December 4, 2024 • 37 mins
Dick Gabriel is in for Tom Leach who got back late from Kentucky's game at Clemson. Michael Epps from Fox 56 joins the show to talk about the Kentucky game at Clemson and Carolyn Makauskas from the Lexington Herald Leader also joins the show to talk UK Sports.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Good morning everybody. Dick gabrielin for the Voice. Tom got
back early this morning from Clemson, so we're sitting in
for him, letting him get a couple extra hours of sleep.
Here on the Leech Report, presented by bobcat Enterprises Today,
Michael Epps from here in lexingon WDKY Fox fifty six.
Michael was in Clemson last night. I should say add
(00:20):
little John Arena is actually on his way back. He
is a road warrior, so we will talk to Michael
on his trip in the first half hour.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Carolyn makowskis from.
Speaker 1 (00:31):
The Election and Herald Leader, will join us in our
number two to talk basketball and football. Wildcat News of
the Day presented by Giuseppi's of Lexon and of course
the news is the Big Blue Nation sifting through the
first loss of the season.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
You saw it, you heard it right here.
Speaker 1 (00:48):
As the Wildcats got off to that slow start, physical
game which Mark Pope predicted. Everybody knew what happened, and
in fact, the Wildcats were clearly out rebounded in the
first half, but tied things up by the end of
the game. Kentucky and Clemson even on the boards, and
in fact, when Tom talked to Mark Pope early this
morning in the postgame show about his thoughts. That was
(01:11):
the first thing that Pope brought up. He said he
was proud that his players battled back on the boards,
but they just fell short, didn't they, because well, they
just couldn't shoot very well from the outside or two
point land as well. Even though Kentucky. If I had
told you Kentucky's gonna hold Clemson the thirty two percent
shooting and sixty eight points, you'd take that, wouldn't you?
Speaker 2 (01:36):
Pre game?
Speaker 1 (01:37):
But of course sixty six scored by the Cats, fewest
by far in a game this season. Pretty good game,
four ties, thirteen lead changes, Kentucky led for more than
fourteen minutes, but that Amari Williams jump hook with what
about fifteen and a half minutes to play, that was
the last lead for the Wildcats.
Speaker 2 (01:58):
They got back and forth. Clemson went off on.
Speaker 1 (02:02):
A ten to two run, And when you give up
a run like that late in the game, not a
whole lot you can do.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
So the Wildcats.
Speaker 1 (02:10):
You got seventeen from Otega O Way and a season
high seven rebounds, looked to Gonzagon now, and one of
the things we learned last night, I think is just
how vital Lamont Butler is that his team. We already
knew that, but I think his foul trouble was a
real problem for the Wildcats, plus the ankle injury he
(02:31):
missed significant time. Clemson I thought ran its offense better
than Kentucky did, and I do think, and.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
This is not a knock on anybody.
Speaker 1 (02:40):
Else, but Lamont Butler is clearly the floor, a leader
of this team, and when he's not on the floor,
I did think at least last night that the Wildcats
had difficulty really finding a flow offensively. Butler ended up
I was sixteen, he was six to nine, five assists,
had the big three pointer at the end a little
(03:02):
too little, too late that made it a two point game.
But of course the final score seventy to sixty six.
Wildcats really had no answer for Ian Schefflin, who was
a big, burly guy for Clemson, finished with twenty rebounds,
first opposing player with at least twenty against Kentucky since
(03:23):
Hunter Dickinson did it last November. But Dickinson is so
much taller than Shiflin, so I think Kentucky learned what
you would hope would be a valuable lesson and how
to play physical basketball. And they never had a chance
to move away. As I said, Tigers took a fifty
(03:44):
three to fifty two lead. I think a Mary Williams
jump hook gave Kentucky his first lead to the second half.
That came at fifteen and a half to play. At
forty three forty two. Wildcats threw up fifty two to
fifty one when Clemson began that late run. So Cats
now seven to one, heading for Seattle and Gonzaga. And
(04:07):
that of course comes up this weekend, and you'll hear
the game right here.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
Here's another one for you.
Speaker 1 (04:12):
If I told you that Kentucky would be the only
SEC team to lose in the sec A SEC Challenge,
you wouldn't believed that, either, would you. Georgia beats Notre
Dame to get things started handily. South Carolina blows out
Boston College. Arkansas comes back to beat Miami, Missouri holds
(04:32):
off Cal ninety eight ninety three. Tennessee destroyed Syracuse ninety
six to seventy. Wake Forest beat or rather Texas A
and m beat Wake Forest. This had to be a
really ugly game, fifty seven to forty four. Louisville Cardinals
falling in That was in Louisville. I believe two Ole
(04:53):
Miss eighty six sixty three, Oklahoma b Georgia Tech seventy
six seventy one. If you beat Florida State eighty five
seventy five, and you know what happened with the Wildcats.
Today's National signing Day, So keep your computer, your phone,
whatever you use close to find out about what Mark
(05:15):
Stoops and Vince Marrow are up to today. But they
are looking for a new receivers coach because Nebraska has
poached Kentucky receivers coach. They kill Shortz. He is going
to link in Nebraska the other direction from Vince Marrow,
who came here from Nebraska to join his friend Mark Stoops.
(05:37):
But a day after Dana Horgerson signs a two year
contract to stay on as Nebraska's offensive coordinator, the court
Huskers dismiss their current Whiteouts coach and they take to
kill Schwortz away from Kentucky. He is an accomplished, talented
coach and that won't be his last stop unless somebody
(05:58):
backs up the truck and piece him a lot of money.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
He's a good coach.
Speaker 1 (06:02):
Hard to say what kind of impact he had this
year for Kentucky because the Wildcats struggled so much offensively.
But people I talk to who knows such things early,
we're telling me that Schartz was getting.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
It done as a white house coach.
Speaker 1 (06:20):
So now the Kentucky coaching staff has to go out
and recruit not just new players, but a new receivers
coach as well. When we come back, Michael Epps, on
his way back from Clemson, will join us here on
the Leach Report. Welcome back, Dick Gabrielle sitting in for
(06:42):
Tom Leech, the voice on his way back. He's actually back.
He came back with a team last night. We are
trying to reach Michael Epps of Fox fifty six.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
He is on his way.
Speaker 1 (06:51):
Back from Clemson driving, so we hope he is keeping
an eye.
Speaker 3 (06:55):
On the road.
Speaker 2 (06:56):
Links to our stories, by the way, you can.
Speaker 1 (06:58):
Find on the bud Light Leach page at Tom Leach
Kwy dot com. Leach Report coming to you from the
Clark's Pumping Shop studio. And if you are still following
college football, well yeah, we understand if you're a little
put off if you're a Kentucky fan, But the college
football playoff projected bracket is out and interesting and of
(07:21):
course has people debating and arguing. But right now we
know that you've got Indiana at number ten. Some thought
Indiana might slip all the way out of the picture,
but for now, the Hoosiers are still alive.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
All right, we have Michael Epps on our hotline.
Speaker 4 (07:41):
Good morning, Michael, Hey, about what eight hours removed from
covering that game down to Clemson.
Speaker 2 (07:53):
It's a quick turnaround. That's why I call you the
road Warrior, man. I appreciate you joining us. Tell us.
Speaker 1 (08:01):
Tell us first of all, Michael, about the atmosphere down there,
because you could hear it, you could see it.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
Jimmy Dikes raved about it. What was it like to
be right in the middle of it?
Speaker 4 (08:11):
Oh fast that it was fantastic. I mean, Dick, I
told you, you know, part of why you called me
the road Warrior and why I love covering these road
games is because I just feed off those atmospheres. It's
what's so much fun about college sports. You know, you
get the student sections getting rowdy. You know, those Clemson
(08:31):
kids were lining up as early as one PM for
a nine to thirty start. I mean, and it wasn't
exactly warm down there. It was a little bit warmer
than Lexington, but it was still a little chilly. So
give them credit. And many were They were filled in,
you know at eight o'clock, maybe a little earlier for
(08:52):
a nine to thirty game in those seats, and they
were active and the rest of the crowd was good.
