Podcast Summary: Kentucky Sports Radio – Hour 2 (May 14, 2025)

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

In the second hour of the May 14, 2025 episode of Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR), hosts Matt Jones, Ryan Lemond, Drew Franklin, and Shannon "The Dude" engage in an in-depth discussion about the latest developments in University of Kentucky (UK) sports, particularly focusing on basketball. The conversation weaves through player prospects, coaching decisions, listener interactions, and light-hearted banter, providing listeners with comprehensive insights into the state of UK athletics.

1. NBA Prospects: Spotlight on Kobe Braya (02:04 – 05:25)

The episode opens with an enthusiastic discussion about Kobe Braya, a standout player from UK’s basketball team, following his impressive performance at the NBA Combine.

• Drew Franklin highlights Braya's shooting prowess:
  “Kobe Braya opened some eyes there at the NBA combine. He shot 57% on all shots, which is like sixth or seventh best of all the players.” (03:17)

• Shannon "The Dude" concurs, adding context to Braya’s physical attributes:
  “Kobe Bray was six, five and three quarters barefoot. I don't know why they do barefoot, but put some shoes on him and that's right around 6, 7.” (04:31)

• Matt Jones praises Braya’s development:
  “He's a shooter's league and that's one thing he can do well. He's made himself an NBA player.” (04:43)

The hosts analyze Braya's potential trajectory in the NBA, debating whether his defensive skills will secure him a spot in the league. While recognizing his shooting talent as a significant asset, they express cautious optimism about his overall NBA prospects.

2. Evaluating Cal’s Point Guards and Coaching Slumps (05:25 – 09:51)

Transitioning from player prospects, the discussion shifts to the challenges faced by Cal’s basketball program, particularly focusing on the decline in their point guard draft picks.

• Drew Franklin critiques the current state of Cal’s point guards:
  “There's a massive drop off. And if you want to talk about the drop off in Cal as a coach.” (08:23)

• Shannon "The Dude" adds insights on the coaching strategies affecting player performance:
  “They end up with Devin Askew, Severe Wheeler, D.J. Wagner and Boogie Flan and what that list could have been...” (10:21)

• Matt Jones emphasizes the impact of coaching decisions on player development:
  “I thought DJ was going to be that guy. You know, we talked about him for years until he got here.” (11:09)

The hosts delve into how coaching decisions and system changes post-COVID have adversely affected the performance and draft prospects of Cal’s point guards. They compare past successes with recent struggles, highlighting a need for strategic adjustments to reclaim their former glory.

3. Coaching Decisions: The Hire of Mark Pope (11:09 – 15:22)

A significant portion of the discussion centers around the hiring of Mark Pope as UK’s new basketball coach, sparked by a listener call.

• Caller Shane Bradley (11:26) questions the criteria for selecting coaching staff:
  “If it's a tie, you could give it to the Kentucky guy. But if it is not a tie, you pick the best coach.” (13:04)

• Drew Franklin defends the hiring decision, emphasizing Pope’s qualifications:
  “Mark Pope was just as qualified as everybody else.” (13:13)

• Shannon "The Dude" shares his initial reservations and acknowledges Pope’s contributions:
  “Once Pope had that one year at BYU before he hired him, that put him on the list because it was their first year in the Big 12.” (14:10)

The conversation explores the complexities of coaching hires, balancing local connections with merit-based selections. The hosts conclude that Mark Pope’s performance at BYU and his subsequent impact at UK justify his appointment, despite initial skepticism.

4. Listener Interactions and Open Calls (15:22 – 30:52)

Throughout the episode, the hosts engage with multiple listener calls, addressing questions and sharing personal anecdotes.

• Caller Francis (21:08) praises UK’s basketball program, leading to a debate on what makes it the best:

  • Drew Franklin: “Kentucky has the best fans. When you combine all those, Kentucky comes on top.” (22:14)
  • Matt Jones: “You have the fan base and now you get the success that makes puts him on top.” (24:05)

• Caller Mark Anthony (29:12) discusses hosting a sports-centric show and commends the program’s focus:

  • Drew Franklin: “It'll be everything except UK sports. That'll be the only thing I don't talk about.” (29:17)

• Caller John (31:26) shares humorous anecdotes about call-in experiences and discusses Pete Rose's Hall of Fame induction:

  • Drew Franklin: “It's a hilarious touch to have Pete Rose Night.” (30:33)

The listener interactions provide a dynamic element to the show, allowing hosts to connect with their audience while addressing hot topics and sharing light-hearted moments.

