KSR - KSR Pregame UK MBB vs Alabama 02/24/24

Episode Date: February 24, 2024

Matt Jones and Vince Marrow preview the UK MBB game vs Alabama.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Is somebody coming after me? Listen to Kingdom of Fraud on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome, everyone. It is the Kentucky Select Chevy Dealer's KSR pregame show, Kentucky and Alabama. Two fast-paced teams, two of the best teams in the SEC playing in what is the last major, like playing a power team game in Rupp Arena this season. And we are here to get you ready. 859-280-2287. I got big stars here.

I got a kid I went to high school with. Blake Maddox here with his girlfriend. How about that? Haven't seen him since the old Middlesboro High School golf team taking on the world. And while he's a big star, nobody's a bigger star than the guy next to me. Vince Mero, UK football assistant coach, who is filling in today for Drew and Ryan,

who are out gallivanting. Vince, thank you very much for taking the time. Oh, man, it's my honor. do it and I'm going to try to fill the shoes of the other two guys. They're pretty good, so don't be upset if I'm as good as well. What do you mean, Phil? You're going to be, like, you know basketball. You were telling me, you thought we would beat Auburn last week. Yes, I did. I thought we would beat Auburn because I think the way they play, I think we have good athletes from one to five, and I just felt that they were going to beat them.

Did you, do you have that same kind of feeling here today? Oh, yes. I watched Alabama when they play Florida and I said man this is a good matchup we got a lot of athletes on our team what makes us dangerous we can score from one to five and that's pretty scary and I think they're gonna play really good today you you've been a big fan all year of Rob Dillingham that second half against LSU I know we lost but that second half was was something special wasn't it and I'm a big fan of his but everybody I'll be lying if I say when he took that last shot I was like oh and then he hit it I was like no no no yes he's instant offense he reminded me a guy my generation of viny the microwave

can get points just like that. Vinny Johnson reference. Yeah, he'd get points. Vinny was a big dude, though. Yeah, but the same kind of, you know, concept that can score. He had a little, uh, he had a little like sort of, you know, like a football player. Like a little bit.

859-280, 2287. We, so let's talk a little bit. I want to talk about the basketball game and all that, but I know people want to hear if you haven't talked to you since, you know, since the, since the change at OC. Do you love the new guy? Tell me a little bit about Bush Hamden. Hamden. I'll tell you what, man.

Bush is really a guy that we knew from when he was at Missouri. He's really a smart guy. No ego. He just comes in and he's saying I'm the coordinator, but hey, we all going to do this all together. And I think what our fans are going to be very excited about is how he goes about running game throwing the ball. I think it's going to be a variation of both.

I think Mark Stoops got to give him a lot of credit. He kept it very quiet. They kept it very quiet. Like not until the day before. Did people kind of, you think he did that on purpose this time so that there was no, like, noise on the outside? One thing, I've been knowing Mark a long time. One thing about him, he don't want anybody to influence his decision.

So I think he kept it very quiet to his chest. And when he made his decision, he was good with it. It was a really good hire. I'm telling him, it's a really good hire. Well, good. The players seem to like the guy? Yes. You know, it's kind of like, I hate to say it, when somebody get divorced, and then the dad leaves,

and then maybe the mom get remarried, and the dad comes in, he has to really, you know, get the kids to buy into him. And I think our guys are very excited about him. Yeah, I like that. So he's like the new stepdad. Yeah, something like that. I don't know that. Our fans are going to really love him, though. He's a really, really good guy.

Good. And I'm liking the group. We'll talk more about it as we go. But let's talk about it as we go. Let's talk a little basketball. This has been a really odd year because Kentucky has all this talent. And, you know, has dipped up and down. Watching from afar, you know, you know what it's like to have a team that everybody has high expectations for.

Maybe there are bumps in a row. That team two years ago was probably like that, somewhat, the football team. What do you think it's like actually having to play through that as a player and a coach? You know, and I'll be the first of always saying, I mean, we're doing good things at football. I mean, this is, traditionally, this is a basketball. I mean, you're going to hear of me saying it's a basketball school. With football coming up and being respectable and still climbing, I just think every game they play, whether they play in a Division II school

or a no-name school, is everybody's Super Bowl or a national championship for them. So they always have to be up. And, you know, when you're playing, but they play 30 games? They play 31. They've done 26. So just think you've got to. You got to be on your P's and Q's and be ready to go. And these are 19, some 18-year-old kids.

And I just feel, I told people that told a lot of my friends this, when March rolls around, they just got to win, what, seven games, I think? Six. I'm putting my money on them guys because they got some talent, man. And they actually playing defense better and better. But they always going to play offense. And, you know, when you can score, you got a great chance. When you can score, that helps.

I mean, that's been the problem in the last few years. So you watch the LSU game, they had the end of game kind of a bad luck situation. Again, you've been through that as a coach. If you have that loss, you think the guys just kind of are, for fans, there's a hangover. For players, they just want to get back on the court and go. Yeah, coaches, players, they do. And, you know, they got a big game come up today. So I just felt, you know, they played that game.

