Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) — Hour 1

Date: October 23, 2025
Host: Matt Jones, with Shannon and Drew
Theme: UK Sports Updates, Stoops’ Future, Program Changes, and Fan Experiences

Episode Overview

This episode of KSR dives deep into the upcoming UK basketball exhibition against the number-one-ranked Purdue, reflecting on the significance of such high-profile preseason matchups. The crew discusses the state of the football program, the future of head coach Mark Stoops, changes brewing in UK athletics administration, and the broader impacts of NIL and fan engagement programs. Notable rumors from Cats Illustrated are analyzed alongside banter about memorable sports moments, administrative shake-ups, and some light-hearted reflections on fan involvement initiatives.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. UK Basketball Exhibition vs. Purdue

• Historic Context:
  • Matt Jones notes this is "probably the second best team Kentucky has ever played in an exhibition," comparing it to the 1980s games against the Soviet national team ([01:11]–[02:50]).
  • Drew reminisces about past matchups with foreign teams like Czechoslovakia and China as true tests for Kentucky in the preseason.
• Fan Excitement:
  • Tickets are exceptionally expensive, with some listings "as high as $2,000" ([19:24]).
• Expectations for the Game:
  • They agree the game may not be fully competitive as coaches may rotate players and experiment with lineups, especially given current injuries ([22:10]–[24:32]).
  • The hosts debate if fans will overreact to the result and how Mark Pope’s approach differs from John Calipari’s:
    “With Mark Pope, unlike Cal, he knows the fans and their opinion matters.” — Matt Jones ([24:32])
  • "If we win, we're citing it as on the resume. If we lose, it didn’t count." — Drew ([25:05])

2. Football Program: Rumors, Staff Dynamics, and Stoops’ Future

• Scoop from Justin Roland (Cats Illustrated):
  • Matt summarizes Roland’s report on turmoil and fatigue inside the football program, fueling speculation about Stoops’ post-season intentions ([05:10]–[10:15]).
  • Key Takeaways from the Scoop:
    • Stoops has been “worn out about all of this for quite some time.”
      “That’s 100% true. Would you agree?” — Matt Jones ([06:24])
    • Decline attributed to “hires of convenience” and possible staff division between Youngstown connections and others ([06:41]–[08:01]).
    • Vince Marrow’s role was pivotal for fundraising and recruiting; his reduced presence has increased Stoops’ workload ([08:10]–[09:09]).
    • Named a player with “$750,000 salary but who hasn’t played a snap,” highlighting perceived issues in NIL allocations ([10:01]).
    • Suggestion: If Stoops stays, a staff overhaul would be required, but there’s doubt he’d be willing ([10:15]–[10:49]).
• Possible Stoops Successor Candidates (From Justin Roland):
  • Will Stein (with strong Kentucky connections: “Dad played here”; “from Louisville” — [12:10]–[12:50])
  • Possibilities: PJ Fleck, Bob Chesney (James Madison), Brian Hartline ([11:14]–[12:01])

3. UK Athletics Administration: Impending Change

• Turnover Expected:
  • Report and general agreement that in the near future, President Eli Capilouto, AD Mitch Barnhart, and the head football coach could all be replaced ([13:06]–[16:19]).
  • Drew: “I wondered even when Mitch was hiring Pope if there was other influence, like if he’s considering who he’s handing it off.” ([16:12])
• Role of Eric Monday:
  • Multiple listeners and sources predict Eric Monday will become UK’s next president ([19:44]–[21:20]).
  • His influence could shape the football search and the direction of the department.
  • “The next football coach will be what Eric Monday wants it to be.” ([20:17] – text machine contribution)
  • Personal tidbit: “Eric Monday’s son named Jack Monday is on the football team right now.” ([26:11])

4. NIL, Fund Allocation, and Fan Discontent

• Concerns expressed about boosters’ funds being directed to non-contributing players ([09:47]–[10:15]).
• Matt’s take: Even wealthy fans like to be coddled by staffers like Vince Marrow ([09:09]–[09:31]).
• NIL mishandling and internal staff divisions seen as contributing to current malaise.

