KSR - 2025-03-04- KSR - Hour 1

Episode Date: March 4, 2025

KSR is Live at KSBar & Grille talking UK vs. LSU and taking your calls.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another podcast from some SNL late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and Friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer, Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter.

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And for more, follow Timbo Slica Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Life is full of hurdles. So how do you keep going? On Hurtle with Emily Abadi, we're talking with the most inspiring women in sports and wellness from professional athletes, coaches, and Olympic champions about the challenges that shape them and the mindset that keeps them moving forward. At our level, at this scale, being able to fail in front of the entire world. Like, I can do anything. I can do anything. Listen to Hurtle with Emily Abadi on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHeart Women's Sports.

What's up, fam? It's Isaiah Thomas. And I'm C.J. Toledano. It's our favorite time of the year on our podcast point game, the playoffs. We're digging into the biggest surprises of the season. And I'm looking back on some of my greatest playoff moments. If we didn't talk ever again, I was calling you. You just understood.

That's how personal it got. Wow. Then after that game seven, Marquis keep coming to you. He's like, you know I love you, dog. You know, it's all love. This was just playoff. This was just basketball. So listen to Point Game on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Comedy of Broadway and Lexington welcomes Dale Jones, February 14th and 15th. Then catch Lucas Zelnick, February 21st and 22nd. And Don't Miss Club favorite Ian Bagg, February 27th through March 1st. Comedy of Broadway opened in downtown Lexington in 1987, and they're still bringing the best in stand-up comedy to the area 38 years later. 8-559-271 joke or visit comedy off-Broadway.com. Kentucky Sports Radio presented by Stockton Mortgage. Now, here's Matt Jones. Welcome, everyone, Kentucky Sports Radio Tuesday, March the 4th.

I'm Matt Jones here live in Lexington, Kentucky on an absolutely gorgeous day. Temperature is going to be up, I think, a lot of this week, and it is started today. Last home game of the year, and we are at the KS Bar and Grill, and I'm just going to go ahead and tell you. This is the last home game. So if you don't come out for either lunch today or the show later, I think there's a very good chance you'll end up deported to Canada. I mean, I'm not trying to, like, threaten people. I'm just saying, like, I think it would be a good idea because I feel like you're going to send us to our 51st state.

Yeah, well. That's not really deported, though. Yeah, the people get, the whole Canada thing has become, like, they booed the national anthem at Toronto. Pat McAfee got all upset. You told me they booed Reed Shepard. He's not Canadian, but yeah, they continue to boo Reed Shepard at Ruperina, which is shocking to me. That's amazing to me.

When they just, they show all the NBA guys kind of before the game. And they're still booing Reed. He still gets some booze. Wow. Clark's Pummeshop phone line, 859-2802287. A Vision Auto Glass Text Machine is 772-745-25-4 in this edition sponsored by the T.J. Smith-Lawvish called T. T.J. Lakeem Pay.

We're here until noon. So come on out, have lunch with us. The pre-game show starts at 4. 4.30 right here. And then the game is at 7. It is senior night. It is Kentucky at LSU. It is a must-win game, I think, for Kentucky to get a buy.

I think if you win this, you probably have still a pretty good shot of getting a three or four seed in the NCAA tournament. Maybe avoiding a trip out to Seattle. Ryan, a lot on the line tonight against an LSU team that isn't good, but it's had one or two games where they look good. Hopefully it's not

tonight. Yeah, I think they've only won was it three or four SEC game, but it seems like they've been in a lot of game until going down to the final minutes. Didn't they beat, did they beat Florida? They beat somebody good, didn't they? They beat Arkansas, because Damien Collins blocks them at the buzzer. They beat Oklahoma, and then they beat South Carolina. Okay, well, never mind.

The three horse teams. Well, I mean, in theory, they could have beaten somebody good. They played Florida okay. Well, they didn't win, but it was close. There's been several games. They played pretty close. They played Ole Miss to two points. Okay, maybe that's what I was thinking of, is the Old Miss game.

Well, 8-59-2-80-2287. Ryan Lemon, you and I were talking about White Lotus. People got mad when I talked about it a few weeks ago. They said that it was a spoiler alert, so we won't do that. I've considered going back to my TikTok to do my White Lotus theories. That's a good idea. But then I don't know how to do it. And you have to edit it, and you have to put in a floating head,

and Mario's in Louisville today, so I can't do that. But what I can do, what are you laughing at? You're right. That floating head thing is becoming, like, the thing to do. Like they do floating heads. How do you know? Are you not on TikTok? No, but I see it on Instagram.

They do it on Instagram. Oh, you're the floating heads coming over to your world. Wait until it gets on Facebook, Shannon. And then he'll really know about it. That's right. Yeah. That's right. Once it gets there.

Yesterday, so first of all, we're going to make this an Ask Anything Tuesday. Okay, since Wednesday we're going to be talking about the game. Ask anything Tuesday. 772-745-25-4 on the text machine or you can write whatever your question about UK sports. This is a good time to get the what really happened. or about us, if you want to ask that. That's fine. Yesterday, the text machine blow up with two things.

Probably 700 people wrote me and said, do you see what Reed is doing against Oklahoma City? They were probably not the people that booed. And secondly, people were talking about fairies. And those were the two things that I got the most of, including one man, I wish I could find it, said, I went home, told my wife about what you were talking about so we could laugh at it, and then she told me that after I go to sleep,

She reads those things. And I said, well, I'm sorry you had to find that out, Drew. Unfortunately, he said, thanks a lot, Matt, now that I know that. So you can learn more about your marriage just by tuning in to KSR from 10 to 12. Find out about things about your significant other than you didn't know. There are things you don't know about your wife. Here's how you find it out. I tell you about your wives.

Well, yesterday you met. That's Matt Jones Show. I tell you about your wives. Go ahead. Yesterday you mentioned the Kentucky author who writes these books. Was it Kristen Lee? Her last name was her name, yeah, yeah. And then she tweets us.

That's how I found out that she tweeted this. I thought she tweeted after the show. No, no, she tweeted me before. That's kind of cool, though, that it's that popular. She immediately, the one author you mentioned. She's the reason I knew about it. She tweeted during the show, and I thought it was interesting, so I said it. So she heard the topics?

Somebody must have maybe tagged her in it or something? No, she tweeted first. Like she... Oh, that's what started the whole conversation? Yes, she sent me a message. Shannon. Yes. I don't understand what he doesn't understand.

She was the one that sent it. She was listening, heard us talking about this, and then said, I do books like this, but for athletes. I thought it gave it away when you told us that the author tweeted you, and then you read it tweets. That's a good hint. That's what I was saying. And she heard us talking about it, so she tweeted you. Once you finally said during the show, yeah. Okay.

All right. Yeah, I thought that was cool. All right. There you go. Well, all right. So let's talk a little bit about getting ready for tonight. Mark Pope had his goodbye. senior press conference.

Let's go over some notes. First of all, Kirkresa was not mentioned, will not be going through senior day ceremonies. Do you think that means something? I would hope it does. I would hope it means that they're going to maybe try to get a medical red shirt and keep him here. But of course, there's nothing to say he can go and play someplace else.

Yeah, that's what I was going to say. I think it means something. I don't know if it means staying here. Yeah. I think it means he probably plans on playing another year of college basketball. Do you agree with that? Yeah, Pope said I took the guys out who've exalted. their eligibility leaving crease out of that group.

So I think he'll be playing college basketball next year. I don't know that I expected in Lexington, but that's why he's not going through it today and didn't have dinner with him. So he's going to have, they're going to have Butler, what is it, Butler, Olmanor, Carr, Williams. Is that the group? Robinson, Brea. Braia.

Six. With Kerr, it would have been the most ever with seven, but six times a few classes. Six guys. And, you know, six guys who all have really in their year here contributed to the program. I think we went from not having a senior night or only having it with walk-ons to this will be like a real senior night saying goodbye basically to the vast majority of the team. You're right. The only guys that stayed here four years during the Calgary. A lot of times were just walk-ons.

I mean, there's only a handful. I mean, can you name the seniors that played all four years for John Calgary? Alex Poitris. There's one. Derek Willis. There's two. Dominique Hawkins. There's three.

Can you name the other? There's another one. John Hood? Oh, John Hood. Yeah. All right. Anybody else you can think? four years four years it was a scholarship player scholarship player Alex Poetters

did Jared Polson count well he went back he started as a walk-on and ended up so I'm not gonna I won't I won't put him on there hmm no I think I may be it are those the only four I that those may be the only four I don't have the answer in my head but I that they might be which is pretty amazing yeah it would only be four in 15 years. But I think that might be. And three of them are from Kentucky. So really, it's just Alex Pointeress that was, you know.

Yeah, we only, there's one senior day. It was like two years ago he had six. It was Topin, Oscar, Wheeler, Frederick. That was a big group. But other than that, we haven't really had a senior day. Once the portal opened, we started getting a lot of those guys. So let's go through some of these folks here. First of all, I always like to do this on senior day, kind of like, what's your memory of?

Let's start with Jackson Robinson, who Pope said burst into tears after the game against Oklahoma once he realized he couldn't play. That kind of made my heart flutter a little bit. He said Robinson knew as soon as he got to the bench. That was it. He tried to hold it together during the game and then cried after it was over. What did you think of that? It breaks my heart to hear that. It tells how much these guys really care.

They're here one year, but they really care about this program and their teammates in the locker room. I hate to hear that. I mean, my biggest memory of him, maybe the Gonzaga game. Yeah, played great. We played great, have to move to point guard and played outstanding. After, you know, Butler was out, Creece gets hurt during the game. They moved Jackson over, one of his best games of the year. Yeah, I mean, that, that to me will be his kind of legacy game at Kentucky was that one.

You know, I think he got like 85% of where we wanted to go. Obviously, if he wanted to play the rest of the year, didn't quite become a star star, but I still think consistently was our best score when he was going. Yeah, when he would get hot, you know, he'd pull up for him anywhere. They'd go in runs, especially early in the season. I know the competition wasn't the same in the non-conference, but it felt like he had some games where he was just absolutely on fire, and we were so excited to get a full year of him,

and unfortunately get robbed of that. Lamont Butler, obviously, when he looked back to his whole career, went to a final four, but I think huge key to what happens for the rest of the time. I mean, team is a different team when he's not the one bringing the ball up. There's no doubt, and we saw the difference when he was out, what makes when late game situations. We needed him. That Texas game comes to mind.

My best member of him's got to be the Louisville game, though, right? He was perfect. He has that Louisville game forever. He joins the list of guys who went off against Louisville over the years. 10 for 10 and what, six for six from three? And it was like one point shy of the record for points in a Louisville game. That's pretty amazing. You're not going to find a better game than that.