It was a tight game. They play very, very, I thought they played really well. And to come back for this big game, they're going to be up ready for this. I think the crowd has to get involved. Well, you get involved. You're down there yelling the whole game. I mean, I'm a fan. You're in almost every game.

Yes. I'm a fan of the basketball team. I want them guys to do well. Got a lot of friends on the staff. So I'm really always pulling for them. Yeah, well, I think that to me, part of what's interesting about today's game is you have you got Antonio Reeves and Mark Sears, two guys who are playing. They're probably two of the three contenders for SEC player of the year,

along with the kid at Tennessee Connect. You get those two playing against each other, and I'm not saying that that's going to be for the entire player of the year, but I think there's a chance. And so this is a big time game for those guys. And then on Alabama side, I think if Alabama wins this game, they're almost assured to win the SEC. So there's a lot going on if you're Alabama.

You've got a chance to maybe get a top two seed if you win. If you get Kentucky, you've got a chance to get your third best win of the year. I mean, this is a massive game, I think, for both teams and the individuals playing. First, Antonio Reeves is really, I mean, man, I always knew he was a good player. How about has he improved? It's amazing. That's what I took his game to another level. I was watching him against LSU, and I said, man, this guy's an NBA player now.

I mean, he can score from every level. He can drive. He can shoot the short little dumper, and he can shoot the three. And he's playing good defense. So I really believe he's going to be a first-round pick, like later rounds as he keeps playing. For me, and this is just for me when I started talking about Kentucky basketball, is these guys, I think, they see, I don't know if Alabama, do you consider one of the top teams in the country?

I think there are a notch below them, but they're like seven to ten, six to ten maybe. So when I watch them and I look at our roster and I say, this team is like at one minute they can be like the number one team in the country and then our fans you know if they lose a game it's like well what do you see is the different

I mean for a lot of fans they sit there and go Auburn is one of the two or three hardest places to play in America and they went down there and dominated that game and then they lose at home to a Gonzaga team that's on the bubble like how does that happen as a coach I know it's a different sport but how do you explain how you can get

such different performances based on the game? Because they're 18 and 19 years old. And, you know, I like, it's a good and bad. They don't look at the moment. If they go to Auburn, it's just Auburn. But fans seen it as you're going into a trap and you shouldn't win this game. But them young boys, all the freshmen, they look at it as a, hey, we're playing basketball. And then I look at when they lose sometimes, man, you're playing, you getting everybody's best every game.

To come into a rub arena and playing that arena, that's like going to the mecca, man, of basketball. And guys want to, hey, they figure if you play what against Kentucky in there, I may have a shot to go into the NBA. That's true. You know, Blake Maddox right here, you know, he went to Auburn. So, like, I was going to text him and say, eat it for taking that law. He grew up in Kentucky fan. Do you root for Auburn when they play each other?

Oh, cheers for Kentucky. All right, I was about to say, I would, Middlesboro would disown you. His dad was my dentist. Oh, really? Growing up, yes. That's why they all had such good smiles. So was he to start a player on your team? No, but he was good.

He was a boy, it's better than me, but that doesn't say a lot. But he was good at all sports. He looked like an athlete. He still looked like an athlete. He still looked like an athlete. I mean, he... Like his girlfriend, I guess. He looks like an athlete.

That's why she's dating. That's right. 859-280-2287. You, with Cal, you know, Stoops has been there. You've been there when fans are kind of going back and forth. What's that like? How do you keep that distraction out of the locker room? and the staff because you know you guys were there a few years back

before awesome again has hit that kick against Mississippi State whatever year that was how do you how do you just like tune all that out and try to make sure you keep your team focused well I think how you deal with that first it comes from like administration so they stay calm and you see Mitch Bernhardt and Mark Hill them type of guys where they like I can always say like when we lost a couple games that's part of the best one Mitch and Mark Hill was they'd come around and we kind of down in a on a Sunday, watch a film, and you come in, they're like, hey, we're going to be all right, blah, blah, blah. Same thing, I think they do the same thing with Kyle, but I think Cal is doing a good job of just getting in the bunker and telling this guys, hey, we in this together.

We're going to shock a lot of people as the year goes on, and I'm one of them guys that believe that they're going to do that. I saw the basketball players. They were, I guess, having dinner last night. And it was such a good reminder that these are just kids. So, like, we sit here and we analyze all these players. and what they do. And I'm walking downtown last night. They're having dinner at a place.

I won't say it was. But they were outside about to get in their car. And it was Justin Edwards and DJ Wagner and a couple of the other guys. And they're laughing and like they're having fun. And you're like, these are kids. And it's so easy to forget that. Like we're sitting there going, oh, is he in his head? Is it this?

Is this? And they're like, it's Friday night. Yes. I'm eating with my friends. Yes. I'm having fun. And you can just, moments like that are very. very important to remember that while we spend all this time at the end of the day,

a lot of that stuff is not in their minds at all, right? They're just getting, they're just hanging out and then they're ready to go play basketball. Right. And I think when Kyle says this, like, I hear him said a couple times, like, hey, get on me. He does say that. Get on me. Because I think he wants to take, these guys are young guys. I mean, they're going back, they lose a game, but they're going back to play PlayStation and Xbox and all that stuff.

They do. And I think fans sometimes see that. go. Okay, so this is a good thing for you to describe, because you're around players. Fans will see a kid play not well or, you know, we lose or whatever, and then they'll see them go play PlayStation or go play Xbox, and they'll kind of be like, well, do they care? But I actually, I mean, that's just the way they process things.

It doesn't mean they don't care. Right? I mean, you agree with that. Yes, and let me tell you something. I think we got the best fan base, and this ain't me hyping them out. I think we got really good fan base in the state of Kentucky. But I think sometimes they can get lost sometimes with these kids is no different if a parent got on their son and they did something wrong and Next thing they know they're out there kicking a ball or playing a playstation up in their room do they not care what their parents said to them I think our kids want to win

It's just that they still are young student athletes and I mean these guys are treated like royalty. So it's like but there and there's pro and con to that Yes, right? But you got to know that's what you get when you got me. I mean, the Cal used to always say, I can't hide you. Like, this is Kentucky. This is what it is. But there is a pro and a con when it's good. I say this all the time.

When it's good, there ain't no place better. When it's bad, this could be one of the harder places to play. For players. For players, yes. Yes. Yeah. I mean. And for coaches.

Yes. I mean, when it was rolling here, who was happier than Kat? But when it's hard, it's hard. Yes. You know, and I mean, that's, but that's what you get in some ways for being in a place where people care so much. Hey? You'd rather do that. Let me ask you, as a coach, would you rather have that

than have a place where you can't get people to care? No, because then the competition and just being to drive the win is not there. Yeah. Because nobody cares. Yeah. You know, you need sometimes somebody to push you over the hump. I mean, we were losing, you know, when we first got here, and you hear fans just saying, please just get us to a bowl game.

They just want us to win six games. Now we have won 10, what, twice in five, six years, and nine and eight. And now they're looking at it's like, hey. Does that frustrate you? Because you remember what it was like when you won two the first year. When you hear people go, why can't they get over the hump? Why can't it? Bowles not like, does that frustrate you?

No, you know, I'm being stoops from the same place. We don't run from, you know, expectations. But it's like, you know, we're there. We're very close. The two 10-win seasons, we would have been in the playoffs when it was 12, 12 games, 12 teams now. So I just think now we are getting there. We are very close. and I'm very excited where we're going when we're talking football.

I'm very excited where we're going. 859-28027. If you have a question for Vince and I, it'll probably be honestly for Vince if we're being honest. They can talk to me any time. They can't talk to you all the time. You can give it. It's Katz in Alabama.

Kentucky opened up a one and a half point favorite. Now three and a half. The money's coming on the cats. We will take a break and be right back. This is the Kentucky Select Chevy Dealer's KSR pregame show. Welcome back. It is the Kentucky Select Chevy Dealer's KSR pregame show. show here at KS. Bar, if you want to watch the game here today,

uh, place is full right now with pregame stuff, but it'll clear out for people to go to the game and probably starting around three. It would be a good time to get here and get your seat for the game. Uh, it's a fun place. I was here watching the game on Tuesday, on Wednesday events and then we lost at the end and it was deflating. You talk about people leaving a place. The moment when we leave, they were, place cleared out in 30 seconds. People were sad after. or a loss. It's like that in Rupp, too, though. Yeah, I've seen that online. Unfortunately, I've seen it online where it was on Twitter

and she's showing the last seconds and it was like, you saw me. I did a little dance and then I had that was me. That was you. I was like looking at the bed. I was going to see. I didn't know the camera was on me. You know, during the SEC tournament, NCAA tournament, we're going to put two cameras up and have a live stream of this place during the tournament. That'll be live. It will be live. Let's hope however it's happy. and not sad during the whole thing. All right, we got a lot of people on. You ready to talk to some folks?

Yes. All right, who's up first, Bill? Let's start with Jordan. Jordan. How are you, Jordan? Hey, guys, I'm good. Yes, go ahead. Hey, guys, I'm good.

How are you? All right, listen again, I say this with love. If you're going to call the show, do not have me on Bluetooth or on AirPods so that we have the five seconds of you trying to switch over. All right, go ahead, Jordan. Sorry about that.

So I'm really looking forward to the game, but more importantly, forward to hearing I and Eagle on the call. Yeah. I wanted to ask what you're all's favorite memory or call was from a live game. I'd say mine's probably the game against Houston in the Sweet 16 a couple years ago with the PJ Block and then the Hero 3. Well, first of all, Ian Eagle is on the game.

Do you know I am, by the way, the announcer? He's like one of my favorite days ever. He does NFL. I don't think he does. Oh, no, no. I heard NFL and college basketball. And he does the NBA too. He's one of the big TNT guys.

