WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.600 --> 00:00:02.879 Welcome to the Big Blue Insider. It is a Thursday. 2 00:00:02.879 --> 00:00:05.280 Dick Gabriel with you. I am actually tied up working 3 00:00:05.320 --> 00:00:09.039 the Boys, Sweet sixteen and Rapperina, So please enjoy the 4 00:00:09.080 --> 00:00:11.919 best of the Big Blue Insider. Taking you back to 5 00:00:12.080 --> 00:00:15.439 the night after the Wildcats knocked off Oklahoma. Find a 6 00:00:15.560 --> 00:00:18.879 huge effort from Otaga. Ohway, here is the best of 7 00:00:18.920 --> 00:00:20.399 the Big Blue Insider. 8 00:00:20.440 --> 00:00:21.640 Calls for Oway to come out. 9 00:00:21.679 --> 00:00:25.120 He takes the hand off, always got it. 10 00:00:24.519 --> 00:00:27.120 Goes to his left, down the lane, angles right, flips 11 00:00:27.160 --> 00:00:27.920 it up, go dead. 12 00:00:28.519 --> 00:00:32.399 With six seconds to play, here comes Oklahoma. 13 00:00:32.560 --> 00:00:35.119 Fierce drives into the lane, goes for the rams, clock 14 00:00:35.159 --> 00:00:36.960 by Garrison, picked up by Prayer. 15 00:00:37.200 --> 00:00:39.719 Oh my hero's on the clock, and the Cats get 16 00:00:39.759 --> 00:00:45.119 out of Oklahoma on the WD. What U when Otaga. 17 00:00:44.479 --> 00:00:49.240 Always saves the day against his former school. That is 18 00:00:49.280 --> 00:00:53.240 the way it ended last night, A crazy finished to Kentucky, Oklahoma. 19 00:00:53.719 --> 00:00:56.240 Welcome to the Big Moon Insider. Dick Gabriel with you. 20 00:00:56.280 --> 00:00:59.520 But with a men's game last night and finishing the 21 00:00:59.520 --> 00:01:02.600 way it did, we got to start talking about that, 22 00:01:02.799 --> 00:01:07.879 because wow, what a game. And I both listened and watched. 23 00:01:07.920 --> 00:01:09.840 I listened to Jack and Tom in the first half 24 00:01:09.840 --> 00:01:12.760 in the postgame, listening to TV in the second half, 25 00:01:13.599 --> 00:01:17.079 as I often do, just because sometimes people get online 26 00:01:17.120 --> 00:01:19.640 and complain about the TV coverage. I want to know 27 00:01:19.640 --> 00:01:22.159 what they're talking about. But I can tell you this, 28 00:01:22.560 --> 00:01:24.840 going back and listening to the last part of the game, 29 00:01:25.359 --> 00:01:29.359 I always say this, nobody has more fun working these 30 00:01:29.439 --> 00:01:33.400 games than Jack Gibbons. Yeah, we miss our buddy Mike Pratt, 31 00:01:33.439 --> 00:01:36.040 but Jack took over when we lost Mike and has 32 00:01:36.079 --> 00:01:38.599 done doing just an incredible job, as you knew he would. 33 00:01:39.560 --> 00:01:41.400 But you know, and he talked with us on the 34 00:01:41.439 --> 00:01:44.840 show a couple of weeks ago. He said, UK and 35 00:01:45.000 --> 00:01:48.079 JM I the right tolder the UK network people. They 36 00:01:48.200 --> 00:01:52.359 understand that Jackson fan first when he was doing Orlando 37 00:01:52.439 --> 00:01:55.000 Magic games, when he worked with me on high school 38 00:01:55.040 --> 00:01:57.599 games way back in the day, in Transylvania games and 39 00:01:57.640 --> 00:01:58.239 things like that. 40 00:01:58.560 --> 00:01:59.439 Of course he was. 41 00:01:59.439 --> 00:02:04.959 A broadcast first, but his beloved Wildcats being what they are, man, 42 00:02:05.640 --> 00:02:08.719 and in a game like that. I mean, as I 43 00:02:08.759 --> 00:02:12.159 was listening to the game unfold and I could just 44 00:02:12.159 --> 00:02:15.240 see Jack just twitching in his chair because things weren't 45 00:02:15.240 --> 00:02:17.960 always going well. The boy did they ever down the 46 00:02:18.000 --> 00:02:21.520 stretch as the Wildcats pulled it out. 47 00:02:21.960 --> 00:02:23.240 A huge win on the road. 48 00:02:23.479 --> 00:02:27.120 Any conference win, you know this, any conference win is big. 49 00:02:27.319 --> 00:02:30.159 A conference went on the road is huge. And the 50 00:02:30.199 --> 00:02:32.879 way the Wildcats had a lead, let it get away 51 00:02:33.080 --> 00:02:35.199 came back, had to lead, let it get away, had 52 00:02:35.240 --> 00:02:39.039 to come from behind late with people in foul trouble 53 00:02:40.039 --> 00:02:42.240 and no Jackson Robinson in the second half. 54 00:02:42.240 --> 00:02:44.000 You look pretty good for being kind of. 55 00:02:44.000 --> 00:02:46.919 Rusty in the first half but apparently aggravated the risk. 56 00:02:47.000 --> 00:02:52.280 But Lamont Butler came through, played well and in fact, 57 00:02:53.080 --> 00:02:56.159 Jack Gibbons talked to him after the game. Oh he 58 00:02:56.360 --> 00:02:58.039 was back talking to the rest of the media. It 59 00:02:58.080 --> 00:03:03.039 was Brandon Garrison, but Jack talked to Lamont Butler for 60 00:03:03.120 --> 00:03:05.159 the first time in forever on the post game show. 61 00:03:05.879 --> 00:03:07.759 I can't tell you how good it is to see 62 00:03:07.800 --> 00:03:09.039 you back off the floor, man. 63 00:03:09.080 --> 00:03:10.919 I feel even better to be out there playing with 64 00:03:10.960 --> 00:03:11.520 my guys. 65 00:03:11.599 --> 00:03:11.800 Man. 66 00:03:11.840 --> 00:03:13.400 I just you know, uh, you know. 67 00:03:13.479 --> 00:03:16.080 Last couple of weeks, I've just been you know, working 68 00:03:16.120 --> 00:03:18.120 itching the play and you know, they they've done a 69 00:03:18.159 --> 00:03:20.080 great job. You know, even when I was out, you know, 70 00:03:20.080 --> 00:03:20.879 I was glad I was. 71 00:03:20.879 --> 00:03:21.840 Able to contribute today. 72 00:03:22.080 --> 00:03:23.400 You had a great effort by everybody. 73 00:03:23.400 --> 00:03:25.159 You got to got the win, man'll take away. 74 00:03:25.319 --> 00:03:28.080 How do how do you keep a guy going like that? 75 00:03:28.560 --> 00:03:30.639 I know you have to get him the ball, but 76 00:03:30.680 --> 00:03:33.520 we also know the defenses trying their best not to 77 00:03:33.639 --> 00:03:35.719 let him get it. How do you guys keep a 78 00:03:35.719 --> 00:03:36.599 guy like that going? 79 00:03:36.680 --> 00:03:38.199 Yeah, so, I mean I think in the first half 80 00:03:38.280 --> 00:03:40.120 he had you know, got to got to the lane 81 00:03:40.120 --> 00:03:41.840 and just missed a couple of easy ones, you know, 82 00:03:41.960 --> 00:03:42.599 a couple. 83 00:03:42.280 --> 00:03:43.199 Of tough shots. 84 00:03:43.719 --> 00:03:45.199 The second half, I you know, I tried to get 85 00:03:45.240 --> 00:03:46.599 him going to them easy shots. 86 00:03:46.639 --> 00:03:47.759 I got him the one. 87 00:03:47.680 --> 00:03:49.360 Three at the at the wind, got him going there, 88 00:03:49.400 --> 00:03:51.560 and I got him kick ahead, you know, just lay up, 89 00:03:51.759 --> 00:03:53.240 and you know, from there he was going. You know it, 90 00:03:53.240 --> 00:03:56.000 don't it don't take much to to start him, you know, 91 00:03:56.039 --> 00:03:58.479 start scoring and stuff like that. So after that he 92 00:03:58.560 --> 00:03:59.960 just took over the game. And you know, I'm glad 93 00:04:00.120 --> 00:04:01.120 guy he was able to do that for. 94 00:04:01.199 --> 00:04:03.360 Him, I would say so. 95 00:04:03.599 --> 00:04:07.159 And Butler only played about twenty minutes. He did have 96 00:04:07.560 --> 00:04:12.080 the foul trouble, of course, but he was effective, wasn't 97 00:04:12.080 --> 00:04:14.479 he when he was in there. He was a guy 98 00:04:14.520 --> 00:04:19.439 who needed to at times calm the Wildcats down, needed, 99 00:04:19.480 --> 00:04:23.439 as he said, to help oh Way, get going, look 100 00:04:23.519 --> 00:04:27.000 for him on offense, fed him, Hey, how about the steal, 101 00:04:27.040 --> 00:04:28.839 and then the feed when Oway took it in late 102 00:04:29.160 --> 00:04:29.920 from the slam. 103 00:04:30.199 --> 00:04:33.879 Thank you to Lamont Butler after. 