The C.L. Brown Show

Courier Journal reporter Jason Frakes and handicapper Ed DeRosa of Horse Racing Nation join this episode of The C.L. Brown Show on location at Churchill Downs to preview the 151st Kentucky Derby. (The video version is available on YouTube.) Frakes explains that while Journalism is the favorite, there are reasons to nitpick at if he can win the Run for the Roses. He also tells why Coal Battle is his dark-horse pick. DeRosa breaks down other contenders, including Sovereignty and Rodriguez, and discusses the value in taking Chunk of Gold as a long shot.

This episode of The C.L. Brown Show features Kenny McPeek, who completed the rare sweep of the Kentucky Oaks (Thorpedo Anna) and Kentucky Derby (Mystik Dan) last year. McPeek, a former recreational hooper, says he hopes Louisville basketball coach Pat Kelsey can make a visit to meet Kelz, his 2-year-old namesake, when the colt ships to Churchill Downs later this spring.

This episode of The C.L. Brown Show features Dan Gavitt, the NCAA's senior vice president of basketball, to discuss the joys, the challenges and the future of college basketball. Gavitt reveals why speeding up the end of games will be examined and how coaches' challenges may be an avenue to help do so. Gavitt explains why he believes there's still room for underdogs despite the chalk nature of this past NCAA Tournament. And he gives an update on the status of tournament expansion talks.

This episode of The C.L. Brown Show features basketball analyst Brendan Haywood, who works with CBS Sports and NBA TV, to discuss the NCAA Final Four. Hear why Haywood reluctantly acknowledges Duke as the best team in the field, but why he thinks Florida can win the national title. He also explains what Johni Broome means to Auburn and why Houston can give the Blue Devils problems in the semifinals.

This episode of The C.L. Brown Show features ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Bilas to break down Kentucky basketball's Sweet 16 matchup with Tennessee. Bilas details why the Wildcats offense puts so much pressure on the Vols to defend and was successful in both regular-season meetings. He also points to the battle in the frontcourt as being key to the outcome.

This episode of The C.L. Brown Show features college basketball reporter Andy Katz. Katz talks Louisville basketball's seeding and what potential problems he sees in its matchup with Creighton. He explains why Kentucky is unlikely to have a repeat of last season's early exit and reveals who he is picking to reach the Final Four in San Antonio.

This episode of The C.L. Brown Show features Brendan Marks, a national college basketball reporter with The Athletic. Marks speaks on how critical guard Reyne Smith's health is to Louisville's success in the postseason. He explains why if Kentucky bows out early in the SEC tournament, it could actually be better for its potential in the NCAA Tournament. Marks also says Chucky Hepburn was deserving of ACC Defensive Player of the Year, but tells why he voted for Duke's Cooper Flagg.

This episode of The C.L. Brown Show features Courier Journal reporters Brooks Holton and Ryan Black to discuss how the Louisville and Kentucky men's basketball teams are prepared for the postseason. Holton tells why this could be the best showing ever for U of L in the ACC Tournament. Black tells how the Wildcats will adjust now that starting guard Jaxson Robinson's season is officially over. Holton and Black give their predictions on which team will play the deepest into the NCAA Tournament.

This episode of The C.L. Brown Show features Louisville women's basketball coach Jeff Walz. Walz breaks down the secret to guard Jayda Curry averaging 19.5 points over the past four games and discusses his fears on if the NCAA doesn't provide more guardrails for keeping name, image and likeness collectives from tampering.

This episode of The C.L. Brown Show features Deion Branch, Louisville football's newest assistant coach. Branch moved from his previous position as director of player personnel and now serves as wide receivers coach at his alma mater. Branch explains why, after years of former U of L quarterback Dave Ragone trying to get him into coaching, now was the right time for him to make the move. The Super Bowl XXXIX Most Valuable Player reveals how patience will be key for him teaching players what he knows. And he also tells what he expects from his former coach Bill Belichick making the move from the NFL to college as the head coach at North Carolina.

This episode of The C.L. Brown Show features C.J. Moore, a national college basketball reporter with The Athletic. Moore discusses the need to get healthy for the Kentucky and Louisville men's basketball teams. He also breaks down the importance of U of L point guard Chucky Hepburn.

This episode of The C.L. Brown Show features college basketball analytics guru Ken Pomeroy, the creator and founder of his self-titled site KenPom.com. The former meteorologist tells why following Air Force and the Jameer Nelson-led St. Joseph's squad in the 2003-04 season helped inspire the creation of his site. He also discusses how much a home-court advantage like Rupp Arena is worth.

