2026-02-20- KSR - Hour 2

Summary

Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) – Hour 2 – February 20, 2026

Host: Matt Jones
Co-hosts: Shannon, Drew, and others
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts and Sports Talk 790 (WKRD-AM)

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Episode Overview

Hour two of KSR dives deep into the latest UK basketball and football news, debates high school sports policy, examines Kentucky’s place among college basketball bluebloods, and takes plenty of sharp, sometimes hilarious calls from listeners. The team also dissects the impact of the NCAA transfer portal, rumors about future UK basketball coaching candidates, and Kentucky high school football’s proposed private school multiplier. There's a dose of pop culture, from crime documentaries to music trivia, and discussions of ongoing sports stories like the Savannah Guthrie case and the 2026 Winter Olympics. The tone is conversational, witty, and fast-moving, typical of KSR's unique blend of analysis and banter.

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Key Topics & Insights

1. UK Sports, Performance Bonuses & NIL

• Performance Bonuses in College Sports
  • Listener concern: Performance bonuses would encourage "me-ball," fostering selfish play (01:09).
  • Matt Jones: “I hadn't really thought about that... If you were like, you get a bonus if you score 10 points a game, there might be a moment where you're like, I got to get my 10 points.” (01:22)
  • Drew: Suggests other schools would simply offer straight cash up front, outbidding any bonus-based structure (01:43).

2. UK Basketball: Superstitions, Rivalries & Recruiting

• Superstition – Anthem Kneeling "Curse"

  • Caller wonders if Kentucky's anthem-kneeling "cursed" the team. Matt and crew refute this, with Matt stating, “If you remember, they won that game.” (02:09)
  • Drew: “Let's keep the curse energy on Annabelle.” (02:28)
  • Shannon jokes about apologizing to the haunted doll Annabelle (02:37).

• Recruiting and the Transfer Portal

  • Matt shares Naismith Award stats: Of top 30 college basketball players, 23 started at their school as freshmen, only 7 came through the portal; 11 are freshmen (22:58-23:32).

    “So this idea that everybody's good, that comes from the portal. Only seven of the top 30 players in the country did not start at their same school.” (23:18, Matt Jones)

  • Emphasizes that high school recruiting remains essential.

• UK vs. Louisville vs. Duke–UNC Rivalry

  • Caller question: Which rivalry is better: UK–Louisville or Duke–UNC?
  • Matt:

    “UNC Duke is probably a more passionate rivalry because they play each other twice a year... UK–Louisville has more hate.” (13:55-14:51)

  • Drew notes geographical proximity breeds familiarity—and some friendliness—between Duke and UNC, unlike the purer hate of UK–Louisville (14:51-15:20).

• Possible Future Coaches: Bruce Pearl

  • Speculation that if the current coaching regime doesn’t work, UK would “need a sure winner.” Pearl seen as politically opposed to Matt but an undoubted winner; hiring complicated by university administration (31:57-34:12).

3. Kentucky High School Football: The Private School Multiplier

• Discussion of KHSA’s private school multiplier proposal

  • Overview: Private schools would multiply their population by 1.35 for classification, pushing them into higher classes to address perceived recruiting advantages (09:11–12:15).
  • Matt:

    “Sounds like they're just going after the smaller private schools.” (10:28)

  • Multiple hosts: Argue private schools can draw students (and athletes) from broader geographic areas versus public schools.
  • Drew:

    “Makes sense that they have a built in advantage, trying to level it.” (11:55)

  • Discussion of similar rules in Ohio and Indiana, including “competitive balance” which weighs transfers and length of attendance (37:21–38:30).
  • Noted: “Four of the six state titles were won by private schools this past season.” (17:49, Matt Jones)

• Listener Calls Kansas, Ohio, and Indiana Models

  • Caller Christian details Ohio’s “competitive balance" system for all sports, based on transfers and years in school (37:21).

4. Crime, Conspiracies, and Pop Culture

• HBO ‘Glitter Ball’ Documentary & Attorney Romans

  • Discussion of Louisville murder case featured in new documentary, highlighting lawyer Romans’ Forrest Gump-like knack for being “in everything” from high-profile criminal cases to WWE lawsuits (03:03–04:57).
    • “Romans is like Forrest Gump, man. He shows up in everything.” (03:13, Matt Jones)
    • Stories include WWE injury lawsuits, high-stakes Kentucky homicides.

• Savannah Guthrie Case

  • Ongoing missing person case, speculation about cartel involvement and use of her pacemaker for tracking (06:45–08:17).
  • Exasperation at the criminal’s sloppiness vs. police inability to resolve the case.
    • “We found bin Laden... and this is just a dude.” (07:28, Matt Jones)
    • Hosts mock wild conspiracy theories and public’s insatiable need to speculate (08:38).

5. UK Basketball Roster, Portal, and Talent

• Questions about Portal Targets

  • Several callers ask about portal prospects like Brett Decker Jr. from Liberty and his ability to guard SEC athletes (27:54–30:59).
  • Matt and Drew discuss how shooting prowess is not enough if a player can't defend at the SEC level—using Trent Noah and Antonio Reeves as examples.

• Callers on Calipari, Mark Pope, and Patino

  • Caller wonders if UK should have hired Rick Patino (39:55); Matt says administration would never have done so.
  • Debate whether Mark Pope is the right hire, but all agree: “Was it time for John Calipari to go? Yes. Was Mark Pope the right hire? We'll see.” (40:50–41:26)

6. Music Trivia & Cultural Tangents

• "Black Betty" Song and TikTok Reactions

  • Discussion of the band behind “Black Betty,” with Matt surprised “it’s a bunch of white hippies” and referencing TikTok reactions (21:13).

• Music Versions and Remixes

  • Argument over availability and popularity of certain song versions, conjecture about producers being cancelled, or remixes replacing classics (16:47–17:11).

7. Olympics & Lighthearted Predictions

• Hosts give quick picks for the USA vs. Slovakia in Winter Olympics hockey semifinals and chat about favorite contests and players (42:01–43:10).

