Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 1: St. John's to Sweet 16 (March 23, 2026)
Overview
This episode dives deep into the excitement surrounding St. John’s improbable run to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. With co-host Don LaGreca traveling with the Devils, Alan Hahn and Peter Rosenberg lead the conversation, focusing on March Madness, Rick Pitino’s transformative impact at St. John’s, iconic buzzer-beaters, bracket busts, and passionate caller perspectives. They also touch on broader basketball topics, the unique culture of New York sports, and the quirks of working in sports media in the city.
Main Theme
Celebrating St. John’s Cinderella Journey & March Madness:
The episode’s primary focus is the electrifying win by St. John’s over Kansas, their advance to the Sweet 16, and the remarkable coaching of Rick Pitino. The hosts discuss the larger context of this year’s tournament—its wild finishes, personal bracket heartbreaks, and what makes this moment so special for New York sports fans.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Aftermath of a Wild Tournament Weekend
- Buzzer Beaters & Upsets ([02:10]–[03:16]):
- Don Hahn: “From Thursday to Sunday, we had a plethora of buzzer beaters. We had a bunch of upsets that just caught your attention… now it gets real.”
- Both hosts express how the opening rounds were more engaging than ever, packed with memorable moments.
2. Bracket Standings & Humbling Results
- Hosts’ Bracket Standings ([03:43]–[04:50]):
- Don is at 98.4% with 520 points, but lost Florida and Gonzaga. Peter has Michigan winning, sits at 31% with 410 points.
- Memorable banter about navigating the bracket apps, Peter’s indifference to his own picks, and Hahn’s humblebrag: “I’m three out of four, still alive, baby.”
3. Reliving St. John's Thrilling Win
4. St. John’s Under Pitino: The Transformation
- Pitino’s Impact ([08:03]–[10:10]):
- St. John’s now boasts back-to-back 30-win seasons—never before done in program history.
- Hahn emphasizes the skepticism around Pitino’s hire due to his past but calls the results undeniable.
- “This is a beautifully ugly basketball brand. This is not beautiful basketball. This is a team that will stifle you, shut you down, outwork you.” — Don Hahn ([09:12])
5. Looking Ahead: Duke vs. St. John’s, the Loaded Regional
- Lively preview of the upcoming Sweet 16 matchup, crowd atmosphere, and strong regional competitors: “If you could get yourself in that building, Friday night, you want to be in that building.” ([11:14])
- Contextualizes how this region (including UConn, Michigan State, Duke, St. John’s) stacks up historically—“That’s an insane regional. Tickets are pretty nuts already.” ([10:44])
6. College Basketball History Corner
- Coaching Legends & Sweet Sixteens ([13:16]–[18:19]):
- Discussion of Rick Pitino’s rare feat—taking four different schools to the Sweet 16, joining John Calipari and Lon Kruger.
- Engaging quiz between hosts on Calipari’s and Pitino’s career stops, NBA dalliances, and infamous recruiting sagas.
- “That’s some special company ... They haven’t gone this deep—two tournament games—since 1999, bro.” — Don Hahn ([19:12])
7. Caller Commentary: Defensive Strategies, "Ugly" Basketball, and STJ's Grit
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Caller “Griftster” on Kansas' breakdowns ([20:01]–[22:35]):
- Critique of Kansas and Florida’s defensive lapses.
- “It just scratch…some defensive strategies…What was Kansas doing? …Just allowing someone to just go to the hoop.” — Caller ([20:27])
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Caller Doug & Caller Earl on NY Basketball Identity ([32:54]–[35:12]):
- Discussions about the perceived “ugliness” of St. John’s style versus NBA standards.
- “Take it personal, all the way to sweet 16, baby.” — Don Hahn ([34:18])
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Banter about Pitino’s Nickname for Darling ([35:22]–[37:29]):
- “What does Rick Pitino…call…Darling? Church Bell baby.” — Caller
- Don explains: “He said he’s got like stones as big as church bells. That’s what he said.”
8. Broader NCAA Tournament Overview
- Analysis of this year’s “chalky” Sweet 16, predominance of top seeds, and historical comparisons ([39:59]–[41:34]):
- Caller Richard: “You have 12 out of the 16 top fours…so this has got to be the most chalk NCAA tournament that we’ve had in the 40.”
- Peter: “It’s a very…the field that’s left in the Sweet 16, which is what’s interesting about how I’m still so bad in the tournament, because all I basically did was pick favorites and yet somehow I’ve managed to be terrible…”
9. Quick Hits: Knicks, NBA Proposals, Air Traffic Tragedy
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NBA Tanking and Lottery Format ([38:00]–[39:37]):
- Caller Richard suggests a tournament among non-playoff teams for the #1 draft pick. Alan: “Here’s why I hate it. I’m not playing for my replacement.” ([39:19])
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Knicks Second Seed Scenario ([50:36]–[51:22]):
- Hypothetical where Knicks may overtake for the #2 seed. “There is a scenario where by Thursday, the Knicks could actually be in the second seed.”
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Air Traffic Controller Incident ([45:59]–[47:26]):
- Hosts show somber respect reflecting on the tragic accident at LaGuardia.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On St. John’s Basketball:
“This is a beautifully ugly basketball brand. This is not beautiful basketball. This is a team that will stifle you, shut you down, outwork you. The offense is not pretty.”
— Don Hahn ([09:12])
“The Rick Pitino transformation continues.”
— Peter Rosenberg ([06:42])
“Take it personal all the way to sweet 16, baby.”
— Don Hahn ([34:18])
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On NCAA Tournament Drama:
“Had that shot gone in, down two, second round of the tournament, 10ft beyond half court for the win. That is immediately like a top five greatest shots of all time.”
— Peter Rosenberg ([22:39])
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Iconic Moments:
- Play-by-play of Darling’s game winner relived on air ([06:19]–[06:54])
- “He’s got like stones as big as church bells. That’s what [Pitino] said!” — Don Hahn ([37:20])
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On New York Sports Energy:
“There’s no Monday like a post-first weekend of the tournament Monday, when the Tri-State area actually has a vest in weekend two, the Johnny’s. How about that?”
— Peter ([02:13])
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Tournament weekend recap / Buzzer-beaters: [02:10]–[03:16]
- Bracket breakdown & banter: [03:43]–[04:50]
- St. John’s game at the Garden / Game-winner: [05:03]–[06:54]
- Pitino impact; STJ identity: [08:03]–[10:10], [13:16]–[14:26]
- Caller Griftster on defense: [20:01]–[22:35]
- College basketball historical discussion: [13:16]–[18:19]
- ‘Ugly’ basketball argument: [32:54]–[35:12]
- Knicks second seed scenario: [50:36]–[51:09]
- Air traffic control / LaGuardia: [45:59]–[47:26]
Tone & Style
The episode maintains the classic rhythm of New York sports talk: fast-paced, quick banter, friendly jabs, deep dives, and open lines for passionate fans. Hahn’s encyclopedic basketball knowledge and Rosenberg’s humor and openness foster both depth and playful energy throughout.
For New Listeners
- This episode is a must-listen for NYC sports fans, especially those following St. John’s or locked into March Madness.
- The hosts’ blend of knowledge, irreverence, and genuine investment in New York sports delivers a fun, spirited, and occasionally poignant take on an iconic sports moment.
- Even if you aren’t following every bracket or local rivalry, you’ll leave with a sense of why March in New York hits different—especially when the Johnny’s make a run.
