Ryan Lemons (2:24)

There's been so much going on. You're right, man. That game, though, on Saturday against Tennessee, that's that's what we're all at our heart, man. That's where our love is. We got to talk about that, right?

Matt Jones (2:33)

I At some point, Drew, we just have to start believing that we're going to win these games against Tennessee on the road because they don't make sense that we win them. I mean, we have, we had no business winning that game. None. We were down the entire game until the Last minute and 15 seconds. We made the plays down the stretch. We actually made good decisions down the stretch and we stole the game just like we've stolen, you know, six of the last seven down there. It is unbelievable that what I once thought was maybe the hardest place for Kentucky to play road games in the SEC has basically become Lexington west and has led to you singing their fight song.

Drew Franklin (3:14)

That's right. It's. It's bizarre to go to a rivalry game as a huge underdog. Over and over and over. I mean we were this one wasn't as bad as the last two, but we've been in a 13 point underdog and 11 point underdog. You go down there banged up and beat up again last Saturday and they just keep winning. It doesn't make sense, but I love it. Just ripping their souls out because they get excited thinking this is going to be an easy win, us coming to town and this is six out of seven. They've, they've left with their face in their palms crying.

Matt Jones (3:41)

And at least in the Mark Pope era, all these games are exactly the same. We're down 16 in the first half and then the question is, will we be able to come back? They did it again. So that's back to back road games, Shannon, where they were down at least 16 and one. That's the first. We are the first school since the 2017 Florida Atlantic Owls to do that. There's not been a team come from back to back games from 16 down in 10 seasons of college basketball. And on the one hand I would say, well, you've got to stop doing this because this is going to catch up to you. Shannon maybe it won't. Maybe we will just spot team 16, start the second half and play every single game.

Shannon (4:22)

This is a team that, I mean easily could be 1 in 4 in the SEC. Instead they're 3 and 2. It's hard to make sense of what happened the last two games at lsu. Okay, LSU is not that good, but to do it at Tennessee is one of the more impressive things I've seen in a long time.

Matt Jones (4:38)

Yes, since last year when we did the same thing well, yeah, but this.

Shannon (4:41)

Is a different team, though. I mean, it's different. I mean, you're dealing with these two injuries, too. I mean, you gotta. You gotta factor in that as well.

Matt Jones (4:48)

The. The crazy thing to me about this is that they're doing this, and I still, at the end of games, Drew, am not sure how good we're playing, as crazy as that sounds. We've hit a ton of threes. That has been very beneficial, but they just find ways to get the victory and they. Now, you know, Shannon mentioned, well, they could be 1 in 4 in conference, and that's true. But I also could argue they could have just closed out the Missouri and North Carolina games at home and they'd be 13 and 4 and ranked in the top 20, Drew. So, like, it kind of cuts both ways.

Drew Franklin (5:21)

It does. And I. Even though I'm happy and we're in the mix and we've won these games, when you asked me, like, what's next? It's like, I have no idea. I have no clue what to expect of this team still. Even though they've won two big SEC road games back to back, because their flaws are still their flaws, and they have these long droughts in these first halves. But then if they played that like they did the last two second halves, if they put that together for 40 minutes, that's like a Final Four team. It's like, I still don't know what I'm looking at, but I'm just glad they've escaped with two wins.

Matt Jones (5:47)

All right, so what are we looking at? Let's look at the team. Jaden Quaintance. Jeff Goodman said for the first time out loud what evil Ryan Lemons suggested in the first SEC pregame show, which was the idea that he might not play. Jeff Goodman's comments were he could come back in the next week to two, although it's increasingly likely he could sit out the year. I don't really know what that language means, except they clearly don't want people to think he's certain to sit out the year. But then why do you say that unless you think that's very possible? Ryan, is Jaden Quaint going to play for Kentucky again?

Ryan Lemons (6:25)

I'm still doubtful because I think he was hurting himself, you know, when he. And then the NBA make a prediction.

Matt Jones (6:33)

Yes or no?

Ryan Lemons (6:35)

I'll say. I'll say yes. I think he's going to come back.

Shannon (6:39)

You already flipped.

Matt Jones (6:41)

You've been the guy for two weeks who didn't think he was going to come back.

Ryan Lemons (6:44)

I never said that. I was bringing that, that was topic of discussion that some people were saying that. I never personally said that.

Matt Jones (6:50)

Okay, so you think he's coming back?

Ryan Lemons (6:52)

I think he's going to come back. But I, you know, the other side of the coin, I was going to say he's hurting himself in the eyes of the NBA scouts because he, when he's last couple of games he's played, he's not played very well.

Matt Jones (7:03)

Yeah, but that's not going to change if he comes back or not. Like those games are on his record and he's going to have to play. I mean he's going to have to play something before they pick him. Even if it's summer league or you know, the combine. What Drew, yes or no?

Drew Franklin (7:19)

I will say we see him again but I admit as someone that thought he'd be a big piece of this team, I now have doubts that he's going to be a big piece of this team. I think he'll play again. But this big lottery pick coming to change the season and play a lot of minutes and be a big piece, I now don't see that happening.

Matt Jones (7:35)

Is the Quaint's game going to be like the Big Z game of the new era?

Ryan Lemons (7:38)

I'm worried if he can come out 14 points in half and throw one behind his back like Big Z did come back, why not?

Matt Jones (7:44)

But the quaintance game against St. John's what do you have? 16, 14 in the second half it feels like it's got a lot of, you know, we'll look back and go, you remember that time he played really well for. He'll have the shortest UK career Shannon besides Shaden Sharp ever.

Shannon (8:00)

Yeah, I think he does come back but I think that there's all. I don't think he plays every game after that, if that makes sense. Like I think he will have other games that he misses because like his knee is swelling up again or, or whatever the case is. What do you think?

Matt Jones (8:14)

My spidey senses say he's not going.

Shannon (8:17)

To play at all.

Matt Jones (8:19)

At all.

Shannon (8:20)

But I, but that's how you flip the Ryan then.

Matt Jones (8:23)

Well, that's not my prediction because I think that I do think they're. They want him to and I think there are a lot. I get the sense that everyone at the university, including people with his best interest at heart are like you need to play. But there are a couple people who are telling him not to play and it's genuinely put the kid in a tough spot. And I think that he doesn't really know what to do so. My spidey senses suggest he won't. I'm just. My prediction is going to be he will just because who wants to start that fight? But I do agree with Drew that the thought process of, well, he is going to be a difference maker. Drew, I kind of think that ends now. I mean, he's going to have some games where he plays well. But like this game against Tennessee would have been one. We could have really used him, you know, and he didn't play and that's okay, but he didn't play. So at some point I have to kind of think, well, I mean, we're not. We don't. We only have what, 13 more. I mean, there's not. There's not that many left.

Drew Franklin (9:22)

Yeah, I completely agree. And I was hoping when things were struggling early in the year that okay, he's. Once we get to SEC play, we'll have quite as at full strength. That'll be different. But if you've now missed three games in a row, I guess with just swelling, not only has it made me wonder how your knees doing, but then also what he has to consider with his NBA future, it's kind of twofold here, maybe even the knees not letting him play and it's not even a decision. But the fact that he only played a few games and disappeared again tells me we're not going to get a consistent version of him before this season ends.

Matt Jones (9:51)

All right, so now after this win, this was a huge one for making the tournament. I mean, if you kind of look at the path of things you have to do to make the tournament. We were one behind going in the Tennessee game and we caught it up because this was going to be an assumption of a loss. So this win, I think makes up for the Missouri loss. And now you're back kind of on pace to make the tournament. You have two games this week, Texas tomorrow, Ole Miss Saturday that are have to win. We are in. This is a have to win category. These are. These are two of the three easiest home games you have left. These are teams you've got to beat. Ryan, do you think we do that and then start our difficult, difficult end of January and February at least on a roll.

Ryan Lemons (10:34)

I still don't know how they beat Tennessee the other day. I mean, just those. These two games they won this week, both on the road, both as and as horrible as they looked in the first half. But yet I think there's. They found a little magic. They see even the. The little kerfuffle at the end of the game, you know, So I think that just something they needed to show a little fight to get us going into.

Matt Jones (10:54)

Yeah, I like the fight. Yeah. It looked like this. I'm going to give the nice version of what happened.

Ryan Lemons (10:59)

Okay.

Matt Jones (11:01)

It looked like when Malachi blocked that block, Shannon, I think Owe may have said, sir, that block was on your person.

Ryan Lemons (11:12)

That's what. That's what? That's what take it said. Okay. Yeah.

Matt Jones (11:15)

Yes. I think. I think he said you are like a feline and it's bottom parts in the sense that we blocked your shot.

Shannon (11:23)

Verbatim. Yeah, it's very nice.

Matt Jones (11:25)

Almost a direct quote.

Shannon (11:26)

Very cordial.

Matt Jones (11:27)

Yeah, yeah. And then I think he did not like the reference to the feline bottom parts. And he came over and then pushed him. And then it was on. And it's not surprising at all that it is away in Garrison. As a matter of fact, who else would it be? And the picture drew, which is, I said, goes in the Louvre of Mark Pope running and grabbing Garrison by one arm, hugging away by the other so far, is that the best picture of the year next next to maybe Malachi's shot.

Drew Franklin (11:58)

Don't forget Chandler's dunk. Also up there in the photo of the year. I'll even say the photo of always smiling in Kerry's face I like better than the Pope photo because Carrie is livid. We just won an oa. Just has this grin as he's walking backwards. So you don't love your team fighting at the end, but when you're on the winning side, we're able to smile and laugh about it and pat him on the back for having that fight.

Matt Jones (12:19)

When the game's over, this group has a good day. This group seems to handle Ryan fighting at the end when nothing can happen. They did it in Oklahoma.

Drew Franklin (12:25)

Right.

Matt Jones (12:26)

And they did it Tennessee. Like, do it after punishment might occur.

Drew Franklin (12:30)

High IQ fighters, they wait for the moment and they can fight, have some consequences.

Ryan Lemons (12:35)

You knew Brandon Garrison was going to be right in the middle of it. You know, if you've seen the video clip, Lee K. Howard was sitting on the floor and he's got the. No, you can. You can hear it. You can hear what they're saying to each other on Lee K's video.

Matt Jones (12:48)

What did Lee K. Say? Did it involve felines?

Ryan Lemons (12:52)

More than that.

Matt Jones (12:54)

Oh, Lee K. Did potty mouth leaky.

Ryan Lemons (12:57)

No, he didn't say it. His video said it.

Matt Jones (13:00)

Oh.

Drew Franklin (13:02)

Lee K. Was not in the fight. His camera captured the fight.

Matt Jones (13:05)

Where is this video?

Drew Franklin (13:06)

I think. I think it's alleged that OA told Carrie he needs to watch his figure. Maybe diet a little bit like he might have.

Matt Jones (13:14)

It was a health. It was a health thing.

Drew Franklin (13:16)

He was like, hey, we have Ozempic and Bowling Green. You could try that.

Matt Jones (13:18)

Yes. Yeah. Maybe. Maybe Pilates or solid core.

Drew Franklin (13:23)

Yeah. He was just encouraging him to get in shape. I think.

Shannon (13:27)

He'S such a nice guy. This. Okay.

Matt Jones (13:30)

Think about. Our team is at its core we're compassionate people. Right. Sometimes that includes. Includes Shannon telling people hard truth.

Drew Franklin (13:38)

Yeah.

Matt Jones (13:39)

A little overweight, sir.

Ryan Lemons (13:40)

I loved it on Tennessee's home floor. Talking smack like that. Getting them after you just beat them down. I loved.

Shannon (13:45)

I know one thing. I can't wait for the return game in a couple of weeks because I feel like there's going to be some more of this back and forth.

Matt Jones (13:52)

Yeah. And well, every in denim.

Drew Franklin (13:55)

They don't want to fight us while we're wearing denim.

