2025-09-16 - LEACH REPORT

Tom talks with Chris Dortch and Larry Vaught.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
It is the Leads Report and we are presented by
Bob Kat Enterprises each day. Glad to have you on board.
Coming up today, we're gonna lead off with Chris Dortch
from the Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook, and Chris has
the book out online. The printed copy should be coming

(00:22):
out here in two or three weeks. You can go
to his website, Blue Ribbon Yearbook dot com and see
it and order it if you haven't already. And when
you use the word comprehensive, doesn't do it justice. It's
been that way from the beginning for that publication. Anyway, Chris,
we will talk to about his preseason top twenty five

(00:45):
or the magazine's preseason top twenty five Kentuck He's in
the top ten, I'll tell you that. And then we
will also hear from Larry Vaught on Tuesday, we normally
do that, and then Derek Terry from back Cats Central
with an open date on the football schedule. This week.
I reached out to Derek to get a little update

(01:06):
on coach Dick Minngeon and the Kentucky baseball team. So
that's the lineup for today. Wild Cat News of the
Day always presented by j Sepis of Lexington UK and
Jami Sports yesterday announced the season long celebration of the
fiftieth season for Kentucky men's basketball in Raperena. And I
always think those kind of anniversary celebrations are a lot

(01:30):
of fun because we all have favorite memories from Rapperina.
I think it could be cool if they did something
like you don't have. I don't know if you can
set up a kiosk or something where fans could record
their memories or maybe they just send them in on social
media or something, because everybody has favorite memories. You know,

(01:51):
people remember their first car, people remember the first time
they saw the Cats play in rep Aena, or a
particular big moment that maybe you went with your mom
or your dad or buddy or whatever it might be.
They're gonna have in arena celebrations. They're gonna have special
programming throughout the season, a lot of social media content.

(02:12):
All of that should be a lot of fun as
we look back on fifty seasons of Kentucky basketball in
rupp Arena, not fifty years. The way that works with
the arena opened for the seventy six seventy seven season,
so the fiftieth year would be the next year, but
this is the fiftieth season they've played basketball, and that's

(02:33):
I think the more important thing is the fifty seasons.
And it started with a team that made it to
the Elite eight and then the second year in rep Arena,
Kentucky won the national championship. So we've got some memories
of Goose with Goose as we do those Thursday segments
during the season and look back on some of those
favorite games in rupp Arena. Anyway, onto a couple of

(02:55):
other things. Kentucky and South Carolina. The kickoff time's been
set for that. Cats, of course don't play this week,
but they're back in action a week from Saturday in Columbia,
South Carolina, and it'll be a late one, not too bad,
seven forty five on the SEC Network, just the latest
of the season by about fifteen minutes. Be a late
night getting back home though, since it's a road game,

(03:17):
big opportunity for the Wildcats. We'll get more into that
as we lead up to the game next week. And
the mentioned the Blue Ribbon yearbook Top twenty five that
came out last week. Also, the field of sixty eight
guys have their preseason Top twenty five out this week
they have Kentucky at number seven. I taped this interview

(03:39):
with Chris Dortch yesterday and I think we talked about
they had Kentucky at seven acts. They actually have Kentucky
at eight and Blue Ribbon Field of sixty eight has
them at seven. Perdue leads their poll. Houston, Florida, Yukon
and Duke in the Field of sixty eight Top five,
then U of L Kentucky, Saint John's, Texas Tech, and Michigan.

(04:02):
Thanks to the stories that we talk about each day,
you can find them on the bud Light Leach Report
page at Tom leitchky dot com. Opening segment presented by
Jisseppes of Lexington. Go to open table, get your reservation
now around the trip to Keenland or a big UK
event or a big event in your life. It's a
great place to have a celebration at Giseppes Food's fantastic
sit in the lounge area. They expanded it a few

(04:24):
years ago. More tables in there to enjoy the live
jazz music with your meal at Giseppes. We'll be right back.
Leach Report comes see each day from the Clarks pumpin
Shop Studio, Return, Refresh and refuel at Clark's. Chris George
with us now from the Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook,
been publishing that for about three decades. We'll tell you
more about that in a minute, but let's start with

(04:45):
a little college basketball conversation. And you guys recently came
out with your preseason top twenty five, and you have
the Florida Gators at the top of the list as
they bid to win a second straight national title. What
is it about the that made them the number one pick?

Speaker 2 (05:01):
Well, I really love their front line. When Alex Conon
decided to come back and they got Boogie flanned, I
felt like that this was a team that could go
all the way. They also picked up another piece, Savi
and Lee from Princeton. A lot of people think that
just because a kid went to an IVY League school
that he can't play at a power conference level. That's

(05:24):
not true. These kids are intelligent. They go to IVY
League schools to get a good education. That doesn't mean
they're not ballers. And Zavy Lee is a baller. So
you know, are they going to be as good as
the backcourt they had last year? Hard to say, because
that was a great backcourt that they rode literally to

(05:44):
the title. But I think it's it's a great backcourt
couple with a front court that really can't be equaled
in the country in terms of its size and depth.
They're so big that Tommy Hawk at six' nine is
going to play the, Three Todd golden told me just
because he wants him on the floor more minutes because

(06:06):
he's such a great.

Speaker 1 (06:07):
Player kentucky's gonna have a lot of. DEPTH i think
On Mark pope's second. Team you guys have them preseason
number seven in your top twenty, five and the team
That pope played on in ninety six had a great.
Depth this team won't have that level of talent in
terms of FUTURE nba, stars one wouldn't, Think but how

(06:30):
do you go about balancing that? Depth and how important
is the depth then the current world of college?

Speaker 2 (06:37):
Basketball you, KNOW i think it's important on both sides
of the. Ball when you think about The patino, system
you think about three pointers and pressure, defense and Coach
pope plays a similar pace and space kind of, system
and you need a lot of players to make that run.

(06:58):
Efficiently SO i would imagine and he illustrated this last
year when injuries really crippled The cats AND i think
limited their ability to go even deeper in the. Tournament
but he was able to play guys Like Travis perry
And Trenton noah that you, know just came off the
bench and did a great. Job so he's not afraid

(07:20):
to go down deep into his. Bench AND i think
with the way he wants to play offensively and, defensively
you can pressure the ball and you can pressure the,
rim so they'll do. That and they've got great shooting.
Too AND i really, Like Oh, way he's on Our
All american, team and you, know if you just look

(07:41):
at tape of, him you're. Impressed, gosh he's got, linked
he's got athletic, ability he's, tough he's, mean he's. Experienced
SO i think with him as its, Leader kentucky has
got a team, that you, know barring, injuries has got
a shot to to go as deep or deeper in

(08:02):
the NCAA's than they did last.

Speaker 1 (08:04):
Year you were telling me that in doing all of
your work for The Blue ribbon, yearbook talking all these different,
coaches that a lot of similar phrases pop. Up, yeah
it used to be something like positionless. Basketball there have been.
Others you, said the one about the rim is the
hot new phrase now, Right.

Speaker 2 (08:22):
Yeah, yeah, well put pressure on the. Rim you, know
it's like score the. Ball that seems kind of, elementary
but score the. Ball he's A swiss army, knives you,
know those kind of. Things but put pressure on the
rim is kind of the new phrase, toure and what

(08:44):
it really means is attacking the. Rim and you, Know
kentucky's got people that can, attack for, sure but they've
also got people that can put pressure on the rim from.
Distance SO i think in that space and pace, offense
you're gonna be able to use the floor and then
you're you're gonna be able to set guys. UP i

(09:04):
mean in Getting Jalen, lowe the point guard from pitt
out of out of the. Portal not a great great
percentage street point shooter last, year but all his other
stats are off the, charts and he's gonna be able
to get in that lane and calls havoc Because kentucky's
gonna have shooters at almost every spot and you know
they'll be catching shoot. Opportunities and that's to me as

(09:27):
much a part as putting pressure on the rim as.

Speaker 1 (09:29):
Anything what's the biggest question mark you would have for
This kentucky.

Speaker 2 (09:34):
Team, well just whether he can keep everybody. Happy it's
it's a, NITPICK i, know and that's a good sign
BECAUSE i can't really pick apart this. Team but when
you're as deep As, kentucky Coach popo find a, WAY i,
Think and as we've, said he's proven that he's willing
to go ten deep eleven guys if he needs, to

(09:54):
and if he can do, that if he can juggle,
THAT i don't think they'll have a.

