2026-04-08- KSR - Hour 2

Summary

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Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) – Hour 2

Date: April 8, 2026
Host: Matt Jones
Panel: Ryan Lemond, Drew Franklin, Julian (last name not given), Callers
Location: KS Bar and Grill

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Episode Overview

This episode of Kentucky Sports Radio’s second hour dives deep into the state of University of Kentucky (UK) men’s basketball recruiting, transfer portal prospects, and the current conversations dominating the Big Blue Nation, particularly concerning coaching, NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) strategies, and high-profile recruits. The crew also touches on UK football’s spring practice and innovative analytics, women’s basketball coaching developments, a sprinkle of Kentucky baseball, and some lighter moments about sports scandals and oddball athletes.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Spring Break & Local Musings

• The hour kicks off with banter about Kentucky’s spring break schedules, nostalgia over whether the entire state used to have the same week (“KEA Week”), and its impact on beach trips and camaraderie.
  • [04:18]
  • Notable Moment: Lighthearted disagreement on whether synchronized breaks were actually a thing.

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2. Kentucky Basketball: Transfer Portal Targets & Recruiting

A. Most Coveted Prospects

• Matt Jones and Drew Franklin review the portal players UK is realistically pursuing:
  • Big man from St. Mary’s (likely headed to Arizona State, but contacted by UK)
  • Freeman from Syracuse (“can score, big, does a lot of stuff”)
  • Freshman from Virginia Tech (played pro in Europe, can shoot, stood out vs. Duke)
  • Point guards: Right (BYU), Zoom Diallo (Washington, former Stokes AAU teammate)
  • Defensive player: Miles Byrd (San Diego State)
• Drew: “The point guard from BYU just went in. He would be my first pick.” [06:55]

B. Stokes Saga & UK’s Pursuit

• Kentucky is battling Kansas for Stokes, a top priority recruit.

  • UK apparently increased their NIL offer and may now be outbidding Kansas.

  • The university is making a broad, concerted push across departments to land Stokes.

  • Speculation: If Stokes delays much longer, UK’s chances improve.

  • Matt: “Kentucky has up their offer to Stokes... as of now, Kentucky may be offering a little bit more than Kansas for Stokes. Now, Stokes been very clear that Kansas is his first choice.” [08:33]

  • Ryan: “The longer this goes, the better Kentucky has a shot.” [09:02]

  • Nike vs. Adidas angle discussed; Stokes (“a Nike kid”), and the upcoming Nike Hoop Summit as a potential decision point.

C. Can Mark Pope Manage “Modern Players”?

• Discussion on whether Head Coach Mark Pope can connect with and manage a high-profile, “modern” recruit like Stokes, who’s seen as “difficult” or high-maintenance.
  • Trust issues arise, notably compared to Calipari and Self’s handling of stars.
  • Drew: “If you can get him, you gotta try it and see what happens. I don’t really trust Pope (Kentucky) vs. Bill Self (Kansas).” [10:21]

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3. Locker Room Chemistry & Controversial Comments

A. Derek Johnson’s Tweet ("Except for Colin")

• Mark Anthony (Caller): Cites a tweet insinuating Pope can’t relate to his players except for Colin Chandler.
• Hosts vigorously debate whether it’s fair to suggest Pope (or Colin) connects with others only due to shared religion (Mormonism).
  • Matt: “We got to stop acting like the only thing that defines Colin Chandler is what his religion is. Right. We don’t do that to the Christians... why do we do that to them?” [13:31]
  • Drew: “...when his dad’s not saying anything, Derek needs to realize that when you talk, you are speaking on their behalf.” [16:43]

B. Representation & Fairness

• Panel points out that Pope and his staff get along with non-Mormon, non-white players (like Brandon Garrison).
  • Julian: “Some people are trying to say it’s because they’re both white. They interrelate. That’s the only guy. I don’t think that’s it at all.” [15:19]

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4. Historical What-Ifs, Listener Q&A

A. Roderick Rhodes & 1996 Championship Team

• Caller wonders how Roderick Rhodes staying would have impacted the legendary ‘96 team.
  • Consensus: The team worked better after Rhodes left; “the perception is that things got better.” [17:51]

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5. Pop Culture & Sports Oddities

• Chess Scandal Documentary: Crew excited for an upcoming Netflix documentary about a famous chess scandal.

  • Matt: “What a jerk!” (Regarding a chess star snitching on an opponent after posing for a selfie.) [25:31]

• Baseball Fights: Recap of a brawl with mention of a manager (Walt Weiss) intervening and his martial arts background.

  • Julian: “Walt Weiss...has a black belt, used to do cage fighting.” [26:38]

• Nathaniel Lowe: Outfielder for the Reds, described as “looking like a dentist” after being interviewed in a polo and crew cut. Light mockery of baseball physiques.

  • Matt: “He looked like the financial advisor for the team.” [28:35]

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6. UK Football: Spring Practice, Coaching & Analytics

A. Spring Practice Buzz

• New Offensive Coordinator Will Stein is generating excitement.

  • High energy and tempo, particularly among new, younger coaches.

  • Players love the offensive scheme; offensive line is huge for this year.

  • Running backs are injury-thin, requiring in-practice adjustments.

  • Drew: "Willie Rodriguez is going to be a huge part of the offense. Stein went to tight ends a lot at Oregon.” [31:09]

  • Ryan: “Everything that I've heard though is the players love the offense. This is like the most fun offense in the world.” [32:08]

B. Analytics & NIL: ‘Blueprint’ System

• UK is using a proprietary analytic system ("Blueprint," adapted from Dropback, developed by Evan Miyakawa) to value what NIL offers athletes.

  • Michigan and Illinois used it before UK, with great results.

  • UK’s football and women’s volleyball teams used it for roster construction; men’s basketball has access but not confirmed to use it.

  • Insight: This kind of system is expected to become standard across college sports in the NIL era for more efficient roster building.

  • Matt: “The UK has created their own model called Blueprint, which this Evan dude is doing specifically for UK...” [36:13]

  • Drew: “It combines so much information. Heck, you name the basketball analytics website, it kind of pulls all that together and then formulates its own numbers for other sports too.” [37:07]

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7. Women’s Basketball Updates

• Kenny Brooks stays as women’s head basketball coach at Kentucky, turning down a Virginia offer.
  • UK committed to more NIL support for Brooks.
  • Big win for team stability and program growth.
  • Julian: “I was honestly worried about this one...With the Virginia roots, I thought if there’s going to be a job, maybe lure him away, it might be this one.” [47:11]

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8. Kentucky Baseball & Miscellaneous Sports

• UK baseball beats Louisville 4–2; notable for pitching dominance despite control issues (10 walks, 3 hit batters).
• Upcoming games and need for a strong tournament performance discussed.
  • Drew: “It was a no hitter until the seventh inning and...you held on to the all time lead [vs Louisville].” [48:20]

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9. Assistant Coaches & Staff Changes

• Listener raises concern about possibly losing assistant Mark Fox; compared to Calipari losing John Robick.
  • Matt: “I really like Mark Fox...But I would be fine having Mark Fox on the staff. If he leaves...I could see it being potentially an issue, but I do think the staff is smart even if they lose him.” [48:56]
• Jay Lucas: Rumored to be sweeping in for recruits Calipari thought he had, raising the specter of future UK coaching candidates.

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Notable Quotes

• Matt Jones:
  “We got to stop acting like the only thing that defines Colin Chandler is what his religion is. Right. We don’t do that to the Christians...why do we do that to them?” [13:31]
  “Kentucky has up their offer to Stokes...as of now, Kentucky may be offering a little bit more than Kansas for Stokes.” [08:33]

• Drew Franklin:
  “If you can get him, you gotta try it and see what happens. I don’t really trust Pope (Kentucky) vs. Bill Self (Kansas).” [10:21]
  “It combines so much information. Heck, you name the basketball analytics website, it kind of pulls all that together.” [37:07]

• Ryan Lemond:
  “Everything that I've heard though is the players love the offense. This is like the most fun offense in the world.” [32:08]

• Julian:
  “Some people are trying to say it’s because they’re both white. They interrelate. That’s the only guy. I don’t think that’s it at all.” [15:19]

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Important Segment Timestamps

• Spring Break & KEA Week: [04:18–05:10]
• Portal Prospects/Recruiting: [05:10–08:39]
• Stokes Recruitment & NIL: [08:26–12:40]
• Locker Room/Relating to Players Debate: [13:05–16:56]
• Roderick Rhodes What-If: [17:13–18:44]
• Baseball Fight & Walt Weiss: [26:07–26:56]
• Nathaniel Lowe Discussion: [27:41–29:31]
• UK Football Spring Buzz: [31:00–33:18]
• Blueprint/Analytics System: [33:35–39:43]
• Women’s Basketball Coaching Stay: [46:16–47:22]
• Baseball Recap: [47:22–48:27]
• Coaching Staff Changes/Jay Lucas: [48:33–50:20]

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Memorable Lighthearted Moments

• Matt pokes fun at a Reds player for “looking like a 43-year-old dentist.” [28:03]
• Chess cheating scandal gets tongue-in-cheek coverage, with mock outrage at snitching for “helping” an opponent by getting her disqualified. [25:00]

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Final Thoughts

This episode exemplifies “KSR”'s unfiltered mix of basketball recruiting analysis, honest debates about team dynamics and coaching, sideline observations from fans, and a touch of local sports culture and humor. Particularly notable is the discussion on how NIL and analytics are modernizing recruiting—and how UK is trying to get ahead (at least outside men’s basketball for now). Listeners also get a sense for the pressure and optimism surrounding Mark Pope, both in managing star talent and making real progress with roster construction.

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Transcript

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[Matt Jones]

Hour number two, Kentucky Sports Radio 859-280-2287 got some folks here on spring break at the KS Bar and Grill.

[Ryan Lemond]

Spring break?

[Matt Jones]

Is it in Fayette county right this week?

[Julian]

I think so. I'm kind of out of touch, but we were talking about this before you got here. Remember when, like the whole state of Kentucky took spring break at the same time? Wasn't it called like KEA Week or something and the whole state took spring break.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah, I have no memory of that, but maybe.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, could be.

[Ryan Lemond]

What do we do?

[Drew Franklin]

You know, I don't know about that. I'm pretty sure it is spring break.

[Matt Jones]

Does it matter?

[Drew Franklin]

Do you want them all to be the same?

[Ryan Lemond]

Is that.

[Matt Jones]

Are you against everyone having different weeks?

[Caller (No name given)]

No.

[Julian]

I think it probably helps because you're going to go to the beach and we all go down with your friends and your classmates and you. Oh, I see. Matt Jones, Middlesbrough. I know.

[Stockton Mortgage Advertiser]

I play tennis against him.

[Julian]

May have been a better time.

[Drew Franklin]

You're all also going to the same beach and compete for the same hotel room.

[Ryan Lemond]

That's exactly right. So you don't. You don't want to. You don't want to do that.

[Matt Jones]

859-280-2287. Take some calls. Let's quickly. Drew, you and I, let's go over people. There's so many people in the portal. Somebody asked me, who are you? And Drew's who you would like. Would you like to see Kentucky get the most? So of the guys Kentucky's associated with, who would you like the most? So I'm going to talk about guys that I think Kentucky is actually in on because there are dudes like the guy from Kansas, the number one player in the portal, Fiore Magunda. But I don't think Kentucky's part of the recruitment.

[Ryan Lemond]

He's actually visiting Louisville Friday, so they may end up getting the number one

[Matt Jones]

guy in the portal. So I'm just going to talk about guys that we are going after. I think if you were to ask me the three dudes I've seen in the portal, I would want the most. Number one is the big dude from St. Mary's I have a feeling he probably goes to Arizona State where his coach is.

[Ryan Lemond]

But he is in the portal. If you haven't. I don't remember his name, but he's massive. If you've watched St. Mary's play, I think he's the number three guy in the portal. He's a big. Can score rebound. He'd be great for us. And he can shoot.

[Drew Franklin]

Marascus, I think is how you pronounce. Could be wrong.

[Matt Jones]

I think Kentucky's contacted him.

[Ryan Lemond]

No idea if they actually have a shot, but if they did, he would be. He'd be my favorite.

[Matt Jones]

Probably the Freeman guy from Syracuse

[Ryan Lemond]

can

[Matt Jones]

score big again, can do a lot of stuff like him.

[Ryan Lemond]

And then the.

[Matt Jones]

The guy from Virginia Tech is probably the one.

[Ryan Lemond]

I think Kentucky's got the best chance with that. I think would Be really good.

[Matt Jones]

He was just a freshman, I believe, but he played pro in Europe. Can shoot. I watched them play. I think Duke and he really stuck out to me on the court.

[Ryan Lemond]

I think it was against Duke.

[Matt Jones]

Those are the three I've seen that I would like the most. And then of course we want a point guard, but those are my three.

[Ryan Lemond]

What about you?

[Drew Franklin]

I like all those guys on the point guards right. From BYU that just went in. It's probably the best out there. He and debonsa and Richie were like a. They're pretty good three pack till Richie got hurt. He would be my first pick. And then Zoom Diallo, who went in from Washington if you still think there's a chance with Stokes. He was Stokes AAU teammate. I even tweeted a video of him throwing lobs to Stokes at prolific prep. And he's good in his own right. So those would be my 1 and 2 at point guard. I think Freeman, you know, there's reported Kentucky's interest. I haven't seen a lot of other names I would pick over him at the at forward. He his shots not great, three point shooter. But if he can make one a game that he can create space.

[Matt Jones]

If I told you tomorrow that you could get the kid from Virginia Tech either D, zoom or right and then either Freeman or the St. Mary's Kid, would you sign up for that today?

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah.

[Drew Franklin]

And Miles Byrd, it's kind of a repeat of Lamont Butler. He's not a point guard. He was the defensive player of the year from San Diego State. He's another one I'd like to have.

[Matt Jones]

Do you have anyone?

[Drew Franklin]

He's not a point guard, though.

[Matt Jones]

Well, Lamar Wilkerson.

[Julian]

Yeah, I think he's coming.

[Drew Franklin]

Ron seems like a Finley bizjack guy. He was brought up early in the process. I don't know if you saw him. He's got the long, wiry hair that you would like.

[Matt Jones]

He also looks like the kind of

[Ryan Lemond]

guy Mark Pope would recruit.

[Matt Jones]

Although I haven't.

[Ryan Lemond]

I haven't seen much else about it.

[Julian]

I like the conspiracy theory that some guy wrote. You know, we went out and got Mo Williams because his connection to Stokes. Now we're trying to get Zoom Diallo for his connection to Stokes. Like they're trying everything they can try to persuade that kid to come here who would be, you know, obviously the stud we're looking for.

