1 00:00:00,280 --> 00:00:06,680 Speaker 1: This is Tony Pike Cincy three sixty about Cincinnati from Cincinnati. 2 00:00:06,840 --> 00:00:11,520 Speaker 1: This is ESPN fifteen thirty Cincinnati sports station. 3 00:00:12,320 --> 00:00:13,280 Speaker 2: Our three is here. 4 00:00:13,360 --> 00:00:16,880 Speaker 3: Let's get it started and talk about the Cincinnati Bearcats 5 00:00:16,880 --> 00:00:19,760 Speaker 3: with our guy Coveringthecats from Bearcat Journal dot Com. I'm 6 00:00:19,760 --> 00:00:22,160 Speaker 3: not talking about Chad Brendle. I think he's in later 7 00:00:22,200 --> 00:00:25,880 Speaker 3: for Mowager. I'm talking about one Kegan Nikoson kind enough 8 00:00:25,920 --> 00:00:26,520 Speaker 3: to join us. 9 00:00:26,840 --> 00:00:27,160 Speaker 2: I don't know. 10 00:00:27,280 --> 00:00:30,040 Speaker 3: Is he in between Bloomington and Cincinnati right now? 11 00:00:30,320 --> 00:00:30,880 Speaker 2: He's trying to. 12 00:00:30,880 --> 00:00:34,000 Speaker 3: Figure out the bubble outlook for the Bearcats, keeping eyes 13 00:00:34,040 --> 00:00:35,160 Speaker 3: on the Hoosiers as well. 14 00:00:35,720 --> 00:00:37,040 Speaker 2: Keegan, what's going on? How are you? 15 00:00:38,320 --> 00:00:38,880 Speaker 4: Nothing much? 16 00:00:38,920 --> 00:00:41,440 Speaker 5: It's my favorite time of the year, so I'm excited 17 00:00:41,440 --> 00:00:43,080 Speaker 5: to be covering a team that at least has a 18 00:00:43,159 --> 00:00:45,640 Speaker 5: chance to play for something come March. 19 00:00:45,920 --> 00:00:46,800 Speaker 2: Leaving on the bubble. 20 00:00:46,880 --> 00:00:49,120 Speaker 6: I remember texting you a couple of months ago and 21 00:00:49,159 --> 00:00:51,159 Speaker 6: I said, Hey, would you be willing to come on 22 00:00:51,280 --> 00:00:54,080 Speaker 6: with us every single Thursday from now until the end 23 00:00:54,080 --> 00:00:59,080 Speaker 6: of basketball season? And you said yes? Is that in jeopardy? 24 00:00:59,160 --> 00:01:01,560 Speaker 6: Is this relationship up in jeopardy in the future? Based 25 00:01:01,600 --> 00:01:04,000 Speaker 6: off the way Tony has treated you? Repeatedly all year, 26 00:01:04,480 --> 00:01:05,680 Speaker 6: despite your generosity. 27 00:01:05,800 --> 00:01:10,480 Speaker 5: No, it's because you know, I just take so much 28 00:01:10,520 --> 00:01:12,920 Speaker 5: time out of my day and I really do this for. 29 00:01:12,840 --> 00:01:13,680 Speaker 4: The love of the game. 30 00:01:13,800 --> 00:01:16,800 Speaker 5: And you know, Austin, if you started a show, I'd 31 00:01:16,840 --> 00:01:19,760 Speaker 5: come on the right. I just think we're gonna have 32 00:01:19,760 --> 00:01:23,840 Speaker 5: to renegotiate my deal. I'm sure next season. That's why 33 00:01:23,920 --> 00:01:27,800 Speaker 5: pipe in October. I know what that negotiation would sound 34 00:01:27,880 --> 00:01:32,400 Speaker 5: like on our end. Thank you for your time, Kigg. 35 00:01:32,400 --> 00:01:33,880 Speaker 3: And it felt like a couple of weeks ago we 36 00:01:33,920 --> 00:01:36,880 Speaker 3: talked and I mentioned something about the NCAA Tournament and 37 00:01:36,880 --> 00:01:39,240 Speaker 3: you just kind of shot it down and where this 38 00:01:39,360 --> 00:01:42,440 Speaker 3: team was, and rightfully so, where this team was after 39 00:01:42,480 --> 00:01:45,160 Speaker 3: the West Virginia loss at home fifty four points, blowing 40 00:01:45,160 --> 00:01:48,240 Speaker 3: a fourteen point lead, and the loss at Texas Tech. 41 00:01:48,280 --> 00:01:50,720 Speaker 3: It kind of felt after that, Yeah, they woned Kansas, 42 00:01:50,720 --> 00:01:53,040 Speaker 3: but then you lose that and yet here we talk 43 00:01:53,120 --> 00:01:56,280 Speaker 3: today about one of the best teams playing right now 44 00:01:56,280 --> 00:01:58,840 Speaker 3: in college basketball. What has changed in your opinion? 45 00:02:00,080 --> 00:02:02,160 Speaker 5: Yeah, I remember I was walking around the parking lot 46 00:02:02,160 --> 00:02:06,840 Speaker 5: of the Costco and I chastised you for giving everyone hope. Yes, yes, 47 00:02:06,960 --> 00:02:11,480 Speaker 5: because they were like sixtieth and the net I really 48 00:02:12,320 --> 00:02:15,600 Speaker 5: I think what Wes says about finding the nucleus and 49 00:02:15,639 --> 00:02:18,400 Speaker 5: playing with the nucleus is really the biggest thing, because 50 00:02:19,240 --> 00:02:21,840 Speaker 5: it's all it all just has to be rhythm. Because 51 00:02:21,880 --> 00:02:25,600 Speaker 5: it really doesn't make sense that you lose Shanabaya if 52 00:02:25,600 --> 00:02:28,040 Speaker 5: it wasn't really playing that well to begin with, but 53 00:02:28,120 --> 00:02:31,720 Speaker 5: your rotation shortens down that much and you just start 54 00:02:31,720 --> 00:02:34,000 Speaker 5: playing like one of the best teams in the country. 