Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
This podcast of the Leech Report is presented by Boone's
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(00:21):
Welcome into the show, and today we're going to start
out a little transfer portal news and talk. Travis Branham,
national recruiting analyst for twenty four seven sports national basketball
analyst will join us. We will also catch up to
Larry Vatt from your sports Edge dot com and we'll
(00:43):
finish up with Kurtpacker, the only announcer Keeland has ever
had on track. And it is the big day of
the spring meet at Grade one Toyota Bluegrass Steaks delayed
until this Tuesday, and so we'll talk with Kurt a
little bit about the race and the Keenlan meat that
is underway. A nice day out there yesterday with the sunshine.
(01:05):
It can be a little chillier today, but still it's
going to be sunny and hopefully a big crowd out
today for Keelan. These folks maybe have had an extra
day to plan to find a way to get a
day at afternoon at least off to head out to Keenlan.
Wild Cat News of the Day presented by Juseppes of Lexington.
Florida won the National Championship last night for a third time,
(01:29):
despite trailing for probably thirty eight plus minutes. I think
of that game. They beat Houston sixty five to sixty
three after being down thirteen to one point in the
second half. Gators trailed in the second half in four
of their six games. They were left for dead against
Texas Tech and got off the mat, but Yukon nearly
(01:51):
beat them, and this of course played out in San Antonio.
So maybe there's something about the comeback theme there, because
that's where the comeback cats. When Kentucky's National championship with
Tubby Smith in nineteen ninety eight, thought the Florida Guards
were better than the Houston Guards. On Saturday, the Houston
Guards outplayed the Duke Guards and that was a big
(02:13):
key to Houston's comeback. Those Florida Guards have been the
straw that stirs the drink for the Gators all season long.
What a great matchup that was. Remember on the first
Saturday of conference play in early January, game tipped at
eleven am in Kentucky won a one hundred and six
(02:33):
to one hundred. Kobe Brea had seven threes, So you
had Kentucky with its outstanding guard group. They had four
at that point with Butler and Brea and Robinson and
Oway and just punch it up the box score here,
(02:56):
LaMonte Butler had nineteen. There were six cats and double figures.
Brea had twenty three with the seven threes, Butler had nineteen,
Robinson had fourteen. They had ten threes between them. Walter
Clayton had thirty three, Elijah Martin had twenty six. For
the Gators, they had eleven threes between them. Kentucky made
(03:16):
fourteen threes, Florida made twelve. What a great shootout that was,
and unfortunately Kentucky did not have a lot of good
luck with health the rest of the way. But the
Gators get the national championship, as I said, for the
third time, second youngest coach to win it. I think,
as Todd Golder, the youngest was Jimmy v in nineteen
(03:39):
eighty three, and Houston was victimized.
Speaker 2 (03:42):
In both of them.
Speaker 1 (03:42):
Ironically, and games that the Cougars should have won both times.
Houston killed itself with turnovers late. Reminded me a little
bit of the Kentucky Wisconsin game actually, where with Kentucky
with shot clock violations, with Houston was just turnovers and
a great offensive rebounding team didn't get a chance to
(04:06):
do really what it does best offensively. They didn't get
a shot up. They turned it over several times down
the stretch. Again, that goes back to the Florida guards
out playing the Houston guards down the stretch. So not
the prettiest game, but a very entertaining game for the
National Championship last night. Now to Kentucky basketball, Mohammed Diabat
(04:26):
from Alabama is going to be a Wildcat next season.
He entered the transfer portal and now he has committed
to play for Mark Pope at Kentucky. Six to seven forward,
seven points, six rebounds a game last season, shot sixty
two percent from the field in a limited role for
the tie, forty six percent on threes. Really good defender,
(04:48):
maybe a little bit of a DeAndre Liggins type player
in that he could use you know, long six and
Liiggins was maybe six'. Six diabat is a little, taller
long arms Like DeAndre, head able to hit the, three
and mainly able to guard multiple. Positions better rebounder Than liggins,
(05:09):
was but able to guard multiple positions Like liggans. Could
kentucky was missing that kind of player on this, Team
So diabat will give them that for next.
Speaker 3 (05:20):
SEASON i think that's.
Speaker 1 (05:21):
A great pick, up a key or an. Example we'll
talk With Travis brando about this about how the transfer
portal works versus recruiting. Freshmen it's about, fit getting the
guy that fits the need you have or the system
that you. Play so we'll get into that With Travis
brannham here in just a. Bit it is The Leads
(05:42):
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for your home lown. Too travis brownam joined us on
The Club Blue inisle dot com. Hotline he's the national
(06:49):
basketball analyst for twenty four to Seven. Sports and before
we get into talk a little bit about transfer portals And,
kentucky et, cetera just give me your take on The
National championship game and how it played out last night
In San.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
Antonio, yeah it.
Speaker 4 (07:03):
Was actually to, Me he's pretty shocking to See florida
come back from that twelve point depson in the second
half Of. HOUSTON i was there in person Seeing houston
come back Against duke and sing that, physicality their toughness
uphand up right in front of your. FACE i, mean
it's one of those things that you just THE tv
(07:24):
doesn't do it, justice just.
Speaker 2 (07:25):
How physical and tough they. Are so to See florida.
Speaker 4 (07:28):
Dig down deep and come back against, that which was very,
shocking wasn't the prettiest of, games but, man was that
a really, tough hard, fought competitive championship.
Speaker 1 (07:38):
Game those three guards For florida have been the thing
that jumps off the page on their profile from the,
beginning AND i thought they were the difference down the.
Stretch and you, know Even Clayton houston did a marvelous
job on, him but he found a way to make
some key buckets late and he didn't panic when he wasn't.
Speaker 2 (07:59):
Scoring, YEAH i, mean that's what you have to do
to win The National.
Speaker 4 (08:03):
Championship like every in every single, tournament run a team
faces like you're going to hit a wall and you
just have to have the players that can, just you know,
what just find a way to fight through and make things,
happen and it's like there's very little to make happen
in that, moment like doing going Against houston's defense, Man
(08:26):
like they don't give you hardly, anything and you got
to have the players that are tough enough and physical
and confident enough to make those plays when they matter the.
Speaker 1 (08:34):
Most, well it's shift gears to some transfer portal, talk
specifically For kentucky in the most recent Pickup Mohammed. Diabate
i'll see if If i'm on the right track with
my thinking on, this and that is that rankings are
for high school. Players for, freshmen you're ranking guys that
are going to be lottery.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
Picks.
Speaker 1 (08:56):
Uh so the rankings in, that to me are more.
Significant is a more significant piece of news than ranking
transfer portal prospects because those aren't first round or necessarily
lottery pick kind of, Guys and it's more about getting
guys that fit for what you need and what system
you run than Necessarily you, know everybody wants rankings for,
(09:20):
things but the rankings aren't as significant in that as
they are for. Freshmen is that?
Speaker 2 (09:24):
Correct, yeah there's definitely some truth to.
Speaker 4 (09:28):
That and with the transfer porting rankings that we do
at twenty four to. SEVEN a lot of how we
do it is based on projecting their value in.
Speaker 2 (09:40):
College so you have guys like In Modia batte.
Speaker 4 (09:45):
OR a good example is let's go back a few
years Like Mark, siers like at the time we didn't
ranking very highly and now looking back like he's An
All All league.
Speaker 2 (09:54):
Player Or Walter. Clayton it's very.
Speaker 4 (09:57):
Similar wins The National championship last, night first Team All,
american but we didn't have ranked for. Highly so something
we're doing to adjust is kind of projecting these.
Speaker 2 (10:07):
Guys if we projected as An all league.
Speaker 4 (10:08):
Player we're really giving you that five star caliber type
status because that's what matters, most especially in the transfer.
Portal it's about the guys who impact your college teams
more than high school rankings where we get we're ranking
THE nba players and things of that nature has five star.
Speaker 1 (10:24):
Recruits so a guy like maybe at the top of
your transfer portal rankings now is maybe the guy that
is fifth in the most places.
Speaker 4 (10:33):
Correct who we think will be a highly impactful on
a program type of. Player so number one in our
rankings right now Is Jaxual. Limborg and to be honest with,
YOU i don't even know IF i, Have like there's
been two thousand players in another transfer portal AND i
have a team of guys where we meet and talk
every day rating these players they hit the portal as
(10:54):
they make commitments and with that matp just large amount
of players that we're. HAVING i don't even know if
we write From Odea, bote But i'll tell you, This
i'm a big fan Of Odea.
Speaker 2 (11:04):
Patte he will.
Speaker 4 (11:05):
Absolutely be ranked if he's not already six foot seven
power forward that a, strong, physical smart knows who he
is as a, player and it's just gonna be a
perfect complimentary piece of this team next.
