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- [00:00]
Lala Kent
This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.
- [00:07]
Liberty Mutual Spokesperson (possibly Doug)
And Doug, there's nowhere I wouldn't go to help someone customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual, even if it means sitting front row at a comedy show.
- [00:16]
Liberty Mutual Spokesperson (partner of B)
Hey, everyone, check out this guy and his bird. What is this, your first date?
- [00:20]
Colin Cowherd
Oh, no.
- [00:21]
Liberty Mutual Spokesperson (possibly Doug)
We help people customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual Together. We're married.
- [00:25]
J. Mac
Me to a human, him to a bird.
- [00:27]
Liberty Mutual Spokesperson (partner of B)
Yeah, the bird looks out of your league anyways.
- [00:29]
Liberty Mutual Spokesperson (possibly Doug)
Only pay for what you need@libertymutual.com Liberty.
- [00:32]
Liberty Mutual Spokesperson (partner of B)
Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty.
- [00:34]
Adventures of Curiosity Cove Host
On the Adventures of Curiosity Cove podcast, what if the right fit isn't what everyone expects? In the case of the right fit, Ella explores movement, confidence, and belonging, and learns that not all strength looks the same. This Women's History Month story introduces kids to women who change sports by trusting themselves and moving differently. Listen to Adventures of Curiosity Cove every Monday from the Black Effect podcast Network on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.
- [01:05]
Bleacher Report Host
The Bleacher Report app is your destination for sports Right now. The NBA is heating up, March Madness is here, and MLB is almost back. Every day there's a new headline, a new highlight, a new moment you've got to see for yourself. That's why I stay locked in with the Bleacher Report app. For me, it's about staying connected to my sports. I can follow the teams I care about, get real time scores, breaking news and highlights all in one place. Download the Bleacher Report app today so you never miss a moment.
- [01:37]
Liberty Mutual Spokesperson (possibly Doug)
And Doug, there's nowhere I wouldn't go to help someone customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual. Even if it means sitting front row at a comedy show.
- [01:47]
Liberty Mutual Spokesperson (partner of B)
Hey, everyone. Check out this guy and his bird. What is this, your first date?
- [01:50]
Colin Cowherd
Oh, no.
- [01:51]
Liberty Mutual Spokesperson (possibly Doug)
We help people customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual Together. We're married.
- [01:55]
J. Mac
Me to a human, him to a bird.
- [01:57]
Liberty Mutual Spokesperson (partner of B)
Yeah, the bird looks out of your league anyways.
- [01:59]
Liberty Mutual Spokesperson (possibly Doug)
Only pay for what you need@libertymutual.com Liberty Loot.
- [02:03]
Liberty Mutual Spokesperson (partner of B)
Liberty. Liberty. Liberty.
- [02:05]
Gold Belly Advertiser
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- [02:35]
Colin Cowherd
listening to the Best of the Herd podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox sports radio and noon to 3 Eastern, 9am to noon Pacific. Find your local station for the herd@foxsportsradio.com or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR.
- [02:55]
Fox Sports Radio Announcer
This is the Best of the Herd with Colin Cowher on Fox Sports Radio.
- [03:03]
Colin Cowherd
All right, here we go. It is Monday live in Chicago where I watched in person, live and in living color. Michigan Thump Tennessee went home and watched like the rest of you, Duke blow a huge lead and lose to a team that is always magical in March. UConn, wherever you may be, however you may be listening. Thanks for making us part of your day. Dusty May, the Michigan coach is going to show up in 45 minutes from now a Duke is an academic powerhouse, but man they played some dumb basketball. First of all they jumped out to a huge lead. Terrace Reed For UConn, an old school big was essentially the entire UConn offense. In the first half it was Terrace Reed against Duke and he was holding the fort down. But Yukon couldn't hit shots. They shot 9% 1 for 11 on threes in the first half and Cameron Boozer aggressively took it right to Yukon. 14 points in the first half. He was the best player along with Reed at Yukon on the floor. Yukon's great in March but they looked overmatched. They needed somebody else to help them. Offensively. Duke leads by 15 at half and honestly you're thinking if if UConn doesn't start was dynamically the game is over. But Dan Hurley's teams very good in the second half. They are physical, they wear you down, Fatigue sets in, you start making mistakes. The Boozer kids combined had seven in the second half and that's where Dan Hurley's intensity comes through. John Shire is a great scheme coach and a great recruiter in game coaching could use some work. They got tentative, Duke got sloppy, they got tight. It jumped through the television. Duke went from a dream wedding to America's Funniest Home Videos. The bride's hair was on fire and the wedding cake got knocked over and everybody was lost. You could see it on television. Duke looked lost and tired and listen, great coaching is more than just drawn up plays in recruiting. It is when you've got a young team and Duke's players are five star guys. There's a lot of one and done guys where's the coaching? In chaos. Call a timeout. You don't have to get the ball over half court. Sit on it. I'm looking for coaching there. Again, I. Shire is a great recruiter, but you got to call a timeout. You got to help the kid. So. Because I mean that's, let's, let's be honest here. It's not a seven game series. Old NBA guys get a seven game series. Not the way it works in college. It's a lot of 18 year olds and you know, the great Chris Weber. We have great players making mistakes. Of course they do their kids. So UConn's best players are older, Dukes are younger. And that was very clear in the second half of that game. And here's the Duke coach after more
- [06:14]
Duke Coach Jon Scheyer
disappointed and feeling for our guys at the same time of, you know, just trying to process what happened. I don't have the words. I don't have the words. It's easy to look at that play. You know, I look at every play that happened, especially in that second half. This is not about one play. It's about every play to put us in that position. And that's what you don't want to do.
