Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) – September 17, 2025, Hour 1
Host: Ryan Lemond (filling in for Matt Jones)
Co-hosts: Shannon the Dude, Special Guest: Lee K. Howard (WKYT Sports)
Location: KS Bar and Grill, Lexington, KY
Theme: UK basketball practice insights, fun KSR stories, listener questions, and birthday banter
Episode Overview
This Wednesday edition of KSR features Ryan Lemond holding down the fort during Matt Jones’ absence, with Shannon the Dude producing and sports anchor Lee K. Howard joining as a special guest. The crew dives into stories about the show’s early days, breaks down exclusive behind-the-scenes UK basketball intel from the “Field of 68” podcast, and takes listeners’ questions for “Ask Anything Wednesday”—all with a generous side of banter about birthdays, bar renovations, and classic KSR mishaps.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Welcoming Lee K. Howard & KSR Legacy
- Lee K. Howard shares old-school KSR stories, recalling his early days as a fill-in host, most memorably a disastrous show co-hosted with Dave "Buzz" Baker—where Buzz nearly missed the start, leaving Lee to awkwardly open the show live (03:29–06:29).
- Quote: “I did one of the dumbest things in my broadcasting career … I pick up the headset and I spoke into the microphone, and I go, ‘Shannon, are we on?’” – Lee K. Howard (05:17)
- Lee reflects on how both WKYT and KSR have grown in prominence over the last decade.
2. Ryan’s Birthday Plans & Banter
- Ryan details his elaborate birthday plans for his partner, “yoga girl,” including surprise roses, a dinner at Rodney's on Broadway (Georgetown), and tickets to two concerts—Sean Cassidy and another in Cincinnati (08:04, 25:35, 26:40).
- Quote: “So we go to Rodney's on Broadway. I'm gonna slide her another card. It's got another surprise in it.” – Ryan Lemond (26:33)
3. Recap and Reactions: Field of 68 Podcast/UK Basketball Practice
- The "insider scoop" came from Jeff Goodman and Rob Doster’s visit to UK basketball practice, which they recapped for Jack Pilgrim’s “Sources Say” podcast—recorded in true KSR fashion, in the car on the way to the airport (09:00–12:32).
- Quote: “They did the podcast in the car while driving the two guys to the airport. If that’s not KSR, I don’t know what is.” – Ryan Lemond (09:35)
- Takeaways discussed:
- Otega Oweh’s “turf toe” injury isn’t considered serious. He should be out a couple weeks, but could play if needed (11:29–12:11).
- Jalen Lowe named team leader: Goodman declared, "make no mistake about it, this is Jalen Lowe’s team. He is the leader. It’s his team. They go as he goes.” (14:56)
- Quote: “I think that’s what everybody wanted to hear ... The way that Jalen can really effectively run this Pope system—I think people are going to love it.” – Lee K. Howard (15:10)
- Depth at perimeter: Both guests stress that Kentucky has 7 legitimate perimeter rotation players, possibly the deepest backcourt in program history (16:32–17:24).
- Three-point shooting: Reports of 70% shooting from three in practice, even a 77% week for Yellowvić (17:25–18:09).
- Quote: “If so, then we’ve got an NBA team on our hands.” – Shannon the Dude (17:41)
- Yellowvić compared favorably to Andrew Carr: Described as more skilled and further along than prior UK project players (18:26).
- Quote: “He’s one of those players Pope just loves to have because he can do so much... like a unicorn.” – Lee K. Howard (18:48)
- Cam Williams’ rise: Reported to have hit 10 straight threes in a scrimmage, spurring discussion about his overlooked role and shooting prowess—possibly exceeding Kobe Bryant in pure shooting (28:39–29:04).
- Quote: “If he can, that’s a weapon. You gotta get that guy on the floor.” – Lee K. Howard (29:49)
4. Listener Calls: “Ask Anything Wednesday”
- Pat McAfee College GameDay Bets: Andy questions if McAfee really donates $100,000 each time a College GameDay contestant hits a kick. The crew debates whether it’s direct or covered by sponsors/insurance (20:02–21:44).
- Colin Chandler's potential: Highlighted as a possible breakout player after a healthy finish to last season. Both hosts anticipate Chandler will be key as a backup point guard (22:47–24:25).
