The Herd with Colin Cowherd - THE HERD - Hour 1 - No Lakers Statue for LeBron, Tom Izzo Talks NCAA Tournament and NIL

Episode Date: March 12, 2026

Colin Cowherd responds to Robert Horry claiming LeBron James deserves a statue from the Lakers. Colin explains why despite LeBron’s greatness, the bar is high for Laker legends and LeBron’s resume doesn’t quite stack up. Colin believes the Raiders are better off keeping Maxx Crosby. Plus, Michigan State HC Tom Izzo joins the show to discuss the state of the Spartans ahead of the tournament.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it. We're the first people to do podcasts. We get to ask other people questions because we're sick and tired of being asked questions. Well, sick and tired is a strong way to put it. But, you know, tired and sick. Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you.

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Winning on Clay is an art. The rallies are relentless. And at the French Open, only the toughest survive. I'd know. I competed there for decades. Join me, Renee Stubbs, on the Renee Stubbs' tennis podcast for no-nonsense breakdowns of the biggest matches, the toughest players, and the moments that define Roland Garris. She can win.

She's an outsider to win the French fame. And she likes Clay. Listen, Lina Rubakina is arguably the best player in the world right now. And I actually can win on any service. Listen to the Renee Stubbs tennis podcasts on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHeart Women's Sports. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened.

That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo, and every episode, we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the biggest moments in sports and giving you the real story behind the headline. and we're going straight to the source, the athletes themselves. Their locker room stories, their reactions in the moment, and the stuff nobody gets to hear. Listen to SportsSlice on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12

in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's superhuman. Human documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds.

I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for listening to The Heard podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox Sports Radio in noon to 3 Eastern, 9 a.m. to noon Pacific. Find your local station for the herd at Fox Sports Radio. or stream us live every day in the IHeartRadio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR. You're listening to Fox Sports Radio.

It's Thursday. We're live in Chicago. It is the herd wherever you may be and however you may be listening. Thanks for making us part of your day. Team Italy. Thank you. Kindly. What the story that is?

Welcome in. Great to have here. regardless of the platform, wherever you're watching us. We appreciate it. Lots of choices out there. So yesterday, I had seven-time NBA champ Robert Ori on the show. And sometimes I'll have a guest on the show. And today we got Tom Izzo.

We got Johnny Manzell's on the show today. We could get Paul Skeens on the show. So we got a lot of things cooking today. But we had Robert Horri-on. And it was a classic Laker. You know, played all four years of college, came in and played, you know, great spurs teams, great Laker teams. And I asked him about, you know, LeBron's legacy and, you know, the statue argument.

And here's what Robert Orry said. LeBron, you know, him, K.D., those guys have had the choice. You know, everybody wants somebody to be like a Dirk and the Colvin State for 20 years and Tim Duncan. That ain't the case with everybody. They want to know explore options. And I think if he does get a statue out there, he's deserving. He should get a statue in Cleveland. He should get a statue in L.A.

he still gets a statue in Miami because you think about what he's done for every organization. Sometimes it's not about the wins. It's about the butt she put in the seat. Okay, so the Lakers aren't every other organization. There is simply a different standard for Notre Dame football, Yankee baseball, Real Madrid, Manchester United, and the Lakers, even though they haven't been very good over the last 10 years, right? Most of the time. And this is not the New York Mets that celebrate wild car.

appearances of the Charlotte Hornets or the fourth best football team in the Big 12. Miami, sure, Cleveland absolutely. I think if you asked Laker fans, statue in LeBron outside of Crypto, it would be absolutely not. Folks, think about the statues in front of crypto. Kobe five rings, Jerry West, six as an executive, and then nine finals appearances. Magic five titles, Shack, three, Kareem 5, Pat Riley, several. Chick Hearn, 30 plus years of broadcasting. I mean, Elgin Baylor didn't have a title, but Elgin Baylor, who many believe was the pre-Lebron.

He was LeBron before LeBron. All 14 years of his career, Lakers drafted by him, stayed with him, 14 years with him. You know, 10-time All-Star, average 38 a game one season. He is the founding father of professional basketball in L.A. Elgin Baylor. Oh, is a Laker. You know, every statue outside of crypto, the first line of it could be Laker legend, Magic Johnson. With LeBron, the first sentence is Cleveland's finest, most points ever, part of the heels.

Is he really family? LeBron feels more like a consultant. He adds value, new set of eyes. polishes up the problems. And then when he leaves and the contract's done, you're like, all right, see ya. Nobody sheds tears. Nobody cries. This is not family.

And that's the downside of mobility. LeBron isn't Laker family. What he is, he has been a, he was a life preserver for a sinking boat. But Jerry West and Magic were the boat. Kareem and Kobe Shaq were the boat. Jerry West was the boat. And so

not a lot of rings, won COVID championship, eight years were the Lakers, last two, there's games and minute restrictions. I think the standard is way too high. I do think he's put some butts in the seats, but that's a big deal for the clippers.

That's a big deal maybe for the Mavericks, for the Pelicans. Buts in seats, don't count it, Notre Dame, Ohio State football. You know, Tom is a Michigan State basketball. There's always butts in the seats. So, and I've said this before, LeBron was a life preserver.

