The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Gottlieb's March Madness First Round Breakdown and Picks; Guest: Evan Daniels

Episode Date: March 21, 2019

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about some of the other issues in the sport, most notably a couple of the firings. I'm not one of these guys that's going to do the fake outrage over every coach that is fired. We've kind of discussed this a little bit in the past. I mean, Tim Miles has just such a great balance way about him where he's just like, hey, look, you know, I want to keep the job, yeah, but if I don't,

I'm a millionaire, and I'll have to go back and find another job. job. So there is a, and that doesn't mean I want him to be fired. I mean, between Jim Molinari, who played for my dad and Mike Lewis, who's a close personal friend of mine, I would just sit there and tell you, hey, I think those are really good guys. And they won 13 games in the Big Ten last year when there's only 18 games. Obviously, this year was much more of a struggle. But regardless of my relationships with any one of these different coaches, I would point this out. There are different jobs and different.

Some of the firings make sense. They do. It doesn't make it cool. I don't doesn't mean I'm okay with it. Like, oh, you like to see people get fired. Like, no, that ain't it. On the other hand, there's a reality to the fact that it's a job. And for some people, you know, if their boss doesn't think they've done a good job or in all candor,

they might not be their boss's guy. And so that's another reason. that they lose their job. So the idea that every coaching firing is wrong is, in fact, wrong. It just is. On the other hand, the idea that every coaching firing is right, you know, also, you know, there's got to be a reason. And sometimes the reasons are bizarre.

I'll just start with this, and this is really, really important. What you take over, who you work for. you know, I have lots of friends and many of you guys are downloading the show and you're still kind of looking for your first ever head coaching job. I would include myself in that mix, although I wouldn't necessarily say I'm actively, actively looking, right? What I would tell you is those people, you just take, a lot of times you like to take a job, right? Just take a job because you don't know when the next job will be open. You don't know when you'll have that next world. Sometimes you get it because of relationships. Sometimes you get it because

of the proximity to where you work. Sometimes you get it because of the hot streak that you're on as a team. On the other hand, sometimes when you take second jobs oftentimes, you know, these mistakes are in fact preventable. And those preventable mistakes are, you know, be careful who you're going to work for. You know, be careful who if you're, let's take Marvin Menzie. Okay. Marvin Menzies is a perfect example. He got fired at UNLV after just three years. It's not just that he got fired after UNOV at three years, but the athletic director that hired him is no longer there. It's not just that he wasn't the first choice. He actually wasn't the first hire. Like that's the crazy thing about it. He wasn't the first choice. He wasn't the first

hire. So when that happens, like I think people have to be reasonable about it. they had fired Dave Rice mid-season. The thing was all kinds of a mess. They wanted to hire Mick Cronin, thought that was done. Mick got on a plane, flew back to Cincinnati, was like, what am I doing? And he smartly didn't leave his alma mater, where, you know, his daughter lived and, you know, his ex-wife's there as well. And look at the success that he's had. It doesn't mean he wouldn't have had success at UNLV, but it would have been a dramatic life change,

one that I'm sure at that point in time in his life he wasn't ready for. And also should be pointed out that it's also a sign of understanding that UNLV was a bit of a mess at the time because of the timing of everything. So then they hired Chris Beard. Right. Remember that? Chris Beard was in fact the was in fact the first hired head coach. Well, then Chris Beard, of course, got a chance to go to Texas Tech after 10. hubby Smith and then, you know, so now you've had, I get technically, Marvin Menzie was the fourth

head coach in half of a year, right? So, because you fired Dave Rice, interim beard, Menzies. So he gets the job, you have to clean the thing up and get it going. And even if you could sit there and go, well, Marvin didn't do this or Marvin didn't do that. And there are other factors to play in, you know, that league has been down. Nevada being up, I think, doesn't sit well with the alums who, they view Nevada as Nevada Reno, no matter how successful Nevada is. UNLV guys are like, that's Nevada Reno.

They shouldn't even be in this conversation. So that part hurt as well. I don't think their TV deal does them a ton of justice. Like I know, having done games in CBS Sports Network, this is no knock on the crews that do it because they got good crews that are dedicated that know the league super well. And I've done some of those games.

even working now with stadium. But the fact is that it's not viewed on equal footing as games on Fox or games on ESPN. It's just not. And they don't have a CBS network deal. So it's not like you're seeing UNLV versus Nevada on CBS on a Saturday. Like if I was negotiating the deal, that's probably something you'd try and push for. I don't know if you get it. So the league being down, the league's TV deal, the town became a hockey town last winter

because of their newfound hockey success. And they struggled to put people in the building. and it's really rough. And there is something, too, hey, if you don't think some guy's the guy make the change now as opposed to making everybody wait an additional year, but I think considering what he inherited,

and again, I'm not a crier about every coach that loses his job, many of these guys, but considering what he inherited, I think it's really quick. I think it's really hard to smartly and rightfully turn that thing around. That just feels like a bad deal to me. And then we go to Phil Martelli at St. Joe's.

who was there 34 years and was fired. And it turns out I called his last NCAA tournament game. He lost to Oregon after an incredible win against Cincinnati. And obviously that was a couple years ago. But I can only say this about Phil Martelli. So I'm the son of a coach or brother of a coach. And I don't have any necessary connections with Martelli per se. I've covered his games.

I've covered his practices. I've had social encounters with him. He and I did this thing at the Coaches versus Cancer deal in Iowa years ago where we really struck up a good friendship. And he was always very kind to my father. But, you know, like I didn't play for him. I didn't play for anybody close to him. I didn't.

It wasn't like he called me to scout games and to, hey, do you know anything about this kid or this player? Nothing. But he is one of those guys where if you're a hoop guy, if you're a ball guy, If you showed up his practice and you had watched game tape, if he showed up his game and you knew both sides of the ball, both teams, both benches. If you knew why he did what he did, if you were reasonable about St. Joe's and their growth

and how difficult it was to sustain what they had going back to 2004, he respected you. So much so that when I have interviewed for coaching jobs, I didn't even reach out. He reached out to me, hey, can I hope? you with this. Yeah, I really, really need help. And, and I'm guessing, again, a lot of you are basketball guys. You know that this is the, this is the truth about basketball, they say basketball's family. It really is. And kind of once you're in and people treat you like family, treat me like a

son or young, you know, or nephew or whatever. And when you're one of the guys like me, look, my mentor, he's not capable anymore pick up the phone and calling people. It, it hurts. It, our basketball family. Phil Martelli was. Phil Martelli was the guy who said, you know, if you get a job, this is who you should hire and here's why. If you want to get a job,

this is the type of job you should get. This is how you should implement your job. One of the things he said, which was great, and this is a great Phil Martellianism, is in the spring, have them play a bunch of one-on-one-one and two-on-two. Just have them be in the gym and be competitive.

Do that some during practice. And the logic behind it is if you try and put in your, you get a job in the spring and you try and put in your offense. You try and show the players how smart you are. By the time you get to the actual game, they're going to have tuned you out 10 times over.

And I just thought that was, there was a ton of genius to it. A ton of genius to it. And just the simplicity in, hey, don't try and show them. not just how smart you are, but don't try and show them how smart you are too really in the process because when you do, they will tune you out. And once they tune you out, they don't tune you back in.

So Phil Martelli was fired and he's obviously, he's had, you know, his back court has been oft injured since that NCAA tournament appearance three years ago. And, you know, his program was always built around great guards. I think it sucks. I think he'll coach again. I think he'll coach real soon. I think there's been an unbelievable outpouring of emotion for a guy. And I'll grant you that, yes, he was an institution just because the institution doesn't mean he can't be fired or he can't, but it did feel like he was blindsided by it. It did feel like it wasn't an organic firing. And while St. Joe's is allowed to do that, you know, Temple's going to have a new head coach as well. Aaron McKee's going to take over there. Maybe this is keeping up with the Big Five Joneses.