Speaker 2 (11:16):
Season.
Speaker 1 (11:17):
Yeah to, me he's a guy that's not gonna be
the first round draft, pick but he's that kind of.
Guy AND i compared him to A liggins on The
final four team and eleven that can guard multiple, positions
that can make a, three that has a you, know
good basketball. Iq liggans have been a former point. Guard
that those kind of guys are what you need to
(11:39):
have a winning.
Speaker 4 (11:40):
Team, yeah he's just gonna be one of those guys
that is gonna get into the trench and he's gonna
fight like a. Guy like you, said he, Defends he
will defend multiple. Positions he absolutely has that in his.
Abilities and he's also a really good. Reboundery he just
has a nose for the. Ball he's physically, Strong like
he's not gonna be a guy going out there trying
(12:01):
to get a bunch of shots up and in needing the.
Speaker 2 (12:03):
Score he's gonna do everything else it.
Speaker 4 (12:05):
Takes to win a basketball game to let the other
guys want more adept to go out there and score and.
Speaker 2 (12:13):
Do other roles on, team Like he's going to allow
them to do.
Speaker 4 (12:15):
That and you always need one or two of those
guys on a team to do that to win at.
Speaker 2 (12:21):
The highest of.
Speaker 1 (12:21):
Levels we're talking With Travis, brannon national basketball analyst for
twenty four to Seven. Sports it's At Travis Brandam underscore
on x Or. Twitter if you prefer.
Speaker 2 (12:31):
Give me a.
Speaker 1 (12:32):
Thought let's talk about the two Other kentucky commits so
far in the. Portal the most recent Before deabate Was Jalen,
low the point guard From. Pittsburgh how will he fit
into this?
Speaker 2 (12:42):
SYSTEM i think he.
Speaker 4 (12:45):
Can fit in extremely. WELL a lot of. People or
if you just look at his numbers as past season's
averaging like six team points and five, assists game four
rebounds or, so but it was very. Inefficient, HOWEVER i
don't really take too much stock into his inefficiency this
year because you watch him. Play this kid is so,
(13:05):
skilled so, smart and so crafty that he's one of
those guys that really would benefit from better players around.
Him and At, Pittsburgh cues the guy that was relied
on to carry the entire off or a lot of
the offensive load for.
Speaker 2 (13:21):
That team this, year so he's gonna have to take tougher.
Speaker 4 (13:23):
Shots he's also not the most he's not the biggest
and strongest and most, athletic but you see how smart
and crafty and skillty is where you put him into
an offense Like pops how they played this past. Season
he's one of the best passers In america and a
guy that can really create out of ball, screens get.
Speaker 2 (13:42):
Into the paint and create paint touches and.
Speaker 4 (13:44):
Collapse defense is something That kentucky really didn't have this past,
season especially When Lamont butler was hurt and he just
didn't look at quite himself over the last.
Speaker 2 (13:55):
Month and a half of the.
Speaker 4 (13:56):
Season Where jalen can come in and set the table
for people make things happen and put a lot of
pressure on the painting and on. Defenses and then what
he also, showed What pope also showed To Lamont butler
and how he improved his jump shot this. Season that's
the missing piece To Jalen lowe's game in my.
Speaker 2 (14:14):
Opinion, again he has to get. Stronger but like from
the skill set, standpoint he's not the best. Shooters so
seeing What.
Speaker 4 (14:21):
Pope did With Lamonth butler this past, SEASON i think
he can do it again With Jayla lowe and he
can be a really great piece of this team next.
Speaker 1 (14:30):
Year as pass th In america is a strong.
Speaker 2 (14:32):
Statement he's not the, best but one of the. Best he.
Is he's one of those guys that just sees the.
Floor uh can throw a pass off a live druggle
just when you least expect.
Speaker 4 (14:45):
It those just has the ability to throw a variety
of different passes and make just make things happen for his.
Speaker 2 (14:55):
Team Cam williams From Julane caim big fan Of cam
and what he can be down the.
Speaker 4 (15:02):
Line six foot, seven six foot eight, long athletic wing slash.
Speaker 2 (15:06):
Forward it's gonna.
Speaker 4 (15:07):
Be able to defend multiple, positions great athlete again continues
to gain more confidence out on the. COURT i think
as he gains more confidence and playing For, pope he
can be a really great piece for this team and
stretching the, floor making shots on the, perimeter also getting
out in, transition defending multiple, positions and as he gets stronger,
(15:31):
again as he gains that, CONFIDENCE i think this is
one transfer that he's got the, build he's got the
tools that could he could eventually become AN nba player for.
Them BUT i think in terms of just what he
can be for this program in the, DEVELOPMENT i think
he can be a multi year impact player that has
(15:52):
so much talent that.
Speaker 2 (15:55):
It's more of the talent that we're accustomed to seeing At.
Speaker 1 (15:57):
Kentucky Travis brandon with that will take with, us will
take a quick break and come right back here on
The Leech report presented By bob Kned, Enterprises Got It
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Program to twenty seven past the top the, HOUR a
couple of minutes left here With Travis, Brandham National Basketball
(16:17):
analysts for twenty four to seven sports AND i know
you guys are tracking.
Speaker 2 (16:24):
Twelve.
Speaker 1 (16:25):
HUNDRED i don't how many people are into portal. Now
last NUMBER i saw was twelve. Hundred what is it?
Speaker 2 (16:28):
Now it is way more than.
Speaker 4 (16:31):
Now tom currently looking at it and we're at two
thousand and ninety nine names for.
Speaker 2 (16:37):
Portal oh my.
Speaker 1 (16:38):
Goodness, WELL i don't.
Speaker 2 (16:40):
Know imagine my mental.
Speaker 4 (16:41):
Health and While i'm behind on ranking a, yeah Like
modia bot there right, NOW.
Speaker 1 (16:47):
I don't know if you have time to think about
anything other than, that probably. Not but just curious is
if you have any thought on this house Settlement it
looks like it's going to be coming sometime, soon and
will that give the order slash structure to the transfer
portal nil world that colleges have been talking about trying to.
Speaker 2 (17:06):
FIND i think it's a step in the right.
Speaker 4 (17:09):
DIRECTION i think it has the ability to bring all
this chaos back into. Order but knowing this space and
everything else that's currently going, ON i don't envision it's
gonna be an immediate fix of.
Speaker 2 (17:27):
Everything you're still going.
Speaker 4 (17:28):
To have have, variety like one of the biggest complaints
going around right, now not necessarily like within my side of,
things but college coaches are are now complaining, that like
The Big east is going to get so much more
money because of the rep share, model BECAUSE sec And
Big team they're going to be paying for, football and
(17:50):
so there's gonna be let's put it this, way they're
going to try to find a way to put money
in the pockets of these players so they can compete
with The Big east that's not just necessarily out of
the rep. Share so there's a lot to still. UNFOLD
i think there's ways you can fix. IT i think
you should just get each sport its own max cap
you can spend and if you can pay for, it
(18:12):
do you do.
Speaker 1 (18:13):
It Travis bradham twenty four Seven sports thank you for the.
TIME i know you're crazy. BUSY i appreciate you jumping
on with.
Speaker 2 (18:18):
Us absolutely appreciate.
Speaker 1 (18:19):
You.
Speaker 2 (18:19):
Tom thank You Nature.
Speaker 1 (18:20):
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At cornbridham we go to the club bluinil dot Com,
highline bring On Larry vatt from your Sports edge dot
com and vaults views And, larry let's start with a
little transfer portal talk And Mohamed diabate From alabama's going
(19:24):
to be A. Wildcat what do you think about that?
Speaker 3 (19:26):
Pickup, Well i'm just impressed you've got the name down,
already BUT i guess from watching him three taps this
day season had to get it for during the season
both got a chance to get, ready so but it
seemed like a really good pickup to. Me. Tom they
need some guys like that and probably, could in my,
opinion could use a couple more in a very similar
(19:46):
type modecause it seemed like that's what the teams had
got to the final. Four that's that's what they. Had
this kind of multiple players like, it they can just
keep throwing at you that were very physical and could
do different. Things and he seems like a really good
fit For Mark. Pope AND i think it's nice That
mark got to watch him three times yeah last, season
(20:08):
so he certainly knew plenty about him, firsthand and that
to depend on the field because they got to watch
him in. Person SO i think it'll be a good
good addition for The.
Speaker 1 (20:17):
Cats A Swiss army knife. Player it seems to ME
i compared him to A DeAndre liggins For kentucky's twenty
Eleven final.
