Kentucky Sports Radio – Hour 1 (October 10, 2025)

Podcast: Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR)
Hosts: Matt Jones, Ryan Lemond (probable), Shannon
Special Guest: UK Men’s Basketball Coach Mark Pope
Location: Live from Wild Eggs in Hamburg, Lexington

Episode Overview

This episode centers around the anticipation for Big Blue Madness, UK basketball's annual kickoff event. The KSR crew broadcasts live from Wild Eggs in Hamburg, mixing UK basketball history, current excitement for the Mark Pope era, and anecdotes from both the hosts and listeners. The episode also features a much-anticipated interview with Coach Mark Pope, who shares insights on the upcoming season, the team's development, and details about the innovative (and free) UK Fan Fest event happening alongside Big Blue Madness.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Countdown to Big Blue Madness

• This is the last basketball-free Saturday until April—excitement is building for Big Blue Madness (07:12).
• The crew discusses rumors and potential surprises for the event. Matt hints at a crossover stunt from another sport making its way to basketball (07:47).

2. Mark Pope Interview (28:23–42:27)

• Mark Pope's Excitement:
  “I have loved this time of year for the last 35 years, ever since I got here to Kentucky…This is going to be really, really special. I can't wait for Big Blue, man.” (28:44)
• Team Development:
  • The new squad is more mobile, athletic, and competitive—Pope highlights their ability to utilize space, cover ground, and play with physicality (29:23).
  • High praise for Jalen Lowe as a potential breakout star (30:16) and for Trent Noah’s off-season transformation (31:05).
• Style of Play – What’s Different This Year?
  • More defensive pressure and versatility.
  • Increased speed and attack on offense: “I think our mobility really stands out…we have so many more players that can attack off the bounce downhill.” (32:25)
• Adapting to Change in College Basketball:
  Pope embraces the challenges and complexity of the modern era, positioning coaching as “the most fascinating, stimulating, energizing time ever.” He emphasizes the importance of mentorship despite the sport’s professionalization (33:55–35:57).
• Free UK Fan Fest:
  • Pope details the unprecedented free afternoon event, providing fans access to both men’s and women’s teams, interactive presentations, live X’s & O’s breakdowns, vendors, and unique activities (like UK tattoos).
  • Focus on inclusivity: “The only bad thing about Kentucky basketball is that Rupp only holds around 20,000 people…and so until we expand out Rupp to a hundred thousand, we’re going to take all the opportunities we can to see fans, interact with BBN. Like this is our family, man.” (38:08)
• Marrow Donor Registry:
  Pope calls attention to a booth for the National Marrow Donor Program at Fan Fest, encouraging young adults to register. He shares a moving story of a former staff member saving a life through donation (40:12–42:14).

3. Big Blue Madness History – Most Memorable Moments

• The crew reminisces on iconic Big Blue Madness moments:
  • The John Wall Dance: unanimous #1 (10:57)
  • Rick Pitino’s return in 2024: “I think just that moment of bringing Rick Pitino back…it was the perfect scenario with the former player Mark Pope now being head coach.” – Shannon (13:20)
  • Enes Kanter’s Undertaker entrance, various celebrity appearances (Drake), and the years of “Matthew Mitchell dancing.”
  • Patino and Tubby’s Harley moments—debate over which coach it was.
  • The time Bill Kitely popped out of a cake (12:02), Bill Kitely & Tubby emerging from a DeLorean (20:24), and other antics.
  • Unfortunate moments, like Jason Parker’s injury during introductions (20:35).
  • The mascot getting stuck rappelling from the ceiling (15:16).
  • The introduction of a light-up basketball floor (22:09).
• The evolution of the event—moving from wild stunts and celebrity cameos to a more reserved format, though with renewed production value anticipated under Pope.

4. Listener Memories & Fan Interactions

• Texts and calls from listeners prompt recollections of both legendary and infamous moments, injecting nostalgia and humor throughout.
• Fun moments—like the “Brooklyn Roughneck” dunk anticlimax, and the ongoing debate on whether the mascot or the coach drove the Harley.

