Transcript

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Jim Calhoun (0:19)

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Podcast Intro/Outro Announcer (0:29)

This is Matt and Myon the podcast.

Matt Myron (0:32)

It is Matt Myron on ESPN Radio.

James (0:35)

You can tune in for baseball action Tonight is the Tigers host. The Cardinals coverage of Sunday night baseball

Matt Myron (0:39)

begins at 6:30 Eastern on ESPN radio and the ESPN app. Tim Welsh is joining me and in for my Metcalf. And Tim, your Rolodex is strong and you have a guest here that I'm excited.

James (0:54)

I'll let you do the introduction.

Tim Welsh (0:55)

Well, it's, it's only right a day like today we bring in a Hall of Famer from the University of Connecticut, the great Jim Calhoun. Jim, thanks for joining us. And how are you doing?

Jim Calhoun (1:07)

I'm doing pretty good. I'm unfortunately not in Indiana, although there's a temptation someone may get me out there but find a little bit of illness. I'm doing just fine. But I watched as everybody else did and Sarah, you know, two really conflicting games in some ways. The first one I thought Danny Hurley did a great job of adapting pace. He didn't allow the game to get to be helter skelter. He's not particularly deep as with the fastest rising player maybe in America. And that's, that would be our center who's who really has just made, he's made incredible progress and I think he felt the game playing a little more in the half court as opposed to being a wide open game would be better. And as, as it would have it at Connecticut, I guess because we've been pretty good in tournaments, it worked and I do think pace had a lot to do with it.

Tim Welsh (2:13)

Now Jim, having said that, I know you still are on the program quite a bit and you're at games all the time. And let's point back to maybe I saw you at the Creighton game and they got beat that night at home and, and obviously they didn't play well. But when you look at the overall picture of this team, when you thought coming into this tournament even before the big Easter, what did you think of this team and did you think they could be there tomorrow night?

Summary

Podcast Summary

Podcast: Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron
Episode: Hour 3: Learning Experience
Date: April 6, 2026
Hosts: Matt Myron (Matt Jones), Tim Welsh (in for Myron Medcalf)
Theme: College basketball’s evolving landscape, UConn’s legacy, coaching transitions, and a preview of the women’s national championship.

Episode Overview

Hour 3 blends high-profile guest interviews (notably former UConn coach Jim Calhoun and ESPN’s Carolyn Peck) with in-depth discussion on college basketball’s biggest topics: UConn’s sustained tournament success, the blue blood era in flux, the evolving motivations of coaches and programs, and today’s women’s national title game. Hosts also dive into broader trends such as NIL’s impact, the role of alumni/family in hiring, and competitive investment in women’s sports. The episode closes with game picks across sports, highlighting listener interaction and spirited banter.

Key Segments & Insights

1. Interview: Jim Calhoun On UConn and Tournament Legacy

[00:54 - 11:18]

A. UConn’s Recent Tournament Performance

Calhoun praises Coach Danny Hurley for tactical adjustments, especially controlling game pace to maximize UConn’s strengths.
“He didn’t allow the game to get to be helter skelter...playing a little more in the half court as opposed to being a wide open game would be better.” — Jim Calhoun [01:07]
Highlights the growth of UConn’s center, calling him “the most dominating player, in my opinion, in the Big East.” [03:28]

B. Why UConn Excels in the NCAA Tournament

Calhoun cites UConn’s mental and physical toughness forged in the Big East as a key to postseason resilience.
“We play in a lot of wars and we play in tough places...Physically and mentally, we’re a very tough team.” [04:21]
Emphasizes that preparation in tough conference play traditionally sets UConn up for success in March.

C. UConn as a Family/Program

Strong emphasis on “family” — players returning, alumni engagement, values going back to Calhoun’s upbringing.
“It’s a family. And...there’s nothing that makes me feel better.” [06:21]
Reflection on building and maintaining a program, not just a team, echoing advice from Dean Smith.

D. Danny Hurley: Similarities and Differences

Shared values: both push players hard but have their backs off the court.
“For two hours a day you’re not going to particularly like me...but for 22 hours a day, I got your back. And that's what we feel. And I know Danny has the same philosophy because we've talked about it.” [09:24]
The “family” environment and drive to develop players are consistent program characteristics.

Notable Moments

Calhoun reacts to Hurley’s request for new weights: “I looked at him and said, do we get the wrong coach? I didn’t realize weights wore out.” [07:39]
Discussion of Calhoun’s grandson Sam covering UConn basketball and his role in the “program as family.” [10:05]

2. College Basketball Power Shifts & Coaching Landscape

[14:25 - 21:20]

A. The Changing Pull of “Blue Blood” Programs

Discussion of North Carolina’s (UNC) open coaching job—once a dream destination, now met with hesitation by top candidates.
“Twenty years ago...Kentucky or North Carolina could have gotten pretty much anybody they wanted. Do you think in today’s college basketball...that’s over?” — Matt [15:11]
“That’s over. You just have to listen to the coaches talk about this...What matters is, what are you going to give me in NIL?” — Tim Welsh [15:26]

B. Coaching Risk and Administration Dynamics at UNC

Tim Welsh highlights hesitancy due to administrative instability and booster influence:
“Why would you go a place that right now has two athletic directors? You know, the boosters are running the show...the boosters, I’m sure, fired Hubert Davis.” [16:24]
Welsh says removing Hubert Davis (an alum) breaks the “family” tradition, so going outside for a coach is no longer taboo.