Speaker 3 (20:26):
Fourteen, yeah that could Be if he could be something
like that For, kentucky that would be really really good
because it just seems like he could kind of do
whatever you. Need if you look at his, stats there
are some games he scored, big some games he rebounded,
big and he seemed to be pretty. Versatile he's certainly
(20:46):
is adapted playing at a fast paced That Mark pope,
likes so it just seems like that should be an
easy fit for. Him and that's one. Guy when the
portal first opened and all only SOMEBODY i was even
thinking about this might be a real good candidate For,
Kentucky but when the news kind of broke about, it
(21:07):
it just makes.
Speaker 1 (21:07):
Sense in addition to Reading larry's work at your sports
edge dot, com you can hear him On sunday mornings
on here At lexington on The Sunday Morning Sports talk
show With Anthony, White Jack bilgrim And Bowl. Robinson and
you guys Had Cam, Williams kentucky's first acquisition in The
Transfer portal on the show Last, sunday and you've got
to post about it at your sports edge dot. Com
(21:29):
what were your takeaways from your alls chat With?
Speaker 3 (21:31):
Cam but very mature young, MAN i, think a very
selfish young. Man one THING i wanted to know was
having an issue forty one percent from three and only
average nine points a, game and it was basically he
said that he just didn't force shots and the ball
didn't always come his, way so he was going to
have to do other. Things that's what it took to
(21:53):
help the team. Win i've got to feel in here
get a few more shots when he's At kentucky than
what he got at two, lane if he keeps over
forty percent from. Three but it seemed like a guy, that,
again even though he's From, louisiana had grown up A
kentucky fan because he said his ultimate go one day
or his dream was to play in THE. Nba and
(22:13):
he watched all these players At kentucky was sending to THE,
nba and he kind of became A kentucky fan there
In louisiana and he committed To, kentucky had ever taking a.
VISIT i think he'll be up, here him and his
family this. Weekend but his dad's been around basketball for
a long. Time he's got a brother that played college
basketball was now playing. Overseas so he's a pretty savvy.
(22:35):
Player and again got a really good BASKETBALL iq from
everything you could, tell which once again is kind of
a big plus if you're going to play For Mark.
Speaker 1 (22:45):
Pope Tyer Larry vaught here on the lead, report joining
us on the Club blue nil dot com. Hotline the,
FANS i think some percentage of the, FANS i don't
know how big the percentage. Is they get a panic
a bit of this transfer portal. STUFF i think when
it doesn't happen quickly as quickly as they, want or you,
(23:05):
know names get thrown around And kentucky doesn't get. Somebody
there are times When kentucky's actually trying to get the
guy and they. Don't they could go somewhere, else but
agents are involved, Here so you got to take a
lot of what you reading here with a grain of.
SALT i, think, right.
Speaker 3 (23:22):
Yeah and just think at this time last, Year Mark
pope was still just waiting to get, hired or maybe
this was the day he was the day he was
hired on they didn't have, anybody and they went all
the way up Into may to getting and didn't Get
Jackson robinson officially committed till the end Of. May so
the roster is so full compared to this time a year,
ago AND i think there's been some speculation out there
(23:44):
about this guy and that. Gap but between like you,
say managing payroll for lack of a better, WORD i
think sometimes news just kind of gets out, There like
at one, time it's Like, Kentucky who's gonna add thirty
seven guards to the? Roster And i'm starting to whole
count up and they. Go they've got you, know what
might be considered eight guards on the. Roster they need
(24:04):
some more inside. Gas SO i think at this point
they're probably ideally would like to add a maybe an elite,
shooter BUT i think a couple more of the bigs
that they can beat and bang and battle. Inside like
what the teams again in the final four all had.
That they've got three they, out but they they need some.
Speaker 4 (24:24):
More.
Speaker 1 (24:24):
Now florida to, me was a really well constructed group
and it's happened over the three years That golden has been.
There but you've got those great, guards three, guards and
then you've got a, bunch you, know multiple six ten
guys that can handle the ball out on the perimeter
and that most of them can shoot.
Speaker 3 (24:44):
Threes, yeah and they just kind of all they're all
not really overlo, physical but they're all more than physical,
enough and they can get to the boards really really.
Well AND i think what three years ago in his
first season didn't make the NC a. Tournament last year
they were, better and this year they're a national. Champion
so that's a pretty nice progression that they have. Made
(25:07):
and again when you Get Walter, clayton that certainly helps
make your elite a little a little bit. More BUT
i think that shows that the plan That pope as
can work because it's a pretty similar plan to what
he has For. KENTUCKY i.
Speaker 2 (25:20):
Think.
Speaker 1 (25:21):
YEAH i, mean Coach golden had not won AN ncaa tournament,
game either At florida or his previous. STOP i Think
murray stayed up set At San francisco team in twenty
two in the game after the, game which should probably
no longer be mentioned.
Speaker 2 (25:39):
For.
Speaker 1 (25:39):
Kentucky but the point, is you know In Mark pope
now you, know notched his first two n C doublea tournament,
wins got to a sweet. Sixteen IT'S i see. This you,
know with covering thoroughbred, racing there's a lot of trainers
that you, know maybe haven't won A grade one until
you give them A grade one horse and then amazingly
(25:59):
they can start to win those great one. Races so you,
know guys Like golden And, florida Now mark Popea kentucky
have a lot more at their, disposal and the early
indications are they are going to know what to do with.
Speaker 3 (26:12):
It. Yeah. Absolutely it was a Fun final four to
watch the hecking a comeback For florida last night to
be able to do what they did and win that,
game and they're not going to go. AWAY i don't
think it's like nobody in THE sec. Is so you
have to be really good every year to keep competing
(26:33):
in THE. Sec And mark, REALLY i Think handles has
transferred portal so well because he didn't get caught up in.
Rankings he analyzes based on what he thinks he's going
to fit together the best as a. TEAM i think
cats you how he was able to have success this.
Year he brought in parts that fit even with all
the injuries they, had he still somehow managed to do.
It and SO i think they're really putting together a
(26:54):
nice roster right, now And i'm really just anxious to
see how de pleates. It And i've got a feel
that we wanted to wait till the end of my
free mcgette's roster completed this year because to, me so
the one thing you have to be careful to transfer.
Portal you put all your resources on a gap that
still might be considering going to THE nba. Draft then
(27:15):
you end up losing that. Gap then you're kind of
hung out the. Dry SO i think that's another thing
coaches have to balance when they're looking at this transferred.
Speaker 1 (27:21):
World, yeah excellent. Point last, Thing, Larry you've got a
post up at Your Sports edge about a twenty twenty
seven football commitment a Quarterback, hunter A Dj hunter six
to one ninety. Five interesting thing to me is he's
out Of. Knoxville so what if you're A kentucky, fan
you hope this is Another Randall cobb type That kentucky.
(27:44):
Gets for whatever, Reason randall was A i used to.
Laugh people would, SAY i Wish Randall cobb it was
only you know six.' two, i, said no, you don't
because he wouldn't. Be here he'd Be. At tennessee and so,
you know they get this court about commit Out, of
knoxville and you've got a story. About it so give
me your take.
Speaker 2 (28:03):
On that.
Speaker 3 (28:05):
IT'S one i certainly didn't. SEE coming, i mean he's
a guy that's really not ranked in all a whole lot,
right now which because he just completed his. Sophomore season
but he went ahead and jumped, in there chatted a
little bit on social media with he's supposed to talk to.
Him tonight but if you get a chance to go
in and get that Guy giv it was like a
really good duel threat type. Of guy and as, you
(28:26):
said he's only a sophomore and got great size to
him already through for over fourteen hundred yards. Last year
he only played in eight games because he missed a
few games with. The injuries so Obviously the kentucky coaching
staffs are all on board to go ahead and take
a commitment from a twenty twenty seven guy and get
a quarterback locked in. Right there so that's one that
(28:47):
again kind of surprised ME because i had really heard
a whole lot, About him but he took some pretty
impressive campus visits this spring practice and Was at kentucky
just to pull over a, week ago then went ahead And.
Speaker 1 (28:59):
Committed Larry vaon you can read them at your sports
edge dot com the story About, h Young mister hunter. And,
others larry thank, you much, All right larr're joining us
on the club blue nil dot Com Hotline club blues
calling on fans to raise a glass to commemorate this
new Era of kentucky. Men's Basketball club blues the official
nil fundraising PARTNER, for uk and they've teamed Up With
(29:21):
bespoken spirits to craft a special release of a Limited
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basketball bottles are available Now At liquor barn Stores across
kentucky while. Supplies last every bottle sold directly FUELS the
nil EFFORTS. At uk so grab. Yours today we'll be
right back. And chow Kurtbacker from keeland On The Leach Report, Radio.
Speaker 5 (29:58):
Network sierra leone is running on from, the outside sixteenth.
To Go sierra leone comes forward for the lead and
deep stretch and Wins The toyota Bluegrass For Tyler.
Speaker 1 (30:12):
Gaffo leone that was last year's edition Of the Grade
one Toyota Blue. Grass stakes today's edition plays out On
a Tuesday. At Keenland S here leone narrowly missed Winning The,
kentucky derby but took Down The Breeders cup classic and was.
The champion three Year Old, kurt becker who was on
the call for that race and is on the call
(30:34):
for every Race at keenland and has been the only
track announcer on track Announcer the keenland's ever had joins
us On The club blue innil dot com Hotline And Kurt.
Bluegrass stakes On, a tuesday that's what you had on, your, Agenda.
Speaker 2 (30:49):
Right yeah YOU know.
Speaker 6 (30:53):
I had somebody asked Me yesterday tom about of course
yesterday we Had the Grade one ashland and ran in On,
a monday and somebody, asked.
Speaker 2 (31:05):
Me, you know how how odd did?
Speaker 6 (31:07):
That feel AND as i, TOLD them, i said, you
know the thing is if if if there's a racetrack
anywhere on the planet Where, a monday or in, today's Case,
A tuesday grade one could still Have a Friday or,
saturday atmosphere it Would, be keenland and at least it's
dry and the, sun's out so it looks like it
ought to be a good day.
Speaker 1 (31:28):
KIND of i guess we need to look at this like,
the rate Like The Royal ascot meet There in england
that gets it's gotten a lot more coverage in recent
YEARS through nbc and so, they'll run, you know On
a tuesday Or. A wednesday, you know one of the
biggest races of the year and and it they get
(31:48):
a pretty good response. To it so it, is different
not something they want to do. Every YEAR but i
think certainly it has played out well with the.
Speaker 6 (31:58):
Weather it Has, AND tom i know that you'll. Remember
this some of the folks at the track yesterday were
reminiscing about the Fact the bluegrass for many many years
Was a thursday afternoon race that would run about nine
days Before. The DERBY and i was talking to one
(32:19):
guy at the track yesterday who said that he grew
up here and he can remember cutting class with his
buddies to go Watch.
Speaker 1 (32:27):
The bluegrass i'm raising my hand as.
Speaker 6 (32:29):
We speak he said that he remembered. The principal principal
called his father one day, and, said hey are you
aware your son didn't show up? For school and his, dad, said,
well yeah are you Aware? It's bluegrass.
Speaker 2 (32:48):
That's my kind.
Speaker 1 (32:49):
Of, parent absolutely you gotta.
Speaker 2 (32:52):
Love it.
Speaker 1 (32:54):
Let me ask you a question for our listeners that
you get a lot when people are casual racing fans
and thinking about, the announcer how do you memorize all?
The names BECAUSE when i do a football or a,
basketball game there's a lot of names, to remember but
it's the same names throughout. The game it doesn't change
(33:14):
ten times during. The day so how does that process
work for you to have, to memorize, you know horses
and identify horses and then get a whole new set
for the.
Speaker 6 (33:24):
Next, race well on the other side, Of that i've
always been amazed at folks sportscasters who do basketball and
FOOTBALL because i rely primarily on the jockey silks to
distinguish one horse, from ANOTHER and i would be OVERWHELMED
(33:45):
if i looked out and there were so many jockeys
essentially wearing the same uniform like you have with a
basketball team or. Football team so so that that kind
of touched. Both ways with, THAT, said i, for me
the thing is just simply repetition from the time you
(34:06):
see the jockeys get the call for riders up through the,
post parade all the way to, the gateload just looking
at those silks through the binoculars and just trying to
get those names and grain those horses' names associated and
then ingrained into. Your mind the other challenge to Me
about keenland, in particular where the grandstand faces west and
(34:27):
by the time, for Example the bluegrass goes off later.
This afternoon if there's no, cloud cover you're looking straight
into the sun as as you look across the track toward,
the backstretch and sometimes those silks get washed out in
the sun and those colors of those silks get more difficult.
To distinguish but with, That, said tom With the bluegrass,
IN particular i think it's one of the more unusual
(34:51):
fields we've had in a. Long time ever Since The
kentucky derby points, system began since there are points paid
In the bluegrass for a shot Of, the derby we've
had so, many, big bulky, overflow fields horses coming in
with maiden special wins or off an entry level. Allowance
win this year we have a much smaller fields, seven
HORSES but i think top to bottom one of the
(35:14):
more talented fields we've had in.
Speaker 1 (35:16):
A while there are seven Horses And admiral dennis is
twenty to one and render judgment is twenty. TO one
i think both of those would probably be surprises if they,
Won IT but i could certainly, see them, you know hitting.
The board but the, other five any one, of them
you could see winning it and doing so at a
fashion that could stamp them as A serious. Derby threat.
Speaker 2 (35:39):
One.
Speaker 6 (35:39):
REALLY could I Mean burnham square is a good example.
Of that he looked so good early this year actually
Beat To, pan street the horse that came back to
Win the Floor To Derby River Thames todd pletcher's had
a lot of success in, this Race And river thames
as a horse that seems to be improving with. Every
start you've got the one to two finishers out Of
(36:01):
The Tampa, Bay Derby ohen Almighty and.
Speaker 2 (36:03):
Chancellor mcpatrick and You've.
Speaker 6 (36:05):
Got east avenue who's been a puzzling horse who looks
spectacular here last fall Winning The Claybourne, breeders futorney but
has had his difficulties. Since then but we know he
likes this track and, who knows maybe today's the day
he finally gets put.
Speaker 1 (36:20):
Back Together kurt becker will be calling the races throughout
the afternoon and throughout the Meat at keeland and appreciate,
the Time and i'll let you get back to preparing
for the day's.
Speaker 3 (36:30):
Racing.
Speaker 6 (36:31):
Card tom it's been great to visit, with you and
A Happy Toyota bluegrass day.
Speaker 2 (36:36):
To everyone. Thank. You Kurt It's.
Speaker 1 (36:38):
Kurt becker joining us On The club blue nil dot.
Com hotline several stakes races on a fantastic, card today
and with the, schedule change the races on the turf
will the stakes races anyway are going to get to
stay on the turf course and that likely would not
have happened had the race gone off as Scheduled. On
(36:59):
seteaturday so if you're a, horse player it's going to
be a really, fun day and if you're just a,
racing fan a great day to try to play hooky
from work and get Out. To keemlan we are coming
up on our final break and then we'll come back
to Wrap up this edition Of The, leach report presented
each Day by. Bobcat enterprises big baseball game Tonight. For
kentucky They're. At louisville game has been moved up. An
(37:21):
hour supposed to start at eight now it's going to
have a first pitch at, Seven tonight and, to me
this seems like a big One. For kentucky they'll have
another one of these midweek Games with louisville in a couple.
Of weeks kentucky's dropped a couple of these mid game midweek.
Games recently need to pick, up these especially against a Team,
(37:42):
like louisville could enhance your resume for getting INTO the.
Ncaa tournament tucky's got to pick it up a. Little
BIT in, sec play they have been certainly, ultra competitive
but have just come up short and lost three of
their first four series and have not been. Swept yet
but they've taken only one of the three in three
of the, four series and they'll have another opportunity this
(38:02):
Weekend when texas rolls. Into Town Shuffle bean coffee is
a company based right here In. The bluegrass group of
Guys from kentucky got together several years ago and in
twenty twelve they formed this company with a commitment to
having the very best cup of, coffee possible and that
starts with the best. Coffee beans you read about It
at shufflebean dot us and you can order some product
(38:23):
while you're there at. The website you can get It
through amazon Or At Central Kentucky. Myers stores put some
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The day here On The. Leach report if You're A keelan,
Select Customer jim GOODMAN and i have our podcast up
For Today's Bluegrass Steak stay card Out, at keeland so
if you're heading out there and enjoy, the racing we'll see.
(38:44):
You tomorrow All The leach report Presented by Bob kat
enterprises
This podcast of the Leech Report is presented by Boone's
Butcher Shop in Barnestown at one hundred Old Bloomfield Pike,
family owned and operated since nineteen forty six, with fresh
meat cut on site daily Boons Butcher Shop. It is
the Leach Report presented by Bobcat Enterprises. On this sunny Tuesday.
(00:21):
Welcome into the show, and today we're going to start
out a little transfer portal news and talk. Travis Branham,
national recruiting analyst for twenty four seven sports national basketball
analyst will join us. We will also catch up to
Larry Vatt from your sports Edge dot com and we'll
(00:43):
finish up with Kurtpacker, the only announcer Keeland has ever
had on track. And it is the big day of
the spring meet at Grade one Toyota Bluegrass Steaks delayed
until this Tuesday, and so we'll talk with Kurt a
little bit about the race and the Keenlan meat that
is underway. A nice day out there yesterday with the sunshine.
(01:05):
It can be a little chillier today, but still it's
going to be sunny and hopefully a big crowd out
today for Keelan. These folks maybe have had an extra
day to plan to find a way to get a
day at afternoon at least off to head out to Keenlan.
Wild Cat News of the Day presented by Juseppes of Lexington.
Florida won the National Championship last night for a third time,
(01:29):
despite trailing for probably thirty eight plus minutes. I think
of that game. They beat Houston sixty five to sixty
three after being down thirteen to one point in the
second half. Gators trailed in the second half in four
of their six games. They were left for dead against
Texas Tech and got off the mat, but Yukon nearly
(01:51):
beat them, and this of course played out in San Antonio.
So maybe there's something about the comeback theme there, because
that's where the comeback cats. When Kentucky's National championship with
Tubby Smith in nineteen ninety eight, thought the Florida Guards
were better than the Houston Guards. On Saturday, the Houston
Guards outplayed the Duke Guards and that was a big
(02:13):
key to Houston's comeback. Those Florida Guards have been the
straw that stirs the drink for the Gators all season long.
What a great matchup that was. Remember on the first
Saturday of conference play in early January, game tipped at
eleven am in Kentucky won a one hundred and six
(02:33):
to one hundred. Kobe Brea had seven threes, So you
had Kentucky with its outstanding guard group. They had four
at that point with Butler and Brea and Robinson and
Oway and just punch it up the box score here,
(02:56):
LaMonte Butler had nineteen. There were six cats and double figures.
Brea had twenty three with the seven threes, Butler had nineteen,
Robinson had fourteen. They had ten threes between them. Walter
Clayton had thirty three, Elijah Martin had twenty six. For
the Gators, they had eleven threes between them. Kentucky made
(03:16):
fourteen threes, Florida made twelve. What a great shootout that was,
and unfortunately Kentucky did not have a lot of good
luck with health the rest of the way. But the
Gators get the national championship, as I said, for the
third time, second youngest coach to win it. I think,
as Todd Golder, the youngest was Jimmy v in nineteen
(03:39):
eighty three, and Houston was victimized.
Speaker 2 (03:42):
In both of them.
Speaker 1 (03:42):
Ironically, and games that the Cougars should have won both times.
Houston killed itself with turnovers late. Reminded me a little
bit of the Kentucky Wisconsin game actually, where with Kentucky
with shot clock violations, with Houston was just turnovers and
a great offensive rebounding team didn't get a chance to
(04:06):
do really what it does best offensively. They didn't get
a shot up. They turned it over several times down
the stretch. Again, that goes back to the Florida guards
out playing the Houston guards down the stretch. So not
the prettiest game, but a very entertaining game for the
National Championship last night. Now to Kentucky basketball, Mohammed Diabat
(04:26):
from Alabama is going to be a Wildcat next season.
He entered the transfer portal and now he has committed
to play for Mark Pope at Kentucky. Six to seven forward,
seven points, six rebounds a game last season, shot sixty
two percent from the field in a limited role for
the tie, forty six percent on threes. Really good defender,
(04:48):
maybe a little bit of a DeAndre Liggins type player
in that he could use you know, long six and
Liiggins was maybe six'. Six diabat is a little, taller
long arms Like DeAndre, head able to hit the, three
and mainly able to guard multiple. Positions better rebounder Than liggins,
(05:09):
was but able to guard multiple positions Like liggans. Could
kentucky was missing that kind of player on this, Team
So diabat will give them that for next.
Speaker 3 (05:20):
SEASON i think that's.
Speaker 1 (05:21):
A great pick, up a key or an. Example we'll
talk With Travis brando about this about how the transfer
portal works versus recruiting. Freshmen it's about, fit getting the
guy that fits the need you have or the system
that you. Play so we'll get into that With Travis
brannham here in just a. Bit it is The Leads
(05:42):
report and our Opening segments presented By giuseppes Of. Lexington
and if you haven't been To giuseppes in a, while
or you haven't been at, all make plans to go
To Open table today and set something. Up the food
is fantastic homemade, pasta which IS i have trouble straying
away from the pasta any. Time then there they have
fresh seafood that chipped, in they have handcut. STEAKS a
(06:04):
lot of their food and sides are locally. Sourced and
then just in a really special, atmosphere live jazz music
to accompany your. Meal if you sit in the lounge
area every night of the. Week it's Just sepi's out
On Nicholasville road here In, lexington just past Man O.
War we will be right back here on the lead
report With Travis branham from The castpaws at Your party
Each days presented By Bobcat enterprises with four locations Around.
(06:28):
Kentucky when you need to buy or rent a piece
of heavy equipment for a, job that's the place to.
Go they'll give you great service after the sale. Too
Google Bobcat enterprises find the location that is closest to
you for, loaders, excavators et. Cetera and zero turn moors
for your home lown. Too travis brownam joined us on
The Club Blue inisle dot com. Hotline he's the national
(06:49):
basketball analyst for twenty four to Seven. Sports and before
we get into talk a little bit about transfer portals And,
kentucky et, cetera just give me your take on The
National championship game and how it played out last night
In San.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
Antonio, yeah it.
Speaker 4 (07:03):
Was actually to, Me he's pretty shocking to See florida
come back from that twelve point depson in the second
half Of. HOUSTON i was there in person Seeing houston
come back Against duke and sing that, physicality their toughness
uphand up right in front of your. FACE i, mean
it's one of those things that you just THE tv
(07:24):
doesn't do it, justice just.
Speaker 2 (07:25):
How physical and tough they. Are so to See florida.
Speaker 4 (07:28):
Dig down deep and come back against, that which was very,
shocking wasn't the prettiest of, games but, man was that
a really, tough hard, fought competitive championship.
Speaker 1 (07:38):
Game those three guards For florida have been the thing
that jumps off the page on their profile from the,
beginning AND i thought they were the difference down the.
Stretch and you, know Even Clayton houston did a marvelous
job on, him but he found a way to make
some key buckets late and he didn't panic when he wasn't.
Speaker 2 (07:59):
Scoring, YEAH i, mean that's what you have to do
to win The National.
Speaker 4 (08:03):
Championship like every in every single, tournament run a team
faces like you're going to hit a wall and you
just have to have the players that can, just you know,
what just find a way to fight through and make things,
happen and it's like there's very little to make happen
in that, moment like doing going Against houston's defense, Man
(08:26):
like they don't give you hardly, anything and you got
to have the players that are tough enough and physical
and confident enough to make those plays when they matter the.
Speaker 1 (08:34):
Most, well it's shift gears to some transfer portal, talk
specifically For kentucky in the most recent Pickup Mohammed. Diabate
i'll see if If i'm on the right track with
my thinking on, this and that is that rankings are
for high school. Players for, freshmen you're ranking guys that
are going to be lottery.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
Picks.
Speaker 1 (08:56):
Uh so the rankings in, that to me are more.
Significant is a more significant piece of news than ranking
transfer portal prospects because those aren't first round or necessarily
lottery pick kind of, Guys and it's more about getting
guys that fit for what you need and what system
you run than Necessarily you, know everybody wants rankings for,
(09:20):
things but the rankings aren't as significant in that as
they are for. Freshmen is that?
Speaker 2 (09:24):
Correct, yeah there's definitely some truth to.
Speaker 4 (09:28):
That and with the transfer porting rankings that we do
at twenty four to. SEVEN a lot of how we
do it is based on projecting their value in.
Speaker 2 (09:40):
College so you have guys like In Modia batte.
Speaker 4 (09:45):
OR a good example is let's go back a few
years Like Mark, siers like at the time we didn't
ranking very highly and now looking back like he's An
All All league.
Speaker 2 (09:54):
Player Or Walter. Clayton it's very.
Speaker 4 (09:57):
Similar wins The National championship last, night first Team All,
american but we didn't have ranked for. Highly so something
we're doing to adjust is kind of projecting these.
Speaker 2 (10:07):
Guys if we projected as An all league.
Speaker 4 (10:08):
Player we're really giving you that five star caliber type
status because that's what matters, most especially in the transfer.
Portal it's about the guys who impact your college teams
more than high school rankings where we get we're ranking
THE nba players and things of that nature has five star.
Speaker 1 (10:24):
Recruits so a guy like maybe at the top of
your transfer portal rankings now is maybe the guy that
is fifth in the most places.
