got.
Matt Jones
When you say he's our best option, you've not seen this other guy play.
Ryan Lemond
That's true. Yeah, I'm, I'm going to be probably tooting cutters Horn most of the season.
Matt Jones
I'm not trying. Why?
Ryan Lemond
I just. I just feel like. I mean, I just think he's got a lot of upside, man. I just think he could be a really.
Matt Jones
We don't have time for upside next year. I mean, if it doesn't work out next year, Mark Stoops is gone, probably. So, like, we don't have time for upside. We gotta. We gotta be competitive next year. I get it. I like Cutter. I think Cutter could be good. And if Cutter's the best player, he should play. But we don't have time to wait and see if he might work.
Ryan Lemond
I'm afraid no matter which one of these guys or the quarterback, it's going to be a rough season next year. Regardless if it's Calzada or Cutter, we're in for a rough season.
Matt Jones
Well, so then why even play well? I mean, I mean, I think we.
Ryan Lemond
All agree the schedule is just ridiculously hard next year.
Matt Jones
But do you agree with me? I don't think this. We. This fan base will not tolerate another 3 and 9, 4 and 8 season next year. They just won't. They. They just won't. So don't you, if you're Mark Stoops, have to do whatever you can to be as good as you can next year? Like, honestly, if you're Mark Stoops, no offense to Cutter, but if you're like, you can't worry about two or three years from now, you got to be good next year, right?
Ryan Lemond
Yeah, for sure. I know they're going to compete for the job. I'm sure, though, whoever wins the job will be the. Be the guy. But I think they're both going to end up playing.
Matt Jones
I don't want to have. I mean, if you have a reason, I'm not trying to pick on you, but if you have a reason to be, hashtag team Cutter, I'm. 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. We have to.
Ryan Lemond
I know there were just some thoughts, some things that were said that maybe he should have been the quarterback all year last year. Like, he was the best in camp. They were just afraid to throw him out there because he was a true freshman.
Drew Franklin
I like Cutter and I would love for Cutter to win the job against Calzada, but if you're Stoops, you can't go into next year with just freshman. He had to go out and get somebody.
Ryan Lemond
He did.
Drew Franklin
They had to tell Calzadi's number one. Maybe in the back of their mind, even they're rooting for Cutter to win the job because I do think nothing against the kid that just added. It would be a better experience with a Kentucky boy that's already been here a year that we know a little bit if he were to win it. But you couldn't go into the year just with Bowley and Stone Saunders. You had to go out and get something. And for the.
Matt Jones
I'm not trying. I feel like I'm being. It sounds like I'm being harsh to a kid that I really like and that I went to a signing day and I. I'm not trying to be. But if Cutter Bowley was from Texas, would people be like this? I mean, would people like. We have to be good cut. I like Cutter, but we saw the Louisville game that didn't go well.
Ryan Lemond
Well. And I feel bad for him because that that team had kind of checked out and he gets hurt. I just felt like they put him in a situation where it was, well.
Matt Jones
What situation did we put Brock in? We sucked like last year. We sucked for everybody. So I. I don't know. I think it is a natural inclination of Kentucky fans going all the way back, going to Travis Perry and Trent Noah this year. Dante Allen, pick the player Dominique Hawkins, Derrick Willis for us to say. And I'm like this, too. I love the Kentucky kid. I want the Kentucky kid. But if that. If Cutter Bowley was from Dallas, Texas, would we be saying it needs to be his team next year? I don't think we would. So why are we setting it for Lexington? I mean, if he's the best player playing.
Ryan Lemond
Yep.
Matt Jones
But if Zach Calzada. Let's be real. Anybody in here watch the Zach Calzada game?
Ryan Lemond
No.
Matt Jones
You have.
Ryan Lemond
Oh, there you go.
Matt Jones
Yeah. But that was at four years ago. 5. I may have watched that game, too. But if you watch. Any of you watch one incarnate word.
Ryan Lemond
Game, Freddy was the only guy.
Matt Jones
So how could we know?
Ryan Lemond
Yeah.
Matt Jones
I mean, there's no way for any of us to know, Drew. So we just have to wait and see. Right.
Drew Franklin
Little battle it out. I'll go one step further. It doesn't matter if you have Cutter, Bowley, Calzada, whoever. If the line targets they're getting don't work out, it doesn't matter who's trying to throw the football because 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.
Matt Jones
The offensive line was so bad last year, I think you could, could have put anyone back there. And I'm not sure it would have made a lot of difference. I mean, you know, if you had an elite quarterback, maybe it would have, but I don't think. I'm not sure it would have made a difference.
Ryan Lemond
I will say this about Calzada. This is really the first quarterback that Bush, Hampden has kind of been involved with to kind of fit his system.