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Notable Quotes

• On NIL Performance Bonuses:
  “If you were like, you get a bonus if you score 10 points a game, there might be a moment where you're like, I got to get my 10 points.”
  — Matt Jones (01:22)

• On Private School Advantages:
  “Sounds like they're just going after the smaller private schools.”
  — Matt Jones (10:28)

• On the Portal vs. High School Recruiting:
  “So this idea that everybody's good, that comes from the portal. Only seven of the top 30... did not start at their same school.”
  — Matt Jones (23:18)

• On UK–Louisville Rivalry:
  “UK–Louisville has more hate... if you're talking about who hates each other more... it's UK–Louisville.”
  — Matt Jones (14:51–15:22)

• On Bruce Pearl as a Future Coach:
  “If you want to know how much I want to win basketball. Who's more... anti my politics than Bruce Pearl? I'd say we need to win. I'll just mute you on Twitter.”
  — Matt Jones (32:09)

• On Sloppy Crime and Conspiracies:
  “We found bin Laden in a house in Pakistan and went in there and got him... and this is just a dude.”
  — Matt Jones (07:28)

• On Calipari vs. Mark Pope:
  “Was it time for John Cal Perry to go? Yes. Was Mark Pope the right hire? We'll see.”
  — Matt Jones (41:26)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

| Time | Topic | |------------|------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:09 | NIL Performance Bonuses: “Me Ball” and Recruiting Issues | | 02:11 | “Curse” after Anthem-Kneeling Debunked | | 03:03 | HBO's Glitter Ball Documentary & Romans’ Legal Career | | 06:45 | Savannah Guthrie Case, Conspiracies and Law Enforcement | | 09:11 | KHSA Private School Multiplier Discussion Begins | | 13:03 | Callers Debate Duke–UNC vs. UK–Louisville Rivalry | | 17:49 | “Four of the six state titles were won by private schools” | | 22:58 | Naismith Award Stats: Portal vs. Recruiting | | 27:12 | Portal Candidates, Focus on Defense and Fit | | 31:57 | Bruce Pearl Coaching Scenario | | 34:58 | Music Trivia: “Black Betty” on TikTok | | 37:21 | Callers: Other States’ Private School Policies | | 39:55 | UK Slipping From Blueblood Status: Caller’s Perspective | | 40:50 | Mark Pope vs. Calipari Revisited | | 42:01 | Winter Olympics: Hockey Predictions |

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Final Thoughts

Hour 2 of KSR (Feb. 20, 2026) is a prime example of why the show thrives: energetic, opinionated, news-savvy, and unafraid to tackle complex issues with both humor and insight. The hosts guide listeners through UK’s current situations, give historical and policy context to high school sports controversies, handle calls with wit, and even manage some tangents into crime and music. The episode is essential listening for Kentucky sports fans or anyone curious about the unique intersection of southern sports culture and talk radio.

Transcript

[Matt Jones]

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[Shannon]

welcome to hour two of Kentucky Sports Radio, presented by Stockton Mortgage. Now here's Matt Jones.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Welcome back. Hour number two, Kentucky Sports Radio, 859-280-2287 text machine 772-774-5254 couple questions here. One person writes, Matt, I actually think that performance bonuses would make it worse because guys would play me ball to get their points and get their bonus. It's kind of an interesting thought. I hadn't really thought about that and that actually never really occurred to me. But it makes sense. If you were like, you get a bonus if you score 10 points a game, there might be a moment where you're like, I got to get my 10 points.

[Drew]

I could see that. And I just feel like in recruiting if you're putting a lot of it in bonuses or some stipulations, I just feel like another school in the recruitment be like, you know what? We're not doing that. Here's your money. Like someone would just come over the top better.

[Matt Jones]

Here's all your money front.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

One person writes, Matt, that caller talked about Auburn and the respect for the flag and the anthem. Since Cal Perry's team kneeled for the anthem, it seems like we haven't been good. Do you think that cursed us? No, because that was against Florida.

[Matt Jones]

If you remember, they won that game.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

They won that game. And Florida kneeled, too, and they won the national championship last year. So if there was a curse, There you go. I don't think it would have just applied to half of the kneeling. It would have applied to the entire kneeling generation. And Florida won the title.

[Drew]

Let's keep the curse energy on Annabelle.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

You got to stop the Annabelle. I mean, that's what it was.

[Matt Jones]

Yep.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

You think it was neat? You think it was Annabelle.

[Shannon]

I know you did apologize to the doll on the air, so I think you believe Annabelle had something to do.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

I only did it to get you all to shut up.

[Matt Jones]

They did win eight out of nine. And maybe after you apologize, maybe no, apologize again.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

I don't want to hear you.

[Shannon]

Yeah.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Okay, so couple things here before we go. The phones. The HBO documentary about glitter Ball. It came out last night.

[Matt Jones]

That's the thing in Louisville.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

That's the thing in Louisville. The murder in Louisville. I had a friend who watched it, called me. Here's what I didn't realize. I didn't realize that was the case. That is like, Romans is all over that case. So that documentary, first of all, Romans is like Forrest Gump, man. He shows up in everything. Scotty Scheffler. There's Romans, right? He's everywhere. He's all over this documentary because he was the lawyer for one of the

[Matt Jones]

guys, one of the murderers.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Alleged.

[Matt Jones]

Okay, gotcha.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

I now didn't know. I know all about this case. This is like Roman's. One of his signature works. I've. He.

[Drew]

He.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

We've had. Romans has talked about this case on my podcast before. Like, the old Matt Jones podcast. Romans did a whole thing on it.

[Matt Jones]

Did he really?

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Yeah. So I didn't realize that was this case. Now, let me say, I don't know what's in the documentary, but I know the actual facts of the real case. This ain't a family thing, so if you watch the documentary on Netflix or whatever it's on, like, don't bring the kids around. Okay. Because I remember this story, and it's a lot. This is an adult story, but I do remember it. And apparently the documentary, according to my buddy, is great. And he said Romans is, like, the star.

[Matt Jones]

That alone kind of makes me want to see it.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

So how about Roman Shannon showing up again?

[Shannon]

That's right. Yeah. He would come in here and sometimes just do the KSR show with us.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

He hosted ksr. He's hosted hey, Kentucky.

