The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 3

iHeartPodcasts & The Volume
Date: March 16, 2026

Episode Overview

Hour 3 of The Herd dives deep into the start of March Madness and pressing NFL news. With Jason McIntyre sitting in for Colin, the episode features lively analysis on college basketball’s tournament field with special guest Casey Jacobson and an in-depth NFL segment with insider James Palmer. They break down sleeper teams, controversial seeding, NBA hot topics, player trades, and the evolving quarterback scene.

Key Discussions & Insights

1. March Madness Breakdown with Casey Jacobson

• Guest: Casey Jacobson, Fox College Basketball Analyst and former Stanford standout
• Host: Jason McIntyre

[02:59] - [12:05]

Nostalgia & Atmosphere

• Jason reveals his “March Madness nerd” status, sharing stories about taping “One Shining Moment.”
• Casey replies, “I am just as much, maybe even more of a nerd than you are. I got my glasses ready.” [03:34]

St. John’s Snub and UConn’s Outlook

• St. John’s wins the Big East tourney but gets seeded lower than UConn.
  • “They went 0–4 against ranked teams in the nonconference...with only two total ranked wins on the season, that’s why they are at a five line now.” — Casey [04:18]
• UConn’s inconsistency discussed; possible second-round exit predicted.
  • Injuries (Silas Demery Jr.) flagged as a critical risk.
  • “Their backcourt just has not been solid.” — Casey [06:20]

Duke’s Health and Depth

• Loss of Caleb Foster (PG) and Patrick Gangba (center) presents challenges.
  • Cam Boozer spotlighted: “Cam Boozer is a winner...two-time national player of the year in high school, four-time state champ in Florida...” — Casey [08:36]
  • Casey pushes back against comparing Boozer to Jokic, but lauds JMac’s “crazy takes.” [09:16]
  • Casey still hesitant to pick Duke for Final Four, but warns: “If you want to doubt him...do it at your own peril.” [09:52]

Arkansas & Darius Acuff’s Star Power

• Darius Acuff likened to Derrick Rose and John Wall but seen as even more dominant at the college level.
  • “Statistically, this is the best guard that John Calipari has ever had. And I think by a significant margin.” — Casey [11:04]
• Can he carry Arkansas to the Final Four?
  • “Do I think...can make a Final Four? Absolutely. Do I think that they can win a national title? They have not shown that consistency.” — Casey [11:30]

2. Tournament Deep Cuts: Final Four Formulas & Team Profiles

• Purdue:

  • Labeled as lacking defensive efficiency; not a Final Four pick for Casey.
  • Braden Smith praised: “He’s one assist away from becoming the all-time leading assist guy in college basketball history.” [17:08]

• Illinois:

  • Offensive firepower spotlighted but defensive inconsistency is a concern.
  • Keaton Wagler, once a redshirt candidate, becomes leading scorer. [18:53]
  • “They love threes. And when they miss them, they’re one of the best offensive rebounding teams in the country.” — Casey [18:53]

• Arizona:

  • Jason picks them to win it; Casey has them losing to Michigan in the Final Four.
  • Remarkable for relying on inside game and starting three freshmen. Historic rarity, only seen with 2012 Kentucky.
  • “If Arizona cuts down the nets, they will do something only one other team...has done.” — Casey [22:28]

3. NBA Talk: Playoff Jockeying & Soundbites

• Paul Skenes' MLB Momentum

  • Emotional connection with his Air Force roots. [23:19]

• Fred Van Vliet Takes Shot at Spurs Hype

  • “We were better than them the last two years, correct? Have they had a playoff series? ...Everybody slow the down. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.” — Fred Van Vliet [25:23]
  • Jason calls out Van Vliet for trash talk despite not playing: “Don’t you love when guys in street clothes are talking trash?” [26:35]

• Knicks’ Slow Starts & Coach Mike Brown’s Frustration

  • Brown refused Defensive Player of the Game honors post-win: “Shouldn’t have to call two timeouts in the first six minutes of the ball game.” — Mike Brown [27:06]
  • Jason: “You can’t start playoff games, you know, double digits behind.” [28:04]

4. NFL Segment: Offseason Rumors, Trades, and QB Drama

• Guest: James Palmer, Bleacher Report NFL Insider

[32:55] - [41:59]

Rams "All-In" for Super Bowl

• Jason probes the likelihood of a Stafford-McVay “last dance.”

