Sponsor (4:47)

We'll be right back.

Bubba (4:50)

This is Coke Zero Sugar.

Rick Carley (4:52)

Could I be the best Coke ever?

Bubba (4:55)

Try and taste with your ears. Hear those bubbles. Imagine them tingling on your top.

Rick Carley (5:02)

Fizzy deliciousness. Listen to that cascading liquid. A mouthwatering waterfall.

Bubba (5:08)

Irresistibly tasty. Zero sugar. Crisp, refreshing and ice gold. Is Coke Zero Sugar the best Coke ever? Try and decide.

Sponsor (5:20)

Attention business owners, print buyers and production managers. Guaranteed Labels is here to help you focus less on your printing labels and decals and more on growing your business. Guaranteed Labels, your dependable printer for all types of industries. Quality on time shipments and stock programs set us apart. If you're needing to focus less on your printing and more on your business, Trust guaranteed labels 800-741-7055 or guaranteedlabels.com guarant still sticking since 1988.

Bubba (5:51)

Where's Bubba?

Sponsor (5:53)

I'll tell you where.

Bubba (5:54)

He's on the lake. All right, we are back and we're glad to have Hunter Bussey on the line. Hunter, how are you?

Rick Carley (6:02)

Good, dad. How are you?

Bubba (6:03)

I'm doing good, Doing good. Catch us up to date on the challenge that we're having for March Madness. How's that going?

Rick Carley (6:10)

It's going great. It's going great. It looks like everything's starting to kind of mellow out now. So everything's kind of more, you know, we had a bunch of ties for first and second and third and everything, but right now we have a definite one, two and three. So it's, it's starting to mellow out here at the tail end of this tournament, which I figured it would. But yeah, it was getting kind of interesting there for a minute. It looked like we were going to have like a five way tie for first.

Bubba (6:35)

Well, these kind of things have a way of normally working themselves out. And I don't want to brag, but I'm proud to be in the number 135 spot out of 770. I feel like that's pretty good for me. I'm about 8. I think it was about 80 something percent. So I did get all of my final four people in. So I think I deserve some credit for that.

Rick Carley (7:02)

Yeah, no, you do. And I'm actually looking at mine as we speak. And I have the same results. I have Auburn, Florida, Duke and Houston in the final four and we are also tied at 135.

Bubba (7:14)

So.

Rick Carley (7:15)

That's funny.

Bubba (7:15)

Okay, well, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, huh?

Rick Carley (7:19)

I guess so.

Bubba (7:21)

So give me your thoughts on this as we kind of break it down a little bit. We have for the first time, well, only the second time ever, we have the all the number one seeds in the final four. The other time it happened, guess what? It was also San Antonio.

Rick Carley (7:40)

Yeah.

Bubba (7:41)

Coincidence.

Rick Carley (7:43)

Yeah. That's crazy.

Bubba (7:45)

So let's talk about the two matchups. Auburn, Florida, they know each other well. They played a month or so ago in Auburn. Florida took them to the woodshed, which was I think maybe their first loss at home this season at probably the first loss they've had in a while at home. So How. How is that shaping up?

Rick Carley (8:08)

So I think, I mean, Florida is a good team. Let's not sugarcoat this. Walter Clayton, ever since he came back from his injury, has been solid for them, and I think it put a little pep in their step, if that makes sense on the, you know, and they got hot about the time they needed to. I think, honestly, Bruce and company will have them ready because they know what they look like, they know what they play like, and I think they're out for a little bit of revenge for coming in their house and mopping the floor with them. And they, you know, hopefully they feel a little disrespected and it'll, you know, tick them off a little bit and hopefully run them out of the gym and San Antonio, but we'll see.

Bubba (8:46)

Janae Broom, what's the report on him?

Rick Carley (8:49)

So he's still injured, but it's not as bad as they thought. Now, if you watched it live, he, you know, injured several things, like from his ankle to knee to elbow, like he hyperextended everything and everyone the whole time he's been on. Man, why can he not jump out of the gym? Well, he did on that play to get a good defensive play highlight, and when he landed, it looked like he got hit by a bus. So there's a reason why he doesn't jump that high. And now we know why.

Bubba (9:18)

Well, when he came down, it looked terrible. Like you said, he rolled his ankle. It looked like he hyperextended his knee and then hyperextended his elbow, maybe even his wrist as he landed. I mean, it was a full crash landing.

Rick Carley (9:33)

Yeah, it was. It was bad. It was really bad. I'm thinking like, good God, there's no way it could be that bad. But, yeah, when he came back in, like, that whole game was a movie against Michigan State when he came back in and the crowds cheering and then he, you know, as soon as he subs back in, they do a pick and pop and he hits that three point shot and the crowd pop was as loud as it can be. And it, you know, almost took out the microphones on the court for the announcers. It was a good moment, but I'm hoping he'll be good to go around the, you know, once this tips off this weekend. And same for Chad Baker, Missouri. He's dealing with a wrist issue, so I'm hoping that he'll be back, you know, at least 80% before this game starts.

Bubba (10:19)

Well, even though Florida did beat Auburn pretty bad on their home floor, they needed an 8. I really think they probably have been the best team in the country over the past month, but they needed an 184 run in the final three minutes to beat number three seed Texas Tech to win the West. So it hasn't come easy at times.

Rick Carley (10:46)

It has not. It has not. Which. It's March. I mean, everyone's going to play their best basketball in March. And I mean, what better setup than having all number one seeds, you know, in the same spot? I mean, this is the best of the best and where, you know, Auburn's, you know, a part of that. I figured they would finally get their, you know, their crap together before this, and I'm kind of hoping that the momentum is still in our favor going into this game against Florida.

Bubba (11:10)

So I just sense there has been more interest in the Final Four this year than in a lot of previous years. I don't know if that's because of all the number one seeds getting in or if everybody likes the matchup a little bit better. I don't know. It just seems like there's a little more interest.

Rick Carley (11:30)

Yeah, no, I agree with that. I feel like this has been at least since I've been doing, you know, bowling, basketball. I mean, you've, you know, obviously you've known me since I was, you know, born. So I've been following basketball since I can remember.