There were some Kentucky fans in there, but they got
pretty quiet there. There were only one or two go
big Blue chants, and normally you hear more of those
in a game. So those Clemson fans were loud. They
were engaged. You know, they were like smart basketball fans,
(09:13):
Like they got mad at certain charge calls, but you know,
should have been a block and this and that. So
I give them credit. Man. They're having a fun time
down here, even though they lost on Saturday. They're going
the Charlotte for the ACC title game in football, and
they know their football school. A couple of people told
me yesterday, But you get a big win on the
(09:35):
hardwood like that, it gives you a little boost for
basketball season.
Speaker 1 (09:38):
Looked like a physical game on TV.
Speaker 2 (09:40):
What did it look like in person?
Speaker 4 (09:44):
Yeah? I was asking the players about it after the game,
Like the physicality jumped off on the screen for people
watching it home, and it really jumped off for the
people in person.
Speaker 3 (09:56):
I mean, the.
Speaker 4 (09:56):
Players were exhausted, and Mario Williams and Marintha Garrison, we're
just Southern NonStop. I mean, both guys were guessed. I
think the guards are pretty well conditioned now. They's played
a ton of minutes. Lamont Butler was getting some He
tweaked his ankle a little bit and he had the
pole trouble, which was unfortunate. But yeah, they just weren't
(10:18):
ready for Clemson to really just handed to him. And
it happened a couple of times last season. I can't
remember which games, but South Carolina was one of them
where you know, that was a young team basing an
older South Carolina team and they just played like grown
men out there and just we're just the older kids
on the block and just out hustled them and got
(10:42):
that win. This reminded me of it, which is supergrant
because this is an older experience Kentucky team and they
just got out worked. Clemson came in. I hate the
Super Bowl line. You know, I'm a little disappointed in
my pope for you because it's the cow line that fans,
(11:02):
you know, it's it's almost a little correct me if
I'm wrong, Dick, but it's almost a little too arrogant.
You know, they were everybody super Bowl. It's like when
you were making final fours every year. I get it,
you're Kentucky. You're not really that same Kentucky anymore. You
haven't made it that the first weekend since twenty nineteen.
I mean that's a long time. So I really wish
(11:24):
they'd chill on the everybody super Bowl. Yes they are,
and Clemson had black T shirts for the student section
and this was their big game of the year, but
chill out on the little super Bowl comments until you
get back to the final four at least.
Speaker 1 (11:40):
Yeah, but you know what you're playing against the brand
When Kentucky beat Alabama in the mid nineties and football
and they toured on the goalpost that that Alabama team
I think had a losing record that year and was
on NCA probation. Wasn't you know your grandfather's Alabama. You're
beating the brand name, you're beating the name on the jersey.
Speaker 2 (12:00):
So I get it. I get entirely what.
Speaker 1 (12:02):
You're saying, But you can't convince Clemson fans of that,
can you.
Speaker 4 (12:08):
Yeah, and it's still their super Bowl, you know, Yeah,
I get it, it definitely is. And Clembson deserves to
go thorm the court and get rowdy for the win.
You know, that's a huge win that can kind of
paint their season after you know, tough loss against Boise stayed.
I think it was, and it kind of crushed hopes
(12:29):
a little bit from this season what they hoped it
would be. They make the Elite Eight last year but
lose a lot of pieces and that team just did
not jump off to me as a team that could
go back to the Elite eight. Like, I don't think
that Thumbs and team is that fantastic. I think they're
going to be middle of a ACC at least it's
(12:51):
not a little lower. So that could end up being
a huge resume booster for them, and it could be
a tough loss for the cat if they get beat
up in the SEC play and lose a number of games,
we might be looking at, you know, that Duke win
as maybe one of their signature wins in March for
(13:14):
a resume booster, because that Colmes win could be a
bad loss. But I think Clemson's got, you know, some
some fight. They really showed it. They just wanted it
more to them. Yeah, the Kentuck's players did, and that
they continue to play that way through the acc though
on the big game sad.
Speaker 1 (13:31):
Soon we'll talk more with Michael EPs on the other
side of the break here on the Leach Reports. Stay
with us, Welcome back. We're talking with Michael Epps, Fox
fifty six here and Electioniton. Michael covered the Cleinton Kentucky
game in person last night, made.
Speaker 2 (13:49):
The drive down. Now he's on his way back.
Speaker 1 (13:51):
And before I ask you about football recruiting, Michael, tell
me a little bit about the players, how they responded,
how they reacted and do you go in the locker room?
Speaker 2 (14:01):
Did they have a media room? And then what was
that like?
Speaker 4 (14:05):
Yeah, they brought out Jackson Robinson and Amari Williams, two
older experienced guys. You know they're gonna handle as well.
They've done a lot of winning and losing in their career.
Jackson Robinson was pretty honest. He just said, you know,
we that physicality was a wake up call. You know.
I asked both of them how it really jumped out
(14:26):
to everybody watching? What was it like playing in it,
and both of them were honest that they weren't ready
for it. It jumped out to them in the first half.
They were down ten on the glass. They fought hard
in the second half to get back and work that
margin back, and they did. But you could just kind
(14:46):
of tell Clems And wanted it a little bit more than them. So,
you know, after the Georgia State game and then this
one where teams just really got up in their grill,
they got to figure this out now, starting with gonzag
got a tough game out there. That's basically gonna be
another road game, even though technically it's a neutral site game.
You know the blueprints there. Get physical with these guys
(15:09):
and the fatigue will make them miss threes, open threes,
and once you do that, you kind of cripple this team. Though.
They got to figure out other ways to score the basketball.
They had that struggle in the Duke game, not hitting
threes down double digits in the second half, but they
turned it around. They went inside, had a few and
(15:31):
ons from Andrew Carr and Lamon Butler and just kind
of owned the paint. And they're probably gonna have to
do that more than they wanted to, because threes just
don't always fall, Dick, and you know, teams that rely
on the three pointers just don't win national championships. That's
not how you win. You gotta be a grown, physical
(15:52):
team and get in the paint sometimes and get dirty.
So these are all learning experiences for this young you know,
new like old but kind of young group together. They
only played eight games together, so you got to cut
them some slack a little bit, but a little concerning
the CDs late game offensive struggles, so they got to
clean it up.
Speaker 1 (16:11):
Yeah, and I think probably the Wade Kentucky shot against
Georgia State, all due respect from two point range was
fools gold because, as you said, Clemson so much more
physical and more talented than Georgia State.
Speaker 2 (16:25):
So this is kind of a blueprint, now, wouldn't you think.
Speaker 4 (16:29):
Yeah, and Kenega certainly was going to do that no
matter what happened in Clemson games. You know, they're very
well couched team with mark few and you know, I
know they lost what to West Virginia, I think so,
but they're still top ten team with some talent. Would
certainly be a huge bounce back. The thing of oh
and two in this week of non conference ball kind
(16:54):
of like, oh, you know, kind of drags the you know,
luster and excitement down for this team a little bit
because we know how tough the SEC is going to be.
I mean, there are still dying in the top twenty five,
aren't they at least eight? So you know Auburn Tennessee,
you know, almost gets big win beat Louisville of course,
(17:16):
and you know that's he This conference is talented. So
they they had this spot of maybe going undefeated in
non conference play and then now you're looking at maybe
oh in two weeks. Yeah, well soon you got to do.
We're learning a lot about this team, but the late
game offensive struggles.
Speaker 2 (17:36):
He is nothing. He is Michael Epps.
Speaker 1 (17:40):
You can follow him on Twitter at Michael Lipps tv
H safe travels.
Speaker 2 (17:44):
Brother, will see you when you get back.
Speaker 4 (17:46):
All right, all right, thanks chick.
Speaker 1 (17:47):
That is Michael Epps from Fox fifty six here in Lexington,
and he is the road Warrior. We'll come back with
Caroline Mkowski has talk basketball and volleyball in just a
minute here on the Leach Report. Welcome back to the
Leach Report. Dick gabrielin for the Voice The Leach Report.
(18:08):
Presented by Bobcat Enterprises for locations in Kentucky when you
need to rent or buy heavy equipment or a new
zero turn mow er four year long term to the
folks at Bobcat Enterprises, tell them you heard it right
here on the Leach Report. And we welcome in our
next guest, Caroline makowskis from the Lexington Harold Leader.
Speaker 3 (18:29):
Good morning, Caroline, good morning, how are you today?
Speaker 1 (18:33):
I am well, thank you, and I always feel guilty
for asking sports journalists to get up early and be
on the radio with us, but a lot of late nights,
I know. Before we go any further, though, I need
to inform people Caroline is a Chicago native but went
to college at the University of Texas, the one in Austin.
