KSR (Kentucky Sports Radio) – Hour 1
Date: December 18, 2025
Host: Matt Jones, with Drew Franklin & Ryan Lemond
Location: KS Bar & Grill, Lexington, KY
Overview
This episode of Kentucky Sports Radio centers on lively KY sports talk just one week before Christmas, featuring updates and banter around UK Volleyball’s Final Four run, memorable mishaps, trivia challenges, and news on the NBA In-Season Tournament possibly coming to Rupp Arena. The show’s trademark humor and chemistry are in full effect, with the crew swapping stories, debating news, and interacting with the Kentucky fanbase.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Crew Updates, Health, and Wreck Stories
(Starts ~03:30)
- Drew opens up about a recent serious back issue, sharing, “I made it in here. I'm doing all right. Literally, the last two days, I couldn't take three steps. But I was able to walk today, and here I am. Ready to play through the pain” (03:35).
- Ryan Lemond recounts his recent car accident:
- “I've rear-ended two vehicles, a Maserati and a salt truck.” (04:33)
- Highlights the cost and stress of insurance: “It's expensive. I'm not going to lie. When I called my insurance guy... he knows. He's like, why can't you hit a Ford Pinto or something? Why you gotta hit the expensive vehicles?” (05:29)
- The crew jokes about Matt’s rule: “Don’t let Ryan drive anything.” (06:25)
- Memorable Moment: Ryan’s proud of his new Bronco loaner; Matt declares, “I don’t get in the car when you're driving.”
2. Show Throwbacks: Facebook Birthday Shout-Outs & Movie Polls
(07:14)
- The group reminisces about classic KSR segments:
- Facebook birthday shout-outs return. Brad Daugherty (not the NBA player, but a UK alum from Franklin, KY) gets a “Happy birthday!”
- Discussion veers into the lesser-known NBA career of the real Brad Daugherty, his connection to NASCAR, and basketball trivia.
- Quote: “Birthday shout-out — the segment still works!” – Matt Jones (08:29)
3. KSR Trivia Night & Kentucky Basketball Quiz
(09:11–16:21)
- Matt shares that trivia night was tough: “Normally we have probably five, six, seven teams that get over 100… only had one last night. It was difficult.” (16:23)
- On-air trivia:
- Kentucky’s most-defeated religious schools: After much struggle, the crew identifies Notre Dame, Xavier, St. John’s, and St. Louis, with help from Matt’s hints.
- “You all are terrible at this!” – Matt, after failed guesses (10:29)
- Surprises that DePaul, Marquette, Creighton, and Baylor are religious schools.
- Presidents’ firsts trivia: ends in laughs, with Shannon excelling — “Shannon is killing this game!” (14:25)
- “It’s a good thing you all didn’t come to trivia last night!” (16:06)
4. UK Volleyball’s Postseason Run & Fan Excitement
(18:09–21:42)
- Setting: Volleyball watch party at KS Bar for Kentucky vs. Wisconsin (Final Four)
- Drew expresses excitement for the team and fan support: “It’s at that point where you get that anxiety when you have the expectation to win... You just gotta keep pushing forward.” (19:35)
- Matt notes how volleyball has uplifted the UK fanbase post-COVID: “Volleyball has provided this fanbase with its excitement... the best things that have happened to this fanbase post-COVID, on the field, have been volleyball, baseball, and this again.” (20:20)
- The fans’ shift toward volleyball for thrilling atmospheres, with several top-ten post-pandemic moments happening during volleyball matches.
5. Football Transfer Portal & Dane Key’s Comments
(22:09–25:58)
- Matt brings up Dane Key’s candid comments on the transfer portal:
- Key advised caution about transferring, warning, “you may think you’re going to a better situation and you don't and then you end up in a worse one.” (22:19)
- Some Nebraska fans take offense, but Matt and Drew see truth in Key’s reflection — his personal stats actually declined after transferring.
- Drew on Key’s and Barion Brown’s decisions: “Statistically, it did not work out. Neither one of them had a better year and really neither one of them won.” (24:44)
- Crew agrees a “reset” was needed in the WR room, but wonders if Kentucky would have been better with both players back.
6. Change in Coaching & Fanbase Reactions
(25:58–26:45)
- Matt draws parallels between player transfers and coaching changes: “You can sometimes think it's time for a change, but that does not guarantee the next guy’s going to be better… but it also doesn’t mean the change was not correct.” (25:58)
- Drew: “A new guy does unify the fanbase. All you can do is get excited.”
7. NBA’s In-Season Tournament Finals: Rupp Arena as a Potential Host
(27:01–34:11)
- NBA considering Rupp Arena for the “NBA Cup” semifinals/finals; other contenders: Cameron Indoor, Assembly Hall (Indiana), and Allen Fieldhouse (Kansas).
- Ryan excited: “Rupp’s the biggest of those four arenas… I think we’d pack it.” (28:21)
- Drew emphasizes central location, ease of access, and appeal for KY basketball fans—especially if former Cats are involved.
- Matt: “If you get a Kentucky guy in the game, forget it… you would sell it out instantly.” (32:45)
- Discussion of the factors: student sections, city locations, potential for a true college atmosphere.
- Memorable angle: Mark Pope could bring recruits to this NBA game if it’s in Lexington.
8. Lighthearted Listener Calls and Community History
(34:11–48:01)
- Fans call in from the road to the volleyball game, request a “volleyball pep talk” from Ryan (Matt – “not appropriate for women’s volleyball”).
- Caller shares Raceland and Keeneland history – how a racetrack builder renamed towns (“You can just come to town and build something, then the town will change the name” – Matt, 47:48).
- Tidbits about Kentucky sports, community pride, and local color.
9. Debates: At What Age Can Kids Stay Home Alone?
(42:22–46:24)
- Matt shares poll: “36% of Americans say kids shouldn’t be left home alone for an hour until at least 14.” He thinks 11-12 is reasonable. (42:22)
- Ryan says 10; Drew votes closer to 13.
- “16, you can drive—that’s a little bit of a sheltered life right there.” – Ryan (44:01)
- The discussion turns humorous, comparing dropping kids at daycare to getting a new car.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
On Driving:
- “[Matt:] I have a couple rules. One of the rules is don’t let Ryan drive anything.” (06:25)
On Trivia Night:
- “[Matt:] It’s a good thing you all didn’t come to trivia last night! Although Shannon would have… Shannon, you would have done well.” (16:06)
On UK Volleyball:
- “[Matt:] Volleyball has provided this fanbase with its excitement… the best things that have happened to this fanbase post-COVID, on the field, have been volleyball, baseball, and this again.” (20:20)
Dane Key Talk:
- “[Drew:] Statistically, it did not work out… I can't speak for his experience, but statistically it did not work out.” (23:13)
On Change in Sports:
- “[Matt:] You can sometimes think it's time for a change but that does not guarantee the next guy's going to be better… but it also doesn't mean the change was not correct.” (25:58)
On the NBA Cup coming to Lexington:
- “[Ryan:] Rupp’s the biggest of those four arenas. I think they got a really good chance of maybe landing that deal if it happens because I think we would pack it.” (28:21)
Key Timestamps
03:35 – Drew’s health update
04:33–06:25 – Ryan’s salt truck wreck & driving jokes
07:14–08:29 – Facebook birthday shout-outs
09:11–16:21 – Trivia night (basketball wins, presidents)
18:09–21:42 – UK Volleyball preview/atmosphere
22:19–25:58 – Dane Key, Barion Brown, transfer portal
27:01–34:11 – NBA Cup at Rupp discussion
42:22–46:24 – Leaving kids home alone debate
47:19–48:01 – Raceland/Keeneland history call
Tone & Overall Feel
This episode features the classic KSR camaraderie: playful teasing, storytelling, and quick sports insight. There are a mix of serious Kentucky sports discussions, UK program analysis, and plenty of laughs about real-life blunders and community quirks. UK Volleyball is a focal point—a symbol of fan joy and unification. Rumors about Lexington hosting national events highlight Kentucky’s ongoing prominence in basketball culture.