Bubba (11:43)

Since day one. Hunter.

Rick Carley (11:45)

Yes, yes, correct. Since I was a wee lad. A little tater tot, chicken nugget walking around. But, like, this is the first tournament that I've seen and watched and kept up with on brackets for a long time where it's just straight chalk. It feels like you had your upsets, you know, of course, in the first and second round, but ever since then it's just been, you know, no, you know, insane buzzer beaters or anything. There might have been one, like in the round of 64. That's it.

Sponsor (12:12)

It's.

Rick Carley (12:12)

It's been all chalk. So I think that's why, because you're finally seeing, you know, the best of the best. And of course, you know you're going to have a big draw when you have a blue blood like Duke in there. Well, it's going to be fun.

Bubba (12:25)

Even though I think the Gators have been the best team overall, I think Auburn had a very tough path to get there. I think they're. Their area was very tough and it was stacked and they've had to play a tougher competition to get there. Now, on the other side, you have Duke, who is the blue blood. And I always think of Duke as, like, the kids who make 103 on the test and just run the curve for the whole class. You know, if the teacher grades on a curve and they just do basketball at another level far as expertise, and then you add in good athletes, and that has always been a winning combination for them. I feel like they're. They're very good again this year, but going up against Houston, I feel like Houston is. Is more physical than they are and will try to rough them up in the paint.

Rick Carley (13:20)

I agree. Yeah, they have a lot of big bodies down low, almost. Look at it, you know, and, you know, take this with a grain of salt, but, like, they have, like, little miniature shacks out there. Like, almost every single person that comes off the bench is, like, super. They're big as a house. You know what I mean? They're. They're massive people. So it's. Duke's got to figure out how to, you know, compete with that. And Duke has, you know, good size, too, but they're more lanky guards and wings than they are, you know, big men under the basket. So I don't know. It's going to be. It's going to be fun. I think that one's going to be the better game, but, you know, we'll see. I think that was going to be a street fight.

Bubba (13:58)

Yeah. I think it's two contrasting styles. You have the surgeons, if you will, the lasers, and all of that of Duke, and you have the muscle of Houston, which I think makes it a very interesting matchup. It could really go either way, but we're excited about it. And if everything falls into place, Lord willing, we're going to try to go out to the final four and do a podcast and do some things out there, too. So we'll have to see how that plays out. But, Hunter, thank you. And we're narrowing down the Bubba on the Lake challenge bracket, and we are getting very close to having our winner and our runner up. And of course, we'll have them here on the podcast. And the winner will be inducted into Bubba's contest hall of fame.

Rick Carley (14:46)

Yeah, it's going to be fun. It's going to be really fun. I'm so excited to see how this turns out.

Bubba (14:51)

Lot going on, a lot of moving parts. We'll be back in just a minute.

Sponsor (14:55)

You're listening to Bubba.

Hunter (14:58)

Bubba on the Lake at Central State Bank. We believe community banking is more than just transactions.

Bubba (15:06)

It's about relationships.

Hunter (15:07)

For over 100 years, we've been helping neighbors grow, businesses thrive, and dreams become reality. Because when you bank local, you invest in your community. Central State bank. Large enough to serve you, small enough to know you. Visit us today or learn more@centralstatebank.com Member FDIC.

Bubba (15:28)

Looking for that beautiful quilt or other fabulous gifts? Check out Ann's Quilts and Country Store in Rogersville. Come see Ms. Kim for all your quilting needs. She does custom quilts, memory and T shirt quilts and will also quilt your quilt top. There are gifts for women babies and even knives for the men folk. Visit Ms. Kim at Ann's Quilts, 1614 Lee St. In historic downtown Rogersville, Alabama. Call 256-483-2276 or search the store on Facebook and Google.

Sponsor (15:59)

It's Bubba on the Lake. Bubba on the lake.

Bubba (16:03)

Alright, everybody, we have a real treat. An old friend has agreed to come on the podcast today. Rick Carley. Rick, how are you doing?

Sponsor (16:12)

Good. How you doing, Bubba? You know, it's nice of you to reach out to me so we could do a Rick and Bubba podcast.

Bubba (16:19)

That's right. That's right.

Sponsor (16:21)

I've been waiting to tell you that. But no, no, I'm. You're good down by the lake and everything's good, I guess.

Bubba (16:27)

Rick, I'm looking out the window at three and a half miles of beautiful water out there. I don't know what else I could, I mean, I don't, I don't know what else I can say.

Sponsor (16:38)

I mean, you know, God has been good to you, that's for sure. Well, you know, like, you get to be our age, you know, you enjoy each and every day. People ask me how I'm doing. I say, look, you know, I'm above ground and I'm here and, you know, everything's good. So I'm glad to hear you're doing well. Good.

Bubba (16:53)

Everything is on the top shelf. And Rick, I'm just glad to have you on here because I know and for those people who may not know you, you're very well known here in our state and you were in sports for many, many years. You're still my sports guy. You know, I look at it that way. I know, I know, I know you moved over to do some news, but you're still always my sports guy and you're doing some other projects now. Tell everybody what you're doing.

Sponsor (17:21)

Yeah, well, you know, I spent 43 years in TV. I mean, time flies. So I spent probably 38 years as a sports anchor. You know, I worked down in Florida in New England, but I, the bulk of my career, 30 years is at Fox 6, WBRC, Fox 6 as a sports director. So you know, I was blessed enough to work with a really talented people and you know, created the sideline football show that went for three decades. And then in 2018 I left there. They kind of disassembled the sports office company wide. They let all the sports people go. And I went over to channel 13 into the morning show for about four or five years now. Bubba, look at, I love the morning show and you know, being kind of like, you know, the Regis Philbin wisecracking guy.

Bubba (18:06)

Right.

Sponsor (18:07)

But man, that alarm at 2:00am you know, I know you work the morning shift but you know, it would go off at 2:15 and so I'd be in full suit and makeup at 3:30 and doing about five radio shows and then four hours of local news. And look, it's first world problems. I mean I was very blessed, don't get me wrong. But, but you know, after four or five years that 2:00am alarm just kind of started to wear on me. So I just stepped aside and now I am, I'm writing on Facebook and I discovered years ago that, you know, instead of writing about me all the time like most people do, their families, whatever, which is fine, I started writing about other people and I, and I, you know, I kept those stories positive. And so now I kind of, I'm kind of marketing myself as Rick Carl at Good News. I'm the Good News guy. And it's really kind of taken off. You know, I'm about to start a podcast, a couple months with Lars Anderson, who's a pretty famous writer, just finished the Tom Brady book. Matt Coulter will join me. James Spann will be with us. And you know, I'm, I'm doing some other work. I've got some book offers, I'm writing for AL.com so you know, I'm doing a lot of little projects in my old age but not getting up at 2 in the morning. So it's, it's, it's worked out really well.

Bubba (19:18)

Yeah, people don't realize you had to get up earlier than I did. And I certainly didn't have to look good to be on tv what we were doing. But Rick, it ages you. I mean I think it takes years off your life.

Sponsor (19:31)

Oh, it's, I mean I'd say you, you know, and you know, you're, you're like me, average looking guy and, and no offense, but I mean, you know, we're not, you know, we're, yeah, we got a face made for radio. Yeah. But I mean we're not George Clooney. And I'll tell you what, years ago though, as a sports anchor, because I started as a sports anchor, 1980, I was 22 back then. And you know, 20 years later, whenever it was high def comes in, remember when the big. Oh yeah, definition. Well, I mean, you know me, Rick, Harley, a lot of these other people, just average looking people. When high def came in, man, that was a blow. That was tough. People could see every little, every little pimple on you and every little molecule. So I mean, and I will say this, a lot of these young male and female anchors that are handsome and beautiful today, you see on tv, well, they are that beautiful in real life because nowadays TV doesn't make up for anything.

Bubba (20:27)

It shows all the flaws, nowhere to hide. I remember when that came about, Rick. It's funny you mentioned that because I had just built a theater room at our house. It was a project I had worked on for many, many years. Got high, definitely had like a hundred inch projection screen. And the first thing I saw on it was Mike Royer's head. And I thought, I thought, my goodness, this is really close up, this is really detailed. And no, Mike's a great guy. I kid him about that a lot of times.

Sponsor (20:58)

But I saw him last night at the club, he was over there for the Love lady center banquet. So yeah, he's doing well. But yeah, isn't that funny, the high def thing? Well, you know what I get a kick out of even to these, to this day, you know, somebody will come up to the store and say, hey, Rick. And they'll say, hey, how you doing? They'll recognize you from tv, which is nice. And then they'll say, you know, either you look a lot better in person or you look a lot better on tv. So either one is kind of a shot. Because if they say you look better in person, that means I look like crap on tv. And then if they say you look better on tv, that means I look must look pretty bad in person.

Bubba (21:35)

So you just can't win, can you?

Sponsor (21:39)

Can't win, but you just keep, you just keep grinding. As I tell my kids, keep grinding and live to see another day, right?

Bubba (21:45)

Oh, absolutely. Well, Rick, I do want to ask you about the final four coming up. We're doing kind of a special Final Four podcast here and there seems to be, and maybe it's me, and I've asked some of the other guests this. There seems to be more interest in this year's final four than your run of the mill year. And I'm not really sure why. I don't know if it's just my perception of it or the fact there was so many SEC teams in it. Hey, how about the SEC is now a basketball conference?

Sponsor (22:17)

Hey, man, how about that? Were there nine teams in there? Something like that. Unbelievable.

Bubba (22:22)

It was a record one at 14 or something.

Sponsor (22:25)

14, that's right.

Bubba (22:26)

Yeah.

Sponsor (22:27)

Then the sweet 16, it dwindled a nine, I think. Yeah. And now there's still, what, two in there, so.

Hunter (22:36)

Right, right.

Sponsor (22:37)

But. But I think it's the SEC thing. I think it's the Auburn thing, too. And, you know, it's funny, I went to pick up some dry cleaning yesterday and a big Bama guy, you know, he just loves Batman. You know, Bama's team was really good.

Bubba (22:48)

Yes.

Sponsor (22:48)

Bama could have won the whole thing. I mean, they're a little bit streaky. You never know what you're going to get with Bama. But when they were on. Oh, my Lord, he says, I go, so you're rooting for Auburn? He says, yeah, I'm going to root for Auburn because they're a state team. But most of my friends, they're Bama fans and they want nothing to Auburn, so it's either or, you know. But like, I think that it's. It's wide open. I. I mean, I'm rooting for Auburn because, I mean, I like Bruce Perot and he's been nice to have me down to some games. My. My wife and I. And, you know, you get the courtside seats there and he's been very good to us and. And so I'm kind of rooting for them. But if Bama was in, I'd. I'd be rooting for, you know, the local teams, too. But I'll tell you, here's my. Here's my. Here's my thing on all four of them. I think Auburn can win it all, but they've got the lowest odds to win it. For some reason. I don't think they shoot free throws very well. I think Chad Baker Mazar is a little bit of a head case at times. They can keep him in the game is important.

Bubba (23:48)

You know, you really got to be on the court to be a factor.

Sponsor (23:51)

Right, right. It's like when you're averaging while you're throwing down 17 points a game. Yeah. It's important that you stay in the game. And. But. But the free throw things, you know, broom is only like 50%. Dylan Cardwell is terrible, Great guy, fine young man. He shoots about 32% so I think the free throws could step up and bite them. And, you know, and I think offensive rebounding is their kind of kryptonite, too. So, you know, I don't know. I hope they go all the way, but I think it's going to be tough to beat Florida again. You know, in Florida, played Auburn a couple of weeks ago. Yeah, I think it was.

Bubba (24:25)

The SEC put a burn down on. It was at home. It was an Auburn's place.

Hunter (24:28)

Yeah, they did.

