The Better Blue Podcast

The Better Blue Podcast

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Hosts James Michael McAdoo & Ryan Kelly speak on what it was like to play for Duke & UNC while also bringing top guests to the platform for in-depth, never-before-heard interviews.

James Michael McAdoo & Ryan Kelly


    • Apr 17, 2023 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 42m AVG DURATION
    • 26 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Better Blue Podcast

    What Happens at the UNC / Duke Summer Pick Up Games + Answering Mailbag Questions!

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2023 64:22


    Season 1 Finale is here! Ryan & Mac dive back into the mailbag to answer some fan questions, flash back to the legendary summer pro ams in North Carolina during their time at Duke & UNC. Also - they catch us up on all the insanity that has been the transfer portal and staying announcements for Duke & UNC.Creator, Co-Host & Executive Producer: James Michael McAdooCreator, Co-Host & Executive Producer: Ryan KellyExecutive Producer & Co-Created By: Devin DismangProduced, Directed & Designed by Assemble, LCC(c) 2023 The Better Blue Podcast

    Brice Johnson Interview - Part 2 | What REALLY Happened With the Clippers & The Blake Griffin Trade

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2023 59:57


    Brice Johnson - former first round  NBA draft pick to the Los Angeles Clippers  with stops at the  Memphis Grizzlies &  Detroit Pistons and former UNC Basketball standout - gets back on the mic for Part 2 of his interview! Brice opens up about his time in LA with the Clippers, the hardships of being an NBA player, being a part of the blockbuster trade of Blake Griffin from LA to Detroit as well as currently playing overseas in Japan. Creator, Co-Host & Executive Producer: James Michael McAdooCreator, Co-Host & Executive Producer: Ryan KellyExecutive Producer & Co-Created By: Devin DismangProduced, Directed & Designed by Assemble, LCC(c) 2023 The Better Blue Podcast

    Brice Johnson Interview - Part 1 | Villanova & Kris Jenkins v UNC Buzzer Beater in National Championship Game

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2023 48:22


    Brice Johnson - former standout at UNC Basketball & former first round NBA draft pick to the Los Angeles Clippers - joins Mac and Ryan as the first ever guest of the Better Blue Podcast! Brice talks with the guys about his recruitment and decision to North Carolina as well as gives an inside look to the heart-breaking but memorable UNC vs Villanova national championship game in 2016. Creator, Co-Host & Executive Producer: James Michael McAdooCreator, Co-Host & Executive Producer: Ryan KellyExecutive Producer & Co-Created By: Devin DismangProduced, Directed & Designed by Assemble, LCC(c) 2023 The Better Blue Podcast

    Duke & UNC All Time Greats Go Head-to-Head... WHO WINS?! + Armando is Back for UNC!

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2023 55:41


    Get 20% OFF @manscaped + Free Shipping with promo code BETTERBLUEPOD at MANSCAPED.com! #Ad #ManscapedPodRyan and Mac give us their all-time starting five for Duke and UNC Basketball. Who wins in a pickup game? Also the guys break down Armando Bacot's return to UNC next year and all the drama going on with the Tar Heels and the transfer portal.Creator, Co-Host & Executive Producer: James Michael McAdooCreator, Co-Host & Executive Producer: Ryan KellyExecutive Producer & Co-Created By:  Devin DismangProduced, Directed & Designed by Assemble, LCC(c) 2023 The Better Blue Podcast

    Duke Loses to Tennessee in 2nd Round of March Madness! What's Next for UNC & Duke?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2023 52:14


    Now that Duke and UNC officially are done this year, what is next for both programs? Who stays and who enters the transfer portal? Get 20% OFF @manscaped + Free Shipping with promo code BETTERBLUEPOD at MANSCAPED.com! #Ad #ManscapedPodCreator, Co-Host & Executive Producer: James Michael McAdooCreator, Co-Host & Executive Producer: Ryan KellyExecutive Producer & Co-Created By:  Devin DismangProduced, Directed & Designed by Assemble, LCC(c) 2023 The Better Blue Podcast

    March Madness Time! Can Duke Win It All? + UNC Skips Out on the NIT Tournament!

