KSR – Hour 2: October 22, 2025

Episode Overview

The second hour of Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) brings Matt Jones and the full crew together for their signature blend of UK (University of Kentucky) sports talk, campus rumors, and offbeat banter. The episode covers everything from UK and college basketball news, to UK football coaching discussions, to quirky sports traditions and even Louisville traffic nightmares.

1. Upcoming UK Sports Slate and Broadcast Details

Timestamps: 01:05–01:52

• Matt reminds listeners of the big upcoming sports weekend:
  • UK vs. Purdue on Friday (6:00 pm kickoff; KSR pregame at 3:00 pm).
  • UK vs. Tennessee on Saturday.
• Tom Hart will provide commentary for three consecutive UK football games (Purdue, Tennessee, Auburn).

Memorable Moment:
“Might as well just stay here for the whole week.” – Ryan Lemond (01:51)

2. ICE Fitness Standards: Could the KSR Crew Pass?

Timestamps: 02:06–05:38, 17:11–19:31

• Discussion on ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) entry fitness standards:

  • 14–15 push-ups
  • 32 sit-ups
  • 1.5 mile run in 14 minutes

• Crew responses:

  • Drew Franklin and Ryan Lemond doubt their ability to run the required distance; Matt isn’t confident in his pushups.
  • Shannon Dawson confidently claims, “Oh, yeah. I could do this easy.” (03:45)

• Later, Matt raises the question whether a $50,000 sign-up bonus would encourage them to meet the standards.

Quote:
“Every man should be able to do 15 push ups. Men are supposed to be protectors. Well, I'm not.” – Matt Jones (19:05)

3. Discussion: College Hoops and G-League Transitions

Timestamps: 06:11–09:32, 41:03–41:50

• Louisville signs a G-League Ignite player for college basketball; the crew debates the rule.
• Matt favors the idea, referencing historical precedents like Larry Bird and Kyle Macy, and suggests NCAA basketball could be the world’s top developmental league.
• The inconsistency is raised: Why can European pros play in NCAA, but not Americans from G-League?
• Caller later asks about Enes Kanter and the unfairness of rules in his era.

Quote:
“We're literally making it easier for foreigners to play basketball than we are Americans.” – Matt Jones (08:48)

4. UK Player Transfers: Travis Perry and Jordan Burks

Timestamps: 09:37–12:36

• Travis Perry (now at Ole Miss) scores four 3-pointers in an exhibition; crew is happy for him but not worried about him harming UK.
• Jordan Burks, former UK player, puts up 25 points for Central Florida against Duke—surprising, given his minimal Kentucky impact.

Quotes:
“I’m gonna be one of those guys. I hope he does that every game he plays in, except against us.” – Ryan Lemond (10:17)

“There are very few scholarship players in the history of Kentucky basketball that I have less memories about.” – Matt Jones on Jordan Burks (11:49)

5. Favorite ‘Behind the Scenes’ UK Moments / Locker Room Drama

Timestamps: 12:43–15:11

• Brainstorming on games that would have made great ‘journey’ videos:
  • Oakland game halftime & postgame
  • Tubby Smith’s infamous "plane ride from hell"
  • Kentucky–Vandy/Josh Harrelson bathroom incident
  • SEC tournament halftime drama (Reed Sheppard, Rob Dillingham)
• Ryan hints (without divulging details) about serious halftime conflicts between coaches and players.

Quote:
“Coaches and players had to be separated.” – Ryan Lemond (13:55)

6. UK Football Coaching: Mark Stoops’ Future and Potential Replacements

Timestamps: 21:12–24:36, 31:48–36:44

• If Mark Stoops beats Tennessee, his job security and public opinion may shift positively.
• Debating if Dan Mullen is a viable or superior candidate.
• Assessing AD Mitch Barnhart’s hiring track record—most agree he’s done well (“batting average is pretty high”).

