Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) – January 29, 2026, Hour 1

Hosts: Matt Jones, Ryan Lemond, Drew Shannon, Shannon the Dude
Broadcast from: KS Bar & Grill, Lexington, with Shannon in Louisville
Main Theme:
This episode focuses on the aftermath of a disappointing UK basketball loss, questions about head coach Mark Pope’s tenure, and KSR celebrating its record-breaking ratings. The hosts mix sports analysis with playful banter, reminisce about past show highlights, and preview their upcoming Super Bowl trip.

Episode Overview

Purpose:

• Recap of UK basketball’s recent struggles, particularly the loss to Vanderbilt
• Critical discussion of Mark Pope’s performance and future as head coach
• Celebration of KSR’s historic radio ratings
• Listeners’ comments and calls on UK basketball, coaching, and fan experience
• Lighthearted stories, upcoming plans, and ongoing show traditions

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Weather & Road Conditions in Kentucky

• Matt and the crew chat about the effects of the recent snow/ice storm, contrasting Lexington’s poor cleanup with Louisville’s clearer streets.
• “You guys in Lexington have handled this storm much worse than the people in Louisville.” – Matt Jones (02:16)

2. Colonoscopy Banter (04:40–06:30)

• Drew recounts his recent colonoscopy, joking about the prep and the surprisingly restful anesthesia.
  • “Honestly, that’s the best sleep I’ve had.” – Drew Shannon (04:55)
  • Lighthearted comparisons to watching Kentucky play as an “unmedicated colonoscopy.”

3. KSR’s Ratings Success (06:33–11:13)

• The hosts celebrate obtaining the highest ratings in the program’s history, noting they dominated every demographic—including women 18–49, a rarity for sports talk.
  • “In men 25 to 54, which is the sports demo, 40.3 rating. … The last ratings period, we got a 40.” – Matt Jones (08:07)
  • “The numbers are absolutely insane… nowhere anywhere does a sports talk radio show get numbers like this.” – Ryan Lemond (09:07)

4. Super Bowl Radio Row Plans (11:13–16:42)

• Previewing the team’s upcoming trip to the Super Bowl’s Radio Row in San Francisco.
  • “Our set is right in between the NFL Network TV show set and the Pat McAfee show set.” – Matt Jones (14:09)
• Outfits, party invites, and exclusive event access discussed with excitement.

Memorable Flashbacks

• Reminiscing about past convention trips and celebrity encounters: Don King, Dan Rather, MC Hammer, Tucker Carlson, and others.
• “I have a picture of me with Tucker Carlson, which I don’t want nowadays, but there’s a picture of me.” – Matt Jones (15:32)

5. Mark Pope and the State of UK Basketball (21:40–27:58)

• National commentators (Paul Finebaum, ESPN crew) and local fans show rising concern about Mark Pope’s ability to lead UK after a blowout loss to Vanderbilt.
  • “There might now be questions about whether Mark Pope could do this job.” – Matt Jones (21:52)
• Drew, Ryan, and Shannon each express growing doubts about Pope’s long-term viability as coach.
  • “Do you think this team can still be really special?” – Matt Jones (22:54)
  • “No. I don’t know.” – Drew Shannon (22:58)
• Roster construction, lack of player cohesion, and intensity in question.
  • “You gotta have a little dog in you [as a coach].” – Drew Shannon (25:18)
  • “I’m hanging on, but barely. … This has been happening all season.” – Ryan Lemond (25:51)

Notable Quotes:

• “Are you confident that in five years we can have contended for a title with Mark Pope as the coach?” – Matt Jones (24:22)
• “I don’t think you can guarantee one person on the basketball team next year.” – Matt Jones (27:30)

6. Calls, Listener Reactions, and Pep Talk Debate (32:41–34:52)

• Caller Noah proposes a fan-funded locker room pep talk; hosts debate if fans could do better than Pope at motivating players.
  • “If some dude walked in… Can you imagine Bob in Jamestown went out in and tried to give a pep talk?” – Matt Jones (35:08)
  • “What are we talking about? Mark Pope needs to be doing this.” – Drew Shannon (35:25)

7. Practice & Effort Concerns from Jack Givens (30:50–32:13)

• Guest analyst Jack Givens suggests players aren’t practicing hard or with passion—hosts see this as a damning indictment of coaching.
  • “They don’t practice hard. … That’s more on the coaches.” – Ryan Lemond (30:50)
  • “If Jack says that, I think he’s 100% accurate.” – Matt Jones (31:08)
  • “There’s only one player on the team that I think has played hard all year, and that’s Aberdeen.” – Matt Jones (31:47)

