Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) – Hour 2: March 31, 2026

Podcast: KSR
Host/Crew: Drew Franklin (host for the episode), Ryan Lemon, Nick Roush, Shannon The Dude
Special Segment: Call-in from Matt Jones
Date: March 31, 2026

Episode Overview

This hour of KSR features lively discussion centered on recent NCAA basketball tournament action—especially Duke’s dramatic loss to UConn, as witnessed (and gleefully recounted) by Matt Jones from D.C. The crew also talks Kentucky basketball draft prospects, football rivalries and recruiting, the impact of TVG’s shutdown on the horse racing community, and share some fun pop culture/TV confessions. The mood is light, deeply Kentucky-centric, and full of signature KSR banter.

Key Discussion Points & Highlights

1. Matt Jones Calls from D.C.: Duke’s Shocking Loss

[02:37–13:42]

• Matt’s Ecstasy at Duke’s Defeat:

  • Matt was live at the Duke-UConn Elite Eight game and describes it as “one of my three or four best sporting memories…maybe number one. It was absolutely joyous being in that building watching the Duke hearts break.” ([03:06])
  • The arena was split “about half Duke fans, half UConn fans.” After a huge UConn comeback in the final minutes, “it was electric.”
  • On press row, Matt admits, “I stood up. I couldn’t even make myself stay down. I jumped and I don’t think that’s allowed…but I wasn’t the only one.” ([04:11])
  • On the court after, Bill Murray was dancing with the Connecticut band: “It was just electric.”

• Duke Locker Room & Press Conference Aftermath:

  • Matt describes a surreal, “awkward group therapy session” at Duke’s postgame press conference: “There were maybe six people in the room…And no one asked a question…it was really uncomfortable.” ([06:24])
  • He photographed Cameron Boozer with “his eyes swelling” amid tears and “could hear dudes bawling outside the locker room.” Matt compares it to the aftermath of Kentucky’s own heartbreaking losses. ([07:09])

• Cheering for the Lesser of Two Evils:

  • Despite being no fan of UConn, Matt says, “I couldn't help it…It was awesome. And then I think, because it was so unexpected, like, you know how in big sporting moments now everybody has their phone out? But that really didn’t happen because I don’t think people expected that play to occur like it did.” ([04:53])

• National Media Scene:

  • Matt spent time with major college basketball media figures, hearing stories “about who's going where, what coaches were good dudes, what coaches weren't…you learned everything.”
  • “It was fascinating to hear them talk about who's going where…” ([08:09])

• Danny Hurley’s Sideline Antics:

  • On UConn coach Hurley: “He’s a psychopath. But I will also say, when you sit up close...the stuff UConn runs is crazy. If you miss one cut, they score or get an open look…You get a sense of how much better those teams kind of were than us this year.” ([10:57], [11:39])
  • “Referees seem to laugh when he yells, too. I don’t know why that works, but he is a psychopath…” ([11:18])

• Why America Loves to Hate Duke:

  • Matt: “America celebrates when Duke loses more than anything else. I don’t think there’s anything else in sports that people universally celebrate more than Duke losing.” ([09:17])
  • Shannon: “I keep refreshing their podcast because I want to hear his pain in his voice.” ([10:26])

2. Kentucky Basketball Draft Talk & Jalen Claimants’ Stock

[15:01–17:43]

• Callers (notably Brett) express confusion over why Jalen Claimants—“projected top-10”—would leave after an injury-riddled season. Drew and the crew note he’s slipping, possibly out of first round territory:
  • “I worry about him because all these teams will do their physical checks and if that knee is still not healthy…it’s just going to drop him even farther.” (Nick, [17:25])
  • Speculation over Rondo (Rajon Rondo) coming back as a coach: “He made $100 million in his career…Being a coach is a terrible lifestyle.” (Shannon, [16:53])

3. Kentucky–Louisville Football Rivalry & Recruiting Wars

[23:13–27:39]

• Discussion on the “ultra competitive” recruiting battle between UK and Louisville, made “more intense” with former players as coaches on both sides.
  • “You have two coaches who were quarterbacks at the same high school that both went and played at U of L. There are coaches from UK and UofL on both staffs…Chase Hickey and Pete Nocta just changed jobs.” ([24:48])
• Nick Roush notes: “There are going to be a lot of people who predict that upset (UK beating Alabama in Week 2) this summer.” ([26:41])
• Fun about old rivalry moments—e.g., “Lamar fumble…that was a close game…and then Stevie got loose, but most have been pretty lopsided…” ([25:57])

4. Call-In Stories: Past Kentucky Games and Basketball Moments

[27:43–29:44]

• Caller Monty shares personal history: While playing for a state championship at Freedom Hall—a crowd was distracted as the ‘92 Duke-Kentucky NCAA classic unfolded. “We don’t have any idea what’s going on. The crowd’s going nuts when nothing’s happening…The first time I ever got to watch that game [was with] Sean Woods.” ([27:52])
• The crew muses on how Kentucky memories are communal, sometimes conflicting with personal experiences.

5. Florida’s 7'9" Center in Transfer Portal?

[29:49–31:13]

• A caller asks about UK recruiting Florida’s massive center from the transfer portal:
  • “I think that would be a terrible idea, John. Have you watched him play basketball? He doesn’t really move well.” (Shannon, [30:08])
  • Compared to Taco Fall—“if he was good enough, he would have played [more].” (Shannon, [30:21])

6. TV – Guilty Pleasures and Kentucky Connections

[31:41–43:49]

• Drew admits to binge-watching “The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross”:

  • “I binge four seasons already and I started season five last night…I sit down and knock out six episodes in a sitting. It is kind of like my Zen.” ([40:17])
  • Shannon: “I had a run of about three years where that was the bedtime—pop on some Bob Ross before we got to bed. His voice, so soothing.” ([41:13])
  • The crew jokes about conspiracy theories: “Have you heard the conspiracy theory that Bob Ross is actually a murderer? …painting all the scenes of where the bodies are.” (Matt, [43:51])

• Kentucky TV connections and updates:

  • Discussion of “Paradise” finale—show with Kentucky basketball references.
  • Steve Zahn’s new movie “She Dances” with his daughter is highlighted—a proud “girl dad” moment. ([39:20])

7. Horse Racing News: TVG Shutdown & FanDuel

[33:52–38:18]

• Nick and Shannon lament FanDuel’s decision to shut down TVG, the longstanding horse racing network:
  • “TVG has been around since ‘99…FanDuel TV is pulling the plug on TVG…Once this year’s Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup is over, they’re taking the hose out, and then it will go black next year. It sucks for those people, but it mostly sucks for a very specific demographic—it’s my dad demo, right?” (Shannon, [34:42])
  • Optimism that Fox Sports might step in with broader racing coverage: “They could make essentially a new version of TVG…but it’s another step in [the sport becoming less accessible to casual fans].” (Shannon, [35:57])

8. Other Notable Kentucky Sports & Community Shout-Outs

[49:09–51:27]

• The crew reminds listeners that while March Madness overshadows it, Kentucky football spring practice is underway. Nick: “Okay, basketball’s over. Let’s turn our focus, see what’s going on in the football field right now.” ([49:26])

• PSA: Beware April 1st Facebook rumors and fake news about Kentucky basketball. ([50:34])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Matt Jones on Being at Duke-UConn:

  “I have never, in a non-Kentucky sporting event, jumped higher than I did on Sunday.” ([03:24])

• Matt on Duke Sadness:

  “It was both the height of elation and like, the worst sadness you can see right next to each other.” ([07:45])

• Matt on Duke Hate:

  “America celebrates when Duke loses more than anything else. I don’t think there’s anything else in sports that people universally celebrate more than Duke losing.” ([09:17])

• Drew’s Confession:

  “I just need you all to know that I’m doing this and I want all your arrows in my direction…I watch The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross religiously.” ([40:17])

• Shannon on TVG’s Demise:

  “It’s the worst. They’re taking money out of our hands…But what’s happened, FanDuel TV is pulling the plug on TVG after 27 years. Gut punch.” ([34:37], [37:26])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Matt Jones call-in & Duke/UConn reactions: 02:37–13:42
• Kentucky basketball draft/NBA projections: 15:01–17:43
• UK–UofL football rivalry and recruiting: 23:13–27:39
• Caller Monty’s state championship/Duke-Kentucky ‘92 story: 27:43–29:44
• Florida’s 7'9" center / transfer portal reactions: 29:49–31:13
• KSR TV Confessions & Bob Ross: 31:41–43:49, 48:03–49:02
• Horse racing TVG/FanDuel drama: 33:52–38:18
• Kentucky pop culture (Steve Zahn, Paradise, etc): 39:14–40:07
• Spring Football, April Fools PSA, closing notes: 49:09–51:27

Tone and Style

• Playful & Self-Deprecating: The crew poke fun at their own obsessions (Bob Ross, horse racing, TV) and Kentucky-centric passions.
• Kentucky-First: Every topic ties back to UK sports, Louisville rivalry, or the Kentucky community at large.
• Conversational & Inclusive: Callers and crew are treated as one big Big Blue Nation family—jokes and memories flow easily.

Summary

This episode of KSR captures the exhilarating catharsis for Kentucky fans watching Duke lose in March Madness, as dramatically retold by Matt Jones from the thick of the action. The crew serves up laugh-out-loud storytelling, honest insights on UK sports and recruiting, and a slice of Kentucky life—both serious and silly (just ask about Bob Ross). From celebrating sporting schadenfreude to commiserating over endangered traditions like TVG, KSR continues to be equal parts sports think tank and community barbershop, always with one foot firmly in the Bluegrass.

To find specific moments, jump to the labeled timestamps above. For UK and sports fans who missed this hour, this summary keeps you in the loop with the highlights, hot takes, and all the personality you expect from KSR.