March 21, 2019 • 23 mins
It's the best of The Odd Couple with Chris Broussard and Rob Parker! March Madness has begun and Chris and Rob discuss how invested they are in the early exciting games of the tournament. College Basketball Analyst from Stadium, Jeff Goodman, joins the show to talk about the NCAA Tournament and pro basketball. And The guys get in a heated debate over Russell Westbrook's legacy and whether he will ever win a championship or not.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Thanks for listening to the Best of the Odd Couple podcast.
Be sure to catch us live every weekday from seven
pm to ten pm Eastern four to seven Pacific on
Fox Sports Radio. Find your local station for The Odd
Couple at Fox Sports Radio dot com, or stream us
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(00:21):
s R. You're listening to the Best of the Odd
Couple with Chris Brush and Rod Harker. Let's start with
the tournament. Did you you made out of bracket? Yeah?
I made out a couple. I made out, But they're
all the same. They do one, no one. I'm talking
about like I'm in a friends bracket, like they got
(00:41):
like some sort but you have one. But I only
have one bracket with all the same. I'm not like
one of these guys who's gonna pick it? And I
got one winner in this bracket. Another winner. That's that's lame.
So my minu picts are the same on all the bracket.
How you doing. I didn't look yet. I've just been
a crazy day. Okay, I'm looked Bell Mint to go
(01:02):
to the final four. Actually I had him in the
final game. Oh stop, I told you yesterday. We bet
we bets. We bet a dinner a cross road. That
was a real quick which he's a great vegetarian restaurant
in LA. I love it, even though I'm not a
vegan soul you I told you, I said, direct quote.
I said, that's like betting that the Clippers are gonna
(01:25):
win in the NBA Championship, And that's what you bet.
He just sat me Bell Mint would be just he
just he just wanted to go out to dinner with you,
because it can't be a real, bad real He was serious,
was talking trash, he was getting cocky. Yo, I'm still alive.
Though I have Saint Mary's. She's playing got Saint Mary's
in the final. I've been winning at all. Let's look
(01:45):
at that cut his mic, cut his mic. It's just ridiculous. Man,
Come on, my good So you are gonna be bringing
me that dinner though now I'm not gonna do that
obviously out west here in Los Angeles, the game started
at nine fifty in the morning, So so you didn't.
You weren't at the TV set at nine fifteen, were you? La?
I did. I didn't have to do Undisputed this morning
(02:08):
or the Herd, which I've been doing all week monthy
through window. I did under so I was looking forward.
I had to get up at seven to do a
radio interview, but other than that, I was just looking
forward to laying in the bed and relaxing watching some
bout college bout ye. But I didn't know. I didn't
turn it on immediately. I just lay I slept and
so I got around nine thirty and I had to
do a few things and then I turned it on.
(02:30):
But now I wasn't like, I gotta turn it on
because some people are like it's a it's a rite
of passage for spring, and they're all into it, and
like they were at a sports bar early, you know,
normally at twelve fifteen East Coast time, and their buddies
and they're drinking beer and they're eating chicken wings and
they're all into it. They might have taken off from work.
(02:50):
Some people have taken off work. Some people are at
work that day. They got TV's going, and I really
working your phone, right, you could watch it at your desk.
I'm into it. I just didn't feel like I looked
at Okay, it was Minnesota Louisville. I think that was
the first game, you know, Uh, and so I didn't
feel like I had to watch it, but I turned
it on once I woke up. The first game I
(03:13):
was watching, I can't remember what it was. But here's
my here's what I do, here's my strategy. So I
watched and I'm watching whatever game I am more intrigued by.
And they've got the scores. Was great. Now they have
the scores of all the other games up top. And
when I see it, no, you think, so I love
it because what it does when if I'm watching the game,
(03:36):
what game was I watching? But if I'm watching the
game in the first half and I see, oh, five
minutes left and it's close, whoever it is, I turned
to that channel, so you'll go TRU TV, TBS, TNT,
And I did it with Bradley, Michigan State, with New
Mexico State, and U Auburn. So I watched the last
(03:58):
five minutes of a close game him And that's what
I do. And if nothing is close, then I watch
whatever game is intriguing me, most like Murray State Marquette.
I wanted to see Ja Morant and uh Rob. But
but there's also what you call you know a lot
of you know that blowouts too in the first round.
So some games you do what in today though, I
(04:18):
mean this Mury State was about Marquette, but that was
a twelve blowing out of five, and that was exciting
because of have you seen him? Yes, he's the truth. No,
he looks like he is the like he can do
so many things, so athletic. I mean I saw everybody
getting caught up and he is athlete. I mean the
dunks and all that. But no, I'm just saying team yeah,
(04:39):
Like he's a point. He has seventeen point sixteen assists,
eleven rebounds. Guess how many shots? Nine very nice five
for nine from the floor. Like he's a true point.
He's a point guard trying to get that's it, getting
everybody involved controlled the game. He's got to be in
the top three picks Zion, RJ. Barrett, and John Moran.
(05:04):
That would be your pick. I don't know if it'd
be that order, but those three because I'm questioning John
Moran and RJ. Barrett. Now, I just wonder, like, do people,
as time goes on, are you interested more in certain games,
matchups you're looking for? Do you know what I mean?
