2025-10-08 - LEACH REPORT

Tom talks with Chris Fisher, Dick Gabriel, and more.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Good day, everybody, welcome in Leech Report presented by Bobcat
Enterprises every Day. Coming up on the show today, we're
going to catch up to to Gabriel. He was working
the UK Pro Day yesterday with Goose on the SEC
Network Plus and so you got a chance to check
out a practice for Mark Pope's team as the NBA

(00:21):
Scouts did. So we'll get some observations from Gabe on
what he saw in that practice, Chris Fisher from the
Cat's pause, and we will finish up with a media
day interview that I did with Trent Noah and get
his take on his second Kentucky team and how it's
going for him individually. Got a neat little story that

(00:45):
he tells that we featured on The Leech Report on
WLXTV last night about what he calls the Jenga moment
that they strive for. So we'll get you the details
on that when we hear from Trent a little later
in the program. Wildcat News of the Day presented by
just Sepis of Lexington otega Oway did not participate in

(01:08):
the Pro Day yesterday and he did telemedia on Monday
when he was doing interviews. He expects to be back
on the court this week in returning to practice from
that case of turf toe. Speaking of practices, Mark Pope
talked about that in the Media Day Q and A
session on Monday. He referenced how competitive the practices were

(01:29):
on his teams at Kentucky under Rick Patino in the
mid nineties, and he sees some of that kind of
competitive fire that comes out in the practices now for
his second team.

Speaker 2 (01:43):
We have competitive souls on this group. You know, it's
you know, I'll take Da and j Low as example.

Speaker 3 (01:50):
So.

Speaker 2 (01:51):
You know they're probably best friends off the court, and
then on the court they are just torturing each other
every single day. So fun to watch. You know, you
have a guy like Colin Chandler who has grown so much,
who is is the most kind, mild mannered, loving guy
off the court, and he just wants to rip your
heart out on the court right now. Mo Diabate just

(02:14):
has brought this this beautiful competitive bully mentality to our team.
And I go on the list. So that's that's that's that.
You know, that's been really fun.

Speaker 1 (02:30):
That was Mark Pope, and you can tell he's really
enjoying what he is seeing in the practices schedule finalized
with the SEC tip off times and networks yesterday. Couple
of nine pm tips always look for those first at
at Vandy and then at home against Georgia on Tuesdays,
but there are also three eight thirties, so that's pretty close, TONI.

(02:54):
Most of the excuse me, Saturday SEC games will play
in the afternoon, either early or mid afternoon. The very
first won the SEC opener at Alabama. The first Saturday
in January is a noon tip off, and there are
I don't have it in front of me, but a
couple at least a couple more of the noon tips

(03:14):
on Saturday afternoons. Links to the stories that we talk
about each day. You can find those on the bud
Light Leach Report page at Tom leachky dot com. When
we come back, we will hear from Gabriel on UK
pro Day that played out yesterday, and as we head
to the break, will remind you our opening segment of
Wildcat News always presented by Giuseppes of Lexington. They expanded

(03:38):
their lounge area a few years ago because it was
so popular to sit there and listen to Dave Hall
and the live jazz music.

Speaker 4 (03:46):
It is as.

Speaker 1 (03:48):
Popular now as it was when they expanded the lounge.
So get to open table and set your date to
get to Giuseppes for a fantastic meal from the homemade pasta,
the fresh seafood that Chipped did every day, the handcut steaks.
They have it all at Jusepe's locally sourced sides as well.

(04:08):
You can say the menu is Joseppes Lexington dot com.
We'll be right back on the Leech Report. Welcome back
into the Leech Report, presented each day by Bobcat Enterprises
for locations around the state. So google Bobcat when you
need to buy or rent a piece of heavy equipment,
or you know someone that is on a job site
and needs such help and Bombcat Enterprises can take care

(04:30):
of what they need or you need, and they will
give you a fantastic service after the sale as well.
Google them for locations. You'll find one that's close to you.
Dick Gabriel joins us now. He and Gous Givens did
the coverage on SEC Network Plus of UK's Pro Day
for men's basketball last night. Gabe, what were your takeaways

(04:52):
just in terms of an overview. We'll start there.

