KSR - 2026-04-10- KSR - Hour 1

Episode Date: April 10, 2026

Live from Don Franklin Somerset Hyundai.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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Have a great day. I heart radio. What's up, guys? This is Clever 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, A, ref, my mom wants you to wave at her. What? Time out. Quarterback on office blue 42. Dude. Hey, Rhett, my mama want you to weigh better. What? Hey, Miss Parker.

Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Known for his crowdwork, comedy of Broadway and Lexington, welcomes club favorite Ian Bagg, April 9th through the 11th. Then from Saturday Night Live and the hit TV show DMV, catch Tim Meadows, April 16th through the 18th. And from Netflix and social media catch Amber Autry May 1st and 2nd. For tickets to all Comedy Off Broadway shows, call 859-271 joke or visit Comedyoffbroadway.com. Welcome, everyone. It is Kentucky Sports Radio Friday. April the 10th.

I am Matt Jones here in Somerset, Kentucky at the Somerset Don Franklin Hyundai, where you can get $10,000 off a Hyundai Ionic 9 here at the Hyundai in Don Franklin. Give a shout to Clark's Puppet Shop, phone line 859-280-2287. A Vision Auto Glass Text Machine is 772-745254 in this edition sponsored by the T.J. Smith Law Office. If you call T.J. will make them pay. I was thinking on my drive here, I feel like I have made the drive from Lexington to Somerset probably 500 times in my life. We have done the show at all Don Franklin's, but I think this is the first time we've been at this one.

I think so. At the Don Franklin Hyundai. They have, what, 62 in Somerset? Yeah, I think there's 29 Don Franklin's, and 20 of them are here in Somerset. You get them all here in Somerset. 29 stores, 6,000 vehicles around the state, and this is the Hyundai. They've got all kind of, this one seems very sort of modern. There's all the, like, electronic vehicles and all that going on, Drew.

and for Drew, this is the goodbye for about six weeks as he's about to have a baby for, well, hopefully this weekend, but it'll be his last show before paternity leaves. That's right. I don't think I'll be gone for six weeks, but this will be my last show for a while. How long are you gone? We'll figure it out. I'll miss you guys too much to six. Hopefully we have some movement this weekend and hopefully not right now during this show.

but I will say met the sheriff here in Pulaski County. He offered help me get out of here if I have to. Good. Yeah, well, the sheriff said they do have enough people to cover the shifts, and that's good. And so now you can get out if you need to. You said, they, who's they that's a part of it? You mean your wife and your future daughter, I guess?

Did I say they? You did say they. Or maybe you're just being inclusive. Yeah, whatever. I didn't even know I said they. I think I was talking about they, the sheriff's department would get me out of here. They, wife, daughter, all of them, they. Are you getting nervous?

Not at all, really. I thought I would be. I feel prepared, but I also know that as soon as it happens, I'm not going to be prepared. It's going to be like a big, everything's going to change, everyone tells me. It's probably going to melt. It might cry a little bit. You think you're going to cry? I've been a crier lately, so, yeah, I'll probably have a few tears.

I pulled into the parking lot today, Matt, and as soon as I parked, I heard a helicopter coming in, and I thought, uh-oh. They're going to hook him up. They've got a helicopter here ready to go. You thought they would use a helicopter to get him? Not his wife? To get him to Lexington in time for the baby. There's a helicopter right around here somewhere because I heard it and saw it.

Hopefully I don't need it. There's probably multiple helicopters in the... I mean, I don't got... But my bags are packed in the car. The bags are packed. He's ready to go. Okay, well, good. Hopefully this weekend we have big news.

So Max Duffy is back in town and I saw him last night and his friends and he said to me, he goes, do you think Drew is about to, like, fundamentally change his life? now that he's about to have a baby. And that's a good question for you. Do you think that's about to happen? Yeah, I mean, having to take care of another human being will definitely fundamentally change me. But we've already decided we're going to be those parents.

I'm just going to wear her and we're going to keep living life after we get through the first few weeks. Not well. I bet there's a lot of parents going, yeah, that's what you think. Yeah. Am I right? You are like, Jared, sure, Drew. Yeah, you're going to be doing the same thing.

I mean, I won't be out at like midnight or anything, but we're going to restaurants. We're going to vacation pretty quickly after she's here. You think he's going to restaurants? odds are going to make. I promise you. We have plenty of friends to do it. It can be done.

We're excited. She's going to be a little traveling baby. Can we hold that one to him? I know he's got good intentions, but the one thing is that your time. That's what you miss more than anything is your time because you have to vote so much to that baby. That baby has to have everything. Well, that's not we're taking her with us.

We're not going to leave her. She's going to be a part of all this. That's my point. So you're going to be the guy's going to take her on the airplane. Yeah. We've already got the airplane stroller that fits in the overhead bin. We're ready to rock. I like the idea.

