Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hello and welcome in. It is the Friday edition of
The Leech Report, presented by Bobcat Enterprises. Thanks to Billy
Relives for pinch hitting yesterday and today. We're going to
talk with Maggie Davis from BBN tonight in LAX eighteen.
She of course did the half hour sit down interview
(00:22):
with Mark Pope back at the start of the week,
so we'll talk about that and many other things with
Maggie and Jeff Bacoro with us in the second half
of the show. So we can touch a lot of
bases with pick from UK football and men's and women's basketball,
and a little bit maybe even about the Reds or
the Kentucky Derby. So that's what's on the agenda today.
(00:43):
Wildcat News of the Day always presented by Giuseppes of Lexington.
Colin Chandler announcing yesterday that he's returning for a second
year with the Cats. No surprise there. He could really
have a nice second year. I would think we talked
about this many times during the season. How you know,
(01:04):
he had a lot to offer in terms of his athleticism,
and he was older, but just never seemed to find
his confidence offensively until the last week of the regular season.
I thought, I remember telling you guys at the time
that he had had a really good practice the day before,
(01:25):
and I remember he made a move to the basket
and dunked in on somebody, and I'm just thinking to myself, Wow,
where's that been? And he coaches really praised him, and
he went out the next night and played his best
game of the season against LSU, scored double figures for
the first time, and then just built on it from there.
It had some big games, played well out at Missouri,
(01:46):
hit the Big Three right before halftime, and again suddenly
just found him, seemed to suddenly seemed to suddenly find
his confidence. I don't know if it actually happened that instantaneously,
but you know, really became a key player off the
bench from that point on and had some nice moments.
(02:09):
And so if you think about building on that in
year two and getting you know that consistently and you
know a guy who's that size, that's I guess will
be twenty one that that's a very nice piece to
the puzzle for Mark Popen Company. So no surprise certainly
(02:30):
that he's returning, But it's if you're a fan, it's
always nice to get that confirmation. Football has picked up
a transfer from Southern Cal. Another edge rusher from Southern Cal,
Lorenzo Cowen six three, two fifties of what he's listed.
Doubt that he's from what I've seen a red probably
not two fifty, but they but can get there and
that will be one of the missions. One time UK
(02:53):
commit and at this point coming in you would doubt
that he'd be a major impact this particular season, but
he has several years three left to play, so a
nice pickup for Kentucky football. They got Hardley Gilmour back
at the wide receiver position yesterday. I think that news
(03:15):
came out, So that's two incoming transfers. At the moment.
UK baseball's on the road to Tennessee this weekend. The
Volves are up to number two in the country, which
Texas was last week when Kentucky hosted the Longhorns again,
another great opportunity for Kentucky. They have avoided getting swept
in any series, but they've only been able to win
(03:37):
one series, just a bunch of close losses, so they
and the projections are still projected in the NCAA field,
but it would be great it's a great opportunity again,
like I said earlier this week, going down to number
two Tennessee and having a chance to if you can
win a series like that, really gives you a big
(03:58):
boost on your resume. UK Radio Darren Headrick will have
the call starting this evening Friday through Easter Sunday down
in Knoxville. SEC Network Plus on the video side, and
UK Gymnastics a couple of individual competitors at the National
Championships and UK's Isabella and Angnelly was ninth on the
(04:18):
beam finished up her season and Kreslent brose, if I'm
pronouncing correctly, fifteenth in the floor exercises in her first
attempt at the NCAA Championships individually, So the Kentucky team
had another outstanding season. Didn't make it quite to the
biggest show, but two individuals did so congrats on solid
(04:41):
performances there. Links to the stories that we talk about
each day can be found on the bud lightly T
Report page at Tom Leachky dot com. We are heading
to a break come back with Maggie Davis from BBN tonight.
Our opening segment a while KED News always presented by
just sepis of Lexington and I ran into some friends
(05:04):
this week who were making plans to go to Giuseppes.
You should too go to Open Table the food's great
homemade pasta, the fresh seafood that shipped in handcut steaks too.
They use a lot of local ingredients for their sides, veggies,
et cetera, and the beef. So check it out at
(05:24):
Giuseppes Lexington dot com. Sit in the lounge. Arey enjoyed
the live jazz music to accompany your meal at Giuseppes.
We'll be right back on The Leach Report Radio Network,
present it by Bobcat Enterprises in Tripurt comes to you
each day from the Clark's Pumping Shop studio. Return, Refresh,
Refuel at Clark's and make sure you sign up for
their new Loyalty rewards program for some great discounts. Joining
(05:47):
us on the Club Blunile dot com hotline is Maggie
Davis from BBN. Tonight and Maggie. Back on Monday, you
had a chance to do an extended one on one
with coach Mark Pope talking about his first season with
the Wildcats. What were some of the things that were
most noteworthy to you that came out of that interview.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
Yeah, thank you so much.
Speaker 3 (06:10):
It was obviously such a great experience getting the chance
to talk with him for such a long period of time.
I think that's the biggest takeaway. Obviously, you're able to
ask one or two questions maybe at a press conference
or even in a shorter sit down interview setting, but
to be given that much time was really was I
was just so excited to even have that opportunity and
(06:32):
to bring that conversation to Big Blue Nation, And it
just so happened, truly to fall on the exact one
year date of that press conference. It was something I'd requested,
you know, months ago, and we just had no idea obviously,
how his recruiting schedule would pan out.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
Didn't know if he'd even be in the state on
that particular day.
Speaker 3 (06:50):
So it really I felt like was a little serendipitous
that it worked out perfectly that I was able to
talk with him that afternoon and then air that interview
that evening on our.
Speaker 2 (06:59):
Show b the end tonight.
Speaker 3 (07:00):
For me, obviously, the biggest takeaway is the same every
time we talk to him, and it's really about the
perspective that he brings to this program and to this
fan base, having both played here and now coached here
and everything that he did in between to stay connected
with this place, and I think for him, I mean,
even a simple question like has it felt like a year?
(07:21):
Like what has this year as a whole really felt
like for you? Was interesting to hear his take on, like,
we've been so busy going a million miles a minute
trying to be the best possible team and program we
can be that I haven't had a lot of time
to reflect on some of the nuances. But at the
same time, every single night.
Speaker 2 (07:42):
When I get home and I talk to Leanne and we.
Speaker 3 (07:44):
Sit down, and some days we just kind of take
a deep breath, like, Wow, we're really here doing this,
doing exactly what we feel like we're supposed to be
doing in the place we feel like we're supposed to
be doing it.
Speaker 2 (07:55):
And then one of my other favorite things we.
Speaker 3 (07:57):
Talked about was just what the players are his first
team taught him, because I felt like we heard so
much from the players this season about what their coach
taught them and how he ran this program. But to
hear his perspective on what guys like Kobe and Ansley
and Andrew and Kerr and Lamont and every single player
on the roster taught him in their one season together.
(08:19):
Was really interesting for me too, and anybody who missed it.
It's the full things on our website bbatnight dot com.
We also have the full thirty minutes posted as one
long clip on our YouTube page for LAX eighteen, so
that's an easy way to find it too.
Speaker 1 (08:33):
He's not one that seems real, and he's talking about
a lot about himself in terms of you know, because
you know, he could talk for probably an hour about
what it means to him and you know what it
was like to you know, walk out there as the
Kentucky head coach game after game, all those kinds of things.
But I think he is always prefers to direct the
(08:56):
conversation to his players, and that I think is good
and this most seems most comfortable for him.
Speaker 3 (09:05):
Yeah, I totally agree with you there, and that kind
of I think came across a little bit in I
was asking him about roster construction this year and whether
or not having a season of SEC play under his
belt has changed the way he looks at the type
of players he wants, specifically out of the portal, Right,
because there were certainly times last season where everybody watching,
(09:26):
of course the staff included, saw that there were some
issues with defense, there were some issues with rebounding, some
physicality issues that would come up, you know, on and
off throughout the season.
Speaker 2 (09:35):
And then you look at what he's grabbed from the portal.
Speaker 3 (09:38):
This year, and it seems like much more physical guys,
guys who are more known as defensive players at their
previous schools. So to me, the question was more along
the lines of coaching philosophy or what stood out to
him from a coaching standpoint, and we sort of centered
it around the front court, and he immediately sort of
was like, well, Brandon Garrison is the one who was
(09:59):
lead this front court right now because he had a
big brother all year long and Amari Williams, and he
told this great story about the two of them at
the NCAA tournament and was like, now, Brandon has this
awesome opportunity to come back a second year and be
that to somebody else, even if the person that he's
doing it for is his age or even older. I mean,
that'll be you know, whether it's Moe Diavante or or
(10:22):
anybody else in the front court. That guy's not going
to have the experience that Big has in this place,
with this program and these fans, and he'll hopefully be
able to kind of step into that mentorship role for
the front court as Amari did for him last year.
