2025-07-24 - BBI - Big Blue Insider with Dick Gabriel

Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to the Big Blue Insider to Gabriel with you
a Thursday edition of our program. I'm going to talk
a lot of football and basketball tonight, as always, some
NFL coming up. The camps are open and word is
coming out of NFL camps all over the country. Who's
doing well, who is not, The headlines, the rumors all that,
and there are former Wildcats involved. The Bengals are at it.

(00:23):
A lot of you Bengal fans. May I watched Joe
Burrow in the Quarterback series by Netflix. I watched it
very entertaining, and we'll hear from Joe Burrow. Coming up
a loss here from Maxwell Hairston, who was chosen by
the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the twenty
twenty five NFL Draft with a thirtieth overall pick, and
apparently he's making some waves in camp already. But coming

(00:46):
up a little bit later on Maggie Davis and BBN
Tonight LYXA team will join us. We'll talk about UK
football coming up. She also talked to Craig Skinner some
of the volleyball Cats as we did the other day,
and we'll get her thoughts as well on some of
the things Mark Pope has been talking about. We're also
going to talk to Kevin Cook. We've had him on
the show before. He's an author and he has written

(01:07):
a book about Memorial Coliseum, which for the time being
now they're calling Memorial Historic Memorial Coliseum. I believe that
label may disappear by the time the volleyball season opens,
but whatever, it is historic. But that was kind of
the rebranding, you know how they redid it, and many
of you saw it for the first time thanks to
La Familla, the TBT entry into the tournament. A lot

(01:32):
of folks showed up to watch those games in the
air conditioned Memorial Coliseum. And you may have heard her
say this on one of our volleyball broadcasts, But Leah Edmund,
who might be the best player ever in the history
of Kentucky volleyball, she told me on the air she
liked the fact while she was playing that there was
no air conditioning in Memorial Coliseum. And I will tell you,

(01:55):
having broadcast games in August in that building, it would
get brute. Yeah. They had those big fans in there,
those big ass fans in there, but they didn't do
the job and they couldn't run them at full speed,
because truly, all the wind that those fans kick up,
it would have altered the trajectory of the ball, so

(02:18):
they kind of stirred the air with them, but it
was still really hot. But she liked it because she
thought because they trained and played there, it provided a
better home court advantage for the Wildcats, which it probably did.
But what it also did was delay games very often
because there'd be so much perspiration hitting the floor that

(02:41):
the folks with the towels would have to come in
between points and mop it up. I mean that happened constantly.
So yeah, that might have been a mental edge for
Kentucky and a disadvantage for the opponent, but there was
a built in advantage really for both teams additional rest
while they mopped the floor. So anyhow, Yeah, we'll find

(03:03):
out more about Memorial Coliseum from Kevin. That comes up
in our next hour. We talked with a couple of
the Wildcats today, Jasper Johnson, Malachi Moreno. That's coming up
in our next segment, but we will share with you
some comments made by their head coach the other day,
Mark Pope, talking to the media earlier this week, and
he reiterated how much he thinks of the two of

(03:28):
the freshmen, specifically Jasper Johnson and Malachi Moreno, the two locals,
and he is not backed down from how much he
likes them and what he expects.

Speaker 2 (03:39):
Jasper Johnson major plus Aura. Today he finished his conditioning
test on the first try, So I'm really proud of him.
I'm very, very proud of him. And this Malachi Moreno
is gonna be fun. Like, we're gonna have a lot
of fun with him. He's so young and he's so capable,

(04:01):
and so from him, we're gonna we're gonna see moments where,
you know, where it's like he should be in the
NBA right now, and we're going to see moments where
we feel like, I'm not sure Malachi knows exactly what
he's doing. And we're gonna see both of those, and
that's what growth is. But I'm really encouraged by both
the young guys.

Speaker 1 (04:21):
By the way, he didn't ignore Braiden Hawthorn and the
other freshman, and in fact, he talked about him in
such glowing terms. He compared him to Tayshaun Prince. Well
here from Braiden a little bit later on, I hope
this summer. And you know those comments about Malachi, they
track because big guys take a little longer to develop.
There's no question about that. And I was talking to

(04:43):
somebody the other day about the fact that Malachi did
not dominate as you might expect a guy who's a
McDonald's All American, a guy with his size, the guy
who probably would have made the under nineteen USA team
if he hadn't suffered a minor injury during tryouts. But
he did not dominate in high school the way you

(05:03):
might expect. Well, part of that there was twofold number one.
He's not a me first, selfish kind of players, almost
to a fault. There were times he would pass the
ball in high school when he had a much easier shot.
But that brings me to the other point about his
great crossing team. And I saw them playing the sweet
sixteen each of the last two years. They got to

(05:24):
the final four his junior year, wanted all his senior year.
Now his junior year, watching him, I'm thinking, this guy
has got so much to learn, you know, fudwork his hands,
all that stuff. But again, he was sixteen, seventeen years old,
and he in a big It was going to take
a while to grow into his body and learn. But

(05:45):
the following season he was better, and by the end
of the season much better. And I will tell you this,
in the championship game, when it mattered the most, he
was the man. He was surrounded by talented players. His
point guard was a D one guy going to Morehead State.
He had other guys around him who could play a
well coached team. And no, they didn't destroy everybody in

(06:08):
the tournament, because there were good teams in a tournament, obviously,
But Malachai Marino, I thought took a big step forward
last year, and I thought he took a step forward
into Sweet sixteen. He flexed when he had it to
and he showed he could get it done. So yeah,
I agree with Mark Pope, and he sees him of
course every day. But just remind yourself that Biggs take

(06:33):
longer to develop. Don't compare him, really don't. You shouldn't
paar him to anybody, any player to anybody, but you
might have a tendency to compare him to like a
DeMarcus Cousins, totally different kind of player, Anthony Davis, totally
different kind of player. And remember Davis was a six'
four guard about a year and a half before he

(06:53):
sprouted and became the best big man in the. Country
so just keep that in mine when you're Watching Malachi.
Marino But i'm Like, POPE i think that there are
times when he will dazzle, us and then there's, times
especially in THE, sec guys are gonna push him, Around
guys are gonna beat him, Up and that's. Good every
time that, happens he learns. Things he banks information and.

(07:16):
EXPERIENCE i mentioned in the under nineteen, team And pope
got a chance to go out To Colorado springs work
with that, team work with those coaches out, there said
he had a.

Speaker 2 (07:26):
BLAST i was so happy to have the opportunity to
go coach those guys one because we've been waiting for
so long to actually be on the court and be
able to talk to him on the court with a, ball,
right and so that WAS i was so. EXCITED i,
MEAN i was looking forward to that from the day
that we kind of made the, arrangement like this is
going to be. GREAT i get to go out there
and be in some type of pseudo scrimmage game situation

(07:50):
with both my. Guys so that was. FANTASTIC i loved
every second of. It and then the opportunity to be
there with incredibly talented, kids and you know what's interesting
for kids to make it to the level that these
kids are making it, too where the data is. Crazy
so they invite thirty two kids to THE USA u

(08:11):
nineteens to trial for the. Team over the last ten,
years sixty percent of the guys who've made the team
have been drafted to THE nba and forty percent of
the guys who have not been who have not made
the team have been drafted in THE. Nba that's a crazy.
Number and when you get to deal with great players like,

(08:32):
that they're usually almost without, exception incredible human. Beings also
because to make the sacrifice and do the work and
have the commitment to get to that, level you usually
have to be built pretty. Special and so what a
joy as a coach to be able to go do,
That and then the coaches that we got to work with,
there it was really. Fun we're usually standing on the

(08:53):
opposite side of the sideline yelling at each, other and
so to be there in a unified effort was really really.
SPECIAL i loved everything about. IT usa basketball is. Transcendent
anybody that gets one moment to be a part of
it is blessed not just by the history but by
the current, product and so it was very special to.

Speaker 1 (09:14):
Me AS i, mentioned we talked With jasper And malachai earlier,
today so coming up after the break we will hear from,
them and a little bit later on we'll talk about THE.
Nfl we'll hear From Joe burrow and From Maxwell harriston as.
Well it's all Ahead Maggie davis at the bottom of
the hour here on six point THIRTY Wlap welcome back

(09:34):
to The Big Blue. Insider today we had a chance
to talk to some of the Newest, wildcats the true
Freshman Braiden, Hawthorne Malachi moreno And Jasper. JOHNSON i thought
we were just getting the, two But Braiden hawthorne was
here as. Well we're in the media room right now
AT uk and one of the QUESTIONS i put To Jasper,
johnson you might have Heard Dj, mobley his middle school,
coach here on A Big Blue insider the other, night

(09:56):
talking about the fact that in middle school he identified
jas For johnson to his, dad To Alvin, johnson or
to A Dennis johnson Ritter alvas's grandfather as a FUTURE nba.
Player he wasn't quarterback in high, school but then decided
to concentrate on basketball and actually left home for a prep.
School so he asked him about that earlier, today about

(10:17):
giving up, football giving up the glamour position of, quarterback
and of course he comes from a great football, family
but he said it was a tough, chore a tough,
decision but one that worked out for the.

