2026-02-13- KSR - Hour 2

Summary

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Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) – Hour 2

Date: February 13, 2026
Hosts: Matt Jones and KSR crew (Drew Franklin, Ryan Lemond, Shannon the Dude, et al.)
Location: Don Franklin Auto, Radcliffe, Kentucky

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Main Theme / Purpose

This episode of Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) blends the high-energy vibes of a live remote show from Radcliffe, Kentucky, with passionate commentary on recent Kentucky basketball and football news. The hour is highlighted by a surprise call-in and extended chat with former UK basketball player Ramon Harris, insightful memories from the hosts, and anticipation for Kentucky's big basketball matchup against Florida. The episode's tone is lively and humorous, with classic KSR banter, crowd interaction, and local color.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Live from Radcliffe – Setting the Scene

[01:02 – 03:40]

• The show is broadcast live from Don Franklin Auto in Radcliffe, Kentucky, with references to community figures and prior events, such as the hosts’ skydiving adventure with the mayor.
• Matt Jones notes the enthusiastic crowd:
  "Here with the raucous crowd in Radcliffe, Kentucky at Don Franklin..." [01:02]

2. Recurring KSR Humor & Behind-the-Scenes Moments

[03:44 – 04:35]

• The crew reminisces about a notorious past broadcast when Matt and Drew went skydiving, leaving Ryan and Shannon to awkwardly manage the show:
  "You saw what happens if we just give Ryan a microphone and give him no preparation." – Matt Jones [01:47]
• Descriptions of past technical issues:
  "No calls, no commercials, no stopping..." – Matt Jones [02:08]

3. Sports Talk: Nick Castellanos Incident

[03:49 – 06:34]

• The panel discusses MLB player Nick Castellanos being cut after reportedly drinking a beer in the dugout during a game.
• Banter on “old school” athlete behaviors—smoking in dugouts, Larry Bird allegedly drinking at halftime.
• Perspective on consequences and standards: "If this guy were the best player, they would have let it slide." – Shannon the Dude [06:29]

4. Kentucky High School Basketball Revenge Story

[06:34 – 08:21]

• Matt recounts the compelling story of a high school coach fired from Cooper High, moving to rival St. Henry, and beating his former team at the buzzer.
• Shared appreciation for sports drama: "There’s probably no more of a sweet way to win than a last second buzzer beater against your former team.” – Shannon the Dude [08:17]

5. Surprise Call-In: Former Wildcat Ramon Harris

[08:21 – 15:45]

• Main Highlight of the hour:
  Former UK player Ramon Harris calls in, leading to a warm, detailed conversation about his recruitment, time at UK, and coaches he played for.
• Memorable introductory exchange:
  Matt: "This is the Razor. My man, the Alaskan Assassin." [08:51]
  Ramon: "I’ve been trying to get in touch with y’all for two years." [09:01]
• Ramon discusses his surprise scholarship offer from Tubby Smith, his recruitment journey, and memorable UK moments.
• Ramon is one of the rare players to have played for Tubby Smith, Billy Gillespie, and John Calipari.
• Distinct coaching styles discussed:
  • "Tubby was more of a father figure... liked to teach." – Ramon Harris [12:34]
  • "Gillespie was more of a dog-eat-dog coach... there was no out of bounds.” [13:02]
  • "Cal ran practices like an NBA practice... NBA structured." [13:28]
• Insights into meeting John Wall:
  "You could tell he was fast and athletic, but he was real skinny... But also, yeah, John definitely [had it]." [14:38]
• On participating in a historic Kentucky celebration photo:
  "To be on the good side of it, I was excited, as you could tell." [15:24]

6. Reflection and Legacy of Ramon Harris

[15:46 – 18:10]

• The hosts reflect on Ramon’s unexpected significance to UK basketball and KSR. "He was one of the original members, like McGlore and Right Woo. Ramon, like, that was my group." – Matt Jones [15:53]
• Drew recounts a bar bet gone awry:
  "Today I'm gonna do a shot every time Ramon Harris scores... It was a career day for Ramon, early too. This is a bad idea." – Drew Franklin [16:07]

7. More Billy Gillespie Coaching Anecdotes

[18:10 – 20:15]

• The panel shares wild stories from the Billy Gillespie era:
  "They would take two players... and blow a whistle, whoever dove on the ground to get it first won." – Matt Jones [19:02] "Mike Pratt walked in and said, 'This isn’t going to work here.'” – Matt Jones [19:29]

8. Preparing for Kentucky vs. Florida

[25:09 – 30:44]

• The upcoming Kentucky-Florida basketball game is previewed, including discussion of the SEC standings and the significance of a possible Kentucky win.
• "If we win tomorrow, we're in first place in the SEC... that's kind of remarkable.” – Matt Jones [29:52]
• Drew Franklin:
  "If a team wins nine out of ten in the SEC... you're a good team." [30:03]

9. Roster & Tactical Analysis

[31:07 – 34:32]

• Callers join to discuss the current team’s rotation, notably the impact of player Diabate.
• Insight on his role: "He is perfect for... we need a defensive stop, put Diabate in. He's perfect for that. But when you play him on offense, the offense struggles because he cannot shoot at the 4." – Matt Jones [32:29]
  • Drew notes: "Diabate has been awesome since going to the bench and getting the role he had at Alabama last year." [33:31]

10. Kentucky Football Updates

[35:23 – 37:37]

• Will Stein, new football coach, holds a meet-and-greet for former players in an effort to build camaraderie and program connection.
• Season ticket pricing changes and K Fund donation logistics discussed.
  • "More and more people are not going to the game. So why not have a little–you register early, get a little discount." – Ryan Lemond [37:10]

11. Community Calls and Show Antics

[21:10 – 24:28; 27:51 – 39:05]

• Valentine’s Day cameos, local shout-outs, and more crowd interaction.
• Playful banter about crowd noise and the lively Radcliffe audience.

12. Game Picks & Predictions

[40:45 – end]

• The panel gives predictions for major NCAA basketball games including Kansas–Iowa State, Texas Tech–Arizona, Auburn–Arkansas, and, of course, Kentucky–Florida.
• Consensus: Kentucky likely to lose a close one, but Ryan Lemond picks Kentucky to win at the buzzer.
  • "Cats win at the buzzer. 74, 73. Otega Oy hits the game winner and kills the Gators tomorrow." – Ryan Lemond [42:17]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On live show chaos:
  "You saw what happens if we just give Ryan a microphone and give him no preparation." – Matt Jones [01:47]

• On Nick Castellanos:
  "If this guy were the best player, they would have let it slide." – Shannon the Dude, on baseball clubhouse culture [06:29]

• Ramon Harris’ story:
  "Tubby's son was there with another school. He called Tubby and said, hey, I got a guy I think you would like… Next thing, my mom's blowing my phone up, saying Kentucky wants to offer you a scholarship." – Ramon Harris [10:16–11:42]

• On coaching eras:
  "Tubby was more of a father figure type. ... Gillespie was more of a dog eat dog coach... Cal ran practices like an NBA practice." – Ramon Harris [12:34; paraphrased 13:28]

• On KSR legacy picks:
  "He was one of the original [Matt Jones] all-star team of dudes I kind of like more than I should." – Matt Jones [15:53]

• On Billy Gillespie’s drills:
  "They would take two players and put them like 20ft apart, ball in the center, blow the whistle... athletes diving head first into each other." – Matt Jones [19:02]

• On Kentucky’s team turnaround:
  "If we win tomorrow, we're in first place in the SEC ... that's kind of remarkable." – Matt Jones [29:52]

• Game prediction optimism:
  "Cats win at the buzzer. 74, 73. Otega Oy hits the game winner and kills the Gators tomorrow." – Ryan Lemond [42:17]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:02] – Live from Radcliffe: energetic crowd, skydiving mayor story
• [03:49] – Nick Castellanos beer incident and sports culture chat
• [06:34] – High school coach revenge, buzzer-beater story
• [08:21] – Ramon Harris calls in, extended UK basketball reminiscence
• [12:34] – Harris describes coaching styles (Tubby, Billy G., Calipari)
• [16:07] – Fond/funny memories of Ramon Harris’ UK career
• [18:10] – Gillespie “dive drills” and Billy G. coaching oddities
• [29:52] – How a win vs. Florida could put Kentucky in first place SEC
• [32:29] – Roster analysis: Diabate’s role and team chemistry shift
• [35:23] – UK football: Will Stein’s meet-and-greet for former players
• [40:45] – Rapid-fire college hoops picks and Kentucky–Florida predictions

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Overall Tone & Takeaways

The episode is quintessential KSR—fast-paced, familial, and vibrant, anchored by sports talk with local flavor and a blend of inside jokes, audience participation, and candid storytelling. The extended, candid conversation with Ramon Harris offers rare insights into Kentucky basketball’s transition through three coaching regimes and multiple program watersheds. The show’s atmosphere remains optimistic for both basketball and football, despite clear-eyed analysis of Kentucky’s challenges.

For Kentucky fans or sports radio listeners, this hour is both a nostalgia trip and a lively preview of what’s to come for Big Blue Nation.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

Quarterback hour number two Kentucky Sports Radio here with the raucous crowd in Radcliffe, Kentucky at Don Franklin Buy with backup. Every qualifying part backed by a five year parts warranty here at Don Franklin, Radcliffe, Kentucky, home of West. We talked about North Harden also. This was very close to here where we jumped out of the airplane. Drew and I saw a couple people here who were there that day.

[C]

The mayor.

[B]

Is the mayor still here? Radcliffe? He was here. I guess he went off to do mayor work, but he jumped off, jumped out that day as well.

[A]

That was awesome to watch you guys do that. But that was the worst radio show in the history of radio. Shannon. I had to do when you guys were gone.

[C]

Yeah.

[D]

You and I remember that day for different reasons.

[B]

Yeah. You saw what happens if we just give Ryan a microphone and give him no preparation. Well, the problem was. And you couldn't get calls. Right.

[D]

We couldn't go to break. Nothing would work. It was just Ryan and I spitballing our Internet service wouldn't work. We couldn't look up any like comments from like people listening or anything.

[B]

So it's just two hours of YouTube talking.

[C]

Yeah.

[D]

Sure is a nice day, isn't it?

[A]

No. Look at our phone. No calls, no commercials, no stopping.

[D]

You talk about, I can't remember how.

[A]

But you look like Big Bird in your yellow flight suit. Get ready to jump out of the plane. That lasted about 30 minutes.

[B]

Sounds like 30 minutes of good content. By the way, I put out last night a new Interrupted episode. You can get it on your podcast. We did a mailbag and. And had questions, talked about kind of what's been going on in the news. And Shannon, I said something about Billy that is also true about you.

[D]

What's up?

[B]

I said that I decide when I'm trying to think of who should run for office from our side, the Democrats, by who could get Shannon and Billy's vote.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

Because my theory is if I could get your two votes.

[D]

Get anybody.

[B]

Well, not anybody. Not anybody. But enough people to win. Because you two kind of flip back and forth.

[E]

Yeah.

[B]

And so I was talking about that. You think that's a fair indication?

[D]

Probably so. Because I think I can see both sides on most things, not everything.

[B]

I know you voted for both.

[A]

Sure.

[C]

Yeah.

[D]

In the past, I've voted, you know, Democrat and Republicans. So they call that independent.

[B]

We made you register as an individual.

[D]

Well, that's true.

[B]

Yeah, that's right. We made you register as an independent. People forget we were going to have him run for the legislature.

[D]

I was a Dem, and now I'm independent. So you lost one from your party. Now I might go to the other side.

[B]

Backfire just out of spite.

[D]

I'll become Republican now.

[B]

Yeah, well, whatever works. But. But. Yeah, so anyway, I gave you that compliment yesterday. Let's talk about a couple things in the other world of sports. Nick Castellanos. When I say Nick Castellano's rhyme, what do you think of a guy that.

[A]

Hits a lot of home runs, but it hits like 200 for the season?

[B]

That's not what I think of. I bet Drew thinks of what I think of.

[C]

He does hit home runs at opportune moments.

