2025-11-19- KSR - Hour 2

Summary

Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) – 2025-11-19 – Hour 2

Hosts: Matt Jones & KSR Crew
Date: November 19, 2025
Focus: Kentucky Football & Basketball – Recent Struggles, Program Leadership, and Fan Reactions

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Episode Overview

This hour of Kentucky Sports Radio dives into the current challenges facing UK athletics, particularly the men's basketball team's recent poor performances and the swirl of fan frustration. Matt Jones breaks major news with a bold prediction on Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart’s future, and the show features spirited discussion about roster construction, coaching, team leadership, and changing fortunes in both basketball and football programs. There are memorable stories, listener calls, and plenty of classic KSR banter.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

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1. KSR Thanksgiving Programming & The Mood Among UK Fans

• [04:07-05:20]
  • Matt references the airing of "Home Court with Mark Pope" and jokes about the poor timing, considering fans' current dissatisfaction.
  • The show's usual happy "best-of" Thanksgiving episodes feel inappropriate after multiple disappointing basketball performances.
  • “The problem is we haven’t had a lot to celebrate. I think I would feel bad playing the Purdue postgame thing because…we probably would look kind of silly.” – Matt Jones [04:54]

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2. Matt Jones Drops a Bombshell: “Mitch Barnhart’s Last Year”

• [05:41-06:48]
  • Matt predicts this will be athletic director Mitch Barnhart’s final year (“This will be Mitch Barnhart’s last year as AD. That’s my prediction.” – Matt Jones [06:05]).
  • The implication: If coaching changes (especially in football) are needed, who should make the hire? The outgoing AD or a new one? The consensus is the new AD should shape the future.
  • “Cannot hire and walk away.” – Co-host [06:43]

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3. College Basketball Quick Hits: Arkansas-Winthrop, Chaos, & Kenny Payne’s Apathy

• [07:46-09:21]
  • Recap of Arkansas’ near-loss to Winthrop, followed by a full-blown on-court brawl.
  • “One person does not move. Kenny Payne...He doesn’t try to break it up. He’s just like, I’m Kenny Payne and Louisville still paying me, and I’m good. Got a tee time in the morning.” – Matt Jones [08:53]

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4. The Bill Belichick “Adult Cheerleading” Sideshow

• [09:36-13:37]
  • Discussion of Belichick spotted supporting his girlfriend at an adult cheerleading competition.
  • Light-hearted KSR banter about what’s required of supportive partners and whether it’s appropriate for a celebrity head coach to attend such events during the season.
  • “If you look at your leader and your leader looks scared, then you’re going to be nervous, too.” – Matt Jones [50:44]

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5. Caller Segment – Roster Construction & Returners vs. Transfers

• [13:47-17:45] & [39:07-42:59]
  • Caller Levi voices concern over Mark Pope’s roster construction, particularly the late transfer portal moves.
  • The hosts agree: The biggest disappointment isn’t portal guys, but the returning players (notably Otega Oweh and Brandon Garrison).
  • “Our portal guys are doing okay. It’s our returners that are struggling. Owe and Garrison are struggling... Chandler’s the only returner who’s really played well.” – Matt Jones [15:10], [15:35]
  • Discussion continues later with another caller asserting the team lacks “elite talent” and the argument is shot down by Matt as oversimplified: “I’m not going to listen to people blame this stuff on nil. The rest of these teams are playing well. Okay.” – Matt Jones [41:07]

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6. Team Performance Analysis: Who’s Exceeding Expectations (and Who Isn’t)

• [15:25-16:46]
  • Malachi Moreno is singled out as the most impressive player relative to expectations.
  • Returners like Garrison and Oweh criticized for regression.
  • “If you were to say, okay, Matt, who are you really pleased with how they’ve played? I would say...Malachi Moreno.” – Matt Jones [15:35]

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7. Can UK Turn the Season Around Without Jaylen Lowe?

• [17:15-17:59]
  • The panel’s consensus is somewhat optimistic but acknowledges significant problems remain.
  • “I don’t like the offense as much with Aberdeen running the point though. It seems to be out of sync and it’s not as efficient.” – Caller [17:45]

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8. The Annabelle Doll “Curse” & Sudden Basketball Woes

• [22:37-24:39]
  • Anecdotal speculation that a cursed “Annabelle doll” brought into Rupp Arena coincided with the sudden slide of the basketball program—and even injuries.
  • “On the air first. Don’t say openly. I’m not the one who brought the doll in.” – Matt Jones [23:00]

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9. Power Conference Struggles & the Mark Pope “First Half Deficit” Pattern

• [25:12-29:24]
  • The hosts detail UK’s record against Power 4 basketball teams, noting regular double-digit first-half deficits in significant games, even dating back through last year.
  • “Let’s go through first half double digit deficits in the Mark Pope era...” – Matt Jones [27:28]
  • Fans and hosts criticize Pope’s mass substitution strategy, which often coincides with the team falling behind early.

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10. Listener Questions – Statues, NIL, and Future Prospects

• [30:34-33:41] & [32:57-34:07]
  • The running joke about building statues for coaches returns.
  • Discussion of how a bad season could impact NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) fundraising—hosts predict UK will always raise money, but the era of double-dipping is over.
  • Matt explains Mitch Barnhart’s contract: after July 2026, he can step down with six months’ notice and become “special assistant to the president” at $800,000/year. [34:07-35:45]

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11. Viewer Emotions and the “Ship Without a Rudder” Analogy

• [36:13-38:29]
  • Callers express frustration, saying the basketball squad looks “like a ship without a rudder” after the poor showings and uncertain leadership.
  • Matt adds: “I would add, and a captain who looks like he has scurvy.” [37:59]

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12. Football vs. Basketball: Which Team Inspires More Confidence Now?

• [32:12-32:57]
  • Shock that the football program now feels more likely to score consecutive wins than the basketball team does to win its next round of Power 4 matchups.
  • “I think beat Vandy and Louisville in football [is more likely].” – Matt Jones [32:14]

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13. Memorials & Community Shoutouts

• [47:01-48:23]
  • The show pays tribute to former Kentucky football player Randy Burke and Lewis County sports figure Gary Kidwell, both of whom recently passed away.

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14. Listener Curious Sightings: Did Coach Pope Check His Cell Phone During the Game?

