Takes
Matt JonesThe John Calipari era at Kentucky is likely over after the loss to Oakland
I think this might be worse [than the St. Peters loss]. It's terrible. You know, lose to St. Peters and Oakland, two of the last three years, and I think probably the end of the Calipari era. There's a really good chance. I mean, I don't think it's certain, but I think a lot of the fans want that.
Matt JonesIt is no longer possible to win a National Championship relying primarily on freshmen in the NIL/Portal era
Cal needs to change back because Jay Wright tonight said it the best because of NIL. These dudes are staying in college longer... You're gonna see good players stay in college for three and four years. And I just don't know if you can win with freshmen anymore because these... two of the starters on Oakland were 24 years old. We're starting three guys that are 18. That's a big difference.
Stanford SteveWisconsin will make the Final Four
I have Wisconsin in the final four, Dan. I do, I do. I love what I've seen from them. I think Storr is an absolute difference maker. Chucky healthy is good... I genuinely feel this team has the goods. They're as versatile as any of these Wisconsin teams.
Stanford SteveHouston has the toughest second-round matchup of any 1-seed
I think Houston has the toughest matchup when it comes to second round games for the one seeds... Houston just because they're not healthy and, and the way they play... and A&M has guys that can score some buckets and, and so does Nebraska.
Stanford SteveUConn will defeat Tennessee to win the National Championship
My final four... I have UConn, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. [PFT: Who do you have in your finals?] UConn, Tennessee... And then UConn winning it all.
Big CatThursday and Friday of the NCAA Tournament are the best two sports days of the year
Tuesday, March 20th, and we are just 24 hours away from the best two days of the year... Thursday, Friday of, of the NCAA Tournament, because it's just all you think about the entire time.
PFT CommenterOhio State will beat Villanova in the NIT championship
I just filled out my, my NIT bracket. Shout out NIT stew. I've got Ohio State beating Villanova in the finals.
Jake MarshNorth Carolina will win the 2024 National Championship
North Carolina. So shout out to the Howard Wagner.
Mark TitusNorth Carolina is the most susceptible 1-seed in the tournament
I have North Carolina. North Carolina I think's the most susceptible one seed. Because they are, they are heavily reliant on Armando [Bacot]... and also he's not, he's just not that good... I think they're the most susceptible one.
Big CatWisconsin is in trouble against James Madison
I've looked through the Wisconsin James Madison game in depth. I think Wisconsin's fucked... I'm being completely honest and unbiased that like, this is a bad matchup.
Mark TitusHouston will win the 2024 National Championship
I have Houston win at all in my bracket. Houston is my national champion... I think they can score and I just don't, I don't think they're gonna lose to inferior teams. And I don't think there are a lot of teams that are, that are better than Houston.
PFT CommenterUVA getting into the NCAA tournament is a disgusting decision
The sickest thing they did was put UVA in. Yeah, that's disgusting. UVA. So you should be ashamed of yourself.
Big CatSelection committees are bullshit and fans could do a better job
I'm convinced that all of these committees can be the job of the committees can be done better by like 75% of the fans... Just anyone who's been paying attention. I, I know for a fact I know college basketball guys who are way more informed about college basketball and who's good and who's bad than this stupid committee.
Jon RothsteinDuquesne will upset BYU in the first round
My upset in this region is Duquesne beating BYU in an 11-6. I think we have to remember this and you guys get this. BYU for the most part was a team that was recruited to play in the West Coast Conference. And now you have a team in Duquesne who just won the Atlantic 10.
Jon RothsteinUConn will repeat as National Champions
I've got Yukon out of the region of Gladiators... I like Yukon over Purdue, Clingan against Edey, a Battle of the Titans in the title game, and Yukon led by Dan Hurley... becoming the first back-to-back national champion since Florida in 2006 and 2007.
Jake MarshNorth Carolina will win the 2024 National Championship
I had North Carolina winning the championship. Congratulations to the Howard/Wagner winner on beating UNC because that will be my trend of my champion being out day one.
Big CatKyle Neptune is not a good basketball coach and has to go
Kyle Neptune sucks at coaching basketball. You are not crazy. He got absolutely worked by Shaka Smart. The fact that he didn't call a timeout with 30 seconds left in the game... That guy is not a good basketball coach. Jay Wright would've won that game. It was disgusting... Kyle Neptune's gotta go.
PFT CommenterDuke locking their Twitter comments after the NC State loss is the softest thing ever
It was also classic Duke, because after the game they did post the final score on Twitter. Yep. But they locked the comments. Yep. Classic, classic college shutting down free speech on in in America... I think it's better that they just don't post the final score than if they post it and then shut it down.
John FantaUConn is the clear front runner for the National Championship
In my eyes [Connecticut] is the best team in the country. They're the front runner for the national championship and they should be. The three losses are at Kansas, to Seton Hall [when Clingan got hurt], and then Creighton had another worldly shooting performance.
John FantaShaka Smart's tournament struggles are real; he hasn't made the second weekend since VCU
Shaka Smart has not made it to the second weekend of the NCAA tournament, guys, since VCU. That's it. That's the only time he's ever made a run. So some would argue: Fade Marquette. Is Shaka gonna be able to break through?
John FantaDalton Knecht has the chance to be the face of March Madness
I think [Dalton] Knecht has a chance to be the face of March Madness with the way that he's going, with the way that he's scoring the basketball. He'll be able to score. He's a guy who can be a Doug McDermott, Jimmer Fredette type guy for their team.
John FantaIndiana State deserves an at-large bid over high-major bubble teams
Josh Schertz at Indiana State... you're better than all these other high majors that are just like decent to okay that are gonna get in because of their schedule. I wanna see Indiana State get to the dance. I'm all in on a two-bid Missouri Valley conference.
John FantaPrinceton will win a first-round game if they make the tournament
The winner of the Ivy League tournament is gonna be among my top mid-majors. I hope if Princeton makes it again, just take 'em in the first round. They're gonna win a first-round game. That team is back.
Big CatDuke is back to being the worst and perfectly hateable again
Duke is back to being the worst because goddammit, those guys are so hateable and they're right back to where they were. I was nervous... but just that scene choking on senior night against UNC. Those stupid fucking Cameron Crazies that pretend that they're the coolest, best fan base in the world... throwing shit at college players.
HankCollege basketball is better when Duke is the villain
College basketball is better when Duke is the villains. So I'm happy for the tournament. I'm excited. Shut everyone up.
Big CatJohn Calipari might have a job at Kentucky for life
I think actually Cal is getting ready to... we have it wrong with the hot seat. His team's playing so well and Kentucky's so exciting. He might get like, can you get a job for the afterlife too? Because he has a job for life.
Rick PitinoPurdue will win the National Championship this year
I think Purdue's gonna win it. I remember Tony Bennett lost to the 16 seed... following year won a championship. Purdue last year lost to FDU... I feel that it's their year. I think they're gonna win the national championship this year.
Rick PitinoI do not like the current state of free agency in college basketball
I'm not enjoying what goes on right now in college basketball... I may be looking at three guys returning next year and I gotta bring in 10. They all become free agents... it's just not something I like. I think Jay Wright got out of it because of that.
Big CatThe Murray State Racers are the worst team in the country
I wish someone had told me that Murray State Racers were the worst team in the country. Oh, did they? Fuck you. Oh man, they fucked me bad.
PFT CommenterTennessee and Houston are my two picks to win the NCAA Tournament
I'm heavily leveraged in the Volunteers this year. I think Tennessee and Houston are my two picks.
PFT CommenterDalton Knecht might get shoved around by physical teams in March
Watching him play last night, I was thinking to myself like, I could see [Dalton Knecht] getting shoved around in March. I could see like a physical team just like, whoa, Houston putting the, yes, exactly. I could see a tough team like Houston, Kelvin Sampson being like, go out there and beat the fuck outta the skinny guy.
Big CatThe Big 10 Women's Basketball tournament will be better than the Men's tournament
The Big 10 tournament for the women's college basketball is gonna be better than the Big 10 men's tournament. I'll just say that right now.
