WEBVTT 1 00:00:03.000 --> 00:00:08.919 It's time for coffee and company, fueled by Thornton's on Sports Talk seven ninety. 2 00:00:09.160 --> 00:00:11.880 Holy crap, I don't know who the hell we think we are. 3 00:00:12.160 --> 00:00:15.960 Get off our show, idiot. The kids are playing or tail off. 4 00:00:16.320 --> 00:00:19.719 The countries are screwing it up. Gold Play Inner Murals, Brother, gold 5 00:00:19.719 --> 00:00:24.039 Play Inner Murals. They're supposed to be mature adults, but they're really not. 6 00:00:24.839 --> 00:00:28.600 Who's the kid here? Who's the kid here? Are you kidding me? 7 00:00:29.239 --> 00:00:36.439 Now? Here's Nick Coffee. All right, let's get it started here 8 00:00:36.439 --> 00:00:40.759 on a Friday afternoon coffee and company, fueled by Thornton's here on Sports Talk 9 00:00:40.840 --> 00:00:44.799 seven ninety. Nick Coffee. That's me the company man, mister John Alden 10 00:00:44.840 --> 00:00:48.759 alongside, And so we take you up till six o'clock, gets you set 11 00:00:48.799 --> 00:00:53.280 for the weekend. We've got spring game for Louisville in about four hours. 12 00:00:53.640 --> 00:00:57.079 Exciting, no doubt about that. And there's a lot of other things we're 13 00:00:57.320 --> 00:01:00.200 we're gonna get into today, but I do want to start with again a 14 00:01:00.240 --> 00:01:03.400 reminder to sign up to become a member of the Thornton's Refreshing Awards program, 15 00:01:03.439 --> 00:01:07.799 because today with my membership, I got two of these. John, You 16 00:01:07.840 --> 00:01:11.200 see this. This is a prime hydration drink. I do see that. 17 00:01:11.480 --> 00:01:15.840 Have you had one before? I haven't. I've always wanted to try one, 18 00:01:15.879 --> 00:01:17.840 and I say that about a lot of things, and I just haven't 19 00:01:17.840 --> 00:01:19.719 done it. So you, but that's what makes you. You stick with 20 00:01:19.799 --> 00:01:23.040 what you do like you don't. You don't need to veer off, you 21 00:01:23.079 --> 00:01:27.680 don't need to mix it up. You are content just being you, sticking 22 00:01:27.719 --> 00:01:30.200 with what you like what you do. Is that fair to say? That? 23 00:01:30.280 --> 00:01:34.359 Is fair? Like you? You're chilling right, So do you have 24 00:01:34.480 --> 00:01:38.079 like a drink of choice? I love Power Raid or Datorade because honestly, 25 00:01:38.120 --> 00:01:45.120 like I've never I've never seen you with a drink. I definitely drink coffee. 26 00:01:45.319 --> 00:01:47.680 That's yeah, so much now that you say that, that's I was 27 00:01:47.719 --> 00:01:51.120 trying to think of, Like, okay, like I usually drink a lot 28 00:01:51.200 --> 00:01:55.439 of water, or usually i'll start the show, or at least I'll be 29 00:01:55.719 --> 00:01:57.400 finishing one of these drinks when I start the show. That's like the white 30 00:01:57.400 --> 00:02:00.560 Monster energy drink, which I love. But yeah, I guess now that 31 00:02:00.560 --> 00:02:04.680 I think of it. When I consider when I think of you drinking something, 32 00:02:04.719 --> 00:02:07.599 it is that white cup and it's got coffee in the classic. But 33 00:02:07.640 --> 00:02:10.319 you drink, you drink like soda. I try not to, but I 34 00:02:10.360 --> 00:02:13.800 do enjoy good Coca cola. Pets, say, any of them you have, 35 00:02:14.199 --> 00:02:15.080 you don't have like a preference. You're just kind of whatever. Give 36 00:02:15.120 --> 00:02:17.400 me all of them. Okay, yeah, So I to me, if 37 00:02:17.439 --> 00:02:20.919 I'm gonna have a soft drink, which you know, I do drink them 38 00:02:20.919 --> 00:02:23.439 from time to time. To me, it's really just like I have a 39 00:02:23.439 --> 00:02:28.639 preference, Like I like Sprite, I love diet coke. I can do 40 00:02:28.759 --> 00:02:31.680 Coca cola if it's like a fountain drink somewhere, but that's rare because usually 41 00:02:31.759 --> 00:02:36.000 if I'm out eating, we're not at a fast food place. We're eating 42 00:02:36.039 --> 00:02:38.479 it like you know, a sitting down restaurant, and I'm gonna get a 43 00:02:38.479 --> 00:02:42.599 beer, but Coca cola in a can is too rich for me. Like 44 00:02:42.639 --> 00:02:45.400 straight coca CoA, it's good, but man, I can just taste like 45 00:02:45.439 --> 00:02:49.960 the thick syrup, so you know. But what I was getting at is, 46 00:02:50.199 --> 00:02:53.479 whenever I crave a soft drink, it's really the carbonation, Like that's 47 00:02:53.520 --> 00:02:57.400 what I that's the kick, right, the bite that you get on the 48 00:02:57.439 --> 00:03:00.879 sprite or a diet coke, Like that's that's really what I what. I 49 00:03:00.879 --> 00:03:05.240 crave the belch fuel. That's never heard that, but that's exactly what it 50 00:03:05.319 --> 00:03:07.039 is. That's what the carbonation is. Does that Did you make that up? 51 00:03:07.120 --> 00:03:08.960 Or is that a change? I promise I just made that up. 52 00:03:09.120 --> 00:03:12.439 Okay, well that's exactly. You're taking credit for something like that, but 53 00:03:12.479 --> 00:03:15.960 I did. It's exactly. That's because carbonation is what makes you belch like 54 00:03:15.960 --> 00:03:19.120 that, right, I mean, that's that's how it works. So but 55 00:03:19.360 --> 00:03:22.560 I'm trying not to drink as much of the energy drinks because you know, 56 00:03:22.560 --> 00:03:25.280 I'm just one of those suckers that would see zero calory zero, you know, 57 00:03:25.560 --> 00:03:29.000 on the can, and that just made me think like it was good 58 00:03:29.000 --> 00:03:31.319 for me and it's not. You know, I can't. I won't claim 59 00:03:31.360 --> 00:03:37.479 to know the benefits or the harmful impact of drinking energy drinks, but I 60 00:03:37.560 --> 00:03:38.800 just know if I was drinking one in the morning when I get up before 61 00:03:38.800 --> 00:03:42.240 I go to the gym, and then I would drink one before the show, 62 00:03:42.560 --> 00:03:45.560 I just feel confident in saying that that can't be good for me. 63 00:03:46.199 --> 00:03:49.039 So I wanted to mix it up. I drink a lot of water, 64 00:03:49.120 --> 00:03:52.879 but sometimes that just becomes you know, too plain. So my wife's been 65 00:03:52.960 --> 00:03:58.039 on this big Prime hydration drink kick, and sure enough I tried them a 66 00:03:58.039 --> 00:04:01.199 couple of days ago and I'm I'm I'm loving them. I got this lemonade 67 00:04:01.199 --> 00:04:04.280 one here, I got a fruit punch in the fridge. And because I 68 00:04:04.319 --> 00:04:09.960 was a member of the Thornton's Refreshman Awards program, that means I got two 69 00:04:09.960 --> 00:04:14.000 for five dollars. So I mean again, we can do a whole show 70 00:04:14.240 --> 00:04:18.560 laying out the benefits of being a member of the Thornton's Refreshman Awards program. 71 00:04:18.639 --> 00:04:21.560 So if you haven't signed up yet, you're just a lost cause, is 72 00:04:21.600 --> 00:04:24.360 what you are. And I hope you get help. I hope you work 73 00:04:24.399 --> 00:04:26.199 it out. I hope, I hope you get on the right path. 74 00:04:26.240 --> 00:04:28.839 That's what I hope for you. I also hope you got to stick with 75 00:04:28.959 --> 00:04:30.920 us for these next three hours because we're gonna get your set for the weekend, 76 00:04:31.000 --> 00:04:32.839 have some fun. You can take us with you wherever you go. 77 00:04:32.920 --> 00:04:38.279 Listen live on the iHeart Radio ab listen live at seven ninety Louisville dot com. 78 00:04:38.279 --> 00:04:40.720 We've got a couple of guests going to join us today. Actually, 79 00:04:40.720 --> 00:04:43.959 we've got one that is RSVP for his appearance, and that's mister Jeff Greer. 80 00:04:44.160 --> 00:04:46.600 He will join us at four thirty. Big weekend coming up for Racing 81 00:04:46.639 --> 00:04:51.839 Louisville as they've got their big game tomorrow. You would know this better than 82 00:04:51.879 --> 00:04:57.199 I. You played soccer. When I say game, people know what I 83 00:04:57.279 --> 00:05:00.639 mean and don't judge me, right the soccer like I feel like most people, 84 00:05:00.759 --> 00:05:02.040 Yes, but your face is telling me that I need to say match. 