North Carolina FIRES Hubert Davis

Summary

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PTI – "North Carolina FIRES Hubert Davis"

Date: March 25, 2026
Hosts: Tony Kornheiser, Michael Wilbon
Special Guest: Tim Kurkjian (ESPN Baseball Analyst)

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Episode Overview

This episode opens with the bombshell firing of North Carolina basketball coach Hubert Davis after a second consecutive first-round NCAA tournament exit. Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon dissect the reasons behind the firing, Carolina's options moving forward, and the perennial pressure on top programs. They then pivot to major NBA and MLB storylines, including Cade Cunningham's injury and the 65-game awards requirement, the NBA's tanking debate, and a baseball Opening Night segment with Tim Kurkjian, covering the Yankees, the Giants' new manager, Shohei Ohtani's brilliance, Dodgers' dominance, and the arrival of robotic umpiring.

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Main Segment: North Carolina Fires Hubert Davis

[00:57 – 04:37]

Background

• North Carolina fires coach Hubert Davis after a shocking first-round loss to VCU, blowing a 19-point lead. Second straight first-round exit, with Davis finishing 125-54 in five seasons.
• Questions: Was this the right move? Where does UNC go from here?

Points & Insights

• Wilbon’s Take:

  • Understands both sides – Carolina's high expectations and the call to move on, but also “can make the case either way for saying to Hubert Davis, we don't like losing in the first round and we arrogantly are North Carolina and this is what we expect” ([01:51], Wilbon).
  • Points to injuries as a mitigating factor—Caleb Wilson, top NBA prospect, was injured: “They were 19 and 5 with him in the lineup” ([02:06], Wilbon).
  • Warns Carolina isn’t the same as Dean Smith/Roy Williams era, and cautions against chasing high-profile coaches from other big programs.

• Tony’s Response:

  • Believes Davis could've been given another year but relays the sentiment among Carolina alums: “It was sort of unanimous where they said, no, this has to be done. More than that though, Mike... we've got to not do this internally as we have been doing. And this is sort of what Georgetown faced to get away from the John Thompson lineage” ([02:53], Kornheiser).
  • Names at the top of alumni wish list: Jay Wright (but acknowledge “we'll never get him”), Billy Donovan, Tommy Lloyd, Dusty May.
  • “North Carolina is one of the pillars of college basketball and has been for 70 years...the person has to come in here with no questions asked” ([03:21], Kornheiser).

• Future Directions:

  • Wilbon is skeptical UNC will break from tradition, highlighting the "arrogance" and its justification.
  • Tony throws out a “wild name”: Steve Kerr (“Would you talk to Steve Kerr?” at [04:24]), knowing it’s unlikely but showing the ambition of the search.

Notable Quotes

• Wilbon: “We expect, by the way, to keep up with the school eight miles away that wears the other blue.” ([01:52])
• Kornheiser: “This is not just another job. North Carolina is one of the pillars of college basketball... that's the list.” ([03:21])
• Wilbon: “You think they're going to get away now from Dean Smith's lineage?... And I do see a certain arrogance. By the way, arrogance is usually earned. North Carolina earned that over 80 years.” ([03:58])

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NBA Headlines: Cade Cunningham & Awards Eligibility Rule

[04:37 – 07:28]

Main Issue

• NBA and players’ union debate: 65-game minimum for MVP/All-NBA eligibility vs. fairness for injured stars (highlighted by Cade Cunningham’s collapsed lung).

Discussion Highlights

• Tony: Rule is about “load management,” not money—“so fans can believe the NBA wants the great players to play more” ([06:16]).
• MVP race not impacted because “nobody is going to vote for an MVP that played in 61 of 82 games when there are worthy candidates... in 65 or 70 or 75” ([05:30]).
• Contract implications are central—players want all-NBA for bonus triggers.
• Considers lowering threshold to 60 games may be “acceptable,” but “don’t be the players union and hide behind this nonsense. It’s about money.” ([07:08])
• Wilbon: Points out contradiction—players’ union “ratified it, live with it. People talk about accountability and culture…” ([06:37])
• Both agree legitimate injury exceptions (like Cunningham's) could be considered.

Notable Quotes

• Kornheiser: “The reason this rule exists is not money, it's load management... so that people who are stars will not sit out for no other reason than to rest.” ([06:16])
• Wilbon: “You ratified it, live with it. People talk about accountability and culture. What?” ([06:37])

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NBA Tanking and "Race to the Bottom"

[07:28 – 09:49]

Situation

• Two tanking teams: Wizards (16 straight losses) vs. Utah Jazz (needs to finish in bottom-4 to keep draft pick).
• Should fans care about such “debacle” games or focus elsewhere?

Debate & Commentary

• Wilbon: Will watch OKC-Boston, not the “debanca-bowl” between tankers ([07:52]).
• Blames the draft system: “If you don't want people to tank, then don't have a draft system... incentivizes you to lose.” ([08:33], [08:35])
• Relegation vs. lottery odds discussed: Kornheiser jokes, “You get relegated and you play each other... Play some G League.” ([08:53])
• Both hosts deride teams for “perverting” competition—“What they've done is they have perverted the one great thing about sports which is we play to win. They're not playing to win." ([09:03], Kornheiser)

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MLB Opening Night with Tim Kurkjian

[12:33 – 19:15]

Yankees Outlook

[12:33 – 13:35]

• Tony: Askes how “old” Aaron Judge’s Yankees look this year.
• Kurkjian: Optimistic: “They won 94 games last year, and I think they're a better team this year... Judge is going to win the MVP again... not suggesting they're a great team, just slightly better than last year.” ([12:55], Kurkjian)

Giants’ New Manager – Tony Vitello

[13:35 – 14:36]

• First MLB manager with no professional experience, hired for emotion and energy.
• Kurkjian: “But no one's ever done this before. There is a huge, huge difference between being the head coach at Tennessee and a major league manager.” ([13:50])
• Needs to be given a chance, but skepticism on translating recruiting skills to MLB.

Shohei Ohtani Phenomenon

[14:44 – 15:52]

• Ohtani’s spring game: 11 Ks in 14 batters faced.
• Kurkjian: “Everything that this guy decides to do, he goes out and does it... I will not underestimate him under any circumstances, because when he makes up his mind to do something, he does it. He is the most remarkable player I have ever seen.” ([14:58])

Dodgers vs. National League

[15:52 – 16:52]

• Dodgers seen as NL juggernaut, “prohibitive favorites.”
• Phillies are the most likely challenger, but “a few things have to happen”—Wheeler must be healthy, stars need career years.
• “We are watching a dynasty and this is the best Dodger team that I've seen in this decade.” ([16:32], Kurkjian)

Robotic Umpiring Revolution

[16:52 – 19:15]

• Kornheiser calls it “a fundamental change in baseball.”
• Kurkjian: “One manager told me, look, I think we should have a complete robotic system calling every ball and every strike or no system at all. We're kind of in the middle here... the challenge system, the strategy for the challenge is more important sometimes than what is going on in the game. And that doesn't sound particularly healthy to me.” ([17:27])
• Kurkjian is open to innovation but cautious: “If it's not working, we have to move on and try something else.”
• Kornheiser notes challenge timing will be crucial—teams may save them for late innings.
• Noteworthy wrinkle: shorter players might benefit from robo-zones. Kurkjian: “One manager told me one of our guys is now listed at 5'11" instead of 6ft in hopes of getting an advantage.” ([18:47])

Notable Quotes

• Kurkjian on Ohtani: “He is the most remarkable player I have ever seen.” ([15:40])
• On Dodger dominance: “We are watching a dynasty…best Dodger team that I’ve seen in this decade.” ([16:40])
• On robo-umps: “If it's not working, we have to move on and try something else.” ([17:45])

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Quick Hits & Memorable Moments

Tanking Jokes ([09:03–09:49])

• Tony on tanking: “I know the Wizards are a disgrace...what they've done is...perverted the one great thing about sports which is we play to win.”
• Wilbon: “If they get the lot the balls...they shouldn't demand your town next year.”
• Tony: “You're not going to watch cause they want him cause it's Brigham Young.”

