The Dan Patrick Show — Hour 1: Final Four Preview, Tiger Steps Away

Date: April 1, 2026
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts & Dan Patrick Podcast Network
Host: Dan Patrick and The Danettes (Seaton, Paulie, Fritzi, Marv)

Episode Overview

This episode of The Dan Patrick Show kicks off with two major topics on the table: a detailed preview of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four, including transfer portal chaos and officiating controversies, and breaking news about Tiger Woods stepping away from golf-related responsibilities. Throughout the hour, Dan and the Danettes blend sports analysis, breaking news, and their trademark humor. Key guests are teased for the day, and the crew weighs in on poll questions about who is having the worst week in sports.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NCAA Transfer Portal Mayhem & "Free Agency"

[03:00 - 04:41]

• Dan reveals that 1,100 men’s basketball players are projected to enter the transfer portal next Tuesday. “That equates to the rosters of nearly 100 Division 1 basketball teams.”
• The portal’s growth is compared to “yearly free agency” in college sports.
• [04:41] Dan Patrick: “This is the start of the day. It’s yearly free agency… Next Tuesday, the portal opens for business and the current projection … is 1,100 men’s basketball players … in the portal.”

2. Officiating Controversy: Roger Ayers & the Dan Hurley Incident

[04:41 - 12:22]

• The official involved in the UConn/Dan Hurley incident, Roger Ayers, will not referee in the Final Four.
• Dan’s source says Ayers wasn’t snubbed due to the Hurley incident, but as a “temperature cooling option” to avoid unnecessary distraction.
• Rule 10.2h is cited as not applicable since no unsporting Class A technical was warranted.
• Paulie confirms NCAA officials stated “this had no bearing” on Ayers’ selection for the Final Four.
• The crew stresses responsible reporting and pushes back on “sensationalist” coverage by other media outlets.
  • [12:22] Paulie reads the NCAA’s statement:
    “This had no bearing on the selection of the Final Four officials.”

3. Historic Final Four Matchups & KenPom Ratings

[07:30 - 09:44]

• Michigan vs. Arizona: slated to be one of the best statistical semifinal matchups ever by KenPom ratings.

• Top KenPom-rated teams of all-time include Duke ‘99, Duke ‘25, Michigan, Arizona, and Duke ‘01.

• The show revisits NBA talent-loaded Duke rosters and muses on if Michigan/Arizona “should be for the championship (but isn’t).”

  • [08:50] Paulie: “Corey Maggette, Elton Brand, Shane Battier, Trajan Langdon…five NBA players in the starting lineup.”

4. Tiger Woods Steps Away: Statement & Speculation

[09:44 - 12:53 | 26:15 - 29:43]

• Tiger Woods announced he is stepping away from golf-related duties to seek treatment.

• The crew discusses implications of chronic pain, potential for addiction, and the challenges Tiger faces long-term.

  • [27:45] Dan Patrick: “He’s always going to have this pain the rest of his life… Even if you go to rehab, what are you going to do for his body? What can he do that doesn’t lead him back to this?”

• Dan shares personal experience with prednisone use, describing the withdrawal process and complexity for pain patients.

• Poll discussion: Is Tiger’s, or Italy’s World Cup failure, a “worse week”?

5. Italy’s World Cup Catastrophe

[10:34 | 26:18 - 27:30]

• Italy fails to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup, a historic low, and the crew places it among the “worst weeks” in sports.

• Dan highlights that none of the current Italian squad have ever played in a World Cup.

  • [10:34] Dan Patrick: “Italy becomes the first former champ to miss out on three consecutive World Cups…None of the team’s current players ever having participated.”

6. MLB Umpiring Debacle & Automated Ball-Strike System (ABS)

[13:00 - 20:23]

• CB Buckner, MLB umpire, is roasted for repeated blown calls—now exposed in the social media era and with ABS technology.
• Discussion centers on human error, the impact of instant replay and ABS, and whether umpires are more annoyed or relieved by automation.
• Paulie points out: “One random umpire has a bad weekend and becomes the face of the entire system.”
• Dan advocates for technology getting calls right and predicts full implementation will remove balls and strikes from umpires' purview.
  • [16:02] Dan Patrick: “If the goal is to get all the calls right and you have the technology, then use the technology.”

