Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) – Hour 1 (March 6, 2026)

Host: Matt Jones & the KSR crew | Location: Live from Paul Miller Ford, Lexington
Episode Theme:
A spirited live broadcast ahead of Kentucky’s final regular season home basketball game vs. Florida. The KSR team dives deep into the significance of the matchup, visits with rising Kentucky stars Malachi Moreno and Jasper Johnson, and covers other buzzworthy UK sports stories and community highlights.

Episode Overview

The episode finds Matt Jones and the full KSR crew broadcasting to a packed crowd at Paul Miller Ford in Lexington—a testament to the excitement ahead of Kentucky’s pivotal basketball showdown against Florida. The show features in-person interviews with Kentucky players Malachi Moreno and Jasper Johnson, reflections on team and player growth, and commentary on the game’s postseason implications. The hosts also sprinkle in personal stories, fan interactions, updates from other UK sports, and a dose of Bluegrass community flavor.

Key Segments & Highlights

1. Live Event Energy & Crowd Interaction

• [03:00] Lexington fans pack Paul Miller Ford, outdoing previous stops in Radcliffe and Madisonville.
  • Ryan Lemond: “I think the Lexington crowd heard what happened in Radcliffe and then heard what happened in Madisonville. They said hold my beer, here we come.”
• Notable figures in the crowd: players’ families, UK coaches’ wives, Sissy Cakes sellers.

2. Florida Game Preview & SEC Tournament Stakes

• [05:10] Kentucky vs. Florida preview: The winner could secure up to a 4-seed in the SEC tournament; a loss could push UK as low as a 10-seed.
  • Matt Jones: “One of the bigger games that Kentucky's played at home in a long time… the crowd, this has to be Rupp at its absolute best in order for Kentucky to get [the win].”
• [08:02] Speculation on game spread: Hosts guess UK as 8-9 point underdogs at home, underscoring Florida’s dominance this season.
  • Shannon Dawson: “Other than the two teams that beat Florida. Kentucky's played Florida closer than anyone else in the conference.”

3. Personal Updates from the KSR Crew

• [06:24] Celebrating family and new beginnings: Drew Franklin’s wife Abby is five weeks away from giving birth, prompting stroller talk with coaches’ wives.
  • Matt Jones (to Drew): “I have to figure out what to get you… I don’t know what babies need.”

4. Feature Interview: Malachi Moreno & Jasper Johnson

Starts at [13:43]

Background & UK Journey

• Both players express excitement and pride in representing Kentucky as homegrown talents.
  • Jasper Johnson [14:19]: "It's been incredible. I mean, it's something that I've dreamed about since I was a little kid… everything that I've dreamed of."
  • Malachi Moreno [14:42]: "It's been awesome. Just enjoying it day by day, having so much fun and get to enjoy it with my boy."

Growth & Surprises

• Malachi on exceeding expectations:
  • [15:03]: “I definitely knew it was going to be a process, but I knew if I put in the hard work… great things would come my way.”

Locker Room Dynamics & Coach Pope

• Behind-the-scenes anecdotes about Coach Mark Pope’s intensity and Patino-inspired practice drills.
  • Jasper [16:16]: “Nah, definitely not… everybody says Coach Pope is a nice guy. He is. But there’s definitely times where he brings some of that [fire].”
  • Mark Pope references Rick Pitino often, suggesting a blend of mentorship styles.

Team Chemistry & Notable Players

• Brandon Garrison’s unpredictable energy is highlighted with humor:
  • Matt Jones [17:16]: “He could shoot a three or punch a guy in the face… What’s it like playing with Brandon Garrison?”
  • Malachi: “It’s awesome. He’s always coming to work, the funny guy, always having fun in the locker room. He always pushes me to be better…”
• Cam’s (injured teammate) potential return is discussed cautiously.
• Praise for scout team and seniors, including Walker Horn and O Way/Aberdeen.

Hometown Pressure and Family

• Both downplay pressure, emphasizing support and pride.
  • Jasper [21:54]: “With me, I don’t really feel like that much pressure. I know everybody in here is supporting me…”
  • Malachi [22:31]: "I kind of think pressure makes diamonds. And it's kind of hard not to enjoy playing for Big Blue Nation."
• Amusing story: Malachi’s mom calls in to correct how he pronounced his own last name.
  • [22:47] "I didn't know I was saying my last name wrong... I thought it was Marino... But now you know it is Moreno?"

March Madness Optimism

• Jasper [24:02]: "March is… the best time of the year. It's the time where everything matters."
• Both players express hope and confidence for a tournament run.
  • Malachi [24:28]: “We’re ready. We’ve been battle tested, and I think we have the pieces... and now we’re starting to click.”

Memorable Exit

• Shoutout to Malachi’s high school team (Great Crossing), aiming for a victory the same night.

5. KSR Crew Reactions & Reflections

• Ryan Lemond [25:56]: “They are just not great basketball players. They are great kids... These are the type of guys you want your kids to grow up to be.”

6. Football & UK Sports Updates

• Preview of spring football practice starting Tuesday; new coaching staff making their Lexington debut.
  • Matt Jones [27:26]: “I can't think of a team we've ever known less about because we don't really know the coaching staff or the players yet.”
• Quick notes on UK baseball: Tyler Bell returning from injury (first week of March) [44:25].

7. Senior Night traditions & Game Strategy

• Debate over whether to start seniors (Walker Horn, Zach) on such an important night.
  • Ryan Lemond [32:02]: “I've always been... startup. You start him, first whistle, take him out.”
• Chatter about Florida being such strong opponents and the rarity of UK being large underdogs at home on Senior Day.

8. Women’s Basketball & Coach Motivation

• Review of women’s SEC tournament win and Coach Kenny Brooks' unique motivational style.
  • Shannon Dawson [36:17]: “Dawn Staley…after Clara Strack had 33 points and hit five threes in that game… a hell of a game yesterday.”
  • Discussion of Coach Brooks calling Strack "the worst superstar I've ever coached" as an effective motivational tactic.

9. NCAA Tournament Selection Controversy

• Extended discussion on Miami of Ohio possibly going undefeated but being left out of the tournament due to scheduling issues.
  • Matt Jones [47:01]: Shares NYT report on Miami’s unsuccessful attempts to schedule stronger opponents.
  • Insight into the “quad” system and negative incentives for scheduling mid-tier teams.
  • Shannon Dawson [49:23]: "They have to fix it…schools will only play quad one or quad fours.”

10. Fan Calls, Community Shoutouts, and Humor

• Highlights of calls from listeners discussing:
  • The new UFL team in Louisville (Louisville Kings)
  • Ryan Lemond’s upcoming “Edgar Allan Poe speakeasy” date night (plenty of jokes and playful teasing)
  • Shoutout to high school teams, players’ families, and even Miss Kentucky’s presence at the event.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the live crowd:
  • Matt Jones [03:07]: “I would say this is probably up there with the biggest Lexington crowd we've ever had.”
• On Kentucky’s postseason pressure:
  • Matt Jones [05:10]: “One of the bigger games that Kentucky's played at home in a long time… the crowd, this has to be Rupp at its absolute best in order for Kentucky to get [the win].”
• Malachi’s name confusion:
  • Malachi Moreno [22:47]: “Well, I'm gonna be honest. I didn't know I was saying my last name wrong... I thought it was Marino.”
• Student-athlete pride:
  • Jasper Johnson [21:54]: “I don’t really feel like that much pressure. I know everybody in here is supporting me and the team at a high level.”
• March Madness optimism:
  • Malachi Moreno [24:28]: "We've been battle tested…now we're starting to click."
• On Senior Day tradition:
  • Ryan Lemond [32:02]: "I've always been startup. You start him, first whistle, take him out."
• Coach Brooks’ motivational style:
  • Matt Jones [36:32]: "Kenny Brooks said... 'she's the worst superstar I've ever coached.'... Since then she's been dominant."

Important Timestamps

• [03:00] – Massive live crowd & event setup
• [05:10] – Stakes for UK vs. Florida, SEC tournament implications
• [13:43] – Start of Moreno & Johnson interview
• [17:16] – Locker room insight: the wild side of Brandon Garrison
• [21:54] – Johnson on handling “hometown” pressure
• [22:47] – Moreno’s last name revelation
• [24:28] – March Madness optimism
• [32:02] – Senior Day starting lineup debate
• [36:17] – Women’s tourney win & Brooks’ player motivation
• [44:25] – UK baseball: Tyler Bell’s return discussed
• [47:01] – Miami of Ohio’s schedule controversy dissected

Tone & Atmosphere

The episode exudes a lively, upbeat, and communal spirit, with plenty of humor, heartfelt interactions, inside stories, and genuine pride for Kentucky athletics and its young athletes. The hosts balance analysis with personality, and the live setting amplifies the sense of big-game anticipation and Bluegrass camaraderie.

Conclusion

This KSR hour delivers energetic pre-game buildup, unique access to Kentucky basketball’s present and future stars, and an engaging blend of community chatter, analysis, and humor. Whether you’re a diehard UK fan or new to Big Blue Nation, this episode showcases what makes Kentucky sports (and its passionate fans) special.