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- [00:00]
Julie Stewart-Banks
What's up everyone? Julie Swerbinks here along with former NHL player Nate Thompson.
- [00:05]
Nate Thompson
We're doing a new podcast together. Here we go.
- [00:08]
Julie Stewart-Banks
The name Energy Line with Nate and jsb.
- [00:11]
Nate Thompson
Each week we'll get together and talk about hockey life. All topics are fair game, right?
- [00:16]
Julie Stewart-Banks
Exactly. And you'll never know who will drop by to join us.
- [00:20]
Nate Thompson
Julie is pretty well connected. She has text threads going that you wouldn't believe.
- [00:25]
Julie Stewart-Banks
Listen to Energy Line with Nate and jsb on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [00:32]
Mel Reid
This is Mel Reid, LPGA Tour winner and six time Ladies European Tour winner.
- [00:37]
Kyra K. Dixon
And Kyra K. Dixon, NBC Sports reporter and host.
- [00:40]
Mel Reid
And we've got a new podcast, Quiet Please with Mel and Kira.
- [00:44]
Kyra K. Dixon
We are bringing you spicy takes on sports and pop culture, some interviews with incredible people who have figured out how to make golf their superpower and iheart.
- [00:52]
Mel Reid
Wins Sports production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You can find us on iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [00:59]
Chad Millman
Presented by Elf Beauty, founding partner of iHeart Women's Sports.
- [01:03]
Simon Hunter
Tickets are on sale now y'all for our 2025 iHeart Country Festival presented by Capital One, happening Saturday, May 3rd at the Moody center in Austin, Texas. Don't miss your chance to see Brooks and Dunn, Thomas Rhett, Rascal Flash, Cole Swindell, Sam Hunt, Megan Maroney, Bailey Zimmerman, Nate Smith. Tickets are on sale now@ticketmaster. Dot what's up?
- [01:33]
Laura Carenti
I'm Laura, host of the podcast Courtside with Laura Carrenti, a masterclass case study of the business of women's sports. I'll be chatting with leaders like tennis icon Alana Kloss.
- [01:42]
Chad Millman
I don't do what I do only for women. I do it for everyone.
- [01:45]
Laura Carenti
And I want the whole market and innovators like Jenny Nguyen. I would say 50% of the people that come visit the sports bra aren't sports fans. They come to be in community. They come to be part of this culture. Courtside with Laura Carrenti is an iHeart women's sports production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. Listen to Courtside with Laura Carenti Starting April 2nd on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [02:20]
Stucky
Welcome to the Favorites, the podcast presented by bet365. We are part of the volume podcast network. I am Chad Millman of the Action Network. I am live from my Tommy John home studio and I'm joined as always by my co host, my companion, my compadre My bff Professional Better Simon Hunter. Hello Simon.
- [02:43]
Unknown
Chad. How we doing brother?
- [02:45]
Stucky
We're back in the swing four days of college basketball. You and I have an incredibly special guest coming on the show. He is the OG Action. He is the heartbeat of the Action Network. The first person I ever had dinner with before we even started the company. I had dinner with this guy. He's going to be joining us in Chicago this weekend for our live show, the Most Obsessive College Basketball Better I've ever met. A man who has so loved college basketball for so long that his one name moniker is derived from his then favorite college basketball player, the co host of our Big Bets on campus podcast. The Hat says it all. A man who needs only one name. Welcome back. Stucky.
- [03:58]
Chad Millman
What's going on, Chad? Thanks for the intro. Yeah, I'm excited to get back to some basketball action after this couple day lull. But I'm also very very excited for Chicago on Saturday.
- [04:12]
Unknown
I love it.
- [04:19]
Chad Millman
Have some long time action followers and followers of myself that I'm friendly with that I'm going to see. And then I'm most excited besides seeing you guys of course, which is always nice. But I'm most excited to meet new followers and meet new subscribers and listeners to the podcast. Always have such a good time at these events and in the past we've done them, you know, in Vegas and in the New York City area where we also have pretty loyal followers. But we've never done anything in Chicago and I, I love Chicago and the people from there. So I'm just so excited to meet some of the people that I haven't had a chance to in, in the past.
- [05:07]
Stucky
Stucky, my dad's gonna be there and.
- [05:10]
Chad Millman
Oh really?
- [05:11]
Stucky
Yeah. Well, I'm from Chicago. I don't know who else from my family will show up. Remains to be seen. I've gotten non committals from a few people, but I know, I know that my dad will be there. And for those people who aren't aware at this point of what Stuckey is talking about, another reminder that everybody can officially RSVP for our free Favorites live show event in Chicago. This will be for the Elite Eight March Madness games. Sunday, March 29th. Sorry, Saturday, March 29th at Joe's on Weed. Great, great spot. Every time I've told someone we're doing event at Joe's on Weed who's from Chicago and doesn't live there anymore, they're like oh man, I love Joe's on Weed. Free event, free drinks, free live show with Stuckey three Man Weave, Simon, myself, Matt Mitchell has an entire SUV full of swag to give away. Just RSVP to reserve your spot by clicking the link in this episode's description. Or you can just Google Favorites Live Event Chicago Be sure to RSVP must RSVP to get in. But then you get in, you get free drinks, free event, free chatting with the crew, plus a mini live show where Stuck is gonna regale us with stories and ideas on what to do with Elite 8. As a reminder, this favorous podcast is presented by bet365, which is now live in my native state of Illinois. New bet 365 customers, including those in Illinois, get $150 in bonus bets. When you bet $5. Sign up using promo code favorites deposit $10, place a bet for $5 to get $150 in bonus bets. Those bonus bets can be used on spreads, totals, player props, futures, and more. Whatever the moment, it's never ordinary. Bet365, especially in Illinois, must be 21 or older and present in Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Illinois, Louisiana, North Carolina, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia or 18 and older in Kentucky. Gambling problem. Call 1-800- GAMBLER or 1-800-BITS OFF in Iowa. Terms conditions restrictions apply. I will say these events are always amazing. Whether we've done them outside New York, Vegas, Philly in the in the winter, they're great. I hope a lot of people are able to make it and hang out with us. All right.
- [07:31]
Chad Millman
One thing I want to say though, is yes. At these events, like people that you guys that know me know that I will try to talk to as many people as I can. And I can. We'll talk to anyone about anything at any time. But if you see me and you've been a follower or you just want to ask question or anything, please don't hesitate to come up to me or anyone. You will never bother me. So whether you want to tell me your story or ask a question or just share your thoughts or talk some ball, don't hesitate to come up to me. I'm the easiest person to approach.
- [08:07]
Stucky
What is this? Are you Timothee Chalamet? We're at an event for our company.
- [08:13]
Chad Millman
Where the whole yeah, but some people tell me like, oh, they were. I get tweets from people like, oh, you look like you were busy. I didn't want to come up to you. And this is like after I leave the city, right? It's like I kind of wanted to go up to you, but you were talking to Someone else, it's like, no, just bother. Bother away.
- [08:30]
Stucky
Bother. Stuckey, don't come up to me. I'm a little bit more refined and precious. I'm not as interested in talking to people, but definitely talk to Stuckey. You can talk to my dad, you can talk to Simon. Definitely Stucky will be there for the duration. Just talk to Stuckey. This is a Stuckey moment. Speaking of Stuckey, like, I'm enamored of the Maryland game. I thought the, the, the UConn Florida game was outstanding. I actually loved the Duke game, even though it was a blowout because I just love watching Duke. I think they're so good and I want to see excellence. So many criticisms of this tournament right now. What have you learned from this tournament? What are your biggest takeaways so far?
- [09:16]
Chad Millman
Yeah, I mean, I'm, I'm learning a lot just in college basketball in general. The past couple years. College football too. Like, even this past year, I've started to redo everything that I've ever done in college basketball. College basketball is always my best sport. I kind of just was coasting for a while, doing what I have always done. And it's a new world. And now with college football, it's also a new world. I spend so much time. I used to never spend any time in college football. Just used to before action. I used to just lose money betting college football. Loved it. Played football my whole life. It would just donate because in the summer I would spend all my time preparing for college basketball. There's so many teams. It's so much work. And then, you know, October, November. So I was just donating. I was spending my time doing football, NFL and college basketball. Well, now with college football, I spend so much time there. I'm already behind in college basketball. It's harder, the market's more efficient and it's just this new world. Like you have teams that completely hit the reset button. In the past it was. And there's a lot of similarities to college football too. In the past, it's like we got. They're replacing these two starters, right? A lot easier to project from a year to year basis on what a team is going to be. Now it's completely different. The portal, it's crazy. We already have over a thousand. We have a thousand. More than a thousand players already in the portal. But I think what we're starting to see is just the separation from the top and the bottom is growing. And I think that's going to happen in college football as well. I do think that there's going to eventually be more parity at the top. So like your top 20. And this is true in college football as well, you're going to have more stronger teams in that mix. But the gap between the top and the bottom is just going to continue to grow. And we've seen this the past two years where the first round just might be chalkier moving forward. I do think it's eventually, you know, over time there's going to be exceptions that the tournament will be better from the second and third weekends as a result. But I mean we have four leagues that's it represented this year. That's the fewest ever and we only have one from the acc, which is Duke. So I do think that this is still small sample size, this is still a new world. But I do think that this, what we've seen so far is a microcosm of what we can expect to see in the college sports landscape moving forward and just have to adjust and, and get used to it. But there I think there's just a.
- [11:54]
Unknown
Growing gap and everyone's about what have you done lately?
- [11:57]
Nate Thompson
Right?
- [11:57]
Unknown
We just had 16 seeds lose not even two, three years ago. So it's just funny how quickly people are like, ah, it's so boring now. It's like it's just year to year, right. But I do think it's interesting to see what nil is going to do with college sports. And yeah, you online have been trolling these Michigan State fans and Tom Mizzo fans. Is that just you don't trust his team and you're just taking shots them because it's funny or are you just like, I hate bet this team no matter what, I'm going to fade them in this upcoming round.
