2026-06-18 KSR - Hour 1

Summary

Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) – June 18, 2026, Hour 1

Episode Overview

This episode brought a fresh, upbeat perspective to KSR as longtime listener Maggie Davis took over hosting duties, joined by Jack Pilgrim. Together, they recapped major developments across Kentucky Wildcats sports, with an insider interview from UK Football Offensive Coordinator Joe Sloan. Topics included UK men’s basketball recruiting, football’s transformative offseason, the volleyball team's ongoing dominance, and even Wildcats-themed wedding stories. The tone was friendly, fast-paced, and engaging, with open lines for fan interactions and plenty of behind-the-scenes media banter.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Host Shakeup and Show Structure (02:59)

• Maggie Davis fills in as first-time co-host, bringing "caffeinated" energy; excited to connect live with callers (03:00).
• Jack Pilgrim: It’s their “10 year anniversary” as KSR interns, now in the “big chairs” (04:31). Nostalgic vibes and behind-the-scenes media stories pepper the hour.

2. All Things Wildcats (05:13)

• Openness to discussing all UK sports: “If you want to call in and talk volleyball, women’s basketball, gymnastics, soccer, tennis, track, whatever, I could do it.” – Maggie (05:13)

3. Kentucky Football: Transfer Portal Success and Joe Sloan Interview

a. Football Staff’s Offseason Moves (06:13)

• UK secures a “top 10 transfer portal class,” including major O-line upgrades.
• Jack Pilgrim cues up questions about the big O-line additions, especially Lance Hurd.

b. Joe Sloan Interview – Part 1 (13:19–18:25, 20:51–25:29)

Highlights:

• Recruiting in the Modern Era:
  “Everything can move so fast… in about a two to three week period, there's so many things that used to happen over a couple years.” – Joe Sloan (14:23)

• Transition from Plan to Execution:
  “Now it's about starting to kind of reset the standard… and understand what we're preparing for in the fall.” (15:47)

• On Modern Signing Day Traditions:
  "Is it still a traditional fax machine?"
  “No, it is little E sign. Just like everything else in the world. One click, you’re in. Let’s go.” – Joe Sloan (16:00)

• On Lance Hurd’s Recruitment:
  “It comes down… he could have gone many places in the country, but I think he saw what Coach Stein’s plan was here, he saw the special aspects of what UK and the BBN is…” (16:42) “Everything starts up front in football… Our focus… was we had to have experience and we had to have talent up front, both.” (17:08)

• Quarterback Room and Kenny Menchie:
  Maggie presses on expectations: “We have all these expectations… haven’t seen a lot of him on the field. What can you tell the fans?” (21:23)
  Joe Sloan: “He’s extremely competitive. His attention to detail is really unmatched… He can sling it all over the field… he’s been everything we thought and more.” (21:49)

• On Dual-sport QB Matt Ponotosky:
  “He and his family are going to make the best decision for him... As Matt makes his decision… we’ll be all in because he’ll be a member of the Kentucky football team.” (23:21)

• On ‘Secret Sauce’ of Recruiting Surge:
  “It starts with Coach Stein’s energy and how he sets up the program… they see how our players take to the culture and how they’re bouncing around with energy… it’s been a staff effort but it obviously starts at the top.” (24:19)

c. Notable Quotes from Joe Sloan

• “One click, you’re in. Let’s go.” (16:14)
• “He’s extremely competitive. His attention to detail is really unmatched.” (21:49)

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4. Men’s Basketball: The Nicola Kustaritzia Watch (07:30; 29:31)

• Jack Pilgrim: “Kentucky very much is still a player in [Kustaritzia’s] recruitment… Let’s not rule out a 15th [roster spot].” (07:30)

• Detailed Breakdown:
  “He’s the equivalent of signing a top five high school recruit, and you get him for two years… there’s so much upside… he’s the absolute goods.” (29:31)

• On Panic Among Fans:
  “Don’t panic too much. We still got time.” (31:35)
  Even after rumors of other schools (Gonzaga, UCLA, Michigan) making pushes, “Kentucky’s offer remains the highest on the table.” (31:48)

• Roster Fit:
  “He would not be coming over to sit… Pope isn’t on the hot seat, but… there is pressure… If this guy can help you push toward that ceiling of a Final Four, you got to do what you got to do.” (33:30)

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5. Wildcats Basketball: Roster, Practice Energy, and Chemistry (47:02)

• Positive Early Practices:
  “The energy is just so positive and they’re engaged… the intel is matching what we're seeing with just the photos and stuff. Just a really fun group.” – Jack (47:02)
• Maggie’s First Impressions:
  “Zoom Diallo… outgoing, exudes leadership already…” (47:47)

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6. Behind the Scenes at KSR and Wildcat-Themed Weddings (11:22; 35:14)

• “Ten-Year Friendiversary” – Maggie and Jack reminisce about interning at KSR, and what KSR has meant for their careers.
• Weddings at Kroger Field (35:14):
  • Maggie tells the story of her wedding reception at Kroger Field, highlighting how authentic it felt as UK superfans.
  • Jack shares about his unique “twice-married, same woman” COVID wedding story.
  • “Have your reception at Kroger Field only if it feels like you.”

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7. Volleyball Dominance & All-Program Love (40:01; 45:09)

• Caller Brad:
  “I want to pivot to the winning program—women’s volleyball." (39:57)
• Kentucky VB’s Consistency:
  “Nine straight [SEC titles] is an incredible number… it hasn't stopped with Texas joining.” – Maggie (40:31)
  • “They bring back Brooklyn Delay. She played all last season on a torn meniscus. Warrior. Absolute baller.” (45:09)
  • “I think they’re going [to the Final Four] again. I think the schedule… prepares them.” (45:09)

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8. Fan Engagement & Open Phones (34:38; 39:50)

• Multiple caller segments on topics like Kustaritzia recruiting, program anxiety, and weddings.
• Active social media invites: “Send us some tweets… X’s? I don’t know what we’re supposed to call them anymore.” – Maggie (29:05)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jack Pilgrim (on Kentucky’s basketball drought):
  "Oh, I still to this day think I’m the problem because we still haven’t gotten to a final four since 2015. So since our internship started in 2016, we have not been to a final Four. So, yes, maybe we are the problem. I’m sorry, BBN." (12:16)

• Joe Sloan (on signing day technology):
  “If you polled our football team and asked them what a fax machine was, you would get zero out of 111 or whatever. We have. No, it is little E sign. Just like everything else in the world. One click, you’re in.” (16:00)

• Maggie Davis (on volleyball’s national cred):
  “Everybody just assumed that this Kentucky streak would end because Texas was coming [to the SEC]… but Kentucky’s one had a better regular season record. And in the case of last year… they actually went to Austin, beat Texas in a sold out venue… swept them for the first time.” (40:31)

