April 4, 2025 • 47 mins
We are live in San Antonio, TX with host T.J. Rives and his guests breaking down the Auburn/Florida and Duke/Houston semi-final games Saturday and much more on "College Basketball Coast to Coast!"
Who will win the showdown in the SEC with the Tigers and the #Gators ? Catch the conversation with ESPN/SEC Network analyst Mark Wise for more.
Also, Ari Russell has interviews with players from inside the Alamodome and we get some breakdown of how the Cougars could take down #Duke from Jason Powers, as well!
It's all on a #FinalFour preview edition from Friday in the Alamo City on "College Basketball Coast to Coast!" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!
Who will win the showdown in the SEC with the Tigers and the #Gators ? Catch the conversation with ESPN/SEC Network analyst Mark Wise for more.
Also, Ari Russell has interviews with players from inside the Alamodome and we get some breakdown of how the Cougars could take down #Duke from Jason Powers, as well!
It's all on a #FinalFour preview edition from Friday in the Alamo City on "College Basketball Coast to Coast!" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
The Yes.
Speaker 2 (00:02):
Indeed, folks, we have reached the weekend and the event
that culminates college basketball's twenty twenty five campaign. It is
the Men's Final Four Championship from the Alamo City of
San Antonio, and.
Speaker 3 (00:18):
We are here on.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
College Basketball Coast to Coast coming to you live from
San Antonio and look forward to everything that's about to
happen with Auburn against Florida and Duke and Houston on
Saturday inside of the Alamo Dome.
Speaker 3 (00:31):
I am merely TJ.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
Reeves here on College Basketball Coast to Coast platforms, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, etc.
Thank you for finding us on this Friday, whether you
did so live as we're doing this at one Central
time too Eastern time, or you're finding us after the
fact Friday afternoon Friday evening. We're going to be here
all weekend here as part of College Basketball.
Speaker 3 (00:54):
Coast to Coast.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
It is great to be with you here on the platforms. Also,
if you're only hearing us in podcast form or on
the tune in streaming channel of College Basketball Coast to Coast,
come find the video because we've got video conversations coming
up here today previewing the games. My colleagues Ari Russell,
Tyler Jones, Deshaun Tate are all here inside of San Antonio,
(01:18):
and you're gonna be inside the Alamodome covering the SEC,
the Big Twelve, and the ACC all showing down for
who's gonna end up being the national champ for this year?
Will it be Duke for the first time in a decade.
Will it be for Florida for the first time in
eighteen years since they're back to back titles six oh seven?
Will be the first time ever for Auburn or for
(01:38):
Houston in the final four.
Speaker 3 (01:40):
We will be here.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
Throughout the weekend Saturday, Sunday, Monday on the College basketball
Coast to coast platforms.
Speaker 3 (01:48):
Again.
Speaker 2 (01:49):
We'll be live at one Eastern time on Saturday. We
will be back again at one Eastern time as well
on Sunday and Monday in the preview mode. And also
again keep track of this not just YouTube, Facebook and Twitter,
but find the podcast speed as well. We'll promo that
sitting right up there on the screen that you can
(02:11):
find us on podcasts wherever you get your podcast, Apple, Spreaker, Spotify,
postgame coverage, postgame recap shows on podcast and on tune
in the streaming channel late night Saturday night into Sunday
morning before the live show and then after the championship
game on Monday night, podcast form and streaming on the
tune in Free to Hear channel. Go to tune in
(02:33):
the mobile app and find college Basketball Coast to Coast
free streaming preview free streaming recaps of the games as
well there for those. So again, with all the promos
out of the way, it is hot in San Antonio.
Speaker 3 (02:50):
The Mexican food is good.
Speaker 2 (02:52):
We've got the River Walk, we've got the Alamo, and
now we've got college basketball's title to be decided here
for the first time since twenty eighteen in Villanova defeated
Michigan for the national championship. I was here, Dear God,
in two thousand and eight for Kansas Tyler Jones, if
you're watching this show, stop smirking for Kansas and the
overtime win over my Memphis Tigers, who were this close
(03:15):
to being the national champs with Derrick Rose and Chris
Douglas Roberts John Calipari's team.
Speaker 3 (03:21):
Instead, it was.