Shannon (13:57)

That's true.

Matt Jones (13:58)

I think they've earned their denim back.

Dr. Jesse Mills (14:00)

Don't you?

Matt Jones (14:00)

We had talked about whether they earned the denim.

Shannon (14:03)

Oh, yeah. You definitely wear.

Matt Jones (14:05)

They've earned a denim game. Yeah. So this is a big week. This Texas team, they're fourth. What? Fourth in the country in scoring. Is that right? That's coming in here.

Ryan Lemons (14:12)

They beat Alabama at Alabama and then.

Drew Franklin (14:15)

Beat Van and they beat Vandy and then only lost to Texas A and M by 3. And A and M is really good there.

Matt Jones (14:20)

Yeah.

Drew Franklin (14:20)

I'm not worried about a hangover here. Maybe a little. But Texas is not the team we want to see right now. They're pretty hot even though they just lost one.

Matt Jones (14:26)

That's legitimate. Good. But you need to win these games at home. And I think if you can beat Texas and beat Ole Miss, the path to the tournament gets much easier than if you were to lose one of these games. But I think it's going to be a roller coaster year. That's just what this team is destined to do. I didn't get to hear the sound. Felt like Drew a lot of J. Billis complaints. Did you get that?

Drew Franklin (14:52)

I saw a lot of that. I didn't have as many because I was doing a lot of the back and forth with Leech and Jack. I know he. I think he disagreed with both coaches challenges and maybe another moment he was pro Tennessee and a kind of 5050 ball. So those were the leaders in the complaints. But overall when I'm home, I'm kind of leaning towards the Jack Tom sync up with the tv these days.

Matt Jones (15:11)

My only problem with Bill is it feels like to me Shannon he doesn't like basketball anymore.

Caller (15:15)

Anymore.

Matt Jones (15:15)

At least college bas.

Shannon (15:18)

He doesn't really want to be there.

Matt Jones (15:19)

I just. I just feel like when he's at these games, he's so grumpy about it. And he's always.

Shannon (15:24)

He's always been grumpy, though.

Matt Jones (15:26)

I know, but like, it was a grumpy joy. Now he's like, these players with their dollar bills need to get off my lawn. It's like we want someone who's excited.

Shannon (15:35)

Can we get Jay some ice cream? That'll calm him down. He loves that rough ice cream when he comes back.

Matt Jones (15:38)

I hate listening to him talk about ice cream. It's the. It's the worst. It's the worst part of it. But he's done a bunch of our games, and I bet he will. He will do more. 859280, 2287 Text Machine is 772-774-5254. Drew Franklin had the number five podcast in America.

Ryan Lemons (15:56)

Yeah.

Matt Jones (15:57)

Post game show Saturday. So congratulations, you're singing. Got out to the masses, Drew.

Drew Franklin (16:02)

Thank you. I'm a little hard. Got to do better. There's four ahead of me, but we'll take fifth.

Ryan Lemons (16:06)

Buckle down.

Matt Jones (16:07)

Yeah, well, you're gonna have to work to get on Bill Simmons. And pardon my take, but fifth is very good. We'll take a break. Be right back. It's Kentucky Sports Radio.

Dr. Jesse Mills (16:16)

Hey there. This is Dr. Jesse Mills, director of the Men's Clinic at UCLA Health and host of the Mailroom podcast. Each January, guys everywhere make the same resolutions. Get stronger, work harder, fix what's broken. But what if the real work isn't physical at all? To kick off the new year, I sat down with Dr. Steve Poulter, a psychologist with over 30 years experience helping men unpack shame, anxiety, and emotional pain they were never taught to name. In a powerful two part conversation, we discuss why men aren't emotionally bulletproof, why shame hides in plain sight, and how real strength comes from listening to yourself and to others.

Ryan Lemons (16:52)

Guys are toxic. They're immature or they've got something they just haven't resolved. Once that gets resolved, then there comes.

Matt Jones (16:59)

Empathy and some compassion.

Dr. Jesse Mills (17:01)

If you want this to be the year you stop powering through pain and start understanding what's underneath. Listen to the mailroom on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your favorite shows.

Matt Jones (17:14)

I really enjoy watching them lose. I like to listen to their fans. I like Tony Basilio when the Kentucky fans invade and he gets so angry but keeps taking their calls. Just getting Angrier. I like watching them have to walk around the city in that stupid orange after they lose. I don't like Shannon, his annual picture of women chewing tobacco.

Shannon (17:40)

Doing that. That's a good tradition.

Matt Jones (17:41)

Part of it I could do. I do without. But otherwise. Drew, I'm a big fan of beating Tennessee, and I know you are.

Drew Franklin (17:47)

Oh, absolutely. We had fun on the post game show. And as I said in the first segment, it's even sweeter when they have this confidence in this arrogance, thinking that they're just going to blow us out. And this has been time after time here lately where we've gone in when they're at their highest of optimism and we just rip their souls out.

Matt Jones (18:04)

One person writes, Matt, it's time to make our line in the sand. Which meteorologists are we trusting for the big, huge snowstorm this weekend? There's one that's saying two to four. There's one that says it could be 14 to 18.

Ryan Lemons (18:19)

Wow.

Matt Jones (18:20)

Which one we going with?

Shannon (18:22)

Two to four. Probably a dusting. If we're being real, fine to go.

Matt Jones (18:27)

For 4 to 8, 14 to 18, because if it doesn't happen, we still got excited about it. Good for the economy. Everybody will go buy milk, the bread. You know, I think you take the 14 to 18, and if the 2 to 4 happens, then we're just stuck in the house.

Ryan Lemons (18:44)

You know that famous day where all the meteorologists said we're gonna get a dusting, and we got like 14 inches that night that was kind of maybe still scaring some people a little bit.

Matt Jones (18:54)

So who do you. I'm looking for? This is made Shannon for Weather Wars.

Shannon (18:59)

Oh, yeah. Everybody's gonna take the coat off, roll up the sleeves.

Matt Jones (19:02)

Let's go. Well, it's also because, like, you have the models, right? You've got the European model.

Shannon (19:07)

Oh, yeah.

Matt Jones (19:08)

And the SMCR model and the too legit to quit model. Everybody's got their own model.

Shannon (19:14)

Which model are you? Which one you believe?

Matt Jones (19:16)

I tend to like the Europe. I feel like the Europeans have had weather longer.

Drew Franklin (19:19)

Yeah.

Matt Jones (19:20)

And so I think they kind of know what's happening. Plus they're out for us because we keep trying to invade them. So I feel like they're sending it.

Shannon (19:28)

Over here to us, the weather.

Matt Jones (19:29)

I feel like they're going to send us some bad weather. So I'm going with the European model. And I believe, looking at it last night, Drew, the European model says it could be 14 inches in Lexington.

Drew Franklin (19:39)

I don't know much about the European model, but I like the one that has us most prepared. Because if you tell me it's four and it ends up being 14, then I'm mad at you. I'd rather at least be prepared. And then there's just a light dusting and I'm like, okay, wasn't what we thought it would be. So I side with anyone that is.

Matt Jones (19:53)

Projecting the worst it is when I go to Facebook, which is not very often. The only thing, the only thing that will make people stop talking about Trump is the weather. The weather wins over Trump. On my feet. The weather will get people focused on it. And Ryan, it's all weather related right now, especially in northern and central Kentucky where the storm's supposed to hit.

Ryan Lemons (20:16)

You know, all, all the data will tell you that bad weather drives more people to the local news more than anything if there's bad weather.

Matt Jones (20:23)

Right?

Ryan Lemons (20:24)

Oh, yes. By far. It's not even close. So I don't know who the. Who's. Who's this debate over? Is it like the Louisville guys versus the Lexington guys or the Lexington guys?

Matt Jones (20:33)

They're all picking their sides right now. I just sense it coming. That's what I sense.

Ryan Lemons (20:36)

I got you.

Matt Jones (20:37)

And speaking of what the newspaper likes to cover, Shannon, did you see the story they sent out Friday on Facebook?

Shannon (20:45)

No, I didn't. I must have missed it. What is it?

Matt Jones (20:47)

So the Herald Leader, you know, sometimes I go to their Facebook page, just try to figure out what's happening in Kentucky. Right. Like they. All the headlines are there.

Shannon (20:54)

Yeah.

Matt Jones (20:55)

And this was on their Facebook. And I drew. I think I can. I read it can. I mean, this was in the newspaper.

Drew Franklin (21:03)

It's not one of the words you can't say on radio, but it is an uncomfortable word at 10:25am when you're talking about the newspaper.

Matt Jones (21:08)

But I think you can say it is. But this is in the newspaper. And my mom used to tell me, Ryan, to read the newspaper.

Ryan Lemons (21:14)

Very true. Educate yourself.

Matt Jones (21:17)

So this was in the newspaper. This was in the Lexington Herald Leader on Friday. Here's the. Here's the synopsis. Millie Bobby Brown is all about freeing the nip. Brown gives us a glimpse of her curves while sharing a fan favorite favorite Florence by Mills piece that was restocked in the pic she shared via her Instagram on Thursday. She was braless under a baby blue tank top featuring thick straps. It's a scoop. Wow.

Shannon (21:44)

That's what's in the paper these days, huh? Customers back. Let's talk about some nips that'll get a certain group.

Matt Jones (21:53)

I posted it on Twitter within a few Seconds. They deleted it.

Ryan Lemons (21:59)

So, like, yeah, somebody saw your tweet. Send a word down. Get that off there right now.

Drew Franklin (22:04)

I guess.

Shannon (22:05)

I mean, you got people talking about the newspaper. I would embrace it, but is that.

Matt Jones (22:09)

What you want them to say?

Shannon (22:11)

Anything to get people to read the newspaper? Who's reading the newspaper in 2026?

Matt Jones (22:15)

So do you think. You think the newspaper should just put, like, a naked picture of. Of Tom Leech on the front page, try to get people.

Shannon (22:22)

Tom would be my first choice, but, yeah, sure.

Matt Jones (22:25)

Well, just whoever. I mean, like, there are standards. As to what? She's not even local. She's British.

Drew Franklin (22:31)

Yeah, well, I thought she was, like, 14. When did she get old enough for this conversation anyway?

Matt Jones (22:36)

Well, according. If you would read the newspaper, I canceled.

Drew Franklin (22:39)

I ran out of money.

Matt Jones (22:42)

She's 21. If you would read the newspaper, you would know that. I'm just saying, it is. I don't blame the people that work there. There's a couple of them. One of them is a former KSR person. I don't blame them, but I do blame the company that is feeding that to the algorithm. Ryan, this is a newspaper in the city of Lexington. You can't be talking about freeing things in tanks in baby blue tank tops.

Ryan Lemons (23:07)

You know, we understand that they're trying to get clicks and people to come to their website, but there's got to be, like, a firewall when the word nipple appears in the headline to take it out.

Matt Jones (23:17)

Well, I have that with you. Yeah, there's a firewall. Shannon's supposed to dump it, and it never gets dumped.

Shannon (23:22)

That's right. That's right through it.

Matt Jones (23:24)

If you go right through it. Well, somebody had to have said, though, Shannon. This is okay, right? Somebody.

Shannon (23:32)

You would think so. Yeah. You wouldn't think it would just automatically appear on there without anybody giving it the okay. There's gotta be an hour.

Matt Jones (23:39)

I would be interested to hear the meeting where they talked to that person about how they thought that was what needed to go up. Because literally, the story before Shannon was about a local fire.

Shannon (23:51)

Who cares about a local fire? I want to hear about the other story. Well, see, I mean, that's.

Matt Jones (23:56)

I guess it was for you.

Shannon (23:57)

There's an audience out there.

Matt Jones (23:59)

Well, she's a big deal.

Ryan Lemons (24:01)

Stranger Things, you know, just came out, the season finale. She's really popular right now.

