Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) Episode Summary – January 24, 2025

Host and Crew:

• Matt Jones
• Ryan Lemond
• Shannon "The Dude"
• Drew Franklin
• Evan
• Callers

1. Championship Games Predictions

Discussion on AFC and NFC Championships

The crew delves into the upcoming AFC and NFC championship games, focusing on the matchup between the Washington Commanders and the Philadelphia Eagles. A significant highlight is the performance of rookie quarterback Jaden Daniels for the Commanders.

• Ryan Lemond expresses confidence in the Commanders covering the spread:

  “I'm a bet on the commanders because I think either. I think it's toss up and the commanders are getting six and a half points. So if it's a toss up and I get six and a half, I'm going to take it.” (02:33)

• Drew Franklin sides with the Eagles, citing their recent victory and overall team strength:

  “Man, they got that huge win last weekend winning at Detroit. A team I thought was super bowl bound for sure. Now they got to go to Philly. Gonna be tough to win that one. I'm gonna take Philly.” (02:24)

• Shannon "The Dude" remains optimistic about the Commanders despite Ryan’s initial skepticism, ultimately leaning towards supporting Washington:

  “I would pull for any team over the Eagles. I'm going to go with the commanders. Let’s go. Washington. Hopefully they make the super bowl and I would love to actually see them win the Super Bowl.” (03:57)

Mahomes and the Chiefs' Dominance

The discussion shifts to the Kansas City Chiefs and quarterback Patrick Mahomes, with Ryan highlighting Mahomes' potential legacy:

“Mahomes is going to retire likely as the best quarterback of all time. It's either going to be him or Brady when his career is over.” (05:16)

However, opinions differ on whether the Chiefs will maintain their unbeaten streak in the championship game, with Evan forecasting a Bills' victory:

“I'm rooting for the Bills really hard, but I just can't pick against Kansas City...” (05:58)

2. Recruitment News: Cade Wilson’s Decision

Cade Wilson Chooses North Carolina Over Kentucky

A pivotal moment in the episode is the analysis of Cade Wilson’s decision to commit to North Carolina, a move that has stirred emotions among the Kentucky fan base.

• Evan expresses disappointment but acknowledges the evolving landscape of college recruiting:

  “I'm not going to act like I'm not disappointed. I really wanted him to be a part of the team.” (07:17)

• Ryan Lemond discusses the impact of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) and the role of TJ Bisner in Wilson’s recruitment:

  “TJ Bisner, who started on the KSR blog as a volunteer writer, is now in charge of Nil at North Carolina and steals a recruit from Kentucky.” (07:59)

• Shannon "The Dude" empathizes with the challenge Bisner faces:

  “Imagine, though, being a lifelong Kentucky fan, and then your job goes against your heart and you gotta recruit against Kentucky.” (10:17)

Strategies Moving Forward

The crew discusses potential strategies for Kentucky to fill the void left by Wilson’s commitment, emphasizing the importance of leveraging the transfer portal and focusing on recruiting versatile players to fit Mark Pope’s system.

• Ryan Lemond highlights the team's depth and future prospects:

  “We have three returning, three freshmen, three recruits. Now you can go to the transfer portal and get the guys you need to fill the holes to fit your system.” (41:53)

3. Discussion on Cal’s Attitude and Fan Relations

Cal’s Decline in Fan Relations

A caller addresses the negative shift in attitudes from Cal, particularly when the team starts underperforming.

• Caller shares frustrations:

  “When it started, the talking down to fans and acting like we're idiots, that’s when I think it really started turning south.” (11:10)

• Ryan Lemond and Drew Franklin agree, citing Cal’s consistent arrogance regardless of the team's performance:

  “Well, I think there's a lot of truth to that. Like, you can be arrogant when you're winning.” (12:53)

Impact on Team Morale

The hosts reflect on how Cal’s demeanor during winning times masked underlying issues, leading to strained relationships with fans as performance waned.

