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Comedy Off Broadway in Lexington welcomes Dustin Nickerson April 17th through the 19th. Then catch the hilarious siblings Leah and Andrew Rudick April 24th through the 26th. And from Dublin, Ireland, it's David Nyhuel May 2nd and 3rd. Comedy Off Broadway opened in downtown Lexington in 1987 and they're still bringing the best in stand up comedy to the area 38 years later. Call 859-271-joke or visit comedyoffbroadway.com Comedy Off.
Matt Jones
Broad.
Shannon
This is Kentucky Sports Radio presented by Stockton Mortgage. Now here's Matt Jones.
Matt Jones
Welcome everyone. It is Kentucky Sports Radio. Wednesday, April 23rd. I'm Matt Jones here at the KS Bar and Grill on Wednesday wins that dollar wings all day on a beautiful day. So you want to come out and have lunch with us? We got people here from we got Gainesville, Florida right there. We got Versailles. Katie's in Trigg county, although she won't look this way. It's like she's embarrassed. And where are you from? Madisonville.
Ryan Lemon
Madisonville.
Matt Jones
So already here this morning. Ryan Lemon, Drew Franklin, you give a shout on the Clark's pump and Shop phone line, 859-280-2287. A Vision Auto Glass text machine is 772-774-5254 in this edition sponsored by the TJ Smith Law Office. If you call TJ he'll make him pay. He was in Gainesville. Said it was it was a great celebration when they won the title. But you still can't be that happy because it's Florida fans. Hopefully we get to have one of those here in the next few years. It's also going to be ask anything Wednesday gone for three and a half weeks. So open up the phones. Whatever you want to ask. I'm not saying for certain I'll answer it. But you know, you can be exciting. You can ask about sports, but you can also ask about anything you want. Don't Be afraid. Just don't call me and say, like, hey, Matt, who's going to start at point guard? Because, like, we can do that anytime. Make it kind of a more interesting question than that, Drew.
Drew Franklin
Yeah, it's always fun when we get a little off script and maybe even tell some stories from the past.
Matt Jones
Yes. And I also have something in the second hour where we're going to play a little draft game. Oh. So just. Just be ready for that. But let's start with the big news of the day. Travis Perry enters the portal. Talk about an 11th hour thing. It happened at like what, 9:30 last night? Two and a half hours before the portal closed. He didn't make an announcement. It just got. I had a source tell me, but they must have had everybody on speed dial because everybody put it out. I thought, hey, I have some scoop. And then all of a sudden, everybody had it at the same time. So it must have been a group text. But nevertheless, he is in the portal. Not a shock to me. I kind of wondered, you know, all these other people would put out their graphics that they were back and he hadn't. And I was kind of like, is it going to happen? You know, there was a. There's a person who wrote the text machine who has written me about every two days for the last month saying Travis was going to come back. And 15 minutes before I got the text, they were like, it's official. And I wanted to be like, you've been writing me this for two months. I guess. Was it official then? But he decides to leave. Let's just start. Ryan, before we. What are your initial thoughts? I mean, this is the all time leading scorer in the history of Kentucky high school basketball. What do you make of the decision?
Ryan Lemon
You know, I'd heard there were some teams putting the full court press on him, but the fact that he had not made an announcement, I thought, well, he's probably going to come back. And the fact that it waited till the 11th hour, it just kind of tells me on outsider looking in, it might have been a really struggle with him and the family trying to decide what to do. Should we look elsewhere or do we want to kind of stay and be Kentucky, Be at Kentucky. I think we owe that kid a lot of gratitude. I mean, I'd hate to think where we would have been without him after all of our injuries at point guard.
Matt Jones
Yeah, we might have had Brandon Garrison bringing the ball before. What do you think? True.
Drew Franklin
I think he's got a tough decision. I've heard from the moment portal Season started all the way through Monday, that he didn't want to leave. He knew his spot. It's not a competition thing, a playing time thing. He's very aware of the situation in Kentucky, but there are some other places that have made significant offers and opportunities that are in front of him, and he has to decide, do I want to be at Kentucky knowing I'm the 13th guy and there's a lot in front of me and, you know, live that dream, or do I want to take maybe even double the money and have a significant increase in playing time?
Matt Jones
So that's interesting. I heard the exact opposite, and I'm not saying you're wrong. This may just be in the Portal era. You hear different things. I heard the exact opposite. I think. I think UK actually had kind of thought he was coming back and, like, had sort of the nil agreement with him, but that ultimately it did come down to kind of a playing time thing that, like, especially when they got Aberdeen, there was a sense of, well, Aberdeen will probably end up being the backup point guard when. When. When Low is out, and you're now at that point kind of third string for your second year. So I'm. You're wrong. You know, my source could be wrong, but I actually heard the exact opposite of that. So, you know, I'm pretty confident he's.
Drew Franklin
Got some strong offers out there. Oh, I'm sure that there are much more than Kentucky's.
Matt Jones
I don't think that. I don't. I. I don't think the money was why he left. I think it. I mean, there was. Well, I. I won't go into all the details, but I. I'm sure he'll get other offers, but. But that would have been the case back two months ago, so a month and a half ago or whenever. Whenever it ended. So either way, I guess it doesn't really matter. He's. He's gone. You know, it was interesting, looking at the fan reaction online. I think. I think the general reaction is, well, I'm sorry it didn't work out because we want this Kentucky kid to play, but that. But that people understand. I mean, he was gonna be the 13th man on the roster last year. I mean, Trent Noah kind of objectively fit in better in some ways last year. I mean, Travis, he's a great shooter, but he didn't shoot great last year. Right. And he. And he. He really struggles on defense. And I. It's. You know, I hate to see him go, because I love having Kentucky kids play, especially one with this historic career he had in high school. But I also think for him, it's probably the right decision.
Ryan Lemon
Yeah. You know, he got thrust into a role he probably wasn't quite ready for. You know, he just. Just got to college. He's playing a major Division 1 ball. A lot of physical, A lot of great point guards in this league. And then Colin Chandler could have been ready for it.
Matt Jones
Like, do you. Is there a world you could have seen Travis Perry, starting point guard for Kentucky?
Ryan Lemon
Only if it's like on year three or four.
Matt Jones
Okay. But what about on year three or four?
Ryan Lemon
He's still not the kind of physical type point guard that we see even, you know, Lamont Butler, Sears fears. These guys are just dynamite point guards. I don't know if he was physically able to do that.
Matt Jones
I'm not sure. Drew, there's a worse league for him than the sec. I mean, like, this is the worst league you could play in if you're a guy that. Last year, I think I've said over and over, I think we had the least athletic team in the SEC and it showcased itself. And I think that's part of the reason Mark Pope went and got so many more athletes.
Drew Franklin
I don't think he would ever be the guy at point guard, maybe get to where he's a solid backup, play in a lot of minutes, but just defensively he's just. He's just not built with the athleticism that would take to play significant minutes in the sec. But, you know, I wouldn't. This isn't scoop or anything. This is just me breeding tea leaves. I wouldn't rule out him sticking around, coming back. I see it as he's. Maybe it got to the last minute and just wanted to buy himself some time.
Matt Jones
Well, we'll see. But I don't think that's happening. I mean, I think uk. I think UK is going to fill that spot. I think they might fill it with a developmental type player, like a guy who's the 13th guy and this understands that and is coming in to maybe be a contributor in the second year or something like that. I could see them almost even doing like a reach a little bit and taking a guy that's a little bit, you know, not necessarily ranked in the top because that they just think can make it work. Maybe a guy like Trent Noah who wasn't ranked really high last year and they still brought in. But, you know, I. I'd be very surprised if you enter the portal two hours before. I kind of think you're probably going.
Ryan Lemon
And, you know, Even though they, they brought in Aberdeen, you know, Colin Chandler, when he got his chance, kind of leapfrogged over Travis. Travis didn't play hardly at all. There's last couple of games because Colin got a lot of all of his minutes. I'm sure he wants to go and play somewhere. He's a competitor as a Western.
Matt Jones
Kentuckier. Kentuckier. Western Kentuckian. Are you. Are you bummed?
Drew Franklin
I'm a little bummed and I was surprised. Like I said, I've. I've heard that both sides wanted to make it work. My assumption is he got a pretty good offer. So if that's the case, I'm happy for him. I know a lot of people mentioned like Bellarmine. I just don't think places like that could afford him. I don't know. Nil certainly can. Yeah. I don't know even Western. I don't know what they have. I don't even know if they could afford him. I, I wouldn't be shocked if he's still in the sec. I know when he got recruited out of high school, Ole Miss loved him in Florida. Loved him. It'd be crazy if he went to one of those. But I wouldn't rule either one of those out. Joe Tipton from On3 mentioned Cincinnati as an option. I think he's still going to be playing at a decently high level of basketball. Not a lot.
Matt Jones
Cincinnati would make more sense to me. I just. I don't see how an old Miss or Florida could, could have watched those games and said this is. And again, this is not. I'm not being critical of him. I think he. There is a place for him to be a really good college basketball player. I just not sure it's in the sec. I think even in the Big east there's less, less athleticism than there is here or the Big 12. This league is just so athletic that I just don't know how it works.
Ryan Lemon
Cincinnati.
Matt Jones
And he's not tall either. That's the other thing.
Ryan Lemon
Is he sure.
Matt Jones
In addition to the other thing since.
Ryan Lemon
Today would be interesting be going to be Kerr creases backup up there.
Drew Franklin
That'd be interesting those two paired together.
Matt Jones
That would be kind of interesting if both Kerr and he with the Cincinnati.
Drew Franklin
With the Cincinnati offensively, not just the shooting. I think he can be really good running the show. It's just the defense. I don't know will ever get to what it needs to be to, you know, be a guy that's playing a ton of minutes at a place like Kentucky.
Matt Jones
So what about the people that are frustrated? Are there? You know, I, I, I'm confident Mark Pope didn't say, I don't want you to be here. Mark Pope wanted him to be here. But there are people who say you got to find a way to keep the Kentucky kid on the team. I think that was something. Ryan, maybe you could have said pre nil, but I don't know if you can say that now when you're actually talking about money. You know what I mean? Like, when you're talking about money, like you, at some point, you can't just say, well, you have to keep them. Because, because the thing is, when you set one cost of a player, you're not just setting the one, you're setting the whole roster.
Ryan Lemon
That's right.
Matt Jones
Because if you play pay your 13th player a ton of like the 12th players will want more. The 11th players don't want more. You know what I mean? Like, it's, it has a, it has a cascading effect.
Ryan Lemon
And you know, this is kind of a unique year where they've got Jasper, Malachi, Trent, they've got three other Kentucky kids on the roster. So, you know, I, I gotta admit it kind of stung a little bit and I, I just seem to think, I feel bad for him and his family if they waited till the last minute to try to do this. They probably really, really wanted to stay here and just think it's the best opportunity that maybe he goes somewhere else and play.
Matt Jones
Favorite Travis Perry moment at Kentucky.
Ryan Lemon
How about, was it the, Didn't Trent Noah throw like a over the shoulder? No. Look between the legs pass or something in the corner and he nailed it. That was a big bucket. That's probably, I know one of his biggest buckets.
Matt Jones
Who was that against? Was that against Tennessee?
Ryan Lemon
Not sure. It wasn't a rough, it was on the road somewhere, wasn't it?
Drew Franklin
That was a big play. It came in a loss. But I thought he did about as good as he could at Alabama for most of the game. Being put in a horrible situation. There was even, I remember, you know, he's just considered a guy that shoots. He cut back door and Amari found him on a give and go and he finished a tough layup. So even though that was in a loss to be put in that spot, played 30 something minutes against an all American.
Ryan Lemon
Yeah.
Matt Jones
And you remember we started that game up like 11.
Drew Franklin
Yeah.
Matt Jones
You know, we started at Alabama and you know, they, they pulled away. They pulled away, but like we were, we started on a roll and that was with him in that game, there.
Drew Franklin
Was a moment where they called Mark Sears, barely got tapped on a three and they called a foul. And Travis gets hammered on the other end and doesn't get a foul. So he was just in a tough spot. But I thought, well, all things considered in that situation, I mean, like I.
Ryan Lemon
Said earlier, we owe him a lot of gratitude, man. Well, I hate to think where we would have been without him after we lost, you know, LA Bomb Butler, Kirk Crease to Jackson Robinson, our three point guards that he had got forced into play as a true freshman. That's a tough situation he got put in.
