KSR - 2025-11-07- KSR - Hour 1

Episode Date: November 7, 2025

Matt, Ryan Shannon, and Drew discuss the big upcoming UK sports weekend. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Now, here's Matt Jones. Welcome, everyone. It is Kentucky Sports Radio Friday. November the 7th, I am Matt Jones here in Lexington, Kentucky at Bespoken Spirits. in Grey Line Station off Loudoun, where we will be here for the next two hours to get you ready for one of the bigger sports weekends of the year for Kentucky sports. Basketball game, football game, women's basketball game, women's volleyball game, all of which are in Lexington over the course of the next three days.

And you can give a shout on the Clark's Puppet Shop phone line, 859-280-2287. A Vision Auto Glass Text Machine, 772-7525-4, and this edition is sponsored by the T.J. Smith Law Office. If you call T.J. He'll make them pay. We are here at Bespoken Spirits with a good crowd as they are celebrating Club Blue Bourbon, which is still going on. And the money still goes to NIL, even with the change in the way that, you know, Rev. Share, et cetera, is going. Club Blue Bourbon, which were helped to be picked by Ryan and Drew are still here and for sale. And they are giving away today. There are people, they have these smoked old fashions. The crowd is drinking the bourbon. It's a pretty good, this is the second straight show where people get to drink bourbon, although in these, these are like mixed drinks, and our crowd has slowly moved Ryan to the bar once they started serving. They brought out these smoked old fashions. I saw Shannon got one. I saw Drew got one. I am. There you go. You have mine. I'm not going to drink. Okay. What is the smoked old fashion? Tell me what that is. Look at that. There you go. They take it old fashion, and they cover it up with this dome, and then they pump smoke in there, and it gives it a smoky flavor. Okay. They had just made Shannon's when I walked in.

I could smell the smoke even outside the doors. I feel like I'm at a campfire right now with these marshmallows. They got a nice couple marshmallows in there to add to it. So I'll be having to this one. Well, come on out. I'm going to give some tickets away to the UK basketball game. I actually just had somebody send me football tickets as well. If you're not going to one of the games, remember our little ticket exchange program,

send to Matt.coms at Kentucky Sports Radio. We gave away three sets to the game Tuesday night. I already have a little bit for tonight as well, Ryan. And I think it's going to be a big weekend. Like I said, women's game was last night, Valpo tonight, Florida Saturday, volleyball game against Tennessee on Sunday that's nationally televised. As big a Lexington Sports weekend as you can have. Yeah, it got to go off the good start last night.

I turned on the women's game, and I think it was like 37 to 4 at one point. He would just crush Monmouth last night. Do you think we sweep all three of those this weekend? I mean, I think obviously we get the Valpo game tonight. Yeah, I mean, it all comes down to whether you think we're going to beat Florida. I mean, I think we're going to get Valpo. I think the women will get Tennessee in the volleyball game. So it just depends on Florida.

So I would say 98% chance. 98%? That's pretty high. That's really high. We don't need to play the game then. Maybe a little bit higher. I'm going to all three. I'm doing the trifecta.

Yeah, you got tickets to volleyball game. Yeah, tonight, tomorrow will be work, and then I got tickets for volleyball Sunday. And then last night, I went out and bought a volleyball t-shirt. It's my first career UK volleyball t-teachers. shirt. I think it's a women's t-shirt, but I'm going to wear it anyway. Is it a V-cut? No, but I got the 2x to try to squeeze into it. Sunday I might be wearing a women's t-shirt. You get a dazzle it a little bit. I don't care. I had to rock some volleyball for him. I'm excited.

Show a little chess for the ladies. It's okay. It's not a V-cut. It's a t-shirt, but it was in the women's section. It's all right. Nothing wrong. Everybody's got their thing. It's a spaghetti strap. So today, our pre-game show is at 430 at KS Bar. Bar. We'd love to see everybody. We've got, I need to make a quick announcement. I messed up online. I misunderstood something Mario said. We have these new cool glasses that, but that I said we were going to give away starting today.

They actually are for the UK Louisville game. So I did want to know. But we'll be at the pregame. It's 4.30 today. Is it four? What times a game tomorrow night? Does anybody know what? 7.30.

730. 730. We started 3.30. So we started 3.30 tomorrow. So 430 today. 3.30. tomorrow. And Ryan, let's see.

Let's just go. Let's start. I think we got to start with the football because of some news from yesterday, too. So which do you want to do first? Do you want to do the Garrett's got to get your money video or do you want to talk about the game? Garrett's been weighing on my heart. Okay, so you want to start with Gary? I'm worried about Gary.

You got to start with your finances. So let me ask you a question. Just out of curiosity, how many people here know what I mean when I say, Garrett's got to get his money right look at that oh my goodness we're on the internet so i mean that's that i wondered right so i saw that video yesterday morning and i thought to myself you know what i don't know if this is that like i don't know if it's about big a deal i'm not going to put it out and then it seemed like it grew during the day of more people more people seeing it if you have not seen it there's a video i guess someone named garrett was talking trash to calzata

online, and then Zach Kalsata, he responds with a video with a big stack of $100 bills. Now, do we think those were real? Yeah. Those were real. They were real. So you don't think they're like money props. No, I don't think so. So, and then he, like, has the stack of money, and he's showing how much money,

and he says something like, you know, yeah, you may think I suck, but, like, I look at all these dollars, dollar bill, y'all. Count them, Garrett. Count him, Garrett. And he says, count him, Garrett. Count him, Garrett. Then he's like, Garrett, you better get your money right. Now, I'll note, Kausat is 25 years old, and it is seventh year in college.

And right now it's not playing. Now, we don't know when this video was made. I'm not sure any time it's made is better. Because if it was made at the beginning of the year, that means he was our quarterback when he said it. Like, he was our starter in the face of the team. If it's in the last few weeks, you're talking about how much money you have, and you're not even playing, and that money in your hand probably could have been used by us for other purposes. And it comes out two days before a game that might be as important for Mark Stoops as any game he's ever had.

So it's a terrible look. It's, I mean, it's surprising to me. Why does he respond? How much money do we think that was? I lost count. I hope Garrett was counting. It wasn't a few thousand. I'd say close to 10,000, maybe more.

I mean, I was going to say 12. Yeah, I was going to say like 12 to 15. Just as a little piece of advice for Calzada. Leave aside the look. I don't think you want to tell people you got that much cash in your apartment. I mean, that's just, I don't know where you live, but like. People will find out. Yeah.

When people know you got that much cash sitting in your apartment, I don't know that that's a great deal. Plus, did he just go to the bank and go, I got to tell somebody, I got to tell Garrett something. So give me a big lot of bills. Oh, you think you withdrew it just for the video. That's a lot of effort for the video. I mean, just to get back at Garrett. Listen, there's only certain kind of professions where $20,000 in cash is just sitting in your pocket.

A YouTube streamer. Huh? YouTube streamer for Ryan. I mean, but I'm just saying, like, most people don't just have that cash just sitting around just for whatever. It's like, well, we don't have to go into what the professions are. But let's just go through here. I'll start with you, Drew. What's your reaction to the video?

One, I would like to introduce him to compound interest. I mean, he could be getting 6, 7% on that right now. He's losing money. He's sitting there on the carpet as a Snapchat prop. Also thought whatever Garrett said to you to call out his finances in this economy, felt like I was a little uncalled for. Garrett catching a lot of strays. I mean, we don't know what Garrett has to pay for groceries.

Yeah. It's tough on everyone these days. But my biggest picture related to football is it's almost 95% of bad look for Calzata and not UK. I mean, we know these people are getting millions. Hopefully most of them are putting it in the bank. I just thought it made him look immature and like he doesn't know how to handle money. Not so much that the football – I mean, we already know it was a bad evaluation. He's not playing quarterback anymore.

But, like, I don't think it says a lot about the football program because we know these guys have that much money. It just says to me it said a lot about him kind of looking foolish. I would – yes, it's a worst look on Calzada, but I would disagree. I think it's – you just – selected him as the face of your program. I mean, part of a complaint Ryan and I've had, and I think you have too, but Ryan and I've articulated a lot is we've got a lot of money and guys that are just sitting there. You know, I don't care that these dudes make money.

I really don't. As a matter of fact, not do I only care it? I think they deserve it. And so if you're starting quarterback at Kentucky and the SEC and you make $1.5 million, I'm okay with it, to be honest with you. I'm not okay with it, though, if you're sitting on the bench and you're saying, Garrett get your money right. So what bothers me is it led to an evaluation.

That's an example of an evaluation that they've made mistakes on a lot over the last three years. It's almost he's a symbol to me of a greater problem in picking these players. That's my issue, Ryan. What do you think? What kind of an idiot goes and gets $20,000 in cash, carries it around, takes it into his apartment, and then flunts it on video. What kind of an idiot does that?

Zach Calzada. Not Garrett. Garrett didn't. I could not believe it. Garrett would have been more productive with his money. Yes. And we had to talk about this for the show start. I would suspend him immediately.

I mean, I would. You said that before the show. What would you suspend him for, though? Like, what did he... Being an idiot? I don't know. I don't know that you could just suspend someone for being an idiot. Like what...

I mean, what's the rule that he would break? I just think, you know, last year or so, the big thing about UK football is the culture has been bad. Correct. That video just reemphasizes maybe the culture is bad behind the doors, behind the scenes. So I just think it's just idiot. I think Mark Sto should do a video of the same thing of him just showing all the money that we're wasting on him. Get your money up, Mitch.

Oh, you think he should say get your money out, Mitch. I want to add, though, my point was they already mis-evaluated Kalsada months ago. I'm already mad about that because he's not good at quarterback. He's throwing his money, they've already whiffed on that already. I've been complaining about that for weeks. So him putting the video out doesn't add to the Calzada wins. So that's a quite, let me ask you, Shannon. Would you suspend him, like Ryan says?

Well, he's not playing anyway, so what's the difference? Well, no, it does. I mean, I don't think they'll suspend him in part because let's say Cudder Bully. Let's say Cudder Bully were to get knocked out in the first quarter, why not. Yeah. You still would have a shot without Cauzada to win the game. I don't, you would.

You get to the third string, I'm not sure that's true. So, like, I think they almost have to keep him just to have a theoretical shot to win these games. I would probably suspend them at least for a game. I think it's a bad look. For this game or Tennessee take? Probably this game. Okay. But it's a bad look because it's a reminder of all the NIL money that is being wasted on a guy who is sitting on the bench.

And maybe he should give a couple of those hundreds over to Cutter Bowley because he's the one who's actually earning the money. How much money, Ryan, do you think is being spent? because you know these numbers even probably better than I do. How much money do you think it's spent of, there's a rumor that we spend about $20 million on this football risk, $17 to $20 million. I don't know if that's right, but that's probably close to right. How much of it do you think is going to guys that don't get in the game?

Oh, my. Well, there's definitely a couple guys that have one guy's even played a snap that's getting close to a million, I think. It ain't even been on the field yet. It's unbelievable. Would you say a third of it? it is going to guys that don't play? I'd say that it's probably pretty close to that.

It's a fourth or a third. It's right in there somewhere. It's not just the ones not playing. There's some expensive guys not contributing like they are paid to contribute. Okay, so let's throw in not contributing. Now you get to like 45. I mean, there's a lot of guys, especially on the defensive side, they're playing a lot for us that make almost nothing.

Would you agree with that? Yes. Whereas there's a lot of guys who are playing a lot who maybe play a few plays. Yes. And I'm just thinking about the receiver room. I don't know what any of them made, but Miller had 120 catches and two touchdowns two weeks ago. I can't imagine he's one of the highest. 120 yards?

120 yards. Okay. What did I say? I don't know. I'm a 120 yards and two touchdowns. Go ahead. Yeah. But my point is, I wouldn't think that he's one of the highest paid receivers.

It seems like the guys that are now making the plays are just assuming, but we know how they had the depth chart to start the year. They're probably paid less than the guys that are now benched watching them make the plays. It's a bad look. It hasn't really gone beyond the UK fan base, but it's a bad look. And the other thing, Ryan, is this is what this dude's reputation was before he got here. You may not remember, because everybody focuses on the Shi'aj-Pete interview we did during media days. But we also interviewed Kausata. And you remember what he said?

Does anybody remember what he said during that interview? He literally volunteered and said, I've been immature at some of my other schools. He did. But when I went to incarnate word, it humbled me, and now I'm ready to be a grownup. He said that you could go hear that in our interview with him. And I remember thinking, this is kind of good. Like, this kid is acknowledging that he was immature because he was at some of these other schools. And now he's grown up.

And then when that video comes out, and it's almost like flaunting, hey, I know I'm not playing, but I got rich. That's what he's like. Was it Matt Davis that says it's hard to be humble? I think it's hard to be humble for Zach Calzano. But you should be humble when you're, I mean, at least Mac Davis was saying because I'm good looking and successful. Hey, he is not played. He's getting paid to sit down. I question the situational awareness.

He's got to look around and be like, I've been benched for a freshman. Maybe I shouldn't. And what happens, though, tomorrow night if he ends up having to play? Like, what happens if he has to run out on the field after everyone in the crowd has seen that video? And if he plays poorly, he'll get booed off the table. He's already getting booed here. He's not even here. The worst of it is, and, you know, I'd put most of it.

on him, but it does suck seeing that and then asking people, blue-collar people to give more money to give them when then those people are watching that video online. Exactly right. 859-280-2287. Text machine is 772-745254. The text machine made national news yesterday. We will talk about that, the basketball game, and the actual game tomorrow with Florida. We'll be right back to see this 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.

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It is Kentucky Sports Radio. You can come see us here at bespoken spirits in the Grey Line Station. They also have bespoken on the bourbon trail, which was voted Best of Lexington and Best Distillery. One of their bourbons just won Best Straight Bourbon in the world. What does that mean Best Straight Bourbon? Yeah, but does it mean straight? Two-year minimum. Okay.

just didn't know in the context what that meant. I didn't either. Yeah. But congratulations on that. 859-280-2287. A lot of comments on Calzada. None of them positive. Nobody's going, you know what, Drew and Drew, nobody's like, feel like that's good. Garrett needed to be called out. Here we go. One person writes, my buddy and I spent last night separately trying to figure out how much money was in his hand. We both came up after pausing and counting dollar for dollar exactly 20,000. Let's say we're right. If it's an exact number like that, that means he must have gotten it out of the bank. I would agree with that. If it was exactly $20,000, you don't just happen to have that perfectly round number. That would mean you would go

and ask for that specific amount of money. One of our friends texted me and said he also counted 20, so at a third that says exactly 20,000. That's exactly 20,000. What if he went to the bank and said, I want to show Garrett my money? I want $20,000 and $100 bills so I can throw it on video. I didn't even know you could draw out that much at once. I thought there was a limit.

