Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) | Hour 2 | March 30, 2026
Host: Matt Jones
Panel: Ryan Lemond, Drew Franklin, Jack Pilgrim, Shannon the Dude
Theme: Latest UK Athletics news, with a heavy focus on Kentucky basketball’s offseason, recruiting rumors, and roster predictions, mixed with commentary on major sports headlines (notably Tiger Woods), listener calls, and panel banter.
Episode Overview
Hour 2 of KSR (Kentucky Sports Radio) delves straight into breaking news from UK Athletics, pivots to in-depth discussion on Kentucky Men’s Basketball’s offseason questions—including staff turnover and returning player speculation—and welcomes an animated round of listener calls. The panel also unpacks national sports headlines, notably Tiger Woods's recent legal troubles and the rise of UConn in the college basketball hierarchy, before offering a candid, often humorous look at transfer rumors and hypothetical lineups for the upcoming season.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Breaking News: UK Volleyball at Wrigley Field
- Breaking News ([03:28]): Drew Franklin reveals—via a live email from UK Athletics—that Kentucky Volleyball will play Penn State at Wrigley Field in September as part of the inaugural SEC-Big Ten Volleyball Challenge.
- “Kentucky, Penn State at Wrigley... that sounds like a KSR trip.” — Drew Franklin (03:41)
- The panel marvels at the uniqueness of an outdoor volleyball matchup, noting the “Windy City” factor and the novelty for college volleyball.
- Discussion briefly jokes about other events at unique venues (e.g., Bahamas trip for volleyball).
2. Kentucky Basketball Roster and Staff Rumors
NIL, Contracts, and the Budget ([05:08–06:20])
- Ryan asks Jack & Drew about rumors of 2-year NIL deals and the $22 million budget.
- Both clarify: no known two-year deals, changes were about timing—last year’s larger budget was a result of calendar advantages as NIL rules shifted.
Staff Changes & Assistant Coach Speculation ([06:20–07:06])
- Jack Pilgrim indicates staff changes are imminent: “Some calls are happening and I think we'll see... some news pop up here the next day or two.”
- Rondo (Rajon Rondo) is discussed as a potential staff hire, with Jack clarifying past efforts and NCAA complications:
- “If Rondo is interested in joining a coaching staff, I want it to be at the University of Kentucky.” — Jack Pilgrim (07:10)
3. Reaction to Tiger Woods' Latest DUI Incident ([07:57–11:18])
Emotional Responses
- Panelists express concern and disappointment:
- “He’s lucky he hadn’t killed somebody at this point... So Tiger, yes, I love to watch you hit a golf ball, but please get some help, because this could have been much worse.” — Drew Franklin (08:32)
- Jack notes Tiger’s recurring setbacks, wishing him well but emphasizing Tiger “has got to get his stuff together.”
- Matt: “You can't keep doing that if you're Tiger. And he has. So.”
On Tiger’s Legacy
- Will Tiger still be golf’s ceremonial elder? Drew and Ryan agree Tiger needs to “get help” but could still fulfill a symbolic role in the game.
- “He needs to quit being selfish and getting on the road in that condition...” — Drew Franklin (11:18)
4. Listener Calls & Interactive Segments
The “Blue Blood” Debate ([12:06–14:44])
- Alvin calls in to ask: If UConn wins another championship, does Indiana or UCLA lose blue blood status?
- Panel consensus: UConn is already a blue blood, especially for younger fans.
- “For the younger generation, UConn is the UCLA of our generation. They just... They're the superstar team right now.” — Ryan Lemond (13:29)
- Drew: “If there's still the conversation of blue bloods, you have to put UConn in it right now.” (13:05)
- Discussion of Dan Hurley’s coaching trajectory: Would he work at Kentucky? Would his NBA style succeed?
Roster Return Percentages Game ([24:02–29:12])
- Jack gives his percentages (“Matt loves percentage chances!”) on the likelihood each key player returns:
- Malachi Moreno: 70–80%
- Brandon Garrison: 10–40% (much less likely)
- Cam Williams: 50–70%
- Colin Chandler: ~70%
- Trent Noah: 30–50%
- Braden Hawthorne: 50%
- Jasper Johnson: 10–20% (likely gone)
- Diabate: 35–50%
- Discussion highlights NIL, local connections, depth chart factors, and how quickly portal decisions can change things.
5. Recruiting & Transfer Portal Scenarios
Tyron Stokes & Kansas/Kentucky Battle ([32:54–35:39])
- Caller Kevin's Concern: Is Stokes just using Kentucky for leverage? Will Bill Self retire at Kansas, affecting Stokes’s decision?
- Jack: Kansas has been the leader, but “the longer this drags out, it helps Kentucky.” Nike/Adidas shoe contract “is a really problematic thing for him.”
- Drew: If he ends up at Kentucky, “I don’t care if we're fifth on his list…if he puts the jersey on, I will think twice about what is happening right now.”
Dream Starting Lineups for Next Season ([37:32–38:16])
- Panic/speculation abounds on who will be in Kentucky’s starting five. Jack and Drew play along, citing optimistic combinations (e.g., “superstar point guard,” Stokes, Malachi Marino, Dink Pate).
“Over/Under” on Next Year’s Tournament Run ([38:27])
- Jack: Sweet 16 is a “safe bet for right now”; jury out until commitments roll in.
- Drew: “On March 30, I’ll go under because I can’t name one player that will be on the team. But my mind could quickly change in the next two weeks.”
- Matt highlights how volatile the portal is: “It takes one phone call and whatever you thought you were doing, you can change that real fast.”
6. More Listener Calls, Rapid-Fire Topics
Concerns About Pope’s Recruiting Pitch ([46:22–48:46])
- Caller Mike asks if Mark Pope’s “shared minutes, play for the name on the front” philosophy hurts recruiting.
- Jack acknowledges it’s used against UK in negative recruiting, but notes increased minutes for Aberdeen and Otega as proof that players can thrive and play big roles.
Tyron Stokes’s Prospect Status ([49:23–51:08])
- JC asks if Stokes would be a top-10 player in this class. Jack: “100%. Tyron... he’d be a top 10 player this year. He’s a bull in a china shop, physical freak, with a developing perimeter game.”
- Stokes’s “confidence and edge” is cited as fitting for Kentucky.
Bruce Pearl/Succession Hypothetical ([51:10–52:11])
- Caller Robert wonders what UK would do if it hired Bruce Pearl, who then left abruptly and handed the program to his son (as Auburn did).
- Drew: “There’s no scenario where Steven Pearl would have taken over like what Auburn did... that would not have happened here.”
Notable Quotes & Moments
- “I’ve never known a volleyball game to be outside or at a stadium. That is really cool.” — Ryan Lemond ([03:54])
- “You see, no matter what you tell yourself, if you feel different, you drive different. So if you’re high, just don’t drive.” — Ryan Lemond (PSA, 01:42)
- “He has six to our one (titles) since 1999. Oh my goodness. That's gross.” — Drew Franklin on UConn ([12:47])
- “You gotta get them here first and then make them care later.” — Jack Pilgrim, on recruiting (48:50)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 03:28 — Breaking Volleyball News: UK @ Wrigley Field
- 05:08 — NIL Deals & Team Budget Discussion
- 06:20 — Staff Changes, Rondo as Coach?
- 07:57 — Panel Reaction to Tiger Woods's Arrest
- 12:06 — Blue Bloods: UConn’s Status
- 24:02 — Roster “Stay/Go” Percentages Game
- 32:54 — Tyron Stokes Recruiting Battle
- 37:32 — Dream Starting Lineup for Next Year
- 38:27 — Over/Under: Next Year’s NCAA Tournament Potential
- 46:22 — Does Pope’s Pitch Hurt Recruiting?
- 49:23 — Is Tyron Stokes a Can’t-Miss Superstar?
- 51:10 — Bruce Pearl Succession Hypothetical
Memorable Lighthearted Moments
- The panel jokes about Rasheed Wallace’s 41 technicals in one NBA season. ([15:47])
- Drew Franklin’s story about shedding a tear when Tiger Woods won the Masters at KS Bar during a Reed Travis signing. ([08:32])
- “A guy that doesn’t need a gimmick—he is his own gimmick.” — Matt Jones, on Kentucky basketball-turned-wrestling hopeful Tucker Johnson. ([31:46])
- Bar and brawl shenanigans at the Louisville Kings’ football game: “Players grabbing drinks and throwing them at the fans.” ([45:47])
Conclusion
This episode of Kentucky Sports Radio thrived on dynamic, real-time news, deep roster and coaching analysis, and interactions with an active, insightful listener base. Both irreverent and informed, the panel dissected everything from historic volleyball matches to the precarious nature of modern college basketball rosters, delivering both hard news and laughs in a style beloved by KSR fans.