End-of-Episode Lightning Round ([23:50–24:43])

• Joe Flacco signs with the Bengals; Kornheiser skeptical on “teams are dumb for not signing him to start.”
• Bill Self denies imminent retirement.
• NBA considering Vegas & Seattle franchises: “Stop it. Stop with the show. This is done. Seattle and Vegas. Welcome back...” ([24:16], Wilbon)
• Mak McClung sets G League scoring record (“He had 59 last night. Yeah, I just wish he had a better shot at the end.” – ([24:30], Kornheiser))

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Summary Table: Key Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment / Quote | |---|---| | 00:57–04:37 | UNC fires Hubert Davis: why, and what's next? | | 04:37–07:28 | NBA 65-game award rule: Cade Cunningham, money vs. load management | | 07:28–09:49 | NBA tanking and the “debanca-bowl” | | 12:33–19:15 | MLB Opening Night with Tim Kurkjian – Yankees, Giants, Ohtani, Dodgers, robo-umps | | 23:50–24:43 | Lightning round: Flacco, Self, NBA expansion, McClung, NFL opener |

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Episode Tone & Style

As always with PTI, the language is sharp, accessible, and laced with humor, quick-fire banter, and passionate opinions. Tony and Mike volley perspectives with mutual respect and occasional mock exasperation—whether lamenting systemic flaws in sports or debating what makes a program like UNC truly great.

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Key Takeaways for Non-Listeners

• North Carolina’s firing of Hubert Davis encapsulates the immense pressure and tradition in college basketball’s blueblood programs; while injuries played a role in the early exit, the alumni and administration seem united that a fresh direction is overdue.
• In the NBA, debates over awards eligibility rules are about much more than injuries—they reflect deeper battles over money, star power, and the fan experience.
• Tanking remains a structural blight in the NBA, and unless the rules change, game outcomes late in the season will reflect perverse incentives.
• As baseball opens a new season, eye-popping stories abound: The Yankees reload, the Giants gamble on an unproven manager, Ohtani’s legend keeps growing, the Dodgers assert their dynasty, and robotic umping introduces a new era—one met with a mix of optimism and skepticism by the game's insiders.

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Transcript

[A]

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[B]

but I'm Mike Wilbach. Tony, A man in Munich just set a Guinness World record by pulling a 2,200 pound carriage with his nipples.

[C]

I'm Tony Kornheiser. I'm still a little tender, but I made it back in time for the shift.

[B]

I'm impressed that it's a Munich man

[C]

and not a Florida man.

[B]

A Florida man.

[C]

So in other words, you believe it's true now you believe it's true.

[B]

There's greater credibility when we take it out of Florida, take it out of the swamp.

[C]

I think all those Florida stories are real. I do. I think they're real. Welcome to pt. Hi, boys and girls. In today's episode, Kate Cunningham's collapsed lung, Tiger's TGL appearance. And Tim Kirchen joins us on opening night of the baseball season. But we begin today with the University of North Carolina firing their incumbent basketball coach and former Tar Heels star player Hubert Davis, days after Carolina blew a 19 point lead and lost in overtime to Virginia Commonwealth in the first round of the tournament. This was the second straight year Carolina has gone out in the first round. Davis leaves after five years in Chapel Hill and a 125 and 54 record. Wilbon, do you understand this from North Carolina's perspective and where do they go from here?

[B]

I can understand it, but I can understand not doing it. I can make the case either way for saying to Hubert Davis, we don't like losing in the first round and we arrogantly are North Carolina and this

[C]

is what we expect.

[B]

We expect, by the way, to keep up with the school eight miles away that wears the other blue. On the other hand, Caleb Wilson, who. Who could be the first player chosen in the upcoming NBA draft, could be.

[C]

He was hurt. Top three didn't play.

[B]

They were 19 and five with him in the lineup.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

So was that an embarrassment that they were 19 and 5? You can make the case either way. I'm sort of annoyed maybe because I keep hearing where does North Carolina go from here? I keep hearing about all these coaches who coach other places they're going to leave Alabama. They're going to leave Arizona. Why? At a time in which basketball now college basketball is pro basketball. You can pay people, you got rich alums. You too can afford anybody. Carolina can afford. This is not Dean Smith or even Roy Williams Carolina. And so they gotta be careful about that. And I don't think they are.

[C]

So I'm gonna dispute a little bit of what you say. I thought they could have given him another year. But within the last three or four days I've talked to a bunch of Carolina grads.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

And it was sort of unanimous where they said, no, this has to be done. More than that though, Mike. And you brought up Dean Smith's name. More than that. They said we've got to get away from the Dean Smith lineage for a while. We've got to not do this internally as we have been doing. And this is sort of what Georgetown faced to get away from the John Thompson lineage. All right. The other thing that stood out to me was to a man, every one of these people had the same guy at the top of the list. And you know who that is? Who? Jay Wright. And they said, but we'll never get him. No, they said we'll never get him. And that's where Billy Donovan's name comes up. Tommy Lloyd's name comes up. You know, Dusty May's name comes up. I want to say this to you because you used the word arrogant. I would not use that for Carolina. This is not just another job. North Carolina is one of the pillars of college basketball and has been for 70 years. There's North Carolina, there's Kentucky, there's UCLA and maybe there's Kansas and that's the list. So the person has to come in here with no questions asked. Just like Hubert Davis. Nobody had a problem with that. And that she was the right guy, but different guy.

