1 00:00:05,600 --> 00:00:12,560 Speaker 1: This is Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre. What is up, everybody, 2 00:00:12,560 --> 00:00:18,560 Speaker 1: It's me Jason McIntyre, Straight Fire, Wednesday, February seventeenth. I 3 00:00:18,640 --> 00:00:21,280 Speaker 1: need to start the show with a shout out hope 4 00:00:21,320 --> 00:00:25,680 Speaker 1: everybody listening in the Dallas Fort Worth area is staying safe. 5 00:00:25,680 --> 00:00:30,080 Speaker 1: Holy cow. I was just reading a lot last night 6 00:00:30,120 --> 00:00:33,240 Speaker 1: about what's happening now there in Texas. The uh, the weather, 7 00:00:33,760 --> 00:00:36,040 Speaker 1: the temperatures are so low that they like so many 8 00:00:36,080 --> 00:00:39,040 Speaker 1: people have lost power, like they're ill prepared for this. 9 00:00:39,400 --> 00:00:42,640 Speaker 1: You know, stay strong Texas. UM. It sounds like a 10 00:00:42,800 --> 00:00:45,800 Speaker 1: rough go for you guys. In the sports world, We've 11 00:00:45,800 --> 00:00:48,040 Speaker 1: got a great interview coming up with Aaron Torrez. He's 12 00:00:48,080 --> 00:00:50,400 Speaker 1: covered college basketball for a long time. We really get 13 00:00:50,440 --> 00:00:54,960 Speaker 1: into it on the Jalen Johnson Duke quitting saga, which 14 00:00:55,040 --> 00:00:56,800 Speaker 1: was a little brush fire in my corner of the 15 00:00:56,800 --> 00:01:00,640 Speaker 1: internet this week. I like college BASKETBA a lot. You know, 16 00:01:00,680 --> 00:01:03,959 Speaker 1: if you guys have been longtime listeners on my Saturday 17 00:01:04,040 --> 00:01:08,399 Speaker 1: radio show, I was so nerdy that in college I 18 00:01:08,440 --> 00:01:10,520 Speaker 1: was in a you know, you would go into like 19 00:01:10,680 --> 00:01:13,600 Speaker 1: chat rooms or whatever, um, and you'd meet people who 20 00:01:13,640 --> 00:01:16,320 Speaker 1: like college basketball and a bunch of us broke out 21 00:01:16,800 --> 00:01:18,760 Speaker 1: and you know, guys who had never met and I 22 00:01:18,840 --> 00:01:21,959 Speaker 1: still never met to this day. Um, we started a 23 00:01:22,000 --> 00:01:24,840 Speaker 1: fantasy college basketball team where you had to keep your 24 00:01:24,840 --> 00:01:27,600 Speaker 1: own stats and and like, if you picked a guy 25 00:01:27,640 --> 00:01:29,760 Speaker 1: and he lasted three years, you got him for three years. 26 00:01:30,040 --> 00:01:31,280 Speaker 1: If he was a one and done, you know you 27 00:01:31,319 --> 00:01:34,000 Speaker 1: took that chance. And you know this was in the nineties, 28 00:01:34,160 --> 00:01:36,399 Speaker 1: and um, it was awesome And I'm just a college 29 00:01:36,440 --> 00:01:39,679 Speaker 1: hoops nerd. Uh. My wife always makes fun of me 30 00:01:39,920 --> 00:01:42,840 Speaker 1: because I would you know, obviously, before DVR and stuff, 31 00:01:43,040 --> 00:01:47,160 Speaker 1: I would record one shining moment, Yes, like a loser 32 00:01:47,440 --> 00:01:49,440 Speaker 1: at the end of March Madness. I could watch it 33 00:01:49,440 --> 00:01:52,440 Speaker 1: again because I just love college basketball something about it. 34 00:01:52,480 --> 00:01:55,000 Speaker 1: And obviously one shining moment was just awesome. Now you 35 00:01:55,000 --> 00:01:58,040 Speaker 1: can just go on YouTube and watch anyone you want, basically, 36 00:01:58,280 --> 00:02:00,400 Speaker 1: but I'm a huge college hoops nerd, and it comes 37 00:02:00,400 --> 00:02:02,280 Speaker 1: through a little bit. Today we talked about the tournament 38 00:02:02,280 --> 00:02:05,800 Speaker 1: that's coming up. Um. I don't reveal too much on 39 00:02:05,800 --> 00:02:07,480 Speaker 1: the gambling front of listen, I don't want to fire 40 00:02:07,480 --> 00:02:10,080 Speaker 1: too early. Still a lot to be determined. Um, but 41 00:02:10,160 --> 00:02:13,359 Speaker 1: Baylor Gonzaga like interesting stuff. I think you guys will 42 00:02:13,440 --> 00:02:15,880 Speaker 1: enjoy it. Before we get to the errand Torres interview, 43 00:02:16,360 --> 00:02:19,079 Speaker 1: as always, subscribe, rate and review. I just want to 44 00:02:19,160 --> 00:02:22,440 Speaker 1: quickly touch on one sports story that I saw Tuesday night. 45 00:02:22,800 --> 00:02:25,239 Speaker 1: You know, I'm trying to take a week here and 46 00:02:25,400 --> 00:02:29,519 Speaker 1: decompressed with the family, were doing board games, were uh, 47 00:02:29,880 --> 00:02:32,160 Speaker 1: just trying to stay off the computer for a minute, 48 00:02:32,240 --> 00:02:36,440 Speaker 1: and I couldn't help but watch the Lakers, and in 49 00:02:36,520 --> 00:02:40,480 Speaker 1: their first game without Anthony Davis. Obviously, listen, the Timberwolves stink. 50 00:02:40,720 --> 00:02:43,760 Speaker 1: It wasn't like a real contest. Minnesota's going nowhere fast, 51 00:02:44,000 --> 00:02:47,320 Speaker 1: arguably the worst team in the NBA seven and twenty one. 52 00:02:47,840 --> 00:02:51,200 Speaker 1: And you know know, Anthony Davis to to match Karl 53 00:02:51,280 --> 00:02:53,959 Speaker 1: Anthony Towns, who has had a rough year coming back, Uh, 54 00:02:53,960 --> 00:02:57,080 Speaker 1: you got COVID a second time. And the Timberwolves don't 55 00:02:57,120 --> 00:02:59,320 Speaker 1: have D'Angelo Russell. He's been ruled out I think four 56 00:02:59,360 --> 00:03:03,320 Speaker 1: to six weeks. So they're starting Ricky Rubio, some kid 57 00:03:03,360 --> 00:03:07,079 Speaker 1: from Kentucky named Jared Vanderbilt, and the rookie Anthony Edwards. 58 00:03:07,080 --> 00:03:09,120 Speaker 1: And I gotta be honest, guys, before we get to 59 00:03:09,120 --> 00:03:12,359 Speaker 1: the Lakers, Anthony Edwards was the best Timberwolves player, without 60 00:03:12,400 --> 00:03:16,560 Speaker 1: a doubt, on Tuesday Night. I mean, Anthony Edwards was 61 00:03:16,639 --> 00:03:20,560 Speaker 1: five for ten from deep to twenty eight points. Definitely fearless. 62 00:03:21,120 --> 00:03:23,600 Speaker 1: I did have him going number one in my mock draft. 63 00:03:23,919 --> 00:03:25,680 Speaker 1: I gotta be honest. I didn't think he'd be getting 64 00:03:25,680 --> 00:03:28,920 Speaker 1: buckets like this. He had seven and five, and I 65 00:03:29,000 --> 00:03:31,280 Speaker 1: know that this team Minnesota is gonna be built around 66 00:03:31,320 --> 00:03:34,160 Speaker 1: Cat and D'Angelo Russell. I'm talking right now, like, Anthony 67 00:03:34,240 --> 00:03:38,080 Speaker 1: Edwards probably will be a better player all around than 68 00:03:38,160 --> 00:03:40,960 Speaker 1: D'Angelo Russell next season if he keeps at this pace, 69 00:03:41,000 --> 00:03:44,080 Speaker 1: because Russell's kind of spinning his wheels. He'll have some 70 00:03:44,240 --> 00:03:46,960 Speaker 1: explosive offensive games, but he doesn't play a liquid defense. 71 00:03:47,240 --> 00:03:48,920 Speaker 1: I had seen a stat where in I think it 72 00:03:48,960 --> 00:03:52,280 Speaker 1: was defensive real plus minus. D'Angelo Russell was dead last 73 00:03:52,400 --> 00:03:55,000 Speaker 1: in the NBA earlier this season. He's that bad defensively. 74 00:03:55,160 --> 00:03:58,760 Speaker 1: But nobody cares about the Timberwolves. Let's get to the Lakers. Uh. 75 00:03:58,960 --> 00:04:03,480 Speaker 1: Lebron was magnificent sin thirty thirteen and seven. The key 76 00:04:03,520 --> 00:04:05,880 Speaker 1: for me again. I talked about this on First Things 77 00:04:05,920 --> 00:04:08,680 Speaker 1: First with Broussard this week on Monday. They've got to 78 00:04:08,760 --> 00:04:11,000 Speaker 1: dial back the Lebron minutes. I didn't like thirty eight 79 00:04:11,040 --> 00:04:13,200 Speaker 1: minutes against one of the worst teams in the league 80 00:04:13,560 --> 00:04:17,280 Speaker 1: like Lebron's and iron Man until he's not like, you know, 81 00:04:17,480 --> 00:04:22,120 Speaker 1: Father Time is undefeated and I just pushing Lebron for 82 00:04:22,160 --> 00:04:25,400 Speaker 1: thirty eight minutes. I didn't love to see that. Um 83 00:04:25,560 --> 00:04:27,479 Speaker 1: sad thing is they kind of needed it, you know, 84 00:04:27,560 --> 00:04:30,000 Speaker 1: they were unable to totally put away the Wolves and 85 00:04:30,040 --> 00:04:33,040 Speaker 1: blow them out. But I did see something I like 86 00:04:33,279 --> 00:04:36,360 Speaker 1: from the Lakers in their first non Anthony Davis game, 87 00:04:37,040 --> 00:04:39,400 Speaker 1: And you know, you could make the argument that instead 88 00:04:39,440 --> 00:04:41,720 Speaker 1: of being worried about, oh, no, Anthony Davis, are they 89 00:04:41,720 --> 00:04:45,040 Speaker 1: gonna get a top three seed? You know, like, let's 90 00:04:45,080 --> 00:04:47,160 Speaker 1: look at how some players will step up and fill 91 00:04:47,240 --> 00:04:51,000 Speaker 1: the void and possibly put them in position to be 92 00:04:51,000 --> 00:04:54,200 Speaker 1: better or more prepared players in the playoffs. And I 93 00:04:54,240 --> 00:04:56,520 Speaker 1: think two guys definitely jump out. There should be no surprise. 