The Herd with Colin Cowherd: Best of The Herd

Date: April 6, 2026
Podcast Host: Colin Cowherd
Guests: Mark Few (Gonzaga Head Coach), Chris Broussard, Greg Tuohy, John Middlekoff

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the day’s major sports storylines, focusing on the impending NCAA men’s basketball national championship game (Michigan vs. UConn), the evolution and impact of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) and transfer rules in college sports, NBA team breakdowns (especially the Lakers’ and OKC’s trajectories), the rise of new stars like Cooper Flagg, and memorable professional sports moments from the weekend. The show is packed with expert analysis, notable interviews, candid opinions, and some captivating debates.

Key Discussions & Insights

1. NCAA National Championship Preview: Michigan vs. UConn

Timestamps: 02:07–07:38, 17:35–37:56, 41:06–44:42

• Michigan’s Strengths and Place in History

  • Colin lauds Michigan’s demolition of top teams (Gonzaga, Arizona, Illinois) in the tournament, noting their physicality, age, and connected team play.
  • He tempers comparisons to all-time greats:

    “They're exceptional. But what they really are is a reminder of how great college basketball can be if NBA doesn’t try to marginalize it.” (07:38)

  • Mark Few (Gonzaga coach) agrees Michigan is “the real deal,” praising their size, defense, and preparation:

    “They are extremely well coached. They are big, they are physical. … Just how handsy they were on defense and the pressure defense and how they can switch everything and just a really, really well connected team.” (42:14)

• UConn’s Culture over Talent

  • Discussion centers on UConn’s success despite arguably lower individual talent than past championship teams.
  • Mark Few:

    “I think this is probably the least talented of all those UConn teams. But I think we really got to step back and just acknowledge what Dan Hurley's been able to do there.” (41:14)

• The Impact of NIL and Player Retention

  • Colin explains NIL’s effect, keeping older, more seasoned players in college and thus improving the game’s quality.
  • Both he and Mark Few note that current college basketball resembles the “older” 80s–90s era with veteran-laden teams.

• Game Prediction

  • Colin predicts a close Michigan win, citing their talent but acknowledging UConn’s physicality and culture.

    “I'll take Michigan close. What do you see?” (34:49)

    • Mark Few: “Michigan’s not going to be threatened by any physical play. … But do not count out Danny Hurley.” (35:18)

2. NBA: The Lakers’ Struggles & Oklahoma City’s Ascent

Timestamps: 03:29–07:09, 17:35–23:51, 52:13–63:08

• Lakers’ Roster Issues

  • Colin sharply critiques the Lakers’ roster construction:

    “The Lakers are a sports car and their answer for everything is more power. … They have the second worst bench in the league.” (03:29)

  • He defends coach J.J. Redick for maximizing a deeply flawed team and suggests he should be up for Coach of the Year.

• Luka Doncic’s Usage & Injuries

  • The show debates the impact of heavy workloads on both Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, criticizing organizational decisions more than coaching.
  • Chris Broussard concurs that injury blame belongs more with the medical staff than with coaching:

    “If you blame anybody, you can put a little on J.J. if you want. But the main blame should go on the Lakers training staff.” (52:59)

• OKC as a Model Franchise

  • Colin pivots to praise the Oklahoma City Thunder for their shrewd team building, resilience, and best-in-league point differential.
  • He admits being "wrong" about OKC’s potential to reach dynasty status.

• Reality Check for Lakers Ownership

  • Both hosts and guests agree that a recent blowout loss to OKC showcased to Lakers ownership the real gap between their roster and the elite:

    “That’s the kind of game you look at if you’re a new owner and go, guys, we're five players away.” (60:16)

3. The Power of Culture, Systems, and the Transfer Portal

Timestamps: 32:16–33:59

• Mark Few’s NFL Analogy

  • Mark Few compares the chaotic transfer portal to NFL free agency:

    “Imagine all the sports you cover—the NFL after the Super Bowl, the day after, everybody on every team can leave and do whatever they want. … And imagine trying to balance that when you’re culture driven, like we are here, when UConn’s culture driven.” (32:21)

• Support for Sensible Reform

  • Few advocates for players sitting a year upon transferring a second time, seeing benefits in maturity and graduation rates.

