2025-03-28- KSR - Hour 1

Summary

Podcast Summary: KSR - Hour 1 (March 28, 2025)

Hosted by Matt Jones and the KSR crew from iHeartPodcasts and Sports Talk 790 (WKRD-AM), this episode delves deep into the latest developments in UK sports, with a particular focus on the NCAA Sweet Sixteen basketball tournament. The discussion spans game analyses, coaching strategies, personal anecdotes, and listener interactions, providing a comprehensive overview for sports enthusiasts.

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1. Welcome and Sweet Sixteen Fever

Timestamp: [01:45] – [02:32]

Matt Jones kicks off the episode by highlighting the excitement surrounding Sweet Sixteen Day in Lexington, Kentucky. The spotlight is on the Kentucky Cats preparing to face Tennessee in a high-stakes game that promises intense competition.

Matt Jones ([01:51]): "It is Sweet Sixteen Day in Lexington, Kentucky as the Cats get ready to go up Road to Indianapolis tonight and play Tennessee in a massive Sweet 16 game that should be packed with the Big blue."

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2. Personal Challenges and Decision-Making

Timestamp: [02:32] – [05:00]

Matt shares a personal dilemma about attending the upcoming game despite dealing with a back injury. His commitment to the team and the pregame atmosphere is evident as he contemplates balancing his responsibilities and health.

Matt Jones ([02:33]): "I'm not exactly sure what to do... I'm worried about the hour at Tin Roof. I'm not really worried about the drive. I'm not even really worried about the game."

Ryan and Drew respond with empathy and humor, highlighting the camaraderie among the crew.

Ryan Lemond ([02:57]): "I'd crawl naked on broken glass to get this game."

Drew Franklin ([03:05]): "You saw me stumbling in here today."

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3. In-Depth Game Analysis: Arkansas vs. Cal

Timestamp: [04:00] – [09:00]

The crew provides a detailed critique of the Arkansas vs. Cal game, focusing on coaching decisions and player performances. They express frustration with Arkansas coach Mark Pope's strategies, particularly his handling of D.J. Wagner in critical moments.

Ryan Lemond ([05:00]): "I'm sure if they're at 10 roof any, we can find you a big chair and just plop you on the stage in a big old comfy chair."

Matt Jones ([07:00]): "When people. When any kid feels the weight of... It was the greatest hits, Drew. It was like everything we used to complain about in a nutshell."

The discussion underscores concerns about leadership and decision-making under pressure, questioning whether Arkansas can overcome its tactical shortcomings.

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4. Impact of Tournament Outcomes on Team Morale

Timestamp: [09:00] – [14:00]

Matt and the crew reflect on the emotional aftermath of Arkansas's loss, considering how it affects both the team and the fanbase. They discuss the relief felt by Kentucky supporters seeing Arkansas and BYU exit the tournament, reducing external pressures on their own team's performance.

Matt Jones ([08:34]): "There is no way this dude does not end up as a top five portal player. He's your point guard."

Ryan Lemond ([14:24]): "I still can't believe you went to sleep. Did you miss that?"

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5. Navigating the Transfer Portal and Recruiting Strategies

Timestamp: [20:05] – [35:00]

A significant portion of the discussion centers on Kentucky's approach to the transfer portal. The team analyzes Mark Pope's recruitment tactics, budgeting for new talent, and the potential impact of high-profile transfers like Donovan Dent.

Matt Jones ([23:13]): "If Pope wants him and he's everything that he's ranked in the portal right now, the top guard you can go get."

Drew Franklin ([33:38]): "In 3 million seems like a high number. But I trust Mark Pope to not just throw away a bag at someone that can mess up a locker room or you run out of money somewhere else."

The conversation highlights the challenges and considerations in maintaining a competitive roster through strategic acquisitions while managing financial constraints.

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6. Listener Engagement: Superstitions and Fan Stories

Timestamp: [25:06] – [30:08]

Listeners call in with unique perspectives and superstitions, such as correlating bird feeder activity with game outcomes. The crew handles these anecdotes with a blend of humor and skepticism, fostering an engaging rapport with the audience.

Caller ([27:33]): "I track it. And the birds don't lie. They don't."

Matt Jones ([28:02]): "This feels like your time is out of his mind. Like, are you serious? Like, is this a real call?"

These interactions add a personal touch, illustrating the diverse and passionate nature of the fanbase.

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7. State Championship Predictions and High School Basketball Insights

Timestamp: [35:00] – [44:37]

The discussion shifts to high school basketball, with predictions for state championships and standout teams like Great Crossing and Cooper. The crew debates potential winners, player performances, and coaching impacts, providing fans with insider knowledge and thoughtful analysis.

Ryan Lemond ([39:50]): "I've never wanted a high school team to win more than I want Cooper to win the entire thing."

Drew Franklin ([40:52]): "I would walk straight off the rope floor with it. Take it home."

The segment underscores the importance of grassroots sports and the excitement surrounding emerging talent in the local basketball scene.

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8. Upcoming Game Atmosphere and Crowd Expectations

Timestamp: [41:03] – [44:37]

The crew speculates on the atmosphere of the upcoming Kentucky vs. Tennessee game in Indianapolis. They discuss factors like ticket releases, potential crowd sizes, and the influence of fan enthusiasm on game dynamics.

Matt Jones ([43:27]): "I think Purdue will have the second most. And then I think Indiana after that."

Drew Franklin ([43:55]): "I think Kentucky will have the most. Just the Pope excitement and fans ready to."

This segment sets the stage for the anticipated showdown, highlighting the significance of fan presence in high-stakes games.

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9. Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

Timestamp: [44:37] – [44:37]

As the episode nears its end, Matt encourages listeners to join the live environment at KS Bar and Grill, emphasizing the communal aspect of supporting the team.

Matt Jones ([36:28]): "If you want to come watch the games here, we'll have them here at KS Bar. Get here early, get your seat, be loud and yeah, cheer them on. Should be a great environment in here tonight."

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Conclusion

This episode of KSR offers a rich blend of game analysis, personal stories, and interactive segments that resonate with Kentucky sports fans. From dissecting pivotal tournament games to engaging with listener superstitions, Matt Jones and the KSR crew deliver an informative and entertaining experience that underscores the passion and commitment of the UK sports community.

Transcript

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[Drew Franklin]

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[Matt Jones]

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[Shannon the Dude]

This is Kentucky Sports Radio presented by Stockton Mortgage. Now here's Matt Jones.

