Eye On College Basketball

Episode: How should committee seed Gonzaga? Indiana coaching candidates; the GREAT story behind Saint Francis making NCAAs; win-or-else Wednesday bubble games
Release Date: March 12, 2025
Hosts: Gary Parish & Matt Norlander

1. Seeding Gonzaga: Metrics vs. Resume

The episode kicks off with an in-depth analysis of Gonzaga's impending seeding in the NCAA Tournament. Both hosts delve into whether the selection committee should base Gonzaga's seed primarily on advanced metrics or their overall resume.

• Gary Parish highlights Gonzaga's consistent performance, stating, "Gonzaga has now officially punched a ticket to its 26th straight NCAA tournament. Congratulations to the West Coast Kings." (02:17)

• Matt Norlander emphasizes the importance of wins over how they are achieved: "I like wins and losses and that's what should matter most." (07:05)

The discussion touches upon various metrics like Ken Pomeroy's ratings and how Gonzaga's strengths in quad one and two match-ups might influence their seeding. Both hosts express skepticism about Gonzaga being seeded higher than a seven, despite their impressive statistics.

Gary Parish (03:41): "I think a seventh is likely. Six is possible. I want to get and then we were right back where we've been, baby, for the past 15 years on Twitter, people arguing about how much Gonzaga sucks."

Matt Norlander (09:01): "But all of these numbers that we universally respect suggest that this team is much better than its resume indicates."

2. Indiana Coaching Candidates: The "Stay or Hit" Segment

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to discussing potential candidates for Indiana University's head coaching position. Through a playful "Stay or Hit" segment, Parish and Norlander evaluate various candidates' suitability.

• Greg McDermott from Creighton is considered a legitimate candidate, though uncertainties about his willingness to leave a stable position linger.

Gary Parish (19:15): "I think that he is probably and has probably been under consideration from Indiana's athletic director, Scott Dolson."

• Chris Collins from Northwestern and Brad Brownell from Clemson are also evaluated, with Parish expressing doubts about their likelihood of making the move.

Matt Norlander (20:11): "I suggest you do whatever you want."

The segment is filled with banter, showcasing the hosts' personalities while providing insightful commentary on the coaching landscape.

Matt Norlander (22:18): "He'd be on the hot seat in six days."

3. The Inspiring Journey of Saint Francis

One of the episode's most heartfelt segments focuses on Rob Krimmel, the head coach of St. Francis University, and his remarkable journey leading the team to the NCAA Tournament.

• Gary Parish recounts his personal encounter with Krimmel, highlighting the emotional depth of the moment when the team clinched their spot.

Gary Parish (32:05): "He just guided his alma mater. He's 47 years old. He has spent more than half of his life in the tiny town of Loretto, Pennsylvania which most people doesn't even know exists. But he's been there and built something."

• Matt Norlander reflects on the significance of Krimmel's achievements, noting the rarity of such sustained success in a mid-major program.

Matt Norlander (35:26): "I just could listen to that all day. I think everybody should listen to that all day. That's a man finding the great stuff in life."

The hosts emphasize the importance of commitment and passion, contrasting Krimmel's dedication with the often transient nature of coaching careers.

4. Win-Or-Else Wednesday Bubble Games

The latter half of the episode turns attention to the critical mid-week games where teams must win to secure their NCAA Tournament bids. The discussion covers multiple matchups, analyzing stakes and potential outcomes.

• Arkansas vs. South Carolina: A must-win for Arkansas to bolster their tournament resume.

  Gary Parish (41:11): "I actually think so. Okay, so if Arkansas loses, it will be a second L to South Carolina and it will drop to."

• North Carolina vs. Notre Dame: North Carolina faces immense pressure to win to maintain their tournament hopes.

  Matt Norlander (42:06): "Do the Tar Heels have to win or else Adam Zucker ruins their lives on Selection Sunday?"

• Texas vs. Vanderbilt: Texas needs a victory to avoid jeopardizing their NCAA chances.

  Gary Parish (42:23): "Texas not only needs to win this game, it's like North Carolina. It needs minimum of 2, 3 wins to have a case there."

• Ohio State vs. Iowa & Oklahoma vs. Georgia: Critical games that could determine the seeding and selection for these powerhouse teams.

Throughout, the hosts advise on the implications of each game, providing strategic insights into how outcomes could reshape the tournament landscape.

Gary Parish (43:05): "I don't think it's debatable. I think an Ohio State loss 100 sends them out of the tournament."

Matt Norlander (44:10): "I would also advise winning. In fact, that's almost always my advice."

Conclusion

The episode offers a comprehensive look into pivotal aspects of the current college basketball season, from seeding debates and coaching crossroads to inspirational team stories and high-stakes games. Gary Parish and Matt Norlander blend statistical analysis with personal anecdotes, providing listeners with a nuanced perspective on the evolving landscape of March Madness.

For those seeking insightful commentary and engaging discussions on college basketball, this episode of Eye On College Basketball serves as an invaluable resource, encapsulating the drama and excitement that define the season's climax.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Gary Parish (02:17): "Gonzaga has now officially punched a ticket to its 26th straight NCAA tournament. Congratulations to the West Coast Kings."

• Matt Norlander (07:05): "I like wins and losses and that's what should matter most."

• Gary Parish (03:41): "I think a seventh is likely. Six is possible. I want to get and then we were right back where we've been, baby, for the past 15 years on Twitter, people arguing about how much Gonzaga sucks."

• Matt Norlander (09:01): "But all of these numbers that we universally respect suggest that this team is much better than its resume indicates."

• Matt Norlander (20:11): "I suggest you do whatever you want."

• Matt Norlander (22:18): "He'd be on the hot seat in six days."

• Gary Parish (32:05): "He just guided his alma mater. He's 47 years old. He has spent more than half of his life in the tiny town of Loretto, Pennsylvania which most people doesn't even know exists. But he's been there and built something."

• Matt Norlander (35:26): "I just could listen to that all day. I think everybody should listen to that all day. That's a man finding the great stuff in life."

• Gary Parish (41:11): "I actually think so. Okay, so if Arkansas loses, it will be a second L to South Carolina and it will drop to."

• Matt Norlander (42:06): "Do the Tar Heels have to win or else Adam Zucker ruins their lives on Selection Sunday?"

• Gary Parish (43:05): "I don't think it's debatable. I think an Ohio State loss 100 sends them out of the tournament."

• Matt Norlander (44:10): "I would also advise winning. In fact, that's almost always my advice."

This summary is based on the transcript provided and is intended to give a comprehensive overview of the episode's content.