KSR - KSR Postgame Mark Pope Introduction 4/14/24

Episode Date: April 14, 2024

Matt, Ryan, Drew and Billy recap Mark Pope's introductory press conference and take your calls.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Mark Pope introduced as the 23rd head basketball coach at the University of Kentucky in front of a completely packed Rupp Arena. I mean, it was completely packed. we're standing in the concourses. It was unbelievable as the fans started lining up early this morning, down the sidewalks outside Rupp Arena, 10,000 people deep trying to get in at like 1 o'clock. It was unbelievable.

We got a lot to get to. Ryan Lemon here, Matt Jones will join us shortly. He stayed for the entire news conference. He's on his way here to the studios. And we want to hear from you. I mean, this is a reaction show. This is a KSR post-game show, sort of, so to speak. A reaction show.

So 859-2-80-2-287. 859-280-2-8-7 the same number we always use calling now we'll get some people on and Matt will join us shortly but you talk about you know that old cliche you got to win the news conference Mark Pope nailed it hit a grand slam hit a hole in one whatever sports analogy you want to use he killed it what a unbelievable entrance coming off that bus with all those former players former managers current managers and then the 96 team and he walks out carrying the trophy. So I want to get to this just real quick. One of my favorite and greatest memories ever of covering Kentucky Wildcats was when the 96 team drove that bus into Rupp Arena and they came out and Mark Pope was the last guy out carrying the trophy.

I mean, and there were grown men crying in the stands. It was hard to explain unless you were there. It had been a long time. been what 18 years since Kentucky won a national championship and Rick Patino had established you know all this incredible excitement into the program and for those guys to win it that that 96 basketball team they were rock stars man I know a lot of people think of John Wall's team that's their version of a rock star team well to me the 96 team will always be that rock star team to me and when they came off that bus at Rupp Arena and Mark Pope carried out the trophy I mean or like I said

They were grown men crying. It was an unbelievable moment, and to this day, one of my favorite moments ever covering the cats. And it was just kind of surreal today to see a bus. We'll end the Rupp Arena. All these former players get off. You know, there's Derek Anderson and Tony Delk and Jeff Shepard and Jared Prickett and Cameron Mills, Sean Wood, Richie Farmer, Winston Bennett. I mean, go on and on and on.

Romail Bradley. And the last guy that gets off carrying the trophy. is Mark Pope, our new coach. It is sometimes fairy tales write themselves, and this is one that we're going to talk about forever because the dude is going to succeed. We're going to win here. And we'll talk a lot about some of the things he said.

I mean, there were some not so subtle jabs. I think it, Coach Cal, where he talked about, we're going to win banners. We're going to win banners in Nashville, because that means something to you guys. Okay. bringing on big guy and i think he said you know i hear we're going to play defense here you know not so subtle but that's what we want man that's what this program needs everybody's so excited

we went from thursday night hearing the news that mark pope was going to be the higher and everybody a little shell shocked and some people mad and you know i got all these tons we all did got these messages how i'm never going to wear kentucky blue again i'm burning all all my stuff. I'm done. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Well, by Friday afternoon, after we finish KSR, we're all jumping at the bit, ready to do anything with this guy. And after today, what we just saw today at Rup Arena with the full packed house, not an empty seat anywhere, it's evident. They are behind this guy, and they're going to want him to win. So 859, 2802-287. This shows for you guys. You can hear us ramble all week on KSR. So, Billy,

who we got? Let's go ahead and get some calls on. Who we got? All right. Let's start with Stefan. Stefan, go ahead. You'll be our leadoff hitter today. Go ahead, Stefan. I just want to say one thing. Say it. You know, there's been tweets from former players from Calipari. Let me tell you one thing, baby.

We were here before you and we will be here after you. And if you think this is the University of Calipari, you are wrong. Thank you. Goodbye. That's a good way to start. I don't know what tweets he's talking about, Billy. I haven't seen any negative tweets from Cal's people, but I think you heard Mark Pope say,

man, it's not just my era, not just my team. You know, these former players, Cal's players, he mentioned the 2012 team. He wants them all to be a part of it. And that's the part of him being a former player, a former captain, a former champion. He wants everybody to feel a part of it and move on. So I don't know really for sure what he was referring to.

So who's next, Billy? Jordan Jordan go ahead Jordan Ryan Billy what's up boys how's it going all right Jordan what's up brothers big blue nation we are back in full force I am here in North Carolina at home I I watched the press conference with my one year old daughter sitting on my lap and she was clapping the whole time obviously her her dad was fired up to watch the new coach come up on stage and to see the excitement in Rup Arena. Boys, I'm excited. I know I'm not the only one. It sounds like everybody is fired up for the season to come, and I hope we see some

returning players. I did catch that little Reed Shepard comment that he made. So anyways, go Big Blue. Thanks for taking my call, Ryan. Matt, love you, buddy. Billy, take care y'all. Thank you, Jordan. Appreciate it.

Yeah, we want to hear from you guys today. We'll take a break. We're going to come back and get some more phone calls. 859-2-802-287. It's the number we use for everything. that's a number. We're going to go about an hour and a half taking your calls as we all react to Mark Pope being introduced as a new coach. And you got to tell me the truth. I mean, I know a lot of people were sending me messages, man, I'm in tears, man, I'm crying. I've got chili bumps. This is so

exciting. I am teary-eyed. I have tears streaming down my face. I can see why. It was a special, special moment. And it was one that if you were there in 96 and you see how it's come full circle now, it does get a little lump in your throat a little bit. Because that excitement we felt in 96 with that rock star team, I feel like it's back. Just like that, it came back. Not to overlook what we had during the glory days, those nine or ten years. That was one of the best runs in the history of college basketball.

But that feeling, that feeling is back. We'll take our break. 859-2802-287. This is the KSR. I guess we'll call it a post-game show. The Mark Pope Era is underway. We'll be right back. Welcome.

It is the KSR post-press conference show. I met Jones. Ryan Lemon is here with me. Ryan, thank you for stepping up while I walked back from the thing. Appreciate it. Dude, we're all like walking on clouds right now, I think, aren't we? That was incredible. That was in a great moment we're all going to remember.

So 859-288. 802287. I'd like to hear what you guys think about all that's gone on in the press conference. I'm just going to give you a couple quick thoughts from having been there. I'm not just saying this. I know the press conference was awesome. The entrance was awesome. All that was great. But the hour before it started was as cool a thing as I've seen in Rupp. I'm not going to say ever, but in a long time. I mean, the play start. You know, they opened the doors early. There were so many people.

Ryan, were you there? Yeah, I was there. Yeah, I was there. I was there for like, there were so many people there that like, there were people outside. They had to open the doors early. Yeah. And they really, I think they had to turn people away. It's crazy to fill up at press commerce.

But for an hour before, people just cheered nonstop. Like, it just constant cheering the entire time. The excitement was unbelievable. and everybody's standing on the floor. The media is standing on the floor. I was standing there with Drew and Mario and a couple people. And we just, Tyler Thompson, we just kept looking around going, I can't believe this is happening.

Like, this is so cool. And it felt like to me, Ryan, I don't want to say that BBN is like back because, I mean, we fans have been excited and there's a lot of ton of great things in the last era. But it did feel like just a moment of this place is special and we're going to show it. And I have to tell him, I enjoyed the hour before as much as I enjoyed the thing, which I think Mark killed it. But I really enjoyed the hour before almost as much. It was cool. And they showed those videos on the JumboTron that we've seen a hundred times.

