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Myron Medcalf
5:00am I'm up with a crisp Celsius
Norris Cole
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Myron Medcalf
girls for a little dancing. Celsius Live Fit.
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Myron Medcalf
this is Matt and Myron, the podcast.
Matt Jones
You ended up being right, by the way, on Josh Alle took the position all year. Josh Allen won the game. What's so great about Josh Allen? We kind of both ended up being right about something.
Norris Cole
You were on Josh Allen, I was
Matt Jones
on the I don't think Drake Mays
Myron Medcalf
quite as good as Everybody.
Matt Jones
Acting like O.C. d' Bruce kind of validated both of our takes. Let's see what they Drake May. Yeah.
Myron Medcalf
I mean he's got to overcome that. Yeah.
Matt Jones
So you there's one thing he's always he's as long as I've known him, he's hated all Minnesota quarterbacks. He, he did not like Kirk Cousins. Thought he was way overpaid. I met Myron with him going $180 million for Kirk Cousins. That was his thing. Then he didn't like Sam Darnold who he said Sam Darnold's never done anything that's actually a take of Myron's that aged poorly after the Super Bowl. And then he didn't like J.J. mcCartney. So the question is, who will be the next quarterback in Minnesota that Myron will dislike? Dan Graziano has reported that the Vikings want to bring in a veteran quarterback to get to JJ McCarthy, McCarthy's attention to basically push him. They are looking at folks including Kyler Murray, maybe even back to Joe Flacco again, Aaron Rodgers and others including Anthony Richardson, basically Geno Smith, everyone that's out there, they're going to bring in one. Do any of those make sense to you or what's your thought on the Vikings bringing in someone to put pressure
Myron Medcalf
Magically being a relationship with someone's like I'm going on a few dates just to get your attention. It's not a good situation. Right. You probably would be looking for another place to live under those circumstances. I get it though. I don't, I don't want any team to be emotional in these moments. Like Jason McCarthy missed the first year young quarterback. He was hurt last year, hurt again. But we saw him make a lot of big mistakes and I think the biggest thing with him, Matt, is so many of his colleagues in that class have done pretty well for themselves. Caleb Williams what he did the resurgence in Chicago Drake May 2nd in MVP voting B Knicks takes the Denver Broncos back to the the the playoffs. Jay Daniels got hurt, but we know what he's been able to do and out in his career. And then Mike Michael Penck maybe there's some. The jury's still out on him. But JJ McCarthy is the one guy where you're like what do we have here? So I think you got to bring in somebody not to get his attention but to start over him if he's not the guy and there's no evidence
Matt Jones
that he basically Dan Graziano's report is essentially saying it'll be two tiers. Kyler Murray and Gino Smith would be like top two choice and if they didn't get that then they would go to what I think is quite a group. Flacco, Cousins and Aaron Rodgers. The only thing that would scare me about that group is the AARP potential of them. Yeah, which of what would you do if you were the gm? Would you spend some money on Geno and or, or Kyler Murray? Or would you go and just go hey, I'm going to get an old guy who can hold down the fort.
Myron Medcalf
I get two personally, I go get two.
Matt Jones
It's going to cost you money though. I mean two is going to cost you a significant amount of money.
Myron Medcalf
You know it's going to cost even more money selling the house and buying moving trucks like Kellen o' Connell will have to if he doesn't find a quarterback this year because he's going to be on the hot seat. So like at the end of the day he here's the thing. You always talk about this and Sam Donald prove your point. I'll give you that credit. You. You want a quarterback who's worth what they're giving you. The 30 million plus they gave Sam Darnold has been perfect for Seattle. They have overachieved. It worked out. At the same time, you can't be so cheap that you just settle for a young quarterback on a rookie. Deal is not going to take you anywhere. You got to find a solution. Tua has had moments when surrounded by a lot of talent and the one thing he would have in Minnesota is he would be surrounded by a lot of talent that could help him out. I just think you got to go and find a starter whether it's Tour, Kyler Murray, stay away from Geno Smith. But you can't come back and decide that JJ McCarthy is your starter after what you saw last year.
Matt Jones
So TUA is the one you believe in out of that group the most.
Myron Medcalf
I hate the money situation, but here's the advantage you have. The Dolphins are on the hook for that money. Like, you don't have to pay all that money you negotiate, but some of
Matt Jones
it goes against your cap a mount will. But you know who I would take?
Myron Medcalf
Yeah.
Matt Jones
All right. I'm going off the radar. The person I would take if I were the Vikings. I'm not saying this for every team, but if I were the Vikings and I had a possible solution in J.J. mcCarthy, I would take my man, Mr. Neck Davis Mills of Houston, and here's why. He is twice played in the last couple of years and played pretty well. And he's been good. He's been solid. He at times was better for the Texans last year than C.J. stroud was a team that was successful. I would bring Davis Mills and J.J. mcCarthy and I would have two options that collectively would cost me less than any of the people we're talking about individually. And. And I'm not convinced Davis Mills would not be as good as all these names that we are talking about.
Myron Medcalf
It's possible. The number of guys who are backups who suddenly became prominent starters like that, that's more prominent.
Matt Jones
Good enough.
Myron Medcalf
What I read. I guess what I'm saying is, would
Matt Jones
I rather spend 25, 30 million dollars on Kyler Murray or Tua or would I rather spend 4 million, 5 million, 6 million on Davis Mills?
Myron Medcalf
If you're Kevin O', Connor, you're gonna get fired if you don't like. Here's the reality. But you think.
Matt Jones
Do you think it's certain Kyler Murray would be better than Davis Mills?
