2026-05-05- KSR - Hour 2

Summary

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KSR — May 5, 2026, Hour 2: Kentucky Sports, Fundraising, and Reflections

Episode Overview

On this hour of Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR), host Matt Jones and the KSR crew (Drew and Shannon) deliver a characteristically lively blend of UK sports talk, community updates, and listener engagement. The hour focuses heavily on KSR's ongoing NICU fundraising campaign for Golisano Children's Hospital at UK and Norton Children's Hospital, personal stories about the impact of these hospitals, a deep dive on athletics department leadership changes at UK, TV and movie recommendations, and some good-spirited venting (and commiserating) over Kentucky sports and pop culture.

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Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. NICU Fundraiser: Personal Stories and Community Impact

• KSR’s Campaign: The show actively participates in a fundraising drive for Kentucky’s NICUs, already nearing the $5,000 mark. Frequent reminders are given to donate by texting "NICU" to 34984.
• Listener Stories:
  • Adam shares his daughter’s NICU journey: “UK did a lot for my daughter that was born at 27 weeks, weighing in at 2lbs 2oz. Now she is 12 years old, straight A student and starting on the varsity softball team.” (03:43)
  • Brandon calls in to say his daughter spent a month in the NICU and now works in neonatal care.
  • Mitch calls to thank the show and the NICU at Norton, describing the challenges families face when separated from infants needing specialized care: “Not all these babies are born in Louisville and Lexington, so you have people separated from their child, driving hours to see their kid.” (11:18)
  • Brittany, a UK alum, shares her son’s battle with persistent pulmonary hypertension: “If it wasn't for Dr. Ballard, Dr. O, Mandy, Lizzy, all the amazing UK nurses and doctors who saved his life, we would be having a much different conversation.” (33:22)
• How Donations Help: Money goes to life-saving equipment, support for mothers, and covers expenses insurance doesn’t pay—staying local to Kentucky families.

“We want to reach our goal and also just want to help... All the money will stay in Kentucky.” — Matt Jones (22:37)

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2. Nostalgia and Pop Culture: Kurt Loder & More

• Kurt Loder Turns 81: The crew reminisces about MTV News' Kurt Loder and his impact on their generation. Matt quips: “For people of my generation, he was our Walter Cronkite.” (05:04)
• TV and Movie Recommendations:
  • Movies: Drew recently watched the Kentucky Hallmark movie Kentucky Roses (“It was awful, but it’s exactly what I expected.” [08:24]), and both Drew and Matt discuss watching Devil Wears Prada ahead of its new sequel.
  • TV Shows:
    • Rooster (HBO) — “Kind of a feel good show. You don’t have to think too hard… I like the cop in it. He’s an idiot and I enjoy his character.” — Matt Jones (08:41)
    • Your Friends and Neighbors — Commended for its comedy and cast, with Jon Hamm and James Marsden.
    • Dan Levy’s new Netflix show Big Mistakes.
  • Discussion about the decline of cable TV and rise of streaming.
• Fun Sidebars:
  • The notion of a “Tinder for sports fans” is pitched to help people find others with obscure allegiances (like Matt’s Hurricanes fandom in Kentucky). (27:00)
  • Callers and co-hosts trade good-natured barbs over bad movies, sports heartbreak, and “tenacity” in contesting for prizes.

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3. UK Athletics Leadership Shake-Up

• Governor Bashir’s Comments: Discussion about Governor Bashir explicitly comparing UK President Eli Capilouto to a controversial past UofL president, signaling public political pressure and likely leadership changes.
• Eli Capilouto’s Tenure:
  • “I think Eli's gonna hire the new athletic director… And then I think he's gonna step aside probably this summer. That’s just my guess.” — Matt Jones (13:21)
• New AD Structure:
  • The Herald Leader reports UK may split the AD role into two: one for athletics management, another for business/fundraising. Matt and Drew weigh pros and cons:
    • “The skills needed to raise money and balance the budget are not necessarily the skills needed to hire a coach... I actually think that makes sense.” — Matt Jones (15:18)
    • Concerns over possible infighting or lack of a clean slate if one is a "Mitch person."

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4. Kentucky Sports: Frustrations & Hopes

• Baseball Woes:
  • Matt laments the Reds’ recent string of losses and questionable pitching decisions: “Pagan, they're paying Pecan $15 million… He's blown four saves. Well, why is he still the closer then? Because Tito’s loyal, but… he throws it underhanded." (24:01)
• NBA & UK Connections:
  • Brief rundown of Kentucky players on NBA playoff teams, including a plug for draft betting via DraftKings.
  • Amusing aside: Karl-Anthony Towns makes a cameo in Devil Wears Prada 2.

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5. UK Basketball: Roster and NIL Landscape

• NIL Spending: Sean Miller’s recent comments suggest up to 20 programs may have $20–25M NIL budgets. Concern raised that UK may be dropping out of that elite stratum:
  • “People said we spent the most or second most last year at $22 million, and now… 20 teams may pass us. That's the worst combination you could have.” — Matt Jones (29:19)
• Talent & Expectations:
  • Excitement for Alex Wilkins, Malachi, and mystery man Braden Hawthorne: “We have no idea if that kid is good… but if he is, that's somebody no one's really talking about that could be… a big difference.” — Matt Jones (43:26)
  • Drew: “I just wish he [Hawthorne] had gotten any kind of run last year… but he is a complete mystery outside of his recruitment.” (44:09)
  • Current roster said to lack a “star” or “dude” that can anchor the team—optimism contingent on closing with a big addition.
• Debate on Modern “Blue Bloods”: Countering the idea that program tradition no longer matters, Matt points out Rothstein’s Top 5: “Here are the top five teams… Duke, Illinois, Florida, UConn, Michigan… a group of programs that are collectively good and trying to stay good.” (31:31)

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6. Notable Quotes & Moments

On Generation Z’s Awareness:

• “You know, feel good sort of show—kind of like, you don't have to think too hard. The cop in it: he's an idiot, and I enjoy his character quite a bit.” — Matt on Rooster (08:41)

On Parenting and Fundraising:

• “I really think it's great that you're raising money and all the amazing things that come with that. And I hope people that listen will donate.” — Caller Brittany (34:57)

On NIL and Changing College Basketball:

• “If all of a sudden all the rest of the teams in college basketball decide to spend a lot of money and we don’t, that would be...that’s the worst scenario.” — Matt Jones (32:57)

On Fandom and Loneliness:

• “That’s such a big part of being a fan, sharing it with other people… We’re going for the Stanley Cup and I’m, like... pounding your bed. Yay. No one cares but me.” — Matt Jones (25:40)

On UK Administrative Changes:

• “I will never understand how he (Eli Capilouto) didn’t come to the Mitch Barnhart thing… I cannot believe... you didn’t come to his goodbye press conference. That’s amazing to me.” — Matt Jones (14:20)