The five years before he came to the Lakers had the losingest record as a franchise, but they still remained the number one brand in the sport. They could still get a number. They were just poorly coached and poorly run and poorly owned. So the statute thing is very interesting to me. I would, honestly, when you look at the standard of the people out in front of crypto, with LeBron, I'd probably say, yeah, more consultant than family. Okay, so you know there are two quarterbacks that I have always been much higher on than the consensus. One of them is Sam Darnold.

And after he hoisted a Super Bowl trophy, the trolls and the critics got very quiet. Apparently there was a power outage with all their internet. The other one, and I've said, I guess I missed on it, was Kyler Murray. So the reason I owe a stock with Sam Darnold and never liked J.J. McCarthy is because Darnold had elite traits, elite size, elite arm, elite athleticism, elite toughness. Well, Kyler Murray, to me, everybody keeps asking, who's the next Sam Darnold? An elite quarterback on the cheap. Who's the next Baker Mayfield?

Well, guys, it's Tyler Murray if he goes to Minnesota with Jordan Addison and a good O'Line and T.J. Hockinson and Justin Jefferson and Kevin O'Connell. You got to remember, he made multiple Pro Bowls and a playoff in Arizona. They gave him a contract extension. Jets did not to Darnold. Cleveland didn't with Baker. Arizona gave him a contract extension. They picked it up. And he made multiple Pro Bowls. And he got to the playoffs.

But like Donald, what he has are elite traits. He is a more athletic, elusive version of Russell Wilson in his prime. He throws a beautiful deep ball. And because of his baseball background, he doesn't get hit that much. One of the great sliders in the sport really knows how to avoid contact. Is he small? Do I have commitment issues? Yes, yes, yes, yes.

but if you're looking for the next Darnold, it's right in front of you. It's Kyler Murray. And that's why I was never a J.J. McCarthy fan. What are the trait? When Drake May came out, I'm like, oh, that's NFL size, NFL arm, two traits. Caleb Williams. Okay, that's NFL horsepower. Jaden Daniels, movement.

I said he's going to look like Lamar Jackson. You've got to have a wow trait. Well, Kyler Murray has him. But like Sam Darnley, he went to a bad organization. So I worry a little bit about, you know, he's a smaller quarterback. I don't think like Darnold. I think Darnold's a better talent. I don't think he's going to peel off 14 wins.

But when you look at Baker and you look at Darnold, what they got to reinvent their career wasn't necessarily a great O line. It was a great coach. For Darnold, it was Shanahan, then Kevin O'Connell. and then Clint Kubiak. You know, for Baker Mayfield, he got a little Sean McVeigh, and then he gets Liam Cohen and Dave Canales. That's what the reclamation projects all have.

They find their kingpin. They find their wizard. Well, Kevin O'Connell was that for Donald. He was that for Josh Dobbs briefly. He couldn't make it work with J.J. McCarthy. I think it's Kyler Murray. Albert Brewery yesterday on Kyler and the Vikings, and the reports aren't.

is getting close. I think right now things are lining up for the Vikings to bring Kyla Murray in on the minimum. And I think if you're Kyla Murray, you look at that situation. The opportunity to work with Kevin O'Connell, an offensive line that they've invested in, Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hawkinson. I mean, you start to add up the pieces that you've got in Minnesota. And even though they didn't play very well last year, a lot of those same elements that put Sam Darnold in position to resurrect his career would still be there for Kyler Murray.

Totally agree. So it's whenever you look at these quarterbacks who get tossed aside, who are viewed as busts, when they, if they resurrect their career, the common thread is not a great running back or a number one receiver. You find your guy. You find your coach. It could be Clint Kubiak, Shanahan, Kevin O'Connell, Dave Canales, Liam Cohen. You find the right coach. And I think if he signs with Minnesota, that's the best possible scenario for Kyler Murray. And I think he would flourish. Do I think he'd win 14 games like Darnel did?

No, but I think they'd win 9 or 10. I honestly think their offensive personnel and their offensive coaching is that good. I really do. And like all of you, I think he's a little small. I worry about the video game reports. but on the market right now, if you told me I had one drive to win a game, I'd take Kyler over Daniel Jones or Mack Jones or Gino Smith or guys that, you know, keep getting second and third chances.

Okay. J-Mack, Team Italy meets Mexico. That's good for us. Yeah. They came through. it looks like will remain a raider. How does that sit with you? You buying that?

I mean, I know he's saying all the right things. He kind of has to. It's a little embarrassing for him, right? To demand a trade, get traded, say goodbye, and then go back there. I mean, you can't say, I want out now. Like, it's a weird spot for Max Crosby. He's saying all the right things. He's your guy.

So I anticipate you love this move, huh? Yeah, I think it's, I said before they have 11 draft picks. They're going to get incredibly young. They only have Max Crosby. and Colton Miller as old, experienced veterans, it's a really young roster, and I think it's too young in that division. I think Max Crosby is somebody young players can lean on.

Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the IHard Radio app. Stygots here, I have a podcast empire. It continues to grow, and I have brought it here to IHart. I'm also doing a live radio show. from 3 to 5 p.m. Eastern because my wife wanted to kick me out of the house. It's called Stugats and Company Live, which is available in podcast form right when the show finishes every single day.

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So listen to Stugats & Company Live and our original podcast. Please subscribe, rate, and review. Stugats & Company and God bless football. Taylor's livelihood depends on it. Do it today. And you can check all of those out on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. Hey, it's us to Jonas Brothers. And guess what?

We have some big news. What's the news, huge news? We created our own podcast called, Hey Jonas. We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it. We're the first people to do podcasts. Pretty, yeah, pretty wide range of podcasts throughout there.

But this one's extra special. So how did we actually come up with a name, Hey Jonas, guys? I honestly don't remember. I think it was on a call about what we should call it. Oh, we were thinking I'm originally calling it one of the early names of our band. Before Jonas Brothers was... This is how you guys remember it going down? Yes.

I have a very different memory of this. We were talking about a thing, a bit for the podcast, where people could call in and say, hey, Jonas. And then I wrote down on my little notepad, Hey Jonas, and offered it up as a potential title for the podcast. But thanks for remembering that, guys. Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

Just listen. We don't care where you hear it. Another podcast from some SNL late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman, Help make you funnier. This week, my guest, S&L's Mikey Day and headwriter, Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter.

Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and Friends on the I-Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. The French Open is one of the toughest tests in tennis, and I know firsthand because I competed there myself. I'm Renee Stubbs, and on the René.

A Stubbs Tennis podcast, I'm breaking down everything happening at Roland Garris. Every match, every upset, and what it really takes to win on Clay. Jen she went. I mean, she went down in three to Rabakina, but I'm delighted. She's an outsider to win the French for me. And she likes Clay. Listen, Lena Rubakina is arguably the best player in the world right now. And I actually can win on any surface.

Because if she's serving, well, good luck. Consider this your court side seat to the French Open. Listen to the Renee Stubbs tennis podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHeart Women's Sports. Jacob Kingston grew up in an isolated polygamous sect. We were God's chosen kingdom on earth. He felt destined for greatness. So when a swaggering Armenian businessman catapults Jacob into an extraordinary world, he doesn't look back.

Ferraris and Lamborghinis, private jets, meeting the president of Turkey. I'm Michelle McPhee, and this is one of the most shocking criminal conspiracies I've ever come across. When Jacob met Levin this plant to a billion dollar fraud. But with two kings from entirely different worlds, just how long can their empire survive? The largest tax investigation in American history. You need to tell me what you know. Is somebody coming after me? Jacob told Levan, you're ruining my life. Listen to Kingdom of Fraud on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise. Breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athlete themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context and ask the questions everybody wants answered.

Sports Slice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to Sports Slice on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Follow Timbo Slica Life 12 and the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Tom Izzo's coming up in about 15 minutes. So Team USA was holding its collective breath last night at the World Baseball Classic because they needed Team Italy to beat Team Mexico for the Americans to get out of pool play. And who knew this, there was this many great Italians in Major League Baseball. They beat Mexico and now Mungia, we can eat.

The Americans are out of pool play because the way it works is the team Italy is a bunch of major leaguers who didn't get invited to the USA team like Aaron Nola from the Phillies, great player. But he didn't get invited to Team USA, so as grandparents, somebody's born in Italy, right? So he qualifies. He was great last night. And then Vinnie Pasquantino, I think we can figure out there's some Italian heritage. there for the Royals. He was awesome. He jacked one out. And here we go. Team Italy. And I got to tell you,

I said this when this tournament started. This was one of the most under-marketed and under-appreciated sporting events when I was at ESPN. And it started back in 2006, and it just got buried under an avalanche of ESPN stuff for Major League Baseball Network stuff. But it's got stars. It's got patriotism. it's got urgency. It's really good. And by the way, the ratings the other night for Mexico, USA,

it was up to 6 million people watching. That's like NBA conference finals. Had 5 million people in that game. So we like our patriotism. We like our stars. And we like underdogs. And congrats to team Italy last night. You also need, when you get like Olympics,

you need buy-in. And so we saw a ball. in what was it called the four nations? Massively popular. Shockingly popular. I think this similarly is shockingly popular. We know the World Cup and the Olympics and the flag and the patriotism works. But this is, I mean, this thing is a, it's a real live event. And people are really into it.

And Team USA now, thanks to Vinny Pasquentino is out of pool play. And here's Team Italy's hero after. I'm caffeinated. I'm beaned up right now. So, yeah, we're in a good spot. As many as we need, we'll make it happen. So that was unbelievable, huh? You're welcome, USA. We were thinking of you guys over at your hotel.

We were thinking of you guys. So I'm glad you guys could join us in the party. It's been fun. And you guys thought I was sucking up to bosses. I was going to text one of them this morning. I'm like, this is the classic. $8 stock that was always much closer to a $20 stock, but you get to these networks and you've got, you know,

major college basketball and college football and NHL contracts and NBA contracts. And a lot of stuff just gets buried. This thing, and maybe it's the time with the World Cup coming up in the Olympics. Maybe it's the perfect year to put a patriotic sports event with urgency on a network. But it has been an absolute home run for Fox. and a blast to watch. Here's J-Mac with a news. No, no, no, no.

