Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) – Hour 2

Date: January 12, 2026
Hosts: Matt Jones, Ryan Lemond, Shannon, Billy
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts and Sports Talk 790 (WKRD-AM)

Overview: Main Theme and Purpose

Hour 2 of Kentucky Sports Radio delivers an in-depth discussion about the recent merger between KSR and Cats Illustrated, reflecting on the 30-year evolution of Kentucky sports coverage online. The hour blends media history, present-day Kentucky sports analysis, community moments, and lively banter. The episode also highlights recent UK women's basketball triumphs, UK baseball preseason rankings, memorable Rupp Arena moments, and enthusiastic talk about NFL playoff action, especially the Chicago Bears and Denver Broncos.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. KSR and Cats Illustrated Merger: A Community Comes Full Circle

• Announcement & Structure ([03:16–04:30])
  • KSR has acquired Cats Illustrated, bringing together the historic forums and personalities of Kentucky sports discussion.
  • The "House of Blue" (Cats Illustrated message board) will retain its separate community, but be under the KSR umbrella.
  • Jeff Drummond and Justin Roland join the team; Drummond will focus on baseball coverage.
• Online Kentucky Sports History ([04:30–09:20])
  • Matt recounts the timeline of Kentucky fan interaction on the Internet:
    • Starts with AOL forums (America Online Kentucky Forum: Jeff Drummond was an early leader).
    • Evolution of various fan sites: Kentucky Sports Report, Wildcat Faithful, Wildcat Nation, Alliance Sports Kentucky.
    • Print media (Cat's Paws), then the emergence and growth of KSR (founded late '00s).
    • Decline and consolidation of rivals; now, after decades, most traffic/community gathers in KSR.
• Industry Shift ([09:40–12:30])
  • The model has changed from being free-supported (via internet advertising) to a hybrid (free content + subscription/memberships).
  • KSR will now be both the largest free and paid UK sports site.
  • The team reflects on being “the last one standing” and the arrival of a new generation of aspiring bloggers.

"Kentucky Sports Radio has now in many ways become the last thing standing from 30 years of Kentucky fans finding themselves on the Internet and discussing and celebrating the cats with each other."
— Matt Jones [08:33]

2. Navigating Change & Nostalgia in Sports Journalism

• The hosts recall the initial resistance to bloggers in press conferences and shifting attitudes.
• Billy notes, “I remember when I started almost 17 years ago and… people didn't think we'd be there very long. We're still here and still growing.” [10:44]
• Ryan brings up the label “frat boy journalism” and how attitudes have shifted since then.

“There were 50 people at every press conference. They didn't think I should be there. It was very controversial… The first time I got a press credential, people were very mad.”
— Matt Jones [11:35]

3. Current UK Sports Coverage & Changes

• Basketball Team’s Offensive Adjustments ([14:00–15:45, 34:19–36:15])
  • Listeners and hosts analyze Kentucky basketball's recent shift to play more through the post, increased movement, and roles for players like Garrison, Moreno, and Diabate.
• Baseball Coverage Bump ([13:36–13:56])
  • Jeff Drummond will help cover UK baseball, and the team expects more depth and quality in reporting this season.

“I think baseball coverage specifically is going to have a huge bump with he and Luckett sharing the beat this year. And it's going to be a good season.”
— Billy [13:36]

4. UK Women’s Basketball Historic Win ([21:23–22:43])

• Kentucky women’s basketball beat Oklahoma for the first time securing two top-five wins in a season.
• Standouts: Jordan Obi (game-winning points), Claire Strack (another double-double), Tony Morgan’s resilience despite cramps.

“Very first time in the history of UK women's basketball they've won two top five games in a season.”
— Matt Jones [21:23]

5. Memorable Fan and Team Moments at Rupp Arena

• Bo Barnes Commitment Reveal ([24:40–28:58])
  • Detailed retelling of recruit Bo Barnes’ surprise commitment, celebrated spontaneously by students and coaches during the game.
  • The hosts explain how this kind of live, organic moment—student chants, hugs from Will Stein—elevates Rupp’s atmosphere.

