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- [00:00]
Drew Franklin
At Designer Shoe Warehouse we believe that shoes are an important part of, well, everything.
- [00:06]
Jack Pilgrim
From first steps to first dates. From all nighters to all time personal bests.
- [00:12]
Drew Franklin
From building pillow forts to building a.
- [00:14]
Jack Pilgrim
Mud for all the big and small moments that make up your whole world.
- [00:19]
Drew Franklin
DSW is there and we've got just the shoes.
- [00:22]
Jack Pilgrim
Find a shoe for every you from brands you love at brag worthy prices at your DSW store or dsw.com you're a hustler. You get things done, but you don't always do things for yourself. With JLO Beauty, it takes just a few minutes a day to look like facials are a regular part of your routine. JLo Beauty's Fresh and Flawless skincare kit includes six skincare products that work as hard as you do. They'll hustle to brighten, firm and hydrate your complexion morning and night. This skincare kit is a one and done solution that is clinically proven to visibly tighten and lift for instant and long lasting results. Cleanse, treat, moisturize, protect. The fresh and flawless Skincare kit does it all. See why the kit's a Bestseller today? Visit jlobeauty.com Deluxe and get an extra 25% off your first shipment plus free gifts with code Deluxe. If you're not satisfied, return the bottles within 60 days for your money back. See the website for details. That's jlobeauty.com Deluxe to get that JLo Glow, PayPal lets you pay all your pals like your graduation gifters. Who's paying for the mattress topper?
- [01:30]
Steven Peake
You mean the beanbag chair?
- [01:33]
Jack Pilgrim
Aren't we getting a mini fridge?
- [01:35]
Steven Peake
Can we create a pool on PayPal? It lets us collect the money before we buy.
- [01:42]
Jack Pilgrim
Ooh, yes, that's smart. Glad we can agree on something easily. Pool split and Send Money with PayPal get started in the PayPal app. A PayPal account is required to send and receive money. A balance account is required to create a po.
- [01:56]
Steven Peake
Always talking about what's next.
- [01:58]
Phoenix Stevens
Well, I found it. It's called Formula E. Forget everything you.
- [02:02]
Steven Peake
Think you know about racing. This isn't just cars going fast.
- [02:06]
Phoenix Stevens
It's like a supercomputer on wheels.
- [02:09]
Steven Peake
The tech is insane and the drivers, they're like chess grandmasters at 200 miles per hour. You've got to see it. Trust me, you'll be hooked. Follow Formula E live on Roku Next Race Miami April 12th Comedy Up Broadway in Lexington welcomes Mike Armstrong March 27th through the 29th. Then it's the Lexington debut of Lori Kilmartin April 3rd through the 5th and catch rising comedy star Sam Tallente April 11th and 12th. Comedy Off Broadway opened in downtown Lexington in 1987 and they're still bringing the best and stand up comedy to the area 38 years later. Call 859-271-joke or visit comedyoff broadway.com comedy off broadway. Our listeners, a great morning. Actually, Drew Franklin here. I'm at KS Bar and Grill. I'll be here from 10 to noon. It's a busy, busy, busy, busy morning. Today's show, we're brought to you by T.J. smith, personal injury lawyer. Call T.J. he'll make him pay. We want to hear from you on the Clark's Pump and Shop pump. I can't talk. Clark's Pump and shop phone line, 859-280-2287. We'll get the Whiskey Thief call of the day. We'll get the A Vision Auto Glass text of the day if you send it to Amsterdam. I don't have that. But Matt's in Amsterdam with all the guys on vacation. I'm here hosting the show. I have Jack Pilgrim, Steven Peake with me and we're a little flustered because right as the show started, we had some breaking news. Hit the button, Rick. Ladies and gentlemen of the big Blue nation, as of about five minutes ago, Jayden Quaintance, a projected top 10 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, has committed to your University of Kentucky Wildcats boys. How about that, Jack? You're smiling. Just so everyone knows, Jack was working the phones as I was doing that intro. That's why I was a little flustered, making sure everything's good, maybe even try to get him on the show later. But it is a. This is a busy scene here at KS Bar. Right away, Jack Pilgrim, but we're starting off with huge news. Throw away the NCAA championship. We'll get to that later. One shining moment. We'll get to that later. Mark Pope added another player at the final second before we started the show and he's a big one. A former commit under John Calipari at Kentucky. He even considered sticking around after Cal left, but he ended up at Arizona State last season for his freshman year. Suffered a torn ACL in February, but he's expected to still be back maybe on time, maybe a little bit late next season. Whatever happens with that, I think it is still an amazing get.
- [04:39]
Drew Franklin
I'm so flustered right now.
- [04:41]
Steven Peake
Yeah, you were on the phone as I was doing my intro. That's why I was fumbling over my words.
- [04:44]
Drew Franklin
I Had to hang up because I heard the intro music. I was like, oh crap, we're. If we're. I don't want to get hot mic'd right now. But Mark Pope lands his biggest fish yet. Like we so much about like, you know, he needs to can he land a high, high profile blue chip top five true recruit and you know, some misses along the way and you know, some striking out on some high profile transfer targets and you know that's always just kind of been lingering in the back of BBN's mind of you know, can he close on a true legitimate talent. And Jayden Quaintance is that guy. He wanted to be here the first cycle. In fact it was funny. Now that we, I can kind of tell the story. Exactly one year ago today I was the one that had to call jaden's dad at 11:45 at night and say, hey, is John Calipari leaving for Arkansas? And he said, what are you talking about? I haven't heard anything to suggest that. So funny. Here we are exactly one year ago to the day as we were waking up this time last year wondering what our future looked like and if Jaden was going to be a part of that. Now we know he's going to be a part of that. And it's, it's pretty darn good.
- [05:53]
Steven Peake
Incredible addition. Let me, let me set us back up. That was Jack. A lot of you know Jack from sources say he's hosted this show many times. Feels like a good time to have you on. Almost want to say I knew this was going to happen. That's why I picked you to do today. We'll get to that. Had another commitment yesterday. Of course, the college basketball season ended last night. But we also have Steven Peak here. Steven is KSR's videographer. He does some on camera stuff on KSR's YouTube channel. But a lot of time he's behind the camera when Jack and I are doing our rapid reactions. He does travel videos with Jack, goes to all the interviews. Pretty much anything you've seen on KSR's YouTube channel. Stephen's the one that made it happen. Steven, how's it feel to be on the radio show for the first time?
- [06:33]
Tiani Key
Yeah, first time. Pretty special. I've been listening to this show since 2011. So I mean this is a pretty big day for me. I'm not gonna lie. I'm really excited about it.
- [06:42]
Steven Peake
Pretty unique circumstances, getting that commitment right away right out of the gate.
- [06:46]
Tiani Key
I mean, I think we need to have me on more often.
- [06:48]
Steven Peake
Yeah.
