2026-08-06- KSR - Hour 2

Summary

Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) – Hour 2

Date: August 6, 2026

Host: Matt Jones and the KSR Crew

Podcast: iHeartPodcasts and Sports Talk 790 (WKRD-AM)

Episode Overview

This hour of KSR dives deep into nostalgia for the 1990s, Kentucky sports lore, and—most prominently—an open UK basketball practice held at Rupp Arena. The crew shares live, on-the-ground observations, brings in callers and former players for their takes, and discusses the current state of the Kentucky basketball program. The episode is filled with lively banter, memories, player analysis, and witty exchanges in the signature KSR style.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. 1990s Nostalgia in Sports, Movies, and Culture

• The hosts debate why the '90s are often considered the "best decade," especially for those who were in college or coming of age then.
• Matt Jones recites a laundry list of 1990s top movies and TV shows to defend the era:

  "Shawshank, Schindler's List, Goodfellas, Fight Club, Pulp Fiction... Friends, Seinfeld..." (03:50–04:26)

• They reminisce about cultural differences in childhood, specifically the norm of riding bikes without today's safety gear and question if kids still do the same.
• Quote:

  Matt Jones: “Now they all wear those stupid shorts... Like the idea of just wearing a— But riding a bike, Shannon, just as a community.” (05:52) Shannon: “No, everybody's gotta look like they're in the Tour de France.” (05:59)

2. Mark Stoops Leaves Kentucky for Texas: Fan Reactions

• Discussion about Mark Stoops’ new role at Texas, wearing burnt orange instead of Kentucky blue.
• Matt confidently predicts fan support for Stoops:

  "I think our fan base would intentionally wait for Mark Stoops' name and would give loud applause... I actually think he would get applause even now." (07:00)

• Reflections on Stoops’ legacy at Kentucky, including the “Super Bowl feeling” after the Citrus Bowl win over Penn State.
• Drew reflects:

  "He took us to heights we had never seen." (06:57)

3. RFK Jr. Visits Lexington, Trains at Local Gym

• Storytime about RFK Jr.’s surprise visit to Lexington—dining at Malone’s and (allegedly) working out in jeans at a gym.
• Shannon jokes:

  “You tell me he went to Planet Fitness and worked out in jeans.” (10:45)

• Matt verifies the story with a listener’s photo and laughs about the rumor turning out to be true.

  "He was working out in a T shirt and jeans. Yeah." (11:05)

4. LIVE: Kentucky Basketball Practice at Rupp Arena

• Several crew members rotate visiting the open UK basketball practice, offering first-hand reports.
• Ryan and Shannon provide immediate reactions while Matt and Drew visit the gym.
• Top player observations:
  • Papa Frank: Noted as a "big, massive man," involved more than expected despite prior injury concerns. (13:28)
  • Momcilovic (Milan): Remarkably accurate shooter— “didn’t miss a shot” during live viewing, reinforcing Pope’s “best shooter in America” mantra (14:03, 38:17).
  • Mason Williams: Stands out as the “best point guard today, and it wasn’t even close… that dude is going to play.” (15:03)
  • Justin McBride: Shows promise at the four spot.
  • Trent Noah: Sidelined, not practicing likely due to injury.
• Practice Atmosphere: Fast-paced, lots of transitions between drills, and five-on-five action with fans allowed to spectate. Mark Pope alternates between high energy coaching and delegating drills.

Notable Quotes from Practice Observations

• Ryan Lemond:

  “If there’s one guy that comes out of nowhere, ends up playing, it’s [Mason Williams] or your guy, Justin McBride...” (15:23)

• Jack “Goose” Givens (UK legend, guest caller):

  “Mason Williams…just works so daggone hard. It's hard to keep a guy like that out of the lineup." (26:08)

• On coaching intensity:

  “Mark Pope, he ain't...last year we went to practice for the media, he like, almost didn't talk. Not in this one… He stopped practice three or four times when they would do one little thing wrong. Reminds me…how Cal could be sometimes.” (41:41, 42:09)

5. Call-In Reports & Banter

• Preacher (caller): Live updates reinforce the reports of physicality and intensity, with Milan Momcilovic impressing throughout. (22:34)
• Goose Givens (caller): Advocates that this team enjoys practice and wants to improve, noting a difference in attitude compared to previous squads.

  "This team likes to practice... that's the biggest difference." (28:00)

• Discussion on the significance of five-on-five action during open practice for building team chemistry and engaging fans.

6. Side Banter & Humor

• Running jokes about birthday shoutouts, formal suit anxieties ahead of an upcoming wedding, and fashion quirks ("who wears number 19 in basketball?").
• Shannon and Ryan riff on whether Ryan will outshine the groom at the wedding with his attire. (34:24)
• A trivia tangent about historical UK players who wore number 19. (46:13)

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Timeline and Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |-----------|------------------------------------------------| | 03:26 | Return from break, 1990s nostalgia discussion | | 06:17 | Mark Stoops in Texas, fan response | | 10:14 | RFK Jr. Lexington gym anecdote | | 12:55 | On-the-ground UK basketball practice reports | | 15:01 | Mason Williams standout performance | | 22:34 | Preacher’s live call-in from practice | | 24:33 | Goose Givens live call-in, practice comparison| | 38:17 | Matt and Drew’s post-practice recap | | 41:41 | Mark Pope’s coaching style | | 46:13 | UK players who wore number 19 (and NBA trivia) |

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Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Pope "shushes" Goose Givens:
  “Did you just get shushed by Mark Pope? Somebody said that he shushed you.” (24:38)
  Goose replies, “He did, he did... I got shushed, man.” (24:43)

• On Milan Momcilovic’s Shooting:
  Matt Jones: “Best shooter in America. Best shooter in America.” (38:31)
  Drew: “He’s the only player on the whole team where I feel like we know exactly what we’re going to get.” (38:48)

• On Mason Williams:
  Ryan Lemond: “If you had to pick a point guard today... the best point guard on the floor today was Mason Williams, and it wasn’t even close.” (15:01)
  Goose Givens: “You just love kids that work hard. Mark singled him out, man. ... Hard to keep a guy like that out of the lineup.” (26:08)

• On Team Chemistry & Practice:
  Goose Givens: “This team likes to practice... that’s the biggest difference (vs. last year).” (28:00)

---

Recap of Open Practice: Team and Player Impressions

• Milan Momcilovic: Labeled unequivocally as an elite shooter, able to make tough shots with defenders on him.
• Mason Williams: Highly vocal and energetic; lauded for defense and being an unexpected standout at point guard.
• Justin McBride: Strong performance vying for a starting role at the four; briefly set back by illness but eager to return to form.
• Papa Frank: Noted for his physical presence, which could be pivotal this season.
• Practice Style: Mark Pope is highly engaged and vocal; practices feel more intense and focused compared to the prior year.

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Concluding Thoughts

• Matt and Drew return from practice energized and more optimistic about the season, especially after seeing the team’s chemistry and shooting in action.
• The open practice is lauded as a fan-friendly, transparent move by UK basketball to build community excitement.
• The hour ends with playful ribbing, more Kentucky sports trivia, and a brief MLB prediction on the upcoming Reds game.

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For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This hour provides a vivid blend of UK sports updates, passionate (and comical) nostalgia, and most importantly, timely, first-hand insights into the basketball team’s progress under Coach Pope. The chemistry between the hosts and contributions from legendary former players and listeners create a sense of community that’s both informative and entertaining.

