Podcast Summary: Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron

Episode: Hour 1: The King of Rhode Island
Date: April 5, 2026
Hosts: Matt Jones, Myron Medcalf (out), Guest Host: Tim Welsh

Episode Overview

This episode, with guest host Tim Welsh filling in for Myron Medcalf, weaves Rhode Island culture and trivia into a comprehensive breakdown of college basketball’s Final Four weekend. The hosts (primarily Matt Jones and Tim Welsh) examine UConn’s historic dominance, Michigan’s surprising win over Arizona, and the evolving dynamics of college hoops—especially the resurgence of big men. The episode spotlights notable figures from Rhode Island, discusses movie references, and dives into the Geno Auriemma–Dawn Staley coaching controversy from the women’s Final Four, offering expert insight, lively banter, and a few memorable debates along the way.

Rhode Island: Culture, Notables & Humor (00:16–05:00, 12:33–14:10)

• Opening Banter: Matt discovers guest host Tim Welsh is from Rhode Island, joking, “I wasn’t certain it was an actual state.” (00:39, Matt)
• Famous Rhode Islanders:
  • Tim’s List: Farrelly brothers, Joe Hassett, Ernie D. Gregorio, Marvin Barnes, Dave Gavett, Joe Mazzulla (“Johnston Joe”), Seth MacFarlane, Charlie Day, Pauly D., Michael King, H.P. Lovecraft, Buddy Cianci ("Prince of Providence").
  • Matt, skeptical but intrigued, riffing: “Those are words. I'm not sure what they mean.” (03:20, Matt)
• Local Culture:
  • Welsh highlights Rhode Island’s “seafood, Italian food, beaches... what else do you want? Snow?” (12:57, Tim)
  • Movie mentions: "Me, Myself & Irene," "Something About Mary," and "American Hustle" as films with a Rhode Island connection.

Final Four Analysis: UConn’s Dominance (05:00–11:16, 28:20–31:01)

• Game Recap: UConn’s commanding win over Illinois, leading nearly the entire game, setting up their third national title appearance in four years.
• UConn's Historic Run:
  • “They are now in their third title game in four years... playing for their seventh national championship in 27 years.” (04:24, Matt)
  • “If it wins tomorrow... will have won seven of the eight Final Fours they’ve been to. A crazy, crazy record.” (04:35, Matt)
• Toughness & Defense:
  • Tim Welsh emphasizes: “Toughness wins in these games if you combine it with good skill and teamwork... UConn made Illinois a one-on-one team. That’s not how they’re built.” (05:02, 06:24, Tim)
  • Illinois, top-rated offensively, held to just 3 assists: “They had three assists last night.” (06:04, Tim)
• Bench Play and Confidence:
  • “Ross and Stewart come in off the bench and they make three threes... Mullins really paved the way for them to be here.” (07:31, Tim)
  • Mullins’ poise lauded: “Every story... was ‘Braylon Mullins coming home’... and he delivered again.” (07:58, Tim)
• UConn’s Tournament Unpredictability:
  • “Since 1998, give me five teams and one will win the tournament... except twice when UConn’s won it.” (09:51, Matt)
  • “They really are remarkable.” (10:36, Matt)

Michigan’s Blowout of Arizona & the Big Man Resurgence (14:10–19:35, 23:59–26:39)

• Michigan Surprises Arizona:
  • “Michigan just absolutely blew Arizona off the court... Never close.” (04:59, Matt)
  • Tim Welsh’s take: “It was experience again... Arizona just couldn’t get good looks... Michigan imposed their will defensively... Michigan had 22 assists.” (14:31, Tim)
• Adjustability & Guard Play:
  • Matt: “Their success has been with their size... they have success going... with their guards dominating.” (15:31, Matt)
  • Welsh: “That’s what’s amazing... with Lindenberg only playing 14 minutes...” (17:20, Tim)
• 7'3" Spanish Center Mara:
  • “It helps to have a 7'3" Spanish center up there catching the lobs. Mara...” (17:20, Matt)
  • “Sometimes a guy just needs different scenery, different coach... and he hits his mark.” (17:31, Matt)
• Are Big Men Back?:
  • Matt posits: “Year of the reassertion of the bigs in the sport... this is a reassertion of the big man in college basketball.” (19:08, Matt)
  • Tim: “Bigs have a life still in the NBA... This is about balance on offense, isolating down low with spread shooters.” (19:35, Tim)
  • Nate Oats intends to recruit more size: “Nate Oats this week said he’s going to have to change his recruiting philosophy... ‘I gotta go get some bigs.’” (19:49, Matt)

Guest Segment: Tom Crean Weighs in on Final Four (23:59–34:55)

Michigan vs. Arizona Recap (23:59–26:39)

• Surprise victory:

  • “Michigan, Arizona? Arizona was never really in it... Arizona didn’t have bigs that could shoot the ball...” (23:59, Tom Crean)

• Small Ball Strategy & UConn Preview:

  • Michigan’s versatility: “They've done some [small ball]... they've got such versatility with the bigs... and backcourt. Trey McKinney has just been fantastic... I still think Michigan’s got a lot of answers in this game with the small ball, with the zone.” (25:07, Tom Crean)
  • UConn’s perimeter shooting: “They're really, really good in the corners... that’s where Michigan is really, really vulnerable.” (25:07, Tom Crean)

On Coaching, Dusty May’s Rise, & UConn-Illinois Gameplan (26:39–31:01)

• Dusty May’s Stock:
  • “He gets the game at a high level... gets guys who mesh, builds a team... He could be a really good coach in the NBA.” (27:18, Tom Crean)
• UConn's Defensive Physicality:
  • “The cumulative effect of a physical game like that... UConn’s offense, if you don’t have an incredible conditioning level, you just get worn down.” (28:48, Tom Crean)
  • “Keaton Wagner hadn't seen much like that.” (28:48, Tom Crean)

Historic NCAA Tourney Shots: Mullins’ Place in History (32:51–34:55)

• Ranking Mullins’ Shot:
  • Tim: “It’s in the top five, I would say. If they win tomorrow night, I would move it up... we forget about good old NC State way back when. Lorenzo Charles, I’ll have to put him up there, too...” (33:25, Tim)
  • Tom: “In this current realm, I’m going with number two behind Chris Jenkins. Mount Rushmore is Jenkins, Laettner, NC State, Mullins.” (34:04, Tom)
  • Matt: "That's a good four right there... the Mount Rushmore of the TV era." (34:38, Matt)

Women’s Final Four Controversy: Geno Auriemma vs. Dawn Staley (37:11–44:57)

• The Incident: Geno’s heated third quarter interview and postgame outburst at South Carolina coach Dawn Staley, later followed by an apology (without naming Staley directly).
• Was Geno Out of Line?
  • Matt: “When you say he deserves a benefit of doubt, though, I feel like Geno has always been a sore loser... Isn't your character on display when you lose?” (38:47, Matt)
  • Tim: “Hey, it happens forever in sports and it will continue... if anyone deserves benefit of the doubt after all these years, I think it’s Geno.” (38:14, Tim)
• Direct Quote—Geno's Interview (41:30):
  • Geno: “There were six fouls called that quarter, all of them against us. And they've been beating the out of our guys down there the entire game… Their coach rants and raves on the sideline and calls the referee some names you don't want to hear... this is ridiculous.”
• On Geno's Apology:
  • Matt: “I do find it interesting that in the apology he doesn’t mention Dawn Staley’s name. He says the staff. Probably, you know, I might have put her name in if I was him.” (38:03, Matt)
  • Tim: “She is South Carolina. I would say that obviously includes her.” (40:43, Tim)
• Matt and Tim’s Debate:
  • Matt: “He's whining about no excuses and making excuses. I'd like to see what he would do if his players did the same thing.” (42:34, Matt)
  • Tim: “If he wants to. He's earned that right over the years.” (42:53, Tim)
  • Matt: “Geno's a jerk. He's a very successful jerk, but he's a jerk.” (43:06, Matt)
  • Tim: “He's not a jerk. He's a good guy. He's a great coach... He had a moment.” (43:19–44:03, Tim)

Memorable Quotes & Exchanges

• “I wasn’t certain Rhode Island was an actual state.” (00:39, Matt Jones)
• “Seafood, Italian food, beaches... what else do you want? Snow?” (12:57, Tim Welsh)
• “They are now in their third title game in four years... If it wins tomorrow night, will have won seven of the eight Final Fours they've been to. A crazy, crazy record.” (04:24-04:35, Matt Jones)
• “Toughness wins in these games if you combine it with good skill and teamwork...” (05:02, Tim Welsh)
• “Illinois is the number one offensive team in the country... and they had three assists last night.” (06:04, Tim Welsh)
• “Sometimes a guy just needs different scenery, different coach... and he hits his mark.” (17:31, Matt Jones)
• On Geno: “I'm not making excuses... and then he makes excuses.” (41:53, Matt Jones)
• “Geno’s a jerk. He’s a very successful jerk, but he’s a jerk.” (43:06, Matt Jones)

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:16–05:00 — Rhode Island trivia and opening banter
• 05:00–11:16 — UConn-Illinois Final Four breakdown
• 14:10–19:35 — Michigan’s win, big man resurgence in college basketball
• 23:59–34:55 — Tom Crean joins to analyze semifinal, coaching trends, and NCAA buzzer-beater history
• 37:11–44:57 — Women's Final Four controversy: Geno Auriemma vs. Dawn Staley, with full debate and Geno’s on-air quote

Listener Q&A & Local Recommendations

• Best Restaurant in Providence? (21:01) — Tim Welsh jokes that he has a ‘fee’ for the answer and returns to movie references (“Dumb and Dumber” shoutout).
• Text Topic: Listeners write about Rhode Island memories, advocating for its seafood and mentioning Newport’s attractions.

Tone and Style

• Lighthearted & Bantering: Matt’s self-deprecation, Tim’s Rhode Island pride, and the duo’s willingness to rib each other creates a fun, conversational feel.
• Detailed Analysis: Game breakdowns are technical, full of coaching terminology and statistics, with both Welsh and Tom Crean providing coach-level insight.
• Candid Debates: The episode’s best moments come from spirited arguments—especially about Geno Auriemma’s sportsmanship—delivered with real personality and occasional bluntness.

Conclusion

“Hour 1: The King of Rhode Island” balances sports culture and Final Four breakdowns with local color and lively, sometimes cheeky, debate. Rhode Island gets its moment in the sun, while listeners get high-level basketball insights and memorable radio sparring, especially around the episode’s coverage of UConn’s rise and women’s hoops drama.