All Things Covering Men's College Basketball

Brief rundown on a busy Tuesday night: :22 Bill Self makes history in becoming the all-time leader in coaching wins at Kansas 2:22 The heavyweight battle between Kentucky and Duke 4:47 Brief recap of some other key games around the nation Please subscribe, rate, and review. Also check out blogs on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@bigzman34 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/support

First episode of the college basketball season. I present a 30,000 foot view of what happened in the offseason. Plus, there are a few brief thoughts on what to expect in the first month. Timestamps include: 1:10 NIL, the transfer portal, and increased demands on coaches sending them into retirement sooner than expected 2:20 Between 10 to 12 schools could knock out UConn, depending on the draw and each team's health 4:51 Conference realignment from coast to coast 11:30 My early plans going forward Please subscribe, rate, and review and tell your friends. It will help me a lot going forward. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/support

What the world saw last Friday when Dr. Rachael Gunn, aka Raygun came out wearing that sporty Australian uniform while performing that awkward routine towards the end of the Paris Olympics. Her kangaroo pose became a major meme. But there is a major lesson on how to stay persistent. She admitted her faults and said what she believed in. The belief like the late Jim Valvano used to say in 'don't give up, don't ever give up' definitely applies. College students go through this, especially when having to write papers and taking tests. They are so confident going in, but some teachers in the end aren't impressed. Although she learned breaking in her 20's by her boyfriend turned husband, Rachael took a chance and she tried the best that she could. Her day job as a college professor is teaching cultural studies with a focus on “the cultural politics of breaking.” Her 355 page dissertation is proof why she is devoting her career to breathe new life into breaking: https://intellectdiscover.com/content/journals/10.1386/ghhs_00078_1 My point is that with NIL and the transfer portal, the last guy on the bench could have his moment in the sun. Staying true to your beliefs and having positive vibes can go a long way. I also spent a few minutes talking about the bi-coastal travel in the ACC and Big Ten. I will spend some more time on this major subject the closer we get to starting the 2024-2025 season. Please remember to rate, review, subscribe, and tell your friends about this podcast. I would really appreciate it, so I can hope to secure an advertiser sometime down the road. Thank you for listening. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/support

Connecticut dominated the 2024 Tournament, just like they did in 2023. I also include my off season plans for both the blog and the podcast. As always, thank you for listening and please tell your friends. More goodies to come during the offseason. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/support

Purdue and NC State in Retro Flashback 1980's Tour and Defending Champion UConn Against the Football Power in Alabama. Hope to see some fun games, but I feel it will be the two best teams preparing for Monday night's showdown. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/support

A 14 seed has knocked out a 3. Kentucky has won only one tournament game since 2019. John Calipari has upwards of a $30 million buyout, so what will happen in the weeks to come? Instead, let's all congratulate 40 year old head coach Greg Kampe. As Jack Gohlke told Evan Washburn, “We're not a Cinderella.” --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/support

The brackets have been released and the fun has started. Please have your pencils and brackets ready. Overall, this promises to be the most wide open tournament since 1990. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/support

The regular season is over and the conference tournaments are underway. Please stay tuned to my blog for plenty of cool articles, and of course the 32 automatic qualifiers that will punch their tickets to the Big Dance. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/support

The last weekly report of the hot teams, and those schools that are struggling at the worst possible time. All of this happening while a handful of mid-major conferences begin their postseason tournaments this week. Let the Madness begin, and please stay tuned to my blog for frequent updates and some special blogs worth checking out. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/support

With the world having February 29 every four years, I thought this would be a great time to take a break from recapping the games. Hope you enjoy this special pod. Please don't forget, March begins tomorrow. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/support

Houston really showed their might. Virginia can't get anything right. The Southland Conference saw a major fight. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/support

The 8th annual bracket reveal had all four Number 1 seeds as unanimous choices by the 12 member Selection Committee. More details are in my blog. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/support

Saturday promises to be a great set of games leading up to Super Sunday. I also have some brief thoughts on the first ever Super Bowl to be in Las Vegas, plus the Taylor Swift Effect is real. Will she make it in time from her Eras Tour in Tokyo? Find out on Saturday. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/support

For me to reach triple digits in the very crowded space that is podcasting, it's been quite a journey. I have been grateful and fortunate to talk about one of my favorite passions starting in 2016, starting with SoundCloud and moving here to Spotify since February 2020. More to come in the weeks ahead, so please subscribe and tell your friends. As always, thank you for your support. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/support