Matt Jones
Which brings me to the second point, which is, well, gotta be careful. I say this. Actually, Shannon, let's take an early break. So I. Because I don't want to rush through this. All right, let's take an early break. I want to talk about. There were some reports yesterday about Kentucky's nil roster payment. And I. Let's just say I'm in respectful disagreement with what. With what was said. And we'll talk about. We return. This is KSI. Welcome back. It is Kentucky Sports Radio. Just a little announcement. Shannon told me during the break, I guess on KRD in Louisville at 10:30. They're switching to a Louisville Bats game now. You know, Shannon, that doesn't make me think. Thrilled. Right.
Shannon
Well, they gotta, you know, have the game so they can hand out the pickleball paddles to everybody coming in.
Matt Jones
So that's nice, but that's even more of a reason not to do it. But for those of you in Louisville, you can switch on listen online on wlap. But you know, who do the Bats play today that it's so important that we let that. That we get preempted for.
Shannon
I'd have to look up and see who they play.
Matt Jones
I mean, they only have 150 games.
Shannon
I mean, this is your Cincinnati Reds farm club.
Matt Jones
You should. But it's not the Reds. This is. I like the future Reds. Okay, you hush.
Drew Franklin
Used to. It happened several times while you were gone.
Ryan Lemon
Yeah, I did.
Matt Jones
Oh, it's happened several times.
Drew Franklin
Drupalooza got interrupted twice.
Matt Jones
Yeah.
Drew Franklin
And happened to Ryan last week.
Shannon
So at least three great Iowa Cubs.
Matt Jones
Of course it's the Iowa Cubs. Who would want. Who wouldn't want to listen to that? All right. So anyway, there was a report yesterday that from. From. From David Sisk. He's a. He's a. He works for Cats Illustrated. I actually met him in Indianapolis. First time I'd met him. I don't really know him, but he came out and said that according to people he had talked to, Kentucky was spending $20 million on their nil for basketball this year. And that seemed really high to me. And he even put how much he thought each player was, you know, making. So let me be clear. This is nothing against him. I'm sure if he said that he has had someone tell me that I can say fairly definitively. I rarely say definitively. Definitively that is not true. It is a substantially less number. Now. It's a high number. It might be. It may be the highest number in college basketball. It probably is, but it is nowhere near that number. So, I mean, the idea that we were going to have a $20 million roster, which would be $10 million more than any other team, is just, is not the case. So I just want to be clear about that because I don't want people going in the season going, oh, this guy's making this and this guy's making this. This isn't David's fault, but graphics were putting it out there. You know, Jasper Johnson's making this and all these people. And I just. Here's what happens with this stuff. The schools are not going to tell people what they're making. I can just tell you. And I, I've tried to find the information out. They're not tell. The schools are not going to tell you I spent X amount of money. Let's play a little game. Ryan, why would the schools not want to tell you?
Ryan Lemon
Well, because it gets out there. Then the other players try to renegotiate their deal.
Matt Jones
Exactly. Who, who does have an incentive to tell you they're making a lot of money?
Ryan Lemon
The player.
Matt Jones
The agent. Yeah, the agent wants to say, I got this kid this much money. Why? So kids will go, oh, I need to go with him. Yeah, he gets them this much money. So the agents who are the only people talking about it, they are exploding the figures because they want to raise the market. If you find out that, you know, Aberdeen is worth two and a half million dollars, then this kid over here will go, well, wait a minute, then I'm not worth two and a half million dollars. And the market for everybody rises. So I've said this for three years. I don't believe the money that anyone says about any of this. I think the money is less than everyone says. I still, I think it's a lot more than it was two years ago, but I think it's less than people realize. So, you know, I just want, I don't want our, our team next year to have this burden of their 20 million dollar roster. I just don't think that's true and I don't think it's close, to be honest.
Drew Franklin
You also have, when a school loses on a player, they will tell people that the other school overpaid X amount to not make it look like you just lost the recruitment. Straight up, head to. If you miss out on a player, you also have an incentive to be like, well, they paid X amount to make it sound like you only lost because the other school was overpaying. So it's players and the losers and their recruitment. So I think that inflate it.
Matt Jones
That's exactly right. Like that you're, that's another part. So like if you're Kentucky and you lose out, or if you're, you know, Florida and you lose out on Aberdeen, you want to, you don't want to say it's because the kid wanted to play for Kentucky more than Florida. You go, well, he must have paid $2 million or else they wouldn't have left. So I just don't believe any of the money. It's not, it's not a criticism of anyone who reports it. You know, a lot of these national reporters have an incentive. They want to get information. And so the agent says, okay, I'll tell you about my next scoop. But say he made this much money, right? Yeah, that's what happens. You know, remember we always joke about the Shams guy.
Ryan Lemon
Yes.
Matt Jones
And how Shams always says this was negotiated by blah blah, blah, blah blah blah. Why is he doing that? Because he wants Scoop.
Ryan Lemon
Get that name out there Scoop the next time.
Matt Jones
Right?
Ryan Lemon
Now you've been saying from the beginning that the numbers out there, they're all over inflated.
Matt Jones
They're all inflated.
Ryan Lemon
And you know, it leads me to believe that this $20 million is over inflated. But yet I still think Kentucky has offered a lot of money.
Matt Jones
I still think we will have one of the three highest quote unquote payrolls.
Ryan Lemon
I do too.
Matt Jones
But it's not what, what, what folks say, what is happening downtown? There are school children and buses and coyotes and like coyotes. What is happening downtown? What is going on?
Drew Franklin
It takes me 15 minutes to get here from my house.
Matt Jones
What is it? Science and technology. That's why all those nerds are running around. Okay, it takes me 15 minutes.
Drew Franklin
I'll leave at 9:30 every, every day, never have an issue. I texted you all. I just kept sitting through the same light with zero cars moving. It was an absolute parking lot. I even, I got here two Seconds before the show. I had to pull a couple Matt Joneses to even be here on time. I broke, broke a few laws.
Matt Jones
So it's a science and technology.
Ryan Lemon
What it's like a big convention rupt for the students where they come in.
Matt Jones
And, and they all like do egg drops.
Ryan Lemon
Yeah. Do their science and do their technology.
