December 17, 2024 • 21 mins
Jim Master sits down with Michelle Knezovic to discuss this year's Kentucky team, what the last couple months have been like. Make sure to subscribe to the Behind Kentucky Basketball Podcast for your exclusive MBB content.
Presented by UK Federal Credit Union.
Presented by UK Federal Credit Union.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
The excitement overall for Mark Pope being an next player,
he knows what this means. He's really put his arms
around the state of Kentucky and calls it their team,
and he's correct, and that has made everyone buy in
and so exciting.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
So can't wait for the rest of the season.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
How does a schedule like that, a conference schedule, prepare
you for postseason play?
Speaker 2 (00:25):
Well, it really does.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
Again, playing on the road is just brutal in any conference,
in almost any sport, so they're gonna have tough games.
So yes, it gets the fight in you. It gets
the intensity and how the level has to get up
there and the defense will be better, and the road
wins you get.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
Those are the ones you really like. Home games.
Speaker 1 (00:45):
I always like to say, we're supposed to win at home,
But on the road, that's the real challenge, and that's
when you see how good maybe you can get in
tough situations. It's Kentucky's team and it's beautiful, He'll say
to me, he said a few times.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
I've been on a few things and.
Speaker 1 (01:01):
He's like, it's your team, Jim, you built this team.
And I'm like, I'm one very small brick.
Speaker 2 (01:05):
In this team.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
So he has embraced it because again he played here
and he knows what the tradition means, and it makes
all the difference. All the young men like me, they
get to come back. I'm not young, but all we
come back, we feel like he wants us to come
back and be around and he totally embraces that.
Speaker 3 (01:39):
Welcome into another episode of Behind Kentucky Basketball, presented by
UK Federal Credit Union, and today we are recording in
our brand new downtown studios. I'm your host, Michelle Keneswick,
and this week I'm joining with former Kentucky basketball player
Jim Master. Jim played for Kentucky from nineteen eighty to
nineteen eighty four. Coach by joeby Hall. Jim, thanks for
taking time and walking down to our studios today.
Speaker 2 (01:59):
Well, thanks for asking me.
Speaker 1 (02:01):
It's always fun to talk UK basketball and a lot
of great memories for me, especially.
Speaker 3 (02:05):
The Louisville game especially, and we are going to get
fully into the Battle of Boluegrass as we've got that
game this Saturday here in Lexington. But let's go back
a little bit an exciting time this offseason. You get
a former player, Mark Pope coming in at the helm
of this Kentucky team, and can we just talk about
the last couple of months and how exciting that has been.
Speaker 2 (02:25):
Jim, Well, we can.
Speaker 1 (02:27):
And of course all the Kentucky fans, all of Kentucky,
but truly probably all the United States now in college basketball.
They made a name for themselves right off the bat.
I've met all the guys, and what a quality coaching staff,
what a quality bunch of young men that he's recruited.
They bought into it right away. They're hungry, and this
(02:48):
first part of the season, let's be honest, it's been
pretty magical. They've only lost one game that was on
the true road game and they did not play well,
but they still had a chance to win. So but
the Duke game, of course, the Goodzaga game, and just
the excitement overall. For Mark Pope, being an ex player,
(03:09):
he knows what this means. He's really put his arms
around the state of Kentucky and calls it their team,
and he's correct, and that has made everyone buy in
and so exciting. So can't wait for the rest of
the season.
Speaker 3 (03:24):
I know, We've had so much excitement and we're really
just scratching the surface of the college basketball season, which
is kind of crazy. But I think that's what makes
this preseason, all these non conference games so fun, is
all these different matchups that you get to see.
Speaker 1 (03:39):
Correct and kind of I kind of hear it in
your voice. It's a long journey, but the first part
of the journey's been really really great. But playing these
games and getting some of these wins, it's obvious it's great,
but it really helps him too going into the conference
because our conference is going to be super super tough
playing on the road in any sports, a lot tougher
(04:00):
in playing at home. So I'm excited that they're building
this record and this resume for when March comes. Of course,
we didn't talk about this much, but some of the
last Gonzaga game, we didn't even play our starting point guard,
and that helps the other players gain confidence too that
they won without him and gives other players chances to
(04:23):
show what they can do. Well.
Speaker 3 (04:25):
You mentioned, you know, Lamont Butler out didn't play in
the Gonzaga game. Kerkkrisa who came in you know, ended
up hurting his foot in that. Kentucky Basketball announced that
you know, he will be out indefinitely for now. So
Jackson Robinson, who came with Mark Pope played point guard,
and I think that that was a big rallying moment
you mentioned there, Jim. You know, when somebody gets hurt
(04:45):
or somebody gets injured and somebody else tests to step
up or take a different role, you know, it's an
interesting dynamic. But then to be able to overcome it
as as a team, it's kind of, you know, exciting,
and it gets them like excited that they can do
and overcome, you know, adversity. Was there a moment maybe
in your time at Kentucky where a player got injured
(05:05):
or somebody had to switch positions and you guys were
able to overcome that.
Speaker 2 (05:10):
Are you specifically, Well, it's a great question. Really.
Speaker 1 (05:13):
I started thinking, there's always adversity, yeah, major college basketball
and ups and downs. But we had Sam Bowie get
hurt for you know, we didn't so I came here
as a freshman. We had Sam and he was one
year ahead of me, but then we didn't have him
for my sophomore in junior year, so there you go,
that's pretty good adversity. And then he came back for
(05:35):
the senior year. So we actually collectively had really good
seasons because I think coming together and doing different things,
so someone else has to step up, and just like
Jackson did the other night, that that really was a
huge moment for him. In my personal opinion, I think
he would know and coach both. I think he's been
(05:56):
probably disappointed in some of his play and maybe getting
into these games sometimes, but I think that might really
set him off. He was outstanding and I think he
knows now there's more than he can do than just
shoot three pointers.
Speaker 3 (06:11):
Well, and if you're a Kentucky fan and you know
who Sam Buie is in the significance he add to
your team, you know that was quite adversity that you
guys had to overcome. But you know, speaking of Jackson
and Robinson, you mentioned that you've met a lot of
guys on this team, you've been a part of this
program residing here in Lexington. Has there been a specific
player that you know you've met at practice or who's
maybe surprised you this year?
Speaker 2 (06:31):
Well, another good question, to be honest.
Speaker 1 (06:34):
They all surprise me when I met him in the summertime,
and I saw a few things early that Coach Pope
invited us too. So wow, they all can shoot, or
most of them can really shoot. And then I thought
to myself, well, let's see how they do in a game.
And we've seen how they do in the game. So
I think, really and truly all of them surprise me
(06:55):
in a good way that they're such good young men
and they play together as a team, and that's.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
A huge, huge thing.
Speaker 1 (07:04):
And I think they have confidence in every one of
those top ten players I call them. I think that's
one of our keys. We're deep, and Coach Pope is
not scared to put any of those young men in
at different times, just like LaMotte getting hurt and boom,
someone steps in. So I think that's what we'll see
the rest of the year.
Speaker 3 (07:20):
Well, and you know, we kind of talked about how
college basketball, you know, the SEC is is so tough.
They play, you know this this tough non conference schedule,
and really just college basketball.
Speaker 4 (07:30):
As a whole.
Speaker 3 (07:30):
Right now, you know, you're seeing the transfer portal. You
can be a one and done, you can play at
five different schools.
Speaker 4 (07:35):
Some people had a COVID year.
Speaker 3 (07:36):
Still, I mean, it's almost like the misfit toys all
coming together and Mark Pope putting all these puzzle pieces
together and it works.
Speaker 1 (07:48):
And it looks like the new plan, of course we're
only a little bit through the season, is go out
and get older players, more experienced players, good players, good players,
and maybe players that aren't worried about going number one
the draft or number nine in the draft or number
sixteen in the draft. I think all that has some effect.
That'll play defense ninety say ninety, but play defense the
(08:09):
whole game. Again, I think they've all bought.
Speaker 2 (08:12):
In and that Pope knowing and doing this.
Speaker 1 (08:17):
But college basketball, as you say, maybe college sports were
in such a different realm. Now by the way, we're
gonna have to have almost a whole new team next.
Speaker 4 (08:24):
Year, I know.
Speaker 2 (08:25):
So do you get it?
Speaker 1 (08:26):
Yeah, So we're having a blast this year. Someone asked
me at the other day. I started eleven, said, who cares?
It's this year?
Speaker 4 (08:32):
This year, focus on this year.
Speaker 2 (08:33):
Every year is this year.
Speaker 4 (08:35):
So it's crazy. It really is crazy, but it is exciting.
Speaker 3 (08:38):
And you know, you spoke specifically on coach Pope and
what he really has done and there's just been so
much magic in embracing the fan base and this is
Kentucky's team. And you mentioned you got to go to
practice over the summer. Has have you been able to
maybe I don't know, like see this program and kind
of bring that brotherhood back. I know that he and
(08:59):
he invited a bunch of former former players to Big
Blue Madness, and there's been this this outreach of kind
of bringing everybody in and welcoming the brotherhood in.
Speaker 4 (09:08):
Has that been different for you this year?
Speaker 1 (09:10):
Oh uh, that's kind of what I thought I said earlier.
He is It's Kentucky's team, and it's beautiful. He'll say
to me, he said a few times. I've been on
a few things and he's like, it's your team, Jim,
you built this team. And I'm like, I'm one very
small brick.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
In this team.
Speaker 1 (09:25):
So it he has embraced it because again, he played
here and he knows what the tradition means. And it
makes all the difference. All the young men like me
that get to come back. I'm not young, but all
that we come back, we feel like he wants us
to come back and be around and he totally embraces that.
Speaker 3 (09:45):
All right, listen, everybody, we need to take a brief
moment to think. Our podcast sponsor UK Federal Credit Union
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(10:08):
by one of their seven local branches to open an
account today. That really ensured by NCUA well and in
a big opportunity this weekend because Kentucky Louisville is always
a big opportunity and really exciting because there's two new
head coaches, Mark Pope and.
Speaker 4 (10:28):
Pat Kelsey at Louisville.
Speaker 3 (10:31):
So when you think of this rivalry, maybe what is
one word that comes to your mind?
Speaker 4 (10:38):
Or maybe three?
Speaker 1 (10:39):
Maybe three, but intense, you know, interstate rivalry that's been
around for so many years now, and I feel so
blessed that I got to play in the revival of
it and back in nineteen eighty three.
Speaker 2 (10:55):
So it's.
Speaker 1 (10:57):
Something that's state rivalries and it's a beautiful thing for
college basketball.
Speaker 3 (11:01):
So something I didn't I didn't realize, and I did
a little little research before we did this podcast, Jim,
But prior to the nineteen eighty three Midwest Regional Final,
Louisville Kentucky hadn't played each.