Turn on the news. This is the herd line news. I just Googled Vinny, Colin. Did you know his nickname is Pasquatch? Like Sasquatch? That's kind of cool. You learn things at the World Baseball Classic. All right, let's get started with the Atlanta Falcons

releasing Kurt Cousins, Colin, as expected. Yeah. But this is where it gets interesting. Sources tell the athletic. that the Raiders are the frontrunner to land 37-year-old Cousins. Makes sense. Hold on. Cousins turned 38 in August, 38, okay?

Here's what's interesting. He was in Minnesota in 2019, 2020, and 2021. Do you know who his quarterback coach was in O.C.? Clint Kubiak. Yeah. So they have a relationship. And actually, Cousins, that was like at the peak of his career. Five, six years ago.

He was a spring chicken in his early 30s, throwing the... like 35 touchdowns. But is this not? We always say that your starter and backup should have similar traits. So you don't have to change the offense. Well, I mean, Cousins and Fernando Mendoza are classic pocket quarterbacks, humble, grateful guys, not ever worried about being cool. They're just humble guys both eat in the pocket when they have the right protection. So regardless of who is playing, Kubiak has two quarterbacks largely with the same traits and skill set. I'm telling you, the Raiders are, what you don't want is a pocket quarterback and have Jared Goff's backup be, you know, some wildly athletic runaround guy. That's not a good fit.

You have a different offense. So this is a perfect starter or backup year one for the Raiders. Okay, so I like all that and I agree. Easy transition. The question becomes, does this become, does this become? like an open competition or is it like Kirk we want you to be the backup you're a professional you're a good human being we want you to be around Mendez I think he'll probably get the starting nod who Kirk Cousins wow yeah knows the offense absolute there's no harm if Fernando

Mendoza plays for 16 years anybody going to care that he sat until thanksgiving nobody's going to care just just start Kirk Cousins until you feel like you're sitting there at practice and you're like, all right, the kid gives us an element that we don't have. Because he does, he's in his prime athletically. I think you play Kirk Cousins until you just, and I think Mendoza is kind of a head-down workaholic kid. I think he's going to pick this stuff up really quickly.

But I would have no problem if Mendoza sat until Thanksgiving. But I think he's just going to, at some point, you're going to watch him at practice, arm strength, mobility. He's going to be better than Kirk. I would go the opposite, Colin. I would say the only way to get better at doing anything is to actually do the thing. You've got to be on the field playing. Like this idea of watching Mendoza was a starter in college for, what, three years, Cal and Indiana?

I mean, it's a seasoned veteran. The idea that, oh, well, Aaron Rogers sat, Patrick Glehempset, those were circumstantial, and I believe a little goofy. I mean, like, come on, Brett Far of a Hall of Famer, Alex Smith just took the chiefs to the playoffs. Like, Kurt Cousins is going to be 38 in August. I don't want to put him out there behind the Raiders offensive line. I'm saying Mendoza is the starter. Kirk, you're coming in as the backup.

Okay. Oh, okay, good. So I sold you on that? No. All right. Moving on to the New England Patriots, Colin. They add Romeo Dobbs to the wide receiver room. But according to the NFL network, New England remains interested in A.J. Brown or the Eagles.

We got to, you know, the past catchers for the Patriots, it's actually a pretty good group. Cobbs, Kishon Booty, the young kid, Mac Holland's a veteran, Kyle Williams, Douglas. Hearing for years, people interested in A.J. Brown, I'll believe it when I see it. I think he's really talented, but it's, you know, I told you this the other day. I heard for years, everybody wants to play with Carmelo Anthony. Why didn't they? I mean, how many years do I have to hear everybody wants A.J. Brown? Make a move. There's like six teams that could use him tomorrow. Now is the time to get him. So I, you know, I think Romeo Dobbs, Williams, Booty, Hunter Henry, I think New England's fine at receiver.

I don't think they need to add A.J. Brown. I think they're more than capable with that receiving crew they have with Romeo Dobbs. They're fine. That's not why they lost the Super Bowl. They lost it because they couldn't block the Seahawks front. Their old line needs help. I think their receiving court now is just fine. J. Mack with the news.

Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The Hurdline News. 31 years at Michigan State. We got the conference tournaments going here in Chicago. Big Den tournament. It's obviously Selection Sunday is coming up. We bring in our friend Tom Izzo, who's been doing this for quite a while.

And he's played the best teams in the country this year, Michigan and Duke. Okay, so you've got a guard that likes to distribute. We always hear about how big guard play is. You also have upperclassmen. That's a big part in this tournament. You're eighth in the country, Tom. So I would feel like, I mean, Michigan has the size. You've got the point guard.

You've got the experience. Your thoughts about going into the tournament with this group at Michigan State. Yeah, I think bad coaching job that were not undefeated with all those things you said. You know, we got everything. But, you know, you do need good guard playing. I do have a hell of a guard. And you're right. I have some experience.