Kobe Brea, I think if you're thinking about one game, you think of the Florida game. I just think of a guy that when he's open and going, I'm not sure how many guys have felt more money than him. When he's open and going, like, you just go, well, that's a layup. He has forced defenses to concentrate on him so much. It's kind of helped everybody else because they're doing everything they can to prevent him from getting a look. Jay Bill is still causing the best shooter in college basketball right now.

He did the other night, so. Andrew Carr, I think you go back to, like, what, like the Duke game as his big one, and, you know, he's had to deal with back stuff all year. But I think his big, he's going to have some big, moments still to come because I think he's he's starting to get like we saw in that Duke game in those early games in the year. Gonzaga too. I think he scored the bucket and regulation to help get it to overtime. Both the biggest wins of the season, he was a key part in the second half comeback. I mean just same with Robinson. I wonder if you had a full year of him healthy what

you could have seen out of car. Yeah, I totally agree with that. Ansley Almanor, staying in the corner hitting threes. Is that is that your Ansley Almanor? I don't know a player that's appreciated being in Kentucky more than Anzley Almanor, including guys that are from here and grew up with posters on their walls. That guy, any moment you look at him, he's smiling, when he gets to do interviews, all he wants to talk about is how much he loves being at Kentucky. I'll remember him just for his appreciation and that you thought he was going to be the 11th man. Well, I mean, there is a, I'll always associate him with Mario,

because I was sitting next to Mario at that pro day, and I was like, that dude's not playing here. And he was like, yes, he is. I was like, no, he's not. I said he's not. And then he's done it. And I have a theory on that. I think he was San, tagging on Pro Day to show them that how much better he'd get throughout the year.

I'll say this about appreciation. You know, one of the things, I think the Cal guys all appreciated being here more than our fans sort of realize the vast majority of them, not all of them, but most of them. But there certainly was a sense amongst our fan base that these one and done guys are just here, they just leave. A lot of it was Cal would just say it. I mean, Cal would say all the time, like they're here for the NBA, they're here for me and it sometimes made Kentucky fans feel like unappreciated.

Ansley, really this whole group, but Ansley-Almanor in particular sort of reaffirmed to people, hey, the name on the front matters, and it matters more than you realize. And having a group of guys, and I think this is true of all six of these seniors, who really felt like they had reached a goal just being here, I think really made the fans feel better. It wasn't a step to another goal. It was a very important goal in and of itself. I think as fans, we were only here for one short season. It drew us closer to these guys because of that.

Because we could tell his love of wanting to put on that uniform, we now appreciate and accept those guys, I think, even more. And then finally, Amari Williams, I'm not sure very many players have gotten better during the year than Mari Williams. I think at the beginning of the year, he could be frustrating, dribble too much. don't put his hands up on offense and rebounding. And in the last 10 games, he's been awesome.

I mean, he's been absolutely awesome. The difference between he's on the floor when he's not is exponentially different. He's a very unique player. I mean, you can see why Pope liked him, those passes, his ability to run the offense from the top of the key, really have enjoyed him in the last 10 games. I mean, he's gone from a player that, if I'm being honest, was maybe the most frustrating player to me early to get him back in when. We need to come back.

When we got to interview all the players last June, I immediately knew Mario Williams was my favorite. I didn't expect him to be as good as he is. I thought he might be the fourth or fifth best player that'd play a lot of good defense. But I've been rooting that guy for that guy since the moment he got on campus. And to see what he turned into with the fourth triple double in history and all these other crazy stats with his per 40-minute stats and things like that, it's been amazing to watch him.

And I think he's not done yet. I think big things coming for him, too. I'd hate to think where this team would be without Amari Williams. I mean, he's been the MVP of the SEC season so far, and he's, like Drew said, I think he's still got some big games to come in March. And Mark Pope and Oway seemed to suggest he's going to look at the draft, but still would come back, and it sounded like it would come back here. I mean, I think if he comes back, it will be here.

I think he'll end up back here because I'm not sure the draft will give him a response that would get him in the first round. Probably can make more money here next year than he can make in the pros. but I do want to say with these six guys, you know, there might still be a special March run to come, but I do really appreciate all of these guys. This was a team thrown together, and, you know, they brought a different kind of special excitement back to the Kentucky teams. And we haven't had dudes like this. We might have had one on the team every year, but to have a whole roster, I just am really appreciative for this group.

But I think fans will look back fondly at them kind of no matter what happens, don't you? I think there's no doubt. We said this early on, that this may be Mark Pope's most important recruiting class. He has it during his entire career here for getting the program back to where the fans were excited again about watching the team develop. He also said that he talked about who was coming back, and then he said we have three freshmen, four now, and he emphasized four now, which makes us think he probably still thinks he can get next. Amen, and then he said we're going to go get a couple of superstar transfers. He didn't just say players.

He said superstar. That's good because we're going to need them. But I thought that was an important comment. The word superstar really jumped out to me because I agree. I mean, as much as I like some of the guys he's going to have back, he's going to have to recruit over a lot of them to build what he needs. We've seen this year what he's missing. I think Oway has his number one must retain.

But other than that, I think any of the guys could get recruited over. Superstar is a big comment. So that was interesting. 859-28027. Take a break. It's Ask Anything Tuesday here at KSpar's Kentucky Sports Radio. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind.

