Eye On College Basketball Podcast – Episode Summary

Date: December 17, 2025
Hosts: Gary Parrish, Matt Norlander (with input from CBS Sports Network guest host)
Main Theme: On this episode, Parrish and Norlander tackle the NBA's idea of hosting NBA Cup finals in storied college basketball arenas. They debate their ideal venues, break down key games, and discuss injuries and the current National Player of the Year race.

Main Episode Theme: NBA Cup to College Arenas?

Overview

The bulk of the episode is a lively, speculative discussion inspired by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver mentioning the possibility of shifting the NBA Cup finals from Las Vegas to classic college venues. The hosts break down the feasibility, excitement, and their personal top picks for college courts that could host the NBA.

“It is perfect that college basketball teams in November and December can't seem to get enough of playing their sport in NBA arenas. And now the NBA is looking for ways to get its games into college arenas.”
— Matt Norlander (04:30)

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Would NBA Cup games in college arenas matter?

• Hosts react to Adam Silver’s suggestion (03:59–08:45)
  • Norlander admits the NBA Cup currently doesn't move the needle for him, but says he'd “absolutely tune in” if it were played at famous college venues—at least for the novelty.
  • Both agree that broadcasting from “storied” courts could create buzz akin to MLB’s Field of Dreams game.
  • Facilities and travel for NBA players could pose logistical challenges.

“If you told me that they were going to suddenly be swooping into a college gym, I would be more likely to tune in, at least in year one, just to see what that looked like, how the attendance was, what the crowd would come off as on a broadcast.”
— Matt Norlander (05:33)

2. Why is the NBA considering this?

• Neutral site games in Vegas haven’t drawn great crowds.
• The newness and spectacle could boost TV ratings.
• The “novelty value” could make the NBA Cup more relevant, at least at first.

3. Top College Arenas: Dream Venues and Realistic Picks

Gary Parrish’s Top 5 (12:27–18:59):

• Allen Fieldhouse (Kansas):
  “That's a cool place to start it.... It can be a real event in that community.” (14:34)
• Cameron Indoor Stadium (Duke):
  “You turn it on just to see what it looks like.” (15:51)
• The Palestra (Penn):
  “It's the main place in college basketball I'd like to get to.” (17:33)
• Hinkle Fieldhouse (Butler):
  “It's just as cool as the first time you walk into Fenway…” (17:49)
• The Pit (New Mexico):
  “If you told me the Knicks and the Spurs were playing at The Pit tonight... I would turn that on.” (18:59)

Matt Norlander’s Top 5 (20:40–25:21):

• Rupp Arena (Kentucky)
• Allen Fieldhouse (Kansas)
• Hinkle Fieldhouse (Butler)
• Assembly Hall (Indiana)
• “Dean Dome"/New Arena (UNC)

Norlander focused on logistical viability (size, modern amenities) and “basketball hotbed” cities without NBA teams.

“I think Rupp Arena should be the one that if they do this, they try first. It's big enough, it's modern. Good City, no NBA franchise in that state.”
— Matt Norlander (25:15)

Honorable Mentions:

• Bud Walton Arena (Arkansas), Breslin Center (Michigan State), Carrier Dome (Syracuse), Hilton Coliseum (Iowa State), Williams Arena/The Barn (Minnesota), Vandy's Memorial Gym (Vanderbilt), Mackey Arena (Purdue)
• Novelty pick: Lahaina Civic Center (Maui Invitational) made as a “dream” choice (26:07)

Memorable Banter:

• Multiple jokes about Pinnacle Bank Arena (Nebraska) and the “you don’t just walk into Pinnacle Bank” running gag.
• Personal stories about arena experiences and what unique visuals would draw in casual fans.

4. NBA/College Venue Crossover—Cultural Commentary

• Hosts enjoy the “full circle” irony that college teams covet NBA venues and now NBA wants the college crowd energy.
• Noted that local, non-NBA states might embrace big events more enthusiastically.

College Hoops Whip Around: Key Games, Injuries, & NPOY Race

Tennessee Beats Louisville (30:28–34:03)

• Final Score: Tennessee 83, Louisville 62
• Main Storyline: Louisville star guard Mikel Brown Jr. sat out (back injury).
• Norlander: “Tennessee is more the story to me… Unfortunate that the game was kind of a dud.”
• Louisville’s cold shooting (21% from 3) pivotal in defeat; they’ve now lost 12 straight on road vs. ranked teams.