Do you get to the point like like we get
inundated with so much stuff. People don't have all that
(05:26):
time unless you're really off and laying on the couch.
So to me, the tournament becomes appointment television. Certain games
I look and go, I want to see that game. Now,
I might wind up switching off or going somewhere else,
but there are certain games that I might look at
and say, yeah, I want to see Michigan State, or
I want to see North Carolina, or I want to
(05:48):
see Duke. You know what I mean. When you're not
just watching. No, I'm not just game that you really know.
Nobody is no unless unless I'm watching and somebody or
I see the score like you say, or somebody of
front mind says, turn on so and so it's a
three point game and as an upset possible. Now, then
I get people. My friends will just text me and
(06:08):
be like, turn on so and so, and then I'll
turn that game on or turn over if I'm not
watching it. But I don't watch just any game just
because it's college baskets. I'm a little different. I feel
you for the most part, but I'm a little different way.
I realized a few years ago, maybe eight seven or
eight years ago, that it really doesn't matter because I
(06:32):
used to follow college basketball religiously. No, I got it.
I used to college vall like college basketball better than
pro did. I like pro obviously, but I paid more
attention to the NBA in the playoffs. But I was
really into college basket. What city was that that made you?
Because growing up and the reason I asked you this,
(06:53):
growing up in New York, New York was always a
pro town. You know, we didn't have a college football team. Well,
Saint John's was the only college basketball team, and when
they were good, people were into it. So I'm not
saying that people didn't care. But New York was a protown.
So you know, with nine proteins, we grew up and
the college stuff kind of just went by. Where did
(07:14):
you get to love for college basketball? What city were
you in? Indianapolis, Indiana, ages like eight to twelve? Did
that makes sense? So? Yeah? But and then after that
it was Syracuse, New York. That's another college place. Could
you live in many more dreary places? I know? I
you know, as a kid, you know, you don't say no.
And then guess where we moved from Syracuse, bam and
(07:39):
then the Cleveland Cleveland was like, what did your dad
was hyped about? Clear? Did your dad do to the
company that they just like gave him, like the worst
job job transfers. He was a person that manager at
Travelers Insurance Company. And we never traveled alright, we traveled
after the age of seven. I never lived anywhere from
(07:59):
for for five years until I was an adult. Wow,
that's amazing. Yeah, And as a kid, you don't think
about a dreary city or this not he like places
up better than others. But every place I was generally happy.
But when I went back as an adult, like the
Syracuse for the NC Double A tournament, I was downtown,
I was like, man, do we live here? Right? I
(08:20):
really was like, And then I thought about Cincinnati, Indianapolis.
I've been obviously been there for the Pacers games and playoffs,
and I'm like, man, we did We lived in some
pole dunk cities. How did I become so cosmopolitan? It's
amazing being in all these places. And my wife's from
New York City? Right, you know? So opposite is do
(08:41):
a tract? All right? You're turned away in NC double
A tournament day, share your thoughts right? Sharing his plan
for the tournament? Do you like, are you all in
or you watching Walter walk can't get enough? Do you
pick and choose your games or do you take off
of what did you take off of work today to
get it started? Are you that kind of a college
(09:01):
basketball fan? Because the tournament especially, I always say this,
there's nothing better than a single elimination. I mean, it's
just an urgency. It doesn't tell you who's the best
player in the name. No, no, no, anybody can be
everyone anybody every so often the best team. There may
be one team that is clearly just better than everybody
(09:22):
else in wins. But for the most part, it's just
who gets hot. And be sure to catch live editions
of The Odd Couple with Chris Broussard and Rob Parker
weekdays at seven pm Eastern four pm Pacific on Fox
Sports Radio and the iHeart Radio app. We have Jeff
Goodman of Stadium college basketball analysts for Stadium, our former
(09:43):
colleague back at the old network on the line. You're
a halftime, Jeff, Welcome to the Eye Couple. You're a
halftime of that Kentucky game, right Kentucky Abilen State. And
you know what it does. Literally, I'm telling you, guys,
I saw them before the game. I looked at them
(10:05):
in the in the Layoup line, and I said, like,
Kentucky's gonna win by forty. You know how sometimes you
could just hell, it's just the look test. Yes, well,
well well that and they were selling depends at the concessions.
You don't have to laugh. Come on, Jeff, that was funny.
That was funny. Stop it. But no, they they're up
(10:28):
thirty nine thirteen, So let's let's talk about some other Look.
I'm gonna throw this at you, Jeff, and my bracket.
I've got Kentucky getting to the final game. Don't have
them winning it, but have them getting there. Am I crazy? No?
Hell no, hell no. Like everybody wrote him off after
that first game against Duke, but they still fit. Now.
They don't have PJ. Washington Tonither that's the craziest part.
(10:50):
They're without their best player at half against Ablen Christian.
But if they get PJ back, and this is something
to be concerned about a little bit, he's in a
food I know, anybody with any sort of foot injury
these days, they throw a boot on you no matter what.
But they're gonna need him back at maybe not even
for the next game, although they get the winner of
(11:13):
Seton Hall Wofford who plays later tonight, and that'll be
a that'll be an interesting one. Whoever Kentucky plays in
that one. I think they can get by either without them,
but going forward they're gonna need a helpy Pga washing.