But you have to like, the government knows when you do that. So the government knows about this video. I think it's involved in. I think when you get five or 10, 10, you have to fill out this whole form. They're like, what are you up to? What are you doing? Yeah, they're like, hey, what's been happening with you? Well, I'm just about to make a video for Garrett, you know.

All right, so that's that. I want now one more sort of non-on-the-floor thing. U of L last night beat Jackson State in front of friends and family at the game, if you watched it. And after the game was over, well, first of all, it was kind of an emotional, positive thing for them, because Sean Pryor, who got hurt last year. You may remember he was the guy who hurt his leg, I think, in the game. against Creighton. He was playing for the first time, which is very nice.

He was one of their better players last season. He was playing for the first time. And when the game was over, he was interviewed. First of all, at the end of the game, Louisville fans chanted beat UK. The 12 of them that were remaining. They chanted beat UK. And then after the game, he was, Kishon Pryor was asked about the game next Tuesday against Kentucky, and he said, blank them.

He said, that's it. He said, that's my comment, Blankham. Do you like that? Or does it make you more fired up? Do you like that kind of language when you're talking about the rivalry? I do not condone that language, especially in the press conference. I think you should show a little more class. But I actually like that they're on the unclassy end, and we're getting a little animosity going.

As we've said many times, we like Pope and Kelsey what they're doing with their back and forth, but it's a little too friendly. I'm glad we're mucking it up a little bit, and they're throwing the first stone. and as soon as I saw it, I hope someone runs this to Brandon Garrison right now so we can see this and get excited about next Tuesday. It used to drive me crazy, Ryan, during the last regime, when the coach and the players always go, it's just another game. And I would say, I want it to be important to you.

This is Louisville. Now, to be fair, though, we would always win. And it always felt like Louisville wanted it more than us, and they played tight, and we would win. I feel like that's not true. Like, I feel like now the players really feel what this game. game is, but do you like the spice of blonde-haired Kashon saying that?

Absolutely, I do. I mean, it's not just another game. And the fact they threw the first rock, now Pope can show Aberdeen-Dabate, these guys that know nothing about our rivalry, what it's all about, man, get them fired up. So, yeah, I'm glad we got a little bulletin-board material going into the game Tuesday. This rivalry needs some gas on the fire. It does. And Pat Kelsey and Mark Pope are never going to get there between the two-dirty.

They almost got in a fight outside. Like, you know, for all this class, about how nice they are, they almost got in like a physical confrontation. Rick and Cow didn't do that. We're ever going to get to that level, Rick and Cow. But we need to get close. And I think it's going down to the players saying something like that to get this robbery going back to where it was before. It's interesting you say that because Rick and Cal hated each other, but they wanted to publicly act like they did. But we all knew.

We did. But I think it's maybe the opposite with Pope and Kelsey. I think they maybe I don't know I think this is Rick and Cal both have a bunch of dudes and leather jackets around them that can handle it for them

if they need to get messy Well that's true Well I like this I think you're going to see I think you're going to see The prior dude is going to take a hit from somebody You can't just say that Randy Harrison got chippy last year in Rupp

There's going to be a T in the first five minutes of the game I'm calling it right now Do you I mean that arena Just for like Nobody was there yesterday but Tuesday, that arena is going to be wild. I mean, this is their, I was trying to think the last time they've had a home game

with a crowd against us that they really thought they were going to win. You probably got to go back a while. I mean, they beat us during COVID, but I think that was like a half crowd, wasn't it? And we, I didn't remember the game. That game didn't have quite the high. You probably have to go back a decade, Ryan, for a time that we've gone there and they were more confident they were going to win than now. And it seems like the last couple times they had really good teams,

and we're real confident. We went in there and beat them on their home floor. But I think even then they thought we were better. So I think they were like hoping to win. This is one, they're going to be favored probably in that game, don't you think? Yeah, depending how Kentucky looks with Lowe, but I'd say the way they've started, they'll most likely be favored. Well, let's get to that for a second.

Jalen Lowe's coming back. Yeah. Mark Pope announces that's worth clapping, I think. Mark Pope announces that Jalen Lowe will be. be back. He will play tonight. To me, he's the key to the season. To me, I'm, if no other reason to watch, it's that. Ryan, are you excited about this? I'm excited to just finally see him on the floor in a real game. We've talked to all summer how he's the whole key. He could be the most valuable player. And now with him coming back, probably baby steps, probably not starting him,

but maybe bring him in a little bit like they did Aberdeen last week. Get him ready for Louisville on Tuesday. I would start him, Shannon. You're going to be starting him against Louisville. I hope. So I got to go. This is your tune up tonight. So play. as if you were playing against Louisville tonight. Yeah. I mean, this is another reason I wish we weren't playing Louisville so early is because of this. But we got to put him, like, he's got the game coming up Tuesday night.