[Matt Jones]

Well, I will say I have heard and I think I can say, well, I've heard two things, one of which

[Ryan Lemond]

I can't say with confidence, but the Second of which, I think I can. Kentucky has up their offer to Stokes.

[Stockton Mortgage Advertiser]

Wow.

[Ryan Lemond]

So at least I think as of now, Kentucky may be offering a little bit more than Kansas for Stokes. Now, Stokes been very clear that Kansas is his first choice. So you know what I mean? We have to buy it is what it is.

[Matt Jones]

I do think, though, the longer this

[Ryan Lemond]

goes, the better Kentucky has a shot. You know, I think if he had decided last week it was going to be Kansas and remember, he had an

[Matt Jones]

announcement and people think he postponed it

[Ryan Lemond]

to see if Self was coming back.

[Matt Jones]

But Self's now coming back and we

[Ryan Lemond]

still don't have an announcement.

[Matt Jones]

So I. I think Kentucky is putting everything they got into it. Now they're the second thing, which I

[Ryan Lemond]

don't want to say because I don't want to be wrong, but I've heard

[Matt Jones]

that, like, the whole university is trying

[Ryan Lemond]

to figure out how to make Stokes work. And so we'll see.

[Matt Jones]

But they certainly haven't given up on him.

[Julian]

No, they haven't.

[Matt Jones]

Drew, would you. Would you say.

[Drew Franklin]

Oh, yeah, absolutely.

[Matt Jones]

I don't trust he can work with Pope.

[Drew Franklin]

I mean, if I have doubts. But you still got to try.

[Matt Jones]

Everything we've talked about relating to the modern player. I mean, Stokes is considered example a of the modern player, like, difficult.

[Drew Franklin]

He's a big Stokes guy.

[Matt Jones]

I mean, he's the kind of guy that, like, you would trust Cal to handle him, mate. But, like, it didn't work with Bill

[Ryan Lemond]

Self and a guy like that with Peterson.

[Matt Jones]

Do you think Pope can handle a guy like that? I mean, if he comes, you take him. But, like, do you think it would actually work?

[Drew Franklin]

I mean, I definitely have concerns, but I have big picture concerns next year if you can get him. You got to try it and see what happens. And I don't really trust Pope. Kentucky versus Bill Self, Kansas. I think Bill Self, Kansas win that. But I trust Nike vs Adidas and Nike winning that. And at the end of the day,

[Ryan Lemond]

he's a Nike kid.

[Drew Franklin]

He's already signed with Nike and I Nike hoop summits coming up in a week or two. Next week maybe.

[Matt Jones]

What day is the Nike hoops up? Because I got a message last night.

[Drew Franklin]

It's next week, I believe. Let me get the exact same.

[Matt Jones]

Is it Nike Hoops Summit April 15? Because if it is, that would correspond

[Ryan Lemond]

with a message I got. Is it night?

[Matt Jones]

Is it April 15th?

[Drew Franklin]

That sounds about right. Let me pull up the.

[Matt Jones]

If it is exactly on April, starts

[Drew Franklin]

on April 11, runs a couple days.

[Matt Jones]

So it'd be a little.

[Ryan Lemond]

Okay, then Never mind regard.

[Drew Franklin]

I still end up in the fight. I like the power of Nike to, to still keep Kentucky in it. Maybe put over the top once he gets out to Oregon at the hoops open and all that.

[Julian]

But we can, if we can go back to that article that Jack and Jacob wrote. You remember they were saying Pope could get some of these high profile guys close to the closing table but couldn't close the deal.

[Ryan Lemond]

Well, this is another one.

[Matt Jones]

We're gonna find out if that has, if that has gotten better. 859-280-2287. Who's next?

[Caller (No name given)]

Mark is next.

[Ryan Lemond]

Mark, go ahead, Mark.

[Mark Anthony]

Mark Anthony.

[Ryan Lemond]

I mean if you're.

[Matt Jones]

Go for it, Mark.

[Mark Anthony]

Okay, it's Mark Anthony. Hey Matthew Ryan, Drew and Rick. Hey Matthew, I like your idea. If they go to five years, I think that great. And as far as recruiting. Oh, Derek Johnson's tweet. He said folk can't relate to these players. Except for Colin. There is a volume in between those lines and he may be right. This year is going to prove whether he is or not. Including the recruiting that we get done. And as far as recruiting, we need what Ryan calls grown ass men.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah.

[Mark Anthony]

And because the game's moving back to the paint, Matt, you can see that. I mean Michigan had two threes in the championship and UConn hit what, seven.

[Ryan Lemond]

And Michigan, they missed a ton. Yukon did over the course. Second half.

[Mark Anthony]

Yeah, they did. Had they hit those. It had been a 20 point win.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah.

[Mark Anthony]

So as Cal used to say, we're going to beat you in the paint. If we hit threes will beat you by 30. That's still valid. That's the way I want to go.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

I appreciate the call. Do you? So, so I mean, and we've taken what, six calls here, Four of them. And brought up Derek Johnson. I mean like everyone, that is clearly, that is clearly the thing that UK

[Ryan Lemond]

fans are talking about. And I think there are many reasons that's the case. You know, Mark Anthony just said, he

[Matt Jones]

said except for Colin.

[Ryan Lemond]

And Mark Anthony said, well, that clearly says a lot.

[Matt Jones]

I'm going to take up for Pope

[Ryan Lemond]

just a second on the except for Colin part.

[Matt Jones]

I do not think it's fair to Mark Pope or quite frankly to Colin that every single time those guys are

[Ryan Lemond]

brought up their religion is just like. Well, it's their religion.

[Matt Jones]

I just don't think we don't do that to any other player. Like we don't the idea that the only person Mark can relate to is

[Ryan Lemond]

Colin Chandler because they're both Mormons.

[Matt Jones]

I mean, maybe that helps them relate. I can grant that, but I'm just kind of. We got to stop acting like the

[Ryan Lemond]

only thing that defines Colin Chandler is what his religion is.

[Matt Jones]

Right. We don't do that to the Christians. We didn't do it to mo date who's Muslim. Like, we don't do. Why do we do that to them and why. And people do that to Mark. And I actually don't think it's fair. He got along very well with Amari

[Ryan Lemond]

Williams, who I do not believe was Mormon.

[Matt Jones]

You know, Lamont Butler, Kobe Br came from BYU to here, was not Mormon. I just. I don't think that Pope, I think, clearly did not completely connect with this team. But we got to stop with the. Except for Colin, as if that's somehow different. Do you agree with that?

[Drew Franklin]

I do. And it's unique. I mean, like, even when you're talking about what Colin you might do, it's natural to be like, well, he could go back to Utah just because your brain goes that way. But it is. It's not fair. Especially with what Derek wrote about how he's the only one in the locker room. Pope can get along where Jail. With whatever word he used.

[Matt Jones]

I think that's an extremely. That's either because Moreno and. And Cam are coming back, of course.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

No, I mean, maybe he didn't gel with Jasper and maybe he didn't gel with, I don't know, Diabate or whoever. I don't know. But he. There's two guys coming back that are not Mormon or. And that are not white. I mean, they're coming back, it seems.

[Drew Franklin]

I would think Brandon Garrison does some non Mormon things and he trusted him to run it back for another year. He came here, Kentucky. They seem to get along. Pope and Garrison seem to get along great.

[Julian]

Yeah. If you listen to Pope talk. Brandon Garrison was his favorite player this past season.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah, the.

[Matt Jones]

Go ahead.

[Ryan Lemond]

You want to say something?

[Julian]

I'm glad you said it Friday. I think some people are trying to say it because they're both white. They interlate. That's the only guy you can relate. I don't think that's it at all. Not at all.

[Matt Jones]

So you think Derek. Well, Derek meant something, though. Did he mean white? Did he mean Mormon?

[Drew Franklin]

He didn't include Trent Noah.

[Matt Jones]

He's Potter. Which is why I think he meant more because he didn't include Reese Potter. He didn't include Trent. No, he didn't include yellow Vich. He just included Colin. And I think that's. I'll be Honest.

[Ryan Lemond]

I'd say it to Derek.

[Matt Jones]

I think that's unfair. I don't.

[Ryan Lemond]

You know, you're.

[Matt Jones]

You're. I just think Derek's post was really counterproductive and he. I'm sure he thinks I'm counterproductive, and that's fine. But, like, it just doesn't do these kids any good. It doesn't do Jasper any good. This is what fans. I don't want this to be what fans are talking about, but they are. And I would say to Derek, because you put it out, people will necessarily give family members more credibility than anyone else. Understandably so. So when you do this, Ryan, that's what people are going to focus on.

[Julian]

That's it. And, you know, I have. Obviously he loves Jasper and he wants what's best for Jasper. And I think they're just. He's hurt. He's.

[T-Mobile Store Employee]

He's hurt.

[Matt Jones]

That is not an excuse.

[Julian]

That's not the way to do it.

[Matt Jones]

Everyone. I mean, people get hurt. That happens, you know, when Jasper is

[Drew Franklin]

not saying a word. Heck, Jasper's at the Johnson center having fun with UK students, living his life.

[Matt Jones]

Dennis said that last night. Jasper Johnson, like, posted, come play pickup with me.

[Drew Franklin]

So he's not saying anything. And when his dad's not saying anything, Derek needs to realize that when you talk, you are speaking on their behalf, because that's how people are going to read it. They're going to assume that you're just sharing what you hear at the dinner table or whatever. Behind the scenes.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah.

[Drew Franklin]

And there's so many layers to it. I mean, we don't know what calls we're gonna go to. And half the calls have been about that. It's a just Jasper, then it's the. The family chiming in. And then the whole Pope thing. There's three different levels to that one Facebook post.

[Ryan Lemond]

Who's next?

[Caller (No name given)]

David is next.

[Ryan Lemond]

David, go ahead. Dave.

[Caller (No name given)]

Good morning, everybody. Hope you're doing well.

[Ryan Lemond]

Thank you.

[Caller (No name given)]

On the jelly part. Good segue for me. Pivoting away from the portal talk. I've always wanted to ask this question, Matt, about the 96 team. I know, 30 years ago, championship team, but what if Roderick Rhodes would have stayed? What would have that done to the chemistry of that team?

[Mark Anthony]

Great question.

[Caller (No name given)]

Would we be talking about him being one of the greatest teams?

[Matt Jones]

Well, that's a. Ryan Lemon, first of all. Yeah, that's a great question. Ryan Lemon was there, so I appreciate the call. Do you think if Roderick Rhodes comes back in 96, that team is still

[Ryan Lemond]

considered one of the greatest of all time.

[Julian]

I don't. I. It was best for him and best for the team that he leaves. I know he was. He was going into his senior season, but it just worked better without him being there. I mean, that's. I'm not speaking because something. I know. I just think just the perception of it. It just seemed like things got better after Rhodes left.

[Drew Franklin]

I was kind of young. Do they recruit over him or. It was Mercer.

[Matt Jones]

He just. The team was kind of built around

[Ryan Lemond]

him in 94 and 95 and it just didn't click.

[Julian]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

And I think Rick realized he had all this talent and like he didn't need him.

[Julian]

You know, he was gonna play. His minutes were gonna go way down.

[Matt Jones]

His minutes were gonna go down. But he was gonna be a senior.

[Caller (No name given)]

Yes.

[Matt Jones]

He went to USC and had some success.

[Julian]

He did.

[Ryan Lemond]

He got drafted, played in the NBA

[Matt Jones]

for a little bit.

[Julian]

His best year at Kentucky was his freshman year and kind of went downhill every year those next two years.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Hey, BBN Spring is sprung. And that means we might be getting outside more.

[Ryan Lemond]

Whether it's doing yard work or just staying active by biking and running.

[Matt Jones]

For most people, increased physical activity when

[Ryan Lemond]

the weather gets warmer can lead to aches, pains and injuries. That's where court physical therapy can help our therapists know what it takes to

[Matt Jones]

help you heal and get back to

[Ryan Lemond]

the things you want and without being in pain. 70 locations statewide. There's one near your court.com that's k o r d dot com. We're going to take a break. Be right back here at KS Bar and Grill.

[Matt Jones]

It's Wednesday.

[Ryan Lemond]

Be right back.

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[Matt Jones]

Welcome back, Tuckee Sports Radio. Are you a big Lumineers guy, Rick? I feel like you use this intro

[Ryan Lemond]

every day for at least a few years.

[Caller (No name given)]

I don't use it every day, but I like them.

[Ryan Lemond]

Your big luminaire.

[Matt Jones]

You've ever seen them in concert?

[Caller (No name given)]

Never seen him in concert.

[Ryan Lemond]

Okay.

[Drew Franklin]

Saw him last year. Bourbon Beyond. Very good.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Who's on this year? It's Tyler, right?

[Drew Franklin]

That's real bird. Bourbon beyond is. That's the one. We're all excited.

[Ryan Lemond]

Who's Railbird, though?

[Drew Franklin]

It's Tyler. Tyler and Zach Top back to back on the same stage.

[Ryan Lemond]

That's on Sunday. Right. So, yeah, we're gonna.

[Matt Jones]

We are gonna sell parking lot spots. People have asked me about that.

[Ryan Lemond]

They'll go on sale here in a couple weeks.

[Matt Jones]

And then who's on Saturday is. It's got. Is it.

[Ryan Lemond]

It's always jelly roll.

[Drew Franklin]

It's the Lumineers. I think it's the Lumineers. Yeah. Rick's being topical today.

[Matt Jones]

They were in Burn beyond last year to Lumineers.

[Caller (No name given)]

I might do that. You never know.

[Matt Jones]

I had somebody tell me, Rick, that

[Ryan Lemond]

they think you're the funniest person on the show. Which is.

[Matt Jones]

Which you're not on a lot.

[Ryan Lemond]

So that's.

[Matt Jones]

But it's just something about, you know, I think people really thought it was funny when you said how you get

[Ryan Lemond]

off a zoom call the other day. They really. They really like that. And you're. And your neighbors commentary.

[Matt Jones]

One person writes. Matt, are you excited about the Netflix untold documentary coming out this weekend about the chess scandal?

[Ryan Lemond]

Yes. Do you remember the chess scandal?

[Julian]

Oh, yes.

[Ryan Lemond]

Remember the guy. They alleged he was cheating in chess because he would get buzzes from, you know, something that was their children here. So I have to be careful. But something that was somewhere they're doing in the documentary about that.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah, I've already got that on the. Remind me. I. I watch all those Untolds as soon as they came out. Just watch. He liked to party a little bit. Maybe a little too much.

[Ryan Lemond]

My goodness.

[Drew Franklin]

Did you see what the chess player did just this past weekend?

[Matt Jones]

The main one I did. Well, it's. But is it not that guy or is it a different guy?

[Drew Franklin]

Well, he was playing the guy that had the buzzer.

[Matt Jones]

So, yeah, apparently he went to play

[Ryan Lemond]

chess in a chess tournament.

[Matt Jones]

And this girl right before it Started, said, hey, can we get a selfie? He was like, sure. And he takes a selfie and smiles. And then the moment they take the picture, he reports her for having a

[Ryan Lemond]

camera at the table and gets her kicked out.

[Drew Franklin]

He stands up and goes straight to the judge like, she. Or officials, like, she has a camera, her phone.

[Matt Jones]

I mean, I thought that was one of, like, what a jerk.

[Drew Franklin]

I think he claimed he was helping her because you're not supposed to have it. But he could have just been like, hey, you shouldn't have that. He walked across the set over.

[Matt Jones]

He did not have the audacity to

[Ryan Lemond]

claim he was helping her.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah, I think he was like, well, she would have been disqualified. I was doing her a favor.

[Matt Jones]

She was disqualified because you said, I

[Drew Franklin]

think she still got to finish the. The match or whatever. But, I mean, he smiled big like, yeah, nice to meet you. And just immediately gets up and goes to the official and says, she has a phone. He could have been like, hey, you're not supposed to have that. Why don't you put it over here?

[Matt Jones]

That's a jerk move.

[Ryan Lemond]

I don't care what you say.

[Matt Jones]

That's a jerk move.

[Julian]

So if I do that at your trivia, get a selfie with you and me, you know, get my camera out during trivia, you're going to kick me

[Matt Jones]

out if I say to you, yes, Ryan, we can have a selfie now get out of here. Yeah, that's a jerk move.

[Drew Franklin]

He smiled so big too, like, yeah, nice to meet you. I'd love to take a selfie. Then immediately tells on her.

[Matt Jones]

By the way, trivia. It was supposed to be tomorrow night. My trivia.

[Ryan Lemond]

But because of the house closing, it's moved to next Thursday. So next Thursday? Thursday, the trivia. So get your team together and get ready for that.

[Matt Jones]

Did you see the fight in baseball last night?

[Julian]

Yeah, I did.

[Drew Franklin]

That's my guy.

[Ryan Lemond]

What's. So what, the dude on the Angels came swinging.

[Matt Jones]

What's his name?

[Drew Franklin]

Former Braves World Series mvp.

[Ryan Lemond]

Gotcha. And then.

[Matt Jones]

And he had a baseball in his

[Ryan Lemond]

hand as he tried to hit him. And then the other guy, the Braves.

[Drew Franklin]

Lopez is the Braves guy. Solar was the batter.

[Matt Jones]

But what about the manager coming in, spearing him?

[Julian]

Walt Weiss coming in there.

[Matt Jones]

Walt Weiss, who I remember from baseball

[Ryan Lemond]

cards in the 80s. I was shocked to see he's now

[Matt Jones]

old folks, fat and bald. When did that happen?

[Drew Franklin]

I tweeted a little picture of Goldberg. Spear look just like him. Good technique. Bald head. I've since learned, and it's been reported that Walt Weiss has a black belt, used to do cage fighting. So people in that dugout, he, he's the one I think you'd trust most to go.

[Ryan Lemond]

That is, that is, that is pretty impressive.

[Drew Franklin]

I'll say. As a Braves fan, Lopez looked like he didn't want a part of the fight. He dared him to come out, but he was backpedaling. I think it would have been a

[Ryan Lemond]

bad day if running towards him was big. Here's what I love about baseball fights.

[Matt Jones]

They start, they get going and then all of a sudden after about 10 seconds, the guys all decide they have

[Ryan Lemond]

to jog from the bullpen and act like they're gonna participate.

[Matt Jones]

And by the time they get there,

[Ryan Lemond]

it's always broken up.

[Matt Jones]

But that thing of like, okay, here

[Ryan Lemond]

we go, we're gonna come. I always find that funny.

[Julian]

And they're never at a full sprint. It's always like a light jog. Well, I hope it's over by the time I get there. I don't really want to do anything.

[Drew Franklin]

And they all pair up, but they don't fight. They'll just, you know, maybe grab a jersey, talk to each other, like, okay, we're, we're linked, linked up here. And then they'll pat each other on the back and go their separate ways.

[Ryan Lemond]

I mentioned the, the Reds, they have

[Matt Jones]

a player who I think looks to

[Ryan Lemond]

be a 43 year old dentist that I didn't know was on the team.

[Matt Jones]

His name is Nathaniel Lowe.

[Ryan Lemond]

I guess he used to play for the Red Sox.

[Matt Jones]

He got the game winning hit last night. But when he came in the game, I was, I said, I've never seen this person before.

[Ryan Lemond]

Who is this person?

[Matt Jones]

And when it was over, they interviewed him and he had, you know, when they interview players in the locker room

[Ryan Lemond]

after a game, like, what are they usually wearing?

[Matt Jones]

Either their jersey or their shirt off or a T shirt. He had a polo on, buttoned at the top button like Mitch Barnhart and like a very like crew cut. He looked like a dentist. And I thought, and then his body shape, I mean, he's not in bad shape, but he just is kind of built sort of round and normal. And I'm like, how's this guy an athlete?

[Drew Franklin]

He looked like the financial advisor for the team.

[Matt Jones]

He really did. And even when he talked, he was

[Ryan Lemond]

like, yes, this was a wonderful time

[Matt Jones]

for the baseball team.

[Julian]

I'll never forget the first time I walked in a big league locker room and I see how unathletic some of these guys are. Beer bellies, no muscle tone whatsoever.

[Matt Jones]

Did you have muscle tone when you played?

[Julian]

Oh, yeah. I was Johnny Atlas.

[Ryan Lemond]

Is that a person?

[Caller (No name given)]

It used to be.

[Ryan Lemond]

I thought, well, you, you.

[Matt Jones]

But you did you still claim to lead the league installed base?

[Julian]

I, I do. And if we had a fifth year it'd be probably lead the nation in stolen bases.

[Matt Jones]

It's just hard for me to see you stealing basically with the Ryan I

[Julian]

see now, I totally same. I look in the mirror like, how did you do that? I have no idea.

[Matt Jones]

But you need to look up Nathaniel Lowe. He got the game winning hit. So I'm. But I, I wasn't 100 sure he was on the team. I'd seen his name, but I did not think he looked like that.

[Julian]

It's tax time. He had to go do his taxes.

[Drew Franklin]

Soon as the game was over, almost 15.

[Ryan Lemond]

Ellie was giving him his deductions.

[Julian]

Yeah.

[Ryan Lemond]

Right before, right before the game.

[Matt Jones]

859-280-2287 when we come back, we haven't really talked at all about UK football.

[Ryan Lemond]

They've got.

[Matt Jones]

They've been doing spring practice. The game is next Saturday.

[Ryan Lemond]

The spring game.

[Matt Jones]

And they opened the practice up.

[Ryan Lemond]

Was it yesterday?

[Matt Jones]

To some people. So let's talk a little. Just real quick.

[Ryan Lemond]

An update on Will Stein and we'll take your calls. This is Kentucky Sports radio live at KS Bar Grill.

[Matt Jones]

Welcome back Kentucky Sports Radio. 859-280-2287.

[Ryan Lemond]

Text machine is 772-774-5254. One person writes. Matt, you mentioned taxes. I bet you haven't even started yet.

[Matt Jones]

Kind of not kind of not. But I mean you get. You can get an extension.

[Public Investing Sponsor]

Yes.

[Matt Jones]

So usually.

[Ryan Lemond]

So my day is October 15th. I always have to like, that's the day.

[Matt Jones]

I know that that's your tax day.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Getting an extension for six months for like.

[Ryan Lemond]

I don't know why, but they tell me you do. So I always.

[Drew Franklin]

I've already done my extension as well. You still gotta pay a little bit. You gotta pay your tax.

[Ryan Lemond]

He estimates and tells me I have to write a check for something, but like it's not due Dudu till October.

[Drew Franklin]

I came out of my bank account yesterday. That was hard to watch disappear.

[Matt Jones]

I told you, it's April 15th.

[Ryan Lemond]

Or for me now it's the one day a year I'm a Republican. The other 364 days are different. But that one, I, I'm like that.

[Matt Jones]

All right, so let's talk just a second. UK football. I have not been to practice. I know other people have.

[Ryan Lemond]

Drew, what are you hearing about Will Stein's first spring practice and. And the videos I see of Minchi

[Matt Jones]

makes it look like he's got a cannon.

[Drew Franklin]

The highlights are fun now. You know, they pick the ones they want, but the ones they're picking are very exciting. Seen a lot of young receivers make plays there. Willie Rodriguez, as expected, is going to be a huge part of the offense. Stein went to tight ends a lot at Oregon and with Willie Rod back, I think he'll be a huge focal point. If there's any news at all, it's that the running backs, I don't know if they were thin or banged up, but the two they went out and got haven't been participating a whole lot and had to even move Martell's Carter safety to come play a little running back. So if there's any news type things, it's that the running back room's a little thin. But overall, Stein, they're doing a lot of exciting stuff, but he's also very secretive. He doesn't want to show his cards going into his first season.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, so they were going to allow, they allowed people to go to practice

[Ryan Lemond]

and it was 8am and so I was trying to decide whether to go and they were like, you had to observe all these protocols. Like you couldn't talk to anyone, you couldn't look anybody in the eye. You had to walk backwards with a blindfold when you walked onto the field. And I was like, that's awful early to do that.

[Matt Jones]

Everything that I've heard though is the

[Ryan Lemond]

players love the offense. I've mostly heard about the offense, but

[Matt Jones]

the players go, this is like the

[Ryan Lemond]

most fun offense in the world. And if you ask anyone around the program, they will tell you that Will Stein has come in and like, oh my, Willie Rodriguez is good. Like I didn't realize he was that good. And so I would expect him to be a huge part of whatever we

[Drew Franklin]

do that and just the whole coaching staff, I mean this is expected. It's his first job. Everyone in there is like in their 30s, but they are just on fire every day where I think maybe at the end of stoops got a little stale. Coaches are going in, going to their offices. It is just non stop energy and a lot of fun too. And normally spring is a pretty hard time on the guys. They're having a lot of fun with it and there's just that youth movement in the coaching has brought a lot of energy and excitement around the building.

[Julian]

That's what everybody says. The tempo and the energy is just the first thing you notice when you're watching them out on the field, especially on the offensive side, and the fact that our offensive line must be just ginormous. Everybody talks about how big and huge they are.

[Ryan Lemond]

This offensive line, if you just stand

[Matt Jones]

next to them, are massive, massive people.

[Ryan Lemond]

I mean, they are massive dudes. We will, you know, obviously we got to see how it ends up in terms of how they play, but they are massive dudes.

[Matt Jones]

And that's where they spent their money in the portal.

[Julian]

Yep.

[Ryan Lemond]

Like when.

[Matt Jones]

I think it is reasonable for fans to assume when you're trying to grade Stein's first year, they put their money in the portal, in the offensive line.

[Ryan Lemond]

And so we will see what it looks like.

[Matt Jones]

Which brings me to the second thing

[Ryan Lemond]

UK announced yesterday, and I think this

[Matt Jones]

is kind of an important thing that didn't get a lot of attention. They announced a new thing called blueprint. So let me explain what this is. You know, I. I don't like AI, but I recognize that there are things that can be better. But part of the problem in the NIL era is it's hard to know what players are worth. So, like, the whole notion of economic theory is economics. The reason the free market works is, you know, everybody knows the data. So part of the reason on the stock market they make people release quarterly reports is so that you know how much money people are making. You know whether to invest your money because you can see the. The reports of the company, etc. But the problem with NIL is since they don't have to release what people are making, you have no idea what

[Ryan Lemond]

the players are paying these schools, right?

[Julian]

Correct.

[Ryan Lemond]

We've talked about it.

[Matt Jones]

And the schools don't have to say

[Ryan Lemond]

and the players don't have to say.

[Matt Jones]

So the market is very inefficient. There's. On last year's Kentucky basketball team, I think we played too much money for some guys and weren't willing to pay enough for others. So this guy named Evan, I don't

[Ryan Lemond]

know how to pronounce his last name.

[Drew Franklin]

I call him Evan Meyer. The.

[Matt Jones]

He's a. Like, if you've ever followed him on

[Ryan Lemond]

online, he's like this little brilliant boy

[Matt Jones]

genius guy, but he came up with this system and I don't know how he does it.

[Ryan Lemond]

And he won't tell people because he

[Matt Jones]

wants to sell the system, which I understand he sells it to schools, but basically he has a system that tells play, that tells coaches and staffs this is what a player is actually worth, period. Don't worry about everything else. This is what they're worth. Now, whether you want to pay them more or less is up to you, but this is what a player on the free market is actually worth. The first school to sign up for

[Ryan Lemond]

his thing was Michigan basketball, and they

[Matt Jones]

used it to build their class.

[Julian]

Ended up being pretty good, didn't it?

[Matt Jones]

Seems like it worked. The second team to sign up for

[Ryan Lemond]

their thing was Illinois basketball. And where did they just end up?

[Julian]

Final Four.

[Ryan Lemond]

In the Final Four. So UK announced yesterday that UK has

[Matt Jones]

become the first school to sign a school wide partnership with it. Basically, it gives them access to use it for all of their teams. They apparently signed this a few months ago. The football team and the volleyball team used it to build their rosters for next year. So when we just saw UK football

[Ryan Lemond]

in the portal, Will Stein said, you

[Matt Jones]

know, we have a system to figure out what guys are worth.

[Ryan Lemond]

Well, apparently this is what it is.

[Matt Jones]

The volleyball team did the same thing. I see a volleyball booster back there. Now, every other school, every other team

[Ryan Lemond]

at the school has access to it,

[Matt Jones]

but they don't have to use it. As I understand at this moment, UK basketball is not using it yet.

[Ryan Lemond]

I mean, they may look at it,

[Matt Jones]

but they're not using it to build their roster. But football and women's volleyball have. I just think it's interesting. The UK has created their own model called Blueprint, which this Evan dude is doing specifically for uk, which I think is good. Drew, I like this because it's forward thinking, analytic. Obviously. First two schools to do it ended up in the Final Four and winning the national championship. So that's pretty good. I like. We'll see how it works, but I

[Ryan Lemond]

like that we're doing that.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah, I like being on the cutting edge of stuff. The. The system's called drop back and Kentucky's kind of rebranded it as Blueprint, but it combines so much information. For people that nerd out on basketball, there's this thing called synergy that has every piece of data you could think of. It includes that in the analytics. Like, heck, you name the basketball analytics website. It kind of pulls all that together and then formulates its own numbers and for other sports too. But it takes about any piece of information you can have and makes it easier and puts value on each each player.

[Julian]

It's very interesting to hear what you say about football. Used it because they definitely started inside out. They started with their, you know, offensive line. And then when I didn't spend a lot on receivers or running backs, our

[Matt Jones]

GM for the football team said basically, with Every player, we knew what they were worth, and we decided our offer

[Ryan Lemond]

was there, and if they wanted way more than that, then it just didn't work out.

[Matt Jones]

And like, hardly Gilmore.

[Ryan Lemond]

You remember hardly Gilmore. They had an offer for hardly Gilmore. Gilmore wanted more than that.

[Matt Jones]

They said, we'd love to have you, but we're not doing that.

[Ryan Lemond]

Gilmore went out on the free market and he wasn't able to get it,

[Matt Jones]

and so he came back and ended up getting. Getting exactly what they said. Now, my view on this, by the way, is if this is really successful,

[Ryan Lemond]

within a few years, every school is going to have this.

[Matt Jones]

So your market advantage is very short. Drew, this is kind of the thing that, like, once everybody does it, it won't be as helpful because everybody knows. So it's really good. This is one of those things it's actually really important to be the first to act on. Michigan clearly did it for basketball, and it looks like uk, at least football and women's volleyball is doing it too. And I'd love for basketball to use

[Ryan Lemond]

it, but we'll see.

[Drew Franklin]

On the football end, I think they use. They combine like pro football focus that everybody knows. It's just full of data huddle, like all these websites that we all know separately. It pulls it all together into a system and has been really helpful for a lot of places. And I'm glad Kentucky's doing it.

[Julian]

Well, you answered my question. If it's. If the Kentucky University. Kentucky bought it, will the basketball team use it?

[Matt Jones]

The press release said basketball has access

[Ryan Lemond]

to it, but I have not heard that they are using it yet.

[Matt Jones]

It's weird because Mark Pope is an analytics guy.

[Julian]

Yes.

[Matt Jones]

But for some reason when it comes to picking players,

[Julian]

he don't want any outside help.

[Drew Franklin]

I think we're learning he's a little stubborn. Like won't do the GM thing or won't call it a gm.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, I don't know why that is, but. But we'll see. Maybe he will use it.

[Ryan Lemond]

I don't know. But that. That's what I've been told at this time. Who's up next?

[Caller (No name given)]

Randall is up next.

[Ryan Lemond]

Randall. Go ahead, Randall.

[Caller (No name given)]

Hey, Matt. I. I looked it up before calling, But Michigan had five seniors, three juniors, and UConn had five seniors and five juniors on their team. And I kind of think that what Pope may have been up to with not recruiting high school players this year is that he sees that the last five years that majority of the teams are hanging banners are the teams that are majority. You know, guys with good, you know, High basketball IQ and things like that. You know, just in your itself in the roster is helping teams, you know, win the championship.

[Ryan Lemond]

I don't disagree. I mean, you. I appreciate the call. UConn Michigan had. Michigan had five transfers in the starting lineup, had a lot of junior seniors. UConn only had one freshman playing big minutes. Now. He was really good, but then they had these other guys. You're exactly right.

[Matt Jones]

A lot of businesses drew advertise here

[Ryan Lemond]

on ksr and many of them you've heard, like, you know, going back years ago to fan outfitters, Cornbread, et cetera. And you may say, well, you know,

[Matt Jones]

how are those so successful? Debbie Green with bringing in the Green

[Ryan Lemond]

is one of the people behind the scenes that helps Kentucky businesses grow.

[Matt Jones]

She has.

[Ryan Lemond]

I'm not just saying this because this is an ad. She has been the best working since I've been doing this. No question at understanding KSR how to make it work, but also understanding the Kentucky media landscape. She has a media consulting company and she will help you reach the KSR audience or other similar audiences. If you go to bringinginthegreen.com KSR, she'll

[Matt Jones]

give a free hour of consulting for KSR listeners.

[Ryan Lemond]

I'm not just saying this. This woman is awesome.

[Matt Jones]

And if I ran a business and I wanted to figure out how to use my advertising dollars, I would call her.

[Ryan Lemond]

Every great success we've had here, she's had a role in most of it. Bringing in the green.com KSL I saw

[Drew Franklin]

Debbie yesterday in meetings at a lunch, and we joke about Ryan being the mayor of Lexington. Debbie Green maybe could really pull off being the mayor of Lexington.

[Ryan Lemond]

She knows everyone.

[Matt Jones]

Kentucky branded back in the heyday of us doing stuff with them.

[Julian]

She does Richmond Road Vet clinic with me right now.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah, she does so many.

[Matt Jones]

She does a ton of Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.

[Ryan Lemond]

Like a lot of these things. She's been great about it. BringingInTheGreen.com is her consulting company. We'll take a break and be right back. Kentucky Sports Radio.

[Caller (No name given)]

We're lost and kickoff's coming up. I don't want to miss the lineup. I'm gonna ask that man for directions. Hi there. We're trying to get to the stadium.

[T-Mobile Store Employee]

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[Caller (No name given)]

How is their signal out here?

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T Mobile and US Cellular are coming together, so the network out here is huge. We get the same great signal as the city saving a boatload with benefits. And there's a five year price guarantee too. Okay, here's the turn actually, can you

[Caller (No name given)]

pull up the way to a T Mobile store?

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[Public Investing Sponsor]

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Investing Brokerage Services by Open to the Public Investing Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC Advisory Services by Public Advisors, llc. SEC Registered Advisor Generated Assets is an interactive analysis tool. Output is for informational purposes only and is not an investment recommendation or advice.

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[Matt Jones]

Welcome back Tech Esports Radio Stilt.

[Ryan Lemond]

There's only six minutes left but we actually still have a lot to do. It's Wild Eggs Wednesday.

[Matt Jones]

That's Wild Eggs. You can win $50 gift card. KSR's Twitter has just tweeted the word of the day. Ryan didn't know how to spell it so I made sure it's spelled correctly. You have until noon to put the answer in and or excuse me, you'll have until the end of the show

[Ryan Lemond]

to put the answer in and then Mario will pick one to win $50 from Wild Eggs.

[Julian]

Yeah, you picked the word and I had no idea how to spell it.

[Matt Jones]

It.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah, it's not a word you were familiar with.

[Matt Jones]

Kenny Brooks is staying with the UK women's basketball team.

[Julian]

That's big clap for that.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Virginia off According to KSR's Phoenix Stevens, Virginia offered him the job Kentucky was a got. I think Kentucky may be committed to to Kenny that they would help raise more in nil resources. He stays. So that's good home state program where he's coached two other teams in the state and offered what I understand where he's offering even a little more money. Mr. Reddick can he stayed at Kentucky

[Ryan Lemond]

big for UK women's basketball.

[Drew Franklin]

Heck yeah. I mean I was I've been dialed in with women's basketball for a while with how much we like Matthew Mitchell. But Kenny Brooks has just taken it to another level with the excitement went to a few games. It helps that the buildings knew over there but they've just they got a great thing going in the class he has coming in next year with Claire Strack and other returners. Maybe you take another step forward maybe a little farther next season.

[Julian]

I was I was honestly worried about this one. You know he, he Played at James Madison. Coached at James Madison. Coach Virginia Tech. Got a lot of Virginia roots. I thought if there's going to be a job, maybe lure him away right now, it might be this one.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, I think it was more serious that people realized and he ended up staying. Kentucky's men played Louisville in baseball yesterday. Beat him 4 to 2. Yeah, pretty crazy game. Kentucky only allowed 2 hits. However, they did give up 10 walks and hit 3 batters. So they had 13 free runners. They put on base besides the 2 hits, but hung on and won 4. 2. After losing a home series to Missouri last weekend, this was actually a pretty big game. They play at Auburn this weekend. They're in the tournament, but like not solidly. They're gonna have to play well down the stretch.

[Drew Franklin]

Always good to beat Louisville, but especially after a disappointing home series loss to the worst team of the conference in Missouri. I mean, obviously the pitching was great. It was a no hitter until the seventh inning and it was used a lot of pitchers.

[Matt Jones]

At one point they had a no hitter but seven walks. Yeah, yeah.

[Drew Franklin]

Which happens with 12 strikeouts, 10 walks.

[Matt Jones]

I think so I think the first

[Julian]

two batters was a walk and hit by pitch on our end. So it's kind of got a slow start.

[Drew Franklin]

Start with also I think the series going into that was Kentucky 28, Louisville 27. So we held on to the all time lead to pivotal.

[Matt Jones]

Pivotal win there was good. Yeah, Louisville's a good team. Who's up next?

[Caller (No name given)]

Terry is next.

[Matt Jones]

Terry.

[Ryan Lemond]

Go ahead, Terry.

[Caller (No name given)]

Yeah. Guys, in regards to the assistance leaving and staying, Mark Fox, I know you guys probably think he's an old guy and they don't need that. Go check out his record in Nevada. Losing Mark Fox is going to be akin to John, Cal Perry losing John Robick.

[Mark Anthony]

Thanks.

[Matt Jones]

I really like Mark Fox. I hope he stays. I don't completely like that analogy because I think Robick was Cal's X and

[Ryan Lemond]

O guy and Cal wasn't an X and O guy.

[Matt Jones]

I think Mark Pope is an X and O guy. But I would be fine having Mark Fox on the staff if he leaves. Yeah, I could see it being potentially an issue, but I do think the

[Ryan Lemond]

staff is smart even if they lose him.

[Caller (No name given)]

Yeah.

[Drew Franklin]

I don't know all of their assigned roles of what exactly they're doing, but when you had no recruits up until Mason Williams, changes need to be made and I just trust Pope knows who was carrying the load, who wasn't doing their part.

[Matt Jones]

By the way, I'll notice if you

[Ryan Lemond]

don't speak of Cal.

[Matt Jones]

His New John Roebuck, who I don't think was as good as his old

[Ryan Lemond]

John Robick of John Robick, but I

[Matt Jones]

think was still decent. Chuck Martin.

[Ryan Lemond]

He just left to go to North Carolina to become an assistant. So Cal is without his John Robick again. Again.

[Drew Franklin]

That and Jay Lucas. Your boy Somto went in the portal with a do not tag and it looked like he was going to Arkansas. But Jay Lucas has swooped in and might be stealing one of Cal's players that Cal was counting on having Jay Lucas may get. There's a buzz that Somto, who is looked like he's heading straight to Arkansas, might be switching.

[Ryan Lemond]

I'm gonna tell you something.

[Matt Jones]

I want this to work out with Mark Pope. I hope he has a big year

[Ryan Lemond]

next year and then I hope he

[Matt Jones]

crushes it and retires here if he does not.

[Ryan Lemond]

Jay Lucas. Jay Luke's gonna be a star.

[Drew Franklin]

The full circle moment.

[Matt Jones]

It would be a full circle moment from the moment we were calling that kid as a 16 year old in high school because he is going to

[Ryan Lemond]

be a star somewhere. It's just a matter of where. Who's next?

[Caller (No name given)]

Ed is up next.

[Ryan Lemond]

Ed, Go ahead, Ed.

[Caller (No name given)]

Hey, Matt. Talking Cincinnati Reds baseball, I don't know how old you were at the time,

but there's nothing more hilariously classic than sweet Luke Pinella going at it in the clubhouse with Rob Dibble.

[Ryan Lemond]

I remember. I've seen that. Yes, that was.

[Caller (No name given)]

Oh, my God, that team was so much fun. Yeah, I was not.

[Ryan Lemond]

I wasn't. I didn't follow it then.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, I didn't follow the Reds then.

[Ryan Lemond]

And I appreciate the call. We're gonna have to go to break, but I. Or the end of the show. But the five and oh. To start on the road for the Reds.

[Matt Jones]

Best since that team in 1990.

[Julian]

That was a feisty team with the nasty boys in the bullpen.

[Ryan Lemond]

Well, let's do real quick from DraftKings.

[Matt Jones]

By the way, go to DraftKings.

[Ryan Lemond]

Bet 5, get 5, get $300 in bonus bets. Code KSR. DraftKings. The Crown is yours.

[Matt Jones]

If you have a gun problem, call one here. Gambler 18 plus Kentucky only. Elsewhere six applied. Best bet most winter see bonus bets. Fire in seven days. Minimize required. Just alternate responsible game resources. Sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos. Limited time offer. Reds go for six straight tonight against the Marlins.

[Ryan Lemond]

Do they win?

[Julian]

I'm going to go. Yes, they win. They're hot right now. Can't score any runs, but the pitching

[Stockton Mortgage Advertiser]

staff's doing a job I'm losing every

[Drew Franklin]

bet I make on DraftKings lately. So for you, I'll pick the Marlins.

[Ryan Lemond]

I have bet against the Reds. Four of these five losses. That emotional hedge. So I'll do it again and hope we keep winning tonight with. With Brady Singer.

[Matt Jones]

Hey. Thank you all very much. Big crowd here today.

[Ryan Lemond]

Thank you, guys.

[Julian]

Nice crowd.

[Matt Jones]

Very nice. We are open all day for dollar wings and burgers etc here at KS Bar. And I don't know, I kind of feel like.

[Ryan Lemond]

Drew, I got my baby premonition on.

[Drew Franklin]

Oh, okay.

[Matt Jones]

I kind of feel like I'm not gonna see you after tonight.

[Drew Franklin]

Well, I'm gonna see you in an hour for another podcast.

[Matt Jones]

No, true.

[Drew Franklin]

After tonight, you're talking about for.

[Ryan Lemond]

We're gonna do it.

[Drew Franklin]

Don't speak it into existence. I really want it to be the weekend. I just got a few more things to do.

[Julian]

To get Master Sunday would be perfect for you.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah. Count on Master Sunday.

[Matt Jones]

You're wanting to go to Don Franklin?

[Drew Franklin]

Absolutely.

[Matt Jones]

That's what it is.

[Caller (No name given)]

Yeah.

[Drew Franklin]

Got a few other things on the show.

[Matt Jones]

For some reason, it's not.

[Ryan Lemond]

Have a good baby.

[Drew Franklin]

All right.

[Matt Jones]

Thank you.

[Drew Franklin]

Have a good baby.

[Ryan Lemond]

We will see you guys later. This has been Kentucky Sports Radio.

[Chelsea Handler]

This is Chelsea Handler from. Dear Chelsea, after the big game. Like most people, I kept thinking about the commercials, and there was one that stayed with me. It was from the Blue Square Alliance Against Hate. And it wasn't loud or flashy. It showed a Jewish kid being targeted at school and another student who chose not to ignore it. As someone who is Jewish, that moment felt very real to me. Not dramatic, just familiar. And what struck me was how clearly it showed that hate doesn't always announce itself, but the impact is still huge. If you saw the Blue Square spot during the big game, it's worth thinking about. And if you want to show support, sharing the Blue Square is one small way to do that.

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