And to hear him talk about what he expects from
Big just from a growth standpoint was really great to
(10:42):
hear from too, because he was the one who said
Garrison came in on a two year plan.
Speaker 2 (10:47):
We had decided it would be a two year plan.
Speaker 3 (10:50):
And now we get to see year two of that
plan actually play out. And for me, that's not something
we hear a whole lot from a basketball coach, especially
in the portal era, of like, yes, we knew it
was a two year deal and we felt good about
getting the second year, And to me, that says a
whole lot about the state of the program right.
Speaker 2 (11:07):
Now as a whole.
Speaker 1 (11:08):
Yeah, the ultimate Big Brother moment. As you were saying that,
I'm thinking for Amari with Brandon that Beg could maybe
hopefully be on the other side of next season out
of Oklahoma after the final play and he's a part
of that. And then I guess he's got a little
some lingering issues with the suitors program or fans or something.
(11:29):
I don't know, but remember a Maury moving in and
taking him about three quarters of the length of the
court in ten seconds, it seemed like in five seconds.
Speaker 2 (11:38):
It was so funny. Yes, I love that moment too.
Speaker 3 (11:41):
The story Pope told on Monday was more lots more
of like a off the court moment of you know,
at March Madness, there's all sorts of branding in the
locker room, Like they put their names.
Speaker 2 (11:50):
On their locker and they're these little like plastic.
Speaker 3 (11:52):
Plaques almost, but they're they're really they're easily snappable, I
would say, and big March Madness signs and college basketball
memorabilia kind of everywhere to brand these locker rooms that
are otherwise just empty rooms. And so I guess on
the way out, all the players after the first weekend,
after they'd beat in Illinois wanted to take some of
that with them, like sort of as a sentimental thing,
(12:13):
which one I thought that was awesome, Like who knew
that the guys were so thrilled to be playing in
March Madness that they were taking their NCAA name blackers
off the walls. But BIGI was one of the guys
who had done that, and he just stuck it in
his backpack, just vertically up and down, just sticking up
where it was definitely going to break, and Amari just
(12:33):
looked at Mark Pope, shook his head, went up to Beg,
pulled it out of his backpack, put it in Garrison's
hands and said, you need to hold this, man, if
you want to keep it, you're gonna break it back there.
And it was just like this sweet, little, small baby
moment that maybe Beg won't even remember, maybe Omari won't
even remember, but it was a moment that stood out
to their coach.
Speaker 2 (12:53):
And it was cool of him to share that too.
Speaker 1 (12:55):
I thought about twenty two past the top of the hour,
it's the Leach Report and we will be right back
with more from Maggie Davis. Guys on the Let report
come to you via the Club Blue nil dot com hotline.
And at Club Blue they have a sister organization, Commonwealth
Causes and their Bourbon Raffle. The next one is coming
(13:19):
up on the twenty fourth, just next week. It will
feature a collection of twenty thousand dollars worth of bourbon,
The Ultimate Bourbon Collection, Legendary Pappy Vanwinkle six Models set.
There's a six bottle Weller set, the complete Blanton set,
Big Bourbon Big Prizes, but tickets are limited, so get
yours today at Commonwealth Causes dot org. Commonwealth Causes dot RG.
(13:45):
Maggie Davis with us on the Club Blueenile dot com
hotline as we chat with her about UK sports last Saturday,
I saw you over at UK Football doing interviews for
the end of spring practice event that they had there.
I think is a certain percentage of the fan base.
(14:05):
I'm not sure what the number would be, but it's
you know, it's more than one or two that are
in kind of the show me mode, So anything they
hear is not swaying a much until they see something
improve on the field. But what is the What are
some of the reasons to be optimistic if one would
choose to do so.
Speaker 4 (14:27):
Yeah, no, that's that's.
Speaker 3 (14:28):
A good question because I think it's really easy to
focus on a lot of the negatives that we saw
pop up so much last season, and people are valid in.
Speaker 2 (14:35):
A lot of that criticism.
Speaker 3 (14:36):
But I do think there are reasons to be optimistic
about this roster.
Speaker 2 (14:40):
For one, that's number.
Speaker 3 (14:41):
One thing that stands out to me is that this
is the first year that Kentucky has the same offensive
coordinator and offensive line coach back returning for a second
year since Eddie Grant and John Schlarman did it before
the COVID season. So to me, I mean, there's been
a long stretch where there has not been any annuity
between those two positions, and that's really where I feel
(15:02):
like we've seen Kentucky's biggest struggles come from the past
two years, specifically as they've worked to get that big
Blue wall shored up once again. And of course that's
been one of the biggest, if not the number one
thing people have paid attention to.
Speaker 2 (15:16):
It's focused on and talked about.
Speaker 3 (15:18):
The springing is the rebuilding of that big Blue wall,
because obviously Kentucky had to hit that portal.
Speaker 2 (15:24):
Really hard this year and they did.
Speaker 3 (15:26):
I mean, there's a scenario where all five of your
starters are new guys.
Speaker 2 (15:30):
Right now, it's looking like Jagger.
Speaker 3 (15:31):
Burden will be your returner in the middle playing center,
but other than that, those guys around him are all
new to this program. So to me, it's really hard
to form an opinion on something like an offensive line
from a spring game where they were switching out players
every single play. They were switching out quarterbacks every single possession.
The defense couldn't fully tackle Eve.
Speaker 2 (15:52):
It was more like a two touch situation.
Speaker 3 (15:54):
So for me, I couldn't really get a good grasp
on anything specific.
Speaker 2 (16:00):
But I think just the idea of.
Speaker 3 (16:01):
A changed lineup but the same coaching staff is something
for me to be positive about. Other than that, of course,
I understand the show me situation.
Speaker 2 (16:12):
An offense quarterback will be new.
Speaker 3 (16:13):
I think the running back room is lacking a little
depth at this point. I've heard decent things about the
wide receiver room. I've heard good things about the new
wide receiver coach, Ladamian Washington, so hopefully that is.
Speaker 2 (16:24):
Going well over in that room.
Speaker 3 (16:26):
And I think there's always reason to be positive about
the defense under Brad White because he has been mister
consistent for the better part of the last decade. And
even though you've lost a significant number of starters, specifically
upfront in the trenches, the guys that are backing them
up have significant snaps under their belt, right like those
players who are expected to start on the defensive line
(16:48):
this year. They're not like the new oldlignemen who are
all coming in from the portal and we've never seen
them or heard of them. They've never played in this system.
These are guys who have been working under Coach White
for two three years at this point, they've just been
behind maybe at Dion Walker or an Octavius Oxendine.
Speaker 2 (17:03):
So to me, there's.
Speaker 3 (17:04):
Excitement around seeing that next sort of generation of defensive
players get their opportunity.
Speaker 1 (17:10):
Maggie Davis, you can see her on BBN tonight and
at LAX eighteen. And Maggie, thank you as always.
Speaker 4 (17:18):
Thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (17:18):
Tom have a great one.
Speaker 1 (17:19):
You too, Maggie Davis joining us on the Leach Report
on this Friday. We are halfway home, Jeff Picorol. We'll
check in in the second half of the show. By
the way, if you're going to the Tyler Childers concert
tomorrow at Kroger Field, UK Athletics is going to be
accepting donations for the flood relief effort outside Gates one
(17:41):
and nine. You can go to Ukathletics dot com and
get more information about that, but try to help out
if you can. They should have a nice crowd out there.
It could be a nice evening. I was there for
the Chris Stapleton at All concert last year. It was
a great time. So we'll be right back with Jeff
Pacarel and report comes to you each day. Curtesy of
(18:05):
Bobcat Enterprises. They have four locations around the state, so
google them and you'll find the one that's closest to
you when you need to buy or rent some heavy
equipment for a job, or know somebody who does forklifts, tractors, excavators,
et cetera. Also have zero turn moors and a lot
of parts for things like your weed eaters, et cetera.
And they will give you a fantastic service after the
(18:28):
sale as well at Bobcat Enterprises. Jeff Piccarrel joining us
now see him on WTVQ TV each ninth and here
in Lexington and also hear him on the UK Radio
Network each football season and doing women's basketball work on
the SEC Network and picks a lot of bases to
touch here today. But let me start with basketball. I
(18:50):
don't know if you've seen this story from Matt Orlander CBS.
I was reading it last night about just how the
budget has exploded the he has exploded in college basketball
in Nil and he writes about the the ten million
dollar Club and the programs that he says are going
(19:12):
to be spending in that range for their rosters this season.
Kentucky's on the list, Arkansas BYU Duke, Indiana, Louisville, Michigan,
North Carolina, Saint John's in Texas. Tech. That's the rest
of the list. But some mind boggling numbers from where
this thing started a few years ago.
Speaker 4 (19:31):
Tom, I will tell you this too. Ten million, that's
a little low. I think it's I think it's actually
close to double that. Real it's it is unbelievable. Well, Indiana,
you know, played three million for one guy, you know,
the Wilkinson kid that was down to Kentucky and Indiana.
(19:52):
And then they've got two other players that are you
know of his ILK So I would assume they were
close to that as well. And that's Indiana. So yeah,
it's just it is mind boggling. But the you know,
and that's that's the big question. I think we've talked
about this before. I used to ask my dad when
he was the faculty rep at Ucas, said, Dad, where
(20:13):
does all the money going? And you know, now we're
finding out that there was a lot of money there
in the pond for the NCAA.
Speaker 1 (20:21):
You know, I think when we used to be talking
about high school recruits, and there's obviously still some of
that going on, but it's not as big of a
focal point anymore as the transfer portal. But when you're
talking about high school recruits, and there were you know,
you talked about things in it. I mean there was
you know, uh, money changing hands illegal least early, uh
(20:41):
for a long time. But there were things like you know,
fit into the program and getting you ready for uh,
you know, the NBA or the NFL, Major League Baseball,
et cetera, all of those, you know, some other things.
But now in some cases, not every case, but in
in some it comes down to just simply, you know,
(21:03):
the highest bid, and you know, if a guy's not
going to go and have an NBA future, for example,
in this case, maybe that makes the most sense to
just get the most that you can. And so I
guess I'm lieving you up to say you don't so
much lose recruits like you did with freshmen. You get
out bid now sometimes.
Speaker 4 (21:22):
Yeah, you know what, I wish that a kid would
come out just like live golf for instance, how can
you how can Bryson to Shambeau and Brooks Koepka and PHILM. Micholson,
how can you refruit refuse two three hundred four hundred
million dollars?
Speaker 3 (21:38):
Uh?
Speaker 4 (21:38):
You know, and now we're we're doing that, we're seeing
that at a lesser scale. I mean, look at the
kid from Tennessee, nico Il Malaya. You know he signed
an eight year contract. Was he eight million dollar contract? Well,
he was still in high school and now you know,
he tried to force his hand. Supposedly his dad wanted
four million and now he's getting close to a million
to go to UCLA. So that poor kid lost one
(22:00):
point two million.
Speaker 1 (22:02):
Crazy. No, it's there's gonna be some of that that
that happens too that UH players probably are getting a
little bit of a rude awakening about uh maybe you know,
in terms or of deals. Maybe in this story, in
the Nordlanders story, there's talk about a coach that's quoted
in there anonymously, but just saying, you know, they had
(22:23):
a deal with somebody and then and they and it's
a signed deal with the collective. Uh is the only
ones I guess that could sign the contracts at this
point uh. And then the player goes somewhere else and
there they said they're gonna hold him to that contract.
So it's like you're gonna, you know, owe that money back.
They're going to try to fight and get it. We'll
(22:43):
see how some of that stuff, you know, plays out.
But yeah, the uh Malaiva story has been the big
talking point of late. But the it's just, you know,
and when I said earlier, you don't so much lose
a recruit like you did with Fredman as you get
out bid, we still lose them. But what happens is
sometimes and I think maybe that's the case with Kentucky
(23:06):
in that particular one. You know, you want a player
at a certain level, like a professional team does in
the NFL, NBA, whatever, you don't want them at a
higher level.
Speaker 4 (23:17):
Maybe yeah, yes, maybe you're right. I don't you know,
there has to be some type of controls put on this,
and I know they're voting, and from what I understand,
it's just a matter of going through the motions because
it's going to pass. But that the twenty million dollars
(23:37):
at the NCAA is going to kick in too. And
my whole thing is where where does the money come
from and what happens if when it win, because it's
going to dry up. I mean, you talk about Arkansas
where they have Tyson Chicken, they have Walmart, you know,
they have Jerry Jones. Those are those are billionaires with
(23:57):
probably ten or you know, eleven or two wealth numbers,
right zeros. But in Kentucky you really have Joe Kraft
and then a bunch of people that are underneath, you know,
that are smaller than him. So what happens when the
money drives up? Where where does this end? And I
just don't see that insight right now. And I don't
think I know as a kid, if I'm a kid
(24:20):
coming out of high school, I'm just going who's given
me the most? And I mean, you can't blame guys
for doing that.
Speaker 1 (24:27):
And yet, in a guy like Mark Pope, for example,
trying to build a roster, he's trying as best he
can in that environment to identify guys who understandably the
money is significant, but it's not the be all, end all,
it's not being correct. You're trying to find guys that
(24:47):
there are other things that are meaningful to them too,
whether it's chasing a championship and you know, the monetary
gains and you know draft position ever whatever that would
come with that too.
Speaker 4 (24:59):
Yeah, you know you want guys like uh, you know,
guys in the past, Rex Chapman and the Jack Gibbons,
guys that are from Kentucky who want to wear Kentucky
across their chests. I know that sounds corny, but there
are guys like that. I mean, there's people. I mean, hell,
I was one of those people. I walked on because
I wanted to play for Kentucky. I didn't want to
(25:20):
play for Easter, I didn't want to go to there.
I wanted to play for Kentucky. You know, that's the
kind of people that you need to try to find.
But but they're you know, they're they're they're the proverbial
needle in a haystack now because just the money is
so great, Like you said, there might be guys that
may not even make it to the NBA, but they're
making so much money at the college level they don't
(25:41):
have to.
Speaker 1 (25:42):
Go to the NBA anymore. Did you see where Baylor
has lost. They don't have a single returning player now,
and it's not you know Kentucky had had that didn't
have a single scholarship player back, but that was because
of a coaching change. But sure lost they've got the
same coach and everybody's gone either you know, ran out
of eligibility or train heard, et cetera.
Speaker 4 (26:02):
That that's that is just beyond comprehension for me in
the world of sports. And it's it's like I said, Tom,
we could we could talk about this for hours, but
there has to be some some kind of governing body
that you know, that that has to police this, for
(26:22):
lack of a better word, in some way, shape or form,
because it's just it really has gotten out of hand.
Speaker 1 (26:28):
Jeff Pcorral with us and we'll take a quick break
and come back. He's joining us on the Club Blue
nil dot com hotline here on the Leech Report, presented
by Bob Kat Enterprises, and we are coming up on
seventeen away from the top of the hour. We'll be
right back with Pick Spret comes to you from the
Clark's Pump and Shop studio. Return, Refresh and refuel at Clark's.
(26:48):
Jeff Pcorral with us from WTVQTV and the UK Radio
Network joining us here on this Friday edition of the show.
News Came Down yesterday that Lee Corso is going to
retire after the first week of doing the college game
day show in ESPN. And he has, uh, you know,
struggled a bit in recent years after having a stroke,
(27:11):
but he's soldiered on. And it's just, uh, he's a
good guy. I don't know him well. Did an interview
with him for the UK article on the UK Program
several years ago about a winning touchdown pass his son
caught for Indiana against Kentucky. Actually, but former coach at Louisville,
(27:32):
So uh, you know, I'm sure he's a good guy
to get to know. Just haven't spent a lot of
time with him. What I've enjoyed though, is and I
don't know how much you know, if you know him
well at all, or Herbstreet, but the way Herbstreet their
relationship almost like a father and a son, and Herbstreet's
really kind of helped look out for him in the
(27:53):
last two or three years after the stroke. It's it's
really been sweet to see and it's uh, he's a
guy brought a lot of fun to the game.
Speaker 4 (28:03):
Yeah. I mean, Kirk's father and my father played baseball
together at Ohio State. So I've been to Kirk for
a long long time and he's a huge red train
used to come out to spring training and stuff. But
you're right, Tom, just to watch him, it's almost like
you know, a father son or grandpa and and really
you know, he really helps him through the broadcast. But
(28:25):
it's been I remember he's being o'cook was kind of
a big thing. Remember, yeah, twenty five thirty five years ago,
and then Lee has become like the grandfather of college football.
And it's gonna be sad, but I mean, what a
what a great game to go out Ohio Texas at
Ohio State at Ohio State of one hundred five thousand
(28:45):
people there, and that'll be that'll be a crazy game.