I have four guys that have played together a lot over the last three, four years. I think it matters. But to each his own, everybody's got a different way of skinning a cat, as they say. So it's worked out pretty good for us. We played pretty good most of the year. We were not able to beat Michigan two pretty good games, but they are really good, really talented. And yeah, we've had a chance to,

we've even played Yukon in a preseason and Duke and, you know, Michigan. And they're all really good teams. But we're kind of in there too, so we'll see what happens. I think the NIL, I said this, I thought, not that it needed saving, but I thought it really empowered college basketball. You can go get 20 kids from Europe. You can get guys juniors who would go to the second round. They'll stay in college.

So I think NIL has helped. I think it brings, you know, some headaches. And the transfer portal's not perfect. But I do look at the NIL and I think what it feels like to me is the top 10 programs are really good. And you're one of them and Gonzaga and Duke and Arizona and Florida. I think it's made the top really good. I'm not sure the bottom has much of a chance. I don't feel like the opening day of the tournament,

we're going to see a lot of upsets. What have you noticed the last two years with NIL? Are the rich kind of getting richer? Because you're in that group. You're the veteran coach. It's an established program. Do you feel like the top is better? Well, veteran coach doesn't mean you have as much money.

As you know, the discrepancy, if you look at the NBA, the NFL, the money is everybody has a cap. We have no cap. So that part, Colin, is completely different. And even though, you know, our program is doing fine, and I think we've won more with togetherness and connectivity and guys that have played together than actual brute talent because I've had better talent other years.

But I kind of like this team in that respect. But it's brought some chaos for college sports, not just basketball, but football and everything else. and you're going to have to wait a couple years to decide whether it's a plus or a minus. I have my differences. I think the transfer portal has made it so everybody's a free agent every day and that makes it a little more difficult.

You don't have that in the NBA, the NFL or, you know, NHL. So I don't sure you'd like it if you were coaching. I'm not sure how you'd like it if you had a son who was going to have a chance. Yes, make more money. But remember, if your son's playing here, year and I want to bring in somebody to replace him and he's only a sophomore that's not good for your son either so I think it's really hard on the kids I really do do you can you coach as hard today as you did five years ago or do you kind of worry about oh boy he may yeah yeah that's a

good question I don't worry about it you know I'm at the point in my career where I don't need to worry about it but you know I've had a privilege of being you know around guys like magic Johnson or, you know, watching the NBA. I've had some chances to go there. And I think they all think the same thing, you know, the great players want to be coached. Everybody's got to be pushed. If you're not pushed, I mean, look at the great coaches way before me, you know,

but you look at from Michigan, Bo Schembach or Bobby Knight or Nick Saban, my good friend Nick, or you look at some college coaches, you know, John Thompson. I mean, everybody pushes people. That's the way it should be. that's the way it needs to be if you're really going to be successful. If it was easy as they say, everybody would do it. Best players in the NBA now are international. I can remember years ago when Tony Kukoch came in and everybody said,

ah, they're soft guys, but their academy system. You got young guys over there playing against older players, so they come in pretty hardened and pretty skilled. What is your view on international recruiting? I mean, I've talked to Patino last week. He's got guys from six continents. your thoughts on international recruiting? Well, I'm questioning what you said about the best players in the NBA are international.

I don't believe that. I think what's happening is, yes, some of those guys have better opportunities to get better faster, but some of them come over here in 21, 22 years old, too. So if I took my freshman and made him 22 and then let him go, he'd be a lot better. So I think the Americans are getting a bad deal on that, to be honest with you. I think there's damn good American players. If we had the same opportunities, maybe it would be a little better. But I still don't think the best players are necessary European players.

I think there are some good European players. But I think there's some really good American players too. Where's your favorite place in the country to recruit right now for Michigan State players? Michigan State Town. What's your favorite place to recruit? But I should say a Y here or something. But in all honesty, we were a program that was kind of basically Midwest. The state of Michigan had a lot of great players in Illinois and Indiana and Ohio.

And now you do got to go all over because there's kids everywhere and kids are ready to move and they want to change where they are. So I don't know if I have a favorite place anymore. I still like the Midwest, the Midwest kids. I do appreciate that. but I've got some East Coast kids on my team now. We've kind of branched out like everybody else has had to. So you played against Cam Boozer, who reminds me of his dad, actually.

He's not hyper athletic, but he's got great hands, great feet, competitive. He's a very consistent player. And I think he's getting a little overshadowed by Darren Peterson and Acuff down at Arkansas. He's a fantastic player. Calipari's got himself a gem up there. So you tell me about Boozer because I think he's. He's one of those guys that I can watch him. I recovered his dad.

His dad was a smart guy. His dad was a grinder and a hard worker. What do you make of him as a NBA prospect and a college player? You know, I love Cambooser. You know, they beat us here. We had a lead with about two or three minutes left. He just kind of takes over a game. You're right.