Kansas Update – Darren Peterson Sidelined (35:17–38:50)

• Projected No. 1 pick Darren Peterson missed another game (quad cramps).
• Self’s statement: “He is not able to compete at full strength. He will not play tonight against Towson…” (36:23)
• Hosts agree Kansas is cautiously handling the injury, especially given softer schedule stretch.

National Player of the Year: Cameron Boozer Leads (38:50–46:46)

• Duke escapes Lipscomb: Boozer posts 26 pts, 13 rebs; 6 turnovers in rickety win.
• Matt: “Boozer has the lead. Interestingly enough, Yaxel [Lindenborg] is shooting better from the line, from the field, from three point range… but it is Boozer. He has the lead.” (46:33)
• Parrish: “If you sent out 100 ballots... there is literally no good argument for anybody else [than Boozer] right now in this moment.” (46:18)
• Entertaining clip played from Duke’s “Brotherhood” podcast, with Boozer laughing about hostile “F Cam Boozer” chants at Michigan State.

  Boozer: “After the game, I was like, what did I do? … I was just, you know... Great energy in there, for sure.” (44:52)

Other Results & Notables (46:46–54:02)

• Dayton stays hot: 33-game home win streak in non-con.
• UConn still undefeated vs. Butler (now 12-0).
• Texas Tech’s Lawan Watts goes off for 36 points vs. Northern Colorado.
• Some fun, offbeat banter about CBS Sports Network’s coverage, wives noticing coaches, and personal/family stories.

Looking Ahead / Next Games (50:41–54:31)

• Wednesday’s notable games:
  • Vanderbilt at Memphis (Vandy undefeated, big SEC implications)
  • South Florida at Alabama
  • Creighton at Xavier
  • Arizona State at UCLA
  • Georgetown at Marquette – “Urgent game for Georgetown to get back on track.” (52:49)
• Trivia: American Conference currently ranks 10th at KenPom, now behind even the MVC.
• Thursday’s schedule: Quiet, “not a whole lot going on.”

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “Not the only one... it would definitely jump viewership, at least in year one.”
  — Matt Norlander, on the potential for NBA Cup in college venues (08:42)

• “It is hilarious to me these sports just can’t resist the idea of playing in each other’s arenas.”
  — Matt Norlander (11:59)

• “Who gets the visitors locker at Cameron Indoor?”
  — Matt Norlander (17:13)

• “I think the NBA should seriously consider it. A part of me thinks that they'll consider it, but that this won't actually come to be. Would love to be wrong, Parrish.”
  — Matt Norlander (06:53)

• “Duke skipped school in the first half last night. That’s what I’m trying to tell you.”
  — Co-host (42:06)

• “If you sent out 100 ballots... if anybody had anybody other than Cameron Boozer at number one, they're either... trying to be different, or they don't know what they're doing.”
  — Co-host (46:18)

Fun, Offbeat Banter

• The Pinnacle Bank meme and Fred Hoiberg’s lack of awareness of it (19:09).
• Stories about spouses' reactions to college basketball personalities.
• TV recommendations: “Peaky Blinders” and “Pluribus,” and a tangent about kids playing hooky before Christmas (41:21).
• Brief foray into shoe shopping, slippers, and gifting (50:09).

Key Time Stamps

• 03:59 – NBA Cup to college arenas discussion begins
• 12:27 – Parrish lists top five dream arenas
• 20:40 – Norlander’s top five, logistical & cultural rationale
• 30:28 – Louisville vs. Tennessee wrap
• 35:17 – Darren Peterson/Kansas injury latest
• 38:50 – National Player of the Year race: Boozer vs Lindenborg
• 44:42 – Boozer’s take on Michigan State crowd (“F Cam Boozer” chants)
• 50:41 – Look ahead to Wednesday/Thursday games

Conclusion

This episode creatively explores the intersection of NBA and college basketball cultures, uniquely blending informed speculation with nostalgia and insider banter. Whether you’re a hoops junkie or a casual fan, it’s a fun audition reel for the “NBA Cup in the college barn” vision—plus an inside look at mid-December college hoops news and notable personalities.