104 00:04:33.879 --> 00:04:37.800 Getting into foul trouble. Played only twenty minutes, had one 105 00:04:37.839 --> 00:04:40.560 Bucket missed his only three point try, but five for 106 00:04:40.800 --> 00:04:44.000 five from the line, which is where the Wildcats won 107 00:04:44.040 --> 00:04:47.759 the game. Four rebound, six assists, and only three turn 108 00:04:47.920 --> 00:04:50.560 Well that's a lot in twenty but three turnovers. But 109 00:04:51.600 --> 00:04:53.480 I mentioned free throws because when you look at the 110 00:04:53.560 --> 00:04:58.000 numbers and you may have already done this. Wildcats didn't 111 00:04:58.000 --> 00:05:00.720 have as many field goals, didn't have as many, but 112 00:05:01.399 --> 00:05:03.720 beat Oklahoma at the free throw line. There's always the 113 00:05:03.800 --> 00:05:10.959 requisite whining about officiating on social media. But Kentucky outshot 114 00:05:11.120 --> 00:05:15.279 Oklahoma was eighteen and twenty four from the line. Car 115 00:05:15.319 --> 00:05:18.040 missed a couple late. Oh that killed me. Oh Way 116 00:05:18.079 --> 00:05:21.480 missed one as well. But the Cats eighteen of twenty four, 117 00:05:21.639 --> 00:05:24.959 Oklahoma just twelve of seventeen and missed the front end 118 00:05:25.000 --> 00:05:28.959 at least once. So that's where Kentucky won the game 119 00:05:29.000 --> 00:05:32.439 at the line. On the road, Oklahoma had ten of 120 00:05:32.480 --> 00:05:35.759 twenty five from three, not a great three point shooting team, 121 00:05:35.839 --> 00:05:39.000 but something got into the Sooners. Cats were seven to 122 00:05:39.120 --> 00:05:42.879 twenty three. Oklahoma had a slight advantage on the boards 123 00:05:42.879 --> 00:05:49.040 thirty four to thirty one, but still Kentucky grounded out and. 124 00:05:48.959 --> 00:05:49.600 Got the win. 125 00:05:50.680 --> 00:05:54.560 And Tom Leech talked to Mark Pope about the game 126 00:05:54.600 --> 00:05:57.879 about Otega Ohway and the fact. 127 00:05:57.680 --> 00:06:00.639 That he scored twenty one of twenty. 128 00:06:00.399 --> 00:06:05.560 Three down the stretch the Wildcats, including eighteen straight and 129 00:06:06.040 --> 00:06:07.199 you may never see that again. 130 00:06:07.600 --> 00:06:10.600 Otega always scores the final eighteen points at the game. 131 00:06:10.639 --> 00:06:14.279 Ever have a player to take over a game like that, No, I. 132 00:06:14.199 --> 00:06:16.319 Thought it was really an incredible effort, especially since his 133 00:06:16.439 --> 00:06:20.879 first thirty two minutes were so incredibly shaky. You know, 134 00:06:21.000 --> 00:06:24.199 there was a lot of frustration rolling around our team, 135 00:06:25.759 --> 00:06:27.759 and then Otaga was super frustrated. 136 00:06:27.879 --> 00:06:29.800 You know, it wasn't his fin as thirty two. 137 00:06:31.839 --> 00:06:34.680 But the one thing about Otaga that we've learned over 138 00:06:34.720 --> 00:06:38.560 the season is that like he just he always is 139 00:06:38.680 --> 00:06:41.800 kind of just around the corner from making huge plays, 140 00:06:41.839 --> 00:06:43.959 and so sometimes you just. 141 00:06:43.959 --> 00:06:46.040 Kind of have to keep. 142 00:06:46.120 --> 00:06:47.600 Yeah, that's got to look away. 143 00:06:48.720 --> 00:06:51.160 But man, what an epic response by him, Like it 144 00:06:51.279 --> 00:06:54.000 was an unbelievable performance from him down the stretch. 145 00:06:54.920 --> 00:06:58.199 You gotta think, oh, he might have been pressing physically, mentally, whatever, 146 00:06:58.399 --> 00:07:01.560 being back in Oklahoma, but he caught fire at the 147 00:07:01.680 --> 00:07:04.600 right time. Brandon Garrison had a solid game. They don't 148 00:07:04.639 --> 00:07:06.560 win without it. They really don't win without any of them. 149 00:07:07.360 --> 00:07:12.120 But Garrison coming back after transferring in from Oklahoma State 150 00:07:13.240 --> 00:07:16.279 was vital. And those are the two guys that spoke 151 00:07:16.319 --> 00:07:18.240 to the media afterward. 152 00:07:18.439 --> 00:07:19.639 And it wasn't there. 