- [12:23]
Chad Millman
No, I, I just haven't fun with Michigan State fans. There's. There's also what I always forget on Twitter A lot of times when I'm tweeting about certain teams that I don't like, I'm usually trolling like a couple friends, like personal friends. But I've always had fun with Michigan State fans, usually in college football. But no, I, I don't trust. I don't think Michigan State has national title upside mainly because I just don't trust their offense. Like they don't have the perimeter shooting. Their half court offense can get very stagnant. Now Jace Richardson, if he's on, he's a freshman, he had a tough game last game, but he stepped up in the final two minutes. If he's on, that really raises their ceiling. They do have a high floor. Like, Izzo's a great coach. They do play tremendous defense and they're great on the glass now. I don't hate any team. I used to hate Duke because my dad liked Duke growing up. That's kind of. It dwindled over the years. And I don't. This Duke team is that hateable, which is kind of disappointing. And I like Shire, which is also disappointing. I wish there was. I wish I hated Duke more. But no, I don't. I don't hate any team. So I actually kind of like Michigan State this week against Ole Miss. But I'm, you know, it's the sweet 16. You're not going to find a ton of edge or value. I'm mainly looking at matchups at this time of the year to try and find any edge or what to bet. But I do show a little value in Michigan State. The problem is I don't know if I should bet it pregame because Michigan State's games are. They go according almost to a script every time they're like, they'll be down at the half, they'll have a sluggish first half and one of their biggest strengths is, is their depth. And they will wear teams down. We saw it all throughout conference play. In the second half, they will just overwhelm teams with their depth, their athleticism, their rebounding, and they just go on runs in the second half. So there's a good chance that they come out slow, they're down, and then I think Michigan State is going to be worth a look from a live betting perspective. That's probably my favorite live betting look of the first round. Like it. Excuse me, of the tournament so far. And I made the mistake. I bet New Mexico plus seven and a half on Sunday and I didn't listen to myself. I didn't have any first half. I didn't bet Michigan State live. And it was just one of their games again. Even go back to the first round against Bryant. I mean, it was close game the first half and then their depth just overran Bryant in the second half. So if I had to bet the game pregame, I would bet Michigan State. But I'm going to look for a better opportunity live. I don't like Michigan State. Sure. Could they win it all? Yeah, I mean, it's one basketball game throughout. I think they're going to need to. They're going to need the other seeds kind of break their way. Like you want to root. If you're a Michigan State and you want to root for Michigan so you don't have to play Auburn. But I think that they're just their ceiling in the half court on offense might limit them compared to a Duke, for example and some of the in F Florida. So that's what I think is going to hold them back. But I have a ton of respect for Izzo and love Michigan State fans. Part of when I get to have that interaction was they have loyal, sometimes bordering on psychotic fan bases, which I love. And Michigan State fits the bill there for sure.
- [15:42]
Stucky
I agree with you about Duke. I know Simon has always been a Duke fan. I have found Duke to be so much more likable since the very end of the Coach K era and with the John Shire era. I love him as a coach. I think he's relatable. I love the way he interacts with his players. I like watching this team. I said it off the top. I think this team is super fun to watch play basketball because they're so good and they're competitive and Cooper Flagg is just a straight baller, but they got so many other guys who can play at such an elite level. I don't even care that like they have an advantage because they get every single elite recruit looking at their school and they're loaded with NL money. As we look at the weekend, Thursday, Friday, knowing that a lot of people, you know, the early games are not going to be something they can activate against off of this show. Give me your roundup for Thursday and Friday, which includes.
- [16:55]
Chad Millman
Yeah, I mean quickly on the early games. I do think BYU has a little bit of value. That's. That's the number that I show the most value on. Their offense is electric. I mean the total 175 and that's the high it's on pace to be the highest since 1995 in the tournament. Their offense is electric now. Their defense, Alabama's defense has issues, but so does BYU's. They're just. They lack athleticism in certain positions. So what do they do? They pack it in kind of. They'll play some zone. They dare you to shoot the three, so it's scary. They're going up against Alabama, who's gonna. Who shoots a lot of threes and can get hot. Not as good of a shooting team as they were last year, but they can still go nuclear. They've been shooting 38 cent February 1st, so it's a scary one because BYU, if Alabama will have days where they just go 16 of 38, 16 to 35 from 3, and then BYU might not be Able to keep up. But you gotta remember these games are in weird venues, right? Well the Kentucky, Tennessee, Purdue, Houston, like that's, that's in Indianapolis in a cut in half football stadium. So are the, it's the shooting going to be just a little off and in that case byu, hey, you're encouraging Alabama to fire away from three. That might work in your favor. So I think BYU has some value. Maryland as well. A little worried about Maryland's depth. They got to stay out of foul trouble for sure because I mean Florida is so deep they can come at you in waves. I don't think Maryland could do some of the things that UConn did from an offensive perspective, but I do show a little value in that number. Although like if they're, you play an up and down fast game against Florida and let them get in transition, which Maryland will do. Maryland's transition, he's really good but that's going to be an up tempo game. That's dangerous. One of the things UConn had going for him, they do a lot of off ball stuff which can give Florida