Hour 3: Headlines!

Summary

Episode Summary: "Hour 3: Headlines!" – Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron

Release Date: February 16, 2025

In the third hour of "Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron" on ESPN Radio, hosts Matt Jones and Myron Metcalf engage listeners with a comprehensive breakdown of the latest happenings in the sports world. Titled "Hour 3: Headlines!", this episode navigates through a variety of topics ranging from the NBA All-Star game and NCAA March Madness predictions to the NFL Draft and auto racing insights. The dynamic between Matt and Myron, enriched with insightful commentary and light-hearted banter, ensures an engaging listening experience for sports enthusiasts.

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1. NBA All-Star Game and the State of the League

Discussion Points:

• Draymond Green’s Commentary: Myron introduces the debate sparked by Draymond Green's assertion that the NBA has become boring, questioning whether the league has lost its strategic depth.

• Matt’s Take on Modern NBA Play: Matt contends that the shift towards analytics and three-point shooting has diminished the one-on-one elements that once made the game captivating. He states, “...who can run faster, who can hit more threes. It’s no substance. And so I think it’s very boring” [03:05].

• Myron’s Argument on Player Skill Levels: Myron counters by attributing the perceived monotony to the players' elevated skill levels, making traditional defensive strategies less effective. “I think the players are too good. I think especially on offense, the players are too good. And it makes it to where it is very, very hard to defend” [05:11].

Notable Quotes:

• Matt: “It’s a different product.” [05:24]
• Myron: “My problem with the NBA right now is I think the players are too good.” [05:11]

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2. NCAA March Madness Predictions

Discussion Points:

• Final Four Contenders: Matt and Myron share their predictions for the NCAA March Madness Final Four, highlighting teams like Auburn, Duke, Florida, and Texas.

• Team Dynamics and Strengths: Emphasis is placed on Texas’s depth and dominance, with Myron noting, “They have like nine players that come off the bench that are 7ft 5 inches tall. They are an unbelievable team” [42:25].

• Underdogs and Surprises: Both hosts acknowledge the potential for upsets, reflecting on the unpredictable nature of March Madness.

Notable Quotes:

• Myron: “Texas is going to be in the Final Four, and they're going to win today against LSU.” [42:25]
• Matt: “I think Auburn’s one. And then there’s a gap between them and everybody else.” [31:16]

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3. NFL Draft Updates

Discussion Points:

• Kellen Moore’s Appointment: Nick announces that Kellen Moore, formerly the Eagles’ offensive coordinator, has been appointed as the new head coach of the New Orleans Saints.

• Matt’s Analysis on Coaching Strategy: Matt expresses optimism about Moore’s potential to develop a young quarterback, stating, “I think Kevin Durant is a perfect number two for a team that has a young star that’s ready to lead his team to a championship” [17:36].

• Myron’s Personal Anecdote: Myron shares a humorous personal story about being compared to Moore, adding a light-hearted element to the discussion.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt: “I am anxious to see what Kellen Moore does with his first head coaching shot.” [21:09]
• Myron: “He looks like you, but he’s a little bit hot.” [22:46]

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4. Auto Racing Insights: Daytona 500 Predictions

Discussion Points:

• Race Track Details: The hosts briefly discuss the complexities of the Daytona International Speedway, highlighting its length and design adjustments made for optimal racing.

• Driver Predictions: Matt favors Austin Dillon for the Daytona 500, appreciating Team Penske’s performance. Myron echoes this sentiment but also mentions John Hunter Nemechek as a potential long-shot winner.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt: “Team Penske loves that Ford and how it's been run. And that matters.” [43:36]
• Myron: “Daytona 500 is the time to go off the board because anything can happen.” [43:36]

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5. NHL Four Nations Tournament Analysis

Discussion Points:

• Canada vs. Finland: Nick introduces the upcoming NHL match between Canada and Finland, with both hosts expressing their predictions.

• Outcome Predictions: Both Matt and Myron predict a win for Canada, emphasizing their stronger track record compared to Finland.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt: “I'll pick Canada because I want to see a rematch with the United States this week.” [45:19]
• Myron: “Canada will beat the Fins Monday.” [44:48]

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6. NCAA Coach John Caliperi’s Challenges at Arkansas

Discussion Points:

• Caliperi’s Performance: The hosts critique John Caliperi’s struggles to replicate his previous successes at Arkansas, despite his impressive coaching resume.

• Team Dynamics: They discuss the impact of player injuries and the challenges posed by competing in the SEC, which has become increasingly competitive.

Notable Quotes:

• Myron: “They just haven’t been able to compete consistently... which is why we’re seeing some of the frustration.” [27:48]
• Matt: “We have to go get somebody else. But keep picking them up and they’re a little fragile.” [26:39]

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7. SNL 50th Anniversary and Pop Culture Reflections

Discussion Points:

• Favorite Cast Members: Matt nominates Eddie Murphy as his favorite SNL cast member for laying the foundational blueprint of the show, while Myron selects Will Ferrell for his standout performances.

• Cultural Impact: The hosts reflect on how certain SNL cast members have left a lasting legacy on the show and popular culture.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt: “Definitely Eddie Murphy. Yeah.” [36:35]
• Myron: “I think he was the best. And then I like Kristen Wiig a lot during her years.” [36:43]

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8. Light-Hearted Banter and Additional Sports Talk

Discussion Points:

• Rutgers Basketball Team Critique: Matt and Myron express disappointment over Rutgers’ poor performance despite having top draft picks, labeling their situation as “shameful”.