4. Cooper Flagg’s Rise & the Changing Face of NBA Stars

Timestamps: 28:27–31:28, 63:08–66:35

• Cooper Flagg as a Future NBA Superstar

  • Colin and Mark Few marvel at Flagg’s completeness:

    “He does everything. He handles the ball, he passes extremely well, … he is the real deal.” (28:59, Mark Few)

  • Discussion on the league’s need for a domestic star:

    “It does matter. … It’s really important. This draft coming up is just unstaffed with domestic talent.” (63:08, Cowherd)
    “Cooper Flagg is a great white American player and he is going to be a superstar.” (63:59, Brosussard)

• Making Rookie of the Year Comparisons

  • Flagg compared with previous domestic stars, with guests noting his assertiveness and “face of the league” potential.

5. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Colin on Michigan's Place in History

  “They're not the best ever, but it's really, really good. … What they really are is a reminder of how great college basketball can be…" (07:38)

• Mark Few on UConn’s Run

  “I think we really got to step back and acknowledge what Dan Hurley's been able to do. … This is amazing what they've been able to do and done it with three different teams. … Strong culture, tough…” (41:14)

• Chris Broussard on Cooper Flagg

  “I actually think this weekend has switched me to Cooper Flag [for ROY]…he’s got the feistiness of an MJ or a Bird…he’ll go right at you.” (65:34)

• Mark Few’s Portal Analogy

  “Imagine…the day after the Super Bowl, everybody on every team can leave and do whatever they want…Imagine trying to balance that.” (32:21)

6. Other Headlines and Sports Moments

Timestamps: 45:35–50:41

• Baseball: Joe Adell’s Defensive Prowess

  • Detailed play-by-play and rules debate around Angels outfielder Joe Adell robbing three home runs in one game—a first in MLB history.
  • Cowherd confirms fielder catches that carry into fan territory are legal if the catch is made before falling into stands.

• UFL Excitement

  • Recap of a wild finish in the UFL, with a last-second Birmingham Stallions field goal capping off a dramatic comeback.

Important Timestamps for Segments

• NCAA Preview / Michigan-UConn Analysis: 02:07–07:38, 17:35–37:56, 41:06–44:42
• Mark Few on Michigan/UConn: 23:51–37:56, 41:14–44:42
• NIL, Portal, Systems Discussion: 07:38–08:46, 32:16–33:59
• Lakers/OKC NBA Analysis: 03:29–07:09, 17:35–23:51, 52:13–63:08
• Cooper Flagg and NBA Future: 28:27–31:28, 63:08–66:35
• Baseball/Joe Adell: 45:39–50:41

Tone and Style Notes

• Colin Cowherd’s signature blend of wit, sharp analogy, and strong, opinion-driven sports takes is present throughout the episode.
• The episode features candid, friendly banter with guests and expert-level break downs of basketball and NBA dynamics.
• Mark Few is reflective, humble, and brings a coach’s granular insight into both Xs & Os and the psychology of players and coaching transitions.
• Chris Broussard adds a practical, well-informed, and sometimes conversational counterpoint to NBA debates.

Takeaways for New Listeners

• If you’re catching up, this episode delivers a comprehensive preview of college basketball’s biggest night, plenty of context for current NBA storylines, and honest, sometimes critical, explorations of how institutions are adapting to new athlete freedoms.
• Both nostalgia and vision for the sport’s future are recurring themes—you’ll hear how college and professional basketball’s present is shaped by policy changes, shifting talent pipelines, and the personalities that drive championship cultures.
• The episode is energetic, smart, and loaded with perspective for anyone who cares about the games behind the games.