If you're looking for insight into Kentucky's team potential, fresh practice scoop, and great laughs along the way, this episode is a can't-miss.

Transcript

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[Matt Jones]

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[Shannon]

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[Ryan]

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[Shannon]

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[Matt Jones]

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[Shannon]

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[Ryan]

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[Shannon]

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[Ryan]

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[Shannon]

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[Matt Jones]

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[Shannon]

Well, I thought you were all going to write a song.

[Ryan]

I remember you thinking that.

[Drew]

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[Shannon]

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[Ryan]

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[Shannon]

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.

[Matt Jones]

Welcome back Techy Sports Radio. 859-280-2287. Text machine 772-774-5254 A lot of people reminded me some other things about the 90s. We hosted the Olympics in Atlanta, of course, the Dream Team. How do we forget about the Dream Team?

[Drew]

Should have had the Dream Team.

[Matt Jones]

Should have had the Dream Team.

[Drew]

Donald's Cups on my.

[Matt Jones]

Can I read you, Shannon, movies from the 90s just to confirm our thing?

[Shannon]

Let's go.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, let's just go. I'm just going to read you the top 20 on this list. Shawshank, Schindler's List, Goodfellas, Fight Club, Pulp Fiction 7, Silence of the Lamb, Terminator 2, Saving Private Ryan, Forrest Gump, the Matrix, Goodwill Hunting, Heat, the Usual Suspects, Truman Show, Reservoir Dogs, Fargo, Toy Story.

[Shannon]

It's pretty strong.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, that's a. I mean that's all Bangers.

[Drew]

That's not even including like 90s comedies that were so good. Dumb and dumber stuff like that. Comedies were so much better.

[Matt Jones]

It's Seinfeld yet. Friends, those were the two. Two of the bigger shows. One person writes, you're Matt. You're just being egotistical. Everybody thinks the time they were in college is the best time. That's what everyone believes. Drew wasn't in college. You were not in college then.

[Drew]

And you weren't even really in high school yet either.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, Shannon. Country music. Let's just go through the country music.

[Ryan]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, Dwight, Yoko. Right.

[Shannon]

George Straight.

[Matt Jones]

George Straight. Then all the one hit wonders. Your Joe Diffies your Tracy Lawrence is Toby Keith when he was cool. Kenny Chestney before he got dorky.

[Shannon]

Joe Diffie wasn't a one hit wonder.

[Matt Jones]

Who.

[Shannon]

Joe Diffie wasn't a one hit one.

[Matt Jones]

Neither was Toby Keith. I'm just, I'm just saying, like secondary. Yeah, yeah, right. And then on the women's side, you. I didn't like Reba McIntyre, but she. Shania Twain. Oh, yeah, right. Faith Hill, Tim McGraw.

[Drew]

More on sports, you had the Bulls dynasty, Tiger at the Masters.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, Baseball, we went through a lot of that. Cowboys, 49ers, Reds won a World Series and the Braves won World Series.

[Shannon]

Braves were in just about every World Series. They lost more than they won, but still they were there. They were the team in the 90s.

[Drew]

All right, you go out and ride your bike till. Till this. Till the lights come on.

[Matt Jones]

That's right. You could ride your bike.

[Drew]

Dude, do people even have bikes now?

[Matt Jones]

But to kids, do they make bikes? I mean, now it's all.

[Shannon]

Yeah, they got bikes.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, I mean people do have bikes, but now they all wear those stupid shorts. Like the idea of just wearing a. But riding a bike, Shannon, just as a community.

[Shannon]

No, everybody's gotta look like they're in the Tour de France.

[Matt Jones]

Exactly. Which I hate. Terry Miners does that. It's like Terry Miners, like, well, yeah, we don't need to wear those shorts.

[Shannon]

Bright spandex and helmet.

[Matt Jones]

I mean, you know, do kids play

[Drew]

flashlight tag anymore or any of that stuff?

[Matt Jones]

I don't know about that.

[Shannon]

I don't think they're playing pros and catchers.

[Matt Jones]

I don't know about that. All right, we will get the phones. A couple things. First of all, Mark Stoops, we have its first picture of him in a Texas colors and Texas shirt shorts was a little. Threw you off a little bit, right?

[Drew]

Definitely did. Especially when you factor in the Stoops history of being in Oklahoma. Not so much him, his brother, but Stoops is kind of a cuss word around Austin, Texas. So there's that angle of it. And then just seeing our coach of 13 years wearing that royal Kentucky blue, now wearing the burnt orange. Do you root for him?

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, I do.

[Drew]

I'm still thankful for what he did here. It needed. It needed to end when it did. I saw some people in the comments being kind of hateful to him. I hate seeing that.

[Matt Jones]

I don't think it needed to.

[Drew]

We needed a change. But he took us to heights we had never seen.

[Matt Jones]

Texas say Texas played here this year, Kentucky versus Texas. And they don't do this, but let's say they introduced the coaching staffs. I think our fan base would intentionally wait for Mark Stoops name and would give loud applause. Do you agree with that?

[Drew]

I think so.

[Matt Jones]

I mean, there might be a few hater, but I think overall Mark Stoops would get applause and one day he will get raucous applause. But I actually think he would get applause even now.

[Drew]

Yeah, it's different than being like the head coach. Like Cal at Arkansas got booed and I had no problem with that. This is. He's like an analyst, kind of a holdover job. I don't see this as going to another program and being like a rival or anything.

[Matt Jones]

When he didn't leave and like he wasn't kind of condescending on the way out.

[Drew]

Yeah, he's been around Lexington. I've seen 50 photos of stoops at random places since he's been gone. He's still just here living his life and meeting fans and taking photos.

[Matt Jones]

Shannon, do you think he would get applause?

[Shannon]

I do, yeah. And I still like him too, you know, like when it comes to like to talking to the media, he was at his absolute best when he was on this show because he would open up and. And kind of let his guard down. And I think you would get a lot out of him when he was just on this show. So I don't really have any bad feelings towards him.

[Matt Jones]

I don't think there is. I think there was a younger part of the fan base that had Stoop's hate because they had been very young when the Stoops really good years happened and so a lot of them didn't remember it. But I think in general Stoops is. We talk about this sometimes. If you did the whole like they do with presidents approval rating, approve disapprove just as a person. I think Mark stoops would get 75% approval in Kentucky, don't you?

[Drew]

I think so too. Especially as you get older and you saw years and years of Kentucky football before he got here. Like when we were at that Citrus bowl when they beat Penn State, I felt like we had won the Super Bowl. Me too.

[Matt Jones]

That was the best.

[Drew]

Just a new feeling.

[Matt Jones]

It was so awesome. That game in Orlando when we beat at Penn State. I was there with my then girlfriend and I sat in the stands, which I never did. You know, I usually sit with the media. I sat in the stands and I had so much fun. The whole Lynn Bowden, Mark Stoops yelling at James Franklin, Benny sn broke the rushing record in that game and got on his knees, and then I think we maybe had a turnover at the end to win. That was like, such an awesome day in a game that, you know, I don't know that bowl games matter anymore, but that one felt like it did.

[Drew]

Yeah, because before that, when Rich Brooks took us to felt like 19 straight Music City bowls, I thought that was the peak of Kentucky football. So Stoops even took us to a higher level. Now he maybe more than anyone in coaching when nil and everything changed. I think part of it was Barnhart wasn't the biggest help in that era. We just fell behind and he couldn't recover. He was more cut out for football before everything changed to the new landscape.