Speaker 4 (11:12):
Other in twenty four years.
Speaker 3 (11:14):
So that game that you played in in the Elite eight,
and you know, Louisville ended up winning in overtime, but
you helped send your team to overtime and keep it alive.
They hadn't played in the regular season, So you mentioned
that that being a part of the revival of this rivalry.
Speaker 4 (11:31):
You know, what what does that mean?
Speaker 3 (11:33):
And now to see how many incredible games that we
have gotten year after year and are hopefully going to
get another one on Saturday.
Speaker 2 (11:39):
Well I hope on Saturday.
Speaker 1 (11:40):
We're way up in the first so it won't man,
But anyway, it's beautiful. Just like being in the studio
with you here today, there was you know, biggest reason
is how how the Louisville game and how I played,
and the three Louisville games I played, And so what's
ironic to me and fun is so we hadn't played
him in basically twenty five years. That's the best game
I've ever played plaid excitement by far, and I've played
(12:02):
in final fours, I've played another big games. So crazy,
the emotion that went on down in Knoxville, Tennessee, remembered
extremely well. But then we played that was to go
to final four, so it was a big game no
matter what. And then to turn around the next year,
(12:23):
about six months later, we played him again to open
the season up, and then ironically enough, about four months later,
we played him again in the regional, not the final,
in Repperena, And so I'm two out of three. We
won two out of three of those, so I feel pretty.
Speaker 2 (12:38):
Good about that.
Speaker 4 (12:39):
That's a good percentage, two out of three against little
I think so.
Speaker 2 (12:42):
But again, it was kind of ironic how it all
worked out.
Speaker 3 (12:46):
You know, when you think back to Joby Hall and
him coaching those games, what did the rivalry mean to
him that he got to be a part of that
revival of that rivalry.
Speaker 1 (12:56):
Well, probably after we got beat the first time, he
probably didn't like it too much, but it was so exciting,
so great, and then again we did come back and
win those games. So I'm sure looking back when he
got out of coaching, big deal, and it should have been.
It should have been played, and it's good for college basketball,
it's good for the state.
Speaker 2 (13:13):
Really.
Speaker 1 (13:14):
Of course, it's more fun when you win the game, actually,
so I think it's been a beautiful thing. And I'm
sure he looks back at that, even me, even though
we got beat the better best word, I like this
bitter sweet for me, so great game went to overtime
and kind of all those years of not playing was
a pretty cool thing to get together.
Speaker 4 (13:34):
When this rivalry comes up again every year.
Speaker 3 (13:36):
Do you do you talk to some of your former teammates,
Do you guys have a group group chat going on
or kind of get excited for this this game.
Speaker 2 (13:43):
I don't know if we do that as much.
Speaker 1 (13:45):
We do talk, but again, a guy like me, every
time this game rolls around, I get several calls from media,
whether it's you guys, newspaper, whatever. I even get national calls.
And it's been fun over the years. My son now
he's really into it, so I've had calls some pretty
(14:05):
pretty big time sports people when these games come around
and they want a few words.
Speaker 2 (14:09):
So it's a lot of fun.
Speaker 1 (14:10):
Is it?
Speaker 3 (14:10):
Is it crazy to think that this game almost every year?
Because I was reading an article from twenty nineteen and
you had a similar, similar quote of it was an
athletic article by Danielle Lanner. Every year, you know, it
just seems to come back up, like this game really
lives as a significant moment in not just Kentucky and
Louisville basketball, but basketball history.
Speaker 1 (14:33):
Yeah, I think that lady is the one you're referred.
I think she was from like one of the New
York City newspapers.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
So I agree.
Speaker 1 (14:38):
Somebody had sent me that again and yeah again, it's
it is important not just for Kentucky people come on
Kentucky basketball. It's it's it's truly worldwide. And so that's
a cool thing. And as I've gotten older and Mark
Pope saying, you know, Jim, you're one of the guys
that built this, well, a lot of guys built it,
and he's carrying on that tradition. But it it's just
(15:00):
a beautiful thing to be reminded of every year at
this time and other things. So the Louisville game's a
big deal.
Speaker 3 (15:07):
Yes, So having so many student athletes from all different places, right,
we mentioned Lamont Butler, He's coming from San Diego State,
Jackson Robinson from BYU, Kobe Brea from Dayton, so many
different players from different schools coming together. They're getting to
experience this first Kentucky Louisville rivalry on Saturday. What would
(15:28):
you say to them to embrace that moment?
Speaker 1 (15:31):
Right, Well, I did say something to Kobe. I don't
know if any if they know this, but uk I
thought it was a nice thing. They had ex players
like me write a letter and then even do a
video very recently. So my player was Kobe because he's
a shooter.
Speaker 4 (15:47):
I guess, yeah, there you go.
Speaker 1 (15:48):
So wrote him a nice letter, beautiful thing, and told
him what it meant to me and the games I
played in and who I played against. And again what
we talked about is people are still talking about my
game against those against that the Dream Game, the original.
Speaker 4 (16:05):
Dream Game, the original Dream Game.
Speaker 1 (16:07):
So just tell him to embrace it and set his
own memories as the game goes on.
Speaker 3 (16:12):
So to watch him play, Kobe Burreah, he was the
player you got matched up with.
Speaker 4 (16:17):
We know he's a shooter.
Speaker 3 (16:19):
How fun is it to watch him just shoot the.
Speaker 4 (16:22):
Three day in and day out?