They just fit together, Chris like they got. They got
a really good point guard who sets people up in
Ashton Hagans and defense. They got two wings that are
different two freshman Tyler Hero can really score it. Kelvin
(11:35):
Johnson is just that kind of glue guy, that tough wing.
And then you got two bigs with Red Travis who's
a pure transfer from from Stanford, and you got PJ. Washington.
They play well together, and you got three guys off
the bench that know their role. How how important is
it for a coach cal to win another championship? He said,
(11:58):
so much talent, We get it. But he's only one one.
And I always say this, Jeff, anybody can win one.
The stars can a lie because Jim Behi has one,
so anybody can win one. But you know, to win
that second one? How important it is is it? For
with you? I'm with you, and I think Kentucky fans
are probably with you to some extent too. They want more,
(12:19):
right and that one he got. If you look at
it with Anthony Davis and those guys, if Kendall Marshall
doesn't get hurt for Carolina and break his wrist in
the Incuba Tournament, that he might not have that one,
might not have had that one, might not have had
that one. So yeah, I think with all the talent
that's come in, when you look at like Jay Wright's
got two in the last three years and Cal's got
(12:43):
one in his ten years at eleven years, I think
at Kentucky it's a little surprising. And again it's hard
on one hand because you've got to coach these guys
up that you're only gonna have one year. But every
coach in the country would love to be in that Senna,
Let's be honest, it's the eye couple. We're joined by
college basketball analyst Jeff Goodman of Stadium Jeff. The star
(13:07):
today is John morand Murray State seventeen point sixteen assists
eleven rebounds as they routed the higher seeded the fifth
seeded Marquette Murray States to twelve seed. Two questions for
you on Moran one, how far can he lead Murray State?
And two, who do you like better at the next
(13:27):
level between John Moran and RJ Barrettcause I think those
two are the ones that are going to be vying
for that second pick after Zion Williamson. Yeah, clearly, I'll
start with number two, and clearly it's one, Zion, two,
and three in some order. R James Jah. To me,
(13:48):
it's Jah, Like, I just think you need a high
level point guard in the league to have a chance
to go deep in the playoffs, right, I mean, there's
no doubt RJ. Barrett. He's the multi mentioned a wing
that a lot of guys like in the NBA, and
I think his shot is gonna get better, but it's
very inconsistent at this point. And he plays bullyball. That's
(14:09):
kind of his game. His game has put it on
the floor, get to the basket. He's got unbelievable body control.
When he gets around the hoop, he can set people up.
So he's got a versatile game that the NBA guys
love these days. That's what they want, a versatile, multidimensional wing.
But I would take Jo ahead of him. I would.
I just he's a freak athlete. He's an elite passer,
(14:32):
he's a capable defender, he doesn't really want to defend yet.
And again he's a high character guy. Everybody you talk
to around that kid, they rave about him as a kid.
So I would take John Morant two at this point,
r J three, and then there's a big, big drop
off to me, there's no number four. There's no number
(14:52):
four right now, like number four is wide open as
far as I'm concerned. Your your first question. They can
be Florida State, and then they probably go up against Gonzaga,
and I just think it'll be tough for job against
a Gonzaga team that has so many weapons. They got everything.
(15:13):
I mean, Gonzaga's probably as well put together of a
team as there is in the country. And they've really
done it without killing at Tilly, who's been hurt most
of the year, and he was a fringe first round
pick entering the season. Jeff, what about the crowd where
you are? I mean, I know college football's had problems
with bowl games. So many bowl games and a lot
(15:34):
of empty arenas. I can't tell because the camera's so tight.
Is there a sold out building? It wasn't great early.
Obviously Kentucky fans start to philadelp It's probably two thirds
full right now, but I think tomorrow. So I'm driving
after the last game tonight, I'm gonna drive halfway to
Savannah and then I'm gonna go to Columbia in the
(15:56):
morning and see the games there. And it's Virginia Duke.
I would assume wherever Duke is it's gonna be completely
sold out. So it really depends on the venue. I've
been at venues over the years that have been like
a quarter full. Wow. Just depends what teams you get
at these venues, Yeah, because they'd like to try to
spread it out so you get some some box office.
That's right, Jeff. Before we let you go, I know
(16:19):
you're plugged in with the Boston Celtics. What do you
think happens with Kyrie Irving in this summer? And how
worried are they in Boston that he might leave? They're
worried as they should be, because as you know, nobody
has a good handle on Kyrie. No fun. They can
say they do all they want, but unless you're in
(16:40):
that circle and there's not a lot of people in it,
you don't have a good feel for what Kyrie is
gonna do. You know, for me, it's hard for me.
