KSR - Hour 2 Summary (March 31, 2025)

Presented by iHeartPodcasts and Sports Talk 790 (WKRD-AM)

1. Introduction and Opening Remarks

The second hour of Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) begins with Matt Jones welcoming listeners back. After a brief mention of sponsorships by T-Mobile and Stockton Mortgage, Matt transitions into the main content, setting the stage for a dynamic discussion on current Kentucky sports topics.

2. Controversy Surrounding Ryan Morgan Wallen's SNL Appearance

Timestamp: [03:43] - [05:37]

The hosts delve into the recent controversy involving country music star Ryan Morgan Wallen, who walked off stage during his second appearance on Saturday Night Live.

• Matt Jones shares the incident:
  “He just zipped off. Didn't shake anybody's hand, didn't hug and just walked off.” ([04:05])

• Shannon The Dude adds observations about Wallen's departure:
  “He just walked out through the crowd, just walked past the camera.” ([04:41])

• Ryan Lemon speculates on Wallen's motives:
  “He's trying to beat the crowd, beat the traffic, get to the airport so he didn't get stuck in traffic.” ([05:01])

The hosts discuss public perception, with Matt expressing empathy towards Wallen:
"I think he has one of these personalities now where people will just criticize whatever he does." ([05:13])

Despite the backlash, Matt believes the incident might have been a personal choice unrelated to any conflict:
"I bet nobody was angry about it, but everyone is getting angry." ([05:29])

3. Team Performance and Coaching Decisions

Timestamp: [05:37] - [15:19]

The conversation shifts to Kentucky's sports teams, focusing primarily on basketball and baseball performances, coaching strategies, and recruitment.

a. Kentucky Basketball's Season Evaluation

• Caller from Tyler ([05:43] - [12:20]) praises the team's progression despite obstacles:
  “If Pope could put together a team like that with little to no talent, the next season seems very promising.”

• Matt Jones evaluates the season positively, citing the Sweet 16 achievement:
  “If away comes back, like, now you have, like, returners. We had no returners.” ([06:29])

• Ryan Lemon emphasizes fan satisfaction with the season's outcome:
  “I think most 99% of the fans are ecstatic... they haven't been in six years.” ([07:35])

b. Recruitment and Scholarship Concerns

• Discussion about Kenny Brooks' Daughter:

  • Matt addresses concerns about Kenny Brooks not having his daughter on scholarship:
    “She's not on scholarship. I think that's an important difference.” ([02:21])

  • Shannon The Dude highlights fan frustrations about limited scholarship opportunities:
    “She has one year left... couldn't just give her one more season.” ([03:43])

• Caller Jay ([10:31] - [12:20]) debates the grading of the season, advocating for a higher grade due to the challenging schedule:
  “We played more Quad 1 teams than any other basketball except Auburn.”

• Matt Jones acknowledges the tough schedule and defends the coaching decisions:
  “Mark Pope knows exactly what he wants more than a lot of coaches who just say, I want the most talented and I'll figure it out.” ([39:16])

c. Cassidy Rose Situation and NCAA Policies

• Caller from Mike ([29:23] - [32:29]) discusses the controversy surrounding Cassidy Rose, comparing it to Travis Perry's potential future:
  “It's a business decision, but part of business is good PR.”

• Matt Jones and other hosts debate NCAA's role in treating athletes as employees to prevent such controversies:
  “If the NCAA would just agree to treat these dudes as employees, all of these things can happen.” ([17:08])

4. Listener Calls and Interactive Discussions

Timestamp: [15:19] - [43:08]

The show is highly interactive, with multiple callers contributing their perspectives on various topics.

a. Team Evaluation and Fans' Expectations

• Caller on Team Performance ([05:43] - [12:20])
  Evaluates the season's success despite a tough schedule and anticipates a promising next season.

• Jay's Perspective on Recruitment ([10:31] - [14:51])
  Suggests restructuring the Lexington area into two regions to balance competition and enhance regional representation in the Sweet 16.

b. Personal Anecdotes and Light-hearted Segments

• Matt, Ryan, and Shannon share humorous stories about mishaps during events, including spills and accidents, adding a lighter tone to the show. For example:

  • Ryan spills chili cheese on his shirt after a game:
    “We littered the whole place.” ([35:39])

  • Drew Franklin narrates accidentally injuring a referee during an Ohio Valley wrestling match:
    “It's not ballet. So every now and then things happen like that.” ([34:17])

c. Recruitment Insights and Future Prospects

• Discussion on Upcoming Recruits ([38:31] - [41:05])
  Hosts analyze potential recruits like Reed Bailey from Davidson and discuss Kentucky's recruitment strategies, emphasizing the importance of targeted player roles over sheer talent.

• Caller Joey ([38:35] - [39:05]) questions Mark Pope's ability to secure top-tier talent post the loss of key recruits, leading to a discussion on the viability of future team composition.

5. Sponsorship and Advertisements

Throughout the episode, sponsorship segments promote T-Mobile's offers and Stockton Mortgage's services, including:

• T-Mobile Advertisement ([00:00] - [01:27])
  Highlights T-Mobile's robust 5G network and offers up to $800 per line via prepaid card for switching.

• Stockton Mortgage Promotion ([01:27] - [01:57])
  Encourages listeners to consider Stockton Mortgage for their home loan needs, featuring a testimonial from Joshua about his positive experience.

• Cornbread Hemp Promotion ([01:35] - [02:15])
  Announces a special discount for KSR listeners with the code "B day" for 30% off orders at Cornbread Hemp.com.

6. Closing Remarks and Upcoming Shows

As the episode nears its end, Matt announces his upcoming trip to Amsterdam and hints at "Drew Palooza" for the following week. The hosts wrap up with final caller interactions and light-hearted banter, maintaining an engaging and personable atmosphere.

Notable Quotes

• Matt Jones on Ryan Morgan Wallen:
  “I think he has one of these personalities now where people will just criticize whatever he does.” ([05:13])

• Ryan Lemon on Team's Season:
  “If away comes back, like, now you have, like, returners. We had no returners.” ([06:29])

• Shannon The Dude on Recruitment:
  “He wants his fans to watch the show. It's pretty simple.” ([15:45])

• Caller on Cassidy Rose:
  “Cassidy is a model. I mean, she's just a role model. She's a Christian girl.” ([31:30])

Conclusion

The second hour of KSR delivers an engaging mix of sports analysis, listener interaction, and light-hearted anecdotes. Key discussions revolve around team performances, coaching decisions, recruitment strategies, and recent controversies affecting both sports and public figures. The hosts maintain a balanced perspective, offering insightful commentary while fostering a sense of community among Kentucky sports enthusiasts.