Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) – Hour 2

Date: January 5, 2026
Host: Matt Jones & the KSR Crew (Shannon, Mario)
Podcast Theme: Latest news and spirited commentary on University of Kentucky (UK) Sports, with focus on men's and women’s basketball, the closing of a Lexington institution, and Matt Jones’ experience broadcasting the New Orleans Bowl.

Episode Overview

This episode blends nostalgia, deep-dive sports analysis, and humorous storytelling. Matt Jones and crew revisit foundational Kentucky experiences—like the closing of Tally Ho—while also critically dissecting the current state of UK men’s basketball and celebrating a historic women’s basketball win. Matt also reflects on broadcasting the New Orleans Bowl for ESPN, touching on nerves, preparation, and behind-the-scenes surprises from the world of live sports commentary.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Tally Ho’s Closing – End of a Lexington Institution

[04:38 - 08:12]

• Immediate reactions to Tally Ho’s sudden closure; described not just as a restaurant, but as a rite of passage and an institution for students, notably from the ‘90s to 2012.
• Nostalgic stories: late-night runs, famous faces spotted (Tayshaun Prince), and the limited dining scene of the era.
• The unique campus ritual involving Tally Ho, Two Keys, and the now-closed CD Central.
  Quote:
  • “Nobody that went to UK from 1993 to 2012 did not go to Tally.” – Matt Jones ([06:31])
• The shifting vibe as the campus commercial landscape changed, especially after Tally Ho relocated from Limestone.

2. Matt Jones’ ESPN Bowl Game Broadcast Experience

[08:12 - 19:02]

• Matt describes the New Orleans Bowl as the most nerve-wracking thing he’s ever done, even more so than his ESPN TV debut.
• Preparation details: Practicing calls, learning player backstories, and even weird town trivia (e.g., Hattiesburg’s origin story, nuclear testing).
• Revealed Secrets: Coaches privately tell announcers their planned trick plays and lineup changes before the game, fundamentally changing how Matt now understands Tony Romo-style predictions.
• Booth Challenges: Difficult sight lines in the Superdome (“people look like ants”), delayed monitors, dealing with live injuries (“kill seven minutes of airtime” with no field reporter). Notable Quote:
  • “I was proud of myself and it was a good...by the end, we were pretty good. We had some rough points. I get it. But I knew how hard I worked on it.” – Matt Jones ([16:53])

3. UK Men's Basketball – Fan Frustrations and Coaching Critiques

[22:35 - 28:47]

• Caller Susan initiates discussion about recurring slow starts and reliance on in-game “data gathering” over preparation, linking this to coach Mark Pope’s strategies. Quote:
  • “This getting down by double digits...has been consistent through the Pope era...the first half is just for gathering data.” – Susan ([22:35])
• Concerns about in-game adjustments, recruiting struggles, and a mysterious lack of player and staff accessibility under Pope.
• Unique aspect: Matt highlights that he and media know less about current staff than at any other point in his KSR tenure.

PR Disconnect

• Despite expectations that Pope (a UK alum) would relate well to fans, the crew expresses bafflement at his current aloofness.

4. Coaching Decisions & Family Frustrations

[29:19 - 31:43]

• Only one minute played by what Shannon and Matt agree is UK’s best five-player lineup—deemed “coaching malpractice.”
• Social media “chirping” by parents/relatives of top recruits (e.g., Jasper Johnson, Jaden Quaintance) is becoming public, threatening future recruiting and locker room harmony. Quote:
  • “Your two highest profile recruits already have family members complaining about the situation. That’s tough.” – Matt Jones ([31:14])

5. UK Women's Basketball – Historic Win

[32:00 - 33:42]

• Celebrates Kentucky’s women upsetting LSU in Baton Rouge, described as potentially their top regular-season win, even as the team faces a key player’s injury. Quote:
  • “Had a huge win when you were gone…to win on the road at LSU, one of the perennial powers out there dressing like...that’s the win.” – Matt Jones & Shannon ([32:01])