- [06:49]
Tiani Key
Schedule It. Yeah, certainly. While we're leaving players, pretty big day for Kentucky basketball.
- [06:53]
Steven Peake
So, Jack, what is this? What does this mean? All right, so I mentioned that he had the ACL injury, suffered that in February, but, you know, I'm not a doctor, but the Internet and WebMD tells me ACLs aren't what they were 20 years ago. You can bounce back from those a little quicker, recover a little better. I see some fans already trying to throw it aside, you know, complaining that this is a guy that coming off an injury. I mean, this is a top 10 lottery pick. Come on, people, what are we doing?
- [07:17]
Tiani Key
We can't be happy. We just can't be happy.
- [07:19]
Steven Peake
Will you please give everyone some comfort at home that is worried about him coming off that injury and just what he can potentially be when he gets back to full speed?
- [07:27]
Drew Franklin
Yeah, doctors are very optimistic that, no, I don't think anyone is making a promise that he will be ready for day one of the college basketball season. That's the goal, that's the hope, that's the plan. But I think they just kind of acknowledge that, hey, you know, ACL surgery mid March, turnaround on that is pretty quick, but I think people are kind of losing sight of the fact that, you know, this is a big man coming off a torn ACL. Yes, he is a projected top 5 pick, but he also has to prove that he is a top five pick. And I think everybody around this kid wants him to be able to prove that he is that, because I think there will be NBA teams that have doubts about that. So, yeah, I think there is a lot of optimism about him. Let's just. Let's just pencil him in the early stages of the next. Of the next college basketball season that he will be playing for Kentucky.
- [08:16]
Steven Peake
But the positives before he got hurt last year at Arizona State, 10 points a game, eight rebounds, 2.6 blocks. When he committed to Kentucky, you know, he seemed to really, really love Lexington. He was even introduced at Rupp arena for a game. They brought him out at halftime. He gave us a big wave. Then, of course, the coaching change happens. He reopens his recruitment, ends up at Arizona State. I think he did well for himself making that commitment there, heading out that direction. I think they paid him pretty well. But now heading back to be a cat in the word around him. And you, you've been talking to the family. He seems to really like Pope system and might even got him at a discount just because he really likes the fit here and wants to be a part of big Blue nation. Again, yeah.
- [08:52]
Drew Franklin
And I think that was a big part of it, is just watching what Amari Williams did this, this past season and just knowing like, hey, if this kid from Drexel can come in and do what he did and just elevate his, you know, pro stock, whether he's drafted or not, he, he has carved out a legitimate pro career because of how he played in Mark Pope's system. And they saw that. And just like, man, imagine a legitimate pro playing in that system in that same role, bringing the ball up the floor, making decisions, you know, having just the flexibility to kind of be the straw that stirs the drink in a, you know, the biggest brand in college basketball. That was really, really appealing. I think they understand. They, I think they realized what they were missing going to Arizona State kind of being out of sight, out, out of mind, where the highlights are unbelievable. The numbers were unbelievable. Blocks, rebounds, steals. I mean, he's kind of one of those do it all threats. But he was kind of, you know, lost the national spotlight. I think they, they loved what that was as a recruit, and I think they wanted to get that back in what is absolutely his final season of college basketball.
- [09:50]
Steven Peake
City critics, you know, saying Pope can't get a big time talent. I mean, let's say this goes best case scenario and he has a good year. ESPN.com right now has him projected fifth overall to the rafters. Rafters, ra. Maybe we'll put him in the Raptors. Let's do both Raptors and Raptors. But that's one thing. Another box. Pope needed to check that he can go out and get a lottery pick. You know, Caleb Wilson, you're in the conversation. Missed that. Not looking good for Nate. Amen to the guys that are kind of projected in that, in that, that area. But I mean, what could this be for Pope? If it really pans out that way.
- [10:21]
Drew Franklin
It'S the, it's the, the proof of product. It's, it's a, it's an ability to say, hey, we know he can do it with, you know, good college basketball players. He can do it with portal talent. But what can he do with a legitimate superstar? What does it look like when Mark Pope can, you know, get a. Especially a superstar? It's kind of just a piece of clay that he can kind of mold and turn into this. I mean, he's a big piece of Clay. He's 17 years old and already put up historic numbers, especially on the defensive end as an all defensive team member. His debut season at Arizona State. So it's One of those deals where if this works out, this is a, you know, high risk, high reward, but absolutely lucrative long term reward for Mark Pope on the recruiting trail.
- [11:03]
Tiani Key
I think that's why it's like having the season they had this year was massive because it allows you to get a guy like Jaden. I mean, just to win the games that they were able to win. You saw Amari Williams growth throughout the season. And I mean, I'm excited to see what Pope's going to be able to do with Jaden Quinn because the raw talent is there.
- [11:18]
Steven Peake
Heck yeah. And Jack, you were kind of reporting. Not kind of. You were reporting this was ahead last night on KS board. Another reason to get on KS board, KSR plus. But you were following it very closely. And is Auburn the official second place finish? It sounded like he was down in Kentucky. Auburn, which as someone who's petty, that just feels good to me too, given Bruce Pearl. L. Bruce is getting pretty desperate down there at Auburn. I worried he might overpay and we'd have to see quite ins in the conference. That would have been the worst, him having a big, huge season and doing it for Auburn. But it sounds like, you know, Pope got one over on Bruce here when in this recruitment.
- [11:48]
Drew Franklin
It really does feel like his first high school recruitment where Kentucky kind of solidified itself as the favorite, you know, the likely landing spot down the stretch. Then Missouri kind of came in last second. Just kind of made them just think one extra second about it. And I think that was where Auburn was, where I was told that he was actually ready to commit two nights ago. And like, those early conversations went really, really well with Mark Pope. They kind of had a. Not a great relationship after, you know, when Mark Pope first got the job. I think there was some, you know, Mark Pope not wanting to get some of Cal's leftovers and kind of wanting to just start fresh with his own players. And I think they kind of gave him grief for that to start the process and being like, hey, you didn't want us last time, but now, oh, now you want us and we're the, you know, one of your most important recruits. So I think that relationship kind of started off they. They had some history together and they were able to very quickly fix that. And I think it was one of those deals where Bruce Pearl made the phone call and was just trying to see where things stood with Kentucky as the heavy favorite, kind of even things up. And then Mark Pope jumped back up and did a masterful job closing this one.
- [12:56]
Steven Peake
So eat it, Bruce. Put that in your barbecue. Eat it. Kentucky naysayers, huge gift for the cats. How does this fit with the, you know, Brandon Garrison, Marino, you know, we thought they'd go shooter in this next commitment. Not really a shooter, but a generational talent you're not turning down. But how will that kind of shake up with the pieces they already had there?
