March Madness is Down to Sixteen!

Summary

PTI Podcast Summary

Episode: March Madness is Down to Sixteen!
Date: March 24, 2026
Hosts: Tony Kornheiser & Michael Wilbon

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Overview

Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon break down the NCAA basketball tournament as it narrows to the Sweet 16, discuss the nature of “Cinderella” teams and parity (or lack thereof) in 2026, debate high-profile coaches’ futures, and pivot to hot topics including the NBA MVP race, Team USA’s flag football dominance, Tiger Woods' return, and more. The episode leans into the personalities, history, and traditions of collegiate and professional sports, with their signature blend of sharp analysis and good-natured ribbing.

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NCAA Tournament: Sweet 16 Breakdown

[00:46–04:21]

• Power Conferences Dominate:
  All 16 remaining teams are from power conferences; three #1 seeds and four #2 seeds advanced, with only Florida ousted from the top two seed lines.
• Wilbon’s Standouts:
  • Lists Arizona, Michigan, Houston, Iowa State, UConn, Purdue, Illinois as impressive—"each one of them has circumstances that are peculiar to that situation."
  • Notes Big Ten's strength: 6 of the 16 teams remaining.

"You notice I did not mention Florida because they're out now. I did not mention Duke because I think the injuries..." – Mike Wilbon [01:34]

• Tony’s Take:
  • Questions Duke's legitimacy based on their struggles and injuries.
  • Praises Houston: "Houston is plus 60 in two games." [02:20]
  • Admits a personal soft spot for Illinois, appreciating their “big boy basketball.”

“If you leave Rick Pitino in a tournament for a long time, his teams get better.” – Tony Kornheiser [02:18]

• Game to Watch:
  Both agree UConn vs. Michigan State is the most intriguing Sweet 16 matchup currently.

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Cinderella Factor & Parity in March Madness

[04:21–07:56]

• Texas and Iowa:
  Both high seeds (11 Texas, 9 Iowa) are discussed but dismissed as “Cinderellas.”

"No, neither Iowa nor Texas are Cinderella. Texas has been good for a long time... they have made the tournament 31 times since 1989..." – Tony Kornheiser [04:56]

• Gonzaga's Reputation:
  Tony’s annual rant: “Gonzaga is the most overrated over adored team in college basketball... that conference... does not prepare that team to win this tournament ever.” [05:20]

• True Cinderella? Nebraska:
  Tony and Mike agree Nebraska, a "perennial loser having a magical season," comes closest, with Tony insisting they fit the Cinderella criteria.

"Nebraska is to college basketball right now what Indiana was to college football. A perennial loser having a magical season." – Tony Kornheiser [06:22]

• Tournament Lacking Drama:
  Both lament the absence of classic David vs. Goliath matchups, pondering its effect on the tournament’s signature appeal and TV ratings.

“The drama is lacking. And the threat of David beating Goliath, which is the essential conflict and the attraction of the tournament...” – Mike Wilbon [07:19]

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Blue Blood Coaches on the Hot Seat

[07:56–11:58]

• Coaches in Question:
  Hubert Davis (UNC), Mark Pope (Kentucky), Bill Self (Kansas).

• Bill Self’s Health:
  Wilbon expresses concern over Self’s heart health: “It’s personal... I am concerned about Bill Self in that way at whatever. 62, 63.” [08:33]

• Job Security:

  • Tony: “He’s not going to be fired. It’s not about wins and losses.”

• Hubert Davis Discussion:

  • Wilbon doubts his long-term future but acknowledges his deep Carolina roots.
  • Tony emphasizes context: “He went to the final game in his first year ever... and he was missing his best player, Caleb Wilson.” [10:05]

• Kentucky’s High Bar:

  • Mike: “All they do is churn through coaches... Even when a guy wins a national championship, it’s never good enough. I hate that about Kentucky.” [09:32]
  • Tony: "Is two years enough for Pope? ... How greedy is Kentucky? ... the answer is Kentucky." [11:02]

• Comparison:
  Kentucky basketball compared to Nebraska football: Expectation is to “win all the games all the time.” [09:46]

• If Coaches Get Fired:

