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Coach Rick Pitino In Studio, Duke Is Back To Being The Worst, Russ Wilson To The Steelers, Mac Jones Cut And More

Monday, March 11, 202420 takes

Duke is back to being the worst after Jon Scheyer apologized to fans as they threw shit at UNC. We talk College Basketball regular season finale, Kentucky being dangerous, and white boys having their moment (-). NFL Free Agency has begun and Mac Jones has been sent to Florida. Russ Wilson signs with the Steelers and more (-). We talk some UFC 299 and who's back of the week (-). St John's Coach Rick Pitino joins the show to talk about his career, basketball philosophy, the stalker who has texted Big Cat for 7 years and whether or not we can keep making jokes (-). We finish up with some show schedule announcements on the upcoming 2 weeks and Hank's number 8 Patriot and his moment in the sun in the Dynasty documentary (-).

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.

Void
Mar 11, 2024
#1029
Big CatBig Cat

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.

Duke's identity as a 'villain' in college basketball is subjective, but their 2024 season did involve several controversies (court storming, tripping) that fueled this narrative.

Hank, ever the Duke apologist, actually found himself agreeing for once.

Void
Mar 11, 2024
#1030
HankHank

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.

This is a long-standing debate in sports media about whether 'villains' drive better ratings and engagement.

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.

Void
Mar 11, 2024
#21844
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

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.

Knecht went on to be a first-round NBA pick and while his defense remains a talking point, he has shown ability to hold his own physically in the NBA early on.

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.

Void
Mar 11, 2024
#21845
Big CatBig Cat

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.

This is a comedic/satirical take that cannot be factually proven or disproven.

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.

Push
Mar 11, 2024
#1034
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

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.'

Russell Wilson and Mike Tomlin's relationship was complicated. Wilson played reasonably well early but the Steelers collapsed late in the season and were eliminated in the playoffs. The 'not getting along' part isn't clearly verified, but the Steelers moved on from Wilson after the season, with Wilson signing with the Steelers again — wait, no. Wilson left Pittsburgh and Aaron Rodgers signed with the Steelers. So there was a parting of ways.

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.

Void
Mar 11, 2024
#1033
Big CatBig Cat

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.

Personal 'vibes' are entirely subjective and based on media reports and body language.

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.

Void
Mar 11, 2024
#1041
Rick PitinoRick Pitino

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.

This is a personal feeling and professional critique of the industry.

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.

Void
Mar 11, 2024
#21847
Rick PitinoRick Pitino

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.

Donovan is not yet in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a coach, though many analysts agree he will eventually be inducted.

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.

Win
Mar 11, 2024
#1038
Rick PitinoRick Pitino

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.

Reed Sheppard was selected 3rd overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, making Pitino's 'top 8' projection correct.
Loss
Mar 11, 2024
#1039
Rick PitinoRick Pitino

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.

Purdue reached the National Championship game but lost to UConn 75-60.

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.

Void
Mar 11, 2024
#1036
Big CatBig Cat

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.

This is an opinion on the health and credibility of the sport of boxing.

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.

college-basketballnfl-free-agencyst-johnsrussell-wilsonpittsburgh-steelersmarch-madness

More Takes

Loss
Mar 11, 2024
#1031
Big CatBig Cat

John Calipari might have a job at Kentucky for life

I think actually Cal is getting ready to... we have it wrong with the hot seat. His team's playing so well and Kentucky's so exciting. He might get like, can you get a job for the afterlife too? Because he has a job for life.

Calipari eventually left Kentucky for Arkansas in April 2024, proving he did not have the job 'for life.'
Win
Mar 11, 2024
#1032
Big CatBig Cat

The 2021 QB draft class might be the worst of all time

We now have though the 2021 draft in record time might be the worst quarterback draft of all time. Trevor Lawrence number one, Zach Wilson two, Trey Lance three... Mac Jones 15. So there's five quarterbacks drafted in the first 15 picks in that 2021 draft, and four out of five of them just three years or in the fourth year will be on different teams.

While 'worst' is subjective, the 2021 class has seen historic turnover, with only Trevor Lawrence signing a second contract with his original team as of 2024.
Open
Mar 11, 2024
#1035
Big CatBig Cat

Caleb Williams will be a great franchise quarterback for the Bears

Caleb Williams is gonna be really good. He's gonna be really fucking good in the NFL. He's gonna be really good for the Bears. I feel that in my bones... Everyone just chill out. Caleb Williams is getting drafted by the Bears and he's gonna be a franchise quarterback for the Bears.

Pending the start and progression of Caleb Williams' NFL career.
Loss
Mar 11, 2024·Who's Back
#21846
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Kate Middleton's absence was due to her getting a Brazilian Butt Lift

There's been some speculation about what Kate Middleton's been up to because she had abdominal surgery. Well, that's what people are saying that it might've been just giving her a little bit of that Pippa ass. She's been out of public though. She got a BBL. That's what people were saying. Streets are talking.

OpinionPop CultureHotSarcastic
Middleton later revealed she had been diagnosed with cancer, making this satirical rumor factually incorrect.
Win
Mar 11, 2024
#1040
Rick PitinoRick Pitino

Reggie Bush should get his Heisman Trophy back

The Heisman people will do [it], give that Heisman trophy back to Reggie Bush... there's probably half of those guys that won the Heisman Trophy that [got benefits].

Reggie Bush was officially reinstated as a Heisman Trophy winner in April 2024.
Void
Mar 11, 2024
#21848
Rick PitinoRick Pitino

Dan Hurley is a great coach but his sideline behavior toward refs is annoying

Danny is a tremendous coach. There's things about Danny that bother me. The way he gets on referees bother the hell outta me 'cause he gets calls. But as far as my respect for his coaching ability, he's a great coach. Great coach. Offensively as well as defensively preparation wise, he has all the answers.

This is a professional opinion regarding another coach's conduct and results.
Void
Mar 11, 2024
#1037
Rick PitinoRick Pitino

American youth basketball has lost the art of the bounce pass

I've been able to get my team to throw bounce passes... in a radius of six to eight feet, you are not allowed to throw chest passes... it has taken so long because they've grown up without throwing a bounce pass. I don't think it's taught at the AAU level.

This is an expert professional opinion from a Hall of Fame coach.
Win
Mar 11, 2024
#21849
Rick PitinoRick Pitino

Joe Biden should retire from the presidency and enjoy life

I don't wanna do what President Biden's doing at his age. I think he should just enjoy life a little bit. I don't know why he's doing it.

Biden eventually withdrew from the 2024 presidential race in July 2024, essentially following Pitino's advice to step away.
Void
Mar 11, 2024
#1042
Big CatBig Cat

Matthew Slater is the most 'Patriot' Patriot of all time

Matthew Slater... I feel like I'd never seen an interview from him. It was like this guy rocks. He probably knows everything. He was like the unassuming special teams guy... he's the most like Patriot Patriot of all time probably.

Subjective opinion on franchise identity.

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