WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.280 --> 00:00:02.520 Welcome to the Big Blue and Sadderday. Gabriel with you 2 00:00:02.560 --> 00:00:05.280 on a Thursday edition of our program, and coming up tonight, 3 00:00:05.320 --> 00:00:09.759 Tony Cruz, longtime morning drive host at WHS Radio. We 4 00:00:09.800 --> 00:00:12.839 used to call them DJ's disc jockeys, but of course 5 00:00:12.839 --> 00:00:15.519 they don't play records anymore, at least most of them 6 00:00:15.560 --> 00:00:19.399 don't on AM radio. But anyhow, Tony has been the 7 00:00:20.000 --> 00:00:23.079 guy in the chair for more than twenty years at AHS, 8 00:00:23.079 --> 00:00:26.199 but prior to that, he hosted sports talk radio on 9 00:00:26.399 --> 00:00:29.800 HAS was part of the UK Network coverage of UK 10 00:00:29.920 --> 00:00:34.439 Sports for a while, and was prior to that EKU 11 00:00:34.560 --> 00:00:37.920 Network coverage of Colonel Sports. He went to EKU. So 12 00:00:37.960 --> 00:00:40.920 we'll get caught up with Tony, who just retired, and 13 00:00:40.960 --> 00:00:43.799 he will join us from Montana where he and his 14 00:00:43.840 --> 00:00:46.679 wife are doing some traveling and good for them. Our 15 00:00:46.799 --> 00:00:49.600 number two, Jeff Picoro's going to join us here in 16 00:00:49.640 --> 00:00:52.439 the garage. There's so much to talk about, the Vince 17 00:00:52.520 --> 00:00:55.960 Merrill move, the upcoming football season. Jeff, of course part 18 00:00:55.960 --> 00:00:59.119 of the UK Radio Network but also sports director of WTVQ, 19 00:00:59.359 --> 00:01:02.240 so there's a lot to discuss horse racing, so that 20 00:01:02.359 --> 00:01:06.319 comes up here in our number two. We begin tonight 21 00:01:06.400 --> 00:01:09.920 with the comment for Mark Stoops. Regarding Vince Merrow, Stoops 22 00:01:09.959 --> 00:01:12.200 has been out of pocket for the last twenty four 23 00:01:12.200 --> 00:01:15.040 to forty eight hours since Marrow the news slipped out 24 00:01:15.079 --> 00:01:18.159 that he was going to Louisville, So a prepared statement 25 00:01:18.280 --> 00:01:22.239 for Mark Stoops, We're thankful for coach Merrow's contributions to 26 00:01:22.319 --> 00:01:25.280 our program over the past twelve years. As we look 27 00:01:25.319 --> 00:01:28.040 to the new season and a new era of college football, 28 00:01:28.480 --> 00:01:31.239 we're focused on the opportunities at hand. Will continue to 29 00:01:31.239 --> 00:01:35.560 build a roster and staff that balances talent and experienced, maturity, physicality, 30 00:01:36.000 --> 00:01:38.319 and the attitude it takes to win in the nation's 31 00:01:38.319 --> 00:01:41.439 most competitive conference. I wish my friend in colleague nothing 32 00:01:41.480 --> 00:01:45.079 but the best. Yeah. Kind of a cookie cutter, rubber 33 00:01:45.120 --> 00:01:48.120 stamp sort of answer, but that's what you're going to 34 00:01:48.200 --> 00:01:50.719 get in a situation like this. He's not going to 35 00:01:50.840 --> 00:01:53.480 lash out, he's not going to show that he's angry 36 00:01:53.560 --> 00:01:56.400 if he is. You know, they're at the bottom line 37 00:01:56.439 --> 00:02:01.000 is there's still childhood bodies and they're I'm sure more 38 00:02:01.000 --> 00:02:04.200 than went into this than just Vince Merrill finally saying 39 00:02:04.280 --> 00:02:07.040 I'm gonna grab a better gig, even though it's at 40 00:02:07.359 --> 00:02:12.599 the arch rival. So Mark Stoops has spoken and he 41 00:02:12.680 --> 00:02:15.439 will be asked a lot about this at SEC media days. 42 00:02:15.719 --> 00:02:19.039 You better believe it, and that like the season is 43 00:02:19.159 --> 00:02:24.479 coming up sooner than later. Right down the road, UK, 44 00:02:25.199 --> 00:02:29.599 of course, in the acc SEC Challenge draws North Carolina. 