Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) Hour 1 – December 22, 2025

Podcast: Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR)
Hosts: Matt Jones, Ryan Lemon, Drew Franklin
Date: December 22, 2025

Episode Overview

In this lively episode of Kentucky Sports Radio, Matt Jones and the KSR crew broadcast from foggy New Orleans on the eve of the New Orleans Bowl. The primary focus is Kentucky’s electrifying basketball victory over St. John’s, a game that signaled a potential turning point for the Wildcats’ season. Matt and company break down the resurrection of Kentucky’s roster with the return of Jalen Lowe and the debut of Jaden Quaintance, discuss concerns about depth and shooting, debate basketball etiquette, touch on the volleyball team's recent championship loss, and revel in the rowdy energy of Big Blue fans traveling for games. The hour showcases optimism mingled with practical concerns as the hosts weigh Kentucky’s prospects going forward.

Key Discussion Points

1. Setting the Scene: New Orleans & Kentucky Basketball (03:03–06:32)

• Matt Jones checks in from New Orleans, excited for the bowl game and reminiscing about previous Kentucky trips to the city.
• The main headline is Kentucky’s statement basketball win over St. John’s, a game that reinvigorated hopes for a previously disappointing season.

2. The Game-Changer: Jalen Lowe and Jaden Quaintance (05:00–12:30)

• Jalen Lowe’s Return from Injury
  • Lowe’s comeback from a first-half injury was the emotional and tactical fulcrum of the game:

    “All of that changed the second half when Jalen Lowe decided to come back in after his injury... Ended up winning by 19 points in the second half... Made it exciting. The possibilities endless, the ceiling raising.” — Matt Jones (05:00)

  • Both Matt and Ryan say they thought Lowe was done for the day, if not the season, and praise his toughness:

    “Then the kid comes back, just tells me everything I need to know about that kid. So tough, kind of struggled early, but then he turned it on when he needed to.” — Ryan Lemon (06:47)

• Jaden Quaintance’s Debut
  • Quaintance’s physicality and energy electrified the Wildcats, drawing comparisons to Shaquille O’Neal:

    “Do we have Shaq on this team? I mean, the way he was throwing those down...” — Drew Franklin (07:41)

  • His defense and offensive rebounding were immediate difference-makers:

    “He made Zubi look like a fool... he defended with no help, there was no reason to help.” — Matt Jones (08:13)

• Impact on Team Roles and Chemistry
  • The duo’s availability lets other players settle into more natural roles:

    “All of these guys... get to be in their actual role. Otega gets to be the secondary scorer... Cam Williams is shooting open threes instead of contested threes...” — Matt Jones (10:15)

  • Williams is highlighted as a key X-factor off the bench.
  • The “run” lineup (Lowe, Away, Williams, Diabate, Quaintance) receives special praise, even if it isn’t “on paper” the best offensive group (12:11).

3. Analysis, Optimism, & Realism: Is This Team for Real? (12:30–16:05)

• The crew tempers excitement with caution:
  • Backup Point Guard & Shooting Remain Issues:

    “I’m still worried about not having a backup point guard... just walking a thin line right now with health. But if [Lowe] can somehow stay healthy... they can be special.” — Drew Franklin (14:45) “We’re still a shooter short, right? I still worry that we’re going to play a team that makes a lot of threes and we don’t have guys that can match them.” — Matt Jones (15:11)

  • Lowe’s health will be the nerve-wracker all season:

    “I'm gonna be sitting there all year like... ‘please don’t get hurt, please don’t get hurt, please don’t get hurt.’ That’s how I’m going to be with Lowe all season long.” — Matt Jones (15:26)

  • Cam Williams’ emergence as a shooter and Chandler’s need for confidence are discussed.

4. Lowe’s Injury Saga & Player Toughness (16:11–21:58)

• Extensive discussion on Lowe’s courage returning from injury, compared with previous Kentucky point guard cases:

  “You know, we had a point guard not long ago that had had a little injury and then set out the rest of the season... Severe? That one.” — Ryan Lemon (16:22, 16:36)

• Matt recounts nearly tweeting that Lowe should stay out before learning he was warming up:

  “I had just written a tweet that was like, well, Jalen needs to be selfish and just not play. And then they wrote me and they're like, he's warming up. And I thought, no, he's not. Like, I was shocked.” — Matt Jones (16:11)

• The team’s current 3PT shooting woes (4-for-16 vs. St. John's, i.e., 25%) are noted as unsustainable but more palatable when Lowe orchestrates.

5. Listener Feedback & Atmosphere Reports (26:37–28:44)

• Callers who traveled to Atlanta describe a sea of blue and an “electric” environment, amplifying the psychological ups and downs of Lowe’s injury and Quaintance’s emergence.

