Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) – Hour 2 (12/18/2025)

Host: Matt Jones
Co-hosts: Drew Franklin, Ryan Lemond, Shannon Dawson
Setting: KS Bar and Grill
Episode Theme: UK sports updates, college basketball talk, recruiting concerns, NIL/JMI debate, and an interactive, light-hearted look at sports pop culture.

Episode Overview

In this hour, Matt Jones and the KSR crew dive into a classic blend of Kentucky Wildcats news, national sports oddities, and lively debate about the future of UK recruiting. The substantive backbone of the discussion focuses on basketball—UK’s season trajectory, the tale of the 7'9" Florida player, and escalating anxiety over the role of JMI in NIL deals and high-level recruiting. The episode is punctuated by fun musical trivia, stories about NBA personalities, and community engagement from callers and the on-site crowd.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Upcoming Volleyball Match and a Volleyball Coaching Fun Fact

• [02:58-04:21]
  • Kentucky faces Wisconsin in volleyball, with a late 9:00 PM start. Matt teases the senior citizens at the bar about staying awake for the match.
  • Fun fact: UK’s Craig Skinner and Wisconsin’s Kelly Sheffield once coached together—the undefeated Muncie, Indiana JV volleyball team in 1990.
    • “Two coaches coaching in the Final Four coached a JV volleyball team together in 1990. How about that for a crazy fact?” – Matt Jones [03:46]

2. Doug Gottlieb’s Dual Career and Predictable Outcome

• [04:21-05:29]
  • Doug Gottlieb, who attempted to both coach at Green Bay and host an afternoon radio show, has quit the radio gig as his basketball program struggles.
    • “There was no way he was going to be able both and he has not been able to do both.” – Matt Jones [04:39]
    • The crew pokes fun at the impossibility of recruiting or coaching while hosting a show.

3. The 7’9” Florida Gators Player: Oliver Rue

• [05:29-09:27]
  • Oliver Rue scored a point, becoming the tallest player to score in college basketball.
  • Lively debate about whether a player of his size would dominate at a mid-major (“Eku”) or if physical limitations would prevent him from being more impactful.
    • “How is he not the greatest college basketball player of all time? Just throw the ball up in the air, let him catch it.” – Shannon Dawson [07:05]
    • “I feel like Oliver Rue needs to… go play somewhere where he plays because I am just… I feel like he has to be able to play a little bit.” – Matt Jones [08:43]
  • Comparison to Taco Fall, who succeeded at Central Florida.

4. Chris Paul’s Lonely Halloween Party & NBA Locker Room Culture

• [09:27-13:54]
  • Chris Paul’s tenure with the Clippers reportedly soured after none of his teammates showed up at his Halloween party.
    • “Don’t you feel bad for him? He’s sitting there at home, like, at his Halloween party. He’s dressed as Dracula…when are they coming? Where is everybody?” – Matt Jones [11:42]
    • Discussion expands to likability of athletes, referencing an infamous, sad story about Chevy Chase’s Comedy Central roast: none of his friends showed up, and he left in tears.
      • “He just goes home and cries because he expected, like, Bill Murray and all these people to come, and no one came.” – Matt Jones [13:08]
    • Moral: Don’t be a jerk on the way up, or you’ll be alone on the way down.

5. Call-In: NBA Expansion and Louisville’s Chances

• [14:01-16:13]
  • Caller “Will” inquires about NBA expansion after rumors of a potential game in Rupp Arena sparking speculation.
  • Matt clarifies: Expansion most likely to Las Vegas and Seattle; Louisville unlikely due to lack of another major sponsor (besides UPS, Ford).
    • “I actually think Louisville could support an NBA team. But then again their attendance at the U of L games doesn’t help the cause either because no one’s going to the U of L game.” – Matt Jones [15:13]

6. Evaluating Will Wade’s “Daycare” GPA Comment

• [19:03-20:06]
  • Will Wade made headlines: “We have a 3.0 GPA. That’s wonderful, if we run a daycare, but we’re a competitive basketball program.”
    • Debate on whether this trivializes student athlete academics.
    • “He’s…implying that if you have a GPA of three or higher, you can’t be competitive and you can’t be tough?” – Drew Franklin [19:56]
    • Matt draws a parallel to a famous Mark Stoops quote (not repeated out of “respectful” hesitation).

7. UK Basketball Tournament Seeding Prognosis (with Jaden Quaintance and Jalen Lowe Healthy)

• [20:39-22:34]
  • Discussion of Kentucky’s potential tournament seed if new and returning players stay healthy:
    • Consensus: Could move from a projected 9-seed to as high as a 3 or 4.
    • “Those four losses are going to factor in… if they play the way we think…they could get in that 3, 4 range for sure.” – Drew Franklin [21:58]

8. Recruiting Worries, NIL, and JMI Issues

• [23:02-26:46 and 35:09-38:42]
  • Multiple questions from callers and the hosts about UK recruiting challenges, particularly regarding NIL deals “brokered” through JMI (UK’s marketing partner).
  • Concern: Kentucky may lose out on top talent (like Stokes or Collins) due to inability to guarantee both NIL deals and JMI sponsorships simultaneously.
    • “If they don’t get the high school guys, you don’t clean up in the portal, then… changes will have to be made because fans will demand it.” – Matt Jones [24:18]
    • “Pope has not gotten in his entire career a top 40 player not from the state.” – Matt Jones [25:23]
    • The situation is “all perception,” too—missing on top recruits may damage future classes’ confidence in UK’s recruiting operations.