- [06:37]
Colin Cowherd
What's interesting about Duke's last four losses, they led by 19, 13, 17 and 14. So I felt Duke was a really talented team. But when you recruit these great five star players, they need guidance. They need guidance in those spots. I mean, you got, you got some UConn guys. They've been around through titles. They could have left last year. So Hurley, do UConn's an easier team to coach. You've got guys that know the system. They've been around. I mean, they're passing on that final shot. These guys have been around a long time. The culture is set. You know, Duke is still in that guidance stretch of their basketball career. I feel terrible for Duke, but I'll be honest with you. You were thinking what I was thinking. Shire is young would coach K's team A lost that game. Maybe it's, maybe it's unfair. But you kind of wonder because it feels like, and this is all credit to UConn that is a great coach and a great program as a little part of that that felt like Duke lost it as much as UConn won it. Okay, so I went. I wanted to watch Michigan play. Michigan checks all the boxes. They've got old guys, young guys, the hottest coach in the market the last two years. They've got scores, they've got size, they've got the defensive player of the year. And I went and watched them in person and they do everything well. I mean, the one thing that's clear in college basketball these days, size is about 70% of it. And you have to collapse on Mara and Landenberg and therefore they're wide open on the perimeter. They're shooting 45% in the tournament on threes. That's like NBA high end, NBA shooting. And I don't think I've ever seen a college team in the half court set pass like that. I mean again, they buy into the culture, they hit the threes. And Mara is an interesting player. He's a 73 Spaniard. He was at UCLA for two years. And when he was at UCLA, he wasn't a scorer. He was a big strong kid filling out his body. Now he can score and defend and so he's kind of an offensive hub. You can, you can run the offense through him, drop it to him, you double, he kicks it out. Landenberg 6, 9, 2, 40, runs the court, can hit a three. But he's too big and strong. He's 23 years old and you know, remember a couple weeks ago and Bama to Bayou scored 83 points and I said, well, the team he played, the Wizards, had 19 and 20 year old guys. They're just not strong enough to defend Bama Bayou, who's been in the league for 10 years, it's the same thing with Landenborg. He has been around a long time. He can drive and finish, he can shoot. I mean, Mara, I just don't know. Little Zach, Edie there, I don't know how you beat these guys. Arizona's next. And Arizona, I mean Michigan went on a 21 nothing run against an excellent Tennessee team. That is insane. And Arizona doesn't shoot many threes. Now they're not great at it. When they shoot them, they can hit them. But I don't know how you beat Michigan playing your standard game. Now Arizona's got better guard play. Michigan's got better bigs. A lot of this is Dusty May. I mean, they went to the portal, they found the hottest coach in the market. They've got size, they've got a defensive stopper. I guess you could attack their guards. But I'm telling you, when you watch Michigan play, you can see the nil money. You can see the great coaching. Their half court offense is aesthetically as pretty as a college basketball half court offense can be. They not only lead the tournament in assists, they lead it by a wide margin over Illinois. Another excellent passing Team full of Euros. So here is Dusty May after.
- [10:26]
Dusty May
If you're not mature and you're not connected as a group and you're not willing to be held accountable by the staff and each other, then it's not going to work. And once it creeps in, it's almost impossible to weed it out. And so our guys never let it in. Our guys have been up to the challenge to deliver at the big in the biggest moments all year. And nothing changed tonight. But just to be proud, just, we're all just very proud to be a part of this group.
- [10:50]
Colin Cowherd
You know, J. Mac, when you go to a game and I went with a friend and we sat upstairs, it was a corporate kind of suite thing. And so it's like watching hockey from the back end and you can watch the play develop. I'm telling you, the way Michigan passes the ball and swings it around to the open guy, they are so incredibly unselfish. And there's just so many boxes they check. There's so many elements to the offense. I told you I wanted to watch that Michigan, Illinois game late in the year down in Champaign outside of Chicago. And Michigan thumped them and now you got Illinois in the Final four. So I mean they, not only, I mean to, to shoot the percentage, they're shooting on threes with dominant bigs. I, I, you know, this is the first time in forever, both final four games are under a two point spread. So you can, people can criticize the nil, but what it's done, it's fortified the big dogs where you, you can, you can recruit a five star guy, then you can go get a Landenberg, bring him in. Yeah. And boy, I think Michigan's tough.