But yet there was something different about seeing it today. Like with that spirit of we're all in this together. He's one of us where that feeling, like I tried to in the first segment, that 96 team feeling that we all had back in those days about those guys kind of being rock stars. It just took me right back to that time in my life in that moment. It really was like, I don't know, it was like a BBN is bigger than anybody individually. And that's not just the coach, but like everything. And I thought Pope, you know, he registered that theme a lot. I mean, there was a lot of like, you know, there was a lot of contrast.

We're going to, you know, the, we're not lucky the guys are wearing the jersey. they're lucky they're wearing it i mean ryan that's not that's the opposite right like that's a different a different way of looking at it the we're going to win in nashville but the thing i just loved the thing i just loved was how happy he was i just loved watching him watch the crowd because i was just sitting there thinking can you imagine what that must be like for him to be a part of yeah and you i it's you can tell it's so sincere i mean he loves this place and you know he said my whole life changed the minute I put on this jersey. And he wants that to be that kind of experience for his players now when they put on that jersey.

Well, it was great. It was great. And to the people that were there, I'll be interested if you were there, 859-280-2287. I thought that was as electric an experience as you could have for something that's not a game that I can imagine. I can't imagine an arena being more exciting when you're not playing than that one was. So let's just get into it. I want to hear what folks they came 59-2-8027. Who's up first?

Snoop. Snoop. Snoop. How are you, Snoop? I'm doing good. Hey, man, we haven't had a revival like this since the Second Awakening, man. I mean, this was just amazing. Pope, he's like a preacher, man. I caught the Holy Ghost listening to him today.

Like, I mean, this was like, this is, next season, you can go ahead and mark it down. It's called Big Blue Revival. Because that's what it is. Well, how about him saying, how about what he said about expectations, Snoop? How about him saying, I'm not downplaying expectations. We're here to win banners. I mean, that's a pretty amazing thing. And he basically seemed to suggest we're trying to be good next year.

We're not waiting. I just, I loved it. He said all the right things. The man is so good at talking. he could give religion to Jesus. I'm telling you, there ain't nobody like this, man. He could talk water out of a well. I mean, he's not going to have any type of problem.

He, oh, man, I caught the Holy Ghost. I was in church. I went to church this morning. Thought I was going to come home, open me a beer, watch the thing on YouTube. No, I went to church again. I mean, it was just amazing today. The big blue revival, that's what you might as well call it next season.

Because he's bringing us back to where we need. Thanks for the call. I appreciate it. Let me tell you something. Everything about today, okay? Ryan, you were at the bar before. It was just people everywhere, right? I mean, people just everywhere, going and getting excited.

We had a standing room to get in at like 11 o'clock this morning waiting to get in for this thing. And then in front of the, in front of up, I mean, I walked down there at like 2.30 because I thought maybe I could get in early or whatever. We couldn't get in until 3.30. So I was just walking along the line. and it was just so exciting. Like it was crazy how into it everybody was. I mean, kids dressed up as popes, signs. People had already made t-shirts.

I don't even know how they got all those t-shirts made so quick. It was unbelievable. But I will, the 20 minutes before it started, because they started about 10 minutes late because they were waiting everybody to get in, the 20 minutes before, I'll remember forever with the music playing. It's an example of how if we ever were able to just open up or up to the masses, how crazy it would be in there. I don't know that that will ever happen,

but if you did, it would be a lot like it was today. Who's next? Wendell. Wendell. Go ahead, Wendell. It is an honor and a privilege to be on the Billy R. Rutledge post-Tat revival show. And the guy that spoke before me said exactly what I was going to say, it felt like a tent revival. He was across between the Baptist preacher.

and a politician, dude can talk, man. And he, not just spouting off long garbally gook. He had things to say, and you sat and listened. And, you know, for years, I used to call in KSR in the early years a lot. And I haven't, I felt a disconnect from everything from the, from the basketball for years. And I just felt like, man, the program is back. The old Kentucky is back where you just got hope, hey, things are going to get better. and for a couple of years I just felt like this isn't going to get any better it's the same old thing over and over again and uh he's certain i don't know if there's a lot of people

windle Wendell I think there's a lot of people that felt like you and what I mean by that is I looked around today and I'm not just talking media but I'm talking about you know they had essentially spots for the big donors and that stuff but also I was looking in the crowd and I just looked around and and I felt like I saw faces that I haven't seen in a a long time. Like former players, there were guys in there that I haven't seen in a long time. Ryan, you've been around longer even than me. Did you get that feeling like there's just a lot of faces in here that maybe for a few years just haven't, that it almost seems like they're excited to be back? Yeah, absolutely. And a lot of those guys that got off that bus I haven't seen in that arena for a long time. So it was kind of, you know, like I said, 28 years ago going back to 96, that feeling we all had of that great team and that great run with Patino is like it came back again.

Windle, I don't think you're the only person that felt like that. Listen, I mean, everybody loved the Calera. Everybody loved the players. It was so exciting. But there was a sense. I think that there was like the play, there was sort of Kentucky was secondary to everything else. And I do think, Wendell, Kentucky was at the forefront today.

At some point next summer, not just coming summer, but the next summer, you need to have a show where you sit down and analyze because you're good at this. Analyze where everything started going wrong, when the disconnect happened with Calipari, and what it was like when that bus rolled into that arena today, just like in 96, and all those people came out. And I'll leave it with this. I halfway expected Rick Cicino to come to that bus.

Listen, I thought I did. You know, when I asked him about the schedule, I thought he was about to say we're playing Rick next year. I thought he was really close to saying that. I appreciate the call. But, you know, the, when the bus, okay, so take the bus thing. So the bus, like about 30 minutes before, I walked back, I kind of roamed to where I wasn't supposed to be and saw the bus. And somebody said to me, yeah, they're going to come in on the bus.

And I was going to send it out. And then this guy goes, please don't send it out. We want everybody to be surprised and excited. And so I didn't. And it was very cool. I mean, it was like people, as soon as they opened that big gate, right, and the bus pulled in. The place went insane, and I thought that was really awesome.

You've heard me say, one of my greatest moments ever covering the cats was that 96 bus that rolled into Rupp Arena, and it was completely packed that day. Grown men were crying as they get off the bus, and then here's Mark Pope, the last guy off that bus carrying the trophy. And to duplicate that today, I mean, if you didn't get chilly bumps at that moment, then you're not alive, I don't think, because that was really special. And we have to take about talking about the crowd. I mean, the place is full. Completely full.

Not kind of full, completely full. Standing in the concourse. They put banners because they assumed that they were going to have a really good crowd, but they didn't want to have a ton of empty seats on TV. They didn't need to. They took the banners down. They took the banners down. And honestly, had they pulled out the seats on the side, you could have gotten more people.

But they were expecting eight to a 12,000 people. That's what they were expecting. And there were 21,000 plus. The place was completely packed, and they turned people away. And I feel sorry for those people. But as the people just kept coming in, I kept thinking, I cannot believe how many people are here. They surrounded the entire thing. It really was unbelievable.

And they had set it up, assuming, I think, Ryan, half the people that came would come. Yeah, because they had the, the, stage was, you know, up against the one side of the, of the whole arena, thinking that nobody's going to sit behind the stage, and then yet that side all filled up. It was, it was really, really, really cool. Who's next? Cameron. Cameron.

