Eye On College Basketball — January 30, 2026
Episode Title: Finally: AJ Dybantsa vs. Darryn Peterson. Plus: huge Michigan-Michigan St. game; SEC plot thickens; weekend picks
Hosts: Gary Parrish & Matt Norlander
Episode Overview
This episode dives into several of the week’s biggest college hoops stories, with Parrish and Norlander bringing their trademark wit, storytelling, and sharp analysis. They open with a (very snowy) SEC travel tale, then dissect the messy SEC title chase — a league with high competition but lacking a clear national title contender. Other highlights include field reporting from Vanderbilt’s Memorial Gym, analysis of the upcoming Michigan-Michigan State matchup, a deep look at the CBS Sports Classic shakeup, and an in-depth preview of the must-watch AJ Dybantsa vs Darryn Peterson showdown. The conversation finishes with their picks for the top games of the weekend, including some sharp banter and a flurry of building-centric predictions.
Main Discussion Highlights
1. SEC State of the Union & Weather Stories
(02:15–06:18, 11:13–12:27, 16:45–23:11)
Opening Banter & Travel Woes
- Parrish recounts a harrowing, icy walk home from Memphis airport:
“...Dragging my suitcase and, oh, by the way, I’m not going to name names because I don’t even know their names. But don’t ever let people tell you, you know, folks in the South are the nicest. ...They might do anything for you. But apparently stop and ask if you need a lift to your home? Can you imagine seeing an idiot lugging a suitcase through the ice and snow of his neighborhood and not even stopping to say ‘man, are you okay?’ Particularly a guy — particularly me.” (03:16–04:17, Parrish) - Snow and ice have been disruptive throughout the SEC footprint. Nashville and much of the south are still recovering.
Memorial Gym at Vanderbilt
- Norlander’s first-hand take on Vandy’s unique arena:
“It is a different gym. They’ve got these four pillars that have these great HD screens...it just improves the viewing situation there. …The only gym in the country where the coaches and the teams are on the baselines, not the sidelines. …Very, very impressed.” (06:18–11:13, Norlander) - Shoutout to Vandy staff for hospitality. Fun tidbit: basketball and football stadiums are just meters apart — rare at this level.
- Good crowd despite the weather: “Probably 75, maybe 80% filled...the building was even 25–30% Kentucky fans, which Vandy fans are obviously used to.” (12:27, Norlander)
Vandy's Tyler Tanner: From Overlooked Recruit to Star
- Three-star local product who picked Vandy over Murray State/Belmont, recruited by Jerry Stackhouse, but stuck with Vanderbilt through the coaching change.
- “He’s 5'11”, about 168, got great command on the floor, good hops. …He was recruited to Vandy by Stackhouse. He never decommitted, Stackhouse gets fired, [new coach Mark] Byington started to hear: now this Tanner kid... He played pickup with the guys on the Vandy team and was the best guy on the floor.” (12:27–14:25, Norlander)
- Huge stats jump: “Now top 3 in most points improved per game [freshman to sophomore] in the country.”
- Norlander’s take: If Tanner keeps this up, might be an All-American candidate and Vandy could stay near the SEC summit.
2. SEC Race: A Messy, Competitive Picture
(14:25–22:16)
- The SEC is the top-rated league in the NET and KenPom — but lacks true national title heavies.
- Parrish weighs in:
“...If you’re asking who’s the best team in that league right now, forget resume rankings… It’s probably Florida. And if you’re trying to predict the conference champ, the smart money would probably be on Florida.” (17:30, Parrish) - Texas A&M (unranked) sits atop the standings, likely due to schedule quirks: “It’s an unusual thing. ...It might be unprecedented, honestly.” (18:41, Norlander; 17:30, Parrish)
- A&M has the easiest schedule so far; Tennessee the toughest.
- Tennessee’s survivals:
“Tennessee after...some real doubts about its heft, its viability...has gone on the road to win two [straight], beating Alabama last weekend in a really, really good game, and then to go on the road and beat Georgia.” (19:25–20:50, Norlander) - Georgia — surprise team, but falls just short vs. Tennessee; Mike White’s squad “still overshot expectations at 16-5.”