7. Lighthearted Moments: The “Height” Debate

[31:07 - 35:19]

• Discussion about 7’9” Olivier Rioux entering the transfer portal after one year at Florida.
• Todd floats a (satirical) medical question: Could someone “shrink” themselves with future surgery?
• The crew debates the plausibility, lampoons the idea, and refers to modern medical marvels and the impracticalities of “height adjustment surgery.”
  • [32:25] Todd: “I wonder if one day there may be a kind of surgery…where you can control your height…as you’re elongated or shrunk down like an accordion…”
• Conversation veers into show’s chemistry and comic relief provided by the Danettes.

8. Poll Questions: “Who is Having the Worst Week?”

[12:53 | 25:40 | 43:50]

• The poll options:
  • Tiger Woods
  • CB Buckner (MLB umpire)
  • Italian soccer
  • Duke basketball
• Consensus leans towards Italy: “That’s an entire country…and they didn’t make the World Cup for the third consecutive World Cup.” – Dan Patrick [26:15]
• Paulie, Todd, and Dan discuss nuances of each candidate and why Tiger may not have it as bad, contextually.

9. Listener Calls & Unique Sports Autograph Stories

[35:17 - 49:44]

• Callers cover topics: Final Four picks, Tiger’s recovery, drivers for celebrities, North Carolina men’s basketball coaching search.
• Listener shares a unique Grant Hill autograph encounter; Dan recalls an awkward restaurant fan interaction.

10. Pop Culture, Show Chemistry, and Signature Humor

[Throughout]

• One-liners, playful jabs about Todd’s “height” concept, and family banter make the sports talk engaging for listeners.
• Moment of the day: Dan pokes fun at Todd’s logic about adjusting height medically, with a blend of patience and exasperation.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dan Patrick [04:41]: “This is the start of the day. It’s yearly free agency… Next Tuesday, the portal opens for business and the current projection … is 1,100 men’s basketball players … in the portal.”
• Paulie [12:22, quoting NCAA]: “This had no bearing on the selection of the Final Four officials.”
• Dan Patrick [16:02]: “If the goal is to get all the calls right and you have the technology, then use the technology.”
• Seaton [17:33]: “What you’re expecting is the manager to come flying out…but now it’s fixed in 90 seconds. Replay. Oh, okay.”
• Dan Patrick [27:45]: “Here’s the big concern I have…he’s always going to have this pain the rest of his life.”
• Todd [32:25]: (On 7’9” college player): “Wonder if one day…medical procedure…can control your height…like an accordion.”
• Dan Patrick [26:15]: “I would say Italy, because that’s an entire country. This is their sport… And they didn’t make the World Cup for the third consecutive World Cup.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00 – 02:54: Sponsor messages, show intro
• 02:58 – 04:41: NCAA transfer portal projections, “yearly free agency”
• 04:41 – 12:22: Officiating story—Roger Ayers/Final Four/Hurley incident
• 07:30 – 09:44: KenPom ratings, championship-caliber Final Four teams
• 09:44 – 12:53: Tiger Woods steps away, Italy’s World Cup failure recap
• 13:00 – 20:23: MLB umpire (CB Buckner) errors and ABS debate
• 25:40: Recap and expansion of “who’s had the worst week” poll
• 31:07 – 35:19: 7’9” college basketball transfer, “height modification” concept
• 35:17 – 39:06: Listener calls; Grant Hill autograph story
• 43:07 – 43:50: Play of the Day — Italy’s World Cup elimination (audio clip)

Show’s Tone & Style

Dan and the Danettes maintain their trademark balance of sharp sports analysis, behind-the-scenes reporting, and irreverent, good-natured ribbing. There’s room for deep-dive discussion, listener engagement, and plenty of laughs, making the episode accessible whether you’re a diehard sports fan or a casual listener.

For further insight:

• This hour is heavy on NCAA basketball, officiating discourse, and breaking Tiger Woods news, but remains quintessential Dan Patrick Show—mixing expert reporting, passionate opinions, and comedic asides throughout.