55 00:02:34,919 --> 00:02:35,919 Speaker 4: It's both sides of the ball. 56 00:02:35,960 --> 00:02:38,920 Speaker 5: It's offensive defense, it's shot making, and it's sharing the ball, 57 00:02:39,160 --> 00:02:42,400 Speaker 5: it's rebounding, every facet of the game. 58 00:02:42,560 --> 00:02:43,960 Speaker 4: They're just absolutely killing it. 59 00:02:44,320 --> 00:02:46,560 Speaker 5: So I think, and you've mentioned it before, the shortened 60 00:02:46,639 --> 00:02:50,280 Speaker 5: rotations and Jallehn Celestine is finally fully healthy and you're 61 00:02:50,280 --> 00:02:53,280 Speaker 5: starting to see how he can impact the game, even 62 00:02:53,320 --> 00:02:56,920 Speaker 5: if it's just making three or four threes. But yeah, 63 00:02:56,960 --> 00:03:00,560 Speaker 5: I just think the nucleus playing with that start five 64 00:03:00,720 --> 00:03:05,160 Speaker 5: of Gisel James, David Thomas, Celestine, Sean and Baba Miller. 65 00:03:06,000 --> 00:03:09,320 Speaker 5: I think that's probably the biggest thing leading to the turnaround. 66 00:03:09,440 --> 00:03:12,880 Speaker 3: I was at a point watching the BYU game and 67 00:03:12,919 --> 00:03:15,440 Speaker 3: I'm thinking to myself, if you would have told me 68 00:03:15,560 --> 00:03:18,560 Speaker 3: back in December that the final home game of the year. 69 00:03:18,560 --> 00:03:20,280 Speaker 3: The first two players off the bench are going to 70 00:03:20,320 --> 00:03:23,720 Speaker 3: be Zella and Sincere Harris. I would have told you 71 00:03:23,760 --> 00:03:26,880 Speaker 3: that we are in a very serious predicament. But to 72 00:03:26,960 --> 00:03:30,480 Speaker 3: your point, it feels like they have found something by 73 00:03:30,520 --> 00:03:35,120 Speaker 3: playing seven, maybe eight guys at times. Is that something 74 00:03:35,200 --> 00:03:38,000 Speaker 3: that you can continue if you're Wes Miller and find 75 00:03:38,000 --> 00:03:40,480 Speaker 3: success that way the rest of the way out. 76 00:03:41,320 --> 00:03:43,120 Speaker 4: Yeah, I really don't think you have a choice. 77 00:03:43,200 --> 00:03:47,280 Speaker 5: I think maybe Seanabaia gets healthy and he's plugged into 78 00:03:47,280 --> 00:03:51,200 Speaker 5: the lineup, Maybe Tyler McKinley can continue to get healthy. 79 00:03:51,280 --> 00:03:54,440 Speaker 5: But I just don't know if you really if you 80 00:03:54,480 --> 00:03:57,000 Speaker 5: want to mess up the rhythm and the chemistry that 81 00:03:57,080 --> 00:04:00,560 Speaker 5: this group has put together and start playing them significantly 82 00:04:00,640 --> 00:04:02,800 Speaker 5: less minutes just in order to get more bodies on 83 00:04:02,840 --> 00:04:04,120 Speaker 5: the court and maybe keep them fresh. 84 00:04:04,560 --> 00:04:06,600 Speaker 4: At this point, like, what do you have to lose? 85 00:04:07,480 --> 00:04:10,520 Speaker 5: Like you've done all this, it's basically been a miracle. 86 00:04:11,080 --> 00:04:14,000 Speaker 5: Just keep doing it and see if it works. I mean, 87 00:04:14,040 --> 00:04:17,560 Speaker 5: outside of the Texas Tech game, they've been very very good. 88 00:04:18,120 --> 00:04:21,960 Speaker 5: So yeah, I just don't I don't think you really 89 00:04:22,040 --> 00:04:24,400 Speaker 5: change it. Maybe you give some guys some three and 90 00:04:24,440 --> 00:04:27,320 Speaker 5: four minute breaks here and there, so like Bobba Miller 91 00:04:27,320 --> 00:04:28,280 Speaker 5: isn't playing thirty. 92 00:04:28,080 --> 00:04:30,920 Speaker 4: Six minutes a game. But I say, just stick with 93 00:04:30,960 --> 00:04:33,520 Speaker 4: what's been working the horse here. 94 00:04:33,560 --> 00:04:36,200 Speaker 6: But do you think that's also something that can be 95 00:04:36,279 --> 00:04:38,640 Speaker 6: a lesson learned in the offseason when it comes to 96 00:04:38,680 --> 00:04:41,320 Speaker 6: acquiring players of like, we don't need to get and 97 00:04:41,360 --> 00:04:43,880 Speaker 6: pay a lot of money for eleven or twelve guys 98 00:04:43,920 --> 00:04:45,080 Speaker 6: if we can have seven or. 99 00:04:45,040 --> 00:04:46,400 Speaker 2: Eight that are really impactful. 100 00:04:46,760 --> 00:04:49,000 Speaker 6: Do you think that's maybe a lesson learned this year? 101 00:04:50,480 --> 00:04:51,200 Speaker 4: It could be. 102 00:04:52,080 --> 00:04:56,480 Speaker 5: I just think the the case with that is no 103 00:04:56,480 --> 00:04:59,240 Speaker 5: one expected Bobba Miller to be this good. Like they 104 00:04:59,240 --> 00:05:02,440 Speaker 5: expected him to be good and impactful. But when you 105 00:05:03,440 --> 00:05:06,760 Speaker 5: recruit those guys who have primarily played like overseas with 106 00:05:06,839 --> 00:05:08,520 Speaker 5: some of their best basketball, and that he played at 107 00:05:08,520 --> 00:05:11,200 Speaker 5: Florida State and FAU so he had kind of known 108 00:05:11,279 --> 00:05:12,240 Speaker 5: what college. 