The Dan Patrick Show: Best of the Week

Date: April 4, 2026
Host: Dan Patrick
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network

Overview

This week’s "Best of the Dan Patrick Show" highlights the host’s trademark blend of incisive sports insight, humor, and pop culture commentary. The episode is packed with discussions on the NCAA March Madness Final Four, NBA and NFL news, and shifting landscapes in college athletics. Key moments include analysis of the dramatic Duke-UConn game, a lively interview with Michigan State coach Tom Izzo, and debate over NFL quarterback moves. The conversation stays fast-paced and conversational, mixing serious breakdowns with laughter and inside stories from the world of sports.

NCAA Tournament: Final Four Drama (03:00–14:54)

Main Points

• Dan sets the table with betting odds and matchups: Illinois favored over UConn by 1.5 points; Michigan is 1.5-point favorites over Arizona.
• Debates narrative of "Cinderella" teams versus heavyweight matchups.
• In-depth breakdown of Duke’s meltdown against UConn: Duke led by 19 at one point, only to blow the lead.

Key Insights & Quotes

• Duke’s Blown Leads:
  “Duke played a perfect first half. Perfect. And when Charles Barkley said, 'I don't see Connecticut coming back,' I go, Connecticut's going to win this game because Charles is never right on his bets.” (06:22)

• Iconic Game-Winning Moments:
  Play-by-play calls are included with buzzer-beater drama:

  • “Mullins up top for the win. Oh, he hit it with 3.1 second to go. Connecticut has the lead, 73 to 72.” (07:09)

• On Why People Root Against Duke:
  “It’s not necessarily, ‘Hey, I’m rooting for Connecticut,’ you’re rooting for Connecticut because you’re not rooting for Duke… It's a testament to that brand that it still resonates.” (11:33)

• Stat of the Day:
  Dan recites stats on historic leads blown in NCAA history to underline the magnitude of Duke's collapse:
  “Largest blown leads in tournament history: Iona blew a 25 point lead in 2012... North Carolina this year’s tournament, 19. Duke this year’s tournament, 19.” (13:22)

Notable Moment

• Comedy about Duke's Brand:
  “Duke is at a different echelon of ‘People enjoy watching them lose, no matter who it’s to.’” (12:41)

Interview: Tom Izzo, Michigan State Head Coach (21:38–39:13)

Main Topics

• Best Teams Faced This Season:
  Izzo says Michigan was the most talented, credits UConn, Illinois, and Duke as among the best.

• Relationship with Coaches:
  On Dan Hurley: “I think he’s certifiably crazy. But I think his passion, his love for his players, what he’s done with that program has been phenomenal.” (23:35)

• Coaching Under Modern Pressures:
  Izzo is open about the chaos of the current NCAA environment, especially with NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) and transfer portal dynamics:

  • “1100 men's basketball players will be in the portal. My wife’s thinking of putting me in the portal, too.” (28:43)
  • On NCAA rules: “Is there any accountability? I mean, it seems like if you don't like something, get a lawyer and go sue.” (29:46)

• NIL and Transfer Portal:
  Izzo is candid about the impact of NIL: “The NIL means pay for play. And you can just pay them to play.” (37:08)

Quotes

• On Coaching Change Considerations:
  “I've had more than a couple job offers in the NBA, and looked at one last year with Phoenix… That was a hard thing to turn down.” (27:36)

• On Modern College Recruiting:
  “Do they have an intermediary?… Oh, yeah. His parents and his agents say that.” (34:48)

• Balancing Adaptation and Tradition:
  “Adapt doesn't mean all of a sudden there's no rules, there's no accountability… What we’re going through now, anytime there's a problem, just get a lawyer and fix it.” (33:48)

• Izzo’s Longevity in Coaching:
  “I think I’ll retire before I die, hopefully… I still have the energy, I still love my players. I don’t love my profession, but that’s three out of four on my side.” (33:16)

NFL News & Debate: Kirk Cousins and the Raiders (43:43–56:54)

Main Discussion Points

• BREAKING: Kirk Cousins signs with the Las Vegas Raiders.
• The team debates the wisdom of having both Cousins and drafting Fernando Mendoza (presumptive #1 pick QB).
• Discussion of whether this creates a quarterback controversy or, instead, smartly lets Mendoza develop.
• Dan draws parallels to the Mahomes-Alex Smith model and Brady’s rookie experience.

