Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) – Hour 12

Date: December 29, 2025
Hosts: Ryan Lemond & Drew Franklin
Location: Lexington Catholic High School (White, Greer & Maggard Holiday Classic)

Episode Overview

This episode of KSR focuses on Kentucky high school basketball action at the White, Greer & Maggard Holiday Classic, recaps Matt Jones’ first-ever national radio play-by-play for the New Orleans Bowl, and covers a wide range of UK news and sports stories. Ryan and Drew share behind-the-scenes media insights, discuss notable coaching hires, Kentucky basketball nostalgia, volleyball’s transfer portal shakeup, and take calls from UK fans about the current state of Kentucky sports.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. White, Greer & Maggard Holiday Classic: High School Hoops Update

[03:00 – 04:15]

• Ryan and Drew are broadcasting live from Lexington Catholic, previewing the day's games — including Woodford County vs. McCracken County in the consolation game.
• Key finals to watch: Boyd County with star player Jacobs Spurlock (Youngstown State commit, averaging 36 ppg).
• Interesting anecdote about a rain delay caused by water leaking from AC vents inside the gym.

Notable Quote:
"William said it was raining in the gym coming out of the air conditioning vent."
— Ryan Lemond [03:45]

• Discussed Mr. Basketball showdowns: Reed Davidson (North Laurel, Liberty commit) vs. Jonathan Moss (Davis County, recruitment reopened post Chattanooga decommittment; Maryland rumored interest).

2. Matt Jones’ ESPN Radio Play-By-Play Debut

[04:29 – 10:38]

• Matt Jones did national play-by-play for Western Kentucky vs. Southern Miss in the New Orleans Bowl on ESPN Radio.

• Both hosts praise Matt’s performance:

  • "You could not tell that was his first ever." — Ryan Lemond [05:27]

• Drew admits Matt sounded excited, “on fire,” especially in the first half—a different, energized version of Matt.

• Behind-the-scenes: The first 8 minutes weren’t broadcast due to a previous game overrunning, leaving Matt and co-host Myron calling “to no one” without realizing it.

• Matt’s extreme preparation:

  • "He said it's the most he's prepared for anything he can really remember... there's never been a play by play guy that has done more prep." — Drew Franklin [08:26]

• Coaches reveal details to play-by-play announcers, sharing trick plays and even lineup changes in private meetings.

• Game context: Western Kentucky started transfer QB Maverick, info Matt had to keep secret during coach meetings.

• The fast pace of play made it hard to keep up with stats and spotting.

Notable Quote:
"Of all the stuff we've been around him doing, that's the most nervous he's ever been. I think the most anxious and nervous he's ever been."
— Ryan Lemond [11:20]

3. College Sports Coaching Carousel: Utah to the Bluegrass

[12:03 – 13:42]

• Michigan hires Kyle Whittingham (Utah), while Kentucky basketball is now led by Mark Pope (byu).
• Discussion of a “Utah takeover” in major programs.
• Drew finds Michigan’s Whittingham hire logical given the timing, though jokes he was “secretly rooting for (Jeff) Brohm just to blow up Louisville.”
• Ripple effects if Brohm had left Louisville for Michigan—local coaching carousel speculation.

4. Lane Kiffin and SEC Drama

[13:35 – 14:42]

• Lane Kiffin makes headlines attending LSU’s bowl game in a leather jacket, leaving early — sparking controversy.
• Kiffin’s dual loyalty (still earning bonuses from Ole Miss) adds complexity.
• Looking forward to the Kiffin-LSU visit to Kentucky next season: "Ole Miss will be fun next season." — Drew Franklin [14:32]

5. Kentucky Basketball: The Return of Denim Uniforms

[18:28 – 21:36]

• Mark Pope announces UK will wear the iconic (and controversial) denim uniforms on Feb 7 against Tennessee, nearly 30 years after their debut.
• Nostalgia and fan excitement high, though the original reception was mixed-to-negative.
• Drew reminisces about owning all the denim swag as a kid and is excited for their return.

Notable Quote:
"The slogan was 'it ain't the denim, it's what's in them' because people didn't like it."
— Ryan Lemond [20:17]

• Anecdote about Rick Pitino's press conference: "That's the worst question I've ever gotten in my 21 years of coaching." — Rick Pitino (quoted by Drew Franklin) [20:24]
• Mark Pope thrived statistically in those games; now hopes the “denim magic” rubs off this season.

6. NBA Big Blue Connections: Reed Sheppard’s Emergence

[22:22 – 25:40]

• Caller compares Reed Sheppard’s synergy with Houston Rockets big man Alperen Şengün to the legendary John Stockton–Karl Malone duo.
• Drew: “A little insulted... they had to explain John Stockton to me!” [23:23]
• Reed Sheppard’s rise: from 13th region Kentucky high school tournaments called by KSR, to chest-bumping Kevin Durant as an NBA starter — surreal for the hosts.
• Sheppard’s initial defensive struggles; now becoming a legit NBA contributor.