109 00:05:12,040 --> 00:05:12,839 Speaker 4: Basketball was like. 110 00:05:13,560 --> 00:05:18,200 Speaker 5: But those guys are usually pretty soft or like the 111 00:05:18,279 --> 00:05:21,279 Speaker 5: tell on them is that they play the game kind 112 00:05:21,320 --> 00:05:21,679 Speaker 5: of soft. 113 00:05:21,720 --> 00:05:23,240 Speaker 4: They just want to score offensively. 114 00:05:23,920 --> 00:05:26,520 Speaker 5: He's come in and he's played maybe the hardest of 115 00:05:26,560 --> 00:05:31,280 Speaker 5: anyone on the entire team. So he's been playing statistically 116 00:05:31,320 --> 00:05:34,840 Speaker 5: better than expected, and then he's also providing so much as. 117 00:05:34,760 --> 00:05:36,240 Speaker 4: A rebounder and as a defender. 118 00:05:37,600 --> 00:05:40,919 Speaker 5: So I just think if you're like you have to 119 00:05:41,000 --> 00:05:43,920 Speaker 5: hit on some of the not lower paid guys, because 120 00:05:43,960 --> 00:05:45,600 Speaker 5: I don't think he was on the lower end of 121 00:05:46,120 --> 00:05:49,240 Speaker 5: in terms of what guys made per year, but one 122 00:05:49,240 --> 00:05:51,240 Speaker 5: of those guys who isn't expected to be like a 123 00:05:51,279 --> 00:05:54,480 Speaker 5: top twenty, top fifteen player in the conference. I think 124 00:05:54,480 --> 00:05:56,360 Speaker 5: you just have to hit on one of those, kind 125 00:05:56,360 --> 00:05:59,719 Speaker 5: of like Football did with Jake Golde and other players. 126 00:06:00,279 --> 00:06:03,000 Speaker 5: So I don't know if that really changes much. I 127 00:06:03,040 --> 00:06:07,760 Speaker 5: think you have to just like Wes did, target size 128 00:06:07,800 --> 00:06:10,680 Speaker 5: and target depth. And now you're starting to get that 129 00:06:10,760 --> 00:06:14,120 Speaker 5: kind of automatic offensive performance from Boba Miller and Mustafa 130 00:06:14,200 --> 00:06:16,799 Speaker 5: cham which a lot of fans have basically been looking 131 00:06:16,839 --> 00:06:18,960 Speaker 5: for in a guard over the past three years and 132 00:06:19,040 --> 00:06:20,520 Speaker 5: Miller hasn't been able to get. 133 00:06:20,960 --> 00:06:24,279 Speaker 3: You mentioned Mustapha Chaman, Boba Miller. There have been times 134 00:06:24,320 --> 00:06:26,480 Speaker 3: this year where we've talked on Thursdays and said, what 135 00:06:26,600 --> 00:06:30,279 Speaker 3: is this team's identity? At this point, it feels like 136 00:06:30,279 --> 00:06:32,919 Speaker 3: they have figured that out. Offensively, they have played more 137 00:06:33,120 --> 00:06:36,279 Speaker 3: through Mustapha Chaman, Boba Miller. I feel like in a 138 00:06:36,279 --> 00:06:39,280 Speaker 3: two week stretch than they have all season. Is that 139 00:06:39,360 --> 00:06:41,800 Speaker 3: now the identity of this team to play inside with 140 00:06:41,839 --> 00:06:44,440 Speaker 3: the biggs and find a way when they do double 141 00:06:44,640 --> 00:06:47,440 Speaker 3: I think one of Boba Miller's greatest strength is his passing. 142 00:06:47,680 --> 00:06:50,200 Speaker 3: I think that's undervalued in a way, the way he 143 00:06:50,279 --> 00:06:53,240 Speaker 3: finds guys open all over the court. Do they now 144 00:06:53,279 --> 00:06:54,520 Speaker 3: have an identity on offense? 145 00:06:56,160 --> 00:06:58,840 Speaker 5: Yeah, you can see with Boba and like how he 146 00:06:58,920 --> 00:07:02,279 Speaker 5: facilitates and how he dishes everything out like he was 147 00:07:02,320 --> 00:07:04,880 Speaker 5: a point guard and then he grew six inches, so 148 00:07:05,040 --> 00:07:08,000 Speaker 5: he still has all those kind of intangibles in those traits. 149 00:07:08,200 --> 00:07:11,560 Speaker 4: But that would be the identity for the team to me. 150 00:07:12,120 --> 00:07:15,760 Speaker 5: Is use your size down low and take advantage of 151 00:07:15,800 --> 00:07:18,120 Speaker 5: the mismatches like they did against Kansas, like. 152 00:07:18,040 --> 00:07:19,679 Speaker 4: They've done it multiple times. 153 00:07:19,960 --> 00:07:24,360 Speaker 5: Because Sham is just starting to be like automatic offensively, 154 00:07:24,440 --> 00:07:26,679 Speaker 5: Like it reminds me of Gary Clark when he got 155 00:07:26,720 --> 00:07:28,760 Speaker 5: to his back to the basket and he put up 156 00:07:28,800 --> 00:07:30,800 Speaker 5: a hook shot, it was probably going in. 157 00:07:31,240 --> 00:07:33,160 Speaker 4: Now he's using that mid. 158 00:07:33,080 --> 00:07:36,280 Speaker 5: Range to where he releases the ball so high there's 159 00:07:36,320 --> 00:07:39,440 Speaker 5: no way that anyone can defend it that well. And 160 00:07:39,480 --> 00:07:42,120 Speaker 5: then Bob A just driving to the hoop and drawing fouls. 