[Matt Jones]

Hey, Kentucky with you several times.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

I mean, he. We. Me and him. He. He and I did tons of old Matt Jones podcast. Episodes about law where we would just talk about what was going on. So now I'm definitely watching that this weekend. But I can't believe it's a case.

[Shannon]

Yeah, a lot of crazy cases.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

I mean, like crazy case.

[Matt Jones]

Wwe.

[Shannon]

One that happened here in Louisville.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Yeah. So just think about his cases for a minute. He has this one, which I'm not going to give you the facts of. It's hard. I couldn't even tell you the facts. And it'd be a family show. He had some case in like Boyle county maybe where a guy went fishing with his wife and then the woman died and the guy got charged. And he represented that guy. He was. He. One time there was a WWE event in Louisville and Triple H and the Rock went and wrestled in the crowd and a kid ended up breaking his arm because they ran into him. That's why they don't go out and fight in the crowd anymore.

[Shannon]

Yeah, thanks a lot.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

And Romans represented, I think the kid and had to depose all of the WWE people. He deposed the Rock, Triple H, ric Flair, Vince McMahon.

[Matt Jones]

My goodness.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

And then he had Scotty Scheffler.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

What a crazy life.

[Matt Jones]

Was he involving Breonna Taylor also?

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

He represented. I think he represented maybe Brian. No, it wasn't he. The other. There was something else that happened. Wasn't there a guy that got shot by the police who was like the boyfriend? No, no, he wasn't. It was like working, selling fish or something like it was part of the. Anyway, one of those.

[Matt Jones]

He did too.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Maybe he did.

[Drew]

I think it might have been the boyfriend and not the boyfriend.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Anyway, point being, he's had. He's had a lot of it.

[Drew]

And that voice. I was already excited to watch this new documentary, but that. That southern draw he has.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

So it's good.

[Drew]

Adds to his storytelling.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

All right. Savannah Guthrie still haven't found. How do they not. I still don't understand how they haven't found this guy. He's clearly like a two bit criminal.

[Shannon]

Yeah.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

And they still haven't found him how

[Matt Jones]

and can't find her. On mix 94.5 last night they were talking about her pacemaker, trying to trace it through her pacemaker. Yeah, Trying to find her that way now.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Oh, you can do that?

[Matt Jones]

I guess they're trying to.

[Shannon]

Now they're looking into Mexico saying the cartel may have had something to do with it. That's the latest that I've seen on this.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Yeah, but that's what they thought at first.

[Shannon]

No, no, they're back to that. They're Back to that now.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Well, didn't they say. Again, I didn't listen to mix 94 point missing out. But didn't they say that, like, they think he was just trying to rob the house and then it went wrong?

[Matt Jones]

Not sure.

[Shannon]

I haven't heard that theory yet. Yeah, but they can't find.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Nobody knows. And that's what's crazy to me.

[Matt Jones]

I.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

We found bin Laden in a house in Pakistan and went in there and got him and brought him out. And this is just a dude.

[Shannon]

Somehow this is the perfect crime. A guy that can't even cover up a ring door. He's got to get flowers to cover up the camera.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

He was wearing a cloth mask and

[Drew]

he left a glove on the side.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

He left a glove like OJ and

[Drew]

they believe they have his DNA. There's just no match. And there's.

[Matt Jones]

And the code is. Yeah, there's no match.

[Drew]

They believe the DNA from the glove is it first time offender.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

How do they.

[Matt Jones]

How.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

That's a good question, Jen. How is this a perfect crime?

[Shannon]

And the guy was just like a bumbling idiot. If you watch the video.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Yeah. He's like. Maybe that's the key. If you get away, just be like. Just don't think at all.

[Shannon]

Yeah. Sometimes you overthink it.

[Matt Jones]

There's a new conspiracy theory out there about this also.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Is this on mix 94.5 or was this when you changed to 98:1?

[Matt Jones]

Maybe Savannah Guthrie was one of the people that helped expose the Epstein stuff and interviewed, like, kind of his victims.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

That's just people getting. But there were a lot of people.

[Drew]

I don't know. She was at the forefront.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

There was a lot of people way more into it.

[Matt Jones]

I'm just telling you that's just the conspiracy theory.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

That's because everybody now ties everything.

[Shannon]

I mean, there was a conspiracy theory that the sister blinked too much in the video so that she was guilty. Somehow they cleared the family.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

The problem is it gets this big. Every idiot has a theory.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Drew]

And it gets all muddied up with tips. The people that call in with fake tips just to be a part of

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

stuff, they're kind of loser.

[Shannon]

Do you have to be to make ransom notes? I mean, there's been like five of those.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

True. Yeah. That stinks. All right. Have you seen what the. What the KHSA is talking about doing for high school football for private schools?

[Matt Jones]

Let's hear it.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

They're talking about having a private school multiplier. Basically, the theory is private schools because of various advantages they have and being Able to pick and choose. They get it gives them an advantage. So they're going to times your school population by 1.35, which could put. Which will put you in a higher class. So whatever, however many kids you have at your school, normally that might make you class 2A. You have to times the population by 1.35, which might move you up to 3A. 4A, 5A.

[Matt Jones]

Well on effect Saint X and Trinity, they're already 6A. But like Louisville Christian Academy.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Christian Academy of Louisville, which has been 2A forever and dominating now. I think they would be 4A.

[Matt Jones]

No.

[Shannon]

I think should have to go play like the SEC or something.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Play the ovc. But it will affect Lexington Christian. It'll affect Louisville Christian Academy Catholic.

[Matt Jones]

Covington Catholic.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Covington Catholic. Aren't they already 6A?

[Matt Jones]

No.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Okay. Anyway, point is they'll take all their populations and multiply it by 1.35, which could move them up. Do you like that?

[Matt Jones]

Sounds like they're just going after the smaller private schools.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Well, the argument is these other school districts in theory have to get people from their district. And a private school can get people from anywhere.

[Matt Jones]

Sure.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

And so the way you balance that is 1.35. And then there are schools that are all boys schools.

