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- [00:00]
Matt Jones
I was never really a runner.
- [00:02]
Myron Metcalf
The way I see running is a.
- [00:04]
Matt Jones
Gift, especially when you have stage four cancer. I'm Ann. I'm running the Boston Marathon presented by bank of America. I run for Dana Farber Cancer Institute to give people like me a chance to thrive in life even with cancer.
- [00:19]
Myron Metcalf
Join bank of America in helping Anne's cause.
- [00:21]
Matt Jones
Give if you can@b of a.comSupportAnn what would you like the power to do?
- [00:26]
Myron Metcalf
References to charitable organizations is not endorsement by bank of America Corporation.
- [00:29]
Matt Jones
Copyright 2025 this is Matt and Myron the podcast. It is Sunday morning here on ESPN Radio, the ESPN app SiriusXM Channel 80 presented by Progressive Insurance with Matt Myron. A little inside info this the name of this show might be changing in the next couple months so I don't have as much to say. But it'll still be Matt Jones and Myron Metcalf. I am in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, best known as the hometown of Myron Metcalf. He however is not here. He is in Minneapolis. But I am on your streets right now for the NCAA tournament sitting here on Maryland Avenue. I hope you know where that is and ready to rock after a big time weekend of NCAA tournament action. What I think are the best four days in sports. We are three of the four days into.
- [01:23]
Myron Metcalf
Well I hope my city has treated you very well. I've heard a lot of good things. A lot of people reached out and said that they going to cops which I recommended.
- [01:33]
Matt Jones
I've not been yet. That's where you said is the greatest people in the world. I've not been there yet but a lot of people have and say you're right.
- [01:41]
Myron Metcalf
People are sending me photos of their burgers and fries. So it's always good that I can have that impact on people. It's such a warm city, right? Like, like it's just.
- [01:51]
Matt Jones
No, it's actually very cold. It's very cold. It's right there. The wind comes off the lake. It's not warm at all.
- [01:59]
Myron Metcalf
Listen, get a coat. But in terms of the people man, the people and they love basketball. Like I'm seeing a lot of people who went to these games who have no dog in the fight. They just want to be a part.
- [02:10]
Matt Jones
Can I just. James with his. There's a lot of people that love basketball. This is a true story. After the Kentucky game Friday night, I went out on the streets to try to find a a bar to kind of sit and celebrate after the after night was over and I went into a place Myron called who's On Third. That was the name of it. It was do you know who's on Third? It was called who's on Third? It was on apparently Third street, although I looked at both cross sections and neither of them were 3rd Street. But nevertheless, we do our best. I guess at one point, maybe it was on 3rd Street. And I will tell you, when I went in the restroom, there was a man just using the restroom, looking at me in the center of the room. He was just staring directly into my eyes, using the restroom on the floor. And I thought, well, Milwaukee, I guess, does have warm people. They will share everything with you, even in the middle of the restroom. So I don't know if it's exactly what I would say is where I would want to be every day of my life. But that's one way, I guess, of welcoming people.
- [03:16]
Myron Metcalf
Well, listen, it's a good place. He didn't hurt you, you know, he didn't do anything. He just was curious.
- [03:21]
Matt Jones
He scarred me emotionally a little.
- [03:23]
Myron Metcalf
He probably saw that you went outsider. So, you know, people try to figure out what you're about. Now, I will say that spot, I believe, is on MLK Jr Drive.
- [03:32]
Matt Jones
Yes.
- [03:32]
Myron Metcalf
Stay on that side of MLK Jr Drive. Okay. Decide to stay on. You don't want to go on every side of MLK Jr. Drive. Milwaukee. So you were in a good spot. I hope you got some good food. People are fun. Hopefully get some more good games today.
- [03:47]
Matt Jones
Well, okay, so we have. I think this is the best few days of sports. It has not been the most exciting in history of the NCAA Tournament. Not a ton of buzzer beaters, not a ton of close games, only a couple of big upsets, I guess, you know, McNeese winning against Clemson, although some people predicted that maybe Drake over Missouri, but nothing huge. But I will say this. I think it has captivated people. The ratings have been good. And after three days, the biggest storyline probably occurred yesterday where Calipari and Arkansas beat St. John's and Rick Pitino. Caliperi has now won nine of the last 11 games against Rick Pitino. I thought there was a great story, Myron, where Matt Norlander of CBS Sports, he interviewed the Caliperi family, specifically Cal's wife and daughter. And they were, I think, honest in a way that Cal wouldn't be about the game. Sort of noted that Calen Rig don't really get along. Noted all the criticism Cal has taken from many people, including myself and you, I think, at various points. And the redemption factor that Caliperi felt after the beating two of the greatest coaches of all time, Bill Self and Rick Patino, to get to the sweet 16. Yeah.
- [05:09]
Myron Metcalf
I mean, you. You knew this meant a lot. It's always funny, like, Rick Matino was asked a lot about their relationship, and he's always like, well, we're not the best of friends. Like, I mean, just say you all are really close.
- [05:18]
Matt Jones
You know, he went further. He said, I don't know him very well. Like, come on now, Rick. You've been around him for 35 years. He's like, you know, I just don't know him very well. Stop it, Rick. Come on.
- [05:29]
Myron Metcalf
Well, I think. And I think it was all intensified when Rick Patino was essentially welcomed back into the Kentucky family, when Mark Pope got the job. And, you know, that whole big blue madness thing where he's wearing a Kentucky sweater, all that stuff. Like, I think that intensified this moment probably for Cal, who was doubted. And I understand the doubt too, though, Matt. He had everything you would want. The biggest, I think, nil budget in the country, all these top players, and then they just couldn't get it going. So he certainly. It felt like that post game speech from Cal. That's something that I think he wrote the moment he left Kentucky. Right. For. For the opportunity he ever made it to the sweet 16.
- [06:08]
Matt Jones
Yeah. So, I mean, the relationship between Pitino and Caliperi is a fascinating one because their rivalry has spanned across generations. Right. I mean, you go back to Providence and UMass, UMass and Kentucky when Patino went to Kentucky, the Nets and the Celtics, Memphis and Louisville, Louisville and Kentucky. And now they play at Arkansas and St. John's they've played each other in all of these different forms. And the only thing that has connected them is an Italian contempt with each other. I mean, they genuinely. I don't care what either one of them have said. I've been around both of them for 25 years. They, at various points, they can't stand each other. And what's interesting is I think the general thought out in the college basketball world is that Rick Pitino is the great coach and John Calipari is the great recruiter, and Rick Pitino has had less talent at most of those places, except maybe when he was in Kentucky in 1996. And yet Calipari has been better when they're head to head. Pat40 wrote last night that he thinks Cal is in Rick's head, that Rick has this amazing ability to coach, but when it comes to California, it freaks him out. And his teams play tight and they make mistakes. And Yesterday his team shot 9% from three. They were. They were just a disaster trying to score. And he benched his best player for the last six minutes of the game. Do you agree that kind of cow lives in Pitino's head?
- [07:52]
Myron Metcalf
I mean, I think that's a factor. I think if you're Pitino, based on what he was saying before the game, it was like, okay, I might lose, but I can't lose to that dude. Right? And I think Cal probably felt the same way. Right. I think you might lose this game, but you.
- [08:05]
Matt Jones
I can't lose to that dude. I mean, that dude over there. Come on, now.
- [08:09]
Myron Metcalf
And Cal, I mean, his demeanor after the game was sort of like, all right, he's already won. Like, who cares what happens to Arkansas in the Sweet 16? You beat Pitino to get there, and you'll always have that over him. Another thing you'll have over him, Whereas Pitino, I don't know the last time I've seen him that mad, I'll tell you, the last time I saw Patino that furious, it was when he was leaving Rupp arena, when he had come back, flipped off the crowd and said.
- [08:34]
Matt Jones
He didn't do that.
- [08:35]
Myron Metcalf
That's the last time I saw Patino that furious in a game.
- [08:40]
Matt Jones
Well, a couple of things start with the Patino side. He was clearly as upset as he's been. I mean, you could tell. At the end, reporters were understandably asking him, why did you bench your best player in the last five minutes? And he was like, I'm not going to let you throw my best player under the bus. It's like, dude, you threw your best player.
- [08:58]
Myron Metcalf
You put him on the bench.
- [08:59]
Matt Jones
And as Pat40 pointed, he's done that out before. He's done that in big tournament games. You look at his big losses. In 2009 at Louisville, he benched Terrence Williams, his best player. In 1995 at Kentucky, he benched Roderick Rhodes, his best player. That's kind of been his move. Sometimes in games that are slipping away, he benches his best player. It's an odd thing for a great coach to do.
- [09:23]
Myron Metcalf
You.
- [09:23]
Matt Jones
You go to the other side with Caliperi. You want to know what he thinks. There are certain media members, Seth Greenberg, who will say exactly what he thinks on the air. And Seth was on an interview on the show right before here, and he kind of was gloating, saying, to be honest, he mentioned me, if we're being quite frank, said, yeah, oh, yeah, the guy from ksr, blah, blah, blah, Kentucky fans, blah, blah, blah, Cal Is that his best? I've been around him my entire professional life. He's been at his best when he has an enemy to point to and say, I'm gonna beat you. And he has put in his mind that that enemy, for now, are Kentucky fans and Kentucky media. And so they have kind of driven a lot of his passion. And you saw it come out. All you got to do is look at what Seth Greenberg says, look at his comments about, he had a great cow line. They put the coffin on me, but they forgot to pound the nails. Right. Like, that's a great Caliperi line. And it's interesting how he loves to play the victim, and he has used that victimhood to drive him, and now he's taking that drive to the sweet 16.
- [10:36]
Myron Metcalf
He is. Well. And I think here's the other thing that Cal knows and college basketball fans know. You can erase everything bad that happened during the season by the time you're exactly right. And there's no other event that allows you to do that, but the tournament does. I mean, no one cares what Arkansas did or did not do in the season. That they were a bubble team. Winning two games in the tournament. That's the ultimate redemption. So Cal, I think, knows better than most that's cost him in the last couple of years.
- [11:04]
Matt Jones
It can flip it to. You can have. You can have the best season in the world, as Kentucky did, and lose to St. Peter's. You can have five dudes get drafted and lose to Oakland, like. Like the tournament giveth and the tournament taketh away and it giveth yesterday. If you're John Calipari, and, you know, he and I have had many disagreements over the last few years, but I know him well enough to say this. If you're John Caliperi and you look up and you go to the Sweet 16 by beating your arch nemesis Rick Patino, in a game where he had the better team than you, probably. And then you get there after a year where everyone had written you off, that had to be last night, one of the two or three most fulfilling wins of his career. I think there's no doubt about that. Would you agree, Myron?
- [11:53]
Myron Metcalf
Oh, yeah, yeah. Like I said, he's already won from here. It's all house money.
- [11:57]
Matt Jones
It is. That's exactly right. We'll do more on Caliperi and Pitino, maybe play the clip where our colleague kind of took a shot, and more on the college basketball NCAA tournament. Some big games today, and we'll see. Has it changed Myron's mind at all about who can actually win the title. That's next here on Sunday Morning with Matt and Myron.
- [12:18]
Myron Metcalf
Matt and Myron, the podcast.
- [12:26]
Matt Jones
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- [12:34]
Myron Metcalf
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- [12:36]
Matt Jones
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- [12:38]
Myron Metcalf
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- [12:42]
Matt Jones
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- [12:45]
Myron Metcalf
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- [12:47]
Matt Jones
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- [12:51]
Myron Metcalf
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- [12:52]
Matt Jones
Get started at LinkedIn.com results terms and conditions apply.
- [12:56]
Myron Metcalf
I can say to my new Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, hey, find a keto.
- [13:01]
Matt Jones
Friendly restaurant nearby and text it to Beth and Steve. And it does without me lifting a finger so I can get in more squats anywhere I can.
- [13:08]
Myron Metcalf
1, 1, 2, 3.
- [13:11]
Matt Jones
Will that be cash or credit? Credit. 4 Galaxy S25 Ultra. The AI companion that does the heavy lifting. So you can do. You get yours@samsung.com compatible with select apps. Requires Google Gemini account. Results may vary based on input. Check responses for accuracy. Inbound flame, right corner, quick three too strong. Rebound at Janelle Davis. And he puts it in. Brazil works it inside a five to shoot for Arkansas handle. Richard baseline jumper hit. Score Arkansas 68, St. John 64. The number 10 seed Arkansas moving on Calipari Despotino and Arkansas out of the Sweet 16. It can be an ugly, ugly game and I'm happy we're moving on. Meyer Metcalf over here yelling woo Pig sui as there's nothing like tournament. Don't you know what Arkansas fans do? I know.
- [14:09]
Myron Metcalf
I just don't know what it is.
- [14:10]
Matt Jones
If they're in the they say it's calling the Hogs. So let's practice at home as long as you're not driving in your car because this, that could lead to danger. I'm going to teach you to call the Hogs. All right? You put your hands up in the air. Myron, don't just do what you do what you're told here, okay? No, but you're put.
- [14:28]
Myron Metcalf
You're doing what?
- [14:30]
Matt Jones
Put your hands in the air. We're going to call the Hogs. This is what Arkansas fans do. Put your hands in the air and then you go and you take your fingers and you twinkle them like you're a cheerleader, okay? And you go, pig suey. Raise our backs. Now you've called the Hogs.
- [14:50]
Myron Metcalf
Okay, that's fun. Are you allowed to do that though?
- [14:53]
Matt Jones
With Cal, Myron's not very interactive today for some reason. Yeah, Myron, why don't you participate? I'm trying to get you.
- [14:59]
Myron Metcalf
This man told me to hold my hands in the air and wave them like a cheerleader.
- [15:04]
Matt Jones
Yeah.
- [15:05]
Myron Metcalf
Something about pig soup. I don't know what I'm talking about.
- [15:10]
Matt Jones
It's not. It's not pig soup. It's pig suey. You got to say pig suey.
- [15:16]
Myron Metcalf
What is it?
- [15:17]
Matt Jones
Razorback?
- [15:17]
Myron Metcalf
What is.
- [15:18]
Matt Jones
It's calling the hogs. So if the hogs are out and they've gotten away from your pen. Okay. You know you have a pin. If you were a hog farmer, you'd have a pig pin. It has all the slopes, right. That the hogs run around in, and it's got the feed. And sometimes the pigs will wander off, as pigs do, and go try to find places to copulate or whatever. And so you call the hogs to get them to come back to the pen. And apparently hogs will respond to, oh, pig silly. And they'll go, and they'll come running back. And that's what you're doing there.
- [15:54]
Myron Metcalf
Yeah. Are the black farmers saying that? I feel like they just said, get on back here.
- [15:58]
Matt Jones
No way.
- [15:59]
Myron Metcalf
I feel like it's a different call for the black farmers.
- [16:01]
Matt Jones
I don't know if the black farmers have a different call, but I think they do. When this call was originated, I think it was just guess was probably white farmers. It was a different time in college sports.
- [16:13]
Myron Metcalf
I don't know how many black farmers were at the meeting is all I'm saying. Nobody holding their hands in the air like a cheerleader and yelling, whoa, pig soup. Or whatever. But they black farmers are saying, get back here, pig. That's what. That's.
- [16:29]
Matt Jones
They sit there and they. And they take their fingers and they twirl them in the air. I've been there many times, and it can be haunting. Byron, if you're in an arena, if you hear all of these fans and they're all going, whoa, it starts to get a little. It can get a little creepy.
- [16:45]
Myron Metcalf
If people want to have a laugh, go. Go to YouTube and look at Dana Altman, who I believe was the Arkansas coach for a day, and he's there doing the whoa, pig suey thing. Remember?
- [16:58]
Matt Jones
Yeah.
- [16:59]
Myron Metcalf
And he just looks frightened on stage.
- [17:01]
Matt Jones
Well, it is frightening. They are frightening people. Trust me. I get their ire a lot on social media. They are a frightening lot, the Arkansas fans.
- [17:12]
Myron Metcalf
Yeah. I like them, though. I was hanging out with Nolan Richardson on his ranch some years ago. Man, and we. We were walking around, man.
- [17:19]
Matt Jones
Didn't they kill Nolan Richardson's horse? Wasn't that like a godfather?
- [17:23]
Myron Metcalf
I don't know. Whoa. I don't know. I don't know about that. I just know at the time.
- [17:27]
Matt Jones
Did that not happen? I thought it did happen.
- [17:30]
Myron Metcalf
I don't know about the horse thing, but. But I know, like, they were good people. When I was down there giving us free barbecues, it was fun.
- [17:37]
Matt Jones
Okay, well, I could be wrong about the horse thing. Maybe. Mikey, you, James, you look up, find.
- [17:42]
Myron Metcalf
Out who was at the meeting.
- [17:44]
Matt Jones
I see who was at the meeting. I think. I think that at the end of the Nolan Richardson era, something happened with horse. Look it up. Because I don't want to disparage if I'm wrong now, Calipari, last night they beat St. John's to move to the next round. They joined Purdue, Michigan, Texas Tech, Auburn, BYU, Houston and Tennessee. All advanced to Sweet 16 yesterday. Here's what Cal said after the victory over Pitino and St. John's well, congratulations. First of all, to Arkansas. They, as I said earlier, they were very athletic. They played a great game. Took away a lot of what we do. Very thankful for these two guys. They were really fun to coach. Kadari didn't play real well because he was in foul trouble. Foul trouble certainly hurt us, but they were the better team. They outplayed us and they deserve to move on and we don't. That's what March Madness is all about. Sometimes, no matter how great a regular season you have, you. You play this way and you're going to get beat. So. But I'm very thankful and that I had these two guys on my team and Arkansas moves on and we don't. Well, that was Patino, which shows how much those two guys get confused because you can play a Caliperi clip and it can end up being Patino. Let me read you what Caliperi said. They missed a lot of shots. If they had made the shots, they would have beat us, which. That's a brilliant line. They missed shots. If the shots had gone in, we.
- [19:15]
Myron Metcalf
Would love saying stuff like that.
- [19:17]
Matt Jones
They love to say things like that. You know what? If they had made some more shots, they would have won the game. But these kids, I'm so proud of them, the way they play. Fight and persevere. They threw us in the coffin. They just forgot the nails. We pushed it open and we came out. So there you go. They threw us in the coffin, Myron, but we. They forgot the nails. Cal loves to Be the victim. And he's able to do that with a victory.
- [19:40]
Myron Metcalf
Here is he the undertaker fighting Shawn Michaels? Like what. Okay, I get. I guess. Okay, if that's your line, you know.
- [19:47]
Matt Jones
Some breaking news here. Breaking news, Mikey. Breaking news. No. 1. Richardson's horse was killed in 19, looks like 99. And he said, I've been here 16 years. The first year here, I had health issues. And then somebody shot one of my horses with a high powered rifle. Richardson said, whoever did this knows who I am and where my farm is when I'm worried about things. I got my horse and clear my brain between horses and golf, that's my outlet. He offered a $10,000 reward for those. For the arrest of those responsible. Who killed his horse. I told you that happened. Don't you never believe me when I did. From history.
- [20:31]
Myron Metcalf
That's. That's so sad. I was with his horses down there. Man, he's got some beautiful horses. I didn't know that happened, man, I hope they caught him. That's really.
- [20:41]
Matt Jones
Well, I don't know. We didn't have. We don't have an update on it, but that's what you get. That's what you get. Evil.
- [20:47]
Myron Metcalf
Do you have to be to shoot.
- [20:48]
Matt Jones
A horse, like, pretty evil? I agree. It's only the Godfather in this situation. That happened now, as I told you, Seth Greenberg, who's on here on espn, good friends with Calipari, he was on ESPN radio this morning kind of crowing about the victory. And I think, Myron, this is a shot at me. You can decide. If you agree, go ahead and play it. Mark Pope is a ray of sunshine. Like, you know, like they could lose by 30 and, and he'll, you know, he'll go and sign an autograph or take a picture and, and, you know, like, what's that guy from KSR will say?
- [21:19]
Myron Metcalf
Oh, look at Mark Pope. You know, he's the great.
- [21:22]
Matt Jones
And he is. He's like the greatest guy in the world. But you know how those people are great until they're not great. There you go.
- [21:29]
Myron Metcalf
What's that guy?
- [21:30]
Matt Jones
Ksr, Seth. You know my name. You literally called me just like a week ago, you know my name. Don't get up there and say, well, that KSR guy, what's his name? Iron Metcalf? Give me a break. I mean, you know my name. It's not a hard name. Matt Jones. It's the most generic name that's ever existed on earth. You know my name. Don't act like you're that KSR guy. What's his name? Stop it.
- [21:55]
Myron Metcalf
Also, is Arkansas a charity case down. I thought they had some good players by the way.
- [22:00]
Matt Jones
And I am a ray of sunshine and so is Mark Pope. We are rays of sunshine. We'll look ahead to today's games and more news from 30 years ago at.
- [22:10]
Myron Metcalf
Sunday morning of Matt My Matt and Myon the Pod. It's time for basketball and Uber Eats is dropping deals on game day favorites.
- [22:33]
Matt Jones
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- [22:35]
Myron Metcalf
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Matt Jones
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Myron Metcalf
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Matt Jones
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- [24:33]
Myron Metcalf
Well, I mean, I think you know UConn obviously at Florida, the defending champs and everything that Florida's been able to do. You always wonder about a guy in Dan Hurley who even though they haven't been the same UConn team. You still coach with that same confidence. You know, you got a bunch of guys who won rings with that program in the past couple years. But Florida might be the best team in America. I think. Duke, Baylor, though, Jeremy Roach playing his former team. What I love about this, Matt, we always hear that the tournament selection committee always says they never consider TV ratings or storylines. Like they always say that, like we, we don't have any concern and yet we got Cal Patino in the second round. Yeah, we did all these other incredible storylines. So it's going to be fun to watch. And then, you know, Kentucky, Illinois, that's one of those games where you go, both of those teams can win. Both of those teams have had games where you're like, they can beat anybody. And they've also had moments where you're like, they could lose to anybody too.
- [25:30]
Matt Jones
Yeah, I mean, I love all three of them. I mean, if you're cbs, for people who don't know how CBS does their television schedule, you know, they would. They want three big games every day because they have three games that are kind of an exclusive window. Those, the first, second and third game yesterday they had, you know, McNeese, Purdue was probably not what they wanted, but then they got Arkansas and Kansas and really that's what they wanted. But they couldn't ask for a better slate to than today. I mean, to get UConn, Florida, then to get Duke, then to get Kentucky. That's the ratings. Like they're going to get massive ratings today. UConn Florida is the most interesting matchup because Florida, I know UConn's one back to back titles, but Florida is much better. I think Florida's got like 10 guys that can play. Florida can bombard you with offense. They've got like five guards that are extremely good. But UConn is Yukon and Danny Hurley has some of that March magic. They were the best team last year, but two years ago I don't think they were. And yet he still won the title. Does he have, I mean, they've won what, 13 straight tournament games. That's an unbelievable amount. Do you think they can find a little, you know, to make it happen and get the victory? Well, that's a scientific term, to make it happen and pull the upset today.
- [26:52]
Myron Metcalf
I've never heard you use that term.
- [26:54]
Matt Jones
Well, because it's scientific and I don't like to break out science every morning. But it's March and so it's time to get empirical.
- [27:01]
Myron Metcalf
No, I think those Edges matter. Because here's the thing that why coaching matters so much at this level. You get a short amount of time to prepare. So if you're UConn. Florida, yes. Florida has the better team. Florida's been remarkable. And you know that that's your advantage. If you're tired. Golden. You're also playing a dude who's done this before, who's won multiple championships. I think the thing that. That I don't say hurts Todd golden, but the pressure he's feeling that he's never won an NCAA tournament before this year. Before this year, you know, so. So he's coming into it this year where it's like, all right, now people are expecting you to make a Final Four run, and you've never done this before, and you're playing a guy who has. It's a lot like when those Tom is old teams that weren't necessarily great still found a way to get to Final Fours. I think Dan Hurley has some of that and could be an advantage in this game.
- [27:54]
Matt Jones
Yeah. So it has to quote me a ver. Ver in the game. And then now Duke, Baylor, the ACC has been a complete dud in the. The tournament. Complete and total dud. Do Clemson. Excuse me. Clemson loses to McNeese, and probably the biggest upset of the tournament. Louisville ends up losing by double digits in what was essentially a home game against crazy refs. And then North Carolina. Yeah, well, those refs. Come on now. They've lost by double double digits.
- [28:22]
Myron Metcalf
I love. All the fans were like, the Cardinals are like, it's the reps. I'm like, did y'all see the score?