153 00:07:19.879 --> 00:07:23.240 I would have a comment from Ohway, but there's some 154 00:07:23.279 --> 00:07:26.800 postgame on YouTube you can barely hear. Oh wait, I 155 00:07:26.839 --> 00:07:31.560 don't think his microphone was working. They had Brandon, Pope 156 00:07:31.879 --> 00:07:34.240 and Oway, and Brandon had his little girl with him, 157 00:07:34.639 --> 00:07:39.160 and I think it was a little girl. You heard 158 00:07:39.279 --> 00:07:42.519 you heard the child every now and then. But when 159 00:07:42.560 --> 00:07:45.800 Oway did speak, and he's got that deep, soft voice, 160 00:07:45.839 --> 00:07:48.360 but still, I don't think his mic was on, So 161 00:07:48.639 --> 00:07:50.839 I didn't have a chance to pull anything off and 162 00:07:50.879 --> 00:07:51.519 share it with you. 163 00:07:51.639 --> 00:07:54.519 But yeah, what a game man. 164 00:07:54.959 --> 00:07:58.079 Twenty eight points, twelve out of twenty one, three or 165 00:07:58.120 --> 00:08:03.360 five from the line, six rebounds, four turnovers, thirty two minutes. 166 00:08:04.079 --> 00:08:06.560 Just amazing, you know, played the most minutes. Kobe Brea 167 00:08:07.279 --> 00:08:10.519 thirty five. He was only one for six from three 168 00:08:10.560 --> 00:08:14.000 point land. They did a great job Oklahoma did of 169 00:08:14.079 --> 00:08:17.480 running him off the ark, but otherwise he was two 170 00:08:17.560 --> 00:08:21.600 for four, had a couple of free throws, seven rebounds 171 00:08:21.680 --> 00:08:25.279 and three assists. Amari Williams in foul trouble most of 172 00:08:25.319 --> 00:08:31.759 the evening, played only nineteen minutes at three rebounds and 173 00:08:31.879 --> 00:08:35.600 eight points and three assists. That was huge and they 174 00:08:35.679 --> 00:08:39.879 kept breaking it down on TV is passing to the 175 00:08:39.919 --> 00:08:43.879 Cutters going through. So a huge win for the Wildcats 176 00:08:44.480 --> 00:08:50.600 with Auburn coming to town. Auburn last night destroyed Ole 177 00:08:50.600 --> 00:08:54.039 Miss by thirty points. That was about the only thing 178 00:08:54.039 --> 00:08:57.639 in the league that went as you might have thought 179 00:08:57.639 --> 00:09:00.000 it would. You might have thought Kentucky would beat Oklahoma, 180 00:09:00.080 --> 00:09:01.759 but did you expect a game like that? 181 00:09:01.879 --> 00:09:04.320 I don't think anybody did. How can you? It was 182 00:09:04.360 --> 00:09:05.240 a great ballgame. 183 00:09:06.320 --> 00:09:10.279 And if you watch the SEC network, Dane Bradshaw was 184 00:09:10.320 --> 00:09:12.679 actually in studio, they said for the first time in 185 00:09:12.720 --> 00:09:16.480 about eight years, former Tennessee guard along with Pat Bradley, 186 00:09:17.320 --> 00:09:19.759 and they just raved about oh way. They said, that 187 00:09:19.799 --> 00:09:23.919 was one of the greatest performances they've ever seen and 188 00:09:24.080 --> 00:09:26.440 one of the great games you'll see this year in 189 00:09:26.519 --> 00:09:32.559 the Southeastern Conference. But Vanderbilt upsets A and M. You 190 00:09:32.639 --> 00:09:35.320 saw this, you're trying to watch the Kentucky game. 191 00:09:35.679 --> 00:09:37.399 That game wouldn't end the. 192 00:09:37.399 --> 00:09:41.200 Vandy holds on. That was nineteen wins now for Vandy. 193 00:09:41.279 --> 00:09:44.960 So the Kentucky loss, you still regret it if you're Kentucky, 194 00:09:45.000 --> 00:09:49.039 but doesn't look quite as bad, does it. And Arkansas 195 00:09:49.080 --> 00:09:55.039 beats Texas, finishes the sweep of the Longhorns. I'm telling 196 00:09:55.080 --> 00:09:58.639 you that team is better off without Boogie Flan and 197 00:09:58.679 --> 00:10:01.440 maybe they would have figured things out, but this really 198 00:10:01.519 --> 00:10:07.679 expedited the situation because they had to develop more balance 199 00:10:08.120 --> 00:10:12.960 and they've done it. So Arkansas now squarely on the 200 00:10:12.960 --> 00:10:18.720 bubble about that with a win over Texas. Now while 201 00:10:18.759 --> 00:10:21.399 we're talking about the stretch run and Shawn Woods brought 202 00:10:21.399 --> 00:10:23.159 this up with me last week. I'm going to talk 203 00:10:23.159 --> 00:10:26.320 to him on Friday. We couldn't talk to Sean or 204 00:10:26.360 --> 00:10:28.480 our Western Bureau chief Gary Moore because of the game 205 00:10:28.600 --> 00:10:30.879 last night, but we'll talk to both of them on 206 00:10:30.919 --> 00:10:36.480 Friday show. But Saint John's Saint John's wins on the road, 207 00:10:36.720 --> 00:10:38.759 and again it's weird, but it's a big East game. 208 00:10:39.120 --> 00:10:44.600 With Butler in hinkle Field, House, Historic hinkle Field House. 