85 00:05:02.279 --> 00:05:04.360 That's the Okay, Okay, that's what I need. I needed that 86 00:05:04.399 --> 00:05:06.959 on a stancher. I needed that on a st answer because everybody knows what 87 00:05:08.000 --> 00:05:10.240 I mean, but I'm saying game. But I got that. That's the 88 00:05:10.240 --> 00:05:14.120 one thing I can easily fix because I don't know anything about soccer newsflash, 89 00:05:14.199 --> 00:05:17.240 I never will, but I can at least know that they don't call it 90 00:05:17.319 --> 00:05:24.040 a game. It's the pitch instead of a field. So that's but like, 91 00:05:24.160 --> 00:05:28.399 is that is that like that? That's all around? Like everybody says 92 00:05:28.399 --> 00:05:30.000 pitch, Like yes, I thought pitch was like the like so when you 93 00:05:30.000 --> 00:05:35.600 were playing your high school soccer at Bullet Eese High School, your team called 94 00:05:35.600 --> 00:05:40.519 it the pitch. No, but like it's colloquially. I don't even know 95 00:05:40.560 --> 00:05:43.439 why I try to use that word because it's so hard to say. Colloquially, 96 00:05:43.800 --> 00:05:48.160 it's colloquially known as a pitch. But the americanized version is us calling 97 00:05:48.199 --> 00:05:51.160 it a field. Well, I'm American. Same with same with calling it 98 00:05:51.199 --> 00:05:54.839 a game, Yes, of a match. So but I feel like, 99 00:05:55.560 --> 00:05:57.639 and I could be wrong here, what the hell do I know about soccer? 100 00:05:58.399 --> 00:06:01.720 But calling it a game and not a match is more of like, 101 00:06:02.040 --> 00:06:06.199 damn, you really are a dumb ass. Calling it a field and not 102 00:06:06.319 --> 00:06:13.240 a pitch is not as bad. They're on equal playing. Feel when you 103 00:06:13.279 --> 00:06:15.360 played the game and you didn't call it that, Like, why does it 104 00:06:15.399 --> 00:06:17.319 Matt like you? I don't feel like anybody made I mean, at least 105 00:06:17.319 --> 00:06:20.759 in high school, nobody made fun of you for calling one a game or 106 00:06:20.240 --> 00:06:24.560 a vice. First, let's be real, Bullet County is not exactly a 107 00:06:24.600 --> 00:06:30.040 grassroots spot for soccer internationally, So you know, we right like we can 108 00:06:30.879 --> 00:06:33.839 like everybody playing it even competitively, probably during those days was still learning on 109 00:06:33.879 --> 00:06:35.600 the go. I mean, yeah, I mean, I'm sure that's not 110 00:06:35.639 --> 00:06:40.560 the case. But look, we didn't even have we got we got a 111 00:06:40.600 --> 00:06:43.720 girls soccer team at my high school. I believe my junior year. So 112 00:06:44.160 --> 00:06:47.839 when I was they had a tough time getting enough players to play initially when 113 00:06:47.879 --> 00:06:50.759 I was in school, and both girls and boys played on the same team, 114 00:06:50.839 --> 00:06:55.199 which made it kind of weird. That is interesting because there wasn't you 115 00:06:55.279 --> 00:06:59.680 know. Soccer is insanely popular and we have become a soccer city. You 116 00:06:59.680 --> 00:07:02.759 look at the success of Lou City and Racing lou and the amount of people 117 00:07:02.759 --> 00:07:05.519 that show up. They've sold like almost twelve thousand tickets. I think it 118 00:07:05.560 --> 00:07:09.639 is for tomorrow. So anyways, we're gonna have Jeff on and I'll get 119 00:07:09.680 --> 00:07:14.920 my terminology in check before then, but they've got I'm pretty sure the Brom 120 00:07:14.959 --> 00:07:17.639 squad coming out for the game. Jack Harlow's gonna be with him. I 121 00:07:17.639 --> 00:07:20.800 mean, only Jeff Greer could pull that off, right Harlow, Brom, 122 00:07:21.240 --> 00:07:25.360 maybe even Pat Kelsey, Like if they're there at the game, I mean, 123 00:07:25.399 --> 00:07:28.240 it's Jeff Greer working his magic, doing his thing, because that's what 124 00:07:28.279 --> 00:07:30.759 he does. But we'll talk to him at four thirty, and then we 125 00:07:30.839 --> 00:07:34.279 may chat with doctor Eric McElroy at in the five o'clock hour. He's a 126 00:07:34.279 --> 00:07:38.360 busy man, obviously, you know, he's got a lot more important things 127 00:07:38.360 --> 00:07:40.920 to do than to chop it up with us. But I hope we can 128 00:07:41.040 --> 00:07:44.399 get him for at least a few minutes because it works out perfectly because with 129 00:07:44.480 --> 00:07:48.319 the addition of Ali Khalifa yesterday, which by the way, I went and 130 00:07:48.360 --> 00:07:53.279 watch Remember how I kept saying, John, like, how the hell do 131 00:07:53.360 --> 00:07:57.079 these stats make any sense? Yes, well, I watched some film. 132 00:07:57.120 --> 00:08:01.720 I was in the film room looking over my man Ali, and I mean, 133 00:08:01.759 --> 00:08:05.439 he's probably gonna win the Wooden Award. I mean, this guy, 134 00:08:05.639 --> 00:08:09.000 even with the red shirt. I'm not quite sure he's going red shirt. 135 00:08:09.000 --> 00:08:13.399 But that's something I'll explain later. He I mean, i'd say that's the 136 00:08:13.439 --> 00:08:18.199 plan, but I have a theory as to as to the Khalifa situation that 137 00:08:18.399 --> 00:08:20.560 might make it make a little more sense. But anyway, I mean I 138 00:08:20.560 --> 00:08:22.839 didn't say which year he'd win the wood and a Ward, John could you 139 00:08:22.879 --> 00:08:26.600 know, could be twenty twenty six, could be twenty twenty seven. That's 140 00:08:26.600 --> 00:08:31.160 true, so we'll see. But I at least now fully understand why the 141 00:08:31.160 --> 00:08:35.080 stat line was what it was. You know, his three point percentage and 142 00:08:35.120 --> 00:08:39.000 his field goal percentage were you know, rather similar in the thirties. You 143 00:08:39.039 --> 00:08:43.360 know why, because he only shoots. The reason which is, you know, 144 00:08:43.840 --> 00:08:48.440 is interesting, but I just in all seriousness, I do need to 145 00:08:48.519 --> 00:08:52.519 I do need to get this out there and just let everybody know Mark Pope 146 00:08:52.519 --> 00:08:56.559 did not want his own player to come to Kentucky for b way. There's 147 00:08:56.600 --> 00:09:01.399 no way. There's no way Mark Pope wanted Ali Khalifah. There's just no 148 00:09:01.480 --> 00:09:07.759 way, which throughout the question that I wasn't going to get a direct answer 149 00:09:07.840 --> 00:09:11.240 to at that time yesterday, but it was sort of a wait and see 150 00:09:11.279 --> 00:09:13.639 to get said answer. And that is like Eric Kentucky fans, like are 151 00:09:13.639 --> 00:09:16.639 they going to be able to deal with the fact that the guy that they 152 00:09:16.639 --> 00:09:20.159 have who may be a great coach and have great success, but like he's 153 00:09:20.159 --> 00:09:22.519 not going to move the needle and he's not going to recruit in any way 154 00:09:22.559 --> 00:09:26.840 close to how Calipari did, because honestly, nobody did. Nobody does. 155 00:09:26.960 --> 00:09:30.840 That's not a knock on Pope, that's just the reality of the situation. 156 00:09:31.399 --> 00:09:37.039 But they really gave me my answer once once you know, Ali Khalifa did 157 00:09:37.080 --> 00:09:41.639 in fact pick Louisville over a Kentucky and they just there's no they truly don't 158 00:09:41.679 --> 00:09:46.279 believe there's an entire scenario. And and there's no way in there's no way 159 00:09:46.320 --> 00:09:52.399 it's possible that this guy would not pick Kentucky over like he The only reason 160 00:09:52.440 --> 00:09:56.799 he's at Louisville is because Kentucky and Mark Pope didn't want him, which you 161 00:09:56.799 --> 00:10:01.200 know when things happen like that, and it's not I mean, let's be 162 00:10:01.240 --> 00:10:03.320 real, the guy probably won't play this year, but it was a guy 163 00:10:03.360 --> 00:10:09.879 who was considering Louisville, Kentucky or returning to BYU. And I've been told 164 00:10:09.000 --> 00:10:13.919 he was strongly considering and Kentucky wanted him. Like anybody claiming that Kentucky did 165 00:10:13.919 --> 00:10:18.840 not want him is lying or they're just uninformed, and they just refuse to 166 00:10:18.879 --> 00:10:24.519 believe that Kentucky could ever lose a recruit to Louisville under any circumstance. And 167 00:10:24.600 --> 00:10:30.480 here's what, here's something. Mark Pope is going to lose recruits to a 168 00:10:30.519 --> 00:10:33.840 lot of programs because he's not Cali Perry, and he's gonna lose some recruits 169 00:10:33.840 --> 00:10:37.080 to Pat Kelsey. And that's really again not even a criticism. It's just 170 00:10:37.120 --> 00:10:39.879 like you got to wake up and realize that this is a new era and 171 00:10:39.919 --> 00:10:43.440 