5. Highlighting UK Sports Achievements (30:52 – 34:47)

The hosts celebrate recent achievements by UK-affiliated teams, including Bellarmine Baseball’s victory over Louisville.

• Ryan Lemond shares excitement:
  “Baseball beat Louisville. Number 21, Louisville.” (29:30)

• Shannon "The Dude" elaborates on the game’s pivotal moment:
  “Bellarmine beat Web Jim. He robbed him at the end. Ran into the wall for the last out of the game.” (29:35)

The segment underscores the significance of these victories, reflecting the competitive spirit and prowess of UK-associated teams across different sports.

6. Upcoming Changes: Matt Jones’ New Show (16:32 – 25:08)

A notable part of the episode is dedicated to announcing Matt Jones’ upcoming show.

• Drew Franklin introduces the topic:
  “Tomorrow is the start of the new Matt Jones show. It'll air on Thursday nights at 6 o'clock on WHAS.” (16:32)

• Matt Jones discusses the transition and seeks listener input for the show’s name:
  “If you have a suggestion, I'm open to it. Do you have one?” (20:17)

• Shannon "The Dude" and Ryan Lemond offer creative suggestions, reflecting the collaborative atmosphere:
  “Matt Chat, Jones Zone...” (25:08)

The announcement highlights the evolution of the program, signaling an expansion of content and engagement with the audience through the new show, tentatively titled "Matt Chat" or "Jones Zone."

7. Light-Hearted Banter and Personal Stories (05:25 – 43:43)

Interspersed throughout the episode are moments of camaraderie and humor among the hosts:

• Drew Franklin and Shannon "The Dude" joke about car troubles and the mechanics of changing a spare tire.
  “We got your jack, right?” (02:44)

• The hosts engage in a playful discussion about hypothetical wartime scenarios, showcasing their personalities and rapport.
  “I would be first. I'm the reason we all die.” (17:51)

• Drew Franklin shares his enthusiasm for an upcoming South Africa trip, detailing plans for safari and adventure activities, while expressing apprehensions about rappelling down mountains.
  “There's elephants, like, walk up to your house. That feels like. That would be awesome.” (38:21)

These interactions add a relatable and entertaining layer to the show, enhancing listener engagement through shared experiences and laughter.

8. Political Commentary: Concerns About the Presidency (25:08 – 37:46)

In a departure from strictly sports topics, the hosts briefly delve into political issues, expressing concerns about President Biden.

• Drew Franklin criticizes the administration’s handling of President Biden’s public image and ethical decisions:
  “You can't hide mental deterioration. And we have to have a system where you can't just pay off the President... Come on.” (25:20)

• Shannon "The Dude" and Matt Jones engage in the discussion, highlighting the importance of accountability and standards in leadership.
  “You cannot do that. That's how this country slips.” (29:46)

While not the central theme, this segment reflects the hosts' willingness to address pressing national issues, offering listeners a broader perspective beyond sports.

9. Closing Remarks and Promotions (43:19 – 43:43)

As the episode winds down, the hosts wrap up with promotions and final thoughts:

• Drew Franklin encourages listeners to bet on the Reds during Pete Rose Night, tying it back to sports betting promotions:
  “Shout out to DraftKings... Promo code KSR.” (43:05)

• Shannon "The Dude" and Matt Jones engage in playful banter about betting strategies, maintaining the show’s lively and engaging tone.
  “This is the one you're ever gonna bet.” (43:19)

Notable Quotes:

• “Kobe Braya opened some eyes there at the NBA combine. He shot 57% on all shots.” — Drew Franklin (03:17)

• “Kentucky has the best fans.” — Drew Franklin (22:14)

• “It's a shooter's league and that's one thing he can do well.” — Matt Jones (04:43)

• “If you can do that, they'd rather have that than say a Jackson Robinson who can do a lot of things well but isn't necessarily a superstar at any.” — Drew Franklin (06:30)

• “You cannot do that. That's how this country slips.” — Shannon "The Dude" (29:46)

Conclusion:

This episode of Kentucky Sports Radio offers a rich and engaging exploration of UK’s basketball landscape, player evaluations, and coaching dynamics, all interwoven with lively interactions and pertinent commentary. Whether discussing Kobe Braya’s NBA prospects or debating the merits of coaching hires, the hosts provide valuable insights for UK sports enthusiasts. Additionally, the blend of personal stories and political commentary adds depth, making the podcast a comprehensive source for listeners seeking both sports news and thoughtful discussions.