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BULL MENTALITY | Kentucky vs. Vandy & MARK POPE SAID WHAT?! · Bluegrass State of Mind

• Dillon Geralds: What's up guys? Welcome back to another episode of Bluegrass State of Mind. Got a lot to get into on this episode. Big, big, big weekend for the Cats this weekend in football. I got an exhibition basketball game that's going to be playing today. So, Colton, another big weekend. So let's let's kick things off with the Kentucky football team. Kentucky is they're not just off to a good start. The Wildcats are Building a case that they can compete in the SEC at a high level, competing for not just an SEC championship berth, but also a playoff berth at this point. They are coming into this game playing the Vanderbilt Commodores of a record of six and one and four and one in the SEC. They are now ranked the number 12 team in the country. They've had five consecutive victories, wins over ranked teams in Texas AM. LSU and then go to Norman and beat Oklahoma. They're bow eligible. I don't know if you saw this update too. I thought it was just something cool to throw in there, but on three, they're on three's mid season national coach of the year is none other than Mr. Will Stein. But, you know, I got to thinking, Colton, the most interesting angle about this football team is just how quickly the program's identity has completely changed. We've won close games, we've rallied back from deficits, found ways to create game changing moments on defense. And it got me to thinking, since we're getting into this Vanderbilt game, you know, w we're kind of usually in the place of where where Vanderbilt's at. Talking about how important this this game is for us. We're usually the team that's looking to ruin somebody's season, somebody to, you know, upset to kind of throw a big loop of things of like, hey, they they have nothing to to lose in this situation, and we have everything to gain. Ha have you thought about that any sense? I mean, I I know that's kind of been circulating around like this is not a trap game in a sense because I think of how well we're playing, but it put possibly you could look at it and and use those words if you wanted. have you have you thought about that lately? Kolton Myatt: Well yeah, this is the this is the first first game of the SEC so far that we're actually favored. Right. So I mean, even though we haven't played, you Dillon Geralds: True. Kolton Myatt: know, we d w we weren't w we were a essentially a touchdown underdog against Oklahoma even though they weren't ranked. we were like a two or three point underdog against South Carolina. So I mean we we've been the underdog in every single game so far. So this is the first one that we're not the underdog. And last time I looked at the line, it was 10 and a half. I don't like that. I I like being the underdog. I know that's kind of where we built, but I do think that there's been like a big emphasis on that. Right? Like I do think that everyone's mindset are immediately went to don't overlook Vandy. Don't overlook Vandy. So I I feel like that's been a stress towards the players, and I think Will Stein completely understands that. I don't think that. anyone's looking over Vandy. I think it's a game you've got to win. I think you're the better team. I think you've got to win this game. It's at home. But I don't think that they you know, I don't think anyone's overlooking Vandy from the aspect of we know what Vandy did to us last year. Vandy had their good year and we were down. you know, we've had some times when we've got beat bad to Vandy when we sh you know, we thought that we should have beat them. So I mean there's there's a lot to play for here. And then at the end of the day it's the SEC. I was I didn't get to watch the game, but I was li when I was on my way down to vacation, I was just trying to listen to different games on the radio. And Vandy was hanging with Georgia at Georgia for a long time up until like the fourth quarter. So I mean, they're still a good team. They're a well coached team. you know, I just think that it's a game that obviously you can't overlook. Dillon Geralds: Got a good quarterback, young quarterback. Kolton Myatt: But I I'm you the you you got a good young, you got a five star quarterback. I think he's learning, but he's only getting better. Right. The more reps he gets. you have You know, Sam Green, who's been a a beast so far, he's gonna be out. Nick Anderson, who's been a good receiver for you, he's also out. so I mean you it's a game that you can't take lightly. And I don't think they're going to, but it's so I'm glad it's a night game. I'm hoping the crowd behind, I'm hoping the hype. I hope that they really get pumped for the just having a night home SEC game and they they come out and show up. Dillon Geralds: Well, I'm glad you brought that up because that's kind of what I was leading into. And before I get into that, do want to take a moment to thank our sponsors over at Bluegrass Elite, repping the hat tonight. I you repping the hat as well. Thank you to them. If you have not gone over there to check out their gear, go ahead and please do that. Use our code BSM302 to get 15% off. They are always supportive and time is is not running out. Trust me, we've we've been having this this little sale, this promo code for a while. So please just go ahead and if you want some good merch. Go go take a look at Bluegrass Elite. So you talk about though Coton, you know, this this atmosphere. Well, in in Will Stein's com comments on one of his interviews, as many as he does, he has a bunch of interviews, and that's also something we could talk about later if we wanted to, about just the national media stage that he keeps on presenting for the University of Kentucky. But in one of the conferences, he he he challenged Big Blue Nation. let me read a little quote here. He said, I'd like to challenge our fans here at Kroger Field to exceed expectations from the last matchup. You know, I thought we had an unbelievable crowd here at home against LSU. They set the standard. Now it's time to exceed that standard and be even better. And then he proceeds to go on and kind of compare it to hey, we ask our players to to grow each week to be better than they were the game before. And that's how he presented it. He presented it in the nature of, hey, we're asking our players to do this, they're doing it. Now we're we're asking you all as fans as well. You set the expectation, be better. And Colton Selling out a game to Vanderbilt two weeks before the game or the week before the game, I think I I I think it's going to be a great atmosphere. You have Keeneland, but more so than anything, I think it's just the importance of this game. Kolton Myatt: did you watch the uncut video that released? Obviously we've been loving these uncut videos and y Dillon Geralds: I did. Yeah. Kolton Myatt: what I loved, I loved so much because this tells you also that Kentucky's different. One, how calm Dillon Geralds: With the players. Kolton Myatt: Will Stein was though, after the game, you know, right? Like how hype you saw how hype he was after LSU, after we beat Texas AM, after we won some of these games. And then you saw how calm he was after we won the Oklahoma game. And it was because I truly think he like that was a difference. Like that's someone who expecting to win. And what and then you go to the halftime speech and what's he say immediately. He said, Hey, good win, good win. We got another one next week. We've got another one next week. And I love that. If you d next week is as important or big a game. as this one. It really is. Like you it don't matter. And so th I think if I think the fans I I think a lot of people recognize I mean that was my first immediate thought. As much as I was hype about the Oklahoma game, my first thought was don't let Vanderbilt be a letdown. Don't let Vanderbilt be a letdown. Like immediately turn into Vandy instead of being, you know, I I'm not in that mode where all right, after we beat Vandy, then we got a break. Let's go ahead and look at Tennessee. No, I mean this is S E C football. Like my whole Dillon Geralds: Yeah. Kolton Myatt: th thought is let's go all in and dominate this game. Let's let's not give any life. Let's let's show out. Let's let's make it known and then rest up, heal up and get ready Dillon Geralds: Mm-hmm. Kolton Myatt: for Tennessee. But take care of business and so I I think that the atmosphere will be awesome. A perfect Dillon Geralds: Well you saw a perfect example of that though. Kolton Myatt: football perfect football weather. I mean. Dillon Geralds: But you saw that perfect example though Kolton Myatt: yeah, what a perfect example. Dillon Geralds: of of of Georgia. Georgia, I mean, you know, thinking that Auburn Kolton Myatt: Yeah, for sure. I mean look, yeah, the one of the w the I mean Auburn was considered a bottom three team in the SEC this year going into Georgia between the hedges and beating the number one team in the country. I mean, Florida, who was kinda you know, they they started out and then lost back to back games, got blown out really back to back games to Missouri and a South Carolina team that you beat, and then they turn around