He doesn't get enough credit because he doesn't soar. He doesn't, you know, dunk from everywhere. He's not the greatest athlete. But, you know, being from a school where Irvin, was from basketball IQ is off the charts. That's number one. And I think winning is extremely important to him. Give credit to his coach down there,

give credit to his dad. But not everybody puts winning on the top. I think Camboosor does. I think whatever team he goes to, he helps him win. And he's going to be a very good pro, in my humble opinion. Okay, I ask you this every time I bring you on before the tournament. tell me a team that none of us TV radio guys are talking about that's under, I remember years ago,

somebody gave me Belmont at a Nashville and they actually won a tournament game and they were really good. What is a team you have played? Maybe you beat them. Maybe you just saw them on film prepping for another team. But if I told you shocking upset in the first round, a team that we should keep our eye on. Wow. You know, that's a tougher question then a couple years ago because there's so much. more teams now. You know, you look at our league alone. We got 18 teams in the league and it's

it's so hard. Everybody's got, I think we're getting like the NFL where not mediocrity, but I think there's more even teams. And so I don't know if there's going to be as many upsets. I think you're right about what you said earlier. It's going to be harder to upset people. How come you always put such nice things on me on TV, you know? Don't you ever get me hugging or kissing than anybody. I could hug, I could hug Raff. You know, that would be more fun. But, you know, I played a lot of good teams, Arkansas and, and of course, Duke and North Carolina,

Kentucky. You know, I think some of those teams, because they had so many transfers, are getting better at the end of the year than they were at the beginning of the year. It takes some time to work those guys in. So this one time, man, I don't have a good answer for you. It was easy to put Denzegger in that 10 years ago. Now they're so damn good they can beat anybody. So they're not a surprise team anymore.

So I saw your fans. I had Dusty May on. I think it was last week. And he about all the Michigan State fans heckling him, I think one of the reasons I've always defended college basketball over like the G League. And my take is, first of all, the coaching's better in college and it's hard coaching. Second of all, you have to play in these kind of environments. And you're getting heckled and it's like an NBA environment.

I think the arenas and the big. and the SEC and the Big 12. They're hard. They're louder than the NBA arenas. So when you see Dusty May getting heckled, what is your take on that? What did you make of that? Well, did you think I went to the prom when I went over there?

You know, it wasn't a prom dance. I'll tell you that. But you know what? I agree with you. I think that's part of college sports. And I think the Big Ten has led the nation in attendance for like 50 years. So it's been that way.

I've been in it 40 of them. So it's been that way the whole time. But I think as long as it's clean, it's good. You know, you can call me anything in the world, but keep it a little bit clean. And I think the same for our fans with him. But that's what rivalries are all about, you know. I don't think you go to Duke Carolina game

and, you know, everybody's holding hands and singing kumbah law. You know, it's not the way it works. But I think this is what made college better than the NBA, to be honest with you. Well, I mean, I watched your Michigan games this year. of all, they're big. I talked to Mark Few the other week, and he's like, I mean, they, they dusted Gonzaga. They shot the ball well, which they don't always shoot the ball well, is, you know, if you had to meet Michigan down the road in the tournament, because you played them close both times, you're both good enough to win the thing. Is there a way, I mean,

it's when you look at your Michigan games, do you look at them and go, oh, we could just have this back or this back? Or are they just Tom, a team capable of winning it all? They're just so damn big for a college team? You know, I think they're big, but they're also talented. You know, Yaxel is a hell of a player. He goes five for six from the three. He hasn't done that very often, and he made some big-time threes in our game. But, you know, we have played.

We played in an exhibition game. We played Yukon. I think they're very good. I think right now Florida's coming on. Michigan, I think, is good enough to win at all. But they lost a kid named Kaysan, who was a really, really good guard, who kind of could play all three guard positions. And, you know, we'll see if that hurts them in the long run.

I mean, as you say, our game was two, three-point game with three minutes left, and yet they find ways to win, and that's what good teams do. Are they good enough? Yes. Right now, I'm still a big fan of some besides Michigan, some other programs, but Florida seems to be playing the best at the end of the year, if I looked at it, you know, from a lens, from a distance, I haven't played Florida, but they got size, they got guard play, and he's won it all before.

So they really have been coming on lately. I think Arizona is really good. I haven't played them. Michigan is really good. I have played them. Don't sleep on Purdue yet either. You know, they've struggled a little bit, but great guard play, great coach. In our league, I think Nebraska is another team that, you know,

you don't really look at Nebraska as a basketball school. It's like looking at Indiana. You don't look at them as a football school. They just won the national championship. So there's going to be some surprises in this tournament. But we could play Michigan if we both win in the Big Ten tournament in your city. Yep. Eight-time Final Four champ.

By the way, I love Chicago. Everybody comes up to me. They're like, well, they always say, hey, how do you like Chicago? And I'm like, it's one best city in North America, nine straight years in Condé Noss Travel Magazine. I'm like, folks, buy a jacket. It gets a little frosty in January. Buy a damn jacket. Who cares?

It's a little cold. People are so strange. It's like I can't handle cold. You know what? When you see what's happening in the country right now, you know, hurricanes and fires and all this, I'll take a little cold. At least you can stay alive with the cold. You know, there's other reasons at other places.