[Matt Jones]

Welcome everyone Kentucky Sports Radio Friday, March 28th. It is Sweet Sixteen Day in Lexington, Kentucky as the Cats get ready to go up Road to Indianapolis tonight and play Tennessee in a massive Sweet 16 game that should be packed with the Big blue. You can give us a shout Clark's pumping shop, phone line 859-280-22-2887. A Vision Auto Glass text machine is 772-774-5254 in this issue sponsored by the TJ Smith Law Office. If you call TJ, he'll make them pay. Ryan Yesterday I went to Red's opening day and right before I got out of the car to go to the game. I did one of my little back things again.

[Ryan Lemond]

Oh, no.

[Matt Jones]

Stumbling around in. In a little bit of pain trying to figure out, can I get myself to Indianapolis today? Because I want to go and I want to do the pregame show, but then I also have to leave for Europe next week and that. So I'm not exactly sure what to do.

[Ryan Lemond]

Not the best timing for you.

[Matt Jones]

The tournament is not coming a good time for me.

[Ryan Lemond]

No, it's not.

[Matt Jones]

Maybe they could move it next year to May. Drew.

[Drew Franklin]

I'd crawl naked on broken glass to get this game.

[Matt Jones]

He'S throwing.

[Ryan Lemond]

I heard that.

[Matt Jones]

You saw me stumbling in here today. He said he's over here going. I'd crawl through broken glass walking like.

[Ryan Lemond]

An old man today. How did you get to your seat in the stadium yesterday then?

[Matt Jones]

Not easy. Not easy. That was, you know, but you're already there. What are you gonna do? You gonna leave? So. So I was there. The seat sitting is fine. It's the walk, the walking, the walking. That's a little bit of a hard part. But we'll, you know, we'll see. I'm not. I'm going to decide by the end of the show. So I came. My parents waiting.

[Ryan Lemond]

That's true.

[Matt Jones]

You all waiting. We've got to figure out what we're going to do, and I. I want to do it. I'm worried about the hour at Tin Roof. I'm not really worried about the drive. I'm not even really worried about the game. I'm like worried about that. Like the hour at 10 roof.

[Drew Franklin]

What are the shots they give athletes to get them through a game?

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, maybe load you up for Carr. Got that. Maybe I need to get the Andrew Carr treatment to, to get through.

[Ryan Lemond]

I'm sure if they're at 10 roof any, we can find you a big chair and just plop you on the stage in a big old comfy chair.

[Matt Jones]

Well, we. We'll figure it out. For the nights over. 859-280-2287 text machine. 772-774-5254. So I was up late last night, as I'm sure many of you all were watching. The Sweet 16. Alabama just steamrolled BYU made more threes than any team in history. Three more than Loyola Marymount beating BYU scored, I mean, just an absolute blitz. Duke kind of blitzed in their game. Florida one by 20. So it was like, oh, no, another night of routes. And then Cal did Cal, and when Cal did Cal, Arkansas blew it at 12:30 at night. Did you stay up to watch it?

[Ryan Lemond]

Oh, no, no. I went to bed at halftime when Arkansas was up 13. But still. Well, it was in a baby being seven and a half. Still the easiest bet of the night for me was Texas Tech at Moneyline at halftime.

[Matt Jones]

You knew.

[Ryan Lemond]

You knew he was gonna blow it. You knew it was wash, rinse, repeat with cow. You knew what?

[Matt Jones]

Wish I'd bet it.

[Ryan Lemond]

I did. I bet a whole $5 on Texas Tech Moneyline.

[Matt Jones]

How much did that pay you?

[Ryan Lemond]

$10 and something.

[Matt Jones]

Oh, nice. Yeah, I bet I was going to bet him. Well, I did bet him to win. I had quite a bit on Arkansas. It's like the emotional head.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

And then at the end, I mean, it was. It was honestly all of Caliperi, like, summed up. I mean, it was. He literally. It was like the Eagles playing Rupp arena with the greatest hits. I mean, he. He deflated the ball for their 13 with four and a half minutes to go. He starts holding for one shot. They miss free throws, right? They don't foul up three. Now, I know there were like nine seconds to go. Ten seconds, I probably would still foul, but he wasn't gonna foul. If it was a two seconds, like, that's just not what he does. Then it goes to overtime. Overtime was very well played. I mean, both teams were making plays like they were. And then at the end, Arkansas misses, Texas Tech gets a little jumper, and then 7.5 seconds does not call timeout. D.J. wagner, I mean, John L. Davis had been playing great, right? The Brazil guy had been playing well. And D.J. wagner is up taking a long two, and they miss. No timeout used. I mean, it was the greatest hits, Drew. It was like everything we used to complain about in a nutshell.

[Drew Franklin]

And we thought, you know, Cal had gotten over the hump and maybe put some narratives to bed, but he found a way to dig up all his demons and package them into one game. And it was so predictable. I'm in all these group texts and we're on the message board and everyone is saying, well, he still hasn't gone stallball yet, so this game's not over. When everyone watching at home knows your flaws and knows what's coming, that says a lot about your coaching. But the not letting. John. John L. Davis, he had 30, regulation or OT, DJ, both times he is going to ride and dive with dj. He's shown that two years now, and both times it's hadn't worked.

[Matt Jones]

He had 30 points and he didn't get him to ball either time and, like, didn't call time out.

[Drew Franklin]

So it's never sitting around just watching DJ dribble. No one was moving. No one was setting a screen. No one was cutting.

[Matt Jones]

And after the game, did you see his comment? Well, I probably should have used a timeout, but I don't like to call timeout in that situation. It was like the manifestation of stubbornness that we always see. The, yeah, this is what I ought to do, but I don't do that.

[Ryan Lemond]

We all knew it was coming. Everybody was in the cookie fan last couple years. We knew what was coming. So as I was catching up this morning, when I woke up to the game, I saw some video. The cameras captured Cal's face at one point late during the collapse. He just. Like a deer in headlights. We've all seen that look that he gets there late in the game where he can't make the decision.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, right now you're seeing four and a half minutes to go right there. 69, 56. And then they. And they. And they come. And. And they were up six with a minute to go and still ended up losing. You know, listen, I. You don't want to sort of wallow in the misery of others, but I have to tell you, there was a, part of me last night, part of the reason I bet on our. Because I was, hey, I thought they could win, but B, I also thought, you know, it's gonna. It's gonna stink again. Not for our fan base, but for people telling us stuff if this happens. And it's almost like you did get some vindication last night of this is what we had. Like, you get excited, the Arkansas fans get excited, and then they have a game that they should have won, and then they don't. And so now with Arkansas and BYU losing, you know, I don't think there should have been pressure on Pope because of that, but if there was Drew, that now is alleviated.

[Drew Franklin]

And just looking at the calendar, he is officially in the tournament longer than BYU. In Arkansas, there's only.

[Matt Jones]

There's only, what, 12 teams left. We're in the top 12.

