ESPN College GameDay

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel discuss UConn being in the greatest-team-ever conversation and how Dan Hurley would fit into the NBA. Then, Pete gives a preview of his latest story - Donovan Clingan's side job as a landscaper. On another note, Rece and Pete turn their attention to NC State and chat about the hope that program has spurred for themselves from the tournament. 0:00 Rece: Is there such thing as a repeat champion?2:10 Is UConn in the greatest-team-ever convo?6:21 The NC State program now has hope8:41 NC State and Alabama's path to the championship11:49 How to stop NC State's DJ Burns13:01 Could DJ Burns play for the NBA or NFL?18:30 UConn's Donovan Clingan's side job as a landscaper20:36 Dan Hurley's coaching track record26:21 Could UConn's Dan Hurley be an NBA coach?31:10 A Dan Hurley family story Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pete Thamel and ESPN College Basketball Insider Jeff Borzello discuss the teams that have just landed in the Final Four spots in the Men’s NCAA tournament – specifically how a missed free throw by Virginia in the ACC tournament impacted NC State’s trajectory to the Final Four. They also talk about UConn’s evisceration of Illinois, the No. 2 offense in the country. And although Duke lost to NC State, Borzello notes that the Blue Devils’ future is bright as they are looking forward to Cooper Flagg, the number one college recruit in the country who has committed to their program for the following season. Finally, the two round out the pod with a preview of the Final Four games and who they think will be the NCAA tournament champion.0:00 The Final Four teams are set1:05 A missed free throw in the ACC tournament affected NC State’s trajectory to now8:49 Illinois should’ve adjusted to UConn’s Donovan Clingan12:01 The difficulty for UConn to win a back-to-back title24:22 How Zach Edey fits into Purdue’s game29:38 Tennessee’s dependence on Dalton Knecht31:53 Breaking down NC State DJ Burns’ game37:22 The future of Duke with No. 1 college recruit Cooper Flagg42:17 Final Four preview: Alabama vs UConn45:20 Final Four preview: Purdue vs NC State48:20 The best basketball players in the portal right now51:25 Who will be the men’s NCAA tournament champion? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pete Thamel and ESPN College Basketball Insider Jeff Borzello discuss Kentucky head coach John Calipari's uncertain future with the Wildcats. They delve into his need to change his staff, his need to shift his focus to developing older rosters, and the pros and cons that come with working with him. From the school's perspective they get into the $33M+ the Wildcats would have to spend to buy Calipari out, and the lack of coaching options out there for his replacement. Next, Borzello highlights which programs are still in need of a coach and which programs that would support a coach if a coach were to land there. Lastly, Thamel and Borzello recap their favorite games and players of the NCAA Tournament so far and preview the upcoming games they are looking to watch in the Sweet 16 round. 0:00 Will Kentucky fire Calipari this week?7:45 SMU can afford Calipari's $33M buyout13:22 Adjustments Calipari should make26:48 Louisville caught flat footed in head coach search30:38 Are all top coaches headed to SEC and Big Ten?36:55 Schools in need of a coach50:00 Jeff's favorite NCAA Tournament moments so far55:53 Sweet 16 game previews Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel dive into Clemson's lawsuit against the ACC - specifically how this affects Clemson's, Florida State's, and North Carolina's future with the league, and whether or not ACC will even remain a league. They also get into how this affects less profitable football programs like Northwestern, Vanderbilt, Mississippi State, and Indiana, and take time to really underscore how important it is for programs like those to become more competitive in order to not get left behind. Then they shift their attention to the College Football Playoff - ESPN six-year $7.8 billion contract and question how it's fathomable that players aren't getting a cut of the pie. Lastly, Pete shares the news that Washington's Troy Dannen replaces Trev Alberts as Nebraska AD, and that Iowa's OT Kadyn Proctor is reentering the portal and rejoining Alabama.0:00 Welcome To The College GameDay Podcast01:02 Clemson Files Lawsuit Against ACC03:45 Clemson’s Lawsuit Shifts Eyes To North Carolina06:35 Salvaging the ACC Without Clemson and FSU12:40 Clemson Files Lawsuit Against ACC16:22 The Value That Is Unique To College Sports27:30 CFP and ESPN Deal 31:30 Troy Dannen In As AD Nebraska 39:11 Kadyn Proctor Enters Transfer Portal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel preview the men's NCAA tournament bracket. They discuss their takeaways for each region, possible upsets, and then make their final four and conference champion picks. More specifically, they discuss UConn as the number one seed and who could possibly take them on, the pros and cons of Arizona, their doubts for Houston making it very far, what to keep in mind when watching NC State, what Kentucky brings to the table, Purdue's and Tennessee's baggage, and so much more!03:30 - East preview: UConn's pathway13:00 - East preview: Possible upsets16:45 - East preview: The effect of Illinois' Terrence Shannon Jr.22:30 - West preview: North Carolina's defense against other teams25:00 West preview: Possible upsets28:25 - West preview: The problem with Clemson37:00 - West preview: The intrigue of Arizona44:20 - South preview: The potholes in Houston's pathway46:00 - South preview: How quickly will NC State fall?58:34 - South preview: Kentucky's Reed Sheppard01:05:51 - Midwest Preview: Purdue's & Tennessee's baggage01:11:00 - Midwest preview: Possible upsets01:22:00 - Full bracket preview: Final picks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel share their shock for the news that Nebraska's AD and alum Trev Alberts is expected to agree to a five-year deal with Texas A&M, then expand on Alberts' lengthy history with the Cornhuskers and why they think money may not be the primary deciding factor in this potential move. Then they sit down with Syracuse head coach Fran Brown to discuss the text that got him his job, the obstacle he faces while on the job, and how he plans to dominate recruiting in New York, New Jersey, and beyond.0:00 Welcome To The College Gameday Podcast0:20 Texas A&M Hires Trev Alberts as New AD09:54 Pete Reacts To Syracuse Fran Brown Hire11:24 How Fran Brown Got The Syracuse HC Job25:00 How Brown’s NJ Roots Influence Syracuse’s Program34:00 Brown Addresses Recruiting Against Big Ten & SEC Teams49:00 It’s Important To Be There For Players And Staff56:05 What Determines Success For Syracuse Football 57:23 Syracuse’s Dino BBQ Or Clemson’s Smoking Pig? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel sit down with Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith to discuss his swift transition into the role, him having to take on the transfer portal chaos, and how he sees the in-state rivalry with Michigan. Smith also gets into his QB days at Oregon with Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson, and what it's like to rub arms with MSU basketball coach Tom Izzo. Lastly, Rece reflects on an old MSU game where comedian Ken Jeong went viral after shouting out his wife, "Tran, you complete me Ho. That's her last name. That's her last name. Relax, ESPN."0:00 - Welcome To The College Gameday Podcast00:18 - Why Are We Moving Off The 12-Team Playoff?12:08 - Unique League Matchups22:54 - Coach Smith On His Arrival at MSU31:51 - Coach Smith: Tom Izzo Is Awesome To Lean On35:22 - MSU Coach Smith Gives a Snapshot of Aidan Chiles51:28 - Jonathan Smith: Ochocinco Caught My Best Throw52:52 - Rece: The MSU Fight Song is Underrated01:01:45 - Rece's Memory of Ken Jeong at Michigan St01:06:06 - Can Pete sing the Syracuse fight song? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rece Davis, Pete Thamel, and ESPN.com Senior Writer Ryan McGee discuss former USC quarterback Caleb Williams' excitement ahead of the NFL Draft and how he's not pushing an agenda by saying he'd be "excited" if the Chicago Bears take him at No. 1. They also make some player leader picks ahead of the NFL Combine. Lastly, Rece and Ryan chat about how they haven't even adjusted to a 12-team playoff before discussions picked up about a 14-team playoff, and how, for field storming, we should just be like Clemson and walk off the field.0:00 - Welcome To The College GameDay Podcast0:15 - Indianapolis Wind Cut My Spleen01:23 - NFL Draft Underwear Olympics02:43 - Caleb Williams Leverage with NFL Teams10:30 - Caleb Williams No Agenda14:15 - Run the Fastest 40 At The Combine 20:49 - St. Elmo’s Cocktail Sauce23:00 - 14 Team Playoff28:24 - Court Storming 37:30 - Craziest Field Storming Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel sit down with Boston College head coach Bill O'Brien to discuss how he's constructing his program - from targeting o-line players, to developmental coaches, to incorporating NIL. Then he gets into his previous experience and how programs like Penn State, the Houston Texans, and New England Patriots shaped him as a coach. Then, Rece and Pete get into why former Missouri Athletic Director Desireé Reed-Francois would leave for the University of Arizona, the Pac-12's move which shows why they don't want to go away, and what Pete thinks everyone should keep an eye on in college football right now.0:00 - Welcome To The College Gameday Podcast02:12 - First Impressions of New Boston College HC Bill O’Brien03:46 - Boston College HC Bill O’Brien Sits With Pete Thamel07:04 - HC O’Brien: We Need To Target The Right Guys To Build The Team13:52 - HC O’Brien: Boston College Has To Be Part of NIL Landscape21:35 - O’Brien Kept Penn State Football From Disintegrating 24:49 - Boston College Faces A Challenging Schedule30:38 - Why Would Francois Leave Miz For Arizona36:42 - Pac-12 Hints They Don’t Intend To Go Away40:05 - Gameday Is Headed To UCONN This Week Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rece Davis and Pete Thamel sit down with Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule to discuss how his NFL experience - paired with his time at Temple and Baylor - will help him revive Cornhuskers football, why Rhule rooted for defensive coordinator Tony White to get the UCLA head coach job, and what in the world a Runza is. Then, Rece and Pete get into what it's been like working with former Alabama head coach Nick Saban since he joined ESPN, how Pat McAfee has been able to bring Saban's personality out front and center, and how sure they are that Alabama fans are totally patient, pragmatic, and calm following Saban's retirement and not at all worried that Ryan Grubb is going to the Seahawks.0:00 - Welcome To The College Gameday Podcast01:24 - Ohio St, UCLA, Boston College Coaching Moves04:05 - HC Matt Rhule On The Difference Between Year 1 & 206:05 - HC Matt Rhule Brings NFL Experience To Nebraska09:00 - Rhule On The Attraction Of Being A College Coach13:12 - HC Matt Rhule On Rebuilding Nebraska Football19:23 - HC Matt Rhule On QB Dylan Railoa Coming To Nebraska23:04 - HC Matt Rhule: I Just Want To See Our Players Rip It25:55 - HC Matt Rhule DC Tony White Is The Coolest In The Room28:02 - Nebraska Athletic Director Trev Alberts’ Farm Stories 30:08 - HC Matt Rhule: Jahmal Banks Has Raised The Bar32:05 - HC Rhule: Security Didn’t Want Me Storming The Court 33:23 - Nebraska HC Matt Rhule’s Favorite Local Lincoln Spots37:38 - Former Bama HC Nick Saban Joining ESPN Was No Surprise43:36 - Nick Saban Is Already 100 MPH On NFL Draft Draft Prep44:50 - Bringing Out Nick Saban’s Personality On Gameday47:26 - Peculiar For UCLA Chip Kelly To Go To Ohio State51:25 - Alabama Shouldn’t Worry About Grubb Going To Seahawks59:11 - The Apple Vision Pro Is The Bane Of Our Existence Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices