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Here's not Matt Jones.
I am Drew Franklin filling in for Matt Jones on a very busy and exciting day for Big Blue Nation, and we're gonna get right to the man of the hour. He has been kind enough to call in on his busy morning. Here on KSR we have Jaden Quaintan's on the phone line. Jaden, thank you for calling in. And how does it feel to be a Cat for a second time?
It feels good, you know, just getting back to the fan base, getting back in that environment. It feels good.
You still considered, uh, Kentucky after the coaching change this time last year. What is it that you love so much about Kentucky and the Big Blue Nation that you've now committed again under two different eras of UK You seem to really like the place.
Yeah, well, you know, again, the fan base for Kentucky probably one of the best, probably is the best in college basketball period. And you know, the coach showed a lot of interest. He seemed like he genuinely we really want into their program. I feel like I fit well into their play style offense. I just thought it was pretty good for me.
Yeah, and talking to Mark Pope and that fit the reports. You really seem like style of play. You just mentioned that, what's kind of Pope told you about how he'll use you and what it'll look like when you bounce back from injury and get back to action.
Yeah. Well, you know, when I'm able to get back on the court, you know, they kind of will be able to play through me a little bit more. We'll be able to work on the permator a little bit more. You know, get to show off my playmaking ability more than I was able to do this year, be able to play down. He'll push the ball off the brake, you know, just work on my versatility more.
I think we actually interrupted your rehab this morning. Again, thanks for calling us. So you got a lot of excited listeners happy to have you a part of Kentucky.
How are things going.
With the rehab and is there any kind of tomline or target date where you're really aiming to get back into getting up and down the court.
Yeah, you know how it's gonna go over really well. I've been ahead your schedule. You know, the scar is healing up well, getting a lot of swallowing down, getting my quas strengthened really well. So is been going good. We're aiming to get back around September, and yeah, he hasn't got well.
Jade, and I appreciate you coming on with us, said Amari Williams. Obviously is a different style of play, and you know kind of fits the mold of what you you kind of are as a basketball player. How much of you watch what he did this season and kind of use that as a, you know, a potential measuring stick of what you could potentially do this upcoming season in Kentucky.
I haven't been able to watch too much, but I feel like from what I was showing on the film, uh play somewhat similar. I feel like I'm gonna be able to kind of take over that that kind of role well and flourish and that kind of role.
What did Mark Pope say and is what were those kind of early conversations with with him like and saying, hey, here, here's what you're going to be and and and how you're going to be used here in our system.
Well, again, you know, they be able to play through me at the top of key to show off my offensive ability more, get to show off my shooting a little bit better, you know, playing the pick and roll, being able to get down hill, just playing a more open and faster paced offense.
What fit well into that you know what what is playing for? You know, big Blue Nation and with the most passionate fan base in college basketball on a on a platform like the University of Kentucky. How do you think that's going to kind of elevate you know what you're trying to accomplish, and you know what a lot of a lot of people kind of envision your your last season of college of basketball. What what is it about the Kentucky brand that that intrigues you?
Well, I mean it's the biggest brand in college basketball. You know, they got the best fans in college basketball. Uh travel, Well, you know you can't go to Kentucky and not getting noticed. So I plan on doing big things here and I feel like this is the best station to do it.
On last February, I think it might have been the Georgia game in Rop Arena. You were there, They brought you out at half court to a huge reception, gave every by a big wave. How did it feels that was kind of your first moment in front of Kentucky fans in a unique situation last season, and how exciting is it to get back out there in front of those fans again in rep Arena finally wearing the uniform next.
Year, you know, so it's a great you know, see how how much loved the fans show. How again large arena is how big of a turn hot you did every time you know, you pop out there. So it's it's it's a great experience for sure.
We've talked about your connection to Mark Pope. I know this all moves so quickly, but have you had any conversations with some of the players already on Kentucky's roster, any connections in the past with those guys, got to know any of them or heard from them, got any group tech started yet?
Yeah, My god, Josha Johnson, he was a big part of you know, kind of help him lean folk Kentucky. He's been talking about how much he loved the environment, in the situation, in the fans and the coaching and just how he thought I'd be able to sit well into the system that they have going on here in the team that they're trying to build. So, my god, ask has helped me a lot and kind of getting here a.
Jadeen, you know, obviously understanding the assignment in Lexington is very important for Mark Pope and and it's getting back to the final four winning a national championship? How important is that for you going into this season and you knowing the other pieces that that Pope has been able to assemble and the group that they're that he's he's been able to assemble, Is it fair to say that a national championship is on the table next season to Lexington? Uh?