- [28:26]
Matt Jones
Yeah, like, you guys were down 15 most of the game. And then Ole Miss. Ole miss was up 20 on North Carolina. Carolina made a run at the end, but Ole Miss basically dominated that game. So the ACC has been a dud. But you do have this Duke team that's awesome. But you got a Baylor team that's got athletes that are probably as good as the athletes Duke has seen in any game this year. Any chance Baylor gives Cooper flag and these freshmen a little bit of nerves in round two.
- [28:53]
Myron Metcalf
I mean, I think they'll always be prepared, especially with a young team. V.J. edgecombe is a lottery pick for Baylor. Robert Wright III, a freshman, has been really good. Jeremy Roach comes off the bench. He hasn't been very good, but he obviously played at Duke over these last couple years. And then, you know, Nortad Omir was a guy who played for those Miami teams. That. That Miami team that made it to The Final Four. But Duke is different, man. Like Cooper Flagg is just a different kind of dude. Number one, pick one of the best players I've ever covered at this level. Maybe the most talented player since Anthony Davis in terms of offense and defense, more than Zion.
- [29:29]
Matt Jones
And you put him ahead of Zion.
- [29:31]
Myron Metcalf
On both sides of the ball. More complete player than Zion. Yeah. Most complete player since Anthony Davis that I've covered. And then you add up Khan canippel and come on, Malawatch and all these other pieces you have. Duke is. Duke might be the best player, best team in the field right now, and they're playing like it. And I think that'll be hard for any team to overcome, especially Baylor.
- [29:51]
Matt Jones
It'll be interesting to see, though, the athletes, because Baylor's got the athletes. And you saw this with St. John's yesterday. You saw that they had not played athletes like Arkansas and they. They missed, what, 10 layups in the first half. 10 layups in the first half because they weren't used to the size at the rim. Be interesting to see what happens with Duke then. Kentucky and Illinois is the third one. I'm up here in Milwaukee. Kentucky is banged up. They've had a million injuries, but also there's going to be a unique situation. Your little town of Milwaukee here. I didn't realize it was so close to Illinois. They share a border, Myron, and that's kind of insane, but Illinois's got a ton of fans here. I've been going to Kentucky tournament games my entire life. I don't know that there's ever been a Kentucky tournament game in many, many years where the other team has had more fans than Kentucky in the building. I do think that's going to happen today. I think there will be more Illinois fans at this game than Kentucky because it's so close. And so Illinois, as you said, when they get hot, they're as good as anybody. This is the one game it's flipped back and forth from Kentucky as a 1 point favorite to Illinois. Back and forth, back and forth. This one might be the most competitive game of the entire second round.
- [31:03]
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, it's going to be fun. I think this, I mean, yeah, the Milwaukee, Chicago pipeline. For people that don't realize this, there are a ton of people who live in Illinois who cross the border every day to work in Wisconsin and vice versa. Far more people live in Wisconsin and then work in Illinois. But like growing up, you go to a Bucks, a Bucks Bulls game, and the Bucks weren't good for a lot of that. But Bulls fans would be 75% of the Bradley Center. Right. So like they were always present in Milwaukee for games like this. They will be today again. At the same time, you have experience on your side in Kentucky that Illinois doesn't have.
- [31:38]
Matt Jones
They got a lot of experience. Yeah, experience.
- [31:41]
Myron Metcalf
Jaconess, projected first round pick.
- [31:44]
Matt Jones
Talk about him for just a minute. How do I say his name? Last name Jacob Jacobis. This kid is a top 10, maybe a top five pick that I don't think America knows. That is special.
- [31:58]
Myron Metcalf
Good. You know who I give credit for, for guys like him that, that really deserve some credit for this? Oscar Shebway. Let me tell you why all of the nil stuff where they were trying to figure out how to get international players, nil stuff. Remember that was a big thing with Oscar. They have worked on that. And now guys like Aspers Jacobis who might stay in Europe in a past generation and then just enter the NBA draft, now they're playing at Illinois Jaeger Demon. There's a bunch of international guys who would have stayed in Europe had they not been able to find a way to get some nil cash. So that's why you have a guy like this 6 foot 6 NBA level guy, can play at the next level according to all the folks who've seen him. Will Avery is another guy who's a projected first round pick. So the talent is in the question for a coach in Brad Underwood who literally lost every key player he had from last year, had to rebuild from scratch. And you know this, Matt, because Cal did this so well. When you have young teams, they don't know what they don't know, they don't feel the same pressure as veteran guys. And I think that works in Illinois favor.
- [33:01]
Matt Jones
I think you talk about Will Riley, right? Will Riley.
- [33:04]
Myron Metcalf
I'm sorry I said Avery. That's a, that's a player from the 90s. Will Riley.