Saturday, January 20 proved to be another cool day for fans of Kentucky basketball. Zvonimir Ivisic is already drawing some comparisons to what Tayshaun Prince did in knocking down five straight 3s to start the game against a hot North Carolina squad in 2001. On the other hand, several schools are being exposed with so many flaws. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/support

No blog, but a short podcast. Please pray for everyone in and around Buffalo, who was affected by the major blizzard during this past weekend. To those in the South, especially in Texas and Oklahoma, hope you are trying to stay warm. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/support

Lots to unpack in this post holiday edition. Plus, I go outside of my comfort zone and talk about a pop culture moment worth checking out. Please subscribe, rate, and review. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/support

Zach Eden had another double-double as the Boilermakers won their first Big Ten game of the season. The first NET rankings came out on Monday, and there were a few surprises. Finally, with AI creeping more into our lives and what Charissa Thompson admitting to fake her sideline reports—I have plenty to discuss in the second half, with some important reminders for the Millennials and Gen Z'ers who might be listening. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/support

Rick Pitino did not get the happy homecoming that he was looking for. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/support

Rick Pitino does it again. Ed Cooley gets off to impressive start with Georgetown. Meanwhile, Indiana and Baylor sweated it out for 40 minutes, Creighton dominated, and Presbyterian upset Vanderbilt. Please check out my first poll of the season as well as subscribe, rate, and review. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/support

Welcome back, as the most unpredictable college basketball season is about to start. I have several key topics that were discussed--including the top teams to watch, changes in the media, and paying tribute to the late Bobby Knight. Please rate, review, and subscribe as I will cover the sport that I am the most passionate about. And thanks so much for listening. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/support

Over a century of top flight competition will end in June 2024. Not even Bill Walton can save one of his favorite things to talk about. Thanks to the Big Ten and the Big 12 adding schools, the era of --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/support

The Aztecs will be sticking around, at least until July 1, 2024. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/support

Even with all of that rain and the threat of darkness, the /shortened 75 lap race was amazing and surreal as many thousands of people managed to get a glimpse of what was happening on many major streets in the city of Chicago. Major kudos to Ben Kennedy and Julie Geise for pulling this event off. And for the city of Chicago, you all should be proud. What a fun and fantastic weekend it was, even with the torrential rain that lasted 12 hours on Sunday. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/support

Very little to mention except that 20th century technology was needed, because 5 to 6 inches of standing water has made the course being flooded. With 10,000 pounds of concrete on both sides, there's no place for the water to go. That's why there are manhole covers. Note that this podcast went live over 2 hours since Cole Custer was declared the winner after 25 laps. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/support

Been a long time since I did a podcast. Lots of ground to cover from June, from San Diego State remaining in the Mountain West, and at least 15 on-air talent lost their jobs at ESPN. Finally, a first will take place in the streets of Chicago's Loop. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/support

On this National Mental Health Awareness Month, there has been a lot of discussion about the importance of the NCAA trying to improve the way they handle waivers for those students who transfer. It is definitely something to consider, considering how mental health is setting record numbers. I cite a CDC report about teens and how they struggle and adversely affects their time in and out of school. We need all the help we can get. You are not alone. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/support

4 for 4 in Texas. Amazing performance. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/support

Houston, The Hoops World has Landed --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/support

History was made for the first time ever since seeding began in 1979, as all four Number 1 seeds were eliminated. Texas is the highest seed remaining at a 2, followed by Kansas State and Gonzaga at 3 heading to a really crazy and unpredictable Elite Eight. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/support

A wide open second weekend promises many fun games. For a handful of games, will they be competitive for the lower seeded teams? This podcast and blog will hopefully give fans the 411 on what you need to know. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/support

Sweet 16 Bound for the remaining Number 1 seeds after some injury concerns during both games in the Birmingham pod. I have your brief recap. For more details, please check out my blog on the JetPack app and search for All Things About Men's College Basketball. And please don't forget to subscribe. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/support

The record was 1-250, the one being in 2018 when Maryland-Baltimore County were the first 15 seed to knock out the then overall Number 1 seed in Virginia. On Friday night March 17 at the East Regional in Columbus, Ohio saw more history. The FDU Knights were quicker, they were more aggressive, and completely shut down Zach Edey of Purdue for the last 9 minutes. The historic upset with a final score of 63-58 will be remembered forever, as the Retrievers are no longer alone. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/support