Speaker 2 (03:21):
Mario Chalmers with the Big Three, Darrell Arthur and ka
U able to get the victory for Bill self and
then previously yukon a national title win over Georgia Tech
in the Alamo Dome as well. I was here for
all three of those. That was back in two thousand
and four. One previous Final four title for Kentucky over
(03:42):
Utah that came in nineteen ninety eight. Again, U Kahn
defeated Georgia Tech in four Kansas and eight Villanova in
twenty eighteen to be a totally different new champion out
of these four teams here in twenty twenty five. So
it's great to be with you on college basketball Coach coastright.
Speaker 3 (03:57):
Let me set the.
Speaker 2 (03:58):
Table for you in a few moments. Gonna hear from
analyst Mark Wise of the SEC coverage Southeastern Conference coverage
on ESPN. Mark and I have been twenty five year friends. Basically,
he's been in and around my coverage on tune in here,
in all of the platforms with college basketball Coast to coast.
(04:18):
Mark does a fantastic job with the ESPN family of
networks and the SEC network covering college basketball. He worked
both Auburn and Florida this season in the SEC. He
will size up the matchup. It's a rematch. Florida won
the game at Auburn in February, their only meeting of
the year.
Speaker 3 (04:36):
They didn't even meet.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
In the SEC Tournament at Florida won Tennessee, knocked off
Auburn in the semi finals, and then Florida went on
to beat Tennessee for the title. So Mark's got great insight.
He'll break it down. Mark also has stories from being
in Gainesville and part of the Florida Gator radio broadcast
for those back to back national titles. Heck, he even
goes back to the Purdue nineteen eighty Final four as
(04:58):
an assistant coach under Lee Row and coaching in the
Final Four as an assistant for the Purdue Boilermaker. So
Mark's got great insight. Later on in this hour, Jason
Powers is also here with me, my wingman. I'll go
back to a conversation in the preview mode I had
with him breaking down Auburn Florida Houston Duke stand by
for that. It would not be a preview show without
brother Powers. We got you here on college Basketball Coast
(05:21):
to coast in the platforms. Ari Russell has been hustling
on this Friday Friday. Traditionally at the Final Four weekend
has opened to the public practices. There's some ten thousand
in the Alamodome this afternoon to see Houston, who's only
about three hours away, to see Duke and Auburn and
Florida all work out free and open to the public.
Ari has been hustling in the interview areas getting.
Speaker 3 (05:43):
Us some interviews.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
You will hear from Florida's Thomas Howke, one of the
key role players with some big three point shots in
their win over Texas Tech. Ari spoke with Thomas Howk.
You'll hear that later on in our preview here for
a Friday. Ari also busy with Terrence Arsenal of the
Houston Cougars a little while hear from him as they
get ready to play Duke and that monstrous challenge against
(06:04):
Cooper Flag and con Kinneple and Malawatch and the Duke
guys that seem to be e ticketed here for a
national championship. Will Houston have something to say about that
in a late night game coming up on Saturday night
in San Antonio.
Speaker 3 (06:18):
Again, thank you for finding us.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
Let's get to our guests and our analyst as we
rock along on this final four Friday before the two
semi final games on Saturday. Let's begin with my colleague
Mark Wise, who I spoke to earlier this week about
Auburn and Florida, specifically the SEC against the SEC for
the first time ever in a Final four semi final
that's never happened before. Let's get to that right now
(06:42):
as part of our college basketball Coast to coast coverage.
It has been far too long, and I am sincere
when I say this, because I said it before I
hit the record button.
Speaker 3 (06:52):
I'm saying it now. I miss regularly getting to have coach.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
Wise, Mark Wise on with me for all of the inside,
especially in and around March, but we may happened for
the Final four. Hello ESPNS, Mark Wise, to help me
break down this twenty five version of the Final Four.
Speaker 3 (07:07):
Good to have you back.
Speaker 4 (07:09):
Yeah, I've missed being with you as well. It's been.
Speaker 5 (07:14):
When we look at this particular Final Four, I'm not
I don't miss Cinderella.
Speaker 4 (07:20):
So these four teams have been the four best.
Speaker 5 (07:24):
So I think we've got a heavyweight matchup on Saturday
and it'll be fine to watch.
Speaker 3 (07:28):
Love it.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
So whenever this comes around, you are ideal to reminisce,
and specifically when we're talking about Florida now being in
the Final four for the first time since twenty fourteen.
