2025-05-21- KSR - Hour 1

Summary

KSR Podcast Episode Summary: Hour 1 (May 21, 2025)

Host: Matt Jones
Location: KS Bar & Grill, Lexington, Kentucky
Release Date: May 21, 2025

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1. Welcome and Announcements

Matt Jones opens the episode with a warm welcome to listeners, introducing the theme for the day: "Ask Anything Wednesday." Listeners are encouraged to call in with any questions via the provided phone numbers.

Notable Moment:

[02:23] Matt Jones: "It's Larry's 88th birthday. Doesn't look a day over 50."

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2. Celebrating Larry's Birthday

The team celebrates Larry's 88th birthday, sharing humorous anecdotes about his youthful appearance despite his age and his recent move from Middlesborough to Wheaton College.

Notable Moments:

[03:05] Drew: "He might break out the bass, play a little music."

[03:36] Shannon: "We can only hope and pray that at 88 years old we're as good as condition as Larry is today."

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3. Major News: Braden Hawthorne's Commitment to Kentucky

A significant highlight of the episode is Braden Hawthorne's commitment to the University of Kentucky (UK) basketball team. Braden, ranked 35th nationally, chose UK over other prominent programs like West Virginia and Pitt. The team praises this decision as potentially the best 14th man commitment in college basketball history.

Key Discussion Points:

• Braden's unique commitment and potential impact on the team.
• The strategic advantage UK gains with his offensive skills and potential physical development.

Notable Moments:

[04:07] Matt Jones: "They end up with the 35th ranked player in America, Braden Hawthorne, who picks Kentucky over West Virginia and Pitt."

[05:12] Matt Jones: "He said during the interview something to the effect of Drew, that he's cool with not playing if that's how it ends up happening."

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4. Walk-On Players: The Future of UK Athletics

The conversation shifts to the topic of walk-on players and their diminishing role in the current scholarship landscape. The team reflects on past walk-ons who have made significant contributions and discusses the potential loss of this avenue for aspiring athletes.

Key Discussion Points:

• Historical successes of walk-ons like Robbie Moss and Cameron Mills.
• Concerns about the future of walk-ons under new scholarship regulations.
• Personal anecdotes about past walk-on players and their achievements.

Notable Moments:

[15:17] Shannon: "Overall number one. It's going to be a blind taste test though."

[16:12] Matt Jones: "I like the. Especially in football when they surprise the guys like at a practice, they always go crazy."

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5. Technical Preparations for Interviews

The team discusses the logistical arrangements for interviewing Mark Pope, emphasizing the importance of reliable radio equipment and connectivity to ensure a smooth and extended interview session.

Key Discussion Points:

• Equipment checks and backup plans for connectivity issues.
• Past challenges faced during interviews and lessons learned.

Notable Moments:

[10:01] Matt Jones: "You are going to go over early. You have to get the radio equipment because we have to connect to the building. Do you have everything?"

[11:32] Matt Jones: "This will be the longest full interview in theory that we've ever done with a coach."

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6. Community Engagement: Donut Contest and Promotions

Listeners are invited to participate in a donut contest sponsored by Spalding Drones, highlighting community involvement and interactive segments aimed at engaging the audience.

Key Highlights:

• Details about the upcoming June contest.
• Recognition of listener contributions, such as Jacob G.'s DoorDash donation.

Notable Moments:

[14:41] Matt Jones: "Wings Day Dollar Wings here today. Got some folks here already to try them."

[15:11] Shannon: "Spaldings is not just the number one seed in the contest, they're the overall number one seed in the contest."

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7. SEC and NCAA Developments: Tennessee's Position and Zakai Ziegler's Lawsuit

A heated discussion unfolds around Tennessee's potential expulsion from the SEC due to state laws affecting NCAA regulations, alongside Zakai Ziegler's lawsuit challenging the NCAA's stance on athlete eligibility.

Key Discussion Points:

• Tennessee's defiance against SEC and NCAA rules, raising questions about their future in the conference.
• The implications of Zakai Ziegler's lawsuit seeking perpetual eligibility in college basketball.
• Broader concerns about the NCAA's monopoly over academic sports and athlete rights.

Notable Moments:

[18:30] Caller: "It will be so sweet. Don Day and her clowns in Knoxville got Tennessee kicked out of the SEC. That would be poetic justice."

[21:04] Shannon: "I'm telling, thinking to myself, it's... There are going to be places."

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8. Listener Interaction: Tax on Tips Debate

The hosts engage in a lively debate about the proposed legislation to remove taxes on tips, discussing its fairness and potential loopholes that businesses might exploit.

Key Discussion Points:

• The impact of tax exemptions on restaurant workers versus other industries.
• Potential for businesses to manipulate tip reporting to reduce tax liabilities.
• Personal opinions on the balance between supporting tipped workers and maintaining fair taxation.

Notable Moments:

[40:11] Matt Jones: "So do you believe that servers should be able to be the one set of people that don't have their whole incomes taxed?"

[42:17] Drew: "As a former server, I was pretty surprised it passed. Especially unanimous because, I mean, even though it's set up Different. That's still your income. And I just feel like your income should be taxed."

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9. Personal Reflections and Listener Feedback

Matt Jones shares personal anecdotes and addresses listener feedback, including comments about his stance on sharing children's photos and the surprising popularity of honeymoon destinations like Orlando.

Notable Moments:

[38:44] Matt Jones: "One person writes Matt, my wife has started listening to the show in the last year or two. She loves you, but she got very, very upset at your comment about not posting pictures of your kids' graduation."

[40:32] Shannon: "No, I mean there's something to it. Obviously, it's not maybe for you, but it is for a lot of other people, including myself back in 1991."

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10. Closing Remarks and Future Episodes

As the episode wraps up, the hosts discuss upcoming interviews and express gratitude towards their growing listener base. They hint at future topics and maintain an engaging rapport with their audience.

Key Highlights:

• Announcement of future guests like Jalen Lowe and Ryan McGee.
• Recognition of the podcast achieving the number one spot among sports podcasts.
• Encouragement for listeners to stay tuned for more engaging content.

Notable Moments:

[27:38] Shannon: "So the next ep, your next episode."

[27:40] Matt Jones: "I've already taped it, so we taped Crystal Ball yesterday. I'm taping Ryan McGee today."

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Conclusion

This episode of KSR offers a blend of sports insights, community engagement, and lively debates, anchored by Matt Jones' engaging hosting. From celebrating milestones like Larry's 88th birthday to dissecting pivotal sports developments and NCAA challenges, the podcast ensures listeners are both informed and entertained. Interactive segments like the donut contest and listener calls further enhance the community feel, making it a comprehensive source for UK sports news and discussions.