161 00:07:42,400 --> 00:07:47,360 Speaker 5: Now I think it was before last game, Musafa Cham 162 00:07:47,520 --> 00:07:51,680 Speaker 5: took twenty one free throws over a three game period, 163 00:07:51,800 --> 00:07:55,400 Speaker 5: seven in each game, and you had to go back 164 00:07:55,560 --> 00:07:58,440 Speaker 5: the game before that three game stretch started, all the 165 00:07:58,440 --> 00:08:01,240 Speaker 5: way to lipscumb is how any games it was for 166 00:08:01,320 --> 00:08:04,560 Speaker 5: him to rack up twenty one free throws Dayda Thomas 167 00:08:04,600 --> 00:08:06,360 Speaker 5: is starting to get to the line more. I've come 168 00:08:06,400 --> 00:08:09,760 Speaker 5: on here and said multiple times, your ninety percent free 169 00:08:09,760 --> 00:08:12,240 Speaker 5: throw shooter is only taking like two free throws a game. 170 00:08:12,320 --> 00:08:15,840 Speaker 5: That just can't happen. So that's starting to trickle down. 171 00:08:16,280 --> 00:08:19,880 Speaker 5: But like this, this team's success, it begins and it 172 00:08:20,000 --> 00:08:23,200 Speaker 5: ends with Baba Miller and Mustafa Cham. The thing that's 173 00:08:23,200 --> 00:08:26,840 Speaker 5: made them so dangerous and according to the analytics is 174 00:08:27,200 --> 00:08:29,480 Speaker 5: making them like the fifth best team in the country. 175 00:08:29,480 --> 00:08:31,440 Speaker 4: Over this what is it. 176 00:08:31,480 --> 00:08:36,320 Speaker 5: Sixth nine games spam is Gisel James, Dada Thomas and 177 00:08:36,440 --> 00:08:39,960 Speaker 5: Jalhn Celestine just playing very, very efficiently on the offensive side. 178 00:08:40,000 --> 00:08:41,800 Speaker 3: You know, one of the things that people often talk 179 00:08:41,840 --> 00:08:43,720 Speaker 3: to a negative I would hear about Wes is that 180 00:08:43,760 --> 00:08:46,760 Speaker 3: the players just don't seem to develop much. I think 181 00:08:46,760 --> 00:08:49,040 Speaker 3: that's opposite. When you look at this roster. You mentioned 182 00:08:49,440 --> 00:08:53,800 Speaker 3: Jalen Celestine I think of a guy in Bob A. Miller, 183 00:08:54,240 --> 00:08:57,920 Speaker 3: ki Shan Tillery, Mustapha Chalm. If you look at this turnaround, 184 00:08:58,480 --> 00:09:00,200 Speaker 3: you have to look at players and you've got to 185 00:09:00,200 --> 00:09:02,520 Speaker 3: give credit where it's due. They have found a way 186 00:09:02,559 --> 00:09:05,080 Speaker 3: to develop these players as the season has gone on 187 00:09:05,559 --> 00:09:08,040 Speaker 3: into guys that they are relying on heavily right now 188 00:09:08,080 --> 00:09:08,680 Speaker 3: for this run. 189 00:09:10,040 --> 00:09:12,640 Speaker 5: Yeah, and like you would hope that Musafa Chama be 190 00:09:12,679 --> 00:09:15,400 Speaker 5: able to come back next year, but like either the 191 00:09:15,480 --> 00:09:17,880 Speaker 5: price tag there's been a lot of expensive or he's 192 00:09:17,920 --> 00:09:21,320 Speaker 5: going to the NBA. Baba Miller is taking a big 193 00:09:21,360 --> 00:09:27,040 Speaker 5: step forward. He's very very trendy NBA draft pick. And 194 00:09:27,240 --> 00:09:31,400 Speaker 5: I think if you're actually going to look at the development, Keishan. 195 00:09:31,160 --> 00:09:33,640 Speaker 4: Tillery is one the number one case. 196 00:09:34,679 --> 00:09:36,640 Speaker 5: Just the confidence that he's playing with on both sides 197 00:09:36,679 --> 00:09:38,920 Speaker 5: of the ball, how he's actually getting to the hoop. 198 00:09:39,040 --> 00:09:42,000 Speaker 5: Like my biggest gripe still with day Day and Jiz 199 00:09:42,200 --> 00:09:44,360 Speaker 5: was that think they just don't go to the hoop 200 00:09:44,400 --> 00:09:46,760 Speaker 5: like it'll be an open lane or there'll be one 201 00:09:46,800 --> 00:09:48,640 Speaker 5: guy and then they do a floater and it's like 202 00:09:48,760 --> 00:09:51,439 Speaker 5: did you shoot ninety from the free throw? Go get 203 00:09:51,679 --> 00:09:53,920 Speaker 5: just go and draw contact and go to the free 204 00:09:53,920 --> 00:09:58,160 Speaker 5: throw line. So but I think Keishawan, and I've said 205 00:09:58,160 --> 00:10:02,040 Speaker 5: it before, if there's a coaching change or if West stays, 206 00:10:02,120 --> 00:10:05,400 Speaker 5: he should be an integral part of the team going forward, 207 00:10:05,600 --> 00:10:07,640 Speaker 5: just for his leadership capabilities. 