Speaker 3 (10:27):
BEST i, mean it Was it was really great to
hear that FROM i, Mean i've heard that a, lot
But i've never really thought of anything of. It but
he's a great, player So i'm happy with.

Speaker 1 (10:36):
That do you think your game is?

Speaker 3 (10:38):
SIMILAR i could see some similarities just, out just like
the length, defensively shooing the ball and just you do really.

Speaker 1 (10:45):
Everything you, know people talk about The brohm family In
louisville as being the first family OF U offl, football
first family of football in that. City here in Central,
kentucky it is The johnson Clan alvis And Dennis, johnson
and he mentioned his uncles and Cousins Craig East. Julius
he's coming out of that, family And jasper could have

(11:08):
been a good football. PLAYER i don't know if he's
big enough to have been a great football, player but
according To Mark, pope he has within him the skills
the abilities to, be As pope, mentioned a superstar for this,
program And johnson heard the comments and took him to,
heart but he said he knows his role here In

(11:28):
kentucky and even though he is going to be expected
to be a, scorer his role will be much more than.

Speaker 4 (11:34):
THAT i feel, like really your whole, life you play a,
role whether you know that or whether you. Don't SO
i know a lot of my role now is to you,
know people like to say score the. Ball but first. Thing,
FIRST i KNOW i have to. Defend no matter where you,
play that's going to be your main role is to,
defend guard to the, ball guardia yard and things like.

(11:55):
That SO i know that's really What i'm trying to
work on and focus right, now watching, film getting extra
reps will guarding the ball BECAUSE i know IF i
get acclimated to, that if like everything else to take
care of.

Speaker 1 (12:06):
It so if there's a question mark on This kentucky
team in, general it's who's going to be the backup point?
Guard And Mark pope talked about that the other day
mentioned no take a, oway but he also Mentioned Jasper
johnson as a guy who could run point and looking
back on last, year of course that was a real
problem When Lamar butler went down And Colin chandler was

(12:26):
still rounding in the form and he'll be expected to
provide minutes at the point guard. Spot but he did
Say Jasper johnson is a guy who was capable of
running the. Point so that's just one more thing that
the jasper is going to have to. Learn and he's
done up, before but not on a regular. Basis but
of course he'll be surrounded by more talent, here SO
i don't know if it'll be a problem or, not

(12:47):
but my money's on. Him we talked To Malachia. MORENO
i got to cover him each of the last couple
of years in the sweet, sixteen and a guy who
is expected to do a, lot as bigs often. Are
but Again Mark pope, SAID i, said as ups and,
downs he's looked like a FUTURE nba star on some
days and other days he gets a little bit. Lost

(13:09):
but he's a guy who knows the expectations of a
big knows the expectations of A kentucky basketball, player and
he said it's time to put that state championship behind
him and concentrate on what's at.

Speaker 5 (13:23):
Hand the high school title is it's good to, have
BUT i mean that's also in the, past and right
Now i'm really just focused on. Winning banner number. Nine
it's hanging on our wall right now because we understand
what the assignment is here At, kentucky and that's to,
win that's to hang.

Speaker 1 (13:37):
Banners they all know the assignment and they're reminded of
it every day they're in The Craft center because there's
a huge banner hanging next to the ones that signify national,
championships and this banner, says you, know number, nine the,
assignment things like. That so it's a constant. Reminder but
he doesn't need, It, malachi because he grew up obviously

(13:57):
right up the road In Scott county playing For Great
crossing and he's a. Local you, know he's he talked about,
that about the fact that he And jasper are both.
Locals but what that means is constant reminders from friends and,
families family, members fans about the fact that they so
want to see number nine go, up and being a

(14:18):
local has its good spots and some, pressure but he embraces.

Speaker 5 (14:23):
IT i, mean there's a standard here At, kentucky and
that's to be the, best and that's to want to
be the. Best so being a local, GUY i feel
like growing, up you, know you kind of understand what
the assignment. Is but it's also it's new territory at
the end of the. Day so now we're kind of we're.
Learning and as long as we have all we as
long as we all have the same mindset of winning number,
NINE i think we're in really good.

Speaker 1 (14:44):
SHAPE i don't think that's going to be a problem
sharing the mindset because every player they brought in here
to chat with, us the new, guys the, veterans they've
all talked about winning number. Nine and keep in mind their,
coach of, course one one here talked about the fact
that as as much fun as last year was my,
word he, said it was a. Failure and to that,

(15:06):
standard every team In america but one failed in their
quest to win a national title last. Year of, course
the failure is a little bit bigger when you're At.
Kentucky But Malachi moreno is a guy who will try
to bring number nine to The, wildcats and we asked
him about the fact that his coach himself was a
big At kentucky and a big in THE, nba and

(15:27):
that comes in handy at, practice.

Speaker 5 (15:29):
It helps out a. Lot you, know we do skill.
Groups he kind of comes down to where the big
kind of work on their, skills and he's a real
big teacher in. It AND i feel Like i've gotten
a lot better just with my back to the basket
play and also kind of being able to use my
physicality to my. ADVANTAGE i think he's been very beneficial with.

Speaker 1 (15:47):
That as we mentioned, Earlier Mark, pope and you may
have heard the, comments talked about the fact that While
malachi is making. Progress he, said there are some days
where it looks like HE'S nba, ready days where it
looks like he has got a long way to. Go
And malachi said he's familiar with the comments and familiar
with the, concept but he thinks things are going pretty

(16:09):
well right.

Speaker 5 (16:09):
NOW a little. Bit, yeah there's definitely been some ups and,
downs like going through this, summer BUT i think As
i've progressed and gotten a little more aware of the,
TERMINOLOGY i feel like it's gotten a little bit better
than a little bit like more just second.

Speaker 1 (16:25):
Nature that Is Malachi, marino one of the three freshmen
they brought to us here in the media room to
talk with us earlier today on THE uk. Campus the
other One Braden hawthorne From, Beckley West. Virginia and if
you've ever done whitewater rafting on The New river or
The upper Or Lower gullys AS i, have you Know,
Beckley West. Virginia they also do the base jumping there

(16:46):
off the bridge over. There but he told me he
never has gone whitewater. Rafting done a LITTLE atv activity over,
there but never has gone whitewater. Rafting but he has
played a lot of. Basketball he's a small forward who
originally committed To West virginia but then reopened his recruiting
and immediately heard from The kentucky coaching staff the other,

(17:06):
Day Mark pope talked about him and glowing terms and
compared him to A kentucky great from the.

Speaker 2 (17:13):
Past Braidon hawthorne is is? IS i called? Him in,
fact in you, know you guys Know i'm losing my,
MIND i called Him Braiden. Hayward and in film the
other day the guys were killing. Me But Braidon hawthorne
is is he has a really he is a unique.
PLAYER i can't wait till you guys get to watch
him and see him on the. COURT i was With

(17:36):
Tayshawn prince for quite a, while maybe a week, ago
and he just build, body skill. Set there is some
there's a whole bunch Of Tayshawn prince in this. Kid
AND i know those are big. Words Tayshawn prince is
one of the best players to ever play here and
had an INCREDIBLE nba, career also a CHAMPIONSHIP nba, Career

(17:57):
but there's something about you, know you rarely talk about
a guy's ankle, mobility but that was the first thing
that my performance team said was, that, like his ankle
mobility is. Insane and when you see him cut and,
move that's the way it feels like he's kind of
all arms and. Legs but he can change, direction he get,

(18:19):
downhill and he's he's got impressive. Length he's gonna be really.

Speaker 1 (18:24):
Fun so, yeah his coach believes he can be maybe
not the Next Tashawn, prince but he has a game
not Unlike Tayshawn. Prince And hawthorne says he's heard that
comparison and doesn't shy away from.

Speaker 3 (18:38):
IT i, mean it was it was really great to
hear that from. HIM i Mean i've heard that a,
lot But i've never really thought of anything of. It
but he's a great, player So i'm happy with.

Speaker 1 (18:48):
That do you think your game is?

Speaker 3 (18:49):
SIMILAR i can see some similarities just out just like the,
length defensively shot the, ball and just you don't do really, Everything.

Speaker 1 (18:59):
So that's Breat hawthorne has been compared To Tayshawn prince
by his head, Coach Malachia. Moreno at one point he,
said when he's on and doing good, things looks like
someone who just might BE nba. Ready and from day,
One Jasper johnson invoked the term superstar From Mark pope
when he first started talking about these. Freshmen that's the

(19:20):
word he, used and he hasn't backed away from. It
his expectations From Jasper, johnson it's. Unusual Coach Mark pope's
an unusual kind of. Coach but, generally as you might well,
know coaches downplay their. Players incoming, freshmen he has a
chance to be good or things like. This pope is
putting those guys way up. There it's something his Coach

(19:41):
Eric kentucky never. Did Rick betino never talked like that
about his, Players But Mark pope just does business differently
and isn't afraid to talk about his players that. Way
so earlier TODAY i talked To Jasper johnson about the
fact that his coach spoke in such glowing terms about.
Him sounds like he's handling it pretty well for a

(20:03):
guy who's an incoming. Freshman definitely got to stay.

Speaker 4 (20:07):
GROUNDED i know that's a big label coming in trying
to be a, superstar but first thing is for that
have to be a superstar on my. Role like LIKE
i said, earlier you, know with Defending gordon the, BALL
i feel like IF i get acclimitted to, that the
physical side of, IT i feel like everything else take
take care of. HIMSELF i Know Coach pope sees me
as a great score offensive threat for, sure BUT i

(20:30):
know mentally he knows THAT i have to guard at
the ball as. Well so just just trying to do,
that getting extra, reps trying to guard the best matchup in,
practice because LIKE i, said failure is key to.

Speaker 1 (20:41):
Grow So, johnson the first thing he does is he
talks about. Defense he was talking about defense WHEN i
walked up to set up my, Recorder but they all
talked about. Defense BUT i do believe that's a, reflection of,
course on what they're working on. Now as you may
have heard earlier in the, week More pope kind of
flip flopping the way he's doing, business whereas he started
lash year really working hard on the intricate offense that he.

(21:03):
Runs right now he's got his guys working on. Defense
coming up. Next Maggie davis OF Bbn tonight on six thirty,
waap welcome back to The Big moonsighter joining us, now
someone who's been busy this summer and is about to
get a lot. Busier Maggie davis OF Bbn, Tonight lax.
Eighteen you are gathering and. Collecting, course you have a

(21:25):
show every, night and we talked before about the fact
that they make players and coaches available to us now the, Summer,
maggie when they didn't used. To so that's really been
a boon to get you all through with that nightly.
Show you've got some pretty good stuff each night now. Right.

Speaker 2 (21:40):
Oh.

Speaker 6 (21:40):
ABSOLUTELY i was just having this conversation actually with a
head coach At kentucky and kind of asked, me like
what we do during the, summer AND i told, him,
like you, KNOW i have stressed myself. Out this is
my fifth year AT Bbn, tonight And i've had a
million different jobs along the, way been, producer, editor, reporter
fill in all the, things and NOW i produce it
AND i just do everything THAT i just, said basically

(22:02):
pust to anchor the show Alongside Keith. Farmer but one
of my biggest jobs and responsibilities is still coming up
with the content every, day writing the actual. Show and you,
KNOW i was kind of telling the story that the
last five, YEARS i feel like three or four of
the SUMMERS i have just been like weirdly stressed out
about what are we going to do and how are

(22:22):
we going to felt the time like a real sense
of like anxiety and dread about like once baseball and
softball season and what are we going to? Do and
then every summer By, August i'm, like, oh we did.
It we had plenty and now football's. Here that is.
Great SO i just really tried to go into this
summer like it's going to be. Fine things are going to,
happen people will talk to, us news will, break there

(22:45):
will be, stories and what do you, know we have
been able to do all of that so far this.
Summer of, COURSE tbt was a big part of, that
SO i hate to see that come to an. End
but other than, THAT i, mean there's still a lot going.
On we've talked about volleyball a lot this. Week of,
course back of all season is twelve months out of the.
Year football is right around the. Corner got done with
media days down In atlanta last, week so there is

(23:07):
plenty still happening around The university Of.

Speaker 1 (23:09):
Kentucky, yeah but you, know, basketball there's there's a, change
obviously a change in, management but a little bit of
a change in. Attitude AND i think it's BECAUSE i would,
HOPE i would think it makes sense with all these
new faces coming to the program and now as you,
know you, know the portal especially makes, it you, know
three sixty. Five, yeah so they're making, players the new

(23:33):
guys available to us a couple couple players per week
as they did earlier, today you, know and helps the
Big Blue nation learn who these guys. Are so it's
not entirely self, serving is.

Speaker 7 (23:44):
It, no it's.

Speaker 6 (23:46):
NOT i think it's good for, Everyone AND i think
that was some of the, issues you, Know towards the
latter part of The John Caliperry arrow was that, like you,
know this is really just like nerdy media stuff that
fans probably don't care. About but it is harder to
cover it team when you have such limited, access or
it's harder to be, like why AM i rooting for
this guy off the court other than just a? Jersey

(24:07):
just worry how AM i as a fan connecting with
these guys who are only here for eight? Months SO
i think just that in, general that like openness and
willingness to put these guys in front of us a
couple of times this time of the. YEAR i, MEAN
i think it's good too because they're not so. Busy
this is a great time for them to spend some
extra time doing, media doing, podcast coming on, shows, whatever

(24:28):
because they're not doing full, practices they're not in a
full fledged semester worth of, class they're not traveling for,
games you, know so this is a good. Time AND
i think you also see that in the amount of
community service the team has done this. Summer they've done
as much service this year AS i can remember any other,
year and it's just you, know it's Still, july so
they have certainly kept busy even though it is the,

(24:48):
summer just like.

Speaker 1 (24:48):
Us, yeah that's. True and the other thing is the
players themselves because of social. Media you, know they're popping
up On twitter And instagram and TikTok, anyway so you,
know why not share the, love?

Speaker 6 (25:01):
Right, YEAH i totally agree with, that AND i think
like that's. CHANGED i, mean this is more of a
big picture, question BUT i think access to your favorite
athletes is easier than ever as a, fan and so
you can feel that sense of, WELL i, know otega
away BECAUSE i see them go live on TikTok AND
i follow him On instagram and all this. Stuff and,
one it does build that, connection but, TWO i also

(25:23):
think sometimes it builds this kind of weird relationship where
you do feel, like, well let me go comment on
their posts BECAUSE i follow them and you know they,
lost and let me let me post on Their instagram.
PAGES i can't believe they. Lost what a terrible, game
or you, know messed up my? Parlay, like you, know
you see way more of that, too because of the
access that people have now that we didn't used to.
Have so obviously there's a balance that comes with, that

(25:45):
and you, know media members is a little, Different like
we will occasionally use a post on our, show like
if it's a statement or something, meaningful news worthy to talk. About,
like for, example we put a lot of THE tvp
guys on our show last night in terms of like
the we were almost like many statements they had put out
after the, Game so we did use you, Know Khalil

(26:05):
whitney saying he was wiping the tears away And Aaron harrison,
saying you, know losses hurt more the next. Morning like
that's a great way for athletes to put out statements
on things without having to do big press conferences or
meetings with the media in. General so all of that
contributes to our coverage at this point in how technology
runs our.

Speaker 1 (26:25):
Life what did you think Of Khalil whitney that entire,
experience the way he, played the way the fans welcomed.
HIM i really wondered about that because that was that
was kind of a bizarre mini chapter in the history
of The caliperry era when he came and went so.

Speaker 6 (26:42):
Quickly it was AND i think it was very meaningful
to see him come. Back AND i can't say it
better Than Sean wood said it after that last, game
after the, loss he got asked about what it meant to,
him you, know to see a guy who didn't have
that great experience that by all Count Sean woods did
have At. Kentucky what did it mean to him to

(27:03):
see a guy who didn't have that come back and
try and sort of make right With lexington and the
fan base and the program and all of this. Stuff
AND i, mean just listening To sean talked about, IT
i thought he hit the nail on the head of,
like we all think about This kentucky basketball, machine and
you're supposed to come, here it's all supposed to go,
right and then you're supposed to leave as this beloved.

(27:23):
Player and you, know a lot of times we don't
know what's going on in the other half of their.
Life sometimes it's way more than half of their, Life
like we don't know about their family, situation or their home,
life where they're coming, from who's in their. Ears AND
i think at the, time you get so wrapped, up
and of course this is very, natural and, Yeah i'm
SURE i did. It it's very natural to think of
how it's affecting the team and your favorite, program and

(27:46):
you know the energy around that and how is this
going to hurt us trying to win a banner and
trying to win more. Games BUT i think now That
whitney's been gone for so many years that does has
settled enough where you're more open into hearing, like, man
maybe we really didn't know the full, story and maybe
it really wasn't all you KNOW Coolei o'll being a

(28:07):
bad kid wanting to get out of town and not
face responsibilities or not live up to his commitment or,
Whatever like we don't know the full, story and so
kind of you, know along those, lines What sean was
saying in that Last best conference was really like we
know the, machine but we don't always know the men
that are inside of it and what they're dealing. With
and SO i Think whitney was a really good reminder of.

(28:28):
That AND i, mean really along those lines Are Archie.
Goodwin you could probably say the same thing for. Us
so it was a different kind of A tvt experience this.
YEAR i feel like last year was SO i mean
truly like fan, favorites not that these guys, weren't BUT
i do think there were a little more like redemption
stories embedded within this year's, roster which made it a
little bit of a different, Experience BUT i liked. IT
i enjoyed getting to see some guys come back and

(28:50):
rebuild some.

Speaker 7 (28:51):
RELATIONSHIPS i was.

Speaker 1 (28:52):
So happy For sean that he got a chance to
coach that. Team he of, course is a regular guest
on this, program and we have talked on and off
the air about so much stuff when it comes to
coaching basketball high school, kids college, kids and as he,
said he's coaching pros and he didn't know if he
could do, it he, said but last year he found
out as an assistant To Tyler elis that he. Could But,

(29:16):
maggie what got me was how Eloquent sean, was Because
i've never heard him talk about being with a capital
be A kentucky basketball player and what it. Means and
the FACT i love the fact that he talked about
these guys could come, back whether it be a guy
who was here for months or, years and be A
kentucky basketball player. Again and who of us wouldn't want

(29:38):
to relive the best moments of our lives one more
or some of the best one more. TIME i just
thought that was moving at, times you, KNOW i agree with.

Speaker 6 (29:48):
You we had this conversation on our show With Tom
leech earlier this week, too and he brought up the
fact that he feels very lucky that over the course
of his career in recent years he's had a great
working relationship with my pret now obviously the same With Goose,
gibbons and, he's like he told us on our, show
Like i've really gotten to see how those guys interact
with each, other and it's, special it's. Different it's unique

(30:10):
because they are their own fraternity and you're not in
it unless you're in. It but if you're in, it
you are in. It and it sounds so, simple BUT
i think for those of us who are as involved
in this, whole LIKE i was, Saying kentucky basketball, machine
even people who didn't play in, it like you AND, i,
like we're around it enough WHERE i can recognize that

(30:31):
it has to be such a unique. Experience it has
to be so, formative especially in those college years when
you really are growing into yourself and then you're built
with all this, expectation you have all these, fans you
have this great, environment this great culture of college basketball
around you all the, time and then like you have
to play the. Game, like so there's a lot going,
on and SO i think Hearing tom's perspective reminded me

(30:55):
a lot of you, know my own experience just getting
to be around some of these guys and appreciating that
they let us see some of that special. Fraternity AND
i think that's what MADE tbc special, too to See
sean would bring that into the next. Generation, right you
had A patino guy leading a, team you Had Billy gillespie,
player you had cal, guys you had your First cote

(31:16):
player on the, team and then you have the current
team out there watching them, play competing against them in
whatever we're calling it a scrimmage or competition or whatever
they did at. Practice so to, me like getting to
see that quote unquote fraternity kind of grow and expand
and really be so all encompassing is again what Makes
kentucky unique and special and it's why we all love.

Speaker 1 (31:38):
It you, KNOW i had forgotten as well That sean
actually went back to The Eddie sutton. Era he signed
With Eddie. Sutton oh so you know he had A
citiz first. Year but, yeah that links all those generations
and it's why it's so Fascinating Maggie davis is a, producer, reporter,
editor anchor co host OF Bbn. Tonight she And Keith
farmer up here every night on YOUR tv at l

(32:00):
E xa. Team we'll come back and talk To kentucky
football in a minute here on a big one sider
six THIRTY. Wlap welcome, Back we're talking With Maggie davis
A Bbn. Tonight you referred to media days the talking
season fully, underway and again you'll be able to fill
your shows even better with More kentucky football coming Up
Fan day And Media day and all that. Stuff what
did you think of the Way Mark stoops came across In,

(32:24):
atlanta BECAUSE i wondered if you would get a lot
of the hot seat, Questions but he took it on full,
force didn't.

Speaker 6 (32:31):
He, WELL i think that's really representative of the kind
of Person Mark stoops. Is AND i don't know him
at all, personally but just from covering him over the
past several years now like he is a guy who's
going to stand up there and take it and just
for the most, part be pretty. Transparent AND i think
that was very similar to what we've come to see

(32:53):
in recent. Years there were a few instances where he
kind of leans back on the you, know he started
to say something and THEN i don't want to make a,
headline and you guys want a. Headline i'm not going
to give you a. Headline everyone wants something to hang on,
to and you, know that gets a little, OLD i,
Think BUT i just think that's kind of where he
is right. Now we got a lot of that last.
Year i'm trying to think. BACK i don't really know
when that, started BUT i know we got a lot

(33:15):
of it last, year and SO i was a little you,
KNOW i wish we hadn't gotten.

Speaker 7 (33:19):
It in media.

Speaker 6 (33:20):
DAYS i really wanted to just be, like let's all
just go in with this fresh, start not carry that
over into a new. Year but at the same, time
as someone who's talks for a living and you, know
talks quite a, BIT i understand that sometimes you're just
talking so, much you're saying so many, things you will
ask you, questions and then sometimes a headline can get
totally taken out of context and made into a headline and,

(33:40):
whatever and nobody appreciates. THAT i don't appreciate. That you,
know like a lot of us have been put in
a situation like that in our own, lives that to
some extent over the course of our. Careers SO i
understand his apprehensiveness to create a, headline but at the same,
TIME i do think there are some serious questions that
he did a pretty good job Of, anne but to

(34:00):
me it got a little dampened by the fact that
he was, like you, KNOW i don't want to give a,
headline you, know a little guarded exactly the great.

Speaker 1 (34:09):
Word, yeah one of the things he mentioned in the electronics.
MEDIA i THINK i had asked him a question and
he was essentially talking about the defense and especially up.
FRONT i THINK i asked him about the fact, that
you know how it's been the last two or three
years where we didn't have many questions about the front
four or even the front seven and the d backs

(34:29):
with a question. Mark, well now the d bacs have
the quality, experience and it's the front seven that we
don't really know. About But stoops was Enthusiastic maggie about
the guys who have come, in the new, Guys. Gusta
everybody keeps mentioning, him but just the fact that they
have more depth, now more bodies which they didn't have last.

(34:51):
Year that's WHY i think they collapsed down the. Stretch
they kind of wore. Out But stoops IS i, know
excited about, that isn't?

Speaker 6 (34:57):
He, YEAH i think that's a good, point AND i
appreciated that question because it does bring up a good
sort of dichotomy between what we've seen the last couple
of years and what we expect to see this. Year
AND i mean the defense and especially from a staff,
perspective has been much, much much more consistent than the.
Offense and yet this is one of the main, YEARS

(35:18):
i think in the past couple of years where we
do see a lot more turnover from a player's. Perspective
obviously you still have the same guys back on the,
staff but there is going to be a good amount of,
turnover like you, said especially in that front, seven which
is different than how it's been. Handled and what's been
the reality the past several years with just the way
the recruiting pipeline worked, out so they did have to
go into the, Portal they've had to develop some guys

(35:40):
and you, know some coming back from, injury whatever the
case may, be there is going to have to be
some welcoming some new faces onto that d. Line, specifically
AND i mean the exact same thing could be said
about the offensive. LINE i think we've just become a
little more accustomed to change over there in the past
couple of, years especially as the position coach has changed so.
Much we've seen really some program greats go off into THE,

(36:02):
nfl and then we've seen a little bit of a
struggle to replace. Them and you, know it's easy to,
say it's much harder in reality to Replace garry And
kinnard And, Luke fortner And land And young AND i
mean guys who truly played four or five years straight
because they were that good as freshmen and they were
still here and they were still that good as sip your.
Seniors you, KNOW i understand that that's a tough, task

(36:26):
BUT i think getting to know the offensive line and
seeing not only how the individual pieces are, looking but
how that group is working cohesively this fall will be
a big storyline for me to watch this camp.

Speaker 1 (36:37):
EVERYBODY i, mean it's all about the old line that
will dictate the fortunes of this. TEAM i got about
ninety seconds left to know you've been asked one hundred
times about what do you, think what do you think
they can do this year and again a brutal, schedule
the calendar works against, them you, Know and you got
a wonder can they get to the? POSTSEASON i, know
AND i.

Speaker 6 (36:56):
HATE i understand you have to put me on the,
spot BUT i haven't decided. Yet and it's not because
it's a cop out. Answer it's what we were just
talking about with the offensive, line AND i think, that
like you, said dictates all of. It and, OBVIOUSLY i,
mean it's gone this, long there's a big question market
quarterback for. ME i, Mean Zack, calzada we all know
what he's done on, paper we know he's moved, around

(37:17):
he has a lot of. Experience HE'S i think twenty
six years. OLD i don't want to, misspeak BUT i
know this is his seventh year of college, football so
obviously a lot of wisdom and experience comes with. That but,
sometimes you, know you do kind of have to be
realistic and be, like all, right what is this guy,
doing what's he, done and what can he do here
that he hasn't shown us in the first six years

(37:37):
at this? Point how does that work? Out with the offensive?
Line obviously part of that, equation do we see Cut
Ter bowley how much or how little do we see?
HIM i, mean that was an interesting response from Coach,
STOOPS i thought at media day when he was asked
specifically about why he Brought calzada to the, program and
he mentioned that we have a local talent on the

(37:57):
roster who might be asked to play this, week next,
week two, weeks this, year or next, year which to,
me that's a pretty like front loaded this, week next,
week this year or next. Year so to, me all
sides point toward there being at least an element of
a quarterback. Competition and of course they'll always say that

(38:18):
because you want competition to bring up the best in
everybody who's in that. Room but you, KNOW i Think
Zach calzada is the, guy BUT i don't think the
cutter bowlies are behind.

Speaker 1 (38:27):
Him she Is Maggie davis OF bbn tonight AT lax
eighteen watch for her on YOUR. Tv said thank, you,
ma'am thank you so.

Speaker 6 (38:34):
Much to see you.

Speaker 1 (38:35):
Soon coming up next in an hour number, two we're
going to hear From Joe burrow of The. Bengals not
happy with that first day a, camp but you, know
everybody is a little behind when it comes to. Offense versus.
Defense Also Maxwell, harriston first round draft pick of The Buffalo,
bills And Kevin, cook who has written a new book
About Memorial. Coliseum it's an illustrated history of The. Coliseum

(38:58):
back with more in just a minute here on The
Big Blue insider six. Thirty what do you, WANT, Ep

(40:54):
welcome back to The Big blue And SIDER I number
two of our program coming, Up Kevin, cook who has
written a book About Memorial, coliseum the home OF uk women's, basketball, volleyball.
Gymnastics it's a great facility and it's WHERE i first
WATCHED uk. Basketball like so many of. You it was
a home for the, varsity for the freshman teams that

(41:16):
they used to. Have of course back then it held eleven,
thousand five, hundred but a lot of history in that,
building of, course and we're going to learn more From Kevin,
cook who's written a book About Memorial. COLISEUM nfl camps
are underway all over the, country of, course including naturally
The Cincinnati. Bengals Joe burrow talked about the first day of.

(41:36):
Camp the quarterback who some believe should have been THE
mvp last. Year he rightfully pointed out in That netflix
show called, quarterback which Followed Kirk, cousins it Followed Matthew
stafford of The, Lions cousins and his first year of The,
falcons And Joe burrow of course with The. Bengals and

(41:57):
Now burrow had a remarkable, season an incredible. Year but
somebody asked him ABOUT mvp status because there were people CHANTING,
mvp and he said, no because he, said very likely
it'll go to a team that made the, playoffs and
The bengals were in it until the very, end but needed.

(42:18):
Help they dug a hole for, themselves needed some, help
didn't get, it and so it's back to work For Joe.
Burrow he's got to start all over. Again but last
Year burrow threw for nearly five thousand yards four nine
hundred and eighteen and didn't miss by. Much completed seventy

(42:39):
point six percent of his, passes forty three, touchdowns nine,
interceptions only nine, interceptions pretty incredible as quarterback rating one
oh eight point. Five he was sacked forty eight, times
including seven that was the season, high and an overtime

(43:00):
win over The Denver. Broncos The bengals had, problems of,
course on the offensive. Line they weren't the. WORST i
looked it. Up they were twelve out of twenty five.
Teams when it came to giving up, sacks The bears
were the. Worst, Sorry Tom. Leach bears gave up sixty.
Eight browns gave up sixty, Six seahawks And texans fifty,

(43:24):
four and so on and so. On but you get
to The bengals actually were tied with The giants giving
up forty eight. Sacks eagles were next Your Super bowl
champs at forty. Five so, yeah The bengals need to
improve that offensive front and protect their money Man Joe,

(43:44):
Burrow and of, course after the very first, Workout burrow
said flatly that he was not pleased with what he
saw on the. Offense here's how he described the way
things went for the offense on day one. Poorly why do.

Speaker 8 (43:59):
You think that was the HOW i was up the,
Guests this is usually how it goes for the first.
Day we we just we gotta lot to clean. Up
but that we got a lot of. Time so why is?

Speaker 6 (44:09):
THAT i think it's probably that seems like it takes
a little.

Speaker 7 (44:12):
While or for one to climb a.

Speaker 6 (44:13):
Rhythm for why is it that it kind of.

Speaker 7 (44:15):
Maybe takes a little.

Speaker 8 (44:15):
Bit once camp gets, rolling, well, usual everybody's on their own.
Working you, know we don't have, Sernatis we're not really
going against each other like. That Uh, so just you,
know offense is all about, timing, rhythm working together to
become a cohesive. Unit and so that's not going to

(44:35):
be a case on the first.

Speaker 1 (44:36):
Day and, naturally if you google The bengal workout, stories
you'll see headlines that make it sound Like burrow was
upset or disappointed or, whatever AND i wasn't, Happy but
as he, said that's just the way things, go and
camp defense is usually ahead of the offense at this.
Point the offense is so much about, Timing SO i

(44:57):
expect The bengals will be. Fine you've Got chase coming,
Back higgins coming, Back burrow looking to build on what
he did last. Year he said he's never. Satisfied he's
always looking for ways to. Improve so you just can't
sit back and think about how well things.

Speaker 8 (45:12):
Went it's never an area That I'm i'm satisfied and
Where i'm. At second that that happens is the second
you start gain, complacent in the second that everybody else
starts to pass you. Up so there's no matter how

(45:32):
good you are in one area of the, game is
always room to improve.

Speaker 1 (45:36):
It Joe burrow of The, bengals and we mentioned the
year he had last. Year his best game in terms
of quarterback rating came in week number three Against. Cleveland
his quarterback rating for that game one thirty four point.
Three he was twenty three for thirty only three for

(45:58):
two point fifty. Two but he had three, touchdowns no,
picks and they wanted easily twenty four to. Six they
beat The browns again later in the year is a
tougher game twenty one fourteen At. Cleveland Now, cleveland as you,
know has got an interesting situation going on with its
quarterbacks Because Shadoor sanders is up there making lots of,

(46:21):
headlines but right now he's running third. Team first team
Is Kenny pickett out of pitt who may just be
getting the first team reps because he does have. Experience
he was The steelers quarterback for a while there and
then they gave up on. Him but they Have Shador,

(46:42):
Sanders they Have Dylan gabriel out Of. Oregon they Have Joe.
Flacco Dylan gabriel drafted ahead Of Shador. Sanders he ran second,
Team sanders ran third. Team Joe, flacco who has been
everybody's favorite EMERGENCY qb guy who knows what he's, doing
had a nice career with The. Ravens he did not

(47:03):
get any reps in eleven on Eleven's but of, course
the head, Coach Kevin, stefanski said THE qb rotation would
be fluid the first, week et. Cetera but if you're
keeping an eye on The bengals ON sa Door sanders
right now he's running third team. Offense but that could.
Change maybe that did change, earlier, today could change. Tomorrow
you just never. Know and by the, way some of

(47:25):
you out there Are browns FANS. Espn bett says that
over and under for wins for The browns is four
point five defensive End Miles, garrett who's good enough to
back up what he, says but he can't do it.
Alone he, SAID i expect to get to The Super.
BOWL i expect to run back the defensive player of the,

(47:46):
Year so he is quite quite. Confident Maxwell harston showed
well In bill's training camp right, away made a nice
play turned heads by knocking down a two touchdown passing
eleven on. Elevens he is battling for a starting job
with a Veteran Tradavious white in The buffalo defensive. Backfield

(48:10):
but of, Course Maxwell harston came under scrutiny when he
was drafted and then once again and then once. Again
earlier this, month he was named in a civil lawsuit
over an alleged sexual assault case that happened when he
was a student athlete At uk't believe he was a,
freshman And harriston was asked about it by reporters after

(48:32):
practice and he did not duck questions and didn't hesitate to.

Speaker 9 (48:36):
Answer you, know it's been four years, now and you
KNOW i went through this whole process with the police
that went through a thorough investigation AND i was exonerated from.
That The university Of kentucky did a thorough. INVESTIGATION i
was exonerated from that as, Well and you, KNOW i
volunteered to do multiple polygraphs BECAUSE i was determined, to you,

(48:57):
know get my truth out, there BECAUSE i had nothing to.

Speaker 1 (48:59):
HIDE i was an open.

Speaker 9 (48:59):
BOOK i have two sisters THAT i love, dearly and you,
KNOW i respect all females and you, know JUST i
was just determined to get my truth out, there LIKE i,
SAID i was an open, book AND i was exonerated
from both of those and, uh you, know just gotta stay.
Strong But i'm confident that my truth.

Speaker 10 (49:21):
Would be out.

