KSR Postgame Show: Kentucky MBB vs Michigan State (11/18/25)

Date: November 19, 2025
Host: Matt Jones (with Billy Gillespie)
Episode: Postgame analysis after Kentucky’s 83-66 loss to Michigan State in the Champions Classic

Episode Overview

This episode of the KSR Postgame Show dives into Kentucky basketball’s disappointing 17-point loss to Michigan State. Host Matt Jones and the KSR crew break down the game, scrutinize head coach Mark Pope’s performance and mindset, discuss pressing team chemistry and effort issues, and invite fans to vent their own frustrations. The atmosphere is somber, with serious questions raised about the team’s direction, leadership, and future prospects.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Game Breakdown: Kentucky Outplayed in Every Aspect

• Score: Michigan State 83, Kentucky 66
• Statistical Disparities:
  • Shooting: Michigan State shot 50% FG, 50% from 3; UK shot 35% FG, 23% from 3
  • Rebounds: Michigan St. 42, UK 28
  • Assists: Michigan St. 25, UK 13
• Matt’s Summary:

  “Whatever statistic you want to measure, Kentucky was outplayed." (03:11)

• Team appeared “uninspired and discombobulated” (Pope’s own word)
• Defensive woes especially surprising, even with worst defender (Jalen Lowe) out injured

2. Mark Pope: Under the Microscope

a. On-court Coaching & Substitution Patterns

• Kentucky started strong but collapsed after first substitutions, a pattern continuing from last season.
  • “When the first substitution comes in… the team has kind of collapsed. Then the other team goes on a run we can’t come back from.” (05:51)
• Mass substitutions (five in, five out) criticized: “I hate his mass substitutions... We're not good enough for that.” (31:03)

b. Postgame Press Conference & Media Handling

• Pope reportedly took 50+ minutes to meet the press—the longest Matt Jones could recall.
• Sounded “dejected” and “defeated.”
  • Quote:

    "There was one team that was really well coached and one team that wasn’t tonight... I gotta take the hit for this." (09:36)

• Concerning messaging to the fanbase during radio interview:

  • “We told them a lot of things.” (11:39)

• Matt’s reaction:

  “What kind of answer is that? That’s a horrible answer… That’s kind of a disrespectful answer to the fan base.” (11:39–18:00)

• Pope’s cryptic communication and “different” demeanor over last 10 days noted; rumors swirl about locker room incidents, particularly before the Louisville game.

c. On Leadership in Adversity

• Pope’s emotional state called into question.

  • “He seems to internalize it so much that he becomes—it’s hard to see him like that.” (09:00)

  • "He did not look like a happy camper." (70:53)

• Fan worry: “What worries me is he looks like a coach that doesn’t have an answer… just doesn’t have an answer.” (13:07)
• Matt emphasizes: Leadership is most valuable “when you lose… when you need the leader to encourage you, and he seems to be the worst at it.” (26:30)

3. Chemistry, Effort, and Identity Crisis

• Player chemistry is a major concern; reports of bench arguments and lack of on-court support.
• Matt:

  “Does that look like a team that likes each other?... That’s crazy because when I was around them during the preseason they seemed like a group that really got along well. But I don't know, they seem like [they’re on] completely different pages.” (14:21)

• Questions about newcomers “complementing” holdover players, and whether chemistry can even be fixed midseason.
• Effort questioned:

  “They don’t defend. They can’t make shots. And let’s be honest, they don’t seem to like each other.” (15:35)

• Travis Ford and Jack Givens, both close to the team, have echoed concerns about attitude and chemistry. (36:51)

4. Fanbase Discontent and Panic

• Callers voice deep unease about both Pope’s job security and the overall culture.
  • “For the first time since he’s been our coach, like, Matt, I mean, I shouldn't call him ready to be fired, but I’m having serious doubts if he can handle this right now.” (20:22)
• Fans point to “bad body language” and players playing “for the name on the back of the jersey and not the front.” (24:23)