Highlights are trending. Opinions are flying. And nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise. Breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source.

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859-2802287. Text machine 772-7524. Ask anything Tuesday. One person who writes, Matt, it's Jordan from North Carolina. What's the rarest piece of sports memorabilia that each of you? own. I don't think I've ever said this on here. I own a pair of shoes that one of the UK players was wearing when they beat Louisville in the Final Four in 2012. I didn't know you had those. Yeah. I don't want to say which one because I don't think they wanted me to publicize that they

sold them to me. But after they finished here, I bought, they didn't want to get part with the national championship shoes, but I had the beat Louisville in the final four shoes. So that's You got some kind of rare shoes. Yeah, yeah, but not like, I mean, other people have those. Yeah. This is something. Nobody else has this particular thing. What about you?

You know, I've got part of the floor that hit the old Phantom Hickory High School, Mylan High School in Indiana. I got it framed with their team picture. I got a piece of the old Milan High School floor. It's the real floor from the old Milan High School. They took the movie Hoosiers from. Okay. That's very cool.

I met you, Drew. You got something? I'm trying to get like a unique piece. I mean, I have a squirt can sound by Katina Powell. That's pretty unique. I'm mostly just having... You got her to sign a can. It's upstairs.

I go get it during the break. You got to sign a can of squirt. Can't be too many of those out there. That's got to be pretty rare. I have a lot of good autographs, big names. We've got a couple Jordans like Joe DiMaggio, Babe Ruth, but nothing like a piece that not many people have something of. One person writes, Matt, don't be talking about Benedict Shepard.

Me and my family are not... read fans until he apologized. I mean, I'm amazed how much that stuck, to be honest with you. I really am. I mean, I thought it would be like a little thing, but it really, I think if we had won, I think people would have gotten, but the fact we lost, I think makes it to where it just, it just stuck. And I honestly think if he had worn a Kentucky shirt and Arkansas shorts, it wouldn't be near

as big a deal. The problem was it was reversed. I agree with you. I think if it had been the other way, people wouldn't have liked it, but at least it, because they were able to put out the picture, Shannon, that said Arkansas on top. That's right. Yeah. And it's just like one, you know, small little change that could have made a big difference.

Big difference. I don't know why. It feels different. Can make a big difference. I mean, people will get over it, but it's lingered longer than I thought it would, to be honest with you. All right, who's up first? Mike. Mike, what are you got?

Hey, guys. You all kind of test them. But the guys, they're losing. None of those guys coming back are, in my opinion, as kid as the guys were losing. And I heard you say something about he's looking for a couple of superstars. I sure hope so because just send some people away. He might. He might.

He might. I think that's genuinely possible. I appreciate the call. First of all, O-Way coming back is big. Yes. If you get O-Way back, you're getting what was our most consistent scoreback. So that would be big. You know, I do think, though, and I think Jasper Johnson is the level of freshman

that's going to come in and be really good. Okay. The other two guys I think will contribute. I don't know that they're starters right off the bat. Do you think? No, I think he's got to go out and get just about everything but away. I think you got to, I mean, I like Brandon Garrison, but I don't think you can go in next year with just Marino and Garrison.

I agree. I think if you can find a good center that kind of matches what Amari does a little bit, you got to have that. You got to have a point guard. I mean, the freshmen will be decent, but you can't just go in thinking that they're going to be it. You got to go out and get some guys that you know are going to be right away contributors. I don't think he has to go.

get a whole roster, but I think he's got to go get four or five guys, and they all have to play. Like, I mean, in some ways, it's going to be the same thing he did this year, except he's going to have an O way, and he's going to have built some depth, hopefully, through these freshmen coming through. You know, I think he wants to build the roster the way Danny Hurley does at Yukon, which one or two superstars, freshmen coming through the program, go get me three or four transfers. I think that's what he wants to do, but that's a two or three-year process. probably. Yeah, he's looking at, he's probably got to think in his mind, I've got to go get four

starters. I don't know if Garrison's going to be one of those. I hope he thinks that. He's got to think that. Because I think O'Way is the only guy on the team that I'm certain could start this year. Now, maybe some of the other guys work their way into starting, but he's the only one I think is certain can start. Yeah, I think it's got to be his mindset.

I've got to go in this portal and get my roster ready with four-day-starters. Look for each position and go get that guy that will help us the most. You think we get a foreigner? Actually, that sounded a lot more, that sounded a lot more sort of MAGA than I wanted to. You think we get a foreigner? My fault. Do you think we get a European or a player from another country? An international play.

There you go. That would be better than, say, in a foreigner. I mean, there's been some mentions of guys, like, there's two different Italian big men whose names have been thrown out with the way Pope plays in the European game. It wouldn't surprise me if he added someone. See, I think European big men would be exactly. Exactly what he wants. I mean, I feel like that is for his offense. Bigsy, excuse me.

I mean, Amari's British. Like, that's European. I mean, they're not in the EU anymore, but it's still. So maybe we just constantly. We occur? Yeah, Kerr's from Estonia. Yeah. He recruits the whole globe.

Yeah, global traveler. But I think we might go get a guy who's there, maybe even, because you know, now you can get dudes that play pro ball. That's right. Right, like that whole Enisk Cantor situation wouldn't happen now. Now you're allowed to just go get a guy like that. I think that he'll put a lot of emphasis on that, getting a good five that will play his style of basketball for his offense. And I'm sure they're already scouting guys right now trying to figure out who that guy's going to be.