208 00:10:08,040 --> 00:10:09,720 Speaker 4: And you know, the biggest way to. 209 00:10:09,720 --> 00:10:11,720 Speaker 5: See if West can all of a sudden develop guys 210 00:10:11,760 --> 00:10:13,439 Speaker 5: is if Shanna Byev comes back and all of a 211 00:10:13,440 --> 00:10:15,599 Speaker 5: sudden just starts lighting it up. Sure, because that was 212 00:10:15,679 --> 00:10:17,880 Speaker 5: kind of that was the nail on the coffin of 213 00:10:17,920 --> 00:10:19,880 Speaker 5: the West can't develop guys when you bring in a 214 00:10:19,960 --> 00:10:22,120 Speaker 5: McDonald's all American and he struggles so much. 215 00:10:22,640 --> 00:10:25,400 Speaker 3: The way in which they played against BYU, the way 216 00:10:25,400 --> 00:10:27,680 Speaker 3: in which they've gone on this stretch. They're not just 217 00:10:27,720 --> 00:10:31,040 Speaker 3: winning games, Keegan, they're dominating games. And I don't care 218 00:10:31,640 --> 00:10:33,440 Speaker 3: at the competition level. I know it's not the top 219 00:10:33,480 --> 00:10:35,480 Speaker 3: tier teams in the Big Twelve. Are you throw Kansas 220 00:10:35,520 --> 00:10:38,720 Speaker 3: in there? BYU was a quad one win? What does 221 00:10:38,760 --> 00:10:41,000 Speaker 3: it say about a team? Because we have this conversation 222 00:10:41,040 --> 00:10:43,160 Speaker 3: a lot about the Big Twelve. It's one thing to 223 00:10:43,160 --> 00:10:45,439 Speaker 3: go win, and they did in this stretch. They won 224 00:10:45,440 --> 00:10:47,520 Speaker 3: a game they probably shouldn't have by beating Utah on 225 00:10:47,840 --> 00:10:50,040 Speaker 3: a day where they weren't their best. What's it say 226 00:10:50,040 --> 00:10:51,920 Speaker 3: about this team though, in the confidence to not just 227 00:10:51,960 --> 00:10:53,960 Speaker 3: get these wins, but win in the fashion that they're 228 00:10:54,000 --> 00:10:55,400 Speaker 3: doing in a very good conference. 229 00:10:57,240 --> 00:10:59,760 Speaker 5: Yeah, I don't know if I've ever had kind of 230 00:10:59,760 --> 00:11:04,880 Speaker 5: more respect for a group of athletes, definitely in my 231 00:11:04,960 --> 00:11:09,480 Speaker 5: career of covering guys than this team. Because if you 232 00:11:10,000 --> 00:11:12,360 Speaker 5: take it back to the West Virginia loss, I wrote 233 00:11:12,400 --> 00:11:14,960 Speaker 5: a story after that game saying that it was over, 234 00:11:15,559 --> 00:11:18,240 Speaker 5: Like what what do these guys have to play for? 235 00:11:18,520 --> 00:11:21,200 Speaker 5: Like it would just be pride at this point, because 236 00:11:21,480 --> 00:11:23,240 Speaker 5: the run that they would have to go on in 237 00:11:23,320 --> 00:11:27,240 Speaker 5: order to play for any kind of NCAA tournament resume would. 238 00:11:27,080 --> 00:11:28,400 Speaker 4: Basically be impossible. 239 00:11:28,880 --> 00:11:31,000 Speaker 5: And I'd had my gripes just like some of the 240 00:11:31,040 --> 00:11:34,240 Speaker 5: effort levels that I'd seen throughout the entire season. But 241 00:11:34,360 --> 00:11:37,079 Speaker 5: West has said like the calling card of this team 242 00:11:37,600 --> 00:11:41,040 Speaker 5: is their resilience, and I just I have so much 243 00:11:41,080 --> 00:11:45,720 Speaker 5: respect for Musafachan battling through an ankle injury, Baba Miller 244 00:11:45,840 --> 00:11:49,200 Speaker 5: just continuing to play is hard out every night. You've 245 00:11:49,200 --> 00:11:52,360 Speaker 5: got guys who have struggled offensively, like Jalen Celestine and 246 00:11:52,400 --> 00:11:56,200 Speaker 5: Gisel James has had his struggles. They're just they're pounding 247 00:11:56,240 --> 00:11:59,880 Speaker 5: away and they're they're continuing to play really good basket 248 00:12:00,080 --> 00:12:03,680 Speaker 5: ball at a time where the entire fan base and 249 00:12:04,240 --> 00:12:07,880 Speaker 5: me and like other guys in the media were saying, hey, 250 00:12:07,920 --> 00:12:09,840 Speaker 5: like it's over. Yeah, let's just get to the end 251 00:12:09,880 --> 00:12:12,320 Speaker 5: of the season. That's like the entrance level is going 252 00:12:12,400 --> 00:12:14,840 Speaker 5: to be nothing and we can move on and they'll 253 00:12:14,880 --> 00:12:17,480 Speaker 5: hire a new coach. So credit to them for just 254 00:12:17,480 --> 00:12:19,760 Speaker 5: saying no, like we have something to play for. And 255 00:12:19,920 --> 00:12:22,800 Speaker 5: I really, honestly do think they were just playing for 256 00:12:22,880 --> 00:12:25,679 Speaker 5: pride for a couple games and then you beat Kansas 257 00:12:25,720 --> 00:12:29,640 Speaker 5: and it's, oh crap, that would certainly help our NCAA 258 00:12:29,679 --> 00:12:31,840 Speaker 5: tournament resume if we can stack a few more wins. 259 00:12:32,240 --> 00:12:33,480 Speaker 2: How real does this feel for you? 260 00:12:33,559 --> 00:12:33,679 Speaker 4: Now? 261 00:12:33,720 --> 00:12:35,679 Speaker 3: We see what Lenardi has said, We've seen what other 262 00:12:35,720 --> 00:12:39,560 Speaker 3: folks with bracketology throw out there, and they they have 263 