Nova has done this. Nova has been so good in the Big Five or the City Series. he's counting and counting Drexel, that it's really been hard to compete with them in terms of the headlines, and St. Joe's once upon a time, was every bit as competitive. It's hard. It's hard. I know they got a beautiful facility that they redid,

but they redid it because of Phil Martelli. But just because not everybody's fireball doesn't mean there's not a way to do it. And what you run the risk of when you're an athletic director is you have 30 years of great history, And look, Phil, there's a coach, I'll name him. His name is Bob Williams. Bob Williams won a national championship at UC Davis.

And for 18 years, I believe he was the coach at UC Santa Barbara. And Bob Williams told me, and this is a famous coaching line, as many of you know, every year I'm here, I create an enemy. So now I have 18 enemies. And I'm sure that Phil Martelli, 34 years, I'm sure there's 34 enemies. He was outspoken, he's opinionated. Sometimes when you don't win as much as you did at one point in time, I never found him to be defensive to the national media.

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Sign up at Doug1.robinhood.com. That's Doug1.robinhood.com. All right, here's what I going to do. I'm going to go through every game in the first round, and I'm going to give you my stream of conscience. Duke versus the winner of North Carolina Central, which is really weird because North Carolina, Central is literally right next door to Duke.

And North Dakota State. I think that's odd. I mean, obviously, I like Duke. Duke, the thing with Duke is, I don't think you can pressure them, but you have to be able to handle their pressure. You got to be able to make them shoot and box out rebound. I actually would love the VCU matchup. I don't think they're as good as Duke.

But when your best player is hurt and rehabbing just to get back for the second round, for the first round, excuse me. I like Central Florida over VCU. If you haven't seen BJ Taylor, he can really, really shoot the basketball. He's not a true ball handler, and I do think you can crank him up pressure-wise. If VCU is fully healthy, I would take VCU, but they're not. I'm going to take UCF. And then Duke to beat Central Florida, you know, I don't Taco Fall.

Taco Fall has gotten better every single year, but I just don't know who he guards in that game. And throwing it to him while he can be effective, he's not so effective. He's not a Keem Elijah one down there. Mississippi State taking on Liberty. Look, Liberty is really skilled, and they're going to surprise you, right? Caleb Holmesley is he's kind of one of those all everything guard wings. You know, look, I like Lovell Cabell Jr. He's a senior from Arlington, Texas.

This is an older team, an experienced team. And one, you know, with Scotty James, who's got a tremendous, amount of versatility. First thought with Mississippi State Liberty is I saw Liberty and maybe it's because I've seen them play twice. I've seen Mississippi State as well. I like Liberty in that game. Virginia Lewis

with Justin Robinson back, I think Virginia Tech is a legit threat to Duke if they can get to the Sweet 16. Going to take Virginia Tech. St. Louis play great in the A10 tournament. Great. Unbelievable finish. And, you know, considering you lost your incoming recruit a handful of games.

to transfer to get things together at the right time of the season. I mean, Travis Ford, what a remarkable recovery for that St. Louis team. That's pretty good. But I like Virginia Tech. We've seen Belmont now as Belmont took down Maryland. And I do think this is a very young Maryland team. I think the fourth youngest team in college basketball. They've obviously struggled a little bit down the stretch, closing out games.

And as much as Bruno Fernando can help them on offense, he will kind of struggle on defense to guard the perimeter to Belmont team. and I always think it's easier to play that second game when you're playing with nothing to lose. I know it's quick turnaround. They played Tuesday night and they'll play tonight. This is Thursday at the time of the recording, but I like Belmont to win that game.

I also like Yale to beat LSU. I just think that not having Will Wade, there's a difference in coaching. And there's just kind of a cloud that hovers over LSU. And this Yale team is athletic enough to do a good job against LSU, even if Tremont Waters is coming home to Connecticut. I like Yale.

Louisville, Minnesota. I've told people on Twitter. I love Louisville. Minnesota struggles to shoot the basketball. Michigan State, Bradley, I don't think Michigan State is in trouble here. And the second round could be interesting because, remember, they've already played, already played Louisville early this season and lost to the Cardinals. That would be a fantastic rematch. I think Michigan State has improved and I think they're the better team.

But I also think that'll be a hell of a game. And that's one that Tom iso, his team is, I think, worn down. down by the run in the Big Ten and the run in the Big Ten tournament. Gonzaga should have no trouble with Fairleigh Dickinson. With Howard out for Syracuse now for the remainder of the season, I would expect Baylor to beat Syracuse. Marquette Murray State's super exciting. Late night game, Hartford Civic Center.

You have the speed, athleticism, the dynamic play of John Morant going against the skill of the Hauser brothers and the talent of Marcus. Howard, I like Marquette to beat Murray State. I just think they shoot it so well. I think they're better defensively than they've ever been. That's not saying much. If the O. John stays out of foul trouble, I like that Marquette team. And I don't think Florida State has any trouble with Vermont.

I do think that Marquette will have trouble with the length of Florida State in the second round. Arizona State, St. John's. So you've got to recording this on a Saturday. I think Arizona State's going to win that game. I don't think it matters. Buffalo is going to be either one of those teams. Tech I have over Northern. Kentucky. I love Nevada. I don't love them against the zone of Florida or the loaded up defense of

Michigan, and I can't believe that they're a seven seed, but I do think that a team that's been to the Sweet 16 with four guys 23 years older if they can make shots. They'll beat Florida, and they'll play Michigan in the second round. Wouldn't stun me, wouldn't stun me if Nevada went to a Sweet 16. I don't think Virginia will have trouble with Gardner Webb, but Gardner is better than most traditional 16 seats. Ole Miss all over Oklahoma. Oklahoma's, Gemini McNice has been hurt,

and they come kind of sputtering in down the stretch. Freshman point guard, don't love it against Mississippi. He's got a great back court. I do like Oregon over Wisconsin. Oregon didn't struggle for lack of talent. They were hurt and they weren't playing together. Now they're not hurt with the exception of Bull Bowl,

and they're playing together. But take Oregon. I loved UC Irvine when this thing came out, and then I went back and looked at K-State, getting up 11-0, and pummeling UC Irvine last year. I think Irvine's better this year, and K State's probably not going to have Will Wade.

I'm Will Wade, sorry. Dean Wade, but I still like Kansas State to win. Kansas State will play Oregon. You have the rematch of Dana Altman's old school against Dana Altman's, well, very much new school, I guess, even though he's been there nine years. Nova St. Mary's, I think St. Mary's going to give him a hell of a game.

Wouldn't stun me if they won this game. Remember, this Nova team, if they make threes really hard to play against but I don't think they have the mismatches that they normally have because you're playing a St. Mary's team which can play at their own pace

be very physical with you and they too can invert their offense. I like Old Dominion over Purdue. Old Dominion is tremendous defensively, very good rebound in the ball. Cincinnati all over Iowa. Iowa just doesn't have I think the defense is better

but it's not great. And their offense, while they have some really skilled players, Jordan Bowenon just is not a guy who can get a step, even on big guys. And I think that's been exposed some. I like Cincinnati against Tennessee. North Carolina, they'll take on Utah State. Utah State's super, super connected. And Washington started to come apart a little bit at the seams.

Plus, Utah State really good against his own, very good passing, cutting, spacing team. And top five in the country in Kempom defense, two-point defense as well. Auburn, New Mexico State. Look, New Mexico State's talented and Christian is a really good coach. This Auburn team is not as talented as even last years, but I do think they're good enough, even on short notice, to turn around and beat New Mexico State. Kansas, Northeastern, will be closer than you think, but Kansas will win.

Iowa State has the talent to go to the Final Four. They just don't play much defense. They'll take on, I think, Houston, although Georgia State runs a really good matchup zone, and they might have the best player in that game. Wofford over Seton Hall. I know Seton Hall also kind of a one-man team, but I like Wofford's skill, and you got Kentucky.

Wouldn't stun me if Wofford gives Kentucky a really good game. All right, let's welcome in, my man Evan Daniels. Now that St. John's season is done, how do we encapsulate that, right? They kind of went all in. They had all these transfers, all these older guys. They played a soft schedule to start the year, and, you know, blown out by Duke,

did get to the NCAA tournament eliminated in the first four, but Mullen actually got his team back to the tournament, something he had not done as a coach. Successful year, how would you characterize the year? I mean, it didn't, it didn't, they didn't reach expectations, not with that talent. I mean, they were the last team into the NCAA tournament. The amount of talent on that team is pretty high.

