Episodes

  • From Louisville basketball to Kentucky Derby, former Courier Journal columnist takes trip down memory lane
    Jun 26 2024

    This week's episode of The C.L. Brown Show features former Courier Journal columnist Adam Himmelsbach, who is currently the Boston Celtics beat writer for the Boston Globe.

    Himmelsbach takes a brief trip down memory lane, discussing some of the events he covered in Louisville including Kevin Ware's injury in 2013. He discusses why the Celtics and the Kentucky Derby don't mix and offers some thoughts on the most polarizing player in this week's NBA draft.

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    29 mins
  • Key player on 2024-25 Louisville basketball roster, Pat Kelsey's approach to analytics, more
    Jun 19 2024

    This week's episode of The C.L. Brown Show features Courier Journal reporter Brooks Holton, who covers Louisville men's basketball.

    Holton discusses his recent sit down with new U of L head coach Pat Kelsey and reveals why the role of strength and conditioning coach Eli Foy is currently so critical. He also explains how much Kelsey leans on analytics and who he thinks could be the most important player on the roster next season.

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    29 mins
  • Kentucky AD Mitch Barnhart on UK basketball transition from Mark Pope to John Calipari, paying NCAA athletes, more
    Jun 12 2024

    This week's episode of The C.L. Brown Show features a conversation with Kentucky athletics director Mitch Barnhart.

    In discussing the changing of the guard for UK men's basketball from John Calipari to Mark Pope, Barnhart says "sometimes fresh starts are good for everybody." He also explains why name, image and likeness (NIL) collectives are here to stay — even after the NCAA settlement leads to universities paying athletes directly — and is adamant about protecting opportunities for those who compete at Kentucky.

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    27 mins
  • Kentucky basketball coach Mark Pope on challenges, advantages of building roster from scratch
    Jun 5 2024

    This week's episode of The C.L. Brown Show features an interview with new Kentucky men's basketball coach Mark Pope, who was the captain on the Wildcats' 1996 national championship team. Pope was the surprise replacement for John Calipari who left UK after 15 seasons to become the head coach at Arkansas.

    Pope explains why he plans on delegating more to his assistant coaches than he has in the past. He also speaks on the challenges and advantages of building a roster from scratch, and why he's so intrigued by the potential of San Diego State transfer Lamont Butler in his system. (This discussion took place before Jaxson Robinson became the newest Wildcat after withdrawing his name from the NBA draft and following his former BYU coach to Lexington.)

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    30 mins
  • Andscape's Marc Spears talks NBA draft and Reed Sheppard
    May 22 2024

    This week's episode of The C.L. Brown Show features Marc J. Spears, the NBA senior writer for ESPN's Andscapeand former Courier Journal reporter.

    Spears attended the NBA draft combine last week in Chicago and tells why he believes there's more value in this draft class than it's getting credit for having. He also discusses covering Bronny James and why Kentucky's Reed Sheppard conjured up Rex Chapman comparisons.

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    28 mins
  • ESPN's Michael Eaves on Tigers Woods, 2024 PGA Championship, Kentucky basketball
    May 15 2024

    This week's episode of The C.L. Brown Show features ESPN SportsCenter anchor Michael Eaves, who is leading the network's coverage of the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club.

    Eaves, who is a University of Kentucky graduate, shares his thoughts on seeing UK recreate the 1996 national championship celebration — an event he covered as a young journalist — at the introductory news conference for head men's basketball coach Mark Pope. Eaves also discusses how much he thinks Tiger Woods has left and the golfers to beat this week at Valhalla.

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    31 mins
  • Mystik Dan jockey Brian Hernandez on what could be next after making history on Kentucky Derby weekend
    May 8 2024

    This week's episode of The C.L. Brown Show features Brian Hernandez Jr., who became the first jockey since Calvin Borel in 2009 to ride both the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby winning horses.

    Hernandez discusses his thrilling photo-finish win in the 150th Run for the Roses, what it'd be like to pursue the Triple Crown on Mystik Dan and how he thinks the industry can capitalize on the record ratings for Derby 150.

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    23 mins
  • Trainer Larry Demeritte on beating odds, and cancer, to reach 150th Kentucky Derby
    May 1 2024

    This week's episode of The C.L. Brown Show features the "People's Champ" of the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby, trainer Larry Demeritte. A native of the Bahamas, Demeritte began training horses in 1981 but it's taken until now, with West Saratoga, for him to earn a Derby entrant.

    Demeritte discusses how he beats the odds by not focusing on them. He is the first Black trainer to field a horse in the Derby since Hank Allen saddled Northern Wolf in 1989. Demeritte is also battling cancer for a third time since 1996. He explains how focusing on West Saratoga powers him through the days when his chemotherapy treatments have him feeling fatigued. And he shares what it would mean to be victorious in the 150th Run for the Roses.

    (If you haven't read Jason Frakes' profile on Demeritte, check it out here.)

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    29 mins