Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) – Hour 1, February 13, 2026

Location: Don Franklin Auto, Radcliffe, Kentucky
Hosts: Matt Jones, Ryan Lemond, Drew Franklin, Shannon Dawson
Theme: Pre-game excitement for UK vs. Florida basketball, team chemistry, community spirit, and candid Kentucky sports talk.

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode of Kentucky Sports Radio aired live from a packed Don Franklin Auto in Radcliffe, Kentucky, marking the show’s first ever broadcast from Hardin County. With the University of Kentucky men’s basketball team set to play at Florida as significant underdogs, the hosts discussed the heightened local energy, analyzed the Wildcats’ prospects, and delved into fan and team morale. Other topics included individual player development, memorable community interactions, NCAA transfer disputes, and broader cultural issues in college sports.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Radcliffe Crowd & Community Energy

• The KSR crew noted the large and energized crowd, likening the atmosphere to a pep rally or even an SEC Tournament environment.
• [00:43] Matt Jones: "If you would take out… the Rupp regulars and bring in Hardin county and Radcliffe, we might… have that home court advantage we like to talk about."
• The group praised Radcliffe’s sports culture, referencing local high school legends such as Andre Woodson, Jordan Lovett, and Todd Perry.
  [04:36] Ryan Lemond: "We just had our starting safety for the last three years, Jordan Lovett. ...But the guy that probably has the most fame is a former Chicago Bear, Todd Perry."

2. Previewing Kentucky vs. Florida

Double-Digit Underdogs & Stakes

• Kentucky is an 11.5-point underdog, a rare position for the program.
• The significance: Florida is on a hot streak, regularly blitzing opponents early.
• [07:01] Matt Jones: "If they start slow here, you're looking at a Vandy situation. Like it can get away from you."
• Florida’s front line is called "as good a front line as you'll see in college basketball in 2026," with multiple bigs and an Oscar Tshiebwe-esque rebounder.

Keys to the Game

• Avoid falling behind early; Kentucky must "get out in front early, keep the crowd out of it."
  [09:30] Ryan Lemond: "That is the model for tomorrow. ... Florida's going to make a run at some point. They will make a run. You just got to hold it off."
• Kentucky's advantage is in the backcourt; Aberdeen and Chandler need a huge night (combined 55-60 points for a win). [17:11] Matt Jones: "How many points do Oway, Aberdeen and Chandler need to combine for tomorrow for us to win? 60."

3. Team Chemistry, Fan Outlook, & Identity

Growing Team Likeability

• Discussed how the team has become more "likable" as personalities have gelled and on-court effort has improved.
• [11:04] Matt Jones: "I also think this team has started... to become likable. ...Now you start to see smiles."
• Traits that were once frustrating (e.g., Garrison’s antics) have become endearing in the face of recent wins.

Us-Against-the-World Mentality

• The team is embracing a "chip on their shoulder" attitude, triggered by early fan and media skepticism. [20:55] Matt Jones: "They're taking this view... it's us against the world."
• Hosts agreed it fits this group and has helped form a tighter, more resilient squad.

Naming the Team – Forbidden!

• Caller suggested "Heart and Hustle" as a nickname, but Matt Jones ruled: "no more naming of teams."
  [40:43] Matt Jones: "Problem is, I'm letting these sneak through, which leads to more. No more naming of teams. But God bless Ernestine."

4. Player Spotlights & Injuries

Denzel Aberdeen

• Concerns raised about him "doing too much" against his former team, Florida. [16:23] Matt Jones: "Early in the year I was worried about Aberdeen trying to do too much every game and he's been a lot, lot better about that."
• Emphasis on backcourt needing a big scoring performance to counter Florida’s frontcourt.

The Bigs & Jaden Quaintance’s Absence

• Kentucky’s four big men will see significant minutes due to the size they’re facing.
• Jaden Quaintance’s long injury absence (knee swelling) sparked skepticism about his recovery and future impact. [35:39] Drew Franklin: "I think Ryan will play before Jade(n) Quaint[ance] for Kentucky."
• Matt questioned whether the $2 million investment was a gamble that “didn’t work.” [37:48] Matt Jones: "This was a gamble, Ryan, that I think we're gonna end up having to say, didn't work."