That's gonna be his final game. But we'll missing but
you know, I maybe Saban can can take that spot
and and and and sit there for you know, for
a while and maybe ratchet up at the It's been
fun through the years watching him put the put the
mascot on, and you know, you always want to see
(29:06):
which one he puts on, that's for sure. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (29:09):
Of course we get college game Day at UK back
in two thousand and seven. Unfortunately he picked the Gators,
so We've never seen him put the UK headgear on,
but he it will be hard hard to replace, you know, Sam,
it's been really good. But the what Corso did with
(29:30):
the head gear just having the fun with it. And
I saw his piece on the Sports Center where that
actually started in ninety six and the first one he
put on was the Ohio State mascot head So maybe
he'll go out the same way with with that at
that game. While we're talking football, any thoughts now that
spring practice is behind them, as far as you know what,
(29:55):
as asked this to Maggie earlier, you can choose to
be pessimistic or optimist or optimistic, and you know, there's
off a four and eight season, there's probably it's harder
to look for the optimism takes, but they're there if
you want to find them. Were what reason would you
give for Kentucky fans to have some optimism that maybe
(30:17):
for those that don't have it right now?
Speaker 4 (30:19):
Well, I think that you and I know this. I
think their biggest problem last year was obviously offensive line.
They've addressed that. They've gone out and they've gotten you know,
four guys now that are going to be the Unama thing. Really,
I scratched my head at that. I thought he was
you know, he he started ten games last year, six
hundred and ninety nine snaps didn't allow sacked him leaving.
(30:41):
I scratched my mad he was running second team. He
and Malik Hi were going to play probably thirty forty
snaps a game. They were the two guys that were
that you could shift both sides to the ball, left side,
right side. But that one I scratched my head at.
But I think it's a much improved offensive line. Two.
They filled the hole they needed. They got some really
nice players over on the defensive side. They got one
(31:03):
yesterday and the Cali kid from from USC. He's a
you know, six thirty six four two and fifty pound
edge rusher. They got the Sam Green kid from USC,
another big guy. They got three defensive linemen that came in.
They've got another JUCO player I'm sorry, FCS player that's
coming in I think today to take a visit. So
I think Mark has done a really nice job, maybe
(31:24):
the best job he's done in a transfer portal since
it started this year. So that's what gives me some hope.
Calzada looks okay. I mean he's a he's a you know,
he's got a big arm. Yeah, he's got a big arm.
And he's not afraid to dress down an offensive lineman
in the huddle. That's the one thing that I think
that when I asked a coach, they said, he's got
(31:46):
a little Jim McMahon anywhere he's he doesn't mind telling
a guy if I get hit one more time, you know,
he's gonna be hell to pay, one of those kind
of guys. So you got to have that. He has
to be a leader, and I think that I think
he can be. And cutters getting bigger and stronger, and
I think getting Hardly back, Hey you got two strikes, kid,
You got to tell him you got this is your
(32:06):
last chance. And he's you know, they had five five
receivers injured at the end of spring. Hardley comes back
and gives them a lot of depth there. And he's
a breakaway threat. He averaged over twenty five yards to
catch last year. He's got great speeds, he's got great hands.
If they can just if they can get him, you know,
to comply with the rules of college life and being
(32:27):
a young man, then you know they might have got
themselves of diamond in the rough.
Speaker 1 (32:31):
There no you like for the Kentucky Derby.
Speaker 4 (32:34):
Yet, Uh.
Speaker 1 (32:38):
What is it?
Speaker 4 (32:39):
Journalism?
Speaker 1 (32:40):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (32:41):
Yeah, I think, Yeah, I think. I still don't know, Tom,
there's two weeks left. There's so much movement. Baffert's got
a couple in there that I think are are gonna
be live. Obviously Todd always does. Brad Cox's Philly looks
like the choice in the in the Oaks, But I
don't know. Yeah, it's still it's still two weeks away,
(33:02):
and we'll be going down there this week quite a
bit obviously for TV, and so I'll have something by
the end and by the end of the week for you.
Speaker 1 (33:10):
I think it's gonna be one of the one. I
think it's gonna be one of the one seeds this year.
Speaker 4 (33:14):
If yeah, I do. There huge divide, right, I mean,
you've got three or four horses that are really good
and the rest are just kind of nice.
Speaker 1 (33:23):
Horses, you know.
Speaker 4 (33:24):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (33:24):
And for me, that's journalism out of the Santaita Derby,
and it's the two out of the Florida Derby to
pan Street and sovereignty Burnhamy Square. Maybe next one of
the Baffort things gonna be in he's got three horses
that all seemingly have the same style. Tend to think
it'll probably Citizen Bull will be the most dangerous one,
(33:46):
would be my guest. But we'll see how how the
training goes here in the next few weeks and a
couple of minutes left here, Jeff, give me a thought
about the Reds. You were around them for a long time.
Now Terry Francona is with them as their manager, which
I think all of us as Reds fans, were excited about.
They have kind of been hit and miss so far,
(34:07):
but fortunately in the division they're in, there's still very
much in it.
Speaker 4 (34:12):
Yeah. I really think that they've got maybe the best
second best pitcher in the National League. Paul Skimes and
Hunter Green or are just miles in front of everybody else.
I mean, the kids got four stars, thirty one strikeouts,
he's got a ERA under one, he's got a whip
of zero point five eight. He's just been fantastic. If
he can stay healthy. I said this before the season.
If Lodolo from the left side and Hunter Green from
(34:34):
the right side, if those two guys, if they can
get fifty five to sixty starts, then they've got a
great chance, but both of them have been injury prone
throughout their careers and they have to find it back
into the bullpen. It killed him yesterday they had the
lead seven to five going in the ninth inning, they
lose it. Next year is eleven to seven. Yeah, I
think that that's the biggest thing. And Ellie is a
(34:55):
nice short stop and this is just me saying this.
I think he would be a great center fielder. He
gets a little lackadaisical a shortstop. He has a lot
of airs and it's they've been costly. I think you
put Matt McClain at shortstop, you put Ellie in centerfield,
and now you've upgraded your outfield and you've upgraded your
infield because to me, defense wins wins a lot of
(35:17):
games in baseball. That's just me talking. I think Ellie's
a great, great player, but again I think he'd be
I think he would be a superstar in center field,
whereas he's just a nice shortstop. So if that makes sense,
it does.
Speaker 1 (35:31):
Jeffcarl watch him on wtv Q TV here at Lexington
and you'll be in the moot with me for UK
Football come September. Pick.
Speaker 4 (35:40):
Thank you much thanks Tom taught you, Sue.
Speaker 1 (35:44):
We're gonna get to a quick break and come back
with our final segment of the Lead Report, presented by
Bobcat Enterprises. It is the Lead Report and we come
to you each day from the Clark's Pump and Shop
studio at Keenland. Today the feature race is the Mayor
(36:04):
Double Dog.
Speaker 4 (36:04):
There.
Speaker 1 (36:05):
It's a really nice group of Phillies and mayors in
that one. Four superstar trainers. I say that you know guys.
Two guys this is the tenor of the colin Fer
Marcus Hers and the DRF. Two guys that are in
the Hall of Fame. Two guys that will be in
the Hall of Fame. Probably one or two more that
could be in the hunt. So anyway, Goodfield. The two
(36:30):
stakes on the card tomorrow, the Visit lex el Corn
at a mile and a half on the grass and
the ben Ally at mile and three sixteenths on the
main track, and really interesting handicapping challenges for all three
of those stakes today and tomorrow and then her yesterday.
Why not is going to sing the National anthem today
out at Keenland at noon. You can watch it at
(36:53):
Keenland dot com if you're not out there that early,
and then she is performing along with Tyler Chilters at
Kroger Field tomorrow night. Cornbread Hemp wants you to know
that they are there to help you out with those
achy joints. Their bombs and lotions could do the trick.
If you just had a tough day and you need
(37:13):
to take the edge off, the infused gummies could be
what you need. Last night, I had trouble getting back
to sleep and tried a couple of the sleep gummies
did the trick. You don't wake up with that melotone
and hangover. So they're fantastic right now. If you go
to Cornbreadhemp dot com and place an order, your first order,
you'll get twenty percent off. If you put in the
(37:34):
Kotama Cheka, it's twenty percent off your first order. That's
one hundred percent legal products made with real THHC and
organic ingredients, no synthetics. All the hemp is grown in
Kentucky and all products are third party lab tested for
safety and purity. Cornbread Hemp dot Com, this is the
good life. Have a great weekend everybody, and we'll be
back to recap it on Monday.
Hello and welcome in. It is the Friday edition of
The Leech Report, presented by Bobcat Enterprises. Thanks to Billy
Relives for pinch hitting yesterday and today. We're going to
talk with Maggie Davis from BBN tonight in LAX eighteen.
She of course did the half hour sit down interview
(00:22):
with Mark Pope back at the start of the week,
so we'll talk about that and many other things with
Maggie and Jeff Bacoro with us in the second half
of the show. So we can touch a lot of
bases with pick from UK football and men's and women's basketball,
and a little bit maybe even about the Reds or
the Kentucky Derby. So that's what's on the agenda today.
(00:43):
Wildcat News of the Day always presented by Giuseppes of Lexington.
Colin Chandler announcing yesterday that he's returning for a second
year with the Cats. No surprise there. He could really
have a nice second year. I would think we talked
about this many times during the season. How you know,
(01:04):
he had a lot to offer in terms of his athleticism,
and he was older, but just never seemed to find
his confidence offensively until the last week of the regular season.
I thought, I remember telling you guys at the time
that he had had a really good practice the day before,
(01:25):
and I remember he made a move to the basket
and dunked in on somebody, and I'm just thinking to myself, Wow,
where's that been? And he coaches really praised him, and
he went out the next night and played his best
game of the season against LSU, scored double figures for
the first time, and then just built on it from there.
It had some big games, played well out at Missouri,
(01:46):
hit the Big Three right before halftime, and again suddenly
just found him, seemed to suddenly seemed to suddenly find
his confidence. I don't know if it actually happened that instantaneously,
but you know, really became a key player off the
bench from that point on and had some nice moments.
(02:09):
And so if you think about building on that in
year two and getting you know that consistently and you
know a guy who's that size, that's I guess will
be twenty one that that's a very nice piece to
the puzzle for Mark Popen Company. So no surprise certainly
(02:30):
that he's returning, But it's if you're a fan, it's
always nice to get that confirmation. Football has picked up
a transfer from Southern Cal. Another edge rusher from Southern Cal,
Lorenzo Cowen six three, two fifties of what he's listed.
Doubt that he's from what I've seen a red probably
not two fifty, but they but can get there and
that will be one of the missions. One time UK
(02:53):
commit and at this point coming in you would doubt
that he'd be a major impact this particular season, but
he has several years three left to play, so a
nice pickup for Kentucky football. They got Hardley Gilmour back
at the wide receiver position yesterday. I think that news
(03:15):
came out, So that's two incoming transfers. At the moment.
UK baseball's on the road to Tennessee this weekend. The
Volves are up to number two in the country, which
Texas was last week when Kentucky hosted the Longhorns again,
another great opportunity for Kentucky. They have avoided getting swept
in any series, but they've only been able to win
(03:37):
one series, just a bunch of close losses, so they
and the projections are still projected in the NCAA field,
but it would be great it's a great opportunity again,
like I said earlier this week, going down to number
two Tennessee and having a chance to if you can
win a series like that, really gives you a big
(03:58):
boost on your resume. UK Radio Darren Headrick will have
the call starting this evening Friday through Easter Sunday down
in Knoxville. SEC Network Plus on the video side, and
UK Gymnastics a couple of individual competitors at the National
Championships and UK's Isabella and Angnelly was ninth on the
(04:18):
beam finished up her season and Kreslent brose, if I'm
pronouncing correctly, fifteenth in the floor exercises in her first
attempt at the NCAA Championships individually, So the Kentucky team
had another outstanding season. Didn't make it quite to the
biggest show, but two individuals did so congrats on solid
(04:41):
performances there. Links to the stories that we talk about
each day can be found on the bud lightly T
Report page at Tom Leachky dot com. We are heading
to a break come back with Maggie Davis from BBN tonight.
Our opening segment a while KED News always presented by
just sepis of Lexington and I ran into some friends
(05:04):
this week who were making plans to go to Giuseppes.
You should too go to Open Table the food's great
homemade pasta, the fresh seafood that shipped in handcut steaks too.
They use a lot of local ingredients for their sides, veggies,
et cetera, and the beef. So check it out at
(05:24):
Giuseppes Lexington dot com. Sit in the lounge. Arey enjoyed
the live jazz music to accompany your meal at Giuseppes.
We'll be right back on The Leach Report Radio Network,
present it by Bobcat Enterprises in Tripurt comes to you
each day from the Clark's Pumping Shop studio. Return, Refresh,
Refuel at Clark's and make sure you sign up for
their new Loyalty rewards program for some great discounts. Joining
(05:47):
us on the Club Blunile dot com hotline is Maggie
Davis from BBN. Tonight and Maggie. Back on Monday, you
had a chance to do an extended one on one
with coach Mark Pope talking about his first season with
the Wildcats. What were some of the things that were
most noteworthy to you that came out of that interview.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
Yeah, thank you so much.
Speaker 3 (06:10):
It was obviously such a great experience getting the chance
to talk with him for such a long period of time.
I think that's the biggest takeaway. Obviously, you're able to
ask one or two questions maybe at a press conference
or even in a shorter sit down interview setting, but
to be given that much time was really was I
was just so excited to even have that opportunity and
(06:32):
to bring that conversation to Big Blue Nation, And it
just so happened, truly to fall on the exact one
year date of that press conference. It was something I'd requested,
you know, months ago, and we just had no idea obviously,
how his recruiting schedule would pan out.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
Didn't know if he'd even be in the state on
that particular day.
Speaker 3 (06:50):
So it really I felt like was a little serendipitous
that it worked out perfectly that I was able to
talk with him that afternoon and then air that interview
that evening on our.
Speaker 2 (06:59):
Show b the end tonight.
Speaker 3 (07:00):
For me, obviously, the biggest takeaway is the same every
time we talk to him, and it's really about the
perspective that he brings to this program and to this
fan base, having both played here and now coached here
and everything that he did in between to stay connected
with this place, and I think for him, I mean,
even a simple question like has it felt like a year?
(07:21):
Like what has this year as a whole really felt
like for you? Was interesting to hear his take on, like,
we've been so busy going a million miles a minute
trying to be the best possible team and program we
can be that I haven't had a lot of time
to reflect on some of the nuances. But at the
same time, every single night.
Speaker 2 (07:42):
When I get home and I talk to Leanne and we.
Speaker 3 (07:44):
Sit down, and some days we just kind of take
a deep breath, like, Wow, we're really here doing this,
doing exactly what we feel like we're supposed to be
doing in the place we feel like we're supposed to
be doing it.
Speaker 2 (07:55):
And then one of my other favorite things we.
Speaker 3 (07:57):
Talked about was just what the players are his first
team taught him, because I felt like we heard so
much from the players this season about what their coach
taught them and how he ran this program. But to
hear his perspective on what guys like Kobe and Ansley
and Andrew and Kerr and Lamont and every single player
on the roster taught him in their one season together.
(08:19):
Was really interesting for me too, and anybody who missed it.
It's the full things on our website bbatnight dot com.
We also have the full thirty minutes posted as one
long clip on our YouTube page for LAX eighteen, so
that's an easy way to find it too.
Speaker 1 (08:33):
He's not one that seems real, and he's talking about
a lot about himself in terms of you know, because
you know, he could talk for probably an hour about
what it means to him and you know what it
was like to you know, walk out there as the
Kentucky head coach game after game, all those kinds of things.
But I think he is always prefers to direct the
(08:56):
conversation to his players, and that I think is good
and this most seems most comfortable for him.
Speaker 3 (09:05):
Yeah, I totally agree with you there, and that kind
of I think came across a little bit in I
was asking him about roster construction this year and whether
or not having a season of SEC play under his
belt has changed the way he looks at the type
of players he wants, specifically out of the portal, Right,
because there were certainly times last season where everybody watching,
(09:26):
of course the staff included, saw that there were some
issues with defense, there were some issues with rebounding, some
physicality issues that would come up, you know, on and
off throughout the season.
Speaker 2 (09:35):
And then you look at what he's grabbed from the portal.
Speaker 3 (09:38):
This year, and it seems like much more physical guys,
guys who are more known as defensive players at their
previous schools. So to me, the question was more along
the lines of coaching philosophy or what stood out to
him from a coaching standpoint, and we sort of centered
it around the front court, and he immediately sort of
was like, well, Brandon Garrison is the one who was
(09:59):
lead this front court right now because he had a
big brother all year long and Amari Williams, and he
told this great story about the two of them at
the NCAA tournament and was like, now, Brandon has this
awesome opportunity to come back a second year and be
that to somebody else, even if the person that he's
doing it for is his age or even older. I mean,
that'll be you know, whether it's Moe Diavante or or
(10:22):
anybody else in the front court. That guy's not going
to have the experience that Big has in this place,
with this program and these fans, and he'll hopefully be
able to kind of step into that mentorship role for
the front court as Amari did for him last year.