Go ahead, Cameron. First time, long time. Who are? So just sitting there watching, obviously, the elephant in the room was if Reed Shepherd is going to come back. Do you know if Reed Shepherd was actually in attendance today? Yeah, it's not an elephant. to me. I mean, I just, everybody needs to assume he's not going to come back. I don't want this to

hang over BBN to not enjoy the excitement because if he comes back, let's consider it the greatest bonus of all time. But my full expectation as of today is that he will leave and that and everyone should be fine with that. It was cool, the whole shepherd and all that. I honestly don't think Mark Bowman to do that, but then the crowd started yelling. But, uh, I don't, I'm not, I mean, everybody should dream and be excited, but I don't want that to sort of overshadow what's going on with everything else, because I do not expect him to come back. I guess the one other thing was just sitting there watching Mitch Barnhart,

whenever he was talking about getting into the Maui and all that, looked like Mitch Barnhart was just breathing size of relief. So obviously, it was time for Cal to go. Well, I asked that schedule question because, I mean, look, that matters to people. Oh, yeah, that does. call, the idea of playing in those tournaments. You know, it was almost as if somebody, Ryan, had said to him, hey, talk about the SEC tournament.

Hey, Mitch and Maui, hey, you know, like, he hit all the notes, didn't he? Like, he hit all the notes. And talk about playing defense. He threw that little nugget out there, too, that one time. Oh, no, he said we'll mix up the defense. Yeah. That's what he said. We will mix up the defenses and keep people aggressive.

That had to be intentional, right? Oh, there's no doubt, yeah. But, of course, we all, we ate it. up. That's something the fan base has been clamoring for for years. Mally Invitational, winning in Nashville, playing defense, playing his own. I think we'll see all that now. He literally hit every single note of what he was, of what you would want him to say. Who's next? Syndicate. Syndicate. How are you?

Hey, I'm doing great, man. I was there. And you talking about an emotional event. It started by we caught, we caught Ryan before he headed out of the stadium. We caught him going down the escalator. Perfect timing. I had my daughter with me and I was telling Ron, I haven't felt this good about UK basketball since about 96. And that's when you knew the players, when they would stay a year or two. And after that era, after that cow era, you know, it was great, but then the players would leave. And it was hard for us to know the team again. I think that's what was broken. I think that's what's brought back. But you're talking about the 20 minutes before, the Jumbotron, and they were showing all the people around and the babies, they were holding the

babies up. I'll tell you one of the coolest things was, is they show like three like popes and black suits and they stood up and was like, had their hands up like in praying mode and sat back down. And then they had the pope guy there. And it was like, yeah, there's a dude dressing a full Pope outfit, right? I don't know if you saw him, but in a full Pope outfit. They maybe showed him on TV. Cameron Wright from Pikeville. What's who that guy was. Okay. And it was absolutely amazing. And my daughter said, Daddy, this is the best experience of my life. And that just, that brought to me like, you know, what, this is our bonding years of bringing back the family in the UK basketball all together.

And then when they came in in the bus with the police leading them in front of them and just the whole crowd goes wild and then they just start coming out one by one. And they're yelling out, Goose and TDDA! And as they're coming off the bus, you could feel a rebirth of excitement. And if you wasn't there for this, oh, my gosh, TV will not play what it did to my heart today. Go big blue, baby. I agree. I appreciate the call.

It was, it was really special. It really was a, I knew it would be good, but it was better than I thought. And it was, I mean, a good, you know, 50% of it's Mark Pope, but 50% of it were the people in that building. I mean, the people in that building, you could just feel how excited it was. And it was kind of a throwback. I really liked one of the student journalists, a young woman, asked a question that I thought was really good. But she said something like, the older fans know who you are. And then Markov was like, the really old fans know who I am.

Like he made a joke. And then she said, but what about for younger fans, how would you introduce them? Which I thought was a great question. Yeah. Right? I thought that was a great question. And he then did it. He said, I'm a person who loves this, this, I loves basketball, loves my family, loves this state,

and loves God. And I was like, great question, great answer. Right. I thought to me, Ryan, that was kind of a great sort of, I don't know, compilation, compilation of the day. Yeah, he comes across like he's one of us, you know. It's no longer players first program. It's a fan's first program because he's one of us, you know what I mean?

Yeah, yeah. Well, Ryan, thank you for coming in. Yeah, brother. Stepping in for us. Enjoy yourself. I will see you tomorrow at the bar for the show, all right? The bar was hopping today, man. All those people came in for like tailgating before they went down to rub.

It was a lot of fun. It's great. All right. Well, thanks, right. We will take a break. 859-280-2287. We're going to go till 730 here on the, well, do it. Let's just call it the KSR Post-Game show because I don't know if we have a sponsor, but we're here.

We'll be back in just a second. Welcome back. It is the PSR post-press conference show. Drew just walked in. Drew was there too. Drew, you were there with me the whole time kind of standing there beforehand. What did you think about it? That was one of the craziest.

things I've ever seen. It really was. I parked on the other side of downtown before it started, about an hour, hour and a half before, and I'm walking that way, and I see lines that are going like down the block and wrapping around Rupp Arena. And I'm thinking, kind of half jokingly, are they going to have enough seats? And then you get inside and they really didn't have enough seats. There were people hanging over the edges. There are people outside. I knew Blue would get in and make a statement, but never in my wildest dreams would it be what it turned out to be. That was absolute insanity. you are a little, you're a little younger to me.

So you were like a little kid during 96, but you still are somebody who, you know, felt that time of life. How much did you enjoy kind of the nostalgia of all the moments? Well, I wasn't that little because I camped at Rick Petino's summer camp overnight. Jeff Shepard was my coach and Mark Pope wasn't my coach, but I remember him being a lot. So that is my era. I have so many Meadowlands branded shirts at home from that 96 run. So really just the nostalgia alone is what's so exciting.

We'll see what happens with the basketball. But having all those players there, and it wasn't just his team. Afterwards, I stayed a little later, talk to our boy, Ramell, and Wu and Richie. Just seeing from all generations everyone down there being excited and kind of bringing UK together was pretty special today. Very, very cool. Who's up next? Don is next. Don, go ahead, Don.

Hey Matt, how's it going this evening? Doing good. Good. Congrats on the big pop when they introduced you. Oh, thank you, man. That was surprising. Drew kept making fun of me sitting there next to me a whole time. So I sat watching it from home, and what I didn't miss was all the coach speak.

Coach Pope sounded real direct, real poignant with his responses. And I really do feel like there's been a disconnect between. and the fans and the program, and today it felt like it really did change. You know what's interesting to me about speakers, okay, as a public speaker myself, I'm always interested in how people are or are not effective public speakers. So there's really two different ways to be a really good public speaker. One is to be kind of like Cal Perry, and this is what politicians often are. They give all the right answers, they're charming.

Then there's another way to be a really good public speaker where you're just like insanely real. You know what I mean? Like when you talk, you can feel the emotion out of a person while they're talking. And you almost, as you're watching them are cheering them on because of how real they're being, I thought for me that's what Mark Pope is and was today. Yeah, and exactly just that ate what you just said. I was like, even though I was watching from home, the emotion and everything was really tangible. I mean, you could feel the love, the respect, the reverence.

I mean, it was deep and really meaningful. I mean, I'm not trying to be like real philosophical or nothing, but, I mean, you could tell, you know, he really, he's going to live that. And Kentucky does some first. And Drew, I agree with you. I appreciate the call. Drew, I'm not, I mean, I'm not too, you know, powerful or confident to say that, you know, I got a little teary-eyed.

I'm not going to lie watching those. I love pictures to music. I always have and the videos. It was interesting to me. You know, they added some things to the videos that haven't been in in the past. And it was just, but it wasn't. You couldn't help me be a little emotional, right? When I first walked in the building, Billy asked me how I went,

and I said there were a lot of adult tears in Rupp Arena today. Yeah, there were. A lot of adult tears. I even got choked up a little bit just when there was a go big blue chance. The way it was ringing out through there, I mean, you know, we hear Rupp get loud for games. But for that to be a press conference, I'm still kind of in disbelief what we just walked out of. There were a lot. That's a good way to put it.

