Eye on College Basketball: Huge Black Friday Pod

Episode Date: November 28, 2025
Hosts: Gary Parrish and Matt Norlander

Episode Overview

This jam-packed Black Friday episode dives into a pivotal week in college basketball, spotlighting star players, headline results, the evolving landscape of holiday tournaments, and a look at the surging Big Ten. Parrish and Norlander bring analysis, stats, humor, and inside scoops, focusing on Cameron Boozer's dominance for Duke, Michigan's jaw-dropping Players Era performance, a forensic look at the Players Era postmortem and format debate, Big Ten successes, and their signature fast-paced “Final Four And 1” picks.

Main Topics & Key Insights

1. Cameron Boozer & Duke Dominate Thanksgiving Classic

[01:29–16:21]

• Game Recap: Duke defeats Arkansas 80–71 in the CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic, fueled by a show-stopping performance from Cameron Boozer: 35 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals.
• Boozer Mania:
  • Boozer’s dominance on national TV is widely declared his “introduction to the nation” ([01:29]).
  • Boozer's versatility and stats through eight games have him in the conversation as the best freshman — and even player — in the country ([02:32]).
  • Boozer leads Duke in every major statistical category: 22.9 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 3.8 apg ([04:14]).
  • "It makes you wonder why more coaches don't go and get the best player in the country every season." – Norlander ([06:56])
• Game Analysis: Only Boozer and Caleb Foster (15 points, 8 assists) scored much of Duke’s second half points. Discussion of Boozer’s physicality and potential complaints from Arkansas fans ([03:30]).
• Duke’s Outlook:
  • Duke is off to its first 8-0 start since 2017–18 and has held every opponent under its scoring average this year.
  • They've beaten Arkansas and Kansas; upcoming challenges include Florida and Michigan State.
  • “I don't know that Duke is the best team in the country. They certainly belong in the conversation though, just based off of the roster.” – Parrish ([11:21])
• Arkansas Assessment:
  • 5-2 start, only two losses to high majors (Arkansas fans had high preseason expectations).
  • Freshman Darius Acuff’s strong play highlighted (21 pts vs Duke).
  • “They've beaten the teams that they're better than and they've lost to a couple of teams that they're not as good as.” – Parrish ([15:23])
  • Arkansas projected as an NCAA 4/5/6-seed but lacking a signature win so far.

2. Players Era Festival: Michigan's Scorched-Earth Statement

[16:24–36:28]

• Michigan Dominates:
  • Michigan annihilates San Diego State (by 40), Auburn (by 30), and Gonzaga at the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas ([18:19]).
  • “I think they're the best team in the country. That's, I guess, my biggest takeaway.” – Norlander ([18:38])
• Historic Run:
  • 100+ points in back-to-back games for first time since 1989.
  • Largest loss for Gonzaga under Mark Few; largest by Gonzaga since 1990.
  • Michigan’s 40-point win over Gonzaga is its biggest ever over a ranked opponent.
  • Back-to-back 30+ point wins over ranked teams = never before seen in program or NCAA history.
• Quotes:
  • “It is impossible for me to be more impressed with Michigan than I am right now.” – Norlander ([26:14])
  • “Today was about putting the world on notice that we're here to be the best team in the nation and we'll continue to do that.” – Yaxel Lendenborg, Michigan [26:34]
• What's Changed for Michigan?
  • Early season struggles gave way to dominance after a key regroup and a longer break before Las Vegas.
  • Dusty May’s leadership, Elliot Cadeau’s facilitation (13 assists vs. Gonzaga), Lendenborg’s transfer impact.
• Debate on Best Team:
  • Norlander ranks Michigan #1 after Vegas; Parrish keeps Arizona at #1 for best body of work, but says order is debatable ([24:35]).
• Event Format Controversy:
  • The point-differential/non-bracket format caused confusion and backlash. Organizers acknowledge and are open to change ([30:42]).
  • “If you have a tournament...and there are teams in it that can go undefeated but not win it, and in this case not even play for fourth place...you need to start over.” – Parrish ([39:19])
  • Event will likely move toward four distinct 8-team brackets next year, with “Final Four” for big money ([30:42–41:31]).
  • Strong admiration from hosts for organizers’ openness to criticism and willingness to potentially adapt.

3. Players Era Postmortem & The Changing Landscape

[36:28–49:13]

• Players Era Impact:
  • NIL cash incentives and a Vegas location are luring major programs away from traditional Maui/Atlantis tournaments.
  • "That is your big bugaboo beyond just an event in Las Vegas." - Norlander ([47:04])
  • Neutral sites and TV contracts mean fewer true home/road “college-feeling” games, which both hosts bemoan.
• On the Ground:
  • A mix of NBA scouts, execs, college coaches, and passionate (if limited) crowds.
  • Strategy for improvement includes filling the arena and possibly making finals more accessible.

4. Players Era Festival: Other Teams Rundown

[49:13–60:26]

• Gonzaga: Still considered a top-10 team, but concerns about three-point shooting.
• Kansas: Went 3-0 without Darren Peterson; team should get even better as he returns.
• Iowa State: 3-0 without their best player. "Fifth place" finish seen as a function of the format, not performance.
  • "What matters more...is the fact that Iowa State just went 3-0 and vastly increased its reputation and its resume." – Otzelberger ([53:25])
• St. John's: Highly disappointing start (4-3), even with a big win over Baylor. "They have wildly disappointed and they disappointed me." – Parrish ([55:30])
• Houston & Tennessee: Both finish 2-1, looking like surefire top 15 teams, but still growing.
• Alabama & Auburn: Go 2-1; Auburn bounced back well after being blown out by Michigan.
• Others: Baylor (2-1), USC (wins Maui, now 7-0), Iowa (multi-team event title, 38-4 under McCollum).

5. Big Ten—A Monster Week

[70:03–71:11]

• Five Big Ten teams win major multi-team events: Iowa, USC, Michigan, Purdue; plus Michigan State's Thanksgiving win over UNC.
• "2026, the Big Ten, it seems obvious, already has multiple teams good enough to win six games in the NCAA tournament." – Parrish ([71:11])

6. Other Headlines & Storylines

[61:33–70:03]

• Michigan State up to 7-0 with wins over Kentucky, Arkansas, UNC. Old-school development approach working for Tom Izzo.
  • “I don't know that it'll work forever. I don't think Tom knows that it'll work forever. But it looks like it's working right now.” – Parrish ([61:33])
• Florida struggles: Losses to Arizona and TCU, Xavian Lee not translating well to SEC play.
• TCU: Another wildcard; beats Florida after home loss to New Orleans.
• USC victories in Maui: Chad Baker Mazzara captures second straight Maui, now with USC.
• Vanderbilt rolling: 7-0 start, moved into Top 25.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It makes you wonder why more coaches don't go and get the best player in the country every season.” – Norlander ([06:56])
• “Today was about putting the world on notice that we're here to be the best team in the nation and we'll continue to do that.” – Yaxel Lendenborg, Michigan ([26:34])
• “I think they're the best team in the country. That's, I guess, my biggest takeaway.” – Norlander on Michigan ([18:38])
• “If you have a tournament...and there are teams in it that can go undefeated but not win it...you need to start over.” – Parrish ([39:19])
• “They have wildly disappointed and they disappointed me...I describe myself as ride or die and they, they have let me down as much as anybody has let me down in the year 2025.” – Parrish on St. John's ([55:30])

Final Four And 1 Picks Segment

[72:25–90:25]

• A rapid-fire, witty back-and-forth on their weekly picks, covering marquee matchups including UConn vs Illinois, Oklahoma vs Marquette, BYU vs Dayton, and more.
• Humorous sidebar: "No escalators is on my ass, non stop," – Parrish ([76:11]), referencing internet basketball banter.
• Sidequests into candy rankings and inside jokes about arena names.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:29] – Main show intro and Thanksgiving Classic recap
• [02:25] – Cameron Boozer evaluation
• [11:21] – Duke’s national standing and schedule ahead
• [13:02] – Arkansas analysis
• [16:24] – Michigan, Players Era Festival, Dusty May
• [23:50] – Michigan’s “best team” debate
• [24:35] – Arizona, Purdue, Michigan debate
• [30:42] – Players Era format debate/postmortem
• [39:19] – “Start over” if undefeated teams can't win the 'tournament'
• [61:33] – Michigan State’s hot start, Izzo’s method
• [70:03] – The Big Ten’s huge nonconference run
• [72:25] – Final Four And 1 picks segment

Episode Tone & Style

• Conversational, sharp, data-driven, with plenty of tongue-in-cheek humor.
• Hosts alternate between deep statistical analysis, pop culture asides, and self-deprecating lamentations about their picks and preseason projections.
• Frequent direct address to the live chat and running jokes underscore a community feel for regular listeners.

Listener Value

• This episode is a definitive snapshot of the turbulent early 2025–26 college hoops season: breakout stars, seismic results, tournament growing pains, and league power rankings.
• Essential for understanding Players Era’s NIL impact, where Michigan and Duke slot in nationally, and which bluebloods and outsiders are surging (or slumping).
• Engaging and approachable, even for casual fans, while offering plenty of substance for diehards.

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