Speaker 4 (10:33):
Correct who we think will be a highly impactful on
a program type of. Player so number one in our
rankings right now Is Jaxual. Limborg and to be honest with,
YOU i don't even know IF i, Have like there's
been two thousand players in another transfer portal AND i
have a team of guys where we meet and talk
every day rating these players they hit the portal as
(10:54):
they make commitments and with that matp just large amount
of players that we're. HAVING i don't even know if
we write From Odea, bote But i'll tell you, This
i'm a big fan Of Odea.
Speaker 2 (11:04):
Patte he will.
Speaker 4 (11:05):
Absolutely be ranked if he's not already six foot seven
power forward that a, strong, physical smart knows who he
is as a, player and it's just gonna be a
perfect complimentary piece of this team next.
Speaker 2 (11:16):
Season.
Speaker 1 (11:17):
Yeah to, me he's a guy that's not gonna be
the first round draft, pick but he's that kind of.
Guy AND i compared him to A liggins on The
final four team and eleven that can guard multiple, positions
that can make a, three that has a you, know
good basketball. Iq liggans have been a former point. Guard
that those kind of guys are what you need to
(11:39):
have a winning.
Speaker 4 (11:40):
Team, yeah he's just gonna be one of those guys
that is gonna get into the trench and he's gonna
fight like a. Guy like you, said he, Defends he
will defend multiple. Positions he absolutely has that in his.
Abilities and he's also a really good. Reboundery he just
has a nose for the. Ball he's physically, Strong like
he's not gonna be a guy going out there trying
(12:01):
to get a bunch of shots up and in needing the.
Speaker 2 (12:03):
Score he's gonna do everything else it.
Speaker 4 (12:05):
Takes to win a basketball game to let the other
guys want more adept to go out there and score and.
Speaker 2 (12:13):
Do other roles on, team Like he's going to allow
them to do.
Speaker 4 (12:15):
That and you always need one or two of those
guys on a team to do that to win at.
Speaker 2 (12:21):
The highest of.
Speaker 1 (12:21):
Levels we're talking With Travis, brannon national basketball analyst for
twenty four to Seven. Sports it's At Travis Brandam underscore
on x Or. Twitter if you prefer.
Speaker 2 (12:31):
Give me a.
Speaker 1 (12:32):
Thought let's talk about the two Other kentucky commits so
far in the. Portal the most recent Before deabate Was Jalen,
low the point guard From. Pittsburgh how will he fit
into this?
Speaker 2 (12:42):
SYSTEM i think he.
Speaker 4 (12:45):
Can fit in extremely. WELL a lot of. People or
if you just look at his numbers as past season's
averaging like six team points and five, assists game four
rebounds or, so but it was very. Inefficient, HOWEVER i
don't really take too much stock into his inefficiency this
year because you watch him. Play this kid is so,
(13:05):
skilled so, smart and so crafty that he's one of
those guys that really would benefit from better players around.
Him and At, Pittsburgh cues the guy that was relied
on to carry the entire off or a lot of
the offensive load for.
Speaker 2 (13:21):
That team this, year so he's gonna have to take tougher.
Speaker 4 (13:23):
Shots he's also not the most he's not the biggest
and strongest and most, athletic but you see how smart
and crafty and skillty is where you put him into
an offense Like pops how they played this past. Season
he's one of the best passers In america and a
guy that can really create out of ball, screens get.
Speaker 2 (13:42):
Into the paint and create paint touches and.
Speaker 4 (13:44):
Collapse defense is something That kentucky really didn't have this past,
season especially When Lamont butler was hurt and he just
didn't look at quite himself over the last.
Speaker 2 (13:55):
Month and a half of the.
Speaker 4 (13:56):
Season Where jalen can come in and set the table
for people make things happen and put a lot of
pressure on the painting and on. Defenses and then what
he also, showed What pope also showed To Lamont butler
and how he improved his jump shot this. Season that's
the missing piece To Jalen lowe's game in my.
Speaker 2 (14:14):
Opinion, again he has to get. Stronger but like from
the skill set, standpoint he's not the best. Shooters so
seeing What.
Speaker 4 (14:21):
Pope did With Lamonth butler this past, SEASON i think
he can do it again With Jayla lowe and he
can be a really great piece of this team next.
Speaker 1 (14:30):
Year as pass th In america is a strong.
Speaker 2 (14:32):
Statement he's not the, best but one of the. Best he.
Is he's one of those guys that just sees the.
Floor uh can throw a pass off a live druggle
just when you least expect.
Speaker 4 (14:45):
It those just has the ability to throw a variety
of different passes and make just make things happen for his.
Speaker 2 (14:55):
Team Cam williams From Julane caim big fan Of cam
and what he can be down the.
Speaker 4 (15:02):
Line six foot, seven six foot eight, long athletic wing slash.
Speaker 2 (15:06):
Forward it's gonna.
Speaker 4 (15:07):
Be able to defend multiple, positions great athlete again continues
to gain more confidence out on the. COURT i think
as he gains more confidence and playing For, pope he
can be a really great piece for this team and
stretching the, floor making shots on the, perimeter also getting
out in, transition defending multiple, positions and as he gets stronger,
(15:31):
again as he gains that, CONFIDENCE i think this is
one transfer that he's got the, build he's got the
tools that could he could eventually become AN nba player for.
Them BUT i think in terms of just what he
can be for this program in the, DEVELOPMENT i think
he can be a multi year impact player that has
(15:52):
so much talent that.
Speaker 2 (15:55):
It's more of the talent that we're accustomed to seeing At.
Speaker 1 (15:57):
Kentucky Travis brandon with that will take with, us will
take a quick break and come right back here on
The Leech report presented By bob Kned, Enterprises Got It
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Program to twenty seven past the top the, HOUR a
couple of minutes left here With Travis, Brandham National Basketball
(16:17):
analysts for twenty four to seven sports AND i know
you guys are tracking.
Speaker 2 (16:24):
Twelve.
Speaker 1 (16:25):
HUNDRED i don't how many people are into portal. Now
last NUMBER i saw was twelve. Hundred what is it?
Speaker 2 (16:28):
Now it is way more than.
Speaker 4 (16:31):
Now tom currently looking at it and we're at two
thousand and ninety nine names for.
Speaker 2 (16:37):
Portal oh my.
Speaker 1 (16:38):
Goodness, WELL i don't.
Speaker 2 (16:40):
Know imagine my mental.
Speaker 4 (16:41):
Health and While i'm behind on ranking a, yeah Like
modia bot there right, NOW.
Speaker 1 (16:47):
I don't know if you have time to think about
anything other than, that probably. Not but just curious is
if you have any thought on this house Settlement it
looks like it's going to be coming sometime, soon and
will that give the order slash structure to the transfer
portal nil world that colleges have been talking about trying to.
Speaker 2 (17:06):
FIND i think it's a step in the right.
Speaker 4 (17:09):
DIRECTION i think it has the ability to bring all
this chaos back into. Order but knowing this space and
everything else that's currently going, ON i don't envision it's
gonna be an immediate fix of.
Speaker 2 (17:27):
Everything you're still going.
Speaker 4 (17:28):
To have have, variety like one of the biggest complaints
going around right, now not necessarily like within my side of,
things but college coaches are are now complaining, that like
The Big east is going to get so much more
money because of the rep share, model BECAUSE sec And
Big team they're going to be paying for, football and
(17:50):
so there's gonna be let's put it this, way they're
going to try to find a way to put money
in the pockets of these players so they can compete
with The Big east that's not just necessarily out of
the rep. Share so there's a lot to still. UNFOLD
i think there's ways you can fix. IT i think
you should just get each sport its own max cap
you can spend and if you can pay for, it
(18:12):
do you do.
Speaker 1 (18:13):
It Travis bradham twenty four Seven sports thank you for the.
TIME i know you're crazy. BUSY i appreciate you jumping
on with.
Speaker 2 (18:18):
Us absolutely appreciate.
Speaker 1 (18:19):
You.
Speaker 2 (18:19):
Tom thank You Nature.
Speaker 1 (18:20):
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At cornbridham we go to the club bluinil dot Com,
highline bring On Larry vatt from your Sports edge dot
com and vaults views And, larry let's start with a
little transfer portal talk And Mohamed diabate From alabama's going
(19:24):
to be A. Wildcat what do you think about that?
