2026-01-12- KSR - Hour 1

Summary

Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) – January 12, 2026, Hour 1

Host: Matt Jones
Co-hosts: Drew Franklin, Ryan Lemond, Shannon Dawson
Location: Lexington Studio

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Episode Overview

This edition of KSR dives deep into the latest surrounding Kentucky basketball, reflecting on a much-needed win after a rocky stretch, fan reactions (including some eyebrow-raising booing at Rupp Arena), candid debates on player performance and team dynamics, and a surge in optimism for Kentucky football’s transfer portal haul. Matt and the crew blend humor, insight, and local flair, making it a must-listen for UK fans aiming to catch the pulse of the Kentucky sports landscape.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Kentucky Basketball: Bouncing Back After a Crisis

• After a difficult loss to Missouri and a rocky first half against Mississippi State, Kentucky pulled away dramatically in the second half, ultimately winning by 24 points.
  • [06:04] Matt Jones: "Kentucky gets a much needed victory ... It looked bad. Started down 12. Jalen Lowe gets hurt. Jaden Quaintance doesn't play ... Then they start sharing the basketball ... a heck of a team in the second half."
• Major lineup adjustments by Coach Pope (Diabate benched, shooters favored at the four) led to improved ball movement and offensive flow. Moreno and Yellowvic had notable performances off the bench.
• Debate over the crowd’s significant booing in Rupp Arena after a sluggish start—seen as surprising and premature by the hosts, yet a sign of pent-up fan frustration:
  • [08:03] Matt Jones (on booing): "It's a little bit of premature boojaculation ... it was a little early to boo."
  • [08:52] Matt Jones: "It just felt like there were more people booing than I would've thought at a RUP home game."
• The crowd shifted from booing to actively willing the team to recover, especially after football OC Will Stein appeared on the jumbotron, which seemed to rejuvenate the atmosphere.

Lineup Insights & Player Dynamics

• The transparent benching of Diabate due to fit (clogs the paint, lacks shooting threat) was a major turning point. Hosts speculate that the team may be better going forward without Diabate in the main rotation, despite his early-season contribution as an enforcer:
  • [11:46] Matt Jones: "I do wonder if they're going to be better with him on the bench because they just shoot better. Diabate crowds the paint ... I don't know if it works."
  • [12:56] Ryan Lemond: "There are multiple examples ... last three or four games, yelling at an assistant or a teammate when they cut to the bench."
• Injuries continue to plague the team:
  • Jalen Lowe’s repeated shoulder injuries may likely sideline him for the season, with Drew and Matt both voicing support if he opts for surgery and rehab.
  • Quaintance’s absence sparked fan theories, with Drew joking about "conspiracy theories" and the impossibility of spelling "Quaintance" correctly ([16:00]).

Team Chemistry Rumblings

• The hosts candidly question the team’s cohesion and off-court relationships:
  • [27:19] Matt Jones querying Mario: “Do you think they get along? ... Not really.”

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2. Player Pronunciation Drama & Family Moments

• Debate erupts over how to pronounce Malachi Moreno’s surname. The definitive answer comes from his mother, who calls into the postgame show radiating joy and clarifies it’s “Moreno”—contradicting UK’s own public address ([22:27]):
  • [22:28] Matt Jones: “She says, Moreno ... Can we all agree his mother is the final definitive source?”
• Humorous attempts by the crew to roll their Rs, highlighting the light-hearted tone.

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3. NCAA Tournament Odds & Schedule Breakdown

• Matt and Ryan map out potential wins and losses down the stretch—concluding 9–9 in the SEC should suffice for a mid-seed NCAA tournament bid ([25:39]):
  • [25:39] Matt Jones: “I think we win. I'm going to say we go nine and nine in conference, get in the tournament. We're like a seven, eight, nine seed, and that's that.”
• Reference to KenPom’s more pessimistic projections, keeping everyone on their toes.

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4. Football Recruiting Surge via the Transfer Portal

• Kentucky football’s transfer portal performance is lauded, highlighting the acquisition of top-ranked linemen and former five-star talents:
  • [39:36] Ryan Lemond: "He [Stoops] has been absolutely killing it so far. Got a lot of it done already with still five days to go."
  • Major pickups: #2 OT, #4 LB, #10 QB in the portal, plus star recruits C.J. Baxter (Texas RB), former #1 high school RB ([40:11]).
• Emphasis on how new talent (if healthy) could quickly elevate the program.

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5. Fun & Memorable Moments

• Booth Banter:
  Mario’s mysterious new Audi prompts playful speculation about side hustles and KSR stardom ([03:04]).
• Calling Out 'Premature Boojaculation':
  • [08:03] Matt Jones: "A little bit of premature boojaculation ... it was a little early to boo."
• KSR Family:
  Sharing of a heartwarming moment when Malachi Moreno’s mother calls the postgame show, beaming with pride and playfully settling the pronunciation debate ([22:27]).
• Home Makeover Comedy:
  Mario’s attempt at creating a TikTok set at Matt's house ends with furniture chaos—Matt returning home, finding his kitchen occupied by a living room chair and furniture everywhere ([41:54]):
  • [44:05] Matt Jones: "I walk into my house Saturday night. He has moved everything I own into a different place."
• Inside Jokes:
  Drew’s “conspiracy theory” bit about Jaden Quaintance’s injury creates running gags about spelling and fan-generated drama ([16:05]).

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6. Discussion on Press Conference Etiquette

• Spirited segment on whether it was appropriate for a Jacksonville journalist to tell a player to “keep your head up” in a postgame Q&A, revealing different perspectives on the line between journalism and human empathy ([30:34]–[32:14]).
  • [31:00] Ryan Lemond: "Because he was getting a nice, positive, inspiring message."
  • [31:12] Matt Jones: "Well, I'm a human at my core."

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7. Listener Interaction & Hot Takes

• Text and call-in discussion covers:
  • Emotional reactions to booing and its meaning for the players ([20:55]).
  • Substitution pattern debates, namely Coach Pope’s tendency to sub in three at once and sometimes ice a hot hand ([36:55]).
  • Calls for more minutes for freshman Jasper Johnson, especially if Lowe is sidelined ([47:25]).