• [49:31-50:05]
  • A caller claims to have seen Coach Pope use his cell phone on the sideline during the last game—a speculation the crew doubts, assuming it was a play sheet or notes.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Barnhart’s future:
  “This will be Mitch Barnhart’s last year as AD. That’s my prediction.”
  — Matt Jones [06:05]

• On mass substitutions:
  “What analytic is saying start every game down 10? I can’t imagine there’s an analytic telling him that’s correct.”
  — Matt Jones [29:13]

• On Kenny Payne during a brawl:
  “Kenny Payne...He’s just like, I’m Kenny Payne and Louisville still paying me, and I’m good. Got a tee time in the morning.”
  — Matt Jones [08:53]

• On the Annabelle doll and the curse:
  “The Annabelle doll...See, you don’t mess around with stuff like that.”
  — KSR Crew [22:45]

• On player performance:
  “Malachi would be our MVP right now in my opinion...If you’re just telling me who’s been better relative to my expectation, it would have been Malachi.”
  — Matt Jones [16:28]

• On coaching visible panic:
  “If you look at your leader and your leader looks scared, then you’re going to be nervous, too.”
  — Matt Jones [50:44]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 04:07 — Show opens, setting the mood, Thanksgiving programming
• 05:41 — Matt predicts Mitch Barnhart’s final year as AD
• 07:46 — Arkansas-Winthrop chaos and Kenny Payne anecdote
• 09:36 — Bill Belichick and adult cheerleading banter
• 13:47 — Caller Levi on roster issues
• 15:25 — Hosts single out Malachi Moreno; returners criticized
• 17:15 — Jaylen Lowe’s absence and point guard problems
• 22:37 — The “Annabelle doll” curse theory
• 25:12 — UK’s Power 4 struggles and Pope’s mass substitutions
• 30:34 — Calls about statues and NIL fundraising
• 34:07 — Details on Mitch Barnhart’s “golden parachute” contract
• 36:13 — Callers air “ship without a rudder” grievances
• 47:01 — Tributes to Randy Burke & Gary Kidwell
• 49:31 — Was Pope using his phone on the sideline?
• 50:44 — Visible unease in Mark Pope’s coaching demeanor
• 51:28 — Show wraps with optimism for UK’s next few games

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Final Thoughts

The KSR crew paints an honest, often sardonic picture of a fanbase in turmoil—torn between the hope for a quick basketball turnaround and increasing resignation about its troubles. The bold prediction about AD Mitch Barnhart’s future stands out as headline news, while witty banter, pointed analysis, and caller frustrations all underline the current restlessness in Big Blue Nation.

For newcomers: This episode is equal parts sports therapy and sharp commentary—and it’s clear that, even in frustrating times, KSR is the place where Kentucky fans process, commiserate, and hope together.

Transcript

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[Matt Jones]

Welcome to hour two of Kentucky sports Radio presented by Stockton Mortgage. Now here's Matt Jones.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Welcome back. It is hour number two, Kentucky Sports Radio, 859-280-2287. KSBAR is just open if you want to come and see us. Say hi. We've got folks here from all over and trying to get through the misery of us together. Here's what in the world of not good timing. Tonight on CBS Sports Network at 6:30 debuts behind the scenes Home Court with Mark Pope. A day days in the life of Pope in his home life. Not the greatest timing in the world.

[Caller or Guest 1]

It never fails. Like the timing on these things are horrible.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Yeah, well I don't know.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

The trailer for that last night is just walking around his neighborhood with Leanne just being happy.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Yeah, well you know that is what it is. Shannon was saying we were trying to figure out, you know we're going to be off for Thanksgiving next week, Thursday and Friday, what show should we run. And we're and usually I try to run like the best shows that have happened in the fall. But the Problem is we haven't had a lot to celebrate. I think I would feel bad playing the Purdue post game thing because that would look kind of. We probably would look kind of silly.

[Matt Jones]

Premature victory lap.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Yeah. Premature evicuation. So I think maybe we will play the. After Pope was hired and after we beat Duke last year just to kind of, you know, have a Thanksgiving memory of last year. Maybe. I don't know what else.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

Football and basketball have just been changing so quickly here. The highs and lows of the roller coaster we've been on with both sports.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Can I give you the. Can I give you a Matt Jones, our number two prediction bomb.

[Caller or Guest 1]

Okay.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

And this is not. This is not scoop. This is just. I was going to say this either way today. I was hoping I'd be saying it after a whim, but I'll make you a prediction. This will be Mitch Barnhart's last year's ad.

[Caller or Guest 1]

Whoa. That is a Matt Jones bomb.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

That's my prediction.

[Caller or Guest 1]

Yeah.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

That's not like a guarantee, but that's my. That's. That's my prediction.

[Caller or Guest 1]

You know, that makes the, the decision about football coach even more.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

I think that makes it more interesting these next two weeks.

[Caller or Guest 1]

Yes.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Because if that's true, that he will not be the AD after this year. Totally on his own accord, by the way. I don't. I mean, this isn't. This is totally like. I just think he. Do you. Do you hire, like, if they were to decide to hire a new coach, do you hire the guy if you're not going to be the one?

[Caller or Guest 1]

See, that's a tough call. The new.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

Cannot hire and walk away.

[Caller or Guest 1]

Yeah. The new AD should be the guy to hire the new coach.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

And you may not need to hire a new coach, but if for some reason you did. So that's my prediction. You can write it down. In, in, in, in write it not in ink, Penny, but in, like, disappearing ink. That's going to be. That's my prediction.

[Caller or Guest 1]

Wow.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

And I was. I. I felt that way a few days ago, but I kind of got to where I feel more about it now.

[Caller or Guest 1]

I didn't see that one coming, by the way.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

And I was sitting there thinking, he's the only idea I've had since I was doing ksr.

[Caller or Guest 1]

True.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Like, there's. There hasn't been another AD since we've been doing this, which is kind of crazy if you think about it.

[Caller or Guest 1]

They hardly. What? Oh, one. Was it oh one? They hired him.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Oh, so he's been. So anyway, new blood will be good. I actually agree with you. Even though I think he's done a pretty good job, I think you're gonna need it. But anyway, just for what that's worth, can we do a couple non UK basketball things just to cheer up a little bit? Can I give you my favorite story from yesterday?

[Caller or Guest 1]

Okay.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Well, first of all, Arkansas nearly lost to Winthrop. If you saw the end of that game, Winthrop completely blew it. It was gonna be. The one thing that I, maybe I smiled about was that Cal Winthrop was up 4, 5, with the ball with a minute and 15 seconds left. They kind of got screwed on an out of bounds call that was off Arkansas, but they replayed it and they didn't reverse it, which I think was a mistake. Regardless, Arkansas gets a ball, scores, cuts it to three. Winthrop misses a shot, scores, cuts it to one. Winthrop comes down, turns it over. Arkansas comes, gets a layup, takes the lead. And then a complete melee fight breaks out. Like an insane fight. And everyone is on the court. Four guys get kicked out. The place goes nuts. But here's the best part of it. Go watch the video. Everyone is out fighting, going. Coaches are breaking it up. One person does not move. Kenny Payne. Kenny Pain does not move. He doesn't try to break it up. He doesn't. He's just like, I'm Kenny Payne and Louisville still paying me, and I'm good. Got a tee time in the morning.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

I'm fine.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

It is one of the great. It is, you know, in a video of chaos, Kitty Pain is just like, yeah, whatever, man. Y' all do your thing.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

D.J. got ejected.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Yeah. Because people came off the bench.

[Caller or Guest 1]

Yeah.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

Just stepping on. That was a crazy ending. I was hesitant to tweet about it or even talk about it because we got our own problems.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Yes.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

But that was almost a horrible loss for them. And I.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

It would have been nice.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

I don't want to pile on dj, but he had two points and missed all his field goals. And they're still bringing Malik Thomas off the bench.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

And by the way, Winthrop was 1 and 3 going into that game, just for the record. So it wasn't like they were.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

See the crowd?

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

No one there.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

Oh, boy.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Yeah. No, no one there. All right. The other thing. This is. This is better. Did you see the picture of Bill Belichick last night?

[Caller or Guest 1]

I didn't see.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Yeah. Bill Belichick was spotted yesterday in Raleigh at an adult cheerleading competition that his girlfriend was in. Jordan Hudson was competing in an adult cheerleading competition, and he was there. First of all, points for being a supportive boyfriend. Right. Right.

[Caller or Guest 1]

He's Got to do what you got to do sometimes.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

His points for being a supportive. I didn't know adult cheerleading was a thing. I. I don't know if I would like to go to adult cheerleading just to see who's doing it or if I would, like, be scared of the people that are doing it. The picture showed men and women, adult cheerleading. This is. And it's only. Somebody looked it up. It's only for people who still want to cheerlead outside of college but do not cheerlead for a professional team. So it's a very niche group of people. It's like, pick up cheerleading. I don't know. I think you go to the YMCA and cheer for the teams playing at the ymca.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

Having a church league of cheerleaders.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

We get together on Wednesday nights and just cheers. So what do you think about, first of all, let's say. Let's say you're dating someone. Leave aside that it's, you know, he's 71 and she's 25. Leave that aside. You're dating someone and she is in pickup cheerleading. Do you have to go?

[Co-host or Guest 2]

Yeah, I think you gotta go.

[Caller or Guest 1]

You gotta go.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

Gotta be a supportive significant other.

[Caller or Guest 1]

Absolutely. It's important to her. Then it should be important to you. Sometimes you have to go to these things. Sometimes you have to go to a Sean Cassidy concert. Sometimes you have to go to adult children.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

I don't think those are the same things. I mean, Sean Cassidy is embarrassing in a different way, but it's not like. It's not adult cheerleading.

[Caller or Guest 1]

But we do the things as a good boyfriend, good husband should do, and he Daddy's boyfriend duties.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

I was thrown off by adult cheerleading. The. The man next to her in the photo, I think he was working at AutoZone this morning when I went and got wiper blades. He looks like he's 40 something.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

He does.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

So they're all dolled up.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

All right, so now if you're a general boyfriend, you have to go to adult cheerleading. But if you're a celebrity, do you look at your girlfriend and go, I cannot during the middle of the season be seen at an adult cheerleading contest. We have a game Saturday.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

Things aren't going well for my team.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

I'm sorry. I love you, but I'm going to have to skip the adult cheerleading competition. Can you do that?

[Caller or Guest 1]

Well, maybe this was the only one of the season. Maybe this was a big one. Maybe he felt like, this is only chance. I got to go. It's on a Tuesday night. We've got.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

So are you going Are you going?

[Caller or Guest 1]

Yeah, I'm going.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Drew, are you going?

[Co-host or Guest 2]

Yeah, but I'm not Bill Belichick either.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Shannon, are you go?

[Matt Jones]

That's the question. Am I Bill Belichick or Shannon?

[Co-host or Guest 2]

Yeah, that's good point, Shannon.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Well, I mean, you are Shannon, the dude in Kentucky. That's true. You are the dude.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

You're going.

[Matt Jones]

I know you got other things going on tonight.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Sorry.

[Caller or Guest 1]

But if he doesn't go, he's probably getting slammed for not going in supporting these girls.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

There's not going to be a story. He didn't go to the adult cheerleading competition. I think that's. If I were in this situation and in Kentucky, I'm going. But a fake mustache.

[Caller or Guest 1]

Oh, the fake mustache story.

[Matt Jones]

Because he did go. If he didn't go, this is not a story.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

If don't go, we wouldn't even know it happened, right?

[Matt Jones]

Yes.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

How about her, though? She's a celebrity in her own right. Can you imagine? You're just in the Raleigh Adult Cheerleading League and she shows up to be in it. That's got to be the biggest thing to ever happen to Raleigh adult cheerleading.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

I'm watching their performance right now. Would I have watched this last night if she wasn't a part of it?

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

No. I would have never imagined Raleigh had enough adult cheerleaders that they would have a league. Like a bowling league, I would think, but an adult cheerleading league.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

I gotta apologize to my car mechanic. He's actually got some moves here. They're pretty good. I expected it to be much worse.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

They are pretty good. Yeah.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

Sorry about that.

[Caller or Guest 1]

Well, they're flipping people everywhere.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Wow. Well, good for them. And. And Bill was there. Who's up next?

[Matt Jones]

Levi.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Levi, go ahead. Hello. Yes, go ahead.

[Caller or Guest 3]

I had just one comment and then a question.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Okay.

[Caller or Guest 3]

I don't know if it's you guys kind of refer to. I don't know if it's roster construction or just the rotation Pope is putting out there, but I kind of feel like last off season, he. By the time he hit the portal.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

Hold on.

[Caller or Guest 1]

Sorry.

