The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Best of the Week

Episode Date: March 7, 2026
Theme: Insightful commentary on the week’s biggest sports stories, in-depth college basketball discussion with Rick Pitino & Mark Few, and a mock NFL Draft.

Episode Overview

This “Best of the Week” episode of The Herd features Colin Cowherd’s candid opinions on the latest in the NBA and NFL, focusing on both trending stories and long-standing debates in the sports world. The highlights include Colin's famed "Where Colin Was Right, Where Colin Was Wrong," candid interviews with elite college basketball coaches Rick Pitino (St. John’s) and Mark Few (Gonzaga), and a detailed look at his 2026 NFL mock draft. The episode is rich in industry insight, offering balanced analysis on changing trends in both professional and college sports.

Key Segments & Highlights

1. Where Colin Was Right, Where Colin Was Wrong

[02:40 – 13:25]

Right:

• LeBron’s Time with the Lakers Should End:
  • "LeBron is now the second slowest player in the NBA… he can't assist to hide LeBron's fatal flaw, which is conditioning and bad defense." (Colin, 03:40)
  • Uncle Byron Scott (former Laker) agreeing signals a shift in Laker sentiment.
• Vikings Interested in New QBs Shows JJ McCarthy Doubts:
  • Contrasts their roster situation with $45M over the cap, mirrors other teams' "big game hunting" for a quarterback. (05:45)
• Luka Doncic's Flaws Now Public:
  • "Despite the fact I do think he's an all-time great offensive talent, the public and the media is acknowledging, oh, Luka Doncic isn't a perfect player." (07:12)
• Steph Curry’s Situation with Warriors is Grim:
  • “I love Steph. This roster is brutal, small, old, fast. Break points, bottom four, points in the paint, bottom four." (09:25)
• Malik Willis’s Market Grows:
  • “I've been telling J. Mac, Malik Willis is going to have a market... The Jets, Cardinals, and Dolphins are going to be options.” (10:26)

Wrong:

• Underrating the Knicks:
  • "The Spurs were on an 11-game winning streak and the Knicks dominated them... The Knicks had a very spirited at home defensive effort." (04:12)
• Chiefs as Betting Favorites for Tyreek Hill:
  • Skeptical about the fit: “He’s got injury concerns and maturity, off-field issues... I don’t really get it.” (06:03)
• Overestimating Kyler Murray:
  • Admits being slower to see the commitment and health issues, noting him as “a more elusive version than Russell Wilson in his prime.” (07:58)

2. Rick Pitino Interview – State of College Hoops & NIL

[14:00 – 25:42]

Expansion of NCAA Tournament

• Colin's stance: Wants to keep the field at 64, not a fan of further expansion.
• Rick Pitino:
  • “It would come down to what's the reason for expansion?... Any team that goes undefeated – I don't care what level you're at – you deserve an NCAA bid.” (Rick Pitino, 14:53)

Impact of NIL

• Colin: NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) has made college hoops deeper and more talented.
• Pitino agrees and notes influx of international talent:
  • “If you’re a basketball player aspiring to go to the EuroLeague... you’d rather go to college. It pays almost twice more.” (16:21)
  • He believes current college basketball strength goes back to “the Kareem days, the Walton days, where everyone stayed in school.” (17:16)

European Influence

• “The foreign influence is here to stay, but it makes the game so much better because they really understand how to play.” (18:37)
• On defense: "Most of them defensively can't guard me, but on offense, they’re great." (19:06)

Domestic Product & AAU

• Pitino bucks trend of blaming AAU: "I would rather blame parents than I would AAU. I think parents today are way too involved..." (19:35)

Coaching Adaptability & Longevity

• On lasting energy:
  • "I may be 73, but I act like I’m 43... If you got a problem, tell me. I'm gonna act like a 43-year-old for you." (Rick Pitino, 23:44)
  • Credits adaptability, learning from stints overseas, and refusal to be rigid.