• Humorous Exchanges: The hosts engage in playful exchanges, including a humorous misunderstanding about team names, adding a personable touch to the episode.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt: “I wouldn’t want that [upside-down jersey]...” [15:47]
• Myron: “They are currently better after he got hurt, to be honest with you.” [26:55]

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Concluding Remarks

As the episode draws to a close, Matt and Myron wrap up their discussions by recapping the key highlights and teasing upcoming sports events. Their blend of in-depth analysis, personal anecdotes, and humor ensures that listeners are both informed and entertained, making "Hour 3: Headlines!" a noteworthy continuation of their ongoing Sunday Morning series.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Matt on NBA’s Evolution: “Who can run faster, who can hit more threes. It’s no substance. And so I think it’s very boring.” [03:05]

• Myron on Player Skill Levels: “I think the players are too good. I think especially on offense, the players are too good. And it makes it to where it is very, very hard to defend.” [05:11]

• Matt on Kellen Moore’s Coaching Prospects: “I am anxious to see what Kellen Moore does with his first head coaching shot.” [21:09]

• Myron on Texas’s Team Depth: “They have like nine players that come off the bench that are 7ft 5 inches tall. They are an unbelievable team.” [42:25]

• Matt on Canada in NHL: “I'll pick Canada because I want to see a rematch with the United States this week.” [45:19]

• Myron on SNL’s Best Member: “I think he was the best. And then I like Kristen Wiig a lot during her years.” [36:43]

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This detailed, structured summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and memorable moments from "Hour 3: Headlines!" ensuring that listeners, both new and returning, can grasp the essence of the episode without having tuned in.

Transcript

[Al]

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[Matt]

This is Matt and Myron, the podcast.

[Myron]

Hour number three Sunday morning here on ESPN Radio presented by Progressive Insurance. People are worried about you, Myron. On the Texas 772-774-5254 on Twittery Sports Radio in Andy says, did Matt offend my Metcalf today on ESPN Radio Seems a little down and out on this segment. Are you a little down and out?

[Matt]

No, I'm not at all. I've had a great weekend. I'm not down and out at all, man. I think, I think people maybe are used to me being like at a, at a 120 or something. I'm a little stuffy. Maybe that's what it is.

[Myron]

But you think that's what it is?

[Matt]

Yeah.

[Myron]

One person writes, matt, if you had not been laughing, I think I would have believed Myron knew everything he said about the Daytona 500.

[Matt]

Yeah, you just didn't give me a chance. Maybe that's what I'm down and out about. Like I was rattling off facts and you just sort of laughed it off. Maybe that's what it was.

[Myron]

Well, I was just laughing because I don't. I think you were like reading those facts.

[Matt]

I'm looking at you though, the whole time. I mean, how could I read it?

[Myron]

But it was kind of like Nick putting up the facts about the airport. I didn't know that. Like, that was different.

[Matt]

I don't know what.

[Nick]

I didn't claim to know any airport.

[Matt]

Facts, but like, Nick, you, you literally said nothing, though. That old, you know, a lot of.

[Nick]

People talk a lot and say nothing.

[Matt]

Is that a reference to me?

[Nick]

No, it's not.

[Myron]

One person writes, myron is doing the opposite of what he thinks people should be doing by saying the make of the car for every person. He just wants to be able to say the guy's driving a Toyota, etc. You did do a lot of the makes of the car, which you don't hear a lot. Is that, Was that your strategy?

[Matt]

I thought that was a thing. I thought like, well, I mean, it's Being able to say, like. Because I always hear people are like, oh, the Toyota's running well going. You know, I thought that was the whole thing.

[Myron]

Do you know which brands make a make. Make cars in NASCAR now?

[Matt]

Yeah, like Toyota, Chevy, Ford.

[Myron]

That's right. There's one more. Do you know the other one?

[Matt]

Toyota, Chevy.

[Myron]

Hot.

[Matt]

Is Honda making them? I don't know.

[Myron]

No. Dodge.

[Matt]

Dodge. Okay, dot.

[Myron]

So there you go. All right. Well, while the Dayton 500 is going on, there's also the NBA All Star game. And, you know, a lot of people use All Star weekend as a chance to sort of talk about the state of the game, what's going well, what's not. And Draymond Green was interesting. He this week said even though he plays, that he actually thinks the NBA is boring.

[Matt]

It's not smart basketball no more. I saw. I saw a clip not too long ago where Kobe said, like, yo, it's accidental basketball. He couldn't have been more right. It was so refreshing to play against Bron because every possession is like a chess match. But you don't just get that on a regular basis. It's just, who can run faster, who can hit more threes. It's no substance. And so I think it's very boring.

[Myron]

He is talking about a Kobe clip, and Kobe's been dead for 10 years, so it's not like Kobe was talking about the current game when he said that. But what do you think about Draymond's overall point that it's not a chess match and it is boring? We've heard this complaint a lot now. It's coming from Draymond. What's your thought?

[Matt]

Ironic that a guy was talking about teams just running faster and shoot more threes, and that's basically his entire career with the Golden State Warriors. Right? That's what they were. And I mean, they are the ones.

[Myron]

That changed the game.

[Matt]

Yeah, they started this. You know, they kind of responsible for this. But I don't think it's boring. Like, to me, I'm always like, who's saying this? And you always challenge me on that when I'm like, people are saying, you know, there's a lot of this. People are saying with the NBA. And I'm trying to figure out who it is if it's people who don't watch the NBA, like, how much stock do we put into that? Because if you. If you watch a game, if you watch SGA in Oklahoma, you will see some of the most breathtaking basketball that you've ever seen from a guy who is 6, 8. If you watch Wimby, if you watch Anthony Edwards, if you watch all of these talented guys, I don't know anyone can look at that and say it's boring. I mean, these are the best, best basketball players in the history of the game playing right now. Now, I do think the three point barrage is. It's less of the one on one element that we love to see when Jordan was playing. No one's backing anybody down anymore. No one's trying to take somebody off the dribble like Allen Iverson and go to the rim. That part has changed. And I do think that's less appealing, maybe to the general audience. But it's not a boring product. It's a different product.

[Myron]

So I'm going to give you my critique on the product. And my critique, I think, is a little bit different than even what Draymond saying. I think the players are almost too good. And to the extent it's boring, it's for that reason. So this happened to tennis about 15 years ago, Meyer, where the guys could hit the ball so hard and they could hit their serve so hard that it became impossible for rallies to occur. Because if you hit a good serve, it was an ace. Right. And it just was. And then they basically ended up slowing the ball down a little bit. Guys got better on the returns. And now I think tennis is a much more watchable game than it was 15 years ago. My problem with the NBA right now is I think the players are too good. I think especially on offense, the players are too good. And it makes it to where it is very, very hard to defend. And because it's very hard to defend, the best strategy is to shoot threes and layups, which is the smart, analytical thing to do, but has taken whole sections of the game out. You know, when Draymond says it's not a chess match, it is a chess match. It's just the right way to play is the same way everybody plays. So back in the day, when they weren't as efficient, some teams shot threes, some mid range, some whatever. Now these guys are so good, it is clear how the best way to play is. And all the teams do it. And then there's a sense of, okay, well, whoever's hottest that night wins.

[Matt]

Yeah.

[Myron]

So now when the playoffs come, the teams raise their level of defense to the point where it's not automatic anymore, and I think it becomes more interesting. But in the regular season, it's not. I think the problem is, and this is why it's hard to fix. I just think everybody's too good. And because they're too good, I think the game can sometimes get monotonous and boring.

[Matt]

No, I think that's well said. I mean, I think the skill level, like what I never respond to is when people are like, imagine all those guys playing today if they had played today. But like when people even reverse, they're like, oh, imagine Kevin Durant with hand checking in the night. Kevin Durant would have averaged 58 points a game in that era. Like so. So people are always fooling themselves when they say those things. But I think what else has happened is there was a time when you were a three point shooter. Now everybody's doing it. So. So that's the thing, the skill level. There's such a variation between the Steph Curries and then some guy making 32% of his attempts, yet here he is taking as many threes as Steph. That's less appealing. I think the other thing is with hundred million dollar contracts, because that wasn't a thing 25 years ago, except for a few players. Now so many guys are making that kind of money. I think there has been this risk aversion, right? People don't want to go sailing through the air and run the risk of getting clothesline, you know, so there's less of that too, which, which affects the appeal of the game.

[Myron]

For me, on a personal level, I think college basketball has reached a point where I think it's actually a very positive, visually appealing product. Now a few years ago it was actually not, but I think in the last five years it's gotten better because Myron, the modern principles of basketball are being applied in college basketball, but the guys aren't good enough that it always works.

[Matt]

Yes.

[Myron]

Right. So you can out scheme teams and there could be a chess match because guys aren't good enough to execute every game plan. So for me, college basketball is kind of where the NBA was when Draymond was talking, where there were a lot of different styles because you didn't know what your team was good at and you had to figure it out. Now in the NBA, these dudes are so good that unless you play the most efficient style, you're just giving up. Because if a team is playing well, that's efficient, you're out. So it's odd to say this, but I like college basketball because of its imperfections. Just like I like golf in the majors, but because of their imperfections, because the course is hard. And I think the NBA is going to have to figure out A way to make imperfections part of it. Whether it's the rules changes or like court changes. These guys are too good to allow them to play the way it's playing because there's just in. Especially in the regular season, there's no way to stop it. And. And it becomes really a shooting contest which. And so I feel bad for the league because this is a product of how much these players have improved. But I do think honestly it is a more boring sport to watch than it was a few years ago. At least until you get to the playoffs.

[Matt]

Yeah. No, I agree. I think the stars to playing that way is also. I think there was something about seeing Allen Iverson with the ball in his hands and you just trying to figure out what sort of.

[Myron]

Because he was so much better than everyone.

[Matt]

Yes.

[Myron]

But now. And there's a lot of.

[Matt]

There's a lot of guys like that.

[Myron]

Yeah, there's a lot of guys. And I think what makes sports entertaining is the diversion in quality between players. And there are so many good players now in the NBA. You just don't have it as much, at least to me.

[Matt]

Yeah. And also guys who are just not willing to play that way. You can make a lot more money playing this way. And this sort of spread out the ball hit threes. That's how you make $100 million. And that's why more and more guys are adapting that style.

[Myron]

That was actually a discussion that bordered on intelligent, which doesn't feel like what this show should be, but it was. So you get a little bit of everything. Well, we will catch you up on the headlines that aren't just about the big events because there's still a lot of other stuff going on. That's next here on on Sunday morning on ESPN Radio.

[Matt]

Welcome the 2025 NFL Draft on ESPN Radio.

[Nick]

The NFL draft is now underway live.

[Matt]

From historic Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin with the first pick. It all begins with round one. The Tennessee Titans select Thursday, April 24th on ESPN Radio. ESPN and on ABC.

[Myron]

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[Matt]

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[Matt]

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[Myron]

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[Al]

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[Myron]

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[Al]

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[Matt]

Matt and Myon the podcast.

[Myron]

Miami is feeling the heat. By the heat, I mean Jimmy Butler. ESPN Radio is presented by. You really like this song.

[Matt]

You big welcome to Miami. Yeah. Will Smith. That's amazing.

[Myron]

Will Smith fan. We you. You know these people. Like he's the best rapper of all time.

[Matt]

No, no, but he had. He had a summer. Remember Ward? Like he came back and he had some big hits.

[Myron]

No, he did. He had this. He had Wild, Wild West. I know you're a big fan of that. ESPN Radio is presented by Progressive Insurance. Your small business keeps you on the go. Progressive and commercial insurance keeps your policy within reach on our easy to use mobile app. Learn more@progressive commercial.com it is now time for some headlines. All right, Nick, what's up?

[Nick]

First, before I get to that, do you remember too, a few weeks back, we were talking about Myron and Beyonce and he was just like, he's talking about Cowboy Carter. And then it went on to win country album of the year and album of the year.

