John Fanta, MSU Coach Tom Izzo, PMT Spring Break, Hot Seat/Cool Throne And Listener Submitted Mad Online

12:24PFT Commenter:Yeah, I mean, Cohen cars, my one. OK, Cohen cars on the list. It's got to be still in the tournament. Still in the tournament.

12:30Big Cat:Yeah, a cuff and Cohen car have to be one one too easy. Okay, I nominate Jojo Tugler from Houston. Not the best player on the team, but probably the most kick-ass player. Yep.

12:41PFT Commenter:What about LeBaron?

12:44Big Cat:Yeah, LeBaron filing. Yeah. Yeah, he's kick-ass. He's got to be on there. And then, what's his name? Gatoroid, the steroid, the jacked-up Florida fan. He's not in the tournament anymore. I know he got bounced, but I feel like he should be on. He's in the tournament, dude. But he'll kick our ass. Zuby kicks ass. Zuby kicks ass.

12:59PFT Commenter:Zuby kicks ass. So what is that, four or five? Do we just get five? I think... No. No. No. I think we got to get Sam Hoiberg on there.

13:08Big Cat:You got to have a coach's son. Yes. Sam Hoiberg. Okay. That's a great starting five.

13:11PFT Commenter:So I think that might be six, but that's fine. Just make the graphic. I think we got three point guards. Wait. What was it? It was Cohen Carr, Acuff, Sam Hoiberg, Zuby. JoJo Tuggler. JoJo Tuggler. And then there was one other, right? LeBaron. LeBaron. Yeah. All right. That's our starting five and have it be six names. Yeah. Those are the most kick-ass. I actually think that's a great list. And then maybe underneath, say, did not make the roster, Boozer. Would you like to make the case for Boozer? And the Florida guy. Yeah, and the Florida guy. Would you like to make the case for Boozer?

13:44Big Cat:I mean, he's the highest draft pick left in the tournament. Oh, they've already done the draft? He's going to be the highest draft pick left in the tournament. Well, you don't know that.

13:51PFT Commenter:What about his medicals? What if his medicals aren't great?

13:53Big Cat:I think he's the most exciting player. We don't know that. Wait, wait, you said most exciting? You think he's more exciting than the eight cuff? He's that's what I'm saying about it. I didn't mean as a slight against the guy. I don't think he's like a big man. It's a different art player different art down

14:10PFT Commenter:He's not more exciting than Darius.

14:12Big Cat:This is everyone talks about you know, in fact, I would say he's not exciting at all No, you just don't respect the post game. He's here's a good guy I'm not a flash guy.

14:21PFT Commenter:No, that's not true. We have I mean Zoobie and Hoiberg. Yeah, we're just fucking gritty as far it Is he big?

14:28Big Cat:No, no JoJo. Big heart. I respect the pose. I was shocked when I looked it up about Tuggler because he does play like he's seven feet tall. I think he's like 6 '7 or 6 '8. It's like Dwight Howard. Yeah, very relatable. Dwight Howard. Yeah, it is.

14:46PFT Commenter:It's probably the most. 6 '7 is probably the most relatable thing across all ages. Yeah. Yeah, it does.

14:54Big Cat:It's more famous than I Show Speed. But he's one of those guys like Dwight Howard that I think he just appears to be way taller because he's got the big wingspan. But yeah, that actually shot him up, my most badass guy. Yeah. Because he's a center who's like 6 '8". Are you nervous about Duke, Hank?

15:12PFT Commenter:Not St. John's. No? No. They're going to grind you? More worried about UConn or Michigan State. St. John's, though, they play. Patino's so fucking good, man. Do you trust Shire? He might be the best coach ever, just in terms of having to go as many stops as he's got. It is.

15:28Big Cat:The coaching, obviously, it's just experience like that. That's the biggest experience disparity. But I think it's going to be a good test for Shire. If there's 13 seconds, who do you trust to get a shot off? Rick Pitino? Yeah, obviously.

15:43PFT Commenter:And with two seconds to spare.

15:45Big Cat:Yeah. John Shire, great coach. Good coach. Good coach. Not great yet. He's young. He's green. He's green. This is how you go from green to green.

15:54PFT Commenter:He's got to go against the big dogs. Yeah. Big time. Okay, do we want to do a parlay for Thursday night?

16:28Big Cat:create your free account or start trading for as little as$49. New traders use code Barstool for 30 % off your first no activation fee trading combine terms and conditions apply futures trading involves substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors.

16:42PFT Commenter:All right what's our what's our play for Thursday night? I like Iowa. Can't really use Illinois and Houston which sucks.

16:49Big Cat:I like Purdue.

16:51PFT Commenter:Okay.

16:52Big Cat:Seven and a half.

16:52PFT Commenter:So Iowa.

16:53Big Cat:A lot of black and gold.

16:54PFT Commenter:Iowa Purdue should I pick the the late later game so that we have we have something to maybe have waiting for us I think Arizona might kill him I think Arizona might kill him trust you get

17:16PFT Commenter:okay we'll do that Iowa Purdue Arizona okay yeah we feel good about it No. I don't either. No. At all. No, I don't. I actually think I don't like any of the three. Should we flip all of them? You want to flip all of them? Yeah, you want to? Yeah. All right. So Nebraska. Texas. Arkansas. Okay. All right. Yes. This will be interesting to see how this works out. Yeah.

17:44Big Cat:I'm excited for Jack to read this text because I have to send it to him every time we do it. So I just said Iowa, Purdue, Arizona spreads for the parlay. Just kidding. Flip all of them. Yeah.

17:54PFT Commenter:I just felt terrible about all of them. Yeah. Because I was like, I do think Arizona is significantly better than Arkansas. But then thinking about betting against Acuff, seven and a half points just makes me want to puke.

18:08Big Cat:Right. And I think that Purdue is a lot better. Obviously, a lot more experienced than Texas.

18:13PFT Commenter:But Texas is also Sean Miller's awesome tournament coach.

18:18Big Cat:Yeah. And Sean Miller. But then Purdue. You might have to make Sean Miller say no.

18:23PFT Commenter:Sean Miller in round of 16, you want him to say no. Round of eight, you want him to say, I don't know who this is. I'm not taking this job.

18:32Big Cat:Oh, I did think of one other huge, huge name that they're probably thinking about in Chapel Hill right now. Tom Crean.

18:40PFT Commenter:Yeah.

18:41Big Cat:Tom Crean. You have to, from my sources, I'm hearing that Tom Crean is a finalist for the job. Make him say no. And when they fired Hubert Davis, they did so with the understanding that they had Tom Crean as an option.

18:52PFT Commenter:Yeah, I like that a lot. By the way, this weekend, so we have 47 MLB games, 12 NCAA men's games, 20 NCAA women's games, NBA NHL playoff push, World Cup. I guess there's qualifiers.

19:07Big Cat:So, yeah, Italy plays against Northern Ireland on Thursday. And if they lose, then Italy's out of the World Cup. Okay. UCF.

19:16PFT Commenter:You're rooting for Northern Ireland all day. You're rooting for Protestants. F1 in action college baseball and softball conference play. We got a lot of sports coming on this weekend. A lot of meaningful sports. Very excited for that. Okay, should we talk baseball which is starting on Wednesday night. Who's playing? Yankees? Giants. Did I get that right? On Netflix. I think I nailed that. I knew all that.

19:46Big Cat:The hand is throwing out the first pitch. What? You heard me Like from Super Smash Bros? Close

19:54PFT Commenter:What is the hand? What?

19:57Big Cat:What did you say?

19:58PFT Commenter:The hand is throwing out the first pitch What is the hand?

20:01Big Cat:The hand from the show Wednesday from Netflix is throwing out the first pitch Got it That'll be great That's awesome I love integrated cross promotion Yeah Hell yeah It's the best Hell yes

20:13PFT Commenter:okay so what uh what what do we think about baseball uh it's bad it's pretty cool it's back it's hot as could be a week and a half early yes i i've been saying this like i can't remember how many i can't believe how many times i've said this to different people like the fact that the cubs have five games in march at wrigley is bullshit it just it feels like we should be

20:37Big Cat:next thursday not this thursday no i'm excited for baseball because it does feel like baseball momentum is at an all-time high right now yeah it's a great offseason for baseball in fact a great postseason into a great offseason yep kind of somewhat dampened by the fact that it seems like the dodgers is going to win it all again and there's going to be a lockout and there's going to be a lockout but we can just kind of like forget about all that for a second um i'll let you guys do your your positive spins and what you're thinking for this year i'm going into the season And this is going to be a very tough year for me because we're in year seven of rebuild in D.C.

21:13Big Cat:With the expectation, again, being another 90 loss season. Year seven of that. Now, we did overhaul the front office, and I think we've got a direction. We traded away all of our good players. C.J. Abrams is probably going to be traded away this year. The only thing I have to look forward to this season is James Woods just being a fucking monster. and getting 35 plus home runs yeah that's the only thing that i'm going to the season looking forward to as a as a gnats fan um it's a it's a sad state of affairs when you you're getting ready to start a long ass summer and those are your expectations i'm bummed out about that i want to care about baseball again i want to be excited about my team in baseball again it makes the summer so much better but for seven years yeah it's been this dog shit and uh yeah just kind of

22:04PFT Commenter:a bummer going into it you're kind of the tank master between this and the wizards seven years

22:08Big Cat:yeah well i the difference is i have expectations and i like the nationals right right but like even

22:15PFT Commenter:still it does suck going into a season being like they're gonna be dog shit you know right away

22:19Big Cat:there's really nothing you can i mean best case scenario we overachieve and our new manager we get a blake managing the team he's like 32 years old that's cool um maybe we overachieve and get 70 wins maybe 75 that's really the ceiling that i'm looking at this year 75 wins

22:35PFT Commenter:and we will do a full baseball preview uh during our um dingers only in july 4th week but this is just our personal team zach what team do you root for if i was going to root for mle baseball team probably had to be the race the race okay do you follow baseball i don't i don't follow them enough to have a baseball preview right to second give us transparency uh you know ever since the roof

22:57Big Cat:came off after the storm tough look uh like that's that's bad energy for the team but uh they can persevere they can push through feel good about it tampa strong uh hopefully strong

23:10PFT Commenter:enough yeah they were actually frisky down the stretch last year they were flirting with the

23:16Big Cat:playoff spot we got to get past rotation and like we got to we got a round third we got to get there yeah you ever um you ever call them the devil rays by mistake there uh i will say i did i love the old devil rays logo yeah it's so good they wear the throwbacks it's so awesome they start

23:30PFT Commenter:getting into the purples and the teals oh man but i i probably slipped up and said it before yeah post name change yeah by the way i got i got some push because we're talking about old stuff some pushback about the nostalgia take i had on monday because people were like you guys wanted the larry o 'brien trophy on the court yes we did but that was also less nostalgia more like why would they not make the nba finals feel special i did get kind of owned today because someone had a similar nostalgia take and it was just that they missed the like bubble dome uh domes that used to exist like the indianapolis colts won the one in minneapolis and houston no that wasn't bubble like you know the actual like big like looks like marshmallows and i saw it i was like i kind of fucking agree with that you just like i think you just like it because it looked like marshmallows yeah i was like god damn it i just got nostalgia taped it was the tastiest looking roof i'll give you that but it was so funny because it was like someone's like make the final four look like this again and the only difference was it was just the old cult stadium not lucas oil yeah it was just the only difference was a bubble though the nostalgia

24:41Big Cat:the old courts i don't give a shit about the old i don't i really don't i know i don't love the new bracket center court thing yeah i think that you could do that a little bit better um but yeah i don't give a shit about seeing if this game's being also you could tell where

24:53PFT Commenter:no california it's being played because they have the where it's being played on the baseline and at the center court yeah uh either way um memes mats i think they're gonna be better than expected

25:07Big Cat:uh they'll probably start off slow because they have a ton of new guys but I think they're going to be really good Boba Shett?

25:13PFT Commenter:What's really good? All the new additions I guess you should say what's a successful season?

25:19Big Cat:Over 90 wins

25:20PFT Commenter:And playoffs? Yeah, have to make the playoffs NLCS? NLCS But fired up

25:31Big Cat:a ton of new pieces Max? I think Phillies are regressing they'll still make the playoffs as a wild card team, they'll sneak in and then lose in the first round. Yeah. That was awesome. You know what? If we're doing what the expectation is, the ceiling for your team, the ceiling for the Washington Nationals is the Phillies losing the first round of the playoffs. And Bryce Harper goes home sad. You're a loser. You probably were pissed off when Harper hit that home run. Honestly, a little bit, yeah. I fell into my Hank feelings a little bit. Because if we're going to lose the World Baseball Classic, I was really hoping that it was going to be a Bryce Harper strikeout.

26:11Big Cat:It was great. All the Harper haters were out in full form. Whatever. We're not talking about World Baseball Classic. I'm actually the biggest Bryce Harper fan in the world. No, you're not. I am. I love Bryce Harper. When he left D.C. and he said, I can't wait to bring a world championship to Washington, I thought that was the coolest thing that he said. And I was like, oh, no, I'm a Philly. I misspoke. I meant to say Phillies. And then we won a championship, and he didn't. That was awesome. I love him. Max is giving a thumbs up.

26:40PFT Commenter:He's giving a thumbs up. He's not speaking. Hank.

26:46Big Cat:I'm just really excited to watch my favorite player, Garrett Whitlock. Revenge tour. Gave up the game-winning RBI in the World Baseball Classic. I mean, he's been on the team forever. He's going to really prove himself this year and show the haters that he's one of the best relievers in baseball. I don't have expectations, high expectations. Like, I wish we kept Bregman. I like Bregman a lot. Bregman's the man. He's the man. He's the man. Yeah, he's the man. I'm happy he's in Chicago, at least. But I just feel like the Red Sox ownership does not care about winning as much as just, like, being under the whatever luxury tax and saving money.

27:23Big Cat:Yeah. And probably won't make the playoffs.

27:26PFT Commenter:Damn, this was a depressing preview for everyone's teams. I think the Cubs are going to be really fucking good. I think they're the second best team in the NL. so i guess my expectations might be a little too high but i think they're going to be really really good i think they should they should definitely win the nl central and be in the nlcs that would be that would be my ceiling i don't know the dodgers are just still a monster i think the cubs are gonna be really fucking good i was there i went to the game today got my first 50 50 loss out of the way uh was able to see some of the players my kids got to my kids got to take a picture with pca it was pretty awesome um tons of cubs are awl so he just re-signed today right he last night yeah so they signed it it's an interesting deal because he had four years left of control uh we're arbitration years the cubs are it's a i think it's a five-year deal starting next year um i love it because he's a he's the type of guy you should bet on and like he's a centerpiece type of player he obviously still has has like room to grow he'd be the first person to say that but i think he's an awesome player and like superstar potential phillies is a similar

28:39Big Cat:thing yeah yesterday too they had they had christopher sanchez under like a very team friendly deal because they they extended him before he became like christopher sanchez now yeah and they just like basically were like you're getting paid you should be getting paid way more than you are we're going to extend you a couple more years and like really bump up right average

28:59PFT Commenter:south right i mean pca doesn't have to go to arbitration he gets this guaranteed money and the cubs on the other side if pca continues to get better and becomes like an mvp caliber which he was for 70 of the year last year but it's let's say he's an mvp like one or two mvp voter type of guy he's on a like great deal for the cubs so because i think it's like 115 million over five years. So I'm pumped. I'm excited for the cut. And Justin's deal coming back in May is going to be huge.

