Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) — Hour 2

Date: January 9, 2026
Host: Matt Jones
Co-hosts: Ryan Lemond, Shannon Dawson
Location: Live at Cornbread Hemp, Louisville, KY

Episode Overview

In Hour 2, the KSR crew dives into University of Kentucky football and basketball updates amid the evolving NIL landscape and player movement, break down what Indiana’s football success means for UK, explore the “studs and value” roster philosophy in the age of revenue sharing and NIL, take listener calls about team history, and have plenty of candid, lighthearted moments—from music video nostalgia to Super Bowl party plans.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Indiana Football’s Success and UK’s Opportunity (02:59—06:47)

• Matt Jones and crew analyze Indiana’s unprecedented run to the college football playoff under coach Curt Cignetti, contrasting it with Kentucky’s history and pointing out that if Indiana could do it, Kentucky can too, especially in the new NIL environment.
• Insight: Indiana’s roster, largely recruited from lower-profile James Madison, made an incredible leap to playoff contention; Jones calls it “maybe the best coaching performance in the history of college football.”
  • “He just brought a group of kids from James Madison, moved to the Big Ten, made the playoffs, and then in the next year has a shot at the national championship. It is, it’s an amazing story.” — Matt Jones (04:24)

The NIL & Rev Share Era: Leveling the Football Playing Field (05:19—06:47)

• Matt explains, “There has never been a moment in the history of Kentucky football, except maybe in the 50s, where Kentucky's got a better chance to be good than now,” emphasizing $17 million in revenue sharing for every SEC team—it’s about finding a good QB and putting talent around him.
• Practical optimism: “You can be Indiana. So I find Indiana kind of inspiring.” — Matt Jones (06:06)
• Crew agrees this is a “win-win” scenario for Will Stein: whether winning or losing as Oregon OC in the playoffs, UK benefits.

Will Stein’s Juggling Act: Oregon OC & Kentucky HC (08:10—09:08)

• Busy schedule: Will Stein is splitting duties between prepping Oregon for the national championship and recruiting/building his Kentucky team.
• “He said, I take that block out of time, out of sleep. Gotta find it somewhere.” — Matt Jones (08:18)
• All express admiration for Stein’s commitment and organizational approach, even with recruiting duties potentially impacting immediate player commitments.

UK Football’s New NIL Philosophy: Studs and Value (09:20—15:17)

• Detailed insight into Kentucky’s strategy: assigning every player a precise NIL value and refusing to overbid for role players, while making clear exceptions for “studs” at key positions.
• “Ryan Lemon is a $225,000 player and I'm going to offer him $225,000... If he comes in here and asks for $300,000, I'm gonna say no.” — Matt Jones (10:50)
• They’ll overpay for essential QBs, centers, and top receivers, but “the rest, we got to get value.”
• Contrast with Ohio State and Louisville: Big spenders pay for entire rosters; Kentucky and peers focus big money on 6–17 cornerstone players.

Listener Calls: NIL and UK Basketball History (15:18—38:32)

NIL Minutes Guarantees (15:22—16:44)

• Caller asks: Are certain players guaranteed minutes due to NIL deals (esp. via JMI)? Matt and cohosts firmly deny ever hearing of guaranteed minutes being part of any NIL arrangement.
  • “I would be shocked if that existed.” — Matt Jones (15:44)

KSR Crew Music Video Nostalgia (16:03—17:03)

• Quick aside about Matt’s cameo in a Laura Bell Bundy music video, shifting the tone to playful KSR inside jokes.

Stat of the Day: Kentucky Basketball SEC Struggles (33:36—38:26)

• Caller Stephen shares sobering historical context:
  • In 93 years, Kentucky has had a sub-.500 SEC record only THREE times (66–67, 88–89, 2020–21).
  • Memorable stat: “Since the ‘48–‘49 season, Kentucky has never won fewer than eight SEC games.”
  • If UK wins fewer than 8 this year, “that’s another record—I don’t think Mark (Pope) wants.”
• Crew reflects on growing possibility of a historically poor season.
  • “If they lose tomorrow night, seasons—I’m not gonna say it’s over, but it’s over.” — Matt Jones (37:11)

NFL Playoffs: Picks & Banter (21:32—25:04)