9. Pop Culture Break: Top Streamed Legacy Artists on Spotify

• [27:17-34:23]
  • Matt tests the panel (and audience) on which pre-2005 legacy artists appear in Spotify’s all-time top 80.
  • Correct guesses: Beyonce, Jay Z, Eminem, Coldplay, Lil Wayne, Maroon 5, Shakira, Justin Timberlake, Tupac, The Beatles, Queen.
    • “Did you know that people still listen to Queen like that?” – Matt Jones [30:57]
    • The popularity of older acts often surges due to movies (“Bohemian Rhapsody”) or TikTok trends.

10. Community/Bar Event Programming: World Cup Food Idea

• [32:30-33:51]
  • Matt pitches using the World Cup as an opportunity for KS Bar to host local chefs and serve international cuisine matching daily games.
    • Met with enthusiastic panel support.

11. Mark Pope’s Voice and Coaching Concerns

• [41:29-42:43]
  • Mark Pope is coaching while dealing with significant voice strain/no ability to yell.
    • Reminiscing on how some coaches (like Calipari or Pitino) could never coach without their voice.

12. More Portal Talk: Bryce Hopkins & Aaron Bradshaw

• [42:43-46:20]
  • Updates on former UK players now elsewhere (Bryce Hopkins at St. John’s, Aaron Bradshaw at Memphis).
  • Bradshaw reportedly fined NIL money by Penny Hardaway for tardiness, raising eyebrows on legality/precedent.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Matt Jones teasing seniors about staying up for volleyball:
  “But you know, sometimes even senior citizens got to let their hair down and party.” [03:05]

• Drew Franklin, on Doug Gottlieb’s juggling act:
  “That’s just ridiculous…What are you doing? Well, I got a radio show to do. That's just ridiculous.” [05:17]

• Matt Jones, on Chris Paul’s party flop:
  “He’s sitting there at home, like, at his Halloween party. He's dressed as Dracula...when are they coming? Where is everybody?” [11:42]

• Matt Jones, on the emotional Chevy Chase roast story:
  “And apparently, when it was over, the magazine article says he just goes home and cries because he expected, like, Bill Murray and all these people to come, and no one came.” [13:08]

• Shannon Dawson, on Oliver Rue’s unique capabilities:
  “How is he not the greatest college basketball player of all time? Just throw the ball up in the air, let him catch it.” [07:05]

• Matt Jones on the streaming legacy of Queen:
  “Did you know that people still listen to Queen like that?” [30:57]

Noteworthy Call-In Segments

• Will ([14:01]): Broaches NBA expansion—clarified by Matt that Louisville is unlikely to land a franchise.
• Mark ([22:59]): Middlesborough alum, voices concern about UK recruiting, asks about JMI/NIL impact. Matt acknowledges the issue will only be “fixed” if UK starts landing top recruits or portal targets.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Old Volleyball Fact – Muncie JV Undefeated: [03:37-04:21]
• Doug Gottlieb Dual-Job Fumble: [04:21-05:29]
• 7'9'' Florida Player Debate: [05:29-09:27]
• Chris Paul’s Party/Locker Room Culture: [09:27-13:54]
• NBA Expansion/Louisville Call: [14:01-16:13]
• Will Wade GPA/Daycare Quote: [19:03-20:06]
• NCAA Tourney Seed Discussion: [20:39-22:34]
• UK Recruiting, Portal, NIL/JMI Conversation: [23:02-26:46], [35:09-38:42]
• Spotify Legacy Artists Trivia: [27:17-34:23]
• World Cup Food Idea: [32:30-33:51]
• Mark Pope’s Voice/Wildcats Past Players: [41:29-46:20]

Overall Tone and Style

The show features classic KSR banter and humor—chummy, irreverent, with a serious core on recruiting/NIL but always eager to lighten the mood with music trivia or storytelling. Matt Jones leads as both traffic cop and chief instigator, comfortable poking fun at the bar crowd or his on-air team, while not shying from the issues that keep UK fans up at night (“Can Pope recruit?” “What about JMI?”).

For Listeners Who Missed It

• You’ll learn about the tangible impact of NIL and the unique challenges JMI brings to UK recruiting.
• You’ll hear thoughtful debate about how real-world likability impacts both pro athletes and comedians.
• If you like musical/pop-culture sidebars, you'll get some trivia for free.
• There’s a lively, community-driven atmosphere with both light and serious UK basketball talk.
• The anxiety and hopefulness of Wildcat fandom is well-represented.
• And you’ll leave with a solid list of which Queen songs you should be embracing on your next playlist.