29:28Big Cat:I think that meme should be more excited about the Mets. Yeah. I also have PFT on my side. I got a DM two years ago. PFT had to put on a future for the 2026 Mets. During our whole episode that we dug, PFT said, we won't get to 2026, so I'll just place a future on the Mets when we get to 2026. Oh, so now I got to bet on the Mets. Yeah. I'll do it right now. You're supposed to bet it back in February. I forgot to bet in February. Is it okay if I bet it now? Yeah. No, it's illegal now. I'm going to put a massive one right now, memes.

30:04PFT Commenter:Shane, you follow a lot of baseball. Were any of these takes – do you agree with these takes?

30:11Big Cat:For the most part, yeah. I think the Mets are super exciting. I disagree with Hank, though. As a Red Sox fan, I'm pretty pumped. They got Ranger Suarez. They got Sonny Gray. that rotation is going to be one of the best in baseball.

30:23PFT Commenter:Sonny Gray has played baseball for a thousand years.

30:25Big Cat:But he's still elite. I know, I know. I think it was just over like a three-year-old last year. Like that rotation is going to be so good.

30:30PFT Commenter:It's just funny because I think I remember Sonny Gray when he was an electric rookie and it was – The athletics. 17 years ago. Yeah, it was like 2012 or something like that. Yeah, I know it wasn't actually 17 years ago, but it feels like that.

30:42Big Cat:And we got a whole season with Roman Anthony now. Pretty pumped for that. And got Wilson Contreras, Caleb Durbin. The future is bright, hopefully.

30:50PFT Commenter:Okay. It's a good preview. What? What do you got? It's a great preview.

30:55Big Cat:It's a great preview. Great preview. Memes, you should be more optimistic, though. No, I'm fired up. We just got to see how the team looks with all the new guys. But I am fired up. The Mets also did lose a lot of guys. They did. They did. Boba Shett's a great throw, though. Alonzo on the Orioles. And Diaz. Orioles might be good this year. Orioles should be good. Also, I forgot to mention.

31:15PFT Commenter:Let's not dip too far into an MLB preview. No. You saying that Orioles comment was dangerous.

31:20Big Cat:Yeah. Okay, but I've got one more thing. This is actually really in-depth. Could change everything I just said about the Nats. Okay. We finally got an expensive pitching machine. Oh. That's the big off-season news. Like, yeah, hey, congrats on getting Bo Bichette memes. We got a new pitching machine.

31:38PFT Commenter:That reminds me, bad news for the pitching machine we want to buy in the office. Because I found out today, because I think what you're talking about, the Cubs have multiple of these.

31:49Big Cat:Most teams do. Yeah.

31:51PFT Commenter:And I asked about it. It's you have to pay a yearly yearly fee like for the technology.

31:59Big Cat:Yeah, that's we do that in ice cream money.

32:02PFT Commenter:$75 ,000 a year.

32:04Big Cat:Is that I mean, we're spent a lot of money. What's our ice cream budget? Well, it sounds like we don't touch us out of the ice cream machine now. No, I'm just saying Max gets on the needle and all of a sudden he's taking away the entire office. We don't spend 75 can ice cream a year, though. What are we spending on ice cream a week? You were in. We usually do two cases a week of each flavor.

32:24PFT Commenter:And what is the price?

32:26Big Cat:That's probably about$150. Oh, that's nothing. Toppings? Topping selection. That comes out of Mincy. And Mincy pays for that. It's his paycheck, yeah. Mincy's a topping specialist. And quite a few topping companies out there are gracious enough to be like, hey, try these toppings out. So we've got some donated toppings as well. All right. Good plug. And if you're a toppings company and you want to.

32:47PFT Commenter:If you want to top us off, hit us up. Give me some top. Zach, this would be a good time to talk to you about your tweet from last night. Did this happen to you guys too? No, because we can track how long a flight is.

33:01Big Cat:We may have been dancing between a couple of lines, though.

33:06PFT Commenter:I did the same thing. Read the tweet. Zach, your tweet was, I thought we were 10 minutes from landing three different times on this flight. We got to do something about time zones.

33:15Big Cat:It was so confusing. I don't know if he was dipping in and out of different zones, but it just felt like it kept saying 7-10 arrival. And for two and a half hours of the flight, I'd looked down on my phone and I was like, it's almost 7 to get to 7-10. And it just never was. There was a world where we were just going to be in the air forever. I didn't see an end to this flight coming anytime soon.

33:38PFT Commenter:But Zach, the flight time is like three and a half hours. Also, sneaky big flight. Didn't know it was three and a half.

33:44Big Cat:Yeah, we're kind of all the way out there. USA, pretty big. But what if you dozed off? I've done that before. On a flight? Yeah, you fall asleep, and then you wake up, you check the time, and you're like, oh, we're about to land, and then you're like, oh, wait. Here's what I'm confused about.

33:58PFT Commenter:Like an hour into the flight, you'd switch the times of, were you like, oh, we're about to land?

34:02Big Cat:I think we switched to, like, I don't know. If it was on airplane mode, it might not have switched. I don't know. Well, there was a small nap in flight. I don't know how long or what time. But also, I'm not quite sure we switch that like an hour in. I think we might have switched. If we switch an hour in, we also switch like two and a half hours in because the clock jumped.

34:21PFT Commenter:Well, yeah. Mountain time, West Coast time. You went two time zones.

34:30Big Cat:Start central, go to mountain, end up West Coast. That's how it works. Arizona, because you go, it's start central, go to mountain, go to Arizona, because Arizona doesn't do daylight savings. So there is a third switch. There is a third switch.

34:43PFT Commenter:No. Arizona's just Pacific time, though.

34:47Big Cat:No, it's not.

34:49PFT Commenter:We had this debate. Right now, it's Pacific time.

34:51Big Cat:Right now, it's Pacific time. Yeah, yeah. But it's not going. We're not in the Western time zone. We are in Central time zone, just Arizona. Oh, no, there is a Mountain time zone. Yes.

35:01PFT Commenter:What? Right? We're in Pacific time right now.

35:08Big Cat:We had this conversation in football season. I think it was like the Houston Texans record against West Coast teams. And imagine having this kind of confusion at that kind of elevation. Yes. Yeah. I don't know, man.

35:20PFT Commenter:We're in the Pacific time zone right now, Max. Correct. But hold on. I need to look at it on a map. Talia has got to be so. She's hitting that 15-second fast-forward button right now for sure.

35:33Big Cat:Yes. Arizona is central. Look. It's not something central. Arizona is mountain time. Right. But because they don't do daylight savings, it becomes Pacific time.

35:48PFT Commenter:Right, we're in Pacific time. So that means there is no mountain time. I was right.

35:53Big Cat:But what I said was correct. I understand, but we're Pacific time right now. And then you switch into Arizona. But Arizona is not like. I have a question that might. I don't understand what you're not fucking getting. Here, I have a question that can help explain. I think I understand where Max is coming from. Right now, the people from the iHeart Podcast Awards are sending a letter to our lawyers. Can we get that back? Is there? No, no. Let me ask a question. Calm down. Calm down. It's so bad.

36:21PFT Commenter:I understand that, but I'm just saying, yes, but we're in Pacific time.

36:27Big Cat:Right, but we're two hours back right now.

36:28PFT Commenter:Yeah, we're in Pacific time. You keep saying that we go to Arizona. I get the part that we land in Arizona, but it is Pacific time right now.

36:39Big Cat:Is there a time zone? This is the deodorant all over again. We're two hours. We're two hours. We're in Arizona. We are currently two hours back from when we live in Chicago.

36:53PFT Commenter:A.K.A. Pacific time zone.

36:54Big Cat:Is there a place we could go right now that is one hour back?

36:57PFT Commenter:Yeah. If we just go east anywhere east, right?

37:04Big Cat:Mountain. So we could go both ways for an hour. We were talking about crossing across, going across time zone lines in America. We have not gone across the Pacific time zone line in America. Right.

37:18PFT Commenter:But we're in the Pacific time zone. Correct. Because you went into Arizona, which is what I said. Right. So he went to time zones. Yes. But it was like.

37:27Big Cat:But we flew three time changes. Correct. Yes. But it's because of Arizona. I think Zach's point is proven. Time changes. So thoughts on universal time. What do we think? Yeah, let's do it. Let's do it. We need to get like China. China has one time zone. Whatever Big Ben says it is, that's what it is. Yeah, man. We'll figure it out. No, we won't. We won't. No, we won't. No, we're just hopeless.

37:53PFT Commenter:One of our biggest struggles on this podcast is forever a foe. Time zones.

37:58Big Cat:Remember when we used to? It goes back to year one. It goes back to that sick fuck. I've given up on time zones. I'll never beat him but why does it feel like the more we work through this we're getting further away from knowing what time it's going to be at least me personally we get angry it just fucks us up time makes us angry I'm still really fucking angry

38:18PFT Commenter:which is crazy I'm right I know but I am too me too we're all right I get what you're saying

38:29Big Cat:we're still in the mountain time zone

38:30PFT Commenter:no we're in Pacific time zone

38:32Big Cat:in America we're in the mountain time zone But we're practicing Pacific time Correct but in America We're in the mountain time zone It's just that Arizona doesn't do daylight saving We're not in the mountain time zone We're in the Pacific time zone right now We're literally in the Pacific time zone Look at any map of American time zones But they don't We're Pacific time You're a slave to the map We're Pacific time right now Listen dude Hey Max Rand McNally's not gonna fuck you bro I don't know who Rand McNally is

39:03PFT Commenter:Clearly. What's our sound guy thinking right now? What are you thinking? Are you thinking this is the dumbest thing you've ever listened to? What was your name again? I'm sorry. Adam. Adam. What are you thinking right now? I understand the confusion, but we just don't believe in changing time. What time zone are we in? We're in a mountain standard time. Yes! But currently we align with Pacific time, but then we don't change. Right. And we have to compensate for all of you that change. Right. Point max. Point max. But still, we're in Pacific time right now. Yeah.

39:44Big Cat:But we're in Pacific time. It's the same time as Pacific time. Right. Yes, it's the same time as that.

39:48PFT Commenter:I will agree with that. It's the same time. You should have just said that from the start. Yeah. Why did you say that?

39:53Big Cat:That's basically what I said.

39:54PFT Commenter:No, it's not. You said we landed in Arizona.

39:58Big Cat:So we're in mountain acknowledging Pacific. correct yeah so currently practicing pacific in mountain yes yes yeah we're mountain time zone dressed up as a pacific time zone it's no it's mountain time we're presenting yeah yeah we're

40:12PFT Commenter:presenting a specific time zone and we we respect arizona's right to choose which time course it wants to be all right we nailed it what oh no you had no it wasn't that wasn't going to go anywhere okay anything else before do hot seat cool throne he was I feel like he was about to attack me no he got very angry I think the problem is I started crying laughing which is never good that's like a trigger for it's like a bull seeing red I don't like that I don't like that I couldn't help myself I wanted you to see the map it's the heat when you get when you're like have a long day in the heat you go 0 to 60 so fast everyone gets a little tired i go 060 so fast yeah that's true um okay yeah either way i don't think we're gonna be able to get one of these uh uh pitching machines yeah yeah they're all

41:07Big Cat:spoken for a different pitching machine though my my favorite part of that story with the gnats was like we are finally at the level where we will spend money on a pitching machine and it's not for the batters the first thing we did was we had the pitchers step into the cage against the pitching machines so that our GM could show them their own stuff. What? So that they could feel good about, oh, shit, I'm nasty. I'm a nasty pitcher. Look how good my stuff is. Okay. Which seems like the saddest way to start a season. Yes. It's like you're good enough, pal. Absolutely. Damn. Yeah. Again, not great.

41:41Big Cat:Things aren't great in our nation's capital. No. Okay.

41:44PFT Commenter:Let's do Hot Seed Cool Throne.

41:46Big Cat:Hey, it's Hannah Montoya. Abercrombie's new summer drop is our latest obsession. There's tons of colorful swim, flowy dresses, and they just released new linen blend matching sets. Everything feels so light and breathable. It's perfect for brunch or rooftop happy hours. Just like you're on vacation. Shop Abercrombie in the app, online, and in stores.

42:05PFT Commenter:Were you going to protect me when Max came at me like that? Yeah, he was never. He's Italian. That's what they do. I'm making your partner. I just wanted to show you.

42:17PFT Commenter:You just said you're all barked, no bite.

42:20Big Cat:He is. One thing about Max. Imagine if Max just started beating my ass over time zones.

42:28PFT Commenter:He just started fucking wailing on me and everyone would be like, stop, dude, what are you doing?

42:32Big Cat:We are back in the origin place of the thing. Yeah, that's true.

42:36PFT Commenter:Arizona is a trigger for you as a state, as a place.

42:40Big Cat:I would have beat the fuck out of Hank. I would beat the fuck out of Hank. One thing about you. All right. Anyway, transitioning. Let's move on from that. My hot seat's the Philadelphia 76ers.

42:56Big Cat:they had a tribute video for jared mccain what who they traded away mere months ago are you talking

43:04PFT Commenter:about jeremy they drafted one year ago rookie of the year for three months who came back and seemed

43:11Big Cat:like he was maybe the most philadelphia loved philadelphia 76 of all time like more than ai Like the reception that he received was, it was heartwarming. Yeah. I mean, he's playing great. I mean, it's so demoralizing. Philadelphia can't exist. We get in trouble for cheering to, we get in trouble for booing all of our players, and now we're getting in trouble for cheering for players. I did not put the 76ers fans on my hot seat. No, you didn't. I put the organization. Organization.

43:40PFT Commenter:Oh, yeah, no. That's crazy to have a fair comeback video for that.

43:45Big Cat:Yeah. Trade him in the first place. Didn't make sense. And then to be like, yeah, let's honor this guy. How long was the video? They fucked up. They fucked up. It's like a 10-minute video. It's a 10-minute video? It was not a 10-minute video. Did he have 10 minutes for the highlights with the Sixers? Yeah.

44:03PFT Commenter:Before he got hurt? They did a 10-minute video for a guy. It was not 10 minutes. We are in a different time zone right now, so you don't know that. We got to stop talking about time.

44:13Big Cat:Okay. Max, why? Why would the front office do that? Why would you do that? It feels like it's like it's just admitting that they're wrong to trade him. Why would you do that? I don't make these decisions. I'm not even on camera for this episode. Can you guys not just stop talking to me? Max, I have a question. I have a question. Max. The video is just going to look like you guys just yelling off camera the entire time. Max, I have a question. Who set up the cameras? I don't sit. When we go on the road, I don't sit on the camera. I'm not on the camera. Why would you do that? I don't think it's a chicken.

44:50Big Cat:I don't know. I also, I like Jerry McCain. I'm happy that Jerry McCain got a warm welcome. Me too. I wish he was still a Sixers. Max, could you see Howie doing something like this? Probably not. Definitely not. Why don't you have the same anger? You don't get as riled up about that. It's almost like you expect the Sixers to screw up. Yeah, the Sixers are I want the Sixers season to end That's where I'm at You sound like a supervillain I want to be done with this season with the Sixers

45:23PFT Commenter:You sound like what the guy from Taken I'm going to end the Sixers season We're in fucking playing bullshit Playing's the worst Worst place to be in Absolute worst

45:36Big Cat:Max, didn't Jerry McCain drop a diss track on the Sixers After they traded him? Oh really? He did a... Wow. He's so cool. No matter what, Zach just goes back to Twitch streams. Jerry McCain went on a Twitch stream one time and said one line about the Sixers. And was it mean? I just felt like a diss track was worth noting. Was it on a Twitch stream? That's a fair point. Was it a live rap? Was it a live verse? Yes. That just speaks to his talent as a musician. Yes. Less so the platform. He said a line about the Sixers on a Twitch stream. What was the line? I don't remember.