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Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Topic/Quote | |-----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:43 | Listener story: Daughter’s NICU journey (Adam) | | 05:04 | Kurt Loder/MTV News nostalgia | | 08:24 | Review of ‘Kentucky Roses’ Hallmark movie | | 11:18 | Caller Mitch praises NICU team and relays family separation challenges | | 13:21 | Matt predicts Eli Capilouto’s upcoming resignation at UK | | 15:18 | Discussion on new dual AD structure at UK | | 22:37 | Matt encourages local donations and explains where funds go | | 24:01 | Matt vents about Reds’ blown saves and season frustration | | 25:40 | Matt on the loneliness of obscure sports fandom | | 29:19 | NIL budget discussion; Sean Miller’s estimate of 15–20 big spenders | | 33:22 | Brittany’s phone call: NICU gratitude and family experience | | 43:26 | Discussion of Braden Hawthorne as potential UK wildcard |

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Tone & Style

KSR’s signature energy prevails—part earnest, part irreverent, always conversational. Matt expertly balances sincere appeals (for the NICU campaign) with quick humor and offbeat pop culture riffs. The dynamic with co-hosts Drew and Shannon stays playful and self-deprecating, especially around sports heartbreak and Kentucky life.

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Summary Takeaway

This KSR hour offers a quintessential blend: sharp sports analysis, honest takes on Kentucky’s NIL and leadership future, personal and listener-driven storytelling around NICU fundraising, and just enough pop culture tangents to keep things both familiar and unpredictable. UK fans and general listeners alike will find moments of both community pride and gentle commiseration—whether you’re tracking the next basketball transfer, reflecting on old MTV memories, or just wishing your favorite team would finally win the big one.

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To donate to the NICU campaign, text “NICU” to 34984. Every bit helps support Kentucky’s most vulnerable babies and their families.

Transcript

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[Co-host Drew]

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[Host Matt Jones]

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[Co-host Shannon]

welcome to hour two of Kentucky Sports Radio presented by Stockton Mortgage. Now here's Matt Jones.

[Host Matt Jones]

Welcome back. It is Kentucky Sports radio hour number 285-92-802287. The text machine is 772-774-5254. Here at KS Open for the for lunch today. You can come out. We will be here tomorrow as well. So if you are in the mood, love to have you come see us. People have been writing in. This is nice. This is our Golisano Children's Hospital at UK and Norton's General Children's Hospital NICU Text to Give Campaign for KSR. We've raised nearly $5,000 already, but we are amazing. We still have a long way to go towards our goals. So let's keep it up. And Adam wrote, UK did a lot for my daughter that was born at 27 weeks, weighing in at 2lbs 2oz. Now she is 12 years old, straight A student and starting on the varsity softball team.

[Co-host Drew]

So that's very, very nice. Very good. Good story.

[Host Matt Jones]

Brandon says my firstborn spent a month in the nicu. She graduated from UK last year and is pursuing a career in neonatal care. How nice is that? That's very cool. So again, 34984, get those phones out, ladies. KSR, I'm specifically challenging you, but also the men who listen as well, not just the ladies. 34984 and text NICU. And then unlike Ryan, if you can navigate the little picture boxes, you will be able to donate.

[Co-host Drew]

Yeah, they're just a part of a car. That counts as the box. The cars in that box.

[Host Matt Jones]

Yeah. It says put all the ones with the thing so it doesn't say full car.

[Co-host Drew]

That's right.

[Host Matt Jones]

Part of a.

[Co-host Drew]

Part of a car.

[Host Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Co-host Drew]

A bumper.

[Host Matt Jones]

You got it. You, you got it on the fourth time.

[Co-host Drew]

Well, I got I can see why people have trouble with that.

[Host Matt Jones]

Well, good. Well, good luck with it. All right, let's go over a couple things here. First of all, Shannon, Kurt Loder.

[Co-host Shannon]

Yeah.

[Host Matt Jones]

Kurt Loader is 81 years old today.

[Co-host Shannon]

Oh my God, really? How is that even possible?

[Host Matt Jones]

MTV News is Kurt Loder turns 81. For people of my generation, he was our Walter Cronkite, our. I don't even know who does the news now. Who does the news on those stations?

[Co-host Drew]

Lester Hole.

[Host Matt Jones]

I don't think he does retire either.

[Co-host Drew]

David Muir.

[Host Matt Jones]

Yeah. So he is our David Muir, 81.

[Caller Brittany]

He.

[Host Matt Jones]

Can you believe he's that old?

[Co-host Shannon]

So 50s then, in the 90s, I guess.

[Host Matt Jones]

Yeah, he was, he was old then and we just didn't realize.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

Yeah, but I'm picturing the 50 year old version of my head. I can't imagine him being that old, but I guess it makes sense. Miss. That's how I got all my news. Him button in and let us know what's going on in the world.

[Host Matt Jones]

They showed a clip this morning of him announcing that Kurt Cobain had died. I think what people remember the most about him was when he made that

[Co-host Drew]

broken news to America.

[Host Matt Jones]

Kind of broke the news, I think, to the whole. Like he was the first news agency I think that had it was MTV News, which doesn't even exist anymore.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

No, you'd be watching a music video or whatever. He'd butt in with the little graphic they'd have and he'd come in, let me know what did he do anything after that? Or did he just make so much money off his MTV News?

[Host Matt Jones]

It's a great question. And I don't think he came from news before. He just, he was like, I just did MTV News. I mean, did he do any.

[Co-host Drew]

He wasn't a newsman by any background.

[Host Matt Jones]

He worked at like CNN before. I think he just was empty, just

[Co-host Drew]

walking around the newsroom one day, hey, dude, why don't you just jump on set and do this for us?

[Host Matt Jones]

So anyway, 81 years old also, if you heard the end of the show, we ended up giving Grant the golf scramble. Did he call and give you his contact info, Shannon?

[Co-host Shannon]

No, I got it on like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, like three different times. So I got it.

[Host Matt Jones]

So congrats to Grant. I do give him credit for that. He definitely wanted it. He overwhelmingly won the vote. People continually said that they felt like he, he deserved it. And so we made sure he got it.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

Phil felt good being at home as just a listener, as one of your competitions went crazy, you know, Shannon having his show planned and you just stealing the tickets. It sounded like. And then. And then even the game didn't go very well.

[Host Matt Jones]

I did not steal the tickets. That did not happen. But. But, but nevertheless, I'm glad he got to do it. It'll be fun having him at the golf screen.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

Looking forward to. That's what, 20 something days away.

[Host Matt Jones]

Yeah, it's just 23 days away.

[Co-host Drew]

He was overwhelmingly voted on. I thought people would like, you know, if he was doing all kind of that somewhat harassment. Trying to make sure.

[Host Matt Jones]

I don't say harassment's a little strong. I may have, but he just. He very much wanted it.

[Co-host Drew]

Tenacity was.

[Host Matt Jones]

He was rewarded. I had a question that I wanted to ask because this is good. Matt, Most. This person writes on text machine. Matt, Most of the TV shows I end up watching are things that you or Drew recommend. Do you all have television shows to watch now? You've been kind of busy, so you may have. You haven't seen. You've probably been watching like baby shows, right?

