Rick Pitino in Studio, Duke’s Hateability, and the Russ Wilson Era in Pittsburgh
Duke is officially back to being the most hateable team in sports, and honestly, the world feels a little more normal because of it. After a weekend of throwing trash at UNC players and John Scheyer putting on an apology tour for the Cameron Crazies, Big Cat couldn't be happier that the natural order of the universe has been restored.
Duke is back to being the worst and perfectly hateable again
Duke is back to being the worst because goddammit, those guys are so hateable and they're right back to where they were. I was nervous... but just that scene choking on senior night against UNC. Those stupid fucking Cameron Crazies that pretend that they're the coolest, best fan base in the world... throwing shit at college players.
Hank, ever the Duke apologist, actually found himself agreeing for once.
College basketball is better when Duke is the villain
College basketball is better when Duke is the villains. So I'm happy for the tournament. I'm excited. Shut everyone up.
The guys also looked at the white boy summer taking over college hoops, featuring the likes of Reed Sheppard and Dalton Knecht. While everyone is falling in love with Knecht's scoring, PFT has some concerns about whether he can actually guard a parked car.
Tennessee's Dalton Knecht is great offensively but might get shoved around on defense
Dalton Knecht is fucking awesome. So fun to watch. But I'm beginning to think that I might be right about him. He might be able to get, he might be able to get shoved around, especially on defense. He doesn't play a lot of defense. They don't really ask him to play defense either. They just say, go stand out there and try to get in the way of somebody driving at the basket.
The Russ Wilson Era Begins
NFL free agency kicked off with a bang as Russell Wilson announced he’s taking his talents (and his various high-end bathrooms) to the Steel City. Big Cat has a very specific theory on why Russ chose the black and gold, and it has nothing to do with the offensive line.
Russell Wilson signed with the Steelers partly because black uniforms are slimming
Russell Wilson just released a statement... Black is a very slimming color. So he might've just chosen that purely because of that simple fact. He would've looked very fat in a Giants uniform. I do think that he probably, that had to have at least 10% of the decision making was like, which color do I look best in? Black. If I had to sign with an NFL team right now, I'd probably sign with the Steelers just so that I don't look fat.
While the fit seems perfect on paper for a guy who loves tradition, PFT is already looking forward to the inevitable friction between the most "Let's Ride" guy in history and a coach who has no time for nonsense.
Mike Tomlin and Russell Wilson will not get along in Pittsburgh
I'll say this, him and Mike Tomlin are not gonna get along. I just want to call that right now. I think they'll get along for a little bit... and then Mike Tomlin will be like 'this guy's annoying.'
In other QB news, Mac Jones was shipped off to Jacksonville for a sixth-round pick, effectively ending the most depressing era of Patriots football. Big Cat and PFT debated the merits of Mac versus Zach Wilson, and the vibes are currently at an all-time low for the former Alabama star.
Mac Jones has worse vibes than Zach Wilson
I think Mac Jones might have the worst vibes... Mac Jones, like all reports are that he's just been a pouty little bitch. Zach Wilson was a backup quarterback and he should even been playing and he's like 'I'm gonna fucking try my hardest.' I don't know, I don't think it's even close.
Coach Rick Pitino in Studio
Legendary coach Rick Pitino joined the show for an incredible interview that covered everything from his time in Greece to his current bubble watch at St. John's. The guys even addressed the mysterious "Pitino Stalker" who has been texting Big Cat's personal cell phone for eight years whenever they make a joke at the coach's expense. Pitino was a great sport, diving into his philosophy on the modern game and his frustrations with the transfer portal.
I do not like the current state of free agency in college basketball
I'm not enjoying what goes on right now in college basketball... I may be looking at three guys returning next year and I gotta bring in 10. They all become free agents... it's just not something I like. I think Jay Wright got out of it because of that.
He also didn't hold back on his peers or the history of the game, including a strong defense of his former player and current Bulls coach Billy Donovan.
Billy Donovan belongs in the Basketball Hall of Fame
One of my biggest disappointments with the Hall of Fame is the fact that [Billy Donovan] is not in it. Because I think there's only five or six programs that have won back to back. He's one of them. And he's had a great playing career. Great coaching career. Now he's in the pros. If anybody deserves the Hall of Fame, it's Billy the Kid.
When it came to the current landscape, Pitino offered some high praise for Kentucky's latest star and even gave a definitive prediction for who will be cutting down the nets in April.
Reed Sheppard is a top 8 NBA pick and reminds me of Rex Chapman
He's tremendous. He's a great shooter, great passer... He's got a big decision to make. He's probably a top eight pick in the draft. He's the closest thing to the Pat Riley days... the closest thing to a Rex Chapman for Kentucky.
Purdue will win the National Championship this year
I think Purdue's gonna win it. I remember Tony Bennett lost to the 16 seed... following year won a championship. Purdue last year lost to FDU... I feel that it's their year. I think they're gonna win the national championship this year.
Who's Back and The Dynasty
To wrap things up, the guys hit Who's Back of the week, featuring a deep dive into the Kate Middleton photo conspiracy and Anthony Joshua's demolition of Francis Ngannou.
Anthony Joshua knocking out Francis Ngannou was great for boxing
Anthony Joshua knocked the fuck out of Francis Ngannou and that feels good for boxing... I am a boxing purist in the fact that I want boxers to always beat people who show up... anyone who shows up into a boxing ring with no boxing training, I want them to lose every time.
Hank also had to answer for his starring role in the latest episodes of *The Dynasty* documentary. Seeing "Number Eight" Henry Lockwood getting arrested at the NFL offices was a banner moment for the show, even if the documentary is clearly a Robert Kraft-funded hit piece on Bill Belichick.
If the Bears don't draft Caleb Williams, Big Cat might actually walk into the Lake.