Myron Medcalf
Yeah, I don't know if it's certain. I think he would be. But every solution that we're talking about, to me, the upside appears to be higher than what J.J. mcCarthy can deliver. You're gonna have to spend because you got to fight Jared Goff and. And Jordan Love and Caleb Williams just to get out of that division.
Matt Jones
But do you think any of these people were mentioning can fight those three guys? Any of them?
Sponsor/Announcer
Yeah.
Myron Medcalf
I mean, with the. With you got Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, all the skill pieces they have, I think they'll be able to put you in a good spot. JJ McCarthy didn't do anything consistently to make you feel like he's a franchise player or even a starter in this league. That is a major problem for the Vikings. You don't plan to be in this situation. You plan. You Had a good situation. You moved up to get a guy that you thought would be the dude on a rookie deal. It hasn't worked out. Now you got to pay for it. And if you don't pay for it, fine. But people are going to get fired.
Matt Jones
Like, these guys are sure things. I don't know that any of these guys are good, but a sure thing
Myron Medcalf
is that you're going to get fired if you have another bad season and you don't live up to your potential. They paid Justin Jefferson a ton of money. David Mills.
Matt Jones
Why don't you believe in Davis Mills? You could trade for him. You could give a fourth, fifth round pick and get him, and he would be, in my opinion, just as good as these other guys.
Myron Medcalf
Well, I don't even know if he's available. I mean, if you're the Texans, why would you ever try to give him up considering the season?
Matt Jones
Because you, because at some point you're going to. After this year, you'll have to pay him and.
Myron Medcalf
But you don't even know if you don't give up. C.J. i mean, C.J. stroud, you don't, you don't pay him right now. I think you got to see what comes this year. So you got to keep Davis Mills. I just think you have to upgrade and you can't bring in someone who just, you know, is supposed to get J.J. mcCarthy's attention. You got to bring up. Bring in somebody who can lead the team in a really difficult division.
Matt Jones
Why do you generally hate Minnesota quarterbacks?
Myron Medcalf
I don't genuinely hate them.
Matt Jones
I've never known you not to hate the Minnesota quarterback.
Myron Medcalf
Listen, I don't, I don't, I don't hate. I just think if you don't have the right guy at that position and many times Minnesota has not had that person. It's just hard to win big. You can get into the playoffs, you can be one of those fun Disney movie teams, but you're not going to win anything unless you have that guy. And Minnesota gave up that guy and Sam Darnold for J.J. mcCarthy. You didn't really like. You didn't really like Sam Darnold.
Matt Jones
When he was with Minnesota, he couldn't stand Sam Darnold. Like he's playing revisionist history. Like he likes Sam Darnold and he's picking this year.
Myron Medcalf
Remember I, I remember I did multiple games on the sidelines for ESPN Radio. I was around Sam Darnold.
Matt Jones
Yeah, a bunch.
Myron Medcalf
And I had no problem with Sam Darnold. I just thought the worst of Sam Darnold could doom the Vikings, and that's exactly what happened.
Matt Jones
And you were. You were wrong about that when he got to Seattle.
Myron Medcalf
But then in Seattle, it didn't haunt in the way I thought it would. I was right about it in Minnesota, though.
Matt Jones
So would you like to say, though, you were wrong?
Myron Medcalf
No, I wasn't wrong that season. I wasn't wrong about the worst of Sam Darnold being the. The demise of the Vikings.
Matt Jones
But to be fair, you kept saying that would happen in Seattle as well.
Myron Medcalf
I did think that would happen. That, that the. That the floor was really low on Sam.
Matt Jones
So, again, the words are, I was wrong about Sam.
Myron Medcalf
Darck, listen, you know, you. You say things are based on what you're feeling in the moment. I think that's the gig. Right? So I, I think what I said was valid at the time. And he outperformed what a lot of us thought, you know?
Matt Jones
Okay. I don't know.
Myron Medcalf
I don't apologize.
Matt Jones
I think. I honestly think it would help your soul to just acknowledge when you are wrong.
Myron Medcalf
It's a good.
Matt Jones
It's good. It's good. It's good for your. It's good for your. Your chi. If you were. If you. If you will just let yourself go. I was wrong about Sam Darnold.
Myron Medcalf
Misguided, erroneous, overly ambitious.
Matt Jones
All fair, but not wrong.
Myron Medcalf
Wrong's a strong word, I think, in this context.
Matt Jones
Alpha male. Myron will not admit that he is wrong. What is the best team in college basketball? Who should you be ready for in March? We will deal with that. And what about Rick Patino's white suit last night? Were you a fan? Linen white suit in the garden. Did you like it? That's next here on Matt and Myron on ESPN Radio.
Myron Medcalf
Matt and Myron, the podcast.
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Matt Jones
Matt Martin here on ESPN Radio. Duke and North Carolina women have tipped off. The Blue Devils lead 12 to nine. Both teams are ranked. It's one of four matchups today in women's basketball where two ranked teams play each other in the men's side last night. Let's let me ask my fashion friend here, Myron. You. I've always felt like you are a good I always felt like you were a good indicator of fashion. Rick Patino had a linen white suit on last night. He's brought it out for a handful of games going back to his time at Louisville. Did you see it and do you think Rick looks good in the all white?
Myron Medcalf
I saw it. I love it. It's on brand. I wouldn't recommend anyone try it. Right. It's like a Rick Patino thing. Who can pull it off? Rick Patino, Jay Wright, probably the only two coaches maybe in college basketball history.
Matt Jones
I feel like your guy with the Heat, he could do it, right?