One person writes, Matt, I hope Rupp is extra loud for these guys. I haven't watched this much UK basketball since the Fox Monk season. It's been really fun. I think there's a lot of that out there. I think there are a group of fans that have watched more of this team than they've watched of a team probably since COVID. I think this team has, even though they haven't been like through the roof great, they have kind of reignited this fan base. And if you think about it, beating Duke, beating Tennessee twice,

beating Gonzaga, beaten Florida, Louisville, the only real down is if we had beaten Arkansas. But if you had beaten Arkansas, you probably would say he checked off every regular season box that I think a lot of us would have hoped he would have done. So, 859, 2808, 27, ask anything. Tuesday. We'll take a break. Be right back. KS.R. T.J. Smith, personal injury attorney. Call T.J. He'll make them pay.

Now, more of Kentucky Sports Radio presented by Stockton Mortgage. Here's Matt Jones. Welcome back, Tucky Sports Radio here at KSR. Pregame show starts at 4.30 tonight. If you come in the game, I'd say get here and enjoy it. Text machine on Ask Anything Wednesday, Tuesday, one person writes, Matt. I just told my wife, you were on Bill Maher with Katie, Currick and Kelly Ann Conway and she didn't believe me.

Then I dug up the picture. What was that like behind the scenes? Surreal. The entire experience was absolutely ridiculous. It was the season premiere of Bill Marr. The guest list was Katie Currick, Kelly and Conway, and me. And of course, no one there knew who I was. It was because of COVID.

It was during COVID. So, like, there was no one in the studio. Like, everyone was working from home. So like you got there and there was maybe three people there. When we met, they had me and Bill Maher, or excuse me, me and Katie Couric and Kelly and Conway, like all in dressing rooms next to each other. We all like hung out in the same dressing room. Katie and Kelly knew each other, so they were talking.

I kind of felt left out, but then they brought me into the conversation. I was like, hey, everybody. You know, it was like two weeks after January 6th, so that was going to be the topic. I just was thinking, please don't. say anything stupid. Then Katie Currick called my mom. Because I said, my mom really likes you. She does. And she said, well, let's call her.

So we just called my mom. Kelly and Conway was, you know, said that I looked like one of her old boyfriends, which I thought was kind of strange. But they were both very nice to me. And the whole thing was weird. I've said this before. I don't know

that I'll ever have a more surreal moment in my life than sitting backstage, Bill Maher is about to get to his monologue. It's just me and Katie Couric next to each other, just sitting there, and all of a sudden that HBO thing comes on, and it was like, boom. The static thing. Yeah.

And I went, I can't believe I'm about to do this. I'm about to go on stage with Katie Couric on HBO. This is the craziest thing in the world. My two big takeaways from that was, one, the Katie Couric call to your mom. And two, Bill Maher kept trying to disagree. with you and trip you up and you held your ground against him. I thought that was good. Yeah, I was like, no, don't you think you can overpower me, Bill Maher.

He tried. When it was over, though, he said, you did great. We'll have you on again real soon, and then I still haven't been on. But nevertheless, it made me feel good going on. But the COVID protocols were so strong back then. You had to get COVID tested twice the day before the taping and the day of the tape. Wow. So it was a whole big shebang.

Put us up in a really nice hotel, though. That was good. We were all proud of you that night. That was kind of cool to gather around and watch you up there on that big stage. Yeah, and it taped like two or three hours for it aired. So those two or three hours were really nerve-wracking. Like I was just going, oh, what's this going to be like? You and Katie now get together and go bowling or anything?

Bowling? Yeah, you know, like what friends do? I mean, I don't know that she considers me great friends. I have her number, but like we've never, like what are we going to talk about? Like, hey, Katie. What's up? Next time we need to break a tie in a food bracket or something you should call. No, that's a good idea.

I think I did text her and ask her to be in the NFL celebrity league, and she didn't respond. So that's the way it goes. Who's up next? Adam. Adam. Adam. I hate it for Jackson Robinson, not being able to finish out the year,

but also just hate it for the fan base. For me, it's like all the what-if injuries in Kentucky basketball history. I'm 39, so, you know, my biggest ones are obviously Derek Anderson, Keith Bogan, Rodney Kent. Alex Poitris, what are your all's kind of biggest what-if injuries? I think the biggest what-if injury in my lifetime, I appreciate the call, is Keith Bogans. Because I think if Keith Bogans doesn't get hurt in 2003, I think we win that national championship probably. I think we were the best team that year.

You know, not having Willie in 2014 might have hurt them in the championship game, but to be honest, they kind of found their rhythm even after Willie got hurt. So I, you know, I don't know that that would have made a huge difference. Obviously, the poitrous, but we should have beaten him anyway. Like, you know, we should have beaten Wisconsin regardless. So I always think of the Bogans one. And Derek Anderson, again, they made it to the championship game, right? So I don't know that that cost him.