and they go on the road and they beat f Texas and they were a double digit underdog, right? We beat Texas A and as a double digit underdog. This is not a game to take lightly. I mean, Vanderbilt's definitely got potential still. So Dillon Geralds: And and you know, I also in the uncut video, I I I love seeing the players talk. Like as far and not just talk, but you can see them being leaders. Like they we talk about that at if attitude reflects leadership. Like they are taking it upon themselves to take lead. Do we love seeing the coaches cut I think it's cutter leftwich or and and Joe Sloan and Jay Batman? Like, do we love seeing all these guys along with Will Stein? Yes, we do. But That I think that that speaks volumes is whenever you have the players doing the talking now and seeing that and seeing the inside glimpse of okay, this just isn't coming from the top. It's it it it's it's a it's tumbling down. It's it's starting with the coaches, then it's going to your leaders of the offense, defense, special teams, and then it's just filtering all the way down. Every man in that locker room seems to me that they're just locked in. but you know, one more comment I wanted to. bring up. Yeah, I th I thought this was because we did we talked about it as well last on our last episode. But they they asked they asked Will Stein about the twenty fourteen playoff for next year, the college football playoff. His response, he says, everybody says the regular season games aren't going to matter. Really? I think that's a really lame take, to be honest. As far as I know, every game in college football is going to matter. And then he responds later saying, So you're telling me you wouldn't want a playoff game at Kroger Field? I think those takes are bad. And I agree. I agree one hundred percent on that. Absolutely. I would love to see a Kroger game a college football playoff game in Kroger Field. Like I I I don't want us to get into it too much because we did a little bit last episode, but I think that you're still gonna see meaning in the regular season. I think that it's still going to be important for these players and coaches. and also I think that it's also gonna have a big impact on what you brought up on last episode of that you get 24 teams in the playoff, you don't have some of these stars and studs probably sitting out because they are wanting to get to the championship and say, hey, we went through everything. We went through eight teams to get here. Or we went through six, ten, however, whatever the math is there. But do you think that what what do you agree still with that statement that you made? Kolton Myatt: yeah, absolutely. Well you take take like Ohio State, for example. Right? They're they're probably gonna get in, but they just lost their QB for probably the rest of the regular season, possibly the postseason. Who knows how they finish? They've got a tough schedule left. So say they find a way to finish just outside of it. The guy who may very well be the number one pick, maybe the Heisman winner in Jeremiah Smith, one of the best receivers I've ever personally just seen. I mean, you're talking about what if they Dillon Geralds: I agree. Kolton Myatt: finish thirteenth, right? Fourteenth, and they're playing in that first bowl game that's considered not in the college football playoff bowl. The odds are he probably doesn't even play. Right? He probably I mean, why risk getting hurt? You Dillon Geralds: Mm-hmm. Kolton Myatt: didn't make the playoffs, that's a disappointing season for them, and he's not and he's like, I'm gonna be number one pick. So then though that bowl game becomes irrevolent, really. I mean, you take Dillon Geralds: It means something. Kolton Myatt: your best players, it don't mean anything anymore. So now those those first like six to eight bowl games that are supposed to be your best games after the college football playoff, they're gonna mean something now because everyone's gonna keep going until they they're knocked out. I mean, it it means something. So it's as a fan perspective, you can't tell me that you're not excited to watch more competitive football. I mean, as the year goes on. And I mean we get several games now. I mean you take a team now, if the since especially I I think they eliminate conference championships with the twenty fourteens, but you take someone If they if they find a way to get all the way to the championship game, they're adding an extra, what, four to five games. I mean, that they've gotta that they've gotta play after Dillon Geralds: Mm-hmm. Kolton Myatt: the end of the regular season. So if we get to watch, you know, some of these great colleges play four or five extra games at after the end of the regular season, I'm not gonna be mad. Who's gonna be mad? I mean, we we everyone loves football. The ratings are unreal. They just keep Dillon Geralds: Yeah. Kolton Myatt: growing. NIL's made it more of a level playing field. I mean, I'm a hundred percent in on that take. I think Will Stein's right. I think it's a lot. A lame take. I think who would not I would love to be at a playoff game at Kroger Field. I would love to be there. So I hope that happens. Dillon Geralds: my goodness. I mean, could you imagine Ohio State or Notre Dame coming to Kroger Field? I mean, like that would be electric. so I I Kolton Myatt: Yeah. Dillon Geralds: agree with you one hundred percent. one more thing too, you know, that Will Stein I I think Colton I don't know if it was just that we have not been you like well we've not been used to this, but the way that Will Stein has been able to just create meaning for every single game, I I guess is is what I'm trying to say. I find just amazing of how he is able to kind of get these quotes, whether it be like where he's saying we are the storm, it was was one thing that that he said. Th this but what I'm getting to is this one for this upcoming game. I don't know if you've seen that, but his kind of quote that they're using is the bull don't care. The bull don't care. What what does that mean? All right. Well, let's put some some perspective on this, okay? We're looking at a Vanderbilt team who who beat us to death last year. 45 to 17. Okay. They come in this year, they're not very good. They they're three and four. They are 0-4 in the SEC and they really should be 2 5 because of the NC state game, where at the end their punt or their quarterback, Kolton Myatt: Yeah. Yeah. Dillon Geralds: that that was just crazy. So this team, I mean, as we're saying you can't look over them, but at the end of the day, they they they really are not that good. But he says don't you have to have this mentality of the bull don't care. And what he's saying there is that whenever a a a cowboy gets on a bull. It doesn't matter what kind of cowboy that is. That rider could be a rider that is the best of the best. It could be one that gets kicked off early, always the reputation that it has. Bull don't care. He's still going to buck them off and he's going to buck them off quick. And that's kind of what he's that's what he's kind of saying is like, listen, we got to go in this game. It doesn't matter if they are 7-0 or if they're 3-4. We got to have that mindset that we just don't care. And we're going to go out and we're bust you in the mouth and we are going to. Play like it like our lives depend on it. And I d I just love though this leadership aspect that Wilson has. And I think that we are very, very lucky, which then also talks about have you what is your whole take? I know that this is kind of just rumor rumors, I guess, but I know you've been saying it too, about this whole Texas you know, trying to maybe Go for after our boy Will Stein. I don't want to give this much attention, but what are your initial thoughts on that? Kolton Myatt: Yeah, I think that's just I mean that's just trying to get clicks, to be honest with you right now. I mean, look, I at this rate do I think there's gonna be a time when Will Stein probably does leave? Probably. Do I think it's gonna be after one season? No. I I don't think that. I think he's I think he Dillon Geralds: I feel like that really hurts you to say. Kolton Myatt: I think he truly wants to build something here. I mean he's f he's from Kentucky, grew up a Kentucky fan. It's not just anything to him. I and the thing is now is what I tried, you know, I was talking to Mason on this too. Is outside a handful of jobs. Now, to me, outside of your big, big jobs, like your your Bama's and Georgia, LSU, you know, Michigan, maybe Ohio State. Like you've got like a handful of like seven jobs. And for the majority those coaches are there. Texas, yes, it is a big job. But to be honest with you, how much more in football over the last twenty years has Texas been you know, they've been okay here the last few years. But the reality of it is now is to me, Kentucky with the NIL and what you think that you can build, I mean, I think it's as good a coaching job as that of of any now. I I really do. I mean I can't imagine Dillon Geralds: Yeah. Kolton Myatt: Like I don't even think Alabama's NIL Alabama's got the history, but I don't think that Alabama's NIL is much more than Kentucky's, if you want to be honest with ya. It's really not that much