• Shannon "The Dude" adds:

  “He never changed his tone. He kept that same attitude throughout his career. Even when he was losing.” (12:46)

4. SEC Games Predictions

Breaking Down Key Matchups

The crew engages in a spirited debate about upcoming SEC games, offering insights and predictions for each matchup:

1. Mississippi State vs. South Carolina

   • Shannon and Drew predict a win for Mississippi State due to South Carolina’s struggles.

     “Mississippi State. I think playing Florida close will only hurt South Carolina in this game.” (29:07)

2. Texas A&M vs. Texas

   • Shannon and Drew favor Texas A&M, citing their strong team performance.

     “Texas has struggled adapting to SEC life. I think Texas A&M is the better team.” (29:35)

3. Georgia vs. Florida

   • Shannon opts for Florida, while others are divided, with Drew supporting Georgia.

     “Show respect for Florida’s current form. I'll take Florida.” (29:59)

4. Ole Miss vs. Missouri

   • Shannon backs Ole Miss, whereas Evan and Drew support Missouri’s turnaround.

     “Ole Miss is the better team.” (30:28)

5. Alabama vs. LSU

   • A consensus leans towards Alabama securing a home victory against LSU.

6. Tennessee vs. Auburn

   • Shannon, Evan, and Drew predict Auburn’s dominance, pointing to Tennessee’s offensive struggles.

     “I think Auburn wins this game.” (31:32)

5. Community Engagement and Listener Calls

Listener Participation

The episode features multiple callers contributing their opinions and engaging in the discussion:

• Caller Darren celebrates his 63rd birthday and inquires about dining options, prompting a light-hearted exchange about KSR’s offerings. (32:35)

• Caller from Henderson discusses a cow documentary and its portrayal of Kentucky’s football season, leading to reflections on Netflix’s coverage of KSR’s recent games. (20:34)

• Caller Darren also shares thoughts on DraftKings and Skyline ice cream, sparking humorous banter among the hosts about the potential ice cream flavors. (38:33)

• Caller Otis expresses pride in Mark Pope’s coaching and recruitment strategies, emphasizing the importance of retaining committed players over high-profile recruits. (39:34)

6. Promotions and Giveaways

Excitement for Upcoming Giveaways

Throughout the episode, the hosts announce various giveaways, including UK tickets and KS bar gift cards, encouraging listener participation and engagement.

• Ryan Lemond promotes the show’s partnerships and thanks the audience for their support, highlighting the podcast’s growth:

  “We have had over the course of January probably our highest consistent podcast listening numbers since we've been doing this.” (24:48)

7. Closing Remarks and Future Outlook

Looking Ahead

The crew expresses optimism for Kentucky’s upcoming season, fueled by improved team performance and an energized fan base. They discuss plans for attending the Final Four and potential conflicts with show schedules if Kentucky advances.

• Ryan Lemond shares personal anecdotes about balancing show commitments with sporting events:

  “If Kentucky were in the Final Four, I'm going to the Final Four.” (26:10)

Final Thoughts

The episode concludes with gratitude towards sponsors like Don Franklin Hyundai and a reaffirmation of the show's commitment to delivering engaging sports content to the Kentucky fan base.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Ryan Lemond on Mahomes' potential legacy:

  “Mahomes is going to retire likely as the best quarterback of all time.” (05:16)

• Shannon "The Dude" on supporting the Commanders:

  “I would pull for any team over the Eagles. I'm going to go with the commanders.” (03:57)

• Evan on losing Cade Wilson:

  “I'm not going to act like I'm not disappointed. I really wanted him to be a part of the team.” (07:17)

• Caller on Cal’s attitude:

  “When it started, the talking down to fans and acting like we're idiots, that’s when I think it really started turning south.” (11:10)

This episode of KSR offers a comprehensive look into the latest developments in Kentucky sports, offering expert analysis, passionate discussions, and active listener engagement. Whether predicting championship outcomes, dissecting recruitment challenges, or engaging with the community, the KSR crew delivers insightful and entertaining content for all Kentucky sports enthusiasts.