Matt Jones (24:06)

Let's use this doesn't have anything to do with the story.

Ryan Lemons (24:08)

No, it doesn't.

Matt Jones (24:09)

She just put on a shirt. That was the story.

Drew Franklin (24:12)

No, it restocked. The tank top is restocked that is the news. We can now go get the Francis.

Matt Jones (24:18)

Like that was a reasonable story. Who's up next?

Shannon (24:21)

Let's go to Don.

Matt Jones (24:23)

Don, Go ahead, Don.

Caller (24:25)

Hey, good morning, guys. Listen, I really don't even like to hear myself talk, so I wasn't going to call in this morning, but it.

Matt Jones (24:34)

We got 20 seconds.

Caller (24:36)

Still some con. It's. It seems like there's still some confusion about why we beat Tennessee, but I know the answer.

Matt Jones (24:47)

Okay.

Caller (24:48)

Throughout the first half when we were coming back, I kept saying, you know, win it for Jerry. Win it for Jerry. And all the way through the game, well, who is Jerry? Jerry is Jerry Tackett. He passed away Friday night.

Matt Jones (25:03)

T.J. smith, personal injury attorney. Call T.J. he'll make him pay.

Shannon (25:07)

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

Matt Jones (25:12)

Here's a fascinating stat. Ryan Lemon, the number four ranked player in America offensive efficiency since conference play began. Number four in America since conference play began. Who you think it is?

Ryan Lemons (25:25)

Denzel Aberdeen.

Matt Jones (25:26)

Denzel Aberdeen.

Ryan Lemons (25:28)

How about that?

Matt Jones (25:29)

Number four ranked player in America in offensive efficiency. Who had that on their bingo card? Nobody going into conference play.

Ryan Lemons (25:36)

You take away these second half against LSU and the second half is tenness.

Drew Franklin (25:39)

He's.

Ryan Lemons (25:40)

He's an all American. He just can't miss. He's playing so well in the second half. Do we lose him?

Matt Jones (25:47)

True. Oh, yeah.

Drew Franklin (25:49)

I can brag on him too. Yeah.

Matt Jones (25:50)

I mean, he.

Drew Franklin (25:50)

At LSU, he was 7 for 7 to start the half, I think, or 6 for 6 and then comes out the second half of Knoxville doesn't miss either. So to go from. And some of these first half didn't play well. He had another air ball 3 at LSU. Looked like he didn't have a shot. And then he goes into the locker room and whatever Pope is injecting in the whole team, he's getting the most of it because he's been a completely different player the last 20 minutes of the last two games.

Matt Jones (26:11)

And he makes, he makes really good plays. You also had Diabate do the good and the bad. Diabate Saturday had a little run where he played well, kind of kept Kentucky in it and then kind of a disaster a few minutes after that. They end up taking him out. He comes in for that rebound and fouls, which actually think was a pretty good foul, but still feels like the abate ride not completely on the right page.

Ryan Lemons (26:34)

Yeah, get. Getting lost is him getting that rebound off the missed free throw. You know, the, the, the, the play of Chandler got the steal. Ortega Bucket, Diabate Got the rebound. Just totally blew my mind in that final minute of play.

Drew Franklin (26:46)

One person who doesn't love Aberdeen's second half is Jasper Johnson because he's been robbed of more minutes. Jasper's played well, but you just can't sit Aberdeen in these second half.

Matt Jones (26:56)

But Jasper did have a great first half.

Drew Franklin (26:58)

He did great first half.

Matt Jones (27:00)

12 points.

Drew Franklin (27:01)

Is that right?

Ryan Lemons (27:01)

12 points, yeah. Kind of carried him in the first half. Him and Chandler were only offensive threats in the first half.

Matt Jones (27:07)

He really was great the first half.

Ryan Lemons (27:09)

Him not playing in the second half is not a reflection on him. It's a reflection on how good Aberdeen's playing.

Matt Jones (27:14)

I think that's. I think that's right. All right, we'll let our caller finish about his friend. Yeah, go ahead and finish your story, Doug.

Shannon (27:21)

Don.

Caller (27:23)

Okay, thanks, guys. No, I had called into the postgame show and spoke to Drew and Billy about this, and I'm serious, unfortunately, I'm very serious about this. A good business friend of 20 years, Jerry Tackett, passed away Friday night. Jerry was a big UK fan. He was 6 7, but he was a big UK fan, and he's from Kentucky. And the beauty of it all that Jerry would have had this play out he went to. The only games he ever went to in Rupp arena were on my tickets. And Jerry has lived for 35 years in Knoxville, Tennessee, and works for 25. Worked for 25 years for probably one of the biggest big orange booster and supporter companies in the Knoxville area all that time. So I know why we won that game.

Matt Jones (28:30)

Yeah, well, he must have.

Caller (28:31)

Thank you very much.

Matt Jones (28:32)

Thank him for that, by the way. We needed it. And rest in peace to your friend. I appreciate you calling. 859-280-2287. Shane and I geeked Saturday night. I'm a little embarrassed.

Shannon (28:45)

The Bears game?

Matt Jones (28:47)

No, they played. They played Sunday.

Ryan Lemons (28:50)

Oh, Hurricane.

Shannon (28:51)

Yeah.

Matt Jones (28:52)

Okay. So you know, you know Drew, I've talked to you, Ryan, about the guy on the Carolina Hurricane Hurricanes games. Trip Tracy, right? The little announcer that I like so much.

Ryan Lemons (29:02)

Yes.

Matt Jones (29:03)

Like, we been talking about him for eight years. I was at the gay. I came to the game Saturday night in Newark, New Jersey. I go in, buy really good tickets. I look up, and he's Drew. Four feet away from. There's Trip Tracy. Now, Shannon, I've been watching this man every day for, like, eight years, Right? You know, like the way some people listen to us and they kind of think like, that we. They know us.

Shannon (29:29)

Yeah.

Matt Jones (29:29)

That's how I am with this man. I've never talked to this man, but I feel like he's a part of my life. Right.

Ryan Lemons (29:36)

Yeah.

Shannon (29:37)

So what'd you do?

Matt Jones (29:37)

So you could have had Barack Obama or Tiger woods or David Letterman right there? I. Shannon, would have had more. More composure than I did with Tripp Tracy.

Ryan Lemons (29:49)

Wow.

Matt Jones (29:49)

I did. I just looked at him and went, tripp Tracy. And I could tell on his face I had scared him the way sometimes people will scare me when they yell at me like that. And I went, oh, oh. And then I said something that made no sense. My really good friend in Australia loves you. Can we get a picture? Well, he doesn't. Like, how do I explain? Max Duffy lives in Australia. How would he even know who he is? Right.

Ryan Lemons (30:14)

Yeah.

Matt Jones (30:16)

So I can see in his face, he's trembling, like, is this man going to hurt me? But I took a picture, and I was very happy. But I also realized that I completely geeked out on maybe the smallest level celebrity I could have. Like, can you think of anyone that would be a smaller celebrity than the regional color commentator for Carolina Hurricanes hockey that you all would geek out if you saw them?

Shannon (30:46)

No, no, I.

Ryan Lemons (30:48)

First, I'm surprised there wasn't a big, long line of people standing in line to get their picture with him. You just kind of.

Matt Jones (30:52)

No one else knew who he was, including. No one spoke to him except me. I'm the only one that I think even acknowledged his existence.

Ryan Lemons (31:00)

And then you scared him.

Drew Franklin (31:01)

Yeah.

Shannon (31:01)

Nobody else probably even knew who he was. Just thought he was.

Matt Jones (31:03)

I mean, there were some Hurricanes fans, but I don't know if they knew who he was. But I did. I seriously. Like, we're going to go to the Super Bowl, Drew. I'm not going to be that excited to meet anyone there.

Drew Franklin (31:14)

That's a guy who could probably leave the arena and walk straight to his car in the back of the parking lot without anyone stopping to say anything to him.

Matt Jones (31:22)

For you, that's like looking around going, is mad over there. I understand the relationships, people. The relationship some people feel towards this show. Shannon. Like, yeah, there's no. You know, I can. It makes me appreciate. Like, I got that excited for Tripp Tracy. And then he won. And I wanted Shane. I wanted to wave at him goodbye, but he wasn't there. Right.

Shannon (31:46)

Well, now, next time somebody comes up to you at a remote, like, wants to hug on you or something, you gotta understand, because that's how you were with.

Ryan Lemons (31:52)

With Trip.

Matt Jones (31:52)

With Trip Tracy.

Ryan Lemons (31:53)

Yeah.

Matt Jones (31:53)

I think. I think it will make me much more understanding about that. Who's next?

Shannon (31:58)

Bluegrass.

Matt Jones (31:59)

Bluegrass. How are You Bluegrass.

Caller (32:02)

I'm doing all right, fellas. Hey, this is something I was thinking about, and you comment. Maybe I might be onto something here. When trying to get to learn your team year in and year out. I always thought it was like, the play on the field, on the court, but maybe it's like, maybe what happened in the Louisville game, maybe that wasn't out of character. Maybe. Can I say prick? Maybe we are pricks. Like, maybe we are edgy. Like, maybe that is who we are. Like, and that's all right. No, I'm not. That's all right.

Matt Jones (32:33)

So you're saying that maybe. I think.

Caller (32:35)

I. I don't think. Yes. I don't think Pope knew who we were. Like, I think that is. Like, I think that is who we are. Calling them fat and, you know, after being, like, talking trash during the game, like, I think that.

Matt Jones (32:49)

Well, that's all right, though.

Caller (32:50)

You know, I like that.

Matt Jones (32:52)

That's a very good question. I appreciate the call, Drew. Are we. Should we accept our identity as the SEC pricks this year?

Drew Franklin (33:02)

I don't like labeling us that because I think Tennessee and even South Carolina fans are more of that just in their daily lives.

Matt Jones (33:08)

But maybe I'm talking about the team.

Drew Franklin (33:11)

Well, I'm just saying, in general, our branding. Maybe we have an arrogance. I don't like calling us that even. Even if just the players leave that for other teams. But we do have a cocky arrogance.

Matt Jones (33:20)

I will say that we objectively, though, we've had a number of fights where arguably, we started them.

Drew Franklin (33:29)

We don't now. We don't know that. It looks like away. Just ask Kerry if he's following through with his resolutions. New Year, New Me. We're going to slim down a little bit.

Matt Jones (33:37)

You seem to suggest something else. I mean, it's okay. Like, there are teams. Ryan, think about the Bad Boy Pistons. I mean, there are teams that sort of make that their identity. I feel like we've done it enough that it's at least our partial identity.

Drew Franklin (33:50)

We're way too soft to be comparing ourselves to the Bad Boy Pistons just because Brandon Garrison gets in a fistfight. I would love to be the bad boy.

Matt Jones (33:58)

Will fight, I think. Oh, well. Fight. I think those three.

Drew Franklin (34:03)

Those three will fight anybody, anywhere.

Matt Jones (34:05)

Aberdeen.

Ryan Lemons (34:05)

I think he can put him in that category. You know, that color.

Matt Jones (34:08)

I think Campbell fight. I don't know. I don't see Colin Chandler fighting. Definitely don't see Walker Horn fighting.

Shannon (34:15)

We got our fighting five, though.

Matt Jones (34:17)

Yeah, I think we got five guys who fight.

Shannon (34:20)

It's what you need. I mean, you need somebody to go in there sometimes and just be a bully when you need it.

Drew Franklin (34:25)

Garrison.

Matt Jones (34:26)

Yeah.

Drew Franklin (34:26)

Garrison doesn't need a bell or a whistle. He is ready to go at any moment.

Ryan Lemons (34:30)

But something about that I liked seeing our fire and our heart at the end of the game. I think that's been missing and inside it was good to kind of see that.

