Summary of "Best of The Herd" Episode on March 21, 2025
The Herd with Colin Cowherd, hosted by iHeartPodcasts and The Volume, is renowned for its in-depth analysis and lively discussions on the top sports stories of the day. In the "Best of The Herd" episode released on March 21, 2025, guest host Doug Gottlieb delves into significant topics surrounding college basketball, player performances in the NBA, and an insightful interview with Ben McCollum, head coach of the Drake Bulldogs. Below is a comprehensive summary capturing all key points, discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode.
1. College Basketball Coaching Dynamics
Timestamp: [02:48] – [18:29]
Doug Gottlieb opens the episode discussing his experiences in Southern California and his personal commitments, including celebrating his son's 16th birthday. Transitioning into college basketball, Doug analyzes the recent performance of the Kansas Jayhawks against the Arkansas Razorbacks, highlighting the impact of coaching changes and player dynamics.
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Bill Self and John Calipari: Doug contrasts the coaching styles of Bill Self (Kansas) and John Calipari (Arkansas), both Hall of Fame coaches with national titles. He emphasizes how recent changes in college basketball—like the transfer portal and NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) policies—have affected traditional coaching methods.
"John Calipari evolved from what he was at UMass, then the NBA, and at Kentucky, it was one and done. Bill Self, on the other hand, focused on program players who improved over time."
—Doug Gottlieb [07:20] -
Impact of Transfer Portal and NIL: Doug discusses how the ability to transfer without repercussions and the introduction of NIL deals have significantly altered team compositions and strategies. He notes that these changes have made it challenging for coaches accustomed to long-term player development to maintain their program’s culture and success.
"These changes have made it difficult to adjust. My mom is, let's say, too old with her phone, and similarly, coaches are struggling to adapt to the new landscape."
—Doug Gottlieb [14:35] -
Game Analysis: The discussion includes a detailed breakdown of the Kansas vs. Arkansas game, pointing out Kansas's high turnovers and Arkansas's strategic play despite injuries and lineup changes.
"Kansas had 16 turnovers and only shot out from the free-throw line. Arkansas took 65 shots and still lost by seven points."
—Doug Gottlieb [11:50] -
Concluding Insights: Doug concludes that the rapid evolution of college basketball necessitates adaptability from coaches. He underscores the importance of maintaining confidence and evolving strategies to stay competitive.
"John Calipari and Bill Self are perfect examples of coaches who need to level up or level out to stay relevant in this rapidly changing sport."
—Doug Gottlieb [17:45]
2. Bronny James' NBA Debut Performance
Timestamp: [18:29] – [29:24]
The focus shifts to Bronny James, the son of NBA legend LeBron James, and his debut performance in the NBA. Doug Gottlieb provides a critical analysis of Bronny's game, supplemented by insights from Ben McCollum, head coach of the Drake Bulldogs.
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Performance Breakdown: Bronny scored 17 points on 7 of 10 field goals, 5 assists, and 3 rebounds in 29 minutes. However, he also committed 4 turnovers and had a minus-36 rating, indicating a challenging debut.
"Bronny was awesome last night playing a career high 29 minutes. He shot the ball well and looked like an NBA player for the first time."
—Doug Gottlieb [22:15] -
Ben McCollum's Perspective: Ben McCollum praises Bronny's growing confidence but also provides a balanced critique, emphasizing the need for further development.
"His confidence is growing. When he becomes an elite conditioned athlete, his physical tools and handle will make him an above-average to really good NBA shooter."
—Ben McCollum [24:21] -
Doug's Critique: Doug challenges the positive feedback by highlighting Bronny's lack of elite shooting prowess historically, questioning the sustainability of the optimistic outlook.
"Every NBA player I've seen outside of a few late bloomers doesn’t achieve greatness without it. Bronny hasn't shown elite shooting yet, so why expect it now?"
—Doug Gottlieb [26:45] -
Conclusion on Bronny's Future: While acknowledging Bronny's potential and recent performance improvements, Doug remains cautiously optimistic, emphasizing that confidence is crucial but must be paired with consistent skill development.
"Last night was the first night Bronny looked like an NBA player. His confidence is still outstanding, but he needs to maintain and grow it through consistent performance."
