← Eye On College Basketball
Eye On College Basketball
Sweet 16 Preview! Ranking all eight games, teams on upset alert. Plus: Why UNC’s taking so long with Hubert Davis
01:17:43
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- [00:00]
Gary Parrish
Ion College Basketball is presented by Shipt. With Shipt, you can order same day delivery for everything you need for game day, groceries, decor and so much more from local stores. Download the app or order now@shipt.com that's s h ipt.com ion college basketball is also presented by Domino's Best Deal Ever Right now you can get any pizza with any toppings for one great price at Domino's. Let me say that again. Any pizza, any toppings for one great price. It really is their best deal ever. You know how during tournament season there's always that one game you absolutely cannot miss? Whether it's a buzzer beater in the men's bracket or a massive upset in the women's tournament, having instant access right when the action heats up is everything. That's why Sling is so clutch. Get instant access to the men's and women's college basketball tournaments. Starting for just $4.99, you can catch all the action on TNT, TBS and more. So when the moments that matter happen, you're not scrambling to find a stream. And and if you're thinking I want even more hoops, you can add an extra pack to your subscription for just $1. Sling offers flexibility. No overpaying, no over committing their flexible passes. Subscription lets you watch live college basketball when you want and you can start watching in minutes. It's tournament level excitement. Just tournaments so crazy they'd be crazy to miss. Sling makes it easy to watch the games you want when you want without locking into a full subscription. Sling lets you do that, but visit sling.com to learn more.
- [01:35]
Matt Norlander
Hey there. I am Gary Parish. Welcome back. CBS Sports. I own college basketball podcast where we sometimes discuss camel fighting, dodo birds and leaky black. Matt Norlander is here with me watching on YouTube honor Brandon Davies. Smash that like button. If you haven't yet subscribe to the I Own College Baske Basketball podcast, please also do that. Anyway, subscribe to podcasts including Apple and Spotify. Let's get into it. The Sweet 16 is set to tip in a little more than 48 hours. First game is going to be Texas Purdue Thursday 7:10pm Eastern on CBS, America's most watched network. Network of stars. Twenty minutes after that, Iowa Nebraska on TBS. Here's the way I want to start things today. Norlander West, South, East, Midwest if you are a college basketball fan with no team still in the hunt but just wanted to go experience what's happening in one of these regions, where would you set up shop later this week? San Jose, Houston D.C. or Chicago. Tell me where and tell me why.
- [02:38]
Gary Parrish
Wow. I mean, we're on a little bit of a time constraint, but there's no. Hey, how you doing? It's been a minute. Great to see you. A little Sean Fennesee, Amanda Dahman's big Picture to start the show. I'm Gary Parrish. I'm Matt Norlander. No, it's just right into it. We got the. We got the lineup, we got the format. Let's go right into it. All right, your call. We can go.
- [02:58]
Matt Norlander
I. I assumed you were doing.
- [03:00]
Gary Parrish
By the way, it's great to be okay.
- [03:02]
Matt Norlander
I. I could ask you how you're doing. I think I know you're doing okay, relatively speaking, but you're worn out. All right. And then you could say, G.P. how you doing? And I would say I'm doing okay, relatively speaking, but. Oh, buddy, it's been a minute. It's been a minute. It's been. It's been. It's been an interesting situation. And then we'd start talking about whatever we talk about, so I didn't think we needed to waste.
- [03:22]
Gary Parrish
Fair enough. But in true podcast form, I'm going to delay the real segment for just about 45 seconds.
- [03:27]
Matt Norlander
That's the way to do a podcast.
- [03:28]
Gary Parrish
I've got to fly tomorrow morning out of JFK, not LaGuardia. I know you had to fly to LaGuardia. It's great to see you back at your home base here for all of, I don't know, 51 hours. I have clear. I do not have TSA PreCheck, but I have clear. I reached out to JFK today and they said clear is operational, which is good. My plane starts boarding at 10:35am tomorrow. What time do you think I need to get to the airport to just comfortably. I'm not looking. I'm not arriving four hours before I got aboard. That's not going to happen. In your opinion, what time do I need to arrive at the airport? Given the current status with our. Our airports and the lack of TSA
- [04:10]
Matt Norlander
personnel, I mean, I think it's total hit or miss. And there's no way to know for sure unless you're checking in real time. That's why I tweeted yesterday. You know, just, hey, if you're getting. Trying to get out of LaGuardia, here's what I just experienced, because the whole time before I got there, I was wondering, what am I going to experience? And so, hand to heart, despite a plane collision on a Runway late Sunday night that resulted in multiple deaths and the ongoing situation with TSA. I got through LaGuardia Security in three minutes on Monday afternoon. I mean, three minutes. It was as normal as it could be. Although it felt heavy. I will say the airport felt heavy and there were ICE agents everywhere. They weren't doing anything, which is, you know, sometimes better than the alternative. But they were just there. And that presence was just unusual. You don't. It's not something you usually see in the airport. And for whatever reason, LaGuardia TSA was working beautifully. I do have pre check and clear and touch. I have everything you can have, but it didn't look like the scenes you see from Atlanta or JFK. I did not experience that yesterday at LaGuardia. But if I were you, like, if I were actually you, I would probably get there at least a couple of hours early. And if I scoot right through security, no problem.
- [05:37]
Gary Parrish
Yeah, I'm just giving myself time on principle alone, I am not showing up. That means I'm getting to the airport at 6:35. Not happening. Not happening. I. I think I'm gonna plan for like an 8:40am arrival. Get through and watch me get through in 15 minutes.
- [05:53]
Matt Norlander
It's.
- [05:54]
Gary Parrish
It's fine. I've got some. Trust me, I will have work to do. Maybe we'll have a Hubert Davis update by then. Unlikely. We'll get to some carousel stuff before we get to the end of the show. As for your question, I am going to San Jose, but I think there's only two options here for the general college basketball fan, and that's the East Regional in the district where you've got Shire, Patino, Hurley, Izzo, Duke, Johnny's Huskies, Spartans. Or you've got Houston, which has three Big Ten programs invading Houston's backyard. And within that, you've got the home, alleged home court feel with the Cougars in addition to Iowa. Nebraska, of all the teams, of all the schools, of all the years and all the scenarios, it's Nebraska and its first Sweet 16 ever. It's Iowa in its first Sweet 16 since 1999. These programs can't. Oh, I actually. I promised that I would hit this on the button the other night. I'm gonna get this in right now. Where are you? Iowa and St. John's first sweet 16 cents. There it is. So that's a really, really good. There's good stuff about San Jose. I can't wait to see what's going on there. And we'll talk about every one of these games. And then out in Chicago, my favorite city in the country, You've got some awesome battles there as well, but I think the east narrowly wins out. And I can't help but bring up one particular thing here. Josh doesn't even have the tweet ready, but I've got. I've got it for you just to keep up with the bit. Houston will not have to play Florida. Florida will not have to play Houston. The great David Warlock, who runs communications, could not help but send this out on Sunday night. Coming into this tournament, the one versus two regional final has materialized. 51 out of a possible 160 times. Okay, less than 32%. So it's not a shock that Florida isn't playing Houston. And Houston, which is a dominant. Which was a dominant theme soon after the bracket came out just at Gary Parish the next time.
- [07:54]
Matt Norlander
I have no patience. I have no. I love David Warlock. I have no patience for the nonsense. Just because it's unlikely to happen doesn't mean it's. It's not the most likely thing to happen. And it should be avoidable. And if you ever put me in charge of bracketing principles, I will make it avoidable. I just. I just will never give up on this. It's just wrong. It's a.
- [08:12]
Gary Parrish
We don't have to worry about it. It's a way.
- [08:14]
Matt Norlander
It's a wrong way to go about it.
- [08:17]
Gary Parrish
Are you with me on the district being number one, or would you take the south with Houston with the potential outright takeover of Nebraska? We saw what it did in Oklahoma City. Iowa fans, Illinois fans know how to travel. And then Houston's in the backyard. I think it's a close between two of them. I think the overall mainstream appeal, and we understand this is.
- [08:35]
Matt Norlander
Is.
- [08:35]
Gary Parrish
Is, yes, that damn east coast bias. But come on now, man. You've got Patino, you've got Duke, you've got Hurley with two championships, and you've got Izzo trying to make a ninth Final Four. That's probably the one, right?
- [08:46]
Matt Norlander
It's clearly the one in my head. I mean, you could buy a ticket to the Capital One arena on Friday and say, you know, you take your son, you take your daughter, and you say, hey, we about to watch a doubleheader. And two of these coaches are already in the Naismith Memorial hall of Fame, and the other two will get there someday. You're watching four, I think it's clear already. Three all time greats. And most people, like John Shire is off to, like, the best coaching start in the history of the sport on some level. So UConn, six national titles, Duke has five, Michigan State has two and St. John's coach has two. Dan Hurley and Rick Patino have two, Tom Izzo has one. Most assume John Shire is going to get one someday. Like I said, you could look up in 40 years and say if you went to that doubleheader on Friday night, you watched four all time greats, Ford Naismith, Memorial hall of Famers coach against each other. And then you get Rick Patino against Duke again. He's already brought that up, so that's fun. You could get round four, UConn, St. John's that's terrific. Duke is minus 125 to come out of the region and UConn has the worst odds in that region according to draftkings to get out of it. But I, I think you can reasonably see any one of these four teams advancing to the Final Four. And you know, if it's UConn, they got an opportunity to win a third title in four years. If it's Michigan State, Tom Izzo's then two wins away from the second national title he so badly desires. If it's St. John's I mean, get out of here. What a story. And you know, if it's Duke, then they're able to get there despite losing Caleb Foster in the regular season finale. Now two wins away from trying to do what they couldn't do last season. No matter what happens in D.C. to me that is, that's the place to be.