  • Mike: “There’ll be a line outside the door to hire either or both.” [10:53]

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NBA MVP Race: Wembanyama, Jaylen Brown & SGA

[13:47–15:48]

• Wembanyama's MVP Pitch:
  • Wilbon: “No. I have a vote in this... Jaylen Brown one, I think it’s SGA two, and I think it’s Victor three.” [13:53]
  • Praises Wembanyama as “face of worldwide basketball,” commends his public ambition for MVP.
• Tony's Stand:
  • Would vote Jaylen Brown: “Because Jaylen Brown has been so resolute and dependable in the absence of Jason Tatum.” [14:54]
• Wembanyama’s Impact:
  • Tony: “Since February 1st, that team is 22–2... Wembanyama is averaging more than 24 points, more than 11 rebounds and more than three and a half blocks...” [15:01]
  • Defensive intimidation lauded.
• Luka Doncic:
  Wilbon dismisses MVP chances for "a guy who plays half the court" but calls Luka “a wizard.” [14:13]

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Team USA Dominates NFL in Flag Football

[16:22–18:20]

• Result:
  Team USA (flag football specialists) crushes two teams of NFL pros: 139–14 and 143–16.
• Analysis:
  Tony: “NFL players play NFL football... flag football is not necessarily their game.”
  • “This is like expecting a great tennis player to be immediately great at pickleball.” [17:07]
• Olympic Aspirations:
  • Wilbon skeptical of viewing experience: “I had to see it and I didn’t watch it... I’m into golf. Not bed sheet golf, baby.” [17:23]
  • Both note the difference between skills required for flag football vs. regular football, predicting that Olympic-level flag football will be a specialist’s domain.
• Amusing Hypothetical:
  Wilbon jokingly suggests Allen Iverson could be the greatest flag football player: “You can’t touch him. You can’t grab his flag.” [17:57]

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Tiger Woods Returns (TGL Finals)

[18:55–19:07]

• Tony is excited for Woods’ return—even if televised “bed sheet golf” (simulated indoor event).
• Wilbon: “I can’t. I can’t. I can’t watch it.” [18:55]
• Banter about golf simulators and Tiger's enduring pull.

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Happy Time & Trivia (20:31–22:45)

• Peyton Manning's 50th birthday:
  Playful debate about his prowess as a TV pitchman vs. Shaq and Charles Barkley.
• Historical Reference:
  52nd anniversary of NC State ending UCLA’s national championship streak in 1974, with shoutouts to legendary players (David Thompson).
• Women’s Tournament:
  Syracuse coach Felicia Legget-Jack's frustration about playing UConn on their home court sparks debate on fairness in women's tourney seeding and home-court advantage.

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Quick Hits / Big Finish [23:49–24:41]

• NBA: Lakers’ win streak snapped by Pistons.
• Golf: Tiger Woods returns in TGL Finals.
• MLB: Cubs’ extension with Pete Crow-Armstrong is an “enormous deal” for Wilbon.
• MLB: Rule 5 Pick Carter Baumler makes Rangers’ roster, announced on the mound mid-game.
• NBA: Knicks on a six-game winning streak, Magic skid at five straight losses.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

"Gonzaga is the most overrated, over-adored team in college basketball... That conference does not prepare that team to win this tournament ever."
— Tony Kornheiser [05:20]

"The drama is lacking. And the threat of David beating Goliath, which is the essential conflict and the attraction of the tournament..."
— Mike Wilbon [07:19]

“If you leave Rick Pitino in a tournament for a long time, his teams get better.”
— Tony Kornheiser [02:18]

"Jaylen Brown has been so resolute and dependable in the absence of Jason Tatum."
— Tony Kornheiser [14:54]

“No, neither Iowa nor Texas are Cinderella. Texas has been good for a long time...”
— Tony Kornheiser [04:56]

“Flag football is not necessarily their game. To me, Mike, this is like expecting a great tennis player to be immediately great at pickleball.”
— Tony Kornheiser [17:07]