There were a lot of adult tears, scrown man tears across that building. Who's next? Tyler. Tyler, go ahead, Tyler. What's going on, Matt? What's up? So today, I'm 30 years old. I've watched Cal my entire life.

I was 12 years old, 13, 14. But Mark Pope is the guy that you see a guy who shoots a three. No, no, no, no, no. And a yes. He is someone I'm super excited about living Florida. But, man, I'm so excited. Well, listen, I don't think there's anything. I'm sure there are people listening to this who from the moment it was announced, we're excited.

Okay. and kudos to them. But I think most fans probably had the reaction similar to, or maybe even worse than mine, which was, oh, no, is this what we're doing? And then kind of coming around and going, okay, if this is what we're doing, this is what we're doing. And now two days later, almost being like, yes, this is what we're doing,

and I'm excited about it. And I think that's kind of how a lot, if not all of the fan base is. yeah i think so i'm back we're back yeah well i love it do you agree with that drew like there should be a psychological study of the group think change in 14 hours from 10 p.m. on Thursday night to noon after barnhart did that interview and then petino put out that video like that 14 hours it felt like the entire fan base's mind just changed completely i think i said on the show that day. We just need to sleep. We had to get that out of our system. You know, sometimes you're hangary and you're not, you're not yourself because you haven't eaten right.

We just, we were caught off guard that it was Mark Pope. We all love Mark Pope. Nobody was anti-Marc Pope. It was we were a little surprised in our reaction. We threw it out there quickly on the internet, as we're prone to do once we got some sleep. I feel like most people woke up and they're ready to rock. I even had a couple people stop me today after the press conference saying that they tweeted some awful stuff that night, but there is as 100% in as they could be. I think the fan base just needed to have a night of that because we were in shock of how it went down, but they're good now. I think you got to give a lot of credit to Mark Pope and to everyone.

You know, you saw in 24 hours the beast of the BBN in every direction, right? Like you saw how it can go the wrong way sometimes. And then you saw how it rallies around itself and takes care of its own. and that made today really, really special. We'll do one more before the break. Who's next? Luke. Luke, go ahead, Luke.

Hey, Matt, just wanted to say I did what every great Kentucky fan does, which is call into work to make sure that I made it to Ruff Arena today for this press conference. I'm so excited for Coach Pope. He just gets it. He's one of us. And just to have that, to have that moment today was one of the most incredible. incredible things I've ever seen. I mean, 20, $21,000 for a

press conference? Are we kidding? We're absolutely insane. We're a bunch of nut jobs. And he gets it and he loves it. And I just, I can't wait for November. I can't wait to see him and to see the team that he assembles and to see the Zoom offense, the five-out, Zoom offense that he's going to run.

I'm so excited for everything. It just feels like a weight has been lifted off of the shoulders. So you were there. You were there. Tell me, because I mean, when you're on the floor, you know, you're sitting, it's a little bit different doing the press conference, sitting with the media, because the media is not cheering.

You know, they don't intentionally. Drew, I think, had to kick me a couple times so I would stop clapping. So what was it like in the crowd? I think they definitely drank their beer this morning. That's for sure. It was wild. I mean, when they open those doors, we bolted. me and my, me and the wife bolted for the doors to get in there.

And there were tons of people behind us. And it, it was just amazing to sit there from the opening and just watch it continue to fill up all around us, across from us, above us. It was unbelievable. And I can't believe the turnout, but never, ever doubt the power of the big moon nation. And Pope is scope. I am so in on Mark Pope. Appreciate the call. I just got a message to somebody who goes to it.

a lot of games. That's the most electric rough atmosphere I've ever seen. I was there with my son. He killed it. It was an awesome celebration. I agree with that. Drew, any final words before the show tomorrow? No, just, I guess the cats are back. Go Big Blue. That was

wild seeing that. Like I said, I'm still a little disbelief, but I really, I'm not surprised everyone showed out because that's what this fan base does. All right. Thank you, Drew. Appreciate it. See you tomorrow at the bar. We will take a break. We still got an hour left to take your calls. Mark Pope, his celebration. Begand, this is KSR.

Welcome back, it is KSR, host Mark Pope Press Conference show. Scotty Sheppler is leading by three in the Masters. Looks like he's going to probably take it. This will be his second one, and then he will go home, and his wife is going to have a baby soon, it sounds like. So,

congratulations. Best golfer in the world. Billy, you didn't get to be there. But did you like what you heard from Mark Pope? I did. Besides trying to watch the Masters here on this Sunday, I enjoyed the preacher vibes like you guys were talking about. And I also liked Tom Leach's line where he said,

the captain is now the coach. I thought that was a great way to start it. It's very Jim Nance-esque here on Master Sunday, right? The captain is now the coach. I like it. All right, who's up next? Let's go to Jeff. Jeff.

What's up, Jeff? Hey, Matt. I just dropped my daughter off, and so I'm getting in my truck. You hear a little bit of racket. But anyhow, just to tell you about my day, I got up this morning, and I'm a pastor in South Central Kentucky. about all close to two hours away a little over and hate to say it but in all

any and uh anyhow um i got this morning i go to church and i preach as soon as i get out church i drive a lexington my daughter lives here one lives here one goes to college at uk and so i'll pick up my daughter that that lives here and uh we head downtown and i asked her i said do you think anybody will be there i don't do social media much she said i don't know and she works downtown we parked in her parking garage and we get out and we walk it out and you can see down the street and there are people everywhere everywhere you look and uh we're we're there an hour and a half or so early and uh then i heard that people have been waiting in line for hours before we're there are people there starting at noon if not earlier and like i said i was there at 2.30 two hours before and it was just a madhouse i was actually a a little bit worried. Are they going to be able to get everybody, like, crowd control to get them in? But they did, and it turned out great.

I'm glad you made the drive from Albany, sir, and I hope you have a safe drive home, okay? Yeah, I will. And I just want to tell you that what they're telling you is real. I mean, or you know what you were there, but the people, your listeners, it was like a religious experience somewhat. And I hate to say that because I really do love the Lord. As a preacher, you would know what it is, right? Yeah.

Yeah, I mean, it was like a religious experience, and the tears were real. And you know that so far, the people that have talked on this and what you've said, it's true. Every point that they've made is the way we feel. No, you're right. I'm going to get some other people on, though, real quick. I appreciate the call. There were people from us, just personally, you had him from Albany.

There was somebody I talked to who drove from Columbus, Ohio, somebody from Knoxville, Tennessee. Talk to somebody who drove from South Carolina. There was another person I met drove from Pennsylvania. I mean, how many fan bases are going to do that? Who's next? Crystal. Crystal, go ahead, Crystal. Yeah, we got there about 8.30 this morning.

We was first in line at the door. We come from Knoxville. And I have to say, that was the greatest experience I've ever had. That was the first time I ever got to be at Rupp. My husband and her kids have been there before, but not me. So you were first in line? We were. That's awesome.

First in line. 8.30 this morning. So did you get to sit in the front row? Well, the kids did, but I didn't because I'm in a wheelchair, so I got to stop. Well, Crystal, I'm so glad you got to go. I'm so glad you got to go, and I'm glad you enjoyed it. And was your first time in Rupp Arena awesome? It was, definitely.

good crystal appreciate it you be careful going home okay thank you y'all have a good one see that's what it is and that i'm gonna get i'm gonna get choked up thinking about it but that to me is why this place is special and that's why you know that's why i'm so excited for this and i so want it to work is you know mark pope is one of us and i over the years i You've heard me. I've said, you shouldn't hire somebody just because they went there. But, you know, we've never done that, or at least in my lifetime. They did it with Joe B.

