Eye On College Basketball Podcast – Nov 24, 2025

Episode: Players Era Festival: Changing Feast Week, the Maui Invitational & Hoops in November; Purdue Destroys Texas Tech; Weekend Recap: Wake-Memphis, BYU-Wisconsin + More
Hosts: Gary Parrish & Matt Norlander
Producer/Guest: Josh (Butler alum)

Episode Overview

This episode dives into how college basketball's November showcases are rapidly evolving, including in-depth discussion of the Players Era Festival, reflections on the fading mystique of the Maui Invitational, and a recap of the weekend’s most notable results. Gary Parrish and Matt Norlander also debate the future of Feast Week, break down major wins and upsets (notably Purdue over Texas Tech), and share some memorable behind-the-scenes stories.

Main Theme: The New Players Era and the End of Old Feast Week

The conversation centers around seismic changes in early-season college basketball, particularly the advent of the Players Era Festival—a lucrative Las Vegas event that may upend traditional multi-team tournaments (MTEs) like the Maui Invitational and Battle for Atlantis. The hosts evaluate whether this "players get paid, coaches get paid, everyone gets paid" direction is ultimately good for the sport, while lamenting what may be lost along the way.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Rise of the Players Era Festival

• Format & Impact:

  • 18 men’s teams (plus 4 women’s), many ranked participants
  • Not a classic bracketed tournament—matchups determined by results, margins of victory, rather than fixed paths.
  • Enormous payouts; last year, each team earned $1 million, though distribution details vary this year.
  • Expansion planned: 32 teams next year with FIFA-style pool play.

• Norlander on the Stakes:

  • "This in year two is something of an inflection point for I think where college basketball is when it comes strictly to the November portion of its schedule." (03:40)
  • "The existence of Players Era… is going to really determine which way we go over the next three, four, five years." (03:47)

• Is It Good for the Game?

  • Parrish: "I don't mind a new event coming along where universities can make money that is redirected to student athletes… I like the core of this. I don't like the field as it is." (06:51)
  • Uncertainty about sustainability and whether the model can survive.

2. The Maui Invitational’s Decline

• Tradition vs. Change:

  • Maui’s prestige is threatened by better-funded competitors.
  • Anecdotes about the unique experience (travel challenges and lifetime memories for young athletes).
  • Nostalgia lingers, but reality bites: current field ("best you’re gonna be able to do… is No. 25 NC State versus unranked Texas") pales against recent years (08:59).

• Parrish:

  • "I wish there was a way to make [Maui] great again, not to borrow that phrase, but they're going to have to change their business model or else it won't." (10:51)

• Business Realities:

  • Major programs lose money and face logistical/travel challenges.
  • "Maui's gonna die just because everyone needs money and we're doing anything we can get it to pay players. We're playing exhibition games to make money." (Coach quote relayed by Norlander, 15:30)

3. NIL and Tournament Economics

• Player Payouts:

  • Each player may get five-figure compensation; varies by team, sometimes distributed evenly or algorithmically.
  • Parrish: "It is interesting how different programs break this stuff down differently." (23:22)

• Festival Financing:

  • Sponsorships (GEICO, MGM Resorts, Publis), ticket sales, and media deals fund the payouts.
  • "Players Era is a media company. It is not a basketball tournament." – Ian Orifice, event CEO (24:40)

• Crowd Atmosphere:

  • Not Maui's tight, intimate sold-out gym, but expected “decent contingent” for most sessions in Vegas; ticket sales up sharply. (27:47)

4. Tournament Format Gripes

• No Classic Bracket:
  • Parrish bemoans lack of “if X wins then Y” scenario:
    • “I like to look at a bracket. They call me old fashioned, but I like to look at a bracket… That’s not that.” (06:55)
  • Seeding for title game depends on results, margin of victory (capped at +20).
  • Criticism that not all teams have equally tough paths; more randomness, less drama.