[Matt Jones]

I think that's true. Well, I like Mark Stoops. I hope he's getting started, bro. That's right. I hope in your Texas, he might be playing for a title this year.

[Jack Givens]

Who knows?

[Matt Jones]

You know, I mean, that, that's, that's a possibility, depending on how things go.

[Drew]

What a good get from Texas to go get a tenured coach like that for the SEC just to be an analyst for defense.

[Matt Jones]

RFK Jr. Shannon, your guy?

[Shannon]

He's my guy.

[Matt Jones]

He's your guy. He was in Lexington yesterday. I had two reports of sightings. So he was here. I think he was here for some event earlier.

[Drew]

Campus.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. And he ate at Malone's,

[Shannon]

Went to Planet Fitness, worked out in his jeans.

[Matt Jones]

That's what I was. Okay, so I got told that. Did you get tell that? Told that, too?

[Shannon]

I was just making it up.

[Matt Jones]

No, I, I. That happened. You were just making that up?

[Shannon]

Yes. You tell me you went to Planet Fitness and worked out in jeans.

[Matt Jones]

Well, it wasn' Planet Fitness, but I. There was a gym. I'm not gonna say which one, because I think they did a private workout. So I don't want to call out the person.

[Shannon]

I didn't know that.

[Matt Jones]

But he worked out in jeans.

[Shannon]

Well, he stayed.

[Matt Jones]

I cannot believe you said that as a joke. I thought you were, like, for real.

[Shannon]

No, no, I didn't know that.

[Matt Jones]

Yes, no, he did. I. There was a listener who. He snapped a picture and promised me I wouldn't post it, so I'm not going to. But he was. He was working out in a T shirt and jeans. Yeah.

[Drew]

Yesterday in Lexington because he was on campus. Abby had a big part in his event, and I was trying to get him to surprise you all on the show before all this happened, because I knew this was coming a little bit in advance.

[Matt Jones]

Oh, my Goodness.

[Drew]

I really. If he just walked in here, he couldn't come in. I was like, can you just hand him the phone?

[Matt Jones]

Just for a little interview that you would have gotten me? Because I don't know what I would have said.

[Shannon]

I would say, what would you have asked him?

[Matt Jones]

You know, that's a great question. If you just all of a sudden said, talk to RF Surprise you. Be like, did you really eat a whale's head?

[Shannon]

He'll say, yep. Next question.

[Matt Jones]

He would say, yes. I saw he. He did an interview where he said something like, I'll eat anything I find on the ground.

[Shannon]

Anything?

[Drew]

Anything.

[Matt Jones]

That's what he said. I mean, I don't believe he means that, but, like, look who's back.

[Shannon]

He made it back with.

[Drew]

That was unbelievable time.

[Ryan]

My clock says 11:10.

[Matt Jones]

Did you. Did you watch any of it?

[Ryan]

Yeah, we did. I hated to leave. I didn't want to leave. It was awesome.

[Matt Jones]

Well, you had eight more minutes. You could have watched.

[Ryan]

You said to be back by 11:10.

[Shannon]

I told you 11.

[Matt Jones]

Texts you to go, you could stay till 11:20.

[Drew]

Did you get the text?

[Ryan]

I know text. We get text.

[Shannon]

I did text you.

[Ryan]

Let's go back down there.

[Shannon]

I did.

[Matt Jones]

Okay. So you seem very excited. This is fun.

[Ryan]

I really, really wanted to stay, cuz it was fun. Watch. They're going five on five. They're going down the court. Five on five.

[Matt Jones]

I want to go.

[Ryan]

Well, not your turn. You guys go down there.

[Matt Jones]

Okay. I'll tell you what, Drew. You want to go for, like, five minutes?

[Drew]

I go, then you go.

[Matt Jones]

No, we'll go together.

[Drew]

Okay.

[Matt Jones]

We'll go real quick.

[Ryan]

Yeah. And then we'll.

[Matt Jones]

You take us to 1130, and then we'll be back, and we'll compare notes,

[Ryan]

see if you came across with the same notes.

[Matt Jones]

All right, so you got this. All right, we'll see you in a minute.

[Shannon]

All right. It's all you, Ryan. It's me and you. You want. You want to take a call, or do you want. You want to jump into what you saw?

[Ryan]

Yeah, we can talk about what we saw now, because they're not here. I. I didn't want to sway their per. Their. Their opinions of things.

[Shannon]

Yeah. So you were there for how long?

[Ryan]

Maybe 10 minutes.

[Shannon]

Maybe 10 minutes. Okay. And when you walked in, were they doing 5 on 5 immediately, or were they doing.

[Ryan]

Yeah, they were already doing five on five, and they were doing five on five the whole time we were there. So it kind of gives you a good perspective of things. And here's the first thing. I walked away with Papa Frank is a big man.

[Shannon]

That's what somebody else said already. Yeah.

[Ryan]

I mean, he is a big, massive man. And he was running up and down the floor. You know, he's supposed to be hurt and not participating, but he was going up and down the floor a little bit, so I think that's a good sign.

[Shannon]

Well, Sam kind of out scooped you because we heard that while you were gone, he's the first person who called in and told us that same thing. But you coming back and saying the same thing really kind of hammers home that this is a big, imposing guy in the post.

[Ryan]

They need him for backup. If Malachi is your guy, you got to have a backup. Here's the second thing I noticed. My takeaway. Mom, Silovich didn't miss a shot. I mean, he did not miss a shot.

[Shannon]

How many did he take?

[Ryan]

Probably five, but like a three in transition. He just pulled up, nailed it right in somebody's face. I mean, the dude we were there for, again, a sample size is not very long, but he did not miss.

[Shannon]

Well, somebody was saying that he shot 24, made 23 out of 24 to start practice.

[Ryan]

Wow.

[Shannon]

You're telling me he went 5 for 5?

[Ryan]

Yeah.

[Shannon]

So according to my math, 28 for, 29 for practice. It was just pretty insane. We always heard that from Mark Pope. You know, he said that Trent Noah would shoot 90%, you know, hit 90 out of 100 threes in practice. You know, that's exciting to hear, though.

[Ryan]

That's another takeaway. Trent Noah is not practicing. He was on the sidelines, so I don't know if it's still hampered by the hamstring I think he's messing with or an ankle.

[Shannon]

Do you think it's that, or do you think maybe you just weren't there long enough for him to be subbed in?

[Ryan]

No, we. I asked some of the people that were sitting around us. He said he hadn't practiced at all.

[Shannon]

Okay.

[Ryan]

So I think maybe he just did some shooting drills but did not do the practice.

[Shannon]

Yeah.

[Ryan]

Now here's the big takeaway that's going to rattle some people.

[Shannon]

Oh, okay. Going to rattle.

[Ryan]

If you had to pick a point guard today. And again, it's a small sample size, but the best point guard on the floor today was Mason Williams, and it wasn't even close. Not even close. That dude. That dude is going to play. He's gonna play, though. Yeah. Zoom, zoom. I'm sure will be the starter.

[Shannon]

Yeah, but.