• Jack Pilgrim (on Mark Pope’s new roster):
  “Cream rises to the top. Every man for themselves… There is pressure on Pope’s job to turn this third year into a massive success.” (33:30)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Topic / Quote / Segment | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------| | 02:59 | Show intro, Maggie’s debut as host | | 04:31 | Jack & Maggie: “10 year friendiversary” | | 05:13 | Openness to all UK sports talk | | 06:13 | Football transfer class, O-line focus | | 13:19 | Joe Sloan, UK Football OC: first segment | | 16:00 | Sloan on e-signing: “One click, you’re in.” | | 17:08 | Sloan: “Everything starts up front in football”| | 21:49 | Sloan on Menchie: “His attention to detail…” | | 23:21 | Sloan on dual-sport QB Matt Ponotosky | | 24:19 | Sloan on recruiting success secret sauce | | 29:31 | Jack on Kustaritzia, basketball recruiting | | 31:35 | “Don’t panic” on recruiting anxiety | | 33:30 | Jack on roster competition, Mark Pope pressure| | 35:14 | Maggie’s Wildcats-themed wedding story | | 39:57 | Volleyball segment (caller Brad) | | 45:09 | Full answer on UK Volleyball’s Final Four odds| | 47:02 | Jack on hoops practice energy/chemistry | | 47:47 | Maggie’s in-person hoops impressions |

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Conclusion and Takeaways

• Football Hype: Top-10 transfer portal class and culture reset—Joe Sloan exudes confidence in the new-look offensive line and locker room.
• Basketball Outlook: Kentucky is still in the mix for European star Nicola Kustaritzia. The mood is cautiously optimistic regarding next season’s roster.
• Volleyball Dominance: Craig Skinner’s squad may be the gold standard for consistency and big-time wins, with strong odds for another deep tournament run.
• Community and Fun: Episodes like this showcase KSR’s unique blend of insider insight, fan inclusion, and endearing Wildcat fandom—whether announcing starting lineups or wedding vows at Kroger Field.

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For a rich, fan-friendly, and occasionally irreverent take on all things Big Blue Nation, this was a classic hour of KSR, setting the stage for football, basketball, and beyond.

Transcript

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[Shannon the Dude]

This is Kentucky Sports Radio presented by Stockton Mortgage and the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety Safe Summer Driving Tour. Now here's Matt Jones.

[Maggie Davis]

Welcome everybody. It's Kentucky Sports radio on Thursday, June 18th here in a very rainy, dreary Lexington after a beautiful week here in the bluegrass. We got severe weather all over the state so hope everybody's okay. Give us a shout on the Clark's Pump and Shop phone line. It's 859-280-2287 and as always, you know the show is presented by the TJ Smith Law office. You call dj, you can make him pay. I think I probably have everybody fooled because Shannon's intro says here's Matt Jones and I can rattle off that monologue like nobody's business because we got a first time, long time situation happening. I am a longtime listener, first time co host filling in today on the big show for Matt and the gang. My name is Maggie Davis and if you can't tell, I'm pumped to be with you. I'm so excited. Head coach Will Stein always says feed the studs. Everybody knows that. He also says bring the juice. I actually like that. One more. I'm feeling juiced, I'm feeling caffeinated, I'm feeling ready to go. So give us a shout. As I said, call us anytime over the next two hours because I want to talk to you. I normally host the show BBN Tonight weeknights at 7:30 on LAX 18. We don't exactly get to take calls so I am hoping to do some of that today. So let us know where you're listening from. You can also send me a note on social media at Maggie Davis tv And as I stole Matt's lines for that little opening monologue there, I'm going to steal my co host line next to. You guys know him, you'll love him. He's a longtime KSR writer, reporter covering all things Kentucky men's basketball, recruiting and and all things Wildcats for KSR on 3 KSR and the sources say podcast. Jack Pilgrim, how you doing? How the heck are you?

[Jack Pilgrim]

Look at us Maggie, look at us. We're so grown up. I think it's this is our 10 year anniversary of internship with KSR. So look at us in the big chairs here doing this all by ourselves. We're just so grown up.

[Maggie Davis]

We are literally doing this all by ourselves. So hopefully everybody out there could hear us. Now Shannon the dude is helping us behind the scenes as well, from Louisville. I was a little worried I wasn't gonna be able to make it into the building. Billy sent me some really good instructions on how to turn all these microphones on. I forgot to ask him how to actually get in the building. I don't work here.

[Jack Pilgrim]

That's so Billy, by the way.

[Shannon the Dude]

You know, he didn't give you a key. He didn't say, you know, there's a door person or anything. You're like, how do I get in? And I'm like, I don't know.

[Joe Sloan]

I'm in Louisville.

[Shannon the Dude]

I can't help you. But somebody was nice enough to get you in.

[Maggie Davis]

Yeah, shout out to my friends in the lobby. I made some security friends downstairs in the lobby in the Iheart studios downtown. So everything is good. I think everything's working. I think everybody can hear us. And we have a great show lined up. Obviously, we got Jack Pilgrim in the house. We're going to talk men's basketball on my show, on my job. I normally talk every single sport under the sun as long as it relates somehow to the Wildcats. So whether you want to talk men's basketball, that's awesome. If you want to call in and talk volleyball, women's basketball, gymnastics, soccer, tennis, track, whatever, I could do it. So call in or send us a message, as I said on social media. And we can talk all things Wildcats, any program you want. Of course, that's got to include UK football, because this new staff is cooking, Jack. We're going to talk about it, but we're also going to talk about it with the offensive coordinator, Joe Sloan, because I want to know a little bit of the secret sauce and how these guys are signing these players. I know they can't talk specific names or get into the weeds too much, but I want to know what's going so right for them right now, for the future. And then, of course, fall ball's just a couple of weeks away. We're getting close to the start of fall camp.

[Jack Pilgrim]

Yeah. We got a little treat on Tuesday with Will Stein joining the Pardon My Take show. So we get kind of like one, two punch of football with the offensive coordinator. So many big time additions. A top 10 transfer portal class with that. I'm just, just. Man, I'm ready to feed some studs. I'm so ready for football.