[B]

That's exactly right. I think of when Tom Brennaman made that inappropriate comment during the baseball game that I heard live and that I called hubby the moment I heard it and said, tom Brennaman's getting fired.

[A]

And.

[B]

And he made it. And he made it one more inning, and then he got fired. And he famously was like, so this may be the last time I'm in a broadcast booth. That's a long fly ball, the deep left field home run. Nick Castellanos. That's what I think of when I think of him. And then they did the same thing. He was hitting once and a guy died. Somebody died, and he hit a home run.

[C]

He might even have a third. I think any big moment in A broadcast. He's hit a home run, interrupted.

[B]

So anyway, pipe for the Reds. Nick. He's been with the Phillies. Well, last year, you may remember, he ended up getting benched. Well, yesterday he got cut and he said why? There was a ball. There was a game in September last year, Ryan, where he was playing. The manager took him out, replaced him, and he was mad and he went into the locker room and got a beer and brought it into the dugout and began drinking beer during the game in the dugout. Some of the players got mad at him. He ended up taking it back. And then he got cut yesterday. And he said that he thought Philly overreacted, but he understood why they didn't like him. Drinking beer during the game in the dugout. What do you think of that?

[A]

That's why you have your clubhouse. That's why you do those things, man. Be a good teammate. Don't do it in front of the dugout. Wherever your fans there watching.

[B]

Can't drink during the game, can you?

[A]

If he's out of the game, I guess he can go back and have a beer in the clubhouse. Yeah.

[D]

Not going. They can't put them back in.

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

I don't know what the harm of it is.

[A]

Maybe there's been pitchers get taken out and go to the clubhouse and get a beer.

[D]

You know, back in the day, guys would sit there and smoke a cigarette. In the dugout?

[C]

Yes.

[A]

Oh, yeah, in the dugout.

[D]

Jim Leland for the Pirates would just be chain smoking during the game.

[B]

It. But imagine in the NBA if we looked over to the side and Reese Potter was drinking a beer in the middle of the game.

[D]

Real story about these guys. One of these guys like doing it at halftime, drinking beer.

[C]

Oh, it's come out. They're been guys podcast that are hammered.

[B]

Yeah. Larry Bird apparently would drink sometimes at halftime.

[D]

Makes you wonder why they fought so much, huh? You know, guys get drunk and have to come out and fight.

[B]

Well, but Castellanos gets cut.

[A]

So what do you think about it?

[B]

I mean, I. Look, I'm not. You all are the baseball culture guys. It does strike me you shouldn't drink a beer during the game.

[D]

Feels very bush league. Like a softball league or something.

[B]

What, three hours at the most? You can't like save your beer until after the game, but, you know. But he ends up getting cut. I think he got cut because he wasn't good. And then they used the beer.

[D]

There you go. Now you nailed it. Like this guy were the best player, they would have let it slide.

[B]

Some of you may remember we told the story last year about Cooper High School in Northern Kentucky. Cooper High School had a coach. The. The. The athletic director wanted to fire him for some reason.

[C]

Culture. They didn't like his culture.

[B]

They didn't like his culture even though they won. And then he cultured them all the way to the Sweet 16. I think they made the quarterfinals of Sweet 16 and then they lost. Went on a run for their coach. Well, Cooper's coach, when he gets fired, he decides to go to a rival school, which I believe is called St. Henry. Okay, so he gets fired. He goes to a neighboring school. Last night, Ryan, they played.

[A]

Oh, no.

[B]

Cooper versus St. Henry. Tie game, 2.5 seconds left to go. This play is online for you to see. This is. Think about this. This is the guy. They had just been fired from this school, etc. St. Henry with the new coach, throws the ball, Colin Chandler to Moreno esque. Kid catches it, hits a three at the buzzer.

[C]

Nice.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

And they end up winning. He beats his former team on a last second full court pass shot as the kind of end of that story from last year.

[A]

Basketball gods obviously on his side. You know, the good coach, maybe he got fired for the wrong reason. Got the last second shot, the win, little revenge. I love.

[B]

You need to see the play. They basically recreated the Colin Chandler, Malachi Moreno play. It's just somehow this kid was wide open. No one was guarding him, but he. He made a three at the buzzer.

[C]

Yeah, I saw it. I would normally condone this behavior, but I think the coach has to go over to his old school. Dhd all of it. Come get this. I got your culture right here. All that stuff. I would be in their face, let them know they made a mistake.

[B]

I don't know how you let it. He ends up going to a rival school. Shannon literally, like right down the road.

[D]

There's probably no more of a sweet way to win than a last second buzzer beater against your former team.

[B]

You need to see the video. It is. It's online. It is a great shot. Who's up next? Ramon is up next. Ramon. Go ahead, Ramon.

[E]

What's going on, fellas? How y' all doing?

[B]

Doing good. What's up?

[E]

Not much. As a former Wildcat, I just want to say I love y' all show, man.

[B]

Thank you. Is this Ramone?

[E]

Who Hairs.

[B]

Wait a minute. Razor.

[A]

Nice pop.

[B]

This is the razor. My man, the Alaskan Assassin. You, you should get. Give us your number. We won't make you wait. On hold, Ramon. It's Nice to talk to you.

[E]

What's going on, man? I've been trying to get in touch with y' all for two years.

[B]

Well, it worked. It worked.

[A]

Persistence pays off.

[B]

Do me a favor. Hang on when we're off the call, and give your phone number to Rick, Okay? Rick, will you get that for me?

[A]

Will do.

[E]

I just want to say I love the show, fellas.

[B]

What are you doing now, Ramon?

[E]

Man, I'm. I'm still playing ball, but I. I'm actually living in Tampa now. So are y' all going to the game tomorrow?

[B]

We are not. We are not. Are you going?

[E]

I'm still trying to find tickets.

[D]

Oh, I thought we could get him.

[B]

Ramon Harris, did you just call this show asking for tickets? Is that what you did? Ramon Harris.

[E]

I think you. I think you figured me out.

[C]

Somebody take Ramon to the game.

[D]

He's been trying to get tickets from.

[A]

Us for two years.