(18:53):
And I thought about you while I was treading the
campus down there and walking the sidelines, that that is
quite the experience, Caroline, a Texas football game. I don't
know at what point you might have started covering games
down there, if at all, but I have to admit
they put on a pretty good show.
Speaker 3 (19:12):
I did not actually ever cover Texas football when I
was down there, but I will say being in that
stadium It's a super unique experience. I have fond memories
of sitting in the hot Texas sun August September, so sweaty, overheating.
Speaker 5 (19:32):
Needing to drink more water.
Speaker 3 (19:34):
You know, special times in my life. But yeah, the
experience is really wild. Down there, gets loud, it's a
cool place to watch a game.
Speaker 1 (19:43):
Was Texas very good when you were down there?
Speaker 2 (19:45):
I know they've had ups and downs lately.
Speaker 3 (19:48):
No, certainly not.
Speaker 4 (19:49):
They were not.
Speaker 3 (19:50):
But it's about enjoying the day.
Speaker 2 (19:54):
Oh yeah, definitely.
Speaker 1 (19:55):
You know, it's like going to a UK basketball game,
even when they're not good, it can be fun for
a while. And I had to keep reminding myself of that.
Of course, Texas is in the hunt for a national title.
But it's kind of like when Kentucky went to Georgia.
I guess it was last year. Yeah, and Georgia needed
that win to stay on top. Texas needed to beat Kentucky.
(20:19):
And there's no I think better feeling than being in
a game, a college football game that matters, you know
what I mean? Oh?
Speaker 3 (20:29):
Absolutely, you know, not even even if you're not super
invested in whatever the matchup is or you know the
implications for your team aren't the same. To be in
that environment, to feel the stakes in the air, see
the community around you, get excited. It's really cool.
Speaker 1 (20:47):
Before I move on to basketball, one more question. Before
you moved down there, were you a barbecue girl? Did
you like brisket, the stuff that Texas can be known for.
Speaker 2 (21:00):
Were you do you like it now? Did you never
like it? Tell me about your your palette.
Speaker 1 (21:05):
Moving from Chicago, which has unique dishes to Austin, Texas.
Speaker 3 (21:11):
Absolutely my journey with barbecue.
Speaker 5 (21:14):
I love that you've asked me this question. I've always
liked it. I've always been a fan. We were a
Chicken Wings household, you know. I enjoyed a rib or
two in my time. But when it's so present in
Austin in.
Speaker 3 (21:32):
The way that we didn't have it in Chicago or
wheat in Illinois, it was it was very exciting to
me to step into a new world, if you will,
where it was accessible all the time, and not only accessible,
but excellence. That's a that's a high bar down there.
So I definitely enjoyed my time while I While I was.
Speaker 1 (21:51):
There, the team stayed in Round Rock, so obviously we
stayed with them the same hotel and went to a
barbecue place in Round Rock. I'll never get into Austin
that night Friday night, but it was. Yeah, we like
we were going to the electric chairs, so yeah, it was.
Speaker 2 (22:07):
It was great.
Speaker 1 (22:08):
All right, Well, let me shift you over to basketball.
I know you didn't last past halftime. I'm sure some
people didn't last night.
Speaker 2 (22:14):
You can't.
Speaker 1 (22:14):
Men's basketball not your beat. But before I ask you
about the women's game, were you surprised that this game
last night was so physical and that Clemson was kind
of beating on the Wildcats.
Speaker 3 (22:27):
I don't know that I was surprised it was physical.
I think what's fun about Mark Pope's team so far
is people have to find different ways getting creative to
try and you know, get them to get them off
their game or attempt them to push them off their game.
But yeah, I think those are two good teams and
(22:49):
once again people want to win, people get people get
really into the moment. And I don't think I was surprised.
I think we'll see more of that throughout the sec
ACC challenge too.
Speaker 2 (22:59):
Yeah, no, I agree with you.
Speaker 1 (23:01):
Well, let me shift over to one of your beats,
and that is UK women's basketball, and they are still undefeated.
Of course, they play in the sec ACC Challenge tomorrow
night against North Carolina in Chapel Hill. I'll be honest,
I don't know that much about North Carolina, but I
know Kenny Brooks knows about North Carolina coming from Virginia Tech.
Speaker 2 (23:23):
But what is it?
Speaker 1 (23:25):
I mean, they go down to Nashville and take both
games Arizona State and nineteens ranked Illinois had to come
back to beat Illinois, came back to beat Louisville. He
got some key transfers from Virginia Tech. But big picture, Caroline,
what is it about this Kentucky team that's allowed them
to remain unblemished so far?
Speaker 3 (23:46):
I think this team is really interesting because despite the
fact that the depth is not there in the same
way that we thought it might have been prior to
the season, prior to the juries of Jordan Obien Dominica Parova,
they play so hard and they play so together and
(24:08):
within Kenny Brooks's system, which is different, it does look
different from what we see across at least power for basketball.
The length, the things that they are able to do
that are.
Speaker 4 (24:23):
Unlocked because of who they've.
Speaker 3 (24:26):
Got in and around the post, really open things opens
things up for them. Clara strack tianni Key, of course
transfer from North Carolina. This is be a homecoming for her.
It's Amelia Hassett, Clara Silva. What they're able to do
cannot only shift the game defensively in a dramatic way,
(24:49):
which we saw against Illinois in that second half, but
really get things going on offense. Helps promote the fluidity
of that system special in that way.
Speaker 1 (25:02):
They're not really good at three point shooting twenty eight
percent as a team. Georgia Amore hitting twenty four percent
the point guard and has taken more three pointers than anybody.
So they've got to depend on that low post.
Speaker 2 (25:17):
Game, don't they.
Speaker 1 (25:18):
Do You do you think that could improve much at
all this year?
Speaker 4 (25:23):
I do think so.
Speaker 3 (25:24):
This is a team with a lot of players who
do have that shot in their tool bag. Kenny Brooks
said something after the Illinois game, and he said, you know,
I'm gonna stay the obvious here, but we're a really
good team when we're when we're making shots, when we're
shooting the basketball well, and they have that skill. I
(25:47):
think they're still just trying to put it together. You know,
they're undefeated, they're the number fourteen team in the AP poll.
They're number twenty in the net rankings. This is a
good team with statement wins. But they are still trying
to put it together. Yeah, you know, they're still trying
to get everything to gel in.
Speaker 4 (26:05):
The right way.
Speaker 3 (26:06):
And I think the three point shot is part of that.
I think that will come. I think it will start
to land. It's just a matter of Okay, this is
gonna fit best here, you fit best here. Still maintaining that.
You know, they get to upset communication both defensively and offensively,
(26:27):
but particularly when they're looking to take these longer shots.
I think that will come. I'm not super worried about it,
and I know Kenny Brooks isn't either.
Speaker 1 (26:37):
Caroline makowskis our guests. We'll come back and talk in
see volleyball with Caroline in just a minute here on
a Leach Report.
Speaker 2 (26:49):
Welcome back to the Leach Report.
Speaker 1 (26:50):
Dick Gabriel sitting in for the Voice who got back
from Clemson early early this morning, so we are happy
to sit in for him. Or talking with Caroline mcawscus,
who is a sportswriter for.
Speaker 2 (27:01):
The Election and Herald Leader.
Speaker 1 (27:03):
And we mentioned and we talked about UK women's basketball,
and you're gonna be covering a volleyball this week. And
this has been quite the story, hasn't it. Carolina Kentucky
team that was getting bruised and beaten up because of
a tough schedule early in the year and injuries were
taking their toll.
Speaker 2 (27:21):
They get hot at just the right.
Speaker 1 (27:23):
Time and now now they're hosting in it's another SEC
title teams. It's unlike anything we've seen here in a
long time.
Speaker 3 (27:33):
Yeah, this is eight straight Southeastern Conference championships for Kentucky
volleyball and for Craig Skinner, and it has been a
really exciting season to watch. Something that I appreciate about
Craig Skinners. Every year He'll assembled this really difficult schedule
every year without fail. He wants to play the best
(27:54):
teams in the country. He wants to have Kentucky on
the national stage. And this is even prior to their
the national championship.
Speaker 4 (28:02):
A few years ago.
Speaker 3 (28:03):
But you packed this the non conference schedule.