Speaker 2 (16:24):
It is he's a crazy good shooter. Now what we
need to do, coach bo Okay, let's get more shots.
Speaker 1 (16:31):
But it's tough and believe it because people know he
can shoot. So even in my day, you know they're
going to put somebody on him and so you're you're creative.
If we can get him open more and he's got
he's got to work on it too. But crazy good shooter,
crazy good shooter. So as I tell crazy good shooters,
you got to look for the shot and when you
(16:52):
have it, you got to take the shot. So we
get a lot of guys that can shoot, though, but
he's one of the best.
Speaker 4 (16:57):
What do you think makes him such a good shooter?
Speaker 1 (17:00):
Well, I asked him that actually down at the Duke
game and we were in the swimming pool. He's soaking
his foot in the tub hot tub or something. I said,
have you always been He goes, yeah, But again it's
probably like anything.
Speaker 2 (17:12):
He goes, you know, I work at it. I work
at it.
Speaker 1 (17:15):
Crazy good form and gets the spin right and a
lot of confidence.
Speaker 2 (17:20):
It takes that. So he is one of my favorites
to watch.
Speaker 4 (17:24):
I love it. I love it.
Speaker 3 (17:25):
Well, Kentucky has Colgate this Wednesday before they have the
Battle of Bluegrass. So in a week where you have
two games, and especially a significant game on Saturday, you know,
how do you stay focused to make sure you don't
overlook somebody.
Speaker 1 (17:38):
Well that's coach Pope and his coaching staff, which they're fantastic.
So I'm sure he's preaching that every day and.
Speaker 2 (17:44):
It is tough.
Speaker 1 (17:45):
Just so you know, these are young We're not kids,
I guess, but young and impressionable and all that.
Speaker 2 (17:51):
And now, what I think helps us with this team
is the maturity.
Speaker 1 (17:55):
And these young men have played a lot of games,
most of them.
Speaker 2 (17:58):
Yeah, I think that helps.
Speaker 1 (18:00):
And so you're going to have ups and downs, but
I would be surprised if they don't take care of
business on Wednesday and then look forward to the big
game on Saturday.
Speaker 4 (18:11):
The big game on Saturday. I know we're going to
get into.
Speaker 3 (18:14):
We got into the Louis game a little bit, but
I do want to just get quickly your thoughts before
we let you go. Jim on the SEC and how
you've really seen this grow, not only as a football
conference but basketball conference. We talked so much about SEC football,
but I mean Auburn, Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee still undefeated
in college basketball this year.
Speaker 4 (18:35):
How has this conference grown? And what do you think
you can do?
Speaker 3 (18:38):
I mean, I think that they could have twelve teams
in the NCAA Tournament this year.
Speaker 1 (18:42):
And probably yeah, a lot of teams, No doubt about it,
and it has grown over time. I think it's the coaches.
We continue and we've had great coaches. Other schools have
stepped it up. The amount of money football makes. I
think other schools have stepped it up on the coaching facilities.
Think all that it's the SEC. But I have made
(19:03):
the comment just in the last few weeks in SEC football,
especially when we've hadded these other teams. Now we're eating ourselves, right,
I mean it's just a battle. And then I think
Alabama should have made the plays. But then so we
beat each other up. That's probably what's gonna happen in
SEC basketball. So back to my point a few minutes ago,
(19:24):
great that we build our resume already, and I think
they should take care of business before we get it
in the SEC. So it's because it's gonna be brutal.
Teams are gonna you go on the road.
Speaker 2 (19:34):
It is.
Speaker 1 (19:35):
It's gonna be tough at home, but it's gonna be
brutal to get some of these wins on the road.
Speaker 2 (19:39):
So they better be ready.
Speaker 3 (19:41):
Well, it's funny you say eat each other the transitive property.
It's like we talk about it in SEC football. Well,
Vanderbilt beat Alabama, but Alabama beat Georgia, and you can
play that game all day. And I know that when
we play this SEC basketball schedule, it's gonna it's gonna
be something along those lines of Well, Kentucky beat Tennessee,
but Tennessee beat Alabama and Alabama beat Auburn. But how
does a schedule like that, a conference schedule, prepare you
(20:03):
for postseason play?
Speaker 1 (20:04):
Well, it really does. Again, playing on the road is
just brutal in any conference, in almost any sport, so
they're gonna have tough games.
Speaker 2 (20:12):
So yes, it gets the fight in.
Speaker 1 (20:14):
It gets the intensity and how the level has to
get up there and the defense will be better, and
the road wins you get.
Speaker 2 (20:22):
Those are the ones you really like. Home games.
Speaker 1 (20:25):
I always like to say we're supposed to win at home,
But on the road, that's the real challenge. And that's
when you see how good maybe you can get in
tough situations.
Speaker 4 (20:35):
Well, I love it.
Speaker 3 (20:36):
The SEC schedule will be here before we know it.
We got Florida coming up soon, but first Colgate this Wednesday,
and then of course the Battle of the Bluegrass this
Saturday in Reparina.
Speaker 4 (20:45):
Jim will be there. I will be there.
Speaker 3 (20:47):
Jim Master, thank you so much for taking your time
to come on the Behind Kentucky Basketball Podcast today.
Speaker 2 (20:52):
Well I love it and go Cats.
Speaker 4 (20:53):
Go Cats.
Speaker 3 (20:54):
That's a perfect way to end it. This is the
Behind the Kentucky Basketball Podcast presented by UK Federal Credit Union.
