Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) – Hour 1/Half Hour

Date: December 23, 2025
Hosts: Ryan Lemond & Jack Pilgrim
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts and Sports Talk 790 (WKRD-AM)

Episode Overview

This special half-hour episode of Kentucky Sports Radio features Ryan Lemond and Jack Pilgrim filling in for Matt Jones, who's away to call his first-ever college football bowl game for national radio. The KSR crew delivers updates and commentary on Kentucky basketball, football, and volleyball, while infusing the show with festive holiday spirit and local flavor. The episode blends sports insights, behind-the-scenes observations, and a touch of pre-Christmas chaos, as Lexington and its fans ramp up for both the upcoming Kentucky vs. Bellarmine basketball game and the holiday rush.

Key Discussion Points

1. Christmas Eve/Early Basketball Game Atmosphere

• Schedule & Crowd ([02:33 – 03:52])

  • The day features a unique, early 1:00 PM Tuesday tip-off at Rupp Arena for Kentucky vs. Bellarmine.
  • Holiday games draw big crowds: Many families give tickets as holiday gifts or attend together when they’re back in town.
  • Bellarmine's local connections are expected to energize the crowd.

  “...these games at Rupp Arena before Christmas usually has a really good crowd because the people come in for the holidays. Maybe mom and dad gives somebody gives their family the tickets.”
  – Ryan Lemond (03:34)

2. Matt Jones’ Play-by-Play Debut

• Matt’s Role and Nerves ([04:18 – 05:14])

  • Matt Jones is in New Orleans to call a college football bowl game on national radio.
  • The crew jokes about how he practiced ‘whisper’ play-by-play on flights.
  • Both hosts express support but note it’s understandable to be nervous ahead of a big broadcast.

  “I can tell you he’s legit a little nervous about it... Once you get going you’ll settle in.”
  – Ryan Lemond (04:51)

3. Holiday Preparations and Family Traditions

• Festivity & Procrastination ([05:33 – 07:31])

  • Jack Pilgrim loves Christmas, wears a Santa sweater, and decorates right after Halloween.
  • The magic of Christmas is revived for Jack through his two-year-old son Billy’s excitement about decorations.
  • Both hosts admit to last-minute holiday shopping—Ryan especially.

  “This is the first Christmas that Billy, my two-year-old, grasps it.... When you get older as a kid, it’s the most magical thing in the world. And then... the kids bring it right back.”
  – Jack Pilgrim (06:16)

4. Kentucky Volleyball’s NCAA Tournament Run

• Season Review & Loss to Texas A&M ([07:31 – 09:38])

  • Hosts reflect on Kentucky’s runner-up finish, with Jack noting momentum shifts and tough self-inflicted errors in the loss.
  • They praise the team for an exciting season, even though it ended short of a championship.

  “Momentum is just so real in volleyball where it’s just one point turns into three and turns into five.... Sometimes you just gotta give credit where it’s due. Texas A&M just steamrolled the entire field.”
  – Jack Pilgrim (08:50)

5. Kentucky Football and Will Stein Era

• Staffing, Recruitment, and Portal Strategy ([09:54 – 13:20])

  • Jack believes new offensive coordinator Will Stein brings positive vibes and high expectations to UK Football.
  • Discussion about the challenges of last-minute recruiting:
    • Will Stein is compared to Mark Stoops in building a program from the ground up and "selling the dream."
    • Hosts discuss whether to hope Oregon (Stein’s current team) wins their bowl game, with both agreeing that long-term momentum and attention will help UK recruiting more than an early start to Portal season.

  “I go back to when Stoops first got hired and just kind of selling the dream. Like, hey, we don’t have anything to work with right now, but come believe in me and let’s... make something special.”
  – Jack Pilgrim (10:44)

6. Will Stein’s ‘Christmas List’: Needs for UK Football

• Roster Priorities ([17:56 – 19:49])

  • Stein needs ‘studs’—particularly wide receivers and a reset on the offensive line.
  • With all five offensive line starters departing (mostly seniors), rebuilding the O-line is critical.
  • Hosts also discuss bringing back existing talent and hitting the Portal for upgrades.