6. Sports Oddity – Texas A&M’s Scoreless Streak

[34:18 - 36:32]

• Recap of Texas A&M women’s basketball failing to make a single field goal for the last 19:41 of regulation and OT vs. Georgia; only free throws scored. Quote:
  • “That has to be one of the craziest stats I’ve ever seen.” – Matt Jones ([35:59])

7. Basketball Analytics & Coach Nate Oats' Comments

[36:42 - 38:10]

• Alabama coach Nate Oats is praised for using analytics strategically—breaking down UK’s assists against good/bad teams to set a successful game plan. Quote:
  • “That’s what analytics are supposed to be. That’s why Nate Oats is a great coach.” – Matt Jones ([37:43])

8. Caller Insight on Pope’s Mindset

[38:19 - 39:43]

• Caller Isaac draws a parallel between job pressure and Pope’s recent behavior, sympathizing with how pressure can affect demeanor and adjustment.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Tally Ho Nostalgia: "That was the vibe...Tuesday night...they would release new CDs at CD Central...it was like, you got to have a party with those people..." – Matt Jones ([07:04])
• Behind-the-Scenes ESPN: "These coaches tell you the trick plays they're gonna run. Now, you can't say...but the announcers know." – Matt Jones ([10:23])
• Announcing Nerves: "This is not my skill set. But I'm gonna get through this...just by sheer willpower." – Matt Jones ([08:23])
• On Mark Pope: "I don't know Mark Pope. I don't really understand him at all. So it's hard for me to know what's going through his mind." – Matt Jones ([27:47])
• On Analytics: “If Nate Oats knew that, we should have known. And if we know, then I would wonder, Shannon, why have we not corrected?” – Matt Jones ([38:03])

Lighthearted & Human Moments

• Booth Bifocals Joke: “Uncle Matt’s gotten a little older...readers on, readers off...maybe you should get bifocals.” – Matt Jones ([15:00])
• Doofenshmirtz in the Booth: “It was so nice to see Doofenshmirtz join the broadcast booth...” – Shannon, after Matt geeked out during a random trivia segment ([15:52])
• Standing Up to Racism at an Islanders Game: Matt recounts (with humor) intervening when a fan made a racist remark at a security guard and nearly resulted in a confrontation:
  • “I tried to make a joke. That didn’t hit.” – Matt Jones ([47:39])
  • “Shannon, trying to end racism. That’s all I was trying to do.” – Matt Jones ([48:15])

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Time | Segment Description | |-------|--------------------| | 03:14 | Show start, rundown of live shows/events | | 04:38 | Tally Ho closing discussion and campus nostalgia | | 08:12 | Matt’s New Orleans Bowl broadcasting story | | 22:35 | Fan call: Kentucky men’s basketball slow starts | | 24:28 | Caller: Concerns about Mark Pope, recruiting, PR | | 29:19 | Lineup decisions and parents vocally criticizing coaching | | 32:00 | Kentucky women’s basketball’s big win and injury | | 34:18 | Texas A&M women’s basketball stat oddity | | 36:42 | Nate Oats’ analytics/planning vs. Kentucky | | 38:19 | Caller draws parallels between job stress and Pope’s psyche | | 43:03 | Matt’s story: Stopping a racist confrontation at an Islanders game | | 49:50 | Predictions: Can UK beat Missouri? Coaches' show expectations |

Closing Thoughts

The episode paints a vivid picture of UK sports culture and the current mood among fans. It highlights nostalgia and tradition, celebrates the challenges and triumphs of live broadcasting, and scrutinizes the present and future of UK basketball under Mark Pope. Through listener calls and candid discussion, the show maintains its signature blend of analysis, storytelling, and humor.

For listeners:
Whether you’re a diehard Cats fan, a UK alum nostalgic for late nights at Tally Ho, or just interested in behind-the-scenes sports commentary, this episode offers engaging stories and honest debate—all in the lively, playful spirit of KSR.