- [10:48]
Gary Parrish
I tell you what, if anyone that's linger watching is going to these games, you know that the, that the regional semifinals and the regional finals are outright phenomenal basketball environments. The Final Four title games are different because they're in different, they're in a different building. I can still be incredible, don't get me wrong, but these are the last games of the season in basketball arenas. Every, every ticket gets sold, every seat is filled and like I'm expecting an Arizona takeover in San Jose, in Chicago, you're telling me, you know, Michigan and Iowa State in particular won't flock heavily. They're probably going to outflank the SEC contingent that's going there with Bama and Tennessee. I think the ticket secondary market price for the DC stuff, GP might be the most expensive sports ticket in that town in quite literally decades considering the fan base is there and what that's going to drive up for. And it's a Friday night, like there's a lot of stuff that's, that's building toward that. And then again with the, with the fan bases that Will be desperate to travel and just experience that on, on, on Thursday in the South Regional is incredible. I've got a couple of just general stats and goodies here on, on the, on the Sweet 16 before we dive into the individual, uh, individual matchups that East Region, all four head coaches have previously made a Final Four. It's only the, let's see, fifth time that's ever happened that all four that are in a regional semi final in one region have gone to the final four. Sweet 16 has nine teams back from a year ago that ties with 2003 with the most in any Sweet 16 ever. But how about this GP? You've got Nebraska in it for the first time. Iowa and the Johnny's haven't been here since 99. Every other school if this sweet 16, if you didn't quite notice this, but maybe you kind of knew it in your head, every other school that's playing this year in the Sweet 16 has been in a at least one Sweet 16 since 2023. So there's a lot of familiarity here. Houston, Bama, Tennessee, Duke and Zona have all made the last three Sweet Sixteens. Houston, seven consecutive regional semi trips is the fourth longest streak ever and obviously the longest active one. Here's a goodie that I didn't realize. Kansas, Kentucky, Carolina, UCLA, they're all missing. Kansas, Kentucky, Carolina, UCLA. There has not been a Sweet 16, a final 16 teams in the Tourney GP without all four of those schools. I got no button for it. 1954 was the last time we didn't have any of those this deep into a tournament. Iowa and Iowa State are in the sweet 16 for the same time for the first time in history. I think that's pretty cool. And then how about this juxtaposition? Michigan State's the only team in the Sweet 16 where the top five scorers were all on the team last year and the only team were the top five scorers on the team. None of them were on the team last season. It's Michigan State's rival. Michigan. Pretty cool. Patino and Calipari are going for their 13th elite eight apiece. They would tie Roy Williams for third all time if they get there. And, and I got some other stuff that I'll save for later on in the show, but a lot of good stuff that's, you know, going into this a lot, a lot of cool coincidences, matchups, all of it. I'm here to break every, every game down.
- [13:44]
Matt Norlander
So there are eight Sweet 16 matchups because that's the way Math works. We're going to rank them best to worse next. But first, let's get our first word from a partner.
- [13:55]
Gary Parrish
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- [15:06]
Matt Norlander
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- [15:39]
Gary Parrish
A full on Pizza Draft. Two Loaded Pizza builds just 9.99 each with Domino's. Best deal ever. I am ready.
- [15:46]
Matt Norlander
GP all right, I'll go first. Let's go. Handmade pan crust, pepperonis, extra cheese, jalapenos, onions and garlic parmesan sauce please.
- [15:55]
Gary Parrish
Garlic parmesan sauce. Okay, I'm going thin crust, red sauce, spinach. You know what, give me some banana peppers too. Thin crust. It's the four seed of all pizzas. I stand by it.
- [16:07]
Matt Norlander
See, this is why this deal is perfect. Everyone gets exactly what they want.
- [16:11]
Gary Parrish
Especially for a watch party. You can build all the large pizzas you need, customize each and every single one and keep the whole crew happy for just 9.99 each.
- [16:19]
Matt Norlander
Any toppings, any combo. That's why this is Domino's. Best deal ever. With Domino's Best Deliver, you can get any pizza with any toppings for just 9.99. Prices higher in some locations. Select this online only offer from 223 to 4. 6 size availability varies by crust type max 7 toppings 6 for New York style and pan crust. Stuffed crust is extra. Excludes Excel and specialty pizzas. Minimum purchase required for delivery prices, participation, delivery area and charges may vary. Right Norlander, here's the way we're going to do this. Eight Sweet 16 matchups. We're going to rank them best to worst. I've got my list right in front of you. I'm going to ask you for what is number one on your list. Then I will tell you where it is on my list and then we will talk about it for an undetermined amount of time and then we will move on to number two and eventually we'll be done with this.
- [17:09]
Gary Parrish
That's who we will all right, you sound psyched. Let's go shoot some birds.
- [17:12]
Matt Norlander
I actually am psyched. I noticed as I was saying that it sounded like I can't wait get back on a plane tomorrow. Can't wait to be back in studio on Thursday. Think I'm going to see you Sunday.
- [17:22]
Gary Parrish
Yes. We are podcasting in person in studio from the secondary studio on HQ Sunday night. So folks that have been craving a little more me and GP you're going to get more and we'll have it in person on Sunday. I can't wait.
- [17:33]
Matt Norlander
So CBS Sports Network for me, Thursday, Friday, Saturday. Then I will take a car to Stanford, Connecticut, CBS Sports HQ on Sunday, then back home on Monday and then it's off to Indianapolis for the Final Four. What's your favorite Sweet Sixteen matchup? Which one would you rank number one.
- [17:51]
Gary Parrish
I'm going Houston versus Illinois. This game is going down Thursday in Houston. TBS True TV. Approximate tip time will be around 10:05 Eastern. So that's, that's a, that's a late Thursday night tip. You've got an incredible offense with Illinois. You've got a Houston team that's playing really, really well. Obviously to the tune. That is playing well. How about how it's just run away from opponents in the first two games it has held its past eight NCAA tournament opponents to 10 points below their season average. This game is the third time we've ever had a sweet 16 game between two teams. Coming off back to back wins of 20 plus points. They're, they're operating near the peak of their powers. And in addition to that you've got Keaton Wagler vs. Kingston Flemings. Not the only amazing head to head matchup between freshmen, but probably the best of them all. Wagler averaging 17.8 points, Fleming 16.2. Wagler averaging 4.9 rebounds. Fleming five flat. Wagler averaging 4.4 assists. Fleming's four flat. They are 2 of 11 freshmen ever to average at least 16, 4 and 4 heading into a sweet 16. This is tremendous. And then think about the physicality matchup with this one. So Illinois to this point, two games into this tournament has allowed eight total free throws. That's the fewest through two. Any two game stretch by any team in the history of the tournament. They just haven't been fouling and they don't foul, period. Illinois only allow allows/Averages 12.5 freebies a game. GP so can Houston get to the line? Will the physicality win out there? How big will Illinois fans show up in the building that night? How much will the Nebraska and Iowa fans be rooting for Houston or will they root for Illinois? Kind of a little like which one, you know, which one do you want? What's the lesser of two evils there? I'm sure Iowa, Nebraska fans would say Houston is the lesser of two evils. Who do you really want to face though with the, with the final four on the line two nights later? So a ton of fun there. To me, this is, this is it. This is my number one. Agree or you got something else?
- [19:55]
Matt Norlander
I've got something else. But I do want to ask you about this. I think if this were an sec, like if this region were, were three SEC teams and Houston, I think the SEC teams would rally together maybe outside of Auburn, Alabama or something like that. But I think you would hear SEC chance in the building. Will you hear Big Ten chants in the building? Can the Big Ten programs come together?
- [20:22]
Gary Parrish
I don't think so. I, I don't think so. And as has been and we'll get to that game in a second. But the, the Nebraska, Iowa stuff and the genuine, just like the hatred that, that you know, that extends beyond basketball. Obviously this is, this is big time football stuff as well. I don't, I don't think so. But I, I'm gonna be at games when this is happening. So like I'll have the game up on my laptop. I'll bring my, I'll bring my cans and try and listen to a little bit as well, but a part of me is bummed because, like, these are really good games. I'm not going to be able to take them in the, obviously the exchanges. I'll be able to watch everything on Friday without. Without being distracted. So that in mind, that's my number one. What's your one?
- [20:56]
Matt Norlander
It. Well, no, we're not going to do it like that.
