Michael Wilbon and Pat Forde join the show to discuss NBA playoffs, Nelly Korda's success, Kentucky and Duke basketball, and the Mailbag segment. Show also covers Tiger Woods, Liquid IV, Scottie Scheffler's golf performance, and promoting diversity in golf.
Mark Pope's hiring at Kentucky highlighted the fans' expectations for a national championship-winning coach.
John Calipari's move to Arkansas signified a fresh start and a shift in coaching strategy.
Duke basketball's roster changes raised questions about team dynamics and the impact of incoming recruits.
Deep dives
Mark Pope's Hiring at Kentucky
Mark Pope's hiring as the head coach at Kentucky was initially met with mixed reactions due to the expectations of landing a national championship-winning coach. Despite Pope not having won an NCAA tournament game, his ties to the program, including being a Kentucky grad, played a significant role in his reception, especially after the departure of Calipari.
Kentucky Fans' Initial Reaction
Kentucky fans felt entitled to a national championship-winning coach and actively pursued candidates like Scott Drew, Billy Donovan, and Danny Hurley. Mark Pope's hiring initially faced skepticism as he hadn't won an NCAA tournament game. However, his strong ties to the program and the well-received introduction, reuniting with past teammates, helped sway fans' sentiments.
Calipari's Move to Arkansas
John Calipari's move to Arkansas was seen as an acknowledgment that he needed a fresh start and a change from the challenges faced at Kentucky. The decision to take assistant coach Kenny Payne with him was notable, signaling a shift in direction and strategy for Calipari in his coaching career, with Arkansas anticipating positive outcomes from his leadership.
Duke's Transition and Player Exodus
Duke basketball's recent transition with a strong incoming recruiting class has led to a surprising departure of several veteran players. The mass exodus of players to the transfer portal raised questions about the dynamics within the team, with speculations on whether the newcomers outshining the existing players played a role. The unexpected roster changes surprised many, considering Duke's promising performance in the previous season while heralding a talented recruiting class.
Recruiting Industry Challenges
The podcast delves into the challenges of the recruiting industry, highlighting the unpredictability of player evaluations and transfers. The discussion reflects on the rise of players from lesser-known backgrounds to excel at higher levels of competition, challenging the traditional rankings in recruiting. The episode questions the accuracy of player ratings and acknowledges the fluidity of talent transitions from lower to higher levels in collegiate basketball. It explores the impact of player evaluation on recruiting dynamics and underscores the surprises that arise when players excel beyond initial rankings.
Tony opens the show by talking about Nelly Korda winning her 5th straight tournament and he also talks about Scottie Scheffler’s dominance, and the Nats good weekend. Michael Wilbon calls in to talk about what stood out to him from the first games of the NBA playoffs and he also weighs in on Nelly Korda and Scottie Scheffler. Pat Forde phones in to talk about Kentucky, John Calipari, and Duke, and Tony closes out the show by opening up the Mailbag.
Songs : Harpers “Asleep at the Wheel” ; “Give it a Little Time”