The Bogans one, in my opinion, we beat Marquette. We keep Bowkins. And Bogans was hurt, but Tubby was so loyal to him. He went ahead and tried to play him as much as possible, and he was just having a hard time keeping up with Dway. Wade but tubby was loved him so much he wanted to give him that chance to win the game and he deserved the chance he did deserve the chance he had been he was awesome that year yeah so that's the one for me you have one well Derek Anderson there's all that conspiracy theory and you know mystery

behind that because he allegedly you know practiced that day and had a full practice and was perfectly fine he everybody says even he has said I could have played and then petino didn't play yeah that one doesn't bother me as much because he was legitimately hurt. Oh, yeah. And I think, you know, what about you? The Poethrs one sticks out. Nobody could guard Sam Decker. I mean, I know everybody thinks of Devin Booker now and wanted to play more in that game, but Booker couldn't guard anybody in that game. And I think the outcome's different if Poitrithrhus is in to play defense. With all that said, I think the most devastating injury in UK history is Nerlins-Noelle. Yeah. Because, I mean, Nerlins-Nuel,

we went from a team that was maybe a Sweet 16 team to missing the tournament losing to Robert Morris. I mean, that was, Nerlins-Noll's injury probably affected the team as. much as any in history. Yeah, there's no doubt because that team would have definitely been a team that could have done some damage in March. You know, if you go way back, even back, Jason Parker, big stud. Wow, that's a good record. Blue his knee out in the locker room before coming out for the blue-white game. Oh, no, it was a midnight madness.

Is that right? Yes. Yeah. Now, he was good, too. Remember the game he had at North Carolina? He was awesome. He was awesome. That's a dude you forget.

Who's next? Richard. Richard. Go ahead, Richard. Yes, but we got coming, Matt. Someone not on the team. Someone not currently on the team. So if Kerr comes back, he won't start at the point.

No, not if you want to win a national championship. I like Kerr. I like Travis Perry. Maybe Travis Perry can start as a junior or senior on a team that can win the national championship, but if you want to be a contender next year, the point guard is not on the team right now, in my opinion. Appreciate you. Thank you.

Do you agree with that? Completely agree. got to go out and get a good one if that means Kerr sees the writing on the wall sorry I wish we would have had him this year but he's got to go out and get a good point guard that can defend for one because with freshmen and Kerr there's no defense but also I think got to be a leader and maybe one of the superstars he mentioned last night I think you got you know if O.A comes back you've got a two guard that can play if Chandler keeps improving and Perry that gives you some good

depth with guards I think Trent Noah I don't know if he's a starter but I think He can still, he could get to a point where he plays a lot of minutes next year. But I think you, I think there's a really good chance you got to go get. I think Jasper Johnson starts. So I think you got to go get three starters next year. You got to get three starters and a bench player, in my opinion, in the port. And they looked at the transfer portal last year, and they pinpointed Lamont Butler and went all out after him. That was the one guy.

They'll probably do the same thing. They'll probably do. They probably do already know. My guess is they already know. You know, I keep being told there's a kid from Kentucky that'll end up on the roster next. I was watching a game last night. The Atlantic Sun tournament has already started. I'm sure all of you had it on.

And Queens, North Carolina was playing Florida Gulf Coast. And one of the two teams, I heard the announcer say, had a guard from Eddieville. Oh, Florida Gulf Coast. Is that? Reddick. Yeah, he played with. Oh, yeah. Yeah, the guy goes from Eddieville, Kentucky.

And I was like, yeah. And he was one of their better players. As a true freshman, yeah. He's not the guy I'm saying is going to get. I know who everyone thinks they're going to go get. It's not him. But it was just interesting to hear that there was another kid. I mean, how about Eddieville having two guys, you know, playing Division I

If he didn't grow up sharing a back court with Travis Perry, I think his name would be a lot more known around here. Probably right. Yeah, they were a very good team last season. He was a big part of it. Dolly Parton's husband died. Oh. He'd been married.

I think his name was Carl. I think that was, right? They had been married. How about this, for 60 years? Wow. Here's what I'm always fascinated with. For Dolly Parton to be what she has been, like an icon, like for many years like a sex symbol, like someone everybody likes.

No one knew anything about her husband. Nope. Like somehow, he ended up completely anonymous. And she liked it like that. That's pretty amazing. in it for 60 years to have someone as famous as her, and you have no idea who her husband is. Isn't that weird?

It isn't. Something about his name being Carl. I just picture a guy that's sitting on his porch waiting for Dolly to come home from her concert, just very low-key as he was. I don't even know what he looked like. But it's just such a weird dynamic that must have been with her being one of the most famous people that exists,

and Carl's just hanging out of home waiting for to get back. Do you have in your mind what Carl looks like? I'm going to say he's You don't know I don't know I don't know I don't either I have

And I'm a huge Dolly Parton fan And I have no idea What he looks like None I just find that fascinating That you could have someone That famous

Married for 60 years And also that dude That dude had to be a pretty confident Dude You know what I mean To sit there and have your wife Be Dolly Parton Doing Dolly Parton things

And be like She's coming home to car That's just what's happening. When all is said and done, she may think Johnny Carson's hot, but she's coming home to Carl. Carl definitely has to have the right personality. You're right to be that kind of guy and be that confident yet being. You think you could have been married for 60 years anonymously to Dolly Parton?

No. I don't know. Yeah, you're too jealous. What about you? Mine wouldn't have been jealousy. I'd want to be a part of it all. Like I'd want to be by her. Yeah, because she's doing it.

so much fun stuff. I'd be right by our side the whole way. I don't get jealous. So I wouldn't be jealous. I'd be like you though. I'd be like I want to go to some of the stuff. Why don't you take me? Like you went to the Oscars. Why do I have to sit at home? I'm Carl. I'm still got needs. I got to go out and farm our farm out here. I can't go to the Oscars. What about you Shannon? I feel like you could maybe do it. You're the one person I could see kind of be in the background for dollars. Well, I'm with you guys though. I would want to be on the red carpet and you know, like we're doing all the cool things that she gets to do, like living vicariously through her life. Carl seemed fine.