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For more updates and episodes, visit iHeartPodcasts or follow KSR on social media.

Transcript

[T-Mobile Representative]

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[Ferris State University Representative]

While others are sitting in lecture halls, you're already building your future at Ferris State University. Hands on training starts from day one. With real world skills that lead straight to careers in construction, engineering, automotive tech and more, you're not just learning, you're earning, building a life you can be proud of. And with in state tuition for out of state students, success is within reach. Ferris State University unleash your potential. Register now at Ferris Edu. That's Ferris Edu. Comedy Up Broadway in Lexington welcomes Ginger Billy May 9th through the 11th. Then from White famous catch Jay Pharoah May 16th and 17th and don't miss Rocky Dale Davis May 23rd and 24th. 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 Comedy Off Broadway.

[Matt Jones]

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

Welcome everyone to Kentucky Sports Radio, Wednesday, May 21st. I'm Matt Jones here at the KS Bar & Grill in Lexington, Kentucky where it's overcast but nice day out after storms last evening. You can give us a shout. It is Ask Anything Wednesday, Shannon. People can ask any question they want unless I say no. 859-280-2287. So go ahead and get on. I'll take calls early. I'm not going to do like I did last time. Shannon leave with Bob and James. Okay, it's not gonna happen but we can, we can have someone else a Vision auto glass text machine. 772-774-5254. In this edition sponsored by the TJ Smith Law Office, you call TJL. Make them pay. I want to give a shout out here before we start today. Ryan, this is Larry's 88th birthday.

[Shannon]

Oh it is.

[Matt Jones]

It's his 88th. Wow. So happy birthday to Larry. He is in in Illinois at Wheaton College where my mom is in her first week of school getting her doctorate.

[Shannon]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Doctor of medicine or doctor of medicine. I don't think she's going to med school. Doctor of religion, graduate degree today. This was her first week of school and she is here.

[Shannon]

They're probably gonna go out and really party hard tonight.

[Matt Jones]

They did that last night because tonight is a dinner at a professor's house. So they did that last night. The wild birthday. So happy 88 to Larry. Doesn't look a day over 50.

[Drew]

That's true. Well, happy birthday to Larry. It's true. They're have a great time. Might get wild. Maybe even break out the bass, play a little music.

[Matt Jones]

He might break out the beast. You know, Larry's having to get used to a different setting. He's been in Middlesborough for 50 plus years and he's having to get used to every few weeks they're, they're going to be at Wheaton College. He's like seeing the world at, in his eight, I guess what, ninth decade.

[Drew]

Some people slow down. He's like, let me see more. I want to see what this Wheaton College is all about.

[Shannon]

We can only hope and pray that at 88 years old we're as good as condition as Larry is today.

[Matt Jones]

We won't be. I can. There's no. You can hope and you can pray, but it is guaranteed. Probably no one in this group will.

[Shannon]

So where is Wheaton, Illinois?

[Matt Jones]

It's like a little southwest of Chicago. Okay, I think that would be where it is. I'm on the air right now. We'll do that in a minute. 59280, 2287 had some big news yesterday.

[Shannon]

Oh, you did?

[Matt Jones]

No, Kentucky.

[Shannon]

Oh, I thought you said you meant you had some big news.

[Drew]

I guess it was big news for Matt too.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, I mean I wasn't really excited about it, but besides that, Kentucky gets there, gets a commitment in at the end of the session.

[Shannon]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

They end up with the 35th ranked player in America, Braden Hawthorne, who picks Kentucky over West Virginia and Pitt. Drew. You know, I would say in the history of basketball, I'm not sure there's ever been a better 14th player to commit to a team. I'm going to go on record say best 14th man commitment in the history of college basketball. Now part of that is because you mostly could only have 13 players, but nevertheless, I'm still confident in saying it.

[Drew]

It is wild. Pope was able to convince the guy who had a huge spring and big offers with potential to play right away. He's Convinced him to just come here and just see what happens in your first year and then break out your second year. I'll add at 13, 14, they have a McDonald's all American. And Michael Marino, you have a seven foot one, Reese Potter, who played at Miami Ohio. That is the end of your bench. So there's not a deep into the bench better than Kentucky's. But with both Hawthorne, I mean, offensively he looks great. He puts a little weight on and if he could even do it this summer, you might see him play earlier. But once he gets a little more physical, he's going to be trouble.

[Matt Jones]

I should have known. I'm kind of mad at myself at missing the hint. Do you remember, you know what the hint was that we were getting this kid.

[Shannon]

What was it?

[Matt Jones]

That they postponed my interview with Pope one day. Remember he didn't want to do it until the roster was complete. We were going to tape it yesterday at 2:30. Now we're taping it today at 2:30 and when they asked me to tape it a day later, they just said it would be better. And then the commitment was last night. How did we not think he said. They said he didn't want to do it until after the roster was finalized and he was waiting for the roster to be finalized. I'm an idiot for not coming up with that.

[Shannon]

Yeah, you're not an idiot. We're just slipping. We're just slipping a little bit. We should have caught that. But I think it speaks a lot for this kid. I mean, obviously he knows the roster. He looked at it. For him to go ahead and accept this spot, knowing there's not a lot of minutes out there right away I'm going to just grow and learn and get better, stronger for maybe the next couple years. I think it says a lot about the kid.

[Matt Jones]

He said during the interview something to the effect of Drew, that he's cool with not playing if that's how it ends up happening, that he knows that's part of it. Which usually don't hear people say that. Yeah, is that good?

[Drew]

Great attitude. You know, I don't know anything about him personally, but just the fact that he would commit to that those that circumstances says he will appreciate being here and understands the path. Not going to rush anything or complain about playing time. Seems like he has the right.

[Matt Jones]

Tell us about him as a player.

[Drew]

He's really skinny. I think that's why it's going to be a while. But he's six, eight, really good score. Like I said, he blew up in the Spring, he was barely top hundred until the spring session. He had a bunch of good games against good talent. But putting weight on him will be his. His main priority because I think he's listed at 180. I'm not sure he's 180. If you look at him on film.

[Matt Jones]

Isn'T he, like, what is he, 6.

[Drew]

6 8, 6 8?

[Matt Jones]

One eight zero is. Yeah, he's really skinny. And a listed 180 means he's probably less than 180.

[Drew]

The best thing about him is, did you see the picture of him go viral where when he was a kid, he got his picture with the Joby hall statue? He's a Kentucky fan. He's sitting over there at the lodge in those chairs.

