Eye On College Basketball – Episode: Mailbag 📨CBB Fantasy Draft; Extend the Season; Should Computers Replace Selection Committee; How Fast Can Parrish Run a Mile?
Release Date: May 6, 2025

In this engaging mailbag episode of Eye On College Basketball, hosts Gary Parrish and Matt Norlander delve into a variety of listener-submitted questions, offering insightful commentary and lively discussions on topics ranging from fantasy drafts to the future of NCAA tournament selections. Skipping over advertisements and introductory banter, the hosts focus on delivering a content-rich conversation tailored for both long-time fans and newcomers to the podcast.

1. Welcoming the Mailbag Format

The episode kicks off with Gary Parrish introducing the mailbag format, highlighting it as an off-season edition where listeners' questions take center stage.

Gary Parrish [02:09]: "Welcome back to the CBS Sports I own College Basketball podcast... let's get into it today."

Matt Norlander confirms the setup and hints at the diverse range of questions they will tackle.

2. Fantasy Draft Showdown

One of the standout segments features a fantasy draft between Gary and Matt, where they each build a hypothetical college basketball team by selecting players, coaches, and mascots. This playful competition showcases their knowledge of emerging talent and favorite coaching figures.

• Gary’s Picks:

  • Player: J.T. Toppin [19:58]
  • Coach: Rick Pitino [26:53]
  • Mascot: Fighting Camels [27:30]

• Matt’s Picks:

  • Players: AJ Debancer, Braden Smith, Cameron Boozer, Donovan Dent, Jaden Quaintance [19:58–25:24]
  • Coach: Kelvin Sampson [26:46]
  • Mascot: Cosmo the Cougar [27:44]

Their selections spark a friendly debate, underscoring their strategic approaches and personal preferences.

Matt Norlander [19:58]: "I'm going to go with BYU freshman AJ Debancer... and then I'll go with Purdue's Braden Smith."

Gary Parrish [27:30]: "I think we're gonna be the Gary Parrish University Fighting Camels."

3. Listener Questions and In-Depth Discussions

The heart of the episode revolves around listener-submitted questions, each sparking detailed analysis and passionate dialogue.

a. Extending the College Basketball Season

A listener named Robbie from Liverpool, England, inquires about the possibility of extending the college basketball season and standardizing the number of league games across Power 5 conferences.

Matt Norlander [34:31]: "I don't think the sport is aching for [an extended season], and we're just not going to get there."

Gary delves into the logistics and implications of such changes, expressing skepticism about the necessity and potential consequences.

Gary Parrish [38:26]: "There's too many games involving the best teams that are complete mismatches on the court."

b. Should Computers Replace the Selection Committee?

Another listener, Rob from Indiana, poses a thought-provoking question on whether AI should replace the human selection committee responsible for the NCAA tournament bracket.

Matt Norlander [41:27]: "Absolutely not, not in favor of turning the committee and switching to AI to create the field."

Gary supports the idea of a nuanced approach but ultimately agrees with Matt's stance against a full AI takeover, emphasizing the value of human judgment in the selection process.

Gary Parrish [42:56]: "Being a quote bracketologist is you could teach anybody how to do that."

c. How Fast Can Gary Parrish Run a Mile?

A playful challenge from Aaron prompts Gary to reveal his mile run time, revealing a humorous side as he discusses his running habits (or lack thereof).

Gary Parrish [44:43]: "I genuinely don't know that I've ever been timed running a mile... I'm a walker."

Matt engages in banter, challenging Gary to improve his mile time and highlighting the hosts' camaraderie.

Matt Norlander [48:49]: "I don't think there's any chance in hell you're running a seven minute mile."

d. College Basketball Coaches and Sweet 16 Appearances

Michael from Iowa asks whether any Power 5 conference coaches have spent 15 years without making a Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament. Gary and Matt examine historical data, referencing coaches like Joe Cipriano, and discuss the pressures faced by modern coaches like Tad Boyle of Iowa.

Matt Norlander [29:43]: "Has this ever happened? Yes or no, has a coach ever gone more than 15 years at a single school without a sweet 16 at a high."

Gary adds historical context, illustrating the rarity and significance of such a coaching tenure.

e. Accents and Public Perception

Listener Lori from Boston comments on the perceived differences in Gary’s Southern accent on television versus the podcast, prompting Gary and Matt to discuss how presentation varies across media.

Gary Parrish [55:23]: "I didn’t deliberately try to suppress the Southern accent when I was younger..."

Matt Norlander [55:32]: "Are you faking or embellishing your accent on the podcast? No, not at all."

f. Most Met Profiles Between Coaches

Dana, a Kansas fan, inquires about which two coaches in different conferences have met the most times. Gary correctly identifies Tom Izzo and John Calipari as the pair with the highest number of meetings.

Gary Parrish [57:55]: "Tom Izzo and Greg Campy."

Matt Norlander [58:08]: "You got it."

4. Additional Insights and Fun Interactions

Throughout the episode, Gary and Matt inject humor and personal anecdotes, discussing topics like Terry Teagle NBA cards, the movie Blue Chips, and sharing their own experiences with running and personal bests. Their lighthearted exchanges, such as debating the feasibility of Gary running a seven-minute mile, add a personable touch to the informative discussions.

5. Closing Remarks and Final Questions

As the episode nears its end, the hosts address a final question from Rick in Pikeville, Kentucky, about the future of West Miller, a coach whose performance merits serious discussion.

Gary Parrish [63:33]: "It's time to have a real discussion about West Miller."

Matt Norlander [63:05]: "He’s got to make the tournament, period."

They conclude with a reflection on the pressures faced by college basketball coaches and the importance of performance metrics in their careers.

Notable Quotes

• Matt Norlander [34:31]: "I don't need more bad games in college basketball. We already have too many."

• Gary Parrish [42:56]: "Every time I say this, somebody gets mad at me. But it's just true."

• Matt Norlander [43:04]: "I hope he's still Buddy Buddy with DeAndre Ayton and benefiting from the NBA contract that DeAndre Ayton enjoys."

• Gary Parrish [73:16]: "We have to have it exactly right. Anytime it's time to talk about a coach going forward, it will be time to have a real discussion about that coach."

Conclusion

This mailbag episode of Eye On College Basketball successfully navigates a myriad of listener questions, providing both depth and entertainment. Gary Parrish and Matt Norlander demonstrate their expertise and passion for college basketball, offering listeners valuable insights while maintaining an engaging and humorous rapport. Whether debating the merits of AI in tournament selections or playfully challenging each other's mile times, the hosts deliver a comprehensive and enjoyable episode that underscores why Eye On College Basketball remains a beloved podcast in the sports community.

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