Skip to content
PMTPMT DB

Max Homa, Shane Bacon Previewing The Masters, Florida Wins The National Championship, Pardon Your Take And White Lotus Finale

Wednesday, April 9, 202521 takes

Florida wins the National Championship and we talk about the Final game to cap off a subpar tournament but incredible Final Four (-). The Nuggets fire Michael Malone and their GM in a very strange move and more (-). Hot Seat/Cool Throne including the Dire Wolf and playing God with nature (-). Max Homa joins the show to catch up, talk about his golf game and recent struggles, pump him up before the Masters, and catch him up on what he’s missed since he quit Twitter (-). Shane Bacon joins the show to break down the Masters field, who’s going to win, long shots and more (-). We finish with listener submitted pardon your takes (-) and a recap of the White Lotus finale (-).

Max Homa and Shane Bacon on the Masters, Florida Gators, and White Lotus Finale

The Florida Gators are back on the mountain top after a wild Final Four, and Big Cat couldn't be happier about his futures account. While the tournament as a whole might have been a bit of a slog, the final three games delivered. Houston looked like the best team in the country for 39 minutes, but they simply could not handle playing with a lead in the biggest game of their lives.

Void
Apr 9, 2025
#4343
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Houston was uncomfortable not playing from behind in the title game

I think that Houston was uncomfortable not playing from behind. I feel like Houston had had to lead the whole game and they were like, wait, we're, we're usually the ones that are, that are coming back at the last minute.

This is a subjective psychological assessment of the team's performance.

Big Cat was quick to point out that while Walter Clayton got the official hardware, the Gators' unsung hero was Will Richard, especially during that final, chaotic possession where Houston couldn't even get a shot off. Todd Golden also earned some major coaching points for a strategic technical foul that seemed to flip the entire whistle for the rest of the second half.

Void
Apr 9, 2025
#28363
Big CatBig Cat

Will Richard was the real player of the game for Florida in the National Championship

Walter Clayton got player of the tournament player of the Final Four, which he deserved... But Will Richard was the player of the game for this game. And it was him keeping them afloat in the first half with his threes. And then if you look at the final possession, his on-ball defense in the final possession is where like all the timing for Houston got screwed up.

Will Richard had 11 points and played key defense, though Clayton's counting stats were higher; Richard's impact was indeed vital.
Win
Apr 9, 2025
#4344
Big CatBig Cat

Todd Golden's technical foul was the most strategic in history

Todd Golden probably deserves credit... his technical was maybe the most strategic technical of all time. Because after his technical foul, which was of I think like three or four minutes into the second half, the fouls went 13 to three on Houston.

The stat shift is verifiable, but the 'strategic' intent is subjective. Florida did win the title.

Naturally, the officiating became a massive talking point after the refs called 26 fouls in the second half compared to just four in the first. Seth Davis tried to get poetic on Twitter about the "art" of officiating, which Big Cat immediately dismantled.

Void
Apr 9, 2025
#4345
Big CatBig Cat

Seth Davis's 'refereeing is art' take is the dumbest argument ever

Seth Davis though tweeted this about the refs... 'Reffing is more art than science.' I'm gonna disagree with that. I think that's, that makes me want robot s. That's the dumbest argument I've ever heard. If the refs don't call physical play or something that happens in the first half and then all of a sudden they decide that they're gonna call that a foul, that's very confusing for the players.

This is a subjective disagreement about sports philosophy.

Despite the Gators' win, the guys are still obsessing over the Cooper Flagg and Duke collapse from the weekend prior. PFT is convinced that in the history books, the Blue Devils' failure will outshine Florida's trophy, while Hank thinks the entire weekend was just a masterclass in choking.

Void
Apr 9, 2025
#28364
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Duke losing is still a bigger story than Florida winning the National Championship

I think the story from this final four though, if we're gonna think back, put yourself in a time machine 10 years from now, Duke, Duke losing it is still the, it still the story of the final four. Yes. That I I will die on that hill.

History often remembers the 'choke' or the underdog victory over a giant more than the eventual winner if that winner isn't a blue-blood.
Void
Apr 9, 2025
#4347
HankHank

The 2025 Final Four will be remembered as the Final Four of Chokes

I think it'll be remembered as the, the final four of chokes. [Cooper Flagg] choked. [Kelvin Sampson]... this would've been 800. Brutal.

The perception of the 2025 tournament will evolve, but Flagg and Sampson did experience late-game failures in this timeline.

Weird Vibes in Denver and Master's Hype

The sports world stopped for a second when the Denver Nuggets decided to fire Michael Malone and their GM right before the playoffs. Big Cat and PFT tried to make sense of why a title-winning coach would get the boot while sitting in the 4-seed, eventually concluding that Nikola Jokic must have given the green light so he can focus more on his horses and less on playoff adjustments.

Void
Apr 9, 2025
#4348
Big CatBig Cat

The Nuggets firing Michael Malone right before the playoffs makes no sense

I would keep the coach that you're winning right before the Playoffs... your NBA title coach, the only one you have in your history of your franchise Right before the Playoffs. Makes no sense.

The firing is a fact; whether it 'makes sense' is an opinion on team management.
Void
Apr 9, 2025
#28365
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Nikola Jokic definitely signed off on the Nuggets firing Michael Malone because he doesn't want to be annoyed by a coach

Jokic had to sign off on this, right?... with Jokic, I feel like you, he's always teetering on the edge of being like, 'You know, I don't really like playing basketball. I'd rather just hang out with my horses.' You don't wanna piss 'em off. So I feel like you have to have that conversation with 'em.

The exact inner workings of NBA front offices are rarely public, but a superstar of Jokic's stature almost always has a say in coach personnel.

Our good friend Max Homa joined the show as is tradition for Masters week. Max has had a lot of changes recently—new caddy, new swing coach, and he even quit Twitter. While his recent tournament scores haven't been elite, he's feeling fresh and confident after shooting a casual 29 on the front nine during a practice round at Augusta. He also took some time to give Hank some much-needed putting advice for the road to becoming a "good" golfer.

Void
Apr 9, 2025
#4350
Max HomaMax Homa

I'm the freshest person in the Masters field

I am the freshest person here. I have not played a weekend in over like a month and a half and I, I have been getting more rest, more time on my couch. Like all these guys are gonna be exhausted by the time the tournament comes and I'm just cruising on it.

Subjective spin on his own physical state, though his missed cuts are factual.
Win
Apr 9, 2025
#28368
Max HomaMax Homa

The road to being a good golfer is to eliminate big mistakes by not overswinging

I respect that you've come to that, that that is how I would say the, that's the road to good is to eliminate the, the big mistakes by not over swinging.

This is a fundamental tenet of amateur golf improvement, widely supported by teaching pros.

To round out the golf talk, Shane Bacon hopped on to give us some actual betting insight. Big Cat admitted that Tiger Woods doesn't feel like the same "force of nature" this year, which Shane agreed with as the focus shifts to the young stars. Shane is looking at Russell Henley as his pick to win it all, though he warned that the American dominance in majors might be coming to an end this weekend.

Void
Apr 9, 2025
#4349
Big CatBig Cat

Tiger Woods is no longer a 'force of nature' in golf

Tiger Woods such a force of nature in golf for the last 20 years... this does feel like the first year where it's, I don't wanna say it's over 'cause I hope he plays again, but it does feel kind of over where it's like, you know, the Achilles injury and he already was already banged up and the leg problems. Is it do, can you feel that vibe where it's like that force of nature is no longer here?

Tiger's status is a matter of sports debate, though his decline is physically documented.
Loss
Apr 9, 2025
#4352
Shane BaconShane Bacon

Russell Henley is my pick to win the 2025 Masters

Russell Henley's been great in that department [touch shots]. I think he's gonna be my pick this year for the masters. I think Russell Henley's kind of, not just a sleeper, but he is having a great year.

Russell Henley did not win the 2025 Masters. Rory McIlroy won in a sudden-death playoff against Justin Rose.
Win
Apr 9, 2025
#4356
Shane BaconShane Bacon

A European or International player will win the 2025 Masters

I think it stops here [American dominance]. I think it ends here. Oh, I think Rory or Rom or Sep or somebody like that does it. So Leman, I I, that's kind of where I'm at is I think, I think the, I think the, the internationals are gonna win this. I think probably a European's gonna win it.