Matt Jones
You know, I agree and I think that's important. Bush, Hamden picked this kid. So I'm again, not trying to be harsh, but Bush, this is your second year. You pick this kid. If this doesn't work, then he can't be the offensive coordinator. You know, I'll say this. They picked it. Bush and these guys picked the offensive line, they picked the quarterback, they picked the receivers. We have a four star tight end. If it doesn't work next year, offensively, Drew, then you just can't keep going with this. You got to pick this quarterback. Now, he didn't pick Brock, but he picked this one. So it has to work.
Drew Franklin
I mean, he picked the new receivers coach. They have history. The Oklahoma receiver, they just added, he's got history with him.
Ryan Lemond
That's right.
Drew Franklin
If you want to give Hamden a little bit of break last year, he came in late because Combs departure and he had to just build something with roster he had no part in. This is his roster. So if he's got to work, this.
Matt Jones
Is your year, it's got to work. Who's up next?
Levar Arrington
Bill.
Matt Jones
Bill, Go ahead. Bill. Bill, anytime you're ready. All right. No, Bill.
Levar Arrington
Kentucky Cat.
Matt Jones
Kentucky Cat, how are you?
Caller
Hey. Hey, guys. What's going on?
Matt Jones
What's up?
Caller
Hey, I'm just. I just want to weigh in on that standing and setting thing. My dad died in 2018. He was 103. But when he was in his like early 90s, maybe 95, I took him to a game and we were sitting there and he had a cane. He walked with a cane. And this little kid in front of us that wasn't any more than like 10, 11 years old, stood up and my dad tapped that kid on the shoulder with his cane. That kid turned around in like fear. And I grabbed my dad's arm and stood him up. Like that kid paid for that ticket just like we did. And if he stands up and you can't see, you're gonna stand your butt up and we'll watch your time.
Matt Jones
You looked at your 97 year old father and you said, if you can't stand up, you have to stand up. That's kind of feels a little harsh towards your dad.
Caller
Well, the, he struck the fear into that little kid's. When that kid turned around and their eyes were big as softballs, I thought, no way. I was like, you, you gotta stand up. A kid paid for their ticket just like we did. And I, I still live by that today.
Matt Jones
All right.
Caller
We moved around in the, the arena a little bit. Now we, we sit right in front of the Barnhart family. Yeah, they get fired up. Go ahead.
Matt Jones
No, go ahead. It just, you said, I mean, listen, you're clearly Team Stan. He would be and I appreciate the call. Maybe the president of Team Stand, if he looked at his 97 year old dad and said, you're going to have to stand, then I guess if Team Stand has a principle, maybe it's him.
Drew Franklin
For me, that was a little bit of a plot twist. I thought he was going the other direction. An elderly dad.
Ryan Lemond
I did too.
Drew Franklin
He said, no, you get your butt up.
Matt Jones
You get your butt up too.
Levar Arrington
Did you really just tell that guy to go ahead? And then hung up on him?
Matt Jones
Well, then he was telling me that he sat with Mitch Barnhart. I don't know. What else was I supposed to. I don't know. Who's next?
Levar Arrington
Hunter.
Matt Jones
Hunter. Go ahead, Hunter. Hey, Matt, first time caller. Hua. What's up? Hey, I got a question.
Ryan Lemond
On the basketball side, we seen Hope.
Caller
Pull out a couple tricks out of.
Matt Jones
His sleeve for the Duke and the Gozag game. Yeah. 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? Hope. So, I mean, I. Here's okay, so I appreciate the call. Let me give you, let's give best case, worst case scenario for the SEC play for Kentucky basketball. Here's my worst case scenario. My best case scenario is what Ryan said earlier. We start hitting threes. We play the way we did in the first five or six games where we're just out efficient making threes and it'll be very hard for any team to beat us. The only teams that could beat us are really, really good teams. Worst case scenario, this team struggles with physicality and athleticism. It's clear that when we play guys that are very physical and can beat you off the dribble athletically, we struggle guarding those teams. The SEC is full of those teams. The SEC as a matter of fact has about 12 of the 16 teams are filled with athletic freaks. We are probably, if you're just looking at sheer athleticism, we're probably one of the least athletic teams in the sec. If you're being pessimistic, you go, can we guard any of these teams? Like they're gonna struggle to guard us, but can we guard any of them? That would be my worry. If I were to have a worry a little bit.
Drew Franklin
Those are fair worries. But on the cam we guard. I mean you look at the adjustments they made against Gonzaga, which was doing whatever they wanted and they sent Gonzaga into immediate second half scoring drought that let Kentucky back in the game. They did the same thing to Duke. The physicality will be an issue all year. It throws off their offense. We see guys kind of just kind of check out when teams are getting up on them, kind of hedging their screens and making them backpedal a little bit. Coming off that, that's where Kentucky's slouched and gotten away.
