Bully Banter

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The Commercial Dispatch's Garrick Hodge and Ben Portnoy provide insights and commentary on Mississippi State athletics.

The Dispatch


    • Feb 3, 2023 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 32m AVG DURATION
    • 75 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Bully Banter

    Episode 20: It's National Signing Day all over again

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2023 30:06


    Mississippi State reeled in eight more players Wednesday, National Signing Day for the regular period. Theo, Alex and Colin discuss the Bulldogs' incoming class, talk about men's and women's basketball, get excited for the upcoming baseball season and hear from the Daily Journal's Michael Katz on Ole Miss.

    Episode 19: MSU hoops update; spring sports around the corner

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2023 30:11


    Theo, Alex and Colin discuss Mississippi State's hot streak in women's basketball, its cold spell on the men's side and the upcoming baseball and softball seasons.

    Episode 18: Bulldog basketball on the bubble

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2023 28:38


    Mississippi State is set to hire a new athletic director Friday morning and a new offensive coordinator soon. Theo, Alex and Colin touched on the end of college football's 2022 season as well as the MSU men's and women's basketball teams and their status on the NCAA tournament bubble.

    Episode 17: Big weekend for Bulldog basketball

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2023 26:30


    Theo, Alex and Colin welcome listeners to 2023 as Mississippi State football gives way to basketball. The three discuss the Bulldogs' ReliaQuest Bowl win, recent staffing changes and big hoops games coming up in Starkville.

    Episode 16: Happy New Year! But first, SEC play

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 30, 2022 37:29


    Alex and Colin discuss Mississippi State men's and women's basketball as the Bulldogs enter SEC play, as well as the MSU football team ahead of Monday's ReliaQuest Bowl against Illinois.

    Episode 15: Remembering Mike Leach (1961-2022)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2022 28:39


    Theo, Alex and Colin mourn the death of Mississippi State head coach Mike Leach on Monday night. The trio discusses Leach's legacy and hears from Michael Katz on Ole Miss.

    Episode 14: What the heck is ReliaQuest?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2022 30:18


    Mississippi State is headed to the ReliaQuest Bowl, which you might know better as the Outback Bowl. Theo, Alex and Colin preview State's matchup with Illinois and get into the Bulldogs' strong starts in men's and women's basketball.

    Episode 13: Bulldogs await bowl bid; basketball on a roll

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2022 27:37


    Mississippi State football is likely headed to Florida, while Chris Jans and Sam Purcell have their respective MSU basketball teams rolling. Theo, Alex and Colin recap the Egg Bowl, talk hoops and check in with Daily Journal Ole Miss beat writer Michael Katz.

    Episode 12: Welcome to 'cupcake week' in the SEC

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2022 30:39


    Mississippi State enjoys a second bye week — OK, well, the Bulldogs just play East Tennessee State instead. Theo, Alex and Colin recap MSU's loss to Georgia, pick games around the country and talk to Ole Miss beat writer Michael Katz.

    Episode 11: It's Bulldogs vs. Bulldogs as No. 1 comes to town (feat. Jordan D. Hill of Dawgs247)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2022 35:51


    As Mississippi State prepares to take on top-ranked Georgia this week, Theo, Alex and Colin recap last week's overtime win over Auburn and discuss the matchup. Theo talks to Jordan D. Hill, Georgia beat writer for 247 Sports.

    Episode 10: John Cohen, Bryan Harsin and chaos in Auburn (feat. Adam Cole of the Opelika-Auburn News)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2022 37:05


    Theo, Colin and Alex discuss Mississippi State's upcoming matchup with Auburn, break down last week's college football slate and pick six games for this week, including the Georgia-Tennessee showdown. Theo talks to Adam Cole of the Opelika-Auburn News about the Tigers.

    Episode 9: Breaking down 'Bama; bye week for MSU

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2022 30:47


    Theo, Alex and Colin recap Mississippi State's loss at Alabama, pick games across the country and talk MSU men's and women's basketball, soccer and volleyball.

    Episode 8: Bully Banter takes 'Bama (feat. Nick Kelly of the Tuscaloosa News)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2022 35:56


    Theo, Colin and Alex discuss Mississippi State's upcoming game against Alabama as well as last Saturday's loss to Kentucky. Michael Katz gives an Ole Miss update. Theo talks to Nick Kelly of the Tuscaloosa News about the Crimson Tide.

    Episode 7: Mississippi State ends homestand with Arkansas (feat. Christina Long of the Southwest Times Record)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2022 36:28


    Theo, Alex and Colin recap Mississippi State's big win over Texas A&M and preview Saturday's game against Arkansas. Theo talks to Arkansas beat writer Christina Long about the Razorbacks.

    Episode 6: Bulldogs back on SEC grind (feat. Travis L. Brown of The Eagle)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2022 38:12


    Mississippi State jumps back into SEC play this week, hosting Texas A&M at 3 p.m. Saturday. Theo, Colin and Alex preview the game and talk MSU soccer and volleyball. Theo talks to Texas A&M beat writer Travis L. Brown of The Eagle in Bryan-College Station.

    Episode 5: Mississippi State welcomes Bowling Green (feat. Patrick Andres of The Blade)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2022 33:25


    Theo, Alex and Colin discuss Mississippi State's loss at LSU and how it affects expectations for the Bulldogs as well as picking college football games around the country. Theo talks to Patrick Andres of The Blade in Toledo, Ohio, about Bowling Green, MSU's Week 4 opponent.

    Episode 4: Bulldogs head to the Bayou (feat. Wilson Alexander of The Advocate)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2022 28:12


    Theo, Alex and Colin discuss what they saw in Mississippi State's 39-17 win Saturday at Arizona and preview the Bulldogs' game Saturday at LSU. Theo talks to LSU beat writer Wilson Alexander, and Michael Katz delivers his weekly update on Ole Miss.

    Episode 3: From Tigers to Wildcats (feat. Michael Lev of the Arizona Daily Star)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2022 30:44


    Theo, Alex and Colin recap Saturday's game against Memphis. Michael Katz gives his weekly Ole Miss update. Theo talks to Arizona beat writer Michael Lev about this week's game in Tucson.

    Episode 2: Bulldogs seek payback on Memphis in opener (w/Evan Barnes of The Commercial Appeal)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2022 23:44


    Theo and Colin preview Mississippi State's season opener against Memphis. Theo talks to Memphis beat writer Evan Barnes of The Commercial Appeal,  and Michael Katz of the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal gives his first weekly update on Ole Miss.

    Episode 1: Introducing our new crew

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2022 32:12


    Theo introduces Alex Murphy and Colin Damms, who will be weekly co-hosts of Bully Banter. The trio previews Mississippi State's 2022 football season, picks this weekend's college football games and talks some MSU soccer.

    Episode 16: Everything season

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2022 30:26


    With men's basketball, baseball and softball in full swing, a new women's basketball coach and spring football practice starting soon, it's "everything season" for Mississippi State. Theo and Tom discuss where the Bulldogs stand in each sport.

    Episode 15: Saying goodbye to football season

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2022 25:36


    Theo and Tom wrap up the 2021 college football season, give updates on Mississippi State men's and women's basketball and take a look at Joe Lunardi's projected NCAA tournament field.

    Episode 14: Bully Banter rings in 2022

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2022 25:19


    After a good-sized break brought on by holidays, vacations and schedule changes, Theo and Tom recap the past four weeks in Mississippi State sports — and to look forward to what's to come in 2022.

    Episode 13: Bowl season begins as Bulldogs are Liberty bound

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2021 33:44


    Mississippi State will take on Texas Tech in the Liberty Bowl as Mike Leach finally faces his old team. Theo and Tom discuss the matchup between the Bulldogs and the Red Raiders and take a look at the bowl games to come over the next two weeks.

    Episode 12: Bulldogs lose Battle for the Golden Egg, look to bowl season

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2021 37:02


    A disappointing Egg Bowl for Mississippi State came to a close last Thursday. Theo and Tom recap the game, discuss coaching changes around the country and get into some Bulldogs basketball and volleyball.

    Episode 11: Egg Bowl edition

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2021 27:11


    Mississippi State battles Ole Miss for the Golden Egg Trophy, it's Rivalry Week around college football, and college basketball is in full swing. Theo and Tom break down the happenings in Starkville and around the country.

