Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) – December 29, 2025 – Hour 1
Host: Drew Franklin & Ryan Lemond (Matt Jones & regular crew on holiday break)
Location: Live from Lexington Catholic High School, during their annual Holiday Classic basketball tournament
Episode Overview
This hour of KSR features Drew Franklin and Ryan Lemond holding down the fort during the holiday week, broadcasting live from Lexington Catholic High School. The show covers a recap of the UK Basketball’s recent win over Bellarmine, discussion about the UK Football program, current events affecting the hosts personally, and lively banter about Kentucky high school tournaments, gifts, and memorable moments. With much of the regular crew off, Drew and Ryan keep the tone relaxed, candid, and a bit self-deprecating, aiming for an engaging, community-focused hour.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Return from Holiday Break & Personal Updates
- The KSR team reconvenes after an unusual five-day break, the first live show since the postgame Bellarmine coverage.
- Personal updates:
- Ryan shares that his family had a unique Christmas, skipping regular gift-giving due to expecting a baby, and caring for his mother who underwent surgery.
- Drew reveals that Matt Jones’ dad is also recovering, while his own father faces health issues.
- Mutual gratitude for the listener community’s support and the “prayer chain” for their families.
- “...your mom means a lot to us. Matt's dad Larry, going through some stuff... just kind of all hit me all at one time.” – Drew Franklin [06:24]
2. Live from Lexington Catholic Holiday Classic
- Drew and Ryan set the scene from Lexington Catholic’s gym, observing the ongoing high school basketball tournament, and reminiscing about memorable alumni (e.g., Elton Brand, Rajon Rondo, Reed Sheppard).
- Behind-the-scenes: coaches running practice just off-mic as they discuss the event’s legacy.
- Fun fact: Brandon Stockton was recruited by Tubby Smith after a huge performance at this very tournament.
3. Kentucky Basketball Recap: Bellarmine Game (UK’s Last Game)
- Main storylines:
- Cam Williams’ breakout performance: 8 three-pointers on 10 attempts, “the Cam Williams we’ve been waiting to see” [08:14].
- “He was my MVP pick. The MVP run that I'm on this season is truly historic.” – Ryan Lemond [08:36]
- Discussion of lineup: Williams’ emergence forces Coach Pope’s hand to get him more minutes, possibly even start.
- Otega almost had a triple-double: 10 rebounds, 8 assists.
- Concerns linger about Kentucky’s defense: Bellarmine had early offensive success, which is concerning.
- “Whatever is happening early on in these games, we gotta get that fixed.” – Ryan Lemond [11:17]
- General conclusion: Bellarmine was a weird ‘holiday game,’ but the defense still bears watching.
- Cam Williams’ breakout performance: 8 three-pointers on 10 attempts, “the Cam Williams we’ve been waiting to see” [08:14].
Notable Quotes:
- “He just doesn’t miss in practice...we saw it against Bellarmine, what they're talking about now.” – Drew [09:14]
- “Bellarmine did whatever they wanted to do on offense... Kentucky’s defense had problems the entire game.” – Drew [10:34]
4. Mark Pope’s Fan Engagement
- After the Bellarmine game, Coach Mark Pope led the entire team to a suite in Rupp Arena for an impromptu autograph session for fans who stuck around—a big hit with out-of-town/holiday ticket holders.
- “Another win for Pope with the fan base.” – Ryan [14:49]
5. High School Holiday Classic Talk
- Reminiscing about famous players and games in the tournament’s 30+-year history (including Rondo, Miller, Lofton, and Elton Brand).
- Updates on current tournament matchups:
- Today’s schedule, analysis of teams and players—Lexington Catholic vs. Boyd County, Davis County vs. North Laurel, Woodford vs. McCracken.
- Shoutout to standout players, including Mello Boone (now at Western Kentucky) and Jonathan Moss (Davis County, Maryland offer, Mr. Basketball candidate).
6. UK Football News
- Biggest off-season news: Ty Bryant is staying at Kentucky, despite major offers (“big time money”) from other SEC schools.
- “If you're going to bring somebody back, he was already a leader in the locker room...” – Ryan [25:12]
- Overview of coaching changes:
- New special teams coach Parker Fleming, coming from Oregon (with Stein) and previously at Ohio State.
- Some ongoing uncertainty about his exact title on staff.
- General optimism about bringing in staff from winning programs.
7. Will Stein (UK OC) Still with Oregon
- Listener calls in to comment on the attention Kentucky is getting while new OC Will Stein remains with Oregon during the playoffs.
- ESPN using Stein’s face for playoff coverage, frequent TV shots—a recruiting and publicity win for UK.