Matt Jones
Do you think we can guard Arkansas? Can we stay in front of boogie flan DJ Wagner? Do we have anybody to guard?
Drew Franklin
Do you gotta dare them to shoot?
Matt Jones
You do you do? That's exactly what you have to do. But you have to dare them to shoot and like that's what we did to Louisville and then they made them, you know. But that's what we're gonna have to do. I mean look, we're better than Arkansas but actually playing them one on one, do we have somebody who can guard a do.
Drew Franklin
I feel paying attention do has been incredible.
Matt Jones
He's been great. He's been great to be a first round draft and I don't think we have anybody. I mean Butler can probably stay in front of Fland. Wagner's not been great but he still has that good first step. And so.
Drew Franklin
Well, you just said my biggest concern and he's back and obviously doing well. But we learned while Butler was out that he's one of one. There's not another Lamont Butler or anything close to him on the team. So keeping him healthy is the most important thing they can do moving forward.
Matt Jones
Yeah. We're going to take a break. 859-280-2287. We are here at the KS Bar and Grills, Kentucky Sports Radio. Welcome back. It is Kentucky Sports Radio. 859-280-2287. Look at that. That's great. The nice crowd here today. Servpro. If you have a disaster or some sort of storm damage, make it like it never even happened with Serv Pro. If the relief valve on Your water heater fails, you get water in your basement. If there's an electrical shortage, whatever, Servpro will come in. It's your one stop shop for when disaster strikes. Servpro.com or 1-800-servpro S E R V Pro. Com Matt Ryan and Drew, some folks getting on me on the text machine about being harsh about Cutter. I get it man. I'm not. I think he can be good, but I just don't think. I just think it's important. If we're giving Mark Stoops and these guys another year, which we clearly are, they got to go win and they get to do it their way. I look at this quarterback from incarnate word and think, man, I'm not really excited. But then I was really excited about the last couple. What did that get us? I didn't get us anything. They weren't. They ended up definitely was. All right. Brock Vande Griff didn't really work. So you know, I think we still don't know in the transfer portal how to really decide which guys are going to be good and which aren't. Drew, we just haven't. Who knows really.
Drew Franklin
Yeah. I mean if it's. If they're identical players, I would want Cutter just because he's been here and he's from here. And I think that make the experience easier to cheer for. But they need whichever quarterback can help them win. As it is say like six games.
Matt Jones
Next year gotta win.
Drew Franklin
A hard task can be very hard. Whoever it gives them the best opportunity immediately is the one that needs the keys next year.
Matt Jones
All right, let's make some picks. Playoff game starting tonight in freezing cold South Bend, Indiana. With snow on the ground and snowmen in the stands, Indiana plays Notre Dame. Notre Dame is the favorite.
Ryan Lemond
Looks like by what was like nine, wasn't it?
Matt Jones
It is at this point, yeah. Six and a half.
Ryan Lemond
Six and a half.
Matt Jones
Six & a half. Who you got? Drew?
Drew Franklin
I've really been torn on this one. When trying to make my bets for the weekend. I'm going to say Indiana covers it. We have a close game but that's going to be a wild atmosphere to try to go win a game.
Matt Jones
The question is, is Indiana any good? We'll find out tonight.
Ryan Lemond
Yeah, the schedule was not as tough as some of the other teams in the big ten. They're what, three hours apart? Haven't played in my lifetime? I don't think so. But I take Notre Dame and Notre Dame will cover.
Matt Jones
I'm taking Notre Dame. What about you, Shannon?
Levar Arrington
I would Love for Indiana to win this game, but unfortunately I think Notre Dame wins.
Matt Jones
I think Notre Dame wins. They just gave their coach an extension. At Penn State State College where tickets are going for $35.
Ryan Lemond
That's insane.
Matt Jones
But hotel rooms are going for $850, which is crazy. The cheapest hotel room in State College right now is $850. But you can get into the game for $35. That seems strange to me. Penn State's an eight and a half point favorite. This is my pick of the day. Penn State rolls. I mean rolls over. Over smu. They're going to the cold. It's Dallas. They never. They don't want to worry about cold. Their Penn State rolls.
Drew Franklin
I've always said there's no world where I will pick James Franklin to win a meaningful game. But I think they lucked into this draw when I don't even think Penn State's as good as many of the other teams. This playoff bracket. I think they win this one big.
Matt Jones
Should be Penn State, Alabama. That's what it should be. And then I'd actually pick Alabama. But I'm taking Penn State.