Team Performance Versus Statistical Rankings

• Discussion of analytics underestimating Kentucky compared to poll rankings:
  [08:34] Matt Jones: "The numbers hate us. ...The numbers love [Florida] because they blitz people."

5. Culture & Controversy: Ole Miss Court Case

Coach Joe Judge’s "Football Over Family" Comments

• Ole Miss coach Joe Judge’s court testimony about advising players’ partners to take over all childcare duties during the season sparked sharp criticism from the KSR crew:
  • [28:01] Joe Judge (clip): "...If you have this baby in the middle of season...you need to let him sleep. He needs to be in another room, detached... during the season, he’s gotta have different priority."
• The hosts were aghast:
  • [29:15] Ryan Lemond: "It's gonna go over like a lead balloon. ...I would never let my kid play for that guy."
  • [31:32] Shannon Dawson: "You’re not practicing or looking at game film 24 hours a day. You got plenty of time to spend with your kids."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the Radcliffe Crowd:

• "[Radcliffe] is bringing it today. So it’s very exciting to be here." — Drew Franklin, [02:00]

On Team Chemistry:

• "Now you start to see smiles. You start to see guys who seem to get along, and then people's personality traits, which can make you mad, become quirky and funny." — Matt Jones, [11:04]

On Us-Against-the-World:

• "They're taking this view... it's us against the world. ...I like the fact that maybe Pope and these guys have a little chip on their shoulder right now." — Ryan Lemond, [21:20]

On Bigs vs. Florida:

• "This is as good a front line as you’ll see in college basketball in 2026… They’ve got like all of them." — Matt Jones, [12:42]
• "I would pour all the gasoline in the Brandon Garrison tank..." — Drew Franklin, [12:30]

On the Ole Miss Testimony:

• "I can't believe he said this…" — Matt Jones, [29:49]
• "I would never let my kid play for that guy." — Ryan Lemond, [29:34]
• "There’s not one mother, sister, baby mama going to take his side on this. Nobody’s going to think it’s a good idea that he wants you to pick football over family." — Ryan Lemond, [29:15]
• "I would think there'd be a lot of baby mamas taking their baby dad into the transfer portal after hearing this." — Shannon Dawson, [31:45]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:34 — Show opens live in Radcliffe, Kentucky; huge crowd energy
• 04:36 — North Hardin athletic legacy discussed
• 05:26 — Kentucky as double-digit underdog: History and implications
• 07:01 — Warning: Can't fall behind early vs. Florida
• 12:42 — Florida’s front court dissected; Kentucky’s bigs previewed
• 16:23 — Aberdeen's role, concern on "trying to do too much"
• 17:11 — Guards’ scoring requirement for a win vs. Florida discussed
• 20:55 — "Us against the world" team mentality unpacked
• 28:01 — Audio of Ole Miss coach Joe Judge’s controversial court testimony
• 29:15–31:45 — KSR crew reacts to Judge’s remarks about football priorities
• 35:39 — Jaden Quaintance injury, NIL value, and potential season write-off
• 40:43 — Fan calls, team naming debate (“Heart and Hustle” suggestion)
• 41:15 — Closing thoughts on team chemistry and player relationships

Summary & Takeaways

This hour encapsulated much of what makes KSR a staple for Kentucky Wildcats fans: community engagement, frank and humorous takes on sports, and genuine exploration of fan sentiment. The anticipation for the Kentucky–Florida matchup was made more palpable by the lively crowd and honest assessment of team strengths and vulnerabilities. The group also did not shy away from tough conversations about player welfare, coaching culture, and the consequences of big money NIL investments.

For fans and listeners, this episode both fired up optimism for the Gators game and provided a nuanced view of the challenges and growth facing the current Kentucky roster and its coaches.