The Dan Patrick Show

Hour 3 – Grant Hill, Luka Dončić Scoring Machine

Date: April 1, 2026
Host: Dan Patrick (iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network)
Special Guest: Grant Hill (Hall of Famer, CBS/Turner, USA Basketball, Atlanta Hawks partner)

Episode Overview

This episode centers around the aftermath of the dramatic UConn vs. Duke NCAA basketball game and the chaos of March Madness. Dan Patrick welcomes Hall of Famer Grant Hill to reflect on the game's sensational finish, the emotional roller coaster for players and broadcasters, and his own experiences with iconic college basketball moments. The episode also covers Luka Dončić’s historic NBA scoring feat, recruiting insights, officiating controversies, and gives listeners a blend of basketball nostalgia, tournament analysis, and irreverent banter—the signature feel of The Dan Patrick Show.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Processing the UConn vs. Duke Finish & Grant Hill's Role (02:44 – 13:47)

• Grant’s Emotional Reaction (03:41): Hill describes feeling "stunned" after UConn’s improbable last-second win over Duke:

  “We were stunned. It was absolutely incredible... I don't think I've seen anything quite like that in sports or at least in terms of calling a game.” (04:13, Grant Hill)

• Broadcasting vs. Fandom (05:16): Dan points out that unlike fans’ raw reactions, broadcasters must collect themselves for the job. Hill reflects on the challenge of analyzing chaos in real time and the technical breakdown of the pivotal play.
• Duke's Collapse vs. UConn’s Brilliance (05:51): Hill acknowledges both teams’ roles, arguing it was a blend of Duke’s errors and a legendary defensive play by UConn’s Demery:

  “You got to play it all the way through to the end... the beauty and the agony of sports.” (05:51, Grant Hill)

• Broadcasting Responsibility (07:43): Hill stresses the importance of celebrating UConn’s triumph, not just Duke’s collapse.

2. Officiating, Coaching, and Memorable Moments (08:09 – 11:46)

• Dan Hurley & Roger Ayers Incident (08:09): Hill missed the live forehead-to-forehead moment between UConn’s coach Hurley and ref Roger Ayers but praises Ayers’ handling and the director for capturing raw emotion:

  “That's also what March Madness is all about.” (09:38, Grant Hill)

• Connecting to Past Iconic Moments (09:43): Dan draws a parallel to Hill’s legendary pass to Christian Laettner in 1992, asking how it shapes his empathy for devastated fans:

  “Now you know how those poor Kentucky fans felt...” (09:43, Dan Patrick)
  Hill notes the difference in expectations for Duke vs. Kentucky in those respective moments.

3. Behind the Scenes: Broadcaster Emotions & UConn Family (11:46 – 13:47)

• Decompressing After the Game (11:46): Hill confesses he could not sleep, engrossed in the gravity of the moment and social media commentary.
• On and Off-Court Relationships (12:45): After the broadcast, Hill sought out the Hurley family, which he describes as “like family,” sharing genuine happiness for their victory.

4. Tournament Analysis & Team Breakdown (13:47 – 15:31)

• Best Team Left in the Tournament (13:47): Hill diplomatically considers Michigan and Arizona as favorites but ultimately picks Michigan as the most complete team:

  “If I had to pick one team, I would say I think Michigan might be the best team here. And the Duke person in me, it pains me to say that...” (15:15, Grant Hill)

5. Grant Hill Re-lives the Laettner Pass (15:31 – 18:25)

• Play Options & Practice (15:31): Hill recounts the '92 game logistics—primarily planning to throw to Laettner, with an alternate to Bobby Hurley if needed:

  “I knew coming out of that huddle that, like, I'm throwing it to Christian and we're going to live and die with him making a play.” (15:41)

• Practicing the Iconic Pass (16:28): The precise 'baseball pass' variation hadn’t been practiced, but similar drills were common.
• Hill’s Family Football Legacy (17:49): He jokes about not getting to test his QB skills in high school, but relishes his reputation for pinpoint passes in practice.

6. College Basketball Nostalgia & Greatest Games (18:33 – 19:48)

• Game Comparisons & Legacy (19:07): Dan and the crew debate greatest NCAA games ever, including Duke-Kentucky ’92 and Louisville-Houston.