But we've never done that in my lifetime. And it does feel different, to be honest with you, when it's one of years. So maybe I was wrong about that. We'll see. But it was very cool. Who's next? John. John.

Go ahead, John. Hey, Matt, real quick. I was the last caller the other day before Mitch came on with your interview. Mark Pope said verbatim what I said to you on the phone or on the radio that day, that this is bigger than the players. It's bigger than the coach. It's bigger than the university. And the one thing that has never wavered through the history of UK basketball is us, the fans.

I agree. And the coolest thing that he said today, all the X&O stuff, we're going to see all that. But he said something I think will resonate throughout this. BBN for years to come. And that is passion wins championships. You have to have that. It's deep inside you. And when it comes out, it's different.

It's different. Yeah. Well, this is going to be so different. I mean, you know, today's a day of celebration. And we as fans, though, are going to have to sort of realize this is going to be so different. The kind of players he brings in are going to be very different than the guys Cal did. We're not going to see like five McDonald's All-Americans in a year. That's not going to happen.

And we're probably going to take some kids that people are going to go, well, that's not the kind of kid that comes here. But the thing that people have to remember is this is a different way of doing it. It's not the wrong way. It's a different way. Hang on just a second, sir. It's a different way. And so we have to get accustomed to everything's probably.

going to be completely different. But at the same time, you want to give a coach the ability to win his or her way. Cal got players to coach his way, and for the majority of the time, it was successful. Now we have to let Mark do it his way, and it will be a very different way. And I think you might see a little bit of a clone. And with that, I'll add this. They said the same thing about farmer woods felt house fell free patino added one stud in there and those guys played their tails off every second they were on the floor regardless of who the opponent was they didn't stop that's passion appreciate you call there is a yeah appreciate it sir it's going to be different but i do you know it's hard because in part of saying why i like this so

much. I don't want people to interpret it as shots on the past thing, because I don't, but part of it, I got to be honest, it is refreshing. It's refreshing to sit and listen to a coach, do a press conference, and the answers are real. It's not slogans. Like, it's real. It's from the heart. I love that. And by the way, I love what he got Travis Perry up to get that ovation. If they, if anybody was worried that kid was going to the portal, he ain't going to now because that was a cool moment too. Travis Perry got an unbelievable ovation from the crowd when Mark showed him. Who's next?

Meredith. Meredith. Meredith. How are you, Meredith? Hey, Matt. What about that applause? You got when you were asking a question. Oh, well, that was, I'll be honest with you. That got me, it left me speechless.

I didn't see it coming, so I blushed. And then I forgot what I was going to ask. And I thought I was going to have like a. Joe Biden moment there for a second. And then I was able to figure out what I was, I was able to figure out what I was going to say. But it was, that was, that was very cool. I'll be honest with you.

I mean, today was freaking awesome. I've been to Big Blue Badness in the past. And I think the last time I went was a few years ago. And I was like, this is fuck. I'm not coming back to Big Blue Madness. But if this isn't any indication. Oh, it's Big Blue Madness will be insane. It's going to be insane next year.

Like, like the only thing that's, going to match this will be big blue madness next year. You're exactly right about that. Like, that's going to be that big blue madness, it kind of withered on the vine a little bit. I bet it gets re-injected next year. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. Thanks, Matt. Appreciate it. 859-280-2-807. Let's do one more and then we'll take a break. Who's next? Mike. Mike, what's up, Mike? Hey, Matt. This is Mike. I'm traveling down to Bluegrass Parkway. Come from Reckridge County. We drove two and a half hours. for some people, that's not very long. But then we stayed in line for about an hour and a half

and now driving two and a half hours back. So you're looking at over six hours, and people will think that's absolutely nuts. But I would do it again tomorrow in a heartbeat just for that atmosphere. The two things real quick. Let me ask you a question, though. Did you think it was worth it? Absolutely.

Absolutely. And I would do it again in a heartbeat. And I'll tell you, I got in, and we had to stand in the walkway up in Section 230. did not have a seat, but it was perfectly fine. And there was lots and lots of people. I don't want to estimate that were behind us. I just would be interesting to see how many people that had to turn away because,

you know, just not being able to get in. I feel bad for those people because I'm sure there are people who really, really wanted to come and weren't able to get in, and that actually makes me sad. But I have to tell you, I was shocked. I mean, I thought they'd get, I was optimistic, I think. felt like in the crowd. Like I thought it was going to be like 12,000, and I thought that was a pretty optimistic thing.

I didn't think there was any way they would pack the place. Yeah, and when I got on this morning and saw where they only had like six sections, kind of initially reserved, I told my wife, there's no way that's going to work. I knew there would be more than six sections worth whether they filled up six 17 or something like that. There were six sections filled by 330 an hour before it started, you know. So I knew that wasn't going to work, but I never did. that they would have to turn people away.

But anyway, that's just part of BBN. And I would, you know, drive for five hours of standing in line for an hour and a half to do it again tomorrow if it come do it. But you hit on it just a little bit while I go. I think my favorite part, and then I'll hang up and listen, my favorite part was when the reporter asked about him recruiting Kentucky kids. And that's when he had Travis Perry actually stand up. And I think Travis Perry kind of impromptu did the Y right there.

Yeah, he did. You look back at it in some of our best years when we had a roster with multiple Kentucky kids. And, you know, I kind of got the impression that Coach Pope is going to kind of look at recruiting those kids if he feels like that they can play on that level. I think that's exciting. Well, I think the other thing he's going to do is I appreciate the call. I think he's going to have a full roster, you know. In recent years, we actually had a bunch of players this year, but there have been years we've only had like eight players. You know, the walk-ons oftentimes have been really honestly guys that were cows for.

friends, kids, or like people he knew or something. I think you're going to see a lot of Kentucky faces on these rosters. Like, I hope the kid that from Harland, maybe he ends up Noah. Maybe he finds a way to find his way here instead of South Carolina. I think you're going to see a lot of that. And by the way, Billy, how about week one of Mario's time at KSR? My man, ask a question. I couldn't believe it.

The confidence he's got. I absolutely love it. How about that kid? The confidence, my man asked a question. And you know what it made me think of? In 2007, I asked a question at Billy Gillespie's press conference or 2008, whatever it was, right? I guess it was, what, fall of 2007. I asked a question at Billy Gillespie's press conference.

I was scared to death. That's what my mom famously said to me, if you're going to do sports on television, you got to get a haircut. Do you remember that story? Billy? Yes. And it kind of made me mad, but she was right, because I had a lot of hair back then. And I remember being petrified, and I asked a question, and it was kind of cool to see now, what, 17 years later in his first week on the job, Mario asked a question.

We'll take a break. 859-280-2287. A great day today that it really epitomizes the best of what Kentucky basketball is about. This is Kentucky Sports Radio. quarterback, it is Kentucky Sports Radio. I know I keep saying this, but a very, very cool day. We got seven minutes on this segment,

and then we'll have 30 more minutes at the top of the hour. So let's just go ahead and get right to the phone. Who's next? 859-28027. Chris is next. Chris, go ahead, Chris. Hey, this is Chris from Jackson. You have some things up, that entire thing. He gets it.

He gets it. Yep. It was great. He said all of the right things. I was watching from here and home in Florida, but I would have loved to have been there. That moment that started off with the bus and all the players walking off of it with him was great.

The moments with the interactions with you guys, the media people, the funny moment when he recognized Alan Cutler, and then nice moment he asked about Oscar Cohn as soon as he heard. Let me say something about that real quick. Okay, so Oscar wasn't there. I thought that was awesome. Okay. Oscar Combs, to me, I mean, Oscar, I consider Oscar Combs a legend.