Jay BilasSomeone will eventually get seriously injured during a court storming
It's dangerous, man. Yeah. and it is. It's dangerous now. And we've had significant injuries over the years... Something bad's gonna happen. And when it does, we're gonna have the audacity to be surprised at it.
Jay BilasIllinois and USF are teams trending toward a strong March run
I think Illinois is starting to trend in that direction... they're starting to look like they could do some real damage there. South Florida's another team that's trending a little bit like Florida Atlantic did last year.
Jay BilasNIL should have no rules and operate like normal business with multi-year contracts
There wouldn't be any rules. I would have it operate just like normal business does... the schools could just pay the athletes directly... they would sign the players to multi-year contracts... It's really not that difficult. And that way the transfer portal's not as big of an issue.
Jay BilasJosh Schertz at Indiana State is a top 3 schematic coach in the country
Josh Schertz at Indiana State would be number one... It's like watching a European Pro team that's been together for a long time. It's just magnificent.
PFT CommenterThere should be a 'free fight' rule allowing players to defend themselves against court-storming fans
I think like if there should be a rule that if you're a player and a fan comes at you, you can just go hog wild on 'em. Free the free fight rule that I've had for a very long time. Let the players have a free fight.
Big CatKyle Filipowski was not seriously injured during the Wake Forest court storming
I just, I think he's probably fine. I think it might've been a phantom roll of an ankle. Like, oh shit, we lost and I just shoved the guy possibly—ow my ankle hurts now my arm.
Big CatRick Pitino is good for the sport of college basketball
You have to like Rick Pitino, he's good for college basketball. Show, I mean, win. Yes. I respect Rick when he's wearing the white suit. This guy doesn't understand that. We like Rick Pitino.
MaxVillanova will make the NCAA Tournament
They're gonna be in. They started the day yesterday at first four out. They finished the day at first four out... If you [beat] Georgetown and then win two of the next three we're in.
Mark TitusEvery team in college basketball currently sucks on the road
I think I wanna kind of say everyone sucks, but that's not a good way to get people into the sport. Everyone sucks on the road. That's the thing... Home court will lie to you.
Mark TitusJohn Calipari is on the hot seat because the 'meme' has become the reality
At some point the meme becomes the reality. I don't think they're gonna fire him. He has a lifetime contract... but Kentucky fans are absolutely ready for a change though. Absolutely. If he fucks this up, he's completely lost the magic.
Mark TitusThis Purdue team is legitimately better and more versatile than last year's squad
I think this Purdue team's better than last year. The guard play has first of all their guards are older. Braden Smith last year was like a game manager more and now he's actually a stud. And then Lance Jones, the kid they got in the transfer portal is fucking awesome. I do think that Purdue is going to make a final four.
Mark TitusThe Mountain West has replaced the Atlantic 10 as the 'hipster' basketball league
The Mountain West has kind of become that... It is has become the league that's like if you don't know what game to watch, just throw on a random ass mountain West game. It's what the A-10 used to be.
Mark TitusMy 2024 Final Four is Purdue, Houston, Arizona, and Tennessee
I think Purdue is gonna make the final four. I have to trust Houston. Gimme Arizona... and then I gotta ride with Tennessee. Tennessee, I'll take out Houston and put in Butler. No, I'll take Tennessee.
Big CatDan Hurley is the only coach in college basketball I trust to win a title right now
Who do we trust that's gonna win a national championship this year? Dan Hurley. 'Cause I saw it last year. That's it. That's literally it. These other guys haven't proven they can win.
Big CatRobbie Avila will be a breakout star if Indiana State makes the NCAA Tournament
Robbie Avila from Indiana State. ... He's got rec specs. And he is, if Indiana State gets to the tournament, which they are the best team in the Missouri Valley right now. We could have like a, this, this guy could like, capture the hearts of America.
Big CatIndiana is scared to play Indiana State in basketball
Do you know that Indiana state, Indiana doesn't play Indiana state because they just embarrassed him every time they play him. Indiana State, I think last time they played 'em was like 2017 and they won by like 20. Damn. So Indiana's just scared of 'em.
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