Myron Medcalf
Oh, yeah, yeah. Pat Riley could. Pat Riley.
Matt Jones
Not Pat Riley. The, the, the. The current one. How I'm surprised. My name come on he head coach. Let's go.
Myron Medcalf
Talking about the current head coach.
Matt Jones
Yes. Of the Miami Heat.
Myron Medcalf
Spoelstra.
Matt Jones
Eric Spoelstra. Well, I can't think of y' all be like I'm making up a basketball.
Myron Medcalf
I was thinking about Pat Riley, Eric Spolzer, he could. Pat Riley could definitely pull it off though. That's what I was thinking. Like Pat Riley could have Done it. But Patino, that's just his brand. You know what I mean?
Matt Jones
Well, they won the game and one going away. It was interesting earlier in the week that, you know, UConn beat St. John's and they asked Danny early before the game, what kind of relationship do you have with Rick Patino? And he said, none.
Myron Medcalf
Yeah.
Matt Jones
Which I like. Do you like when coaches just actively dislike each other?
Myron Medcalf
Put it out there. I. I love it. You know what I mean?
Matt Jones
Say it with your chest.
Myron Medcalf
And Hurley and, you know, Todd golden we talked about earlier, they're those kinds of people. They're going to tell you who they don't like. You know, I think also, you know what they are, too, is they're the late 30s, early 40s guys who were assistants under these dudes, you know what I mean? And, like, kind of they've waited for this moment to kind of have their own thing. And I do think it's interesting how
Matt Jones
college basketball has kind of completely shifted to a new set of coaching generation, and it's kind of okay, you know what I mean? When all those people retired right when NIL started, Tony Bennett, Jay Wright, Williams coach Roy Williams, Mike Krzyzewski, all these guys retired. And there was this thing of, oh, college basketball's ruined. All these guys are getting out of it. And now this new era of Danny Hurley, Nate Oates, Todd golden, these guys have come up Dusty May, and I don't think anyone, anything has missed a beat. And I think that's interesting.
Myron Medcalf
No, and they're different. You know, I mean, a lot of these guys, they don't have sort of the old school vibes.
Matt Jones
They're.
Myron Medcalf
They're more players, coaches, if you will. And I think they've done a great job of kind of preparing the next generation of college basketball players for what's ahead. And I'm glad the guys got out who didn't want to deal with the NIL stuff. I respect that I'm with rather than get out.
Matt Jones
Like, don't be. Don't be in and complain. I'm completely with you. Now. Miami of Ohio has been a great story. We saw their coach break poor Western Michigan speaker system this week. But they are now, what, 30 and. Oh, 30 and. Oh, so they are going to finish the season. They got one more regular season game, and let's assume they win, they're at home and they finish undefeated. Then they go to the conference tournament. The question is, what if they lose in the conference turn? What if this team that's undefeated were to lose in the conference tournament. Should they go to the ncaa? Bruce Pearl, a former coach of Auburn and now current commentator on world issues was on TNT and here's what he had to say.
Myron Medcalf
Miami, Ohio, here's the deal. Are we going to select the 68
Matt Jones
most deserving teams or we're going to
Myron Medcalf
select the 68 best teams?
Matt Jones
If we're selecting the 68 best teams
Myron Medcalf
then my Mohal is going to have
Matt Jones
to win their tournament to qualify as a champion because as an at large they are not one of the best
Myron Medcalf
teams in the country.
Matt Jones
And that's going to be a difficult
Myron Medcalf
choice for the committee to make.
Matt Jones
So I think Bruce hits it. Should the NCAA tournament be the 68 best teams or the 68 most deserving? If it's best, I don't think there's an argument Miami of Ohio is one of the best if it's most deserving. Undefeated in the regular season is pretty historic. They then almost certainly are deserving. Which one should it be?
Myron Medcalf
Maybe a combination of both.
Matt Jones
That's a good answer.
Myron Medcalf
Here's the thing. I think we exaggerate in this get in this business in college basketball how bad some of the power four teams are that get in. Like we assume that because you have a brand name and you're a bubble team and you get in what makes them one of the best. UCLA just went to Minnesota and lost at Minnesota. Donovan Denton, who was an all American last year, my most player of the year matters. Shooting 16% from the three point line. He scored three points in that game.
Matt Jones
Okay, you say that, but let me give you. Let's just talk practicality. The last team in currently right now in the ESPN bracketology is Indiana. They're the last team in.
Myron Medcalf
Yeah.
Matt Jones
If Indiana plays Miami of Ohio on a neutral court, who's winning?
Myron Medcalf
Miami of Ohio. I picked him.
Matt Jones
Stop. You don't believe that.
Myron Medcalf
Do you think Isaiah Thomas is.
Matt Jones
I think Indiana played Miami of Ohio.
Myron Medcalf
You're picking the brand.
Matt Jones
I would bet you that Indiana would be 8 1/2 point favorite if they played Miami.
Myron Medcalf
Matt, this is not a college football game. But no, I'm.
Matt Jones
But look, I'm talking numbers. If Indiana played Miami of Ohio, my Indiana would be an eight point favorite. Here I'll look at the Kin palm. That's the closest thing we have to objective numbers. Indiana and the Kim palm right now is 42nd plus 17.89. Miami of Ohio right now is 87th plus. Let's see. Plus 9.48. So eight points lower which means probably an eight and a half point spread that was just in my head before anything else. Indiana over Miami of Ohio.
Myron Medcalf
Why do you all forget about the turn? I don't understand y'. All. Like, I really don't. We have a history of teams just like Miami of Ohio.
Matt Jones
They make up sets winning games against
Myron Medcalf
the teams you're describing. Matt, you didn't pick Matt, you're not.
Matt Jones
Them lose, then they win. But.
Myron Medcalf
But Matt, you're not picking Indiana in the scenario that you just described. You're picking the. No, you're picking the brand.
Matt Jones
You're picking the brand. Better team. I hate Indiana, but they're a better team.
Myron Medcalf
Based on what?
Matt Jones
If Indiana plays Miami of Ohio in a best of seven series, you're picking Miami of Ohio.
Myron Medcalf
But that's not what college basketball is.
Matt Jones
I understand in a one game scenario, Myron, I agree with you. Anything can happen. But when you're putting teams in the tournament, the goal is to put in the teams that would win more often than not. In a one game scenario they can lose. But Indiana. You will not agree with me. Indiana is better than Miami.
Myron Medcalf
No, I won't agree definitively. Here's. Here's the thing, Matt. Why do we decide that we have to defend all of these Power 4 bottom feeders who sneak in based on affiliation? Look, that's how they get in.
Matt Jones
Let me be clear. I want Miami of Ohio to be in the tournament. Even if they. I do, it's better. It's more fun. But don't try to argue with me. They're better. They're not better. Indiana and Auburn, those are the two power teams that are the last ones in. They would both pound Miami of Ohio most of the time.
Myron Medcalf
The same Auburn that needed overtime to beat Bethune Cookman in the non conference season. This is the problem with our sport. We're not telling truth. We're not telling the truth.
Matt Jones
Do you think in a best of seven Miami of Ohio beats Indian?
Myron Medcalf
But you keep bringing that up. I don't know how to do best accepting because that's not what we do in our sport. Miami has no way of proving how good it can be unless it gets into the tournament. It has the same opportunity.
Matt Jones
Put them in. But I will tell you, put them in. They'll probably be an 11 seed. I'm picking the six. I don't even sight unseen I'm picking the six.
Myron Medcalf
But Indiana is not going to be a six. I mean that's the thing is like Indiana is not that. If you're telling me it's the Indiana's the bubble teams in the world.
Matt Jones
How about this? Put them in the play in game.
Myron Medcalf
Okay.
Matt Jones
With Indiana in Dayton, I'm picking Indiana.
Myron Medcalf
I'm picking Miami every time.
Matt Jones
I hope it happens.
Myron Medcalf
Yeah.
Matt Jones
And I don't even want to be a Hoosier who's your sound like a
Myron Medcalf
stupid pants you sound like right now.
Matt Jones
And they and they haven't been Good since like 1995. Okay.
Myron Medcalf
For now. I didn't realize you were.
Matt Jones
I want Miami to win.
Myron Medcalf
Yeah.
Matt Jones
But I know that Indiana will be more likely to win. All right, that's fine. Myron is a friend of the little man. We'll talk NBA next right here. Matt Myron on espn.
Myron Medcalf
Matt and Myon the podcast.
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Myron Medcalf
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Matt Jones
Matt Martin here on ESPN Radio, rocking your body with all the talk of the world of sports. Presented by Progressive Insurance, joined by Norris Cole, two time NBA champion. You know that March Madness star. You know that, but you may not know he's also the Trinity High School girls basketball coach. What state is that? Norris?
Norris Cole
Pennsylvania.
Matt Jones
In Pennsylvania. And you went viral. Norris. I was flipping on my little TikTok and I saw you come up and you were playing in a student teacher game and you were just dusting these students. I mean, these students. You're crossing them over. You're making them look like, well, I don't know, children. Students. Norris, it's like Adam Sandler playing against children there. What were you doing?
Norris Cole
Yeah, so it was a staff versus students game and my girls basketball Players, they were the coaches for the, for the staff. So they asked me to be a celebrity guest. So I came out there and was celebrity guest and some of the kids was talking trash and they wanted me to, you know, they kind of wanted me to put on the show to see what I could do. So I just gave them a little bit, you know, I showed them a little bit of shot making ability and I played 10% defense. They wanted to see if I could steal the ball from him. So I just stole the bar from him a couple times. Made a couple, couple nice highlight shots. I only did that a few times, though. I didn't do it too much.
Matt Jones
He's acting like my admiring. He's acting like he didn't get all in these guys. I don't know if he's being honest.
Myron Medcalf
Norris. Man, I wonder like, how many times has this happened where you play guys and they don't realize how good you have to be to be in the NBA until they see something like this?
Norris Cole
Yeah, it's definitely for some, can be a humbling experience. I always try to tell people the NBA is the 1% of the population, less than 1%. It's 360 of us that make it out to 7 billion in the world. So, you know, even if a guy is retired or he's not even in the league anymore, he's still an elite athlete. And they wanted to see it, though. They. They asked me to see. They're like, show me something. Show me something. So I just gave them what they wanted to see a little bit.
Matt Jones
And you turned all those poor kids into memes. You should feel bad, Norris. I hope you. I hope you understand what you did to them.
Norris Cole
They enjoyed it. They took pictures afterwards. They asked me to sign some autographs afterwards. It was a cool thing. I just. If I was a high school kid, I wish I would have had an experience where an NBA player would have been willing to come play an open gym with me. So I was just kind of fulfilling my childhood dream while trying to help them have high school memories as well. So it was, it was really cool, actually. It was pretty fun.
Matt Jones
Well, I like it. Well, let's talk a little NBA. You know, obviously the Thunder are the favorites, but this is an interesting year to me because there are another six or seven teams that I have a hard time differentiating. Denver, San Antonio. Sometimes I feel that way about Houston. Sometimes I feel that way about San Antonio. Detroit Tatum comes back for Boston. If we assume Oklahoma City's 1, how would you rank? Like 2, 3? 4.
Norris Cole
I would say if all of them are healthy, I would say Denver is still, too, because it took, it took a heroic effort for OKC to beat Denver last year, and they had three people injured and barely beat Denver last year. So I would say Denver would be my number two, San Antonio my three, and then Detroit, four if I had to rate today. I mean, San Antonio is 111 in a row, so I can't, you know, not give them their credit right now. So I would say Detroit is number four, and then maybe, maybe Boston or Minnesota at five, and then Houston.
Myron Medcalf
We saw Lou Dort, trip Jokic, and then we all thought Jokic was going to end him. And you can see his teammates, they weren't really sure what to do. Norris. I mean, what's that like when a teammate picks a fight with somebody that nobody actually wants to fight?
Norris Cole
Well, I mean, you gotta, you gotta put on a united front. You gotta try to have it. You gotta have his back no matter what. But afterwards, you have to let them know, like, hey, we're not intimidated by anybody, but be careful who you pick your fights with.
Myron Medcalf
Now,
Norris Cole
not only is he a big guy, but he's also, you know, arguably the best player in the world. So you're turning up the best player in the world. So, you know, that's, that's, that's, that's a tricky situation. But okc, they're competitors. We all know Denver, the joker, you know, they don't back down from anybody. So I just think it's great tv and I think in the playoffs, going to see them again, possibly in the Western Conference finals.
Matt Jones
Yeah. He's also got those two brothers up in the stands that I wouldn't want to mess with either. Man, they, you know, Come out those days. That's right. Let me ask you about him. Watching him play. I watched almost all that game against the Thunder Friday night. I look at Jokic, he is to be kind, pleasantly plump. He is quite slow.
Myron Medcalf
He.
Matt Jones
You watch him and you go, there's no way this dude is good at basketball. And he was shooting poorly that night, but he still dominates a game. Why do you think he is so special? What is it that he has unlocked? How is it that makes him just the one, maybe the least on the paper, athletic player to be great that I can remember in my life?
Norris Cole
Well, I would say he uses the gifts that he has. You know, most times when we watch a basketball game, we see a guy who's quick, twitch, tall, athletic, lean, jump out the gym, but he uses what he Has. He's tall, he has quick hands, but he has the one thing that can override everything he has. Know how he has IQ of the game. So he positions himself perfectly every time. He gets the perfect spacing every time so that when he does have a chance to create a mismatch, he does it. So I would say his IQ is second to none. You know, his size. He uses his size and strength to nullify guys who may be faster than him or who can jump higher. It's hard to jump high when he puts that body on you, you know. Plus, he understands. He understands your tendencies. He watches film. So that's why he's able to do that with not being able to be as athletic as everyone else.
Matt Jones
He's got to lead the league, Myron. And hip checks. My man puts his hip into everybody at every moment.
Myron Medcalf
He's tough.
Norris Cole
He buries people under the realm. He buries them under the realm.
Myron Medcalf
You played next to another phenom, obviously, LeBron James. And everyone kind of knew at some point he was going to take over the league early in his career. What, watching Wimby kind of experience something similar. It feels like it's only a matter of time for him. How close do you think he is to winning an NBA title and how close is he to being the best player in the NBA?
Norris Cole
He's very close to both. I mean, he's. This year they're title contenders. This year he's in the argument for mvp and being the top player in the league right now, he sped up their process. I'm pretty sure they probably didn't think they would be this good this soon, but he sped up their process to where he can be in that conversation every year from now until 15 years from now, you know, so the league, though, is so good. He's not the only one in that discussion. You have him whose championship window is now open and MVP windows open. But you also have Ant, who's going to be in that conversation. Best player in the world every year. K. Cunningham is now going to be in that conversation every year. Sga, Giannis and Joker, they not going anywhere. So Wemby is in the conversation now, but the league is so, you know, it's so balanced right now with star young players. He's going to be competing against those for that title. And Luca, I forgot about Luca as well. So he's not the only one in that conversation.
Matt Jones
Yeah, Luca doesn't. You gotta play defense once to be in that conversation.
Myron Medcalf
Not like Luca. Don't like Luke.
Matt Jones
Luca's not. Those guys you all mentioned, they all make dudes better. I don't think Luca makes his teammates better. Talking to Norris Cole. What are you talking about?
Myron Medcalf
He makes people better.
Matt Jones
Clearly.
Myron Medcalf
Yes. That's wild.
Norris Cole
I'm not. I can't agree with that. Cuz he just.
Myron Medcalf
Yeah. Let him know. Norris. He's anti Luca.
Matt Jones
You two can have all the conversations you want. I. I watch Luca. He hasn't guarded anyone one since 2022, but I will. I want to ask you about SGA for a second. Norris. I. I'm a Kentucky guy. SGA came in here from high school and when he first got to Kentucky, did not even start. He was playing behind a guy named quad A Green. And then halfway through the year, he took over and he ended up starting. But if you had asked me at that moment, who, what is the chance that SGA will be the best player in basketball, I would have thought you were insane. I mean, insane, because he didn't even start when he came to Kentucky. What is it that he's done that you think has made him a transcendent star?
Norris Cole
He doesn't stop. He's always looking to improve. He understood that college was just one step. A lot of people get to college and think that's the final step or be the number one rated player in high school and they think that's the final step. He understood the process of continually getting better year by year, day by day, game by game. And so his ability to stay in the gym and work on his craft and be 6, 7 as a point guard, you know, that helps as well. That's what took him to the next level. His Kobe mentality.
Myron Medcalf
Norris, we're watching LeBron KD. I know Steph is hurt now, but guys playing at a level in their late 30s, early 40s that we've never seen before in NBA history. As someone who's been through the NBA, like, how impressive is it what those guys are doing at that age to be able to continue to play at this level?
Norris Cole
I mean, it's great. It's amazing for our game. It's just a testament to their commitment to the game, a testament to their work ethic and their hunger and love for the game. Because let's just be honest, it's not like they need the money anymore. They're playing for something bigger. They're playing because they love the game. It's who they are. And I believe that that's one of the reasons why they're able to do it. But their commitment to getting up every Morning. Working on their craft, keeping their bodies in shape, keeping their minds in shape. To be this competitive at this age, it's just the beauty. I hope that we don't take it for granted. I know we criticize a lot of our star players sometimes when they don't play well, which is fair, but we also need to make sure we give them their flowers, you know, while we can. Because it's going to come a time where we're going to miss a Steph Curry, we're going to miss a LeBron, we're going to miss a KD, we're going to miss a James Harden. You know, they've been in the league 18 plus years now and so we better appreciate them and give them those flowers while we still have them in our game.
Matt Jones
I agree with that. Great stuff. I met Jones with the presidents of the Luca fan club, Norris Co and Myer Metcalf. Appreciate your time, Norris.
Norris Cole
I appreciate you guys for having me.
Matt Jones
There you go. Myron loves him. Luca.
Myron Medcalf
You just don't. I don't understand why you don't like him.
Matt Jones
You acknowledge he plays no defense, right?
Myron Medcalf
A lot of guys don't play. You think Steph Curry's an all world defender?
Matt Jones
I didn't say he's all world, but he tries. When's the last time you've seen Luca try on defense?
Myron Medcalf
He's trying, he's trying. You got something against, you just never liked it. When you don't like a player, it lasts for you forever. He's on that list.
Matt Jones
Like him, he just doesn't make anyone better. Whereas like Jokic or SGA or Wimby, they make their team better.
Myron Medcalf
Yeah.
Matt Jones
The biggest thing who's better with Luca?
Myron Medcalf
I think a lot of people. The most important thing you said you. I forgot that Quad A green started over. Sg.
Matt Jones
It's true.
Myron Medcalf
Cow man, come on.
Matt Jones
I for. I couldn't believe when Tom Crane was on here. Severe, severe Wheeler played with Anthony Edwards. I mean, that was. That was. I was like, man, there's a name from the past. It is time to take pics of all the games that are important today. We'll let you know who's going to win and why. That's next here on Take your pick,
Myron Medcalf
Matt and Myron, the podcast.
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Matt Jones
quick time out. Some breakfast intel you want to know about. Kodiak Frozen Power waffles and flapjacks are built for mornings. Heat it, eat it and you're out the door. No long prep, no complicated game plan.
Myron Medcalf
They're packed with 12 to 14 grams
Matt Jones
of protein per serving, a good source of fiber and crafted with 100% whole
Myron Medcalf
grains, not refined white flour.
Matt Jones
So you're getting something that actually fuels you and there's depth on the roster. Buttermilk and vanilla, blueberry chocolate chip. Even gluten free options. Breakfast that delivers, snack that delivers. Find Kodiak frozen waffles and flapjacks in
Myron Medcalf
the frozen aisle at your local grocery store.
Matt Jones
They're the ones with the bear on the box. And a proud partner of us Ski
Myron Medcalf
and Snowboard
Matt Jones
it is Matt Myron here on ESPN Radio presented by Progressive Insurance Game Day with my man Jonathan Zaslow and home team Brandon Leak is coming up next. I still love that he calls himself Home team.
Myron Medcalf
It's the great
Matt Jones
I've done radio now for almost 20 years and I don't have any nickname. I think I got to figure out what it is.
Myron Medcalf
No, you gotta. You have an easy name though. Matt. Being Matt Jones has helped you and your career.
Matt Jones
Oh, you think so? You think I've had more success because my name is Matt Jones?
Myron Medcalf
If it was like a complicated name, that'd be a little more difficult to break through. Simple name is.
Matt Jones
But the problem is there's a lot of us. There's the former. Like every year at the combine all Of a sudden, I get people who think I'm the dude that sniffed cocaine and ran that 40 at the combine.
Myron Medcalf
I don't know who that dude is, but.
Matt Jones
Yeah, you do. You know that. You know who that dude is. That's. Everybody thinks that's me, and that's not me.
Myron Medcalf
But you don't have to be that specific. You know, you just think something. That one dude at the combine, that was fairly specific, but I don't know who that guy is. I mean, but Matt Jones is easier than Myron.
Matt Jones
It shares a name
Myron Medcalf
that Matt Jones got accused of, that I don't remember. But Myron is a much more difficult name to cause people.
Matt Jones
No, you're Mm. You're Mm. Myron mc.
Myron Medcalf
But I can't be Eminem. So as a kid, I was the first Eminem. Like, maybe before the. Maybe before the candy. No, I'm not kidding you. No. In the backyard.
Matt Jones
First of all, you certainly weren't before the candy. I thought you meant you were before the rapper.
Myron Medcalf
You definitely way before the rapper. Back in playing football on the playground, they call me Eminem. You weren't. You weren't born before September 10, 1941, were you? I'm just telling you. I think I made the name. I'm asking in my. In my neighborhood, I think I made the name. I made the name.
Matt Jones
So you're saying that when you were a kid in the 1980s.
Myron Medcalf
Yeah, Eminem's got bigger.
Matt Jones
When people thought of Eminem, they didn't think of the chocolate candy that would not melt in your hands. It won't melt your mouth. They thought of you.
Myron Medcalf
In my neighborhood, Eminem was what they called me. So Eminem's had made it to your neighborhood yet or.
Matt Jones
And then.
Myron Medcalf
And then the rapper came. So now I can't.
Matt Jones
They did not have any chocolate candies in his neighborhood in Milwaukee.
Myron Medcalf
Called me Eminem. And then the rapper came. So now I can't call myself Eminem as a nickname.
Matt Jones
I'm really sorry for Milwaukee that they never had Eminem. They did all those years. It is now time to take your pick.
Norris Cole
Take your pick.
Matt Jones
You take your peek. It's time to take your pick with Matt and Myron. They called me Mounds, and it was called me. Eminem called me. Listen to you. They didn't have the candy. You were ridiculous. Who's that? What's the first?
Myron Medcalf
Back in the 80s, the chocolate would
Matt Jones
always be back in the 80s, before big corporate got around and people didn't know what M&M's were.
Myron Medcalf
Chocolate melting in People's hands all over the place.
Matt Jones
All right, let's start with the NBA here.
Myron Medcalf
The spurs are visiting the Knicks. Spurs are one and a half point favorites on DraftKings. That game is at 1pm Eastern on ABC television.
Matt Jones
I mean, the spurs are on a roll. 11 straight wins. I think that probably continues today. The Knicks would like to make a statement as we head in. But again, these games, as I told you, no game is meaningful until April. But for this one, I'll watch to see Wimby with Cat coming back. I'll take. I'll take the Spurs.
Myron Medcalf
This is a sleeper finals matchup, right?
Matt Jones
Could be.
Myron Medcalf
You know what I mean? So spurs and what they've done. And it's not just the wins. I think they're the first team to score 110 plus points in all those games as well. So give me the Spurs. They've been great.
Matt Jones
What's up next? I can't believe. I still can't believe you said you didn't have Eminem. Come on now. All right, go ahead.
Myron Medcalf
Sticking with the NBA, the Timberwolves at the Nuggets. Nuggets are three and a half point favorites on DraftKings. You're going to hear that right here on ESPN Radio. Coverage starts at 3:00pm Eastern.
Matt Jones
And this, this is a sleeper. Western Conference finals. If one of these, if somebody were to upset one of these two teams were to upset Oklahoma City. I like this game a lot. Who's the home team? Timberwolves. The Nuggets. Nuggets. I'm taking them at home. They just lost the tough one at okc. I think they bounce back and get this victory.
Myron Medcalf
I mean, national stage games. I'll pick. I think Anthony Edwards will show up. I do think they're a sneaky pick to make the Western Conference finals. I think they'll come out and make a statement today. Give me the Timberwolves to win.
Matt Jones
All right, what's next?
Myron Medcalf
I said no women's basketball in College. Number three, South Carolina. They are 13 and a half point favorites on the road against number 16, Kentucky. Matt, I think you're going to this game.
Matt Jones
I'm going to this game.
Myron Medcalf
Yeah.
Matt Jones
As soon as this is over, I'm going to walk across town and go watch this game. It's always fun when Dawn Staley is in the house. It's the first time she's actually been at a game in Lexington in three years.
Norris Cole
I don't.
Matt Jones
I think South Carolina will win the game, but I think Kentucky will cover that 13 and a half point spread. Because I think it'll be close. Give me Kentucky to cover, but South Carolina to win.
Myron Medcalf
Yeah. This is one of those South Carolina teams where, you know, they've got five or six superstars. It's. It's a deep team, but, man, I can't pick against South Carolina. Like, imagine being a coach in the SEC and women's basketball, and every year you got to play Don Staley, Kim Mulkey, and all the great teams.
Matt Jones
And in Texas, I don't know what that old. What's the older guy's name?
Myron Medcalf
He's got Vic Schaefer.
Matt Jones
You know what? Look up Vic Schaefer. He looks to me like he would own a funeral home. You ever see, like, the guys that own funeral homes, they always wear, like, nice suits and they have their hair slicked back, and they're always like, I can do a wonderful thing for you and your family. Tell me that Vic Schaefer does not look like he owns a funeral home.
Myron Medcalf
He looked like the first detective you'd have to talk to on Matlock, you know, after you.
Matt Jones
Yeah, the one that screwed up a little bit, and Matlock has to come in. But really, he looks like a funeral. Like, there's certain people that just give off funeral home director vibe, and Vic Schaefer is one of those. I always think it's interesting he's so successful. Like, there's a type of coach that tends to work in women's basketball. And then you got Vic Schaefer walking around with his embalming fluid, and he's still good every single year for Texas.
Myron Medcalf
Never. Never quite happy, you know?
Matt Jones
Yeah.
Myron Medcalf
All right, let's go to PGA Tour, the Cognizant Classic. Final round of the Cognizant Classic today. What? The Cognizant Classic. That's what it's called. Final round. Shane Lowry and Austin Smotherman tied for the lead at 13 under.
Matt Jones
I wasn't cognizant that this tournament.
Myron Medcalf
We're talking about nerds. Only a golf tour event would call itself the Cognizant Classic. That's what it's called. How nerdy are golfers to call something the Cognizant?
Matt Jones
Next week, they play in the Contemplating Invitational, the Philosophical Open. Like, yeah, we are cognizant of the fact that none of the big stars are in this and you're not watching it. So Shane Lowry, the Irishman, will go and get the. Get the victory today. What's wrong with Shane Lowry?
Myron Medcalf
Oh, God, it's been Matt.
Matt Jones
Myron. See you.
Myron Medcalf
Thanks for listening to Matt. And Myron the Podcast. You can listen to the show live every Sunday morning at 10:00am Eastern on ESPN Radio, the ESPN app, and on SiriusXM Channel 80. Matt and myron the podcast.
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Myron Medcalf
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Episode: Hour 3: Fan Club Presidents
Date: March 1, 2026
Hosts: Matt Jones, Myron Medcalf
Guest: Norris Cole (NBA Champion, High School Coach)
In this lively hour, Matt Jones and Myron Medcalf break down the NFL quarterback carousel—particularly Minnesota’s saga—debate college basketball’s tournament philosophy, and preview the NBA stretch run with guest Norris Cole. The discussion is peppered with playful jabs, deep basketball insight, and contemplation about what it takes to be a true difference-maker at the highest levels of sport.
(Starts ~00:28)
"I don't want any team to be emotional in these moments...J.J. McCarthy is the one guy where you're like what do we have here? So I think you gotta bring in somebody not to get his attention but to start over him if he's not the guy." (02:15)
"Would you spend some money on Geno or Kyler Murray? Or would you get an old guy who can hold down the fort?" (03:51)
"It's going to cost even more money selling the house and buying moving trucks like Kellen O'Connell will have to if he doesn't find a quarterback this year because he's going to be on the hot seat." (03:58)
"He at times was better for the Texans last year than C.J. Stroud...You could have two options that collectively would cost less than any of the people we're talking about individually." (05:10)
(Throughout 00:28 to 08:20)
"You can't be so cheap that you settle for a young quarterback on a rookie deal who's not going to take you anywhere."
"Like, these guys are sure things. I don't know that any of these guys are good, but a sure thing is that you're going to get fired if you have another bad season and you don't live up to your potential." (07:26 & 07:32)
"Why do you generally hate Minnesota quarterbacks?" (08:20)
(13:00)
"It's on brand. I wouldn't recommend anyone try it. Right. It's like a Rick Pitino thing."
"There was this thing of, oh, college basketball's ruined...this new era...I don't think anything has missed a beat." (15:23)
"A lot of these guys, they don't have sort of the old school vibes—they're more players' coaches." (16:01)
(16:24 - 21:00)
"Are we going to select the 68 most deserving teams or...the 68 best teams? If it's most deserving, undefeated in the regular season is pretty historic."
"We have a history of teams just like Miami of Ohio making upsets, winning games against the teams you're describing." (19:36)
"If Indiana plays Miami of Ohio on a neutral court, who's winning? ...Indiana would be an eight-and-a-half-point favorite." (19:03) "Put them in, but I will tell you, put them in—they'll probably be an 11 seed. I'm picking the six." (21:24)
(23:29 - 34:56)
"You were just dusting these students. I mean, you're crossing them over, you're making them look like, well, I don't know, children." (23:55)
"I played 10% defense. They wanted to see if I could steal the ball from them...made a couple nice highlight shots." (24:21) "The NBA is the 1% of the population, less than 1%...even if a guy is retired or not in the league, he's still an elite athlete." (25:15)
(26:16)
"...San Antonio is [on] 11 in a row, so I can't not give them their credit." (26:48)
"He uses what he has. Most times...we see a guy who's quick, tall, athletic...but he has the one thing that can override everything: know-how, his IQ of the game." (29:13)
"He's very close to both [MVP and title]...he sped up their process to where he can be in that conversation every year from now until 15 years from now." (30:42)
"If you had asked me at that moment, what is the chance that SGA will be the best player in basketball, I would have thought you were insane." (32:09)
"He doesn't stop. He's always looking to improve...His Kobe mentality." (32:53)
"It's just a testament to their commitment...let's just be honest, it's not like they need the money anymore. They're playing for something bigger...We better appreciate them and give them those flowers while we still have them in our game." (33:48 - 34:45)
(41:00 – 45:57)
NBA:
Women's College Basketball:
Golf:
On Vikings QBs:
"If you don't have the right guy at that position and many times Minnesota has not... you can get into the playoffs, be one of those fun Disney movie teams, but you're not going to win anything unless you have that guy." – Myron Medcalf (08:28)
Running Joke:
"Alpha male Myron will not admit that he is wrong." – Matt Jones (10:31)
On Rick Pitino’s White Suit:
"It's on brand. Who can pull it off? Rick Pitino, Jay Wright, probably the only two coaches maybe in college basketball history." – Myron Medcalf (13:43)
On coaches' generational change:
"All those guys retired right when NIL started...Now this new era... and I don't think anything has missed a beat." – Matt Jones (15:23)
On Miami of Ohio’s NCAA Chances:
"We have a history of teams just like Miami of Ohio making upsets, winning games against the teams you're describing." – Myron Medcalf (19:36)
On high schoolers vs. NBA-level talent:
"The NBA is the 1% of the population, less than 1%...he's still an elite athlete." – Norris Cole (25:15)
On Jokic’s Play Style:
"He uses what he Has...but he has the one thing that can override everything: know-how, his IQ of the game." – Norris Cole (29:13)
On NBA's aging superstars:
"It's not like they need the money anymore. They're playing for something bigger...We better appreciate them and give them those flowers while we still have them in our game." – Norris Cole (33:48 - 34:45)
For listeners who missed the episode:
You’ll come away with an updated map of the NFL (especially QB-needy teams), the ever-changing world of college hoops, and insight into the NBA playoff chase from a champion’s eyes—all while laughing and getting fresh perspectives on sports’ biggest "fan club presidents."