[B]

So, Ramon, I have to ask you a question. You were being recruited in the early, early years of ksr, and we found the picture. Like, you were mysterious, like, we didn't know about you. And then all of a sudden, you were there, and there was, like, one picture. Do you remember that time at all? Because, like, you were wanted. Like, when I say early years of ksr, you were one of the early, early years.

[E]

Yeah, I remember. The story is crazy. Long story short, Tubby's son was coaching at Tennessee Tech, I believe, and you guys have already offered a scholarship to a guy that was playing on the court next to me. Well, you know how AU goes. At that time, I got a rebound, pushed it full court, dunked it. I got another rebound, pushed it full court, and dunked it twice in a row. So at that time, my court gained a lot of attention. I didn't know that Tubby's son was there with another school. He called Tubby and said, hey, I got a guy I think you would like. Fast forward to another week. I'm playing in Orlando at Nationals, and Tubby walks in. I didn't know it was Tubby Smith. He walked in, nothing UK on. He looked like somebody's grandfather, to be honest. So I see him staring at me, and I'm like, who is this guy staring at me? Long story short, we lost in the final in the lead eight game of Nationals. So after the game, my mom's blowing my phone up. And when I lose, I don't want to talk about my mom calling me. She's blowing my phone up. I'm not answering the phone. She texted me, says, ramon Answer my call now. So she calls me back. I answer the phone, she goes, ramon, Kentucky was at the game. They want to offer you a scholarship.

[B]

Wow.

[E]

Did you see him? And I'm like, be who?

[B]

So wait a minute. Ramon, you got offered just by being on the court against a guy Kentucky had offered. Do you remember who the guy was that we had offered?

[E]

I do not. I do not. Okay. For the Derek Smith All Stars, if I remember correctly.

[A]

Okay.

[E]

But no, I do not remember the name.

[B]

Well, let me ask you a question because you. I think, you tell me if I'm right about this. I think you and Perry Stevenson are the only two players who played for Tubby, Billy and Cal. Am I right about that? You played for all three of them.

[E]

Mark Crabs, too.

[B]

Mark Krabs. Okay, so tell me real quick because I got like two minutes. Tell me the difference between Tubby, Billy and Cal as a coach.

[E]

Okay. Tubby was more of a father figure type. He liked to. He liked to like, teach.

[B]

Okay.

[E]

And what was more of a. Like Gillespie was more of a dog eat dog coach.

[B]

Yeah, he had. Right. He had you all like.

[E]

He loved it. Fighting, pushing, shoving, fouling hard. There was. We would have practice and there was no out of bounds.

[B]

What do you mean? There was no. What do you mean? There was no out of bounds.

[E]

So like, if I block a shot and it goes out of bounds, first person gets it is their ball.

[B]

Oh, yeah, I like it.

[D]

Tubby ball.

[B]

Wow.

[E]

That's Billy. And then Cal was more. He ran practices like an NBA practice. So it was more NBA structured, NBA time, NBA skill set. He ran it like NBA practice.

[B]

What was it like? I could talk to you all day, Ramon, but I got to make it quick. A. Cal didn't. Cal didn't keep a lot of guys. When did you know he was going to keep you?

[E]

It was after summer school.

[B]

So you didn't know.

[E]

After summer school, going into my senior year, I had an idea, but he called me and scared the mess out of me because they was like, ramon, can you come to the office? I said, oh, shoot. And he sat me down. He was like, ramon, going over summer evaluations. We would love to keep you here. We would love for you to be a part of the team. And that's how that went for me.

[B]

And then last thing, when you saw John Wall for the first time, did you know, like, oh, my.

[E]

So the crazy thing about that is John came on an unofficial visit when.

[B]

He was a sophomore in high school.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah. So you had seen him.

[E]

So at that Time at that time, he would play with us, but he was a real skinny kid. You could tell he was fast and athletic, but he was real skinny. And he wasn't the John that I seen two years later, but wasn't surprised of the John that I saw two years later. You could tell he had game. You could tell he loved the game of basketball. You could tell he had potential. He was just real young, real skinny. But also, yeah, John, definitely.

[B]

And you were part of one of the great pictures in UK history, Drew, after the celebration against Mississippi State in the SEC tournament. It's you, DeMarcus and John Wall jumping on each other. That's one of the great, maybe the great celebration moments in UK history.

[E]

Hey, man, listen. I was used to going before I came to Kentucky. I was used to being on the underdog team, so I was used to being on the other side of those type of situations. So to be on the good side of it, I was excited, as you could tell.

[B]

Ramon, great stuff. Awesome to hear from you. Leave your number with Rick after the call and we'll talk to you soon. Ramon, thank you very much.

[E]

Sounds good.

[B]

Appreciate it. That was great stuff. What a surprise.

[A]

I haven't heard from him in years. Great, great stuff from him right there.

[B]

He like, I have the Matt Jones all star team of dudes I kind of like way more than I should. And he's on it. He was one of the original members, like McGlore and Right Woo. Ramon, like, that was my group.

[C]

What about Dragon Pub where I said, you know what? Today I'm gonna do a shot every time Ramon Harris scores.

[B]

And he had 16 point.

[C]

It was a career high.

[B]

I forgot that I'm crawling out of.

[C]

That place in Frankfurt that backfired.

[B]

Yeah, Drew goes, I'll do a shot. And he just kept scared score. Oh, no.

[C]

It was like a career day for Ramon early too. And I was like, this is a bad idea.

[B]

He was like the only. He was the only guy hold over from. I mean, like, like, remember he played. Yes, he did play a lot that Cal here. We'll take a break and be right back here at Don Franklin. This is KSR.

[F]

This month, iHeartRadio is celebrating the stars of the 2026 Winter Games. Born and raised in Torrance, California, Chloe Kim returns to the halfpipe to make history. After dominating the last two Olympics, she drops into the Milano Cortina pipe, aiming for an unprecedented third consecutive gold medal. With her signature massive air and technical double corks, she remains the undisputed queen of the sport. Kim is ready to prove once again that the road to the podium goes through her. For more Winter Games gold search olympics on the iHeartRadio app.

