KSR Postgame Show: UK MBB vs. Ole Miss (1/24/26)

Hosts: Matt Jones, Billy (iHeartPodcasts & Sports Talk 790) Game: Kentucky Wildcats vs. Ole Miss Date: January 24, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of the KSR Postgame Show covers Kentucky’s significant but gritty 63-57 victory over Ole Miss at Rupp Arena, marking the Wildcats’ fifth straight win and putting them 5-2 in SEC play (13-6 overall). Matt Jones and Billy discuss the game’s many ugly but important aspects, individual performances, controversial moments, and the team’s prospects amid a challenging and injury-riddled season. Community reactions—especially the crowd’s booing of former Cat Travis Perry now playing for Ole Miss—and updates on Kentucky’s weather and other local sports news fill out the lively calls and discussion.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Kentucky's Gritty Win and Tournament Implications

• The Cats have now won five straight, placing them back “on the right side of the tournament bubble,” likely seeded as a 7 according to Joe Lunardi.
• Despite major “deficiencies,” the team has learned to “execute down the stretch extremely well” in recent close games.

Matt Jones (01:46):
“You have to give the Cats a lot of credit because now they've won five straight… They've put themselves back as of today on the right side of the tournament bubble.”

2. The Game: “Ugly, Ugly Basketball” but Clutch Performances

• The early tip and snowstorm made for a sleepy, half-empty Rupp Arena and a sluggish first half described as "some of the ugliest basketball I've seen in a long time.” (04:55)
• The second half saw “offensive rhythm,” led by Otega Oweh (23 points)—considered “first-team All-SEC caliber” if he maintains this level.

Matt Jones (05:47):
“He has been…awesome in every game in SEC play. And tonight in the second half he did…which is nothing else is working—can you give him the ball and he wins you the game. And I thought he did.”

• Clutch moments: Colin Chandler’s critical three-pointer to seal the win and Jasper Johnson’s 8-point run in the first half.
• Rebounding on missed free throws was highlighted as essential, with Diabate and Moreno making key plays.

3. Team Development and X-Factor Players

• Jasper Johnson’s emergence as a “potential X-factor” praised—his ability to steady the offense when others stall.
• Discussed impact of role players like Trent Noah, as well as the necessity to collectively replace Cam Williams’ missed production.

Nathaniel (Caller, 24:38):
“I think Jasper Johnson may be the X factor for this team…if they can get something similar to what they got out of him today…that can kind of push us over the top.”

4. Previewing the Upcoming Five-Game SEC Gauntlet

• Next stretch features Vandy, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Florida—four of which are among the conference’s best.
• Matt sets the bar: “Got to get two wins. Three would be amazing.” (07:22)

5. Officiating Woes & “Worst Foul Call in History”

• Multiple listeners and Matt vented about inconsistent officiating, especially the “hook play” called on Oweh.
• Matt: “Worst foul call in history…If you’re not sure, just let it play out. But then calling the foul? No way. I just thought was egregious.” (08:04, 19:02, 19:37)

6. Booing Travis Perry: Rivalry or Just Good Fun?

• Debate over the home crowd’s booing of Ole Miss’ Travis Perry—a Kentucky native/former player. Some felt it was playful, others unnecessary.

Marty (Caller, 18:17):
“It was everyone. And we did notice in the second half that he went to the locker room during the game…He was shut down today for sure.”

Trey (Caller, 21:04):
“You transferred schools…you come in the UP arena, you are the enemy right now. And I think it may have rattled him…”

7. Defense, Rebounding, and Identity

• Kentucky’s defense—much maligned earlier in the year—was praised; Matt noted the strategic adjustment to “make teams beat us at the rim” and limit threes. (28:56)
• Multiple missed free throw rebounds were seen as fortunate but concerning in technique for both teams.

8. Concerns Around Injuries and Depth

• Ongoing absences of key players (Low, Quaintance, Cam Williams) limit the Wildcats’ options. Even potential redshirt Braden Hawthorne is hurt.
• Caller Sosa and Matt discuss that “they should have gotten another guard" in the offseason, a clear and now-costly oversight. (58:01)

9. Fans’ Expectations and Realism

• Several callers and Matt repeatedly urge fans to temper expectations: with the injuries and tough schedule ahead, simply making the tournament would be a major success.
• “Make the tournament and win as many games as we can. That's kind of what my goal is for the rest of the year.” (56:44)

Standout Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Otega Oweh's second half:

  • “Every time Ole Miss cut it to two or tied it, he found a way to hit a shot. He got that little mid-range that he’s so good at…” — Matt Jones [06:16]

• On Team Identity:

  • “This is an act of love team…You have to love this team because…they can be hard to watch sometimes. But I do like how hard they’re playing.” — Matt Jones [41:47]

• Regarding the officiating controversy:

  • “That was a horrendous call. Luckily, he missed the free throw and it ended up not mattering. But that could have changed the game.” — Matt Jones [08:05]

• On the booing debate:

  • “If there’s anything I can do to rattle an opponent on the court…I wish the best for the kid when he’s not playing us, but…the day you come in the UP arena, you are the enemy right now.” — Trey, Caller [21:30]

• On approaching the season's goals:

  • “With Low out, Quaintance out, and Cam out, make the tournament and win as many games as we can. That’s kind of what my goal is for the rest of the year.” — Matt Jones [56:44]

• Caller James, humorously, on player Malachi Moreno's dodgeball skills:

  • “He’s maybe good at basketball, but he’s trash at dodgeball…I beat him.” [49:03]
  • Matt: “He’s very big, so there’s a lot more way to hit him, you know…he might be at a little bit of a disadvantage.” [49:25]

Important Segment Timestamps

• Kentucky’s five-game winning streak & tourney status: 02:00–04:00
• Game analysis, Oweh’s and Chandler’s play, rebounding: 05:00–09:00
• Upcoming SEC schedule gauntlet: 07:00–09:00
• Officiating complaints/‘worst foul call’: 08:04, 19:02, 19:37, 42:33
• Booing Travis Perry—calls & discussion: 12:00–14:30, 18:15–22:10
• Caller insights on team’s X-factors, crowd/atmosphere: 24:33–27:00, 50:28–51:06
• Fan realism on expectations: 54:55–57:00
• Postgame awards (‘Moneymaker of the Game’): 35:05–35:51 (Otega Oweh)
• Offseason roster construction criticism: 58:01–59:01

Listener Calls & Local Color

• Multiple callers checked in from around Kentucky, updating on snow and sharing their takes on the game, crowd boos, and officiating—the snowstorm was a recurring backdrop.
• Fun tangents included Matt quizzing Billy on historic Georgia Tech players (11:01–11:39) and suit shopping (37:24–39:18).

Conclusion

This episode struck a balance between humor, honest (sometimes harsh) analysis, and a sense of community engagement. Despite the team’s imperfections and the ugliness of the game, Matt and Billy—along with numerous callers—found hope in Kentucky fighting through adversity, playing together, and grinding out a must-win game. The upcoming challenging stretch, the ongoing injury woes, and Kentucky fans’ ever-lofty expectations set the tone for the weeks ahead.

Final Word:
“We won, so that’s what it is.” — Caller Sosa [59:10]

[For more Wildcats coverage, join KSR every weekday morning or after each big game.]