Detailed Summary of "Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron" – Hour 2: Selection Show

Release Date: March 16, 2025

Introduction

In the second hour of "Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron" on ESPN Radio, hosts Matt Jones and Myron Metcalf delved deep into the NCAA Men's Basketball Selection Show. The episode focused on team seedings, potential matchups, controversial selections, and predictions for the upcoming tournament. Skipping over advertisements and non-essential segments, the conversation provided listeners with a comprehensive breakdown of the tournament landscape.

South Region: Auburn Tops the Charts

The episode began with a discussion on the South region, where Auburn was announced as the number one overall seed.

• Auburn's Dominance: Myron expressed confidence in Auburn's performance, stating, “Yeah, I don’t think there was any debate. I mean, what they’ve done over the course of the year, they deserved it” (00:52).

• First Round Matchup: Auburn is set to play in Lexington, Kentucky against a 16 seed champion from Alabama State and St. Francis. This proximity was highlighted as a strategic advantage for Auburn.

• Controversial Seeding: The conversation shifted to the five seed, Michigan, and their matchup against the 12 seed, UC San Diego. Myron remarked, “This UC San Diego team, Byron, is really good now” (02:03), emphasizing the potential challenge Michigan may face.

East Region: Duke as Second Overall Seed

Transitioning to the East region, Duke was identified as the second overall seed.

• Duke’s Prospects: Myron noted Duke’s position, highlighting their athletic prowess and potential hurdles, “They will make a run” (13:18).

• Key Matchups: The eight seed Mississippi State will face Baylor, creating an exciting “athletic battle” (11:04). Both teams are expected to bring high energy to the court.

Midwest Region: Houston Leads

Houston secured the number one seed in the Midwest region.

• Houston’s Strength: Matt praised Houston's campaign, “I have to believe they’re good” (17:58), acknowledging their dominant performance in the Big 12.

• Potential Showdowns: The Midwest is set to feature a thrilling Gonzaga vs. Georgia matchup, combining Gonzaga’s offensive firepower with Houston’s defensive rigor.

West Region: Florida at the Top

In the West region, Florida was announced as the number one seed.

• Florida’s Path: Myron pointed out Florida's strategic advantage, especially with Todd Golden’s connections to San Francisco, “They will play Norfolk State in the first round” (24:06).

• Upset Potential: The discussion covered the 12 seed Colorado State versus 5 seed Memphis, with Myron predicting a possible upset, “That should be a heck of a game” (24:47).

Controversial Selections and Seedings

A significant portion of the conversation revolved around controversial selections, notably North Carolina’s inclusion despite questions about their resume.

• North Carolina’s Inclusion: Matt voiced skepticism, “I cannot believe Louisville and Creighton. And they will” (02:03), questioning the committee’s decision to include North Carolina.

• Committee’s Credibility: The hosts debated potential biases, noting, “The perception is a really bad look that the chair of the committee is from North Carolina” (29:55).

Potential Upsets and Key Matchups

Matt and Myron highlighted several 5 vs. 12 and 4 vs. 13 matchups ripe for upsets.

• Arizona vs. Akron: Matt predicted, “I think Akron’s going to give them problems” (15:15), foreseeing a tough challenge for Arizona.

• Yale vs. Texas A&M: Myron supported the potential upset, noting Yale’s previous victory over Auburn and their recent performance.

Guest Interview: Jama Mashak from Tennessee

The hosts interviewed Tennessee senior guard Jama Mashak, who shared insights on the team's readiness for the tournament.

• Tennessee’s Preparation: Mashak expressed enthusiasm, “Absolutely. Absolutely, man. You know, super excited to... go out and play hard” (32:10).

• Facing Kentucky in Lexington: The conversation touched on the upcoming game against Kentucky, with Mashak confident in their performance regardless of the location.

Final Predictions and Analysis

As the discussion drew to a close, Matt and Myron shared their predictions for the Final Four and overall tournament outcomes.

• Final Four Contenders: Both hosts identified Auburn, Duke, Houston, and Florida as strong candidates, with Myron adding, “These one seeds have a tough path” (39:42).

• Balanced Bracket: Despite controversies, the bracket was deemed balanced, with competitive teams across all regions ensuring an exciting tournament.

Notable Quotes

• Auburn’s Merit: “What they’ve done over the course of the year, they deserved it” – Myron Metcalf (00:52)

• Contesting North Carolina’s Selection: “I cannot believe Louisville and Creighton. And they will” – Matt Jones (02:03)

• Potential of Auburn’s Matchups: “If you have to play Louisville in Lexington, that’s amazing, isn’t it?” – Myron Metcalf (07:58)

• Upset Predictions: “I think Akron’s going to give them problems” – Matt Jones (15:15)

• Final Four Balance: “These one seeds have a tough path” – Myron Metcalf (39:42)

Conclusion

The episode of "Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron" provided an insightful analysis of the NCAA Men's Basketball Selection Show. From discussing top seeds and potential upsets to addressing controversial selections, the hosts offered listeners a thorough understanding of the tournament's dynamics. With balanced perspectives and expert commentary, Matt and Myron set the stage for an exhilarating March Madness.

Note: This summary excludes advertisements, promotional segments, and non-content discussions to focus solely on the substantive analysis and conversations related to the NCAA tournament.