[Matt Jones]

So even if he's in West Virginia.

[Drew]

Yeah. Not too far away. So that was pretty neat that came out. But great offensive talent.

[Matt Jones]

I can't get over 6, 8, 1, 8 0. Like, I'm just trying to f. I'm just trying to fathom how skinny that is. That would be like, oh, that's very skinny.

[Drew]

So getting some. Getting some weight on them will be a priority once you get here.

[Matt Jones]

You weigh 180, don't you?

[Shannon]

I weigh 220. Probably close to 2.

[Matt Jones]

I'm about 180. So take me and give me about, what, 9 inches?

180. Yeah, but you're 9 inches shorter than. And you're. You're little.

I'm not little.

Well, you're kind of little, to be fair. Well, I mean, it's gonna be Mario.

[Drew]

He's been working.

[Matt Jones]

What do you weigh? What do you weigh? Yeah. 140. And how tall and how tall are you? So you're 5 10. You're 140.

I'm 5 11, 180.

Shannon's 511, 180. So that, I mean, maybe is skinnier than Mario.

[Drew]

Let's say if Mario was taller. I think we're looking at Hawthorne right there.

[Matt Jones]

I think he's got Mario now. That makes me feel better because Mario's an elite athlete at 5. At 5, I could see him getting buckets. So now I feel better about.

You can't see me getting buckets.

No, I cannot see you.

[Shannon]

What's wrong with you?

[Matt Jones]

See you getting no buckets. As a matter of fact, I can see you getting negative buckets.

[Drew]

While his weight is a little bit of an issue right away, his wingspan is outrageous. It's like 7:3. So he's got it. He's got the potential. He's got a pro Build once he bulks up, gets a little older and gets in the system.

[Matt Jones]

So do you expect him to move.

[Drew]

A lot of good game?

[Matt Jones]

You expect him play at all this year? Or like, is this. This. You know, do you think he ends up in that 12, 13, 14 slot?

[Shannon]

I mean, he'll get some minutes, but I don't think there's gonna be a lot of minutes out there. I think the transformation we'll see from all three of the freshmen, him and Jasper and Malachi, once again in the weight program, get some weight on all three of them. I think year two be a big jump for all of them.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. I don't know if we're going to get a year two out of Jasper Johnson. I mean, I think. I feel like. I feel like I'm the person saying, you guys remember, right, that this dude went to overtime, that this dude's had cameras following for two years. This dude's really like. I feel like people just forget that. I mean, if he's here two years, that'd be great, but it'll only be because he gets a huge nil deal. Like.

[Shannon]

Like, yeah, he.

[Matt Jones]

He is. He is the kind of athlete that could be a one and done. Would you agree with that?

[Drew]

Yeah, I mentioned that yesterday. As long as Jasper can show he can defend. I mean, he's already a knockdown shooter, got a good offensive game, they'll only get better. The only question mark is how he'll be able to handle going up another level in. In basketball, in the sec. You know, it'll get physical. If he can hold his own there, I think he'll be fine.

[Matt Jones]

Well, so big get for Kentucky and congrats. Now we're interviewing Mark Pope this afternoon. You and Mario are going over early, right? So let's talk about what has to happen because you're. I'm putting you in charge of this.

[Shannon]

Okay.

[Matt Jones]

Okay.

[Drew]

You.

[Matt Jones]

You are going to go over early.

[Shannon]

Yep.

[Matt Jones]

You have to get the radio equipment because we have to connect to the building. Do you have everything?

[T-Mobile Representative]

Yep.

[Matt Jones]

What all do you need?

[Shannon]

Everything we're using right now.

[Matt Jones]

Always explain to people because they can't see what those are.

[Shannon]

I got our Comrex unit, which connects to the station, can connect anywhere in the country as long as we can get a signal. Right now, I'm connected on.

[Matt Jones]

As long as we can get a signal.

[Shannon]

Yeah. So I've got a hard line option and I've got a cell card option. I'll have both options. Whichever. I'll try to price. Try the. The cell card Option with the Mac.

[Matt Jones]

Emergency max sitting right over there. We have something in theory that allows us to like, it's only for media companies, like to get cell service maybe when you can't otherwise. Right. You have that right.

[Shannon]

Because when we tried to do patino last summer, we couldn't get connected inside the building. We had to go out on the, on the part in the sidewalk. So today I think that's partially true.

[Matt Jones]

Shannon. There was another part of that which was we couldn't get the cell signal, but Ryan had forgotten the extension cord for the, for the hardline Internet. So that, that was part. So you were partially correct. We couldn't get the cell phone, but you did find. Forget the other part. So I want to. We're going to get that this time.

[Shannon]

Well, the hard line I had last time was not long enough because we had to want to go all the way into the office. And I didn't mind. Wasn't long enough to do that.

[Matt Jones]

So is this one long enough?

[Shannon]

That one over there is long enough.

[Matt Jones]

Okay, so that one's long enough. So we have that then. Mario, you're going to set up the cameras. Are you ready? He, I, I, Shannon, I asked him this morning, please don't film from the ground. People don't need to see mine in Pope's thighs as we're.

[Drew]

I don't want to see any skin on your left.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, I mean, I, I'm told Pope's going to be in workout gear, so I don't, I don't think we both need to be. You know, this is wings day, not thigh day here at KS Bar, so hopefully that'll work too.

[Drew]

I believe in Ryan. I didn't know this about the cord last time, but you said you had one just wasn't long enough.

[Matt Jones]

Right.

[Drew]

That can. I'm going to blame the craft center for that, but it sounds like he's got his checklist today. Got a collared shirt on, looking good.

[Matt Jones]

This will be the longest full interview in theory that we've ever done with a coach. We've had, we've had Cal on here, but he always had that 30 minute limit because he was not going to sit through a commercial break. You remember? He would, he would, he was like.

[Shannon]

Shannon got him with a hard break.

[Matt Jones]

He would say to me when he was going to come on, he would go, I'll stay, but I'm not sitting through a commercial break. So the understanding was. Oh, he was a little diva about it. The understanding was we had to take all the breaks at the end and that basically gave us 20 minutes with him. That was the max.

[Shannon]

And I don't think Stoop has been. Stoop has been on longer than that either. Has he? Has he been?

[Drew]

Actually, this last one. There's a long one.

[Matt Jones]

Last one was just a few weeks ago. It was like three seconds.

[Shannon]

Was it three segments?

[Drew]

Even said, I'll stay as long as you need me. That was the best part of the interview.

[Matt Jones]

Commercial breaks as well.

[Drew]

Remember? We had off air conversations.

[Shannon]

Good for him.

