The Tony Kornheiser Show

Episode: “We would’ve been D 4”
Date: March 25, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode features Tony Kornheiser’s signature blend of sports talk, humor, and personal stories. Tony dives into NCAA basketball with special guest Hakeem Jeffries (House Minority Leader and fellow Binghamton alum), discusses Opening Day of baseball with ESPN’s Tim Kurkjian, and shares typically irreverent takes on TGL “bedsheet golf,” Tiger Woods’ return, and the current state of the Knicks and Wizards. Key themes include the changing landscape of college basketball, the evolution of baseball’s rules, and the ongoing quirks of professional and simulated sports.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. March Madness, Sweet 16, & College Hoops

• Tony & Wilbon warm up: They discuss the slow sports week before the Sweet 16 kicks off (03:00).
• NCAA Tournament Favorites:
  • Tony expresses interest in Duke vs. St. John’s and UConn vs. Michigan State. He’s dismissive of Houston, despite their advantages.
  • “Houston caught a great break. They’re playing at home … Pencil them in for another Final Four.” (03:20 – Tony)
• Big East & ACC Disrespect:
  • Tony & Hakeem discuss how the Big East, once dominant, now receives little respect.
  • Hakeem: “There was a time the Big East … was right there with the ACC. Another conference that has been downgraded lately.” (19:21)

2. Victor Wembanyama for NBA MVP

• Wemby’s Self-case:
  • Tony notes Wembanyama's boldness in publicly stating he deserves MVP—a rarity for American athletes (04:00).
  • “All the great players think ‘I should be MVP.’ Nobody actually says that … but he does.” (04:30 – Tony)
• Performance:
  • Since Feb 1, his team is 22–2—the best NBA record.
  • “If Victor Wembanyama … they’re the best team right now in the NBA.” (05:28 – Tony)
• Wilbon’s Take:
  • Votes Jaylen Brown for MVP “right now,” but Tony sees Wembanyama as generational: “You are looking at somebody special.”

3. TGL & ‘Bedsheet Golf’

• Tony’s Recap:

  • Tony breaks down TGL’s (simulated indoor golf) finals, focusing on Tiger Woods’ participation after his coaching years (07:00).
  • “Is he playing? Playing has to be in quotes.” (07:19 – Tony)

• Tiger’s Return:

  • Wilbon highlights the benefit of not walking/hitting every shot—and Tiger’s visible rust.
  • “First thing he does is miss a short putt that you would never see Tiger miss.” (07:45 – Wilbon)

• Conspiracy & TV Drama:

  • Tony jokes about ESPN fixing results for programming drama. “I began to text Matt Kelleher saying this is a boat race, this is a fix…” (08:33 – Tony)
  • But LA rallies, tournament ends early, leaving filler time for Scott Van Pelt.

• Critique of TGL:

  • Fun, not a real competition. “I do not think it’s a golf match. I think it can be charming, can be fun. I like it at night in the winter … but this is bedsheet golf.” (10:00 – Tony)
  • On Tiger’s coverage: “They spent 20 seconds showing Tiger walking into the building. And I was excited.” (12:00 – Tony)

• Team/Expansion Disinterest:

  • Tony & Michael Wilbon both unmoved by team branding or merch—viewers just want Tiger, not club loyalty.
  • “No one seems to be excited for the team aspect of it … you just want to see Tiger.” (13:58 – Wilbon)

Notable Quote:

“I think this is a little bit of a promo for Tiger.” (12:09 – Wilbon)

4. Interview: Hakeem Jeffries on College & New York Sports

[17:34 – 30:56]

St. John’s Renaissance & Big East Legacy

• Hakeem’s NYC Basketball Fandom:
  • Grew up rooting for St. John’s (from Brooklyn), representing NYC’s team despite borough differences.
• Rick Pitino’s Arc:
  • “He has become the great comeback kid in terms of his coaching journey.” (21:12 – Hakeem)
  • Pitino’s maturity, style, and visionary traits highlighted.
• Binghamton U Memories:
  • Both Tony & Hakeem joke about their alma mater’s lackluster D3 basketball history (“We would have been D4, but there was no D4…” – 23:00, Tony).