[Drew Franklin]

I still believe that all three, one out in the end, with them all making the second weekend, and hopefully Pope doesn't feel any pressure, but it would be a nice little statement for Pope to even go further than the other two teams. So I think it was best for everyone, even.

[Matt Jones]

Oh, it's certainly best for everyone. I mean, I think it was, you know, look that he. He, he. In some ways, you even got the year that was Caliperi often. Preseason hype. Stink at the beginning of the year. Wait for March, get some belief at the end. Have your heart ripped out in March.

[Drew Franklin]

Random injuries with statements that don't make sense.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, he hurt his back.

[Drew Franklin]

No, it's his knee.

[Matt Jones]

You don't know who's gonna play, who's not gonna play. Haven't seen. And then wrong guy taking the shot at the end of the game. What was the game? Didn't we run a game where we. Maybe it was last year where. Or two years ago where the final play was a lob to a do or whatever. And he didn't get like, things like that. You saw last night.

[Ryan Lemond]

And a dude played last night. He had everybody healthy to play last night. I want to see what Seth Greenberg's. How's he going to defend this one? I mean, it was a total. Again, coaching malpractice. What happened last night?

[Matt Jones]

I can't believe you went to sleep.

[Drew Franklin]

Did you miss that?

[Ryan Lemond]

We got a long day today. I need to get my beauty rest.

[Matt Jones]

Well, you're dressed up for it. You look nice then. I mean, earlier in the day, I went to the Reds. You know, I'm not. I'm not going to go into a lot of detail.

[Ryan Lemond]

They can. How'd that game go?

[Matt Jones]

You can shut up. Like, they led the whole game. They bring in the ninth. And you know, you know my thing every year. I hate to play.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yes, you do.

[Matt Jones]

Go back to Jumbo Diaz, Quackenworth or whatever his name was, quacking back. It's no doubt now Ian Jabot, because as soon as they brought him in, like, his uniform doesn't fit, you know, he's number 71. Come on. And as soon as he came in, I was like, we're losing 71.

[Shannon the Dude]

That's his era.

[Matt Jones]

He just throws meatballs. And we go from three, two up to down six, three. And I, you know, and we end up losing the game. And so Ian Jabot is now. I mean, he was the. We have a new manager already ready to fire him because it was his first game. And he puts the worst pitcher out there to close. He's the worst pitcher on the roster. And so anyway, we lost. And. And, you know, I was in back pain sitting there up in the bleachers watching us lose. It was just not a good experience.

[Drew Franklin]

Was it the least fun before the 9th inning meltdown?

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. No, I mean, opening day in Cincinnati. I highly recommend. I mean, there's a lot going on now. You got to be ready.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

You got to be on your toes. I saw a dude just get knocked out. Just knocked out on the street. Hubby just looks at me and goes, I think those two people are about to fight. And I turned over, and as I turned over, the guy was just falling.

[Ryan Lemond]

Wow.

[Matt Jones]

And then the other dude just walked off. And I was like, is somebody gonna, you know, are we gonna act like this happened? So I walk hubby's hubby and I walk over there and we're like, hey, man, you all right? And then this woman's like. This woman takes his phone, holds it up to his face to, like, do the face thing and calls his friend and just goes, your friend just got knocked out. Which is a weird thing to say to somebody on the phone. Right. And I wanted. I wondered if the friend was like, well, what do you want me to do? So then they called the hot. And then he got. He woke up and it was okay.

[Ryan Lemond]

But he woke up.

[Matt Jones]

But it was just a very strange, like, you know, the whole day was kind of strange.

[Ryan Lemond]

What is. It's like a national holiday up in Cincinnati where everybody takes the day off. They have the parade.

[Matt Jones]

We're on right now. I can't. Okay, yes, it is, but it is kind of strange. David, we're on right now.

[Ryan Lemond]

But he's got a nice hat on, though.

[Matt Jones]

That is a nice hat. That's true. But it was. It was a fun day and it.

[Ryan Lemond]

Just ended up poorly for you sometime, I think. Oh, I've been to Red's opening day, I think two times when I was working at Channel 18. It just. Like I said, it's a celebration. Schools are closed, people take off work, they have a parade.

[Drew Franklin]

It's a big knocked out.

[Ryan Lemond]

People get knocked out, lose, blow a lead in the ninth. I mean, it's just typical Red celebration.

[Matt Jones]

So Kentucky and Tennessee tonight in Indianapolis. I also. Can I tell you one more mistake I made? I realized yesterday.

[Ryan Lemond]

What's that?

[Matt Jones]

Bought my parents tickets. Very excited.

[Ryan Lemond]

Oh, no.

[Matt Jones]

Got them pretty good seats.

[Ryan Lemond]

Tennessee section.

[Matt Jones]

Bought it for Sunday.

[Drew Franklin]

No, no, that's confidence, though.

[Shannon the Dude]

Look at you thinking ahead.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. So my mom this morning, very nicely this morning, goes, we have a little bit of a problem. She's like, I got the tickets. I think they are for Sunday. And I said, no, you just don't know how to read them. No, they're for Sunday. So we're gonna. Now we're gonna have to search for. For another bear. So, you know, I'm not going to say the mojo is great going into tonight's game, but I still feel Oddly, I feel a little confident.

[Drew Franklin]

Do you understand? It's good you figured that out now before they got to the gate, got.

[Matt Jones]

Into the gate, they said no, that would have been.

[Ryan Lemond]

Let's just. Let's just recap your last 24 hours. Reds blow a lead in the ninth, you buy the wrong tickets for your mom and dad, and you've hurt your back.

[Matt Jones]

But Arkansas lost.

[Ryan Lemond]

But Arkansas lost.

[Matt Jones]

So that's that, I think, is that. That might be the change. That's okay. But I do feel good about tonight.

[Drew Franklin]

I feel good, too. My nerves will kick in once I get to Indy and see Lucas Oil, because we haven't been back since 2015 Wisconsin game in that building. But right now I'm feeling good. I had my, my Weetabix on the dry over. It's all still in my teeth. I regret that. Although Amari hit a little like on social media. So Mari's going around watching people eat Weetabix this morning. But no, I'm. I'm very excited. Can't wait to get up there.

[Matt Jones]

How do you feel?

[Ryan Lemond]

Actually, I feel a little relieved now that I know it doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but the fact that Arkansas lost and BYU lost, I feel a little relie. Maybe it's just for Mark that he now he can play with house money and go out and try to beat a team that's really, I think, really good.

[Matt Jones]

But are we going to win?

[Ryan Lemond]

I'm still not there yet. I think it's going to be a really tight game, but I'm not fully convinced they're going to win.

[Matt Jones]

Shannon, are you. Are you hopeful? I know Mario is going to think.

[Shannon the Dude]

You'Re going to win. I'm hopeful. I mean, don't ask me to put money on it, but yeah, I think Kentucky wins tonight.