[B]

Now forget what they say. They're going. You think they're going to get away now from Dean Smith's lineage? You think the person coming in there has no connection to North Carolina? Cuz I don't see that. And I do see a certain arrogance, by the way. Arrogance is usually earned. North Carolina earned that over 80 years of competition.

[C]

Can I give you a wild name? Because 20 years ago Pitino's name would come up and 10 years ago Calipari, Tom Izzo's name comes up. No, because I'm a guy. You're gonna say he'll never do it.

[B]

Who?

[C]

Steve Kerr. Would they. Would you talk to Steve Kerr?

[B]

I talked to him. First of all, I'd like to get his advice, but I don't think he'd do it. And Jay Wright?

[C]

No, he's not gonna do it.

[B]

No, no.

[C]

But they all want Jay Wright.

[B]

Who wouldn't want Jay Wright?

[C]

Okay.

[B]

Oh man. Let's move to the NBA Players association. Pushing back on the league's requirement. The players must participate in 65 games to qualify for MVP and all NBA honors. The union said Tuesday that Cade Cunningham's potentially potential ineligibility is a clear indictment of the rule that must be abolished or reformed to create an exception for significant injuries. I'm quoting. Detroit star has played 61 of 71 games and his collapsed lung threatens to keep him out of many, if not all, the remaining 11. Tony, is the union right that this rule has to change?

[C]

The Kate Cunningham case is an exceptional case. While he was playing, he played in 61 of the 68 games to that point. All right, this is Cade Cunningham, but you don't have to change the rule. He was having an MVP year and then he had a collapsed lung. The reason you don't have to change the rule for MVP is that. I'm sorry, nobody is going to vote for an MVP that played in 6061 of 82 games when there are worthy candidates who have played in 65 or 70 or 75. Right now it's possible Jaylen Brown will play in 75, it's possible Gilgis Alexander will play in 70 and Wembanyama and Jokic who have been hurt this year will play in 67 or 68. So in Cade Cunningham's case, a worthy MVP will be selected who has played in more games. Now you know this as well as I do. The only reason the NBA players are pushing back on this is because of the all NBA teams. Cuz each one has a clause in a contract to give them a lot more money.

[B]

That's right.

[C]

So their entire rationale is money. The reason this rule exists is not money, it's load management. Yeah, it's so that people who are stars will not sit out for no other reason than to rest. And it is so fans can believe the NBA wants the great players to play more.

[B]

And by the way, who. Who ratified this 65 game rule?

[C]

Players association.

[B]

The players.

[C]

That's right.

[B]

So this the third year memory, all the players left the league and these are all new players. No, you ratified it, live with it. People talk about accountability and culture. What?

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

This is because of load damn management.

[C]

Yes, that's why I agree with you.

[B]

And you can have exceptions and Kate Cunningham should be an exception? Yes, because he ain't trying to do anything.

[C]

That's right.

[B]

His team's not tanking and he wants to be out there every day. So I'm a voter.

[C]

That's right.

[B]

Have an exception.

[C]

So here's, here's my thing. It's 65 now. If you go down to 60, 60 is 73% of the games to me. If you play in 70% or more, I'm okay with it. It's acceptable. But don't be the players union and hide behind this nonsense. It's about money.

[B]

Like somebody, like somebody imposed it on the league. No, that didn't happen. Stop.

[C]

Let's stay with the NBA. Let's go to the dregs at the bottom of the barrel. The Washington Wizards, who have lost 16 straight games, deliberately I might add, are in Utah tonight. Utah has lost 14 or 17, needs to finish fourth worst in the standings to guarantee they keep their first round pick. They're currently fifth worst. So Wilbon, are you perversely interested in this game of losers or would you rather pay attention to Oklahoma City at Boston tonight?

[B]

Yes, I'm going to watch Oklahoma City versus Boston. All of it, from tip to bust. I'm going to watch it all. But the other game, which I will not even click over to, I will not. I will not allow myself to do that. But at the end of it, I'm going to want to know what happens. Because this is the debance A bowl. That's what this is.

