Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – “Hour 1 - It Has Begun”
Release Date: March 20, 2025
Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Episode Title: Hour 1 - It Has Begun
Description: The Herd with Colin Cowherd is a thought-provoking, opinionated, and topic-driven journey through the top sports stories of the day.
Introduction
In this episode of The Herd, Colin Cowherd is absent, and Doug Gottlieb steps in as the host. The focus is primarily on the commencement of the 2025 NCAA March Madness Men's Tournament. Doug brings his extensive experience as a former ESPN and CBS NCAA tournament commentator, now transitioning into his role as a head basketball coach at Green Bay.
Host Background and Personal Reflections [02:23 - 04:30]
Doug Gottlieb opens the discussion by sharing his personal journey with the NCAA tournament, highlighting his unique position of no longer covering the tournament after 23 years. He reminisces about his childhood experiences watching games with his father and the emotional impact of legendary moments, such as the 1990 Final Four tragedy involving Hank Gathers.
Notable Quote:
"Watching Hank die was soul-crushing to somebody who idolized him and thought, I mean, he looked like a Greek God. I watched them play and they came out adorned in maroon uniforms with 44s everywhere... and then he made the free throw and there wasn't a dry eye in the place."
– Doug Gottlieb [02:23]
Evolution of College Basketball [04:31 - 10:15]
Doug delves into how the landscape of college basketball has transformed over the years. He contrasts the past with the present, emphasizing the increase in the number of Division I teams from about 200 to 364, leading to higher competition and more frequent upsets. He discusses the significance of amateurism's decline, player compensation, and the professionalization of college basketball.
Key Points:
- Expansion of Division I teams has intensified competition.
- The first 16 vs. 1 upset by UMBC has set a precedent for future unexpected outcomes.
- College basketball is in a hybrid state between amateur and professional, impacting player movement and program management.
Payroll Disparities and Competitive Balance [10:16 - 16:00]
A significant portion of the conversation centers on the financial disparities between high-major and mid-major programs. Doug argues that increased spending by top programs in conferences like the SEC creates an uneven playing field, making it challenging for mid-major teams to compete consistently.
Notable Quote:
"When they started the field of 64, there were like, I don't think there were 200 Division I teams. Now there are 364, 364. So if the top are the top four and they're used to competing against 200... now they're competing against 300, one would think the disparity was even greater."
– Doug Gottlieb [04:31]
NCAA Tournament Predictions and Upset Analysis [16:00 - 35:30]
Doug and guest John Fanta engage in detailed analysis of the upcoming NCAA tournament games, focusing on potential upsets and standout performances. They discuss specific teams like UC San Diego, Yale, and Lipscomb, evaluating their strengths and weaknesses against higher-seeded opponents.
Notable Quotes:
"I think UC San Diego will beat Michigan. I never trust a team coming off the Big Ten tournament championship."
– John Fanta [32:44]
"They got Hayden Gray, who's an elite defender. They're so balanced on the other end of the floor."
– John Fanta [32:44]
Coaching Changes and Their Impact [20:25 - 29:05]
The discussion shifts to coaching dynamics within college basketball, particularly focusing on Sean Miller's potential move from Xavier to Texas. Doug highlights the loyalty inherent in college coaching positions and the pressures associated with high-profile programs.
Notable Quote:
"Sean does have some loyalty. Sean got fired in Arizona and Xavier didn’t think twice and brought him back. That shows mutual loyalty."
– Doug Gottlieb [22:40]
John Fanta adds:
"He is one of the better coaches in the sport. I'd say he's a top 15 to 20 coach in college basketball."
– John Fanta [22:40]
Personal Anecdotes and Listener Engagement [35:14 - 43:55]
Doug shares personal anecdotes, including his experiences coaching and interacting with his family. The conversation takes a light-hearted turn as they discuss cooking techniques, specifically using an air fryer, showcasing the show's blend of sports analysis and personal storytelling.
Notable Exchange:
Doug Gottlieb: "I can make all the like fried chicken, fried fish, whatever, but like again, it's air fryer, so there's no oil."
Colin Cowherd: "If you're just calling it fried chicken because you've put it in the air fryer, or are we actually breading it?"
Doug Gottlieb: "No, you bread it. Yeah, you breaded."
– Doug and Colin [43:15 - 43:56]
NBA Updates and Notable Performances [41:12 - 46:08]
Transitioning to professional basketball, Doug highlights an extraordinary performance by Spurs' Sandru Mamukailash Vele, who scored 34 points in just 19 minutes—a historic achievement in the NBA.
Notable Quote:
"He scored 34 points going 13 of 14 from the field, 7 of 7 from 3 and only played 19 minutes. First player in league history to score 34 points in under 20 minutes played."
– Colin Cowherd [42:05]
Additionally, the sale of the Boston Celtics to Bill Chisholm is discussed, marking a significant change in NBA ownership dynamics.
Notable Quote:
"The reigning NBA champs have been sold to Bill Chisholm, a managing partner of Symphony Technology Group."
– Colin Cowherd [44:00]
Closing Remarks and Future Topics [46:09 - 48:34]
As the episode wraps up, Doug teases upcoming segments, including discussions on Aaron Rodgers' actions over the weekend and the potential impact on the NFL draft. He also acknowledges guest John Fanta's contributions and their shared enthusiasm for college basketball.
Notable Quote:
"We know what Aaron Rodgers is going to do this weekend, right? Like, you know the expression that tracks what Aaron Rodgers is doing and will do this weekend? Tracks. I'll prove it to you next."
– Doug Gottlieb [48:34]
Conclusion
This episode of The Herd provides an in-depth look at the current state of college basketball, the evolving dynamics of the NCAA tournament, and the broader implications of financial disparities among programs. Doug Gottlieb's personal insights, coupled with John Fanta's analytical prowess, offer listeners a comprehensive understanding of the tournament's potential outcomes and the underlying factors shaping the sport today.
Notable Timestamps:
- [02:23] – Doug Gottlieb introduces his guest role and shares personal NCAA tournament experiences.
- [04:31] – Discussion on the expansion of Division I and its impact on competition.
- [16:00] – Analysis of potential NCAA tournament upsets with guest John Fanta.
- [22:40] – Conversation about Sean Miller’s coaching situation between Xavier and Texas.
- [32:44] – Predictions on specific team performances and potential upsets.
- [42:05] – Highlighting Sandru Mamukailash Vele’s historic NBA performance.
- [44:00] – Sale of the Boston Celtics to Symphony Technology Group.
- [48:34] – Teasing future discussions on Aaron Rodgers and NFL topics.
Note: Advertisements, social media promotions, and non-content segments have been excluded from this summary to focus solely on the episode's substantive discussions and insights.