Congratulations to the Furman Paladins for being the 22nd school since 1985 as a 13 seed to knock out the 4 in Virginia. Ironic that it happened on the 5th anniversary of the first 16 seed to KO a 1 when UMBC made history. More updates to come throughout the Big Dance, and remember to check out my blogs via the Jetpack app for more details. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/support

16 Games On Thursday, 16 Games on Friday. All Day and Into The Night. Since 1982, no other sports event has captured the fun, passion, drama, and excitement as the NCAA Tournament. Only the FA Cup in the UK comes close. Will your brackets stay intact or will it crumble to pieces? Enjoy the games everybody. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/support

The brackets are set and the seed lines proved to be mind boggling at first glance. Here was my first time reaction, but for more details please find my blog All Things About Men's College Basketball on the JetPack app. Thank you so much for listening and please check for my key thoughts all tournament long. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/support

An exciting, but exhausting Saturday saw many mid-majors dominate. Separately, I want to welcome everyone to my debut podcast on the Spotify platform. I am looking forward to using some of their tools to reach more listeners and hopefully they stay active and interact when I think something is blog worthy. Anyways, welcome to my favorite time of the year. The draw is only hours away, as schools like Clemson, Vanderbilt, Arizona State, Oklahoma State, Pittsburgh, VCU, and Rutgers are anxiously awaiting their fate if they will receive the gift of an at-large invitation, one of 36 that will be handed out as several rallies are scheduled to take place across the United States. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/support

Happy Valentine's Day. I wanted to take some time out of my blogs normally dealing with the Power 5 and decided to give some love to the mid-major schools, who are hoping to become the next Cinderella darlings when the tournament commences in March. And yes, there's a lot of 2022 St. Peter's love included in this special blog. Most of all, I dedicate this podcast to my online female friends who might be either checking out my podcasts for the first time or if you are a subscriber, I appreciate you following along on what I have to say. As always, please like, subscribe, rate, and review this or any of my past podcasts. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/support

With the Super Bowl behind us, I want to welcome all of you bandwagon (aka the casual) fans who only follow college basketball in March. And there has been plenty of news besides the hiring of Charlie Baker as the next NCAA President. Three schools have been playing musical chairs on who will be the overall number 1 seed in less than a month before the draw is released. When this blog was published, Alabama climbed to Number 1 in the polls for the first time since 2003. For a time, Houston and Purdue have also claimed the top spot. Conversely, the gradual slides of bluebloods Kentucky and North Carolina have the rest of the college world on notice. Please subscribe, rate, and review this podcast and tell your friends. Also, please continue to check my blog for the latest updates: https://fortyminutesofhoopsfun.wordpress.com/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/support

Miami certainly has bite Texas put up a good fight The crowd at The Phog was out of sight --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/support

A special tribute to the master disk jockey who did a popular Monday feature called "Lin's Bin", which aired for over 20 years on 93 WXRT in Chicago. This podcast is dedicated to the man it all possible, along with his rather expanded use of the English language in Lin Brehmer. Enjoy. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/support

The first part of this podcast is dedicated to everyone who survived all of the flooding and those frightening mudslides in Los Angeles and especially in the collar counties surrounding San Francisco. For those of you having to endure rain since Christmas, if I read it correctly from what both KNX and KCBS Newsradio mentioned in their reporting over the weekend--you are all troopers in my book. Please continue to stay safe, and hopefully by the end of the week hopefully things could start to return to some state of normalcy. In basketball related news, one Big Ten game was postponed for Wednesday night and there are some huge contests to keep an eye in the Big 12 and the SEC. Please subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts and as always, thank you so much for listening. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigzman34/support

Very little news on Tuesday, except that the Pac-12 mentioned on Monday that their overall TV package may not be as much as either the SEC or the Big Ten. The possibly of moving most of their basketball games to Amazon might be gaining some steam. ESPN however still wants to do their popular "Pac-12 After Dark" series, especially during football season, which I totally get. This news is according to John Ourand of the Sports Business Journal website. Remember that several conferences will have hundreds of new games to look forward to, starting with Loyola (Chicago) playing in the Atlantic 10. The school that replaced the Ramblers in the Missouri Valley is the University of Illinois-Chicago aka simply UIC. The Flames join longtime Ohio Valley foes in Murray State and Belmont in what promises to be one crazy edition of "Arch Madness" when it happens in St. Louis from March 2-5, 2023. Please look at my Season Preview blog to see all of the conference realignments for easy reference. I close out this short pod by wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and the best of holiday wishes for 2023. Stay safe, everyone--especially with that really huge blizzard that will be paralyzing 28 states just in time for Christmas Eve. I hope to be back shortly after the New Year's holiday weekend. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bigzman34/message

