The Matt Thomas Show with Ross - Legendary Bill Raftery Joins The Show

Episode Date: January 13, 2026

Legendary Bill Raftery Joins The Show 

is the Matt Thomas show with Ross. It is a 103 on Sports Talk 790. It is our big time pleasure to be joined by one of the great college voices of our generation. Former Seton Hall, former Nets Analysts on Sports Channel. That's when I used to go to the satellite in the middle of the night and try to find strange channels. And there was Bill Rafter recalling games on the Nets on Sports Channel. Now he's on CBS and working tonight's game on Facebook. Fox Sports 1 is the Cougars take on to West Virginia.

Mr. Raptory, it's Matt and Ross. It's a pleasure. Have you on the show. Welcome back to Houston. Thank you very much. I used to come here and watch those rockets play and beat the heck out of the net. So it's nice to be back on the other side here. Hey, I'll tell you this.

It was just nice having you call a Houston victory because the time before that, you didn't. So take us to that game. I know. I know. Jeez. Crazy, right? I mean, the way the thing turned out, two opposite nights when you think of it, how they won and lost, just the twist of fate.

But, you know, you just keep knocking on the door, obviously, and good things are going to happen. I mean, they're always going to be in the hunt. They're no longer an afterthought. So, you know, that wouldn't have been a shock if they wanted. It was a tough way to lose it, obviously. Bill, let me ask you this. I think, obviously, Kelvin is old school when it comes to everything. NIL has been a huge part of this and transfer portal,

but he's still fundamentals about defense, aggressiveness, culture building. How many are there left? I know that you've got Izzo doing this thing. You've got Bill Self and whatnot. But tell me about when you run around the country, what the new school coaches are doing as compared to some of these guys have been around 20, 30 years.

You know, I don't think they're individually doing anything other than their personality. but I think the younger guys are, I think they're not almost say committed, but they know the rules, and instead of complaining about them, they're just trying to go ahead and live with them. It might be on the outside viewed as cold, but in fact it is cold, you know, with kids leaving programs and, you know, coaches happy to get rid of some. It's just, it's become a, you know, it always was big business college,

athletics and basketball in particular. But now it's just gotten to a level where, you know, the old-timers find it distasteful. And the newcomers that are coaching and are saying, you know what, these are the rules, we've got to play with them. And, you know, all the things we were raised with as coaches or players where, you know, you've got to make sure you get through school, you know, the rules now are for 1% of the players, basically.

You know, a lot of the kids as good as they will be here, tonight, they will not be NBA players. I mean, the reality is such, you know, at best maybe international or G-League would hope. But that's what everybody is, a dreamer. You know, we all were. We all had expectations. We were going to be something special or be able to play the game you'll love for a long time. So I think the guys understand the rules. And, you know, they may complain about them to talk about them, but they know how to live by them. My last big picture question, do you've seen kids go directly from high school to the NBA. You've seen the one and done.

Now you are in the midst of calling games where transfer portal on NIL moves shifting around. It feels like to me, Bill, and watching you for all these years, that when you put the headset on, we can all still do this as fans. We forget about that kind of stuff. We just focus about the game itself. And I feel like you're still doing that. Is it becoming more difficult to do with the however as I say that? No, not at all And that's nice to be to say

I think you and all of us that do games that once the people at home really don't care about the mishaps or maybe the lacking of foundation that exists in the game they just tune in to watch the game and I think we are

in our own way privileged to just do the game maybe an anecdote or a quick comment if it fits but other than that I know myself when I watch anything at home or occasionally in a pub, you know, you just want to watch and enjoy the game. You're not interested in the frailties or shortcomings of the system itself. And what has it been like for you, Bill, just personally as the game has changed,

as far as your passion for the game, do you ever find yourself longing for the good old days in some way or just embracing this new way or a little bit of both? No, you know what, though, when you go to these practices and games, you realize that all of these kids put all of that aside. Now, I'm sure as the year progresses and the programs aren't doing well, you might have some negativity creep in. But it is amazing how they've adjusted to the rules. they, you know, that's done with, whether it's negotiation or fact in terms of a contract, they're just here to play and there's still young people enjoying the game they love. So I think that people are getting what they want watching games.