- [33:09]
Matt Jones
Will Riley and Jasperus. I won't say his last name because I don't know how to do it. But those two don't. Don't talk trash to me like you know how to pronounce things. Just say Louisville and then we'll just. Don't be like just because, you know Jacques, you know you can, that you can do things I can't. These two guys are both first round picks and you have a very weird situation. If you're not a huge college basketball person. You think of Kentucky as one and done and the other teams as like experience. This year it's flipped. Illinois is the one and done team They've got two first round freshmen and Kentucky's full of seniors that are like old guys that played at other schools. It's completely flipped and those two teams will hit each other today. And by the way, the Milwaukee ticket today, the get in price, myron, is like $320 because Illinois and Iowa State, who's brought a ton of fans, and Kentucky, three massive fan bases trying to get in today. Poor old miss has got like 30 people here, but everybody else. One of the hardest tickets in the NCAA tournament that I've ever seen is today in Milwaukee. Sunday Morning is presented by Progressive Insurance. At Progressive, they're making things even easier. They'll help you handle your home and car insurance together so you can save on both. Learn more@progressive.com or 1-800-Progressive. We'll look more at today's tournament games. Plus, LeBron James returned to the court for the Lakers last night. I didn't watch one second of it because college basketball was on, but yet I have a strong opinion. Well, I'm just telling you, why should I act like I watch who's watching the NBA right now? Like if you're sitting watching the NBA during the NCAA tournament, you need to find a spouse. We'll be right back. This is Sunday MORNING on ESPN Radio.
- [34:52]
Myron Metcalf
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Matt Jones
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Myron Metcalf
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Matt Jones
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- [36:28]
Myron Metcalf
Same thing.
- [36:29]
Matt Jones
They were exactly alike. Tretch and the guy from Arrested Development. They probably hung out together. There's a lot going on with the college basketball, obviously. Eight games. The women's tournament also started. We got women's tournament coverage all day. Kentucky women I know play at Kansas State at 2pm on ESPN. Yeah. George Amor. You love her, right? The Australian.
- [36:54]
Myron Metcalf
If people haven't watched her. If you want to see a show like to me you got to watch her play. She had like what, 20 points in the first.
- [37:03]
Matt Jones
James. Do you remember when you remember Jason Williams, the White Chocolate? You remember? You remember him? Yeah, I loved him. Yeah, yeah. So you remember he'd give it a little scooty scoot and then a little flip up and then a little shoot and then be all. Yeah, like he'd give him a little second.
- [37:18]
Myron Metcalf
That's what describing basketball like that. Are you a 1945 radio host?
- [37:26]
Matt Jones
I am, I am. When I watch White Chocolate, I'd be like, he give him a little scooty.
- [37:31]
Myron Metcalf
Scoot and then a flippy doo and then woohoo.
- [37:35]
Matt Jones
Adam Sandler there too. That's what he would do.
- [37:40]
Myron Metcalf
He would just.
- [37:42]
Matt Jones
And then he would World War II sports radio call.
- [37:46]
Myron Metcalf
Is that.
- [37:48]
Matt Jones
It is. Listen, when White Chocolate played, he'd give him a little scooty scoot and then a little no look, et cetera. The point is, this is the point to say is Georgia Amore the point guard for Kentucky's women. She's got White Chocolate in there. She's Australian, so it's more like I don't know what strip on the bar.
- [38:07]
Myron Metcalf
I'll leave that. Right.
- [38:08]
Matt Jones
So she would. But she will drive to the basket and go and like Chris Berman will call the play, right? And she's so much fun to watch. And she plays at 2 o'clock if you get a chance on ESPN. They play Kansas State today. Should be a great game, kind of a toss up game. But Myron, she'll be a top 10 pick in the WNBA this year. So catch her now before you're watching her this summer on the wnba.
- [38:34]
Myron Metcalf
One of the most fun players that you'll ever see, you know what I mean? Like just, just fun to watch, man. And just has moves for days. What do the kids say in your bag? Like she got a bag?
- [38:44]
Matt Jones
No, the kids say you give them a little scooty scoot. That's what, that's what the kids say.
- [38:50]
Myron Metcalf
You don't keep up with the kids. What do you. They say they know black and white TV games. Like that's who you.
- [38:56]
Matt Jones
The Lakers.
- [38:57]
Myron Metcalf
Three channels.
- [38:58]
Matt Jones
You know, by. By law we have to now talk about the Lakers. The Lakers were home, you know. Well, I just, I'm just telling you there's not a human being that I can imagine. I mean, actually open up the phone just a second. 888 say ESPN. No, I'm being serious. 888 say ESPN. Open up the phones. If you are somebody that right now I'm not talking about during the playoffs. I'm not talking about like, but like during this three week sequence would rather watch the NBA than watch the NCAA tournament. I just want to know why. 888 say ESPN. No, I do. I want to know why. Like for what reason? Let me give you an example. So LeBron James plays and Rui Hachimore return from injury and then they have sloppy ball protection and porous defense and they lose by 30 to the Chicago Bulls who stink. Who are the people out there that would rather watch LeBron lose by 30 to the Chicago Bulls than watch Georgia Amor give him the scooty scoot or watch Cooper flag today or the Kentucky. Why would you want to do that?
- [40:07]
Myron Metcalf
Well, I mean, because he's a generational superstar and people pay attention to everything that he does and it was his return from injury. So I mean there is a major storyline, but it is a major. But it's still a major storyline going into that game. I mean the Lakers have been the biggest thing in the NBA since the Luca trade. So yeah, of course you're following everything that they do. I do think the NCAA tournament though. I don't know that you can get a lot of people who are NBA fans who are like, hey, I would never watch that. But the NCAA tournament's gift is all the casual fans. I don't know if those casual fans maybe ever cared about the NBA. Some of those guys don't even watch sports. And I think that's the appeal to the NCAA tournament.