94 00:04:56,600 --> 00:05:00,840 Speaker 1: Dennis Shrewder. He was magnificent. Twenty four points. I mean, 95 00:05:00,839 --> 00:05:04,520 Speaker 1: he was phenomenal. Listen, It's tough not to watch him 96 00:05:04,560 --> 00:05:07,080 Speaker 1: and his speed and the jitterbug back and forth in 97 00:05:07,120 --> 00:05:10,440 Speaker 1: the handle and think, on some level he's a poor 98 00:05:10,440 --> 00:05:13,800 Speaker 1: man Skyrie Irving. You know. There you could argue that 99 00:05:13,839 --> 00:05:15,560 Speaker 1: Dennis Shrewder is gonna be the second best player on 100 00:05:15,600 --> 00:05:18,039 Speaker 1: the Lakers for the next four weeks. And that's no 101 00:05:18,160 --> 00:05:21,479 Speaker 1: disrespect to Montres harrold Um. Obviously, Kyle Kuzma is a 102 00:05:21,560 --> 00:05:24,640 Speaker 1: very good player. Um. You know, I've got a sort 103 00:05:24,640 --> 00:05:26,520 Speaker 1: of soft spot for Horton Tucker, who, by the way, 104 00:05:26,560 --> 00:05:30,200 Speaker 1: was a non factor against the Wolves. But Shrewder is 105 00:05:30,200 --> 00:05:33,440 Speaker 1: a kid who's delivered in the past. Remember in Atlanta, 106 00:05:34,279 --> 00:05:37,600 Speaker 1: Shrewder was in the backcourt. Um. I think they had 107 00:05:37,680 --> 00:05:42,920 Speaker 1: Millsap on that team, Al Horford maybe, um, and he 108 00:05:43,040 --> 00:05:47,039 Speaker 1: was maybe their best player in a series against the 109 00:05:47,160 --> 00:05:50,800 Speaker 1: bill Wall Wizards. I looked this up. Shrewder average twenty 110 00:05:50,920 --> 00:05:55,040 Speaker 1: four point shot fifty sorry sorry shot from the field 111 00:05:56,000 --> 00:05:59,560 Speaker 1: from three, like he can get buckets. This guy scores 112 00:05:59,640 --> 00:06:02,520 Speaker 1: and next year on okay, see remember that seven game 113 00:06:02,600 --> 00:06:05,599 Speaker 1: series against the Rockets. Uh, Chris Paul was obviously the 114 00:06:05,600 --> 00:06:09,400 Speaker 1: best player, but Dennis Shrewder. I mean they were down 115 00:06:09,440 --> 00:06:10,880 Speaker 1: O two in that series and you're like, oh, they're 116 00:06:10,920 --> 00:06:14,320 Speaker 1: gonna get blown out, and Shrewder carries them in Game 117 00:06:14,320 --> 00:06:16,880 Speaker 1: three and Game four he had twenty nine and thirty 118 00:06:16,920 --> 00:06:19,760 Speaker 1: back to back. Just a relentless offensive player. I'm telling 119 00:06:19,800 --> 00:06:23,120 Speaker 1: you guys. You know, I know everybody loves k CP, 120 00:06:23,360 --> 00:06:27,120 Speaker 1: and you know he got paid in the offseason. Uh, 121 00:06:27,160 --> 00:06:30,360 Speaker 1: there's nobody could tell me that KCP is a better 122 00:06:30,400 --> 00:06:32,880 Speaker 1: player than Dennis Shredder. It's just not a fact. I'm sorry. 123 00:06:32,880 --> 00:06:34,960 Speaker 1: It's not like KCP is never gonna be a guy 124 00:06:35,000 --> 00:06:37,280 Speaker 1: who could average twenty four in the playoff series. He's not. 125 00:06:37,720 --> 00:06:39,279 Speaker 1: He had a couple of great games in the bubble. 126 00:06:39,320 --> 00:06:41,599 Speaker 1: They needed him in the playoffs. He came through. It 127 00:06:41,680 --> 00:06:44,320 Speaker 1: was better than Danny Green obviously. But you know, Dennis 128 00:06:44,360 --> 00:06:47,480 Speaker 1: Shrewder right now is playing lights out for the Lakers. 129 00:06:47,480 --> 00:06:49,560 Speaker 1: He's gonna have to carry them for stretches, especially with 130 00:06:49,640 --> 00:06:53,039 Speaker 1: Lebron on the bench. And then Montrez Harrold, who only 131 00:06:53,040 --> 00:06:57,240 Speaker 1: played eighteen minutes had seventeen points. I'm sorry, I need 132 00:06:57,279 --> 00:07:00,400 Speaker 1: to see more of Harold, like West matthew is. Okay, 133 00:07:00,400 --> 00:07:03,000 Speaker 1: I get it, But there is a stretch coming up, 134 00:07:03,040 --> 00:07:06,520 Speaker 1: like Minnesota is a giveaway, Like they're they're terrible. You 135 00:07:06,600 --> 00:07:08,440 Speaker 1: just look at that schedule. You're like, all right, I 136 00:07:08,480 --> 00:07:12,000 Speaker 1: don't want to see Lebron playing forty minutes here. Uh 137 00:07:12,040 --> 00:07:15,560 Speaker 1: they got Brooklyn obviously, UM Thursday, which is gonna be 138 00:07:15,760 --> 00:07:18,160 Speaker 1: massive TNT game. You know, everybody's gonna be all over 139 00:07:18,200 --> 00:07:20,080 Speaker 1: It would not be surprised if the Nets won that 140 00:07:20,120 --> 00:07:24,280 Speaker 1: by twenty Miami Heat after that on Saturday Night, another 141 00:07:24,360 --> 00:07:27,320 Speaker 1: national TV game. Next week they have Washington, which is 142 00:07:27,400 --> 00:07:30,040 Speaker 1: should be a layup um and then a big game 143 00:07:30,080 --> 00:07:34,280 Speaker 1: against Utah on ESPN and Portland on ESPN and Golden 144 00:07:34,280 --> 00:07:37,480 Speaker 1: State on ESPN. Like this is a tough stretch. Okay, 145 00:07:37,600 --> 00:07:39,560 Speaker 1: Lakers fans, don't get too gassed up about the win 146 00:07:39,640 --> 00:07:43,720 Speaker 1: over the Timberwolves. The we gotta we got a big, 147 00:07:43,880 --> 00:07:45,920 Speaker 1: big set of games here for the Lakers to see. 148 00:07:46,200 --> 00:07:49,880 Speaker 1: You know what this second unit is made of, because West, Matthews, Kuzma, 149 00:07:49,920 --> 00:07:51,760 Speaker 1: these guys are gonna need to step up, all right, 150 00:07:51,800 --> 00:07:58,400 Speaker 1: Without further ado, let's get to Aaron Torres. Jason likes 151 00:07:58,440 --> 00:08:01,240 Speaker 1: to think he knows everything when it comes to sports. 152 00:08:01,560 --> 00:08:04,800 Speaker 1: I know what sports stands want, but for everything he doesn't. 153 00:08:05,040 --> 00:08:08,040 Speaker 1: He knows a guy who does. Let's just say I 154 00:08:08,120 --> 00:08:11,960 Speaker 1: know a guy who who knows who knows another guy. 155 00:08:12,000 --> 00:08:14,440 Speaker 1: All right, let's welcome into straight fire. A guest I've 156 00:08:14,440 --> 00:08:17,920 Speaker 1: known Geez probably at least five to ten years. He 157 00:08:18,000 --> 00:08:22,360 Speaker 1: has a weekend radio show on Fox Sports Radio. He 158 00:08:22,400 --> 00:08:25,320 Speaker 1: has his own podcast, The Eron Torres Podcast. He's a 159 00:08:25,360 --> 00:08:28,800 Speaker 1: college basketball oracle. Yeah, I'm gonna go there, an oracle, 160 00:08:28,920 --> 00:08:32,040 Speaker 1: Aaron Torres, What is up, my man? You know I've 161 00:08:32,040 --> 00:08:34,920 Speaker 1: been named, I've been called a lot of things, especially 162 00:08:34,920 --> 00:08:38,000 Speaker 1: on Twitter. I don't know that an oracle has ever 163 00:08:38,120 --> 00:08:40,160 Speaker 1: been one of them. So, you know, there's a first 164 00:08:40,160 --> 00:08:43,080 Speaker 1: time for everything. I appreciate you having me j Mann. Well, 165 00:08:43,120 --> 00:08:45,439 Speaker 1: you know, one of the big reasons is because and Aaron. 166 00:08:45,440 --> 00:08:47,520 Speaker 1: We could get into the media aspect of it later, 167 00:08:47,559 --> 00:08:52,120 Speaker 1: but just the group think among college basketball reporters is 168 00:08:52,160 --> 00:08:55,800 Speaker 1: a little disturbing to me. Everybody feels the same way 169 00:08:55,880 --> 00:08:59,040 Speaker 1: and parents the same stuff and talks to the same sources, 170 00:08:59,160 --> 00:09:01,280 Speaker 1: and I feel like you're all the outside of that crew. 171 00:09:01,559 --> 00:09:03,559 Speaker 1: I know, I've always been an outside of my whole life. 172 00:09:03,559 --> 00:09:05,840 Speaker 1: I don't want to be on the inside, you know, like, Hey, 173 00:09:05,880 --> 00:09:07,520 Speaker 1: we're friendly, that's cool. I get it. I see, I'm 174 00:09:07,520 --> 00:09:10,080 Speaker 1: gonna say hi, But um, I don't want to be 175 00:09:10,200 --> 00:09:12,360 Speaker 1: saying and parroting the same stuff you're saying. Do you 176 00:09:12,400 --> 00:09:14,400 Speaker 1: agree with me? There is a group think among college 177 00:09:14,400 --> 00:09:18,920 Speaker 1: basketball reporters, columnists, etcetera. You know, it's really funny you said, 178 00:09:18,960 --> 00:09:21,360 Speaker 1: I do. And I'm the same way. I'm friendly with 179 00:09:21,400 --> 00:09:23,719 Speaker 1: all these guys and we text here and there and 180 00:09:23,840 --> 00:09:26,040 Speaker 1: DM really here and there, but I'm not in all 181 00:09:26,080 --> 00:09:27,959 Speaker 1: the group chats, and I do think there is I'll 182 00:09:27,960 --> 00:09:31,240 Speaker 1: give you a funny example. Um. And for the record, 183 00:09:31,240 --> 00:09:33,480 Speaker 1: I just want the record to show there are a 184 00:09:33,520 --> 00:09:36,160 Speaker 1: lot of people in our industry that when when they 185 00:09:36,200 --> 00:09:39,880 Speaker 1: share an outside the box opinion and then somebody piggybacks on, oh, 186 00:09:39,960 --> 00:09:43,120 Speaker 1: they stole my take, they I'm not that guy. Like 187 00:09:43,640 --> 00:09:46,200 Speaker 1: I'm not that guy. But so there's been this thought 188 00:09:46,240 --> 00:09:48,599 Speaker 1: in college basketball for people who don't really follow it. 189 00:09:48,679 --> 00:09:52,079 Speaker 1: Iowa has a center named Luca Garza who's just putting 190 00:09:52,160 --> 00:09:55,480 Speaker 1: up absurd stats. He's been putting up absurd stats for 191 00:09:55,559 --> 00:09:58,199 Speaker 1: two years now. I think he finished second to Obie 192 00:09:58,200 --> 00:10:00,760 Speaker 1: Topping and all the national Players of the Year races, 193 00:10:01,360 --> 00:10:04,240 Speaker 1: and for basically the entire season, it's just been a 194 00:10:04,280 --> 00:10:07,120 Speaker 1: foregone conclusion hand on the National Player of the Year award. 