November 18, 2025 • 37 mins
Dick Gabriel talks with Larry Vaught, Noah Cierzan, and Jon Hale.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Good morning everybody. Dick Gabrielle sitting in for the voice.
Tom is in New York City. Of course he'll call
the action tonight as the basketball Wildcats take on Michigan State.
You're gonna hear it right here on most of these
same UK Network stations. It is game night on two
different fronts UK basketball, men's basketball and women's basketball. And
of course this is quite the rivalry Kentucky and Michigan State.
(00:23):
When you think about it, the Wildcats and the Spartans
have met twenty six times. So we're gonna talk about
that tonight with some of our guests on the Leads
Report presented by Bobcat Enterprises. Larry Vatt of Sunday Morning
Sports Talk and Bought's Views will join us. Noah Searson
from LAX eighteen here in Lexington and BBN tonight left
(00:44):
for New York City a little bit early to put
together a feature story on mo Dia Bote and his
background in New York City. And then John Hale of
the Lexingdon Hero Leader will shift us over and we'll
talk from Kentucky football coming up in the next half hours.
So Wildcat News of the Day is presented by Giuseppes
of Lexington, and as we mentioned the Michigan State rivalry,
(01:07):
the Cats and the Spartans twenty six times they have
played Kentucky with a fourteen to twelve edge. And maybe
the most memorable game came back in nineteen seventy eight
because of what was at stake. Some of you may
not have been around for that game, but look it up.
It was a great game. It was the regional championship
played up in Dayton, Ohio. I was still in school.
(01:31):
I actually got a chance to broadcast that game on
the campus radio station back then WBKY. Of course everybody
listened to Kwood and watched it on TV. But what
a thrill from me and my broadcast partner as the
Wildcats beat Michigan State, which featured a freshman guard named
Irvin Magic Johnson, and the Cats won at just fifty
(01:52):
two to forty nine. I'm gonna talk to Larry Vaught
about that game because it was memorable. In five, another
memorable game that came in another NSA regional final. Unfortunately
for the Wildcats, Michigan State won this one, but Patrick
Sparks hit a three at the buzzer to send the
game to overtime. His foot was so close to the
(02:13):
line and it had to be a three in order
to tie it up, of course, and they looked at
that play for about it felt like five to ten
minutes before they finally decided his foot was not on
the line. The shot was good, but the wildcatchs couldn't
quite pull it off, went to doubt and the Cats
lost in ninety four to eighty eight. Twenty nineteen, second
(02:35):
rank Kentucky beat Michigan State. A freshman named Tyrese Maxi
sent al over to college basketball with twenty six points.
That's the team that was left out. Everybody was left
out of the nca Tournament because of COVID. It featured
Emmanuel Quickly. Nick Richards cal Perry was fund to say
that team would have won it. I don't know about that.
(02:56):
That team, I'm firmly in belief would have gone to
the final for what a great thing a bout the
end of the year. That team was playing so well
and Maxie was tremendous and has had a great pro
career so far. Same teams in the twenty twenty two
Champions Classic. Michigan State won that one. A guy named
Oscar shebwe twenty two points eighteen rebounds. So there have
(03:19):
been some great individual performances for the Wildcats or heading
back to New York. And there are a lot of
Wildcats who have hailed from New York City. This is
just some of them. Jamal Mashburn, Ashimu Evans, they were
from the Bronx, Ed Davender Dakari Johnson, Jacob Toppin, Ramel Bradley,
(03:41):
They're from Brooklyn. Ramel played his high school ball on
the West Side of New York, so he had to
commute to get to high school to Park West High School.
But never ever, ever let us forget that he was
from Brooklyn. Brought that up in almost every interview. We
all laughed about it after a certain point from the city.
(04:01):
From Manhattan, Andre Ridick, Doron Lamb both played for the
same school, Bishop Lachlan High School. Shigari Aleen played at
Rice High School. Talles Wildcat ever at seven foot three,
Hamadu Diallo was from Queens. Kobe Brea was from Washington Heights.
(04:21):
Steve Macielo from upstate White Plains, not too far from
the city. But probably the best known Wildcat from New
York was from Upstate. That would be mister or coach
pat Riley, who played for the Runs and of course
got to the championship game, went onto a pro career
(04:41):
as a player. He was a SOSO player, but then
became a coach of some renowned, a front office man
of some renowned and it is synonymous with championships in
the NBA. So that's the link between Kentucky and New
York City. UK women play tonight. They take on Purdue
seven o'clock at Historic Memorial Coliseum, the last home game
(05:03):
until December seventh, so fans are encouraged to turn out,
wear blue pack the coliseum tonight. They're gonna have a
bad giveaway at the entrances Wild Supplies Last. You get
a basketball having T shirt Wile Supplies Last. Students, by
the way, get the T shirts. Students can also win
a pair of Apple air pods and tickets to the
men's games against Indiana and North Carolina. Students also get
(05:27):
pomp pomps. It's teacher appreciation day, so you need to
know that going on. Go to we are UK at
uky dot edu for dis kound of tickets. Darren Hedtrick's
got the call on our sister station ninety eight point
five FM here in Lexington and in Louisville on seven
ninety am WKRD in Louisville. It's gonna be a good
(05:50):
one now. Look, parking is a challenge around the coliseum.
You've got the Cornerstone garage, the High Street lot, you've
got shuttles. But now and forever more, parking is going
to be a challenge at Memorial Coliseum. Catter five and
oh in the year three and oh in their building,
coming off a thirty two point win over Marshall on
Saturday on the road, by the way, and in fact,
(06:12):
back to back road games for the Wildcats. They won
at Marshall, at Buffalo they beat the Bison and the
Thundering Herd. How about that by at least thirty points
both games back to back for the first time in
twenty five seasons. They've held their last four straight opponents
to fewer than fifty points for the first time since
(06:32):
six and seven. Volleyball coming up, we're gonna talk to
Larry I bought about this as well. Cassie O'Brien, for
the fifth time SEC Freshman of the Week got to
be Freshman of the Year and helped the Wildcats to
a great weekend. They had to come back and beat
Oklahoma in a reverse sweep, dropped the first two to one,
the next three, and then they pounded Arkansas to wrap
(06:54):
up the SEC championship for the ninth consecutive year. They
are the outright champions and the first undefeated champion and
conference play since twenty eighteen. O'Brien fifty four assists against
Oklahoma on Friday night. That is a new career high,
followed up with thirty five assists Sunday. Of course, you
(07:16):
had five sets to do it on Friday, only needed
three sets on Sunday afternoon. Seventh double double. Wildcats at
the top seed in the All State SEC Volleyball Tournament
beginning Sunday at noon. When we come back. Larry Vaught
joined us here on the Leach Report. It is a
Leach Report brought to you by Bobcat Enterprises. Joining us
(07:36):
now is Larry Vaught, the veteran who has covered the Wildcats. Well, Larry,
Between the two of us, I think when you add
it all up, we've got about one hundred years on
the UK beat. How you doing today?
Speaker 2 (07:47):
I'm doing very well, my friends.
Speaker 1 (07:50):
I'm want to go in reverse order. I've talked basketball
and then volleyball, but you cover volleyball about as much
as I do. You're as passionate about the sport. What
is it about UK volleyball that you enjoyed so much?
Speaker 2 (08:02):
I think just the fun that the players have. It's
just very genuine out there. Of course they've been really
really good too, and you watch you win ie straight
SEC championships that happed. That helps an awful lot. But
I just think the camaraderie and the fun that they
have out there playing and it's just NonStop action. I
just think it's probably become my favorite sport.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
Craig Skinner just a remarkable job, A great hire by
Mitch Barnhart. More than twenty years ago, he hired a
talented young assistant. Barnhart's been known to do that. He
likes to hire really good assistance and give him a shot.
And this one paid off, didn't it?
Speaker 2 (08:38):
It sure did. I mean you just go back and
look at his record over this time, and of course
the last nine years is won the SEC championship every year,
But to look at the players he's developed, the wins
that he's had, I mean, there's no doubt, it's the
best program on campus. And that's not a knock on
any other program. It's just when you win straight SEC championships,
you really can't argue with that. And I don't know
(09:00):
if this has a change to be his best team,
because that national championship team were still really, really good.
But this team is really loaded, very very special, and
I think they're going to make a big postseason run.