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Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• On the Team’s Comeback Effort:
  “Next thing you know, you think, oh, gloom despair, season’s over. And then they start sharing the basketball ... and they look like a heck of a team in the second half.”
  — Matt Jones [06:04]

• On Fan Booing:
  “It's a little bit of premature boojaculation ... it was a little early to boo.”
  — Matt Jones [08:03]

• On Diabate’s Fit:
  “He just doesn’t fit with what Pope does. I think Pope thought he could be Amari Williams, but that hasn’t really worked out.”
  — Matt Jones [12:28]

• On Moreno Pronunciation:
  “Can we all agree his mother is the final definitive [source]? ... So we say Moreno. If UK has Marie, they’re just wrong.”
  — Matt Jones [22:46]

• On the NCAA Tournament Path:
  “I'm going to say we go nine and nine in conference, getting the tournament. We're like a seven, eight, nine seed, and that's that.”
  — Matt Jones [25:39]

• On Mario’s Audi and Networking:
  “Look at Mr. Audi here. This is what happens when you start making films ... like, how do you even know them, Mario?”
  — Matt Jones [03:40]; [28:05]

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Important Timestamps

| Time | Segment / Topic | |-----------|------------------------------------------| | 03:04 | Opening banter; KSR cast introductions | | 06:04 | Mississippi State game analysis | | 08:03 | Discussion on crowd booing (“boojaculation”) | | 10:14 | Recruiting tactics at UK basketball games| | 11:46 | Diabate benched, team chemistry issues | | 16:00 | Quaintance injury “conspiracy theories” | | 18:10 | Listener feedback on booing | | 22:27 | Moreno name pronunciation, call from mom | | 24:09 | NCAA Tournament projection, schedule breakdown | | 27:19 | Do the players get along? (“Mario, spill the tea”) | | 39:36 | Football transfer portal haul | | 41:54 | Mario’s home makeover for Matt’s TikToks | | 44:49 | Callers on player injuries, future plans | | 47:25 | Jasper Johnson and depth chart |

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Summary Takeaways

• Kentucky basketball showed dramatic improvement in effort and team play after a worrisome stretch, but questions about injuries, rotation, and chemistry linger.
• The fanbase is on edge, as evidenced by rare booing at Rupp, but the crowd’s energy remains impactful.
• Team “fit” and the evolving rotation, especially around Diabate and the injured guards, will define the season’s path to the tournament.
• Kentucky football continues a robust transfer portal strategy, injecting optimism into the offseason.
• The KSR crew remains the pulse of Big Blue Nation, delivering insight with signature wit, candid fan debate, and local flavor.

Transcript

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[Shannon Dawson]

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[Ryan Lemond]

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[Matt Jones]

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[Shannon Dawson]

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[Matt Jones]

Etta May, the queen of Southern Sass, January 15th through the 17th. Then from Hulu and social media, catch Zarna Garg January 23rd and 24th. And from TV the Office and Anchorman don't miss David Koechner. January 30th and 31st. For tickets to all Comedy Off Broadway shows, call 859-271-joke or visit comedyoffbroadway.com Comedy.

[Drew Franklin]

Off Broad.

[Shannon Dawson]

This is Kentucky Sports Radio presented by Stockton Mortgage. Now here's Matt Jones.

[Matt Jones]

Welcome, everyone. It is Kentucky Sports Radio Monday. It is January 12th. I'm Matt Jones here live in the Lexington studio. Drew Franklin is back from vacation. Ryan is here. Mario has a new Audi. Where are you getting that kind of money? I mean, who knows? Shannon, who did you know Mario made that kind of cheddar.

[Shannon Dawson]

No, I need like Mario got one.

[Matt Jones]

Mario walking around. Well, not driving around, walking anywhere. An Audi.

[Ryan Lemond]

I pulled in here with my 11 year old Toyota.

[Matt Jones]

Look at Mr. Audi here. This is what happens when you start making films. You can give shout Clark's puppet shop, phone line 859-280-2287. The Avision Auto Glass Text Machine is 772-774-5254. This dish and sponsored by the TJ Smith Law Office called TJ will make them pay. You know, I mean, to be Mario, they'll be like, you know, 20, mid-20s, you know, famous.

[Ryan Lemond]

You're getting your Instagram name dropped on, on basketball games.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. I mean, your quotes. I mean like, what a life. I mean, when I was in my mid-20s, I was clerking for Judge Caldwell, writing memos and this guy, I had Velcro shoes.

[Ryan Lemond]

When I started ksl, I took the bus.

[Matt Jones]

That was until like four years ago. So.

[Shannon Dawson]

Well, just remember, Matt, the lessons you learn and the growth that you experience is never spontaneous.

[Matt Jones]

That's exactly right. This is never. This isn't spontaneous.

[Shannon Dawson]

You know this by now.

[Matt Jones]

I should have, I should have known it. Yeah, we, we, we're getting excited about the Super Bowl. We now know the parties Nice. And yeah, we're getting ready. We're gonna be leaving the Tuesday before the super bowl and then coming back during the game.

[Drew Franklin]

So when do I need to meet you guys? Get ready to go.

[Matt Jones]

Well, you're not going.

[Drew Franklin]

Oh, I'm not going.

[Matt Jones]

Well, you're not part of the podcast.

[Drew Franklin]

I thought I'd be long to help just carry stuff.

[Matt Jones]

No, you're not going.

[Ryan Lemond]

We don't go on your realtor events different.

[Matt Jones]

We each get our own room.

[Ryan Lemond]

I don't know.

[Matt Jones]

How about that? We each get our own room. Drew, that's exciting.

[Ryan Lemond]

I will say in defensive of Ryan here and Shannon, who I can't see, but in your part, Mario and Billy, unlike their second road trip, getting their own rooms. I feel for the guys that we go.

[Matt Jones]

When we go to the SEC tournament and the NCAA tournament, you will not get your own room. Just so you know, just so we won't forget. Now, for people who want to call the show. Shannon, what is the problem today?

[Shannon Dawson]

Well, they can call, but, like, you and I cannot communicate off the air, which is fine because you and I don't talk off the air anyway. Like, in real life, you and I never talk. That's perfectly.

[Matt Jones]

I don't.

[Shannon Dawson]

I don't see a problem here. It's like, normal.

[Matt Jones]

No, we talk every day off the air, so we can't do that. So you. When people call. Yeah, I would have to hear you talk to them in.

[Shannon Dawson]

In theory.

[Matt Jones]

All right, well, 859-280-20.

[Shannon Dawson]

They may have fixed that part.

[Matt Jones]

Still. Call Shannon. Will. Shannon will put you on.

[Drew Franklin]

But.

[Matt Jones]

And we got a lot of stuff to talk about. Will Stein has been killing it in the portal.

[Shannon Dawson]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Kentucky women get another win. Big KSR announcement this morning, but I think we start with the basketball game ended late into the night on Saturday. And Kentucky gets a much needed victory. Pulls away at the end, ends up winning by 24. But more importantly, just wins. It looked bad. Started down 12. Jalen Lowe gets hurt. Jaden Quadens doesn't play. Ryan's grumpy during the pregame show. Next thing you know, you think, oh, gloom despair, season's over. And then they start sharing the basketball. And they look like a really a heck of a team in the second half. Playing the way we'd hope and win by big margin.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah. After the Missouri loss that I watched on vacation and then that first half against Mississippi State, I considered just hiding forever from you. The temperature of the fan base when I would check in online was not good at all. And then to fall down like they did at home after laying the egg the Wednesday before, I thought we were about to hit rock bottom. But luckily that second half was awesome. They pulled away to. To win big time.

[Matt Jones]

Seemed to me, Ryan, the big difference is they started sharing the basketball. They really Passed. Well, they, they switched the lineup. Diabate to the bench for the most part, putting in guys who could shoot at the four yellow bitch got minutes. Moreno played excellent. Lot of good stuff happened. And then all of a sudden they look like the team that was close to what people wanted it to be.

[Drew Franklin]

I'm as guilty as probably anybody. When they got down 12 and low, left the game and the Boobirds came out, thought, oh no, this is going to be disaster.