195 00:10:07,240 --> 00:10:11,839 Speaker 1: Nobody's even competing whatever. So Friday Night, Illinois, who's playing 196 00:10:11,840 --> 00:10:15,200 Speaker 1: really well right now, plays in Nebraska. They have a 197 00:10:15,240 --> 00:10:17,280 Speaker 1: kid named Io Desum who I think is gonna be 198 00:10:17,320 --> 00:10:21,000 Speaker 1: a top ten, top fift team pick, and he can well, 199 00:10:21,080 --> 00:10:23,240 Speaker 1: I think he can be this year's John Moran. And 200 00:10:23,280 --> 00:10:25,800 Speaker 1: I hate to say that the n c A tournament matters, 201 00:10:25,840 --> 00:10:28,760 Speaker 1: but I remember going on with our buddies Chris Broussard 202 00:10:28,840 --> 00:10:31,200 Speaker 1: and Rob Parker the day before the tournament tell him 203 00:10:31,200 --> 00:10:33,040 Speaker 1: about this John Moran kid that they had kind of 204 00:10:33,080 --> 00:10:36,160 Speaker 1: loosely heard about. They said, there's no way he's you know, Rob, 205 00:10:36,480 --> 00:10:38,800 Speaker 1: no way he's going ahead of R. J. Barrett. And 206 00:10:38,800 --> 00:10:42,200 Speaker 1: it's like, okay, what it's so so I oh so anyway, 207 00:10:42,280 --> 00:10:45,319 Speaker 1: So the point I'm trying to get to, um Io 208 00:10:45,600 --> 00:10:49,960 Speaker 1: desum Move from Illinois went for like thirty one, eleven 209 00:10:50,160 --> 00:10:53,040 Speaker 1: and eight or something on Friday night, and I just said, 210 00:10:53,440 --> 00:10:55,720 Speaker 1: why aren't we talking about this? Why didn't we just 211 00:10:55,880 --> 00:10:58,680 Speaker 1: give the award to Luca Garza. His team at the 212 00:10:58,720 --> 00:11:01,080 Speaker 1: time was struggling. I think they've won two games since, 213 00:11:01,400 --> 00:11:03,600 Speaker 1: but why are we just handing this award this guy 214 00:11:03,640 --> 00:11:07,000 Speaker 1: at Illinois? I would assume, who's averaging like twenty one, 215 00:11:07,559 --> 00:11:12,240 Speaker 1: six and six from three, his team is awesome. And 216 00:11:12,240 --> 00:11:15,280 Speaker 1: then sure enough I tweeted that out and probably by 217 00:11:15,280 --> 00:11:19,480 Speaker 1: about Tuesday, I saw three four other people that had 218 00:11:19,520 --> 00:11:22,400 Speaker 1: come to that conclusion as well. And so you know, 219 00:11:22,480 --> 00:11:25,120 Speaker 1: like like I do think, you know, I'm an outside 220 00:11:25,120 --> 00:11:27,600 Speaker 1: the box thinker, by the way, you know, So I 221 00:11:27,640 --> 00:11:29,439 Speaker 1: won't get I won't start with the by the ways 222 00:11:29,440 --> 00:11:30,920 Speaker 1: and all the ones that I've been right on because 223 00:11:30,920 --> 00:11:33,320 Speaker 1: I've been wrong on plenty two. But I agree with 224 00:11:33,360 --> 00:11:35,360 Speaker 1: you J mack Is. I think there's a great group 225 00:11:35,360 --> 00:11:37,680 Speaker 1: of people that follow this sport, that love this sport, 226 00:11:37,760 --> 00:11:40,120 Speaker 1: that cover this sport. But I do think there's a 227 00:11:40,160 --> 00:11:43,240 Speaker 1: little bit too much group think is probably the best word. 228 00:11:43,240 --> 00:11:44,959 Speaker 1: And I and I do think that I at least 229 00:11:45,000 --> 00:11:48,120 Speaker 1: try to have my own perspective and sometimes it's right, 230 00:11:48,160 --> 00:11:50,760 Speaker 1: sometimes it's wrong. Like anything else. Well, I I don't 231 00:11:50,760 --> 00:11:53,080 Speaker 1: know your take on Jalen Johnson, the kid who just 232 00:11:53,280 --> 00:11:56,040 Speaker 1: left Duke, and I am fascinated to hear it because 233 00:11:56,040 --> 00:11:58,920 Speaker 1: I can already, you know, you start reading what's out there, 234 00:11:58,960 --> 00:12:01,400 Speaker 1: what people thinking, people are killing this kid, a nineteen 235 00:12:01,480 --> 00:12:03,559 Speaker 1: year old kid who you know, had a bit of 236 00:12:03,600 --> 00:12:06,160 Speaker 1: a history in high school of hop scotching around to 237 00:12:06,679 --> 00:12:09,480 Speaker 1: get the most favorable you know, school and set up 238 00:12:09,520 --> 00:12:12,439 Speaker 1: that he could and now he's bailed on Duke, which 239 00:12:12,520 --> 00:12:14,320 Speaker 1: isn't going to the n c A tournament or needs 240 00:12:14,400 --> 00:12:16,640 Speaker 1: a miracle or a ton of help, and all these 241 00:12:16,640 --> 00:12:19,640 Speaker 1: guys are killing the kid. And I'm saying, well, what 242 00:12:19,720 --> 00:12:22,840 Speaker 1: did you expect? You know this guy was gonna be 243 00:12:22,880 --> 00:12:26,920 Speaker 1: one and done? He bailed on multiple high schools when 244 00:12:27,320 --> 00:12:29,400 Speaker 1: he was looking for the best set up, and now 245 00:12:29,440 --> 00:12:32,319 Speaker 1: he leaves Duke after he's been benched, and and you 246 00:12:32,400 --> 00:12:34,760 Speaker 1: guys are gonna kill him. And I don't know, maybe 247 00:12:34,800 --> 00:12:37,079 Speaker 1: I listen, I have I've never met Jalen Johnson. I 248 00:12:37,080 --> 00:12:39,680 Speaker 1: don't know anybody in his family, in his circle. I'm 249 00:12:39,720 --> 00:12:42,280 Speaker 1: just curious how all of a sudden he's a bad 250 00:12:42,320 --> 00:12:45,480 Speaker 1: guy when this is the way this sport is trending. Um, 251 00:12:45,600 --> 00:12:48,079 Speaker 1: whether it's g Lee go to the NBL in Australia, 252 00:12:48,320 --> 00:12:50,320 Speaker 1: but college basketball is hurting and I love the sport, 253 00:12:50,360 --> 00:12:52,440 Speaker 1: but it is in a bad place. And I need 254 00:12:52,520 --> 00:12:57,400 Speaker 1: your take on Jalen Johnson. So you're more upset with 255 00:12:57,559 --> 00:13:01,800 Speaker 1: people being surprised that this happened than people being mad 256 00:13:01,840 --> 00:13:05,480 Speaker 1: that he actually left. Is that my kind of understanding? Yeah? 257 00:13:05,480 --> 00:13:09,120 Speaker 1: I think it just seems excessively harsh to attack a 258 00:13:09,200 --> 00:13:14,880 Speaker 1: kid for quitting. Okay, so my opinion. See I am 259 00:13:14,920 --> 00:13:19,040 Speaker 1: in the attack the kid for quitting, because well, what 260 00:13:19,160 --> 00:13:21,880 Speaker 1: I would say is I actually thought of all people 261 00:13:22,000 --> 00:13:24,000 Speaker 1: and I don't I don't know this guy shouldn't rush him, 262 00:13:24,000 --> 00:13:25,679 Speaker 1: But I thought Seth Greenberg kind of said it well 263 00:13:25,720 --> 00:13:29,040 Speaker 1: on the ESPN broadcasts on I guess it was Monday night. 264 00:13:29,320 --> 00:13:31,880 Speaker 1: Is first of all, let's just stop using the word 265 00:13:31,880 --> 00:13:34,280 Speaker 1: opt out. Okay, this is my number one pet peeve 266 00:13:34,600 --> 00:13:36,839 Speaker 1: the word. Let's stop using the word opt out because 267 00:13:36,840 --> 00:13:40,400 Speaker 1: opt out started in college football in the in the 268 00:13:40,559 --> 00:13:43,360 Speaker 1: NFL in August when we didn't know if it was 269 00:13:43,440 --> 00:13:45,440 Speaker 1: safe to play in a pandemic, if it was safe 270 00:13:45,480 --> 00:13:48,240 Speaker 1: to play contact sports and a pandemic, and there were 271 00:13:48,240 --> 00:13:51,120 Speaker 1: people that were literally concerned for their health by playing 272 00:13:51,800 --> 00:13:54,319 Speaker 1: UM and so they opted out, and they're gonna opt 273 00:13:54,360 --> 00:13:57,320 Speaker 1: back in at some point. This is quitting. It is, 274 00:13:57,440 --> 00:14:00,080 Speaker 1: and by the way, it doesn't necessarily have to be 275 00:14:00,160 --> 00:14:02,880 Speaker 1: a bad thing. But let's let's just stop calling it 276 00:14:02,920 --> 00:14:05,679 Speaker 1: opting out because, as you said, Jason one went to 277 00:14:05,840 --> 00:14:09,440 Speaker 1: essentially three high schools in in his senior year. Started 278 00:14:09,440 --> 00:14:11,680 Speaker 1: at one school, went to i MG, a prep academy, 279 00:14:11,760 --> 00:14:15,000 Speaker 1: transfers back to his high school. UM, we know a 280 00:14:15,040 --> 00:14:17,000 Speaker 1: couple of things. If Duke was in contention for an 281 00:14:17,080 --> 00:14:19,240 Speaker 1: n c A tournament, he wouldn't have done this. If 282 00:14:19,280 --> 00:14:22,480 Speaker 1: he was playing really well and helping his draft stock, 283 00:14:22,520 --> 00:14:24,760 Speaker 1: he woulted have done this. And so he quit, and 284 00:14:24,760 --> 00:14:26,760 Speaker 1: and and the point that seth Greenberg make, which made 285 00:14:26,800 --> 00:14:29,320 Speaker 1: which I think is an important one if it really 286 00:14:29,440 --> 00:14:32,760 Speaker 1: is about the injury. Two things. One, you can still 287 00:14:32,760 --> 00:14:35,960 Speaker 1: stay at school. You can still finish the season. Why 288 00:14:36,040 --> 00:14:38,960 Speaker 1: why pretend to do school? Though Aaron I don't get that. 289 00:14:39,280 --> 00:14:41,480 Speaker 1: We know he's not staying, he's not long for their 290 00:14:41,720 --> 00:14:44,000 Speaker 1: Why not just get out of school, sign with an agent, 291 00:14:44,040 --> 00:14:47,480 Speaker 1: and get the show on the road. I think one. 292 00:14:47,680 --> 00:14:50,640 Speaker 1: I do think that's part of like being on a team. 293 00:14:50,640 --> 00:14:53,400 Speaker 1: And I don't mean to be like nineteen forties like 294 00:14:53,600 --> 00:14:57,120 Speaker 1: yeah raw Rock, go hight like Go Go Go. It's 295 00:14:57,160 --> 00:14:59,120 Speaker 1: always about the name on the front of the jersey, 296 00:14:59,160 --> 00:15:01,200 Speaker 1: not the back. But I'll give you an example, and 297 00:15:01,200 --> 00:15:03,760 Speaker 1: I'll say something that some people might be upset by, 298 00:15:03,800 --> 00:15:06,760 Speaker 1: but whatever. There's a kid at Kentucky named Terrence Clark 299 00:15:07,040 --> 00:15:11,480 Speaker 1: who's had a mysterious ankle injury since December. And there 300 00:15:11,520 --> 00:15:13,680 Speaker 1: are a lot of people that are kind of questioning 301 00:15:13,960 --> 00:15:19,480 Speaker 1: is he really hurt or is was he not playing well? 302 00:15:19,560 --> 00:15:21,800 Speaker 1: Was the team not playing well? And he's just kind of, 303 00:15:22,080 --> 00:15:26,920 Speaker 1: you know, skating by until the season's over over. But 304 00:15:27,000 --> 00:15:29,440 Speaker 1: he's still there every game, He's still at every practice, 305 00:15:29,480 --> 00:15:31,400 Speaker 1: he's still waving a towel on the sidelines. He's still 306 00:15:31,440 --> 00:15:33,040 Speaker 1: cheering on his teammates. So when I think it looks good, 307 00:15:33,160 --> 00:15:35,400 Speaker 1: but to let me play Devil's advocate, Jason, Let's let's 308 00:15:35,400 --> 00:15:38,040 Speaker 1: put aside the nineteen eighties. It's about the name on 309 00:15:38,080 --> 00:15:40,840 Speaker 1: the front of the jersey, not the back. Why would 310 