Kentucky Sports Radio – October 28, 2025 (Hour 2)

Main Theme / Episode Overview

In this lively hour of Kentucky Sports Radio, Matt Jones and the KSR crew (Ryan Lemond and Drew Franklin) dive into a variety of topics relevant to the Kentucky sports community, balancing sports analysis, community anecdotes, and humor. They explore Kentucky basketball culture under new coach Mark Pope, reminisce on memorable moments from show history, compare sports figures, and engage listeners with call-ins and offbeat questions. The tone remains light, chatty, and deeply rooted in the show’s tradition of community engagement.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Socializing vs. Solitude

• Balancing Alone Time and Socializing: The crew opens with a discussion about the importance of being both social and comfortable spending time alone.
  • “I think we're like communal beings who should be with other people. I'm just saying you have to be alone, social sometimes, right?” – Matt Jones (03:51)
  • Ryan shares he’s never had to be by himself much due to family, and worries about “adjusting” to alone time for a coming personal challenge (Seven days alone).

2. Food Challenges & Donut Trauma

• Donut Challenge Fallout: The panel revisits the infamous “Jeff’s Donuts Challenge,” detailing how difficult it is and Ryan’s new aversion to glazed donuts.
  • “I can't eat a regular glazed donut maybe ever again.” – Ryan Lemond (05:04)
• Community attempts: Matt notes, “There have been three people I know of who tried to do the challenge…and no one has succeeded.” (05:14)
• The group muses about the “impossibility” of the challenge and the collective suffering involved.

3. Kentucky Basketball: Mark Pope’s New Era

• Approachable Culture: Big praise for new head coach Mark Pope’s family-inclusive media policy.
  • Mark Pope invited media members to bring family to a press conference and practice—a sharp contrast to the past.
  • “For a lot of people this job takes them away from their families...But two, it’s also smart...if it’s a good PR move.” – Matt Jones (07:37, 08:21)
  • Ryan: “He extends all the way from an 18 year old to an 88 year old because that's what Kentucky basketball means.” (09:01)
  • All three hosts are excited to bring family; discussion about generational connections to UK basketball.
• Changing Media Relations: Drew highlights the “genuine appreciation” Pope has shown to the media and internal staff—a shift in program culture (09:05–09:37).

4. The Texas Roadhouse Adventure Story

• Unusual Bucket List: A couple visited their 533rd Texas Roadhouse, sparking debate:
  • Is it “cool” to see America by visiting every Texas Roadhouse? Hosts agree it’s a fun way to travel, though maybe not with the same meal at every stop.
  • “They do have really good rolls.” – Ryan Lemond (12:08)
  • Drew wonders, “I don't know how they're not 800 pounds right now. But I think it’s cool.”
• Inspirational Storytelling: Matt recalls his own pre-pandemic tradition of group destination trips decided by WWE tour stops—loving the randomness that brings people to new places (13:24).

5. Richmond, KY Dining Scene

• Richmond Restaurant Rec: Madison Garden “hole in the wall” is Ryan’s pick for wings (“the wings are worth it” – 14:52).
• Caller Suggestion: Follow-up call recommends “Huevos” as a great Mexican spot, claiming “the best margaritas in Richmond.” (26:12)
• Signage Humor: Drew reminisces about Lexington’s Big Kahuna advertising “Second Best Fish Sandwich in Lexington”—embracing second place as marketing (27:02).

6. Show Memories & KSR Anniversary

• Show History: Callers congratulate the team on “20 years” (actually, the website is 20, radio show 15), and Matt teases a top-20-shows retrospective (17:08, 17:16).
• Proud Moments: Ryan and Drew cite the tornado relief fundraiser (with Calipari’s helicopter visit) as their most memorable, impactful show (17:34–17:51).
• Humorous Call-ins: “Truth,” a regular, calls to humorously hold Matt accountable for a promise of game tickets and KSBar hospitality, leading to some classic banter (46:01–49:10).

7. UK Football: Stoops vs. Brooks Debate

• Comparing Tenures: Caller argues Mark Stoops’ later years don’t stack up to Rich Brooks; Matt strongly rebuts, highlighting Stoops’ two 10-win seasons.
  • “It is so unfair to Stoops to leave out his two best years.” – Matt Jones (29:02)
  • Drew: “Mark Stoops won more bowl games than Rich Brooks went to.” (44:55)
• SEC Competition Context: Hosts discuss how SEC strength fluctuated over years, giving nuance to these comparisons (43:53–44:17).
• Matt and Ryan both insist history must be judged fairly—acknowledging highs and lows.

8. Business Ideas & Future Dreams

• Creative Ventures:
  • Matt dreams of working up a TV comedy/drama series loosely based on his book and political adventures—though admits “chances of it happening are a long shot” (30:45, 30:54).
  • He was nearly part-owner in a European soccer club and loves outside-the-box pursuits (31:47).
  • Drew wants to run a late-night taco food truck downtown (“Drew’s Taco Truck is coming!” – 32:23).
  • Ryan would coach youth baseball, but jokes that his daily nap gets in the way (32:59).
• Stand-up Comedy: Drew wants to try open-mic comedy; Matt discusses bombing and killing, recalling both highs and lows (33:33–34:43).
• Group remembers a successful KSR roast event and Matt’s triumph at Fancy Farm political jokes, with plenty of good-natured ribbing (34:49–35:57).

9. Listener Interactions: Ask Anything Tuesday

• TV Future for KSR: Caller asks if Matt would want KSR to go to TV; Matt says maybe for a radio-simulcast, but not a full TV show at present (23:28).
• Streaming Opportunities: Jones expects the show will eventually stream live on YouTube; it’s “kind of silly” it doesn’t already. (24:17–24:45)
• Steelers Uniforms: Quick tangent on NFL uniforms: “Hideous. Hideous. Why'd they do that?” – Matt Jones (25:23)
• Business/Purpose Questions: Another caller asks who’d play Matt in a hypothetical TV show about his life; the cast jokes about it (50:39–51:17).

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• “I can't eat a regular glazed donut maybe ever again.” – Ryan Lemond (05:04)
• “For a lot of these people, this job takes them away from their families...But two, it’s also smart if it’s a good PR move.” – Matt Jones, on Mark Pope’s new media policy (07:37, 08:21)
• “He extends all the way from an 18 year old to an 88 year old because that's what Kentucky basketball means.” – Ryan Lemond (09:01)
• “It is so unfair to Stoops to leave out his two best years.” – Matt Jones (29:02)
• “Drew’s Taco Truck is coming!” – Drew Franklin (32:23)
• “I killed it once, and I was like, this is what I’m going to do for my life. And then I bombed the second time, and I was like, I ain’t never doing that again.” – Matt Jones on standup (33:44)
• “If you take the Benny Snell team…this year in the SEC, you’d have a shot to make the playoff.” – Matt Jones (44:17)
• “The show’s only 15 years. The website is 20 years.” – Matt Jones clarifying (17:00)
• “Who can you trust? Exactly. His name is not I’m a Lie. His name’s Truth.” – Matt Jones to caller Truth (49:59)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Balancing solitude and socializing: 03:50–04:46
• Donut Challenge update: 04:57–05:14
• Mark Pope’s family-friendly policy: 06:46–10:01
• Texas Roadhouse travelers and Richmond restaurants: 11:06–15:20
• Show memories and the tornado relief fundraiser: 16:10–17:51
• KSR’s future and media streaming: 23:28–25:03
• UK Football, Stoops vs. Brooks debate: 27:42–29:18, 43:51–45:22
• Business ideas / creative dreams: 29:52–35:43
• Ask Anything Tuesday & memorable call-ins: 22:45–23:10, 46:01–49:10
• Matt’s hypothetical TV casting: 50:39–51:23

Closing Thoughts

This hour of Kentucky Sports Radio captures the show’s unique blend of earnest sports analysis, small-town Kentucky flavor, offbeat humor, and genuine listener interaction. Whether recalling donuts, discussing future creative projects, or debating program legacies, the crew always centers the loyal Kentucky community.

For new and returning listeners, this episode offers:

• Meaningful Kentucky basketball and football conversation
• Fun, relatable personal stories
• Interactive caller moments
• A behind-the-scenes glimpse at why KSR has built a loyal following for two decades