[Ryan]

But Mason Williams is going to play. I'M just telling you right now, if there's one guy that comes out of nowhere, ends up playing, it's him or your guy, Justin McBride, who I think if you had to pick a starting for today, he's. He's the guy. He hit a three in transition. So, yeah, the two big surprises, I think were Mason Williams and Justin McBride, but they all. They, you know, they were passing the ball well, look good. But Mason Williams, he. He was the best player that we saw, and if Mario was here, he would agree with me.

[Shannon]

Plus, they've still got one roster spot open, too. They could add one of these guys if that five for five thing goes through. And some of these guys that were, you know, they thought they were going to be done with college basketball, and now we're able to come back, you may be able to pick up, you know, the. The kid from Auburn or, you know, somebody else out there that's. That's still floating around and. And add that in, you know. Yeah.

[Ryan]

Cause in.

[Jack Givens]

In.

[Ryan]

In the post, you got Malachi, Papa Frank and Reese Potter.

[Jack Givens]

Mm.

[Ryan]

But at the four, you got Justin McBride in Jai, I guess mom Silovich could slip down to the four. Yeah, that's a position of need, I think, right there in. Jai was out there, but I didn't really see him do much to pop, you know?

[Shannon]

Yeah. Yeah. But if they were able to get a guy like Keyshawn hall, who averaged 19 points, I think, at Auburn last year. Yeah, he would have to come in and be a. He'd have to take somebody's starting position.

[Ryan]

I think he would. I think he would come in and. But just McBride's going to play. I think him and Mason Williams both proved to me they may not start, but both those dudes are going to play.

[Shannon]

So the intensity wasn't that of a normal practice. It was like full blown five on five, you know, 100% out there from what you saw.

[Ryan]

Yeah. And. And Coach Pope would like, you know, stop him and do some coaching. He shushed the crowd one time.

[Shannon]

Oh, did he?

[Ryan]

Yeah, some dudes who were sitting down low on the. On the court. He shushed them when he was trying to do some coaching.

[Shannon]

Get kicked out of an open practice.

[Jack Givens]

No, you don't.

[Shannon]

Yeah.

[Ryan]

No, you don't. So. So that's good. So I guess it's you and me for. For a segment or two. You want to go ahead and toss to a break?

[Shannon]

Yeah, we could do that. We'll come back, we'll take some calls. 859-28022, 8, 7. It's Shannon and Ryan. I guess I'll throw it to Brick here. We'll be right back. To ksr.

[Ryan]

There's nothing like the American Express Platinum card. Find out your welcome offer after you apply, which could be as high as 175,000 points. Learn more and find out your [e-mail] Explore Platinum terms apply.

[Drew]

Hey, this is Hayes Davenport and Sean Clements.

[Matt Jones]

We host the podcast Hollywood Handbook Every episode. We're trying to help our guests improve

[Drew]

their careers by mainly focusing on how they can help us improve our careers.

[Shannon]

The show's famously super, super accessible, so you can easily jump into any of our 650 episodes and understand what's going on.

[Drew]

We recommend some of our recent episodes with Ben Stiller.

[Shannon]

The definition of what is a movie has kind of changed anyway, too, right? What do you think it is now? It's images and words being spoken, captured by some sort of technology.

[Matt Jones]

Danny McBride.

[Shannon]

Oh, that's fantastic. And you make it on.

[Ryan]

You make your own.

[Drew]

That's great.

[Matt Jones]

I call him Tarot.

[Jack Givens]

Ready?

[Drew]

It's a good name.

[Shannon]

They're all named after cast members of American Pie.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, I call.

[Drew]

I don't.

[Matt Jones]

I never looked up if she was in this, but I call him Leechy Sobieski. Yeah, I don't think she was an

[Shannon]

American Pie, but I still haven't looked it up.

[Matt Jones]

Haven't looked it up.

[Drew]

She was prominent.

[Shannon]

Yeah.

[Drew]

Then Mary Steenburgen. Why are you guys talking to me

[Matt Jones]

like

[Shannon]

so down to me that you

[Drew]

think I don't understand understand your little play?

[Shannon]

Play?

[Matt Jones]

I just really.

[Jack Givens]

I get it.

[Matt Jones]

I'm trying to set you up for success here.

[Shannon]

Listen to Hollywood handbook on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Nick Turturro. You probably know me from NYPD Blue, the Longest Yard, or Spike Lee's blackkklansman. But I'm also from Queens, which means I know pizza. And on my new podcast, Delivering Happiness with Nick Turturro, I deliver pizza from Prince Street Pizza to a new guest.

[Ryan]

Are you delivering pizzas now?

[Shannon]

Then we sit down for a real conversation.

[Matt Jones]

I've shared a slice with everyone from Seth Rollins.

[Shannon]

What are you doing?

[Jack Givens]

My belt.

[Matt Jones]

To Alex Rodriguez. Just to let you people know we're

[Shannon]

talking to one of the goats here. To Bill Burr.

[Matt Jones]

I don't think I've ever met somebody

[Shannon]

so exactly out of their mind as I am. And now we even have more great guests coming up, including the great John Turturro.

[Matt Jones]

It's called Happiness.

[Shannon]

Delivering Happiness, Mariano Rivera and many, many more. Open your free iHeartradio app search delivering Happiness with Nick Turturro and listen.

[Ryan]

Now, our town is small taters by most standards, right?

[Shannon]

But to the people who grew up here, it's everything.

[Ryan]

What happens when a quiet Tennessee town becomes the frontline in a battle over the future of America?

[Matt Jones]

Developers with right wing ties have purchased

[Ryan]

hundreds of acres of land in the area.

[Shannon]

The first thing you see when it pops up as pioneers in Appalachia.

[Ryan]

But they weren't just planning houses.

[Shannon]

We need cities on a shining hill that exemplify and embody the Christian way of life. Stop right there. Is that normal?

[Ryan]

A podcast about what happens when a small town becomes the site of a social experiment? God need men to rule and decides to fight back.

[Shannon]

Do not use my hard work to sell your bull.

[Ryan]

They're not just opposing what's being planned for here.

[Shannon]

Our hometown is not a test tube. They feel like they're standing in opposition to an entire administration. Guess you didn't move in on a

[Jack Givens]

bunch of dumb hillbillies now, did you?

[Ryan]

Listen to Our town on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Wait a minute. Is this one of Mario's songs?

[Shannon]

This is.

[Ryan]

Yeah, it's Lauryn Hill and the Fugees. Lauryn Hill.

[Shannon]

Doo Wop. That thing.

[Ryan]

I do like this song. I know this song.

[Shannon]

Okay.

[Ryan]

It's back from the. What, the late 90s.

[Shannon]

I think this might be. Might be the first one that I know that we've played so far today.

[Ryan]

Yeah, I didn't know the other one. The Candy Candy Lane. Pop. Whatever.

[Shannon]

He's Candy Rain. I think it was that Candy Rain.

[Ryan]

I got a couple things I got to clarify.

[Shannon]

Okay.

[Ryan]

First, our buddy Nick, that's Harper's dad, his friend of the show, he says they had an open practice at Freedom hall one year when they played Louisville. I kind of remember that. I think they had. It was. It was the shoot around that day. They let fans from Louisville come in and watch them shoot around.

[Shannon]

So what year was that then?

[Ryan]

I don't remember. Maybe. Gosh, maybe 2007, 2008.

[Shannon]

But I mean, how did they get the information out back then? Did they send it to a radio show? I mean, I know like, we. I guess that was like the beginning of social media, but, you know, you didn't have social media where you could just jump on and go live on Instagram to all your followers and go, hey, we're gonna have A practice in an hour. Get over here to the arena.