And he's somebody who's played against Louisville before. Yes, he needs to play as much as he possibly can. The offense has been so disjointed without him. They need to play a full game with them at point guard to see what that offense can look like. And he let Louisville up last year, I'll just remind you. They lost the game. But he was really, really good against Louisville.

Kind of kept them in the game. So I want to see him. I'm excited. me, this team goes as far as Jalen Lowe is good. And so I'm really looking forward to seeing him play. 859-280-2287. We'll take your calls right for this. 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. It is Kentucky Sports Radio. I'm going to do, you know, sometimes they say Shannon Radio. You also have to do a public service. Yeah, yeah, that's what we do. I'm going to do a public service for the people that live on a certain part of town here in Lexington.

If you live where Drew and I used to live off Leastown Road, life's about to be really bad for the next, for a couple weeks. Starting Sunday until the 26th, they're shutting down the ramps on the New Circle Road at Lees Town in every direction. I can't even imagine what kind of cluster that's going to be. It's bad already as it is. I mean, it's already bad because it's been two lanes down to one for a while, and now they're shutting down. It's probably the right way to do it. Just be like, here's a couple weeks that it's going to be awful, and then it'll be okay after Thanksgiving. But I would, Ryan, that's also, that's where you are now. I would stay away from that part of town completely for the next

couple of weeks. I've already found some shortcuts to try to get around them because it is going to be a nightmare. Our show starts at 10. I'm going to start leaving at 8 in the morning just to make sure I can get there on time. Eight in the morning? Because it's the traffic is just ridiculous. In the middle of the day, you think Andy, you leave 8 in the morning? I will definitely leave at least at 9. Give myself an hour to get there for the show. I've even felt it near up close to where you live from it backing up on Lees Town if you're there around 5. I mean, it's affecting all the way.

It's going to be awful. I mean, it's going to be absolutely awful, and that starts Sunday. And remember, if you're coming to the game tonight, these Friday afternoons have just been, I mean, this Friday afternoon has been hell in Lexington the last few weeks. Maybe with Keenland done, it won't be quite as bad this time. But it's just been, this city is a dozen. disaster on Friday afternoons when it comes to traffic. Hopefully it won't be like that now.

Just come to KS Bar and walk. That's what I tell people. Although isn't it supposed to pour rain tonight? Maybe you don't. It's supposed to be awful tonight. Yeah, maybe you don't walk tonight, but you could get in the car. 859-280-2287. Who's up first?

Rod. Rod. Go ahead, Rod. Hey, Phyllis, good to talk to you. Listen, I've got a couple of hypotheticals. I'd like you to answer. I'll be really fast and listen all fair. but supposedly Kentucky does go six and six in football,

considering the middle-eight debacle and the mismanagement of NIL, not what you think will happen, but considering the buy-outs not an issue personally, do you think at that point? Wait a minute. Hang on just a second. You just said a sentence I can't go with, which is the buy-outs not an issue.

It's an issue. It's a major issue. It's just not an issue if the team is to a, if the program's to a point where they can't not let him go. But the reason I think he keeps his job at 6 and 6 if he wants, now this is a key if he wants. I still think there's a chance that he may not want to, at which point a different set of circumstances could play out.

But if he wants to, the 37 million is the difference. If the 37 million didn't exist, Ryan, and he went 6 and 6, I could still see a world he got fired. But I don't see him getting fired with 6 and 6. and a $37 million buy. Just won't happen. Business-wise, it just won't happen. Does it make sense for them?

Do I think, though, to answer your question, it would be good for the program to have a change? Yeah, probably. But at the same time, do I think it would be good for the program to have a change and to come up with $37 million at a time that they just added $22 million a year to their revenue and they have all these capital projects?

Do I think at 6 and 6 it's good to make a change then? Probably not. So that's why I think this game tomorrow night is so important. You lose this game tomorrow night? I think they start working on the buyout. You win this game tomorrow night? They probably put it off and say what's going to happen with Vandy and Louisville. Okay.

Appreciate the call. Take a question. Go ahead. Jayley, go ahead. I heard you appreciate the call. Okay, fair enough. Fair enough. That's the trigger.

Yeah. I mean, I did hit the, it's better, even though it hurts people's feet. It's better to end early. then go late because you never know what people are going to say. But you're right. That game tomorrow night, they win that one, they win Tennessee Tech. You're sitting on five wins. You're correct.

You've won three in a row. I mean, the program is looking in better shape. So then it goes down to, do you get blown out those last two games? Maybe you win one of those. I think they still have to win one. I think here's the, if they're five and seven, I don't care what this face, if they go five and seven to bring you back, I don't.

I know. It'll be... It's an improvement from last year. And it's better than what everybody gave them credit for winning. They already had four wins. So you would support bringing him back? Well, I mean, by everybody... You got to take stay in.

Yes. By everybody's expectations, he overachieved. So you would support bringing it back at five and seven. Yes. Shannon is pro stooped at five and seven. What are you? That means they beat probably... Let's say they beat Florida, lose to Van de Louisville.

At five and seven with that buyout, I'm bringing him back. Okay. What about you? No. Sorry, guys. I think he's got a bowl. I don't think you can fire him if he takes you to the postseason. We all know last year was bad.

It was dipping a little bit before that. I think most fans, if they're being honest, got this schedule and said, if we get to a bowl, that's pretty impressive. So if he gets to a bowl, I can't be like, well, let's fire him anyway, because all along I just wanted him to get to a bowl, even though I don't think, as fun as Auburn was, I was happy for him, beating Auburn if they beat Florida Saturday. Those still aren't enough to change my opinion of the whole program, but I don't think you can fire him if he wins six.

All right. No, no, no, no. Answer your own question. pass. No, no. Come on. Now, we answered it. Yes or no. It's not my money. Okay. I don't have to balance the budget. Yes or no? I think if we go five and seven, the fan base has reached a level you need to make a change. And I think that's unfortunate, but I think it is. That would be, that's hard for me. For me, five and seven is like, what if Cal had beaten Oakland but then lost in the second round? To be five and seven. Like Oakland made it east.

Oakland made it to where it was like But remember, the key thing to remember is He was going to stay. I mean, Mitch was going to keep Cal after Oakland. But Oakland for me was like, okay, it's definitive. But if they had lost, if they had beaten Oakland and then lost to NC State

in the second round, that to me is kind of what 5 and 7 is like. So what about the people who are now arguing and they only lost to Texas by 3. They don't know about that. I don't care about that. That's happened for 10 years. I can give you a lot of games we only

by three. Are we only one by one? You know, I mean, like, you could do that. You can do that all day long. If Texas came in number one and undefeated and Arch was what he was supposed to be, then you might take a moral victory, but Arch couldn't hit a receiver of that game. It was still nice to play it close, but I don't think that changes much. I mean, that's like going, what if Austin McGinnis and missed his field go? I mean, you can do that all year if you want, but so at some point the results have to have to matter. Who's next? Josh. Josh. Go ahead, Josh. Hey, Matt. This is Josh first time caller.

Who are? I've got a hypothetical basketball question. So assume all the guys who graduated from Pope's roster last year have the eligibility to return this year. And assume Quaintiffin's and low are healthy. Do you think any of those guys from last year could start on this team? Yes. I do. I think, I mean, appreciate the call.

Here's what's interesting. Let's re-talk about this going into conference. I think you can make an argument that our starting lineup last year might have been better than our starting lineup this year without Jaden Quaites. But our bench is better this year. So if you're telling me I get a healthy Lamont Butler, I get Jackson Robinson, O'Way, a healthy car, and a healthy Amari Williams, that's probably a better starting lineup than what we have this year.

but the bench was thin so that when we had injuries we weren't good the bench is a lot deeper here and I have to hope drew over time that pays dividends you know what I mean yeah I would take Amari on about any team me too I know there were times we'd throw in the stands we'd get frustrated and he seemed like he never wanted to dunk but it's still a great player who's kind of a unicorn in how he could pass the only thing with last year starters that I like much more about this team and I hate saying his name out loud because I love him but I think we learned that Andrew Carr type at the four in the SEC.

He just got beat a little bit with kind of quicker guy. Alabama actually got him. So I think changing, just hate him to say his name, that type of player trading that for Diabate. I think. Well, just break it down player by player. Ryan, Amari is better than Brandon Garrison, correct? Especially in the Pope's system. So that's one point for last year's team.

Diabate is probably going to end up better than Andrew Carr. So that's one point for this year's team. Do we agree with that? Fair. Second year O way, we hope will be better than first year O way. It's probably equal. So I'm just going to call that a push, okay? I would say, you know, Jackson Robinson is probably better than whoever we end up starting at the three.

Right? So far it had been Trent, Noah, but I'd probably take Jackson Robinson. Is Jalen Lowe going to be better than Lamont Butler or not? That's probably the difference in which teams better. If Jalen Broll is better than Lamont Butler, then Shannon, we're better than last year's team. If Jalen Lowe's not better than Lamont Butler, then I don't know if we are on the starting lineup. Now, on the bench, I think this year's team's better. And it all starts tonight.

We're going to see what we got. And, you know, it is going to be a lot of pressure on Jalen Lowe to run this offense. And remember, you had Kobe Braya last year who could come off the bench and guarantee you three-threes a game. Sometimes five, do we have that guy this year? Do we have a guy that we know will make the shots? Chandler hits some in the second half. Hopefully he's him. I think no matter, they will figure out the shooting.