5. Personnel Critiques and Potential Changes

• Brandon Garrison singled out as notably underperforming.
  • Multiple callers (22:37, 62:44) and Matt: “On a team full of guys that have been disappointing for me, Brandon Garrison’s been the most disappointing.”
• Malachi Moreno praised as “Moneymaker of the Game”—calls for him to start (54:33).
• Offensive flow lacking; only 13 assists on 20 made shots versus Michigan State’s 25 assists on 32 (28:41).
• Criticism of Diabate at the 4 spot and his shooting woes: “Those threes he took tonight were some of the saddest shots I’ve ever seen…” (60:41)
• Repeated calls to “shrink the rotation”—Matt recommends a 7–8 man core (59:23).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Game’s Reflection of Team Identity:

  “Michigan State under Tom Izzo… they are a mirror to you. And tonight they mirrored and showed that this team is way off the margin.” (04:04)

• Pope’s Self-Evaluation:

  “My messaging is not resonating with the guys right now. I gotta take the hit for this.” (09:36)

• On Defensive Failures:

  “I am shocked at how bad they are defensively… They can't guard anybody.” (04:55)

• On Pope’s Suitability:

  “He has not handled losing in these last two games the way it is, and I am not ready to say he can't succeed here, but… He has been different in these last 10 days.” (21:22)

• Caller on Team’s Attitude:

  “I just saw a couple of players playing for the name on the back of the jersey and not the front, which was very frustrating to see.” (24:23)

• On Leadership & Communication:

  “Anybody can lead when it’s good, but can you lead when it’s bad?” (26:37)
  “Silence—the void will be filled by noise.” (27:03)

• On Player Disengagement:

  “Otega Oweh looks like a completely different person than he did last year, and we don’t know why.” (44:33)

• After Watching Pope’s Interview with Jeff Goodman:

  “Jeff Goodman: This is probably as down as I’ve seen you, period, since I’ve known you…
  Mark Pope: …I thought I was doing a better job coaching than I’m doing right now… It’s been eye opening for me a little bit.” (51:21–52:44)

Important Timestamps

• [03:11] – Show opens; Matt’s initial breakdown of UK’s poor performance.
• [09:36] – Pope’s most honest postgame comments; “My messaging is not resonating…”
• [11:39] – Matt critiques Pope's uninformative and terse radio interview.
• [14:21] – Discussion of possible chemistry issues.
• [18:00] – Callers begin voicing extreme concern about the program’s direction.
• [22:37] – In-depth criticism of Garrison, minutes distribution, and player development.
• [31:03] – Extended critique of mass substitution patterns.
• [36:51] – Citing Jack Givens’ and Travis Ford’s concerns from inside the program.
• [51:21] – Airing of Mark Pope’s somber interview with Jeff Goodman.
• [54:33] – Malachi Moreno named “Moneymaker of the Game.”
• [60:26] – Offensive issues with Diabate highlighted.
• [61:56] – Matt: “This is one of the worst regular season November performances in a long time.”
• [70:53] – Matt’s closing summary: “He did not look like a happy camper.”

Episode Tone & Final Thoughts

The KSR crew and fanbase are unified in concern, disappointment, and confusion after a stunningly poor performance on the court and worrying signals from the coaching staff off of it. Matt refrains from overreacting but insists that the team and especially Pope must rapidly find answers to avoid a spiraling season. Despite the gloom, hope lingers if the team can rediscover chemistry, reengage defensively, and regain confidence from leadership.

For Further Listening

The Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) Postgame Show is live after every Kentucky basketball game, bringing passionate, unvarnished takes and direct fan input. Tune in for ongoing updates and, perhaps, a turnaround story as the Wildcats' season continues.

Contact:
Call-in & text lines regularly open for listener feedback.
Main number: 859-280-2287
Text machine: 772-774-5254

Host’s Final Words:
“I can’t remember a time that I felt more bewildered by the team than now… [Pope] ended his press conference by saying, 'We will not fail.' Those are his words. I think he has earned the right to see if that happens.” (71:12)