He'll be here. So, you know, Vince hasn't been around as long as me. I mean, the most famous calls, Jeff Brasso with the Bill Raftery, who's at the game today with his Brasso call. Tashon Prince, puppy set off the bus, shooting the three. Jay Williams, even though he annoyed everybody, had a great call of that Dillingham layup the other day. Is there a, since you've been here, what's the basketball moment that you remember the most?

The play or the shot, which one? was a twin. Aaron Harrison? We flew to Indianapolis, and I think they played Michigan. Either Michigan or Louisville. He hit a three. No, no.

Well, both. Michigan, Louisville, and Wisconsin. Three straight games, he hit a three. I'm telling you, it was actually Louisville, because I remember I was a little more excited when he did that. So, yeah, that was my moment when he hit that. It was a big time three. That was, I've said this a lot.

I think that Louisville 2014 game, was one of the more exciting wins ever. Because it was Louisville. I think they were favored. They were probably better than us. And then to beat them in Indianapolis, I just, it was the elite eight? Sweet 16.

Sweet 16. Yes. And then they beat Michigan in the elite eight. We stayed, for the two days, we stayed for that game. We went up with Ray Ball, got rest of so, but we went up with him to watch that game. Yes. It was very good.

Did you, has there been any player that since you've been a coach you've particularly gotten to know or liked at all? I remember on the basketball team. I remember you had like some sort of relationship with Kevin Knox, right? Kevin Knox, me and his dad was teammates. We were roommates and teammates on a row when we played with Buffalo. He was in the same draft. Tyler Uless, because I like Tyler because he's really Ohio guy.

Lima. Lima, what? Lima. From a couple of guys I recruited out there, but I just like, man, he was just so tough, really tough. And right now, Reed Shepard, because he played A.A.U. With my nephew, John, I'm really, really. Are you surprised how good? great he's been? No, because I told somebody

the story, like, it's one thing when he does it here in Kentucky High School, but I watched him play against some really good players who didn't look like him that were highly recruited guys in AAU, and he tore him. I always thought it was interesting about him. He always played better

in AAU than he did in Kentucky High School basketball. It was almost when the competition got better, he got better. Which I think is a sign of a dude who who can play. I'm telling you, that dude's a good player. I don't care with knowing. He He is, now I see why people are saying he like a top 10. He is his IQ for basketball and making the right plays and just hitting key shots.

When you watch a lot of our games, he hit a lot of key shots to keep us going. I just think he's. Speaking of top 10, where in next year's draft is Dionne Walker going to go? I think Dionne Walker has a talent. He can go anywhere from one to 10. You think he's that good? Well, first of all, I know he's that good. Do you think he'll end up being that highly projected?

I think what he's doing right now, he's in the lab, getting just really, really getting his body right. The talent speaks for itself. He's a first top-10 talent. He has to really, really take the next level like Josh Allen did. But I'm telling you, he is not far from that. Since you've been in Kentucky, would you say Josh Allen's the best player you've had here? I'll say, yes.

And where does he come? compared to him. Because Josh Allen was the top five bit. Where does he's compared? I think Josh was different, man. He just, he was a machine. And Josh did it four years. I think this is going to be three years for him.

Yeah. And you cannot coach six, seven, three-thirty. No. And he can start it. He can actually start a tight end. He can start at left tackle. I still think the most interesting thing about Josh Allen. You had him in that class, which was maybe your most,

highly touted class up to that, what was up to that point, and then maybe even since. I mean, there's only been one or two comparative to it. He was the lowest rank recruit in the class. And I remember doing the signing day show with Freddie Maggard. And Freddie Maggard said, you know who my favorite person in this class is Josh Allen. And I went, come on, Freddie. He's a lowest ranked dude in the class, but he knew it. And so did you.

Yes. I looked at when we recruited him, his sister, like Josh was like 190, 6-4-19. but I don't know if he was eating right. But I looked to see his sister was like 6-3, probably 2-30 playing at 2-20 playing at Louisville. She was there starting center. Okay. And I just felt once he got in the program that his body and it would just keep going. And he went from 198 to 225 to 225 to 235 to 235 to 365 to 365 to 605.

Yeah, he's a hoss. And he's doing great in the uniform too. He's going to get a new contract. Who's next, Billy? About a minute. Brady. Brady, you got a minute. Go ahead.

Hey, I was more than to say about this game, I was, I'm kind of scared because I feel like we're either going to put up 100 points and so is Alabama or we're just going to get run off the court because they can score. Well, so can we. I know. Well, I know, but I don't know. I just have that feeling that it could end up like the Tennessee game where we just can't seem to ever really get the leader. All right. Hang on just a second. Let Vince want to respond.

No, I was saying, I understand why he saying that, but these are two different teams. Yeah. Tennessee can play. They were. Tennessee, not a great defensive team this year, but better than Alabama. Remember, as bad as our defensive ratings are, there's one team in the top 25 worse than us, and it's Alabama. We're 24th out of the top 25 in defense. They're 25th.

Oh, I really like our school. So, I mean, that's the one team if you're going to play and not, like, if we score, if we score, will be our. Yes. But we got to make shots and we got to school. We're going to take a break. 859-280-2287.

We are here at the KS. Bar and Grill. This is the Kentucky Select Chevy Dealer's KSR pre-game. Welcome back. It is the Kentucky Select Chevy Dealer's TASR. I'm here at the KS Bar and Grill. We welcome in the folks on

98-1 to Bull. Getting ready for today's action, Kentucky and Alabama. Kentucky, a three and a three-and-a-point favorite in Rup Arena. Should be a great crowd. We've had a couple of great crowds over the last few weeks and then not been able to get the victory.

Hopefully that changes today. 859-280-2287. Vince Mero is my co-host here. I'm watching Houston and Baylor. Baylor was down 25 points and now has the ball with a chance to tie it right at the end. Kelvin Samson and Scott Drew, I think two of the most underrated coaches in the country. Played for the national championship a few years back, I think. and they are playing right now in Waco.

Vince, we were talking about this earlier. The freshman, Reed Shepherd's played great, Dillianam's played great. Some of the other guys have struggled. When guys come in with that high expectations, I mean, sometimes and when it doesn't work out, that's tough on them, isn't it? Yeah, because, you know, with all these rankings, like five stars and high four stars,

and when people anoint these guys before they even play a game, it's tough if these guys don't, if things don't go well for him. And I really like the one kid. I think it's like the number one player in the country at one time. Bradshaw Wagner. Wagner. I think he's a good player. I do too. He struggled since he's come back from the injury.

What's going to be scary? He's going to get right, right at the right time. Yeah. Right at the right time. When you recruit top talent, I mean, it's different in football because you don't come in necessarily expecting to play right away. Or is that changing? Do now guys expect to play right away?

Hey, let me just say this. And I'm going to tell you, I learned this from Cal. When I bought Damien Harrison to see Kyle, and Kyle was like, he said, Vince, I recruit NBA players. And I'm like, okay. But you got college. He said, no, I recruit NBA players, meaning they're NBA players right now. I'll say from 2015 or 16,

a lot of the top high school kids that we recruited four stars, they actually played as freshmen coming in. Yeah. I mean, we knew, like, certain guys going to play. And it's the same thing with these guys for the basketball team. They get all that. They are very talented, but it's like things still have to go right for you for it all to work out.

Give me the three guys that are in this incoming class that could play for you in football next year. Well, I start with the one kid, and I know we load in our room, but I think Willie Rodriguez has a chance to come in and contribute. The tied in? The tight end. He's 6-4, 6-5, 240, and he's a man. I think, you know, one of the twins or Brian Robbins.

You have five people coming in next year, last name, Smith. How are you going to get three of them start with the letter J? Aren't you going to get confused? No, I'll tell you what. Brad, when we did all this recruiting part, he really did a good job assembling, like, this class, all them guys on that side. But I remember this one now. I think Tyrone Nichols has a good chance.

I really do. That was one of your highest rated guys, right? He has some kind of like Mike Edwards type talent. How about him winning another Super Bowl ring? Talk to him, you know, I'll tell you what, he's so lucky. And then now I was with Klingk last night, you know, Steve Klinskill. He's a DB coach now for the Chargers. And Mike's is a free agent.

And he's saying Mike is like one of their high guys. How many guys get to play with Brady and Mahomes? My man got to play with Brady and Mahomes. That's a pretty awesome gig. Who's up next? Jerry. Jerry, go ahead, Jerry. Vince, in light of what the federal court did yesterday

and gave Tennessee what it wanted and throwing out all the rules when it comes to recruiting, how are small market schools like Kentucky, smaller donor schools, going to be able to keep up with the Ohio states and Michigan and the Texas A&M's the world when it comes to getting enough players to be competitive? Well, first of all, do you know what happened yesterday?

Yeah, to be honest, like, that's, something that our administration, Mark Hill, Rachel Baker and all of them, dealing with that part. But with the NIL part, us recruiting, I feel we're doing a really good job.

I mean, we have a top 20 class this year. We're going to get the players that we need to get. And I think, you know, the state, the administration, everybody's been very supportive. Let me ask you on NIL. Okay, so I've had a theory for a while. You tell me if this theory is incorrect.

I've kind of had the theory that at Kentucky, with the way NIL is here, you guys can go and get, I don't know what the number is, maybe it's 12, maybe it's 20, whatever. You can get a core group that you can be competitive NIL-wise with most, if not all, the teams in the country. Yes. The difference between us and them is maybe they can get two levels of those guys. Am I wrong about that? Well, I think the big misconception that people really need. need to focus back on this.

Everybody got NIL. So you still have to be a good recruiter to get them guys because, you know what? You can offer me this, but then the school of work can offer you that. So you have to still have relationships and build that part. But I feel what you're saying, what you're saying is you're right. But I feel the way we still recruit and develop, and we only need, if people take 20 of them, we need to just go get guys that fill in the spots. because we do a good job recruiting out of high school,

developing them guys. Baylor, wow, gets an A&1 with three seconds to go to complete. And now they're shooting a free throw to take the lead. What in the amount? I mean, they were getting destroyed earlier. They got a free throw to take the lead right now. Who's next? Rick.

Rick. Go ahead, Rick. Hey, guys. I just been watching the team, frustrated like everybody else, but I think the real core problem is pretty simple, and it comes down to we'll play. playing the wrong guys the wrong minute. We're not going to get the seven footers hasn't made us better defensively or made

us a better rebounding team. So, and they certainly aren't helping us score. We're going to win by scoring 85 points and 30 points a game. We need to play the guys who get us there. Wow. Well, I hate to do. Yeah. Yeah.

I'm sorry. I don't mean to interrupt you. I appreciate the call. Did you see that? I've seen that. Wow. So Baylor, dude, misses his free throw.

Houston comes down. They take a three. Did he get it off? I don't think he did, Vince. I don't think he got it off. No. Oh, my goodness, I thought in real time it was good. I don't think he got it off.

He hit a three at the buzzer to win the game, but I do not think he got it off. Getting ready for March Madness is coming. Wow. That was amazing, wasn't it? And then I think he missed it, so they'll go to overtime. You like Marchman? I mean, I know you're a football guy, but you got to love money.

There's nothing like Marchman. Believe it or not, I'm a basketball guy. Oh, really? I mean, dude, I play football because it was going to help me put money on the table with my family. I had a better chance of playing in the NFL. But I, uh, nice being you, buddy. Nice being. Good to see.

Sorry, my man Blake's, I got, he got places to be. I understand. Good to see you. My mom says hello, by the way. But no, I, I love basketball. I really, really love watching the game. why I try to go to all the games. I mean, if I ain't on a road recruiting,

I try to watch the basketball games. I really like it. I like the crowd. I like when you got everybody beating down on you, the student section and you on the road, that's what I like when I play college basketball. When I was on the road and people, you shoot a free throw and everybody saying everything to you.

So you played college, you played college basketball for Youngstown State? For Youngstown State. How many points to the game did we average? And is there a record of this? Oh, yeah, there's a record of any. Yeah. Hey, actually, the year we played Michigan who won the national championship,

I played really good that game as a freshman. You mean Michigan, what? Wolverines. We played Michigan Wolverines and basketball. You know, young stuff. Early in the season? Early in the season. And then you played, you won what the D, what was it, two at that time?

No, no, no. Youngstown State is D1. No, but it was one double. I'm talking basketball. Basketball, D1. Football, no, no, no, no. I'm saying we played the national champion. Oh, okay, guys.

I thought you were. I thought you were sitting here trying to tell me Youngstown State won the NCAA No, no, no. I was like Vince, come on. No, no, now. Youngstown State haven't won a lot of national championships. You know, they're good this year. Youngstown State.

It's like their second 20-win season. Like, they're really, really good this year. We might can meet them. You never know. They could. They got a shot to win their conference. But it's funny you say that. I want to say this.

It's funny you say that. This team reminds me of that team in 19808, the Michigan team who lost like eight games. And then they got hot. Ramele Robinson. Riel Robinson. Terry, Terry, Glenn Rice. Glenn Rice.

They all got hot and they won the national championship that year. Yeah. Who's up next? Vince averaged seven points a game in 8889 for you. You average seven points a game. Yeah, and I had a coach that was kind of like, he's kind of mad at me. He's beginning the season. Then I actually, our first game we won, I scored 28 points that game.

First game we won. I didn't know you averaged seven points a game. Baller. That was an insult. I should have averaged more than that. Seriously. Who's next? Terry.

Terry, how are you Terry? Hey, Matt, Vince, how y'all doing? Doing good. Hey, this is Big Terry from Taylor County here, man. I love the cat. I used to be a lifelong Tennessee fan, but regular season Rick just cannot get it done in March. I have all confidence in this team

and think today's going to start a big run to the tournament, man. I'm calling it right now. Kentucky's going to walk all over Bama, UT in Knoxville, and everyone in the SEC tournament. and only with Cal played Rob, Reed, and Antonio meaningful men. I'll hang up and see what y'all have to say. You like that run?

You think you believe in him? What do you think? Listen, I'm a game-by-game guy. I feel we're going to win today. I really do. I feel we're going to win the day. I do agree with him that I think we're going to get on a road, and it's going to really be a good run.

And I think we've got enough talent to win the national championship. I really do. This ain't need to talk about. They have the talent. Yes. They certainly have the talent. regular season Rick about Rick Barnes. That's quite a quote.

If you were a coach, you wouldn't want to have that title, would you? No. Let me ask you a question. Just me and you talking. Who do you hate more, Tennessee or Louis? It's just me and Utah. Nobody's listening. No, bro, you ever seen that interview with a young fella talking about Tennessee?

He said, I like Auburn. They got that good on it. I'm really starting to feel like that about them. Louisville, you know, I got a little. You like Jeff Brown. There was a time you would have answered Louisville, but you liked Jeff Brab, and so now it's made you soft. Yeah, well.

Although you did talk, you were pretty happy when we beat them this year. Listen, man, look, Jeff is a really good friend. I just, I don't like Tennessee. I'm being around. It's that puke inside of a pumpkin orange. Yeah, dude. It's not, I think that guy said it's not the orange you can sit. No, he says it's like that throw-up orange.

That's what he said. Grow up. But, hey, but you hate people like, damn beat us a couple times. So, hey, just like Louisville hate us because we've been beating them. No, that's true. You can't, you don't hate a team unless they're good. Right. That's the reality of it, because if you, nobody hates teams that they, nobody hates in basketball, nobody hates Fandy.

So it's because you win. Who's next? Dane. Dane, what's up, Dane? Which five players need to play the most to beat Alabama? All right, so let's see. That's a good question, Dane. I appreciate the call.

Let's see. If you were going to create the starting lineup for tonight's game, what would it be? I would say I would go Dillingham, Dillingham, Dillenham, Reve, Shepherd, Thierro. Mitchell's not allowed to play, or Mitchell's out, so I would say then, Ogo. What would you do? I would go read. No, yeah, I would go read. I will keep Dillaham coming.

off the bench. You like dealing him off the bench? Yeah, I like him. I think he's gives us a spark and I think he's comfortable with that. I would go with the kid to get Wagner Reed Reeves. Wagner Reed. Antonio. Deere, which is the African kid? The era. I think he's the most underrated guy on his team. Yeah. I really do. I like his skill set. He's powerful. He can shoot. He can play defense. I mean, I really like him. And then I go with the center with Hugo or Bradshaw. The Ugo, the dude who do on the blocks. I like him. The dude who do all the blocks.

Yeah, I mean, dude. 859-2-80-2287. We are here at KS. Barr. How you doing, folks? Good to see you all. If you want to stop by on your way to the game, feel free. And then we will be here. Or if you want to come watch the game, we will be here as well.

We'll take a break and be right back. This is the Kentucky Select Chevy Dealer's KSR pre-game show. Welcome back. It is Kentucky Select Chevy Dealer. KSR pregame show. It is Cats and Tide here about, I don't know, hour and 20 minutes away. Baylor is on the ropes again with Houston. Houston's tough team, man.

I would not want to see them in March. So they're one of my, you know, I always pick, vans, I usually pick five teams, and I guarantee the title will come from one of those five teams. It's only not happened once, and that was the 2014 Yukon team. So who's your five? Well, three of them are going to be Connecticut, Houston, and Purdue. Even though I don't really like Purdue, they're just two.

That big dude's tough. I'm probably going to have North Carolina's the fourth, and I'm holding out on picking the fifth for a little while. Is there anybody you would add? Yes, Kentucky. I want to put them there, but I got to see us how we finish before more. I want to put them there because I think they have the talent. Yeah.

But I'm just going off straight, just looking at talent. They got scores from one to five. Actually, got scores from one to eight. And I just think once you get in the tournament and you get hot, that can be hard to stop. I totally agree. Here's the way I look at. If they beat, if they beat Alabama today,

Mississippi State on the road, Tennessee, I want to see what they do in the SEC tournament. And if we're getting hot, I feel. Because, you know, if you think about it, those teams, so I did like a little research after seeing somebody else's research. Last 35 NCAA tournaments, 29 of the 35 teams who've won were a one or two seed. So at least six tournaments where they weren't a one or two seat. Right. Three of those six were three seats.

All right. The only three teams to win the tournament that were not won two or three teams were Yukon every time. Now, what was the common denominator for Yukon those times? They got really hot at the end of the year. That one year with Kimball Walker, that one year with Shabazz Napier, and then last year, they got really hot. Yes. I need to see us get really hot if we're going to be a team that's not a one, two, or three and win. Does that make sense?

You always leave that fifth spot for some group of five team. But they never win. The group of five teams never win the title, though. This might be the year, buddy. I'm trying to think who it would be this year, though. I mean, because Houston's now in the Big 12. Gonzaga's not very good this year. San Diego State's decent.

They're good. But Gonzaga, look, I'm telling you. But we're the only good team they've beaten all year. They're a team that can get hot, too. All right. Well, first they've got to get in. It's not certain they're in yet, although they're kind of on the bubble. Who's next?

Jeff. Jeff, what's up, Jeff? Oh, what's going on, guys? Side note, I want to go ahead and say shout out to Ryder Pearson. That's my nephew. But I got engaged in 2021 at the Florida Gators game on August 2nd. Okay. When Waka Ploppa was there with my wife, and that's second to none to remember.

You got engaged at the Kentucky, Florida football game? Yes, when Waka Plaka was there. Sure did. I thought that had to be part in October. That was in a, if you got, hang on a second, if you got engaged at the Kentucky Florida game, or at the Kentucky game where Waka Plaka was there, that was in October.

