PMT DB
PMT DB
John Fanta on Final Four Recap and North Carolina Job Rumors
Final Four Saturday in Indianapolis was a tale of two different types of blowouts. While UConn looked like a well-oiled machine that just happens to find luck at every turn, Michigan looked like a juggernaut that might be playing the best basketball anyone has ever seen. Big Cat was in the building and couldn't help but notice the bizarre atmosphere, starting with the pre-game entertainment. The Chainsmokers were performing in an end zone for what appeared to be forty paid actors while 70,000 middle-aged men in quarter-zips watched in total confusion.
PFT CommenterThe Chainsmokers look more like podcasters than a successful EDM group
I say that the Chainsmokers, they look the most like a podcast of any massively successful EDM group. Two white guys. Yeah. Listen, I'm saying that as a podcaster.
The early game saw UConn dismantle Illinois in a way that felt inevitable. Every time the Illini made a run, the Huskies responded with a banked three or a soul-crushing defensive stop. But the real story was the late game, where Michigan absolutely punked Arizona. The Wolverines were playing with a level of confidence and strategic depth that left the Wildcats looking like freshmen. Big Cat pointed out a specific wrinkle in Dusty May's game plan that made it look like Michigan was playing a different sport entirely.
Big CatElliot Cadeau was missing shots on purpose to pass to Terrace Reed and Axel Lindeberg
That was all part of the game plan that Elliot Cadeau was essentially missing shots on purpose to like missing high on the backboard because [Terrace Reed] was able to clean it up. And that was part of their game plan against Arizona, knowing Arizona has all these big guys. That the second shot was there a lot and you watch it back and you're like, oh yeah, he did do that a few times where it was almost a direct pass to [Reed] off the top of the backboard.
With the National Championship set for Monday night, the conversation shifted to whether anyone can actually stop this Michigan run. They have spent the tournament obliterating high-level competition, and Big Cat isn't convinced that even Danny Hurley’s 'Michael Myers' routine can slow them down.
Big CatThe 2026 Michigan Wolverines team is not losing to anyone in the National Championship
Being there, I mean... what we saw on Saturday night, that Michigan team's not losing to anyone. How are they underdogs? They're not losing to a single team.
Between the games, the guys addressed the perennial complaint that the Final Four shouldn't be played in football stadiums. While the sightlines aren't perfect, the scale of the event is what makes it special. Big Cat argued that instead of changing the venue type, we should just commit to the city that does it best every single time.
Big CatThe Final Four should always be played in Indianapolis
The Final Four should always be in Indianapolis. It should be its forever home. They make it such a big event. They care about basketball to a level that it's the only thing that's going on. You could feel it. New Orleans and Indianapolis are the only two... when the Final Four is in Indianapolis, that is the thing. It's the perfect place for it.
Geno Crashes Out and National Sports Podcast Topics
The weekend wasn't just about the men's side, as the UCLA women took home the title. However, the headlines were dominated by Geno Auriemma’s legendary 'crash out' after UConn's loss to South Carolina. Geno went on a press conference tear, complaining about unreturned handshakes and ripped jerseys, most of which was immediately debunked by video evidence.
Big CatGeno Auriemma is the biggest baby ever for his reaction to the 2026 Final Four loss
I don't think there's ever been a bigger baby ever than Geno. Everything he tried to say in the press conference was just immediately refuted to be false — Dawn Staley didn't shake my hand at the beginning of the game. Yes, she did. Sarah Strong got her jersey ripped. No, she ripped it herself.
Shifting to the NBA, the regular season has reached a point of near-unwatchability for the guys. With teams either resting stars or actively tanking, the product has hit an all-time low. The only thing more depressing than the game quality is the state of the Milwaukee Bucks. The Giannis era feels like it's reached its natural conclusion, and both sides seem ready to move on.
Big CatGiannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks need to break up
The difference this time is Giannis just outright said it... he's basically saying, I don't know what's gonna happen with me and the organization. They just need to break up. He's the best player in Bucks franchise history... I think it's time. You gotta just do it. Get draft picks and move on.
John Fanta Joins the Show
Friend of the program John Fanta joined the show to break down the X's and O's of the title game and, more importantly, to address the rumors that he might be the next head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels. While he claimed to be fully committed to NBC Sports, the guys spent twenty minutes trying to convince him that he’s the only man who can lead the program back to glory. Fanta gave his outlook on the title game, acknowledging that while Michigan is the better team, UConn has a way of staying alive.
John FantaMichigan wins 8 out of 10 against UConn, but Monday night might be one of the two
If Michigan and Connecticut play 10 times, I think Michigan wins the game eight out of the 10 times. The question on Monday night is, is tomorrow one of the two? And I think Hurley's good for one of those. And the other is Michigan has a horrid shooting night.
As the coaching carousel spins, Fanta shared his insights on who might actually end up in Chapel Hill if they don't hire a guy who currently hosts Twitter Spaces for a living. He believes the Tar Heels are aiming for the highest possible tier to restore the 'Blue Blood' status that Big Cat thinks is currently on shaky ground.
John FantaBilly Donovan is the primary target for the North Carolina head coaching opening
The longer this goes, the more you have to think about Billy Donovan. Because it feels like in Chicago, what direction are the Bulls going in? Nowhere... what would it do to college basketball if you walk into Chapel Hill and now you are playing Jon Scheyer? I am on the Donovan hype train. If you're a Carolina donor, you're just gonna be like, we are a basketball school and we just hired a guy who literally has an NCAA tournament win percentage of 85%.
Big CatDuke is not a true blue blood because they only won with one coach
I actually saw a really good take today... they actually said that Duke's not a blue blood because a true blue blood is winning championships with multiple coaches. Duke just had one coach. Kentucky's won with multiple. That's the definition of Blue Blood is it's the organization that carries it, not just the coach.
The interview wrapped up with Fanta giving a legendary hype speech for the title game, proving that whether he’s on the sidelines at the Dean Dome or behind a mic at NBC, he is the undisputed voice of college hoops.
Who's Back
Who's Back featured the Buffalo Sabres finally snapping their 14-year playoff drought, which ironically leaves the New York Jets as the owners of the longest active nightmare in pro sports. Max got fired up about the Flyers, even if he's not allowed to tweet about them for fear of a jinx. Finally, Big Cat highlighted Craig Counsell, who apparently had a rough time trying to look like a 'baseball guy' in the dugout. Counsell was caught on camera nearly choking on a dip, a relatable but tough look for the new Cubs skipper.
If John Fanta actually takes the UNC job, the first order of business for the program will be a massive shipment of baby blue jumpsuits for the new staff.