more if you probably break it down how much Alabama's is. You've got three or four schools that are way up there, but Alabama has never been one that's been high on there. If you think and I think the money's gonna roll in now, Dillon Geralds: Mm-hmm. Kolton Myatt: I think you're gonna have more donors that are are contributing to the football program. Dillon Geralds: Donors, yep. Kolton Myatt: I think you've got a chance to build something special. I don't know I would be more worried about him leaving for a NFL position than I would Texas. That would be my worry. I think that those young Dillon Geralds: Yeah, I I agree. Kolton Myatt: Sean McVeigh's and Kyle Shanahans and if they think that he's that type of mind. Liam Cohen, we saw Liam Cohen be here Dillon Geralds: Yeah. Kolton Myatt: and then all of a sudden he's a head coach and the Jaguars are thriving. I mean I mean they I could see Dillon Geralds: Mm-hmm. Kolton Myatt: that being more of a worry than Texas. I mean I I I don't think he's leaving us for Texas personally. Dillon Geralds: Well well let me throw this at you then. So, you know, when thinking of that, let's let's kind of put to put them together. Let's put basketball and football together, okay? And as much as I I hate saying this, but it is true. And when we see it right now, more than ever, when when you think about what you've just brought up about all these other, you know, programs that are they I guess I look at it as thinking like, are they worth it? You kind of look at Kentucky basketball. That's kind of the same thing. You you think of, okay, we As Kentucky fans think, let's just go get anybody. Like we have this name, the brand, right, for Kentucky basketball. But then you come over here, what are you gaining truly right now in today's world? Other than the fact that you're gonna be at Kentucky, but is Kentucky even what it used to be? No, it it's not. And then what comes with that, that that comes with an extreme amount of pressure. You have to win and win early. And what I'm meaning by that is like just do the The the flip of that, let's do Texas football. Like what would Will Stein be gaining? The man is from Kentucky, his roots are here, his family is here, his dad played at the University of Kentucky, he grew up being a Kentucky fan. What would he be gaining other than going to Texas? Because if you're gonna sit here and tell me that, well, his chances of winning at Texas are gonna be much better and his he his ceiling is gonna be a national championship, that's false. If you look at today, Colton, like look at what we're doing. And then you look at the basketball side of things. Do you have ha d have you thought about that? Kolton Myatt: Well, I mean the NIO has just put things on such a level playing field. Right? The reason that these powerhouses Dillon Geralds: Did I lose you? Kolton Myatt: like Texas and Bama can can you hear me? but the reason like Texas and Bama and Georgia are all the reason that they're all not as dominant as they were six or seven years ago is because this NIO era has l leveled the playing field. Right? The five stars that used to be at Texas as backups are now playing for Kentucky. Right? I mean we we've got the number what we used what at one point was the number one running back recruit in America on a roster. That played for Texas. Right? He played for Texas and now he's playing for Kentucky. Right? That don't just happen six or seven years ago. He don't transfer to Kentucky. He transfers probably to an Alabama or Georgia or a bigger name if he wants to leave Texas. But now because of NIL, someone that was one time the number one running back recruit in the country is now playing for the University of Kentucky. And and so why? Like if when that can happen Like why would you want that extra pressure? Cause I don't care. You can go to Texas and you can say, well, the recruiting might be an easier. Well, maybe because of the brand, but the reality of it is you might you're about to if you turn around and draw a schedule of Alabama, Georgia, L S U, O Miss, I don't care. You you can escape all you want to Texas, but the the SEC's still there. Right. And now part of that twenty fourteen playoff deal is you're about to also have the agreement where it looks like the SEC and the Big Ten are about to make an agreement. the to play each other every year. So you're adding in another tough game 'cause like a Texas may play in Dillon Geralds: Yeah. Kolton Myatt: Ohio State every year. Dillon Geralds: Yeah, and what you're seeing now is just an equal playing field. You're gonna see the SEC. If you thought that they used to beat up on each other, just look at look at the teams right now. Look at last weekend, what's happened and transpired. It it's an equal playing field. And you see the SEC in particular just beating up on each other. And that's also in due probably why they decided that it's in the best interest of college football. Let's expand this playoff because there's gonna be so many Teams that are just on equal playing field. I got five key five key things for a Kentucky victory. I want you to pick one. Okay. and for those listening, Colton, internet's off a little bit tonight, it seems like for me. but bear with us. We're we're gonna get through this. But regardless, we are still gonna push through. So the first key is win the turnover battle. Kentucky's defense did intercept Oklahoma quarterback John Material four times in their 21-13 win. we have consistently all year long won the turnover battle and it's a bend, don't break defense. I mean, you see that consistent consistently, game in and game out. Number two, establish the running game. These are very similar to last week's, but I think they're still very crucial. Kentucky rushed for 390 yards against South Alabama with three running backs topping 100 yards. Running effectively against Vanderbilt. Would help us control that tempo. We're also getting CJ backstrap. He may not be fully healthy. So what could that mean for him, Coton, if we're able to create and establish a run game with Patterson and and our other running back, loot losing my train of thought here with what his name is, but not having to maybe put CJ Baxter in and give him more time to heal up for the Tennessee game. Number three is play a complete four quarters. I thought this was a big one because Coton, if you look at us, have we truly played a complete game? You look at the Texas St. Endgame, third quarter, amazing. You look at Oklahoma, fourth quarter, amazing. Alabama, first half, really good. Like you have I don't think we've played a complete four-quarter game yet. Number four, don't underestimate the freshman quarterback Jared Curtis. Stein in his conference praise Vanderbilt's young quarterback as a high-level talent, highlighting his arm strength, throwing ability, and running strength. We cannot let a a kid get in there and get momentum because in these type of games, Colton, I I know you know just as much as anybody, when you find momentum and you have a sellout crowd and you have a chance to ruin somebody's season, you get better. You you you thrive under that if you get any momentum going. And then the last one is just make Kroger Kroger Field matter. Make it be the best environment in the country. So those are my five for you. win the turnover battle. Two, establish the running game three, play a complete four-quarter game. Four. Don't underestimate the quarterback Jared Curtis and five mate Kroger Field Matter. Which one do you think would be the most important if you had to pick one? Kolton Myatt: to me, I I'm always to the point that where I I think if you to me I'm always gonna be the running game. I just stand for this team because of our offensive line. Right? That's just their strength. And we didn't run it great during Oklahoma, but the good thing is we kinda stuck with it. I remember texting you and be like, you know, right on cue, like Eric, we had it we started running the ball a little better. you know, you was like, What's going on? We didn't run the ball great in the first half and then we kinda war war them down a little bit and started running the ball better in the second half. For this type of team, the way the best way to keep from getting in any momentum is run the ball. Right? They're going to get tired. If you run the ball down their throats, you overpower them, over physical. Right. At one point, you know, if you're doing that, their team's gonna be like, man, like we're just getting beat down. And if you're getting beat down in that type of atmosphere, I mean it's easier for a team like Vanderbilt to kind of call, throw in the towel. Right, if you're getting ph physically dominated and so let your offensive line go and win it for you to me. Like that's that's ideal. I I just think that you have to always to me that's air strength. And when our offensive line and the run game controls it, we are in control. And if we're in control, we're gonna win this game. We're better than Vanderbilt, but you've gotta be in control and I I think it's starts with your offensive line. Dillon Geralds: I I I think mine I'm going to to pick which does include yours, the running game, but just a complete four quarter game. Because