Matt Jones
Did you all do the egg drop when you were in school?
Ryan Lemon
No, I think we did an egg into a Pepsi glass. Pepsi bottle.
Matt Jones
What does that mean?
Ryan Lemon
Like you put a, you peel a boiled egg and you put it on top of a Pepsi bottle. But yet you stick a cigarette or burning paper.
Matt Jones
Cigarette.
Ryan Lemon
Some sort of burning paper.
Matt Jones
You had a school project that involved cigarettes.
Ryan Lemon
You know, this is the 80s, you know, we're going way back. And they would suck the boiled egg through the top of a Pepsi bottle.
Matt Jones
What are you talking about? You lit a cigarette.
Ryan Lemon
Watch what you do at home. But you do it at home.
Matt Jones
They encourage you to do that at home.
Ryan Lemon
Yeah, Yep.
Matt Jones
Okay.
Ryan Lemon
You know they used to have Pepsi, used to come in those glass bottles or Coke.
Matt Jones
I know what you're talking about. They still have those in Europe. That's what they do.
Ryan Lemon
They.
Matt Jones
Yes, but go ahead.
Ryan Lemon
So you boil an egg, peel the skin off of it, the shell and you get ready to put on top of the of the bottle, the glass bottle. But first you put a piece of burning paper down in the bottle and you put that hard boiled egg on top of it and it sucks the egg right down to the bottle.
Matt Jones
What's it supposed to teach you?
Ryan Lemon
Egg sucking? I don't know.
Shannon
You're an egg sucking dog.
Matt Jones
Egg sucking? Yeah. That's a good scientific principle.
Ryan Lemon
That's probably what they're doing down at Rupp Arena.
Drew Franklin
They should use their science to figure out the traffic pattern.
Matt Jones
Yeah, well, a cigarette. All right, who's up next?
Shannon
Shane from Grayson.
Matt Jones
Shane, go ahead. Shane.
Caller Shane
How's it going Powers today?
Matt Jones
Good.
Caller Shane
Hey, you talking about the dark thing you went to with how crazy it was? I just a little information here from Kentucky in Carter county we had the at one time had the number one women's ranked dart thrower in the United States.
Matt Jones
So I'm not disputing that, Shane, but how do you know that? Like, like where the world, where are the United States dart ranking?
Caller Shane
Well, there's actually a dart magazine.
Matt Jones
There's a dark magazine. Okay.
Caller Shane
And how I know this is because my grandmother's next door neighbor. She's, that's her name is Sue Qualls. I talked to her, she said it was fine to tell her name. She was a professional dart thrower back in the 90s and she was ranked number one United States.
Matt Jones
First of all, I'm sure Sue was a great dart player. Is this sue that told you that or did you see it yourself?
Caller Shane
Well, it's in the magazine.
Matt Jones
Do you have the magazine?
Caller Shane
I mean, I've got a copy of the. Yes, I've got a copy of the magazine and not in my hand. It's in my house here. And I'll. I'll speak to her and I'll have her write you a note and mail it.
Matt Jones
Shannon, are you there?
Shannon
Yeah, I'm here.
Matt Jones
Yeah, I'm here.
Shannon
I got you.
Matt Jones
It looks like we lost everybody.
Shannon
No, I got you. No, you're good. I can hear you.
Matt Jones
Okay, well, why didn't you respond? Oh, well, we couldn't hear you for a minute.
Shannon
And Shane's still there too. He was still talking.
Matt Jones
So go ahead, Shane. You did. You do have the magazine then?
Caller Shane
Yeah, yeah, I do have magazine in my house somewhere. And in 95, she represented the United States on the World cup team in Switzerland.
Ryan Lemon
About that.
Matt Jones
Who knew that Grayson county had that level of darts?
Caller Shane
Yeah, never dreamed it. Right.
Matt Jones
All right, I appreciate the call. Kentucky has a. Has a. Has a heavy dart history.
Ryan Lemon
Celebrity over there in Carter County.
Matt Jones
That's right. Apparently, as always, soon as I get back, I heart just collapses. Apparently we fell off the air in Lexington. There might be baseball in Louisville. I'm still doing this show and hopefully you'll be here when we return this place. This is Kentucky Sports Radio. TJ Smith, personal injury attorney. Call tj. He'll make him pay.
Shannon
Now more of Kentucky Sports Radio presented by Stockton Mortgage. Here's Matt Jones.
Matt Jones
Welcome back. It is Kentucky Sports Radio, 859-280-2287. The name of the thing downtown is the Student Technology Leadership Project State Championship.
Ryan Lemon
Oh, state championship.
Matt Jones
They certainly made that easy to say. The Student Technology Leadership Project State championship. Six words, stlpsc. And it means a lot of buses downtown and a lot of. Well, I mean, I don't want to say nerds, but. Nerds. One person writes, matt, it takes a lot of golf for you to call kids nerds. You were dancing with Janet Reno. There's nothing nerdier than that. No, that was hot.
Ryan Lemon
Well, we've seen the photo. I don't know if hot's the right word I would use.
Matt Jones
No. I mean, that was a Janet Reno. She was the attorney general. Think about it. I mean, you could have. You could go and Alberta. I dance with all Internet generals. Alberto Gonzalez, me and Alberto.
Drew Franklin
Electric slotting.
Matt Jones
Pam Bondi, who is, who was Biden's Attorney General? Oh, Merrick Garland. I've. I don't know if I've danced, but I've had a beer with Merrick.
Ryan Lemon
Wow.
Matt Jones
You know, I did. I do things with the attorney generals.
Ryan Lemon
And you are, you have kind of self proclaimed king of the nerds. You know, you're not, you know, you don't hide the fact you're a nerd.
Matt Jones
There's nothing wrong with being.
Ryan Lemon
Nothing wrong being a nerd.
Matt Jones
Nothing wrong with being like, don't let you know. You can't be made to feel bad, Ryan, unless you participate in it.
Ryan Lemon
Oh, there's a little piece philosophy in your.
Matt Jones
You can't be made to feel lesser unless you participate in it. You can't feel lesser unless you actively allow that to happen.
Ryan Lemon
Which brings me up. It's Asking Wednesday. Can I ask you a question?
Matt Jones
Sure, if you want.