46:12PFT Commenter:I don't think there's ever something that you can't be like, this person said this on a Twitch stream and have it be something good. No, there have been like, hey, this person said something on a Twitch stream. Like, oh shit, I got to go check it out. They probably said something really nice about me. No, that's where you drop your disses.

46:27Big Cat:Oh, I've got the official lyric here. So it was during a Twitch live stream, McCain danced along to a new track from Plackboy Max, which contains the lyric, We better not run into Philly Because if we do Shit gonna get sticky So that's a Plaque Boy Max And that's the guy Shocker The Thunder would beat the Sixers If they run into each other And that's the guy you

46:50PFT Commenter:Shit gonna get sticky That's the guy you made a 10 minute video for Damn Good hot seat Great hot seat

46:59Big Cat:My cool throwing is cannolis Oh Favorite Italian dessert Yeah I'm just kidding My cool throwing is Tiger Woods

47:08PFT Commenter:I like it.

47:09Big Cat:I like tiramisu.

47:10PFT Commenter:Oh, I mean, dude, let's just throw this out there because I want to know what the AWLs think. Would they be interested in us doing a tiramisu crawl this summer where we go? We try tiramisu at seven or eight different restaurants in a row. Our guy Shane wants to do this.

47:28Big Cat:We don't have any meals whatsoever in between. Yeah. Just one tiramisu after the other.

47:32PFT Commenter:We could use Vanny.

47:33Big Cat:We could use Vanny for it.

47:35PFT Commenter:Yeah. Go stop to stop. Would people be in on the tiramisu crawl video of that? Sound off in the comments.

47:43Big Cat:I feel like this is going to be like a that's baseball thing. There's got to be so many tiramisu crawls out there.

47:48PFT Commenter:Oh, yeah, for sure. There's going to be like a tiramisu fest that we just missed.

47:52Big Cat:They're going to be like mad that we are just jacking their idea.

47:55PFT Commenter:That's baseball.

47:56Big Cat:Yeah.

47:57PFT Commenter:And also porn. Yeah.

48:01PFT Commenter:I love those guys. I actually checked in with them because we're in Scottsdale. Out of respect, I texted them. I was like, hey, just, you know, I'm on your turf. That's a respectful move, right? Big time. You don't want to run into someone, like, randomly on the street, and then, like, their crew comes up on you.

48:16Big Cat:Yeah, someone calls them, like, yo, you see cats here?

48:19PFT Commenter:Yeah, right, exactly.

48:21Big Cat:My cool throne, other cool throne with Tiger Woods, kind of hot seat. We were talking, they were, he played in the TGL finals. We were talking about sad banners the other day or funny banners, and I was hoping that Max's team would win the finals so we could hang up a TGL banner. A Jupiter. Oh, it would have been sick. TGL banner, but they lost. That's the thing about Jupiter. Unlike Saturn, no rings.

48:46PFT Commenter:Yeah. Right? Facts. Drops from Jupiter.

48:50Big Cat:That's a good, that's a banger. Tell me. That's a banger of a song.

48:53PFT Commenter:Such a good song.

48:53Big Cat:So wait, did Tiger play? Tiger played.

48:55PFT Commenter:And they got killed? Why did he come? So wait, they got to the final without Tiger, and then he was like, oh, I got to play?

49:02Big Cat:Well, they lost the first round of the final. Right.

49:05PFT Commenter:But they got they went all the way to the final. Right. How many rounds of that is a lot? A lot without Tiger. And then they get to the final, the final final. And Tiger's like, well, they need me now. And I haven't played in forever.

49:20Big Cat:They just geared up for the Masters. It was like, let me get some some selfish.

49:24PFT Commenter:I hope Tiger realizes he costs the Jupiter. What are they called?

49:29Big Cat:Jupiter GC links or something.

49:32PFT Commenter:Jupiter links a championship. All the Jupiter links fans out there that have been dying for a championship. Is this how many seasons?

49:40Big Cat:Two. And who's on two? Who's on Jupiter? Did Jupiter win last year? Max Homer. They did not win last year.

49:46PFT Commenter:Okay. So yeah, the curse continues.

49:48Big Cat:Yeah.

49:49PFT Commenter:I actually will say right now, Jupiter is never going to win one.

49:52Big Cat:Tom Kim, our coworker, Kevin Kisner, Akshay is on there. They kind of have a, you know.

49:57PFT Commenter:And Max? So they got a super team.

49:59Big Cat:Max is the anchor. Max is the guy. I'm going to say right now. He's there every week.

50:01PFT Commenter:I don't want to speak on behalf of Max, but as representative of Max Homo, we're going to demand a trade. We have to get off Jupiter. This is bullshit. We have to get off Jupiter. It's crazy.

50:12Big Cat:Can't win with that. It's crazy that we got Tiger Woods and we can't win. Yeah. They should rig it for Tiger Woods. If this was Liv, they would rig it for Tiger. Whose spot did he take? Kisner. And was Kisner playing well? No. I mean, they lost the night before. Okay. Kisner kind of retired from competitive ball. He just does four-point now.

50:34PFT Commenter:Right. I knew that, but okay. Yeah, Tiger got killed. And Kisner was saying. I actually don't even know if Tiger got killed. I don't know how to follow this score sheet. He missed like a three. He missed a bad putt.

50:46Big Cat:He did?

50:47PFT Commenter:Yeah.

50:48Big Cat:I'm a Motor City golf club man myself. Is that a golf club? I think that's the new team that doesn't have players yet. How many teams are there? Brooks. They got to be holding that spot for Brooks, right? Yeah, maybe. They got LA, New York, Jupiter, Boston. The Bay. The Bay. Boston Common. Probably six. Okay. Atlanta Drive. Atlanta Drive. They were last year's champions. Who could forget? Yeah.

51:17PFT Commenter:Didn't they went to Magic City? Probably.

51:19Big Cat:So we got six teams, and then Motor City looks like it's still to come.

51:25PFT Commenter:Motor City's an expansion team?

51:27Big Cat:But my bet would be that Brooks might be on that team.

51:30PFT Commenter:This is like a fever dream that you guys are talking about right now. I feel like video games have become reality.

51:35Big Cat:So the only time I've ever watched this is when Max Homa celebrated after a fake hole-in-one. I saw that clip. Teammate got it. What? Fake hole-in-one. It was a fake hole-in-one. Did he get a hole-in-one? It was a hole-in-one that his teammate got, and then he jacked up his teammate in celebration. But what's the fake part?

51:56PFT Commenter:Well, there's no hole. But they got a hole-in-one.

52:00Big Cat:On a screen.

52:01PFT Commenter:Are you saying Jersey Jerry's hole-in-one was a fake hole-in-one?

52:03Big Cat:No, it's real, but there's no hole. So Jerry's was fake. Well, yeah. That's fair. Damn. That's fair. But it still rocks. Yeah. And also, if a professional gets a hole-in-one on a simulator, you should not celebrate. Yeah. That's an act like you've been there before.

52:20PFT Commenter:But it sounds like they're on the hunt for a championship. But it also sounds like Jupiter has a team full of not professionals. professionals kisner and tiger woods yeah it's true so what are we talking about they shouldn't celebrate that's true i hate this episode talia's unsubscribed this is the boys are on spring break spring break rocks all right we're getting a little loose with it good hot seat cool throne hank good hot seat cool throne great job uh my hot seat is

52:50Big Cat:short kings so baseball is converting to the abs system and they're having to measure all the players to see what their strike zone is and through the official measurements that the players are doing we've seen that there are a few guys that have taken some liberties with their listed heights in the programs ah smart uh including bo nailer who i'm a boy i'm a bo nailer fan he was listed at six feet okay he's five nine he's five nine i'm five nine I've never once ever claimed to be 6 feet tall I'm listed at 5 '9 I've never once thought about being that's a big difference 5 '9 to 6 feet your guy Bregman would it be like 5 '6 to 5 '9 I'm not well first of all I'm not 5 '6 I am 5 '8 and I say that I'm 5 '9 that's like me saying I'm 5 '11 that's a big difference um Bregman was listed at six feet he's actually 5 '10 yeah but that's just like he wanted to be six feet um Connor Wong was six foot one he's actually 5 '10 and Gavin Lux went from 6 '2 to 5 '11 so there's reverse yeah or no 6 '2 to 5 '11 so he's shorter yeah yeah he's 5 '11 he was listed that six oh god so like across the league there's guys that are crossing the six foot line that have just been lying about it the whole time right that's fair you gotta do that yeah you have to try would you ever do that absolutely yeah i'm probably like five eleven i mean i'm six feet but i think i'm probably like five eleven and a half yeah five ten or above your no you're six feet

54:41PFT Commenter:yeah well in spikes that's true you gotta remember spikes yeah if they were wearing the cleats yeah All I'm saying is six feet to five, not as crazy. No, that is nuts. Yeah, I think five, ten and a half, and you're okay with spikes.

54:52Big Cat:Yeah. My other hot seat is Tom Brady. Tom Brady issued an apology yesterday. Two? He's actually issued a couple apologies for this. Did you hear the Tim McCarver story?

55:05PFT Commenter:No.

55:06Big Cat:So you're not subscribed to Tom Brady's newsletter that he emails to you?

55:10PFT Commenter:He has a newsletter?

55:11Big Cat:Tom Brady's got a newsletter that he puts out.

55:13PFT Commenter:Are you subscribed? no but i knew about it yeah yeah are you shocked that pft subscribed he's not subscribed oh i'm not subscribed but he uh he recently i think like two weeks ago um it pinned a touching tribute

55:29Big Cat:to the recently deceased tim mccarver and he had in his newsletter in his newsletter and tim mccarver's not dead no tim mccarver huh he floreoed him no tim mccarver died like three years ago oh okay so he got around to it yeah he finally got around to but it was the the touching tribute made it seem like he just passed away just died like last week okay but i guess better it's different for different people man that's true that's that's a fair point hank he just had delayed onset grief i you know what with tom brady i could actually see that like anything that happened during his playing career he never processed any of it yeah outside of football yeah like tom brady probably never processed 9-11 yeah Yeah.

56:10Big Cat:He didn't. He was such a psycho. All he cared about was football.

56:12PFT Commenter:He probably found out about it like two years ago.

56:14Big Cat:Yeah. So this is actually, that would be the spin zone I would go with if I was Tom Brady. And then my cool throne. Does it matter? He was still back up when that happened? Well, yeah. And then after the game, the next game got delayed by a week. And then after that, that's when Drew Bledsoe got his spleen knocked out. So like without Osama Bin Laden, there would be no Tom Brady maybe. Yeah. Good point. You ever think about that? Shut up.

56:43PFT Commenter:what shout out you shout out sama did you just shout out sama no shout out he should have tom brady he should have who that's gonna have to be a quote i think you just shouted out sama i

56:57Big Cat:denies and shout out yeah shout out to who brady tv yeah love you brady's got he's got all the jokes recently he's cracking wise all right it's fun to see the the lighter side of tom yeah making in front of jayden daniel's mom tom brady's never done anything weird with his kids that makes them feel like they're too close if jayden's mom did to jayden what tom brady did to his son everybody would talk about it it's true it'd be a national news story it's true okay anyways um my cool throne is uh luis suarez oh the old soccer player that has a biting problem yeah um because I think there's a new mouth on the block.

57:39Big Cat:Dapuka. Dapuka. Puka Nakua has been, what's the word I'm looking for? Accused. Accused by a young lady that he bit her thumb and her shoulder, and she filed some sort of a legal filing, and it shows the picture of a bite pattern that allegedly belongs to Puka Nakua. and um puka has hired an attorney who dismissed the conduct as horseplay but admitted that the bite occurred oh they said that yes it left a temporary mark so this is not a good lawyer my problem is is puka naku has hired the worst lawyer in america to defend him against the biting allegations you don't want your lawyer should never step in front of a camera and say yes he He did the shit, but in his defense, it's kind of horseplay.

58:30Big Cat:Like, boys will be boys.

58:32PFT Commenter:Yeah. You need a lawyer that's just going to be like, he didn't do shit.

58:35Big Cat:Next question.

58:36PFT Commenter:Yeah.

58:37Big Cat:Drew Rosenhaus would never do this. So just keep an eye on Puka.

58:43PFT Commenter:Yeah. Keep an eye on Puka. That was a weird story. He feels like weird shit.

58:46Big Cat:Things have gotten weird with Puka in the last calendar year.

58:49PFT Commenter:He's starting to get into that zone of like, I guess we need one of those wide receivers. Like, there's just going to be a story that pops up. And you're like, yeah, that makes sense. Yeah.

58:57Big Cat:I believe any on Twitch stream and bit someone.

59:00PFT Commenter:Yeah. Oh, okay. Yeah. That makes perfect sense. To Puka. To Puka. To Puka. That's what he does. All right. My hot seat is all of us because I got a tweet that's been in my head for like four days. You guys see this? The dream job or not. Maybe it's not a dream job, but this is from William Galloway. He said, had dinner at a local establishment last night and was informed that someone on staff was the designated TV reporter. remote guy to switch between games no bartending no waiting tables just ball 10 out of 10 job 100 tip that's the best job ever right a lot of stress a lot of stress but also like not even someone asked you like where like where's the bathroom you're like no dude i'm ball yeah you

59:44Big Cat:got ball it's it's um it's a great job you got to get it right though but you know this guy does

59:50PFT Commenter:yes zero you don't do this job without immense pride in this job i've actually i've always been

59:54Big Cat:shocked at how frequently i'll be at a bar and and uh either yeah usually the bartender will have no idea how to change the channel yeah like that's if i was a bartender i would that's the first thing i would do right like day one i'd be like give me all the remotes you got but the fact that this guy

1:00:09PFT Commenter:doesn't do any you know everyone else like in the back of the kitchen probably hates him too because he just shows up to work and he's like another hard day of just hitting the back button

1:00:20Big Cat:You also have to have conviction in your beliefs because if that's your full-time job, you're going to get dragged in 100 different directions by different tables. And you have to be firm and be like, this is a better game. This one stays on.

1:00:36PFT Commenter:Yes.

1:00:37Big Cat:My cool throw knife too.

1:00:38PFT Commenter:One is everyone should go buy the part of my take book on Barnes & Noble.

1:00:43Big Cat:Yes. Yes. Barnes & Noble. Yeah. Barnes & Noble going to be a – I think they're doing a discount on there right now. Yes. On Barnes & Noble. So if you buy it on Barnes and Noble, you will save some money.

1:00:53PFT Commenter:Also, selfishly, like we've been told that if we can spread out where it gets bought, we have a better chance of being a New York Times bestseller. And I also think that that's something that all AWL should strive for, too, because then when someone makes fun of you listening to this podcast, Talia, you can be like, well, actually, they're New York Times bestsellers.

1:01:13Big Cat:So it's a preorder sale right now for rewards members starting. Yesterday, so March 24th through Thursday, March 26th, you get 25 % off when you pre-order the book, 35 % off for premium members, and that includes the e-book and the audio book as well. And use code PREORDER25. Love it. That's code PREORDER25. You get 25 % off when you pre-order, and you get 35 % off if you're a premium Barnes & Noble member. No offense to our entire audience. What percentage of them are premium Barnes & Nobles?