00:15:40,840 --> 00:15:44,080 Speaker 1: you if it's really about the injury. There's probably not 311 00:15:44,160 --> 00:15:46,920 Speaker 1: many places to rehab that are going to be better 312 00:15:47,000 --> 00:15:49,400 Speaker 1: for you, let alone. First of all, forget signing with 313 00:15:49,400 --> 00:15:52,160 Speaker 1: an agent for free. Stay at Duke, use the best 314 00:15:52,160 --> 00:15:55,320 Speaker 1: medical staff in college basketball, and get healthy over the 315 00:15:55,360 --> 00:15:57,680 Speaker 1: next month, month and a half, six weeks. Whatever, I 316 00:15:57,800 --> 00:16:01,200 Speaker 1: just you can, you can. I don't know that I 317 00:16:01,240 --> 00:16:05,040 Speaker 1: even blame him for not playing another game. I just 318 00:16:05,080 --> 00:16:07,240 Speaker 1: think there was a more appropriate way to handle it. 319 00:16:07,240 --> 00:16:09,400 Speaker 1: And I think I can poke holes pretty easily in 320 00:16:09,440 --> 00:16:12,560 Speaker 1: the decisions he made and the public reason why he 321 00:16:12,640 --> 00:16:16,040 Speaker 1: chose to make those decisions. All right, So Seth Davis 322 00:16:16,040 --> 00:16:19,680 Speaker 1: started getting angry with me last night, UM saying that, 323 00:16:19,920 --> 00:16:23,800 Speaker 1: uh well, Jason, Um, he got benched and now he's 324 00:16:23,840 --> 00:16:27,640 Speaker 1: bailing on the team. And I said, oh, well, okay, 325 00:16:27,680 --> 00:16:30,320 Speaker 1: they like they won without him when he was benched 326 00:16:30,440 --> 00:16:32,280 Speaker 1: right over the weekend. I think it was NC State. 327 00:16:32,760 --> 00:16:36,000 Speaker 1: And who cares now if he's leaving? What Why does 328 00:16:36,080 --> 00:16:38,680 Speaker 1: Duke care if they benched him anyway? And now he 329 00:16:38,720 --> 00:16:41,120 Speaker 1: wants to build like who can? Why should Duke care? Like? 330 00:16:41,240 --> 00:16:43,400 Speaker 1: Is he really quitting on her team? I just, Aaron, 331 00:16:43,440 --> 00:16:46,040 Speaker 1: it's tough for us as guys who were never like, 332 00:16:46,680 --> 00:16:50,880 Speaker 1: you know, one and done prospects, um to to to 333 00:16:50,960 --> 00:16:54,480 Speaker 1: put ourselves in those shoes where you know the deal. 334 00:16:54,800 --> 00:16:58,040 Speaker 1: I'm going to Duke, not even for the full year, 335 00:16:58,360 --> 00:17:01,960 Speaker 1: but really, Aaron, what six seven months? Because as soon 336 00:17:02,000 --> 00:17:05,320 Speaker 1: as the tournament's over, I would say, the majority of 337 00:17:05,320 --> 00:17:08,400 Speaker 1: one and done guys sign with the agent, start working out, 338 00:17:08,720 --> 00:17:10,800 Speaker 1: start and getting the private trainer, get on the diet. 339 00:17:11,200 --> 00:17:13,480 Speaker 1: We don't need to mess around classes. And again I'm 340 00:17:13,480 --> 00:17:16,320 Speaker 1: pro school obviously, but for a handful of people who 341 00:17:16,359 --> 00:17:19,200 Speaker 1: are going to the NBA, yeah, let's let's let's make 342 00:17:19,240 --> 00:17:23,159 Speaker 1: this happen. Um, coach had to know what he was 343 00:17:23,200 --> 00:17:25,440 Speaker 1: getting in bed with real quick. Are you you're a 344 00:17:25,520 --> 00:17:28,080 Speaker 1: Knicks fan, aren't you? Are you a Knicks fan? I am, 345 00:17:28,080 --> 00:17:29,480 Speaker 1: and I am a Knicks fan. Yes, Well, let me 346 00:17:29,520 --> 00:17:32,840 Speaker 1: tell you a great story. I interviewed Emmanuel Quickly the 347 00:17:32,920 --> 00:17:35,440 Speaker 1: day he declared for the draft. We had to push 348 00:17:35,440 --> 00:17:39,040 Speaker 1: back his interview in the pandemic because he was busy 349 00:17:39,040 --> 00:17:42,520 Speaker 1: finishing up an online class. That's the kind of character 350 00:17:42,600 --> 00:17:45,720 Speaker 1: that you need in your organization, and that is why 351 00:17:45,920 --> 00:17:48,800 Speaker 1: he is bowling out. Emmanuel is amazing. We'll talk about 352 00:17:48,880 --> 00:17:50,720 Speaker 1: him another time, but no, listen, I get all that, 353 00:17:50,800 --> 00:17:54,840 Speaker 1: but let me even I'll even defend your point further 354 00:17:55,359 --> 00:17:56,960 Speaker 1: in that it's not only that they leave at the 355 00:17:57,040 --> 00:18:00,320 Speaker 1: end of the season. Anyway, this is a pandemic year 356 00:18:00,600 --> 00:18:03,280 Speaker 1: and it's been discussed, but I don't know that the 357 00:18:03,320 --> 00:18:06,760 Speaker 1: average fan really realizes, especially college basketball, if you don't 358 00:18:06,760 --> 00:18:09,400 Speaker 1: follow it three sixty five days a year, these kids 359 00:18:09,440 --> 00:18:15,040 Speaker 1: are literally dorm room Jim, dorm room Jim, dorm room, game, 360 00:18:15,160 --> 00:18:19,360 Speaker 1: dorm room Jim. And so I like it sucks. Like 361 00:18:19,480 --> 00:18:22,639 Speaker 1: the whole point of going to Duke is he has 362 00:18:22,680 --> 00:18:24,920 Speaker 1: to be a one and done ball out us Duke 363 00:18:24,960 --> 00:18:27,919 Speaker 1: as much as Duke uses you because they're on national 364 00:18:27,960 --> 00:18:30,680 Speaker 1: TV more than basically anybody in the NBA except for 365 00:18:30,720 --> 00:18:34,080 Speaker 1: the Lakers. UM. But it's also the camera crazies. It's 366 00:18:34,080 --> 00:18:37,440 Speaker 1: also going to Carolina and and shutting down, shutting, uh, 367 00:18:37,480 --> 00:18:40,680 Speaker 1: you know, quieting eighteen thousand fans. So from that perspective, 368 00:18:40,680 --> 00:18:44,520 Speaker 1: I get it. I guess my only point it's three weeks. 369 00:18:44,680 --> 00:18:47,560 Speaker 1: You've been dealing with this crap since August. If if coach, 370 00:18:47,640 --> 00:18:50,200 Speaker 1: if you don't like the way Coach K is using you, Man, 371 00:18:50,280 --> 00:18:52,359 Speaker 1: my foot's really sort today. Coach, I don't think I 372 00:18:52,359 --> 00:18:54,880 Speaker 1: can go. I just think it's kind of lame. Three 373 00:18:54,880 --> 00:18:57,040 Speaker 1: weeks left. Like you said, they're not going to the tournament. 374 00:18:57,800 --> 00:19:01,639 Speaker 1: Be a trooper, sit on the sideline. And here's the 375 00:19:01,640 --> 00:19:05,439 Speaker 1: other thing. Be a good guy. So now, because you 376 00:19:05,440 --> 00:19:07,480 Speaker 1: gotta you know and you know how this stuff works, Jason, 377 00:19:08,240 --> 00:19:11,959 Speaker 1: if you finished the season, I think Coach K at 378 00:19:12,000 --> 00:19:14,239 Speaker 1: least when when people from the NBA call him up 379 00:19:14,240 --> 00:19:17,119 Speaker 1: and ask questions about you, he at least says, look, 380 00:19:17,200 --> 00:19:19,320 Speaker 1: how bad was the foot? I don't know, but I 381 00:19:19,359 --> 00:19:21,480 Speaker 1: get it. I've been doing this a long time. But 382 00:19:21,560 --> 00:19:23,720 Speaker 1: what is Coach K gonna say now about this kid 383 00:19:23,800 --> 00:19:27,480 Speaker 1: like he said all the right things publicly, but privately, 384 00:19:27,520 --> 00:19:30,040 Speaker 1: you think he's gonna say, yeah, that's a kid that 385 00:19:30,119 --> 00:19:33,040 Speaker 1: you gotta get into your organization. I don't know. I'm 386 00:19:33,080 --> 00:19:36,640 Speaker 1: just saying, I mean, I understand where you're coming from 387 00:19:36,680 --> 00:19:39,240 Speaker 1: on some level. I don't know. You know that Coach 388 00:19:39,320 --> 00:19:43,240 Speaker 1: K is gonna have that much sway with a front office. Um, 389 00:19:43,280 --> 00:19:45,800 Speaker 1: given how this ended. Obviously Coach K, you know, one 390 00:19:45,840 --> 00:19:48,800 Speaker 1: of the best college basketball coaches of all time. Um, 391 00:19:48,840 --> 00:19:50,760 Speaker 1: but he also has to know if he trashes his 392 00:19:50,840 --> 00:19:53,720 Speaker 1: kid up and down the next one and done thinking 393 00:19:53,760 --> 00:19:58,439 Speaker 1: about Duke oh man, geez, Coach K cold blooded huh. 394 00:19:58,640 --> 00:20:00,720 Speaker 1: That's why he would never say a public right. So 395 00:20:00,760 --> 00:20:03,800 Speaker 1: that's why he'll use guys we know, the reporters to 396 00:20:03,880 --> 00:20:05,600 Speaker 1: put it out there that this guy was talxic in 397 00:20:05,640 --> 00:20:08,800 Speaker 1: the locker room. I listen, I'm friendly with Jeff Goodman. Um, 398 00:20:08,840 --> 00:20:11,600 Speaker 1: he was like instantly there on what was it, Monday night? 399 00:20:11,640 --> 00:20:13,760 Speaker 1: I guess well, there were issues behind the scenes with 400 00:20:13,880 --> 00:20:15,800 Speaker 1: Jalen Johnson, you know, and you you know how the 401 00:20:15,800 --> 00:20:18,880 Speaker 1: game works. It's dirty and to smear a nineteen year 402 00:20:18,880 --> 00:20:24,920 Speaker 1: old just feels unseemly errand and again I've where where 403 00:20:25,000 --> 00:20:30,400 Speaker 1: is the separation between smearing from the truth? Like, I mean, 404 00:20:30,640 --> 00:20:33,879 Speaker 1: if if your producer, Rob Gara, if you're m f 405 00:20:33,960 --> 00:20:37,480 Speaker 1: and um off the air all day and I'm talking 406 00:20:37,520 --> 00:20:39,920 Speaker 1: to him and he's like, yeah, that j Mac that Torres. 407 00:20:40,000 --> 00:20:42,520 Speaker 1: All Torres does is MF me the second I get 408 00:20:42,560 --> 00:20:45,600 Speaker 1: off the air, I mean, is he smearing me? Or 409 00:20:45,680 --> 00:20:48,840 Speaker 1: is he just stating the truth. Okay, so I'll push 410 00:20:48,920 --> 00:20:51,520 Speaker 1: back and say, well, when coach K recruited this kid, 411 00:20:51,920 --> 00:20:55,280 Speaker 1: he knew everything we all did. That he jumped around 412 00:20:55,280 --> 00:20:58,399 Speaker 1: to three high schools in one year, and this is 413 00:20:58,520 --> 00:21:00,760 Speaker 1: what this is the kind of guy he wanted in 414 00:21:00,800 --> 00:21:03,359 Speaker 1: the program to try to win a national title. Right, 415 00:21:03,720 --> 00:21:06,080 Speaker 1: so Coach K was gonna put up with this. And 416 00:21:06,119 --> 00:21:09,200 Speaker 1: then oh well wait a second, we stink and Coach 417 00:21:09,280 --> 00:21:11,760 Speaker 1: K back out of a nonconference game, if memory serves, 418 00:21:12,119 --> 00:21:14,960 Speaker 1: and now it's like, well, we're not going to march badness. 