We are going to take her. You'll see me probably more of mornings downtown than late nights, but I'll be downtown wearing a baby. Now, the other thing I got asked yesterday is you're going to be wearing a baby. Okay. Someone said to me, Matt, what are you going to do, meaning me, when Drew's back, when you're out and your Drew's baby starts screaming, are you going to be okay with it? And I do think it'll be interesting. I mean, in terms of people in my life that, I mean, I mean, I mean, I'm. I've had very good friends have babies, but then I just stay away from them for like a year.

But you, I'm not going to stay away from. So this may be the closest baby that's entered my orbit. And so if it starts screaming, am I allowed to stare at you? Sure, if you'd like. Maybe there'll be a day where the daycare is closed and I show up with the show wearing the baby because I had no other. So you'll just have to get used to that. Well, I mean, you'll have figured out before you babysit because she will cry while. you're babysitting at some point. You don't want him to babysit? I don't think you want me to baby.

I think that's very kind of you to say, but I don't believe that. But your baby can come to my house now. I've already got the floaties ready. That bag is packed for the first pool party. Well, well, everybody, congratulations. Yeah. Thank you all. Very exciting. Everybody's reached out with advice, got a lot of gifts. Really appreciate how much everyone cares for us. Well, we all do, and I'm looking forward to the first official KSR baby. You go look at these Devin Bookers. There's a lot of swag. I'm a lot of Devin Booker in the front row. All right.

So it is Friday. The portal opened on Tuesday, and there's already been a million things happen. So let's go over some of the various news. And actually, let's start with guys who used to play here and what they're going to do. Mo Diabate is this week getting on, I would assume, we're playing, to Queens. And he's going to St. John's, where he's visiting Rick Petino and St. John's. As soon as I heard this, Ryan, I thought Mo Diabate, you draw him up in a book to play for Rick Patino. Like he is the perfect Rick Patino player.

I actually think he, I don't know what the financial situation, but I think he couldn't from a basketball standpoint, ended up in a better place. It looks like it's almost a perfect match, doesn't it? I mean, we saw what Zubi did for St. John's and Rick Patino this past season. Diabate, I'm sure thinks he can be that same guy for Rick next year. I just, I just, the way he hustles, the way, you know, the toughness, I just, he is Rick, especially this version of Rick. You know, Rick as a coach now, it's different than the coach he was in Lexington. We think of Rick from his time in Kentucky, shooting threes, pressing.

He really doesn't do that as much anymore. Now he's more toughness, get to the glass, defense, and I think Diabate is perfect for that. Before even seeing the news, I mean, the moment Diabate hit the portal, my brain's like he's got to go to St. John's. I mean, being a New York guy, they play in the garden a lot. I mean, as you said, Rick's the perfect coach for him. I would be surprised if he goes anywhere but there. I think it'd be a perfect fit.

I think it's a perfect fit. Then Travis Perry, a Kentucky kid, went to Ole Miss in the portal. He is transferring. Old Miss has essentially lost their whole team, and a lot of people think it's because they're not investing any money at all in basketball. And so they're all – we have two teams in the SEC that seem to be just punting basketball, which is Ole Miss in South Carolina. Travis Perry

What do you think about? Let's just say at an extreme discount, Mark Pope wanted to bring him back to be backup or maybe even third string point guard, 11th, 12th man on the team, you're already saying no. Do you think that that would be a good idea or do you think you say, look, we love you, Travis. Good luck on whatever's next. Man, I don't know if he should do that.

I mean, our fans kind of boot him when he was at the Ruppering playing for Ole Miss. I just don't know if he'd be the guy to come in. And they already got Mason Williams as a backup point guard. You're right. Travis may be the backup to the backup to the assistant of regional manager. What do you think? Yeah, I just think that ship has sailed. If he came back knowingly, you're the 10th man and, you know,

got a bunch of other guards in front of him maybe, but I don't think that would be good for Travis. I think he'll land somewhere we can still make some pretty good in aisle money and play a lot, but Kentucky won't be that. If you were like his advisor or his dad or something, you were to say, okay, what would be better for you? Go to, you know, SEC, Big Ten School, be a backup point guard, or go to a mid-major where you could potentially start and maybe be what you were at Lyon County, shooting a lot, having the ball in your hand. Which one would you suggest? And let's just say, let's say money wasn't an issue. It obviously is somewhat of an issue, but what would you do?

I would say, Travis, toppers, topers, topers. come back, play at Western Kentucky, be a legend, be a hero, right down the road where you grew up. He could probably get some decent money, maybe not as much as he'd make it, Ole Miss, but he can make some decent money and have a good two-year career down there. Yeah, I actually think, like, I think he could be good at Western. And also, I mean, Western is now in a better, like, they're in a decent conference. I mean, I could see him starting there and having success. Yeah, if he's interested in just getting a lot of shots, he should consider a place like that.