[C]

Or something like that.

[B]

Close. You got to at least put yourself in it. Right. And if losing. See, here's the thing. Here's where we differ again on tanking. If you don't want people to tank, then don't have a draft system. The draft system inherently by definition says if you stink, we will reward you.

[C]

Incentivizes you to lose. Yes.

[B]

So you could do one of two things.

[C]

Flatten the odds. Flatten the odds.

[B]

Don't bother with that. Relegation, homes.

[C]

Or what? You put them in the G league. What does relegation mean?

[B]

Where are you going? How about if you had like the league is about to go to 32 anyway. You keep like four of those teams.

[C]

So you have a 20 year old.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

You get relegated and you play each other. You play each other for 50 games.

[B]

Play some G League.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Is that what be like athletes in action and go around and play the colleges.

[C]

That's a 40 years ago. So you know where I stand on the Wizards. I know the Wizards are a disgrace. I'm with you and they because what they've done is they have perverted the one great thing about sports which is we play to win. They're not playing to win. But don't choose. Both teams are trying to lose.

[B]

But if they. If they get the lot the balls and they would like they shouldn't demand your town next year.

[C]

You're not going to watch cuz they want him cuz his Brigham Young.

[B]

I suppose you get him.

[C]

No, but it's wrong. Cuz it's incentivized to lose. It is. It's just the wrong it is. Do you know who's not playing tonight for the Wizards? Everybody's not playing. The starters are out. And Utah's four starters are out. They're trying. You know what? I would watch this except it starts too late. I don't want to wait till 11:30 at night to see how they have conspired to lose.

[B]

Listen, everybody is out of this game too. I wrote it down and now I can. Here we go. Here we go. So we got on on Utah. George Collier Kessler's been out forever. Nurkic Sensible, who had played like five games. Market has been declared out. Jaren Jackson's been declared out. So this is Ace Bailey and you may as well you know else Wizards. Thorl Bailey, that's who should be playing.

[C]

Wizards have less. The Wizards have less than that. They have no starters. They have no starters. They have no starters. They want to lose. It's a flaw in the system. Adam Silver. Come on man. What are we doing out here? Let's take a break. Coming up, the Yankees and Giants open baseball season tonight. We're going to ask Tim Kirchen how hopeful Aaron Judge should be feeling about his team this season.

[B]

We'll also ask him about Shohei's remarkable pitching performance yesterday.

[C]

The other game. One of the teams has won 12 straight. Isn't it a pleasure that Oklahoma City's trying to win? Boston's trying to win.

[B]

Oklahoma City's got somebody hot on their heels.

[C]

Wembanyama. They're saying not so fast, young man. Not so fast. We can still win.

[B]

I'm watching this.

[D]

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[C]

The baseball season officially begins tonight. Tonight as the Yankees face the Giants, which makes it a perfect time to welcome back our great friend, ESPN baseball analyst Tim Kirk. Let's start with this. Aaron Judge turns 34 next month. He has never won a World Series. He's a great player. Never won a World Series. How do you see this year's version of the Yankees, Tim?

[F]

Yeah, I got a good look at them this spring. Look, they won 94 games last year, and I think they're a better team this year. Cody Bellinger was added. He adds the offense, the defense and the athleticism. Ben Rice is going to hit 30 home runs this year. Judge is going to win the MVP again. That's how good he is. But Garrett Cole, their best pitcher, who's coming off Tommy John, looks like he's going to be ready at the end of May. And Carlos Rodon is going to be ready at the end of April. Therefore, they're going to have pretty good starting pitching. Look, I'm not suggesting they're a great team. I'm just saying I think they're slightly better than they were last year and they won 94 games.

[B]

Well, let's jump to the other team in this opener, Tim. New Giants manager Tony Vitello jumped, of course, from Tennessee to the major leagues with zero professional experience. What are we to expect from him and the Giants?

[F]

This is a really intriguing story. He's the first manager ever to manage a major league game with no professional experience. Now, his team went 19 and 9 this spring they were looking for more emotion and more energy, and they got both of it from this guy. But no one's ever done this before. And there is a huge, huge difference between being the head coach at Tennessee and a major league manager, especially when you're opening with the New York Yankees. I was told that he is a great recruiter, but I'm not sure recruiting is really going to help on the major league level. But I do know we have to give this guy a chance because his energy level is off the chart. We'll see if that makes a difference.

