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- [00:00]
Matt Jones
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- [00:30]
Billy Rutledge
Welcome everyone. It is the Local Toy Dealers KSR Post Game show why don't you tell me this before I start Billy it's the KSR Local Toy Dealers KSR Postgame Show. We are here after a 9564 Kentucky absolute beatdown of the Vanderbilt Commodores in Rupp arena on Senior Night. A feel good game where Kentucky basically did everything they wanted to do against an LSU team that was not up to the task of playing in the game. We're going to talk about the game, but there's a lot going on that affects Kentucky right now, including a Texas Mississippi State game that it looked like Texas was going to win and they absolutely blew in a way that was amazing to watch and and they're going to overtime now and if Texas had won it would have guaranteed Kentucky a buy in the SEC tournament and now I don't know if that's going to happen, but Arkansas is playing Vandy. If Arkansas were to win, I think we're close to guarantee. There's a lot of different ramifications, but there are games that put Kentucky with a chance to have a buy in the first round of the SEC tournament. But none of it would have mattered if Kentucky lost and they did not. 9564 win in which they dominated. I thought it was a feel good game. Obviously away had 24 but no other starter had double digits. So after the last game when it felt like no one except the starters played well, this was a game where three guys off the bench had double digits. Ansley Almondor 15, Brandon Garrison 15, Colin Chandler 11. And you go from five points off the bench to just those guys with 41 points off the bench. That's a pretty good change. And it was Senior night for six guys that as we talked about multiple times today, both on the regular show and the pregame show. You know, these are guys who basically I think brought back the fan excitement that had been missing the last few years around the Program still remains to be seen what they'll do in March still remains to be seen how the season will be remembered. But regardless, this was a program that needed an injection of life and this group of transfers did it. And I thought it was great to have them go out with a victory like this. Some thoughts just on the game going forward. I thought the key was Kentucky getting the pace where they wanted to. They were able to get out in transition. It did not look to me like lsu, especially in the first half had the energy Kentucky did. And Kentucky was able to take it advantage of that and get up and down the floor, play with pace, get an extra step. They made threes, obviously it was the 17th game. They hit double digit threes May, but they, they made 12 and they took 32 and you know, we've talked a lot about getting that 30 to 35, three point mark. When you do and then you make 12, this team can be pretty tough to beat. So I like that. I, I loved a couple things I really loved. I loved how Brandon Garrison played. I did not think he played well against Auburn, but now he's two out of the last three games played well. If you consider Oklahoma, that's good going in the postseason. You know, I'm not going to get too frisky about Colin Chandler because I don't want to, you know, I mean, he hasn't played a lot of the year. But I tell you what, the Colin Chandler you saw tonight is a guy who could, he's not going to substitute. He's not going to like, you know, change, not going to substitute for Jackson, Robinson, but man, if he could give you games like that on a regular basis in March even I'd have to score 11 points. If he can just hit knock down open threes and if he can play defense, he can be a key contributor. I've kind of felt like without when they had Robinson, I felt like they had really eight guys that they could rely on. And I've kind of felt like we were a guy short. And I'm not saying Colin Chandler can be that guy every game, but if he can be it in some games, his athleticism allows him not to kind of get taken on defense like some of the other guys and you'd have a lot more freedom for Mark Pope to do stuff. So I was very excited that to me he's the biggest takeaway of the game because if he can play anywhere close to that the rest of this year. Okay, now, now, now you're talking about something they hit the Boards well, shot well. Crab was into it. It was. It was a great night. And I love the story Mark Pope told at the end, which maybe you heard during his comments about the. The young man, Zach Tao, who is from. I mean, it's a great story from Madisonville. Mark Pope had open tryouts for a walk on this year. Zach got picked. They intentionally. I wondered because even though he was at everything, they never listed him as exactly on the team. And so I didn't know was he on the team. He didn't dress out for games. It was. It was hard to really know what was going on. Well, I guess they made the decision to let him dress out on senior night. Lamont Butler presented him the jersey right before the game. And as I was lit and you know, that's a kid from Kentucky who now, because not only he got to wear the jersey, because he got to check in with 0.2 seconds left, he will now go down as a Kentucky basketball player officially. I don't know if he would have done that unless he had gotten in the game. That's what this whole thing is about. And you go and look at this year again, we'll see what happens in March. We'll see what happens in the SEC tournament, we'll see what happens in the NCAA tournament. But what has become clear is something that I think had been lost a little bit in recent years. This name on the front over name on the back, right. That really kind of came back in this. In this season. And you had a lot of players who were very appreciative to be on this roster. A lot of players who were very excited to get a chance to be at Kentucky. And this group did that. And then they also won a lot against really good teams. And now we go into March, who knows, with a chance to make a run. I thought it was interesting. Mark Pope said, you know, we're going to miss Jackson Robinson, but now we at least know who our team is. And that's right. This is our team. We're not fully healthy. We don't have Creeso or Robinson, but we are fully healthy with the guys that are on the team. And now we see what we have. You got five starters that can all play. I think you got five starters that can compete with anybody in the country. Can we get three bench guys to play with them? Think if we can, this team can really make a little bit of noise. 859-280-2287 Texas has not given up yet. They're up three with a minute and A half to go. Although they once again turned the ball over and ends up in a dunk on the other side. I don't know. They don't want to win this game, but hopefully they do because if they do, I'm looking at this. If they can, if, if they lose and then Arkansas beats Vandy. Billy, I think we're guaranteed to buy in the SEC term.
- [08:05]
Matt Jones
That's what I was going to ask. Are we rooting for Arkansas tonight too?
- [08:08]
Billy Rutledge
I am, I am. I mean, I think even, even if Mississippi State wins, I'm still rooting for Arkansas because we have the tiebreaker on Mississippi State. We Vandy, we split with. So the tiebreaker becomes a little complicated when Vandy's in. Who does Mississippi State play in their next game? Mississippi State plays at Arkansas. So again we almost need to root for Cow twice in order to. To make sure we get our buy. 859280, 2287 we will take a break and be right back. This is the local Toyota dealers KSR postgame show. Welcome back. It is the local toy dealers KSR post game show. Since we took a break, the Texas Mississippi State game has been at the monitor the entire time. So there you go, Philly. That's one thing that's consistent in college basketball is we do need to spend a lot of time at the monitor because that ultimately is where it is. They're looking to see if Texas stepped out of bounds and they've been looking at it for three or four minutes. And in my view, if you can't see him out of bounds in three or four minutes, Bill, he's not out of bounds, right? Just make a call. Just look at it like, what are you looking at, Doug? Shaz, are you doing long division? Like, get off the camera. These guys drive me crazy. There is nothing in my. That is frustrating me more about college basketball. I mean, look at that. They're still looking at this. Billy, it's been going on for four minutes. What could they be looking at?