problems and they slow the game down to a halt. Maryland starting five, the crowd five. They could play with anyone. But you got and like the extended TV timeouts this time of year, like they help but they got to stay out of foul trouble. Usually do a good job in that department. But Barter's got a ton of size, will come at you in a fast paced game. But yeah, if I had a bet aside in that game as of right now, I would look at Maryland, Duke, Arizona. I, I just, I don't know how Arizona is going to consistently score in that game. The Wild Cards, Caleb Love, if he has games he's capable of it and he's done it on the stage and he was tremendous against Oregon. They need him in the half court. And can you duplicate what he just did against a elite Duke defense? I don't know. But they're going to need them because what does Arizona want to do? They want to get out in transition and they want to score at the rim. Both are essentially impossible against duke who's like 5th percentile and rim defense allowed, 5th percentile and transition allowed and then above 90 in efficiency. So you can't score at the rim on Duke. You can't score in transition. Harris got to score in the half court. They couldn't in the first meeting. These teams played. It was a super low scoring game. These teams are, they're both a lot different than they were back in November. But I find it hard for. Unless Caleb has a really good game here, I find it hard for that Arizona is going to be able to keep up. Duke could also get Malik Brown back, who I think is actually a key piece for Duke's upside. Like, Duke could still win the national title without him, but when they go up against the team, you know, some of the other elite teams down the line, Malik Brown gives them so much defensive versatility with his switching, and so they might have him, and then it's going to be even tougher for Arizona. So Duke to me feels like UConn like last year. It's like I don't bet against them. They're probably going to recover. So I would not bet Arizona. I don't mind the under. It's scary with Duke, who, you know, can put up 90, but that's probably my favorite under of the first two rounds. And then Arkansas, Texas Tech. I have no idea I have a Texas Tech future. Bet them they're in the region. On our podcast. We have them to win the final four. I think they're a top five team when fully healthy. But McMillan, who's their best shooter? Their offense with him is absolutely electric. It's almost unstoppable. He's got an oblique injury. We don't know if he's going to play. He didn't play over the. In the first weekend. And then you have Arkansas, who. They might get one of their best players back in a do Theo. They just got Boogie Flam back. They've had all these moving pieces all. So it's. They're very hard to rate right now. They just got two of their. They're going to get two of their better players back from injury. How does it all work together? It's going to come down to Texas Tech shooting. If Texas Tech is on from three, I don't think Arkansas can match them with their scoring in the half court. But if they're off, that's going to allow Arkansas to get out and transition where they can score with anybody. And that team's just super deep now that they have some guys back. They have good enough depth, they're super athletic, they're super long. If they could turn that game into a brawl. Arkansas is definitely dangerous and they're playing with house money. That's usually a role that Calipari can fulfill. So I have no idea there. It depends on injuries and McMillan status, but I'll be rooting for Texas Tech.
- [22:02]
Stucky
I would say about Texas Tech shooting or anybody shooting, I don't know if you Guys noticed this. The mic on these rims is so high pitched when someone misses a shot, they don't just miss a shot. It sounds like they're breaking the basket. Like it sounds like these are the worst shooting teams laying the biggest bricks in the history of college basketball. Because the sound, someone is either going to win an Emmy for this or they're going to have to completely adjust it for next year because it feels like it is the loudest rim rattling shot in the history of college basketball.
- [22:39]
Chad Millman
Yeah, well I always say that CBS's broadcast of college basketball has always been better than ESPN's from a like an audio perspective. And it I have people always ask why and I think it's just their mics like that they capture the crowd especially in like road true home road games in like conference play. And then the rim like they just the ball go with like a swish sounds better. I don't know what it is but the CBS one always is. The college basketball broadcast has always sounded better to me just from an audio perspective. Like to take the announcers out of it. Right. Would you agree, Stuckey?
- [23:18]
Stucky
You're spot on. This is how deep you are into college basketball. Opinions on the broadcast audio from network to network. That's why we have you on the show, Simon. Before we witness any legendary buzzer beaters, Cinderella stories or diaper dandies, this NCAA tournament, it all starts with both of us staying cool, calm and collected this march. And the best way to do that, staying truly comfortable. The kind of flexible, breathable comfort only possible through our sponsor, Tommy John. Before the confetti of a better life can fall. Before the first chords of a one shining moment montage can play, we must strive for best in class underwear and the best casual essentials money can buy. So box out underperforming undergarments and crash the boards of comfort with Tommy John. Simon, why will you be wearing more Tommy John in 2025?
- [24:15]
Unknown
Because comfort is king. Chad.
- [24:17]
Stucky
Right now you can shop tommyjohn.com favorites and get 25% off your first order. Save 25% at tommyjohn.com/favourites. That's tommyjohn.com favorites hey, this is Mel.
- [24:30]
Mel Reid
Reid, LPGA Tour winner and six time Ladies European Tour winner and Kyra K.
- [24:35]
Kyra K. Dixon
Dixon, NBC Sports reporter and host.
- [24:37]
Mel Reid
You forgot to say all my Miss America by the way. And we've got a new podcast, quiet please. With Mel and Kira.
- [24:44]
Kyra K. Dixon
We are bringing you spicy takes on sports and pop culture, some golf haps and interviews with incredible people who have figured out how to make golf.