It can't be as bad as it's been. I think part of that's because the offense has been so out of sorts. But I still don't think they'll have anything close to the flame thrower that Kobe Brea was. You've got a couple good shooters, but I don't think anybody will be close to what he was able to do. I'm still very high on this team. But I'm very high on this team with the assumption that Jalen Lowe is really good. If he's not, then I think there's some issues that they're going to show up. Clayton and Kroom was founded on a simple idea.

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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 athletes 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. SportsSlice 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, you find it important to be a good person while you hear on earth?

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, is we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, Learn the Hardway.

Open your free, Our Heart Radio 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. Ferraris and Lamborghinis, private jets, meeting the president of Turkey. I'm Michelle McPhee, and this is one of the most shocking criminal conspiracies I've ever come across.

When Jacob met Levant this plant to a billion dollar fraud. But with two kings from... entirely different worlds. Just how long can their empire survive? The largest tax investigation in American history. You need to tell me what you know. Is somebody coming after me? Jacob told, Levan, you're ruining my life.

Listen to Kingdom of Fraud on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Life throws hurdles big and small. The question is, how do you conquer them? On hurdle 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 WNBA 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 feel like. Don't let that be the reason you don't do it. An Olympic champs Gabby Thomas and Katie Ladecki. The ability to show 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 IHeartRadio app. podcasts for wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of I Heart Women's Sports.

Welcome back. It is Kentucky Sports Radio here at Bespoken Spirits. Remember, Club Blue Bourbon is still out and ready to rock supporting UK services through JMI. Ryan and Drew helped select the recipe. They've got the blue and the white. You can see it right up here. Those of you there are here can get it while you're here. And you can taste it in the smoked bourbons, which I've noticed you guys have all taken a sip of. will do that during the break just a little sip. Yeah, I just had one sip. Yours is empty.

Yeah, one sip. So maybe not. Text machine, 772, 774-5254. One writes, Matt, what is wrong with Shannon? Five wins and he should be fired. Period. We are sick of this. Tell Shannon he has no understanding of the fan base.

Somehow you get that. Ryan doesn't, even though you all had the same opinion. Well, let's all look in the mirror and look and see who we are. We're Kentucky football, okay? five and seven with the schedule that we talked about going into the year. I think that's not that bad. It's not great, but it's not that bad. Matt, how can you believe this year's team is not better than last year?

This year's team's got more athletes, more ability to play defense. It's better. It's definitely got more athletes. But here's the thing I knew about last year's team. So it just depends on what you like. Ryan, last year I knew that this team could put up 80 any game. Yep. Right?

So I knew they could always put up 80. So if we played a team that could put up 80, we could still do the same thing. I got to see that with this year's team. Now, the good thing about this year's team, defense travels, right? So I think we're going to be able to defend anybody. We played a team like Alabama last year. We could have played Alabama last year 50 times. I think we might have won like twice.

We were not going to beat them. This year's team could beat them. Wouldn't you agree? Yeah. Pope saw weakness in his team last year, and it was on the defensive end. He put a lot of emphasis on defense putting together this roster. for this year's team. But last year's team could beat some teams that I think this year's team might struggle

with. I think this year's team is better. But it requires Drew Jalen Lowe and Jaden Quaint's being good and play. If they're not good or don't play, then I'm not sure we're better than last year's team. Yeah, to that point, both those guys being healthy, I think is most important. Quentin's actually playing and playing soon. We get Lowe back tonight. And I agree with you that the depth is much better.

But as I was saying, when we were comparing the starting fives, I think Diabate is a symbol of Mark Pope going through that SEC last year and be like, wow, I need a dog. I need a dude like that. Because he shut down O'Way. If that wasn't the first time O'A didn't get double digits, it might have been the second of only two. And that's why I mentioned that car, kind of that tall, stretch four, that doesn't have the quickness. He abandoned that, went out and literally got Diabate, who was a problem every time they played him. I do, though.

I wasn't on the post game show. And while the offense in the first half, Tuesday night was awful, that defense, you did hold them to 15 points. I mean, you did make it to where, like take last year. If we had shot the ball that poorly last year, we'd have been losing it at half time. Right. Right. And instead, this year, they're still up 13 because our defense is really good. And it actually might take a small step back with low, but the offense I think will be a lot better with it.

Yeah, you held him to 15. And Aberdeen, your best defensive player that was in uniform, didn't even hardly play. in the first half. You know, last year's team was winning games in the 90s and hundreds. I don't know that this year's team necessarily is going to be like that this year. They better shoot better if they're going to. Our team total the other night was 95. I laughed at that. There was no way in hell that team was going to score 95 without low and Everdeen being limited. They got to shoot the ball, man. They just have to shoot the ball better.