7. Kentucky Football Transfer Portal & Roster Moves

[25:50 – 27:41]

• Fans express concern about QB depth for next season: backup Oregon QB Austin Novosad rumored to be entering the portal, with Kentucky a potential landing spot.
• Priorities for Kentucky: Offensive line rebuild and possibly adding a backup QB behind Cutter Boley.
• Budget constraints referenced for transfer market needs.

8. UK Volleyball: Transfer Portal Shakeup

[31:06 – 33:22]

• Craig Skinner’s volleyball squad retains most key players, but loses Eva Hudson (major contributor) and depth player Brook Baltimore, who transferred to archrival Louisville.
• Host and fan frustration over roster movement between UK and Louisville.
• Added Morgan Gardy (All-American Honorable Mention, Notre Dame), expected to fill outside hitter spot — “Skinner’s answer to losing Hudson.”
• Hudson goes pro, signing in Atlanta.

9. Local Rivalries and Staff Transfers: Kentucky & Louisville

[33:22 – 33:50]

• Ongoing back-and-forth of coaches and staff between Kentucky and Louisville across sports—"it's getting weird."
• Further jokes about never “playing nice” with Louisville.

10. Hosts' Personal Corners: Hamilton Review

[34:12 – 37:34]

• Ryan attends Hamilton in Cincinnati as a Christmas gift for “Yoga Gal,” his partner.
• Discussion about following the plot, the price of tickets, and favorite songs/characters (“Helpless”; The King and Thomas Jefferson named as standouts).
• Both hosts admit to being big fans of musical theater, especially KSR’s Hamilton aficionados.

11. NFL and Holiday Observations

[44:02 – 47:49]

• Recap of recent Bears and Chiefs games, highlighting thrilling matchups and major franchise transitions.
• Matt’s Bears put up a fight against San Francisco; Chiefs dynasty possibly ending, Kelsey’s potential last game at Arrowhead.
• Ryan recalls his dad’s frustration over repeated Kelsey close-ups in broadcast.

12. KSR Schedule & Community Announcements

[48:02 – 49:47]

• KSR will air from KSBar on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday this week; “best of” episode Thursday.
• Upcoming Quiz Night at KSBar (moved to Tuesday due to New Year's Eve).
• Hosts share gratitude for Lexington Catholic’s hospitality and preview more high school hoops.
• Plans to recap 2025 on upcoming shows.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Matt Jones' debut:
  “Of all the stuff we've been around him doing, that's the most nervous he's ever been.”
  — Ryan Lemond [11:20]

• On denim uniforms nostalgia:
  “The slogan was ‘it ain't the denim, it's what's in them’ because people didn't like it.”
  — Ryan Lemond [20:17]
  (Rick Pitino, 1996: "That's the worst question I've ever gotten in my 21 years of coaching.” [20:24])

• On Reed Sheppard’s NBA leap:
  “My brain still can't grasp the NBA starting point guard playing with Kevin Durant version of Reed Shepherd.”
  — Drew Franklin [24:23]

• On volleyball transfers:
  "I don't necessarily like us trading stuff with Louisville... it's getting weird."
  — Ryan Lemond [33:22]

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Time | Segment Description | |-------------|-----------------------------------------------------| | 03:00-04:15 | White, Greer & Maggard Holiday Classic preview | | 04:29-10:38 | Matt Jones' ESPN Radio play-by-play recap | | 12:03-13:42 | Michigan & Kentucky coaching hires; Utah connection | | 13:35-14:42 | Lane Kiffin, LSU, & SEC scheduling drama | | 18:28-21:36 | UK’s Denim Uniforms nostalgia | | 22:22-25:40 | Reed Sheppard, NBA and caller comparison | | 25:50-27:41 | Kentucky football transfer portal talk | | 31:06-33:22 | UK Volleyball roster changes & transfer news | | 34:12-37:34 | “Hamilton” review and musical discussion | | 44:02-47:49 | NFL, Chiefs/Bears recaps and broadcast woes | | 48:02-49:47 | Show schedule, community announcements, wrap-up |

Final Thoughts

This episode is a classic blend of Kentucky athletics fandom, local sports coverage, and laid-back banter—with nods to nostalgia, media industry tidbits, NCAA’s coaching carousel, and the enduring richness of Lexington’s sports community. Ryan and Drew’s dynamic captures the true spirit of a holiday-week KSR, satisfying listeners with both updates and entertainment for any Kentucky fan or casual sports radio enthusiast.