I look at it this way. I look at it that if you come out and you play a complete first half, a complete third quarter, by not even maybe midway through the fourth quarter, we can we can sit some of our healthy guys. Kolton Myatt: overall it it is a very important game. Right. I think the fan base understands it. I think the players understand it. More than anything, Will Stein understands how important of a game this is. And there's all kinds of keys. You heard the keys that Dylan said, but all of them are going to play a major role. Krogerfield needs to be rocking. Everyone needs to be invested. That this is a big game. It don't matter what Vanderbilt's record is. We've got to be completely invested in this game. and and go out and take care of business, right? We're still battling. Here's the thing, we're still battling for a potential playoff spot, and that's not just with a win. Right? Go, you don't never know if Van Vandy plays Tennessee at the end of the year. Maybe Van and I think it's at Vanderbilt. So maybe Vandy, you know, pushes Tennessee to the limits when they come down. So at the same time. If you go in and you blow out Vandy, if you come in and dominate Vandy, if they play another team closer, they upset a Tennessee at the end, and maybe it's between you all, you know, those games can matter and the way you win matters. So obviously to me that's huge. I think DG's still having some technical difficulties. So I I think we were going to get into a little bit of basketball. Kentucky plays their second exhibition game this Friday. we'll be releasing this in the morning. So today they're playing their second exhibition game against a Texas Tech team that is ranked ahead of them in the AP PO. I think Texas Tech is ranked maybe 19th and we're 24th, I think, in the AP PO that come out. So it's going to be a good challenge. We've seen some good exhibition games. I know Louisville upset Kansas. you know, Yukon went on the road to East Lansing and beat Michigan State. So we've seen some good exhibition games early on. so we're expecting a good game. I think there's a lot to be said in this game. I think you'll I think you'll learn a lot more in this exhibition game than you you got to see with the the first exhibition game. And so with DG's back, let me just start out with this DG as we get into basketball as we finished up football there. You know, just initially with the exhibition game happening tonight as this as Dillon Geralds: Sorry about that guys. Kolton Myatt: as this release. as this is released so What to me, you know, what are what's the main things you're looking for in to tonight's exhibition game against Texas Tech? Dillon Geralds: You know, I I I was talking to Mason as well about this. earlier he called me about something for the trip that we have coming up, but he he was asking me about the expedition game. And honestly my first thought was, Cotton, I I r I wish we was actually playing this game away. I do. Because I think that you would be able to see much more what this team is like, what they're going to do when adversity hits because I I think that Yes, we still may be able to see some of that at at Reparena, but I really wish we were playing away. But more so than anything, I want to see these guys come in and be confident. I think on the last exhibition game, I thought that you you was able to see a Alex Wilkins who was trying to make things happen rather than just letting it come to him. I thought that you you was able to see a Malakamarino who was trying to consciously make the best basketball play and instead of letting him play just unconsciously and just letting the game as well come to him. I think that that is a that is truly a Kentucky effect. I think that guys when they get here, they try to not be something they're not, but they still feel like they're having to prove themselves, not necessarily to the coaching staff, but more so to just the fans. I think that that that that is a very real thing for these guys who come to Kentucky. So the biggest thing that I want to see is I just want to see guys play comfortable. I w I want to see the Alex Wilkins that everybody talked about whenever he was at James Madison. Or excuse me, not James Madison. where'd he play at? That I'm thinking of McBride. Where did he play at before? Where did where'd Wilkins play at? Kolton Myatt: Fermin. Dillon Geralds: Furman, yes, Furman. I want to see the Alex Kolton Myatt: Right. Was it in Farm? Yeah, Ferm. Dillon Geralds: Wilkins who, yeah, it was Furman, who balled out against the Gonzaga in the NCAA tournament. I want to see the Malachi Marino that these scouts were were talking such high praise about, who could possibly be a lottery pick last year. I want to see Azum Diallo who came in and his turnover to assist ratio was amazing at Washington. That's what I want to see. I want to see guys and come be themselves. Forget the fans. Forget the the the University of Kentucky on your chest in a sense of what I'm what I mean by is like just play basketball. And I also as far as the offense goes, man, Colton, I think that more so than anything when it comes to just the offense, I want to see some fluidity. Like I I felt like there was times that we just passed the ball around. And we w we were looking for somebody to go make a play. And you can get by with that. When you're playing a team such as Arkansas Little Rock. But what I guess what really made me frustrated was that whenever we was just passing it around the top of the key, nobody was going just to be a dog and make a play. It was like, who is going to be that? Which reflects back to your your point last week about I didn't see any leadership. And I think that's what it comes down to. Milan Momchilovich was the only big highlight that I was able, okay, he he is going to be as advertised, in your words. I think that, you know, he does a really good job of letting the game just come to him. But man, just that this is an exhibition game. Go ahead and just be yourself. I I think that there's just so many outside noises that come with playing at the University of Kentucky. And I I I think that it affects some players. And I that's the worst thing that you can say. But we can't let that happen this year, Coton. We can't because this is such a a crucial year. For Mark Pope. Well did you already say some stuff that you were looking forward to? Those are just a couple of my thoughts. Kolton Myatt: Yeah, no, I was just kinda talking about how it we we should be able to learn a little more about this game. Texas Tech obviously ranked, and how we had seen some some good ranked matchups and some big big Dillon Geralds: Yeah, they're ranked number nineteen. Kolton Myatt: big big big time matchups already with Kansas Louisville and Yukon and Michigan State and we've seen some big ones. So this is a chance to also play a big one and learn a lot. I I'm I like the word you use there with fluid. I that's kind of what I want to look at because I wasn't real sure what I was watching in the first game. And I I didn't know you know, I know Mark Pope came out and said we really Dillon Geralds: Yeah. Kolton Myatt: only ran about five sets. We we didn't want to make it complicated. We just kinda had initial four or five that we just kinda wanna run and then see see what they done out of it. And you could tell. I mean, it's look we didn't have a lot planned, we didn't have a lot of different things. It's almost like he had these few sets and then he just kinda wanted people to go play ball. And at times they did, but at times they kinda looked lost. And so I'm hoping that they've kind of implemented more of a structured Hey, this is what we want to go into. This is the game plan. This is kind of what I want to see. But also, you you want to see that fluid. You want to see these guys be athletes. You want to see them play to their strengths and and just play free and fun at a lot of times when things aren't. You want to be able to see the adaptability, the change, right? You want to be able to run those sets and run them to, you know, be efficient and doing it. But at the times when they break down, who's going to step up? Right, when when that happens and you see that they're guarding against what you're wanting to do, who's gonna step up and be like, All right, give me the ball. I'm I'm gonna take it right here. I'm gonna make something happen. And you Dillon Geralds: Mm-hmm. Kolton Myatt: you ideally you always want that to be your point guards, right? That's kinda why they're the point guard, it's because they're supposed to create these type of situations. Maybe it's Milan needing to step up and say, Give me the ball, everyone clear out, I'm gonna make this shot somehow. However it is, you wanna see those things, right? You you wanna see those things happen. You wanna see a leader on the court. You wanna see who wants it more than anyone and not just not just playing to throw up throw up a shot or to play out of control, but who's really got that what you say, quote unquote dog in to the point that we we knew that Dillon Geralds: Yeah. Kolton Myatt: Otega Oway had that dog in him. You know what it's like we knew that when things ultimately weren't going great, that he was