- [11:53]
J. Mac
Yeah, I think you nailed it. That's what Duke is missing, Colin. Michigan has the recipe you need. A mix of old guys, veterans who have 22, 23 year olds and young stars. Duke playing too many freshmen. I know the Foster injury hurt, but he shoots 58% free throws. He had a rough game because he was so great against St. John's yeah, I just, Colin, I, I'm, I had to wear a bright shirt today to pick up my energy because you know, I was big on Duke. We had him in the Calcutta. I'm devastated, Colin. Last year's loss to Houston. Remember that meltdown?
- [12:22]
Colin Cowherd
Yeah.
- [12:22]
J. Mac
Again, young guys, con canople Cooper flag.
- [12:25]
Colin Cowherd
Yep.
- [12:25]
J. Mac
Just melted down against old guys from Houston and, and Sunday, I'm still in shock. I mean my kids thought like, like they were watching me. You know, usually I'm excited and stuff. Yeah, I was in stunned silence for like 30 seconds. I can't believe it. I could not believe it.
- [12:39]
Colin Cowherd
Well, you know, it's UConn and Duke is. And that's the thing about the nil. You got to be smart about it. So Con Knippel and Cooper Flag are great, but 18 is 18. You could watch Duke on television melting, and they just didn't have a 23 year old. And that's. And for the record, that is the magic of Michigan and the magic of UConn, where you can get a four and five star guy. But you got Caravan, who's been around the program forever. You know, you go to a timeout, you got two coaches, you got Hurley, and then as you walk to the floor, you've got the guy that's been there for five years, he's putting his arm around the guys. He's like a secondary coach. So I just think their last play. I felt so bad for Kaden Boozer. It's like, you know, if he is a junior, he calls a timeout or he doesn't.
- [13:32]
J. Mac
Well, John Shire could have eased. They had two timeouts. Colin Shier could have just, hey, give me a time. He's right next to the referee and two guys wide open down court. You just throw a grenade in the air. You don't need to, like, make a precise pass. Just chuck it. Connecticut had nobody on the other side of the court. It is one of the most mystifying endgame moments. I mean, Colin, I could not watch the replay for a few hours last night. I was. I was just destitute. I was like, how did this happen? I mean, it was unbelievable.
- [14:01]
Colin Cowherd
You know, I'm sitting there, I was watching. There was a Cubs game on in the suite I was in. I'm watching Michigan play Tennessee and Michigan. Obviously, you can drive from Ann Arbor to Chicago. So it was a heavily Michigan crowd watching Big Ten basketball. And then I'm Big Ten basketball powerhouse Michigan. And then. You know what's great? Sometimes whenever you make a big change in sports or life, there's an unintended benefit. And Rob Manfred, the baseball commissioner, I don't think they had any idea that the ABS system was going to become a game show. And we'll talk about that. It's the Herd live in Chicago.
- [14:51]
Fox Sports Radio Announcer
Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific, on Fox Sports Radio, FS1 and the iHeartRadio app.
- [15:00]
Rob Parker
Hey, it's me, Rob Parker. Check out my weekly MLB podcast Inside the Parker for 22 minutes of piping hot baseball talk, featuring the biggest names and newsmakers in the sport. Whether you believe in analytics or the eye test, we've got all the bases covered. New episodes drop every Thursday, so do yourself a favor and listen to Inside the Parker with Rob Parker on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcast.
- [15:30]
John Green
I'm John Green. You may know me as the author of the Fault in Our Stars. And now, I guess also as the co host of the Away End, a brand new world soccer podcast.
- [15:40]
Daniel Alarcon
I'm Daniel Alarcon, a writer and journalist, and John and I have known each other since we were kids. My first World cup was Mexico 86. I was nine years old. I watched every game and I fell in love. On our new podcast, the Away End, we'll share with you the magic of international football, all leading up to the 2026 World cup for us.
- [15:57]
John Green
Soccer. Football is a story we've shared for over 30 years, since Daniel was the star player on our high school soccer team.
- [16:05]
Ryan Rosillo
Very debatable.
- [16:06]
John Green
And I was their most loyal and sometimes only fan. I love this game. I love its history, its hope, its heartbreak, and above all, its beauty.
- [16:17]
Daniel Alarcon
Together we'll find out why, of all the unimportant things football, soccer is the most important.
- [16:23]
John Green
Listen to the Away End with Daniel Alarcon and John green on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [16:33]
Daniel Jeremiah
I'm Daniel Jeremiah.
- [16:34]
Greg Rosenthal
And I'm Greg Rosenthal.
