KSR Podcast Episode Summary: January 30, 2025 – Hour 2
Podcast Information:
- Title: KSR
- Hosts: 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: 2025-01-30- KSR - Hour 2
- Release Date: January 30, 2025
1. Welcome and Host Updates (01:30 - 05:00)
The second hour of the Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) podcast commenced with Ryan Lemon updating listeners on the absence of Matt Jones, who is currently on the disabled list due to illness. The crew extended their well-wishes for his speedy recovery and expressed anticipation for his return during the upcoming show at Whiskey Thief in New Loo, downtown Louisville.
Ryan Lemon:
"Matt taking a day off for being on the disabled list. Woke up a little under the weather this morning. So we wish him, wish him a speedy recovery and we need him back for tomorrow's show at Whiskey Thief in New Loo, downtown Louisville."
(01:35)
2. Whiskey Thief Event and Poll Discussion (05:00 - 10:00)
Drew Franklin reminisced about last summer’s collaboration with Whiskey Thief, where they participated in selecting a barrel for the venue. The team hinted at more developments regarding this partnership in future episodes.
A significant segment focused on a listener poll regarding the appropriate reaction when Coach Mark Pope is announced at games. The poll options included booing, cheering, or staying silent. With Ryan highlighting the tight race between booing and cheering:
Drew Franklin:
"It's close. Less than a percent between the top two choices."
(03:04)
Ryan Lemon:
"So it's boo, don't boo or do nothing."
(03:11)
As the poll neared its end, the results were revealed:
- Boo: 37%
- Cheer: 36%
- Stay Silent: 27%
Ryan Lemon:
"Boo is 37%, Cheer is 36%, and Stay Silent is 27%."
(37:39)
The hosts discussed potential biases in online polling and speculated that local sentiments might lean more towards booing than the poll results suggested.
3. Mario’s Accurate Predictions and Team Dynamics (03:36 - 07:00)
The podcast delved into Mario’s impressive prediction streak, accurately forecasting Kentucky’s victories and final scores. Shannon the Dude offered a theory on Mario’s strategy:
Shannon the Dude:
"Mario gets all of our predictions individually and he gets to see what we all pick before he makes his pick. So see, he saw that all of us picked Tennessee and that was his opportunity to come in and be the hero and pick Kentucky."
(03:55)
Drew Franklin:
"Why don't I just do this? Why not just put us in a group chat."
(05:16)
The discussion hinted at fostering better communication among hosts to avoid potential biases in future predictions.
4. High School Basketball Update: Powell and Montgomery Counties (06:00 - 07:33)
Ryan Lemon provided an update on a recent altercation involving Powell County and Montgomery County basketball teams. The incident resulted in a two-game suspension for a Montgomery County player and automatic ejections for the entire Powell County bench for leaving the bench during the altercation.
Ryan Lemon:
"They left the bench. That's the rule that they broke. And so that's why they're suspended another two games."
(07:13)
The hosts debated the fairness of the suspension timeline, considering the impact on the teams' upcoming district games.
5. SEC Basketball Recap: Alabama vs. Mississippi State (07:45 - 08:41)
The Alabama vs. Mississippi State game was highlighted, showcasing Josh Hubbard’s standout performance. Despite sustaining an injury mid-game, Hubbard returned to score over 40 points, leading Alabama to a dramatic comeback victory over Mississippi State.
Matt Jones:
"Josh Hubbard became a superstar. I mean, the dude ended up with like 40 something points. He was unbelievable last night."
(07:54)
Drew Franklin:
"They thought Josh Hubbard would fluke, but he delivered again."
(08:17)
The hosts expressed admiration for Hubbard’s resilience and discussed the potential implications for upcoming Kentucky games.
6. Listener Interaction: Advice for Wes on Handling Haters (11:06 - 15:17)
Wes, a listener from Mount Sterling, sought advice on handling online criticism after his live game commentary went viral. The hosts advised maintaining professionalism and ignoring negative feedback.
Ryan Lemon:
"You did the right thing. Ignore the clutter, and don't even acknowledge it."
(13:06)
Drew Franklin:
"I would encourage you to do that. And I would also like to pay you a compliment because I watched that video a couple times. I thought you did a great job with the call."
(13:23)
Shannon the Dude reinforced the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of not letting anonymous online opinions affect personal well-being.