Speaker 3 (19:26):
Pickup, Well i'm just impressed you've got the name down,
already BUT i guess from watching him three taps this
day season had to get it for during the season
both got a chance to get, ready so but it
seemed like a really good pickup to. Me. Tom they
need some guys like that and probably, could in my,
opinion could use a couple more in a very similar
(19:46):
type modecause it seemed like that's what the teams had
got to the final. Four that's that's what they. Had
this kind of multiple players like, it they can just
keep throwing at you that were very physical and could
do different. Things and he seems like a really good
fit For Mark. Pope AND i think it's nice That
mark got to watch him three times yeah last, season
(20:08):
so he certainly knew plenty about him, firsthand and that
to depend on the field because they got to watch
him in. Person SO i think it'll be a good
good addition for The.
Speaker 1 (20:17):
Cats A Swiss army knife. Player it seems to ME
i compared him to A DeAndre liggins For kentucky's twenty
Eleven final.
Speaker 3 (20:26):
Fourteen, yeah that could Be if he could be something
like that For, kentucky that would be really really good
because it just seems like he could kind of do
whatever you. Need if you look at his, stats there
are some games he scored, big some games he rebounded,
big and he seemed to be pretty. Versatile he's certainly
(20:46):
is adapted playing at a fast paced That Mark pope,
likes so it just seems like that should be an
easy fit for. Him and that's one. Guy when the
portal first opened and all only SOMEBODY i was even
thinking about this might be a real good candidate For,
Kentucky but when the news kind of broke about, it
(21:07):
it just makes.
Speaker 1 (21:07):
Sense in addition to Reading larry's work at your sports
edge dot, com you can hear him On sunday mornings
on here At lexington on The Sunday Morning Sports talk
show With Anthony, White Jack bilgrim And Bowl. Robinson and
you guys Had Cam, Williams kentucky's first acquisition in The
Transfer portal on the show Last, sunday and you've got
to post about it at your sports edge dot. Com
(21:29):
what were your takeaways from your alls chat With?
Speaker 3 (21:31):
Cam but very mature young, MAN i, think a very
selfish young. Man one THING i wanted to know was
having an issue forty one percent from three and only
average nine points a, game and it was basically he
said that he just didn't force shots and the ball
didn't always come his, way so he was going to
have to do other. Things that's what it took to
(21:53):
help the team. Win i've got to feel in here
get a few more shots when he's At kentucky than
what he got at two, lane if he keeps over
forty percent from. Three but it seemed like a guy, that,
again even though he's From, louisiana had grown up A
kentucky fan because he said his ultimate go one day
or his dream was to play in THE. Nba and
(22:13):
he watched all these players At kentucky was sending to THE,
nba and he kind of became A kentucky fan there
In louisiana and he committed To, kentucky had ever taking a.
VISIT i think he'll be up, here him and his
family this. Weekend but his dad's been around basketball for
a long. Time he's got a brother that played college
basketball was now playing. Overseas so he's a pretty savvy.
(22:35):
Player and again got a really good BASKETBALL iq from
everything you could, tell which once again is kind of
a big plus if you're going to play For Mark.
Speaker 1 (22:45):
Pope Tyer Larry vaught here on the lead, report joining
us on the Club blue nil dot com. Hotline the,
FANS i think some percentage of the, FANS i don't
know how big the percentage. Is they get a panic
a bit of this transfer portal. STUFF i think when
it doesn't happen quickly as quickly as they, want or you,
(23:05):
know names get thrown around And kentucky doesn't get. Somebody
there are times When kentucky's actually trying to get the
guy and they. Don't they could go somewhere, else but
agents are involved, Here so you got to take a
lot of what you reading here with a grain of.
SALT i, think, right.
Speaker 3 (23:22):
Yeah and just think at this time last, Year Mark
pope was still just waiting to get, hired or maybe
this was the day he was the day he was
hired on they didn't have, anybody and they went all
the way up Into may to getting and didn't Get
Jackson robinson officially committed till the end Of. May so
the roster is so full compared to this time a year,
ago AND i think there's been some speculation out there
(23:44):
about this guy and that. Gap but between like you,
say managing payroll for lack of a better, WORD i
think sometimes news just kind of gets out, There like
at one, time it's Like, Kentucky who's gonna add thirty
seven guards to the? Roster And i'm starting to whole
count up and they. Go they've got you, know what
might be considered eight guards on the. Roster they need
(24:04):
some more inside. Gas SO i think at this point
they're probably ideally would like to add a maybe an elite,
shooter BUT i think a couple more of the bigs
that they can beat and bang and battle. Inside like
what the teams again in the final four all had.
That they've got three they, out but they they need some.
Speaker 4 (24:24):
More.
Speaker 1 (24:24):
Now florida to, me was a really well constructed group
and it's happened over the three years That golden has been.
There but you've got those great, guards three, guards and
then you've got a, bunch you, know multiple six ten
guys that can handle the ball out on the perimeter
and that most of them can shoot.
Speaker 3 (24:44):
Threes, yeah and they just kind of all they're all
not really overlo, physical but they're all more than physical,
enough and they can get to the boards really really.
Well AND i think what three years ago in his
first season didn't make the NC a. Tournament last year
they were, better and this year they're a national. Champion
so that's a pretty nice progression that they have. Made
(25:07):
and again when you Get Walter, clayton that certainly helps
make your elite a little a little bit. More BUT
i think that shows that the plan That pope as
can work because it's a pretty similar plan to what
he has For. KENTUCKY i.
Speaker 2 (25:20):
Think.
Speaker 1 (25:21):
YEAH i, mean Coach golden had not won AN ncaa tournament,
game either At florida or his previous. STOP i Think
murray stayed up set At San francisco team in twenty
two in the game after the, game which should probably
no longer be mentioned.
Speaker 2 (25:39):
For.
Speaker 1 (25:39):
Kentucky but the point, is you know In Mark pope
now you, know notched his first two n C doublea tournament,
wins got to a sweet. Sixteen IT'S i see. This you,
know with covering thoroughbred, racing there's a lot of trainers
that you, know maybe haven't won A grade one until
you give them A grade one horse and then amazingly
(25:59):
they can start to win those great one. Races so you,
know guys Like golden And, florida Now mark Popea kentucky
have a lot more at their, disposal and the early
indications are they are going to know what to do with.
Speaker 3 (26:12):
It. Yeah. Absolutely it was a Fun final four to
watch the hecking a comeback For florida last night to
be able to do what they did and win that,
game and they're not going to go. AWAY i don't
think it's like nobody in THE sec. Is so you
have to be really good every year to keep competing
(26:33):
in THE. Sec And mark, REALLY i Think handles has
transferred portal so well because he didn't get caught up in.
Rankings he analyzes based on what he thinks he's going
to fit together the best as a. TEAM i think
cats you how he was able to have success this.
Year he brought in parts that fit even with all
the injuries they, had he still somehow managed to do.
It and SO i think they're really putting together a
(26:54):
nice roster right, now And i'm really just anxious to
see how de pleates. It And i've got a feel
that we wanted to wait till the end of my
free mcgette's roster completed this year because to, me so
the one thing you have to be careful to transfer.
Portal you put all your resources on a gap that
still might be considering going to THE nba. Draft then
(27:15):
you end up losing that. Gap then you're kind of
hung out the. Dry SO i think that's another thing
coaches have to balance when they're looking at this transferred.
Speaker 1 (27:21):
World, yeah excellent. Point last, Thing, Larry you've got a
post up at Your Sports edge about a twenty twenty
seven football commitment a Quarterback, hunter A Dj hunter six
to one ninety. Five interesting thing to me is he's
out Of. Knoxville so what if you're A kentucky, fan
you hope this is Another Randall cobb type That kentucky.
(27:44):
Gets for whatever, Reason randall was A i used to.
Laugh people would, SAY i Wish Randall cobb it was
only you know six.' two, i, said no, you don't
because he wouldn't. Be here he'd Be. At tennessee and so,
you know they get this court about commit Out, of
knoxville and you've got a story. About it so give
me your take.
Speaker 2 (28:03):
On that.
Speaker 3 (28:05):
IT'S one i certainly didn't. SEE coming, i mean he's
a guy that's really not ranked in all a whole lot,
right now which because he just completed his. Sophomore season
but he went ahead and jumped, in there chatted a
little bit on social media with he's supposed to talk to.
Him tonight but if you get a chance to go
in and get that Guy giv it was like a
really good duel threat type. Of guy and as, you
(28:26):
said he's only a sophomore and got great size to
him already through for over fourteen hundred yards. Last year
he only played in eight games because he missed a
few games with. The injuries so Obviously the kentucky coaching
staffs are all on board to go ahead and take
a commitment from a twenty twenty seven guy and get
a quarterback locked in. Right there so that's one that
(28:47):
again kind of surprised ME because i had really heard
a whole lot, About him but he took some pretty
impressive campus visits this spring practice and Was at kentucky
just to pull over a, week ago then went ahead And.