  “Hit reset on that receiver room. Bring back the talent from last year... go find a true wide receiver number one.”
  – Jack Pilgrim (18:10)

7. Mitch Barnhart’s (Athletic Director) Christmas List

• Expectations and Program Direction ([19:49 – 21:02])

  • Barnhart needs his recent football and basketball hires (Will Stein, Mark Pope) to succeed—these are "legacy hires."
  • For basketball, there’s a push to deliver a championship-tier roster, given increased NIL investments.
  • Barnhart’s public comments before Christmas indicate strong financial backing for the coaches; now, the pressure is on results.

  “We are holding up our end of the bargain, Pope. Now it’s on you to make sure that the $22 million roster you put together is a championship quality one.”
  – Jack Pilgrim (20:43)

8. Kentucky Basketball Mood: From Low Point to Resurgence

• Recent Roller Coaster ([21:02 – 23:21])

  • The mood among fans improved dramatically after wins over Indiana and St. John’s, following a low after the Gonzaga loss.
  • Cites DeMarcus Cousins’ criticism of team effort on social media and Mark Pope’s candid postgame reaction.
  • Jack sees effort, passion, and “diving for loose balls” as the new hallmark of the team, making them easy to root for again.

  “That product was totally inexcusable... when you have DeMarcus Cousins publicly tweeting, 'These guys don’t have [heart]’... So when you hit rock bottom in that way... compared to what has made these last two games so enjoyable...”
  – Jack Pilgrim (21:20)

9. Gambling Lines and Injury Updates

• Bellarmine Game Predictions & Player Health ([23:21 – 25:29])
  • Kentucky is a 35.5-point favorite over Bellarmine; both hosts advocate "hammering" the spread.
  • Jalen Lowe will likely sit out the Bellarmine game to rest his shoulder with a long break before the next SEC game.
  • Jack advocates caution: “Wrap him in bubble wrap... Don’t let him get touched.”

10. Holiday Game Crowds and KS Bar & Grill Scene

• Local Flavor ([25:41 – 26:09])

  • KS Bar & Grill is open early and busy for the game.
  • Holiday games bring new faces and festive energy, both at the bar and in Rupp Arena.

  “It’s kind of rare. We don’t do it all the time... A lot of new faces here. That’s what’s kind of cool about these holiday games.”
  – Ryan Lemond (25:48)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I’m the dude that puts my Christmas decorations up on November 1st... but December just flew by, man. It just feels like we snapped our fingers and it’s here.”
  – Jack Pilgrim (05:33)

• “You gotta have—whoever it is—have somebody to throw the ball to... Not having kind of a go-to superstar on the outside. I’m pushing all my chips on the best receiver Will Stein can get his hands on.”
  – Jack Pilgrim (18:03)

• “When you have DeMarcus Cousins publicly tweeting, 'these guys don’t have [heart]'... and you have Mark Pope at the podium saying, hey, I’m a former player too, and I’d be mad at the coach... So when you hit rock bottom in that way—not just the score, but how they got there—compared to what has made these last two games so enjoyable... They’re easy to root for again.”
  – Jack Pilgrim (21:18)

• “Wrap him in bubble wrap and shove him away... Do not let him get touched for the next 14 days... Keeping him healthy is priority number one for Mark [Pope].”
  – Jack Pilgrim, on Jalen Lowe (23:37)

Timestamps Overview

| Segment | Start | End | |-------------------------------------------|-------------|--------------| | Early Game & Holiday Atmosphere | 02:33 | 03:52 | | Matt Jones’ Play-by-Play Debut | 04:18 | 05:14 | | Holiday Festivity & Traditions | 05:33 | 07:31 | | Kentucky Volleyball NCAA Tourney Recap | 07:31 | 09:38 | | Will Stein & Football Portal Strategy | 09:54 | 13:20 | | Will Stein’s Christmas Needs | 17:56 | 19:49 | | Mitch Barnhart’s Hopes/Pressure | 19:49 | 21:02 | | Kentucky Basketball Emotional Rollercoaster | 21:02 | 23:21 | | Gambling, Bellarmine Preview, Injuries | 23:21 | 25:29 | | KS Bar, Crowd, and Closing | 25:41 | 26:09 |

Final Thoughts

This episode is a snapshot of Kentucky sports fandom in late December—holiday spirit mixing with sports passion, hope for new coaching hires, excitement for bowl games and basketball turnarounds, and the familiar Kentucky tradition of supporting the Big Blue through highs and lows. The hosts’ camaraderie and regional pride shine through, making it a feel-good, informative listen for UK fans and anyone enjoying the festive pulse of college sports in Kentucky.