The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 3 Summary

Date: March 20, 2026
Guest Hosts: Jason McIntyre & Rachel Nichols
Episode Focus: Tomorrow's Headlines Today & Deep-Dive on NBA, NCAA, and Flag Football Classic

Episode Overview

This hour of "The Herd" features Jason McIntyre and Rachel Nichols leading the conversation on the most exciting topics in sports as the weekend approaches. The centerpiece is an in-depth preview of the Fanatics Flag Football Classic, set to showcase NFL stars against Team USA's flag football champions. Discussion shifts naturally to NBA storylines (Lakers, Luka Doncic’s incredible 60-point game), the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, league expansion, debates about player/coach legacies, and MVP races, all delivered in a lively, accessible style.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Fanatics Flag Football Classic Preview

Guest: Michael Rubin (Fanatics CEO)
Timestamps: 04:54 – 13:27

• The Event’s Origin:

  • The idea came from Tom Brady, envisioning the "biggest flag football game ever" originally set for Saudi Arabia. Due to geopolitical tensions, it was moved to LA.
  • Rubin: "Flag football has just exploded...so much enthusiasm around it." (05:37)

• Game Format & Stakes:

  • Shifted from three NFL-based teams to a round robin with two NFL teams and Team USA, five-time flag football world champions.
  • “Big question, could the NFL-based teams beat the USA flag champions?” (06:13, Rubin)

• Intensity & Athlete Buy-In:

  • Serious competitive edge: “Practice yesterday was like a very serious practice. There was no playing around. Everyone’s locked in.” (07:36, Rubin, quoting Sean Payton)
  • Rubin notes the pride and $100,000 incentives for USA Flag players, who aren’t big celebrities or highly paid.

• Star Power:

  • NFL names: Tom Brady (still competitive, co-captained by Jalen Hurts), Joe Burrow, Jaden Daniels, Devonta Smith, Saquon Barkley, Stefon Diggs, Davante Adams, Ashton Gentry.
  • “Tom reminds me every day that if he didn’t own part of the Raiders, he could play in the NFL and be a top five quarterback today.” (11:36, Rubin)

• Final Picks:

  • Rachel picks "whoever Tom Brady is playing with," citing his competitive nature.
  • Jason leans toward the Jaden Daniels team.
  • Rubin jokes, “So neither one of you guys have the USA flag team. I like that. So confident in the NFL guys.” (13:07)

2. Luka Doncic’s Historic Game & Lakers Momentum

Timestamps: 18:09 – 26:51

• Luka's 60-Point Night:

  • “Luka Doncic last night was incredible. 60 piece. 60 against the Miami Heat...their eighth straight win for the Lakers.” (18:09, McIntyre)
  • Highlights the schedule fatigue and LeBron’s leadership: “When he said he was playing, I was like, I can’t let a 41 year old play and I don’t play. So I signed up to play and so did Luka.” (20:16, Austin Reaves via McIntyre)

• Comparisons and Perspective:

  • Luka’s 60 lauded as more impressive than Bam Adebayo’s 83 due to context and game difficulty.
  • “Luka’s 60 was more impressive than Bam’s 83 last week...60 earned, a little more impressive than 83 given.” (20:16-21:36)

• LeBron’s Historic Feat:

  • At 41, has four triple-doubles post-40—more than any NBA player except Karl Malone (who has one).
  • Contradicts narrative he can’t fit with the Lakers’ current roster.

Notable Quotes

• “An authentic 60, not a Fugazi 60.” (20:56, McIntyre)
• “LeBron’s doing right now...Hello, narrative killer.” (20:56, McIntyre)

3. College Basketball & NIL Discussion

Timestamps: 22:45 – 28:25

• AJ DeBonsa and NIL Value Debate:

  • BYU’s star scores 35 points, but they drop out after one game—prompting a deeper question about roster construction and NIL spending.
  • “For seven million dollars, they got one game in the NCAA tournament. It’s over.” (25:38, McIntyre)
  • Is spreading NIL funds among multiple good players a better approach than a single superstar deal?

• Sean Miller on DeBonsa:

  • "We understood that he has the ability to score like nobody else...he puts so many fouls on the opponent that he wears out the other team." (26:51, Miller)

4. NBA Expansion vs. Relocation Debate

Timestamps: 28:29 – 32:14

• Upcoming Vote: NBA considering expansion teams for Seattle and Las Vegas, expected franchise fees of $7–10 billion, with $500 million per current owner.