Who's next? Isaiah. Isaiah. Go ahead, Isaiah. Hey, man, I actually agree with you and Drew. I think 5 and 7, you probably have to make a change. But my question is, if he does stay, and we can't muster up the buyout, where would you put the money to get you excited for next year's roster? Assuming you cheap cutter bully and all that, would you put money towards like your

safeties, your defensive line, your offensive line, what kind of roster construction would you get excited about? Where would you put your money if you're UK? Well, all right. So that's, I don't know if you all saw Wisconsin yesterday. their fan base was as done with their coach as a lot of ours is with ours. And they announced they're bringing him back. And they basically said, instead of paying the buyout, we're just going to spend money on the roster.

We're going to invest in the roster. You know, there's a world, Ryan. I could see them doing that. And I think that would be a tough decision. Now, with that said, they do have a lot of young guys coming back if you can keep them. And that's the thing is you don't owe, Ryan, if nowadays you can keep them. I think they've got to get better. They're going to lose their whole offensive line.

So the first thing you'd have to do is put your money is just getting a new offensive line because they're going to lose all these guys. Yeah, to answer that guy's question. That's where they need to invest their money on the offensive line. These young guys, some of that NAL money has to go to re-recruit them, get them to stay here. Some of these young receivers, the Millers and Jason Patterson are running back. Cutter and quarterback will get some people calling about him.

They're going to sell that NIL money to keep those guys here. I mean, there's people who want Cutter. I appreciate the call. There's people who've already reached out to Cutter. So. Got to keep him here. Got to keep him here. Let's talk for a second about tomorrow.

You feel good about us winning? I have felt good since February, and I'm not changing. This Florida team isn't what they wanted it to be. Lagway is not the Hosman candidate they wanted. A guy named Billy Rodriguez is now the coach. They're coming here. Their best receivers out tomorrow. Their injury report is long.

It's got a couple receivers on it. One who just had the huge game against Georgia. We talk about the temperature. I don't know it matters that much, but we'll take it. If it wants to get cold, it'll certainly help. I am still down on the overall operation, but I have not changed about winning tomorrow's game, and I think they get it done. Where a three-point underdog, Ryan, are you going to pick us to win here in a little bit?

I am going to pick them to win, just because basically back up everything Drew just said. They're coming in. They're limping in. Their quarterback lagway is supposed to be a superstar. He's had a rough season. They're like a wounded dog coming in here, so I like our tendency. But you usually say the wounded dogs, like you have a whole theory of me. Let me trade that.

They're a hurt dog. Wounded dog fights back. Hurt dog just gives up and lay down. What's the difference between a wounded? A hurt dog is a wounded dog. If you're wounded, you're hurt. If you're really hurt, you can't fight back. You just kind of lay down.

That's what they are. How about an old dog? Old really hurt dog. Old yellow. All yellow. Yeah. Yeah, I just don't scientifically know the difference between a wounded and a hurt dog. Wounded dog, you're fighting back.

You're mad. You're scratching. You're growling. Can you be wounded but not fight back? No, not a dog. Dog always fights back if it's wounded. Well, Florida hasn't won a game on the road all year. So if we went to...

But we haven't won a game at home. Well, that's okay. Something's got to give here. You know what? Hey, we're due. We haven't won't win to games since 2020. How about Florida's lost the last two in Lexington? We have a win streak against Florida in Lexington.

Yeah, and we're under lights with 730 SEC Network. Get Tom Hart for like the fifth week in a row. Good. So that will be... Expect a wounded dog reference. Definitely got to expect a wounded dog reference. I want to see us, I mean, I want to see us play. well, you know, again, let's go to the Aubur game.

Everybody's like, oh, we only scored 10 points. We did hold them to three. And I don't care who you're playing in the SEC. Playing a defense and holding a team to three points, Drew, is impressive. I don't care who you're playing against. Yeah, that Tennessee game was ugly, but they bounced back quickly. Not the same operation you were playing as Tennessee, but I'm confident with them this week. This is also the team last year, their freshman running back, who's now a sophomore,

still on the team. He had five rushing touchdowns in the Kentucky game. And you might remember Lagway only completed seven passes, but they were all for, like 40 yards. So the defensive line's gotten much better. Two of the last three games, two of the last three games, our defense has essentially shut the other team down.

I mean, we shut Texas down and we shut Auburn down. So like, that is doable. We'll be right back. 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 Street or Sidell, 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 SportsSlice on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slicel 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 guys? This is Clivert Taylor the 4th. And on my podcast, The Cliverts Show, I'm bringing you conversations about all kinds of stuff. Like being an internet famous referee. We're in the middle of a game. This linebacker, this linebacker walks up to me, he goes, hey, ref, my mom wants you to wave at her. What?

Time out. Quarterback on office blue of 42. Hey, rec, my mama want you to wave at her. What? Hey, Miss Parker. Listen to the Clippers show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast.