KSR – Hour 2
Date: May 1, 2026
Host: Matt Jones (with the KSR crew: Ryan Lemond, Billy, Shannon; special guests Kentucky Joe, Jonathan Kitchen "UT Big Hair")
Overview
This lively hour of Kentucky Sports Radio blends UK athletics news, derby picks, horseplay (literal and figurative), and doses of Kentucky humor. Matt Jones and co-hosts engage with listeners, provide optimism for UK sports fans, debate iconic movie sets and sports techniques, and welcome their annual Derby experts for picks and musical interludes, all peppered with playful banter and classic KSR fan interaction.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Derby & Oaks Talk, Picks, and Kentucky Joe’s Annual Performance
- Kentucky Joe and Jonathan Kitchen ("UT Big Hair") offer their picks for the Oaks and Derby races, a beloved KSR tradition tied to Kentucky Derby weekend.
- Kentucky Joe sings a self-penned song for his Derby pick, bringing KSR’s signature blend of local color and inside jokes.
Notable Quotes:
- Kentucky Joe on his Derby pick, in true homespun style:
“He loves to run his race. He's a tough heart to be anything. He's got a great bloodline to see. … Commandment is my horse to win Derby…” ([14:18])
- Matt, after Kentucky Joe’s Elvis-style song:
“I didn't hear a lot of Elvis in that.” ([15:22])
Timestamps:
- Kentucky Joe’s singing: [13:52]–[15:22]
- Derby picks with UT Big Hair: [28:26]–[36:05]
Finding Positivity in UK Athletics
The crew discusses reasons for UK fans to remain positive despite what Matt calls “one of the worst calendar years for Kentucky sports” ([09:18]). The segment is frank but forward-looking, focusing on potential bright spots:
- Men's Basketball: A "fun team" likely to capture fan affection, if not be Final Four-bound ([07:09]).
- Women’s Basketball: Optimism from Billy around Coach Kenny Brooks and the incoming roster ([07:19]).
- New Athletic Director (AD): Hope that leadership will embrace NIL and transfer portal changes ([07:53]).
Notable Quotes:
- Matt Jones:
“I think we're going to have some really special days this coming year in the fall. Like…the Alabama day and the LSU day.” ([09:02])
- Billy:
“I think Kenny Brooks will be in the Final Four in the next three years, if not this next year.” ([07:19])
Timestamps:
- Positivity segment: [06:19]–[11:16]
Political Heat: Andy Beshear Comments
Strong remarks by Governor Andy Beshear claim UK leadership “needs to realize, this could all end in a very different way,” referencing administrative shakeups like those at UofL. The panel reacts to the unusual public nature of these comments and their implications.
Notable Quotes:
- Matt, on Beshear’s statement:
“That's a very threatening…for the governor. Isn't that kind of a strong statement?” ([10:33])
- Ryan:
“I mean, he's basically…Seems like he's saying, if you don't watch it, Eli, you're gone.” ([10:43])
Timestamps:
- Beshear comments: [09:44]–[11:16]
Pop Culture & Listener Questions
- The group debates which movie set they’d want to visit, from Lord of the Rings to Godfather ([03:40], [21:47]).
- Chat about method acting on movie sets, Daniel Day-Lewis as Lincoln, and Jim Carrey as Andy Kaufman ([05:07]).
- Listeners chime in with movie picks and opinions about UK basketball’s needed cultural reset.
Timestamps:
- Movie banter: [03:47]–[06:14]
- Listener calls (movies and UK basketball): [21:40]–[26:05]
Breaking Down UK Men’s Basketball, Mark Pope’s Challenge
An honest assessment of Mark Pope’s task as UK head coach:
- General consensus: only on-court success can re-win a skeptical fan base ([22:33],[23:29]).
- The team’s potential "need to feel cool again" and connect with fans is highlighted ([23:05]).
Notable Quotes:
- Matt:
“He’s got to win, and he’s probably got to win more. He’s probably going to have to overperform the talent of his roster…” ([22:51])
- Ryan:
“We feel like we're, we're significantly less cool than the other power programs.” ([23:13])
Timestamps:
- Mark Pope/UK Basketball: [22:11]–[24:12]
Baseball: Ellie De La Cruz Debate
The hosts discuss MLB Network’s analysis of Ellie De La Cruz’s unconventional defensive stance:
- Traditional wisdom vs. Harold Reynolds’ critique: should infielders stay low or stay upright for the best first step?
- Diverse viewpoints with Ryan siding with tradition and Shannon pondering position-dependent techniques.
Timestamps:
- Ellie De La Cruz debate: [19:32]–[21:36]
NCAA Five-Year Proposal Call-In
A nuanced listener question about the NCAA's proposal to allow five years of athletic eligibility (to account for injury years), and age limits:
- Matt and Ryan clarify it, highlighting the injury year rationale and legal context ([25:00]).
Timestamps:
- NCAA Five-Year Proposal: [24:22]–[25:32]
Horse Name Game & Ticket Giveaway
Callers compete for Theo Vaughn tickets via a horse-name contest blending UK/SEC themes with Derby flair:
- Finalists include “Rope a Dope Pope,” “Quick Patino,” “Hottie Trotty,” and more.
- The winner is “Quick Patino,” with other names amusing but less relevant.
Notable Quote:
- “Philly Collie Stein is still the best.” (Ryan, [42:39])
Timestamps:
- Horse Name Game: [41:37]–[48:05]
- Winner announcement: [48:05]–[49:13]
Memorable Moments
- Kentucky Joe’s annual Derby original song: “Run Run, Commandment Run” ([14:00]).
- Playful debate on why Mark Pope’s positivity rings hollow for some fans, with “Debbie Downer” calling in to critique coach-speak ([36:29]).
- Jim Palmer’s first-ever chicken wing at age 80, after promising to eat one if a player hit a Grand Slam ([44:23]).
- The annual Derby picks face-off between Kentucky Joe and Jonathan “UT Big Hair.”
- “I like meaning, you know, and if she stays 8 to 1, I mean that is an opportunity that I won't be able to pass up.” – Kitchen ([30:52])
- “The winner…the horse I think is going to get the best trip…is the 18. Further ado.” ([31:42])
Timestamps Index of Important Segments
- [03:08] Episode proper begins
- [06:19] Reasons for UK sports optimism
- [09:44] Andy Beshear’s critical comments
- [13:52] Kentucky Joe’s Derby song
- [19:32] Baseball: Ellie De La Cruz analysis
- [21:40] Listener calls (movies, basketball culture)
- [24:22] NCAA eligibility proposal discussed
- [28:26] Derby & Oaks picks with “UT Big Hair”
- [41:37] Horse name/ticket contest
- [48:05–49:13] Winner and ticket assignment
Conclusion
This hour of KSR captures the voice, humor, and hopes of Kentucky sports fandom as Derby fever meets the ever-present churn of UK athletics news. Balancing skepticism with optimism, and always ready for a singalong or a contest, the crew connects deeply with its audience while looking ahead to better days in both sports and the winner’s circle.