1:01:52Big Cat:zero it's not it's there's at least one there's got to be one show yourself one percent i feel it feels ambitious yeah yeah wait i'd say it's gotta be at least two i would like to get no two percent is high i'm

1:02:12PFT Commenter:i think it's so low i like i would be i'm considering being like let's invite all the premium barnes and noble people to the office we will be like

1:02:24Big Cat:we'll have to buy two large pizzas we're good yeah you know what uh tag memes if you are a barnes and noble premium customer first one i i brought a hank doll with me first one gets yeah

1:02:38PFT Commenter:first one gets the hank doll love that um and then my cool throw is getting horny at press conferences because we had two instances of this. Hell yeah. First one, kind of bet, like, dude, you got to have better timing, better place, everything. The Michigan defensive coordinator flirted with one of the female reporters during a press conference saying the reporter was the best looking one in the bunch. Okay. This is from the school that brought you Sharon Moore with saying he's going to kill himself with a butter knife.

1:03:10Big Cat:You've got to rank them. Yeah. That's day one. You've got to rank them.

1:03:13PFT Commenter:final tweet yeah and then uh our guy brian hudson who just uh got the job at providence the shock who is we like him uh he said he classic line he said if you ever want to question my recruiting abilities just look at my wife jordan that's a good line great that's a good line and

1:03:32Big Cat:also let's just say he can back it up it's also him being like i don't deserve this yeah so he's like kind of he's putting himself down a little bit it's about dudes are allowed to be horny about

1:03:43PFT Commenter:their wives have you seen a picture of them what's her name jordan and uh brian hodgson um there's

1:03:51Big Cat:only one jordan h in uh college coaching for me and i think he's okay with us saying this but he's

1:03:57PFT Commenter:right he's right 100 correct he's 100 correct it might be the most correct this has ever been

1:04:05Big Cat:Okay, I'm looking at this guy right here. This guy's... Look, that's very correct. Oh, yeah. Hey, hey, nice work.

1:04:12PFT Commenter:Very correct. Not saying he's a bad-looking guy, but yeah.

1:04:16Big Cat:He's a good recruiter. No, Brian, you're right. Yeah. Good recruiter. Respectfully. What are you going to say? I also agree with him. Like, that does help for... Oh, yeah, yeah. If you can prove that you can recruit well there, you can recruit well in basketball as well. Brian, respectfully, I knock it out of the park.

1:04:33PFT Commenter:Hank, what are you saying? I don't know that it proves anything that Max was saying, but I agree. Why not? Guy's got a hot wife.

1:04:43Big Cat:That carries. You want to go play for him?

1:04:45PFT Commenter:Yeah. No. Yeah, get closer to his wife.

1:04:49Big Cat:But he convinced his wife that he was worth spending time with.

1:04:54PFT Commenter:It's so weird to be like, he convinced her.

1:04:57Big Cat:No, let's be honest. There is an element of trickery involved.

1:05:00PFT Commenter:Yeah. He definitely did. Maybe not convince is the right word. No trick. No, he definitely pulled a quarter out behind his ear. He did a little got your nose and then boom, got married. He fooled her. What he did was he was like, he's like, hey, I know you're not blown away right now, but

1:05:20Big Cat:just hang on. Here's my bank account.

1:05:22PFT Commenter:Yeah, we're going to be good. Yeah. I can really coach ball. Don't worry. I got this. Trust me. I get better. You're going to love me. So off the rails.

1:05:33Big Cat:Give me just a month of your time and you will love me. Hear me out.

1:05:37PFT Commenter:Hear me out for the next seven years. No, respect him. Yeah. No, he's a good coach. An awesome story. Like, the rise he's had. He was Nate Oates' assistant four or five years ago. Then Arkansas State. Then South Florida. Now Providence. Providence deserves a good coach. Kim English. Are you nervous about him, Max? He's a good coach The Shock Every coach in the Big East is a good coach Well, not Kim English I like what I want the Big East to be great Doug McDermott

1:06:13Big Cat:I want I know Gone But they had a coach in waiting for Although coach in waiting Not good Not good Not all the time Yeah True Not all the time

1:06:26PFT Commenter:Coach in waiting is a hard thing to pull off Yeah We just saw Hubert That's what I was just referring to All right, Zach, Hot Seat Goulteron.

1:06:35Big Cat:My Hot Seat this week is going to be MLB Ballparks. Have you guys seen the most Mickey Mouse 999 challenge bundles being debuted across America? It's become too corporate. It started last year a little bit where they're like, we'll do the 999, but it's like fun-sized. Those hot dogs are like what they're talking about.

1:06:54PFT Commenter:They're nerfing guys like Deutsch. Yeah.

1:06:56Big Cat:It's a disservice to guys who came before this commercialized challenge that did put in the work.

1:07:00PFT Commenter:It's stolen valor is what it is. Do you know that Deutsch did the 999 challenge last summer in three innings? So it was 993. That's pretty impressive. It's insane. I'm going to go one further with you. He did it before a case race. Correct.

1:07:15Big Cat:I'm going to tell you another story. Do you know that there's somebody in this room who did a 99 challenge, but instead of baseball, Marvel rival games?

1:07:23PFT Commenter:Who could that be? What is that? What is that challenge?

1:07:29Big Cat:Me and my friends were just playing the game one day, and we were just like, what if you think we could play this game and also drink nine beers and eat nine hot dogs, one for each game? That sounds like fun. It was a great time. We did it in the Xbox party.

1:07:40PFT Commenter:And how many hours did it take?

1:07:42Big Cat:Each game is like 10 minutes, so it was probably like an hour or a half. That's pretty good. We underestimated how much shorter a game of Marvel Rivals is to an inning of baseball. Yeah. Whoa. Yeah. Zach, how much longer is it going to be until you're comfortable enough around us to get drunk? uh we uh i'm i just don't drink very often uh you say that i will say every weekend we had some beers at the airbnb last i see you in that is true in in like instagram stories just whipping it up whooping it up at the club i did go outside recently but that's not like historically a regular thing uh i'm gonna have a beer with you guys anytime we actually did last uh where were

1:08:22PFT Commenter:were you guys there i don't you guys might not have been there pft and hank you might not been there when we went to the cubs rooftop were you with us i was not there that night you weren't there yeah i did he got fucked up he was drinking beers he threw up uh i didn't puke but i did beer at the rooftop dudes were like chug with me zach and he did it multiple times that's the thing

1:08:41Big Cat:people are so kind they come up to me like let's have a beer together and it's like you have to be in on every one of those beers yeah you can't say no no zach it's that's an impossible task No, no, no. Yeah, you have to.

1:08:51PFT Commenter:And if people come up to him and ask, he has to say yes. We're going to. That happened recently.

1:08:57Big Cat:Let's cut that part. All right, my bad. Don't say that. That was a really bad thing for you. Cut, cut, cut. I didn't mean to say it. No, keep that in. No, no. Then just people make them chuck. Cut, cut. I didn't mean to say it.

1:09:09PFT Commenter:Keep it in.

1:09:10Big Cat:I didn't think about the repercussions of saying it. That's correct.

1:09:12PFT Commenter:But no, people should go up and ask if they want to have a drink with you. Have a twisted tea with Zach. I don't know how

1:09:18Big Cat:I don't know What are we doing with this We're keeping it in I hit the microphone Every time he goes outside He doesn't go out The last time I did go out This will just be an excuse for him not to go out

1:09:31PFT Commenter:He can learn how to say no

1:09:33Big Cat:I'll get there for sure Everyone's so nice though

1:09:37PFT Commenter:Keep this in It's just part of this episode We might have to submit to the podcast Hall of Fame For just stupidity Okay. Okay.

1:09:47Big Cat:Please, AWLs, don't do that. Don't do that. Don't do that, Zach.

1:09:49PFT Commenter:And it better be a Twisted T. Our favorite. I would love Twisted T.

1:09:55Big Cat:You know, cool thing. I got two quick ones, if that's okay.

1:09:57PFT Commenter:You, because you're going to get a ton of new friends.

1:10:01Big Cat:We might make a lot more friends. I think everybody here, if we strive to get like 10 more friends this summer, that would be a combined like 70 more friends. 10? I don't know, guys. Apparently, I was seeing a thing the other day. People have way more friends than we first thought. You know what? I think they are social. I thought so, but I don't think that's the case anymore. Everyone in this pocket, try to make a new friend. I'll make one new friend. I'm going to make a new friend this year for you, Zach.

1:10:24PFT Commenter:One new friend.

1:10:25Big Cat:I'll do one as well.

1:10:25PFT Commenter:Okay. Should we all present our new friend after we make them? Maybe in July, we have a new friend show. That would be pretty funny. This show is insane. This show is insane. I like it. I like it. Let's all make one new friend.

1:10:39Big Cat:One new friend. Yeah.

1:10:40PFT Commenter:That would be a very funny episode. He's my buddy. Yeah. Hey, this is my pal. You told me to get a new friend. I got one new friend. Has to be brand new. Can't try to fake us out and be like, oh, I found this new friend. But really, we find out you went to college with him. Brand new.

1:10:56Big Cat:Question. Do they have to be IRL friends? Like, say you get a pen pal. Okay. Yep. All right. IRL. Like, you have to know him in the flesh. Yeah. Fair. Flesh to flesh.

1:11:09PFT Commenter:Shooking hands. Gotcha. Yeah. All right. Everyone's going to bring one new friend. When are we going to do that episode? Sometime in July. After the takeies. After the takeies, we'll do our one new friend episode. And we'll all introduce him and be like, hey, here's our guy. Oh, this is going to be good. I want to try to find a really cool new friend that I don't...

1:11:28Big Cat:Then what if all those guys become friends? That'd be sick. If that happens, then wouldn't we all make 10 friends? Yeah. Then we're now the big friend group. Yeah. Well, yeah. No, we're going to make...

1:11:39PFT Commenter:Every friend we bring is going to be our new friend. So, yeah, we're going to automatically just – we just hacked the system.

1:11:43Big Cat:Because if I make a new friend, chances are pretty good that they would get along with all my friends.

1:11:48PFT Commenter:Right. That is true.

1:11:49Big Cat:Yeah. What a group chat. Okay. And your Cool Throne? Oh, Cool Throne. Two quick ones. First one is going to be Levante David. He announced retirement. Just want to say thank you, Levante David. 14 great seasons. Buccaneer through and through. Yeah. Transcends the game. Hopefully, if – I don't have any say, but future Hall of Famer, Super Bowl contributor. Yeah, that was the quick one, just because I shot a lot of it, man. I hope you could spend more time with the family, people that you love, fruits of your labor.

1:12:18PFT Commenter:Good speech he gave. He got emotional. I mean, 14 years at that position is incredible. It really is.

1:12:26Big Cat:Great human being, even better football player. Okay. And then? Yeah, I can do the other quick one if you want. I got Hannah Montana fans. Did you guys see 20th year anniversary of Hannah Montana? No. No, I didn't. No? I saw it, Zach. I saw it, Zach. Well, I didn't watch it, but I saw things. Yeah, I would like to watch it. Yeah, it looked pretty good. They got musical performances. They got some sit-down interviews. I believe Alice Cooper hosts the entire thing. Miley Cyrus is quoted saying Alice Cooper was a little crazy for being such a huge fan because she said she got some money, moved in right next door, and then was like, Hey, Miley, I didn't know you lived in this neighborhood.

1:13:04Big Cat:Miley Cyrus was like, You interviewed me at home five years ago. You definitely knew I lived in this neighborhood. Chef Donnie was also at that interview.

1:13:10PFT Commenter:Oh, I need a list of every subject we've hit on this show. On this episode specifically.

1:13:17Big Cat:I feel like we've been everywhere. If you're Miley Cyrus and a podcaster is paying that much attention to you, you got to be a little creeped out, don't you? But it's Miley Cyrus, man. It is. Transcends any kind of...

1:13:28PFT Commenter:Everything.

1:13:28Big Cat:I would never.

1:13:30PFT Commenter:Okay. Let's get to our interviews. We got John Fanta, Tom Izzo. PFT, you got a couple ads before we do that. iconic summer moments deserve an iconic drink reach for mountain dew an american original from its beginnings in the foothills of tennessee to your biggest summer yet the refreshing citrus kick of mountain dew is the perfect companion to your american summer adventures enjoy the refreshing citrus kick of mountain dew tasting great since 48 look for mountain dew in stores near you at mountain dew.com that's mountain dew.com

1:14:07Big Cat:And now here's John Fanta.

1:14:11PFT Commenter:Okay, we now welcome on one of our favorite guests, a very, very, very, very, very special guest, very special time. It is the one, the only John Fanta talking college basketball, March Madness, round one and two complete, Johnny. How are we feeling overall? Give us a recap of the first four days of the tournament. Just give us a vibe check. How are we feeling? Well, we're feeling good, Big Cat. And the biggest theme is the Big Ten. Right out of the gates as you wear your Badgers cap. I was thinking of you on Sunday night thinking, why aren't the Badgers one of these six teams that are moving on to the second weekend for Big Cat?

1:14:56Because they were certainly talented enough, but they ran into High Point, who almost ran into Arkansas. saw, but for the Big Ten to have not won a championship in men's college basketball since 2000 and have six of the Sweet 16 is certainly a headliner.

1:15:13PFT Commenter:Yeah. Church bells, Godzilla bells. Ring the bells in San Diego. Ring them all the way to Washington, D.C. Dylan Darling says, I am not going to let St. John's lose on a Sunday. On a Sunday during Lent, we are finding a way to win this game. He drives the lane. He calls his own play, which the name of the play is power. And Rick Pitino has empowered St. John's to be good again off to the Sweet 16. Oh, the East region? Izzo, Pitino, Hurley, Shire. Are you kidding? Krzyzewski. You know that Mike Krzyzewski will be sitting courtside somewhere in our nation's capital. If he can find a ticket, tickets are going for four figures down in our nation's capital.

1:15:58This is going to be massive at Capital One Arena. Cannot wait for it. Illinois and Houston. You've got Illinois who they could go international and win a bar fight at just about anywhere in Europe with Brad Underwood in his tracksuit leading the way. And then you've got Kelvin Sampson. He could win a bar fight anywhere on the planet with his team because they're tough as hell. I cannot wait for that game. I am so excited to see that game. I thought Michigan restored themselves, and they look the part of a team that's going to be very, very difficult to beat. The NCAA's assist king in Braden Smith is alive in this tournament.

1:16:35Are there people out there who are criticizing the big dance for the lack of a Cinderella? Yes, and certainly Texas is not one of those. That being said, the game still delivered several amazing moments. there were a lot of almost before Iowa shocked us all. Nobody had that in their bingo card. The tournament needed that. They needed that. Especially not you. I did not need that. Yeah. And I have apologized to Hawkeye fans and Liam Blutman.

1:17:10Big Cat:Yeah, I saw Liam Blutman's bingo card. He had that on there. Yeah, and you call him an idiot. You call him not a ball-knower. You said, child, please. Yeah. Child, please. I did say that. And you know what, though? I am a man of integrity, unlike some of our colleagues. And I admit I was wrong and apologize for for being wrong. So very sorry. But the tournament still delivers really good moments. And I firmly believe that, you know, we're going to see like the Cinderella. I don't think she's dead forever. I think when she finally comes out of her casket, we'll appreciate it that much more. but we're setting up for really fun action in the second weekend and a couple of games that could just be ridiculous Sunday in the tournament was the best of four days yeah multiple buzzer beaters

1:17:56PFT Commenter:and some moments that made you say whoa yeah yeah no we are our take was that you know we saw it there's obviously um a lot of people are like oh we we missed the 13 through 16s having a shot outside of Friday night maybe. It felt, it was awesome. And yeah, it missed that one pop of like a 14 seed winning a first round game. But other than that, the tournament's been great. And now we have 16 incredible teams, incredible coaches. And it feels like, I know you can say there's a couple teams that maybe it'd be a real, real long shot, but there are some really good teams, really good matchups. It feels like anyone can get to this Final Four.