Rory McIlroy, a Northern Irish/European player, won the 2025 Masters in a sudden-death playoff against Justin Rose (also European). This take was correct.

White Lotus Season 3 Finale Recap

We wrapped up the show with a deep dive into the White Lotus finale. Hank admitted he fell asleep halfway through the hour-and-a-half episode, which is a classic Hank move. Big Cat and PFT were a bit more critical, feeling like this season was the weakest of the three. Between the repetitive fake-out deaths with the Ratliff family and a "cheap" twist involving Walton Goggins' father, the guys are ready to move on to Season 4 in a non-ocean location.

Void
Apr 9, 2025
#4354
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

White Lotus Season 3 is the worst season of the series

I'd put it clearly number three. I think clearly number three, I think season, I'm gonna go season two. Yeah. Then season one. Barely. And then clearly season three.

Inherent matter of personal taste.
Void
Apr 9, 2025
#28369
Big CatBig Cat

The Ratliff fake-out suicide arc in White Lotus Season 3 was annoying and repetitive

The Ratliff story was, was one of my biggest issues... that was like the sixth time we had a dream sequence slash something happened where they tried to fake us out that he was committing suicide or killing his family. Enough of it.

The season did feature multiple fake-outs regarding the character's death, making this a valid critique of the writing.
Void
Apr 9, 2025
#4355
Big CatBig Cat

The twist of Walton Goggins killing his father in the White Lotus finale was 'cheap'

Walton Goggins in like the last 10 minutes kills the guy. And then the other woman's like, 'why would you do that? He's your father.' It's like, come on... That felt a little ham-fisted. It was just a little cheap.

Subjective critique of television writing.

If you're going to use a suicide pear, it better actually work the first time.

nflnbagolfthe-masterscollege-basketballwhite-lotus

More Takes

Void
Apr 9, 2025
#4346
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

The Florida championship win means college basketball is alive and well

It turns out that the only thing that we could say after the tournament was over if Duke had won: NIL ruined college basketball. And since Florida won and they didn't have freshmen, it's college basketball alive and well.

This is a satirical take on media narratives.
Win
Apr 9, 2025·Null
#28366
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

I am officially 'opting out' of ever playing Augusta National

I have opted you. You forget Big Cat like three years ago on this show. I said I don't want to play at Augusta. I'm not Augusta material. All right. Fair. I'm opting out.

OpinionGolfHotSarcastic
He is indeed not playing at Augusta, though the 'choice' is irrelevant.
Void
Apr 9, 2025·Null
#28367
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

It is more likely that Sydney Sweeney DMs Hank than it is for Augusta to invite him to play

You work on the, at the number one sports podcast in America. You think it's more likely that Sydney Sweeney [messes with] you than Augusta invites you?... I kind of agree with them. No one plays at Augusta. It's impossible. I kind of agree with them.

Augusta National's membership and guest policies are notoriously restrictive; a DM from a celebrity is technically more plausible.
Open
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Paige Bueckers will be a better pro than Caitlin Clark

I still think Paige Bueckers gonna be a better pro. I know, I know, she, I think Paige is gonna be better.

Their WNBA careers are in the early stages or haven't fully played out relative to this 2025 timeline.
Loss
Apr 9, 2025
#4353
Shane BaconShane Bacon

Phil Mickelson has a legit chance to win the Masters this week

I think Phil's got a chance. Oh I think Phil has a legit chance this week. He's been playing some solid golf and kind of going back to like what plays well here is a great iron player and somebody that's excellent around the Greens. I think Phil, he finds himself in contention it feels like every two years. So I think Phil, in terms of extreme long shots, I'm a big fan of his number this week.

Phil Mickelson did not contend at the 2025 Masters. Rory McIlroy won the tournament in a playoff against Justin Rose.

PMTDB Comments

This generates your username. Same passphrase = same name. Make it unique and memorable!

Search

Search takes, episodes, and speakers