PMT DB
PMT DB
John Fanta and Tom Izzo on Sweet 16, MLB Preview, and Time Zone Chaos
PMT Spring Break has officially landed in Arizona, and the heat is already getting to everyone. Before the basketball talk even heated up, the crew got into a legitimate shouting match over time zones. Max and Big Cat nearly came to blows over whether Arizona is currently in Pacific or Mountain time, leading to a segment that was basically the deodorant debate on steroids. Once the dust settled on whether the sun was actually up, the conversation shifted to the absolute chaos of the coaching carousel, specifically the opening at North Carolina.
Big CatUNC is one of the true blue blood jobs in college basketball
This is a job that doesn't come open very often. And it is a true blue blood job... It is the logo of a team that's won a ton of national titles and a ton of Final Fours. It is literally one of the blue bloods.
While Big Cat respects the blue blood status of the Heels, PFT isn't sold on some of the names being floated. Specifically, the Nate Oats rumors don't sit right with him, mostly because of the wardrobe choices.
PFT CommenterNate Oats would not be a great fit at UNC
I don't think he'd be a great fit there. Would people be talking about Nate Oats as much for this job if he didn't wear those jackets? They feel like Carolina jackets. It feels like he's been accepting people into anticipating him being the next UNC coach for a while.
With the Sweet 16 looming, the guys looked at the bracket and realized the Big 10 is actually... good? John Fanta joined the show with his usual 11/10 energy to break down why this weekend in DC is going to be an absolute movie. Fanta is all-in on the star power remaining in the field, specifically a certain guard for the Razorbacks.
John FantaDarius Acuff Jr. is currently the best player in the NCAA tournament
To me, the best player in this tournament right now is Darius Acuff Jr. He is ridiculously gifted and just a total stud and his ability to change a game, it's special. He reminds me of [Kemba Walker] with the level he plays.
Fanta isn't just looking at individual stars, though; he’s looking at the trophy. Despite the Big 10's dominance in numbers, he’s looking toward the Big 12 for the eventual champion.
John FantaHouston will win the national championship on their redemption tour
If I had to pick right now a team to win the national championship, it's Houston Redemption tour. I think it could be Houston-Michigan in the final.
The Right School with Tom Izzo
Coach Tom Izzo made his annual appearance, and as always, he’s still playing basketball in late March. The Michigan State legend didn't hold back on the current state of the game, the transfer portal, or the "old school" label that people keep trying to pin on him.
Tom IzzoMy coaching style isn't old school, it's the right school
When you say old school, it really does hit a sore spot with me... it's not old school. It's right school. I don't want to do anything old school. I want to do it the right way and the right way's been done for not 20 years, not 40 years, 100 years. You know, you hold people accountable. You play for the name on the front, not the back.
Izzo's perspective on the modern player is fascinating, especially coming from a guy who has seen every era of the sport. He pushed back on the idea that today's kids can't handle hard coaching, noting that the best ones actually crave it.
Tom IzzoGreat players want to be coached and pushed because they want to be the best
What I don't think people realize, and Magic [Johnson] said this to me once: great players want to be coached and pushed because great players want to be the best players. So they do. You know, it just sometimes in the high school level now, nobody does that because kids will leave.
MLB Mini-Preview
With Opening Day right around the corner, everyone gave a status update on their respective teams. It was mostly a session of self-loathing and managed expectations. PFT is clinging to one specific silver lining in DC while the Nats prepare for another long summer.
PFT CommenterJames Wood will be a monster this season and hit 35 plus home runs
The only thing I have to look forward to this season is James Wood just being a fucking monster and getting 35 plus home runs. That's the only thing that I'm going to this season looking forward to as a Nats fan.
While Max is already predicting a collapse in Philly, Big Cat is surprisingly optimistic about the North Side. He’s not just hoping for a winning record; he’s expecting a deep run into October.
Big CatThe Cubs are the second best team in the NL and will reach the NLCS
I think the Cubs are gonna be really fucking good. I think they're the second best team in the NL so I guess my expectations might be a little too high, but I think they're gonna be really, really good. I think they should definitely win the NL Central and be in the NLCS.
Hot Seat/Cool Throne
Hot Seat/Cool Throne covered everything from the TGL finals to Puka Nacua's legal troubles. PFT was particularly baffled by the defense strategy being used for the Rams receiver after some bizarre biting allegations surfaced.
PFT CommenterPuka Nacua's lawyer is the worst in America for admitting the bite occurred
Puka has hired an attorney who dismissed the conduct as horseplay, but admitted that the bite occurred. It left a temporary mark. So this is not a good lawyer. My problem is, is Puka Nacua has hired the worst lawyer in America to defend him against the biting allegations. Your lawyer should never step in front of a camera and say, 'yes, he did the shit.'
Big Cat wrapped up the segment by identifying the single greatest job in the history of the service industry. Forget bartending or managing a floor; there is a new king of the sports bar hierarchy.
Big CatBeing the designated TV remote guy at a bar is a 10 out of 10 job
Had dinner at a local establishment last night and was informed that someone on staff was the designated TV remote guy to switch between games. No bartending, no waiting tables, just ball. 10 out of 10 job. You don't do this job without immense pride. It's the best job ever.
The show wrapped up with some listener-submitted Mad Online takes and a final look at the Thursday night slate. If the time zone debate is any indication, the rest of this Arizona trip is going to be pure, unadulterated madness.
Just remember: it's not old school, it's right school.
