KSR (Kentucky Sports Radio) – Hour 2 (October 6, 2025)

Host: Matt Jones & KSR crew (Drew Franklin, Shannon the Dude, Guests)
Main Theme:
This episode dives into the latest University of Kentucky sports news and views, covering the state of UK football, the anticipation for the new basketball season, a bizarre Mark Sanchez incident, media personalities' off-field headlines, and listener calls on a wide array of topics—from coaching futures to favorite Fleetwood Mac riffs.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. Setting the Scene at Basketball Media Day

• [01:05] The show broadcasts live from renovated UK basketball facilities on media day.
  • "We are here in the gym and this... renovation. Absolutely beautiful here, isn’t it?" – Matt Jones (01:18)
• Excitement builds for coach Mark Pope’s noon press conference, updates promised on social media.

2. Volleyball Shoutout & Denim Wars Oddity

• [01:29] Undefeated UK volleyball gets praise as a top-five team.
• Matt reminisces about college and the mysterious “denim warrior of Henderson,” touching on local sports legends.

3. State of UK Football & Coaching Speculation

• [02:21] Responding to a caller’s question: Should AD Mitch Barnhart make any changes with the football program?
  • Matt advocates patience:
    • “I don’t think you make any changes. ... You have to start preparing for the contingency that you might have to do stuff” (02:28)
• [03:10] Discussion of potential coaching replacements should Mark Stoops leave:
  • UK connections: John Sumrall, Will Stein, Brian Hartline.
  • “You have two of the hottest coaching candidates in the country... with connections to your school.” – Matt Jones (02:56)
• The SEC remains a "destination job" despite tougher competition.
• Nuanced take on QB Cutter Bowley’s future and why his progression matters in coaching decisions.

4. (Comic Relief) Matt’s ESPN Baseball Name Mishap

• [04:59] Matt recounts being “dropped” twice live on ESPN due to mispronouncing Yankees pitcher ‘Cam Schlitler’:
  • “Let’s not focus on how I said it, and let’s look at how good a pitcher he was." – Matt Jones (06:43)
  • Eduardo Perez’s quick wit turns it into a memorable radio moment, with Myron Medcalf’s laughter enhancing the segment.

5. The Wild Mark Sanchez Incident

• [07:40] Detailing the late-night Indy altercation:
  • Mark Sanchez (ex-NFL QB) was reportedly doing wind sprints at 12:30am near the hosts’ previous hotel.
  • Escalated into a fight with a 69-year-old man disposing of french fry oil; both sustained stabbing injuries.
  • “How are you fighting an old old man about anything?” – Matt Jones (11:03)
  • Media reactions (Dan Dakich’s racist tweet) and shifting narratives are critiqued.
  • General disbelief:
    • “I just did not know people walked around with switchblades. It is a bizarre, bizarre story.” – Matt Jones (12:35)
  • Empathy for both involved and critical look at how media piles on Indianapolis as a city during incidents like this.

6. Listener Calls – Football Frustrations and Optimism

• [14:40] Calls return to UK football woes—timeouts, clock management, and the gauntlet of tough games.
  • Caller Eric: "Let's not give up on these guys..." (15:41)
  • Matt: “I genuinely think we’re better than we were last year. I just don’t know if it’s going to matter.” (16:01)
• Continued on-air camaraderie and inside jokes about KSR personalities doing wind sprints while intoxicated.

7. Basketball Hype & Player Stock Picks

• [18:57 & 19:47] Pivot to basketball optimism:
  • Matt: “I’m so excited about this team... I'm Warren Buffett of Jaylen Lowe stock.” (19:47)
  • Praise for depth, young stars (Jaylen Lowe, Mohamed Diabate), and NBA prospects (Cam Williams, Jasper Johnson).
  • Concerns: Whether big man Brandon Garrison has developed enough to anchor the team.
  • Drew: “There’s like two of everything but Lowe...” & “the next guy up is probably going to answer that question.” (21:41, 22:47)
• MVP predictions:
  • Matt: Away, Lowe, Diabate (23:19)
  • Drew: Away, then Quaintance, then Lowe (23:42)
  • Stock market metaphor: All-in on different players, but confidence is high.

8. Comic Interludes & Guest Mortgage Ad Read

• KSR’s onsite guest, Mario, attempts (and fumbles humorously) a Stockton Mortgage promo read.
  • Matt and Drew joke about real estate market conditions, referencing KSR sponsor traditions and ad-libs. (25:35–27:34)

9. Fan Excitement for Basketball Season

• [28:06] “On a scale of 1 to 10, how excited are you with this Big Blue Madness compared to others?”
  • Matt: “It’s like a seven. I’m more excited than I have been in a lot of years.” (28:19)
  • Drew notes: the unique situation with top-ranked opponents (Purdue, Georgetown, Louisville) early in the season.

10. SEC Basketball Conference Preview

• [29:52] Speculation on SEC contenders this season:
  • Kentucky and Florida seen as the teams to beat.
  • Debate over dark horses: Arkansas, Auburn, Alabama.
  • Predictions: “I would say I’m going like 14-4, 13-5 maybe [in conference].” – Matt (31:22)

11. Listener Diversions

• [31:39–34:56] Calls on:
  • Gardening and the joys of fresh basil after hospitalization.
  • South African trivia (three capital cities, 12 official languages including sign language).

12. Fleetwood Mac Tangent & Guitar Techniques

• [35:59] Interlude debates hardest guitar part—Fleetwood Mac’s “Never Going Back Again” and the Kentucky origins of Travis picking (41:20).
  • Gentle ribbing:
    • “If you’ll learn it [the guitar part], I’ll sing it.” – Matt to Shannon (38:12)
  • Callers add trivia about the musical technique’s local roots.

13. Media News: Paul Finebaum Pulled from ESPN

• [38:57] Breaking news:
  • Paul Finebaum off air for discussing a possible Senate run.
  • Matt: “That means he's running. ... He knew that rule existed.” (40:02)
  • Discussion of ESPN's media policies, comparison to Stephen A. Smith.

14. UK Football Coaching Futures Redux

• [41:19] Caller challenges the assumption John Sumrall would pick Kentucky if bigger programs come calling.
  • Matt: “If Florida came open and he was offered both, I could see why he’d take the Florida job … Florida should be one of the five best jobs in the country.” (42:18)
  • Drew points out Sumrall’s Alabama connections but feels UK would be in the running.

15. Do UK Teams Ever Get Favorable Calls?

• [43:44] Caller asks for examples of “egregiously favorable” calls for Kentucky teams.
  • Matt and Drew struggle to recall; suggest UK fans mainly remember calls that go against them, not for them.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On UK Football's Coaching Outlook:

• "You have two of the hottest coaching candidates in the country...with connections to your school."
  — Matt Jones (02:56)

On Mispronouncing “Schlitler” on ESPN:

• "Let’s not focus on how I said it, and let’s look at how good a pitcher he was."
  — Matt Jones (06:43)

On the Mark Sanchez Incident:

• "How are you fighting an old old man about anything?"
  — Matt Jones (11:03)

On Basketball Anticipation:

• “I’m buying all the Jalen Lowe stock, like I’m Warren Buffett of Jalen Lowe’s stuff.”
  — Matt Jones (19:47)
• "The next guy up is probably going to answer that question. Just a really high floor..."
  — Drew Franklin (22:47)
• “There's like two of everything but Lowe.”
  — Drew Franklin (21:41)
• “It’s like a seven. I’m more excited than I have been in a lot of years.”
  — Matt Jones on Big Blue Madness (28:19)

On Paul Finebaum’s ESPN Suspension:

• “That means he's running. ... He knew that rule existed.”
  — Matt Jones (40:02)

On SEC Basketball Favorites:

• “I do, I agree with you. It's Kentucky or Florida.”
  — Matt Jones (30:41)
• “I’d say I’m going like 14-4, 13-5 maybe.”
  — Matt Jones (31:22) on UK record

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 01:05 – Live from UK Basketball Media Day (opening, gym remarks)
• 02:21–03:57 – UK football coaching future and candidates
• 04:59–07:30 – Matt’s ESPN on-air mishap with Eduardo Perez
• 07:40–14:33 – Full breakdown of Mark Sanchez incident and media aftermath
• 14:40–16:26 – UK football call, frustrations, and staying positive
• 18:57–24:26 – UK basketball hype, player stock picks, MVP debates
• 25:35–27:34 – Stockton Mortgage guest (Mario) ad read with comic fumbles
• 28:06–31:39 – Big Blue Madness excitement and SEC schedule outlook
• 35:59–38:17 – Fleetwood Mac “Never Going Back Again,” guitar tangent
• 38:57–41:08 – Paul Finebaum’s suspension, ESPN policies
• 41:19–42:59 – Sumrall’s coaching future, big program poaching concerns
• 43:44–44:44 – Whistle bias: do UK teams ever catch breaks from officials?
• Multiple points – Listener calls touching on football, basketball, life updates, trivia

Tone & Style

Authentic, fast-paced, irreverent, and full of the KSR crew’s trademark playful banter. The tone balances serious sports analysis (particularly around UK’s football and basketball futures) with good-natured storytelling, inside jokes, and a love of Kentucky culture and quirks. Frequent detours, musical asides, and crowd participation keep the show dynamic and personable.

For Those Who Missed It:
This hour delivers everything expected of KSR—sharp takes on UK sports, a deep dive into football and basketball rosters and prospects, wild off-field headlines, and the unscripted joy of live radio. It’s an immersive UK Sports fix, with a touch of Fleetwood Mac and a side of fried Kentucky charm.