And to hear him talk about what he expects from
Big just from a growth standpoint was really great to
(10:42):
hear from too, because he was the one who said
Garrison came in on a two year plan.
Speaker 2 (10:47):
We had decided it would be a two year plan.
Speaker 3 (10:50):
And now we get to see year two of that
plan actually play out. And for me, that's not something
we hear a whole lot from a basketball coach, especially
in the portal era, of like, yes, we knew it
was a two year deal and we felt good about
getting the second year, And to me, that says a
whole lot about the state of the program right.
Speaker 2 (11:07):
Now as a whole.
Speaker 1 (11:08):
Yeah, the ultimate Big Brother moment. As you were saying that,
I'm thinking for Amari with Brandon that Beg could maybe
hopefully be on the other side of next season out
of Oklahoma after the final play and he's a part
of that. And then I guess he's got a little
some lingering issues with the suitors program or fans or something.
(11:29):
I don't know, but remember a Maury moving in and
taking him about three quarters of the length of the
court in ten seconds, it seemed like in five seconds.
Speaker 2 (11:38):
It was so funny. Yes, I love that moment too.
Speaker 3 (11:41):
The story Pope told on Monday was more lots more
of like a off the court moment of you know,
at March Madness, there's all sorts of branding in the
locker room, Like they put their names.
Speaker 2 (11:50):
On their locker and they're these little like plastic.
Speaker 3 (11:52):
Plaques almost, but they're they're really they're easily snappable, I
would say, and big March Madness signs and college basketball
memorabilia kind of everywhere to brand these locker rooms that
are otherwise just empty rooms. And so I guess on
the way out, all the players after the first weekend,
after they'd beat in Illinois wanted to take some of
that with them, like sort of as a sentimental thing,
(12:13):
which one I thought that was awesome, Like who knew
that the guys were so thrilled to be playing in
March Madness that they were taking their NCAA name blackers
off the walls. But BIGI was one of the guys
who had done that, and he just stuck it in
his backpack, just vertically up and down, just sticking up
where it was definitely going to break, and Amari just
(12:33):
looked at Mark Pope, shook his head, went up to Beg,
pulled it out of his backpack, put it in Garrison's
hands and said, you need to hold this, man, if
you want to keep it, you're gonna break it back there.
And it was just like this sweet, little, small baby
moment that maybe Beg won't even remember, maybe Omari won't
even remember, but it was a moment that stood out
to their coach.
Speaker 2 (12:53):
And it was cool of him to share that too.
Speaker 1 (12:55):
I thought about twenty two past the top of the hour,
it's the Leach Report and we will be right back
with more from Maggie Davis. Guys on the Let report
come to you via the Club Blue nil dot com hotline.
And at Club Blue they have a sister organization, Commonwealth
Causes and their Bourbon Raffle. The next one is coming
(13:19):
up on the twenty fourth, just next week. It will
feature a collection of twenty thousand dollars worth of bourbon,
The Ultimate Bourbon Collection, Legendary Pappy Vanwinkle six Models set.
There's a six bottle Weller set, the complete Blanton set,
Big Bourbon Big Prizes, but tickets are limited, so get
yours today at Commonwealth Causes dot org. Commonwealth Causes dot RG.
(13:45):
Maggie Davis with us on the Club Blueenile dot com
hotline as we chat with her about UK sports last Saturday,
I saw you over at UK Football doing interviews for
the end of spring practice event that they had there.
I think is a certain percentage of the fan base.
(14:05):
I'm not sure what the number would be, but it's
you know, it's more than one or two that are
in kind of the show me mode, So anything they
hear is not swaying a much until they see something
improve on the field. But what is the What are
some of the reasons to be optimistic if one would
choose to do so.
Speaker 4 (14:27):
Yeah, no, that's that's.
Speaker 3 (14:28):
A good question because I think it's really easy to
focus on a lot of the negatives that we saw
pop up so much last season, and people are valid in.
Speaker 2 (14:35):
A lot of that criticism.
Speaker 3 (14:36):
But I do think there are reasons to be optimistic
about this roster.
Speaker 2 (14:40):
For one, that's number.
Speaker 3 (14:41):
One thing that stands out to me is that this
is the first year that Kentucky has the same offensive
coordinator and offensive line coach back returning for a second
year since Eddie Grant and John Schlarman did it before
the COVID season. So to me, I mean, there's been
a long stretch where there has not been any annuity
between those two positions, and that's really where I feel
(15:02):
like we've seen Kentucky's biggest struggles come from the past
two years, specifically as they've worked to get that big
Blue wall shored up once again. And of course that's
been one of the biggest, if not the number one
thing people have paid attention to.
Speaker 2 (15:16):
It's focused on and talked about.
Speaker 3 (15:18):
The springing is the rebuilding of that big Blue wall,
because obviously Kentucky had to hit that portal.
Speaker 2 (15:24):
Really hard this year and they did.
Speaker 3 (15:26):
I mean, there's a scenario where all five of your
starters are new guys.
Speaker 2 (15:30):
Right now, it's looking like Jagger.
Speaker 3 (15:31):
Burden will be your returner in the middle playing center,
but other than that, those guys around him are all
new to this program. So to me, it's really hard
to form an opinion on something like an offensive line
from a spring game where they were switching out players
every single play. They were switching out quarterbacks every single possession.
The defense couldn't fully tackle Eve.
Speaker 2 (15:52):
It was more like a two touch situation.
Speaker 3 (15:54):
So for me, I couldn't really get a good grasp
on anything specific.
Speaker 2 (16:00):
But I think just the idea of.
Speaker 3 (16:01):
A changed lineup but the same coaching staff is something
for me to be positive about. Other than that, of course,
I understand the show me situation.
Speaker 2 (16:12):
An offense quarterback will be new.
Speaker 3 (16:13):
I think the running back room is lacking a little
depth at this point. I've heard decent things about the
wide receiver room. I've heard good things about the new
wide receiver coach, Ladamian Washington, so hopefully that is.
Speaker 2 (16:24):
Going well over in that room.
Speaker 3 (16:26):
And I think there's always reason to be positive about
the defense under Brad White because he has been mister
consistent for the better part of the last decade. And
even though you've lost a significant number of starters, specifically
upfront in the trenches, the guys that are backing them
up have significant snaps under their belt, right like those
players who are expected to start on the defensive line
(16:48):
this year. They're not like the new oldlignemen who are
all coming in from the portal and we've never seen
them or heard of them. They've never played in this system.
These are guys who have been working under Coach White
for two three years at this point, they've just been
behind maybe at Dion Walker or an Octavius Oxendine.
Speaker 2 (17:03):
So to me, there's.
Speaker 3 (17:04):
Excitement around seeing that next sort of generation of defensive
players get their opportunity.
Speaker 1 (17:10):
Maggie Davis, you can see her on BBN tonight and
at LAX eighteen. And Maggie, thank you as always.
Speaker 4 (17:18):
Thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (17:18):
Tom have a great one.
Speaker 1 (17:19):
You too, Maggie Davis joining us on the Leach Report
on this Friday. We are halfway home, Jeff Picorol. We'll
check in in the second half of the show. By
the way, if you're going to the Tyler Childers concert
tomorrow at Kroger Field, UK Athletics is going to be
accepting donations for the flood relief effort outside Gates one
(17:41):
and nine. You can go to Ukathletics dot com and
get more information about that, but try to help out
if you can. They should have a nice crowd out there.
It could be a nice evening. I was there for
the Chris Stapleton at All concert last year. It was
a great time. So we'll be right back with Jeff
Pacarel and report comes to you each day. Curtesy of
(18:05):
Bobcat Enterprises. They have four locations around the state, so
google them and you'll find the one that's closest to
you when you need to buy or rent some heavy
equipment for a job, or know somebody who does forklifts, tractors, excavators,
et cetera. Also have zero turn moors and a lot
of parts for things like your weed eaters, et cetera.
And they will give you a fantastic service after the
(18:28):
sale as well at Bobcat Enterprises. Jeff Piccarrel joining us
now see him on WTVQ TV each ninth and here
in Lexington and also hear him on the UK Radio
Network each football season and doing women's basketball work on
the SEC Network and picks a lot of bases to
touch here today. But let me start with basketball. I
(18:50):
don't know if you've seen this story from Matt Orlander CBS.