- [24:52]
Mel Reid
They're super power or just people we like. Plus tales from the road and everything in between. By the way, golf isn't just for the dads, brads and chads.
- [24:59]
Kyra K. Dixon
Yeah, it's actually life's cheat code. And we're not going to be quiet about it on or off the course. We're bringing on some of our friends like Michelle Lee, Heather McMahon, Amanda Baliotis.
- [25:09]
Mel Reid
So if you want to keep up with us and here is your app, tune into our new podcast, Listen to.
- [25:14]
Kyra K. Dixon
Quiet Please with Mel and Kira, an I heart women's sports production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You can find us on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of iHeart Women's Sports, it's Julie Stewart Banks.
- [25:31]
Julie Stewart-Banks
I'm doing a new podcast from iHeart Podcasts and the National Hockey League, and I'm paired up with one of my favorite players, the always quotable Nate Thompson.
- [25:39]
Nate Thompson
I wore nine NHL sweaters and I have story after story to share. And believe it or not, I have plenty to say, and not just about hockey.
- [25:47]
Julie Stewart-Banks
Believe me, he does. Energy Line with Nate. And JSB is the name of the podcast and it's gonna be, well, it's gonna be quite the ride. We're officially linemates, Nate. We're the energy line.
- [25:59]
Nate Thompson
We'll have plenty of folks join us, current players, some of my former teammates, hall of Famers, and wait till you see some of the connections that Julie has. She has quite the Rolodex.
- [26:08]
Julie Stewart-Banks
Okay, we'll lean into Nate's playing experience and tap into our interests away from hockey and try to do what energy lines are supposed to do. Provide an emotional boost. How do you feel about all that, Nate?
- [26:20]
Nate Thompson
I'm vibing, Julie. I'm ready to roll.
- [26:23]
Julie Stewart-Banks
Listen to Energy Line with Nate and jsb on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [26:30]
Stucky
All right, stuck. I do want us to run through the Friday games, two of which I'll probably be sleeping for, but we got four of them. Mississippi and Michigan State. Kentucky, Tennessee. Michigan State, by the way, is a three and a half point favorite. Kentucky, Tennessee is a four and a half point favorite. Auburn is a nine and a half point favorite against Michigan. Houston, eight point favorite against Purdue. Give me your takes.
- [26:56]
Chad Millman
Yeah, I already went over Ole Miss. Michigan State. I show a little value in Michigan State. I think it's sparty or nothing. But wait, wait, to get that live, the difference in that game I think is going to be rebounding. Ole Miss a very poor rebounding team. Michigan State is elite. They're top 20 in offensive and defensive rebounding. Now Ole Miss does some things that can trouble Michigan State. They're very good transition defense, keep you out of transition. Part of that is why they're not great at rebounding. They get back. They also force you to like work in isolation and shoot threes in the half court. Those aren't two really strong areas of Michigan State. It's not a great shooting team. They almost never operate in isolation. So there's some things that could be working in Ole Miss's favor. But at the end of the day, I think it's the rebounding for Michigan State and then their depth that I think will eventually win that game. But prefer to probably wait to see if Michigan State is down at some point the first half, which they usually are, or even down at the end of the first half and look for them liver in the second half. Kentucky Tennessee Full Disclosure Kentucky fan for.
- [28:03]
Stucky
My wife you're based in Lexington for.
- [28:06]
Chad Millman
People yeah, I'm based in Lexington and we're finally to the second weekend you're based in Lexington.
- [28:11]
Stucky
If anyone ever sees you walking down the street and they're a fan of yours on Twitter, by all means feel free to say hello because you are a very approachable celebrity.
- [28:19]
Chad Millman
Most yeah, there's no one hesitates in Lexington, but the I will say that Kentucky swept the regular season so they won both meetings against Tennessee, but those are basically due to shooting variants. Kentucky's defense has issues and you know they struggle defending off ball stuff, pick and roll. But what they did in the first two meetings against Tennessee is they said tennessee, I dare you to beat us by shooting the ball. And Tennessee just couldn't. They went. Tennessee shot 17 of 64 from three in those two meetings and Kentucky was lights out from three. So those games basically were decided by three point variants. You're playing in a half cut off Lucas Oil Stadium. I would assume given some of Kentucky's defensive deficiencies that that's going to be the plan again, like make Tennessee beat us by being jump shooters. We Kentucky can battle on the defensive glass against Tennessee who's good on the offensive glass. But I think it's going to be a plan again. And hey, neutral court if Tennessee's missing this Kentucky offense can play with anyone. They're playing really well. They've had injuries, they got Lamont Butler back and when they had a bunch of injuries throughout the year they were a bunch of other guys were able to step up and now they have more reliable depth and Hope's an excellent coach. I just fear that the Tennessee defense is so good and the Tennessee's not going to shoot like it did in the first two meetings. Slight lean to Tennessee. We'll be rooting for Kentucky, Michigan. Auburn's an interesting game. This Michigan team, they just find ways to if the game is close in the second half, they're super comfortable there. You have to give Dusty May a ton of credit for what he's done all year. You could say to the close game Kings, they've won close games all year, but there's something to be said about their execution in these final 10, 5, 3, 2 minutes of games and they I think they've benefited from getting out of the Big Ten. They play a very unique style. They have two seven footers that are run pick and roll and the big, you know, the Big Ten, they kind of got used to that, right? And then there's a lot of bigs in the Big Ten, but you saw that and it's. You became familiar with it and teams adjusted. But it's such a unique scheme that I think they benefited from