- Biggest win preference—Georgia road win vs. Texas at home: The crew and caller discuss which SEC win would be bigger for UK football. Consensus: beating Texas at home would electrify the fan base (34:37–36:13).
5. Other Memorable Banter & Moments
- Shannon teases Ryan’s on-air colonoscopy stories, playing the clip of Ryan post-anesthesia demanding a cheeseburger (30:11).
- Quote: “Immediately we leave here, we need to go get a cheeseburger.” – Ryan Lemond (30:20)
- International flights & Mark Pope: Discussion about why UK coach Mark Pope was spotted on an overseas flight. It’s revealed he visited his daughter (on a mission in El Salvador) after her emergency appendectomy (32:07–33:28).
- Tongue-in-cheek speculation about Pope “coaching” the doctor through emergency surgery given his medical background (43:22–44:07).
6. NCAA Eligibility Loopholes
- Discussion about attempts by college athletes (citing Vandy’s Zakai Ziegler and others) to get a 7th year of eligibility, with Shannon and Lee voicing confusion and skepticism about the constantly evolving transfer/eligibility rules (39:07–41:26).
- Quote: “At some point, you’ve got to move on…” – Lee K. Howard (40:41)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 03:29 – Lee K. Howard recounts the “Buzz Baker disaster” and early KSR hosting
- 08:04 – Ryan’s birthday plans for yoga girl
- 09:35 – Recap: Field of 68 podcast car ride
- 11:29 – Injury update on Otega Oweh / Team practice scoop
- 14:56 – Jalen Lowe called “the leader”
- 16:32 – Seven deep at the perimeter; three-point shooting stats
- 18:26 – Yellowvić and the “unicorn” role
- 22:47 – Colin Chandler’s emergence and role
- 28:39 – Cam Williams’ 10 threes in scrimmage
- 34:37 – Caller: Would you rather beat Georgia away or Texas at home?
- 39:07 – NCAA “super seniors” and eligibility loopholes
- 43:22 – Mark Pope rumored to have helped surgeon (tongue-in-cheek)
Notable Quotes & Moments
“I pick up the headset and I spoke into the microphone and I go, ‘Shannon, are we on?’”
— Lee K. Howard, recalling his most awkward KSR hosting moment (05:17)
“They did the podcast in the car while driving the two guys to the airport. If that’s not KSR, I don’t know what is.”
— Ryan Lemond (09:35)
“Make no mistake about it, this is Jalen Lowe’s team. He is the leader.”
— Jeff Goodman, as quoted by Ryan Lemond (14:56)
“If so, then we’ve got an NBA team on our hands.”
— Shannon the Dude, on the team “shooting 70% from three” in practice (17:41)
“He’s one of those players Pope just loves to have … he’s like a unicorn.”
— Lee K. Howard, on Yellowvić (18:48)
“Immediately we leave here, we need to go get a cheeseburger.”
— Ryan Lemond, post-colonoscopy soundbite (30:20)
Tone & Language
- Conversational, humorous, and energetic with plenty of sidebar jokes.
- Balanced between light-hearted banter (birthdays, old KSR stories, cheeseburgers) and detailed, passionate sports analysis.
Summary for the Non-Listener
Hour 1 of this KSR episode delivers classic Kentucky Sports Radio flavor: a blend of nostalgia, unfiltered UK basketball scoops, listener interaction, and plenty of laughs. The inside details from basketball practice, channeled through the viral “car podcast,” hype up the optimism around Coach Pope’s new-look Cats—especially the backcourt depth, Jalen Lowe’s leadership, and surprise practice standouts like Cam Williams and Yellowvić. Even when the crew veer into offbeat or personal stories (like Ryan’s birthday playbook or legendary KSR hosting fails), their chemistry keeps things moving and thoroughly Kentucky.
Perfect for listeners who want...
- The latest pulse on UK basketball
- Behind-the-scenes KSR memories
- Lively, irreverent sports talk with authentic local charm
End of Hour 1 Recap
The show heads into Hour 2 with the promise of more fan calls, breaking down team dynamics, and perhaps another Sean Cassidy hit (if Shannon can find one). For wing deals and wisdom, or just classic KSR absurdity, it’s business as usual at the bar.