C. The Realignment of “Family” in Hiring

“Danny Hurley was not in the UConn family at all...all that stuff goes by the wayside very quickly.” — Tim Welsh [18:15]
Emphasizes that results, not alumni status, matter most now (examples: Tommy Lloyd at Arizona, Kevin Willard at Villanova).

D. NIL and Parity

“Anybody can be good. Look at Texas Tech...It’s cyclical...you’ve got to keep up with NIL.” — Tim Welsh [20:10]
Warning that lack of urgency with the transfer portal and coaching decisions can set even powerhouses back.

3. Women’s Basketball: Final Preview & Program Investment

[23:23 - 35:00]

A. UConn-South Carolina Recap & Coaching Conduct

Carolyn Peck critiques Geno Auriemma’s sideline behavior vs. Dawn Staley, wishing his apology specifically named Staley. [24:04]
“As coaches and as leaders you have got to keep your emotions in check and understand that you are setting an example.” — Carolyn Peck [24:09]

B. Tactical Game Preview: UCLA vs. South Carolina (Women’s Final)

Peck details keys for South Carolina: pressure the perimeter to limit UCLA center Lauren Betts's impact, speed up the game, apply full court pressure.
“One on one, Lauren Betts is a handful...South Carolina has got to make this an up-and-down game.” — Peck [25:27]

C. What Makes Great Women’s Coaches (Staley, Close)

Staley: “She knows what success looks like, feels like and sounds like.” — Peck [27:22]
Corey Close (UCLA): Known as a “connector” and tireless learner, has built UCLA through love, talent evaluation, and player development. [28:50]

D. NIL, The Portal, and Investment in Women’s Sports

Peck: Success in women’s hoops will increasingly depend on “which programs invest,” predicting a growing divide between “haves and have-nots.”
“When it comes to women’s basketball, you have Gucci expectations but you want to pay Costco prices.” — Peck [32:50]
Criticism of administrations not having a succession plan or resource commitment comparable to men’s sports.

Memorable Soapbox Moment

“You got me on a soapbox right now.” — Carolyn Peck [34:41]
Hosts agree: “More people need to have that conversation...” [34:45]

4. Game Picks Segment: “Take Your Pick”

[37:01 - 44:11]

Picks and Banter

Women’s championship: Both Matt and Tim pick UCLA in an upset over South Carolina, citing Lauren Betts’s post presence. [37:27]
Men’s championship: Tim picks UConn for a third title; Matt picks Michigan but favors UConn against the spread. [38:25]
NBA, MLB, NHL: Playful banter and rapid-fire picks, highlighted by love for the Hurricanes (“most underrated fan base”), Ellie De La Cruz’s hoodie superstition, and family connections to teams. [43:03]
Memorable Quotes:
- “I’m just announcing it to the world. It’s going to be Hurricanes Avalanche in the finals and we’re taking the cup.” — Matt [43:04]
- “For two hours a day you’re not going to particularly like me...but for 22 hours a day, I got your back.” — Jim Calhoun [09:24]
- “When it comes to women's basketball, you have Gucci expectations but you want to pay Costco prices.” — Carolyn Peck [32:50]

Notable Quotes & Moments

Jim Calhoun on UConn’s Mentality:
“I don’t like supposed to. I like do it, don’t supposed to do it.” [05:00]
Tim Welsh on Blue Blood Shifts:
“That’s over...what matters is, what are you going to give me in NIL?” [15:26]
Carolyn Peck on Resource Disparity in Women’s Sports:
“You have Gucci expectations but you want to pay Costco prices.” [32:50]
Hosts on Hurricanes Fan Base:
“Most underrated fan base is the Carolina Hurricanes. Sell out every game in Raleigh, North Carolina for hockey.” — Matt [44:05]

Timestamps for Key Segments

Jim Calhoun Interview: [00:54 – 11:18]
Blue Bloods & Coaching Discussion: [14:25 – 21:20]
Carolyn Peck/Women’s Final Four Preview: [23:23 – 35:00]
Game Picks (“Take Your Pick”): [37:01 – 44:11]
Memorable Quotes: Throughout; see above for attributable moments

Conclusion

This episode offers a rich exploration of college basketball’s evolving tradition through the lens of icons like Jim Calhoun and dynamic analysts like Carolyn Peck. From legendary men’s tourney insights and coaching culture shifts to the rising importance of program investment in women’s hoops, Hour 3 provides listeners a blend of nostalgia, honest critique, and practical forecasting. Endearing moments of personality, deep institutional knowledge, and genuine love for the game make it insightful and fun, even for sports fans who didn’t catch it live.