45 00:02:30.479 --> 00:02:33.400 And when you think about UK and North Carolina of late, 46 00:02:34.039 --> 00:02:37.639 my mind immediately goes to Anthony Davis blocking that shot 47 00:02:38.360 --> 00:02:41.680 in twenty twelve to shut down to Tario's in one 48 00:02:41.680 --> 00:02:43.919 of the great games that year, maybe the best regular 49 00:02:43.960 --> 00:02:49.599 season game. Or Kentucky, but remember they played in December 50 00:02:49.639 --> 00:02:54.039 of twenty fourteen, that team, the Kentucky team that had 51 00:02:54.080 --> 00:02:59.039 designs on going undefeated. They walloped North Carolina eighty four 52 00:02:59.080 --> 00:03:03.080 to seventy. Kentucky up forty nine thirty four at the half. 53 00:03:03.120 --> 00:03:06.919 And get this, Karl Anthony Towns in that game, and 54 00:03:06.960 --> 00:03:10.439 I don't remember why played only nineteen minutes. I know 55 00:03:10.520 --> 00:03:13.719 that was the Platoon season, but I would have thought 56 00:03:13.719 --> 00:03:18.319 he'd played more than nineteen. Willie colly Stein played twenty eight. Towns, 57 00:03:18.319 --> 00:03:22.120 did not attempt a field goal, had two free throws, 58 00:03:22.159 --> 00:03:27.199 two rebounds. Just those two points bought the shot. But 59 00:03:28.240 --> 00:03:32.120 Willie caley Stein had fifteen so did. Devin Booker was 60 00:03:32.199 --> 00:03:35.240 five of eight, three for three from beyond the arc. Yes, 61 00:03:35.360 --> 00:03:38.319 he gave us a sneak preview of what would come 62 00:03:38.879 --> 00:03:44.199 in the NBA. The Harrison Twins combined for twenty five points, 63 00:03:45.080 --> 00:03:50.520 five assists by Andrew the point guard Andrew or Aaron 64 00:03:50.680 --> 00:03:55.159 was three of seven from beyond the arc, and Kentucky 65 00:03:55.680 --> 00:03:59.639 hit twenty seven of forty eight shots. Just thumped North 66 00:03:59.680 --> 00:04:03.800 Carolina back then. You know what happened after that. Wildcat's 67 00:04:03.879 --> 00:04:06.960 going to make the Final four but lose to Wisconsin. 68 00:04:07.000 --> 00:04:09.439 We will never forget that one, will we. But we 69 00:04:09.479 --> 00:04:13.319 will also never forget the North Carolina Kentucky game back 70 00:04:13.360 --> 00:04:17.839 in December of twenty eleven, actually the twenty eleven twelve season, 71 00:04:18.120 --> 00:04:22.439 the national title season in Kentucky. On that one, seventy 72 00:04:22.480 --> 00:04:27.560 three to seventy two, Wildcats were ranked number one, Carolina 73 00:04:27.639 --> 00:04:31.959 was ranked number five, and it was in doubt until 74 00:04:31.959 --> 00:04:34.839 literally the last five seconds. And remember I went back 75 00:04:34.879 --> 00:04:37.319 and watched the highlights on YouTube of the end of 76 00:04:37.319 --> 00:04:41.040 the game, and I had forgotten this that Anthony Davis 77 00:04:41.079 --> 00:04:42.959 made a great catch. I think it was from Michael 78 00:04:43.000 --> 00:04:47.000 Kidd Gilchris a pass and because Clark Kellogg raved about 79 00:04:47.000 --> 00:04:49.399 the catch that Davis made. Then he drops in a 80 00:04:49.480 --> 00:04:53.439 jump hook. Kentucky was down a point. Davis gave Kentucky 81 00:04:53.480 --> 00:04:57.399 the lead and everybody runs down the floor. North Carolina 82 00:04:57.439 --> 00:04:59.360 does not call time out. They work it into the 83 00:04:59.399 --> 00:05:03.920 middle and they get deep into the paint to Tyler Zeller, 84 00:05:04.000 --> 00:05:06.759 but somebody tipped the ball away from him. He recovered 85 00:05:07.240 --> 00:05:09.680 and some of them managed to get the ball off 86 00:05:09.720 --> 00:05:12.759 on the baseline of John Henson, who went up for 87 00:05:12.800 --> 00:05:14.920 what would have been the game winning shot. But of 88 00:05:14.920 --> 00:05:17.079 course Anthony Davis said other ideas. 89 00:05:17.519 --> 00:05:20.360 Marshall Pete Seller down low, loses the ball. 90 00:05:20.279 --> 00:05:22.600 Picked up by handsome tenth butter blood by Davis. 91 00:05:22.800 --> 00:05:25.279 Davis is getting the ball four seconds. 92 00:05:24.879 --> 00:05:25.959 To play off the team. 93 00:05:26.240 --> 00:05:28.959 He tribbles up to me in port tack. 94 00:05:29.040 --> 00:05:32.519 What's over. Kentucky wins by one. 95 00:05:33.319 --> 00:05:37.199 Aynstony Davis saved the day with the blood on Henson. 96 00:05:38.199 --> 00:05:40.199 And that's our man Tom Leach on the call on 97 00:05:40.240 --> 00:05:43.199 the UK network. So that's the North Carolina Kentucky game 98 00:05:43.639 --> 00:05:47.720 that comes to mind. But again Wildcats walloped the Tarios 99 00:05:48.240 --> 00:05:51.360 back in the regular season of fourteen to fifty. Of course, 100 00:05:51.360 --> 00:05:55.199 they played in the postseason as well, Kentucky beating North 101 00:05:55.199 --> 00:05:59.519 Carolina thanks to Josh Harrelson in that group, but also 102 00:06:00.120 --> 00:06:03.680 and Fox spam at a bioteam losing a game that 103 00:06:03.720 --> 00:06:06.319 would have put the Wildcats in the Final four. And 104 00:06:06.399 --> 00:06:09.560 I still believe if Kentucky wins that game, for better 105 00:06:09.680 --> 00:06:14.560 or worse, John Caliperry's probably still here. While we're talking basketball. 106 00:06:14.639 --> 00:06:17.279 The other day, I told you about the rule changes 107 00:06:17.319 --> 00:06:19.560 that might be on the way, mostly about video review 108 00:06:19.600 --> 00:06:22.720 and things like that, in the same report, and I 109 00:06:22.720 --> 00:06:25.040 didn't see this earlier. It really wasn't brought up until 110 00:06:25.079 --> 00:06:28.480 really recently, the last twenty four hours. Within that same 111 00:06:28.519 --> 00:06:34.680 report comes information that college basketball D one basketball men's 112 00:06:34.720 --> 00:06:38.839 basketball is seriously looking out going to quarters. They're going 113 00:06:38.879 --> 00:06:40.800 to put a committee together or something like that so 114 00:06:40.839 --> 00:06:45.480 they'll take forever. But why they haven't done this. Men's 115 00:06:45.560 --> 00:06:48.519 college basketball is the only form in the sport that 116 00:06:48.600 --> 00:06:52.600 still plays twenty minute halves. It's ridiculous. And if they'd 117 00:06:52.600 --> 00:06:55.120 only go to quarters the way they do everywhere else 118 00:06:55.160 --> 00:06:57.360 in the world. You talk about a better flow of 119 00:06:57.360 --> 00:07:01.879 the game, fewer free throws, that's what will happen. Bacers 120 00:07:01.920 --> 00:07:04.959 meet the Thunder last night SGA in company down two 121 00:07:05.000 --> 00:07:07.519 to one now in the NBA Finals. We're back in 122 00:07:07.600 --> 00:07:09.959 just a minute on the Big Blue Sider. More from 123 00:07:10.000 --> 00:07:12.800 otega Oway on the other side of the break here 124 00:07:12.839 --> 00:07:16.839 on six thirty WLAP. Welcome back to the Big Bloon Sider. 125 00:07:16.879 --> 00:07:18.639 Coming up at the bottom of the hour, we're going 126 00:07:18.720 --> 00:07:22.199 to talk with Tony Cruz, former sportscaster on the UK 127 00:07:22.279 --> 00:07:25.199 and that worked with a longtime morning drive voice at 128 00:07:25.240 --> 00:07:29.120 our sister station, WHS. He is just now retired, so 129 00:07:29.160 --> 00:07:31.600 we'll talk about how sports kind of evolved because he 130 00:07:31.759 --> 00:07:34.439 was a sports talk show host before he moved to 131 00:07:34.519 --> 00:07:37.360 morning drive radio. Then in hour number two, Jeff Bicoro 132 00:07:37.399 --> 00:07:39.199 with the UK Network will join us right here in 133 00:07:39.240 --> 00:07:42.040 the garage. So much to talk about with Jeff that 134 00:07:42.120 --> 00:07:44.879 we just decided to drag him in and talk to 135 00:07:44.959 --> 00:07:46.759 him face to face. So that's coming up a little 136 00:07:46.759 --> 00:07:49.519 bit later on. Of course, coming up tomorrow night is 137 00:07:49.560 --> 00:07:53.959 the College World Series minus the Wildcats. They fell short 138 00:07:54.000 --> 00:07:57.160 in the regional as you know, and while that is disappointing, 139 00:07:57.399 --> 00:08:01.360 keep in mind no team from last year's College World 140 00:08:01.399 --> 00:08:06.279 Series field has returned to Omaha this year. That's pretty amazing. 