• Rapid-fire picks and predictions for the upcoming NFL Wild Card Weekend.
• Notable moment: Playful Bears vs. Packers banter between Shannon (Packers) and Matt (Bears).
• Unique stat: “This is the only time I can ever remember… any game, anyone could win. I don’t think that’s ever been like that before.” — Matt Jones (21:54)

Super Bowl Party Invitations & KSR at the Super Bowl (25:04—27:33)

• Matt celebrates KSR going to the Super Bowl—invited to VIP events at Shaq’s and Sports Illustrated’s parties courtesy of KSR listeners. Playful speculation about which KSR team member will shine (or flounder) amidst celebrity company.

Louisville Poaching UK Players & Vince Marrow’s Influence (28:24—29:28)

• Louisville signs six former UK players, all recruited by Vince Marrow.
• Crew finds it odd Louisville wants so many from an underperforming UK roster, but acknowledge Vince’s pull.

Dress Codes in Sports: Gimmick or Discipline? (29:28—33:28)

• Debate: Should teams have dress codes for players arriving at games?
  • Ryan Lemond: “In this day and age, I don’t know if you can force guys that are making millions.”
  • Matt Jones (pro-dress code): “It’s a job where you show professional… you are representing your franchise, the city. Especially in the pros.”
  • Shannon: “Why do you have to dress up to a game to put on an oversized shirt and a helmet if you’re a hockey player?”

TV Ratings: Sports Dominate 2025’s Top 100 Broadcasts (41:28—45:03)

• 85 of the top 100 most-watched TV broadcasts in America last year were NFL games; 9 were college football.
• Non-football events: State of the Union, Oscars, Game 7 of World Series, NCAA basketball title, inauguration, and Kentucky Derby.
• NBA notably absent from the list.

UK Basketball Team Mysteries and Rotation (45:08—48:09)

• Caller Mark asks if Trent Noah is “waiting for something”—metaphorically likened to The Matrix.
• Jones and crew admit they’ve never felt so baffled by a UK team’s struggles.
  • “This one baffles me. I don’t know why, I don’t know why we’re so bad.” — Matt Jones (46:43)
• Further debate over why some shooters, like Noah and Jasper, aren’t given more court time when shooting is lacking.

Mississippi State Game: Must-Win Mode (47:34—end)

• All three hosts agree UK must win the next basketball game vs. Mississippi State or the season outlook looks dire.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Indiana’s turnaround:
  “You can make a strong argument it’s the best coaching performance in the history of college football.” — Matt Jones (04:08)
• On NIL roster building:
  “We will overpay for studs. Because you win with studs.” — Matt Jones (12:45)
• On historical context of SEC records:
  “If we lose tomorrow night with the schedule that’s still to come… I mean, you can’t lose that game.” — Matt Jones (37:17)
• On dressing up for games:
  “I think a Detroit Red Wing is the same as the President of the United States.” — Matt Jones, jokingly (32:21)
• On KSR Super Bowl party invites:
  “The person in charge listens to this show… We got an invite for the four of us… VIP status for both events.” — Matt Jones (25:16)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Indiana Football Discussion & Will Stein: 02:59–09:08
• UK Football NIL/Roster Philosophy: 09:20–15:17
• Listener: NIL guaranteed minutes?: 15:18–16:44
• UK Basketball SEC History & Sobering Stats: 33:36–38:32
• NFL Playoff Picks & Super Bowl Invitations: 21:32–27:33
• Debate: Dress Codes in Sports: 29:28–33:28
• US TV Broadcast Ratings: 41:28–45:03
• UK Basketball: Noah, Current Team Mysteries: 45:08–48:09
• Mississippi State Game, Season Prognosis: 47:34–end

Tone & Style

The hour is fast-paced, witty, and blends deep insider sports knowledge with accessibility for average fans. The crew maintains a conversational, authentic Kentucky flavor, with Matt often steering discussion into both strategic insights and local color.

For those who haven’t listened:
This episode is a must for Kentucky fans wanting to understand how the new NIL era is shifting possibilities for “middle-class” programs, hear the latest on coaching transitions, and get context on how rare this year’s basketball struggles are. The KSR crew provides crucial facts, optimism, and the fun banter that keeps Big Blue Nation tuning in.