It may well be a loud obnoxious segment, but I know nowhere else - nowhere in real life, call in shows, twitter, reddit, anywhere I've looked - do I see the same toxic negativity as there is prominently displayed on this board. I've been a member for at least 14-15 years, and it's really not as fun here as it used to be because of it.
A Word about this Message Board
- Thread starter MattJones
- Start date
It may well be a loud obnoxious segment, but I know nowhere else - nowhere in real life, call in shows, twitter, reddit, anywhere I've looked - do I see the same toxic negativity as there is prominently displayed on this board. I've been a member for at least 14-15 years, and it's really not as fun here as it used to be because of it.
I used to be on these boards a lot more, and while I bet a lot of that has to do with media diversifying to blogs/twitter/etc., I suspect some of it has to do with the negativity that was mentioned. This used to be the main place to get *any* information. It was where recruiting became such a massive thing. There're plenty of positive, reasonable people to balance it, but there are times of the year where it can be a bit much.
I really like the /r/CollegeBasketball/ these days because it's really balanced among fanbases and idiots get downvoted if they're being insufferable. Quality of discussion can be really high, too.
That said, unrelated: Shannon is a hypocrite about nerds because he named his dog "Link" from one of the dorkiest video games of all time and is really into fake wrestling. Just saying, Shannon.
I really like the /r/CollegeBasketball/ these days because it's really balanced among fanbases and idiots get downvoted if they're being insufferable. Quality of discussion can be really high, too.
That said, unrelated: Shannon is a hypocrite about nerds because he named his dog "Link" from one of the dorkiest video games of all time and is really into fake wrestling. Just saying, Shannon.
Good stuff Matt. I for one appreciate the sentiments.
I think we all could use a dose of remembering we are all Cat fans.
Keep doing you, Matt. You do your job very well. The reason people are blasting you ITT is because, well, the shoe fits. Keep fighting the good fight, my man.
Thanks. Assuming your summary is accurate, and I do, I'm glad I didn't waste my time.
I was a 16 year old die hard Kentucky fan from NEW JERSEY that wanted to know everything I could know about Kentucky basketball both during the season and after it.
Thanks to CatsPause/Illustrated and KSR I was not only able to find tons of people that shared my passion but was also able to find the type of info I had always yearned for.
I'm now almost 30 years old and still follow this board and KSR religiously.
Matt, if there's one thing I've never questioned about you it's that you're a Kentucky fan, that makes you cool in my book regardless of anything else. Same goes for everyone else on here, I may disagree or hate some opinions but if you're a UK fan then I'll happily buy any one of you a drink if we ever cross paths.
That's all I have to say about that..
This board is a PG movie compared to the R rated movie that twitter/TMB are. Go look at when people's favorite athletes play like garbage or they choose to take their talents elsewhere. There are death threats towards the athletes and teams. This board is tame in that regards. Twitter is a cesspool compared to this chlorinated swimming pool..
But it's ok to generalize about a group of people?
I think it's because it's in a quick print format. I'm around UK fans all the time, travel with the team and am part of an alumni chapter that goes all over. Most Uk fans I communicate with have around the same opinions. I think it's just different here because something is lost in the translation. Hard to understand meaning and motive through text.
Yeah, anyone who think this place is more negative than other outlets has never been on Twitter. With Twitter, Jones can just ban people who disagree with him.. He can't do that here so it irks him
It is my firm belief that most of, if not a all, the Matt Jones haters on this board are all pretty much jealous old idiots. That being said, Matt, be careful about what you decide to say on air. I really enjoy you myself.
Also Matt, I used to read your site daily, but haven't ever since the site decided to load differently. Don't know what happened, but I used to get it on my phone in a larger font (like I could see the entire page and font was larger), and with my old tired eyes, I have to enlarge my screen now (you know, by placing two fingers on the actual glass of my phone and pulling them apart) to be able to see the words. And doing that means I have to scroll left and right constantly to read the length of the sentence. I don't like doing that, so I don't click your site ever anymore. You lost me because of that format change a couple of years ago. Fix that, I'll come back.