Quote:
“Mark Stoops’ first 10 years was objectively a successful coach at Kentucky.” – Matt Jones (22:32)

7. Fan Traditions and College Football Hijinks

Timestamps: 25:57–29:38

• Vanderbilt fans ‘controlled’ a field storm to avoid SEC fines—deemed nerdy but practical.
• Texas Tech’s tortilla-throwing at football games faces a ban (potential $100,000 fine); the crew sides with keeping quirky traditions alive.

Quote:
“What’s a few tortillas hurt off the field?” – Drew Franklin (28:13)

8. Quirky UK Basketball Alumni

Timestamps: 19:31-21:02

• Players the crew has little to no basketball memory of: Morino Williams, Joey Hart, Stacy Poole Jr., Cam Fletcher.
• Cam Fletcher is mainly remembered for walking off during a game.
• Jordan Burks’ kindness is recalled: buying Target groceries for fans and teammates.

9. Seth McGowan’s Wild Game Day: Hospital Dash

Timestamps: 29:05–31:38

• Seth McGowan left a UK game for health reasons, checked himself out early from the hospital, and returned midgame amid a standing ovation.
• Had Kentucky won, it’d have become “one of the cooler things that’s ever happened.”

Quote:
“If he could have punched in that game-winning touchdown, he’d be a hero here forever.” – Ryan Lemond (30:48)

10. Kentucky Traffic Alert: I-65 Summer Shutdown in Louisville

Timestamps: 37:43–39:31

• Breaking for Louisville locals: I-65 will be closed June–September 2026 for bridge repairs, likely leading to "traffic Armageddon."

Quote:
“I think the detour is stay home.” – Matt Jones (39:09)

11. UK Football Assistant Coaches’ Buyouts

Timestamps: 39:52–40:32

• Clarification on assistant coaches’ contracts and buyouts:
  • Total assistant buyouts currently $4.7M (can be spaced out).
  • Bush Hamdan’s buyout is $1.4M.
  • Brad White’s contract expiring—no buyout this time.

12. Listener Questions and Call-ins

Timestamps: 21:08–41:50

• Callers raise interesting angles:
  • Will Vince Marrow follow Jeff Brohm if he were to leave Louisville for Florida?
  • Discussion of other job openings influencing Kentucky’s coaching decisions.
  • Reflections on Enes Kanter’s eligibility saga.

13. Closing Banter: KSR Picks and Upcoming Events

Timestamps: 41:50–End

• The crew makes their official “DraftKings Pick” for New Mexico State over Missouri State in college football, led by Shannon’s confident but playful analysis.
• Ryan’s geographic and mascot confusion provides laughs.
• Final hype for Wednesday Dollar Wings at KS Bar and a reminder of the pregame show before the big basketball match.

Notable Quotes / Moments

• “Every man should be able to do 15 push ups. Men are supposed to be protectors. Well, I'm not.” – Matt Jones (19:05)
• “We're literally making it easier for foreigners to play basketball than we are Americans.” – Matt Jones (08:48)
• “There are very few scholarship players in the history of Kentucky basketball that I have less memories about.” – Matt Jones (11:49)
• “Coaches and players had to be separated.” – Ryan Lemond (13:55)
• “I think the detour is stay home.” – Matt Jones (39:09)

Recommended Listening Timestamps

• ICE Fitness Standards & Crew’s Take: 02:06–05:38
• G-League to NCAA Discussion: 06:11–09:32
• Travis Perry / Jordan Burks Updates: 09:37–12:36
• Coaching Drama & Behind-the-Scenes: 12:43–15:11
• Vandy Field Storm / Tortilla Toss: 25:57–29:38
• Seth McGowan Hospital Dash: 29:05–31:38
• I-65 Closure Details: 37:43–39:31
• DraftKings Pick & Crew Banter: 41:50–End

Summary Tone

Matt Jones and the KSR team deliver their signature mix of insider UK coverage and humorous, self-aware banter, providing both passionate analysis and light-hearted takes on sports, Kentucky culture, and the region’s quirks. The result: one of the most engaging, relatable hours in sports radio.

End of summary.