getting to the basket. He was gonna find a way to get a go. So Dillon Geralds: Yeah. Kolton Myatt: who's gonna do that now? Like who's the next guy to do that? Could it be Wilkins? Yeah, I think it could be Shifty. Is it Diallo being physical with the point guard position? Maybe. Is it Milan? I don't know. But I I think you gotta start seeing that over the next couple of exhibition games. It's tomorrow night's as good a time as ever to start. Dillon Geralds: And you know, I I've let's get into a little bit more or at least I'm gonna get into a little bit more detail specifically what I want from some players too. I I mentioned a couple there, but I think Zoom Diallo, that was a guy that we brought in who was a a a point guard who had solid solidified himself as somebody who is going to take charge. He was the leader. I've heard Mark Pope in a bunch of different press conferences say that whenever they would do team retreats, he was the guy who was taking those guys. down a path and and just like you know talking to them making sure they're connected as a group but you know like you said you can get away with some of that stuff against a Arkansas Little Rock but we're talking about Texas Tech, the number 19th ranked team in the country. Can he come in and get our team into sets? Can he limit the careless passes the and can he create good shots not only for himself but others? Can he organize the offense to determine how quickly You know, do we need to get this shot up? Like he has got to be the the point guard is the leader. They are they're the quarterback, they control the entire momentum of the game. You look at Malachi Marino. Colton, I'm very interested to see if Malachi Marino transition his his reliable rebounding that he had against Arkansas Little Rock. Can he can he transition that into the big time play with the Texas Tex? Can he continue to be a rim protector? Can can he make his inside presence known. He didn't do the inside presence with with Arkansas LittleRock. But can he do that with Texas Tech? I I I I want to see that. And then obviously and the last thing I want to see if our defense can be as competitive and transition that into this Texas Tech team. I I think that we like we mentioned here, we are lengthy, we have a lot of activity, we like to disrupt, but can we do that? Can we transition that into A power five Big 12 Texas Tech team. I think that though those are a couple of big things that that would be good to see. So with Texas Tech coming in, Coton, they do not have their stud JT Taupin. He is unavailable while recovering from his AC ACL injury, but they do have Jamichael Stilwell, but he is considered unlikely to play as well. So when looking at their biggest threats is going to be Darien Williams, a transfer from Cruz Davis and Draw Gibbs Lawthorne. Now listen, I know nothing about these guys. I'm just saying these names for you to watch out for if they pop up on your screen. But Colton, let me ask you this too now. When you I don't know if you watched it, if if those are listening, but when watching your Louville, Louville looked really good. When you when you say your Duke, Duke looked great. When you see your Yukon and Michigan states. Why are we not there? I I know we're gonna let let's get it let's get a little deep tonight with this. Like what I cause I know you have that same gut feeling. And I think that that's what that that's what the fans want to hear. It's like let's let's let's get into let's get let's get deeper here. Like, is it is it because of Mark Pope? Is it because that we're not getting the the high school transfers? Cause you look at our our transfer class, or excuse me, not high school transfers, the but the recruits. You look at our transfer class, Cotton. I think that we've had a top five transfer class two out of the three years last year and this year. We're spending the money. Are we just not finding the right guys? Now listen, the season has not started. But anybody who has has the eyes to watch the game or even listen to the game, you can hear and see. These teams are on different levels. And those was teams that they're playing like this, wasn't Louisville playing Arkansas Little Rock. They're playing at Kansas. Dude played Tennessee. Busted him. It hurts it hurts me. It hurts me. I was telling somebody else today it hurts me. Kolton Myatt: Yeah. I mean, who knows? I mean look, it's a it's a combination of factors. One, I don't think Mark Pope is on the same level as as a Dan Hurley or a John Shire as a coach. I really don't I don't think that he's on that same level. I think that they're a level above, which is sad that they have those coaches and and we don't. I do think the recruits is playing a you saw the the five star, I think it was Rippy. Or Rippy Jr. or something for a Duke that had a great game. You take the five star that reclassified for Louisville, that had a great game against Kansas. And the thing is, Yukon didn't have Bra even have Braden Mullins, you know, a staple of their team, like a very core guy who or does a lot. They didn't have him on their team and still went into East Lansing and and won. So I mean UConn and that just shows well coaching. good coaching teams. I I the my biggest fear is that we're not we don't have these make or break players. I mean you g you think about it. Our first two years, some of a I mean Otega Owe, for example, finally went, I don't know what he went in the second round this year, right? In the draft. And he's essentially been air stud guy. We're talking about guys that are dominating for these teams that are allowed to be top ten picks. And to me, there's still a difference in those type of stars. And we've yet to get that type of star. Yes, we've got some good transfers, we've got Dillon Geralds: There is Kolton Myatt: some solid experience, but we haven't got those stars that we were accustomed to to getting. And they make a difference because even if they don't blossom the first year, you take you take Caden Boozer, right, for Duke I mean he he's coming he came back this year. I would say he had his big mistake last year, but he's he's gonna be o he's gonna be even better this year. Dillon Geralds: They didn't even have Caleb Foster playing either. Kolton Myatt: Right. They didn't have K I mean, they they're building you know, their debt pieces are guys that are are four or five star guys Dillon Geralds: Role players. Kolton Myatt: and or old players or you know, guys that have experience on big time games. That's their that's their bench. You know, nothing against Trent Noah, but like that's the you know, I mean That's a type there's a there's a difference in a Caleb Foster p coming off the bench or or not being there compared to a Trent Noah and there just is. And I don't want to blame it all on just the players 'cause I think we've got some decent you know, obviously we have this top transfer class and we've brought in some guys and they're still to be seen. So I I hope that they're dominant. But it just looks different, right? It just it looks different watching these Dillon Geralds: It does. Kolton Myatt: teams compared to watching us. And maybe it maybe it's because the hype is around those programs still. where the hype has kind of left UK basketball a little bit in the last year or two. that is a problem. That that is a problem and and and Dillon Geralds: But that's a problem. That's the problem too though. Like there there and in no world should you be able to say that. Kolton Myatt: No, I shouldn't. And, you know, I it's sad to think. but at the same time, there's just such a d there's a divide amongst the fan base, but I think that it's justified in the sense of what are we? Right? Are we a team are we a are we a number one program in the history? Or are we now a team that loses five or six games a year by double digits and we lose in rep arena and we don't get top recruits? Dillon Geralds: Yeah. Kolton Myatt: I mean, who who are we now? Are we still Kentucky basketball or are we just another team? Like the same way what you were talking about with football. Is Texas still Texas? Is Alabama still Alabama football? Or are they just another SEC team? I mean, because of the world we live in now. So I hope that that's not the case. I hope that this team is ready to go. I hope that their strength. I hope they have something to show us. I hope the first game was jitters slash getting the feel of rep arena and the feel of each other and just Dillon Geralds: Yeah. Kolton Myatt: all these different things. I so I you know, there's still a lot to be seen. There's no judgment being passed. I hope that they're the best team in college basketball and we're going to win. but y you know, they've got a lot to earn. They've got a lot to show and Dillon Geralds: Well I But I think that it it's fair what we're saying though, because if it like I said, if when looking at and comparing these games that we're watching of i in the case of a Kentucky, a Duke, a Louisville, like they're it it looks different. The teams on the floor, they do not look the same. And by meaning don't look the same, Kentucky in particular, they don't look like they are on the same level as the others. but we I I think it's good it's good discussion, so