141 00:08:06.319 --> 00:08:09.600 One of the really interesting storylines in the world. So 142 00:08:09.680 --> 00:08:12.480 there's always great storylines, of course, not the least of 143 00:08:12.519 --> 00:08:16.959 which is Murray State, the number four seed from a regional, 144 00:08:17.360 --> 00:08:20.720 makes it to the tournament for just the fourth time 145 00:08:20.839 --> 00:08:26.040 since the current format was established in nineteen ninety nine. 146 00:08:26.240 --> 00:08:30.759 Now entering this season, a mid major has reached Omaha 147 00:08:30.839 --> 00:08:34.799 and won it all every eight years across two cycles 148 00:08:34.799 --> 00:08:38.200 throughout the COVID year twenty twenty. But you got Fresno 149 00:08:38.320 --> 00:08:44.080 State in twenty oh eight, Coastal Carolina in twenty sixteen, 150 00:08:44.559 --> 00:08:49.120 so it can't happen. Other four seeds Oral Roberts in 151 00:08:49.200 --> 00:08:52.440 twenty twenty three, lost in the second round, did win 152 00:08:52.480 --> 00:08:56.000 a game, but lost in the second round. Stonybrook in 153 00:08:56.120 --> 00:09:00.679 twenty twelve lost both games, but I remember, and Stonybrook 154 00:09:00.759 --> 00:09:02.840 made it. I was amazed then. Of course, back in 155 00:09:03.039 --> 00:09:05.600 eight Fresno State won it all, had to come out 156 00:09:05.600 --> 00:09:10.399 of the losers bracket, but won it all. So you know, 157 00:09:10.600 --> 00:09:13.799 any team at any time can jump up and win. 158 00:09:13.840 --> 00:09:16.960 And keep this in mind. Two of the national seeds, 159 00:09:17.000 --> 00:09:21.240 the top national seeds, because look at the draw, they 160 00:09:21.279 --> 00:09:25.519 face off in the opening round, Arkansas and LSU. And 161 00:09:25.639 --> 00:09:28.600 by the way, the only two SEC teams last year, 162 00:09:28.840 --> 00:09:32.039 half the field, four of the eight were from the SEC, 163 00:09:32.240 --> 00:09:36.120 the other four were for the ACC. This year, two 164 00:09:36.480 --> 00:09:40.759 Southeastern Conference teams and they square off Saturday night at 165 00:09:40.799 --> 00:09:45.759 seven o'clock. They have played three times this year. LSU 166 00:09:45.799 --> 00:09:49.120 won twice, both in Baton Ruge. That series was in 167 00:09:49.159 --> 00:09:54.039 Baton Rouge. So that's gonna be one heck of a game. 168 00:09:54.879 --> 00:10:03.720 That game will feature eleven all conference players, including the 169 00:10:03.799 --> 00:10:08.320 SEC player of the year, Razorbacks junior shortstop. Well he 170 00:10:08.399 --> 00:10:12.279 will alloy amazing. So there's gonna be a lot of 171 00:10:12.320 --> 00:10:14.600 purple and gold and a lot of cardinal and white 172 00:10:15.320 --> 00:10:20.600 at Charles Schwab Stadium. But yeah, only two SEC teams 173 00:10:20.600 --> 00:10:26.759 this year, pretty amazing. PAC twelve is dead, but three 174 00:10:27.039 --> 00:10:32.440 former PAC twelve teams have reached Omah, Arizona, Oregon State, 175 00:10:33.120 --> 00:10:37.320 and UCLA. And you remember Oregon State came to election 176 00:10:37.519 --> 00:10:41.759 and last year different team, you know, new personnel, and 177 00:10:41.960 --> 00:10:46.600 Kentucky beat Oregon State in two games to make the 178 00:10:46.679 --> 00:10:51.759 College World Series. But it's amazing to me Tennessee, the 179 00:10:51.919 --> 00:10:56.600 defending national champ, losing to Arkansas, and in fact Arkansas 180 00:10:56.759 --> 00:11:01.039 won the Super Regional two nothing A and M national 181 00:11:01.120 --> 00:11:03.799 runner up last year preseason picked to win it all, 182 00:11:04.240 --> 00:11:08.360 didn't make the tournament. Virginia went to the College World 183 00:11:08.399 --> 00:11:12.679 Series last year, didn't make the tournament. Florida slipped in 184 00:11:13.879 --> 00:11:16.200 to the College World Series last year, was slipped into 185 00:11:16.240 --> 00:11:18.440 the nca Tournament. Really then won its way to Omaha, 186 00:11:18.519 --> 00:11:24.559 you don't slip in, but lost at Coastal Carolina. North 187 00:11:24.559 --> 00:11:28.559 Carolina lost in the Supers to Arizona, NC State, which 188 00:11:28.679 --> 00:11:31.919 Kentucky beat in its opening game of the two home 189 00:11:32.000 --> 00:11:35.360 runs late one on the ninth, one tenth lost to 190 00:11:35.440 --> 00:11:41.279 Auburn in a regional. So just an incredible turnaround in 191 00:11:41.360 --> 00:11:45.080 college baseball. And if you're not all that interested, I 192 00:11:45.399 --> 00:11:49.879 can understand because the Wildcats aren't there, but take a 193 00:11:49.919 --> 00:11:53.720 peek at it. It's really compelling. It's a fun watch, 194 00:11:53.879 --> 00:11:57.240 even if your team is not in it all. Right. 