KSR Podcast Episode Summary: Hour 2 (March 17, 2025)

Presented by iHeartPodcasts and Sports Talk 790 (WKRD-AM)
Hosts: Matt Jones, Ryan Lemon, Drew Franklin, Shannon "The Dude"

1. Opening Discussion and Milwaukee Trip Plans

Timestamp: [02:05] - [04:15]

Shannon "The Dude" introduces the second hour of the Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) show, inviting listeners to participate via phone and text. The crew discusses potential activities for a trip to Milwaukee, presenting three listener-suggested options:

1. National Bobblehead Museum:

   • Drew Franklin: "I'll let someone else send me a postcard from there. I don't think I need to know." ([02:29])
   • Consensus: No interest from all hosts.

2. Jeffrey Dahmer Walking Tour:

   • Ryan Lemon: "God." ([02:50])
   • Matt Jones: "That's a hard pass on me too, Drew." ([02:54])
   • Consensus: No interest due to the macabre nature.

3. Shakers – One of America's Most Haunted Bars:

   • Shannon "The Dude": "They have been said to be the most haunted of any drinking establishment in America." ([02:50])
   • Ryan Lemon: "As long as they got the game on, I'm good." ([03:21])
   • Drew Franklin: "I used to have a ghost. I like a good beer. I will check that one out." ([03:34])
   • Consensus: Positive interest, leading to plans for visiting the haunted bar.

Additionally, Drew Franklin recommends visiting the Old Historic Pabst Beer Distillery and the Milwaukee Public Market for tours and dining ([03:54]).

2. Behind-the-Scenes at ESPN and Broadcast Environment

Timestamp: [04:15] - [05:39]

The hosts reminisce about tours of ESPN facilities:

• Shannon "The Dude" reflects on the reality of ESPN as an office complex rather than the glamorous entity imagined during childhood.

  • "It's just a massive office complex in the middle of a small town in Connecticut." ([04:56])

• Matt Jones compares it humorously to Disney World, only to confirm it's merely an office building ([05:04]).

• Shannon "The Dude" shares a sentimental note about the decommissioned field once used by "Baseball Tonight," expressing sadness over its repurposing for storage ([05:39]).

3. NCAA Tournament Insights and Team Health Updates

Timestamp: [07:03] - [14:34]

The discussion shifts to the NCAA Tournament, focusing on the University of Kentucky's (UK) prospects and player health:

• Listener Peggy calls in to discuss Lamont Butler's return:

  • Shannon: "If Lamont's healthy, I fully expect we should win that first game." ([08:07])

• Drew Franklin emphasizes Butler's impact on Kentucky's defense: "He takes them to another level." ([08:07])

• Health Concerns:

  • Ryan Lemon and Shannon "The Dude" discuss potential injuries among UK players, including rumors about Travis Perry's shooting hand injury. However, without credible sources, they remain skeptical ([09:00] - [10:06]).

  • Drew Franklin adds: "That's from an anonymous UK account." ([09:58])

• Bracing for March Madness:

  • Drew Franklin: "High Point quietly has one of the best offenses in college basketball. They get like 83 points a game." ([28:29])

  • Shannon "The Dude": "I'm picking Liberty over Oregon, High Point over Purdue, and McNeese over Clemson." ([30:09])

4. Listener Interactions and Bracket Predictions

Timestamp: [07:03] - [35:55]

Multiple listeners call in with questions and bracket predictions:

• Mark Anthony ([07:03]):

  • "If Lamont's fully healthy, where does that put us? Elite 8 or Sweet 16?"

  • Drew Franklin: "I fully expect and think they should win that first game." ([08:07])

• Nancy ([22:58]):

  • Discusses attending the NCAA tournament in Indianapolis and expresses curiosity about who the hosts are cheering for in Duke vs. Louisville.

  • Matt Jones: "If they meet in the NCAA tournament, I'm picking Duke over Louisville." ([21:08])

• Jake ([30:23]):

  • Seeks technical support for the KSR app.