- [16:36]
Daniel Jeremiah
And this is 40s and free agents.
- [16:38]
Greg Rosenthal
The games may be over, but the NFL never stops. This is my favorite part of the calendar.
- [16:44]
Daniel Jeremiah
Yeah, mine too, Greg. Free agency, the combine, the NFL draft, pro days, trades. This is where teams reshape their future.
- [16:51]
Greg Rosenthal
This is where Daniel Jeremiah makes his money. On 40s and free agents. We break down every move that actually
- [16:56]
Daniel Jeremiah
matters, from my draft evaluations, mock drafts
- [16:59]
Greg Rosenthal
and team fits to my top 101 free agents and how real rosters are built. Cap space, contracts and all the tough decisions included.
- [17:08]
Daniel Jeremiah
You got quarterbacks on the move.
- [17:10]
Greg Rosenthal
We got teams rebuilding. It's hope season.
- [17:13]
Daniel Jeremiah
Absolutely, it's hope season. We'll tell you what's real, what's noise, and what it means for your favorite team.
- [17:18]
Greg Rosenthal
Smart analysis. Real conversations every week.
- [17:22]
Daniel Jeremiah
I don't know about the smart, but definitely analysis. Listen to 40s and free agents on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [17:33]
Lala Kent
Hello, gorgeous. It's Lala Kent, host of Untraditionally lala. My days of filling up cups at Sur may be over but I'm still loving life in the valley. Life on the other side of the hill is giving grown up vibes. But over here on my podcast Untraditionally Lala I'm still that Lala. You either love or love to hate. I've been full on over sharing with fans, family and former frenemies like Tom Schwartz. I had a little bone to pick with Schwarzeneg when he came on the pod. You don't feel bad that you told me I was a bootleg housewife? I was flipped a pizza in your lap.
- [18:03]
Dusty May
Oh my God.
- [18:04]
Ryan Rosillo
I literally forgot about that until just now.
- [18:06]
Colin Cowherd
Sorry. I don't want to. I don't want to blame alcohol that
- [18:09]
Ryan Rosillo
I got to blame that one on the alcohol.
- [18:11]
Lala Kent
This is about laughing and learning when life just keeps on life in because I make mistakes so that you guys don't have to. We're growing, we're thriving and yes, sometimes we're barely surviving, but we do it all with love. It's unruly, it's unafraid, it's untraditionally Lala. Listen to untraditionally La La on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [18:32]
Safeway/Albertsons Advertiser
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- [19:03]
Grainger Advertiser
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- [19:35]
Colin Cowherd
Here we go. It's hour two. We're in Chicago. 73 degrees today. Breakout, short sleeve shirts and the volleyball games. It is beautiful here. We're getting into, you know, it's honestly, it's like a Midwest, Malibu everywhere. All right, Ryan Rossillo, Barstool Sports is going to be joining us in about five minutes Every Monday at this time we're calling was right where Colin was wrong. Had a pretty good week. Here we go.
- [20:02]
Fox Sports Radio Announcer
Where Colin was right.
- [20:04]
Colin Cowherd
Well, Michigan. I had Michigan getting to the final four and winning it and right now they look as good as anybody. You know, let's be honest, the Big Ten is on fire. But when you watch Michigan, they are the only team that checks every box. Dominant defensive center, NBA guys, elite passing, three point shooting, best passing team in college basketball in a long time and the hottest coach on the market. Michigan, probably an easy call.
- [20:34]
Fox Sports Radio Announcer
Where Colin was wrong.
- [20:36]
Colin Cowherd
You know I love the old school coaches. Well, they got kicked to the curb in the elite eight. They left for the early bracket special. Now it's the young guys. Dan Hurley I guess qualifies as a bit older. But Tommy Lloyd and Dusty May in one of the matchups. I love my old coaches but the truth is Dusty May and Tommy Lloyd are elite recruiters and it has paid off.
- [21:01]
Fox Sports Radio Announcer
Where Colin was right.
- [21:02]
Colin Cowherd
I said when the nil came out the Big Ten's got more money and I think they've got better coaching. The SEC was 06 against the Big Ten in the tournament and a lot of the games weren't close. When Iowa beat Florida, to me that was a real eye opener because Iowa doesn't even have big nil money. They were like 15th of the sweet 16 teams in spending on nil between the three straight natties in football and six and oh in this tournament against the SEC. There is a new sheriff in town
- [21:38]
Fox Sports Radio Announcer
where Colin was right.
