KSR Postgame UK MBB at Tennessee – January 17, 2026

Hosts: Drew Franklin & Billy Rutledge

Podcast: KSR Postgame Show

Coverage: Kentucky Wildcats (UK) men's basketball at Tennessee Volunteers

Main Theme & Episode Overview

This postgame episode captures the exhilarating aftermath of Kentucky’s dramatic 80-78 come-from-behind victory over Tennessee in Knoxville. The KSR crew (Drew Franklin and Billy Rutledge) revel in the joy of another road win against a bitter rival, dissect the Cats’ wild second-half comeback, identify key player performances, and share listener calls that echo the euphoric mood of Big Blue Nation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Game Recap: The Comeback Cats Strike Again

• Kentucky erased a 17-point deficit to steal a win over the Vols – making it six wins in the last seven trips to Knoxville.
• Kentucky trailed by double digits most of the first half and only led the game for the final 34 seconds.
• Drew Franklin (02:25):
  “That’s what Kentucky has started doing lately and they did it again today. I never doubted! … Such a fun win with Kentucky doing that second half comeback thing once again … 34 seconds is all they needed.”
• Halftime adjustments by Coach Mark Pope were highlighted as crucial, with the staff “collecting the data, Pope went into the lab … spits out the plan for the second half” (04:04).

2. Player Performances & Key Contributors

• Denzel Aberdeen: Led UK with 22 points and played the key offensive role, especially in the second half.
• Jasper Johnson: Sparked the offense in the first half (3-for-3, 8 points), kept UK afloat during Aberdeen’s foul trouble, and provided a “Johnny Rocker Moneymaker of the Game” performance (22:47).
• Colin Chandler: Provided a game-altering steal and hit 4-of-6 threes.
  • Listener Bluegrass (18:55): “When you saw Chandler get that steal … Was you nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs?”
• Modi Bate: Big bench production, 10 pts/6 rebs, praised for hustle and energy after a rough patch.
• Otega Oweh: Streak of 20+ point games ended, but still made “impact plays late, including that big play to give them the lead.”

3. Game Flow, Adversity, & Team Identity

• Discussion of recurring slow first halves followed by furious second-half rallies.
  • Billy Rutledge (05:04): “Ridiculous first half again. … Groundhog Day … What’s it going to take to stop these slow starts?”
• The “identity” of the team was questioned—are they really a comeback unit, or do early struggles mask their potential?
• Noted that Kentucky’s depth has allowed different players to step up every game:
  • “Who’s going to step up? Could be a different person each game at this point.” (07:37)

4. Physicality, Defense, and Adjustments

• Kentucky was out-rebounded early but “turned up the toughness and physicality” as the game went on.
• Malachi Moreno’s four blocks and Diabate’s hustle were pivotal in the late stages.
• UK held Tennessee to zero field goals over the final 5:30.
  • Billy (09:09): “When you hold Tennessee to zero field goals in the final 5 minutes and 30 seconds … You’re gonna give yourself a chance to win.”
• Mark Pope went 2-for-2 on coaching challenges in high-leverage spots (19:51), showing sharp in-game management.

5. Fan & Listener Engagement / Rivalry Banter

• Callers from Tennessee and border areas expressed the emotional stakes of the rivalry:
  • Mike (16:15): “I live here in Knoxville and I’m a UK fan, so you guys gotta understand just how this makes me feel… when I go to work I can walk in and be like C-A-T-S, Cats, cats, cats.”
• Listeners debated if it’s more satisfying to beat Tennessee or Louisville.
• Drew called his Tennessee-fan dad (“Vol Cave” and all), teasing about the pain of blowing a 17-point lead:
  • Drew’s Dad (40:05): “We deserve to lose… turnovers and missed free throws… Congrats to the Cats. They are obviously a second half team.”

6. Memorable Moments, Locker Room Details, and Off-Court Fun

• Celebratory scenes: Mark Pope dragged Garrison away from the Tennessee team in postgame chaos; UK locker room was rowdy and energized.
• Drew: “Mark Pope got the—what was it—water or Gatorade bath afterwards? … Think they’re starting to build a little momentum?” (10:30)
• Rocky Top trolling, singing, and joking about the “Food City Center” ownership.
• Ongoing inside jokes: “Bruh” Johnson (Jasper’s nickname), “Clawback Cats” as a fan nickname; callers added suggestions like “Cardiac Cats” and “Comeback Cats.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Lines

• Drew Franklin (02:25): “I hate Tennessee. Today I hated ‘em yesterday, I’ll hate ‘em tomorrow, I’ll hate ‘em forever.”
• Billy Rutledge (09:09): “This is a great win, Drew. I mean, when you hold Tennessee to zero field goals in the final 5 minutes and 30 seconds of the game, you’re gonna give yourself a chance to win.”
• Caller Wild Bill (13:42): “They low down. They dirty. They some snitches. Eat it, Tennessee. Go Cats!”
• Caller Mark Anthony (28:06): “On Wednesday evening, just before you go out for the tip-off, tell the boys: ‘Now listen, let’s adhere to the game plan and go out and win this second half!’ Maybe they’ll get fooled and go out and think it’s the second half.”
• Jasper Johnson’s role:
  • Dave (14:18): “We have to figure out a way to get Jasper Johnson more minutes. He’s the most complete offensive player that we’ve got.”
• On Coach Pope:
  • “Two for two on challenges. You can’t teach that.” (20:08)
• Stat of the Night (24:46):
  • “Tennessee is 102–2 in their last 104 home games when leading at halftime. The two losses? Both to Kentucky (this year and last year).”
• Postgame Caller Buddy (59:11): “I think we all call them the Thermonuclear Cats—you know, we just destroyed that Knoxville…”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:25] – Opening: Kentucky wins, Drew’s emotional high, anti-Tennessee banter
• [05:04] – First half struggles, recurring comeback script
• [07:37] – Player Discussion, depth, and box score surprises
• [09:09] – Defense locks down, locker room celebration stories
• [14:18] – Listener Dave on Jasper Johnson’s importance
• [18:53] – Listener Bluegrass, Chandler’s clutch, guard combinations
• [22:47] – “Johnny Rocker Moneymaker of the Game” awarded to Jasper Johnson
• [23:57] – Mark Pope likens Diabate’s toughness to Steph Curry’s shooting
• [24:46] – Historic Tennessee stat: only two home halftime-lead losses in years, both to UK
• [37:23] – Caller Josh: “One thing better than road wins is watching Vols fans’ faces when we steal it at the end”
• [39:54] – Drew’s dad, Tennessee fan, is called live for reactions
• [45:14] – House-divided stories, kids celebrating, teaching fandom
• [52:52] – Listener calls Malachi Moreno’s game winner “divine intervention” (Malachi 1:5 reference)
• [55:55] – Syndicate’s “Teen Wolf” analogy for Jasper Johnson’s evolution
• [59:12] – Buddy’s debut, Rocky Top parody, suggesting “Thermonuclear Cats” nickname

Fan-Led Segment Highlights

• Crazy caller energy: Fans from Knoxville and border regions, hilarious “fairground” noises, singing, and comic analogies (“nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs”).
• House-divided stories (UK/Louisville, UK/Tennessee), with parents and kids weighing in.
• Nicknaming the team (“Clawback Cats,” “Cardiac Cats”) and fan advice for Drew’s impending girl-dad status.
• Touching tribute: Caller acknowledges late fan Jerry Tackett—a UK supporter in Tennessee Vols territory.

Closing Thoughts & Tone

The episode is pure Kentucky fandom—jubilant, irreverent, and full of inside jokes about rivals, team identity crises, and bench dynamics. The hosts bounce from technical basketball breakdowns to playful ribbing of Tennessee fans (including Drew’s dad), and the energy never dips below raucous as calls pour in all hour. The recurring theme is UK’s newfound grit: a team that keeps clawing back, refuses to fold, and—though still flawed—has BBN justifiably optimistic for the rest of the SEC season.

For those who missed the episode:

This postgame show is equal parts catharsis and chaos: a celebration of Kentucky’s resilience, grit, and ability to break Tennessee hearts in their own building. The interplay between hosts, callers, and locker room stories makes it an essential listen—or, thanks to this summary, a vivid, replayable read.

Go Cats! Beat Tennessee (again).