Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) – Hour 2

Episode Date: November 12, 2025
Host(s): Matt Jones and the KSR Crew

Main Theme & Purpose

Hour 2 of this KSR episode is a postgame reaction following Kentucky’s basketball loss to Louisville. The hosts dive deep into the emotional toll of the loss, analyze individual and team performances, discuss fan reactions, and debate coaching decisions. The episode also features lively listener calls, local trivia updates, and an engaging interview with Irish soccer announcer Gavin Colton.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Emotional Fallout from the Louisville Loss

• Atmosphere After the Game:

  • [01:05–01:38] The hosts and fans at KSBar were demoralized postgame, comparing the scene to "Night of the Walking Dead."
  • Matt Jones (C): “They left at the same moment, just depressed.”

• Reflections on the Loss:

  • [01:53–02:26] Some hosts were expecting defeat, but the manner—lengthy double-digit deficits—hurt more than the final score.
  • D (co-host): “I had two hours of getting used to knowing how it was going to end.”
  • C: “What bothers me about the game is how bad we were down most of the game.”

• Team’s Fight:

  • Despite being down by 20 twice, Kentucky repeatedly rallied, which the crew acknowledged as a positive.
  • C: “Both times we did fight back. I do give them credit for that.”

2. Key Plays and Turning Points

• Crunch-time Decisions:
  • [03:04–04:50] The team cut the lead repeatedly but faltered:
    • Missed opportunity: “You have the ball… your point guard… and he jacks up one from the logo.” (A)
    • Notably, after a four-point play Kentucky briefly led, only for Louisville to respond with a huge run.
    • C: “That’s where they really lost the game right there.”

3. Individual Player Analysis

• Otega Away’s Rough Night:

  • [03:13–03:53] Corey Price’s stat: Away had 5 fouls, 5 turnovers, shot <35% FG and <20% 3PT—the only Kentucky player in 20 years with this stat line.
  • Away benched in crunch time, “very surprising.” (C/A)
  • [08:21–09:23, 19:00–20:19] Listeners and hosts criticized Away’s decision-making, particularly taking too many threes likely to impress NBA scouts rather than helping the team.
  • Caller (E): “Adopt more of a Kid Gilchrist mindset… his shot is just atrocious.”

• Colin Chandler’s Emergence:

  • [21:00, 30:02–30:34] Chandler’s hot shooting: 58% from three on 21 attempts, and first UK player to hit four threes in each of the first three games.
  • D (co-host): “Maybe he is the shooter. We keep saying Williams or Noah. Maybe it’s just Chandler and he needs to play more.”

• Shot Form & Technique:

  • [09:23–09:51] Noted issues with Diabate’s shooting form: “He’s shooting from his nipple with a hitch… It’s a bizarre shot.” (C)

4. Coaching, Strategy, and the End of the “Honeymoon”

• Mark Pope’s Reaction:

  • [17:01–18:45, 40:03–41:30] Notably terse and downcast in postgame comments; struggled to provide answers.
    • D: “When they suffer a bad loss, [Pope’s] inconsolable and doesn’t handle it well.”
    • A: “First time since Mark Pope’s been here, I feel like he didn’t have an answer.”
    • Suggestion that the honeymoon phase of Pope’s tenure is ending after this loss. (C, D, A)

• Rotation & Substitution Patterns:

  • [40:03–42:29] Criticism of Pope’s rotation: slow to find optimum lineups and sometimes removing effective players at odd times.
    • F (caller): “Feels like Mark Pope struggles to find the five that are going to be the most effective…”

5. Fan and Caller Reactions—Identity, Rivalry, and Probing Callers

• Spotting “Fake” UK Fans:

  • [11:00–13:20] Host Matt Jones expertly identifies a supposed UK fan caller as actually a Louisville supporter (“You called him big brother,” “You are a Louisville fan.”).
    • C: “No Kentucky fan would call Louisville big brother.”

• Rivalry Stats:

  • [13:29–14:21] While acknowledging Louisville’s win, the show reiterates UK’s dominance in the rivalry: “They have kids that have… graduate degrees that didn’t see a Louisville win.”

6. Other Features and Lighter Segments

• Irish Announcer Gavin Colton Interview (31:07–36:29):

  • Gavin’s journey from Ireland to NKU soccer via a 20-minute, brawl-shortened game.
    • Gavin (E): “I think the game had been abandoned after 20 minutes because of a brawl. [The coach] seemed to love that, offered me a full ride.”
  • Now works in Lexington; brings Irish flair to UK soccer broadcasts.
  • Matt Jones lauds Gavin as a “hit,” comparing his popularity to former KSR regular Max.

• Trivia & Local High School News:

  • Updates about bar trivia, new Henry Clay High School construction, and playful banter about home games at Legends Field.

• Music Tangent:

  • Brief detour discussing The Proclaimers’ “500 Miles” and band nostalgia. (“Who doesn’t like this song?”)

• Bowl Projections & Football:

  • [26:25–27:34] Kentucky projected to the Liberty Bowl; a short football aside speculates about ending the season on a high note against Louisville.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the heartbreak of loss:

  • “When the game was over, they had their head down and did not talk…just walked out.” (A, 01:28)
  • “What bothers me…is how bad we were down most of the game.” (C, 02:15)

• On Otega Away’s night:

  • “He was pulled off the floor for a lot of the end of the game…missed a wide open three towards the end. So that’s surprising.” (C, 03:53)
  • “He shot the ball when he’s not a shooter…looked like he was playing selfish basketball for his draft stock.” (F, 19:22)

• On rivalry and fake callers:

  • “No Kentucky fan would call Louisville big brother. No one would do that.” (C, 12:13)
  • “I can smell out Louisville fans and Republicans who are just trying to hurt me.” (C, 12:58)

• On Mark Pope’s postgame demeanor:

  • “Very unlike him. Short answers. I’ve never heard him be that short.” (C, 17:54)
  • “The honeymoon kind of ended last night. Now the true marriage starts.” (C, 41:54)

• On Chandler’s breakout:

  • “He has taken 21 threes, shooting 58% from three.” (D, 30:02)
  • “No one’s ever done that before.” (C, 30:26)

• On Irish announcer Gavin Colton:

  • “A guy, the Northern Kentucky coach, watched a game of yours for 20 minutes, then the game was abandoned for a brawl, and he offered you a scholarship?” (C, 33:53)
  • “Love that guy.” (A, 36:31)

Timestamps of Important Segments

• [01:05] — Hour 2 opens with KSBar’s postgame scene
• [03:13] — Breakdown of Otega Away’s historically poor game
• [11:00] — “Fake fan” caller segment; Louisville rivalry trash talk
• [17:01] — Mark Pope’s tone and challenges postgame
• [21:00] — Chandler’s shooting earns him late minutes
• [30:02] — Chandler’s statistical breakout
• [31:07] — Interview: Irish soccer announcer Gavin Colton
• [40:03] — Honeymoon ending for Coach Pope; deeper criticism
• [41:54] — Discussion on start of “real” Pop-era expectations
• [43:01] — Ends with preview of trivia night, Friday show plans

Tone and Style

• Candid and conversational, at times blunt but humorous
• Heavy on banter, inside jokes, and listener engagement
• Emotional but analytical in the wake of a rivalry loss

For New Listeners

This episode offers both heartfelt and critical reactions to a tough rivalry loss, complete with player analysis, strategic debate, and colorful community voices. The crew’s chemistry is on full display, blending genuine sports insights with good-natured ribbing and lively calls—making it both informative and entertaining for anyone invested in Kentucky basketball or sports radio culture.