The Herd with Colin Cowherd (Hour 3) – March 27, 2026

Featured Guest: Mick Cronin (UCLA Men’s Basketball Head Coach)

Theme: High-Stakes March Madness, Coach Perspectives, and College Sports Realities

Episode Overview

In this rich and lively episode, Colin Cowherd sits down with UCLA head basketball coach Mick Cronin to dive into key storylines surrounding March Madness: program-building under NIL realities, the Big Ten’s evolving landscape, tough coaching in the transfer portal era, and in-depth analysis of tournament matchups. The episode then shifts to J. Mac’s “Tomorrow’s Headlines Today” predictions, NCAA tournament storylines, and topical sports news. The tone is candid, insightful, and energetic—perfectly capturing March’s basketball drama and off-court intrigue.

Key Discussion Points

1. NCAA Tournament Matchups & Team Analysis

(03:50 – 14:19)

• UConn vs. Michigan State

  • Cronin praises both programs for their toughness and defensive focus.
  • “UConn is a real pressure team on the ball ... they wear teams down with that relentless effort.” (Mick Cronin, 04:38)
  • Michigan State’s team defense highlighted, with both coaches likely Hall of Famers.

• Big Ten Team Progress and Surprises

  • Colin and Cronin agree: Illinois, Purdue, and Michigan State’s deep runs are not surprising.
  • Purdue: “Their preseason number one, it was almost like ... just get through the regular season.” (Cronin, 06:46)
  • Big Ten depth and talent called “as good a league as they’ve ever been in.” (Cronin quoting Purdue players, 06:05)

• Hard Coaching in the Transfer Portal Era

  • Cronin defends tough, vocal coaching: “First of all, your players have to know that you know what you’re talking about ... they signed up to play for coaches that winning is the only thing acceptable.” (07:52)
  • Cites media “clickbait” around coaching styles, referencing Rick Pitino and game results: “When you win, everybody loves you. When you lose, everybody crushes you ... if you can’t take the heat, you will not survive the kitchen in this era because it’s 24/7 scrutiny.” (08:57)

• St. John’s vs. Duke Upset Talk

  • Cronin sees a St. John’s win as “a monumental upset” given Duke’s defensive strength: “Because the oldest thing is, Colin, you can’t press if you don’t score ... Duke, number one in defensive efficiency. Hardest team to score on.” (10:01)

• Michigan Assessment

  • Cronin gushes about Michigan’s NBA-level talent: “Three first round picks. Lindenborg’s a lottery pick. Mara’s going to be a tremendous pro ... Roddy Dale off the bench would start for any other team in the Big Ten ... at times I think they take early shots and settle ... but if they do that and play to their maximum, they’re the best team.” (11:05–12:31)

• Arizona’s Formula

  • Bruins gave Arizona “a battle” due to familiarity; describes their dominance inside with multiple NBA prospects.
  • Key to Arizona’s success: “They just dominate you in the paint ... we’re up 7 on them late and they just ... wore us down.” (12:52)

2. Candid Coach Talk: NIL, Roster Funding & Realities

(19:49 – 23:33)

• Mick Cronin’s Viral NIL Comment

  • Cronin’s quip: “I’d like about five more million. There’s my answer.” (20:28)
  • On NIL levels: “We have NIL. Some teams have exorbitant NIL ... it allows you to not be perfect.” (20:57)
  • Acknowledges the uneven playing field: “Some people are just lucky ... not if you have a billion-dollar donor that wants to win.” (20:57)
  • Points out recruiting advantages and importance of resources, using mid-major examples.

• The “New Job” for College Coaches

  • “You got to re-sign your own players ... and then as you got to get ready for the portal ... as coaches, we have no say ... you better embrace what you need to do right now.” (22:49–23:33)
  • Describes the frenetic culture of roster-building: never off the phone, always recruiting—players returning are as critical as new recruits.

3. Tournament Predictions & Sports Headlines with J. Mac

(33:48 – 43:21)

• “Tomorrow’s Headlines Today” Sweet 16 Picks

  • UConn over Michigan State: “Leash We Forget, Huskies Still Best in Show.” Emphasizes UConn’s recent dominance, toughness.
  • Illinois Elite 8: “Orange You Glad—Illini Squeezed the Pulp from Opponents.” Highlights offensive firepower and NBA-level talent.
  • Michigan Prevails in Midwest: “Dust Gets the Win.” Marvels at Michigan’s deep, athletic lineup.
  • Arizona to Advance: “Cats Deserve a Round of Applause.” Arizona’s NBA frontcourt and guard play cited as difference-makers.
  • Duke Over St. John’s in the East: “You Booze, You Don't Lose.” Boozer twins’ impact spotlighted; mention of possible surprise with St. John's’ full-court pressure, but Duke’s offensive strength favored.

• Cowherd’s “Bad Take System” & Debate

  • Humorous segment where Colin playfully challenges J. Mac’s picks by introducing the “Automatic Bad Take System.” (40:05)

• Program Dominance

  • Cowherd and J. Mac agree: “Best program in college basketball today is UConn.” “Two titles in three years ... men’s and women’s both number one.” (42:56–43:12)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On UConn and Defensive Intensity

  • “They do wear teams down with that relentless effort on the ball.” (Cronin, 04:38)

• On Coaching with Scrutiny in a NIL/Portal World

  • “If you can’t take the heat, you will not survive the kitchen in this era because it’s 24/7 scrutiny.” (Cronin, 08:57)

• On Arizona’s Physical Style

  • “They just dominate you in the paint and ... they wore us down with the constant pressure.” (Cronin, 12:52)

• On NIL Inequality

  • “We have NIL. Some teams have exorbitant NIL ... at the end of the day, but it allows you to not be perfect.” (Cronin, 20:57)

• On the Coach’s Job in 2026

  • “You got to re-sign your own players ... you better embrace what you need to do right now, or you’re going to get left behind.” (Cronin, 23:01)

• On UConn’s Women’s/Men’s Dominance

  • “I think UConn has both the best men’s and women’s program. That’s crazy. It’s in Storrs, Connecticut.” (Cowherd, 43:01)

Important Timestamps

• [03:50] Interview with Mick Cronin begins, UConn/Michigan State matchup breakdown
• [06:05] Big Ten talent and philosophy
• [07:52] Cronin on tough coaching amid the transfer portal
• [10:01] Assessment of St. John’s chances vs. Duke
• [11:05] Michigan’s talent and tendencies
• [12:52] How to compete with Arizona (paint dominance)
• [20:28] Cronin’s viral “five more million” NIL quote
• [23:01] Realities of coaching and roster management in 2026
• [33:48] “Tomorrow’s Headlines Today”—Sweet 16 predictions and region-by-region analysis
• [40:05] Cowherd’s playful “Bad Take System” segment
• [42:56] Agreement on UConn as America’s top basketball program

Additional News Segments

• Caleb Williams vs. George Gervin – “Iceman” Nickname Dispute (24:21–25:49)
• Aaron Rodgers and Steelers Contract Speculation (26:38–28:47)
• UFL Season Kicks Off – Analysis of league’s value and viewership (29:24–29:49)

Conclusion

This episode offered a sharp, honest look at the state of college basketball and its biggest stories. Mick Cronin provided unfiltered insights into the pressures and demands of modern coaching, the double-edged sword of NIL, and the tactical specifics of March’s most compelling matchups, while J. Mac and Colin cap the show with energetic banter and fast-paced tournament analysis. Whether you’re keeping up with the tourney or interested in the inside world of college sports, this hour delivers depth, candor, and plenty of memorable moments.