Speaker 5 (04:56):
Well, let me start with the guy who said, next
to me, as you pointed out Jack Gibbons, he is
so excited to Tom about this team. You're gonna have
a ball this year with Jack, and I know you
always do, but he just loves this team. He loves
the competitiveness. And that's the word I kept coming back to,
even though that's the word that Mark Pope used over

(05:16):
and over on media day, but I don't know of
another way to describe it, because these guys just go
at it. And you know, the assistant coaches we talked to,
they're delighted about it. And I asked one of them,
I said, do you think maybe it's because last year
you had seven super seniors. You know, guys that have
been around the block several times. They already knew what

(05:38):
their lot in life was when it came to college basketball.
They wanted to be better. They wanted to improve and
win games and be a good teammate, but they were
kind of set in their ways. This is a younger team.
You've got some veterans, but this is a younger team,
and these guys are trying to, you know, make their
way and claim their spot, earned their minutes. So oh yeah,

(06:00):
they go after each other. I went to practice on
Monday just to prepare for the broadcast, and I could
see exactly what Jack was talking about.

Speaker 1 (06:08):
For folks that didn't get to see the broadcast on
SEC Network Plus last night, how did this go? In
other words, was there scrimmaging? Was it mostly drills for
the NBA Scouts testing? How did that work?

Speaker 5 (06:21):
You know what it was? It was a practice. It
was a regular practice. They did testing earlier in the day.
You know, they measured, they sprinted, they did the lateral
moves and all that. But in terms of what we
put on the air, it was a regular Kentucky practice,
which was a little bit different from last year. Last
year when we were on there, they mixed in some

(06:42):
of the testing and things like that. But last night
it was the drills they ordinarily do. And then they
finished up five on five. They scrimmage. They had referees,
which is kind of unusual, as you know, they don't
always use referees in practice. But yeah, they didn't want
to deviate from what they ordinarily do with these guys,

(07:04):
and so the Scouts got a chance, as I said,
do their testing. But from that point on it was
a regular Kentucky practice.

Speaker 1 (07:11):
There are frequently at this event some former Kentucky guys
Chuck Hayzes Thinks with the Rockets, Tayshaun Prince with the Grizzlies,
maybe others. Uh. Did you get a chance to talk
to any of the NBA folks to just get some impressions.

Speaker 5 (07:26):
No, because they are kind of they kind of keep
things close to the vest. Jack talked off air with
one guy. Uh, but you know, they just kind of
like to keep a lot of that information to themselves.
Who you're looking at, you know, who looks good, that
kind of thing. That's why I always liked it when
when our man Mike Pratt was around, he would talk
to the scouts, you know of off air, off the record,

(07:48):
and he would indicate to us who was looking at whom.
When Kevin Greevy was scouting, you know, off off the
off the air, off the record, he could tell us,
but they kind of keep that to themselves.

Speaker 1 (07:58):
What about the five on five session? What caught your eye?

Speaker 5 (08:03):
They shot it well. And I know that's a question
that a lot of Kentucky fans have about this team,
because look, there's no Kobe Bray on this team. There
probably isn't a Kobe Brera on anybody's team anywhere. He's
such a great shooter. That's an exaggeration, but you know,
he's rare that kind of talent. But there are guys

(08:23):
last night who knockdown shot. Brydon Hawthorne knockdown shots, of course,
Jasper Johnson, which is expected of him. So that's what
I really took away, as well as the fact that
I really like what I saw from Malachi moreno more
aggressive than he was in high school because he has

(08:43):
to be. Didn't have to defer as or didn't defer
to teammates as much here as he did in high
school because they didn't have to. But he was in
there banging. He's a good passer. He's not a Mauri
Williams yet, but he might be someday. Brandon Garrison running
the floor really well, passing the ball really well. There's

(09:05):
a lot to like. But I think the two grizzled
veterans as I call him, who came to the portal,
Denzel Aberdeen and Mohammed dio Bote, those guys are used
to winning at a high level. I think that's going
to be really vital to this team.

Speaker 1 (09:20):
Did no way do much.

Speaker 5 (09:22):
Uh No, he did not take part in the five
on five and obviously Quaintans did not either.

Speaker 1 (09:28):
With Quaintance's time table, we don't know exactly what the
timetable is. All the reports are good about his rehab,
but it's I think the expectation is he's from fans anyway,
that he won't be out on the court when the
season starts. So a guy like Moreno, uh, you know,
there's there's a door opened to you know, get a
chance to make his case more than might be the
case if Quaintance had been fully healthy.

Speaker 5 (09:51):
That's exactly right. They're going to need him, you know.
And the young man from Croatia, Yellovich, who played a
little bit in the five on five. He's still a
little bit behind, but he's eight weeks behind frankly, but
he's catching up with conditioning as well. He is a
solid six' ten tom but he's a guy wh can
play on the floor as. Well so, yeah you're, right

(10:12):
this is an opportunity four bigs to get, minutes Especially
moreno That quaintance might have and take away is just
coming back from the toe. INJURY i should be ready at.
You i'm hearing at the start of the, season but
in scrimmages this gives other guys a chance to get
out on the floor and do some.