Speaker 1 (09:58):
Problem when he he was hired At, kentucky there was
some initial skepticism From wildcat. Fans within about forty eight
hours that flipped because OF i think how he handled
the introduction to the. Job, yeah and he's a Former kentucky.
Guy but there's more to it than just that to

(10:19):
being successful. Here what is it that you saw in
him that made you think he could be a successful
long term at his alma. Honor you, KNOW i.

Speaker 2 (10:27):
Haven't known him on a personal, level But i've Known Coach,
fox who hired, HIM i think gave him his first,
job and So i've known About Coach pope for a long,
time and he's learned from some of the, best and
he's also added his own, wrinkles and you, know he's
really got a good sense of publicity and. Marketing but

(10:50):
WHAT i like most about him is that he's a
player's coach and that, yeah he's going to get what
he wants out of his. Players but at the end
of the, day they're going to, say we love this
guy because he gives us the freedom that we need
to perform as basketball. Players AND i Think Coach pope
is intelligent in that. Way he realizes that some of

(11:11):
the old ways of motivating players have kind of you,
know going out with short shorts and black, canvas you,
know converse high. Tops but you, know he's just a
player's coach that in today's world understands how to get
the most out of his. Players and you, know he's
just he understands the game and he loves the. Game

(11:34):
AND i don't, think you, know you can't be mutually.
Exclusive you've got to have the love and understanding of
the game to be, successful and he's got both of.
Those and if you have, that you're gonna work as
hard as as you know tirelessly to win basketball, games
and he just got the formula down and AS i,
said he's learned from some of the best.

Speaker 1 (11:55):
A jay billis on earlier this summer and he talked
about HOW i think that maybe the phrase was something
like relentlessly, positive just how positive he was in dealing
with players in his practices That jay had. Observed and
that's obviously different from you, know the old school, ways
but it certainly seems to be the trending in that

(12:18):
direction as far as managing. Players and maybe part of
that is that you're not going to have guys that
are limited on their options of going somewhere else like
it used to, be and that you've got to be
able to build basically a new team every. Year.

Speaker 2 (12:33):
YEAH i love that. Phrase relentlessly. Positive by the, WAY
i consider myself to be that way. Too i'm just
chemically incapable of being down for very. LONG i think
That's Coach, POE i really, Do and you're, RIGHT i
think that if You one of the other PHRASES i
heard a lot through the editing and interviewing process Of

(12:54):
Blue ribbon was building a, culture and for mid major,
coaches it was in the hopes of convincing players to
stay a little bit, longer realizing that they might not
be able to keep them for their entire, career but
build a culture where they want to. Stay and it's
the same with power conference, schools even a school that's

(13:14):
on The Mount rushmore of college, basketball Like. Kentucky you've
got to build a culture that kids want to be
a part. Of and as you, said there's so many.
Options it's gotten so. CRAZY i, MEAN i can't tell
you how many players THAT i ran across in editing
the book this year that were running a fourth school

(13:36):
in as many, years or some of them had been
to six schools counting junior. Colleges, so you, know Coach
pope is building a culture of. Positivity and to, me
IF i were a, coach that's exactly the WAY i do,
IT i would do things exactly the Way Coach pope
is doing, it BECAUSE i think that's how you win basketball.

Speaker 1 (13:57):
Games oh way was the most impactful transfer from the
first group For Coach, pope and that was not only
expected by. Many who do you think will be the
most impactful transfer of the second.