This episode of The C.L. Brown Show features Louisville basketball guard Reyne Smith, an Australian native who transferred after playing for coach Pat Kelsey the past three seasons at College of Charleston. Smith reveals why he's followed Kelsey from Winthrop to Charleston to Louisville, and he discusses the Cardinals' newfound swagger.

This episode of The C.L. Brown Show features The Athletic's Brendan Quinn to discuss John Calipari and his return to Lexington as head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks. Quinn explains Calipari is sticking to what he knows at this stage of his career. He also tells why Calipari was hurt by how things ended at UK.

This episode of The C.L. Brown Show features Louisville women's basketball senior guard Jayda Curry, who explains why the win over then-No. 13 Georgia Tech may be the watershed moment in the season. And Curry tells why her career plans after basketball are similar to Katie George.

This episode of The C.L. Brown Show features members of The Courier Journal sports staff giving their predictions and resolutions for the teams they cover. Among the predictions: Brooks Holton on why Louisville men's basketball should secure its first 20-win season since 2019-20 and Ryan Black on whether Kentucky football will bounce back next season.

The C.L. Brown Show takes a look back at Louisville's top sports stories of 2024. Was it the firing of Louisville men's basketball coach Kenny Payne? Or golfer Scottie Scheffler's arrest as he tried to enter Valhalla Golf Club before playing in the PGA Championship? Take a listen to find out which story occupies the top spot.

This episode of The C.L. Brown Show features an introduction to the newest addition to The Courier Journal sports staff, Payton Titus, an enterprise reporter who took part in the NCAA volleyball championship coverage. Titus speaks on her journey to the CJ from covering South Carolina women's basketball and details what it was like reporting on Louisville going through the volleyball tournament, from its dramatic win over Northern Iowa, to having Anna DeBeer suffer a deflating injury, to their championship loss to Penn State.

ESPN reporter/analyst Katie George, an Assumption High graduate and former University of Louisville volleyball player, joins this episode of The C.L. Brown Show to discuss the NCAA volleyball tournament. George details how U of L volleyball coach Dani Busboom Kelly elevated the program's expectations. And George breaks down why each team remaining — Louisville, Pitt, Nebraska, Penn State — can win it all.

Michael DeCourcy, a columnist with The Sporting News and Fox Sports college basketball analyst, joins this episode of The C.L. Brown Show to discuss the upcoming Louisville versus Kentucky men's basketball game. DeCourcy tells how UK learned more in its overtime win over Gonzaga than in its loss at Clemson. He explains why Louisville has reason to be optimistic of the future under coach Pat Kelsey. He also discusses what it will take for the Cards to make the NCAA Tournament and why he thinks the ceiling for UK is a Final Four appearance.

This week's episode of The C.L. Brown Show features Brooks Holton, The Courier Journal Louisville men's basketball beat writer. Holton joins the show to discuss how the Cardinals will make up for no longer having injured forward Kasean Pryor in the lineup. He also gives his take on what U of L needs to do to pull off an upset of Duke on Sunday.

This week's episode of The C.L. Brown Show features Roman Oben, the former Louisville offensive tackle who earned football immortality in both the L&N Stadium Ring of Honor and U of L's Athletics Hall of Fame. Oben dishes on playing in the renewal of the Governor's Cup rivalry with Kentucky in 1994; the Cardinals' first victory in '95; and how the program has evolved since his playing days to where he believes it has surpassed UK.

This week's episode of The C.L. Brown Show features former Louisville men's basketball guard Larry O'Bannon. O'Bannon dishes stories on how former U of L coach Rick Pitino used transferring as a motivator. He tells his favorite memories of the Cardinals' 2005 Final Four team. And he explains why new coach Pat Kelsey has the program on the right track.

This week's episode of The C.L. Brown Show features Monroe Mills, the starting left tackle for Louisville football. Mills dives into his decision to follow quarterback Tyler Shough and transfer from Texas Tech to U of L. He describes how it felt pulling off arguably the biggest road win in program history at Clemson. And he reveals why he planned on downloading "Lawrence of Arabia" to watch as the Cardinals fly out to take on Stanford on Saturday.

