Hour 1: Dog Race

Summary

Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron - Hour 1: Dog Race

Date: February 4, 2026
Hosts: Matt Jones & Myron Medcalf (ESPN Radio)

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Episode Overview

In this lively and wide-ranging episode, Matt and Myron banter their way through the week’s major sports stories with trademark wit and observation. The lead-up to the Super Bowl receives top billing, with Matt prepping for his first-ever trip to Radio Row. The guys also riff on the cultural significance of Black History Month, reminisce about comic strips from their youth, deep-dive into college basketball’s standout season, and offer a hilarious, side-eyed look at the elitism of the Westminster Dog Show. Notable listener calls and a spirited debate about what makes a “real dog” cap off the hour.

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Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Super Bowl Week Anticipation

(01:24 - 09:33)

• Matt's First Radio Row: Matt is going to the Super Bowl for the first time with his NFL Cover Zero podcast, set right between The Pat McAfee Show and NFL Network at Radio Row. He’s excited—and a little nervous—about interviewing big names like Terrell Davis and Christian McCaffrey.
  • “We are set up...right between the Pat McAfee show set and the NFL Network set.” (03:29 – Matt)
• Radio Row Vibes: Myron describes the awkward mingling and palpable energy, comparing it to a “middle school dance” where legends and celebrities mingle, not just “A-list” names but TV personalities and former reality stars.
• Matt's Super Bowl Disinterest: Laments the matchup—Seahawks vs. Patriots—finding it uninspiring and admitting open rooting against New England:
  • “I want them to lose, and I want their fans to be sad. I’d actually like for some of them to shed tears.” (09:21 – Matt)
• Sam Darnold as Underdog Story:
  • Myron builds up Darnold’s redemption arc:
  • "Sam Darnold might be the greatest story in the NFL over the last decade...He's the Fernando Mendoza of the NFL. I don't know anyone can not celebrate Sam Darnold." (10:06 – Myron)

Notable Quote

• “It’s like a middle school dance. But you’re like, ‘Hey, would you like to talk to Lawrence Taylor?’” (04:30 – Matt)

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2. Super Bowl Parties & Shaq’s EDM Event

(05:48 - 11:13)

• Social Scene: Matt is anxious about upscaling his wardrobe for high-profile parties like the Sports Illustrated bash and is particularly intrigued (“my kind of scene”) by being invited VIP to the Shaq Diesel Electronic Music Festival—Shaquille O’Neal’s EDM alter ego.
• EDM Fish Out of Water: Both hosts joke about how out-of-place Matt will feel at an EDM festival and riff on Shaq’s knack for slipping into any scene, regardless of age.
• T-Pain, Ludacris, and Chainsmokers: Matt is hyped for the musical lineup, and Myron shares an appreciation for T-Pain’s artistry and compelling comeback story.

Memorable Exchange

• “You will be like, that’s it. But Shaq’s older than I am, so doesn’t that count?” (13:13 – Matt)
• “Nah, he’s Shaq, so I don’t think it matters. Like he’s…” (13:22 – Myron)

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3. Vikings Fire GM – Optics vs. Performance

(14:53 - 19:32)

• GM Firing: The Vikings fired GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah after a Super Bowl missed opportunity with Sam Darnold, who Minnesota let go prior to his resurgent run with Seattle.
• Is This About Embarrassment? Myron argues that “owners can handle losing, but they don’t do well with embarrassment” when their personnel decisions turn out to be public blunders.
• Matt’s Skepticism: Matt suggests the timing—waiting until after the Super Bowl is set—feels more about public optics than football sense.
• Decision-Making Lessons: They debate how franchises let media/PR pressure dictate direction, and whether the Super Bowl run by Darnold unfairly sealed the GM’s fate.

Notable Quote

• “If you’re waiting until after this championship game, you’re basically saying factors that have nothing to do with his control...should that be how they end up making their decision?” (16:26 – Matt)
• “I think optics matter. You know, I think the optics change when Sam Darnold...played the game of his life against the Rams. Owners are people, too.” (17:08 – Myron)

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4. Comic Strips & Funny Pages Nostalgia

(19:41 - 21:36)

• Tangent into childhood newspaper comics: Matt quizzes Myron on “Curtis,” “Ziggy,” “Family Circus,” and “Beetle Bailey.” Myron is partial to “Curtis,” Matt to “Hagar the Horrible.”
• The discussion is an affectionate, self-aware nod to aging and generational humor.

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5. College Basketball: Freshman Class & Ref Moment

(24:02 - 35:15)

• Kentucky vs. Arkansas: Matt relishes Kentucky’s win at Arkansas over Calipari and the chaos of three techs in 38 seconds—scoffing that college basketball refs are the most “theatrical.”
• Referee Personalities: The hosts agree no other sport’s refs are as famous or character-driven as NCAA basketball. Names like TV Teddy and Ed Hochuli come up.
• Elite Freshman Class & Draft Prospects: They spotlight the strength of the 2026 freshman class, quoting Jamal Mashburn ranking Cooper Flagg only sixth among the elite, which both hosts challenge.
• Peterson vs. DeBonsa Debate: Breaking down whether BYU’s AJ DeBonsa or Kansas’ Darren Peterson is the top pick. They cite stats, highlight games, and joke about not catching BYU due to late tip times.
• Tournament Outlook: The parity and talent of this season’s NCAA tournament is hyped as the best in years, with a quick shout to Miami (OH)’s undefeated story.