Speaker 2 (14:11):
Group, Well i've got a. COUPLE i Think Denzel Aberdeen
Todd golden told me this himself WHEN i interviewed him
for My Blue ribbon. Story they were disappointed that he.
Left he would have assumed a much larger. Role but
you know he got a good AND i all deal With.
Kentucky and, hey It's, kentucky you. Know so even Though

(14:33):
florida has won three, Titles, Uh, kentucky AS i, said
is on the mount. Rushmore so he wanted to go up.
There he's going to have a chance to shoot better
than thirty five, percent which he did last, year AND
i think he. Will and Then Jalen, lowe the point
guard from Pitt as soon as he got into the,
portal you, Know kentucky identified him as the guy they

(14:54):
had to, have and they went out and got. Him
and he's you, know if you're picking, knits he didn't
shoot a great percentage from, three but that's not really
what they need him. For he's going to create. Havoc
he's a great, Facilitator he rebounds his position and he
scores the. Ball he doesn't have to shoot a high
percentage from three to score the. Ball so he's a

(15:15):
great free throw. Shooter so he's gonna be he's gonna
be a guy that's going to be in there in crunch.
Situations they're gonna want to get the ball to him
and follow him if you. Will he makes almost nine
out of every ten free throws he, attempts SO i
think he's going to be a tremendous.

Speaker 3 (15:32):
Edition where can folks find the? Yearbook Blue ribbonyearbook dot.
Com we're having a great year selling so. Far i'm
not going to question. It i'm going to knock on
wood AS i say, it but, uh, uh you, know
keep it.

Speaker 2 (15:45):
Up Uh blue ribbonyearbook dot. Com and our digital edition
is already on sale and you can download it. IMMEDIATELY
i just heard from our printer supposed to ship the
Book october, first So i'm excited about.

Speaker 1 (15:58):
That and where else can folks sign of your?

Speaker 2 (16:00):
Work hoopshq dot Com this year writing For Seth, davis my.
Buddy i'm just glad to be h with him again
AND i get to cover the SEC a league THAT
i know a little bit about and it's gonna be.

Speaker 1 (16:13):
Fun, chris thanks for the. Time as, Always thanks, Buddy
Chris dortch for The Blue Ribbon College Basketball. Yearbook quick
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(16:56):
cornbreadhamp dot. Com this is a good. Life we'll be
right back. Late triport presented each day By Bob Kat.
Enterprises Aid La ross named one of eight finalists for
The punter of The Week award from the folks at
The Ray Guy. Award he averaged over fifty yards on
his three punts last week Against Eastern michigan AND uk

(17:19):
Commit Ben. Duncombe according To, rivals is surging up on
the recruiting. Rankings defensive flyman now a twenty top twenty
five ranked edge rusher nationally and Going he's gone from
a three star to a four star. Prospect Leach report
is now ON tv on l E x eighteen around

(17:40):
five fifty each. Weeknight so catch. That we'll have a
little bit more about The Chris steortch segment coming up
on that. Today when we come, Back Larry vatt will
join the. Program it is The Leech Report Radio. Network
Leate triport comes to each day from The Clark's pump
And shop. Studio, return refresh and refuel At. Clark's Larry

(18:03):
vott joins the program at you read them at your
sports edge dot com And montsviews dot. Com larry will
start with The kentucky football went Over Eastern michigan And
Cutter bowley making his second start and Leading kentucky to
a win as the STARTING qb for the first. Time
so he gets his first, win and what did you

(18:24):
think of how he? PERFORMED i thought.

Speaker 4 (18:29):
Very, WELL i think nothing, spectacular BUT i think he
did the things that you were wanting to see and
hopes he could. Do there's some manor mistakes that he
might have, made but, overall he went out there and
did what you were hoping to see and gave you
kind of a hope that going, Forward, okay this is
a quarterback can help create some big plays for you

(18:52):
and could put some life into the.

Speaker 1 (18:53):
Offense. HOPEFULLY i had seven of his twelve completions went
for twenty or more, yards and that had had really
been missing they first came. In, particularly they took a
bunch of deep shots but didn't connect on, them and
even the ones they didn't connect on here he was.

Speaker 4 (19:08):
Close, yeah his receivers made a couple of tough catches for,
him BUT i thought he also always put the ball
out there where the receiver had a chance to make a,
play and that that was important to see BECAUSE i
THINK i think that gives receivers more confidence to go
up and want to make, plays knowing that that ball

(19:28):
is going to be there where it's going to give
him a. Chance and he did all of. That SO
i SAY i wouldn't call it a spectacular performance for,
him BUT i think all things, considered it was the
performance that you needed to see from him and he
needed and he did what he needed to do at
least show me he needs to be the gap playing.