[Matt Jones]

Right.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Who have. Who only have like A. But like if you take Middlesbrough High School, 400 students, but 200 of them are girls. So the football team's really choosing 200 people. Whereas in all a all boys school, it's 400 boys.

[Matt Jones]

Right.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

So in theory that would be like a school with 800 people. I actually think it makes some sense. I think the KHSA apparently some other states do this.

[Matt Jones]

So there's a model for it.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Yes. This is not the first state a lot. There are other states that do this to kind of even it out. But it will affect these powerhouse Louisville. A lot of people are thinking it's the Christian Academy of Louisville rule.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Because they've just been dominating 2A and it would put them in 4A and now they're playing like what, Boyle county and schools like that.

[Drew]

What's Covington Catholic?

[Matt Jones]

I think they're like 5A.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

So that would probably put them in six.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. You know, Christian came a little while we're talking about them. There's like maybe 10 Division 1 football players in the next class. They've got like six of them.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Yeah. So now they would actually have to play the 4A team. Remember you.

[Matt Jones]

We talked about the rule too. If you win like two state titles in a row, you get Bumped up a class.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

I didn't know that they were talking

[Matt Jones]

about that they were talking about it, but.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

So you like this rule? I do.

[Drew]

I, you know, I don't know the math behind it. I assume the 1.3. Whatever makes sense. I don't know. You know, I don't have to see that you don't show your work. But I like it. Makes sense that they have a built in advantage of trying to level it. I mean, we're both from small public schools. Madisonville is not exactly a powerhouse. We're not surrounded by private out west. But schools like that I think are at a disadvantage.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

I like it. I'm a public school guy. Is it fair? I don't know. You know what?

[Shannon]

Life isn't fair.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Life isn't fair. You get guess what? And I listen. I got friends. Christian Academy at Louisville. My. My ex girlfriend who I'm still good friends with, she. Her kids go. But y' all are fine. Y' all can have a little hardship. Christian Academy of Louisville.

[Matt Jones]

They would almost welcome playing to tougher competition.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Yeah, that's what you should do.

[Matt Jones]

Step up, step up.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Step up.

[Drew]

I mean I have their golf towel in my bag, but I mean say or won a state title right away. What were they? One?

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Maybe they bumped them up easy enough for you as it is. I don't hate it. Play, play. Three A sayer will. Go ahead. Will.

[Caller]

Hey guys. Appreciate you get me on the. On the show. I haven't called in a little bit. It's been about a month, but actually saw Drew the other day. I wanted to ask what he thought of the Theo Vaughn show. Also had a few comments I wanted to rattle off real quick.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

You get one. Go for your one real quick.

[Caller]

Oh, man, that's a tough one. All right, well, the thing I kind of want to know is this is. It kind of is a long form question. All right, well, this is. It's a good question. I think it'll get you guys talking here. So I was listening on the radio the other day, this girl that plays for UNC that used to play for Louisville basketball was saying that the UNC Duke rivalry is 10 times better than the UK UofL rivalry. I worked at NKU when I went as a student there. Go north at.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

No, I appreciate the call. There's two. You can't have that many clauses. All right. At the core the question is UK U of L. UNC Duke. I've said this many times. UNC Duke is probably a more passionate rivalry because they play each other twice. A year. They live literally right next door to each other. Their students interact a lot, but UK Louisville has more hate. I'm one of the few people that's been part of both. All right, UNC Duke, probably better games. Generally speaking, it's. There's a lot more like day to day interaction, but in terms of. But they kind of like each other even though they are rivals. UK U of L is pure hate. So that's the difference. So it just depends on what you consider more of a rivalry. Like Alabama, Auburn is kind of like Duke, Carolina, but Ohio State, Michigan, they seem to hate each other and that's kind of UK law.

[Drew]

And Duke, North Carolina right on top of each other. They blend. And even though they're rivals, they're friendly.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

The students hate each other.

[Drew]

I have like three Louisville friends.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Like, exactly. All the Duke. Like when you go to Duke, you. Your social life is in Chapel Hill because all the bars are in Chapel Hill. So all the Duke students are hanging out in Chapel Hill. So it's like it's not. It's not the same. You know, UK Louisville's got more to it. Even though I would say historically, et cetera, UNC Duke's probably a better rivalry

[Matt Jones]

on the court, but as far off

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

the court depends on what you think a rivalry is. But if you're talking about who hates each other more, generally speaking, it's UK Louisville, Although I think UK Tennessee is up there too. Maybe we're just the problem.

[Matt Jones]

What's a common denominator?

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Paying a premium for roadside assistance if you're getting gouged for phone insurance, doctor's visits. More expensive than ever. UK Federal Credit Union can give you value with Blue Vantage checking. Packed with benefits that go beyond the basics. Blue Vantage checking from the official credit union University of Kentucky can help you save money. It's Blue Vantage checking you checking from the official credit union of the University of Kentucky. UK Federal Credit Union Additional fleet supply membership Eligible required insured by NCUA. We'll take a break. Be right back. Facts KSR this month, iHeartRadio is celebrating the stars of the 2026 Winter Games. Hailing from Vail, Colorado, Mikayla Shiffrin might just be the greatest alpine skier of all time with over 100 World cup victories. The youngest Olympic slalom winner arrives in Milano Cortina to further cement her legacy. Her technical precision in the slalom and fearless speed in the downhill make her a threat in every race as she takes to the slopes to chase more Olympic hardware. For more Winter Games gold. Search olympics on the iHeartRadio app. You know, this is the only version of this song you can find now. But this isn't the one that was popular then. It's always been an annoyance of me. This one's slower.

[Shannon]

So, like, the other one was like a remix.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

The other one. I think this is a remix. Yeah. This is not how it was. I mean, it's the same words and the same, but like it's different.

[Matt Jones]

But you.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

This is the only one you can find now. I wonder what happened with the other one.

[Matt Jones]

True.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Maybe like the guy that produced it got canceled or something and they put out a different version. I don't know. But this was not the version that got popular. I don't like this one.