Speaker 1 (09:13):
Yeah, the thing I think that sets those two part
and this one could win the Natty, But that one
had Maddie Skinner. She was like the secret sauce that
for that team and then of course transferred to Texas
won another national title. But this team is fully capable
of winning it. A couple of minutes up with Larry Vaughll,
let's talk quickly about the men's game tonight. Michigan State
(09:33):
minus Kentucky minus its point guard. Again, what does that
do looking ahead to the rest of the season, Larry
does does it put a black cloud over the Maybe
that's a little melodramatic, but what does that do for
the rest of the year.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
No, I think that's a very accurate description because you've
gone since the end of last year and as soon
as you got Jay Loewell, you're figuring you're going to
be playing one way, and that's one guy you're going
to pencil in there, probably for thirty minutes a game
at least in the any big game. Now you have
to shift Denzel Aberdeen, and that shifts somebody else in
the different roles. So if there's any blessing to it,
(10:09):
I guess it would be that it's happened so early.
It's going to give you time to adjust and decide
what you are going to do. But I think it's
a big, big blow because he was a guy who's
just kind of going to run the engine for you.
And now, I mean, I don't know whether they'll be
back or out again. He fell hurt the shoulder in June,
heard it again in October, heard it again in November.
It's got to be a decision. He's going to be
(10:30):
a little bit selfish, thinking maybe about what's best for
him and not what's just best for the team. And
see what happens.
Speaker 1 (10:38):
And there is a big football game coming up down
in Nashville, which is where you are right now. But
how great a challenge for Mark Stoops's team.
Speaker 2 (10:46):
I think Diego probably is a big challenge for any team.
So the weird thing is, Dick, I've been down here
for three days now and nowhere on TV, no where anything,
is there any red mentioned about Vanderbilt in Kentucky on Saturday.
I would have thought there had been a big crazy
for Vanderbilt football out here at all, But they're just
(11:06):
not a lot of attention or people mentioning or anything
like that. Maybe at amp Sepas the week goes on.
Maybe it's because Andy had the bye week. I don't know,
but I've been just a little bit of surprised, but
the lack of Vanderbilt football talk.
Speaker 1 (11:19):
Once they find out Larry Watson Town, I firmly believe
that will pick up. That is my belief. But we're
looking forward to your coverage and your comments on Sunday
Morning Sports Doc. Larry, Thanks so much. Have a great
time down there, Okay, Dick, And when we come back,
no Ah Series and from VbN tonight, l e X
eighteen will join us. We'll look ahead to the basketball
Cats in New York City that's coming up next on
(11:41):
the Leach Report. Welcome back to the Leach Report, Dick
Gabrieline for The Voice. He is in New York City,
where you will call the action tonight as the Wildcats
take on Michigan State. Join now on The Leach Report,
presented by Bob Kat Enterprises by the Way and Clark's
Pumping Shop Studio by no a series in of BBN.
Tonight eighteen went to New York a little bit early
(12:03):
to produce a feature on Mo Diabat in his background
in New York. Good morning Noah, Good morning Dick. How
you doing well? Thanks for joining us. I always feel guilty,
as I've told you before, I think about asking TV
people to join us early on the radio because generally
they work late nights. But I know you work around
the clock. And what was it like going up to
(12:24):
New York and doing a piece on a UK player
in his background? You know, way back in the day,
one of our people over at your competitor, Channel twenty
seven went up and did a piece on Rick Patino's
background in New York. Those are always fertile ground, aren't they.
Speaker 3 (12:40):
I don't think there's many things more unique than New
York City and basketball. I mean, you can go down
the list of alumni. I think headlining now with your
Koreems and doctor Jason. But it's so cool to see
where these guys started. And for Mo, you know, his
mom raised them in the Bronx went to school a
(13:02):
little bit and queens at John Bown High School where
I was yesterday, and it was just amazing to see
where he started, how far he's come, and what sort
of impact that he's been able to make at that school.
I was able to talk to one of his assistant coaches.
A couple other coaches just didn't make it in the
(13:25):
story last night. One of the stories they were telling
me is that there is a period where he might
have not even played basketball at that school. He just
kind of showed up to a game. All of the
coaches but he can't just show up, but they gave
him a shot. The varsity coach of that school just
so happened to be refereeing this middle school game saw
(13:46):
a young, lanky, talented, passionate dia bat and that set
him on the path to be able to go to
that school. Play Hoops eventually went to fund them science obviously,
no I was in Lexington.
Speaker 1 (14:03):
I love stories like that. Well, it's almost almost accidental greatness.
And when you think about you mentioned two of the
five Boroughs in New York. And I mentioned earlier in
the first segment all the Kentucky players and a lot
of great ones as you mentioned as well, coming from
New York and Ramel Bradley is from Brooklyn. Never let
us forget it, but had to get on a train
(14:24):
or a bus or both every day to go to
high school. Those kids go all over the five borough
maybe not Staten Island, but all over the borroughs to
play ball, to go to school. You got to really
be motivated to do that, don't you.
Speaker 3 (14:38):
And you really do. And it's something that the talent
is henrywhere in the city in terms of basketball. But
you know, like you mentioned, Dick, you really have to
make a concerted efforts to put yourself in the positions
to be seeing the right talent to develop, to be
getting in front of the right people. Obviously that's become
(15:02):
i would say more and for a complex over the
last decade with the advancement of a U circuits and
things like that. But it is amazing that you got
to go all over the place in.
Speaker 1 (15:13):
The New York.
Speaker 3 (15:14):
There's really one way to do it. You gotta hop
on a bus, you gotta hop on a subway. You
got to learn those routes like the back of your hands.
And it really I think in a lot of the
players that come out of New York City, even certainly
with Mo, creates a certain level of determination that shows
up in their games as well. I mean, I had
(15:38):
asked Robbie is one of Mo's longtime assistants who still
talk as lowards MO like as a kid, and he
told a story about the tournament they were in where
you know, he had one player who's the team MVP,
one player who's the player of the year that year,
but it was Mo who really won things to the greadiness,
getting those rebounds, down load, getting the steels, his innate
(16:00):
ability to make those impacts plays, which I think showcases
not only his talent as a player, but also his
upbringing and kind of where he's come from on his
path of basketball.
Speaker 1 (16:14):
A couple of minutes left in this segment with no series,
and on the other side of the bank, we'll resume
our conversation. But did you get the impression know that
these guys were surprised at how well Mo has done
or by the time he left them, did they feel
like he was ready to be an excellent D one player.
Speaker 3 (16:31):
I think Mo is somebody who I was under the
impression he did have quite the set. I mean, like
I mentioned, he kind of just showed up one day
and at first it's like, who is this guy? And
saw some younger pictures of Mo and he's a really skinny,
lengthy kid, which is funny to think about now because
I think you watch his game out and he is
(16:52):
such a older and as that group full strength, So
I think maybe before they knew him a little surprising,
but he was able to develop quickly and show why
he is a not only Division one talent, but now
at Kentucky he's a guy that's pursuing an NBA dream.
Speaker 1 (17:14):
Yeah, and he's a vital part of this team, which
has the big game tonight, of course in New York City,
and it's so great when the colleges get together up there.
I've been to Madison Square Garden many times. Have you
ever been there?
Speaker 3 (17:29):
I've been once. I went when I was at school
and so syracuseanvillman. We're playing the Jimmy d Classic, So yeah,
that's the other part of this is just Madison Square Garden.
It is such a special arena for the city for
basketball and for all these guys experiences and going back
(17:51):
to oh for him to be able to kind of
have this full circle experience.
Speaker 2 (17:55):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (17:55):
Yeah, we're talking to Noah's ears in with l e
X eighteen here and lexingon in tonight and of course
you can see that over in the Louis. We can
see that all over the state. And Noah put together
a feature of mo Dia Bate in his background in
New York City. And when we come back, we'll talk
about tonight's game and a little Kentucky football on the
Leach Report. Welcome back to the Leach Report. Dick Gabriel
(18:16):
sitting in for the voice. We're talking with Noah series
in BB and tonight ALYX eighteen went up to New
York and did a feature piece on Moda bat in
his background in New York City. All of course ahead
of the big game tonight with Michigan State. Uh, Noah,
Kentucky minus a point guard. We all know this. It's
going to be a challenge regardless, but we know about
(18:37):
the Wildcats. But we also know Michigan State has got
a guy who's averaging a double double. Jackson Cohler six
to nine power forward fourteen and thirteen, he's averaging third
most in the nation for rebounds and a point guard
averaging more than nine assists per game. How great a
challenge is this.
Speaker 3 (18:56):
I think any time you're playing Tom Is coach team,
it's going to be a really good barometer of where
you are in the season. I mean, it's Caul the
champions glastic for a reason. Michigan State is always there.
In the conversation you mentioned Kohler Cohen Carr obviously has
a lot of experience as well, And I think the
biggest thing with any Michigan State team is while they've
(19:21):
got plenty of talented guys, it's always a we watine mentality.