Sponsor (24:30)

And the thing is they. They hit, if I can remember right, they hit 25 of 27 from the free throw line and Auburn went like 10 of 20 or something like that. And that's the difference right there. I mean, good free throw shooting teams are going to win. So Florida is going to be tough. Now Duke, and you saw what Duke did to Bama. Yeah, my gosh, when Duke is on and they are just. They are just fantastic. They get the kid out of Maine and. And for flag, who's good and. And so they've got it all. And then you look at Houston, they've just got great rebounding and they don't turn it over a lot. So, you know, who knows? I did a. I did a little bracket with my wife just for. I think we bet 100 bucks. And of course, whoever wins doesn't matter because 100 bucks stays in the check. But. But she's got. She's got all four final Fours and I've got like two of the four and, you know, she just picks them because, you know, she thinks the point guard's cute or something.

Bubba (25:27)

Yeah.

Sponsor (25:27)

You know what I mean? So. Yeah. So you. You just don't know how it'll go. I think that the lesson there with the wife is that any of these teams can win and it's just really hard to pick. And maybe that's part of the reason it's been so popular this year, too.

Bubba (25:40)

Who do you like? Duke and Houston?

Sponsor (25:44)

I like Duke and I don't know a lot about Houston. I. You know, when you ever have a. You trust your gut, you know, little birdie's telling you inside, whether it's, I don't know, you befriend somebody or you. Whatever you say, this guy's a little bit of, you know, you kind of trust your gut. Something inside of me is whispering, houston. Watch Houston. I don't know why that is, but every time I think they're overlooked by a major part of the country, I think they're really tough defensively, their defense as good as Auburn's defense is. And if Auburn wins at all or wins Saturday, it'll be because of their defense. Their defense when it's on is tremendous. But Houston's defense, from what I hear, what I read, and I'm not an expert on Houston, but from what I read, their defense is as good or better than Auburn's. And if they're saying that about Houston, they must be really, really good. So, you know, if I had to pick, I would probably pick Duke just because of how they looked against Bama. But again, I'm a casual fan like y'all, you know, it's just the last game you see, you go, wow, Duke was really good against Bama. They're going to win it. Well, you know, I don't. Not necessarily, you know, so. And then Auburn, Florida, I mean, you can say if you're, if you're a War Eagle guy or gal, you can say, look, it's, it's hard to beat a team a couple times in a row, you know, so Florida's going to have their hands full beating them twice. So, you know, I'd like to see Auburn and Duke in the finals and I'd like to see Auburn beat Duke, you know, but, you know. Yeah, I told my wife, you know, these teams could play each other 10 times and split every time.

Bubba (27:16)

Yeah, well, they're all good. You know, they're all number one seeds, so they've, they've had the eye test all year. And when you get at that level, the little things matter. Like you said, who's hot beyond the arc and who can make free throws. Because you cannot win ball games if you can't make free throws when they're fouling you at the end of the game.

Sponsor (27:38)

Just right, right. Yeah. And it's, it's probably my old man. I'm getting on, you know, I'll be 68 this December. So I'm getting up there and it's probably my, you know, my, I'm turning into my father, but he stay off my long guy. But it drives me nuts when I, whoever I'm watching, especially when I'm rooting for something or a team like Obama or an Auburn or uap. These guys are taking left handed behind the back, one hand jam, windmill slams. They can't step to the free throw line and hit a free throw. It is just the most crazy thing I've ever seen.

Bubba (28:11)

Rick, do you think it's a mental thing? Is free throw shooting mental more than anything else?

Sponsor (28:17)

I think so. I've worked in Jacksonville, Florida before. I came here in the mid-80s, and there's a guy down there named Ted St. Martin. Now Ted St. Martin, back then I was in his 50s, probably stood all of 5 foot 9, 160 pounds. And he held the Guinness Book of World Records mark for free throw shooting. I think he hit 2000, 130 consecutive. And I would do some stories about once a year come March Madness on Ted, because he lived around St. Augustine or wherever he lived out at the beach down there. And he would come in and he just boom, boom, boom. I said, what is. He said, look, it's just. It's got to have an arc to it. You know, you have to throw it up and let it come down. You can't throw it at the rim. And he had also. But it says it's a fairly easy thing. So with that said, I think a lot of these big guys, Broom and Cardwell and some of these 6 foot 8, 6 foot 10 guys, they're so tall that they, they kind of shoot it almost down. Remember how Shaquille O'Neill was so bad because he was so tall, they're almost shooting a laser dart at the rim instead of throwing it up and letting it come down and swish through the net. So I allude to Ted St. Martin saying there's a secret to it, and that is up and down and let the ball fall through the net that way. Some of these guys are just too big. They just can't throw that.

Bubba (29:38)

Rick, I've got to ask. Did Ted shoot overhand or did he shoot granny shot?

Sponsor (29:43)

No, he shot, you know, remember Rick Barry shot underhand with the Golden Stateways? But no, he shot overhand. Just a normal guy. And he's probably my size skill. It'll wimpy guy just, you know, 160 and he just boom, boom, boom, boom. And if you Google him, it's St. Martin, Ted St. Martin. And you'll find him. He's all in the, in the world record books. And it. He's. I don't know what he did for a living. I forget. Obviously wasn't a pro basketball player, but he, he's just a dude. I don't know if he worked for Publix or what he did, but yeah, you know what I mean? He was just. Well, he was just good at what he did.

Bubba (30:16)

You know, free throws to me are like putting in golf. You don't have to. You don't have to hit the gym to do it. Nobody's in your face. You don't have to be Faster than anybody else. It's just you and the basket or you and the ball and the hole and it's just, it's just you got to make it happen.

Sponsor (30:35)

Yeah. And I'm with you on that, that golfing. I used to be a pretty good golfer. You know that's before kids and before life.

Bubba (30:41)

Yeah, we played together a few times. Remember I think we once some hardware one time.

Sponsor (30:45)

Yeah, I mean we were pretty good. I mean. But I can't, I, I've. I've picked it back up. I went out over to the tour store there in Inverness area in Birmingham and bought myself some new irons. The senior shafts and you know, I thought I was gonna. I can't hit the thing a lick. I've just lost it. And, and it's. And now I've got the yips and, and it's like that in free throw shooting. I think that you know, you get the yips over that three foot putt and there's been some great golfers who have gone through those that say, you know, they're on the tour 150 spots, they might have one of tour event and they've at some point in their career they get the yips, they can't hit the three footers anymore. So maybe it's a mental thing after all.