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2023 38:59


    It's the best time of the year - MARCH MADNESS! The Best of 68 get ready to battle it out but for the first time in a long time, Duke is a 5 seed heading into the tourney. Can they make it out of the field after winning the ACC? Another big thing is North Carolina is officially OUT of the NCAA Tournament and SKIPPING the NIT - meaning their season is officially DONE! What does this mean for the Tar Heels moving into next year? James & Ryan play through all the scenarios in this latest episode.Get 20% OFF @manscaped + Free Shipping with promo code BETTERBLUEPOD at MANSCAPED.com! #Ad #ManscapedPodCreator, Co-Host & Executive Producer: James Michael McAdooCreator, Co-Host & Executive Producer: Ryan KellyExecutive Producer & Co-Created By:  Devin DismangProduced, Directed & Designed by Assemble, LCC(c) 2023 The Better Blue Podcast

    Duke Sweeps UNC! Rivalry Reaction Pod - Can the Tar Heels Make the Tournament Now?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2023 43:31


    Duke takes down UNC in a very ugly installment of the rivalry! Ryan & James break down the game, give their takeaways from it and how this game affects the upcoming ACC Tournament play.Get 20% OFF @manscaped + Free Shipping with promo code BETTERBLUEPOD at MANSCAPED.com! #Ad #ManscapedPod Creator, Co-Host & Executive Producer: James Michael McAdooCreator, Co-Host & Executive Producer: Ryan KellyExecutive Producer & Co-Created By:  Devin DismangProduced, Directed & Designed by Assemble, LCC(c) 2023 The Better Blue Podcast

    The 2023 NBA Trade Deadline Was INSANE! KD to the Suns, Kyrie to the Mavs & More! Who Won? Who Lost?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2023 40:15


    This year's  @NBA trade deadline was INSANE! Kyrie to the Mavs, KD to the Suns, several UNC & Duke alum moving cities - who won & who lost this NBA trade deadline? Ryan and Mac dive into it this episode! TUNE IN NOW!Get 20% OFF @manscaped + Free Shipping with promo code BETTERBLUEPOD at MANSCAPED.com! #Ad #ManscapedPodCreator, Co-Host & Executive Producer: James Michael McAdooCreator, Co-Host & Executive Producer: Ryan KellyExecutive Producer & Co-Created By:  @devindismang  Produced, Directed & Designed by Assemble, LCC(c) 2023 The Better Blue Podcast#Duke #TarHeels #Basketball #NCAA #UNC #NorthCarolina #ACC #BlueDevils #Podcast #Sports 

    Living with Super Bowl Winning Family Members + What REALLY is the Duke Brotherhood?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2023 38:59


    Another mailbag episode is here! Ryan and Mac dive into some of our fan-submitted questions where they talk about how they think this year's Duke & UNC players will fare in the NBA Draft, living life with more famous family relatives and what REALLY is the Duke "Brotherhood".Creator, Co-Host & Executive Producer: James Michael McAdooCreator, Co-Host & Executive Producer: Ryan KellyExecutive Producer & Co-Created By:  Devin DismangProduced, Directed & Designed by Assemble, LCC(c) 2023 The Better Blue Podcast

    Duke v UNC Reaction Pod - Duke Wins Round 1!

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2023 29:08


    Ryan & Mac hop on the mic to chat about the latest matchup between Duke and UNC in this historic rivalry while also speaking about this win means for Duke as well as what the loss means for Carolina. Also - Ryan wins the bet! 

    Duke v. North Carolina - THE RIVALRY IS HERE! Who Wins The First Matchup of the Season?!

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2023 17:41


    THE FIRST DUKE / UNC MATCHUP OF THE SEASON IS HERE! You know the guys are ready! Ryan & Mac talk about what this rivalry matchup means for these two teams as well as what a win would do for their season. PLUS - there's some money on the line...

    John Wall Was ALMOST a Tar Heel but Blames Tyler Hansbrough For Choosing Kentucky

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2023 36:49


    Mac & Ryan give their take on the recent report that John Wall almost was a UNC Tar Heel but because of a chance encounter with Tyler Hansbrough, it made him decide NOT to go there! Plus the guys break down what really happened during the NC State v North Carolina game with Armando Bacot, Leaky Black and Terquivion Smith.Creator, Co-Host & Executive Producer: James Michael McAdooCreator, Co-Host & Executive Producer: Ryan KellyExecutive Producer & Co-Created By:  Devin DismangProduced, Directed & Designed by Assemble, LCC(c) 2023 The Better Blue Podcast

    THIS is Why Top Hoopers Are Going Overseas Over the NBA!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2023 42:17


    Ryan & Mac speak to their journey on how they decided to play overseas instead of fighting for another chance to get back into the NBA. Creator, Co-Host & Executive Producer: James Michael McAdooCreator, Co-Host & Executive Producer: Ryan KellyExecutive Producer & Co-Created By: Devin DismangProduced, Directed & Designed by Assemble, LCC(c) 2023 The Better Blue Podcast

    NBA Contracts Are CRAZY & What the Heck Is Going on With Duke Basketball?!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2023 42:49