209 00:10:45.080 --> 00:10:47.759 Saint John's wins at seventy six to seventy last night, 210 00:10:49.200 --> 00:10:53.840 and the Johnnies can clinch the program's first outright League 211 00:10:53.879 --> 00:11:00.519 title since nineteen eighty five this Saturday against Seaton. Right now, 212 00:11:00.559 --> 00:11:04.799 they're sharing the crown with Creighton. Saint John's will beat 213 00:11:04.840 --> 00:11:08.000 seton Halls. You know it's not very good. Saint John's 214 00:11:08.320 --> 00:11:12.320 is his first time since ninety two that they've gotten 215 00:11:12.320 --> 00:11:15.399 a share of the Big East title. But eighty five 216 00:11:16.440 --> 00:11:21.120 is the last time Saint John's wanted outright. That was 217 00:11:21.159 --> 00:11:24.879 the year that Saint John's played in the Final four 218 00:11:25.000 --> 00:11:29.320 with two other Big East teams right here in lexingon 219 00:11:30.120 --> 00:11:35.399 the other teams Villanova and Georgetown, and those are the 220 00:11:35.440 --> 00:11:39.519 teams that played for the national championship. But Patino's got 221 00:11:39.559 --> 00:11:43.000 Saint John's right where he said you would have them. 222 00:11:43.320 --> 00:11:48.919 Maybe you're watching Red Storm Rising, the documentary series. But 223 00:11:49.000 --> 00:11:51.720 he's getting it done with the team kind of wins, 224 00:11:51.799 --> 00:11:55.440 ugly wins, with defense. He'll tell you, not a really 225 00:11:55.480 --> 00:12:00.639 good offensive team, not a good shooting team, but they've 226 00:12:00.639 --> 00:12:03.120 come from behind and wins and they've gotten it done. 227 00:12:04.799 --> 00:12:06.879 Maybe it doesn't make the Final four but it will 228 00:12:06.879 --> 00:12:10.200 get into the postseason, it will get into the NCAAs, 229 00:12:10.679 --> 00:12:13.919 and it will win. I think at least a couple 230 00:12:13.919 --> 00:12:15.559 of games. I've had a chance to watch them a 231 00:12:15.559 --> 00:12:17.559 couple of times. They are dangerous. 232 00:12:18.600 --> 00:12:20.039 Or to come on the Best of the Big Blue 233 00:12:20.080 --> 00:12:23.679 Insider here on six thirty wlap. Hey, it's Dick Gabriel. 234 00:12:23.720 --> 00:12:25.480 This is the Best of the Big Blue Insider. I 235 00:12:25.519 --> 00:12:29.080 am busy working with the boys sweet sixteen, so I'm 236 00:12:29.080 --> 00:12:31.039 taking you back to a day we did some interviews 237 00:12:31.080 --> 00:12:34.919 with the football wiltcatch, including a brand new offensive lineman. 238 00:12:35.200 --> 00:12:39.639 On the Best of the Big Blue Insider, talk about unique. 239 00:12:39.519 --> 00:12:44.799 Chaiyaze Pete, an offensive lineman, likely the starting left tackle 240 00:12:45.519 --> 00:12:51.320 six' eight, three twenty one senior transfer From New Mexico State. 241 00:12:51.399 --> 00:12:57.480 University he's a full Blooded Navajo Native. American played three 242 00:12:57.559 --> 00:13:01.840 seasons well kind of At New Mexico. State sat out 243 00:13:01.879 --> 00:13:06.919 as a, freshman played as a red shirt freshman in twelve, 244 00:13:06.960 --> 00:13:11.200 games started nine and after that started fifteen as a 245 00:13:11.240 --> 00:13:14.519 sophomore six games last, year but sat out the back 246 00:13:14.559 --> 00:13:17.399 half of the season with an. Injury and he came 247 00:13:17.440 --> 00:13:20.240 through the portal and you might recall he was the 248 00:13:20.240 --> 00:13:23.519 Guy kentucky was waiting. On you might have heard, that, 249 00:13:23.600 --> 