- [13:11]
Drew Franklin
You know, it's now the ball is in Brandon's court to decide, hey, do you want to still be a part of this? There's a fit. They still want him. It's definitely not like a sign that, you know, we're going to get some type of portal announcement from Garrison. I think it's one of those deals where, you know, he has to decide Mark Pope. It's in his best interest to build the most talented national title contending roster that he can. And I think, you know, if whatever the remaining dominoes that fall after that, so be it. But it's my, my read on it is that it is joining the, joining forces with the guys. They have, all five of the guys they plan on bringing back right now, that it's, it's an addition, not a replacement.
- [13:50]
Steven Peake
Well, you mentioned dominoes falling. I thought we'd be talking about a different domino because he wasn't the only commitment we've added since last time I was here talking to you on ksr. Also took Mohammed Dubate from Alabama yesterday, another forward, similar in how he brings defense and some rebounding, but a little bit shorter than quaintance. How will he fit into this equation?
- [14:08]
Drew Franklin
If you can't beat him, take him. I think that was Mark Pope's. He was tired of. We saw this actually funny, we bring up Brandon Garrison like BRANDON Garrison torched BYU in Mark Pope's first year in the Big 12. And he said, I'm not having any of that. I'm going to have him be a part of what we're doing. Very similar situation where three times, three losses and he's always kind of the thorn in Kentucky side. And all three of those losses, the second one, even though he only scored four points, held Ortega away to 1 for 9 shooting his first game in single figures as a Wildcat. So just to do it all defensive threat, a guy that you just kind of plug in and say, hey, we need a big stop. We need a, you know, big finishing transition. We need somebody to come, you know, pull down a tough rebound. He's just kind of how, how many times this past season did we say, where's the physicality? Who. Why is nobody there? For the offensive rebound.
- [14:55]
Matt Jones
What?
- [14:55]
Drew Franklin
Like we're missing something? Who's diving for the loose balls? That is Modi Bate. That's exactly what this program needed and he feels a very clear need for for Mark Pope that was very clearly missing from last year's roster.
- [15:07]
Steven Peake
And we have a lot more to say about him. You know, he was going to be the headliner till acquaintance drops at the last second before we started the show. We'll take a break and talk more about that in the roster breakdown. Also, we're going to be joined by Kentucky women's basketball's Tiani Key. She's going to drop in before she heads to class. We've been talking a lot about the men's team, but we never really closed the book on the women's season. It's nice of her to stop by. She had a great breakout year with the Cats and she'll be back next year. So we'll talk to her about what's going on over there and her excitement for next season. Phoenix Stevens is here. He'll also jump in on the women's basketball discussion. But we got the diobate the acquaintance commitments. Kentucky's roster shaken out more portal targets. There was an NCAA champion last night. Kentucky was on one shining moment. It's a busy, busy morning here on ksr. I'm Drew Franklin filling in for Matt Jones, filling in for Ryan Lemon, filling in for Shannon the Dude, filling in for Mario Maitland. Everybody's gone, but I'm happy to have Jack Pilgrim and Steven Peake here. They made the trip to join me at KS Bar and we're going to talk a lot of basketball today. A whole lot of basketball. We want to hear from you if you have any questions again on the Clark's Pump and Shop phone line. That's 859-280-2287. We'd love to hear from you. I left a lot of people on hold yesterday as Corey Price was dropping knowledge. But we'll run through the phone lines today as there's some there's some excitement as the roster is really shaken up and there's even been some those way too early rankings that look good for Kentucky if you trust those opinions. But for right now we'll take a quick break and we will be right back.
- [16:29]
Drew Franklin
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- [17:33]
Jack Pilgrim
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- [18:31]
Ryan Lemon
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- [19:33]
Jack Pilgrim
All your pals like your graduation gifters. Who's paying for the mattress topper?
- [19:38]
Steven Peake
You mean the beanbag chair?
- [19:41]
Jack Pilgrim
Aren't we getting a mini fridge?
- [19:44]
Steven Peake
Can we create a pool on PayPal? It lets us collect the money before we buy.
- [19:50]
Jack Pilgrim
Ooh, yes, that's smart. Glad we can agree on something easily. Pool split and Send Money with PayPal. Get started in the PayPal app. A PayPal account is required to send and receive money. A balance account is required to create a pool.
- [20:03]
Steven Peake
Welcome back to ksr. Drew Franklin here with Jack Pilgrim, Steven Peake. We are living the office meme where he's. What is he. Oh, my God. It's happening. We're just running around with our hands in the air as this place is on fire with news and excitement as Jaden Quaintance made the commitment. We're still efforting getting Jayden on the phone later. We're hopeful, but it wasn't a firm yes, Jack, you, you. You spoke to. To his dad, I guess, is it. We're looking decent there.
- [20:28]
Drew Franklin
Top of the hour.
- [20:29]
Steven Peake
Top of the hour.
- [20:30]
Drew Franklin
We'll just, you know, pencil it in.
- [20:32]
Steven Peake
Understandably so. He's a busy man this morning. Even. Even. Even probably as good for.
- [20:37]
Drew Franklin
He's going to. He's going to be at rehab in an hour. For fans that are. For fans that are wanting to know how. How is he doing on schedule? Within a word. In an hour from now, he will be at the doctor getting, getting a checkup, so.
- [20:49]
Steven Peake
And the last thing we want to do is interrupt rehab because the KSR haters will say we're trying to hurt Kentucky basketball by keeping him from fixing his knee. Still great commit, but we got to keep giving Diabate his flowers. 6 foot 7, 215 pound forward from Alabama with two years left. Big defense guy, big rebounding guy, big toughness guy. A lot of what UK lacked. Unfortunately. We remember him well for shutting down Ortega away, which at the time we hated that game in Tuscaloosa. He helped hold away to two points the first game of the season when away didn't have double Digits wasn't a big fan of him then, but Jack, now it's a piece. Just another good piece that Pope needed and more excitement around the roster.
- [21:27]
Drew Franklin
Like, I remember just this time last year talking about Lamont Butler whenever it was like, oh, well, look at his stats. He only averaged nine points a game and he shot 60% from the free throw line. How is that a guy? It's like he just wins. Like, we don't need to get into the, you know, counting stats and looking at box scores and going, oh, well, he only had this. He wins games. He's a tough, gritty, hard nosed, physical guy that every team in college basketball needs. There's a reason why Alabama fans are heartbroken to see him leave like that. That was a fan favorite. A guy that they really kind of, you know, wanted to be a long term piece, a core piece under Nate Oates. He wanted an expanded role. He wanted to be a part of something bigger and you'd be a greater part of that. So I think it's a great fit for Kentucky. And, you know, I always gauge the opposing fan base. If they're celebrating his departure, you go, I don't know if I love that. They're heartbroken that he's a Kentucky Wildcat and for that I'm very happy.
- [22:21]
Steven Peake
And he kind of split his time at the 3 and 4 there. They were crowded there at forward. Grant Nelson was a big get for them. He had a big year. How do you see him fitting into the rotation at Kentucky now? Especially AD and Quaintance, who also be playing a little 4 and 5.
