Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) — Hour 2

October 27, 2025 | Host: Matt Jones & KSR Crew | Special Guest: Josh Hopkins

Episode Overview

This episode of KSR Hour 2 brings together Matt Jones, the KSR crew, and actor/Lexington native Josh Hopkins for a lively discussion centered on Kentucky basketball—especially the Wildcats’ dominating exhibition game win over number one-ranked Purdue. The hosts reflect on team depth, star performances, optimism for the season, and Kentucky fandom. The hour also features personal stories (including Hopkins’ Lexington 250th anniversary documentary project, and heartfelt tributes to friends and family), comparisons to past Kentucky teams, and plenty of the show’s signature sharp banter and humor.

Key Segments & Insights

1. Aging, Back Pain, and Kentucky Roots

[01:29–02:17]

• Josh Hopkins, an actor and lifelong UK fan, joins to chat about life, aging, and back pain.

  • “Now you and I are talking about back pain.” — Matt Jones
  • “That's how you know we're getting old.” — Hopkins

• Hopkins is the voice of Lexington’s 250th anniversary documentary. He jokes about being selected:

  • “I don’t know if they picked me but they got me. There was probably a lot of couldn’t make it but let’s call out of work actor.” — Hopkins [02:38]

2. Breaking Down UK’s Exhibition Win Over Purdue

[02:54–13:04]

Game Summary & Team Reception

• UK defeats top-ranked Purdue 78-65, despite missing two of their three best players and minimal minutes for most starters.

• Hosts and Hopkins alike are excited but cautious not to “overreact” to an exhibition.

  • “It was one of those great Kentucky nights. Even though it's an exhibition.” — Matt [03:23]
  • “I try not to get too excited after one exhibition game. Remember that's what it was.” — Hopkins [03:40]

Standouts: Everyone Picks a Player

[05:20+]

• Hopkins: Modi Abate
  • “He only played limited minutes because he was in foul trouble. Still had nine rebounds…We haven’t had a team that would win a fight, fist fight in a decade.” [05:35–06:20]
• Ryan: Jasper
  • “The guy came out, ran the show, hit the three, very confident, shooting the basketball…He's a superstar in the making.” [06:22]
• Drew: Malachi Marino
  • “I knew he would push Garrison and take some minutes…he looked good Friday night. He went like 4 for 5 from the field.” [06:36]
• Matt: Aberdeen
  • “He just played such good defense. He played the most minutes, made shots.” [07:03]

Depth & Unexpected Surprises

• Praise for newcomers and Kentucky players being significant contributors, not just role-players.
  • “What about like Yellovich? He's going to play, which I wouldn't have thought. I couldn't believe how well he handled the ball.” — Hopkins [07:43]
  • “Pope said Colin Chandler was the MVP…that was quite dunk.” — Matt [08:04]

Atmosphere at Rupp Arena

• “They were so rowdy…just so much excitement and optimism around the place all night long.” — Drew [08:24]
• Matt cites Purdue coach Matt Painter’s quote, “We played our guys 30 minutes. They played their guys half the game…They dominated us and two of their best players weren’t there.” [09:00]

Rebounding & Grit

• Outrebounded Purdue—the best in the Big Ten.
  • “We out rebounded them when they had guys 7 foot 4…and we're still out-toughing them.” — Matt [10:07]
  • “Ten offensive rebounds for us, seven for them.” [10:21]

Expectation Reset

• “Now does everything get ramped up in your mind?” — Matt [10:40]
  • “Yes. Because we're starving for it. It's been a tough football season.” — Hopkins [10:44]

Historical Comparisons

• “We haven’t been to a Final Four since 2015.” [10:53]
• All agree: “This is a perfect mix of a roster. Even age wise, the roster...will go down in UK history.” — A [12:25]
  • “Freshman, transfers, returners—that's just a perfect blend.” — A [12:54]
  • “It's like a good coffee…it is like a good $6 cup of coffee.” [13:00]

Betting on a Championship

• “I changed my season predictions…got rid of the script, changed it to national champs.” — Drew [13:11]

3. Can This Team Really Win It All?

[13:08–15:14]

• Talk on roster depth, star power, and players who missed the Purdue game.

  • “Our two best players did not even play in that game and you beat the number one team in the country.” — A [14:48]
  • “Would you like to have seen them try to guard Quaintance?” — Matt [15:11]

• Consensus: Even the team’s three best players barely played and Kentucky still dominated—testament to their depth and coach Pope’s roster construction.

