PMT DB
PMT DB
Dallas Braden on MLB Preview, Elite 8 Recap, and KD's DMs
March has officially taken its toll. Big Cat and PFT opened the show admitted they are completely gassed after a grueling stretch of college hoops, but the Elite 8 did not disappoint. UCLA is somehow in the Final Four after an ugly, grinding win over Michigan, and Gonzaga looked like an absolute buzzsaw. PFT noted that while the 10:00 PM tip-offs were a test of endurance, they certainly weeded out the weak.
PFT Commenter10:00 PM tip-offs separate the real college basketball fans from the casuals
The late start times, I initially was like, you know what? This separates the casuals from the real fans like me, if you're willing to stay up until 10 for a tip-off. Two school nights in a row of 10 o'clock tip-offs. I think I've seen enough.
Big Cat was particularly impressed with the Zags, noting that despite everyone trying to talk themselves into USC being a tough matchup, the reality is that Mark Few has built a machine that simply doesn't stop.
Big CatGonzaga is so good that you shouldn't overthink their dominance
Gonzaga had the classic situation tonight where everyone is so sick of how good Gonzaga is that they all said to themselves, USC is the toughest opponent they'll ever meet... And I tweeted, obviously I lost the Michigan bet, but I said, don't overthink it. Gonzaga's that good.
Looking ahead to the Final Four matchups, Big Cat isn't giving Houston much of a chance against the Baylor Bears. He thinks the Cougars' inability to shoot will finally catch up to them against a team that can actually fill it up.
Big CatBaylor is going to absolutely crush Houston in the Final Four
So I think that Baylor is going to shit pump Houston. Well, so Houston deserves credit. I'm going to do it. I bashed them... They can't shoot.
Despite the incredible drama of the tournament, there is a lingering feeling that the TV executives might be sweating the lack of blue bloods in the final weekend. With no Duke, no Kentucky, and no Big Ten or ACC representation, Big Cat thinks the ratings might take a hit regardless of how good the games are.
Big CatThe 2021 Final Four will likely be the lowest-watched in history because it lacks traditional blue-blood programs
This is going to be, not that we care, but there are people who care, probably the lowest watch final four. Right. You don't have any traditional blue bloods... you don't have any Big Ten. You don't have any ACC.
One of the biggest highlights of the tournament so far actually happened on the women's side. Both Big Cat and PFT agreed that the UConn-Baylor clash was the high-water mark for pure basketball entertainment in the tournament so far.
Big CatThe 2021 UConn-Baylor women's Elite Eight game was better than every game on the men's side
The UConn-Baylor women's game was better than any Elite Eight game in the men's side. For sure. It was an incredible game.
NFL Pro Days and Shadow Coaches
Hot Seat/Cool Throne featured a heavy dose of NFL Draft talk as Pro Day season reaches its peak. Billy Football was enamored with Zach Wilson’s arm talent, specifically a cross-body throw that had the entire internet buzzing.
Billy FootballZach Wilson's cross-body pro day throw was absolutely insane
Zach Wilson had an insane throw where he rolled out left and then cross body through towards the right pylon, like 70 yards in the air.
On the flip side, Mac Jones didn't have the best showing in front of the scouts. PFT pointed out that Bill Belichick looked like he would rather be anywhere else in the world while watching the Alabama signal-caller struggle with his accuracy.
PFT CommenterMac Jones' pro day was not good and Bill Belichick was clearly unimpressed
As entertaining as it is, Mac Jones' pro day was not good... Bill Belichick was watching and he was like shaking his head no... He was putting the binoculars on the opposite way to look further away from Mac Jones because he was not happy.
PFT also checked in on his favorite coach, Hugh Jackson, who is back in the news for claiming he received a secret contract extension during his disastrous tenure with the Browns. PFT is convinced that Hugh is actually still running things behind the scenes.
PFT CommenterHugh Jackson is still the shadow head coach of the Cleveland Browns
Technically, Hugh Jackson got the Browns to the playoffs this year... because he's still employed. He's the shadow coach of the Cleveland Browns... I'm going to consider Hugh Jackson the shadow, the actual head coach of the Browns until I think he's got like another year.
Dallas Braden Previews Opening Day
With baseball back on Thursday, our good friend Dallas Braden joined the show to break down the landscape of the 2021 season. The conversation immediately turned to the "dead ball" rumors and the mysterious humidors being installed in various stadiums. Dallas also dropped a bombshell regarding how many pitchers are actually messing with the baseball.
Dallas BradenMore than 80% of Major League pitchers doctor the baseball in some way
What percentage of non-athletics pitchers in general do you think are doctoring the ball in some way, shape, or form? I would say probably somewhere in the north of 80%... In terms of guys that just like that would use pine tar or something of that nature.
When looking at the favorites, Dallas is high on the Dodgers and White Sox to meet in the Fall Classic, but Big Cat expressed some concern that the hype train for Fernando Tatis Jr. might be moving a little too fast given the league's ability to adjust to young stars.
Big CatFernando Tatis Jr. is at risk for a regression year as the league adjusts to him
Is there a chance he [Fernando Tatis Jr.] might not have a great season because people figure him out and it's a quote-unquote sophomore slump even though it's his third year? And is there a chance that happens and we maybe got a little bit ahead of ourselves with the hype?
Dallas, ever the Oakland homer, isn't counting out the A's just yet. He expects Matt Olson to put up massive power numbers and thinks the rotation has enough depth to make a deeper run than people expect.
Dallas BradenThe Oakland Athletics can go deeper in the playoffs this season than they did last year
There's no reason that the Oakland A's, there's no reason that the Oakland A's can't make a run deeper into the postseason than they did last year... Matt Olsen very well could lead the league in home runs. Baseball. Fuck the league. Baseball. He very well could lead baseball in home runs.
Finally, the guys discussed the return of fans to stadiums and what that means for the Houston Astros. PFT is ready for the "Integrity Tour" to finally commence in person after the Astros were spared the wrath of opposing crowds during the shortened 2020 season.
PFT CommenterReturning fans will make the 2021 season a miserable 'Integrity Tour' for the Astros
The Astros tour that happened last year... It's going to be different this year, man. It's going to be different this year because I don't care that it's 5,000, 10,000 fans, whatever. They're going to hear it, and they didn't hear it last year... We need to do a better job... of reminding people that the Astros did not get their tour last year.
Between the Final Four and Opening Day, it's the best time of the year to be a sports fan, even if it means we never sleep again.
