Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron: Episode Summary – Hour 1: Jay Williams

Podcast Information:

• Title: Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron
• Hosts: Myron Medcalf, Matt Jones
• Publisher: ESPN Radio
• Description: Matt Jones and Myron Medcalf break down everything in and around the sports world every Sunday morning.
• Episode: Hour 1: Jay Williams
• Release Date: March 16, 2025

1. Bracketology and NCAA Tournament Predictions

Auburn as the Number One Overall Seed

• Mark Zinno discusses Joe Linardi's assertion that Auburn secures the number one overall seed despite recent losses.
  • "When you have three months of your only losses to Duke, who might be the other best team in the country, and Florida, who might be the other best team in the country... they're probably the most complete team in the country." ([03:35])

Florida Gators' Strong Performance

• Jonathan Zaslow highlights Florida's impressive performance, predicting them as the fourth number one seed.
  • "Florida looks amazing." ([03:25])

St. John’s University’s Rise

• Mark Zinno praises St. John’s for their defensive prowess and recent offensive improvements, making them a formidable contender.
  • "They have four losses. Not a single one of them was by more than three points... if they are making threes, this team might be nearly unbeatable towards the Final Four." ([05:35])
• Jonathan Zaslow underscores St. John’s dominance in the Big East Tournament.
  • "St. John's defeated Creighton 82-66 in the title game." ([06:13])

Duke and Michigan’s Tournament Prospects

• Mark Zinno and Jonathan Zaslow analyze Duke’s ACC Tournament Championship and Michigan’s advancement in the Big Ten Tournament, discussing their potential seeds and impact on the bracket.
  • "Duke 73, Louisville 62. The Duke Blue Devils are champions of the ACC tournament." ([08:39])
  • "Michigan, with their last second win yesterday, they have moved up to the last number four seed." ([07:50])

2. NBA Season Insights

Golden State Warriors’ Performance with Jimmy Butler

• Mark Zinno and Jonathan Zaslow discuss the Warriors' recent success after acquiring Jimmy Butler, highlighting a seven-game win streak and improved point differential.
  • "They are outscored opponents by 13.6 points per game in those 15 games with Jimmy Butler in the lineup where they are 14-1." ([15:10])
• Jonathan Zaslow emphasizes Butler’s playoff experience and impact on close games.
  • "Jimmy plays that playoff style of basketball that wins you games." ([17:31])

New York Knicks’ Struggles

• Mark Zinno and Jonathan Zaslow critique the Knicks’ performance, noting significant injuries and defensive weaknesses.
  • "Jalen Brunson now out for another one to two weeks... What’s the reason to try to get him back for the playoffs?" ([20:03])
  • "The Knicks are terrible at defending the three and the pick and roll." ([22:26])

Cleveland Cavaliers’ Dominant Win Streak

• Mark Zinno and Jonathan Zaslow analyze the Cavaliers' impressive 16-game win streak, discussing their playoff potential and upcoming challenges.
  • "I think Cavs are for real. They have playoff experience and a lot of playoff series wins." ([28:56])
  • "If you get to the fourth quarter, if it's a tight game, you got Jimmy and you got Curry… these two guys know how to play in fourth quarter close playoff games." ([17:31])

Boston Celtics’ Secure Position

• Mark Zinno and Jonathan Zaslow affirm the Celtics’ strong standing as the number two overall seed in the Eastern Conference, despite facing tough matchups.
  • "Boston pretty much locked into that two spot." ([26:04])
  • "They have a point forward who's seven feet that can dribble and shoot and pass… a matchup nightmare." ([44:01])

3. SEC Championship and National Championship Preview

Florida vs. Tennessee SEC Championship Game

• Jay Williams, ESPN College Basketball Analyst, joins the discussion to predict Tennessee’s potential to secure a number one seed if they win against Florida.
  • "I think Tennessee, with 11 quad one wins… they have a legitimate case to be a number one seed." ([35:13])
• Mark Zinno and Jay Williams debate the strength of the SEC, with Williams advocating for Florida as the best team.
  • "The best team in the country right now is Florida. Nobody's going to say that." ([36:41])

Impact of Duke’s Cooper Flag Injury

• Jay Williams speculates on Duke’s strategy regarding Cooper Flag’s availability for the NCAA Tournament.
  • "I think he’s okay. I think he's going to play in the first round of the NCAA tournament on limited minutes." ([41:29])

Michigan’s Prospects in Big Ten Tournament

• Jay Williams discusses Michigan’s style of play and their potential run in the tournament, emphasizing their matchup advantages.
  • "Michigan with their twin towers of basketball and in their style of play… a matchup nightmare." ([44:01])

4. Final Thoughts and Upcoming Segments

Tournament Madness and Predictions

• Mark Zinno and Jonathan Zaslow reflect on the ongoing tournament excitement, preparing listeners for the upcoming Men's Bracketology Selection Show at 5:00 PM Eastern.
  • "The madness is coming. They ready?" ([13:01])

Guest Insights with Jay Williams

• Jay Williams provides in-depth analysis on multiple teams, emphasizing Florida’s dominance and the potential for St. John’s and Michigan to make significant impacts in the tournament.
  • "This year is an anomaly as opposed to just it being the standard of what it's always been." ([39:23])

Closing Remarks

• The hosts conclude by teasing the next week's coverage, including the women's bracket and further NCAA discussions, ensuring listeners stay tuned for comprehensive sports analysis.

Notable Quotes:

• Mark Zinno ([03:35]):

  "When you have three months of your only losses to Duke, who might be the other best team in the country, and Florida, who might be the other best team in the country... they're probably the most complete team in the country."

• Jonathan Zaslow ([17:31]):

  "Jimmy plays that playoff style of basketball that wins you games."

• Jay Williams ([35:13]):

  "I think Tennessee, with 11 quad one wins… they have a legitimate case to be a number one seed."

• Mark Zinno ([05:35]):

  "They have four losses. Not a single one of them was by more than three points... if they are making threes, this team might be nearly unbeatable towards the Final Four."

Conclusion

In this episode of "Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron," the hosts delve deep into the intricacies of NCAA tournament bracketology, analyzing top teams like Auburn, Florida, St. John’s, Duke, and Michigan. They transition seamlessly into NBA discussions, examining the Golden State Warriors' resurgence with Jimmy Butler, the Cleveland Cavaliers' impressive win streak, and the New York Knicks' challenges. The inclusion of guest analyst Jay Williams enriches the conversation, offering expert insights into the SEC Championship and predicating national championship prospects. The episode is a comprehensive guide for sports enthusiasts gearing up for the tournament madness, blending statistical analysis with passionate debate.