Speaker 9 (49:21):
There and LIKE i, Said i'm.

Speaker 10 (49:23):
Open but did The bills ask you about it leading
up to the?

Speaker 9 (49:26):
Draft of, course you, know they did Their LIKE i,
said they did their own thorough. Investigation they found everything
they needed to. FIND i was open and, willing you,
know nothing to hide because AGAIN i was being truthful
since the. Start and, yeah that's Why i'm here, now
because The bills know the truth and they know the real.

Speaker 1 (49:44):
That Is Maxwell harriston courtesy Of channel seven out Of.
Buffalo what other note about THE. Nfl pat, McAfee of,
course the former punter for The colts and part of
ESPN's college Game day coverage popular podcast now part OF Espn.
Programming but he finally broke his silence on the phony

(50:07):
quote unquote sex scandal rumor about An Ole miss, student
and he added to. It he stirred the, Pot he
fanned the flames because he talked about it on his,
show and he made it. Worse, basically he talked about
it and spread rumors that had been going around about
a young woman Named Mary Kate. Cornett she had been

(50:30):
the subject of rumors about inappropriate behavior on the Ole
miss campus and it was. False there was nothing to,
it but it went viral And pat McAfee became a
part of. It and it's been four months, now but
he finally apologized on his show and said he recently

(50:53):
met With cornett and her family to. Apologize back of
he said he has since learned that rumors About cornet
were not true and he realizes that his show quote
played a role in the anguished cause to a great
family and especially to a young. Woman and he, SAID
i think you all know from this, SHOW i never
want to be a source of negativity or contribute to

(51:16):
another human. Suffering, okay where was that when you spread these?
Rumors because rumor's going viral on a, campus that's one,
thing and yeah it gets national. Quickly but a guy
Like pat McAfee has got to understand the impact that
he and his show can. Have and you, know they

(51:37):
run this crawl on the bottom kind of jokingly, saying you,
know this show is an unparaphrasing a bunch of knuckleheads having.
Fun at the, end they're Like pa you, know the
opinions don't reflect this and, that and at the, end
please don't sue. Us, well this WAS i thought, reprehensible

(51:58):
AND i didn't jump into it early BECAUSE i didn't
want to even bring up these rumors that were going.
Around it was so unfair to this. Woman but McAfee,
finally finally has apologized and naturally no further comment FROM. Espn. Up,
next another one of those summertime polls about college basketball

(52:19):
teams that did not win a national. Championship which ones
were the, best which, would of course may have made
them the most. Disappointing you don't want to hear. This
that's next On The Big Bloon sider six THIRTY Wlap
welcome back to The Big Bloon. Sider coming up in
just a few, Minutes Kevin, cook who wrote a book
About Memorial. Coliseum that'll come up at the bottom of the.

(52:42):
Hour i've talked this week about some of the polls
that come up in the off. SEASON i always say
The internet is a bottomless. Pit we have to fill,
it and we have minutes to fill as well on the,
air and so some of these poles come in. Handy
the rankings and things like, that And i'm not talking
about the way too early top twenty five for football
and especially. Basketball But The, athletic which of course publishes

(53:06):
now through The New York times as well as on,
line has come up with some kind of fun, surveys
or not really, surveys because they're just maybe two or three.
Writers one in particular in some of these, polls who
ranked teams looking back at essentially this. CENTURY a guy
Named Jim root wrote a feature about and he's been

(53:29):
covering the first twenty five years of the two. Thousands
in men's college. Basketball they've got the top twenty five,
players top. Coaches we went over the top twenty five
teams with you the other, day and they ask readers
and subscribers to submit their own. Picks now In, march
this guy ranked all of the MEN'S ncaa tournament champions

(53:50):
in the last forty. Years but of course it is single.
Elimination as we all, know we have seen some disappointing,
losses haven't we fans throughout the, years fans of whatever,
Program and of course in these stomping grounds it is
The Kentucky. Wildcats this guy ranked the twenty five teams
he thought were the best in this century to not

(54:14):
win a title since the two thousand and two thousand
and one. Campaign and remember that was the beginning of the.
Millennial remember everybody kept saying the year two thousand was
the beginning of the. Millennial what it wasn't that was
the end of a. Millennial the, beginning of, course is two,
thousand two thousand and. One and if you were like

(54:34):
us At channel twenty, seven our news director at the
time demanded everybody being and either in the building or
all hands on deck for when the computers might go.
CRAZY i don't know what he expected us to be
able to do in that building and everything shut, down
you know at. MIDNIGHT i, mean we weren't even doing
news at that. Hour but, ANYHOW i. Digress the millennial

(54:57):
began two thousand and two thousand and. One and this
guy ranked the teams that obviously he believes should have done.
MORE i won't go through all of. Them many of
them are the usable. Suspects from the top twenty five Down,
Kansas Yukon. Houston the twenty thirteen to Fourteen Wichita state
team was ranked twenty second after what he called a

(55:21):
stunning run to the final. Four Fred Van fleet was
on that. Team Remember Ron. Baker only five opponents came
within single digits of that ball club coach By Greg,
marshall they were thirty four and oh but per The
Ken palm, rankings they had beaten just one top thirty.

(55:42):
Team and who do they lose? To, kentucky, which as he,
said was under seated in that. Tournament of Course calipari
was complaining about, it but if you, Recall kentucky had
struggled that year and going into the tournament was playing
obviously it's best, basketball was playing really, well but that
was over a span of like a couple of. Weeks

(56:05):
all year, long that team had been up and. Down
but by the time they got to the, tournament The
wildcats were. Outstanding got to the final, four but eliminated
At Wichita state, Team and as many people, Said calipery,
included that was a final four. Game that was a
final four type game that. Year so, yeah that's hard

(56:26):
to argue with that. Number Twenty he Got arizona Against
zaga after that duke of twenty three and four dukes
on this team a, lot which begs the argument That
Mike krzyzewski wasted a lot of. Talent he probably wouldn't
argue with, that but he would also tell you it's

(56:46):
hard to win a national, championship even tho if you've
got little Dang Sheldon, WILLIAMS Jj Reddick Chris duhon as
your point. Guard twenty ten to twenty Eleven Ohio. State
that team lost To. Kentucky Remember Brandon knight hits a
buzzer beater and beats the buck eyes With Jared. Sellinger

(57:11):
remember How george How Josh harrison was saving a basketball
and fired it off the mid section Of sellinger and
the guy you just saw IN tvt The Basketball, Tournament
DeAndre liggins at a huge three pointer in that game

(57:33):
and Sent Ohio state home in The sweet Sixteen North
Carolina Kansas AGAIN ucla the eight. Team Ben allen's ballclub
went the three straight final. Fours this was probably his best.
Team Kevin love And Russell westbrook on that, team and
that was a year when all four number one seeds.

(57:57):
Qualified he's Got auburn ranked well from last. Year three
of the top four teams three to final four teams
from last year are on this. List that's how good
the final four was last. Year Jan I broom of
course leading The. Tigers number. Eleven the oh Seven Ohio
state team With Greg odin And Mike, connelly number ten

(58:17):
on the list twenty three to twenty four Per due
a couple of years ago that Had Zach, eedy huge,
man almost, unguardable they, said but they ran into a
really Good yukon team that beat. Everybody number nine on the.
List last Year's houston team Probably Kelvin sampson's best. Team

(58:38):
number eight going back to, eight the team that BEAT
ucla in the final, four and That's. Memphis John caliperry's
Best memphis team should have won the national, title but
of Course kansas threw in a miracle three, pointer got
into overtime. Calla perry's guys couldn't hit prey throws and

(58:59):
didn't foul upperly when they should. Have you, Know caliperry
called for his guys to foul So kansas couldn't shoot,
threes but they didn't do it. Right they didn't foul
well enough and Let kansas off the. Hook got another duke,
team number six on the List best teams not to
win a championship twenty fourteen to Fifteen, WISCONSIN, yep The

(59:22):
Giant killer The heartbreaker Beat kentucky's forty and Oh dream
team in the final, four but ran into a good
duke team in the title. Game ALTHOUGH i firmly believe
looking at, matchups this was a tough matchup For, kentucky
it really Was. WISCONSIN i do Believe kentucky would have
trounced that duke. Team the next two teams on the

(59:44):
list ranked fifth and, fourth both From duke the two
team and the twenty twenty five. Team last year's duke
team With Cooper, Flag Conker, Nipple Common malarch all top draft.
Picks they don't win a national. Title, remember earlier in the,
Year kentucky beat that duke. Team number three on the
list twenty twenty One gonzaga referred to As Mark fu's best,

(01:00:09):
team which came up short number. Two this surprised. Me
twenty four to Five Illinois Duran WILLIAMS. D Brown luther
ED i had forgotten that team started off twenty nine
to oh lost the regular season finale on a buzzer
beater To Ohio, state but still rolled into the. Tournament