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

No baby shows yet. I've been. I've been binging some TV lately. I checked a lot off my.

[Host Matt Jones]

What have you liked? I have a couple, but. Do you have ones you like?

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

I just watched DTF St. Louis. I don't know that I would recommend that. That's the one I just finished.

[Host Matt Jones]

Yeah, I don't know if we'd recommend that.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

Oh, I watched the Kentucky Hallmark movie last night.

[Co-host Drew]

Oh, you did?

[Host Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

Check that off the list. It was awful. I mean, it is very awful, but it's exactly what I expected.

[Co-host Drew]

Did a female trainer win the derby in the movie?

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

I don't want to spoil anything, but I did watch Kentucky Roses last night.

[Co-host Drew]

I heard it was very coincidental.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

Yeah. Gee.

[Co-host Drew]

Out there.

[Host Matt Jones]

No. Where is it?

[Co-host Drew]

It's out there.

[Host Matt Jones]

Okay. Well, I. I hadn't heard it, so now I don't have to watch it.

[Commercial Announcer 1]

Great.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

Great flick, though.

[Host Matt Jones]

I'll give a couple that I think are pretty good that are new on hbo. Rooster. It's got Steve Carell. It's kind of like, you know, feel good sort of show. Kind of maybe like. You don't have to think too hard. The. I like the cop in it. He's an idiot and I enjoy his character quite a bit. And then I really like your friends and neighbors.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

Yeah. Caught up on that one.

[Host Matt Jones]

John Ham stealing all his neighbor's stuff.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

Marsden jumps into this season.

[Host Matt Jones]

James Marsden is in. Is in this season as well. So those are two. And then I'm a big fan of the show, and I can't now. I can't remember the name of it. The guy from Schitt's Creek.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

There you go. Dan Levy.

[Host Matt Jones]

Dan Levy. He has a new show on Netflix where he and his sister. It's real. I think it's really funny. What's it called? It's called, like, blood something. No, Blood tears. It's something that doesn't sound right. The right name, whatever it is.

[Co-host Shannon]

Eugene Levy.

[Host Matt Jones]

No, his son. Oh, Dan. The guy that plays the son on Schitt's Creek. He has his own show.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

Big Mistakes. I don't know why I said blood. Big Mistakes is the show.

[Host Matt Jones]

I think that one's really funny. If you want something funny and kind of offbeat and quirky. So those are the ones I would

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

say I learned when we were up in the hospital. Shout out to the hospital, by the way. But, like, just regular cable TV is what I had to watch. I don't know how people find anything to watch just on tv. Like, if you're not going to the apps. I did three days of just. I don't even. I don't even know what I watched. I might have seen Prices. Right? Maybe. Maybe Days of Our Lives or something. But it. Regular TV is terrible.

[Host Matt Jones]

You know, the big movie right now is Devil Wears Prada 2.

[Co-host Drew]

Yes.

[Host Matt Jones]

Pat, did you go see Devil Wears Prada, too? I have to say, I really like Prada. 1. I feel a little embarrassed. I don't think I'm gonna go to the theater and watch the second one. But I did really enjoy the first

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

one, Confession, two nights ago. Watched the first one for the first time.

[Host Matt Jones]

And did you like it?

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

I loved it, actually.

[Host Matt Jones]

It's kind of good. I'm not gonna. I do think it's good.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

It's kind of. Because. Back to the apps. I don't care what app you pull up right now, they're wanting you to watch Devil Wears Prada. That's why I ended up watching it. So maybe I'll have to see the second one. But I'm caught up on m. I

[Host Matt Jones]

think is her name Anne Hathaway and then the Stanley Tucci.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

Yeah, I watched that two nights ago. You see. See what I've been doing while I've been away? Watching Kentucky Roses and Devil Wears Prada. Exciting times.

[Host Matt Jones]

I. I think it's actually good. Who's next? Shannon?

[Co-host Shannon]

Mitch.

[Host Matt Jones]

Mitch. Go ahead, Mitch.

[Caller Mitch]

Hey, guys. I just wanted to call to give you a thanks to you all, because my daughter was just recently born, eight and a half weeks early. She's at the Norton nicu. And, you know, our family personally, we. We don't need the support, but I know that that's not the case for everyone. You know, just talking with parents and nurses, you know, not all these babies are born in Louisville and Lexington, so in some instances, you have people separated from their child driving hours at a time to go see their. Their kid. And also, I just want to give a shout out to the NICU team at Norton. They're. They're unbelievable.

[Host Matt Jones]

I wish they could hear one of them. One of them is sitting here. I'm sure she would like to hear that, and I'm sure she can hear it on podcast, but that's very nice.

[Caller Mitch]

Yeah. I mean, no one wants to kind of go into this situation, but the team is so straightforward and honest and reassuring of giving your. Your baby's circumstances that it helps a ton. And, you know, they're. They're getting the best care they possibly can. So. Yeah, just thanks again for, for y' all doing this. But I did have a question. Andy didn't just single out Mitch Barnhart. He also mentioned Eli and kind of comparing it to Ramsey since. With Louisville.

[Host Matt Jones]

Yeah, he did that again, by the way, just on that.

[Co-host Drew]

He.

[Host Matt Jones]

Bashir has since done another interview where he specifically compared Eli Capilouto to Baloney Hand there at Louisville, Ronald Ramsey. In explicit terms. It didn't get as much attention, but, like, explicitly, I, I thought that was kind of eye openening and it makes me think the Eli Capaluto era does not have much left at. At. UK. But go ahead.

[Caller Mitch]

Yeah, that's what I was just wondering because having living here in Louisville, the Ramsey situation was insane. If you just go back and research them on,

[Host Matt Jones]

well, we lost. Yeah. You broke up. I. But I appreciate the call. And I, I did think, Ryan, when I saw that Bashir did it again. I mean, I. I believe this was going to be the end. Here's what I think is going to happen. I think Eli's gonna. And this is just my opinion. This is not like, this is not scoop. I think Eli's gonna hire the new athletic director. And I want to talk about that because there's some news on that as well. And then I think he's gonna step aside probably this summer. That's just my guess, but that's kind of where I think. I think you're going to see pretty much a universal change in leadership.

[Co-host Drew]

Well, you know, Eric Money's been kind of been positioning himself to become the next president for years.

[Host Matt Jones]

Well, I don't know. I don't know if that's going to happen. I mean, I think he would be the favorite, but we'll see. I don't. I don't know. I mean, remember, the board of trustees does pick the president, and at this point, the board is a majority of Bashir appointees. So when Bashir speaks on this, you know, his boy, it's his board right now. So, like, I don't. It'll be interesting to see what happens. Drew?

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

Yeah. The Eli thing, that's got to be coming soon. I don't know that people are seeing Eli at the coffee machine every morning at 8am over in the break room.

