PTI - Which teams are a LOCK to advance beyond the Sweet Sixteen?

Episode Date: March 26, 2026

Michael Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser discuss March Madness, MLB Opening Day, and the NBA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hey, sports fans, the ESPN app has all of ESPN all in one place. The ESPN app is your home to thousands of live events, ESPN shows, and originals across every ESPN network and service. And now you can check if you already have ESPN Unlimited as part of your TV package for no additional calls. Visit activate.esPN.com to learn how to access your account or sign up, then start streaming in the ESPN app. It's all of ESPN all in one place. Sign up or activate now. Pardon the interruption, but I'm Mike Loban on assignment in Chicago. I'm Tony Kornheiser. Does this assignment involve Richard Dent, a steakhouse, and your brother Don?

See, you've blown it now because you've said this. Tommy Waddle is going to be very jealous. He wasn't invited. So, see, you just blew this for him. I thought Waddle was your boy. I thought you were on his radio show every week. Love Waddle. So what?

It's not good enough to eat. They got lost, I guess, you know? Really? Really? Welcome to PTI, boys and girls. In today's episode, the baseball season is underway. The NBA delivered some intriguing results last night, and P.K. Suban joins us for five good minutes.

But we begin today with the Sweet 16, which kicks off in a little more than an hour. There are four games on tap tonight in order. Number 11, Texas plays number two, Purdue. Number nine, Iowa plays number four, Nebraska. Number four, Arkansas, plays number one hour's. and number three, Illinois, plays number two, Houston in Houston. Wilbon, which outcomes are you most confident in? I'm not confident in any of them.

They're all pickums to me, Tony. I've gone over and over and over. And, you know, I sort of like the way you phrased the question because in the NFL season, all, however many weeks it is now, 18 of them, I'm in a confidence pool. And you're picking based on the confidence you have in that selection, in that game. Tony, I don't have confidence in any of these.

I look at Nebraska, a team I picked to lose early, and I'm like, well, could they beat Iowa? Yes, they're playing a conference team. They're playing a neighbor, you know, and so this is a particularly appealing matchup to me, maybe not to others, who just consider the Midwestern states flyover. Iowa Nebraska is interesting to me.

But you can say, well, wait a minute, Arizona is the number one. You don't have them heavily favorite? No, I don't have any confidence. Maybe, listen, Texas is obviously a team that you could call play in because they were in the first four. But we've seen VCU take that path and get to the final four. No, I'm not counting out Texas either. So I'm turning this over to you.

Who do you have confidence in? Yeah. So people are not going to like this show. Because like you, I have no confidence in any of these. And if I were in a confidence pool, I think I would start. first with Houston, that I would say that Houston would beat Illinois because the game is literally in Houston. But as you know, I fell in love with Illinois when I watched them a couple of times. So I don't have confidence in that. The second one for me in terms of confidence, let me get to my

notes here, Purdue, Purdue over Texas. And I would pick Purdue because I've been very impressed with the Big Ten to this point. But Texas beat BYU and Gonzaga. That's impressive. And Texas, it's out of character because they rolled into the tournament one and five. I would stay completely away from Arkansas and Arizona. That game could be $100 to 99, Mike. Arkansas has put up 97 and 94 in two games. The kid Aikoff could go from 50 by himself. He seems unstoppable.

And then I'm in a terrible position because I've actually picked Arizona to win the entire bracket. So that gives me the one thing I have confidence in, I'll take 10 more seconds. The one thing I have confidence in is that one big 10 school is going to advance from Iowa and Nebraska. And you know I'm rooting for Nebraska and you know that I think that they are the one Cinderella that is left to us.

They are the college basketball this year what Indiana was to college football. Yes. Iowa's pretty good tone. Overall, no confidence. No confidence. None. There we start the show with no confidence

and therefore we will move to baseball's full opening day. The Yankees beat the giant seven-nuffin. than last night. Paul Skeen to the Pirates, though, didn't even make it out of the first this afternoon, giving up five to the Mets to get today's wider schedule started. Your Mets. Tonight, we get the two-time defending champion Dodgers hosting the Diamondbacks. Tony, what sort of chance do you give the Dodgers to three-peat? The Dodgers are the best team in baseball. They have close to the most money, and they spend it most wisely. But in the history of baseball, there have been only two friends.

franchises ever that did a three-peed. Oakland did it once. The Yankees did it three times. So the smart bet is to bet against that. And why? Because players get hurt. Pitchers get hurt every day and then they're out for months. Last year, the reason the Dodgers won is they sent their starters to the bullpen in the World Series. I don't think you can bet on that again.

And by the way, speaking of starters, Paul Skeens, who I love, who was a Cy Young Award winner. His ERA at the moment is 67.50. Wow. It'll come down. I mean, he got two-thirds of an inning in. Wow. So, yeah. And I'll just say this.

I want to go to last night, because the Yankees do sort of impress me. Yankees won 94 games last year. They won 7-0 on the road last night. Even when Aaron Judge, who I know you love, struck out four times. Four times. And they had no home runs. And last year they led the majors, I think 272 home runs, something like that. And they had nine singles.

So, yeah, the Yankees, but that's recency bias, because I just watched it last night. I'll stay with, I'll stay with Aaron Judge. I really will. I'm not jumping off that ship. Tony, I just won one franchise that I know you loved watching and covering, and one of their Hall of Fame members became a dear friend of yours for a long time. That would be the Big Red Machine featuring Joe Morgan. Oh, wait, also featuring Johnny Bench.

Oh, wait, also featuring Big Doggy Tony Perez. I mean, you know, come on. They were so great. and they couldn't win three. If any, you know, and the third time, you know, they got eclipsed by the Dodgers. The Dodgers finished 10 full games ahead of them. And I started thinking, you know, Tony, these Dodgers, they're so loaded. They are.

Everything says that, but baseball, the daily grind of it, the injuries, the underperformance, the performances you can't anticipate that come from other teams, maybe even in your division. so no, I'm going to go with the field. I am. Yeah, no, I would too. If I had to take a flyer on one team that had a shot, I might think about the Detroit Tigers if they keep Scoobble or maybe even Toronto. Because I think Toronto took the Dodgers to seven and they added cease. They added in the all-season. Yes.

So maybe. Let's move to the NBA and a grab bag from last night's games. The Celtics beat the thunder after being down 13 points in the first quarter. Minnesota without Anthony Edwards, from 13 down in overtime, 13 down in overtime to beat Houston. Denver got 53 points from Jamal Murray and a triple double of 23 points, 21 rebounds, and 19 assists. Wow. From Nicola Yolkich to beat Dallas.

Philadelphia had Joel Embed and Paul George together for the first time since January 29th and dropped 157 on your Bulls. And Washington ended its 16-game losing streak by beating Utah on Utah by 23 points. Wilbon, wherever you want to start. I checked on the wizard score at one point, and it was too late to call you, but they were up like 40, and I was like, this is like, this is so comical. The result shouldn't even be entered into the record book. But we digress. You know, it's the Celtics.

It's the Celtics in Oklahoma City. The games in Boston. The Celtics are supposed to win that game. I think about the Chris Rockland. I know they've given you a lot of credit for doing what you're supposed to do, and the Celtics are supposed to win that game. they did. And Tony, to me, the Celtics took this seriously like a playoff seriously, not like mid-March seriously. And they said, okay, the playoffs, the real sort of play in and the position and the jockeying, it may not start for a week. We're starting it tonight. And they did

one hell of a job in knocking OKC off. And OKC and San Antonio have been just runaway freight trains, the two of them, these two teams watching, spying each other. But I was impressed with Boston last night and Jalen Brown specifically. People can talk about Wemby, people can talk about Shay Gildes Alexander. He was two ways on his game last night, and his tag team partners showed up late to close with him. Yeah, they're going to be scary in the playoffs, because Jason Tatum last night, he had 17 points or 19 points, 12 rebounds. and seven assists. They're going to be scary. I agree with you on all of that. I will mention the Wizards briefly. I was tickled by the way they won. They were up 27 at the half. They finally

found a team that wanted to lose even more than they did. No doubt. I hope Adam Silver was paying attention. Adam Silver has publicly said he wants to fix tanking next year. How about this year? We're living in this year. Why don't you fix it this year? The other thing that I would say is Nicole Yolkich's line is unbelievable to me. It's unbelievable. 23 points, 21 rebounds, 19 19 assists from a center. Mike and I thought to myself, how can a center have 21 rebounds and 19 assists? It's happened twice, not just with a center.

It's only happened twice those numbers. Once was a guard, but an all-court player, Russell Westbrook, and once was Will Chamberlain. And then Yolkich last year had a more amazing one to me. He had 21 rebounds and 22 assists. These numbers defy all logic. They do. They do.

They do, Tony. You know what? He and Wilt have the 2020-20-20 thing to themselves, that club. Yeah. Not even Westbrook broke into that. Joker is amazing on a nightly basis where I do think the basketball public, even people really pay close to him. Westbrook did have one 2020.

Westbrook had a 2020. Westbrook has not played on great teams. Westbrook individually has been spectacular sometimes. Let's take a break. Coming up, the once red-hot sabers have suddenly lost two straight. We will ask P.K. Suban what he sees. We'll also ask him about Rodko Gudis's contrition over his recent play to put Austin Matthews out for the season.

I want to see Austin Matthews. You're aware that Oklahoma City is 2 and 6 against the Celtics, the Pistons, and the Spurs. Yes. You know, the other great team. Two and six. Not good. Yes.

No. No. No. We're in the home stretch of the NHL regular season, which makes it a perfect time for a visit from our great friend ESPN NHL analyst PK Subhan. PK, let's start with the Buffalo Sabres. They have suddenly lost two straight after being the hottest team in the league for a long stretch. Do you like how this team sets up for their first playoffs in hello 15 years? Well, first of all, there's seven, one, and two in their last 10 games.

I don't know how many teams in the league have. that record in the last 10 games anywhere in this league because of the competitive balance. But the last two games have been overtime losses. I really like the way the Buffalo Sabres have approached the game. This is a team now that has to be taken seriously. It's an organization that has to be taken seriously. It's been a breadth of fresh air for the whole national hockey league, not because of their success, but how they've had success.

They've built this roster, draft picks. They've taken some risks on some young players that are now paying off dividends. You know, I don't think enough has been said, Tony, and Michael, about Lindy Ruff and the job that he's done with Buffalo. Everyone's going to talk about these guys turning the curve in their development. Well, without structure, without a coach that has coached at this level, understands how to deal with young players. I had him in New Jersey. He was great for Jack Hughes in that time for his development. I think Lindy Ruff deserves a lot of credit for where this team is at right now and how he's been able to pull them back in when they get off track.

So I'm happy with Buffalo. you got to look out. This is a for real team. They're a contender. Well, let's go from a team that's been soaring to a team that's struggling. The Oilers, Peket, who you've got tonight. Drysido's out for the remainder of the season. The goaltending has struggled. I mean, it looks like they're going to make the playoffs, but barely if they do. Where do you see Edmonton right now? A fixture in the spring. But where do you see him this time? Well, we hear the quotes. I believe it was from Connor McDame. that talked about the pillow fight in the Pacific Division

because of the competitive balance and how strong the East is. But I'll tell you this, no matter how soft people say the Pacific Division is, it ain't going to get easy for Carn and McDavid. You know, I know Vegas has been struggling in their past 10 games. There's still a great defensive team. They're giving up too many great A scoring chances.

Edmonton will pick you apart if you can't play solid defense. You know, on the other side, Anaheim, they got great goaltending. They're young, quick. They have experience on that roster and they can score goals. So for Edmonton, they have to be playing their best game come playoff time. I think they get in. It's going to be very difficult to not have Edmonton in the playoffs when you have Connor

McDavid on your team. But missing dry sidle is not going to make it easy. But to me, once again, I feel like a broken record. I need to see more from them as a unit. I need to see them take control of games, not fight their way back into games, dictate. You've gone out and gotten veteran play. The defense that are there are what they are. You have to learn to play in front of your goaltender the way that's going to give you success.

If you don't have great goaltending, well, you got to play better defense. And for me, I got to see that sacrifice on the defensive end. Too much standing around at times, too many gaffs during the game. It's just for a contending team, for a team that has the best player in the world, we have to expect to see better and more consistent play on a nightly basis from Edmonton. Let's stay out west, kind of, for one more question. Ducks captain, Radco Goudis, put Sidney Crosby out of the Olympics, of course, and now Austin Matthews out for the season. Narako apologized to Matthews and said, I've got to learn, I've got to be better. P.K., that would not have been enough for me if I was the commissioner, but what do you make of this whole thing?

Well, first, it's a man's game on the ice. So things are going to happen. you know, guys play on the edge. Sometimes it boils over. We accept that when we go on the ice. So when things happen, we all have to deal with it the right way. But as a guy who's played the game, who's watched, you know, more hockey than I've ever watched before, I don't want to hear this Sunday morning,

our Monday morning quarterback. The game's on Sunday. We all saw what happened. I don't want to hear the next day that you're upset. On Austin Matthews, he's got his knee out there for 45 seconds before he makes contact. It's in the open ice. I understand that his intent may not be able to hurt someone, but I've been a defenseman.

I've wanted to impose my will. And at times, guys have gotten hurt. But to me, in the open ice, there should never be any confusion on that. This is the professional, national hockey league. Guys know how to control their bodies and know how to make a proper body check. I don't know what league that body check is okay,

and it's definitely not okay in our league. So for me, I can understand the frustration from players that may sound off on the play of Radco Gudis, but he's got to clean that up. If he wants to continue to play in the National Hockey League, we're okay with fighting, we're okay with a lot of physical things. But when it comes to knees and head shots and all that stuff, you've got to clean that up.

And he's a veteran player. He knows better. He's told the line before. He's got to take the full brunt of whatever comes his way now. Here, here. Well said. Well said. We will get you out of here on this.

We've seen so many great young players emerge this season. but looking long term, who do you see as the most special of these young players? Oh, what a question. This one's tough, guys, because we have an embarrassment of young talent in the National Hockey League that is learning from some of the greatest leaders in sports today. Sidney Crosby, McDavid, McKinnock, you can go down the list. But when we talk about young players in the National Hockey League, I'll start at the top right now for me. There's three names to me that stand out.

I can't just give you one. I got to give you all three. Number one, Matthew Schaefer. We have not seen a defenseman come into the league that complete at 18 and playing the way. He's got 20 plus goals. I don't even know what his stats are. Every night he's breaking records, guys. He's been unbelievable.

Celebrini, unbelievable. The whole world saw him at the Olympics. Connor Bedard, a lot of people, people in hockey know, but a lot of people that watch sports may not know. This guy's just as good and is going to be just as good as the first two names. that I said. He's showing it already in the second half and he's going to show it for years to come. But outside of that, Lane Hudson in Montreal,

who's great, Kindle in Pittsburgh, an 18-year-old who makes the team this year, you know, an unsung hero on that team. He's a big part of the reason why they're even in the playoff picture right now. And Sidney Crosby's been out. He's been dragging them into the fight every night. So the NHL's in a good

place right now, guys. Thank you, P.K. It's great to have you on. Thank you. I appreciate it, man. All right, thanks guys. Big games tonight. You can catch PK on the point at ESPN 2 at 6 o'clock, followed by an NHL doubleheader at 7 on the mothership. Let's take one last break, but still to come.

Tom Brady asked the NFL about playing as an owner. What? It's too early for April Fool story. Is that one? Will Wade is leaving NC State, and get this, Tony, headed back to a school that fired him, canned him. He said, get out. Yeah.

The Tom Brady story's got to be an April Fool's joke like. Happy time, people. Happy 25th birthday, James and Williams. The Detroit Lions wide receiver had 65 catches for 1117 yards and seven touchdowns this past season. Williams was third in the NFL in yards per reception, 17.2, the year after being second at 17.3. Williams was the 12th overall pick in the 2002 draft out of Alabama.

Williams transferred to Alabama from Ohio State. State. Williams has the distinction of losing the national championship game to Georgia while at Alabama and losing the national championship game to Alabama while at Ohio State. Williams plays opposite Amun St. Ra, Amon Rae, St. Brown, I'm sorry, who had 117 catches for 1,401 yards and 11 touchdowns this past season. And the Lions still didn't make the playoffs? What? Yeah, Tony, it certainly wasn't their fault, not his. He's got a guy that you're wincing the entire game. when you're in a division rival situation twice a year and you're like please don't let him get loose because we got nobody to catch him ever if he does he's he's a impact player happy anniversary

brad stevens on this day 15 years ago stevens coach butler to the final four by beating florida in overtime this would become the second year in a row that stevens took butler to the final game butler stevens then went to the boston selfers first as coach now is the guy running the basketball show and has been thoroughly successful. Butler, meanwhile, just hired Ronald Norred as head coach. Norrit had been an NBA assistant, was a starting guard on the Butler team we're talking about. Yeah, people talking about Brad Stevens leaving to go to North Carolina. Sorry, newsflash the people in North Carolina. The Boston Celtics, which could be on the verge winning again, bigger than North Carolina. Happy Trails, NC State for Will Wade. The latest turn in

tumultuous career has Wade heading back to LSU, the school that famously fired him for payment shenanigans four years ago. Matt Norlander of CBS reports that LSU offered a bigger budget than NC State, and Wade took it, leaving the Wolfpack one year after his arrival when he called NC State, quote, a destination job, and then went 20 and 14 while losing in the first four. LSU dismissed Wade in 2022, but that was under a different AD and before the widespread Wild West NIL culture. And it never gets wilder in the West at LSU with like basically no rules. He'll, he's doing the right thing.

Big finish quickly. Jackson Churrio, the Brewers out two to four weeks with a fractured hand. Suffered in the World Baseball Classic, your thoughts? I am not going to wish any ill on the cheese heads. He hope he comes back healthy in this long season. Tom Brady told CNBC he asked the NFL about playing as a minority owner, but the league didn't like that. Your reaction?

It's totally crazy story. Billy Donovan says he's focused on the Bulls but didn't rule out interest in the North Carolina job. What do you make of that? I'm making it. The Bulls are going nowhere and Billy Donovan should go to North Carolina. He won two at Florida. He knows what he's doing in the college ranks. A quad god you boy leads the world championships after today's short program is that significant.

I wish him well. It was terrible what happened to him in the Olympics. Last one, Nick's go for their eighth win in a row tonight in Charlotte. You like their chances? No. I like Charlotte's chances. They're hot too.