KSR – Hour 1 | January 15, 2026

Overview

This episode of Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) focuses on the University of Kentucky men’s basketball team's dramatic come-from-behind victory against LSU. The hosts—Drew Franklin, Ryan Lemond, Shannon “the Dude,” and eventually Matt Jones—break down the game’s wild finish, discuss key player performances, analyze UK’s season trajectory, and react to audience phone calls. The conversation is lively, enthusiastic, and full of the hopeful, slightly sarcastic tone typical of KSR.

Main Theme

The “Malachi Miracle”: Kentucky’s Stunning Comeback at LSU

The crew relives Kentucky’s unforgettable road win highlighted by freshman center Malachi Moreno’s last-second, game-winning shot after trailing by 18 points. They explore the emotional rollercoaster for fans and players, the implications for the season, and analyze both the strengths and ongoing issues with the team.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Emotional Rollercoaster of the LSU Game

• Start to Finish: Kentucky trailed by 18, scoring just one field goal in the first 11 minutes and only 22 points in the first half.
• Second Half Turnaround: Led by Reed Sheppard and Otega Away, UK exploded offensively, hitting eight 3-pointers in the second half.
• Malachi Miracle: Freshman Malachi Moreno made a game-winning shot off a near full-court inbounds pass with 1.9 seconds left.

“That second half was an incredible comeback…What a finish. That’s one we’ll be talking about a decade from now when we’re ranking great shots in regular season history.”
—Ryan Lemond (03:33)

• Montage Worthy: Consensus that this game-winning play will enter the pantheon of legendary Rupp Arena video montages.

“Malachi Marino shot will now be involved in it…He made the catch, turn and shoot. It will go down in UK history lore.”
—Drew Franklin (04:18)

2. Analyzing Player Performances

• Malachi Moreno: From third-stringer to game hero.
• Reed Sheppard & Otega Away: Key catalysts for the comeback. Noted by Ryan as making “eight three pointers in the second half after being ice cold."
• Aberdeen: Reignited the offense, controlling the point, and could not be taken off the floor.
• Yellowvich: Earned a larger role, providing offense and stability.
• Diabate: Talent and expectations still unfulfilled; praised for supporting teammates even from the bench.

"I will say Diabate, when Malachi hit the last second shot, he was one of the first ones off the bench to congratulate."
—Drew Franklin (07:19)

3. Season Implications and Team Identity

• Must-Win Relief: This win doesn't erase larger issues but keeps NCAA tournament hopes alive.
• SEC Picture: SEC standings are tight; no team can be counted out yet.
• Team Mentality: The season’s turning point, or just a fleeting highlight? The hosts are hopeful but realistic about ongoing struggles.

“Season saved when it happened…It doesn’t change really anything. It just kept something bad from happening.”
—Matt Jones & Ryan Lemond (28:44-29:00)

• Concerning Trends: Continued slow starts; reliance on second-half comebacks is unsustainable.

"They do it all the time. Down double digits by midway through the first half—and done it all the time for two straight years...Why does he think this happens so much to us?"
—Matt Jones (36:01–36:32)

4. Fan Base and Community Reaction

• Cathartic Victory: The win felt monumental to players and fans, especially after previous heartbreak at LSU.
• Call-In Highlights: Postgame lines buzzed with passionate, quirky callers—including a woman who only referred to players by number and wanted to be KSR's correspondent.

"We had the guy who called Chad, who had yelled at his wife and son and dog. Yes, that was strange. You had the woman at LSU who kept calling the players the numbers and saying her...I love that that was her thought. Like, I'll, you know, just send me to some games."
—Matt Jones (33:29–34:22)

5. Looking Forward

• Upcoming Schedule: Four of the next six on the road; next up is Knoxville, where Kentucky has surprisingly excelled recently.
• Roster and Rotation Concerns: Lineup experimentation persists; the right combinations are still unclear midway through January.
• NCAA Tournament Path: Six more SEC wins viewed as the threshold for an at-large bid.

“If we lose, we don’t make the tournament…My number is six wins. Six wins gets us in the tournament. I think six wins sends us to Dayton. That’s all we need.”
—Matt Jones (35:15 & 47:51)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Shame on all of you that gave up...Some of you quit believing in the first half.”
  —Ryan Lemond (03:33)

• “You get a freshman, a guy that expected to be probably third string center...now is a guy that has earned the right to start and he hits a game winner and he’s a hero.”
  —Drew Franklin (09:20)

• “I think that’s the reason I don’t tweet during games, because of all the freezing cold takes I saw last night during the first half…this is the fight I was wanting to see.”
  —Shannon (10:24)

• “An SEC road win, I don’t care what your team looks like, I don’t care what the other team looks like. You can’t ignore an SEC.”
  —Ryan Lemond (09:46)

• On the team's collective unity:
  “Diabate is one of the first ones to go up [to celebrate], which I think is a big statement.”
  —Ryan Lemond (39:22)

• On the significance for fans:
  “Last night was our Big Blue magic moment. So hyped for it...The Big Blue nation needs to get behind them. We got the magic. The magic’s coming. Go get your tickets.”
  —Caller Connor (37:14)

Important Segment Timestamps

• [02:41] – Show proper begins; Drew welcomes listeners; immediate focus on the LSU miracle.
• [03:00–06:50] – Detailed breakdown of the game: first half struggles, second half comeback, key shots.
• [08:20] – Discussion of the recent magic at LSU (men’s and women’s hoops).
• [13:28] – Debating the new starting lineup and ongoing struggles to find the right rotation.
• [28:08] – Matt Jones joins live; discussion shifts to season implications.
• [29:51] – Analyzing the wild endgame sequence: overturned shot, last-second score, and celebratory chaos.
• [33:03] – Reflections on postgame show callers and fan emotions.
• [36:01] – Hosts probe UK’s persistent slow starts, urge urgency from opening tip.
• [38:03] – Callers chime in on the moment’s meaning.
• [45:39] – Recap of the “Rule of 71” and how hitting 71 points signals a probable UK win.
• [47:02] – UK’s path to the tournament and the six-win target.

Authentic KSR Humor & Personal Asides

• Shannon elaborates on absurd Garth Brooks conspiracy theories, providing comic relief (18:33).
• Drew forgets to change out of house slippers before coming to the studio (20:19), sparking personal anecdotes about wardrobe mishaps.
• Light-hearted competition among the hosts regarding trivia teams and appearances at KS Bar (39:39).

Conclusion

This hour of KSR was a jubilant, cathartic celebration of an improbable Kentucky basketball win that simultaneously provided hope for the season and highlighted existing flaws. The energy was high, with the hosts’ (and callers’) exuberance, relief, and candid self-deprecation shining through. The “Malachi Miracle” not only changed the mood for Big Blue Nation, but it also gave the team—and its fans—a much-needed moment of belief as the SEC grind continues.

For more Kentucky basketball discussion and updates, tune in weekdays from 10 to noon on KSR.