And you know Kyrie too, I've known since he was
like fifteen. He's not a leader. I don't think he's
ever going to be a leader. You know. He walks
in that locker room and the air kind of comes
out of it. He's so talented, so talented. But I
(17:03):
think even judging by the response that Isaiah got when
he went back to Boston the other night, you saw
how much his teammates loved Isaiah. Why because he was
one of them. He was one of them, especially Marcus
Smart and Terry Rosier, right, he was, he was one
of them. Yeah, kind of that that chip and their
shoulder type guy. Tyree's the opposite, you know, He's kind
(17:24):
of like Jimmy Butler now right. I mean those twos
should have to play together, they should be forced to
play together. But they are friends. Who knows what's what
happens this summer. But Jeff Goodman great stuff. He appreciate
the knowledge as always. Anytime boy's good talking to him. Yeah,
talk to all right, Jeff Goodman from Stadium. Be sure
(17:46):
to catch live editions of The Odd Couple. With Chris
Broussard and Rob Parker weekdays at seven pm Eastern four
pm Pacific. Rob just it seems like just a few
weeks ago, everybody he was talking about Oklahoma City, not
that they're gonna win the West, that they're gonna beat
Golden State, but they were talking about the success that
(18:08):
they were having. Paul George was in the MVP conversation,
and now what were they the third seed, the fourth seed,
something like that. Now they are the eighth seed. They
have lost four straight games, eleven of their last sixteen.
They're not gonna fall all the way out of the
(18:29):
playoffs because Sacramento has stumbled, and now they're the ninth
seeds seven games behind. Lakers are worse. They're not talking
Lakers ten and a half games out. Nobody right just
scares you Lakers, No, what, nothing. I don't even know
(18:51):
what you're talking about anyway, Olahoma City, Oklahoma City. It's
falling apart. And one of the major reasons I'm a
defender of Russell Westbrook. I've argued with Colin Cowher many
a time on his show about Russell Whistbrook respecting him
(19:11):
and what he is doing. But that said he took
twenty nine shots last night and they lost to Toronto.
And if you look at these last sixteen games where
they have fallen off the map, one of the things
that's happening is Westbrook is shooting the ball a lot more.
(19:34):
He's averaged twenty three shots a game in these last sixteen.
He was averaging nineteen before that, and that's four shots.
Makes a big difference. And Westbrook is not playing the
type of basketball that's gonna win big games at a
high level. And I have come to the conclusion, look
(19:57):
what he's doing. He's gonna average a triple for the
third straight year. Who knows he might average a triple
double for the next two years. Fall we know twenty
five years from now, Russell Westbrook is going to be
an icon. People are gonna be looking back and say,
you know what, twenty five years ago there was a
(20:17):
guy that average a triple double for three straight years.
When you talk to people about the big old Oscar Robertson,
as great a player as he was, he won one championship.
The thing they mentioned first, the thing they remember about
him as White Rob Well, the average a triple double.
But he was the only guy who had done it. Yeah,
(20:39):
but Russell Westbrook the only guy to do it three times.
I get it. I'm saying when when you talked about
the big ol, because he had been the only one
who had done it for a long time. I don't
know how many years have passed. He did it in
the early sixty I want to say two or something
or something like that. But it was like forty years
had passed and nobody else had done it. That was
we didn't think it was possible. Nobody thought Lebron or
(21:03):
Magic or Hard Penny, Hardaway or Jason Kidd could do it.
Nobody thought it was possible in today's game for average
a triple double. He's done it for three straight years,
so he will be an icon. But you know what else,
I'm convinced, first ballot Hall of Famer superstar icon will
never win a championship based on what his solid play.
(21:26):
So you don't know that play time and time and score.
You know, uh, time and score Like he plays at
one pace all the time. I think that when the
time comes in the right pieces or in place, he
can win a champ Kevin Durant wasn't the right place. Well,
Kevin Durant walked out. I'm just saying that ain't gonna
(21:47):
get much better. Piece they went to the finals, Chris,
let's say everybody asks like that didn't go beating five? No,
but if it wasn't for the foul that they didn't
call against Lebron, No, you're talking about the injuries they
still lost while he was found at the end of
the game. They would have been up to all the
Cleveland game. No, no, no, they should have won that.
(22:10):
All I'm saying is that they were already in the finals.
Don't act like they never got that. They can't get
to the Did I say they couldn't get to the set?
He can't win? I didn't say that. I did say
style of play. Name one player that plays that style.
I'm just saying, I don't know, can you name one? No,
the Detroit Pistons hadn't never a champion, didn't have a superstar,
but they won a championship and you know who they
(22:30):
beat the Mighty Lakers with four potential Hall of famers.
Chris Bousso never brings that up. They always forget about
that one. That there's been two teams in the history
of basketball. But then without this a superstar what's that man,
I'm sure you picked that championship. My point is that's
nothing to do with Russell. Sometimes upsets happened, That's my point.
(22:52):
How about speaking strategy? You speaking, Oh, anything can happen,
Anything can happened. I'm telling you're giving you and I
love Westbrook. No you don't. You said he can't win
the championship. He can't. I'm saying he can't be an icon.
Camp means unable to everybody. I'm camp means unable to
That means you can't walk on water. That's what can't mean. Look, man,
(23:15):
you might say, maybe here they talk to you about
English at PS at Columbia, you don't roach to the
IVY League. Stop it. I didn't go to I didn't
go to a college of the Cornfield. Hey, Cornfields, that's
all right. I learned a lot, all right. What the
difference between college mayors came out? I went there with mayors.
(23:36):
What the difference between mayors with the college with He
learned the difference between colonels and cream style undergrad don't
make me bring up your undergrads. You never bring that up,
you know. He always just brings up Columbia journalists with school.
