KSR Postgame Show: Kentucky MBB vs. Georgetown Exhibition (10/30/25)
Date: October 31, 2025
Hosts: Matt Jones & Billy Rutledge
Podcast: KSR (iHeartPodcasts/Sports Talk 790 WKRD-AM)
Episode Overview
Matt Jones and the KSR team dissect a surprising and disappointing loss by Kentucky men’s basketball to Georgetown (84-70) in a preseason exhibition at Rupp Arena. They analyze what went wrong, how it contrasts sharply with the high from beating Purdue days earlier, and what the game reveals about the current roster, coach Mark Pope's system, and the outlook for the regular season starting next week. The show also features a lively call-in segment with both thoughtful and humorous takes from fans.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Contrasting Emotions: Purdue High to Georgetown Low
- Matt Jones: Opens acknowledging the emotional whiplash for fans: "It's very rare you'll see two games that give you such divergent emotions. You play the #1 team in the country... then you play just a few days later and you look actually really bad and absolutely get physically dominated..." (03:00)
- Reiterates that despite being an exhibition, Kentucky "tried to win this game as much as they tried to win the game the other night." (03:55)
2. Impact of Missing Point Guards
- Kentucky was without both primary point guards, Jalen Lowe and Denzel Aberdeen.
- Matt Jones: "This is now the second straight year... where you've had to play games... where you don't have your starting two point guards. And I think what's become clear to me... is it is just really, really difficult to play Mark Pope's system without a really good point guard." (04:05)
- The offense was "stagnant" without a true PG, leading to poor ball movement and easy looks for Georgetown.
3. Offensive Struggles & Poor Shooting
- Pointed criticism of Colin Chandler, Cam Williams, and Trent Noah's shooting: "Between him, Cam Williams and Trent Noah, they went 2 of 15 from 3... If you get two out of 15, you're going to have a hard time winning the game." (05:10)
- Stressed that Mark Pope's system depends on hitting open threes; concern heightened by the team's 16-of-60 three-point shooting over two exhibitions.
- Billy: "They were O of 13 in the second half." (13:01)
- Matt Jones: "I was worried about three-point shooting coming in and I'm still worried about it." (13:13)
4. Lack of Physicality & Energy
- Georgetown "physically dominated" Kentucky, drawing direct comparison to UK's performance last year vs. Ohio State at MSG.
- Matt Jones: "It was like a team that got punched in the mouth and didn't really know how to handle it." (07:50)
- Questioned overall effort, especially from key players: "Effort was a little down tonight..." (09:35)
5. Team Identity: Sum Greater Than Its Parts
- Candid discussion about roster talent: "This team, actually, I don't think has... overwhelming talent... But collectively, because they have two of everything and because they're smart and because they give effort... they can collectively become very, very difficult. But they have to do it collectively." (09:25)
- Quoting Mark Pope postgame:
"I think this team has potential, but we're not runaway good... We can be team great if we lean into each other. But we're not going to go out and dominate people because our individual talent is overwhelming." (08:55)
— Mark Pope, relayed by Matt Jones
6. The Crowd & Fan Expectations
- Some texts blamed the "bad crowd" for the lack of energy, but Matt and Billy challenged that notion.
- Matt Jones: "You have to have something to cheer for, don't you?" (15:25)
- Warned fans not to overreact: “We probably got too excited last game, will be too down this game, and the answer’s somewhere in between.” (18:40)
7. Point Guard Debate & Ceiling Discussion
- Several callers—Mo, Taylor, Jake—wrestled with the roster’s guard depth and ceiling.
- Matt Jones: "Colin Chandler... still got a chance to be a really good player, but he's a two or three. He's not a point guard." (18:13)
- On offensive limitations: "Does that impact the ceiling at all? I mean, we don't have a Walter Clayton. We don't have a John Wall...” (20:12)
- Matt remains optimistic if Jaylen Lowe and Denzel Aberdeen return: "This is Jalen Lowe. We will be as good as Jalen Lowe is." (13:45)
8. Recruiting, Scheme, & Mark Pope's System
- Jake: Questions if using big men to start zoom action will hurt PG recruiting.