[Maggie Davis]

Feed some studs. Bring the juice. All right, Drink your coffee, get ready. Joe Sloan is coming. And then in the second hour, as I said, we're talking basketball, too. I know we've done a lot of that this week. We've had so many great co hosts fill in over the last couple of days, a lot of whom are big time basketball experts. We're going to have another one joining us in hour two. It's Mikel McLean, who is an assistant coach on this year's team. Also just been named the head coach of the Bahamas national team. It's his hometown country, says born and raised in the Bahamas, moved to the United States when he was like 14 to play basketball and has been just on the grind ever since. But such an honor for him to get that award, that nomination, I should say. And yeah, he's going to absolutely crush it. He's also going to talk to us, little tea leaves reading we're going to do about what he has to say about this year's team. They've been practicing for like a week and I know you've had a big week in that regard, Jack, A lot of news.

[Jack Pilgrim]

Yes, it's been. I don't know how in depth we want to get for doing football. Like, what's the. You set the temperature of the show, you set the tone, and I'll, I'll beat off you.

[Maggie Davis]

How about this? In tv, we call this a tease. Give us a tease, then we'll go back to football with Joe Sloan.

[Jack Pilgrim]

Oh, well, we, we obviously are on Nicola Kustaritza. Watch. That's what all fans want to know and we'll definitely dig deeper on that. Kentucky is, I know there's a lot of speculation and concern, but Kentucky very much is still a player in that one. So let's, let's, you know, let's. We like the 14 guys already on campus, but let's not rule out a 15th.

[Maggie Davis]

That's a tease. Good job, Good job. Also, I can tell you've been practicing that pronunciation. Give it, give it to us one more time. Oh, okay.

[Joe Sloan]

Like that.

[Maggie Davis]

Yeah. Everybody at home practice along until we have a chance to talk about him in just a little bit. What are you most excited to talk to Joe Sloan about for talking football?

[Jack Pilgrim]

So I had this idea listening to Will Stein the other day where he was talking about, you know, feeding the studs and like, oh, obviously everybody wants to know about the tight ends, the wide receivers, the running backs, the skill position players. And then he started talking about offensive tackle signee Lance Hurd and wanting to get him out into space. And he's like, what does that look like? I have no idea. And I'm like, we're going to get the big fella out in space. Hold on.

[Maggie Davis]

I was at home screaming like, ask a follow up question. And there wasn't one. So today's our chance.

[Jack Pilgrim]

So I, Lance Hurd, I got to know more about that. Like just what is, what did the war room look like when that signature came? The facts came through. What did that look like on signing day where they're like, holy crap, we just got maybe the best offensive tackle in college football. So that's, you know, if. Joe, if you're listening, I will be asking you that first.

[Maggie Davis]

I like that you said when the facts came through. Are they still doing that?

[Jack Pilgrim]

I have no idea. I just, it sounds, you know, old timey and traditional and you know, I could not tell you what it looks like behind the scenes on an actual signing day, but I'd like to think that it's like you have to prep every signing day with a big old stack of white paper and it comes out hot and they just pull it out from the top of the fax machine with, you know, the hot ink in the paper. Like that's what I'd like. I'd like to think that that's what it's like.

[Maggie Davis]

But if someone asked you to send a fax right now, would you know how to do it?

[Jack Pilgrim]

Goodness no. Not even a little bit. I'm assuming it's probably just like an old fashioned email or a text probably. I mean we're just in 2026. Like I feel like it's just a, you know, an E signature and we move about our day. But you know, I want to stick to the old times with the traditional facts.

[Maggie Davis]

I like it. Okay. And I like the Lance Heard question. That's good. I can tell you've been practicing that one. He did not play in the spring game. He was hurt. So I am hoping we can get a little injury update on him as well because definitely want to know how the O line specifically is looking. Of course we're going to have to talk about the quarterback. We got Kenny Menchee coming in. A lot of expectations but also not a lot of tape. How do you balance that, man? Like everybody's excited for the quarterback. Everybody keeps saying this line like he almost won the starting job at Notre Dame, but he didn't. So we don't have that much film. What makes you excited, what makes you nervous if anything.

[Jack Pilgrim]

And we have seen both extremes here with, you know, we've seen Will Stein or I stuck with the Will Will Stein, but Will Levis comes in very almost identical situation from Penn State. You're buying in on the, the hype and the potential, and he's a hit. And then we have a couple others that come in that aren't, you know, on the same level of success. So how do you evaluate that? Like when you're looking at the film and you say, this guy is obviously my guy, Is it just spring tape? Is it like, what? How do you identify that guy is clearly the future of our program.

[Maggie Davis]

Tough question.

[Jack Pilgrim]

I'm excited.

[Maggie Davis]

I'm excited too.

[Jack Pilgrim]

I feel like we're getting all the good stuff out before he even joins the show. We gotta save it for the live reaction for Joe.

[Lady Luck Britsky]

I know.

[Maggie Davis]

Well, here's another tease. We're also gonna go a little behind the scenes with all things KSR because you said it's. You're laughing already. It's our 10 year friendiversary because we were interns together 10, 10 years ago. Never thought we'd be doing this, but we have done, like, probably between us, approximately 1400 other jobs between now and then. That's how the media industry works. We've done print, radio, podcasts, writing, tv, all the different things.

[Jack Pilgrim]

Student tv, student radio, student newspapers, sideline, play by play.

[Maggie Davis]

All this stuff. All this stuff. What's been your favorite thing you've done with KSR?

[Jack Pilgrim]

Oh, goodness. Going to the Sweet 16. I broke the streak of. Since I got hired full time, they never made a run. I never got to see them with my own two eyes. I never felt what it was like to attend a sweet 16. Go to the second weekend. So Mark Pope's first year was very special. Thank you, Mark Pope. I loved just how that whole year, it felt like an island of misfit toys. You came in late, had to, had to add all the portal guys late. The season was just magical. And then for it to end in that sweet 16, you know, the first, the first weekend in Milwaukee was just such an absolute blast. And so that was the one where it's like, ah, finally, the reward. The basketball reward I've been waiting so long for. We finally got it.

[Maggie Davis]

Were you starting to think we were the problem?

[Jack Pilgrim]

Oh, I still to this day think I'm the problem because we still haven't gotten to a final four since 2015. So since our internship started in 2016, we have not been to a final Four. So, yes, maybe we are the problem. I'm sorry, bbn.

[Maggie Davis]

Yes. Well, a wise woman named Taylor Swift once said, hi, it's me. I'm the problem. It's me. And I'm starting to feel that way. But this roster that Mark Pope has assembled for another year and of course, potentially another addition to it. Like we said, we're going to keep talking about it. I'm going to leave the pronunciation to Jack until I can practice during the breaks. I'm not in the business of saying people's names wrong. One more time.

[Jack Pilgrim]

Kustaritza.

[Maggie Davis]

Kustarika. I don't know. Okay. Did you see the joke on Twitter? The picture of. I don't know who made this joke of Mark Pope on the beach saying, like, you all thought he was in Destin. He was in Costa Rica. He's still holding all the cards, though, right, Jim?