- [22:33]
Drew Franklin
He's just kind of a plug and play, do it all kind of guy. If you need him at the three, you know, spot minutes of the three, if you need him at the four, you know, he's kind of a, you know, plays bigger than his body and I, you know, could do some small ball, five stuff, just throw him in and just see what happens. I'd envision him playing, you know, 23:20. I think that's the beauty of Mark Pope's system where whether he's starting or coming off the bench, he's going to play 20 to 25 minutes a game in a pretty expanded role. So, yeah, I don't know if we want to pencil him in for any specific starting role, but, you know, probably starting at the four, but I don't think that's necessarily locked in. But more so, the role that he's going to play is pretty.
- [23:10]
Steven Peake
It's the toughness they needed. There are many times Last season where there'd be a loose ball and we're yelling someone jump on that. Or a rebound. Go get that. He's that type of guy. And Steven, he's another lefty.
- [23:19]
Tiani Key
There you go.
- [23:20]
Steven Peake
We're up to four lefties.
- [23:21]
Tiani Key
We are loaded with lefties on this team. You know, I love talking with, with our Brandon Ramsey, another KSR guy who says that that's worth like a couple points because the defender will typically just jump the right hand because that's how they're used to. Everybody else is right handed. So that sounds like we're getting a lot of points. I don't know. I mean it has to be the most left handed team in Kentucky basketball history.
- [23:41]
Drew Franklin
We talked about it in our rapid reaction. I think the only team that compares is the one with James Young, Julius Randall, that Jared Polson. Jared. Jared Polson. And who was the one that was Sam alone. I think Sam was like, are we really throwing him in the mix? But, but that's the only team that has been comparable to, to this lefty bonus.
- [24:01]
Tiani Key
You know, you look at the roster right now, it looks really good. I think there's. There was like one, maybe one piece like a good or like a cope because somebody to replace Kobe, Braya. Jack, how do you feel about Yates and where things stand with that?
- [24:14]
Drew Franklin
I, I have, I, I have heard the Washington noise. I know that that's kind of looming in the back of BBN's mind. But like I, for the last 24 hours or so there's a lot of private Kentucky buzz that has me feeling really good. I could. It's all about relationships. It's all about, you know, years back, you know, talk conversations and being able to as. Hey, remember when I first recruited you out of high school, that's where Alvin Brooks comes in. That's where Mikhail McLean comes in. Two local Texas guys that are doing a lot of the heavy lifting in that one. That yes, I know that there's some, you know, public intrigue with the whole Quincy Pondexter assistant coach. You know, is he going to go back to Washington and would Wesley Yates follow through all of that very public noise? There's a lot of private momentum for the Kentucky Wildcats and that would wrap up, in my opinion, a national championship contending roster.
- [25:04]
Steven Peake
Wow. We'll spend a lot of the show breaking down the roster further and Jack's national championship pick. But our special guest Tianna Key just walked in. She has to get to class in a little bit. So I'm going to bring on Phoenix Stevens, who covers Kentucky women's basketball for the rest of this, covers Kentucky basketball, and I'm bringing him on for the rest of segment before we interview Tiani and let her get to class. I know it's weird to just move from this big excitement of the roster over to the women's sport, but they had a big year, too, Steven, and you're right in the middle of it as our beat reporter. How did it feel to cover a team that, you know, took over a 12 and 20 program and goes and wins 23 games and has the year that they did?
- [25:39]
Phoenix Stevens
Well, I gotta say, Steven here, our videographer, does a great job, but my name is Phoenix Drew.
- [25:43]
Steven Peake
I do that every time.
- [25:44]
Tiani Key
Phoenix, Steven Stevens, ksr.
- [25:46]
Drew Franklin
Thank you.
- [25:46]
Steven Peake
If y'all can't tell, I'm a little flustered by all the chaos that's been going on. Phoenix, Stevens. What did I say? Steven? Steven.
- [25:50]
Phoenix Stevens
Phoenix just said Steve, but you never know when the dominoes are going to fall. So I was ready to jump in. But, yeah, it's been. It was a great year for Kentucky women's basketball. And, you know, obviously a lot of things happen, you know, throughout the season. You had some injuries before the season. You know, you never know really how things are going to go for the team, especially with two great players like that being hurt, you know, how are they going to make the. Make the mold fit. But they had a great year, and so far, transfer portal is doing really good. Got a really good commitment from Josie Gilvin. Nice player there, but things are looking good, looking positive. Should be on the upward trend.
- [26:21]
Steven Peake
It might be awkward because she's sitting right in front of us, but I noticed yesterday you wrote a story about her, Tiana Key, not even knowing that she was going to be on the guest on the show today. So it just kind of summarized that. And then we'll, of course, get to talk to her in just a minute. Minute.
- [26:33]
Phoenix Stevens
Yeah, of course.
- [26:34]
Steven Peake
Yeah.
- [26:34]
Phoenix Stevens
Like you said, had no idea this was all happening today. But yeah, Tiani, you know, I wrote that yesterday. I wrote yesterday she had a really good junior year. And to me, you know, maybe she'll. Maybe she'll say otherwise. I thought it was kind of refreshing to watch because our first two years in North Carolina, you know, there's injury, just things going on. And finally, you know, in a fresh start at Kentucky, was able to really get going. Had this really great junior year. But I think next year, her senior year, Drew, could be a really big jump for her. You know, time for her to take the next step, maybe be an all SEC type player.
- [27:05]
Steven Peake
Kentucky can take a big next step too. I mean, you lose George A. Moore and Deja Lawrence, two special players that guard, but still some returning pieces and that you witness it all. You were at all the games. That excitement was higher around Memorial Historic Memorial this season, right?
- [27:18]
Phoenix Stevens
Historic Memorial Coliseum is what they want to call it now. But yeah, the excitement is great and of course you have to, you have to replace Georgia or it's hard to even say replace Georgia. I mean, two time all American did the, you know, absolutely incredible here in your lone season at Kentucky. But yeah, you try to replace Georgia Amore and Deja Lawrence and some of the players that hit the portal, but you know, you know, Josie Gilvin's a good start. You have a lot of more, more commitments, you know, potentially lining up some really good players that they've contacted. You know, it's kind of like the men's side. You don't know, like they contact. How strong are they actually in the mix there? But a lot of positive esteem for the women's program and things should be moving forward.
- [27:57]
Steven Peake
Awesome. Phoenix, I'm going to stop calling you Steven. You sitting next to Stephen is going to mess with me all day. But I like your McLean county hat. Right? Yeah. Western Kentucky shout out to Ricklers. We're going to take a break here. Bring Tiani in so we can talk to her for a few minutes before she heads to class. You know, they're student athletes. They got to get to class. And then we're going to get right back to the excitement of the men's basketball roster. Still more portal movement. Still shopping around Jack still thinks we're going to win the national championship. So Drew here with Jack, Steven, Phoenix and soon to be Tianna Key as we fill in for the KSR guys. They're all on vacation. Matt's gone, Ryan's gone, Shannon's gone, Mario's gone. But we're still having a lot of fun here on ksr. We'll get to the phone lines as well. The Clark's Pump and chop phone line. 280-2287 right now. We'll take a quick break and we'll be right back with Tianni Keatt. I am not Matt Jones. I am Drew Franklin filling in for Matt Jones with my good friend Jack Pilgrim, Stephen Peake and Phoenix Stevens. We are now happy to be joined by our special guest. She is one of the breakout stars of Kentucky women's basketball's breakout season. She averaged 11.4 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game. She is Tiani Key and she is joining us now. Tiani, welcome to ksr.
- [29:12]
Matt Jones
Thanks for having me.
- [29:14]
Steven Peake
You know, I know the the goal was still to be playing basketball last season, but you still had a great first year at Kentucky. In Kenny Brooks first season, how did it feel to be a part of that big turnaround in Lexington that brought so much excitement to historic Memorial?
- [29:26]
Matt Jones
It was surreal. Like it was huge just because of what we were able to accomplish, was such a quick turnaround. Knowing each other for less than a year, it was a super special year for us and I think it was a great foundation for what is going to keep building here in Kentucky.
- [29:42]
Steven Peake
Your career got off to a little bit slower start. You had the ACL injury before your freshman year at North Carolina. Had a couple years coming back, but from a distance it felt like a big breakout year for you with 12 double doubles. Did you feel like you really found your confidence at Kentucky and really turned things on this last season?
- [29:56]
Matt Jones
Oh, yeah, for sure. It was obviously the best year yet. I think especially off the court too. Everything was just great. Just being able to be given the opportunity to get out there and just showcase my abilities and be with the coaching staff and help everyone on the team and then also with the coaching staff, like with the developmental piece, it was huge this summer, this past summer as well.
- [30:17]
Steven Peake
Kentucky lacked some height for many years until Brooks got here. But then you, Clara Strack, Amelia called you the triplets, said you are like interchangeable inside all the way. You rebound, block shots, even said you all had a special bond. Was there a special bond between you all and that kind of add to some competitiveness and practice. What was it like playing that role?
- [30:34]
Matt Jones
Oh, yeah, it was. No, it was huge. It was huge. It made everything a lot more fun, especially like in practice. Like you said, going at each other just, you know, iron sharpens iron. So just learning from each other and going at each other was huge. Even off the court, it was just really special. 2. We all got along pretty well.
- [30:50]
Phoenix Stevens
Tiani, I thought it was fitting you came on today because like Drew said, I wrote that article about you yesterday and I was just curious because, you know, after, you know, after the season, I know coaches a lot of times like to have conversations with players, you know, you know what I want to see from you next year. Has there been that conversation with coach Brooks yet? And if so, you know, what are the kind of things he wants to see from you in your senior season?
- [31:08]
Matt Jones
Oh, yeah, absolutely. We've had that conversation the day after the game, our last game. Basically it was just, you know, just focusing on sharpening everything that, yeah, there was growth this year. It was a good season, but there's so much more that we need to work on, so much more that we need to get better. So I think just focusing on like sharpening the all around skill set on the court and then just strength purposes, gaining a little, putting on a little pound.
- [31:33]
Steven Peake
So, yeah, one of my favorite stats is as a team, you all led the country in blocks, but you and Clara Strack averaged 4.1 blocks just between the two of you per game. And that was more than 300 Division 1 basketball teams. Do you get into rhythm blocking shots? And when are opponents going to stop bringing this weak stuff inside?
- [31:50]
Matt Jones
Listen, I don't think they'll stop. They obviously haven't learned, but I think it was huge just because like you said earlier, we're all interchangeable. So like, if one of us is out on the perimeter or something like that, we know when somebody's got your back, you know, it just allows us to play more connected, more together and be more aggressive defensively. So I think it was, it was huge. It was a big part of us.
- [32:08]
Steven Peake
And you were ranked seventh in the SEC, 8.1 rebounds per game. With rebounding, is that more effort, technique, you know, walk us through the strategy of how you're able to rebound so well with that. Prowse.
- [32:19]
Matt Jones
It's a little bit of both. I'm telling you. They, you gotta, you gotta work for them for sure. Nothing comes easy. Obviously, there's a lot of good rebounders in the sec, so I think it's just, it's a lot of positioning and then mostly effort, really, like just going to get it and put it, getting your hands on it and being strong with it. Because there's a lot of bigs battling down there, for sure.
- [32:35]
Steven Peake
Oh, yeah. What feels better, blocking a shot or getting an offensive rebound to keep the possession alive?
- [32:41]
Matt Jones
Oh, that's a good question. That's a tough one. I'd say there's, there's nothing like a blocking a shot, though. You know, it really gets everybody going, the whole team, really.
- [32:50]
Phoenix Stevens
Now, Tiani Drew and I were both big Tennessee haters, you know, as big as we are. Oh, yes, we're massive, massive Tennessee haters. Now, I want to preface this by saying your sister Tamarind played at Tennessee. I just want to ask, when you all beat them by a million earlier this season, you know, was there, was there any friendly Banter between the two of you or, you know, what, you know, Was her sulking in the sadness good enough for you?
- [33:12]
Matt Jones
No, I was pretty humble about it. I was. I was pretty nice. But no, it was. It was. It was fun seeing. Seeing her reaction, though. Just. I mean, that game was fun too. Just, it was. It was funny because we were the week before trying to decide. Like, we kept talking to her like, what are you wearing? Where are you sitting? And she didn't know. And I was like, girl, just put on blue. Like, come on. She had a hat that was blue and orange, so a little bit, but still the wind was good enough for me for sure.
- [33:40]
Drew Franklin
Tiani, we're talking about rivals. Just the Louisville rivalry means so much to this area, being a part of that and, you know, just how exciting that one was. What was that experience like for you?
- [33:49]
Matt Jones
Oh, it was huge. It was really fun. I think that was like our first big matchup, really. So just seeing all of us come together in like a hard fought game like that, it was. It was a huge push for momentum for our season. It was. It was amazing. The rivalry is pretty good.
- [34:02]
Steven Peake
That was one of your best games of the season. 17 points, nine rebounds. When you have a big game like that, how much better does it feel knowing it's against a rival team?
- [34:10]
Matt Jones
No, it was huge. It was definitely a good start to the rivalry and I'm excited for the next one.
- [34:15]
Phoenix Stevens
Now, Drew's actually, you know, Drew met. They've had Georgia Amore on the show multiple times. Just curious, what's it like playing with her, you know, and her one season, Lexington. I mean, great talent. Obviously great on the show. What was it like being around Georgia Amore?