195 00:11:57.279 --> 00:11:59.720 I mentioned earlier otego Oway. We had a chance to 196 00:11:59.759 --> 00:12:02.200 talk with him earlier this week, So everybody has been 197 00:12:02.600 --> 00:12:05.320 kind of turning a lot of Otago Away and Brandon 198 00:12:05.360 --> 00:12:08.320 Garrison's stories. It was good to talk to those guys. 199 00:12:08.320 --> 00:12:10.720 Gave us something to talk about, something additional to talk 200 00:12:10.759 --> 00:12:13.279 about here in the summer months now. And of course 201 00:12:13.320 --> 00:12:18.000 Away coming back from NBA tryouts essentially, and no shock 202 00:12:18.080 --> 00:12:21.000 that he came back to Kentucky because well, for one thing, 203 00:12:21.600 --> 00:12:24.639 he's going to make more money this year reportedly than 204 00:12:24.639 --> 00:12:27.240 he would have made as a late first or second 205 00:12:27.320 --> 00:12:30.960 round choice in the NBA draft, So it makes more sense. 206 00:12:31.000 --> 00:12:34.039 But now he's armed with that knowledge, he knows what 207 00:12:34.080 --> 00:12:37.360 he has to do coming back and playing another year 208 00:12:37.399 --> 00:12:41.200 of college basketball. I asked him, though, if when it 209 00:12:41.320 --> 00:12:45.399 came time to make that announcement and when he realized 210 00:12:45.440 --> 00:12:48.120 he was not going to be playing in the NBA 211 00:12:48.159 --> 00:12:50.200 this year at least, you know, throwing his name in 212 00:12:50.279 --> 00:12:54.320 the draft, was he disappointed? And of course he said. 213 00:12:54.120 --> 00:12:57.840 No, no, not at all, because I still could have gone, 214 00:12:57.919 --> 00:12:59.440 but it was more like I had one more year 215 00:12:59.440 --> 00:13:01.639 about to do it and then you know, try and 216 00:13:01.679 --> 00:13:03.159 do the things that maybe I didn't get to a 217 00:13:03.240 --> 00:13:06.360 complete last year, which was you know, win national championship. 218 00:13:06.480 --> 00:13:09.080 So you know, I feel like either way, either it 219 00:13:09.120 --> 00:13:10.840 says I would have picked I. Look, you would have 220 00:13:10.840 --> 00:13:13.159 been thinking about the other one because one, you know, 221 00:13:13.200 --> 00:13:15.279 like I said, have one more year of eligibility, and 222 00:13:15.320 --> 00:13:17.320 I feel like we saw so much more to complete. 223 00:13:17.080 --> 00:13:20.559 Here, and that, to me is the perfect answer. And 224 00:13:20.600 --> 00:13:22.879 I'm sure he puts some thought into it, obviously, but 225 00:13:24.000 --> 00:13:26.559 and he's right, you know, it was kind of a 226 00:13:26.559 --> 00:13:29.679 no lose situation for him. He either follows his dream 227 00:13:29.720 --> 00:13:32.799 and plays pro ball or comes back here and plays 228 00:13:32.799 --> 00:13:36.000 for a national championship, which this team should be capable 229 00:13:36.679 --> 00:13:40.919 of attempting to win with a real shot at it, 230 00:13:41.639 --> 00:13:43.799 not the least of which is because of the return. 231 00:13:44.240 --> 00:13:48.879 And so Tagan called me and he said, coach, let's 232 00:13:48.879 --> 00:13:49.240 do this. 233 00:13:50.120 --> 00:13:50.919 I'm coming back. 234 00:13:51.080 --> 00:13:52.240 Yeah. 235 00:13:52.519 --> 00:13:54.639 And I was looking around him like I think the 236 00:13:54.720 --> 00:13:57.440 pilot is about to throw out the plane right now. 237 00:13:57.480 --> 00:13:58.480 So I was like, oh, take. 238 00:14:00.080 --> 00:14:04.320 Oh, you back later, but just hold that on. 239 00:14:05.279 --> 00:14:07.120 Fifteen minutes later, called him back. 240 00:14:07.879 --> 00:14:09.720 He says, come back tears. 241 00:14:11.159 --> 00:14:12.240 Who was talking about face? 242 00:14:12.840 --> 00:14:14.320 Yeah, I mean it's a lot. 243 00:14:14.600 --> 00:14:16.919 Yeah. Pope said he was on a plane and somehow 244 00:14:16.960 --> 00:14:19.440 the call got through from old way and then he 245 00:14:19.480 --> 00:14:21.159 called him back and they talked some more and the 246 00:14:21.200 --> 00:14:25.360 tears began to flow. And this is what Otega remembered 247 00:14:25.440 --> 00:14:26.639 about that moment. 248 00:14:26.639 --> 00:14:28.440 Because I mean, honest, like I want to say, like 249 00:14:28.480 --> 00:14:30.679 three days before, maybe two days, I already knew what 250 00:14:30.679 --> 00:14:32.799 it was. So I was just waiting to the last 251 00:14:32.799 --> 00:14:34.320 work out, you know, to tell him, but you know, 252 00:14:34.360 --> 00:14:37.080 it was great just finally get off my chest and 253 00:14:37.080 --> 00:14:39.480 then you know, just having that moment with him, talking 254 00:14:39.519 --> 00:14:42.440 with him and seeing the genuine excitement. 255 00:14:42.679 --> 00:14:46.360 And what's not to be excited about. Otaga Oway was 256 00:14:46.399 --> 00:14:49.000 expected to be a good player for Kentucky last year, 257 00:14:49.039 --> 00:14:52.679 but when Jackson Robinson went down, he had to become 258 00:14:52.720 --> 00:14:55.679 a great player for Kentucky, and at times he was. 259 00:14:56.159 --> 00:14:58.440 There were times when he was a little inconsistent or 260 00:14:58.519 --> 00:15:01.639 drifted a little bit. Remember the Oklahoma game. He was 261 00:15:01.679 --> 00:15:03.720 not super in the first half the game that he 262 00:15:04.039 --> 00:15:09.720 single handily won down the stretch for the Wildcats at Oklahoma, 263 00:15:09.879 --> 00:15:13.080 but well in the second half, especially in those last 264 00:15:13.080 --> 00:15:16.360 few minutes, he was the best player in America in 265 00:15:16.399 --> 00:15:20.039 that game. So now can he sustain that. Maybe not 266 00:15:20.159 --> 00:15:23.080 that level of play that he showed in the last 267 00:15:23.080 --> 00:15:24.919 five or ten minutes of the Ou game, That would 268 00:15:24.960 --> 00:15:28.919 be almost impossible, But to attempt to reach that level 269 00:15:29.600 --> 00:15:33.039 is what he needs to do. But apparently he is 270 00:15:33.759 --> 00:15:36.960 happy enough to come back and try it. And as 271 00:15:36.960 --> 00:15:39.840 he said when he was talking to Pope, it's all 272 00:15:39.840 --> 00:15:41.159 about the happiness. 273 00:15:41.200 --> 00:15:43.720 You're just going to be it is. Yeah, left Bebia. 274 00:15:43.840 --> 00:15:46.120 It's me too. Actually, no place I'd rather be. 275 00:15:46.960 --> 00:15:48.919 And there you have it. And that's the kind of 276 00:15:49.360 --> 00:15:53.840 attitude that Pope of course is recruiting out there when 277 00:15:53.840 --> 00:15:56.759 he's pulling guys in through the portal, and obviously true 278 00:15:56.840 --> 00:16:00.480 freshmen as well. But when your bring a guy in 279 00:16:00.519 --> 00:16:05.120 through the portal, it can't be just transactional. And you 280 00:16:05.159 --> 00:16:07.039 can really say this about any school, but I think 281 00:16:07.159 --> 00:16:11.799 especially here, because of the high expectations and the outside 282 00:16:11.840 --> 00:16:16.399 pressures on Kentucky basketball players, they've got to really want 283 00:16:16.440 --> 00:16:19.480 to be here. They've got to be willing to accept 284 00:16:20.000 --> 00:16:25.559 the pressure, the criticism, not just the adulation. But everybody 285 00:16:25.600 --> 00:16:28.639 he brought in last year to a person to a man, 286 00:16:29.600 --> 00:16:33.639 talked to us in the media in August and at 287 00:16:33.799 --> 00:16:38.200 every juncture after that about how much they appreciated being here, 288 00:16:38.240 --> 00:16:41.120 to the point where Kobe Brayle, when the season was over, 289 00:16:41.200 --> 00:16:44.600 prematurely said, I don't want to give my jersey back. 290 00:16:44.639 --> 00:16:48.320 That's what he needs in every person he brings in 291 00:16:48.320 --> 00:16:51.200 here through the portal, And if you're a true freshman, 292 00:16:52.240 --> 00:16:55.440 that kind of feeling is cultivated if you stay here 293 00:16:56.000 --> 00:16:59.159 for two or three or four years. Yeah, I know, 294 00:16:59.240 --> 00:17:02.639 Travis Perry. You know what, maybe we'll see him again someday. 295 00:17:02.639 --> 00:17:05.160 Maybe you'll play a couple of years at ole Miss 296 00:17:05.160 --> 00:17:07.880 and decide if he can still do it. Maybe the 297 00:17:07.960 --> 00:17:10.480 rules will change, but you know, maybe he can jump 298 00:17:10.480 --> 00:17:13.359 back into portal play his final year here. Who knows. 