- [09:32]
Matt Jones
Yeah, I don't know. I'm just surprised that you're not watching the Trump address right now. You got basketball on.
- [09:37]
Billy Rutledge
I haven't watched the State of the Union since Obama and I don't expect to start anytime soon. Like they're. It's like those things used to have dignity and now everybody screams at each other. It's not, not worth it. But I'd rather look at that than Doug shall looking into that microphone. Who's next?
- [09:55]
Matt Jones
Soul Train.
- [09:56]
Billy Rutledge
Soul Train. He was at the bar today. How Are you Soul Train?
- [09:59]
Caller
Yes, I am doing fine. Matt Jones. It was awesome at the Games tonight, I'll tell you. I got the crowd pumped up, and I even had them had their hands up every time we went to the free throw line. And guess what? They made every single free throw. It's my first. Yep. It was the first UK game I went to since the. Since 2018. Well, actually, 2017. 2018. Somewhere around there. But, like, it's an awesome experience.
- [10:28]
Billy Rutledge
Well, I'm glad you had a good time. It looked like a good crowd, and it was nice to see you today, and I'm glad you enjoyed it.
- [10:36]
Caller
I'm glad I enjoyed it, too. And this is my first time ever calling your show. And, you know, I listen to it and I enjoy every minute of it.
- [10:43]
Billy Rutledge
Appreciate it. Thank you very much. Soul trade 859. Did he say this is the first time calling? Oh, hua. I thought he said it was the first time listening, but that would have been nice, too, right, if it was his first time listening. 859-280-2287. Boy, I tell you, man, Texas coach looks like Gus freeing on Breaking Bad America. I mean, he looks just like him. What's his name? Rodney? Terry. Yes, that's it. All right, go ahead. Who's next?
- [11:10]
Matt Jones
Miranda.
- [11:11]
Billy Rutledge
Miranda. Go ahead, Miranda.
- [11:16]
Caller
Hey, guys.
- [11:17]
Billy Rutledge
Sorry.
- [11:17]
Caller
This is the first time I've called.
- [11:23]
Billy Rutledge
What's up?
- [11:25]
Caller
Sorry.
- [11:26]
Billy Rutledge
I just. Say sorry. Just give me. Give me what you got.
- [11:29]
Caller
Yes, I got you Kentucky Forest, and I was, like, playing Rent at Rep Arena. Ellis, you didn't have a chance to settle in. Oh, yeah.
- [11:43]
Billy Rutledge
Anyone? Did you have fun at the game, Miranda?
- [11:48]
Caller
I did, but now I'm really embarrassed. Oh, I'm gonna hang up.
- [11:53]
Billy Rutledge
You all go.
- [11:53]
Caller
Cat. Oh, my goodness. I just. I wanted to call in really badly, and I just didn't want to sound stupid, so.
- [12:06]
Billy Rutledge
You don't sound stupid. You sound excited. So I appreciate. Appreciate the call. Thank you, Miranda. You keep telling me to turn it down. Billy. I cannot turn this down.
- [12:15]
Matt Jones
I may need you to turn it down even more. I apologize.
- [12:17]
Billy Rutledge
There's no. There's. There's no other volume level to go. It is on the lowest level.
- [12:22]
Matt Jones
We've got to fix something here.
- [12:24]
Billy Rutledge
What do you want me to do? I don't know what you want me to do.
- [12:26]
Matt Jones
Turn it down a little bit more.
- [12:27]
Billy Rutledge
There's. I'm going to have to turn it off. And seriously, if you don't. I mean, this is all I got. Who's next?
- [12:32]
Matt Jones
Ed.
- [12:33]
Billy Rutledge
Ed. Go ahead, Ed.
- [12:36]
Caller
Hey, Matt. First Time caller.
- [12:39]
Billy Rutledge
What's. What's going on?
- [12:43]
Caller
A couple things you said last week I just wanted to piggyback off of is to make up for Jackson Robinson. You talked about the first five guys, the starters, what they need to do in the second tier being Alamore and Garrison. And then the three freshmen had to produce more than one point, which I thought tonight, you know, with Chandler, it was amazing watching him. And he seems to be one that's kind of coming into his own as a freshman, which is great to see and see his confidence rise. But do you think, and I'll share this real quick, let you all talk about it, do you think with all the starters that if they could average about 4 to 6 points above their average with the next two, probably about the same. And with what Chandler did tonight with the three freshmen, maybe for them to try to combine for 10 to 12 points coming off the bench in the roles that they play and also, you know, with the rebounding and assist.
- [13:48]
Billy Rutledge
Well, I mean, you're asking them to. You're asking them to have like a crazy amount of points there. I mean, like, if you have each starter get six more points, that's 30 more points. And then you do the same for the bench, you're scoring 50 more points. Yes, if we score 50 more points, we will win more games, but I guess I'm not doing my. Yeah, 30, so. But yes, we need them to play better. I don't know if you can expect them to, to, you know, play that level of better.
- [14:17]
Caller
Okay. Yeah, that makes sense. Yeah. Yeah, I probably exaggerated a little bit. I'm glad, you know, that's what I want to bounce off of you and. But hey, I just want to thank you guys because, you know, being in. I was retired military, I was deployed for three years from 2018-20 in the middle east and you all really kept. Kept my spirits up and staying engaged. And I appreciate your all pre and post game shows and your afternoon call in shows. So thank you for everything you all do.
- [14:49]
Billy Rutledge
Thank you very much. Appreciate it. 8, 5 9. And thank you for your service, sir. 859-28022. 87. Texas, once again, they're gonna blow it again. They were up five points with a minute 15 and now Mississippi State's about to tie it. This Texas may be the worst clutch. How did we lose and did we lose to them in the clutch? Yeah, we did. They're the worst clutch team I've ever seen and they beat us in the clutch. How did that happen? All right, who's next.
- [15:16]
Matt Jones
Duncan.
- [15:17]
Billy Rutledge
Duncan. Go ahead, Duncan.
- [15:20]
Caller
Hey, what's up, Matt? Love the show. I just had a quick question. So now we only have one more game left in the season, and we obviously still have the SEC tournament, but where do you see us at this point, like in March? Do you think maybe this is a Sweet 16 Elite 8 year, we can get things going, or do you think.
- [15:40]
Billy Rutledge
That'S going to be enough? Yeah, as I say, I feel. I say every time this comes up, the tournament is random. So it's all going to depend on the matchups. And, you know, I need to see what the bracket is. I think there's a big difference between this year being a three seed and being a four seed. I think if we beat Missouri on Saturday, we'll be a three seed. And if we are a three seed, I think if you look at the teams that could be the twos, we got a real shot to make a run to the Elite Eight. If you're a four, then it's going to depend on who your five is and who your one seed is. So I think the Missouri game is important. And then I think if you don't win the Missouri game, you know, getting a run in the. In the SEC tournament is important because I do think there's a big difference between it being a three and a four, because I think the one seeds are really good this year, but I think the two seeds are going to be beatable. And so I think it's just going to depend on which. Which seed we get.
- [16:47]
Caller
And the thing is, too, at the SEC tournament, I mean, if we get one or two games, I mean, that would pretty much solidify us as having a higher or a better seed, and that's going into the tournament. I've just been. I've been getting nervous with some of the pre things, but if we're an.
- [17:03]
Billy Rutledge
Eight seed, and I appreciate the call, if we're an eight seed, you're playing Auburn in the second game. It's going to be. It's going to be hard. And, you know, we need some of these teams to help us, but Texas could not be helping us less here in the. In the final moment. Let me. Since I'm saying the negative, let me give you some positives that could happen out of the bracket. All right? If Mississippi State could somehow win this game. Excuse me. If Texas could win this game and Arkansas could beat Vandy. If Auburn comes back and beats A and M, you know, there's a world. Billy, we could get all the way up to a five seat in the SEC tournament. That world exists.
- [17:39]
Matt Jones
I would love that. And avoid Auburn in that.
- [17:42]
Billy Rutledge
I mean, it's. A lot of things have to happen, but there's a world that you could get up to a five, and there's a real world you can get to a six, so. And now Mississippi State just misses two free throws.
- [17:55]
Matt Jones
There it is.
- [17:55]
Billy Rutledge
Boy, this is a. This is a. Which team can throw this away the most? Game. Who's next?
- [18:02]
Matt Jones
Farmer.
- [18:02]
Billy Rutledge
Farmer. Go ahead, Farmer.
- [18:06]
Caller
Yeah, I just want to say I really enjoyed the fact that we actually shot the three. We got above that 30 mark that we're looking for. We shot 32 of them, and we just out hustled them throughout the entire game. We hustled them and we shut down Damien Collins, their big man.
- [18:27]
Billy Rutledge
Yeah, they really did. They really played well against Damien, who. Who had some success against us last year when we played against him.
- [18:37]
Caller
Yeah, former cat. We love him. We know he's going through hard times when he was a cat, but we love him. But we shut him down this time. He gave him two points. And. Go, Cats.
- [18:51]
Billy Rutledge
I appreciate it. 859-280-2287. Let's take a break and come right back. The Cats with a massive win. First of, what are the very few comfortable SEC games we've had all year? I mean, we haven't had too many where we just had a lead at home and just one going away. Is this right? I guess this one in South Carolina are really our only two that have been like that, so it was nice to get it. We'll take a break. Be right back. I'm not sure I've ever seen an uglier basketball game than the end of this Texas Mississippi State game. But with all of it said, they got two free throws here. Mississippi State will take the loss, and it looks like they will, so that's good for Kentucky. So now Mississippi State has lost, so that means that Kentucky, they'll win a tiebreaker versus them. So really now, if we can get Vanderbilt to get a loss either tonight or in their next game, then Kentucky will be guaranteed a buy in the SEC tournament, which would be, I think, very important for them going forward. So Vandy is playing Arkansas. If Vandy either loses to Arkansas or if they lose, well, if they play at Georgia, I don't know if they'll lose that one or not. So we need. Come on, John, Cal, Perry, like, you know, can you give us one here, like, just for old time's sake? You all, you just. Just. Just get one for us. Here on the road. All right, who's up next?
- [20:13]
Matt Jones
Trevor.
- [20:14]
Billy Rutledge
Trevor. Go ahead, Trevor. And Texas wins. Go ahead.
- [20:17]
Caller
Hey, Matt. First time, long time.
- [20:19]
Billy Rutledge
Who are.
- [20:21]
Caller
Hey, I. I could be crazy because it displays into the season and it could be because I grew up in the southeast. Kentucky, we beaten banging around down low and coach Cal had a lot of those athletes. But I'm still not. I enjoy watching it, but I'm still not super confident in the three point game on the offense. Can you take some time to just boost my confidence a little bit?
- [20:44]
Billy Rutledge
What do you mean? When you say. When you say on the three point game, what do you mean?
- [20:50]
Caller
I'm used to watching ball. Back in the day, I can't watch the NBA anymore. I am used to playing ball under the basket, being big, not shoot.
- [20:58]
Billy Rutledge
That's just not what basketball is anymore. I mean, like it's. I mean it doesn't make sense to shoot under the basket unless you're open like I. We. If you look at the numbers back to the basket, basketball is next to long twos, the worst shots you can take. So I mean, this is basketball now is shooting threes and threes and layups. That's basketball.
- [21:23]
Caller
I get that and that definitely helps. I appreciate it.