Ryan Lemond
The story you told us yesterday that they can't sell out that stadium for a playoff game just blows my mind. Penn State, one of the best fan bases in all of college football, can't get behind a home. A home playoff game when you're home field and Happy Valley.
Levar Arrington
I'm with you, Matt. I'm not even sure SMU even belongs in this game to begin with. I'm taking Penn State big Texas host Clemson.
Matt Jones
Dabo Sweeney has to go down to Austin. Dabo says we have a chip on our shoulder. It's us against the world. Texas is a 12 point favorite. Drew, I think they still cover that 12 and they roll against Clemson. I think the ACC stinks.
Drew Franklin
Yep. I love Texas here. They got a great defense and Clemson is about to find that out in Austin. I think it's not a problem whatsoever for Texas tomorrow.
Ryan Lemond
I think this is an ass kicking a beat down tomorrow. This, this game. Yeah. Texas wins and covers.
Levar Arrington
Now up to 12 and a half on draftkings. I feel like that's really high for a playoff game. I think Texas wins, but I think Clemson covers.
Matt Jones
You got Clemson covering tomorrow night. The game of the night. Tennessee is a seven and a half point underdog in Ohio State. It's going to be a insane atmosphere. I think they're going to be a ton of Tennessee fans there. I have to tell you, I love, love, love Tennessee to cover. But I think they also could win, but I'm definitely picking them to cover the 7/2. 7/2's way too much when I think Tennessee has a good chance at winning the game. So I'll take Tennessee.
Drew Franklin
I love Tennessee to cover and I'm doing a money line parlay with every playoff game and I think Tennessee might be my money line pick.
Matt Jones
Why is tennis. Is Tennessee not better than Ohio State? Like why, why is that? Why are they a seven and a half point underdog?
Ryan Lemond
If it was anywhere else, I think if Tennessee might be the. Just the fact it's in Columbus. They got Columbus a touchdown favorite right now.
Matt Jones
Shannon.
Levar Arrington
I think this is the game of both. I think the first round, this is the best game. So I'm going to go. I think Ohio State ends up winning it just because they're at home. But I know there's going to be a lot of Tennessee fans there. So I think it'll be close. But Ohio State wins.
Matt Jones
All right. But you have Tennessee covering.
Levar Arrington
Yes, I think Tennessee covers.
Matt Jones
All right. So I'm by the way, the KSR parlay since last week. The last few. Ryan, you've missed the last few. Except the one we won. I went ahead and just did it.
Ryan Lemond
You did it.
Matt Jones
Would you like to know what our KSR parlay.
Ryan Lemond
Yeah, I've not seen it yet.
Matt Jones
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.
Ryan Lemond
I like all those.
Matt Jones
You like those?
Drew Franklin
I think those are all the things I just said the parlay was.
Matt Jones
So I'm So that's our KSR right there. Plus like 450. I think it should be. Should be pretty good. By the way, Kentucky, it looks like opens is a 9 1/2 point favorite. Does that sound right?
Drew Franklin
I thought it'd been a little lower, I guess seven earlier on the website, but I think they're going to win.
Matt Jones
You think we roll tomorrow?
Ryan Lemond
Auburn beat him by 40. Yes, I think we roll tomorrow.
Matt Jones
I hope we do. We'll take a break. Be right back. Sports Radio TJ Smith, personal injury attorney. Call TJ he'll make him pay.
Levar Arrington
Now more of Kentucky Sports Radio presented by Stockton Mortgage. Here's Matt Jones.
Matt Jones
Welcome back, Kentucky Sports Radio. 859-280-2287. Thank you very much. This weekend, like we talked about five big games, Kentucky plays Ohio State. Our pregame show is at 3:00 tomorrow.
Ryan Lemond
Yes, it is 3 to 4 tomorrow.
Matt Jones
I think I said 2:30, but it's actually 3:00 is when. Is when it will be.
Ryan Lemond
Yeah. Last week tipped off at 5:15 this Saturday. Tomorrow tips off at 5:30.
Matt Jones
Yes. We got graduation people. It looks like coming in as well. It's still a rainy, rainy day out there. One person writes, Matt, what's more likely, Mark Pope, Final Four this year or Mark Stoops, seven wins next year? You go, Drew. Which one you want to go with? Their final four for Mark Pope this year, seven wins for Mark Stoops next year.
Drew Franklin
I unfortunately don't have to think too long about this one. And I will take a trip to San Antonio before I think we get to see seven wins.
Matt Jones
Really?
Drew Franklin
Yeah. I don't think that. Well, they already have an uphill climb as it is. But that schedule is not what you want to look at in a year where they need to win right away.
Ryan Lemond
When I look at the basketball season, I'm very eager to see how this.
Matt Jones
Team does, but that's not the answer.
Ryan Lemond
I had to use eager before the end of the show.