Notable Quotes

• “You bring in Kirk Cousins, that means you’re spending money you didn’t need to spend. You could let Aidan O’Connell get thrown to the Wolves for seven games and then bring in Mendoza.” (45:35, Paulie)

• “I don’t think Fernando Mendoza is an Andrew Luck, John Elway generational [talent], but I do think he is a great person to represent your franchise… If Kirk Cousins plays well, I'd say awesome. But I wouldn’t go, oh, we can't put Mendoza in there. You'll put him in when he's ready.” (53:55, Dan)

• On QB Pro Days:
  “His approach to a pro day wasn’t a ‘Let me show you throws that I probably will never have in my career.’ All you’re doing is trying to replicate what throws you’re going to have in a game.” (51:07)

Quotes: Mendoza on Expectations

• “I’m just trying to be the best quarterback I can be in September rather than right now here in April.” (51:00, Mendoza)

Comic Relief

• “Those feared, nasty silver and black Raiders? You’re talking about Kirk Cousins and Mendoza— a couple of choir boys. Those your quarterbacks?” (48:08, Todd)

Pop Culture, Media Guests & Show Banter (57:01–60:32)

Highlights

• Dan discusses the potential to have legendary sports talk hosts Jim Rome and Colin Cowherd on as guests as he approaches retirement.
• Paulie reveals he’s been working to book Michael Jordan for five years in anticipation of Dan’s eventual sign-off:
  “I alerted Michael Jordan's people that you're retiring... groundwork was laid. They did say get back to me closer to the end.” (59:36)

Lighter Moments

• On shopping habits of Kirk Cousins:
  “Very good news for Kirk Cousins. There are at least eight Kohl’s in the greater Las Vegas area, which we know he’s a huge Kohl’s shopper.” (56:54)

Other Noteworthy Takeaways

• College Basketball Evolution: Discussion of positionless basketball and the cyclical nature of the sport:
  “I think everything’s cyclical. You know, everybody gets into this three point shooting because it’s the new sexy thing. And, you know, at the end of the day, I still think you got to be balanced in what you do.” (32:13, Izzo)

• The Life of a Modern Coach Well Beyond the Court:
  “You don’t just coach anymore. You talk to agents, you talk to people, you raise money.” (33:48, Dan)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• NCAA Final Four Breakdown: 03:00–14:54
• Poll Question: Duke Blew Game or UConn Won? 14:54–16:31
• Tom Izzo Interview: 21:38–39:13
• NFL News / Kirk Cousins Debate: 43:43–56:54
• Show Banter—Jim Rome/Jordan guest talk: 57:01–60:32

Memorable Quotes

• “1100 men's basketball players will be in the portal. My wife's thinking of putting me in the portal, too.”
  – Tom Izzo (28:43)

• “Duke is at a different echelon of people enjoy watching them lose. No matter who it’s to.”
  – Paulie (12:41)

• “Do kids have to go to class anymore? I haven't heard anybody be academically ineligible in a few years here, coach.”
  – Dan Patrick (29:30)

• “The nil means pay for play. And you can just pay them to play. The only difference is it's still sort of illegal, but it's not illegal.”
  – Tom Izzo (37:08)

Conclusion

This “Best of the Week” episode is vintage Dan Patrick: passionate basketball talk, deep access to major guests, quick humor, and sharp sideways glances at the evolving sports world. From buzzer-beaters and coaching legacies to quarterback controversies and the business behind the sports, the episode is a must-listen for any sports fan wanting insider knowledge and lively entertainment.

For listeners looking to dive right in: start with the Final Four recap (03:00), stay for the Tom Izzo interview (21:38), and don’t miss the NFL quarterback debate (43:43).