The Dan Patrick Show – Best of the Week

Date: March 21, 2026
Podcast Host: Dan Patrick
Highlight Guest: Bruce Pearl (CBS Sports Analyst, former Auburn Head Coach)
Other Regular Contributors: Paul, Dylan, Todd, Seaton, various show crew

Overview

This week’s “Best of the Week” episode of The Dan Patrick Show mixes in-depth college basketball analysis with trademark humor and camaraderie among Dan and his crew. The main highlight is an engaging conversation with Bruce Pearl discussing NCAA tournament selection controversies, objectivity in sports commentary, and the future of college basketball. The episode also features light-hearted segments like the inaugural "Disappointment Draft," playful banter about show mishaps, and tributes to the late Chuck Norris.

Key Segments & Insights

1. Bruce Pearl Interview

Starts at 04:18

NCAA Tournament Selection & Controversies

• Bruce Pearl’s New Role: Now an analyst after 48 years in basketball; adjusting to media with refreshing candor.

  • “This analyst thing and being in the media is brand new. So I am a rookie at that, even though I'm 66 years old now.” – Bruce Pearl (04:57)

• Selection Snubs & Bubble Drama:

  • Miami Ohio’s Inclusion: Pearl estimates 95% of their inclusion was due to “the story,” not metrics.
    • “There is a human element that exists in that room, and it should exist. You don’t just go by the metrics...” – Bruce Pearl (06:21)
  • Metrics vs. Human Factor: Argues for more mid-majors, suggests current metrics need to be adjusted.
  • Auburn and Oklahoma’s Case: Both left out despite multiple “quality wins.”
    • “Auburn beat St. John’s who was the Big East champion... They had the number four strength of schedule.” – Bruce Pearl (07:57)
  • Stanford’s Resume: Dan argues Stanford had a stronger case than Auburn or Oklahoma due to more Quad 1 wins.

• Objectivity in Commentary:

  • Pearl maintains he can be objective about Auburn, despite still being paid as an ambassador.
  • Humorously reflects on leaving $30 million by quitting instead of waiting to be fired.
    • “Not many Jewish guys would walk away from $30 million, but this one did.” – Bruce Pearl (09:35)
  • Draws parallels to Charles Barkley (always rooting for Auburn but “keeps it real”).

Broader Reflections

• On Retirement & New Missions:

  • “I want to coach America... I work really hard to bring Jews and Christians and Muslims together. Abraham is the father of all nations.” – Bruce Pearl (11:25)

• Best Pro Prospects in the Tourney:

  • AJ DeBencer highlighted as top overall.
  • “Boozer Peterson is an incredible talent. Caleb Wilson is amazing. The point guards– Acuff is a great, great story.” (12:31)

• Veteran Coaches Still Going Strong:

  • Rick Pitino & Tom Izzo lauded for longevity and continued success.
    • “He’s not getting older, he’s getting better. Tom Izzo’s the same way.” – Bruce Pearl (13:39)

• Who Can Win the NCAA Tournament?

  • “Everybody that’s on the one line can win it. I think there are seven or eight teams that’ll win it. I think it’s gonna be a lot of chalk.” (14:33)
  • Critiques the old notion that the “last 10 games” matter most for selection.
    • “How you’re playing lately is more important, but the schedule... the last 10, I don’t think is a great metric.” – Bruce Pearl (15:26)

Notable Quotes:

• “You never know whether you’re winning or losing…when I used to coach, there was a scoreboard.” – Bruce Pearl (04:57)
• “Right now, I’m the ugly stepmother because I asked the question: are we looking for the 37 best teams or the 37 most deserving teams?” – Bruce Pearl (05:39)
• “I would give [the ambassador role] up in a heartbeat if optics became such an issue that I couldn’t be an analyst.” – Bruce Pearl (10:50)

2. The ‘Disappointment Draft’

Starts at 20:54, resumes at 27:44

Rules:

• Regulars draft high-seed March Madness teams they think will underperform (“disappoint”).
• Lower seeds are riskier picks; more negative points possible.
• Playful banter as the team rib each other over their picks and reasons.

Sample Picks & Banter:

• Todd: “The Zags [Gonzaga] will disappoint.” (28:49)
• Dylan: “I’m gonna take UConn.” – met with mock outrage (28:59)
• Paul: “The Florida Gators…based off almost nothing.” (29:21)
• Dan: “I’m gonna knock out a number two seed. Purdue. Purdued. Wipes. Wow.” (29:27)
• Joking debate over whether Arkansas not getting picked means they’re destined for a round one exit.

3. Show Antics: “The Great Sammy Sosa Figurine Incident”

Starts at 21:12

• Dan recounts a broken Sammy Sosa figurine, stirring playful blame and confessions from the crew.
• Listeners weigh in on social media defending crew members (“The defense rests” – Podcast Contributor, 21:46).
• Crew comically confess to other minor studio mishaps.
  • “I may have taken a couple packs of dude wipes… for home use.” – Todd (24:58)
  • “A few months ago, I broke one of your golf training sticks. But I taped it.” – Dylan (25:32)
• Tone: Light, cheeky, reveling in show camaraderie and inside jokes.

4. In Memoriam: Chuck Norris

Starts at 36:36

• Breaking news: Chuck Norris has passed away (age 86).
  • “He was known for Texas… Walker, Texas Ranger. Yeah, something like that.” – Dan Patrick (36:44)
• The crew reminisces about his martial arts career, action films, and iconic infomercial with Christie Brinkley.
• Compares Norris and Steven Seagal’s action star personas & hairpieces.
  • “It almost looks like it should have a chin strap, right?” – Dan (38:52)
• Poll: “Can anyone in heaven beat up Chuck Norris?” (40:26)
  • Consensus: Only Bruce Lee could challenge him.
• Background on Norris’s martial arts credentials and movie history (42:17).
  • “Steve McQueen was a client. Bob Barker was a client.” – Paul

Other Memorable Moments

• Miscellaneous Confessions: Crew members fess up to studio “crimes,” like stealing wipes or gluing trophies.
• Movie References: Banter about Al Pacino’s movies and lines, confusion over which iconic speech is from which film.
• Trivia & Poll Questions: Ongoing “polls” about who would win in a fight: Chuck Norris, Bruce Lee, Muhammad Ali, etc.
• Tribute to Bruce Lee: Reflection on Lee’s philosophical side in interviews (43:44).

Timestamps for Notable Segments

• Bruce Pearl Interview: 04:18 – 16:02
• Disappointment Draft: 20:54 – 31:40
• Show Mishaps & Confessions: 21:12 – 26:42
• Chuck Norris Segment: 36:36 – 43:44

Tone & Style

The show maintains its hallmark mix of insightful sports analysis, unfiltered opinion, and humor. Banter among the crew offers behind-the-scenes flavor, while interviews and draft segments ground the show in sports journalism.

Summary

Listeners get a well-balanced episode this week, blending Bruce Pearl’s frank breakdowns of NCAA tournament decisions with the show’s signature irreverence. Whether unpacking the sports headlines or debating Chuck Norris’s legacy, Dan and his crew keep the conversation sharp, witty, and always entertaining. For sports fans or just followers of Dan Patrick’s brand of radio, this episode encapsulates why the show remains a must-listen.