[Matt Jones]

What do you think about the buoy?

[Drew Franklin]

I. I've always, I've always. You get it right to boo if you want, but I've always just thought it's a bad look, especially at home. And you're booing the way they were early in the game, like it was middle of the first half.

[Shannon Dawson]

Premature booing. You should never boo your team first five minutes into the game. There's a lot that can happen.

[Matt Jones]

Okay, so premature boojack.

[Drew Franklin]

That's a great way to put it.

[Shannon Dawson]

The last five minutes. Fair enough. But not the first five.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, but it's a little bit of premature boojaculation. Like it was, it was a little early to boot.

[Drew Franklin]

I thought so too.

[Matt Jones]

I mean, and it, you know, for some reason I said this on the post game, it almost bothered me more to boo at Rupp than it did down in Nashville.

[Drew Franklin]

I totally agree with you.

[Matt Jones]

I don't know why it was. Maybe it's because reps runs were there.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

And it was. I will say I was there. It was louder than I thought. It was like, I, like, sometimes the booze sound worse on TV than they are in person because it's not as many people. It was a quite a few people, Drew. I mean, it was, it was more than I would have thought at that stage.

[Ryan Lemond]

I wondered that because I'm usually at home games. I miss maybe one a year and that's one I was watching on tv and I thought, I wish I could be there in this instance specifically to just know if this is a microphone thing or how loud the crowd was.

[Matt Jones]

Still, it's not even half the people. But like normally if you hear booze, maybe it's like 10% or 8%. This was probably more like 15 to 20. I mean, it just felt like there were more people booing than I would have thought in a RUP home game. And I don't like booing. But at the same time, I do agree with Shane. Even if you do, it felt a little early.

[Drew Franklin]

Way too early.

[Matt Jones]

But they did turn it around after.

[Ryan Lemond]

The booing and the crowd was very big. And turning, you could hear them kind of willing them to get it back together.

[Drew Franklin]

Yes, it was a crowd.

[Matt Jones]

They put Will Stein on the, on the big screen. That was like 28, 22 when they put him on the big screen. And next thing you know it was 20, 30 to 29. I mean like they, he turned it around. I think Will Stein being on there, I think Will Stein was partially doing it because he had huge recruits there that the buoy maybe didn't look great.

[Ryan Lemond]

I was very worried about the booing with the football recruits there. Them thinking, do these fans hate their own team? But then when Will Stein got that pop, that showed those players. All right, football's big here too, by the way.

[Matt Jones]

I like already like one of the UK things that they're doing. Did you see their city now recruits directly behind the announcers?

[Drew Franklin]

Oh, I saw that guy.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, that Seneca driver.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Put him right behind the TV announcers so that he would be on screen. Shannon, do you like that?

[Shannon Dawson]

Oh, yeah, of course. Anything you can do to make these guys feel a little extra special, I think you do.

[Matt Jones]

Smart.

[Shannon Dawson]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

You know, Vince used to march them up at the end of the first TV time, like parade them the long way, prayed them wrong. Will was kind of taking them and just walking like meandering by the student section with them, like, ooh, look. And then like the, you know, I think the students would figure out, oh, that's a player. And they'd start yelling, come here, come here. I think they knew which one it was, but they would say that, well.

[Ryan Lemond]

When Cal was bringing in the top dogs, the student section was very good about knowing them, yelling at them, making them feel welcome. We've seen that with football a little bit now to withstand in that group. The student section is big and letting these guys know how bad they're wanted.

[Matt Jones]

So then second half sharing the ball. Otago way plays great. Surprised how well they did without a point guard. You know, had Jasper in for a few minutes. But even like Aberdeen and Chandler, look.

[Drew Franklin]

They played well too.

[Matt Jones]

Everybody looked comfortable. I think though the big thing to say is Diabate didn't play. Looked a little sour in the post game interview. What do you think?

[Drew Franklin]

You're right. They got contributions from everybody that played but Diabate. But they played better with Cam. Wayne was at the full. At the 4. They just played better.

[Matt Jones]

Tabati only played 12 minutes.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah, they were better with, with, with him on the bench and with cam at the 4, they were just better for that game especially. But you know what was crazy? We said in the pregame show. This is why you bring the abate to Kentucky for a game against Mississippi State. A rough tumble didn't happen. Didn't need him.

[Matt Jones]

I do wonder if they're going to be better with him on the bench because they just shoot better. Diabate crowds the paint when you play two bigs, you know, I don't know if it works.

[Ryan Lemond]

I like how tough and physical he was early in the year when they needed it. But the back of my mind was like, this isn't working because they need a shooter. I think that's been the biggest part of the problems with the offense is that for just doesn't have a threat of a shooter. So I agree. You got to go on another as. As good as he is rebounding and that other stuff that you need, it just. I think it really handcuffs everyone with him out there where he can't help spread the floor.

[Matt Jones]

I mean, by the end they were basically playing Cam Williams at the four with yellow Vic is the backup.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

And then Moreno and garrison at the 5. Maybe that's what you just have to do. And then they had Moreno and Garrison together. A couple, which can also work because Garrison has. Has a threat of a three. So does Moreno. I just wonder if, like the abate just doesn't fit with what Pope does. I think Pope thought he could be Amari Williams, but that hasn't really worked out. And he does not look happy.

[Drew Franklin]

No, he didn't look happy.

[Ryan Lemond]

The team looks to be having fun again. But there are multiple examples of him, not just this last game, like the last three or four games. Yelling at an assistant or a teammate when they cut to the bench. He seems to be drawing with someone at least once a game. We get a little glimpse of that.

[Matt Jones]

No, I think that's. I. That had been whispered behind the scenes. It's. You don't even have to be behind the scenes to see it now. You can see. See that issue now. Low. Do you think he just shuts it down?

[Drew Franklin]

I won't be shocked if he does. I mean this.

[Matt Jones]

I wouldn't blame him.

[Drew Franklin]

I wouldn't either.

[Matt Jones]

That's three times.

[Drew Franklin]

Third time he's gone down. And when he came out this time and it was in a sling underneath his warmup, you know, you could tell.

[Matt Jones]

Okay, this didn't even put his arm through.

[Drew Franklin]

Didn't put his arm through his hoodie. So I won't be shocked. I mean, we're going to miss him for sure, but they played pretty well without him offensively.

[Matt Jones]

He gave me a Little home, though. I still think long term, that's going to be hard. But at the same time, I. I wouldn't blame you.

[Drew Franklin]

I wouldn't either.

[Matt Jones]

I mean, you know, he ran, like, he literally ran directly to the locker room even before the play was over. Like, he knew it hurt. It's got to be painful, Drew. You know, it'll hurt us. But I would understand if he decided not to do it.

[Ryan Lemond]

This is the second time in what, four or five games where minutes into it, he runs to the locker room.

[Matt Jones]

And, like, if you watch very innocuous looking plays. Yeah, yeah.