7. Interview with Jack Pilgrim from KSR (16:07 - 25:00)
Jack Pilgrim joined the hosts from Kentuckysportsradio.com to discuss the imminent game against Arkansas and Coach Mark Pope’s strategies. Matt Jones shared his conflicted feelings towards former coach John Calipari, highlighting the emotional complexity of facing an SEC rival coached by a beloved figure.
Matt Jones:
"It's weird. It's sad. John Calipari is someone I grew up with. ... Now, when that ball is tipped, they are an SEC rival, and you have to treat them the exact same way you would any other SEC rival."
(17:18)
The discussion touched upon player injuries, team dynamics, and the necessity of Kentucky securing victories to bolster their season standings.
8. Player Spotlight: Kobe Braya and Goose Givens (31:13 - 35:17)
The hosts featured an interview with Goose Givens and Kobe Braya post-Alabama game. Kobe Braya was recognized for his flawless shooting performance, and his heartfelt interaction with Goose Givens resonated with listeners.
Goose Givens:
"I'm so proud of you. Can you? Can I say that?"
(31:55)
Kobe Braya:
"It's about keep going, gotta keep shooting, gotta keep bringing energy for the team and make an impact somehow."
(32:36)
This segment underscored the supportive relationships within the team and highlighted moments of emotional connection between players and mentors.
9. Sponsorships and Advertisements
Throughout the episode, various sponsors presented their advertisements seamlessly integrated into the content:
- T-Mobile Advertisement (00:00 - 01:30): Offering incentives for switching carriers.
- Stockton Mortgage Advertisement (01:30 - 02:30): Highlighting their services and customer testimonials.
- Don Franklin Auto Dealership (16:07 - 16:49): Promoting their wide selection of vehicles and special offers.
- Cornbread Hemp Promotion (35:48 - 36:23): Encouraging a healthier lifestyle with their organic products.
- UK Federal Credit Union (36:23 - 37:21): Advertising high-yield savings accounts with competitive APY rates.
10. Final Discussions and Closing Remarks (25:00 - 43:17)
As the episode progressed, the hosts delved into the strategic aspects of upcoming games, emphasizing the importance of team cohesion and handling high-pressure situations. They also interacted with Arkansas radio hosts who joined the show, fostering a sense of camaraderie despite the upcoming rivalry matchup.
The hosts debated Kentucky’s inconsistent performance against top-tier teams versus seemingly weaker opponents, attributing fluctuations to player mentality and coaching strategies.
Matt Jones:
"When things do get tight, they kind of play hero ball... but against Tennessee, they buckled in and hit the big shots."
(25:25)
In the closing segment, Ryan Lemon highlighted a heartwarming post-game interaction between Kobe Braya and a young Tennessee fan, illustrating the positive impact of sportsmanship beyond the game.
Ryan Lemon:
"There's another video clip where Kobe, as he's walking off the floor, meets a little Tennessee fan... that was awesome."
(34:23)
Finally, the hosts encouraged listeners to attend the next live show at Whiskey Thief, emphasizing the vibrant and supportive community surrounding Kentucky Sports Radio.
Ryan Lemon:
"See you tomorrow live at Whiskey Thief in New Loo."
(43:17)
Notable Quotes:
-
Ryan Lemon (03:36):
"The a vision glass text machine, which is my cell phone today. Obviously it won't happen, but I would love to see the entire 20,000 Rupp arena crowd be completely silent when he enters…"
-
Shannon the Dude (03:55):
"Mario saw that all of us picked Tennessee and that was his opportunity to come in and be the hero and pick Kentucky."
-
Matt Jones (17:18):
"It's weird. It's sad. John Calipari is someone I grew up with... Now, when that ball is tipped, they are an SEC rival."
-
Goose Givens (31:55):
"I'm so proud of you. Can you? Can I say that?"
-
Kobe Braya (32:36):
"It's about keep going, gotta keep shooting, gotta keep bringing energy for the team and make an impact somehow."
Conclusions and Insights:
The KSR podcast episode provided an in-depth analysis of Kentucky’s basketball scene, touching upon team strategies, player dynamics, and upcoming rivalries. The hosts emphasized the importance of maintaining composure under pressure, the impact of accurate predictions on fan engagement, and the value of supportive relationships within the team. Listener interactions offered practical advice on handling online negativity, fostering a positive community atmosphere. Sponsored segments seamlessly integrated relevant services and products, maintaining the show's informative and engaging tone. Overall, the episode catered comprehensively to Kentucky sports enthusiasts, offering both analytical discourse and heartfelt moments.