[Jack Pilgrim]

Yep. We'll see. We'll see how they're dealt.

[Maggie Davis]

All right, I think we have football's offensive coordinator, Joe Sloan on hold right now. Shannon, is that right?

[Shannon the Dude]

Yep, he's ready.

[Maggie Davis]

All right, let's do it. Bring him on. Hey, Coach, can you hear us?

[Joe Sloan]

I got you guys.

[Maggie Davis]

Oh, my gosh. Thank you so much for joining us. If you can't tell, we're juiced to have you on. How is your morning going? How is your summer going?

[Joe Sloan]

It's going great. Just got done with a little workout. I wouldn't, by the way. I wouldn't. I wouldn't hold yourselves accountable for anything on the court. I think you guys, I don't know that I'd blame you, you know?

[Maggie Davis]

You know, thank you. We were hoping someone would call in and say that. I didn't expect it to be you, but I appreciate that. Makes me feel a little better.

[Joe Sloan]

Well, I was getting to listen all about it, you know.

[Maggie Davis]

Yeah, There you go. There you go. Well, we got a couple of different questions for you and just a couple minutes here to do it. But my big thing. Jack has a big O line question for you. I have a question about the plan that you had coming in, and then obviously you get through spring ball, and now here you are in the summer. How has your plan changed, if at all, from day one when you got here and you started putting the scheme together and you start getting all of those signatures or all those faxes, as Jack said, start coming in with all your recruits and your commits, and then you actually get them on campus, you put them in pads, and you see these guys work for a couple of weeks. How did that spring period change your plans for the fall?

[Joe Sloan]

Yeah, yeah, I think that's a great question. I mean, obviously, right, you get. You. You get hired. And. And Coach Stein was in the middle of coaching two teams, right, which was kind of wild. So he gave us some direction and. And was in constant communication and said art, go. And I think in today's world of football, right, everything can move so fast. I mean, for. In about a two to three week period, there's so many things that. That happen that used to happen over a couple years, right. So you got to just move fast and do the best you can.

[iHeart Advertising Announcer]

Right.

[Joe Sloan]

With a guiding light principle, which I think we did, I think we're able to. To add to the team and keep some. Some really good players that have been here before and retain those guys and then add to it what we needed to write to fill in the different holes that we felt like we had. So I think that was number one. And then from there, it's about establishing the culture, learning the offense, and I think the guys did a really nice job of that. Coach Stein has a. Has a really nice schedule in terms of how he organizes the week that I think allows our guys to really learn quickly, get a ton of reps, and we do it a lot at a fast pace. So that was awesome. I mean, this spring, obviously you're working through and everybody's getting so much work, you're going to have some mistakes. And I think we've been able to regroup. And then the guys going in the summer, they're doing a really nice job. Now it's about starting to kind of reset the standard. All right, now we know what's going on. We want to reset the standard and understand what we're preparing for in the fall.

[Jack Pilgrim]

Coach Jack Pilgrim here. We talked earlier in the show that about the fax machines and what a signing day looks like. Is it still a traditional fax machine where you get the hot paper come in and the ink and all of that?

[Joe Sloan]

I think if you polled our football team and asked them what a fax machine was, you would get zero out of 111 or whatever. We have. No, it is little E sign. You know, just like everything else in the world. One click, one click, you're in. Let's go.

[Maggie Davis]

One click.

[Jack Pilgrim]

So of those signatures, of the E signatures, Lance Hurd was quite, quite a big one, anchoring the top 10 portal class. You guys added. Just what was the war room like?

[Lady Luck Britsky]

What?

[Jack Pilgrim]

You know, the recruiting process knowing, like, hey, we've identified him as our guy. He's the anchor. You know, we got to protect our gem of a quarterback, but, you know, you got to protect him. What was that like, the recruiting process and just the feeling of victory when that. That E signature came in?

[Joe Sloan]

Yeah, I think, you know, Lance obviously was a huge addition for Us, I think everything starts up front. Starts up front in football. I mean, I think consistently, at all levels, you see teams that consistently win are good up front on both sides of the ball. And obviously, right, me being on offense, our focus in getting here was we had to have experience and we had to have talent up front both. Right? And I think we were able to do that. Obviously, Lance was a huge piece of that, especially playing left tackle. I mean, that was a. That was a fun one, right? It comes down. Obviously, he could have gone many places in the country, right? But I think he saw what Coach Stein's plan was here. He saw the special aspects of what UK and the BBN is and he felt that, Right? And I think he felt that from our staff. I think he felt that from everybody involved. So it was huge. And he. I would tell you, right, if you had him on, he would tell you it's been just an unbelievable decision. And just the experience he's had, I think the relationship he has with, with Coach Leftwich and everybody else. But it, you know, it wasn't just Lance, right? It was, you know, Colton, Price, Integra and Max and all these different guys that we were able to add up front, which I think were critical because really you lost five starters from last year, you know, and Helen, we had a couple guys coming back with. With experience, which it was important to keep those guys as well. So I think from a retention standpoint and a recruiting standpoint, we were able to really do some great things up front. And I think it showed in the spring as those guys came together and obviously we. We kind of mix up the teams, but as we narrow down and who are our top few guys that I think you're starting to see them work really well together and they have an opportunity to be a strength of our team.

[Maggie Davis]

Coach, we can't have the OC on and not talk about the quarterbacks, but we are up against a break here. Do you have time to hang with us through a quick break and join us for another segment real quick?

[Joe Sloan]

I can hang with you. Y' all. Gotta make some money.

[Maggie Davis]

Gotta make some money, everybody. You're listening to ksr. We'll be back with more with OC Joe Sloan right after this on Kentucky Sports Radio.

[Bretzky]

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[Maggie Davis]

mom, are we there yet?

[Jana Kramer]

10 more minutes.

[Maggie Davis]

Only 10 minutes. Can you drive slower?

[Jack Pilgrim]

What's up with them today? Lingokids, that app we downloaded last week.

[Jana Kramer]

They love it.

[Lady Luck Britsky]

The games.

[Maggie Davis]

Oh, this funny baby bot character. Kids, we're almost there.

[Spin Quest Announcer]

No.

[Maggie Davis]

With more than 4,000 interactive games, songs

[America 250 Announcer]

and shows little ones can't get enough of.

[Maggie Davis]

Lingokids is the number one entertainment platform for young kids.

[Jack Pilgrim]

Why didn't we download this sooner?

[Jana Kramer]

Lingokids, everything kids love, download it for free.

