Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron - Episode: Hour 3: Selection Sunday!

Release Date: March 16, 2025

1. Introduction to Selection Sunday

In this episode of "Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron," hosts Matt Jones and Myron Medcalf dive deep into the intricacies of Selection Sunday, analyzing team performances, tournament seedings, and the potential impact on the NCAA tournament landscape.

2. SEC Tournament Highlights

The discussion kicks off with a focus on the Southeastern Conference (SEC) tournament. Both hosts analyze Auburn's standing and the implications of recent games:

• Matt Jones highlights Auburn's dominance, noting, "Auburn has been a powerhouse all season, and their consistency should keep them as the number one overall seed" (02:38).

• Myron Medcalf counters by expressing skepticism about seed adjustments based on recent losses, stating, "Joe Linardi doubts the committee will drop Auburn from the top seed despite yesterday's loss. Stability over recent performance should prevail" (02:17).

3. Florida Gators' Dominance

A significant portion of the conversation centers around the Florida Gators, who have recently secured a commanding win against Alabama:

• Myron shares the excitement of Florida's victory, saying, "The Gators with a statement win here in the semifinals, beat Alabama, the fifth ranked team of the country. What a moment for this club" (05:03).

• Mark Zinno adds perspective on Florida's offensive and defensive prowess: "They could score 100 in the blink of an eye, but Tennessee also can hold you to 50 in the blink of an eye" (05:19).

4. Big East Tournament and Saint John's Victory

Shifting focus to the Big East Conference, the hosts celebrate Saint John's impressive performance:

• Jonathan Zaslow announces, "Saint John's wins the Big East tournament, defeating Creighton 82-66 in the title game. They're back, baby!" (08:30).

• Mark Zinno praises Coach Rick Patino's leadership, remarking, "Rick Patino is doing an unbelievable job with Saint John's. Just their second year and they're 30-4. Truly remarkable" (08:37).

5. ACC Tournament: Duke's Triumph

The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) tournament concluded with Duke Blue Devils securing their 23rd championship:

• Jonathan reports, "The Duke Blue Devils win their 23rd ACC tournament championship, defeating Louisville 73-62" (08:30).

• Mark discusses player availability, stating, "Cooper Flag doesn't need to play in the first game. If he's good enough, just play him without hesitation" (10:07).

6. Game Predictions and Bracketology

A substantial segment is dedicated to predicting outcomes across various conferences, supported by insights from Joe Linardi’s bracketology projections.

a. Ivy League Final: Cornell vs. Yale

The Ivy League championship between Cornell and Yale is a key matchup:

• Mark Zinno admits, "I was on the wrong side. It looks like I bet Yale" (15:47), but reevaluates his stance as the game progresses.

• Jonathan Zaslow opts for Yale, citing their season-long performance: "I'm going with Yale. You overreacting" (16:11).

b. SEC Final: Tennessee vs. Florida

The SEC final pits Tennessee against Florida, with both teams having split the season series:

• Mark Zinno describes it as a "coin flip game," emphasizing home advantage disparities: "The team on the home floor dominated their regular season matchups. On a neutral floor, it's anyone's game" (16:53).

• Jonathan supports Florida, driven by personal allegiance: "I'm going Florida. That's my school, it's my alma mater" (17:23).

c. Atlantic 10 Final: George Mason vs. VCU

In the Atlantic 10, George Mason faces off against VCU:

• Mark Zinno expresses a desire for upsets: "I'm rooting for George Mason. If they pull off the upset, it adds the chaos we love" (18:07).

• Jonathan concurs, emphasizing the thrill of unexpected outcomes: "I want the chaos as well. I'm going with George Mason, too" (18:07).

d. American Athletic Conference: UAB vs. Memphis

The battle between UAB and Memphis is another focal point:

• Mark Zinno leans towards UAB to limit SEC representation: "I'm rooting for UAB just because I don't want any more SEC teams in this thing" (18:59).

• Jonathan predicts a Memphis victory based on their conference dominance: "I'm going with Memphis. They've been sitting atop the American Athletic Conference the entire season" (19:11).

e. Big Ten Final: Wisconsin vs. Michigan

The Big Ten showdown features Wisconsin against Michigan:

• Mark Zinno advocates for Wisconsin, critiquing Michigan's recent performances: "They can't win nine games this year in conference by three points or less and expect to beat a superior team" (21:11).

• Jonathan opts for Michigan, highlighting their resilience: "I'm going with the Wolverine. They complete a really surprising season with the Big Ten tournament championship" (21:02).

7. NBA Picks

Transitioning to professional basketball, the hosts share their predictions for upcoming NBA matchups.

a. Orlando Magic vs. Cavaliers

A game between the Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers is under the microscope:

• Mark Zinno remains cautious of Cavaliers' extended winning streak: "I'm not laying ten with Cleveland at this point. I'll take the Magic plus ten and a half" (22:09).

• Jonathan trusts in the Cavaliers' experience and recent performances: "I'm going with the Cavaliers. They cover by double figures" (22:31).

b. Suns vs. Lakers

The clash between the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers draws attention:

• Mark Zinno questions the Lakers' lineup stability: "Who's playing for the Lakers at this point? Do we have any status updates?" (23:12).

• Jonathan remains optimistic about the Lakers' potential resurgence: "I think the Lakers snap that skid on the home floor today against the Phoenix Suns" (23:56).

8. Closing Remarks

As the episode wraps up, Matt and Myron encourage listeners to stay tuned for further analyses and bracketology specials:

• Mark Zinno wishes luck to participants: "Good luck with Yale and Cornell the rest of the way here" (25:22).

• Jonathan Zaslow promotes upcoming coverage: "Make sure you tune in 5pm Eastern Men's Bracketology Special right here on ESPN Radio" (25:22).

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Mark Zinno (02:17): "The line opened up at six and a half. I got it at five and a half..."

• Myron Medcalf (05:03): "The Gators with a statement win here in the semifinals, beat Alabama, the fifth ranked team of the country. What a moment for this club."

• Mark Zinno (08:37): "Rick Patino is doing an unbelievable job with Saint John's. Just their second year and they're 30-4. Truly remarkable."

• Jonathan Zaslow (16:11): "I'm going with Yale. You overreacting."

• Mark Zinno (17:23): "I'm going Florida. That's my school, it's my alma mater."

• Mark Zinno (22:09): "I'm not laying ten with Cleveland at this point. I'll take the Magic plus ten and a half."

• Jonathan Zaslow (23:56): "I think the Lakers snap that skid on the home floor today against the Phoenix Suns."

Conclusion

This episode of "Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron" offers an in-depth analysis of Selection Sunday, providing listeners with expert opinions on various conference tournaments, team performances, and upcoming NBA games. The hosts balance statistical insights with personal anecdotes, ensuring a comprehensive and engaging discussion for sports enthusiasts gearing up for the NCAA tournament.

Note: All timestamps correspond to the provided transcript and are included to highlight notable moments within the discussion.