Bracket Controversy & Tournament Seeding

• Big East Underrated:
  • Tony & Hakeem frustrated St. John’s is only a 5-seed after winning regular season and tournament.
  • “You cannot … win the Big East regular season and tournament … and be a 5 seed.” (24:30 – Tony)
• Coach K’s Critique:
  • “He’s never seen the NCAA place the two best teams in a major conference in the same region.” (24:00 – Hakeem)

Knicks Mania & City Sports Culture

• Knicks’ Resurgence:
  • Knicks’ improved defense unites NYC. “When the Knicks are good … it brings the whole city together in such a phenomenal way.” (27:16 – Hakeem)
• Jets’ Perpetual Struggle:
  • "Everybody is a long suffering Jets fan ... their one highlight ... was fifty, sixty years ago." (27:42 – Tony)

Wizards’ Tanking & NBA System

• D.C. vs NYC Basketball Culture:
  • Wizards intentionally lose; Tony rails against tanking. “They are attempting to lose and succeeding at it … At the very least, flatten the ping pong ball odds.” (30:28 – Tony)
• Barkley’s Ticket Proposal:
  • Hakeem relays Barkley’s idea: “If teams are consecutively losing ... they shouldn’t be allowed to raise ticket prices ... perhaps they should be compelled to drop them.” (29:15 – Hakeem)

5. Interview: Tim Kurkjian on Baseball’s Opening Day & Rule Changes

[32:37 – 46:21]

Early Start & TV Drama

• Unusual Opener:
  • Yankees at Giants is a strange, early Opening Day. “This is a bit of an odd … the Yankees are always a great draw, but Dodgers … would be the first team on.” (34:35 – Tim)
• Automatic Ball Strike (ABS):
  • The challenge system starts this year.
  • “This is designed to help the umpires … to get more calls correct ... if it doesn't work, we’ll have to make an adjustment.” (35:11 – Tim)
• Strategic Impact:
  • Managers worry about strategy for saving challenges becoming bigger than gameplay itself.

Automated Strike Zone Controversy

• Tradition vs. Tech:
  • “I worry as an almost 70-year-old man that too much technology might not be the greatest idea in the world.” (36:22 – Tim)

WBC & International Baseball

• Enthusiasm for World Baseball Classic:
  • “Baseball’s in love with it and should be ... the energy and emotion … was obvious.” (41:10 – Tim)
  • No plan to move it from Spring Training.

Unconventional Managers & Youth at the Helm

• College Coaches & 30-something Managers:
  • Giants’ new manager straight from college, never managed professionally. Nationals’ manager only 31.
  • “I am older than the GM and the manager combined.” (43:29 – Tim)

On Prospects: Dylan Crews

• Promising but not ready:
  • “It’s the hardest game in the world to play ... light goes on at different times for different players, and it will for Dylan Cruz, but it hasn’t yet.” (44:29 – Tim)

Podcast Plug:

• Tim shares podcasting from his son’s new studio; Tony recognizes the familial fun of the podcasting grind.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Bedsheet Golf:
  “I do not think it's a golf match. … I think it can be charming. … but this is bedsheet golf.” (10:00 – Tony)

• On Wembanyama:
  “All the great players think ‘I should be MVP.’ Nobody actually says that … but he does.” (04:30 – Tony)

• Hakeem Jeffries – Comebacks:
  “A setback is nothing more than a setup for a comeback. … Rick Pitino has become the great comeback kid.” (21:12 – Hakeem)

• On Wizards’ Tanking:
  “They are attempting to lose and succeeding at it.” (30:28 – Tony)

• On Tech in Baseball:
  “I worry as an almost 70-year-old man that too much technology might not be the greatest idea in the world.” (36:22 – Tim)

Important Segments & Timestamps

• [03:00] – Discussion on NCAA Sweet 16, TV scheduling quirks
• [04:00] – Wembanyama’s MVP candidacy and unique personality
• [07:00] – Recap of TGL finals, Tiger Woods’ return
• [17:34 – 30:56] – Interview: Hakeem Jeffries discusses college hoops, Pitino, Knicks, New York sports, and Wizards’ tanking
• [32:37 – 46:21] – Interview: Tim Kurkjian on baseball Opening Day, ABS rule, youth in MLB managing, and the state of prospects

Tone & Style

The episode keeps Tony’s trademark mix of cranky sports curmudgeon, old-school skepticism, quick quips, and affectionate banter with regulars and guests. Both interviews with Hakeem Jeffries and Tim Kurkjian feature a relaxed, self-deprecating look at sports fandom, nostalgia for “the good old days,” and critical curiosity about the new directions of major leagues.

Bottom Line

This episode is a must for listeners who enjoy smart, offbeat takes on major sports stories, fresh perspectives from high-profile guests, and the comfort-food familiarity of Tony and his crew debating everything from tanking to the virtues of traditional baseball umpiring. It’s equal parts irreverent and thoughtful, and suffused with the kind of conversational warmth that keeps “This Show Stinks” fans coming back every day.