(01:00:30):
made a great comeback in The elite eight Against, arizona
but in the championship game they played a really Good
North carolina team and. Lost So illinois was on a
run there for a, while and this was the best
team for The, aliini but came up. Short and of,
course number one on the list of college basketball teams
this century in the two thousands that did not win

(01:00:53):
a title naturally Was kentucky thirty eight and oh in twenty,
fourteen ten, fifteen you know what happened falling To, Wisconsin Frank,
Kaminski Sam, decker you know the moment you remember when
the shot clock went off And wisconsin scored anyway and
there was no, call and the three straight possessions by

(01:01:17):
The wildcats that resulted in shot clock violations With Devin
booker And Tyler eulis on the, bench And John caliperry
made no move to get any help from either one
of those, guys not, both but he should have put
either one of them in the game at some point
just to get a shot. Off so that was obviously

(01:01:40):
the most disappointing moment maybe IN uk basketball. History you
Got Karl Anthony towns on that. TEAM i Mentioned, Booker,
Eulis Trey. Lyles you just saw The Harrison twins in
the basketball. Tournament will he call E, Stein Dakarie johnson
and Oh. Man AND i, AGAIN i agree with the

(01:02:02):
people who, say had that team finished up its mission
and won the national title, Undefeated John caliperi might still be.
Here think about. That think about how you felt About
John caliperi over the last three. Years would any of those,
feelings the, anger the disappointment been tempered by the fact

(01:02:25):
that he had delivered a second national title in a
spectacular fashion to The Big Blue. Nation it might. Have
it might have mattered like. That and again he left
of his own. Volition he knew it was. Time he wasn't.
Fired people can say they ran him, off and maybe they,
Did BUT i do believe firmly that had they Beaten

(01:02:47):
North carolina with THE bam Adebaiod Aaron fox, team or
if they'd Beaten auburn in The elite eight after blowing
a halftime, lead if they'd gotten to the final four
either one of those, YEARS i do think THE bam
team would have won the, title AND i think THAT
covid team would have gone to the final. Four any
of that, happens he may still be, here but especially

(01:03:10):
if they take care of business in twenty fourteen. Fifteen
all of this is on The athletic Dot. Com it
is not. Expensive they have all kinds of stuff like
this if you're looking for a way to drop a
couple of, bucks and you. Can you can tailor your
page to whatever teams you want to, follow to pro,

(01:03:32):
teams college, teams and, again great, writing great reporting and
stuff like this which is a lot of fun to.
Read Up, Next Kevin cook talks about Historic Memorial coliseum
On The Big moonsider six THIRTY Wlap welcome back to
The big Bluon. Sider joining us now as a gentleman
who appeared with us a while. Back he has Author Kevin.
Cook he's got a new. One if you're A uk,

(01:03:54):
fan you're gonna like. This it's a book About Memorial.
Coliseum five years Is, Monument stage And. Arena, kevin welcome.
Back this is kind of a sister, piece if you,
will to your earlier Book house Of, champions.

Speaker 7 (01:04:08):
Isn't it it? Is thank you so much for having
me it. Is the earlier book was more of a
nuts and bolts, had you, know a few black and white.
Pictures WHAT i really wanted to do was kind of
do a a love song About Memorial coliseum in an illustrated. Version,

(01:04:28):
yeah TELLING i think a bigger story and, stuff AND
i think a little more.

Speaker 1 (01:04:32):
Fun, oh it's it's a great. Read it's so much.
Fun you had lots of, illustrations AND i THOUGHT i
knew so. Much AND i do a little bit About Memorial,
coliseum having gone to school there in the seventies and
watch varsity basketball. THERE i covered freshman basketball there and
volleyball and women's. Basketball but you really go through the entire,
history and let's go back to the fact that they

(01:04:55):
REALIZED uk people, fans you, know that they had Outgrown Alumni.
COLISEUM i read where you wrote that students had to
take turns going to games there because it had become so,
crowded and there was a plan in place to try
to build a new. Facility but Then World War two
kind of interrupted, that didn't.

Speaker 7 (01:05:15):
It, YES i mean it. Was it was very evident
they needed a new. Building they just they didn't have.
Money uh the money they could, get you, know from
the state and other you, know whatever funds they could pull,
together you, know they needed for. Classrooms so at the,
time you, know a sports facility was. Needed it was
just lowered down the, uh you, know on on the

(01:05:37):
the list of things that were really. Needed. Uh it
was they had different plans they just fill through over you,
know a couple of, decades and it wasn't really until,
uh right Before World War one they decided that they
could they could build this figure. Arena World War one
then came, in, uh and what THAT uh did was

(01:05:57):
it gave them even a grander. Vision not only would
be a, colisseum but it would be first and Foremost
World war, two Initially World WAR ii monument to A
uk or the Entire states fallen dead during that.

Speaker 1 (01:06:12):
War and they didn't quite get all the support that
they that they needed UNTIL i guess what the late
forties And President donovan really got things going and it
opened up in nineteen. Fifty would it took about two
and a half years to.

Speaker 7 (01:06:27):
Build, yeah around that the plans first started coming out
about nineteen forty. Six that's when they promoted what the
front would look. Like and that's sort of interesting and
slightly different from The Finals. Society they're both in the
book and kind of compare. Them they're, close but they
are a little little. Different that that's. Interesting the Overall

(01:06:51):
final price tag was over four, million which at the
time was just you, know jaw.

Speaker 1 (01:06:56):
Dropping, yeah and you, know they had to get money
From frankfurt and things like. That AND i didn't realize
that there had been a real problem in paying for Alumni,
coliseum which caused some university administrators to drag their feet
when it came to, funding didn't.

Speaker 7 (01:07:12):
They, Yes so the funding initially was to come from you,
know of alumni gym back in the, twenties you know
they had it wasn't you suppose he was not going
to fall onto the university. ITSELF i was going to
be alumni of the alumni and the athletic ticket. Sales
but in the end the university kind of held the

(01:07:34):
bag when funds really fell. Through so that had a
bad taste in the mouth of the OVERALL uk leadership
about you, know taking on more funding for athletic. Facilities you.

Speaker 1 (01:07:45):
Know in researching a DOCUMENTARY i did On Adolph, RUPP
i learned That rupp thought Perhaps Memorial coliseum was too.
Big at one point he, wondered are we ever going
to fill? It he thought it might be a white
can you?

Speaker 7 (01:08:00):
Imagine, yes you know that that all worked, Out, yeah
but you, know there are a lot of well are
we going to do? IT i guess you, know it
could have been even, bigger you, know one, end the front,
end the runs Along avenue Champions, yeah, uh you know.
Didn't it was just did not have, seating so they

(01:08:22):
sort of hedge their bets a. Bit and then later,
on you, know Rough eva thought well ONCE i, retire
will they still be able to fill? It because will
a team be as? Popular?

Speaker 1 (01:08:31):
Right?

Speaker 7 (01:08:31):
Uh and we all know how that worked. Out it's definitely.

Speaker 1 (01:08:34):
Popular we're talking To Kevin cookie has written a new
book About Memorial colisseum uh and it's it's fascinating and
As kevin, said, uh it's an illustrated history Of Memorial.
Coliseum where did you get all your? PHOTOS i, mean
obviously you go ahead and take pictures of the building,
now but so many great historical photos are in this.

Speaker 7 (01:08:55):
Book well you know they're they're, there but they're sort
of you got to, know take a long time to
put them all. Together most of them came FROM Uk
university archives and some of those are like you, know separate.
Photos some of them you have to go into old
year books or old, programs so they're there they're just
hard to pull together and you kind, of you, know

(01:09:15):
searching for them isn't always that, Easy so you, KNOW
i kind of took my lumps over a long period
of time and how to how to find them and
then you, know get the permission to use. Them there's
a the ones that are more prior to you, know
more modern. PHOTOS i took mainly myself to document how
the arena looked prior to the, renovation because once that,

(01:09:39):
changes it's, like how did that look? Again SO i
really wanted to document how it looked prior to the
wonderful renovation and then showing the change and then the
final you, know renovation photos are in there as.

Speaker 1 (01:09:51):
Well by the, way there's a great overhead photo THAT
i don't know if i'd, seen But i've seen similar.
Pictures it's when The coliseum was under, construction but it
Shows Stole field right across the, street and then to
the left side Of stolefield was THE uk baseball. Field
Because jim host wrote you forward and When jim played,
baseball they dressed in the, coliseum they walked across the

(01:10:13):
street to the baseball, diamond so everything was right there
On Euclid, avenue which they renamed The avenue Of, champions
WHICH i think is likely lost on a couple of
generations Of kentucky.

