2026-03-19- KSR - Hour 1

Summary

Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) – Hour 1

Date: March 19, 2026
Hosts: Matt Jones, Ryan Lemond
Location: St. Louis, MO (NCAA Tournament coverage)

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Episode Overview

This episode of Kentucky Sports Radio finds Matt Jones, Ryan Lemond, and the KSR crew broadcasting from St. Louis as Kentucky prepares for its opening NCAA Tournament game. The show blends firsthand stories from their road trip and fan experiences with in-depth analysis of the tournament’s opening games, Kentucky’s roster situation, and the larger issues facing UK Athletics—especially its NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) approach in the new era of college sports.

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Live from St. Louis: Road Trip & Tournament Atmosphere

• KSR in St. Louis: The crew shares impressions of their location, just down the road from the Missouri Botanical Garden and already enveloped in “the best four days of sports of the year” ([02:38]).
• Travel Crew: Drew Franklin can't make the trip because he's "on baby watch," leaving Matt, Mario, and Ryan as the “bachelors rolling to St. Louis” ([04:28]).
• Dining on The Hill: Recap of Italian food at Mama’s on The Hill, famous for classics like spaghetti and meatballs—“the highest version of what Ryan likes to eat” ([05:39]).
  • “Mamas was fire. As Mario was saying, well, it was perfect for you because… if you were saying, what's the highest version of what Ryan likes to eat? Mamas would have it.” – Matt Jones ([05:36])

Memorable Anecdote: Ryan’s Lost Driver’s License

• Ryan thought he lost his driver's license after scanning it for the DraftKings app. After significant panic and a restaurant search, Matt found it “in a secret pocket in Ryan's own wallet” ([08:13]).
• “This man had torn the restaurant up… He was about to ask to go back in the kitchen because he thought he left it on his plate.” – Matt Jones ([08:37])

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NCAA Tournament Talk: Why We Love March

Opening Night Fun

• Miami (OH) vs. SMU: The KSR crew revels in the “March Madness magic” delivered by Miami of Ohio’s upset win, highlighting why underdog stories and quirky college traditions make the tournament great ([10:03]–[13:56]).
  • “That game was why we love the NCAA tournament.” – Matt Jones ([12:35])
  • “If they're going to expand the tournament… I don't want Auburns… That was fun. Random dudes…It was a joyous sporting [event].” – Matt Jones ([10:11])
• Mid-Major Magic: Discussion touches on how mid-majors keep the tournament unpredictable and fun, citing Miami's “frat guy” roster and wild fan section antics like the group of Speedo-wearing swimmers ([12:40], [16:14]).
• Kentucky Fandom’s Expectations: Matt posits that many UK fans expected new coach Mark Pope’s offense to mirror the fun, high-volume three-point shooting Miami-OH team – but that's not been the reality ([15:19]).
  • “I think our fan base watching that…they were like, oh, this is what we were going to be like, but with better players. And it hasn't really been like that.” – Matt Jones ([15:33])

Kentucky’s Prospects

• Though not a heavy preview, there’s confidence that UK is a level above first-round opponent Santa Clara, who, despite their shooting, “don’t guard anybody” ([42:23]).
  • “Objectively, we're better…Our guards should be better…We should win. That doesn't mean we will, but we should.” – Matt Jones ([43:01])

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NCAA Transfer Portal & UK Roster Building

Portal Rumors & Fan Cautions

• Caution on Portal Reports: Matt shares skepticism about unverified player rumors and stresses the difference between “random Twitter accounts” and established recruiting journalists ([21:11]).
  • “So I saw some random account…which I'm not saying is not legitimate…but does anyone know where that account is from? …All of a sudden, that became UK websites saying Kentucky was the leader for this kid.” – Matt Jones ([22:09])

Specific Targets & International Recruiting

• Quinn Ellis: British point guard playing in Italy (age 22) is a serious target – “people are saying he could be one of the best players that will end up transferring into college basketball next year. Duke is interested. Kentucky and Louisville [are too]” ([23:30]).
  • “Would you like to have a good day? Tea and Crumpets, British point guard next year?” – Matt Jones ([23:47])
• Portal Misses: Matt and Ryan discuss the difficulty forecasting portal success; even highly-ranked transfers can flop, and vice versa ([25:24]).
  • “It seems like people still haven't gotten the science of the Portal down yet.” – Matt Jones ([25:24])

Returnees, Departures & NIL

• Ongoing uncertainty about returning players, particularly Jalen Lowe.
• “There is a person who's a big donor to Kentucky …that they do not think Jalen Lowe's coming back…” – Matt Jones ([23:58])

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UK Athletics & the NIL Conundrum

The Capilouto Interview – A Missed Opportunity

• President Eli Capilouto’s recent radio interview drew criticism for being scripted and uninformative ([29:14]).
  • “If any of you ever thought that, like, Mitch Barnhart was too saucy and interesting, go listen to an Eli Capiluto.” – Matt Jones ([29:14])
  • The show’s hosts were even replaced by the station’s owner, Lynn Martin, for the segment ([30:08]).
  • Matt revisits Martin’s history of dismissing his potential for radio: “He met with me and he said…‘I just don't think you'll ever really be in broadcasting.’…I remember thinking, alright, we'll see.” – Matt Jones ([30:45])
• Matt reads the university’s official non-answer about outgoing AD Mitch Barnhart’s $2 million transition bonus ([33:08]):
  • “His compensation is in line with what comparable institutions have paid for similar transitions…” ([33:08])
  • Matt: “It says nothing. Yeah. I asked, why did he get 2 million more dollars? And that was the answer.” ([33:46])

Kentucky’s NIL Struggles

• Fans question if Kentucky’s difficulties landing big-time hoops transfers are rooted in NIL issues and/or coach–agent relationships ([34:19], [36:31]).
  • “In football, Will Stein basically had maybe two big deals to negotiate…But basketball is a different world…all the people are stars, all the people are asking for specialized deals.” – Matt Jones ([36:31])
  • “Mark Pope was kind of not connecting to people. So…it’s a fair question which one of those is most important? As of this moment, I don’t know the answer.” – Matt Jones ([37:19])

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Kentucky’s Approach, Tradition, and Tournament Readiness

UK’s Tournament Prep

• Bracket Show Isolation: Pope opted not to let cameras in for Kentucky’s selection, citing desire for a private moment with the team. Ryan’s skeptical, but Matt says, “If you win, nobody’s going to care about any of this” ([44:19]–[46:31]).
  • “The fact that he didn’t make any comment at all before the game…That… is a number one complaint, which is the fans want to hear what you have to say. Say something.” – Matt Jones ([46:01])

Listener Contributions

• Calls range from predictions (with callers “being Joseph” for dry delivery and low expectations, [47:23]) to fun facts about Miami (OH) tricking recruits with palm-tree branding ([48:20]).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• On Miami (OH) and the meaning of March:
  • “That game was why we love the NCAA tournament.” – Matt ([12:35])
• On Kentucky fan expectations for Pope:
  • “I think that's what…I think our fan base thought that that's what it was going to be. Now, Pope has never played exactly that style, but…I think they were like, oh, this is what we were going to be like, but with better players. And it hasn't really been like…” – Matt ([15:33])
• On the NIL climate:
  • “In basketball, all the people are stars. All the people are asking for specialized deals. That’s a different thing.” – Matt ([36:31])
• On media frustration with UK’s response to criticism:
  • “What's the point of saying nothing like that didn't. That didn't help the situation. Did not even ask or address the contract.” – Matt ([32:29])

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Key Timestamps

• [02:38] — Show start & NCAA atmosphere in St. Louis
• [05:36] — Dining on The Hill, St. Louis foodie recap
• [08:06] — Ryan’s missing driver’s license story
• [10:03] — Miami (OH) vs. SMU tourney recap, tournament magic
• [15:19] — Kentucky fans’ expectations vs. reality with Pope
• [21:11] — Portal rumors and the need for verified sources
• [23:30] — On British point guard Quinn Ellis as a portal target
• [29:14] — Critiquing Capilouto’s interview and UK’s PR approach
• [33:08] — University response on Mitch Barnhart’s contract/payout
• [36:31] — NIL challenges: football vs. basketball recruiting
• [42:23] — Santa Clara first-round matchup preview
• [44:19] — Mark Pope’s bracket show decision and media access debate

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Summary Takeaways

• The NCAA Tournament’s Unique Joy: The KSR crew celebrates why March Madness remains essential viewing—David-vs-Goliath games, school traditions, random personalities, and the magic of the underdog.
• UK’s Hopes and Challenges: While Kentucky is favored in its first game, bigger storylines loom: How will they fill their roster in a wild transfer market and closing NIL gap? Can Pope deliver on the fun expectations?
• The “Business” Side: The crew lays bare fan and media skepticism about UK Athletics’ lack of transparency, especially on issues like the AD payout and NIL infrastructure.
• Classic KSR Vibe: This episode blends banter, self-deprecating storytelling, sharp angles on UK’s future, and listener engagement all colored by the humor, warmth, and subtle sarcasm that makes the show a staple for Kentucky fans.

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For listeners and fans, this episode offers both an on-the-ground sense of March Madness energy and a no-spin account of the major turning points and anxieties facing UK basketball in 2026.

Transcript

[Ryan Lemond]

The Bleacher Report app is your destination for sports right now. The NBA is heating up, March Madness

[Matt Jones]

is here, and MLB is almost back.

[Ryan Lemond]

Every day there's a new headline, a new highlight, a new moment you've got to see for yourself. That's why I stay locked in with the Bleacher Report app. For me, it's about staying connected to my sports. I can follow the teams I care about. Get real time scores, breaking news and highlights all in one place. Download the Bleacher Report app today so you never miss a moment. Bring incredible sound into every corner of your home with the new Whimsound smart speaker. Get high resolution Audio with a 1.8-inch touchscreen, smart control and modern design in one powerful speaker for just $299. From Quiet Mornings to lively family gatherings, Whimsound makes every moment sound better and feel better too. Create a home filled with sound you love. Ready to upgrade your sound? Shop now at Amazon and search Whimsound. That's W I I M S O U N D Has the news been getting you down? I'm Megan McCardell and I'm here to help. I'm the host of a new show from Washington Post Opinion called Reasonably Optimistic and it's an antidote to the pessimism that's riddling America right now. Every Wednesday I'm going to talk to people who see a path forward. It does seem to me that there is some awakening of a desire to act together to solve problems where they are. You know, I am a believer in America and it's wor fighting for join me Wednesdays on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, it's Howie Mandel and I am inviting you to witness history as me and my How We Do It Gaming team take on Gilly The King Wallow 267's million dollars gaming in an epic Global Gaming League video game showdown. Four rounds, multiple games, one winner, plus a halftime performance by multi platinum artist Travy McCoy. Watch all the action and see who wins and advances to the championship match against Neo right [e-mail] that's globalgamingleague.com everybody.

[Matt Jones]

Games from YouTube and social media Comedy Off Broadway in Lexington welcomes Josh Wolf

[Ryan Lemond]

March 19th through the 21st. Then from late night TV and the Bob and Tom show, catch Nick Griffin March 26th through the 28th. And don't miss New York comedy superstar and podcaster Mark Normand April 2nd through the 4th for tickets to all Comedy Off Broadway shows call 859-271-JOKE or visit comedyoff broadway.com comedy off broadway Runway. This is Kentucky Sports Radio presented by Stockton Mortgage. Now here's Matt Jones.

[Matt Jones]

Welcome everyone. This is Kentucky Sports Radio. Thursday, March 19th. We are ready to go here in St. Louis. It is the best four days of sports of the year as the NCAA tournament for real kicks off or tips off tonight, you can give a shout on the Clark's Puppet shop, phone line 859-280-2287. A Vision Autoglass TE machine is 772-774-5254 in this dish and sponsored by the TJ Smith Law Office. You call TJ will make them pay. We are in our house in St. Louis just down the street from the Missouri Botanical Garden.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yes, it is.

[Matt Jones]

Yes. Just we walked past those yesterday. Supposedly the beauty most beautiful botanical gardens in the Midwest.

[Ryan Lemond]

It is.

[Matt Jones]

That's what they say.

[Ryan Lemond]

Well, we are once we cross the arch. I didn't see the West.

[Matt Jones]

I didn't see any gardens though. Like we went by there. I saw no guards. But we were here. Kentucky is playing tomorrow, obviously. And until then we. It's media day for this sub regional as Mario will be leaving here in just a little bit because UK begins their press conference, I believe at right as the show ends and then practice right after that. And Mario's gonna go get all the scoop to put out there.

[Ryan Lemond]

These open practices always used to be fun to go to because all the local Kentucky fans where Kentucky was playing would come to the open practice. There's usually a lot of kids that skip school and it's kind of fun atmosphere to be there. I haven't been one in forever.

[Matt Jones]

See, it's. It's less fun. When we first started, it was fun. And now the coaches. It depends. Well, I haven't seen Pope do one. So May Cal at the end started just treating it like as a joke.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

And so he didn't really do anything. I don't know if Pope treats it for real or not. So. Because I don't know that I went last year.

[Ryan Lemond]

So just an hour of fun drills.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. So we'll see. Maybe he does. But, but, but we're going to that Santa Clara is up first. They start here pretty soon and then. And then Kentucky. Then of course the games start everywhere else today. But we arrived in St. Louis. You know, Drew is on. Is on baby watch. So he was not. Has not been able to come. So it's me, Drew and Mario, just the three of us. You know, the bachelors. Rolling. Rolling to St. Louis.

[Ryan Lemond]

Went to a cool area last night called.

[Matt Jones]

We went to the hill that everybody said to. Which is nice. Didn't seem to be on a hill. No, that I could tell.

[Ryan Lemond]

Really not.

[Matt Jones]

I don't know why they call it. Why they call it the hill. Because I was expecting a huge hill, and it didn't really seem like it was on.

[Ryan Lemond]

I shared your fun fact about the hill with Shannon this morning on the pre show.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. With Yogi Berry and Joe Garagiola. Grew up across the street from each

[Ryan Lemond]

other, and then Jack Buck was just a couple blocks down the street. I think you said that was a.

[Matt Jones]

You think there's, like, baseball in the water there? And we ate at a place called Mama's on the Hill, which was one of the many places we've gotten recommended. We have a great set of food options here, and we liked it. We thought it was. We thought it was good.

[Ryan Lemond]

Mama's was fire. As Mario was saying, well, it was

[Matt Jones]

perfect for you because it was like, Shannon, all stuff Ryan knows. So, like, their. Their specialty was, like, spaghetti with a meatball, you know? I mean, like, if you were saying, okay, what's the highest version of what Ryan likes to eat? Mamas would have it. Oh, you like fettuccine Alfredo. I have the place for you.

[Ryan Lemond]

I do need to admit something to everybody. Matt found my driver's license.

[Matt Jones]

Okay. Did he talk about this on the pre show?

[Ryan Lemond]

No.

[Matt Jones]

It was such a Ryan Lemon moment. All right? We're sitting at the bar eating, and Ryan Linman starts panicking. And you've seen this.

[Ryan Lemond]

Oh, yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Like, he does. He wants to act like everything's normal, but he's like a little dog that's running around in circles, and at some

[Ryan Lemond]

point, you have to say, what's wrong, man?

[Matt Jones]

That's exactly right. He stands up, and he's patting his. His pockets. He's patting the top of his little head, and he's like. He's just moving around. And so finally, I'm. I go, what is wrong? Because you could tell something was wrong with him. And he goes, I lost my driver's license. And I said, okay, when was last time you had it? And he was like, three minutes ago.

[Ryan Lemond]

Okay. It couldn't have gone far.

[Matt Jones]

So we know it couldn't have gone far. He said, I pulled it out because in Missouri, to use DraftKings, you have to scan your ID, right? He's like, I pulled it out to scan my id And I go, what did you do? Did you just throw it in the ocean after that. Like you did. You were just standing right here. And he's like, I don't know. And he's. He's throwing. He's. He is. He's hyperventilating. We're at the bar. He's throwing plates. He's pouring liquor out of bottles, trying to see where it is.

[Ryan Lemond]

I emptied my wallet, like, twice. And I think that part of the story.

[Matt Jones]

So, Shannon, I just had a feeling, you know, I just had a feeling about Ryan. I go, it's in your wallet. And he's like, I've emptied it four times. Can't be in my wallet. And I said, will you hand me your wallet? He gives me his wallet. First thing I open. There are seven health insurance cards.

[Ryan Lemond]

Oh, yeah. It's important at that age.

[Matt Jones]

How many health insurances do you have?

[Ryan Lemond]

One for Josiah, one for Gavin. Like, I got yoga, a girl's car.

[Matt Jones]

Why do you have theirs? Like, they're adults. Why do you have Gavin's? He's 26 years old.

[Ryan Lemond]

Well, in case he ever gets in an accident, I need to, you know, give some information for him. He can't speak, so.

[Matt Jones]

Do you think they're going to ask for his health insurance card to you?

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah, they might. You know, is that what people do?

[Matt Jones]

Do people give their parents their health insurance cards at 26?

[Ryan Lemond]

I don't think my parents had mine.

[Matt Jones]

I don't think my parents had mine either. Regardless, so I pull out this stack of health insurance cards up to the ceiling, Right? Okay, not in there. Then I open his credit cards up. Not in there. And then I see there's a pocket in the back of the wallet. And before I even reach in there, saying, I go, I know it's in there. You know, reach in. First thing comes out of his eye that you. This man had torn the restaurant up. He was about to ask to go back in the kitchen because he thought he left it on his plate.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yes.

[Matt Jones]

First of all, who puts their driver's license on a plate? Yeah, Ryan. Right. I find it fenced.

[Ryan Lemond]

It went back to the dirty dishes,

[Matt Jones]

classic rye lemon thing that he loses his driver's license at his seat at dinner, and it's in his wallet. And he can't find it in his own wallet, but I do.

[Ryan Lemond]

But he obviously put it in a pocket that normally he just put it

[Matt Jones]

in the wrong slot, which would be the first thing that you should think of. Like, if I look in my credit cards, gone. I'm like, I bet I put it behind my driver's license. Accidentally Nope. Ryan didn't think about it. He got it. Thankfully he got it into DraftKings so he could place his bets.

[Ryan Lemond]

And thankfully you found it because I was in a full body sweat by that time. By the time you found that I was sweating. How many White Russians were you into?

[Matt Jones]

Well, we, we could talk about. I'm not going to embarrass him. What's in his wallet but we could talk about, I don't know, two used like Kleenexes. Why is he saving those in his wallet?

[Ryan Lemond]

Oh, like a hanky.

[Matt Jones]

I apologize to the children and all the people out there.

[Ryan Lemond]

Gattytown credit card.

[Matt Jones]

Did you see that condom from 1968?

[Ryan Lemond]

Oh my gosh. No. I was two.

[Matt Jones]

So I mean it was just. It was just. It was so. That's a great question. So. So. But anyway, thankfully we got it.

[Ryan Lemond]

Thankfully you found it because I was panicking and we're all panic by the time you found it and we're.

[Matt Jones]

We're ready to go. So last night for me, the tournament got kicked off.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yes.

[Matt Jones]

With that Miami.

[Ryan Lemond]

No doubt it did.

[Matt Jones]

You know, I listen, we're going to talk about Kentucky today and that's ultimately. But I cannot think of the last time I've enjoyed cheering a game like I did Miami of all same.

[Ryan Lemond]

We all did, all three of us.

[Matt Jones]

Miami of Ohio. You know, I flipped on them about four, three or four weeks ago. First I was like, they shouldn't be right because they come in last place in the sec. I'm out of that. Now they. I changed my mind that they should be in and now I'm going further. Why we need more of these teams.

[Ryan Lemond]

Right.

[Matt Jones]

If they're going to expand the tournament, which they are going to do it. I don't want Auburns in the tournament.

[Ryan Lemond]

Right. Right.

[Matt Jones]

Who wants that? Nobody wants that. That was fun. Random dudes who all. They fell down every play. You know, they fell down every play. It was a joyous sporting. It's what that game was why we love the. The NCA term. SMU should have won. If SMU was smart, they'd have scored every play. Every time they went inside. Miami of Ohio had no chance, but they got away from it and they. They'd start shooting dumb shots and then these dudes who all. I'm sure if I knew the Miami of Ohio players, I probably wouldn't like any of them. They all look like they're like at a frat party, but they were fun to watch. And it wasn't just making threes. Back door cuts. Oh yeah, bounce passes. Whoopty woos. They, they did a, they did a pass on a break where he bounced the ball up in the air and the other dude was not athletic enough to get it, so he just touched it, tapped it, and it went in. It was like the and one tour, but for like, frat guys. And I, I thought it was so much fun.

[Ryan Lemond]

That game last night is exactly why you put Miami Ohio in the tournament, you know?

[Matt Jones]

And would SMU and Auburn have been anything like that? No, no, that was much more fun.

[Ryan Lemond]

And the three of us, you and me and Mario, we were cheering and going crazy. We. With every three.

[Matt Jones]

That's the most excited I've gotten in a game that didn't involve Kentucky. We, we watched the whole thing. We watched from tip to. I, I, I can't remember the last time I've sat and watched. You know, I watch college games every night, but I watched the second half or a little bit. We watched the entire thing, and I was into it. And then they brought those swimmers down. Okay, Shannon. I, I usually, you know, who wants dudes walking around in speedos? But that was hilarious.

[Ryan Lemond]

It was hilarious.

[Matt Jones]

I don't think they were supposed to be there because they weren't there anymore.

[Ryan Lemond]

They just did it that one time.

[Matt Jones]

They did it that one time. I think they probably snuck in there

[Ryan Lemond]

and then got in trouble.

[Matt Jones]

And then got in trouble and got sent back to their seats because they came running and they weren't there again. No, but they all came out. That one dude was painted all in red and he was like, I loved it. That is, that, to me, is what the NCAA tournament is about, was that game last night. And, you know, SMU hadn't won a game in the tournament, like 30 years, so it's not like they were a powerhouse. But nevertheless, I, I just, I enjoyed it.

[Ryan Lemond]

And the place was packed because Miami, Ohio.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. And the fact that was in Dayton.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yep.

[Matt Jones]

Basically a home game.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yep.

[Matt Jones]

It was, it was excellent.

[Ryan Lemond]

I was gonna say, if I'm Tennessee, I'm, I'm a little nervous.

[Matt Jones]

You're a little nervous. It's hard for teams like that to do it twice in a row. I mean, you know, Florida, Gulf coast did it that year, made it sweet 16, but it is hard for teams to do that twice in a row. But, you know, if you're Tennessee, who, who can struggle to score sometimes anyway, you do got to be careful.

[Ryan Lemond]

So what, my Mohaw ended up shooting, what, like 41 three pointers last night or something?

[Matt Jones]

They should have shot 75 there was no reason for them to ever shoot anything. It's not a backdoor cut or a three because when they tried something else, it didn't work.

[Ryan Lemond]

But you like, they just want them to go to the free throw line. We're like, look at him, he looks like an accountant. Look at him, he looks like a nerd.

[Matt Jones]

You know, it was so much fun. I enjoyed it.

[Ryan Lemond]

I did too.

[Matt Jones]

And so here's the, here's how I feel.

[Ryan Lemond]

Okay.

[Matt Jones]

Because they won't. I made the decision this. I'm going to be magnanimous. I'm going to let Bob and Jamestown go first today. Wow. Well, that's where he went.

[Ryan Lemond]

We should have called him last night.

[Matt Jones]

I'll let you call him. I'll let. If he wants to call on the show. 859-280-2287. I'll do the only when no one else calls does Bob get to go first. And I'm going to go ahead and let him go first today. Since his team won. I feel like that's the thing to do. Shannon, don't you agree? Yeah.

[Ryan Lemond]

I mean this would be unprecedented for the KSR show to have on first,

[Matt Jones]

but I mean, he deserves it. They won the game and I, you know, the tournament, all the first four games were good.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah, they were.

[Matt Jones]

Now last year, all the first four games were good and then the first and second round was kind of blah. It got better after that started. Tournament started getting good in the second weekend. I do wonder, I mean there's been a lot of chatter that maybe mid majors in the transfer portal era, it's harder for them to win these upset games. And you know, some of the best mid major teams lost in their conference. Turn it. Belmont, UNC Wilmington. So it may be the case that we don't get a lot of shockers today, but I do think that was a great kickoff to the tournament.

[Ryan Lemond]

Well, the fact that they were just bombing them up from everywhere and the crowd was a local crowd. We got to know these, this team that went 31 and oh, I mean, scout Jack. Scout Jack's our new favorite player.

[Matt Jones]

Can I tell you what I really thought, though? I think Kentucky fans, whether this is fair or not, I think Kentucky fans thought what we saw from Miami of Ohio is what Pope's offense was going to be.

[Ryan Lemond]

Talked about that last night. Yeah, I do.

[Matt Jones]

I think that's what, I think our fan base thought that that's what it was going to be. Now, Pope has never played exactly that style, but I just think our fan base watching That I think they were like, oh, this is what we were going to be like, but with better players. And it hasn't really been like, remember,

[Ryan Lemond]

they're going to shoot 30 threes a game. That was the goal going into the season. We're going to shoot 30 threes a game.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, well, that didn't really happen.

[Ryan Lemond]

I mean, in three games. We'll shoot 33s in three games.

[Matt Jones]

Well, it was a lot of fun. And now you gotta hope that we, Kentucky, produce fun on that level. And. And, you know, I think they should have let the Speedo guys do their thing. Why not?

[Ryan Lemond]

It's March Madness. You're in this.

[Matt Jones]

Supposed to be mad.

[Ryan Lemond]

Supposed to be mad.

[Matt Jones]

Supposed to be mad.

[Ryan Lemond]

Apparently those guys, those swimmers do it every home game.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Ryan Lemond]

And so they snuck it into this Dayton arena.

[Matt Jones]

They clearly did. And then they were like. People like, get out. But it worked. It was. It was fun. That was the only. By the way, that was the only free throw they missed the whole night. Was it really smu? I think that was at that point. It was the first free throw they missed. And I'm not sure they missed another one the whole night. They actually says SMU made a ton of free throws.

[Ryan Lemond]

So if they go play Tennessee, I think they're playing them in Philadelphia. Those guys have to go. The swimmers have. Oh, if I.

[Matt Jones]

If you're a Miami of Ohio person, you go wherever this is, you're never going to have a chance like this again.

[Ryan Lemond]

Philly's not that far from Oxford, Mississippi, is it?

[Matt Jones]

Oxford, Ohio.

[Ryan Lemond]

Oxford, Ohio. Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. Miami of Ohio. Interesting enough in Ohio.

[Ryan Lemond]

That's right.

[Matt Jones]

Not in Mississippi. So it would be weird if they might name the school Shannon Miami of Ohio and put it in Mississippi.

[Ryan Lemond]

It's already weird that it's Miami.

[Matt Jones]

I saw Miami was in Ohio before it was in Florida. So the people of Miami, of Ohio, the townspeople. The townspeople feel like Miami and Florida stole their name.

[Ryan Lemond]

So it should be Miami and Florida.

[Matt Jones]

Well, that's what they say. I don't know, but I'm just. I'm just telling you. 859-280-2287. Text machine is 772-774-5254. We will take a break. We are here in St. Louis on the NCAA tournaments. Kentucky sports radio.

[Ryan Lemond]

If you work in university maintenance, Grainier considers you an MVP because your playbook ensures your arena is always ready for tip off. And Grainger is your trusted partner offering

[Matt Jones]

the products you need all in one place.

[Ryan Lemond]

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[Matt Jones]

I went and sat on the little ottoman in front of him and I said, hi dad. And just when I said that, my mom comes out of the kitchen and

[Ryan Lemond]

she says, I have some cookies and milk. Badass convict, right?

[Matt Jones]

Just finished five years. I'm gonna have cookies and milk at mom

[Ryan Lemond]

on the Ceno Show Podcast, each episode invites you into a raw, unfiltered conversations about recovery, resilience and redemption. On a recent episode, I sit down with actor cultural icon Danny Trejo talk about addiction, transformation and the power of second chances the entire season. Season 2 is now available to binge, featuring powerful conversations with guests like Tiffany Adish, Johnny Knoxville and more.

[Matt Jones]

I'm an alcoholic and without this probe, I'mma die.

[Ryan Lemond]

Open your free iHeartRadio app, search the Cino show and listen now. Save on family essentials at Safeway and Albertsons this week at Safeway and Albertsons Signature Select Spiral ham bone in is 127A pound member price with digital coupon limit 1 while supplies last and Fuji Gala or Granny smith apples are 79 cents per pound. Member price plus selected sizes and variety

[Matt Jones]

of Pepsi Pure leaf Tea, Rockstar Energy

[Ryan Lemond]

Propel, Water or Gatorade are 97 cents each member price with digital coupon limit 10. Visit safewayoralbertsons.com for more deals and ways to save. The Bleacher Report app is your destination for sports right now. The NBA is heating up, March Madness

[Matt Jones]

is here, and MLB is almost back.

[Ryan Lemond]

Every day there's a new headline, a new highlight, a new moment you've got to see for yourself. That's why I stay locked in with the Bleacher Report app. For me, it's about staying connected to my sports. I can follow the teams I care about, get real time scores, breaking news and highlights all in one place. Download the Bleacher Report app today so you never miss a moment.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, it is that time you came

[Ryan Lemond]

down the stairs today singing that song

[Matt Jones]

I got in my head. This is a great skit on Saturday Night Live. It's the well, it's hard to describe why skit is funny, but I think I find myself on big days going basketball. Give me, give me, give me. It's great.

[Ryan Lemond]

I wanna dunk it.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. 859-280-2287 text machine a little slow today again. That's what happens when you talk basketball. 772-774-5254. One person writes, Matt is we're going to shoot 33. 30 threes. Pope's equivalent of Mark Stoop saying, we're going to use the tight ends more. Yes. We never use the tight ends more. They. That was something Mark Stoops would say every single year. Never happened.

[Ryan Lemond]

You could go back to Tubby Smith, we're going to speed it up and play, play.

[Matt Jones]

Tommy never plays. Tommy never played up tempo.

[Ryan Lemond]

Never did.

[Matt Jones]

Although Tubby played more up tempo than people give him credit for. I mean, that 2003 team put loads of points.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah, that team did for sure. But you're right, Mark Stoops, we're going to use the tight ends. We're going to spread it out more this year.

[Matt Jones]

One person writes, Matt, do you ever drop Scoop anymore? You haven't mentioned Vax from Providence or Quinn Ellis. Both have rumors to uk. Okay, so we need to talk about this when it comes to the portal. First of all, the. The British kid Quinn Ellis is on my list of things to talk about. But you folks have to be very careful that you don't just see an account that says college basketball on it and assume that what it says is, yes, that's becoming a huge problem. And maybe it's a problem for every fan base, but it's definitely a problem for our fan base. So I saw some random account that's called college basketball transfer Portal, which I'm not saying is not legitimate, but does anyone know where that account is from? Is it. Is it real? Is it a kid in his basement? Is it Bobby Crimmins? I don't know who it is.

[Ryan Lemond]

Bobby Crimmins.

[Matt Jones]

It could be anybody. But they put out yesterday that some kids transferred from Providence and they predicted he'd go to Kentucky. Okay, maybe he will. I have no idea. But what are like all of a sudden in that. And it was literally a graphic on Twitter with an account that had 1300 followers that became UK websites saying Kentucky was the leader for this kid. And they net and they. And then all of a sudden people reach, Matt, when are you going to talk about. I mean, a guy at Mama's on the Hill told me that the Miami of Ohio team was transferring. That doesn't make it a story. And that's becoming. That's happening more and more. And in this portal era where there's an infinite, infinite amount of players that could transfer, I mean, you can again, maybe this kid ends up coming. I have no idea. But like I need to hear it from somebody that's actually covering recruiting. Now. The British kid is someone that. Now people are saying Kentucky, that is recruiting. That actually reporters are. He's 22 years old. His name is Quinn Ellis. He's a point guard. He plays for an Italian basketball pro team.

[Ryan Lemond]

Okay.

[Matt Jones]

And there are people saying could be one of the best players that will end up transferring into college basketball next year. Duke is interested in him. Kentucky and Louisville. Would you like to have a good day? Tea and Crumpets, British point guard next year.

[Ryan Lemond]

Absolutely. Because I, you know, we kind of hinted yesterday, I, I'm in the camp that I don't think Lowe's going to come back. So I think they need to go out and get a top quality elite, elite, elite point guard. This guy could be the guy.

[Matt Jones]

There is a person who's a big donor to Kentucky who's sending it to. I think everyone that has a text because I got this message, but. So it seems like other people did too, that they do not think Jalen Lowe's coming back for a variety of reasons. You know, that person might know that. But, but I mean, I don't know for sure, but if so. And you have to get a point card. Getting a 22 year old professional, that's pretty good, man. That's. You'd feel good about it. He only averages eight points a game, but he's in the Italian league, which is a great league.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

So, you know, I mean, if Duke. My view is if Duke wants him, then we can win him too.

[Ryan Lemond]

We learned. Well, I learned my lesson last year in the transfer portal. Things can change overnight. And I think until we hear Jacob Polachek or Jack Pilgrim or one of these guys reported about somebody, then you can take it to the bank.

[Matt Jones]

You, you also, I think I was talking about this on. I think a caller called. It is so much harder to evaluate in some ways the Portal guys, because they come from such different environments. So if you were to go look at the rankings last year for the Portal, the top 20 players in the Portal, I don't think it's anywhere close to who ended up being the top 20 players. High school recruits. It tends to be pretty, Pretty close. Pretty close. But it seems like people still haven't gotten the science of the Portal down yet.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

So it's hard to know exactly who is going to end up being. And then when you throw in a guy's been playing in, in, in Italy.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

I mean, who knows?

[Ryan Lemond]

You know, you know, who would have known that Dalton connect From what Northern Colorado was going to be the player he was at Tennessee. And yet then there's a player like Yaxel. Okay, you think this guy's going to do well?

[Matt Jones]

The kid that's playing at UConn, Silas Demery, who wheel went after. Yeah, I think he was ranked what, 30th in the portal and he's end up being awesome.

[Ryan Lemond]

Awesome.

[Matt Jones]

So you just, you, you just never. I, you on some level have to trust the coaches that they get the fit.

[Ryan Lemond]

Right.

[Matt Jones]

I mean there's a handful of guys you know will be really good like Yaxel was.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

But you know, Donovan Dent was number one and he struggled most of the year, although he's gotten better in the last few games. But, but we'll see. I. My view is if you can get a 22 year old British players. We've only had how many British players? We only have one. Right. I think more Keno Williams, I can think of more. Keno Williams I think is the only British player that I can remember that we've had play. Because there's not a lot of Brits that play basketball. I mean I can only think of a handful of British people period that have played basketball. John Amici.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yes, Duke.

[Matt Jones]

I, I don't think I can think of another one. British people just aren't basketball players. And basketball is not a thing in Britain. Like if you like in a lot of Europe it is.

[Ryan Lemond]

Most of Europe it is.

[Matt Jones]

But in Britain you, it just. People just don't play basketball.

[Ryan Lemond]

So we have players from London, Kentucky.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, but, but so yeah, I'm excited. But as far as everyone else, I'm not going to really get into a guy coming here from the portal until Kentucky meets with him. And even then we saw last year they met with 15 guys they didn't get right.

[Ryan Lemond]

So changes quickly.

[Matt Jones]

Just a random account saying this kid, you're going to have to give me more than that for me to believe it's going to happen. We'll take your calls. 859-280-2287.

[Ryan Lemond]

KSI TJ Smith, personal injury attorney. Call TJ. He'll make him pay. Now more of Kentucky Sports Radio presented by Stockton Mortgage, here's Matt Jones.

[Matt Jones]

That collective groan you heard from all over the state were people losing their minds that I forgot about Amari Williams. Yeah, that, that was last year. That's, that's a, that's a huge. It was 12 months ago.

[Ryan Lemond]

A lot of things have happened in 12 months.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, but I mean I should have because I think 12 months ago, when we got him, I was like. Like, we've never had a British player. Like, I think I had that exact conversation one year ago.

[Ryan Lemond]

That was my friend. That's a level right there.

[Matt Jones]

That was. That was close. I'd be like, we've never had a player named Lamont. And you're like, maybe 12 months ago, we did. Yeah. So Amari, obviously, would be. So we. So Mark Pope's had success. Maybe we have a British pipeline coming.

[Ryan Lemond]

Well, is there an update, too, on Dink Pate, another point guard? They were talking about everything.

[Matt Jones]

About. But this will all really speed up whenever we lose.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

I mean, officially, you can't have conversations with people in the portal to April 1, but there are clearly conversations, of course, that are occurring. But for Kentucky, you won't start to hear leaked information until we lose, and then once we lose, I think you're gonna start hearing it quite a bit. First thing will be what our players do.

[Ryan Lemond]

Right. And then they'll have to enter the portal.

[Matt Jones]

Yes. Well, April 1st. But, like, you'll start to hear, I think, before what they're gonna. What they're gonna do. 859-280-2287. Before we go, the phones. I do want to talk. Just a second. About. We. Listen, Shannon. So we were driving here, and then I remembered that Eli Capilouto was doing an interview.

[Ryan Lemond]

Oh, yeah.

[Matt Jones]

On. On another network, another show. And I. You know, I'm a big believer in. I try to be a big believer and don't punch down. I don't always adhere to that, but I try. Okay. Punch up, not down. So I don't want to punch down. I deleted a tweet. I said, because I don't want to punch down the show. I don't know the two people that host the show. So, you know, it's fine. I can punch, though, a little bit. So Eli Capaluto's on. If any of you ever thought that, like, Mitch Barnhart was too saucy and interesting, go listen to an Eli Capiluto. Okay. Nice man. But we turned it on halfway through, and I had to turn it off. Shannon. I was going to run off the road, fall asleep.

[Ryan Lemond]

That boring, huh? That drive.

[Matt Jones]

Oh, my goodness. Nice, man. I didn't hear it, but I see they're doing a filibuster in the Senate. Just put Eli up there. You don't have to have him. And then the thing I found most interesting is the hosts were not allowed to do the interview. The guy who owned the station took over and did the interview. Yeah. Wow. Lynn Martin, that was the guy. You may remember that 17 years ago, I went to every station and said, I'll work for free. And he told me I would never be in broadcasting because I didn't have any talent. Do you remember that?

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah, I forgot that part of the story.

[Matt Jones]

Yes. He met with me and he said, look, you seem like a good guy, but you don't really have a voice for radio. And I just don't think you'll ever really be in broadcasting. He looked at me and said that during lunch. And I remember thinking, all right, we'll see that.

[Ryan Lemond]

That they dropped the ball. They have Alan Cutler on their staff. Yeah, Alan Cutler should have done that interview.

[Matt Jones]

Well, if you want to get. I want you to think about. If you're hosting a show and Shannon, like, let's. That's. That would be like the CEO of iHeart taking over KSR and interviewing someone.

[Ryan Lemond]

Mitch, come on that day.

[Matt Jones]

Yes, I'm gonna have Mitch on. And they go, all right, Matt, you're out. We're bringing in the CEO of iHeart, right? Are you kidding me?

[Ryan Lemond]

So he can.

[Matt Jones]

So he interviewed him. So the guy, by the way, who said I had no talent. Snooze fest of an interview sound sounded very scripted.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah, I was gonna say probably had pre.

[Matt Jones]

Really no news came out of it, right? Really no news came out of it. Except there was maybe a half piece of news, which was. He did say that they would look national for the ad, but then he said, but that doesn't mean we won't hire somebody in term. So, like, that's why I say a half piece of news. He acknowledged that they. He said he was going on his listening tour. He didn't say what that meant, but that he was almost done with the listening tour. So a lot of listening has already occurred, but Otherwise it was 30, 40 minutes and there was no news. I'm just going to tell you, though. If I hosted a show and my boss told me to get out of the way and let me do the interview. Stop it.

[Ryan Lemond]

Well, we were all kind of anxious to hear because this was the first time Caploo had spoke since Mitch decided to leave so resigned his first words

[Matt Jones]

there was really like, nothing.

[Ryan Lemond]

Nothing. That's why I think it was like the. The agreed upon kind of a scripted interview.

[Matt Jones]

What's the point of that? What's the point of saying nothing like that didn't. That didn't help the situation. Did not even ask or address the contract. See, that's.

[Ryan Lemond]

That's why you need somebody like Cutler and you to ask those questions? They can say that we address the media. That's.

[Matt Jones]

But they didn't even address it. So I'm. So the UK did send me a statement.

[Ryan Lemond]

Okay.

[Matt Jones]

All right. So I do want. This is about. I asked about the. The contract, and I want to pull up here their statement because he. They sent me a statement, and of course, now I can't find it. Okay.

[Ryan Lemond]

My driver's license.

[Matt Jones]

It's way too long for me to write. Read out. The first paragraph is about how successful Mitch is. The second paragraph is about how much he brings to university. Then this is what is said about the contract. His compensation is in line with what comparable institutions have paid for similar transitions. And the role itself is more robust, more accountable, and more critical to the university's mission. Importantly, this does not distract from the athletic department's capacity in any way. Says nothing. No, I mean, it says nothing. Yeah. I asked, why did he get 2 million more dollars? And that was the answer.

[Ryan Lemond]

They're trying to say other schools give.

[Matt Jones]

It basically just says other schools do. Doesn't say which schools do it.

[Ryan Lemond]

I've never heard that other schools just

[Matt Jones]

give $2 million out of the kindness of their heart. When somebody decides to retire, somebody decides to move to it. So, you know, you can make of that what you want. But I. I do not understand the PR strategy of a university that says, oh, all these people are upset. We're going to answer the questions by putting someone on and having them talk when no one's listening and saying nothing. Yeah, that doesn't do anything. But that's what they decided to do. Who's up next?

[Ryan Lemond]

We asked for Bob and Jamestown. Instead we got Rob.

[Matt Jones]

But by the way, Bob and James does not call today.

[Ryan Lemond]

I texted him.

[Matt Jones]

This is the one day that I'm up. And then Shannon, he. It's classic Bob, or he would have called and talked about the red.

[Ryan Lemond]

He's defiant. He only wanted.

[Matt Jones]

He really is def. I guess I kind of respect that. All right, go ahead, Rob. Rob, go ahead. Hey, guys. So it looks like Hope missed on another recruit, and they're. They're reporting that it fell apart at the nil table. Are we seriously looking. I know they talked about the video game coordinator at some G League team or not. Video game. Video coordinator. Yeah, we. Are we seriously pursuing a GM here? Well, we don't know what they call, but, yeah, we don't know what. We don't know, really. We know they're hiring at least two people in Some sort of role, but we're not sure what responsibilities they're being given. So it's hard to be quite frank with you. It's hard to know if. Whether they are or not. He was not. He was asked, Eli was asked about that. And he goes, you'll have to ask Mitch. So he completely punted on that too. So I. So the short answer is they're hiring somebody to help with this stuff. But whether or not they're actually a gm, they have yet to make clear as long as they can close the deal at the table. Because that seems to be. It's like we're number two to everybody. And it's always reported that it's about nil. And yeah, no, I think you're right. Take that off of jmi because Will Stein don't seem to have a problem. But remember, I want to say this. I'm not, I'm not blaming jmi, but Will Stein and football are different. The way you build a football program through, through nil is different than basketball. In football, you're taking money and you're distributing it amongst 70 guys and you really are only negotiating with one or two stars. In basketball, all the people are stars. All the people are asking for specialized deals. So in football, Will Stein basically had had maybe two big deals to negotiate. A couple of the offensive linemen and the quarterback from Notre Dame. And from what we've seen, JMI and that, that has been really successful in that world. But basketball is a different world. Basketball, you've got agents who are asking who can. The players are much more, are stars, they have their own brand deals. It's different thing. So I'm with you. Will Stein has shown that the JMI setup for football seems to work. What the question is, is basketball. It's not. It doesn't seem like it's working. But now is that jmi, is that Mark Pope? We don't know yet. I think we'll know a lot more at the end of this portal cycle. Could it be just relationships with agents? Could be agents. It could be. It very well could be. If you remember the original story, it was a two part story. Everyone focuses on the first part, which was the JMI part part. But the second part was that Mark Pope was not coming off great to these agents.

[Ryan Lemond]

Right.

[Matt Jones]

And that Mark Pope was kind of not connecting to people. So, sir, I think it's a fair question which one of those is most important? I think as of this moment, I don't know the answer to that. Okay, thanks guys. Appreciate the call. Do you agree with that?

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah, that's why it's crucial. We've said many times that he gets somebody that can handle talking to agents and handle the money. The budget side of nil world and footage.

[Matt Jones]

Football at Kentucky is different. Yes, it's different and it seems like we're doing that pretty well. But in basketball you got like nine guys, all of whom have nine agendas. And that's a different strategy.

[Ryan Lemond]

It is.

[Matt Jones]

It's just different.

[Ryan Lemond]

They have AAU coaches and agents and everybody else kind of.

[Matt Jones]

To put it another way, in football, we're not recruiting the top five guys. That's a problem for Alabama, Ohio State. But in basketball, we all do. And so that's a different. It's a different process in time. It's time to score big this month at Don Franklin. Choose from over 6,000 new and certified pre owned vehicles. Go the distance with powertrain protection on certified pre owned makes and models for up to 10 years. Get slam dunk deals all month long at Don Franklin Auto. It's March. It's car time. Don Franklin score big online or at the 28 dealerships. There's a new one at Don Franklin. It's Don Franklin Auto driven by family. We'll take a break and be right back. Ksr.

[Ryan Lemond]

Hey, it's Howie Mandel and I am inviting you to witness history as me and my how we do it gaming team take on Gilly The King and Wallow 2, 6 $7 million gaming in an epic global gaming league video game showdown. Four rounds, multiple games, one winner, plus a halftime performance by multi platinum artist Travy McCoy. Watch all the action and see who wins and advances to the championship match against Neo right [e-mail] that's globalgamingleague.com everybody games.

[Matt Jones]

I went and sat on the little

[Ryan Lemond]

ottoman in front of him.

[Matt Jones]

Hi, dad. And just when I said that, my mom comes out of the kitchen and

[Ryan Lemond]

she says, I have some cookies and milk.

[Matt Jones]

This is badass convict. Just finished five years. I'm going to have cookies and milk at mall. Yeah.

[Ryan Lemond]

On the Cena show podcast, each episode invites you into a raw, unfiltered conversations about recovery, resilience and redemption. On a recent episode, I sit down with actor cultural icon Danny Trejl to talk about addiction, transformation and the power of second chances. The entire season two is now available to binge, featuring powerful conversations with guests like Tiffany Haddish, Johnny Knoxville and more.

[Matt Jones]

I'm an alcoholic and without this probe, I'm gonna die.

[Ryan Lemond]

Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search the Cino show and listen now. Hey there folks. Amy Robach and T.J. holmes here and

[Matt Jones]

we know there is a lot of news coming at you these days.

[Ryan Lemond]

From the war with Iran to the ongoing Epstein fallout, government shutdowns, high profile trials, and what the hell is that

[Matt Jones]

Blake Lively thing about anyway?

[Ryan Lemond]

We are on it every day, all day.

[Matt Jones]

Follow us, Amy and TJ for news

[Ryan Lemond]

updates throughout the day. Listen to Amy and TJ on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts.

[Matt Jones]

When you listen to podcasts about AI

[Ryan Lemond]

and tech and the future of humanity, the hosts always act like they know what they're talking about and they are experts at everything. Here at the Nick Dicken Pole show, we're not afraid to make mistakes. What Coogler did that I think was so unique. He's the writer director.

[Matt Jones]

Who do you think he is? I don't know.

[Ryan Lemond]

You meet the, like the president.

[Matt Jones]

You think Canada has a president? You think China has a president?

[Ryan Lemond]

Those law proves that.

[Matt Jones]

God, I love that thing. I use it all the time.

[Ryan Lemond]

What color?

[Matt Jones]

I wrap it in a blanket and sing to it at night.

[Ryan Lemond]

It's like the old Polish saying, not my monkeys, not my circus. Yep, it was a good one. I like that. It's an actual Polish saying. It is an actual better version of

[Matt Jones]

play stupid games, win stupid prizes. Yes. Which. Which, by the way, wasn't Taylor Swift who said that for the first time. I actually, I thought it was. I got that wrong.

[Ryan Lemond]

Listen to the Nick, Dick and Paul show on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts

[Matt Jones]

or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Ryan Lemond]

Welcome back.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, we still have no news, but that's okay. We'll get there.

[Ryan Lemond]

You know, I checked with some of our reporter friends in Lexington and said. Did he say anything at all? And they're not everybody totally blanket agree. No, no news came out.

[Matt Jones]

Well, that's the way it goes. 859-280-2287 I Are we gonna win tomorrow?

[Ryan Lemond]

Yes. Yeah, we're gonna, you know, let ourselves get scared about Santa Clara. But just because we're gun shy from Oakland and St. Peter's but yes, we will win tomorrow.

[Matt Jones]

Objectively, we're better.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yes.

[Matt Jones]

People say, well, they shoot well. That's true. They rebound pretty well. That's true. They're the, like one of the worst defensive teams in the tournament. They don't guard anybody. We don't want it. We don't want to do what SMU did and try to get the shootout.

[Ryan Lemond]

Right.

[Matt Jones]

But, you know, we should be able to score on them relatively easily, our bigs. Like, this is your chance to showcase like you should be able. They have two big guys, but one of them's not very good. Now, the. The forward that. That can step out and shoot threes, you got to stay on him.

[Ryan Lemond]

He's their best player.

[Matt Jones]

But our guard should be better.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

So we should win. That doesn't mean we will, but we should.

[Ryan Lemond]

I think Herm Sindek is a great coach.

[Matt Jones]

Herb. Herb.

[Ryan Lemond]

Herb Sindek is a great coach. But our dudes are better than their dudes. You're supposed to go out and win this.

[Matt Jones]

Supposed to go win.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

So go win.

[Ryan Lemond]

They lost the three teams not in the tournament. They've only beaten two teams in the tournament, McNees and Saint Mary's.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Ryan Lemond]

Of the team.

[Matt Jones]

McNees and Saint Mary's so, you know, we. We have only lost one game to a team not in the tournament. And it was a team that was the next team in. Right. And we've beaten really good team.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yep.

[Matt Jones]

So go win the game and then give yourself a chance against Iowa State. So I. I'm accepting no negative energy from now until tomorrow at 12:15.

[Ryan Lemond]

I was kind of impressed with the way they came out, opened up playing the SEC tournament. You know, they played pretty well in their first game and second. Even their second game played pretty well.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Ryan Lemond]

So I think that, you know, there is something about turning it up for tournament time, and this guy seemed to do that.

[Matt Jones]

We'll learn a lot. We're going to learn a lot about sort of how this whole thing went by kind of how you play tomorrow now, games at 12:15. It's early. For them, it's even earlier.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

So for them it's at 9:15.

[Ryan Lemond]

So they're meeting with the media like any minute for the first time since the brackets came out.

[Matt Jones]

He uk.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

What do you think about. Pope said that he wanted. The reason he didn't do the bracket show was he wanted to have a special moment with the team. I think people had guessed it was because of that documentary. Apparently the documentary crew wasn't there.

[Ryan Lemond]

He wasn't there either.

[Matt Jones]

So that it was just. He said, you know, because the documentary crew had followed them around all year, they had never been alone. That was basically what he said. And here was our chance to be alone. What do you think of it?

[Ryan Lemond]

I think it smells like duck poop. I don't know why he wanted to isolate everybody.

[Matt Jones]

It's because, I mean, is that You. That's plausible. I mean, you could make an argument that why do we. Why did we have this documentary crew? You know, the last time we had a documentary crew following us around all year, we met. We made the nit. That was when ESPN followed us that year.

[Ryan Lemond]

Season stunk.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. So, I mean, you could argue maybe we just aren't like, the whole. Doing the documentary crew is not the thing for us to do. But nevertheless, let's just take it face value. What he said is true, which is the crew's been around all year, so they're never alone. For whatever reason, the crew was not gonna be there, so they had a chance to be alone.

[Ryan Lemond]

If this was a good idea, something it was, you know, people thought was a good idea. Did other teams do it? Did other teams kind of be isolated because we wanted a special moment by ourselves?

[Matt Jones]

No. I think I'm not as upset about this as other people are.

[Ryan Lemond]

I am.

[Matt Jones]

I think, though, but. But. But there are issues that I think sometimes the media complains about.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yes.

[Matt Jones]

That are legitimate. That are not, like legitimate issues. And then there are issues that sometimes the media complains about that the media just complains because it's.

[Ryan Lemond]

It affects us.

[Matt Jones]

It affects the us. I. I kind of lean towards this one being the second. So the fact that he didn't make any comment at all before the game.

[Ryan Lemond]

Right.

[Matt Jones]

I think that's a mistake. That, to me, is a number one complaint, which is the fans want to hear what you have to say.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yep.

[Matt Jones]

Say something. The fact that he didn't do the bracket watch is kind of, to me, more of a number two. Now. It has been a long tradition, and you could argue, why do you end the tradition? But I'm more. I think number one is a legitimate claim. Plain number two is just kind of. But then I never went to that, so I don't really. You know, I was always at the SEC tournament, so I never made it.

[Ryan Lemond]

Is it. Can you make an argument about. The players wanted to feel that part of getting in the NCAA tournament.

[Matt Jones]

Players don't care. I bet the players don't care. I mean, I don't think the players care whether there's people taking pictures of them or not. They might even like it more if there's not, you know, so. But either way, his decision to not practice in Nashville, all that part of it just depends on how you play if you win. Nobody's gonna care about any of this, right? Right. No, nobody will care about anything if you win. And that's why winning is the great cure for all this stuff, just go win. Who's next?

[Ryan Lemond]

Joseph.

[Matt Jones]

Joseph. Go ahead, Joseph. Declara. But to make it what it should be, probably six to eight points. And then State. I think we'll do what we usually do.

[Ryan Lemond]

Be damned by halftime.

[Matt Jones]

And then I think I was.

[Ryan Lemond]

Iowa State pulls away in the second half.

[Matt Jones]

Well, way to be excited, Joseph. Appreciate the call. It's basketball, Joseph, man, nothing is going to change his, like, volume and tone. Shannon, right?

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah. First day of the tournament.

[Matt Jones]

I mean, it could be anything. Yeah. I'm gonna get married tonight. I think it's gonna go well. We have cake, but tomorrow we're gonna

[Ryan Lemond]

get into a fight.

[Matt Jones]

I love that about Joseph. Not. He doesn't get rattled.

[Ryan Lemond]

No, no. Stays right in the middle.

[Matt Jones]

He's right where he's gonna be. Who's next?

[Ryan Lemond]

Tim.

[Matt Jones]

Tim. Go ahead, Tim. Hey, Matt. Hi, Ryan. Matt, I want to comment on. You kidding, Ryan, About Miami and Miami of Ohio. They have a ton of foreign athletes, and I know a college swimmer was recruited by him. And in their recruitment, they had palm trees all over the letters.

[Ryan Lemond]

Apparently, a lot of these kids show

[Matt Jones]

up and they're surprised that it's a middle. Oh, really? Oh, that's interesting. So they just. They don't say, we're in Florida, but they just let people assume that that's where they are. They have palm trees all over their stuff. I like that. Off for the tournament. Able to call in, live just. You guys bring me so much enjoyment in life. I love listening to you and I love Pope. And I hope that after the end of this tournament, we can say the guy was a genius for the things he's done. And I actually like the idea that he restricted the distractions with the media. Yeah. Well, I appreciate the call. Thank you. And thank you for listening and thank you for calling in on the thing. I like that. You know, Max Duffy told me that when he was in Australia and they. And the guys, the punters, would get their college scholarships.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

He's like, we don't have any idea where these schools are. He's like, imagine you're an American high school student and you get an offer from an Australian school and it's not in Sydney or Melbourne. You're not gonna know anything about it.

[Ryan Lemond]

Nothing.

[Matt Jones]

He's like, in Australia, we know New York, L.A. miami, Vegas. So he's like, deciding between Alabama and, you know, unlv. You're like, well, I want to go to UNLV in Vegas. He said, so we. A lot of times we get here and we don't even know where we are. That's kind of. We don't think like that.

[Ryan Lemond]

You're right.

[Matt Jones]

We'll be right back. Hour 2 KSR.