- [21:39]
Colin Cowherd
I've said tanking is not the number one concern for the NBA but commissioners freak out when you say the word. And I was reading a column this morning none of the NBA's three anti tanking proposals would actually create a full stop for tanking. And my take has always been if you're not going to allow other ways to acquire Wemby, then people are going to tank and people are going to take the fine. NBA owners are billionaires. That is, that is glove compartment money. If you're going to get an all time great player. I mean look at this draft. The BYU, AJ DeBonte. You got Peterson, you got Boozer. This draft goes like nine guys deep. Darius Acuff out of Arkansas, that guy's gonna pop immediately. If you're not gonna allow like the NFL the ability to trade anybody anytime. Tanking's not going anywhere. Where Colin was wrong, I can't get A.J. brown figured out. I, I would have traded him two years ago. It's a run team But Howie Roseman came out this weekend and said, you know what? He's a member of the Eagles. We love him. Is he just trying to use that as leverage? I don't know. But it's a run team. He's reading books on the sidelines. I mean, he. I think he's under. He's not undervalued, he's underused. Jalen hurts. You know, you've got a quarterback the Eagles self admit they would like to throw less than 27 times a game. But every time you ask him, every time you ask him, they tell you he's here for the long term.
- [23:13]
Fox Sports Radio Announcer
Where Colin was right.
- [23:14]
Colin Cowherd
Well, I said two games ago the Knicks are not a championship team. The Celtics are going to win the East. It's either the Celtics. The spurs are okay seeing the Knicks are.02 since I said that, they're05 against Detroit and OKC. They've got two big issues at the end of games. Their two best players, Cat and Brunson. You can hunt them defensively and they're a bit of a finesse team where if you're a physical team like Detroit is, even without Cade Cunningham, you can give them big problems. So I like the Knicks, but I do think they have to take a big swing in the off season. Probably moving Cat because I would never move Jalen Brunson.
- [23:52]
Fox Sports Radio Announcer
Where Colin was right.
- [23:54]
Colin Cowherd
I've been a defender of Rob Manfred. He gets a lot of flack, but he nailed it with a new ABS system. It has created a game show feel with the reveal. It's fun to watch. It doesn't pick on the umpires half the time with the challenges, the umpires get it right. But the sport now moves quickly. The APS ABS system moves quickly. You do have to bat your helmet very quickly or you'll have a situation yesterday like you saw. But I think it's a home run and I think the unintended benefit, it's created a new level of strategy that's really fun.
- [24:32]
Fox Sports Radio Announcer
Where Colin was right.
- [24:33]
Colin Cowherd
Aaron Glenn said Geno Smith is our guy. We've got 100% confidence. Oh, give me a break. There's not a Jet fan alive who thinks that led the NFL in interceptions last season, has led the NFL in interceptions since 2022. I feel that Aaron Glenn and I said this eight months ago. I would prefer offensive coaches. I do think there's some great Young defensive coaches. D', Amico, Ryan's, Mike McDonald. We'll see what Jesse Min does. But man, they. They can be tone deaf to Offense Colin, right? Colin wrong. So Ryan Rosillo is going to be joining us in a second. Do we have the, do we have the radio call of, of Yukon beating Duke? Do we have that by chance? Guys, let's play this. Just. I haven't heard this. SAR gets it into Cam.
- [25:25]
Radio Play-by-Play Announcer
Boozer. Boo. Boozer back to SAR now ahead to Kaden. Boozer and Yukon got a steal. Caravan for Mullins.
- [25:33]
Colin Cowherd
Long three.
- [25:35]
Radio Play-by-Play Announcer
Oh, he got it. He hit it. He hit the long three pointer from the logo with 3/10 of a second left to go. I don't believe it. You got us taking the lead.
- [25:50]
Colin Cowherd
Oh, man.
- [25:51]
Fox Sports Radio Announcer
Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1 and the iHeartRadio app.
- [25:59]
Colin Cowherd
Well, somebody that knows stores Connecticut in the state of Connecticut in the Yukon program. Now with Barstool Sports, our friend Ryan Rosello is joining us. And you know, it's just right, you know, you can appreciate this. I tell people, you have no idea. UConn is the center of basketball universe. At one point their football team was also going to a Fiesta bowl and they're in a cow pasture.
- [26:23]
J. Mac
It's.
- [26:24]
Colin Cowherd
If you've never been there, it's hard to explain. What do you think is is when you talk to your NBA guys because he was offered the Laker gig? Ryan, what do you make of Dan Hurley, like his secret sauce? Is it schemes? Is it recruiting? Is it intensity? They just don't lose in March. What is it?