—Doug Gottlieb [28:30]
3. Interview with Ben McCollum, Head Coach of Drake Bulldogs
Timestamp: [29:24] – [49:59]
In an extensive interview, Doug Gottlieb converses with Ben McCollum about his successful transition from Division 2 to Division 1 coaching, his recruitment strategies, team dynamics, and the challenges posed by the evolving landscape of college basketball.
a. Transition from Division 2 to Division 1
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Recruitment of Division 2 Players: Ben McCollum shares his experience of bringing players from Division 2 to Division 1, emphasizing trust in his recruitment eye despite skepticism.
"Take three or four of your guys from Division 2 and show up at Division 1 with a connected and competitive team has been rewarding."
—Ben McCollum [35:47] -
Building Team Chemistry: McCollum highlights the importance of having players who are loyal and understand the program's culture, which has been pivotal in Drake Bulldogs' current success.
"Having guys that are in your foxhole, fighting for the program, has been a big deal in building our strong team culture."
—Ben McCollum [37:00]
b. Team Performance and Strategies
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Season Highlights: McCollum discusses the Bulldogs' impressive 31-3 record, their victory over Missouri, and their preparedness to face Texas Tech in the NCAA tournament.
"Our team has bonded well, sharing experiences from Division 2 and bringing that competitive edge to Division 1."
—Ben McCollum [38:00] -
Scrimmage Insights: Reflecting on a secret scrimmage against Texas Tech, McCollum explains that such practices are more about testing strategies than competitive outcomes.
"Scrimmages are for seeing what works and what doesn't. Winning isn't the primary goal; it's about learning and adjusting."
—Ben McCollum [43:25]
c. Coaching Philosophy and Personal Insights
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Uniform Choice: An interesting personal tidbit reveals McCollum's consistent attire—wearing the same blue tie throughout the year to minimize decision fatigue since 2016.
"I wear the same blue tie all year to avoid making unnecessary decisions. It symbolizes our team's unity and consistency."
—Ben McCollum [47:53] -
Handling Job Speculation: McCollum discusses his approach to media speculation about potential job moves, emphasizing loyalty and focus on his current role.
"I focus on my team and my family rather than getting distracted by job rumors. Consistency builds loyalty."
—Ben McCollum [46:34] -
Recruitment Philosophy: He stresses the importance of evaluating players beyond divisional biases, advocating for trusting one's judgment in recruitment.
"Just because some Division 2 players succeed doesn't mean all will, but finding good players where others might not look is key."
—Ben McCollum [41:33]
d. Team Identity and Culture
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Team Slogan: McCollum humorously shares the team's slogan, which reflects their resilience and fighting spirit despite occasional setbacks.
"Our team is a bunch of scrappers. We're bruised and battered, but we're always fighting."
—Ben McCollum [49:07] -
Future Outlook: With a strong foundation and a track record of adapting to challenges, McCollum expresses confidence in the Bulldogs' ability to compete at the highest levels.
"We've built a strong culture and connected team dynamic that will carry us through the rest of the tournament and beyond."
—Ben McCollum [49:29]
4. Additional Discussions and Sponsor Messages
Timestamp: [49:59] – [51:37]
The episode concludes with brief mentions of ongoing sponsorships and promotional content, which are minimal and not central to the episode's main discussions.
Notable Quotes:
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Doug Gottlieb on Coaching Adaptability:
"John Calipari and Bill Self are perfect examples of coaches who need to level up or level out to stay relevant in this rapidly changing sport."
—Doug Gottlieb [17:45] -
Ben McCollum on Team Recruitment:
"Having guys that are in your foxhole, fighting for the program, has been a big deal in building our strong team culture."
—Ben McCollum [37:00] -
Doug Gottlieb on Bronny James' Confidence:
"Last night was the first night Bronny looked like an NBA player. His confidence is still outstanding, but he needs to maintain and grow it through consistent performance."
—Doug Gottlieb [28:30] -
Ben McCollum on Recruitment Philosophy:
"Just because some Division 2 players succeed doesn't mean all will, but finding good players where others might not look is key."
—Ben McCollum [41:33]
Conclusion
The "Best of The Herd" episode presents a thorough examination of the current state of college basketball, the implications of recent changes in player movement and compensation, and the rise of new talents like Bronny James in the NBA. Through Doug Gottlieb's analysis and Ben McCollum's firsthand coaching insights, listeners gain a multifaceted understanding of the sports landscape's evolving dynamics. The episode underscores the necessity for adaptability, strategic recruitment, and the cultivation of team culture to navigate and succeed in the modern era of sports.