419 00:21:15,000 --> 00:21:16,720 Speaker 1: There's no fans, there's no this isn't like I can't 420 00:21:16,720 --> 00:21:18,080 Speaker 1: go to the dining hall and hang out with my 421 00:21:18,119 --> 00:21:20,600 Speaker 1: guys on the team, Like this sucks? What am I 422 00:21:20,600 --> 00:21:24,280 Speaker 1: doing here? And this that see you brought up a 423 00:21:24,320 --> 00:21:28,600 Speaker 1: really important point that I think maybe makes me sympathize 424 00:21:28,600 --> 00:21:31,760 Speaker 1: with this kid a little bit more. Coach K has 425 00:21:31,800 --> 00:21:34,040 Speaker 1: made it very apparent that he doesn't really give a 426 00:21:34,080 --> 00:21:36,680 Speaker 1: you know what about this season, and I think it'd 427 00:21:36,720 --> 00:21:40,240 Speaker 1: be different if you're playing at a place. Let's just 428 00:21:40,359 --> 00:21:44,120 Speaker 1: use as a hypothetical, um Alabama, because their coach came 429 00:21:44,119 --> 00:21:46,120 Speaker 1: out against what Coach K said and said we need 430 00:21:46,160 --> 00:21:48,080 Speaker 1: to play this That the other thing I mean, Coach 431 00:21:48,119 --> 00:21:50,560 Speaker 1: K was pretty public. I don't think these games are 432 00:21:50,600 --> 00:21:52,800 Speaker 1: that important. I don't think we should even be playing 433 00:21:52,800 --> 00:21:55,440 Speaker 1: out of conference games. We should wait till January one. 434 00:21:56,000 --> 00:21:58,080 Speaker 1: So that is one place where I will defend Jalen 435 00:21:58,160 --> 00:22:00,199 Speaker 1: Johnson is if your coach, if the leader or of 436 00:22:00,240 --> 00:22:03,560 Speaker 1: the program, has made it so apparent to you that 437 00:22:03,600 --> 00:22:06,800 Speaker 1: it's not important to him. That is one thing that 438 00:22:06,880 --> 00:22:08,800 Speaker 1: I did think about because because I was the guy 439 00:22:08,840 --> 00:22:10,679 Speaker 1: that said, look, he quit, we don't have to call 440 00:22:10,720 --> 00:22:13,640 Speaker 1: it an opt out. He quit. But I also think that, yeah, 441 00:22:13,680 --> 00:22:16,040 Speaker 1: your coach probably kind of sort of quit on you 442 00:22:16,119 --> 00:22:18,600 Speaker 1: before this thing even started to Yeah, it's it's it's 443 00:22:18,680 --> 00:22:21,920 Speaker 1: more cut and dry that this is a nuanced discussion, 444 00:22:21,920 --> 00:22:23,320 Speaker 1: and a lot of people don't want to make it 445 00:22:23,359 --> 00:22:25,440 Speaker 1: that on social media it's like, oh, he quit, He's 446 00:22:25,440 --> 00:22:27,080 Speaker 1: the worst person in the world. Like, listen, I I 447 00:22:27,119 --> 00:22:30,440 Speaker 1: coach my kids in sports. Um, you know they've we 448 00:22:30,560 --> 00:22:32,240 Speaker 1: signed them up for sports where I didn't coach, and 449 00:22:32,240 --> 00:22:33,480 Speaker 1: they were like, this stinks. I don't want to go 450 00:22:33,520 --> 00:22:35,119 Speaker 1: to practice. I don't want to play. No, you signed up, 451 00:22:35,119 --> 00:22:37,679 Speaker 1: you said you wanted to do it. You're doing it. Um. 452 00:22:37,760 --> 00:22:41,240 Speaker 1: And you know. I don't think I've quit in my life. 453 00:22:41,240 --> 00:22:44,240 Speaker 1: Like we've been behind in basketball leagues. I'm in and 454 00:22:44,280 --> 00:22:46,919 Speaker 1: we're down twenty. I'm not quitting. I'm not walking off 455 00:22:46,920 --> 00:22:48,440 Speaker 1: the courts and put in someone else. I don't want 456 00:22:48,440 --> 00:22:50,679 Speaker 1: to play. I'm still jacking up threes and doing my 457 00:22:50,680 --> 00:22:53,400 Speaker 1: full court pressure. Like, I'm not a quitter. But I 458 00:22:53,560 --> 00:22:59,680 Speaker 1: understand why he would quit in this instance. I mean, 459 00:23:00,119 --> 00:23:06,880 Speaker 1: I I think there are explainable reasons why he made 460 00:23:06,920 --> 00:23:09,880 Speaker 1: the decision that he did. I just don't think it 461 00:23:09,920 --> 00:23:14,639 Speaker 1: was the smartest decision individually, given a lot of the 462 00:23:14,680 --> 00:23:17,240 Speaker 1: things that we've already talked about, the fact that this 463 00:23:17,280 --> 00:23:21,679 Speaker 1: is kind of his reputation, Uh that now you know privately, 464 00:23:21,920 --> 00:23:24,040 Speaker 1: as you said, what is coach k gonna say, when 465 00:23:24,040 --> 00:23:27,879 Speaker 1: the uh Detroit Pistons or Oklahoma City Thunder call up? 466 00:23:28,440 --> 00:23:31,280 Speaker 1: So yeah, I mean and then in one year exactly right. 467 00:23:31,280 --> 00:23:33,040 Speaker 1: It was so funny. I was filling in on Monday 468 00:23:33,119 --> 00:23:37,360 Speaker 1: night with Arnie Spanier and something came up and I said, well, 469 00:23:37,400 --> 00:23:39,880 Speaker 1: what's the Oh it was, uh Dak Prescott. We're talking 470 00:23:39,960 --> 00:23:42,399 Speaker 1: Dak Prescott. You know what kind of contract is he 471 00:23:42,440 --> 00:23:44,119 Speaker 1: gonna get? And I said, well, what kind of contract 472 00:23:44,160 --> 00:23:46,320 Speaker 1: is he gonna get this offseason? What kind of contract 473 00:23:46,359 --> 00:23:48,040 Speaker 1: is he gonna get next off season? Are we going 474 00:23:48,080 --> 00:23:52,000 Speaker 1: to see him play? But like, context matters, and context 475 00:23:52,040 --> 00:23:54,520 Speaker 1: matters here, and so yeah, I think I think we're 476 00:23:54,600 --> 00:23:57,520 Speaker 1: kind of actually at the same place, which is I 477 00:23:57,560 --> 00:23:59,760 Speaker 1: don't think either of us like, I'm not like he's 478 00:23:59,760 --> 00:24:02,879 Speaker 1: a winner. I would never draft him. Well okay, you 479 00:24:03,640 --> 00:24:06,320 Speaker 1: overall pick and you're the Lakers. You're not gonna draft him, Okay, stop. 480 00:24:06,680 --> 00:24:09,360 Speaker 1: But I also I don't think this would if if 481 00:24:09,400 --> 00:24:11,840 Speaker 1: I was advising him personally. I don't know if this 482 00:24:11,880 --> 00:24:13,199 Speaker 1: is how I would have handled it. Yeah, And I 483 00:24:13,200 --> 00:24:15,280 Speaker 1: will say, you're right about the NBA stuff, He's gonna 484 00:24:15,320 --> 00:24:18,080 Speaker 1: have to win over a lot of people. Um, given 485 00:24:18,200 --> 00:24:20,639 Speaker 1: his last what five years now, I do want to 486 00:24:20,680 --> 00:24:24,200 Speaker 1: add heading into the draft, you'll remember this erin there 487 00:24:24,240 --> 00:24:29,320 Speaker 1: were some questions about Anthony Edwards. Did he really love basketball? 488 00:24:29,359 --> 00:24:31,960 Speaker 1: The guy doesn't try on the defensive end. Is he 489 00:24:32,000 --> 00:24:33,800 Speaker 1: really in it to be a celebrity? There were a 490 00:24:33,800 --> 00:24:36,840 Speaker 1: lot of questions I think about Anthony Edwards and then 491 00:24:36,840 --> 00:24:39,199 Speaker 1: a kid named Cole Anthony who was you know, his 492 00:24:39,280 --> 00:24:42,800 Speaker 1: dad as Greg Anthony came from money, and there were 493 00:24:43,040 --> 00:24:46,080 Speaker 1: just like, you know, is this guy a jerk? Ego? 494 00:24:46,200 --> 00:24:49,119 Speaker 1: All that stuff. I will say this, Uh, Anthony Edwards 495 00:24:49,160 --> 00:24:51,880 Speaker 1: has been tremendous on a terrible team in Minnesota, way 496 00:24:51,920 --> 00:24:54,400 Speaker 1: better than I thought as a rookie. And Cole Anthony 497 00:24:54,520 --> 00:24:57,480 Speaker 1: has played extremely well. He's hurt right now, but since 498 00:24:57,520 --> 00:25:00,399 Speaker 1: folks went down, Cole Anthony has been good. So like, ultimately, 499 00:25:00,400 --> 00:25:03,560 Speaker 1: if you can play, they will put all that stuff 500 00:25:03,600 --> 00:25:07,160 Speaker 1: behind you. You know the great quote from the NFL combine, 501 00:25:07,400 --> 00:25:10,120 Speaker 1: Hannibal Elector could run a four three forty and we're 502 00:25:10,200 --> 00:25:14,520 Speaker 1: drafting him. You know, yeah, no, you're not. What you're 503 00:25:14,560 --> 00:25:18,640 Speaker 1: saying isn't wrong. And that's the crazy thing now more 504 00:25:18,720 --> 00:25:20,880 Speaker 1: than ever, and it's getting more and more this way 505 00:25:20,920 --> 00:25:24,239 Speaker 1: every year, Like you said college basketball. I get it, 506 00:25:24,359 --> 00:25:27,560 Speaker 1: I love it, you love it, But the relevance of 507 00:25:27,600 --> 00:25:30,359 Speaker 1: what you do in college basketball is becoming less and 508 00:25:30,440 --> 00:25:32,960 Speaker 1: less relevant to NBA people. And I don't even think 509 00:25:32,960 --> 00:25:37,400 Speaker 1: it's just strictly stats production whatever. I mean, you know, like, 510 00:25:37,520 --> 00:25:39,479 Speaker 1: if this can I get it's a pandemic. But if 511 00:25:39,480 --> 00:25:41,679 Speaker 1: this guy had done this five years ago, remember the 512 00:25:41,760 --> 00:25:44,480 Speaker 1: first year that Leonard Fournett opted out of a bowl game, 513 00:25:44,520 --> 00:25:49,240 Speaker 1: and it was like, this is not everyone, and it's changed, 514 00:25:49,400 --> 00:25:52,240 Speaker 1: the dynamic has changed. Teams don't hold it against you 515 00:25:52,280 --> 00:25:54,639 Speaker 1: like they used to. Maybe it won't impact him, but 516 00:25:54,720 --> 00:25:58,240 Speaker 1: I I would say for him, I think this continues 517 00:25:58,359 --> 00:26:01,240 Speaker 1: a trend, the wrong kind of trend. As you know, 518 00:26:01,760 --> 00:26:04,399 Speaker 1: this is actually a pretty deep draft with some guys 519 00:26:04,400 --> 00:26:06,080 Speaker 1: that are in the G League, as you mentioned, many 520 00:26:06,119 --> 00:26:09,680 Speaker 1: guys that are playing college basketball right now. Um, And 521 00:26:09,680 --> 00:26:11,800 Speaker 1: and you know, I will say, like, you want as 522 00:26:11,840 --> 00:26:14,719 Speaker 1: few red flags going into this stuff as possible, And 523 00:26:14,760 --> 00:26:17,560 Speaker 1: when you bounce and pick up from the best coaching 524 00:26:17,560 --> 00:26:20,399 Speaker 1: staff in America three weeks with the season left, when 525 00:26:20,400 --> 00:26:23,200 Speaker 1: you're not playing well, it certainly does raise red flags. 