[B]

Welcome back. It is Kentucky Sports Radio here live at Don Franklin Auto. Been an amazing crowd here today and Don Franklin's got all you want. Go the distance. With powertrain protection, certified pre owned makes and models. It is Don Franklin up to 10 years or unlimited mile power train warranty at Don Franklin. I really enjoyed Ramon Harris there. I love that he stayed on hold. I've got his phone number, Drew. If anybody wants to get him two tickets to the game, I will make sure that happens. If I had him, I would give them to him. It'd be cool if UK would feel like UK could find him.

[D]

I told you, player. Shouldn't they have some sort of system that would help them get those tickets?

[B]

But I think sometimes it's harder than you think. And, and I also understand that like there's a lot of players and probably, you know, they got to have some people want tickets to every game. But a road game at Florida, if he lives in Tampa, feels like something we could make happen.

[D]

Ryan.

[A]

Well, you mentioned he'd be a great book because he was there for the end of Tubby. All the stuff that happened when Tubby got fired, the two years of Gillespie and then that crazy first year for Caliper.

[B]

See, I'm going to get him. I'm going to get him on a podcast sometime because he really, I. There are very few people who've probably seen more cool Kentucky stuff or interesting because again, last year Tubby falls apart. How does Tubby decide to leave? Hiring of Billy, Billy's insanity for two years and then this transition to Cal and one of the most fun teams of all time. He's there for all that, Drew. He's got like, he probably has some of the biggest. Wow, four years of all time.

[C]

Yeah. Someone here noted he had the good, great drunk all at one. Just make that the title of the book. Just call it Good Drunk. Great.

[B]

He had good, great drunk.

[C]

Just tell your story.

[D]

Practicing with no out of bounds is wild too, that story. I mean, I don't know how that helps you in real game such scenarios.

[B]

But I mean, they remember they've told that Billy would do things. They would have diving drills.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So they would take two players. This is an insane thing to do. They would take two players and put them like 20ft apart with a ball in the center and. And they blow a whistle and whoever dove on the ground to get it first one. So they would have these, like, athletes that were like, Kentucky basketball players diving, like, head first into each other.

[D]

That's a team that should have had some injuries, you know, but they did.

[B]

If you remember, they were hurt all the time.

[D]

Isn't that also when you said Mike Pratt walked in and said, this isn't going to work here?

[B]

I told that before I was doing this was when I was, like, still practicing law and being a blogger, and I did some legal work for Mike Pratt, and he came in to see me. He had gone to Billy's first two practices, and he came in and I was like, so tell me about this new coach. What's going on? And he goes, ain't gonna work.

[D]

He called a shot, Knew immediately.

[B]

I was like, what do you mean? He was like, it's not gonna work. He was like, I've been to practice. No way. It's not gonna work. And he started telling me some stories. And I was like, you know, this was me thinking I knew everything. I was like, mike, come on, you're just being negative. And he was like, all right, now go work. And he was right.

[D]

He was absolutely right.

[C]

I like the David on the floor drill.

[A]

Two.

[C]

Two sports. Did the XFL and Kentucky basketball practice. That's what it was. Billy was drunk watching the XFL one night, saw them do that, was like, tomorrow.

[B]

Patrick Patterson, Ramon Harris, line them up. Remember, he also had, like, 12 walk ons.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

He would just add walk on after walk on, and there would be all these players on the team. It was crazy.

[A]

We were talking during the break. I was really surprised when Caliperi decided to keep Ramon and Perry Stevenson, but yet Ramon ended up being a pretty vital player.

[B]

That parody didn't get to play a lot. Ramon play. Ramon played quite a bit. He was kind of their defensive specialist on that team. Who's up next?

[A]

Got Crystal.

[B]

Up next, Crystal. Go ahead, Crystal. The energy of that crowd is amazing. Yeah. Shout out. Rad Radcliffe has completed.

[C]

Sorry, a little heat check there. I had to do.

[B]

Nice job.

[C]

Nice.

[B]

All right, go ahead. We love you guys so much in the show. Your success is well deserved, and congratulations for that. I just want to thank Ryan and my sweet husband Kevin for the greatest Valentine's Day. Oh, no. You got one of them.

[D]

You got a cancer?

[B]

No, no. Well, what? First of all, did you know it was coming? No, I had no idea. Oh, I bet it was a great surprise last night, and I missed that.

[C]

Part of the show.

[B]

So what? What did he do?

[E]

It was a little disturbing.

[B]

Anyway, did you just say it was a little disturbing. Did you say it was a little disturbing? Hilarious, though.

[D]

You wiggled your glasses instead.

[A]

For lovers.

[B]

Yeah. Why did you wiggle your glasses?

[A]

Okay, you gotta picture it. Valentine's Day is for lovers.

[B]

What did the. What's the glasses?

[A]

Kind of drives it home, but it's really for lovers.

[B]

Well, I'm sorry. First of all, ma', am, I'm sorry that that was a gift that was given to you. But I'm glad you got Joy out of it and I appreciate, appreciate you sharing it.

[A]

Thank you. Thank you.

[B]

We're so excited to get inside. Well, I appreciate the call. Your phone's breaking up a little bit. Your phone. Appreciate the call. Your phone's breaking up a little bit. Do you do a unique one for every person?

[A]

Well, I kind of use the same material, but I make it individual. Like, I had a couple standard lines.

[B]

Give me, give me. Well, no, no, no. I want people.

[D]

Yeah, you gotta.

[B]

You don't need to give this joy out for free. You go to Cameo doing it all day and night.

[A]

Oh, yes. Yeah.

[B]

There's still time, ladies, for you to.

[D]

Get this 24 hour delivery from Ryan.

[A]

My guy gave Crystal his a day early, so I must. You know, maybe he's looking for a little pow chick of powpow a little early tonight.

[D]

I would hope that would be the main gift. That's like a lead up gift.

[B]

I think it's a good. Well, yeah, you could go to Cameo and get that. I. I can't believe.

[E]

Yeah, okay.

[D]

Yeah, come get it.