Notable Quotes

• On the New Landscape:
  • "It's just evolution. Blockbuster worked just fine until Netflix came along. Then you gotta figure out… how to survive or not." – Parrish on MTE business models (09:53)
• On Maui’s Atmosphere:
  • "When I walked in that gym... it reminded me of the first time I ever walked into Wrigley Field." – Parrish (18:54)
• On Player Compensation:
  • "If you are a player that matters... they will be earning for sure, five-figure nil compensation to play in this event." – Norlander (22:58)
• On Financial Feasibility:
  • "As long as my checks keep clearing, this is what we're going to do." – Parrish (31:20)

Major Results & Recaps

1. Purdue 86, Texas Tech 56

Purdue’s Dominance – [34:41]

• Largest story of the weekend.
• Purdue led by 23 at half, as many as 33 in the second; “a butt whooping of the highest order.” (36:03)
• Excellent balance across starting five; Oscar Clough: 15 points, 15 boards.
• Parrish: "That was the best performance of the season by any team, I think. Certainly any team in a high profile game against a top 15 opponent." (40:29)
• Ranking debate: Arizona or Purdue #1? Both hosts agree it's a toss-up.

2. Wake Forest 69, Memphis 68

Wild Finish – [44:01]

• Wake stuns Memphis with a "baseball pass" buzzer beater—direct inbounds, perfectly executed after a failed strategic foul/missed free throw by Memphis.
• Parrish: "Just the dumbest way to lose a basketball game if you're Memphis," and details the chain of strategic errors ("a coaching mistake that cost a win. There's no way around it.") (44:10–47:13)
• Wake’s inbounds play (Bryce Drew/“Pacer” play) had been practiced earlier that week—team shared the rehearsal video post-game.

3. Nebraska 85, Kansas State 84

Another Strategic Free Throw – [51:26]

• Sam Hoiberg mimics Michigan’s lost strategy: intentionally misses final free throw to kill the clock.

4. BYU 98, Wisconsin 70

Blowout Statement – [53:24]

• Star: Richie Saunders (26 pts), AJ DeBonsa (18 pts on 8 shots—impressive efficiency).
• Parrish praises DeBonsa’s willingness to share the ball: “He could be the best shot hunter in the country... I just like that he’s not shot hunting.” (55:27)

5. Louisville 74, Cincinnati 64

Louisville Emerging – [58:25]

• Louisville’s three-point-focused, highly efficient offense makes them Norlander's and Parrish's "most fun team to watch."
• Pat Kelsey quote: "Hot wife, healthy kids and shooters. You got those three things, you got a chance." (61:11)

6. Butler 80, Virginia 73

Butler’s Big Win – [63:39]

• Guest producer Josh, a Butler alum, calls in to modestly celebrate.
• Standout player: Finley Bizjack, 25 pts.

Looking Ahead – Feast Week’s Big Games ([72:16])

Las Vegas:

• Players Era (Monday):
  • Baylor-Creighton, St. John’s–Iowa State, Houston–Syracuse, Gonzaga–Alabama (game of the night, 9:30 ET)
  • Norlander’s plan: “Purely Players Era… that is my particular schedule for tomorrow.” (73:21)
• Maui:
  • Weaker field; USC–Boise State, Arizona State–Texas, Seton Hall–NC State.
• Tuesday:
  • St. John’s–Baylor, Houston–Tennessee, Michigan–Auburn, Maryland–Gonzaga
  • Fort Myers Tip-Off: UNC–St. Bonaventure, Michigan St.–ECU (but UNC–Michigan State locked for Thanksgiving, win or lose)

Memorable Non-Basketball Moments

• Travel stories about the realities and romance of Maui and Las Vegas trips (including tales of Hakasan night club and Kim Kardashian sightings).
• Josh’s Butler recruitment story with a shoutout to Chris Holtman for his hospitality ([65:12]).

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Players Era Festival Explainer: 03:29–07:30
• NIL Economics/Q&A: 21:14–31:32
• Purdue-Texas Tech Recap & Ranking Debate: 34:41–43:36
• Wake–Memphis Wild Finish: 43:46–48:59
• BYU–Wisconsin Statement Win: 53:24–57:16
• Louisville/Cincinnati & Pat Kelsey’s Formula: 58:25–61:25
• Recurring Nostalgia for Maui/Feast Week: Throughout, esp. 09:53–19:36

Tone & Style

• Informative, lively, often irreverent ("I like to look at a bracket… call me old-fashioned")
• Direct, insider-access reporting with lots of off-script riffs and tongue-in-cheek asides.

For Listeners Who Missed It

This episode is essential for understanding why this year’s Feast Week feels so different—and perhaps why Thanksgiving-week in college hoops will never go back. The podcast offers not only game breakdowns, but also a front-row view to the challenges and opportunities facing the sport as NIL remakes its traditions.

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