[Matt Jones]

Is this slower than the one that

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

was on the radio, than the one that was very popular during those. But this is the only one you can hear, you can find now. And I don't know why that is. All right, so let me. I like to give correct information.

[Matt Jones]

Okay.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Apparently they all are already only considered the boys population.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Well, why. If you knew that, why didn't you.

[Matt Jones]

I didn't catch. You said that.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Okay. Cub cath is foray. This will move them to 5A. Although people are telling me 5A is easier than 4A.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. 5A, I think this past year was what? Owensboro and Pulaski county and Lexington, or

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

see me Christian Academy of Louisville is 3A. This will move them to 4.

[Matt Jones]

Four of the six state titles were won by private schools this past season.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Yeah.

[Drew]

So it's probably big emphasis on why they're doing it.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Yeah. Well, it basically is going to move

[Drew]

them all up one and then Madisonville, Middlesboro. We're on our way.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

We're on our way. Our problems, Pikeville. Can we move them up one? Can you get a. They got something in the water in Pikeville. Multiplier. Race.

[Matt Jones]

Raceland's been the team over there.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Point to northeast Kentucky. Multiplier for Pikeville in Raceland. Pike was too good. They got like a. They got like a college stadium up there. I remember that show.

[Drew]

Their locker room is nicer than the. The Bengals locker room.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

It felt like. I don't feel like that. That's. That's the, you know, that's problem. That one person writes, matt Trump says he's going to release the alien files. Let's go. You think?

[Shannon]

Let's go.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

I mean, let him release. And there ain't anything in there. So. But that's what's called boys and girls, a distraction. But that's Fine, release them. If there's something in there, I'll. I'm glad to see. I bet you. First of all, I bet we'll never see anything. And if we do, it's going to be on my side, which is there are not aliens.

[Shannon]

Well, Barack Obama's not on your side then.

[Matt Jones]

He said there's aliens.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

No, he did not. He clarified it with the worst follow up. That journalist still should be required to become a plumber or something that is not involved asking questions.

[Drew]

He got the one quote though.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

He didn't do anything. Obama threw that at him saying no follow up.

[Matt Jones]

But next on his list of questions,

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

yes, there are aliens. Okay, sir, what would you like for lunch? Like, are you kidding me?

[Shannon]

I'll take his word, though. I mean, he's the president. Was the president.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

I take his word. But he didn't mean what he.

[Shannon]

Oh, he didn't?

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Yes, he said later. He meant. Okay, you're just trying to get me going and I'm not gonna let you do that. It's Friday. I'm free again. I've got my motor running for the while. We're giving this guy 30 seconds.

[Drew]

Bob.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Bob. And Jamestown go ahead, matter.

[Caller]

Do you decide to go up to see the Redhawks?

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

I actually am still deciding the problem. It's, it's. It doesn't matter. It's a timing thing. But maybe I might go tonight. I'm still trying to figure it out.

[Caller]

Well, I sent you a text yesterday at the end of the show if you happen to go. Every time I go up there to see a concert or something in Millet Hall, I think on the inside wall there was a display case and my brother was in the first graduating class there and he was at Air Force ROTC scholarship and he built this model of an F111 fighter. And I had that. It's been in there for years and I just wonder if it's still in there.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

I'd been up if. I'll look for anything else. You know, Oxford used to be a

[Caller]

great music scene in the 70s.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Remember that song, Ram Jam, Black Betty, let's go. I do like that song, actually. That is a great song.

[Matt Jones]

It is a great song. Get you going.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

The dudes that sing it do not look like you would think, say, I don't know if they look like you've never seen them.

[Matt Jones]

I gotta look this up.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Look what they look like. Tell me if you think that song comes out of that guy. Those, Those people's face. That's a big thing on TikTok. Is they will have black people hear that song and then see who's singing it.

[Matt Jones]

Oh, wow.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

And they'll be like, whoa, there's a

[Matt Jones]

bunch of white hippies.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

I know. Darren, go ahead. Darren,

[Caller]

can you hear me? Matt?

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Yes, Go ahead.

[Caller]

Hey, good morning, guys. Sorry to hear about you lost to your friend there, sir.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Thank you.

[Caller]

Two real quick things. The equating stain. To me, that's a huge gamble. Could have took that money and spent it maybe on Caleb Wilson or Donovan Dent and got them, and maybe we'd have a little bit better team. But I still think that's a fine.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

That's a fair point, by the way, to say you could have used that money on something else. I think that's a reasonable argument for people to make. I don't think the staff ever really thought it was certain he would contribute. But it is a fair. It is fair argument to go that money would have been better spent somewhere else. But go ahead.

[Caller]

Yes, I agree. I think maybe, you know, of course Caleb Wilson's hurting. I broke his wrist. But I mean, you know what to say. That would have happened at uk. I mean, you know, Or. Yeah, you know, sure could have used

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

him also, although he hasn't had a great year. I mean, he's been okay, but, like, it not been what we thought. The guy that's been great is the dude that. We went to his house in Georgia, Silas Demery. Silas, like, we go to his house, have dinner, and apparently. I'd like to know what happened at that dinner. They walked away. Pope didn't like him, and the kid didn't like Pope, and he ended. I don't know what happened, but he ended up at UConn. And he's been great, but go ahead.

[Caller]

Well, he just didn't jail, I guess. You know, I mean, you know, those things. Some people just don't. It don't work. That's right.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Yeah.

[Caller]

That's all I got. Thank you.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Let me give you. Let me give you a number that I found interesting. The 30 finalists for the Naismith Award were announced today. For those of you that think high school recruiting doesn't matter, I counted. Of the 30 finalists, 23 of the 30 finalists are at the school where they started out of high school.

[Matt Jones]

Wow.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Only seven came from the Portal. So this idea that everybody's good, that comes from the portal. Only seven of the top 30 players in the country did not start at their same school. And 11 of the top 30 are freshmen.

[Matt Jones]

Amazing freshman class.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

And that doesn't include Mikhail Brown at Louisville or the Poke kid or whatever at Arizona. So two guys who will be top 10 picks are not even on that list. So for those of you who are like, ah, we don't need to recruit high school guys. 11 of the top 30 players in America. Freshmen, 23 of the top 30 started at the college where they are. So the portal may not be the solution to all of your problems every year. We'll be right back.

[Matt Jones]

T.J. smith, personal injury attorney. Call T.J. he'll make them pay.

[Shannon]

Now more of Kentucky Sports Radio presented by Stockton Mortgage. Here's Matt Jones.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

I mean, that's a great riff, Shannon, isn't it?

[Shannon]

Yeah, it is. There it is.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Mariner.

[Shannon]

Simple, but it's good.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

It goes to show you don't have to do too much, right? Yeah.

[Shannon]

Don't overthink it.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

You ever seen this with Alice Bougain?

[Shannon]

No, but maybe we should. Maybe we'll have to.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

I feel like this is your kind of song.

[Shannon]

Yeah, we could.

[Matt Jones]

I can see Shannon actually singing this song.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

You think you could do this one?

[Shannon]

We probably could.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

You want to practice on the chorus right here?

[Shannon]

Well, why don't you try it first?

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

No, go ahead. You go ahead. Turn up now.

[Shannon]

I'm just gonna.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

I'm just gonna listen. He gets nervous. See, my man is a performer. He can perform in front of all these people and he can't sing it on the radio.

[Shannon]

You gotta pay for that. That's extra.

[Matt Jones]

I did hear you say they're gonna play down a Broadway again.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

That's what I was gonna ask you to play in the SEC tournament.

[Matt Jones]

We will be.

[Shannon]

Yep. Thursday.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

You know what night I think?

[Shannon]

Thursday, I'm not sure. It depends on where Kentucky plays. Obviously we don't.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

So that's what we got to figure out if we're gonna do the show. I mean, originally I wanted to do it first, but now since they're going to probably play on Thursday, our live show will probably be Thursday morning at Tin Roof. There's always a chance we might play Wednesday, at which point, I mean, we it for people who are trying to figure out when they're going to play. There's a very good chance, if you look at how things play out, that we are one o' clock either Thursday or Friday or, excuse me, Wednesday. Thursday.

[Matt Jones]

Wednesday, first game.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

We could be Wednesday, first game. But I think the more likely thing is we're Thursday, first game.

[Matt Jones]

Okay.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Which is not the worst. But then we'd have to play on Friday to get to the weekend. We'd have to be Florida being the

[Drew]

first game you'd probably play in South Carolina.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Probably playing South Carolina.

[Drew]

I think we'd win. I wouldn't worry about that. But that would just be so embarrassing.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

It would be embarrassing to kick off the SEC tournament.

[Drew]

You all heard me during the break. All I want to do is go the weekend of the sec, take the

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

ncaa, don't care if we get beaten Georgia. If we had beaten Georgia, I would feel good about us getting to the weekend. But now, unless we pull off a couple upsets, we are staring at a Friday game against Florida.

[Matt Jones]

We just. We're going to play him too, on March 6. So we're going to play him then a week later.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Week later.

[Drew]

Are we going to go a decade without the weekend of the sec? It's creeping up.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

It's possible.

[Matt Jones]

Sad. You call it the UK Invitational and we can't even get to the weekend.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

I mean, the league is better, sure,

[Drew]

but it's better because we're down too. That's part of it. Like Florida is still running this.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Florida winning national championship. Alabama and Auburn made Final Fours. I mean, like there it's league certainly better. But you're right, we've been.

[Drew]

It's better, but teams are still having one and two lost seasons. It's just not us.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Correct? Correct. Jay, Go ahead, Jay.

[Caller]

Hey, guys. So since UK is having their woeful recruiting of high school freshmen and they're talking about the portal. Has. Has there been any. Do you know of anything that were. They're looking at certain players. I know that they're always looking, but I haven't heard of.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

And you really don't hear anything from. From any team because the games are still going on. And I think there's. I think what will happen. Here's what will happen after the. You'll start hearing stuff after the first weekend of the NCAA tournament. The portal does not open until after the national championship. But you'll start hearing names and visits after that first weekend of the ncaa.

[Caller]

Well, I mean, top three three point shooters in the nation. Drew mentioned him several weeks back. That's at Liberty. He's an hour. His hometown's an hour and a half away from Lexington. You know, let me ask you a

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

question about the kid from Liberty because he's from Ashland, right?

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Caller]

No, no, no, that's. No, that's Colin Porter. You got Brett. You got Brett Decker Jr. Who is from E Town.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Okay, so it's from E Town. All right, so I've never. Okay, hang on. I've never seen Brett Decker play so but here's my question. That's going to be my question for everyone we get right. Can they guard dudes in the sec? So if you can't play on can't. If he has to guard Phylon, can he stay in front of Filon?

[Caller]

He can stay in front of Salon as good as Chandler can.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Well, not. Chandler is an athlete though. I mean Chandler, I think there's a. Chandler can dunk on people's faces. Can Deckard dunk on people's faces?

[Caller]

I mean he can throw it down. He's 63. He's 48% from the, from the line this year.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

He's 48% though shooting in that league. Can he shoot 48?

[Caller]

Which, which is. Which is CUSA and they're 15 and 0 in their league.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Okay. That's USA is better than a lot of.

[Caller]

And I will say and if you can't play defense, you don't play for Richie mc.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Okay, I appreciate.

[Matt Jones]

I'll just.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

I'm not saying I don't know the kid at all and I will. If he's. If he really is looking at here, I will learn up on him and I, if I. But you know, we, you. We went too far in the defensive direction this year. But there is a level like take a Trent Noah.

[Shannon]

Trent.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Noah's a great shooter but at the end of the day the reason he doesn't play a lot is can he guard these guys? Right.

[Matt Jones]

Right.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

That's what I'm going to be asking about these dudes now. He makes a good point. Conference USA is not. What were they in before they were in like some random conference. They've moved up to that. So he is probably guarding more athletic guys there than he was. Than they would have been in the conference before. So that's all I want to know is it's, you know, it's nice to have the. But. But you know, you see some of these guys come from small conferences and then they take off. They do like Antonio Reeves. Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Mark Dalton Connect.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Connect from Northern Colorado.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

But those were also at Dalton Connect was what, 610 big guy. Antonio Reeves was ripped. Sears was athletic. I just need to. That's. That's what I'm going to ask and if so then let's do it. Especially if he's from Kentucky. Why not?

[Drew]

Yeah, he's. Yeah. I don't know about how a matchup defensively, but he's can certainly spread the floor. If he's not leading the country in three point shooting, he's like second, he had a game where he's eight for 10 from three. He takes seven or eight a game and is shooting 50% from three, they're 15.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

And oh, in conversation.

[Drew]

Yeah. And he's close to 20 points per game, so.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Yes. Is there. Let me. Let me put it a different way. Is there a place for a guy on that, on UK State? Yeah. Is it. Can he start? Is that who you want to be your starting guard? I don't know the answer to that. But is there a place for him on a roster of 13 guys? Well, heck, yeah. Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

You need a shooter on this.

[Drew]

And he went from like not playing last year at Liberty to now he's one of the leading scorers. Like I said, I believe he leads the entire country in shooting. So he's had a big year one to year two jump. Maybe there's a two to three still ahead of him, too.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Do you remember him at E Town? I don't. I don't really either. Were they good?

[Drew]

Not that. I had never even heard of him until this year because I think it was his first game of the season. He hit like eight or nine threes in a game. And I made the Kentucky connection.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Steve, go ahead. Steve.

[Caller]

Hey, Matt. Sorry to hear about your friend. That's bad. As devastating as it gets. Sad to hear, but anyway. So anyway, just kind of some speculation. You know, Hope's going to be there next year, the following year, depending on how next year goes and under the assumption that Mitch is gone and get all four of you guys to chime in on this, Bruce Pearl, next head coach of Kentucky. Agree or disagree?

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Well, more likely now than it would have been. I appreciate the call. Let's just say this year doesn't finish great, next year doesn't work, and the change is made, then you're sitting there going, all right, who's the next one? You're in a situation as a program where you can't fail on that hire, right? So you have to pick it somebody in here who would win for sure. You can't even take a chance. Right. And Bruce Pearl would win. So in that scenario that you're talking about, I would. I would advocate for Bruce Pearl. If you want to know how much I want to win basketball. Who's more. What. What college basketball figure is more anti my politics than Bruce Pearl? I'd say we need to win. You know, I'll just mute you on Twitter. But seriously, like, I think he would be. But again, Mitch Barnhart ain't gonna hire him. So if Mitch Barnhart is here, then he will not be the coach. If Mitch Barnhart is not here, then it depends on who the other person is, and I don't know who that will be.

[Matt Jones]

So Drew and I were tooting the Bruce Pearl horn this time, so I would definitely toot it again if it was this. That scenario you laid out.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

I think if Mitch Barnhart and Eli Capilouto were not the administration, it would have been Bruce Pearl. I think they're both equally. I would actually say it's even more Eli Capiluto than Mitch Barnard.

[Matt Jones]

Okay.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

I think Mitch Barnhart was willing to consider Bruce Pearl. Matter of fact, I know he was, but I think the folks above him said no. So I think that Mitch had gotten to. That he was going to consider. I don't know if he would have pulled the trigger on it, but I think they were going to consider it. And then the folks above said no.

[Drew]

Well, when Cal left, I actually wrote a top 10, and Pearl was number one, and Pope slid in at 10th to let you know where my feelings were the first time around.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

How old is Bruce, by the way? So how many years? That's another question.

[Shannon]

Young enough.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

How many years would you have had him? That's what I'm saying. Like, how old is he? Is he 60?

[Matt Jones]

I'd say early 60s.

[Shannon]

63 to 65.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

65. So if you're talking two years from now, he's like 67. I mean, so even if you hire him, you're not going to have. You're not going to be that long.

[Matt Jones]

Right.

[Drew]

And Bruce is liking the media gig quite a bit.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Bruce. And Bruce wants to run for office one day, so, I mean, there's that part of it, too. Whether or not he even wanted to do it, I don't know.

[Shannon]

We're a Republican state.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Yeah, we are. Listen, I. I would. I'd bite my tongue.

[Matt Jones]

Well, people thought he was going to run this time. That's why he was leaving Auburn.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Yeah. I didn't know those guys, you know?

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Plus, he's good. He's good at the tv. That little thing with him, Lefkoe, Mashburn and Jalen Rose is good. That's a good little TV thing. It's Kentucky Skid Cancer Center. You need a facial. Facials are awesome. Like, I know it sounds like, oh, that's a woman thing.

[Matt Jones]

It is not.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

It's not very relaxing. It's very relaxing. And they have the glow to facial at the Kentucky Skin Cancer Center. It improves your skin tone, texture, and your overall glow. But that may not be your kind of thing. It just makes you feel better. It's like you've opened up the pores of your face to life. It's called the Glow 2 facial. Check it out. Kentuckyskin cancer center.com plus they have skin cancer skin skin kits for your wife, your daughter, whatever. Go to the Kentucky SkinCancerCenter.com Medical grade skin care from the Kentucky Skin Cancer Center. We'll take a break. Be right back. KSR welcome back. Techie Sports Radio 859-280-2287 text machine 772-774-52541 person writes. Matt, I know we all agree he needs to, but do you think Pope will hire a gm?

[Drew]

I'm worried because it needs to be happening soon. I think this cycle is going to be so bad that he'll have to. So I'll say yes, but not, not that he's excited to do it.

[Matt Jones]

I would say I'm surprised he hasn't already. This is kind of the culture of college basketball, college sports. You got to have a GM to manage the roster, manage the budget. And they're so much on top of the current trends. I'm shocked. He's already got one.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

So do you think he does it?

[Matt Jones]

Yes.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Shannon.

[Shannon]

Yeah, I think he will. He's talked about it enough.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

He will. But I don't know why it's taken so long.

[Drew]

I mean, Will Stein showed up with one and then hired an assistant.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Literally.

[Matt Jones]

Right.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Like, I mean the portal opens in 38 days or 40 days. Like what are you waiting on?

[Drew]

And people can pretend conversations aren't happening. Conversations happen.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

What are we waiting on? I mean, it doesn't do you any good to have one in May. You need it now. Now they did just post a thing for it. Did you see that? It posted on the UK Jobs board

[Matt Jones]

specifically for a general manager, which usually

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

that means they already have somebody.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

So. So yes, I think they do it. BBN don't let aches and pains fall into the new year. Start 2026 strong court physical therapy help you get back to what you love. Whether you want to get back in the gym, pick up a new sport or just be able to get around easier, a physical therapist from Court can help you do so pain free. Over 70 locations across Kentucky. Chances are there's a court near you. Visit court.com or book an appointment online today. K O R T.com let's go to Christian. Go ahead, Christian.

[Caller]

Hey Matt. Not to bring you guys back on the topic of the KHSA Multiplier. But I'm an athletic director in the state of Ohio and how we do it is. And I'm at a small Christian school is. It's called competitive balance. So it affects all sports and basically transfers from seventh grade and up count as three. And kids that have been in the school since seventh grade only count as one. So there are schools in our conference that play. I mean they're in Division 6 for some, but Division 7 for others. So it looks like pretty Well, I

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

think so it's just football and.

[Caller]

Right.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Maybe one other basketball.

[Caller]

There's only one division, so it's, it's fine. But yeah, it was an interesting, interesting thing to hear about. So I figured I'd give Ohio.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

No, I appreciate it. Well, listen, I mean that we, you know, there was a time they didn't want to do this at all. So I'm. I think you're right. Four of six titles is probably why

[Matt Jones]

Nick, our buddy Nick texted in, said that Indiana did this for Indiana Cathedral. Like they went from a two way school and now they're like a 4A school. They keep bumping them up because they keep just dominating it. 2A and 3A I think is what they're doing now.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Sometimes these schools would want to play the hire. You'd think they'd want to, to challenge themselves. Yeah, right, Dan. Go ahead, Dan.

[Caller]

Yeah. Hey, Matt, look, I'm a diehard UK fan. Had been. I'm 72 years old and this year, you know, we hope has some bad luck. Lost three of his best players. What I'm thinking now is that we're kind of going down a ucla, the slippery slope instead of getting, you know, we used to have Duke, ucla, Kansas, they were always the top team. And I feel like Kentucky just fallen out of that.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Well, I think we have, I appreciate the call. I think we followed. Fallen out of the elite five in the last five years. I still think if you were to say what are the power programs? I think it's still Duke, Carolina, Kansas, Kentucky and now I would put UConn in there. But if you were to say who have been the best programs the last six years, then you would not put Kentucky in the top five. Probably wouldn't put them in the top 10. They'd probably come in right after that. And it is a slippery slope. I don't think we're as far down the slope as some people act like we are, but we're getting more down than I want to be. So, so it's a fair, fair issue. Raven, go Ahead, Raven.

[Caller]

Hey. Hey, guys. I just wanted to say, I know hindsight's 20 20, but if you look back and you would have got rid of Caliper one year earlier, we may have had a real shot at getting Rick Patino back before he went to St. John.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

They wouldn't have hired him.

[Caller]

I would have liked.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Mitch wasn't. I mean, they weren't gonna hire. Yeah, I understand you, and I'm not saying it, but they wouldn't have hired him. I mean, they. They wouldn't. They wouldn't look at Nate Oats, Bruce Pearl, Sean Miller and Chris Beard. They would not have looked at Rick Patino.

[Caller]

Okay.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Yeah.

[Caller]

I'll still tell you, even though. Even though we're having a tough time right now, I'll still take Mark Pope over John Caliper. I may be in the minority on that, but I'd still take Mark Pope.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Yeah, I appreciate the call. I think we have to stop thinking about it like that. Those are two different questions. Was it time for John Cal Perry to go? Yes. Was Mark Pope the right hire? We'll see. But they're not mutually exclusive. It's not. Which one of those two is better? Although I would remind you, like, their record are still essentially the same. They are crazy. But that's not the question. The question. It's two separate questions. I think the question. The answer to question one is obvious. It was time for him to go. The answer to question two was Pope the right guy? We're going to have to wait and see.

[Drew]

I said, when Cal left, I don't care if he goes win a national championship. You can't say that championship would have been Kentucky's because he's going to go get re. Energized. He's going to get the support and stuff he didn't have here. And that's exactly what happened. I'm not saying he's going to national championship, but Cal, as we all have seen, kind of got some swagger back at Arkansas that he wasn't going to get back in Lexington.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Pregame show starts tomorrow at 6. You can go watch the game at the bar. Should be a great atmosphere. We need to pull it out. But six o' clock is our pregame show. We'll pick the game then. So I'm going to give you today at 3:10 in the semifinals, Slovakia and the United States to go to the gold medal game in hockey.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, baby.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Shannon, who you got? Canada is losing to Finland right now to my guy Sebastian. What do you got?

[Shannon]

Doesn't matter. Who they're playing. I'm always going to go. Usa.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Murray, let's go by got Slovakia.

[Drew]

I'll take Slovakia.

[Matt Jones]

Oh, what's the matter with.

[Drew]

Well, I'm losing a lot of money to my draftkings lately, so I'm taking one for the team here. Being wrong again.

[Matt Jones]

USA, baby.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

I've been to Slovakia. Yeah, it was kind of drab, okay? And when I was there, as I was walking the streets, I said, you know, this people here are nice, but they're not going to beat us in hockey. I could just tell looking at people.

[Matt Jones]

You knew back then?

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

No, I knew. I knew I wanted the Slovakians to understand. I enjoyed their food. They have some beautiful art everywhere. But we're beating you in the. In the. In the Olympics. And if we win, we'll be playing my favorite player in the sport, Sebastian Aho, in the finals because Canada's going down.

[Matt Jones]

The women Cocky's already won the goal.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

What a great goal that was. Do you see she did a little

[Matt Jones]

doopsy, like in sudden death.

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Yeah, she went.

[Drew]

That's it.

[Shannon]

What was that noise?

[Caller/Host (likely Matt Jones or co-host)]

Explain. Atari. She was. See you tomorrow at 6 for KSR. This vid. KSR.