299 00:17:13.799 --> 00:17:17.039 But the bottom line is it's got to be people 300 00:17:17.160 --> 00:17:20.119 who feel the same way that'll take away fields and 301 00:17:20.119 --> 00:17:23.319 that is there's no place I'd rather be. We're back 302 00:17:23.319 --> 00:17:25.480 in the minute with Tony Cruz, the Cruise Man here 303 00:17:25.519 --> 00:17:28.599 on six thirty WLAP. Welcome back to the Big Moon. 304 00:17:28.680 --> 00:17:31.079 Sider joining us now is a longtime buddy of mine. 305 00:17:31.359 --> 00:17:33.640 You might remember him as a member at times of 306 00:17:33.680 --> 00:17:37.960 the UK radio network, the EKU Radio Network, most recently 307 00:17:38.079 --> 00:17:41.880 the morning drive announcer for WHS Radio for many many 308 00:17:41.960 --> 00:17:45.680 years now retired, The Cruise Man, Tony Cruz, my good 309 00:17:45.680 --> 00:17:48.240 friend who's actually on vacation right now with his wife 310 00:17:48.319 --> 00:17:52.160 up in Montana. And good for you. Are you relaxing, 311 00:17:52.200 --> 00:17:54.039 big man? Are you able to not look at the 312 00:17:54.039 --> 00:17:55.079 clock all the time? 313 00:17:56.200 --> 00:17:59.000 Yeah, I'm forgetting you know what day it is? 314 00:17:59.160 --> 00:17:59.400 Good? 315 00:18:01.400 --> 00:18:04.720 Of course, anybody that listened to anybody in my audience 316 00:18:04.720 --> 00:18:07.279 would say, you've forgot a lot of stuff. Kids. 317 00:18:07.279 --> 00:18:11.680 Oh man, I just man, I remember meeting you and 318 00:18:11.839 --> 00:18:14.640 I think you were you might have been neither still 319 00:18:14.640 --> 00:18:17.079 in school at w A N E. KU. You're a 320 00:18:17.079 --> 00:18:17.759 proud colonel. 321 00:18:18.000 --> 00:18:21.440 Yes, I was my sophomore year when I was just 322 00:18:21.480 --> 00:18:24.519 thinking about getting into radio and well, I know, I 323 00:18:24.799 --> 00:18:28.799 kind of started getting entrenched into it, and I met 324 00:18:28.799 --> 00:18:30.519 you at the press box and I was like, that's 325 00:18:30.519 --> 00:18:33.680 stick Gabriel and everything, and you were just so nice 326 00:18:33.680 --> 00:18:35.480 to me, and then you just started talking to me, 327 00:18:35.519 --> 00:18:38.960 and then you know, you're just a kind of mentor. 328 00:18:39.559 --> 00:18:42.640 You and Greg schallamyre two of my mentors during that time, 329 00:18:42.920 --> 00:18:44.640 two old farts. 330 00:18:45.880 --> 00:18:48.799 And Scott's is still going strong on the Colonel. Isn't 331 00:18:48.799 --> 00:18:49.319 that amazing? 332 00:18:50.319 --> 00:18:53.960 Yeah, he's awesome, great guy. We got we got some 333 00:18:54.039 --> 00:18:57.759 tut tut coming around here pretty soon. Our annual event 334 00:18:58.000 --> 00:18:59.160 I worked with Greg. 335 00:18:59.240 --> 00:19:03.039 We alternated on the Sweet sixteen this year on the radio, 336 00:19:03.519 --> 00:19:06.759 and which I so thoroughly enjoyed because I hadn't done 337 00:19:06.759 --> 00:19:10.079 it in so long, and man, his level of preparation 338 00:19:10.279 --> 00:19:13.400 is off the charts. But I digress. We're talking to 339 00:19:13.400 --> 00:19:16.039 Tony Cruz, who for how many years were you Morning 340 00:19:16.119 --> 00:19:16.759 Drive at. 341 00:19:16.799 --> 00:19:19.079 Has twenty one year. 342 00:19:19.200 --> 00:19:19.519 Wow. 343 00:19:20.559 --> 00:19:22.400 Yeah. And prior to that, one year. 344 00:19:22.640 --> 00:19:25.359 Prior to that, Tony of course hosted a sports talk 345 00:19:25.400 --> 00:19:27.839 show which is no longer in existence. I hate to 346 00:19:27.839 --> 00:19:31.920 say on WHS started I think by Van Vance, wasn't it. 347 00:19:32.960 --> 00:19:37.839 That's correct, Van Vance started that show. It became super 348 00:19:37.960 --> 00:19:42.640 uber popular back there in the day. And of course 349 00:19:43.480 --> 00:19:47.880 Van and Kwood two great legends that I got to know. 350 00:19:48.920 --> 00:19:53.200 And Van is not only a sports guy, but I 351 00:19:53.200 --> 00:19:57.640 mean he plays classical guitar. I won't give you his age, 352 00:19:58.359 --> 00:20:03.759 but he's still walks twice a day around park in 353 00:20:04.039 --> 00:20:06.599 southern Indiana and rides a bike. And the only time 354 00:20:06.599 --> 00:20:10.119 he won't do that is if there's ice and or lightning. 