  • Shannon "The Dude" and Drew Franklin guide him to download the app via on3sports.com ([31:00] - [32:20]).

• Billy ([32:50]):

  • Excited about the Cats coming to Milwaukee and offers accommodation at his parents' house.

  • The hosts humorously decline, discussing pierogies and firewood logistics ([32:51] - [35:55]).

5. Social Media Trends and TikTok Viral Moments

Timestamp: [24:07] - [27:16]

The hosts delve into current social media trends, particularly TikTok:

• Recreating Fresh Prince Moments:

  • Shannon "The Dude" introduces a viral TikTok trend: recreating a famous "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" scene where Tatiana Ali's character dances with headphones on, only to be mocked by Will Smith's character ([25:06] - [25:44]).

  • Matt Jones and Ryan Lemon discuss their willingness to participate, leading to playful banter about performing the dance ([25:27] - [27:16]).

6. Breaking News and NCAA Tournament Developments

Timestamp: [37:51] - [43:18]

Two major breaking news items are discussed:

1. CBS Behind-the-Scenes Coverage:

   • Shannon "The Dude" announces that UK is one of six teams featured in CBS's "NCAA Tournament Confidential" series.

   • Matt Jones expresses skepticism based on past experiences: "History has not been kind to Kentucky when they go behind the scenes and do stuff like that." ([37:51], [38:36])

   • Drew Franklin adds that UK previously did not advance far despite the exposure ([38:36]).

2. West Virginia Governor's Lawsuit Against NCAA:

   • Shannon "The Dude" reports that West Virginia's governor plans to sue the NCAA for their tournament selections.

   • Matt Jones and Ryan Lemon dismiss the lawsuit's potential impact, labeling it ineffective ([38:38] - [39:10]).

7. Light-Hearted Moments and Personal Anecdotes

Timestamp: [35:31] - [43:18]

Amidst the sports discussions, the hosts share humorous and personal stories:

• Shannon "The Dude" recounts a funny incident at the Kid Rock Bar, including interactions with Mario and playful critiques of colleague Ryan Lemon's social media presence ([13:32] - [17:46]).

• Drew Franklin admits to enjoying live music at a bar despite not being a fan of Kid Rock ([13:32]).

• Bringing Up Bill Belichick:

  • Shannon "The Dude" mentions a viral photo of Bill Belichick doing yoga with his girlfriend, sparking a humorous dialogue about recreating the image ([39:20] - [40:26]).

• Pierogi Discussion:

  • Billy offers to host the crew for a trip, leading to a light-hearted explanation of pierogies and their ingredients ([34:34] - [35:55]).

8. Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts

Timestamp: [43:18] - [43:18]

As the episode wraps up, the hosts express excitement for the upcoming NCAA Tournament, highlighting the thrill of March Madness and the abundance of games ([43:13] - [43:18]).

Notable Quotes

• Shannon "The Dude": "Clams would not feel happy and your strawberry cone would taste sort of clammy." ([00:49])

• Shannon "The Dude": "I am picking Liberty over Oregon, High Point over Purdue, and McNeese over Clemson." ([30:09])

• Matt Jones: "The NCAA tournament. March Madness is the best thing in all of sports." ([18:14])

• Shannon "The Dude": "Everyone should know this. Even my mom should know this is about to be the most liked TikTok video of all time." ([26:36])

• Shannon "The Dude": "He do it on purpose." ([39:34])

Conclusion

This episode of KSR's Hour 2 offers an engaging blend of sports analysis, listener interaction, humor, and current trends. The hosts provide insightful commentary on the NCAA Tournament, particularly focusing on Kentucky's prospects, while also maintaining a light-hearted atmosphere through personal anecdotes and social media discussions. Notable moments include the planning of a Milwaukee trip, bracket predictions, and the exploration of viral TikTok trends, ensuring a comprehensive and entertaining listen for both regular followers and newcomers.