5. Fan Engagement Initiatives: "Blue and White Memories"

• UK announces new purchasable fan experiences — team walk-ins, message on the scoreboard, delivering the game ball, high fiving the starting lineup, paid public proposals, on-court postgame free throws, and sitting in on the postgame radio show ([38:52]–[44:12])
  • Mixed reactions:
    • Some feel these are gimmicks for the rich, risking the “commodification of everything it means to be a UK fan” ([44:33]).
    • Drew: “If you’re going to let two rich people send their kids [to the walkout], then take two kids from a random drawing of poor kids.” ([45:39])
    • Matt: “That would make me feel better.” ([45:46])
    • Shannon: "I do like the idea they're trying to do something for the fans." ([44:30])

6. National Sports News: NBA Gambling Scandal

• Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups arrested by the FBI for gambling-related offenses — Rozier for betting on basketball, Billups for involvement in mafia-backed poker ([26:44]–[29:12])
  • Drew: “If you’re betting on basketball and you play basketball, very bad. … That’s the kind of thing, because you have the ability to influence.” ([27:34])
  • Matt notes widespread illegal poker games and suggests the FBI involvement implies mafia activity.

7. Listener Call-ins & Community Banter

• “Corn Dog Travis” rings in to encourage fans not to give up on football, citing Stoops’ loyalty and fight ([31:23]–[32:30]).
  • Matt strikes a realistic note: “45% of all marriages in America end up in divorce.” ([32:19])
• Discussion on Stoops’ ability to bounce back against Tennessee and the grind of SEC competition ([32:33]–[34:33]).

8. Odds & Ends:

• Humor & Local Color:
  • Rooftop judo and mysterious rooftop yard art discussed, providing local flavor ([37:00]–[38:38]).
• Music and Pop Culture:
  • Favorite Jimmy Buffett songs debated, with “Come Monday” getting love ([25:26]–[25:51]).
• Shoutouts:
  • ServePro sponsorship and local hero Sarah McGill (female national firefighting record holder) highlighted ([35:12]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Stoops’ Fatigue:

  "He’s been worn out about all of this for quite some time. That’s 100% true. Would you agree?"
  — Matt Jones ([06:24])

• On Fan Overreaction to the Exhibition:

  “If we win, we’re citing it as on the resume. If we lose, it didn’t count.”
  — Drew ([25:05])

• On Commodification of UK Fandom:

  “If everything that means to be a UK fan now costs money, that becomes very frustrating to me… the idea that everything you would want to do, you now have to be rich to do—that frustrates me.”
  — Matt Jones ([44:33])

• On Administrative Change:

  “There’s an honest belief that the UK athletics department overall will look very different in a relatively short period of time.”
  — Matt Jones ([13:06]) “The next football coach will be what Eric Monday wants it to be.”
  — Listener text machine ([20:17])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:11]–[04:44]: UK Basketball exhibition preview, Soviet Union game memories
• [05:10]–[10:15]: Justin Roland’s football program scoop
• [10:15]–[12:11]: Stoops staff, potential successors named
• [13:06]–[16:12]: Impending administrative changes
• [19:18]–[21:03]: Ticket prices, Eric Monday’s prominence
• [22:10]–[25:18]: Purdue exhibition game dynamics and fan expectations
• [26:44]–[29:12]: NBA gambling scandal
• [31:23]–[34:33]: Listener Corn Dog Travis calls in, Stoops vs. Tennessee
• [38:52]–[46:12]: Blue and White Memories fan engagement program evaluated

Tone & Atmosphere

The episode blends serious program analysis with the show's hallmark wry, local humor. Matt and crew balance their critiques of UK athletics with playful banter and genuine affection for the community and its traditions. There’s an undercurrent of concern about commercialization and change, but also hope and anticipation for the future—both in basketball and in the ongoing football season.

For Listeners Who Missed It…

• Major exhibition basketball game coming up with Purdue, huge ticket interest.
• Rumors of significant turnover in football staff and athletics administration, with candid, insider discussion.
• New fan engagement experiences announced, with a mixed reaction on how much they commercialize UK fandom.
• National headlines as an NBA gambling scandal unfolds.
• As always, community voices (like Corn Dog Travis) and local spirit shine through the sports talk.

For more news, analysis, and community banter, listen to Kentucky Sports Radio weekdays 10 to noon.