So I'm like you. I'm glad you moved back to the Midwest. Can't wait. Maybe you'll take me out to dinner when I come over there. By the way, I may have to make sure you put the herd on the back. I see that TV behind you. You know, you could do us a favor and put our show on once in a while, pal. Let me tell you something, man.

I don't know who put that on, but I watch your show a lot. You ask me questions. I'll give you answers. That's why I came on during a critical part of my week here, because I do respect you a lot. Tom, it's great seeing you, coach. You too, man. See you later. All right, Tom iso.

They got good guard play and they got a bunch of juniors. They got older players. You go into the tournament. There's like, I was talking to somebody about this and they said, the NIL, man, the top is really good. That's why when I hear about tournament expansion might take it. The bottom doesn't have a chance now. You're going to add 20 teams?

What will be doing here? So I think Michigan State is one of eight teams. And again, you need break. Do they want to, you know, nobody wants to face Florida right now. Nobody wants to face Arizona right now. Duke's banged up. Michigan lost a player. I think it's wide open.

You know, I heard this a lot yesterday. I want to address this. I mean, listen, I'd rather have two first round picks than Max Crosby. A little refresher course on why that's not true. Next, The Herd. Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific. on Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the IHeard Radio app. Hey, it's us, the Jonas Brothers, and guess what?

We have some big news. What's the news, name? Huge news. We created our own podcast called, Hey Jonas. We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to a podcast. Pretty, yeah, pretty wide range of podcasts throughout there.

But this one's extra special. So how do we actually come up with a name, Hey Jonas, guys? I honestly don't remember. I think it was on a call about what should. we should call it. Well, we were thinking I'm originally calling it one of the early names of our band before Jonas Brothers.

This is how you guys remember it going down? Yes. I have a very different memory of this. We were talking about a thing, a bit for the podcast, people could call in and say, hey, Jonas. And then I wrote down on my little notepad, Hey Jonas, and offered it up as a potential title for the podcast. But thanks for remembering that, guys.

Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, wherever you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it. Another podcast from some SNL late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter.

Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and, friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. The French Open is one of the toughest tests in tennis, and I know firsthand because I competed there myself. I'm Renee Stubbs, and on the Renee Stubbs Tennis podcast, I'm breaking down everything happening at Roland Garris, every match, every upset, and what it really takes to win on clay.

Genshin win. I mean, she went down in three to Roebuckina, but I'm delighted. Yeah, she's an outsider to win the French. And she likes Clay. Listen, Lena Rubakina is arguably the best player in the world right now. And I actually can win on any surface. Because if she's serving, well, good luck. Consider this your court side seat to the French Open. Listen to the Renee Stubbs tennis podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHeart Women's Sports. Jacob Kingston grew up in an isolated polygamous sect. We were God's chosen kingdom on earth. He felt destined for greatness. So when a swaggering Armenian businessman catapults Jacob into an extraordinary world, he doesn't look back. Ferraris and Lamborghinis, private jets, meeting the president of Turkey. I'm Michelle McPhee, and this is one of the most shocking criminal conspiracies I've ever come across. When Jacob met Levant this plant to a billion dollar fraud.

But with two kings from entirely different worlds, just how. How long can their empire survive? The largest tax investigation in American history. You need to tell me what you know. Is somebody coming after me? Jacob told Levan, you're ruining my life. Listen to Kingdom of Fraud on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Last night, a blown call changed a game.

This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you, exactly what happened. That's where SportsSlice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise. Breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athlete themselves. Their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real.

From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context and ask the questions everybody wants answered. Sports Slice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to Sports Slice on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slic Life 12 and the TikTok podcast network on TikTok.

A third round pick to get a defensive tackle, a decent player from the Cowboys. Matt Mosley, my buddy, said it's interesting. The Cowboys trade their best defensive players to teams that always beat them in the playoffs. Micah Parsons to the Packers and OSA to the 9th. I'll defend the Cowboys on this.

I just, I want talent. And a GM's job is not to hold grudges or worry about conference alignment. Remember, the Lions and the Rams swapped quarterback, same conference, both excellent quarterbacks. They've both done great. So I'll defend the Cowboys on that. I mean, you can say what you want about moving Micah to the Packers, but they got two firsts and Kenny Clark, and they've turned those first now into Kenny Clark,

Quinn and Williams. Then they make a deal for Roshan Gary. Damarian Overshone will be excellent. The Cowboys defensive front since getting rid of Micah Parsons is significantly better. So I don't care where you send players. I would prefer if you're a Niner fan, you don't want them sending them to the Rams, especially quarterback. But, I mean, you know, Max Crosby and the Raiders,

when the Raven stepped up as an AFC team and said, we'll give you two firsts, take it. you know so and i want to speak about that because i've heard a lot about this well i would rather have two first round picks than max crosbie so okay first of all max crosbie i'm good stanor raider he was in the building at six a m the following morning when the trade unraveled he's a raider and he's going to give you 10 plus hits he's going to give you 10 plus sacks 25 quarterback hits 25 hurried write it in the book, bank it. You're not getting that from anybody in the first round. There are no pass rushers that elite.

