Podcast Summary: KSR - Hour 1 (January 3, 2025)

Hosted by Matt Jones and the KSR crew from iHeartPodcasts and Sports Talk 790 (WKRD-AM), this episode of Kentucky Sports Radio covers a range of topics including severe weather forecasts, interactions with local weather personalities, recent incidents affecting sports, and updates on Kentucky's basketball teams.

1. Weather Forecast and Implications

The episode begins with an in-depth discussion about the upcoming winter storm poised to impact Kentucky. Matt Jones and his co-hosts, Ryan Lemon and Drew Franklin, delve into the varying weather predictions, primarily focusing on snowfall and freezing rain.

• Snow Predictions: Ryan Lemon cites the latest forecasts predicting "anywhere between eight to nine inches" of snow ([01:49] - [01:55]).

  Ryan Lemon: "Morning on the radio coming in, they're predicting anywhere between eight to nine inches." [01:49]

• Freezing Rain Concerns: There is a concern that while northern Kentucky might receive substantial snowfall, central Kentucky could experience freezing rain, which poses significant hazards.

  Ryan Lemon: "If it changes like you like you said yesterday, the northern Kentucky could get eight to nine and we might get the ice here in central Kentucky." [01:58] - [02:04]

Matt emphasizes the importance of preparation, noting the potential for power outages and travel disruptions:

Matt Jones: "Do you expect power to go out in lots of the state?" [21:54]

Chris Bailey: "I would say there is going to be a large chunk of power outages coming up. Yes." [21:58]

2. Interactions with Local Weather Personalities

The conversation shifts to social media interactions with prominent local weather forecasters, particularly Chris Bailey and Mark Weinberg. Matt Jones shares his attempts to engage Chris Bailey through tagging on social media to secure his appearance on the show, highlighting a humorous yet frustrating experience:

Matt Jones: "I tweeted out something that kind of... feeling a little froggy, right? I just did a little thing saying, you know, where could I find a good snow output computer model..." [03:28] - [04:14]

The crew discusses previous on-air antics, such as making light of Mark Weinberg's live on-air moment when he "farted," which they believe may have strained their relationship:

Shannon The Dude: "I don't trust Chris Bailey." [04:53]

Matt Jones: "He did pass gas, if we're being... he did on the air." [05:24]

Their attempts to involve Chris Bailey in the discussion demonstrate the blend of professional respect and camaraderie among local media personalities.

3. Incident Involving Parker Jones and Its Impact

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to analyzing an incident involving Parker Jones, a walk-on player at the University of Georgia (UGA). During a game, Parker Jones interfered with a referee, leading to a penalty that some believe impacted the game's outcome. The hosts use this incident to draw parallels with past similar events, such as the infamous Bartman incident.

• Incident Overview:

  Matt Jones: "Parker Jones, he's just like a walk-on. He's one of those dudes that they're not going to have on football teams anymore when the new regulations come." [26:30]

• Public and Media Reaction:

  The hosts express sympathy for Jones, criticizing ESPN's decision to focus on him during the game's critical moments:

  Matt Jones: "ESPN was just diabolical. ... He didn't do anything. Like he's picking his nose on TV at that moment." [28:49]

  Ryan Lemon: "He is now George's Bartman. ... everybody on that campus knows who that kid is." [27:27]

The discussion highlights the intense scrutiny athletes face and the rapid spread of public criticism via social media.

4. Kentucky Men's Basketball Team Update

The KSR crew provides an update on the Kentucky men's basketball team, emphasizing both challenges and prospects.

• Upcoming Game Against Florida:

  The team is set to play against Florida early morning, a historically unusual time which Matt questions:

  Matt Jones: "Why are we playing at 11?" [10:56]

• Key Players and Strategies:

  The importance of players like Walter Clayton Jr. and Lamont Butler is discussed, with particular attention to their matchups against Florida's star players.

  Ryan Lemon: "Unfortunately, I'm not really confident because I think Florida is really, really good." [11:25]

  Matt Jones: "He's 7 foot 9. Have you seen him?" [11:45]

• Game Significance:

  The hosts speculate that the forthcoming game could be pivotal for Kentucky's standing in the SEC and their chances in the SEC tournament.

  Matt Jones: "This could be a game that's a tiebreaker to get a double buy in the SEC tournament." [14:35]

5. Kentucky Women's Basketball Highlights

Transitioning to women's basketball, Matt highlights the recent success of the Kentucky women's team under Coach Kenny Brooks.

• Historic Win:

  The team secured their first SEC win, with two players hitting seven three-pointers each—a first in the program's history.

  Matt Jones: "First time in program history that two different players on the team both made seven three-pointers in a game." [37:09]

• Player Performances:

  Standout performances by Georgia Moore and Deja Lawrence are praised, showcasing the team's depth and skill.

  Drew Franklin: "Deja was 7 for 8 at one point." [38:50]

The crew expresses optimism about the women's team's trajectory and their potential under Coach Brooks.

6. Listener Calls and Community Engagement

Throughout the episode, listeners contacted the show with various topics, ranging from weather tips to restaurant recommendations.

• DoorDash Discussion:

  Ryan Lemon shares insights about his experience as a DoorDash driver, including challenges with tips and potential collaborations with the show.

  Matt Jones: "Would you want to take a night that you just delivered directly from ksbar, Take out the Middleman of Doordash?" [30:07]

• Restaurant Recommendations:

  Drew Franklin and Ryan Lemon recommend local Lexington restaurants such as Carson's, Tulip, and Giuseppe's, emphasizing their unique appeal to both locals and visitors.

  Ryan Lemon: "I always recommend Carson's because it's not ridiculously expensive like Tony's and Jeff, Ruby's." [34:32]

• Listener Feedback:

  Calls also included feedback on show formats and interactions, with suggestions for improving listener engagement.

  Listener: "Even with weathermen, you always interrupt them. Why don't you let people finish the sentence?" [24:25]

7. Additional Discussions and Anecdotes

The hosts share anecdotes and engage in light-hearted banter to maintain an entertaining atmosphere.

• Foot Size Joke:

  A playful exchange about Ryan's feet size:

  Matt Jones: "Do you hear me? So I had a question. Got a question for Ryan. ... How's your feet, Rex?" [31:07]

• DoorDash Driver Incident:

  Matt recounts an alarming incident where a DoorDash driver assaulted a restaurant employee, underscoring issues of customer and service provider relations.

  Matt Jones: "He spits on the woman. ... He spat on the woman. She calls the police." [33:30] - [33:45]

• Fun Hypotheticals:

  The crew speculates humorously about hypothetical scenarios, such as having their weatherman participate in a wrestling match or transferring a misbehaving athlete.

  Matt Jones: "If you were him on the sideline?" [28:16]

Conclusion:

This episode of Kentucky Sports Radio offers listeners a comprehensive overview of imminent weather challenges, detailed analyses of sports-related incidents, and enthusiastic updates on Kentucky's basketball teams. Through engaging dialogue and interactive segments with listeners, Matt Jones and the KSR crew provide a blend of informative content and community-oriented entertainment, ensuring that both sports enthusiasts and local residents stay informed and connected.

For more updates and to participate in the conversation, listeners are encouraged to call in at 859-280-2287 and engage with the KSR community.