Maybe that's why they worked. I'm sure that's why they worked. You can't have, you couldn't have a personality like Dolly's with a male personality, that they'd kill each other. Yeah, he'd always want to be in the spotlight when she's in the spotlight. Carl could do it. Carl's okay sitting on the front porch, whittling a stick. You think that's what he does? Yeah, you think he sits there and he whittles?

You think that's his job he does? Maybe turn a little butter? You think he's turning butter? You think they might, you think with the money they have to make? their home butter. Maybe make some chairs while you back to the barn. He needs to make chairs too. So you think it's like you think Dolly's husband lives in Berea.

I wouldn't be shocked. All right. There can only be one since October of resting piece to Carl. October of 2010, place for quality smoked meats in central Kentucky is Red State barbecue. Ribs, chicken, pork, brisket, sausage, smoked and flash fried chicken wings. If you want barbecue, Red State's the best in Lexington. They got barbecue egg rolls, nachos, beer, cheese, baked beans, it's all there. Quality Smoke Beat since 2010. It's Red State Barbecue,

your trusted name in the barbecue business. They started literally the same month that we started this radio show. Was it really? October 2010, and that's when they started as well. We'll take a break and be right back. This is Kentucky Sports Radio. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode we're cutting through the noise. Breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athlete themselves.

Their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context, and ask the questions everybody wants answered. Sports slice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live. them. Listen to Sports Slice on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host, and your favorite therapist,

Kear Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking, Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing and we're still chasing it and we don't know when we've done enough

because people scoreboard watch life becomes about wins and losses Steve Burns, Dustin Ross because you find it important to be a good person while you hear on earth or are you a good person because you're afraid because that's two different intentions bro absolutely and that's two different levels of trust

I want you to just really be a good person Join me, Keir Gaines, as we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, Learn the Hard Way. Open your free iHeartRadio app, search Learn the Hardway, and listen now. Jacob Kingston grew up in an isolated polygamous sect. We were God's chosen kingdom on earth. He felt destined for greatness. So when a swaggering Armenian businessman catapults Jacob into an extraordinary world, he doesn't look back.

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Life throws hurdles big and small. The question is, how do you conquer them? On Hurtle with Emily Abadi, we sit down with the most inspiring women in sports and wellness, professional athletes, coaches, and Olympic champions to talk about the challenges that shaped them and the mindset that keeps them going. from the WMBA standout Kate Martin and rising hockey star Layla Edwards. If a boy can do it, I don't see why a girl can't.

Like, I've never understood that. Like, it didn't make sense in my brain. It's hard to be in spaces that no one looks like you, but don't ever feel like you don't belong. Don't let that be the reason you don't do it. An Olympic champs Gabby Thomas and Katie Ladeki. The ability to show a gold medal to someone and have their face light up and smile,

that means the world to me. And that's what motivates me to win more gold medals. at our level at this scale, like being able to fail in front of the entire world. Like, I can do anything. I can do anything. Because resilience isn't just about winning. It's about showing up, even when it's hard. Listen to Hurtle with Emily Abadi on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHart Women's Sports. Welcome back. It is Kentucky Sports Radio. Some breaking news here, Shannon. running a nah nah uh uh you can't

with basketball player Clara Strach name SEC defensive player of the year yeah exciting nice well she blocked

the school record for blocks and probably she led the SEC in blocks I'm sure so good for her yeah she's she was great she's been great

the last couple games Kentucky's sort of position be a four seed in the SEC tournament their game by the way will be 2 30 on Friday we will air it here the UK

women 2.30 on Friday in the SEC tournament. So that's exciting. Yeah, they got the top four season. They get a double buy also, right? Double by, yes, they get a double buy. You have the new men's bracketology. Just came out hot off the presses. Hot off the press.

Where do they have Kentucky? They are a three seed. Okay. Playing in Denver. I don't hate that. It's a bit of a drive, but we enjoy Denver. Shannon loves Denver. Witchcraft.

Shannon gets caught in this hotel room with smoke everywhere. What's the other one? I refuse. I refuse to believe that they don't do this for attention. They have Kentucky opening up with Utah Valley, Mark Pope's former school, where he never won a tournament game that people like to mention. From there, you could play either Indiana or St. Mary's. Okay.

Auburn's the one. I'm all right with that. I would totally take that draw. The two would be Iowa State. Love it. Give me that draw. Sign me up for that draw. And where's the regional?

Atlanta. Atlanta. I mean, like, honestly, you couldn't ask for a better draw for Kentucky. that. Play in Denver, play Utah Valley State, then either St. Mary's or Indiana, you should be able to beat those teams. If you don't, well, then you didn't need to move on. Then go to Atlanta. We'd have a million people playing Iowa State, and if we did play Auburn in the Elite 8, that would be, they could sell out the Georgia Dome for that game if we did that. So I would totally take that as a draw. I would absolutely take that draw. Who was, who's the four? Who could we try to

root to beat all of? Purdue and Clemson are up there. Maybe Clemson, too. Yeah. Auburn in a right scenario. That one dude that looks like me could go out there to score about 40. That guy versus Broom, not really a great matchup on paper, but you never know. That dude has a way. I don't know what it is about that dude, but that dude has a way. He did it against Duke. He did it against us.