Speaker 1 (10:33):
Things Yellowch When goose AND i were over at practice
a few weeks ago watching, him think it was the
first time either one of us had seen him since he.
Arrived the thing that struck us is he looked much
older Than BIG z when he, arrived just looked more mature, physically.
Thicker and did you get that same IMPRESSION i?

Speaker 5 (10:57):
Did AND i just, think you, know Big, Z i
think was so tall but so. Slender AND i just
think That yellovish's game is a little more advanced perhaps
Than BIG. Z not to knock him BIG i don't
know If jellovich can shoot the Way BIG z, did
BUT i do think he's ahead in terms of the

(11:18):
development of his overall game Than BIG z. Was but you,
know he's a guy still trying to figure things.

Speaker 1 (11:25):
Out let's talk About jasper a little. Bit he was
actually over at my home studio last week recording a
commercial for one of his. Clients and the thing That
i'd noticed from WHEN i had seen him very early
on after he got back from playing, overseas he looked
a little more physically, mature a little thicker and. STRONGER

(11:47):
i Remember Rob dillingham had a significant transformation from when
you AND i And goose up In toronto watching him
play as a freshman to when he played his first
game At. Kentucky how Did jasper look in the five on?
Five he looked.

Speaker 5 (12:02):
Good he's a GUY i, think who will make them play,
him you know What i'm. Saying you, know even if
he's not in the starting, lineup he's good enough to
where they're gonna need him out there if he can
get around the guarding, people you, know and it's still early,
there but he hits, shots he handles, well and they

(12:23):
say he is as competitive as anybody out, there you,
know so he fits right.

Speaker 1 (12:27):
In you've seen a lot of different types of point
guards over the years, here really good ones that played
the position in different. Ways what stood out to you
About Jalen lowe at that.

Speaker 5 (12:37):
Spot he's smooth and he's you, know he hits some
shots from the, outside but he is a. Guy he
just plays an educated. Game you. Know you don't see
anything that makes you wonder what is he doing? There
it looks like he's always in. Control but when you
think about, it if he was in control of that

(12:59):
pit program and he doesn't have to jack the ball
up or look the shoot As jack pointed, out you,
know have the ball in his hands with four seconds
three seconds on the shot, clock desperately looking for a
spot we can get a shot. Off think back to
What Severe. Wheeler Severe wheeler had to do quite, often you,

(13:20):
know if the offense would stick or break. Down next
thing you, know he's trying to penetrate with the shot
clock disappearing because they couldn't get a shot. Off that's
not going to be the problem For Jalen, low so
he can rack up, assists doesn't have to worry about
being the primary, scorer AND i think that's just going
to make him better and.

Speaker 1 (13:38):
Better there's been a lot of very positive buzz about
two returning guys in, Particular Trent noah from here In
kentucky And Colin, chandler who was recruited TO byu by
Coach popen came. Here and what did you see out
of those two guys in the practice that you covered
yesterday ON i Saw noah.

Speaker 5 (13:57):
Hit, shots which is not unusual because that's what he.
Does but it was. Interesting Mark pope talked to media
day about the fact that he's averaging some incredible amount
of points per, possession and he's a little bit, bigger
a little bit. Stronger they all, are, REALLY i did
notice that more In Colin. Chandler he didn't shoot the
ball particularly, well But chandler looks like he's put in

(14:20):
some good time in the weight, room a little more.
Definition but of, course when he got here last, year
as we all, know it was off the two years
that he had spent away from. Basketball AND i think
he'll be able to pick up where he left off last,
year you, know toward the last third of the season or,
so when he played his best. Ball and SO i
did see more physical development In, chandler BUT i did

(14:42):
not see the ball going as much for. Him But
i'm not concerned about that quite, Frankly, WELL.

Speaker 1 (14:48):
I know you're like any of the rest of. Us
we're all looking forward to that matchup With. Purdue even
though it won't count in the win loss, column it's
going to be quite a stern test for the first exhibition.
Game so from what it sounds like you saw last
night that there's no any there's no reason at all
to for anybody to be any less.

Speaker 5 (15:07):
Optimistic, no and if they and they will fight and
claw and scrap in regular season games the way they
do in the, scrimmages there's a nothing like and just
like In polk's mentioned this, before that ninety six team
where when they go five on five in practice And
patino would try to, stop shut it down day, over

(15:29):
the team that just lost would, say, no we want
to go one. More And polk told us this team
is doing the same thing in the five on. Five
the team that, loses we don't want to. Stop we
want to go. Again and he, Said i'm trying to
put lineups together to see one test the, other AND
i can't figure, out you, know who's doing. WHAT i
try to figure out who's going to win ahead of,
time AND i never. Can so that's a great, Sign

(15:53):
thank you.

Speaker 1 (15:53):
Much no problem that Is Dick. Gabriel we all have
the weekend off from. Football he pick an eye because
of the open. Dates so we'll be back, together the Three,
musketeers so to. Speak When kentucky is back on the
grid iron Against texas a week From. Saturday it's The
leads report come into you from The Clark's Pumping shop.
Studio Return, Refresh refuel At. Clark's we'll be right. Back

(16:18):
lecture Of, course present of By Bob Knned. Enterprises we
welcome to the. Program Chris. Fisher you read him at
katzpause dot com on X it's At Chris fisher twenty
four to. Seven did you watch The Pro day last, Night?
CHRIS i? Did what'd you? Think what were your. IMPRESSIONS
i knew.

Speaker 3 (16:38):
This team was, talented BUT i think WHAT i was
most impressed by was just the overall size and links
and athleticism of this. GROUP i think last year's team
was very much an execution team and they kind of
had to scheme, to you, know get at their shots

(17:00):
and kind of play their. Style AND i think this
is a team that will be able to overwhelm other
teams with. Athleticism AND i think that's you, know that's
probably not something we thought we would say about A
Mark pope, team especially in year.

Speaker 1 (17:15):
Two, yeah tuk To Trent no At Media. Day we're
going to play that interview a little later the, show
and he Talked that's one of the things he talked
about was the athleticism on this. Team they're going to
be a much different look, defensively aren't. They.

Speaker 3 (17:30):
YEAH i thought it was. Interesting last, Season Mark pope
had a top ten offensive team and he said at
Media day that he's striving for a top ten defensive,
team AND i definitely think that is a possibility when
you look at the size of the, links the, ATHLETICISM
i think that's definitely something That Mark pope was very
intentional about addressing in the off. Season and you, know

(17:53):
guys Like Moe diabase and especially When Jaden quainton's comes.
BACK i, mean you, know to average two point six
block per game as a seventeen year old freshman in college,
basketball it's pretty. IMPRESSIVE i think that's obviously one of
the big question marks AND x factors is when he
can come back and kind of what he will look.

Speaker 1 (18:13):
Like let me jump in. There we'll pick up On
quaintons when we come right. Back it is The Lead
Report Radio Network bag With Chris fisher From catspaws Dot
com here at The Clark's Pumping shop, Studio, return refresh and.
Refuel apologize for having to cut you off there for the. Heartbreak,
chris pick up on what you're saying About Jaden quainton's

(18:34):
and what he would bring defensively when he's back out
on their.

Speaker 3 (18:37):
Court, YEAH i, mean just to average two point six
blocks a game as a seventeen year old freshman in
college basketball is just unbelievably. Impressive and if he can
get back to anything close to what he looked like last,
SEASON i think he can have a chance to be
a dominant force in the paint For, kentucky an elite rim,

(18:58):
protector something That kentuck he was, sorely sorely missing last.
Season but you, know watching him kind of bounce around
the court last night was also. Impressive not even seven
months removed from surgery to repair torn acl and it's Only,
october AND i know fans are kind of chomping at
the bit to kind of get him back on the
court and cleared for contact and all, That BUT i

(19:21):
Know kentucky is a proceeding with extreme, caution As Mark
pope would, say in getting him, back you don't want
to have a, setback not just for you, know for next,
season but also for his long term career as. Well
this is a kid that's projected as a top, five
top ten pick in the twenty twenty SIX Nba.

Speaker 1 (19:39):
Draft, yeah getting around the rims are going to be
in Converting it's gonna be a lot TOUGHER i think
against This kentucky team because of, him but Also Brandon
GARRISON i think has more upside left in that. Area
and then With diabate in the link that he Has
and don't know About yellovich as in terms of that

(20:00):
element to his, game but he certainly has the size for.

Speaker 3 (20:02):
It, yeah AND i think he has the mobility for
it as. Well definitely impressed by the way he kind
of moves around the. Court and then someone that that
people aren't talking about quite as much Is malachimorno and,
uh he you, know he's a Legitimate he's a legitimate
seven footer and it'll be interesting to see kind of
how he fits into the, mix especially early in the

(20:22):
season Before Jaden quainton's comes. Back but you, Know Cody
figures said he was a guy that you know has
impressed from day one that he's stepped foot on. Canvas
and you look at his his prep. Career, uh he
has been impressive at every single, stop whether it was
in high, school whether it was on The adidas travel,
circuit the showcase events that he played around the COUNTRY

(20:45):
Usa Basketball Mini. CAMP i think he probably would have
made that team if it were not for for kind
of a nagging injury. There and so he's he's definitely
played a high level of basketball everywhere he's been AND
i would expect next season be no.

Speaker 1 (20:59):
Different something that's hard for post guys to get to
show what all they can do in those all star
game type settings because they're usually dominated by the guys
that get to handle the ball of most, Right.

Speaker 3 (21:12):
Yeah and you, know and and it's also you, know
they're slower to develop at the college level simply because
there's you, know such a strength, deficit especially now in
the day of the transfer. PORTAL i think college basketball
is older than it's been and in quite some, time
and so you, know adjusting to that strength and physicality
is definitely going to Be and it's just kind of

(21:34):
like you, know freshman wide receivers versus offensive and defensive
mind and you, know you're not in kind of the,
trenches so it's easier for guards to kind of you,
know operate out on the court and on an island
and kind of go you, know one on. One BUT
i do think you, know at seven feet, Tall Malachim
raano is very very sturdy in his lower, body AND

(21:54):
i think that that will go a long way as a,
freshman and it just.

Speaker 1 (21:59):
Occurs there was probably some element to this disparity in
ages in college, sports from you, know a guy Like
malachi straight out of high school or really young guy
acquaintance to guys who have you, know maybe in their
seventh or eighth year of college sports when you guys
were coming back from the war in the forties and.

Speaker 3 (22:19):
Fifties, yeah that's an excellent point one that probably not
a lot of people have put. Together but it's definitely
a different day and, AGE i guess in college for.

Speaker 1 (22:32):
SURE a couple of stories you have atkatspos dot. Com
what's about the schedule that came out yesterday with all
the tip off times and the networks that have been
set and anything that you caught your eye there in terms,
of you, know particularly challenging stretch or anything like.

Speaker 3 (22:49):
THAT i did see that they finally had a time
in A tv designation for The purdue exhibition, game AND
i just think about what a TREAT i mean that
is going to, BE i mean a potential preseason number
one team coming to Rep arena for an. Exhibition you're
not going to have to wait long to see what

(23:11):
This kentucky team looks. Like you, know you're you're used
to playing exhibition games against you, know kind of some
local teams or you Know division two or IN ai
or you, know something like. That but to have the
potential preseason number one team coming into To reprena at
such an early juncture of the, SEASON i think it's
just going to be. Awesome and, uh you, know Playing
georgetown AND i, think you, know you look around college,

(23:31):
Basketball you're seeing a lot more of These marquee exhibition,
games AND i think it's really really fun for the.

Speaker 4 (23:36):
Sport, yeah it's.

Speaker 1 (23:38):
You who's also fun for is the hotel operators and the.
Restaurants AS i, said, uh that, weekend you've got The
purdue game On, friday and you, know the last day
Of keenland the next day and A Kentucky tennessee football
game at. Night in the previous, weekend you'll have what
uh The Blue white On friday pair weekend and The

(24:00):
texas football game On saturday night And keenland in. Between
so those folks are getting a little.

Speaker 3 (24:07):
BOOST i would say, So, yeah.

Speaker 1 (24:10):
Definitely you also wrote About Cutter bowley and and the
improved performance At georgia, that, yeah it's it was one.
Game we'll see if he he you, know how well
he builds on. It but it was WHAT i think
you would want to see if you're A kentucky fed
or his. Coach after a rough night At South, Carolina

(24:32):
Bush hampden had good things to say about How cutter
handled it in the week leading up To, georgia but
he also carried that onto the.

Speaker 3 (24:38):
Field, yeah he looked like a completely different quarterback then
the one we saw At South carolina who was responsible
for the you, know three of the four turnovers there
in the second. Quarter BUT i just thought he was
making quick. Decisions he was he was making accurate, throws
he was you, know kind of climbing in the pocket
and escaping pressure and only took two. Sacks AND i

(25:01):
just thought he looked really really, composed really really, comfortable
WHICH i think is saying a lot for Any kentucky
quarterback this, season and especially in his second sec road
start At georgia against you, know a pretty good. Defense
Kirby smartin is a pretty good track record as a defensive,
coach and some of the throws that he was able to,

(25:23):
make and and just you, know kind of his. Firinginess you,
know we saw the emotion kind of pouring out of
him at different, times AND i thought he showed impressive
qualities as a leader as, well especially when you're talking
about a kid who is a red shirt.

Speaker 1 (25:36):
FRESHMAN i totally agree with you on that it's the
challenging time to be A kentucky football player right now
because it's a brutal stretch of the. Schedule you're trying
to dig out of a, hole and until probably they
do something that they're not expected to, do it's it's

(25:58):
hard to change the. Narrative and plus there's just always
when you're in this kind of a, spot, rumor, stories
rumors about their, coaches all of that's going, on and
there's a lot to have to tune out if you're
a player to stay focused on your.

Speaker 3 (26:11):
Job, yeah, definitely the word that comes to my mind is.
Traction it just doesn't feel like you can get any
kind of traction for any kind of kind of positive.
Momentum BUT i will, say and you, know they have
the bye week coming, up and you, know maybe they
can kind of freshen up and you, know kind of
get some guys healed up and get them. BACK J
waller kind of being one of those. Guys BUT i

(26:34):
look At texas AND i see a team that has
the profile of the type of team That kentucky could hang.
With they don't really score a lot of, Points they've struggled,
offensively and you, know If kentucky can kind of take
advantage of the bye week and come out fresh and
ready to play and you, know manage the turnovers and

(26:55):
manage some of just the self inflicted wounds that we've
seen the struggle with this, SEASON i think they could
have a chance at an upset and that would obviously
be huge not for the program this, season BUT i
guess in the in the big picture as.

Speaker 1 (27:08):
Well, yeah because The texas quarterback is.

Speaker 3 (27:10):
Struggling, yeah to say the, Leaf, yeah.

Speaker 1 (27:15):
And it's got a whole lot of fun being Arch
manning right. Now AND i, mean you, know people, say,
well you, know it makes a lot of money and
all of that's, true but it's just kind of feel
a lot of pressure of that young man right.

Speaker 4 (27:27):
Now.

Speaker 3 (27:29):
YEAH i mean he was, definitely you, know one of
those you, know In. Io guys that got a lot
of publicity in the, offseason a lot of preseason hype
for you, know The Heisman, trophy and you, know even
ever since that first game At Ohio state to open the,
season he's really really. Struggled and you, know as a young,
quarterback the game is moving fast enough as it, is

(27:51):
and so that's without all of the outside noise and
distractions and things like. That and so definitely seems Like
texas And archman both have a long way to, go
at least right, now and we'll see If kentucky can
take advantage of.

Speaker 1 (28:04):
That you can Read chris's coverage of The cats at
catspaus dot. Com thank, you, Sir thank. You head to a,
break come. Back we're gonna hear from Trent noah while we.
Return it's The Leach, report presented By Bobcat. Enterprises, well
have you watched UK's pro day. Yesterday you saw the
way That Trenton noah is stroking. It his shooting has

(28:26):
been a hot topic of conversation since back in the
summer for his second season with The. Wildcats so that's
WHERE i started WHEN i got a chance to talk
to him on media. Day so you're still making every
shot you, take like they've been talking.

Speaker 4 (28:39):
ABOUT i don't know that all.

Speaker 6 (28:41):
THAT i don't know that all.

Speaker 4 (28:42):
That, no but it's been really.

Speaker 6 (28:44):
Good kind of getting unlimited, hours the two a, days the, grind.

Speaker 4 (28:50):
It's been.

Speaker 6 (28:50):
Great super excited to keep working and getting ready for
the coming.

Speaker 4 (28:55):
Weeks how do you.

Speaker 1 (28:56):
Feel different this.

Speaker 4 (28:56):
Year i'm just.

Speaker 1 (28:58):
Time of years.

Speaker 6 (28:58):
Ago, YEAH i would JUST i kind of have a
feel of what's going. ON i, mean last year it's
a big jump from high school basketball to college basketball
and then getting thrown into THE. Sec that's that's another big.
Jump SO i kind of have a year under my.
BELT i know the, OFFENSE i know the, DEFENSE i
know what the coaching staff expects and how we do.
Things so NOW i kind of don't really have to

(29:19):
think as. MUCH i can kind of just.

Speaker 4 (29:21):
Play everybody was new last.

Speaker 1 (29:23):
Year what's it been like having a little carryover with
people like?

Speaker 4 (29:26):
You, YEAH i think it does.

Speaker 6 (29:28):
HELP i mean we have a few returners and that
kind of helps us to be able to lead the.

Speaker 4 (29:33):
Way you, know last year we Had.

Speaker 6 (29:35):
Jackson robinson that that came with coach both so he
kind of he kind of had a little foot in
the door on.

Speaker 4 (29:40):
What to do and what not to.

Speaker 6 (29:41):
Do so now that we have a couple of guys
that spent a year under the, System sam exact coaching,
staff it's. Big we can kind of help the new
guys here and.

Speaker 1 (29:50):
There every, group there's so much turn over these, days
is gonna be a little bit of a unique. Collection
what does this team do really?

Speaker 6 (29:58):
WELL i just first, OFF i think we're we're super.
DEEP i, mean we have we, can we can. PLATOON
i mean we come with so many, guys so many.
Ways we kind of call it our ginga. Moment we
have so many guys we're just waiting on the other
team to. Break that's that's kind of how we do.
It in, practice we played up and we had a

(30:21):
lot of Grown these practices are so.

Speaker 4 (30:23):
Fun After, saturdays except these guys ticking and.

Speaker 1 (30:30):
The guys and keep playing.

Speaker 4 (30:34):
Individually definitely, Competitive, yeah, yeah.

Speaker 6 (30:37):
Absolutely uh it's always good whenever you get Coach Pope
rowland and then get some stories. Out he was telling.
Us he was telling us one time they had a
game they didn't play. Well, uh they came back at like,
midnight the bigs are playing one on. One he took
an elbow to the mouth and then he busted his
tooth out and that that's just How that's just how it.

(30:58):
Was so we get we get stories here and, there
and it's always fun to hear him talk and all
the wisdom that he.

Speaker 4 (31:03):
Has did you Say, jinga, Yeah? Jinga?

Speaker 5 (31:06):
Okay how did that come to?

Speaker 7 (31:08):
Be we started talking on.

Speaker 4 (31:09):
Jinga it was last.

Speaker 6 (31:11):
Year we preached on our pace and stuff like, that
waiting for the other team to, break like the best
conditioned team in college, basketball and we come in, waves
so it's kind of just like the. Tower it teeters
and teeters and teeters and eventually it just. Snaps so,
eventually which's like six to six run in a, segment
six to eight, run and then one segment we.

Speaker 4 (31:33):
Hit four threes and it's twelve to, two and that's
kind of the ginga.

Speaker 6 (31:36):
Moment the game kind of breaks open and we're just
waiting on that to.

Speaker 4 (31:40):
Happen stay composed and the game will break.

Speaker 7 (31:42):
Open guys that were played, jingo.

Speaker 4 (31:45):
We haven't physically played. It we've heard a lot about.
It we say the word a lot. Though we always
Have jinga moments in.

Speaker 7 (31:50):
Practice Coach bok was talking about you earlier on his
press conference and the jump that he wants to see
you take this year and was sharing some ridiculous numbers
for practice of you know how he gets with ridiculous.
Numbers sometimes any area of your game specifically you're the
most proud of at this point where you've seen improvement in.

Speaker 6 (32:06):
Yourself, YEAH i would just say having a year under my,
belt and a big thing is the guys that are around.
ME i MEAN i play with with a great point,
GUARD i mean our leader J. Low he makes the
game so easy is he always knows where you are
at all. Times he is one of the best Passers
i've ever played. With and he's just a. Leader and
we have so many other, leaders like like playing With

(32:27):
COLIN bg from last, year we kind of already have that.
Feel and then playing in the SYSTEM i Mean Coach,
POPE i mean he's like a wizard LIKE i mean
he draws something. Up he loves to take the clipboard
and draw up a play for an open. Layup and
it's just easy whenever you play in a system like,
that and with so many great players and so many
great shooters around, me that that gets to the gravity

(32:49):
of The florid to make an open lane for you or,
Something SO i WOULD i would just say the people
that's around.

Speaker 1 (32:54):
Him Andrew CARR i talked To Andrew caven's hung out
with you guys for about a week and then he
Coach pope's it is too That jalen's not a praise
to step.

Speaker 4 (33:02):
On toes if he needs.

Speaker 1 (33:03):
To and why is that a good?

Speaker 7 (33:05):
Thing?

Speaker 6 (33:05):
YEAH i think that's a great thing because he's not
afraid to tell you the. TRUTH i, mean and sometimes
you getting a team and like you don't want to
hurt anybody's. Feelings you don't want to you don't want
to over get on, somebody like choose somebody. Out but
when when things aren't going, well J low will be
the first person to like bring our huddle together and be, like,
nah this isn't this isn't, Acceptable like you're not getting

(33:27):
to the.

Speaker 4 (33:28):
Bottom and it's real.

Speaker 6 (33:28):
Specific AND i think that's that's really big for us
to have to have a leadership.

Speaker 4 (33:33):
Role and he's kind of stepped right into.

Speaker 6 (33:34):
IT i, mean he's awesome to play with and and
something THAT i don't think J lo gets a lot
of credit. For everybody knows he can fill it up
everybody knows he can, pass but he's a very underrated.
OFFENDER i think him and him and ball screens him
picking up ninety. Four he's almost just like a pests on,
defense gets his hands on a lot of. Balls So
i'm super high on J.

Speaker 1 (33:54):
Low the defense is gonna be a obviously a big
thing for you. GUYS i, mean obviously you're trying to
focus on the. Life, sure but this team should be
really like sign like, better.

Speaker 4 (34:03):
Right, YEAH i feel like we're also super.

Speaker 6 (34:05):
ATHLETIC i mean whenever you have J lo To, denzel
To colin To, otega whenever he's fully.

Speaker 4 (34:12):
BACK i, MEAN i mean our our front. COURT i
MEAN i like us against or our back. COURT i
like us against.

Speaker 6 (34:19):
ANYBODY i, mean we're we're picking up full, Court we're
doing a we're being super creative on, defense maybe blitz
of some stuff here and. There so, YEAH i like our.

Speaker 4 (34:27):
Defense so how often do you hear the phrase mountain
all both a little? BIT a little bit Yet, NO
i love.

Speaker 1 (34:35):
IT i love.

Speaker 6 (34:35):
IT i Love it's super cool where it kind of
brings a correlation to to Where i'm from and kind
of being able to bring the mountains Of Eastern kentucky
on the journey and the ride with. Me so it's
a it's a great. Place i'm so happy that's WHERE
i come. From and and kind of just give them
something a little a little taste of It.

Speaker 1 (34:52):
Trentonoa theyre apologize for the one little segment where you
also were Hearing Cutter bowley. Underneath poor edit on my,
part but some neat stuff there For Trenton. No especially
you got a kick out of The Mountain mamba stuff
there at the, end it's The Leaks. Report we're presented
By Bobcat enterprises and we'll be right. Back number Three
Kentucky volleyball at number Nine TEXAS a and M tonight's

(35:17):
marquee top ten. Matchup you can watch it on THE Sec.
Network and congrats To Laney, fry FORMER uk women's. Golfer
she has earned her tour card to join THE Lpga
tour as a full fledged member for twenty twenty. Six,
well harvest time is here and they've brought in the
crops at corn bread hemp and to, celebrate they're passing

(35:39):
on the savings to you all of That kentucky grown
hemp that they've just. Harvested it's being turned into the
fantastic products that you. Love but they have plenty already in,
stock and right now you can get twenty dollars off
any order of seventy five dollars or more if you
put in the Code harvest twenty at checkout that is
now through this Coming, monday that that deal is going.

(36:02):
On The harvest discount makes it easy to stock up
or maybe try something, new the Infused seltzer's or the
sleep gummies That i've talked. About you can do this
because there's never been a better time to explore the
new products and boost your wellness routine with the help
Of Cornbread. Hemp It's harvest. Twenty that's the code to

(36:24):
get your. Discount Cornbread. Hemp this is the good. Life
see he. Has. Sports The Candid coaches series is continuing
and the latest question they posed to coaches who could
answer anonymously was who will be the next first time
national champion in men's college basketball Like Todd golden At
florida was last. Year Kelvin samson Of houston got the most,

(36:46):
votes not a, surprise he just missed last. Year thirty
eight percent of the respondents picked. Him twenty six percent
picked Produced Matt, painter sixteen Percent Duke's John shire and
six Percent Kentucky's Mark. Pope he was fourth on the.
List nineteen forty Nine on this day was the first
home night game For kentucky football At Old Stall field

(37:08):
and that means it was the First KEENLAND uk football.
Doubleheader And happy Birthday Reggie, hanson remember the all time
smile team FOR Uk. Sports THE Uk History notes presented
By Kentucky Roadshow Sports cards And. Memorabilia you'll find them
On Romedy road In lexington and at roadshowcards Dot com

(37:28):
and follow them there so you can know when they've
got special autograph signing events coming up At Kentucky Roadshow
shop see tomorrow on The Late report presented By Bob
Kat enterprises