Kentucky Sports Radio – Hour 2 (January 28, 2026)

Host: Matt Jones

Panel: Ryan Lemond, Shannon Dawson

Producer/Station: iHeartPodcasts / Sports Talk 790 (WKRD-AM)

Main Theme

This episode of Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) covers a range of sports and lifestyle topics, rooted in UK (University of Kentucky) basketball’s struggles, Deion Sanders' new policy at Colorado, social media trolling between college sports teams, and a running debate on friendships between men and women. As usual, the tone is playful, opinionated, and interactive, with calls from listeners and back-and-forth banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Kentucky Basketball: Recent Loss and Tournament Chances

• The show kicks off with reactions to Kentucky’s loss to Vanderbilt, with Matt Jones assuring listeners that the defeat won’t "spoil our day" and that many local schools are still out due to icy weather.
• The panel discusses the Cats' tournament prospects, agreeing Kentucky still has a chance, but stressing the need for more big wins.
  • Matt Jones: “Yes, but you know, not certain. But I'm still going to say yes.” (05:06)
  • Ryan Lemond: "They're going to have to steal some of these wins… Right now they have one good win. Tennessee. That's it. Nothing else." (05:12)
• They debate the quality of Kentucky’s résumé, noting victories over Tennessee, St. John’s, Indiana, and Texas, but expressing concern over blowout losses that could hurt in selection.

2. Weather & School Cancellations

• Ongoing discussion about hazardous road conditions in Lexington and Louisville ("ice is so bad on the neighborhood streets") and resulting school closures.
• Anecdotes about Mississippi’s shutdown between Oxford and Memphis ("so many cars were wrecking"), and Ole Miss canceling classes for three days.

3. College Basketball Social Media Trolling

• Vanderbilt’s social media account trolled Kentucky after their win, using a reworked version of a Matt Jones tweet.
  • Matt Jones: “I liked it. I mean, that's kind of the new thing in social media, teams doing that. I thought it was good.” (15:18)
  • Shannon Dawson: "You don’t get to claim Vanderbilt's win, Tennessee." (16:22)
• General discussion on rival fans’ behavior on social media following games—particularly Tennessee and Arkansas fans.

4. Deion Sanders' $500 Fine for Colorado Players

• Discussion of Deion Sanders announcing a $500 fine for college football players at Colorado if they’re late to practice.
  • Ryan Lemond: “I love it… as their parent, as their coach, [Dion] is going to find something to hurt them... What hurts you more than take some of your money?” (10:21)
  • Matt Jones: “I'm not against it in theory… Most of the time to do this, when they do this in the NBA, it's part of the collective bargaining agreement… There's no contract that says he can do this.” (11:19)
• The group debates whether the fines are enforceable or could backfire in recruiting ("does it hurt you in recruiting, Shannon, if you go to a school where you could get fined?").

5. Friendships Between Men and Women ("Lunch with Other Men’s Wives")

• Matt recounts being friends with multiple women (including exes) and regularly having lunch with married women, sparking debate about boundaries and comfort.
  • Matt Jones: “I'm friends with all of my exes for the most part... I can't be mad if I do that, Shannon. I can't be mad if people did that with my wife or girlfriend.” (06:42)
  • Ryan Lemond: “I just think it's a little... disrespectful to yoga girl. If I'm having lunch with another woman...” (31:10)
  • Shannon Dawson: “If she's going out, I'M going too.” (25:13)
• The conversation evolves into whether men and women can be friends, levels of jealousy, and trust in relationships.
  • Notable Quote: “Don't be nervous. Don't be like Ryan. Be like Matt and Billy. Not Ryan and Shannon.” (43:30)

6. Listener Call-in: Personal Announcement for "Scotty"

• Unique moment: Matt announces, at the request of a listener’s wife, that “Scotty” is going to be a father—a live, on-air surprise.
  • Matt Jones: “Scotty, congratulations. Your wife wanted to surprise you. You are becoming a father.” (08:50)
  • Ryan Lemond: “Scotty's had a moment of panic all across the bluegrass today.” (13:42)

7. College Sports Hall of Fame Grievances

• Matt rails against Hall of Fame voting processes in all major sports, citing Belichick’s snub, the moralizing of baseball’s Hall of Fame, and the overly inclusive basketball Hall.
  • Matt Jones: “If you're not going to let Bill Belichick... why are you going to have a Hall of Fame?” (36:03)

8. Light-hearted Banter & Listener Questions

• Panel quizzes Matt on starting mechanical equipment: weed eaters, lawnmowers, motorcycles, leaf blowers, etc.—he admits to being generally “mechanically challenged.”
  • Matt Jones: “If there's anything else you have to do, I wouldn't.” [about starting tractors] (27:51)
• Laughs over memorabilia with the “forbidden tongue” logo, including calls about T-shirts, pillowcases, and odd memorabilia trades.
  • Linda (Caller): “I have a Wildcat T-shirt... guess what he has? The forbidden tongue.” (37:16)
  • Matt Jones: “That is pornographic material you have.” (37:23)
  • Peanut (Caller): “I have a shot glass, a license plate, and a pillowcase with the tongue on it.” (47:19)

9. Quick Hits & Game Picks

• DraftKings pick segment: panel predicts Tennessee vs. Georgia basketball (Tennessee favored).
  • Ryan Lemond: "I'm taking Tennessee... I think Georgia was a little overrated." (45:25)
• Short discussion of Nebraska basketball’s anomalous success and how it compares to UK’s struggles.