So I'm getting absolute, for the next two to three years, I'm getting elite production. Just to give you some sense, and I'm just talking first round picks. So when everybody says, oh, I'd rather have those first round picks. So let's go to last year's first round. 32 picks, last year's first round. There are only five players that I would identify today as hits.

Team Mac, the receiver for the Panthers, Emeka, Bucca for the Bucks, Colston Loveland for the Bears, Tyler Warren Colts, and Gray Zabel. Those guys are hits. Those guys are pro-bowl level players now. They are absolute hits. I think there's seven other guys that are very promising that are ascending players,

Jackson Dart, Tyler Booker, Armand Mambu, the Missouri linemen for the Jets, Will Campbell, didn't have a great Super Bowl, Mason Graham, Jelon Walker, Falcons, and Malachi Starks. Those are very, very good players promising. Holes in their game, not quite hits yet, but look very good. That's 12 of 32 picks. So you're, and for the record, there could be late bloomers.

There could be somebody I'm missing here on the promising list. But there's about 12, 13 guys from last year's draft. I'm like, yeah, that works right now or very soon. So Matt Hasselbeck also came on this week and said there are, there's value to Max Crosby beyond just the sacks. Max Crosby has the respect of the NFL, players, teammates, opponents, coaches, scouts, everybody. And he's not a one-trick pony. A lot of these guys that come up with all these sacks.

They're great at rushing the passer. They're not great against the run. This dude's the real deal in every way. I mean, he's always at the top of the list, TFLs, tackles for loss in the run game. He's the real deal in the run game, the past game, on the field, off the field, an identity setter. You know, he's a dog. Six drafts since Max Crosby was drafted, the Raiders have only drafted one other Pro Bowler, and they've been drafting at the top of the draft.

And only 43 percent, this is crazy, only 43 percent of first round draft pick. have signed with a team that drafted him, signed a second contract. So, like, it's, folks, less than 50% of these guys hit. So, and, you know, there's, I mean, there are certain positions like wide receivers in the first round, tight ends in the first round, there are a lot of misses. Then there's other positions like interior linemen, you know, offensive linemen in the first round, usually have some genetic advantages. Three, ten, great feet, wide.

Those guys usually hit. But, you know, last year, I mean, you had a couple of receivers, a couple tight ends. One great offensive linemen, maybe two. Those are the only absolute hit so far. So I'll take Max Crosby, who I think is a culture setter, a dog, respected. And the Raiders are so young with 11 picks this year, they're only going to get younger. I need somebody with a little gray. just a little.

J. Mack, you're looking at that boy. Anybody else I missed in the first round that's going to be a star? No, I think you nailed the right ones. But what's interesting is if you look on the hits list, all of those teams, Colin, were either a playoff team or they were close to contending. The Colts were close. The Bucks, I think, lost in the final week of the season.

So that's a huge win to get close to the playoffs with your first round pick in year one. Now extrapolate that over the next three years. and then you really see the growth. And that's why, and I know you like Crosby, you got a soft spot for him. He's a talented player, but would I rather have two first-round picks

than Max Crosby being awesome for the next two years? Of course. I mean, it's not even close. First-round pick, you're looking at the next five years because you've got him on the rookie deal. And all you've got to do is hit one of those two. And you get a longer runway for the guy to be successful. You're almost guaranteed.

I mean, Fernando Mendoza is about as safe as a number one pick gets. I mean, he's going to get Clint Kubiak. Yeah. Bowers, Gentie, Colton Miller, Tyler Linderbaum. It would be hard to envision Fernando Mendoza doing a face plant in the first three years. He looks like they've set him up like the Bears did with Ben Johnson and Drew Dalman and Joe Tuning. They've set him up to have some level of success very early.

Johnny Mansell showing up today. Hey guys, it's us and the Jonas Brothers. I'm Joe. I'm Kevin. And I'm Nick. And guess what? We created our own podcast called Hey Jonas. We invented a podcast?

Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it. We're the first people to do podcasts. We get to ask other people questions because we're sick and tired of being asked questions. Well, sick and tired is a strong way to put it, but, you know, tired and sick. Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it.

Another podcast from some SNL late night comedy guy, not quite, unhumored me with Robert Smok. and friends, me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, S&L's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and Friends on the I-Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever

you get your podcasts. Winning on Clay is an art. The rallies are relentless. And at the French Open, only the top. toughest survive. I'd know. I competed there for decades. Join me, Renee Stubbs, on the Renee Stubbs tennis podcast for no-nonsense breakdowns of the biggest matches, the toughest players, and the moments that define Roland Garris. She's an outsider to win the French fame. And she likes Clay.

Listen, Lennar Rabakina is arguably the best player in the world right now, and I actually can win on any surface. Listen to the Renee Stubbs tennis podcast on the Iheart Radio app, Apple podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHeart Women's Sports. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo, and every episode, we're cutting through the noise,

breaking down the biggest moments in sports and giving you the real story behind the headline. And we're going straight to the source, the athletes themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions in the moment, and the stuff nobody gets to hear. Sports Slice on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slicelife 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque.

Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an I-Hart podcast. Guaranteed Human.