Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR)

Episode: Hour 1, February 17, 2026

Hosts: Matt Jones, Ryan Lemond, Drew Franklin, Shannon the Dude
Network: iHeartPodcasts & Sports Talk 790 (WKRD-AM)
Main Theme: Kentucky Basketball Recap & Preview, UK Baseball buzz, Listener Calls, and Notable National News

Episode Overview

This episode of Kentucky Sports Radio returns after the President's Day holiday, covering the Kentucky Wildcats' recent basketball game against Florida, previewing the upcoming matchup against Georgia, and checking in on UK Baseball's explosive season start. The crew, lead by Matt Jones, also reflects on Lunar New Year, Ramadan, and personal memories tied to major personalities like Jesse Jackson, while interspersing characteristic humor and audience interaction throughout.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Holiday Mashup: Lunar New Year & Fat Tuesday

• (03:19-04:23)
  The show opens with Matt Jones mentioning both the Lunar New Year and beginning of Ramadan, prompting some humorous confusion among the crew as they try (mostly unsuccessfully) to explain the Lunar calendar.
• Memorable Quote:
  • "So none of you know what the answer is? No one knows the answer." – Matt Jones (05:22)

Side Note:

A listener points out Matt omits Fat Tuesday and Lent ("You always try to help other cultures, but don't think about the Christian culture." – Listener text [20:32]). The omission is attributed to his liberal-leaning "book of holidays."

2. Kentucky vs. Florida Basketball Game Recap

• (06:05-17:49)
  The crew recaps Kentucky’s close road loss at Florida, focusing on the team's persistent issues with slow starts, defensive lapses, and missed opportunities but also their resilience and ability to fight back from large deficits.

  Key Takeaways:

  • Fight & Resilience: Despite falling behind, Kentucky repeatedly battled back, a positive sign.
    • "They kept battling back, get it to four or five, maybe even two points at one point – thought they showed some fight." – Ryan (06:05)
  • Defensive Issues: Gave up "too many open shots, missed layups, turnovers" (Ryan), notably allowing bench players to have career nights.
  • Missed Layups: 15 missed layups—many by OA—was flagged as the difference in the game.
    • "We missed 15 layups, and I would say six or seven were relatively open." – Matt Jones (11:13)
  • Recurring Problem: Kentucky has trailed by 14+ points in 12 of 25 games—a pattern the hosts say cannot sustain tournament success.
    • "They've been behind by at least 14 points in 12 of our 25 games. That's crazy." – Matt Jones (15:09)
  • "Moral Victories": While not satisfied, Matt is encouraged, arguing the team's improvement might translate to positive NCAA tournament outcomes IF early deficits are corrected.

Memorable Quotes:

• "We lost this game because of the start. If you don't fall 15 down at the beginning... you might win that game." – Matt Jones (09:43)
• "It cannot continue. He has to fix this. We've talked about it for months. No one has the answer." – Drew (16:16)

Player Notes:

• Clavzar scored career-high points; Kentucky's guards struggled defensively.
• Chandler redeemed himself late with key 3s but was a liability defensively.
• Marino's foul trouble contributed to rebounding disparity.

3. Preview: Kentucky vs. Georgia

• (25:03-29:05)
  Georgia's leading scorer, Wilkinson, returns; Georgia known for dunks (call themselves "Dunk Yard Dogs") and shot blocking (led by Somto, former UK commit).
  • "One out of five made baskets is a dunk. That's pretty crazy." – Drew (25:36)
  • Kentucky is an 8.5-point favorite; Matt and crew emphasize it's a "must-win" at home for UK ambitions.
• Discusses challenges, potential crowd turnout for a late 9 PM game, and strategic focus needed tonight.

4. UK Baseball’s Hot Start & Record Stealing

• (29:05-34:02)
  UK baseball swept UNC Greensboro with explosive base running—23 steals on 23 attempts over three games, likely a school or national record.
  • "UK attempted 23 steals and they got all 23... that has to be a record, right?" – Matt (30:47)
  • Ryan slyly (and humorously) takes credit, saying he's advocated for more stolen bases for years, with the rest of the crew playfully poking holes in his claim.
  • Discussion shifts to multiple UK athletes suffering shoulder injuries recently.

5. Listener Calls – Officiating, Defensive Woes, and Recruiting

• (34:14-38:41; 38:41-40:14; 47:16-50:41)
  • Flagrant Foul Replay Review: Callers and hosts agree a major missed call against Florida (Diabate) "killed momentum," expressing frustration over inconsistent officiating and UK’s apparent lack of "home whistle" advantage compared to places like Kansas or Duke.
  • Guard Defense Issues: Quick opposing guards have exposed a UK weakness; Chandler’s defensive struggles noted.
  • Recruiting Rumors: Speculation arises about #1 recruit Tyron Stokes and a shift from Kansas to Kentucky. Matt stresses vetting sources, as the rumor originated from an unproven account.
    • "I need to know who the person was that wrote it... just because I see a story on like an Instagram UK page..." – Matt (48:39)

6. In Memoriam: Jesse Jackson

• (21:22-24:46)
  Matt recalls KSR’s brush with Jesse Jackson—once hosting a radio show from his studio, leading to an in-show running joke ("red, yellow, brown, black and white").
  • The hosts share personal memories, including Jackson speaking at Transylvania University and a fraternity’s unusual punishment (serving as his security).

7. Other Memorable Banter

• Popcorn Fire, Home Whistle: The crew references a Georgia game where the popcorn machine caught fire, providing light banter about distractions and burnt popcorn smells.
• Music Fest Anticipation: Reference to Bourbon and Beyond/Louder Than Life festival lineups (43:33), showing KSR’s usual blend of UK-centric and local Kentucky culture.

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• "We missed 15 layups. There's the difference in the game right there." – Shannon (11:11)
• "It cannot continue. He has to fix this... this cannot be the product of Kentucky basketball, just hoping in the second half they flip the switch." – Drew (16:42)
• "We've been down 14 in 12 games... and in the first half, all of which were ... either first half or first couple minutes of second half, I mean, you just can't do." – Matt (15:09)
• "You have to beat [Georgia] at home. This is one of them. You have to go tonight and you have to take care of business." – Matt (27:14)
• "UK attempted 23 steals and got all 23. That has to be a record, right?" – Matt (30:47)
• "He likes... punches himself in the face until he becomes perfectly beautiful." – Matt, re: viral “clavicular” figure, in relation to Florida’s Clavzar (12:55)
• [On home whistles:] "The best home whistle… is Kansas on Monday night." – Matt (44:37)
• "If you get in trouble, it’s like security… that’s a weird thing." – Matt, on Jesse Jackson’s fraternity bodyguards (24:21)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment Description | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------------|------------| | Lunar New Year, Fat Tuesday, and fun banter | 03:19–05:22| | UK-Florida basketball deep dive | 06:05–17:49| | UK’s recurring slow starts/deficits | 15:01–16:42| | Georgia game preview | 25:03–29:05| | UK Baseball steals record | 29:05–34:02| | Officiating/fragrance call listener | 34:14–36:03| | Home court/whistle discussion, Kansas/Duke | 44:00–46:12| | Jesse Jackson memories | 21:22–24:46| | Recruiting rumors: Tyron Stokes | 47:16–50:41| | Listener call: Guard defense problems | 38:41–39:36|

Tone and Style

The episode blends serious analysis with playful debate, humorous tangents, and real-time listener interaction—classic KSR radio. The crew’s chemistry, personal anecdotes, Kentucky-centric insights, and approachable tone make the recap both informative and entertaining for fans and newcomers alike.

For those who missed the live show:
This episode grapples honestly with Kentucky basketball’s persistent flaws and hopeful signs, looks ahead to crucial games, spotlights an impressive baseball start, and interweaves lively discussion and listener calls with Kentucky flavor and trademark KSR wit.