Bubba (31:22)

Rick, if you have to bet the farm, who we're going to see playing Monday night and who's going to win.

Sponsor (31:28)

Who. Okay, here's. I'll give you who. Who is going to play and, and who's going to win and who I want to play. You know what to win. Okay. I want obviously to see Auburn win, but I just don't know about their free throw shooting. So I'm going to pick. I have a feeling Auburn's going to beat Florida just because it's the second time and Bruce Pearl's just really good, you know. So I'm going to go out on a limb. Most people are picking Florida and I said I'm going to pick Auburn and then I think Duke's going to win the national championship. They're just really good. They do everything well. They hit the long ball, they hit free throws. Their offensive rebounding is tremendous. Cooper Flag can stand up against Janai Broom or anybody Auburn has. And so I say Duke can I say the rich kids from North Carolina are gonna.

Bubba (32:19)

Well, there you go. If you got to bet the farm, you've. You've heard it firsthand from Rick Carley right there.

Sponsor (32:24)

Well, well the good news is I don't Have a farm. So even if I was not, it's not a big deal. What do you guys like? Real quick, before you say goodbye, who are you picking?

Bubba (32:35)

Well, you know, obviously I'm pulling for Auburn. Bruce is a neighbor down here and, you know, you can't help but do that. I think the key one, we don't know, Janiah Broom, how healthy he is after he was injured, that's going to be a big factor. But even if he's healthy, I think the key to Auburn is their guard play. Broom is going to get his points, he's going to get his rebounds, he's going to get his assist. The key is the guards. If they're cold, if they're shooting, you know, 20% from three point country, it's going to be a long and hard night. Now, if they heat up and they're shooting 40 and 50, I think miles Kelly to me may be the, the X factor here. If he gets hot, if he can throw down 20, 25 points, they're going to be hard to beat.

Sponsor (33:24)

Yeah, that is exactly. Boy, you've been doing your homework, bubba. Yeah, good job. And him and Pettiford both.

Hunter (33:30)

Real quick about Bruce Pearl.

Sponsor (33:31)

Before, before, let me go. I know he's a man for years because, you know, I write on Facebook now, Rick, Carly, good news. Cheap plug if you want.

Bubba (33:39)

Absolutely. Plug away, Plug, plug, plug, plug away.

Sponsor (33:42)

But anyway, on, on my Facebook page called Rick, Carly, good news. But anyway, on my Facebook page a couple, a couple weeks ago, you know, they played at Bama and they. Auburn won at Bama.

Bubba (33:52)

Remember that? Oh, yeah.

Sponsor (33:54)

And then on his way home, he got in his car, went home, Pearl from Tuscaloosa and Luke lady called me, said, hey, I just saw Bruce Pearl at Home Depot down here in Alex City. And he had stopped in to get some deer repellent because they were eating his wife's flowers at his place at Lake Martin. And I thought, only in Alabama does Bruce Pearl, an hour and a half after beating Bama, get in his pickup truck, drive to Home Depot in the same shirt he was coaching in and go buy deer repellent at Home Depot. I thought, I think that is the greatest Alabama thing ever.

Bubba (34:23)

Well, it also shows that Bruce Pearl has a boss and her name's Brandy.

Sponsor (34:28)

Yeah, that's right. Like we all have. Exactly.

Bubba (34:33)

Yes. Rick, thank you for joining us. We'll do this again. This was a lot of fun.

Sponsor (34:37)

Yeah. All right, guys, take care and good luck to you.

Bubba (34:40)

Rick Carley, broadcasting legend from central Alabama. You saw him on Fox 6 NBC 13. And now he's bringing the good news. Be sure to check that out. Rick. Thank you. And we will be right back. You're listening to Bubba.

Hunter (34:56)

Bubba on the perfect checking account does.

Sponsor (35:01)

Not exist, at least not at a bank.

Hunter (35:04)

At AmFirst, you can get no minimum balance or monthly fees, an instant issue debit card and free checks with unlimited check writing. But who doesn't want more like a.

Sponsor (35:14)

Rewards program you'll actually use and convenient.

Rick Carley (35:17)

Digital tools that make it easy to.

Hunter (35:19)

Manage your account from anywhere. That's what you'll find at Amherst. Only available for qualifying members. Amfirst is federally insured by the ncua.

Bubba (35:29)

You know one thing I love about Buffalo Wild Wings, you can get wings with any of their 26 sauces and dry rubs for takeout and delivery. That's like bringing an entire B dubs.

Sponsor (35:38)

Home with you, which you can't do.

Bubba (35:40)

I tried.

Hunter (35:40)

I've knocked down so many walls only.

Bubba (35:43)

To then be told to halt construction because I'm not zoned to be a sports bar. Kind of just looks like a big pergola or something.

Hunter (35:50)

Because of the lack of walls, at.

Bubba (35:52)

Least these 26 sauces and dry rubs.

Hunter (35:54)

Are available to go.

Bubba (35:55)

Buffalo Wild Wings. Let's go, sports bar.

Sponsor (35:59)

It's Bubba on the lake. Bubba on the lake.

Bubba (36:03)

Welcome back, everybody to the final four spectacular. As we preview the final four in San Antonio this weekend. It's the, I would say, the largest sporting event in the country behind the super bowl and always very popular. Joining us now, back by popular demand, Ron Brown from the next round live. Ron, how are you, sir?

Hunter (36:27)

Bubba? I am great. Do I have the record for most appearances on bubble on the lake so far or Betty, Caitlin, Hunter, Somebody is. Somebody edged me out yet?

Bubba (36:37)

Well, I will say outside the family, this put you in firmly in first place.

Hunter (36:42)

All right, all right. I just want to keep my lead. I just want to know where I stand.

Bubba (36:46)

Well, you're back by popular demand and thank you for being again with us, Ryan.

Hunter (36:50)

Anytime.

Bubba (36:51)

We're kind of running down the final four happening this weekend in San Antonio and I wanted to get your thoughts where we are now. This final four is a little unique. I think only the second time ever we've had all number one seeds from all four districts make or what do they call them now? It's not section.