getting out of conference play. With that said, Auburn is as well positioned as anybody to defend their two bigs with Broom and Caldwell. And if they neutralize each other, it's sort of like Kraton Auburn. The just the perimeter is just such an advantage for Auburn that I think eventually that's what will overwhelm Michigan. Their Michigan's going to have to get help from the role players, which they haven't really gotten consistently. They did against Texas A M. Roddy Gale somehow went nuts. LJ KSAM was big. If they can carry that over and Auburn is just a little lackadaisical again because I here's the thing with Auburn. They haven't been great for the past three weeks, but they also were probably coasting. Now there were talks of like there's locker room issues. So I don't really know because they were already locked into the one seed, the number one overall seed. But they definitely looked like they weren't all the way engaged even in the first round. Even in the first half against Creighton. Now Creighton went 9 of 14 from 3 in the first half against them. Part of that was just their perimeter D was pretty lax. They look like they locked in in the second half. Will they be locked in from the jump here? I don't know. It's hard for me to gauge. I'm kind of close to the number here, but I do think Auburn will advance. But you don't want to play with fire against this Michigan team and being a close game late because they'll steal it. They've shown they can do that all year. And then lastly your Purdue Houston is your ugliest game of the tournament, as you could probably guess by the total of 132 and a half and it will be played in that half cutoff football stadium. It's in. It's in Indy though, so the one seed has a bit of a disadvantage there taking on Purdue in Indianapolis. It's going to be tough for Purdue here. Purdue is. They're going to overwhelm Braden Smith, who's one of the best point guards in college basketball. They're going to overwhelm tkr. It's a great big tkr. He's going to need to be a facilitator. He's going to have to make some plays on the short roll. But this Houston D is incredible. They're long. Can the Purdue role players step up because they're going to be at an overall athletic disadvantage, a talent disadvantage and the Purdue defense has issues defending at the rim. What Painter has done is he's packed it in and he said I dare teams to beat beat a shooting. And no one's been able to do that in the tournament so far. But they played a couple mid majors. Houston doesn't love to shoot threes. They like to shoot mid majors, play volleyball in the offensive class. But they're the number one three point shooting team in the country by percentage if they make a couple. I think this Purdue defense is a house of cards and it all falls apart. But Purdue's going to try to grind this game down to a halt. That's all Houston wants to do. So this so like do I really Want to lay 8 in a game that could be like 55, 50 with 2 to go? Probably not. But I would lean Houston eventually unpacking that Purdue Defense who they're 350th in the country in rim defense. If you can just make some shots and unpack them, you can score at the rim. They can get offensive rebounds and score. So eventually Houston I think will overwhelm Purdue unless the Purdue role players just have a really, really good game. And I don't think that they're that trustworthy and I don't hate the under there either. Even though it is a super low number. Purdue's going to try to grind that Game down. And that's all Houston does anyway. So that one should be a grinder.
- [34:13]
Unknown
Now I got to ask a biased question before we let Stuck get out of here. Chad, I got to know you're locked in this season. To me, I've watched really Duke all season. They've just to me been the best team of every week. They seem like they get better. Like all the guys weaknesses start the year at this point of the year. A lot of them have been addressed a really complete team at this point. Who is your model or what Guys you're talking to are saying this is the one team that can stop them in this tournament. This is the best team left matchup wise against this Duke team. Because right now across the board it feels like, you know, people are talking about Florida and stuff like that. But you saw in that Connecticut game, Florida got tight and it's like, I'm interested your perspective of what team left will give Duke their biggest issues.
- [34:52]
Chad Millman
Yeah, I mean from a. I mean Florida and Auburn are right there, but I think from a, from a matchup perspective, I think the two teams, they're both on Duke's side that just stylistically could cause issues are Houston and Tennessee. And the reason for that both play super slow, both have elite defenses. They're going to limit the possessions, right? So Duke is so good, you don't want to get into a game where you're playing up and down against them, where their talent will probably eventually win out. So I think the best way to beat this Duke team is you want to limit the number of possessions playing. So that's Houston. Houston's what, 3 60th and adjusted tempo and Tennessee's 346th. And you have to be a team that can make threes. You got to trade threes for twos at. At times against Duke, I already mentioned Houston, number one in the country in three point percentage. Tennessee is capable. They're not an elite shooting team, but they have some capable shooters. So I think those are the two teams. Just stylistically it's like, hey, let's just slow this game down because Duke's not fast either. And just lower possession game physicality at certain positions might be something that can give Duke issues. And that's what Tennessee and Houston have. We saw that against Clemson, I guess, the last time that Duke has lost since December. So I think those are the two teams because of their. How they play, because of their defenses, and then because of their ability to hit some outside shots that they might give Duke the most interesting game Even though it's going to be tough to score on Duke's defense, no matter what, those are the two most intriguing matchups to me. Now, the way that it's going to play out is one of those teams is going to get knocked out. If they both win, they'll play each other, but that could be a really intriguing Final Four matchup.
- [36:56]
Mel Reid
Hey, this is Mel Reed, LPGA Tour winner and six time ladies European Tour.
- [37:01]
Kyra K. Dixon
Winner and Kyra K. Dixon, NBC Sports reporter and host.
- [37:04]
Mel Reid
You forgot to say warm and Miss America, by the way. And we've got a new podcast, Quiet Please with Mel and Kira.
- [37:11]
Kyra K. Dixon
We are bringing you spicy takes on sports and pop culture, some golf haps and interviews with incredible people who have figured out how to make golf their.
- [37:19]
Mel Reid
Superpower or just people we like. Plus tales from the road and everything in between. By the way, golf isn't just for the dads, brads and chads.
- [37:26]
Kyra K. Dixon
Yeah, it's actually life's cheat code. And we're not going to be quiet about it on or off the course. We're bringing on some of our friends like Michelle, we, Heather McMahon, Amanda Baliotis.
- [37:37]
Mel Reid
So if you want to keep up with us and here is your app, tune into our new podcast, Listen to.
- [37:41]
Kyra K. Dixon
Quiet Please with Mel and Kira, an iHeart women's sports production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You can find us on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of iHeart Women's Sports, it's Julie Stewart Banks.
- [37:58]
Julie Stewart-Banks
I'm doing a new podcast from iHeart Podcasts and the National Hockey League, and I'm paired up with one of my favorite players, the always quotable Nate Thompson.
- [38:07]
Nate Thompson
I wore nine NHL sweaters and I have story after story to share. And believe it or not, I have plenty to say. And not just about hockey.
- [38:14]
Julie Stewart-Banks
Believe me, he does. Energy Line with Nate and JSB is the name of the podcast and it's going to be, well, it's going to be quite the ride. We're officially line mates, Nate. We're the Energy Line.
- [38:26]
Nate Thompson
We'll have plenty of folks join us, current players, some of my former teammates, hall of Famers. And wait till you see some of the connections that Julie has. She has quite the Rolodex.
- [38:35]
Julie Stewart-Banks
Okay, we'll lean into Nate's playing experience and tap into our interests away from hockey and try to do what energy lines are supposed to do. Provide an emotional boost. How do you feel about all that, Nate?
- [38:47]
Nate Thompson
I'm vibing Julie, I'm ready to roll.
- [38:50]
Julie Stewart-Banks
Listen to Energy Line with Nate and jsb on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [38:58]
Stucky
I love that we are ending this Duke heavy, because, look, I love the team. To me, they're the most exciting team. I have the same feeling stuck that you do. There's something UConn ask about the way they're playing and dominating that you just sort of. You lose in the noise of the tournament. Like, if you're not really paying attention, all of a sudden it becomes clear who the best team is. And I think they're. They're sort of separating a little bit. Before we get out of here, we're going to bring in Evan Abrams, director of research, because he's actually dug up something fun. And the Duke Blue Devils. Evan Abrams, what do you got?
- [39:42]
Chad Millman
The last word with Evan Abrams.
- [39:46]
Stucky
We're finished talking.
- [39:48]
J
And just to talk about the market for a second, Chad, because you guys have been talking about it all eight games, you've either seen the team who's favored get more of a favorite or stay still. So everyone, after the first two we rounds of the tournament, kind of just going on chalk here, but let's keep with Duke. So people have been kind of saying that they're an inevitable champion at this point. I mean, Florida has, you know, 02 against the spread. Like, there's different cracks in other teams. So I, I kind of dug this up, which is kind of interesting. So, obviously, recently, Duke has been playing fantastic. There's. They're scored 1.5 points per possession in a round of 32 versus Baylor, which is the highest points per possession for any team in the tournament since 2016. Now, through two games, Duke has a point margin of plus 67 that is tied for the seventh highest since 1985, when, you know, the tournament expanded. So of those seven teams with Duke on that list, all seven made the elite eight. So they all advanced through this weekend. Five made the final four, two made the title game, and actually none won at all. And I found that kind of. And I, I found that interesting. So I looked one step further. So honestly, Duke has been winning by a lot. So Duke has won 21 games this year by 20 plus points, second most by a D1 team since 2000. The only team with more 2016, 17 Gonzaga, who had 23. Now, the only Duke team that's ever had more was the 9899 Duke team with 24. Now, that becomes interesting when I give you this other stat. So during the Regular season, Duke has also been incredibly dominant. 28 and three straight up, outscoring their opponents by 685 points, which is 10th most all time. So of those other nine teams above Duke on that regular season list, nine made the elite eight. All nine. Six made the final four, five made the title game, and actually two won it all. 1968 UCLA. 1972 UCLA. Here's the best part of those two lists. I gave you the list of the regular season and the list the first two rounds of the tournament. Only one other team is on that, on both lists with Duke. That is 1988, 1998, 1999 Duke. So 25 Duke, 99 Duke. Only two teams on those same lists. Obviously, that 99 Duke team went to the title game, played UConn and ended up losing. So I think the question of inevitable for Duke, especially when looking just, just at history, right? Like you're looking at metrics, Ken Palmer's other areas. Duke's pretty much one of the best teams we've ever seen. But historically, when you're this good, still kind of a crapshoot. I mean, you might get there, but. But they don't always win.
- [42:21]
Chad Millman
The best team on Ken Palm is that 99 Duke team by far.
- [42:24]
J
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
- [42:25]
Chad Millman
That's better than this year's team. And yeah, they lost. The UConn is like 10 point. I think they're 10 point favorites in the title. But so it all comes full circle to UConn, Chad. And back to your point. With Cooper Flag healthy for a full game, they've covered 10 straight. Even though everyone knows they're this good. That just, that's the same vibes.
- [42:43]
Stucky
Which is why we're going to bet on futures for the remaining of the tournament on Tennessee or Houston, based on Stuck saying those are the teams that can knock off Duke. Stuck, thanks for coming on the show, buddy. We're excited to see you on Saturday. We're excited to be able to have full access to you. I. I am not going to stand in the way of anybody who's trying to talk to Stuckey. Someone should stand in the way of me, though. I don't like looking forward to it.
- [43:08]
Chad Millman
Futures, by the way, if I were to bet one now, it would be Texas Tech, just because the upside, if they get healthy and they're on the other side of the bracket from Duke.
- [43:16]
Stucky
All right, Texas Tech. As a reminder, the Favorites podcast is presented by bet365 and is now live in my native state of Illinois. New bet365 customers including those in Illinois. Get $150 in bonus bets when you bet $5. Sign up using promo code. Favorites deposit $10 place a bet for $5 to get $150 in bonus bets. Those bonus bets can be used on spreads, totals, player props, futures and more. Whatever the moment, it's never ordinary at bet365, especially in Illinois. Must be 21 or older and present in Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Illinois, Louisiana, North Carolina, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia or 18 and older in Kentucky. Gambling problem. Call 1-800- GAMBLER or 1-800-BITS OFF in Iowa. Terms conditions restrictions apply. Simon and I will return with our next episode of the Favorites on the Action Network YouTube page, Tuesday, 1:30pm Eastern with very special guests, my former colleague at ESPN, Chris the Bear Felica, now on Fox. Download us from Spotify, Apple Pods, wherever you get your pods Rate, review, subscribe, Leave us five stars. Say whatever you want. Feedback is a gift. Until next time. Love you.
- [44:30]
J
Action Network reminds you, please gamble responsibly.
- [44:34]
Chad Millman
If you or someone you care about.
- [44:36]
J
Has a gambling problem, help is available 247 at 1-800- gambler.
- [44:41]
Julie Stewart-Banks
What's up everyone? Julius Rippinks here along with former NHL player Nate Thompson.
- [44:46]
Nate Thompson
We're doing a new podcast together. Here we go.
- [44:49]
Julie Stewart-Banks
The name Energy Line with Nate and jsb.
- [44:52]
Nate Thompson
Each week we'll get together and talk about hockey life. All topics are fair game, right?
- [44:57]
Julie Stewart-Banks
Exactly. And you'll never know who will drop by to join us.
- [45:01]
Nate Thompson
Julie is pretty well connected. She has text threads going that you wouldn't believe.
- [45:06]
Julie Stewart-Banks
Listen to Energy Line with Nate and jsb on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [45:14]
Mel Reid
This is Mel Reid, LPGA Tour winner and six time Ladies European Tour winner.
- [45:18]
Kyra K. Dixon
And Kyra K. Dixon, NBC Sports reporter and host.
- [45:21]
Mel Reid
And we've got a new podcast, Quiet Please with Mel and Kyra.
- [45:25]
Kyra K. Dixon
We are bringing you spicy takes on sports and pop culture, some interviews with incredible people who have figured out how to make golf their superpower and iheart.
- [45:33]
Mel Reid
Wins Sports production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You can find us on iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [45:40]
Chad Millman
Presented by Elf Beauty, founding partner of iHeart Women's Sports.
- [45:44]
Simon Hunter
Tickets are on sale now y'all for our 2025 iHeart Country Festival presented by Capital One, happening Saturday, May 3rd at the Moody center in Austin, Texas. Don't miss your chance to Brooks and Dunn, Thomas Rhett, Rascal Flats, Cole Swindell, Sam Hut, Megan Maroney, Bailey Zimmerman, Nate Smith. Tickets are on sale now@ticketmaster.com what's up?
- [46:14]
Laura Carenti
I'm Laura, host of the podcast Courtside with Laura Carenti, a masterclass case study of the business of women's sports. I'll be chatting with leaders like tennis icon Alana Kloss.
- [46:23]
Chad Millman
I don't do what I do only for women. I do it for everyone.
- [46:27]
Laura Carenti
And I want the whole market and innovators like Jenny Nguyen. I would say 50% of the people that come visit the Sports Bra aren't sports fans. They come to be in community. They come to be part of this culture. Courtside with Laura Carrenti is an iHeart women's sports production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. Listen to Courtside with Laura Crenty Starting April 2nd on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.