This week's episode of The C.L. Brown Show features ESPN basketball analyst Debbie Antonelli to discuss women's basketball and the future of the game. Antonelli, who also calls Indiana Fever games, talks about the impact of Caitlin Clark. She tells why she's been saying for 15 years that the NCAA women's basketball tournament should hold the entire Sweet 16 in Las Vegas. And why a go-to player emerging for Louisville women's basketball may ultimately determine its success.

This episode of The C.L. Brown Show features Louisville basketball players J'Vonne Hadley, a Colorado transfer on the men's team; and women's team members Olivia Cochran and Mackenly Randolph. Hadley discusses the presence of Alpha Dogs on the Cards' roster, his perception of ACC basketball and how, with a group of 12 transfers, U of L is building its culture in Year One of under Pat Kelsey. Randolph talks about growing up the daughter of former NBA star Zach Randolph, her desire to have an immediate impact this season and just how competitive the Cards' highly-touted freshman class has been. Cochran explains why she returned for a fifth year of college basketball after already earning her degree; why last year's loss in the first round of the NCAA Tournament served as motivation and how last season caused her to change her leadership style for this season.

N.C. State coach Kevin Keatts, who was an assistant coach on that U of L team, explains why new U of L coach Pat Kelsey will form his own identity with the Cards. He also tells how he came to recruit and sign U of L transfers Mike James and Brandon Huntley-Hatfield out of the portal. Luke Hancock, now an ACC Network basketball analyst, was the Most Outstanding Player from the 2013 Final Four. He breaks down what he's most excited about for U of L under Kelsey and why he's picking the Cards as a dark horse in the ACC this season.

This week's episode of The C.L. Brown Show features former Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Kelvin Harris, who played on the Canes' 1989 and '91 national title teams with current head coach Mario Cristobal. Harris talks about the impact of quarterback Cam Ward, a Washington State transfer, in the Miami locker room and what it feels like to have the swagger back at "The U." Louisville guard Chucky Hepburn also joins the show. He discusses growing up playing with Wake Forest standout Hunter Sallis in Omaha, Nebraska; where his nickname came from; and how a team full of transfers is clamoring to "get Louisville basketball back."

This week's episode of The C.L. Brown Show features Gentry Estes, columnist with The Tennessean, to discuss Vanderbilt's game at Kentucky; and Greg Madia, the Virginia beat writer at The Daily Progress, to talk Louisville football's trip to Charlottesville. Estes breaks down the Commodores' historic win over Alabama and tells who's the bigger star in Nashville: Taylor Swift or Vandy quarterback Diego Pavia.  Madia explains how he expects UVA's secondary to be tested by U of L quarterback Tyler Shough.

This week's episode of The C.L. Brown Show features Lia Assimakopoulos, the SMU beat writer for The Dallas Morning News, to help break down the Mustangs in their first time playing Louisville football as a member of the ACC. Assimakopoulos tells how SMU's change at quarterback has helped elevate the team after a slow start. She explains how the Mustangs secondary has shown some soft spots and will be tested by U of L quarterback Tyler Shough. And she tells why they believe Louisville might be the toughest game on their schedule.

This episode of The C.L. Brown Show features Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough and Matt Fortuna, founder of The Inside Zone, to discuss U of L's upcoming game at Notre Dame. Shough explains why their expectations don't change even with the Cards losing a couple of starters to injury. He also tells what a win in South Bend would mean to him and the program. Fortuna details why Notre Dame may be playing with a hint of desperation after its upset loss to Northern Illinois, and why Louisville may just be the biggest game for the Irish until the season finale at USC.

This episode of The C.L. Brown Show features Chad Bishop, the Georgia Tech beat writer for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, to discuss the Yellow Jackets' Week 4 college football game against Louisville. Bishop first covered U of L coach Jeff Brohm when he made his debut as head coach at Western Kentucky. The former WKU beat writer for the Bowling Green Daily News explains why Georgia Tech coach Brent Key respects Brohm's programs, how quarterback Haynes King is the key for the Yellow Jackets and why the Cardinals could be another Syracuse for the Tech secondary.

This episode of The C.L. Brown Show features Courier Journal Kentucky beat writer Ryan Black to discuss the Wildcats' showdown with No. 1 Georgia. Black tells why the Cats' offensive line might be the key to improving after UK's 31-6 loss to South Carolina. He also explains why Georgia transfer Brock Vandagriff's familiarity with his former team might not be an advantage. Even with Texas and Tennessee emerging, Black details why the Southeastern Conference race is still UGA's to lose.  

This episode of The C.L. Brown Show features previously recorded interviews with two Atlantic Coast Conference quarterbacks that made news last week: Boston College quarterback Thomas Costellanos and North Carolina quarterback Connor Harrell. Costellanos led the Eagles to a 28-13 upset win at Florida State on Monday. He talks about making the transition to play for longtime NFL coach Bill O'Brien, why he stayed at Boston College after the coaching change and what he plans to do to make a name for himself. Harrell became UNC's QB1 after Max Johnson suffered a season-ending leg injury in their opening win over Minnesota. He talks about learning while being a backup to Drake Maye, who was taken third overall in the NFL draft by the New England Patriots. And the difference between preparing knowing he's the starter as opposed to being ready as a backup.

This week's episode of The C.L. Brown Show features CBS Sports' Chip Patterson. Patterson breaks down what changes Louisville football has to make after losing receiver Caullin Lacy to injury; why he puts the Cardinals in contention to repeat their visit to the ACC championship game and where Kentucky fits in an SEC with two more powerhouse programs in Texas and Oklahoma to try to navigate.

This week's episode of The C.L. Brown Show features former Louisville football players Jack Plummer and Jawhar Jordan. Plummer explains what keeps him from putting too much pressure on himself and the biggest difference between college football and the NFL. Jordan tells what it's like to spend up to 12 hours a day immersed in football and what U of L fans can expect from his former high school teammate Tyler Shough at quarterback.

This week's episode of The C.L. Brown Show features ACC newcomers: Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough, Boston College coach Bill O'Brien and Stanford's Troy Taylor. Shough explains how to properly pronounce his last name and the meaning behind it. He tells what he learned from being current Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert's backup when they both played at Oregon. And what it's like being the married man in the locker room.

This week's episode of The C.L. Brown Show features former Trinity High School and University of Louisville quarterback Will Stein, who now serves as the offensive coordinator at Oregon. Stein shares memories of legendary Trinity coach Dennis Lampley, who died last month. He also recalls the trouble the game Call of Duty 3 got the Cardinals into with former U of L head coach Charlie Strong. It's why Stein is glad EA Sports College Football '25 was released in the summer instead of the season. And he reveals the influences that helped shape his promising career as a play caller after leading the Ducks to the No. 2 offense nationally in scoring, passing and total offense last season.

This week's episode of The C.L. Brown Show features Louisville football coach Jeff Brohm, who talks about what it will take to return to the ACC championship game. Louisville defensive end Ashton Gillotte and cornerback Quincy Riley also join the show to discuss the 2024 season, which begins Aug. 31 against Austin Peay, and EA Sports College Football 25.

This week's episode of The C.L. Brown Show features Louisville men's basketball coach Pat Kelsey, who replaced Kenny Payne after just two years at the helm. Kelsey discusses building a relationship with U of L point guard Chucky Hepburn, who transferred from Wisconsin, the advantages of building a completely new roster and the Cardinals' upcoming exhibition games in the Bahamas. He also reveals how he came to choose the black rimmed glasses that are quickly becoming part of his character.

This week's episode of The C.L. Brown Show features former Louisville guard Russ Smith, who is playing for The Villein The Basketball Tournament beginning this week at Freedom Hall. Smith explains what advice he'd give to the current Cardinals as they try to quickly bond under first-year head coach Pat Kelsey. Smith talks about his venture into his own bourbon brand, Mr. & Mrs. And why after a decade since former coach Rick Pitino coined the nickname "Russdiculous," it still lives on in the most unlikeliest of places.  

This week's episode of The C.L. Brown Show features Alexis Cubit, the University of Louisville football beat writer at The Courier Journal. Cubit discusses the impact of Alabama transfer Ja'Corey Brooks at wide receiver; the importance of M.J. Griffin's return to the secondary; and why the highly anticipated release of "EA Sports College Football 25" is drawing so much attention despite a 10-year hiatus.

This week's episode of The C.L. Brown Show features Bellarmine men's basketball coach Scott Davenport, who has guided the Knights through their transition to Division I.  The former Louisville assistant coach, under Hall of Famers Denny Crum and Rick Pitino, explains why he'd like to continue to face the Cardinals every year. He also details what the House v. NCAA settlement could mean for Bellarmine and why he held an NCAA Tournament Selection Show viewing with his team last season, even though they weren't eligible to make the field.  As a father whose son, Doug Davenport, is the coach in waiting, he also explains why he respects how LeBron James got his son, Bronny, drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers, but why he has reservations.

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. 

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.

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.

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.)

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.

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.

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.

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.)