[Drew]

You were there.

[Matt Jones]

I mean, you were there.

[Shannon]

Yeah, I just don't remember a lot of.

[Matt Jones]

It's like we like you. Like we're telling you a new story.

[Shannon]

Well, it's good to refresh my memory on those things.

[Matt Jones]

Okay, well, good.

[Drew]

Well, I changed my. My opinion about how this is going to go today.

[Matt Jones]

He doesn't remember that, so I'm trusting you.

[Shannon]

Yeah, we got you.

[Matt Jones]

You are. You're in charge. And you'll. You're gonna make it work because I'm gonna be at the studio interviewing Ryan McGee for the podcast. And so this is. This is in your hands until I get there.

[Drew]

We got you a big day of interviewing.

[Matt Jones]

I know. I'm. I've gone from never interviewing anybody to this is the be. You got Jalen Lowe tomorrow on here. That got pushed back a day. Mark Pope, Ryan McGee yesterday interviewed Crystal Ball. We're talking to too many people. I'm used to only talking to you all. And that was flip. 585-9280-2287. We're going to take a break. We are here at KS Bar and Grill. Ask Anything Wednesday. This is Kentucky Sports Radio.

[Ferris State University Representative]

While others are sitting in lecture halls, you're already building your future at Ferris State University. Hands on training starts from day one. With real world skills that lead straight to careers in construction, engineering, automotive tech and more, you're not just learning, you're earning. Building a life you can be proud of. And with in state tuition for out of state students, success is within reach. Ferris State University. Unleash your potential. Register now at Ferris Edu. That's Ferris Edu.

[T-Mobile Representative]

T Mobile stats are as impressive as your favorite athlete's highlight reel. Because T Mobile helps keep you connected from the heart of Portland to right where you are on America's largest 5G network switch. Now keep your phone and T Mobile will pay it off at the $800 per line via prepaid cart. Visit your local T Mobile location or learn more@t mobile.com keepandswitch up to four lines of your virtual prepaid card allow 15 days qualifying unlock device credit service report in 90 plus days device in eligible carrier and timely redemption required. Card is no cash access and expires in six months.

[Matt Jones]

Welcome back it is Kentucky Sports Radio 859-280-2287. Wings Day Dollar Wings here today. Got some folks here already to try them. Thank you. Someone do us Spalding donuts. Thank you to whoever at the bottom. What was the person's name? Jacob. Jacob G. Just sent it. How nice is that to send door dash of donuts here to the bar people. We're gonna do I I the contest, the donut contest in June, end of June.

[Shannon]

Well, Spaldings is not just the number one seed in the contest, they're the overall number one seed in the contest.

[Matt Jones]

Oh, they're number one for you.

[Shannon]

Overall number one.

[Matt Jones]

It's going to be a blind taste test though. So you're going to. You could end up picking a Maryland, Baltimore county and not even knowing that.

[Shannon]

You did it could be tough to knock off the Spalding king of the hill. King. The donut hill.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, it is, it is very, very good. One person writes, Matt, with this being our 14th player, does that mean no walk ons? Drew, I, I think under the new settlement it's unlikely we'll see a walk on again. I think the days of walk ons are, you know, maybe sadly over. I don't think. Yeah, I don't think football or basketball under the new scholarship ways is gonna be able to do walk ons.

[Drew]

Guess the dream is dead. You know there's a lot of walk ons, remember? Well, some appreciated it like some Sam Malone, others didn't. Like I think about my guy Zach from Madisonville last year. That scenario probably won't happen again. So that is something that will stink in the changes that are coming.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, it will stink. I think it's really, you're really going to see the effect of football because sometimes the football guys could end up making it to where they played. I mean Charles Walker is an example. The guy who started as a walk on and ended up being a good player. Can you think of other ones in football started as walk ons. I mean in basketball, Robbie Moss started as a walk on. Recent years he basically turned the walk ons on to the friends of his kid played. Yeah, which you know, I mean you couldn't get mad at because they weren't gonna play anyway. But it didn't because originally walk ons were like, well, you're not good enough for a scholarship but you're A good player. We're gonna bring you here. For the most part, Cows were with like the exception of Jared Polson. They were guys. He was friends with their dad.

[Shannon]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

And that's. Some of those dudes didn't even play in high school and they ended up on UK's team.

[Drew]

So Paulson ended up being a scholarship player.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, in the end. But he started that route of well, not quite good enough for scholarship, but we'll bring you. And then he earned one.

[Drew]

I like the. Especially in football when they surprise the guys like at a practice, they always go crazy. Was in basketball, was Cameron Mills a walk on?

[Shannon]

He was, yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Was a walk on. Well, who are the best walk ons. Cameron. Cameron Mills might be number one.

[Shannon]

Yeah. Cameron and Ravi are the two come to mind. You know, Todd Svobodo, he was a.

[Matt Jones]

Walk on but he was a good player. I mean he had played at Northern. Right. And played well. And then he transferred here and played like one year or two. Whatever. He was good though.

[Shannon]

Trying to think some other basketball. My favorite walk on story is a guy by the name of Jeremiah Bell from Clark county walked on the EKU football team, ended up playing for the Miami Dolphins, ended up in the NFL as a walk on at eku.

[Matt Jones]

That's pretty good. Well, the guy from Iowa, or was it Iowa? Ohio State. There was a first round pick that started as a walk on. One of those linebackers this year.

[Shannon]

That's amazing.

[Matt Jones]

So. So anyway, that is a bummer. Drew about the news is the days of walking on for your dream are probably going.

[Drew]

Now we're just going to have to yell shoot at scholarship player that's getting paid when he.

[Matt Jones]

A little bit different, I think. Who's up first?

Let's go to Jerry.

Jerry. Go ahead, Jerry. 859-280-2287 Ask Anything Wednesday. Today's the day if you don't call much to come and give your thing. Go ahead, Jerry.

[Caller]

Hey, man, Dr. Ryan was having Nico. But if Tennessee got kicked out of the SEC over there and I shenanigans.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Caller]

And starting all this nil bull crap with Nico and tampering and everything. That will be so sweet. Don Day and her clowns in Knoxville got Tennessee kicked out of the sec. That would be sweet. Poetic justice I would love. And the other.

[Matt Jones]

Go ahead.

[Caller]

And one of the other things to say is. And it kind of the funny thing it's fun to listen to Tennessee's postgame show after they lose is they were crying last year after Ohio State game about Ohio State spending $30 million on the roster. Well, guess what, guys. You got Mr. Pilot old billionaire down there. But Ohio State's got 30 guys like that. Texas has 40 or 50.