[Myron]

Yeah, and he said he didn't like it.

[Matt]

Yeah, I didn't say that.

[Myron]

He said. He said he didn't think it was good.

[Matt]

I didn't say that. That's not what I said at all. I said, I don't think she made it for me.

[Myron]

Yeah, well, you said you didn't like it.

[Matt]

No, I said it wasn't for me. That's all I said. You want to fight? I'll fight. I don't care.

[Myron]

Go ahead.

[Nick]

Somebody who might actually end up fighting Somebody is Terence Shannon Jr. He had his number retired yesterday for the Fighting Illini. He led them to an Elite Eight appearance last season for the first time in 20 years for the program. So they honored him by retiring his jersey at halftime of yesterday's Michigan State Illinois game. Only issue was, was when they unveiled the banner, it was upside down. So not a great look for Illinois.

[Myron]

Yes.

[Nick]

Myron, you just wrote the article on it. What happened in Illinois?

[Matt]

I don't know, man. Somebody may have been fired. Like, do you do test runs with jersey retirements? I don't know, but that can't happen. It also made me realize, too, like, usually, Matt, what happens is the jersey's already up and they just move the curtain. So, like, the idea of having him pull a cord and it comes down was already a bad idea. But you can't make that mistake. I mean, that. That. That's ridiculous for him to look up with his mom and it's upside down. It doesn't get more embarrassing than that if you're ill. See, I actually think.

[Myron]

It was brilliant because what are the chances that we talk about Terrence Shannon getting his jersey retired in Illinois? Otherwise, like, now every single person knows that Terrence Shannon got his jersey retired at Illinois. It got attention. Yeah. It got attention for being upside down. But otherwise, no one outside of the people in that building would have known. Now we know. So I'm going to say it was actually quite brilliant. Myron. Yeah.

[Matt]

I mean, that's not how you want to be remembered. That's going to be a meme forever, man. I wouldn't want that.

[Myron]

Maybe. So who's next?

[Nick]

Well, also, too, it's a convenient thing that 0 is the same way. Upside down.

[Matt]

Right.

[Nick]

Way up.

[Al]

That's true.

[Myron]

It's.

[Matt]

Yeah, but the name wasn't like, how are y'all trying to make.

[Nick]

The number was right. That's what got retired.

[Myron]

That's what matters. That's what's retired, not his name.

[Nick]

All right. On Wednesday night, or. Yeah, Wednesday night, Kevin Durant became the eighth player in NBA history to score 30,000 points. He achieved this feat with a free throw late in the third quarter. The Suns did go on to lose, though, because they're terrible. They were unable to move Durant at the trade deadline. He's 36 years old, and he joined LeBron, Kareem, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Dirk, and Wilt Chamberlain as the 30,000 point club. A lot of smoke around his potential departure from the Suns, but for the time being, Myron, he is and forever A member of the 30,000 point club.

[Matt]

Greatest scorer post Michael Jordan in the NBA, right. That's his title. One of the greatest players we've ever seen. One of the toughest matchups we've ever seen. But at this age, you know he's going to be a guy where you're not going to give up a ton for him because of the age. Right. I think Kevin Durant is a perfect.

[Myron]

Contract and what you're paying him.

[Matt]

Yeah, he's a perfect number two for a team that has a young star that's ready to lead his team to a championship. But you just can't give up a lot.

[Myron]

It just hasn't worked out, this whole thing in Phoenix. It's odd with him and Booker. I thought it would and it just hasn't. Read me those names again though for a second. Who all has 30,000?

[Nick]

He joins LeBron James, Kareem Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Dirk Nowitzki and Wilt Chamberlain.

[Myron]

Yeah, I mean I think there's a decent argument that those are the best players of all time. The only name in there that you might be like, well, I don't know about Dirk, maybe that should be Tim Duncan instead. But generally speaking, yeah, but I don't put him in that group. I mean if you were to, if you were to say to me, who are the best? That's the group. And then Magic and Bird and I think it's pretty interesting that Durant is in that group. I mean, I hope, I Wonder if in 40 years people will think of Durant like that, but I think they should because I think he's been such an amazing scorer.

[Nick]

Julius Irving also has 30,000 if you combine the NBA and ABA as well. All right, so I know it's a big blow for you, Matt. Big Angels fan Anthony Rendone is having hip surgery and expected to miss a significant amount of time. He signed a seven year deal, $245 million in the 2020 season. He's played 250 games and missed 450. He has not played more than 58 games in a season for the Angels. The funny thing about this is he doesn't really seem to be perturbed by it as he has voiced multiple frustrations about the MLB season being too long. And in the last two years alone he said that baseball was never really a top priority format.

[Myron]

Oh no, I didn't know the last one. Well, first of all, he, he might be right. The major league season's too long, but he hasn't played more than 58 games. So I don't know how long he wants it to be. Does he want to be 60 games? I mean, what. What does he want it to be? I don't think. I don't think the season being long has affected him. You know, one of the things that's hard to measure with guys, Myron, is the want to and the injury. The injury may be on his control, but the want to isn't. And both those things seem to be an issue with him. I have to say this, though. The Anaheim Angels have more amazing players that they do less with than any team in the history of sports.

[Matt]

Yeah, yeah. Now that's true, man. And here's the kicker. With Anthony Rendon, you know, it's almost like Design Williamson of Major League Baseball. The Angels had an opportunity to get insurance on his contract and they didn't. So there's no way for them to recoup any of the money and he might miss the entire season. So that's an issue.

[Myron]

Yeah, well, you know, figuring out when to buy insurance, tough thing. Like you should never buy it at Best Buy, but you maybe should buy it with a baseball player. Cost you $245 million, I think. So who's up next?