Speaker 4 (28:06):
And the way that you can.
Speaker 3 (28:08):
You know that SEC volleyball is always going to bring
some worthy opponents, especially this season. There were a lot
of question marks with the with the Texas Longhorns coming
in and back to back national champions there, and what
might it look like this year within the SEC? Can
Kentucky maintain that, you know, really unprecedented level of success
(28:29):
and eleven straight victories for the Kentucky Wildcats to get here.
It's it's been very fun to stay.
Speaker 1 (28:38):
People forget or maybe they don't pick as much attention
to the sport. But as you said, Texas back to
back champions and in fact, Texas lost to Kentucky in
the technically the twenty twenty championship match.
Speaker 2 (28:52):
It extended into twenty one.
Speaker 1 (28:54):
But Texas's two best players arguably transferred in from Kentucky
went through the portal down to Austin.
Speaker 2 (29:02):
So it just shows you how quickly things can turn around.
Speaker 1 (29:07):
But yeah, this Kentucky team plan its best when it
has to, but draws into the Pittsburgh Regional.
Speaker 2 (29:13):
You know, if you want to.
Speaker 1 (29:14):
Beat the best or play the best, you gotta beat
the best and be the best and all that. But
I don't know, it's gonna be really fun, I think,
Caroline to see what kind of crowds they get in
a new Memorial Coliseum, because you spend a lot of
time there with basketball as well.
Speaker 2 (29:28):
But now, what a great venue, isn't it.
Speaker 4 (29:31):
Oh, it's amazing.
Speaker 3 (29:32):
I love sitting in there. My first season covering Kentucky
women's basketball was that final season prior to the renovation,
So okay, I didn't get a ton of time there,
but I do remember the lack of air conditioning, you know,
I remember it needed a little bit of a sprucing up.
And I mean that's night and day. If you haven't
(29:55):
been in there yet, people listening, you should because it's
it's really beautiful and the you know, the scoreboards are amazing.
The atmosphere is really cool and definitely contributes to that
home court advantage.
Speaker 2 (30:09):
Yeah, they did it right, didn't they. I don't know
if you have.
Speaker 3 (30:14):
A million dollars by opportunity exactly.
Speaker 1 (30:17):
I don't know if you had a chance to cover
any of the early season volleyball matches, but those begin
in August and those are Yeah, those were a lot
of fun.
Speaker 2 (30:27):
Sarcastically, he says.
Speaker 1 (30:29):
But it's interesting to me that Leah Edmund, the two
time SEC Player of the Year, four time All American,
arguably the best player Kentucky's ever had, works with me
on a lot of the broadcasts. She says she liked
the fact that there was no AC because it was
a home court advantage. But I can tell you she's
in a distinct minority now on that because you know, and.
Speaker 2 (30:50):
You were their media day.
Speaker 1 (30:51):
Whenever we would bring up to the basketball players the
air conditioning, they'd all smile and laugh, wouldn't they.
Speaker 3 (31:00):
It's I think it's funny. But you know what, if
you're used to it, you're used to it and you
can use the heat to your advantage. Hey, you know what,
whatever it takes. I'm all about that competitive edge when
you can grab it. But I'm happy, and you know,
we're never we're not playing in any games. We're just
sitting there on the sideline, and I prefer, you know,
(31:23):
to be a little chillier than it was, so I'm
not sweaty watching them play.
Speaker 1 (31:30):
What have you been able to to learn about this
Kentucky volleyball team besides the fact that it's one of
the hottest in America.
Speaker 3 (31:39):
Yeah, and all of that resilience, I've been really impressed.
I was at that game in October, that match in
October when Texas came and it was a three to
zero sweeping, and that was the first time this season
that you know, it really wasn't as competitive as I
know Craig Skinner and Kentucky wanted it to be. And
(32:03):
from that point on, Kentucky has not lost, that's right,
not once. And you know that the momentum is there,
the hot streak is there, sure, but the way that
they have been able.
Speaker 6 (32:15):
To adjust and to learn from the mistakes, from the miscalculations,
from the disappointments has been really impressive to me.
Speaker 3 (32:27):
And when you have that confidence and that ability to
look in the mirror and say, Okay, this wasn't working
or I didn't show up in this specific way that
I need to today, that is going to be really
valuable heading into an NCAA tournament, especially when you know
there's nobody left from that national championship roster. So it's
(32:49):
cool that that culture has continued on and I think
you know has the ability to serve them well should
they be able to tap into it.
Speaker 1 (32:57):
She is Caroline Makowska. She covers uk when is basketball
and so much more for the lection and hero leader.
Follow her on ex at c makowskis that's m ak
au Kas Caroline, Thank you so much. And we will
see you at the coliseum.
Speaker 3 (33:13):
Yes, indeed, thank you very much for having me have a.
Speaker 1 (33:15):
Gay writing and we'll take a break, come back and
talk football recruiting. It is signing day here on the
Leach Report. That'll do it for The Leach Report, presented
by Bob kat Enterprises, UK History presented by Kentucky road
Show Sports Cards and Memorabilia in Lection and learn more
about them at roadshowcards dot com. I'm not going to
(33:35):
look back when it comes to history. I'm going to
look forward because you got some new Wildcats hoping to
make history right now.
Speaker 2 (33:41):
According to the two four seven.
Speaker 1 (33:44):
Website that brought it to us by the Cat's Boss,
they've got seven signees to the Wildcats and that changes
by the minute. But a safety from Demopolis, Alabama, Dylan
Williams has signed. Clayton, Ohio offensive guard Jaden Clark from
Writing Lection and Frederick Douglass High School edge Cedric Works
(34:04):
signed about a half an hour ago. Also nearby, Frankfurt
Western Hills Edge Javion Campbell signed a little after eight am.
A quarterback from Columbus, Ohio, Brennan Ward, signed three minutes
after the after the top of the hour Pickerington, Ohio.
(34:26):
A wide receiver Preston Bowman signed earlier today. Monroe, Georgia
defensive lineman Nicholas Smith was the first to sign with
the Wildcats, according to the Cat's pause and again this
changes by the minute. So let's see if they just
I just refreshed it.
Speaker 2 (34:44):
Oh they added one more, wouldn't you know?
Speaker 1 (34:46):
Uh, from Paduca Tillman safety Martell's Carter I remember when
he committed.
Speaker 2 (34:51):
That was a great.
Speaker 1 (34:52):
Get for the Wildcats and a tip of the cap
to Walt Wells and the EKU colonels. Their first signed
is from here in Lexington. It is running back Peyton
Smith from Frederick Douglas. So he says he will be,
and he will be. He just signed to be an
EKU colonel. Tough way for that season to end for EKU.
(35:15):
Really really questionable officiating. I got to see it after
I got home from that Louisville game and flipped on
the EKU Villanova game.
Speaker 2 (35:25):
Not great. Was not a great day up in Philly
for EKU.
Speaker 1 (35:30):
Probably should still be playing.
Speaker 2 (35:33):
As you know.
Speaker 1 (35:33):
Coming up Saturday, ten pm Eastern time, it's Kentucky Gonzaga.
It will be on ESPN two invite you to listen
to Tom Leach and Jack Gibbons.
Speaker 2 (35:43):
Their coverage begins right here.
Speaker 1 (35:45):
On the UK Network at eight thirty pm from the
Climate Pledge Arena up in Seattle. I'm curious to see
how many Kentucky fans make that trip.
Speaker 2 (35:56):
I would love to have gone.
Speaker 1 (35:57):
That's one of my favorite favorite cities in the world, SA,
but I had to choose between that and New York City,
so I'll be covering that game up there when the
Wildcats play Ohio State next week. Two games for the Wildcats.
They're back home on Wednesday against Colgate. That's an eight
o'clock start in ropp Arena. And then, of course Saturday,
(36:20):
on December fourteenth, those Louisville Cardinals come to town again,
another kind of an odd ball start. That's a five
point fifteen tip for the Cats and the Cardinals.
Speaker 2 (36:31):
And that's an ESPN game as well, but we'll have
it for you right here.
Speaker 1 (36:34):
And then the Wildcats are off for a week before
they head for New York to take on Ohio State
at the Garden Madison Square Garden. It was what eight
years ago they played Ohio State, but that was over
in Brooklyn. But this one is in MSG and it
should be a ball Really looking forward to that, looking
forward to see how the Cats bounce back against Gonzaga.