[Matt Jones]

I'm gonna leave you there. I appreciate the call. He's getting worked up. I do think it would be hilarious if Tennessee got kicked out of the SEC because of this. Of this state law. Now, I do not think it's gonna happen. I do not think that it is likely to happen. Matter of fact, I think it is extremely unlikely. But it would be hilarious. Drew and I would be rooting it on.

[Drew]

It is fun to dream about them just leaving the SEC and not having a place to go. Maybe they're like a barnstorming tour that just goes around Tennessee all the time and plays local Tennessee teams, but I don't think it will actually get to that point.

[Matt Jones]

I don't either, but. But I am still. I have yet to read a story that has explained why they passed that state law, because clearly they did it to try to basically get to do whatever they want. And. And the sec. You know, remember, I said on this show Monday, this is dangerous. This is the kind of thing that can ruin Bass. The ncaa and it seems like the other conferences saw it as well and immediately tried to put a kibosh on it.

[Shannon]

That's the best thing about it, though. All the power four conferences joined together and agreed that this is. We're not going to stand for this. You know, Tennessee let them go. Well, I don't know what they're going to play. Like I said yesterday, they're gonna play in Conference usa. What are you going to do? You need the sec.

[Matt Jones]

Well, I don't. Yeah. It's so ridiculous that it's almost hard to fathom, but they. I mean, the. The sec, that if you read that document, they were like, you will sign this, and if you don't sign this school, you're out. I mean, it's kind of amazing, isn't it?

[Drew]

They've always been terrible, but it seems like here lately, they've really just been like, we're not abiding by the rules. Even when NIL first started. They're bragging about all the money they're paying playing players and just openly doing the collective thing. Seems like they've been more defiant than any other college athletics program in the last few years.

[Matt Jones]

What do you think about Zakai Ziegler? Who. Zakai Ziegler, who has played in College.

[Shannon]

For.

[Matt Jones]

12 years, has asked the NCAA for another year. He is. He has sued The NCAA saying the four year ban, basically your four year thing is not enough. That legally he should be able to play college basketball forever if he wants to, as long as the school lets him in. Another Tennessee attempt at the rules.

[Drew]

What do you think about this ignoring everything? I mean, there's some crazy situations where guys are in school way too long, but there's at least been injuries or red shirts. He's played 34 games a season for four years. He's third all time on the SEC's assist list. He has had a full career without injuries or missing any time. I don't even know what his argument is, but it's Tennessee behavior. Here's what his argument get another year.

[Matt Jones]

His argument, which I think will fail. But his argument is college basketball is basically a monopoly in for academic basketball right now. I can be paid in it. You cannot be a monopoly without being paid. And as long as this school wants to let me come to school, has an academic whatever for me to do, then nca, you should not be able to ban me from playing sports as long as Tennessee wants me to go to school. Now I think that's not going to work for a variety of legal reasons. I think it's different than the question of whether you get paid. But if anybody was going to push the envelope, of course it would be Tennessee. And it feels like it would be someone like Zakai Zigler, who was extremely frustrating and you know, one of those dudes that if he's not on your team, you're like, come on.

[Shannon]

It's also confusing to me. I mean the people are getting extra years for Covid, getting extra years for injuries, getting extra years for playing at junior colleges, getting extra years for sitting out family emergencies. I mean, it seems like guys, what's.

[Matt Jones]

Confusing about all that people are getting.

[Shannon]

Like six or seven years regardless.

[Matt Jones]

Well, Covid, I mean Covid, everybody got a year. So that's, that's one answer.

[Shannon]

So could he get. He.

[Matt Jones]

He didn't play though. He's after Covid.

[Drew]

He has had a. He's started since he was a friend. He's played in 138 games. He has had a very actually more than normal career. Like he should absolutely go get a job and let some freshmen come in and play basketball.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Drew]

Remember, so he has no unique circumstances.

[Matt Jones]

Was 2020, 2021. Okay, so it was that year. We have had four seasons since that Ziegler did not play that year. So he is. All of his four seasons were not in covet. So he has no argument For Covet. I have not seen that he has a family emergency. As you said Drew, he was never injured. He is just saying college basketball should let me play as long as I want to play. Like he's the guy in the roses parking lot who keeps hanging out with the high schoolers. Right. Like he, he wants to play forever and the ncaa, someone was going to challenge this and it turns out it's going to be.

[Drew]

He's like ranked for the most games ever played at Tennessee. He's like one of their all time just you know, played the most and he still wants to play.

[Matt Jones]

Would you like to have it where people could play college basketball forever? I mean would you like it to where Oscar Sheepway could have played until he was.

[Drew]

Because the new guys need a chance. We don't need. We already have a few 30 year olds. We don't need more play four years. If you got hurt, we'll settle it and then get the hell out of here and get a job.

[Matt Jones]

Get a job. Well, I mean again their argument would be this is a job. I can make more money doing this than I can do what I was going to do next.

[Shannon]

Right.

[Drew]

Well our argument is cool. Leave. There are other people waiting for your spot.

[Matt Jones]

We've got a quarterback who's coming in for seven years.

We do, we have a quarterback is going to be a seventh year this year.

[Shannon]

All those fifth year guys we had on the basketball team last year, we like them. Yep.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. All right, we'll take a break. Be right back. It's ksr.

[Ferris State University Representative]

TJ Smith, personal injury attorney.

[Matt Jones]

Call tj. He'll make him pay.

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

Welcome back TY Sports Radio. 859-280-2287. There's some people telling me that Zakat Ziegler did one year tears ACL but he played half the year year you're not. I don't think you're allowed when you. I don't know what the percentage of gains. It's got to be a very small amount of games for it to not count towards your year. I don't. If he played half the year that would not that he would have played too much to get it.

[Drew]

He's played at least 30 games every season. He averages 34 and a half games a year. So I don't think that's true.

[Matt Jones]

No. Well a bunch of people said it would. You think all these people are lying to me?

[Drew]

He has 138 career games in four seasons.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. So if you go four that, you're right. Yeah. So then why don't you tell these people to hush?

[Drew]

No. Well, let's tell Zakai to get a job. He graduated. He has a degree in merchandise and retail management. Go out and manage the retail merchandise. Yes, I looked it up.

[Matt Jones]

I didn't.

[Drew]

We need to get this retail merchandise.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. I mean, to be honest with you, I feel like there's retail and merchandise that needs to be managed. Yeah.

[Drew]

We've already seen you as a point guard. Now go out there and show us what you can do with that degree.

[Matt Jones]

Makes sense. I think that. Right. All right. We missed some walk ons.