you guys may be good, but you're gonna lose a lot of recruits because 172 00:10:43.440 --> 00:10:48.039 Mark Pope cannot sell anything like John call Perry can. He didn't have the 173 00:10:48.080 --> 00:10:54.399 resume. You know, he's going about it a different way. And again 174 00:10:54.480 --> 00:10:58.519 it doesn't mean it won't work out. But like each day, I'm reminded 175 00:10:58.559 --> 00:11:03.519 how their life has completely been turned upside down. And maybe that's not even 176 00:11:03.559 --> 00:11:07.440 the right way to describe it, because it may be great eventually, but 177 00:11:07.559 --> 00:11:11.320 like they're going from like anybody, not Calipari is different, because Calipari is 178 00:11:11.399 --> 00:11:16.159 unique, but Pope is just a completely different planet, to be honest with 179 00:11:16.240 --> 00:11:24.200 you, So, just for what it's worth sarcasm, part of this conversation 180 00:11:24.639 --> 00:11:28.639 over ended. Now Kentucky wanted him now was he a priority? No, 181 00:11:28.519 --> 00:11:31.840 but he wasn't the priority for Louisville either, to be honest with you, 182 00:11:31.000 --> 00:11:33.840 They're not even going to play him this year, and he was interested, 183 00:11:33.919 --> 00:11:39.279 And honest, Mamood, I never even thought of this until you know it, 184 00:11:39.799 --> 00:11:41.519 I didn't. I didn't think of it. I've read about it that 185 00:11:43.320 --> 00:11:48.039 he's closely connected to Ali Khalifa because both are from Egypt. And you know, 186 00:11:48.039 --> 00:11:50.919 there's not a lot of basketball players that have played this level of basketball 187 00:11:52.559 --> 00:11:54.840 from Egypt, and you know, Honest is one of them, and Honest 188 00:11:54.919 --> 00:11:58.159 is a I'm assuming he still is a great guy. But when he was 189 00:11:58.200 --> 00:12:03.159 here, I mean, he was just he really loved Louisville. You know, 190 00:12:03.200 --> 00:12:05.240 he had a good experience here, had a lot of friends, was 191 00:12:05.320 --> 00:12:09.559 very social, just enjoyed being a part of the Louisville community and playing for 192 00:12:09.639 --> 00:12:16.679 Rick Patino. And it's been confirmed that like he really urged Ali to strongly 193 00:12:16.679 --> 00:12:20.039 consider Louisville and told him it would be great for him. And I actually 194 00:12:20.039 --> 00:12:22.639 think that's what put him over the edge. For those wondering, is this 195 00:12:22.679 --> 00:12:24.559 some kind of like way for Khalifa to stick it to Pope, No, 196 00:12:26.159 --> 00:12:30.200 Louisville had interest, and sure enough, I think Ali Khalifa knew that Honest 197 00:12:30.240 --> 00:12:31.840 Mamood, somebody that he is at least somewhat friendly with and talks to, 198 00:12:33.519 --> 00:12:37.159 played at Louisville, and Honest apparently really sold Louisville to this young man and 199 00:12:37.200 --> 00:12:41.080 he visited and he decided to commit here. But again, it's just, 200 00:12:41.519 --> 00:12:46.360 you know, two sides of it here. I'll give you so one. 201 00:12:46.519 --> 00:12:50.360 Ali looked really good at BYU in highlights when he was playing and he was 202 00:12:50.399 --> 00:12:54.200 healthy mostly with you know, in highlights only show the good stuff, but 203 00:12:54.320 --> 00:12:58.080 he's a really good passer. The stats showed that he can shoot it, 204 00:12:58.159 --> 00:13:01.320 you know, even if it is highlights. The amount of threes that he 205 00:13:01.480 --> 00:13:05.559 made in highlights for a seven footer stands out because most seven footers don't drain 206 00:13:05.639 --> 00:13:11.759 threes. But also he looked good because Mark Pope runs a very I mean 207 00:13:11.840 --> 00:13:13.879 Mark Pope's offense I think is going to be fun to watch. In fact, 208 00:13:13.919 --> 00:13:16.320 it's very similar to what Pat Kelsey's going to do. And that's why 209 00:13:16.360 --> 00:13:20.799 Khalifa is a fit for Pat Kelsey. Although he does have to work on 210 00:13:20.840 --> 00:13:24.200 strength, conditioning, being in better shape and obviously getting healthy, he's working 211 00:13:24.240 --> 00:13:26.399 on his knee. He's going to rehabit. I don't believe it's a surgery. 212 00:13:26.440 --> 00:13:28.679 I don't know that for sure, but I think it's more of just 213 00:13:28.759 --> 00:13:33.639 like getting in shape and getting you know, rehabbing that knee injury that he's 214 00:13:33.639 --> 00:13:35.080 had, which I don't know the specifics of it, and that's why they 215 00:13:35.080 --> 00:13:39.799 expect him to sit this year. But Kelsey runs a five out offense, 216 00:13:41.519 --> 00:13:43.279 not full time, but you know, it's something that he does which is 217 00:13:43.399 --> 00:13:48.559 rare and Ali Khalifa is quite literally the perfect guy for that because he's a 218 00:13:48.559 --> 00:13:50.919 seven footer who can step away and maybe the best passer on the floor for 219 00:13:50.960 --> 00:13:54.200 both teams in any game. It's just that's how good his vision is, 220 00:13:56.519 --> 00:13:58.679 and that's really what his strength is, despite you know, being able to 221 00:13:58.679 --> 00:14:01.480 shoot, which is you know, a good asset to have as a seven 222 00:14:01.519 --> 00:14:05.679 foot big. He's a really good passer. But you know, I don't 223 00:14:05.679 --> 00:14:09.200 think Kentucky fans were like sad that this guy committed the Louisville or over Kentucky 224 00:14:09.240 --> 00:14:13.399 because they weren't clamoring for him. But it is just, you know, 225 00:14:13.440 --> 00:14:16.320 I guess typical just for them to just not be able to accept in any 226 00:14:16.320 --> 00:14:22.000 way that there's any scenario any recruit would ever pick Louisville over Kentucky and that 227 00:14:22.039 --> 00:14:26.080 world is over for you, because you know, there's no games to be 228 00:14:26.120 --> 00:14:30.360 played, right. And look, clearly Kentucky's had bragging rights on the court 229 00:14:30.399 --> 00:14:37.559 for quite some time now. But the one thing they won more I mean, 230 00:14:37.799 --> 00:14:39.759 I mean, the one thing they were super successful at is getting recruits, 231 00:14:39.840 --> 00:14:45.039 right. I mean, even in years when they stunk and went to 232 00:14:45.080 --> 00:14:48.080 the n I T or didn't make the n I t or you know, 233 00:14:48.159 --> 00:14:52.120 got an eight seed and you know, or lost in the tournament early to 234 00:14:52.639 --> 00:14:58.080 Saint Peter's in Oakland. They always had an elite recruiting class, and at 235 00:14:58.120 --> 00:15:00.120 the end of the day, that really didn't mean a whole lot anymore. 236 00:15:00.200 --> 00:15:03.679 Right, Like teams with great recruiting classes, that's cool. But if that 237 00:15:03.759 --> 00:15:09.080 great recruiting class that's freshman is not joining a program that is welcoming in really 238 00:15:09.080 --> 00:15:13.639 good transfers and maybe a good cast that's gonna stick around, I'm not sure 239 00:15:13.720 --> 00:15:18.480 that class means anything. So timing is on your side where recruiting rankings don't 240 00:15:18.519 --> 00:15:20.879 mean as much anymore, and you're clearly not going to dominate the recruiting rankings. 