Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) – Episode Summary
Date: January 8, 2026
Host: Matt Jones & KSR Crew
Podcast: KSR (iHeartPodcasts and Sports Talk 790 WKRD-AM)
Location: KS Bar and Grill
Episode Overview
In this somber Thursday edition, Matt Jones and the KSR team grapple with the aftermath of a Kentucky basketball loss and escalating doubts about Coach Mark Pope’s tenure. The group also touches on upcoming Super Bowl broadcast plans, vent frustrations about team culture, examine roster construction, and take calls from passionate UK fans. The conversation is candid, laced with gallows humor, and full of the familiar camaraderie and straight-talk KSR listeners love.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Super Bowl Trip “Tease”
Timestamps: 00:34–02:27
- KSR’s NFL “Cover Zero” podcast will broadcast from “radio row” during Super Bowl week, but not stay for the main event.
- “They're going to send us to super bowl week, but not to the Super Bowl. We have to come home before the Super Bowl.” – Matt Jones (01:14)
- Crew jokes about being excluded from the big game but invited to parties.
- KY vs. Arkansas game timing overlaps with the trip.
2. Kentucky Basketball’s Recent Loss – Deep Dive
Timestamps: 03:41–16:12
- Matt Jones frames the latest Missouri loss as the "swing game of the season," expressing concern Kentucky may now miss the NCAA tournament.
- Brutal statistics:
- Mark Pope's SEC record is now below .500, “worse than Billy Gillespie” at the same career point.
- “At least six, and I think maybe eight players on this roster make more money this season than Elly De La Cruz is going to make this season.” – Matt Jones (04:39)
- Critique of player attitudes post-loss (e.g., social media behavior) and lack of improvement among key returnees.
- Mark Pope’s postgame demeanor finally shifted, sounding “like himself.”
- “Somebody had to have said something because he did sound like himself.” – Matt Jones (06:13)
Critical In-Game Errors
Timestamps for Missouri game breakdown: 06:45–09:36
- Poor late-game execution wasted an 8-point lead with 4:15 left.
- “You gotta win that game.” – Ryan (06:45)
- Coach Dennis Gates of Missouri outmaneuvered Pope with timeouts and set plays.
- Specific mistakes: bad shots, turnovers, missed layups (OA listed as shooting just 63% on layups).
- Defensive lapses and questionable play-calling (e.g., reliance on Malachi Moreno).
State of the Program: What’s Gone Wrong?
- The offense is stagnant/inept in the half court.
- “On offense in the half court. It’s pitiful.” – Matt Jones (11:11)
- Lack of shooters; too many bigs recruited; key players haven't taken steps forward.
- “He recruited too many big guys at the absence of shooters... We do not need five of those guys. Do you agree?” – Matt Jones (14:26)
Mark Pope's Future & Fan Tolerance
- Matt revisits his “rule” – historically avoid hiring former players as head coaches due to clouded judgment.
- Group questions whether Pope deserves more “grace” for being a former player.
- “You are. But do you do that because he played here...?” – Matt Jones (18:40)
- Scenarios played out:
- If they turn it around, Pope is safe.
- If they barely make the tournament or flame out, many would want him back but grumble.
- If they collapse (e.g., only win 3 SEC games), a coaching change might be necessary.
3. Fan Calls & Community Reactions
Key Segments: 27:01–41:56
- Football: Concern over “settling” for a lesser quarterback, but Matt argues a top-10 QB recruit is rare territory for UK:
- “If we were to come in 10th in football, first of all, we’d make the playoff. Everyone would lose their mind.” – Matt Jones (30:17)
- Basketball Nicknames:
- “This team... are the Unwatchables.” – Caller David (31:44)
- Culture Critique:
- Frustration about lack of buy-in (“you’ve been with these guys for 7 months and can’t get them to buy into your system” – Caller Scoop, 38:32)
- Matt pushes back on “kids today only care about money,” citing high-spending successful programs elsewhere.
- Social media behavior (selling hats/posting highlights after losses) called “a culture problem, and that’s a coaching problem.” – Matt Jones (41:52)
4. Notable Quotes & Moments
- “Mark Pope now has a worse record at this point in his career than Billy Gillespie. That’s also not acceptable.” – Matt Jones (04:39)
- “Six players, maybe eight, make more than Elly De La Cruz... On this team!” – Matt Jones (05:04)
- “If Jalen Lowe decided he hadn’t needed to have surgery and couldn’t play. Do you think we would win another SEC game?” – Matt Jones (10:27)
- “No offensive execution whatsoever.” – Ryan (32:20)
- “Would you hire that guy if he didn’t play here? It’s always been my rule.” – Matt Jones (17:12)
- “It never occurred to me we would be this bad.” – Matt Jones (21:12)
- “This is maybe the worst [home] loss they've had [outside COVID and South Carolina].” – Matt Jones (22:11)
- “One of the highlights... Coach Pope dropped an F-bomb, I think, on camera... Do you like the name for when he does that as Dark Pope?” – Matt Jones (24:32)
- “He recruited too many big guys at the absence of shooters.” – Matt Jones (14:26)
5. Humor & Memorable Sidebars
- “We can’t even stay in the same city... we’ll be covering zero of the Super Bowl” – Matt Jones riffing on their “Cover Zero” podcast (01:45)
- Cameos from “freezing cold takes” Twitter account – both Ryan and Tyler Thompson (25:04)
- Debates about the longest shot ever made at Rupp Arena (25:59–26:54)
- “I try to explain everything like I’m talking to Ryan” – Matt Jones jokes about simplifying news and sports explanations for his cohost (35:05)
6. Reds Baseball Updates
Timestamps: 36:01–38:03
- Reds opt out of TV deal – games may be available free via MLB app for some, but uncertainty remains.
Important Timestamps
- Super Bowl Radio Row Discussion: 00:34–02:52
- Missouri Game Breakdown / Team Issues: 03:41–16:12
- Mark Pope Tenure & Fan Grace: 16:12–22:42
- Notable Fan Calls: 27:01–41:56
- Reds TV News: 36:01–38:03
Conclusion
This KSR hour captures the frustration and soul-searching of Kentucky fans after a deflating loss, placing sharp focus on Mark Pope’s tenure, recruiting/the roster, and the culture around the program. The show is vintage KSR: honest, self-deprecating, and deeply connected to its listener community—ready to laugh, vent, and argue about the Wildcats' fate.