Final big Saturday before Christmas. Gonzaga and Alabama went down to the wire, while the Field of 68 crew broadcast their first game broadcast live on YouTube (4:30 p.m. Eastern/1:30 Pacific.) Here is the link. Enjoy the game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26Juo4zR4U8 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bigzman34/message

So long PAC-12. Hello snowy weather. That and more in this very special podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bigzman34/message

Another interesting weekend on the hardwood and two news stories that grabbed the nation's headlines. First one involves the popular co-anchor team at ABC News GMA3 with the budding love affair involving T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach. And on Monday morning, a sad chapter came to an end in cable news. I explain it all in this podcast and more details can be found in my blog. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bigzman34/message

It was a very busy off season. And the same two schools that met for the 2017 title might meet again in Houston come April. Please stay up to date with my blog, where I post frequently at https://fortyminutesofhoopsfun.wordpress.com/ Please rate, review, and subscribe-especially on Apple Podcasts. It would really mean a lot to me. And thank you so much for listening. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bigzman34/message

Name, Image, and Likeness. It's in the news and nobody can escape it. Since the 2021 Supreme Court decision that opened the floodgates for students to profit while playing their favorite sports, there was very little to mention in this short podcast. For more information, please visit my blog at https://fortyminutesofhoopsfun.wordpress.com/ to read what news you might be missing. Comments are always welcome. As always, thanks for listening, liking, and remembering. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bigzman34/message

A day very few people thought would never happen in April 2021 finally came true on Tuesday night. This is truly a pinch-me moment, as Dr. Mark Emmert--the ultimate jerk outside of former President Donald J. Trump will finally leave behind one of the worst run organizations in United States, let alone world history as president of the NCAA. More details on why this is such a happy moment for all administrators, athletic directors, and the many thousands of student-athletes are included in this special blog: https://fortyminutesofhoopsfun.wordpress.com/2022/04/27/huge-news-as-ncaa-president-dr-mark-emmert-to-step-down-no-later-than-june-20-2023/?fbclid=IwAR1fVRQO8cO6ZeRaeHbNVRKloMzBTeWAuKqZVatVCz1ZkwetxLRTMBA4HGo Along with the 9-0 Supreme Court decision in June 2021 ushering the Wild West with NIL, this announcement signals a seismic shift in the overall collegiate sports model. Regardless what you think the NCAA should be representing in the future, be very thankful that a cool breath of very fresh air has arrived. Like Kool & The Gang sang in 1981, "Celebrate good times, come on." --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bigzman34/message

What a comeback. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bigzman34/message

WOW! Is your heart still beating after this ultimate thrill ride? If you did, consider yourselves lucky. Go ahead and breathe out a slow exhale, ladies and gentlemen. If you read in my blog, the second semifinal game was going to be 10,000 times bigger than any Duke/North Carolina game, or pick your favorite sports rivalry--the two trump cards UNC will have forever in Chapel Hill will beating Coach K in his final game on the bench at Cameron Indoor Stadium and this all-time thriller by a final score of 81-77 Still, proper context is needed here: What Mike Krzyzewski did for 47 years and with Duke since 1980 will never be duplicated or surpassed again. 1,202 wins will stand forever, F-O-R-E-V-E-R!!!! 13 Final Four appearances, where some including myself thought John Wooden's record of 12 between 1964 to 1975 would never be broken--but that's what they say, right? For 2 hours and 22 minutes on Saturday night, the second of April, in the year Two Thousand and Twenty Two at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana--it will be the day nobody will NEVER forget. For the Tar Heels to do what they did required every ounce of strength, durability (even when double-double machine Armando Bacot injuring himself late in the game before ultimately fouling out.) I will have the blog in my show notes as soon as I can. Breathe slowly, people. Come back down to Earth. Seeing all of those lead changes and ties definitely felt like the first time when Muhammad Ali met Joe Frazier...that type of electric atmosphere. Above all, this night will be remembered like I said earlier in the week: Wasn't that fun, ladies and gentlemen? It sure was. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bigzman34/message