They play team basketball, they play good defense, they run
really good offensive sets. So I think that's going to
be a really interesting challenge for Kentucky to tackle into
the season, because sitting here on November eighteenth, I mean,
these teams are nowhere near where they will be come
(19:45):
late right March. But Michigan State always seems to kind
of have their DUTs in a row early in the
season and be firing at a good level.
Speaker 1 (19:55):
And a Lovell came out and just pop Kentucky in
the mouth over there in the Youngs Enter in Kentucky
did respond finally almost got it done, but you know
it was it was just too late. They really have
to avoid that tonight, don't they.
Speaker 3 (20:11):
Yeah, I think that's gonna be really key. I mean,
when you're sitting there in the under sixteen time out,
I think it's most important to just be there, be
in the game, especially when you're playing at Madison Square Garden.
A lot of these guys on the team haven't played there.
I mean some of them have that was here last year,
but a lot of them haven't. And when you first
(20:31):
step on the court, I think Malken Reno talks a
little bit about it yesterday. He's like, I don't know
what it's gonna feel like, and ton really out there,
I means a little bit of shock and awe. So
I think it's important to obviously enjoy the moment, but
you know, be there for those opening four the uses
are going to be flowing it. And that's kind of
a fun thing about the way this Kentucky schedule has
(20:54):
been built that even though last week might have been
disappointing for them, they've got a great opportunity need this
week they got the work there line of down the
road they got Getzaga, So it doesn't get much easier
if I'm here, it'd be interesting to see what strides
they were able to smat despite being banged up.
Speaker 1 (21:11):
As you mentioned, Yeah, we might point out that this
is exactly when Mark Pope wanted is and you've been
at the news conferences when he has talked about wanting
to expand the schedule and play tough teams. But yeah,
like you said, be careful what you wish for because
you need a full roster. And Jay Lollew is just
one man, but we're finding out how valuable he is
and we already knew.
Speaker 3 (21:32):
Right, Yeah, it's the pointyards to this shit. He cannot
be understated as a facilitator, running the offense, kee paying
things together, being the blue guy. But I think if
there is any sort of blessing and just guys gonna have,
of course you want Jalen low in there, but it's
(21:52):
going to force the developments of some other guys to
step into that role. Obviously, Denzel Aberdeen has really stepped
in there of plate, and Don's pretty tarred well as
a passer and a distributor. But I think the other
thing is, with the limited time that we saw Low play,
you obviously can score as well, and that can come
(22:15):
from literally anybody. So I think this is an opportunity
to playing a big game against a great team, against
a great program, and you know what, some call it
the world's greatest arena, but I think it's also a
great opportunity for anybody out there to kind of go
out there and did it, because the moment is there
(22:37):
for the taking, especially with Low banged up.
Speaker 1 (22:41):
Talking to Nosierzen for BBN tonight LAX eighteen about Kentucky
Michigan State coming up tonight in New York. No of
course went up and did a piece on Mo Diabate
and his New York City background, and Noah's got New
York background having attended Syracuse. And there is something about MSG, though,
is it there? I love just walking around the concourse
(23:02):
and seeing the photos and all arenas do this. You know,
Ruff's got it the Young Center, but the photos of
the great musical acts. Right outside the lobby at MSG
is the piano that Billy Joel used in a set
list for his concerts. There. There's just something about that place,
isn't there?
Speaker 3 (23:22):
I was gonna say, maybe my favorite piece of history
at MSG is actually Billy Joel consecutive shows and the
rafters and it's it's everywhere. It's incredible. Fans don't even
see all of it either. Actually in the bottels of
the stadium it has all of the famous boxing events
(23:43):
and concerts and pictures of everything that's han't been there.
It is fully sweet in sports history, and some of
the greatest sports moments have had to happen there and
been elevated there because of it. So anybody ever gets
a chance, I think the two best things about New
(24:03):
York City, in my humble opinion, MSG and the Bengels.
They tarry the champ. That's literally what I'm going to
do with Right when we're finished up, I'm dashing to
my favorite spot in town. That's ninety third and the stair.
It's called the Bagels Trap for people who are interested.
But MSG obviously iconic, and it'll be fun to see
(24:27):
the play there. It's like because it's also something that
no matter how many times you go, it truly did
not get right.
Speaker 1 (24:31):
I went last year to the game and took my
wife with me. We stayed about three blocks from the
garden and one block away from us was a bagel store.
I cannot remember the name of it, but Noah, people
lined up, I mean around the block to get believe
and half a block away was another bagels so we
walked right in and at great bagels. But yeah, it's
(24:52):
it's a great it's just a great experience. And my
late cousin lived on East eighty third Park on the
Upper East Side, and you know there was a great
bagel shop one block from from her place, So yeah,
I got a chance to experience that at a young age.
But you're right, there's there's a lot to like and uh,
and it's a great place to visit. You know, we
all like seeing it in the rearview mirror. Although when
(25:14):
I was young, I thought I could survive living up there.
It's I think it's a city for young people, but
it's a city for everybody. And no'sier's and spent a
lot of time there. Appreciate the hard work, my man,
and uh, go get your bagel and we'll we'll look
for your coverage.
Speaker 3 (25:29):
Well, do appreciate it, Dick, all right.
Speaker 1 (25:30):
Thanks so much. And you can follow Noah on x
or Twitter if you will. At in C I E.
R Z A N, and of course on Noah'siersan dot Com.
John Hale talks football next six thirty on UH it's
almost just beyond eight thirty. Here on the Leach Report,
Welcome back to the Leach Report. Dick Gabrielle, sitting in
(25:50):
for the Voice, who is up in New York City
getting ready for Kentucky basketball tonight. People also work Kentucky
football Saturday, when the Wildcats play Vanderbilt down on Thatshville.
John Hale, we'll cover that game as well for the
Herald Leader. He joins us now here on the Leech Report.
Good morning, John, Good morning Dick.
Speaker 2 (26:07):
How are you.
Speaker 1 (26:08):
I'm well before we talk about the Wildcats. I don't
know if you've seen this. I guess I'm guessing you
you have it broke yesterday evening, but Ole Miss apparently
has handed Lane Kiffin an ultimatum. As you know, people
have him going to LSU, they've got him going to Florida.
Here's a guy who was fired on the tarmac from
(26:31):
one of his jobs, and as I understand that that
was his choice, he was like, look, if you're gonna
fire me, do it now before I get on the plane.
Either way, it was bizarre and now it's not sudden,
but it hasn't taken too long. John before he's the
darling of college coaching, and this kind of thing is
not unusual, of course, being linked to job after job
(26:51):
if you're a hot coach. But John, I cannot remember
the last time I heard of school. Basically, I don't
know if this was public or leaked out. Giving a
coach and ultimatum it's happened before. But what do you
make of this?
Speaker 4 (27:06):
Yeah, I was confused because the Athletic story I think,
which is the first report I saw it says they're
giving me ultimatum, but it's also not exactly clear. What's
clear what the consequences are if he doesn't meet their
deadline by the end of the season. So does that
mean they're gonna They're gonna have somebody else coach in
the playoff? I mean, I guess that's a possibility. It
seems counterproductive though, if the point is to get him
(27:26):
to stay, to say well, you can't stay anymore, So
maybe that just means that they are pretty certain he's
gonna leave, and they just wanted to get over with
as soon as possible, and they have a playoff. They're
almost certainly going to be in the playoff, and they
don't want that to distract from the playoff run. And
then I guess we'll see from then if he sticks
with the team in the playoff or not. I would
(27:46):
assume he wants to. But but maybe it's a case
where they think that having a coordinator or an interim
coach would be better, less distracting than having a guy
who's definitely leaving for another program. So that will be
fascinating to watch last two weeks the season. It seems
like you was both at Florida and LSU visiting over
Sunday and Monday, getting to lay the land. So you
(28:09):
would think that this, based on the report yesterday, is
going to come to a conclusion pretty soon.
Speaker 1 (28:14):
So many of the experts have weighed in on this.
Of course you have to if you're on the air
and you're filling airtime and column inches and the internet
to speculate. But I have no idea where he's going.
Don't really care. But I find it interesting that so
many folks have said, and this was my first reaction,
you tell me what you think that in this day
and age now with a portal and nil and we
(28:36):
will get to that in Mark Stroops in just a minute,
that you conceivably could do at Ole miss what you
could only do at LSU and Florida in years gone by,
those were coveted jobs because of the recruiting bases. And
now your recruiting base is as broad as your bank account,
isn't it.
Speaker 4 (28:58):
Yeah, it's it's interesting because you know, the resources can
be an equalizer for programs who aren't necessarily those historic powerhouses.
But it also you know, if everybody's operating with similar budgets,
which theoretically is the point of revenue sharing, I think
we're all skeptical that that's actually going to happen. Then
I think some of those traditional places are still going
to have advantages, Like for a program like Kentucky, even
(29:20):
if you have the same budget as Alabama or LSU
or whatever, if the player is getting the same money,
he's probably going to go to the place that you
know he thinks he can complete for a national championship,
and so those things will still be there, And certainly
I think there's less variance year to year at those
programs because you have that natural recruiting base to fall
back on, even guys who don't know command huge in
(29:40):
eyel deals. So I'm sure that's part of his thinking.
But it will be you know, it does seem like,
you know, maybe ten years ago, it will be certain
that he was leaving. But the current rule set up
makes it, you know, gives I'll Miss at least a
fighting chance to keep him well.
Speaker 1 (29:54):
I mentioned Mark Stoops, and he, of course remember the
media as he always does. On Monday, talked about Diego
Pop more than once, talked about the Wildcats. But toward
the end we kind of got him talking about the
portal and Nil I don't remember exactly what led to
it kind of made it. The PR people a little nervous.
They were shifting in their seats. But Stoop handles himself
(30:15):
well in situations like that, and he wasn't. As he
pointed out repeatedly, I'm not whining. I'm just saying, here's
where we are. But he's a lot more comfortable now
that there are some guardrails in place, and he's more
comfortable now simply because his team is winning. You know, boy,
a month ago, John, you know how quickly things that
(30:37):
were not quickly it's taken about a month, but his
team has won three straight and it just seems like
he's in reinvigorated or have I have I got that right?
Speaker 3 (30:46):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (30:46):
His his vibes in these press conference have been totally different. Really,
you know, since I just thinking about how defiant he
was after the Georgia loss about you know.
Speaker 3 (30:54):
I'm not walking away, I'm not doing anything.
Speaker 4 (30:55):
Right after that Texas game, it was so so deflating.
He felt he resigned. It felt like, Okay, this is
coming to an end. And then they've won some games,
and you know, I think he feels pretty vindicated. And
all the stuff he was talking about in terms of
them getting better and showing progress behind the scenes, that's
translating into wins. I think we all know that if
they lose these last two games, it's going to kind
of flip the other way very quickly, back to where
(31:18):
it was. The nil stuff was fascinating history because he
kind of brought it up himself. He was taught, he
got asked something about it, but then he said, you know,
while we're on the subject, you know, I know there's
this perception that I'm you know, complaining about it. I oh,
I don't like it. That's not the case. I want
the players to be played and all that, and so
it's just fascinating to kind of figure out and read
between the lines what his motivation for bringing it up
(31:38):
and then talking about it as long as he did were.
I mean, it could be, you know, he he is
the simplest explanations. He's just getting ready to go fund
a new roster and figure out what they're going to
do in the portal and retaining players, and that's all important.
If you want to be a little more cynical or skeptical,
you could think if he's in the running for other jobs,
he wants to make sure it's known publicly that regardless
(31:58):
of what he said in the past, he embraced this
system and is ready to take make the most of it.
And so there could be a number of motivations out there,
but it certainly was kind of out of place for
him to bring it up. And then you're right, one
of the pr people tried to cut it off at
one point. He said no, no, no, we're fine, and he
kept going. And so that was fascinating. He felt very
(32:18):
comfortable yesterday, Yeah, and.
Speaker 1 (32:20):
I was really it was entertaining. I was fascinated by
what he was saying, and yeah, he was in good
spirits as well. He should be because his team's winning.
And I do think back John, and how often you do.
But the Old Miss game, you know, they have a
lead in the third quarter, they let Texas get away.
As Stuke's pointed out back then, how well they played.
And you know, it's tough to play well against these teams.
(32:42):
How many other teams are going to play well against
these ball clubs and the answer has been not many.
But he all the time insisted we're a better team
this year. We're getting better, and now we're seeing that
payoff from what you've seen, you've seen and where you sit,
how has this happened?
Speaker 4 (33:02):
Yeah, I mean I think it starts with obviously Cutter
Bowlie and the improvements he's made individually, just the progress
from playing and gaining that experience. But they've also changed
the offense a lot since that South Carolina game. They
look like a completely different offense in terms of what
they're running and you know, throwing it as much as
they are and getting it out quick and all those
things that changed the short yardage package after Texas, like Bushampton,
(33:22):
I think deserves a lot of credit for the tweaks
they've made, yes and then building around what Cutter does
well because he's not a finished product yet and we
see those mistakes pop up every so often. But I
think I think it was after the Florida game, Bush
told us he said, basically, we've been calling it aggressively
the last few weeks, and like part of that is
acknowledging like bad things are going to happen. He's going
to throw an interception, he's going to fumble it or
(33:43):
something every so often. But because of the improvements they've made,
they can overcome those mistakes and just accepting, like, you know,
if something bad happens, we're not going to you know,
go in a hole and change the strategy just because
of a mistake. And I think it's been you know,
it's been really key to them to stay aggressive and
that's helped a lot.
Speaker 1 (34:01):
Yeah, I agree. I think when they abandon the deep
drops and the deep throws because the line was having
a hard time protecting. That's another big thing, John I
got about thirty seconds, but that old line has finally meshed,
and in every interview that every one of us did
with old lineman. How you guys gonna pull together so quickly?
They finally got it done, and it's made a huge difference,
(34:22):
hasn't it.
Speaker 4 (34:22):
Yeah, And they've had great injury look there, I mean
basically the same five we've played every importance snapball season,
and so I think that's been huge to their progress too.
Speaker 1 (34:30):
Yeah, and again credit where credit is due, because that's
not easy when you're putting together an O line in
a matter of weeks and months as opposed to two
to three years. John haleo the Hero Leader, look for
his coverage of Kentucky Vandy. John, thank you so much,
and we'll see you on the road.
Speaker 4 (34:45):
Thanks for having me.
Speaker 1 (34:47):
Well, come back and wrap up this edition of the
Leach Report. Thanks again to our guests Noah's Ears and
Larry Vaught. John Hale. Let's Day in UK History presented
by Kentucky road Show, Sports Cards, Memorabilia and lexingdon learn
more about them at roadshowcards dot com. And on this
day in nineteen ninety five, the Tennessee Volunteers came to town.
(35:09):
They had a young quarterback named Peyton Manning. You might
have heard of him. Kentucky had a quarterback named Billy
Jack Haskins, and he had his best game ever as
a Kentucky Wildcat. And this is a guy, of course,
who eventually gave way to Tim Callich a year later,
but Billy Jack became kind of a folk hero with
the effort he turned in against Tennessee volunteers came up
(35:30):
the Kentucky came up just short against the balls with
a late fumble, but lost that one thirty four to
thirty one. There's a really nice video clip out there
of Billy Jack running for a forty seven yard touchdown
on an option run, and if you look closely, like
so many plays like that, there's a little bit of
luck because two defenders were converging on Billy Jack and
(35:53):
they collided and he hopped over a down lineman and
ran off for the touchdown for his forty seven yard
TV run. Billy was eleven of nineteen that day for
one hundred and sixty nine yards. He was sacked five times.
Now Peyton Manning through forty one times, completed twenty three
(36:15):
for two seventy two only two touchdowns. Kentucky picked him
off once, but he did have a seventy yard touchdown
pass Manning was not sacked at all. And when you
look at the stats, it's pretty well. First of all,
we talk about the quarterbacks, but Jay Graham of Tennessee
ran at twenty six times for one forty seven. Moe
(36:36):
Williams of Kentucky was a freshman ran it, No, he
was a junior, ran it thirty times for one fifty
one and three touchdowns with a long of fifty two yards.
That was the year that Moe led the league in
rushing with exactly sixteen hundred yards. That's still the Kentucky
single season record. So it was a ground game as
(36:59):
well as an game. But again you go back and
look at the defensive stats for the Wildcats. The top
three tacklers were defensive backs trying to chase down Tennessee
receivers Reggie Rusk, Lehman Boyd, and Lyttleton Ward. They combined
for twenty four tackles including I'm sorry, twenty eight tackles
(37:23):
including four I'm getting it wrong here, including twenty four
solo tackles out there in the secondary trying to stop
those Tennessee receivers. So it was a great game. It
was a heartbreaker. Looked like the Wildcats were gonna pull
the upset but came just short. On this day in history,
Kentucky Basketball Tonight, men and women. Check it out here
(37:44):
on most of these same stations for Shannon, thanks so much.
Stay tuned for billyon the Dude next Solong. Everybody,
Good morning everybody. Dick Gabrielle sitting in for the voice.
Tom is in New York City. Of course he'll call
the action tonight as the basketball Wildcats take on Michigan State.
You're gonna hear it right here on most of these
same UK Network stations. It is game night on two
different fronts UK basketball, men's basketball and women's basketball. And
of course this is quite the rivalry Kentucky and Michigan State.
(00:23):
When you think about it, the Wildcats and the Spartans
have met twenty six times. So we're gonna talk about
that tonight with some of our guests on the Leads
Report presented by Bobcat Enterprises. Larry Vatt of Sunday Morning
Sports Talk and Bought's Views will join us. Noah Searson
from LAX eighteen here in Lexington and BBN tonight left
(00:44):
for New York City a little bit early to put
together a feature story on mo Dia Bote and his
background in New York City. And then John Hale of
the Lexingdon Hero Leader will shift us over and we'll
talk from Kentucky football coming up in the next half hours.
So Wildcat News of the Day is presented by Giuseppes
of Lexington, and as we mentioned the Michigan State rivalry,
(01:07):
the Cats and the Spartans twenty six times they have
played Kentucky with a fourteen to twelve edge. And maybe
the most memorable game came back in nineteen seventy eight
because of what was at stake. Some of you may
not have been around for that game, but look it up.
It was a great game. It was the regional championship
played up in Dayton, Ohio. I was still in school.
(01:31):
I actually got a chance to broadcast that game on
the campus radio station back then WBKY. Of course everybody
listened to Kwood and watched it on TV. But what
a thrill from me and my broadcast partner as the
Wildcats beat Michigan State, which featured a freshman guard named
Irvin Magic Johnson, and the Cats won at just fifty
(01:52):
two to forty nine. I'm gonna talk to Larry Vaught
about that game because it was memorable. In five, another
memorable game that came in another NSA regional final. Unfortunately
for the Wildcats, Michigan State won this one, but Patrick
Sparks hit a three at the buzzer to send the
game to overtime. His foot was so close to the
(02:13):
line and it had to be a three in order
to tie it up, of course, and they looked at
that play for about it felt like five to ten
minutes before they finally decided his foot was not on
the line. The shot was good, but the wildcatchs couldn't
quite pull it off, went to doubt and the Cats
lost in ninety four to eighty eight. Twenty nineteen, second
(02:35):
rank Kentucky beat Michigan State. A freshman named Tyrese Maxi
sent al over to college basketball with twenty six points.
That's the team that was left out. Everybody was left
out of the nca Tournament because of COVID. It featured
Emmanuel Quickly. Nick Richards cal Perry was fund to say
that team would have won it. I don't know about that.
(02:56):
That team, I'm firmly in belief would have gone to
the final for what a great thing a bout the
end of the year. That team was playing so well
and Maxie was tremendous and has had a great pro
career so far. Same teams in the twenty twenty two
Champions Classic. Michigan State won that one. A guy named
Oscar shebwe twenty two points eighteen rebounds. So there have
(03:19):
been some great individual performances for the Wildcats or heading
back to New York. And there are a lot of
Wildcats who have hailed from New York City. This is
just some of them. Jamal Mashburn, Ashimu Evans, they were
from the Bronx, Ed Davender Dakari Johnson, Jacob Toppin, Ramel Bradley,
(03:41):
They're from Brooklyn. Ramel played his high school ball on
the West Side of New York, so he had to
commute to get to high school to Park West High School.
But never ever, ever let us forget that he was
from Brooklyn. Brought that up in almost every interview. We
all laughed about it after a certain point from the city.
(04:01):
From Manhattan, Andre Ridick, Doron Lamb both played for the
same school, Bishop Lachlan High School. Shigari Aleen played at
Rice High School. Talles Wildcat ever at seven foot three,
Hamadu Diallo was from Queens. Kobe Brea was from Washington Heights.
(04:21):
Steve Macielo from upstate White Plains, not too far from
the city. But probably the best known Wildcat from New
York was from Upstate. That would be mister or coach
pat Riley, who played for the Runs and of course
got to the championship game, went onto a pro career
(04:41):
as a player. He was a SOSO player, but then
became a coach of some renowned, a front office man
of some renowned and it is synonymous with championships in
the NBA. So that's the link between Kentucky and New
York City. UK women play tonight. They take on Purdue
seven o'clock at Historic Memorial Coliseum, the last home game
(05:03):
until December seventh, so fans are encouraged to turn out,
wear blue pack the coliseum tonight. They're gonna have a
bad giveaway at the entrances Wild Supplies Last. You get
a basketball having T shirt Wile Supplies Last. Students, by
the way, get the T shirts. Students can also win
a pair of Apple air pods and tickets to the
men's games against Indiana and North Carolina. Students also get
(05:27):
pomp pomps. It's teacher appreciation day, so you need to
know that going on. Go to we are UK at
uky dot edu for dis kound of tickets. Darren Hedtrick's
got the call on our sister station ninety eight point
five FM here in Lexington and in Louisville on seven
ninety am WKRD in Louisville. It's gonna be a good
(05:50):
one now. Look, parking is a challenge around the coliseum.
You've got the Cornerstone garage, the High Street lot, you've
got shuttles. But now and forever more, parking is going
to be a challenge at Memorial Coliseum. Catter five and
oh in the year three and oh in their building,
coming off a thirty two point win over Marshall on
Saturday on the road, by the way, and in fact,
(06:12):
back to back road games for the Wildcats. They won
at Marshall, at Buffalo they beat the Bison and the
Thundering Herd. How about that by at least thirty points
both games back to back for the first time in
twenty five seasons. They've held their last four straight opponents
to fewer than fifty points for the first time since
(06:32):
six and seven. Volleyball coming up, we're gonna talk to
Larry I bought about this as well. Cassie O'Brien, for
the fifth time SEC Freshman of the Week got to
be Freshman of the Year and helped the Wildcats to
a great weekend. They had to come back and beat
Oklahoma in a reverse sweep, dropped the first two to one,
the next three, and then they pounded Arkansas to wrap
(06:54):
up the SEC championship for the ninth consecutive year. They
are the outright champions and the first undefeated champion and
conference play since twenty eighteen. O'Brien fifty four assists against
Oklahoma on Friday night. That is a new career high,
followed up with thirty five assists Sunday. Of course, you
(07:16):
had five sets to do it on Friday, only needed
three sets on Sunday afternoon. Seventh double double. Wildcats at
the top seed in the All State SEC Volleyball Tournament
beginning Sunday at noon. When we come back. Larry Vaught
joined us here on the Leach Report. It is a
Leach Report brought to you by Bobcat Enterprises. Joining us
(07:36):
now is Larry Vaught, the veteran who has covered the Wildcats. Well, Larry,
Between the two of us, I think when you add
it all up, we've got about one hundred years on
the UK beat. How you doing today?
Speaker 2 (07:47):
I'm doing very well, my friends.
Speaker 1 (07:50):
I'm want to go in reverse order. I've talked basketball
and then volleyball, but you cover volleyball about as much
as I do. You're as passionate about the sport. What
is it about UK volleyball that you enjoyed so much?
Speaker 2 (08:02):
I think just the fun that the players have. It's
just very genuine out there. Of course they've been really
really good too, and you watch you win ie straight
SEC championships that happed. That helps an awful lot. But
I just think the camaraderie and the fun that they
have out there playing and it's just NonStop action. I
just think it's probably become my favorite sport.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
Craig Skinner just a remarkable job, A great hire by
Mitch Barnhart. More than twenty years ago, he hired a
talented young assistant. Barnhart's been known to do that. He
likes to hire really good assistance and give him a shot.
And this one paid off, didn't it?
Speaker 2 (08:38):
It sure did. I mean you just go back and
look at his record over this time, and of course
the last nine years is won the SEC championship every year,
But to look at the players he's developed, the wins
that he's had, I mean, there's no doubt, it's the
best program on campus. And that's not a knock on
any other program. It's just when you win straight SEC championships,
you really can't argue with that. And I don't know
(09:00):
if this has a change to be his best team,
because that national championship team were still really, really good.
But this team is really loaded, very very special, and
I think they're going to make a big postseason run.
Speaker 1 (09:13):
Yeah, the thing I think that sets those two part
and this one could win the Natty, But that one
had Maddie Skinner. She was like the secret sauce that
for that team and then of course transferred to Texas
won another national title. But this team is fully capable
of winning it. A couple of minutes up with Larry Vaughll,
let's talk quickly about the men's game tonight. Michigan State
(09:33):
minus Kentucky minus its point guard. Again, what does that
do looking ahead to the rest of the season, Larry
does does it put a black cloud over the Maybe
that's a little melodramatic, but what does that do for
the rest of the year.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
No, I think that's a very accurate description because you've
gone since the end of last year and as soon
as you got Jay Loewell, you're figuring you're going to
be playing one way, and that's one guy you're going
to pencil in there, probably for thirty minutes a game
at least in the any big game. Now you have
to shift Denzel Aberdeen, and that shifts somebody else in
the different roles. So if there's any blessing to it,
(10:09):
I guess it would be that it's happened so early.
It's going to give you time to adjust and decide
what you are going to do. But I think it's
a big, big blow because he was a guy who's
just kind of going to run the engine for you.
And now, I mean, I don't know whether they'll be
back or out again. He fell hurt the shoulder in June,
heard it again in October, heard it again in November.
It's got to be a decision. He's going to be
(10:30):
a little bit selfish, thinking maybe about what's best for
him and not what's just best for the team. And
see what happens.
Speaker 1 (10:38):
And there is a big football game coming up down
in Nashville, which is where you are right now. But
how great a challenge for Mark Stoops's team.
Speaker 2 (10:46):
I think Diego probably is a big challenge for any team.
So the weird thing is, Dick, I've been down here
for three days now and nowhere on TV, no where anything,
is there any red mentioned about Vanderbilt in Kentucky on Saturday.
I would have thought there had been a big crazy
for Vanderbilt football out here at all, But they're just
(11:06):
not a lot of attention or people mentioning or anything
like that. Maybe at amp Sepas the week goes on.
Maybe it's because Andy had the bye week. I don't know,
but I've been just a little bit of surprised, but
the lack of Vanderbilt football talk.
Speaker 1 (11:19):
Once they find out Larry Watson Town, I firmly believe
that will pick up. That is my belief. But we're
looking forward to your coverage and your comments on Sunday
Morning Sports Doc. Larry, Thanks so much. Have a great
time down there, Okay, Dick, And when we come back,
no Ah Series and from VbN tonight, l e X
eighteen will join us. We'll look ahead to the basketball
Cats in New York City that's coming up next on
(11:41):
the Leach Report. Welcome back to the Leach Report, Dick
Gabrieline for The Voice. He is in New York City,
where you will call the action tonight as the Wildcats
take on Michigan State. Join now on The Leach Report,
presented by Bob Kat Enterprises by the Way and Clark's
Pumping Shop Studio by no a series in of BBN.
Tonight eighteen went to New York a little bit early
(12:03):
to produce a feature on Mo Diabat in his background
in New York. Good morning Noah, Good morning Dick. How
you doing well? Thanks for joining us. I always feel guilty,
as I've told you before, I think about asking TV
people to join us early on the radio because generally
they work late nights. But I know you work around
the clock. And what was it like going up to
(12:24):
New York and doing a piece on a UK player
in his background? You know, way back in the day,
one of our people over at your competitor, Channel twenty
seven went up and did a piece on Rick Patino's
background in New York. Those are always fertile ground, aren't they.
Speaker 3 (12:40):
I don't think there's many things more unique than New
York City and basketball. I mean, you can go down
the list of alumni. I think headlining now with your
Koreems and doctor Jason. But it's so cool to see
where these guys started. And for Mo, you know, his
mom raised them in the Bronx went to school a
(13:02):
little bit and queens at John Bown High School where
I was yesterday, and it was just amazing to see
where he started, how far he's come, and what sort
of impact that he's been able to make at that school.
I was able to talk to one of his assistant coaches.
A couple other coaches just didn't make it in the
(13:25):
story last night. One of the stories they were telling
me is that there is a period where he might
have not even played basketball at that school. He just
kind of showed up to a game. All of the
coaches but he can't just show up, but they gave
him a shot. The varsity coach of that school just
so happened to be refereeing this middle school game saw
(13:46):
a young, lanky, talented, passionate dia bat and that set
him on the path to be able to go to
that school. Play Hoops eventually went to fund them science obviously,
no I was in Lexington.
Speaker 1 (14:03):
I love stories like that. Well, it's almost almost accidental greatness.
And when you think about you mentioned two of the
five Boroughs in New York. And I mentioned earlier in
the first segment all the Kentucky players and a lot
of great ones as you mentioned as well, coming from
New York and Ramel Bradley is from Brooklyn. Never let
us forget it, but had to get on a train
(14:24):
or a bus or both every day to go to
high school. Those kids go all over the five borough
maybe not Staten Island, but all over the borroughs to
play ball, to go to school. You got to really
be motivated to do that, don't you.
Speaker 3 (14:38):
And you really do. And it's something that the talent
is henrywhere in the city in terms of basketball. But
you know, like you mentioned, Dick, you really have to
make a concerted efforts to put yourself in the positions
to be seeing the right talent to develop, to be
getting in front of the right people. Obviously that's become
(15:02):
i would say more and for a complex over the
last decade with the advancement of a U circuits and
things like that. But it is amazing that you got
to go all over the place in.
Speaker 1 (15:13):
The New York.
Speaker 3 (15:14):
There's really one way to do it. You gotta hop
on a bus, you gotta hop on a subway. You
got to learn those routes like the back of your hands.
And it really I think in a lot of the
players that come out of New York City, even certainly
with Mo, creates a certain level of determination that shows
up in their games as well. I mean, I had
(15:38):
asked Robbie is one of Mo's longtime assistants who still
talk as lowards MO like as a kid, and he
told a story about the tournament they were in where
you know, he had one player who's the team MVP,
one player who's the player of the year that year,
but it was Mo who really won things to the greadiness,
getting those rebounds, down load, getting the steels, his innate
(16:00):
ability to make those impacts plays, which I think showcases
not only his talent as a player, but also his
upbringing and kind of where he's come from on his
path of basketball.
Speaker 1 (16:14):
A couple of minutes left in this segment with no series,
and on the other side of the bank, we'll resume
our conversation. But did you get the impression know that
these guys were surprised at how well Mo has done
or by the time he left them, did they feel
like he was ready to be an excellent D one player.
Speaker 3 (16:31):
I think Mo is somebody who I was under the
impression he did have quite the set. I mean, like
I mentioned, he kind of just showed up one day
and at first it's like, who is this guy? And
saw some younger pictures of Mo and he's a really skinny,
lengthy kid, which is funny to think about now because
I think you watch his game out and he is
(16:52):
such a older and as that group full strength, So
I think maybe before they knew him a little surprising,
but he was able to develop quickly and show why
he is a not only Division one talent, but now
at Kentucky he's a guy that's pursuing an NBA dream.
Speaker 1 (17:14):
Yeah, and he's a vital part of this team, which
has the big game tonight, of course in New York City,
and it's so great when the colleges get together up there.
I've been to Madison Square Garden many times. Have you
ever been there?
Speaker 3 (17:29):
I've been once. I went when I was at school
and so syracuseanvillman. We're playing the Jimmy d Classic, So yeah,
that's the other part of this is just Madison Square Garden.
It is such a special arena for the city for
basketball and for all these guys experiences and going back
(17:51):
to oh for him to be able to kind of
have this full circle experience.
Speaker 2 (17:55):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (17:55):
Yeah, we're talking to Noah's ears in with l e
X eighteen here and lexingon in tonight and of course
you can see that over in the Louis. We can
see that all over the state. And Noah put together
a feature of mo Dia Bate in his background in
New York City. And when we come back, we'll talk
about tonight's game and a little Kentucky football on the
Leach Report. Welcome back to the Leach Report. Dick Gabriel
(18:16):
sitting in for the voice. We're talking with Noah series
in BB and tonight ALYX eighteen went up to New
York and did a feature piece on Moda bat in
his background in New York City. All of course ahead
of the big game tonight with Michigan State. Uh, Noah,
Kentucky minus a point guard. We all know this. It's
going to be a challenge regardless, but we know about
(18:37):
the Wildcats. But we also know Michigan State has got
a guy who's averaging a double double. Jackson Cohler six
to nine power forward fourteen and thirteen, he's averaging third
most in the nation for rebounds and a point guard
averaging more than nine assists per game. How great a
challenge is this.
Speaker 3 (18:56):
I think any time you're playing Tom Is coach team,
it's going to be a really good barometer of where
you are in the season. I mean, it's Caul the
champions glastic for a reason. Michigan State is always there.
In the conversation you mentioned Kohler Cohen Carr obviously has
a lot of experience as well, And I think the
biggest thing with any Michigan State team is while they've
(19:21):
got plenty of talented guys, it's always a we watine mentality.
They play team basketball, they play good defense, they run
really good offensive sets. So I think that's going to
be a really interesting challenge for Kentucky to tackle into
the season, because sitting here on November eighteenth, I mean,
these teams are nowhere near where they will be come
(19:45):
late right March. But Michigan State always seems to kind
of have their DUTs in a row early in the
season and be firing at a good level.
Speaker 1 (19:55):
And a Lovell came out and just pop Kentucky in
the mouth over there in the Youngs Enter in Kentucky
did respond finally almost got it done, but you know
it was it was just too late. They really have
to avoid that tonight, don't they.
Speaker 3 (20:11):
Yeah, I think that's gonna be really key. I mean,
when you're sitting there in the under sixteen time out,
I think it's most important to just be there, be
in the game, especially when you're playing at Madison Square Garden.
A lot of these guys on the team haven't played there.
I mean some of them have that was here last year,
but a lot of them haven't. And when you first
(20:31):
step on the court, I think Malken Reno talks a
little bit about it yesterday. He's like, I don't know
what it's gonna feel like, and ton really out there,
I means a little bit of shock and awe. So
I think it's important to obviously enjoy the moment, but
you know, be there for those opening four the uses
are going to be flowing it. And that's kind of
a fun thing about the way this Kentucky schedule has
(20:54):
been built that even though last week might have been
disappointing for them, they've got a great opportunity need this
week they got the work there line of down the
road they got Getzaga, So it doesn't get much easier
if I'm here, it'd be interesting to see what strides
they were able to smat despite being banged up.
Speaker 1 (21:11):
As you mentioned, Yeah, we might point out that this
is exactly when Mark Pope wanted is and you've been
at the news conferences when he has talked about wanting
to expand the schedule and play tough teams. But yeah,
like you said, be careful what you wish for because
you need a full roster. And Jay Lollew is just
one man, but we're finding out how valuable he is
and we already knew.
Speaker 3 (21:32):
Right, Yeah, it's the pointyards to this shit. He cannot
be understated as a facilitator, running the offense, kee paying
things together, being the blue guy. But I think if
there is any sort of blessing and just guys gonna have,
of course you want Jalen low in there, but it's
(21:52):
going to force the developments of some other guys to
step into that role. Obviously, Denzel Aberdeen has really stepped
in there of plate, and Don's pretty tarred well as
a passer and a distributor. But I think the other
thing is, with the limited time that we saw Low play,
you obviously can score as well, and that can come
(22:15):
from literally anybody. So I think this is an opportunity
to playing a big game against a great team, against
a great program, and you know what, some call it
the world's greatest arena, but I think it's also a
great opportunity for anybody out there to kind of go
out there and did it, because the moment is there
(22:37):
for the taking, especially with Low banged up.
Speaker 1 (22:41):
Talking to Nosierzen for BBN tonight LAX eighteen about Kentucky
Michigan State coming up tonight in New York. No of
course went up and did a piece on Mo Diabate
and his New York City background, and Noah's got New
York background having attended Syracuse. And there is something about MSG, though,
is it there? I love just walking around the concourse
(23:02):
and seeing the photos and all arenas do this. You know,
Ruff's got it the Young Center, but the photos of
the great musical acts. Right outside the lobby at MSG
is the piano that Billy Joel used in a set
list for his concerts. There. There's just something about that place,
isn't there?
Speaker 3 (23:22):
I was gonna say, maybe my favorite piece of history
at MSG is actually Billy Joel consecutive shows and the
rafters and it's it's everywhere. It's incredible. Fans don't even
see all of it either. Actually in the bottels of
the stadium it has all of the famous boxing events
(23:43):
and concerts and pictures of everything that's han't been there.
It is fully sweet in sports history, and some of
the greatest sports moments have had to happen there and
been elevated there because of it. So anybody ever gets
a chance, I think the two best things about New
(24:03):
York City, in my humble opinion, MSG and the Bengels.
They tarry the champ. That's literally what I'm going to
do with Right when we're finished up, I'm dashing to
my favorite spot in town. That's ninety third and the stair.
It's called the Bagels Trap for people who are interested.
But MSG obviously iconic, and it'll be fun to see
(24:27):
the play there. It's like because it's also something that
no matter how many times you go, it truly did
not get right.
Speaker 1 (24:31):
I went last year to the game and took my
wife with me. We stayed about three blocks from the
garden and one block away from us was a bagel store.
I cannot remember the name of it, but Noah, people
lined up, I mean around the block to get believe
and half a block away was another bagels so we
walked right in and at great bagels. But yeah, it's
(24:52):
it's a great it's just a great experience. And my
late cousin lived on East eighty third Park on the
Upper East Side, and you know there was a great
bagel shop one block from from her place, So yeah,
I got a chance to experience that at a young age.
But you're right, there's there's a lot to like and uh,
and it's a great place to visit. You know, we
all like seeing it in the rearview mirror. Although when
(25:14):
I was young, I thought I could survive living up there.
It's I think it's a city for young people, but
it's a city for everybody. And no'sier's and spent a
lot of time there. Appreciate the hard work, my man,
and uh, go get your bagel and we'll we'll look
for your coverage.
Speaker 3 (25:29):
Well, do appreciate it, Dick, all right.
Speaker 1 (25:30):
Thanks so much. And you can follow Noah on x
or Twitter if you will. At in C I E.
R Z A N, and of course on Noah'siersan dot Com.
John Hale talks football next six thirty on UH it's
almost just beyond eight thirty. Here on the Leach Report,
Welcome back to the Leach Report. Dick Gabrielle, sitting in
(25:50):
for the Voice, who is up in New York City
getting ready for Kentucky basketball tonight. People also work Kentucky
football Saturday, when the Wildcats play Vanderbilt down on Thatshville.
John Hale, we'll cover that game as well for the
Herald Leader. He joins us now here on the Leech Report.
Good morning, John, Good morning Dick.
Speaker 2 (26:07):
How are you.
Speaker 1 (26:08):
I'm well before we talk about the Wildcats. I don't
know if you've seen this. I guess I'm guessing you
you have it broke yesterday evening, but Ole Miss apparently
has handed Lane Kiffin an ultimatum. As you know, people
have him going to LSU, they've got him going to Florida.
Here's a guy who was fired on the tarmac from
(26:31):
one of his jobs, and as I understand that that
was his choice, he was like, look, if you're gonna
fire me, do it now before I get on the plane.
Either way, it was bizarre and now it's not sudden,
but it hasn't taken too long. John before he's the
darling of college coaching, and this kind of thing is
not unusual, of course, being linked to job after job
(26:51):
if you're a hot coach. But John, I cannot remember
the last time I heard of school. Basically, I don't
know if this was public or leaked out. Giving a
coach and ultimatum it's happened before. But what do you
make of this?
Speaker 4 (27:06):
Yeah, I was confused because the Athletic story I think,
which is the first report I saw it says they're
giving me ultimatum, but it's also not exactly clear. What's
clear what the consequences are if he doesn't meet their
deadline by the end of the season. So does that
mean they're gonna They're gonna have somebody else coach in
the playoff? I mean, I guess that's a possibility. It
seems counterproductive though, if the point is to get him
(27:26):
to stay, to say well, you can't stay anymore, So
maybe that just means that they are pretty certain he's
gonna leave, and they just wanted to get over with
as soon as possible, and they have a playoff. They're
almost certainly going to be in the playoff, and they
don't want that to distract from the playoff run. And
then I guess we'll see from then if he sticks
with the team in the playoff or not. I would
(27:46):
assume he wants to. But but maybe it's a case
where they think that having a coordinator or an interim
coach would be better, less distracting than having a guy
who's definitely leaving for another program. So that will be
fascinating to watch last two weeks the season. It seems
like you was both at Florida and LSU visiting over
Sunday and Monday, getting to lay the land. So you
(28:09):
would think that this, based on the report yesterday, is
going to come to a conclusion pretty soon.
Speaker 1 (28:14):
So many of the experts have weighed in on this.
Of course you have to if you're on the air
and you're filling airtime and column inches and the internet
to speculate. But I have no idea where he's going.
Don't really care. But I find it interesting that so
many folks have said, and this was my first reaction,
you tell me what you think that in this day
and age now with a portal and nil and we
(28:36):
will get to that in Mark Stroops in just a minute,
that you conceivably could do at Ole miss what you
could only do at LSU and Florida in years gone by,
those were coveted jobs because of the recruiting bases. And
now your recruiting base is as broad as your bank account,
isn't it.
Speaker 4 (28:58):
Yeah, it's it's interesting because you know, the resources can
be an equalizer for programs who aren't necessarily those historic powerhouses.
But it also you know, if everybody's operating with similar budgets,
which theoretically is the point of revenue sharing, I think
we're all skeptical that that's actually going to happen. Then
I think some of those traditional places are still going
to have advantages, Like for a program like Kentucky, even
(29:20):
if you have the same budget as Alabama or LSU
or whatever, if the player is getting the same money,
he's probably going to go to the place that you
know he thinks he can complete for a national championship,
and so those things will still be there, And certainly
I think there's less variance year to year at those
programs because you have that natural recruiting base to fall
back on, even guys who don't know command huge in
(29:40):
eyel deals. So I'm sure that's part of his thinking.
But it will be you know, it does seem like,
you know, maybe ten years ago, it will be certain
that he was leaving. But the current rule set up
makes it, you know, gives I'll Miss at least a
fighting chance to keep him well.
Speaker 1 (29:54):
I mentioned Mark Stoops, and he, of course remember the
media as he always does. On Monday, talked about Diego
Pop more than once, talked about the Wildcats. But toward
the end we kind of got him talking about the
portal and Nil I don't remember exactly what led to
it kind of made it. The PR people a little nervous.
They were shifting in their seats. But Stoop handles himself
(30:15):
well in situations like that, and he wasn't. As he
pointed out repeatedly, I'm not whining. I'm just saying, here's
where we are. But he's a lot more comfortable now
that there are some guardrails in place, and he's more
comfortable now simply because his team is winning. You know, boy,
a month ago, John, you know how quickly things that
(30:37):
were not quickly it's taken about a month, but his
team has won three straight and it just seems like
he's in reinvigorated or have I have I got that right?
Speaker 3 (30:46):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (30:46):
His his vibes in these press conference have been totally different. Really,
you know, since I just thinking about how defiant he
was after the Georgia loss about you know.
Speaker 3 (30:54):
I'm not walking away, I'm not doing anything.
Speaker 4 (30:55):
Right after that Texas game, it was so so deflating.
He felt he resigned. It felt like, Okay, this is
coming to an end. And then they've won some games,
and you know, I think he feels pretty vindicated. And
all the stuff he was talking about in terms of
them getting better and showing progress behind the scenes, that's
translating into wins. I think we all know that if
they lose these last two games, it's going to kind
of flip the other way very quickly, back to where
(31:18):
it was. The nil stuff was fascinating history because he
kind of brought it up himself. He was taught, he
got asked something about it, but then he said, you know,
while we're on the subject, you know, I know there's
this perception that I'm you know, complaining about it. I oh,
I don't like it. That's not the case. I want
the players to be played and all that, and so
it's just fascinating to kind of figure out and read
between the lines what his motivation for bringing it up
(31:38):
and then talking about it as long as he did were.
I mean, it could be, you know, he he is
the simplest explanations. He's just getting ready to go fund
a new roster and figure out what they're going to
do in the portal and retaining players, and that's all important.
If you want to be a little more cynical or skeptical,
you could think if he's in the running for other jobs,
he wants to make sure it's known publicly that regardless
(31:58):
of what he said in the past, he embraced this
system and is ready to take make the most of it.
And so there could be a number of motivations out there,
but it certainly was kind of out of place for
him to bring it up. And then you're right, one
of the pr people tried to cut it off at
one point. He said no, no, no, we're fine, and he
kept going. And so that was fascinating. He felt very
(32:18):
comfortable yesterday, Yeah, and.
Speaker 1 (32:20):
I was really it was entertaining. I was fascinated by
what he was saying, and yeah, he was in good
spirits as well. He should be because his team's winning.
And I do think back John, and how often you do.
But the Old Miss game, you know, they have a
lead in the third quarter, they let Texas get away.
As Stuke's pointed out back then, how well they played.
And you know, it's tough to play well against these teams.
(32:42):
How many other teams are going to play well against
these ball clubs and the answer has been not many.
But he all the time insisted we're a better team
this year. We're getting better, and now we're seeing that
payoff from what you've seen, you've seen and where you sit,
how has this happened?
Speaker 4 (33:02):
Yeah, I mean I think it starts with obviously Cutter
Bowlie and the improvements he's made individually, just the progress
from playing and gaining that experience. But they've also changed
the offense a lot since that South Carolina game. They
look like a completely different offense in terms of what
they're running and you know, throwing it as much as
they are and getting it out quick and all those
things that changed the short yardage package after Texas, like Bushampton,
(33:22):
I think deserves a lot of credit for the tweaks
they've made, yes and then building around what Cutter does
well because he's not a finished product yet and we
see those mistakes pop up every so often. But I
think I think it was after the Florida game, Bush
told us he said, basically, we've been calling it aggressively
the last few weeks, and like part of that is
acknowledging like bad things are going to happen. He's going
to throw an interception, he's going to fumble it or
(33:43):
something every so often. But because of the improvements they've made,
they can overcome those mistakes and just accepting, like, you know,
if something bad happens, we're not going to you know,
go in a hole and change the strategy just because
of a mistake. And I think it's been you know,
it's been really key to them to stay aggressive and
that's helped a lot.
Speaker 1 (34:01):
Yeah, I agree. I think when they abandon the deep
drops and the deep throws because the line was having
a hard time protecting. That's another big thing, John I
got about thirty seconds, but that old line has finally meshed,
and in every interview that every one of us did
with old lineman. How you guys gonna pull together so quickly?
They finally got it done, and it's made a huge difference,
(34:22):
hasn't it.
Speaker 4 (34:22):
Yeah, And they've had great injury look there, I mean
basically the same five we've played every importance snapball season,
and so I think that's been huge to their progress too.
Speaker 1 (34:30):
Yeah, and again credit where credit is due, because that's
not easy when you're putting together an O line in
a matter of weeks and months as opposed to two
to three years. John haleo the Hero Leader, look for
his coverage of Kentucky Vandy. John, thank you so much,
and we'll see you on the road.
Speaker 4 (34:45):
Thanks for having me.
Speaker 1 (34:47):
Well, come back and wrap up this edition of the
Leach Report. Thanks again to our guests Noah's Ears and
Larry Vaught. John Hale. Let's Day in UK History presented
by Kentucky road Show, Sports Cards, Memorabilia and lexingdon learn
more about them at roadshowcards dot com. And on this
day in nineteen ninety five, the Tennessee Volunteers came to town.
(35:09):
They had a young quarterback named Peyton Manning. You might
have heard of him. Kentucky had a quarterback named Billy
Jack Haskins, and he had his best game ever as
a Kentucky Wildcat. And this is a guy, of course,
who eventually gave way to Tim Callich a year later,
but Billy Jack became kind of a folk hero with
the effort he turned in against Tennessee volunteers came up
(35:30):
the Kentucky came up just short against the balls with
a late fumble, but lost that one thirty four to
thirty one. There's a really nice video clip out there
of Billy Jack running for a forty seven yard touchdown
on an option run, and if you look closely, like
so many plays like that, there's a little bit of
luck because two defenders were converging on Billy Jack and
(35:53):
they collided and he hopped over a down lineman and
ran off for the touchdown for his forty seven yard
TV run. Billy was eleven of nineteen that day for
one hundred and sixty nine yards. He was sacked five times.
Now Peyton Manning through forty one times, completed twenty three
(36:15):
for two seventy two only two touchdowns. Kentucky picked him
off once, but he did have a seventy yard touchdown
pass Manning was not sacked at all. And when you
look at the stats, it's pretty well. First of all,
we talk about the quarterbacks, but Jay Graham of Tennessee
ran at twenty six times for one forty seven. Moe
(36:36):
Williams of Kentucky was a freshman ran it, No, he
was a junior, ran it thirty times for one fifty
one and three touchdowns with a long of fifty two yards.
That was the year that Moe led the league in
rushing with exactly sixteen hundred yards. That's still the Kentucky
single season record. So it was a ground game as
(36:59):
well as an game. But again you go back and
look at the defensive stats for the Wildcats. The top
three tacklers were defensive backs trying to chase down Tennessee
receivers Reggie Rusk, Lehman Boyd, and Lyttleton Ward. They combined
for twenty four tackles including I'm sorry, twenty eight tackles
(37:23):
including four I'm getting it wrong here, including twenty four
solo tackles out there in the secondary trying to stop
those Tennessee receivers. So it was a great game. It
was a heartbreaker. Looked like the Wildcats were gonna pull
the upset but came just short. On this day in history,
Kentucky Basketball Tonight, men and women. Check it out here
(37:44):
on most of these same stations for Shannon, thanks so much.
Stay tuned for billyon the Dude next Solong. Everybody,
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