[Host Matt Jones]

Well, he's been in Alabama. Like, you know, I like. I. I like Eli Capilouto, but I, for the life of me will never understand how he didn't come to the Mitch Barnhart thing. I. I cannot believe that an athletic director that you hired and we're here 24 years and you didn't come to his. His goodbye press conf. That's amazing to me.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

And you're the one that signed the big deal. He was getting there, too. Feel like you should be there to.

[Host Matt Jones]

That was the start. That, by the way, was the start of the whole thing falling apart. Yeah. I think if he had been there, it probably survived.

[Co-host Drew]

Answers a couple questions the right way. You move on.

[Host Matt Jones]

Yeah. Now, the Hair Leader today writes and. And this is the kind of article I've learned over the years, how to parse articles, which is the Herald Leader doesn't write this unless they think this is going to happen. Right. Which means they probably have somebody telling me them it's going to have a

[Co-host Drew]

very good source whose sources.

[Host Matt Jones]

But. But the Herald Leader doesn't write things like this unless they think it's going to happen. The insinuate the article said that uk, instead of hiring one ad, is potentially going to hire basically two. One in charge of managing athletics and one in charge of fundraising, development, that kind of thing, actually. And so it was like one will be a business person and one will be a person in athletics. I actually think that makes sense, Drew. I mean, I actually think that makes a lot of sense. I mean, if you could find somebody who could do both, that might be the best. But I actually think it does make sense because the skills that are now needed to go raise money and to balance the budget are not necessarily the skills that is needed to hire a coach or to that kind of thing. I actually think that would make some sense to me.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

I agree to the same Thing we're saying about Pope and the coaches, like, you need help. Get as many bodies in there that can help out as you can with the 80 thing. Part of me has my guard up a little bit. Like they're already setting us up to. We're going to have a Mitch Barnhart, you know, one of his people with it.

[Host Matt Jones]

Well, what if there were one of his people to run the department, but then a different person to run the business that's from outside. Would you be okay with that?

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

Still prefer a clean slate across the board. And I hope, you know, these people be two different things, but I still wonder, like, the power dynamic where they'd collide there. Hopefully it's two people that can work together.

[Co-host Drew]

Well, it makes me scratch my head a little bit, because if they got two people trying to lead this huge athletic department that brings in a ton, millions and millions of dollars. What if there's a disagreement, you know, who makes the final decision on something?

[Host Matt Jones]

Well, I think you have a definite separation of who gets the final decision on each one. I actually think it's a smart idea. I mean, I think the problem with the athletic director job in the nil world is it is two completely different sets of skills. The skills in figuring out who should. Who should coach basketball and who should coach football and who understands this. And that's different than the skills of how are we going to make money in this department and how are we. Like, those are two different. Now maybe you find somebody who can do both, but that's actually probably pretty hard. So like. So, like, take somebody like CM Newton. You know, whether you think CM Newton was a good or bad idea ad he understood the sports side. But was CM Newton the kind of guy who could balance the budget of $100 million corporation? I don't know. Right. So having two different people might make some sense.

[Commercial Announcer 2]

Yeah.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

And you want somebody that, you know, knows the books and go out and get big deals like Amazon, but is that the person who's going to be at a tennis match on a Sunday night? So I get it. It's a. It's a big undertaking for the job.

[Host Matt Jones]

Mother's Day is coming up, and our friends at Cornbread Hemp make it easy to give mom something she'll actually enjoy. Your mom would probably want a cornbread hemp seltzer. I bet she would think about that. Hey, mom, drink this seltzer.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

Buzzed.

[Host Matt Jones]

Hey, mom, here's some gummies.

[Co-host Drew]

Here's some salve.

[Host Matt Jones]

You can do that with cornbread hemp. Use the code, flowers don't get easy. I like that. Cornbread hemps like where you know, don't get your mom flowers. Just use the code flowers and get her some Seltzer. Go to cornbreadhemp.com code flowers 20 off because you also want things to be frugal for your mom on her on her Mother's Day. It's Cornbread Hemp.com promo code Flowers for seltzers, gummies, and more for your mother.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

I have a new Mother's Day to start shopping for.

[Co-host Drew]

True.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

And this Sunday is Abby's first Mother's Day and her birthday on the same date. So.

[Co-host Drew]

Wow.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

I'm gonna have to get double the cornbread.

[Co-host Drew]

You got to come strong to this one.

[Host Matt Jones]

You get the seltzer and you get the gummies.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

One's Mother's Day one's birthday.

[Host Matt Jones]

I think you got it. We'll take a break and be right back.

[Commercial Announcer 1]

KSR Most Mother's Day gifts end up in a drawer, but a song lives in the heart forever. This year, tryjoybox.com is giving away 1 million free custom songs to celebrate 1 million incredible moms. Just share a few memories and Joybox produces an original track and greeting card just for her. Instantly, it's the most personal gift you'll ever give. And right now, it's completely free. Make mom the star of her own [e-mail] 1,000,000 songs $0 [e-mail] forget whatever

[Commercial Announcer 2]

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[Co-host Drew]

play social casino void where prohibited.

[Host Matt Jones]

Visit spinquest.com for more details.

[Commercial Announcer 5]

Run a business and not thinking about radio? Think again. Cause more people are listening to the radio on iHeart today than they were 20 years ago. And only iHeart broadcast radio connects with more Americans than TV, digital, social, any other media, even twice as many teens than TikTok. And that reach means everything. Just think about the universal marketing formula. The number of consumers who hear your message times the response rate equals the results. Now let's get those results growing for your business. Radio's here now more than ever. And iheart's leading the way. Think radio can help your business? Think iHeart. Streaming, podcasting and radio where the reach is real. Let us show [e-mail] that's iheartadvertising.com or call 844-844-Iheart one more time. Just call 844-844-iheart and get radio working for you.

[Commercial Announcer 4]

If you're feeling off fatigue, mood changes, skin shifts, yet your labs say everything's normal, you're not alone. Meet Oestra from Inner Balance, the first all in one prescription strength bioidentical hormone cream that's natural and effective and only takes one drop a day. Oestro replaces five to six products women typically use to treat symptoms and is third party tested to ensure the highest quality. Visit innerbalance.com today to start feeling like yourself again.

[Host Matt Jones]

That's innerbalance.com welcome back techie Sports Radio. Let's go quickly to go look at my Twitter right now. And I want you to look at Mario's first draft of this graphic for this NICU fundraiser for the. What do we think of this?

[Co-host Drew]

He's a cute little baby.

[Host Matt Jones]

Look at the little baby. I don't know, Shannon. I felt like he needed to take a second stab at it. First of all, is that baby, is the baby wearing Mickey Mouse ears? Oh, that's the back of the phone.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

We'll say. It does grab your attention like that though. It got me too.

[Host Matt Jones]

It does look like it's like got

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

a little hat on or something. Well, but there's the number. Nick you.

[Host Matt Jones]

Nick you. So everyone please donate three text nick you to 34984. It's for Norton's Children and Golisano Children's at UK Hospital. We've actually had you guys from the hospital that are here. We've had a ton of people writing about the work you guys do. So you all should feel, feel great about that. That's very.