Speaker 1 (19:46):
Quarterback, YEAH i would would be surprised if he's. NOT
i would think he'd be in a position where he,
can you, know solidify the job by continuing to play
WELL u when they get back into sec. Plan, obviously
that's a much bigger challenge than the defense he faced On.
Saturday but all you can do is play whoever's in

(20:11):
front of. You and What Van hiles had, said we
were talking to him yesterday and you, know going into the,
game he, said, look he just needs to operate the
offense efficiency efficiently and throw the ball with. Confidence and
he checked both of those.

Speaker 4 (20:25):
Boxes, yeah he sure it, did and he got the
ball out quick and was very. DECISIVE i thought what
he wanted to. Do maybe there's a time or two
that decisiveness will get you in, trouble BUT i think
anytime you have what you hope to be is going
to be a great, quarterback there's going to be some
throws he's probably gonna make that you, think, well maybe

(20:48):
he shouldn't have done, that but that's because those guys
think they can do, that and when they, do they
make a lot of those. Throws AND i think their
teammates appreciate. That SO i, thought, overall covert That, cutters
he had a really really good. Job you, know he
knew how much was at stake going into that, game
and he delivered in a big.

Speaker 5 (21:06):
WAY i.

Speaker 1 (21:07):
Thought and ever since you're the guy you, Covered Jacob,
Tammy kentucky fans have been clamoring for more use in
the tight, ends and they're getting it with this. Group,
yeah they sure.

Speaker 4 (21:21):
Are maybe it helps to ruin with the quarterback he
gets in there with you or. Something BUT i, MEAN
i think we, HEARD i guess it's okay to say
the Name Vince marraw talk for years about how much
how good a player he Thought Josh kattis. Was but
Yet josh always usually this had very limited opportunities in
games to catch the. Ball, well he's certainly getting. That

(21:43):
and then When Willie rodriguez, signed we heard this could
be the best tight End kentucky's had for, years and
he certainly played well last. Year but now he's getting
the ball some, also and that's huge because most successful
offenses operate and use the tight end a lot more
than What kentucky has in recent. Years AND i would

(22:06):
think going, forward we're going to see those guys getting
a lot of, opportunities and maybe that'll help the wide
receivers break a few more things open when teams have
to pay more attention to the tight.

Speaker 1 (22:16):
Ends josh is the co leading receiver right now With
Kendrick law through three. GAMES i went back in Looked
James whale and of course led the team in receptions
in His All america season in nineteen ninety. Nine he
caught ninety balls that year when he was the first
Team All. American the other only other tight END i could,

(22:38):
find or the next tight END i could find that
led the team in, RECEIVING i had to go back
to nineteen eighty Seven Charlie derrington and The Jerry claybourn,
era AND i don't think it was with anywhere near ninety.

Speaker 4 (22:49):
Catches, NO i guarantee you. It they might not a
cup ninety for the, season.

Speaker 1 (22:56):
But you know these, guys you know if you think about.
It in terms Of Nick saban told that story recently
about when he was a high school quarterback and he
was calling the plays and he went over to his
coach at a time out for a last key play
and wanted the coach to call it and the coach, said,
now that's your, job but IF i were, You i'd

(23:18):
get it to your all state halfback or your all
state wide. Receiver and He saban did. That and if
you look at This kentucky roster at the, moment guys
can get, better, certainly but at the, moment the guys
most likely to play in THE nfl would be tight
ends and running. Backs and that's probably not a bad

(23:40):
plan to utilize those guys the.

Speaker 4 (23:42):
Most, no it's sure. Not seth McCallan has been, Sensational
Dante dadel before he got banged, up he'd been really.
Good But patterson finally got his chance to show what
he could do that he urged the fourth. QUARTER i
don't care who you're playing, against that's a pretty good.
Production so you've got to feel really good about your three.
Guys and going, FORWARD i Think patterson will get more

(24:04):
changes AGAINST sec. Teams but, Yeah i've got no problems
at all With. Kentucky wanted to pound that. Ball that's
what they went out and tried to re establish that offensive.
Line so, far it seems to me they've done a
pretty good job at. That so why not take advantage
of those running, backs and then now you've got a
couple of weapons in the tight end that hopefully you
can count on. Consistently i'd still like to see a

(24:26):
little bit more of What Jacob tammy was so good,
at and that was kind of splitting that defense down
the middle when they loaded up the stop wide receivers
on the. Outside and maybe that's coming and, all but,
overall you just felt better about the offense after watching that.
Game now they get a week, off come back and
Play South carolina and we'll see what happens the, well

(24:49):
will the bye week jinks continue or can they snap
that this week or next?

Speaker 1 (24:53):
Week quick break and we'll come back and continue our
chat With Larry. Vaughan it is The Leader report presented
By Bob Kat. Enterprise they have four locations Around. Kentucky
Google Bobcat. Enterprises when you need to buy or rent
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too At Bobcat. Enterprises sixteen away from the top of

(25:14):
the hour with chat With larry vaught from your sports
edge dot. Com one more football note post at your
site where you kind of picked up on the same.
THING i did a little different tone than we're used
to hearing From Brad white after that, game.

Speaker 4 (25:30):
Much much different told AND i don't know what usually
your life of a defense this week's a little bit
rougher than what they normally is when they have their week,
out Because bread was really frustrated him with good. Reasoning
you just don't see his defense give up two hundred
and ninety yards and a hand to anybody much less

(25:51):
Than Eastern michigan team THAT i, mean to be, kind
it's just not very good and to go out and
kind of shred THE uk. Defense it's the way they
did in the first, half especially in four hundred and
sixty yards or. Whatever brad was not, happy AND i
was kind of glad to see him express that because
sometimes he's pretty mild mannered and tries to take things

(26:11):
in stride and not get overly, excited especially when he's
dealing with those of us in the. Media but he
made it pretty clear how unhappy he was with certain.
Things and what got Me. THOMAS i knew he had
some backups in at, times but when he talked.

Speaker 1 (26:27):
About, that he went through a series.

Speaker 4 (26:28):
Where he said it seemed like that every play one
of his starters was, saying by, MAN i missed that.
One he was not happy at all about that list of.
Things SO i think we'll see a much better performance
out of THE uk defense In South.

Speaker 1 (26:42):
Carolina, YEAH i. WOULD i would think so as. Well
switch to. Volleyball they had a tough night against pitt
but they bounced right back beat another top ten team
IN smu plus De Feede. Houston they Have louisville this.
Week you covered this program closely for a. While, Now,
larry he won an a, coach you could have won

(27:03):
a national. Championship is this team as good as that?

Speaker 4 (27:06):
Team i'm not going to say this team's as good
as that, team because that team was pretty darn. Special
they were led By Madison, lilly the best player in the,
nation but had a lot of other really good, players
and they had played. Together they were used to playing
with each. Other this team's kind of still feeling each other.
Out but, man they've got a lot of. Pieces they

(27:28):
probably have more depth than the national championship team, had
and they're still trying to figure out exactly how all
those pieces go. Together BUT i think they certainly will
have a chance to be one of those. Teams in
the conversation WHEN ncaa tournament starts that If kentucky, wanted
it wouldn't be a shock because they're playing every team

(27:50):
that they can, play which is going to lead to
a couple of losses along the way for even what
a great experience it's going to. Be And CRAIG i
really like the way he's doing things right. Now he's
experimenting around a little. Bit seems like he's settled on
Freshman cassie O'Brien as he set. Her at, times she's.
Spectacular at times she's timing stelled us a little bit,

(28:12):
off but that's kind of what you would expect that
she kind of learns and feels what's going on with
her teammates really seemed to like what she's, doing and
she's fun to watch and she's you just have to
kind of see her to appreciate how tall and long
she is and how she could get up there and
block things at the, net kind of like What Madison
lily used to be able to, do and she gives

(28:34):
them a different look up. There but they're fun to
watch if you get a chance to get out and see.
THEM i don't think you'll be disappointed.

Speaker 1 (28:42):
Well with the. Setter over the course of a, season
especially against a good, competition you can coach up some
of those issues that maybe you're seeing. There you can't
coach up the spectacular. Part so if she has, that
you can work on the other stuff.

Speaker 4 (29:00):
Exactly, right and you're sure king coach of having two
hitters Like Brooklyn delay And Eva hudson that just bound
that ball into. OBLIVION i, mean her really fun to,
watch And Asia digben is one of my favorite players
to watch BECAUSE i think you could suit her up
in football and she would, THINK i joke she could
Tackle Anthony. White he's taking a little exception to, that
BUT i believe she could certainly bring him. Down she

(29:22):
is a bulldog out there and just gives them a
different dimension. There and then of Course Molly tuso there
At liberro is really really special, also so they've got
a really good nucleus And craig is putting it TOGETHER
i think for another. Powerhouse i'm anxiously they're going to
do Against, lousville WHICH i think is ranked fourth this,
week and to go on the road and play. Them

(29:43):
we'll see how that.

Speaker 1 (29:43):
Goes Ricky, lumkin Former wildcat D, lyman has joined OUR
Uk Sports network pregame coverage for the, season and you
did a post on him at your Sports edge dot
coup AND i love the one nugget of in there
of What ricky said about the recruiting pitch That Rich
brooks gave To ricky's dad trying to get him To. Kentucky,

(30:05):
yeah exactly.

Speaker 4 (30:07):
Exact ricky's pretty pretty honest in his assessment of what
goes on, there and he really Loves Rich brooks and
he loves what he's doing with THE Uk network right.
Now And i've been listening the last couple of weeks
just to Hear ricky and him And logan really have
a great chemistry going on together be where they have
known each other for a long, time and it's fun

(30:29):
to listen To. Ricky he's one of the happiest PLAYERS
i THINK i ever can remember playing That kentucky's GO
i don't THINK i ever saw him when he wasn't.
Smiling and he was a really good defensive lineman, Too
so now to put him in there With christie And,
logan it's been a really good scenario synergy that they've
had going, forward and it's really really fun to listen

(30:51):
to him and his. Analysis and for an, ACADEMY i
never really Envisioned ricky being an academic counselor when he
was playing at THE uk have worked with the football
team like he, has and now working with volleyball and
stunt he has contact with a lot of athletes on THE. Uk, Gamphus,
yeah he.

Speaker 1 (31:08):
Said Rich brooks told told his, dad we suck and
need players like your. Son that's an honest recruiting pitch right.

Speaker 4 (31:15):
There, yeah, yeah it sure was because it because at
that time Rick rich wasn't embellishing out of and he
did he, Did and to Get ricky out Of tennessee
to come here was really a big deal because he
was committed To louisville at one To, kentucky Then louisville
then flipped. Back so it turned out to be a

(31:36):
really really good thing for Rich brooks At.

Speaker 1 (31:37):
Kentucky, larry thank you, much all, right Tom As larry
von joins us On. Tuesdays you hear him On Sunday
Morning Sports talk here In lexington each week With Anthony
white And Jack pilgrim And Bo, Robinson so catch them
there as well to review the. Games each, Week we'll
be right back talk a Little kentucky baseball With Derek
terry From Backcat. Central all the way To report presented

(31:59):
By Bob Cat. Enterprise final segment of the show for This,
tuesdays we welcome In Derek terry From Batcats. Central as
baseball season is not, here but the fall baseball season,
IS i guess because we have seen the schedule for
next springs games in THE sec, revealed and we will
see the Bat cats in action here in some exhibition

(32:22):
games and an intro squad next. Month, derek you did
a LONG q AND a with Coach benji On that's
at your. Site what were some of your takeaways from
your visit with?

Speaker 5 (32:32):
Coach, Hey, tom good. Morning you, KNOW i think some
of the big things a little bit more. CONTINUITY i
think you could say this, season you, know going back
to last, year following The College World series, TEAM i,
mean they more or less lost about the entire. Roster
Devin burks is one of the few guys they had,
back so tab seventeen players back on this year's. Roster you,

(32:55):
know not all of those guys played big roles on
last year's. Team but you did have a Few Bell Nate,
Harris Ben, Cleaver Carson, Hanson Luke lawrence kind of go, On,
uh there's a good starting point this. Fall BUT i
think in general also able to find out a little
bit more about what they looked for in the transfer.

(33:15):
Portal out of you, know the. Pictures they signed several
right handed, pitchers SIGNED i think five position, players so
kind of got to the bottom of what they were
looking for and what he liked about some of those,
guys and how they'll how they'll mix a match this year's.

Speaker 1 (33:31):
Team what are the main items that they have to
take care of here in in the fall before they
start gearing up for their season NEXT i guess.

Speaker 5 (33:42):
Worry i'm really curious to see how the asshole checks,
out you, know just going by the. Roster Carson, hanson
who ended up playing a, lot really played well down the.
Stretch he more or less out of circumstances on last
year's team was having to play center. Field Carson hansen's
not a center. FIELDER i don't think he's gonna really

(34:02):
even me in the mix in center field this. Season
he's a corner. Outfielder but you, know you also Have
Ryan schwartz. There you, Know Will barcy played center last.
Year he was the opening day center fielder and got.
Hurt he was off to the slow, start but you,
know he did have a track record prior To kentucky
of being a pretty productive college. Player but they brought

(34:23):
In Jay starnish From Saint Bonia venture and also, Uh
Scott campbell FROM Usc. Upstate so there are a lot
of guys out. There and that's not even really taking
into account the possibility That Owen jenkins from he went
to high School lexing And. Catholic he'll start out at,
catcher But Ben jon told me that he'll end up
moving to the outfield for some of the fall. Scrimmages

(34:46):
there's just a lot of guys out, there AND i, think,
uh you, know some could end up AT dah, potentially
but could somebody end up getting some reps you, know
back up first base or or maybe somewhere else like.
That SO i think that will kind of have some
simply cations on the rest of the. Roster AND i
think the other thing will be kind of that third rotation.
Spot you, Know Ben cleaver is going to be locked

(35:07):
in as a. STARTER i would presume That Nate harris
has a really good shot being another weekend, starter and
that kind of leaves Either Jackson, jelkin who red shirted
last year after he transferred In he wouldn't have been eligible,
anyway but he was hurt recovering From Tommy john and
then you, know they brought In Jack, bennett brought In Connor.

(35:28):
Madison could someone Like Layton harris get into the. Mix
he had a great fall, SUMMER i mean to try
to carry that over into the, Fall so quite a
bit of competition. There but with two of those, THREE
i wouldn't say. SOLIDIFIED i think there's two pretty strong
front runners With clever And. Harris it's a lot different
than last year where they were essentially looking to replace

(35:49):
the whole week in.

Speaker 1 (35:50):
Rotation, yeah that's a nice situation to go into the
year with with a Guy cleaver especially that kind of
have a strong number one guy for each WEEKEND sec.

Speaker 5 (36:01):
Series, yeah. CERTAINLY i mean if you just kind of
look through the last few, YEARS i think it's pretty
clear he's the best attorney pitcher they've had Since Sac
thompson didn't pitch On friday. Nights you, know it's kind
of the status thing college, baseball you throw your best On.
FRIDAYS i don't Think kentucky's always subscribed to, that Though

(36:21):
they've moved guys, around like Geting Nate harris Throwing friday
nights last, year and he didn't even start the season
in the week in, rotation SO i could see a
little bit of shuffling. THERE i, MEAN i think they're
really high On. Jelkin that feels like the guy, that you,
know if you're kind of playing the odds as Of
september sixteenth or whatever it, IS i feel like he's

(36:41):
probably got the best, shot and he could, be you,
know he could actually be the guy who does pitch
On friday. NIGHTS i wouldn't be surprised if they want
to Keep ben On. Saturdays they kind of like doing
that right left, right saying on the, weekend SO i
could Push Nate harris To sunday or if someone Like
Jack bennett or someone else comes. ALONG i mean that
kind of the one part about The fall there's almost

(37:02):
always somebody that you know right stories and lease people
out and knowing playing a big role on the. Team
that basically happens every. Year so it's a fun to.

Speaker 1 (37:11):
See thank you Much Backcat central for all the coverage
OF uk. Baseball thank you for the, time all.

Speaker 5 (37:16):
Right Thanks.

Speaker 1 (37:17):
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(37:40):
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to stay A Wildcat, history a service Of kentucky Road,
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Day kentucky ended a twelve game losing streak with a
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And Billy Jack haskins had a forty two YARD tv
run Ce tomorrow on The Leach, report presented By Bob
Kat enterprise s