[Maggie Davis]

No bad blood here. Just two old friends hanging out on ksr. It's Maggie Davis, Jack Pilgrim, and thank you, Shannon the dude playing a little Taylor Swift for us this morning. I won't do that for two hours, but I gotta start the morning with some Swift. US Offensive coordinator Joe Sloan's still on the phone with us. Coach, what's your go to music? What are you listening to?

[Joe Sloan]

Oh, I'm a big kind of like, you know, outlaw country, rock and roll country. Like, you know, Tyler Child, you know, Chris Stapleton. Actually some which when I got here, I learned that they were both from Kentucky, so there you go. Right. But that kind of sounds little whiskey Myers action. I was near east Texas for a while, so.

[Maggie Davis]

Okay, okay. A little foreshadowing. You like a couple Kentucky guys?

[Joe Sloan]

I do. Used to be a Jimmy Buffett guy all the time. But I've, you know, I'm branching out.

[Maggie Davis]

You moved inland. That's what happened.

[iHeart Advertising Announcer]

Right.

[Maggie Davis]

Well, as I said before the break, Coach, I want to talk to you about Kenny Menchie. Of course. Jack and I were talking about this earlier. Like, we have all these expectations, all this excitement. We've heard the talk that Kenny's a guy who almost won the starting job at Notre Dame. And I talked with him a couple times in the spring and came away so impressed every time, just by the leadership this dude exudes. But we haven't seen a lot of them on the field. What can you tell the fans who are excited for the season, but not exactly sure what they're getting yet from their quarterback?

[Joe Sloan]

Yeah, I think, you know that obviously you got an opportunity to hear him, and everybody's got an opportunity to hear him in some interviews. And I think you can see his. His poise, his communication skills, his leadership, and just what type of young man he is. But, you know, on the field as a player, I mean, he's extremely competitive. His attention to detail is really unmatched. I mean, and he's just such a worker, and he's. He's prepared for this moment. You know, he's been in college football now for a long time and. And you can see that, right? You can see his experience, you can see his confidence. He can sling it all over the field. I think he's extremely accurate, kind of tight release, and I think he can do a lot of the things right. That. That Coach Stein has done in the past. Right. With different quarterbacks and myself. So we're excited, you know, really, you know, you don't know. Right? You recruit a guy who you think. You think this is exactly what's going to happen, and then he gets here and you kind of hold your breath that it's exactly what you thought. And I think he's been everything we thought and more.

[Jack Pilgrim]

On that note of the quarterback room, just how are you guys? And it's the most timely talking point with. With Matt Ponotosky. How are you guys kind of juggling the next couple of weeks for him as he prepares for the MLB draft? I know he, you know, kind of push back on some of the narratives about, you know, that he's just a baseball guy, so that you guys have been pushing him to, you know, pursue his dreams, say if now is the time. And, you guys, you know, he gets what he's looking for. You know, he'd be stupid to go was his to not take it was his exact quote, you know, how are you guys just kind of addressing the next couple of weeks, knowing just how talented he is and, you know, what his future could hold in Lexington?

[Jana Kramer]

Yeah.

[Joe Sloan]

I think for Matt and for any of our guys. Right. Like, in terms of something like that is he and his family are going to make the best decision for him. We're going to do a great job for. For Kentucky football every single day and showing up for the guys. And then, you know, as Matt makes his decision and what he needs to do. Right. We'll. We'll be. We'll be all in because he'll be a member of the Kentucky football team. Right. So whatever that is, I mean, that. I think that's. That's all we can do instead of trying to. Those kind of situations, you know, some of it's out of our control. And, um, so we just include him in what he can, and then we wait and see.

[Maggie Davis]

We got about two minutes with you here, Coach, and we'll let you go looking even farther into the future. I know you guys have tons of guys already signed on for the next couple of classes. Can't talk about those guys individually with you yet. But the class as a whole is impressive, and you still have some big weekends coming up. The recruiting right now feels like it's on another level. What's the secret sauce? Can you take us behind the scenes a little bit and how you guys are getting these signatures on some of these official visits?

[Joe Sloan]

Well, I think it starts with Coach Stein's energy and how he sets up the program. So when guys come on campus, they feel it, they see it. They see how our players are really taken to the culture and how they're bouncing around with energy. They see what's getting done, the work that's getting done, the development. So I think that's number one. Right. Because it has to start inside our building. And then when they come see it, they got to envision themselves in that environment, which I think that's where it starts. And then, you know, he's done a really good job of love, showing the energy that we're going to play with, that we're going to carry ourselves with. And I think. I think young guys are attracted to that Coach Time, put together a great staff of a lot of guys who can really communicate effectively and are hard workers. And that's what recruiting is. Can you communicate, can you meet those players where they are and can you give them the vision of who they're going to be within our program? And then you Guys got to be relentless right in what we're doing. And that's where I think it's been. It's been a staff effort, but it obviously starts at the top. But again, it starts with what's going on inside our building when those guys show up for visits.

[Maggie Davis]

Offensive coordinator Joe Sloan, thank you so much for joining us this morning. Joe, we appreciate your time and especially because you hung out with us for two whole segments. So thank you so much.

[Joe Sloan]

Thanks, guys.

[Maggie Davis]

Appreciate it, Appreciate it. How great was that? We're talking football. I'm juiced. Football season's almost here.

[Jack Pilgrim]

Feeding the studs, baby. We gotta feed the studs.

[Maggie Davis]

Under 75 days away from kickoff.

[Jack Pilgrim]

God, that's just hard to believe. What is, is the Alabama week to Kroger Field environment going to be the best that venue has seen?

[Maggie Davis]

Ooh, great question. We've had some great ones the last couple of years. Even when the football team itself was kind of going through some struggles, I feel like BBN has shown up really in a big way. Like I think last year, even that game when Texas came was an amazing environment. And that's part of the reason I think Kentucky held on in that game as long as the Cats did. But that Alabama game is going to be nuts. I think the kickoff time is perfect. Middle of the day, you got all day to tailgate, but it's still like sunshine, kind of like day game vibes versus having to wait all day and maybe get a little too excited before the nighttime kickoff. So I think that Alabama the game is going to be great.

[Jack Pilgrim]

$5 beers I think is going to help contribute to the atmosphere and the excitement. I just think the excitement is just at an all time high. Just. I think Mark Stoops deserves so much credit for setting the bar, setting the floor of what it could look like to say, okay, this should be the expectation and the standard and then the norm. Now let's see how much higher we can hit that ceiling. And I think that's what Will Stein was brought in to do. Let's see, let's see, let's see what that ceiling looks like.

[Maggie Davis]

And based on what Will Stein said earlier this week with the pardon my take, guys, it sounds like they're reconfiguring, reconfiguring some of the game day experiences. Maybe. RIP to Grove street party.

[Jack Pilgrim]

Hello, Purge siren and whoa, that sounds awesome. Like creepy.

[Shannon the Dude]

Eerie.

[Jack Pilgrim]

I'm, I'm all in on that.

[Maggie Davis]

You are listening to ksr. Jack Pilgrim, Maggie Davis, we'll be back with you right after this TJ Smith, personal injury attorney. Call tj he'll make him pay.

[Shannon the Dude]

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

[Maggie Davis]

It's not Matt Jones. It's Maggie Davis with you on this Thursday edition of ksr, sitting alongside my good friend, Jack Pilgrim. Shannon, the dude playing deep cuts of Taylor Swift. I mean, this is like song 17 on, like, a random album somewhere there in the middle. Good job.

[Shannon the Dude]

You know, the fact that you know that tells me that you're not just a swifty, you're like a hardcore swifty.

[Maggie Davis]

If you.

[Joe Sloan]

I'm a hardcore swifty.

[Maggie Davis]

I am, yes. Thank you for noticing. I hear you have something for us.

[Joe Sloan]

Yeah.

[Shannon the Dude]

Let me tell you about DraftKings sportsbook. They are sponsoring this segment and you can get on DraftKings and use the promo code KSR. If you're a new customer. When you sign up with promo code KSR, you bet $5 you're going to get $200 in bonus bets. It's all there for you. Of course, we got the World cup going on. You can bet on all the action there. Live bet, same game parlays, player props, fast and easy payouts, all with DraftKings and promo code KSR. If you have a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER18/ Kentucky only eligibility restrictions apply. Bonus best expire seven days after issuance. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see DKNG Co/Audio limited time offer. Back to you guys.

[Maggie Davis]

Thanks, Shannon. See, we're not alone. We got Shannon.

[Shannon the Dude]

That's right. I'm here.

[Jack Pilgrim]

I'm hanging out in spirit. Physically, we have no help. We are screwed. If anything happens here in the Lexus,

[Shannon the Dude]

you just tag me and I'll be here.

[Maggie Davis]

That's great. I came in here once to fill in for Tom Leach on the Leach report and everything broke and no one was here. And I called in and did the whole show off my phone. Like, not as a guest, as the actual host. And I felt terrible. Tom got so many messages, like, you can't even get a host who bothers to come in person. I said, yes, I was here. So, yes, we are here in person. And hopefully sounded pretty good this morning. Send us some tweets. X's. I don't know we're supposed to call them anymore.

[Jack Pilgrim]

At Matt, do not send X's, please.

[Maggie Davis]

No. Oh, my God.

[Jack Pilgrim]

I'd really rather you didn't do that

[Maggie Davis]

at Jack Pilgrim, ksr. You can find him. Jack. People are nervous.

[Jack Pilgrim]

Why would they be nervous?

[Maggie Davis]

People are nervous because Big Blue Nation sometimes. And I'm speaking this because I'm like this sometimes we know nothing about a player and then all of a sudden we know everything about a player and then all of a sudden we're not getting him. And then we' and then it's full panic. What's going on?

[Jack Pilgrim]

Nicola Kustaritzia, Kentucky still very firmly in the mix and I would not panic in the sense like I think fans just took yesterday's development. Travis Branham, 247Sports for my money, one of the best in the business, a good buddy of mine as well, friend of the program. So nothing. But you know, when he talks, people listen and there's a reason for that. So the panic is justified when he's, he's the one starting it. But my understanding of the situation is Kentucky, it was never done. Kentucky came in aggressively and said, you're our guy, we want to invest in you. Other schools saw that investment and said, ooh, I don't think I can afford that. So they were intimidated by it, but also still intrigued and wanting to, you know, he's a kid who for my money is, is going to be a top five pick in the 2028 draft. He's the equivalent of signing a top five recruit, high school recruit, and you get him for two years. Like he comes from the FC Barcelona team where he made, he made history as the youngest player in a prestigious historic club, as the youngest player to ever score a basket and to play for, for them. So there's so much upside. Everybody I've talked to just raised about him says he is the absolute goods and because of his age, he just turned 17, he has to be wherever he goes for two seasons. So other schools are obviously viewing it as a, both a short term and long term investment. They want him, they're desperate and you know, it's not going to be an easy thing to try to pull off. You know, a kid who many of you is the best European prospect for his age, you know, in the last 10 years. So it's a fascinating one. I would still keep an eye on Gonzaga, I'd still keep an eye on ucla. Michigan's making a push. Others are trying. But Kentucky, I didn't believe it was done yesterday. Still don't believe it's done. I talked to somebody this morning very close to him and said we're still just evaluating all of our options and there is no official update. It's not like, you know, Kentucky's out, anybody else is new in or they're just taking everything in stride, and we'll see where it goes. But don't. Don't panic too much. We still got time.

[Maggie Davis]

Okay. Thank you. I feel better.

[iHeart Advertising Announcer]

How.

[Maggie Davis]

How would you rate, I guess, the possibility that he is playing college this coming season versus spending another year international and just coming here for one year before, as you said, going into that

[Jack Pilgrim]

2028 draft, I would say 85% he plays college basketball this upcoming season. I think the money on the table is just. Is just way too high. It's way too enticing. FC Barcelona would love to bring him back, and, you know, he was part of the A team, but in a minimal role, but part of the B team and the biggest role. So they're saying, why don't you come be a part of our A team and we can anchor everything around you. You can be our star, and then you can go to college in a year. But I think the money on the table from American colleges right now, it's just. It's just, whoa, wait, we, like, how can we be. You know, it'd be irresponsible of me to pass up on this, you know, generational money for. For me. So they're. They're going through options. I think Kentucky's offer remains the highest on the table, but I do think that there's some negative recruiting going around, and, you know, other schools are trying to drive a wedge between, you know, the Kustaritzas and Mark Pope, and I think that's something that's been at play with some of these other little gnats of other. Of other programs and other coaches, so keeping an eye on that, but nothing is done. Nobody has surged ahead to replace Kentucky as the leader. I still think things are, you know, I wouldn't trade Kentucky's position, but it ain't over till it's over.

[Maggie Davis]

Hmm. So what you're saying is these little gnats, they don't like the beard, The Mark Pope beard?

[Jack Pilgrim]

Yeah, I think they're intimidated.

[Bretzky]

I think they're.

[Jack Pilgrim]

They're viewing it, and they're just like, man, you know, he's. He's a little too comfortable, calm, collected with the beard. Yeah, he's, you know, riding some. Some highs with getting Malachi back and Milan committed and Ryan Hampton committed. They're like, you know what? Let's not have too much of a good thing.