[Matt Jones]

You know, I think we have as good a matchup as we can have. I mean, I objectively, I try to think about this as what is the other team didn't have that jersey on.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Right. So let's say we were playing Tennessee. We had not played them two times earlier this year, and it said Texas Tech on it. I would go, we can win this game. Sure. We're just as good as they are that we actually match up with them. So I think that to the extent that we feel any anxiety, it's because it's Tennessee and it's because we beat them twice earlier this year. So I'm trying to put that out of my mind to say if it's just Jersey versus Jersey, without the name on it, I'm going to feel pretty decent about the game.

[Ryan Lemond]

I love that theory. That's going to help me because you're right. It's just the fact that Tennessee's on that jersey makes me a little more anxious about the game.

[Matt Jones]

Even if, even if it said old miss and we'd beaten them twice and it was. We wouldn't feel that way. It's just because it's Tennessee. So rationally, I need to not do that.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah. For all being honest, a lot of the anxiety is that their fans are insufferable, especially online. And we'll have to hear about it for the next gear. Probably if you were to lose or any other game, you wouldn't really hear after the fact. So it's mostly just the fan base rivalry because the matchup. Why wouldn't you want to play a team you've already beaten twice shorthanded in one of them on their own floor?

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, I mean, we didn't have, we didn't have Lamont Butler and we. Andrew Carr was like barely playing the.

[Drew Franklin]

First time, two minutes.

[Matt Jones]

And then the second time we didn't have Jackson Robinson, which we don't have now, and Lamont Butler was hobbled. So, I mean, you know, why not say that we, we have a chance.

[Ryan Lemond]

I'm gonna say this is the game, though. Amari can't miss a bunch of two footers and layups. I mean, he's gonna get a lot of opportunities I think though, inside. I think he's gotta hit it.

[Matt Jones]

That's our best matchup. Yeah. Is him. Because Igor's good offensively, but he can't guard. Amari. 859-280-2287. Tax machine is 772-774-5254. We're gonna take a break and be right back. It's Kentucky Sports.

[Ashley Iaconetti]

This is Ashley Akadeni from the Bend and Ashley I almost same as podcast. If you could lose 10.4 pounds in one month, would you try? Well, with Future Health, you can find out if weight loss meds are right for you in just 3 minutes at try fh.com that is try fh.com try fh.com results may vary based on start weight and adherence to diet, exercise and program goals. Database on independent studies sponsored by Future Health. Future Health is not a health care services provider. Meds are prescribed at provider's discretion.

[Matt Jones]

Welcome back. It is Kentucky Sports Radio, 859-280-2287. Text machine is 77277-4525, 4, Getting Ready Cats and Vols in India. One person writes, Matt, I was watching the game last night. I'm not proud to say it, but I was rooting hard for Texas Tech. Like as hard as I've ever rooted for a non Kentucky team. Is that bad of me? What do you think? Is it bad of you to. Is it bad? This kid says no way. So does he. Is it bad of us? I will admit I was wishing a lot that the Red Raiders would win. Is that bad?

[Ryan Lemond]

I think it was. Any other SEC team, I'd probably be pulling for him, but I just could not pull for Arkansas in that situation.

[Matt Jones]

Clearly. But is it bad to have those feelings about the.

[Ryan Lemond]

No, that's. That's our old coach sitting there. Our whole coaching staff sitting right there. No, I don't want. I wanted them to lose.

[Matt Jones]

I wish them the best.

[Ryan Lemond]

Nope.

[Matt Jones]

Okay.

[Shannon the Dude]

What are you cheering for? Like Wagner and a V sit and all Cats.

[Ryan Lemond]

I found myself pulling for some of the kids during some of their games.

[Matt Jones]

I mean, I. I like to see a V sit and do and Wagner play well, but I mean, also, it would have been really nice for DJ Wagner as a person if he hit that shot and I wanted him to miss it. I mean, if I'm being honest. Didn't you?

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah.

[Drew Franklin]

Oh, I was doing the Red Raider finger guns all night. So I was absolutely. For Texas Tech. I will say, after DJ missed and I wanted him to miss, I did feel bad when he just folded in his hands, but I feel bad for about any kid.

[Matt Jones]

I do too. I do too.

[Drew Franklin]

I'm not anti D.J. wagner. I'm anti Arkansas winning that game.

[Matt Jones]

When people. When any kid feels the weight of. I lost this game. Which he didn't. D.J. wagner. D.J. wagner made an amazing play before that to tie the game. He hit like an up and under. That was an amazing play. So he shouldn't feel that way, but when kids do, I'm with you like that. I can't help but feel bad for him.

[Drew Franklin]

And yeah, if only someone called a timeout and helped him so he didn't have to dribble in place for seven seconds while his four teammates stared at him without moving.

[Ryan Lemond]

How can you not call a timeout? I mean, I just don't understand. How can you not. I know. I just don't understand it.

[Drew Franklin]

He says storage unit full. Full of time out somewhere that he takes.

[Matt Jones]

But that was one. They weren't doing anything. Like, it's one. This goes back to my overall point with him, which is when you have John Waller, dear. And Fox right there. Let him go. Okay, but for better or worse, DJ Wagner's not those guys. Right. So you might need to run something. I mean, if I'm Mark Pope, if we had the exact same situation, I don't think our dudes maybe. Oh, it's. I would, but I wouldn't want any of our other guys doing that. I'd want to have a timeout to set something up.

[Drew Franklin]

Even if you trust them, it was obvious he was just dribbling in place. No one was moving. Cal still had plenty of time to call one and fix that. Everyone watching.

[Matt Jones]

Like, you either want to shoot a three and win the game or take it to the basket and he shoots a long two. I mean, it's like. It is the greatest hit.

[Drew Franklin]

Did he even get it off in time?

[Ryan Lemond]

I don't think it would have counted.

[Drew Franklin]

If he had made it. It was close.

[Matt Jones]

I don't know about that. All right, tonight, who's our most important boy?

[Ryan Lemond]

We already talked about. I think Amari is. I think that's the matchup we have advantage in. He just can't miss a lot of two footers. He can. He can dominate.

[Matt Jones]

He can be the difference between yesterday that sometimes he is trying to avoid. Like, you know, he does the layup because he feels like if he tries to dunk, he might get blocked or whatever. I say try to dunk on these people's faces.

[Ryan Lemond]

He's built like a Hercules Atlas. Go up and dunk it in somebody's face.

[Matt Jones]

Hercules and Atlas, Yes.

[Ryan Lemond]

The guy's a man. He's a man's man.