Sharmari Ponds, Mustafa Aaron, You know, I think most thought entering the year that this was a team that, you know, had the chance to, and the talent to be, you know, to win a couple games in the NCAA tournament. So, I mean, I would imagine, I don't think it, I don't know where you stand on this, but, like, I don't think they reached expectations. I don't think so either, but I do think it's interesting. I saw a tweet, a similar tweet from Jeff Goodman moments ago. And my thing is, like, are they really that talented, right? Like, Auburn thinks they're a better team without Mustafa Herring. You know, Marvin Clark did nothing tonight.

He's a guy who, you know, had he stayed around at Michigan State, I do think he would been useful, but he wasn't going to play last year. They had better players. Right. You know, so, like, there's a, the strength of this team was they had a bunch of, most of their transfers were older dudes that had sat out, but there's a reason that they transferred. Pons was the one guy, but, you know, again, Pons is in college this long because he's a, he's an undersized two guard that scores and doesn't do much else.

So I don't know. I guess my thing is, yeah, I think it was a little disappointing, but I also think us assuming that their talent is so great. I'm not sure. I, L.J. Figueroa is probably their second most talented player. But even he's a J.C. transfer. I don't know. Maybe there's a reason that he was in junior college, right?

So, so. Justin Simon's best defender in the big east. Yeah. I mean, I guess, but why did he leave? did leave Arizona? Why did you leave Arizona? Well, I mean, I think there's a, that's a completely separate topic. Like, I think

Arizona, one, I think maturity-wise, he wasn't quite ready, and it just wasn't a good fit. But, I mean, he's the best, he's the best offender in the league. Yeah. I get what you're saying, though. Like, they're not super deep. So I

kind of understand where you're coming from. Yeah, and, like, they have good college players, but so does Arizona State. Like, Arizona State has really good athletes, you know? Right. So, you know, it's, we do this in college sports. We do this in professional sports.

We act like you're the only team trying. And if you're not trying, if you don't win, it's only because of your failings. Whereas like sometimes, hey, the other guy's trying to, you know. Right. Okay. So it sets up Bobby Hurley versus Nate oats. And, you know, I covered that Buffalo, his, Bobby's last Buffalo game when they, when they lost in the NCAA tournament.

and Bobby would tell me like, hey, man, I let Nate coach a lot. And Nate has become this rising star. We'll talk about the games itself. Does Nate Oates stay at Buffalo after this season? I don't think that there's going to be a ton of stuff opening up this year. That said, there might, you know, let's do a hypothetical here because I think that we both know that there's a lot of buzz around Buzz Williams going to Texas A&M. if you're Virginia Tech, you know, I think you take a strong look at Nate Oates.

Probably take a strong look at Ryan Odom and a couple other guys, but I think Nate Oates would be in a heavy play there. But outside of that, like, what else opens up? I think it depends. But I think he would be a strong play there. I don't think it's good to you back. So the great thing about having you on tonight, the night before the NCAA tournament, of course, this is going to drop tomorrow the day of, the first day of the NCAA tournament, is John Caliperi came out with a tweet basically saying, hey, let's just put this thing to bed. I'm not going anywhere.

But it was a real rumor. There was legitimate college basketball people talking about UCLA making some ridiculous offer he couldn't refuse, correct? Yeah, I mean, I think that I think where their legitimacy was is I think that UCLA's interest in him was legitimate. What they were going to offer, I don't know. I mean, I just have trouble seeing that they could possibly come into that ballpark. But keep in mind, and I just tweeted this, Kenny Payne, Kentucky's associate head coach, makes $900,000 a year.

Do you know what the allotment for assistant coaches for all of Steve Alford's whole staff was? I'm going to go a million. No, $750,000. $150,000 less than one coach at Kentucky. So, like, I'm getting, like, blown up, on Twitter by UCLA fans and saying that they have this money. But like, if you're, if that's what your salary allotment is for your, for your staff, what kind of commitment does that show to your basketball program?

I mean, think about it. There's, there's, um, can he pay $900,000. Well, that's the big thing that I think, the other thing that people don't realize about UCLA. And they, they just think that, well, it's the, UCLA, they'll just throw money at them. And maybe that they're going to try and throw money at this problem. But they never have previously. And then I don't even think there's a reality with, like you mentioned, Kenny Payne making 900 grand.

But Kenny Payne also makes 900 grand in Lexington, which like that's the equivalent to 1-5 or 2 in L.A. Right? I mean, let's just kind of be honest with it. That's the biggest thing. Football always had this issue. Whereas even USC, if you offer the exact same amount at USC, USC will give guys, give assistant coaches interest-free loans so that they can live in Manhattan Beach.

Whereas, you know, the UCLA coaches, they're living out in Timbuktu too because even if you make $300,000, $350,000 in assistant football coach, like that's not killing in L.A. You can't live in Bel Air. You can't live even in Encino with that much. I actually, so as you know, I lived in Lexington for 10 years. And at one point, I looked at moving to L.A. Manhattan Beach is my favorite place in the world.

if you have a $100,000 salary in Lexington, per like the calculator, you need to be making $520,000 to be equivalent in living in Manhattan Beach. So more than, the cost of living is more than five times. That's amazing.

It's crazy. So who, who, who, you saw his tweet, like, at the end of the day, I'm sure he just used

UCLA to go get a race. Which is what they all do. It's smart. So what's a, I just, I can't see Tony Bennett. I can't see him building Virginia into this kind of perfect utopia. You know, he turned down Wisconsin where his dad, his parents live, you know, in a state that he grew up. And granted, not the resources of L.A.

But he just doesn't strike me as a SoCal guy. He doesn't strike me as a guy. who, all right, let's start over, let's do it the right way. And I just, I understand why UCLA would want to hire him, but I don't know why he would want to leave Virginia other than, hey, at some point you're tired of playing Carolina, Duke, Louisville, Syracuse. But it hasn't hurt. That's not what hurts his program.

The only thing it's hurt his program is they haven't won in the NCAA tournament. That's it. So do you think Tony Bennett legitimately will pay attention to it? I think he would be wise to take the phone call, but I would be surprised if we saw Tony Bennett on the UCLA sideline next year. I'm with you. I don't necessarily see him as the SoCal guy. And he also seems pretty content in Virginia.

I mean, keep in mind, like Tony's like a pretty to himself, very down to earth, just kind of a quiet guy. Like I see him as liking, you know, if you've been to Charlottesville, a nice place, but it's like, it's quaint. It's like there's not a lot of going on compared to a city like UCLA. It seems to fit his personality. And I mean that in the most complimentary way. No question.

No question. It's got just enough of a little bit of everything, right? There's, um, I always, I had an affinity for Virginia. That was the first major school, high major school to offer me a scholarship when Jeff Jones was there. And, um, I, you know, I started doing research on him as a kid and I was like, man, this is, it's like I told people about about Notre Dame it's like going to school and a museum right you're like but this build this building's how old and who designed it like it's kind of amazing you do stop and kick yourself it's something pretty special he's been able to built there I just don't know like I get the UCLA thing you know my brother and sister went there I've been to a million games there I just don't know if I don't know so okay so let's say Tony doesn't take it who does well the other names that I've heard um would be Mick Cronin, Mike Hopkins. You know, there's been rumors out there about Mike Bray.

I don't know about that. But those would be the names that I've heard. Now, how legitimate those are, I don't know, but those come from, you know, industry sources that we all talk to. The Hopkins thing is interesting. Obviously, he's done a nice job at Washington, and he is a Southern California guy. it seems like a massive jump after such a short period time.

Massive, massive jump. Bray does not feel like West Coast, and obviously they're not coming off of a great year. Maybe that doesn't matter because he's done more at Notre Dame than anybody since Digger, and you could maybe even argue more than Digger, especially in the NCAA tournament. I just don't know if any of those makes sense.

They make people want to go to a UCLA game. That's a weird one. And I like, I like Mick, but I don't see Mick as an LA guy. I think he's perfect where he is. Right. You know, he went there, he's from there. They're really good coaches, but it doesn't make them a good fit.

It doesn't mean they wouldn't win, but they would run into the same issues everybody runs into at UCLA, which is, yeah, you're just kind of that kind of kind of guy, that kind of kind of guy. I don't know what it is. So, like, if you don't think, like, who is, I guess? I don't know. Who is the good fit?

Well, Patina would have been perfect before all this. Patina would have been perfect before all this stuff, you know. I agree. I don't think he would have ever left Louisville to go to UCLA. If, like, his parting of ways had been more amicable, and he was not coaching at Louisville, then I agree. I mean, Tino would have been great anyway. I think he's the best of all.

To be honest, to be honest with you, like, I actually think he was. he's probably the best all around in the last, you know, even better than Coach K, to be totally honest. Because his teams, he's changed his styles multiple times, but he also was an innovator in terms of embracing the three-point shot, pressing, you know, into the various zones. You know, his offense has evolved. And like, look, he's showing a lot of. Huh? So, sorry, I didn't mean to cut you off.

No, you're going to say, I was going to add to that, like, the truth is, is he's oftentimes done more. with less. Yes. Like, his player development, guys have gotten better. Like, think about the team that he won a title with. Like,

Gordon was, like, a top 50 player. And he's been in NBA a little bit, but like Russ Smith. I mean, coming out of high school, Russ Smith was just

kind of known as a shot japper. And, I mean, he still did that a little college, but, like, he had that dude rolling. Peyton Ceevo was,

he was the top 50 type players from high school. But, I mean, Luke Hancock, he took a transfer. Like, he's like,

He just consistently, you're right, on the innovated and changed his style. And just consistently, I thought, from a, he wasn't going out and getting top ten dudes. Well, people, but people forget, people forget when they were in Kentucky. I mean, he handed Tubby another championship. But, I mean, they were so ridiculously loaded, right? Like, when you gave him Kentucky, like, he was cow before cow, back before guys had won and duns. He was loading up. I mean, he just loaded his teams up.

and of course there was providence that he took to the final four so I actually think he's the he's the honestly the best all around coach and he's a great game coach as well a tactician have you ever been a one of his practices yes it's amazing he speaks at this level he has a microphone when I've been and he speaks at this level and it's like a clinic it's like watching a clinic um no question um the porter porter mozier to you and lv the rumor is he turned it down, right? That Porter's waiting on what? His alma mater craten if the FBI thing gets big or DePaul, which isn't going to

open this year? Is that a fair guess? That would, that makes, I admit they don't know enough about his situation, but that would make sense. Yeah, it's weird though to turn down you. I think if he turns down UNOVVVV, he's at Loyola of Chicago, I don't, I think the Yonovies, look, is it screwy? Yeah, do they have to win now because the NFL's coming and maybe the NBA's

coming soon, probably. But there's a lot of things you can do it. You know, you can do it the, I think you can do it relatively the right way. I think you get players. I think it's a great town. I think it's better to raise a family in than people think, although maybe that he's, because he's a missed Western guy, but, and they haven't had a great tactical coach, maybe ever.

Like, and you think, like, look, if you give him super, super talented players and he can get him to play his way, I don't know. I can't say, like, Loyola Chicago just seems like such a tough job. I don't get it. Yeah, it is a tough job. I think you also have to be careful, too, like, you can miss your window. You can, you know, you made the tournament last year, didn't this year, but obviously a very good coach. I mean, I still don't think long.

You still don't think what? I still have loyal to Chicago for long term. And like, I think this is a guy that's ready for a big job. What's a big job is, I don't know. Yeah, it's a great question. All right, let's get to, here's what I want to do. I'm just going to give the game. Let's just talk out these games.

Cool enough? And then, and then you can go and party. You can go hang with your boys in Vegas. Sounds good. All right, here's what we're going to do. Let's start in, in chronological order in terms of when they'll begin. Minnesota Louisville. My first glance at this one, Louisville, that thing's jumped up to a five-point deal for Louisville.

I've seen Minnesota, I've seen them both in person. I think they're both actually, I actually, I've grown to really like Richard Petino. I don't know how much you know him. I find him to be really funny, very self-deprecating, the exact opposite of what you would think Rick Petito's son would be. Like, you'd think he'd be pretentious and full of himself, and he's not. It's pretty funny. Yeah, and I think he kind of gets it, and I don't think he takes himself super seriously, and he's done a nice job. I just don't think they have the shooting

and where they're good Louisville is probably better right where Minnesota's good is in that front court and their shooting is definitely a concern probably their biggest concern Richard's even Richard brought that up to me earlier in the year but the good like when Amir coffee is good because like you know he's going to

rebound around the 10 he gets in a foul trouble sometimes but when like Amir coffee's rolling, they're very good. What they're missing, too, is sitting over on the bench, and that's Marcus Carr. He was a transfer. They thought they were going to get eligible.

Yeah, they needed another ball handler. Yeah, they think he's a point guard, though. I don't think he's a point guard, do you? He's a combo. He's a combo. But he can play with the ball in his hands, and they needed another guy. They didn't, you know, it's pretty clear they don't trust Isaiah Washington.

No, Isaiah Washington is basically out of the rotation now too. So they're playing, you know, they're playing with Dupree McBrayer, and they're playing Amir coffee as the backup point card. Yeah, right, exactly. He plays with ball in his hands quite a bit. You know who's good as it's a two freshmen. O'Too and Gabe Kessler, those two are only players. I completely agree.

And then you have a, what's the super athletic freshman, too, that he doesn't play that much? they have another big kid Yeah Um Marcia And he'll I think he'll like slide in for Jordan Murphy Obviously big shoes to fill

But he like He didn't play a ton for him this year But I think next year he'll Slide into that role more I really like I like Jordan Wara I love and you know the guy who I can't believe

Only plays 19 minutes a game as Steve and Enoch Like that dude is so skilled. I kind of don't understand why they don't play him more. Well, he's skilled, but he's a little inconsistent. But he's built like a Greek god. He's got hands. He's got nice touch. I think he just goes in Lasses. But I think another year in college, like, I think he could play in the NBA. No question. No question. Okay, so who do you like in the game?

I picked Louisville, but I honestly could see it going either way. Okay, close game. That's the same 10th. All right, here's one that everybody's talking about as a potential upset. Have you seen Yale in person? I have not. Okay, so I've only seen them on tape, and they're pretty athletic for an Ivy League team.

And they're taking on LSU, who, LSU, when they walk into the gym, it's all like Florida State, you're like, damn, they got some dudes. And they have, you know, they're not the classic team with dudes that doesn't have a good point card. They have a really good point guard in Traymont Waters. This is a, a lot of people picking this as an upset. Do you see that happening? Well, I think it's possible. Like, look, LSU doesn't have their coach right now.

It's like, you know, you take, I guess this is probably like a dramatic way to put it. You take Phil Jackson off the bowls. Are they the same? I don't know. No. You take Will 8 off there. I mean, obviously they're at, they're at. athletic, they have talent, but

they don't have their coach. So I actually think from that standpoint, like, they're susceptible to Yale, there's it could be Maryland, it could be Belmont, any of those, I could see, it's just hard for me. I can't pick them to go far in the tournament, because they don't have their head coach.

Yeah. So I certainly could be buying that Yale, knock them off. Now, they could also come out and just overwhelm you with their athleticism and just natural talent. But, you know, Yale's pretty good. I can't see the name properly.

They got a pretty good forward prospect. Yeah. What, I mean, I can't see a way in which he coaches again there. On the other hand, I mean, like, maybe it's different, but Bruce Pearl refused to talk to his president, and he won the SEC tournament championship. But it feels like this is different if Yahoo Sports, it seems to have, you know, somebody's heard of tape,

and his voice is on it. I don't I don't see that happening for him. What are you hearing in terms of how it plays out? Yeah, well, I haven't necessarily like heard anything one way or other, but like when you're, when you're examining the situation, U.S.U, the day after this all came out when they suspended, they suspended him, I think they acted so quickly that they don't have a choice now. Like they can't unsuspend him. And I don't think that he'll ever be able to prove himself guilty or innocent. I don't think they're going to ever be able to prove if he did or didn't pay anyone.