[Ryan Lemond]

I'm also watching. On Mondays, the players usually do the press conference. It's been that way all year. Two players, early week. Pope at the back end of the week. Pope's doing today's, which just, you know, got some antennas up. Like, why is Pope doing Monday? Does he have news to share that he doesn't want, you know, Cam Williams or Brandon Garrison to have to sit up there and talk about? So I wonder if there is going to be an update during the Monday press conference since Pope's doing it.

[Matt Jones]

You may be right now. Acquaintance didn't play. You were grumpy in the pregame show.

[Ryan Lemond]

I've heard rumors of that. What happened in the pregame? I keep hearing whiskey. What was going on?

[Matt Jones]

No one heard it except, like, because Mario was out flirting with the people at the restaurant and Shannon and Billy were not on it, so. Well, Billy was doing the thing, but it was really just me and you and you. You were. You were being grumpy. You were. You were yelling, and it was. It was not like people were very upset. I was trying to calm you down.

[Drew Franklin]

I was just. We had conversation, and I was taking the conspiracy theory side of the. Of the discussion. It was just a discussion.

[Matt Jones]

You were also like. Like, the people were checking wellness checks with you. Like, are you. So what was happening?

[Drew Franklin]

Nothing. I was just taking the side.

[Matt Jones]

You were like, planes wasn't gonna play anymore.

[Drew Franklin]

I. That's. The conspiracy theory is his, but I.

[Matt Jones]

Think you created it.

[Drew Franklin]

No, no, it's out there. I didn't create it. I just brought it up.

[Matt Jones]

Where is it?

[Drew Franklin]

You know, you just go to jadenquaints.com. it's all over the place.

[Matt Jones]

I haven't been to jadenquaintance.com.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah, it's there.

[Matt Jones]

How would you. For. How would you spell Quaintance?

[Drew Franklin]

Well, you can Google it, but if.

[Matt Jones]

You were to tell me Q. Okay, then what? You all right?

[Drew Franklin]

A.

[Matt Jones]

All right.

[Drew Franklin]

I.

[Matt Jones]

Okay. N. Okay. T All right.

[Drew Franklin]

E, N, C, E. Almost.

[Matt Jones]

Dang it.

[Drew Franklin]

So close.

[Matt Jones]

Hey, that's gonna get you to a broken web page.

[Shannon Dawson]

If you type that in, it takes you to GoDaddy.com.

[Matt Jones]

But that's the problem. That's the conspiracy theory.

[Drew Franklin]

That is.

[Matt Jones]

He went to Jaden. Quaint tense.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

And that was the problem.

[Ryan Lemond]

Now, that guy might not be playing, I don't know, Jaden. Quay tense. But quay tense, I'm hoping still plays a little bit.

[Drew Franklin]

So, Drew, what I brought up was the fact that he's announced he's not going to play. Days after his dad was very vocal on social media about being upset.

[Matt Jones]

Mark Pope was very clear. Just swelling.

[Drew Franklin]

Yep.

[Matt Jones]

So unless Pope doesn't know. But I just thought you were very concerned. Then you were, like, ranting about his press conference and, like, it was just. It was just a weird first segment. Then you calm down. I got you a tater keg. And things were better discussions.

[Drew Franklin]

I think that needed to happen on the pregame show, and we wanted.

[Matt Jones]

Was it?

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Okay.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah.

[Ryan Lemond]

I hate that I missed it.

[Matt Jones]

Well, he was. He was worked up. 859-280-2287. All right, now Shannon can answer the phones. Text machine. 772-774-5254. Do you have more optimism after this game? Are you certain we're going to make the tournament? That's my next question. We returns ksr.

[Mike De la Rocha]

A new year doesn't mean erasing who you were. It means honoring what you've survived and choosing how you want to grow. It means giving ourselves permission to feel what we've been holding and knowing that it's okay to ask for help. I'm Mike De la Rocha, host of Sacred Lessons. This podcast is a space for men to talk openly about mental health, grief, relationships, and the patterns we inherit but don't have to repeat.

[Matt Jones]

Here.

[Mike De la Rocha]

We slow down, we listen. We learn how vulnerability becomes strength and how healing happens in community, not in isolation. If you're ready to let go of what no longer serves you and step into the air with clarity, compassion, and purpose, Sacred Lessons is your companion on your healing journey. Listen to Sacred Lessons with Mike Delaroche on America's number one podcast network, iHeart. Follow Sacred Lessons with Mike De la Rocha and start listening on the free iHeartRadio app today.

[Matt Jones]

Hi, I'm Dr. Priyanka Walley.

[Shannon Dawson]

And I'm Hari Kondabolu.

[Matt Jones]

It's a new year, and on the podcast Health Stuff, we're resetting the way we talk about our health, which means.

[Shannon Dawson]

Being honest about what we know, what we don't know, and how messy it can all be. I like to sleep in late and sleep early. Is there a chronotype for that or.

[Matt Jones]

Am I just depressed? We talk to experts who share real experiences and insight. You just really need to find where it is that you can have an.

[Drew Franklin]

Impact in your own life.

[Matt Jones]

And to start doing that, we break down the topics you want to know.

[Shannon Dawson]

More about sleep, stress, mental health, and.

[Matt Jones]

How the world around us affects our overall health. We talk about all the ways to keep your body and mind inside and out healthy. We human beings, all we want is connection. We just want to connect with each other.

[Shannon Dawson]

Health stuff is about learning, laughing, and feeling a little less alone.

[Matt Jones]

Listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Drew Franklin]

Hola, I'm Jorge Ramos.

[Matt Jones]

This week on the Moment, we take.

[Shannon Dawson]

A look at Venezuela's uncertain future in.

[Matt Jones]

A conversation with two people who have directly advised US Presidents, Juan Gonzalez during.

[Drew Franklin]

The Obama and Biden administrations.

[Matt Jones]

We're really good at invading countries. We're very bad at nation building and.

[Shannon Dawson]

Carlosillo during Trump's two terms. I can guarantee you that nobody in the Trump administration likes Del C. Rodriguez.

[Drew Franklin]

Listen to the Moment with Jorge Ramos.

[Shannon Dawson]

And Paola ramos on the iHeartRadio app.

[Matt Jones]

Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. You know, we always say new Year, new me, but real change starts on the inside. It starts with giving your mind and your spirit the same attention you give your goals. Hey, everybody, it's Michelle Williams, host of Checking in on the Black Effect Podcast Network. And on my podcast, we talk mental health, healing, growth and everything you need to step into your next season whole and empowered New Year. Real you listen to Checking in with Michelle Williams from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome back. It is Kentucky Sports Radio, 859-280-2287. Text Machine 772-7745254. One person writes Matt. People now give immediate feedback. That's just what happens sometimes. The team needs to hear that we do not approve of their play. All right, slow down. I mean, you can do it. I don't think that, like, the team needs it. I don't think the team is like, you know what? I'd be interested in what the fans think about how we're playing right now, but I mean, I don't. That's a different question than whether you're allowed to express it. I'm not going to. I think you're. I'm not going to say, you know, what the team needs is to hear me, but I don't know that that's the case.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah. And if you're just booing when you're unhappy, you could find a stretch of just about every game where you're disappointed in how they're playing for a few minutes. I think Saturday, that was mostly lingering from the Missouri loss. The way that ended there, a lot of that was still pent up. They wanted to let that out on Saturday and let them know after that rough start.

[Matt Jones]

Well, first rates. Matt, One of my favorite moments of the post game show ever happened on Saturday night when Moreno's mom called.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah, I heard that.

[Matt Jones]

That was great.

[Drew Franklin]

That was cool.

[Matt Jones]

Very into the show. Like, very into the show. A caller had called and said, it's Malachi Marino. Stop saying Moreno. And I did not think that could be true because it's. It's M O R E, N O. So where's the re? It's re plus. That just seemed to me how from like a Spanish Hispanic perspective you would say it. So we kept debating it. And then his mom called in and she was like, very. She was full of joy.

[Drew Franklin]

She was.

[Matt Jones]

She had already. Shannon kind of got mad at me earlier for. Because she said when he was a junior in high school, I said I didn't know if he was good enough to play here, which I did.

[Shannon Dawson]

Mama's listening.

[Matt Jones]

Careful. And I didn't mean it. Yeah, but Junior then. But then I said, look, I was an idiot. And she laughed. So then she called the post game show and she was. She was delightful. And she said, moreno And I still had people. This goes to show I studied people write the text machine arguing. I'm like, I think she would know.

[Ryan Lemond]

So she cleared it up.

[Matt Jones]

She says, Murray. Now, apparently at the UK Games, they say Marie, but it is Marie. So the UK announcer is actually incorrect. It's Moreno. But the UK official guide says Moreno.

[Ryan Lemond]

That's what I'm pulling up right now. They always have the pronunciations in there.

[Matt Jones]

So they have it wrong.

[Drew Franklin]

I've heard it both ways his whole life.

[Matt Jones]

I mean, can we all agree his mother is the. Is the final definitive.

[Shannon Dawson]

That's her name.

[Drew Franklin]

Mama. Mama dictates what we go with.

[Matt Jones]

So we say mar. If UK has Marie, they're just wrong. Did she.

[Ryan Lemond]

I'm looking at it right now. They do have Marie in the official program.

[Matt Jones]

UK is wrong. Mom says, Shannon, it's Moreno.

[Shannon Dawson]

Do you have to roll the R I'm being told that she's roll your.

[Matt Jones]

R. When I tried to do it, she said I sounded Italian. Well, try that mo.

[Drew Franklin]

It is kind of Italian.

[Matt Jones]

That's very, very Italian.

[Shannon Dawson]

Marino, Marino. Marino.

[Ryan Lemond]

Did you do it?

[Matt Jones]

Wow, those are both very good. Can you do.

[Ryan Lemond]

Top.

[Shannon Dawson]

You need anybody to say the name. Just have Ryan or I do it.

[Matt Jones]

But I can't roll the R. I just have to make it Italian.

[Ryan Lemond]

It always held me back in Spanish 1.

[Drew Franklin]

It does sound like Italian. I tell you what, that dude came to play those Saturday nights. A good thing. He came because it came to play because they needed.

[Matt Jones]

He played great.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah, he did.

[Matt Jones]

I think whatever his stat line was, it was like 17. 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals. Only two players in UK history had ever gotten it shake Il. Just Alexander and Rajon Rondo.

[Caller]

Yeah.

[Ryan Lemond]

Eight rebounds. He was, you know, he's still a little way to go to get to triple double. But those are. I can get a triple double number. So it's not too far off that he could get in that conversation.

[Matt Jones]

All right, so we're going to make the tournament.

[Drew Franklin]

I'm jury still out in my book.

[Shannon Dawson]

Specify which tournament, NIT or ncaa?

[Matt Jones]

Ncaa.

[Drew Franklin]

Because here's why I'm saying that if Jalen Lowe is out for the year and acquaintance knees going to bother him like this, I'm still the jury's out. I'm not going to decide.

[Matt Jones]

So I said before the game we need to go 8 and 8 the rest of the year to make turn. We got one win. So we need to find seven wins. Okay, can you find them? Somebody pull up the schedule. Let's pick. All right, all right. Just give me, give me the games.

[Ryan Lemond]

Well, we have LSU in Tennessee this week. Both road games.

[Matt Jones]

LSU win, Tennessee loss. So I've got one win, then two home games. Texas, Ole Miss win, win. There's three.

[Ryan Lemond]

Then back on the road two games. Vandy.

[Matt Jones]

Arkansas, loss, loss.

[Ryan Lemond]

Vandy. So good. Back home for two games. Lot a lot of two game swings. Oklahoma and Tennessee.

[Matt Jones]

All right, Tennessee is going to be a swing game. We got to win one of the two Tennessee games. That'll get us to five.

[Ryan Lemond]

Valentine's Day at Florida loss. Then you come back to host Georgia win.

[Matt Jones]

Six at Auburn could win. I'm going to say between at Tennessee and at Auburn or between Tennessee at home and at Auburn, we get one. So I'll stay at six.

[Ryan Lemond]

South Carolina away.

[Matt Jones]

Seven. Where it's our seven that gets us in the tournament. We get in the tournament at South Carolina, then what?

[Ryan Lemond]

Then the Tough three. Great game. Stretch Vandy at home, I must say.

[Matt Jones]

When? Because the crowd's going to be into it.

[Ryan Lemond]

A and M away.

[Matt Jones]

That's a loss.

[Drew Franklin]

Florida at home, Senior Day.

[Matt Jones]

I think we win. I'm going to say we go nine and nine in conference, getting the tournament. We're like a seven, eight, nine seed, and that's that.

[Drew Franklin]

99 gets them in for sure.

[Ryan Lemond]

I think Ken Palm predicts all the games. Ken Palm has them losing nine the rest of the way, including LSU tomorrow or Wednesday.

[Matt Jones]

Well, she's a big one. That's another one we got to win. I mean, we didn't give our. I thought LSU was a game we could drop, but that was what I assumed. We would beat Missouri. So now to make up for the Missouri game, we've got to win. Mario has, in the history of his time at ksr, only pick Kentucky to lose twice ever against Indiana and then Saturday.

[Drew Franklin]

And we want them both.

[Matt Jones]

So he's now 02 picking against Kentucky. Shannon.

[Shannon Dawson]

Keep doing it, Mario.

[Matt Jones]

Maybe he should keep doing.

[Shannon Dawson]

Keep being negative. So you're so negative. Inspirational, but you're negative inspiration.

[Matt Jones]

With all of his inspiration, he's actually. He's almost like his own booing in the crowd. Crowd.

[Ryan Lemond]

He's been worried most the year. Even in Buffalo. We were playing pool there. You know, he's being negative. That was even before we took on more losses.

[Matt Jones]

Let me ask you a question. You kind of know the team like, you're our connection to the team. Get on the microphone here. I want you to give us. Give us the mode, give us the tea, the T, the Moti. It's kind of clear to me that they don't get along. I'm just. I. I basically see what you're seeing. No, you see more. You go to the clubs and you're at the barber shop.

[Ryan Lemond]

You drive the same painter.

[Matt Jones]

You drive the Audis. Like. Like. What do you tell me for real, out of all of the teams? I don't see this. This team out as much. Usually teams, you see them out, you.

[Ryan Lemond]

Know, going out, but I don't see this.

[Matt Jones]

Do you think they get along? I don't know. No, that's not what I asked you. Do you think that's.

[Ryan Lemond]

In my opinion?

[Matt Jones]

Yes.

[Ryan Lemond]

As far as what I see on.

[Matt Jones]

TV and then like, in person, not really. Okay. That's just my opinion, though. He knows more. He knows more.

[Ryan Lemond]

Mario knows everything.

[Matt Jones]

Mario. Mario's got that. There's like some sort of. There's some sort of, like, code that occurs with like a Handful of the Lexington population where they just look at each other and they communicate. Mario's part of that. I'll see him give a nod when we walk down the street to someone and he'll walk away and be like, yeah, he's transferring. I'm like, all he did was nod. And he goes, yeah, but you could just tell. And then he leaves.

[Ryan Lemond]

I noticed, like, at the bar, like, Darius Miller, Willie, that's my era. Those are my friends. They walk right past me to do their secret handshake with Mario. Like, how do you even know them, Mario?

[Drew Franklin]

You weren't around.

[Matt Jones]

I'm with you. Like, Jonathan Davis comes up and they're doing it. And like, how? You don't even know each other.

[Ryan Lemond]

He knows everybody.

[Matt Jones]

He knows everybody. So I do think we're going to make the tournament.

[Drew Franklin]

In your scenario.

[Matt Jones]

We made it, but I'm not. We don't have a lot of leeway to make the tournament. We'll take your calls after this. 859-280-2287. KSR, TJ Smith, personal injury attorney. Call TJ. He'll make him pay.

[Shannon Dawson]

Now more of Kentucky Sports Radio presented by Stockton Mortgage. Here's Matt Jones.

[Matt Jones]

Welcome back, Techie Sports Radio. What do you think, Mr. Journalist, about the woman in Jacksonville?

[Drew Franklin]

That's the wrong time and place for that thing to happen. I don't know who that woman was. I don't know who she worked for. But that's after a game to give a pep talk.

[Shannon Dawson]

Yeah. So, yeah, we played it on the pre show. I didn't have that much of a problem with it.

[Matt Jones]

I had no problem with it. I think Ryan's just a curmudgeonly old big J journalist.

[Drew Franklin]

I just don't think that's the time and place being sweet.

[Matt Jones]

She was an older lady.

[Shannon Dawson]

Yeah. Sound like your grandmother talking to you.

[Drew Franklin]

Keep your head up, young man. You keep your head up.

[Matt Jones]

What's wrong with that? Not have somebody keep their head up.

[Ryan Lemond]

He should keep his head up.

[Matt Jones]

Keep your head up.

[Ryan Lemond]

What's she going to say? How is the. What do you think of your cornerbacks? Who cares?

[Matt Jones]

She's a nice woman. Like she makes casseroles.

[Drew Franklin]

What's she doing back there? Who's she working?

[Ryan Lemond]

She works.

[Matt Jones]

She works for a newspaper.

[Ryan Lemond]

Jacksonville Free Press.

[Matt Jones]

She works for. She's worked for the Jacksonville Free free press for 28 years.

[Drew Franklin]

You keep your head up, young man. You did a good job, Duvall.

[Matt Jones]

But see you say that, but I could see you doing that.

[Drew Franklin]

Not in a news conference setting.

[Matt Jones]

I wouldn't you don't think you wouldn't tell a player if. If Dane. Let me ask you a question.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

If Dane was back there and he had dropped the catch to win the game and you had a job of reporting, you don't think you'd say, keep your head up. You think you'd pepper him with questions privately?

[Drew Franklin]

Of course I would.

[Matt Jones]

But what about publicly? No, you wouldn't look at Dane Key and go, keep your head up.

[Drew Franklin]

That's just not the time and place for it.

[Matt Jones]

No, I don't know about that, but I'm fine with it. She was a li. She's a nice old lady. Everybody gotta yell in this time of hatred. Everybody hates each other. No one has any empathy. Everybody, like, just take sides and roots for what they happen. And we have all this turmoil. This lady looked at Liam Cohen and just said, hey, keep your head up. And people get mad at that. Of all the things to get mad.

[Ryan Lemond]

At and everyone complaining about it. What's your favorite question from a press conference? You don't know any because you don't normally pay attention. You saw one moment and decide to get on the Internet and hate on this woman who. Who has the sweetest voice and probably makes the best pies. I bet she. I don't know that she's a grandmother, maybe she's an aunt, but I bet she. I bet there are children in her family that absolutely adore her. And it was just a brief moment.

[Matt Jones]

We have players bring their kids light up. Yeah.

[Ryan Lemond]

Because he was getting a nice, positive, inspiring message.

[Matt Jones]

See, this is the problem, Shannon. These rotten lemons out there causing all this turmoil in the world.

[Shannon Dawson]

Yeah. I've kind of surprised at Ryan's take. I didn't think that Ryan would. Would be so against this.

[Matt Jones]

I knew he would because he's Mr. I'm a journalist. I went to journalism school. Whereas I'm like.

[Drew Franklin]

So when Pope.

[Matt Jones]

This is a human interaction of humans being human. And we're not talking about the invasion of Venezuela. We're talking about a football game.

[Drew Franklin]

So when Pope has another loss and he's got his head down and he's moping, he's not. He's not being very talkative. Tom Leach needs to say, hey, keep your head up, young man.

[Matt Jones]

I didn't. Tom Leach, actually. I wouldn't bother me if Tom Leach did. I think you need a mix. Okay. If everybody's like that, then I actually think that's not good. But if there's one lady like that.

[Drew Franklin]

Does it make a difference? It's a female.

[Matt Jones]

For me, it's fact. It's a little old lady does. It's not that old. But the fact that it's a lady, that makes it a different thing to me. I just don't think you need to be so harsh. You are why society is free fright fraying at the ends.

[Drew Franklin]

I'm a reporter at its core, damn it.

[Matt Jones]

Well, I'm a human at my core.

[Ryan Lemond]

Also, a lot of press conferences, the football questions are stupid. Like, a lot of times, these questions are wasting time.

[Drew Franklin]

I will say this. Liam Cohen handled it great. You know, he was very appreciative, very thankful.

[Matt Jones]

You know, I just think you look at the kind of media that people, you need to be able to ask the hard questions when it's right. But I also think it's okay to be a human being. Like if we brought Mark Pope in here for an interview, let's say, after the Missouri loss.

[Drew Franklin]

Okay.

[Matt Jones]

And he were to start, like, crying. Are you going to yell at him?

[Drew Franklin]

I'm not going to yell at him.

[Matt Jones]

Are you going to tell him to.

[Drew Franklin]

Keep his head up when we go to commercial break? I'm sure I'll tell him, man. Keep your head up. It's all right.

[Matt Jones]

I'm going to tell him. Keep your head up.

[Ryan Lemond]

And she was also the associate editor for her job.

[Matt Jones]

Associate editor.

[Ryan Lemond]

She knows what she's doing, so she's.

[Drew Franklin]

Not really a reporter.