“It was a spontaneous moment that unless you were sitting right there in the student section, apparently you wouldn't have seen… That apparently occurred.”
— Matt Jones [27:45]

• Pat Riley’s Return
  • Pat Riley addresses the Rupp Arena crowd, gets emotional, and is recognized as a legend for UK basketball.
  • “Pat Riley still has such swag.” — Matt Jones [23:48]
  • “This might have been the first time he’s really talk[ed] to the fans... since I’ve been here.” — Billy [24:19]

6. High School Sports – A Changing Landscape ([29:19–31:28])

• The long-running KHSAA scoreboard website (riherds.com) closing down after 25 years, leaving a gap in high school sports coverage and archiving.

“This is where like people got the high school scores for like 25 years… it's going to disappear. And the history of years past. It's all right there.”
— Ryan Lemond [29:57]

7. NFL Playoff Excitement & KSR Road Trip Banter

• Bears and Broncos ([42:08–45:25])
  • Matt’s vibrant reaction to a Bears playoff comeback, audio replay of him screaming at the TV.
  • Ryan and the crew joke about road-tripping to the Super Bowl if the Broncos make it, and Matt promising some Bears-themed nail art if Chicago advances.
• First-Team NFL All-Pros from Kentucky ([31:45–32:18])
  • Ray Davis and Devin Key noted as All-Pros—highlighting KY’s representation at the top level.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the KSR/Cats Illustrated merger and history:
  “It is neat, Ryan, to see all that history, including Jeff Drummond, who was there at the beginning, to all come together in this moment…”
  — Matt Jones [08:53]

• On being early in sports media scenes:
  “I remember you being on it. I didn't know it was because you were reporting... you were the report. So it would have been Kentucky Sports without you.”
  — Matt Jones and Billy tease Ryan [06:19–06:25]

• Full circle for digital media:
  “Now essentially it's the last one. State.”
  — Matt Jones [11:54]

• New generation of media upstarts:
  “It's funny now. They attack us the way I used to attack the mainstream media. But I wish them the best.”
  — Matt Jones [12:07]

• Touching on technology and privacy:
  “Whatever happened to good old privacy, right? There's zero privacy.”
  — Matt Jones [41:27]

• Raw fandom on display:

  • (After the Bears’ win, playing Matt’s yells) “That was me just in my house screaming after the Bears get the final [play].”
    — Matt Jones [43:49]
  • “After the game, the Bears fans didn't want to leave the stadium.”
    — Ryan Lemond [45:06]

Timestamps for Notable Segments

| Time | Segment/Event | |--------|-------------------------------------| | 03:16 | KSR & Cats Illustrated merger news | | 04:30 | History of Kentucky fan sites | | 11:23 | Shifting perception of KSR/bloggers | | 13:36 | Jeff Drummond/UK baseball beat | | 14:00 | UK basketball offensive changes | | 21:23 | UK women's basketball win recap | | 23:19 | Pat Riley’s speech & team reunion | | 24:40 | Bo Barnes’ commitment moment | | 29:19 | KHSAA scoreboard site closing | | 31:45 | KY players as NFL All-Pros | | 34:19 | UK basketball tactical breakdown | | 42:08 | NFL/Bears playoff win celebration | | 45:06 | Bears fan celebration lingering |

Conclusion: Tone and Takeaways

This episode serves up rich nostalgia and context on the evolution of Kentucky sports journalism, celebrates a major fan-site merger, and affirms KSR's place as the keystone of UK fan culture. The hosts’ banter remains convivial and self-aware, with a generous dose of insider storytelling, playful ribbing, and encouragement to the next generation of sports writers.

Listeners leave with:

• An appreciation for the KSR/Cats Illustrated merger and its significance.
• Insights into changes in sports coverage models.
• Recaps and analysis of current UK sports success.
• Warm, funny, and authentic moments that make KSR a mainstay for Kentucky fans.

(Non-content sections, sponsor messages, and lengthy unrelated promos were omitted from this summary.)