Podcast Summary: Eye On College Basketball – Top 25 CBB Stories of the Past 25 Years, Ep. 1

Release Date: June 3, 2025

In the inaugural episode of the "Top 25 CBB Stories of the Past 25 Years" series, CBS Sports’ Gary Parrish and Matt Norlander delve into the most impactful and memorable moments that have shaped men's college basketball since the turn of the millennium. This episode focuses on stories ranked from 25 to 21, providing a comprehensive analysis of each event's significance, legacy, and lasting impact on the sport.

Introduction to the Top 25 Series

Gary Parrish kicks off the episode with enthusiasm about launching a new offseason series that chronicles the top 25 college basketball stories over the past quarter-century. He humorously notes, “Surprise surprise, we are launching an offseason series that can more or less be described as the top 25 college basketball stories of the past 25 years” ([04:00]).

Matt Norlander emphasizes the collaborative yet distinct nature of the list, stating, “This is Matt Norlander's list. I have nothing to do with the list” ([02:53]). The hosts agree to maintain individual perspectives, ensuring diverse viewpoints throughout the series.

Story #25: Conference Realignment (Early 2000s)

Date: Early 2000s

Matt Norlander identifies conference realignment as the 25th story, highlighting the pivotal moves of Miami and Virginia Tech from the Big East to the ACC in 2004. He explains, “Those moves ultimately laid the groundwork that would induce widespread conference realignment years later” ([22:51]).

Gary Parrish reflects on his experience covering these changes, recalling, “we’re so used to conference realignment that it's just like, well, of course people are moving around, but that first one was like, whoa, what is happening” ([27:21]). He underscores the long-term implications of these shifts, noting their role in destabilizing traditional power conferences and paving the way for future migrations.

Notable Quote:

Matt Norlander: “This one is particularly significant because it was Miami and Virginia, and this was done for football reasons. But the effect on the Big East, you know, one of the proudest basketball conferences, quite, quite clear.” ([22:51])

Story #24: Jay Wright’s Retirement (April 20, 2022)

Date: April 20, 2022

The retirement of Villanova’s legendary coach Jay Wright ranks as the 24th story. Matt Norlander describes Wright's departure as “the most shocking” retirement in college basketball, emphasizing his impressive tenure: “Jay Wright retired and he does so at 60 years old after 21 years at Villanova. He made four Final Fours, had just taken Villanova to the Final Four earlier that month” ([31:08]).

Gary Parrish adds depth to the discussion by questioning the early departure of a successful coach: “It shouldn't be surprising anytime a multi-millionaire who is 60 retires. Right? But Jay was in a profession where men were routinely coaching into their 70s and he just checked none of the normal boxes for it” ([33:01]).

The hosts also touch upon the subtle hints Wright may have dropped before his official announcement, with Matt referencing a “peacock” clip that hinted at his impending retirement ([35:13]).

Notable Quote:

Matt Norlander: “Jay Wright was six and behind. Big deal. I mean he had been there forever, but he was in his 70s there. Bob Knight retiring, also a very, very big deal. But there was a denouement in his career.” ([33:08])

Story #23: NCAA Tournament Expansion Debate (April 2010)

Date: April 1, 2010

Matt Norlander recounts the controversial April Fools' Day announcement in 2010 when the NCAA flirted with expanding the men's basketball tournament to 96 teams. He reads an excerpt from an AP story, capturing the initial excitement: “The NCAA appears to be on the verge of expanding the men's basketball tournament to 96 teams” ([45:39]).

However, the plan faced severe backlash, leading to a modest expansion to 68 teams within two weeks. Matt shares his personal connection, mentioning his role at Yahoo and later CBS Sports, and how he followed the intense discussions and pushback surrounding the proposal.

Gary Parrish, reflecting on the event, expresses skepticism about eventual expansion: “If you live to be 70, you will not die in a year with a 68 team NCAA tournament… I do not think it’s going to kill anything and I don’t think it’s going to ruin anything” ([47:38]).

Notable Quote:

Matt Norlander: “There was a whole bunch of that stuff. There were questions about him. But he was the face of that for a minute.” ([64:20])

Story #22: St. Peter’s Historic Elite Eight Run (March 2022)

Date: March 2022

St. Peter’s University made history as the first 15-seed to reach the Elite Eight in the NCAA tournament. Matt Norlander underscores the rarity of this achievement, noting, “It took almost 40 years in the expanded tournament era to get a 15 to win three games” ([55:39]).

Gary Parrish reminisces about the moment, sharing the excitement and disbelief he felt while covering the event: “They beat Kentucky in overtime, 85-79. That's one that has real significance” ([58:36]). The hosts discuss the broader implications for mid-major programs, celebrating St. Peter’s as a symbol of the tournament’s unpredictability and magic.

Notable Quote:

Matt Norlander: “They ended up finishing 102nd at Ken Palm. They were only 19 and 11 entering the NCAA tournament. And it’s really been not so great stuff since then. Combined record in the subsequent three years to the elite eight run, 45 and 48 average.” ([59:21])

Story #21: Stephen Curry’s Davidson Elite Eight Run (March 2008)

Date: March 2008

Stephen Curry’s remarkable performance leading Davidson College to the Elite Eight in 2008 clinches the 21st spot. Matt Norlander highlights Curry’s ascent from an under-the-radar player to a national sensation: “Before this happened, Steph Curry was not Steph Curry. He was Dale Curry's kid at Davidson” ([62:55]).

Gary Parrish shares memories of witnessing Curry’s impact firsthand, recalling games where Curry’s scoring prowess turned heads and changed perceptions: “He scored 128 points in that 2008 tournament. That’s 32 points per game, made 23 three-pointers” ([66:52]).

The hosts emphasize Curry’s long-term legacy, recognizing his transformation into one of the greatest shooters in NBA history and how his college feats were foundational to his later success. They discuss the broader narrative of his underdog story and its inspiration for future players.

Notable Quote:

Gary Parrish: “If Steph Curry was the best one here… he is quite literally the greatest shooter has ever lived and I believe will go down in history as one of the greatest basketball players the planet has ever seen” ([65:26])

Conclusion and Wrap-Up

As the episode wraps up, Matt and Gary reflect on the depth and diversity of the stories covered, teasing future episodes that will delve deeper into memorable moments from ranks 20 to 16. They encourage listeners to engage via social media and share their thoughts on the rankings.

Notable Quote:

Matt Norlander: “We might not now, 'Hey, listen, particularly coming off the 2025 tournament where we were void of any Cinderella's. If you tell me we get a 15 next year that breaks down through the Elite Eight, that would be incredible.” ([59:43])

The hosts express excitement about the journey ahead, promising more insightful and engaging discussions on the most significant events in college basketball over the past 25 years.

Key Takeaways:

• Conference Realignment set the stage for future shifts in college athletics, radically altering traditional power structures.
• Jay Wright’s Retirement marked the end of an era for Villanova, highlighting the evolving landscape of coaching careers in college basketball.
• The NCAA Tournament Expansion Debate revealed the complexities of balancing tradition with growth, impacting tournament logistics and finances.
• St. Peter’s Elite Eight Run showcased the magic of March Madness, demonstrating that underdogs can achieve historic feats.
• Stephen Curry’s Davidson Run not only elevated Curry's career but also reinforced the impact of standout performances in the NCAA tournament.

This episode offers a rich exploration of these pivotal moments, blending expert analysis with personal anecdotes to celebrate the history and future of college basketball.