[Matt Jones]

Go ahead, Steve. See, this is that he acts like he's a nuclear.

[Ryan Lemond]

Is this the pregame show version of him?

[Matt Jones]

You guys, this is what I missed that Saturday.

[Ryan Lemond]

Maybe he should have taken the vacation.

[Matt Jones]

Go ahead, Steve.

[Caller]

Hey, guys, what's up? Can you hear me?

[Matt Jones]

Yes. Go ahead.

[Caller]

Hello?

[Ryan Lemond]

Hey.

[Caller]

First question I got is for Matt. It's a legal question. The nil contracts with the players, is that public record?

[Matt Jones]

No. Now there, it's an open question whether or not the Rev share will be as of this moment. I think part of the reason they went to a private company is to not have to share the Rev Share numbers. Someone's going to challenge that in court, and I'm not sure they're going to be able to hold it up. I'm not sure they're going to be able to say we're spending state money on these players and not say what it is. But as of this moment, they do not. And then nil deals are not public record at all.

[Caller]

Well, that's interesting. It'd be fun to see what these get, what those contracts look like. But, yeah.

[Matt Jones]

And second of all, people want to know. But. But that's how it is right now. I think it's going to be hard for them to. For the University of Kentucky to pay 19 or 20 million dollars to people and not have to say what it is. But. But we'll see that some court one day will decide that.

[Caller]

Right. And the other thing, the two most important guys to be on the floor are Owe and Malachi. I don't think Malachi gets enough credit for what he's done as a big freshman. There's no way JQ should be starting in front of Malachi. What do you think about that?

[Matt Jones]

I agree with that. I agree with the second part of that. I don't think he's the second most important. I mean, I appreciate the call. I do think. I think if he was healthy, low would be the most important. If he is not healthy, then I agree with you. OA is the most important. I mean, I could see a case for Moreno. I think Cam Williams, to me, is second because I think he just spreads the floor and allows the shooting.

[Ryan Lemond]

He's been playing some good defense, too. He really has all year. When he gets opportunities. If Moreno plays anything like he did on Saturday, then, yeah, he. He can be in that conversation. I think he only had maybe one turnover and 8 for 10 from the field.

[Matt Jones]

And he said, and he was great the Missouri game. Except for those last couple minutes.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah. So I think, like I said, they got good contributions from just about everybody. Everybody Diabate and. Well, Trent came in for like a minute. Whatever. What happened to him?

[Matt Jones]

Looks like he got hurt on that play. I don't know.

[Drew Franklin]

I've never heard anybody say. Yeah, what has happened? He came in for like one minute. Next thing you know, he's. He's out limping off the court.

[Matt Jones]

Todd, go ahead. Todd.

[Caller]

Hey, good morning, man. Hey. As was. How's your dad doing?

[Matt Jones]

He's doing okay, thank you.

[Caller]

Okay. Hey, I want to shout out to Mario, Hey, I came up to the game. I'm in from Florida. My mom's in Berea. She's celebrating her birthday right before Thanksgiving. He took time to take a picture with me and give my mom a happy birthday shout out. But what I'm calling about, Hey, I.

[Matt Jones]

Think he was glad to do it. He's not on the mic, but he was glad to do it.

[Caller]

Yeah, we said we were sad up there. Close to where the press box in the nosebleed section. And he was right close to me. Yeah, me and you. And we ended up at the end of the game. We got to get a picture with Pope that put icing on the cake for my mom's birthday, so to speak. But anyway, I called you last year. We had. We got the same problem. I believe the substitution pattern. I know we. A lot of things have been negative for the last bit. I think we could have a decent season if Pope would get his substitution pattern right. And if you notice. Let me go through this. We were cutting the lead at Alabama down to 10 between the 13 and 12 minute mark to go. Second half. He changed the lineup against Missouri. We were leading and he's changed the lineup and he brings in two or three players. He took away out the other night after he hit a three.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, the OA was bad. We gave up like five points the moment we took him out. I agree with you, by the way, and I appreciate the call. I like the. I don't like the fact that he brings in three guys at once. I will say he seems to be doing it less there. Seems to be letting the top guys play more and more as this season's gone on.

[Ryan Lemond]

He's shorting the rotations, but going back to his first game here, there's been times where you'll see a guy get a hot hand and it's straight to the bench and you're thinking, what in the world you did? God just now got locked on that run.

[Matt Jones]

They immediately took him out and then immediately was a 5, 0 run by the other team.

[Ryan Lemond]

That's not new to this season. I remember him doing that a couple of times last year too. He just, he gets his script in his mind and sticks to it.

[Drew Franklin]

It seems like in the second half though, he. The guys are playing the best. He. He's been rolling with them.

[Matt Jones]

He has. Which is. Which confirms my point, Shannon. The analytics, if we need to take them out, are wrong because they play them the whole second half.

[Shannon Dawson]

Yeah, yeah.

[Matt Jones]

If, if, if, if we. You got to take a break after three minutes. Well, they don't do that in the second half.

[Drew Franklin]

No, they don't. They don't.

[Shannon Dawson]

Sometimes sense is better.

[Matt Jones]

I mean, just play.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

We looked up the rups runs and I'm not one of these people to be like, oh, back in the day. But the five starters played every minute.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Like the bench did not get it.

[Shannon Dawson]

And they didn't have problems like, you know, running out of breath was basketball.

[Matt Jones]

Didn't have a shot clock. And there's. It's a different thing back then, I grant it. But still, you know, I don't. I'm with the caller on that. Hey, don't let aches and pains fall into the new year. Start 2026. Strong court. Physical therapy could help get you back to what you love. Whether you want to get back in the gym, pick up a new sport or get around, a physical therapist from Court can help you do so. Over 70 locations. There's one near you. Go check them out. It's court.com it's k o r t.com we got some news about UK football. They just keep getting players, a ton of them yesterday. We'll be right back. It's Kentucky Sports Radio. I loved when I was driving this weekend and I heard this because it was like when all these commitments were coming. Kentucky got a ton of players. Let's just go through them. They got the number two offensive tackle in the portal. Kid from Tennessee. They got the number four linebacker in the portal. Obviously they already had the number one interior offensive lineman. They had the number 10 quarterback. They've now added another top offensive lineman. There's a ton of players coming through, but I think getting that number, they've now got their left tackle, they've got their center, they've got their quarterback, they've got their linebacker. They've still got a couple other guys they're probably going to add. Right now they have the number four ranked class in the portal. Pretty exciting stuff for Kentucky. Sure is.

[Ryan Lemond]

He has been absolutely killing it so far. Got a lot of it done already with still five days to go. I know they're targeting a couple more. Just one that stands out to me. I know he's been out the last year and a half, but getting C.J. baxter from Texas to help out, that.

[Matt Jones]

They were going to get it. He went to Indiana. They assumed he was going to go to Indiana. And then he was at his Indiana visit and called and said, I think I want to come to Kentucky. And they were kind of surprised, I.

[Ryan Lemond]

Think after Indiana just murdered another team.

[Matt Jones]

In the playoff playing the national championship. Now you get the running back from Texas. So you got your running back, a.

[Drew Franklin]

Guy that was the number one running back coming out of high school. Five star goes to Texas.