  • “It does look like they’re all in from the moves that Les Snead has made. And why wouldn’t he play the game this way?” — James Palmer [34:47]
  • Addition of top corners like Trent McDuffie seen as massive upgrades.

• A.J. Brown Trade Rumors

  • Palmer skeptical about the logistics of an A.J. Brown addition for the Rams: “It really is focused around one receiver...if they were going to move to A.J. Brown, somebody has to be the odd man out and it’s not going to be Puka.” [35:13]
  • Explains why trade timing (post–June 1) matters for Eagles’ cap and draft strategy.

• Kyler Murray Joins Vikings:

  • Kyler seen as a “reclamation project” with high upside for Minnesota.
  • McCarthy’s future now uncertain—Kyler likely enters as favorite to start, not a real open competition.
  • “When you’re bringing in a former Heisman winner, former number one overall pick...I don’t see it much as like a competition.” — James Palmer [40:16]
  • Key challenge: Kyler must adapt to timing offense built for Justin Jefferson.

• Justin Fields to Chiefs

  • Not a “nothing burger”—Fields will get crucial offseason reps while Mahomes recovers. [41:31]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Casey Jacobson on his “One Shining Moment” obsession:
  • “I was so excited to be on One Shining Moment twice. ...That’s like, OK, I know I’m actually a good basketball player if I’m on One Shining Moment.” [03:34]
• Jason on “crazy” comparison of Cam Boozer to Jokic:
  • “The Jokic take was only a little crazy.” [09:58]
• Casey on Darius Acuff:
  • “Statistically, this is the best guard that John Calipari has ever had. And I think by a significant margin.” [11:04]
• Fred Van Vliet stirring the pot:
  • “Everybody slow the down. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Wemby’s an alien...but what’s the finish line though?” [25:23]
• James Palmer on Rams’ approach:
  • “They built this team really through the draft...those bills are coming due after 26 here, and so...maybe your last hurrah with Matthew Stafford.” [34:55]

Timestamps of Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | Details | |-----------|---------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------| | 02:59 | March Madness intro w/ Casey Jacobson | Casey & Jason geek out, St. John's/UConn seed debate | | 07:08 | Duke’s injuries, Boozer’s impact | Concerns about their deep tourney run | | 10:21 | Arkansas & Darius Acuff discussion | Calipari’s best college point guard? | | 16:37 | Purdue, Illinois, Arizona breakdowns | Final Four “formulas,” sleepers & busts | | 23:00 | MLB note: Paul Skenes | Air Force pride, All-Star intensity | | 25:23 | Fred Van Vliet on Spurs/Rockets | “Marathon, not a sprint” quote | | 27:06 | Knicks, Mike Brown’s DPOG snub | Slow starts, playoff implications | | 32:55 | James Palmer joins for NFL segment | Rams “All-In,” A.J. Brown, Kyler Murray, Fields news | | 38:35 | Kyler Murray to Vikings analysis | QB competition, McCarthy’s uncertain future | | 41:31 | Justin Fields’ new role in KC | Backup or more for the Chiefs? |

Episode Tone & Style

• Spirited, conversational, and heavy on stats/opinion
• Jason brings self-deprecation and energetic debate
• Casey is analytical but enthusiastically playful
• NFL talk is precise, rumor-informed, and insider-y

Summary

Hour 3 of The Herd offered a packed, insightful crossover between March Madness fervor and NFL offseason intrigue. Casey Jacobson gave a sharp, stats-based assessment of the turbulent tournament field, favoring teams with defensive pedigree and highlighting the underappreciated risks for favorites like UConn and Purdue. The show spotlighted star power (Cam Boozer, Darius Acuff) and NCAA trends, then pivoted to NBA news and NFL transactions. James Palmer brought clarity on the Rams’ “Super Bowl or bust” window, questioned the realism of A.J. Brown trade rumors, and forecasted Kyler Murray’s likely ascendance in Minnesota, potentially sidelining J.J. McCarthy. Spirited, debate-driven, and rich in both college hoops and NFL context, the segment is essential listening for fans gearing up for college basketball’s madness and tracking the latest twists in NFL rosters.