- [34:28]
Matt Jones
She's unreal. Like one of a kind. Truly like a generational talent person. She's amazing. So honestly, so grateful. Such a blessing to be around her, just even off the court, learning from her on the court, her work ethic. Like, she's a phenomenal person. So it was super.
- [34:44]
Steven Peake
The two times we had her sitting up here with us, she was really funny. Like, I think she was gonna take all of our jobs. I know she's obviously very serious and compassion to get to where she is, but what is she like behind the scenes? Is she. Is she cutting up a little bit?
- [34:56]
Matt Jones
Oh, absolutely. Georgia's always cracking jokes. She's one of the funniest people I've ever met. She's got like a. Like a slick little banter to her. So it's. It's fun. She's hilarious.
- [35:05]
Steven Peake
What's one of your favorite off the court memories with your teammates this. This season. Oh, just be out having fun or.
- [35:13]
Matt Jones
Yeah. So when we. When we first got here, like, in the summer, there wasn't much to do, so we all decided to go to karaoke. This was, like, the one. The one, like, big thing we'd done together. It was. It was hilarious. We. Everybody was laughing. It was a great time, and we are horrible singers, so it made it even better.
- [35:32]
Steven Peake
Did you do the group thing?
- [35:33]
Phoenix Stevens
Go to karaoke song?
- [35:34]
Matt Jones
Ooh, I think I did. Me and Amelia, we did one together. It was a sexy red song.
- [35:42]
Steven Peake
So you didn't do solo performances as you got up there with your. With your teammates?
- [35:46]
Drew Franklin
Oh, yeah.
- [35:47]
Matt Jones
And it made it so much better because we were, like, going off each other was great.
- [35:51]
Steven Peake
Phoenix mentioned your sister Tennessee volume, which we'll live with that. But what kind of impact did she have on your career and getting you to this point, being a little bit older than you?
- [35:58]
Matt Jones
Oh, yeah, she was huge. Like, you know, she really paved the way. Just like, just showing me, like, what it takes to get there and, like, you know, be successful at such a high level. She was a huge piece.
- [36:09]
Phoenix Stevens
Now, Tiana, we spend a lot of time talking about Coach Brooks and, you know, rightfully so. He's done a great job here, but I think the assistants deserve a little bit of love, too. Coach Josh Peterson, I know he works with you directly. What's it been like working with him kind of day in and day out?
- [36:22]
Matt Jones
Amazing. He brings such a, like, a refreshing energy and just always reminding me that, like, you know, be, like, have gratitude and stuff like that. So he's a great, great person. It's been such a great year working with him and learning from him, and just every day has been really, really good.
- [36:41]
Steven Peake
We mentioned Georgia, her and Daisia Lawrence losing two great leaders there. You were big role, had a big role last year. But do you see yourself stepping into more of a leadership role to kind of help fill those shoes?
- [36:50]
Matt Jones
Oh, absolutely. Just being like now, like you said in my senior year, I think it'll be a huge piece. Just being able to lead and, you know, having a year under my belt, under the coaching staff, I think it'll be huge for all the people that we bring in, freshmen included.
- [37:04]
Steven Peake
What's something you want to check off your bucket list before your college career ends? Still got some time left, but what's the main goal?
- [37:11]
Matt Jones
I want to get a ring for sure. Whether it be sec, national title, both. I think that'll be a huge piece that's definitely a goal.
- [37:19]
Steven Peake
What do you think you and maybe the team will need to do to kind of take that next step? You already took a huge step for the program in your first year here with Kenny Brooks first year. But what do you think needs to happen to go next? Maybe something you're working on in particular or any pieces you need to add?
- [37:32]
Matt Jones
Yeah, I think definitely just firing on all cylinders. Just being more consistent, I think is something that I'm definitely focusing on. Just, you know, all the little things. I think some of those games we lost, the little things are what separated them and us. So I think that'll be a huge focus this year, especially as we bring in a lot of new faces.
- [37:51]
Steven Peake
What class are we keeping you from right now? I noticed you said we could take our time.
- [37:56]
Matt Jones
It's a sponsorships class, a sales and sponsorship class. Yeah, it's fine.
- [38:01]
Steven Peake
Maybe learn a few nil things.
- [38:03]
Matt Jones
There you go. Cool class.
- [38:04]
Steven Peake
Well, we appreciate you joining us today. It's been great to talk to you. It's fun watching you last season. Love having you as a cat.
- [38:09]
Matt Jones
Thank you.
- [38:10]
Steven Peake
Got you out of North Carolina where you need to be here. Kept you away from Tennessee where your sister went. It's been a pleasure watching you through one year in Kentucky and can't wait to see what you have next. And we appreciate you being on with us today.
- [38:20]
Matt Jones
Thanks for having me. It's been great.
- [38:21]
Steven Peake
Thanks a lot. All right, guys, we'll take a quick break here or. No, we got. Do we need a break? We got a call. Rick, what's going on? We've got calls. We can take a break. Let's go and take a quick break. We got to reset. I think Jack has locked in maybe more acquaintance news, so he's working the phone here. We'll keep Phoenix on for a few more minutes, but thanks again to Yannicki. We'll be right back after this. Quick break.
- [38:42]
Jack Pilgrim
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- [39:43]
Ryan Lemon
If you could do one thing this year that could help you lose up to 20 to 30 pounds without lifting a single weight and it would actually be good for you, would you do it? And if it would actually improve your health and digestion and it tastes like a chocolate shake, wouldn't that be the ultimate win? Well, here it is. It's called shakeology. Packed with vital nutrients, protein, probiotics, adaptogens, and superfoods, it's the easiest way to reset your nutrition, curb cravings, and feel incredible all in under the two minutes it takes to make a simple shake. No meal prep, no guesswork. Just a smarter way to fuel your body and start feeling your best. Shakeology isn't just a shake. It's a lifestyle upgrade that makes healthy living easy, delicious, and totally doable. Shakeology is all your vital nutrition made simple. You can get free shipping, big discounts, and a free Shaker cup when you subscribe@shakeology.com that's shakeology.com PayPal lets you pay.
- [40:44]
Jack Pilgrim
All your pals like your graduation gifters. Who's paying for the mattress topper?
- [40:50]
Steven Peake
You mean the bean bag chair?
- [40:52]
Jack Pilgrim
Aren't we getting a mini fridge?
- [40:55]
Steven Peake
Can we create a pool on PayPal? It lets us collect the money before we buy.
- [41:01]
Jack Pilgrim
Ooh, yes, that's smart. Glad we can agree on something easily. Pool split and Send Money with PayPal get started in the PayPal app. A PayPal account is required to send and receive money. A balance account is required to create a po.