Highlighted Exchange

• “Of all the sports, do you think the sport where the referees try to be part of the action the most is college basketball?” (26:09 – Matt)
• “No one’s close to college basketball referees.” (26:43 – Myron)
• “[Jamal Mashburn says] Cooper Flagg...would be sixth.” (29:29 – Matt)
• “Any GM who would say what Mashburn just said would get fired.” (30:28 – Myron)

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6. Westminster Dog Show & Listener Calls

(37:53 - 45:15)

• Remembering Catherine O’Hara: Matt notes her role in “Best in Show”—declared a top five comedy of all time—and segues into the Westminster Dog Show.
• Dog Show Confusion: Both hosts feign ignorance/humor about what actually distinguishes the show dogs:
  • “What is it that they do that’s so impressive?” (39:00 – Matt)
  • Myron argues it’s about “confidence...the look...just one of those things, you just know.” (40:23)
• Class Divide Among Dogs: They theorize there’s “no Cinderella stories,” only pampered, mansion-living canines—not blue-collar mutts.
• Listeners Chime In:
  • Fran in Massapequa rails against the elitism: “They're spoiled. I shouldn't even call them dogs because a real dog was out in the backyard, takes a dump, rolls in the mud...” (43:10)
  • Bob in North Carolina bemoans show-breeding’s homogenizing effect, blaming kennel clubs.
• Matt's Team Real Dog: Matt and most callers agree real dogs are “of the people,” finding the show off-puttingly exclusive.

Memorable Moment

• “There’s no Cinderella story...Curtis's pit bull ain’t getting in the Westminster dog—you know what I mean? That’s not happening.” (42:47 – Myron)

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Key Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:19 – February begins & Black History Month (“My month to shine…”)
• 03:23 – Matt heading to Super Bowl for the first time, Radio Row ironies
• 05:48 – Super Bowl parties, Shaq’s EDM festival, and musical acts
• 09:33 – Super Bowl matchup (Seahawks–Patriots), Matt’s rooting bias
• 10:06 – Myron on Sam Darnold’s underdog narrative
• 14:53 – Vikings fire Kwesi Adofo-Mensah; optics vs. decision-making
• 19:41 – Comic strips tangent (Ziggy, Curtis, Beetle Bailey)
• 24:02 – Kentucky vs. Arkansas and college basketball officiating
• 26:43 – Most famous referees, sport by sport
• 29:29 – NBA great Jamal Mashburn ranks current freshmen above Cooper Flagg
• 32:52 – Peterson vs. DeBonsa debate, draft stock
• 35:55 – Miami (OH) Redhawks’ undefeated run
• 37:53 – Westminster Dog Show, “Best in Show,” elitist dogs, listener calls

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Tone & Style

• Warm, fast-moving, humorous, occasionally irreverent.
• Candid, self-deprecating, conversational—often inviting listeners and each other to poke fun and push back.
• Regional flavor and “fan’s perspective” remain front and center.

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Notable Quotes

• “You get all of it, really. We just gotta make a best supporting actor appearance in February.” (02:53 – Myron)
• “Radio Row...it’s like you’re at a middle school dance, but you’re trying to get an interview.” (04:30 – Matt)
• “Sam Darnold might be the greatest story in the NFL over the last decade...He was left for dead.” (10:06 – Myron)
• “If you’re waiting until after this championship game, you’re basically saying factors that have nothing to do with his control...should that be how they end up making their decision?” (16:26 – Matt)
• “College basketball refs, no one’s close.” (26:43 – Myron)
• “They’re not even real dogs. They sleep on pillows.” (44:01 – Fran, caller)

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Concluding Segment

The hour wraps up with Matt inviting even more calls about the dog show, suggesting that “the dog world is toupee” and teeing up upcoming conversation about the NBA’s Paul George suspension and more dog drama for the next hour.

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Summary prepared for those who want the best of the banter, sports talk, and cultural riffs without missing a beat.

Transcript

[Matt]

We heard you. Nine years of bring back the snack wrap and you've won. But maybe you should have asked for more. Say hello to the hot honey snack wrap. Now you've really won. Go to McDonald's and get it while you can.

[Myron]

This is Matt and Myron, the podcast.

[Matt]

It is February 1st. Best month of the year. Matt Myron. Presented by Progressive Insurance Bundle, Home Auto and save. Visit progressive.com. my got a little Franklin in the house and a little Meyer Metcalf here on the week before the Super Bowl. Nice to. Nice to see you.

[Myron]

Yeah, man. This is my month to shine, man. People call me a lot to talk and stuff. You know, they. They want me to make appearances and, you know.

[Matt]

Hang on just a second. Who calls you to talk? You have friends that just call you to talk?

[Myron]

Because it's like, yeah, people just want people think you got some insight. Like, they always think, you know something, that you can tell them something that they can't look up themselves. You know, what was Malcolm X really like? You know, it's like one of those.

[Matt]

Things, February, and they're like, all right, let's talk about. Let's talk about Malcolm X's complicated language.

[Myron]

Yeah, man, it's a Tuesday, man. I mean, grilled cheese. Leave me alone. I don't want to go. Go to a library. I'm not answering your doggone questions. I don't care that much.

[Matt]

You know, I had that happen to me once. There was some issue. I can't remember what it was.

[Myron]

And when it happened to you, that somebody came to you and asked you about black history.

[Matt]

No, no, no, that's not what happened. But there was an issue, and I was like, you know what? I want to get a perspective that's different than mine. So I called our mutual friend, Bomani Jones. This is before you and I were close friends. Yeah. You would have gotten the call before, but, like, at this point, this was a Bomani Jones call. And he called me and he was like, I get. I gave whatever my question was. And he was like, I remember what it was. It was when the Thunder were playing against LeBron in the playoffs, in the finals.

[Myron]

Yeah.

[Matt]

With Kevin Durant. And he looks at me and on the phone he goes, listen, man, I love you, but the NBA championship's on. You can't just be calling and asking your black friend questions.

[Myron]

Exactly. Yeah. That's so real. I mean, that's a rule. Like, I. Like, I will do. I will be like, hey, all right, let me get back to you. And I just never call Back, you know what I mean? Like, if you ask me one of those questions, I just never call back because. What do you mean? I don't. I'm chilling like everybody else, man. Let me breathe. It's my month and you want me to work to finances for you in my month? That feels kind of rude.