Matt Jones
And the football makes you anxious. All right.
Ryan Lemond
Football season makes me very anxious.
Matt Jones
All right. But it has to be in the. In the normal flow of the show. So the answer. What's the answer to the question I.
Ryan Lemond
Gave that the football team.
Matt Jones
You think it's. Oh, you think the football team gets 7?
Ryan Lemond
Football team. No, it makes me very anxious. Basketball team. I'm eager to see him make a final Four run.
Matt Jones
Which is more likely? The Final Four. Seven wins, no basketball.
Drew Franklin
Oh, my goodness.
Levar Arrington
The inconsistency.
Matt Jones
What are you doing?
Ryan Lemond
My answer is the basketball team.
Levar Arrington
Are you sure? Because I'm not.
Drew Franklin
Pretty straightforward question. I thought.
Matt Jones
Good grief. He. He's the one that needs to take a vacation until January 3rd. Go ahead, Shannon.
Levar Arrington
All right, let's go to Shannon.
Matt Jones
No, no, Your pick.
Caller
Merry Christmas.
Matt Jones
You got. None of you. Are any of you listening to the show?
Levar Arrington
Usually when you say, go ahead, Shannon.
Matt Jones
You know, what is your pick on what is more likely, more likely?
Levar Arrington
I think probably the basketball team getting to the final Four this year.
Matt Jones
Yeah, I'm going to say the basketball team as well, unfortunately, which is crazy to think a final four is more likely than a winning season.
Ryan Lemond
Seven wins. I don't know if it's out there.
Matt Jones
But I do think it's probably basketball. All right, go ahead, Shannon.
Levar Arrington
Okay, now you want me to go to a caller? Okay.
Matt Jones
Yes, Shannon, go ahead.
Caller
Well, every time you said that, I've been talking away every time. So I understand exactly how the confusion works, but Merry Christmas to everybody.
Matt Jones
Merry Christmas.
Caller
And Shannon, you did a great job summarizing the conundrum with the quarterback situation. Great summary. And you also have a very unique way of teaching people lessons. So thank you very much. But I wanted to go back to the Manchi own thing because I don't know if anybody knows this or not, but Diddy P. Diddy's lawyer and his lawyer are married.
Matt Jones
I've heard that. Yes.
Caller
Another. Another piece of weirdness to be thrown in there. And you guys have a great weekend. Go cats.
Matt Jones
Is his last name Mingion? That's our baseball coach.
Levar Arrington
Is his last name Mangione?
Matt Jones
I think Mangione. Okay. All right. There you go. Not exactly. Exactly the same. Who's next?
Levar Arrington
Tyler.
Matt Jones
Tyler. Go ahead, Tyler.
Drew Franklin
Hey, Matt.
Matt Jones
Yes. So with this historic weekend of sports.
Drew Franklin
As you say, did you and Jerry just forget to do fade this?
Matt Jones
No, we've had. We were on the road one week. Billy is not here this week to record it. So it's not. There's no forgetting. We just haven't. We just have not done one yet. But we will. You ever thought about getting Ryan on there? No, never one time have I thought about it.
Drew Franklin
Well, looking forward to the next episode.
Matt Jones
Thank you very much. We'll do. We're gonna do. We'll do one maybe Monday for. Well, he's gone actually Drew, so I don't know. But we will do one, I promise. And then we'll going to do versions of it during the football season as well. Who will have the best post game show if they lose their playoff game? Ohio State. Right. It's got to be Ohio State because after losing to Michigan they're firing their coach if they lose at home to Tennessee. I will say though the Tennessee one would be good too.
Ryan Lemond
Yes, it would.
Matt Jones
Which because they're going to be upset because they say that they can't win the big game. I think either. Whoever loses Tennessee. Ohio State will be a good one.
Drew Franklin
Tennessee's will be nasty. But if you were to lose at home as a touchdown favorite after losing a four straight to Michigan, it'll be chaos up there. I Ryan Day just head on out.
Matt Jones
I would also throw in if Penn State were to lose at home to smu. That's another one. They say James Franklin can't ever win a big game. If they were to lose at home to SMU after not seeing selling the stadium out and all that, I think that would be one that would make a good one.
Ryan Lemond
Yes. I just still blows my mind. But the fan base. Are they upset with what's going on at Penn State. You got a home playoff game. But one of those two, Ohio State or Penn State, would be the best one to listen to.
Matt Jones
Ohio. Ohio State. Like, literally, that job may come open. And I would say to you, if the Ohio State job comes open, there'll be some dominoes there, right? Because Ohio State will go hire somebody else's coach who will then have to go hire a coach. So the Ohio State jobs, the kind of job that can just shake up college football if it were to become open.
Drew Franklin
We just saw this with Nick Saban. I hate comparing Ryan Day to Nick Saban because they're not on the same plane. But Saban was a late retirement, and it just changed so many jobs across the country. Once the dominoes started falling, one person.
Matt Jones
Writes in and says, matt, do you think if a job came open that Mark Stoops wanted and he got that he would take.
Drew Franklin
Huh, Ohio State?
Matt Jones
Well, he's not gonna get Ohio State. But if he were. Yeah, I mean, yeah, I do. I think he's still. I mean, look, this. They know how awkward this situation is. I mean, they know kind of what it is. I don't think he's gonna get an offer from a job that would. I don't think there are many jobs he would leave for maybe 15. And I don't think he'll get any of those job offers if they came open, but if they did, I certainly think Drew, he would consider it. I mean, you know, they know the situation they're in too, right?
Drew Franklin
I mean, he's got to be filling this. I know he's not online like fans are online.
Matt Jones
Oh, he's definitely feeling.
Drew Franklin
He knows. He knows the situation.
Matt Jones
He's definitely. I. I've talked about this a lot. I think John Caliperi. It's interesting. I think Cal and Stoops have completely different problems. John Calipari was way too detached. He had no idea how this fan base felt. He heard the criticism and thought it was a vocal minority led by a radio host. He didn't realize that the majority of fans had turned on him. And I think he really was shocked when they lost to Oakland at what happened when he got home and there were many people saying he might get let go. He couldn't believe it. He thought that was like fantasy. So he was too detached. I think Mark Stubbs, his problem is almost the other way. He almost hears too much. I think he feels the criticism so much that, like, he needs to tune it out a little bit. Like, he hears too much of it. I think they're like polar ends of the same spectrum. Cal had no idea what was going on and Stoops almost worries about it too much. And oddly, Ryan, I think it causes the same problem in some ways that they are worried too much about what people think then really just getting it done.
Ryan Lemond
It's good to hear you say that because I'm not for sure. Stoop knew that people, the fan base was.
Matt Jones
He definitely knew.
Ryan Lemond
And like they're upset with how the offensive line, I mean, but if he's aware of all that, then maybe that he won't take steps to fix.
Matt Jones
But he's been. I like Stoops, but he's been too aware of it for a long time. He. He hears, he worries a lot about the criticism. It's what I think caused a lot of his. I mean, go back to the pony up statement. Does anybody remember how the pony up statement came by? Anybody remember why, how that happened?
Drew Franklin
Because the.
Matt Jones
He had a caller call into his post game show and basically say, why don't we have the players? And he goes, well, why don't you all pony up? It was him being upset about a criticism that then led him to say, drew something stupid in my mind.
Drew Franklin
Yeah. And the comparison. Comparison Cal and Stoops. Stoops knows he has a problem because he's been living it for the whole season. Cal all year thought he had a great team. And just at the end of the season, out of nowhere, oh my God, Oakland happened. So I think he was just caught off guard completely that his team wasn't even in the tournament anymore. Whereas Stoops, he knows there's been a culture issue, even if they don't necessarily think they're as guilty as fans do. He knows that locker room has been good in a while.
Matt Jones
I think you will hear when he comes on this show, whenever that happens, I would be shocked if he doesn't acknowledge that there was a major culture problem. Like, I think they know it. I mean, you talk to people around the program, they know it. When Cal was here, there were problems, but the people just kind of. They didn't want to talk about it. These people know they had a group of. They let that culture slide in the last two or three years. And I think, Ryan, they know that, which is why I think they are trying to change it because they know it happened.
Ryan Lemond
Makes me hopeful as a fan to hear that, that if they're aware of it, they'll make steps to correct it and fix it and not let it happen again.
Matt Jones
I mean, it's fair to say, isn't it, Ryan, that you. You brought up. You let it roll that Stoops and I had a conversation on that drive to Seattle without me getting into it. You only heard one side. How would you characterize it? Again, you only heard my words. You didn't hear his words. But how would you characterize it?
Ryan Lemond
It was a little tense at times, the conversation. But I think you were saying some things that he needed to hear, and I couldn't hear what he was responding with. The way you were reacting made it sound like he was at least listening to what you were having to say to him. Bringing some thoughts and concerns from the fan base to him.
Matt Jones
Yeah, I mean, I guess I'll just be real. I just told him exactly what I thought was wrong. I. Not from a football perspective. I don't know anything about football. But I said to him, this is where the fans are. This is where they are. And to his credit, he listened. He did listen. And I said, this is where they are. Where they are. Whether it's fair or not, Drew, this is where they are. And there's gonna be people not like me say this. I don't think you are doing the coaches a favor if you're in the administration, if you don't let them honestly know where the fan base is. Like, if you try to hide it from them, that's a mistake. I think Cows people hid. They. They tried to hide everything that people thought from him, and it made him clueless about what the fan base thought. The Stoops people, I don't think they do that quite as much, but I do think they do it. And it's. I think you're doing them a disservice when you do that.
Drew Franklin
You don't want your coach to scroll on Twitter every night for bed.
Matt Jones
No, you don't.
Drew Franklin
Crazy. But they do need to have a good understanding. When the fans are as upset as they have been at this past season, they need to fill that a little bit to know that it's not just a few people that are loud on the radio or online or on tv, whatever. A big part of your audience, the people that are funding the program, are very mad at you. The easy thing a little bit.
Matt Jones
Yeah. The easy thing to do is go, Matt Jones said this, Drew Franklin said this, the Herald Leader wrote this, and then dismiss it. But it's important for people to know what the people sitting in this bar thing. And they don't. I don't think they do that. And I think that does the Coaches.
Ryan Lemond
And one thing you emphasize, the coach was you said do not. You can't make excuses. You know, you got to own it. You got to own up and not make excuses anymore.
Matt Jones
I did. I did say that. And he. And he does. In. In my opinion. Red state barbecue products, they're everywhere. And here's the latest. Kroger locations in Kentucky, southern Ohio and southern Indiana. Same thing at liquor barn in Lexington, Danville and etown Jungle gyms in Fairfield. Critch in Cincinnati. Critchfield's on southland drives. And now the publix in Louisville. RedState Barbecue.com for sauces. RedState BBQ.com they got sauces, rubs, gift cards and more. It's red state barbecue. Have a great holiday and a smoking new year. We'll take a break. Be right back. Final segment, Kentucky sports radio. Welcome back. Final segment of Kentucky sports radio here live. Come on. Final segment. Welcome back to There we go. Shannon is taking two weeks off for. For Christmas. So he plays my favorite Christmas song to finish it. Well, not my favorite. It's. That's little drummer boy. But I do love do they know it's Christmas with the. With Bono saying, by the way, there's been a big redo of this song where they're like, you know what? We acknowledge some of those words were terrible, but people still like it. And I still like it, even though it's kind of ridiculous.
Drew Franklin
Have you been driving around playing it in your car?
Matt Jones
I do it. Really? It'll come in when I'm driving to Middlesboro. That's when. That's when I'll play it. Yes.
Drew Franklin
Is it bad form to do pentatonix at Christmas? I know they're a little new, but I've been.
Matt Jones
I don't know what pentatonix is.
Drew Franklin
They're a little. They're a little popish.
Matt Jones
What are you laughing about?
Drew Franklin
Church.
Matt Jones
What is it? Is that like acapella or like. It's like they got the.
Drew Franklin
Got the guy from Owensboro with like a really deep voice. Yeah, it's a group.
Ryan Lemond
Yeah. They don't have many instruments.
Matt Jones
Were they on like America's got talent or something like that?
Drew Franklin
They always. They've been to rough a few times, but that's. That's been on my playlist recently is why I brought it up.
Matt Jones
Yeah.
Drew Franklin
Well, really traditional music.
Matt Jones
Yeah. Well, seems great. Court physical therapy, K R t dot com. If you need physical therapy needs court. Is there no reason to be in pain? Call our good friends at court physical therapy. 70 locations all around the state. It is court dot com. That's k o r t dot com. Jeff Goodman listed his 10 craziest fan bases in college basketball. May I read you the list?
Ryan Lemond
Let's go.
Matt Jones
All right, first of all, I'll give the spoiler. Number one is Kentucky. Yeah, but to me, that's easy. Like there's no reason. But I am shocked by numbers two through ten.
Ryan Lemond
Okay, let's see. It's here.
Matt Jones
Number ten, Purdue. Okay, I'm all right with that one. Number eight, nine, Arizona. Okay, I'm all right with that one. Number eight, Providence.
Ryan Lemond
Providence.
Matt Jones
Providence. Now, they do have a crazy home fan base if you've ever been, but still odd. Number seven, Auburn.
Ryan Lemond
They probably deserve to be in the top 10.
Matt Jones
Six Indiana.
Ryan Lemond
Yeah.
Matt Jones
How about number five? Or, excuse me, number four, Texas Tech.
Drew Franklin
Interesting.
Matt Jones
Number five is Yukon.
Ryan Lemond
Yeah.
Matt Jones
Three Arkansas. Two Illinois. They don't have Duke, don't have North Carolina, don't have Kansas on the list.
Ryan Lemond
When you said, I thought for sure Duke was going to be on the top 10 list for sure.
Matt Jones
If I was doing this, Kansas is number two. I go Kentucky one, Kansas two. I'm shocked you could do a list like this and not have Kansas because.
