Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron
Episode: Hour 1: Florida & Houston Advance to Championship Game
Release Date: April 6, 2025
Hosts: Andy Grash and Coach Tim Welsh
Special Guest: Greg Peterson (VSiN)
Location: ESPN Radio

Overview

In this episode of "Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron," hosts Andy Grash and Coach Tim Welsh provide an in-depth analysis of the NCAA tournament's national semifinals. The focus is on Florida and Houston's thrilling advancements to the championship game, dissecting key moments, player performances, coaching strategies, and the implications for the coaches involved. Additionally, Greg Peterson from VSiN joins to offer expert betting insights for the upcoming final showdown.

1. Houston vs. Duke: A Historic Upset

The episode kicks off with a detailed breakdown of Houston's stunning comeback against Duke, a game that left many fans on the edge of their seats.

• Houston's Tenacity:
  Coach Tim Welsh commends Houston's unwavering belief and execution:

  "They believe it and they know how to do it." ([01:22])

• Duke's Critical Errors:
  The hosts highlight Duke's downfall in the final minutes, emphasizing turnovers and missed opportunities:

  "They turned the ball over against the press, they missed the free throws..." ([03:19])

• Coaching under Pressure:
  Tim Welsh praises Kelvin Sampson's ability to instill a refusal to quit within his team:

  "Quitting is not an option. That's Kelvin Sampson in his program in a nutshell." ([03:19])

• Key Moments:
  The conversation delves into specific instances, such as a questionable foul call involving Cooper Flagg, and how Houston capitalized on these moments to secure a 70-67 victory:

  "Houston made the plays. They've done this all season long." ([03:19])

2. Florida vs. Auburn: Dominance and Strategy

Shifting focus to Florida's matchup against Auburn, the discussion centers on Florida's strategic adjustments and standout performances.

• Second-Half Strategy:
  Tim Welsh analyzes Florida's shift in defense and offense during the second half:

  "Florida came out of the gates after the half and just said, okay, now we're going to guard you now." ([14:11])

• Walter Clayton Jr.'s Performance:
  The podcast spotlights Walter Clayton Jr., whose exceptional 34-point game was pivotal for Florida:

  "Walter Clayton Jr. dropped 34 points in 35 minutes." ([15:07])

• Auburn's Challenges:
  Discussion on Auburn's reduced effectiveness, particularly highlighting Janai Broom's struggles due to injuries:

  "He only had seven rebounds last night. I don't think he was right." ([20:09])

3. Betting Insights with Greg Peterson

Greg Peterson from VSiN joins Andy and Tim to provide expert analysis on betting strategies for the upcoming national championship game between Florida and Houston.

• Line Movement Analysis:
  Greg explains the slight shift making Florida a one-point favorite post-Houston's upset:

  "Right now Florida is a one point favorite at most books." ([24:04])

• Betting Strategies:
  He advocates for considering the "over" on total points, citing both teams' defensive strengths and history of comebacks:

  "If I had to play right now, I would be taking a look at the over." ([25:38])

• Halves Market Consideration:
  Greg suggests focusing more on in-game bets rather than split halves to maximize betting value:

  "I'd be looking a little bit more in game to be able to maximize that value." ([27:48])

4. Champion Coaches: Kelvin Sampson vs. Todd Golden

The conversation delves into the personal and professional implications of the championship for the two head coaches, Kelvin Sampson of Houston and Todd Golden of Florida.

• Kelvin Sampson's Legacy:
  Tim Welsh highlights Sampson's remarkable journey and his impact on the Houston program:

  "He built it from the bottom up with his coaching, his culture." ([37:37])

• Todd Golden's Rise:
  The hosts discuss Golden's rapid success with Florida, comparing his coaching demeanor to legends like Billy Donovan and Brad Stevens:

  "He has that great demeanor... He holds his own from tap to buzzer." ([43:23])

• Future Prospects:
  Coach Welsh envisions a bright future for both coaches, with Golden potentially moving to the NBA and Sampson possibly being inducted into the Hall of Fame:

  "He's that type of coach and I think he has that type of mind that he could make the next jump if he wants to." ([42:37])

5. Final Championship Implications

As the episode nears its end, the hosts reflect on what a championship would mean for both Houston and Florida, emphasizing personal achievements for the coaches and the culmination of their respective programs' efforts.

• Culmination of Efforts:
  Tim Welsh underscores how both teams have built their programs meticulously to reach this stage:

  "These guys are just trying to win a championship, and I'm proud of that." ([42:37])

• Cultural Impact:
  The importance of team culture and preparation is reiterated, highlighting how Houston and Florida's teams embody resilience and strategic excellence:

  "It's all about him. Guys don't go into the portal when they play for him. They want to play for him." ([37:37])

Notable Quotes

• Tim Welsh on Houston's Belief:

  "They believe it and they know how to do it." ([01:22])

• Tim Welsh on Duke's Mistakes:

  "They turned the ball over against the press, they missed the free throws..." ([03:19])

• Tim Welsh on Florida's Strategy:

  "Florida came out of the gates after the half and just said, okay, now we're going to guard you now." ([14:11])

• Greg Peterson on Betting the Over:

  "If I had to play right now, I would be taking a look at the over." ([25:38])

• Tim Welsh on Kelvin Sampson:

  "He built it from the bottom up with his coaching, his culture." ([37:37])

Conclusion

The episode concludes with anticipation for the national championship game, highlighting the culmination of strategic brilliance, player excellence, and coaching prowess. Hosts Andy Grash and Coach Tim Welsh, along with Greg Peterson's betting insights, set the stage for what promises to be an electrifying final showdown between Florida and Houston.

Stay tuned for more expert analyses and insights on "Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron" as the championship game approaches.