You never bring up your undergrad where'd you go? Southern Connecticut? Okay,
that's why you don't bring it up.
Thanks for listening to the Best of the Odd Couple podcast.
Be sure to catch us live every weekday from seven
pm to ten pm Eastern four to seven Pacific on
Fox Sports Radio. Find your local station for The Odd
Couple at Fox Sports Radio dot com, or stream us
live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching f
(00:21):
s R. You're listening to the Best of the Odd
Couple with Chris Brush and Rod Harker. Let's start with
the tournament. Did you you made out of bracket? Yeah?
I made out a couple. I made out, But they're
all the same. They do one, no one. I'm talking
about like I'm in a friends bracket, like they got
(00:41):
like some sort but you have one. But I only
have one bracket with all the same. I'm not like
one of these guys who's gonna pick it? And I
got one winner in this bracket. Another winner. That's that's lame.
So my minu picts are the same on all the bracket.
How you doing. I didn't look yet. I've just been
a crazy day. Okay, I'm looked Bell Mint to go
(01:02):
to the final four. Actually I had him in the
final game. Oh stop, I told you yesterday. We bet
we bets. We bet a dinner a cross road. That
was a real quick which he's a great vegetarian restaurant
in LA. I love it, even though I'm not a
vegan soul you I told you, I said, direct quote.
I said, that's like betting that the Clippers are gonna
(01:25):
win in the NBA Championship, And that's what you bet.
He just sat me Bell Mint would be just he
just he just wanted to go out to dinner with you,
because it can't be a real, bad real He was serious,
was talking trash, he was getting cocky. Yo, I'm still alive.
Though I have Saint Mary's. She's playing got Saint Mary's
in the final. I've been winning at all. Let's look
(01:45):
at that cut his mic, cut his mic. It's just ridiculous. Man,
Come on, my good So you are gonna be bringing
me that dinner though now I'm not gonna do that
obviously out west here in Los Angeles, the game started
at nine fifty in the morning, So so you didn't.
You weren't at the TV set at nine fifteen, were you? La?
I did. I didn't have to do Undisputed this morning
(02:08):
or the Herd, which I've been doing all week monthy
through window. I did under so I was looking forward.
I had to get up at seven to do a
radio interview, but other than that, I was just looking
forward to laying in the bed and relaxing watching some
bout college bout ye. But I didn't know. I didn't
turn it on immediately. I just lay I slept and
so I got around nine thirty and I had to
do a few things and then I turned it on.
(02:30):
But now I wasn't like, I gotta turn it on
because some people are like it's a it's a rite
of passage for spring, and they're all into it, and
like they were at a sports bar early, you know,
normally at twelve fifteen East Coast time, and their buddies
and they're drinking beer and they're eating chicken wings and
they're all into it. They might have taken off from work.
(02:50):
Some people have taken off work. Some people are at
work that day. They got TV's going, and I really
working your phone, right, you could watch it at your desk.
I'm into it. I just didn't feel like I looked
at Okay, it was Minnesota Louisville. I think that was
the first game, you know, Uh, and so I didn't
feel like I had to watch it, but I turned
it on once I woke up. The first game I
(03:13):
was watching, I can't remember what it was. But here's
my here's what I do, here's my strategy. So I
watched and I'm watching whatever game I am more intrigued by.
And they've got the scores. Was great. Now they have
the scores of all the other games up top. And
when I see it, no, you think, so I love
it because what it does when if I'm watching the game,
(03:36):
what game was I watching? But if I'm watching the
game in the first half and I see, oh, five
minutes left and it's close, whoever it is, I turned
to that channel, so you'll go TRU TV, TBS, TNT,
And I did it with Bradley, Michigan State, with New
Mexico State, and U Auburn. So I watched the last
(03:58):
five minutes of a close game him And that's what
I do. And if nothing is close, then I watch
whatever game is intriguing me, most like Murray State Marquette.
I wanted to see Ja Morant and uh Rob. But
but there's also what you call you know a lot
of you know that blowouts too in the first round.
So some games you do what in today though, I
(04:18):
mean this Mury State was about Marquette, but that was
a twelve blowing out of five, and that was exciting
because of have you seen him? Yes, he's the truth. No,
he looks like he is the like he can do
so many things, so athletic. I mean I saw everybody
getting caught up and he is athlete. I mean the
dunks and all that. But no, I'm just saying team yeah,
(04:39):
Like he's a point. He has seventeen point sixteen assists,
eleven rebounds. Guess how many shots? Nine very nice five
for nine from the floor. Like he's a true point.
He's a point guard trying to get that's it, getting
everybody involved controlled the game. He's got to be in
the top three picks Zion, RJ. Barrett, and John Moran.
(05:04):
That would be your pick. I don't know if it'd
be that order, but those three because I'm questioning John
Moran and RJ. Barrett. Now, I just wonder, like, do people,
as time goes on, are you interested more in certain games,
matchups you're looking for? Do you know what I mean?
Do you get to the point like like we get
inundated with so much stuff. People don't have all that
(05:26):
time unless you're really off and laying on the couch.