Ryan Lemond
He'S got a couple fan bases on there. I never think about being crazy basketball. Texas, Purdue, Texas Tech.
Drew Franklin
Would you. I mean, Providence, even Illinois at number two. They don't even come to mind. When I think of basketball fan bases.
Matt Jones
I cannot believe you would not have Kansas on that list. To me, that's a. That's, that's crazy.
Drew Franklin
The Cameron Crazies.
Matt Jones
Yeah, I mean, I understand Duke shouldn't be as high as people think, but they certainly should be on the list somewhere. Who's up next?
Levar Arrington
Let's go to Andy from Ohio.
Matt Jones
Andy. Go ahead, Andy.
Caller
Hey, Matt. What's going on, man?
Matt Jones
What's up?
Caller
Hey, listen, man, I mean, everybody needs to look at Texas. Look at Arch Manning. He's a five star coming out of high school, highly sought after. He's a five star, being patient. He's over there on the bench learning the system. He ain't getting hurt and what. Whatever their starter leaves next year, he's going to have two years in the system fresh. He's going to know everything about the system, what's going on in the program, steps right in. You know, it ain't going to hurt Ketter to set one more year, you know, behind C. If King be a good leader and that offensive line gets, you know, solidified. Because let's face it, last year's line didn't Do Brock any, any justice. Right?
Matt Jones
Yeah.
Caller
You know what I'm saying? Just a set. You know what I'm trying to say.
Matt Jones
Generally speaking, I agree with everything you just said. It's a little different for Arch Manning. I appreciate the call because he's from the Manning family. Money is not an issue for Arch Manning. You know, they have a longer term plan. They knew, I think when they came in he was going to sit two years. But generally speaking, I mean, not starting until you're a junior is not crazy for a lot of these guys. Ryan.
Ryan Lemond
Not at all. I think the, the caller and Drew both kind of hit on something.
Matt Jones
They got the snowing outside.
Ryan Lemond
Is it snowing now?
Matt Jones
It's snowing here, yeah. Wow.
Ryan Lemond
Neither quarterback is going to have success if the line is not successful next year. That's the main thing. They got to have a better offensive line for either one of those guys to be.
Matt Jones
Snow's coming down a little bit out there, Drew.
Drew Franklin
Yeah, coming down. I don't think we mentioned it. We got historical. Oh, can't talk.
Matt Jones
Did you just stutter?
Drew Franklin
Wow. I was getting hyped up for Memorial Coliseum today. The women play at six today.
Matt Jones
Yeah. So let's go over scheduling. Women play basketball today against Belmont at 6:00. If you're in Lexington looking for something to do, I think there are still tickets available tomorrow. So tonight Indiana, Notre dame play at eight playoff games all tomorrow, Kentucky and Ohio State at 5:30. Our pregame show will start at 3. I'm watching the game here tomorrow for people who are asking, we don't do reservations. It will be first come, first serve for the game hosting trivia on Monday, by the way. So if you're home for the holidays and you've never played my trivia, I'm hosting Monday. Always a different crowd for the Christmas break one. So if you want to bring your family and have some family trivia, Ryan, that's Monday night, right before Christmas.
Ryan Lemond
I got some of my dream team here today. We're gonna, we're coming to.
Matt Jones
I like how you switch the dream team. You've given away all your friends for people that are smart.
Ryan Lemond
Duh.
Drew Franklin
Trying to be more consistent with them.
Matt Jones
That's right. Tomorrow, 3:00, KSR pregame show. Thank you all very much for coming today at lunch. We really appreciate it. This has been Kentucky Sports Radio.
KSR - Hour 2 Podcast Summary
Release Date: December 20, 2024
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.
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.
Transfer Portal Additions: Kentucky has recently acquired a tight end from Illinois, a wide receiver from Oklahoma, and confirmed Zach Calzada as their quarterback.
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."
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..."
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."
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."
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."
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.
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."
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."
The hosts engage in a lively discussion about the upcoming playoff games, offering their predictions and reasoning behind their choices.
Indiana vs. Notre Dame
Bookie Odds: Notre Dame favored by 6.5 points.
Picks:
Matt Jones (20:21): "I'm taking Notre Dame. What about you, Shannon?"
Penn State vs. SMU
Bookie Odds: Penn State favored by 8.5 points.
Picks:
Drew Franklin (22:11): "Should be Penn State, Alabama. That's what it should be."
Texas vs. Clemson
Tennessee vs. Ohio State
Bookie Odds: Tennessee as a 7.5-point underdog.
Picks:
Ryan Lemond (23:04): "I think this is an ass kicking a beat down tomorrow."
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.
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:
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."
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.
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.
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?"
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)
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.