PMT DB
PMT DB
Vinnie Pasquantino and Bill Raftery on March Madness and WBC Heroics
It is finally Friday the 13th, which is spooky in all the right ways because it’s officially Conference Tournament week. Big Cat and PFT are swimming in college basketball and the guys are already heated about the bubble. Miami of Ohio, the last undefeated team standing, just dropped their first game in the MAC tournament, and the committee is already sharpening their knives. Big Cat isn't having any of it.
Big CatMiami of Ohio 100% deserves to be in the NCAA Tournament despite their first-round loss
I think a hundred percent they should be in. We need to just focus on the fact that there, I believe 31 and one and not do anything about strength of schedule. If you're able to go an entire season without losing a game that's hard to just wake up every day and not stumble once. I wanna see what happens when they play their first quad win one game in the middle of March.
While the MAC is causing drama, the Big East is its usual self at Madison Square Garden. Max is trying to act unbothered about Villanova losing to Georgetown, but the fear is palpable. He’s already making peace with a first-round exit just so he can sleep better at night.
MaxVillanova is 100% in the tournament and has a 0% chance of reaching the Sweet 16
Nova's just gonna be the team. They're gonna get in and then everyone's gonna be like, oh yeah, this team's losing first round. Yes, they'll probably drop a drop to the 8-9 [seed], which sucks because then there's a 0% chance that Villanova gets to the Sweet 16.
NFL Free Agency Chaos
The landscape of the league changed in about twelve hours this week. The Max Crosby to Baltimore trade falling apart at the physical was the first domino, and PFT has a theory that the Ravens might have been playing some 4D chess with the rulebook to land their preferred target.
PFT CommenterThe Ravens failed Max Crosby's physical intentionally to pivot to Trey Hendrickson
It's almost like they had it ready to go. They pivot to Trey Hendrickson. It feels like they had, by the letter of the law, they had the ability to fail [Crosby] for the physical because he's not ready to play. Technically the Ravens didn't break any rules, they just used it to get someone better that just came available.
With the Raiders retaining a very motivated Crosby, the rest of the league scrambled. Kyler Murray found a new home in the North, leading to a weird realization about the sheer amount of top draft capital at the quarterback position in one division. Big Cat is already envisioning a specific career arc for the new Vikings signal-caller.
Big CatKyler Murray will be the next Sam Darnold now that he's with the Vikings
Kyler Murray is a Viking. We all kind of expected it. It happened. He's going to be the next Sam Darnold. The NFC North now has three number one picks at quarterback with Kyler Murray, Caleb Williams, Jared Goff. Kind of cool.
Between the free agency frenzy and the NFL’s reported move toward playing on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, the shield is everywhere. Big Cat is starting to worry that the league is flying too close to the sun by diluting the Sunday experience.
Big CatThe NFL is in danger of losing its 'special' status by playing on every night of the week
The NFL's getting into a little bit of dangerous spot where part of the reason why we love the NFL is the scarcity. Sunday should be sacred. I don't want them to ruin Sunday. You might take away the thing that makes you special, and that's that Sunday is a special thing and you only get 18 of them. Just be careful, NFL. I love you to death, but just be careful.
Vinnie Pasquantino and Team Italy
Italian-American hero Vinnie Pasquantino joined the show fresh off saving the United States from total embarrassment by hitting three home runs for Team Italy against Mexico. Vinnie talked about the vibe in the Italian clubhouse, which apparently consists mostly of guys from New Jersey arguing about Taylor Ham vs. Pork Roll and drinking enough espresso to power a small city.
PFT pointed out that while Team USA looks like they're at a business meeting, the Italians are out here living their best lives.
PFT CommenterThe Italian WBC team acts more 'American' than the actual Team USA
I feel like the Italian team is more American than the American team. The way that they're acting. They're loud, they're boisterous, they're arrogant, they're fun. That's what I want outta my American teams.
Vinnie is fully leaning into the bit, noting that the recruitment process was basically just checking if your last name ended in a vowel. He’s ready for the knockout stage, even if it means potentially charging the mound against his own Kansas City teammate.
I will charge the mound if my teammate Seth Lugo hits me with a pitch
I've got Puerto Rico on Saturday and I believe I'm facing a teammate in Seth Lugo. If he hits me, I'm gonna charge the mound. So, we'll get a little Royals on Royals fight.
Bill Raftery’s March Preview
The legendary Bill Raftery joined the show to give some perspective on the madness. Onions! He’s in New York for the Big East but is keeping a close eye on the Big 10, specifically the physicality of teams like Purdue and Nebraska. Raft even went on the record with his championship pick, and he's sticking with Kelvin Sampson's squad despite their occasional offensive lulls.
Bill RafteryHouston will win the NCAA National Championship
I know they've had a couple of bumps on the road. I'm not giving up on Houston. You really gotta be a good offensive team to score against Houston. I just don't, I know they bring toughness every day. They're on the floor much less during games.
Fyre Fest and Finish
Fyre Fest of the week featured Hank getting absolutely banged at the car dealership. After a flat tire and several return trips, Hank is basically at his breaking point with his current vehicle. He’s looking for a way out, and it’s not through a trade-in.
HankI need to get into a car accident that totals my car so I have an excuse to buy a new one
I need to get in an accident that totals this car so that I have no choice but to get a new car. I want to get a sick car. That way I don't even have a choice.
Big Cat wrapped things up with a very important public service announcement regarding pool etiquette. While discussing Zach’s refusal to leave his apartment to see the lake, the conversation turned to swimwear, and Big Cat laid down the law on the adult swim shirt.
Big CatAdults who wear swim shirts at the pool look like children
If you wear a swim shirt as an adult, you just you look like a child. They shouldn't sell adult swim shirts. I agree. No shirts belong everywhere but in the water.
Just remember, if you see someone in a rash guard at the pool this summer, they're probably a narc or a ginger who has given up on Darwinism. Stay hydrated out there.