Well, you know, winning is probably the most important thing to me, and I've been wanting to have a chance to compete. You know, I don't really like watching from the sidelines watching everybody else. You know what I'm saying in the tournament. We make the tournament this year, and I would look forward to, you know, having a real chance to win it next year. I feel like that's gonna be another really big particle on at Kentucky. So we have a real shot to win a national championship.
I know fans will love to hear that. And obviously, you know, you got rehab to get to and we don't want to keep you too long, but you know what it what for fans that are not familiar with you or just trying to get you know, back used to you. Obviously you're an old friend, but now a new friend. For us as well. What can fans expect from Jayden Queens as a basketball player when you do make your way back to the floor.
I'm gonna play hard and give them all every night. You know, I'm gonna have the impact on the offensive end, defensive end of the ball. And you know I played a win every night. Every time I step on the floor, I played a win to impact the game. I'll rock in love.
It, Jayden.
We can't thank you enough for taking time out if you're extremely busy morning to join us here on KSR. I know our listeners loved it and appreciate it because we're very excited to have you back in big Blue Nation where you belong and we look forward to everything ahead. But thanks again for joining us and congratulations on making your commitment.
Thanks appreciate you, guys.
All right, we'll talk to you and Lexton.
Looking forward to it, all right, guys, Steve, Yes, sir gocats there it was Jack, A good get Jack getting him on the phone. I can only imagine how hectic it has been around him this morning. You know it is a big portal target. It even sounded like was that Bruce Pearl in the background.
I thought I heard Bruce when Jason was talking there. Bruce really isn't trying to visit him right now? Is he put in there? Uh?
I know it was great to have him, and like I said, very exciting times for Kentucky. I remember that moment Rupperina when he got the big pop thought we thought we were gonna have him last year. You know, life's funny, It's got its twists and turns. But he's coming back home. Projected top ten pick in the twenty twenty six draft, brings some much needed rent protection and it sounds like he's on a good timeline with the with the rehab on the aco.
All I can focus on is National Championship talk man him talking about you know, you know, me and Jasper we've been talking a lot. We have big dreams of hanging banners and Lexington and it's like, oh, all right, can we I know the National Championship just finished up last night, but I'm ready to roll those balls out and took the season off.
Maybe hungry for it watching the last night. Uh do you think you know, do you think Caliperry? Well, how does he feel about about this? I mean that was could have been one of his big pieces. Did he think that he was going to follow him to Arkansas last year? It's complicated.
I think everybody just kind of knew, you know, it might just be a hard reset for everybody. Some would follow, some wouldn't. You know. Obviously the some did follow and some didn't. But I do know that it was really important for Jayden in those close to him, to you know, kind of make his own decision. And that's why, you know, after even after Cal left, there were initial conversations of hey,
I would love to be a part of this. I know, you know, it's it's complicated, it's you guys have a coaching search to do, but I would love to have some type of role in this. And it just didn't
work out. You know, it needed a little break to know what they were missing with one another, and they were able to rEFInd each other again this offseason, and you know, Jayden was able to grow under his own terms, on his own timeline, and now we should be getting a more mature, you know, eighteen year old version of Jayden instead of you know, arriving on campus at sixteen like he did last last season. Arizona State. Love always finds a way works out, We got him, got him moere.
He needs to be Steve. And I say this lovingly, respectfully. Sometimes sometimes you can be a little bit of a doom's day or you know, you consider the worst case scenario.
At times, not always, not always, but you know you can.
You can have worries and you can be cautious about the state of Kentucky basketball. How do you feel, Let's just assume they have a shooter we don't know yet, still gotta go out and get one of those but unnamed shooter and the pieces they have now where is Steven peaks excitement heading into next season.
First of all, from from two thousand and nine when Kyle got there to about twenty seventeen, I was very much optimistic, and you know, things started to happen in the last few years that and since I got to KSR that you know, made me a little bit more maybe protecting myself a little bit so I don't get too hurt.
Maybe that's what it is.
But I think with Jayden, you land a shooter, whether it's Yates or whoever else is in the portal, Dante Allen's in the portal, I.
Mean that could be That's it. Running back. Call everybody home, Yeah, Tucky lineup.
I mean, I'm real excited about this team. And I think what we saw with what Mark Pope and this staff was able to do with what they had. I mean, those were good. Those are good players. The last year we have a lot to talk about. There's a lot of talk last year about you know, this will be the least talented Mark Pope team. I mean then there was there were some really good players on that team. But now you look at this roster. You had a shooter like I'm dreaming. I'm dreaming big.
I mean I see in your eyes.
Yeah, I mean I'm thinking like a return to our favorite city could be happening. That's the only No, We're not gonna be negative though, right We're gonna.