[Matt]

Well, I will say if I had a month, if there was like an apple.

[Myron]

A month.

[Matt]

You got a year.

[Myron]

You don't need a month. Cause you got the whole year.

[Matt]

You're saying I get the other 11 months.

[Myron]

You get all of it, really. You know, we just gotta make a best supporting actor appearance in February. So.

[Matt]

It is Matt Myron. It's time to go off the top. You're welcome to call me whenever with your questions, by the way. And now this week, I got a.

[Myron]

Lot of questions too.

[Matt]

This week you're gonna have to call me at the super bowl because I. For the very first time, I'm going to the super bowl with my NFL Cover Zero podcast. We are going to Radio Row for the week. We are set up, Byron. Right between the Pat McAfee show set and the NFL Network set. Right in the middle is going to be the NFL Cover Zero set. I'm going to be sitting there. I've already got the list of people I'm supposed to interview. It includes terrell Davis, Christian McCaffrey busing with the boys. I asked for a lot of the reality show stars, but so far we haven't gotten those. But we have. And I'm going to be asking very official questions. I hope you're proud of me. This is my first time ever going to the super bowl stage. Have you ever been?

[Myron]

I've been to the super bowl, yeah. I mean, I mean, this is. Radio Row is cool. You really enjoy that, man. What's cool about Radio Row is it's just a bunch of celebrities, former great players just kind of hanging out, just kind of waiting for someone to kind of tap them on the shoulder to come onto the show. It's pretty cool.

[Matt]

But it's also. It feels like it is kind of weird because it's like a. It's like a middle school dance. But you're like, hey, would you like to talk to Lawrence Taylor? You know, like, it's kind of like. It's one of those things, isn't it? Yeah, it is.

[Myron]

No, it's a. It's a lot of like the legends, a lot of the old school players will be hanging around random celebrities, you know, and not necessarily necessarily a list, but like guys who are maybe on the cusp of that, who are just kind of hanging around and you just. Next thing you know, you're sitting there with, like, somebody who was on the real world 20 years ago, you know, so it's a. It's a fun event, man.

[Matt]

Yeah, well, I'm looking forward to it. Now, did you get invited this year to go to the super bowl, or am I going to be the only one from this show in attendance?

[Myron]

You. You'll be the only one. I'll be at ESPN headquarters doing stuff out there.

[Matt]

So this is your month. How do you not have a spot on Radio Row?

[Myron]

Well, I've been there before, you know, so I've, I've enjoyed it. I've crossed it off my bucket list, so I'm good with it. I'm glad you get to cross it off of your bucket list. It's intense. One thing I'll say about it is it takes a lot to do anything in super bowl week. You know, it's just everything is magnified times 10. So just make sure you leave early for stuff, you know, now it's part of experience.

[Matt]

It's part of the experience. The NFL is helping us go to some of the parties this week. You know, there's a lot of parties. This is a big thing. I don't know for the thing. And we have, we have tickets. And I had to sort of up my wardrobe because, you know, there's a Sports Illustrated party, so I had to get, you know, I didn't really have clothes for these kinds of things, but. But I got, but I got that. And then also I'm invited, Myron, to the Shaq Diesel Electronic Music Festival. Shaq Diesel, that's Shaquille O' Neal and other top level DJs will be spinning electric music Friday night. And I have a VIP ticket to it. I feel like that's my kind of scene. Me and Shaq. Did you know Shaq did the electronic music thing?

[Myron]

Oh, yeah. I'm hip to the EDM scene. Like, I knew he was a big guy in that recognizable dude. It's intense, though, man. Like, you ever been to, like, an EDM joint? Been one of those things?

[Matt]

No, I've never been. It feels like it. It feels like it wouldn't be my thing. It feels like a lot of boom.

[Myron]

It is.

[Matt]

I don't know that that's my, my, my, my jam. But you know what? But Shaq's there, so I feel like I should be there.

[Myron]

Shaq's. Shaq's a big DJ in that world, in the EDM world, you know, it's a lot of glow sticks and lights, you know, it just kind of doesn't stop too. So it's fun though. You'll have fun.

[Matt]

I feel like I'm going to be one of the older people at that festival. You will be like, that's it. That. But Shaq's older than I am, so doesn't that count?

[Myron]

Nah, he's Shaq, so I don't think it matters. Like he's.

[Matt]

Wait a minute. So Shaq gets to do it and the rest of the 40 somethings, it's different.

[Myron]

Well, Shaq can do anything. Actually, Shaq does do anything because all you gotta do is call Shaq and ask him to do something. He'll do it. But now you'll stand out. No, it's not harsh. He just does a lot of things. He's everywhere, you know, advertisements, tv. But I knew he was a big time dj. And you'll stand out, but you'll have fun too.

[Matt]

Some of the musical artists playing includes T. Pain is going to be there.

[Myron]

Oh, you got. You get to see a T. Pain show.

[Matt]

Jealous. Well, T. Pain yet T. Pain is part of the. The Sports Illustrated party. It's T. Pain Ludicrous. And the Chain Smokers.

[Myron]

I'm jealous, man. You'd see T. Pain, the Ludicrous man. What's.

[Matt]

What's so great about T. Pain?

[Myron]

Go watch his tiny desk, his NPR tiny. Just super talented dude. Really talented dude. Great story. You know, this is kind of like his comeback. What's kind of coming. He was, he was super famous, got a ton of money, blew like $30 million, went broke and now he's back. Now he like kind of bounced back through, you know, digital stuff and sold his catalog. So he's back on his feet. But.

[Matt]

What'S the biggest T. Pain song.

[Myron]

I can put you in a mansion you ever see. You ever heard of somewhere he rhymes. Mansion in Wisconsin.

[Matt]

You ever heard that?