But overall, I love your radio show. More Ryan can't be a bad thing, as the guy is hilarious. And each time he talks, you must laugh at him. And of course, more Drew as well. You have a good thing going there despite what any knuckle head on this forum says. I truly enjoy almost all posters here, even the ones who are negative idiots, and if they weren't so nasty, it wouldn't be fun.
Keep up the great work. Post more often, and fix your website for me please, I miss it.
Also Matt, I used to read your site daily, but haven't ever since the site decided to load differently. Don't know what happened, but I used to get it on my phone in a larger font (like I could see the entire page and font was larger), and with my old tired eyes, I have to enlarge my screen now (you know, by placing two fingers on the actual glass of my phone and pulling them apart) to be able to see the words. And doing that means I have to scroll left and right constantly to read the length of the sentence. I don't like doing that, so I don't click your site ever anymore. You lost me because of that format change a couple of years ago. Fix that, I'll come back.
But overall, I love your radio show. More Ryan can't be a bad thing, as the guy is hilarious. And each time he talks, you must laugh at him. And of course, more Drew as well. You have a good thing going there despite what any knuckle head on this forum says. I truly enjoy almost all posters here, even the ones who are negative idiots, and if they weren't so nasty, it wouldn't be fun.
Keep up the great work. Post more often, and fix your website for me please, I miss it.
Matt, from what I’ve seen here I think you’ve basically got two kinds of critics on this message board:
(1)The Jealous. Although they won’t admit it, I believe that this group is convinced that no one could be more knowledgeable about the game of basketball in general and UK basketball in particular. Their disdain for you is rooted in the fact that you are obviously a smart guy and your opinions on the topic of UK basketball are (undeservedly, in their view) relevant and theirs are not (at least not outside their own head).
(2)The Political Fan. This group has picked a political team which they root for (like the rest of us root for UK), and they view you as a “fan” of their rival (like the rest of us view UL). Being part of a political team gives them a sense of belonging and provides them a demonized “they” to bash and root against. It’s also so much easier to have a prepackaged set of opinions or beliefs to rely on rather than sift through and weigh facts (which I can sympathize with because life is busy and thinking through issues often takes time and patience which we all struggle to find). To this group, it’s never going to matter what you say or what your opinion on a subject happens to be, because you’re viewed as not being on their team.
So, in my opinion – which I’m sure you don’t need - you should take almost any critique put forward on this board with a huge grain of salt. To the chagrin of some here, you are the recognized voice of the UK basketball fan. Moreover, what you’re doing is great fun. Thanks for the entertainment.
(1)The Jealous. Although they won’t admit it, I believe that this group is convinced that no one could be more knowledgeable about the game of basketball in general and UK basketball in particular. Their disdain for you is rooted in the fact that you are obviously a smart guy and your opinions on the topic of UK basketball are (undeservedly, in their view) relevant and theirs are not (at least not outside their own head).
(2)The Political Fan. This group has picked a political team which they root for (like the rest of us root for UK), and they view you as a “fan” of their rival (like the rest of us view UL). Being part of a political team gives them a sense of belonging and provides them a demonized “they” to bash and root against. It’s also so much easier to have a prepackaged set of opinions or beliefs to rely on rather than sift through and weigh facts (which I can sympathize with because life is busy and thinking through issues often takes time and patience which we all struggle to find). To this group, it’s never going to matter what you say or what your opinion on a subject happens to be, because you’re viewed as not being on their team.
So, in my opinion – which I’m sure you don’t need - you should take almost any critique put forward on this board with a huge grain of salt. To the chagrin of some here, you are the recognized voice of the UK basketball fan. Moreover, what you’re doing is great fun. Thanks for the entertainment.
But it's ok to generalize about a group of people?
IDK about jealous, but I certainly would love do strive to do what he does. I'm too much of a coward to leave my profession and do that. Takes guts.
I've been around a long while and part of many different boards. I use to be TheBluesBrother but some how my account got erased and I couldn't sign in anymore. Anyway, I've seen boards come and go, personalities come and go. I remember the whole beginning of Matt Jones, Marc Maggard, Jeff Drummond, Chris Fisher, Rowland, etc. I also remember when the Herald Leader was actually good with Culpepper.
I say all of this for this point. I've seen many people, including myself, make mistakes in public and on the boards. I've seen people run people through the mud with outlandish rumors of infidelity when things weren't going well. Things that made me ashamed for those who were the accuser or accusee. I've never met Matt Jones or any of those mentioned above. However, I do recognize and agree that there is a segment that can turn any conversation negative on this board. I've learned to ignore and just continue to focus on the facts, chew up the information and spit out the bones. I'm thankful for all of those that bring us information but also realize they are human. Matt, I don't have anything against you and do realize that like us all, you are a work in progress and you are wiser today than when you started but LIKE US ALL, you still have much learning to do :sunglasses: as well do I.
I say all of this for this point. I've seen many people, including myself, make mistakes in public and on the boards. I've seen people run people through the mud with outlandish rumors of infidelity when things weren't going well. Things that made me ashamed for those who were the accuser or accusee. I've never met Matt Jones or any of those mentioned above. However, I do recognize and agree that there is a segment that can turn any conversation negative on this board. I've learned to ignore and just continue to focus on the facts, chew up the information and spit out the bones. I'm thankful for all of those that bring us information but also realize they are human. Matt, I don't have anything against you and do realize that like us all, you are a work in progress and you are wiser today than when you started but LIKE US ALL, you still have much learning to do :sunglasses: as well do I.
Matt and gang picking good fellas over Star Wars. that's way more egregious than calling this board old idiots
The butt kissers like this are way worse than the haters
No, if that was Ryan, Matt would have cut him off, jumped all over him for interrupting his expert opinion, put him down, and belittled his opinion on any subject.[laughing]
This is what makes his show so good in my opinion. I could listen to Matt laugh at Ryan all day. Matt has created his very own Ba Ba Booey!!!
I admire Ryan for allowing Matt to make him the foil.
but, that's why we have the emoticons, to express meaning and motive - right?
seriously, it's true (and I've been guilty of it myself, at times) that we seem to have a rather high percentage of negativity on this board. Perhaps because a lot of us know this, and when it does get ugly, the ones who can counteract that negativity to a degree stay away till it calms down.
I listen to the show when I get a chance to turn it on here at work. I like Matt overall, didn't hear the comment about the board but whatever. There is a very negative slant to this place at times and I often wonder how many people are either simply posing as UK fans or just of the personality type that enjoys being an irritant. I have never understood the animosity that some hold toward MJ but any topic that includes him can and sometimes does incite a riot mentality from a few.
One more thing Matt, I really enjoyed the show during the SEC tourney when you guys were asked to leave the Peabody. Listening to Ryan and Drew on air as they crossed the street was radio gold.
I'm a huge fan of The Howard Stern Show. I love it so much because I love to hear the actual inter-workings and relationships between Howard and his staff; and I get a little of that from your show. I like that. More arguing between you guys on air, call Ryan out for something he tells you in confidence. Make Drew cry live. I want to hear those things. Can you do that for me please.
And I don't want to confuse you, I'm not comparing you to the King of All Media; but I do think your talented.
I'm a huge fan of The Howard Stern Show. I love it so much because I love to hear the actual inter-workings and relationships between Howard and his staff; and I get a little of that from your show. I like that. More arguing between you guys on air, call Ryan out for something he tells you in confidence. Make Drew cry live. I want to hear those things. Can you do that for me please.
And I don't want to confuse you, I'm not comparing you to the King of All Media; but I do think your talented.
All signs point to the "off season" right now.
I like the sound of that. Maybe KSR will have me on to be a bracket specialist. Just pick the opposite of me and you'll do fine. I won't stand them up like Lunardi either.
It's a true talent, and something to be admired.
For years I wondered why we couldn't have a UK-centric radio show that wasn't either terrible and uninformed or dreadfully boring. Matt and his KSR franchise, from the website to the radio show to the podcasts and late night Periscopes and now the TV show, has stepped forward to fill that void with a focus on covering our beloved Kentucky teams from the fans' perspective and, in so doing, has forever changed the way many of us stay informed about our school's sports programs.
Matt - what I appreciate the most about your show is that it doesn't actually feel like YOUR show... it feels like OUR show. And I think that has been the key to your tremendous success. Please keep doing what you're doing.
There are few message boards for any team where one can find the constant activity that is found here and there are lots of intelligent, insightful posters on here, but this forum (as with nearly any comment section on the web) does lend itself to skewing negative. Just the nature of the beast.
Matt - what I appreciate the most about your show is that it doesn't actually feel like YOUR show... it feels like OUR show. And I think that has been the key to your tremendous success. Please keep doing what you're doing.
There are few message boards for any team where one can find the constant activity that is found here and there are lots of intelligent, insightful posters on here, but this forum (as with nearly any comment section on the web) does lend itself to skewing negative. Just the nature of the beast.
Last edited:
@BigBlueDiehard
Your last paragraph is spot on. That's why you see so many fans of other schools on here starting ****; it's always high activity here.
Your last paragraph is spot on. That's why you see so many fans of other schools on here starting ****; it's always high activity here.
I'm not sure how it's relevant, but..
Matt, if you are going to take ownership of statements you made which you now regret,, then don't ***** foot around about it; apologize for what you said directly. Have you even gone back and listened to what you said this morning? Here is a snapshot:
..."Most of the people (on Rupp Rafters/Wildcat Lair) seemingly hate me...Some of the times they are idiots. Most of the time they are idiots...It entertains me because of how old and angry people are on there."
There is absolutely nothing in what you said, that limited your pejorative characterization of "MOST" of the posters on this board. As someone who graduated 2nd in your class at Duke Law School, you certainly know more than most (certainly us idiots) that words matter. How you phrase a statement matters. Nevertheless, you choose to write a lengthy half hearted apology or some kind of self serving justification that totally fails to address what you actually said. On the other hand, if you don't regret any of what you said, so be it but at least expressly say so.
Personally, I think it is hypocritical and wrong for you to make ageists slurs towards "older" UK fans particularly given your constant Democratic liberal pronouncements of how compassionate you and the Democratic Party are towards your fellow citizens. Likewise, to call most posters on this message board, "idiots" for saying many of the same things you say is also disingenuous and hypocritical.
I am a Democrat and a liberal. I am also old, age 67. However, even when I was your age, I chose not to disparage or patronize anyone solely because of their age. You repeatedly make inappropriate and dismissive remarks about older people. You may want to temper these comments if you are still serious about one day running for public office. "Baby Boomers" make up a large block of voters.
Finally, Matt, I think you are wrong when you say "most" posters on this board hate you. I don't believe this is true. I've been on this board for 10 years. In my judgment, most of the people who regularly post on this message board, like most of Big Blue Nation, enjoy and appreciate your talents.
I am a regular listener to your radio show and podcasts. Generally, I think you do a terrific job. Sometimes though, your arrogant and petulant personality traits overshadow the entertainment you seek to bring to your listeners. Today, was such a day.
I certainly harbor no ill will against you. I hope you view my comments as constructive criticism because this is how they are intended. I am one of your fans but you can do better than you did today.
Last edited:
Quick to Criticize, Slow to Praise. Easier to tear something down than build something up. That's how life has always worked, unfortunately. This board is no different.