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Key Timestamps for Segments

• Sweet 16 Analysis: 00:46–04:21
• "Cinderella" Debate: 04:21–07:56
• Coaching Carousel: 07:56–11:58
• NBA MVP Talk: 13:47–15:48
• Flag Football Segment: 16:22–18:20
• Tiger Woods Returns: 18:55–19:07
• Happy Time (Milestones, Anniversaries): 20:31–22:45
• Rapid-Fire Endings: 23:49–24:41

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Tone & Takeaways

• Dynamic and Candid: True to PTI form, Tony and Mike deliver rapid-fire, candid, and occasionally snarky banter.
• Insightful yet Nostalgic: Both lean on decades of sports knowledge to contextualize the current tournament and coaching changes, lamenting some loss of the underdog magic that used to define March Madness.
• Humorous: The duo don’t take themselves—or fan and coach narratives—too seriously, often poking fun at hyperbole, history, and each other.

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Overall, this episode offers deep insight for basketball fans into the landscape of March 2026, celebrates the personalities that fuel sports, and highlights the layered, sometimes cyclical nature of college and pro athletics.

Transcript

[Celsius Energy Drink Narrator]

5:00am I'm up with a crisp Celsius energy drink running 12 miles today. Grab a green juice, quick change and head to work. Meetings, workshops. One more Celsius. No slowing down. Working late, but obviously still meeting the girls for a little dancing. Celsius Live Fit. Go grab a cold refreshing Celsius at your local retailer or locate [e-mail].

[Mike Wilbon]

pardon the interruption, but I'm Mike Wilbon. We just had a five day weekend. Tony, are you rested and ready?

[Tony Kornheiser]

I'm Tony Kornheiser. More like anxious and agitated.

[Mike Wilbon]

Can't be agitated coming off five days.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Anxious. Really anxious. Anxious leads to agitation and I'm just in the A's. I haven't gone to the B's or the C's.

[Mike Wilbon]

No, you haven't. You're an expert.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I see to you my anxiety is high anxiety. It's not working. Welcome to pti, boys and girls. In today's episode, Wendy states his case for mvp. Tom Brady is back on a football field and Tiger woods makes his return to competition. But we begin today with a sweet 16. The 16 teams remaining are all from power conferences led by three number ones and four number twos. Only Florida is gone from the top two lines. Wilbon, who do you see as the strongest teams through two games?

[Mike Wilbon]

Very happy. As long as we're going to have no surprises in power teams. They have the Big Ten with six of the 16. I just wrote down teams and Tony in no certain order because each one of them has circumstances that are peculiar to that situation. But Arizona, Michigan, speaking of number ones, Houston has, you know, like I barely watch Houston because they just blow people out. There was no need. Iowa State with an impressive second victory. UConn has been impressive. Speaking of number two, I was impressive to beat a number one to eliminate a one. Purdue has been impressive. You notice I did not mention Florida because they're out now. I did not mention Duke because I think the injuries. I know Duke bounced back and had. The second game was the first game.

[Tony Kornheiser]

You mentioned seven of the 16 teams. Okay. What, like it's an easy.

[Mike Wilbon]

Would you like to leave somebody out of that?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Well, I mean, I just assumed you would mention one or two. I'm going to start with who you just ended with and that's Duke.

[Mike Wilbon]

Okay.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Duke has not looked good to this point. Duke almost lost to Siena, which is why Jerry McNamara is coaching Syracuse today.

[Mike Wilbon]

In part, yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

And they were only up by four against TCU at the half and then they stretched out. They have not looked like world beaters they're missing an important player. And now they get St. John's and St. John's is lucky to be in this position, too. They went a length of the court, layup, right hand offhand and all of that. But what we've known in our lives is if you leave Rick Pitino in a tournament for a long time, his teams get better. If you ask me what one or two teams have impressed me the most so far, I would say Arizona, but I would definitely say Houston. Houston is plus 60. Houston plus 60 in two games. And they catch a break. They no longer have to play Florida to get to the final quarter. Two teams from the Big 12, both of those teams. But you know this from a conversation I had with you. I have a soft spot in my heart for Illinois. Now, Illinois is big.

[Mike Wilbon]

You shocked me over the weekend.

[Tony Kornheiser]

They play big boy basketball. They don't fan out for threes. You can block.

[Mike Wilbon]

No, no, no rim protection.

[Tony Kornheiser]

And as you. It's your conference. The Big Ten has six in. They got Illinois, they got Iowa, they got Michigan, Michigan State, they got Purdue and Nebraska.

[Mike Wilbon]

Nobody else has more than four because I had them going out early and I was dead wrong.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Nobody has more than four. And as you say, the ACC only has one. If you ask me, though, what game I want to see more than any other game and the time doesn't work for me.

[Mike Wilbon]

Michigan?

[Tony Kornheiser]

St. John's no, no, no, no, no, NO.

[Mike Wilbon]

What?

[Tony Kornheiser]

UConn? Michigan State? Yeah, that's the one that I want to see most of all. I do.

[Mike Wilbon]

I agree. Given the history of the programs, the coaches, not just not ancient history, up to date state of play for those two programs. I agree. You know, there's still some things we don't know. I mean, when you have freshmen that you rely upon, like so many teams do, is there a point that. Is there a point where they don't necessarily produce? Is there a point where you need the senior point guard Arizona to steady the team? Like, there's some things I think we find out in this next round, right?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yes.

[Mike Wilbon]

Should be fun. We've discussed the strongest teams remaining. Now let's discuss the Highest seeds remaining. 11 seed Texas and 9 seed Iowa. The Longhorns beat North Carolina state in the first four. AJ DeBance's BYU and three seed Gonzaga to reach the 16. I would be Clemson and stud number one Florida, as we mentioned. Tony, are either of these power conference teams Texas or Iowa? Cinderellas to you. And if not, how does the lack of a Cinderella change the nature of the Tournament.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Give me a couple of seconds here. No, neither Iowa nor Iowa nor Texas or Cinderella. No, Texas has been good for a long time. Yeah, you can go back to Kevin Durant. You can go further back than Kevin Durant. Further back to that. I got a stat today that they have made the tournament 31 times since 1989. And two of their most recent coaches, Rick Barnes and Sean Miller, they're really good. Yeah, okay. They're really good and they beat Gonzaga to get here. Now I'm gonna go on my rant and you know my rant cuz I left it on your voicemail. Gonzaga is the most overrated over adored team in college basketball. It doesn't mean that I don't think Mark Few is a good coach. He's a very good coach. Doesn't mean I don't think their players are good. They go to the NBA. I'm saying that that conference that they're in does not prepare that team to win this tournament ever. They play what like two hard games from January 1 on and Santa Clara.

[Mike Wilbon]

That's all. And now you're going to tell me

[Tony Kornheiser]

you're going to tell me that oh they're in the Pac 12 next year. Well you wake me up when that Pac 12 has UCLA in Arizona and don't call me before then. It's not going to have them Iowa not a Cinderella. They're big, they shoot and they move the ball around and they've been in this tournament five of the last seven years. I got one Cinderella for you and there's only one on the board and that is Nebraska. Nebraska is to college basketball right now. We what Indiana was to college football. A perennial loser having a magical season.

[Mike Wilbon]

You know I agree. I that's why I gave them a shout out already and apologized. I had Nebraska wood on the first round just cuz again you don't know

[Tony Kornheiser]

they had never won an NCAA tournament.

[Mike Wilbon]

Everything's ever never been to the Sweet 16 ever.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Good.

[Mike Wilbon]

Good for them.

[Tony Kornheiser]

How could you be the sweet 16

[Mike Wilbon]

if you couldn't get thinking of our dear friend Mike Gleon.

[Tony Kornheiser]

That's right.

[Mike Wilbon]

Who would have loved to see his team have be in basketball because he's a basketball guy as well. There's no Cinderellas. I can't count Nebraska as a Cinderella.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I do.

[Mike Wilbon]

I can't count them and Iowa and Texas. Certainly not. They're powers. They're big teams that play on New Year's day and football games for the last hundred years. They are not Cinderellas.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Would you say that if the only one of the ways to be a Cinderella is you've never sent a great pro to the NBA. Cuz you named me a great pro Nebraska's ever had in the NBA. Not the NFL, the NBA.

[Mike Wilbon]

NBA. I can't.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Don't mention Ty Lue cuz he wasn'. No. The answer is there are none.