I was reading it last night about just how the
budget has exploded the he has exploded in college basketball
in Nil and he writes about the the ten million
dollar Club and the programs that he says are going
(19:12):
to be spending in that range for their rosters this season.
Kentucky's on the list, Arkansas BYU Duke, Indiana, Louisville, Michigan,
North Carolina, Saint John's in Texas. Tech. That's the rest
of the list. But some mind boggling numbers from where
this thing started a few years ago.
Speaker 4 (19:31):
Tom, I will tell you this too. Ten million, that's
a little low. I think it's I think it's actually
close to double that. Real it's it is unbelievable. Well, Indiana,
you know, played three million for one guy, you know,
the Wilkinson kid that was down to Kentucky and Indiana.
(19:52):
And then they've got two other players that are you
know of his ILK So I would assume they were
close to that as well. And that's Indiana. So yeah,
it's just it is mind boggling. But the you know,
and that's that's the big question. I think we've talked
about this before. I used to ask my dad when
he was the faculty rep at Ucas, said, Dad, where
(20:13):
does all the money going? And you know, now we're
finding out that there was a lot of money there
in the pond for the NCAA.
Speaker 1 (20:21):
You know, I think when we used to be talking
about high school recruits, and there's obviously still some of
that going on, but it's not as big of a
focal point anymore as the transfer portal. But when you're
talking about high school recruits, and there were you know,
you talked about things in it. I mean there was
you know, uh, money changing hands illegal least early, uh
(20:41):
for a long time. But there were things like you know,
fit into the program and getting you ready for uh,
you know, the NBA or the NFL, Major League Baseball,
et cetera, all of those, you know, some other things.
But now in some cases, not every case, but in
in some it comes down to just simply, you know,
(21:03):
the highest bid, and you know, if a guy's not
going to go and have an NBA future, for example,
in this case, maybe that makes the most sense to
just get the most that you can. And so I
guess I'm lieving you up to say you don't so
much lose recruits like you did with freshmen. You get
out bid now sometimes.
Speaker 4 (21:22):
Yeah, you know what, I wish that a kid would
come out just like live golf for instance, how can
you how can Bryson to Shambeau and Brooks Koepka and PHILM. Micholson,
how can you refruit refuse two three hundred four hundred
million dollars?
Speaker 3 (21:38):
Uh?
Speaker 4 (21:38):
You know, and now we're we're doing that, we're seeing
that at a lesser scale. I mean, look at the
kid from Tennessee, nico Il Malaya. You know he signed
an eight year contract. Was he eight million dollar contract? Well,
he was still in high school and now you know,
he tried to force his hand. Supposedly his dad wanted
four million and now he's getting close to a million
to go to UCLA. So that poor kid lost one
(22:00):
point two million.
Speaker 1 (22:02):
Crazy. No, it's there's gonna be some of that that
that happens too that UH players probably are getting a
little bit of a rude awakening about uh maybe you know,
in terms or of deals. Maybe in this story, in
the Nordlanders story, there's talk about a coach that's quoted
in there anonymously, but just saying, you know, they had
(22:23):
a deal with somebody and then and they and it's
a signed deal with the collective. Uh is the only
ones I guess that could sign the contracts at this
point uh. And then the player goes somewhere else and
there they said they're gonna hold him to that contract.
So it's like you're gonna, you know, owe that money back.
They're going to try to fight and get it. We'll
(22:43):
see how some of that stuff, you know, plays out.
But yeah, the uh Malaiva story has been the big
talking point of late. But the it's just, you know,
and when I said earlier, you don't so much lose
a recruit like you did with Fredman as you get
out bid, we still lose them. But what happens is
sometimes and I think maybe that's the case with Kentucky
(23:06):
in that particular one. You know, you want a player
at a certain level, like a professional team does in
the NFL, NBA, whatever, you don't want them at a
higher level.
Speaker 4 (23:17):
Maybe yeah, yes, maybe you're right. I don't you know,
there has to be some type of controls put on this,
and I know they're voting, and from what I understand,
it's just a matter of going through the motions because
it's going to pass. But that the twenty million dollars
(23:37):
at the NCAA is going to kick in too. And
my whole thing is where where does the money come
from and what happens if when it win, because it's
going to dry up. I mean, you talk about Arkansas
where they have Tyson Chicken, they have Walmart, you know,
they have Jerry Jones. Those are those are billionaires with
(23:57):
probably ten or you know, eleven or two wealth numbers,
right zeros. But in Kentucky you really have Joe Kraft
and then a bunch of people that are underneath, you know,
that are smaller than him. So what happens when the
money drives up? Where where does this end? And I
just don't see that insight right now. And I don't
think I know as a kid, if I'm a kid
(24:20):
coming out of high school, I'm just going who's given
me the most? And I mean, you can't blame guys
for doing that.
Speaker 1 (24:27):
And yet, in a guy like Mark Pope, for example,
trying to build a roster, he's trying as best he
can in that environment to identify guys who understandably the
money is significant, but it's not the be all, end all,
it's not being correct. You're trying to find guys that
(24:47):
there are other things that are meaningful to them too,
whether it's chasing a championship and you know, the monetary
gains and you know draft position ever whatever that would
come with that too.
Speaker 4 (24:59):
Yeah, you know you want guys like uh, you know,
guys in the past, Rex Chapman and the Jack Gibbons,
guys that are from Kentucky who want to wear Kentucky
across their chests. I know that sounds corny, but there
are guys like that. I mean, there's people. I mean, hell,
I was one of those people. I walked on because
I wanted to play for Kentucky. I didn't want to
(25:20):
play for Easter, I didn't want to go to there.
I wanted to play for Kentucky. You know, that's the
kind of people that you need to try to find.
But but they're you know, they're they're they're the proverbial
needle in a haystack now because just the money is
so great, Like you said, there might be guys that
may not even make it to the NBA, but they're
making so much money at the college level they don't
(25:41):
have to.
Speaker 1 (25:42):
Go to the NBA anymore. Did you see where Baylor
has lost. They don't have a single returning player now,
and it's not you know Kentucky had had that didn't
have a single scholarship player back, but that was because
of a coaching change. But sure lost they've got the
same coach and everybody's gone either you know, ran out
of eligibility or train heard, et cetera.
Speaker 4 (26:02):
That that's that is just beyond comprehension for me in
the world of sports. And it's it's like I said, Tom,
we could we could talk about this for hours, but
there has to be some some kind of governing body
that you know, that that has to police this, for
(26:22):
lack of a better word, in some way, shape or form,
because it's just it really has gotten out of hand.
Speaker 1 (26:28):
Jeff Pcorral with us and we'll take a quick break
and come back. He's joining us on the Club Blue
nil dot com hotline here on the Leech Report, presented
by Bob Kat Enterprises, and we are coming up on
seventeen away from the top of the hour. We'll be
right back with Pick Spret comes to you from the
Clark's Pump and Shop studio. Return, Refresh and refuel at Clark's.
(26:48):
Jeff Pcorral with us from WTVQTV and the UK Radio
Network joining us here on this Friday edition of the show.
News Came Down yesterday that Lee Corso is going to
retire after the first week of doing the college game
day show in ESPN. And he has, uh, you know,
struggled a bit in recent years after having a stroke,
(27:11):
but he's soldiered on. And it's just, uh, he's a
good guy. I don't know him well. Did an interview
with him for the UK article on the UK Program
several years ago about a winning touchdown pass his son
caught for Indiana against Kentucky. Actually, but former coach at Louisville,
(27:32):
So uh, you know, I'm sure he's a good guy
to get to know. Just haven't spent a lot of
time with him. What I've enjoyed though, is and I
don't know how much you know, if you know him
well at all, or Herbstreet, but the way Herbstreet their
relationship almost like a father and a son, and Herbstreet's
really kind of helped look out for him in the
(27:53):
last two or three years after the stroke. It's it's
really been sweet to see and it's uh, he's a
guy brought a lot of fun to the game.
Speaker 4 (28:03):
Yeah. I mean, Kirk's father and my father played baseball
together at Ohio State. So I've been to Kirk for
a long long time and he's a huge red train
used to come out to spring training and stuff. But
you're right, Tom, just to watch him, it's almost like
you know, a father son or grandpa and and really
you know, he really helps him through the broadcast. But
(28:25):
it's been I remember he's being o'cook was kind of
a big thing. Remember, yeah, twenty five thirty five years ago,
and then Lee has become like the grandfather of college football.
And it's gonna be sad, but I mean, what a
what a great game to go out Ohio Texas at
Ohio State at Ohio State of one hundred five thousand
(28:45):
people there, and that'll be that'll be a crazy game.
That's gonna be his final game. But we'll missing but
you know, I maybe Saban can can take that spot
and and and and sit there for you know, for
a while and maybe ratchet up at the It's been
fun through the years watching him put the put the
mascot on, and you know, you always want to see
(29:06):
which one he puts on, that's for sure. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (29:09):
Of course we get college game Day at UK back
in two thousand and seven. Unfortunately he picked the Gators,
so We've never seen him put the UK headgear on,
but he it will be hard hard to replace, you know, Sam,
it's been really good. But the what Corso did with
(29:30):
the head gear just having the fun with it. And
I saw his piece on the Sports Center where that
actually started in ninety six and the first one he
put on was the Ohio State mascot head So maybe
he'll go out the same way with with that at
that game. While we're talking football, any thoughts now that
spring practice is behind them, as far as you know what,
(29:55):
as asked this to Maggie earlier, you can choose to
be pessimistic or optimist or optimistic, and you know, there's
off a four and eight season, there's probably it's harder
to look for the optimism takes, but they're there if
you want to find them. Were what reason would you
give for Kentucky fans to have some optimism that maybe
(30:17):
for those that don't have it right now?
Speaker 4 (30:19):
Well, I think that you and I know this. I
think their biggest problem last year was obviously offensive line.
They've addressed that. They've gone out and they've gotten you know,
four guys now that are going to be the Unama thing. Really,
I scratched my head at that. I thought he was
you know, he he started ten games last year, six
hundred and ninety nine snaps didn't allow sacked him leaving.
(30:41):
I scratched my mad he was running second team. He
and Malik Hi were going to play probably thirty forty
snaps a game. They were the two guys that were
that you could shift both sides to the ball, left side,
right side. But that one I scratched my head at.
But I think it's a much improved offensive line. Two.
They filled the hole they needed. They got some really
nice players over on the defensive side. They got one
(31:03):
yesterday and the Cali kid from from USC. He's a
you know, six thirty six four two and fifty pound
edge rusher. They got the Sam Green kid from USC,
another big guy. They got three defensive linemen that came in.
They've got another JUCO player I'm sorry, FCS player that's
coming in I think today to take a visit. So
I think Mark has done a really nice job, maybe
(31:24):
the best job he's done in a transfer portal since
it started this year. So that's what gives me some hope.
Calzada looks okay. I mean he's a he's a you know,
he's got a big arm. Yeah, he's got a big arm.
And he's not afraid to dress down an offensive lineman
in the huddle. That's the one thing that I think
that when I asked a coach, they said, he's got
(31:46):
a little Jim McMahon anywhere he's he doesn't mind telling
a guy if I get hit one more time, you know,
he's gonna be hell to pay, one of those kind
of guys. So you got to have that. He has
to be a leader, and I think that I think
he can be. And cutters getting bigger and stronger, and
I think getting Hardly back, Hey you got two strikes, kid,
You got to tell him you got this is your
(32:06):
last chance. And he's you know, they had five five
receivers injured at the end of spring. Hardley comes back
and gives them a lot of depth there. And he's
a breakaway threat. He averaged over twenty five yards to
catch last year. He's got great speeds, he's got great hands.
If they can just if they can get him, you know,
to comply with the rules of college life and being
(32:27):
a young man, then you know they might have got
themselves of diamond in the rough.
Speaker 1 (32:31):
There no you like for the Kentucky Derby.
Speaker 4 (32:34):
Yet, Uh.
Speaker 1 (32:38):
What is it?
Speaker 4 (32:39):
Journalism?
Speaker 1 (32:40):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (32:41):
Yeah, I think, Yeah, I think. I still don't know, Tom,
there's two weeks left. There's so much movement. Baffert's got
a couple in there that I think are are gonna
be live. Obviously Todd always does. Brad Cox's Philly looks
like the choice in the in the Oaks, But I
don't know. Yeah, it's still it's still two weeks away,
(33:02):
and we'll be going down there this week quite a
bit obviously for TV, and so I'll have something by
the end and by the end of the week for you.
Speaker 1 (33:10):
I think it's gonna be one of the one. I
think it's gonna be one of the one seeds this year.
Speaker 4 (33:14):
If yeah, I do. There huge divide, right, I mean,
you've got three or four horses that are really good
and the rest are just kind of nice.
Speaker 1 (33:23):
Horses, you know.
Speaker 4 (33:24):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (33:24):
And for me, that's journalism out of the Santaita Derby,
and it's the two out of the Florida Derby to
pan Street and sovereignty Burnhamy Square. Maybe next one of
the Baffort things gonna be in he's got three horses
that all seemingly have the same style. Tend to think
it'll probably Citizen Bull will be the most dangerous one,
(33:46):
would be my guest. But we'll see how how the
training goes here in the next few weeks and a
couple of minutes left here, Jeff, give me a thought
about the Reds. You were around them for a long time.
Now Terry Francona is with them as their manager, which
I think all of us as Reds fans, were excited about.
They have kind of been hit and miss so far,
(34:07):
but fortunately in the division they're in, there's still very
much in it.
Speaker 4 (34:12):
Yeah. I really think that they've got maybe the best
second best pitcher in the National League. Paul Skimes and
Hunter Green or are just miles in front of everybody else.
I mean, the kids got four stars, thirty one strikeouts,
he's got a ERA under one, he's got a whip
of zero point five eight. He's just been fantastic. If
he can stay healthy. I said this before the season.
If Lodolo from the left side and Hunter Green from
(34:34):
the right side, if those two guys, if they can
get fifty five to sixty starts, then they've got a
great chance, but both of them have been injury prone
throughout their careers and they have to find it back
into the bullpen. It killed him yesterday they had the
lead seven to five going in the ninth inning, they
lose it. Next year is eleven to seven. Yeah, I
think that that's the biggest thing. And Ellie is a
(34:55):
nice short stop and this is just me saying this.
I think he would be a great center fielder. He
gets a little lackadaisical a shortstop. He has a lot
of airs and it's they've been costly. I think you
put Matt McClain at shortstop, you put Ellie in centerfield,
and now you've upgraded your outfield and you've upgraded your
infield because to me, defense wins wins a lot of
(35:17):
games in baseball. That's just me talking. I think Ellie's
a great, great player, but again I think he'd be
I think he would be a superstar in center field,
whereas he's just a nice shortstop. So if that makes sense,
it does.
Speaker 1 (35:31):
Jeffcarl watch him on wtv Q TV here at Lexington
and you'll be in the moot with me for UK
Football come September. Pick.
Speaker 4 (35:40):
Thank you much thanks Tom taught you, Sue.
Speaker 1 (35:44):
We're gonna get to a quick break and come back
with our final segment of the Lead Report, presented by
Bobcat Enterprises. It is the Lead Report and we come
to you each day from the Clark's Pump and Shop
studio at Keenland. Today the feature race is the Mayor
(36:04):
Double Dog.
Speaker 4 (36:04):
There.
Speaker 1 (36:05):
It's a really nice group of Phillies and mayors in
that one. Four superstar trainers. I say that you know guys.
Two guys this is the tenor of the colin Fer
Marcus Hers and the DRF. Two guys that are in
the Hall of Fame. Two guys that will be in
the Hall of Fame. Probably one or two more that
could be in the hunt. So anyway, Goodfield. The two
(36:30):
stakes on the card tomorrow, the Visit lex el Corn
at a mile and a half on the grass and
the ben Ally at mile and three sixteenths on the
main track, and really interesting handicapping challenges for all three
of those stakes today and tomorrow and then her yesterday.
Why not is going to sing the National anthem today
out at Keenland at noon. You can watch it at
(36:53):
Keenland dot com if you're not out there that early,
and then she is performing along with Tyler Chilters at
Kroger Field tomorrow night. Cornbread Hemp wants you to know
that they are there to help you out with those
achy joints. Their bombs and lotions could do the trick.
If you just had a tough day and you need
(37:13):
to take the edge off, the infused gummies could be
what you need. Last night, I had trouble getting back
to sleep and tried a couple of the sleep gummies
did the trick. You don't wake up with that melotone
and hangover. So they're fantastic right now. If you go
to Cornbreadhemp dot com and place an order, your first order,
you'll get twenty percent off. If you put in the
(37:34):
Kotama Cheka, it's twenty percent off your first order. That's
one hundred percent legal products made with real THHC and
organic ingredients, no synthetics. All the hemp is grown in
Kentucky and all products are third party lab tested for
safety and purity. Cornbread Hemp dot Com, this is the
good life. Have a great weekend everybody, and we'll be
back to recap it on Monday.
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com