[B]

But you know what? People will. People will pay for it. They'll pay for the glasses. Wiggle. Hopefully yoga girl gets that tonight as well. That's enough. We'll be right back. Welcome back. It is Kentucky Sports Radio 859-280-2287. Text machine is 772-774-5254. One person writes. Matt, I've listened to every show you all have done since you started. I would say the Radcliffe crowd is the loudest crowd that I've heard. Maybe because of this wild in here. Gotta give them credit, man. They are. They're bringing it, Shannon. Yeah, they are.

[D]

Don Franklin's like, we're just trying to sell cars here. We got all kinds of crazy people.

[B]

Sometimes you see the people that work here and they're like, look, man, I'm. I'm trying to work here. And you guys are making a lot of racket. But that's okay.

[D]

What we brought them here for. Be loud and enthusiastic. They've been Great.

[B]

That's right. Serve Pro. If you have a disaster at your house, let's say you had floods or something happened because of the freeze. ServPro will come and make it like it never even happened. The number one choice in cleanup and restoration is servpro Rent locations all across Kentucky, independently owned and operated. It's ServPro and ServePro.com. we hope you don't ever need them, but if you do in a disaster or flood situation, call Serve Pro can. Pregame show starts tomorrow at 12:30. 12:30 tomorrow. The game is at 3. It is on ABC. I haven't seen the announcers, but we might get Dick Vital. Right. He tends to do those games that are close to his house.

[A]

It's true. I didn't think about that. He might be doing the game tomorrow.

[B]

I don't know. But on abc. We haven't played on ABC a lot. I don't know if you saw. The Duke North Carolina game got the highest rating for a Duke North Carolina game in four years. The Kentucky Tennessee game got a very. Excuse me. Yeah, Kentucky, Tennessee. While on against Michigan State and Illinois both got massive ratings. This has been drew a great year for college basketball. I know I. I keep saying this, but nil and all the transfer portal people act like the sport's falling apart. The ratings for college basketball are higher than they've been in a decade. I think the games are good. I actually think the sport, even though it's got a lot of secondary stuff, is in a really good place.

[C]

Yeah, most years, you know, there's like one or two elite teams that you're watching this year. There's pretty good balance up top. I feel like there's a lot of them that could win it. We have a lot of stars, mostly freshmen all over the country in different conferences. It's been a lot of fun to keep up with. Even the SEC is down a little bit from last year. It's still the toughest conference in the country this year and that's what I've been watching the closest. Okay, so we have Jimmy Dyke tomorrow, by the way. He's like Dick Valtel, but a little different.

[B]

We have Jimmy Dykes. Yeah, well, Carl Ravage, my man. Oh, by the way, after the game, the Tennessee game, I got a text message, Shannon, from Carl Ravage.

[D]

Oh, really?

[B]

Who? I. I don't know that I've ever spoken with. He sent me a text message, said, I'd love to come on your postgame show. So we were going to have him on. I was like, okay. And then you remember the. They brought the 96 guys out and it kept going later and later and later. And finally Carl's like, I got to go to bed.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

So he wasn't able to come on. But like the way I am with Tony Kornheiser is how Ryan is with Carl Ravage. He was going to be hosting that show and he almost got to talk to his to paid hero there and it would have been awesome for you, wouldn't it?

[A]

I've never met him and I love the guy. When you told me he was going to do the second segment with me, I started writing down a couple questions. I was going to be prepared.

[B]

You wrote Carl Rabbit's question?

[A]

Yes, I was ready to go.

[B]

Were they?

[E]

Yeah.

[C]

What were they?

[A]

Well, he mentioned during the broadcast, he mentioned like two Kentucky fans that he's really close with. There's my lead off question. Who are the people you were talking about?

[B]

Mention random people. No one knows.

[A]

Yeah. Like what's his connection with Kentucky and maybe to some of his family and stuff like that. So, you know, he talked a lot during the broadcast about how loud Rupp arena was. You know, how it was rocking. It was great.

[B]

That's why I wanted to come on.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Because he wanted to say that he thought that was one of the better Kentucky atmospheres that he had ever been in. So that's, I think.

[D]

Would you have asked him about the toupee?

[A]

I would not have asked him about the toupee, but it is a good one. Him and Bill Seth said self have two good toupees.

[B]

Bill Self is, is even better. Yeah, I would just, I would call it a piece. Who's up next? Paul is up next. Paul, Go ahead, Paul.

[A]

Paul.

[B]

All right. No, Paul, who's next? Doing great. Is next. Doing great. Go ahead.

[E]

Hey, I'm doing great. Hope you all are doing well. I got a quick question for Mr. Drew Franklin if that's all right.

[C]

All right, I got an answer maybe. All right.

[E]

Over the, over the summer, we all had picked Kentucky director based on the schedule that had released. Drew, I think you had predicted that that final game at RUP between Kentucky and Florida would decide. Yes.

[B]

We have to. We have to win tomorrow for that.

[C]

Yeah, yeah, I think we'll need that tomorrow. We haven't had that scenario in like decades. You think at some point you'd have like a play in for the championship, but we haven't. I'd love to have it, but I just, I worry Florida's a notch above everyone else. And they already have the lead already.

[B]

And they have an easy schedule. Yeah. If you, if you look at our schedule versus theirs coming down the stretch like they play, I think after us they play South Carolina and Ole Miss and then I think they play Oklahoma a little later. So they're, they're going to win the sec. Abs, if we sweep them, we have a chance. But otherwise, Ryan, I think they're winning the SEC or Drew, go ahead.

[C]

This four game win streak they're on, three of them were on the road. We kind of needed them to slip up and they went to A and M. That was in first place. That wasn't even close. I just worry they've peaked at the right time and their peak is much higher than everyone else's.

[B]

Let's say something positive because we were a little negative to start the. About our chances tomorrow. Let's say, Ryan, if we win tomorrow, Even as an 11/2 point underdog, I want you to think about this. If we win tomorrow, we're in first place in the sec. We'd be tied with Florida. Arkansas's got. I don't know who they play tomorrow, but they would have. But we would have a tiebreaker over both of them. We would be in first place in the SEC. When you consider that we were 02 and down 13 to Mississippi State in the third game and now fast forward and if we won tomorrow, we'd be in first place in the sec, that's kind of remarkable.

[A]

I think even the most diehard Kentucky fan didn't see that coming. Winning eight of the next nine and now put yourself in position to be in first place in the SEC over the other teams, crazy craziness has happened.