Ryan Lemon
You've not. You talked about what you did in Amsterdam. You don't even talk about the fellowship. And, you know, one time you had to do a play or did you. What did you do in your fellowship this time?
Matt Jones
So we did a lot of the topic of this was like, it was a heavy set of stuff. It was actually about like, when leadership can turn nasty. You know, we were there where the Holocaust is. So we sort of spent a lot of time studying, like how did. When Hitler was in charge, like, he didn't just start and just start killing Jews. It was a process. Like, he got people to accept little things along the way that at the end almost everybody would have said, that's awful. But they slowly desensitize themselves by agreeing to stuff along the way. And then all of a sudden they were like, people were like, wait a minute, where's this going? So we were studying how that happens, not just in the Holocaust, but throughout history. And like, we read a book, okay, this was an interest. We read a little book. Here was the story. It was called the Visit. And this woman, she had been like, this man in town had gotten her pregnant and then disappeared. And she got. And when he disappeared, she became like a billionaire. Okay? And so this is an old book. So let's just say now she became like, worth $20 billion. Okay? She comes back to the town, the man is living in the town, and she says, dear town, I'm worth $20 billion. Town, I will give you $10 billion. Five billion for your city to make it the nicest city in the world. Because it had been, like, run down because coal had gone away. It was actually. This is in Europe, but it was a coal town.
Ryan Lemon
Yeah.
Matt Jones
And I'll take the other 5 billion and SP amongst the citizens. You each will get the 5 billion. And they're all like, that's awesome. And she goes, but there's only one thing you have to do. We have to kill that guy.
Ryan Lemon
Oh, my.
Matt Jones
We have to kill that guy. And he had done something wrong. He had gotten her pregnant and left and not supported the kid.
Ryan Lemon
Yeah.
Matt Jones
So the. The book is about the town Debates. This $10 billion would change our town. It would change our lives. But we got to kill this. And so that was the. That's the play. And so then you sort of talk about he wasn't innocent, and is it okay to make a thousand people's lives better and have one person? So, like, that's what we did. So that's. It's nerdy, but I think it's interesting.
Ryan Lemon
So is it, like an open discussion? You all just take turns discussing it?
Matt Jones
Yes. You take well, and everybody gives their opinion and, you know, did you want.
Drew Franklin
To off the guy? Were you in for the blood money?
Matt Jones
No. I mean, I'm the person who's like, what is the old Benjamin Franklin quote? It's better for a hundred guilty people to run free than for one person who is innocent to be locked up. Similarly, like, he messed up, but that doesn't mean he deserves to die. Right. And money is not everything. You. I know Ryan would say, kill the guy. I mean, I know, like, for. Right. Like, for Ryan, it would be easy. You give me my share of the $5 billion, and I'm good.
Drew Franklin
He would have pulled the trigger before the debate started.
Matt Jones
There wouldn't even been a debate before.
Ryan Lemon
She got out of her mouth.
Matt Jones
So. So that.
Ryan Lemon
So no plays or anything like that?
Matt Jones
Well, we had to put on. Then we had to put on each segment of the thing. We had to put on a little play, and I got the final segment. So I hosted a game show like American Idol where they voted on whether or not to kill. Aha.
Ryan Lemon
Very good. You were Ryan Seacrest, I guess.
Matt Jones
Yeah. I mean, I didn't call him. I called myself Matt Jones. But yes.
Drew Franklin
Doing plays. So all of us are doing plays. Ryan, when you can do a play.
Matt Jones
You'Re gonna play this weekend, aren't you?
Drew Franklin
Yeah, Friday.
Ryan Lemon
Have you learned your lines yet?
Drew Franklin
I went over my first line yesterday.
Matt Jones
What's the play?
Drew Franklin
Romeo and Juliet.
Matt Jones
Are you Juliet?
Drew Franklin
I'm not, but my first scene, I'M hitting on Juliet. My first line is, baby, you must be a broom, because you just swept me off my feet.
Ryan Lemon
Wow.
Drew Franklin
So I was practicing my, you know, I was workshopping different voices.
Matt Jones
What's your character?
Drew Franklin
I'm Paris. I die in the final scene.
Ryan Lemon
Oh, spoiler.
Matt Jones
Spoiler alert.
Drew Franklin
I know.
Matt Jones
Well, now I can't even go.
Drew Franklin
Yeah, I'm not prepared. Let's just say that.
Matt Jones
Well, good luck. Is it with the children's thing?
Drew Franklin
Yes. It's for charity, so I will get prepared. I'm not going to let the children down. Okay, but I'm not quite there.
Matt Jones
So where is this if people want to go?
Drew Franklin
Lexington Opera House. Or, excuse me, Lexington Children's Theater across from the Opera House.
Matt Jones
All right, good deal. All right, who's up next? Ask Anything Wednesday. Jerry. Go ahead, Matt. Yes.
Caller Jerry
Yeah, I was just wondering. John taught was on Fineball about two or three weeks ago, and they had an interesting conversation about Stoops. And I guess Talty's close to John Summerall. And he was saying that Summerall is the top of the list of law schools this year. And he was shocked that he didn't take a major job last year and that he's probably gonna take one this year and that he felt like that there would be a lot of pressure on Mitch Barnhart to make a move because the job that Summer all covets is Kentucky and really wants to come here and that there'll be a lot if they struggle with three or four wins.
Matt Jones
Like had this conversation for two or three years, right. About Summer. I mean, this is, you know, the. I know how Mitch Barnhart works. He is going to make the decision about Mark Stoops, pro or con about Mark Stoops, it will not be to get John Summer. And when you talk. And when Bomb and other people talk about boosters, you know, at Auburn and Alabama and some of those schools, there's a group of rich people who really pressure the school. We have one booster that has the kind of impact to do that, and everybody knows who it is. And he loves Mark Stoops. So I don't. I mean, fine Bomb can say whatever he wants. Fine Bomb doesn't know about what happens here. So I, I don't think. I'm not saying Stoops is, like, safe, but it will have nothing to do with John Sumrall, whatever they decide to do one day.
Caller Jerry
Well, it's just it.
Matt Jones
Yeah.
Caller Jerry
The point that Thompson was making, I, you know, I actually, I don't know. He was there, but he was saying that There would be an enormous amount of pressure.