1:18:39anybody could get to this final four to me like the best player in the tournament right now doesn't play for any of the remaining one seats doesn't even play for any of the remaining two or three seats yep to me the best player in this tournament right now is darius a cup jr yep he is ridiculously gifted and just a total stud and his ability to change a game it's special guys he is i i think we talked about it a few weeks back he could go on a kemba like run he reminds me of that with with with the level he plays so you know here you have john calipari as the underdog again in that in that checkered red and white jacket strolling in later this week to take on arizona and i think he's got as much of a shot as anybody even though his team can struggled defensively at times they got athletes and those athletes play really good ball but you know look you're right we could have we could have uh michigan's defeating title team purdue is playing the best basketball they've played all season any of duke uconn michigan state orst john's could come out of the east region i wouldn't be surprised and we haven't even brought up houston or illinois what i can't believe what i cannot believe is that nebraska and iowa are both in the Sweet 16 and both playing each other for the right to go in the Elite Eight.

1:20:06It's incredible. Out of all the things that you look at, what is the security situation going to be in that building in Houston between those two fan bases? Yeah, it's nuts.

1:20:17PFT Commenter:It's crazy these teams hate each other for football, and they never have been – Nebraska's never been there. Iowa's been a long time. And they look up and they say, oh, man, we have to play each other. I love it, though. It's going to be great because one of those teams is going to the Elite Eight. I like that they're playing each other.

1:20:34Big Cat:I'm glad that it's going to be like that border. It's going to be that clash between two very similar fan bases, and one of them is guaranteed to be in the Elite Eight. Also, PFT, could we have at the first media timeout the score be 3-3? Oh, it'd be perfect, yeah. Can they figure out how to punt? What would the equivalent be of punting in that game? CBS could do something really funny and roll the college football theme music under the first media timeout if it's like 6-3 or 3-3. I honestly think you're missing a huge opportunity to have a half-court ceremony at some point in this game with Kirk Ferentz on one side of the court and all the Nebraska head football coaches during Kirk Ferentz's tenure on the other side.

1:21:20Big Cat:Yeah. I mean, to truly honor that football vibe, there should be multiple shot clock violations, a lot of jump balls in the game. Just like playing – you don't want to commit any turnovers necessarily, but if you can commit a turnover after taking 29 seconds off the clock, not that bad. I want to – yeah. It should be a great game, and they are exciting teams to watch too. Like they – Nebraska especially, I feel like they play a brand of basketball that is – it's different from Iowa and Nebraska football, what do you think of for those schools? And fellas, the Huskers, you're right. Their style is amazing to watch.

1:21:54it comes from different sources too like you know it could be price sanford on a possession but you can shell the coach's son you know the coach's twins are on the team and on their 23rd birthday they they come up big and sam comes up huge with two amazing sequences but more than anything you know who the biggest winners are the first weekend nebraska fans that fan base showed out i haven't seen a first weekend site look like that on tv and sound like that on tv in quite some time. They understood the assignment. And for Iowa, Iowa's a refreshing story. You can't, how could you dislike this? A bunch of D2 guys that went to Drake.

1:22:35They won at Drake. They won a tournament game at Drake. Then they go to the Big Ten, and now they've won two games, and they just took out the reigning national champions, which it's wild to think that since 2007, the defending champion has been unable to make it to the second weekend except for UConn in 2024. That is a crazy note. If you're trying to repeat, it's so damn hard to repeat. Only Dan Hurley has been able to do it, and Dan Hurley is still alive, fellas, and he's facing Tom Izzo.

1:23:04PFT Commenter:Yeah. By the way, the Iowa part, it really is crazy considering how they were going down the stretch in the last month of the season. They did not look good. They were kind of leaking oil as it went down, but they just kept on. I mean, they were still kind of rated high in Ken Palm and net rankings. that team was Ben McCollum's a really good coach and getting to the Sweet 16 after Fran McCaffrey never be able to do that in 15 years being there it's pretty nuts it's it's crazy how this sport works it is and it shows you that you can't just pull out your wallet and pay for a Sweet 16 yeah Iowa Iowa did they don't have the most money in the Big Ten they don't even have I don't even think they have top five or six money in the Big Ten I really don't so they you got to give them a ton of credit on a night where Bennett Sturtz didn't even shoot the ball well.

1:23:57He didn't even have a great game. But Tavion Banks, who started his career at a Juco college, and Alvaro Fogaris, who was at Robert Morris last year. And look, this just shows you can poach people from the portal now. It's nine-month contracts. That's the tough part for the mid-majors and whatnot. But Fogaris, we love a great story. the young man loses his dad when he was nine years of age and he points to the sky when he hits the shot of his life that's the stuff of march it's the stuff that we love and that that empathizes with america and the iowa hawkeyes are moving on and there is a big 10 conference game in the second weekend but yeah you're right big cat like ben mccullum has won everywhere he's gone if you can't get behind this story this is a guy he wasn't handed everything in his life he's only 44.

1:24:50He's won four national championships in Division 2. He was at Northwest Missouri State for 15 years before he gets a look in D1. Think about that. You're winning national championships at D2 and you're turning down jobs, but a lot of guys would have gone to D1 after five years. If he spent 15 in Division 2 and he's only 44, could Ben McCollum be the next coaching star? If he takes Iowa to the second weekend in Year 1, why not? And by the way, I don't know how you guys feel i like that he suits up in the in the love it i love that i love that

1:25:23Big Cat:yes that's a great look so so speaking of that john we have um you know unc might become available never talk about another man's job but it seems like they've kind of soured on the relationship there a little bit uh kansas bill self still make it up his mind but he didn't he didn't seem very committal like if i were to just guess based on how he sounded after that loss and yeah granted he was getting over a tough loss to St. John's, but he didn't sound like a man that was excited to get back to work. We could have some big jobs coming available. Would Ben McCollum be a guy that you have to make him say no?

1:25:58Well, you'd have to make him say no. I think that his mindset will be, Iowa's the high major who gave me a chance and we just went to a Sweet 16. Let's up the pot of resources that we have. Remember, Ben is an Iowa City native, so he is home. So that's something to consider here. But there's no question that he's going to be contacted. I mean, look, if Kansas contacts you about their vacancy, you have to take the call. You have to talk with them. It's one of the best jobs in the sport, and it's the best home court advantage in all the sport. But, you know, to me, he's a name to certainly monitor.

1:26:34A name that I would monitor is Mark Byington, who's done a great job now at Vanderbilt. He did a wonderful job at James Madison. And I think that if I was Carolina or Kansas, he would be one of my first calls. I also think Dan Hurley will get a call. I don't think Dan Hurley is going anywhere. I think he loves being in Connecticut. But, yeah, if you're North Carolina or Kansas and you want to make a splash, you're going to call the guy that's perceived as still the best coach in the sport right now, today. So the cycle is going to be fascinating. I mean, to me, when Carolina loses a 19-point lead to VCU and loses that game, like I instantly just think of Bubba Cunningham and Carolina talk about a a total nightmare of the last 12 months like you won a bunch of press conferences and whatnot you certainly won one with with Bill Belichick but that was about the only thing that you happened to win and now you know you're staring at and having to make another change and that change is a seismic one because Carolina basketball is obviously still king.

1:27:39PFT Commenter:Right. Right. Yeah, that one would be interesting. Have you heard Brad Stevens' name thrown out there? You got to call him and make him say no, right? Yeah, you have to call him and make him say no. Okay, good. I always laugh when these lists first get published because it's like Brad Stevens and Billy Donovan.

1:28:01Big Cat:Yeah. Billy Donovan. Those were the two he said. Yeah, you got to make him say no, Johnny. And like you said, if it's Kansas, if you're Brad Stevens, you have to take the call. Yeah. You got to take the call and then they got to make you say no.

1:28:12PFT Commenter:It sounds like you just set yourself up. Kansas and Brad Stevens, according to you, are at least discussing the potential of a head coaching vacancy. Correct. Yeah. You know, as much as you and I will discuss St. Elmo's cocktail in Indianapolis. Yeah. And maybe we'll end up meeting there and getting some. Yeah. Maybe Brad Stevens will say, I'll take a charter plane down and entertain the discussion. The NBA playoffs don't start for a couple weeks. This is what happens every single cycle, and it's what will happen again. So, yes, you've sent me up here. And, yes, Brad Stevens in North Carolina, by having one discussion with the agent, will they back up the truck?

1:28:58Yeah, of course they will back up the truck. Will it happen? Probably not. You know, keep one eye on Todd Golden. You never know if I think he's happy at Florida, but he's certainly going to have some appeal in this cycle as well.

1:29:14Big Cat:Yeah. I mean, Brad Stevens does have Indiana ties too, so he knows where St. Elmo's is. I think there's going to be a meeting. I think there might be a meeting. Oh, at the Final Four. Yeah, at the Final Four. Just keep your other eye on that. One eye on Todd Golden, the other eye on the basement at St. Elmo's. And then it is about time for that annual discussion of TJ Otzelberger, too. Like, where's he going to go? Yeah, and I've fallen for that one. That's not happening. He is very happy at Iowa State. Cyclone fans will get very angry about this, that we're even entertaining the thought. They get very mad all the time whenever things get – but TJ is happy to be at Iowa State, and I think he will continue forging on now for year six in Ames.

1:30:02He's not going anywhere, but of course his name will be brought up. You get all different kinds of names brought up when things open up. I kind of want just for a day, just to get Big Cat's reaction, I just want there to be like a, you know what I did like over the weekend? Somebody put it out there. I think No Escalators, the UConn fan account, said, you know, if you're Kentucky and you ever moved on from Mark Pope, you'd have to be looking at a guy who was established in the SEC and has won another school like John Calipari.

1:30:33PFT Commenter:Yeah. Yeah, I mean, Cal's won the – he's completely won the breakup. That's not even – it's not even close. Through two years, it's going bad for Kentucky. Can I ask you guys a question? Do you have the – sometimes you have to go back to move forward? I can get it made Do you have like 25 of those Like sitting in a pantry I just have one of our guys make them

1:31:00Big Cat:So yeah I can make one for you No problem If you're thinking Jeff Fisher to Kentucky Then we can get that one out within 15 seconds Yeah but if you want Cal it's going to take a couple hours

1:31:08PFT Commenter:But I got you I'll have it out by the end of the day I mean that's There's just so much there It's If you're in Big Blue Nation right now You're pissed yeah yeah you have to be and when people someone said like over the weekend oh you know um uh well he's he's heading in the right direction right direction they spent 22 million dollars on their roster and they're not one of the last 16 teams in the tournament they almost lost to santa clara that's i'm sorry but when you spend that kind of money that's not right direction also side note from the first weekend side note and i'm going to get you two fired up right now can people learn to take a joke yeah oh weird wait hold on time out time out we should uh time out disclaimer for everyone listening right now kevin willard did attend john fanta's wedding go ahead people need to learn to take a freaking joke

1:32:11he said thank you max there's max how many days away from your big party Oh, yeah. We brought this up.

1:32:20Big Cat:So, yeah, Johnny, we invited Kevin Willard on Max's bachelor party. Can you get that to on? Can you make the call, please? Please? I will make the call. Just let him know.

1:32:30PFT Commenter:All he needs is a flight. We got him for everything. I will make the call. Yeah, we'll try to make that happen. I think you'd have a wonderful time in Las Vegas. Listen, he is a Patino guy. He and Mick Cronin are both guys who work for Patino. So whether their jokes always land or not is a different story. But of course he's not firing his staff. Come on, people. I saw national analysts be like, I don't like this look. I don't like – get a grip. He was kidding. They weren't guarding inbounds plays. They weren't guarding – by the way, Utah State, they gave Arizona a good game. Shout out to the Aggies.

1:33:11Well, Jared Calhoun, he could be going to Cincinnati. I wouldn't be surprised one bit. Take a joke. Willard was kidding. He's not going to fire people. They have families. He's in year one at Villanova. He's never been like that to do that. Learn some humor, America. Learn some humor. I don't know.

1:33:33Big Cat:It seemed pretty serious to me. We threaten to fire our staff all the time, Johnny. Yeah. John. John. Memes has been on a pip for the last four years. That's true. John, I don't know. Speaking of that, John, why don't coaches – how come no teams can inbound the ball anymore? A lot of them do not – I don't know why, but doing a bunch of games throughout the season, it's amazing to me how often this is an issue. Yeah. How many times the inbounds pass goes to the backcourt. It's a football heave just to get into the point guard, and sometimes that pass gets contested. I'm not sure. I mean, obviously I'm not a coach, but what happened to the CYO stack play?

1:34:21Big Cat:Good point, yeah. I was always either the screener. So the stack play, four guys in a single file. One guy juts right and goes to the opposite block. The other guy juts left and goes to the baseline. Sometimes I was that man, and nobody was guarding me, and back in the day could lace that 15-footer home. The third guy, you wanted to have some girth on you. You are turning around, and you are setting a screen for the fourth guy to bulldoze his way down the lane and go up to the rim. I mean, I know it's a tale as old as time, but watching some of these inbounds plays, don't tell me that the bread-and-butter situation won't work.

1:35:01PFT Commenter:Yeah, I agree. It's crazy. We know there's scouting. We know there's video, but that's been around for decades.

1:35:09Big Cat:Yeah, there's some guys, they looked like they had never thrown an inbounds pass before. They were terrified of the moment. Yeah. Yeah. I don't understand. And by the way, that's how Kansas lost to St. John's. Yeah. They couldn't inbound the ball against full court pressure.

1:35:24PFT Commenter:It's March. Yeah. Tennessee was the same way. Tennessee survived, but same way. Kentucky had a million turnovers. it did feel like there was moments where maybe it was just a coaching disadvantage but teams just didn't feel prepared for that moment and we're talking about Hall of Fame coaches we're talking about Rick Barnes and Bill Self Kevin Willard can break a press and he could dance at a wedding too yeah he definitely could and he wants to fire all his staff and it's pretty offensive it's a position of power John that you shouldn't make jokes like that I never would do that. Did you ever feel like he was going to fire all of his groomsmen?

1:36:04Big Cat:Like, everybody better be, if you're in the crowd, be ready for the call-up. You know, it's just, and like a certain colleague of ours, of course, had to tweet as the game went final. Sure, he's got plenty of weddings to attend this summer. Oh, yeah.

1:36:18PFT Commenter:Good one, Leighmore. Good one. That's a nice burn. Hey, question about your Big East, St. John's and UConn, still alive in the same region, which kind of sucks if you ask me. I mean, a third would be cool or a fourth would be cool, but I still – I think the tournament, I don't love rematches. How do you see this going for St. John's UConn? Have you talked to either guy, Patino or Hurley? I think Hurley doesn't have his best UConn team, but he's just such a good coach. And St. John's, not that it's all gravy, but Patino's done everything he said he was going to do when he got to St. John's. Yeah, Hurley is Michael Myers right now In that he's just wired differently And you can't put him down And even though his team did not play well against Furman They played quite well against UCLA So he's the Michael Myers of this tournament And then it's very simple But Rick Pitino is the Al Pacino of this tournament He is driving the hearse From the West Coast to the East Coast And his next potential victim is Duke Duke and John Shire.