[Drew Franklin]

I'll go with Lamont Butler as my mvp, running the show and Garden Ziegler. However, I think Kentucky's gotta have three point shooting in both wins. Against Tennessee, they shot 50% while Tennessee shot like 16%. It'd be big ass to ask those teams to do that. But if they're anywhere close to. If Kentucky shoots their average and holds Tennessee, I think they'll be fine. But you got knock down shots.

[Matt Jones]

Aren't we like undefeated when Brea makes.

[Drew Franklin]

For something like that?

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, I mean, that's three for three. I mean, that's for me, like Bray, like a lot of it is going to be, can we hit threes? Because I think unlike against Alabama and some of these teams, we don't have to score 85 to win. You can win. I think we won in Knoxville, like 73, 64 or something like that. You can win like this. But even with that, I think you got to hit Threes.

[Drew Franklin]

If you get to the mid to high 70s, you got to be feeling good. I believe it was 75 points in Knoxville. 78 and Rupp and you won both kind of convincingly. Tennessee, they just, they're one of the best defensive teams in the country, but they're not a team that's gonna go get in the 80s and really light up scoreboards. If you can get close to that number, I think you'll be okay.

[Matt Jones]

859-280-2287. I want to hear your all's thoughts on the game. Before we do that, let's talk just a second about the portal. It has opened. Mark Pope did an interview in which he said, I thought it was interesting. He said that in game prep, he was honest. He was like, look, we're spending every afternoon and night on game prep, but we're having to spend the morning recruiting the portal. You know, it is what it is. He has to do it. There was some good vibes coming out yesterday. There's some. Seems like conflicting info. But, But Jacob says he hears Kentucky might be the leader for that. Donovan Dent at New Mexico, the kid From Georgia who averaged 13 a game, what's his name? I think he played well against us. Whatever that kid's name is, he was their only player. He enters the portal and Kentucky's interested in him. There's also a kid from Davidson that has entered the portal, a big guy that I think Kentucky is probably interested in. If they don't get the Robert Morris kid, there's a lot of people and who knows who will end up getting. But here's one of the things that I do think is positive. It seems like Kentucky has the money to get guys and has a lot of interest from these top, top guys, which, remember last year we got a lot of dudes, but they were like a notch below the top. Looks like the top guys are all interested.

[Ryan Lemond]

That was good to hear you say that yesterday that there was even money left over from last year. They can use even this year to go out and get some guys because now they've got, you know, going into the transfer portal season, they're, they're headstrong. They're not just putting together a roster. They can dedicate everything to looking at what they're doing. So.

[Matt Jones]

And they're going to have like seven guys. You know, last year you're starting from scratch.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

This year you're going to have like seven dudes that you're going to. I mean, when's the last time you think Kentucky's had this many guys coming back. I mean, we, we. I mean, we have, I would assume, four to five guys coming back and then three freshmen. I can't. When's the last time we had four or five guys coming back?

[Ryan Lemond]

Well, that year, the twins, Willie and Alex.

[Matt Jones]

That's probably it.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah, probably.

[Matt Jones]

Guess what? That team ended up pretty good.

[Ryan Lemond]

I think they're pretty dang good.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. So I think that's. I think that's good news. We're not used to that here. I mean, we're not used to having a core return.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah. And with death, the guy that they're real close with now, I didn't think it's like you'd have a chance. And now it sounds like it's Kentucky and UCLA or head to head, and everyone else is backed out, all surrendering that Kentucky has a lot of money.

[Matt Jones]

Why would you want to go play for ucla? That's the most boring style. Like Mick Cronin's playing, like from the 60s. Like if you're a kid, he said, I saw in an interview, he said, I want to get up and down the court. Well, you can't go to ucla. There's. I mean, there's no team that gets up and down the court less than them.

[Drew Franklin]

And nobody cares about you in la. You're a small, small fish in that pond here. You're a star.

[Matt Jones]

Is he from there, though?

[Drew Franklin]

I don't think he's from la, exactly. I mean, he's in a West coast, kid.

[Matt Jones]

I got you. Okay, 2287, we're gonna take your calls. Be right back. SKSR TJ Smith, personal injury attorney. Call TJ. He'll make him pay.

[Shannon the Dude]

Now more of Kentucky Sports Radio, presented by Stockton Mortgage. Here's Matt Jones.

[Matt Jones]

That's a good thing. That's a good song for this.

[Shannon the Dude]

That's right. I thought about you.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, that's right. Hopefully we'll be able to do it. I'm gonna. I'm gonna decide during the next break.

[Ryan Lemond]

Okay.

[Matt Jones]

Decide whether or not to. To make the trip up there. I don't want to. Like, you know, I've said I love the atmosphere before the games as much, if not more than the game. So, you know, I. I hate. Would hate to miss it.

[Ryan Lemond]

You have to get up, walk around. Like you said, it doesn't bother when you're sitting here like this.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, it's fine right now. 859-280-2287. Text machine. 772-774, 5254. One person's rights, Matt. It's like when you get. When you have a breakup and you don't hate your ex. You want them to be happy, but only if you're happy first. That's how I felt about Cal. I want him to be happy, but only if we're happy and go farther first. That's an interesting way to look at it. I can see that. Like, you date somebody, you don't want to be miserable, but you want to make sure you are as happy, if not more so.

[Ryan Lemond]

If the Knights had flipped and we played last night and lost, I would be praying that Arkansas and BYU both lose tonight. So the fact that both of them have already lost, I think takes a little bit of the anxiety away from me.

[Drew Franklin]

Well, he already got his win in Rupp, and Seth Greenberg called it the best coaching job in Cal's career this year, so he didn't have to do more. It's already such a big success that he's done that, so I didn't have a problem rooting against him to not make the Elite Eight.

[Matt Jones]

That's. That. That, by the way, that was nonsense. The best coaching job.

[Ryan Lemond]

What's he gonna say this time?

[Matt Jones]

I mean, he did a good week. He had a good week. But like, this year, that team. You saw that team on the floor last year, they should have been good this year? Yeah, he had a lot of talent. They should have been good. They had a bunch of injuries, but they still should have been good.

[Drew Franklin]

And I'm still of the belief that Hunter Dickinson throwing it right to Boogie Flan changed the whole narrative of Cal this post. They just don't give up that turnover. I don't think Arkansas wins in round one.

[Matt Jones]

Who's up first?

[Shannon the Dude]

Let's start with Peyton.

[Matt Jones]

Peyton. Go ahead, Peyton.

[F]

Hey, Matt. I couldn't agree more about Cal. Happy to see him have success. Not too much success, but have success. I wanted to talk about Pope. I. Follow me here. So I got a bird feeder in my backyard, and I'm big on energy and tracking energy and feeling good vibes and stuff. And every time. Every morning, come out with my coffee, and I look at this bird feeder, and the birds are just. Every time the Cats win, the birds are just eating away, having a good morning, okay? And it's hard to beat it. It's hard to beat a team three times. And I came out this morning, and the birds took off, and it just got me nervous, and I.

[Matt Jones]

Now, why do you think the birds. Just a question. Why do you think the birds eating in your bird feeder is at all indicative of a basketball game. Like, there are other birds that are probably eating in their bird feeder.

[F]

Well, I track it. And the birds don't lie. They don't.

[Matt Jones]

So you're saying to me, when you wake up, the birds are eating in the bird feeder, we win, and when they're not, we lose?

[F]

Yes.

[Matt Jones]

And they didn't eat this morning. Shannon, I'll let you respond to this.

[Shannon the Dude]

This feels like your time is out of his mind. Like, are you serious? Like, is this a real call?

[Drew Franklin]

No.

[F]

It doesn't fail. It never fails.

[Matt Jones]

So you think there's, like. You think there's, like, an energy. Energy, karma, between. Between the birds and Kentucky basketball?

[F]

Yes.

[Matt Jones]

Okay. Yeah.

[Shannon the Dude]

God help you, sir.

[Matt Jones]

By the way, while you're sitting there, I think Mario, you ran that guy off. You were trying to take a picture, and your stomach was on his head, and. No, I think it was. I think he was sitting there, and you were hovering over him to take that picture, and I believe you were giving his head a tummy rub. You had. You had some space. Okay. I don't know. Maybe it's not the birds. Maybe it's Mario hovering over the head. But do you think that that's possible?

[Drew Franklin]

Could be the case that, you know, birds are flying north to Indianapolis because they're excited about the sweet 16, want.

[Matt Jones]

To be there for it.

[Drew Franklin]

So I'm gonna look at that angle.

[Matt Jones]

Price went down a. Just for tickets. I was looking. So they. They flooded the market with new tickets. So there's like, if you go on StubHub, there's tickets now. Now they're way, way, way up, but there's tickets for, like, $110. So, I mean, now, that's not cheap, but that's a lot cheaper than it was. So I actually think, like, if you're sitting there going back and forth, I had two different sets of friends decide to go last night. So if you. If. If you're sitting there thinking about it, Ryan, maybe. Maybe now you do.

[Ryan Lemond]

I think there's a lot of people, like, your friends decided, hey, we're going. We just want to be in the building. And tickets, even though they're high up, they just want to be there and kind of soak it all up. That we're back in the sweet 16.

[Matt Jones]

Yes, sir. I don't believe your birds, by the way.

[Ryan Lemond]

Can I say something about the birds?

[Matt Jones]

If you want.

[Ryan Lemond]

You know, we. We are a crazy fan base. We buy Weetabix. We watch birds, But I'm here for every second of it. I love it.

[Matt Jones]

You love it.

[Ryan Lemond]

I love the dude who thinks his birds dictate how UK is gonna play basketball.

[Matt Jones]

I mean, it's ridiculous to think your birds dictate it. Now, whether or not I'm in the shower does have a different.

[Shannon the Dude]

It's just as ridiculous.

[Matt Jones]

Y. Yeah, like, that. That.

[Ryan Lemond]

That makes a difference.

[Matt Jones]

That is like, me rocking back and forth in the same spot. I mean, I almost drove to Milwaukee this morning to go to that bank again, because we're two for two with me standing in that bank lobby.

[Drew Franklin]

I wore the same shirt both games in Milwaukee. It's a coat. And I thought about, even though it's gonna be 80 degrees, like, I guess I'm just gonna have to wear my coat in Indianapolis. I mean, we all have our superstitions. What's working? What's working? Let's not.

[Matt Jones]

It's working. It's working. You shouldn't. You shouldn't get rid of it. Who's next?

[Shannon the Dude]

LL Cool Taylor and what's.

[Matt Jones]

Oh, goodness. LL Cool Tay. How are you? How are you doing?

[Ryan Lemond]

Good. Matt and crew.

[Matt Jones]

Hey, I want to piggyback off of.

[F]

What he said about energy.

[Drew Franklin]

I think some.

[Matt Jones]

One of the players that really needs to bring the fire and I feel like we haven't seen in a few years is Brandon Garrison. Well, I mean, Brandon played really well in the game against Troy. I believe the thing about Brandon Garrison with energy, I appreciate the call, is that the energy can be positive or negative. Right. I mean, like, sometimes when he has a lot of energy, he tries to do too much. You know, he led that Troy game off. I think he took two threes in, like, the first 40 seconds he was in the game. But I do think, you know, he has an athleticism he can switch off. There are things he can do that can make him very dangerous.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah, he was great in the Troy game. What do you have, like, 13 points off the bench? Had a few moments in the. In the Illinois game. I think of the. And one after Butler had that. Great. But the thing with Garrison, and when he gets too energetic, he might just walk over to the other bench and put his finger in somebody's face and start talking trash. So you get. He's a bit of a wild card. You don't know how he's going to react, but I think he will need to be an important piece tonight.

[Ryan Lemond]

He's going to get a lot of minutes. Like I said, those two guys, that position is really crucial. The thing I like about what he does when he. And the colors kind of Right. When he comes in, he does bring some energy, you know and sometimes I think they can help pick up the pace a little bit when he comes on. And he's probably the one guy off the bench that does that the best for us.

[Matt Jones]

It seemed to me against Illinois that, that, that Pope shortened his bench. Right. That Pope decided to play fewer and fewer people and kind of. Do you expect that? Yes. We only had two guys on the bench get double digit minutes last game. Do you got, do you expect that?

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah. Travis Perry, you know, didn't play at all. Almanor played limited minutes. He basically just went with seven. Garrison and Colin Chandler. Chandler was the first guy off the bench. I think he'll probably do that again.

[Matt Jones]

There's my parents I know just walked.

[Ryan Lemond]

In wearing their blue, ready to go to the game on Sunday.

[Matt Jones]

He's got. Yeah, they have your Sunday.

[Drew Franklin]

I mean Big Elite 8 fans.

[Matt Jones]

If they have to watch Houston, Tennessee, they will. I mean they, they. You'll have to go pull for the Cougars. 859-280-2287 One person writes, Matt, they say Donovan Dent could cost $3 million. Do we think Kentucky has $3 million? Yes. But with all. One of the things that's going to be interesting is all of these programs have a set amount of money that they feel like they can pay. The problem is, you don't know do they want to pay 3 million for Donovan Dent or a million each for three other guys. And I don't know what the answer to that question is because I don't know what their overall budget like I have no idea for instance, what OA Garrison, Noah, like I don't know what those guys are going to cost coming back. I do know this. I was, I was talking to somebody on Monday and they said priority number one is. Oh, way back. That's priority number one. So I don't think they're going to do anything that would make it that it could at all jeopardize away coming back. Drew and I, so we'll see. I don't know what that means though.