  “The line was just ridiculous to get into the place... Just, you could feel the air just leave the stadium [when Lowe went down].” — Caller Scott (27:02)

6. The Blow-By Handshake: Patino vs. Pope Postgame Etiquette (23:00–24:36, 28:59–30:09)

• The crew speculates on Rick Pitino’s terse postgame interaction with Mark Pope.

  “I thought it was weird. I mean, normally... they would have some sort of embrace... it was a little weird, didn’t you?” — Matt Jones (23:16)

  • Patino’s sarcastic in-game interview and possible anger at a late Kentucky basket are discussed, but consensus is, “If you’re pressing, expect opponents to play to the whistle.”

    “If they're pressing and you break the press, you score... What happened to playing to the end?” — Matt Jones (29:08)

7. Fan Experience & Rupp Arena Comparison (31:17–50:08)

• CBS vs. ESPN crowd audio balance is noted; CBS’s product is preferred:

  “CBS is a much better product, but... there were moments where I even thought, like, I don't... I can't tell you one thing Bruce Pearl said.” — Drew Franklin (31:17)

• Traveling UK fans are celebrated for their passion in Atlanta and Nashville, contrasting with a sometimes subdued Rupp Arena:

  “I almost would rather play them in Atlanta, Nashville because the crowd is so much better down there.” — Matt Jones (48:47) “That's why it's so exciting.” — Ryan Lemon (49:26)

  • Playing neutral-site games in Atlanta or Nashville annually is floated as a way to capture this energy.

8. Final Four Ceiling—or Just Hope? (24:36–25:25)

• The show agrees the second-half performance against St. John’s offers legitimate hope, but caution is warranted due to roster construction and potential injuries:

  “Now, I guess what I would say, right, is I do think now there’s hope, and that is what is exciting, because I don’t know if I thought there was hope until right now.” — Matt Jones (24:36)

9. Other Notables and Briefs

• Breaking News:

  “Bill Belichick has hired Bobby Petrino as his offensive coordinator.” — Matt Jones (25:32)

  • The crew reacts with shock and humor, calling it a “clown show.”
• Kentucky Volleyball:
  • The team’s sweep loss to Texas A&M in the championship is mourned, but optimism for continued success under Coach Skinner is strong (43:52–46:03).
• Coaching Show Call-Ins:
  • A caller asks why Kentucky’s basketball show doesn’t take live calls anymore, which Matt bluntly attributes to coaches dodging tough calls when things “go bad” (36:16–36:33).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Lowe and Quaintance’s Impact:

  “Watching Low and Quaintance on the court at the same time, you got a sense now... it was electric.” — Matt Jones (05:00)

• On Jalen Lowe’s NBA Potential:

  “I gotta be honest, I never thought he was going to be an NBA guard. Second half showed me he's an NBA guard.” — Ryan Lemon (09:51)

• On Concerns About Team Construction:

  “Still worried about not having a backup point guard... walking a thin line right now with health.” — Drew Franklin (14:45)

• On Traveling Kentucky Fans:

  “If you promise me we get to control the tickets, I almost would rather play them in Atlanta, Nashville because the crowd is so much better down there.” — Matt Jones (48:47)

• On the Blow-By Handshake:

  “I thought it was weird. I mean, normally... they would have some sort of embrace...” — Matt Jones (23:16) “I don't think Patino would have been mad at that because he was pressing... Pope tried to stop Diabate from scoring.” — Drew Franklin (29:46)

• Caller Story:

  “My car decided to catch on fire on the side of I-75... but we made it to Atlanta, and we won.” — Austin, caller (37:28)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:03 – Matt’s New Orleans update; Kentucky’s basketball weekend
• 05:00–12:30 – St. John’s game breakdown: Lowe’s return, Quaintance’s emergence, lineup shakeups
• 13:10–16:05 – Discussion: defensive potential, depth issues
• 17:10–17:37 – Lowe’s effect on shooting, concerns about lack of shooters
• 23:00–24:36 – The Pope-Pitino handshake “blow by”
• 27:02–28:44 – Live atmosphere impressions from Atlanta (Caller Scott)
• 31:17–32:03 – Crowd audio discussion: CBS vs. ESPN
• 43:52–46:03 – Kentucky volleyball finishes runner-up
• 48:47–49:26 – The special energy of Kentucky fans in Atlanta/Nashville vs Rupp

Conclusion

The KSR crew finds itself swept up in genuine excitement after Kentucky’s rout of St. John’s, thanks to the rejuvenating efforts of Jalen Lowe and Jaden Quaintance. Surging optimism is seasoned with practical worries about depth and shooting, while road-trip tales and Kentucky’s superior fan environment add color and warmth. Ultimately, the episode underscores a feeling of hope—a sense that Kentucky basketball’s season, once on life support, is suddenly “wide open.”