PMT DB
PMT DB
Coach Shaheen Holloway on St. Peter's Miracle Run and March Madness Recap
The first four days of the NCAA Tournament have officially melted everyone’s brains. Big Cat and PFT are recording with voices that sound like they’ve been gargling gravel, which is the only way to sound after seventy-two hours of straight hoops. Wisconsin is out, Coach K is still alive, and we have a fifteen-seed in the Sweet 16.
Big Cat is handling the Wisconsin loss surprisingly well, mostly because he knew the ceiling for this specific Badgers team wasn't exactly through the roof. It’s the kind of loss you get over in twenty minutes before the realization hits you on a plane ride three days later.
Big CatWisconsin's loss to Iowa State wasn't heartbreaking because they were a flawed team
Wisconsin was obviously, I don't think that they were going to win it all this year. They were a flawed team... it's not the most heartbreaking... because I knew I was realistic about this team. I knew they weren't like that crazy talented.
While Wisconsin is heading home, Duke is moving on after a battle with Michigan State. Naturally, PFT has some theories about how the Blue Devils are still in the bracket, involving a secret cabal of legendary coaches and potentially some buried bodies.
PFT CommenterThe NCAA rigged the Duke vs. Michigan State game for Coach K
I think the fix was in. NCAA rigged. I think that Tom Izzo and Coach K... Coach K has three friends, one the sports information director at Duke that keeps all of the bodies buried in the right locations... Jim Boeheim... and Tom Izzo. They're like the Big Three.
Despite the Duke victory, the real focus is on the bracket's biggest spoiler. St. Peter's is the story of the tournament, and while they have a date with Purdue next, the guys are already looking at the physical mismatch on the horizon. Big Cat sees a clear path for the Boilermakers, but PFT is letting his heart—and his wallet—steer the ship on this one.
PFT CommenterI'm betting the St. Peter's money line against Purdue despite the physical mismatch
In the game against St. Peter's... there's no reason why I should bet St. Peter's against this team... with the physical mismatch... But I'm still gonna do it. Cause fuck it. Cause I ride. Sometimes you just gotta take the part of your brain that thinks that it's being smart and tell it to shut the fuck up.
The Legend of Douggie Dirt
St. Peter’s head coach Shaheen Holloway joined the show to discuss the Peacocks' historic run. Between the mustache of Doug Edert and the "Jersey Tough" attitude of the roster, this team has become the ultimate bracket buster. Coach Holloway isn't surprised by the success, mostly because his players have the kind of confidence that can't be taught.
Shaheen HollowayMy St. Peter's players are not scared of anyone because they are from New York and New Jersey
The question was asked, how'd you guys handle that, Murray State's a very physical team... I said, come on man, I got guys from New York and New Jersey, like, this is what we do... I got some dudes in my locker room, man. I got dogs... my guys think they belong at Kentucky. So they think they belong at schools like that.
He talked about the grit required to play for him and how he’s built the program around local kids from the New York and New Jersey area who have chips on their shoulders. Even if the national media is shocked that they took down Kentucky, the guys in that locker room felt like they belonged on that floor the entire time.
One Shining Moments and Narratives
Jake Marsh joined to give his early locks for the One Shining Moment montage. While there are plenty of dunks and buzzer-beaters to choose from, one specific highlight from the Indiana game seems like a certainty for the final video.
Jake MarshThe Indiana cheerleader who retrieved the stuck ball is a lock for the One Shining Moment montage
The Indiana cheerleader, also a lock. That one is the moment of the tournament.
Moving away from the mid-majors, the conversation turned to the heavy hitters. Gonzaga survived a massive scare from Memphis, and Big Cat is officially ready to buy all the stock in Chet Holmgren as a defensive force at the next level.
Big CatChet Holmgren is an elite rim protector and I'm a full-on believer in him
I thought he like his defense is already at a point where it's like, okay, this guy can be an elite rim protector. Cause he was playing guys who were 70 pounds heavier than him... I'm a Chet believer. I'm a full-on Chet believer. I like Chet.
On the flip side, some things never change. Tennessee and Rick Barnes had their usual March exit, proving once again that some narratives are simply facts of life.
Big CatYou just have to trust the narrative that Rick Barnes will always choke in the tournament
At some point you just have to trust the narrative. Like Fran McCaffery doesn't go to the Sweet 16. Rick Barnes is 25 and 25 all time in the tournament... I felt very bad for [Tennessee fans] because it was essentially like, we fell for this again.
NFL and MLB Chaos
While the tournament was raging, the rest of the sports world refused to stay quiet. The Browns pulled off the massive trade for Deshaun Watson, a move that Big Cat noted would never fly in other AFC North front offices.
Big CatYou would never see the Rooney family make a move for someone like Deshaun Watson
I all say is that you would never see the Rooneys make a move like this [trading for Deshaun Watson].
Meanwhile, MLB free agency is moving at light speed. The Rangers are spending like crazy, but PFT isn't exactly sold on the long-term value of the massive contract they handed out to Corey Seager.
PFT CommenterThe Rangers signing Corey Seager to a 10-year deal is an F grade
Corey Seager from the Dodgers to the Rangers... F. I'll go with a D minus. Listen... that's an F yeah. That's 10 years.
If St. Peter's makes the Final Four, we might actually witness the first-ever podcast recorded entirely in sign language because no one will have a voice left.