[C]

Whatever you think of the team and I think they saw some flaws. If A team wins nine out of 10 in the SEC, including at Tennessee, at Florida, at Arkansas, you're a good team. I don't care what people say about you winning nine out of ten. That doesn't happen with some of our best teams in the sec even in.

[D]

Down years, even if they could stay in the top four and just get that double buy in the SEC tournament, I think that would be huge.

[B]

Right now we're projected by the numbers to still finish seventh in the sec, but it's only because our schedule, our. You know, if you look at the SEC standings, if you look at the bottom six teams, we've already played five of the six. South Carolina is the only one we haven't played. So we're a little fortunate in the fact that we have Played that. You know, we got the easy, the easier teams early.

[D]

But if you win at Florida, though, I mean, I'm starting to think there's not too many teams that you're afraid to play. Because if you've already the four best.

[B]

Teams in the country are Arizona, Duke, Michigan and Florida. If you beat one of those teams on the road, then you can.

[D]

Anything could happen.

[B]

That's right. Who's next? Got Stan up next. Stan, go ahead, Stan.

[G]

Hey, Matt. Drew Ryan. Matt. Saw you on the Phil 68, the YouTube show.

[D]

Forget Shannon. What about chopped liver?

[B]

What? He just. He just mad you forgot him. You didn't say. You didn't say his name.

[D]

Shannon, it's okay.

[G]

Yeah, well, I was gonna sober it up. I agreed with most of the stuff you said.

[B]

Yes.

[G]

I thought the bit about guys being able to play through mistakes, Yellow Bitch, Chandler, Garrison as examples of people that weren't afraid of getting pulled out. I thought it made a lot of sense. You started talking about the structure of the. Of the team and how Popett screwed that up. And the example that you gave for not putting it together. He didn't get enough three point shooters was diabotic and diabody to me is the reason this team is playing so much better. I mean, his defensive presence inside, where guys don't have to cheat off and help. He can play low post defense against anybody in the sec and we didn't. We haven't had a player like that in a really long time. I mean, Oscar could get rebounds. This is a guy that he keeps plays alive even when he's not making a rebound. He's just such a solid presence in there. Say that he's an example of where Pope screwed up the construction of the lineup. I mean, I think that's wrong.

[B]

Yeah. Well, I understand what you're saying. And Diabate does give them something that no one else does, which is exactly what you're saying. He can play good interior defense and he can rebound. The problem with Diabate is it's very difficult for them to score with him in the game. Like, if you. If you look at the shifts, he. You're. You're right. They. He is perfect for. There's a minute left. It's their ball. We need a defensive stop. Put Diabate in. He's perfect for that. But when you play him on offense, the offense struggles because he cannot shoot at the 4. And so I just think for Pope's offense, he's gotta have a guy at the four who can shoot. And when he doesn't have that. I think that really hurts him. But I'm not trying to downplay him. I appreciate the call. As a person or a player, I think he's good. But I think if you ask Mark Pope, I mean there's. Diabate could be on the team next year, but I'd be surprised if he is because it's just not a fit for the system that Mark runs. That's why he went to the bench.

[C]

Well, I was going to say I agree with the caller, but there's one detail he left out. Diabate has been awesome since going to the bench and getting the role he had at Alabama last year. I think Pope saw what he did at Alabama and thought I can add more to that, make him a starter. But it looks like he's. Deobate is just a guy that's never going to be much offensively, but he's going to do exactly what he's been doing in this win streak. Go get rebounds, play defense. That's what he did. Alabama, that's just his role and he probably doesn't want to be a six man, but that's where he's thriving and where he needs to be.

[B]

Yeah, I think if we're going to be fair, we started playing a lot better when we substitute Diabate out of the starting lineup and we brought yellow Vic and Moreno in. That switch is kind of Ryan. When the team turned around.

[A]

I think tomorrow might be a game, though. We were really going to need the.

[B]

I agree with that.

[A]

You know, there's some games maybe you can. Don't need him as much, but tomorrow's a game you desperately need him and need him to play well. And he's in there.

[C]

Oats had him figured out last year. He's not shooting much, but when an away comes to town, go shut that guy down. And as we saw on the other end, that's what Diabate is. Just defense and rebound. And please don't try to dribble or take three point.

[B]

Definitely don't shoot. Three season. He shoots them like eye level. He like shoots him from down here and almost spins it off his hands. We'll take a break and be right back. For the final segment here, Don Franklin Radcliffe, welcome back. It is Kentucky Sports Radio here live at Don Franklin and Radcliffe. What has to be one of the best crowds we've had here on a remote show. Remember, Tomorrow, game starts 3 o' clock pregame show is that. Excuse me. At 12:30 I'll be on both pre and the post as we get ready for action. You can go watch the game at KS Bar. Should be a great crowd there for a road environment. And had some pretty good success with those games this year with this team on the road.

[A]

Yeah, don't ever count them. Like Shannon said, when are we going to finally learn our lesson? You can't count them out. And then 11 point spread. That's a big point spread going in that game tomorrow.

[B]

Two football things. Actually, three football things. First of all, UK football. Yesterday, Will Stein hosted a meet and greet for former Kentucky players. He brought 125 former players. I think they're going to do three or four of these during the course of the year so they can get all of them. I don't know how they decided. I think it was the oldest ones that were there yesterday, but got to meet that. I like continuing to connect to former players. It's hard. It's hard Basketball, really hard. Drew in football because there's so many guys over the years but glad to see him do it.

[C]

Yeah, football, you get guys that might have been there for a year and never saw the field. We're still part of a team. And you're including all of them. You know, we won't really know what Will Stein's era is going to look like till they play a game next fall, but from the moment he was hired till right now, he's done a lot of cool things that has gotten the excitement going behind him.