[Ryan]

Yeah.

[Shannon]

How did you get the word out back then if it was. Unless it was planned like, you know, a couple of days in advance.

[Ryan]

They had to, they had to plan it in advance and open, say they're open, gonna open the doors for the shoot around. Maybe mentioned on the coaches show and local media reports. Probably we had it right, so. And apparently the guy that Coach Pope shushed down the court, somebody said it

[Shannon]

was Goose telling Goose to be quiet.

[Ryan]

Maybe he didn't realize who it was when he turned around and shushed him like, oh, oh, that's Goose. You can go ahead and talk.

[Shannon]

Yeah, Goose is going to be calling your games. You can't be shushing him.

[Ryan]

So.

[Shannon]

Yeah.

[Ryan]

859-280-2287. Shannon said we got some callers lined up. I hope there's somebody who's calling from practice. We can get some more info.

[Shannon]

I think Preacher who called earlier is back. And Preacher, are you there at Rupp?

[Jack Givens]

Yes, yes, I'm here at the practice. I actually just saw Matt and Drew walk in. I just came inside. Drew, I'm impressed with the physicality. Pope is really making them battle. He even put Montilovich with the big guys on a one on one drill, Hawthorne two. And then the guards on the other end were battling. So I think he's stressing with these guys to be very physical. Right now they're doing five on five half court. Looks like Mark Fox is drawing up plays and seeing that they can follow along and then obviously working on defense. Pope is occasionally stopping it. He's occasionally stopping at the show, little things, but he's not micromanaging. And they definitely keep practice moving. They go from one drill the next pretty quickly.

[Shannon]

So Ryan said about 10 minutes ago that Bontillovich didn't miss a shot. He was when he was there at the arena. Has he missed a shot since then?

[Jack Givens]

I have. I mean just in the flow of things. But it's not like man, he can't shoot. It's obviously. Yeah, man, this kid's impressive. He's very good at shooting. I also would say Malachi, he looked bigger and stronger, more physical. And I've been impressed with his just overall size. It looks like he put on a lot of muscle and Morton just got a put back and finish and he's been playing tough. Senior leadership, Kentucky kid. I think he just leaves it all on the court.

[Ryan]

Awesome. Thank you, Preacher. Appreciate the phone call. Little update. Another live update from Shannon. I'm impressed he's letting him go five on five the whole time. The people are there, the fans are there. Instead of just seeing jacking up, shooting drills and wooing the crowd with some, you know, threes and dunks, he's letting them play.

[Shannon]

Well, here's the thing, though. If you're going to call for fans to get there, you got. I feel like you almost have to do that because fans don't want to see you come in and do a layup line or do jump shot. You know, they want to see a five on five scrimmage. So I think that's probably the right thing to do, you know. And by the way, it looks like Jack's calling in here. Goose.

[Ryan]

Jack, Goose. Givens?

[Shannon]

Yeah, I think so.

[Ryan]

Let's get him on.

[Shannon]

Goose, is that you?

[Jack Givens]

Yes. How you doing, guys?

[Shannon]

Good, Goose.

[Ryan]

It is good.

[Shannon]

Did you just get shushed by Mark Pope? Somebody said that he shushed you.

[Jack Givens]

He did, he did. I was sitting. I was. I was talking to one of the assistant coaches. We were discussing. Discussing something and he blew the whistle and. And then he walked by a little while ago. So, Goose, you go ahead and talk, man. No problem, you know, but. But yeah, it was. I got. I got. Shush, man.

[Shannon]

Jack, we've been hearing from some of the fans calling in who were there, but I, you know, if anybody's opinion, I trust it would be Jack Givens. Ryan. So, Goose, give us your thoughts on what you've seen so far from practice today.

[Jack Givens]

Well, today, very, very spirited practice. Fast moving, a lot of different things being worked on, touched on. I think it was an attempt by Mark Pope and his staff to just make sure the guys knew where they need to be thinking what they needed to be thinking the next month or so while they're off. So. But very spirited, man. It was. It was exciting to watch.

[Ryan]

My biggest takeaway, Goose, Again, my sample size was very small, but my biggest takeaway that I was surprised the moch Mason Williams is going to play. And if I had to pick a starting point guard just based on today, it's Mason Williams. He looked great out there today.

[Jack Givens]

Yeah, I don't know how you cannot give. Give him some minutes. You just love kids that work hard. I mean, and Mark singled him out, man. One time on a fast break, he took away the lane from Alex and forced him back to the middle where they helped defense just like they have it designed. And he just works so daggone hard. It's hard to keep a guy like that out of the lineup. I'm not sure that I'm ready to name him as a starter just simply because he is a freshman and has a lot to learn. But one thing for sure is you. You don't feel bad about having him in there.

[Ryan]

And my other takeaway was, I think Justin McBride says, don't try to fill somebody else into that four spot. That's going to be my spot. I thought he looked good out there.

[Jack Givens]

Yeah. And you know Justin, he. He was out for a few weeks sick and did not get the practice. So he was in great shape. I'm in great condition before he had to sit for about three weeks. And I did talk to him yesterday at practice, and I just went up to him, so, young fellow, keep working hard. He said, man, I hated that I'm not in shape. I was feeling so good. I said, yes, you were. You were looking good. But he wants that starting spot. It's going to take a lot to move him out. I would have put him in there before he missed those three weeks or so being ill. Jack, we only got

[Shannon]

about a minute before we got to hit a break here. But how would you compare what you've seen from this team? And I assume today's. I mean, you've probably seen these guys in practice other times. Other than today, how would you compare this year's team to what we had last year?

[Jack Givens]

Well, I won't compare this team hardly at all to what we had last year because I'm an old school guy and I think everything starts in practice. And the biggest difference is that this team likes to practice. I didn't get that feel last year from our team, but this team wants to practice and they want to get better. Not that last year's team didn't want to get better, but I think the difference is the biggest thing. Comparisons more to the first team, Mark's first team, than last year's team, because you have so many guys who can shoot it. But that is the biggest comparison to Mark's first team, not so much last year's team.

[Shannon]

All right, Jack, thanks for calling in. We appreciate it.

[Ryan]

And don't get in trouble the next practice, Jack.

[Shannon]

Yeah.

[Ryan]

Come on, now.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, I know, man, I know.

[Jack Givens]

I was surprised he didn't tell me to run. Get on the line and run, man. I'm glad he didn't do that.

[Shannon]

Talk to you next week on the Leach Report. There you go. Jack Givens.

[Jack Givens]

Thanks for calling, brother.

[Shannon]

Yep. See you. How about that? Jack Givens calling in and giving us some.

[Ryan]

And you listen, he speaks. Oh, yeah, absolutely.

[Shannon]

That's what I'm saying. All right. We'll talk more about that coming up next. Kentucky Sports Radio.

[Ryan]

TJ Smith, personal injury attorney. Call tj.

[Shannon]

He'll make him pay. Now, more of Kentucky Sports Radio presented by Stockton Mortgage. Here's Matt Jones. Ryan. And this is our next Mario song. I feel like this would be approved by you if any song on the list would be. It's Michael Jackson, Pytorch, Pretty Young.

[Ryan]

The last two songs he's picked, I would pick. I love both of these songs.

[Shannon]

Pretty Young Thing, P. Whitey, Keep going.