Speaker 2 (36:55):
For Rick Ryder, I'm Dick Gabriel. That's it. Have a
great day, everybody,
Good morning everybody. Dick gabrielin for the Voice. Tom got
back early this morning from Clemson, so we're sitting in
for him, letting him get a couple extra hours of sleep.
Here on the Leech Report, presented by bobcat Enterprises Today,
Michael Epps from here in lexingon WDKY Fox fifty six.
Michael was in Clemson last night. I should say add
(00:20):
little John Arena is actually on his way back. He
is a road warrior, so we will talk to Michael
on his trip in the first half hour.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Carolyn makowskis from.
Speaker 1 (00:31):
The Election and Herald Leader, will join us in our
number two to talk basketball and football. Wildcat News of
the Day presented by Giuseppi's of Lexon and of course
the news is the Big Blue Nation sifting through the
first loss of the season.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
You saw it, you heard it right here.
Speaker 1 (00:48):
As the Wildcats got off to that slow start, physical
game which Mark Pope predicted. Everybody knew what happened, and
in fact, the Wildcats were clearly out rebounded in the
first half, but tied things up by the end of
the game. Kentucky and Clemson even on the boards, and
in fact, when Tom talked to Mark Pope early this
morning in the postgame show about his thoughts. That was
(01:11):
the first thing that Pope brought up. He said he
was proud that his players battled back on the boards,
but they just fell short, didn't they, because well, they
just couldn't shoot very well from the outside or two
point land as well. Even though Kentucky. If I had
told you Kentucky's gonna hold Clemson the thirty two percent
shooting and sixty eight points, you'd take that, wouldn't you?
Speaker 2 (01:36):
Pre game?
Speaker 1 (01:37):
But of course sixty six scored by the Cats, fewest
by far in a game this season. Pretty good game,
four ties, thirteen lead changes, Kentucky led for more than
fourteen minutes, but that Amari Williams jump hook with what
about fifteen and a half minutes to play, that was
the last lead for the Wildcats.
Speaker 2 (01:58):
They got back and forth. Clemson went off on.
Speaker 1 (02:02):
A ten to two run, And when you give up
a run like that late in the game, not a
whole lot you can do.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
So the Wildcats.
Speaker 1 (02:10):
You got seventeen from Otega O Way and a season
high seven rebounds, looked to Gonzagon now, and one of
the things we learned last night, I think is just
how vital Lamont Butler is that his team. We already
knew that, but I think his foul trouble was a
real problem for the Wildcats, plus the ankle injury he
(02:31):
missed significant time. Clemson I thought ran its offense better
than Kentucky did, and I do think, and.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
This is not a knock on anybody.
Speaker 1 (02:40):
Else, but Lamont Butler is clearly the floor, a leader
of this team, and when he's not on the floor,
I did think at least last night that the Wildcats
had difficulty really finding a flow offensively. Butler ended up
I was sixteen, he was six to nine, five assists,
had the big three pointer at the end a little
(03:02):
too little, too late that made it a two point game.
But of course the final score seventy to sixty six.
Wildcats really had no answer for Ian Schefflin, who was
a big, burly guy for Clemson, finished with twenty rebounds,
first opposing player with at least twenty against Kentucky since
(03:23):
Hunter Dickinson did it last November. But Dickinson is so
much taller than Shiflin, so I think Kentucky learned what
you would hope would be a valuable lesson and how
to play physical basketball. And they never had a chance
to move away. As I said, Tigers took a fifty
(03:44):
three to fifty two lead. I think a Mary Williams
jump hook gave Kentucky his first lead to the second half.
That came at fifteen and a half to play. At
forty three forty two. Wildcats threw up fifty two to
fifty one when Clemson began that late run. So Cats
now seven to one, heading for Seattle and Gonzaga. And
(04:07):
that of course comes up this weekend, and you'll hear
the game right here.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
Here's another one for you.
Speaker 1 (04:12):
If I told you that Kentucky would be the only
SEC team to lose in the sec A SEC Challenge,
you wouldn't believed that, either, would you. Georgia beats Notre
Dame to get things started handily. South Carolina blows out
Boston College. Arkansas comes back to beat Miami, Missouri holds
(04:32):
off Cal ninety eight ninety three. Tennessee destroyed Syracuse ninety
six to seventy. Wake Forest beat or rather Texas A
and m beat Wake Forest. This had to be a
really ugly game, fifty seven to forty four. Louisville Cardinals
falling in That was in Louisville. I believe two Ole
(04:53):
Miss eighty six sixty three, Oklahoma b Georgia Tech seventy
six seventy one. If you beat Florida State eighty five
seventy five, and you know what happened with the Wildcats.
Today's National signing Day, So keep your computer, your phone,
whatever you use close to find out about what Mark
(05:15):
Stoops and Vince Marrow are up to today. But they
are looking for a new receivers coach because Nebraska has
poached Kentucky receivers coach. They kill Shortz. He is going
to link in Nebraska the other direction from Vince Marrow,
who came here from Nebraska to join his friend Mark Stoops.
(05:37):
But a day after Dana Horgerson signs a two year
contract to stay on as Nebraska's offensive coordinator, the court
Huskers dismiss their current Whiteouts coach and they take to
kill Schwortz away from Kentucky. He is an accomplished, talented
coach and that won't be his last stop unless somebody
(05:58):
backs up the truck and piece him a lot of money.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
He's a good coach.
Speaker 1 (06:02):
Hard to say what kind of impact he had this
year for Kentucky because the Wildcats struggled so much offensively.
But people I talk to who knows such things early,
we're telling me that Schartz was getting.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
It done as a white house coach.
Speaker 1 (06:20):
So now the Kentucky coaching staff has to go out
and recruit not just new players, but a new receivers
coach as well. When we come back, Michael Epps, on
his way back from Clemson, will join us here on
the Leach Report. Welcome back, Dick Gabrielle sitting in for
(06:42):
Tom Leech, the voice on his way back. He's actually back.
He came back with a team last night. We are
trying to reach Michael Epps of Fox fifty six.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
He is on his way.
Speaker 1 (06:51):
Back from Clemson driving, so we hope he is keeping
an eye.
Speaker 3 (06:55):
On the road.
Speaker 2 (06:56):
Links to our stories, by the way, you can.
Speaker 1 (06:58):
Find on the bud Light Leach page at Tom Leach
Kwy dot com. Leach Report coming to you from the
Clark's Pumping Shop studio. And if you are still following
college football, well yeah, we understand if you're a little
put off if you're a Kentucky fan, But the college
football playoff projected bracket is out and interesting and of
(07:21):
course has people debating and arguing. But right now we
know that you've got Indiana at number ten. Some thought
Indiana might slip all the way out of the picture,
but for now, the Hoosiers are still alive.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
All right, we have Michael Epps on our hotline.
Speaker 4 (07:41):
Good morning, Michael, Hey, about what eight hours removed from
covering that game down to Clemson.
Speaker 2 (07:53):
It's a quick turnaround. That's why I call you the
road Warrior, man. I appreciate you joining us. Tell us.
Speaker 1 (08:01):
Tell us first of all, Michael, about the atmosphere down there,
because you could hear it, you could see it.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
Jimmy Dikes raved about it. What was it like to
be right in the middle of it?
Speaker 4 (08:11):
Oh fast that it was fantastic. I mean, Dick, I
told you, you know, part of why you called me
the road Warrior and why I love covering these road
games is because I just feed off those atmospheres. It's
what's so much fun about college sports. You know, you
get the student sections getting rowdy. You know, those Clemson
(08:31):
kids were lining up as early as one PM for
a nine to thirty start. I mean, and it wasn't
exactly warm down there. It was a little bit warmer
than Lexington, but it was still a little chilly. So
give them credit. And many were They were filled in,
you know at eight o'clock, maybe a little earlier for
(08:52):
a nine to thirty game in those seats, and they
were active and the rest of the crowd was good.
There were some Kentucky fans in there, but they got
pretty quiet there. There were only one or two go
big Blue chants, and normally you hear more of those
in a game. So those Clemson fans were loud. They
were engaged. You know, they were like smart basketball fans,
(09:13):
Like they got mad at certain charge calls, but you know,
should have been a block and this and that. So
I give them credit. Man. They're having a fun time
down here, even though they lost on Saturday. They're going
the Charlotte for the ACC title game in football, and
they know their football school. A couple of people told
me yesterday, But you get a big win on the
(09:35):
hardwood like that, it gives you a little boost for
basketball season.
Speaker 1 (09:38):
Looked like a physical game on TV.
Speaker 2 (09:40):
What did it look like in person?
Speaker 4 (09:44):
Yeah? I was asking the players about it after the game,
Like the physicality jumped off on the screen for people
watching it home, and it really jumped off for the
people in person.
Speaker 3 (09:56):
I mean, the.
Speaker 4 (09:56):
Players were exhausted, and Mario Williams and Marintha Garrison, we're
just Southern NonStop. I mean, both guys were guessed. I
think the guards are pretty well conditioned now. They's played
a ton of minutes. Lamont Butler was getting some He
tweaked his ankle a little bit and he had the
pole trouble, which was unfortunate. But yeah, they just weren't
(10:18):
ready for Clemson to really just handed to him. And
it happened a couple of times last season. I can't
remember which games, but South Carolina was one of them
where you know, that was a young team basing an
older South Carolina team and they just played like grown
men out there and just we're just the older kids
on the block and just out hustled them and got
(10:42):
that win. This reminded me of it, which is supergrant
because this is an older experience Kentucky team and they
just got out worked. Clemson came in. I hate the
Super Bowl line. You know, I'm a little disappointed in
my pope for you because it's the cow line that fans,
(11:02):
you know, it's it's almost a little correct me if
I'm wrong, Dick, but it's almost a little too arrogant.
You know, they were everybody super Bowl. It's like when
you were making final fours every year. I get it,
you're Kentucky. You're not really that same Kentucky anymore. You
haven't made it that the first weekend since twenty nineteen.
I mean that's a long time. So I really wish
(11:24):
they'd chill on the everybody super Bowl. Yes they are,
and Clemson had black T shirts for the student section
and this was their big game of the year, but
chill out on the little super Bowl comments until you
get back to the final four at least.
Speaker 1 (11:40):
Yeah, but you know what you're playing against the brand
When Kentucky beat Alabama in the mid nineties and football
and they toured on the goalpost that that Alabama team
I think had a losing record that year and was
on NCA probation. Wasn't you know your grandfather's Alabama. You're
beating the brand name, you're beating the name on the jersey.
Speaker 2 (12:00):
So I get it. I get entirely what.
Speaker 1 (12:02):
You're saying, But you can't convince Clemson fans of that,
can you.
Speaker 4 (12:08):
Yeah, and it's still their super Bowl, you know, Yeah,
I get it, it definitely is. And Clembson deserves to
go thorm the court and get rowdy for the win.
You know, that's a huge win that can kind of
paint their season after you know, tough loss against Boise stayed.
I think it was, and it kind of crushed hopes
(12:29):
a little bit from this season what they hoped it
would be. They make the Elite Eight last year but
lose a lot of pieces and that team just did
not jump off to me as a team that could
go back to the Elite eight. Like, I don't think
that Thumbs and team is that fantastic. I think they're
going to be middle of a ACC at least it's
(12:51):
not a little lower. So that could end up being
a huge resume booster for them, and it could be
a tough loss for the cat if they get beat
up in the SEC play and lose a number of games,
we might be looking at, you know, that Duke win
as maybe one of their signature wins in March for
(13:14):
a resume booster, because that Colmes win could be a
bad loss. But I think Clemson's got, you know, some
some fight. They really showed it. They just wanted it
more to them. Yeah, the Kentuck's players did, and that
they continue to play that way through the acc though
on the big game sad.
Speaker 1 (13:31):
Soon we'll talk more with Michael EPs on the other
side of the break here on the Leach Reports. Stay
with us, Welcome back. We're talking with Michael Epps, Fox
fifty six here and Electioniton. Michael covered the Cleinton Kentucky
game in person last night, made.
Speaker 2 (13:49):
The drive down. Now he's on his way back.
Speaker 1 (13:51):
And before I ask you about football recruiting, Michael, tell
me a little bit about the players, how they responded,
how they reacted and do you go in the locker room?
Speaker 2 (14:01):
Did they have a media room? And then what was
that like?
Speaker 4 (14:05):
Yeah, they brought out Jackson Robinson and Amari Williams, two
older experienced guys. You know they're gonna handle as well.
They've done a lot of winning and losing in their career.
Jackson Robinson was pretty honest. He just said, you know,
we that physicality was a wake up call. You know.
I asked both of them how it really jumped out
(14:26):
to everybody watching? What was it like playing in it,
and both of them were honest that they weren't ready
for it. It jumped out to them in the first half.
They were down ten on the glass. They fought hard
in the second half to get back and work that
margin back, and they did. But you could just kind
(14:46):
of tell Clems And wanted it a little bit more than them. So,
you know, after the Georgia State game and then this
one where teams just really got up in their grill,
they got to figure this out now, starting with gonzag
got a tough game out there. That's basically gonna be
another road game, even though technically it's a neutral site game.
You know the blueprints there. Get physical with these guys
(15:09):
and the fatigue will make them miss threes, open threes,
and once you do that, you kind of cripple this team. Though.
They got to figure out other ways to score the basketball.
They had that struggle in the Duke game, not hitting
threes down double digits in the second half, but they
turned it around. They went inside, had a few and
(15:31):
ons from Andrew Carr and Lamon Butler and just kind
of owned the paint. And they're probably gonna have to
do that more than they wanted to, because threes just
don't always fall, Dick, and you know, teams that rely
on the three pointers just don't win national championships. That's
not how you win. You gotta be a grown, physical
(15:52):
team and get in the paint sometimes and get dirty.
So these are all learning experiences for this young you know,
new like old but kind of young group together. They
only played eight games together, so you got to cut
them some slack a little bit, but a little concerning
the CDs late game offensive struggles, so they got to
clean it up.
Speaker 1 (16:11):
Yeah, and I think probably the Wade Kentucky shot against
Georgia State, all due respect from two point range was
fools gold because, as you said, Clemson so much more
physical and more talented than Georgia State.
Speaker 2 (16:25):
So this is kind of a blueprint, now, wouldn't you think.
Speaker 4 (16:29):
Yeah, and Kenega certainly was going to do that no
matter what happened in Clemson games. You know, they're very
well couched team with mark few and you know, I
know they lost what to West Virginia, I think so,
but they're still top ten team with some talent. Would
certainly be a huge bounce back. The thing of oh
and two in this week of non conference ball kind
(16:54):
of like, oh, you know, kind of drags the you know,
luster and excitement down for this team a little bit
because we know how tough the SEC is going to be.
I mean, there are still dying in the top twenty five,
aren't they at least eight? So you know Auburn Tennessee,
you know, almost gets big win beat Louisville of course,
(17:16):
and you know that's he This conference is talented. So
they they had this spot of maybe going undefeated in
non conference play and then now you're looking at maybe
oh in two weeks. Yeah, well soon you got to do.
We're learning a lot about this team, but the late
game offensive struggles.
Speaker 2 (17:36):
He is nothing. He is Michael Epps.
Speaker 1 (17:40):
You can follow him on Twitter at Michael Lipps tv
H safe travels.
Speaker 2 (17:44):
Brother, will see you when you get back.
Speaker 4 (17:46):
All right, all right, thanks chick.
Speaker 1 (17:47):
That is Michael Epps from Fox fifty six here in Lexington,
and he is the road Warrior. We'll come back with
Caroline Mkowski has talk basketball and volleyball in just a
minute here on the Leach Report. Welcome back to the
Leach Report. Dick gabrielin for the Voice The Leach Report.
(18:08):
Presented by Bobcat Enterprises for locations in Kentucky when you
need to rent or buy heavy equipment or a new
zero turn mow er four year long term to the
folks at Bobcat Enterprises, tell them you heard it right
here on the Leach Report. And we welcome in our
next guest, Caroline makowskis from the Lexington Harold Leader.
Speaker 3 (18:29):
Good morning, Caroline, good morning, how are you today?
Speaker 1 (18:33):
I am well, thank you, and I always feel guilty
for asking sports journalists to get up early and be
on the radio with us, but a lot of late nights,
I know. Before we go any further, though, I need
to inform people Caroline is a Chicago native but went
to college at the University of Texas, the one in Austin.