Tournament Keys to Success

• “The first thing you have to look at is free throw percentage. It’s always going to come down to making your free throws at the end of a game.” (22:14)

3. Colin’s NFL Mock Draft – First 15 Picks

[29:00 – 40:59]

Top 5 Picks Quick Recap

• #1 – Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB.
  -"Easily the best quarterback prospect... big arm, humble gratitude, 16-0 to non-traditional power." (29:54)
• #2 – Jets: David Bailey, Edge.
  • “He’s a plug-and-play guy, will be starting the first week.” (30:29)
• #3 – Cardinals: Francis Mauinoa, Miami OL.
  • "Offensive coach, gotta get that O-line solved..." (31:03)
• #4 – Titans: Arvell Reese, Ohio State Edge.
• #5 – Giants: Caleb Downs, Safety (Ohio State).
  • “Best safety in the draft… can bring him on blitzes.” (32:35)

Notable Insights

• Values teams addressing immediate roster gaps, especially O-line and secondary.
• Advocates for plug-and-play prospects who can start immediately.
• Highlights shifting market value for young quarterbacks: “It just shows you how fast things change when a certain idea starts working for people.” (11:35)

4. Mark Few Interview – Adaptation & Culture in College Basketball

[41:01 – 54:25]

Managing Roster Turnover in the NIL Era

• Mark Few: “The hardest thing I think is just always fighting for your culture ... You got to explain it to these guys, and they haven’t experienced it yet.” (41:56)

Backcourt vs. Frontcourt—Gonzaga’s Adjustments

• “Our backcourt play has been spectacular at times and then not so spectacular at times... I think over the years, we've been frontcourt dominated, backcourt dominated, balance dominated…” (42:22)
• Discusses adversity from injuries to standout players.

National Landscape

• Regarding Michigan: “They were terrific the night we played them... their size is NBA level... great plan, move the ball really well.” (43:42)

International vs. Domestic Talent

• Few rejects generalizing about international player defense: “Sabonis was as fierce, as tough as they come… Ranowski made as big an impact on the defensive end as anybody.” (45:44)
• Credits his USA Basketball experience for making him a more adaptable coach.

NIL/Transfer Dynamics

• “I was really leery of [NIL]... In my experience: no... But in the off-season, it’s a royal pain. We literally have no rules right now.” (47:02)

Program Culture and Player Types

• “You don’t recruit a lot of high maintenance guys... if you go to Gonzaga, you gotta leave your ego at the door." (47:59)

Tournament Expansion Debate

• Few firmly opposes expansion: “I don't think it needs to be watered down any more, and I don't want to dilute the regular season.” (51:03)

Memorable Quotes

• On Kevin Durant: “Awesome guy... the synergy between him and Anthony Edwards was just priceless. ... Steph’s threes and Lou Alcindor’s skyhook, Kevin Durant’s pull-up has to go down as one of the most legendary, iconic shots.” (51:50)
• On coaching longevity: “As long as it's something you enjoy... As long as I’m having as big an impact on them, I'll keep going.” (49:48)

Timestamps for Essential Segments

• Where Colin Was Right/Wrong: 02:40 – 13:25
• Rick Pitino Interview: 14:00 – 25:42
• NFL Mock Draft: 29:00 – 40:59
• Mark Few Interview: 41:01 – 54:25

Notable Quotes

• Colin on LeBron:
  • “LeBron is now the second slowest player in the NBA... he can’t assist to hide LeBron’s fatal flaw, which is conditioning and bad defense.” (03:40)
• Rick Pitino on NIL’s impact:
  • “College basketball has elevated to a level of great play… I’ve never seen [it] this strong in the last two years.” (17:16)
• Mark Few on continuity:
  • “The hardest thing I think is just always fighting for your culture… because you’re always having to explain it to these guys.” (41:56)
• On European influence:
  • Pitino: “The foreign influence is here to stay, but it makes the game so much better.” (18:37)
• On tournament expansion:
  • Few: "I don’t think it needs to be watered down anymore… To have your name called on Selection Sunday, that’s still a big thing to me." (51:03)

Episode Tone & Style

Colin maintains his signature blend of strong opinion, humor, and willingness to self-correct (“I’ll take an L on that one” – about Kyler Murray). The show is dynamic and conversational, blending analysis with personal anecdotes and banter—especially evident in coach interviews and in his interplay with producers and guests.

Conclusion

This “Best of the Week” showcases The Herd’s blend of hard-hitting sports commentary, candid expert interviews, and playful insider banter. The episode is especially insightful for listeners interested in the ongoing transformation of college basketball, the dynamics of coaching in the modern era, and serious NFL Draft conversation. Both Rick Pitino and Mark Few provide masterclass perspectives on adaptability, culture, and the internationalization of the college game, rounding out a show that’s as entertaining as it is informative.