5. Sister Jean Tribute Segment

• The passing of Loyola’s Sister Jean at 106 is noted (22:16).
• Shannon reveals a story about running a viral fake Sister Jean Twitter account during that NCAA run, fooling national media (23:35).
  “They read that on the Today Show. And Hoda Kotb goes, ‘that Sister Jean, she is just so witty.’ And I'm…laughing so hard, but rest in peace, Sister Jean. What an amazing life.” – Shannon (24:51)

6. UK vs. Indiana – The Rivalry Returns

• Reflection on the return of Indiana to the schedule and debate about which nonconference matchups hold meaning for different generations of fans (27:00).
• Matt Jones: “I'm the older generation where those Indiana-Kentucky games were the game every year, always sold out.”

7. Community and Access

• The crew lauds Pope and the athletic department for providing free access to Fan Fest and Big Blue Madness, emphasizing the rarity of such outreach in modern college sports (46:17).
• “You’re basically giving Kentucky fans a free day. I just think that's cool that they will still do this.” – Matt Jones (46:28)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Fan Fest Accessibility:
  “I love that you guys are doing it for free. Free…doing something for free for the average fan, that means a lot to me, Mark.” (39:03)
• On Modern Coaching:
  “It’s the greatest time to be a coach. And our players need us as mentors more than they've ever needed coaches before because their lives are more complicated.” – Mark Pope (35:57)
• On Kentucky Basketball Community:
  “We're going to take all the opportunities we can to see fans, interact with BBN. Like this is our family, man. So this should be a family day.” – Mark Pope (38:08)
• On the “Brooklyn Roughneck” Dunk:
  “He told the entire crowd he had named a new dunk the Brooklyn Roughneck…the crowd went crazy…and all he did was run up into a one-handed dunk.” (21:30)

Timestamps of Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:47 | Show begins at Wild Eggs; preview of the day’s schedule | | 07:12 | Big Blue Madness preview and hints at surprises | | 10:23 | Ranking biggest moments in Big Blue Madness history | | 13:20 | Discussion: Is Pitino’s return the #2 all-time BBM moment? | | 20:24 | Listener texts: Harley debate, DeLorean entrance, and on-court injuries | | 22:16 | Remembering Sister Jean and Shannon’s viral Twitter prank | | 27:00 | Talking UK vs. Indiana – rivalry and generational meaning | | 28:23 | Interview with Coach Mark Pope (ends at 42:27) | | 40:12 | Pope’s callout for marrow donor registry participation at Fan Fest | | 46:17 | Hosts reflect on the rarity and significance of free fan events at UK | | 47:40 | Reflections on Coach Pope’s basketball acumen, X’s & O’s, and responsiveness to change |

The KSR Tone: Light-hearted, Self-Deprecating, and Community-First

• All hosts bring a mix of humor, nostalgia, and affection for UK sports and Big Blue Nation.
• Frequent ribbing among hosts and poking fun at themselves and each other (“Am I stronger than Trent Noah?” banter at 48:53).
• Emphasis on Kentucky’s unique culture of fan inclusion and mutual support—especially important with Pope’s new era beginning.

Summary

This episode gives both a nostalgic and forward-looking view of Kentucky basketball, combining fun recollections with genuine excitement for Mark Pope’s leadership. The Pope interview is a highlight—he’s candid, energetic, and deeply committed not just to on-court success but to making Kentucky basketball more accessible and inclusive for fans.

Listeners get:

• Historical context for Big Blue Madness
• Insider perspective on what to expect from this year’s team and event
• Direct connections between the program and the UK fan community
• An example of how sports media, when done right, is equal parts entertainment, community, and meaningful connection

Recommended segments for new listeners:

• Mark Pope interview [28:23–42:27]
• Big Blue Madness memories [10:23–15:41, 20:13–22:09]
• Sister Jean viral Twitter prank [22:16–25:15]