Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR): Hour 2 — October 17, 2025

Host: Matt Jones
Crew: Ryan Lemond, Shannon Dawson, Drew Franklin
Location: 46 Solutions, Lexington
Main Theme: UK sports news and discussion, with a focus on Kentucky football and basketball, memorable UK sports moments, and listener calls.

Episode Overview

This hour of Kentucky Sports Radio blends present-day UK athletics updates—especially basketball and football—a touch of nostalgia about classic moments in Kentucky sports, and open, candid discussion about personal matters within the KSR family. The hosts analyze recent performances, discuss fan engagement, dissect high-profile college sports contracts, and, as always, take calls from passionate listeners. The segment is filled with energetic banter, deep-dive analysis, and signature KSR humor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Reed Sheppard’s NBA Debut with the Rockets

[04:09–05:19]

• Reed Sheppard scored 29 points as a starting point guard in a pre-season NBA game for the Houston Rockets.
• The crew praised Sheppard’s immediate impact and speculated he could be a starter on a title-contending roster.

  “You could have Reed Sheppard passing to Kevin Durant in the NBA Finals.” – Drew Franklin, [05:14]

• The Rockets’ decision not to trade Sheppard, even for star Kevin Durant, demonstrates their confidence in his talent.
• Discussion of positional battles on the Rockets, noting that Sheppard’s opportunity is significant.

  “It’s his job if he wants it. ... That’s his spot.” – Drew Franklin, [05:07]

2. Governor of Illinois’ $1.4 Million Blackjack Win

[05:25–07:50]

• The hosts react to Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker’s massive blackjack win.

  “He went out to a casino trip ... then I walked away with $1.4 million. That is a pretty amazing win, isn’t it?” – Matt Jones, [05:45]

• Banter about whether such gambling affects perceptions of politicians.

  “It’s his own money, though. ... As long as it’s not the state’s money.” – Shannon Dawson, [06:55]

• Ryan admits he’d feel differently if the governor lost that sum, suggesting losses suggest a problem, but winnings are impressive or even reassuring.

  “If I found out he lost $1.4 million gambling at blackjack, I probably would have a problem.” – Ryan Lemond, [07:09]

• Notion that gambling wins feel “lucky” and potentially an asset, whereas losses would raise more concern.

3. Kentucky Football: Weather, Matchup vs. Texas, and Strategy

[07:56–08:58, 13:13–14:29, 44:07–46:21]

• Weather forecast: game should be okay, but a massive storm (40–45 mph winds) may hit overnight.

  “If it were 40 mile an hour winds ... it would benefit Kentucky, I think, a little bit more than Texas.” – Shannon Dawson, [08:26]

• Discussing the matchup with Texas, KSR notes that Texas isn’t as dominant as feared, though still favored.

  “Texas is objectively ... not been that good. ... If you told me when the season started ... Texas is going to be a 24 point favorite. It’s 13 and a half.” – Matt Jones, [13:21]

• Skepticism about Kentucky’s chances, especially given defensive mismatches and Kentucky’s offensive struggles.
• Predictions:
  • Shannon: UK loses 28–14, Cutter Bowley MVP
  • Drew: UK loses 31–13, MVP Alex Safari
  • Ryan: UK loses 34–3, Aiden LaRoss (punter) MVP
  • Matt: UK loses 17–3, “a really, really brutal game to watch.”
• Theme: the crew struggles to find optimism, with the best hope being bad weather to “slop in a couple touchdowns” ([44:35]).

4. UK Basketball: Blue-White Game, Roster Analysis, and Fan Engagement

[08:58–12:23]

• Coach Mark Pope’s “not a full scrimmage” approach to the Blue-White game is discussed.
• The team will focus on situations and development, not just a straightforward exhibition.
• The hosts encourage fans to see the renovated Memorial Coliseum and enjoy close access to players.

  “You’ll never get this close. Plus, they’ll do autographs and stuff.” – Matt Jones, [09:13]

• Players to watch:
  • Cam Williams (“the most uncertain about”)
  • Braden Hawthorne (talented but “so skinny”)
  • Any player fighting for meaningful minutes
• The improved fan experience under Pope is praised, as well as his commitment to engaging supporters.

  “I am really impressed with how not just Pope, but the whole basketball side is starting to see the reach out to fans what matters.” – Matt Jones, [10:44]

• Team’s three-point shooting prowess is a key theme, with hope for a more dynamic offense.

  “I want to see the three-point shooting ... Mark Pope has doubled down on wanting to have 33 point attempts per game.” – Shannon Dawson, [11:42]

5. UK Sports Nostalgia — Larry Vaught’s 50-Mile Walk & The Gillespie Firing

[02:04–04:02, 15:01–17:48]

• Shannon recalls his 50-mile charity walk alongside marathoners and friends, calling it his “greatest athletic achievement of the COVID era” ([02:35]).
• KSR reminisces about “the craziest day in UK sports”—the 2009 firing of basketball coach Billy Gillespie, notably Alan Cutler’s chase down the hallway.