00:13:27.320 well the portal traffic may be, done but there's one 250 00:13:27.360 --> 00:13:30.279 guy they're waiting, on or at least one old. Lineman 251 00:13:30.720 --> 00:13:36.159 and this was the. Guy and for whatever, reason other teams, dawdled, 252 00:13:36.320 --> 00:13:41.559 apparently And kentucky was, there and he cast his ballot 253 00:13:41.639 --> 00:13:46.320 basically chose The. Wildcats and today he talked to us 254 00:13:46.320 --> 00:13:47.559 about why he chose to be In. 255 00:13:47.639 --> 00:13:51.559 LEXIDON i feel like a lot of other universities WERE 256 00:13:51.879 --> 00:13:54.879 i guess not taking, seriously or the ship had already 257 00:13:54.879 --> 00:13:57.159 said for a lot of, them But kentucky still offered their. 258 00:13:57.200 --> 00:13:59.799 Hand And Coach stoops as a, statesman he is a 259 00:13:59.879 --> 00:14:02.399 very genuine, man AND i placed a lot of my 260 00:14:02.440 --> 00:14:04.840 trust into him in my final, Decision in my final 261 00:14:04.879 --> 00:14:05.559 decision with. 262 00:14:05.679 --> 00:14:07.720 Him how much was the relationship With Coach wolford a 263 00:14:07.759 --> 00:14:08.120 part of that? 264 00:14:08.159 --> 00:14:12.120 Too my relationship with, Him, YEAH i mean, it it 265 00:14:12.440 --> 00:14:14.200 started at the, end at the start of the. Year 266 00:14:14.879 --> 00:14:17.440 he's he lives up to his. Name he's, wolf he's, 267 00:14:17.480 --> 00:14:20.559 cunning he's, keen he's pretty. SHARP i LIKE i like 268 00:14:20.600 --> 00:14:20.960 that about. 269 00:14:21.000 --> 00:14:22.960 Him there's a lot of guys From los bruss that 270 00:14:23.080 --> 00:14:25.879 went To vanderbilt did did did? 271 00:14:25.960 --> 00:14:28.000 They did they try to pull you that direction as? 272 00:14:28.039 --> 00:14:31.720 Well actually toured At nashville OR i did an official. 273 00:14:31.799 --> 00:14:34.480 Visit it was good to see MY i, guess my 274 00:14:34.559 --> 00:14:37.759 former coaches, there former. Teammates it was good to, reconnect 275 00:14:38.039 --> 00:14:40.080 but it just wasn't the right fit for me in 276 00:14:40.159 --> 00:14:43.799 terms of their offensive, scheme AND i JUST i wanted 277 00:14:43.840 --> 00:14:47.480 SOMETHING i guess different FROM i Guess New mexico Slash 278 00:14:47.559 --> 00:14:48.679 vanderbilt's offensive. 279 00:14:48.720 --> 00:14:52.759 Scheme so how how challenging was it having the year 280 00:14:52.799 --> 00:14:54.799 that you had two seasons ago and then. 281 00:14:54.919 --> 00:14:56.919 Not being able to play for you, know half the 282 00:14:57.000 --> 00:14:57.399 year last. 283 00:14:57.440 --> 00:15:00.480 Year it was definitely a, Challenge but BUT i still 284 00:15:00.519 --> 00:15:02.519 approached it LIKE i would any other. Season you, know 285 00:15:02.559 --> 00:15:05.600 it's Still i'm still playing football out, there Whether i'm 286 00:15:05.879 --> 00:15:09.159 actually not playing football or. NOT i sustained a pretty 287 00:15:09.200 --> 00:15:11.679 heavy injury AND i had to kind of come come 288 00:15:11.720 --> 00:15:15.159 to terms with, that face reality and work my ass 289 00:15:15.159 --> 00:15:19.080 off when it comes to rehabilitation and getting myself battle. 290 00:15:19.080 --> 00:15:24.000 Ready, yeah you said Coach stoops as a, Statesman. 291 00:15:23.519 --> 00:15:24.159 What do you mean by? 292 00:15:24.200 --> 00:15:24.960 That well's. 293 00:15:25.080 --> 00:15:27.919 Genuine he's super honest and he means what he. Says 294 00:15:28.639 --> 00:15:32.279 AND i like that about. Him he's a genuine. Person 295 00:15:32.320 --> 00:15:36.200 he's he's very uh how do you put? It focuses 296 00:15:36.240 --> 00:15:39.399 on the players and the fact that this team is 297 00:15:39.440 --> 00:15:43.360 going to be player lit in the sense THAT i, 298 00:15:43.360 --> 00:15:45.600 mean we're going to pave the way for. It we're 299 00:15:45.639 --> 00:15:47.519 the first on the. Line we're going to define our. 300 00:15:47.559 --> 00:15:51.000 Culture given, OTHERS i mean a lot of new transfers and, 301 00:15:51.039 --> 00:15:53.519 whatnot we have to come up with something like. 302 00:15:53.519 --> 00:15:56.799 That when you were Researching, kentucky what did you? 303 00:15:56.879 --> 00:15:59.279 See what did you look? For what DID i? 304 00:15:59.279 --> 00:16:02.840 See what DID i look for? For, well one of my, decisions, 305 00:16:03.080 --> 00:16:06.240 apologies one of my decisions was kind of conference AM 306 00:16:06.240 --> 00:16:10.159 i willing to compete? In AND i, Figured, hell this 307 00:16:10.200 --> 00:16:12.399 is one hell of a mountain to, climb SO i 308 00:16:12.440 --> 00:16:15.080 might as a, climate you, Know I'm i'm committed to 309 00:16:15.120 --> 00:16:18.080 making my last stand. Here so that's what was one 310 00:16:18.080 --> 00:16:18.639 of my decision. 311 00:16:18.639 --> 00:16:21.360 Points she is transferring to THE sec being AN nfl draft, 312 00:16:21.440 --> 00:16:23.919 Prospect you're gonna be one of the most Visible Native 313 00:16:23.919 --> 00:16:26.120 American navajo athletes in the. Country what does that kind 314 00:16:26.120 --> 00:16:28.600 of label mean to you in representing. 315 00:16:28.080 --> 00:16:28.519 That part of your? 316 00:16:28.519 --> 00:16:32.679 Culture, again it's a deep. OWNER i love WHAT i 317 00:16:32.759 --> 00:16:35.639 do AND i do it for my, community for the, 318 00:16:35.679 --> 00:16:39.840 youth to give them a beacon of hope that you, 319 00:16:39.840 --> 00:16:41.919 know there's there's a way out of, It there's there's 320 00:16:41.919 --> 00:16:45.399 a way. Up there's a way that to create and 321 00:16:45.480 --> 00:16:48.720 turn defeat into. Victory And I'm i'm proud to be 322 00:16:48.720 --> 00:16:51.159 on the frontier of that and to define. 323 00:16:51.200 --> 00:16:52.639 It were there guys you looked. 324 00:16:52.480 --> 00:16:53.440 Up to growing up like that? 325 00:16:53.480 --> 00:16:56.240 Too who take the way for you to be in the? Spot? 326 00:16:58.279 --> 00:17:02.000 Not how do you? Mean were there Other Native. 327 00:17:01.799 --> 00:17:03.759 American AND ava athletes out there who you, thought, OH 328 00:17:03.799 --> 00:17:05.920 i can do that, too or were you kind of carving. 329 00:17:05.640 --> 00:17:08.920 That nim as A Native american. Athlete he's a big 330 00:17:08.920 --> 00:17:11.720 influence on, me big. INSPIRATION i WISH i could shake 331 00:17:11.720 --> 00:17:14.880 his inn and introduce, myself But i'd have to say 332 00:17:14.920 --> 00:17:15.599 that's one of my main. 333 00:17:15.640 --> 00:17:18.079 INFLUENCES a few years, ago believe it or, not there 334 00:17:18.160 --> 00:17:20.880 was a pro athlete here in, town minor league baseball 335 00:17:20.880 --> 00:17:23.240 player who was the first member of The crow nation 336 00:17:23.440 --> 00:17:25.200 to be a pro, athlete and he. 337 00:17:25.200 --> 00:17:27.279 Told us what that meant to his, culture stretching all 338 00:17:27.319 --> 00:17:29.359 the way back To. Montana you, know have you heard 339 00:17:29.400 --> 00:17:31.680 from a lot of relatives and things like? 340 00:17:31.720 --> 00:17:34.599 That, yeah you, know people reach out and what. NOT i, 341 00:17:34.599 --> 00:17:37.279 mean it's a very close knit community within The navo. 342 00:17:37.400 --> 00:17:40.559 Nation i've, had you, know fans come up and introduce 343 00:17:40.640 --> 00:17:43.480 themselves and. Whatnot but how do you feel about? That it's, 344 00:17:43.559 --> 00:17:49.640 Nice it's it's, different it's, new And I'm i'm recognizing 345 00:17:49.640 --> 00:17:52.119 That i'm a public, figure SO i have to conduct 346 00:17:52.119 --> 00:17:56.319 my business in a professional manner and compete with, class 347 00:17:57.200 --> 00:17:57.839 compete with. 348 00:17:59.759 --> 00:18:00.640 Likesop the. 349 00:18:00.799 --> 00:18:03.119 Estatesman how different. 350 00:18:02.880 --> 00:18:05.319 Is it being In kentucky where they're just not a 351 00:18:05.359 --> 00:18:07.759 lot of Other navajo people, around Versus New mexico where 352 00:18:07.799 --> 00:18:10.480 you grew up where it was so much more common. 