Hunter (37:17)

Regions.

Bubba (37:17)

Regions. That's right. Regions at basketball ball to make it to the final four. And I don't know, it seems to me there's a little more curiosity, a little more going on with it. This year, maybe it's just me, maybe it's the sec, maybe success Auburn and Alabama's had, maybe the fact Auburn's in the Final Four, I don't know, what do you say?

Hunter (37:40)

Well, you know, it is, as you said, it is rather unique. I think a lot of people might be surprised by the stat you just shared. They started seeding the tournament giving, you know, teams one seed through 16 seeds. Well, actually it wasn't 16 at the time because the tournament expanded anyway. They started seeding it back in 1979. And to think this is only the second time that 41 seeds have made the Final Four is pretty remarkable when you think about it, because, you know, in theory, those are the four best teams in America. And I think it just shows you. I think that highlights how difficult it is to accomplish this to make the Final Four. So for Auburn to have now done it twice in school history is. It's pretty remarkable. I think you've got some interesting stories. I think Bruce Pearl, who's won 700 some odd games, Kelvin Sampson, who's won about the same, the Houston coach. These are two guys that have been doing this a long time. And you know, you can make an argument this is probably for both of them. It wouldn't be surprising if this is their last good chance to finally when and play for and win a national championship. And then on the other side, you got these two young guys, John Shire, who took over, you know, for legendary new coach, the greatest to have ever done it, at least in our lifetime, Mike Krzyzewski. And he has not let Duke drop off one bit. The guy that played for Coach K and now is replacing him. And then you got Todd golden and you got storylines there too. This is a guy that. He's the Florida coach that Bruce Pearl hired at Auburn as a basketball operations guy and now he's a head coach of a team, you know, that that is possibly going to win a national championship. So I do think you've got some really cool storylines here going into this Final Four.

Bubba (39:20)

Do you think Florida is the best team in the country right now, just on paper?

Hunter (39:28)

Well, you know, maybe I'm just a prisoner of the moment. I guess that's what you're asking me. If you're asking me best team in the country right now. You kind of have to be the prison or the moment to answer that. I would probably say Duke Boba now coming into the tournament. I would have said Florida. I think Florida was playing the best basketball coming into the tournament. They got healthy, you Know, towards the end of January, they beat Auburn at Auburn. They beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa. They won the SEC tournament. They. I mean, they were the hottest team in America coming into the NCAA tournament. I don't think there's any doubt about that. And the SEC had gotten so much respect. You know, the knock on Duke wise. Well, Duke hasn't really played anybody. They haven't had any close games. They've been able to coast in the acc, that's down this year. Well, that all goes away once you make the NCAA Tournament. I mean, when you've made the Final Four and you've had to go through the gauntlet of the tournament to get the Final Four, a weak conference doesn't mean anything anymore. And you look at what Duke has done, we keep waiting for them to be tested. Nobody has played them close. I mean, they lost one game to Clemson. That's the only game they've lost since the turn of the calendar. And nobody has really played them particularly close. And we keep waiting for somebody to play them close in this tournament. Arizona is the team that played them the closest. The scoreboard said seven points, but Duke was up by 20 in that game. Arizona just came back late to make it tight. You know, Alabama was playing really good ball. They beat Alabama by 20. So we still have not seen this Duke team get tested. And it's hard for me to say a team that has made a run like that through the tournament isn't currently the best team in America. But listen, you can make an argument for Florida. There is no doubt once they got healthy, they look to have been the most complete team, certainly in the SEC and other than Duke, maybe in all of America.

Bubba (41:15)

You know, Duke's pedigree gets them a long way. I've compared them to people who do eye surgery. I mean, they are very technical in their game. They're very good when they get good players. I mean, they. They have crazy success. But, you know, when you line up against Houston, you better be physical and be ready to. I mean, you're going to come out of there battered and bruised if you beat them.

Hunter (41:39)

Well, Duke's an exceptional defensive team, but there may be nobody in the country that does it better than Kelvin Sampson in Houston. I mean, that is what their team is built on. And the knock on Kelvin Sampson's team to Houston. Now, for those who don't follow college basketball, that close to. Kelvin Sampson has been around this game a long time. This guy has coached a long time. He's had a tremendous level of success everywhere. He's been, Listen to this, Bubba. He won the Pac12 coach of the Year at Washington State. He won the Big Eight Coach of the Year. That shows you how long he's been doing Big Eight conferences has been going a long time. He won the Big Eight Coach of the Year at Oklahoma. He's the AAC Coach of the Year at, at Houston when they were in the American Athletic Conference. He has since been the Big 12 coach of the Year at Houston. This guy has won coach of the year on four different conferences. And he also coached in Indiana and he ran into some NCAA trouble in Indiana. That's why he left there to go to, eventually to Houston. So this guy's been around a long time and he is a defensive genius. Nobody's teams play better defense than Kelvin Samuels. And they're big, they're physical, they're quick, they take away your passing lane. That will be a really good defensive matchup because you saw what Duke's defense could do against Alabama. Alabama that hit 25, 3 against BYU, which is an absurd number. And they could barely, they could barely get any shots off from the outside against Duke because Duke's defense is just that good. So. And Duke's a big team. It's the tallest team in basketball. Here, here's another stat for you. Duke averages, their Average starter is 6, 8. Now they got a guy that's 7 2. So that's going to skew the average. The average in 6, 7. So their average starting 5 is actually taller than your average NBA player.

Bubba (43:24)

That is crazy. Yeah, that is really crazy.

Hunter (43:28)

Yeah. So they're a big team. So yeah, you're right. That game will feature, you know, two really, really good defensive teams that do not mind getting after it on the defensive end of the court. So I think, you know, your Auburn Florida game will be a little bit higher scoring. I think the Duke, now all these teams play really good defense. You don't get this far without playing good defense. But I think the Auburn Florida game would likely be the higher scoring of the two games. And if you like defensive lower scoring games, Duke and Duke and Houston would probably be that one for you.

Bubba (44:00)

Ron, what is the report on Janae Broom Houses health?