  “Billy Gillespie was literally driving around New Circle Road just to play hide and seek so nobody could find me.” – Ryan Lemond, [16:15]

• KSR’s blog being featured on TV during the saga was a milestone for the show.

  “WKYT put our blog live on the air, put it on the air and said this is where the most updated information is.” – Matt Jones, [17:12]

• The team delights in nostalgia, videos of memorable moments, and the growth of KSR from “just a blog.”

6. Listener Calls and Community Commentary

Chuck’s Call – [13:08, 25:05, 32:24]

• Chuck brings up Texas’ defense, Indiana football’s rise, and the economics of sports investment (“It’s hard to make money with cheap horses”).
• Matt agrees that Texas’ defense is strong but maintains the team isn’t dominant overall.
• Debates on the best approach for Kentucky’s next football hire—a proven coach vs. young offensive mind.

  “If I was interviewing people ... who is smart? Who is the kind of person that can help navigate this?” – Matt Jones, [35:15]

7. College Coaching Contracts: The Indiana/Kurt Signetti Example

[22:30–24:51]

• Indiana locked in Kurt Signetti with a massive $93 million fully guaranteed contract.
• KSR surprised schools are still willing to sign such deals, predicting that the gamble may not always pay off long-term.

  “I just kind of thought they're not going to do that unless you're Nick Saban. They're just not going to do it. Well, turns out they are going to do it.” – Matt Jones, [24:51]

• Noting the risk for programs like Indiana—what happens if the program declines under a locked-in high-dollar coach.

8. Portal Policy and Coach Hypocrisy

[29:01–31:58]

• Discussion of John Calipari’s new “if you go in the portal, you’re off the team” policy at Arkansas.
• The crew sees this as hypocritical, given coaches frequently “shop themselves” to other programs.

  “When I saw Cal say that ... it was the first time I was like, you’re sounding like an old man with this transactional stuff.” – Matt Jones, [31:50]

• Highlighting the contradiction in demands for player loyalty vs. coach job-hopping.

9. Personal Moment: Ryan Lemond’s Son Sentenced

[39:42–41:09]

• Ryan opens up about his son being sentenced to 15 years for involvement in a shooting.
• He expresses remorse and hopes to one day make amends with the victim, Malachi Roberts, who despite lasting injuries, is doing well.

  “I hope we can all like hope and pray for that little boy ... he’s doing fantastic ... I hope someday I can meet him ... and tell him how sorry we are.” – Ryan Lemond, [39:53]

• Matt and the crew offer support and acknowledge the listeners who’ve provided encouragement.

10. Predictions, Betting, and Community Events

[41:34–46:21]

• The show wraps with predictions on Louisville–Miami (college football), and a collaborative KSR parlay with picks on LSU, Georgia Tech, Texas Tech, and South Carolina.
• Promotion of a community lunch at White Castle to support The Nest charity for women.
• Banter about KSR Bar menu favorites and a trivia team blunder.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On luck and politics:

  "Why would you not want him to have luck? You want an unlucky [governor]?"
  — Shannon Dawson, [06:46]

• On nostalgia:

  "This is like a history of our lives video playing here. This is Shannon singing in Vegas."
  — Matt Jones, [12:35]

• On coach hypocrisy:

  “You went in the portal ... coaches are absolute hypocrites. … They want to be able to do something ... when the player does it, they’re selfish and transactional.”
  — Matt Jones, [30:31]

• On supporting a teammate:

  “You’ve been a wonderful father and I know how difficult this has been for your family ... I want you to know how much we all are with you.”
  — Matt Jones to Ryan Lemond, [40:24]

• On adapting to the new college football era:

  “If I was interviewing people ... who is smart? ... You need a creative person.”
  — Matt Jones, [35:15]

• On portal policies and the changing sports landscape:

  “This continues a theme you've heard me say for years of coaches are absolute hypocrites.”
  — Matt Jones, [31:05]

Timestamps by Topic

• [02:04–04:09] Larry Vaught’s 50-Mile Walk / Show Banter
• [04:09–05:19] Reed Sheppard’s NBA Role
• [05:25–07:50] Governor Pritzker’s Blackjack Win
• [07:56–08:58] Weather Impact & Texas Football Preview
• [08:58–12:23] Blue-White Game & Basketball Roster
• [13:08–14:29] Texas’ Defense & Listener Debate
• [15:01–17:48] Gillespie Firing & UK Sports Nostalgia
• [22:30–24:51] Indiana Football Contract Analysis
• [25:05–26:39] “Cheap Horses”/Sports Spend Metaphor
• [29:01–31:58] Portal Policies & Coach Hypocrisy
• [39:42–41:09] Ryan Lemond Discusses Son’s Sentencing
• [41:34–46:21] Football Predictions, Bets, and Charity Event

Tone & Style

The discussion remains candid, quick-witted, and at times self-deprecating, true to KSR’s energetic and fan-friendly reputation. While deeply passionate about Kentucky sports, the hosts balance optimism with honest skepticism and never shy away from competitive banter or heartfelt moments.

This summary covers the major themes, memorable quotes, and important timestamps from this KSR episode, providing a thorough and engaging overview for any UK fan or podcast listener.