- [40:46]
Matt Jones
I just don't understand. Like here's my thing. I love the NBA playoffs. I love watching some NBA games. But the Lakers in the last weekend. Give you, give me an example of at least why I have problems with the modern day NBA regular season on Friday night. Like the Lakers play the Nuggets or Thursday night in what should be a showcase game. LeBron's out. Luke is out, Ruiz out. Austin Reaves is out. They're putting Bronnie out there against the Nuggets. There's a big. He has 17. But they lost by 30, right? Like, I mean, who cares? They lost and everybody's like, well, Bronny had 17, they lost by 30. Why is it a story that a kid comes in, somebody's got a score, right? And then you get to Saturday night, LeBron's back, they play a Bulls team, lose by 30. Again, this. I'm supposed to somehow care about these games where it's clear to me the players don't care. If you're playing guys who have no chance of being superstars in the league right now, and then you bring them back and they still lose by 30 to a stinky team.
- [41:51]
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, I don't think that's fair. Like, I don't think that's fair at all. Here's why. We have all agreed that this is the greatest generation of basketball players we've ever seen. The NBA today compared to the NBA 30 years ago, 20 years ago. There is no comparison because the talent is just better. I think sometimes those blowouts are the result of that. The fact that a Bulls team has enough talent to beat a Lakers team like that says more about how many stars, how many high level players there are in the NBA over.
- [42:19]
Matt Jones
You're telling me you would rather watch that Bulls Lakers game than that St. John's Arkansas game?
- [42:25]
Myron Metcalf
I'm not saying preference, but what you just spoke to was you said the athletes don't care. I disagree with that. I think they do care. That's. I just think there's so much talent.
- [42:34]
Matt Jones
It may not be fair to say they don't care in an individual. First of all, I do think they care. Big picture. But do I think anybody cared about that game last night?
- [42:42]
Myron Metcalf
I don't. I don't think that.
- [42:44]
Matt Jones
I mean, if the Lakers cared, they wouldn't lose by 30, Myron. They wouldn't. Not to the Bulls.
- [42:51]
Myron Metcalf
Yeah, but I don't. I don't think the NBA works like that. I don't doubt LeBron and Lucas effort or passion. I don't think that's the case. I just think the talent is so strong.
- [43:01]
Matt Jones
I would much rather watch Georgia Amore give him the scooty scoot than watch a regular season game. By, by, by 30. Randy in Arizona or see Rowdy in Arizona has a different take. Go ahead, Rowdy. Let's go, guys. Thanks for taking my call this morning. Okay.
- [43:20]
Myron Metcalf
Okay.
- [43:21]
Matt Jones
You don't sound rowdy, by the way. You sound very happy. That doesn't sound very rowdy.
- [43:25]
Myron Metcalf
But your name is Rowdy for real. That's your first name? That's your real name?
- [43:29]
Matt Jones
Yes, sir. That's my real name. Yes, sir. We'll go for it. You got a minute, Rowdy? All right, guys. Well, so you were talking about. You got to be crazy, man. If you're, if you're watching the NBA regular season over the ncaa. And so this is what I'll tell you. You just said, I'm from Arizona, so you know my team. I'm the Suns fan. And my God, I've heard, I've heard every medium person talk about the Suns this year. And it's literally been one of the worst sun seasons I've watched in my life. And now here we are on this three game thing. We've got these young bucks coming in. Cody Martin, Colin Gillespie, Oso, Ryan Dunn. All these young guns are coming in. Who are these people? Oh, so Gillespie, like, come on, man. Arizona plays Oregon tonight. The winner will go to the Sweet 16. It's a Pac 12 rematch from back in the day. How do you care about oh so Gillespie over that? It's this. I'm a Sun Devil fan. The one thing I can't do is watch any Wild Rats. Okay, all right, I appreciate that. I mean, he gave the worst example of it. He's like, we can watch. Oh, so Gillespie, that's not a person. It's Sunday morning here on ESPN Radio.
- [44:53]
Myron Metcalf
Matt and Myron, the podcast.
- [45:00]
Matt Jones
In case you didn't know, these young men are driven.
- [45:02]
Myron Metcalf
They are prodigies, the savants, the ones.
- [45:05]
Matt Jones
We'Ve been waiting for. Like Damian Lillard, for instance. He doesn't seek guidance or mentorship. He's a leader. He isn't waiting for the baton to.
- [45:11]
Myron Metcalf
Be passed to him.
- [45:12]
Matt Jones
He's taking it for himself. He's relentless in a pursuit of greatness, always pushing to one up himself. He is accomplished, but far from satisfied.
- [45:19]
Myron Metcalf
He embodies what it means to have an unstoppable drive and are shaking up.
- [45:23]
Matt Jones
The status quo in their community and beyond. And Damian Lillard drives a Toyota. A new generation of Toyota drivers are here and they want you to know one thing.
- [45:31]
Myron Metcalf
You can't stop my drive.