  “One of the greatest games from start to finish.” (19:07, Dan Patrick)

7. Modern Recruiting, Transfer Portal, and High School Standouts (23:35 – 30:43)

• Recruiting Classes Don’t Tell the Whole Story (23:35): Dan lists surprising recruiting rankings that don’t always predict tournament success, highlighting UConn’s ninth-place rank.
• High School Scoring Records (24:51, 29:02): Discussion about outstanding high school prospects, including Jason Crow Jr.:

  “Normally a thousand points for a career is a great career. He had 4,000.” (24:53, Dan Patrick)

• NIL and College Offers Humor (30:02): Playful call-in pitch to transfer portal players to build a legacy at Loyola Marymount—with “$23 in my wallet just for you” (31:09, caller).

8. Officiating Deep-Dive: Roger Ayers' Integrity (31:17 – 33:49)

• Listener Shares Inside Story (31:17): A caller vouches for Ayers’ character and shares an example of player-first officiating.
• Dan Clarifies Ayers' Final Four Status (32:21): Addresses rumors about demotion and confirms Ayers likely stepped back to avoid distraction, not due to performance.

9. Bouncing Around: NBA News, Team Names & Pop Culture (34:51 – 49:37)

• Vegas NBA Team Name Brainstorm (35:33, 36:11): Callers recommend playful names like Las Vegas Stud and Las Vegas Showman, sparking puns from the crew.
• Luka Dončić’s Scoring Feat (28:56): Only ten players have scored 600+ points in a calendar month:

  “Wilt did it 18 times... Then you have Luka, Michael, Kareem...” (28:56, Dan Patrick)

• Final Four Ticket Prices (29:55): News that nosebleed seats are “doable”—as low as $453 this year.

10. Lighter Side: Restaurants, Monopoly Streets & April Fool’s Day (26:29 – 49:37)

• Monopoly Street Origins (26:29): Fun facts about Monopoly board names being real Atlantic City locations.
• NYC Restaurant Recommendations (48:03): The crew name-checks favorites like Dead Rabbit, Keens Steakhouse, Lartuzzi, Quality Italian, and Lombardi’s.
• April Fool’s Day Pranks (34:29): Listener shares a classic radio station prank—switching formats only to reveal the joke.

11. Closing Thoughts & Listener Call-ins (49:46 – 52:15)

• Tiger Woods’ Driver Preferences (45:04): Dan pushes back on the trope that Tiger needs a driver, offering insight into the superstar's privacy motives.
• Callers on Autographs, Podcast Naming, and Vegas NBA Rumors (45:59 – 47:31): Listeners reminisce on Peyton Manning’s autograph, discuss Todd Fritz’s podcast title, and share Vegas team rumors.
• Show Wrap-up & What We Learned (49:46): The crew reflects on key takeaways about NFL scheduling, Atlantic City streets, and Tom Izzo’s almost-NBA leap.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Being Stunned on-Air (04:13, Grant Hill):

  “You don't know what you look like… Raph looks like how I look after a night out with him. And I'm just like stunned as well… What a moment and what an honor for all of us to be a part of that.”

• On the Nature of March Madness (07:43, Grant Hill):

  “We have a duty to shine a light on UConn and what they've done... That's what makes March Madness special.”

• On Dealing with Social Media After (12:45, Grant Hill):

  “People… saying that I lost my soul and, you know, Grant was disappointed… In that moment, it was actually fun to see all the comments and all the just all the excitement...”

• Luka Dončić’s March Scoring (28:56, Dan Patrick):

  “Only 10 players in NBA history have scored 600 or more points in a calendar month. Now, Wilt did it 18 times… Then you have Luka, Michael, Kareem, Jerry West...”

• Final Four Ticket Price Shock (30:29, Grant Hill):

  “Damn, that is doable.” (on $453 ticket price)

Noteworthy Timestamps

• Grant Hill Joins/Emotion on UConn-Duke Ending: 02:44 – 13:47
• Officiating: Hurley & Ayers: 08:09 – 11:46 & 31:17 – 33:49
• Reliving the Laettner Pass: 15:31 – 18:25
• Greatest College Games Discussion: 19:07 – 19:48
• Luka Dončić's Historic March: 28:56 – 29:41
• Fun Facts: Monopoly Streets: 26:29 – 27:32
• Restaurant Recommendations in NYC: 48:03 – 49:37
• Lighthearted Listener Calls: Throughout, e.g. 30:43, 35:32, 39:03

Overall Tone

The episode balances serious basketball analysis with humor, genuine emotion, nostalgia, and informal camaraderie between the hosts, Grant Hill, and the audience. Hill is honest and introspective about his dual roles as commentator and Duke alum, while Dan injects the show with his classic irreverence, sports trivia, and crowd-pleasing asides.

For those who missed it, this hour delivers an unfiltered look behind the scenes of legendary moments, expert breakdowns of both historic and current basketball, and plenty of wit and warmth—all through the lens of March Madness and its lingering magic.