00:12:39,600 --> 00:12:41,400 Speaker 3: to win on Saturday. We know that they've been in 264 00:12:41,480 --> 00:12:44,480 Speaker 3: must win mode for a while now, but Saturday presents 265 00:12:44,520 --> 00:12:47,800 Speaker 3: another Quad one opportunity and it's now against the team 266 00:12:47,840 --> 00:12:50,480 Speaker 3: because they just beat Texas Tech. I think TCUs in 267 00:12:50,520 --> 00:12:52,520 Speaker 3: the field as well, so I think maybe there's a 268 00:12:52,559 --> 00:12:55,480 Speaker 3: little less pressure on TCU to have to win this game. 269 00:12:55,960 --> 00:12:59,240 Speaker 3: But if they do get this one, you finish at 270 00:12:59,280 --> 00:13:01,400 Speaker 3: ten and eight and arguably the best conference in all 271 00:13:01,400 --> 00:13:04,400 Speaker 3: of college basketball. What else would they need to do, 272 00:13:04,440 --> 00:13:06,560 Speaker 3: in your opinion, to be on the bubble and what 273 00:13:06,559 --> 00:13:07,839 Speaker 3: would they need to do to all through be a 274 00:13:07,880 --> 00:13:09,800 Speaker 3: team that you could expect to hear their name called 275 00:13:09,840 --> 00:13:10,760 Speaker 3: on Selection Sunday. 276 00:13:12,600 --> 00:13:17,760 Speaker 5: So how I'm feeling, as your native bracketola expert. 277 00:13:17,679 --> 00:13:20,480 Speaker 3: And someone who's been very optimistic through this whole process, 278 00:13:20,520 --> 00:13:21,280 Speaker 3: I should say. 279 00:13:21,320 --> 00:13:24,800 Speaker 5: Yes, very optimistic. Yeah, never said the nails are in 280 00:13:24,840 --> 00:13:30,640 Speaker 5: the coffin at all. I think if they meet TCU, 281 00:13:30,880 --> 00:13:33,640 Speaker 5: they need to get at least one in the Big 282 00:13:33,679 --> 00:13:38,200 Speaker 5: Twelve tournament and then, like I'll be watching Selection Sunday 283 00:13:38,240 --> 00:13:41,000 Speaker 5: seeing what happens. Sure, if they're able to get that 284 00:13:41,160 --> 00:13:44,800 Speaker 5: second win, which would basically be guaranteed to be a 285 00:13:44,880 --> 00:13:47,760 Speaker 5: quad one win on the newial court, and that's just EYU. 286 00:13:47,840 --> 00:13:52,120 Speaker 5: If they keep struggling, then that would make me comfortable 287 00:13:52,160 --> 00:13:54,120 Speaker 5: on solutions twenty wins. I don't think they have to 288 00:13:54,160 --> 00:13:56,040 Speaker 5: get Yeah, I don't think they have to get that 289 00:13:56,080 --> 00:13:56,520 Speaker 5: third win. 290 00:13:56,559 --> 00:13:56,719 Speaker 6: Now. 291 00:13:56,760 --> 00:13:59,920 Speaker 5: If there's a complete collapse and they get the nine 292 00:14:00,080 --> 00:14:01,960 Speaker 5: seed to where they have to play in the first round. 293 00:14:02,280 --> 00:14:03,680 Speaker 5: I think they would have to get to three in 294 00:14:03,679 --> 00:14:06,240 Speaker 5: the Big TOO tournament, because I don't think the committee 295 00:14:06,280 --> 00:14:08,760 Speaker 5: is going to see you had a quad two neutral 296 00:14:08,800 --> 00:14:11,440 Speaker 5: site when against the lower tier conference, or you had 297 00:14:11,480 --> 00:14:14,640 Speaker 5: two of them and then you lost the actual important game, 298 00:14:14,800 --> 00:14:17,880 Speaker 5: and then they'll get it in. So right now they 299 00:14:17,880 --> 00:14:21,200 Speaker 5: can be that nine seed if they beat TCU, and 300 00:14:21,240 --> 00:14:25,640 Speaker 5: then I think it's if West Virginia beats UCFN Morgantown. 301 00:14:25,320 --> 00:14:26,400 Speaker 4: They go to the sixth seed. 302 00:14:26,480 --> 00:14:29,280 Speaker 5: Yeah, and then that second game gets a whole lot 303 00:14:29,320 --> 00:14:30,960 Speaker 5: more easy compared to playing. 304 00:14:30,800 --> 00:14:33,040 Speaker 2: Like anybody in Arizona, Arizona. Yeah. 305 00:14:33,160 --> 00:14:34,560 Speaker 4: Yeah. 306 00:14:34,640 --> 00:14:36,680 Speaker 5: I had someone send me a bracket and I and 307 00:14:36,800 --> 00:14:39,160 Speaker 5: it was then getting the eight and plane Arizona, and 308 00:14:39,200 --> 00:14:41,760 Speaker 5: I said, okay, so basically get to the seven or 309 00:14:41,760 --> 00:14:42,840 Speaker 5: they're not going to the tournament. 310 00:14:42,880 --> 00:14:43,200 Speaker 4: Sure. 311 00:14:43,400 --> 00:14:46,480 Speaker 3: So now I don't know what is real and what 312 00:14:46,600 --> 00:14:48,880 Speaker 3: is fake anymore because AI is such an integral part 313 00:14:48,880 --> 00:14:50,800 Speaker 3: of things. But I saw and following along with you 314 00:14:50,880 --> 00:14:54,360 Speaker 3: on Twitter, that there's a photo going around it's asking 315 00:14:54,440 --> 00:14:56,640 Speaker 3: please donate to send me to Kansas City and a 316 00:14:56,680 --> 00:14:59,000 Speaker 3: bag of gummy bears? Can you elaborate a little bit 317 00:14:59,040 --> 00:14:59,600 Speaker 3: on what this is. 318 00:14:59,680 --> 00:15:04,520 Speaker 5: Wow, I'm gonna I'm gonna refrain from comment and like, 319 00:15:05,160 --> 00:15:07,240 Speaker 5: I'm just gonna defer. 