526 00:26:23,640 --> 00:26:26,520 Speaker 1: All right, let's get to um. Something you said before 527 00:26:26,520 --> 00:26:29,239 Speaker 1: we started recording. I was unaware of this. Eron you 528 00:26:29,240 --> 00:26:32,000 Speaker 1: mentioned that there was a mini bracket reveal on Saturday, 529 00:26:32,320 --> 00:26:34,480 Speaker 1: and I don't want to go too off tangent here, 530 00:26:34,800 --> 00:26:37,840 Speaker 1: but yeah, I didn't even know this happened, first of all, 531 00:26:37,880 --> 00:26:41,720 Speaker 1: And second, I'm assuming Joe Leonardi was pretty paramounting it 532 00:26:41,800 --> 00:26:45,160 Speaker 1: the ESPN bracketology guy Aaron, I don't know what's happened, 533 00:26:45,160 --> 00:26:47,280 Speaker 1: but I would say maybe six or seven years ago, 534 00:26:47,400 --> 00:26:50,760 Speaker 1: Joe Leonardi's word held weight. It was like Leonardi has 535 00:26:50,800 --> 00:26:54,679 Speaker 1: this team as a seven. That's crazy, you know. I 536 00:26:54,680 --> 00:26:57,240 Speaker 1: gotta be honest. The last couple of years, like Joe Leonardi, 537 00:26:57,960 --> 00:27:00,280 Speaker 1: I don't know that his voice matters at all. Does 538 00:27:00,280 --> 00:27:02,520 Speaker 1: the do the brackets even matter? And then you mentioned 539 00:27:02,560 --> 00:27:05,760 Speaker 1: this mini bracket reveal, and I mean, I didn't even 540 00:27:05,760 --> 00:27:08,440 Speaker 1: know what happened, your your thoughts on the mini bracket reveal? 541 00:27:09,240 --> 00:27:12,439 Speaker 1: So no, it was it's a CBS deal. Solonardi was 542 00:27:12,440 --> 00:27:17,440 Speaker 1: not involved. Um And essentially it was they saw it 543 00:27:17,560 --> 00:27:20,400 Speaker 1: worked for college football, and so two or three years 544 00:27:20,400 --> 00:27:22,520 Speaker 1: ago they decided to start doing it for college basketball. 545 00:27:22,880 --> 00:27:26,520 Speaker 1: But of course, you know, they screwed it up because 546 00:27:26,760 --> 00:27:30,800 Speaker 1: they do it on Saturday morning before two days worth 547 00:27:30,840 --> 00:27:32,880 Speaker 1: of games and then we come out on the back 548 00:27:32,960 --> 00:27:35,160 Speaker 1: end and it's completely meetingless. I'll give you a funny example, 549 00:27:35,520 --> 00:27:38,200 Speaker 1: so I, oh, it's not I was State. Ohio State 550 00:27:38,240 --> 00:27:40,840 Speaker 1: was a number one seed in their quote unquote, you 551 00:27:40,840 --> 00:27:45,080 Speaker 1: know mock bracket. Ohio State was playing while the bracket 552 00:27:45,119 --> 00:27:47,320 Speaker 1: was being revealed. Now, they happened to win the game, 553 00:27:47,560 --> 00:27:49,760 Speaker 1: but imagine if they had lost by They were losing 554 00:27:49,760 --> 00:27:52,040 Speaker 1: by fifteen at that point, and some guy on another 555 00:27:52,119 --> 00:27:54,360 Speaker 1: channel was talking about how great they are. So it's 556 00:27:54,359 --> 00:27:57,560 Speaker 1: a terrible it's just terribly set up where I'm not 557 00:27:57,680 --> 00:27:59,960 Speaker 1: saying that if they didn't at the end of the 558 00:28:00,080 --> 00:28:03,439 Speaker 1: weekend kind of like a mini selection Sunday that you know, 559 00:28:03,560 --> 00:28:06,719 Speaker 1: Colin Calhert and Skip Bayliss would lead their show Monday with, 560 00:28:07,000 --> 00:28:10,040 Speaker 1: oh my god, can you believe Ohio steak up the 561 00:28:10,040 --> 00:28:12,080 Speaker 1: fourth one? Like, no, we know that's not gonna happen, 562 00:28:12,320 --> 00:28:14,600 Speaker 1: but it would make it a little bit more relevant. 563 00:28:14,880 --> 00:28:17,000 Speaker 1: And like you said, you're out on a Saturday, you're 564 00:28:17,000 --> 00:28:18,639 Speaker 1: not in front of the TV. You don't really know 565 00:28:18,680 --> 00:28:21,479 Speaker 1: what's going on, what happened, what matters, what doesn't, And 566 00:28:21,520 --> 00:28:23,720 Speaker 1: by the end of the day it's completely meaningless and 567 00:28:23,800 --> 00:28:26,360 Speaker 1: so I only bring it up, and the reason that 568 00:28:26,359 --> 00:28:30,200 Speaker 1: that I'm glad you brought it up. It really was jarring. 569 00:28:30,240 --> 00:28:32,800 Speaker 1: It's basically just the top six teen teams, the top 570 00:28:32,840 --> 00:28:35,200 Speaker 1: four teams in each region. I don't even know there's 571 00:28:35,200 --> 00:28:37,160 Speaker 1: gonna be regions this year, what the regions will be, 572 00:28:37,600 --> 00:28:41,040 Speaker 1: but it was. It was the top sixteen teams. And 573 00:28:41,120 --> 00:28:43,800 Speaker 1: I was never one that felt like, you have to 574 00:28:43,880 --> 00:28:46,160 Speaker 1: have the blue bloods to make it a great tournament. 575 00:28:46,240 --> 00:28:49,360 Speaker 1: You have to have Duke in Kentucky and Kansas will 576 00:28:49,400 --> 00:28:51,280 Speaker 1: be there. But they got, you know, like I never 577 00:28:51,320 --> 00:28:54,400 Speaker 1: really thought that. And then you see the bracket and 578 00:28:54,440 --> 00:28:58,520 Speaker 1: it was pretty jarring of like Missouri's of four seed, 579 00:28:58,760 --> 00:29:02,600 Speaker 1: Illinois at two neeed, Ohio State's a one seed, Michigan's 580 00:29:02,600 --> 00:29:05,600 Speaker 1: a one seed, Baylor's a one seed, and it really 581 00:29:05,640 --> 00:29:08,000 Speaker 1: struck me, as I love this stuff. I don't know 582 00:29:08,000 --> 00:29:11,479 Speaker 1: how many people have thought about Illinois basketball in fifteen 583 00:29:11,560 --> 00:29:15,080 Speaker 1: years since Darren Williams was there. I would venture to 584 00:29:15,160 --> 00:29:17,720 Speaker 1: guess nine out of ten sports fans don't know who 585 00:29:17,720 --> 00:29:21,280 Speaker 1: their coaches don't know who. Ohio States coaches don't know 586 00:29:21,440 --> 00:29:24,640 Speaker 1: that Baylor's coach is the brother of Bryce Strew who 587 00:29:24,720 --> 00:29:27,840 Speaker 1: played in the NBA, and it just struck me as 588 00:29:27,880 --> 00:29:30,720 Speaker 1: I was never one that felt like we're gonna be really, 589 00:29:30,760 --> 00:29:34,080 Speaker 1: really really hurt without Kentucky and Michigan State and and 590 00:29:34,200 --> 00:29:37,400 Speaker 1: Duke and maybe North Carolina in this tournament. I think 591 00:29:37,400 --> 00:29:39,600 Speaker 1: we will be yeah, yeah, yeah. By the way, I 592 00:29:39,680 --> 00:29:42,320 Speaker 1: just noticed Houston. Were they high up there? Doing that 593 00:29:42,440 --> 00:29:46,160 Speaker 1: have enough goodwins? They were? They were pretty high up there, 594 00:29:46,160 --> 00:29:48,120 Speaker 1: two or three seeds. I don't really know, so funny, 595 00:29:48,120 --> 00:29:50,240 Speaker 1: I just clicked on I'm on Ken Palm and I 596 00:29:50,280 --> 00:29:52,640 Speaker 1: look at Houston. I see their coaches Kelvin Sanson. I'm like, 597 00:29:52,640 --> 00:29:55,200 Speaker 1: didn't they get busted cheating like last year? But that 598 00:29:55,280 --> 00:29:57,840 Speaker 1: was I was like five six years ago, like ten 599 00:29:57,920 --> 00:29:59,920 Speaker 1: years ago. You're getting old man. By the way, speak 600 00:30:00,120 --> 00:30:03,160 Speaker 1: a Seth Davis chirping at you. Ken Palm chirped at 601 00:30:03,160 --> 00:30:04,760 Speaker 1: me the other night. I was not ready for the 602 00:30:05,000 --> 00:30:08,480 Speaker 1: army of of nerds to be coming into my mention 603 00:30:09,200 --> 00:30:11,720 Speaker 1: over points per possession. So that was fun Ken Palm 604 00:30:11,840 --> 00:30:13,400 Speaker 1: is great at what he does, but all his little 605 00:30:13,440 --> 00:30:16,560 Speaker 1: minions were they were exhausting. So yeah, you mentioned, you know, 606 00:30:16,640 --> 00:30:18,680 Speaker 1: the blue bloods and like it's easy to hate against 607 00:30:18,680 --> 00:30:20,960 Speaker 1: Willy Williams who's one a ton and coach k who's 608 00:30:20,960 --> 00:30:22,920 Speaker 1: one a ton? Or root for them, you know, just 609 00:30:22,960 --> 00:30:26,960 Speaker 1: because you grew up watching them. Um, Kentucky not gonna 610 00:30:26,960 --> 00:30:29,520 Speaker 1: be there. Listen, Aaron, this is gonna be a tough 611 00:30:29,560 --> 00:30:33,880 Speaker 1: sell when even there are two undefeated teams in Gonzaga 612 00:30:33,920 --> 00:30:36,720 Speaker 1: and Baylor probably heading into the tournament, Zaga Baylor undefeated, 613 00:30:37,280 --> 00:30:39,840 Speaker 1: and it's like there isn't a lot of juice behind them. 614 00:30:39,840 --> 00:30:43,240 Speaker 1: I feel like Sat Joe's was a bigger deal when 615 00:30:43,280 --> 00:30:46,040 Speaker 1: they were undefeated with that backcourt of Jamir Nelson and 616 00:30:46,080 --> 00:30:49,200 Speaker 1: de Lante West. It's a great point. That's really interesting. 