    James & Ryan drop some knowledge about how they learned that the NBA was truly a business first during their times with the Philadelphia 76ers and the Atlanta Hawks . Plus - the guys talk about what in the world is going on with Duke and UNC lately on the court. Creator, Co-Host & Executive Producer: James Michael McAdooCreator, Co-Host & Executive Producer: Ryan KellyExecutive Producer & Co-Created By:  Devin DismangProduced, Directed & Designed by Assemble, LCC(c) 2023 The Better Blue Podcast

    BIGGEST & WORST Losses at Duke & North Carolina + NBA Athletes Don't Do Conditioning?!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2023 45:45


    What are some of the worst losses that Mac & Ryan faced while at college at Duke & North Carolina? Also - which was worst when it came to conditioning: the NBA or college? Creator, Co-Host & Executive Producer: James Michael McAdooCreator, Co-Host & Executive Producer: Ryan KellyExecutive Producer & Co-Created By: Devin DismangProduced, Directed & Designed by Assemble, LCC(c) 2023 The Better Blue Podcast

    Ryan's TRUE Comeback Story on Going 'White Raven' Against Miami + Duke / UNC New Year's Resolutions

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2023 56:03


    Happy New Year TBB fans! Ryan finally tells the full UNHEARD story of his comeback game versus Miami during his senior season. Plus the guys speak on their New Years Resolutions for both Duke and UNC. 

    Untold Lakers & Warriors NBA Christmas Day Stories + How It Really Is to Play Against LeBron James

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2022 44:06


    Happy Holidays TBB fans! Mac & Ryan are coming in hot after Christmas with a special edition of the podcast where they talk about some of their favorite Christmas game moments while playing in the  NBA with the Lakers and Warriors as well as both reminisce about the few times they went up against LeBron James on the court.

    Jayson Tatum's Ceiling, Playing Overseas During the Pandemic & Dating Advice?!

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2022 49:45


    Ryan & Mac answer fan questions in our first-ever mailbag episode! Topics include a deep dive into the UNC/Duke rivalry from a player's perspective, what is Jayson Tatum's ceiling in the NBA, how was it really overseas during the height of the pandemic and even some relationship advice. An episode you do NOT want to miss!

    Naming Our Top Three Teammates at Duke & North Carolina

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2022 54:00


    Mac & Ryan give their top three teammates they played with during their careers at Duke and North Carolina. Also - the guys answer some fan questions about some UNC memories and the time Reggie Bullock called Coach K a rat! 

    Coach K & Roy Williams War Stories: Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2022 42:10


    Mac & Ryan go down memory lane to tell some never-heard-before stories about how it was to play for Duke and UNC with legendary head coaches Mike Krzyzewski & Roy Williams.

    Do Teams Even Care About ACC / Big Ten Challenge? + The Kyrie Irving Legendary Duke Debut

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2022 30:40


    Mac and Ryan talk about their experiences playing in the ACC / Big Ten Challenge as well as preview how they feel this year's Duke and UNC teams will fair.

    This is REALLY How the Top Basketball Players are Recruited to Duke & North Carolina

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2022 44:38


    Ever wonder how Coach K and Coach Roy Williams would recruit players to the Duke and North Carolina basketball programs? Well lucky for you - Ryan and Mac open up about how they were recruited to both Duke and North Carolina. 

    #7 Duke Blue Devils Falls to #6 Kansas Jayhawks in Champions Classic | TBB Quick Reaction

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2022 17:07


    In our first Quick Reaction episode, Ryan and Mac break down the Duke Blue Devils loss to the Kansas Jayhawks in the Champions Classic on November 15, 2022. 

    The "Obviously" Game: Tar Heels vs. Blue Devils - Who Will Produce Better NBA Prospects?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2022 44:22


    Welcome to the first (and maybe last) special edition of TBB with "The Obviously Game". Ryan & Mac speak on their hot "obvious" takes regarding the 2022-2023 North Carolina Tar Heels & Duke Blue Devils.Along with that, Mac speaks on his experience during the 2016 NBA Finals versus the Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James while Ryan speaks on how Harrison Barnes - the "Black Falcon" at UNC and current forward for the Sacramento Kings - inspired his own nickname during his time at Duke.

    '22-23 Duke & UNC Men's Basketball Schedule Breakdown & Steve Kerr Coached a Summer League Team?!

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2022 57:34


    It's time for college basketball! Mac & Ryan break down the Duke Blue Devils & North Carolina Tar Heels season schedules and predict their prospective records. Also - Ryan & Mac open up about their proudest moments during their recent time in the NBA as well some untold stories with the Golden State Warriors & Los Angeles Lakers.

    Welcome to The Better Blue Podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2022 11:09


    In this intro episode, hosts James Michael McAdoo & Ryan Kelly break down what The Better Blue Podcast is and give you their quick thoughts on how they feel both Duke and UNC will fare this season prior to the start of the NCAA basketball season.

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