8. UK Basketball Prognosis & Game Outlook

• Discussion of the path to an NCAA tournament bid in light of poor performances and upcoming schedule.
  • “I think you have to win [two more games] and they’re probably going to go into it as an underdog.” – Matt Jones (23:25)

9. Playful Segments & Local Flavor

• Banter about vintage UK underwear, odd fan memorabilia, and Kentucky high school basketball legends (36:19–38:56)
• Nostalgia and regional pride woven throughout, emphasizing the show's deep Kentucky roots.

10. International Sports Story – Benfica’s Dramatic Champions League Win (43:49–48:57)

• Matt excitedly narrates the Benfica soccer game where the goalkeeper scored a header in stoppage time to send his team through.
  • “The goalie gets the header to win the game. And they move on. … The stadium loses their mind.” – Matt Jones (47:16)
  • “I would have given anything to be in that stadium. It looks like absolute bedlam.” – Matt Jones (48:05)
  • “You don’t need to know Spanish. The passion in their voice… you can’t help but smile and get excited.” – Drew Shannon (49:08)

11. Upcoming UK Games & Fan Sentiment (49:23–51:29)

• Callers discuss travel logistics for games amid inclement weather.
• Debate on UK’s chance against Arkansas—most optimism is muted.
• Plans for a KS Bar & Grill watch party: “Let’s pack the place. Let’s get it going in here.” – Ryan Lemond (51:14)

Timeline of Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | Details | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------------------|---------| | 02:16 | Storm, Lexington vs. Louisville | Roads, snow removal | | 04:40 | Colonoscopy segment | Hospital humor, Drew’s story | | 06:33 | Ratings announcement | KSR breaks records | | 11:13 | Super Bowl Radio Row preview | Travel, parties, outfits | | 15:04 | Celebrity encounters from past conventions | Show anecdotes | | 21:52 | Mark Pope’s performance under scrutiny | ESPN/Paul Finebaum criticisms | | 24:22 | Roundtable: Can Pope win a title at UK? | Hosts’ opinions | | 30:50 | Jack Givens’ practice insight | Effort/practice issues | | 35:08 | Fan locker room pep talk debate | Caller idea, hosts’ reactions | | 43:49 | Benfica Champions League story | Last-minute soccer drama | | 49:23 | Upcoming games, travel, watch party | Weather, outlook, plans |

Notable Quotes

• “I talked myself into it. Now, I don’t think that’s necessarily wrong.”
  – Matt Jones on Mark Pope’s hire (29:00)

• “You can’t just start firing people every two years. No one’s ever going to take the job.”
  – Drew Shannon (30:23)

• “I think there’s only one player on the team that I think has played hard all year, and that’s Aberdeen.”
  – Matt Jones (31:47)

• “There’s no sports show, maybe in the history of sports, that’s ever won women 18 to 49.”
  – Matt Jones (08:07)

• “If you see five people. Two of them like you.”
  – Matt Jones (10:12), on KSR’s radio market penetration

Engaging or Memorable Moments

• Banter about anesthesia and colonoscopies – “Honestly, that’s the best sleep I’ve had.” (04:55)
• Fan-suggested locker room pep talk– quickly rejected by all but Shannon, who supports any fan involvement (34:52)
• Vintage UK memorabilia – “UK Bloomer women’s underwear… said ‘I am behind the Wildcats’ on the butt.” (37:38)
• Soccer story – Dramatic retelling of a Champions League match with a goalkeeper scoring in stoppage time (47:16)

Overall Tone and Language

• Upbeat, candid, and humorous, mixing serious analysis with inside jokes and regional flair
• Candid about team and coaching shortcomings but quick to celebrate successes, both on-air and off
• Encourages community participation, with frequent references to listener calls and Kentucky culture

For Listener Reference:

• This hour is a quintessential KSR blend: in-depth Kentucky basketball critique, celebratory self-reflection, playful storytelling, and the anticipation of future marquee events (Super Bowl Radio Row).
• Strong local ties, frequent engagement with fans, and irreverence set the tone throughout.

For Further Listening

• The hosts promise more “KSR classic” shows in the coming weeks and deeper coverage of both Kentucky basketball and their Super Bowl adventures on future episodes.