I think all the commentaries basically for those things that they can't control anyhow. Bill Raftery with us here on Sports Talk 790. Oh, what about the X's and O's and the tactics? We talk about how the personnel has changed and how there's the portal and all that type of stuff. What about on the floor, the basketball itself? How have you seen that evolve? Well, you know, judging by Houston, for example, I think the ability to guard has become of the essence when you go around. As good as team's score, the coaches probably work more on the defensive schemes against the opponent.

But, you know, the level of play, you've got to be prepared every game. And the coaches do attack it. And the players, too, in terms of prep and going over a scouting report. But, you know, the game itself, the ability, the pros particularly, which you're more accustomed to, the centers have to be able to handle ball screens. They've got to be able to pick and pop. We're still in college. You still have some, you know, a lot of the center.

are roll guys, ball screen roll guys. Now there are some who can make threes, but I think the biggest thing is the preparation on the defensive end to take away the strengths of the opponent. And I know that was always a labor of love for coaches, but to me it's more

with all the film and the adaption to what you see just has created some great defensive teams and a lot of them score off their defense. A few more minutes here with Bill Raftery from five Sports One and CBS joining us Matt and Ross here on Sports Talk 790.

When I was growing up, I would watch you on the Big East game of the week. You now move all around the country. You're here for the second straight week. You do some big 10 games. You're doing the national tournament, obviously. Is there a style? Is there a part of the country that is more ready for the likes of a March Madness run? I mean, I think the Big 12, frankly, since even with all you in Texas leaving,

is just a mega dominant conference. And I think there's three or four teams in this league itself. be there on final four weekend. No, I think you're right. I think the competition of this particular league, and the SEC you can throw in there as well. The ACC's having a better year. Big East is not as strong this year.

I think things are cyclical. I think they come and go. Everybody who is knocking or negating the ACC last year, and all of a sudden they've got some really quality wins. It's all predicated on November and December. But, you know, the game's in a good place. You know, it's the off-the-court stuff that may not be in a good place and will not be resolved quickly, or at least to my knowledge, it won't be resolved quickly.

But I think the game, in terms of interest and love, it still captures all areas of the country. And, you know, everybody's, it's up for grabs once you get into tournament, as you well know. So the geographics doesn't really have much, you know, to do with the decisions, who you've beaten and where you're, you're seated, and that's why guys just like strive. Every game is so important in terms of quality wins and this is one for either team tonight. Last question. A thought or two

about this game. The Cougars have one loss on the year. West Virginia beat Kansas over the weekend. You were just finishing looking at shoot-around. How do you see this match up tonight? I think it's going to be a fist fight. You know, I think this

West Virginia team can match, and I'm not saying it's pass the defensive prowess of Houston. So I think it's very hard to get easy baskets, but I think that's going to be the key. You know, second and third opportunities I think would swing to Houston side because they're so good at chasing misses and getting more opportunities. So I think turnovers, long rebounds, all of those things are going to decide the outcome. I think the philosophy of both programs is very similar.

All right. Last question, very silly one. Onions is your catchphrase. We love it and always want to hear it. Why did you choose onions over, say, like peppers or something else like that? What made you go with that vegetable? There's nothing in that head of mine. I always say, I didn't go to Harvard and it shows, but we were doing an iron eagle, who you know, the bird claims it was Orlando.

And Kevin Edwards, the Nets were in one of those dreadful years. 15, 18 win years. And Kevin Edwards makes a corner three, and I had never said the word before publicly or on the air. And I was just, it just jumped in like, this kid makes this three, you know, with their entire streets. And it just sort of fit the interpretations up to the listener. But I think you know what I mean. I do. I just want to see if there was a different interpretation, but I think we figured it out here.

Sir, you are a legend. I am honored to have you on our show today. Please continue to do your great work on FS1 on CBS and hopefully I can buy you a cold beverage in Indianapolis because I've already made my reservation there for the Cougars to go back and finally win a championship. That's a deal, and you've got a good chance of being there, I assure you. Thank you very much.

All right, take care of yourself. Have a great day. You too. Bill Raftery. I mean, what a legend.