So to me, the tournament becomes appointment television. Certain games
I look and go, I want to see that game. Now,
I might wind up switching off or going somewhere else,
but there are certain games that I might look at
and say, yeah, I want to see Michigan State, or
I want to see North Carolina, or I want to
(05:48):
see Duke. You know what I mean. When you're not
just watching. No, I'm not just game that you really know.
Nobody is no unless unless I'm watching and somebody or
I see the score like you say, or somebody of
front mind says, turn on so and so it's a
three point game and as an upset possible. Now, then
I get people. My friends will just text me and
(06:08):
be like, turn on so and so, and then I'll
turn that game on or turn over if I'm not
watching it. But I don't watch just any game just
because it's college baskets. I'm a little different. I feel
you for the most part, but I'm a little different way.
I realized a few years ago, maybe eight seven or
eight years ago, that it really doesn't matter because I
(06:32):
used to follow college basketball religiously. No, I got it.
I used to college vall like college basketball better than
pro did. I like pro obviously, but I paid more
attention to the NBA in the playoffs. But I was
really into college basket. What city was that that made you?
Because growing up and the reason I asked you this,
(06:53):
growing up in New York, New York was always a
pro town. You know, we didn't have a college football team. Well,
Saint John's was the only college basketball team, and when
they were good, people were into it. So I'm not
saying that people didn't care. But New York was a protown.
So you know, with nine proteins, we grew up and
the college stuff kind of just went by. Where did
(07:14):
you get to love for college basketball? What city were
you in? Indianapolis, Indiana, ages like eight to twelve? Did
that makes sense? So? Yeah? But and then after that
it was Syracuse, New York. That's another college place. Could
you live in many more dreary places? I know? I
you know, as a kid, you know, you don't say no.
And then guess where we moved from Syracuse, bam and
(07:39):
then the Cleveland Cleveland was like, what did your dad
was hyped about? Clear? Did your dad do to the
company that they just like gave him, like the worst
job job transfers. He was a person that manager at
Travelers Insurance Company. And we never traveled alright, we traveled
after the age of seven. I never lived anywhere from
(07:59):
for for five years until I was an adult. Wow,
that's amazing. Yeah, And as a kid, you don't think
about a dreary city or this not he like places
up better than others. But every place I was generally happy.
But when I went back as an adult, like the
Syracuse for the NC Double A tournament, I was downtown,
I was like, man, do we live here? Right? I
(08:20):
really was like, And then I thought about Cincinnati, Indianapolis.
I've been obviously been there for the Pacers games and playoffs,
and I'm like, man, we did We lived in some
pole dunk cities. How did I become so cosmopolitan? It's
amazing being in all these places. And my wife's from
New York City? Right, you know? So opposite is do
(08:41):
a tract? All right? You're turned away in NC double
A tournament day, share your thoughts right? Sharing his plan
for the tournament? Do you like, are you all in
or you watching Walter walk can't get enough? Do you
pick and choose your games or do you take off
of what did you take off of work today to
get it started? Are you that kind of a college
(09:01):
basketball fan? Because the tournament especially, I always say this,
there's nothing better than a single elimination. I mean, it's
just an urgency. It doesn't tell you who's the best
player in the name. No, no, no, anybody can be
everyone anybody every so often the best team. There may
be one team that is clearly just better than everybody
(09:22):
else in wins. But for the most part, it's just
who gets hot. And be sure to catch live editions
of The Odd Couple with Chris Broussard and Rob Parker
weekdays at seven pm Eastern four pm Pacific on Fox
Sports Radio and the iHeart Radio app. We have Jeff
Goodman of Stadium college basketball analysts for Stadium, our former
(09:43):
colleague back at the old network on the line. You're
a halftime, Jeff, Welcome to the Eye Couple. You're a
halftime of that Kentucky game, right Kentucky Abilen State. And
you know what it does. Literally, I'm telling you, guys,
I saw them before the game. I looked at them
(10:05):
in the in the Layoup line, and I said, like,
Kentucky's gonna win by forty. You know how sometimes you
could just hell, it's just the look test. Yes, well,
well well that and they were selling depends at the concessions.
You don't have to laugh. Come on, Jeff, that was funny.
That was funny. Stop it. But no, they they're up
(10:28):
thirty nine thirteen, So let's let's talk about some other Look.
I'm gonna throw this at you, Jeff, and my bracket.
I've got Kentucky getting to the final game. Don't have
them winning it, but have them getting there. Am I crazy? No?
Hell no, hell no. Like everybody wrote him off after
that first game against Duke, but they still fit. Now.
They don't have PJ. Washington Tonither that's the craziest part.
(10:50):
They're without their best player at half against Ablen Christian.
But if they get PJ back, and this is something
to be concerned about a little bit, he's in a
food I know, anybody with any sort of foot injury
these days, they throw a boot on you no matter what.
But they're gonna need him back at maybe not even
for the next game, although they get the winner of
(11:13):
Seton Hall Wofford who plays later tonight, and that'll be
a that'll be an interesting one. Whoever Kentucky plays in
that one. I think they can get by either without them,
but going forward they're gonna need a helpy Pga washing.
They just fit together, Chris like they got. They got
a really good point guard who sets people up in
Ashton Hagans and defense. They got two wings that are
different two freshman Tyler Hero can really score it. Kelvin
(11:35):
Johnson is just that kind of glue guy, that tough wing.
