Eye On College Basketball Podcast – Episode Summary
Title: UNC spending $14 million on its 🏀 team; UConn + Kansas schedule up — and each other; ranking most surprising careers on NBA Finals rosters
Host/Authors: Gary Parrish & Matt Norlander
Release Date: June 5, 2025
1. North Carolina’s $14 Million Roster Investment
The episode kicks off with a deep dive into the University of North Carolina's (UNC) substantial investment in its basketball team. According to a report from Inside Carolina's Greg Barnes, UNC has allocated over $14 million towards its roster for the upcoming season.
-
Comparison with Other Programs:
- Matt Norlander highlights, “It’s in the top five or six for spending among college basketball programs” (02:38).
- Programs like Kentucky, BYU, Indiana, Texas Tech, and Duke are also noted as significant spenders in this competitive landscape.
-
Impact on Coach Hubert Davis:
- The hefty investment places increased pressure on Coach Hubert Davis to deliver results. Gary Parrish observes, “Once people know this is the amount of money that's been spent on your roster, there's a lot of pressure on you to deliver” (05:06).
- Despite the financial backing, Matt Norlander expresses skepticism about whether the investment translates to one of the top rosters, stating, “…I don't think that it's one of the five, six or seven best rosters in college basketball” (07:37).
-
Roster Analysis:
- The current UNC roster includes returning players like Seth Trimble and James Brown, along with new recruits such as Henry Visar from Arizona and Caleb Wilson, a standout freshman.
- Matt Norlander critiques the roster's value relative to its cost, describing it as “underwhelming” given the $14 million investment (14:04).
2. UConn and Kansas Schedule a Home-and-Home Series
A significant highlight of the episode is the announcement that UConn and Kansas, two of college basketball's elite programs, have agreed to a home-and-home series starting next season.
-
Significance of the Agreement:
- Gary Parrish enthuses, “UConn and Kansas are two of the best programs in the sport run by two of the best coaches” (18:53).
- This scheduling decision ensures that both teams maintain strong non-conference schedules, enhancing their competitive edge.
-
Impact on Non-Conference Play:
- Matt Norlander commends the arrangement, stating, “UConn continues to stock up on its non-conference because Kansas as well” (24:33).
- The series includes marquee matchups at campus sites, fostering authentic game-day atmospheres as opposed to neutral venues.
-
Coaches’ Perspectives:
- Gary Parrish praises the initiative, saying, “I like it when coaches recognize the type of property they are in charge of” (26:53).
- Both Bill Self of Kansas and Dan Hurley of UConn are lauded for their willingness to engage in such high-profile scheduling.
3. Ranking the Most Surprising NBA Finals Careers
In an engaging segment, Gary Parrish and Matt Norlander rank five NBA players in the Finals whose professional careers have defied expectations based on their college performances and draft positions.
-
1. Alex Caruso (Oklahoma City Thunder):
- Undrafted out of Texas A&M, Caruso has become an essential rotation player on a championship-contending team.
- Gary Parrish remarks, “He was number 98 on San Vicente's big board” and highlights his $81 million contract (36:57).
- Matt Norlander adds, “He has started 138 out of nearly 470 games,” emphasizing his pivotal role despite modest college stats.
-
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) (Oklahoma City Thunder):
- Drafted 11th overall, SGA has emerged as one of the NBA's top players, leading his team with impressive statistics.
- Matt Norlander states, “He’s way too broad and basic on this” and details his evolution into a three-time All-NBA player (43:58).
-
3. Pascal Siakam (Toronto Raptors):
- Selected 27th in the 2016 draft from New Mexico State, Siakam has become the leading scorer for a Finals team.
- Gary Parrish notes, “Is... to go from the 27th pick to that is pretty surprising” (45:41).
- Matt Norlander acknowledges, “He was a monster in the whack” during his college days, underscoring his unexpected rise.
-
4. Jalen Williams (Oklahoma City Thunder):
- Initially an under-the-radar player from Santa Clara, Williams has quickly ascended to become one of the NBA’s most promising talents.
- Matt Norlander underscores his rapid development, highlighting his All-NBA Third Team selection and significant contributions to his team (48:31).
-
5. T.J. McConnell (Indiana Pacers):
- An undrafted guard from the 2015 NBA Draft, McConnell has carved out a niche as a tenacious role player in the league.
- Gary Parrish points out, “He is the reason when I get asked so do you think so and so could maybe play in the NBA someday, almost without exception, I say yes” (53:38).
4. Closing Remarks and Predictions
As the episode wraps up, Gary Parrish and Matt Norlander share their playful predictions for the NBA Finals, favoring the Oklahoma City Thunder in a strong series win. They also encourage listeners to subscribe to the podcast for more in-depth analysis and insights.
- Final Predictions:
This episode of Eye On College Basketball provides an insightful analysis of significant financial investments in college programs, strategic scheduling moves by top teams, and an entertaining look at unexpected NBA career trajectories. Whether you're a dedicated fan or new to college basketball, this summary encapsulates the key discussions and expert opinions shared by Gary Parrish and Matt Norlander.
Timestamp References: