PMT DB
PMT DB
Tom Crean on March Madness Sleeper Teams and Ian Rapoport on His Firing
President's Day usually means a day off for most people, but Big Cat and PFT are grinding through what can only be described as a lackadaisical weekend for sports. Between a NASCAR drug scandal involving Denny Hamlin and the NBA All-Star game reaching new levels of boredom, there was plenty to unpack. Big Cat and PFT were particularly annoyed that the NBA decided to actually try on defense this year, ruining the over for everyone involved.
Big CatDefense in the NBA All-Star game is not fun
they decided to play defense in the All-Star game, so that's not fun. Especially for those of us that had the over.
Who’s Back of the week featured a heavy dose of 'Bubbas' and a creepy Olympic update. PFT pointed out that the winter games are essentially ice dancing's way of seeing how close siblings can get to kissing without actually doing it. We also checked in on Tim Tebow, who is once again making waves in Mets spring training despite his swing being hindered by his own massive biceps.
Big CatI'm rooting for Tim Tebow because he makes sports more interesting
I root for Tim Tebow because he makes sports more interesting, but holy shit, will that be a circus [if he plays in the majors].
Coach Tom Crean joined the show to give some much-needed perspective on the chaotic college basketball landscape. The guys were dying to know about the West Virginia-Kansas free throw disparity, which saw Bob Huggins get tossed after a 35-2 foul shot margin. Crean, ever the diplomat, acknowledged that while refs usually get it right, Huggins had every right to be furious.
Tom CreanBob Huggins had a legitimate gripe regarding the free throw disparity against Kansas
with that last night, there's no question that he [Bob Huggins] had a legitimate concern because both teams are extremely aggressive... that amount of free throw difference, that was the most, that was the biggest margin of free throws Kansas has ever had in a Big 12 game. I mean, that's amazing stuff. So he had a legitimate gripe.
As we approach March, the conversation shifted to who actually has the teeth to win it all. Crean broke down why Virginia’s dominant defense might not be enough if they hit a shooting slump, and why Trae Young’s recent struggles at Oklahoma might just be a case of February legs.
Tom CreanVirginia is susceptible to in-game lulls because they don't get to the free throw line enough
Virginia because I really like them but they've got that reputation that they don't commit a lot of fouls well they don't get fouled very much either so like they're not shooting very many free throws and on those nights when you're not making your shots you've got to have something else that you can go to.
Tom CreanTrae Young and Oklahoma are struggling with fatigue and spacing, not a lack of talent
I don't see him [Trae Young] playing as quick as the last week or so... I think the whole mental fatigue, physical fatigue, everybody's got that in February. Sometimes you just got to get back to playing quicker... if his team can stay committed to the spacing and they've got to start to string some stops together, I think they'll be just fine.
When it came time for some bracket advice, Crean wasn't looking at the obvious blue bloods. He’s high on the Zags and thinks Buzz Williams has a squad at Virginia Tech that can beat teams in a variety of ways. Big Cat also threw his weight behind a certain team from the AAC that nobody wants to see in their region.
Tom CreanGonzaga is currently undervalued and capable of a deep tournament run
My initial reaction to that question [dark horse] would be Gonzaga. I think they are really good. I think they can go to the bench. I think Rui Hachimura is a potential breakout star... I really like their team.
Big CatWichita State is a team no one wants to see in the first or second weekend of the tournament
Wichita State is not anybody I'd want to see, not only the first weekend of the tournament, but the second weekend of the tournament. Their offense, I feel like they can really get hot, and they can do it all different ways.
In the middle of the show, the guys addressed the elephant in the room: Michael Rapoport’s firing from Barstool. In a bizarre twist, they called up Ian Rapoport to get his side of the story. The NFL insider, who doesn't even work for Barstool, described the surreal 45 seconds where he was fired via text by Dave Portnoy and then immediately had the firing revoked. Before letting him go, he gave a terrifying glimpse into the future of the NFL quarterback market.
Big CatA.J. McCarron will receive a contract similar to or better than Mike Glennon's
Someone is going to give A.J. McCarron some legitimate money. I would say my guess right now is he's looking at Mike Glennon plus. The Browns were interested enough to try to trade for him.
Segments included Mike Greenberg’s Dumb Rules, where the guys pitched new ways to seed the NBA playoffs. Big Cat’s plan to prioritize the gambling public would certainly make those late-season blowouts more interesting for everyone involved.
Big CatNBA playoff seeding should be based on a team's record against the gambling spread
I like for playoff seeding, I think we should do instead of best record, it should be best record against the spread. Let everyone start actually playing for the spread. It would be unbelievable if teams are up by like seven and the spread's nine and they're just gunning.
We also got a quick Olympic update on the Russian curler who got busted for doping. PFT and Big Cat agreed that if you're representing Russia, you're basically required to be on something, even if you're just sliding stones across the ice.
PFT CommenterThe Russian curler using performance-enhancing drugs proves curlers are taking it seriously
one of the Russian athletes got busted for using drugs and it was a curler... So curlers are now taking performance enhancing drugs. Well, it's Russia. Adderall... you have to dope if you're in Russia.
Walk a mile in Big Cat's cold, wet-feeling left toe and hope for a better Wednesday.