241 00:15:22.279 --> 00:15:24.440 But I would just get used to the fact that, like when it 242 00:15:24.440 --> 00:15:31.960 comes to pursuing players with other schools, like you're gonna lose more so than 243 00:15:31.960 --> 00:15:35.000 you ever have. I mean, our prope's probably gonna take some guys that 244 00:15:35.240 --> 00:15:39.360 you would never even believe could could could sniff the floor there. But he 245 00:15:39.399 --> 00:15:43.919 plays a different style, he has a different you know, vision for what 246 00:15:43.000 --> 00:15:46.919 Kentucky's gonna be. And it may all work out, but each day I'm 247 00:15:46.960 --> 00:15:50.799 telling you, it's just a it's just a they're good. They're like Louisville 248 00:15:50.919 --> 00:15:54.519 was awful for two years. So not only is it brand new, it's 249 00:15:54.639 --> 00:15:58.080 clearly going to be better than what we had because it was awful, but 250 00:15:58.480 --> 00:16:04.039 they're going to go through this adjustment phase and have to be reminded of what 251 00:16:04.080 --> 00:16:10.279 they once had. And that's cal Perry who you know. I'm sure it's 252 00:16:10.279 --> 00:16:15.240 not a coincidence that every recruit or every transfer that Kentucky is in on so 253 00:16:15.440 --> 00:16:19.559 is Arkansas. And you know, some of that may be just because both 254 00:16:19.559 --> 00:16:22.360 teams are looking for players, because let's be real, those three schools, 255 00:16:22.399 --> 00:16:26.000 Like that's one thing that you know, the whole connection here's wild because of 256 00:16:26.080 --> 00:16:30.919 Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisville. But also all three teams need to fill an 257 00:16:30.039 --> 00:16:33.840 entire roster. And I'm not sure you'll find many other programs out there that 258 00:16:33.879 --> 00:16:37.039 are in a similar spot that these three have been in, all for different 259 00:16:37.039 --> 00:16:42.240 reasons. I guess, to be honest with you, Kentucky's and Arkansas are 260 00:16:42.279 --> 00:16:48.879 kind of similar where the returning players for Kentucky there weren't many of them because 261 00:16:48.879 --> 00:16:53.080 a lot of them are going pro or out of eligibility, and then the 262 00:16:53.120 --> 00:17:00.399 others have since decided to transfer, whereas Arkansas lost some transfers and I don't 263 00:17:00.399 --> 00:17:02.559 think they had a freshman class coming in, and I think they had a 264 00:17:02.600 --> 00:17:07.400 lot of guys that were graduating. So either way, it'll be it'll be 265 00:17:07.400 --> 00:17:08.880 fun to watch these next few weeks because I think in the next two to 266 00:17:08.880 --> 00:17:11.960 three weeks you're really going to start to see some things kind of settle down 267 00:17:12.000 --> 00:17:15.000 to where they'll still be guys available, but a lot of the you know, 268 00:17:15.200 --> 00:17:18.200 a lot of the you know, the musical chairs. Essentially, I 269 00:17:18.200 --> 00:17:21.799 think we'll kind of come to an end, not fully, but you know, 270 00:17:21.960 --> 00:17:25.039 slow down, I guess is the better way to describe it. Well, 271 00:17:25.079 --> 00:17:26.759 speaking of Arkansas, let's talk about it on the other side, because 272 00:17:27.279 --> 00:17:32.680 you know, Kitty Payne taking the associated head coach head coaching position at Arkansas 273 00:17:32.759 --> 00:17:37.319 for Caliperry, it got a reaction I I guess wasn't surprised by. But 274 00:17:37.680 --> 00:17:40.720 you know, there was some people, I guess kind of in shock. 275 00:17:41.880 --> 00:17:45.680 And I can't tell if their shock was why would cal bring this guy in? 276 00:17:45.799 --> 00:17:52.599 He was an awful coach at at Louisville, which which is true and 277 00:17:52.480 --> 00:17:55.599 I think on the Louisville side, I don't, I mean, I can't. 278 00:17:55.640 --> 00:17:56.880 You know, are a Loisll fan surprised that Kenny would do that. 279 00:17:56.960 --> 00:18:03.400 I didn't think he would be away from the game. I mean, yeah, 280 00:18:03.400 --> 00:18:04.920 he's gonna be paid regardless if he works or not. But I would 281 00:18:04.960 --> 00:18:08.559 assume, you know, he's not just gonna Kenny's in the kind of spot 282 00:18:08.599 --> 00:18:12.559 to where if he takes off, he probably won't get back in at a 283 00:18:12.599 --> 00:18:15.759 good at a good gig, if that makes sense. He's not ever gonna 284 00:18:15.759 --> 00:18:18.079 be a head coach, and I'm sure he wouldn't want to be. But 285 00:18:18.119 --> 00:18:19.960 like, Kenny's in a spot where he's an assistant, a valuable one for 286 00:18:21.440 --> 00:18:23.680 Cali Perry for many years, had a couple of years in the NBA. 287 00:18:25.559 --> 00:18:26.839 But if he were to take a year or two off and just kind of 288 00:18:26.920 --> 00:18:30.039 chill while he's still being paid, you know, it'd be tougher to get 289 00:18:30.079 --> 00:18:33.480 back in at that point, especially at his age. So I thought he'd 290 00:18:33.480 --> 00:18:34.759 be quick to work, and I thought it'd be for Cali Perry, and 291 00:18:34.839 --> 00:18:37.279 it is, but I just at that time when Kenny was fired, I 292 00:18:37.359 --> 00:18:42.160 assumed to be at Kentucky. Well, now it's at Arkansas. But there's 293 00:18:42.160 --> 00:18:45.359 a couple of things I want to mention and then we'll move on because I 294 00:18:45.359 --> 00:18:47.440 don't, I really, you know, in all honesty, I get a 295 00:18:47.480 --> 00:18:52.799 little PTSD talking about Kenny Payne because that was that was a very awful time 296 00:18:52.839 --> 00:18:56.440 for all of us. Doesn't it feel like a different like realm now that 297 00:18:56.440 --> 00:19:00.400 that's not even it feels like a different planet, John, It's it's and 298 00:19:00.480 --> 00:19:03.839 it feels like it was ten years ago, it really does. It feels 299 00:19:03.839 --> 00:19:06.799 like it was ten years ago that he was the coach. Reality. Yeah, 300 00:19:06.880 --> 00:19:08.759 and it's it's gonna be. It's gonna be one of those things where 301 00:19:11.279 --> 00:19:15.519 we'll go years down the line and think about it and then kind of for 302 00:19:15.519 --> 00:19:19.720 for maybe a millisecond, think like did that that really happen? You know 303 00:19:19.759 --> 00:19:25.559 what I mean? Like, because it'll be there's no redeeming memory at all. 304 00:19:25.640 --> 00:19:30.119 There's not a single thing from that era of the Kenny of the Kenny 305 00:19:30.119 --> 00:19:33.759 Payne era for two years, there's nothing to take from it that would do 306 00:19:33.799 --> 00:19:37.839 anything other than make you sad. So trust me, I'm not I don't 307 00:19:37.880 --> 00:19:40.599 want to, you know, but but it is a newsworthy thing to discuss 308 00:19:40.640 --> 00:19:42.160 the fact that he is the coach and what other options he had, which 309 00:19:42.200 --> 00:19:45.319 I found that to be interesting too, So we'll talk about that and Josh 310 00:19:45.440 --> 00:19:48.400 Hurd, we'll let you hear what he had to say. He was asked, 311 00:19:48.440 --> 00:19:52.279 I don't know where this was, but he spoke, Uh, it 312 00:19:52.359 --> 00:19:56.559 might have been following last night's Louisville and IL event. I'll get clarification on 313 00:19:56.559 --> 00:20:00.000 where it was. But Ken Taylor of wk Y our partners over there, 314 00:20:00.119 --> 00:20:03.920 WKA why he caught up with her and just got his comments on Kenny getting 315 00:20:03.960 --> 00:20:07.119 a job. And we'll let you hear what Josh had to say, and 316 00:20:07.160 --> 00:20:10.640 you won't be able to see it because you know, this is not a 317 00:20:10.759 --> 00:20:17.319 visual medium here, this is this is radio. But the difference in Josh 318 00:20:17.440 --> 00:20:21.960 heard now compared to what he looked like two months ago, I mean, 319 00:20:22.240 --> 00:20:27.519 my man is shining and in no offense to Kenny, but like it's got 320 00:20:27.519 --> 00:20:30.960 to just be because that's over. Not that Kenny was ruining his life, 321 00:20:30.960 --> 00:20:33.000 but like Josh is the guy who hired him, and Louisvill basketball was in 322 00:20:33.000 --> 00:20:37.680 a spot that like hopefully they'll never ever be close to again. All right, 323 00:20:37.680 --> 00:20:41.920 So we got a load of things to get into today for the next 324 00:20:42.039 --> 00:20:47.079 two hours and forty minutes here we'll give you some things to expect in the 325 00:20:47.079 --> 00:20:52.680 spring game. Also, I would like to to talk about what's happening at 326 00:20:52.759 --> 00:20:56.079 Duke. Have you seen this John John the transfer portal. John Sharre didn't 327 00:20:56.079 --> 00:21:00.400 have a team, which I'm curious if that comes like the norm. Again, 328 00:21:00.839 --> 00:21:06.240 these dudes are just gonna leave because they can. And lastly, I 329 00:21:06.279 --> 00:21:08.519 mean lastly, as far as what I'm mentioning that we're going to get to 330 00:21:08.599 --> 00:21:11.559 the rest of the way here, because this is something we're gonna get to 331 00:21:11.559 --> 00:21:15.359 pretty quickly. Is the current visit from j Q. I guess that's his 332 00:21:15.440 --> 00:21:18.400 nickname, Quaintance. He's on campus. I guess he actually got here late 333 00:21:18.440 --> 00:21:22.200 last night, so his visit's going on today, and you know, who 334 00:21:22.200 --> 00:21:26.680 knows what's going to happen. But the vibes seem good and his father liked 335 00:21:26.799 --> 00:21:33.440 slashed favorite of whatever you call it on X He liked a tweet that I 336 00:21:33.480 --> 00:21:37.039 can't I can't help it it it. It made me have for a brief 337 00:21:37.079 --> 00:21:41.400 moment actually think Louisville could get this guy. And that makes me excited. 