- [21:26]
Billy Rutledge
Yeah. I mean, it's not like, you know, we have not shot the ball as well in SEC play for a variety of different reasons. But. But I do think the offensive style that Mark Pope plays is the right style for the future. It really is. I mean you. I think the way Auburn plays is honestly the way modern basketball on the college level is played. They shoot threes, everybody on the team can shoot, but they have one big who can kind of go inside outside with broom. And I think when Mark. I think if you were to ask Mark Pope at its best, what would you like your offense to look like? He probably say a lot like that Auburn team is. So, I mean, I think the days of going, okay, we've got. I mean when you have Anthony Davis, it's a little different because he's a special talent. But you remember that UConn team that won with a Mecca Okafor at the center and the offense went through him. I would be surprised if another team ever wins like that. I'm not saying it won't happen, but it would surprise me because it's just. It's just not the right way to play, to be honest. I got you.
- [22:34]
Caller
You are an attorney at heart, my friend.
- [22:36]
Billy Rutledge
I appreciate the call. You know, I mean, they like you look at like a team like Purdue like last year, Zach Edie was like, he's like seven foot three. He would still shoot three, you know, I mean, that's just what it is now. Like these guys, like the old days of, you know, twin towers and playing through the post. I. I just, I don't think you're going to see that very much unless you have a super special talent like an Anthony Davis type. And there just aren't many of those kind of guys that come around. Who's up next?
- [23:08]
Matt Jones
Henry.
- [23:09]
Billy Rutledge
Henry. Go ahead, Henry.
- [23:12]
Caller
Hey, Matt, do you think LSU is just really bad or do you think we might be playing with a little extra after losing Jacks and that sort of lackluster loss against Auburn last or on Saturday?
- [23:22]
Billy Rutledge
I think what happened is we got up big on LSU early and they kind of quit, to be honest with you. I think that was. This was the game we're getting off to that early start. You know, we were up, I think 20. We were up like 13 to start the game, maybe 218 or something. They put a mass sub in, or maybe it was 18, 5. Whatever it was, they put a mass sub in and then they kind of came back and then Pope went back to the starters and we put the foot on the gas again. Then I think they just quit. I think somewhere with about 6 minutes left in the first half, LSU just quit and really just kind of mailed it in the rest of the game. So they're not good. I don't think they're as bad as they were tonight. But part of it was us. We put our foot on the gas and they quit. Basically they stopped. As I think Jack Givens said on the postgame, they just didn't look like they cared about playing defense and we took advantage of it.
- [24:19]
Caller
Yep, completely agree. Thanks, Matt.
- [24:21]
Billy Rutledge
Appreciate it. Yeah, I mean, that's. I think that's our offense, if not at its best, pretty close to it. I mean, that, that our offense looked good and when we had Butler and away in, it looked really good. I mean, that. That's the best we. That's the best our offense has looked in quite some time. Now. Again, the opponent is not very good, so you do have to keep that in mind. I mean, well, they're okay, but they're not. But they quit. But part of that was what we did too. Who's next?
- [24:53]
Matt Jones
Dj?
- [24:54]
Billy Rutledge
DJ how are you, DJ I'm doing good, Matt.
- [25:00]
Caller
I just want to say I got to go to the game tonight. My brother in law gave me my dad some tickets, so thank you to Jacob, but What an incredible atmosphere. It was awesome. And then even after the game, I mean, we could talk about the game all day. It was awesome. But even after the game, me, my dad probably left 30, 30 minutes ago, and Mark Pope and the guys were still signing autographs. And some of the guys did leave, but Mark Pope was out there signing the autographs. And I'm. I mean, I wouldn't be surprised if he was still signing autographs. And he's just an awesome coach. And just shout out to Mark Pope.
- [25:35]
Billy Rutledge
Yeah, that's one thing that's great about him is he. You know, we talk about he gets the job. And they do that. They do that after every win, after every win. Home and away. They stay out there and sign. Sometimes they do it after losses, but they do it after every win. And, you know, I don't even think people realize often how long they stay for that. And tonight, with it being Senior Night, a lot of people stayed longer, and I think they were there about as long as they could be.
- [25:59]
Caller
Yes, sir. And you guys have a wonderful night. Go, Big Blue.
- [26:04]
Billy Rutledge
859-280-2287. See, right now, they're saying, like, at the State of the Union, people are just getting up and walking out like that. It didn't used to be like that, Billy. It used to be literally a speech that was not a political speech. It was a State of the Union.
- [26:19]
Matt Jones
Oh, the one guy got kicked out, like, five minutes in.
- [26:21]
Billy Rutledge
Yeah. What's he doing? What are you doing? Yelling? Like, stop yelling. The I remember was, like, 15 years ago, one of those dudes got yelled, and then. It's just. It's just a. It makes me sad. I used to really like politics, Billy, and they've made it sad. But I do like March Madness, which is much more fun. Anyway, who's next?
- [26:42]
Matt Jones
It's a good thing he didn't run then. Let's go to Bradley.
- [26:44]
Billy Rutledge
Yeah, that would have been a bad decision. It would have been. Take something that. This would be, like, the worst time to be in it, too, so. All right. Go ahead, Bradley. Bradley. Go ahead, Bradley.
- [26:55]
Caller
Hey, Matt. Great start to the game once again. At the first seven, eight minutes, I thought I was gonna go nutty with those substitutions. Overall, we played good. I'm glad we got a win. It's March now. What. What's your prediction for the tournament? I'd love to see a sweet 16. I bet everybody in Big Blue Nation would love to get to that second weekend. What's your prediction, Matt, for March?
- [27:20]
Billy Rutledge
Well, I gotta see that Like I said, I gotta see the bracket. I appreciate the call. I think this is a team that's very dependent. I'll make a prediction after the Missouri game, because I think the Missouri game will determine our seed probably. I think if we beat Missouri, I think we're definitely a three seed. If we lose, we could still be a three seed, but we'll probably be a four. And so ask me after the Missouri game, because I think for a three seed, I like our chances because those twos, and you're looking at the twos right now, it's probably gonna be what I was. State, Michigan State, then what? Maybe Alabama, they won't Paris with them. So Iowa State, Michigan State, those are. Those are teams we can beat. So I. Wisconsin, we can beat those teams. So I really hope we can find a way to get a three seed. And if we're a three seed, we'll play closer to home. We'll play either in Providence or Denver. We won't go all the way to Seattle. So that's what I'm hoping for. Who's next?
- [28:23]
Matt Jones
Dwayne.
- [28:24]
Billy Rutledge
Dwayne. Go ahead, Dwayne.