- [20:58]
Gary Parrish
Okay. I'm just trying to keep it moving. You did lay it. I read it out for me and I ignored it. Go ahead, talk about this game.
- [21:06]
Matt Norlander
I have explained the format in both text and verbally correct. Okay. Houston, Illinois was third on my list.
- [21:16]
Gary Parrish
Number two. So it is what it is. But you know what? This podcast is moving toward a very anti Fornelli stance in general.
- [21:21]
Matt Norlander
So number two in offense, that's Illinois. Number four in defense, that's Houston. I think the line opened pretty small, like Houston minus one and a half. It's now moved to like Houston minus three and a half. So that suggests some money came in on the Cougars, but this will be terrific. I am interested to see, like, what the crowd makeup looks like because you assume it's Houston and Houston, but Nebraska fans, you could play. You could play this on Mars and somehow they'd end up. They'd figure out a way to get there. They'd be like, you know, direct message at Elon being like, all right, what do you got? Is there anything we can. We're playing on Mars and we got to get like, they'll go anywhere. So perhaps that. That home court advantage that Houston was theoretically going to enjoy. We'll see what it looks like when we get there. But Houston, Illinois, to answer your question, number three on my list of the best eight Sweet 16 matchups.
- [22:16]
Gary Parrish
All right, so now you want my number two.
- [22:18]
Matt Norlander
Yes.
- [22:18]
Gary Parrish
Number two is where I'll be. Arizona versus Arkansas. That's CBS. That's out of San Jose. That's Thursday around 9:45 Eastern. The one benefit to doing games on the west coast, that'll be 645 local for your boy over here. I am all good with that. Tommy Lloyd. I mentioned this on the Sunday show, but I want to give you a couple of nuggets here that you may not have seen or maybe you did. He is the second coach ever to get to four Sweet 16s in his first five seasons. Him and Lavin, interestingly enough, are the only ones ever to do that. The Acuff stuff is outrageous. Okay, can Arizona slow him down because he is at threat of doing the kemba, but now you Go up against maybe quite possibly truly the best all around team and the biggest force and the toughest squad in the sport. Can you get that done? Arkansas fans travel well. I saw this exact scenario play out four years ago. Arkansas Sweet 16 Pig Sui traveled well. Duke got out of that regional to get to the final four in coach case last year. Here we go, different coach. What can you do here? Acuff has 60 points for the first two tournament games. That's the most ever by a freshman. He's the first player since Jimmer Fredette to average at least 30 points and five assists through two NCAA tournament games. He joins Chris Paul and Derrick Rose as the only freshman ever with multip tournament games of at least 20 points and five assists. He's only played two of them. By the way. Acuff is the only player with 60 plus points, 10 plus assists and five or fewer turnovers in any two game span in the tournament of any player ever. I'm not done. He's averaging 23.6 points, 6.5 assists and shooting 44.6%. He's the first player in history to hit all those marks in a season. He is bonkers and he is. And those that's not tournament averages. That's season averages. He is the first person to do that. If he holds those overall how Arizona tries to stop him. He's got help around him. We both sides of the ball. GP of this game is it's going to be awesome. Between the battle down low Co opit and Mo Crevas what can Arkansas do to slow those guys? You know Trevin Brazil is going to have to have an outstanding game. Malik Ewan, it's time to step up. Like this is going to be. This is going to be big time stuff here. And then obviously Malik Thomas and Brazil around a cuff. D.J. wagner Rut roll does he play in this game? Braden buries like who's going to be the guy to step up for Arizona or will it be done by committee? I can't wait for this battle. This, this is narrowly my number two. The only reason why I picked Illinois and Houston as number one is that truly feels like a an utter clashing of styles and has the best chance at being the best game.
- [24:55]
Matt Norlander
Arizona. Arkansas is also number two on my list. Thursday 9:45pm Eastern on CBS. America's most watched network network of stars. You know I'm a data sorter. I like to sometimes just go back like a month so that you can say on tv if you look over the past month it's just an easy way to set something up. So go back a month, say February 25th. Sort some data. The most efficient team in the country ranked number one at Torvik, Arizona eight and oh, number six offense, number three defense. That's among the reasons they are a sizable favorite to win this west region. Minus 160 in the betting markets. Could you say this is true? Over the past month Arizona has been the best team in the country. I think you can say that. I just, I just gave you some numbers to support it. Can you say this? And then on the other side, for the past month the best player in college basketball has been Darius Acup Jr.
- [25:52]
Gary Parrish
Yeah, I mean he's, it's, this is, this is such a, this is a game that is final four level in the sweet 16. I actually think we got a couple of these GP. I'm pumped to be there. I, I hope, I hope that Arkansas and Arizona bring out the best in each other and that this one is is undetermined in the final minute. I'm really, really hopeful and to me it's a 1, a 1B at the top of my list. But you, you didn't have Houston Illinois so I Wonder if my 3 is is higher on your list. My 3 is Nebraska Iowa for the spectacle of it all and, and what we have here. This is also so my top three all Thursday games. This is TBS True TV coming out of Houston. The first tournament meeting between these team first tournament meeting between two teams that are coming off of games where they won with less than five seconds on the clock. Really, really cool. Excuse me. First since 2016. That last happened between Notre Dame and Wisconsin. We just don't typically get teams that are arriving into another high profile game after both winning dramatically on essentially what is their final possession. Nebraska is trying to become the fifth team since the field expanded in 85 to get to the Elite Eight the first year it won a tournament game. The teams that did this since 85 Gonzaga 99, Mason in 06, St. Peter's of course in 2002 and FAU in 2002. Can they be next? This game also features one of three revenge situations if we want to call it that probably needs a better name but Price Sanford plays at Nebraska previously at Iowa. We also have that with Cam Heidi with Texas and Purdue and Namari Burnett started his career at Bama. He'll play with Michigan obviously of course there so but this is one of the three. I just, I, I can't wait for this game. The way that Iowa beat Florida and is. Is rolling as a fan base. Nebraska, which is now usurped Miami University as the overarching feel good story of the season by virtue of getting to the Sweet 16 for the first time in program history. With that four next to its name, it's a slight favorite in this game. You've got Bennett Sturts, one of the best point guards in the country, on the other side and. Come on, man. Corn versus corn. I love this. I love everything about this. So this is a firm number three. I'm gonna guess it's not as high for you, but the. The rarity of this is what. What makes me put it at three above my number four.
- [28:10]
Matt Norlander
It's not as high for me. I've got it at 5. But as I'm just sort of thinking through it now, if I could readjust my list, I might get it into the top three or top four. Like, I'm all. Whatever story emerges from this game is awesome, crazy good. Like, I'm all in on either Nebraska continuing this all time great run with the Twins in the program, or Ben McCollum getting Bennett Sturts and a bunch of dudes to the elite in year one. I mean, what? I. I did this on TV the other night, but just for people who don't have Wikipedia. He's 44 years old, born in Iowa City. Everybody remembers that I ranked St. John's number one in the preseason, and that didn't look so good for a while. Although it's looking better right now. Nobody ever brings up that I said my favorite hire from last off season was Ben McCollum at Iowa.
- [29:05]
Gary Parrish
That's. That's not something people would bring up.
- [29:07]
Matt Norlander
So I wish people would start bringing that up a little more. Like, hassle. Can I get you? Can hassle bring it up at least?
- [29:14]
Gary Parrish
I think he's almost sober, so I think we can talk.
- [29:16]
Matt Norlander
Okay, well, maybe hassle could bring it up every once in a while. Good Lord, I can't get on Twitter without somebody bringing up St. John's yeah, bring up, bring up.
- [29:28]
Gary Parrish
Okay.
- [29:29]
Matt Norlander
44 years old, born in Iowa City. Played two years at junior college and then played two years at Division 2 Northwest Missouri State. Eventually gets the head coaching job at his alma mater when he's just 27 years old, spends 15 years there, wins four Division 2 national championships. There was no tournament in 2020 because of COVID but, like, his team probably wins that one or at least was a favorite to win that one. So it was four in eight years, and it could have easily been five. And eight. In his final 11 seasons at Northwest Missouri State, this dude won 11 conference championships. In his final six seasons at Northwest Missouri State, his record was 253. 21 six conference championships, three national championships. Then he gets the Drake job. 31 four in year one conference championship, advances to the round of 32, beats Missouri out of the SEC. Then he gets the Iowa job, wins 21 games before selection Sunday even though that roster shouldn't gets a 9C. Beats a better seated Clemson team in the round of 64, beats a top seeded Florida team, the reigning national champs in the round of 32. Now he's got his hometown school in the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1999. That, that's a ball coach. If you remember when we did the ranked basketball coaches in the preseason, like I had him in our top 20, I think despite him only having one year of Division 1 head coaching experience. And it's because when you look at difference makers on the sideline, you're going to have a hard time finding somebody who's more of a difference maker than this guy. There's, there's nearly two decades of, of, of evidence to support it.