[B]

We cannot have you without talking about Shohei. We like trying to talk about golf in the early 2000s without talking about Tiger.

[C]

How to talk about Tiger.

[B]

So Shohei, of course, Tim, as you know, struck out 11 of the first 14 batters he faced in yesterday's spring training. Tune up. What is this forecast?

[F]

His forecast is great because everything that this guy decides to do, he goes out and does it. I've never seen anybody in baseball rise to the occasion quite like him. Just look at a couple years ago, he had Tommy John surgery. He couldn't pitch, so he said, all right, what can I do that no one else has done? So he had 50 homers, 50 steals, and made it easily. Now there are whispers that he wants to win a Cy Young award. He's got four MVPs, and now he's trying to win the Cy Young. And I, I will not underestimate him under any circumstances, because when he makes up his mind to do something, he does it. He is the most remarkable player I have ever seen. And they had plans. Put him in the rotation right from the beginning and leave him there for the whole year. It won't going to be, oh, we got to give him three weeks off in the middle of the season. He's in for the long haul if he's up.

[B]

All right, so let me follow this up with the Dodgers, sort of Dodgers question. If the Dodgers are this great, is there anybody in the National League? And I know who I want it to be. But if there is anybody in the National League who can legitimately challenge the Dodgers, who is it?

[F]

I think it's the Phillies. But a few things have to happen. Zach Wheeler, who is injured right now, their best pitcher, has to come back completely healthy. And then Schwarber and Harper and Real Muto and Turner have to have career years. That's the only way that anybody is going to beat the Dodgers this year. Michael, I have seen them the last six years, three championships, winning percentage of 630. The last team to do that over a six year period was a 53 to 58 Yankees. We are watching a dynasty and this is the best Dodger team that I've seen in this decade. It's baseball so anyone can win. The Dodgers are the prohibitive favorites. I think the Phillies have the best chance to beat them.

[C]

Well, you broke Wilbon's heart because he wanted you to say the Cubs and you didn't say the Cubs. We'll get you out of here on this. And this is, it's nice to talk about Judge and Shohei Otani and all of this stuff, but there is a larger issue that people are going to see tonight. They're going to see it for the rest of the season, maybe the rest of time. It's a fundamental change in baseball. It is robotic umpiring. This is a big deal and we are going to see it. Do you have any observations or predictions on the introduction of this, how you feel about it and how players you have talked to feel about it?

[F]

Yeah, I talked to a lot of players and a lot of managers about this and one manager told me, he said, look, I think we should have a complete robotic system calling every ball and every strike or no system at all. We're kind of in the middle here. And he also said it worries me, you know, just a little bit that the challenge system, the strategy for the challenge is more important sometimes than what is going on in the game. And that doesn't sound particularly healthy to me. I am willing to go along with this with the understanding if it's not working, we have to move on and try something else. But obviously the reason they're doing this is United States beat the Dominican on a strike three that ended the game. That was clearly a ball under the ABS system. That will in theory not happen unless you're out of your, your challenges by the ninth inning. So it's going to be fascinating to watch. But this is here to stay.

[C]

That's a very important point that you make. You don't want to challenge in the first inning with nobody on just to get a runner with two outs. You better make sure there are runs involved in this because if you lose them, they're going forever. Tim, I think we're going to see a lot of teams not use them till the 8th or 9th inning and then use them capriciously because they got them and they want to do something right.

[F]

And I had another manager tell me the shorter players are really going to benefit from this. Which means if I make a comeback. I'm going to hit.380 this year. And one guy, one manager told me one of our guys has is now listed at 5:11 instead of 6ft in hopes of getting an advantage with ABS. But they're going to get measured. That's not going to be a problem. It's going to be an interesting thing every night.

[C]

Thank you Tim. Pleasure to have you. Thank you.

[F]

Thank you, Tony. Thank you, Michael.

[C]

Let's take one last break. Still to come, Tiger returns to golf. Sort of. Sort of.

[B]

I watched, I watched the bill self just clarify or further could not confuse us about his coaching future.

[C]

I watched every swing Tiger took.

[B]

I didn't watch one second.

[C]

Yeah, including the 3 foot 6 inch putt that he missed. Yeah, that he missed.