• Rachel’s Pushback:

  • “I would much rather see relocation...you’re going to water down the talent pool.” (29:38, Nichols)
  • Underscores economic drivers, issues with Memphis and New Orleans (expiring arena deals, low attendance).

• Jason's Counter:

  • “It’s weird that you mention Memphis and New Orleans. They got Ja Morant and Zion...” (30:46, McIntyre)

• Rachel’s Bottom Line:

  • “The health of the league, in my opinion, would be better off with relocation than expansion.” (31:34, Nichols)

5. Basketball Culture & Player Debates

Timestamps: 32:14 – 35:35

• Building the ‘Perfect Player’ with Anthony Edwards:

  • Edwards picks Kyrie Irving for handles, Steph Curry for shooting, Jaden McDaniels for defense, Chris Paul for IQ, Zach LaVine for dunking.
  • Debate between hosts on best handles—Iverson’s opinion (“Kyrie has the best handles of all time”) vs. Curry’s candidacy.

• Jordan & Durant:

  • KD set to surpass MJ on all-time scoring list; he reflects on being inspired to “scare defenders” like Jordan.
  • Rachel notes scoring context/eras—open question if Durant or Luka could challenge LeBron’s eventual record.

6. Tomorrow’s Headlines Today: Bold Predictions

Timestamps: 44:34 – 55:00

• NCAA Tournament Upset Alert:

  • Jason predicts Hofstra "pound for pound better than Alabama" due to 'Bama's roster loss and 3-point volatility. (45:11, McIntyre)

• NCAA Champion:

  • “Wildcats Pajamas: Arizona puts rest of field to sleep”—Jason very high on Arizona’s roster, questions about Coach Tommy Lloyd’s March record. (46:22, McIntyre)

• Most Outstanding Player:

  • “Basketball Has Been Betty: Betty’s Good To Me”—Jason picks Braden Buries, Arizona’s clutch freshman.
  • “This kid is so clutch...reminds [Fran Fraschilla] of SGA.” (47:58, McIntyre)

• NBA Champion:

  • “Diuretic Lakers Flow: Flow Right Into Finals”—despite skepticism, Jason touts Lakers’ chemistry, Reddick’s coaching, and LeBron’s buy-in. (49:26, McIntyre)

• NBA MVP:

  • “How Luka Can One Guy Be? Make the Finals and Win MVP?”—Luka Doncic’s current hot streak, narrative momentum, and statistical dominance. (52:02, McIntyre)
  • “He is just unstoppable right now...the guy is on another planet.” (52:09, McIntyre)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “This is like a playoff atmosphere. Yesterday at practice, Sean Payton told me...practice yesterday was like a very serious practice. There was no playing around.” (07:24, Michael Rubin)
• “LeBron, by the way, got to give him some props...Guys over the age of 40 in the history of basketball in the NBA, triple-doubles—LeBron has four of them. The entire rest of the league has one. Karl Malone.” (20:56, McIntyre)
• “I just wonder, are teams going to start saying, let's spread the wealth around, let's retain guys for more than one year?” (27:29, McIntyre)
• “The health of the league...would be better off with relocation than expansion.” (31:34, Nichols)
• “Kyrie has the best handles of all time. You got to listen to that.” (35:24, Nichols quoting Iverson)
• “How Luka Can One Guy Be? Make the finals and win MVP?” (53:02, McIntyre)
• Luka, after his 60-point night: “I was tired. But, you know, that shows the team...we fight till the end and win the game.” (53:43, Luka audio)

Segment Timestamps for Reference

• Fanatics Flag Football Classic Interview: 04:54–13:27
• Lakers/Luka Spotlight: 18:09–26:51
• NCAA & NIL Roster Value: 22:45–28:25
• NBA Expansion/Relocation: 28:29–32:14
• Perfect Player Debate: 32:14–35:35
• Durant & All-Time Scoring: 36:13–39:12
• Tomorrow's Headlines Today (Predictions): 44:34–55:00

Tone & Style

Throughout the episode, Jason and Rachel maintain a lively, conversational, and analytical tone—challenging each other’s takes, riffing on news, and providing both sharp insight and humor. Michael Rubin brings real energy and inside information about the flag football event. The show balances predictive speculation with grounded reporting and a respect for statistics, context, and culture.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This hour is a fast-paced sports talk tour-de-force, with inside access on the unique Flag Football Classic, fresh NBA perspectives, and concrete predictions heading into one of the busiest sports weekends of the year. Whether you’re seeking deep dives, bold takes, or just want to stay plugged in to the rhythms of NBA and college basketball, this episode delivers.