So make sure you get the date right, because you're going to need to remember that with your wife. It wasn't in August. Football season hadn't started yet. That's a good point. You better remember that. Gotcha, got to go ahead. Start in the second, I remember that.

Anyways, I always got season tickets now. But in account, got a question for Vince Marr. So with having a 25 top class this year and having the five-star quarterback in Vandergroff from Georgia, do you feel that we're going to make the 12 into the playoffs this year? Buddy, I would really hope so. I mean, I think we have a good chance if we can. Hard schedule. I look at it like this.

We won 10 games, like I said, twice and five. years or six years. If we would have had a 12 game, 12 team playoff, we would have been in the playoffs. It's going to take hard work, but I like the continuity of our staff. I like the players that we assemble in free agency, which I call free agency. And I like the guys we drafted out of high school, which I call the high school draft. So I think it's a good combination of how good. What about Bandagriff?

Talk about him. We haven't got to talk to you about him with you. I think Van der Gryff, it could have went either way with him and the guy who became the start at Georgia. When Kirby was like, could have been either way, either guy could have won the job. And I think when he thought, he thought old boy probably would go pro this year. And when he ended up staying, I think he said, man, I got to go somewhere and find a good, you'll be amazed when people look at us and they say, man, Kentucky is right there. If I can go there with that talent and just get him over the hump, who knows what happened. I think he's a coach's son.

He's a tough kid. He can run. He's very athletic too. So I'm looking forward to see what he can do for us. 859-28027. Who's up next? Jake. Jake, go ahead, Jake.

Jake, go ahead. Hello? Yes, go ahead. Hey, I just had two things real quick. Coach, if you could have one basketball player off this team to come play for your football team, who would it be? Who I like that question? And what do you guys think about the 1705? and a half points.

175 and a half is one of the highest plus minuses I've ever seen. I won't ask Vince to answer a gambling question, but what about a question of which basketball player could you see on this team playing football? I already said it. Two guys, Dillingham or, what's his name? I can't say his name, number three. Three?

Adieu Thierro. A dude Thierro. First of all, Dilling him. What position he'll play? He'll be a big time. He'll be a big time. He'll be a big time. He would be a big time.

He would be a big time. Oh, linebacker, tight-in, he's a big dude. And he's an NFL guy. If he switched over and played football, I'm telling him, he's very explosive. That guy will make a lot of people. All right, former tight-in here. This has nothing to do with the game, but, you know,

because he's dating Taylor Swift, everybody talks about Travis Kelsey. Who's the best tight-in of all time? I'm a say, man, Kevin Winslow. All the old-school guys say Killing Winslow. I'm going to say Kevin Winslow or Gron. I'm going to say Greg. Kelsey said he thought the Mount Rushmore was Winslow, Gonzalez, Gronk, and him.

You like that four? Yeah, I do. I think that's Gonzales. Well, Tony Gonzalez. Tony Gonzalez, yeah, he was good. I think Gronk was the all-around best. I mean, dude, Gronk was a monster. Yeah.

All right, Cats and Alabama. Kentucky needs this one. 18 and 8. Alabama wins this. They're probably winning the SEC, maybe even outright. Big game in Rupp Arena. Here's what we do, Vince. Every game we pick the winner.

What's the score and your MVP? Since you are my guest today, I will let you go first. Give me your score and your MVP. Score is going to be 84 to 76 cats. I like it. And who's your MVP? My MVP is going to be, I think it's going to be Reed. Reed Shepherd.

All right. I think he's going to be Rees Shepherd. In games this year where Kentucky has played teams like this, that's when they played the best. This is when they've looked their best when they played these teams that like to get up and down the floor like they do. That's where they played well, you know, against UNC. That's kind of how Auburn likes to play, although they didn't play. Auburn didn't score much against us. So I like this matchup for Kentucky.

I'm going to say the Cats win 8780. And I'm going to say in a matchup that will hope. hopefully make people consider him SEC player the year. I'm going to take Antonio Reeves to get, you know, he is a road dog. He plays good on the road. I think he's going to have a home game like he tends to get on the road to this today. I love that. I love that.

We got to be loud, though. I'm going to tell you, the reason why Kentucky has a lot of mishaps on defense, because the crowd is loud. They can't hear the shifts and saying, hey, switch. Our crowd has to be loud so Alabama cannot hear the communication on defense. Vince, thank you very much for doing it. Did you enjoy it? Always.

Always, you know, always love being around your name. Good, I appreciate it. We will come after the game. First of all, come watch the game. After the game, come on out. See, you'll be over early. Come have dinner here. If we win, I might come do the post-game show here.

I'm still deciding. But either way, hopefully we're celebrating. Let's wish Kelly Craft. Happy birthday. Happy birthday to Kelly Craft. That's exactly right. This is Kentucky Select Chevy Dealer's KSR, pre-game show. Another podcast from some SNL, late-night comedy guy,

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