[Myron]

I could put you in a mansion somewhere in Wisconsin. You ever seen heard that?

[Matt]

He Rob's Mansion in Wisconsin.

[Myron]

He says I could put you in a mansion somewhere in Wisconsin. Rappers get to do that though. Rappers are allowed to do that, you.

[Matt]

Know, I didn't know that. I didn't know that they were able to do that. Well, that's. Well, I'm very excited. My first time going. I feel like the matchup is kind of a let down. Seahawks, Patriots. I can't get excited about it. I feel, you know, I hate the Patriots so much. And I want them to lose, and I want their fans to be sad. I'd actually like for some of them to shed tears. So it's hard for me to really get into the game. What I just don't like.

[Myron]

I mean, you could have stopped it. You don't like them. Now you're like, I want them to have nightmares about the horrific.

[Matt]

Well, no, I don't. I don't. I mean, I just want them to shed tears about the game because I'm not a Patriots fan, but I also can't get into the Seahawks. I mean, the Sam Darnold thing is. I mean, it's an interesting story, but I don't. I just don't feel this is a very compelling matchup. Maybe it's because you've had all these years with Mahomes and. And, you know, and Burrow and all these, but I just. I can't get into this matchup. I need someone to sell it to me. Myron.

[Myron]

Sam Donald might be the greatest story in the NFL over the last decade. I mean, left for dead by the vikings after winning 14 games. Didn't want to pay him, didn't believe in him. Seahawks said, okay, come with us, and he leads his team to the Super Bowl. I mean, that's literally what sports is all about. I mean, I don't know how you can celebrate. He's the Fernando Mendoza of the NFL. I don't know anyone can not celebrate Sam Donald.

[Matt]

You think he's like. He's like Fernando Mendoza. He's like a cyborg.

[Myron]

No, I mean, he's. He's the underdog that everybody can celebrate. Considering what he's done to his. I don't know that we've ever seen a quarterback legitimately at this stage of their career completely turn things around the way that he has.

[Matt]

I don't think there has been one that's done it. I guess that's good. It's just. I'm sure I will get into it once I'm out in the scene, but right now, it's hard for me to get in the matchup except hoping that the Patriots lose. One person writes Matt, the Shaq concert. EDM festivals are not your scene. Lots of partying, lots of drugs, and a lot of smelly people dancing. Oh, I don't know about smelly people.

[Myron]

I do not question always people. When people say smelly people, how close are you getting the people to smell them? Is my question. Number two. I didn't experience any of, like, the chaos and the stereotypical stuff I just like when I went to a show, it was like people having fun dancing. DJ was cool, music was loud, so I didn't get that vibe at all.

[Matt]

Did you dance?

[Myron]

Oh, yeah, I was in there dancing. Yeah, I was in there dancing.

[Matt]

I can't see you dancing, but you probably can't see me dancing.

[Myron]

So we come out the womb dancing.

[Matt]

You have to.

[Myron]

You gotta at least attempt it. But I mean, EDM dancing, I didn't do. I did older man. I wasn't doing like, you know, all.

[Matt]

The stuff you did old man dancing. Yeah, yeah.

[Myron]

Like lean side to side, you know.

[Fran]

Did that old two stuff.

[Myron]

I'm big on shoulder. I'm big on shoulder movement where it looks like I'm moving, but I'm really not. So it's a lot of shoulders.

[Matt]

Yeah.

[Myron]

But you can convince people that you're dancing and you're really not.

[Matt]

Now I'm. If I'm gonna dance, the legs are moving. I'm doing the Deion Sanders celebration touchdown dance. That's the one that's coming.

[Myron]

Well, I'm glad you said that because you shouldn't do that at this event. I urge you not to do any.

[Matt]

Of that doing it. That's a Super bowl event. The Vikings fired their GM this week. Is it because they were embarrassed at Myron's favorite story? Sam Darnold's success? That's next.

[Myron]

Here.

[Matt]

I'm Matt Myron on espn.

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[Matt]

Matt and Myron the Podcast so this is t Pain. Now I want you to watch, think about in your mind. This is going on and I'm out there and I'm doing the Deion Sanders celebration touchdown dance.

[Myron]

They're gonna call security. They're gonna get you. They're gonna get you out of there.

[Matt]

Now this is gonna be. I got a new outfit. You're gonna be. You're gonna be impressed. This is Matt Myron on ESPN Radio. The Vikings fired their gm Quicy Adolfo Mensa. Shocking turn of events just a few weeks after their season ends it the owners. How do I say his name? Ziggy and Mark Wilfrid. They tapped Rob Brzezinski, the longtime executive to lead the front office through the draft. Now Darnold, of course played for Minnesota last year. They let him go to go with JJ McCarthy and you know, that hasn't worked out. And Darnold ends up in the Super Bowl. Let me ask you a question. Do you think, Myron, they fire their GM if Seattle doesn't make the Super Bowl? Let's say Seattle loses in the NFC Championship game. Does he keep his job?

[Myron]

Well, everything I'd heard from people I know kind of on the scene, the idea was that he was going to make it through the draft. Quasi doe fo mensah. And you know, I do think the super bowl run changed a lot because my theory, and I always say it, I think CEOs and executives and team owners and athletic directors can all handle losing. They don't do well with embarrassment. And for you to go let a guy go who took his team to the Super Bowl. And the Seahawks were in a similar spot, right? They had good defense, some question marks on offense, and they're in the super bowl. And the Minnesota Vikings don't even know if they have a quarterback, I just think a guy who has missed on so many draft picks, you had to move on from him.

[Matt]

But why wouldn't you move on three or four weeks ago? I mean, to me, waiting till now suggests that you're letting other factors besides his, you know, ability or not affected. Like, if he's not your guy, and I'm not going to sit here and say he is or is, and I haven't broken down his. His transactions, but if he's not your guy, why don't you let him go at the end of the year? If you're waiting until after this championship game, you're basically saying factors that have nothing to do with his control. He has no control over whether Seattle beats, you know, the Rams to go to the Super Bowl. Why should that be how they end up making their decision?