let's keep it going. Let's let's talk about it. we're gonna talk about this whole Pope conference that that everybody has been talking about. So let's start with NIL. Mark Pope had a a very interesting interview discussion with Andy Katz and I didn't write down the other guy's name, I just know it's Andy Katz and another college basketball analyst. But they they talked about some NIL spending. Pope, and I quote, said in reference to the roster costs for Kentucky. He says, I can tell you that there were there was a massive amount of reporting about our roster, individual offers, contracts, everything else. That was far from where it was. Then he continues on and says this. He says, the same thing goes this year. I'm anticipating that we're rel that we are a relatively modest roster among the top tier of college basketball this year. But I can't say that for sure. And I do think that that is that is true. That that there is a do you truly know what these teams are spending? No, it's probably a a lot of misinformation. But I think that this statement becomes especially interesting in light of the report because Kentucky is in the 20 million plus tier. I I wrote down how many teams are actually spending, or actually maybe I didn't write it down, but I there was a list that I did see that consisted of Duke, Texas, Kentucky, Louisville. Like we are in that top tier of teams that are amongst the tops of spending money. So Colton, when you hear those statements of him saying the words that we are relatively modest roster among the top tier of college basketball this year. What does what does that even mean? What was it like for you? And I'm not picking Kolton Myatt: Yeah, I don't. Dillon Geralds: on him whatsoever. Like we're not picking on on Mark Pope, but I just don't even know what that means. Kolton Myatt: I I I don't either. And to me I think he's just literally trying to use a different word that's not Ferrari. 'cause I think he learned his lesson with that one. by saying Ferrari. We've got a Ferrari. Now he's using the word modest. Modest normally means that, you know, it's just s you know, it's above average. That's c that's really what modest means. That you're not you're not you're not bragging, you're not elite, you're not top, but you're also not just terrible. You're not bottom. Like you're you're modest, you know, you're you're above average. I I to me it's I think I feel like he's trying to Dillon Geralds: Hey, hold on. Let me let me tell you. Here here here it is. Keep going, but here it is. I found it right I want I want to mention it. Matt Norland. this this was multiple across multiple agencies. These are the teams, okay? These groups that were recorded that were 20 million in roster this year. Duke, Florida, Kentucky, Illinois, Louisville, Michigan, North Carolina, St. John's, Tennessee, Texas, Texas Tech. Those are all powerhouses. But continue, I just want to make sure I get that right because that was on there. But go ahead. Kolton Myatt: Yeah. Yeah, so I mean, look, we but we should be, right? We're not it's not like we're supposed to be like, wow, I can't believe but you should be. And but with you know, you that's exactly what we should be up there. That's what's expected if in the NIO era that we should be spending as much as anyone. But there is pressure behind that. If you're gonna spend, you have to create a roster that looks like a championship roster. And that's my biggest issue is that if you can't get the guys to Come together and play some things like that. You could, but you can still look and say when they're at their best, they're a championship roster. I haven't seen that yet. And that's my biggest complaint is that there's no reason to not bring in a type of team that when they're at their best, you're like, Yes, we play like that. We'll beat anyone in the country. We are, we can be as good as anyone, we can go and win a national championship. College basketball is hard to win a national championship. We've we've talked about that. You may fall short some years. That's not the issue that we have. I think the issue that the fans are are referring to is that at the end of the day, before Dillon Geralds: Competitive. Kolton Myatt: before we lose in the before we lost in the round of 32 to Iowa State last year, did anyone think we were going much further? I mean, that's that's the reality. That was the mindset. And that's a terrible mindset to have as a Kentucky basketball fan. was like, the reality of it is you look at the bracket and say, we might get by Santa Clara, but most likely we're not beating Iowa State. Dillon Geralds: That is so true. Kolton Myatt: Right? Like that that's the way you look at the bracket right now. And that is terrible as a Kentucky fan for Kentucky basketball. I mean, there was it like I said, the year that we we had the Harrison twins freshman year and James Young and Julius Randle, and we got we were an eight seed. I still picked us to go to the national championship and win it all because I at Points in that season when we were at home especially, I was like, Yeah, when we play like this, we're the best team in the country. In the NCAA tournament, we're gonna have more fans there than anyone. And I was like, That team is good enough to win. Even as an eight seed, I was like, they're good enough to win. The seven seed we were last year, I did not look at that team and say, We're winning at all. Like that's not. And that's that's tough now coming from a Kentucky fan that you want to be able to put in the national championship of your bracket Dillon Geralds: Yeah. Well, we relied on a magical run. Kolton Myatt: each year. Yeah. Dillon Geralds: And y you know, I think that that's that's a really good point, Colton, is that realistically, we like to say this that you know there is this standard. The standard is to win and not only win, but win national championships, final fours. I think if you had a heart-to-heart discussion with most Kentucky fans, they are going to be like, Okay, do I expect us to win a national championship every year? No. That's just not going to happen. There's a reason why John Calipari only has One, right? There's a reason why you know, Bill Self, does he have two? Kolton Myatt: Tom Izzo has one. Dillon Geralds: Tom Izzo has one. Like we could go on a list here of great coaches across college basketball, not just current, but in the past too, that only have maybe one or two. And then when you look at the end of their career, they coached for 30, 35 years and you're like, well, I guess it I guess they didn't win a national championship every year. That's not the issue. The issue is how are you competitive? Do you look at, like what you said, the perfect example? Do you look at this team and year in, year out, and say, we can get there. We can win a national championship. We can and we will get to a Final Four once every five, six years. I think that is the true standard at Kentucky. And I think that that even with that statement there, let's get into this next segment of Mark Pope, what he says. I think this next thing that we're going to talk about is what really Aggravates me and makes my blood pressure just go above the roof. Before saying this, I want to make it crystal clear for the ones who are listening. I think that we have been collectively, Colton, myself, and Mason have done a really good job of not jumping off the wagon full or jumping the ship fully, trying to give grace when we can give grace while still being critical. Okay. If you heard us any last season throughout the season, we were very critical. But then whenever he done great things, it was like, okay, maybe, maybe we're starting to turn around. And then you look at this summer, Colton. He he doesn't get Tyron Stokes. He doesn't get Rob Rod. He doesn't get Donnie Frank. Like there, and we're like, what in the world? But then he does get Milan Mobchilovich. He does get and a couple of good guys, Zoom Diyala Wilkins, like, okay, okay, Mark Pope, you answered our call. Thank you. So what it has been a roller coaster ride. But I with all that being said though, Colton, I think that. There are fans that if they are still believing in Pope and giving him the benefit of the doubt, it on a scale to 10, as far as how many strikes that he's going to get, I think it's up to like seven or eight strikes. He only has maybe two left, one or two left, maybe three. And I say all that because what he says here is the thing that I have an issue with. He says, in regards to Kentucky being the highest bidder. He says Pope said Kentucky would be, and I quote, really, really competitive in terms of NIL. But then he also says that we're rarely going to live in a place where we offer the most money. And then he explains why. And he says, I need to bring in kids that want to be here for more than just the dollar value. And I I'm I'm done. I I I that is so aggravate aggravating to hear. I don't know what I don't know if he truly means what he's saying there, Colton. But I mean, come on, man. Come on. Like we're living in the age of, yes, I'm wearing the University of Kentucky across my chest. You're wearing the University of Kentucky across your chest. That means something to us because we know