338 00:21:41.440 --> 00:21:44.000 So stick with us. It's Friday, we're having fun. It's Coffee and 339 00:21:44.000 --> 00:21:48.960 Company. Feel about Thornton's Here on Sports Talk seven ninety Coffee and Company on 340 00:21:49.000 --> 00:21:52.440 a Friday afternoon. We are a fuel about Thornton's. If you want to 341 00:21:52.440 --> 00:21:55.319 give us a call, you can do that. Five two, five seven, 342 00:21:55.400 --> 00:21:59.920 one seventy nine hundred is the number. And uh, last night Arkansas. 343 00:22:00.039 --> 00:22:02.960 I don't think there was a lot of reporting on this, this you 344 00:22:02.960 --> 00:22:04.240 know, being in the works, But then again, it wouldn't be something 345 00:22:04.240 --> 00:22:11.599 that would be like a big I mean really the only I guess juiciness if 346 00:22:11.640 --> 00:22:15.640 you will, probably not the right way to describe it, but Kenny Payne 347 00:22:15.680 --> 00:22:18.680 being hired by Caliper at Arkansas, it is probably something that's only going to 348 00:22:18.720 --> 00:22:23.039 get a big reaction from Louisville fans and maybe Kentucky fans. I guess, 349 00:22:23.680 --> 00:22:27.839 like John, you're an outsider. I like to check in with you to 350 00:22:27.960 --> 00:22:32.200 kind of get your reaction of things, because it's not in any way based 351 00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:37.759 off of being a big blue bozo or a you know, die hard card 352 00:22:40.359 --> 00:22:41.319 like that. To me, that's like, okay, yeah, I saw 353 00:22:41.319 --> 00:22:45.640 that coming. What did you think. I feel like most outsiders, I 354 00:22:45.720 --> 00:22:48.480 agree with you aren't really they wouldn't see that as a big deal. But 355 00:22:48.680 --> 00:22:52.599 I mean he was a great assistant under Calipari at one point, and that's 356 00:22:52.640 --> 00:22:53.920 kind of the expected move. I feel like, yeah, Now, what 357 00:22:55.000 --> 00:23:00.839 I did find to be kind of a head scratcher is that Canucky wanted Kenny 358 00:23:00.839 --> 00:23:04.799 Payne, not when Cal's there, like Mark Pope. That is weird. 359 00:23:06.599 --> 00:23:11.480 So to me, it would have been such a force. But apparently Mark 360 00:23:11.519 --> 00:23:15.839 Pope was willing to do it. And here's the reason why, and this 361 00:23:15.960 --> 00:23:22.480 makes sense. There are how many NBA players currently from Kentucky that played for 362 00:23:22.519 --> 00:23:27.240 Caliperry countless. I mean, it's insane, and we've known that for quite 363 00:23:27.279 --> 00:23:33.119 some time, right, Like it's it's actually been a I think over I 364 00:23:33.200 --> 00:23:37.119 think now that he'd been there as long as he was fourteen years, the 365 00:23:37.240 --> 00:23:41.000 last two years, it did become kind of a thing to where the growing 366 00:23:41.000 --> 00:23:44.519 amount of NBA players with the lack of success, specifically in the last like 367 00:23:44.599 --> 00:23:49.039 eight years and only one title, Like it was really a it was a 368 00:23:49.039 --> 00:23:52.240 two way thing, right, Like, damn Kentucky, man, they're an 369 00:23:52.319 --> 00:23:56.160 NBA factory. The other side is why don't they win at a higher level? 370 00:23:56.240 --> 00:23:59.960 Right? But there's a lot of them, and seeing how many they 371 00:23:59.920 --> 00:24:02.519 had in the All Star Game this year, where like they broke their own 372 00:24:02.559 --> 00:24:06.920 record by like four players. It's crazy. That is something that will always 373 00:24:06.960 --> 00:24:11.799 benefit you, always benefit you to keep those guys engaged. Kids growing up 374 00:24:11.839 --> 00:24:17.160 that are highly regarded recruits. They see these stars in the NBA, they 375 00:24:17.240 --> 00:24:19.240 know where they went to school. And if these guys are on Instagram, 376 00:24:19.319 --> 00:24:22.920 Twitter, whatever, TikTok, I don't know, whatever else is the new 377 00:24:22.960 --> 00:24:27.680 cool thing on social media. If they're representing Kentucky and like claiming that that's 378 00:24:27.720 --> 00:24:30.640 still part of their brand, which a lot of them do, then that 379 00:24:32.279 --> 00:24:33.200 helps you. And Mark Coop can't do that. It is Mark Pope ever 380 00:24:33.240 --> 00:24:36.599 put anybody in NBA. And again that's not to say he stinks, but 381 00:24:36.640 --> 00:24:38.319 it's just a different situation and that matters. Now guys want to go to 382 00:24:38.319 --> 00:24:42.160 the NBA. They want to be paid too, So Kenny Payne is believed 383 00:24:42.200 --> 00:24:48.599 to be the ultimate relationship guy with all of them. Right like when Kenny 384 00:24:48.640 --> 00:24:53.200 was there, I do think we've learned and I think, well, I've 385 00:24:53.279 --> 00:24:57.160 learned Kenny was not this ace recruiter. I'm not saying he was a bad 386 00:24:57.160 --> 00:25:03.440 recruiter, but Kenny's role in recruiting was not you know, he recruited, 387 00:25:03.240 --> 00:25:07.200 but he also recruited at Kentucky and there were other really good assistants that recruited 388 00:25:07.200 --> 00:25:11.400 as well. So Kenny was the guy, and I guess maybe this could 389 00:25:11.400 --> 00:25:15.640 be considered part of recruiting, but he wasn't boots on the ground guy all 390 00:25:15.680 --> 00:25:18.559 over the country, you know, just being the ultimates put it this way, 391 00:25:19.319 --> 00:25:23.400 Kenny's not a salesman by any means. Good god, Like, that's 392 00:25:23.440 --> 00:25:26.279 one of the things that there's no way to sound there's no way to say 393 00:25:26.279 --> 00:25:30.319 this without sounding mean. And one of our callers, it might have been 394 00:25:30.400 --> 00:25:32.839 Jerry who'd said it at one point during you know, the end of the 395 00:25:32.920 --> 00:25:34.920 Kenny Paine era when we were just you know, in pain, no pun 396 00:25:34.960 --> 00:25:40.039 intended. Who could have interviewed Kenny Payne face to face and said I want 397 00:25:40.079 --> 00:25:44.680 to hire this guy straight up. That sounds mean, but honestly you heard 398 00:25:44.759 --> 00:25:45.720 him when he was here. Like, who could have interviewed Kenny Payne and 399 00:25:45.720 --> 00:25:49.200 thought he was the guy that could could take on this job in any way. 400 00:25:51.079 --> 00:25:53.839 In fact, he had jobs that he could have, you know, 401 00:25:55.000 --> 00:25:59.119 he had in fact, he had the Mississippi's day job. I've actually learned 402 00:25:59.200 --> 00:26:03.759 learned this since since his era ended here the job was essentially his and they 403 00:26:03.759 --> 00:26:08.240 interviewed him and then said Nope, can't do that. So that's recruiting too, 404 00:26:08.279 --> 00:26:12.759 meaning like selling. So he's the guy that connects with players. Families 405 00:26:12.799 --> 00:26:17.519 trust him and it's not a you know, once they're into Kentucky, then 406 00:26:17.559 --> 00:26:22.279 Kenny becomes their guy really like an uncle father figure. So I think the 407 00:26:22.319 --> 00:26:26.480 strategy there was clearly to try to keep some level of connection. Because there's 408 00:26:26.519 --> 00:26:30.799 no doubt about it. Cal is going to pick up the phone and call 409 00:26:30.079 --> 00:26:33.480 these former players and tell them to come to Arkansas as soon as they can 410 00:26:33.599 --> 00:26:37.880 so it can be public that they're cow guys now those they're still gonna love 411 00:26:37.799 --> 00:26:42.319 Kentucky because they went there, but it's going to be a competition and Cal 412 00:26:42.400 --> 00:26:45.960 will win that every time as long as he's coaching at Arkansas. I doubt 413 00:26:47.000 --> 00:26:49.359 he'll tell them to never wear blue again, but he will make it will 414 00:26:49.359 --> 00:26:52.759 be a calculated effort to make sure these stars in the NBA that played for 415 00:26:52.839 --> 00:26:57.480 him at Kentucky that their affiliation is more so to him than Kentucky and Kenny 416 00:26:57.519 --> 00:27:02.440 being there at Kentucky could have help that, but Kenny didn't want to do 417 00:27:02.480 --> 00:27:04.559 it. He wanted to go to Arkansas. So that's what he's doing. 