617 00:30:49,400 --> 00:30:51,200 Speaker 1: That's really interesting. I was in college at that point 618 00:30:51,200 --> 00:30:53,840 Speaker 1: and I do remember it being a bigger deal. And 619 00:30:53,880 --> 00:30:55,880 Speaker 1: what what I would say a couple of things. One 620 00:30:56,400 --> 00:31:00,440 Speaker 1: I don't disagree with the sentiment. I do wonder. One, obviously, 621 00:31:00,480 --> 00:31:05,000 Speaker 1: the passion for college basketball nationally. It does feel like 622 00:31:05,160 --> 00:31:10,080 Speaker 1: though Duke in Kentucky being so bad has actually kind 623 00:31:10,120 --> 00:31:12,960 Speaker 1: of weirdly sucked the oxygen out of gonzag and Baylor 624 00:31:13,040 --> 00:31:15,600 Speaker 1: being good, because I mean I was literally turning on 625 00:31:15,680 --> 00:31:18,560 Speaker 1: halftime shows like a week ago and they're like, whoa 626 00:31:18,960 --> 00:31:21,440 Speaker 1: what what does Kentucky you have to do to play? 627 00:31:21,560 --> 00:31:24,120 Speaker 1: It's like they're five and twelve. They're not going into 628 00:31:24,200 --> 00:31:27,920 Speaker 1: the tournamy with this, like, let's find something else to 629 00:31:27,960 --> 00:31:30,720 Speaker 1: talk about. Duke has lost you know, five five other 630 00:31:30,840 --> 00:31:33,200 Speaker 1: last seven games. They're not going to the tournament like 631 00:31:33,600 --> 00:31:38,120 Speaker 1: and so I don't disagree. I don't disagree. Um, it's 632 00:31:38,720 --> 00:31:40,640 Speaker 1: it's gonna be. It'll be a tough sty I'll give 633 00:31:40,640 --> 00:31:43,040 Speaker 1: you a funny kind of story with this. But in 634 00:31:43,320 --> 00:31:45,000 Speaker 1: a lot of people probably don't know this, but you know, 635 00:31:45,040 --> 00:31:47,360 Speaker 1: the potential number one pick in the draft, Kate Cunningham 636 00:31:47,400 --> 00:31:50,880 Speaker 1: plays at Oklahoma State. Oklahoma State is actually supposed to 637 00:31:50,880 --> 00:31:54,600 Speaker 1: be banned from the tournament this year. But listen, there 638 00:31:54,640 --> 00:31:57,680 Speaker 1: in the process of appealing, and there's a lot of 639 00:31:57,720 --> 00:31:59,960 Speaker 1: scuttle but that the n c A might be drag 640 00:32:00,040 --> 00:32:03,400 Speaker 1: get their feet a little bit. When do we get 641 00:32:03,440 --> 00:32:05,840 Speaker 1: this result of the appeal? Do we let him get 642 00:32:05,840 --> 00:32:08,640 Speaker 1: in the tournament because we need some headliners and this, 643 00:32:09,080 --> 00:32:11,200 Speaker 1: even if it's only for one game, he will be 644 00:32:11,200 --> 00:32:13,960 Speaker 1: a headliner. Like do you remember Zion Williamson when he 645 00:32:14,000 --> 00:32:17,520 Speaker 1: was in the tournament and Duke Michigan State had I 646 00:32:17,560 --> 00:32:20,360 Speaker 1: believe the highest rated game of the tournament and it 647 00:32:20,400 --> 00:32:23,200 Speaker 1: wasn't even the final four. It was a monster game, 648 00:32:23,280 --> 00:32:26,160 Speaker 1: epic performance. And like, you can build a whole tournament 649 00:32:26,160 --> 00:32:30,360 Speaker 1: around Zion Aaron. Who are they building the tournament around 650 00:32:30,440 --> 00:32:32,880 Speaker 1: right now? And I like the kid, Jalen sucks. Okay, 651 00:32:33,120 --> 00:32:36,560 Speaker 1: you're not building an NCA tournament around Jalen sucks. I 652 00:32:36,640 --> 00:32:40,160 Speaker 1: think what you're building it around is putting Gonzagon Baylor 653 00:32:40,200 --> 00:32:42,520 Speaker 1: on the opposite sides of the bracket, hoping both are 654 00:32:42,600 --> 00:32:47,560 Speaker 1: undefeated and just playing it up. It's the and I 655 00:32:47,560 --> 00:32:50,560 Speaker 1: don't think this is accurate, but I think it's playing up. 656 00:32:51,320 --> 00:32:54,280 Speaker 1: You're either taking Gonzaga or Baylor to win it all. 657 00:32:54,600 --> 00:32:57,480 Speaker 1: It's gonna determine your pool and there's no other options. 658 00:32:57,480 --> 00:33:01,560 Speaker 1: I think both teams, especially GONZAGAKA have some vulnerabilities. I 659 00:33:01,600 --> 00:33:04,959 Speaker 1: think they can be beaten. Gonzaga has been kind of 660 00:33:05,000 --> 00:33:07,760 Speaker 1: weirdly sloppy. You know what, now that their games aren't 661 00:33:07,760 --> 00:33:10,720 Speaker 1: as marquis, that's got to be the cell, right. I 662 00:33:10,760 --> 00:33:13,600 Speaker 1: mean these two teams, they were actually supposed to play 663 00:33:13,600 --> 00:33:16,840 Speaker 1: in the preseason, canceled because of COVID, but in this 664 00:33:16,920 --> 00:33:20,520 Speaker 1: weird year, both are going for history both are going 665 00:33:20,560 --> 00:33:23,400 Speaker 1: for immortality. That's the best I got, man, that's the 666 00:33:23,400 --> 00:33:25,280 Speaker 1: best that I got. I mean, I think the easy 667 00:33:25,360 --> 00:33:28,440 Speaker 1: question for Gonzaga is what happens in a close game. 668 00:33:28,920 --> 00:33:31,040 Speaker 1: We just don't know. They played and had one five 669 00:33:31,040 --> 00:33:33,840 Speaker 1: point game against w VU in December. You know, we 670 00:33:33,880 --> 00:33:37,000 Speaker 1: know people are gonna get tight when you're undefeated, right, 671 00:33:37,360 --> 00:33:39,560 Speaker 1: undefeated and you got a jugger not and you're like, 672 00:33:39,560 --> 00:33:42,360 Speaker 1: oh shit, what do we do? Just and it to songs? 673 00:33:42,400 --> 00:33:44,960 Speaker 1: Let's let him take over? Like this is what happens 674 00:33:45,720 --> 00:33:48,880 Speaker 1: if you remember, was it Kentucky, Wisconsin? The Carl Anthony 675 00:33:48,920 --> 00:33:53,400 Speaker 1: Towns team. Weren't they undefeated for you? And they ended 676 00:33:53,440 --> 00:33:55,440 Speaker 1: up losing to a senior Laden Well, I don't know 677 00:33:55,440 --> 00:33:57,680 Speaker 1: if it's senior Laden, but a veteran Frank the tank 678 00:33:57,760 --> 00:34:01,760 Speaker 1: Kaminski uh and Wisconsin, And like, I can see Gonzaga 679 00:34:01,840 --> 00:34:04,440 Speaker 1: having one of those moments. Um, I don't know where 680 00:34:04,440 --> 00:34:07,320 Speaker 1: are you on Mark feud? Like, obviously good recruited a 681 00:34:07,320 --> 00:34:12,080 Speaker 1: great coach, but xs and Os is he without in 682 00:34:12,120 --> 00:34:14,600 Speaker 1: this tournament? I mean no, not without Pierre. I think 683 00:34:14,640 --> 00:34:18,000 Speaker 1: he's great. Xs and Os. I think his problem is 684 00:34:18,000 --> 00:34:22,440 Speaker 1: is that they play in a whack not the whack 685 00:34:22,520 --> 00:34:25,720 Speaker 1: but a whack conference from the perspective that there's nobody 686 00:34:25,760 --> 00:34:28,400 Speaker 1: on their level and for college basketball people that aren't 687 00:34:28,440 --> 00:34:32,000 Speaker 1: nerds with this weird year where you're just making stuff 688 00:34:32,080 --> 00:34:35,560 Speaker 1: up as you go. Gonzaga was trying to schedule a 689 00:34:35,719 --> 00:34:38,160 Speaker 1: marquee out of conference games, so they had a game 690 00:34:38,239 --> 00:34:41,879 Speaker 1: postpone because the other team had COVID a few saturdays ago. 691 00:34:42,239 --> 00:34:45,840 Speaker 1: They were trying to get a marquee opponent for that Saturday, 692 00:34:45,880 --> 00:34:47,959 Speaker 1: just because I think Mark Fuse kind of like, dude, 693 00:34:48,000 --> 00:34:51,000 Speaker 1: my team is coasting right now, and so I've never 694 00:34:51,040 --> 00:34:54,440 Speaker 1: bought the narrative like they always get upset in the tournament. 695 00:34:54,520 --> 00:34:58,920 Speaker 1: No before um last year, there was no tournament. It's 696 00:34:58,920 --> 00:35:00,640 Speaker 1: either four or five years in row. They've made it 697 00:35:00,640 --> 00:35:03,000 Speaker 1: to at least the Sweet sixteen three Elite Eight's a 698 00:35:03,040 --> 00:35:07,719 Speaker 1: Final four national championship game. But they haven't had to 699 00:35:07,800 --> 00:35:10,000 Speaker 1: hit fifth gear in a while, and that's what would 700 00:35:10,040 --> 00:35:13,080 Speaker 1: concern me more than anything. Ironically, Baylor hasn't any close 701 00:35:13,080 --> 00:35:15,239 Speaker 1: games to Baylor's being every team on their schedule by 702 00:35:15,239 --> 00:35:18,279 Speaker 1: eight plus points, but they're in the Big Twelve. They're 703 00:35:18,320 --> 00:35:21,319 Speaker 1: coming back off COVID pause here momentarily they're gonna have 704 00:35:21,520 --> 00:35:24,480 Speaker 1: some big games ahead, They're gonna be challenged. I don't know. 705 00:35:25,080 --> 00:35:27,120 Speaker 1: First of all, Zack has only got about three regular 706 00:35:27,120 --> 00:35:30,560 Speaker 1: season games left and the conference tournament. They're not gonna 707 00:35:30,560 --> 00:35:33,000 Speaker 1: be challenged going into the n c A tournament. Yeah, 708 00:35:33,080 --> 00:35:35,520 Speaker 1: I think a good point about Baylor also, lack of size. 709 00:35:35,800 --> 00:35:37,759 Speaker 1: You know, if the game does slow down, they are 710 00:35:37,800 --> 00:35:41,520 Speaker 1: susceptible on the offensive glass. Um, and we'll see. I mean, 711 00:35:41,560 --> 00:35:43,920 Speaker 1: I don't know how the mid majors are. I haven't 712 00:35:43,960 --> 00:35:46,320 Speaker 1: done a deep dive into them yet. I've just started 713 00:35:46,360 --> 00:35:49,760 Speaker 1: doing some uh some gambling back again on college college hoops, 714 00:35:49,760 --> 00:35:52,520 Speaker 1: and uh, you know, it's fun, but man, it's just 715 00:35:52,600 --> 00:35:54,759 Speaker 1: a weird season, all right. You give me the who 716 00:35:54,760 --> 00:35:59,399 Speaker 1: wins the championship blindly without seeing the brackets, I would 717 00:35:59,400 --> 00:36:02,640 Speaker 1: say Baylor now and and it was funny. So you 718 00:36:02,719 --> 00:36:04,560 Speaker 1: talk about group think, this was the one that I 719 00:36:04,600 --> 00:36:08,040 Speaker 1: was gonna bring up before last season. Baylor was I 720 00:36:08,080 --> 00:36:10,920 Speaker 1: think preseason they were in the top twenty but maybe 721 00:36:10,960 --> 00:36:12,920 Speaker 1: eighteen nineteen in the country. I picked him to go 722 00:36:12,960 --> 00:36:16,480 Speaker 1: to the final four last preseason, nobody else there wasn't 723 00:36:16,480 --> 00:36:18,799 Speaker 1: a single national writer that had them in the top 724 00:36:19,040 --> 00:36:20,759 Speaker 1: that had them going the final four in the preseason. 