the history. We were born and raised in Kentucky. We know the tradition. But these kids, the the You can't hear it you can't sit here and say that Kentucky is the the greatest tradition of all time to these kids. They don't that they don't resonate with them. They don't click with them. And obviously Coton it doesn't click with them probably because if you look in the when was the last time we got to a Final Four? 2015. That's nearly 12 years ago. How can you say we're the greatest tradition? It's all about what's across your chest. Like I get it. I I get that. But these kids don't. So whenever he makes those remarks saying that we want to get guys who want to truly be here, yes, we do that while also offering them the highest amount of money that we can because we are the University of Kentucky and we have the donors and we can do that. That drives me nuts, Colton. How do you say that? And I'm not trying to beat on Mark Pope because I we're we're we're I'm giving him grace and I'm going to judge him whenever until he gives me something to to not j to critique. But that's one thing that he's given me to critique. Why would you say that? Kolton Myatt: No, I I agree. That was what that's what my one of my biggest pet peeves is too, is that I don't think that he realizes like I know that he loves this university. I know that he was about tradition. I know that he he has stated a million times how he what the standard ear is here and he came in and he said the right things initially and he was a a hot hire initially because you had that fan base that kind of was like tired of the I don't like freshman five stars. I want guys that want to play for the name across the front of the chest and and then they love Poe because he he Dillon Geralds: It ain't worked right now, thus far. Kolton Myatt: Right. And the and people don't realize that that's not that w those times have passed. Right? The Trent Noah who is a local kid, no offense. I I love Trent Noah. I like when he goes out there and he and he has a a good game. But the reality of it is as much as we want to love this kid. He probably don't need to be on the university. I mean, he can be on the roster, but the truth is, how much does Trent Noah really need to be playing on an elite basketball team? If we had an elite championship contender and basketball team, how much playing time would Trent Noah get for a Yukon or a Duke? Right? How much time would he get? And I'm not saying I don't know how much time he'll get with us, but probably more than he would get with them. And peop people gotta get past that time, and Mark Pope's got to get past that time. Yes, you love kids who wanna be here. But here's my thing, take these guys that are dominant and bring them here and teach them to love the program. Don't don't sit here and try to g only bring in kids that love Kentucky for Kentucky. Bring them in, bring in these star athletes and while they're here, make them understand the tradition. Make them understand that every time they step out on Rup, they're playing for that name across the first. Yes, you're getting paid. But every one of those fans in there, it means something to them. And let understand it. Let get the feeling for it. And if the right guy is at the ram, they're gonna feel it. Right? They're gonna know that they're f take Will Stein for example. All right, right there. These guys he's got transfers from all over, right? They didn't play they haven't been playing at Kentucky for three or four years. They've just got there. Do you think that they came here because of Kentucky's football tradition? No, but I can guarantee you right now that those guys are playing more for the university at this moment. Than a lot of the guys we've brought in so far. Like he's got on the bought in to everything. And that's what Mark Pope has to do. Bring in the guys that you need and then get them to buy in. And and I'm right, I'm like you, Dylan. It's just it's frustrating to to sit there and and listen to him say those things because it worries me that have are we are we walking on guys that we could have brought in because we thought that maybe they were just money hungry? And instead of giving them that extra million, we've decided to go get two guys that are gonna be our ninth and tenth guy on the bench most likely. spread it across. I I I don't know with it, but it is frustrating because we're in a different day and time, a hundred percent, and and it's either now or never, and Dillon Geralds: Mm-hmm. Well, and you know Kolton Myatt: I hope that he realizes it. Dillon Geralds: Coton though, but my thing this here is too like I I hope he realizes this and not just him, but also our fans that that that do want to hold on to that legacy and tradition that like guys there there are players that when we say that he whenever he states that he wants to get guys in here for the right reasons. I do too. I know you do too, Coton. Like I want to get them here because they're gonna play hard. But like there are plenty of players that They can be money hungry and want an extra million dollars and also be here for the right reasons. Like that that can coexist. And it actually does coexist because of today. Let me give you an example. Thomas Hall. For the ones listening, you know who Thomas Hall is? Thomas Hall could have been a first round draft pick. I'm gonna say he was gonna be a lottery pick, maybe go top 15. You think he came back to the University of Florida because of the tradition of University of Florida? Now, do I think that he wants to come back and win a national championship? Absolutely. But it go look up how much he made this year. You you one's listening. Go look up Thomas Hall, see how much money he's going to make this year. I'm not going to tell you. You go look it up. And then that that I think is a perfect example. Kids want to get paid. And if you don't pay them and you make remarks like Mark Pope did, saying, like, well, pretty much in a sense, he's saying, we want to find the right guys here that's going to be here for the right reasons. And a lot of times we're not going to offer them the biggest amount of money. Okay. You tell me that I'll just go to Duke and they will offer me the most amount of money and I'll still get to play and be part of the camera crazies. like Cotton said, I will learn how to be and learn the tradition and learn all about the legacy of Duke University. That's my issue. and by no means, again, and I I just want to keep saying this because I know somebody's gonna get on here and comment. This has nothing to do with us being down and about and and and not we're already, and Dylan, you're already saying that you said you wasn't going to judge Mark Pope. I'm not. I'm not doing any of that as far as the play itself. I'm talking about what the man has said on quotes that is a complete contradiction of what today's game is all about. And it's not that. It's not. Now, if he can just go out and at the end of the day, Colton, this means nothing. What we're saying right now means nothing if he can just go out and win games. Be competitive. You Kolton Myatt: Yeah. I agree. Dillon Geralds: ain't got to win a national championship. You You don't. Kolton Myatt: No, but you've gotta but you know what you gotta do? You you play you play Tyron Stokes right off the bat. a guy that that you didn't land, go and beat him. You know who else you play? North Carolina. Right? A rif another rival where you you've gotta you gotta go win. You play a Louville team right down the road that's your rival and that's stock stacked up in the transfer portal. You gotta win. Like these these games mean something. Like they're they're going to matter this year. And I mean you've got these guys that you've been c being compared to, right? I mean you're you're getting compared Dillon Geralds: Yeah. Kolton Myatt: to a lot of these guys and you've got guys that taking recruits from you. Go and win. Go go beat Kansas right off the bat. Show we didn't need Stokes. Right? Get your guys fired up. Go in there and put a weapon on Kansas and be like, we didn't need you. Right? We I've got I like my team. I love my team. They didn't need we didn't need you in here. But if you go and you get beat and Stokes has a really good game I mean, where are you looking, right? What do you what do you what's what what do you have to say for yourself? Dillon Geralds: Looking at the bus driver. Kolton Myatt: Yep. So Dillon Geralds: And I think, Colton, let's end on this. You know, I think that this season in football, more than anything, I think that you have seen the now at the end of the day it comes down to because we are winning, but you have seen the best version of of Kentucky fans big blue nation. There is such a divide right now, but you see what it's like whenever you talk football, it's like there is no divide. And it's because I I'll just even say this, Colton. Yes, it is his first year, which which does play a factor, and it's hard to really compare Mark Pope and Will Stein because Mark Pope's entering year three. Mark Will Stein is just in his year one, so obviously he would get more grace. But Coban, we we could be four and three right now. And I still think that the fan base would be completely bought in. And it's because of the things that he has said, the leadership that he has shown, the recruits that he's getting, and on top of that. We're winning games. Like it like there's so much that goes into it. At the end of the day, Coton Mark Pope, he's not hired to go get the most amount of sales. He's not hired to get the best test scores. He he's not hired to make sure that something is cleaned and looking and running the best. He's hired to win basketball games. I mean, I d I d I yeah, go Kolton Myatt: Go win games. Go win. Dillon Geralds: win basketball games. so I know we got into a a little bit of a deeper discussion, but I do think it was one that needed to be had and Colton, I wanna allow you because I'm gonna do it as well, but I wanna let you go I wanna give this well as we wrap up, what's your message to Kentucky fans as far as where you are now after seeing one exhibition game, going into the second one, seeing these Mark Popes. How are you feeling and what are your hopes for Mark Pope and this Kentucky basketball team? Kolton Myatt: Yeah, look, I was at the Purdue game last year. Obviously, everyone watched on T T V. We were thrilled. We we were you know, we were so happy. We were like, hey man, we've got 10, 12 guys, how are we gonna play all? I mean, it was in a great performance against a top Purdue team that we thought was gonna, you was the number one team in the AP poll. And we looked amazing. And then we s we realized in the season that we had flaws. After the first exhibition game, it looks like we've got flaws. And so I'm trying to be I'm trying to be patient. It was the first game in Reparena. You're talking about a team that there's no one there was no one in that starting five that had played together last year. No one had played together last year in that starting five. Completely brand new. Dillon Geralds: Mm, that's a really good point. Kolton Myatt: Moreno's the only one returning. They've net they did not play together last year and no one in that starting five. You've got some guys that are younger, you've got some guys that overall I just think I I think we have some perks. Like I think we're long. I think we're lanky. I think we can be you know, disruptive on defense. I think that we can use that long to create plays, have tip ins the rim protect. I I think we can do things like that. I think we have a random some playmakers. I think Alex Wilkins, I think Milon, I think both of them could get hot and we'd be like, man, feed the ball. Like this is fun to watch. So I'm gonna be patient because I'm hoping that the point of exhibition games is to work out the kinks is to come together, right? To learn where you got to get better for the actual regular season. So that's exactly what I hope is being done is that they are literally working out the kinks, that they're going to use these you're going to slowly get better over three exhibition games. You're going to use your first couple games to get right and and get in the flow and then you're going to go in and be ready for Kansas. All eyes are on that game. All eyes are on Kansas game. You've got to be ready to perform. And let's just hope that they're going to lead up to it, you know, starting tonight. Dillon Geralds: And then lastly, Colton, what do you say to the fan that may say, well, Colton, you've been up and down on Mark Pope all year long. You don't believe in him. You truly don't. You're you're just like, you've already given up on him. What what do you say to that fan? Kolton Myatt: Look, Mark Pope is the c coach of the University of Kentucky. We want this team to win the national championship every single year. I hope Mark Pope is here for the next ten years. Because if Mark Pope's here for the next ten years, that means that he's that we're we're winning. Right? Because if we're not, he's probably not here for the next ten years. He may not be here for the next year. So if he's here for another ten years, it means something went right in this run. I think Mark Pope is a great guy. I love that he's a family guy. I love that I think overall he's a genuine human being. Which i you know, is my favorite type of I mean, that's the favorite type of person that you can just tell is a genuine Dillon Geralds: Mm. Kolton Myatt: I think he loves Kentucky. So having a former player who truly loves this university lead us to a national championship or Dillon Geralds: Cinderella story. Kolton Myatt: right, I mean that's nothing would be better. I mean, that would be a great story. I don't care what we've said about Pi like I I want that to happen because it would be a great story. Look at Will Stein being from C like that's making it even better. Not just because it's Will Stein, but because he grew up a Kentucky fan. His dad played for Kentucky. He has true like blue in his blood. And so does like Mark Pope loves this university. He truly loves it. He loves our tradition. He won us a national championship as a player. Nothing would be better. So I'm gonna believe in him. Here's the fact. I mean, until he's no longer the coach, we're gonna support him. Just because we're critical doesn't mean that we get it. Caliperry is a is a Hall of Famer and people were still Dillon Geralds: Mm. Kolton Myatt: critical of Right. He's a Hall of Famer basketball coach. He may be a top ten basketball coach of all time and he's still got criticism. So Mark Pope can can get criticism. We are the University of Kentucky and he's not a top ten coach of all time. So he he can earn criticism. He can earn he deserves praise when he does something good, when the team is looking amazing, when he makes play calls and the recruiting. He deserves praise in those aspects. But I we we want nothing more than for him to succeed, but it doesn't mean That he doesn't have the right to be criticized when not. And that's that's we're gonna keep doing that. And it may sound like we're just criticizing him, but there's a reality to this situation that we're in right now. And everyone needs to wake up and get behind him. Get behind him, support him. We're all supporting him. I I would love nothing more for him to win us a national championship and be here for the next ten years if he's a coach of the future. I I would absolutely love it. But there's a you gotta go prove it, and time is a ticking. Dillon Geralds: Yeah. I I love that what you just said. I don't know why it just hit me like you know, you can still have belief and support somebody but still be critical of them. I I think of that like that that's an in any industry that it you know, your boss, like whenever my boss is riding around with me, he he critiques me. But that doesn't mean he doesn't support me. I I look at you right now, Cotton, your shirt, your sweatshirt. It doesn't say Mark Pope. Doesn't say John Calipari. Doesn't say Rick Patino, Tubby Smith. The list goes on and on. Joby Hall, Ruff, like it says Kentucky. My hat says Kentucky. My shirts like we wear the University of Kentucky. So at the end of the day, we just want the University of Kentucky to be successful. I don't care who the coach is, but I've said it so long in some of our videos and on our podcasts until proven otherwise. And I'm will I'm gonna I'm gonna stick with that. Like I'm being very critical tonight because I I think that it was deservingly to be critical of of Mark Pope of the what he said, and that's the way it came across. And I think that when people look at that and recruits look at that, that's not going to connect with them. So yes, I am going to be critical, but that doesn't mean like you said, Cody, it doesn't mean I don't want him to be successful. I absolutely want him to be successful, and that's what I got. I mean, this season we will see. This I I think with those remarks. You see with the the hype that this football program, you see the volleyball team, you see our girls, our women's basketball team, you see like the University of Kentucky is rocking and rolling right now. And we are known to be a basketball school. I'll ask you all this and then we'll get off here. Would you say that the University of Kentucky basketball team is rocking and rolling in the past five years? Would you say we have been rocking and rolling? Would Would you say that Kentucky has been rockin' rolling the past two years with Mark Pope? I would say no, and I hope that you all would say no. But that doesn't mean that we don't want belief and that we're not going to believe in this team. I like Alex Wilkins. I like Milan. I like Malachi. I like Justin McBride. I like Uzi. I like this roster. But at the end of the day, Mark Pope is hired here to win basketball games. You gotta win them. So thank guys, thanks for tuning in. this has been a good episode, I think. we'll have Mason on back with us next week. but I th I I think that that that's a very good conversation to be had, Colton, because and I hope that we don't have to have these conversations throughout the season because that means that we're winning and we're rocking and we're rolling. but hey guys, if you haven't hit that like, subscribe button, please go do so right now. This has been another episode of Bluegrass State of Mind. And as always, like we said, we're wearing it, we're repping it. Go cats.