Speaker 3 (07:40):
You're great to go back kind of in the time machine.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
It is a quarter of a century ago, and you
and I were around each other in and around Florida
playing in the two thousand and Final four with Billy
Donovan and beating North Carolina eventually lost to Michigan State.
That Tom Izzo, Mattin Cleaves, Morris Peterson Michigan State team.
But when you're on twenty five years ago and Billy
Donovan getting over the hump and getting Florida to the
(08:04):
Final four, what do you think about You were on
the call with the legendary Mick Hubert of that two
thousand and Final four.
Speaker 3 (08:10):
What do you remember how surreal it was.
Speaker 5 (08:13):
I mean, I was fortunate enough at the age of
twenty four to be honest. Staff, you know, Jeff Meyer
and I were. We were two people on Lee Rose's
staff at Purdue TJ that now covers about ten different
people graduate assistant, student assistants, video people, player development. I mean,
(08:33):
all these people that they all have, it was two
guys way back then. So at the age of twenty four,
I had been in the finals of the NIT and
then in nineteen eighty in the NCAA Final four. And so,
what I always tell people in the coaching profession, and
I would tell this to Todd Golden right now, you
(08:56):
never know if you'll be back. I never went back
to the NCAA tournament after those two years. So for
me to be back in the final four, even as
a broadcaster in two thousand, it was surreal. It was
surreal to me to kind of come full circle. And then,
of course I've been fortunate enough to do it several times.
Speaker 3 (09:16):
Since, no doubt.
Speaker 2 (09:17):
So then two thousand and six, right back in Indianapolis,
the Gators win the whole thing again. What is that
like as they cut the nets down beating UCLA that
night in the championship game? What do you remember now
nineteen years ago on that one.
Speaker 5 (09:33):
Yeah, I had some brother in laws who came to
the championship game, and I think I've told this story before,
but after the game, I told him I would meet
up back at the hotel. But I told them, now,
it's going to be a zoo. If Florida wins. Well,
Florida wins, and it is a zoo. It's security is everywhere,
and so I met them outside the hotel and we
(09:53):
are literally walking through the roped off lines. I mean,
the hotel is crazy, okay, and I said, we're going
straight to the elevator. This is not about us, bah
bah blah. So I go to the elevator and I
turn around and my two brother in laws and their
friend they are working the rope line. Okay, they are
(10:16):
high five. I mean, it was an unbelievable moment. So
that's kind of what I remember there. The second time
it happened a year later, you know, it wasn't as
much fun for everybody that team. That's the closest I've
ever come to being involved with paparazzi because wherever they
went it was kind of a zoo. I think Yu
(10:40):
Khan has lived through that now, not only the second time,
but back to back, but then the third time and
trying to repeat.
Speaker 4 (10:47):
Florida didn't make the tournament, and okay, that wasn't an issue.
Speaker 5 (10:52):
But I will tell you this, and I think this
translates to this particular Florida team. You've often heard me
say that I think you have to have certain ingredients
in order to win the NCAA tournament or get to
the final four. You've got to have NBA talent. You've
got to be in Kim Palm's top forty offensive and
defensive efficiency. You've got to be healthy. So Jani Broom
(11:15):
comes into question now. And then lastly is you got
to catch a break. And everybody in the first title
game for Florida, everybody remembers Corey Brewer had a three,
had a baseline jumper three point play late in the
game against Georgetown in the regional semifinals, And what they
(11:35):
don't remember is Georgetown had the last shot and Corey
Brewer slipped and his guy had a wide open three,
and the basketball gods just happened to smile on Florida.
A year later, Florida, in the same game as playing Purdue,
Al Horford's got four fouls. There's a play where he
(11:56):
takes it to the rim. It's a block charge call.
It's a one point game. They called the block. It
would have been his fifth foul and would have fouled
him out and given Purdue the basketball down one. And
Florida goes on and wins back to back and rather
easily in the final four. So translate that to this
particular Florida team, and man, did they catch a break
(12:19):
in the Texas Tech game with the two miss free throws.
Speaker 3 (12:22):
Yeah, the front ends of one and one.