[Nick]

All right. The last NFL head coaching vacancy has been filled this previous week with Kellen Moore, the Eagles offensive coordinator for only one year. They won the super bowl, so it's pretty good. He will head to New Orleans to be the Saints new head coach. The only, you know, bump in the road so far. He was non committal when asked about Derek Carr. He respects him, but they will let. They will evaluate the roster and decide who's the starting quarterback. So it seems like Carr, his time starting is done in New Orleans, Myron.

[Matt]

As it should be. If you're Kellen Moore, you don't want to come in and, you know, see if you can kind of run it back with Derek Carr. You want your guy, you want a young quarterback that you can mold and you can kind of rebuild. It also lowers expectations if you start with a young quarterback, which is. Which is what I'm sure Kellen Moore wants. But he's finally getting his shot, man. And we'll see what he does with it. Because the idea that every offensive coordinator is going to be Sean McVeigh is a joke. And a bunch of these guys are going to fail. Maybe one of them ends up being successful. So anxious to see what Kellen Moore does with his first head coaching shot.

[Myron]

Can I tell you my. My interaction with Kellen Moore. I had mine. I had an ex girlfriend who, when he was the offensive coordinator of the Cowboys, okay, she would see him on the screen and she would say, you know, you're a more handsome looking version of him. That was what she used to say. She's like, you kind of, I don't know, but she'd say, you kind of look like him, but you're more handsome. And I was like, oh. And then I'd look at it and I could see it. He's got kind of big ears and he has a little bit of my look. But she, it was very important. She used to say, you're a more handsome version.

[Matt]

Okay.

[Myron]

Recently I was at a friend's house and the friend's wife, the Eagles were playing and she said, he looks like you, but he's a little bit hot. And I got upset because I feel like somehow I went from being more handsome than Kellen Moore to his less handsome brother and I don't like that change.

[Matt]

Myron, I didn't know you measured yourself according to Kellen.

[Myron]

Well, I don't want to measure myself, but it is two different people that measured me against Kellen Moore. And on one time I fell ahead and the other I fell below and I don't like it. We're going to close in some March Madness talk next.

[Matt]

Hey, it's your resident super bowl champ Chris Kennedy. Coming up Monday, NBA All Star Weekend. Huge college basketball matchups and I'll react to it all in my upon further review. At 7:00am Eastern, it's on Sports for Life weekday morning at 6 right here on ESPN Radio, ESPN2 and ESPNU.

[Al]

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[Myron]

It is Sunday morning here on ESPN Radio presented by Progressive Insurance. He's Myron Metcalf. I'm Matt Jones. Myron, there used to be a coach at the University of Kentucky by the name of John Caliperi. Do you remember that guy?

[Matt]

Yeah.

[Myron]

He coached at UMass Memphis. One of only two coaches of all time to take three different teams to the Final Four. Him and Rick Pat are the two. Well, he's in Arkansas now trying to become the first coach to ever take four teams to the Final Four, but he struggled this year. They are Owen five against top 10 opponents. They are right on the bubble of the tournament. Maybe in, maybe out. They had a big one yesterday at Texas A and M. If they had won that game, probably would have been in the tournament, but they lost during the game. They gave up an open 3. And the player that gave it up said to John Caliperi, my bad. And he goes, yeah, no, blank. Of course it's your bad. You didn't get like, he gave one of those. And I have to go with Cal on this. I hate when guys say my bad when it's clearly their bad. Yeah, like we know. We know it was your bad. But when the game was over, he was asked about the loss and getting in the tournament. He had some strong words. Here's what he said.

[Matt]

For us to bust through, we're going to have to beat somebody. We can say what we want. Like, I wanted to make sure they weren't happy. We're going to be okay. No, if we won that game, say it. We're in the tournament.

[Myron]

If we won that game, we're in the tournament.

[Matt]

So it's not okay to say we'll.

[Myron]

Be all right now. You're going to have to go get somebody else.

[Matt]

I didn't want to put them that on them because I got some guys a little bit fragile. So I'm having to hold them accountable. But keep picking them up and they're a little fragile. But when you're losing some games or you're not playing well, that happens.

[Myron]

So he says his team is a little bit fragile.

[Matt]

Yeah.

[Myron]

And to not say it's okay if they're not. What do you think about that tough love approach? You think it's okay to say your team is fragile.

[Matt]

I mean, yeah, if that's what they are. You know, I mean, I just think this just hasn't worked out. And now Boogie Flam being hurt has affected Arkansas, but they had challenges before.

[Myron]

I think they're better. I think they're better since he got hurt, to be honest with you. They beat Kentucky and Texas when he got hurt.

[Matt]

Yeah, they're an interesting team. I mean, the talent. I think a lot of people know Arkansas had more nil money than anybody when Cal took that job, so he had a chance to go on a similar team as he wanted it. I think he's a good example, Matt. Yes. I think our game is driven by personalities, and coaches are a big part of that. But there are some brands that are bigger than the coaches, and we don't learn that until the coach moves on. And I think Cal had that at Kentucky. There was sort of a stretch where it was like, he is the brand, and now he's at a place that really loves basketball at Arkansas, and he just hasn't been able to recreate the same success or the same energy around the program. When you see video of those crowds at Arkansas, it's kind of embarrassing because you know what? They've been at their best, and they just haven't shown up for Cal in this new regime.

[Myron]

Yeah. There's a synergy in sports, I think, between personality and place. Right. And sometimes back in the day, the personality created the place. So in many ways, you know, in many ways, Mike Krzyzewski created Duke in a lot of ways. Right. And Jim Calhoun created you UConn as a place. But then there are the ones that they are the place, no matter who the coach is. And I really think there's only four of those, and that's Duke, North Carolina, Kentucky and Kansas. And when the right person gets there, like Bill Self at Kansas or like, you know, Dean Smith was at North Carolina or like Krzyzewski or even John Shire, then it works. Right. And Patino and Cal were like that at Kentucky. Remains to be seen if Pope will be. But that doesn't always translate. So you look at patino. He's at St. John's great coach. It's an amazing story. But, you know, it's not Kentucky. It's not. It's a different thing. And I think sometimes these coaches forget that, as great as they are, the location does matter, especially in college sports.

[Matt]

Well, I think Patino realizes it because I think he's been at Kentucky more than St. John's this season, although they're good.

[Myron]

Like, listen, they have a big game today, too.

[Matt]

Like, every other week, there's like a patino video about Kentucky, and I'm like, all right, man, you got a team to coach. But St. John's is really good. I think, though, the thing about Pitino is no one ever questioned his coaching ability because he has been a great coach everywhere he's gone. I think for a lot of people, this was Cal's opportunity to say, all right, were you the coach who guided Kentucky to what we saw? Was it you, or was it a lot of what Kentucky already was before you got there? And I think that's why he's facing so much of the criticism this season, because here's an opportunity to show. No, it's you. And Arkansas just hasn't been able to compete consistently. Now, granted being in the sec, there are a bunch of good teams that don't look good because of what they're facing in the sec, which is going to make history with the most bids on Selection Sunday we've ever seen, which. Which has maybe 10 teams that can get to the Final Four. Like, those are all things you have not been able to say maybe about any league in the history of college basketball. But with Cal, you would imagine that he just finds a way to break through, considering his pedigree, his resume, and that just hasn't happened, which is why we're seeing some of the frustration.

[Myron]

So if you're listening, if people are listening out there and they're saying, okay, I'm now getting myself ready for March Madness, give me tears, okay, give me these handful of teams, and it needs to be a small group. The national championship will come from this group. And then give me your group of like 6, 7, 8 that you think could be Final Four teams, even if they're off the radar.

[Matt]

Who are your.

[Myron]

The national championship will come from one of these, let's say, four teams, including.

[Matt]

Outside the SEC or just in the sec, Just whatever.

[Myron]

Just in general. Who are the four teams, in Myron's mind, that can win the national title?

[Matt]

I think Auburn's one. And then there's a gap between them and everybody else. Although Duke is there. You know, I think Duke is. We just haven't seen Duke play a good team in a long time. But Duke can win it, certainly. I think Florida still a really good team. They got to be in that mix. Alabama may not have to face Auburn, right. To get to the Final Four, to get to a national championship.

[Myron]

They're still Those are my fours. Those are my four. The ones you just mentioned. Those are my four. Then the next group I would put. You see if there's anybody you'd take in or take out. Tennessee.

[Matt]

Yep.

[Myron]

Marquette.

[Matt]

Now, not market.

[Myron]

Houston.

[Matt]

Houston, definitely Houston.

[Myron]

I still would put in Marquette because that. Because Cam Jones can get hot. Iowa State, I'd put in there. Purdue, Texas Tech, Wisconsin, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Texas A and M. That would be my group. Healthy Kentucky. They've not been healthy most.

[Matt]

That's the question for them.

[Myron]

But you put that group, I think if. And maybe even would you put St. John's in that group?

[Matt]

St. John's there for me. Yeah.

[Myron]

Okay.

[Matt]

Because. Because of who their coach is. Yeah.

[Myron]

Yeah. So does that. Is there anybody I'm leaving out that you would put in that second group?

[Matt]

You know, Missouri maybe is probably in that next group after that. But there are a bunch of teams that. In that second tier that still have a legit shot, but I think that's the list. I mean, Kentucky, how they show up, if they're healthy, I never bet against a time as a team. Michigan State.

[Myron]

Yeah. It's interesting. Well, that those two teams they played yesterday, Michigan State and Illinois, are interesting because Illinois has one of the best players in the country and if it gets hot, he can beat anybody. Michigan State was one of the hottest teams in the country, lost at home to Indiana and then goes on the road and beats Illinois. So you never really know about some of these Big Ten teams.

[Matt]

Yeah, no. I think at the top, the Big Ten is tough. Like Purdue is quietly just been one of the better teams in the country, even though they just lost Wisconsin.

[Myron]

Who's the worst team. Who's the worst Power 5 team in the country? The one that when they come on, you go, this is a crime against humanity.

[Matt]

The worst power five, Rutgers is Miami. Rutgers. But Miami's probably definitely.

[Myron]

By the way, I mean, for people who don't realize Rutgers is going to have like the second and third. Third pick in the draft and they stink. Was last two. I mean, two of the top three picks. The amount of times that's happened ever. I mean, Kentucky had it a couple times.

[Matt]

It was the 2012 Michael Kid. Michael Kid Gilchrist, and they won the national championship.

[Myron]

Top national champ.

[Matt]

Yep.

[Myron]

And now Rutgers is going to have it and they're not even going to make the tournament. They might not make the Big Ten tournament and they have two of the top three picks in the country. That's no offense. But Rutgers, that is shameful. How bad you all are considering who you have now. Coming up next, there's a lot of events going on today. We got all kinds of stuff, but somebody's got to tell you who's going to win. Who better than Myer Metcalfe? Matt Jones. As I continue my domination on the picks outside of football into other sports.

[Matt]

That'S next I can say to my new Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, hey, find.

[Myron]

A keto friendly restaurant nearby and text.

[Matt]

It to Beth and Steve. And it does without me lifting a finger so I can get in more.

[Myron]

Squats anywhere I can.

[Matt]

1, 2, 3.

[Al]

Will that be cash or credit?

[Myron]

Credit.

[Al]

4 Galaxy S25 Ultra. The AI companion that does the heavy lifting so you can do you get [e-mail] compatible select apps requires Google Gemini account Results may vary based on input. Check responses for accuracy. This episode is brought to you by Allstate. Some people just know they could save hundreds on car insurance by checking Allstate first.

[Matt]

Like you know to check the date.

[Al]

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[Matt]

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[Al]

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[Matt]

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[Al]

Vary terms apply. Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates, Northbrook, Illinois right here on Sunday.

[Matt]

Morning, the 74th NBA All Star Game on ESPN Radio. It's an all new format.

[Al]

Three all star teams of eight players.

[Matt]

Each along with the winner of the.

[Al]

Rising stars game battling it out for All Star game supremacy.

[Matt]

Coverage begins tonight at 7 Eastern on ESPN radio and on the ESPN app presented by indeed Matt and Myron. The podcast. Yeah.

[Myron]

Tell them about it. It's Sunday morning with Matt Myron here on ESPN Radio. He's Myron, I'm Matt. You can tune in to college basketball Action tomorrow night. Virginia host Duke, presented by Robin Hood. Coverage begins at 7:30 Eastern on ESPN Radio and the ESPN app Robin Hood. What do you think about that, Myron? That's exciting.

[Matt]

Yeah.

[Myron]

No, I like that you like Virginia Duke. Are you on that game. You do a lot of these Monday night games?

[Matt]

No, I'm not. No.

[Myron]

No. Okay. Well, it, it should be very exciting. All right, let's. But before we get to our picks, you know, tonight is SNL 50, the 50th anniversary of Saturday Night Live. They had a concert on Friday. It was awesome. You got to see, you know, Post Malone played Nirvana, Lauryn Hill and the and Wyclef Reunited to play. There was a lot of great stuff. Now, my question for you is, who is your favorite SNL cast member of all time for what they did on snl? Not what they did after.

[Matt]

It's Eddie Murphy. I mean. I mean, that. That just laid the blueprint for so much that came after. Definitely Eddie Murphy. Yeah.

[Myron]

All right.

[Matt]

The icon. Tracy. Tracy Morgan's probably. Oh, Will Ferrell.

[Myron]

I mean, that's what I was gonna say. So, yeah, I mean, my answer is Will Ferrell. I think nobody was than Will Ferrell. I think he was. He. He was the best. And then I like Kristen Wiig a lot during her. Her years. I thought she did a great job. And shout out to Anna Gasteyer, who did that? Middle school. Did you see the middle school music department skit she did with Will Ferrell singing Not Like Us?

[Matt]

That was pretty exciting, right?

[Myron]

What was your thoughts on Kendrick? Did you. Some people didn't seem to like it. I felt like you probably. What did you think?

[Matt]

I thought it was cool. The audio was. Wasn't great, but, I mean, it was for Kendrick fans, you know, And I think the super bowl is the one moment where, like, music is kind of forced on to you a little bit. Like, you know, usually you pick the music you want to hear, but that's not the Super Bowl. So for those that didn't enjoy it, well, it wasn't for you, and I think that's okay. But, like, 133 million people watched it, so all these folks who are like, oh, I didn't care about it. Well, you tuned in for some reason.

[Myron]

So there's a lot of older people that should understand when it comes to music, no one cares what you.

[Matt]

They don't care. Not. Not one bit.

[Myron]

Like, and. And by older, like, that includes me, 100.

[Matt]

Me too.

[Myron]

When you're over 40, no one cares what you think about music. Like, your job is to. And by the way, that was throughout history, your parents thought you were going to hell based on the music you listen to.

[Matt]

Exactly.

[Myron]

Like, that's just what it is. So it's not for you. So, like, why do you get up? I don't. I never have understood why people. It's not for you. All right, so let's dive. It's time to do. Take your pick. All right, what's going on first?

[Unknown]

All right, guys, let's see what's on first.

[Matt]

Okay, let's.

[Unknown]

Let's go to the hardwood. And let's go to 3:00pm and the men's game. Number 24, Creighton. Is that number nine? St. John's Red Storm is 50.

[Myron]

Okay, hang on just a second.

[Matt]

What did you call them?

[Myron]

What did you call that?

[Matt]

What did you call them?

[Myron]

St. John's no, the other one.

[Matt]

No, no, not the other one.

[Unknown]

Creighton.

[Myron]

It's not Creighton. It's Creighton.

[Matt]

It's Creighton.

[Myron]

How have you gone all these years working in sports, Mikey, and thought it was Creighton? They make the NCAA Tournament every year.

[Unknown]

All right, well, all right, number 24, Creighton. That doesn't sound right either, though.

[Myron]

Creighton. It is Creighton. It's not. It's not like. It's not like a gross person.

[Matt]

Yeah, I've never heard Creighton. Yeah, it's definitely Creighton.

[Myron]

It's in Omaha, Nebraska, right?

[Matt]

Yep.

[Unknown]

What is Creighton. What are they, like the Knights or something?

[Nick]

The Blue Jays.

[Matt]

The Blue Jays.

[Myron]

The Blue Jays, yes. All right, so I'm glad you learned. Creighton versus St. John's okay. Creighton. Yeah.

[Unknown]

Myron, who do you think is going to win this? Myron. St. John's luckily is favored by six and a half points.

[Matt]

Creighton. I'll never hear that. St. John's is home. They just won ten in a row before they ran into Villanova early this week. But they're a good team. Best defensive team in the Big east right now. I will pick St. John's to win.

[Myron]

I'm going to go St. John's I think. You know, one of the things that's been magical about what Rick Patino's done is get the Garden rocking. You know, they're. They were full the other night. I don't know if they'll be full today, but I bet it'll be close. Big shout out to patino for bringing St. John's basketball to the back page of the papers in New York. I think they win tonight against the Creighton. Cretan Blue Jays, who's next?

[Unknown]

All right, let's move over to the women's game and a team that I'm pretty sure I could pronounce at 1:00pm the big one today on ABC. Number seven, UConn is at number four, South Carolina.

[Myron]

I think you got both those correct.

[Unknown]

Yeah. Last time UConn beat South Carolina was in 2021. Matt.

[Myron]

South Carolina wins. The SEC is a lot better. UConn's good, but Paige Beckers hasn't. I mean, she's been good, but not what I think people thought she would be. This year. I think South Carolina will win today. Myron, what about you?

[Matt]

Where's the game in South Carolina?

[Unknown]

It's always in South Carolina.

[Matt]

It feels like. So I went to the one last year. That environment is wild. They got a dj, they got music. I mean, it is a wild environment. I'll pick South Carolina between just the coming off that Texas loss, the environment at home, it'll be South Carolina.

[Myron]

It does feel like this game is always at South Carolina. They ever play at UConn? It feels like the game is always in South Carolina.

[Unknown]

They actually last time they played at UConn was 20, 21, when.

[Myron]

Why do they always play at South Carolina? Does he not want to ever play them at you?

[Unknown]

Don likes to come up here in the cold. All right, there's another big women's game, 3pm on ABC. Number five, LSU. At number three, Texas, Flauje Johnson. She's scoring 19 and a half points for LSU, but Texas is favored by nine and a half points. Myron?

[Matt]

Well, Texas just beat South Carolina, so they got a whole lot of confidence. And by the way, shout out to Flaw J, who just in the middle of the season released another album. She's a rapper for people that don't know that just dropped another album on Friday. Average 19 a game. I love what Nil has done and the opportunities it's created, but I'll pick the team to just be South Carolina. Give me Texas.

[Myron]

Yeah, I saw Texas. How about this Myron? I saw him in person Thursday in Lexington. And if there's a better women's team in in America, I want to see them because, like, Kentucky's top 10 and they had no chance in that game. I mean, Texas completely dominated. Booker is great, but, like, they have, like nine players that come off the bench that are 7ft 5 inches tall. They are an unbelievable team. And their coach looks like he runs a funeral home, which I think is kind of a good sign for him. Texas is going to be in the Final Four, and they're going to win today against lsu.

[Unknown]

All right, let's move over to auto racing in the Daytona 500130 today. Did you guys know the nearly one mile track is so long, developers had to take too long. Developers?

[Myron]

Two miles. It's two miles around. I mean, it might be one. I don't know, it might be one mile across, but it's two miles around this area.

[Unknown]

Well, they had to take the curvature of the earth into account when constructed. Anyways, Ryan Blaney, these are your top five favorites. Ryan Blaney. Kyle Busch, Joey Logano, Brad Kozlowski and Denny Hamlin. Matt, Those are the five favorites, but you got.

[Myron]

Yeah, those are the five people know. But Daytona 500 is the time to go off the board because anything can happen at the Daytona 500. I'm picking Austin Dillon, but watch out as a long shot. John Hunter Nemechek. There's a name for you if you want to go like 25 to 1. Myron, what do you got?

[Matt]

That's going to be Austin Centric, man. That number two Carver Team Penske is running well. They like what they have in that car. And you got to love your car going into a race like that.

[Myron]

You got to love your car because everybody does it.

[Matt]

Everybody does it.

[Myron]

Not everybody loves the car. So, you know, Austin loves his car.

[Matt]

Team Penske loves that Ford and how it's been run. And that matters that Zach.

[Myron]

What was the school he went to? Zach.

[Matt]

Skip Barber School of Race.

[Myron]

Skip Barber. Skip Barber School of Racing. It's going to get me proud today. All right, what's next?

[Matt]

Running well.

[Unknown]

All right, let's go to that. Four nations. The four nation face off in the NHL tomorrow at 1pm Canada versus Finland with the right to go on and play USA on Thursday for the championship. Matt.

[Myron]

Yeah. Canada's going to win. Finland isn't quite as good and we're going to get usa Canada again. Hopefully they'll fight six to eight times, but Canada will beat the Fins Monday.

[Matt]

Wait, how did that happen? Wait, what happened to Sweden? They got eliminated.

[Myron]

They're pretty much placed the usa. But they're already eliminated.

[Nick]

No, they're not. All three, all. Sweden, Finland and Canada are all tied at 2.

[Myron]

Sweden would have to beat the United States in order to make it, so. Yeah, but they're still alive. Right, but we're America. We're not.

[Unknown]

Finland would have to win. I was hoping to avoid all this. Finland would have to win in regulation. It's. Yeah, don't worry.

[Myron]

Who you got, Canada or Finland?

[Matt]

I'll pick Canada because I want to see a rematch with the United States this week. So.

[Myron]

Yeah, that would be really. Where would that. Do we know where the championship is? Canada.

[Nick]

Yeah, it shifts to TD Garden on tomorrow. Championship, 8 o'clock on Thursday in TDN in Boston.

[Myron]

Oh, so we'll have the crowd. Yeah, that'll be. That'll be helpful. All right. So big weekend tonight. Just today. You got the Daytona 500. You got the NBA All Star game. You got SNL 50 and you got the debut of White Lotus. If there was ever a day to sit and watch television, Myron, this would be the one to do it.

[Matt]

Not should be fun, fun day.

[Myron]

And thank you for I enjoyed the show even though you were a little bit grumpy.

[Matt]

I was not grumpy.

[Myron]

You were a little grumpy. But now you found your groove and we're ready to go. And we learned about creepy and the Blue Jays as well.

[Nick]

They're the Knights.

[Matt]

The Creighton.

[Unknown]

The Creighton team is the Knights. Creighton.

[Myron]

All right. Thank you all very much. We'll see you later. This has been at Sunday morning.

[Matt]

Hey, it's your resident super bowl champ, Chris Candy coming up Monday. While there might not be any more games on the field, I'll tell you why this is a huge week in the NFL. It's unsportsmanlife weekday mornings at 6 right here on ESPN radio, ESPN2. Thanks for listening to Matt and Myron the Podcast. You can listen to the show live every Sunday morning at 10am Eastern on ESPN Radio, the ESPN app, and on SiriusXM Channel 80. Matt and Myron the Podcast.

[Al]

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