[Drew Franklin]

In 3 million seems like a high number. But I trust Mark Pope to not just throw away a bag at someone that can mess up a locker room or you run out of money somewhere else. With all the analytics and preparation and research he does, if he spends 3 million on a guy, I'm going to trust that he has other millions, plenty of millions to take care of the rest of the roster and not go all in on one player because that's not his style. Of coaching.

[Matt Jones]

But, I mean, if he does spend 3 million, remember, this dude right now is ranked as the number one guy in the portal. Now, I think there's going to be a couple people get in that will probably pass him, but I don't think there's any way this dude does not end up as a top five portal player. He's your point guard. Like, I mean, he's going to be. He's very. I mean, he's the Lamont Butler of the. He went to the same high school as Lamont Butler. Literally, like, you want to have a Lamont Butler clone? This dude went to the exact same high school. So there is a. I think a real reason to want to get it.

[Ryan Lemond]

But you're right, a lot of it is budgeting. That's why you need like a general manager to handle your recruiting budget.

[Matt Jones]

You know, our general manager, like, we. We don't really have a general manager in the way that people talk about it. We have somebody else who kind of runs the nil. That does it. Mark Pope is the general manager. Mark Pope picks the players. And then I think Mark Pope says, okay, when it comes to business side, you work that out. But he. But I think Mark Pope tells them, these are who we want. Now go and get them. And then it's up to those people to go and do it.

[Drew Franklin]

The way I see it is if Pope wants him and he's everything that he's ranked in the portal right now, the top guard you can go get. If he costs 3 million, he cost 3 million.

[Matt Jones]

It's all relative. Like, we don't know what these other people call Kentucky. 3 million sounds like a lot. But. But what's everybody. I mean, the dude at BYU is making 7 million next year, allegedly. But who knows? Like I said, I don't believe any of these numbers anyway. I always read these numbers. I don't believe any of them. I think they're all inflated. I think they're all higher than what they actually are. I actually think the amount of money is much smaller than people say, hey, we've had a lot of storms here in Kentucky and we hope your family is safe. But remember, servpro is the company. Call for storm damage, rest restoration, 1-800-Servpo. They'll come and make fire and water damage like it never even happened. It 1-800-servepro. That's S E-R V P R O dot com. Check out servepro.com. i hope you don't need them, but if you do, it's 1, 800 serve pro. We'll take a break and be right back. We're here at KS Bar and Grill, open in 15 minutes. This is Kentucky Sports Radio.

[Ashley Iaconetti]

This is Ashley Akadeni from the Ben and Ashley I almost famous podcast. If you could lose 10.4 pounds in one month, would you try? Well, with Future Health, you can find out if weight loss meds are right for you in just 3 minutes at try fh.com that is try fh.com Try FH results may vary based on start weight and adherence to diet, exercise and program goals. Database on independent studies sponsored by Future Health. Future Health is not a healthcare services provider. Meds are prescribed at provider's discretion.

[Matt Jones]

Welcome back. It is Kentucky Sports Radio. 859-280-2287. 77 degrees tonight here in Lexington. If you want to come watch the games here, we'll have them here at KS Bar. Get here early, get your seat, be loud and yeah, cheer them on. Should be a great environment in here tonight.

[Ryan Lemond]

Montgomery county came in here yesterday. All they did was hit like 45, three pointers yesterday in their big wins. New tournament record.

[Matt Jones]

That's right. Montgomery county breaks the Sweet 16 record on the same day that Alabama breaks the NCAA tournament record. It is run raining three. So now we go to the Final Eight they're about to have. Right now we have all the games here on the big screen. Bowling Green and Ashland. Who you got? Ryan.

[Ryan Lemond]

I didn't mention this Xander kid for Ashland when we did our preview of the day. He's really good. He's going to Liberty. He's got to steal for Liberty. I like. I like Ashland in this game over Bowling Green.

[Matt Jones]

You like Ashland? Okay.

[Drew Franklin]

After watching Bowling Green in that first game and Deuce Bailey hitting the game winner, I'll side with them in this one.

[Matt Jones]

Gotta go Eastern Kentucky. I'm taking Ashland. What about you, Shannon?

[Shannon the Dude]

I haven't watched any of these games. So it's a blind pick and kind of following Ryan a little bit. I'm going to Ashland.

[Matt Jones]

You're going Ashland. So four votes for Ashland and then Drew is the only one left. Three votes for Ashland. Drew's the only one. What is it, north or south? Oldham.

[Ryan Lemond]

South. Oldham.

[Matt Jones]

The fighting against two.

[Drew Franklin]

Jefferson Town.

[Matt Jones]

Jefferson Town.

[Drew Franklin]

Not saying X.

[Matt Jones]

Who you got?

[Ryan Lemond]

You know, the fighting. Billy Bangs, the South. Hold them Dragons put, you know, are on a run right now. But J Town, they proved something to me when they beat Saint X of the night. So I'm going J Town.

[Matt Jones]

You're going JT Chargers. I'm Going to take South Oldham to win the game for. For Billy and the fact Shannon made fun of his hair. What about you?

[Drew Franklin]

Hangover game for J Town. South Odom won big in their first round. I will also side with the fighting. Billy, great clips on this one for my guy, Billy.

[Shannon the Dude]

I'm gonna take South Odom as well.

[Matt Jones]

Shannon was so mean to Billy on that one.

[Drew Franklin]

That's a horrible photo.

[Matt Jones]

I didn't think that was fair. North Laurel against Moco. Who you got?

[Ryan Lemond]

Moco. Like I said, they came in here in eight yesterday, so I got to continue.

[Matt Jones]

North Laurel canceled.

[Ryan Lemond]

That's right.

[Matt Jones]

So normally I would put the 13th region, but I got to go with Moco because they canceled. Honest Drew. And that's bad. That's. That's like the birds not eating.

[Drew Franklin]

I'm going Moco, too. After they lit up the scoreboard in their first round win.

[Matt Jones]

Shannon, who you got?

[Shannon the Dude]

Montgomery County. Let's go, Mocha.

[Matt Jones]

What? Might be the state championship tonight.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

In all honesty, this is probably the game that has the most likely chance to decide the state champion. Great crossing in Cooper. Tim Sullivan fired from his job a month and a half ago. One last night. Now they play future cat Malachi Moreno. Unfortunately, this is during the Kentucky game, or I actually think this would be a game I would really recommend people to go to. Unfortunately, they're playing during the Kentucky game. But who you got?

[Ryan Lemond]

It's been a great run for Cooper and Tim Sullivan. That's a great story, but I think it ends tonight. Great crossing. Just too. Too much talent on the floor. Malachi had, like, what, 21 points, 12 rebounds, six blocks last night. He was. He was incredible.

[Drew Franklin]

Ron and I saw Malachi eating an ice cream cone in the concourse. He took it down to, like, three bites. I was worried about how focused he was.

[Matt Jones]

He had a game that three bites.

[Drew Franklin]

I mean, he. He demolished it. But then he played well that night. So I'm going. Malachi getting his ice cream today. And Great Crossing winning tonight.

[Matt Jones]

Future Cat playing as we go to the elite H. You got to take Malachi and. Great crossing. Who you got, champ?

[Shannon the Dude]

I have never wanted a high school team to win more than I want Cooper to win the entire thing. Just to see if they have the guts to fire that after they win a state title.

[Matt Jones]

That would be. Let me ask you. If he were to win state, couldn't they still fire.

[Ryan Lemond]

Couldn't fire him. You can't fire him after he won.

[Shannon the Dude]

So he's fighting for his jobs, playing for his job.

[Ryan Lemond]

I don't even Know if you fire him now after he got you to the Sweet 16.

[Matt Jones]

Elite eight.

[Ryan Lemond]

Elite. To the Elite Eight. I don't know if you can.

[Matt Jones]

So you're taking Cooper? Shan.

[Shannon the Dude]

Yes. Give me Cooper.

[Matt Jones]

It is. It is an amazing story. So who's the state finals? What you think? Ashland. Great crossing, Moco. Great crossing. Who you got?

[Ryan Lemond]

I'm gonna go. Great crossing Ashton.

[Matt Jones]

I think it's gonna be great crossing Ashland. That'd be a heck of a run for Ashland. Didn't see themselves in that spot.

[Drew Franklin]

If it were Cooper, though, he couldn't go back. He could not give them the satisfaction of him going back and coaching for another year. Like you didn't want me.

[Matt Jones]

You don't get this trophy on down.

[Ryan Lemond]

He's been the only coach in the school's history.

[Matt Jones]

If you didn't want me at my worst, you don't get me at my state champion best.

[Drew Franklin]

Right? I wouldn't even let him have the trophy. I'd walk straight off the rope floor with it. Take it home.

[Matt Jones]

Okay. All right, who's up next? Next.

[Shannon the Dude]

Wu Tang.

[Matt Jones]

Dave Wuang. Dave, how are you?

[F]

Hey, guys, I just want to call in. I am so excited. I'm going to the game tonight.

[Matt Jones]

I got my Weetabix. I'm gonna hit the road to India.

[F]

In a couple hours. And Big Blue Nation, we just have to own that arena tonight.

[Matt Jones]

We cannot let those savages in orange.

[F]

Gain any momentum at all.

[Matt Jones]

So, bbn, make sure you eat your weed a bix. Let's all roll up to Indy tonight and make Tennessee our weed a bit. Let's go, Cat. Oh, hang on just a second. You know, Shannon like that would he. You know, we always talk about how the crowd in Nashville is an amazing crowd for us. Much better in some ways than the Rupp crowd. Do you think this is a Nashville crowd? A Rupp crowd somewhere in between. Like, it is expensive. But then again, now the SEC tournament is expensive, too. Like, what do you think the crowd's going to be?

[Drew Franklin]

I'll lean a little closer to Nashville crowd and Tennessee helps. The people in there are going to be absolutely on fire. Probably won't be as drunk as Nashville was. Just got Broadway right there during that late game. Led right into it. But I think with the matchup, people that have paid good money to be there, it's just different than the home crowd at rough that sees a lot of games.

[Ryan Lemond]

I'm going to lean with Drew. I don't think it's a Nashville crowd because somebody actually. I forgot to bring this Up. Spring break in a lot of high school starts on Monday, so families have already had a spring break planned this weekend that normally would go to the game. A lot of those families aren't getting to go.

[Matt Jones]

Spring break was. Neck. Was the week.

[Ryan Lemond]

That's Fayette County.

[Matt Jones]

Okay.

[Ryan Lemond]

Like all the other counties are. Is next week.

[Matt Jones]

Okay. Well, maybe that makes some people more likely to go. There's.

[Shannon the Dude]

Maybe they breaking at Lucas Oil Stadium.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. Who would. I mean, that's. Go to the beach in Indianapolis. It's really nice this time of year.

[Drew Franklin]

Gonna be 79 today.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, I think it's. I'm with you all. I don't think it's going to be Nashville, but I think it's going to be like, loud. What's going to be interesting, though, is a lot of that stadium is going to be empty in the first game because those are the Purdue fans.

[Drew Franklin]

Fans.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yep.

[Matt Jones]

Like Purdue's gonna have a lot of people there and they're not even gonna be there for the first game or at least some of them. So I think I. Do you think we have the most fans? Do you think we have. I think we'll have more than Tennessee. Do you think we'll have more than Purdue?

[Drew Franklin]

I think so. Just the Pope excitement and fans ready to. I think most people would say that we're already a little farther ahead than expectations right now going to this Tennessee game.

[Matt Jones]

Apparently they released more tickets this morning. Yes. For a hundred dollars. Now I think those are probably like, you're gonna need binoculars to see from up there. But they only would do that, Rya. Expecting a packed house. Like they would not. You know, they. At these stadiums that are like this, they only keep releasing tickets if they think people are going to be in them.

[Ryan Lemond]

That makes me think, yeah, the tickets they have released, those are gone. So just keep releasing a little bit more. A little bit more. A little bit more. Trying to cram more people in there.

[Matt Jones]

I think you're going to see. I think Kentucky will have the most. I actually think Purdue will have the second most. And then I think Indiana after that.

[Drew Franklin]

I won't be surprised. They have a good turnout. Their fan base that travels and will spend a little bit.

[Matt Jones]

They weren't. There weren't as many of their people here as I thought in Russia up like that. That. You remember that game, those tickets were going for like $6 for their game.

[Ryan Lemond]

Does Houston travel at all?

[Matt Jones]

I think they have like, they got some really rich boosters, but I don't think they have the amount of people they'll have people. But like they're, they, they're very like top they have very rich alumni. But it's not like they don't, they don't travel in Mass.

[Drew Franklin]

I don't think they'll have a good section behind their bench that costs a bunch. But as far as throughout the arena, I don't plus they have the, if.

[Matt Jones]

They, they may think if I go the final four, it's in San Antonio, right, which is two hours away for them and could end up, I mean, now if Houston made the final four, they might have a massive crowd down there because of, because of that. 859-280-2287. We are here at KS Bar and Grill. We are going to take a break. You can eat your weed, a bix and get ready. This is Kentucky Sports Radio. I can't.

[Ashley Iaconetti]

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