The Dan Patrick Show: Best of – March 13, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of The Dan Patrick Show highlights Dan’s signature mix of humor, sport analysis, and candid conversations with A-list guests from the world of sports. The March 13, 2026 "Best of" features memorable interviews and lively debates covering the latest in college basketball, the NBA, and sports culture. Key segments include insight from ESPN's Seth Greenberg, a blockbuster interview with Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo after his historic 83-point game, and a revealing discussion with legendary coach Jim Boeheim.

Key Segments & Themes

1. Big 12 Floor Controversy & State of College Basketball

[02:28–12:49]

The Big 12 "Slippery Floor" Debacle

• Dan Patrick introduces Seth Greenberg (ESPN College GameDay) to unpack why the Big 12 experimented with a new court surface for its tournament and the quick pivot back to a traditional hardwood floor due to player discomfort and safety.
• Greenberg praises Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormak for bold innovation, but also for “the agility to say, ‘you know what? This isn't working for us. We need to change.’” [03:06]

NCAA Tournament Bubble, Mid-Majors, and Bruce Pearl

• Miami, Ohio’s tournament chances are debated: Greenberg argues, “Their resume says they're not one of the 37 best teams but their accomplishment says they are. I think they deserve an opportunity.” [04:41]
• Discussion of Bruce Pearl’s criticisms regarding the selection process and his personal stake—his son coaching on the bubble team—highlights the emotional complexities of March Madness.
  • “Stay out of the way. You're not the story. Auburn's the story. Your son's the story.” – Greenberg on Bruce Pearl [05:53]

Is College Basketball Top-Heavy?

• Greenberg identifies about 7–8 teams as legit contenders due to changes like NIL and the transfer portal, but overall parity has increased: “There are more good teams and a few great teams. But what it's done is pilfered all the really good players from the mid-majors.” [07:25]

College Sports Budgets & the Future

• They compare escalating basketball budgets to college football: “Last year it was around $12 million. Kentucky spent $22 [million]. Three years ago it was $4 million... It's doubling.” – Greenberg [09:19]
• Greenberg predicts a future “break-off” of the Power Fives and further professionalization, stating, “If you're an athletic department spending these millions... you want a return on investment. Otherwise, there’s donor fatigue.” [09:54]

NBA Prospects in the Tournament

• Greenberg on the top prospects:
  • “The upside is Darren Peterson... Divans reminds me of Tracy McGrady.”
  • “I’m not saying Peterson isn’t [dedicated]. Peterson’s struggling now fitting in with his team... but make shots, that dude can make shots.” [11:01–11:42]

2. Bam Adebayo: Inside the 83-Point Game

[18:33–32:43]

The Physical & Mental Toll

• Dan Patrick: What hurt most after the game?
  • Bam Adebayo: “The arms for sure.” [18:36]
• Pre-game mindset: “We needed to win that game... most of our starters out... We know those games can get tricky for us.” [19:04]

Responding to Critics and the Kobe Connection

• Bam addresses backlash and the uniqueness of his record:
  • “It shocked the world because it wasn't somebody who they glorify as a scorer... I’m just trying to get buckets.” [20:04]
• Reaching Kobe Bryant’s mark (81 points):
  • “No, because I know if it was the other way around, Kobe would have been like, ‘I'm shooting for whatever I can be.’... To be in the conversation as your idol is... something I’ll always appreciate.” [21:27]
• On never meeting Kobe: “I never got to meet him. So that is another reason why it's so special to me.” [23:12]

Family and Teammate Support

• On having his mom and girlfriend (Asia Wilson) courtside: “To have my mom there, to have my people there... It's a moment none of us will ever forget.” [24:54]

Critics, Context, and Respect

• Dan and Bam riff on critics:
  • “My problem with this... you had 60 after three quarters. Nobody was complaining then... Let's look at the entire game, not just the last five minutes.” – Dan [26:29]
  • “What I did out there was special to me... to have 64¾ is insane. And people forget, they cut the lead to like 11 in the fourth quarter. So I had to play.” – Bam [27:02]
• The “bucket getter” banter between Dan and Bam offers comic relief:
  • “Bucket getter.” – Bam
  • “Don’t leave me open, Bam... Problem is I couldn’t get open. But if you did leave me open, I was going to make it.” – Dan [29:59–30:14]

Looking Ahead

• On playing the Wizards again: “I probably will get triple teamed when I touch the ball.” [31:19]
• Dan’s tribute: “Be proud. You have every right to be proud. It was an incredible performance... Kobe probably would say, ‘You go, man, don’t stop at 83.’” [31:41]
• Bam: “Congrats on your 36 [points] too. With no 3 point line...” [32:00]