418 00:27:04.839 --> 00:27:07.279 But I find that to be odd that that. You know, again, 419 00:27:07.359 --> 00:27:11.160 I just explained why that would work, but in a way Pope wanting to 420 00:27:11.200 --> 00:27:17.039 do that knowing he has no relationship with Kenny, knowing that Kenny. I 421 00:27:17.079 --> 00:27:21.839 mean, I'm so past the point of people trying to act like I was 422 00:27:21.960 --> 00:27:27.039 manufacturing non existent awfulness to kind of, you know, clearly state what was 423 00:27:27.079 --> 00:27:30.000 happening with him as the coach, and he's awful in every aspect. He's 424 00:27:30.000 --> 00:27:33.079 still to my in my to my in my opinion, I mean, he's 425 00:27:33.079 --> 00:27:36.440 one of the worst, if not the worst hires in college basketball history. 426 00:27:36.480 --> 00:27:38.960 And I think he's the only coach that has ever been fired from a prominent 427 00:27:40.079 --> 00:27:44.480 job and never did the whole statement thing thanking people. I mean, the 428 00:27:44.519 --> 00:27:48.000 last time we heard Kenny Payne talk, he blamed it on everybody else, 429 00:27:48.519 --> 00:27:56.039 including the fans. So I think Mark Pope wanting to hire him or at 430 00:27:56.119 --> 00:28:00.599 least being well, I'll put it this way, Pope was not guy because 431 00:28:00.640 --> 00:28:03.599 he's dude. He's he's trying to build a roster like like Kelsey is, 432 00:28:03.079 --> 00:28:06.480 so you know, he doesn't exactly have a whole lot of time to be 433 00:28:07.839 --> 00:28:10.920 traveling to meet with Coman. I think his his staff's coming together, but 434 00:28:10.920 --> 00:28:12.680 I would imagine a lot of his staffing the hires, which we'll get to 435 00:28:12.680 --> 00:28:15.319 some of those names later. I don't know them off the top of my 436 00:28:15.319 --> 00:28:18.599 head, but I know they've made some hires. These are probably it's probably 437 00:28:18.599 --> 00:28:21.440 guys either following him that have worked for him. I know one of them, 438 00:28:21.480 --> 00:28:23.359 Mark Fox, is a guy who he worked for. So it's probably 439 00:28:23.400 --> 00:28:26.799 all done through you know, phone call, zoom, that kind of stuff. 440 00:28:26.200 --> 00:28:32.559 So it was actually other coaches at Kentucky. And if this is out 441 00:28:32.599 --> 00:28:36.720 the trust me. I'm not. I'm not acting like I've got insider BB 442 00:28:36.880 --> 00:28:38.920 and information. But the person who shared it with me, maybe they haven't 443 00:28:38.920 --> 00:28:41.880 put it out yet, and if they have, been cool, but I 444 00:28:41.880 --> 00:28:44.160 don't want to put it out there and then you know them say hey, 445 00:28:44.160 --> 00:28:47.279 why did you say that? But other people who coach other sports at Kentucky 446 00:28:47.319 --> 00:28:51.079 pursued Kenny Payne to come and work from our Pope and wanted it to work. 447 00:28:51.119 --> 00:28:52.160 But Pope and Pope was open to it, and again I think it's 448 00:28:52.160 --> 00:28:56.400 because of that, but I'm there's there's there's a part of me that absolutely 449 00:28:56.839 --> 00:29:04.920 believes that that's kind of like a sign of fear for Pope, like these 450 00:29:04.920 --> 00:29:10.880 guys are gonna be probably against him because he's now the guy, and it's 451 00:29:11.000 --> 00:29:15.960 crazy and sad that it's that way. I know they're always gonna love Kentucky 452 00:29:15.000 --> 00:29:18.960 and BB into an extent meeting these players, but Cal's their guy, and 453 00:29:19.039 --> 00:29:22.440 Cal feels a certain way about Kentucky, so I think it's gonna be almost 454 00:29:22.480 --> 00:29:26.759 impossible for them to not feel a little bit that way as well. They're 455 00:29:26.799 --> 00:29:30.799 not gonna be petty like Cal. But I just I think Pope wanting to 456 00:29:30.839 --> 00:29:34.119 do that again, it makes sense, but then again, it's almost to 457 00:29:34.160 --> 00:29:38.119 me like a desperation thing where you're gonna Fiel one of your paid staffers, 458 00:29:38.160 --> 00:29:41.160 probably the highest paid coach you have on your staff, that you don't know 459 00:29:41.200 --> 00:29:45.039 at all, and there's no evidence that he's ever ever done any actual basketball 460 00:29:45.079 --> 00:29:52.000 coaching. That to me just seems off. And Orlando Antigua, I don't 461 00:29:52.000 --> 00:29:55.680 know if he'll end up going with Cal now, probably not, but he 462 00:29:55.759 --> 00:29:59.119 wanted to stay and Pope won't. It is not want it does not want 463 00:29:59.119 --> 00:30:03.039 to keep him. So you know, Kenny Payne being in Arkansas, I 464 00:30:03.319 --> 00:30:06.440 don't really have. I mean, I'm not surprised at all. It doesn't 465 00:30:06.440 --> 00:30:07.920 do you know, it's it's I expected him to get back in quickly, 466 00:30:07.960 --> 00:30:11.799 as I mentioned earlier, and the most likely option, the the most likely 467 00:30:11.880 --> 00:30:15.519 landing spot was going to be with Caliperry, and that's where he is. 468 00:30:15.559 --> 00:30:18.039 It's just not at Kentucky, which is you know where I think I thought 469 00:30:18.039 --> 00:30:23.359 he would be. Now here's Josh Shurt. He was asked by Kent Taylor 470 00:30:23.400 --> 00:30:30.319 of w OK why this was Actually this was earlier this afternoon, and uh, 471 00:30:30.359 --> 00:30:33.839 you know Josh being all class like he is, this is what he 472 00:30:33.920 --> 00:30:37.559 had to say. I think it's a great Uh it's doing Actually is it 473 00:30:37.599 --> 00:30:41.319 coming through? Could you hear I could hear it, but it might have 474 00:30:41.359 --> 00:30:44.880 been just one headphone him. He had some tremns doing that thing again. 475 00:30:45.039 --> 00:30:48.279 Here's what we're gonna do while I fix this sound so it works. Go 476 00:30:48.359 --> 00:30:52.519 to im if you if you follow Kent Taylor, you've seen it Kent Taylor 477 00:30:52.519 --> 00:30:56.480 TV. If you follow me on Twitter, I just I just posted I 478 00:30:56.519 --> 00:31:03.799 just retweeted it, and I'm gonna tell you this, Josh heard looks like 479 00:31:03.799 --> 00:31:07.519 a different human being than he did a few months ago, which, obviously, 480 00:31:07.559 --> 00:31:12.799 you know, is to be expected because even though he wasn't the guy 481 00:31:12.839 --> 00:31:15.920 out there, you know, coaching the program and leading it is, as 482 00:31:17.319 --> 00:31:19.200 it's falling apart like that, that couldn't be fun for anybody, right, 483 00:31:21.519 --> 00:31:25.839 So in a way it's it's to be expected. But I'm thinking about I 484 00:31:26.400 --> 00:31:30.119 wouldn't do this and posted because you know, personal appearance isn't something that should 485 00:31:30.160 --> 00:31:33.880 ever really be you know, I mean, I would never want people to, 486 00:31:33.400 --> 00:31:37.920 you know, give thoughts an analysis on my personal opinion or I never 487 00:31:37.920 --> 00:31:41.000 want people to give thoughts on my personal appearance because you know, that wouldn't 488 00:31:41.000 --> 00:31:42.119 be a good look for me. There there's not a whole lot that could 489 00:31:42.160 --> 00:31:45.920 work out well if that's what people are discussing how I look. I'm not 490 00:31:45.960 --> 00:31:49.799 a very good looking person. But Josh just looked defeated, tired, exhausted. 491 00:31:51.319 --> 00:31:52.880 It's not about, you know, did he look like a handsome guy 492 00:31:52.960 --> 00:31:57.279 or a bad looking guy. But he looks refreshed. He looks honestly ten 493 00:31:57.400 --> 00:32:00.480 years younger. So if you haven't checked it out. Go see it, 494 00:32:00.519 --> 00:32:04.640 but here's the sound. I think it's a great opportunity for him. He 495 00:32:04.680 --> 00:32:09.519 had some tremendous, tremendous success working with Coach Cow and wish Kenny nothing but 496 00:32:09.599 --> 00:32:15.400 the best and hope that they have that same success in Fayetteville, just as 497 00:32:15.440 --> 00:32:22.599 long as they're not playing Louisville. So Kenny's off to Arkansas and Arkansas. 