Hunter (44:06)

So as you and I talk, which Auburn has just completed their first practice in San Antonio? He was full participant in practice. Now, Bruce Pearl had held him out of their Auburn practices to rest. Rest his shoulder a little bit or his elbow, I should say. He's had a lot of trouble this year. He's had a shoulder injury. He's had a leg injury, had an elbow injury, most recently there in the. In the Elite Eight. So he was held out of practice in Auburn, but once they got to San Antonio, he was full participant. He described himself as 100%. I don't think there's ever been any question whether or not he's going to play. I just think the question is, how hurt is he? How effective can he be? How much will Florida try to attack that injury? But he was for participant in practice that says he's 100%. So it appears whatever injury had him back in the locker room in the Elite Eight against Michigan State is about as filled up as it could be right now.

Bubba (45:03)

Boy, it looked bad because he rolled his ankle, he extended his knee, he extended his elbow, possibly his wrist. And I mean, it was kind of one of those moments where you come piling in and everything was falling apart.

Hunter (45:20)

Yeah, I was so confused, Bubba, because watching live, when he went down, I saw him hyperextend that knee, and, you know, he'd already had the leg injury this year. And when it. When his leg hyperextend, I thought, oh, no, he's hurt his leg. Well, then the camera cuts to him, and he's sitting there holding his elbow. I was like, what on earth did he do to his elbow? I didn't see that to begin with. And then they show the replay and you saw both of them, and, I mean, it was a bad scene there for a minute. You could read his lips when he walked by the Auburn bench. He said, I'm done. His parents came down out of the stands. Tracy Wilson of CBS reported they went back in the locker room with him. That's normally a sign that it's a pretty severe injury when mom and dad don't go back up to when they go to the locker room. To see him come back out and then to make an impact in the game was pretty remarkable. There's no doubt.

Bubba (46:07)

Ron, if you had to bet the farm, this is what I've been asking everybody. You had to bet the farm. Who are we going to see playing Monday night, and who's going to win?

Hunter (46:18)

Well, in my initial bracket, I had Houston playing Florida, which is still a possibility. If you allowed me a mulligan here, Bubba, I think I would take Duke, Florida, and probably take Duke to win. If I go by my original bracket, I have Houston playing Florida and Houston winning. So I'll claim. I'll claim victory either way there. But if you allowed me a mulligan in my bracket right now, I would take Duke playing Florida and Duke winning the national championship.

Bubba (46:45)

Well, just, just playing the numbers and the averages, if you, if you want to be safe, if Duke's in it, you got to give them the nod, right?

Hunter (46:53)

Well, this is their 18th final four. I mean, think about that. I think it's Houston. I don't have the numbers in front of me. I think it's Houston's fourth, I think it's Florida's fourth and it's Auburn second. They don't, whatever the numbers are, they don't combine to have as many Final Fours as Duke does. So, you know, it's just like a birth right? Now, look, none of these Duke players have been in a Final Four because it's been a minute since they've been there. Coach K's last game was right before John Shire took over, was in the Final Four against North Carolina several years ago, three years ago. So they played three full seasons to have him in there. So most of these guys don't know it, but there's just. There is something about a program that is just accustomed to being there. They know how to handle it. You know, Bruce Pearl or Stephen Pearl, Bruce's son, was on our show earlier this week and he said they learned so much back in 2019 about stuff that is, you know, extra things you have to do, stuff that is asked of you to do once you get to the Final Four sides that they didn't know and now they're better prepared. Well, Duke's done this 18 times. There's nothing that's going to catch them by surprise. So, you know, there's something to be said for that. I agree with you. When you see that brand in the Final Four, you just trust that brand knows what they're doing.

Bubba (48:03)

Ron, how is everything with Next Round Live? Tell us what's going on with. With your podcast.

Hunter (48:08)

Well, I appreciate you let me do that, bubba. It's kind of you to do that. And people can find us next round live.com next round live.com or on social media at Next Round Live. And we do it live 9 to 12 each day and talk about sports and some other things. We get away from sports a lot and we just have fun doing it. Everything is going well. It was. You've highlighted before. You're kind of bringing this up. It was a gamble when we left radio and decided to do this, but we are. We're more than three years in now. So it has worked to a certain extent. We're just trying to make it keep working and build from there. But we're having fun doing it every day, man. We have a blast. And I just, I hope people enjoy listening to it and watching it as much as we enjoy doing.

Bubba (48:55)

Well, Ryan, you guys are doing a great job. You've got a beautiful studio and facility. The thing I want to know, and I told you this and I really appreciate this, you sent me a gift bag and some non alcoholic wine for us Baptists. But that was very, very nice of you to do, but I know none of y'all did that. Who does that for you guys?

Hunter (49:20)

That was, that was New York Butcher Shop. Our friends, if you haven't met Jim, there's one very close down in the Greystone area near where you and I, well, where you used to live and I still live. There's one at Cahaba Heights and they do a good job for it. He's a good guy and that's a good company. New York Butcher Shop. So they put all that together and did you get the banana bread? Was that in there too?

Bubba (49:44)

Ron? We got so much stuff, my family started dividing it up, you know, I mean, they were just, they hit that like they had been on a desert island, you know, and they were tearing into it. Now I got the cheese straws because I love those and those are really, really good.

Hunter (50:00)

But you know, they've got a banana bread. They got a banana bread I think they put in there. That is outrageous. If you like banana bread, it is fantastic.

Bubba (50:06)

You know, I felt kind of bad because you guys are handling the PR so much better than I do. I mean, I like text somebody, give them a thumbs up, you know what I mean? So the eat cheese straws and all that stuff you sent was much nicer than a. Hey, a thumbs up.

Hunter (50:22)

Well, you know, listen, we've, we've been blessed. We've got some good advertisements. They like to help us out. So that's one of them. New York butcher Shop. Go see them in Greystone, Acaba Heights. They're good people. They got good meat too.