10. UK Coach Mark – Too Soft?

• Discussion about whether UK basketball’s coach, Mark, is too passive or "too kind," with some calls for more assertiveness.
  • Caller (Charlie): "I think Mark is just... too kind, maybe. I'm not sure the players respect him." (50:00)
  • Matt: “You can do it a bunch of different ways… There are guys that scream that succeed... there’s a lot of different ways to do it.” (51:39)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote/Moment | |---------------|-------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 05:06 | Matt Jones | “Yes, but you know, not certain. But I'm still going to say yes.” (on making the tournament) | | 06:42 | Matt Jones | “I'm friends with all of my exes for the most part... I can't be mad if... people did that with my wife or girlfriend.” | | 08:50 | Matt Jones | “Scotty, congratulations. Your wife wanted to surprise you. You are becoming a father.” | | 10:21 | Ryan Lemond | “I love it... What hurts you more than take some of your money?” (on Deion Sanders' fine) | | 11:19 | Matt Jones | “[In the NBA]... it's part of the collective bargaining agreement… There's no contract that says he can do this.” | | 15:18 | Matt Jones | “I liked it... teams kind of doing that. I thought it was good. I appreciate the call.” (re: Vanderbilt trolling UK) | | 22:50 | Matt Jones | “Matt, I love the show but the story you told about eating lunch with people's wives makes you sound gay.” | | 24:08 | Shannon Dawson | “I said as long as they're okay with it. As long as all parties are fine.” | | 31:10 | Ryan Lemond | “I just think it's a little... disrespectful to yoga girl. If I'm having lunch with another woman…” | | 36:03 | Matt Jones | “If you're not going to let Bill Belichick... why are you going to have a Hall of Fame?” | | 37:23 | Matt Jones | “That is pornographic material you have.” (to Linda about the “forbidden tongue” shirt) | | 43:30 | Matt Jones | “Don't be nervous. Don't be like Ryan. Be like Matt and Billy. Not Ryan and Shannon.” |

Key Segment Timestamps

• 03:06 – Show starts, weather/school closures, Kentucky basketball loss
• 05:06 – 06:01 – UK tournament prospects debate
• 09:59 – 10:49 – Deion Sanders' $500 player fine policy
• 15:18 – 16:22 – Social media trolling: Vanderbilt’s tweet and rivalry banter
• 22:50 – 32:29 – Debate: friendships with the opposite sex, jealousy, and trust
• 37:03 – 39:14 – Memorable call: “forbidden tongue” UK memorabilia
• 45:14 – 47:04 – DraftKings picks & quick basketball talk
• 50:00 – 52:47 – Caller critiques on Coach Mark’s style

Summary Table: Major Topics and Tone

| Segment | Theme/Discussion | Tone | |------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------| | Kentucky Basketball | Post-loss assessment, bracketology, résumé-building | Concerned, hopeful | | Weather & Schools | Local life disruptions, anecdotes about icy roads | Local, relatable | | Deion Sanders' Fine Policy | Coaching tactics, NIL money, enforceability | Debating, intrigued | | Social Media Trolling | Sports rivalries, digital trash talk | Playful, bantering | | Gender & Friendship | Social boundaries, insecurity, trust in relationships | Provocative, candid | | Listener Moments | Surprise announcement (“Scotty”), memorabilia stories | Joyful, comedic | | Hall of Fame Grievances | Induction injustice in all major pro sports Halls of Fame | Ranting, humorous | | Life Skills Q&A | Panel quizzes Matt’s hands-on/mechanical abilities | Self-deprecating, fun | | Listener Calls on Coaching | Toughness vs. kindness in coaching, UK’s Mark controversy | Open, reflective |

Closing Thoughts

This KSR hour provides a microcosm of the show’s signature: relatable local sports talk, hot takes on national issues, and humorous deep-dives into the lives of the hosts and their audience. The tension between traditional attitudes and modern sensibilities—whether that’s about sports, relationships, or leadership—keeps the discussion lively and unpredictable.

Listeners tuning in for UK insights get their fix, but equally, they get warm, funny, and occasionally awkward moments—from surprise baby announcements to debates on the merits of platonic lunch dates. The content flows naturally, with audience engagement and classic KSR chemistry on full display.

For further listener engagement, key calls and surprises can be found at:

• "Scotty" Announcement: 08:20–09:44
• Deion Sanders Policy segment: 09:59–12:21
• Trolling/Twitter talk: 15:18–16:22
• Gender/friendship debate: 22:50–32:29
• Hall of Fame tirade: 33:34–36:36
• Memorabilia laughs: 37:03–39:14
• Coach Mark critique: 50:00–52:47