Matt Jones (34:39)

Yeah, well, we had a 96% chance to lose against Tennessee and a 97.5% chance against LSU. Someone whose math is better than mine could say what are the chances we would be win both of those and the number is going to be under 1%. But it happened and so now we need to build on it because it is a pretty amazing run for Kentucky to have done. It's a new year, so start off with taking care of yourself and that includes your skin. This year, prioritize your skin health, whether it's persistent acne, fine lines, or the suspicious spot you've been meaning to check. It's a Kentucky Skin Cancer Center. They got locations around Kentucky, Bowling Green, Glasgow, Owensboro, Franklin and Powder. Have you gotten that place looked out yet, Ryan?

Ryan Lemons (35:24)

Have I got the. No, I have not yet. On my face yet.

Matt Jones (35:28)

Yes, you need to do that.

Ryan Lemons (35:31)

I'm waiting to do another remote there.

Matt Jones (35:33)

I don't think we have one scheduled.

Shannon (35:36)

Wait another couple of years.

Ryan Lemons (35:37)

Sales department should get on that. Schedule another show there for us.

Matt Jones (35:39)

Or you could just call and get one. Kentucky Skin Cancer Center.com don't like be like Ryan and wait. Go to the Kentucky Skin Cancer Center. We'll take a break, be right back. Talk a little football. It's KSR.

Dr. Jesse Mills (35:54)

Hey there. This is Dr. Jesse Mills, director of the Men's Clinic at UCLA Health and host of the Mailroom podcast. Each January, guys everywhere make the same resolutions. Get stronger, work harder, fix what's broken. But what if the real work isn't physical at all? To kick off the new year, I sat down with Dr. Steve Poulter, a psychologist with over 30 years experience helping men unpack shame, anxiety and emotional pain they were never taught to name. In a powerful two part conversation, we discuss why men aren't emotionally bulletproof, why shame hides in plain sight, and how real strength comes from listening to yourself and to others.

Ryan Lemons (36:30)

Guys are toxic. They're immature or they've got something they just haven't resolved. Once that gets resolved, then there comes.

Matt Jones (36:37)

Empathy and some compassion.

Dr. Jesse Mills (36:40)

If you want this to be the year, you stop powering through pain and start understanding what's underneath. Listen to the mailroom on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your favorite shows.

Matt Jones (36:53)

Welcome back. It is Kentucky Sports Radio, 859-280-2287. Text machine is 772-774254. Cats get a big victory. One person writes. Matt. Have you guys seen the show Rig yet on Netflix with Matt Damon and Ben Affleck? Did anyone watch it this weekend? I'd like to know their thoughts. I feel like, Ryan, that's something you would watch.

Ryan Lemons (37:15)

I have not heard of it yet, but if it's a recommendation, I'll check it out.

Matt Jones (37:19)

It's called Rig Rig and it's bit. It's Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. Do you like those guys?

Ryan Lemons (37:25)

I do like those guys, yeah. Even though they're Boston.

Matt Jones (37:27)

What's your favorite Matt Damon Moo movie?

Ryan Lemons (37:30)

Was it Gone Girl? Ghost Girl? What was that?

Matt Jones (37:34)

That was Ben Affleck.

Ryan Lemons (37:35)

Yeah. That's who I'm thinking about.

Matt Jones (37:37)

So what about Matt Damon?

Ryan Lemons (37:38)

But Born Identity.

Matt Jones (37:41)

Yes. There you go. So see, you know, one of both.

Ryan Lemons (37:44)

Yeah.

Matt Jones (37:44)

What about, like, Goodwill hunting?

Ryan Lemons (37:46)

Remember? I've not seen that yet.

Matt Jones (37:49)

Yeah. He only watches action movies. True. Like Born Identity I could see. Do you like Affleck and Damon? People are saying this is a good movie.

Drew Franklin (37:58)

It is. I think it's called the Rip, not the Rig. It's on my list. Yeah. I mean, there might be one called the Rig too.

Matt Jones (38:05)

And I couldn't find it, and I.

Drew Franklin (38:06)

Was like, I think it's called the Rip. No. I'm very looking forward to this one. I like when these guys are together. I love a lot of their movies, including the Bourne series. I'll add the Town with Affleck. It's a good one.

Matt Jones (38:17)

Yeah. And they've got to be Shannon. Two of the most. Two of the most, like, famous friends to come up together.

Shannon (38:26)

Yeah.

Matt Jones (38:26)

You know what I mean? Can you think of two guys that, like, from the first time we met him, the thing was they were best friends and they still do things together. Can you think of anybody else like that who got famous and they're like, oh, look at these two friends. And then they're still friends.

Shannon (38:39)

No, no. I mean, those. That's probably the answer. Adam Sandler, Right? Adam Sandler and I guess Farley were really good friends back in the day. I know he's dead now, but I mean, back in the day.

Matt Jones (38:51)

It was 30 years ago, though. I mean, they live together.

Ryan Lemons (38:54)

Yeah.

Matt Jones (38:54)

They've lived an entire life together and remain friends. I think that's pretty impressive because yeah, usually.

Ryan Lemons (39:01)

Usually they end up hating each other and fighting with each other when they go spend that much time together over.

Matt Jones (39:05)

The years, I can't. I'm sure there is someone, but I can't think of anyone. Will Stein at his press conference. Drew, you watched it. The thing that stuck out to me was him quashing any possible football, basketball beef with the question of whether how he thought being at a basketball school worked. He basically said, I'm a Kentucky fan and have been my whole life and I want the basketball team to win every game. So thought that was a really good answer. What else did you take from his second press conference in front of the UK press?

Drew Franklin (39:38)

He's really good to listen to for a first time head coach. You know, I know he answers questions as a coordinator, but sometimes the podium like that, just taking all kinds of questions. You know, you don't get the best answers from young guys. But I really liked hearing from him. He spoke for like 40 minutes yesterday. A lot of it was player by player, kind of explaining why I went the direction with the quarterback room. Offensive line was a priority.

Matt Jones (39:59)

What did he say about the quarterback, Kenny Minchi? I mean, I think that's the one everybody will have the most wonder about. Since we've never seen play, it's hard to even find film of him. What did he, what did he suggest about him?

Drew Franklin (40:11)

It's talked about his athleticism, a lot of things. We kind of know just from few highlights actually in athleticism. Even though I didn't get to play a ton at Notre Dame. But the big thing was he said he did his research. He asked the NFL about Menchie and they really like him. And he asked people at Notre Dame about Menchie and they were like, we would have won the same amount of games if he had been the quarterback. It was just that tight of a competition. So that was exciting to hear. And then Will Stein was asked just about the schedule of the SEC and he said something along the lines of, well, they got to play us. So I like this arrogance. Even though he knows Kentucky football's history, he's not coming in with that kind of wounded attitude. He's coming in with a confidence that you don't normally have at this point program in the sec.

Matt Jones (40:51)

I thought of you, Ryan, when I saw his comment, when he, when he was just talking about the whole decision about transfer portals and where he kind of talked about Cutter leaving and he said something like, I mean, we wanted it to work out, but it didn't. What was your take on that, as.

Ryan Lemons (41:09)

A Cutter fan, I really do believe him when he said they wanted Cutter to stay but they weren't going to promise him the job. You know, they weren't going to promise him X amount of dollars that, look, this is what your value is. This is what we're going to pay you. We'd like for you to be here and compete for the job. I believe Stein when he says that, don't you?

Matt Jones (41:28)

I do. I believe, though, I mean, we. I also believe we offered him a lot less money than Arizona State.

Ryan Lemons (41:34)

Yeah.

Matt Jones (41:34)

Half as much. And so, you know, you have to say, all right, was that the right decision? I think it was. But I do think Drew a lot of the support Stein will get will be based on whether that decision is right. If men she's not good and Cutter kills it at Arizona State, there'll be some grumbling over that.

Drew Franklin (41:54)

Completely agree. And I was trying to find the exact quote, but there was some comment like, we had a plan and stick to it. Almost alluding to what we all figured of, like, they had a budget for quarterback and Boli wanted more. I'm sorry, this is what we're doing. But he did wish him well and, you know, mentioned that he loved Kentucky and just different plans.

Ryan Lemons (42:13)

It was interesting to hear. Say what? Like, you've hinted at Matt, like, they assign a value to each player and they.

Matt Jones (42:19)

Yeah, I want to talk to him about that. I'm hoping in the next couple of weeks we get him on for a longer one. That's one of the things I really want to talk to him about.

Shannon (42:26)

Can I tell you something? I don't believe him when he says that he is the biggest Kentucky basketball fan you'll ever meet. No. You know, our fan base, we have, like, the craziest. I don't think he's the kid. I don't care. A lot of kids. A lot of kids went to the camp. You can't tell me that he is the biggest guitar.

Matt Jones (42:45)

Are you challenging his fandom?

Shannon (42:47)

Yes.

Matt Jones (42:47)

Wow.

Shannon (42:48)

I'm not saying that like, you know, I'm a bigger fan than he is, but I'm saying, is he the biggest you'll ever meet? No, I don't believe that.

Matt Jones (42:54)

So do you want to have a contest where he has to compete with other big fans to see who the biggest fan?

Shannon (43:00)

I would love that because I don't believe for a minute he's the biggest Kentucky fan I'll ever meet.

Matt Jones (43:04)

Who is the. In your mind, who is the biggest Kentucky fan? Like, if you were to. If we as a fan base were to say, who is the biggest Kentucky fan?

Shannon (43:12)

Probably somebody I've never met.

Matt Jones (43:15)

Probably.

Shannon (43:16)

Yeah.

Matt Jones (43:16)

But I'm sure you think they have to be a little bit known because of that.

Shannon (43:20)

I don't think he's a bigger Kentucky fan than John Short.

Matt Jones (43:23)

Okay, that's. That's a good one. But, you know, may have to get them on a call off. Let's.

Shannon (43:31)

Let's do that.

Matt Jones (43:33)

I did like his story where he.

Ryan Lemons (43:34)

Said he went to the Tubby Smith basketball camp and he won the free throw contest and he won the hot shot contest.

Shannon (43:38)

That's great. But it doesn't make him the biggest Kentucky basketball.

Matt Jones (43:41)

Bigger than the guy who paints himself in those overalls every game.

Shannon (43:44)

No, Will Stein will not go to a game painted in blue and overalls.

Matt Jones (43:49)

Drew, you've been around a lot. Who's the biggest fan?

Drew Franklin (43:52)

I've also been to Tubby Smith's basketball camp. Maybe the same one as Will Stein. I could have been giving Will Stein buckets and not knowing. Would have to be someone that drives to away games and literally goes to everything they possibly can and has a. One of those houses or man caves where you can. The UK emblem is on everything they can possibly put it on. I think someone out there would qualify for that.

Matt Jones (44:14)

I think it has to be someone who. It affects your mental well being if they win or lose. Yeah, like I. Like, that's me. I'm in that category now. I think there's people who take it a lot more. Worse. A lot worse than I do. But like to be the biggest fan, it has to affect your mood when they lose. Like if you just go on with your life. My view is if you lose to Tennessee and that night you go to dinner and act like nothing happened, then Shannon, you can't be the biggest fan.

Shannon (44:43)

That's true.

Matt Jones (44:44)

You might be. You might be a normal human being.

Shannon (44:46)

Yeah.

Matt Jones (44:47)

But you're not the biggest fan. Yeah. There's people who are furious about Will.

Shannon (44:52)

Style is not going home and crying when Kentucky loses to Tennessee. So he's not the biggest because he. Come on. He's not. Quit trying to defend.

Matt Jones (45:00)

I'll be. I'll be cried. Balls of tears after we go to Missouri. I hope there's a video and you stick it in your face.

Shannon (45:08)

Okay. Come on.

Ryan Lemons (45:09)

Yeah.

Shannon (45:09)

Do your thing.

Drew Franklin (45:10)

Yeah.

Matt Jones (45:11)

We will take a break and come back. Hour number two, Sksr.