There's something about that dude. That's a dude. If he's in the portal, I wouldn't mind having that dude. He's a weird guy. I actually love this draw. Even with Auburn being there, whatever. If you get that far, that's a good problem to have. That dude killed us, and he looks like he can't.

jump he's not athletic can't run and yet he had like what 20 rebounds against that's the thing about him it's not like he's just a three-point shooter he gets rebounds and he's not even that tall like i don't understand how he does it he's amazing Tennessee is the one in lexington in this bracket so we'd have to put up with vals fans in our city but that's all right then come here and hang out i'll yell at him who's next randy randy randy go ahead randy hey guys how we're going doing good by the way if we did that shanan that would mean another trip across kansas for you so you should be excited Can we go around it? No, I don't think we can.

Go ahead, Randy. Yeah, for me, the last six years have been extremely taxing to watch UK basketball. So Mark Pope, I wasn't sold on him at first. Actually, I got sold on him at his press conference, introductory press conference. That was just two days after he was hired. I mean, you say you weren't. It was just two days. It was 48 hours.

Yeah. Well, I wasn't sure. But when he started talking, I was sold. I said he's the guy. but they have brought the joy back to Kentucky basketball for me. It has not been enjoyable the last six years. And the joy is back, even in the losses. Yeah, totally agree with that.

Appreciate the call. I mean, the joy has been, there's no doubt that that's been a big part of Pope's success. And now, you know, you get a year like this. Now, next year is going to be a little different. There's going to be a lot more pressure on him. there's going to be a lot. It's going to be different. It's not going to be joyous unless you do have some success. Yeah, I think the crowds at Rupp Arena are indicative of that, what the caller was talking about. I think the crowd's here for the pregame show are indicative of that.

The fans are excited about the program again. We know they got their program back. Well, even just little things. Like, I'll give me an example of watch parties. The last few years, when we would do a road weeknight game watch party, there'd be 20 people here. Like, people just wouldn't come out to watch a team. Now, we had a 9 o'clock, Oklahoma game and we had a lot of people here. Last year there would have been three people here for a nine o'clock Oklahoma ago. Just the way people are excited to watch the team. It's just dramatically different from the last few years. Who's next? Tyler. Tyler, go ahead, Tyler. Yeah, I've got one comment, one question. My comment is, I hate to have Robinson out,

but I still believe with what we've got left, Pope and this thing to go together a run. and my question is I noticed that the women were black why do the men have never wore black because I think what they're in black their colors and we've worn black a few times I don't remember it but I've seen it's worth gray but we have the women have done it I appreciate the call I mean the women have worn pink right

like the the men get a lot it's a lot more scrutiny drew I think when they try to do something different with the uniforms so I think the men men's teams they're probably more hesitant to make big changes, but we've worn black before. It feels like we always lost when we did it, but we have done it. Had even been that long, I remember an Oscar wearing black. I don't remember the exact game or which of his teams. Maybe the one with Kays and Wallace, for some reason, I have a memory of him wearing the black uniform.

So it's only been a couple years since they've tried it. I think you're right, though, about the alternate jerseys that doesn't seem to go well when they wear those. Yeah, there's a large section of our fan base that does not want them to wear anything but blue and white for the guys. Yeah, I don't like that. Take it like once, twice a year, do something crazy. Like, wacky. Come on. I like they went back to the throwbacks last year.

They had the 93s. They wore those once this year, but I wish they'd work in more of that. They have so many good old uniforms. Let's do it. I mean, listen, this is not like, this is not, you know, science class. This is not opera. It's supposed to be fun. Let's go out.

Let's have some crazy jersey. What are having to the jorts? I thought we were going to have those. Yeah, I thought we were going to do the jeans. The denim. They got to wait next year on the anniversary of the championship. team probably. Well, either way, I'm for it.

I was at the, when the women's team wore pink, I'm not saying the guys team should wear pink, but it was cool. It was just different. There's nothing wrong with that. We will take a break. Come back. Hour number two, 859, 28027. It's KSR.

Another podcast from some SNL late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends, me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer, Streeter Seidel. help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter.

Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and friends on the I-Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo, and every episode, we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the biggest moments in sports and giving you the real story

behind the headline. And we're going straight to the source the athletes themselves. Their locker room stories, their reactions in the moment and the stuff nobody gets to hear. Listen to Sports Slice on the IHeart Radio app,

Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slical Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Life is full of hurdles. So how do you keep going? On Hurtle with Emily Abadi, we're talking with the most inspiring women

in sports and wellness. from professional athletes, coaches, and Olympic champions about the challenges that shape them and the mindset that keeps them moving forward. At our level, at this scale, being able to fail in front of the entire world, like, I can do anything. I can do anything. Listen to Hurtle with Emily Abadi on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHeart Women's Sports. What's up, fam? It's Isaiah Thomas. And I'm C.J. Toledano. It's our favorite time of the year on our podcast Point Game. the playoffs. We're digging into the biggest surprises of the season. And I'm looking back on some of my greatest playoff moments.

If we didn't talk ever again, I was calling it. You just understood. That's how personal it got. Wow. Then after that game seven, Marquis come in too, he's like, you know I love you, dog. You know, it's all love. This was just playoffs. This was just basketball.

So listen to Point Game on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.