PMT DB
PMT DB
Matt Jones on Kentucky's Collapse and Stanford Steve's Friday Picks
Day one of the NCAA Tournament provided the exact kind of chaos that makes March the best month on the sports calendar. Jack Gohlke, a man who looks like he’s been playing in a 35-and-over YMCA league for a decade, came off the bench for Oakland and turned into Steph Curry, raining ten threes on a Kentucky team filled with future NBA lottery picks. Big Cat and PFT are still trying to process how a guy who has only taken eight two-pointers all season managed to dismantle a blue blood program while looking like he was just there to fix the arena's HVAC system.
While the Golden Grizzlies stole the spotlight, the bracket is setting up for a massive second-round clash that could define the first weekend. Big Cat is already eyeing the collision course between the tournament's two biggest darlings.
Big CatThe winner of Oakland vs. NC State will be the story of the tournament heading into the Sweet 16
What the winner of that game [Oakland vs. NC State] is going to be the talk of the week leading up to Sweet 16 because it'll be a great story either way.
The conversation shifted to the West Coast, where Dana Altman once again proved that he is the master of the first-round exit... for his opponents. Oregon dominated South Carolina, and Big Cat wasn't about to let the performance go unnoticed.
Big CatDana Altman is the most underrated coach in America
Dana Altman my most underrated coach in America. I love how he coaches basketball. Dana Altman and the Oregon Ducks... Fun fact, Dana Altman is now 8-0 in first round NCAA tournaments. He is such a good coach and he has them overachieving every single year.
Before diving into the bracket further, the guys addressed the bizarre Shohei Ohtani story. The timeline of Ohtani’s interpreter being a $4.5 million gambling debtor to him being a "thief" changed faster than a pitch clock violation. PFT is skeptical about how Major League Baseball will handle its biggest global icon being adjacent to an illegal bookie.
PFT CommenterMLB will avoid banning Shohei Ohtani because he is too valuable to the league's revenue
It seems to me like baseball, given how much money they stand to make from Ohtani, really does not want to have to treat Ohtani like they would anyone. Can you imagine if it was a utility player that paid off four and a half million dollars? How fast would that guy be banned for baseball for life?
Matt Jones from Kentucky Sports Radio joined the show in a state of mourning. He described the atmosphere in Lexington as a mix of funeral and riot, with the fan base officially reaching its breaking point with John Calipari. Matt didn't hold back on why the current iteration of the Wildcats feels like a dead man walking.
Matt JonesThe John Calipari era at Kentucky is likely over after the loss to Oakland
I think this might be worse [than the St. Peters loss]. It's terrible. You know, lose to St. Peters and Oakland, two of the last three years, and I think probably the end of the Calipari era. There's a really good chance. I mean, I don't think it's certain, but I think a lot of the fans want that.
Matt argued that the very foundation Calipari built his success on—relying on one-and-done freshmen—is no longer a viable strategy in the world of the transfer portal and NIL. Older teams like Oakland, led by 24-year-olds, are physically bullying the talented teenagers Calipari recruits.
Matt JonesIt is no longer possible to win a National Championship relying primarily on freshmen in the NIL/Portal era
Cal needs to change back because Jay Wright tonight said it the best because of NIL. These dudes are staying in college longer... You're gonna see good players stay in college for three and four years. And I just don't know if you can win with freshmen anymore because these... two of the starters on Oakland were 24 years old. We're starting three guys that are 18. That's a big difference.
When the guys suggested coaching alternatives, Matt shot down the idea of a tactical wizard like Dana Altman taking the reins in Lexington. For Big Blue Nation, the X's and O's are secondary to the persona.
Matt JonesKentucky should not hire a coach like Dana Altman because the program requires a 'rockstar' personality
I think at this job though... you have to be a rockstar to be at this job. Like this is a hard job in the state of Kentucky. This is what we do. ... So you can't be like, Dana Altman looks like an accountant. You can't be an accountant. You have to be a rockstar.
Stanford Steve then joined to help the audience navigate a Friday slate that feels particularly treacherous. Steve warned that if your bracket is already in the paper shredder, you aren't alone, and it’s only going to get worse.
Stanford SteveThe 2024 NCAA Tournament will produce the lowest-scoring bracket pools ever
I believe in bracket pools, this will be the lowest score or least amount [of points] ever. ... I think you're better off of getting out a team and riding that thing with a future... I think this bracket pool... it's impossible.
Despite the carnage, Steve is incredibly high on one specific Big Ten team making a deep run. He believes the Badgers found themselves during the conference tournament and have the versatility to navigate a tough South region.
Stanford SteveWisconsin will make the Final Four
I have Wisconsin in the final four, Dan. I do, I do. I love what I've seen from them. I think Storr is an absolute difference maker. Chucky healthy is... I genuinely feel this team has the goods.
Steve also broke down several of the mid-major matchups, including a New Mexico team that he thinks is severely undervalued despite being a trendy pick. He’s buying the Lobos' backcourt over Clemson's physicality.
Stanford SteveNew Mexico is a better team than Clemson and will win their first-round matchup
I like New Mexico. ... I think New Mexico's playing as well as anybody. Their ability from the three-point line... they got some young bigs that are good. ... I believe they're a better team [than Clemson]. ... We're gonna go New Mexico, A&M, and UAB.
For the late-night degens, Steve is keeping a close eye on Grand Canyon. He thinks the Antelopes have the best player on the floor in their matchup against Saint Mary's, and that usually wins out in March.
Stanford SteveGrand Canyon will defeat Saint Mary's because Tyon Grant-Foster is a legitimate pro
Grand Canyon is really interesting. ... St. Mary's, Jefferson injury's been huge for them. ... Tyon [Grant-Foster] on the kid for Grand Canyon is a pro. If you haven't seen him, I think he's gonna be a name that you're gonna know for sure. ... I would pick Grand Canyon in that one.
To wrap things up, the show moved into Fyre Fest of the week. PFT is facing the ultimate March dilemma: traveling for a wedding during the tournament. Meanwhile, Hank and Big Cat’s rivalry over who is the better athlete reached a boiling point after a shooting contest on the office’s new machine. Big Cat isn't letting age get in the way of his athletic superiority.
Big CatI am a better athlete than Hank, despite being nine years older than him
I honestly don't, like no offense to you, but I don't think it's like a washed up thing. I think just PFT and I are better athletes than you. We're nine years older than you and still better athletes than you. ... I beat you in every combine event.
Just remember, if your bracket is busted, at least you aren't currently paying John Calipari $33 million to stay away from your building.