- [26:43]
Ryan Rosillo
Yeah, this run is ridiculous. I mean, the last time they lost when they made it to a final four is 2009. They're 180 from the sweet 16 on. And that's what happens. You win a couple titles. So it's one on one last year and then four wins this year. So, you know, I've had Hurley on. I'm sure you've had them on as well. I mean the thing all started with Calhoun, maybe the 88 NIT. And then they were the 1 seed when Laitner beat them in the regional final, you know, and that sent Duke to the final Four. So like from 90 on they didn't make it to a final four until 1999. So there was this Calhoun moment that almost like a decade goes by which is easy to forget before they actually won the first title that, that set them on this path. But there's, you know, you could go to Calhoun's intensity and it's always important to remember Kevin Ollie's intensity. But you know, we talk about culture all the time in sports and every guy that's introduced at conference, he's behind the table, in front of the logo, maybe at the lectern. He's like, oh, we're going to have this culture. We're going to have this culture. And usually all these guys are completely lying to them. So, like, they don't know how to do it. They know what to say, but they don't know how to execute it. We see it all the time. And with Hurley, I just. When you watch these games and you see teams get back, get down big, you can see with the kids where it's like, well, we weren't supposed to win this thing anyway. And for UConn, they came out in the half and they're like, hey, maybe if we just play tougher defense. They played with such defensive intensity because they still never made any shots until the last couple threes. They were still abysmal from three point range. And there was this also this moment too where there was a sideline report from Tracy Wilson where you heard Hurley say, hey, the momentum has changed. The momentum has changed. I was kind of like, I don't really know that it's changed. We're just in the second half and that was four minutes into the second half. So whatever it is as crazy as he can be on the sideline, I think part of that crazy, that good crazy, is being so delusional and getting every single kid to believe you.
- [28:43]
Colin Cowherd
You know, it's interesting. And I don't like banging on coaches. I think John Shire is very good with schemes and very good recruiting. The downside to being a great brand like Duke, which has a beautiful campus and is legendary, is your teams get young. I mean, they're, they're, they get five star guys and whereas Michigan and UConn, they can go get their great programs. But Duke has this, you know, Lakers feel to it, where I'm watching them yesterday, and again, I think Shire's a good coach. But when you have a young team, Ryan, you got to call timeouts. Like there was. The Boozers had seven turnovers. It was, it felt a little bit like it was a missed moment. When you got a team that young, you and I know that Phil Jackson used to believe, let your team play through it. Well, you can't do that with 18 year olds. Like in March. I thought Shire didn't have a great moment. Is that too critical or is it fair?
- [29:37]
Ryan Rosillo
I probably was more frustrated with them last year just not being able to inbound the ball against Houston that many times. Now I think there was a laxness to them. There was certain things that they were doing at the top where they're looking at it as like, hey, I'm going to be out here and then I'm going to swing it back to the top and that's how we're going to start our offense. And when the defense knows you're going to do it, like there has to be some intention, there has to be a better angle on that. And that's on players. And in this spot with Kaden Boozer like he's a freshman, he sees two open teammates down there. All I have to do is get the ball to them. So, you know, even though they're younger players, I still look at a lot of stuff that happens with the players and go like, how is this some fundamental flaw with John Shire's approach? You could say that maybe it'd be nice to have a senior out there. I'm sure he would love to have a senior out there. But Shire is not a good coach. He is a great coach. He's got to win a national championship at Duke. It's just to have these two losses on this stage. And on top of that, Colin, I'd ask you, like, what seems to rally people more in sports than a Duke loss? People seem to love Duke losing in a tournament more than anything else that I can think it might have the highest approval rating. Like if you ran for office, Colin, because I know you're not going to let Stephen A. Be the only guy that thinks about being president. I just wonder if you would say, hey, I don't know about. I don't know about this, I don't know about that. But what I can tell you is as long as Duke keeps losing in the tournament, you know, can I get your vote? And I think you would win.
- [31:03]
Colin Cowherd
I think I'm gonna. I'm leave Stephen A. Smith while all the political aspirations, the. So I went and watched Michigan play yesterday and I watched it from, you know, a corporate suite, blah, blah. I went with a cousin. It wasn't my call. I like to be with the people. Anyway, I'm upstairs.
- [31:20]
Ryan Rosillo
Yeah, I know that doesn't sound like you at all.
- [31:23]
Colin Cowherd
Michigan passes the ball like an NBA team and I'm not joking. Their half court ball movement. They lead the tournament in assists by a long margin. They're shooting over 40% on threes. And I think they've used the. I like the nil because I think Cinderella wasn't winning this thing anyway. It's given teams like Michigan, another great NBA player or a UConn, I'm telling you, from a half court offense, I mean, I think Michigan's the team. Do you? Do you? I know they're not even favored against Arizona. I'm like, I don't know how you defend them collegiately with their bigs.