[B]

Yeah, I thought that. I think that is cool. Then UK announced on their season tickets, not really raising prices on season tickets. A lot of people thought that might happen, except for the very expensive ones. But two things. One, your K fund donation is now part of the ticket. The FTC you may have seen, has changed the rules where they can't sort of hide fees. And so the K fund donation is now part of the ticket, but from what I'm told, still paying essentially the same amount of money. The big difference though, Ryan, is that many people utilize early renewal discounts. They would get a discount if they renewed like now. You were one of those, ma'. Am. Those have gone away. So the. Does that upset you? Didn't bother you? Yeah, it didn't go up. But they lost the early renewal discount. So that's probably the only thing that was. That was a little different.

[A]

I like that. You know, more and more people are not going to the game. So why not have a little. You register early, get a little discount. Why not do things like that to motivate people to go ahead and buy those tickets?

[B]

Okay, I'm told by the way, K club did the thing and Will Stein was. Was there. So there. That's the. That was the. The former player event. And that's good to see.

[C]

Very cool. And I guess for anyone that wants to be a new season ticket holder, which hopefully there's a bunch of those that opens in March right now's renewals, but everybody should jump on.

[B]

Season tickets will be up this year with the new coach. I would say yes.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Another great schedule.

[D]

Yeah. And I feel like it's going to rejuvenate the fan base a little bit. Kind of like when Pope took over as the coach for the basketball.

[B]

You know who's our home games this year? We get Texas or. No, we had Texas. Who is it? It's Alabama, Lsu, I think Louisville.

[C]

We get a repeat of last year.

[B]

Florida, Alabama, lsu, Florida, Louisville. And then who's the other SEC game? Vandy, maybe. Vandy. Yeah, because we were down there last year.

[D]

That's a good, I mean, group of games right there for if you're a.

[B]

Home season tick holder. You gotta like that. Who's next? Matt is up next. Matt. Go ahead, Matt.

[E]

Hey, guys, I. I just want to say put out some positive energy, good vibes and say the meaning of life is not simply to exist, to survive, but to move ahead, to go up, to achieve and to conquer. And that's what we're going to do against the Gators tomorrow. Let's go, Cat.

[B]

I was wondering where he was going with that.

[C]

Sound like a Mario Instagram caption.

[B]

Yeah, it does look like a Mario. Except Mario would be posing like looking off into the sun when he did Mario's. By the way, if you don't follow Mario on Instagram, like he's been on a kick of like I didn't realize how many pose pictures he took in San Francisco. Francisco. He posed in front of everything you could possibly pose in front of.

[D]

Well, something he's got him archived where you can just roll them out for like weeks to come, right?

[B]

That's right. They are. They are there. There are a lot of them on Instagram. Who's next? Cam is up next. Cam. Go ahead, Cam.

[E]

What's up, boys? Shout out to y'. All. Finally getting to rad. I cannot believe this is Yalls first time here.

[B]

I'm a native.

[E]

I moved up to northern Kentucky about 10 years ago. That's a great city, man. A lot of great stand through there. You already mentioned Andre Woodson. Shout out to my boy Larod King, play receiver at uk.

[B]

It's A good one. That's right. We forgot Larod King. That was. Yes, that was Spanish for the rod.

[E]

That's right, man. Maybe next time y' all come through.

[G]

He can show up on.

[E]

Y' all know, he love that. He's a. He's a character, man.

[G]

He's a good time.

[E]

Anything else, but. Yeah, man, I'm, I'm. I'm anxious for the game tomorrow. I don't. I'm. I'm not super confident just because of how we. We start our games. I think if we get behind against Florida, they play very deliberate with their style, and I don't know if there's going to be a great chance for us to come back.

[B]

Yeah, I appreciate the call. You can't have me on speakerphone. I can't. We can't hear you if you. When you do that. All right, do a little draft Kings. Go to DraftKings. Bet 5, get 200 in bonus bets. DraftKings is your place for the easiest picks. And we will have probably a KSR parlay on there tomorrow. Let's do some game picks. We'll finish with Kentucky, but let's start some big games. Kansas and Iowa State. Top 10 matchup. Who you got?

[D]

Iowa State. I don't even know what the spread is, but give me Iowa State.

[B]

Iowa State by five and a half. Derek Peterson is out for Kansas.

[C]

Iowa State. And I don't like all the bracketologies. Have us meeting them. That's a scary team. No one talks about, man.

[A]

I don't know what's up with Peterson. Dude, that's. Come on, man. You didn't even play against Arizona on the home floor the other night. I'm going with Iowa State.

[B]

Texas Tech is at Arizona. Another top 15 matchup.

[D]

That'll be a good game. I think Texas Tech will make it close, but I think Arizona wins.

[C]

Arizona.

[A]

Arizona is really good, even though they got beat at Kansas. I go to Arizona.

[B]

I'll take Arizona. Auburn, who's been hot? Well, they play really good against good teams and bad against bad teams. They're at Arkansas. Any chance they pull off the upside?

[E]

No.

[D]

I'm gonna take Arkansas at home tomorrow.

[C]

Cal's not letting Steven Pearl get him at home.

[A]

That's true. Cal versus Pearl. I'm going Cal. Arkansas.

[B]

I'm gonna pick Auburn in an upset.

[A]

Are you?

[B]

Well, they win these games, you don't think they're gonna win. And then they lose to bad teams. And then we'll go Kentucky and Florida. Florida, 11 and a half point favorite. Shannon, what are our chances.

[D]

I think Kentucky covers, but unfortunately, I don't think they win this one. So I'll go like 72, 66. Florida.

[C]

I know Florida's blowing everybody out. I don't think Kentucky's in blowout territory. They won't win. They'll keep it tight. I'll say 82, 76.

[B]

I think we play well, but I think they. They're just good. So I'm going to say 84, 77, and they win a game that is competitive throughout. Ryan Lemon, finish it off and don't make this crowd leave upset.

[A]

I'm gonna say one of us has to pick Kentucky, right? I mean, none of us are believing in Kentucky.

[C]

There you go.

[A]

He's gotta pick the Cats. Cats win at the buzzer. 74, 73. Otega Oy hits the game winner and kills the Gators tomorrow.

[B]

Thank you all very much for listening today. We will be back on the pregame show tomorrow. 12 and 3. Big thanks to folks here at Don, Franklin and Radcliffe. You guys killed it. We thank you all very much. We'll see you later. This has been Kentucky Sports Radio.