Hellen and Hello.
Speaker 2 (21:03):
Hello, Hello,
The excitement overall for Mark Pope being an next player,
he knows what this means. He's really put his arms
around the state of Kentucky and calls it their team,
and he's correct, and that has made everyone buy in
and so exciting.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
So can't wait for the rest of the season.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
How does a schedule like that, a conference schedule, prepare
you for postseason play?
Speaker 2 (00:25):
Well, it really does.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
Again, playing on the road is just brutal in any conference,
in almost any sport, so they're gonna have tough games.
So yes, it gets the fight in you. It gets
the intensity and how the level has to get up
there and the defense will be better, and the road
wins you get.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
Those are the ones you really like. Home games.
Speaker 1 (00:45):
I always like to say, we're supposed to win at home,
But on the road, that's the real challenge, and that's
when you see how good maybe you can get in
tough situations. It's Kentucky's team and it's beautiful, He'll say
to me, he said a few times.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
I've been on a few things and.
Speaker 1 (01:01):
He's like, it's your team, Jim, you built this team.
And I'm like, I'm one very small brick.
Speaker 2 (01:05):
In this team.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
So he has embraced it because again he played here
and he knows what the tradition means, and it makes
all the difference. All the young men like me, they
get to come back. I'm not young, but all we
come back, we feel like he wants us to come
back and be around and he totally embraces that.
Speaker 3 (01:39):
Welcome into another episode of Behind Kentucky Basketball, presented by
UK Federal Credit Union, and today we are recording in
our brand new downtown studios. I'm your host, Michelle Keneswick,
and this week I'm joining with former Kentucky basketball player
Jim Master. Jim played for Kentucky from nineteen eighty to
nineteen eighty four. Coach by joeby Hall. Jim, thanks for
taking time and walking down to our studios today.
Speaker 2 (01:59):
Well, thanks for asking me.
Speaker 1 (02:01):
It's always fun to talk UK basketball and a lot
of great memories for me, especially.
Speaker 3 (02:05):
The Louisville game especially, and we are going to get
fully into the Battle of Boluegrass as we've got that
game this Saturday here in Lexington. But let's go back
a little bit an exciting time this offseason. You get
a former player, Mark Pope coming in at the helm
of this Kentucky team, and can we just talk about
the last couple of months and how exciting that has been.
Speaker 2 (02:25):
Jim, Well, we can.
Speaker 1 (02:27):
And of course all the Kentucky fans, all of Kentucky,
but truly probably all the United States now in college basketball.
They made a name for themselves right off the bat.
I've met all the guys, and what a quality coaching staff,
what a quality bunch of young men that he's recruited.
They bought into it right away. They're hungry, and this
(02:48):
first part of the season, let's be honest, it's been
pretty magical. They've only lost one game that was on
the true road game and they did not play well,
but they still had a chance to win. So but
the Duke game, of course, the Goodzaga game, and just
the excitement overall. For Mark Pope, being an ex player,
(03:09):
he knows what this means. He's really put his arms
around the state of Kentucky and calls it their team,
and he's correct, and that has made everyone buy in
and so exciting. So can't wait for the rest of
the season.
Speaker 3 (03:24):
I know, We've had so much excitement and we're really
just scratching the surface of the college basketball season, which
is kind of crazy. But I think that's what makes
this preseason, all these non conference games so fun, is
all these different matchups that you get to see.
Speaker 1 (03:39):
Correct and kind of I kind of hear it in
your voice. It's a long journey, but the first part
of the journey's been really really great. But playing these
games and getting some of these wins, it's obvious it's great,
but it really helps him too going into the conference
because our conference is going to be super super tough
playing on the road in any sports, a lot tougher
(04:00):
in playing at home. So I'm excited that they're building
this record and this resume for when March comes. Of course,
we didn't talk about this much, but some of the
last Gonzaga game, we didn't even play our starting point guard,
and that helps the other players gain confidence too that
they won without him and gives other players chances to
(04:23):
show what they can do. Well.
Speaker 3 (04:25):
You mentioned, you know, Lamont Butler out didn't play in
the Gonzaga game. Kerkkrisa who came in you know, ended
up hurting his foot in that. Kentucky Basketball announced that
you know, he will be out indefinitely for now. So
Jackson Robinson, who came with Mark Pope played point guard,
and I think that that was a big rallying moment
you mentioned there, Jim. You know, when somebody gets hurt
(04:45):
or somebody gets injured and somebody else tests to step
up or take a different role, you know, it's an
interesting dynamic. But then to be able to overcome it
as as a team, it's kind of, you know, exciting,
and it gets them like excited that they can do
and overcome, you know, adversity. Was there a moment maybe
in your time at Kentucky where a player got injured
(05:05):
or somebody had to switch positions and you guys were
able to overcome that.
Speaker 2 (05:10):
Are you specifically, Well, it's a great question. Really.
Speaker 1 (05:13):
I started thinking, there's always adversity, yeah, major college basketball
and ups and downs. But we had Sam Bowie get
hurt for you know, we didn't so I came here
as a freshman. We had Sam and he was one
year ahead of me, but then we didn't have him
for my sophomore in junior year, so there you go,
that's pretty good adversity. And then he came back for
(05:35):
the senior year. So we actually collectively had really good
seasons because I think coming together and doing different things,
so someone else has to step up, and just like
Jackson did the other night, that that really was a
huge moment for him. In my personal opinion, I think
he would know and coach both. I think he's been
(05:56):
probably disappointed in some of his play and maybe getting
into these games sometimes, but I think that might really
set him off. He was outstanding and I think he
knows now there's more than he can do than just
shoot three pointers.
Speaker 3 (06:11):
Well, and if you're a Kentucky fan and you know
who Sam Buie is in the significance he add to
your team, you know that was quite adversity that you
guys had to overcome. But you know, speaking of Jackson
and Robinson, you mentioned that you've met a lot of
guys on this team, you've been a part of this
program residing here in Lexington. Has there been a specific
player that you know you've met at practice or who's
maybe surprised you this year?
Speaker 2 (06:31):
Well, another good question, to be honest.
Speaker 1 (06:34):
They all surprise me when I met him in the summertime,
and I saw a few things early that Coach Pope
invited us too. So wow, they all can shoot, or
most of them can really shoot. And then I thought
to myself, well, let's see how they do in a game.
And we've seen how they do in the game. So
I think, really and truly all of them surprise me
(06:55):
in a good way that they're such good young men
and they play together as a team, and that's.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
A huge, huge thing.
Speaker 1 (07:04):
And I think they have confidence in every one of
those top ten players I call them. I think that's
one of our keys. We're deep, and Coach Pope is
not scared to put any of those young men in
at different times, just like LaMotte getting hurt and boom,
someone steps in. So I think that's what we'll see
the rest of the year.
Speaker 3 (07:20):
Well, and you know, we kind of talked about how
college basketball, you know, the SEC is is so tough.
They play, you know this this tough non conference schedule,
and really just college basketball.
Speaker 4 (07:30):
As a whole.
Speaker 3 (07:30):
Right now, you know, you're seeing the transfer portal. You
can be a one and done, you can play at
five different schools.
Speaker 4 (07:35):
Some people had a COVID year.
Speaker 3 (07:36):
Still, I mean, it's almost like the misfit toys all
coming together and Mark Pope putting all these puzzle pieces
together and it works.
Speaker 1 (07:48):
And it looks like the new plan, of course we're
only a little bit through the season, is go out
and get older players, more experienced players, good players, good players,
and maybe players that aren't worried about going number one
the draft or number nine in the draft or number
sixteen in the draft. I think all that has some effect.
That'll play defense ninety say ninety, but play defense the
(08:09):
whole game. Again, I think they've all bought.
Speaker 2 (08:12):
In and that Pope knowing and doing this.
Speaker 1 (08:17):
But college basketball, as you say, maybe college sports were
in such a different realm. Now by the way, we're
gonna have to have almost a whole new team next.
Speaker 4 (08:24):
Year, I know.
Speaker 2 (08:25):
So do you get it?
Speaker 1 (08:26):
Yeah, So we're having a blast this year. Someone asked
me at the other day. I started eleven, said, who cares?
It's this year?
Speaker 4 (08:32):
This year, focus on this year.
Speaker 2 (08:33):
Every year is this year.
Speaker 4 (08:35):
So it's crazy. It really is crazy, but it is exciting.
Speaker 3 (08:38):
And you know, you spoke specifically on coach Pope and
what he really has done and there's just been so
much magic in embracing the fan base and this is
Kentucky's team. And you mentioned you got to go to
practice over the summer. Has have you been able to
maybe I don't know, like see this program and kind
of bring that brotherhood back. I know that he and
(08:59):
he invited a bunch of former former players to Big
Blue Madness, and there's been this this outreach of kind
of bringing everybody in and welcoming the brotherhood in.
Speaker 4 (09:08):
Has that been different for you this year?
Speaker 1 (09:10):
Oh uh, that's kind of what I thought I said earlier.
He is It's Kentucky's team, and it's beautiful. He'll say
to me, he said a few times. I've been on
a few things and he's like, it's your team, Jim,
you built this team. And I'm like, I'm one very
small brick.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
In this team.
Speaker 1 (09:25):
So it he has embraced it because again, he played
here and he knows what the tradition means. And it
makes all the difference. All the young men like me
that get to come back. I'm not young, but all
that we come back, we feel like he wants us
to come back and be around and he totally embraces that.
Speaker 3 (09:45):
All right, listen, everybody, we need to take a brief
moment to think. Our podcast sponsor UK Federal Credit Union
as the official credit union of the University of Kentucky.
UKFCU understands that students need support, and that's why they've
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(10:08):
by one of their seven local branches to open an
account today. That really ensured by NCUA well and in
a big opportunity this weekend because Kentucky Louisville is always
a big opportunity and really exciting because there's two new
head coaches, Mark Pope and.
Speaker 4 (10:28):
Pat Kelsey at Louisville.
Speaker 3 (10:31):
So when you think of this rivalry, maybe what is
one word that comes to your mind?
Speaker 4 (10:38):
Or maybe three?
Speaker 1 (10:39):
Maybe three, but intense, you know, interstate rivalry that's been
around for so many years now, and I feel so
blessed that I got to play in the revival of
it and back in nineteen eighty three.
Speaker 2 (10:55):
So it's.
Speaker 1 (10:57):
Something that's state rivalries and it's a beautiful thing for
college basketball.
Speaker 3 (11:01):
So something I didn't I didn't realize, and I did
a little little research before we did this podcast, Jim,
But prior to the nineteen eighty three Midwest Regional Final,
Louisville Kentucky hadn't played each.
Speaker 4 (11:12):
Other in twenty four years.
Speaker 3 (11:14):
So that game that you played in in the Elite eight,
and you know, Louisville ended up winning in overtime, but
you helped send your team to overtime and keep it alive.
They hadn't played in the regular season, So you mentioned
that that being a part of the revival of this rivalry.
Speaker 4 (11:31):
You know, what what does that mean?
Speaker 3 (11:33):
And now to see how many incredible games that we
have gotten year after year and are hopefully going to
get another one on Saturday.
Speaker 2 (11:39):
Well I hope on Saturday.
Speaker 1 (11:40):
We're way up in the first so it won't man,
But anyway, it's beautiful. Just like being in the studio
with you here today, there was you know, biggest reason
is how how the Louisville game and how I played,
and the three Louisville games I played, And so what's
ironic to me and fun is so we hadn't played
him in basically twenty five years. That's the best game
I've ever played plaid excitement by far, and I've played
(12:02):
in final fours, I've played another big games. So crazy,
the emotion that went on down in Knoxville, Tennessee, remembered
extremely well. But then we played that was to go
to final four, so it was a big game no
matter what. And then to turn around the next year,
(12:23):
about six months later, we played him again to open
the season up, and then ironically enough, about four months later,
we played him again in the regional, not the final,
in Repperena, And so I'm two out of three. We
won two out of three of those, so I feel pretty.
Speaker 2 (12:38):
Good about that.
Speaker 4 (12:39):
That's a good percentage, two out of three against little
I think so.
Speaker 2 (12:42):
But again, it was kind of ironic how it all
worked out.
Speaker 3 (12:46):
You know, when you think back to Joby Hall and
him coaching those games, what did the rivalry mean to
him that he got to be a part of that
revival of that rivalry.
Speaker 1 (12:56):
Well, probably after we got beat the first time, he
probably didn't like it too much, but it was so exciting,
so great, and then again we did come back and
win those games. So I'm sure looking back when he
got out of coaching, big deal, and it should have been.
It should have been played, and it's good for college basketball,
it's good for the state.
Speaker 2 (13:13):
Really.
Speaker 1 (13:14):
Of course, it's more fun when you win the game, actually,
so I think it's been a beautiful thing. And I'm
sure he looks back at that, even me, even though
we got beat the better best word, I like this
bitter sweet for me, so great game went to overtime
and kind of all those years of not playing was
a pretty cool thing to get together.
Speaker 4 (13:34):
When this rivalry comes up again every year.
Speaker 3 (13:36):
Do you do you talk to some of your former teammates,
Do you guys have a group group chat going on
or kind of get excited for this this game.
Speaker 2 (13:43):
I don't know if we do that as much.
Speaker 1 (13:45):
We do talk, but again, a guy like me, every
time this game rolls around, I get several calls from media,
whether it's you guys, newspaper, whatever. I even get national calls.
And it's been fun over the years. My son now
he's really into it, so I've had calls some pretty
(14:05):
pretty big time sports people when these games come around
and they want a few words.
Speaker 2 (14:09):
So it's a lot of fun.
Speaker 1 (14:10):
Is it?
Speaker 3 (14:10):
Is it crazy to think that this game almost every year?
Because I was reading an article from twenty nineteen and
you had a similar, similar quote of it was an
athletic article by Danielle Lanner. Every year, you know, it
just seems to come back up, like this game really
lives as a significant moment in not just Kentucky and
Louisville basketball, but basketball history.
Speaker 1 (14:33):
Yeah, I think that lady is the one you're referred.
I think she was from like one of the New
York City newspapers.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
So I agree.
Speaker 1 (14:38):
Somebody had sent me that again and yeah again, it's
it is important not just for Kentucky people come on
Kentucky basketball. It's it's it's truly worldwide. And so that's
a cool thing. And as I've gotten older and Mark
Pope saying, you know, Jim, you're one of the guys
that built this, well, a lot of guys built it,
and he's carrying on that tradition. But it it's just
(15:00):
a beautiful thing to be reminded of every year at
this time and other things. So the Louisville game's a
big deal.
Speaker 3 (15:07):
Yes, So having so many student athletes from all different places, right,
we mentioned Lamont Butler, He's coming from San Diego State,
Jackson Robinson from BYU, Kobe Brea from Dayton, so many
different players from different schools coming together. They're getting to
experience this first Kentucky Louisville rivalry on Saturday. What would
(15:28):
you say to them to embrace that moment?
Speaker 1 (15:31):
Right, Well, I did say something to Kobe. I don't
know if any if they know this, but uk I
thought it was a nice thing. They had ex players
like me write a letter and then even do a
video very recently. So my player was Kobe because he's
a shooter.
Speaker 4 (15:47):
I guess, yeah, there you go.
Speaker 1 (15:48):
So wrote him a nice letter, beautiful thing, and told
him what it meant to me and the games I
played in and who I played against. And again what
we talked about is people are still talking about my
game against those against that the Dream Game, the original.
Speaker 4 (16:05):
Dream Game, the original Dream Game.
Speaker 1 (16:07):
So just tell him to embrace it and set his
own memories as the game goes on.
Speaker 3 (16:12):
So to watch him play, Kobe Burreah, he was the
player you got matched up with.
Speaker 4 (16:17):
We know he's a shooter.
Speaker 3 (16:19):
How fun is it to watch him just shoot the.
Speaker 4 (16:22):
Three day in and day out?
Speaker 2 (16:24):
It is he's a crazy good shooter. Now what we
need to do, coach bo Okay, let's get more shots.