And then you got two bigs with Red Travis who's
a pure transfer from from Stanford, and you got PJ. Washington.
They play well together, and you got three guys off
the bench that know their role. How how important is
it for a coach cal to win another championship? He said,
(11:58):
so much talent, We get it. But he's only one one.
And I always say this, Jeff, anybody can win one.
The stars can a lie because Jim Behi has one,
so anybody can win one. But you know, to win
that second one? How important it is is it? For
with you? I'm with you, and I think Kentucky fans
are probably with you to some extent too. They want more,
(12:19):
right and that one he got. If you look at
it with Anthony Davis and those guys, if Kendall Marshall
doesn't get hurt for Carolina and break his wrist in
the Incuba Tournament, that he might not have that one,
might not have had that one, might not have had
that one. So yeah, I think with all the talent
that's come in, when you look at like Jay Wright's
got two in the last three years and Cal's got
(12:43):
one in his ten years at eleven years, I think
at Kentucky it's a little surprising. And again it's hard
on one hand because you've got to coach these guys
up that you're only gonna have one year. But every
coach in the country would love to be in that Senna,
Let's be honest, it's the eye couple. We're joined by
college basketball analyst Jeff Goodman of Stadium Jeff. The star
(13:07):
today is John morand Murray State seventeen point sixteen assists
eleven rebounds as they routed the higher seeded the fifth
seeded Marquette Murray States to twelve seed. Two questions for
you on Moran one, how far can he lead Murray State?
And two, who do you like better at the next
(13:27):
level between John Moran and RJ Barrettcause I think those
two are the ones that are going to be vying
for that second pick after Zion Williamson. Yeah, clearly, I'll
start with number two, and clearly it's one, Zion, two,
and three in some order. R James Jah. To me,
(13:48):
it's Jah, Like, I just think you need a high
level point guard in the league to have a chance
to go deep in the playoffs, right, I mean, there's
no doubt RJ. Barrett. He's the multi mentioned a wing
that a lot of guys like in the NBA, and
I think his shot is gonna get better, but it's
very inconsistent at this point. And he plays bullyball. That's
(14:09):
kind of his game. His game has put it on
the floor, get to the basket. He's got unbelievable body control.
When he gets around the hoop, he can set people up.
So he's got a versatile game that the NBA guys
love these days. That's what they want, a versatile, multidimensional wing.
But I would take Jo ahead of him. I would.
I just he's a freak athlete. He's an elite passer,
(14:32):
he's a capable defender, he doesn't really want to defend yet.
And again he's a high character guy. Everybody you talk
to around that kid, they rave about him as a kid.
So I would take John Morant two at this point,
r J three, and then there's a big, big drop
off to me, there's no number four. There's no number
(14:52):
four right now, like number four is wide open as
far as I'm concerned. Your your first question. They can
be Florida State, and then they probably go up against Gonzaga,
and I just think it'll be tough for job against
a Gonzaga team that has so many weapons. They got everything.
(15:13):
I mean, Gonzaga's probably as well put together of a
team as there is in the country. And they've really
done it without killing at Tilly, who's been hurt most
of the year, and he was a fringe first round
pick entering the season. Jeff, what about the crowd where
you are? I mean, I know college football's had problems
with bowl games. So many bowl games and a lot
(15:34):
of empty arenas. I can't tell because the camera's so tight.
Is there a sold out building? It wasn't great early.
Obviously Kentucky fans start to philadelp It's probably two thirds
full right now, but I think tomorrow. So I'm driving
after the last game tonight, I'm gonna drive halfway to
Savannah and then I'm gonna go to Columbia in the
(15:56):
morning and see the games there. And it's Virginia Duke.
I would assume wherever Duke is it's gonna be completely
sold out. So it really depends on the venue. I've
been at venues over the years that have been like
a quarter full. Wow. Just depends what teams you get
at these venues, Yeah, because they'd like to try to
spread it out so you get some some box office.
That's right, Jeff. Before we let you go, I know
(16:19):
you're plugged in with the Boston Celtics. What do you
think happens with Kyrie Irving in this summer? And how
worried are they in Boston that he might leave? They're
worried as they should be, because as you know, nobody
has a good handle on Kyrie. No fun. They can
say they do all they want, but unless you're in
(16:40):
that circle and there's not a lot of people in it,
you don't have a good feel for what Kyrie is
gonna do. You know, for me, it's hard for me.
And you know Kyrie too, I've known since he was
like fifteen. He's not a leader. I don't think he's
ever going to be a leader. You know. He walks
in that locker room and the air kind of comes
out of it. He's so talented, so talented. But I
(17:03):
think even judging by the response that Isaiah got when
he went back to Boston the other night, you saw
how much his teammates loved Isaiah. Why because he was
one of them. He was one of them, especially Marcus
Smart and Terry Rosier, right, he was, he was one
of them. Yeah, kind of that that chip and their
shoulder type guy. Tyree's the opposite, you know, He's kind
(17:24):
of like Jimmy Butler now right. I mean those twos
should have to play together, they should be forced to
play together. But they are friends. Who knows what's what
happens this summer. But Jeff Goodman great stuff. He appreciate
the knowledge as always. Anytime boy's good talking to him. Yeah,
talk to all right, Jeff Goodman from Stadium. Be sure
(17:46):
to catch live editions of The Odd Couple. With Chris
Broussard and Rob Parker weekdays at seven pm Eastern four
pm Pacific. Rob just it seems like just a few
weeks ago, everybody he was talking about Oklahoma City, not
that they're gonna win the West, that they're gonna beat
Golden State, but they were talking about the success that
(18:08):
they were having. Paul George was in the MVP conversation,
and now what were they the third seed, the fourth seed,
something like that. Now they are the eighth seed. They
have lost four straight games, eleven of their last sixteen.