[G]

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[D]

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[C]

Happy time people. Happy 60th birthday. Tom Glapper, the left handed hall of Famer finished his 22 season major league career with 305 victories, 244 of them with the Atlanta Braves. Glavin pitched 16 years for the Braves, then five for the Mets before finishing up in Atlanta. Glavin won two Cy Youngs in the 1995 World Series with the Braves where he was the series MVP. Glavin's career ERA was 3.54 and the top of the rotation in Atlanta. Glavin, Greg Matic and John Smoltz are all in the hall of Fame. Glavin played before the DH in the National League. He was a four time Silver Slugger. In one of those Silver Slugger seasons, 1995, Glavin hit his only home run, a solo shot off Cincinnati.

[B]

Real quickly, happy 16th birthday to Gabe Buckley. And at least you're still legally protected. Matthew Wilbon turns 18 today. He's not legally protected and I can throw him out. Think I have the nerve to do it?

[C]

No. I think you're a loving father. I think you'd like to throw him

[B]

out, but you won't.

[C]

Throw him out. Throw him out. Happy anniversary, Jim Laranaga. Around this day, 20 years ago, Larinaga's George Mason team stunned number one seed Connecticut to reach the Final Four as an 11 seed, becoming the most obscure program to ever get that far.

[B]

Weren't you at that game?

[C]

Hmm. I was not at that game. From George Mason, Laranaga went to the U. He became the winningest coach. I didn't know this. In Miami history. I didn't know that. In December of 2024, Laranaga announced he was stepping down in mid season, saying, quote, after more than 50 years in coaching, it is simply time, unquote. Laranaga led the Canes to six NCAA tournaments, including their first Final Four in 2023, their first Elite Eight in 2022, and four Sweet 16s. Wilburn, you and I remember LaRonnega when he was Terry Hollins, assistant at UVA.

[B]

Yes, we do. But those George Mason games were thrilling. The regional semi and final were here in Washington, miles away from George Mason's campus. Thrilling. Among the most thrilling things I've ever covered in college basketball all these decades.

[C]

It was like a home game for them is what you're saying it was.

[B]

Whatever that center was called. Went crazy. Not for the Wizards.

[C]

Happy trails. Jupiter Links Tigers bed sheet Golf team fell in the TGL finals last night to the Los Angeles Golf Club by a score of 9 to 2. Watch this Tiger wheel. I did watch. Tiger was in action for the first time since last March when he tore an Achilles and later had back surgery. He struggled at one point missing a three foot six inch putt on the seventh hole. Match was over not long after that. Watching him was exciting, but TGL requires no walking. Tiger said after that he wants to play in the Masters in two weeks. I'm not certain he can, but if the private plane trackers find him flying to Augusta to prepare, I might think differently.

[B]

You might, but then we're going to be stressed out watching Tiger do that. Just hoping he can physically do it, not to mention.

[C]

I'll tell you something. I thought they were going to fix the first match to get a second match, get two more hours. It didn't happen.

[B]

No.

[C]

Scotty Van Pelt had to work. He interviewed everybody in the world. Let's go to the big finish.

[B]

Let's do it.

[C]

41 year old Joe Flacco has agreed to join the Bengals on a one year deal. He says teams are dumb for not signing him to start. Your thoughts?

[B]

No, they're not. Bill Self tells the Kansas City Star news of his imminent retirement is BS and bad info. Your reaction?

[C]

He was asked a question and he opened the door. He said he hadn't said it. Okay, but he opened the door to it. NBA owners voted to consider bids for Vegas and Seattle franchises. You surprised?

[B]

Stop it. Stop with the show. This is done. Seattle and Vegas. Welcome back to Seattle. Never should have gone anywhere. G League says massive Mack McClung is now its all time leading scorer across all contests including playoffs. You impressed with that?

[C]

He had 59 last night. Yeah, I just wish he had a better shot at the end. 59. Last one. NFL announced today Seahawks will host the opening game of next season on a Wednesday, not a Thursday. Is that all right?

[B]

The Bears at Seattle.

[C]

That's the opener.

[B]

Come on, we're out of time. Let's announce it already.

[C]

We'll try to do better the next time. I'm Tony Cornine.

[B]

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

[A]

Calling all fun lovers and memory makers, Texas invites you to cheer from our stadiums and dance like no one is watching. Culture seekers can find the art that truly inspires. And from our shopping hubs to our chic boutiques, fashionistas will never leave empty handed. Texas is an unforgettable experience that's waiting just for you. Visit traveltexas.com and plan your trip today. Let's Texas.