Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) – October 20, 2025, Hour 2

Host: Matt Jones
Co-hosts: Shannon, Ryan Lemond, Drew
Network: iHeartPodcasts and Sports Talk 790 (WKRD-AM)

Episode Overview

This KSR episode features discussion on the fallout from UK’s Blue-White basketball game injury scare, Lexington’s super eventful weekend (with a focus on city-wide traffic and Texas fans), Kentucky football’s Saturday performance and coaching decisions, and evolving dynamics around college football job openings. Listeners call in on topics ranging from game strategy to baseball history, all infused with the KSR crew’s signature mix of irreverence, debate, and Kentucky-centric passion.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Blue-White Game: Jalen Lowe’s Injury and Fan Panic

• Main Concern: The injury to Jalen Lowe overshadowed the Blue-White game for UK basketball fans.

• Injury Update:

  • Reportedly a shoulder issue (“popped out of place, nothing was torn”); expected recovery in “two to three weeks” ([01:06]).
  • Might miss exhibition games; possibly back for at least one regular season game before Louisville.

• Fan Reaction:

  • Immediate panic amidst the fanbase; seen as the one player Kentucky cannot afford to lose ([02:47]).
  • Multiple panelists viewed Lowe as the “most valuable player” for this team’s long-term prospects.

• Superstitions and Blame:

  • Banter about the “Annabelle curse” being behind the injury, with playful accusations against Matt for antagonizing the haunted doll ([03:08]-[04:22]), mixed with references to a priest who “blessed the city of Lexington”—but skepticism about supernatural protections persisted.

Notable Quote:

“Two years in a row, I’m tired of seeing our point guard lay on the ground with a shoulder injury. That’s got to stop. And second, it’s all Annabelle. Get her out of here...”

— Ryan Lemond ([03:09])

2. Assessing the Upcoming Purdue Game Without Lowe

• Adjusting Expectations: Matt and Drew note fans are “crazy” and expect UK to win regardless, but admit missing their starting point guard provides both an excuse and a relief from nerves if things go poorly ([05:02]-[05:39]).
• Positives:
  • Backup point guard competition will be clarified (“Aberdeen, Colin, Chandler, Jasper—here’s your chance”) ([06:05]).
  • Coach Mark Pope has prior experience managing lineups without his “1” ([06:09]).

Notable Quote:

“I actually think it's going to make me worry about the game less. Now, I'm going to be like, ‘Well, if we lost, we would have won if we had Jalen Lowe,’ you know?”
— Matt Jones ([05:16])

3. Lexington’s Wild Weekend: Traffic Chaos and City Vibe

• Massive Crowds and Gridlock: Multiple major events converged: Blue-White game, Keeneland horse racing, Scare Fest, a city protest, parent weekend, and Texas fans in town. Traffic described as "the worst in Lexington history," causing citywide gridlock ([07:08]-[07:35]).

• Economic Win:

  • Matt’s bar had its busiest day ever. Praise for Texas fans—“big tippers,” “nicest fans ever.”
  • Contrasted with expectations for next weekend’s rowdier Tennessee visitors ([08:28]-[10:12]).

Notable Quote:

“It was the worst thing I've ever seen in terms of the whole city... Our bar had probably the biggest day we've ever had... Texas fans, big tippers. Those Austin folks. Yeah, it's just ‘cause they're all rich.”
— Matt Jones ([07:35]-[08:28])

4. Listener Calls and Game Strategy: Football Play-Calling & Coaching

• Game Script and Adjustments:

  • Discussion about UK football’s penchant for strong “scripted” opening drives, but questionable in-game adjustments (“in-game adjustments—never been good at them”).
  • Receivers were praised for their best performance of the season; issues with deep-threat separation noted ([12:51]-[14:15]).

• Fourth Down Decision Debate:

  • Matt walks through the math on whether to go for it on 4th down or take the field goal, siding with the aggressive approach ([21:36]-[22:59]).
  • Consensus: play call execution lacking, not the strategic choice itself ([42:27]-[43:08]).

Notable Quotes:

“When it was, when they had time to think about it before the game, they went right down the field. But in-game... just never been good at him [adjustments].”
— Matt Jones ([13:12])

“If I didn’t go for it on those two times, I would have gotten crushed for being too conservative... I think the problem was the play calls.”
— Matt Jones ([42:27]-[43:08])

5. Kentucky Coaching Future: Impact of National Coaching Carousel

• SEC and National Openings: Overview of current and likely head coach openings—Penn State, Florida, Arkansas, Oklahoma/State, UCLA, Virginia Tech, Auburn, possibly Florida State, South Carolina, and LSU ([27:41]-[30:34]).