Matt Jones
But from who?
Caller Jerry
Do something. But from who at the end? From fans and boosters.
Matt Jones
There are no boosters that have any ability to do anything like that. Except one. And he loves Mark Stoops. As far as fans. Yeah. I mean, fans. If we have another bad year, fans are going to make it awful. But let me. And I appreciate the call. Let's go to when John Caliperi left. Most of the fan base when John Caliperi left wanted him gone, Right?
Ryan Lemon
True.
Matt Jones
I would say the boosters that matter didn't even particularly like Cal. Did Mitch let him go?
Drew Franklin
No. They held hands on tv.
Matt Jones
No. They went on television and he backed him. And then Cal left. Mitch didn't even like Cal. He likes Stoops. So, I mean, you know, think about how we didn't let Cal go. And there were many more reasons to let Cal go. The administration didn't like him. The basketball office at the end didn't like him. The fans didn't like him. They were getting no nil money. And yet they were going to keep it.
Ryan Lemon
Yes.
Matt Jones
So the idea that there's going to be all this pressure to fire Stoops, I think is incorrect. If Stoops leaves at the end of this year, it will be because the situation is such he just can't do it anymore, which is kind of what happened with California. But Mitch doesn't fire people based on booster pressure. Would you agree with that?
Ryan Lemon
Totally agree with that. Yep. You know, I always felt like Cal stayed maybe a year or two too long. I hope we don't get to that point with Coach Stoops. You know, we have. We've struggled the last couple years and I hope we don't get to that point where we look back five years now. Said, man, he also stayed one or two years too long.
Matt Jones
Well, if he's here five years, then he better have had some winning seasons. I don't think he could stay that long. This is good. You know, before the Reed shepherd year, Drew, you and I said, this will be the year that decides Cal's future. And when they lost to Oakland, as far as it was for the fans, it was over. Yep, this is the year for Stoops, it is. This is the year he can't have another terrible year. Now I don't know what good is good. Could even be 5 and 7 and you're competitive in every game. But he cannot have the year he had last year or the fans will be done. I mean, they just will, you know. Now what Mitch does is different, but the fans will be done.
Drew Franklin
Yeah, four cows last year I said in July, I don't know that this is the end, but I'm going to be watching each game like this is the last ride. And part of that was him having dj, which just kind of would have been a great time if they had a good year to walk away. But I'm kind of going into next football season not knowing it's the last year, but I'm going to be taking it in. Like it could be the last one.
Matt Jones
But the difference between us and a lot of SEC schools, we don't have this cabal of boosters that decide things. Our administration doesn't allow that. We do have one booster that has a very important voice, but he's not the kind of dude that fires people.
Ryan Lemon
No, he's not.
Matt Jones
He's not. He's a very loyal guy. So I just don't think that will be the issue. Hey, bourbon lovers. Just a reminder that the drawing for the next ultimate bourbon collection is. No, it's not November 7th.
Drew Franklin
A long time from now.
Ryan Lemon
May 7th maybe.
Matt Jones
Let's just say May 7th because I can't imagine it's November 7th. Right.
Drew Franklin
Maybe some copy tickets.
Matt Jones
Yeah. Well, I'm gonna say it's quicker, but you can go to commonwealthcauses.org A six bottle package includes Blanton Single Barrel, an eight bottle package with the Weller collection and more. Go to commonwealthcauses.org get your ticket for the bourbon collection. And remember, it's work with Club Blue, the nil partner of UK. It's commonwealthcauses.org we'll take a break and be right back here on Wednesday at KS bars, Kentucky Sports Radio. Welcome back. It is Kentucky Sports Radio. 859-280-2287. One person writes. Matt, this is Ask Anything Wednesday.
Ryan Lemon
Yes.
Matt Jones
Do you think when Rick Pino retires, he could come back and have a role at Kentucky in some sort of capacity? Good question. What do you think? Not a coach, but like something in the administration or.
Ryan Lemon
Yes, I think it's a. I would never have said this, maybe even a year and a half ago, but yes, I think someday down the road I can see that happening.
Drew Franklin
I think we're heading that way as long as Pope's still running the show. I mean, the fact that Rick was at Big Blue Madness immediately when Pope got here tells me he's already trying to get through that door.
Matt Jones
I do it at St. John's I mean they, they're going to be preseason top 10 I mean, he's the king of New York right now. Like, he's got all this money coming in. It might be that he's just like Mr. St. John's for now.
Ryan Lemon
I can tell you one place he's not going to be invited back to.
Drew Franklin
Louisville.
Ryan Lemon
Louisville. But yeah, you see they're playing each other.
Drew Franklin
St. John's and Louisville scheduled a game while you're away. Louisville and St. John's where might be a home at home.
Matt Jones
He's gonna go to look that up.
Drew Franklin
Yeah.
Ryan Lemon
Wow.
Drew Franklin
Scheduled a game. I think he's gonna move to a horse farm outside Lexington because you got Richard just right up the road in Cincinnati.
Matt Jones
He's got his job play at Louisville. I wonder what the reaction will be for him there.
Drew Franklin
Yeah, let me look that up. I'm pretty sure it was interesting.
Ryan Lemon
Yeah.
Shannon
It's home and home. First game at Madison Square Garden. Second will be played in Louisville.
Matt Jones
So I guess his hope is that by that second year people are not as mad at him. And so.
Ryan Lemon
No, that's not going to happen. That'll be their biggest crowd of the day. And there'll be their biggest crowd of the year. They'll be there just to boo him.
Matt Jones
Yeah. That's interesting. I had no idea. Who's up next?
Shannon
Amanda.
Matt Jones
Amanda. Go ahead, Amanda. Hello. Hi.
Caller Amanda
Hi. This is a perfect time because you were hating on pickleball for the bathroom kicking you all off the radio.
Matt Jones
Yes. I hate pickleball.
Drew Franklin
Yeah.
Caller Amanda
I just wanted to ask you, as somebody that loves walking and hates traffic and hates pickleball and virtual reality, what did you think about the $65 million plan for this three story pickleball, tennis and virtual reality center in the middle of the Joe Crescent park, not far from your house at Bellarmine? Like in the wildlife reserve?