320 00:15:07,000 --> 00:15:08,080 Speaker 4: To my boss, Chad Brundle. 321 00:15:08,120 --> 00:15:11,120 Speaker 2: Okay, Now Chad in the building today, hold on. 322 00:15:11,720 --> 00:15:12,160 Speaker 4: Hold on. 323 00:15:12,520 --> 00:15:15,520 Speaker 5: I'm just that everyone got to see how I'm hitting 324 00:15:15,560 --> 00:15:17,360 Speaker 5: way above my average with who I married. 325 00:15:17,400 --> 00:15:19,080 Speaker 4: That was the biggest development. 326 00:15:19,120 --> 00:15:21,400 Speaker 3: I'm kicking the coverage. We have that in common. That's 327 00:15:21,440 --> 00:15:25,440 Speaker 3: a good thing. Now you mentioned Chad Brundle, there were 328 00:15:25,440 --> 00:15:28,560 Speaker 3: some remarks I've heard from different folks about Chad's behavior 329 00:15:29,160 --> 00:15:31,720 Speaker 3: at the BYU game. And I go to your Twitter 330 00:15:31,800 --> 00:15:35,640 Speaker 3: account and I see an empty chair where Chad usually sits. 331 00:15:35,680 --> 00:15:39,000 Speaker 3: Can you describe it all? Chad's demeanor and behavior in 332 00:15:39,080 --> 00:15:40,080 Speaker 3: that BYU game. 333 00:15:40,920 --> 00:15:43,600 Speaker 5: It's just disgusting from someone who's supposed to be in 334 00:15:43,600 --> 00:15:48,040 Speaker 5: the media, and he's his temper like he shows his 335 00:15:48,120 --> 00:15:51,240 Speaker 5: true colors way too much, and it's it's really made 336 00:15:51,280 --> 00:15:55,320 Speaker 5: me rethink some career decisions for home working underneath. But yeah, 337 00:15:55,560 --> 00:15:57,720 Speaker 5: he's at the he's a member of the media. He's 338 00:15:57,720 --> 00:16:00,200 Speaker 5: got to do better. Sure is it a plan out 339 00:16:00,240 --> 00:16:02,720 Speaker 5: to be in in UH for the Big twelve tournament? 340 00:16:03,400 --> 00:16:06,640 Speaker 5: Is that your plan right now. It's basically I'm going 341 00:16:06,640 --> 00:16:08,160 Speaker 5: to Fort Worth for the TCU game. 342 00:16:08,320 --> 00:16:11,160 Speaker 4: Wow, they win that game, I will go to Casey. 343 00:16:11,320 --> 00:16:15,680 Speaker 3: If they lose, I will not Okay, okay, so must 344 00:16:15,680 --> 00:16:18,840 Speaker 3: win scenario for you to to pack some gummy bears 345 00:16:18,880 --> 00:16:19,440 Speaker 3: along the way. 346 00:16:19,520 --> 00:16:22,320 Speaker 2: What's the deal with gummy bears? Is this big? 347 00:16:22,480 --> 00:16:24,120 Speaker 4: You hadese gummy bears? 348 00:16:24,320 --> 00:16:25,360 Speaker 2: No? All the What. 349 00:16:27,040 --> 00:16:29,000 Speaker 5: Is that a brand? Or is it a country? It's 350 00:16:29,040 --> 00:16:31,880 Speaker 5: a it's a brand. I guess the country is from Albania. 351 00:16:31,960 --> 00:16:35,960 Speaker 5: New Albany's Albanese gummy bears are the best gummy bears ever. 352 00:16:36,840 --> 00:16:40,280 Speaker 3: Kagan, you say that I am often criticized and ridiculed 353 00:16:40,320 --> 00:16:43,680 Speaker 3: because I'll I'll get some froyo from time to time 354 00:16:44,360 --> 00:16:47,120 Speaker 3: and I like to throw gummy bears in the frozen yogurt. 355 00:16:47,200 --> 00:16:48,800 Speaker 4: Oh my gosh, is. 356 00:16:48,680 --> 00:16:50,920 Speaker 3: That something that you would you would ever think to 357 00:16:51,000 --> 00:16:52,760 Speaker 3: partake in with some Albany's. 358 00:16:53,280 --> 00:16:54,760 Speaker 4: Austin, what are you doing? Man? 359 00:16:57,760 --> 00:16:59,920 Speaker 6: Listen, I've I've been trying to get rid of it. 360 00:17:00,040 --> 00:17:01,880 Speaker 6: I try to get rid of In October he came back. 361 00:17:02,000 --> 00:17:07,240 Speaker 6: He's like he tired of it. I recognize this bag 362 00:17:07,320 --> 00:17:12,600 Speaker 6: the Albany's. Have you heard like any of Tony's food takes. Keegan, 363 00:17:12,640 --> 00:17:14,520 Speaker 6: it's bad. It's really bad. 364 00:17:15,400 --> 00:17:18,439 Speaker 4: No, what's the worst one all of them? 365 00:17:19,000 --> 00:17:22,120 Speaker 2: I don't know. Like there's literally no no suit take Just. 366 00:17:22,080 --> 00:17:24,600 Speaker 3: Imagine a piggy five year old eater and that's me 367 00:17:24,920 --> 00:17:25,960 Speaker 3: getting ready to turn forward. 368 00:17:26,080 --> 00:17:29,880 Speaker 6: We will not eat anything like. It's everything's plain, there's 369 00:17:29,920 --> 00:17:31,040 Speaker 6: no sauce like. 370 00:17:33,480 --> 00:17:33,840 Speaker 4: Medium. 