KSR - Hour 2 | March 19, 2026
Host: Matt Jones (with Shannon & Ryan)
Location: St. Louis (NCAA Tournament Edition)

Episode Overview

This episode of Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) features Matt Jones and the crew broadcasting live from St. Louis ahead of Kentucky's NCAA Tournament game. The hour is packed with UK basketball analysis, St. Louis experiences, tournament traditions, and playful banter about Lexington politics and local sports culture. The team fields calls from fans and discusses everything from Kentucky’s lineup prospects to snow removal scandals in Lexington.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. St. Louis Tournament Spirit & Kentucky Traditions

• The crew is situated near the St. Louis Botanical Gardens. Matt is following local food recommendations, including the highly-rated Taco Buddha ([03:06]).
• Historic Kentucky performances in St. Louis get highlighted: Jack Givens and Tayshaun Prince both scored 41 points in this city during past tournaments ([06:27]).

Memorable Quote

“This city has generally been pretty good to us… Kentucky won the national championship in St. Louis, Jack Givens scoring 41, Tayshaun Prince scored 41.” — Matt Jones [06:27]

2. Tournament Logistics & UK Game Preview

• Tournament Basketballs:
  Wilson basketballs are, as Matt and Shannon note, notably "overinflated" for the tournament, affecting play—long rebounds, odd dribbling, and shooting adjustments are needed ([05:03]).
• Kentucky's Game Plan & Lineup:
  Cam Williams is healthy and expected to play, but Jaden Quaintance is likely out. The team discusses how spacing and outside shooting will be key ([07:59]).
• Show Schedule: KSR will air from 9-10:30am to cover pregame for the early tip-off ([08:10]).

Notable Quote

"Kobe Braya last year said, you have to shoot differently with this ball. You just do." — Matt Jones [05:25]

3. Lexington Mayoral Politics: Snow Removal Scandal

• There's a local scandal: the head of Lexington’s snow removal was fired after mishandling a winter storm. The mayor, Linda Gorton, promises a new approach. The group jokes about how, for many voters, snow removal is the main concern ([08:54]).
• The next mayoral candidates are introduced. Shannon mentions a mysterious candidate seeking his endorsement, leading to running jokes about Ryan becoming mayor and his unorthodox ideas for fixing traffic: “Tear out the sidewalks and just expand the streets.” ([11:51])

Memorable Exchange

"What other issues are there?" — Matt Jones
"The traffic on New Circle Road." — Shannon
"Your solution of tear all the businesses down is not one that's gonna fly." — Matt [11:44]

4. Fan Calls: Hope for Kentucky, KSR Impact

• Elizabeth: Praises KSR for keeping spirits high despite disappointing seasons:

  “Even when we're disappointed in sports, we're still listening many hours a week.” — Elizabeth, caller [15:03]

• Blake: Discusses “hope” and how a strong run would unify the fanbase ([16:33]).
• Several other callers reminisce, and discuss naming superstitions and traditions around tournament time ([24:01], [47:41]).

5. UK Basketball: Roster Outlook, NIL Money

• A fan asks who is expected to return to the team. Consensus: Hawthorne, Malachi, Cam, and Chandler, but retaining Malachi might depend on NIL (“Name, Image, Likeness”) money, with outside schools likely to make big offers ([27:11]).
• Key Insight: Kentucky will need to step up on NIL to retain top in-state talent.

Notable Quote

“I cannot imagine that Malachi... is not going to leave here about money. If he were to leave, it wouldn’t be because… we’re not going to pay for the Kentucky kid.” — Matt Jones [28:08]

6. College Basketball Betting Picks

• Matt’s picks: likes Georgia as a small favorite and Wisconsin as a strong favorite to cover vs. High Point ([29:03]).
• Tom Crean’s “pick of the day” is TCU as an underdog ([30:28]).

7. UK Football Spring Practice

• The new offensive coordinator’s energy is praised, as are the physical improvements on the O-line. The staff’s recruitment from the transfer portal, especially for linemen, signals a strategy shift ([31:22]).

Quote

"This offensive line will be the best Kentucky’s had, maybe even better than the year they had all those guys going to [the] draft." — Matt Jones [32:57]

8. Tournament X’s & O’s, Trends

• Discussion of “kill shot” (10-0 run) stats: teams with two such runs almost never lose. Florida had them against Kentucky three times this season ([34:29]).
• The key to Kentucky’s tournament run: Chandler must hit threes, and turnovers must be kept under 11 ([37:16]).
• Kentucky is seen as capable of upsetting, but also vulnerable to losses—emphasizing the unpredictable nature of this team ([36:35]).

9. On the Road: St. Louis Life & Team Theatrics

• Stories about exploring “The Hill” (St. Louis’ Italian district), handmade shoes, food, and self-care shops ([03:42]).
• Banter about driving a massive Ford Expedition dubbed "Travis Ford" ([42:43]).
• Sharing travel traditions, fan interactions, and tournament superstitions (e.g., wearing lucky shoes only after Sweet 16) ([04:45], [25:29]).

Memorable Quotes & Moments

Tournament Basketballs:

“They seemed to over-inflate the basketballs for the tournament. And if you watch that game last night, missed shots, the rebounds were long…” — Matt Jones [05:03]

Lexington Politics:

"That's why I want to be a mayor someday. Kiss babies, pose for pictures, but... better get the snow out." — Shannon & Matt Jones [10:10]

Caller Gratitude:

“Even when we're disappointed in sports, we're still listening many hours a week.” — Elizabeth [15:03]

KSR’s Relationship Advice Spin-off:

“I can’t think of two better guys to give relationship advice than two single 40-year-olds that have never been married.” — Shannon [15:39]

Team Hope:

“If you were to go Elite Eight, I think this fan base is then all in 100, even Sweet 16…” — Matt Jones [17:28]

Roast of Ryan’s Realtor Marketing:

“Why don’t you make a graphic or something… Mario is sitting right there. You could pay $50 and he’d make you a graphic that would look awesome… I never thought of that.” — Discussion [46:05]

Important Timestamps & Segments

• [03:06] – Show starts, St. Louis food, travel
• [05:03] – Tournament basketballs & play impact
• [06:27] – Kentucky’s tournament history in St. Louis
• [08:54] – Lexington snow scandal & mayoral race
• [15:03] – Caller Elizabeth on KSR’s impact
• [24:01] – Baby names and superstition for Sweet 16/fan unity
• [27:11] – UK roster outlook, NIL discussion
• [29:02] – Betting picks for the day
• [31:22] – Football spring practice discussion
• [34:29] – “Kill shot” runs and tournament stats
• [37:16] – Keys to UK’s tournament success
• [42:43] – On the road: “Travis Ford” the Ford Expedition
• [46:05] – Realtor marketing banter

Tone, Style & Dynamics

The tone throughout is lively, irreverent, and conversational with quick-witted banter and self-deprecation. The hosts engage in inside jokes and listener references, balance substantive sports analysis with pop culture commentary, and cultivate a sense of community among Kentucky fans—both on air and in real life.

Wrap-Up

This edition of KSR captures the excitement and anxiety of March Madness for UK fans. Alongside basketball deep-dives, there’s local St. Louis flavor, Kentucky political gossip, and plenty of signature humor, making the episode both informative and highly entertaining for die-hard Wildcats and casual listeners alike.