Matt Jones
Yeah. See, I don't really know a lot about it. Somebody wrote me about it last night and said I should look into it. So I. I don't want to speak on it without knowing about it, but. So I guess they're putting a pickleball facility in the middle of a park. One of the great things about Louisville is its parks. Like, they have an amazing array of parks. So my initial reaction is to hate it. But. But to be fair, I don't know anything about it. So I can't. I don't think it would be right for me to like stance. So I need to see it.
Caller Amanda
Well, I don't know if it's hoop or scuttlebutt, but apparently the coach there at Bellarmin for tennis is really wanting this to be built to their campus, and his dad is on the board.
Ryan Lemon
I don't want.
Matt Jones
I don't want to get. If. If you don't know that. I don't want to get into like. Yeah. So I'm pretty sure. I appreciate the call, but I. But I. I know that's a big controversial thing. They're putting this pickleball. In general, if you start the sentence with they're putting this pickleball, I'm against it. And then if you put it in the middle of a park, that kind of makes me, you know.
Drew Franklin
Would you rather live by a dog park or a pickleball?
Matt Jones
If I have to hear that stupid sound at my house, then I personally will go impeach my friend Craig. I don't know. The may or may not even have anything to do with it. I have no idea.
Ryan Lemon
Laxton built that indoor pickleball facility out there by Calumet Farm right off New Circle. But I mean, do people go, I don't know.
Drew Franklin
Country boys. Opening one by me. I'm gonna live there.
Matt Jones
Country boys?
Drew Franklin
Yeah. They've partnered. It's golf simulators, pickleball and country boy tap room. And I already asked for a bedroom in there somewhere.
Matt Jones
I like DH but why is he getting into this?
Drew Franklin
Just jump in. Just do it, man.
Matt Jones
Like he just.
Drew Franklin
Just do it.
Matt Jones
Come on, D.H. who's up next?
Shannon
Let's go to Caleb.
Matt Jones
Caleb. Go ahead. Caleb.
Caller Caleb
Hey, guys. Good morning. Hey. I just wanted to say they tell you to never meet your heroes, but Drew, I met you out front of the Tyler Childress concert over the weekend. And I was the guy that threw up the heart symbol with my hands. And you were gracious enough to stick your hand out and. And shake it. But I haven't heard the end of from my wife even until today. I remember you're embarrassed.
Matt Jones
Don't be.
Caller Caleb
Me.
Drew Franklin
I would have got it back, but I think I had a beer in the other hand. I didn't want to have heart.
Matt Jones
You don't feel embarrassed? Look, it's a good.
Caller Caleb
She. She's embarrassed. And I said it's. I listen to these guys every day for two and a half years. And you feel like family to me. So I was just wondering if it's asking thing Wednesday, what's the proper thing to do if we meet you guys?
Matt Jones
Whatever.
Drew Franklin
You know, the heart.
Matt Jones
Whatever you want.
Shannon
I appreciate the call, but it's up to you.
Matt Jones
Here's a. That's a very good question. The key. When we meet with the key. When you meet people. And this isn't just about us. This is about anybody you meet that you like. The key is, be kind, be nice. I will. I love to have a quick initial conversation, but, like, be quick, especially if there's a lot of people, Right? If there's a lot of people now, if it's just you're here in a restaurant. I love to talk to people. Yeah, but, like, if you're at that concert, Here's a good question. Amongst the four, five of us, let's throw Mario and Billy in. Who is the nicest to meet? Who's the worst to meet? I'm gonna. I'll give you the definitive ranking. Mario's the nicest to meet. Mario will literally stand with you for an hour.
Drew Franklin
He'll take your phone number and call you the next day to follow up.
Matt Jones
No. Mario has multiple phone numbers from people he's just met here that he just talks to. I think Ryan is second. Ryan will be over the top knives.
Drew Franklin
Especially if they're young. He does the handshake move where he doesn't let go, and he just keeps shaking their arm.
Matt Jones
Drew is third. Drew will. You know, Drew's busy, but he'll still be like, hey, I'm Drew. Good to see you. I'm fourth because I love to meet everybody. But then, like, I. I want to get away after a little bit.
Ryan Lemon
You're down to Shannon.
Matt Jones
Shannon is fifth because Shannon doesn't like people.
Shannon
That's not true. Ask anybody who's ever met me outside of ovw. They would tell you I was very nice to them.
Matt Jones
They would. But you also get the heck away within seconds. And then Billy. I just don't think anybody wants to meet.
Drew Franklin
Oh, man.
Matt Jones
Billy, though. But Billy is amazingly. When he meets someone, he's just as blunt as if you're his friend. Like, he'll look at somebody and be like, you don't smell good.
Shannon
It's a good quality to have. Well, honest.
Matt Jones
It is. So that's how I would rank them. I would go, Mario, Ryan, Drew, me, Shannon, Billy.
Drew Franklin
I just want to say that guys wife, you don't know what we have going on. Me and your husband, we have a little heart thing going on. And I'm sorry if you were embarrassed, but let us be us.
Matt Jones
Do you like that ranking? Do you think that's a fair ranking? I actually.
Ryan Lemon
I'm being dead sincere. I think all of us do a really good job meeting people, talking to people. You do a good job. After the show, like you said, come to the restaurant you go to, like, almost every table to say, hey, thanks for coming in. Appreciate you stopping by.
Matt Jones
Yeah, I think that's probably a lot. All right, so when we come back, I have a draft that we're doing. Oh. The four of us. I need you all to get your minds right, okay. Because this is going to be one that's important. We'll take a break. Be right back. It's ksr.
KSR - Hour 1 Podcast Episode Summary Release Date: April 23, 2025
Introduction
In this episode of Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR), hosted by Matt Jones alongside Ryan Lemon and Drew Franklin, the KSR crew delves into significant developments within the University of Kentucky (UK) sports landscape. From the unexpected transfer of star high school basketball player Travis Perry to clarifying misconceptions about NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) payments, the discussion is both comprehensive and insightful. Additionally, the crew engages with listeners, addressing their queries and sharing personal anecdotes that offer a glimpse into their lives beyond the mic.
1. Travis Perry Enters the Transfer Portal Timestamp: [02:31] - [10:45]
The episode kicks off with breaking news: Travis Perry, the all-time leading scorer in Kentucky high school basketball history, has officially entered the transfer portal merely two and a half hours before the deadline. The abrupt announcement left many fans and insiders scrambling for information.