[Myron]

Because I think optics matter, you know, I think the optics change when Sam Donald. It's not just that Sam Donald led his team to the Super Bowl. Sam Donald probably played the game of his life against the Rams. So, I mean, you know, owners are people, too, and everyone's kind of looking at you and being like, wait, you let this dude go. So I do think that embarrassment is a thing. Listen, you can turn to JJ McCarthy if you don't think Sam Darnold's got to win in 14 games. If you don't try to hold on to Daniel Jones, who looked like he was on his way to the playoffs with Indianapolis before he got hurt. You can do that. But you better be right about J.J. mcCarthy. Like, you better know something that we don't know. But what if he makes him look.

[Matt]

Like, what if he is right? Like, what if next year he plays well and then they fired him? That's. It feels a little. It feels unfair to me. Not because I'm.

[Myron]

I'm.

[Matt]

I'm justifying or not justifying the decision, but the timing suggests somebody. If I were a Vikings fan, I would be worried in the sense that my ownership does not make decisions based on necessarily the success or failure of the team. They're worried about the optics of looking stupid. And when you get into that regard, you're asking yourself to make bad decisions down the road.

[Myron]

I think if there was, like, a pattern of it, the Wolf family actually doesn't make a lot of quick moves. Like that actually isn't their history something that a lot of people who feel like, okay, they must have felt pretty strongly about this. Listen, Sam Darnold was a guy that Quasi decided wasn't the right Guy to lead them to the Super Bowl, 14 games. Did well, didn't do well.

[Matt]

Do we know why he did that? Was that just because of those two games at the end of the year where he played poorly?

[Myron]

I think it was a. Remember, like, Sam Donald didn't just play poorly. Sam Donald was historically bad in those games. Right. So I think that was a part of it. I also think a part of it, Matt, is guys like Kwesi, guys in those GM roles, they want to be able to prove to you that they know more than everybody else. Fine. Sam Darnold comes in, has a great season, but I got a guy behind him who's going to be better than him. And you can do that, you can make that gamble, but you can't be wrong. And Sam Donald, I mean, J.J. mcCarthy never looked like he was a guarantee at any point this season when we saw him. Meanwhile, Sam Darnold is playing at an all pro level. That can't happen if you want to keep your job.

[Matt]

So the owner's name. I'm just. I didn't know his name. His name is Ziggy. Like. Like the cartoon Ziggy?

[Myron]

Yeah. I don't know a cartoon named Ziggy, but, yeah, Ziggy Wolf is his name.

[Matt]

I mean, you don't know the cartoon named Ziggy. Did you not read the funny papers when you were a kid?

[Myron]

I read Curtis. Did you read Curtis? Okay, then.

[Matt]

Wait a minute. Who's Curtis Is.

[Myron]

Curtis was in the funny pages. Curtis was in the funny. That's the one I read.

[Matt]

Which newspaper?

[Myron]

Every mainstream Milwaukee Journal said no.

[Matt]

Curtis.

[Myron]

Curtis was in the funny page.

[Matt]

I know. Family Circus. I know Ziggy. I know. Hagar the Horrible. Right. I know. What was the one that. The guy. He was a soldier, but he was like, kind of a dope. What was his name?

[Myron]

I don't know, but I read Curtis.

[Matt]

Not Gomer, pal. But it's something like that. It was. Come on. Well, there was another. No, it's. Is Curtis. Is that like. Is that like a cartoon that.

[Myron]

I don't know. Yeah, you. They didn't. They didn't. They didn't bring it up to the mountains. I don't think. I don't think they.

[Matt]

I will tell you.

[Sponsor Voice 2]

I don't.

[Matt]

In Middlesboro, I don't think we had any. Any black cartoons.

[Myron]

We had Curtis. No, Curtis was. He's out there hanging out, you know.

[Matt]

Was he getting into mischief?

[Myron]

Oh, a little bit here and there, but good guy overall. Good guy overall. Beetle Bailey.

[Matt]

Beetle Bailey, yes. How did you not know Beetle Bailey? Myron, did you say Beetle Bailey? No, I just couldn't think of it. Beetle Bailey. Our boss just texted me Beetle Bailey.

[Myron]

I know Beetle Bailey. But you didn't say the name.

[Matt]

But I can't.

[Myron]

You got to go read Curtis.

[Matt]

I didn't know Curtis.

[Sponsor Voice 2]

Well.

[Matt]

I like Ziggy and good luck to Ziggy and in there finding a new gm. We're going to talk a little college basketball next with Matt and Curtis on Matt and my.

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[Myron]

Matt and Myron the podcast.

[Matt]

Some more T Pain to get you ready with Matt Myron on ESPN Radio. We spent the whole break just mentioning old newspaper cartoons. Was very exciting. That's how you know, by the way, that you've aged a little bit when you're like, do you remember Kathy and Nancy? Yeah. Far side. Yeah. Those are back in the day, yesterday. So yesterday is the day for a lot of people that college basketball kind of begins because the NFL is not taking over the weekend. A lot of games around the country. May we start with my Kentucky Wildcats who went down and beat John Calipari in Arkansas. That was a big win for me. You know, Kentucky last year, Cal and the first win back, first game back, one in rup. And then Kentucky goes and wins in Arkansas and makes Cal in his red jacket take the L. It's a huge win.

[Myron]

I mean, I tell you what, I don't want anyone to ask me, like to project Kentucky in the tournament because I don't feel like there's any way to do that. I don't know which team's going to show up, you know, like that.

[Matt]

And then they have terrible losses.

[Myron]

Yeah. So I don't know. I don't really understand them.