[Ryan]

No, it's about good.

[Shannon]

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[Ryan]

Ryan, I got.

[Shannon]

Go ahead.

[Ryan]

I got one more update. It was sent to me, apparently after Mario and I left and before Matt and Drew got there. Braden Hawthorne dunked over Papa Frank. Big Frank. We just talked about how massive Big Frank is. And Braden Hawthorne apparently, allegedly, reportedly dunked on his head.

[Shannon]

Wow, that's good stuff from Jack too, by the way. I mean, it's one thing to hear that. And no disrespect to any of our fans or our correspondence, we appreciate everybody calling in. But you know, when you hear it from Jack, a guy who has done this at, you know, a high level and is a guy that everybody, you know, trusts and respects, it's. It's a little bit different hearing it from. From Goose, like I said.

[Ryan]

Yeah. When Jack Givens talks basketball, people listen. And when he's given the report, I trust everything he says. He's a guy told us last year, Hay Thorne was the best player in practice at times last year.

[Shannon]

That's right. Yeah, he did.

[Ryan]

I feel like he's got to be quiet when he goes to practice.

[Shannon]

By the way, I think we've lost Matt and Drew. I Don't think they're coming back. Do you think they're going to be back before?

[Ryan]

Yeah, they'll be here for the last segment because they're going to be excited about what they saw. Like, Mario and I were. We were both excited. And you got to see the team. I didn't want to leave. I wanted to stay. I wanted to stay and watch more of the practice, but I knew we had to get back.

[Shannon]

Yeah. You want to take some calls?

[Ryan]

Let's do it. Let's take some more calls.

[Shannon]

All right, let's go to Chris. I don't know if any of these people are at the arena, but we'll find out. Chris is up next.

[Jack Givens]

Hey, guys. I'm not at the arena, but I do have a very special announcement. It is my mom's Patricia Schwartz's 79th birthday, and I just wanted to wish her a very happy birthday. And I love you so much, Mom.

[Shannon]

Oh, that's.

[Ryan]

Happy birthday, Patricia.

[Shannon]

There you go.

[Ryan]

Hey, baby.

[Shannon]

Stop, stop. Is that all you wanted? Just to give a shot? Okay. We're just doing shout outs now, I guess.

[Ryan]

Shout out for birthdays. All right.

[Shannon]

All right, let's go to Brian. Hey, Brian.

[Jack Givens]

Yes, I was calling to give some information. Can you hear me? Yep.

[Shannon]

Go ahead.

[Jack Givens]

Hello? Give some information about what? About why Robert Downey Jr. Was there. Robert Kennedy Jr. He was there because. Sorry. Sorry about that. He was there because of the Kentucky organ, the official Kentucky organ center. Well, he shut it down because they had been harvesting organs from people who weren't completely dead. One guy was on the table.

[Ryan]

Let's move on. Go ahead. Appreciate the phone call because I have no idea what he's talking about. Did you guys talk about that when we were gone or something?

[Shannon]

No, no, no, wait. Well, he was. We were talking about. Rfk was in. RFK junior Was in Lexington yesterday and went out to eat and there were some pictures that were taken. And then.

[Ryan]

Okay.

[Shannon]

Apparently he also worked out in the gym in his jeans. But. So, yeah, I think you may have been gone that segment.

[Ryan]

We were talking about that. Yeah, I didn't know he's talking about that.

[Shannon]

Well, we got some open lines. 859-280-2287. I did get my brown suit yesterday, Ryan.

[Ryan]

Did you come to Lexington and pick it up?

[Shannon]

No, I had it delivered to Louisville.

[Ryan]

Nice.

[Shannon]

Yeah. Yeah. So I'm excited about it. I was telling Mario. He was like, did you try it on? I go, well, no, because number one, if I did try the thing on and it didn't fit for some reason, it's too late at this point.

[Ryan]

That's true. Yeah.

[Shannon]

So it is what it is. And then secondly, I didn't want to take it off the rack because I felt like if I did and then try to put it back, like in my closet, it would end up wrinkled and then I would have wrinkled clothes for the wedding. So I just let it be. And then I'm going to try it on Saturday for the first time right before the wedding. But.

[Ryan]

Well, I did see. I mean, again, I'm no Bill Mack, but the weather forecast has gone from like 72% chance of rain to like 25% chance of rain, drastically reduced for Saturday.

[Shannon]

Good, good. Well, I hope everything goes well. I'm looking forward to your prayer. I mean, that was, that was big news yesterday that you were going to do the prayer.

[Ryan]

I appreciate them asking me. I'm looking forward to it. So, you know, special blessing for our happy couple before the, the. The meal is served. So I'll be glad to do it.

[Shannon]

Yeah. So that's, that's coming up Saturday. It's going to be a big day for Billy and we're all going to be matching. Except for you said you've got something that you're going to wear that. I don't know if it scares me or not when you say you've got something that you're going to wear because normally that means something inappropriate.

[Ryan]

It's, it's. It's not inappropriate. It's just a little different than what we're all going to be having on. So. And I, you know, I, I admit I'll probably be the best looking dude there at the wedding.

[Shannon]

So in your own mind, I don't

[Ryan]

want to steal the spotlight from the bride and the groom, but virtually it's. When I walk in, it's what's going to happen.

[Shannon]

I understand. All right, let's go to Scotty from Florida. Hey, Scotty.

[Jack Givens]

What's up, guys? So, Ryan, your overreaction Thursday. Are we winning at all? I'll hang up and listen.

[Ryan]

Appreciate that, Scotty. I don't think we have a team that can win it all, but we got a team I think we can really like and get excited about and enjoy watching. I think they're going to be a really good offensive team. They're going to shoot the ball really, really well. And, you know, I heard Goose on the leach report this morning, Shannon Goose said that they're a better defensive team than people giving them credit for. Yeah, didn't see a lot of that. Today being a great defensive stopping team because everybody was shooting the lights out when we. When I was there.

[Shannon]

And in hearing that this team reminds him more of the first year's team.

[Jack Givens]

Yes.

[Shannon]

Also gets me a little excited. Yeah. You know, last year's team is just frustrating to watch at times. It was just there were, you know, you go back to, I mean, if you want to pick out one game specifically, I think the Gonzaga game is the game that stands out as like, what are we doing out there? But hearing that this year's team has got more characteristics of the first team that he had here, which, by the way, remember, that was a team that he threw together in just like six weeks. So. And you still got one other spot too, as we mentioned, too. So this, this team, I don't want to get too over excited about it based off of. And I haven't seen any of it and just based off of what everybody's saying. But you do like the comparison more so than the first team than last year's team.

[Ryan]

And I think a lot of the comparison is these guys is a team that you're really going to enjoy watching. You know, that first team. Oh, they're back. Let's get the report. Live from Rupp Arena. Matt and Drew.

[Shannon]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Hello there, Shannon.

[Drew]

Yes.

[Shannon]

Yes. You guys are back. You made it back quick.

[Matt Jones]

You know that walk was sponsored by cornbread Hemp. You go to cornbreadhip.com and you are able to get seltzers, you're able to get gummies. Everything you need@corbread hip.com Use my promo code, KSR. Remember, we're trying to save hemp in the Kentucky workplace. Well, not just the workplace, but also the home place. Cornbread Hemp.com use the promo code KSR. Drew and I are back. We lost Mario Shannon. The young guy can't keep up with the old guys.