[Mike Wilbon]

There are none. But let me just say this, and I don't know where this is going. I know also from our live conversation last night. You don't enjoy this tournament as much as we have enjoyed other tournaments. Neither do I. And we're on the same wavelength here. The drama is lacking. And the threat of David beating Goliath, which is the essential conflict and the attraction of the tournament as set up in the 1980s. Yes. Sorry, millennials and younger people. You don't even know why the tournament is great and why it's irresistible. Yes, that's why it's irresistible. Will people turn away in time if that central conflict is not met?

[Tony Kornheiser]

We're talking about a long time and we don't know year to year what's going to happen. But I would tell you that the closest thing to Cinderella that we got is Nebraska, Nebraska, Nebraska. We stay with college basketball. We move to coaches with perhaps uncertain futures. Hubert Davis of North Carolina, who is reportedly discussing his future with Carolina officials. Mark Pope of Kentucky, whose 19 point loss to Iowa State was Kentucky's largest tournament loss since 1972. And Bill Self of Kansas, who himself raised the possibility that he might not be back after the Jayhawks lost to St. John's Mike, these are enormous programs. Yeah. Which coach's future intrigues you the most?

[Mike Wilbon]

The one is Bill Self. It's personal and I'm not going to get too far into it. I have communicated with Bill Self and I will communicate further with him about heart disease and issues health related. Health related, but specifically heart, having had them myself. And so I'm concerned about Bill Self in that way at whatever. 62, 63.

[Tony Kornheiser]

63.

[Mike Wilbon]

You rev it up.

[Tony Kornheiser]

It's not old compared to us. Not old, young.

[Mike Wilbon]

A few years on him.

[Tony Kornheiser]

But I.

[Mike Wilbon]

So yes. Bill Self, who I like tremendously, I care about in that way that intrigues.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Well, he's not going to be fired. It's not about wins and losses. No.

[Mike Wilbon]

It's about what he's got two sides to do with his future.

[Tony Kornheiser]

That's right. Okay. It's different.

[Mike Wilbon]

Hubert Davis, who I covered as a player at North Carolina and the Knicks and who was at this network for years doing a great job Yeah, I didn't love it when he went back to that job, to North Carolina. I just, you know, following a coach, his program is his alma mater and I don't think things are going to wind up good. There's.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Okay.

[Mike Wilbon]

So that leaves Kentucky in a situation where all they do is churn through coaches. Even when they have a guy wins a national championship, it's never good enough. I hate that about Kentucky, specifically that dynamic.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I'm sure that you will analogize Kentucky basketball to Nebraska football. Yes, I will. It's the same thing that they expect to win all the games all the time.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yep.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Okay, let me get to Hubert David Hubert Davis first. I think it'd be very hard for North Carolina to fire him. This is a terrible loss. They were up 19 against VCU. You have to close that game out.

[Mike Wilbon]

Losing their best player.

[Tony Kornheiser]

That's what I want to get to three. That's what I want to get to. Hubert Davis is a Carolina grad. He played for Dean. For Dean. Okay. He went to the final game in his first year ever, five years ago. He has beaten Duke a bunch of times. He's five and seven against Duke. But Duke has been better program in North Carolina in the last few years and he was missing his best player, Caleb Wilson. So to me, you have to give him another year. I think it's hard for Kentucky to fire Mark Pope. He's a grad.

[Mike Wilbon]

Is it hard for Kentucky to fire anybody?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Well, he goes one better than Hubert Davis. He was the captain on a national championship team under Rick Pitino. He made the Sweet 16 last year. He's 46 and 26 in two years.

[Mike Wilbon]

If either is fired, there will be a line outside the door to hire either or both.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Is two years enough for Pope? I don't know. I don't know.

[Mike Wilbon]

I see. I don't look at it in that context. I look at it as. How greedy is Kentucky? They're the greediest. If you line up all the blue bloods and say, who's the greediest on the. On the totem pole when it comes to college basketball, men's college basketball, the answer is Kentucky.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Here's a get out question. What do you think it helps Mark Pope that Rick Pitino and John Calipari are in the sweet 16?