They're not gonna fall all the way out of the
(18:29):
playoffs because Sacramento has stumbled, and now they're the ninth
seeds seven games behind. Lakers are worse. They're not talking
Lakers ten and a half games out. Nobody right just
scares you Lakers, No, what, nothing. I don't even know
(18:51):
what you're talking about anyway, Olahoma City, Oklahoma City. It's
falling apart. And one of the major reasons I'm a
defender of Russell Westbrook. I've argued with Colin Cowher many
a time on his show about Russell Whistbrook respecting him
(19:11):
and what he is doing. But that said he took
twenty nine shots last night and they lost to Toronto.
And if you look at these last sixteen games where
they have fallen off the map, one of the things
that's happening is Westbrook is shooting the ball a lot more.
(19:34):
He's averaged twenty three shots a game in these last sixteen.
He was averaging nineteen before that, and that's four shots.
Makes a big difference. And Westbrook is not playing the
type of basketball that's gonna win big games at a
high level. And I have come to the conclusion, look
(19:57):
what he's doing. He's gonna average a triple for the
third straight year. Who knows he might average a triple
double for the next two years. Fall we know twenty
five years from now, Russell Westbrook is going to be
an icon. People are gonna be looking back and say,
you know what, twenty five years ago there was a
(20:17):
guy that average a triple double for three straight years.
When you talk to people about the big old Oscar Robertson,
as great a player as he was, he won one championship.
The thing they mentioned first, the thing they remember about
him as White Rob Well, the average a triple double.
But he was the only guy who had done it. Yeah,
(20:39):
but Russell Westbrook the only guy to do it three times.
I get it. I'm saying when when you talked about
the big ol, because he had been the only one
who had done it for a long time. I don't
know how many years have passed. He did it in
the early sixty I want to say two or something
or something like that. But it was like forty years
had passed and nobody else had done it. That was
we didn't think it was possible. Nobody thought Lebron or
(21:03):
Magic or Hard Penny, Hardaway or Jason Kidd could do it.
Nobody thought it was possible in today's game for average
a triple double. He's done it for three straight years,
so he will be an icon. But you know what else,
I'm convinced, first ballot Hall of Famer superstar icon will
never win a championship based on what his solid play.
(21:26):
So you don't know that play time and time and score.
You know, uh, time and score Like he plays at
one pace all the time. I think that when the
time comes in the right pieces or in place, he
can win a champ Kevin Durant wasn't the right place. Well,
Kevin Durant walked out. I'm just saying that ain't gonna
(21:47):
get much better. Piece they went to the finals, Chris,
let's say everybody asks like that didn't go beating five? No,
but if it wasn't for the foul that they didn't
call against Lebron, No, you're talking about the injuries they
still lost while he was found at the end of
the game. They would have been up to all the
Cleveland game. No, no, no, they should have won that.
(22:10):
All I'm saying is that they were already in the finals.
Don't act like they never got that. They can't get
to the Did I say they couldn't get to the set?
He can't win? I didn't say that. I did say
style of play. Name one player that plays that style.
I'm just saying, I don't know, can you name one? No,
the Detroit Pistons hadn't never a champion, didn't have a superstar,
but they won a championship and you know who they
(22:30):
beat the Mighty Lakers with four potential Hall of famers.
Chris Bousso never brings that up. They always forget about
that one. That there's been two teams in the history
of basketball. But then without this a superstar what's that man,
I'm sure you picked that championship. My point is that's
nothing to do with Russell. Sometimes upsets happened, That's my point.
(22:52):
How about speaking strategy? You speaking, Oh, anything can happen,
Anything can happened. I'm telling you're giving you and I
love Westbrook. No you don't. You said he can't win
the championship. He can't. I'm saying he can't be an icon.
Camp means unable to everybody. I'm camp means unable to
That means you can't walk on water. That's what can't mean. Look, man,
(23:15):
you might say, maybe here they talk to you about
English at PS at Columbia, you don't roach to the
IVY League. Stop it. I didn't go to I didn't
go to a college of the Cornfield. Hey, Cornfields, that's
all right. I learned a lot, all right. What the
difference between college mayors came out? I went there with mayors.
(23:36):
What the difference between mayors with the college with He
learned the difference between colonels and cream style undergrad don't
make me bring up your undergrads. You never bring that up,
you know. He always just brings up Columbia journalists with school.
You never bring up your undergrad where'd you go? Southern Connecticut? Okay,
that's why you don't bring it up.
Hosts And Creators
kelvin washington
Rob Parker
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