- [32:01]
Ryan Rosillo
I love the way they're passing. I think you're right on with that. And they can invert, like, they can bring out their big guys. Mara's passing is terrific. Londonborg. I didn't really love their guards. And I get to college basketball late. You know, it's hard for me to do both every single, single night. But when I got into it late, you're like, all right, I don't know that I really like their guards that much. And Linda Borg, you know, if he were 19, he'd be the number one draft pick. But he's going to be 24. It's just not the way that stuff works. His perimeter play has been so spectacular. On top of his slashing his shot, making all this different, different stuff. Like they can play, they can start their offense with huge players where, you know, some of the guard stuff that they do at times could go like has been really good. But maybe I'm emphasizing too much of the regular season Duke game where I thought there was some shot selection in there that I didn't really like. So I think Michigan's terrific. I'd agree with everything you said, except for the part about Arizona. Arizona has seven guys that every single game you watch Arizona, it can be any of the seven guys having a six, seven minute stretch where it feels like they're taking over the game. Multiple ball handlers to close you out with. Kohepi comes out, it just dominates as a freshman. Krivos has a ton of size, Karchenkov has been around and Bradley's the conference player of the year. And sometimes you don't even notice him. And it's not because of his approach to the game. It's because they have all these other things. So, look, certainly Michigan is good enough to win this game, but I don't know that I've seen a team that can attack in so many different ways as Arizona.
- [33:31]
Colin Cowherd
So, you know, I've asked people about this. It is such a good draft. I mean, the kid from Arkansas, Darius Acuff, he's small, not much of a defender. But if you, you know, again, you bring him to the right NBA team that's got a rim protector and wings and three and D's, he's an automatic. I mean, catch and shoot, drive and shoot pass. He's just a glorious player offensively. But the story is going to be Peterson because earlier in the year, I was told to watch him. And I mean, three times up the floor, you're like, oh, that's what Kobe probably looked like at 18 years old. Like, it was just crazy. But he's got durability issues. He admits it got into his head. He plays a little bit in the silo. You don't get a lot of assists. He kind of. He's playing for himself today. If I'm a gm, I lose sleep with all the durability stuff. Or is this just overplayed? He's young. Where do you land on it with him?
- [34:25]
Ryan Rosillo
Yeah, I think the league. And, like, I talk to everybody, but it seems like the league is less fascinated or worried by the whole thing because it, like, it was a media thing where, hey, it's number one pick. I think a lot of us do come by late to college basketball, drop in and you go, what's going on with that guy? Like, yeah, he's. He's tapping out. He doesn't seem to want to play in games. I think the more alarming thing, or maybe it's not even alarming, it's just that when he finally started playing regularly to close the season, he wasn't playing as well. But I would. I'd offer up, like, there's a shot that he hits against St. John's in the very beginning of the game. Like, he comes around, he has this catch and shoot three where it just looks exactly like what an NBA star is supposed to do, where you. You can't help but go, oh, my God. Like, that's. That's why this guy is being talked about. On top of, like, the 60 points, going up against AJ in a high school showcase game, which is what all the draft guys appointed be like. If you would watch that game, you wouldn't even be talking about this kind of stuff. I also think it's important to look at, like, scores, young scorers, like, do they default to just scoring every single time to try to figure out a way to solve the game? And I don't think Peter' Peterson shows that at all. I don't. I don't think he's a selfish player. I think he's somebody who wants to move the ball. He looks at the defense and goes, they're loaded up against me. I'm going to swing it and let somebody else go, and I'm going to move around. So I think there's some understanding stuff from Peterson that's really good. But you're totally right, like with AJ's size and his output, with Boozer's efficiency being like historically off the charts, and Acuff looking exactly like an NBA guard, where you go, okay, so nobody can stay in front of him and he's super strong and he can change his hands at the rim to deal with taller guys, which is us. The thing that like sends you to Europe or makes you NBA All Star. Acuff has those kinds of things. You do wonder, and I mean, this is almost like a segment idea, but you go, like, would a team, if they were being totally honest, be like, I'd rather have like the second or third pick. Just like somebody else has to take the Peterson problem. I mean, the answer is no. But in a moment of honesty, I wonder if somebody would ever just go, like, I thought about that.
- [36:34]
Colin Cowherd
J. Mac. I'll give J. Mac credit. He said that last week. He goes, I guarantee you there's a GM that's like, like, just give me the second pick, I'll take him. I don't want the pressure. So I want to ask you this. I think three teams can win the title. I think it's the Celtics. I think their culture, their coaching. Missoula's become very good. They've got veterans. They, you know, they got old at the post, now they're younger in the front line. I think OKC Wemby's ridiculous. I think he helps the offense more than people think. He's obviously great defensively in okc, the team that people fall in love with, it's the Lakers. And I've made this argument, is that the guy I always throw out? I said, if you just had Jaden McDaniels from Minnesota, a catch and shoot guy who can defend, I would give them credit. They don't have outside of market smart. Their top six guys are all lopsided. They either can't defend or they don't want to defend. But I think you can get away with that in the regular season when you come into town. I don't, you know, I don't get a practice. You got Austin having a great year and LeBron and Rui and Luke, they're in Ayton. They're hard to defend on a Tuesday night when you're playing it back to back. But I don't think they translate to a playoff team because they have three guys I can hunt and a Chris Finch is going to say, you know, sga. And when you force Luca to defend, I don't think they're a guaranteed. I don't think they're guaranteed to win one series in the West. I think the first series will beat tough. Where are you in the Lakers?