[Mike Wilbon]

What do you think they're thinking in Lexington?

[Tony Kornheiser]

You know, But I will say this. They got beat by a two seed. Iowa State's a two seed. Let's take a break. Coming up, does Wilbourn's boy, Victor Wembanyama make A convincing case that he should be MVP this year.

[Mike Wilbon]

Come on, he's winning you over now. And how surprising was it that Team USA torched NFL players in flag football?

[Tony Kornheiser]

You know that Bill Self's team. Double digit losses the last three years and no sweet 16s the last four. And they, they, they're not gonna fire.

[Mike Wilbon]

They're not as greedy as Kentucky. No.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Oh no.

[Mike Wilbon]

Nobody, no is as greedy.

[Tony Kornheiser]

But with good reason. Look how many championships they've got.

[Mike Wilbon]

I know, but there's no reason.

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[Tony Kornheiser]

Trying to find out what's heating up the hoi polloi. I'll get the first one. Put on my glasses.

[Mike Wilbon]

Read it to you, Mike.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Ready?

[Mike Wilbon]

What's that?

[Tony Kornheiser]

English Mr. Wembanyama.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Says he wants to win the MVP this season. Do you believe that he will?

[Mike Wilbon]

No. I have a vote in this and I will tell you that it's tightened up. My vote and I'm not even sure the order. I think it's Jaylen Brown one, I think it's SGA two, and I think it's Victor three. And then don't talk to me about A guy who plays half the court. Luka Doncic, I know you hate him.

[Tony Kornheiser]

It's okay.

[Mike Wilbon]

You hate him. Luka Doncic is a wizard. He's a magician.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Well, don't put him on the Wizards because his career, you think he's the

[Mike Wilbon]

greatest thing in history of the world,

[Tony Kornheiser]

but his career will go straight south on the Wizards.

[Mike Wilbon]

So, anyway, those are my top three. If Victor Wembanyama and the spurs somehow catch OKC for first place in the West, I will cast a vote. It's a regular season award for Victor Wimbanyama, who isn't just the face of the NBA. He's the face of worldwide basketball, which is a good thing for basketball. And Jaylen Brown, who you were early on, right now, Jaylen Brown may be. He's leaning at the tape.

[Tony Kornheiser]

You know what I mean? I will say this.

[Mike Wilbon]

So that's where I.

[Tony Kornheiser]

If I had a vote, and I don't. If I had a vote today, I would vote for Jaylen Brown.

[Mike Wilbon]

But you know, it could change in a week.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yes. Because Jaylen Brown has been so resolute and dependable in the absence of Jason Tatum.

[Mike Wilbon]

Agree. Totally agree.

[Tony Kornheiser]

And Boston is in second place in the east and San Antonio is in second place in the West. But what Wembanyama has been doing lately is kind of sort of amazing. Since February 1st, that team is 22. 2. That's the best record in the NBA. Wembanyama is averaging more than 24 points, more than 11 rebounds and more than three and a half blocks. And the blocks are the critical thing.

[Mike Wilbon]

They are.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Because you can see on the faces of other players, they're afraid to go into the middle.

[Mike Wilbon]

They are.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Because the thing is going to get swatted.

[Mike Wilbon]

They're waiting another four or five shots a game.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So, I mean, the amazing thing to me is Wembanyana is saying publicly, I want to win this award every. Nobody says that. They may think it, but nobody says it. He says it. And I find it charming. And I will tell you that I could be persuaded because I think the numbers are there. I'm still in the Jaylen Brown camp.

[Mike Wilbon]

Right.

[Tony Kornheiser]

But the numbers he fluid. Yes.

[Mike Wilbon]

And by the way, he talked openly about defense and what it means him. And that's.

[Tony Kornheiser]

He makes his own case.

[Mike Wilbon]

What he did. He just again, magical stretch Luka Doncic and the Lakers are on. But if you're playing half the game, I'm not voting for you above this kid. And you wouldn't either if you had a vote.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I said I wouldn't Just. I mean, you don't trade a straw dog here. I said I wouldn't.

[Mike Wilbon]

Just.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I also said you hate to vote.

[Mike Wilbon]

Just emphasize.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Okay.

[Mike Wilbon]

No, because I would trade for Luka. I wouldn't trade him away.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I wouldn't do that.

[Mike Wilbon]

Flag football. I know you love it.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Do.

[Mike Wilbon]

Are you surprised that the Team USA flag football specialists so easily handled National Football League players?

[Tony Kornheiser]

I was surprised, and I probably should not have been. The National Football League players play National Football League football. Yeah, they don't play flag football, okay? The. The guys playing the flag football, that's all they do. I was told today, scored on every single possession they beat two different teams. 1:39, 14 and 1:43, 16. These guys want to play in the Olympics. Tom Brady and Joe Burrow and Gronk. They don't want to play in the Olympics. That's not. Yeah. That's not what they're there for. And flag football is not necessarily their game. To me, Mike, this is like expecting a great tennis player to be immediately great at pickleball. They might be, but in time, not immediately, not right away. And. And so, you know, I shouldn't have been surprised. I shouldn't have been surprised.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah, Tony, I had to see it and I didn't watch it. I ain't watching that. Like, I ain't watching tgl.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Oh, you got to.

[Mike Wilbon]

I'm not watching any off season. Non.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Gotta watch bed.

[Mike Wilbon]

We're in the real season now where two Northwestern men were at the top of the leaderboard.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I watched that.

[Mike Wilbon]

I know you did. And so I'm into the. I'm into golf. Not bed sheet.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Bed sheet golf, baby. It's a new thing.

[Mike Wilbon]

And so I'm not into this flag football, but it's going to be an Olympic sport. You know who else in the world is playing it? Anybody? No.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Well, if it's an Olympic sports, sport

[Mike Wilbon]

in the world is playing real football. But here's what these guys are. They look like gymnasts.

[Tony Kornheiser]

They're great.

[Mike Wilbon]

Allen Iverson might right now could come back maybe and be the greatest flag football player because you can't touch him. You can't grab his flag. But, Tony, if any one of those young, small guys was out there and say, Dick Butkus of vintage, okay, he would drive a helmet through his sternum and he'd go straight to the blue tank. So there's different sports subtleties.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yes. It's a different sprint. So I make the automatic assumption, as everybody does, well, Tom Brady can't be Tom Brady. But the fact of the Matter is,

[Mike Wilbon]

by the way, how hard are they playing?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Well, I don't know.

[Mike Wilbon]

The pros then.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I don't know. I think the Olympic kids are playing as hard as they are.

[Mike Wilbon]

They will be playing hard.

[Tony Kornheiser]

And the quarterback who once said he was better at that sport than Patrick Mahomes? Cause he is at that sport.

[Mike Wilbon]

Don't tell me you're gonna fall for this. Don't tell me you're gonna fall for it.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I am gonna fall for it. Steve Young said he wanted to play in it, not female. Let's take one last break. Still to come, Tiger Woods. You love him. Tiger woods makes his return to competitive golf tonight.

[Mike Wilbon]

I know you were excited. Change my life. I want. Will not watch. And a Ranger's righty gets some good news during a mound visit. I can't. I can't. I can't watch it.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Why? Tiger's gonna swing the club.

[Mike Wilbon]

It's indoors.

[Tony Kornheiser]

They're gonna hit the ball.

[Mike Wilbon]

Where are the pine trees?

[Tony Kornheiser]

The simulator. No, your kid goes to the simulator room.

[Mike Wilbon]

He's nuts. I didn't raise him right.

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[Tony Kornheiser]

Happy time, people. Happy 50th birthday, Peyton Manning. Manning's accomplishments are easy. Hall of Fame, MVP of the NFL five times, 14 Pro bowl teams, won two Super Bowls overall. Number one picked the 1998 draft by the Indianapolis Colts. Manning has a brother who also won two Super Bowls, and his nephew is getting Heisman talk. But the question facing Manning as he gets older is not whether he will ditch those quarter zips and make a new fashion statement, but will he get to the finish line first, ahead of Shaq and Charles Barkley? For who does the most commercials? Manning has been selling insurance and beer and credit cards and cell phone plans and sport drinks and maybe by tonight, aarp.