725 00:36:21,120 --> 00:36:23,640 Speaker 1: They go twenty six and four in the regular season, 726 00:36:23,680 --> 00:36:25,600 Speaker 1: best regular season in school history. They don't lose a 727 00:36:25,600 --> 00:36:28,600 Speaker 1: game for four months. So I was on them last year, 728 00:36:28,960 --> 00:36:31,719 Speaker 1: I got off them this year. But I look at 729 00:36:31,760 --> 00:36:33,960 Speaker 1: them and I think, to your point, they have just 730 00:36:34,160 --> 00:36:37,280 Speaker 1: enough size. But here's two things. They shoot the ball 731 00:36:37,640 --> 00:36:40,280 Speaker 1: insanely well. I mean I think it's something like five 732 00:36:40,320 --> 00:36:44,400 Speaker 1: out of their top six scores shoot or better from three. 733 00:36:44,719 --> 00:36:48,160 Speaker 1: And these aren't guys that are taking you know, uh, 734 00:36:48,480 --> 00:36:50,600 Speaker 1: twelve three's over the course of the season. These are 735 00:36:50,600 --> 00:36:53,040 Speaker 1: guys that are taking two, three, four a game, and 736 00:36:53,040 --> 00:36:55,359 Speaker 1: they're all shooting forty plus percent. The other thing is 737 00:36:55,880 --> 00:36:59,239 Speaker 1: they get after it defensively, and that's where I think 738 00:36:59,239 --> 00:37:02,319 Speaker 1: Gonzaga would be concerned by. As I think Gonzaga kind 739 00:37:02,320 --> 00:37:04,880 Speaker 1: of has this we're just gonna be able to outscore 740 00:37:04,920 --> 00:37:07,600 Speaker 1: everybody all the time mentality, and and we know how 741 00:37:07,640 --> 00:37:09,680 Speaker 1: that works. I'll give you a good analogy for kind 742 00:37:09,680 --> 00:37:13,640 Speaker 1: of people that are no college hoops but maybe not great. J. 743 00:37:13,760 --> 00:37:17,280 Speaker 1: Billis said this a while ago. Gonzaga this year reminds 744 00:37:17,360 --> 00:37:20,640 Speaker 1: him of the two thousand nine North Carolina team that 745 00:37:20,680 --> 00:37:25,040 Speaker 1: had Danny Green, Tyler hans Borough, ty Lawson, etcetera. And 746 00:37:25,080 --> 00:37:27,600 Speaker 1: that team basically just we're just gonna outscore you, and 747 00:37:27,600 --> 00:37:30,319 Speaker 1: we'll we'll try on defense, but we're not gonna lock in. 748 00:37:30,719 --> 00:37:33,680 Speaker 1: That's my concern with Gonzaga. Baylor is a bunch of 749 00:37:33,719 --> 00:37:36,920 Speaker 1: dogs that just get after you defensively. Um, And I 750 00:37:36,920 --> 00:37:39,879 Speaker 1: would say this to really quickly. Michigan off of a 751 00:37:39,960 --> 00:37:44,239 Speaker 1: month long COVID laws just one at Wisconsin. They rebound, 752 00:37:44,239 --> 00:37:46,960 Speaker 1: they're tough, they defend, They're another one. I don't think 753 00:37:47,000 --> 00:37:50,080 Speaker 1: you can say they're off the radar because they're they're 754 00:37:50,120 --> 00:37:52,560 Speaker 1: the number three team in the country. But I think 755 00:37:52,600 --> 00:37:55,799 Speaker 1: that the college basketball media and narrative has set this 756 00:37:55,920 --> 00:37:58,640 Speaker 1: up as Gonzaga versus Baylor and there's no other option, 757 00:37:58,920 --> 00:38:01,680 Speaker 1: and I think I think Chigan is pretty close to him. Wow, 758 00:38:01,719 --> 00:38:05,239 Speaker 1: that comparison two thousand nine Tar Heels. You know, I 759 00:38:05,719 --> 00:38:07,759 Speaker 1: was like, is that the team that murdered Michigan State 760 00:38:07,800 --> 00:38:09,279 Speaker 1: in the title game? And I just looked it up. 761 00:38:09,719 --> 00:38:12,880 Speaker 1: They won every n c A game by ten plus 762 00:38:13,040 --> 00:38:16,720 Speaker 1: and they beat Michigan State by seventeen in the final. 763 00:38:17,440 --> 00:38:19,319 Speaker 1: That was I mean, that was a real I didn't 764 00:38:19,320 --> 00:38:21,880 Speaker 1: even know the team. Yeah, they had oh my gosh, 765 00:38:22,160 --> 00:38:26,080 Speaker 1: Tylian bro Wayne Ellington, ty Lawson, Danny Green, Ed Davis, 766 00:38:26,160 --> 00:38:30,400 Speaker 1: Larry Drew, Tyler Zeller, seven guys played in the NBA. 767 00:38:32,120 --> 00:38:35,919 Speaker 1: I'll tell you this. You Can in the you Can 768 00:38:36,440 --> 00:38:38,520 Speaker 1: lost to Michigan State in the final four. And I 769 00:38:38,520 --> 00:38:41,080 Speaker 1: know this because I'm a kind of lum. Jim Calhoun 770 00:38:41,280 --> 00:38:45,440 Speaker 1: swears that was his most complete team that he ever had, 771 00:38:45,520 --> 00:38:48,200 Speaker 1: not the best team, his most complete team. They had 772 00:38:48,200 --> 00:38:50,360 Speaker 1: a kid named Jerome Dyson who played in the NBA, 773 00:38:50,760 --> 00:38:52,840 Speaker 1: got hurt right before the n c A tournament. He 774 00:38:52,920 --> 00:38:56,600 Speaker 1: believes because that team had Kemba Walker Jeff Adrian Hashim 775 00:38:56,719 --> 00:38:59,200 Speaker 1: to beat all these guys that played in the NBA. 776 00:39:00,719 --> 00:39:04,000 Speaker 1: And he swears that if Jerome Diyson had been healthy, 777 00:39:04,000 --> 00:39:05,759 Speaker 1: they would have been North Carolina win the national champ. 778 00:39:05,840 --> 00:39:09,520 Speaker 1: Shout out to Jim cal who. Okay, sorry, anyway, we're 779 00:39:09,560 --> 00:39:12,560 Speaker 1: talking about things we got wrong. I was so wrong 780 00:39:12,920 --> 00:39:15,759 Speaker 1: about Hashima beat coming out. I I really thought he 781 00:39:15,760 --> 00:39:18,960 Speaker 1: would be a good grow he moved well, great shot blocker, 782 00:39:19,520 --> 00:39:21,719 Speaker 1: and I could not have been what a what a 783 00:39:21,800 --> 00:39:24,840 Speaker 1: gigantic stiff? I mean he could not and he couldn't 784 00:39:24,920 --> 00:39:26,640 Speaker 1: run and chew Gum at the same time in the NBA, 785 00:39:26,719 --> 00:39:30,280 Speaker 1: but he was great in college. My last year Yukon 786 00:39:30,520 --> 00:39:33,400 Speaker 1: was his first year and it was coming off the 787 00:39:33,480 --> 00:39:36,400 Speaker 1: Rudy Gay era, and you know, that team was unbelievable. 788 00:39:36,400 --> 00:39:39,000 Speaker 1: My my junior year was the Rudy Gay. They lost 789 00:39:39,040 --> 00:39:43,640 Speaker 1: to George George Mason Mason, yes and his cheams. And 790 00:39:43,719 --> 00:39:46,200 Speaker 1: the next year the whole team is new and they stink. 791 00:39:46,760 --> 00:39:49,560 Speaker 1: And so I will defend you because I was there 792 00:39:49,600 --> 00:39:52,239 Speaker 1: for year one. Hashim beat. We used to joke me 793 00:39:52,280 --> 00:39:55,560 Speaker 1: and my buddy, who I'm still friends with, about every 794 00:39:55,600 --> 00:39:58,240 Speaker 1: game he spent more time on the floor because anytime 795 00:39:58,239 --> 00:40:00,759 Speaker 1: there was contract, he felt like a tree. Sorry that 796 00:40:00,800 --> 00:40:04,040 Speaker 1: was probably loud for your listeners in their ear. Um. 797 00:40:04,080 --> 00:40:06,920 Speaker 1: And by his junior year he was a difference maker. 798 00:40:06,960 --> 00:40:09,520 Speaker 1: And so you know, I don't remember enough about the 799 00:40:09,640 --> 00:40:12,640 Speaker 1: NBA at that point, and they were still like legitimate 800 00:40:12,719 --> 00:40:15,239 Speaker 1: seven foot centers like that just played back to the 801 00:40:15,280 --> 00:40:19,040 Speaker 1: basket in that era, right, yeah, yeah, yeah, it was 802 00:40:19,040 --> 00:40:21,520 Speaker 1: like a tail end of it pretty much. Um. That 803 00:40:21,600 --> 00:40:24,080 Speaker 1: was also the Tyweek Evan Steph Curry draft. But we 804 00:40:24,080 --> 00:40:25,479 Speaker 1: don't need to go down that road, all right. Aaron 805 00:40:25,520 --> 00:40:28,640 Speaker 1: Torres great stuff. Can't wait to follow you, uh and 806 00:40:28,760 --> 00:40:30,719 Speaker 1: your insights heading into the n c A tournament. De 807 00:40:31,080 --> 00:40:33,600 Speaker 1: good luck with the group think gatherings. If you are 808 00:40:33,600 --> 00:40:37,040 Speaker 1: you going to Indie, I'm not going to Indie. I 809 00:40:37,239 --> 00:40:38,840 Speaker 1: you know you know this because you've done it this 810 00:40:38,920 --> 00:40:41,440 Speaker 1: for years. I I go to the Final four to network, 811 00:40:41,560 --> 00:40:44,840 Speaker 1: to connect, you know, you get good gossip on stuff, 812 00:40:45,320 --> 00:40:48,000 Speaker 1: and nobody's gonna be there, and so I don't need 813 00:40:48,040 --> 00:40:50,600 Speaker 1: to cover the games for anything. I'm not gonna get 814 00:40:50,640 --> 00:40:53,360 Speaker 1: anything by going straight from my hotel to the arena 815 00:40:53,360 --> 00:40:55,879 Speaker 1: and back and forth to be the first final four 816 00:40:55,920 --> 00:40:58,120 Speaker 1: I've missed in a quite a few years, minus last 817 00:40:58,200 --> 00:41:01,920 Speaker 1: year that didn't happen. But I'll until hopefully one. I 818 00:41:01,920 --> 00:41:03,520 Speaker 1: don't even know where it's supposed to be next year. 819 00:41:03,520 --> 00:41:06,640 Speaker 1: I think is that New Orleans next year, because that 820 00:41:06,640 --> 00:41:09,239 Speaker 1: would be, uh, that'd be a good return to normalcy. 821 00:41:09,280 --> 00:41:11,040 Speaker 1: I don't know if it's New Orleans next year, but 822 00:41:11,520 --> 00:41:13,279 Speaker 1: that'd be a good return to normalcy if we could 823 00:41:13,280 --> 00:41:17,200 Speaker 1: get a normal final four in twenty two. Yeah, it'd 824 00:41:17,200 --> 00:41:20,280 Speaker 1: be So. I think it's New Orleans next year, so definitely. 825 00:41:20,320 --> 00:41:23,040 Speaker 1: All right, Aaron Torres, thanks a lot, man, all Right, 826 00:41:23,120 --> 00:41:23,400 Speaker 1: Jason