[Co-host Drew]

Yeah. People sending pictures of their children. That was exactly.

[Host Matt Jones]

That's very nice. So I hope all of you listening just take some time today, make a quick donation. We've had tons of you participate already. But we want to reach our goal and also just want to help. And it goes, people are asking what the money goes to. It goes to life saving equipment for babies. Support the moms during their hospital stays, follow up care after the babies go home. Some things that insurance does not pay for. You all are helping and all the money will stay in Kentucky.

[Co-host Drew]

So yeah, if you donate here in the Lexington area, it goes to the right, the Galileo. And then if you donate in Louisville goes to the Norton Center. Right? Yeah. Close whichever One you live closest to correct.

[Host Matt Jones]

Shannon? I'm. I think I'm done with the Reds. I think I give it.

[Co-host Shannon]

You're done. No, wait a minute.

[Host Matt Jones]

I'm not done. But, I mean, I think I'm giving up on them. Like, yesterday was the day. It's all. Yesterday's the day that we're going to look back and say it fell apart on May 4th.

[Co-host Drew]

There's just 120 games left.

[Host Matt Jones]

Yeah. But, yes, every year, the day that they. They fell apart because they. We had the lead at the Cubs. We never beat the Cubs. We had the lead and then we put in Pagan. Pagan throws the ball like 41 miles an hour. And they hit a home run and we lose. We were up going in the ninth. I think that's. I just feel like it's. Pagan is my. You know, every year I have my dude.

[Co-host Drew]

Yep.

[Host Matt Jones]

Pagan, they're paying Pecan $15 million. He's the highest paid player on the team.

[Co-host Drew]

We say he's already blown four saves.

[Host Matt Jones]

He's blown four saves.

[Co-host Drew]

Well, why is he still the closer then?

[Host Matt Jones]

Because. I don't know.

[Co-host Drew]

They.

[Host Matt Jones]

Because Tito's loyal, but he's not. He throws it. He throws it underhanded. He's so slow.

[Co-host Shannon]

It would help if your guys could throw some strikes. How many guys did they walk in that Pirates game where they scored 70

[Host Matt Jones]

players in the last four games? I mean, they.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

So.

[Host Matt Jones]

So, I mean, I still love the team and I still like them, but like, we. That was a huge game yesterday, that.

[Co-host Drew]

Four losses in a row.

[Host Matt Jones]

Four losses in a row. They're owing four on this road trip. So.

[Co-host Drew]

Cardinals are hot, though.

[Host Matt Jones]

That's fine. I'm not worried about the Cardinals. I'm worried about Emilio

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

Braves on the other side.

[Host Matt Jones]

My Hurricanes are up 20 now. A very exciting game. I was pounding my bed, watching it, hitting it, going score, and then Taylor hall scored and I. I jumped up and nearly fell off the bed and almost hurt myself, but I was very excited.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

Wild night for you there.

[Host Matt Jones]

What I. What I have noticed, though, that's just.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

Were you alone?

[Host Matt Jones]

Everybody pounds their bed for different reasons. Mine is for Hurricane's victory. What I've noticed, though, is it's weird having a team where no one, you know, roots for them but you because you get. Because you want to celebrate and there's no one to call. I have one friend that's a huge Hurricanes fan. He. He's in the army, and I know he's out on a mission, but I'm considering contacting what. And he can't even tell me where he is. He's like, I'm not allowed to tell you where I am, but I'm considering calling him just to have someone to celebrate with, because that's such a big

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

part of being a fan, is sharing it with other people.

[Host Matt Jones]

We're, like, going for the Stanley cup, and I'm, like, pounding your bed. Yay. No one cares but me.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

Sure, there's, like, an online group, maybe Reddit guy groups.

[Commercial Announcer 2]

There are.

[Host Matt Jones]

You can make new friends, But I need, like, one person in this. I don't know. I don't know if I want any new friends, but I'd like to have one. I think I would like to have one to watch these games with. Just one.

[Co-host Shannon]

Got to be, like, a Carolina Hurricanes chat room or something. You can jump.

[Host Matt Jones]

No, there is. There are people online, and I feel like I know them. Like, cat fan. In your face, 36. But, like, I'd like to have one in real life that we could celebrate. I can't go to the war zone wherever. I mean, I'm not Mark Pope flying into war zones. I have to go. I've got to figure out who to watch.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

That's a big part of this. Like, not just reactions. Like, morning of a big game, you texted your buddy, like, how you feeling? We got this, and I have no

[Host Matt Jones]

one to talk to about it.

[Co-host Shannon]

Go to Carolina.

[Co-host Drew]

Maybe. I say maybe I'm going.

[Host Matt Jones]

I saw. I may this weekend go to Philadelphia. They play game four Saturday. I'm contemplating going up there.

[Co-host Drew]

There you go.

[Host Matt Jones]

But again, I'm just gonna be around Philadelphia fans. I don't know that that does anything either.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

We'd like a tender for sports fans. Like, you swipe till you find a Hurricanes fan, and then you are like, you want to meet up? We can hang out, watch a game, talk about the team.

[Host Matt Jones]

That's an interesting idea. Tinder, but for fandom, like, what? The Carolina Hurricanes, if you live in Kentucky, have to be one of the most random teams to root for. Like, what would be a more random team to be a fan of?

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

It's free. Random, at least. It's kind of close.

[Host Matt Jones]

The Utah Mammoth.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

Yeah.

[Host Matt Jones]

But the thing is, there's Mormons here, so I can see that. I don't know. I just. I noticed last night, I was so happy, and then I just realized no one cares.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

No one to share it with.

[Host Matt Jones]

No one cares. Who's next?

[Co-host Shannon]

Let's go to Brittany.

[Host Matt Jones]

Brittany. I got about a minute. Go ahead.

[Caller Brittany]

Hey.

[Caller Kevin]

First.

[Caller Brittany]

Well, my husband and I are big fans of you all and we went to uk so certainly, you know, we're big Kentucky fans.

[Host Matt Jones]

Shannon tells me I have even less time than I realize. Can I take a break and I'll take your call right on the other side. Is that okay?

[Caller Brittany]

Yep, no problem.

[Host Matt Jones]

Okay, let me do that so I don't have to rush you. We'll, we'll take a break. 859-280-2287. This is Kentucky Sports Radio here live at KSBAR.

[Commercial Announcer 5]

TJ Smith, personal injury attorney.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

Call TJ.

[Host Matt Jones]

He'll make him pay.

[Co-host Shannon]

Now more of Kentucky Sports Radio presented by Stockton Mortgage. Here's Matt Jones.

[Host Matt Jones]

Welcome back Kentucky Sports Radio. 859-280-2287. Text machine is 772-774-5254. They just told us that the, the nick unit at at Kentucky has 90 kids and the one at Norton has 215. So by your donations to 34984, donating NICU, you are helping 300 kids and their families in the state of Kentucky.

[Co-host Drew]

They're saving lives. I mean a lot of these little babies lives and helping mother with their prenatal care. And Drew just said, got a metric somebody, what did you say? 400 something days.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

They've been there 483 days.