Speaker 1 (16:31):
But it's tough and believe it because people know he
can shoot. So even in my day, you know they're
going to put somebody on him and so you're you're creative.
If we can get him open more and he's got
he's got to work on it too. But crazy good shooter,
crazy good shooter. So as I tell crazy good shooters,
you got to look for the shot and when you
(16:52):
have it, you got to take the shot. So we
get a lot of guys that can shoot, though, but
he's one of the best.
Speaker 4 (16:57):
What do you think makes him such a good shooter?
Speaker 1 (17:00):
Well, I asked him that actually down at the Duke
game and we were in the swimming pool. He's soaking
his foot in the tub hot tub or something. I said,
have you always been He goes, yeah, But again it's
probably like anything.
Speaker 2 (17:12):
He goes, you know, I work at it. I work
at it.
Speaker 1 (17:15):
Crazy good form and gets the spin right and a
lot of confidence.
Speaker 2 (17:20):
It takes that. So he is one of my favorites
to watch.
Speaker 4 (17:24):
I love it. I love it.
Speaker 3 (17:25):
Well, Kentucky has Colgate this Wednesday before they have the
Battle of Bluegrass. So in a week where you have
two games, and especially a significant game on Saturday, you know,
how do you stay focused to make sure you don't
overlook somebody.
Speaker 1 (17:38):
Well that's coach Pope and his coaching staff, which they're fantastic.
So I'm sure he's preaching that every day and.
Speaker 2 (17:44):
It is tough.
Speaker 1 (17:45):
Just so you know, these are young We're not kids,
I guess, but young and impressionable and all that.
Speaker 2 (17:51):
And now, what I think helps us with this team
is the maturity.
Speaker 1 (17:55):
And these young men have played a lot of games,
most of them.
Speaker 2 (17:58):
Yeah, I think that helps.
Speaker 1 (18:00):
And so you're going to have ups and downs, but
I would be surprised if they don't take care of
business on Wednesday and then look forward to the big
game on Saturday.
Speaker 4 (18:11):
The big game on Saturday. I know we're going to
get into.
Speaker 3 (18:14):
We got into the Louis game a little bit, but
I do want to just get quickly your thoughts before
we let you go. Jim on the SEC and how
you've really seen this grow, not only as a football
conference but basketball conference. We talked so much about SEC football,
but I mean Auburn, Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee still undefeated
in college basketball this year.
Speaker 4 (18:35):
How has this conference grown? And what do you think
you can do?
Speaker 3 (18:38):
I mean, I think that they could have twelve teams
in the NCAA Tournament this year.
Speaker 1 (18:42):
And probably yeah, a lot of teams, No doubt about it,
and it has grown over time. I think it's the coaches.
We continue and we've had great coaches. Other schools have
stepped it up. The amount of money football makes. I
think other schools have stepped it up on the coaching facilities.
Think all that it's the SEC. But I have made
(19:03):
the comment just in the last few weeks in SEC football,
especially when we've hadded these other teams. Now we're eating ourselves, right,
I mean it's just a battle. And then I think
Alabama should have made the plays. But then so we
beat each other up. That's probably what's gonna happen in
SEC basketball. So back to my point a few minutes ago,
(19:24):
great that we build our resume already, and I think
they should take care of business before we get it
in the SEC. So it's because it's gonna be brutal.
Teams are gonna you go on the road.
Speaker 2 (19:34):
It is.
Speaker 1 (19:35):
It's gonna be tough at home, but it's gonna be
brutal to get some of these wins on the road.
Speaker 2 (19:39):
So they better be ready.
Speaker 3 (19:41):
Well, it's funny you say eat each other the transitive property.
It's like we talk about it in SEC football. Well,
Vanderbilt beat Alabama, but Alabama beat Georgia, and you can
play that game all day. And I know that when
we play this SEC basketball schedule, it's gonna it's gonna
be something along those lines of Well, Kentucky beat Tennessee,
but Tennessee beat Alabama and Alabama beat Auburn. But how
does a schedule like that, a conference schedule, prepare you
(20:03):
for postseason play?
Speaker 1 (20:04):
Well, it really does. Again, playing on the road is
just brutal in any conference, in almost any sport, so
they're gonna have tough games.
Speaker 2 (20:12):
So yes, it gets the fight in.
Speaker 1 (20:14):
It gets the intensity and how the level has to
get up there and the defense will be better, and
the road wins you get.
Speaker 2 (20:22):
Those are the ones you really like. Home games.
Speaker 1 (20:25):
I always like to say we're supposed to win at home,
But on the road, that's the real challenge. And that's
when you see how good maybe you can get in
tough situations.
Speaker 4 (20:35):
Well, I love it.
Speaker 3 (20:36):
The SEC schedule will be here before we know it.
We got Florida coming up soon, but first Colgate this Wednesday,
and then of course the Battle of the Bluegrass this
Saturday in Reparina.
Speaker 4 (20:45):
Jim will be there. I will be there.
Speaker 3 (20:47):
Jim Master, thank you so much for taking your time
to come on the Behind Kentucky Basketball Podcast today.
Speaker 2 (20:52):
Well I love it and go Cats.
Speaker 4 (20:53):
Go Cats.
Speaker 3 (20:54):
That's a perfect way to end it. This is the
Behind the Kentucky Basketball Podcast presented by UK Federal Credit Union.
Hellen and Hello.
Speaker 2 (21:03):
Hello, Hello,
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