- [28:27]
Caller
Hey, there's a great win by the Cats tonight. But I ask you a question. J.D. vance, he's from eastern Kentucky, and.
- [28:35]
Billy Rutledge
No, he's not. No, he's not. He's from Ohio.
- [28:41]
Caller
I mean, he was born there, wasn't he?
- [28:43]
Billy Rutledge
No, his grandparents. Yeah, his grandparents were. Lived in Easter. He. He might have been born there, but he lived in Ohio growing up, and then his grandparents lived in eastern Kentucky. So he would go. He would visit them, and that's where that book came from.
- [29:01]
Caller
Like.
- [29:03]
Billy Rutledge
I mean, I'm just telling. Not Kentucky or He's from Ohio. Okay. All right. I mean, I don't know what else you want me to say. I think he may have been born in Kentucky, but he lived. He grew up in, like, outside of Cincinnati in Ohio. All right, well, I appreciate the call.
- [29:27]
Matt Jones
He was still there. I think he just left him speechless.
- [29:30]
Billy Rutledge
Well, I mean, his spy, the book is about. He would live in Ohio, and then in the summers, he would visit his grandparents and he would talk about the difference in the two cultures and all that. I mean, he has Kentucky connections. That part is true. But he's. I mean, I. I moved to Middlesboro when I was 5, so I consider myself from Middlesborough. I was technically born in. In. In Lexington, but I grew up in Middlesborough, so.
- [29:56]
Matt Jones
Born in Middletown, Ohio. According to Wikipedia, he's born in Ohio.
- [30:00]
Billy Rutledge
That's what I said. He Was born in Ohio. Like what do you think his point was? What was he going to be asking?
- [30:07]
Matt Jones
I don't know. He's a Kentuckian. We need to support him through thick and thin.
- [30:11]
Billy Rutledge
But he's not. And even if he was, like you don't. I mean you. Well, okay, let's get back to basketball. Who's next?
- [30:18]
Matt Jones
Melissa.
- [30:19]
Billy Rutledge
Melissa, Go ahead, Melissa.
- [30:22]
Caller
Yeah, I don't know why everybody's trying to talk politics tonight here. We are trying to like watch a basketball game.
- [30:29]
Billy Rutledge
Let me read you real quick before you do your, before you do your thing, let me read you the bracket right now because this was my point I was making a minute ago. The bracketology right now with Joe Linardi has this is the 3 seed playing Utah Valley in Denver. If we won, the winner would be Saint. The winner. We would play the winner of Saint Mary's and Indiana. Feel good about that game. And if we won that play, Iowa State, I mean I don't know about you, but I think we got a real good shot in that scenario. But go ahead.
- [31:00]
Caller
I heard that.
- [31:02]
Billy Rutledge
Yes.
- [31:04]
Caller
First time, long time, look super new like Lexington transplant, really into the Cats this season and yes, I feel like they came ready today for March, so.
- [31:18]
Billy Rutledge
All right. Well there you go. I appreciate it. Am I off break? Am I offer a little like Billy. Isn't this an interesting set of calls tonight if you go back even to the start.
- [31:32]
Matt Jones
Yeah, yeah. Been an interesting show and for a.
- [31:35]
Billy Rutledge
Couple of reasons it's just an interesting senior night show. Right. Like you get. We've had four, I think first time callers, maybe even five. And so you never know what you. That's the thing I do love about this post game show. You never know what's going to be on the other end of that phone. Let's do one more and then we'll take a break.
- [31:55]
Matt Jones
As long as we avoid tears, we'll be fine tonight.
- [31:57]
Billy Rutledge
That's up to you.
- [31:58]
Matt Jones
Darlene is next.
- [31:59]
Billy Rutledge
So Zach edie only took 13 at Purdue. Nevermind. I feel like he took more than that. I know he takes a handful of him in the NBA, but go ahead.
- [32:08]
Matt Jones
Darlene.
- [32:10]
Caller
Hey Matt, I spoke to you after the Oklahoma win. I was just so excited about being able to speak to you. I didn't make a lot of good points. So I wanted to call in tonight to make a good point about our Mark Pope. 20 wins. I don't care what people are saying. First year coach got to give him credit.
- [32:32]
Billy Rutledge
Yeah, 20 wins when he only had a handful of weeks to Build the roster and what is certainly the best SEC of all time and arguably one of the best conferences of all time. And in the process, you beat Duke, you beat Tennessee twice, you beat Louisville, you beat Gonzaga, you beat Florida, you win seven games against top 25 teams. As we said on the pregame show, I think if you took out the Arkansas game, you could almost argue you won every game that you went into the season really wanting to win. So I have to agree with you, Darlene. I, I think it, it, all things considered, you can't help but say it is a successful year.
- [33:15]
Caller
Thanks, Matt, for saying everything I wanted to say tonight. You're the best, honey. Thank you.
- [33:21]
Billy Rutledge
Thank you, Darlene. I appreciate it. 859-280-2287. Arkansas's down 3. Are you not gonna pull for Arkansas, Billy? I mean, I know it's, I know it's Cal, but, like, we need him to win. If we win, we don't have to play on Wednesday.
- [33:34]
Matt Jones
No, I definitely will. I'll pull for him.
- [33:38]
Billy Rutledge
Yeah, I think we, I think we need to, we need to get it because I, I think, and again, I could be doing the math wrong, but I'm fairly certain if we win, if they lose, then we would win all the tiebreakers. So we play on Wednesday. All right, we'll take a break. 859280, 2287. It's a local toy dealers KSR postgame show. All right, welcome back. It is the local toy dealers KSR postgame show. We apologize. There is, I think maybe because of the wind outside the service coming in. So if I go away for a second, that's why. But it's a windy night outside. Everybody be careful, especially if you're in, like, the Somerset area. There's a lot of wind warnings this evening. And then supposed to be. Did I hear snow Thursday morning?
- [34:26]
Matt Jones
Oh, don't say that. Is that right?
- [34:29]
Billy Rutledge
That's what somebody told me today. I don't know if they knew what they were talking about, but good grief. We just can't get away from it. All right. 859280, 2287. Who's up next?
- [34:37]
Matt Jones
Jimbo.
- [34:38]
Billy Rutledge
Jimbo. Go ahead, Jimbo.
- [34:43]
Caller
Yeah, More. Matt. I'm sorry, man. This first time I ever called, I'm a little nervous. I just want to say I, I, I, I love the fact that we booed that boy that cost us our fish sandwich.
- [35:02]
Billy Rutledge
Appreciate the call. All right. I appreciate the call. Like, listen, man, if you're gonna try to, like, you know, if you're Gonna try to, like, do a joke call. You got to be better than that. Like, I was almost certain that was a joke from the beginning. But, like, you know, safe satire unless you're actually good at it. All right, I'm not gonna make that one of the final calls.
- [35:21]
Matt Jones
Leave it to us.
- [35:22]
Billy Rutledge
Yeah, unless you're really funny. Like, I know you think it's. Oh, I'll call it. It's not. All right, so we'll do. We'll do six. So you can have let put somebody else on, but who's next?
- [35:33]
Matt Jones
Okay, let's go to Brian.
- [35:34]
Billy Rutledge
Brian, go ahead, Brian. Hey, Matt.
- [35:38]
Caller
Here in Nashville, I'm a tree house. I think it's going to get blown over by the wind. Smoking the victory cigar.
- [35:45]
Billy Rutledge
Good.
- [35:45]
Caller
I mean. I mean, I just say it felt like a real senior day. That's the first thing I say. I mean, you actually knew the players who are seniors this year. That's cool.
- [35:57]
Billy Rutledge
Well, I mean, they've only been here a year. That's no different than it is. I know, but that's not. I mean, all of our senior days have been guys who transferred in in the last seven or eight years, and we're here for a year.
- [36:09]
Caller
Most of those guys were playing and it was. That's cool. The other thing I want to say is it is that Pope set up Brandon Garrison and his post conference interview. He says, what do you think about Brandon when he shoots the three? I mean, personally, every time he shoots it, I'm afraid it's not going in.
- [36:31]
Billy Rutledge
Yeah, you know, I was, I think, at the beginning of the year, but he's shooting such a good percentage now that if he's open now, I actually don't like when he gets it in the block and decides to do something. But when he. But when he shoots an open three, I've actually become almost. I. I think he. I think he actually does. He's got good form. It. It's when he's open. He's he next to Bray. He probably makes it as much as anybody, you know.
- [37:07]
Caller
Yeah, I think the numbers speak the truth, but it just makes me nervous. Well, what it is.
- [37:13]
Billy Rutledge
I get it. I get nervous when he dribbles. That's. That's when I get nervous. I'd much prefer him shoot a three. When he starts handling the ball and he's dribbling it like Stanley way out in front of him from the office, that's when I get nervous.
- [37:28]
Caller
It's like one of those times where you're like, you don't want to do it, but it goes in and you're like, yes, I'm glad I was wrong.
- [37:36]
Billy Rutledge
Yeah. Yeah. Well, I appreciate the call. Yeah. I don't know. I. It's interesting. It's interesting to hear Pope talk about the players that might come back because he talks about them. You kind of get a sense of if he thinks they're coming back.
- [37:49]
Caller
He.
- [37:49]
Billy Rutledge
He talks about Garrison like a guy who is going to come back next year to Kentucky. So that's interest. That's good to see and interesting. I think same with Away. Although when he talks about Chris, it's harder to tell. So I don't know. I think. I think they probably. I think one of the things that might be a little different with Pope and the last regime is I think they know. I think they know what guys are going to do, and I think they might. I mean, I don't know. They might already know who they're going to get from other teams. I'm not sure. A and M is now up 11 on Auburn. You know, we. We hold the tiebreaker on A and M, so if they had taken this loss tonight with that would have been good. But it looks like they may win. Who do they play in their last game? Billy? They play at lsu. See, that's unfortunate because we own the tiebreaker on them. I thought we. They lost tonight, we might have had a chance to. To pass them in the standings. Who's next?
- [38:44]
Matt Jones
Steve is next.
- [38:45]
Billy Rutledge
Steve. Go ahead, Steve.
- [38:48]
Caller
Hi, Matt. First, I wanted to express my displeasure on abc. Putting the rest of the game on ESPN News Saturday after they put their fire out. Thought that was kind of sucky, but, oh, did they.
- [39:02]
Billy Rutledge
Did they end up putting any of it on tv? I didn't know any of it got on tv.
- [39:06]
Caller
Yes, the end of it was played on ESPN News. My pop and I had flipped over and was watching a dodgeball on the Ocho, and I had come back from the bathroom and the game was just on.
- [39:17]
Billy Rutledge
Oh, I didn't realize.
- [39:20]
Caller
Yeah, but that was after the fire was put out. But tonight's game, I wanted to point out that you had mentioned we had went up early in the game and then Pope put in all the subs and, you know, we started to lose that lead a little bit after that point. He never mass subbed again. Pretty much every time I saw bench players in, I saw three starters and two bench players. I think that he. I think if we do that.
- [39:44]
Billy Rutledge
I totally agree with you. And he not only went to the bench again, far be it for me, like he knows more than I do. I always want to say that, but he literally had the worst defensive lineup that we could possibly put on the floor together because the only starter he had left in was Brea, who is our worst defender of the starters. So the lineup he had in was Perry, Brea, Noah Almanor, and Garrison. Like, you can't have a worse defensive lineup. He had the four starters out and then the one decent defender coming off the bench, which is. Is Chandler. So I, I think he quickly realized that you're right, he didn't do it again. But like, literally, you couldn't draw up a worse defensive unit than that. And he just can't play all those guys at the same time.
- [40:37]
Caller
Well, I'm just hoping he learned something tonight until a garbage time. He. He did. Three starters, two backups, and I think it worked because three of our top five scorers tonight were bench players.
- [40:48]
Billy Rutledge
Yeah. Well, I appreciate the call. Now see, these are the kind of people when they write in Billy that I appreciate. Okay, can I read you a back and forth with a guy on the text, please?
- [40:59]
Matt Jones
Yes.
- [40:59]
Billy Rutledge
Okay. He writes, matt, why are you so concerned about Vanderbilt? We beat them in every different tiebreaker possible. If we end up tied with them, we're ahead of them. Why are you worried? And I said, well, if they were to win tonight and their next game and we lose to Missouri, they'll finish one game ahead of us. And he responded, I got you. Sometimes I'm a lot dumber than I look and I look pretty dumb. That's a great answer, right?
- [41:26]
Matt Jones
That's like self deprecating.
- [41:28]
Billy Rutledge
Self deprecating. See, that's what I like. Four more. Who's next?
- [41:31]
Matt Jones
We've got another Steve on the line.
- [41:33]
Billy Rutledge
Steve. Go ahead, Steve.
- [41:36]
Caller
Hey, Matt, first of all, you do a great job. I love the work that Mario's doing as well. He puts out fantastic content. I hope people see what a good job he's doing. Kentucky, really, they had a 150 run in that first half and that was, you know, it set him up for a substantial halftime lead.
- [41:56]
Billy Rutledge
Yeah, they had two runs. They had a 15, 0 run and then they had a 100 run after that. Yeah.
- [42:03]
Caller
And can you talk a little bit about the fact struggled with transition defense, but tonight they were really solid defensively in transition and a little bit about how they limited their turnovers and actually got a lot more steals than we're used to seeing as well.
- [42:19]
Billy Rutledge
Totally agree with both of those points and I appreciate the call and thank you for what you said about Mario. He Does a great job and has added, you know, as we hit our 15th year here, you know, we've had kind of a core group. We added Billy a few years ago from an organizational standpoint and then Mar and Content and then Mario with the social media. It's been great. I appreciate how everybody's welcomed him. Now, on the, on, on your point about the transition defense, we did do better at it. Part of it was, and this is actually, I'm going to steal from Cal because Cal used to talk about this. There's difference between turnovers and bad turnovers, right? The last few games we've had a lot of bad turnovers, which are not just turnovers that occur, but that lead to fast breaks. The other or threes where you miss and it kicks out towards the other goal. We just didn't have as many of those tonight. So I think it was harder for LSU to get in transition. I mean, Damian Fishback kept talking about getting in transition for lsu, but they just had a hard time. Part of it was we got back, but part of it was we didn't turn the ball over in places that led to fast breaks. That was always something. Back when I would go to Calipari practices, he would say to the guys, if you're going to turn it over, you know, turn it over. Not at the top of the key because it leads to a layup the other way. And he's exactly right about that. You're much better turn it off over in the corner or down low because you can lead to a layup. And we, we had a lot of those, especially against Auburn where we just turned up, led to a straight layup down the other end of the court. Arkansas leads by six at halftime to Vandy. They go on a run. So Arkansas may be going to help us book the day one buy here tonight if they can. Hold on. Who's next?
- [44:01]
Matt Jones
Zachary?
- [44:02]
Billy Rutledge
Three more. Go ahead, Zachary.
- [44:05]
Caller
Hey, Matt. You know, everything that Pope has done this season just, you know, un. Or just remarkable. But with his philosophy about his bench and his lineup, just the fact that he doesn't seem to want to like, even think about alternating or keeping the main guys in for longer in the game because of the max efficiency thing, like, to me that is just concerning for the tournament coming up because if you're not even like, even willing to negotiate, you know, who are going to be your main guys? Like, I just think that that could really cost us maybe a game, you know, in the tournament. So it's just really concerning. But, you know, like you said many, many times. Like the fact that he's done the job he's done in the amount of time he's had to do it. You know, I don't think any other coach could really could do it like he has, but just the lineup thing is pretty concerning.
- [45:02]
Billy Rutledge
Yeah. Although as I appreciate the call, I agree with you. But as the out, you know, he did, he didn't do it again after that run. I mean he kind of all until the end didn't really matter as much. But he always tried to keep. I think the key is I don't think you can have Butler and away on the bench at the same time. I think our perimeter defense besides Butler, no way is not going to be very. Travis Perry is not a good defender. Kobe Bray is not a good defender. Trent Noah is an okay defender, but he's not a good defender out on the, out on the three point line, he's better inside. So if you don't have either Butler or away in the other team's guards are just going to crush you. And so I just don't think he can ever take those guys out at the same time. And I think if he does, then he's got to have Colin Chandler in. So when you go back to that run they went in, he didn't have any of those guys in and I just don't think you can do that. You know, in the interior, Amari's a lot better than Garrison defensively. I think Carr's better than Almanor defensively, but sometimes you can make that work. But he just cannot have Butler and away on the bench at the same time. If he does, they, they just, they cannot defend on the perimeter and I, I'll be interested to see if he stops doing that. Like he staggered, he took Brea out, put in Noah and then brought the subs in and put Brea back in. I'd rather see him take like Butler, oh, way out. Have Butler play with the reserves. Right. But you can't have Brea with the reserves because then no one can defend and you just, you can't do that. Two more. Who's next?
- [46:49]
Matt Jones
Trey.
- [46:50]
Billy Rutledge
Trey. Go ahead, Trey.
- [46:52]
Caller
Hey, what's up, Matt?
- [46:53]
Billy Rutledge
What's going on?
- [46:55]
Caller
Hey, so I think you are 100% calling it like Babe Ruth. Colin Chandler could be, he could be, he could be the golden ticket for this team come March because with Jackson Robinson going down, like you said, you got to make up those points somewhere. And he has really, really gotten his game a lot better. It seems like every game when we turn the, when we turn it on, he, he does something a little better and a little better and a little better.
- [47:29]
Billy Rutledge
So he's the first guy that I've seen. Okay, so like, I think Travis Perry and Trent Noah can have stretches where they really help you a lot. Hit some shots. You know, I can see Trent Noah had that really great game against Tennessee. Perry had a pretty good game against somebody the other night. I can't remember who it was. But Chandler looks in the last few games like a guy who can play with these athletes and can guard them. And so if he could get to the point, he's been looked so nervous on offense, like he didn't want to shoot and he didn't want to dribble. If he can get to the point that he's even shooting decently or even if he's not shooting decently is just not nervous. He helps so much on defense that like, okay, now all of a sudden you got some. And if he can get to the point that he makes open threes, just that sentence alone, Kentucky becomes really difficult to guard. So that's what makes me a little excited.
- [48:34]
Caller
Well, and we're going to need it off the bench. And you know, a lot of people, Matt forget that, you know, he was a top recruit. Oh yeah, he did his fishing trip.
- [48:45]
Billy Rutledge
And he is a great athlete. He is a great athlete. Like, like he, like he is. You watch him like during like dunk during warm ups and stuff. That dude is a great athlete. He just looks so scared for the first 2/3 of the year and in the last three weeks he doesn't look scared and that. That you can't help but be kind of excited about that, so.
- [49:10]
Caller
Totally agree. Last thing, this is, this is a bit obscure, but with so many seniors on this team this year that have already probably graduated, what, what do they do during the day? Is it just. Is it just kind of hang out?
- [49:28]
Billy Rutledge
Well, they do have a class. They have a, they have to take master's classes. Now. I don't know how much class that is exactly, but they do. I mean, a lot of these dudes sit around and play video games, to be honest with you. I mean, I think that's a lot of not. And I appreciate the call we've had. You know, we've had teams over the years. You talk about a book you could write sort of like, what are these dudes like off the court cows. Guys didn't really get in trouble that much, but they're almost never. But they had some dudes who like to party and do. I don't get the sense that this group, I mean, I don't know, but I don't ever hear about this group doing anything, you know, so maybe because they're older, right? But I don't know, like, I don't even. You know, almost every team that's been in Kentucky, you'll get like some picture of them somewhere, like at a bar. Not necessarily doing bad, but like, look here, this year about any of them. So maybe they're just like me, Billy. They're just all old men who. Maybe they sit and read like I do or watch Breaking Bad.
- [50:37]
Matt Jones
That's right, you're a freshman, you're 18, 19. You want to go see the party? You want to see. It's very different.
- [50:42]
Billy Rutledge
Yeah, it's very different.
- [50:43]
Matt Jones
18 and not your senior.
- [50:45]
Billy Rutledge
18 and 19 is very different than 22 and 23. And that's what these guys are. So what we got one more. Is that right? Yeah, one more. Who's next?
- [50:54]
Matt Jones
Muncie.
- [50:55]
Billy Rutledge
Muncie. What's up, Muncie?
- [50:59]
Caller
Matt Jones.
- [51:00]
Billy Rutledge
Muncie.
- [51:01]
Caller
What's up, brother? Yeah. What's up, brother? Shout out Mike Childress.
- [51:07]
Billy Rutledge
Shout out to Mike Childress.
- [51:09]
Caller
Yes. Old time friend. Shane didn't wear no socks.
- [51:14]
Billy Rutledge
Well, good. What you got?
- [51:18]
Caller
Nothing. Brandon Garrison. These are, these are secret.
- [51:31]
Billy Rutledge
He's our secret.
- [51:33]
Caller
He is. He stepped up hard.
- [51:36]
Billy Rutledge
Well, he did play well today. Yeah, he did play well today. I mean, I thought, I thought he looked, I thought this was a year. He said two of his last three games have been. Have been really good. You know, I don't think he played well against Auburn. We played great against Oklahoma and I thought he played great tonight. So, you know, he, I mean, we need him to be able to not like be a disaster when he came in. But the last two of the last three games, he's been better than a disaster. He's actually played very well. I thought.
- [52:07]
Caller
Yes, absolutely. He's not a disaster at all. He's stepping up.
- [52:11]
Billy Rutledge
Yeah. Appreciate the appreciate. Okay.
- [52:14]
Caller
Yeah, I appreciate you still there. I love you. Yes. Yeah. You know, first time, long time, I've been there for a minute and I remember when you got your credentials and the first time you got onto rap arena, I was listening to the show.
- [52:33]
Billy Rutledge
Yeah, that was before I even had a show.
- [52:38]
Caller
And I was under the basket and I saw you walking on the court and I saw you, you look like a 12 year old boy. You were smiling so big and it was so much fun to see excel and get to where you are right now.
- [52:52]
Billy Rutledge
That's very nice of you. Thank you. The first game I ever got credentialed was, and I appreciate the call, was Kentucky Louisville. And I want to say it was 2007, 2006. Rondo was the point guard, and that was the first time I ever got a credential. And I can't remember very many times in my life I was happier than that because I was like, I honestly thought, I have a credential for the Kentucky Louisville game. Like, I've made it. That's really all I need to do. Like, I can stop now and go back. You know, I was still practicing law at the time. I can just go back to my legal job.
- [53:30]
Matt Jones
Yeah, you peaked.
- [53:32]
Billy Rutledge
I did peak. Like, I did peak. I remember I was a huge fight to get credentialed. I was the first blogger to be credentialed in the entire sec. They would not. The Dwayne Peavey was the. Was the Sid here. And finally the SEC would not allow him to credential me. And then finally they said yes. And the first game I got to do it was Kentucky Louisville. So nice memory about that guy. And I did look 12 years old and I was chubby. Billy, that's.
- [54:00]
Matt Jones
You have bangs.
- [54:02]
Billy Rutledge
I looked awful. Yeah, well, that picture that. That circulates. That's not. That's like that year.
- [54:07]
Matt Jones
Oh, no.
- [54:08]
Billy Rutledge
Yeah, it was that year because it was. That was Tubby's last year and then Billy was there the next year. So. Yeah. Good times. Well, interesting show tonight. Appreciate everybody staying up and listening. So let's go over some scheduling. Tomorrow is day. The women start in the SEC tournament on Friday at 2:30. Don't know who they'll play yet, but the women's tournament actually starts tomorrow for the women's SEC tournament, but Kentucky's got double by. They do not play until Friday. The men's team plays next at noon against Missouri on Saturday. This pregame show will be at 9:30am that will be. I'm sitting here, I just ran through these scenarios. It looks to me like if Vandy loses tonight, we are guaranteed the buy. If we beat Missouri and the results happen that you kind of think should happen now that A and M is going to beat Auburn, we could get up to be the seventh seed and be in the bottom half of the bracket and avoid offering. So Missouri games, huge. Vandy loses tonight, we don't. We'll have a buy. And then if we beat. We lose to Missouri, we're the eight. We beat Missouri, we're the seven and I think probably a top three seed in the NCAA tournament. Thank you folks very much for listening. Thanks to Billy for hanging out. We will see you in the morning. This has been the local China dealers KSR postgame show. It.