So then it becomes his word versus theirs. And I also like, I understand why he's not talking to administration because that's what his lawyers told him to do. No, I get that there's, I get that there's probably no proof of an actual transaction. Like one of the things that seems to be missing here and then no one, and maybe you can speak to this because is, I remember when I was a kid, guys were talking about huge numbers and what they were getting. Now, with all those huge numbers, the only guy who ever quote unquote got paid was Jelani Gardner, right? And he got 30 grand. Now, that was a lot of money.

And that was a lot of money. And that was when Todd Bozeman was there, right? Todd Bozeman just got fired today at Morgan State. And that whole program went down because of it. But the point I was getting to was I remember guys were then, back then, this is in 95, 94. dudes were like, well, I'm getting 75. I'm getting a lot of, it was a lot of bullshit. It was a lot of big talk.

So again, that doesn't mean guys aren't getting paid, but I also know that, like, I've been around basketball enough to know that people say things like, we'll take care of them, you know, we'll do whatever it takes. With the idea in mind, I think the players think, well, that means I'm going to get paid. And the reality to it is no payment is ever made. So I do think that there is a possibility that there was never a transaction.

The problem is that I don't, there doesn't have to be in order for it to look bad in order for you to be fired for it. Yeah, of course. I agree with that. I mean, I think that there's hundreds of conversations every year where someone asked for something and a coach wants to stay on that kid's list. So they are vague, but say what they want to hear. It's, oh, yeah, we'll work it out one day.

Now, obviously, what was heard on those wiretaps was stronger than we'll work it out one day, but you get what I'm going with this. Like there are plenty of coaches that will say what they have to say to stay on a kid's list So maybe down the road when he's getting culture decision other stuff falls through and they're still there That makes sense? Totally makes sense absolutely makes sense Have you seen New Mexico play? New Mexico State play

A little and I know Offensibly they're pretty impressive shooting them all And I think Chris Jans is a really good coach Really good coach like really, really good. He was at Wichita State when they beat Gonzaga and they went to the Final Four. And he was a, you know, I thought he,

you ever know, and I know he got in trouble Bowling Green, I think he's gotten clean since. I don't know if he doesn't drink at all now or whatever. I do know that he's, you know, we all know why he lost a Bowling Green job, but I remember watching them practice, and Greg was great to me, and he'd let me sit in,

on film session. And I remember, like, I was really impressed by Jans. And then they beat Gunzaga. And they're like, Gottlieb, you're coming back. You're you and Spiro, you're celebrating with us. And we went and we had, Spiro Dio's is a big Scotch guy at the time. I don't know if he still is. And we drank some scotch.

And then we went upstairs and we hung out with them. And he was uncomfortably drunk. Like he was, I was like, you know, like, when you only been around a guy a couple nights, but the one night you're around him and they're drinking, he's drank, drink he's he's had so much a drink and he said some things that we're like this is not the first time the guy's been uncomfortably drunk that said i think he's a hell of a coach and you know i i wonder how long he lasts at new mexico state because somebody else is going to go like yeah he doesn't drink anymore he's past those problems i guess my question is Auburn has done a lot with a little, right? They'll tell you that, like, look, we're not as talented as we were last year, but we're a better team this year, in case and point, the SEC tournament championship.

But I don't think this is a night and day in terms of talent. I love Jared Harper. I think if it's a close game, he wins it. Do you think Auburn gets upset by New Mexico State? I think it's possible. I took Auburn in it because I like how they closed out the year. You know, I was having a conversation with Stephen Pearl versus South. and he said that they're just doing a lot better job of closing out games, winning close games.

And I think if you watch them, they were impressive in the S&C tournament. But here's the thing. They could go into the NCAA tournament, have one bad shooting night, and then it's a wrap. So I actually think this is one of the more fascinating first-round games. There's going to be a lot of three-pointers. It's going to be fast-paced and fun to watch. And either outcome wouldn't surprise me. I picked Auburn, but I wouldn't be surprised either way.

I just, I think they're, like, they're playing well and are coming into the tournament with a lot of confidence. Florida State, Vermont. The Becker thing is interesting. I've heard he's a terrible interview in terms of, like, for schools. You know? Right. You're laughing because you've heard the same thing. I've never met it.

I've never, no, I've never met him. Oh, he's a great guy. Oh, man. He's an amazing guy. Yes. He's like one of those guys that are like, wow, this is the guy's really smart. This guy's really cool. and they're like, wait, you play tennis?

You were a tennis guy? Like, so weird. But I just, I've heard he's just, I don't think aloof is just not, like, you know, look, if you're going to coach at a real school, and I think Vermont's amazing what they've done to that program. Like, from when Tom Brennan got into the NCAA tournament to now, they're going to open a new arena in a couple years, they've got a big time AD. You know, they've had kind of a good little run here, a bunch of different coaches,

and they've all been good. But he's been amazing, but he just, he stays there because, you know, I heard he goes in on interviews and they're like, yeah, I don't know how he recruits, you know, higher level kids, because all his kids are great kids, and I was like, does it matter? I mean, I don't know. He seems to be doing well where he is.

Okay, so they're taking on Florida State, and Florida State is the ultimate airport team. Like, they walk in, and you're like, dude, every year. But every year they seem to come up short in the NCAA tournament. Is this year any different? I actually kind of like them. You're right about

the all-airport team. And defense you know what you're getting from them. They're long, they're athletic. But it's kind of a similar scenario of the past year. They don't shoot it great. They're 218th in the country and shooting from three. But there's something about them that I still kind of like. You know, they're good.

They have rim protectors, and they have athletic wings. Like Terrence, Man, Trent Forrest, MJ Walker, those dudes can defend. Terrence Man's really improved as a shooter. MJ Walker can score. I mean, I don't think they're a final 14, but it wouldn't shock me if we turn around. They were, you know, in the Sweet 16 early date. I don't have them in either, but it wouldn't surprise me.

Yeah, they're crazy talented, but it's like how many years have they done this to where you look? And they haven't. You know, people forget, like, they should have beat Duke at home. I know they got smashed by Carolina. Yeah. And they went through that weird stretch where they lost a B.C. and a Pittsburgh. But, like, you can just see it, right? Those guys in lay-up lines look down at BC

and they're like, no fucking way are we losing to these guys. And, you know, turn around, they end up losing to be, they shoot it poorly. At Pitt, they were two of 22 from three. That was just one of those all-time stinkers. But, you know, I mean, hell, they beat Virginia. They beat Virginia Tech.

I mean, they're the exact opposite of Virginia in terms of they just have so much length and they're just going to challenge every jump shot. They're like the most interesting team because I could see them, I can't see them losing to Vermont, but I can see them losing. him pretty early, but I can see them going a long way, and if the bracket opens up for them, who knows.

Right. I love what Izzo has changed offensively. Like, he used to run all the old box set bullshit and some of the same old sets, and yeah, he runs a lot of horns now and some handoffs, but the angles and the ball screens have changed. Like, I think he, this team is more fun to coach because, you know, they call him our kind of guys. and they have, you know, they don't have the egos, they don't have the agendas, and they're not as front-loaded with forwards like they were last year. But I also think, you know, as much as those guys will give credit to the players

and having, you know, more bought-in guys and older guys that have no ego, I also think that they've done a better job as a staff, putting their team in a better position. Is that fair? Yeah, no, I think that's certainly fair. I actually, and this is maybe off-topic. I think this is as good of a coaching job as is it was done once you consider, like, all the injuries. they've had this year. No Josh Langford. They lose Nick Ward.

Aaron is now doubt. And here they are, winning the Big Ten, winning the Big Ten tournament. And he always seems to have his teams, like, playing really well late. They've won 10 of 11, beat Michigan three times in that span, beat Wisconsin, twice. Like, there's something about this team that, like, I don't think they're as talented as, some of these past Michigan State teams, but they do have one of the best point guards in the country, and they play hard.

Matt McQuaid stepped up, and he's more than just a shooter. Like, he's defending his position, and there's something about this team that I really like. I don't like that they're in Duke's region, but I like them. I don't like they play Thursday more than Duke's region, but I like him as well.

I mean, I'll tell you what, Cassius Winston, like you look at him, like, is he even in shape? Like he's kind of thick. He's a below the rim guy. Like a dumpy body. He has a bad body. Like he's a guy who's going to come back to school and the 20th anniversary of the Big Ten

Championship. And that dude is, if he's not careful, he's going to be like $2.50. Right? And they'd be like, that's Cassius Winston. Like, yeah, that's Cassius Winston. Like, he was a bad boy. But he, little guys, he uses his shoulder and a bump him to create space. And all they do is run around said ball screen.

for him so he gets a big guy and he doesn't need much time to get it off and he shoots all these scoop shots like he's pretty remarkable player pretty remarkable player um all right let's let's get to maryland they take on belmont i think that game's going to be interesting because bruno fernando's going to have to guard out in the perimeter but this is a year where there there were strong rumors for a long time that you know turge would look at the nebraska job uh because his his dad lives close um that you know they they'd grown tired of turge and he'd grown tired of them He's got a super young team, and I know they didn't finish the way they wanted, but 22 and 10, 13 and 7 in the Big 10, and a good seed in the NCAA tournament. Feels like this has been more than a job saver, like a stabilizing year for him.

Am I crazy? No, I don't think so at all. I think, I mean, 1-E-1, 22 games made the tournament. They've got talent. Statistically, they're pretty impressive. of, I like them. I picked Belmont in this game more because I think they're kind of my sleeper team. But that doesn't change back then.

Like I think this year definitely helps. You mentioned Belmont's a sleeper team. It's interesting. I did their game against, huh? Maybe Sleeper is not the way to put it because I think everyone's, they're kind of that trendy pick. But there's something about them that I just. just I like, I've seen them a lot too, obviously, living in that.

What is it you like? I mean, I know the things that I like about them, but you haven't seen them more. I mean, I like the fact that they have, they have so many guys that can drill past and shoot, right there. And they've, and they have, they've recruited a higher caliber of athlete, higher caliber of, feels like a, you know, kid than some of the, some of the previous NCAA tournament teams. And then, you know, Winnler is, you know, he's, you know, he's, you know, he's, you know, he's, pretty special as a college player. Yeah, I agree.

And I think, but I think they're more than just him. Because you can even, like, the first four game, he kind of got lost offensively. Maybe not lost, as a word, but he wasn't aggressive. But he always rebounds. Like, he had 14 rebounds in that game. The kid that's gotten a lot, a lot better is Kevin McLean. Like, from when he was a freshman to now.

And, I mean, he had 29 points against Temple. They don't win that game without him. He's shooting it more consistently. He can get to the rim. And the point guard, I think, does a really good job of setting guys up, making plays, he can pass. And same with the big. I never say his name right. So his nickname's Moose.

So I just call him Big Moose. But he's pretty skilled. Nick Musinski? Nick Musinski, I think, yeah. Messinski, yeah. They're very efficient. I'm looking at the tin-pound stuff right now. Yeah.

Number two in two-point field goal percentage in the country, and 49 and three-point. centers. Yeah, the Ken Palm's interesting because I want to get to Utah State with the Ken Palm stuff. All right, let's get to Kansas. I also have Belmont winning that game. Northeastern playing Kansas. I saw Kansas early. I saw them when they had Doak. I saw them mid-season when they lost to K-State, and then I saw them late season when they lost to Oklahoma. And that was when the streak was officially over. First, how legitimate, do you think, self would leave? No.

I know those rumors are running rampant, but like I don't... Would he leave one day for an NBA job? I could see it, but like I don't... I'm not buying the stuff that he's leaving now. Here's the thing, Doug, there are so many random rumors

going around right now because of the FBI stuff. It's just, it's hard to sift through what to and whatnot to believe. You know, I think with like the Calipari stuff that we were talking about today, it's easy to believe and to know that you still had interest in Calipari. It's the other side that you'd never know to believe it or not is it reciprocated.

And, you know, with self, like, you're pretty happy to Canters. I don't see it. I don't either. And, you know, like, look, they're going to defend him. Long's going to defend him. And, you know, the only thing is, his kids are out of the house. You know, I mean, how many more big 10, big 12 championships can you win? You don't want to strike the streak over.

And if it was the Bulls, like I've, I've heard Lakers guys say, like, they might go get a college coach. It's got to be somebody who commands a room. And I actually think Bill would be a really good NBA coach. I do. Just because, and I don't know how much time you spend around him, I spend a bunch around him. He just has a way where he takes over a room, but doesn't do so where any bus balls, but he doesn't do so in where you're like, mm, that guy's a dick. Like, no,

that's not how he does it. Like he and now look, there are guys that he just turns on that are his whipping boys like any coach has, but he's pretty, he's got a pretty good way about him. And then I think, you know, all these guys that hire, have to hire an offensive

and defensive coordinator because the styles are so different. But I don't, I honestly don't know. I don't think he's a lifer at Kansas. I don't. I think the NBA intrigues him and I think you and I talked about this on cowherd like I think a lot of these guys are just kind of done with the whole like at some point the college thing and chasing guys to class and recruiting kids maybe it changes when they can go straight to the pros but like think

about it you're going to be recruiting a kid and if he blows up you know and he already commits to you well he's going to go to the NBA draft you're like well now I got to go recruit another kid like I don't think people have realized what a you know what a mess that one's going to be um so that will be super, super interesting to see what happens. All right, let's go to Northeastern. Bill Cohen's a tremendous coach. They won on a crazy run at the end of the year. They've only lost, I think, two games since January 10th.

They lost a Charleston in overtime, and they lost a thousand on the road by three. I mean, this has been, they were the best team in their league. They did get blown out early in the year by Syracuse. They got smashed by Virginia Tech. they they you know so they weren't and they even lost to Vermont early in the year so have you seen northeastern at all i've seen some like i watch clips of the um championship game kid that's average in 18 points a game how do you say bossa sure that's what we're going yeah that's what we're going with yeah he so it almost becomes like a referendum on kansas right like dude i don't care how

many guys you've lost to injury and suspension and whatever. You know, no doke, no DeSylvio. You know, you've had some disappointment. Like, you can't lose to Northeastern. Sorry. Yeah, no, I don't disagree with me. I mean, Kansas is can't. Kansas still has way more talent.

They've still got Deidre Glausen, who's extremely productive. They've got good guards. You know, I agree. You can't, like, that's the game they need to win. Marquette Marquette Murray State I'm guessing being a guy who's lived in the area you like Murray State

I don't no well let me refer to that I do like Murray State I do like John Moran I pick Marquette and Marcus Howard look I it's simply like I just think

Marquette's a better team John Morant's awesome Marquette's got a better supporting cast around Marcus Howard that I would say Murray State does around John Morant. And that's not really a knock on Murray State. Like, they've done a great job.