[Ryan]

Oh, wow. Really?

[Matt Jones]

That's right. We lost him. He can't walk as fast. No, he's walking behind us. He couldn't keep up.

[Drew]

We lost him on Main somewhere.

[Matt Jones]

We want to get. We'll give our report. I enjoyed it and made me a little happy. Maybe even old Scrooge over here. I'll feel a little happier. We'll take a break if you're back and do it. KSI, it is Kentucky Sports Radio. All right, Drew, you and I just got back. 859-280-2287. Text machine, 772-774-5254. Let's go over some stuff. First of all, big Crowd, would you crowd three, 400? Five, maybe. 400.

[Jack Givens]

Yeah.

[Drew]

And I love that people are disabled on a Thursday morning to just drop what they're doing and get to Rupp Arena.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. People kind of going in and out.

[Drew]

Yeah. But you could tell. Some people just run in. Just quick glance, maybe early lunch break. But it's very cool of UK to do that.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, that was very, very cool. That was. And it's a neat little setting because you feel like you're, you know, Ryan, seeing something other people haven't seen. And I think that was a neat thing for them to do.

[Ryan]

Heard from a lot of dads who went and got their kid and said, let's go. They just ran out the door.

[Matt Jones]

They announced it, like, last night. How many people, you think?

[Drew]

Oh, yeah. Anyone that had time to drive a little farther? I think people come from all over the state. You only had about an hour, maybe

[Matt Jones]

a little more off today, but that was cool then. All right, so again, we saw seven minutes, so let's just overreact. Milan's the best shooter.

[Drew]

He.

[Matt Jones]

He hit a shot that. That was. That, like, dribble in, like, who. Who used to shoot those a lot? Aberdeen would shoot those last year. You know, take a step in, then put the Jalen Brunson, and he. It was like, in whoever was guarding him space. That dude's going to be. And when he made it, Pope started screaming, best shooter in America. Best shooter in America. Best shooter in America.

[Ryan]

Well, he. When Mario and I was there, he didn't miss a shot. That was one of our big takeaways. He was like five for five in transition. Five on five against five.

[Matt Jones]

He's going to be. He's going to be.

[Ryan]

Didn't miss a shot.

[Drew]

He's the only player on the whole team where I feel like we know exactly what we're going to get. He's not going to let us down.

[Matt Jones]

How many points a game is he to going average health? 18, I think 18 is a good call. I mean, like, he's going to pull. He's also going to give driving lanes for the guards because he's going to pull. Whoever's guarding him cannot leave his side because if he gets a step, I mean, it's going up and it's going in. I mean, Pope was screaming, best shooter in America.

[Ryan]

But your other big takeaways, the.

[Matt Jones]

The kid from. From Winchester, he scored.

[Drew]

He got a bucket right when we

[Matt Jones]

walked in, right as we walk in. He looked good.

[Ryan]

He's kind of more of an energy guy, but if he can provide a little offense. Yeah, he'll get some minutes.

[Matt Jones]

Mason Williams doesn't shut up.

[Drew]

No, he was like that at tbt. He was the one, John, with Mario Chalmers and Chalmers.

[Matt Jones]

So he's like a true freshman. True freshman. Yelling like he was yelling at Malachi. He was like yelling at. Who was that? Justin McBride.

[Ryan]

Okay, you don't even know this. We didn't say it till you left. Mariano both said if you picked a point guard today, it's him. He was the best point guard on the floor when we. When we were there.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. I didn't really get to see the Zoom, for whatever reason wasn't in the ton when we were there, but I was just amazed at how much Mason was.

[Ryan]

Dude's gonna play, isn't he? He's gonna play.

[Matt Jones]

He's gonna play. Yeah. I mean, that could end up being a steal.

[Ryan]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Right?

[Ryan]

Backup point guard.

[Drew]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. Alex Wilkins is tiny. Like. Like, like for people who go, oh,

[Jack Givens]

well,

[Matt Jones]

I still think he's going to be really good. I still hold Alex Wilkins stock, but he's. He's tiny. He's going to be shorter. He might be shorter than Zoom.

[Drew]

Yeah. And he's.

[Matt Jones]

He's all bones and he is a score.

[Drew]

He's going to get his buckets. But defensively, when he gets. Gets bigger guards in the sec, that might be a problem.

[Matt Jones]

You could just. I was kind. That's the first time I've seen him person. I was kind of surprised how skinny he was.

[Ryan]

Small stature, like Drew said, kind of just his frame is not very thick now. Frank is a massive man.

[Jack Givens]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

I mean, I'd fight him, but pretty much anybody else shouldn't.

[Ryan]

You'd run out the door if he turned on you. That dude is a massive, massive human being.

[Drew]

I was just happy to see him in a uniform after he's missed most of the summer. He was standing on the sideline most of the time. Matt and I were there. He didn't really get him down the

[Ryan]

floor when you guys were there.

[Matt Jones]

No,

[Drew]

but he was dressed out and sweaty like he had just been working out. So I'm just glad to see him be available because keeping him healthy, I think is big part of the whole season.

[Matt Jones]

Trent Noah's bigger.

[Ryan]

He didn't play. He wasn't practicing. They said he's. He didn't practice all at all today.

[Matt Jones]

It didn't look like he was. He did. He just looked to me like he was physically bigger. Yeah, that Reese Potter was playing a lot.

[Drew]

We mostly saw the backups Playing little short scrimmage.

[Ryan]

Our other big takeaway for Mario and I was Justin McBride. If there was a way to pick a starter for the four, it probably would have been him today. Just on what we saw, he still.

[Matt Jones]

He still got about 10 or 15 pounds of baby fat. He needs to. Yeah, probably.

[Ryan]

He had a three in transition when they were going five on five.

[Matt Jones]

It was fun. I mean, Mark Fox was doing most of the coaching, but Mark Pope was just. I mean, he ain't got it. Remember last year we went to practice that one for the media? He, like, almost didn't talk. Not in this one. Mark Pope said he's yelling.

[Ryan]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

He's, like, going at him.

[Drew]

Well, Alex Wilkins, when I interviewed him a week or two ago, he said, I've seen people say Dark Pope online. I just want you all to know that's how he is behind the scenes. He's intense. And I was thinking, really?

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. I mean, the practices last year, I went to 2, and he didn't speak during most of them. He was very quiet. I don't know. Not speak. But, like, he let it. But not in this one. He stopped practice three or four times when they would do one little thing wrong. Reminds me that's kind of how Cal could be sometimes.

[Jack Givens]

Yeah.

[Drew]

Fox was running most of with the clipboard out there, but again, they just have so many people involved, even if they weren't coaching. Like, the sideline was full of people with iPads and clipboards, and so that was exciting.

[Matt Jones]

I'm glad they did it.

[Ryan]

We all got a chance to go down there, at least.

[Matt Jones]

Yes.

[Ryan]

Soaking in a little bit.

[Matt Jones]

Shannon. Shannon didn't get to see anything, so that's okay.

[Shannon]

I got talked to Goose, though, so that's. That's good enough for me.

[Matt Jones]

Jack Givens just called in.

[Shannon]

He did well. Yeah.

[Ryan]

We just told the story how Pope shushed somebody in the crowd, and then somebody let us know. He shushed Goose. Goose, like, called in, right.

[Matt Jones]

Right after he told Jack Givens to stop talking.