- A&M coach Bucky McMillan’s rise lauded:
“Six years ago he was a high school coach. ...Right now his team is atop the standings in a league with John Calipari, Todd Golden, Nate Oats... That’s a pretty remarkable story.” (20:50, Parrish) - SEC is “way down” on elite teams compared to last year, but has depth and competitive games for fans.
3. CBS Sports Classic Shake-Up: Kansas In, UCLA Out
(25:29–29:57)
- Norlander breaks the news: Kansas will replace UCLA as the fourth team in the CBS Sports Classic for the next four years.
- Next year in MSG: “Kansas vs. Ohio State, North Carolina vs. Kentucky. Four big brands inside MSG.” (25:45, Norlander)
- Kentucky–Kansas now guaranteed to play 2 out of 3 years, alternating between CBS and Champions Classic events.
- Fun over/under game:
- “How many current coaches will still be at their school for next year’s Classic (3.5)?” Both take the over.
- “How many in 2029 Classic? (0.5)” Both say barely the over — Norlander: “I say one manages to get there. ...I’d be surprised if it’s three.” (30:22–30:50)
- Quick notes on each coach’s seat and program turbulence.
4. Weekend Game Previews — Marquee Matchups & Picks
[1] Michigan (#3) at Michigan State (#7) — The Big Ten Showdown
(36:46–40:37)
- “Battle of the top two defenses in the country. …Both 9–1 in Big Ten play. Michigan’s 3–22 in its last 25 games in East Lansing. ...This is the fifth time both teams are in the top 10.” (37:05–37:56, Norlander)
- Jeremy Fears (MSU) and Jaxson Lindenborg (Michigan) are key X-factors.
- Recent history: Wolverines haven't won at Michigan State since 2018.
- Both hosts pick Michigan State as home dog, Parrish: “I’m a building truster. You know that about me.” (40:37, Parrish)
[2] San Diego State at Utah State
(46:51–47:41)
- Utah State is 8–1 at home with a +20.5 average margin; SDSU's only road loss: 1 point at Grand Canyon.
- Best mid-major scoring duo (MJ Collins & Mason Falseled) reside at Utah State.
- Parrish rides with Utah State at home, Norlander takes SDSU with the points.
[3] BYU (#13) at Kansas (#14) — Dybantsa vs. Peterson
(47:41–56:24)
- Headline game: Potential #1 and #2 picks in the 2026 NBA Draft go head to head.
- If you care about betting: “Peterson is now minus money to be the number one pick in the draft. After that it’s Dybantsa.” (51:46, Parrish)
- AJ Dybantsa has “struggled [relatively] against top tier competition... shooting percentages and how often he gets to line all down.” (51:46, Parrish)
- Both hosts highlight the pressure and mental aspect for Dybantsa, with Norlander sharing some recent family conversations.
- Parrish trusts the building again: Kansas -4. Norlander expects close; picks BYU to cover.
[4] Illinois (#9) at Nebraska (#5)
(56:20–60:59)
- “Nebraska...playing the way it did, shorthanded, close down to the final minute against Michigan and not going into that building and losing by 14 did wonders for, I think, just its overall national respect and credibility.” (56:45, Norlander)
- Keaton Wagler, Illinois’ star, will be the best player on the floor but Nebraska is still favored.
- Both hosts pick Nebraska at home.
[5/And-1] Kentucky at Arkansas
(60:59–65:05)
- Kentucky reeling after a blowout loss at Vanderbilt.
- Jaden Quaintance and Cam Williams are out; Wildcats very shorthanded.
- Arkansas is rolling; Darius Acuff one of the top freshmen in the country.
- Parrish: “I will also take the Razorbacks. I’m going to go five for five trusting buildings.” (65:00, Parrish)
- Norlander: “Cal gets it done again. Arkansas wins and covers.”