1:37:28And look, how do I see this? Teams that consistently shoot the three and shoot it well are the ones that give St. John's issues because you can only defend that so well. And St. John's, they're not a three-point shooting team. Now, Kansas said, we're just going to keep daring you to shoot. And they made enough of them to win the game. But they only scored 67 points. uh they they can give duke problems because size and physicality give duke issues and they're going to be able to slow down cameron boozer i really do feel that way and so then it comes down to will i will isaiah evans will kate and boozer you know foster we don't know about his status uh can damai sar give them some more perimeter shooting damai star is a real x factor for Duke, and he was in the win over TCU.

1:38:17But how do I see it? I see it being a close game because Big Cat and PFT, St. John's on prep with a Hall of Fame coach, they're going to be ready to go. A one-day turnaround for Duke, I'd feel a little bit differently. Having four or five days, they're going to know everything about Duke. They're going to be ready defensively if they make enough shots and they get enough shot making from Joe O'Son Sanity and Jackson, Oziah Sellers, they're going to have a chance. UConn, Michigan state is a boxing match.

1:38:49PFT Commenter:It could, it could be the best game of the, of, of the sweet 16. You have two coaches who just simply refuse to lose. And typically they just don't lose in this tournament. Michigan state is playing as well as anybody right now. Jeremy fears is a beast. They're getting enough shot making from Cohen cars. Now taken off. How about Cohen car? Yeah. He's more than dunker. He's a score. Kohler and Cooper inside to me can Terrace Reed can the big bear can the big bear with his honey bucket for UConn hold up because he's got to go up against Kohler and Cooper and UConn doesn't have anybody behind Reed that can really will themselves physically like Eric Riba's talented but he's not Terrace Reed and he's not Jackson Kohler or Carson Cooper so Reed has to avoid foul trouble and then will Alex Karaban and Braylon Mullins keep making threes if they do It's going to be very difficult for UConn to lose.

1:39:42These are toss-up games, the two of them. D.C. is going to be an event on Friday night. That's not a doubleheader. That is an event.

1:39:50Big Cat:Yeah, agreed. What about Arizona-Arkansas? I can't figure out this game. Both teams have looked really good. Arizona, they struggled a little bit with Utah State. Things got a little dicey, then they pulled away. Actually made some big threes, which we don't really expect from Arizona. And then Arkansas has just played the most entertaining basketball ever. and I love watching Acuff and I hope that he doesn't lose just for the reason that I want to keep watching him in this tournament. But I can't figure out how this matchup plays out. What should I be anticipating in that Sweet 16 game? Well, what you should be anticipating is for Arizona, their ability to get to the rim and make it a game in the mud.

1:40:30They got to make this dirty. They got to make it physical. They got to make it a bit of a football game and say, Arkansas, you're going to play the game on our terms, and we're going to punch you in the face. That's how Arizona has to approach this game. They cannot get into a glamour contest. They can't. Because Arkansas, they've got the king. I'm going to call him right now. I'm going to call him the King Hog. I love it. Darius Acuff Jr. is King Hog. King Hog. King Hog. Woo pig Acuff. I like that. That's how well he is playing right now. And if you try to get into a – let's just get into a three-point shot-making contest, Arizona's still bottom 15 in the country in how much they rely on the three.

1:41:14Now, Arkansas, they're not going to hit 13 of them, but they went 9 of 16 against high point, and Acuff had the 36. To me, for Arizona, Jaden Bradley, his ability to defend is very important in this game. And then, Coa P and Braden Burris have made winning plays all year. They've made winning plays all season long. Who's better, Acuff or Malik Thomas and Malik Thomas, or is it Pete and Burrys who are driving the bus? And then for Arkansas, they need Malik Ewan to keep playing well because you got on the other side, Arizona's got the size. They're going to rebound the basketball. They're going to protect the rim, and that starts with Krivis.

1:41:55You can't let Mo Krivis have 20 and 11. If you let him do that, Arizona's going to win. In my original bracket, and you guys know I'm a man of integrity. I apologize to Iowa fans. Yep. My original bracket has Arkansas pulling off the upset. Their athletes, their speed. King Hog wears the crown and takes Arkansas in the Elite Eight, and he doesn't stop there. He takes them to the Final Four.

1:42:19PFT Commenter:I love it. I love it. All right, well. A come from the Final Four would be incredible.

1:42:23Big Cat:Yeah, gun to your head, Johnny. Which coach, which remaining coach do you trust the most?

1:42:35PFT Commenter:real real good question yeah real good question that's why i asked it guns to your head oh i think memes has a shotgun memes has a shotgun tom iso tom iso yeah it's it's tom iso because i never hit here's here's why i trust him it was going to be iso or kelvin samson And by the way, I think Houston's going to get to the Final Four. And I think if I had to pick right now a team to win the national championship, it's Houston. Redemption Tour, I just, you know, I think it could be Houston, Michigan in the final. And there's something about the feeder for the Houston Cougars coming so close last year.

1:43:12But my answer was Izzo. And my answer is Izzo because the guy doesn't get blown out. He doesn't let missed shots impact how his team plays. I want a coach who gets his team in the game in the last three minutes, no matter the opponent. And I don't see UConn blowing out Michigan State. I think it'll be down to the wire. And I think Michigan State can beat anybody in this tournament because they have point guard play. They have two big men. And now Jordan Scott and Cohen Carr and even Cam Ward are supplying enough depth. With Michigan State, the question always is, do they have enough sources of scoring?

1:43:50This team now does. And Izzo's got a great way about him. And I know that he, you know, I get when people are like, well, you know, he's got the title in 2000, but what else? Guys, this guy churns out second weekends with teams sometimes that are not qualified to do it every single year. And this team's qualified to make it to Indianapolis. So I can't go get it. You know, Izzo, Hurley, Patino, all being in the same region is tough. But Izzo's track record, as much as Rick did it and had glory years, remember this about Patino. He hasn't been to a Sweet 16 in 11 years. Now, he was out of the sport.

1:44:29He was in Greece. He's an amazing coach. But I also give that answer knowing Michigan State's point guard play, something that St. John's does not have. Even UConn, it's been up and down. Izzo's got a point guard. He's got two bigs, and he's got enough shot making. He beat Zion Williamson with this type of team.

1:44:46PFT Commenter:Yeah, yeah. come out of this season with this type of team. That's why I say Izzo. Okay, so right now on DraftKings Sportsbook, which you are a sponsor with, Johnny, plus 475 to get Michigan State into the Final Four. So if you want to bet on Izzo, I like that. That's an East... Friday night is going to be just incredible. The matchups are nuts. It's so great. It's going to be insane. I mean, I'm seeing the secondary ticket market, and I don't think I've ever seen anything like it for Sweet 16. What a doubleheader. It really will be. It'll be phenomenal. I think Thursday night, I know it's at 10 o 'clock at night, but Illinois-Houston, folks, get into the office late Friday morning.

1:45:34I don't know what – or don't work Friday at all. Illinois-Houston down in Houston will be a tremendous game. Illinois' offensive talent is amazing. Wagler, Boswell, Stojakovic. You know, we don't talk about it, but here's Paige Stojakovic's kid having 20-plus in a tournament game. The Illini are fun. Wisconsin beat them in Champaign, but the Illini are fun.

1:45:57PFT Commenter:They also beat them in the Big Ten tournament, too.

1:46:00Big Cat:What about Michigan, Alabama? A lot of people here at Barstool Sports are going to have our eyes on that game. Two Titans. Pretty much our two co-CEOs of the company. Dave and Rico going at it. The big two. I mean, for all the marbles, you talk about a lot on the line for Rico Bosco. Alabama, I don't know if this style can win a tournament. It's fun to watch when it works. And Michigan hasn't really been tested. So if you had to bet, would you be putting your lot with Dave or with Rico? Dave, get in the car. Take a drive. Take a drive, a nice ride to the airport because we're going to fly. Okay.

1:46:42And the other one's going to bust. He's going to take a nice charter bus with some rolled gold pretzels and that Dasani water that's two days old that will sit in the back of a Shell station. I'm going to go with Dr. Dave Portnoy on this one because Michigan's length. Here's the thing. Alabama could have a shot in this game because they're top ten in points they get off threes. That's a plus. LeBaron Phylon is amazing. There's no question about it. That being said, Alabama doesn't turn people over. They do not turn people over. And Michigan's struggle has been in the turnover column. And Michigan should be able to get to the rim at will against Alabama.

1:47:24Alabama's interior defense is not there. That spells trouble for the Crimson Tide. It spells trouble for Mr. Bosco Stick, one of my favorite cafeteria snacks growing up. and it smells trouble for that Alabama sweatsuit. I think that thing gets put away later this week. And I think Dave Portnoy and the Wolverines move on. Okay.

1:47:49PFT Commenter:I like that. All right. Last question, Johnny. It's always great to have you on. Stell Blue Coffee's new can lattes are here. Crafted with 100 % Colombian coffee, each can is a good source of protein and comes in two smooth flavors, espresso cafe mocha and espresso sweet cream. And whether you're braving your morning commute or chasing your pup, Stella Blue cans are for those always on the go and for those who care. Stella Blue is more than just great coffee. It's about giving back. I named the brand after my rescue dog, Stella, who inspired our mission to help more dogs find their forever homes.

1:48:21PFT Commenter:Every purchase supports animal rescue organizations, so when you drink Stella Blue, you're not just fueling your day. You're saving a dog's life. Try the new cans today. Taste the difference and make a difference. All new Stella Blue Coffee Cans latte is now available at StellaBlueCoffee.com or subscribe on Amazon for 10 % off. Can you just get us pumped up? Just give us the old Fanta. Just give us a one Fanta pump up, you know, about this weekend coming up. Are you feeling sweet, America? Because you should be. It's here. You need two wins if you're a squad walking into a building this week. Two wins to get to Indianapolis, where a champion will be crowned.

1:49:07If you're a Big Ten fan, you're rejoicing because you've got a conference matchup in this Sweet 16. Who had Nebraska and Iowa in the Sweet 16? No, we're alone squaring off. But there are four other Big Ten squads in the Sweet 16. In the East, in our nation's capital, where America will be celebrating its 250th birthday this summer, College basketball will be celebrated at Capital One Arena. Duke and St. John's. Pitino versus Shire. Coach K will certainly be watching. The star power reel. Cameron Boozer on one side. Zooby-dooby-doo on the other for St. John. UConn and Michigan State. Will Hurley or Izzo sleep with their eyes open the night before?

1:49:51You can count on that. Cohen Carr, Jeremy Fears on one side. Alex Caraban, the winningest Husky. the King Husky on the other. Oh, to the right side of the bracket, here comes that checkered jacket of John Calipari in Arkansas looking to pull it off over Zona. Sean Miller wears a cowboy hat now. And Texas, they might be sweating, but they're sweating their way to the second weekend. Braden Smith is the all-time assist leader. Could Purdue break through again and have a home Final Four? A storyline we haven't discussed as much, but we should be discussing more. Michigan, They've been amazing. Alabama, so well coached under Mr.

1:50:32Oates. Who will have a better breakfast? Who will bring the muscle, the toughness to that one? And then toughness, muscle, they are not an option. They are mandatory. When Tennessee and Iowa State meet up, this is the Sweet 16. This is March. This is why we love the sport of college basketball. And when the weekend is all said and done, you will look to the calendar and say, Easter weekend is actually next weekend. It's Final Four weekend. And which four teams will emerge into the sunlight and be ready to perform on college basketball? And for that weekend, sports center stage.

1:51:15PFT Commenter:Oh, you're the best, Johnny. Thank you.

1:51:20Big Cat:We love you, Johnny.

1:51:21PFT Commenter:You're the best. and hopefully we see you soon and let's watch some more games. Nothing better. I love you guys. Will I see you in Indianapolis? You will be on site? I think I'll be there for at least a day. I think we have one live show so we'll get you on that for sure. See you there. Can't wait. See you, Johnny. Bye, Johnny. Hey, Illinois. Stella Blue Coffee's new canned lattes are here and in a store near you. Crafted with 100 % Colombian coffee, Each can is a good source of protein and comes in two smooth flavors, espresso cafe mocha and espresso sweet cream. Whether you're braving your morning commute or chasing your pup, Stella Blue cans are for those always on the go and for those who care.

1:52:07PFT Commenter:Stella Blue is more than just great coffee. It's about giving back. I named the brand after my rescue dog, Stella, who inspired our mission to help more dogs find their forever homes. Every purchase supports animal rescue organizations. so when you drink Stella Blue, you're not just fueling your day. You're saving a dog's life. Try the new cans today. Head to our store locator on StellaBlueCoffee.com and sign up to redeem a buy one, get one free offer.

1:52:33Big Cat:And Tom Izzo is also brought to you by Morgan & Morgan. When a coach goes for it on fourth and two at midfield in the first quarter, that's a power move. When you get back to another Sweet 16, like Coach Izzo, that's a power move, just like how hiring Morgan & Morgan is a power move. Morgan & Morgan is America's largest injury law firm. They have over 100 offices nationwide, more than 1 ,000 lawyers, with over$30 billion recovered for over 500 ,000 clients. Morgan & Morgan has a proven track record of fighting to get you full and fair compensation. They're all about the power moves. When you move in next door to Miley Cyrus and then pretend like you didn't know that she lived there, that's a power move.

1:53:13Big Cat:Morgan & Morgan knows. In Nashville, they got a client$10.6 million. In Georgia, they got a client,$29.5 million. If you're ever injured by the negligence of another, you deserve to be paid. If you're injured, check out Morgan & Morgan. The fee is free unless they win. For more information, go to forthepeople.com slash PMT or poundlaw, pound529 from your cell phone. That's forthepeople.com slash PMT or poundlaw, pound529 from your cell phone. And now here is Tom Izzo.

1:53:43PFT Commenter:Okay, we now welcome on a very, very, very, very special guest, one of our favorite recurring guests. It feels like it's been a tradition now, which you have made it for many, many years. It is Coach Tom Izzo from Michigan State. It's a tradition that you get to the Sweet 16. You've done it again. 17th Sweet 16. We wanted to have you on. I think this is maybe the third or fourth year in a row that we've had you on. First of all, congratulations to getting back to the Sweet 16. I know it's hard to win one tournament game, let alone two. And now you're here. How are the vibes a day after where you're feeling, you know, hey, we did this again.

1:54:19PFT Commenter:We've gotten at least one step closer. Well, I wish it was a tradition. That means it would automatically happen. And it doesn't automatically happen, as you guys know. But it is pretty thrilling that we have been the 17 of them. I feel blessed, lucky, a lot of good players, a lot of good staff members, a lot of people that help you get here. And you've got to have some luck, too. You know, sometimes it's an injury against you. Sometimes it's one of your guys. There's a lot of things that go on in these seasons, as you can see around the country right now. And I'm just happy we get to still work because if we're still working today, that means we're still playing.

1:54:55Big Cat:Yeah. Yeah, that's fair. And after the game, you said something that caught my eye when you were talking about being a steward of the game. And I feel like we've got, you know, from the old school generation, we've got some of you guys that are still sticking around, looking after the game for everybody else. We appreciate that. But what did you mean when you said that it's important to you to be a steward of the game? Well, I mean that the game really doesn't change and that we have a responsibility to the game more than we do to ourselves or schools or even our players. I mean, the game is what's been so valuable all this time.

1:55:28And I just want you to know that when you say old school, it really does hit a sore spot with me. So I can say that to you guys on this station because I know you. but it's not old school it's right school I don't want to do anything old school I want to do it the right way and the right way has been done for not 20 years not 40 years 100 years you know you hold people accountable you have um you know you play for the name on the front not the back you know if we're going to be pro ball then go pro ball but right now we're college so let's stay college and figure out that you know there's nothing wrong with holding people accountable there's nothing wrong with people playing for the players that played here before.