[Mike Wilbon]

That would be funny. They're all good. He's funny in all of them. He's engaging in all of them. So is Shaq and so is Charles. I didn't. Wayfair.

[Tony Kornheiser]

What is he doing?

[Mike Wilbon]

What's up?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Doing Wayfair.

[Mike Wilbon]

They asked him about Wayfair.

[Tony Kornheiser]

He needs a new couch. Really?

[Mike Wilbon]

Can you get a better Trio than those three doing commercials?

[Tony Kornheiser]

No. They're wonderful. Happy anniversary. NC Stone around the state 52 years ago, playing in the friendly confines of Greensboro, North Carolina. The Wolfpack ended UCLA's streak of seven national championships with an 80:77 double overtime victory over Bill Walton's Bruins in the national semifinals. North Carolina State went on to beat Marquette for the national title. North Carolina State was led by the great David Thompson, whose collegiate record to that point was hello, 57 1. Thompson was helped by 7 foot 3 center Tom Burleson, guards Mo Rivers and 5 foot 6 Monty Tow and forward Tim Stoddard, who went on to a career as a major league pitcher. I was at this game. It might be the best game I ever saw. And I saw the Leitner game.

[Mike Wilbon]

People have no idea who David Thompson is or how great he was. Oh, they have no idea. They have a little bit of idea about Bill cuz Bill stayed with us thankfully. Thank God for a lot longer. David Thompson. Google him, huh? Right.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Girls jumped out of the gym. Greatest vertical of all time. Happy Trail syracuse. Overall number one seed UConn rolled the 9th seeded Orange by 5398 to 45 in last night's second round game. It was 65 to 12 at the half. I called you.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah, I heard that.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Afterwards, Syracuse coach Felicia Leggetjack voiced displeasure with once again having to play UConn on his home floor, a perk the top four seeds in each region receive early in the women's tournament. LEGGETT Jack has two tourney losses to UConn in stores as Syracuse coach and one as Buffalo's coach. She called the setup, quote, unacceptable, wrong personal attack, adding that it was, quote, unfair to the young people and suggested being downgraded in the CD in order to switch regions. Wilbourne. I was stunned by beyond belief when I heard her remarks.

[Mike Wilbon]

It is unexpected, acceptable, and it is unfair. And it is unfair to those kids.

[Tony Kornheiser]

And it's whiny now. And it's personal.

[Mike Wilbon]

It's not about her. Notice I said check on the others. I didn't say check on that. Tony. The tournament. I understand the evolution. It's still evolving. But the home games is unacceptable.

[Tony Kornheiser]

65 to 12. Coach your team. Coach.

[Mike Wilbon]

No, no, no, no, no, NO. 65 to 12. You think anybody was gonna be UConn?

[Tony Kornheiser]

No. But this game. 53 at the half. You're a university that cares about athletics. Big finish.

[Mike Wilbon]

Quick. Let's do it.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Lakers had their nine game win streak snapped by the Pistons last night. Your thoughts?

[Mike Wilbon]

This is a3.0 since losing their MVP for about six weeks. Which is. Which is awful. But maybe they're going to survive it. Tiger woods makes his return to competitive golf. Yes, you're right. Tonight in the TGL finals. But you're excited.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I'm going to watch it. Dead. She golf the next fixed thing. The Cubs and Pete Crowe. Armstrong reportedly reached an agreement on the contact extension. Big deal.

[Mike Wilbon]

Enormous deal. He's now the face of my team. Rule 5 Pick Carter Baumler found out he made the Rangers opening day roster. On the mound between pitches yesterday. I know. You're okay with that?

[Tony Kornheiser]

It was very nice. The manager came out, the kid thought he was going to be taken out. But he said, you made the team. It's nice. Last one. The Knicks have won six straight. Magic have lost five straight. Which streak is more likely to continue?

[Mike Wilbon]

Fulcrum. The Knicks are not losing to the Pelicans. And the Magic are going to struggle in Cleveland.

[Tony Kornheiser]

We're out of time. Try and do better the next time. Jason Roth.

[Mike Wilbon]

Shout out. I'm Mike Wilbon. Same time tomorrow, knuckleheads.

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