[Matt]

Do you? Did you see there was a moment in the game where Kentucky was given three technicals in 38 seconds? Three different. But like at three different moments, it wasn't about the same play. The Doug Shells, the referee just started hiking his pants up and calling technicals. He did three and 38 seconds. Do you think that's a little excessive?

[Myron]

It is, it is. But I think, you know, once you get into February, you start seeing things because, you know, remember, I don't know if people realize this, man. The referees are auditioning too. Like they take the best referees into the tournament and then from there how you perform determines how far you go in the tournament. So they're also trying to.

[Matt]

But do you think put on a show, but be recognized in 38 seconds means you're performing well? Do you think that raises their standard?

[Myron]

You know, we all sometimes people over perform, you know, and I think maybe that probably you get caught, you get, you get caught up in that a little bit.

[Matt]

Of all the sports, do you think the sport where the referees try to be part of the action the most is college Basketball. Because, I mean, I feel like people know referees names in college basketball significantly more. You got the guy who runs with his knees up in the air. You know what I'm talking over the years. I mean, my grandfather used to curse John Clockerty's name every single week. I don't know any college football referee referees names, but I know like 10 college basketball.

[Myron]

I mean, there's no. No one close to college basketball referees.

[Matt]

You know, Teddy Valentine.

[Myron]

I mean, that's what I'm saying. There's a dude named TV Teddy who I had breakfast with one time, and he. And he was in TV Teddy mode. Like, by the way, it was like everything you see on the court, like, he was that. So I think they almost lived the character a little bit.

[Matt]

And they don't do it because they don't. They've changed the rules. But it used to be referees when they wanted to call a charge, they all had their whole dance. And there were pelvic thrusts and there were like DX chops. Like when they did a charge, they made it a whole ensemble.

[Myron]

Yeah, I mean, it was theatrical. You can't do that in the NBA. I mean, people laugh at you. College. I mean, college and NFL football. Like, unless you're the dude with the muscles. Ed Hockley, right? Is that the dude? And now. And now his son is a ref, too. So, like, those are the only two, like, NFL refs that people know because of the.

[Matt]

Let's quickly go. Give me the most famous ref in each sport. NBA it is. What's the old guy that used to race? Charles Barkley. What was his name?

[Myron]

I don't know.

[Matt]

Come on. There's the NBA ref, the famous one. He would. He was old and he was bald and, like, real thin, and he. And he would race.

[Myron]

Yes, yes, I know.

[Matt]

You talking about the All Star Game. What was his name?

[Myron]

Yeah, I was gonna. I was gonna say the most notorious is Donahue, but that's for.

[Matt]

Well, but that's. That's for gambling on. I think that one's Pat or whatever. Ed.

[Myron]

Yeah.

[Matt]

Football is Ed Hockley. Right. Because he's so muscle bound. Is there any college football one? I don't feel like there's any that have any prominence in college football, do you?

[Myron]

Not that I know of.

[Matt]

Baseball is the one that always messes everything up. Angel Hernandez, the one that.

[Myron]

They would go at him all the time. Yeah, they blame anything. They would blame stuff on Angel Hernandez. Even if he wasn't in that game, like, we would just assume he was.

[Matt]

Attached to that Game anything bad happens. Angel Hernandez. Well, college basketball's got about 10 of them. They also have an amazing freshman class. I mean, I think pretty much everyone will say this is as good, if not the best freshman class in 25 years. The top five or six picks in the draft are going to be superstars. You go to Cameron Boozer, Duke. Darren Peterson at Kansas, AJ DeBonsa at BYU, Kingston Flemings, Houston, Caleb Wilson at North Carolina. It's a great class and it led. Jamal Mashburn, former Kentucky player and Dallas Maverick and now a TNT analyst, he had this to say about this year's class.

[Jamal Mashburn]

I look at last year's number one overall pick in Cooper Flag. If I was to put him on that list, he would be sixth.

[Matt]

You will put Cooper Flag behind all five of us?

[Jamal Mashburn]

Behind all five of them.

[Matt]

Co op Peterson, Caleb Wilson, everybody.

[Jamal Mashburn]

Just from a skill set and also elevation level of where they can get to. I personally think Caleb Wilson, he's going to take a humongous jump at the pro level.

[Matt]

I think he's going to be such a good start.

[Myron]

Pro game.

[Jamal Mashburn]

Yeah, such a good pro game. But I just think that this freshman class and you contribute everybody from last year, the those guys will still be at the top of the list. I thought Cooper Flag has some holes in this game.

[Matt]

Yeah, that's on TNT. This is the same week Cooper Flag goes for 49. Con Caniple goes for 34. VJ Edgekin goes for 31. He says there are five guys in this class better than all of them. Do you agree with Mash?

[Myron]

Any GM who would say what Mashburn just said would get fired, right? Let me tell you something about Jamal Mashburg. Incredible player, great NBA career, extremely rich after basketball, right? Matt? Like what, what are the wealthiest guys?

[Matt]

The example of guy who used basketball to get rich.

[Myron]

Yeah. One of the wealthier guys post basketball out there, right? I don't know that he's watching a bunch of games. Let me just be honest. Like he probably shows up.

[Matt]

You're saying he doesn't watch the games?

[Myron]

I'm saying I don't think you're watching enough games if you're going to make a statement like that. Cooper flag just had 49 points by the way. And this class is really, really good. But there's not one player that you would put over Cooper Flag. Also Cooper Flag who's supposed to be in his class, remember he's younger and he's supposed to be a freshman right now, reclassified and was still the best even though he's playing against older guys. I went to top 100 camp in Virginia when Cooper Flag was playing against everybody who's going to be a top 10 pick, and he was by far the best player. So I don't really know how that even helps anybody because if you're these players, Matt, you don't want to be compared to Cooper Flag. That dude could be a future hall of Famer. This class is great. There isn't a Cooper Flag.