[Matt Jones]

Well, let's talk. They got a commitment from a linebacker that was the number one player in America coming out of high school.

[Drew Franklin]

Yes.

[Matt Jones]

And then a running back. It was the number one running back coming out of high school. Now, neither of them have done that yet in college, but that's pretty good talent to give it a. To give a shot off of, right?

[Ryan Lemond]

Definitely. Baxter at Texas had a great freshman year. That Injuries hurt him early in a sophomore year than he missed all of last season. If he can get back to full health and his recovery and plays anything like he did as a freshman and builds on that, I think they have a great shot. He's just been so limited, but he just. How recruiters. You said coming in with talent, he just hadn't had the chance to show it yet.

[Matt Jones]

All right, Shannon, I got to tell you a story about your guy Mario in my house.

[Shannon Dawson]

Oh, okay. Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

So while I was gone, while I was in last week, I said, all right, Mario, I want you one of my New year's work resolution. I have my New Year's personal resolution about contacting people that's going great. Have had lunch with people I haven't seen in a while. Hung out with Perrin Friday night.

[Ryan Lemond]

Oh, Pear Bear.

[Matt Jones]

How's Pear Bear hang out with Pear Bear? That was good. Well, my work resolution is I gotta start doing these TikTok videos. I only have like five or six. So I said to Mario, do me a favor. We need to set up a place in my house, like a little place so the lighting's good, you know, because lighting's all. It's everybody, right? He got one of those little ring lights. I was like, all right, while I'm gone, just go to my house and find a place to set up. Now you're probably thinking, and Shannon, in that regard, he'll find a place in my house and he'll set up there, right?

[Shannon Dawson]

Yeah, that's what I would expect.

[Matt Jones]

I didn't think Mario is going to rearrange my entire house.

[Shannon Dawson]

Oh, no.

[Matt Jones]

In order to have a video. Plus, I walk into my house Saturday night. He has moved everything I own into a different place.

[Ryan Lemond]

Extremo makeover.

[Matt Jones]

He has taken a chair, a chair, like a cushioned chair, and put it in the middle of the kitchen. There is one of my living room chairs is in the kitchen. Okay. When's the last time you were in your kitchen? It's in the kitchen. He's got a camera set up in the middle of the kitchen with a chair, like a lazy boy chair in the middle of the kitchen. My rug is in shambles. He's got one of my couches pushed up against the wall. He has taken my books and just decided to throw them all over the building. And then he's just left. He's just left. And so the camera is set up with the light, but my chair is in the kitchen, and I can't even move around the house. And then there. Where is the couch and chair are. It's just a big blank thing of floor in the middle of the living room. Now, my question for you, Mario. It looked good, but do you expect me to live like that? Do you expect me to live with my main chair in the middle of the kitchen? The priority was to make the lighting look good.

[Ryan Lemond]

Do you like it?

[Matt Jones]

It did look good, but this needs to be a solution that I can have all the time. I. I could have figured out to just put all my stuff in, like, different. I need something that I can set up. I can't have my chair in the kitchen.

[Ryan Lemond]

You need a little corner where it's just set up ready to go at.

[Matt Jones]

All times where I can just turn on a light and it's on you like. Like the lights. Okay, that all was great, but you. I can't have my living room with stacks of books in the center and nowhere to sit. It did look kind of awkward. I know. You left it like that.

[Ryan Lemond]

What was the backdrop in the kitchen? Like your fridge?

[Matt Jones]

No, he said he moved my bookshelf.

[Ryan Lemond]

Moved the fridge.

[Matt Jones]

Unplugged the fridge.

[Shannon Dawson]

Fridge is in the living room now.

[Matt Jones]

The fridge is now in the living room. At least the lighting's good, but the lighting looks great. Shannon, these videos.

[Shannon Dawson]

That's what you asked.

[Matt Jones]

So we're gonna have to. To find. You understand what I'm getting? Yeah. Okay. So no more. I mean, you. It was a start. Well, it was a finish because I had to put it all back. Did you put it all back? I'm not leaving my chair in the kitchen.

[Ryan Lemond]

Just sit there and read a book. Stare at your sink.

[Matt Jones]

I wanted to watch the game. I had to lay on the floor.

[Shannon Dawson]

Bring the TV into the kitchen.

[Matt Jones]

Danny. Go ahead. Danny.

[Caller]

Hey, Matt. Good to talk to you guys again.

[Matt Jones]

Good to talk.

[Caller]

I just want to say, I think, jq, I think you can't blame him if he does want to sit out the rest of the season, because this team is not really that good with him or without him.

[Matt Jones]

Are you talking about lower quaintance? Are you talking about lower quaint acquaintance? See, I think quaintance needs to play. I mean, I. Assuming now, granted, I don't know. Assuming because whatever his goals are, I think playing are going to. Is going to help them. If he doesn't play, I don't think he will be a top 10 pick if he's only gotten three games of college experience.

[Caller]

He hasn't done really all that, so it could be hurting his stock.

[Matt Jones]

Well, it could. It could. But I don't know, I mean, this is a great draft. I just think it'll be hard for him to move in the top 10 if he doesn't play, but. What was your second point?

[Caller]

Well, I just think Lowe should go ahead and get his surgery and be ready for next year. You know, I don't want to see the kid go through a lot more pain, and that's all I got.

[Matt Jones]

I agree with that. I do agree with that. I appreciate the call. I kind of think, Ryan, it's likely the case Lowe should have the surgery. Now, granted, I'm not a doctor, and if he wants to play, I'll be cheering him on. He's a tough kid, but I could see why it would be time.

[Drew Franklin]

He's shown his toughness, man. I mean, most guys probably would have checked out early on, and he's fought back, tried to fight through it, come back and play. And he's a guy that does have another year of eligible eligibility, so he could come back for another year next year.

[Matt Jones]

Mike. Go ahead, Mike.

[Caller]

Hey, guys. So I have. I have some concerns, I guess, and the only thing is, is that so with Moreno and with Jasper Johnson, you know, these guys, to me, kind of are. I think they're very important to uk. And the. The thing is, is with. With Jasper, especially Jasper is. Is a, you know, McDonald's all American. This kid has such talent and energy, and I think he can do so much, you know, for this team, given the fact. Given the opportunity to. To really contribute and play, but the fact is that he's not been getting the opportunity. I think really concerns me is the fact is that this is a kid that we might lose next year, and.

[Matt Jones]

That'S fair, and I don't want to lose him. Yeah, I agree. I have to cut you off because we got to go to break. Are you concerned that Jasper, I mean, played a little bit this week? You think those minutes go up?

[Ryan Lemond]

I think so. And I was yelling at my tv, let's put Jasper in the game, see what he can do. You know, he missed some shots. Defense can improve, but I think he needs more run to get him a chance.

[Matt Jones]

If Lows out, he's playing without low.

[Drew Franklin]

He has to play more.

[Matt Jones]

He'll play more. If low ends up not being, I think they'll have no choice but to play him more more, and hopefully he'll get a chance to showcase what he can do. We'll take a break. 85928. Oh. 2287 hour 2 KSR.