1:56:10There's nothing wrong with playing for your city and your community and your school. If that's old school, you guys are on Dial-A-Clue. That's real school. It's right school. It's the way it's supposed to be.

1:56:22PFT Commenter:It's an awesome message because I think it's interesting to look around the league and see, you know, a lot of the guys that you coached against for many, many years kind of exited stage left when NIL and transfer portal ramped up, you stayed the course and you've kept on doing it. You're showing, hey, I can do it from 20 years ago when you had guys stay for four years. I can do it now when guys might be gone or transfer after a year. It's really a testament to your coaching ability and your ability to keep everyone together, which I feel like in the locker room afterwards, you got a little emotional.

1:56:57PFT Commenter:And that was the message that everyone here has had a part of it. and that's what Michigan State basketball means. Well, it does. I'm not going to kid you that, you know, I don't know how long you'll be able to sustain something like this because sooner or later, you know, with players leaving and coming all the time, if you don't have a core group, and I have a core group, what that will be like in a year or two, who knows. But it is difficult. It's more difficult. It is a reason a lot of these football coaches and basketball coaches have left because they don't really believe that this is right.

1:57:32Are you ready for this? For the players, not for the coach, not for the school, not for, you know, this and that. Is it right? You know, is it going to help them in the next 70 years? Because that's really our job. I mean, we all know that 1 % of our guys, 1.2 % are going pro. 1.3 % of the football players are going pro. So that is a minute number. And yet all the rules seem to be made for that. Those guys are going to make money and do things anyway. So that's my concern is what does money do? What does transferring? What does going places for the wrong reasons? What does that all do for you?

1:58:16But that should be an offseason topic for you guys. Because right now it should be about the incredible games going on. Yes. The opportunity for us to play in another Sweet 16 against either two teams we played, UConn or UCLA. And both of them make me nauseous. So maybe you're right. I hate the transfer portal. That might be better than talking about those two teams.

1:58:41PFT Commenter:Yes. So. All right. So we have some advanced scouting for you on UConn and UCLA. So UConn and UCLA, we're taping this before they play. UConn, we're good friends with Coach Dan Hurley. What you have to do to stop him is do not let him drink his rage piss before the game. So he has a bottle of urine, and he drinks it on the sideline before the game tips off. Don't let him have it. That's his secret sauce, okay? I want to know this, because I know both guys. I'm close with Danny Hurley. I really am. He's had some pro offers. I did, and we talked a lot. I think he does a hell of a job, and Mick Cronin is doing a great job out there too.

1:59:20But I want to know who in the hell is going to officiate that game tonight. That's what I want to know. That guy is my hero.

1:59:28Big Cat:Yeah, some poor bastard. I think what you have to do is if it is against Coach Hurley, you've got to come out with your own bottle. Just take some water, a little bit of yellow food coloring in there, and you have to show him like, hey, what you got, I got one better. And just let him know, I'm not here to mess around. We're both drinking piss. Yeah. You know the advantage of being a veteran guy is all the years I've been here and all the 28 times we've gone to the tournament, I've still never shot a shot, guarded anybody, made an assist, made a free throw. So I think Danny and I could drink, eat, and do whatever we want to do.

2:00:08It's probably not going to have any valuable position on the outcome of the game.

2:00:14Big Cat:I would probably disagree with that. I want back-to-back titles. And I know that you sometimes, when your players get amped up during a game, you almost get calmer. And you bring them over and you say, hey, I want you to calm down. We can't afford to have you get a technical. Let me be the one that costs us the game by getting a technical. Very true. Yeah. Yeah. It's like when other people are around you, you know, I've seen you on the sidelines. You have a tendency to get excited, emotional, as we all do. But I feel like when your players get excited and emotional, you almost get more calm. in that moment.

2:00:47Big Cat:Is that true? It is true because I know that, I know where I can push the envelope and where I can't. I don't think a player does. And I don't think referees want to listen to that as much. So you guys probably evaluated that pretty well. Now you gave away my secrets.

2:01:05PFT Commenter:Yeah. Although that, that shot clock violation at the end of the first half against Louisville that you should have, you should have gotten everyone off the court and been like, Hey, you guys don't deserve to play ball. I saw you getting mad. I was equally as mad. You can't have that happen. Yeah, there's a lot of things that can't happen. But, you know, as much as I joke about the coaching part, I'm not sure I'd want to be an official in my second life coming back. No, probably not. You probably will be, though. If there's like karma is real, you would have to be an official coming back. No, I'm going to be a football coach.

2:01:37I already decided that because, you know, you can grab guys. You can do things. You can yell. Nobody's looking right at you. You can hide between the 100 players you got down there. You're not right next to the court. Those guys got it made, those helmet head guys. I love those guys.

2:01:54PFT Commenter:Yeah, but you – I will say this. The public discourse on you yelling at your players I think has gone all the way back where people all respect where you're coming from. We had your guy Draymond Green on the show. We sat with him for like an hour and a half. It was awesome. And we talked about this where it was like, look, all these – he pointed out, He's like, all these guys who played for Coach Izzo will stand up for Coach Izzo when one of these clips goes viral. Do you think that's the case if we didn't think he actually loved us and wanted the best for us? So that is what people miss. And that's what they, you know, sometimes I don't want to say the world's gotten soft, but you're doing hard coaching.

2:02:34PFT Commenter:But he said it comes from a place that he loves you and you have that foundation. Then you can talk to anyone however you want because you know it's just honest truth. back and forth. Well, it's, it's a responsibility and it's accountability. I mean, you know, we're not always yelling at people. I mean, I'm Italian, so, you know, you know what it is, but the honest truth is our job is to hold people accountable to accomplish the goals and dreams that they have. Not what I just have, what they have. And so if you were looking at your own son or daughter, if you had one or your cousin or whoever, and he was walking across the street and you told him not to do it because he's going to hit by a car, if he did it 10 different times and the car just missed him, would you say, Johnny, please don't walk across the street?

2:03:20Or would you get after him a little bit because you know that he's doing something that's going to create a problem and it's not going to end well? That's what experience does. I think that's what's helped me. And you know what? If you spend a lot of time with your players, I love Draymond. He's the best. And then they know that, you know, I have meetings with players to let them know, you tell me what you want me to do. You want me to hold you accountable? You want me to let you go? If you want me to let you go, then I'd probably put you in the transfer portal, not me. Right. Because, you know, that's just the way it is.

2:03:55I mean, guys got to. Why would you say, you know, you almost apologize for the world's getting soft. The world is getting soft.

2:04:04PFT Commenter:Yeah. Yeah, you're right. Right. So, I mean, but but to win championships and to be successful, there's no softness to that. You know, I I had the advantage. You know, I started here with Nick Saban. I know what Nick's like. Bill Belichick used to come here to spend time talking in his camps. I watched the John Thompsons. I talked to Magic Johnson about what Pat Riley was like. You know, I mean, sure, some guys can coach different if they got, you know, 10 McDonald's All-Americans or eight All-Pro guys. But you look at Bill Parsley, you look at the good coaches, they do it in a different way. But accountability, I think, guys, is the key that we're all striving for.

2:04:47Big Cat:Yeah. Who's one guy on your team this year that has improved a lot, that has taken this style of coaching, the tough love at times, and embraced it and improved over his time at the school? I actually think I got a lot of guys I think both of our bags Kohler and and Cooper have improved but I I think Jeremy's improved because he's the guy that you know I you have to go at the most because he's your quarterback you know I was telling that him and I got a lot in common you know if if it's on the court he gets blamed for it if it's we lose I get blamed for it so we're both getting blamed for things so we might as well get along and do it the right way and I really enjoyed the way our relationship has grown and what has happened.

2:05:29It was the same way when I started with Mateen Cleaves and it's never changed. Those guys, what I don't think people realize, and Magic said this to me once, great players want to be coached and pushed because great players want to be the best players. So they do. Sometimes in the high school level now nobody does that because kids will leave. You know, if you don't get a ribbon, you leave. So it's different.

2:05:58Big Cat:Is that is it fair for him to say that Michigan State is point guard university? Well, we've had a lot of good ones, you know, I mean, I'm sure some other schools have, too. But, you know, you know, the magic man, of course, you know, I wasn't here then. But, you know, he's one of the greatest of all times. And for me, Mateen Cleaves was the greatest of all times because he embodied everything I believe in. You know, he ran our team. He found how to make guys better You're talking about a guy who pushed guys You should be happy He's not coaching But he pushed his best friends And that's why we won a championship By the way, it went to three Final Fours

2:06:38PFT Commenter:Yeah, so talking about Coaching guys hard, a very funny Story this year happened When you yelled at One of your players, Kurtang During a timeout saying, you know, my mother Can guard better than you You then had your mom in her retirement home had the picture. They did a Photoshop of her playing defense, loved it. My question, though, because I'm sure you talked about it a lot, would you have said that same thing to Cohen Carr? Because then you would have maybe had a situation where Cohen Carr is dunking on your own mother. I had my mother dunking on LeBron, so that's even better. If Cohen couldn't guard, I'd say it.

2:07:20But I've said it to people, you know, the difference is, guys, my mother turns 100 in me. So she's 99. So it has a little better impact right now. Yeah. You can't guard. You know, my mother at 99 can guard better than you. But probably when she was 75, I was telling kids the same thing. You know, you can't guard my mother. I don't look at that as insulting. She's my mother. Yeah.

2:07:45PFT Commenter:Does she still have eligibility left? Well, the way the courts work now, probably. speaking of co-ed car though um are there ever times where you're like oh my god it like almost stop and be like how did he jump so high because he's just it's awesome watching him play and dunk and i know that you don't want to get caught up in a moment but is there have there been a moment where you're standing on the sideline you're you almost like leave your coaching brain and say holy shit that was incredible you know i've got one lucky thing we probably have 130 practices a year then you have another 20 in the summer whatever it is so i get to see him 150 times so the 30 that he's in the game situation i've seen better dunks you know maybe in practice but i've been blessed you know jason richardson shannon bro i've had some great leapers in my day but Cohen at 6 '6", you know 230 pounds is one of the more powerful dunkers I've ever had and and he's such a good kid I mean he's just he's the world's best kid and he's starting to play better and better and better right now and I really enjoy watching him go.

2:09:03Big Cat:Yeah yeah have you noticed this postseason I've heard a few coaches talking about it the difference in the balls have The ball's been as overinflated as we've been told for the last two years? You know, I have heard that. I don't – you know, like I said, I don't even get the touch of ball, so I don't know. But we've been shooting it pretty well in the last two games. So if it has, maybe I should inflate the ones we use during the year. Yeah, I've just heard a few coaches talk about it. I've also noticed that it's coaches that just lost that tend to bring it up. I have heard coaches talking about it too.

2:09:40And there's been years that I think, you know, it is amazing that we play with five different balls. You know, we got balls here. We order like 12 balls from every ball company there is. So that if you're playing Wisconsin, it's one ball. If you're playing somebody else, Louisville, it's another one. You know, at least the tournament, they keep them the same. I don't know why we don't do like the NBA. just everybody plays with the same ball and call it a day.

2:10:07PFT Commenter:Yeah, I agree. That makes a lot of sense. When the bracket came out, we were talking about this on Sunday, Selection Sunday. Do you think that the committee has some type of perverse thing where they just want to have Duke and Michigan State in the same region? Because it happens every single year. It's happened more than its share of times. I guess that's a compliment, but I don't think so. I think I agree with most of you guys, meaning the talking heads, that, you know, the East is the toughest. I mean, I'm looking at a game tonight where Kansas is playing St. John's in a 4-5 game, and I'm going, what the hell is that?

2:10:47PFT Commenter:Yeah. You know, so it's hard to say, but I hope they're right because that means we would get to the Elite Eight and have a chance, you know. Yeah. Unfortunately, we got a game before that that'll be a lot harder, But when the bracket comes out, you know, I don't think there's any conspiracies. I just think that, thank God, we've been pretty good, and they've been great over the last 20 years. So maybe it ends up that way.

2:11:15Big Cat:Yeah, I mean, just looking at the bracket in the East and just imagining, no matter what four teams are in that regional in Washington, D.C., you're going to get four all-time coaches going at each other. I was just looking at that when that came out, and I was getting excited about just thinking about the matchups we could get out of it. I got a question for you about our good friend John Rothstein and how he always says January, February, Izzo. Can we change that up so it's January, February, March, Izzo? Wouldn't you rather be known for April than March? I don't care what I'm known for. I just want to win another game, man.

2:11:53I want to work another night. That's all I want to do. I was so excited to come back last night. And one of the few times we played on the Thursday, Saturday format. So now today we got to have a team meeting, kind of go over the logistics of the week and a little bit of the film. But I think one of the big things right now is we get a little rest and we get to watch the team will play. We get to watch them. Strange as it is, though, it's at 845 tonight. But I'll stay up and watch that. That'll be good. so I'm uh whatever John wants whatever you guys want I just want to be playing in March and April

2:12:32Big Cat:how's that yeah I want to change it so it's January February March Izzo there you go and then we sleep in May that sounds better to me that does yeah I noticed too in the locker room after

2:12:43PFT Commenter:you said you said your players you know you guys get us these two we'll get you the next two is it really you're when you get into the tournament you're you're thinking of it as just weak by like You're not thinking ahead at all. It's just like these next two games in a pocket and then these next two games in the pocket because you've been elite at the second game in these formats where it's a quick turnaround. Is it really, hey, now it's almost a new tournament starts when you get to D.C. on Friday? Well, I stole it from – I heard Mike Krzyzewski once say you've got to win the weekend. Once you get good enough that you're not just trying to win the first game, like Nebraska, I mean, it was an unbelievable setting last night and you know when they the first night when they won their first ncaa game i um those are exciting times but when you win a national championship then you realize that's that's all people really care about to a certain extent so winning a game doesn't matter you got to win the weekend and so we won last weekend now we got to win this weekend and it gets harder to win the weekends because the teams get better but that's what it's all about and that's what we're going to try to do.

2:13:52Big Cat:You were saying something about how this team has kind of rejuvenated you a little bit. I don't know if you were saying they made you feel younger or they made you feel like you want to stick around and coach for what, like they extended your career by two years, two seasons. What is it about this team? And is that like an accurate statement or were you just messing around saying that they made you feel two years younger? A reporter told me that it doesn't seem to matter when it is. My teams look pretty similar. Sometimes with a little more talent, sometimes not, but I think we play similar, and I just told him that's a compliment.

2:14:25If he thinks that way with the team I got in the last couple of years, it does rejuvenate you. You know, listen, it's been tough on coaches. Okay? It's been tough on people, these new rules. Don't kid yourself, and everybody's wondering what the hell. My guys have been so good, you know, haven't lost a lot of them. Most of them I've stayed. And they just make me feel good about the profession I'm in. So I've said often lately, I still love the players. I still love the practices. I still love the job. I just, I don't respect the way the profession is right now. And, but we're partly to blame for that.

2:15:09The NCAA is the blame, but the coaches aren't to blame. Administrators are to blame. I mean, this probably wasn't handled right. It's got to be fixed. and all I want to do is be part of the solution.