[Ryan]

He turned around. I don't think he knew who it was that was talking. He's turned around like, guys, guys. And it was Goose and an assistant.

[Matt Jones]

Well, I don't know if you all. You all had preacher on here, right?

[Ryan]

Yes.

[Matt Jones]

He came and sat right next to us. He was yelling.

[Ryan]

I looked at him when he was on the call.

[Matt Jones]

It's dead silent in there, so if you talk.

[Drew]

He sat down right next to me, just yapping.

[Matt Jones]

He was yelling.

[Drew]

Are you talking to the show?

[Ryan]

Yeah. He gave us a live report yeah,

[Drew]

we saw Sam, our other correspondent.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. So that was. That was neat. Good job uk.

[Ryan]

Absolutely.

[Matt Jones]

Good job UK for doing that. And then football is this afternoon, and

[Ryan]

it's open just to the media, right?

[Matt Jones]

It's just to the media, yes. Ryan, do you know a young professional who's making Kentucky better?

[Ryan]

Oh, why don't you tell me about one?

[Matt Jones]

Well, no, I'm just asking. Do you know one?

[Ryan]

Yeah. Mario Maitland.

[Matt Jones]

Okay. So you could nominate him for 2026 young professional of the year. Well, I'm going to someone under 40 who's making a difference through leadership.

[Ryan]

Yes.

[Matt Jones]

Innovation, service to their career and community.

[Ryan]

That's.

[Matt Jones]

Mario, you should nominate.

[Ryan]

I think I will nominate Mario.

[Matt Jones]

Well, can I tell you how to do it?

[Ryan]

Please do.

[Matt Jones]

The winner will be recognized September 21st in Louisville. Nominations are easy. KY Chamber.com/YP Award. Young Professional.

[Ryan]

Gotcha.

[Matt Jones]

YP Awards. So KY Chamber.com/KY Professional. You did. You got none of it.

[Drew]

There's a Y in there.

[Ryan]

Kp Kentucky Professional.

[Matt Jones]

No. Let's try again.

[Ryan]

All right.

[Matt Jones]

What's the name of the award?

[Ryan]

Kentuckychamber.com that's not the award.

[Matt Jones]

What is the name of the award?

[Ryan]

A young professional award.

[Matt Jones]

So kychamber.com ypaward there you go.

[Drew]

We got him there.

[Matt Jones]

Dot com. You can nominate it. And you don't just have to be. Ryan, if you know a Young professional under 40.

[Ryan]

Under 40.

[Matt Jones]

You can nominate [e-mail] YP award.

[Ryan]

I'm going to do it.

[Matt Jones]

No, you're not.

[Ryan]

I will for Mario.

[Matt Jones]

You will?

[Ryan]

Yeah. Why not?

[Matt Jones]

Okay. What if he wins?

[Ryan]

Then we'd all take part in it. We'd all brag on him.

[Matt Jones]

Yes. And you could be the one. You could be the one that introduced.

[Ryan]

I am going to. I'm going to nominate him.

[Drew]

What's the address again?

[Shannon]

He's already forgotten.

[Ryan]

Kychamber.com yp award.

[Matt Jones]

There you go. Who's next? Shannon.

[Shannon]

Lines are open.

[Matt Jones]

Oh, yeah. I was gonna send somebody. All right. So I'm a little more excited about the. The basketball now.

[Ryan]

Are you more excited, Drew?

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. You're Mr. Negative. On the way back, he was like, oh, this team. I'm just kidding.

[Drew]

I don't want to make. Just sound like I'm a hater. No, it's fun, but it didn't change my, like, outlook for the season or anything. Again, I don't want people to think, I think we're going to stink. I think we're going to be good. But good hadn't been good. Enough lately. I want to be great again. So. I mean, five minutes over there, I didn't. I'm not going. I'm not going to pretend like I just saw greatness walking around, but that was really cool. I don't want to downplay it with my overall thoughts on what's ahead.

[Ryan]

The only guy that we saw Pope kind of get onto was njai. Kind of got him that one.

[Matt Jones]

He's long, though.

[Drew]

I have no idea what to make of him. His jumper is pretty, but I don't.

[Matt Jones]

He's very long.

[Ryan]

Very long.

[Matt Jones]

You could tell. I don't know, though. I don't know what to make of him yet either. He seems like he kind of.

[Ryan]

He wears number 19.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. What's wrong with 19?

[Ryan]

That's just kind of a weird number to have for a basketball player.

[Matt Jones]

Have we ever had a 19?

[Drew]

That's got to be a no because

[Matt Jones]

you couldn't have the 1 through 5. What's wrong with 19?

[Ryan]

I just don't know anybody. Any basketball player that. Ever since.

[Matt Jones]

Let's look. I bet you there are some great basketball players.

[Drew]

I actually have the list of nineteens at Kentucky.

[Jack Givens]

Right.

[Matt Jones]

Okay.

[Drew]

Forest sale.

[Matt Jones]

Oh, he's good.

[Drew]

Yeah. Walter White. No, Waller White.

[Matt Jones]

Walter White. He sold drugs on Breaking Bad.

[Drew]

Jim Weber, Jack Tingle, Jack Parkinson, Walter Hirsch, George Cook and Willie Rouse. Fun fact. Two different players from Lawrenceburg who attended Kavanaugh. Both were number 19, decades apart in history.

[Matt Jones]

Here's who wore it in the NBA. Willis Reed.

[Ryan]

Oh, that's a good one.

[Matt Jones]

Hey, do Turkaloo.

[Ryan]

Okay.

[Matt Jones]

You remember him?

[Ryan]

Couldn't remember who he played for.

[Matt Jones]

Sam Cassell.

[Ryan]

Yeah. From Florida State.

[Matt Jones]

Don Nelson.

[Ryan]

Boston Celtics.

[Matt Jones]

There you go. So that's a good group.

[Ryan]

There you go. Now in jai.

[Matt Jones]

And now in Jai, number 19.

[Ryan]

Nobody's wanted a UK since the 1930s.

[Matt Jones]

Good. Now he's got an open path to be good. So there you go. And Bob Koozie.

[Ryan]

Bob Koozie. War number 19. Maybe at Holy Cross.

[Matt Jones]

Maybe once says he wore it for the Cincinnati Royals. But he was known for the Celtics. Right. So maybe that wasn't. All right. Draftkings. The Reds go for the sweep tonight or today. Here in 40 minutes. An afternoon game against the A's, I think. I don't know who's pitching, but Reds win this game. By the way, they're only one game under.500, which is amazing considering how terrible.

[Ryan]

That's why they didn't make all the big trades. They're making that wild card run.

[Matt Jones]

Do they get the win?

[Ryan]

Yes.

[Drew]

I will say they get it done. They're going to turn things around and get you excited again.

[Matt Jones]

They're not going to get me excited. Abbott's pitching by the way, Abbott's pitching so he's sure. Well, it's an afternoon though. I think our record this year is like oh and nine on Thursday afternoon games.

[Drew]

He's pitching against a guy who doesn't have a picture on ESPN.com oh, that's good.

[Ryan]

So you're saying they're due, they're due to win one on Thursday afternoon.

[Matt Jones]

I don't, I honestly don't think they've won a Thursday afternoon game all year. I think all there's literally like oh and nine. So I'm going to take the ace unfortunately tomorrow. We'll be back. Thank you everybody who participated today. We will see you later. I'm at three o' clock on ESPN if you're feeling it. This is KSR.