- [41:16]
Drew Franklin
Hey everybody. So when you get asked, what is Odoo? What comes to mind? Well, I'll tell you, Odoo is a bit of everything. Odoo is a suite of business management software that some people say is like fertilizer because the way it promotes growth. But you know, some people also say that Odoo is like a magic beanstalk because it grows with your company and is also magically affordable.
- [41:38]
Steven Peake
Oh, but then again, you could look at Odoo in terms of how its individual software programs are a lot like building blocks. Whatever your business needs, manufacturing, accounting, HR programs, you can build a custom software suite that's perfect for your company.
- [41:52]
Ryan Lemon
So what is Odoo?
- [41:54]
Steven Peake
Well, Odoo is a bit of everything. Odoo is a fertilizer, magic beanstalk. Building blocks for business. Yeah, that's it.
- [42:01]
Drew Franklin
Which means that Odoo is exactly what every business needs. Learn more and sign up now@odoo.com that's o d o o dot com.
- [42:14]
Steven Peake
Welcome back to a chaotic edition of Kentucky Sports Radio. Drew Franklin here filling in for the whole crew. Just had Tianna Key on the show. We're going to get back to the men's team's roster updates, portal shopping. We still haven't even mentioned the national championship game last night. I thought I'd lead with that, but we've had a lot going on before. We keep going. Let me tell you about UK Federal Credit Union. This segment is brought to you by them. UKFCU wants you to reach your savings goal is 2025. Open a high Yield Savings Account. Earn as high as 4% APY on your savings. Upgrade your piggy bank in 2025 by earning almost 10 times the national average savings rate. Net yourself bigger savings this basketball season and earn up to 4% from the official credit union of the University of Kentucky. Visit ukfcu.org or visit one of your seven local branches. To open a High Yield Savings account today. APY annual percentage yield minimum 1,000 to open a high Yield Savings Account. Account. Membership eligible, eligibility required. Federally insured by NCUA before we get Phoenix out of here, what'd you think of that Tiani key interview? Like I said, you wrote a story about her yesterday and then who you are talking to her on the show?
- [43:18]
Phoenix Stevens
Yeah, Tiani's always, she's always been great on the mic in front of the camera. I remember we didn't like kind of, I think it was when trying to think heading into the Liberty game, the NCAA tournament, we did like locker room interviews with them and she was great. She was awesome. So no surprise haven't Tiani on the radio. She does a great job with the interview there. Really like how she, you know, was like, tamari, you're wearing blue. Gosh darn it.
- [43:40]
Steven Peake
Oh, yeah.
- [43:41]
Phoenix Stevens
You know, I don't care if he went to Tennessee wearing blue.
- [43:43]
Drew Franklin
I like that.
- [43:43]
Steven Peake
It's got to be a fun rivalry for those two. I'm glad she, she picked the right side in that. Yeah. Of course, our hills, we don't really like them either. But you know, North Carolina native, she was all American in high school. I was a big get When Kee got her and then she followed through last season, had a great year, and I think there's still a lot more ahead. It was fun to hear from from her. Jack, where are we? We still efforting the phone lines on our. On our boy Jaden.
- [44:04]
Drew Franklin
11Am where is it? In quaint. So we on. On KSR, top of the hour.
- [44:10]
Steven Peake
Look at. Look at us just getting it done. You know, Matt, Ryan, Shannon, they're going to come back and not have a job. I'm worried about it. That's a goal. I mean, the. The moment we took over the mics, the portal, we started getting some movement with the roster. Last week, it was all speculation, and the sky's falling now it's all coming together. What we up to? 12, 11.
- [44:28]
Drew Franklin
As things stand today, 12 pieces. Like, I mean, pieces. Think of where we were last week, of the panic and just the. Oh, my sky is falling. Mark Pope can't close. Like, the roster's done. Like, you add one more piece and it's like, okay, let's roll the balls out. You know, now. Now we have months to kill with talking points.
- [44:47]
Tiani Key
Die.
- [44:47]
Drew Franklin
We're like, okay, well, now. Now what?
- [44:49]
Tiani Key
So expectations now have. Have risen dramatically. I mean, I feel like this year there was a lot of. He had only a few weeks to put together a team. There was a lot of. There was injuries. There's stuff like that. This year, I feel like expectations are going right back to where Kentucky's got to get a one seed again. We haven't had a one seed since 2015. We have to get one of those top four seeds. It has to happen. If it doesn't happen next year, like, it's got to happen soon because that's the longest drought in school history by, like, four years.
- [45:17]
Steven Peake
Oh, I gotta bring the mood down.
- [45:19]
Tiani Key
I'm just saying, like, this. This team has to. We have to get back to that. You look at who wins national championships, it's since, like, 2010, it's been all One Seeds or UConn or Villanova, one at the buzzer. So you. If you're gonna. The goal at Kentucky is to win the national title. That is the goal.
- [45:35]
Drew Franklin
Right.
- [45:36]
Tiani Key
I mean, it's not like the expectation every year, but it is the goal.
- [45:39]
Steven Peake
This is a good year to prove that one seeds can make it far with all of them in the Final Four. Right? Right.
- [45:43]
Tiani Key
That's happened, what, one?
- [45:45]
Steven Peake
Well, twice.
- [45:46]
Tiani Key
2008, I think. But yeah, but if you are a one seed, you are. There's a, like, 40% chance of getting to the Final Four, the highest in all the other seeds, obviously. But you. This is the kind of roster, Jack, wouldn't you say that that could absolutely do that?
- [46:03]
Drew Franklin
They. A lot of the flaws that last year's team did, like, a lot they were masked with good coaching and, you know, shot making and kind of just raw skill allowed for the, you know, the floor to be a lot higher than maybe it probably should have been. But with the pieces they have added, you can say truly that the ceiling has been elevated as well. Where, like you, obviously, we're Kentucky fans, we wanted to dream big and say this is, you know, Kentucky goes to the Final Four every single year and all that. But when Pokemon built last year's roster, you went into it saying, hey, a sweet 16 would be a really awesome year for this. Just to get the monkey off our back with the first weekend and all that stuff. There's a lot that just kind of went into just getting some of the. The. The old demons out more than anything. But if you look at this roster, assuming you can add somebody like Wesley Yates to fill that, you know, sharpshooting role replacing Kobe Bra, like, you can look at this roster saying, there's no reason why this team can't go to a Final Four. And I think that's what Kentucky fans need.
- [47:05]
Steven Peake
Rick, we better get to some phone calls. I've left them on hold for a while, which I promised I wouldn't do, but it's been very newsy and we had Tianna key. So let's go to the Clark's Pump and Shop phone line. Who's up first? Okay, got Rusty up first. Rusty, thanks for waiting. What's up? Hey, Drew. Jack, Stephen. Hey, got a question.
- [47:24]
Phoenix Stevens
So last year, you know, we kind of had the same situation without Jaden.
- [47:29]
Tiani Key
Obviously.