- Matt Jones: “My guess is you're going to see a lot more traditional point guard action when you have a traditional point guard in there, which we don't have right now.” (23:58)
9. Leadership and In-Game Adjustments
- Callers lamented lack of on-court leadership and questioned if Mark Pope’s playbook was too easy to scout.
- Matt Jones: "Ultimately, if it is the case that... Georgetown scouted us and knew exactly what we're gonna do and stopped it, then my argument would be we should have been a little bit harder for them to scout.” (54:25)
10. Comparative Takes & Broader College Basketball Trends
- Matt contextualized the loss within college basketball’s new “parity” with talent spread out via NIL:
“I don't know if there's any team in college basketball that's uber elite talent... The reason you win and lose games is going to be matchups, coaching, and guys filling roles.” (32:20)
- NBA analogy: more up-and-down games, less dominance by top teams in any one contest.
11. Upcoming Schedule and Rivalry Outlook
- Nichols and Valparaiso up next—both games Kentucky "should win." (55:43)
- Looking ahead to Louisville: Matt expects a much tougher test, particularly on the road. "That game's going to be hard. I would argue that might be the hardest non-conference game we play because it's on their floor." (65:47)
Notable Quotes & Moments
On the loss and team approach:
- "It was like a team that got punched in the mouth and didn’t really know how to handle it.” — Matt Jones (07:50)
On point guard dependence:
- “This is Jalen Lowe. We will be as good as Jalen Lowe is.” — Matt Jones (13:45)
Mark Pope, postgame (via Matt):
- “I think this team has potential, but we’re not runaway good... We can be team great if we lean into each other. But we’re not going to go out and dominate people because our individual talent is overwhelming.” (08:55)
Advice for fans:
- “We probably got too excited last game, will be too down this game, and the answer’s somewhere in between.” — Matt Jones (18:40)
On shooting concerns:
- “I was worried about three-point shooting coming in and I’m still worried about it.” — Matt Jones (13:13)
Humor & Levity:
- Halloween-themed call: “I think the cats and our fans have swallowed the Blue Boo-lead tonight. ... Anybody who’s worried about how this team’s going to be this year will be just a bunch of hocus pocus.” — Mitch (34:13)
- Caller Ian does a “Coach O” impression and makes Matt laugh with the “outstanding in his field” joke. (59:41–60:30)
- Segment on Matt’s “wildly unknown” public persona and possible Halloween costumes. (48:37+)
Timestamps of Key Segments
- Start of postgame content: 01:58
- Breakdown of loss, missing PGs: 03:55–07:00
- Pope’s postgame quote on team identity: 08:55–09:30
- Three-point shooting woes: 13:05
- Discussion on the crowd/fan blame: 15:25–16:55
- Point guard debate (Mo, Taylor, Jake): 16:58–24:47
- Mark Pope system & recruiting: 23:58–25:55
- Matt’s contextual thoughts on parity: 32:20
- Halloween humor, caller impressions: 34:06, 59:41
- Debate on team limits and Louisville outlook: 65:35–66:47
Summary: Takeaways for Kentucky Fans
- Don’t panic: The loss hurts, but it’s an exhibition without crucial personnel.
- Kentucky’s ceiling this year is closely tied to having healthy, competent point guard play, especially from Jalen Lowe and Denzel Aberdeen.
- Expect growing pains: This roster isn't loaded with NBA lottery talent, so collective effort, sharp shooting, and role clarity are mandatory.
- Physical teams are a challenge: Expect SEC opponents to mimic Georgetown’s blueprint.
- Coaching matters more in a parity landscape: Matt Jones is optimistic Mark Pope is well-suited for this new era.
- Next games (Nichols, Valparaiso) are crucial for confidence-building before a tricky road trip to Louisville.
Character & Tone
- The show balances heavy analysis with signature KSR humor and caller variety.
- Matt Jones is honest, measured, and occasionally self-deprecating.
- There’s clear frustration but also perspective and pragmatism—encouraging UK fans to keep the faith and not react too wildly in either direction.
Closing Note
The regular season begins Tuesday, with Kentucky focused on finding its rhythm, getting healthy, and turning this exhibition wakeup call into a learning experience. As always, KSR will be there, bringing both insight and laughter to Big Blue Nation.