3. Jim Boeheim: The Evolution of College Basketball

[36:16–53:41]

A Living Legend on Performance and Parity

• Boeheim, newly working with the ACC Network, shares thoughts on Bam’s 83: “He’s a really good player... but you get things going. These are all great players up there... Those performances are great to see.” [36:37]
• On giving players freedom: “You want them to have that freedom. Not everybody can get that freedom, but the guys that should... As long as he was on the court, [Carmelo] could shoot.” [37:40]

NIL, Budgets, and College Hoops Finances

• What does it take to compete in the ACC?
  • “10 million. Basketball is... I mean, you could do it with eight or something... There’s programs that spend 15 or 20 and are not doing well. It’s not just money.” [39:41]
• Boeheim sees pluses in NIL: “There’s 40 seniors staying in college because of NIL... The product out there, it’s good basketball. This is the best basketball has been in a while.” [40:38]
• He acknowledges structural flaws but credits “monster boosters” for pushing the new era: “Boosters with big money... it’s a drop in the bucket for some of them.” [41:14]

Coaching in a New Era

• “You have to recruit the players and you have to figure out your salary structure, how much money you have for each player and who you can get, who you can’t get.” [42:54]
• Transfer portal and super-senior impact: “Now, freshmen can’t [carry a team]... except for that rare 10. This is an unbelievable freshman class... but you can put a team together.” [44:54]

Expanding the NCAA Tournament?

• Boeheim advocates for expanded fields:
  • “We don’t have the best 68 teams in the field... You add 6, 8, 10, whatever... You haven’t diluted the tournament. You’ve made the tournament better because you have better teams.” [45:23–45:43]
• On critics: “They say, ‘bad teams will get in.’ No, they won’t. They’ll be good... The best teams are still going to win at the end.” [47:40]

Sonny Vaccaro’s Legacy

• On the absence of Sonny Vaccaro in the Basketball Hall of Fame:
  • “He did a lot for the game... The movie is pretty good. He did it. He got all these schools, all these coaches, free stuff, money... I’m fortunate because [Nike] allowed me to stay at Syracuse.” [48:38]

Boeheim’s Humor and Perspective

• On aging: “The lady said, ‘You’re not 65, are you?’ I said, ‘No, I’m not 65. I’m 81.’ She didn’t want to give me a senior discount.” [53:01]
• “You could pass for 79.” – Dan
• “A flight attendant told me ... ‘you don’t look over 90.’ So it’s in the eye of the beholder.” – Boeheim [53:21]

Notable Quotes

• Seth Greenberg [About Big 12’s court move, 03:06]:
  “I give them a lot of credit for the ingenuity of trying it. I also give them a lot of credit for the agility to say, ‘you know what? This isn't working for us. We need to change.’”

• Dan Patrick [On basketball budgets, 08:49]:
  “Are we at $20 million for the top end schools in basketball?”

• Bam Adebayo [On critics, 20:04]:
  “It shocked the world because it wasn't somebody who they glorify as a scorer... I’m just trying to get buckets.”

• Dan Patrick [On Bam’s 83-point game, 31:41]:
  “Be proud. You have every right to be proud. And it was an incredible performance. And I don't care who you surpassed, you still put up 83. And you’re right. Kobe probably would say, ‘You go, man, don’t stop at 83.’”

• Jim Boeheim [On NIL, 40:38]:
  “There’s 40 seniors that are staying in college because of NIL... The product out there, it’s good basketball. This is the Best basketball has been in a while.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Big 12 floor controversy & college basketball trends: [02:28–12:49]
• Bam Adebayo’s 83-point game interview: [18:33–32:43]
• Jim Boeheim on evolution of college basketball: [36:16–53:41]

Overall Tone and Style

The tone of this episode is classic Dan Patrick: conversational, candid, and often playful, while also delivering sharp analysis and providing behind-the-scenes perspectives from guest insiders. Greenberg provides straight-shooter assessments, Bam Adebayo balances humility with pride over his achievement, and Boeheim mixes institutional knowledge with self-deprecating wit.

Summary

This Best of episode is a must-listen for fans seeking unfiltered insight into the business and culture of college basketball, landmark nights in the NBA, and the rapidly changing nature of sports. The show provides a rare blend of substance and style—never taking itself too seriously, but always ensuring fans come away entertained and better informed about the evolving world of sports.