    Episode 10: Leach calls all kickers after Bulldogs fall at Arkansas

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2021 36:25


    Theo and Tom discuss Mike Leach's call for "open tryouts" at kicker, take a look at the season openers for men's and women's basketball and preview Mississippi State's game at Auburn.

    Episode 9: MSU vaults into CFP rankings with another big win

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2021 35:02


    Theo and Tom discuss Mississippi State's win over Kentucky, break down the initial College Football Playoff rankings and preview the Bulldogs' game Saturday at Arkansas.

    Episode 8: Bulldogs batter Commodores; Kentucky comes to town

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2021 32:23


    After a win against Vanderbilt, Mississippi State hosts No. 12 Kentucky at 6 p.m. Saturday. Theo and Tom preview the Bulldogs' homecoming game and discuss happenings across the nation.

    Episode 7: Bulldogs throttled by Alabama; road trip to Vanderbilt awaits

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2021 37:29


    Theo and Tom discuss Mississippi State's 49-9 loss to Alabama, the Bulldogs' upcoming trip to Vanderbilt, the oustings of Ed Orgeron and Nick Rolovich and the growing popularity of sports betting.

    Episode 6: Alabama comes to town; Nikki McCray-Penson steps down

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2021 29:26


    Theo and Tom discuss the top-ranked Crimson Tide's impending visit to Starkville, theorize about potential Group of Five conference realignment and break down the sudden resignation of women's basketball coach Nikki McCray-Penson.

    Episode 5: After win over Aggies, Bulldogs get a break (but Alabama looms)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2021 29:02


    Mississippi State has an open date after last week's win at No. 15 Texas A&M. But the Bulldogs' next game will come against a formidable opponent.

    Episode 4: Bulldogs drop SEC opener, hit the road at A&M; 12-team Playoff tabled?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2021 31:14


    Theo and Tom break down Mississippi State's SEC opener against LSU, preview Saturday's road game against Texas A&M and discuss the stalled talks for a 12-team College Football Playoff.

    Episode 3: Controversy in Memphis; SEC play begins; 2022 schedule released

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2021 35:58


    Theo and Tom look back at two controversial calls in Saturday's game between MSU and Memphis, take a look at the Bulldogs' 2022 schedule and preview this week's contest against LSU in both teams' SEC opener.

    Episode 2: Bulldogs handle NC State, prepare for first road trip

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2021 30:55


    Theo and Tom look back at Mississippi State's win over NC State, talk about national college football news, pick Saturday's SEC slate and preview the Bulldogs' road game at Memphis.

    Episode 1: An introduction, looking back at LA Tech and previewing NC State

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2021 32:54


    Dispatch sports editor Tom Rysinski and Mississippi State beat reporter Theo DeRosa break down last week's game against Louisiana Tech, preview Saturday's contest with NC State and take a look around the SEC.

    Episode 39: Closing time — Ben's final podcast and some final thoughts on the MSU basketball programs

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2021 33:49


    Mississippi State reporter Ben Portnoy and Sports Editor Garrick Hodge sign off one final time as Ben moves on to a new job in South Carolina. Before the farewells, a little men's and women's basketball talk.

    Episode 38: Making sense of the Mississippi State women's basketball program, men's basketball NIT preview

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2021 28:12


    Mississippi State beat reporter Ben Portnoy and Sports Editor Garrick Hodge breakdown the Bulldogs' women's basketball program missing the NCAA Tournament for the first time in five years and what that means for Nikki McCray-Penson going forward.Later, Ben and Garrick discuss the men's basketball team and what to expect from them heading into the NIT. 

    Episode 37: This is March — Mississippi State women fall, men prep for Kentucky at SEC Tournament

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 27:19


    Mississippi State beat reporter Ben Portnoy and Sports Editor Garrick Hodge break down the Bulldog women's early exit from Greenville, South Carolina. Later in the show, Ben and Garrick discuss the men's team's upcoming meeting with Kentucky.

    Episode 36: Return of the Bats — Mississippi State baseball is back, MBB and WBB head toward SEC Tournament

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2021 26:06


    Mississippi State beat reporter Ben Portnoy and Sports Editor Garrick Hodge break down 2-1 showing at the State Farm College Baseball Showdown in Arlington, Texas.Later in the show, Ben and Garrick talk MSU men's and women's basketball as the Bulldogs are nearing the end of their respective regular seasons.