Actually I actually have that city on my list of topics for later. And we still have to get your hot take on the basketball. It's really the only reason I called you in today was so you can just have your open mic about the Wilson basketball. We've been thrown off with the news and the updates. Obviously, we focused today on the two recent editions since they happened in the last twenty four hours, but Jack, I didn't have you on the air yesterday. Kentucky also added Jalen
Low over the weekend. We haven't really had a chance to talk about him, I guess the third fourth transfer portal.
Piece for Kentucky. How do you feel about him at point guard? He's different than than Lamont Butler. Obviously, Lamont was a defensive anchor and a guy that you just kind of say, hey, go to work and guard the other team's best player. And you know it's it's a different style, but more talented than Lamont Butler. I know it's gonna, you know, ruffle some feathers, but you're you're buying on the upside, knowing that, Okay, he's young, he's
growing a couple more years left of eligibility. But this is a kid that produced at a high level for a very bad ACC team, but was an acc ACC member nonetheless, and you're kind of saying, if you can get him to you know, improve efficiency because the shots are going to be better because he has more talent around him, because you know he's not gonna be getting double teamed and and you know, have the other team's
top defensive assignment of every single night. It's gonna be more of a balance and let him kind of get his game off more comfortably than he had to do last season played for Jeff Kple. So you you should be getting the best version of Jalen Lowe, who as an All Conference player as is, is a really, really, really talented piece. We still have so much more to get to.
Like yesterday, I'm not even halfway through the topics I've written down. Like I said, Steven's got to talk about this basketball and these two travel everywhere together. I want to get some travel stories. And we still haven't even mentioned last night's championship game. So we'll take a break first.
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on KSR. Welcome back to Kentucky Sports Radio. What a morning we're having here, guys. Drew Franklin, Jack Pilgrim, Steven Peak, Shad a Quaintance, Jiohnny Key, Phoenix Stevens. We're just having lots of fun as Kentucky Basketball's roster gets even better. A lot of the way too early rankings came out this morning, even before the Quaintans commitment. I think ESPN had Kentucky at six on three. Our company Steven's wearing the logo right now, had him at fourth. Some other
top ten projections. All the naysayers just calmed down. We told you, relax, it's gonna be all right, and things are looking like they're panning out. Well, still got at a shooter, but Kentucky's in a great spot. On April Eighth's today, after the National Championship game, and we have not even mentioned that yet, so I guess we should run through it. It seems very irrelevant at the moment as we're excited about other things. But Florida did win a
basketball game last night, the championship, their third. Looked like it was Houston's night for much of the game, especially in the first half. My Goodness restaurant Colin fouls much, which played into Houston's favor. Alex Condon looks like he wanted to be on the couch next to me. He wanted no part of that game. Early on, Walter Clayton couldn't score. I thought it was Houston's night, and then the things flipped late in the second half. Houston led
by twelve at one point in the second half. Walter Clayton hit a three with about three minutes and fifteen seconds left to go, got a little momentum behind the Gators, and that's when things turned down the stretch. Houston with four turnovers on their last four possessions, including on the final possession. Calvin Sampson, this is your moment. I thought you were getting over the hump. I thought you were getting the ring, and Houston doesn't even get a shot off. Incredible. Guys,
were you did you at least enjoy the outcome? Were you anti Florida pro Florida? How do we feel about how it played out?
I was anti Florida. I'm anti every SEC team.
I don't look.
I want to go back to where Kentucky dominates the SEC. I know we can have some pride in our conference, but why, like I want to be the best team.
I don't want.
I don't Florida celebrating last night made me sick watching Todd Golden up there, you know. I mean, great youngest coach to win it. Good for him, but that you know, I didn't like it. I didn't like seeing he looked like he wanted to be a part of the team, you know what I mean?
He did look like a player.
He was the one that lifted the trophy walk on or is that the coach or the coach's son?
Who is that? Yeah?
But you know, I was all for I was really just excited that Duke wasn't playing in it, and really that was the only thing that concerned me.
But yeah, let's be honest, we all won. Before the championship game, when dude got eliminated. I lean your direction. I was more for Houston, who I had in my bracket. I didn't love Florida getting another one. You know, It's just they had their their little dynasty in two thousand and six, two thousand and seven. I wanted that to be the end of Florida basketball success. Golden's got him back.
That wasn't a lot of fun to watch. But Houston with a big collapse, I mean, jack with forty five seconds left, we think they're going too for one and then they kind of hold the ball and end up turning over twice in the last thirty seconds.
It was crushing, Like just seeing there's a kind of side by side you see the game happening, and you see just Kevin Samson on the bench and just watching it all unfold, and you could just see the doom in his eyes, like I thought this was it. I thought we had it. So that sucks. You know. Kelvin's a great guy all time with for Indiana basketball. Could you imagine if that guy stuck there and was able to build the same dynasty with the resources that he has, it,
it would have it Indiana. That's why we can never you know, Indiana can go away forever. But I was rooting for him personally, while also kind of liking the novelty of like, hey, we hyped up the SEC as this all time juggernaut, having them kind of put the ultimate final stamp on it, Like hey, all time conference leads to a national champion and US being the first team to beat them. I kind of enjoy the.
Two of the four last champions Kentucky's beaten in the regular season. Yeah, so that kind of part of it I was appreciating. But we were playing with house money. I mean, there was there was nothing that could have happened last night that would make me like, oh, you know, heart being heartbroken.
The only thing that could have happened was Duke winning that game and then winning the national championship. I would have been really bummed out today, but very fortunately we don't have that opportunity. Yeah, that's why I was for Houston. We needed to crown them.
They sent Tennessee home before a final four, and they eliminated Duke with one of the all time collapses in the semi final. That's why I just thought Houston deserved it. Some interesting facts that came out about it, you know, we're all looking at these kings and you need this.
You need that.
Florida did not have a top one hundred recruit on its roster, and neither team had a five star recruit, so pretty unique in uh in the roster building there shows that retaining players and finding the right fit and the portal can really pay off.
Yeah.
I mean that's and that you look at, Uh you can bring Otega oh way back.
I mean that that's huge.
And you know, once this thing gets rolling, once you get Pope into his third or fourth year, because he's i think brought on a couple more sophomores, so you keep them. Uh yeah, roster continuity. What was Kentucky this past season?
Oh?
They were last Okay, so that's probably not good, right, considering all the injuries. And that's one thing too, the uh, the the injury stuff has to start tilting into our favor and it's got to happen it and and and you know, you look at the last several years there's been like key injuries. Let's like eventually that luck is going to swing our way.
Right, we have the ultimate experiment. I mean, we have a guy with a torn a cl today and if he happens to go ahead of schedule and play in the season opener. I think, and you stays healthy throughout the course of the season. I think that's the perfect like, you know, finally getting you know, exercising those demons and getting back on track with the health.
Steven you mentioned Otega oh Way, he was in one shining moment for approximately one point two seconds. We got like four frames of Otega. You know, I, like most people, stayed up waiting for one shining moment. That's how we officially closed the book on the ear. I really thought the Amari Coast to coast dunk was gonna make it. I even almost tweeted, get ready, We're getting the Amari dunk in one shining moment. Amari didn't get in there, but in the very beginning, I guess we got an
oh way flesh. Was that other than you know, being in the background of some Tennessee shots, I believe that was our only UK.
Andrew Carr was on the receiving end of a Tennessee poster, which I did not love seeing that, but at least it wasn't like past years where it's slow motion.
Jack Goki and my good friend John Palumbo doing the surrender cobra with his hands on his head. So we're working our way back more into one shining moment.
Stephen.
As a videographer, I gotta ask, why does it take them so long?
You know that most of that should have been edited. I feel that make us wait.
You know, I keep I wanted to go watch Righteous jim Stones, but I gotta watch twenty minutes of post game to get to the best part.
Of the night.
I don't think it's an editing deal. I think that they they know that you're waiting for it, and they're getting in as many ads as they can. I mean, we have the official ladder of the NCAA. We got to talk about Werner, and then we got to get you know, the the AT and T halftime show presented by Burger King or whatever like they got. We have to get all of the ads in and then so but you can see like it's all edited. They added like three clips of the of the championship game and
then the celebration at the end. I'm sure they took them about a minute.
One cool thing.
About the Florida celebration and you mentioned the ladder. Olivier Reu did cut down the nets again, mister seven foot nine, as we saw in Nashville without using the ladder. I'm still just fascinated about it.
Guy.
You know, he didn't play for Florida this year, but what a sight when he's up there. You know, everyone takes their climb, get their little piece, they wave. No, he just walks up, takes the scissors and cuts the flat footed.
Is that an NIL violation because they have the deal with with the ladder, Like, do you think that the ladder company looks that it goes well, well, that's not what we signed up for.
Get get your big button on that ladder and lean down. I think has a complaint there. I really think they do. We're getting excited about the rosters. So before we started the show, you were like, get me back on one shining moment. Are you confident that you know we got all the way this year for one point two seconds where we're gradually getting back Next year we're gonna be featured.
I mean, it looks like you do have to make an Elite eight at least to get more than one highlight. Because I thought too the Amari Williams dunk against Troy had to be on there. How many times do you see a seven foot go coast to coast and get an and one dunk? I mean, but yeah, you gotta get you gotta get to the destination. You gotta get to Indianapolis next year if you want to be you know, you want to see a lot more those highlights and not be on the the other side of the Tennessee dunkin on.
Us Overall, obviously I would have preferred if Kentucky were in the Final four, but those three games maybe one of my favorite Final four us to just sit and watch as a neutral observer. Other than hating Duke, I didn't really have strong feelings about any team, but the weekend really delivered, didn't you Jack.
Everybody loves the Cinderella until you have to see them play a legitimate national championship contender and they lose by thirty in the next round, You're like, well, that was a waste of everybody's time. So there's a reason why they're won seeds. And they were the best teams all
season long. That's why it was so hard when we were filling out the brackets to not pick them, As you know, it felt like you were trying to be cute when you didn't have the four number ones, because they were just that much better than the rest of the field. So it was the best, the best possible product we could have gotten.
For our KSR listeners who are online and follow Ryan Lemon. I mean, I don't know if he had gotten into the marks with Shannon the dude, but Ryan Sen's like one tweet a week, and last night he was just firing them off. I encourage everyone to go look at that. One of them has just said, I really got a pee. I mean said Shannon told me to go out there in the ocean. I mean, sounds like my guys are having a great time on vacation. I'm looking at about ten Ryan Lemon tweets during the game, and none of
them are coherent, So check that out, follow Scoop. Looks like they're having a good time leaving me back here, and like I said, they might not have a job when they get back. We're just we've added three people to their roster since they've been gone. We had a good guest that tianni Key closed the book on the championship season, and when we come back, I'm gonna let Steven Peak tell you all about the worst basketball in
the history of basketball, the Wilson Evo NXT. He hates it more than anything, and we're gonna let him cook after this break. This is KSR. Welcome back to KSR. Matt Jones is not here because we've already had babies and dogs. That is our whiskey Thief message board submission of the day. Not quite a call of the day, but we're going to ks board for that one from Fox Monk and Bam took that joke from him. He
said with Matt out, babies are fair game. I'm not gonna encourage you to call in with your babies, but it was a nice addition to the Jayden Quaintons interview. Really cool to hear from him on such an exciting day. But I'm here with Jack Pilgrim and Steven Peak without further ado, Ladies and gentlemen, We've talked about it many times. These stupid basketballs that are overinflated and they're bright orange. No one hates them more than Steven and Steven. I'm
just gonna give you a tell us. Tell us your hatred goes back several years. You've done the stats, you have spreadsheets, you have videos. You'll randomly text me at three am on a Tuesday when you find new information about this stupid Wilson basketball. Tell our listeners why they should hate it too. You should hate it because Kobe Braya hates it. Jack Pilgrim interviewed him in the locker room.
After he actually shot three for six, So it wasn't like he was making excuses and a win and a win over was that the Troy was after the Troy game?
Was that after Illinois Troy? Troy? Okay?
So he asked Kobe Bray if you haven't seen the interview, it's on our YouTube channel, and Kobe says, you have to change the way you shoot a little bit. And I almost threw the camera against the wall and ran out and found it NCAA.
Why the camera got so shakey? Oh, I was shaking that. Yeah.
I wanted our listeners to know Steven actually might do that at some point. He's not getting he came close to.
Throw on that.
Well, the thing is with first of all, why is it in college basketball you have different balls depending on where you That makes no sense to me. You don't do this in any other sport. You don't get to the World Series and they go, all right, we changed the seams on the baseball. It doesn't happen, all right, So like that's that's the first thing. But then these basketballs. And I talked to a guy who played at Watford.
He has AH he's a shooting coach, Bobby Perez. He played with Fletcher McGee I think it was his name, who you know, didn't shoot very well against Kentucky, but one of the better shooters anyway.
He's done a lot of.
Studies also, and he's he's like trying to teach guys how to shoot. But he's like, these basketballs that they're using. For one, it's not that they're different. They they put extended range tech into this ball. Why we need a technology into a basketball? It does don't have to use a USBC to like do as it. There's our firmware update that needs to happen to the basketball. It means it's ridiculous.
Uh.
But what he's saying is that the balls are too inflated, and he is noticing that guys are having trouble. It's not just with shooting, but it's with the ball. I mean, Severe Wheeler had one bounce over his head I mean, like there's one Davion Mits went back and watched the Saint Peter's game that he expects the ball to be back in his hand. Nope, it's not. It's bouncing over his hand. It's a turnover. This is something the NCAA really needs to fix it. I'm glad like Scott Van
Pelt is now even talking about it. He said, it's like the like a game you play at a carnival where like the ball is over and plated and has there They've rigged the game. This is something I was kind of joking about a few years ago. Now I'm kind of I'm a little bit more serious.
I think.
I think having everyone else say that this is a problem has sort of like made me like, all right, I can actually this is a real thing.
Give me real takes off.
You're a pioneer in this take. When I first met you, you're you know, the first thing I brought it up in an interview. Yeah, we interviewed Steven for the videographer position. Tyler and I and you know, we're going over as the resume. Oh cool, you went to Murray.
That's neat.
Oh you worked here? And He's like, hey, uh, can I talk about this basketball? And ever since I've known you, it's been a talking point. You're right, people are catching on. Some coaches have been out spoken about it.
Matt Painter said that he he was interviewed in twenty twenty three and he said, the ball is round, anybody can shoot it. Then they lose to Farley Dickinson who used the ball all year. And then the next interview I see with Matt Painter, he's saying, yeah, we gotta do something, and you know what I mean.
So like the coaches have talking Mark Fuse talked about it.
Alabama players were asked about it, and it is it is something that you look at the shooting percentage of the last few final fours in national championship games, and throughout the tournament the shooting percentages dip wildly.
Like what about last night.
I know Houston's not a lights out team, but those two teams were combined over thirteen to start the game. Florida I think finishes twenty five percent, Houston twenty four percent. We blame in the ball. I mean, there was good defense, but those were some bad bricks last night.
Yeah, and there was actually a researcher from Syracuse. Rodney Paul did do several studies and what he found was and it's kind of hard to quantify it because how do you say, Okay, that's shot went in what it had gone in if they used a different ball.
So he said, it's a greater.
Than one point advantage for whoever if you're using this ball has been used all year. But I'll tell you the other thing that is insane with all the technology we have, the NCAA is using a bounce test to determine if the ball is bouncy enough.
Are you kidding me? What year is this?
Like it's yeah, like it's not a deal, Like there isn't millions of dollars on the line here that there's not, especially with all the gambling and everything. So like there it feels like you can get you can get up. It's something that shows you what the PSI is. And that's the other thing that Bobby Press brought up to me. The PSI is seven to nine uh uh PSI. Well that's a pretty wide range actually, so if you go to the top end of that, it gets pretty bouncy.
And like I told you, like when what you knew was spiked that ball I thought it might go through the Almodome.
So like that is something. There's a good Isaac Huppery's moment last night the team.
Can you believe that he got it? I mean, like and they still won the game, Like that could have been massive.
I did, like as soon as I saw you, immediately texted, I'm surprised that balled in at the top of the Alumado And there was a good joke.
There's our joke of the day.
Yeah, but this is something that I'm glad you know you have. Like I said, Scott Van Pelt, you've had several coaches finally speak out about it, and you know, a coach doesn't really want to say and a player doesn't want to say, I mean, the ball is the problem. So they're they're all kind of timid to talk about it, especially during the season. But uh, you know, raising awareness, that's that's that's what we're doing here, and we're gonna
hopefully see a universal basketball in college basketball. It's it's absolutely ridiculous that depending on where you play, it depends on like the sponsorship you have. So all the Nike schools are using the Nike ball. If you're in an Adida school. I guess it's open in your contract because Louisville is using the Wilson evo. Uh, and then you have Kansas using the Wilson EVO, and that is an advantage going into the tournament. It didn't help Loveville very
much this year. I don't know if you remember they were beating the first round. Yeah right here down the street, right, yeah, yeah, yeah crowd.
If I'm not mistaken, Yeah, a lot of seed and a favorite, right yeah.
But they should have been a three seed, right, I mean they just got yeah, so uh you know that. But the ball is it is an issue. It does affect the game, of course it does. When you are shooting thousands of shots all season and you're calibrating, you know, you're using muscle memory in these tense moments and the most important games of your life. And they're like, here's the new equipment to play with. That's that's insane to me. All this stuff we're trying to do to benefit players.
This is an easy fix. It's so easy, and we get nothing. It's you know, I know money is involved, but just make a universal ball man like it.
One other league does this.
You mentioned how the coaches and players are afraid to be too outspoken about it kind of would come off as an excuse. You are the official leader of this, Like what's next, You're gonna maybe like a five K you're talking about raising awareness? Do you go out stand outside arenas with a sign? Or you're gonna go to Indian Appoll You're not going there, But are you gonna petition the NCAA?
I mean, how do we keep this movement going? Yeah? I mean I just think I'm gonna I definitely.
I think getting more players to talk about it will eventually lead to some change. I definitely think that that once people are realizing, because also the product is bad. I mean, I watched that Kentucky Florida game that was played in Ropperna one hundred and six to one hundred, both teams just shooting lights. I have a hot take about that game. That's one of the greatest games ever played in Arena.
I mean, it just it was. It was a fun game. What did Pope say in the postgame press conference?
If you didn't enjoy that and find a new profession or something like that, this is what he told the media. Uh, then you watched last night's game and Granted Houston's a great defensive team, but how many of those balls were just like big guys are having problems with it getting the ball to it does it goes, It bounces everywhere but in the basket, And so I think to have a better product, it would it would behoove the NCAA
to you know, universal basketballs. Let's if we're doing the arc system, we're doing all this stuff to like perfect our shots, and then you're then you just give them a basketball that travels further. That doesn't make any sense, especially when they're advertising extended range tech. They're like, oh, yeah, you can shoot it further, and I and you can and I don't. I know this might sound like I'm bragging, but I'm like the fifth or sixth best shooter in my Sunday night church.
Oh listen ASR followers, No, you can ball you and Jack, Actually I had that on all this with topics.
Let's kind of just transition to that.
Yeah, you all go to all these games and you always leave the arena on a make k SR from most people don't know. We're usually the last ones to leave the building where, you know, working hard, it's always a late night and you all stay in these away arenas. I don't even know where you find a basketball, but you've put a video out there.
Jack.
You all get a shot up everywhere you go. I've participated in Nashville and a half court shot. Not bragging, but bragging, but uh, talk about why you all do that, how fun it is, and how hard it is to find a ball.
Sometimes, because our job is very unseious, we understand that we're blessed to be in this position, to be working at KSR, to be covering the team as diehard Kentucky fans, and we like basketball. So when we're at these cool venues, we're like, hey, it'd be really cool to make a shot at one of these. So it just kind of became a thing. And yes, Steven will attest to this. We will look under bleachers, we will go up in the rafters, we will look everywhere for a steak a
ball in. We I have where was that? Actually, I don't want to we don't want to say we haven't. We keep this going statutal limitations, but we we have stuck a ball in at one of the locations and we did use that ball for a shot. So yeah, it's it's it's our favorite tradition and hopefully we can do that in Indianapolis at the Final four nexture because they kicked us off the floor. Uh this past this past cycle, sou not not big fans of the NC
Double A and the March Madness. Gosh, man, they are the I've never seen anything so strict.
It's like, I mean, seriously, it's like Fort Knox, Like you get down there on the court and they're like, you know that the nuclear codes right at mid court, Like it's it's crazy how strict they are. I mean, I got really streamed at pretty fiercely to get off.
You and Mario get yelled at for even getting a drink of water at these things. I guess because you're both doing video you have a different they hate. But they will not let you anywhere. You go to all these games and you're working hard and you watch them in the back on a TV without sound because they won't even let you stick your head around the corner to look at the arenas.
Where I saw the way game winner against the in the SEC tournament was like by myself behind the and they're like one of the darkest parts of the world was where that that area is for the SEC tournament.
But yeah, finding a basketball we saw with flat basketballs, yeah, we we usually the that we find that are just kind of by themselves typically pretty flat. Part of the reason why we, you know, get some friendly rolls at some of our shots. But hey, hey, we we'll ignore that part.
Steven's got that pure jumper. I meany can't get a shooter in the portal. I don't know your eligibility situation.
I said, fifth or sixth best player in the Sunday Night Men's League, so they probably need to look look us with I said shooter.
Actually I didn't say best player. I will say we played three on three the other day Stephen, me and a shout out Big Blue Drew and we cooked, I mean absolutely absolutely cooked. So just if you if you're looking for a pick up, pick up, guys, I know some folks, we're running out of time here.
I still wanted to get a few travel tips from you all, and uh, you know, some of your favorite places around the SEC, maybe even across the country. I know Indianapolis didn't high on that list. Before we go, I guess I better pay some more bills here. Let me see what I got next, how about a little Bluegrass Roofing and Consulting.
That sounds good.
They sponsored your your rent there. If you need to take a water, get a water, get some fresh air walking off.
I know that was really really big lections out.
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white collection, perfect for game days at Shady Race. We're already running out of time here, but I wanted to hear about some of your travel stories. We're just gonna play a little game. I'm gonna name a city or a place. We don't have time for a lengthy story, but if you got anything where you hate the place, have a memory fired away. I'm gonna start with my favorite place in the world because I've been there with Stephen. Jack, You've been there with Stephen Round one, New York City.
Uh. Well, first the trip with Jack, we actually moved to a different hotel because I wasn't supposed to go. But then we decided, oar, we'll send Metal House, State, Big Game, CBS Sports Classic.
We get there, this is this past season, past season. We get there. There's one king sized bed. I've done that with Matt. So yeah. So the first night I said we left because it was the Pineapple Suite. Initially, yeah, we were like, you know the vibe, I just don't know if it's you know, Pineapple. That's exactly why we we knew we had to. We didn't want to, you know, give off the wrong vit. Do we need to send you guys to HR you know, it's this is a
business trip, So I I did. I supped on the floor the first night.
And then Jack Jack had had like he just schedules flights at the most like I feel like inconvenient time. He's like, is there a three fifteen am flight? I can get on whatever? Because I don't think he slept, and then he just like did you even go to sleep?
Like took a forty minute nap? There you got like buddy the elf. I got a nice forty minutes.
That happened to me with Matt New York. And I just left and said I'll see you tomorrow. And I stayed out all night, even found a place that was like underground after hours to hang out with bartenders. The Irish bartender's just gotten off work, showed back up at seven am.
It's all right, you stayed at night and Jack Dimpsey's at times they gave me the key. I got to be the only person there.
But the other part was I think you were talking about the Zimbabwe Christmas. That was a different Steve and I had.
Fun in New York as the UCLA game gave that workout that well, But we had fun otherwise, including I took him to Brooklyn to my friend Simba's apartment. He was having a Zimbabwe themed Christmas dinner with Zimbabwe and food.
What did I eat? Caw something?
Yeah, I was actually gonna ask you, is kind of like beef jerky thing bill tongue.
Yeah, maybe some tongue that somlier there. I think I'm pronouncing that word right. The New a lot about wine.
But when you go on.
A KSR road trip, you know what you're gonna get. Did you think we would be celebrating Zimbabwe and Christmas?
Actually it sounded pretty unbranded. I thought that kuffs exactly what I expected.
Ye had a good good time of their good friends in of there. Let's keep moving on with the game. My least favorite place it started with My favorite. I'm gonna go to my least favorite, Starkville, Mississippi.
We went three days early because there was supposed to be an ice storm. There was no ice, so we just stayed three extra days in Starkville. One of the times we were leaving our hotel room, uh, we just hear this massive banging from the second second story. We're like, WHOA, something's going on. This woman, clearly the cleaning late crew was like frantically waving. We were like, she just found a dead body. We're we're staying at a hotel where they just found a dead body in this hotel, in
this hotel room. So we run back inside. We go to the front desk. Hey, I think there's somebody dead ups there. Somebody should call a nine that one. Then the sweet cleaning lady comes down says, oh, I thought you were Austin, said, I'm not Austin. I don't think Stephen is Austin unless he goes by another name. But you recognize this from KSR YouTube. Yes, but yes, we avoided death in Starkville, but that didn't make me want to be there any longer anyway.
Trying to think of some other unique places, Steven, you you went across the pond to London. Yeah, that was another We lost that one, right, No, we beat Michigan. Oh, it's right, beat Michigan. Yeah, cow was mean to Tyller Thompson. I'm still mad about you.
Yeah. Otherwise, Yeah, London was cool.
I think what that did is it kind of just showed me how big big Blue Nation is. Because I was meeting Kentucky fans from Spain, from Italy, from uh they had. I had a long conversation with this kid who's a big Kentucky fan, never will go to Reparna, but he lives in England.
Uh.
I thought that was so cool because I think, like you live here in Kentucky, you just it's like it's our team. But then you're it's like, oh no, this is like international, like this is like the world's team. And so that was like a kind of an eye open experience to how big big Blue Nation is. And uh, you know, we have a guy Clint who's who's in Cyprus. I would still talk with him like they're The London trip was kind of an eye opening to, uh, you know,
the reach that Kentucky basketball has a Williams there. I didn't see Bix. No, I did not any weed to Bix. But but I will say I just the food there. I you know, people talk about it. I don't I didn't. I didn't have a problem. I didn't problem with the I don't know why people hate on they have all the different cuisines that we have here.
I don't we all have to get out of our a little comfort zone trying new things. Back to the sec How about uh Tuscaloosa.
Oh that's a that's a Stephen story story. Can I hate on the place that? I mean we got? Okay? Well, all right, well BUCkies, Well I love BUCkies. I love them. I love what they're about.
Unfortunately, I I ate a was egg and cheese sandwich and that biscuit, and that ruined my night in tuscal Lousa. So I remember on the rapid reaction no no, And I mean, you know, I think if Kentucky would have pulled that off about it would have helped a little bit. But that was that was a rough night.
He was running to the bathroom into and Coleman Collis seemed vomiting everywhere. Yes, it was. It was horrible. Most of these travel stories backfired. It seems like a lot of negatives.
I think of some centiment twist and a drink from Taco bell and and you were like a brand new person.
All right, we run out of time. Jack, you want to come back tomorrow. You didn't get to half my topics. That's kind of what I do. Yeah, all right, we'll running back with Jack. Have Josh Hopkins join us. Uh, a few more other special guests. My guy Billy Hobbs from True Blue Customs might pop on. But thank you for listening today to a wild show. We'll be back tomorrow at KOs Bar and Grill with a lot more basketball talk. Thanks to Jack, Steven Phoenix, and tianni Key
and Jayden Quainton. Today we had a great show. Talk to you tomorrow.