Speaker 5 (12:24):
One by an eighty four percent shooter, So they were
trying to they actually played analytically. With two and a
half minutes to go, they actually tried to foul Topping
and didn't get to him in time, so they fouled
Williams and he goes and misses, and then they went
ahead and fouled again in the.
Speaker 4 (12:41):
Next possession right away.
Speaker 5 (12:43):
I just don't know that there are a lot of
coaches TJ that would foul that early with two and
a half minutes to go in a six point game
that was all analytically.
Speaker 2 (12:52):
Driven, and again they made shots. You got another component.
You got to make threes. You got to make shots,
and Florida was able to do that. I love reminiscing
here with Mark Wise coach Wise he's MW hoops on
social media if you need him, and ESPN's broadcasting of
the SEC So you are ideal now at this point.
Speaker 3 (13:13):
The twenty twenty five version.
Speaker 2 (13:15):
To talk Auburn Florida and the matchup, I'm not sure
you worked Auburn at least once correct, what's the challenge?
And Florida's familiar obviously having beaten Auburn at Auburn late
in the year in February, But what is the challenge
this time around in the rematch?
Speaker 3 (13:32):
What do you think?
Speaker 5 (13:33):
Well, let's start with Auburn, because in that first game
at Auburn where Florida won, they made thirteen threes, and
if Florida makes thirteen threes Saturday, they'll win again. So
somehow Auburn's got to do a better And remember Florida
did not have Elijah Martin in that game. Now the
guy that took his place, who probably won't play Saturday,
(13:53):
clap Char made three of three from d So from
that standpoint, Auburn simply has to have a better defensive
effort than they had in that game. The problem with
guarding Florida, as you well know TJ, is if you
do guard the arc, then you open up your and
the guards are not involved in rebounding. And Auburn has
big guards who can get involved on the glass. But
(14:16):
if you don't get some guard help rebounding, Florida's ability
to hit the offensive glass, you know they get like
thirty eight percent of their misses. I mean, that's that's
like fifth best in the country. So it's kind of
a catch twenty two when you're guarding Florida. From the
Florida perspective, it's kind of a just because game. Just
(14:36):
because you beat Auburn at Auburn, that doesn't mean that
you start Saturday ahead six to nothing on the scoreboard, right,
So I think that I think both coaches will utilize
the first game trying to motivate in whatever way they can,
But I don't think it's really gonna play a big
role as it relates. As it relates to a Saturday,
(15:00):
both teams will have almost a whole week to prepare,
I think personally, I think because of that, I think
the game will be played a little bit slower than
what people think right now, and that's because of time
to prepare. So I think both teams will be on
point defensively early and then we'll see, maybe after the
(15:22):
first ten minutes if the pace of the game picks up.
Speaker 2 (15:24):
I know, as an old coach, you love the coaching
intertwined nostalgia whatever. Bruce Pearl has been around a long time.
Todd Golden's obviously in the stories, Todd Golden was on
Bruce Pearl's staff rece quctfully as a graduate assistant. How
much of an advantage is Pearl's experience, the fact he's
been in a Final four before in Minnesota?
Speaker 3 (15:47):
Do you buy into that?
Speaker 4 (15:48):
I think it always matters.
Speaker 5 (15:50):
I think everybody that goes to the Final four for
the first time there's a learning curve, and that's for
any coach, even a guy.
Speaker 4 (16:00):
You know, Bruce pearls in his sixties. So how old
was he when he.
Speaker 5 (16:03):
Went in eighteen nineteen, You know, sixty.
Speaker 4 (16:09):
I mean, but it was his first time.
Speaker 3 (16:10):
That's right.
Speaker 5 (16:11):
Everybody kind of has a learning curve with their first time.
I find it interesting that we've got two older coaches,
two younger coaches, but the two younger coaches have really
kind of etched their own way in the shadow of others.
Florida's still dealing in the shadow of Billy Doman. Of course,
John Shire dealing in the shadow of coach k Here's
(16:34):
the other thing that I find really interesting. I think
TJ in my lifetime, in my lifetime, the three greatest
resurrection jobs that have ever been done in college basketball.
And again I'm talking about my lifetime. One is Scott
Drew at Baylor where he started, where the program started.