498 00:32:22.640 --> 00:32:25.200 It is funny though to see a lot of the Arkansas which, by the 499 00:32:25.240 --> 00:32:29.200 way, like we're Louisville fans, like we're kind of all in with Arkansas, 500 00:32:29.240 --> 00:32:30.480 right, Like maybe that ended because Kenny's there, I don't know, 501 00:32:31.039 --> 00:32:36.119 But Arkansas fans and Louisville fans, I'm sure you've seen it online. John, 502 00:32:36.200 --> 00:32:40.039 we're uniting, like we are. We're united here to just go after 503 00:32:40.440 --> 00:32:47.680 Kentucky fans. So their media that are you know, oh wow, great 504 00:32:47.720 --> 00:32:51.720 player, developer, elite this and that, And I'm like, well, 505 00:32:51.759 --> 00:32:54.200 you know, he made you know, we need to stop talking about Kenny 506 00:32:54.200 --> 00:32:57.640 because I'll just get I'll just get carried away. But you know, Kenny 507 00:32:58.319 --> 00:33:02.279 at Kentucky was a valuable asset in regards to I think he was somebody Cow 508 00:33:02.279 --> 00:33:06.680 would listen to, maybe more than other coaches that have been on his staff. 509 00:33:07.359 --> 00:33:09.000 But I kind of feel like we'll never really know what his true impact 510 00:33:09.119 --> 00:33:15.160 was because it's cale didn't like things didn't fall apart when Kenny left. I 511 00:33:15.200 --> 00:33:17.599 mean they might they lost to some teams in the tournament that they shouldn't have, 512 00:33:17.640 --> 00:33:21.000 but like that kind of always happened, and I don't think you could 513 00:33:21.000 --> 00:33:27.200 equate those losses to Kenny not being on the bench. But him You know, 514 00:33:27.839 --> 00:33:32.279 when people think of him in college basketball that aren't Kentucky fans, they're 515 00:33:32.279 --> 00:33:35.599 going to think of his time as the head coach at Louisville and he'll be 516 00:33:35.680 --> 00:33:38.880 remembered as one of the worst head coaches of all time. All right, 517 00:33:38.960 --> 00:33:40.920 quick break, we'll come back here on the other side, keep this thing 518 00:33:42.000 --> 00:33:45.400 rolling along. Give you some some things to keep in mind for tonight's spring 519 00:33:45.400 --> 00:33:49.000 game. If you can't make it out there to Cardinal Stadium, it will 520 00:33:49.000 --> 00:33:52.680 be on the ACC network. But also I want to I want to talk 521 00:33:52.720 --> 00:33:57.920 about j Q. I think that's what people are calling him, but he 522 00:33:58.039 --> 00:34:02.519 is, you know, ja An Acquaintance or Jadan Quaintance, the top ten 523 00:34:02.559 --> 00:34:06.960 player who's visiting as we speak you know, he's posting all kinds of stuff 524 00:34:06.960 --> 00:34:09.280 on his Instagram story and everybody's like screenshotting it and sharing it, and I 525 00:34:09.360 --> 00:34:13.480 just love that we're this excited. It means nothing. He posted a picture 526 00:34:13.519 --> 00:34:15.239 that he's here. That's not an indication of anything, but people are losing 527 00:34:15.239 --> 00:34:17.519 their mind over it, and I love it. But I'm telling you, 528 00:34:17.559 --> 00:34:22.159 there's a tweet that his dad liked that. You know, you never really 529 00:34:22.199 --> 00:34:24.519 know what liking a tweet can mean. He can almost be like, hey, 530 00:34:24.559 --> 00:34:28.000 I saw this, You're not slick, or it could be like an 531 00:34:28.039 --> 00:34:31.800 agreement, or it could be an accidental like you never know, but I'll 532 00:34:31.800 --> 00:34:36.440 talk about that coming up here next right here on Sportsbok seven ninety. When 533 00:34:36.480 --> 00:34:39.599 I walked in earlier about an hour ago, it wasn't sunny and it's not 534 00:34:39.719 --> 00:34:45.719 super warm, but hey, it looks like it's actually going to son. 535 00:34:45.719 --> 00:34:47.599 Looks like it's gonna come out around six o'clock according to this app that's on 536 00:34:47.639 --> 00:34:51.679 my phone that shows me the weather. I believe it's from the Weather Channel, 537 00:34:51.719 --> 00:34:54.000 but hey, it's in the sixties at least that's what it shows here. 538 00:34:54.079 --> 00:35:00.400 And we've had many many spring games where weather couldn't be worse. So 539 00:35:00.039 --> 00:35:02.880 this this, you know, this will do. And I know there's probably 540 00:35:02.880 --> 00:35:07.360 people in fact, I know there are people out there already. I'm sure 541 00:35:07.360 --> 00:35:10.920 they're tail getting. I know the alley is open. So Jeff Brom is 542 00:35:12.880 --> 00:35:15.119 known for spring games to be competitive meeting where he's gonna put the ones versus 543 00:35:15.119 --> 00:35:19.920 the ones. He's not going to you know, put the first string offense 544 00:35:20.920 --> 00:35:23.000 in the first string defense against the second string offense and defense. That's what 545 00:35:23.000 --> 00:35:28.039 Bobby Patrino used to do, which really just made it an absolute ass whip 546 00:35:28.119 --> 00:35:35.480 and which honestly, if you know your spring games score being crazy dominant, 547 00:35:35.559 --> 00:35:37.719 could just lead to people talking about maybe that you're going to be better than 548 00:35:37.719 --> 00:35:42.679 they thought. So you know, this is not to downplay the event, 549 00:35:43.159 --> 00:35:45.440 because it is an awesome event for fans, and it's a good chance for 550 00:35:45.719 --> 00:35:49.039 you know, Jeff Brom to see his guys. I know they practice and 551 00:35:49.239 --> 00:35:53.480 and and they actually scrimmage. I think some scrimmage situations in practice during the 552 00:35:53.480 --> 00:35:57.000 spring. But you know, this is a chance to see what guys will 553 00:35:57.000 --> 00:35:58.599 do when the lights are on. Right, it's not going to be a 554 00:35:58.599 --> 00:36:01.719 full house like it hopefully will be when they play in the fall. But 555 00:36:02.960 --> 00:36:06.280 you know, score didn't matter, right, I mean, it's I think 556 00:36:06.320 --> 00:36:09.639 now the real intrigue as far as what you're gonna take from the spring game, 557 00:36:09.679 --> 00:36:13.360 as far as your you know, football stuff, your your team, 558 00:36:13.440 --> 00:36:15.480 is just to see some of the guys who transferred in that you've never seen 559 00:36:15.519 --> 00:36:19.679 play before because you know they played for schools that you would never watch, 560 00:36:19.760 --> 00:36:22.880 right and you know, maybe seeing some development from some guys that are back 561 00:36:23.519 --> 00:36:29.920 after you know, maybe a red shirt year or maybe stepping into a starting 562 00:36:30.000 --> 00:36:34.519 role after being second string or third string years prior. So it's look, 563 00:36:34.880 --> 00:36:39.400 football vibes are are great. Jeff Brom won ten games in his first season. 564 00:36:40.199 --> 00:36:43.719 He once again put together a really good class in the portal. I 565 00:36:43.719 --> 00:36:46.280 would not be shocked if there's a couple of big additions that they add now 566 00:36:46.320 --> 00:36:51.679 that the spring portal has opened. So exciting times, no doubt. And 567 00:36:51.719 --> 00:36:58.039 the season ended obviously in disappointing fashion with just three straight losses. And we'll 568 00:36:58.039 --> 00:37:01.599 never know, but I'll go back to what I said in late November when 569 00:37:01.639 --> 00:37:06.639 this happened. I think the Kentucky loss, I guess it was more so 570 00:37:06.679 --> 00:37:09.400 in December, you know, because the ACC Championship Game and whatnot. But 571 00:37:12.679 --> 00:37:15.480 had they just not lost to Kentucky, you know, nothing would have really 572 00:37:15.559 --> 00:37:21.159 changed, I don't think, right like, they still wouldn't have been if 573 00:37:21.159 --> 00:37:23.159 they would have just held on and beat Kentucky, you know, barely, 574 00:37:25.239 --> 00:37:30.519 and they still ended up getting the same result in Charlotte and the ACC Championship 575 00:37:30.519 --> 00:37:37.000 game, that would not have impacted the committee's decision. I don't think. 