Speaker 1 (28:59):
Committed Larry vaon you can read them at your sports
edge dot com the story About, h Young mister hunter. And,
others larry thank, you much, All right larr're joining us
on the club blue nil dot Com Hotline club blues
calling on fans to raise a glass to commemorate this
new Era of kentucky. Men's Basketball club blues the official
nil fundraising PARTNER, for uk and they've teamed Up With
(29:21):
bespoken spirits to craft a special release of a Limited
Edition club blue basketball bottle that features a bold weeded.
Bourbon whiskey going to be fewer than eight hundred individually
numbered bottles to, be available so it's. A collectible there
won't be. Around long perfect bottle for your Bourbon or,
kentucky memorabilia ideal. For autographs the Limited Edition Club blue
(29:43):
basketball bottles are available Now At liquor barn Stores across
kentucky while. Supplies last every bottle sold directly FUELS the
nil EFFORTS. At uk so grab. Yours today we'll be
right back. And chow Kurtbacker from keeland On The Leach Report, Radio.
Speaker 5 (29:58):
Network sierra leone is running on from, the outside sixteenth.
To Go sierra leone comes forward for the lead and
deep stretch and Wins The toyota Bluegrass For Tyler.
Speaker 1 (30:12):
Gaffo leone that was last year's edition Of the Grade
one Toyota Blue. Grass stakes today's edition plays out On
a Tuesday. At Keenland S here leone narrowly missed Winning The,
kentucky derby but took Down The Breeders cup classic and was.
The champion three Year Old, kurt becker who was on
the call for that race and is on the call
(30:34):
for every Race at keenland and has been the only
track announcer on track Announcer the keenland's ever had joins
us On The club blue innil dot com Hotline And Kurt.
Bluegrass stakes On, a tuesday that's what you had on, your, Agenda.
Speaker 2 (30:49):
Right yeah YOU know.
Speaker 6 (30:53):
I had somebody asked Me yesterday tom about of course
yesterday we Had the Grade one ashland and ran in On,
a monday and somebody, asked.
Speaker 2 (31:05):
Me, you know how how odd did?
Speaker 6 (31:07):
That feel AND as i, TOLD them, i said, you
know the thing is if if if there's a racetrack
anywhere on the planet Where, a monday or in, today's Case,
A tuesday grade one could still Have a Friday or,
saturday atmosphere it Would, be keenland and at least it's
dry and the, sun's out so it looks like it
ought to be a good day.
Speaker 1 (31:28):
KIND of i guess we need to look at this like,
the rate Like The Royal ascot meet There in england
that gets it's gotten a lot more coverage in recent
YEARS through nbc and so, they'll run, you know On
a tuesday Or. A wednesday, you know one of the
biggest races of the year and and it they get
(31:48):
a pretty good response. To it so it, is different
not something they want to do. Every YEAR but i
think certainly it has played out well with the.
Speaker 6 (31:58):
Weather it Has, AND tom i know that you'll. Remember
this some of the folks at the track yesterday were
reminiscing about the Fact the bluegrass for many many years
Was a thursday afternoon race that would run about nine
days Before. The DERBY and i was talking to one
(32:19):
guy at the track yesterday who said that he grew
up here and he can remember cutting class with his
buddies to go Watch.
Speaker 1 (32:27):
The bluegrass i'm raising my hand as.
Speaker 6 (32:29):
We speak he said that he remembered. The principal principal
called his father one day, and, said hey are you
aware your son didn't show up? For school and his, dad, said,
well yeah are you Aware? It's bluegrass.
Speaker 2 (32:48):
That's my kind.
Speaker 1 (32:49):
Of, parent absolutely you gotta.
Speaker 2 (32:52):
Love it.
Speaker 1 (32:54):
Let me ask you a question for our listeners that
you get a lot when people are casual racing fans
and thinking about, the announcer how do you memorize all?
The names BECAUSE when i do a football or a,
basketball game there's a lot of names, to remember but
it's the same names throughout. The game it doesn't change
(33:14):
ten times during. The day so how does that process
work for you to have, to memorize, you know horses
and identify horses and then get a whole new set
for the.
Speaker 6 (33:24):
Next, race well on the other side, Of that i've
always been amazed at folks sportscasters who do basketball and
FOOTBALL because i rely primarily on the jockey silks to
distinguish one horse, from ANOTHER and i would be OVERWHELMED
(33:45):
if i looked out and there were so many jockeys
essentially wearing the same uniform like you have with a
basketball team or. Football team so so that that kind
of touched. Both ways with, THAT, said i, for me
the thing is just simply repetition from the time you
(34:06):
see the jockeys get the call for riders up through the,
post parade all the way to, the gateload just looking
at those silks through the binoculars and just trying to
get those names and grain those horses' names associated and
then ingrained into. Your mind the other challenge to Me
about keenland, in particular where the grandstand faces west and
(34:27):
by the time, for Example the bluegrass goes off later.
This afternoon if there's no, cloud cover you're looking straight
into the sun as as you look across the track toward,
the backstretch and sometimes those silks get washed out in
the sun and those colors of those silks get more difficult.
To distinguish but with, That, said tom With the bluegrass,
IN particular i think it's one of the more unusual
(34:51):
fields we've had in a. Long time ever Since The
kentucky derby points, system began since there are points paid
In the bluegrass for a shot Of, the derby we've
had so, many, big bulky, overflow fields horses coming in
with maiden special wins or off an entry level. Allowance
win this year we have a much smaller fields, seven
HORSES but i think top to bottom one of the
(35:14):
more talented fields we've had in.
Speaker 1 (35:16):
A while there are seven Horses And admiral dennis is
twenty to one and render judgment is twenty. TO one
i think both of those would probably be surprises if they,
Won IT but i could certainly, see them, you know hitting.
The board but the, other five any one, of them
you could see winning it and doing so at a
fashion that could stamp them as A serious. Derby threat.
Speaker 2 (35:39):
One.
Speaker 6 (35:39):
REALLY could I Mean burnham square is a good example.
Of that he looked so good early this year actually
Beat To, pan street the horse that came back to
Win the Floor To Derby River Thames todd pletcher's had
a lot of success in, this Race And river thames
as a horse that seems to be improving with. Every
start you've got the one to two finishers out Of
(36:01):
The Tampa, Bay Derby ohen Almighty and.
Speaker 2 (36:03):
Chancellor mcpatrick and You've.
Speaker 6 (36:05):
Got east avenue who's been a puzzling horse who looks
spectacular here last fall Winning The Claybourne, breeders futorney but
has had his difficulties. Since then but we know he
likes this track and, who knows maybe today's the day
he finally gets put.
Speaker 1 (36:20):
Back Together kurt becker will be calling the races throughout
the afternoon and throughout the Meat at keeland and appreciate,
the Time and i'll let you get back to preparing
for the day's.
Speaker 3 (36:30):
Racing.
Speaker 6 (36:31):
Card tom it's been great to visit, with you and
A Happy Toyota bluegrass day.
Speaker 2 (36:36):
To everyone. Thank. You Kurt It's.
Speaker 1 (36:38):
Kurt becker joining us On The club blue nil dot.
Com hotline several stakes races on a fantastic, card today
and with the, schedule change the races on the turf
will the stakes races anyway are going to get to
stay on the turf course and that likely would not
have happened had the race gone off as Scheduled. On
(36:59):
seteaturday so if you're a, horse player it's going to
be a really, fun day and if you're just a,
racing fan a great day to try to play hooky
from work and get Out. To keemlan we are coming
up on our final break and then we'll come back
to Wrap up this edition Of The, leach report presented
each Day by. Bobcat enterprises big baseball game Tonight. For
kentucky They're. At louisville game has been moved up. An
(37:21):
hour supposed to start at eight now it's going to
have a first pitch at, Seven tonight and, to me
this seems like a big One. For kentucky they'll have
another one of these midweek Games with louisville in a couple.
Of weeks kentucky's dropped a couple of these mid game midweek.
Games recently need to pick, up these especially against a Team,
(37:42):
like louisville could enhance your resume for getting INTO the.
Ncaa tournament tucky's got to pick it up a. Little
BIT in, sec play they have been certainly, ultra competitive
but have just come up short and lost three of
their first four series and have not been. Swept yet
but they've taken only one of the three in three
of the, four series and they'll have another opportunity this
(38:02):
Weekend when texas rolls. Into Town Shuffle bean coffee is
a company based right here In. The bluegrass group of
Guys from kentucky got together several years ago and in
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(38:23):
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The day here On The. Leach report if You're A keelan,
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if you're heading out there and enjoy, the racing we'll see.
(38:44):
You tomorrow All The leach report Presented by Bob kat
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