Notable Quotes & Moments
- Parrish, on neighborly neglect:
“Can you imagine seeing an idiot lugging a suitcase through the ice and snow of his neighborhood and not even stopping to say ‘man, are you okay?’ Particularly...me.” (03:16–04:17) - Norlander, on Memorial Gym:
“It is a different gym. ...On the sides...just high, high rising stands and then on either end...it’s more of a sweeping set of seats. ...I love the quirkiness...teams are on the baselines, not the sidelines.” (06:18–09:00) - Parrish, on Bucky McMillan’s rise:
“Six years ago he was a high school coach. Right now his team is atop the standings in a league with John Calipari, Todd Golden, Nate Oats... Pretty remarkable.” (20:50) - Norlander, on the CBS Sports Classic shuffle:
“The matchups for ’26 will be the same in ’29... Kansas will play Kentucky in ’28... Non-conference opponents so CBS and ESPN made sure matchups would not overlap.” (27:55–29:57) - Parrish, on trust and picks:
“I’m a building truster. I will also take the home underdog Michigan State.” (40:37) - Norlander, on Dybantsa/Peterson narrative:
“If it really goes well and if it’s really close, like it can be one of the most memorable games of the entire season and we’ll see if we can get there.” (47:41–51:46) - Parrish, on Nebraska:
“But right now, even after it took its first loss...you would get a higher percentage of yeses [that Nebraska can win the Big Ten] than before the Michigan game. ...Yes, Nebraska can win the Big Ten.” (59:37–60:59) - Josh, the producer, giving comic support:
“The ice is like the snow. ...It seriously shuts down everywhere until the sun gets rid of it for us. ...We basically turn into Alaska.” (34:04, Josh)
Other Noteworthy Segments
Evelyn Wood & Speed Reading Tangent
(42:06–44:38)
- The hosts go off on a comedic riff about Evelyn Wood, her invention of speed reading, and whether speed reading is a true “invention.”
- “She invented speed reading. She’s from Logan, Utah. …Do you have any idea how long it would take us to get through a court report without Evelyn Wood?” (43:44, Parrish)
Scoreboard Check – On-Air Pick Records
(33:01–33:31)
- Josh: “GP 29-31-1. Norlander 28-32-1.”
- Parrish: “In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.” (33:23, Parrish)
Weekend Watch Guide (Games Not Detailed Above)
(65:05–68:55)
- “Dayton at St. Louis” — SLU will be favored at home, “Billiken February” on the way.
- “Duke at Virginia Tech” — VT has picked off Duke before.
- “Texas Tech at UCF” — just “keep an eye” on it.
- “SMU at Louisville” — Michael Brown Jr. is back, curious watch.
- “UConn at Creighton” — Rematch of last year's "two rings, Baldi" drama.
- “Auburn at Tennessee” — Stephen Pearl vs. his alma mater.
- “St. Mary’s at Gonzaga” — Final WCC matchup before Zags join revitalized Pac-12.
- “Purdue at Maryland,” “Alabama at Florida” headline Sunday with Big Ten implications and SEC grudge, respectively.
Final Thoughts & Tone
- Hosts remain playful and relatable while delivering insights — e.g., Parrish’s self-deprecating travel story, Norlander’s facility deep dives, their running bit about “trusting the building.”
- Quotes are vivid and segments are fast-moving, full of basketball nerdery AND personality.
Essential Timestamps
- 02:15–06:18 — Parrish’s winter misadventures & intro to SEC talk
- 06:18–12:27 — Norlander on Memorial Gym and Vanderbilt-Kentucky
- 16:45–23:11 — SEC big picture, Texas A&M, Florida, power shifts
- 25:29–30:50 — CBS Sports Classic changes, coach longevity gaming
- 36:46–56:24 — Weekend preview gauntlet: Michigan/Michigan State; SDSU/Utah State; BYU/Kansas; Illinois/Nebraska
- 60:59–65:05 — Kentucky/Arkansas, final picks & rapid-fire game preview
- 65:05–68:55 — Weekend watch overflow, sign-off banter