[Co-host Drew]

Amazing.

[Host Matt Jones]

Sean Miller said Yes. Okay, sorry, Brittany's on the phone. I'll get to her in just a second. Sean Miller said yesterday that to have a roster that he was asked how many teams will have a roster that is 20 to 25 million dollars of nil. And he said probably 15 to 20.

[Co-host Drew]

Oh, wow.

[Host Matt Jones]

So just for the record, I mean, people said we spent the most or second most last year at 22 million and now you're looking at maybe 20 million. What's a little nerve wracking to me about that is, you know, we were told and who knows if they'll stick to this, that we would be spending less money this year than last year and if that's true, we would be passed by 20 different teams. Hopefully that ends up not being true. Although I would say with the roster we have right now that probably has been true. What did you make of Sean Miller saying that?

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

My first thought was Kentucky and that means that there's that many in front of us. And some of this stuff I don't believe, but he even said like this is a very educated guess. I'm making

[Host Matt Jones]

sure. Which means they've spent that. Right. I mean that, that it Texas is going to have one of the most expensive rosters in the country. So if he's saying that, then that means they're at least spending it. I think he's probably. He might be a little exaggerated, but I don't think he's that exaggerated.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

Right.

[Co-host Drew]

This is not a problem. That just popped up for Kentucky. Remember, Jack Givens said it on the post game show. If they lost to what, Iowa State.

[Host Matt Jones]

But what would be negative, though is if you have less money the year. Like we had the most money in last year and we didn't really take advantage and now all these schools will have more than us this year. That's like the worst combination you could have.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

Yeah. We really needed to make that work, to make that statement.

[Host Matt Jones]

Yeah. Because, I mean, we'll see. Again, everything's still to come. But, you know, to give you a sense, like, we've all talked about how loaded Louisville's roster looks like. John Rothstein yesterday still doesn't have Louisville in his top 10. So think about how. How loaded Louisville's roster seems to be. And Rothstein still doesn't even have him in the top 10, which means he thinks there's still like, multiple teams better than them.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

Tennessee added another one yesterday.

[Host Matt Jones]

Tennessee has ninth. Even after the number one player in the country commits, he has them ninth. I will also note for people, you know, I. I think the argument I'm seeing the most that I don't particularly agree with is this idea that the day of the blue bloods are gone and all this. Here are the top five teams in John Rosenstein's top 25. Number one, is Duke good last year?

[Co-host Drew]

Yes.

[Host Matt Jones]

Number two is Illinois good last year.

[Co-host Drew]

They were good last year.

[Host Matt Jones]

Number three is Florida good last year. Number four is Yukon good last year. And number five is Michigan.

[Co-host Drew]

Wow.

[Host Matt Jones]

So it may be that this idea of historical blue blood, okay, maybe that's changed a little bit, but it seems like there's a group of programs that are collectively good, Drew. And trying to stay good.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

Yeah, I think Patino said it best that blue blood still exists. But you can't go into a recruiting room and sit down at the table and just show your blue blood card that. Because that just doesn't work anymore. It can help you a little bit, help you get over the edge, but they're not controlling like they once were, but they're still able to get it done.

[Host Matt Jones]

So I guess the question becomes, do you think we're spending that amount of money? If he's saying there are 15 to 20 programs spending $20 million, is Kentucky one of those?

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

To me, it seems we're trying and no one will take it. We got our checkbook out, like, here, let me write you a check. And everyone's like, no, we're good.

[Co-host Drew]

Like, we took at that big boatload of money they're going to give to Stokes. It's just sitting there. They spend that. Maybe we'll be in that category.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

We should invest it for next year,

[Host Matt Jones]

maybe.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

Kidding on that. But I feel like we would be capable of spinning in that. Like, if people were ready to pay for Stokes, I mean, that would have been another 6 or 7 million on our tab.

[Host Matt Jones]

The worst scenario would be if all of a sudden all the rest of the teams in college basketball to decide to spend a lot of money and we don't. That would be. I don't know if that. I hope that's not the case, and I kind of would be surprised if it is. But when he said that number, I was kind of like, whoa, that's a lot. All right, let's go back to Brittany. Go ahead, Brittany.

[Caller Brittany]

Hey. Thank you. First, I was saying, we know. We love ksr. We listen. My husband and I are both diehard Kentucky fans, regardless of who the coach is. We both went to uk, so definitely really important in our household. Speaking of household, we have four boys. We just had our fourth boy, so almost a full basketball team here. But, you know, all jokes aside, though, about that, we did actually spend time in the NICU at uk, which is not something that you ever think is going to happen. I delivered my beautiful baby boy at Baptist, and he was critically ill. He wasn't tiny, but he was ill. He was born with a condition called persistent pulmon hypertension. And if it wasn't for Dr. Ballard, Dr. O, Mandy, Lizzy, all the amazing UK nurses and doctors who saved his life, you know, we obviously would be having a much different conversation. So, you know, I cannot speak about enough about just the amazingness that comes out of the UK hospital, the children's hospital, the nicu. They truly did save his life. You know, it's not something you ever expect. We are lucky in the sense that we live here, but there were so many babies. Their parents were not able to be there. Every day they're at work, they have bills piling up. You know, it's a really, really tough environment and not something you ever expect to have to go through. So I really think it's great that you're raising money and all of the

[Host Matt Jones]

amazing things that come with that. And I hope people that listen to that will donate 34984. Nick, you texted and you can go through the process. Thank you, Brittany. I appreciate the call. Yeah. Who's up next? Shannon?

[Co-host Shannon]

Let's go to Henry.

[Host Matt Jones]

Henry, go ahead, Henry. So you'll know we're on the road.

[Caller Mitch]

We're in Hartford.

[Host Matt Jones]

All right, take me off speaker. Okay. Because I can't hear you when you have me on Bluetooth or speaker. All right, you got me on Bluetooth. We can't hear you. Oh, okay. All right, well, I'll tell you what, we'll give him a. You're there. All right, he's gone. Who's next?

[Co-host Shannon]

Kevin.

[Host Matt Jones]

Kevin, Go ahead, Kevin.

[Caller Kevin]

Yeah, Matt. In the first hour, Shannon mentioned that there's nothing worse than being floss stained at the dentist. And not that it's ever happened to me, but I imagine it's gotta be worse to be even false shamed on a first date. Secondly, my man Drew mentioned Kentucky Roses. I was actually a background extra in that movie. The one and only blur person in between the. The main actor and actress. When he says at the very end, I think the horse is thinking of you. That is me, the blur that. I'm sorry. Yeah, I can't. If I sign your autograph, I gotta sign. I'm sorry. It's been non stop since I've been in this movie. But yeah, if you want any funny stories, I got plenty for you.

[Host Matt Jones]

Well, I appreciate it. I like that line. That actually made me laugh. That was good. So you. So would you recommend to the audience here, do they watch Kentucky Rose?