- [47:30]
Steven Peake
We're, we're all very positive, but what it ended up being is the hard games were won by defense, Gonzaga, Duke, things like that. So, Jack, I guess this is for you. What is our main focus with the current roster? If nobody changes, we don't get anybody else, like who is our defensive guy?
- [47:50]
Phoenix Stevens
Who's our Lamont Butler on this team?
- [47:52]
Steven Peake
So I'll hang up and listen. Thanks. We appreciate the call.
- [47:55]
Drew Franklin
Yeah, it's a great question. Jaden Quaintance had one of the best block rates, a historic block rate for his age. At 17 years old, playing rookie college basketball, younger than. Than, you know, he was the youngest player in college basketball this past season and put up historic block rates. So, you know, you. We talked a lot about, you know, Amari Williams being the three time CAA defensive player of the year, but still kind of wondered why he, he wasn't the shot blocking presence he necessarily could have been with the tools. His what his tool suggested he could have been. That's what Jaden Quaint says. So you look for him to anchor that obviously modiabate. That's exactly what he brings to the table. I mean if you're wondering where the defense comes from, let's go to the guy that stopped, you know, one of the all time streaks for Kentucky basketball with double digit scoring in Ortega. O way he was the guy that ended that. So those two, just the last 48 hours for Kentucky basketball I'd say that those, that's where, that's where you look for defense and obviously some of the other guys have tools. Ortega is a good defender and if you can get him back. So yeah, there's definitely a lot of defensive upside with the roster.
- [48:58]
Steven Peake
Don't sleep on the Mormon Mamba.
- [49:00]
Drew Franklin
Oh, Mormon Mamba Williams too. Yeah, but I mean Mormon Mamba.
- [49:04]
Steven Peake
Colin Chandler showed some defense even before he really broke out offensively early in the season he was pretty hands. He had a lot of steals, played a big role in the Hate saying it out loud. The Orchestra game didn't go well, but in that second half he helped shut down John L. Davis.
- [49:16]
Tiani Key
That's the one player I'm really looking forward to. I think we are kind of sleeping on what he's going to be able to bring next year. You saw him kind of get a little more comfortable with his game there late in the season and started to have some confidence that I mean, you know, we don't have a whole lot of highlights from that Tennessee game, but that was a big three he hit at the end of the half and he hit some big shots against Missouri also. I mean like he's somebody that I really think is going to contribute a lot next year.
- [49:39]
Drew Franklin
He's gonna be a 22 year old sophomore. 21 year old sophomore. Whatever it is, whatever it's gonna be.
- [49:44]
Tiani Key
I mean he'll be married.
- [49:45]
Drew Franklin
He'll be married. I mean he's settling down, you know, 21 years old.
- [49:50]
Steven Peake
Rick, let's get one more in before the break. Okay. We have Adrian up next. Adrian, thanks for calling in. What's up?
- [49:57]
Drew Franklin
Hey, good morning.
- [49:58]
Steven Peake
How are you all doing? We are excellent, thanks for asking. Question is you.
- [50:04]
Drew Franklin
You can all chime in.
- [50:05]
Steven Peake
But I guess this question is more for Jack. Are we still in the running for Native Mint? And what about the kid from Robert Morris, that's from Spain, that we were kind of looking at.
- [50:15]
Drew Franklin
Yeah, yeah. Great questions. I would, I would probably put, you know, put that on hold. I, I do not think that, you know, I, I think Nate Amend, I think that ship has sailed. And I think this, this Jaden Quaintance edition is kind of the writing on the wall there. But, you know, we'll see with Alvaro, obviously, I think him kind of putting his recruitment on hold and you know, if, if you were to get a surprise decommitment or enter the transfer portal with, you know, Brandon Garrison or something, I think that's something they would re evaluate. But until then, I think the guys they have right now in the front quarter, the guys they're very comfortable with going into next season.
- [50:50]
Steven Peake
I was pretty excited about the big Spaniards. He's still in Spain. Did he come back? Have we heard if he's.
- [50:55]
Drew Franklin
I have not. I have not. Not hurt. I think they thought he was coming back and did not come back yesterday. But, you know, I'm pretty excited about Jaden Queen on board.
- [51:05]
Steven Peake
We got to introduce him at Rupp arena again. I love that moment when he, when he popped in and gave everybody a big wave. Let's run him back next season. But we'll be running it back in the second hour. Drew Franklin, Jack Pilgrim, Stephen Peak. Thanks to Phoenix Stevens and Tianna Key for joining us. Talk a little women's basketball in the middle of all this. We also want to hear from you on the Clark's Pump and shop phone line. 859-280-2287. We're having lots of fun on a newsy day. We'll talk about the championship when we get back. This is ksr.
- [51:33]
Drew Franklin
New out of nowhere obstacles.
- [51:35]
Steven Peake
New all or nothing moments. New less than likely triumphs. Season two of the Unshakeables podcast has it all. Hi, I'm Ben Walter, CEO of Chase for Business and host of the show. We're excited to bring you more inspiring stories from small business owners who share the what are we gonna do Moments that ended up changing everything. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Chase mobile app is available for select mobile devices. Message and data rates may apply. JP Morgan Chase bank and a member FDIC Copyright 2025 JPMorgan Chase & Co.
- [52:08]
Jack Pilgrim
For some of us, personal finances aren't just personal. They include a lot more people than ourselves. Loved ones, neighbors, the communities we call.
- [52:18]
Steven Peake
Home and the causes we hold in our hearts.
- [52:21]
Matt Jones
At thrivent, we help plan your financial picture with the bigger picture in mind.
- [52:26]
Jack Pilgrim
Because even though our business is helping guide your finances, our ambition is to make it mean so much. More thrivent where money means more.
- [52:35]
Steven Peake
Connect with us@thrivent.com you know how we're always talking about what's next?
- [52:41]
Phoenix Stevens
Well, I found it.
- [52:42]
Steven Peake
It's called Formula E. Forget everything you think you know about racing. This isn't just cars going fast.
- [52:49]
Phoenix Stevens
It's like a supercomputer on wheels.
- [52:52]
Steven Peake
The tech is insane and the drivers, they're like chess grandmasters at 200 miles per hour. You've got to see it. Trust me, you'll be hooked. Follow Formula E live on Roku next race.
- [53:06]
Drew Franklin
Miami, April 12th Amazon One Medical presents.
- [53:10]
Steven Peake
Painful Thoughts do they ever actually clean the ball pit at these kids play gyms? Or is my kid just swimming in a vat of bacteria catching whatever cootie.
- [53:21]
Drew Franklin
Of the day is breeding in there?
- [53:22]
Steven Peake
A cootie that'll probably take down our whole family.
- [53:27]
Drew Franklin
Luckily, with Amazon One Medical 24. 7 Virtual Care, you can get checked out for whatever ball pit itis you've contracted. Amazon One Medical Healthcare just got less painful.