- “...he is the header image on ESPN.com... quotes from him about how he couldn't leave Oregon, but... he's wearing two hats as they finish the playoff here.” – Ryan [34:14]
- Hosts acknowledge they’d prefer Stein to be in Lexington recruiting but appreciate the spotlight.
8. Point Guard Depth Concerns
- Discussion of Kentucky’s lineup: with Jalen Lowe out vs. Bellarmine, Aberdeen and Jasper handled PG duties ably (Aberdeen: 4 threes, Jasper: 7 assists, 1 turnover).
- General agreement that, while it worked vs. Bellarmine, backup point guard is a season-long concern.
- Debate over whether UK should bring someone in mid-season (hosts generally against it).
9. Listener Engagement & Community Commentary
- Multiple references to listener texts, calls, and board posts:
- Compliments about the background “shoe squeaks” of live basketball practice: “...it's like CBS in the background... like we're pumping in bird noises on at the Masters.” – Drew [28:18]
10. Fun Notes & Gift Exchange Banter
- Extended, lighthearted discussion about what gifts NFL QBs bought their O-lines and how Dak Prescott may have gone “too cheap.”
- Shoutouts and gentle ribbing for UK’s rivals:
- Pat Kelsey (Louisville) pranked at Christmas with a UK license plate cover.
- Reed Sheppard (now a Houston Rocket) pranked with a UofL shirt, which he tossed.
- “He opened it up, wadded it up, shot it in the trash can.” – Drew [49:17]
11. Miscellaneous and Local News
- Earthquake in Garrard County – lighthearted complaints about Kentucky’s wild weather and underreported earthquakes.
- Tournament updates; shoutout to Rajon Rondo’s son, Pierre, playing as an eighth-grader.
Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps
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On being left to run the show:
- “I distinctly remember a meeting where we all can’t leave at the same time. And now this is twice in one calendar year where everyone's just...left me behind.” – Ryan Lemond [03:43]
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On the crowd at Rupp for the Bellarmine game:
- “It's a different crowd at these December games when school's out...if all our home games, people that would appreciate it the most, that was probably the one.” – Ryan [14:49]
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On Cam Williams’ emergence:
- “Whatever it takes, give him an opportunity. I didn’t foresee him go off quite like he did...” – Ryan [08:36]
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On UK’s defense:
- “Whatever is happening in the early on in these games, we gotta get that fixed.” – Ryan [11:17]
- “Are we really kind of a bad defensive team at times?” – Drew [11:38]
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Listener shoutouts:
- “...your mom means a lot to us. Matt's dad Larry, going through some stuff...just kind of all hit me all at one time.” – Drew [06:24]
- “Happy birthday, Rory. Happy third birthday, and thanks for listening KSR…” – Drew [44:09]
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On holiday NBA locker room gifts:
- “Aaron Rodgers got his offensive line off road vehicles valued at $20,000.” – Ryan [45:59]
- “Dak Prescott got his offensive line Maida glasses valued at $500.” – Ryan [47:07]
- “Even Josh Allen... got everyone on his line... a quarter of a cow and a brand new grill.” – Ryan [47:56]
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Reed Sheppard’s NBA Christmas:
- “The Rockets pranked gift all their players and gave Reed a U of L T shirt... He opened it up, wadded it up, shot it in the trash can.” – Drew [49:17]
Important Segment Timestamps
- [02:30] – Show kicks off after break, personal/family updates
- [04:47] – Recap of hosts’ Christmases; health updates for families
- [08:14] – Bellarmine game recap: Cam Williams’ big night, team defense worries
- [14:22] – Mark Pope’s team/fan autograph session after Bellarmine win
- [19:45] – Deep dive: Lexington Catholic Holiday Classic history, alumni, current tournament
- [24:46] – Start of UK Football talk: Ty Bryant staying, coaching staff news
- [33:19] – Listener call: Will Stein publicity, point guard depth discussion
- [44:09] – Listener birthday shoutout; segue into holiday pranks and NFL gift exchange
- [49:06] – Reed Sheppard NBA prank; hour closes
Conclusion
In a relaxed, local, and community-oriented hour, Drew and Ryan mix Kentucky hoops and football analysis with personal updates, high school basketball pride, and fan interaction. The main stories center on Cam Williams’ breakout and depth concerns for Kentucky basketball, Ty Bryant’s importance to Kentucky football, and the cheerful chaos of the holiday sports calendar. Listeners are kept in the loop with game recaps, team news, and playful gift discussions, making this episode a well-rounded post-holiday catchup full of Kentucky sports flavor.