    Episode 35: Mississippi State MBB drops another close one; WBB vs. South Carolina Preview

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2021 27:37


    Mississippi State beat reporter Ben Portnoy and Sports Editor Garrick Hodge break down the MSU men's basketball team's near-miss at No. 18 Tennessee. Later in the show, Ben and Garrick discuss the women's basketball team's impending game against No. 4 South Carolina.

    Episode 34: A referendum on Mississippi State basketball

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 20, 2021 33:21


    Mississippi State beat reporter Ben Portnoy and Sports Editor Garrick Hodge break down the state of MSU men's and women's basketball after both teams suffer embarrassing losses this week.

    Episode 33: What's next after Mississippi State men's basketball drops ugly one to Texas A&M?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2021 26:43


    Mississippi State Beat Reporter Ben Portnoy and Sports Editor Garrick Hodge break down the Bulldogs' ugly loss to Texas A&M Wednesday night and take a big picture look at what it means for Ben Howland and his squad going forward.

    Episode 32: Holidays, hardwood and the return to basketball

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2021 37:07


    Mississippi State beat reporter Ben Portnoy and Sports Editor Garrick Hodge return from their holiday hiatuses to talk about the beginning of SEC men's and women's basketball and where both Bulldog teams stand early in conference play.

    Episode 31: Missouri marches on Starkville — Feat. Dave Matter of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2020 33:03


    Mississippi State beat writer Ben Portnoy and Sports Editor Garrick Hodge are joined by Dave Matter of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch to break down MSU's Saturday contest against Missouri.

    Episode 30: Tiger Tales — feat. Jordan Hill of the Opelika-Auburn News

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 10, 2020 33:05


    Mississippi State beat reporter Ben Portnoy and Sports Editor Garrick Hodge are joined by Jordan Hill of the Opelika-Auburn News to break down this weekend's meeting between the Bulldogs and Tigers in Starkville.

    Episode 29: A return to the hardwood

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2020 32:09


    Mississippi State beat reporter Ben Portnoy and Sports Editor Garrick Hodge take a long look at the MSU men's and women's basketball teams as they've opened their respective seasons amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Episode 28: Egg Bowl Thanksgiving Special — feat. Nick Suss of the Jackson Clarion-Ledger

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2020 37:27


    Mississippi State beat reporter Ben Portnoy and Sports Editor Garrick Hodge take a quick break from the turkey and stuffing to break down MSU's Egg Bowl date with Ole Miss.Later in the show, Ben and Garrick are joined by Ole Miss beat reporter Nick Suss to talk Matt Corral and the high-flying Rebels offensive attack.

    Episode 27: Dueling Bulldogs and draft night dreams — feat. Connor Riley of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2020 30:45


    Mississippi State beat reporter Ben Portnoy and Sports Editor Garrick Hodge discuss draft night with Robert Woodard II and Reggie Perry and what it was like to be there for their respective moments in the spotlight.Later in the show, Ben and Garrick welcome Connor Riley of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution to break down this week's MSU-Georgia showdown in Athens.

    Episode 26: The Commodores sail into Starkville — feat. The Tennessean's Adam Sparks

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2020 27:18


    Mississippi State reporter Ben Portnoy and Sports Editor Garrick Hodge discuss the Bulldogs' loss to No. 2 Alabama and running back Kylin Hill's decision to opt out of the 2020 season.Later in the show, Ben and Garrick are joined by Adam Sparks of The Tennessean to break down Saturday's contest for SEC bottom-feeder supremacy between MSU and Vanderbilt.

    Episode 25: T-town bound — feat. AL.com's Michael Casagrande

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2020 38:38


    Mississippi State beat writer Ben Portnoy and Sports Editor Garrick Hodge break down a wild week of Bulldog football news as seven players have or are planning to leave the program. Later in the show Ben and Garrick are joined by Alabama beat writer Michael Casagrande of AL.com to break down this weekend's matchup between the Crimson Tide and Bulldogs in Tuscaloosa.

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