355 00:20:10.400 --> 00:20:13.119 Good every day, so you. 356 00:20:13.519 --> 00:20:17.599 Were exposed to and Kaywood worked at WHS for the 357 00:20:17.680 --> 00:20:20.599 longest time before he moved to Lectioningon and worked with 358 00:20:20.799 --> 00:20:25.160 gym hosts. But just the fact that it's such a 359 00:20:25.200 --> 00:20:28.480 great radio station, fifty thousand. Watson for the longest time 360 00:20:29.599 --> 00:20:32.759 was the sports voice in Louisville, and really because of 361 00:20:32.759 --> 00:20:35.920 its power in central Kentucky had both UK and U 362 00:20:35.960 --> 00:20:38.240 of L games. And here you are doing the sports 363 00:20:38.240 --> 00:20:43.920 talk show. How much has the landscape if at all 364 00:20:44.079 --> 00:20:46.519 changed with UK and U of L sports since you 365 00:20:46.599 --> 00:20:49.319 did sports talk, and really, how did it change while 366 00:20:49.359 --> 00:20:50.119 you were doing it? 367 00:20:51.680 --> 00:20:57.759 Well, when I started sports talk it was ninety four, 368 00:21:00.640 --> 00:21:05.480 maybe somewhere between ninety four and ninety five, the little 369 00:21:05.519 --> 00:21:08.880 thing called AOL was starting to come around, and soon 370 00:21:08.960 --> 00:21:11.440 after that we're about to see it even explode more 371 00:21:11.480 --> 00:21:15.440 with AI about probably a year or two later, all 372 00:21:15.480 --> 00:21:17.279 of a sudden, you know, we would do these recruiting 373 00:21:17.279 --> 00:21:20.680 shows which were very popular for our audiences, the UK 374 00:21:20.839 --> 00:21:22.720 or U of L, whatever the case may be in 375 00:21:22.799 --> 00:21:26.880 Indiana and our case at HF. All of a sudden, 376 00:21:26.920 --> 00:21:29.880 we had competitions. You know, we couldn't just have Clark 377 00:21:29.920 --> 00:21:33.720 Francis on or somebody else from all these different guys 378 00:21:33.759 --> 00:21:37.200 that would go out. You started seeing a real quick, 379 00:21:37.799 --> 00:21:42.079 you know, convergence of these different sites. So then you 380 00:21:42.160 --> 00:21:45.480 had to kind of change your game right about the 381 00:21:45.480 --> 00:21:49.640 way you go about doing your show. And it became 382 00:21:49.640 --> 00:21:51.599 a lot harder to you know, try and make it 383 00:21:51.640 --> 00:21:54.400 interesting because everybody was always interested in recruiting. It still 384 00:21:54.400 --> 00:21:56.880 are now, you know, payoffs. 385 00:21:56.480 --> 00:22:01.680 And il but draft no, as you said, thanks to 386 00:22:01.720 --> 00:22:05.960 the interweb, it's immediate, you know, we're playing from behind 387 00:22:06.000 --> 00:22:08.160 on this show, on your show, I mean, unless something 388 00:22:08.160 --> 00:22:12.799 breaks while we're on the air. Yeah. And the hard 389 00:22:12.839 --> 00:22:15.759 thing too, Tony, is you remember and it was just starting, 390 00:22:15.920 --> 00:22:18.400 as you said when you were doing sports talk, was 391 00:22:18.599 --> 00:22:21.880 there's no accountability. So even though something might be on 392 00:22:21.880 --> 00:22:23.440 the internet, you can't trust that. 393 00:22:23.400 --> 00:22:31.200 It's true, right, right. And it was interesting also because 394 00:22:31.319 --> 00:22:36.119 sometimes you got to trust of some coaches or even 395 00:22:36.160 --> 00:22:39.799 athletic directors, whatever the case may be. I did not tell. 396 00:22:40.279 --> 00:22:42.799 I mean I didn't have to beat somebody to a story, 397 00:22:43.400 --> 00:22:46.440 you know, or anything else. But sometimes you would find 398 00:22:46.440 --> 00:22:49.799 out things that you didn't want to hear, you know, 399 00:22:49.920 --> 00:22:52.440 that were coming. Maybe somebody's going to be dismissed or 400 00:22:52.839 --> 00:22:56.440 or something like that, right, and you know there's those 401 00:22:56.519 --> 00:22:59.480