353 00:18:10.160 --> 00:18:12.759 In being around it's on that community. 354 00:18:12.599 --> 00:18:16.200 Or it's like it's foreign. Territory i'll tell you that 355 00:18:16.599 --> 00:18:18.960 there's not a lot of representation out, here And i'm 356 00:18:18.960 --> 00:18:21.799 Realizing i'm in like there's there's no one else, here 357 00:18:22.440 --> 00:18:27.960 AND i guess understanding THE i guess the knowing that 358 00:18:27.960 --> 00:18:30.119 there's not a lot of representation out, THERE i have 359 00:18:30.160 --> 00:18:34.759 an opportunity to to be that person that to be 360 00:18:34.799 --> 00:18:37.079 on the frontier of, it to represent. 361 00:18:38.160 --> 00:18:41.640 That Is shaya's. Pete the new offensive lineman came through 362 00:18:41.680 --> 00:18:42.960 the portal From New. 363 00:18:42.960 --> 00:18:45.480 Mexico state up next on The best of The Big Moon, 364 00:18:45.559 --> 00:18:49.480 Sider my conversation With Tom, hammond legendary. Sportscaster it is 365 00:18:49.519 --> 00:18:51.400 the best of The Big Moon sider on six point 366 00:18:51.400 --> 00:18:54.759 thirty Wlap, Hey Dick, Gabriel i'm working the Boys sweet, 367 00:18:54.799 --> 00:18:57.039 sixteen so here's more of the best of The Big. 368 00:18:57.079 --> 00:18:59.440 Moonsider welcome back to The Big Moon, Sider. 369 00:18:59.480 --> 00:19:02.720 JOHNNY i was a longtime friend and an absolute mentor 370 00:19:03.119 --> 00:19:06.680 to many of. Us Tom hammond legendary, sportscaster you know 371 00:19:06.759 --> 00:19:10.039 his work From wlax here In lexingon for several, years 372 00:19:10.079 --> 00:19:13.880 but for the longest TIME Nbc, sports THE, nfl THE, 373 00:19:14.000 --> 00:19:18.440 nba college, basketball The, olympics and of course his book is. 374 00:19:18.400 --> 00:19:21.160 Now, tom welcome. Back last time you AND i talked 375 00:19:21.240 --> 00:19:25.119 was right before the book was, released and Now, Races 376 00:19:25.200 --> 00:19:28.839 games And Olympic dreams Of Sportscasters life is. Out you 377 00:19:28.839 --> 00:19:31.000 can get it Via amazon and in bookstores. 378 00:19:31.039 --> 00:19:32.720 Everywhere how's it doing. 379 00:19:33.960 --> 00:19:36.400 Well it's doing well as far AS i. Know Dick Mark, 380 00:19:36.480 --> 00:19:38.680 story my co, author And i've been around the state 381 00:19:39.920 --> 00:19:42.559 doing some signings and giving a little program about the 382 00:19:42.599 --> 00:19:45.039 book and how we came to write. It and the 383 00:19:45.079 --> 00:19:48.640 reception has been. Good, now always have a caveat. THAT 384 00:19:48.680 --> 00:19:50.319 i don't think anybody's going to walk up to me 385 00:19:50.359 --> 00:19:52.759 and say this book is. Terrible so it might not 386 00:19:52.880 --> 00:19:56.079 be the best sample of how it's, received but so 387 00:19:56.200 --> 00:19:58.200 far it's been, very very. Positive you. 388 00:19:58.240 --> 00:20:01.119 Know that's. Something and we're we're all sitting around telling. 389 00:20:01.160 --> 00:20:03.759 Stories the other day at the reception for the seventy five, 390 00:20:03.839 --> 00:20:07.160 team and somebody brought Up Jock. SUTHERLAND i learned that 391 00:20:07.200 --> 00:20:10.240 From jock very. Early he was a real mentor of 392 00:20:10.279 --> 00:20:12.400 mine as, well and he, said you, know he saw 393 00:20:12.440 --> 00:20:15.240 somebody recognize, me and he, said you, know they don't 394 00:20:15.240 --> 00:20:16.200 tell you when they don't like. 395 00:20:16.279 --> 00:20:22.160 You so, NOW i think in the age of social, 396 00:20:22.200 --> 00:20:24.480 media you, know people can get on there and write 397 00:20:24.480 --> 00:20:27.160 whatever they want and with no, accountability so good. 398 00:20:27.200 --> 00:20:27.720 Luck that's. 399 00:20:27.759 --> 00:20:30.559 True when they do come up and talk to, YOU 400 00:20:30.640 --> 00:20:33.799 i got to think most people do they hit you 401 00:20:33.880 --> 00:20:37.480