[Maggie Davis]

So let me ask you a hard question, all right? Where does he fit on this roster if he comes this year? This roster is full, is it not?

[Jack Pilgrim]

It is. And for his money, he would not be Coming over to sit. He would be coming over to play and play a prominent role, and that's something that if Kentucky lands him, they're going to have to sell that vision. And that's why Pope gets paid the big bucks. And I don'. But I do think that it would be a Cream rises to the top. Every man for themselves. You got to fight and earn every single minute. We can't play politics. We can't play feelings. We got to, you know, Pope isn't on the hot seat, but Pope, like, you know, there's. There is pressure on Pope's job to turn this third year into a massive success, that he needs to get back to the second week and he needs to make a push to the Final Four. And if this guy can help you push toward that ceiling of a Final Four, you got to do what you got to do. You got to. You got to add talent when it's there. He is that level of talent, both in the short term and long term. He's going to be, you know, a flashy young, make mistakes. But still, man, there are moments of whoa in year one and then year two, he breaks through, in my opinion, as an all American, you know, one of the best players in college basketball. So if that guy is coming knocking on your door and saying, let's. Let's make this happen, I would, you know, it's. It's Mark Pope's job to take talent, and he would definitely fit the bill.

[Maggie Davis]

I have a million questions, but I want to give big boy nation a chance to ask a few of their own. Give us a call, 859-280-2287. Shannon, do we have anybody on the line?

[Shannon the Dude]

Yeah, we'll start with Nick. Go ahead, Nick.

[Maggie Davis]

What's up, Nick? Welcome to the show.

[iHeart Advertising Announcer]

Maggie, Nick Alford here. I'm riding with Ty on the way to Georgia right now to pick up Charlie. And we were talking a little bit about his. His wedding coming up. And we know you got married at Commonwealth Stadium. So how do we convince her that Commonwealth Stadium is the right venue for her to choose?

[Maggie Davis]

This is an awesome question, and I get to say something now I've always thought about saying. I appreciate the call. Bye, Nick. Bye, Ty. Bye, Charlie. Love you guys. These are my high school friends, so I can't believe that anyone would need convincing to get married at Kroger Field. Commonwealth Stadium, better known as. Because it was amazing. Jack, you were there. That was a fun place for a wedding reception.

[Jack Pilgrim]

It was a banger. I'm not gonna lie. That Was a fun one. May have had a few too many drinks that night, but it was. It was a marvelous, marvelous evening. It was very fun celebrating you. And you're a good buddy of mine. Love, Chase.

[Maggie Davis]

My good buddy. My husband Chase and I got married. We actually got married at a church in town. And then we had our reception at Kroger Field. Here's what you need to know. You're not supposed to get on the field. I think I'm supposed to say that because I did not tell my guests that at the wedding. That's my bad and I'm sorry. But I got married in August, so there was plenty of time to fix anything that may or may not have happened before September. So I take no responsibility for anything. I was just the bride having a good time, whatever. I don't know what was going on. I actually did not get on the field. I think about 200 other people did.

[Jack Pilgrim]

I watch them and I watched the security go down and go, get. Hey, hey, get. And I was like, uh, oh, I'm very glad that, you know, I wasn't the dumb guy down there trying to get selfies or whatever. But it was. It was. It was a very, very nice celebration.

[Maggie Davis]

That's it.

[Jack Pilgrim]

I really enjoyed it.

[Maggie Davis]

Well, thank you. I think none of the ksr, my KSR or BBN tonight friends made it down there because we're down there all the time. Like, we were probably all just on the dance floor at the bar.

[Jack Pilgrim]

We danced.

[Spin Quest Announcer]

We.

[Jack Pilgrim]

That was a good one.

[Joe Sloan]

We boogie.

[Jack Pilgrim]

I really enjoyed that night.

[iHeart Advertising Announcer]

Yeah.

[Maggie Davis]

Yeah. So as far as advice about why you should get married at Kroger Field, like one, it has to feel like you. If she doesn't want to get married, there's. Or at any stadium, then that's not your thing. But my husband and I met at UK as undergrads. We are both die hard UK fans. We both come from families who, except for my dad, are all big UK fans. I know. Sorry. Shout out to my dad, the Louisville fan. You didn't hear it from me, but everybody else pretty much is a true blue Kentucky fan. So it was very authentic to us. We toured like a thousand wedding venues and they all just were great, but they didn't feel like us. So it has to feel like you. That's my advice. What's yours? You got married before I did.

[Jack Pilgrim]

I got married twice. What, both in the same year.

[Maggie Davis]

Don't say it like that.

[Jack Pilgrim]

No, that's what I like telling people

[Maggie Davis]

because we did the same woman twice,

[Jack Pilgrim]

both in the same year. One was during COVID one was on Zoom.

[Maggie Davis]

I was there.

[Jack Pilgrim]

And that was. So we were only allowed, I think I had my mom, my dad, her parents, and one sibling, I believe. I think there were like six of us at the wedding and then the officiant, and we got married at a local park, Long Run park in Louisville, because we like all the restrictions.

[Bluff]

It was April.

[Jack Pilgrim]

I mean, it was like right in the middle of all of that nonsense, and it just like, hey, you know, let's get married and let's go to a local park, whatever we're allowed to do. And we filmed it on Zoom, and it was hilarious. So we did that, and then we had a September celebration, kind of redid the whole thing. And that was at Hubers in Southern Indiana. And that was a very nice little celebration, but got still caught up in the restrictions of how many people were allowed. It was. It was frustrating because we had. It was, I think 125 people was the Max at the time. And then, like the week before the wedding, they called us and said, hey, the new updated restrictions are 85, so you gotta cut your list. The week before the wedding, 40 people. And we were like, ouch. How do you call somebody the week before the wedding and go, hey, you're no longer invited.

[Maggie Davis]

Sorry, please don't come.

[iHeart Advertising Announcer]

Gosh.

[Jack Pilgrim]

So, yeah, so, yes, we got married twice. We got two honeymoons. We went to Jamaica and Yellowstone. So you know what? It was the cheapest vacation of my entire life when nobody else was traveling, you know, leaving anywhere. I, you know, traveled out of the country. Probably a dumb decision on my part, but, hey, vacation was super cheap and I got to do it twice.

[Maggie Davis]

Yeah, I forgot. I went to both of your weddings via Zoom.

[Jack Pilgrim]

The first time virtually and physically.

[Maggie Davis]

And I guess I made the cut. I didn't realize you had to cut that many people the week before. I'm glad I still got the invite. So that's our advice for all things wedding. I know our buddy Zach Agan is getting married this fall as well. Any OG listeners out there remember the Max Return of the Max, Maggie, Jack, Zach. You get it? The Max. We probably did like five episodes before I got a job and I had to quit. But that was also during COVID and it gave us something to do. I know last week, I mean, Billy turned this into Kentucky Sports Wedding Radio, like asking for vendors and stuff. So if anybody else, I guess, needs like a caterer or an invitations person or a dj, like, let us know. Maybe we can be your tradio for the Day. Hey, Shannon. Any other callers? Mila Dallas.

[Shannon the Dude]

Yeah.

[Joe Sloan]

Yeah.

[Shannon the Dude]

Let's go to Brad.

[Maggie Davis]

Let's do it. Hey, Brad.

[iHeart Advertising Announcer]

Hey, Maggie. How you doing?

[Maggie Davis]

Doing great. How are you?

[iHeart Advertising Announcer]

Good, good. I want to pivot to the winning program. Women's volleyball.

[Maggie Davis]

Oh, yes.

[iHeart Advertising Announcer]

Amen.

[Jack Pilgrim]

Amen. Brad.

[iHeart Advertising Announcer]

Yes. You know, all these sports need you. Just walk down the hall, talk to Craig Skinner, see how it's done. We don't need to talk anymore about it. Just walk down the hall, talk to the man, watch what he does. Nine consecutive SEC tournament or regular season wins, national championship, national championship game. I don't know what more you want. Let's just do this.

[Maggie Davis]

Yeah, I'm totally with you. You mentioned nine straight. I think something that doesn't get talked about enough, obviously, like nine straight is an incredible number. But I think something that we haven't given Coach Skinner and that program enough credit for is when Texas and Oklahoma joined the league. Everybody knows the pedigree that the Texas program comes in with. And I remember nationally, even within the sec, everybody just assumed that this Kentucky streak would end because Texas was coming. And naturally the Longhorns would just run away with it. And I mean, to Kentucky's credit, there's been two years now where that has not happened because Kentucky's one had a better regular season record. Or in the case of last year, remember, they actually went to Austin, beat Texas in a sold out venue in front of all of those crazy Longhorn fans, swept them for the first time. The first time Texas has been swept in that venue for like a decade. And we're just dominant. So I am so thankful, Brad, that you brought up the volleyball team because I could probably do two hours on them. I don't know that everybody wants me to do that, but I'm happy to answer more volleyball questions. Obviously, they lost Eva Hudson this off season as the lone senior departing from last year's team that went all the way to the national championship. They bring in Morgan Gardy. I mean, we talked about one Notre Dame transfer. Let's talk about the other one. The Gardy party is coming to Memorial this fall. It's spelled, I think G, A, E, R, T E. And so I keep telling everybody, just think, party. It's the Guardi party. I talked with her earlier this year and she is just a perfect fit for this system and this program. And the culture that Craig has built has been so consistent. And I think that's why they've won the way they have. And those games are so fun.

[Jack Pilgrim]

You got the rings yesterday you did?

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Yeah, yeah, I saw it. Do you think we're final four bound again? I.

[Maggie Davis]

Great question, Brad. We got to hit a break real quick. We will get you an answer to that right after this on Kentucky sports radio.

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[Maggie Davis]

Welcome back into Kentucky sports radio. It's a Taylor Swift takeover day. Just kidding. I wish she was here. You're stuck with me. It's Maggie Davis Jack Pilgrim talking all things Wildcats with you this morning. Shannon, you got something else to tell us?

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[Maggie Davis]

Thanks Shannon. I want to start with the answer to Brad's question. Left him hanging through the break there first. In order to do that, I got to read you a little bit of this volleyball schedule because in the bb, yeah, the BBN tonight offices we call this a classic. Craig, that's kind of become our joke over the years because this guy consistently schedules every team that went to the Final Four the year before and oops, he did it again. Okay, they're playing Wisconsin, they're playing Pittsburgh, they're playing ucla, Penn State, North Carolina, Purdue or Houston down in the Bahamas. And then of course Louisville is a home game. And then you get into the SEC slate which if you remember Texas A and M was the team that beat Kentucky for the title last year. They're coming to Memorial Coliseum, the Texas Longhorns coming to Memorial Coliseum. So it's going to be not just an amazing non conference schedule, but the SEC has really stepped it up too. And you're getting some really, really great home matches this year. So I hope that place is rocking again for Craig Skinner and the Cats. I talked about Eva Hudson, obviously the lone senior off that team departing. You bring back Brooklyn delay. She's fully healthy. The girl played all last season on a torn meniscus warrior. Absolute baller. Played as well as she did in all American season. Hurt the entire year. Didn't tell anybody until the last week of the season. Had surgery immediately thereafter and then was already back to playing at about 80% by the spring. We saw her in the spring game in that exhibition against Louisville. So to answer the question, I think they're ready. I think they're going back to the Final Four. I think the schedule once again prepares them and a senior year, Brooklyn Delay, a senior year Molly Tazo, you return your national freshman of the year, your setter and Cassie o'. Brien. I think they have all the pieces. Just got to see how all those pieces fit together with a few newcomers, including a few younger players who are going to have to step up. Jack, real quick, we only got a couple minutes here, but I want to read you this question that we got from Rose on Twitter. She says question, the basketball team has been here a short time, but have you spent time with them? If so, what have you observed so far? The video footage of practice shows all smiles and I'm loving that I have

[Jack Pilgrim]

spent zero time physically with the team, at least for the next two hours because I will be with Mason Williams, Malachi Moreno and Reese Potter at one o' clock Eastern time. So very close. But all of the intel behind the scenes scuttlebutt scoop is like the energy is just so positive and they're engaged and they're active and they're having fun and I mean you can see that in the pictures and the videos as Rose said. But yeah, the intel is matching what we're seeing with just the photos and stuff. Just a really fun group. I think they're just excited and hungry and the early feedback of how things are going in Weekly one is optimistic, makes making, making me feel, you know, the warm and fuzzies about going into a, you know, very important year three for Mark Pope.

[Maggie Davis]

So I had met zero of the new guys until yesterday and I got the chance to meet Zoom Diallo, Mason Williams and that was, I mean, really cool. I think Zoom is Exactly. And Justin McBride. I met the three of them as well as saw a couple of the returners and those stories coming to BBN tonight. Shameless plug. But like you mentioned at the end, energy, the chemistry. I think Zoom Diallo is like a prototypical point guard. Outgoing, exudes leadership. Already I'd heard Mikhail McClain say that in another interview so I wanted to ask him about that. And hey, we're back. It's another tease. We're gonna bring you that interview with Mikhail McLean coming up in hour two. Jack Pilgrim, Maggie Davis hanging out with you for another hour. Give us a call in the second hour and we'll talk on the other side.

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