- [37:59]
Ryan Rosillo
If they play Houston, I'm picking the Lakers. If they're playing Denver or Minnesota, I'm picking the other teams. It's that simple. I think we agree for the most part. I think this run has been great. I mean, Lucas stepped it up. It's the reason why everybody freaks out when anybody thinks it would even be traded. Be like, hey, I don't know if he's going to age well. It's like. Like, okay, all right. He's. He's one of the most unstoppable players that we've ever seen. I still think, like. Like, I'll think of playoff games and going, Hey, 17 seconds left, score tied, whatever score you want to come up with, but, like, a close game, like, get me a really good look. I don't know. I don't know if anyone's ahead of Luca. I really think he's that special at getting his own space, using his body. He doesn't have to go fast. He doesn't need a screen, and then he has the passing on top of everything else. But I think the LeBron thing has been really interesting, Colin, because it's almost this praise of, like, he's accepted his role, and it's like, well, he's accepted this role because he's. He's finally. It finally happened. Yeah. Where the decline is here now, maybe with more days off, maybe with more specific game planning, but, like, LeBron, at this point, I. I think there'll be, like, the huge playoff game, but then there'll also be a playoff game where it feels like the diminishing athleticism and him being hunted. Hunted defensively is going to show up in certain matchups. I mean, if we're like, what are we doing? I could still be respectful of the greatness while also breaking down what I think the 20, 26 NBA playoffs are going to look like.
- [39:20]
Colin Cowherd
Yeah.
- [39:20]
Ryan Rosillo
And I think I. I don't. I'm worried about that. You know, I'm worried about that with the collection of all the other guys. I mean, Ayton's been a little bit better, but he's not somebody that I necessarily want to bank on. I think Houston's closing offense is still such a mess. Like, I do not trust them at all that I pick the Lakers in that one. The size Minnesota stuff. Sure, Ayton there now, but I think that'd be another problem. And look, Denver is better this year despite the defensive numbers, despite the terrible clutch numbers that don't make any sense. They're always one of the best clutch teams in the league. They've been abysmal. But if you're telling me like a seven game series against the Lakers and what the Denver Nuggets did last year to OKC when we weren't even that excited about him a year ago and Gordon's hamstring and they take OKC to seven. I'm cooler on Denver than say last summer, Colin. But I think it'd be a shock for the majority of people out there to pick the Lakers against them even if the seeds are off.
- [40:14]
Colin Cowherd
By the way, you're either got your arm in a sling because you've benched too much or you've got a camera and you're just sightseeing Manhattan Beach. What is that thing there?
- [40:25]
Ryan Rosillo
Well, I don't know if you saw that the Louis Vuitton summer line dropped. I'm sure you get the alerts too, but no, it's, it's a sling. We did some weighted wide grip pull ups yesterday at our our equinox out here and the very top. I felt something I've never felt before. But we're going to be back. And shout out to Mike Greenberg back in better than ever. I'll be fine.
- [40:50]
Colin Cowherd
I mean, you know, you're not a young guy. Stuff breaks, trust me. 55, stuff starts breaking. Rosillo. It's great seeing you. Barstool Sports. He's on fire. Ryan. Rosillo. Ryan A Rosillo. Good seeing you, buddy.
- [41:04]
Ryan Rosillo
Yeah, good to see you Colin. Thanks man.
- [41:07]
Colin Cowherd
He does great work, does great stuff. Somebody whose opinion I trust always see J. Mac. You're out there hooping it and you're always wearing a sling and you're always limping into work. I'm out here having red striped beers in the best shape of my life. Living life to the fullest.
- [41:24]
J. Mac
I can't believe. So he's doing pull ups and he threw out his shoulder. Poor guy. By the way, he used to go to my gym. I'm gonna text him here in a sec. He's jacked. Obviously. You know, I'm just cut up. You like to think I'm ripped. He's actually jacked. That guy lifts a lot of weights. I can't believe he got hurt.
- [41:40]
Colin Cowherd
I have seen Ryan.
- [41:41]
J. Mac
You don't want to stand next to him in like the team picture when you win the championship because he just dwarfs you.
- [41:46]
John Green
Yeah.
- [41:46]
Colin Cowherd
Yeah, totally. Well, a lot of guys dwarf you, but that's not. That's another segment.
- [41:51]
J. Mac
You love taking jabs at me, buddy.
- [41:53]
Colin Cowherd
You're the Brock Purdy of talk show host.
- [41:55]
Ryan Rosillo
Oh.
- [41:56]
J. Mac
You get on.
- [41:57]
Colin Cowherd
You get on heaters, but you get dinged up a lot.
- [41:59]
J. Mac
So I get to the show, and then we go to the Super Bowl. Is that what you're saying?
- [42:04]
Colin Cowherd
All right. Great stuff.
- [42:05]
Lala Kent
This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.