2:15:20PFT Commenter:Yeah. So going – I actually have a non-basketball question for you because when you said I'm Italian, I yell. Our producer, who's very Italian, we actually have like all Italians. Did he yell at you? Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. He raises his voice. By the way, that's it. It's out of love. I love him. Yeah, yeah. So by the way, that was my scouting report for Mick Cronin. Don't raise your voice at him, okay? So it's on camera, dude. Don't do it. All right? So just don't do it. Don't let Hurley drink the piss. don't let mccronan raise your voice what is your favorite italian uh meal um you know i like lasagna gnocchi raviolis i like all three of those so you know you pick and choose uh different times but um it's not like i'm eating out a lot so you know it's usually uh around the office and everything but uh yeah i like italian food but i like steak too so i'm i can go anywhere you want the only thing i don't eat as much as fish which is the only thing good for you.

2:16:18So that's all the problem.

2:16:20PFT Commenter:Yeah, yeah. Have you had moments where you've, because like I said, we have a lot of Italians in this office, and I've heard them say sometimes where people are like, don't yell. It's like, hey, I'm not yelling. I'm just Italian. Have you used that before where it's like their voice just goes up and they can't stop themselves? I think there's a little truth to that. I think every nationality has its own way of expressing. You know, sometimes Italians talk with their hands. Other people do other things, you know. But no, I tell my players ahead of time, no matter what I say to you, take it for what I'm saying, not how I'm saying it.

2:16:58Because I know my own, you know, I got faults too, like everybody else. So I usually preface it every season. Just worry about what's being said, not how it's being said, because I love you all.

2:17:11Big Cat:Yeah, that's good. If you do happen to get into a matchup against Rick Pitino, have you thought about wearing the white suit, fighting fire with fire? Rick looks good in his white suit, man. He's done a hell of a job, too. You talk about a guy that's reinvented himself a few times. You know, there's one thing he can do, boy. He can coach. And he's done it at all levels, and he's been successful at all levels. And it's going to be an interesting game tonight. Who are you guys picking? and let's put you guys on the spot. I mean, I picked Kansas, but then Badunga just got two early fouls. So that might not be looking too good right now.

2:17:49Big Cat:But I think it would be a good look to have you trying to pull off the white suit, Patino trying to pull off the white suit. It would be a good mental warfare. Yeah, just battle of the Titans going after it. But you know what? The difference is Patino wears suits. I kind of dress more like you guys, so I'm probably more for you guys.

2:18:06PFT Commenter:Yeah, we've been saying that. Like, I want to bring back suits. I had that taken a couple weeks ago. I think college coaches should bring back suits. Now, some of the guys, like some of the younger guys, I get it. It would be weird if Todd Golden was in a suit, but you got to be, you got to, you got to suit up. So, so do you think you two should wear suits on the, uh, absolutely not. No, no, no. That's what I'm talking about.

2:18:28Big Cat:We get stains on them. We're sloppy guys. Hold on.

2:18:30PFT Commenter:We've never worn suits. So the precedent has never been set. Why wear a suit when everybody's sweating all over me? You know, I'm in a huddle. I'm always looking up at guys. You know, I'm vertically challenged a little bit. So why would I want guys sweating on my nice suit? Maybe bring out the Grinch sweater again. That was an all-time look. That was campy. He's another piece of work. All right. Well, Coach, we really appreciate your time whenever you come on with us. It's so much fun. I got one last question. Rowback question. R-H-O-B-A-C-K.com. Promo code TAKE. 20 % off your first purchase. Q-Zips, polos, hoodies, joggers, shorts.

2:19:08PFT Commenter:Roback.com, promo code TAKE. Do you look at your own stats ever? Because I have a stat that's pretty impressive, a Tom Izzo stat. Do you ever see them? You know what? People throw them at me once in a while, and it'll be common for me to say not really, and then everybody says, oh, sure. But, you know, the only stats I care about are the banners hanging, and even those, I just don't think people are going to look back. You know, they talk about legacies and all that. But, hell, people, the greatest players in the world, you know, they're gone and the next week they forgot about them. So I'm just worried about, you know, can I have an impact on a game?

2:19:47Can I really have an impact on players that hopefully will last a lifetime? So any other stat? I don't know. You know, I get a lot of them thrown at me when we accomplish something. Like Bobby Knight's record, you know. And I say, yeah, but, you know, I play more conference games than he played. We got more teams now. You know, there's always – records are not equal, to be honest.

2:20:08PFT Commenter:Well, here's the stat. I want to throw it at you. You're 26-9 on two-day turnaround games in the NCAA tournament. So that's the second game of a weekend. And seven of those losses have come to either a number one seed or eventual national champion. Essentially, the stat is you don't lose games you're not supposed to lose, and especially when you're playing the back-to-back games or there's a day in between. but that's pretty insane that you're 26 and nine. If you win the first round, you're going to the sweet 16. If you win that, you know, if you, if you win in the sweet 16, you're going to the final four.

2:20:42PFT Commenter:It's, it's, it's a hell of a stat. And it speaks to your coach because I assume that quick 24 hour turnaround, that's when you got to be elite at coaching. Yeah. That's where you got to have a really good staff, really good managers that get all the film together. And you got to have cerebral players that can pick up things and like 30 minute film sessions and walkthroughs and all that. But I guess that would be a stat I'd be proud of. You know, I appreciate that. But all I want to do this week, I want to win the weekend, but I want to really win the first game first. You know, that'll be Friday night.

2:21:19Big Cat:Coach, I have a request for you. Throw that white suit question out. That's, you know, some Mickey Mouse stuff. If you guys win another national championship, will you bring back the musical Izzo Goes to Broadway? Will you get back on the stage? If we win another national championship, I just might do something that crazy. I know a guy who could produce it, and we could raise some money for cancer like we did last time. I could fly you two guys in, and you guys would be part of the show if you guys wore white suits. Yep. And I'd let you announce behind your little desk there. It'd be a hell of a time.

2:21:54So let's see if we can go for it. We'll all be happy, and I'll look forward to seeing you guys in a couple weeks. All right. We'll do it.

2:22:01Big Cat:I'd be happy to be part of that show.

2:22:03PFT Commenter:Absolutely. Absolutely. Well, thank you so much, Coach. You're the best. And best of luck coming up in the Sweet 16. Thanks a lot, guys. My son is going to be more happy that I did your show than even me. So thank you, guys. I love it. You care, yeah. All right. Thanks, Coach.

2:22:19Big Cat:Take care. Coach Izzo was brought to you by our great friends over at Chevy. Football season might be over, but you know how it goes. The minute the big game ends, we're already talking about what's next. Free agency, the draft, who's getting paid, who's grinding. Because for football guys, there's no offseason. It's exactly why they roll with a Chevy Silverado. Silverado is a truck that shows up every time. Built to haul, built to tow, built to take a beating. But it's smart where it counts. It's got modern truck tech that makes life easy. Big screens, available camera views that help with towing and parking.

2:22:51Big Cat:And a cabin that feels right whether you're road tripping, going to practice, or loading up for the weekend. During the season, it's the MVP of the tailgate. After the season, it turns into your training camp truck, hauling gear, tackling home projects, doing the work that never stops. The grind doesn't take breaks. Neither does Silverado. Check out the current offers. Build your own Chevy Silverado at Chevy.com. That's Chevy.com. And, coaches, it was also brought to you by American Home Shield. From breathtaking buzzer beaters to jaw-dropping upsets, tournament season is full of ups and downs.

2:23:23Big Cat:but don't let unexpected appliance and home system breakdowns add to the emotional roller coaster. Nothing kills the vibe faster than watching your bracket implode or having your AC unit do the same. Thank goodness American Home Shield steps in like the ultimate bench player for covered home system and appliance issues. I'm going to go off script with this ad read real quick because I have a story about American Home Shield. The year was 2007. I was visiting a buddy over the winter break. We went out to the bars Went back to his house afterwards I got up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom I tried to sit down on the toilet I sat down on the toilet Shattered the entire toilet tank Water goes everywhere Broke all over the floor Had to tell his parents Hey, I'm drunk and I broke your toilet In the middle of the night No worries, they had American Home Shield They hit up American Home Shield Got everything repaired Including all the water damage in the bathroom No harm, no foul I'll shout out American Home Shield for that.

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2:24:52PFT Commenter:Okay let's wrap up with Mad online great show It's been a great show boys Very fun show A lot of laughs Max almost tried to beat me up Because of time zones I just wanted you to see the map

2:25:06Big Cat:He's just upset He's focused on Northern Ireland tomorrow Is that tomorrow? Oh yeah It's tomorrow dude uh jim bayheim murdered syracuse basketball with his last year slash departure careful careful those words together say what you want about coach k but at least he chose a worthy successor yeah uh jerry mcnamara god bless the broken road that led us to him i feel like it

2:25:33PFT Commenter:was his destiny i will say okay i'm gonna say something nice about coach k i do think that part of your legacy should be how you leave it to someone else and what it looks like because there are some guys out there that like don't care what happened you know they almost root against the team uh I'm not saying Jim Boeheim did that but yes leaving it to someone else and leaving it in a good place is definitely part of your legacy and that part has not been good for Jim Boeheim because Syracuse is okay I'm sure it's more complex than what I'm saying right now but it has been sad to see what's happened with Syracuse Hoops all right but you could also say

2:26:09Big Cat:Yeah, credit to Coach K because John Shire so far has not been a bad coach. He's been pretty good. Well, and also Coach K, I will say, again,

2:26:18PFT Commenter:I hate that I'm saying anything nice about Coach K, but he did have a lot of guys to choose from to be his successor.

2:26:26Big Cat:And also I would say. And he picked seemingly the right one. But I would say at Duke, you're primed for success a lot more so than you are at Syracuse. Because there's more stuff that goes into it than. And Syracuse has had some NIL issues with money.

2:26:42PFT Commenter:No, Syracuse is not the same program as Duke.

2:26:44Big Cat:Duke was going, no matter who they hired to be their next coach, as long as it wasn't a complete nobody, they were going to be set up in a position to succeed. And Syracuse might not necessarily be the same.

2:26:57PFT Commenter:Yeah. And Syracuse is another one of those schools that has been hurt by the fact that football is king. And they went from a big E school to an ACC school to chase the football dollars, and they're a basketball school. They should be a basketball school, and I want Syracuse to be good at basketball.

2:27:16Big Cat:People still aren't talking about Shaka Smart reaching one Sweet 16 with all the resources of Marquette and missing the tournament altogether. The time for change is now. If Kolek didn't work out, he would have nothing to hang his hat on, which is embarrassing. He had one good year 10 years ago, and for some reason hangs around producing nothing of substance. I wouldn't say nothing of substance. It's been disappointing for him. Yeah. someone a marquette fan pointed out my take on because i had this take with rosting what it was

2:27:44PFT Commenter:like two weeks ago and after the badgers got bounced they're like dude shock is smart and greg guard have been like the same sweet 16s like how the how the fuck do you explain that i was like i root for one of the guys and don't root for the other that's a pretty good explanation why my my my uh bar for success completely changes yeah it's pretty pretty simple but yeah no i it is it's a it's a cautionary shock of smart is the cautionary tale of don't succeed too much too early shock of smart because then everyone's gonna just be like where's that guy he's also

2:28:17Big Cat:the cautionary tale of don't be bald by choice dude yeah like come on what the fuck was that yeah it was weird dude yeah like yeah okay we get it you have hair now but like you don't have to rub it in everyone's face a lot of hair my culture is not your costume him and nick right yeah right

2:28:34PFT Commenter:did that good point like nick ray he's a friend we gotta have him back on nba playoffs but you can't do that you can't do that to bald guys you can't like that's really mean there's enough

2:28:42Big Cat:that we have to deal with yeah all right last one how many mofo in times are we going to see teams down three in the final seconds do the grand hill he passed down the court i don't know if i've seen one clean catch of the ball all season just pass horizontally and take a chance from half court

2:28:59PFT Commenter:bug um yeah i mean i wish that i i actually my take is i wish that we would get side out of bounds in college basketball because it would make it more exciting at the end of games um when you have like one and a half seconds left there's just a zero percent chance you're going to get a good shot off and it would be awesome if you get side out of bounds but the times that

2:29:20Big Cat:you do get a good shot off that is kind of it kind of rocks it seems like three and a half seconds goes a lot further than it used to though like oh i mean florida zavian lee got down the

2:29:31PFT Commenter:court yeah that was another one ben mccollum i know that i'm just i need to stop glazing him but the way he he defended that it was so perfect he had a what oh sorry i thought you were 11 the uh he like set up a wall where zavian lee almost got disoriented and drove too deep yeah where a lot of teams will try to guard you from the beginning he didn't they didn't they let zavian lee get to half court but they like almost sunk their wall so it was like disorienting where he was driving to

2:29:59Big Cat:he's a fucking good coach man yeah he's the iowa is the cinderella if you want a cinderella but yeah what i'm saying though it feels like 1.5 seconds doesn't go as far as it used to yeah and 3.5 goes way further than it 3.5 is a full it's eternity yeah there's darling onst john's

2:30:15PFT Commenter:yeah that was a that was a full possession yeah i'm excited for hoops this is gonna be a great Sweet 16. Last thing before we stop. Everyone give your full game predictions for. So we bet. What's our play again? Texas. I think Purdue wins. Texas covers. I guess we have to say Nebraska. I think Illinois wins.

2:30:42Big Cat:And Arkansas.

2:30:43PFT Commenter:I think Arizona wins. Arkansas covers. I think Illinois wins. I think Illinois is going to the final four.

2:30:49Big Cat:No, I think Houston. I think Houston, and I think they do it decisively. You think they blow out Illinois? Yeah. Wow. I don't think a blowout. I think eight. Houston by eight.

2:31:04PFT Commenter:You're going to say blowout?

2:31:05Big Cat:Cougs. Let's go Cougs. Houston's a wagon.

2:31:08PFT Commenter:Get with Hank. Drop your dick. Say blowout.

2:31:10Big Cat:I think it's eight. I'm not going to lie. It's eight. 18.

2:31:16PFT Commenter:Whoa. Hell yes. 18. All right, we don't have our lottery ball. You want to do numbers on here? Ready?

2:31:28Big Cat:I'm going to do eight. Do 18. 56. Four. Hey, are you doing 18 for the amount of holes that you're going to play tomorrow? No, I was doing for the Houston, Illinois thing that I just talked about. Good coincidence, though.

2:31:45PFT Commenter:I'm going to go 23. Adam, you want to guess a number? More than 18? Just guess the number. One to 100.

2:31:56PFT Commenter:52 is his guess. Eight. Eight. There we go. It doesn't really count. That one sucks to win. It sucks. I don't care.

2:32:05Big Cat:I don't care.

2:32:06PFT Commenter:We shouldn't even do it on the road.

2:32:07Big Cat:I feel better about my Cougars, my predictions. Eight. Yeah, eight. It was eight. It was eight.

2:32:15PFT Commenter:It was eight.

2:32:16Big Cat:All right. Happy birthday to Mike White from the Jets. Sarah Jessica Parker. Survivor. Big. He's in Survivor drama. He got booted. And new millionaire, Pete Crow Armstrong. Yes. Did you tell him happy birthday when you saw him? I saw him. Did you say happy birthday? I said happy birthday, Joel. Okay. Happy birthday to Pete Crow Armstrong. Yeah. You're rich.

2:32:42PFT Commenter:He's super rich. Have fun being rich tomorrow, Pete. And the man.

2:32:47Big Cat:that kind of sucks that like your birthday, the day that you get super rich is like also your first day of work. Well, no,

2:32:55PFT Commenter:Thursday's first day of work.

2:32:57Big Cat:Oh yeah. Good point. Have fun.

2:32:58PFT Commenter:Yeah. It's one day to not work.

2:33:00Big Cat:Love you guys.

2:33:18Thank you.

2:33:48Thank you.

2:34:19Thank you.

2:34:51Thank you.