[Shannon]

Okay.

[Matt Jones]

Anthony Epps was a walk on.

[Shannon]

Forgot a year.

[Drew]

Really?

[Shannon]

He was.

[Matt Jones]

Anthony Epps was. Was a really good walk on.

[Shannon]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Somebody is telling me was Jeff Brasso a lot walk on his first year? If he was, it was one of those things where he just agreed to do it because he was. He was. He was highly recruited, right?

[Shannon]

Yeah, I. I can't confirm that one.

[Matt Jones]

Nehemiah Jr. Brad.

[Drew]

Yeah, he was on my list.

[Shannon]

Baseball player. To play baseball.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. Junior Brady was. He was on like, what, Patino's first team?

[Shannon]

Believe so. Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. So those are good. Anthony Epps is one you'll forget. That's. That's the best one, right?

[Shannon]

Yeah. And it's not. There was something even with that, like he got a scholarship the next year, promised a scholarship the next year or something like that.

[Matt Jones]

That may have been true. I do. I do vaguely remember that he was. So just real quick thank you to everybody that subscribed to the Matt Jones podcast. Hit overnight. Number one. Is the number one sports podcast. Yes. Now granted, they. When they do. Thank you very much. That's very nice. I was hoping they would clap, but they. They didn't.

[Drew]

I just wanted to make sure it was your Matt Jones podcast first.

[Matt Jones]

Now, I don't know if the other one rose in the rank.

[Shannon]

I bet he did.

[Matt Jones]

But the way they do it is, you know, they give you a little bump for new ones. So. But even. It's the first time we've had any of those end up number one. So I, I took the screenshot. So I'll always have it of, Of. Of this number one. And pardon my take, number two texted big cat, said we. There you go. Look who's. Look who zoomed ahead of you. But. But that was very nice of people and people seem to have enjoyed it, so thank you very much.

[Shannon]

So the next ep, your next episode.

[Matt Jones]

I've already taped it, so we Taped Crystal Ball yesterday. I'm taping Ryan McGee today. Ryan McGee will come out tonight.

[Shannon]

Okay.

[Matt Jones]

And then Crystal Ball will come out after we aired on WHS Thursday.

[Shannon]

Her name is really Crystal Ball?

[Matt Jones]

Yes, her name is Crystal Ball.

[Shannon]

Her parents had a weird sense of humor. Name their kid Crystal Ball. What's her brother's name? Basket.

[Matt Jones]

Do you hear the silence after these jokes? You're not even getting a chuckle from Shannon. You give all of these, the jokes, a chuckle.

I was holding back, Ryan.

[Shannon]

That was a good one.

[Drew]

One I was trying to.

[Matt Jones]

It was not a good one.

[Drew]

When Ryan laughs at himself, it's my favorite thing.

[Matt Jones]

You have a confidence about the jokes. Even if no one else laughs, you will still laugh.

[Shannon]

You can't laugh at yourself. Where can you laugh at all? Laughing yourself.

[Matt Jones]

Another. That's another saying that doesn't make sense. If you can't laugh at yourself, where can you laugh at all?

[Shannon]

Yeah.

[Drew]

So love it yourself or let him cook.

[Matt Jones]

First.

Cody.

Cody. Go ahead, Cody.

[Drew]

Yeah. I have two things real quick question.

[Matt Jones]

What are the odds that Mark Pope runs the platoon system with this squad? Zero.

[Drew]

And second thing, give a big shout.

[Matt Jones]

Out to the men of KSR Facebook page. We just surpassed a thousand followers. Well, thank you very much. The platoon system. Zero, right? Zero. Zero. I mean, the platoon system was cool. I'm still not sure that was the best decision, but it was cool, and it was obviously made us known. I don't think Pope sort of operates like that, do you know?

[Drew]

And definitely not what we're calling this. The blue platoon. And this is the white platoon. And you're doing hockey subs now. I think the minutes might look like they're platooning a little bit. I think a lot of the guys, especially where they're competing at those same spots where you don't know who to start, you'll see their minutes won't be too far apart, but I don't think we'll see the. All right, five in, five out, and we nickname them and, you know, you know, your team and they got the other five.

[Matt Jones]

Did you like that? In hindsight? Were you. Was that something you. You look back on fondly?

[Drew]

I mean, I like all of us, we bought into it and, you know, I mentioned it on. On the Internet recently, almost like saying it didn't work. But then someone reminded me they did win, did go 31, and. Oh. So it's hard to say it didn't work.

[Matt Jones]

I mean, they went 38 and 1, and to be fair to Cal, when we lost, we didn't Run the. Yeah, you know what I mean?

[Drew]

Like that lost because he quit giving the ball to Carl and he wanted shot clock violations instead.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, but we didn't. We didn't platoon the second half of that game and we were ahead when we were platoon. So I mean, I don't think we can blame the platooning for losing, but.

[Drew]

Blame Cal for losing.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. But in hindsight, did you. Do you like it?

[Drew]

Looking back, my favorite thing about it was you could see the other team with their hands on their knees and they would look up at the other five at the scores table waiting to check in.

[Matt Jones]

That was great.

[Drew]

And they were terrified. You could see it in their face like, what in the hell is about to happen? I'm gasping for air and five fresh legs of NBA players are about to.

[Matt Jones]

That's a really good point. It did wear teams down, down the stretch and you. And it also could lead where you could beat teams by just large margins because they would quit at the end of games. Did you like it? Yeah.

[Shannon]

Looking back now, it seems kind of ridiculous, but during that time I loved it and you know, the crowd loved it. We were putting on blue T shirts and white T shirts in the eruption zone, whichever the blue. Whatever platoon was in that time. But you're out that we all liked it until the Wisconsin game.

[Matt Jones]

So what were the platoons again? You had the twins, Carl, Willie and Alex Lyles.

[Drew]

Well, yeah, no Lyles.

[Matt Jones]

You're right. Lyles would start with the first group and then the second group would be Booker, Ulis, Alex Dakari, Marcus Lee. Is that what.

[Drew]

I don't remember which was blue and which was white, but we were all about it. Other names. It's like he never really makes up the fives that. That often either.

[Matt Jones]

It's still amazing that that team. Derek Willis and Dominique Hawkins were the 11th and 12th guys. I mean those are dudes future SEC tournament all tournament team and a future like NBA player were the 11th and 12th men.

[Drew]

I mean next year's team just on depth now, not their potential and star power, but next year's teams just as deep as far as guys that are able to go in and play.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Drew]

The time you don't have the.

[Matt Jones]

The top line talent's not as. As good.

[Shannon]

Good.

[Drew]

Yeah, but you're right. Far as bodies, it's as far as.

[Matt Jones]

The conversation, you're probably right. Who's next?

Tyler.

Tyler. 859-280-2287. Go ahead.

[Caller]

Hey man. Good to talk to y' all this morning.

[Matt Jones]

Man.

[Caller]

I tell you, I. I Don't know why, but when I call into the show, I don't do it a ton, but it is very. I get the nerves that I feel when I call into this show is there. I don't experience them very often.

[Matt Jones]

Why do you think. Why do you think calling in makes you nervous? Are you worried that I'm gonna get upset at you? Because I'm not. I think you're a wonderful person, even though I don't know you.

[Caller]

I appreciate that. I think you're a touch intimidating to talk to, and I think the fear of getting interrupted is real, especially for me. And I would think a lot of other people. But I said, I don't know you. So if I make.

[Matt Jones]

You think I'm so hard to talk, like, nervous to.

[Shannon]

Talk to, I think people are afraid that maybe you'll get into an argument with them and you're gonna win the argument. You know, you're a great debater.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. You're growing up. I knew he normally. You. You know, he was going to say something else, and he's growing up. I'm glad you weren't. Used the word. Great. All right, go ahead, sir. I'm. No interruption, no intimidation. You. It's. You have the floor.

[Caller]

Well, I got two things, if you don't mind. So the first thing, I know it's too soon to talk about it, but the 2015 game, the press conference, Andrew Harrison, y' all talking about what? We lost the game. Andrew Harrison was the one that ended up apologizing, saying that he didn't do what Coach Cal told him to do down the stretch. And then Cal was like, no, you're good. So I guess I don't.

[Matt Jones]

He was always good about taking up for his players in those situations, and I do give him credit for that. He was not a guy who would ever throw his player under the bus after a loss or something like that. I appreciate that about him. What's your second one? Yeah.

[Caller]

And then. So I know it's a May in football seasons, a long way away, and we haven't heard much from the team or from any of the staff or anything like that, but I know Stoops. I don't really know the situation with it, but I know Stoops is kind of on the hot seater. He's been on the hot seat. I didn't know if you could give us the scenario this year where, okay, this happens.

[Matt Jones]

He's gonna stay. Yeah. I mean, I. Okay, so let's. I appreciate the call. Is there. Is there a scenario, Ryan, where You think Mark Stoops could be fired? Let's use that word. Is there a scenario where he could be fired?

[Shannon]

I guess if the winds aren't there and the crowd stays away, I think that could lead to maybe Mitch can least considering it.

[Matt Jones]

Not considering it. Is there a situation where he would be.

[Shannon]

Yeah, I guess there is.

[Matt Jones]

Do you think there's a situation he could be fired?

[Drew]

Ali? No. I mean, it was obvious the fan base was tired of Cal last year and we thought we was leaving and Mitch had that weird press conference and defended him right as Cal turned around and left. So I'm. Mitch showed me last year he's not gonna be quick to fire anyone. If Stoops were to win one game, okay, maybe. But if he's in that four or five range, I don't think Mitch would do it.

[Matt Jones]

How much would they owe him? I mean, it's still owing a lot of money. Yeah, a lot of money in a year where your budget is increasing by $22 million. So I think firing is extremely unlikely. I'm not saying. I'm not gonna say impossible. If he went and won two games, they might not have a choice choice. But I think it is extremely unlikely. I do think there's a scenario though, where you get where Cal had and maybe even worse where you get a scenario where it, like, doesn't feel like he can stay and, and, and that could happen. But I think the more likely scenario is this is why it's so important to go to a bowl game. Because if he wins five games or four games, this fan base is going to be miserable and he's not going to go anywhere, probably, and you're just going to be stuck in this, you know, malaise, which is terrible for everyone involved.

[Drew]

I think if it were to go to him leaving, it would come down to, hey, we can't afford your buyout, but we can get this close. And he would have to make the decision, is that enough money for me to get. Because he doesn't want to be in a toxic environment either. So say they owe him 30, but they're like, we can give you 18 if Stoops hates it so much here that it was so bad people aren't showing up. Maybe he just says, all right, I'll take a short discount and go ahead and move on.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, I don't know. Hopefully we don't get to that point. But I. You can see a scenario where, you know, they're over unders four and a half, Right. If you get four or five, I think we're in this scenario. Right. And that's not good.

[Shannon]

Yeah. That's why when you ask the question, is there a possibility? Yeah, there is that possibility. If you lose to Toledo and you win two games, you got to maybe make some hard decisions because he won't.

[Drew]

Want to be here if it's that bad. I mean, nobody would want to live.

[Matt Jones]

He wins two then I don't think it's a hard decision. I just don't know if Mitchell do it because you got to find $30 million. And where, where is that? Who's got it? The only person that would even contemplate paying it is very close to Stoops.

[Shannon]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

And I can't imagine, you know, so that makes it hard. It just. It makes it hard. Tension. Bourbon lovers Commonwealth causes back with their May bourbon raffle. And you won't want to miss it. It's collection is next Thursday, May 29th. An epic lineup of bourbon worth Ryan $20,000.

[Shannon]

That's amazing.

[Matt Jones]

Six Bottle Pappy Van Winkle set. But that's not all. They got a Weller six bottle set. Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 24. What's that?

[Drew]

Oh, that's a hard one to get. Very hard to get.

[Matt Jones]

Is it?

[Drew]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Why?

[Drew]

Just very rare.

[Matt Jones]

Okay.

[Drew]

They allocate them. You can't get your hands on them. You gotta know somebody or know somebody or win this.

[Matt Jones]

I know somebody. Commonwealthcause.org get in your drawing now and you can get these gotta know somebody bourbons and help UK nil with Commonwealth causes. We'll take a break, be right back. Here at KS Bar, it's Wednesday, it's Kentucky Sports Radio.

[Ferris State University Representative]

While others are sitting in lecture halls, you're already building your future at Ferris State University. Hands on training starts from day one. With real world skills that lead straight to careers in construction, engineering, automotive tech and more, you're not just learning, you're earning. Building a life you can be proud of. And with in state tuition for out of state students, success is within reach. Ferris State University. Unleash your potential. Register now at Ferris Edu. That's Ferris Edu.

[T-Mobile Representative]

T Mobile stats are as impressive as your favorite athlete's highlight reel. Because T Mobile helps keep you connected from the heart of Portland to right where you are on America's largest 5G network switch. Now keep your phone and T Mobile will pay it off up to $800 per line via prepaid cart. Visit your local T Mobile location or learn more@t mobile.com backslash keepandswitch up to 4 lines of your virtual prepaid card. Allow 15 days qualifying unlock device credit service report in 90 plus days device eligible carrier and timely redemption required card is no cash access and expires in six months.