Matt McMahon, I think, is like a bright up-and-coming coach. I think he'll be a coach at a high major school in the next two or three years. I just think, and I know Marquette's kind of sputtered down the stretch, but I think Marcus Howard and the Houser brothers, and then they've got Theo John inside from a defensive standpoint. Sikar Adams kind of their X-factor. I think At some reason

I just think that they're going to go on a little run here And I'm not saying they're going to Final Four But I don't see them losing to Murray State I don't I don't make too big a deal of state championships, okay And it's Wisconsin But there's a reason

That the Houser Boys won championships Like I thoroughly enjoy watching them play I saw them beat Xavier On the road And like Xavier wasn't great this year They just weren't But Xavier played probably their best game of the year to date at that point against Marquette and Marquette took every punch

and still beat him. I just, those guys make shots, make big plays and they did that. That was Theo John was in foul trouble. I think they're pretty damn good. I agree with you on Marquette. I think that's one that everybody assumes 12, 5, Murray State, John Morant, and I see Marquette being a lot better defensively than people realize. And they're a lot bigger than they've been. They used to be so diminutive when they had those two little tiny guards last year with Rowley they just they couldn't stop anybody you know and now you put now they can only you know annum can really defend really defend and john can really defend the rim and then you know the hauser boys are big they're not great but

they're big and they're more athletic than you think Florida Nevada and it's interesting I did the show on stadium with with Goodman and we had we had mus on and I asked him about how connected they were as a team and he's like I don't even we'd get that. Like we lost four games. Like we just lost in the Mount West tournament. We didn't have Jordan Caroline. And I, you know, like now Canadians are mad at me because I said, you know, Florida's got

an 18-year-old Canadian point card. And like, oh, hey, why are you talking bad about Canada? I was like nothing. I just happened to point out that he is Canadian. I think he's terrific, but it just happens to be Canadian and he's 18 years old. And, you know, like, you know, I know they got some older dudes with Key von Allen and and Jalen Hudson, who seemed as have been there for years.

But I just don't like, I don't like them against a bunch of 23-year-old dudes that are, that are pretty tough and feel like, all right, now these games matter. Now they're starting playing harder. I also, like, never got a great feel for Florida. They would,

I think they've just been so up and down. Like, I know they had a five-game win streak, and then they finished two of, two of their last six. And I almost feel like Nevada's kind of, of coming into the tournament maybe a little undervalued. And maybe that's because of, you know, some of their losses, like,

you know, the Los Angeles State, the Los Utah State, the Los Angeles State again in the Mountain West Commerce Tournament. I think you could make a really good point about their experience. I mean, they've got to be one of the oldest teams in the country, if not the oldest. And they've been there before. You know, I was at their first two in the World War Tournament games last year. and the Martin twins

just make big shots you can count on Caroline being productive and back to your Andrew Nimhart I think Andrew Nimhart I think Andrew Nimhart's gonna be really good I do too

I think he's a little bit of a step slow is my only thing and then he's 18 he's literally 18 years old yeah he's young he's young I actually think that could be a really good game

and I also but I also think that like Nevada maybe is like I think maybe at the beginning of the scene season, they were almost like the kind of like popular pick to be, you know, top five to ten teams. And it's almost like we've all kind of taken, maybe not everybody, but we've taken like a step back on them.

And maybe they're coming in a little underrated. Yeah, I mean, a seven seed seems really low. It just does. It just does. I don't know. I like Nevada in the game. We'll see if I'm wrong. I would agree with you on Florida. I thought Mike had trouble figuring this team out.

I also think that, you know, as much as Kivon Allen's had a really successful career there, like there's some limitations there. He's tiny. And that allows Jazz Johnson to play and have somebody he can guard. And I think I'm actually more of a buyer in Nevada than other people are. I'll be interested to see, you know, if they advance and they take on Michigan, how they would do, how they would do with Michigan's kind of loading to the ball.

They're just not, they're an ISO team. They're not a team that spreads it, and you've got to spread it, especially to the weak side. I mean, maybe Jazz Johnson goes crazy, but I don't know. I'm fascinated by Nevada, and what happens with this team.

Nova St. Mary's. So I'm a believer in Nova, and I saw them in the Big East tournament live against Providence, and I watch a championship game. I think Jay's kind of got this team going, going right. Like he told me before the tournament, I've got Eric Poskel, I've got Phil Booth, but I need a third and fourth guy to like start consistently being there. And if you look at the

biggest tournament, one of these three, Gillespie, Jermaine Samuels and Sadiq Bay, one of those three stepped up or two stepped up each and every game. I think those three are starting to be a little more reliable. And I think he's got them heading in the right direction. Like I put them in my Sweet 16. I kind of like them. I do too. I just, you know,

there's just, I mean, Booth just makes shots. I mean, that kid, he's unbelievable. Like, he's not very athletic.

But the level of confidence he plays with and the poise that he plays with is crazy. Pascal is such a hard batch up, right? Because he's so freaky, long,

and athletic, but he has no neck. So he doesn't look at, he doesn't look as big as he plays. and this is not a great, this is not a great St. Mary's team. This is the St. Mary's team that's scuttled for a good amount of time. On the other hand, look, Jordan Ford can really shoot the basketball, can really play.

And I don't think that Nova just overwhelms you athletically on the ball defensively, that the way they have in the past. And I think it'll be a close game. I do. I'm with you on Nova. And there's, I mean, this is an unbelievable. capable coaching job that Jay has done. Just, you know, probably better than when he did.

Last year, he had so many players. I mean, they were completely bought in in terms of their system and style. But considering the beatings they were taking, the pressure that was on the team and to get it together, however down the big east was, it doesn't matter. Nova's everybody's biggest game. He's done an amazing job. And then I think Randy's done. Randy's one of these guys, like, I don't, you know, I still don't know. Other than the fact that he's a tough interview, I still don't know how he's stated at St. Mary's all this.

time. I'm not going to bring up Kentucky in terms of Abilene Christian. What do you think Kentucky as a team right now? I actually really like them. And I said this, I can't remember if I said it's unheard or speak, but I think that the winner, I think I said it's you, the winner of Kentucky, North Carolina goes to the championship game. And I think Kentucky is a completely different team from November, a completely different team when they lost Staten Hall in December. I think that their point guard play is really developed. I think part of that's because quad A green left, and they were able to kind of get some just identity at that position with Ashen Hagan's.

He disrupts things defensively. He can pass. And then Tyler Hero is really taken a positive step forward. And T.J. Washington, the last half in the season, he played like a first team All-American. All that combined, and I haven't even talked about Kelton Johnson. So I think, like, I actually think this is one of Calipari's really good coaching job. too. I think he has them

going in the right direction at just the right time. And you know, if you watch, I don't know if you saw the SEC tournament semis when they lost to Tennessee, they coughed that game up. They had that game one and Reed Travis fouled out.

And there was a couple loose balls that Reed Travis probably gets if he's in the game. And I think he's he may be one of their most important players just because he's their kind of like their physical bulldozer inside that a rebound. I would not be surprised. I picked Duke in my bracket.

I will not be surprised if they were cutting down the nets. And I know you'd tell them. Yeah, I did. And it's interesting that the addition by subtraction in the guard spot, when you don't have a guy you have to put in that they had early this year and how much better they are because of it. You know, like I just- I think you changed your whole team.

Oh, yeah. I mean, listen, Quati Green, I pointed out on Twitter, this is back when they lost to Duke. he'd come into the game and he was like trying to prove himself first that he could make shots second that he could run a team and he wasn't great at either and then there was terrible defensive balance and then you know it's just also when when guys are unhappy with their role and guys are not really bought into it like it's like it's like it's like the flu it passes through the team and and then at that point in time even though you know even though you had read Travis who had played a bunch of

college basketball. One, he hadn't played it with Kentucky. Like, I don't think you really understood like it's different in Kentucky than it's the Stanford. But also, I don't think they really understood how to use him. And maybe even Cal, like he hadn't had a guy like that. And maybe since he's been there, right? Like his, all

his bigs are either stiffs that can only block shots, you know, or he had, you know, Anthony Davis that could, you know, he was a shot blocker, but he could do move. Like, they didn't have a guy, a rugged guy like that who was developed, who had played, and was older. So, I think they all had to learn, and he made zero adjustments in that game.

None. It was like, I want them to get their ass kicked and get their nose rubbed in it. All right, let's go to, oh, here's one. You've seen Seaton Hall a ton. I've seen Weffered a good bit. I've seen Seaton Hall a ton. Both teams have a guy that can give you 40. Who do you like and why?

Yeah, that's going to be fun. This one's going to be a lot of fun. I think that the Walker train is like rolling strong, but there's something about Seton Hall. They just find a way. Yeah, and I actually thought that you could have made a really strong case, and I'm fine with Jay getting it, but I thought you could have made a really strong case

for Kevin Willard being coached the year in the Big East. I mean, they've got one guy that can just go out and just give you buckets. Now, the problem is if Miles Powell has a bad night, they're going to lose. Sandro's played pretty well. I went with Seton Hall, but I know, like, Wofford's the rage, and I get it, because Fletcher can really shoot.

They're very good. They shoot it great in general. But there's something about Seaton Hall where they've just kind of been, they've been a tad up and down throughout the year, but, like, I mean, they had some really impressive games, and they very well could have beaten Villanova in that big East tournament.

No question. I like seeing all. So you like to win the game? Yeah, I do. Yeah, I think it'll be fascinating. Yeah, Miles Powell, I have this, I had this written down. In wins, he shoots 41% from three, and losses 28% from three. So, I mean...

Yeah, I mean, he could come out and have a bad night and they're done. Yep. There's a lot on his shoulders in terms of them winning or not. Yeah, and Wofford's good defensively against the 3, 32%. And one of the things about Wofford is like, yeah, they played some high majors. They didn't beat any of them, but they played some high. Like, it's one of the weird things that we give credit. And I did this on my pod last week where we talk about strength of schedule all the time.

And NC's Day didn't make it, among other things, you know, for their strength of schedule. But the fact is they actually played a pretty strong schedule. It's just those bottom seven games were so bad. But like, I don't, do I think, do I want you to play good teams? like, yeah, but I also would like you to beat one of them. Yeah, you don't get credit for just playing them tough. Yeah. Well, even playing them tough is

like one thing, right? But like, you know, I mean, they played Kansas and they were smashed 72-47. Like, they were smashed. They played Oklahoma who's not great this year. The game wasn't terribly competitive. They played Carolina and they had beaten Carolina the year before, but they played Carolina in their own joint to start the year. and it was a close game for, you know, 30 minutes.

Look, I think they have a good team, but I do, I'm with you. I do think the hype train has gotten a little bit out of control, and we've lost sight for the fact that they're good. I don't, this one's a hard one. I would not go to, all right, here's one. I've seen this team a bunch because I did two of their games, and I did one of their games last year. And then I've seen Purdue a bunch, and Purdue's an interesting team.

I think Old Dominion beats them. Now, Old Dominion at times can't score. They just can't. But the way to beat Purdue is to attack Grady Eiford at the defensive end. He's like a stretch four, great team guy. But if you look at why Minnesota beat them, what did they do? One, they limited, you know, the looks of Carson Edwards, and Carson Edwards is going to shoot no matter what.

And then two, defensively, as good as Purdue is, as good as Purdue is, like their weakness is the power forward spot. and BJ Stith's their best player, and that's who they're going to go out of them with. Yeah, I'll be honest with you. I've barely seen Old Dominion. Have you seen Purdue? Oh, yeah, yeah, definitely.

I've seen Purdue. Okay, so here's my question on Carson Edwards. What do you, like, I think Carson is, like, I think Carson is Juan Barclay with his body. Like, his, his thighs are ridiculous. Ridiculous. But a lot of people don't love, don't love him in terms of he just not, he doesn't feel like even a Purdue.

guy. He hasn't been as efficient this year as last year. He's not shooting it near the percentage that he did last year. Just totally random fact. He played a year at the Aaron Fox. It was a pretty fun back court. Yeah. But yeah, I get it.

Like, there's in a weird way, I don't know if you get this comparison, but there's some Marcus Howard to him in terms of like he can get a little shot happy. Thirsty is the expression I like to use, but yes. but there's like there's still like this thing with him where like if he comes out and gets hot it's a rap because he gets rolling

I mean he can really make shots and then Ryan Klein next to him can shoot it I actually thought and I know I've said this about a couple guys but like I thought Matt Painter did a really good job with this team because if you look at this team top the bottom it's not like top 100 dudes

no no the dude I like the best who he can't shoot at all is um uh what's the um what's the wing who's he's like a one through four but he can't shoot at all he has no joe eastern he has his his free throw is charles barclays golf swing right no question he's a weird for somebody who hasn't seen him explain i mean i think people see like he's he can he can guard any position he's big he's strong seems smart

but he can't shoot at all he can't shoot he's a little bit positionless like vertically like as an athlete he's okay yeah he's just like

it's like in he's kind of like a point forward in a way you know like he's he can pass he's just versatile he's different he's a very unique player

he always has them did Deerne Fox and and Carson Edwards, did they win a bunch of tournament? Like, I love Deeran Fox. They must have won everything, right? I don't know if they're in the UIBL. They played for Houston Hoops. They had some other dudes on that team, too. But Carson Edwards wasn't like, he was kind of, he took off late and was kind of, well, I think he had him in like the 90s. He was like a back-in top 100 player. Frank Howard just got, oh, go ahead.

What were you going to say? No, keep going. Sorry, I interrupted you. Keep going. I was just going to say, like, he was, you know, playing next to Deereon Fox, like, he didn't play with the ball in his hands because Deeran had it in his. So it was hard to, like, he looked like just an undersized two guard. And, I mean, there's still some of that in him. But he's way more effective with the ball in his hands than you could see when you saw him in AAU. How do you think losing Frank Howard affects Syracuse? Well, I mean, I think anytime, especially this late, you take somebody off the team that matters. I mean, the guy had the ball in his hands quite a bit.

So I definitely think it matters. Especially this late. Like, we're a day from the end of the tournament. It matters. It's a big deal, I think. Does Baylor beat him? I picked Syracuse in my bracket. I did, too.

I think it'll be a good game, though. I'm with you. All right. That's all of the Thursday games that you'll be watching in Vegas. All of them. We've picked every game. I cannot wait. I'm here with four buddies

And all they want to do is watch games and go eat Go eat steak at night And that's like That's like the perfect world for me I can't believe I didn't go Like I have a kind of a hall pass I'm always like eat No

It's it's I did it a couple times when I was younger It's just like like so I was a late ad to this trip And my buddy's got five seats at the casino Sportsball buy you had to buy them right there they got them for free some of the places you have to buy them like i i've actually when i did this a couple years ago um my buddy got like a table at lagasi stadium which is in the palazzo i think and it's a really cool sports book i don't know if you

have been there but those you had to like there was a table of eight and it was the day was like a thousand minimum you had to spend on food and drinks and stuff like that but we have tomorrow we've just got seats and they're free but you have the book they'd be looked at them like eight months ago. Do you have time to run through this Friday games or do you got to go? I need to go. They're waiting on me.

All right, all right. Evan Daniels, check him out on Twitter. Maybe we'll do this on his podcast tomorrow. We'll have a drunken Evan Daniels after a day. There's all your Thursday games. Your final four is what? My final four is Kentucky, Duke, Virginia, and Texas Tech. Your biggest upset early is what?

I had Belmont in the Sweet 16 over Maryland and LSU. You liked Oregon too, didn't you? I liked Oregon. I think you said you liked that one as well. I did. I mean, Oregon, like, especially, I think that bracket opens up a little with being weighed out. You know, maybe UC Irvine wins that game. Maybe they don't.

But even then, like, Oregon could slide their way to the Sweet 16. I picked Arizona State to beat Buffalo. I don't know how big of an upset you'd think. that is. That was probably my biggest, was Belmont. Belmont, Morgan. All right, dude, listen, I can't tell you how much I appreciate you joining me.

Let's do this. Let's plan on next year. If you go again, I'll go. Because this is, the cool thing was this year, I got to be home on my son's birthday for the first time ever. I literally had never been home. I've never been home. That was Tuesday.

So I got to be home yet last night. and I usually miss it because I was working in ESPN or I was working on CBS, and now I'm not, and it's actually, it's hard sometimes to watch it, but it's really cool to be home, but I got to do the Vegas thing. Van Peltz told me I have to do the Vegas thing. Rosillo told me have to do the Vegas thing. Okay, all right. Well, don't get arrested.

Enjoy yourself, and I appreciate you joining me. I appreciate it. See, Doug. All right, that's Evan Daniels, joining us. When you're ready to place a bet on today's games, do it with the most trusted name in online sports betting, Bet Rivers Sportsbook, now legal in several states and growing. BetRiver's Sportsbook delivers a unique sports betting experience

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