Speaker 7 (01:10:25):
Fans, yes there's even a picture when they hung that
first hung that Fine avenue champions in nineteen fifty. One
it was to CELEBRATE Uk BASKETBALL'S Ncaa, championships but also
THE Uk FOOTBALL Sec championship under Coach Beart. Bryant but,
yeah they were very close. Physically as a matter of,

(01:10:48):
fact the football field if you, wanted you really couldn't
see the whole front Of Memorial. Coliseum you certainly had
a stands to the, side. Yep and it wasn't Until
Soul field was taken down in the seventies that you
could get really at a distance see the whole. Front
i'm told that the architect knew that someday the football
field would not be, there and so he sort of

(01:11:10):
planned this grand vista that eventually you'd be able to
enjoy what you can today standing back and seeing the
full frontage of the.

Speaker 1 (01:11:17):
COLISEUM i never heard that that's, brilliant BECAUSE i remember
the first TIME i was On Euclid. Avenue it was
my mother and we all went with dropping off my
sister who was going TO. UK i went the year,
later but we turned Down Euclid avenue and it was
like a, canyon you, know because stolefield back THAT i
don't even know if you could see the sun right

(01:11:37):
in front Of Memorial, coliseum it blew me. Away i've
never seen anything like. It we're talking With Kevin cookie
has written a book About Memorial. Coliseum it is a history,
book is an illustrated. BOOK i love the fact that
it's not just ABOUT uk. Basketball. Kevin you've got photos
and articles in there, about for, instance The Kentucky colonel's playing,

(01:11:58):
there AND i was at at least one of those
games when The colonels played. There include a picture Of
Louis dampier And DOCTOR. J you're right about, Concerts you're
right about the fact THAT lbj spoke, There Gerald ford
In Memorial. COLISEUM i, mean there's more to it than
just the basketball.

Speaker 7 (01:12:16):
Cats, yeah you know that with the, title you know the,
monument you, know uh stage and arena that the stage part.
Is you, know it's the public to the, public concert, hall, assembly,
auditorium all kinds of, events even even moral, service you
know For JOHN. F. Kennedy so it's had all kinds
of different events in. That you, know over time a

(01:12:36):
lot of that has moved to to Rep. Arena but you,
know back in the, day that was uh the you,
know a major auditorium for the state and certainly FOR. Uk,
yeah and you're right.

Speaker 1 (01:12:46):
About and show photos of the volleyball TEAM uk women's.
Basketball what a lot of. PEOPLE i know BECAUSE i
tell people when we're sitting in the interview room over.
There now after the, Renovation i've set to a couple of.
People you know what used to be, Here like WHAT i,
said a pool that was the home of the swimming
and diving. Program and again you've got Photos i'd never.

(01:13:08):
Seen BUT i actually took a life saving course in
that pool And Joe hall at lunch time to get some.
Exercise joe b would go swim at lunch time because
it was right around right down the.

Speaker 7 (01:13:19):
Hall, well that's that's. Interesting. YEAH i tried to see
it myself AND i was told that it was it
was still, there and it's now you, know a classroom
and tutoring center for the. Athletes we all missed an
opportunity to jump.

Speaker 1 (01:13:35):
In, well LIKE i, SAID i. DIDN'T i got myself
in in the water a little. Bit but people just don't,
realize you, know what that building, was what it used to,
be and what it. Meant AND i know in your,
research you know that this was a tremendous home court
advantage because when that place was full and it was so.

(01:13:56):
Intimate well it is now, again but in terms of
the five hundred with those Great kentucky, teams it was
one of the, best maybe the best home court advantage
in the, country wasn't.

Speaker 7 (01:14:07):
It, yes there's a there's a you, know a little
page in there about the ending of one hundred and
twenty nine game winning, streak still the longest in college. Basketball,
WELL i guess PROBABLY i don't know any, sport but
certainly college basketball started an alumni gym went for full
five years In Memorial, coliseum and that was kind of a,

(01:14:28):
devastating unexpected. Loss but, yeah everybody comments on how loud it.
Was you can even go to the. Archives there's some
old radio broadcasts Of Claude sullivan and you can hear the,
crowd so it was very. Intimidating you've got a.

Speaker 1 (01:14:44):
Section on the radio broadcasters and the fact That jim
host called games FOR wlap this very radio, station And
Claude sullivan and Then Kawd ldford came. ALONG i have
never seen the, Photo, kevin of a player shooting free
throws flanked by police. Officers tell everybody that.

Speaker 7 (01:15:04):
Story well that WHEN i saw, THAT i, said what
in the world is? This so it was Against. TENNESSEE
i think nineteen sixty. FOUR i may get that year.
Wrong kentucky, basically, yeah, Okay kentucky had won the. Game
they're up. Eleven basically the game was, over but there
was a last second, foul so there was no time.

(01:15:25):
Left but this a foul was assessed to THE. Uk
so it's A tennessee player going to the free throw,
line so basically the game is. Over there's no WAY
uk can. Lose The tennessee player does get the two free,
throws which all does give them like a nine point.
Loss but in the picture with time, expired it was very.
Casual you have a couple of policemen there for crowd

(01:15:47):
control just standing right behind. Him you get a cheerleader or,
two and might be a team. Manager there are Some
tennessee players standing very close by and in their like postgame.
Sweats he was like anybody who wants to come out
on the, floor it. Seemed And i'm amazed the guy
hit the two free. Throws so, yeah that was probably

(01:16:09):
the one of the stranger pictures in the.

Speaker 1 (01:16:12):
Book it's just. Fantastic and, again this is a book
About Memorial coliseum with a lot of illustrations. Photos if
you're A kentucky, fan you need to add this to
your collection because it's it's just a great history. Book
but it's a lot of fun to read and to go.
Through and you know, What you've got a photo in
there from the exteriors of the building of The great

(01:16:35):
at the ticket window that HAS uk in the grading
right in the metal. Grading that of one of those
ended up in my apartment thanks to my. Roommate there
used to be remember kids used to sleep on the
sidewalk to get ticket students, did and he was first in,
line or one of the. First he got bored waiting

(01:16:56):
and he MANAGED i think he had a dime and
he managed to unscrew The great off the. Window no
one saw him and took it. Home we lived across
the street down On Rose, lane and HE i WALK
i get home one, Day i'm, like what the hell
is this doing in our living? ROOM i was sitting
up on the. Mount he took it back a couple
of days. Later but WHEN i saw that PHOTO i,
had it took me back, because AS i, Said i've

(01:17:18):
spent a lot of time in that. Building but how
do you feel about the?

Speaker 7 (01:17:21):
Renovation, well you, know the renovation is, beautiful you, know
the the the the reality, is you, know had to be.
Updated there was no air. Conditioning you, know the seating
wasn't necessarily that it was original before the. Renovation it
wasn't necessarily that that. Comfortable it just was not up

(01:17:41):
to standards and it was you, know there was peeling
and so it's, like you, know tears for what was
not there are no longer. There but the reality is
what is there is beautiful and really had to be.
Done it was better to do that and than lose the.
Building so, uh you, know kudos to to the past
and the. Present the Hopeful the book captures both of,

(01:18:03):
that so at least you can, remember you, know what
it was.

Speaker 1 (01:18:06):
Like Memorial coliseum seventy five years is monument stage and.
Arena tell everybody where they can find your.

Speaker 7 (01:18:12):
Book, well it'll be released On august, eleventh there's actually
going to be a book signing in the coliseum more
and folks. Can they have to register us for. That
but there's about fifteen former players and broadcasters that will
be there from the era of playing and practicing really
from the sixties to the nineties that are coming To

(01:18:35):
they will sign the. Book you need to. Register all
the proceeds from that evening are going to student, scholarships
but folks can register for. That IF i give the,
website that's, Okay, yeah it's A uk alumni dot net
Forward slash memorial. Book now after that date it will

(01:18:57):
be available on claimpress dot, Com amazon and so forth
in local Bookstore.

Speaker 1 (01:19:02):
Sidney highly Recommended, Kevin thank you so, much and we'll
see you down the.

Speaker 7 (01:19:05):
Road thank you so. Much jack greatly appreciate.

Speaker 1 (01:19:08):
It we will close up shop here in the garage
in just a minute on six THIRTY. Wlap that's going
to do. It, weird just about out of. Time but
a quick. NOTE espn is really close to buying THE
Nfl network AND Nfl Red. Zone it is a deal
that is just about to be. Consummated according To The.
Athletic if that, happens watch FOR espn to lay off

(01:19:32):
even more. People some of your favorite folks might be
on the way. Out once. Again that network certainly knows
how to spend, money thanks To Kevin cook And Maggie.
Davis that's, it good night from the garage And.

Speaker 8 (01:19:43):
Lexington according to this morning, sample it would be A
twinkie thirty five feet, long weighing approximately six hundred.

Speaker 10 (01:19:50):
Pounds that's a big twink tett tact contention even can

(01:20:48):
do anything tasting to do.

Speaker 3 (01:21:30):
It don't, don't don't do

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