To me, when you're doing the Mount Rushmore of people in Kentucky basketball that didn't play, it's like Kaywood, Ledford, Bill Keightley, Oscar Combs, and then you're going to throw Tom Leach on there next. To see him give him his flowers in front of that crowd, that's it. That's why I get it. it, sir. You know what I mean? Like to call, like to mention Oscar Combs, who hadn't done this in a long time, I love that. I just love that moment. And Oscar deserves that. Agreed. And at that moment for that applause for you, after some of the junk that's been throwing your way unjustifiably about from the loud but small segment of the fan base, that was great to hear you get that applause. Also, Maggie Davis for hers too. But yeah, you talked about it a few minutes ago. Mario's had quite a first week

with you guys. Been thrown right into the deep end of the pool and then to get ask a question this week or today. I loved it. I loved it. I loved it. I loved that. I love that.

I love that he asked a question. That cracks me up. But go ahead. One final thing. And I know all of the focus for this should be really on, on Mark Pope and everything. But that clip from DeMarcus Cousins, and you did the follow-up tweet and everything with the full context of that interview, people need to not pile on. Yeah, I agree with that.

I agree with that. For all these guys, for DeMarcus and all of them, like, let them, listen, this is their coach. Let them have, you know, the same way a lot of our fans vented when the Pope news happened, let them have their moments. Those guys will be back, okay? Those guys will, this is their home, and I agree with you. Everybody needs to show these former players some grace. For me, I put out that clip.

I had not even seen the full context. And then when I saw it, I put it all out as well. You know, I disagree with DeMarcus about the Kentucky, Arkansas, who will have more games on TV. Whatever. DeMarcus was great here, and I agree with you. We need to show them all grace. Yeah, throughout that whole thing, he repeatedly said we, when he spoke about UK. Yes, he closed with at the end of the day, I bleed blue.

I will always want success for that university. Yes, he did. And that's exactly what matters. I'm glad you said that. I appreciate the call. Who's next? Albert. Albert.

Hey, Matt, how are y'all doing today? Doing great. All right. Cat was here 15 years and we only had three high school basketball players on his teams. And you said Thursday that history has a way of repeating itself. And all of our banners have high school players from Kentucky that were. for Port and Rose on those championship teams, all of them. So I was glad to hear him say that he was going to recruit some of the ballplayers here in Kentucky.

I hope what you said about Noah, I was hoping someone would bring that up. I hope that kid comes here. Well, he's committed to another school, so he can't talk about that. But yes, I'm with you. I hope he does too. And we got two coming up next year, the kid from Great. crossing and then another legend son uh johnson son that'll be available next year right that's correct you got two two top recruits next year as well so we can't lose them so i'd like to end with this

coach cow can have hog heaven but kentucky just got the pope who thank you very much i appreciate it and you know listen whatever else with danny hurley and and and and and and and and Scott Drew, if they had come here, I think they would have succeeded. I think people would be excited. But what happened today, they wouldn't have had that reaction. Like that reaction would not have come for those guys. That reaction today, that moment was because of who he is and because of the fact that he played here, et cetera.

That's what that was. And that's special. That wouldn't have happened with any other coach in the country. Who's next? Cameron's next. Cameron. Go ahead, Cameron. Hey Matt, long-time listener, first-time caller.

So I just wanted to say that at first. But my question today is, I got there about 3.30. It was a great crowd. It was an awesome turnout. But I'm going to take it to a different kind of conversation. What about that big man from BYU? He threw Louis into the mix. What do you think about that?

Yeah, I don't know. I mean, when it comes to players, three guys from BYU entered the portal. the day he was announced. So you got to think there's a decent chance that those are dudes that we end up with, right? So. Right. But beyond that, I don't really, I don't know about any of the players. I mean, I know that they've already talked to the kid from Oklahoma State, the guard,

Oklahoma State had that was really good. It's in the portal. But we'll just see. It's going to be interesting because, like I said, evaluating players is going to be different. Like in the Cal era, we used to just evaluate. like, okay, who are the best players? Cal, go get the best players. Now I think we have to look at it as he needs to go get one or two studs,

but he's also going to get dudes who fill roles. And that's not something we've really done a lot. You know what I mean? Yep. I hear you. Well, thank you for giving me your time and go catch. Appreciate it. So, like, take that kid from BYU, that Ali Khalifa kid.

That is not a kid that would have ever been recruited by Kentucky during the Cal era because he's not going to beat. Like he averaged six points a game, five rebounds, five assists. But in BYUu system, that dude was really good. So it's just we're just going to have to learn to look at players differently. He's still got to go get a couple stud. You've got to have a couple stuff. But I think you're going to see dudes now who fill roles rather than just getting the eight

most talented guys that you can find. 859-2-80-22-87. We're going to take a break and come back. We've got two more segments. This is KSR. Welcome back. It is the KSR post-game show. 859-2-80-22-87.

Scotty Shephler's on 18, about to win the Masters. If you were on 16, Billy, and you were up by three, and the wife went into labor, do you walk off or do you finish the round? No, you have to finish the round. It seems crazy that he would walk. off because that's been the storyline. He said he would walk off on 17 or 18. Imagine he's on 18. He's walking up. Like what if it's right now? Like right now. They tell him he says his wife's in labor. Does he walk away? No. I don't know. He said he would have. I guess it will never know because it looks like

he's going to finish finishing get the wind. All right. Who's up next? Gary. Gary, go ahead, Gary. Hey, Matt. Thank you for having me on. I just wanted to say a couple things. I'm from Somerset and I drove up here this morning, but I wasn't even sure if I wanted to until my wife looked at me and said with how much who care about this program, you need to go because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. And if I have any message to give to the listeners, was she right? That arena was unlike anything I had ever experienced.

Well, I know. But Rupp today was the loudest I have ever heard Rub. There's no doubt. There's no doubt. I mean, outside of, and I appreciate the call, outside of in-game moments where Kentucky hits like a game-winning shot or like when Z hit those threes this year or Tayshan with five three outside of that that's the loudest I've ever heard Rupp and I think I could make the argument that the hour before the press

conference started that's the loudest hour consistently I've heard the arena ever you know there have been pops that were higher okay but I'm not sure that there's ever been more of a, you know, concerted hour straight of something better than that. What's next? Jeff is next. Jeff, go ahead, Jeff. Hey, first time, long time. Thanks for having me.

I just hadn't heard of comment it on yet. And sorry if I missed it, but, man, arena, I wasn't there, but the arena got really loud on TV when he had the Shepherd comment. and I was just curious if we had any idea of what's going on with Reed, and I'll hang up and listen. I just take my call. I would say assume he doesn't come back. If he does, that's awesome.

But I think everybody should operate with the assumption that he will not come back. So appreciate the call. You know, I just don't want for the rest of the time here that we're enjoying, you know, there's a lot going to happen over the next two weeks, right? Like Pope's going to hire a staff, okay? So then, so you got that. He's going to get players. So you got that.

And then I think there's going to be a lot going on. I just don't know that everybody should hang on waiting on Reed Shep. There's a lot more stuff that's going to have. If it happens, that's awesome. But I think the, everybody should just assume it is likely that he goes to the draft. Who's next? James. James.

Go ahead, James. Hey, Matt. it's a long-time listener, fourth-time caller. All right. We are in Sarasota, Florida. And when Ryan started the show today, I could feel his tearing up as much as me and my cousin did, two adults in the living room crying. Yeah.