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

Absolutely not. Unless you go in knowing this is going to be a bad movie, which is kind of what I did. The acting's pretty terrible. I did keep looking for Shannon, the dude. I almost texted Shannon last night, like, hey, are you in this one?

[Co-host Shannon]

Perhaps not that one. No. Dead Man's Wire was the last one I was in, but.

[Host Matt Jones]

So you would not recommend even with all the Kentucky scenery and like all the.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

Okay, watch it for the scenery. It is not. Not good acting or a good movie.

[Co-host Shannon]

It's got a great IMDb score. 7.4.

[Host Matt Jones]

7.4 on IMDb.

[Co-host Shannon]

190 people voted, so it's probably the cast and crew.

[Host Matt Jones]

Yeah, but still, that's a pretty good score.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

Yeah, that's a good score. I feel like I'm being a hater here. This is just one very realistic for me. Like when they're doing a scene at Churchill Downs at the derby and it looks like there's 12 people there, it didn't feel that.

[Co-host Drew]

I did get a positive review from one of our listeners.

[Host Matt Jones]

Who's that?

[Co-host Drew]

Larry Vaught.

[Host Matt Jones]

It was made for Larry.

[Co-host Drew]

Larry loved it. It was very good.

[Co-host Shannon]

They had a picture of Larry. Like, this is your demo right here. This guy.

[Host Matt Jones]

Larry Vaught, Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless are gonna reunite for episode of First Take Friday. Are you gonna watch it? Well, we're gonna be on the air, so you're probably not gonna watch it. But like, are. Does that something that intrigues you? First time they've been on the air together in 12 years. Remember I was there on their last day on Skip Bayless. His last day.

[Caller Mitch]

Man.

[Co-host Drew]

I'd planned on picking the Lynn out of my belly button that day.

[Caller Mitch]

I don't.

[Co-host Drew]

I don't think I'm gonna have time to watch it.

[Host Matt Jones]

It's why it's gross.

[Co-host Shannon]

He's gonna be hanging out with Tommy. He doesn't have time.

[Host Matt Jones]

So gross. Did Tommy donate?

[Co-host Drew]

I haven't talked to Tommy yet. We'll get to him.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

I will not be watching first take. But is this a thing that people will be excited about?

[Host Matt Jones]

I don't know.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

Do people miss those two?

[Host Matt Jones]

Skip Bayless. Have you ever seen when Skip Bayless and his wife decide they need to make statements?

[Co-host Drew]

Yes, I seen the way that is

[Host Matt Jones]

to me some of the most ridiculous entertainment. Skip Bayless sits there with his wife and like something will happen in the world and they'll decide they need to comment. And like, they'll do it in a way. Like everybody can comment on whatever they want, but they do it like America is waiting to see what. What Skip Bayless and his wife say. So like when we bombed Iran, they sat down and they were like, we've been contemplating what we should say and we've decided to make this statement. And you're like, no one, no one was sitting there saying, what does Skip Bayless, his wife think about this?

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

I've been retweeting social media all day just waiting for their statement to come out.

[Host Matt Jones]

I like it. Whenever anything happens, just tell me what Skip Bayless and his wife think. The Commonwealth Causes ultimate bourbon collection raffle is your chance to win an incredible bourbon collection. Support Kentucky charities. Here's the challenge. If we sell 550 tickets this month, $7,500 will be donated to Sare Christian Village. May 28th. The drawing takes place. Go to commonwealthcauses.org Download the app. Support Commonwealth causes. It's commonwealthcauses.org the bourbon raffle is coming soon. We'll take a break and be right back. Ksr.

[Commercial Announcer 1]

Most Mother's Day gifts end up in a drawer, but a song lives in the heart forever. This year tryjoybox.com is giving away 1 million free custom songs to celebrate 1 million incredible moms. Just share a few memories and joy. Box produces an original track and greeting card just for her. Instantly, it's the most personal gift you'll ever give. And right now it's completely free. Make mom the star of her own [e-mail] 1 million songs $0 [e-mail] what's up baby?

[Host Matt Jones]

It's Bretzky and I'm here to tell you that spinquest.com is giving out free sweeps coins. All you gotta do is purchase a ten dollar coin pack and guess what? They're gonna give you the coins from a thirty dollar coin pack that lets you play all your favorite games like Blackjack, Wanted, Dead or Wild. And we're talking real cash prizes, baby.

[Commercial Announcer 3]

Spinquest.com Spin Quest is a free to

[Host Matt Jones]

play social media casino void where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details.

[Commercial Announcer 5]

Run a business and not thinking about radio? Think again because more people are listening to the radio on iHeart today than they were 20 years ago. And only iHeart broadcast radio connects with more Americans than TV, digital, social, any other media, even twice as many teens than TikTok. And that reach means everything. Just think about the universal marketing formula. The number of consumers who hear your message times the response rate equals the results. Now let's get those results growing for your business. Radio's here now more than ever and iheart's leading the way. Think radio can help your business. Think iheart streaming, podcasting and radio where the reach is real. Let us show [e-mail] that's iheartadvertising.com or call 844-844 iheart one more time. Just call 844-844, iheart and get radio working for you.

[Commercial Announcer 4]

If you're feeling off fatigue, mood changes, skin shifts, yet your labs say everything's normal. You're not alone. Meet Oestra from Inner Balance. The first all in one prescription strength Bioidentical hormone cream that's natural and effective and only takes one drop, 10 seconds a day. Oestro replaces five to six products women typically use to treat symptoms and is third party tested to ensure the highest quality. Visit innerbalance.com today to start feeling like yourself again. That's innerbalance.com.

[Host Matt Jones]

Welcome back. TechE Sports Radio 859-280-2287 Text Machine 772-774-5254. One person writes. Matt, which Kentucky player are you most excited about for next year year? Alex Wilkins, probably mine. Alex Wilkins and Malachi. I'm looking forward to seeing second year Malachi, who hopefully improves and takes a big step up. And then I think Alex Wilkins will be a really good player that can score a lot.

[Co-host Drew]

Yeah, like I said, I saw him that one game, but he was the best player again for Furman. They almost upset UConn. The Duke can play, man. He's a. He's a good playmaker.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

Yeah, they need Wilkins to be that guy. I will also join you in saying Malachi, though. I'm excited to see what kind of jump he can make and they'll really need him. And just being one of the few guys from last season, I'm really rooting for him.

[Host Matt Jones]

You also, I mean, you could hope that, like in Jai takes a. You know, I. I think the wild card. The wild card for this Kentucky team. And when you're trying to decide, okay, how good are we going to be? Braden Hawthorne is the wild card. We have no idea if that kid is good, but if he is good, then that's somebody no one's really talking about. That could be an. I mean, he, you know, if he was in the class last year, there are people who say he would have been ranked 35th. Okay. If you take a guy who was ranked 35th last year and then have him in what would be his second year, you would expect that guy to be a major contributor. So we don't have any idea what he is. But if he's good, then that is a big difference in, I think everybody's perspective about this group.