[Matt]

I, I, there's certainly not five of them. Like, if you said to me, is it possible that AJ debonza or Darren Peterson could in the end be better than Cooper Flag? I would say it's possible. I don't think it's likely, but it's possible. But I don't think like.

[Myron]

But you wouldn't draft him over them though, would you?

[Matt]

If you were to put a draft. I think Cooper Flag would go first. I do think you could make an argument that these five guys would go second through sixth. Right. Who was the second pick last year after Cooper Flag? Was it, was it Harper? Was it Dylan Harper? Harper, yeah. So I think you could say that these five guys would go next, but I think it's, that's kind of ridiculous. Now, Yesterday, the top two picks, Peterson and DeBons a played against each other at Kansas. Peterson kind of got the best of them, won the game, had 18 points in 20 minutes, but did get hurt, but is still playing limited minutes, kind of re tweaked his injury. What would you do between these guys? Right now, DebonSA is leading the country in 23.6 points a game. Peterson wins the game yesterday. If you had the first pick right now, would you take debons or would you take Peterson?

[Myron]

Until yesterday, it was debonso for me. Six foot nine, high ceiling. I think his ceiling is higher, you know, and I've seen, I got a chance to go out to BYU a couple times. See debons, he's special, and I think you saw some of that. But I think DP is a pro right now. Now, I don't know what you do.

[Matt]

With the injuries with Aaron Peterson. Like you said, that was like you're his friend. That's what DP said.

[Myron]

Listen, he's.

[Matt]

I don't play like that.

[Myron]

When you play like that, he's DP.

[Matt]

James calling DP like you should do. You call him DP because he called him DP like they knew each other.

[Myron]

I probably wouldn't call him D.P.

[Matt]

Yeah, I mean, it sounds like you and he are Buddies deep.

[Myron]

You and DP. You scored 20 points in 18 minutes. You're DP. I think you could put Darren Peterson in the game tonight in the NBA and start him and he'd come away with 13, 14 points, five rebounds, two assists.

[Matt]

Come away with 49.

[Myron]

Well, no, I'm not putting him over Cooper flag, but I think he's the number one pick in this class. I just don't know, Matt, what you do about the injuries, like, would you stay away from a dude who hasn't really been able to complete. Complete a game?

[Matt]

I would take Devonts. I think DeBonts is the best. I think he, he can score in so many different ways. Fans, a lot of people listening to this have never seen DeBonts a play because, like, why do you watch BYU? They play in the middle of the night. You know, most people haven't watched the BYU game since Jimmer was there. But I'm telling you, he can do it. He can do it all. He can. Yeah, he. Well, but people don't watch him. I mean, nobody's staying up to watch byu, Utah. But yesterday he had a, you know.

[Myron]

On our network, he didn't even play.

[Matt]

Well and he had 17 points, right? He didn't even play particularly well. He can score from the inside outside. He's very athletic. Now, Darren Peterson did have a dunk yesterday. That's one of the best dunks I've seen in college basketball. He dunked on two people's faces. That was. Is that the dunk of the year, you think?

[Myron]

Oh, by far it like, here's to me what separated Darren Peterson and this was a bad decision. I think AJ the monster clearly wanted to prove a point. He guarded Darren Peterson in the first half, right? He wanted to prove like, hey, get me on this guy. I'm going to show him the number one pick. And Darren Peterson destroyed him. I think, I think the higher ceiling is AJ DeBonsa. I think the better player right now is Darren Peterson.

[Matt]

Well, you, a lot of you will be picking up college basketball now. You're going to see elite freshmen on Kansas, byu, Duke, North Carolina, Houston, Illinois and Tennessee and Louisville. There's like eight teams that have freshmen that are out of this world. And then you add in there's a lot of older guys on some of these teams that play well, too. This is going to be an exciting tournament. This is one of the most open NCAA tournament seasons. And I haven't even mentioned Arizona, who's undefeated. And what about Miami of Ohio is undefeated? Myron, I. My the red Hawks are 23 and.

[Myron]

Oh yeah, I'm talking to Wally Zerbiak tomorrow about for a story I'm working on about them. And they're special.

[Matt]

Yeah, they are undefeated. They have a very good chance of finishing the regular season undefeated and they win all these games at the end. It's a crazy story. Shout out to where is Miami? It's not. What's the town Miami of Ohio, is it? Does anybody know? What's the name of it?

[Myron]

I don't. I don't know exactly. The town.

[Matt]

They have a big party every year. It's like they have a party where everybody goes.

[Myron]

They set a record yesterday for most.

[Matt]

It's in Oxford, Ohio. Oxford, Ohio. Shout out to the Redhawks. We're going to talk a little bit more, including the NBA. Paul George gets suspended for 25 games. What does that mean? That's next year. I'm Matt Myron on ESPN Radio.

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[Myron]

Matt and Myron the podcast.

[Matt]

It is Matt Myron on ESPN Radio this I'm excited to see Luda. He's my buddy. I think we would be friends. 859-280-2287. You know what's coming up this week, Myron? One of the bigger sporting events people don't talk about that is the Westminster Dog Show. Catherine o' Hara passed away this week from Best Show. What? First of all, she's in. She was great in so many things. Best in show for me. Top five comedy of all time. Have you seen Best in Show?

[Myron]

I have. It's hilarious.

[Matt]

It's great. And then obviously she was in Home Alone. She was in other of those movies, like the Mighty Wind and other of that kind of group of movies. Sad to see her pass away, but it, you know, the timing. It's the Westminster Dog Show. Are you into the dog show?

[Myron]

Yeah, I enjoy it. Yeah. I mean, I don't understand, like, what separates the dogs, but. But. But I enjoy kind of watching that level of dog, you know?

[Matt]

What do you mean, that level of dog?

[Myron]

Well, that's just a different dog level. Like, that's a different. No, those dogs are different. Like, that pedigree.

[Matt]

What do they do? Right here's what I so. And maybe 888, say ESPN. Maybe there's somebody who can answer this question for me, because I've always wondered what makes these dogs so great? Like, what. What is it that they do that's so impressive?

[Myron]

Like, why are they.

[Matt]

Why are they there instead of your dog, Myron?

[Myron]

Well, the thing is.

[Matt]

But they don't balance.

[Myron]

Yeah, but what is a groove?

[Matt]

That's what I'm saying.

[Myron]

Is it just a.

[Matt]

Is it just a beauty pageant?

[Myron]

I think in some ways. But, you know, I've watched it before where they even pay attention to the way the dog walks, the way they turn, you know, and, like, just. Is the dog. Does the dog feel like a star? Like, does the dog know it's a star? I think that's an important part. Like, you can see the dogs who get on that stage, and they just know who they are.

[Matt]

But you're saying, what are they supposed to be doing? Are they supposed to be walking like a person? Like, what is it? What is the trait they're being judged on? Because they. They'll, like, cup them and touch them and, like, pet them and they'll throw, like, rub them or throw them around. And I don't understand what it is they're doing.

[Myron]

Well, listen, does the dog own the stage or not? Is your dog ready for the moment or not? And I.

[Matt]

You're saying it's dog personality.

[Myron]

I think it's. It's personality. I think it's confidence. I think it's the look. Um, I think it's all those things, you know, again, the wall.

[Matt]

When you see at the end of the thing, when they're. When they're saying who the best in show is, I just look at it and I'M like, that looks like every dog I've ever seen. Like, why. Why is that dog so much better than any other dog?

[Myron]

I'm not an expert, but for me, I usually know the winner. Like, I can just kind of look like when I turn on the show, I can kind of. I kind of. Yes. I can kind of see the dog that just has it. And I don't know how to explain the it to you. It's kind of just one of those things. You just know. But I can look at the dogs and know which one has it and knows it's a winner. And then the ones that don't.

[Matt]

When I was a kid, I hated the Westminster Dog show because once a year it would interrupt Monday Night Raw. So, like, Monday Night Raw would be preemptive stupid to watch those stupid dogs walk around, and it would make me genuinely mad. So I've always been kind of predisposed to not like the Westminster Dog Show. But somebody out there knows. James, open up the phone line. Somebody out there knows that how it works. 888, say, ESPN. How do they decide who wins? This dog stuff.

[Myron]

Yeah. And stupid dogs is not something we feel now. Right? Like, that's not a sentiment because all dogs are great.

[Matt]

But these are we talking about. There's some dogs that are stupid.

[Myron]

Well, I'm not there.

[Matt]

There are people that are. There are people that are stupid. So certainly there are dogs that are stupid. You don't think they're stupid dogs yet every dog is not smart.

[Myron]

Listen, I think dogs are one of stupid. Is a strong. Is a strong.

[Matt]

You know, you don't think there's any stupid dogs.

[Myron]

I think. I think that's probably not a great way to describe them, even if that's what they are. That's how I will say this. I will say this. What you know about the Westminster Dog show is all of them live in mansions. Like, it feels like you got to be pretty rich. Like, there's. There's no dog. There's no dog from, like, the middle of the city that. That just gets a chance. Like, there's no. There's no. Like, come. Like, you know, they're saying there's no Cinderella.

[Matt]

There's no Cinderella.

[Myron]

There's no Cinderella story.

[Matt]

Francisco Mendoza of dogs like Curtis's pit.

[Myron]

Bull ain't getting in the Westminster dog. You know what I mean? Like, that's not happening.

[Matt]

Y' all not. We have somebody on here. This person's name is. Is it Fran? I feel like Fran is the kind of name of someone who Would know. Fran in Massapequa, New York. Tell me what I need to know about the dog show.

[Fran]

I'm with you guys. I'm not. My name's a little feminine. I hate that, but I'm not. Yeah, I'm not one of them. But anyway, you're so right about the dogs. They're no different than ours. He's right. They live in mansions. They get their butts wiped. They never touch the ground. They never roll around on the dirt. They live on pillows. This show is the greatest. Why, it's one of the most realist movies about something you'll ever see in your life. And those people are just like that. It's unbelievable. They eat. They eat, you know, thousand dollar foods. These dogs, they're not. Actually, I shouldn't even call them dogs because a real dog was out in the backyard, takes a dump, rolls in the mud, eats the food from the table. His fans will never know that and that there is no difference. There's spoiled.

[Matt]

Thank you, Fran. I appreciate the call, Fran. Fran is sounding like me. We are for dogs of the people. We're not for these elitist dogs at the Westminster Dog Show. They're not even real dogs. They sleep on pillows. Bob in North Carolina. Go, Bog.

[Myron]

Oh, man.

[Fran]

Hey. They breed these dogs to look like one thing. And some of these kennel clubs kind of ruin dogs because they make them all look like one thing. And once that dog wins and his eyes are more forward or his butts a little different shape or the right shape, then every damn breeder tries to get their dog to look like that. And it's really kind of a crying shame, actually.

[Matt]

It is. Like they take away the. You would think Myron would be for the diversity of dogs, but it sounds like he's not.

[Myron]

I don't think you all understand the power of the dog community because they're. They're the swifties of the animal world. They will pound.

[Matt]

So far, two people are on my side. Two people are on my side that the dog show is promoting bad dog habits. And you're right, Curtis from the Bronx is not going to get picked, even though he's just as important a dog as Foo Foo from, you know, the Upper east side.

[Myron]

Listen, man, I agree. I agree with that.

[Matt]

888 say ESPN phone lines are lighting up. People in the dog world is toupee. That's next here on Matt Myron.

[Myron]

Thanks for listening to Matt and Myron the podcast. You can listen to the show live every Sunday morning at 10am Eastern on ESPN Radio, the ESPN app and on.

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[Myron]

Matt and Myron the podcast.