Oh, my God. It's been doing this so long. He covered Mark Pope. And now to see him become a coach, that's pretty, I'm sure that's amazing for him. I felt it. I felt it. And so there was a caller a couple of calls ago. that said he took away from

Passion wins championship. What I took away from today, he said entitlement, bring sorrow, gratitude brings joy. I love that line. Oh my God. How much joy is a great line is Hope gonna have here. Yeah, that's really, like,

because he is so, oh my God, it's just, we are just overjoyed. I'm sure that someone has said that before. I appreciate the call. I mean, maybe Mark came up with it. I don't know, but that was, I, when he said, that. That really is a great, like, entitlement brings sorrow. Gratitude brings joy. And that really is a really great line. Like, because you're right about that. When you have, when you have expectations that can make it hard to be happy, too high of an expectation. But then when you're thrilled with

what you do every day and are just, you know, have gratitude, it is a lot easier to be consistently happy. So I love that and you could tell i'm not sure there's any person who was happier on this planet than uh then mark pope was today what's next we have the pope from rup arena on the line okay so is this sir are you the guy that was dressed in full papal gear yes sir yes i was matt and what's your name cameron right cameron how first of all did you just have that did you just have a pope costume like on your own? So I had it back in October for Halloween, and I guess it was just a sign that Mark Pope was coming to Kentucky. So you decided I'm going to put this on and drive to Lexington, right? I did. Well, so I'm from Pikeville originally. I'm a University of Kentucky alum,

and I live here now. So it was a short drive, but I didn't want to miss it. So for people who don't know, I mean, you were dressed like as the full Pope, like you had the hat, the robe, like, you had it all and they look like every television station in the state was interviewing you right it was yeah and walking in i should have set up a booth and you know now thinking about it charged dollar a picture because it it felt like mark pope at the end of his presser getting surrounded and uh i'll never forget standing outside rep arena starting the cat's chant that's uh i don't think i have a better moment until i get married honestly oh that's very cool well good for you man it was cool to see you there and I may have gotten your first picture when you got in the arena but you were you're

right there behind mark that was cool so thank you man appreciate you calling appreciate it thanks matt all right there you go it was interesting he says he said he said he wants to play a maui billy i love that right playing the preseason tournaments that was a no for cal he said that st johns too he hinted about playing st johns that's going to happen by the way we're we're going to be playing st johns in this arena that is going to happen. Now let's just talk about what it's going to be like next year when Arkansas comes. It's going to be wild. It's going to be absolutely wild.

Well, I don't know. I mean, probably not, I'm going to think. But it's just going to be more like the overall joy. And if we were to win, if we were to beat Arkansas in that arena, that'll be one of the most memorable games that the school has ever had. I don't think there's any doubt about them. Who's next? Jerry.

Jerry. What's up, Jerry? Hello. Yes, go ahead, Jerry. Oh, sorry, it's Gary. Sorry, Matt. But I first met Mark Pope. I'm 43. I was in eighth grade, and I got his autograph, him and Jeff Shepard's.

And I was there in 96 when they pulled the bus in. I've been to a couple games since then, and here lately things just haven't been the way that they used to be. And I was there today an hour before when you're talking about, and I was sitting there watching as that Ruperina filled up. And I got filled with so much emotion that I sat there for 20 straight minutes with tears in my eyes. Kept trying to quit because this is something that's great. And it was awesome. But just the feeling that I had again, that this is, that this is, that this is, you. UK again, that this is, this is not John Caliperi University.

This is the University of Kentucky. And that's, it was just overwhelming. You know, I know what you mean. I mean, I do. I know, I know what you mean. Like, there are times that an individual can have such a dynamic presence, and Cali Perry does, that it can overshadow everything else. You know what I mean?

And it felt like today was. like a reclaiming of the university, not as like a negative, like Cal took it or anything like that. But for 15 years, Kentucky basketball was John Calipari and his ability to get guys to the league. That's what it was. And it was great for a while. And it was great. But it also was like, that's what we were known for.

It was John Caliperi gets guys to the league at Kentucky. And that was his process. And it worked for most of the time. today was Kentucky basketball is Kentucky basketball, and that was really cool. Yeah, it was. It was. And it was pretty cool to get your little standing ovation because you deserve it, Matt. We appreciate everything y'all do.

You all keep us, that heart that's been going since I as a kid, you keep that going by your love for the university. and I just appreciate everything y'all do. Thanks, Matt. Thank you very much, sir. I appreciate it. 859-280-2287. Let's do one more, and then we will take our final break. What's next?

Jeff. Jeff. Go ahead, Jeff. Yes. We have Mark Stoots. Now we have Mark Pope, so we've got Marky Mark and BBN is the funky bunch, and I'm feeling those good vibrations. Wow.

How long did that one take you to come up with, by the way? A couple beers. Fair enough. I like it. Appreciate the call. That's a good reference, though, for the age of people like us, the 90s are back. Bill Clinton's president. Mark Pope's the coach. Marky Mark are the references. That's where we are. 859-28027. We will come back. We will take a final break. Scottie Cheffler wins the Masters. The Reds get a sweep. A lot of good stuff.

We'll take a break. Be right back. This is Kentucky Sports Radio. Welcome back. It is Techie Sports Radio. 859-280-2287. We'll go till right before 730. We're the only fan base that has a post-game show

after a press conference on a Sunday. But also, we continue to have full lines so we could probably go into the night. Who's up next? Shane. Shane, what's up, Shane? Hey, Matt, I just wanted to reiterate the feeling we had in rough range today.

Grown Man, Tears, Choke Up. My first year of the student on campus was 98. I saw Anthony Davis Block. I saw boogies put back in the SEC best non-game environment since Cal's first midnight madness. I was one of those fans that was deflated on Thursday night. Literally decided to go to Rupp at

315 today from Louisville. They split the lines as I walked up. I was lucky to have a seat. It was magical. So what happened now? They split the line what? Yeah, as I was walking up, they had the lines doubling out for Rupp Arena. They split the lines as we came in to make the entrance go a lot faster. But literally, like, hundreds of fans probably got left outside.

Well, that's too bad. But, I mean, I don't know what else they could do. I mean, you can't make more seats happen. They were trying, again, I think they thought there'd be like 10,000 people. So when you get double that, I just don't think they had the, I actually think it went pretty smoothly considering how little infrastructure was there. You know what I mean? Like, there was no one out there monitoring the lines.

And it was kind of like, it could have been a lot worse, all things considered. Yeah, it was wild man. Like, you know, the fire marshal, if he had showed up, there'd been a problem because, you know, I saw people loaded, loaded up in the, in the hallways and the alleyways. Oh, really? I didn't know that. I didn't realize that. Well, maybe the fire marshal looked the other way.

That was probably what happened. I appreciate the call. I couldn't believe watching how it just kept filling up and filling up and filling up and filling up. And then all of a sudden, you know, 15, 10 minutes before you were like, this place is going to be full. This place is going to be full. I can't believe it. And I don't even, I think the people that worked at UK couldn't believe it either. There was like, is this real?

Who's next? Shane from Grayson. Shane from Grayson. How are you? Hey, how's it going, Matt? Take a time today. Yes, it is. You called ESPN this morning.

That's right. Yeah, I've been all over today. I'm mad, I was like most people, I thought when the Mark Pope hire came in, I put the big question mark up like, hey, Mark Pope, I'm on board 100%. Winning cures everything and look like at the first year of end of Mark Pope. Well, let me see what the roster is, right? So I want to see what the roster is. If he's able to get a freshman or two, right? Or if he's able to, like let's say, again, I'm not saying he'll get, this is just a guess. I have no idea. if there's even a chance. But I heard they're trying to get the Liam McNally kid, the McDonald's All-American who doesn't have a school yet.

Well, what if he comes, right? What if they go get two or three of the best guys in the portal? Well, then that's one thing. I do think, though, like, they'll be, I'd be shocked if they're not really competitive and good next year. Are they going to win the national championship next year? No, I think they probably not. But can they be really good, make the tournament?

Yeah, my expectation is why not? I mean, in the portal era, you can go, I used to say back in like 2015, when Cal leaves, whoever's next, that next first year is going to be awful because we won't have any players. Well, now you can go get some players, Shane. So I actually think there's no reason we can't be competitive and good next year. Now, what does that look like? Let's talk about that when, you know, right before I go to Europe or right when I get back when we know what the roster is. I think that if he can make the tournament in his first year, I think we're off and running and he will be successful at the University of Kentucky.

Yeah, I don't know why that couldn't happen. So, you know, with the NIL thing, that's a big thing now, and I appreciate to call. That $4 million pledge is huge. I thought the three things that change this fan base to me, one, the announcement of the $4 million pledge from two donors. One of whom is you could guess, and I don't know who the other one is, to be honest with you. I've asked, nobody's told me, so I don't know who the other one is, but you can guess who one of them is. That's huge.

That's huge, because that'll mean we probably have more NIO money than any team in the country the first year. The second thing was Mitch Barnhart's interview. It was the most stream moment in the history of KSR. Billy, we just learned that yesterday. even more than Kintina Pau. Mitch's interview Friday was the most stream moment in the history of KSR. That meant a lot. And then second, and then third, Rick Petino's video.

I thought Rick Petitin, the combination of those three things, I think flipped the fan base into a good place. Do you agree with that, Billy? I do. And you could feel it change over the span of those hours. After KSR was over, it almost felt like it was in the process, if not already, a changing. Yeah, I think those three things together kind of led to people going, all right, let's do this.

I think that, I think that was, it's amazing that it happened, but I do think that morning, everything kind of changed. Who's next? Nick. Nick, go ahead, Nick. Hey, Matt, first time caller. Who up? You know, the biggest thing is just, like, if you just run by Rupp Arena at the time that they were letting them in, there were fans lined. out like I had never seen before and we couldn't even park to get in.

Yeah, where were people parking? I was sitting there thinking about that. Like, you know, a lot of those lots, they usually have open for games, weren't open. So I was just sitting there thinking, where are all these people going to park? And I don't know what they did. We drove through the parking garage at Lex Live and through the parking lot next to rope and there was just no parking. I've never seen anything like that in my life.

Yeah, me either. I mean, at the end of the day, like, nobody, I don't think anybody was ready. I can tell you the KS Bar and Grill, we weren't staff for it. We got some, we got some, called some people in because we weren't ready. I mean, I don't think anybody was ready for what it was, but it's still that spontaneousness, I have to say, sir. Don't you think that made it kind of special? Oh, it did. And my drive back to Middlesboro, Kentucky is made just by seeing the lives of the big blue nation.

Hey, I love it. Middlesboro, Kentucky. Be careful going home and say hi to the chicken and Barbara will on the way. Let's do five more and then we'll call tonight. Who's next? Gary and Orlando. Gary and Orlando. How are you?

Wow, I've been shaking in my boots if I was going to get on. Let me say this. Everybody talks about all those tears in rough today. I'll guarantee you there's a lot out of all the clubs around the country that meet every week at bars and nightclubs and wherever to watch. these games. And there's a lot of tears on our end, too. And thanks WLAP and thanks, man, for the guys you do so that us out here far and away from Lexington can continue to carry the torch.

And go big blue. All right, go big blue. Thank you very much. I appreciate it, Gary. No bigger fan than Gary in Orlando. Four more. Who's next? Ben.

Ben, go ahead, Ben. Hey, Matt. First time call. very short-time listener. All right. Who are? What's up? So I moved down to Lexington during the pandemic.

I'm from Syracuse, New York, I'm 35 years old. All I know is Syracuse Orange. And so I've been, all I've experienced with UK basketball has been compared to everyone else's disappointment. And so my wife decided, hey, let's go to today's event. And we went. So that's interesting. So hang on just a second.

You didn't like grow up at Kentucky. fan. You've just moved to Lexington, and you decided you wanted to go today. Yeah, I mean, growing up, I was only a Syracuse fan because that's where I'm from, Syracuse, New York. It was awesome to see the lovely 96 national championship with Syracuse losing to Kentucky. So that was kind of funny. So I stood up and, you know, tried to cheer. And I'm telling you, Matt, you know, experiencing the four years of disappointment for Kentucky standard, I got chills. I had literally goosebumps.

I turned to my wife and I had goosebumps watching the intro video, all the pomp and circumstance, because in Syracuse, you're not getting anything like that. And for a fan of only four years of basically, you know, the bad years of UK, for me to have goosebumps,

it was just an unreal feeling and just to give you the experience of a non-Kentucky fan that's growing to become a Kentucky fan. That's very cool. I'm glad you said that because Syracuse got a great tradition too and for you to be able to appreciate that.

I think it's very cool. Thank you for calling. Appreciate the call. So we actually have a heart out here in three minutes. So I'll have to go even before. We usually don't have a heart out for the show, but we do for this one. And there are people who are telling me, Billy, there are people still sitting in garages right now.

I feel sorry for those folks. But again, I don't know that people were prepared for the crowd that ended up being there tonight. Who's next? Josh. Josh. What's up, Josh? Hey, Matt. I just want you to know I'm your age we we've actually have a lot of mutual friends and things like that

man there's a lot of guys just like me that you know they don't always agree with with everything you say and do and man I just want to say how much I appreciate you for for standing you know firm and you know all the battles you follow on social media man it just says a lot about you because you never you know you never you handle it a lot better than me but that's not what I call about me I tell you I tell you what's really cool is Mitch barnhart not the all-star. I mean, look at our football coach, our baseball program, our women's basketball program. Now our men, I mean, it's just an all-time high for Mitch Moore and Hart since he's been here. Well, UK athletics is in a good place. You know, the higher, I think, unifies. It was nice to see Nick Mingey on there, and it was nice to see a lot of coaches of the other sports. You know, this was a, this, Mitch had to stick his neck out for this one, right? Like, I mean, He kind of put his coaching hire legacy on the line with this. And it could have win either way.

And you got to give somebody credit for doing something that takes some guts. That was a gutsy hire, and it looks like at least initially, before the games, it's paid off. Now we'll see what happens when they play. All right, Matt, listen to you tomorrow. Appreciate it. Thank you. We'll do one more here real quick. Who's next?

Kim. Kim, I got about 45 seconds. Hi. Matt, it's Kim. Hello. Hi, I just wanted to call because I'm one of the younger fans who was little when the 2016 was about, and we pretty much grew up with the Caliperi era. And so that's kind of all I've ever known.

So today, watching the press conference, like, I feel rejuvenated as a fan because I honestly feel like my fan who was kind of going downhill a little bit the past few years. I wasn't as excited about Kentucky basketball. But after today, I'm just so pumped and I'm excited to watch. watch it with my family and my dad and my sister, and we're just really excited to be in the Big Blue Nation. Well, good for you, and I'm glad you enjoyed it, and I appreciate the call.

I'm glad to see young fans will get to know about Mark and know a lot more about the history of the older eras. Let me just say this to everybody that was there. Today was the best of Kentucky basketball in Big Blue Nation. If you were there, you felt how special it was. If you watched it on TV, though, you still, you know, this place is not like anywhere else. I was at Duke, I've been around Carolina, Kansas, Indiana, UCLA,

all that stuff's nice, but there's no place like this. And it's been a long go of it in the last few weeks, et cetera, but we got where we needed to be. You got the right guy running it, and now next year is going to be a lot of fun trying to win the way Kentucky used to win. Thank you all very much for listening. I will see you tomorrow at KS. Barr.

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