Podcast Summary: KSR - Hour 2 (June 11, 2025)

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

Overview

In the second hour of the June 11, 2025 episode of Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR), hosts Matt Jones, Ryan Lemon, and Shannon "The Dude" engage listeners with a lively mix of sports debates, current events discussions, and interactive segments featuring listener calls. The conversation spans a variety of topics, including political intelligence comparisons, college basketball rule changes, Kentucky football recruitment controversies, MLB insights, and personal anecdotes from the hosts. The episode is enriched with humor, insightful commentary, and memorable quotes, making it an engaging listen for both regular fans and newcomers alike.

1. Intelligence Debate: Ryan Lemon vs. Donald Trump ([01:05] - [05:00])

The episode kicks off with an engaging and humorous debate among the hosts about the relative intelligence of Ryan Lemon and Donald Trump. Shannon "The Dude" poses the question, provoking Matt and Ryan to weigh in thoughtfully.

• Shannon The Dude ([01:29]): “Matt, don't you think the stoop spiral started with the pony up comment? That was a big one. I don't think it was the biggest, but it was, it was a big.”

• Matt Jones ([01:53]): “Pretty close race. Pretty close race.”

The hosts discuss Trump's marketing prowess, with Shannon acknowledging Trump's skills:

• Shannon The Dude ([02:24]): “If you include marketing, then I'm saying Trump because he does that one thing better than anything Ryan does.”

However, they also consider non-marketing aspects of intelligence:

• Shannon The Dude ([03:36]): “I wouldn't necessarily say that” Ryan is smarter without factoring in marketing.

The banter continues as they joke about each other's intelligence and marketing abilities, blending humor with friendly ribbing.

2. Softball Game: Republicans vs. Democrats ([05:02] - [07:15])

Transitioning from political humor, the hosts delve into a discussion about an upcoming softball game pitting Republicans against Democrats. The conversation highlights the playful rivalry and speculative betting on the outcome.

• Shannon The Dude ([06:00]): “Tonight's the big softball game. Who Republicans versus Democrats. Like their softball game. Yeah. Who you got? What's over under? I don't know.”

They joke about the dynamics of the game and mention potential betting platforms, engaging listeners with their predictions and humor about the political figures participating.

3. College Basketball Rule Changes Discussion ([07:31] - [09:00])

Listener Adam brings up a scenario involving Kentucky basketball and recent rule changes regarding goaltending, prompting the hosts to analyze and critique the new regulations.

• Caller Adam ([07:31]): “Like how do you fix that?"

• Shannon The Dude ([08:04]): “I think the decision to go back on goaltending was a mistake, in my opinion, because of what the caller's call. It’s the flow of the game. You screw it up.”

The hosts express frustration with the rule changes, debating their impact on game dynamics and fairness. They agree that the retrospective application of goaltending calls disrupts the game’s integrity.

4. Mark Stoops and Kentucky Football Recruitment Controversy ([09:49] - [13:00])

A significant portion of the discussion centers around Mark Stoops, the head coach of Kentucky football, and the unexpected departure of Vince, a key recruiter. The hosts speculate on potential conflicts of interest and the implications for the team's future.

• Caller ([09:49]): “... do you have any idea why it is that Ohio was taken from him as his recruiting territory.”

• Shannon The Dude ([10:54]): “I'm going to say current events. I'll take Trump. Because he lives it.”

They debate whether Stoops can maintain his role amid the turmoil and predict that the situation will likely become contentious once official statements are made.

• Shannon The Dude ([12:03]): “I think it will get a little nasty. I mean, neither of those two are known to not throw jabs. Yeah, we'll see.”

The conversation highlights the uncertainty surrounding the recruitment territory and the potential fallout from Vince’s departure, emphasizing the need for Stoops to address the controversy transparently.

5. MLB Insights: The Cincinnati Reds ([17:05] - [28:43])

Shannon and Matt transition to Major League Baseball, focusing on the Cincinnati Reds' recent performances and individual player performances.

• Shannon The Dude ([17:05]): “I've given up on them. But they're back now. They're going to lose today.”

They discuss the Reds' standing in the NL Central, notable players like Jared Prickett and Razor Ramon Harris, and personal favorite players despite their performance metrics.

• Shannon The Dude ([25:35]): “I've got one for me more than how good he was.”

The hosts express their frustrations and affections for certain players, blending analytical insights with personal sentiments.

6. Audience Interactions and Personal Anecdotes ([28:43] - [44:43])

Listeners call in with questions and comments about various sports topics, including basketball player DeMarcus Cousins, NFL coach Vince, and humorous personal stories from the hosts.

• Caller Dan ([29:16]): “Main thing in this world, Ryan, is you got your moral standing. You got a good moral standing.”

• Shannon The Dude ([38:39]): Shares a personal story about forgetting to pay a restaurant bill, highlighting the show's personable and relatable nature.

The interactions showcase the hosts' ability to engage with their audience, providing thoughtful responses while maintaining a light-hearted atmosphere.

7. NBA Discussion: Thunder vs. Pacers ([37:23] - [44:43])

The hosts analyze an upcoming NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers, discussing player performances, team standings, and betting predictions.

• Shannon The Dude ([37:53]): “The Thunder are a 5 1/2 point favorite tonight at Indiana. Who would you take?”

• Matt Jones ([37:28]): “Indiana. They're going to win the game, let alone being a five and a half point underdog.”

They debate the game's outcome, considering player injuries like Isaiah Jackson and the historical performance of both teams.

8. Personal Anecdote: Paying the Restaurant Bill ([38:12] - [41:30])

Shannon shares a humorous and relatable story about accidentally leaving a restaurant without paying the bill, only to return and rectify the situation. This segment adds a personal touch to the episode, showcasing the hosts' real-life experiences.

• Shannon The Dude ([39:58] - [41:30]): Describes the panic of realizing the unpaid bill and the relief of resolving it, emphasizing the importance of responsibility and honesty.

The story resonates with listeners, offering a moment of levity amidst the sports discussions.

9. Upcoming Events and Farewell ([44:43] - End)

As the episode nears its conclusion, the hosts discuss upcoming events, including a show segment at a retirement community, and promote raffles supporting Commonwealth Causes.

• Shannon The Dude ([34:55]): “Grab your tickets@commonwealthcause.org and follow at KY Causes to learn more@commonwealth causes.com”

They wrap up the show with final thoughts on the day's topics, encouraging listener participation and teasing future segments.

Notable Quotes:

• Shannon The Dude ([03:08]): “Trump doesn't know anything either. Ryan knows less.”

• Matt Jones ([28:22]): “He's bigger than our president, you said. So maybe we're the dumb ones here, you know?”

• Shannon The Dude ([38:48]): “I did. So that's why I was surprised he did this.”

• Shannon The Dude ([43:56]): “People have a lot of gumption in this world to look at them. I don't even care what he was saying to him.”

Conclusion

The June 11th episode of Kentucky Sports Radio offers a comprehensive and entertaining blend of sports analysis, political humor, and personal storytelling. Hosts Matt Jones, Ryan Lemon, and Shannon "The Dude" provide insightful commentary while maintaining an engaging and approachable demeanor. Listeners are treated to a dynamic conversation that covers a wide range of topics, ensuring that both sports enthusiasts and casual listeners find value and entertainment in the discussion.

For those who missed the episode, this summary captures the essence of the lively debates, heartfelt stories, and interactive segments that define KSR as a go-to source for UK news and views in the realm of sports.