• Impact on UK Decisions:

  • Ryan: “Have to consider what other jobs are open.”
  • Matt: “If it’s your time to change, do it regardless; waiting could leave you with no top candidates” ([29:12]-[30:51]).
  • Added significance this year: three “top 10” potential candidates have UK ties (Sumrall, Wilstein, Brian Hartline).

Notable Quote:

“If you determine you need to make a change, I don’t think you can worry about what the other schools are doing.”
— Matt Jones ([30:51])

“When Stoops’ time is up, it needs to be a complete overhaul.”
— Drew ([32:27])

6. Living the Sports Fan Life: Quirky Moments and Baseball Debate

• KSR Listeners & Pop Culture:
  • Playful banter on sports stat “nerds” (KenPom, Joe Lunardi, Jerry Palm) and their social circle ([16:24]-[17:29]).
  • Whether Kentucky fans feel any allegiance to Shaedon Sharpe after his new NBA contract, despite his controversial non-playing stint ([17:33]-[18:31]).

Notable Quote:

“Enes, I felt like was our guy. Shaedon Sharpe, I felt like was never our guy. And I don’t know why I feel that way. It’s just how I feel.”
— Ryan Lemond ([17:56])

• Best Individual Baseball Game Ever?
  • Ohtani’s epic performance (“3 HRs, 10 Ks in clinching win”) compared to other legendary single-game feats ([36:00]-[39:56]).
  • Recognition that context (“playoff elimination game”) enhances Ohtani’s achievement.

Notable Quotes:

“Three home runs and 10 strikeouts. Would you go so far as to say the greatest game ever played?”
— Matt Jones ([36:10])

“If anyone’s saying it’s not, you need to show me the game that’s better.”
— Drew ([36:18])

7. Lightning Round: Jokes, Hockey, and Upcoming Trivia

• Coach’s Bold Statement: San Jose Sharks coach: “I would give up one of my children for a victory.” The crew debates the insanity and humor of that ([40:42]-[41:47]).

• Announcement: KSBar “Quiz Night with Quiz” event, with mystery host “Quiz.” ([26:47]-[27:25])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• “I think he's the only guy on the team you can't lose.” – Matt Jones, on Jalen Lowe ([02:47])
• “I'm tired of seeing our point guard lay on the ground with a shoulder injury. That's two years in a row that's got to stop.” – Ryan Lemond ([03:09])
• “I'm less nervous about the game without him because... I always have the backup excuse of not having our point guard.” – Matt Jones ([05:16])
• “[Blue-White injury] was about the biggest panic I can remember around the Kentucky fan base for a while.” – Drew ([02:26])
• “It was the worst traffic in the history of Lexington, Kentucky. It was awful.” – Ryan Lemond ([07:08])
• “Texas fans, big tippers. Those Austin folks. It’s just ‘cause they’re all rich.” – Matt Jones ([08:28])
• “In game adjustment is the issue... They just never been good at him.” – Matt Jones ([13:12])
• “When Stoops’ time is up, it needs to be a complete overhaul.” – Drew ([32:27])
• “I promise you this is true—I would give up one of my children for a victory.” – Quoting San Jose Sharks coach ([40:42])
• “If anyone’s saying [Ohtani’s game] not [the greatest ever], you need to show me the game that’s better.” – Drew ([36:18])

Important Timestamps

• [01:06] – Injury update on Jalen Lowe
• [05:02] – Reaction to missing Lowe vs. Purdue
• [07:08] – Lexington’s record-setting traffic jam & weekend vibe
• [12:51] – Football: scripted drives vs. in-game adjustments
• [21:36] – Analyzing fourth-down strategy in UK football
• [27:41] – Overview of college football coaching carousel
• [32:27] – Should Stoops be replaced by a current assistant?
• [36:00] – MLB: Ohtani’s historic performance discussion
• [40:42] – NHL: Sharks coach’s “give up a child” quote

Episode Tone

Energetic, irreverent, densely packed with personal stories, light-hearted superstitions, and sharp sports analysis, interlaced with genuine moments of Kentucky pride and fan passion.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode is a snapshot of UK sports anxiety and optimism—basketball fans are nervously monitoring Jalen Lowe’s recovery, football fans are relitigating coaching decisions and debating the timing of future moves, and everyone’s still buzzing about Lexington’s wild, event-packed weekend. There’s nostalgia and playful resentment about one-time Cats, a litany of job rumors in college football, and an unmistakable bluegrass camaraderie, mixed with statistics, strategy talk, and plenty of bar-side banter. If you’re a UK fan, you’ll get the pulse of the BBN here, plus a few laughs and some astute sports takes along the way.