KSR Podcast — Hour 2 (Feb 12, 2026)

Episode Overview

On this episode of Kentucky Sports Radio Hour 2, Matt Jones, Drew Franklin, Shannon The Dude, and the KSR crew broadcast live from KS Bar and Grill, delving into University of Kentucky (UK) basketball news, Big 12's new glass basketball floor, a Netflix documentary on a Louisville murder, Kentucky baseball season kickoff, high school sports, and even local Louisville trivia. The team banters with callers, debates UK’s basketball future, portal prospects, Louisville’s “Glitter Ball City” nickname, and even shares Valentine’s Day plans. The tone is casual, humorous, and opinionated, giving listeners a front-row seat to Kentucky sports culture and small-town life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. UK Basketball Documentary & Season Outlook

• CBS All Access UK Basketball Documentary
  • Slated to air between Final Four and national championship.
  • Behind-the-scenes look, includes Mark Pope's intensity ("punching the whiteboard"; [05:54], Matt Jones).
  • Addresses locker room rumors, player chemistry, and internal narratives.
  • Concern about the “documentary jinx” — does being featured mean a disappointing season repeat?
  • “It’s not lost on me, the only other time we did this was the NIT year… But overall, I’m excited to watch it.” — Drew ([05:54–06:26])
  • Discussion on whether cameras affected player performance, especially for newcomers.
    • “You got a camera crew in the locker room, I could see how that would impact you a little bit.” — Drew ([08:34])

2. UK Portal & Roster for Next Year

• How Many Current Players Will Return?
  • Matt: “Of 10 who can come back, I’m gonna say 6 return.” ([34:47])
  • Drew: “I’ll say five.” ([34:47])
  • Ryan (Stockton Mortgage Rep): “I was gonna go 4, almost getting to 3.” ([35:04])
  • Debated value of keeping key Kentucky kids (e.g., Malachi Moreno, Cam Williams, Colin Chandler).
  • Argument over building through the portal: “Recruit over everyone except maybe Moreno; go get the best in the portal, sorry.” — Drew ([36:48])
  • Matt holds that some returnees are big portal targets themselves, so UK should keep them rather than roll the dice.
• Philosophy of Transfer Portal Recruiting
  • Critique of last season’s “sixth-man” additions instead of landing dominant players.
    • “Last year they went out and got six-man… didn’t necessarily go out and get a dude.” — Stockton Mortgage Rep ([45:48])
  • Matt notes that top portal targets are fewer, but returning talent builds continuity.

3. Big 12 Basketball Tournament’s Glass Floor Gimmick

• The Big 12 will use a glass court for their tournament, allowing for digital graphics.
• Host opinions are mixed on safety and the spectacle ("assuming nobody gets hurt, I like it a lot” — Matt; [11:09]).
• Concerns about playability, dead spots, excessive advertising overlays.
• Drew: “They're gonna sell every spot on that [floor] they can.” ([12:29])
• Discussion links to past experience installing a similar glass floor at Rupp Arena.

4. Call-In Banter and Local Trivia

• Miami of Ohio Basketball's Undefeated Run ([13:16])
  • Caller plugs his alma mater, Matt’s intrigued by their ESPN appearance.
• Rick Pitino Admits He Should Have Been Fired from Louisville ([14:32])
  • “Breaking news… Rick Pitino says for the first time that he knows he should have been fired at UofL.” — Matt ([14:12])
  • Crew amazed at Pitino’s belated candor, swap anecdotes about his UK years.

5. Netflix’s “Murder in Glitter Ball City” and Louisville’s Disco Ball Industry

• Team reacts to the forthcoming Netflix documentary, “Murder in Glitter Ball City,” about the 2010 murder of James Carroll in Louisville ([21:08]).
• Confusion over the nickname “Glitter Ball City” leads to local trivia:
  • Caller explains Louisville’s Omega National Products makes 90% of the world’s disco balls; “Louisville is the world's largest manufacturer of disco balls.” — Matt ([27:41])
  • Drew finds a walking tour of “Glitter Ball City” exists.
  • Hosts and listeners admit surprise at the fact.

6. Kentucky Baseball Season Start & Local Sports

• UK baseball starts at UNC Greensboro, not televised, but available on local stream ([23:35]).
• Drew: “I've really gotten into them the last couple seasons.” ([25:15])
• Discussion on star player Tyler Bell, rotation, and excitement over UK’s growing baseball coverage ([24:22]).
• High school baseball set to start already, even with snow on ground.

7. Local Color: Valentine’s Plans & The Moose Lodge Dance

• Ryan’s (Stockton Mortgage) elaborate Valentine’s gift is basketball game tickets for his wife ([30:53]).
• Lively discussion about Lexington’s “310” restaurant and “expensive jeans.”
• Caller describes singles dances at Louisville’s Moose Lodge: “Even the U of L fans take the cash instead of basketball tickets!” ([48:08]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Cameras in the Locker Room:
  • “You tell people, hey, act naturally. But then people just… they can’t because you got a camera in your face.” — Shannon ([09:18])
• On the skeptical reaction to the glass floor:
  • “What they're telling me is that their conference tournament is boring, so we got to figure out a gimmick to make people watch.” — Shannon ([12:24])
  • “You're taking a risk with an ankle or a knee or something, slipping and falling.” — Stockton Mortgage Rep ([11:09])
• On Rick Pitino’s admission:
  • “Is he growing up right in front of our…?” — Stockton Mortgage Rep
  • “Better late than never.” — Drew ([14:46])
• Surprise at Louisville’s claim to “Disco Ball Capital”:
  • “Louisville is the world's largest manufacturer of disco balls. There are even more made in Louisville than in China and Japan.” — Matt Jones ([27:41])
• Portal Retention Strategy:
  • “If Cam Williams goes in the portal… I think Michael Moreno and Cam Williams will be wanted by everybody.” — Matt Jones ([44:40])
  • “You would recruit over Cam Williams, though? ... Every single position I'm offering the best player and seeing what happens.” — Drew ([36:57 & 37:04])
• Colorful Local Life:
  • “That looks like AI John Cal… it’s like [Patino] ordered a clone of Cal and just wants to take him around.” — Matt Jones ([15:38])
  • “There’s a glitter ball city walking tour in Louisville?” — Matt Jones ([27:17])
  • “Even the U of L fans take the cash instead of the basketball tickets!” — Caller about the Moose Lodge dance ([48:08])
  • “Shannon: I think my dad goes to this. ... The only thing is he’s not single.” ([48:49 & 49:24])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• UK Basketball Documentary & Locker Room Drama: [05:12–10:05]
• Glass Basketball Floor (Big 12 Tournament): [11:09–13:12]
• Rick Pitino’s Interview/Nostalgia: [14:12–15:19]
• Louisville: "Glitter Ball City" Origin: [21:08–27:58]
• Kentucky Baseball Season Preview: [23:35–26:14]
• Valentine’s Day Plans & Dress Code: [30:53–32:36]
• UK Basketball Roster Return Projections: [34:47–46:53]
• High School Basketball Round-Up: [47:22–48:05]
• Moose Lodge Singles Dance Anecdote: [48:08–49:54]

Episode Flow & Closing Thoughts

This episode exemplifies KSR’s mix of sports analysis, local color, and playful debate. The hosts balance hard opinions on UK’s team construction and coaching philosophy with a generous helping of Kentucky trivia, offbeat news, and community touchstones, from Netflix docs to singles mixers. Banter is sharp but warm, with both on-air chemistry and audience engagement via callers and texts.

Fans of Kentucky sports — and “characters” — will find this episode a lively, revealing look into the UK sports zeitgeist of early 2026.