Bubba (50:33)

I hope some of my staff hears that. We got a turning boy, you got to do a little better job over there. Okay, well, look, tell Jim and LT we said hello. Thanks Ryan, for taking a few minutes with us. And we're headed out to San Antonio, so hopefully we can get some interviews in. And I don't know what we're up to against. We're limited on the amount of equipment we can carry. So we're headed out there and we're going to try to get some behind the scenes audio. We'll see how it goes. We might have a podcast, we might not.

Hunter (51:06)

I hope you can. Can I tell you this real quick? We were each summer, my wife and I tried to take. I've got two daughters. We've got two daughters. We try to take a place that they've never been. And we did the Tour of Texas i35 last year. We started in Dallas, Fort Worth, went through Austin, Waco, and ended up in San Antonio. And I loved San Antonio. I don't know if you've ever been, Mama. And we stayed right there on the Riverwalk. And the Riverwalk is beautiful and it's a cool area. One of the locals said, man, you better be glad you're not here during the final four. You can't, man. People almost fall in the water. So.

Bubba (51:41)

Wow.

Hunter (51:42)

He said, he said it's so crowded that you can't even walk on the Riverwalk during the final four, so be prepared for that.

Bubba (51:48)

Well, now, Barkley said it ain't much of a river. He said it looks more like a creek.

Hunter (51:52)

It is. I mean, I speak. They call it the Riverwalk there. I think in Alabama we would call that where you and I grew up, Bubba. That is Cane Creek, all right? That's the equivalent of Cane Creek for those of us that are from Calhoun County, Alabama.

Bubba (52:06)

Oh, gosh, we know it well, Ryan, thanks for taking time, man. I appreciate it. And we will check in again with you soon. Ryan Brown from next round live. Thanks, Ryan.

Hunter (52:16)

All right, Bubba, have a great trip.

Bubba (52:18)

Thanks.

Sponsor (52:19)

It's Bubba on the Lake. Bubba on the Lake.

Bubba (52:24)

This is Coke Zero Sugar.

Rick Carley (52:26)

Could I be the best Coke ever?

Bubba (52:28)

Try and taste with your ears. Hear those bubbles Imagine them tingling on your top. Fizzy deliciousness. Listen to that cascading liquid.

Rick Carley (52:40)

A mouth watering waterfall.

Bubba (52:42)

Irresistibly tasty, Zero sugar. Crisp, refreshing and ice cold. Is Coke Zero Sugar the best Coke ever? Try and decide when you need urgent care. Southern Immediate Care is here for you. Illness doesn't follow a 9 to 5 schedule, so we offer support seven days a week at convenient locations throughout Birmingham and northeast Alabama. Dedicated to serving all ages, from children to adults, Southern Immediate Care offers occupational medicine services, including dot physicals and testing. At Southern Immediate Care, your health is our top priority. Visit southern immediatecare.com or call 205-409-2794.

Sponsor (53:24)

It's Bubba on the Lake. Bubba on the Lake.

Bubba (53:28)

Well, folks, that'll about do it for our final four spectacular as we have previewed the big final four coming up in San Antonio this weekend. Very good to talk with Rick Carley again. Good to have Ron Brown back on both of those guys. I think a lot of them. And always good to have Hunter on the show with the update on our bracket, how it's going and it's just folks, we're enjoying this. I appreciate you being a part of it. Remember, all that information is available@bubonthelake.com and you can check out our new comment line. I'm anxious to see how this is going to work. 308 Big Lake. 308 Big Lake. Leave your comment. We may use them, we may not. We'll see how that, you know, all that pans out. Don't forget to subscribe, turn on notifications like all that stuff you have to do online now. And of course, follow us on Instagram on our Bubba on the Lake page. So we're about ready to head to San Antonio. We're going to try to get everything. Betty, Betty, you know I'm recording here, honey. This is a. You can't just bust in on a top 100 podcast in the country. Well, you need to put a sign out there that says I'm broadcasting. You need a flashing light. Is that it? We're going to put a flashing light up out there. The old on air light. Just put a tie around the doorknob like you did in college. But anyway, something else that means something else, Betty. Okay. Now if you want to put a tie on the doorknob, I'm good. I'm just saying that would signify. Well, it would. It would signify something, that's for sure. And I don't think it's the Final Four. Well, everybody, here's Betty. Well, Betty, any thoughts on the Final Four since you're here? Well, War Eagle and hopefully they'll pull it out, but I don't know, the Gators look pretty good, too. And I can't remember the other two teams that are playing Houston and Houston and Duke. Oh, okay. Probably Duke. I don't know. Duke. Duke. Yeah. I've just never been able to pull for a team called the Blue Devils. Yeah, I don't know. I think that's kind of cool. Blue Devils. Yeah. What is a Blue Devil? Well, that in there, a song, Devil with a blue dress on.

Sponsor (55:49)

Is that.

Bubba (55:49)

That's not the same thing, I guess. But I seem to. I seem to pick up a trend on what you're. Are you all right? Do I need to wrap this podcast up? What you serving tonight, girl? Huh? Oh, Lord. Oh, me.

Sponsor (56:05)

Oh.

Bubba (56:06)

Well, good night for Catfish, guys. Yes, it is. Yes, it is. Well, as you heard, it's about time to wrap up. I got attend to Betty here, so we will catch you next time we're headed to San Antonio. Hopefully we'll have a podcast out of that. If not, we'll be back here next time Anyway, so thank all of you for being part of Bubba on the Lake. And until we sail into port again, take care of yourself.

Sponsor (56:31)

You're listening to Bubba on the Lake.

Hunter (56:33)

Hit me bad.

Sponsor (56:36)

A production of Intergalactic pants and Tees. All rights reserved.

Bubba (56:41)

This podcast is brought to you in part by Coke Am First, Buffalo Wild.

Sponsor (56:48)

Wings, Southern Immediate Care, Central State bank and Guaranteed Labels.

Bubba (56:56)

Hey, it's Bubba. Hey, Bubba.

Hunter (56:59)

Bubba on the lake. Bubba on the lake.

Bubba (57:04)

Yeah, he's got it going on. Gotta come and check this. Talking people, talking places From Bubba's perspective, this is Bubba, Bubba, Bubba, Bubba, Bubba.

Hunter (57:14)

On the lake Ain't.