(18:53):
And I thought about you while I was treading the
campus down there and walking the sidelines, that that is
quite the experience, Caroline, a Texas football game. I don't
know at what point you might have started covering games
down there, if at all, but I have to admit
they put on a pretty good show.
Speaker 3 (19:12):
I did not actually ever cover Texas football when I
was down there, but I will say being in that
stadium It's a super unique experience. I have fond memories
of sitting in the hot Texas sun August September, so sweaty, overheating.
Speaker 5 (19:32):
Needing to drink more water.
Speaker 3 (19:34):
You know, special times in my life. But yeah, the
experience is really wild. Down there, gets loud, it's a
cool place to watch a game.
Speaker 1 (19:43):
Was Texas very good when you were down there?
Speaker 2 (19:45):
I know they've had ups and downs lately.
Speaker 3 (19:48):
No, certainly not.
Speaker 4 (19:49):
They were not.
Speaker 3 (19:50):
But it's about enjoying the day.
Speaker 2 (19:54):
Oh yeah, definitely.
Speaker 1 (19:55):
You know, it's like going to a UK basketball game,
even when they're not good, it can be fun for
a while. And I had to keep reminding myself of that.
Of course, Texas is in the hunt for a national title.
But it's kind of like when Kentucky went to Georgia.
I guess it was last year. Yeah, and Georgia needed
that win to stay on top. Texas needed to beat Kentucky.
(20:19):
And there's no I think better feeling than being in
a game, a college football game that matters, you know
what I mean? Oh?
Speaker 3 (20:29):
Absolutely, you know, not even even if you're not super
invested in whatever the matchup is or you know the
implications for your team aren't the same. To be in
that environment, to feel the stakes in the air, see
the community around you, get excited. It's really cool.
Speaker 1 (20:47):
Before I move on to basketball, one more question. Before
you moved down there, were you a barbecue girl? Did
you like brisket, the stuff that Texas can be known for.
Speaker 2 (21:00):
Were you do you like it now? Did you never
like it? Tell me about your your palette.
Speaker 1 (21:05):
Moving from Chicago, which has unique dishes to Austin, Texas.
Speaker 3 (21:11):
Absolutely my journey with barbecue.
Speaker 5 (21:14):
I love that you've asked me this question. I've always
liked it. I've always been a fan. We were a
Chicken Wings household, you know. I enjoyed a rib or
two in my time. But when it's so present in
Austin in.
Speaker 3 (21:32):
The way that we didn't have it in Chicago or
wheat in Illinois, it was it was very exciting to
me to step into a new world, if you will,
where it was accessible all the time, and not only accessible,
but excellence. That's a that's a high bar down there.
So I definitely enjoyed my time while I While I was.
Speaker 1 (21:51):
There, the team stayed in Round Rock, so obviously we
stayed with them the same hotel and went to a
barbecue place in Round Rock. I'll never get into Austin
that night Friday night, but it was. Yeah, we like
we were going to the electric chairs, so yeah, it was.
Speaker 2 (22:07):
It was great.
Speaker 1 (22:08):
All right, Well, let me shift you over to basketball.
I know you didn't last past halftime. I'm sure some
people didn't last night.
Speaker 2 (22:14):
You can't.
Speaker 1 (22:14):
Men's basketball not your beat. But before I ask you
about the women's game, were you surprised that this game
last night was so physical and that Clemson was kind
of beating on the Wildcats.
Speaker 3 (22:27):
I don't know that I was surprised it was physical.
I think what's fun about Mark Pope's team so far
is people have to find different ways getting creative to
try and you know, get them to get them off
their game or attempt them to push them off their game.
But yeah, I think those are two good teams and
(22:49):
once again people want to win, people get people get
really into the moment. And I don't think I was surprised.
I think we'll see more of that throughout the sec
ACC challenge too.
Speaker 2 (22:59):
Yeah, no, I agree with you.
Speaker 1 (23:01):
Well, let me shift over to one of your beats,
and that is UK women's basketball, and they are still undefeated.
Of course, they play in the sec ACC Challenge tomorrow
night against North Carolina in Chapel Hill. I'll be honest,
I don't know that much about North Carolina, but I
know Kenny Brooks knows about North Carolina coming from Virginia Tech.
Speaker 2 (23:23):
But what is it?
Speaker 1 (23:25):
I mean, they go down to Nashville and take both
games Arizona State and nineteens ranked Illinois had to come
back to beat Illinois, came back to beat Louisville. He
got some key transfers from Virginia Tech. But big picture, Caroline,
what is it about this Kentucky team that's allowed them
to remain unblemished so far?
Speaker 3 (23:46):
I think this team is really interesting because despite the
fact that the depth is not there in the same
way that we thought it might have been prior to
the season, prior to the juries of Jordan Obien Dominica Parova,
they play so hard and they play so together and
(24:08):
within Kenny Brooks's system, which is different, it does look
different from what we see across at least power for basketball.
The length, the things that they are able to do
that are.
Speaker 4 (24:23):
Unlocked because of who they've.
Speaker 3 (24:26):
Got in and around the post, really open things opens
things up for them. Clara strack tianni Key, of course
transfer from North Carolina. This is be a homecoming for her.
It's Amelia Hassett, Clara Silva. What they're able to do
cannot only shift the game defensively in a dramatic way,
(24:49):
which we saw against Illinois in that second half, but
really get things going on offense. Helps promote the fluidity
of that system special in that way.
Speaker 1 (25:02):
They're not really good at three point shooting twenty eight
percent as a team. Georgia Amore hitting twenty four percent
the point guard and has taken more three pointers than anybody.
So they've got to depend on that low post.
Speaker 2 (25:17):
Game, don't they.
Speaker 1 (25:18):
Do You do you think that could improve much at
all this year?
Speaker 4 (25:23):
I do think so.
Speaker 3 (25:24):
This is a team with a lot of players who
do have that shot in their tool bag. Kenny Brooks
said something after the Illinois game, and he said, you know,
I'm gonna stay the obvious here, but we're a really
good team when we're when we're making shots, when we're
shooting the basketball well, and they have that skill. I
(25:47):
think they're still just trying to put it together. You know,
they're undefeated, they're the number fourteen team in the AP poll.
They're number twenty in the net rankings. This is a
good team with statement wins. But they are still trying
to put it together. Yeah, you know, they're still trying
to get everything to gel in.
Speaker 4 (26:05):
The right way.
Speaker 3 (26:06):
And I think the three point shot is part of that.
I think that will come. I think it will start
to land. It's just a matter of Okay, this is
gonna fit best here, you fit best here. Still maintaining that.
You know, they get to upset communication both defensively and offensively,
(26:27):
but particularly when they're looking to take these longer shots.
I think that will come. I'm not super worried about it,
and I know Kenny Brooks isn't either.
Speaker 1 (26:37):
Caroline makowskis our guests. We'll come back and talk in
see volleyball with Caroline in just a minute here on
a Leach Report.
Speaker 2 (26:49):
Welcome back to the Leach Report.
Speaker 1 (26:50):
Dick Gabriel sitting in for the Voice who got back
from Clemson early early this morning, so we are happy
to sit in for him. Or talking with Caroline mcawscus,
who is a sportswriter for.
Speaker 2 (27:01):
The Election and Herald Leader.
Speaker 1 (27:03):
And we mentioned and we talked about UK women's basketball,
and you're gonna be covering a volleyball this week. And
this has been quite the story, hasn't it. Carolina Kentucky
team that was getting bruised and beaten up because of
a tough schedule early in the year and injuries were
taking their toll.
Speaker 2 (27:21):
They get hot at just the right.
Speaker 1 (27:23):
Time and now now they're hosting in it's another SEC
title teams. It's unlike anything we've seen here in a
long time.
Speaker 3 (27:33):
Yeah, this is eight straight Southeastern Conference championships for Kentucky
volleyball and for Craig Skinner, and it has been a
really exciting season to watch. Something that I appreciate about
Craig Skinners. Every year He'll assembled this really difficult schedule
every year without fail. He wants to play the best
(27:54):
teams in the country. He wants to have Kentucky on
the national stage. And this is even prior to their
the national championship.
Speaker 4 (28:02):
A few years ago.
Speaker 3 (28:03):
But you packed this the non conference schedule.
Speaker 4 (28:06):
And the way that you can.
Speaker 3 (28:08):
You know that SEC volleyball is always going to bring
some worthy opponents, especially this season. There were a lot
of question marks with the with the Texas Longhorns coming
in and back to back national champions there, and what
might it look like this year within the SEC? Can
Kentucky maintain that, you know, really unprecedented level of success
(28:29):
and eleven straight victories for the Kentucky Wildcats to get here.
It's it's been very fun to stay.
Speaker 1 (28:38):
People forget or maybe they don't pick as much attention
to the sport. But as you said, Texas back to
back champions and in fact, Texas lost to Kentucky in
the technically the twenty twenty championship match.
Speaker 2 (28:52):
It extended into twenty one.
Speaker 1 (28:54):
But Texas's two best players arguably transferred in from Kentucky
went through the portal down to Austin.
Speaker 2 (29:02):
So it just shows you how quickly things can turn around.
Speaker 1 (29:07):
But yeah, this Kentucky team plan its best when it
has to, but draws into the Pittsburgh Regional.
Speaker 2 (29:13):
You know, if you want to.
Speaker 1 (29:14):
Beat the best or play the best, you gotta beat
the best and be the best and all that. But
I don't know, it's gonna be really fun, I think,
Caroline to see what kind of crowds they get in
a new Memorial Coliseum, because you spend a lot of
time there with basketball as well.
Speaker 2 (29:28):
But now, what a great venue, isn't it.
Speaker 4 (29:31):
Oh, it's amazing.
Speaker 3 (29:32):
I love sitting in there. My first season covering Kentucky
women's basketball was that final season prior to the renovation,
So okay, I didn't get a ton of time there,
but I do remember the lack of air conditioning, you know,
I remember it needed a little bit of a sprucing up.
And I mean that's night and day. If you haven't
(29:55):
been in there yet, people listening, you should because it's
it's really beautiful and the you know, the scoreboards are amazing.
The atmosphere is really cool and definitely contributes to that
home court advantage.
Speaker 2 (30:09):
Yeah, they did it right, didn't they. I don't know
if you have.
Speaker 3 (30:14):
A million dollars by opportunity exactly.
Speaker 1 (30:17):
I don't know if you had a chance to cover
any of the early season volleyball matches, but those begin
in August and those are Yeah, those were a lot
of fun.
Speaker 2 (30:27):
Sarcastically, he says.
Speaker 1 (30:29):
But it's interesting to me that Leah Edmund, the two
time SEC Player of the Year, four time All American,
arguably the best player Kentucky's ever had, works with me
on a lot of the broadcasts. She says she liked
the fact that there was no AC because it was
a home court advantage. But I can tell you she's
in a distinct minority now on that because you know, and.
Speaker 2 (30:50):
You were their media day.
Speaker 1 (30:51):
Whenever we would bring up to the basketball players the
air conditioning, they'd all smile and laugh, wouldn't they.
Speaker 3 (31:00):
It's I think it's funny. But you know what, if
you're used to it, you're used to it and you
can use the heat to your advantage. Hey, you know what,
whatever it takes. I'm all about that competitive edge when
you can grab it. But I'm happy, and you know,
we're never we're not playing in any games. We're just
sitting there on the sideline, and I prefer, you know,
(31:23):
to be a little chillier than it was, so I'm
not sweaty watching them play.
Speaker 1 (31:30):
What have you been able to to learn about this
Kentucky volleyball team besides the fact that it's one of
the hottest in America.
Speaker 3 (31:39):
Yeah, and all of that resilience, I've been really impressed.
I was at that game in October, that match in
October when Texas came and it was a three to
zero sweeping, and that was the first time this season
that you know, it really wasn't as competitive as I
know Craig Skinner and Kentucky wanted it to be. And
(32:03):
from that point on, Kentucky has not lost, that's right,
not once. And you know that the momentum is there,
the hot streak is there, sure, but the way that
they have been able.
Speaker 6 (32:15):
To adjust and to learn from the mistakes, from the miscalculations,
from the disappointments has been really impressive to me.
Speaker 3 (32:27):
And when you have that confidence and that ability to
look in the mirror and say, Okay, this wasn't working
or I didn't show up in this specific way that
I need to today, that is going to be really
valuable heading into an NCAA tournament, especially when you know
there's nobody left from that national championship roster. So it's
(32:49):
cool that that culture has continued on and I think
you know has the ability to serve them well should
they be able to tap into it.
Speaker 1 (32:57):
She is Caroline Makowska. She covers uk when is basketball
and so much more for the lection and hero leader.
Follow her on ex at c makowskis that's m ak
au Kas Caroline, Thank you so much. And we will
see you at the coliseum.
Speaker 3 (33:13):
Yes, indeed, thank you very much for having me have a.
Speaker 1 (33:15):
Gay writing and we'll take a break, come back and
talk football recruiting. It is signing day here on the
Leach Report. That'll do it for The Leach Report, presented
by Bob kat Enterprises, UK History presented by Kentucky road
Show Sports Cards and Memorabilia in Lection and learn more
about them at roadshowcards dot com. I'm not going to
(33:35):
look back when it comes to history. I'm going to
look forward because you got some new Wildcats hoping to
make history right now.
Speaker 2 (33:41):
According to the two four seven.
Speaker 1 (33:44):
Website that brought it to us by the Cat's Boss,
they've got seven signees to the Wildcats and that changes
by the minute. But a safety from Demopolis, Alabama, Dylan
Williams has signed. Clayton, Ohio offensive guard Jaden Clark from
Writing Lection and Frederick Douglass High School edge Cedric Works
(34:04):
signed about a half an hour ago. Also nearby, Frankfurt
Western Hills Edge Javion Campbell signed a little after eight am.
A quarterback from Columbus, Ohio, Brennan Ward, signed three minutes
after the after the top of the hour Pickerington, Ohio.
(34:26):
A wide receiver Preston Bowman signed earlier today. Monroe, Georgia
defensive lineman Nicholas Smith was the first to sign with
the Wildcats, according to the Cat's pause and again this
changes by the minute. So let's see if they just
I just refreshed it.
Speaker 2 (34:44):
Oh they added one more, wouldn't you know?
Speaker 1 (34:46):
Uh, from Paduca Tillman safety Martell's Carter I remember when
he committed.
Speaker 2 (34:51):
That was a great.
Speaker 1 (34:52):
Get for the Wildcats and a tip of the cap
to Walt Wells and the EKU colonels. Their first signed
is from here in Lexington. It is running back Peyton
Smith from Frederick Douglas. So he says he will be,
and he will be. He just signed to be an
EKU colonel. Tough way for that season to end for EKU.
(35:15):
Really really questionable officiating. I got to see it after
I got home from that Louisville game and flipped on
the EKU Villanova game.
Speaker 2 (35:25):
Not great. Was not a great day up in Philly
for EKU.
Speaker 1 (35:30):
Probably should still be playing.
Speaker 2 (35:33):
As you know.
Speaker 1 (35:33):
Coming up Saturday, ten pm Eastern time, it's Kentucky Gonzaga.
It will be on ESPN two invite you to listen
to Tom Leach and Jack Gibbons.
Speaker 2 (35:43):
Their coverage begins right here.
Speaker 1 (35:45):
On the UK Network at eight thirty pm from the
Climate Pledge Arena up in Seattle. I'm curious to see
how many Kentucky fans make that trip.
Speaker 2 (35:56):
I would love to have gone.
Speaker 1 (35:57):
That's one of my favorite favorite cities in the world, SA,
but I had to choose between that and New York City,
so I'll be covering that game up there when the
Wildcats play Ohio State next week. Two games for the Wildcats.
They're back home on Wednesday against Colgate. That's an eight
o'clock start in ropp Arena. And then, of course Saturday,
(36:20):
on December fourteenth, those Louisville Cardinals come to town again,
another kind of an odd ball start. That's a five
point fifteen tip for the Cats and the Cardinals.
Speaker 2 (36:31):
And that's an ESPN game as well, but we'll have
it for you right here.
Speaker 1 (36:34):
And then the Wildcats are off for a week before
they head for New York to take on Ohio State
at the Garden Madison Square Garden. It was what eight
years ago they played Ohio State, but that was over
in Brooklyn. But this one is in MSG and it
should be a ball Really looking forward to that, looking
forward to see how the Cats bounce back against Gonzaga.
Speaker 2 (36:55):
For Rick Ryder, I'm Dick Gabriel. That's it. Have a
great day, everybody,
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