[Matt Jones]

Welcome back. It is Kentucky Sports Radio, 859-280-2287. Ask Anything Wednesday text machine is 772-774-5254. One person writes Matt, my wife has started listening to the show in the last year or two. She loves you, but she got very, very upset at your comment about not posting pictures of your kids graduation. She actually listened and wrote down your words and said I will use this against Matt one day when he posts pictures of his kids. Well, I mean it's not gonna happen. You get them on the day they're born, then you don't get them anymore. You know, people have gotten mad at me, including female friends of mine who have kids. I had to look at my friend Tall's kids after they had just listened to me. They say that I didn't want to see pictures of people's kids and I had to make an exception and go, no, Natalie and Olivia, you all are different.

[Drew]

You're talking about other kids, not them.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, I was talking about other people's kids, but people didn't seem to love that. I still generally stand by it though. There's too many pictures of people. I, you know, I it's also weird to me, like why do you want to put that out in the world for some people? Because, you know, it's just. But some people do.

[Drew]

I've had some people tell me in the last week you've waged war on their households with the kid graduation and anti some people's favorite vacation spots. Yeah, and I think there was one more. But yeah, I think you've some of your opinions have upset some of the.

[Matt Jones]

Well, they're all upset in in fun. But there's always truth to the fun as well. I was also surprised how many people wrote me and said they had gotten on their honeymoo to Orlando like you, Ryan. That was a more popular honeymoon destination than I would have imagined because I would have imagined it would be a destination of only shotgun weddings. But I was wrong about that.

[Shannon]

No, I mean there's something to it. Obviously it's not maybe for you, but it is for a lot of other people, including myself back in 1991.

[Matt Jones]

So would you go now? Like would you take yoga girl to Orlando now?

[Shannon]

She sent me a text yesterday during this conversation said absolutely no way in hell.

[Drew]

So she's more on Our side.

[Shannon]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Good. I'm glad, I'm glad we won her back over. Did you hear yesterday the US Senate agreed unanimously to the provision saying no taxes on tips? Unanimously. They don't do anything Unanimously. I mean, literally, they don't do anything unanimously. Unanimously. To take away taxes on tips. It's, that doesn't become law yet, but it probably will, honestly. Do you, are you, are you for that?

[Shannon]

I'm definitely for that. They, the, the minimum wage for servers and waitresses and hostesses is ridiculously low anyway. This is the way they make their living, basically by tips. So I don't think it's fair to take that away from them too.

[Matt Jones]

Some of that some people would argue, though, people in other jobs still have.

[Shannon]

Taxes, but do they make tips? Like, do they, like a barber, do you tip them? Do they have to pay taxes on their tip?

[Matt Jones]

No tips anyone. But, but, but that wasn't my point. My point is like, if you're, if you work in construction, all of your, all of the money you make is, is, is taxed. Do you think people who work in restaurants should get the exception that people who work in construction do not get?

[Shannon]

I guess if we pay the people in restaurant what they're worth, 15$20 an hour instead of two or three dollars an hour with construction workers, they're gonna get, you know, 20, 25 an hour or whatever. So I think if we pay them comparably, maybe I might change my mind, but right now we're only getting two or three dollars an hour. Absolutely. Don't.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, but a server might make $100 an hour.

Yeah, I mean, I don't know that that argument's what really works with what you're saying. Because, like the reason that first of all, if you're a server and for whatever reason, let's say the restaurant's not full and you, you used to owe that person up to minimum wage. So they don't. They make two or three dollars hour. But if their tips don't match it, you still have to pay them minimum wage. Right. So that's. And honestly, most servers are going to make a lot more than that or they wouldn't do it.

[Shannon]

It.

[Matt Jones]

The question is just, do you believe that servers should be able to be the one set of people that don't have their whole incomes taxed?

[Shannon]

Like people make tips like that? No, they should not have it taxed.

[Matt Jones]

Okay, go ahead. What about you?

[Drew]

As a former server, I was pretty surprised it passed. Especially unanimous because, I mean, even though it's set up Different. That's still your income. And I just feel like your income should be taxed. Now, I will say as a former server, not me, but occasionally you lie about what you made.

[Matt Jones]

Okay? So that gets to. That gets. Occasionally, Shannon, I'll get to that. Are you for it?

You know, I, I hate paying taxes in general, but it's the reality of the world, right? So if I got to pay taxes, they are probably making more per hour a lot of times than I am. So why should they be exempt? I think they should have to pay taxes, too.

All right, so I'm fine with it. I actually think it's a lot closer issue than people act like I'm fine with it because like you said, Drew, I think it already happens. But here is what is going to happen. Anytime you have a rule, what do people try to do? They're going to try to exploit it. Right. They just are. So what I think is businesses are going to do is businesses are going to work with people not in the restaurant industry. Let's just say again, like construction, and say, okay, I was going to pay you $30 an hour, and they'll agree, I'll tell you what. But if you'll take $28 an hour, which means I'll pay less in taxes, I'll pay you minimum wage, and the rest is, quote, unquote, a tip. I think there's going to be a lot of businesses, depending on how they write this, that will do it. For businesses that are not normally tipped industries, the employer will have an incentive to do it because they won't have to pay as much payroll tax because it's, quote, unquote, a tip. And the employee is going to want it because they don't have to pay taxes on it at all. So I actually think, I think it's going to be. I'm still probably for it, but I do think, Ryan, it gives people incentives, some big incentives to go around the law.

[Shannon]

Just you explain it. I'm telling, thinking to myself, it's. That's going to happen. There are going to be places.

[Matt Jones]

So when, when a politician gets up and says something like no tax on tip, but then when you actually think about how it's going to actually happen, it may not be the way you think.

[Drew]

Your yard for $10 and a $90 tip.

[Matt Jones]

Exactly. You can do landscaping. Exactly. I'll give you minimum wage. But by the way, the rest of your money's in a tip and you don't have to pay taxes on it, and neither do I. That's gonna happen. We'll take a break. Be right back. It's ksr.

[Ferris State University Representative]

While others are sitting in lecture halls, you're already building your future at Ferris State University. Hands on training starts from day one. With real world skills that lead STR straight to careers in construction, engineering, automotive tech and more. You're not just learning, you're earning. Building a life you can be proud of. And with in state tuition for out of state students, success is within reach. Ferris State University. Unleash your potential. Register now at Ferris. Edu. That's Ferris. Edu.