371 00:17:33,880 --> 00:17:39,320 Speaker 3: Well, that's disgusting, and I beat that now. I'm I'm 372 00:17:39,480 --> 00:17:41,440 Speaker 3: I'm such a veteran. I beat the server to the note. 373 00:17:41,480 --> 00:17:43,480 Speaker 3: I'm like, go ahead and butterfly it. Don't even ask 374 00:17:43,520 --> 00:17:46,240 Speaker 3: me if it's okay to butterfly it. I'm okay, as 375 00:17:46,320 --> 00:17:47,800 Speaker 3: long as you get all that pink out of there. 376 00:17:47,920 --> 00:17:50,880 Speaker 4: Disgusting, man, that's ridiculous. 377 00:17:51,000 --> 00:17:54,240 Speaker 2: I can't believe that, Kegan, thank you for worth. 378 00:17:54,359 --> 00:17:57,480 Speaker 6: I know our listening audience can't see this, but Keegan 379 00:17:57,560 --> 00:18:00,600 Speaker 6: is our first ever video guest working on videoing and 380 00:18:00,600 --> 00:18:03,639 Speaker 6: we're gonna post this. And so Keegan was the guinea 381 00:18:03,680 --> 00:18:06,440 Speaker 6: pig and he did a great job, so we really appreciate. 382 00:18:06,080 --> 00:18:07,720 Speaker 3: It'll work on the camera a little bit and maybe 383 00:18:07,760 --> 00:18:09,959 Speaker 3: next time, are you getting ready to do some shopping? 384 00:18:09,960 --> 00:18:11,440 Speaker 3: What are you doing to the rest of your afternoon. 385 00:18:11,480 --> 00:18:12,680 Speaker 2: He's in his car now. 386 00:18:12,720 --> 00:18:14,879 Speaker 5: I'm on the way home from a press conference and 387 00:18:14,920 --> 00:18:16,720 Speaker 5: I pulled over to talk. Okay, sorry, I put so 388 00:18:16,760 --> 00:18:17,560 Speaker 5: much effort. 389 00:18:17,240 --> 00:18:22,080 Speaker 2: In you see? Was it a you see press conference? Yes? Okay. 390 00:18:22,160 --> 00:18:25,359 Speaker 3: What do you think about Indiana's opportunity as a bubble team? 391 00:18:26,080 --> 00:18:29,760 Speaker 5: I don't like. I don't understand. They did the same 392 00:18:29,760 --> 00:18:34,000 Speaker 5: thing in twenty twenty two. They lost to Rutgers because 393 00:18:34,040 --> 00:18:38,800 Speaker 5: Ron Harper Junior like hit a like last second shot 394 00:18:38,880 --> 00:18:41,199 Speaker 5: and then did a celebration dunk court. You can look 395 00:18:41,240 --> 00:18:44,520 Speaker 5: it up if you're curious. And then they won two 396 00:18:44,520 --> 00:18:46,359 Speaker 5: games in the Big Ten Tournament. They beat Illinois and 397 00:18:46,400 --> 00:18:49,480 Speaker 5: Michigan to clinch it. Yeah, so it's like it never over. 398 00:18:49,560 --> 00:18:51,000 Speaker 2: Do they have an answer for Bruce Thornton. 399 00:18:51,000 --> 00:18:53,719 Speaker 6: On Saturday, Bruce needs twelve points to become the all 400 00:18:53,800 --> 00:18:56,600 Speaker 6: time leading scorer in Ohio State history, and it's Bruce 401 00:18:56,720 --> 00:19:00,479 Speaker 6: Thornton bobblehead Day, and it's Bruce Thornton's your day. 402 00:19:00,480 --> 00:19:03,280 Speaker 5: You're thought, oh my gosh, that was way too much 403 00:19:03,280 --> 00:19:06,120 Speaker 5: our highest state propaganda. 404 00:19:05,480 --> 00:19:06,680 Speaker 2: Propaganda or is it fact? 405 00:19:07,960 --> 00:19:10,120 Speaker 3: Keggan, I'm an Ohio State fan. On Saturday, we need 406 00:19:10,160 --> 00:19:14,480 Speaker 3: Indiana and to lose. I'm sorry, no, I'm and he's 407 00:19:14,480 --> 00:19:15,320 Speaker 3: getting dated. 408 00:19:15,400 --> 00:19:18,760 Speaker 5: Now I'm in a good situation. I get a team 409 00:19:18,760 --> 00:19:20,639 Speaker 5: that coover either go or my Alma Monil. 410 00:19:20,720 --> 00:19:23,160 Speaker 6: Okay, so you guys have had enough. You want football, 411 00:19:23,160 --> 00:19:24,080 Speaker 6: you don't get anything else. 412 00:19:24,200 --> 00:19:26,399 Speaker 3: Kig, And how can folks follow along with your journey 413 00:19:26,400 --> 00:19:29,080 Speaker 3: to Fort Worth, with your journey the Big twelve Tournament, 414 00:19:29,160 --> 00:19:30,800 Speaker 3: Gummy Bears and so much more. 415 00:19:31,760 --> 00:19:34,920 Speaker 5: Paulo ka nikoson forty two on X and then catch 416 00:19:34,960 --> 00:19:36,560 Speaker 5: me here every Thursday at two there. 417 00:19:36,600 --> 00:19:38,160 Speaker 4: It is best time in my week. 418 00:19:38,720 --> 00:19:43,880 Speaker 3: K Nickoson, Right there, Kigan, thanks, sayah, that's Keig and Nickoson. 419 00:19:44,359 --> 00:19:46,359 Speaker 3: We'll stick with the University of Cincinnati. 420 00:19:46,400 --> 00:19:46,640 Speaker 4: Next. 421 00:19:46,760 --> 00:19:49,520 Speaker 3: Bob Man Jean will answer our Hunter Green questions as 422 00:19:49,520 --> 00:19:52,119 Speaker 3: we continue on on the Home of the Bengals ESPN 423 00:19:52,200 --> 00:19:53,880 Speaker 3: fifteen thirty Cincinnati Sports Station. 424 00:19:54,440 --> 00:19:56,600 Speaker 7: Is it possible to fill you up great with enough 425 00:19:56,640 --> 00:20:00,399 Speaker 7: sports to actually cause your head to explode? 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