Matt Jones expresses surprise over the timing and speculates on the possible internal communications leading to the swift decision. He remarks, “He is in the portal. Not a shock to me. I kind of wondered, you know, all these other people would put out their graphics that they were back and he hadn't.” ([02:31])
Ryan Lemon offers his perspective, suggesting that Perry might have struggled with the team dynamics and playing time, stating, “you know, he just got to college. He's playing a major Division 1 ball. A lot of physical, a lot of great point guards in this league.” ([04:17])
Drew Franklin adds that Perry faced significant competition and opportunities elsewhere, highlighting the dilemma between staying at Kentucky as a 13th player or seeking more substantial roles and financial benefits elsewhere, “He's very aware of the situation in Kentucky, but there are some other places that have made significant offers and opportunities that are in front of him.” ([04:22])
The crew debates whether Perry’s departure was primarily driven by the desire for increased playing time or more lucrative offers from other programs. Matt contends, “I don't think the money was why he left. I think it... But that would have been the case back two months ago.” ([05:46])
The conversation also touches on the potential impact of Perry’s exit on the UK team, considering his historical performance and the challenges the team faces in terms of player depth and defense. Ryan emphasizes the need to adapt and find suitable replacements, expressing optimism about the team's resilience despite the setback.
2. Clarifying NIL Payments Rumors Timestamp: [13:05] - [19:17]
Shifting focus, Matt addresses circulating reports about Kentucky's NIL expenditures, which erroneously suggest that the university is allocating $20 million for its basketball program’s NIL deals.
Matt Jones refutes these claims vehemently, stating, “it is a substantially less number. Now. It's a high number. It might be... but that is nowhere near that number.” ([16:28])
Ryan Lemon concurs, noting the tendency for figures reported by agents and media to be inflated for various strategic reasons, “I still think Kentucky has offered a lot of money... But the reported $20 million is over inflated.” ([18:59])
Drew Franklin elaborates on the motivations behind such exaggerations, explaining, “if you miss out on a player, you also have an incentive to be like, well, they paid X amount to make it sound like you only lost because the other school was overpaying.” ([17:57])
The crew underscores the importance of skepticism regarding NIL figures reported in the media, attributing discrepancies to agents aiming to elevate their players’ market value and schools attempting to manage public perception. Matt emphasizes transparency, “the schools are not going to tell you I spent X amount of money.” ([16:28])
This segment serves as a critical examination of the NIL landscape, urging listeners to approach such figures with caution and recognize the underlying incentives that drive misinformation.
3. Traffic Downtown Due to the Student Technology Leadership Project State Championship Timestamp: [19:03] - [21:01]
The crew briefly discusses the congestion downtown caused by the Student Technology Leadership Project (STLP) State Championship, highlighting the event's impact on local traffic patterns.
Ryan Lemon attributes the traffic to a large influx of students participating in the event, “It's like a big convention rupture for the students where they come in.” ([19:25])
Drew Franklin shares his personal experience, noting significant delays and parking issues, “I just kept sitting through the same light with zero cars moving. It was an absolute parking lot.” ([19:26])
This discussion underscores the community's involvement in educational events and the logistical challenges they present, adding a local flavor to the sports-centric dialogue.
4. Listener Calls and Interaction Timestamp: [21:06] - [42:35]
Engaging with their audience, the KSR crew fields several listener calls, each bringing unique topics and interactions.
Caller Shane shares information about a top-ranked women's dart thrower from Carter County, invoking curiosity and prompting a brief discussion on Kentucky’s dart history. Matt verifies, “I’m not disputing that, Shane, but how do you know that?” ([21:35])
Caller Amanda raises concerns about a proposed $65 million pickleball, tennis, and virtual reality center in Joe Crescent Park. Given Matt’s limited information, he responds cautiously, expressing inherent skepticism, “If you start the sentence with they're putting this pickleball, I'm against it.” ([37:14])
Caller Caleb reflects on meeting the crew at a Tyler Childress concert, seeking advice on interacting with them. The hosts humorously rank themselves based on approachability, with Matt stating, “Mario's the nicest to meet. Mario will literally stand with you for an hour.” ([41:11])
Caller Jerry discusses the potential pressure on Kentucky’s football coach, Mark Stoops, regarding John Summerall’s job prospects. The crew defends Stoops, asserting the administration's support, “If Stoops leaves at the end of this year, it will be because the situation is such he just can't do it anymore.” ([31:29])
These interactions highlight the crew’s accessibility and willingness to address a diverse range of topics, fostering a sense of community among listeners.
5. Crew's Personal Updates and Anecdotes Timestamp: [12:14] - [25:27]
Beyond sports discussions, the KSR crew shares glimpses into their personal lives and projects.
Matt Jones talks about participating in a play that explores leadership and moral dilemmas, discussing themes from a European book about ethical decisions in a coal town, “[...] how leadership can turn nasty.” ([27:07])
Ryan Lemon and Drew Franklin discuss their involvement in theater productions, adding a lighthearted element to the episode. Drew reveals his role in Romeo and Juliet, humorously reciting his first line, “baby, you must be a broom, because you just swept me off my feet.” ([28:00])
These segments humanize the hosts, showcasing their interests and talents outside the realm of sports broadcasting.
Conclusion
In this episode, Kentucky Sports Radio navigates through significant sports developments, dispels misconceptions surrounding NIL payments, and maintains an engaging dialogue with its audience. The crew’s dynamic interactions and diverse discussion topics provide listeners with both in-depth analysis and relatable content, embodying the spirit of community-centered sports broadcasting.
Notable Quotes
Travis Perry Enters the Portal:
Matt Jones ([02:31]): “He is in the portal. Not a shock to me...”
NIL Payments Rumors:
Ryan Lemon ([16:28]): “I don't believe the money that anyone says about any of this. I think the money is less than everyone says.”
Listener Interaction:
Caller Caleb ([39:37]): “...you listen to these guys every day for two and a half years. And you feel like family to me.”
This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key points, discussions, insights, and conclusions from the April 23, 2025, episode of Kentucky Sports Radio. For fans and newcomers alike, it offers a thorough overview of the episode’s content, ensuring that the essence of the conversation is preserved and accessible.