576 00:37:37.039 --> 00:37:40.719 In fact, I'm pretty sure that Florida State could have you know, I 577 00:37:40.719 --> 00:37:43.920 just don't think Florida State was ever going to get in in one of those 578 00:37:43.960 --> 00:37:47.119 four spots because of their situation with their quarterback getting hurt. And although it 579 00:37:47.199 --> 00:37:52.079 sucks, it's not ideal. I actually don't fault the committee for what they 580 00:37:52.119 --> 00:37:57.880 did because again, it's unfair, right, and it sucks all the way 581 00:37:57.920 --> 00:38:01.079 around. However, Florida State was not one of the four best teams without 582 00:38:01.119 --> 00:38:06.440 their quarterback. So again, back back to Louisville, I just think if 583 00:38:06.480 --> 00:38:09.159 they'd lost to if they had they not lost to Kentucky and then they had 584 00:38:09.199 --> 00:38:17.760 the obvious loss to to Florida State in that ACC Championship game, and then 585 00:38:17.920 --> 00:38:21.880 the USC loss. Let's just say that played out the exact way it did, 586 00:38:21.880 --> 00:38:23.719 there'd still be people disappointed, but it wouldn't have been the same level 587 00:38:23.719 --> 00:38:28.079 because the Kentucky loss just one they shouldn't have happened. But in the end, 588 00:38:28.920 --> 00:38:34.559 Jeff Brown in year one, one ten games, beat a top fifteen 589 00:38:34.599 --> 00:38:37.960 team and went to the AEC Championship game. And that was in his first 590 00:38:38.000 --> 00:38:45.760 year. So expectations I think are really high going into year number two for 591 00:38:45.840 --> 00:38:50.039 brom and the schedule, you know, it sets up to where they could. 592 00:38:50.639 --> 00:38:52.760 You know they're gonna have a tougher schedule, no doubt, just because 593 00:38:52.840 --> 00:38:55.599 last year was unique in regards to the just I mean, they didn't have 594 00:38:55.599 --> 00:38:58.639 to play Clemson, they didn't have to play Florida State, they didn't play 595 00:38:58.679 --> 00:39:02.679 North Carolina like we know, they were gifted a schedule. Now it ended 596 00:39:02.760 --> 00:39:06.599 up actually not being as weak as is I think we'll be expected to be 597 00:39:06.599 --> 00:39:08.719 because there were some teams that were better than we thought. But next year, 598 00:39:09.119 --> 00:39:14.159 you know, I don't see why they can't be the same type of 599 00:39:14.159 --> 00:39:16.480 team as far as wins and losses. I mean, their first three games 600 00:39:16.519 --> 00:39:21.280 Austin p Jacksonville State, Georgia Tech, then they go to Notre Dame, 601 00:39:21.519 --> 00:39:24.559 which will be a huge game. Obviously, SMU that's a team that they 602 00:39:25.679 --> 00:39:30.119 can and should beat. But Su, you know, we'll see. I 603 00:39:30.119 --> 00:39:32.679 think they're a team that will probably be pretty competitive as soon as they get 604 00:39:32.719 --> 00:39:37.000 in the league. But then they've got Virginia, a team that they are 605 00:39:37.039 --> 00:39:39.639 better than Miami at home. They beat them at Miami last year. I 606 00:39:39.679 --> 00:39:43.480 don't know why they can't beat him at home this year. Boston College that 607 00:39:43.559 --> 00:39:45.280 should be a dub. Clemson at Clemson. That's gonna be tough, even 608 00:39:45.280 --> 00:39:50.119 though they're clearly not what they once were. Stanford at Stanford. Stanford lost 609 00:39:50.159 --> 00:39:54.360 to I think two FCS teams last year, Pittsburgh, I mean, that 610 00:39:54.519 --> 00:39:58.079 was the embarrassing loss. There should be revenge on their mind. And then 611 00:39:58.079 --> 00:40:00.719 of course Kentucky at the end of the year. Lexington revenge on Louisll's mind 612 00:40:00.719 --> 00:40:05.079 in that one too. So you know, before I could give you any 613 00:40:05.119 --> 00:40:07.639 type of real record that I expect for Louisville next year, it'll depend on 614 00:40:07.679 --> 00:40:12.760 how the roster finalizes, and you know, with some spots open and some 615 00:40:12.800 --> 00:40:16.000 really good players out there, I mean I think they could go. I 616 00:40:16.039 --> 00:40:19.679 mean at running back, they're in on some of the better guys that are 617 00:40:19.679 --> 00:40:22.119 in the portal and I think the receiver spot looks pretty good, but I 618 00:40:22.159 --> 00:40:27.079 know they're still looking at some guys at that position. I know they want 619 00:40:27.079 --> 00:40:30.760 more depth up front. I think every coach always wants to make sure he 620 00:40:30.760 --> 00:40:36.400 has as much depth upfront as possible. So you know, I I think 621 00:40:36.400 --> 00:40:43.280 at times we not take Jeff Brown for granted, but we were in a 622 00:40:43.320 --> 00:40:45.280 stagnant spot with Sadderfield. I don't think we're ever going to be god awful, 623 00:40:45.400 --> 00:40:50.960 but the ceiling was not high with him, and with Jeff the ceiling 624 00:40:51.039 --> 00:40:52.760 I think is. I mean, the playoff is expanded to twelve and I'm 625 00:40:52.760 --> 00:40:55.280 not sure if you're gonna win a national championship or really I'm not sure if 626 00:40:55.280 --> 00:40:59.360 you're going to make the playoff, But like, you could have done it 627 00:40:59.400 --> 00:41:02.920 last year, and I just don't see why you can't build off that and 628 00:41:02.960 --> 00:41:07.599 maybe have the same type of season they could potentially put you in the twelve 629 00:41:07.639 --> 00:41:15.199 team playoff. And the nonsense about transferred portal guys for Louisville that really ended 630 00:41:15.239 --> 00:41:17.920 up being exactly that nonsense. They lost players, trust me. But you 631 00:41:17.960 --> 00:41:23.000 know here's what I here's perception matters. Unfortunately. I mean, if you 632 00:41:24.280 --> 00:41:29.599 don't follow Louisville closely, and you're not like into the Louisville websites like the 633 00:41:29.599 --> 00:41:34.719 message boards, and you're not following people who cover Louisville closely, you may 634 00:41:34.760 --> 00:41:37.159 just see the twenty four to seven sports guys and the On three guys throw 635 00:41:37.239 --> 00:41:40.840 out Louisville losing four, losing five to the portal, and you may not 636 00:41:40.960 --> 00:41:44.920 know that like that ended up being completely nonsense. I mean, the dude 637 00:41:44.920 --> 00:41:46.840 who put that out on Sunday, Pete Nacho's at On three, he was 638 00:41:46.840 --> 00:41:50.679 one of four. Only one of the four guys he said they were going 639 00:41:50.679 --> 00:41:54.039 to the portal actually ended up in the portal. And the Brandon Marcelo again, 640 00:41:54.119 --> 00:41:59.239 like he completely botched that and has since deleted and apologized to fans on 641 00:41:59.280 --> 00:42:02.199 Twitter and called je Broms so like you know they are. Let me give 642 00:42:02.239 --> 00:42:05.239 you some some context here. I know we got to get to Breakjohn and 643 00:42:05.280 --> 00:42:07.880 I just want to share these numbers really quickly because right now, if you 644 00:42:07.920 --> 00:42:15.280 look at the most Transfer portal entries this spring, Louisville has five. That's 645 00:42:15.559 --> 00:42:21.199 not a whole lot. Colorado has sixteen, Houston has thirteen, Illinois has 646 00:42:21.239 --> 00:42:24.760 ten, Indiana has nine, Georgia Tech has eight, UCF has seven, 647 00:42:25.159 --> 00:42:30.039 and then Michigan, Miami, Arkansas all have six, and then both Louisville 648 00:42:30.039 --> 00:42:34.639 and Texas have five. So you know, Louisville didn't. Is not wrapping 649 00:42:34.719 --> 00:42:37.159 up spring here in a situation to where oh wow, they got gutted, 650 00:42:37.239 --> 00:42:42.239 Not at all. I think there's one guy they lost that they would have 651 00:42:42.280 --> 00:42:45.599 loved to have kept, and the other guy they lost. I don't think 652 00:42:45.599 --> 00:42:46.760 they wanted him to leave, but I think they're fine with him leaving, 653 00:42:46.800 --> 00:42:50.440 and that's Penny Boone. I think they like Lolay and wanted him to be 654 00:42:50.480 --> 00:42:52.239 around, but like, the guy's never healthy. And look, they may 655 00:42:52.239 --> 00:42:54.800 have guys that hit the portal next week after they play in the spring game, 656 00:42:55.199 --> 00:42:59.000 but I'd be shocked if it's somebody that you expected to have a big 657 00:42:59.079 --> 00:43:02.039 role this year. So hopefully they get a big crowd out there tonight at 658 00:43:02.039 --> 00:43:05.800 Cardinal Stadium. I talked about weather, but John, are you hearing that 659 00:43:06.360 --> 00:43:07.800 thunder? Is it thunder or is it like this? Oh, it's gonna 660 00:43:07.840 --> 00:43:10.039 be the air show, That's what it is. I'm sitting here thinking like 661 00:43:10.079 --> 00:43:13.920 we're about to have like a massive store. We heard it. That's exactly 662 00:43:14.000 --> 00:43:16.719 what it is. They're practicing for the air show, Yes, exactly, 663 00:43:16.840 --> 00:43:20.599 all right, quick break, we'll come back here on the other side with 664 00:43:20.679 --> 00:43:22.480 our second hour, two more to go. It's a Friday coffee and company. 665 00:43:22.519 --> 00:43:25.599 Philbud Thornton's on Sports Talk seven ninety