- [31:18]
Gary Parrish
Good stuff. All right, I'll keep it moving, go to my next game. And this is what I think you've got number one. And I understand what so this just speaks to the downright utter strength of this sweet 16 slate that we've got ahead of us here because to me the, the top of the rankings there was was really, really difficult to do. But it's going to be Duke against St. John's that's your Friday early tip, by the way. I wondered if this might have been the, the marquee, but no, it is the matinee showing, so to speak. You've got Patino at 73, Shire at 38. It's the largest age gap between any tournament head coaching battle since 07 when Lute Olson faced a then young Matt Painter. How about that boozer right now? He was just announced earlier today as the USBWA Oscar Robertson, National Player of the Year and of course the Wayman Tisdale winner for National Freshman of the Year. Congrats to Boozer. No shock there. Nonetheless, some more hardware coming to his trophy case, which is crowding with a quickness Boozer. First freshman since Beasley in 07 with at least 15 points and 10 rebounds in each of his first two NCAA tournament games. That's like a freshman got at least 15 points and 10 rebounds in the first two times he ever played in a tournament. Doesn't sound like it should be that rare, but he did it. And last time we saw it was beastly. Duke, by the way, has your longest winning streak in the country now that High point lost at 13. Interested to see the Caleb Foster situation? Shire said earlier this week that there's a quote outside chance he told Rothstein this. I don't know if this is gamesmanship or if I said this on HQ this morning. To me it's either gamesmanship or he's definitely playing. And Shire is just introducing this now. They don't play until Friday, so I don't know. Without Caleb Foster, Duke is averaging 7 fewer points per game. It's shooting 6 percentage points worse from the field and 5 percentage points worse from beyond the arc. It has about a turnover and a half more per game. But boozers, Kaden boozers numbers have jumped as well. So we see we get boozer, we get Edge of four, the two best bigs in the country. How often will they be squaring up face to face and guarding each other versus what we might see with switches? There's a lot there. Dylan Darling being the darling of the tournament to this point and hitting and coming off of that shot. Just storylines galore. With all of this, Patino has invoked the loss to Duke at the buzzer. How can you not love so much about this game? I know this has to be your number one.
- [33:41]
Matt Norlander
It's definitely my number one. Just for the theater of it all, it's Duke and Rick Patino. Like you just start right there for Friday, 7:10pm Eastern on CBS. America's most watch network network stars. You just. If we do get to a moment like, what would be better than St. John's up a point, three seconds to go, far baseline. Yes. Just the best.
- [34:07]
Gary Parrish
World needs to stop. If we are like everyone on the planet, stop.
- [34:12]
Matt Norlander
Just, just the idea that we could get that moment is. Is enough for me to put this at number one. Beyond that, it's the number one overall seed in the NCAA tournament against my preseason number one. And you know I'm a data sorter, so check this out. Since March 12th, which is when Duke had to start playing without Caleb Foster, the Blue Devils are 5 0, but they're only 22nd at Torvik. Okay, offensive rating 25th. Defensive rating 40th. In that same stretch since March 12th,
- [34:50]
Gary Parrish
I'll say number one. Oh, are they really? I was going to say like four or five.
- [34:55]
Matt Norlander
Guess who is ranked number one in that exact same stretch where Duke is five zero without Caleb Foster. But an offensive rating of 25. Defensive rating of 40. Down to 22nd at Torvik. In that same stretch, guess who is number one in the country?
- [35:11]
Gary Parrish
Tommy Lloyd's Arizona Wildcats. Hold on, I'll buzzer myself even though I was joking. Johnny's number one.
- [35:24]
Matt Norlander
St. John's GP's, Red Storm. GP's, Red Storm. Offensive rating 16th. Defensive rating second number one at Torvik. These are, these are going. And this is, this is two things going in different directions. You know, I gotta put somebody on upset alert before we get out of here.
- [35:44]
Gary Parrish
Well, don't spoil. We'll see if that's the case there. We'll see if your upset alert actually matches what I had in my bracket on selection Sunday. Keep it, keep it going, keep it going. How about Michigan? Alabama number five on my list. It's a joke that this is the number five game. This is a Friday tip out of Chicago. 7:35 TBS. True TV Michigan and Bama's combined 179.0 points per game this season is the most entering a Sweet 16 matchup since Arkansas Bama in 91. These teams fill it up, get the ball into the bucket. It's the second time there's been a tournament matchup between two teams coming off of back to back 90 point games. The other time was in the title game in 70 UCLA versus Jacksonville. Look up the Fins folks. Michigan has scored the most points, 196 by any team, any team entering the Sweet 16 since Carolina in 08. I gave you that nugget on Sunday night. And Alabama is allowing the Most points per game, 82.5 allowing, not scoring allowing by any team in the Sweet 16 since Loyola Marymount in 90 they played. That was, that wasn't defense optional. That was defense not required and got up and down the floor. It's the inside game of Michigan against Alabama. Shooting abilities. This is an awesome matchup. And what do we have here? Do we have a close game? Do we have an epic, do we have one team that runs away from the other? Because Michigan right now has a 64.4% hit rate in the paint. It's got the best point paint differential of any team in the field. All its three best scores are all 69 or taller. Meanwhile Alabama is just roasting from beyond the arc. It's coming off what, 19 threes in the win to get into the Sweet 16 when it wasn't even close against Texas Tech. It's got the second highest three point rate in Division 1 this season. 54% of Alabama shots are hoisted from beyond the arc and. And they've got the second most three pointers made through the first two tournament games ever. 31. That Marymount team had 32. Meanwhile, GP Michigan has the second lowest three point field goal percentage allowed in the Big Ten this year. So at 31% there's a, there's, it's not oil and water exactly, but there's a, there's some real contrast here. If that's the fifth best matchup of this, of this Sweet 16, we are really looking at one of the stronger Thursday, Friday regional semis we've had over the past decade.
- [38:03]
Matt Norlander
Plus I've got Michigan, Alabama sixth on my list. Friday, 7:35pm Eastern on TBS. Michigan is now the favorite to win this tournament at +320. Arizona is at +360. After that comes Duke. Michigan is -145 to win the Midwest. There was an interesting quote from Todd golden that I saw over the past week that I think applies to Michigan and I don't, I don't know the context and I don't know where he said it, so sue me. But it was something along the lines of we got into an era of college basketball, certainly in the NBA, but it trickled down to college basketball where everybody was trying to get small play, five out, shoot lots of threes, all that stuff. And that still exists obviously. I mean it's 365 team or 300, whatever, a bunch of teams you're going to get, you're going to get everything, every style you're looking for. But the point he made was if you want to lower your floor and reduce the risk of getting beat by inferior teams. So like losing to a mid major in the round of 64, round of 32, get back to being physically overwhelming. Just that's where you have the real advantages over the quote unquote mid major schools. They shouldn't be able to find 7 foot to 280 pounds but you can. And there was an emphasis on 2 point field goal percentage and 2 point field goal percentage defense. And Michigan is like maybe the best combination of that in the sport. 2 point field goal percentage 61.5, 2 point field goal percentage defense down to 44.5. That is how they beat you is by physically overwhelming you. With three portable additions, all of whom are going to play in the NBA, I think each of whom is probably going to be selected in the first round of the NBA draft. And if Michigan wins a national championship in year two under Dusty May, it'll be because they prioritized that front court and it has worked together beautifully.
- [40:11]
Gary Parrish
Wonderfully said. I will keep it moving. My number six is UConn versus Michigan State in D.C. on Friday. This will be after Duke and the Johnny's. This is a two and a half point spread in favor of the Huskies here. A game will be on CBS. Of course, UConn has not lost in the Sweet 16 or later since the 09 Final Four against the Spartans. Yes, Tom Izzo was the last coach to knock out the Huskies. Once we reach this stage or deeper of the tournament, we'll see if he can get that done or not. Alex caraban in his 147th game career game right. Let me just double it was either 147 or 148. I'll give it to you right now. Thank you. Sports reference 147 got his career high. Somewhat surprising that one it took until this point for that to happen and two for Caravan. What he did against UCLA was was the most important player on the floor. But to have 27 as his career high. If you had to say Norlander, has he has he ever hit 30 in a game? I would have said Caravans had 30 in multiple games. But no. But he got it done. After Terrace Reed was unstoppable against Furman and and the reincarnation of Wilt Chamberlain, it was, it was ridiculous how dominant he was. So between that and terrorist reed is the first player to have at least 40 points and 40 boards through two tournament games since. How about this reincarnation, although he's not doesn't need to be reincarnated. Tim Duncan is still walking among us. That's the last time we had someone do that. And then credit to our research group for this stat to read the first player with at least 40 points, 40 boards on 60 field goal shooting through two NCAA tournament games since Wes Unseld, Elvin Hayes and Lou Elsinder. They all did it in the 68 tournament. Special, special company there. Meanwhile, Jeremy Fierce Jr. Doing damn well for himself. 27 assists through the first two tournament games. That's more than any player in the tournament since Earl Watson in 2000. Folks, I am giving you so many goodies. Stuff them in your pockets, put them in your backpack, carry them with you into Thursday or Friday night. We've had a lot of really, really epic performances that has kept up with the theme of this season being the best in and close to 10 years, if not longer. Between fears, the coaching battle, the coaching matchup. What does UConn do to try and slow down fears. How do they even stop Cohen Carr from. From liftoff to begin with? How does Michigan State counter? You know, can Cooper be a real force and a factor here for the husk. Excuse me, for the Spartans to slow down terrorists. Read what he can do. Demaries getting more healthy. Solo ball was a no show. Like, can they afford another total no show from solo ball? I don't know. Carson Cooper, to me, might be the guy to watch in this one, though. He is quietly, somewhat quietly had a really, really nice developmental season as a senior for Michigan State. This is my number six game. But again, kind of speaks to the strength of this year's the slate. Like, I didn't feel good putting this six. It's a really, really strong number six. I'm guessing this is your number five.
- [43:03]
Matt Norlander
This is my number four. So we have the same top six, just in different order. But the first six coming off the board, we agree on. Tex buddies, Dan Hurley, Tom Izzo, UConn obviously trying to win a third title in four years. I mean, you mentioned caravan. Like if, if UConn is to go on and win a national championship, long way to go, but possible he would end his college career with a 15 and. No, he's 15 one in the NCAA tournament now. He would end his college career with a 191 record in the NCAA tournament title. Is that right?
- [43:39]
Gary Parrish
Yeah, Title title title winner and title.
- [43:43]
Matt Norlander
Title title. Lose to the title winner and title.
- [43:45]
Gary Parrish
That's gotta get there that we're four away. So. But it's, it's a good, it's a good. And let's keep it focused on this game. But I'll just say in general, like with the matchups, Duke player of the year, St. John's second best big in the country, Michigan State maybe the best point guard in the country, and then UConn has the winningest player in college basketball. So there's a lot of. A lot of stuff there.
- [44:05]
Matt Norlander
Okay, so what's number seven on your list?
- [44:08]
Gary Parrish
It's going to be where I'm gonna. Where I'm at on. On Thursday night, Purdue versus Texas on CBS, 7, 10 Eastern. This will be the first tip of the Sweet 16, folks. This is the most common NC tournament opponent for each of these teams. This will be the fifth time the Boilermakers and Longhorns have met in the tournament. The most recent came in the second round four years ago. It's also, here's a good little Ken Palm nugget that our research team dug up. It's the first time that a team that is top five in experience at Ken Palm, which Texas is meets a team that is top five in year over year roster continuity which Purdue is dating back to when Pomeroy has tracked both of those stats for, for two decades. So a lot of experience, a lot of veteran play. Texas is really coming together and playing extremely well. Does it have the athleticism, the length, the, the kind of, you know, antagonistic defensive play to make this a real game for Purdue? Texas is the lowest remaining, lowest rated team remaining in the field at 31 at Ken Palm, Iowa's 22. So there's actually some, there's really some room to stretch between those two teams and then we're really heavily populated obviously with top 15 Ken Palm teams. Texas has not been a reliable defensive team for most of the year. It's been better on offense. But can it get its act together and keep going? What we've seen over the past three games, ugly game but won it kept NC State to 66 in the first four. BYU held an offensive oriented BYU team with the bonds of going for 35. They had 71. Then they play Gonzaga obviously a team that typically is pretty good on offense. Although this wasn't a an elite offensive Gonzaga team. Zackson even cracked 70 against Texas. That's going to be the key. Like if pick a number, you tell ME Purdue hits 75 on Texas. I'm thinking that probably the Horns probably don't win. You got the Braden Smith factor. Can Voca Titus make life hell for TKR and or Clough I think is going to be really, really crucial in this game in Texas here trying to become, you know, the next team possible team to go from first four to final four. You got to get two more. We'll see if they can get that, get that done. If Texas were to, excuse me, if Purdue were to lose to Texas then Purdue would tie Wisconsin with 10 losses against double digit seats in the tournament. That would be the most. Wisconsin has the record. Wisconsin's lost to more double digit seeds. Sorry for the stray here. To Bucky fans listening just is what it is. Purdue has lost nine times to double digit season the tournament. Wisconsin's had 10. This is gonna be tasty. I'm very, very, very looking forward to seeing this one and I think it's a really awesome undercard Thursday in San Jose.
- [46:36]
Matt Norlander
So obviously Texas is a big brand but Texas is also an 11 seed and it's just sort of interesting. You look at Purdue preseason number one goal stated public goal to win the national championship, I don't want to say struggled in the Big Ten, but certainly finished lower than they were projected. And yet if I tell Matt Painter, I can't tell you who, I can't tell you where, but I can tell you you're going to need to beat an 11 seed to get to the Elite Eight for the second time in three years. Blindly, you take that and I and I know so here we are. Need to take advantage of this. If you're Purdue, get back to one game from a Final Four. And though the Texas story is great, I do think it's worth pointing out they made an NC State team in the first four that had been struggling in the selection Sunday. Then they beat a BYU team that's beat, that's missing a top three player in Richie Saunders. And then they beat a Gonzaga team that's meeting a missing a top two player in Braden Huff. So you don't have to apologize for it. Like hang that 16 banner wherever you want. But they took advantage of some injuries on along the way and now I think it's crucial just if you're Matt Painter, Braden Smith and you want this thing to finish in a way that wouldn't feel wildly disappointing, you've got to take advantage of the fact that you're playing an 11 seed in the sweet 16. Knock this out.
- [48:04]
Gary Parrish
Game eight. Dory, are we in agreement on seven and then eight or do we have this flipped?
- [48:08]
Matt Norlander
We got them flipped. I had, I had Purdue, Texas 8. I had Iowa State, Tennessee 7.
- [48:16]
Gary Parrish
You go first on. I've gone first on this since we know the last one. You set the table here. I'll give you a couple of goodies.
- [48:20]
Matt Norlander
So Iowa, Tennessee Friday, 10:10pm Eastern on TBS. I think among the stories here, Tennessee in the Sweet 16 four straight year. Tennessee now two wins away from its first Final Four in program history. This is a program that's been ranked number one in the country, that has done a lot of really good stuff, but has never made it to the final weekend of college basketball season. Obviously not favored to get there in the season, not favored even to get out of this game, but got a chance since March 1. Data sorter worth pointing out. Iowa State is only 5 and 2, but ranks first at Torvik in that stretch in part because of a defense that rates number one nationally in that stretch. Again, I guess the big story here is Joshua Jefferson. What's the what's the latest on him as you know it?
- [49:13]
Gary Parrish
As I know it. Looking decent day by day. How about this? So this is your 1010 Eastern tip in Chicago on Friday. So they get the benefit of having the last tip on Friday and as a result, or I think the last tip, if not, it's the second to last tip, they get to take it all the way to the end to see if you can go. My reading the situation, what I'm hearing, I don't think we will have clarity on Jefferson. I would love to be wrong. Like I, I'd love on Thursday for Altoberger to come out and say he's gonna play, but it feels like they'll wait until Friday, see if he can possibly go or if it's one of those things where it's like almost there, but you almost got to roll the dice. Sorry. It'll be better in two more days. Maybe it won't, I don't know. But I think there is a healthy chance there. But we'll, we'll see on, on Jefferson, you know, he's their most valuable and efficient player. He's obviously key there. Good notes on Tennessee trying to get there. Rick Barnes trying to get to his second. I mean, it's been 23 years. It's crazy. Tennessee as a program has more tournament wins than any program without a Final Four appearance. By the way, they're at 33 total wins in the history of March Madness, but they have not yet broken through to the final deal. And then Iowa State, you know, hasn't made the made the Final Four since long before it was even referred to that their one and only One was in 1944. Yeah, it's been, it's been a minute here. If they can get there. This kind of goes without saying, but that's an 82 year difference. There's never been a longer gap. Kind of makes that New York Rangers, Stanley cup winning team in, in 94 look like a little bit of a nap by comparison. I'm excited for this one. Jacoby Gillespie has been outstanding. Vicini, who. Sorry we couldn't cross paths there. You, me and Vicini, but he made some good points about him. Him and Fink both on the Sunday Night Show. He's all, he's been awesome. He's there. I know amen's the top 10 pick and all that. I have maintained the entire season. Gillespie is the most important and best player on the team. He just does the most for them most consistently. And here he is right now, first player since, hello. Kemba Walker to have at least 50 points and 15 assists and two wins going into the Sweet 16. So that's really good stuff. Tennessee is a monster on the boards. Iowa State is really, really consistent as a, as a unit. No, Jefferson would be. It really could be the difference between Iowa State winning versus not winning. But this is a really tough defensive team like top five and efficiency. They're, they're, they're good at both ends, at crashing. And then Lipsey is coming off in awe. Just the Lipsey and Gillespie head to head. Here we are. We are treated to a variety of point guards in the sweet 16, maybe the best field that we've had in a long time. GP I'll just riff real quick between Acuff, Smith, Fears, Phylon, Sturts, Gillespie, Lipsey, Flemings, Wagler. Who else? Demery. It's just, it's one after another after another. Am I forgetting one of notes? It's just, I don't remember the last time we've had a sweet 16 with this many like really, really, really, really good point guards overall remains to be seen. On the Holloway situation. Phylon, like either one can, can run the point, essentially. And then Dylan Darling's responsible for the one true button. St. John's that's the guy that actually hit the shot to win the game. That's notable as well. So there's a ton of awesome stuff with the point guards stuff there. And if that game is either seven or eight on the list, it's still plenty interesting and there's drama surrounding it. We don't know Jefferson status going in and if he'll wind up playing.
- [52:37]
Matt Norlander
All right, so those are your Sweet 16 matchups ranked one to eight. We're gonna take a break, come back and then do the sling game to watch DraftKings upset alert. After that, we'll talk coaching carousel stuff with the remaining time, update you on the Hubert Davis situation. Josh, hit your button. Word Partners, this is Gary Parrish. I have a confession. The confession is that sometimes, yeah, I hit an afternoon wall. Say, in between doing the Ion college basketball basketball podcast and, you know, walk into the broadcast center for a night in studio, I realized I probably didn't get enough rest. I need some caffeine. I want something sweet, but not like some big sugary drink. And that's why I'm obsessed with the new fruity rainbow shots from five Hour Energy. They seriously taste like a handful of classic rainbow candy. Bright, juicy and fun, but with a caffeine kick built in. It's like caffeine finally got that flavor glow up it always deserved. It was 17 flavors total in the five hour energy lineup. There is something for every mood but this fruity rainbow launch is all about that bold, sweet, fruity chaos. What do I love most? It's the big flavor in that tiny portable two ounce bottle. I can throw it in my bag, keep one in my car, stash it at my desk golf bag. It's no bulky can, no sticky wrappers, no sugar crash. It's a zero sugar treat that's totally sweet tooth approved. So it feels indulgent, but it's actually practical. If you're going to grab caffeine anyway, it might as well taste like candy. Get Candy Flavored Chaos with fruity rainbow 5 Hour Energy shots available online at 5 Hour Energy.com or Amazon. March is here. And if you've ever followed the tournament, you know one thing, the only predictable thing is the chaos upsets buzzer beaters, Cinderella runs. It's the best kind of unpredictable. And that's exactly why DraftKings Sportsbook, the number one sportsbook for live betting, is built for March. The tournament is unexpected, rewards are guaranteed, and DraftKings Sportsbook is delivering some of the most generous rewards in the market. What I like about DraftKings it is the live betting. With DraftKings, the number one sportsbook for live betting, you're not betting on what might happen later, you're betting on what's happening right now. While the game unfolds, momentum shifts, big plays, last second drama. You can get in on the action as it happens. And if you're new to DraftKings, it's the perfect time to jump in. Just bet $5 and get 200 in bonus bets instantly. Download the DraftKings sportsbook app now and use code I. That's code I E Y E. To turn five bucks into 200 in bonus bets instantly in partnership with DraftKings, the crown is yours. Gambling problem. Call 1-800- GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-SET NEW YORK Call 877-8-HOPE NY or text Hope NY Connecticut Call 888 78-97777 or visit ccpg.org on behalf of Boot Hill Casino in Kansas. Wager text Pass through May apply in Illinois 21 in most states. Void in Ontario. Restrictions apply. Bonus bets expire seven days after issuance. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see sportsbook.draftkings.com promos Limited time offer.
- [55:39]
Gary Parrish
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- [56:59]
Matt Norlander
All right, Norlander, it's time for the Sling game to watch. We're gonna do it this way. You pick a Thursday game, I'll pick a Friday game. And since Thursday comes before Friday, you go first.
- [57:09]
Gary Parrish
Well, this is kind of in line with what we just what we just talked about here with our rankings.
- [57:14]
Matt Norlander
I know we're gonna make a million billion dollars doing it this way.
- [57:17]
Gary Parrish
I certainly hope so. No one's told me that that's the case. Arkansas, Arizona is my game to watch. 9:45, Approximate tip time Eastern on CBS. Out of San Jose in the West Regional Semifinal, a 1 versus a 4. We've got buries, we've got Acuff. We've got, you know, an awesome, awesome head to head battle there. It's one of, you know, think about this. We've got freshman leading scorers for both teams. Braden Buries and Acuff is one. Fleming's waglers another. Both of those in this, in this year's tournament. In fact, it's my last. One more nugget for you, gp. Every time that we've had a matchup in the sweet 16 or later in the tournament and that matchup featured each team leading score being A freshman John Caliperi has been involved. So buries in Acuff then with the exception of the other one this year is Flemings and Waggler. But every other previous time, Monk and TJ Leaf. If you want to throw back to 2017 in 2012, Anthony Davis and Cody Zeller. In 2011, Brandon Knight and Jared Sellinger. So pretty, pretty fascinating. This is per our research team, this is the first season ever with multiple games in the sweet 16 or later with freshman as the leading scorer for both teams. Berean Acuff there. That's my, that's my must watch for Thursday.
- [58:35]
Matt Norlander
Quick question.
- [58:36]
Gary Parrish
Yep.
- [58:38]
Matt Norlander
Freshman to win most outstanding player of the Final Four. Yes. Or the field.
- [58:44]
Gary Parrish
Yes.
- [58:46]
Matt Norlander
I think it's probably yes.
- [58:47]
Gary Parrish
Yes. I mean that's a great one, but it has to be. Yes. The foremost. Oh man. But we got Michigan on the board.
- [58:55]
Matt Norlander
Michigan's the one that could get you the favorite to win the tournament. Is not going to have a friend.
- [59:00]
Gary Parrish
I'm still saying yes.
- [59:02]
Matt Norlander
I would still, I think, think, I
- [59:03]
Gary Parrish
think if we got somebody out of you, that's a good one.
- [59:06]
Matt Norlander
I think if we got somebody smarter than us to actually run some numbers on it, they would say the, the correct answer is yes, but Michigan is the favorite to win the whole thing. And if they do, it is almost certainly, you know, it's not going to be a freshman there. So I don't know. We'll see. But I would say yes as well. Sling Game to watch on Friday. I told you, it's my game to watch at the Sweet Sixteen. It is Duke. St. John's Friday, 7:10pm Eastern at the Capital One Center, Capital One arena in Washington, D.C. again, 7:10 Eastern on CBS. I, I said everything I need to say about it. It's Rick Patino. It's duke. It's a St. John's team that's now 211 and it's past 22 with two wins over Yukon in that stretch. Rick Patino two wins away from getting St. John's back to the Final Four for the first time since 1985. To me, that's. Do you think that will be the highest rated game of the sweet 16?
- [60:07]
Gary Parrish
Yeah. Has to be.
- [60:08]
Matt Norlander
Has to be. I would think.
- [60:10]
Gary Parrish
I would think it. I would think it has to be. And actually, as we're talking, we're on the air here. This came out earlier. Now keep in mind, they have adjusted some of how they actually measure a lot of this Nielsen stuff. But regardless of that, it just got officially announced in the past, like I don't know, 30, 40 minutes. We're coming off the most watched first weekend in the history of the tournament. So this next Thursday, Friday. Come on now. With the amount of star power, huge brands, and then ironically enough, what I mentioned earlier, the fact that we don't have Carolina, Kansas, Kentucky or UCLA. They're not here. First time since 54, all four have been missing. Still, having said that, there's still so much appeal here. This is as. This is the most efficient season offensively for college basketball in its history. Yeah, I think Duke, I think Duke Johnny's wins out over all others. But I think we're going to get some monster numbers regardless, even beyond that matchup.
- [60:58]
Matt Norlander
Remember when people used to say if the players ever get paid, people will stop watching?
- [61:02]
Gary Parrish
Yeah. Among the. Among the worst takes ever. Yes.
- [61:05]
Matt Norlander
Because you turn on the TV and you know what the NCAA tournament looks like? Even though you got all these millionaires playing basketball, you know what it looks like exactly like the NCAA tournament? Bands and moms and dads and brothers and sisters and tears. It looks exactly like it's always looked. It was never going to matter. And the NCAA used to like actually argue it in court. Actually argue it in court. Let's move on.
- [61:31]
Gary Parrish
That was the games to watch brought to you by Sling. And remember, check out passes from Sling so you can watch those big games on TNT, TBS and more starting at just $4.99. No overpaying, no over committing. Just tournaments so crazy they'd be crazy to miss. Visit sling.com to learn more. Sling lets you do that.
- [61:49]
Matt Norlander
Time for the DraftKings Upset Alert. The Upset Alert is sponsored by DraftKings. Stay tuned because you'll hear more about DraftKings and all it has to offer throughout the show. DraftKings, the Crown is yours. Norlander, same scenario.
- [62:02]
Gary Parrish
Yeah.
- [62:02]
Matt Norlander
You put an upset alert team on Thursday, I'm gonna get you. I'm gonna put somebody on upset alert on Friday.
- [62:10]
Gary Parrish
I'm. I'm going to where I'm going. San Josie. San Josie. Early tip true. The. The biggest possible upset, although I don't have the number. Like, I don't have the lines in front of me, but I imagine this is the biggest.
- [62:23]
Matt Norlander
I got you.
- [62:24]
Gary Parrish
You got me. So I'm going Texas over Purdue. I did this on Sunday.
- [62:28]
Matt Norlander
Purdue -7/2 total is 148.5 according to DraftKings. And Matt Norlander, if I'm hearing you correctly, you're putting Matt Painter on upset alert.
- [62:39]
Gary Parrish
I am. And I think I have a button for that, that we use for a different sponsorship a year ago. Well, just do it this way. Hold on. Where is it? Here we go. I suggest you hit sir. There we go. But when it, when it comes to Arkansas over Arizona. I'll stay. I'll stay. Yeah, I will go Longhorns to keep this going. Maybe a small part of me just wants to see a double digit seed get to the Elite Eight. I, I honestly like what cracks me up sometimes. I, I did not do this consciously, but we have six Big Ten teams still left in this field and I don't have a single one. Now. I kept my final four the same like we have to redo r Sweet 16. You know, the whole content machine. So I never had a Big Ten team in the Final Four on selection Sunday and then they had me redo my bracket. But every single matchup that every single team that I could still have advancing, I'm going to obviously still keep advancing. So as a function of that, I still have the same final Four. And I didn't have a Big Ten team. And so now people think I can't stand the big tent, which is just hilarious. I've got nothing against the Big Ten and that being said, I've got a Big Ten team. I'm putting them on upset alert. Let's go. Let's go. I suggest you hit sir and, and I've never claimed to be 47 boilermaker.
- [63:53]
Matt Norlander
You can, you can probably guess where I'm going because I've been talking about it the whole show. Taking you back to Washington D.C. duke has the national player of the year in Cameron Boozer. Duke was the number one overall seed in this NCAA tournament. But Duke has not had Caleb Foster now for five games and barring a surprise, probably not going to have him for a six straight. Duke is a six and a half point favorite according to DraftKings.
- [64:24]
Gary Parrish
Come on, Duke.
- [64:25]
Matt Norlander
But Duke has been placed on upset alert. Duke, you're on upset alert. Duke, you will spend every minute between now and tip off on upset alert.
- [64:36]
Gary Parrish
I'm about to. I'm about to do it to decay again. We go.
- [64:43]
Matt Norlander
Duke, you're on upset alert.
- [64:45]
Gary Parrish
Did we like me, did you have this on selection Sunday? I had Johnny's over Duke on sleuth.
- [64:49]
Matt Norlander
I did have Johnny's over Duke on slash answer to the bracket.
- [64:52]
Gary Parrish
That's all I ask.
- [64:52]
Matt Norlander
Just staying true to my bracket.
- [64:54]
Gary Parrish
Okay, which one did we that we didn't pick? Are we most likely to to see in your opinion? It can't be a two seed. Can't be. It's got to be three seed spots or greater. How many of those are on here? Let's, let's, like Arkansas over Zona would qualify. Bama over Michigan would qualify. Tennessee over Iowa State would qualify. And of course Iowa over Nebraska would qualify. Which of those is the most likely, in your opinion?
- [65:22]
Matt Norlander
I mean, I could see Iowa over Nebraska. Right?
- [65:25]
Gary Parrish
They split this season. They split this season. Iowa stormed the floor. Fred Hoiberg said, get the hell out of my face with that phone.
- [65:34]
Matt Norlander
That was that game.
- [65:35]
Gary Parrish
That was that game.
- [65:36]
Matt Norlander
Oh, yes.
- [65:37]
Gary Parrish
That was that game. So keep in mind, I think, I think.
- [65:41]
Matt Norlander
Okay, I didn't connect all those dots. I think Fred subsequently said something along the lines of, you know, those Iowa fans, they sure do know lot about heart procedures.
- [65:50]
Gary Parrish
Correct. Well, he had to do it because he has a pacemaker. So it is, it is a natural response. He can't have anything affecting his actual heart. So that's why he made those comments. Because then Iowa fans hopped online and started assessing. They started being Gary Parish on the show. They said, I'm a doctor and I am a doctor. Yeah, exactly. So, gosh, I, I, dude, I'm, I'm covering the games on Thursday, so I won't be on the show. That is Chip and the great Chip Patterson's, by the way, traveling to Houston for us to cover that South Regional. That Nebraska, Iowa game is, it's such a gift. It really is. Like, we don't get that kind of matchup on a stage as big of a sweet 16 very often. Just two fan bases. That one has never experienced it, period. And two, the other one rarely gets to do it and has been a generation since they did it. So I can't get enough of that matchup. And I can't wait to see just, just the things that emerge in the build up to it and then once it actually plays out, that's really, really phenomenal stuff.
- [66:44]
Matt Norlander
All right, before we get out of here, got about 10 to 12 minutes left because I really do have a heart out. Some notable coaching developments. Jared Calhoun to Cincinnati, Jerry McNamara to Syracuse. Oh, hold on.
- [67:02]
Gary Parrish
Oh, I did it myself. No, you're good. I feel no shame, buddy. You should have seen how I worked in some of my reads on the show.
- [67:11]
Matt Norlander
Okay.
- [67:11]
Gary Parrish
Incongruent, to say the least.
- [67:14]
Matt Norlander
All right, we have to, we have to do a, an outro. Yeah, that's on me. So the upset alerts. Tell me who you put on upset alert again. Remind me. Purdue.
- [67:23]
Gary Parrish
Oh, that's so. Yeah, I appreciate you asking me I have Purdue on upset alert.
- [67:28]
Matt Norlander
Okay.
- [67:29]
Gary Parrish
I suggest you hit, sir.
- [67:33]
Matt Norlander
And I have. I have Duke. Duke has been placed on upset alert.
- [67:39]
Gary Parrish
There we go.
- [67:40]
Matt Norlander
And that was the upset alert segment sponsored by DraftKings. The crown is yours. All right, I think we're good now. Few notable coaching developments. Jerry Calhoun to Cincinnati, Jerry McNamara to Syracuse, and Hubert Davis still blow it in the wind at North Carolina. What's the latest with him?
- [67:57]
Gary Parrish
Do you want to start on Davis or you want to hit on the other ones real quick?
- [67:59]
Matt Norlander
Let's start on Davis because we might not have time to get through.
- [68:02]
Gary Parrish
We will. No, we will. I'll just do.
- [68:03]
Matt Norlander
We'll do.
- [68:04]
Gary Parrish
We'll run down real quick on the other stuff here. Hubert Davis is still the coach of North Carolina as we speak. We're now after the 6pm Eastern hour on Tuesday. We may or may not have programmed this podcast to go. We were always going to do it on Tuesday. Maybe we thought we'd have clarity on this. We don't and we won't. Barring a true shocker, we're not going to know before Wednesday at the earliest. And I would, I would. I would guess this is now destined to happen when I'm somewhere flying across the country. I might be over Kentucky or I don't even know the flight path. Wisconsin, Illinois, Colorado, Utah, you name it. I think that's now destined to. To be.
- [68:41]
Matt Norlander
I think if you end up flying over Kentucky, going from New York City to San Jose, something has gone wrong.
- [68:45]
Gary Parrish
Slight pass. You know, you're right. That's probably. That's probably correct. So hopefully it'll be smooth.
- [68:49]
Matt Norlander
By the way, you end up in Kentucky. You have been hijacked, buddy.
- [68:54]
Gary Parrish
Okay, well, let's not. Let's not talk that into existence. Thank you very much, by the way. Anyone want to get anyone that accurately guesses when I actually arrive at the airport and step out of the Uber, I will take a screenshot and I will make sure. I'll send. I'll send you some sort of gift. I don't know what it is. Remember 10:35am Eastern boarding time. I don't know when I'm gonna get there. Whoever is closest, Price is right rules closest without going over. I'll make sure you get something at some point in April or May. Hubert Davis still the coach. I don't know why I offered that up. It just came to me. Let's keep it rolling. It still feels like they are going to have a split. I will say this and tracking this over the past. I don't know. GP five days now. Very real concerns about rallying the money. A lot of the football stuff and the Belichick stuff tied with this. That's been a factor for sure. There's also been, and we saw Larry Brown come out with a statement. I don't know how many other players have or people that are influential with Carolina have. I have been told there are some significant figures with Carolina basketball that have been voicing their support for Hubert. There's even a split faction between like some major money people are saying, if it's still Hubert, we're just not going to be donating at the level that we have. And then there are others that are, that are kind of tied to the program directly, former players or whatnot, saying, okay, if you really need money, like, and this is going to help, then we're going to do it. So there are opposing forces at work. I did check in with one source at Carolina today. The person called it torturous. Like, why are we still being dangled out here? We need some sort of clarity. You've got an outgoing athletic director, Bubba Cunningham. You've got an incoming athletic director, Steve Newmark. They're. They're working together. You've also got the chancellor. What are we going to do here? Bubba went on the Record with me and a few other reporters over the weekend, said that we're going to take a few days. I can't see how this drags on beyond Wednesday, but we don't.
- [70:53]
Matt Norlander
We.
- [70:53]
Gary Parrish
We simply don't have an update yet. We don't. I do think there is a chance that he does hold on to this job, but I still lean. More likely than not that he doesn't, but there are. I've had a conflicting information over the past 24 hours on the status of this. So this, this gets more vexing the longer it drags out. And it. And Carolina also looks worse the longer it drags out. And if he does wind up staying, I won't be shocked if he winds up staying. I'm just saying if he winds up staying for who? For what? And the, the fact that you have dragged this on this long and then if you come out with the statement, he's got work, you know, we know the standard at North Carolina. We know what it means to be North Carolina. All that stuff that'll be attached in that statement and he's still the coach, there is going to be an uproar and that din will never quiet. So what are we heading toward here?
- [71:42]
Matt Norlander
Back to you, GP Fun research project for Anybody who wants to do it, go look at coaches who have had jobs like this job. I don't mean jobs like the Duke job. When Coach K got the Duke job, I mean, it's established you've got a top five, top 10 job in America when you take it. That's what it's described as. If you have your first five years that are considered disappointing relative to any sort of normal historical standard at the school, how often are the next five years great once it gets this like, what are we going to do? Is it time? These things don't usually flip around you. You usually just end up doing what you already think you might should do. You end up doing it in a year or two, but is almost never a moment where you point back to and go and see, they gave him that extra year when some people were screaming he didn't deserve it. And thank God they did because now look at the last 10 years. It's been amazing. That's not usually how this stuff goes. I'll keep this simple. At a time when the ACC has been down, he has finished Hubert, outside of the top three of the league in three of his five years. He's got one conference championship in that stretch, two fourth place finishes in that stretch, and a seventh place finishing a stretch. North Carolina, everybody agrees is a top five job in America. Correct me if I'm wrong. I think everybody agrees on that.
- [73:16]
Gary Parrish
I think everyone agrees it's top five. And most people say it has to be top three. And for and for plenty, it is actually still number one. That's up for debate, but I'm just putting the context around it.
- [73:24]
Matt Norlander
I would argue that for that kind of job, you should always be able to convince yourself the guy or person I have running this right now is a future hall of Famer. And if you don't have that person in place, you probably don't have the right person in place. And so I. If I were North Carolina, that's. That's the very difficult question I would be asking myself right now. Have the past five years been what we want? No. Do we think the next five years will be with the same head coach? There's not a lot of reason to think so. Do we have one of the five best 10 best coaches in the sport? Google some list and see what other people think about that. Do we have a future Naismith Memorial hall of Famer? Is his career on track for that? Probably not. So what are we doing? I think that's the question you should be asking yourself at North Carolina, I don't care. He's an alum. He's the nicest guy in the world. I understand why he might get another year. But you are probably, when you do this, just kicking it down the road and just so nobody points it out. Honestly, I think that's kind of what's happening at Memphis right now. Like, I, I am not somebody who believes that the next eight years of Penny Hardaway are going to turn him into the mark few of Gonzaga. I believe it's very complicated there and they didn't have the heart or money to pull the trigger this march. So they're going to make a lot of changes and make clear public standards for him. And then it'll, you know, I, I hope I'm wrong. Yeah. But, but it, it'll probably go the same way these things usually go. And that's what I would say about the Hubert Davis situation as well at North Carolina, sad as that might be.
- [75:11]
Gary Parrish
Two things on North Carolina, quickie Carol stuff, carousel stuff will bounce out of here. I do think it is an athletic department operating in dysfunction to a certain degree right now. So that affects some of the stature. But it's North Carolina, so we see if we can get past that. And he does have influential people still backing him. We will see if that general sentiment which sometimes happens in college basketball can happen in college football. We will see if that sentiment wins out. If he's still the coach after all this, it's because enough really important people that have worn that uniform got into the ears of the two athletic directors and or they straight up did not believe they could raise the millions upon millions upon millions of dollars to actually get this done. I've just, it's been told to me by multiple people, you cannot overstate just how much money has been poured into football and basketball and how, how big of a hill that is. Still to climb. Real quick here on other stuff, just yes, Jerry McNamara is at Syracuse. We'll see how that goes. Homecoming there. Jared Calhoun to Cincinnati, a homecoming there. Randy Bennett is at Arizona State. That is a homecoming. He grew up in that state. He has turned down that job in multiple instances and cycles before. Not this time. Gonzaga leaving the wcc. He looked around and said, nope, I'm going to take my chance here. That's a great hire by Arizona State. Wes Miller lands on his feet. He is now the coach at Charlotte. He's originally from there. That could well work out well for them. What else do we have here? GP Greg McDermott has retired or will retire after they get done playing in that. That crown. Whatnot. Out. Out in Vegas. Coaches already set there. Alan Hussein. Brian Hodgson's at Providence. I think we've mentioned that.
- [76:50]
Matt Norlander
Calhoun, Cincinnati.
- [76:52]
Gary Parrish
Yep, I think. I think I mentioned that. But, yes, he's at. He's at Cincinnati. And then we wait and see on, like, Utah State's a really good job. So we wait and see on candidates that might emerge there. I wonder. I'm not saying this guy will get it or if he's the lead. I just wonder, like, Craig Smith has been involved in a couple other searches. He was there, has done a really good job. The only place he didn't hit was when he went to Utah. But maybe. Maybe he's a boomerang candidate there. And then two open jobs right now. Latest Intel, Butler is open. That feels like John Gross, Ron Norad. Maybe someone else sneaks in. And then Boston College at this stage feels like John Becker of Vermont or Luke Murray at UConn. No clear indication at this point who the leader would be there, but I would think we get resolution on Boston College in the next 24 to 36 hours. I would think. Although they're moving really slow, I feel like Butler's gonna come after bc, but as always, remains to be seen. So that's. That's an abbreviated carousel. Update Hubert from Hubert Davis in North Carolina. Everything then spills out thereafter. And the last thing is Bill Self's comments after the loss of St. John's have definitely caught traction. Now, people that listen to the show. When we did the Bill Self interview to promote the. The documentary, he said a lot of the same stuff, but in a different tone. Like, I asked him, hey, Bill, do you. Are you gonna coach here? Not just this upcoming season, but multiple seasons. And in that moment, he was like, yeah, like, as long as I'm healthy, I can't. I honestly, I can't see why I wouldn't. And then when you hear what he said after a loss, he's a human gp. Like, I get all that. It's just got more people wondering. Okay, it's. Bill Self actually coached his last game at Kansas. I want to believe. No, they're still recruiting Stokes, who's the number one player in the class. Maybe he wants to have a season with the number one player in the class and he plays every game and have a little more consistency. I don't know. But I don't feel like we would have clarity on Self and Kansas, like, in the next few days. I don't think so, but I wanted to at least address that as well because I know Kansas fans are kind of now looking around and seeing maybe if we have Carolina and we have Kansas both open in the same cycle, then look out because then that sends the carousel into an entirely new direction with a different velocity.
- [78:49]
Matt Norlander
Utah State is one of those jobs that's now turned into a springboard for power conference hires like in order, Craig Smith from Utah State to Washington State, Ryan Odom, Utah State to vcu Danny Sprinkle, Utah State to Washington, Jared Calhoun, now Utah State to Cincinnati. So a little bit like VCU has a track record of popping coaches to the next level. You know, that's a program that might be in a position to now start keeping coaches, but, but it has historically popped them to the next level and now Utah State is, is another version of that. Is that a show? I think that's a show.
- [79:27]
Gary Parrish
That's a show. We will, as always, we will do a full Carousel special recap once the dust is truly settled. And then GP and I, if all goes as planned, don't write in pen, write in pencil, but the very much plan is we will be back together on Friday night. I will have the off night there, provided I can get to where I need to get to and have everything settled. We'll be, we'll be back together. But I'm obviously not doing the shows the nights that I'm in the arena. So it'll be GP and you'll have to tune in live to find out who's guessing.
- [79:52]
Matt Norlander
And I think, and I think I'm in studio on those nights till midnight Eastern. So probably looking at something like a 12:30 Eastern start late Thursday and late Friday. We'll get there when we get there. Shouts to Devin Downey. Shouts to Chester, South Carolina. Terry Teagle's a legend. Huck Larnell. Thank you guys once again for watching. Listening to the I Own College Basketball Podcast. You're not subscribed. Please go subscribe anyway. Subscribe to podcast Apple Spotify. More of us than there are of them. That should be reflected in the comments. To do that, we'll talk to you again real soon. Till then, take care of. Paramount Podcasts. The comedy movie event of the year. Mike and Nick and Nick and Alice. Now streaming only on Hulu and Disney
- [80:40]
Gary Parrish
plus Time to party.
- [80:42]
Matt Norlander
That's a great attitude. It's a time traveling ass kicking movie event. You sound insane. Starring Vince Vaughn, James Marston and Asa Gonzalez. I thought you were a clone. Well, clones aren't real, dummy. And time machines are super grounded in reality. Mike and Nick and Nick and Alice. Rated R. Written and directed by Ben David Grabinski. Only on Hulu and Hulu on Disney plus for bundle subscribers.