4. Remembering Manny Robertson & Family

[18:15–21:18]

• Hopkins pays tribute to longtime friend Manny Robertson, reflecting on the unique way he connected with people (“Would text them at midnight on their birthday…” [19:17]) and what he meant to the Kentucky community.
• Emotional remembrance of his own father—also a major UK fan and state representative.
  • “I'll forever love him…he was the best and the biggest fan.” — Hopkins [20:33]

5. Depth Compared to Past UK Teams

[21:22–23:49]

• Comparing 2025 team’s overall depth to star-laden teams of 2015 and 1996.
  • “When you get down to 11, 12, 13 on this team…might be better than those teams.” — Matt [22:22]
• Pleasantly surprised by contributions from freshmen Noah & Marino, plus Cam Williams' NBA potential.
  • “Pope’s actually got a minutes problem that he has to figure out.” — Drew [23:08]
• “If you were somebody that didn't know who these guys were…you would think the second five was better than the first five.” — A [23:35]

6. Kentucky Players Matter

[24:18–25:07]

• On the impact and pride from having multiple Kentucky-born players be meaningful contributors.
  • “It shouldn't matter, but it kind of does when you see three dudes from Kentucky on the floor and being good, not just mopping up minutes.” — Matt [24:26]
  • “That's the last time there have been Kentucky players that have mattered this much…probably since the '92 team.” — Matt [24:45]

7. Rising Star Power: Jasper's Potential

[25:13–25:44]

• “Jasper, at least Friday, looks like he might have some real star power…he just had a little shifty.” — D
• “We're gonna have some superstar moments with that kid.” — A

8. Preview/Tease: NBA Starting Potential

[25:52–26:09]

• “When we come back, I want to know, do you think there’s an NBA starter on our roster?” — Hopkins

9. Personal Anecdotes: Hollywood, Marsden & Lexington 250th Documentary

[26:49–36:46]

• Stories of Hopkins hanging out with actor James Marsden (“He’s like, with you, but times three…maybe times ten…”) and adventures in LA & Austin.

• Details & fun facts about the documentary Lexington 250 Years, narrated by Hopkins:

  • Origins of Lexington’s name (after the Revolutionary War’s Battle of Lexington)

  • Lexington’s history with hemp & industry (“Henry Clay moved here and got into hemp.”)

  • The University of Kentucky nearly leaving Lexington in 1878 (“We almost lost it. Louisville bid for it.”)

  • “You can watch it on KET.org or PBS or the apps. For my friends who are old like me…it's on KET all the time.” — Hopkins [35:52]

• Hopkins candidly discusses living (and acting) with dyslexia, and the challenges it brings to voiceover and acting gigs.

10. NBA Futures: Starters or Role Players?

[42:09–43:09]

• Discussing which current Kentucky players could start in the NBA:
  • Consensus: Jasper Johnson, Malachi Marino, and Jaden Quaintance have the best chances. “Quaintance could be a starter.” — A [42:52]
  • Several others could be role players: Ortega, Aberdeen, Diabate, Chandler.

Notable Exchange — UK in Pop Culture

[44:51–46:17]

• Hopkins shares how he’s included Kentucky references in nearly every project he’s worked on, from Paradise to Quantico.
  • “I've never not talked about Kentucky.” — Hopkins

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the team’s grit:
  “We haven't had a team that would win a fight, fist fight, in a decade.” — Hopkins [06:02]

• On depth:
  “When you get down to 11, 12 and 13 on this team…might be better than those teams [2015, 1996].” — Matt [22:22]

• On Kentucky-native players contributing:
  “It feels real good. It feels great to everybody. You know, it's like the Pelfrey and Feldhouse…Reggie Hanson.” — Hopkins [24:26]

• On fan excitement:
  “We're starving for it. It's been a tough football season…We haven't been to a Final Four since 2015.” — Multiple [10:44+]

• On acting with Marsden:
  “He's my best friend…so nice…I get lost looking at him…his skin, those crystal blue eyes…” — Hopkins [29:12-30:23]

• On narrating the Lexington documentary:
  “Drive around the city now and I look at it completely differently…this building was built here…it starts at the beginning.” — Hopkins [32:03]

Important Timestamps

• [01:29] — Show welcome & Josh Hopkins intro
• [02:54–05:20] — Purdue game recap, initial reactions
• [05:20–07:03] — "Pick a player": deep-dive on individual standouts
• [08:21] — In-arena environment & Matt Painter’s reaction
• [10:40] — Expectation ramp-up for the season ahead
• [18:15–21:18] — Remembering Manny Robertson
• [22:22] — Historic team depth discussion
• [24:26] — Sentiment on Kentucky-born players contributing
• [32:03–36:46] — Lexington 250th documentary highlights
• [42:09] — Will any Wildcats start in the NBA?
• [44:51] — UK basketball in pop culture

Tone & Language

• Fast-paced, humorous, and marked by both optimism and comic self-awareness.
• Personal narratives weave together with analysis, banter, and fan fervor.
• Speakers balance depth of basketball knowledge with Kentucky pride and self-deprecating humor (“delusional as a Kentucky fan…”).

Takeaways

This KSR hour is a celebration of Kentucky basketball’s promise and local pride—a blend of sharp game analysis, rich local lore, and genuine community feeling. The Wildcats’ performance stirs high preseason hopes, the value of homegrown talent is affirmed, and fans/new listeners alike get a unique look into the culture that surrounds Kentucky sports.

Listen for: Enthusiasm about roster construction, Kentucky player pride, in-arena energy, and Josh Hopkins’ unique perspective as both a fan and prominent Lexingtonian.