(16:56):
Number two, and I've talked to you about this many
times because I did the American. When Kelvin Sampson took
the Houston job, you would have to see how poor
of a shape that that program was. Facilities, I mean,
hoff Heinz Pavilion was a dump. It had just it
(17:17):
had just not been taken care of or upgraded. The
program had no fan base. I mean it was it was.
It was awful. And then the third one was would
be Bruce Pearl and Auburn and what they've done in
terms of making them nationally relevant on a yearly basis.
So it's pretty interesting to me that of my three
(17:40):
favorite resurrection jobs, two of them, two of them are
in the Final four.
Speaker 2 (17:45):
Yeah, fascinating, and again just pick it up on the
youth versus the experience. Sampson, this is his third Final four.
People don't remember he was with Oklahoma in O two.
Was the head coach in that Final four, eventually won
by Maryland John Schier. Though we can't steal this short
one this as a player in twenty ten. Part of
(18:06):
it as an assistant with coach k in twenty fifteen
when they won both times in Indianapolis. All right, so
what do you make of that? What do you make
of that coaching matchup and that matchup? A lot of
people believe this is a Duke coronation ultimately, that nobody's
going to stop them.
Speaker 3 (18:22):
What do you think?
Speaker 5 (18:23):
Well, first of all, I've always said to this, it's
one thing to have great players, it's another to coach
great players, two totally different things. The job that he
has done with this particular group, I don't think the
average fan realizes how big.
Speaker 4 (18:40):
Duke is every position. They don't play anybody under six
foot six.
Speaker 5 (18:45):
Because of that length, they're able to switch one through
five a lot. I would also say this, We all
talk about Cooper flag Canipple as we should, the fact
that Proctor's knocking down threes just at a ridiculous rate
in the tournament. But I gotta tell you TJ. Malawatch,
(19:10):
he's a problem. He's a problem on both ends of
the floor, whether you're talking about being a rim presence
offensively second chance points, pick and roll options getting to
the rim, or on the other end where he's a
rim protector he presents all kinds of problems. I do
think there is a path to beat Duke, and I
(19:31):
would tell you this for any of the other three teams.
But that path is at the three point line. I
don't think you're gonna get a lot of second chance
points against Duke. I don't think you're gonna score a
lot of points in the pain against Duke. Because of
that length, because of that ability to rebound from all
five positions, you must have a three point presence. Now,
(19:53):
the good news for Houston fans is that this is
their best three point shooting team, top five in the
country on the NCAA stat list. They but they don't
necessarily shoot a whole lot of threes. They just make
them at a high clip because of space at which
they play.
Speaker 4 (20:11):
So here's what I'm saying. They average eight the game.
It's got to be ten.
Speaker 5 (20:15):
It's got to be ten or more if they want
to be around the end. The only team in the
NCAA tournament that's made more than ten against Duke was Arizona,
and Arizona pushed the Blue Devils a little bit. So
here's the other good news. If you're Auburn or or Florida.
Both of those teams shoot a lot of threes and
(20:36):
can make a lot of threes. So there, I think
they're both built better than Houston is to beat Duke
right now.
Speaker 2 (20:43):
Then again, Tennessee was trying to make a game of
it and Houston bang bang bang did three three pointers
to pop the lead back from eight or nine or
whatever it was back to seventeen sixteen, seventeen and put
the game away.
Speaker 3 (20:56):
They can make them in spurts.
Speaker 2 (20:58):
And will they get maliwatch and foul trare get him
time off the floor or not.
Speaker 3 (21:03):
That could be another variable. Again, we may look back.
Speaker 2 (21:06):
On this like the Gator repeat, like Yukon last year,
or like a couple of these teams, the Kentucky Dolenova then.
Speaker 4 (21:13):
The second time they marched through.
Speaker 2 (21:15):
When they march to Kentucky twenty twelve, where you look
back on it and say nobody was gonna beat them,
And maybe that's what we're looking at with Duke.
Speaker 3 (21:23):
Then again, maybe I mean.
Speaker 2 (21:24):
Houston's gonna have a lot of fans there regionally, let's see.
Speaker 5 (21:27):
Yeah, And I think they'll play a slower We know
they'll play a slower.
Speaker 4 (21:33):
For Duke.
Speaker 5 (21:34):
I think the trick will be to get to seventy.
I think if they get to seventy, I think they
win the game three point shooting for Houston and Pace
a play for Duke.
Speaker 2 (21:44):
It's gonna be wild again. I have always loved your
inside and analysis. I've always loved being around you, and
we we were there a couple of times in San
Antonio having the enchiladas on the river walk. I remember
in the eight oh the bad memories of the OA.
Speaker 4 (22:00):
I didn't think you would bring that up.
Speaker 2 (22:01):
But on the Sunday night, remember I'm gonna jog you.
On the Sunday night before the title game, they were
shooting off the fireworks after the concert, and you and
I are in the hotel near the Alamo Dome thinking
we're under attack?
Speaker 3 (22:12):
Are we under attack in the Alamo City?
Speaker 2 (22:15):
I hope that will not be the case in twenty
twenty five, but I love having you on to reminisce
for all this stuff.
Speaker 3 (22:20):
Mark Wise, this is tremendous.
Speaker 5 (22:22):
This is you know, I've kind of got a unique
perspective because I've touched the Final Four in so many
different ways. Yeah, as an assistant, as a broadcaster, being
with you for so many of those years, so it's special.
Speaker 4 (22:42):
It's special to me.
Speaker 5 (22:43):
In terms of the final I think Saturday is the
Kudi Gras, if you will, of our sport. So for
a tournament that captures our sporting imagination like none or
other for a three week period, I think it culminate.
It's not Monday night.
Speaker 4 (22:59):
I think Saturday.
Speaker 2 (23:00):
Yeah, gonna be a blast with these with these four
teams and two games on Saturday, for sure. Coach Mark Wise,
thank you for hanging with me on college basketball Coast
to coach, You're always the best to do this.
Speaker 4 (23:11):
Enjoy the games, TJ.
Speaker 3 (23:14):
Love that man.
Speaker 2 (23:16):
That again from just a little earlier this week in
the preview mode, Mark has been with me two previous
times in San Antonio. In fact, he was with me
for about eight of these on the final fours.
Speaker 3 (23:28):
But now it worked.
Speaker 2 (23:31):
The nit A bunch wants to go see the grandkids
with his wife, Mary Wise, the all time winningest volleyball
coach not only in the University of Florida's history as
she's now retired, but in Southeastern Conference history. Well deserved
to take the Final four off and watch for the Gators.
Let's see what the Gators can do in their first
Final four since twenty fourteen, looking for a national title
(23:51):
for the first time since the back to back in
six seven. How about two of the Final four participants
have been back to back with Florida six O seven
and Duke in ninety one and ninety two. My first
Final four while Mark's talking Final Four stories, was the
Duke back to back second title against Michigan in the
Metrodome in Minneapolis. I've often told the story. I was
(24:14):
in the upper deck of the old Metro Dome the
Lake Kirby Pucket used to hit the home runs in
the Metrodome for the Minnesota Twins downtown Minneapolis. I was
up in the upper deck and Christian Lightner and Bobby
Hurley and Chris Weber and Jalen Rose looked this big
and there was really only one TV. This is different technology.
No internet kids in nineteen ninety two, no cell phones.
(24:38):
You had to watch the game, and you were almost
closer back at the hotel.
Speaker 3 (24:42):
But I was there.
Speaker 2 (24:43):
But the Duke back to back in ninety two and
the Florida back to back in O seven, and I've
been privileged on tune in and the college basketball coast
to coast platforms to be here the last few years,
including the Yukon back to backs.
Speaker 3 (24:54):
We were in.
Speaker 2 (24:55):
Arizona a year ago, Houston two years ago, Arizona last year,
back to back for Connecticut in this thing. So now
we get either Duke Houston, Florida or Auburn. For Auburn
and Houston, they're looking for their first let's see what happens.
Speaker 3 (25:09):
By the way, I keep being inundated.
Speaker 2 (25:12):
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(25:32):
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Speaker 3 (25:36):
With tickets Smarter.
Speaker 2 (25:37):
You know, I got to get a better competitive price
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the men's Final four here in San Antonio and the
Women's Final Four going on tonight in Tampa. I left
Tampa yesterday as the women were arriving Wednesday night and
Thursday morning, and now the Women's Final Four with South Carolina,
Texas and Yukon and UCLA playing out in Tampa's Amili Arena,
(26:01):
downtown West Central Florida, Downtown Tampa.
Speaker 3 (26:04):
Use the ticket Smarter promo code. If you've got.
Speaker 2 (26:07):
Friends, if you're watching this, if you've got friends, if
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and the promo code is Coast twenty. All right, For
those just joining us here, we're live on Friday. We'll
be live on Saturday, one Eastern time on these same
college basketball coast to coast platforms, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter if
(26:50):
you're hearing us after the fact, as well on the
tune In streaming channel, as well as podcast, Apple, Spreaker, Spotify,
search for college basketball coast to coast on tune in,
free to hear, or on podcast, just like you're finding
us on social media with YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter. We're
here one Eastern time Saturday. When the games are over,
(27:12):
you'll be locked in on the podcast feed. You'll get
a ding, a vibration, you'll get a light, a bell,
something that'll tell you new pod. That's the recap pod.
The audio recap podcast will be on podcast form and
on the tune in streaming channel. We'll be back with
a video show, a live show Sunday one Eastern time.
(27:32):
We'll know the National Championship game matchup so again, live
preview show again on Saturday with Ari Russell, Tyler Jones here,
Deshaun Tate, our analyst, an insider, Adam Zagoria here on
scene in San Antonio. Those guys are all over in
the Alamodome right now for the open to the public
practices where Houston is practicing right now on the floor.
(27:53):
Duke is up after them. I've got the live show
going today. Those guys will all be with me tomorrow.
They'll be with me throughout the weekend recap shows Sunday
one eastern Monday one eastern in the preview show for
the national title game, recap show in podcast and on
tune in after the Monday night title game as well.
All Right, So, speaking of being over at the open
(28:14):
to the public workouts the Florida Gators, we spent a
lot of time on them. They have been working out
already today for about an hour. Todd Golden, the first
year coach, Walter Clayton, the outstanding guard leading the Gators.
Thomas Hawk is one of the role players, a scorer,
a six' nine wing player that can shoot the three.
Pointer Our Ari. Russell you won't See, ari but you
(28:35):
will hear. Him Our Ari russell was inside The florida
locker room just a little while ago and scored this
one on one interview with a guy that made a
couple of huge threes Against Texas tech to help the.
Victory let's go to that conversation right now here live
On College Basketball coast To coast on This final Four,
friday with A Florida gator.
Speaker 5 (28:56):
Guest All, Right, thomas and my first, off how much
fun has has been so far being in this?
Speaker 4 (29:01):
Environment, yeah it's been.
Speaker 6 (29:03):
Amazing so this is this has been a really great
group of guys and you know this this eventing owner
has been, uh second to. Night you, know it's been
awesome so.
Speaker 5 (29:11):
Far everyone's talking about the, mustache you.
Speaker 4 (29:14):
Know Says, yeah it's.
Speaker 3 (29:16):
Kind of like you know what hockey they, got like
the hockey.
Speaker 2 (29:19):
Beer so, yeah, yeah. Yeah is this your uh is
this your final fourth?
Speaker 3 (29:22):
Stash?
Speaker 5 (29:23):
Yeah?
Speaker 7 (29:23):
Playoff it's some Playoff, Beard it's not.
Speaker 4 (29:25):
Right you gotta get pretty close to even see.
Speaker 3 (29:27):
It so, YEAH i feel it's all. Good.
Speaker 6 (29:29):
Man, Obviously Elijah martin is one of the guys that
have the experience here at this. Point how much HAS
i been an impact as far as in the locker
room and explaining the environment and how and what to. Expect,
yeah he's been helping us all, year you, know when
starting the. Summer Like i'll say it, earlier he's been
a leader and telling, us LIKE i KNOW i need
to do to get to the st before and he's
(29:51):
kind of shaped our team in that way. Too he's
gonta leading us and leading those bikes.
Speaker 5 (29:54):
In, yeah for.
Speaker 7 (29:55):
Sure but finally just kind of scout.
Speaker 2 (29:57):
Album obviously you played them, earlier but this is kind
of a different.
Speaker 7 (30:01):
Environment it's it's not a regular season.
Speaker 3 (30:03):
Games you, know scout them more quitting what to.
Speaker 6 (30:05):
EXPECT i think they're gonna be really. Hungry you know
they're gonna be ready to play us to come out,
there it wouldn't be here have been warning great. Team
you know all these teams just surf here so far
and all we're gonna be really excited to come out
there and, playoffs trying to get their get.
