Summary of "Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron" – Episode "Hour 2: GOOGLE ME!"

Release Date: March 2, 2025

In the second hour of "Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron," hosts Matt Jones and Myron Medcalf delve deep into a variety of pressing sports topics. From the challenges faced by college athletes in the age of social media to controversial debates surrounding Hall of Fame inductions, the episode offers a comprehensive look into the evolving landscape of sports. The hosts also explore significant events in women's basketball, provide insightful analysis on the NFL draft, and critique current narratives within the NBA.

1. The Dark Side of Social Media for College Athletes

The episode kicks off with a poignant discussion about the recent struggles of Kansas basketball player Zeke Mayo. After Kansas suffered a 78-73 loss to Texas Tech, Mayo publicly apologized for his performance and shared screenshots of the hateful and racially charged messages he received on social media.

Matt (03:14):
"Kansas player Zeke Mayo posted the fact that he was sorry about how he had played. But then he also posted screenshots of hateful social media posts he had received... including racial slurs."

Myron expresses his concern over the increasing vulnerability of college athletes in the digital age, highlighting how the rise of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals and the pervasive gambling culture exacerbate the issue.

Myron (04:19):
"It's scary to think that a guy like Zeke Mayo... he's still a college student, but in a moment like this, he's vulnerable to these kinds of attacks."

Matt outlines four key factors contributing to this problem:

1. Gambling Culture: The rise of prop bets linked to player performance attracts negative attention from non-fans and rivals.
2. NIL Deals: Athletes now receiving compensation can provoke more intense scrutiny and criticism.
3. Coarse Modern Culture: There’s a general trend towards increased bluntness and aggression in public discourse.
4. Social Media Accessibility: Players are more accessible to fans and critics alike, making it easier for negative interactions to occur.

Matt (04:19):
"Social media has made these people accessible... these players are accessible to grown men who all of a sudden feel like they can say whatever they want."

The conversation underscores the lack of resilience and coping mechanisms among younger athletes compared to seasoned professionals who have developed strategies to handle criticism over time.

Matt (09:10):
"But these kids, the age of Zeke Mayo, there's been a phone clasped to their hands since they were five... this thing that's such a huge part of their life becomes an instrument of hate."

2. Pete Rose and the Hall of Fame Debate

The hosts transition to a heated discussion about Pete Rose's potential inclusion in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Commissioner Rob Manfred is reportedly considering allowing voters to nominate Rose, despite his lifetime ban from the sport due to gambling violations.

Matt (21:09):
"Pete Rose, Commissioner of Baseball Rob Manfred is considering... a full pardon... but I don't believe that... after 35 plus years of Pete Rose being banned, just coincidentally, two days after Trump's tweet, it comes out that they're considering."

Myron challenges the timing and sincerity of this consideration, questioning whether Rose deserves his place based solely on his on-field achievements.

Myron (20:32):
"If the hall of Fame is going to be about character in any sport, then you're going to have to go through the hall of Fame and take a whole bunch of people out of it across sports."

Matt counters by arguing the necessity of including all-time greats regardless of personal misconduct, emphasizing the integrity of statistical accomplishments.

Matt (21:19):
"You can't have all fame that doesn't have the hits leader and the home run leader."

The debate highlights the ongoing tension between honoring athletic achievements and maintaining ethical standards within sports institutions.

3. NFL Draft Insights: Top Picks and Team Strategies

Shifting focus to football, Matt and Myron analyze the current NFL draft, particularly the strategic dilemmas facing top teams like the Tennessee Titans and the Cleveland Browns. Both teams must decide whether to prioritize selecting elite talent like Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter or address their pressing need for a quarterback.

Matt (25:40):
"I don't think anybody would see me as that. But in a good draft at quarterback, that's what he would be in this draft."

Myron criticizes the tendency to oversell quarterbacks, expressing concerns about their immediate readiness and the impact of organizational support on their development.

Myron (26:40):
"He's the first person I've ever heard say that... he's not an immediate starter in the NFL..."

The hosts debate whether teams should gamble on quarterbacks given the limited standout prospects or invest in other high-impact players who can immediately influence their team's performance.

4. Rise of Stars in Women’s College Basketball

The discussion moves to women’s basketball, spotlighting the stellar performance of Juju Watkins from USC. After leading her team to a victory against UCLA with 30 points, Watkins is positioned as a future superstar in the WNBA.

Matt (37:35):
"Juju Watkins has been incredible... Juju is unlike any player I've ever seen in the women's game."

The hosts predict that Watkins, alongside other prominent players like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, will significantly elevate the profile and competitiveness of the WNBA in the coming years.

5. NBA Critique: LeBron James’ Comments on the League

Matt and Myron tackle a controversial topic regarding LeBron James’ recent comments criticizing the NBA's media coverage and the constant negative commentary from prominent voices within the league.

Myron (40:12):
"Just say it's him and then move on."

Matt reflects on LeBron’s unique position as both a league superstar and a frequent target of criticism, contrasting it with other sports where similar levels of public scrutiny aren’t as prevalent.

Matt (43:35):
"I don't see a movie unless it's 70% from critics..."

They discuss how the NBA's media environment, filled with former players like Charles Barkley and Shaq who frequently voice critiques, affects the league’s public image despite its high-performance standards.

6. Women's Basketball Highlights and Future Prospects

Returning to women’s basketball, the hosts highlight USC's recent games and the prospects heading into the WNBA draft. Juju Watkins’ exceptional skills and the potential influx of talent from players like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese promise an exciting future for the league.

Myron (37:35):
"She's Euro stepping in the lane, reverse layups. Like, juju is unlike any player I've ever seen in the women's game."

7. Pop Culture Moments and Light-Hearted Segments

Interspersed within the main discussions, Matt and Myron share light-hearted dialogues, including commentary on Oscar-nominated films and playful banter about classic songs like "Come on Eileen." These segments provide a balance to the heavier topics, showcasing the hosts' dynamic chemistry.

Matt (35:11):
"If you're like at a middle-aged bar and it's late in the night, they'll play it and white people will point at each other and sing."

Conclusion

"Hour 2: GOOGLE ME!" of "Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron" offers a multifaceted exploration of contemporary sports issues. From the vulnerabilities of college athletes in the digital age to the ethical debates surrounding Hall of Fame inductions, the hosts provide insightful and thought-provoking analysis. Their discussions on the future of women’s basketball and strategic insights into the NFL draft, coupled with critiques of the NBA's media landscape, present listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the current sports environment. The episode successfully blends serious discourse with moments of levity, making it both informative and engaging for a broad audience.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt (04:19):
  "Social media has made these people accessible... these players are accessible to grown men who all of a sudden feel like they can say whatever they want."

• Myron (07:39):
  "We're headed to a place where this is going to spill into real life... What happens when the player decides, I've had enough and guy throws a punch?"

• Matt (21:19):
  "You can't have all fame that doesn't have the hits leader and the home run leader."

• Myron (25:09):
  "It's a terrible idea... the value in the later rounds is still there at running back."

• Myron (40:12):
  "Just say it's him and then move on."

This episode encapsulates the complex and evolving nature of modern sports, providing listeners with a deep dive into the issues that matter most in the athletic world today.