PMT DB
PMT DB
Greg McDermott and Mark Titus on March Madness and the Big Dom Downfall
Big Cat and PFT opened the show by addressing the week-long drama surrounding JJ Redick. Between calling out Doc Rivers and getting into it with Pat Bev, Redick has effectively dominated the sports news cycle by leaning into his old collegiate persona. While some fans might be annoyed by the constant stat-dumping, Big Cat is fully embracing the return of the Duke villain.
Big CatJJ Redick is playing a character on 'First Take' to lean into his Duke heel persona
I do think he is doing a little bit of a bit when he goes on first take, it's the heel in him. If you watch it under the idea that JJ is being like the Duke smart ass, I know more Ball than you, it's great TV.
They also jumped into the modern state of sports consumption. While experts like JJ might complain that fans don't appreciate the nuances of the game, Big Cat pointed out that the tools to become a high-level observer have never been more accessible.
Big CatSports fans are more knowledgeable today than at any other time in sports history
In 2024 I would make the argument that fans are more knowledgeable than they've ever been in any part of like sports history. There is countless things that you can watch if you want to learn more about the game that you love... everything is at your fingertips when it comes to becoming a more knowledgeable fan.
The Big Dom Effect and Baseball's Wardrobe Malfunctions
The conversation shifted to the Philadelphia Eagles and the recent reports suggesting that Big Dom was more than just a security guard; he was the glue holding Nick Sirianni’s sanity together. Big Cat is fully bought into the theory that the season tanked the moment the NFL took Dom off the sidelines.
Big CatBig Dom's suspension is the definitive reason why the Eagles' season fell apart
The report is essentially that Big Dom was a lot more than just a security guard. He was essentially Nick Sirianni's emotional support animal. And when he got suspended from the sideline, Nick Sirianni spiraled outta control was fighting with players. And Big Dom is the reason why their season fell apart. And I 100% believe it.
Max, the resident Philly survivor, didn't push back at all. In fact, he doubled down on the idea that the team lost its father figure when Dom was sent to the principal's office for his sideline scuffle.
MaxBig Dom is the most important person in the Philadelphia Eagles organization
Big Dom is the most important person in the Philadelphia Eagles organization. I think we can all agree on that. He's a leader of men. Big Dom is a leader of men.
Speaking of controversies, the MLB's new Fanatics-produced uniforms are a disaster, primarily because the pants are transparent enough to show exactly what every player is packing. PFT had a glass-half-full approach to the situation, suggesting that any publicity—even the kind involving silhouettes of groin guards—is good for a sport trying to stay young.
PFT CommenterMLB's transparent pants are a clever way for the league to stay relevant
This was smart by the MLB. 'Cause we're talking about him. Way to stay relevant baseball. Just make some shitty uniforms that have everyone's balls showing.
Hank’s 5th Best Patriot and the Eberflus Glow-Up
Before getting to the guests, Hank continued his highly subjective ranking of the greatest Patriots of the dynasty era. After some deliberation and a few mentions of "swag," he landed on a legendary defensive back for the number five spot.
HankTy Law is the fifth-best Patriot of the dynasty era
My number five Patriot of all time... Swaggiest Patriot maybe on this whole list. Ty Law. That's number five.
Meanwhile, the guys noticed a major change in Chicago. Bears head coach Matt Eberflus has grown a beard, and the consensus is that he finally looks like a man who can lead a team to a winning record. Big Cat is ready to stake the season on the facial hair alone.
Big CatMatt Eberflus's new beard makes him look like a winning football coach
Matt Eberflus debuted a new beard. He looks totally different. That's good. He looks like a winning football coach now. Tell me that's not a fucking football coach. Now he's gonna win some games.
College Basketball Preview with Greg McDermott and Mark Titus
Creighton head coach Greg McDermott joined the show fresh off a massive win over #1 UConn. He talked about the atmosphere in Omaha, the challenge of coaching his son Doug, and why he’s promised to attempt a dunk if the Bluejays win the national title. He’s keeping his team focused on the grind, but Big Cat is looking at the numbers and sees a real contender in the mix.
Mark Titus then stopped by for a full college hoops primer. He’s officially worried about John Calipari’s longevity at Kentucky, noting that the pressure in Lexington has reached a breaking point where the memes are starting to mirror reality.
Mark TitusJohn Calipari is on the hot seat because the 'meme' has become the reality
At some point the meme becomes the reality. I don't think they're gonna fire him. He has a lifetime contract... but Kentucky fans are absolutely ready for a change though. Absolutely. If he fucks this up, he's completely lost the magic.
When it comes to the favorites, Titus is high on Purdue despite their historical tendency to break hearts in March. He thinks the addition of Lance Jones and the growth of Braden Smith makes them a much more dangerous out than the team that lost to a 16-seed a year ago.
Mark TitusThis Purdue team is legitimately better and more versatile than last year's squad
I think this Purdue team's better than last year. The guard play has first of all their guards are older. Braden Smith last year was like a game manager more and now he's actually a stud. And then Lance Jones, the kid they got in the transfer portal is fucking awesome. I do think that Purdue is going to make a final four.
As they worked through the brackets, Titus highlighted the Mountain West as the new go-to for basketball junkies, replacing the old Atlantic 10 as the league of choice for people who want to watch chaotic, high-level hoops at midnight.
Mark TitusThe Mountain West has replaced the Atlantic 10 as the 'hipster' basketball league
The Mountain West has kind of become that... It is has become the league that's like if you don't know what game to watch, just throw on a random ass mountain West game. It's what the A-10 used to be.
To wrap up the preview, Titus laid out his Final Four, though Big Cat remains skeptical of anyone not named Dan Hurley when the lights get the brightest.
Mark TitusMy 2024 Final Four is Purdue, Houston, Arizona, and Tennessee
I think Purdue is gonna make the final four. I have to trust Houston. Gimme Arizona... and then I gotta ride with Tennessee. Tennessee, I'll take out Houston and put in Butler. No, I'll take Tennessee.
Big CatDan Hurley is the only coach in college basketball I trust to win a title right now
Who do we trust that's gonna win a national championship this year? Dan Hurley. 'Cause I saw it last year. That's it. That's literally it. These other guys haven't proven they can win.
Fyre Fest of the Week
To close out the show, the guys hit Fyre Fest, where Hank’s 20-grand bet is already weighing heavy on him. He's currently in the "information gathering" stage of his journey to dunking a basketball, which mostly involves downloading apps and not actually going to the gym. Hank insists the athleticism is still there, buried somewhere under years of bad eating habits and golf rounds.
HankI will be able to dunk a basketball and hit twenty three-pointers within the next ten months
I'm going hard to dunk... summer, that's exactly my plan. I'm already over leveraged. What if I do both and hit 20 threes? I just have to basically change my entire lifestyle way of thinking and everything.
If Hank actually pulls this off, it'll be the greatest athletic feat in the history of the show, but for now, we’re just waiting for the first hamstring pull.