I remember when he went to Old Miss, he had committed to Vanderbilt first and then switched back to Ole Miss. I'm still, I don't know anything, but I'm still watching Vandy because I knew they were really high on him. And I know he didn't have the best year at Old Miss, but if you're paying attention in Nashville, he finished really strong. He was a big part. He did play well in Nashville.

That's right. He did. There's a part of me, though, that goes, you know, I mean, if you go to Vandy, you're still playing the same guys you were playing at Kentucky and Ole Miss. Now, you're right. He did finish the season strong in that game they played where they, you know, He won and then they almost came back. Yeah, he had a lot of rebounds too.

He played really well in those games. All right. So let's go to the Kentucky side. We have our first visit scheduled and it is occurring today. Zoom Diallo, a point guard from Washington is going to be at Kentucky today. He is, for people who haven't seen him, he's a, he's probably the fifth, sixth, sixth, seventh best point guard in the portal. Very good. probably kind of would remind you in terms of how he's ranked at like what Butler was when he came in.

Also friends with and former teammate of Tyron Stokes, which I think is not a small part of all this. What do you think about Zoom Diallo? If he ended up being the point guard, right now the two main guys, it looks like Kentucky, they've talked to a lot of people, but the two they're most associated with are him and then the BYU point guard who is considered one of the best five or six players in the portal. what would you do if you were Mark Pope? I like Zoom Diallo a lot. He's probably if I'm ranking the guys I want a point guard.

He might be number two behind Rob Wright from BYU. He's got a good game, scored a lot of points at Washington and go get his own bucket. But I'm also, as someone who's not giving up on Stokes, love that that's one more thing to put on the list for Stokes to consider. Same with, you know, Admo Williams, I think, is a big part in that. I think if you go get Zoom Diallo, it's just another thing where you can show Stokes, you can be comfortable here. Do you think this is a Stokes play? I mean, like, you know, because they've got a decent shot at the Rob Wright, BYU kid. They talked to Dayton Thomas at LSU.

I mean, they have a lot of point guard potential options. Bringing Zoom Diallo first, is that like a, we are trying to get Tiring Stokes, and this guy could be the point guard with it? There's probably a little of that to it, but he's good enough that the Stokes connection is just a bonus. I mean, if you got him and Stokes still told you, no, you're still in good shape. He's that good of a player. So I'm fine with just getting him by himself, but it doesn't hurt if you're. still have faith in getting Stokes.

Ryan, do you want a Zoom, Zoom, Zoom and a boom, boom here this weekend? It seems like ZoomZum is one of their top two or three point guards they're going after, and the fact he's connected with Stokes. I think it's just a bonus. I love the fact that there's a little connection there, so maybe you can kind of get a package deal. It feels like to me it would be good for Mark. So, you know, there's such uneasiness and eagerness from Kentucky fans to get a commitment. I think just the fact that Mark has had no commitments all.

year in the recruiting class. People just want to get something. I do think it's important. Remember, there's a hunt, the top hundred players ranked in the portal. Ninety-two still have not committed somewhere. So sometimes it can feel like guys are committing. There's still 92 of the top hundred. But I will say, Drew, for this fan base, if they could get a boom this weekend and have their point guard and it be a solid guy, I do think that would be helpful. We're desperate for good news right now, any good news. So I think, you know, I even preached last year, be patient in the portal because, you know, we get a little greedy right away. But it is, we would. But then it lingered. Yeah, but we do need some good news. And if you get a big name, like you say, you get Zoom, you can then

go out and fill your other positions and say, look what we already have. We're building something here that, that you want to be a part of. You and I both said Kentucky needs two stars, like two stars in this portal. Do you think he, is he in your mind of Star? I kind of feel like he's like a notch below that, still very, very good, but maybe, or do you think he qualifies? Aline that he qualifies. I mean, if you don't get Rob Wright, I mean, he's, like I said, he's number two on my list. It's hard to ask for much more than Zoom Diallo of Wright's off the board, and they're not really involved with some of the other top names. So, yeah, I would consider him of the Star category. And I assume he'd take another big leap forward, hopefully, and be playing.

around guys that'll make him better. We'll find out he's visiting this weekend. 859-280-2287. We'll take your questions. A couple of Kentucky targets went off the board yesterday, but you can buy with backup every qualifying part by a five-year parts warranty at Don Franklin. Quality installed, peace of mind,

included mile after mile at Don Franklin. We are at Don Franklin Hyundai in Somerset with a future father. 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.

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This is Clever Taylor the Fourth. And on my podcast, The Clifford 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 with 42. Hey, ref, my mama want you to wave at her. What? Hey, Miss Parker. Listen to the Cliverts show on the I-Hart Radio. app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. Welcome back. It is Kentucky Sports Radio here live in Somerset.

Don Franklin, Hyundai, go the distance with power train protection on certified Prio, makes and models up to 10 years or unlimited miles, confident standard, worries benched only at Don Franklin. Every time we come here, I feel like Somerset's good at having food. They just brought over here, there's a, it's chocolate oatmeal brownie and then a cookie from Real Java in Jamestown, which we appreciate. And then hot apple turnovers made homemade. Folks always bring us good stuff, Ryan, and you eat all of it.

This is from Haney's apple orchard and Nancy Kentucky. Outstanding. Where is Nancy Kentucky? 15 minutes from here? Yeah, about 12 miles west. Okay, I can remember that. And then you've got Andy is here. As you know, Andy announced he's dealing with some health stuff.

so everybody make sure to keep Andy in your prayers. Good to see you, Andy. And then there's a person that's on a week-long band so that I cannot mention that he is here, but that person is here too. But it is important to remember he is on a week-long band and he is talking to hear off. Bill, he's not paying any attention to the phone.

You can hear you over the microphone. You're on a band. I love him. Band! You are cursed. 859-280-2287. All right, we had two Kentucky guys that they had talked to both commit yesterday. Dink Pate, the G-Leager, that we talked about a lot, and Miles Bird from San Diego State.

Both those guys committed yesterday and both committed to Providence, which means, which is not a school anyone would ever think about anybody committing to. So what that tells me is Providence Boosters decided we are going to be good at basketball. And so we're going to spend a lot of money to be good at basketball. They have a new coach, Brian Hogsden, who came from South Florida. I have to tell you, I thought Dink Pate would be nice to have because he could score a lot, but still it's not clear whether he'll be eligible. I didn't understand really the hype on Miles Bird as much as a lot of people thought,

although he is highly ranked in the portal. Doesn't bother me we lost those guys, but it does show Providence Drew trying to be good. Yeah, I was more, wasn't too upset that Kentucky didn't get those guys. Like he said, Providence kind of came out of nowhere. With Bird, Kentucky was named kind of around him early. Kind of Lamont Butler, he was the defensive player of the year for San Diego State. Similar mold, but not a point guard. He might go to Louisville.

Yeah, and Baylor was in the mix, and Providence kind of surprised there. And Dink Paid, that one, I thought there would be SMU or Kentucky. I'm okay with it, though. Now that the portal is open, if you wanted to get him before the portal and lock him in, that's one thing. But now I'd prefer to get someone we know will be eligible. Because that's just a sketchy situation that could be taken away. College could be taken away from him. When you have two guys who are both considered really good that on the same day commit to Providence,

that says to me, Ryan, they wrote a big check. They probably overpaid both those guys quite a bit of money to come. That's kind of Providence saying, we're going to take basketball seriously, and we want to do it early so we get publicity. That's how I read that happened. Yeah, they made a splash, right? I mean, I haven't thought of Providence since Billy Donovan and Delray Brooks were there, But they must have somebody with deep pockets that's going to help this basketball program.

Didn't Pope just go watch Dink Pate play this week? I mean, they were still, they were after that guy hard. That's a hit. It does worry me how many times we Zoom Dink Pate and visited him. Maybe Kentucky went a different direction, but they pursued him really aggressively. Kentucky wanted him. That's partially why I said, I really want to see Zoom Diala or someone commit to Kentucky, because there is this perception out there.

It just exists. There's this perception out there that, that Mark Pope whiffs. And it's hard. You know, I know that people sort of, people have heard me say this a lot, and then there'll be a, there'll be criticisms of people who say, Matt, you're just complaining because the staff doesn't talk to you. I promise that's not it.

I mean, I'd love to have a better relationship to where they communicate, but they don't communicate with anyone. And part of that problem is we don't really know who Kentucky wants. So anytime a kid associates. his name with Kentucky, which every kid does because they think it jacks up their worth and because they get to put Kentucky on their list. It looks like he whiffs, Drew, whether he whiffs or not. We don't really know who they're, what they're doing. And because no one knows, I think there's this perception. Mark Pope can't get guys, but they kind of feed into it by not sort of letting

the fans know who they even want. And with paid especially, I mean, Kentucky, First we heard of him. Kentucky was recruiting him early. Kentucky was really the only school having contact with him. And then when Kentucky gets knocked out of the tournament, Mark Pope and his family hop on a plane and they're in New York recruiting him right away. So, I mean, that one does honestly look like a whiff. I'm not going to get into the whiff culture because I think that's a little overblown.

But, I mean, it's very clearly he was pursuing him hard, and Peyton ends up going another direction. Yeah. Well, I, the paint kick, he's 22 years old, score a lot of points. I still don't know if he's eligible. My worry was if we took him, you commit this money to him, you build your team around him, and then he all of a sudden gets ruled ineligible, and you go, well, what do we do now? I mean, that was my worry because I think he ends up very likely getting a play,

but there's a world where Congress passes legislative. We're going to talk a little bit later. I spoke to someone yesterday that's one of the main people working with Congress on the legislation. So I feel like I actually now know what's going on. You know, they want to keep guys like that from playing. We'll see if it ends up happening. You know, after what happened with our last two point guards getting hurt, do you take that risk if you're Mark Pope,

knowing maybe for the third year in a row your point guard is not going to be on the floor most of the season? Well, he would have been a little different in how he played. But it would have been tough because he would have been probably a dude you had to commit a lot of money to and then he might not end up getting a point. I also wondered, like, what if the, in October, the Knicks decided they want to, how would that work? Because technically, I mean, they had his rights or have him right now.

That would be interesting. What if the Knicks just called him up in December? What if he's a big blue madness and you think you're going to have him in the next? You're like, no, we'd like you in the garden. That's interesting question. I don't really know how that would work. All right, who's up first, Rick? Joey is up first.

Joey, go ahead, Joey. Hey, guys, how are you? Good. I'm gotten a down, man. I've been behind Pope ever since you got higher. I just want him to succeed so bad, but it seems like every time we, you know, get a big-time player on the list or something like that,

he just can't get him. And I'm not really worried about the Pate kid. The Miles Bird kid was who I really wanted because I was worried about Pate, not being able to play. But I just, it's so silent coming out of the Kentucky organization. You never get nothing. I'm online every day looking for some positive information. I mean, they give up.

Well, there hadn't been a lot. There hadn't been a lot, which I appreciate you bringing that up. I appreciate the call. I'm going to ask you, too, a question. I want you to mull it in these big brains of yours, especially yours. Big, massive brain. I got to ask a question, and I thought about it on my entire drive to Somerset. Somebody wrote me yesterday, and it was a long email, but it basically said this.

Since Kentucky's been a program, if you look at our history of coaches, we have had, with the exception of maybe two years, one of the best coaches in college basketball as our coach. We'll talk in a minute about they kind of ranked them in tears. But really, no matter what, we've always had one of the best college basketball coaches as our coach, their question was, do you think we have that now? I want you to think about that question when we come back,

and then I want to talk about some goofy stuff. We'll be right back. This is Kentucky Sports Radio. Welcome back. It is Kentucky Sports Radio. here live in Somerset at Hyundai. Don Franklin Hyundai over 600 new Hyundai's in stock right here. I see a Nancy High School t-shirt right there.

What was the last year that existed? 81. Still got the merch. You got, man, from Ryan Lemon's art there. I like it. All right, so here was the email. Ryan, this was a long email. I'm going to shorten it real quick to what they said.

They basically said, Matt, I want you to think about since UK basketball became UK basketball post World War II. They basically said with the exception of the two Billy Clyde years, we have always had a coach that was at least considered in the coaching world top 10 at worst top 12. Point being that when we had Rupp, Patino, and Cal, everyone would have agreed that we had one of the top five coaches in college basketball. Maybe towards the end, Cal slipped off that list. but for the most part, people would have always said you've got one of the best five coaches. And if you add the Rupp, Patino, and Cal years, that's like 40-plus years, 45 years of Kentucky history. Then in the tubby, Jobby Hall, and even Eddie Sutton years, people would have said,

okay, well, you at least have one of the top 10 or top 12 coaches during those years, even if not top 5. So the point was, you know, for 75 years, we have had top 10 to top 12 coaches here, with the exception of two years and with Billy Gilles. So the question was, Matt, do you think Mark Pope is a top 10 or 12 coach? And I don't know the answer to that question. I mean, I think he's not today, but the question would be, this person's email. point was in determining in the future Mark Pope's fate here, don't you have to ask, is he a top 10 or 12 coach? Because with the exception of Billy Gillespie, that's what we've

always had here. What are your thoughts on that question? Oh, I was hoping you weren't going to ask me first. I think after year one, I could put Pope in that top 10, top 12 category for him to take that rag tag group of guys at the last minute, throw his staff together at the last minute, have a pretty good season, get to Sweet 16. I think I could. probably make an argument you could put him in that conversation. After this season, I'm not so sure I can make that argument. I think this coming year is the make or break. Ask me this time after next season, because I think it's make or break,

whether he's going to be a good coach or not this coming season. There was an article on Yahoo yesterday, Drew, about how college basketball as a sport is now, you know, if you may remember three years, four years ago, everybody was like, oh, no, the legends are all retiring, right? Mike Schoewskiy's leaving. Jay Wright is leaving. Roy Williams is leaving, and they say, you know, Cal will be gone soon, Patino will be gone soon, Isso will be gone soon. There's this, like, crisis of not having big coaches.

And the point of this article was, and now all of a sudden there's a new wave that looked really damn good, right? Dusty May, Todd Golden, Nate Oates, John Shire, Tommy Lloyd, all these guys. We need Mark to be in that group, right? Like, that's the new group, and those guys are going to be coaches. for at least a decade. They've got long futures. They're all young. Is he going to be one of?

I'm glad you're saying, is he going to be one and not presently? I'm a hard no, and I don't want to be mean, but hard no on right now. I mean, I hate doing this. I don't even know if he's top five in the SEC right now. Now, the hope is with the money and the backing

and the fans and the passion he has for UK. He gets it figured out. But right now, no, he is not on any high-ranking list for me. So I just think as we're thinking about, I mean, to be fair, I guess I have to answer right now. I don't think you can say he's top 10 or 12 right now. I'm not willing to say he can't ever be. But I do think as we talk about him over the course of the next year, to the emailer's point, I had never really thought of it like that, but it's a good way to think of it.

If in 73 of the 75 years of Kentucky basketball, we've had a top 10. or 12 coach. I don't think we should accept anything less than a top 10 or 12 coach. So the question is, as you're evaluating, you just have to ask, is he one of? And I think that will be the question we have to all think about over the course the next year, two years, three years, whatever it is. We're in the hope phase right now. We hope it gets worked out.

We are in the hope phase. Because when he got hired, his resume might not have even been top 25 in the country. It wasn't. But I don't know that there was anybody whose resume was better that we were going to get. So, I mean, I, you know, that's just the reality. All right, completely different question. Drew, I want to ask you this. All right.

We talked about this on an unaired segment on It's the News. What a great segment that's just gone. Gone to history. Let's not say names. Let's just say theater. Let's say there was a football coach and there was a reporter. And they interlocked fingers. Is the football coach, did I name?

my Peloton after. Yes. Okay. People who have probably seen now, pictures, two people, coach is married, reporter is married. The story is, coaches with his boys,

and they go to a romantic Sedona resort. Reporters with his, with her friends, they're there, they see each other, and there are pictures of them hanging out. Now,

they're in the picture. they're just talking. But then there is a picture where they are in front of each other. Let's do this, Ryan, if you don't mind. And they're doing this. Yes. Okay. Looking lovingly.

This is when Mario locks in. Get up here, Mario. You see how far you got up here? Come on Mario. Do not take a picture. That was for the illustration for the live crowd. Quick first step. You did not get it.

Put that camera down, sir. This is like the Masters. It's a no-case. camera zone here. I'm going to be like Mark Kalkavecchio and kick you out. So they did that. And now the question, you know, obviously people are going, oh, is something going on? Now, both parties say no, we just happened to be there.

Drew, you and I talked about that picture, though, that's a damning piece of evidence, isn't it? It very much is. Hypothetically, if we're talking about people, I think we are. I'm big fan of both have been for a long time. but the interlocking fingers is really hard to explain. I'm a hugger. There's probably photos of me hugging people. If I see someone I hadn't seen a long time, man, woman, I'm probably going to hug.

Yeah, I've hugged people's wives. That happens. There's a hugging. Why are you looking like that, man? You've hugged people's husbands. I can tag. I know he's right. You've hugged people's husbands.

Let's not act like you have it. I think I hug people when I walked in today. That's right. I've hug people's wives probably today in here. But I've never interlocked fingers like that. Interlocking fingers, though. It's even worse than a handshake or even an arm around. That's a side hug could be misinterpreted.

I think an arm around is okay. But the interlocking fingers, Ryan, I already know what your take is since you won't even breathe next to a woman that's not your wife, but what do you think? So he was at Sedona. And she just coincidentally happened to be at Sedona? Okay, to be fair, the league meetings were two hours away, and it was a day or two before.

And let me just say, I've been to this resort. My weird question is, I can understand, it's kind of a romantic resort, but I can see groups of women going. A group of dudes going to it is odd to me. Like, I went by myself, but I can't imagine being like, hey, boys, turkey hunter, talk, let's go. We're going to Sedona, and we're going to have spa treatments, and it's going to be awesome.

I'm like I'm a little... Bring your mask. We have a mask today. We got red laser mask. It's going to be great. So I understand, but that's why they say they were there. So she's at a romantic resort in Sedona, which is not... But with her friends.

Her art pictured in anything. And he just coincidentally is two hours away and decides it's going two hours. They're both there before the meeting. Just happen to meet in Sedona at this romantic resort. But their friends are there. Duck poop. I mean, it is duck, poop. I will buy, see, I can buy all of the story,

except the interlocking fingers. The interlocking fingers is hard. I just feel like that's oddly one of the more intimate gestures you could do. I mean, kissing would be worse. But even a forehead kiss is less intimate than the inner, there's something about the interlocking fingers, which is why would not let Mario take the picture? Especially because they're supposed to have a working relationship,

So just think about someone you haven't seen in a while. You don't run up and, like, let's lock fingers, how you've been. We need to connect. I mean, the equivalent would be if Mark Pope was interlocking fingers with Larry Vaught. Yes. On the rooftop of a resort. A romantic resort in Sedona, Arizona, one of the most beautiful places in the world. Which I also have to lay pole side together.

I could see Mark Pope and Larry Vaught laying poolside together. Well, anyway. Well, Sedona is so easy to get to, too. You know, it's just a nice little short little drive. But it is a vacation spot. I don't, you know. For football coaches. Also, it is weird for a group of dudes to go to Sedona together.

Although, to be fair, we did it. We did it. And we stayed in the same hotel, so maybe we can't say anything. Did we interlock fingers? Did they go get an old-timey photo while they were down there like we did? Who's up next? John is up next. John, go ahead, John.

Yeah, hello, man. How you doing? Doing good. Yeah. My question, meta, I don't think Marino's ready for NBA. Ours, New She-Way, has never made the NBA yet, just as a two-way. A two-way. He'll play occasionally in games, but yes.

Right, yeah. Do you think Malachi will get drafted? No, I think Malachi will be back. I mean, the late ESPN released their draft rankings yesterday, top 100. Jaden Quaintance was 20, Malachi Marino was 60, and I believe O.A.A. was 93 or something. So I think the most likely scenario is Quaintance probably goes because he's been in college for two years. He'll get picked mid to end of the first round. I'd say Moreno comes back. O'WA probably doesn't get drafted, but gets signed to one of those two-way deals

and kind of is in the G-League floating back and forth. That's my guess, is to the most, likely scenario. Right. And on Travis Perry, like you all said Western. I also said maybe he could, he might go to Bellarmint, or even that other school. I think he's better than Bellarmine.

He's better than Bellarmine. Yeah. I mean, he's better than that. I mean, I think he's, I appreciate the call. I think he's like American Conference, A-10. I think that's where I would like to see him go. I mean, maybe he can still play and do well at SEC school. I just think if he

went to Dayton or St. Lewis or a school like that, he could really find his, his, his mark. Oh, definitely. I think he'd be good at those schools. It's all between the ears. If he, he might want to come off the bench somewhere and maybe some places offer him a lot of money to do that. Who knows? Yeah. Hey, we're all savings for something, but what if you could save for something? At UK credit union, we want you to reach your saving goals faster. 4% APY balance is up to $25,000.

This basketball season let the official credit union of the University of Kentucky help you net some bigger savings, no minimum balance, no monthly service charge, just high yield savings earning up to 4.00 APY today. It's UK credit union. We're not just for some, we're for who? Every, y'all, y'all, all y'all. That's right. APY's annual percentage yield, minimum $1,000 to open high yield savings account. Membership eligibility required, insured by NCUA. We'll take a break, be right back. KSR. 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 SportsSlice 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. 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 Slic Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok.

Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hard Way with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kier 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. Trip Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing,

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Have a great day. What's up, guys? This is Cliver 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 walks up to me, he goes, hey, ref, my mom wants you to wave at her. What?

Time out of my. Quarterback on office blue of 42. Hey, Brett, my mama wants you to wave at her. What? Where's she at? Hey, Ms. Parker. Listen to the Clifford show on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. Welcome back.

It is Kentucky Sports Radio. 8992-8-2-8-2-8-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2. 87. Text machine is 772, 775254. One person writes, Matt, I'm usually not critical of KSR, but asking the question about Mark Pope as a top 10 coach is the most unproductive topic you've had in a while. How do you think this helps the program?

Well, two things I would say. It's a question, all right? It's not a, I mean, it's not even a conclusion. It's a question. You might think he is. But, like, it's a point someone made in a question. And second, my goal, like, I want Kentucky to win every game, and my goal is to be an outlet for fans that we all want Kentucky to win and be positive. But my goal is not only say things that make the university look good.

That's what the official stuff has to do. This is for fans. This show is for – I had this conversation about a month ago with someone at the university, and I said to them respectfully. This show is for these people in the crowd and the things they want to talk about and the things they want to discuss. It is not a propaganda piece for the university. Now, oftentimes those two things will go hand in hand, but if they're not, they're not. So if asking the question is unproductive, then I would suggest to you that says more about where you are on the answer sheet if it's unproductive. Because if I asked that question eight years ago,

everyone would have said yes, right? Yes, we are in the top ten. So I don't think asking it is unproductive. One person writes, Matt, you've gone this far. I do have to ask, how did Ryan and you handle the closing yesterday? Yeah, I want to hear about this too. Really, it looked like the Cole Haynes go to buy a house because Ryan and I were both dressed like this.

and we walked into a law firm that's one of the sort of, what do you call them? I don't know, black shoes, whatever, the hive class law firms. It was up on the ninth floor, and we walk in, and the attorney doing it is in a suit, great hair, glasses, tie. The woman who's my loan agent, she's dressed white, gray, they gave us gifts, and there's like stacks of paper up to the seat. and Ryan's like snotting everywhere and we signed it but it was wonderful and then I will say when they when they hand you the key that's a that is kind of cool and it finished Ryan doing a very good job I got I was saving for this moment I was like a dad watching his son mark off to college yesterday I was so proud of you during the closing I mean you got a stack of papers it can be confusing but you

ask the right questions you ask about you know your earnest money the escrow accounts to pay your insurance, the HOA. You were asking, I was so proud of you, like you've grown up. You're an adult now, and you're all right in front of our eyes. You're a homeowner. So congratulations. That's very nice of you. Yeah.

How did Ryan handle the paperwork? Was he in? Well, he didn't have to sign anything. But, I mean, he was dialed in, right? They brought him cookies, which I thought was interesting. Yes. After watching you eat these two apple pies during the break. They brought Ryan a bag of cookies, and they were like, here, youngster.

Here's just some cookies. You know, if you guys bought a house, it could be intimidating. And Matt, can I handle it? I've heard that on your commercials over the years. That's why you've got to get your loan officer. You can trust hand lead you to the closing table. It's a great time to buy. Yes.

Great time to buy. So he hand led me. And then yesterday, so after I got it, I drove out to the house, went in. Of course, there's nothing in there. So I just sat down on the floor for like 15 minutes. And I was like, well, I guess this is it. I guess I have this now. But it's an awesome house.

You should feel very proud that you've, Put yourself in that position when you can go out and buy an awesome house like that. Yeah. Now, it may be empty for a long time. I may have to just take a pillow, as Ryan said. What's your first step? I've got to get furniture. I think that's a pretty big first step in getting furniture.

Are you hiring someone or are you going out? I can't go to like, I can't go to these places and go give me a table. You know, I mean, I've got to get someone to help. I don't know what to do. You know, I mean, I see people and I see this stuff. And it's like, how do you know? Like, you know, so, and my mom is helping me with some of it, and that's good. And so I turn the electricity on.

That's a whole process. And the gas, the water, you get your water turned on? I still haven't gotten the gas on because Columbia gas, you want to talk about long wait times. They're like, you will be on hold for two hours. Go online. So then I go online, I type it in, and they go, please call here, blah, blah, blah, and I'm right back on for two more hours. So.

You got to get the Internet. They'll tell you they'll be there between 8 and 12 and they'll get there at 9 p.m. I'm not going anywhere. So anyway, we do have to do. But everyone has to do that. They know that. Do you get your water on, though? I did get the water.

Yeah, I got everything but the gas. So I hope it doesn't get too hot. Who's up next? Alex is up next. Alex, go ahead, Alex. Talk about long wait times being on hold. Columbia gas and KSR have a lot in common. I watch it, Alex.

Call on the day, Alex, Green. Yeah, that's exactly right. The law firm of Franklin, Lemon, and Jones are contracted by the KHSAA to draft the NIL and transfer portal. Because that's what it is there in the 12th region, is transfer portal. How would the law firm of Lemon, Franklin, and Jones write up the KHSAA NIL and transfer portal? We would have very different rules because I already know, Ryan, you'd be like, nope, everybody's got to go where they live, right? even though that would be very hypocritical. That's what you would say.

I would like that, but I'm kind of warming up to the idea of a one-time transfer for high school kids. Somebody whose kids went to Douglas, you should have no rules when it comes to this. My view is... And also, before you hang up... Wait a minute. You asked our question. All right, go ahead real quick. I was just going to say, before you cut me off, I want to take a victory laugh on being right on the anode rod.

Sorry, Rick was talking over. I didn't take a victory lap on what? For the add-no rod when I called in Wednesday about the hot water tank. You did get that right. I did have a lot of people say you were right. All right. Enough talking trash. We'll take a break and be right back.

Hour number two is KSR. Another podcast from some SNL late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smigel 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 Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Turn someday into right now with Buddy by Jake Radio,

nonstop workout music and expert tips 24-7. Hey, head over to EyeHex. Heart.com. Search Body by Jake Radio and stream it for free right now. Awesome health and wellness tips 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Remember, stick to the fight. When your heart is hit, it's when things seem worse that you must not quit. Don't quit. Body by Jake Radio, where hope meets momentum. Search Body by Jake Radio and stream it for free. Have a great day.

What's up guys? This is Clever Taylor the Fourth. And on my podcast, The Cliverts Show, I'm bringing you conversations about all kinds of stuff. Like being an internet. that 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 with 42. Hey, ref, my mama want you to wave at her. What? Where's she at? Hey, Miss Parker. Listen to the Clippers show on the I-Heart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get podcast.