[Caller or Guest 3]

By the time I hit the portal, a lot of the top talent was gone.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Caller or Guest 3]

Sorry. My. My toddler's running around crazy.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

That's okay.

[Caller or Guest 3]

I'm gonna get to it. By the time he got to the portal, a lot of the top talent was gone. And I think this off season, he. He kind of just thought he had a stockpile talent rather than.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Well, he did have to stop. I mean, let's be real. The guys that have played the best, I mean, Aberdeen has probably Been our best, you know. God, diabate. So it's actually not appreciate the call the returners who've been disappointing. You know, for all the people that complain, oh, it's the portal. It's nil. Our portal guys are doing okay. It's our returners that are struggling. Owe and Garrison are struggling. Low got hurt. But I mean Cam Williams struggle some.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

Of the year and it's one thing to not get better.

[Caller or Guest 1]

They got worse.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

He's been better. But like, oh, and Garrison got worse. I mean we've seen nothing from Noah. Owen Garrison got worse. I mean, Chandler's played well. So really Chandler's the only returner who's really played well.

[Caller or Guest 1]

When Pope is preached the players take a step up in year two in his system. Three of the four guys seem to have taken a step back in this system. So just so far.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

So far, I mean, if you were to say, okay, Matt, who are you really pleased with how they've played? I would say the only person that has performed higher than I thought they would is Malachi Moreno. And then Chandler has been kind of what I thought he would. He's been good. I expected him to step up and he's been good. But if we're being honest and I know it's early, Aberdeen's been all right, although a lot of air balls always been a disappointment. Garrison's been a disappointment. I think Jasper has not been great. He's had moments, but then not. But he took and he took a couple bad shots yesterday. Yellow. Vic's been pretty good. I guess not. Maybe what I thought he was going to be because I kind of didn't think he would play. Cam's kind of been a disappointment except for that little run against Louisville.

[Caller or Guest 1]

So Malachi had the best plus minus and players that played 20 minutes or more.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Malachi would be our MVP right now in my opinion. I mean, Aberdeen probably would win it because he scored the most points. But if you're just telling me who's been better relative to my expectation, it would have been Malachi.

[Caller or Guest 1]

Tied for a team high four rebound. Tied for a team high three assists.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

I mean, that's a bad sign by the way. Tie for a team high four rebound.

[Caller or Guest 1]

I was a team high. Two of those were offensive rebounds.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

You know, when your most rebounds are four, that's a bad sign.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

Well, that's, that's why Garrison it's, it's time to sit. You've had plenty of opportunities to prove you can rebound and you're not doing it and they need it. Bad. Chandler is still shooting 52% from three on almost 40 attempts and like 55% from the field. I mean, he makes mistakes. He had some bad fouls last night that were, you know, far from the basket. He's far from perfect, but he's the only one making shots.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

He's been good. He's been good, by the way. So do you all think if we don't get low back, can this be turned around?

[Co-host or Guest 2]

I still think so. And you know me, I'm not the guy that brings up the money, but this is a deep roster to be with, to be able to withstand injuries. I know that's the one spot where you don't have a true too deep, but you still have plenty of bodies to not be down by 24 and 20 in your first two meaningful games.

[Caller or Guest 1]

I don't like the offense as much with Aberdeen running the point though. It seems to be out of sync and it's not as efficient. And as we saw the light go on, it's the minute low stepped on the floor. So I still got some issues about the offensive execution with Aberdeen being our guy.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Is pain, stiffness or a numbing sensation preventing you from enjoying watching your favorite teams compete?

[Caller or Guest 1]

Oh, yes.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

You didn't have to say it with such sensuality. Yes. Listen to how Court physical therapy can help. For over 30 years, court's been Kentucky's go to physical therapy group. It helps athletes, fans and average Joes get rid of aches and pains and get back to what they love. It's court.com you you may have met your insurance deductible, so you may not even owe anything. Go to court.com that's k o r t dot com. That looks good. Is that a burger? Did you get a burger? I thought you told me you were getting vegetarian.

[Caller or Guest 1]

You got the veggie burger, which is really good. It's good.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

I was just about to say you you playing the role of vegetarian and then you don't do it. I understand. We'll take a break and be right back. This is ksr.

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[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Welcome back. Teche Sports Radio, 859-280-2287. Text machine is 772-7745254. One person writes, Matt, who would have predicted three weeks ago that football would be on the upswing and we would all be down on basketball. Well, that is a massive change. I mean, imagine after the Purdue game, us saying that Mark Pope would be getting criticism and Mark Stoops people going, well, maybe. I mean, you know, we'll see what happens.

[Caller or Guest 1]

Yeah. Coming off the Tennessee blowout loss in football, then you beat Purdue, number one in basketball.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

That was. That was two days. Like, those were weekend. Right. We played Purdue on Friday in Tennessee on Saturday. Imagine on Sunday. I would have told you three weeks later, this is where we would be.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

And then on Thursday, they brought the Annabelle doll in Rupp Arena. We lost to Georgetown the next day and nothing's been right since.

[Caller or Guest 1]

That's the answer. The Annabelle doll.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Oh, you think it's the Annabelle?

[Caller or Guest 1]

Yeah.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

The day before the Georgetown game, you.

[Caller or Guest 1]

Made fun of it. See, you don't mess around with stuff like that.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

I mean, the BB and United Hip Hop Classic presented by Kentucky Tourism was fun, but it's no laughing matter any more because we absolutely sucked against Georgetown, Louisville and Michigan State.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Shannon do was the Annabelle doll.

[Matt Jones]

It was your fault for openly mocking her.

[Caller or Guest 1]

Yep.

[Matt Jones]

On the air first.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Don't say openly. I didn't. I'm not the one who brought the doll in.

[Matt Jones]

Talked about her. You said, yeah, right. The stupid doll. Then we lost, and then our players got hurt, too. That turned.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

I mean. L got hurt.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

Noah turned an ankle that night.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

He got hurt low did get hurt that night, didn't he?

[Co-host or Guest 2]

He did.

[Matt Jones]

And that started this whole thing.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

Yeah, I think.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

I heard in the.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

Blue white, Trent Noah rolled his ankle.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Low, got hurt in the blue white game.

[Matt Jones]

Was that not.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

That was the week before. That was the week before. But yeah, I mean, things haven't been good since then. Real quick, just a second about football. I mean, are you vandy in three days, do you think we can win?

[Co-host or Guest 2]

Is Pavia going to be there or is he going to be at a UFC fight with Theo Vaughn and Cam Scatter?

[Caller or Guest 1]

Boo.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

That dude is never in Nashville anymore.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

No, he's not.

[Caller or Guest 1]

See, it makes me think maybe his head is elsewhere. Maybe they got it going on and they have. Makes him. Maybe he'll make some mistakes.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

What happens if we win that game? Like, seriously, what happens if we win? If we win that one going into.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

The Louisville game, we're winning The Louisville game.

[Caller or Guest 1]

If they be vandy gonna build a statue of Mark Stuart.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

No, we're not. You got to stop with the statues. We're not building a statue. I don't know where this. Somehow you. I think it's your fault. Somehow we've gotten associated with this building a statue thing. I don't think we ever said we were built. I don't think. Yeah, I never said poops and I never said anybody's building a statue.

[Caller or Guest 1]

But you did make fun of Annabelle.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

And we're gonna make fun of Annabelle.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, it was that same night, by the way. It was that same night that he got injured. That the Annabelle.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Annabelle doll was in town.

[Matt Jones]

The same night.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

The same night as the Blue White game, which was the week before.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

Okay, now, I thought it was the Halloween weekend.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Shannon's right. It was the night. Because, remember, that's why. I mean, we did. We played the Blue White game at Memorial, which is why they were able to do it at Rubber.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

We can't blame her then if they destroyed Purdue after that.

[Matt Jones]

But it didn't count. She knew that. She was just playing with her emotions.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

I'm just. I'm going to go back to blame it.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Okay, what about people who are saying that. That Mark Pope. If you look at games against power four conference opponents, our last games against power four conference opponents were 12 and 12. Does that worry you?

[Caller or Guest 1]

Well, last year, all of our non Conference Power 4 opponents, we only lost one game, right?

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

No, we lost two.

[Caller or Guest 1]

Lost two.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

We lost Ohio State, Clemson.

[Caller or Guest 1]

That's right. Well, we thought last night was supposed to be the easiest of these non conference power four games this year. And we got run off the floor.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Yeah. I mean, what happens if. I mean, we still. You got to. We play North Carolina, Indiana, Gonzaga and.

[Caller or Guest 1]

St. John's Gonzaga, who looks really good right now.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Now, two of those games are at home. But what if we lose all these games? I mean, is there a world where, like. I don't want to bring this up. Is it a world where we don't make the NCAA Tournament?

[Co-host or Guest 2]

I mean, that that world exists, I think that's still unlikely. But if you go through that play without winning a game, how many of.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Those games do you feel like we're definitely going to win?

[Caller or Guest 1]

Indiana, probably the next most winnable game, I would think of those.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

I mean, we gotta win some of these games. We can't lose them all, I can tell you that. If we lose all six, I think.

[Caller or Guest 1]

Most of us thought we'd have two, maybe three losses going into conference Play now we're looking in.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

I mean I look at these next four and go, you get North Carolina, Indiana, Gonzaga and St. John. St. John's like if you, if I, if I told you now, I can promise you X wins and you'll be happy.

[Caller or Guest 1]

Two, two of the four.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

I'll take it.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Would you rather have two guaranteed wins or roll the dice and play them all?

[Caller or Guest 1]

After last night, I'm taking two guaranteed.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

I think I'm taking two guaranteed wins.

[Caller or Guest 1]

Give me North Carolina and Indiana at home. Gonzaga's in Nashville, St. John's in Atlanta. We can kind of maybe blow those off a little bit.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

What do you think, Shannon?

[Matt Jones]

I would probably take the two right now.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

I mean I would take the two.

[Matt Jones]

Indiana's only played Marquette, but they did beat him by 23 on the road.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Yeah. So I don't think any of these games are, I don't think. I thought Michigan State was supposed to.

[Caller or Guest 1]

Be, supposed to be the easiest one of all of them. Right.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

So. And we got run off the floor.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

Well, I keep thinking about yes, it was nice beating Duke and Gonzaga last year, but it seems like in every big game we've played they've gone down and been down big at halftime. Now it's great that they come back, but we can't just expect to have comebacks in every single significant.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Let's go through first half double digit deficits in the Mark Pope era. Duke, Gonzaga, Clemson, Ohio State, all the non conference games last year of meaning we were down double digits in the first half. All of them. Every one of them twice to Alabama, Arkansas.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

Hold on, how about going to Ole Miss and you're not even in it in the first half. Yeah, that game was over before halftime.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

But even, I'm just saying marquee opponents, Alabama, Ole Miss, Arkansas, Tennessee in the NCAA tournament, Louisville this year, Michigan State. That's like 10 marquee games and we won a couple of them. But that's 10 marquee games where we've been down double digits in the first half.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

Down 15 at Georgia at halftime, down God knows what, Ole Miss. Not just the market games.

[Caller or Guest 1]

So let's, let's just use last night as example. I heard somebody on your post game show said they weren't ready to play. Well, they came out and they were ready to play.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

But you know the pattern in all of those games though is we come out ready to play. This is why I said the mass substitution. Yep, we come out ready to play. Go back to Duke, go back to Louisville, Michigan State, go back to all These games, it's like tied or we have the lead, we do the mass substitution. We're down 10, right.

[Caller or Guest 1]

And that's exactly what happened last night. Mass substitution. Next time I look up, we're down 14 points.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

Down 14 at halftime to Vandy.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Last year, every game in the Louisville game, we pulled Aberdeen early, put low in, we go on a run. Then they took low out and they put in all five subs and we got down 10. So.

[Caller or Guest 1]

But you know, he, that's his way.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

He coaches some things. But what analytic is saying start every game down 10. I can't imagine there's an analytic telling him that's correct.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

Nope, that's what Cal did with reading Rob on the bench.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Yeah, I believe he likes analytics. But some point the numbers say what they do. We'll be right back.

[Caller or Guest 1]

TJ Smith, personal injury attorney. Call tj. He'll make him pay.

[Matt Jones]

Now more of Kentucky Sports Radio presented by Stockton Mortgage. Here's Matt Jones.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Welcome back Techie Sports Radio. 859-280-2287. One person says Matt, with Kentucky playing too bad, opponents coming up. Don't you change the lineup and get guys like Moreno and Jasper more minutes against these teams? Maybe, certainly certainly Moreno. I need to see more from Jasper before I'm ready to say because I don't. I mean the reality is if away doesn't play well this year, we're just going to stink. So I don't think like not I don't think benching away does us any good because without him we're not going to be good. But I do think you can substitute Garrison. You can substitute Moreno for Garrison be all right.

[Caller or Guest 1]

Think about Jasper may be better. Jasper may have taken a bad shot but he in nine minutes he had a team high three assists him. Reno both had three assists. Those two guys. I think he is a good facilitator, that maybe he does deserve more minutes for that reason only one person writes.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Matt, you and Drew did whole shows saying we should build a statute for Stoops. That narrative started with ksr. You're lying if you say otherwise. I mean, no, you're lying. First of all, I don't think I ever said we should build a statue. I may have said it like metaphorically but I certainly did a didn't do a whole show saying let's build. I didn't like do a fundraiser saying let's build a statue for Stoops. So. And I don't think Drew did either.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

Actually I, I still think they should recognize Stoops. At the stadium. That hasn't changed. Maybe not a statue of him waving in front of. I still think they should do something.

[Caller or Guest 1]

The best coach we've ever had. He led us.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

What would you do season like, what would you do if you wouldn't do a statue? Let's say he. Let's say he finishes six and six and then he retires or moves on. What would you do eventually? Direct.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

It would need a little time, but we can't act like he didn't take us to heights we'd never been to before.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

So what would you do?

[Caller or Guest 1]

Like maybe that recruiting room in the end zone. Maybe call it the Mark Stoops recruiting room or something.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

You know, he needs something just like.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

I think John Calipari needs something. I mean, they both have done great things. I'm not saying they need to be the have their name on the arena or have this gigantic like the Michael Jordan statue at the United center, but I think they should be recognized in time in some form.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Stoops will one day be on the thing where we have with the names.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

Yeah, I'd go bigger than that, though. I mean, we named a road after How Mummy.

[Caller or Guest 1]

How Mummy. Pass.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

That's true. But it's not named that now. One person writes, what's more likely? We win our the next four non conference games against Indiana, Carolina, Gonzaga and St. John's or we beat Vandy and Louisville in football.

[Matt Jones]

I'm gonna go beat Vandy and Louisville.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

I think beat Vandy and Louisville in football. To be honest with you. I think it's probably more likely, which is crazy to think we would have like, we wouldn't have said that two weeks ago, but I actually think it is.

[Caller or Guest 1]

That's right. If you'd asked this question a couple weeks ago, I'm thinking there's no way our football team can pull this off now with what's happening with Vandy and Louisville's kind of trending the other way. Absolutely. Those games seem more winnable than win those four basketball games.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

I think the last two basketball losses are worse than just maybe the Tennessee football loss. But the football team hasn't been winning. We know that. But they were in games. You were down 24 to Michigan State team the name, score a lot of points and 20 to Louisville. That's worse than what the football team was doing to me.

[Caller or Guest 1]

Yeah. The defensive strategy to let them shoot three pointers last night was not a good defensive strategy.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

One person writes, matt, what if we have a bad year? Do you think that affects the amount of money People would give for nil for future years? It's hard to say. I mean, no, but, you know, I don't know. That's hard to say. First of all, there won't be as much money next year just because you're not getting the double dip. Remember this, the kids that played basketball this year got an advantage that no other year will get. They got paid from two sources. They got paid the unlimited private money from the old system and the rev share from this system. In the future that's not going to happen. So in the future it's going to be like, no, there's never going to be more money than was in the sport this year. So I think inevitably the answer to that question is no, but it won't be the same. But I do think that Kentucky basketball will always be able to raise money. In my opinion, yes.

[Caller or Guest 1]

They were raising money long before nil. They're going to raise a lot of money after this.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Yeah.

[Caller or Guest 1]

And like we said, Jasper's deal may be a two year deal. Malachi's maybe a two year deal. Jaylen Low two year deal.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

By the way, something on Mitch Barnhart. I think this is something people should know. A lot of people don't know. This is in the contract. The contract for Mitch Barnhart says beginning July 1, 2026. Now remember, that's next year. Barnhart can within, with six months notice, elect to step down from the role of athletics director, at which time he would assume the position of special assistant to the president for two years at a salary of $800,000 annually. Now, what is six months before July 1, 2026? February 1. What?

[Caller or Guest 1]

February 1.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Is it January or February? It's January.

[Caller or Guest 1]

January.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

It's January. Yeah, you had me. I was like, that's a terrible answer. But then you had such confidence. I didn't know January 1st. So you know the timeline of he could say on January 1st I'm stepping down. And then they spend time figuring it out, you know, just not saying, wow. I'm just saying that provision, which gives him $800,000 a year to do nothing, which by the way is an interesting provision a lot of people didn't realize was probably in there.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

That's exciting.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

We have a, hey, here's $800,000 to hang out, check a few emails. That provision kicks in with notice January 1st. So he could come out January 1st and say, I'm finishing the year as AD. We're gonna go on a search, but then I'm done. And then that starts. I'm not Saying, I'm just saying.

[Caller or Guest 1]

And then he would still kind of be around for the new coaching regime, that maybe he's, if, if they make a change, if he brings in somebody new.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

But it is awkward to do that and hire a coach. I mean, you're gonna have to hire a coach who kind of knows you're not going to be his boss. How many coaches come work and they don't know who their boss is going to be? True. You know, I don't know. Maybe there's a lot, but, but that's so. I just think that's a provision people should know is in the, is in the contract. Who's next?

[Matt Jones]

Lee?

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Lee. Go ahead, Lee.

[Caller or Guest 3]

Good morning, ksr. Hey, Matt, on the Belichick thing, no comment. Mitch is time to go. And obviously he made his own contract, along with caliperies and stoops. And I got a couple things obvious about UK and then one thing about last night's game. The two things obvious. And I think I've heard somebody say this before, the volleyball team is the best team and the best coach at uk.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Yes. By the way, on the volleyball thing, Craig Skinner was just named SEC Coach of the Year. Eva Hudson was just named SEC Player of the Year. Skinner has won the SEC Coach of the Year three times. Kentucky has now had the player of the Year in the conference four times in the last five years. So congrats to them.

[Caller or Guest 3]

And still the only team in SEC to win a national championship. And they're gonna get another one this year. The other thing that's obvious is that Pope kind of got a, kind of got a pass on losing a cow last year, but I think the honeymoon's way over by now. So it's, that's another thing. And last night I sat there, I've been a lifelong fan, and I still don't think the season's dead. But last night's analogy I looked at, it looked like a ship without a rudder. Captain, no idea what to do. When they showed him, he was standing there thinking it looked like he was going, well, I, I, maybe I should have practiced.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

We lost right there. I appreciate the call. A ship with. I agree with that analogy. A ship without a rudder, I would add, and a captain who looks like he has scurvy.

[Caller or Guest 1]

You know, he, and just in the pregame, by the way, the pregame comments, his voice sounded hoarse. Like, you know, like I, he did sound horse. So I don't, you know, is that from maybe screaming? Maybe screaming.

[Matt Jones]

So you're saying it looks like he had fatigue Gum disease and easy bruising.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

That's what scurvy. I don't know that gum. I did see fatigue. I'm not going to say he had gum disease, but I do think he had fatigue and looked like he could be easily. Is that like. I think it's like a lack of vitamin C. Right? Is scurvy. Is that what it is?

[Co-host or Guest 2]

I think so, yeah.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Is it what? B, D? Okay. It's a lack of vitamin D. I know. It's something about you're not getting nutrients because they get it out on ships. And it does seem like our team is not getting their nutrients, at least their basketball.

[Caller or Guest 1]

So we need to check his gums. Maybe he does have his gums.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Don't be weird. Who's next?

[Matt Jones]

Mark.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Mark. Go ahead, Mark.

[Caller or Guest 3]

Hey, what's going on, Matt?

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

What's up?

[Caller or Guest 3]

Hey, real quick. Hey, I've got a couple things that I think I see as the root causes. One, this roster construction is terrible. We have one of the tallest teams and we can't get offensive rebound to save our soul.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

That's true. Yeah, that. That is a good point. We have got. We have to have the most height. Maybe not against Michigan State, they have a lot of height, but against most teams, we have a lot of height and we do not get rebounds, which is a problem. But go ahead.

[Caller or Guest 3]

Second thing is, which I think is the root of the true problem, in my opinion is kind of piggyback on last week. We're talking about elite talent. And the reason why I say this, I think we have a team made up of average to above a lot of average to above average players. And we went into the portal, got these guys, and way I look at it is elite talent. When they get to uk, they say, hey, I'm on the biggest stage, but they want something more. They want the NBA. These guys have actually hit their lottery ticket when they got to uk.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Yeah, but you say that. Then how do you explain last year? Okay, because I look at it as. Last year were a lot of guys like that, they hit their lottery ticket going to uk, but they wanted to prove they deserve to be here. So I don't think that's. I actually think guys like a Jalen Lowe are kind of guys you kind of want because they in theory appreciate being here. Whereas, I mean, let's be real. The two most disappointing players I want to. Everybody can blame nil in the portal all you want. Who are the most two most disappointing players?

[Caller or Guest 1]

Otega?

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

The two guys who are returning. I don't know how you can blame the portal when our two players that are struggling the most are our returners.

[Caller or Guest 3]

But these guys, I think they're all complete. I see maybe two, possibly three NBA players on that. And not to say that's the end.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

I said that all year right now. I said that all summer.

[Caller or Guest 1]

And I got.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

I've gotten roasted for two years for saying we don't have NBA players. We don't. Yeah, we don't.

[Caller or Guest 3]

These guys right now, they're. You talk about playing on. For the front of the jersey or the back of the. I think they've already played for the back of the jersey because right now they're making great money. They're never going to make.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

I'm not going to listen to people blame this stuff on nil. The rest of these teams are playing well. Okay.

[Lego Star Wars Ad]

I mean, like, nil.

[Caller or Guest 3]

Issue, though, Matt. It's. It's a. It's a fact of the issue of, like, for instance, Denzel Aberdeen. He was great at Florida last year, but he was the fifth option. We're asking him to be our best or second.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

That's a different point, though. That's a different point. That they may not be good enough. But you're saying they've already hit their lottery ticket, so they don't care. I don't believe that. I don't believe that.

[Caller or Guest 3]

I'm not saying they don't care. I'm just saying the drive. They've already reached their. Probably the pinnacle as far as playing basketball.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Then how do you explain Kobe Bray? Then how do you explain Kobe Bray, Amari Williams, and all those guys who reached their pinnacle last year and played great? How do you explain that?

[Caller or Guest 3]

Good point.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Okay. I mean, I appreciate the call. I'm just saying we stink right now. But to make systematic, like, systematic declarations based on the fact we stink ignores that. Last year, we had a team just like this that played their tail off, and they. They reached their maximum potential, and they just weren't good enough. But they played as hard as they could. Drew, this team is not playing as hard as they can, and they're not reaching their maximum potential. And that's what's frustrating.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

And you nailed it. About the two biggest disappointments. It was already kind of a gamble bringing Brandon Garrison out back to be your starting center. A lot of people didn't even want that. But you think, all right, if he just takes a step forward, maybe he can get close to what they need. But at your starting center, what's he averaging? Like five points, four rebounds? That's the guy you prioritize. That's one of many problems with Owe being the other leader. He has not been anything close to the SEC preseason player of the year.

[Caller or Guest 1]

And the whole team, the whole roster was built around Jalen Lowell being your point guard and your best player and facilitator and you rip him out and they've just not found a way to recover from that yet.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

But yes, I agree with that. But I don't care if you have Jalen Lowe or not, you shouldn't have gotten that result you got last night. No, you should.

[Caller or Guest 1]

Still inexcusable and Low played at Louisville.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

When they were getting smoked. I know he just come off the injury, but you know he was part of the problem there late in the game.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Well, I would argue late, but I would argue we're not even in that game without Jalen Lowe at Louisville. He did make the turnover and the bad decisions like Serve Pro is the number one choice in cleanup and restoration, whether it's mold, fire, storm or water damage. We got a pro for that. It's ServPro. They make it like it never even happens. You had a fire and then what servpro do?

[Caller or Guest 1]

They came out and redid everything. They did their cleanup, they did the reconstruction from start to finish. It was all served pro.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Is that the fire or the flood?

[Caller or Guest 1]

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[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Servpro ser vpro.com that's Serve Pro. Hope you don't need them, but if you do, it's ServPro. We'll take a break. Be right back.

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[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Welcome back Techie Sports Radio segment sponsored by Cornbread hemp. Go to cornbreadhemp.com get your full spectrum flower only Hemp CBD gummies. You got the seltzers? They're all there. Cornbread Hemp. Check them out. Use my code KSR for up to 30% off on your first order. You want it? We wanted to note the passing of former Kentucky football player Randy Burke.

[Caller or Guest 1]

Yeah, he was a receiver in the 80s, in an era 70s where an era where they didn't throw the ball much and yet he was a first round draft pick of the Baltimore Colts. I got to know him when he was working at the sales department over channel 27 wkyt. Just really involved with the community, really involved with UK. Just a super, super guy and I was saddened to hear the news that he had passed away.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

This first round pick only had like a very small amount of catches at uk but went to the Senior bowl, crushed it and ends up being a first round pick. Passed away at the. You said you knew.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

Yeah, I knew him a little bit too. Knew some of his family. First met him when I was working at Malone's. I waited on him but then did some, some events with them too. So like Ryan, I was very surprised and saddened to see that news last night.

[Caller or Guest 1]

Can I give one more shout out.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

If you would like.

[Caller or Guest 1]

Gary Kidwell, longtime sports guy up at Lewis county, famous in that part of the state. He also recently passed away. Just a super guy. Always at Rupp arena, always up at the press box at Kroger Field. Just I, I, it made me sad too to see that he had passed away.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

I'm also, I'm going to completely steal Bill Simmons idea which I did for my entire career. So I feel like I can do it now as well. He did something he used to do that was he would do a podcast every few weeks where he would like just take people's questions. I want to do that for the Interrupted podcast.

[Caller or Guest 1]

That's a good idea.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

So people sometimes will ask me on the text machine what I think about this or that. It can be sports, it can be news, it can be politics. It just can't be UK stuff. So I'm not gonna, I mean I do the UK stuff on this show. So from the end of the show today until tomorrow morning. 772-774-5254 if you write a question tomorrow, I'm going to tape the interrupted podcast and answer people's questions. You can ask opinion on whatever. Like this is your chance to ask if you want to ask a dirty stinking liberal question or if you just want to ask about something else. I'm, I'm glad to do it and I'm going to do that as our Interrupted Podcast podcast tomorrow.

[Caller or Guest 1]

I like that. Good idea.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

772 7. But wait till after the show today so I can see it. All right, who's next? Shannon.

[Matt Jones]

Let's go to Jason.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Jason, I got about a minute. Go ahead.

[Caller or Guest 3]

Yeah, just real quick. I missed the early part of the show, but did I see right last night in the first half that I think we was doing an inbounds play, and the camera had coach Pope in the background, and he had his cell phone out and looked like he put it in his back left pocket. Now, it could have been a cue card. It could have been a play sheet.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

I don't know.

[Caller or Guest 3]

But it looked like, to me, it looked like a cell phone. I'm like, I'm thinking, why does he have his cell phone even on him, much less out?

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Yeah, I didn't see that. Do you know what you're talking about?

[Co-host or Guest 2]

I didn't see that, but I would be shocked if you pulled out a cell phone. I would guess some kind of notes. Yeah, but I didn't see it, so who knows?

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Yeah, I mean, you know, sometimes you want to play Candy Crush. I mean, like, the game, those timeouts are long. They could happen.

[Caller or Guest 1]

People are making a lot of a big deal about Pope's body language on the side.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

How could you not? I mean, he. He gave. He gave me zero confidence. And that's a guy who. I've. Who I. Has been really good at giving me confidence. I came out of last night going, genuinely, I'm like, man, is that guy all right? Like, that's. That's how I was last night. And I didn't. Didn't like being like that.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

Fans are supposed to panic and look like that. He's supposed to be the one that's supposed to be calm and collected. And when we're looking at the TV and he looks terrified, it's like, oh, how bad is this?

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Yeah. I mean, if you look at your leader and your leader looks scared, then you're going to be nervous, too. Are we going to be in three weeks after we play Gonzaga in Nashville, or four weeks, Are we going to feel better?

[Caller or Guest 1]

Yes. The rebound beat Indiana. North Carolina may get whooped by Gonzaga, but to answer your question, we will feel better.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Are you. Are we going to feel better? No, no, no.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

This can still get turned around. I don't know if it can get turned around over Thanksgiving before. Was it North Carolina? December 1st, December 2nd.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

2Nd.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

Maybe they win, but I just. I don't know. We're going to get a lot of answers and things. The switch flip back where it needs to be that quickly. We Got Loyola.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Between now and then we got two games, Loyola and Tennessee Tech.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

Yeah. Beat them up again.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

Hey, thank you all very much. Wings day the rest of the day quiz tonight. Nice to see the three family members here. We'll see you later. This has been Kentucky Sports Radio.

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Crypto trading involves risk of loss and is offered to US customers excluding New York and Maine through Payword Interactive, Inc. View legal [e-mail] legal disclosures, terms and conditions apply.

[Lego Star Wars Ad]

Does anything go better than Lego and Star Wars? I don't think so. Kids will love becoming a part of the galactic action while playing out their favorite adventures. Like with Jango Fett Starship. I mean this LEGO set is fantastic. It features a detailed recreation of Jango Fett's starship with four stud shooters, a seismic charge dropping function and wings that rotate with gravity. Plus it has three Jango Fett with two blasters and a jetpack. Young Boba Fett and Llama Su perfect for endless play. Now for the big fans, there's Jango Fett's Fire Spray class Starship from the the Ultimate Collector series. Packed with details and surprises for fans, this large scale set is perfect for anyone hunting for a mindful building escape. Plus you end up with a fantastic display piece. You can build this while your little ones build the kid set. You'll be like Django and Boba building an adventure shop. Now for Star wars lego sets on lego.com or in lego retail stores.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

What a matchup we got y'.

[Co-host or Guest 2]

All.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

This is that classic HBCU vibe. Non stop action. The band is rockin and the crowd lit. Chance echo drum beat Everybody showing that school pride. Game like this. Yeah, it calls for an ice cold Coca Cola. Ah, crisp and refreshing. That's a game changer right there. Yeah, that taste always hits the right note. Just like the band at halftime. And just like that, we're back at it. Passionate fans, school colors at everywhere and an ice cold Coca Cola. That's a winning combo. No matter the sport, no matter the yard. Everybody knows fan work is thirsty work. So grab a Coca Cola and keep that HBCU pride going. You know what a girl's best friend is not diamonds.

[Caller or Guest 3]

Her lawyers.

[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

From executive producer Ryan Murphy comes a fiery new legal drama.

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[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

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[Host (likely Matt Jones)]

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