[Co-host Drew]

And a lot of guys who saw practice last year said he was one of the best players on the floor.

[Host Matt Jones]

But. But there's. When we say a lot of guys, we're really only talking about Jackson Givens. Like, we. I don't know anybody else. That song.

[Co-host Drew]

Do you just Chip her up, I think said on Cutler show.

[Host Matt Jones]

Chip her up. All right, so that's two people. But there. There is a sense in which it's hard to know Drew because we just. We don't know, you know?

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

Yeah. I mean, it's exciting to hear that. At the same time, it's a. It's a Mark Pope practice, and he's probably matched up with Jasper something. I mean, he's got to go out and do it in the sec. You get some big bodies. But I'm excited about him. I just wish he had gotten any kind of run last year. So we could have some kind of indication how it'll be. But he is a complete mystery outside of his recruitment.

[Host Matt Jones]

The optimist in me would say, a kid can't be that highly ranked, look that athletic, be that good. And you keep his brother, you get his brother. He can't be all those things and not be really good. That would be the optimist, in my opinion.

[Co-host Drew]

They believe in him.

[Host Matt Jones]

The cynic would say, well, if he's so good, why didn't he play last year? Because we could have used it, right? So you. You just have to decide. Is my. Is the optimist right? Is the cynic right? I don't know. I really don't. But those are the two conflicting positions, and you can't really argue against either one of those positions. You can't really argue against the optimist. You can't really argue against the Senate because they both seem to have to me, equal validity.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

That's why that spot, especially on the wing, where it's looking like could be him and Cam, and I'd love to add something, who knows? It's just you're asking both those guys to go out and become something we haven't seen yet. And if neither of them pan out, then we got problems. It's like a wide range of the wing there.

[Host Matt Jones]

We getting this guy in Israel or not?

[Co-host Drew]

See,

[Host Matt Jones]

like, I mean, we fly. We flew to Israel and then. I haven't heard anything else about it.

[Co-host Drew]

We had such a great game when

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

Pope was out there and we got called desperate. We got to get him. You know, we can't be the desperate university that flew to Israel and still didn't get him.

[Co-host Drew]

You know, you guys talk about Brad, Braden Hawthorne and Drew out Cam William. We forget Cam Williams hit eight three pointers in a game last year before he got hurt.

[Host Matt Jones]

He did. Who's up next?

[Co-host Shannon]

Let's go to Austin.

[Host Matt Jones]

Austin. Go ahead, Austin.

[Caller Mitch]

Hey, guys.

[Caller Kevin]

First time, long time.

[Host Matt Jones]

Who are. What's up?

[Caller Kevin]

Hey, guys. I'm just wanting to know what your guys's, like, true, like, take on next season. Like, what do you think we're going to do? You know, I know it's too early to tell and he hasn't even constructed his roster yet, but, you know, I've kind of, you know, I've kind of lost a little bit of faith in the guy.

[Host Matt Jones]

I can't lie.

[Caller Kevin]

But, you know, I'm just really excited to see what he's going to do next season.

[Host Matt Jones]

I have no idea. I mean, I wish I could tell You, I don't think, you know, I don't know how he's going to fit. So I appreciate the call. He has 15 scholarships. We're using 12 of them right now. But I think if we're being honest, there's only nine guys. Eight. Eight or nine guys that you expect to play. Right. So I appreciate the call. So really you're talking about there's two or three spots left of guys that I think they will expect to contribute. So I got to see who those are. If this was the roster right here, I'm going to be root for the team, but I don't know that I'll be very optimistic. But I still think Drew, there's still a guy or two they can get. Hopefully that can make a big difference.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

Yeah, right now I would not have a lot of optimism about the season, but there's still time to add some pieces. But I don't love the overall. I like all the guys individually. Like even going out and getting Morton, you know, that's a backup that knows his role. That's not going to come in expecting too much. So they needed to fill those spots, but they also needed to fill the star spots. And that's where I still need a little more help.

[Host Matt Jones]

What if they go get one star? Would you feel better about it?

[Co-host Drew]

Yeah, I feel like these guys are good players, but I still feel like we don't have a dude. A guy to a star, a dude.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

I don't think.

[Co-host Drew]

I think we're still missing that.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

Like we're. Right now we're asking a lot of guys that are going to play some big minutes if it. Whereas it stands now that I thought wouldn't be on the end of the bench. Like, I didn't think going into next year that Braden Hawthorne would have like, all right, we need you. I thought he would be a bonus and I thought Trent Noah might be sitting at the end of the bench that might be needing him.

[Host Matt Jones]

The NBA playoffs are here. DraftKings sportsbook is official sports betting partner of the NBA playoff stars. Turn it up round by round. You can bet player props. You can bet live. You can do it all at DraftKings. So download the sportsbook. Use the code KSR. Turn 5 bucks into 100 bonus bets in partnership with DraftKings. The Crown is yours if you have a game problem going here. Gambler 18/ Kentucky only has restricted supply. Bonus expire 7 days after issuance for this term. Responsible game resource to DKNG Co Audio limited time offer tonight. Shannon, we've got two NBA games. Did you see Wimby last night, by the way? 12 blocks. Most blocks ever in a playoff game.

[Co-host Shannon]

Still lost.

[Host Matt Jones]

Still lost, though. That happens. Lakers in the Thunder. Thunder are a 16 point favorite, one of the biggest spreads in the history of the playoffs.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

So they cover it.

[Host Matt Jones]

You think the Lakers cover it?

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

No, Thunder.

[Host Matt Jones]

Thunder covered. I. What about you?

[Co-host Drew]

I don't like the Lakers. They beat the Houston Rockets and Reed Shepherd. So I'm going Thunder. I'm on the Thunder bandwagon right now.

[Host Matt Jones]

I think the Thunder destroy them throughout this, throughout this series. Who's. If you're a Kentucky fan, who should you root for as a Kentucky fan? Is it the Thunder with two Kentucky guys? Maxi Julius Randall with the Timberwolves. Knicks with Keller Johnson.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

Yeah, Carl.

[Host Matt Jones]

By the way, Carl is in Devil Wears Prada 2.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

That's right.

[Co-host Drew]

Is he?

[Host Matt Jones]

Yes, apparently he does a cameo. Carl Townes is in Devil Wears Prada, too.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

We worried about his focus.

[Host Matt Jones]

I think they filmed it last summer. He'll probably be okay. I want to thank the folks at Golisano's Children and Norton's Children Hospital for working with us. And I want to thank you fans for continuing to donate. 34984 text nick u to 34984 if you're listening on podcast throughout today, go ahead, get on your phone and do it. We all have the folks in this restaurant have and I hope people at home will show the power of KSR in donating for the kids of Kentucky.

[Co-host Drew]

We're the best at helping each other, so I know they'll come through for us.

[Host Matt Jones]

That was inspirational. Thank you all very much for listening.

[Co-host Drew]

She liked it, so eat it.

[Co-host Drew (alternate or guest)]

She's touching her heart.

[Host Matt Jones]

This has been Kentucky sports radio.

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