Speaker 7 (30:20):
Back but you know we got to be ready in
the statement.
Speaker 3 (30:22):
Point but congratulations on getting here in good.
Speaker 2 (30:24):
Luck thank You thomas howk uh there earlier With Ari
russell on This final Four, friday and again he's one
of the keys along With. Condon they've got multiple players
that are big that can step, out uh in including
Hand glotten that can step out and create off the
(30:47):
pick and roll or shoot the.
Speaker 3 (30:48):
Three that will be a.
Speaker 2 (30:49):
Challenge and what about THAT sec Showdown auburn And. Florida
it's never happened before since the field expanded to sixty
four and then sixty eight teams for TWO sec teams to.
Speaker 3 (30:59):
Be playing in the semi.
Speaker 2 (31:00):
Final they have played before in final, fours two of
them in The final, four but never head to head
on A saturday for the. Title florida's First final four
in nineteen ninety four was a game With duke where
they were. Defeated arkansas was in the other semi final
(31:22):
game they were, victorious And arkansas was a brand NEW
sec member in nineteen ninety, four so there were TWO
sec teams In florida's First final. Four arkansas And florida
just didn't play each other in the. Semifinal like this
game will be, Again we're here live On College Basketball
coast To coast On, YouTube On, facebook On TWITTER x
(31:42):
if you're seeing us after the. Fact we were live
On friday. Afternoon we'll be back live On saturday as
well with the coverage without further. Delay let me go
to another one of my. Analysts he's been with me
all year, Long Jason. Powers it's on a fantastic, job
particularly Through march with all of our coverage of the
college basketball Champion chip. Tournaments he AND i covered The
(32:02):
Robert morris win in The Horizon. League Robert morris captured
the automatic bid and then lost To alabama as a fifteen.
Seed we also captured The Mount Saint mary's called that
game their victory in The Metro Atlantic Athletic conference title
game In Atlantic City Mount Saint mary's ended up being
a sixteen seed and losing To. Duke as it turns,
Out So jason has been with me covering all The march,
(32:25):
hoops all THE ncaa tournament. Coverage so who better to
come on here and give me some more breakdown of
these two Matchups Auburn florida And duke And. Houston let's
go to that right. Now AS i talked To jason
a little earlier this, week here we are in the
preview mode again for semi Final saturday In San. Antonio all,
right it is time for This final four to be
(32:47):
played with all the number one. Seeds as we keep talking,
About auburn And florida are up, first followed By duke And.
Houston and who better to help me break it down
even though things are going on In San. ANTONIO i
always love my, Wingman Jason powers from The Tampa bay.
Area does it do it? Justice the postcard thing is
(33:07):
wish you were?
Speaker 3 (33:08):
Here does it do it? Justice on? THAT i don't
know if it.
Speaker 2 (33:10):
Does welcome AND i know you're as excited as everybody
else for what's about to happen with these two games coming.
Speaker 1 (33:16):
Up, well we have a historic, year or that historian
a scenario that does not happen very, often with all
four one seeds making it. HERE i know you were
there the last time In wait and your Beloved Memphis
tigers vomited all.
Speaker 2 (33:28):
Themselves h, yes ruining the rest of the weekend For
kansas to win that. Game but, yeah this is the
first time since, then and only the second time in
the last forty.
Speaker 3 (33:37):
Years all, Right.
Speaker 2 (33:39):
So when we get into these Games auburn And, florida
we saw it before back In, february And florida put
ninety points On auburn. First does that really matter now
six weeks?
Speaker 3 (33:52):
Later to?
Speaker 1 (33:52):
YOU i don't think it matters a. WHOLE i think
both teams are going to score. POINTS i don't think
the ninety number probably matters as much as the ease
at which they got. Ninety that's the probably the part
that if You're, auburn you probably want to make it
more challenging for them to be able to. Score the
guards were really good in that, game, obviously you know
they they did that WITHOUT i think Without Elijah martin, too.
CORRECT i don't Think martin that's, Right, yes that's, correct that's,
(34:15):
even you, know a little more concerning from it from
a defensive. Perspective You're, auburn but you Know. Auburn you,
know both teams have played really. Well, again they have
been consensus top four teams in the country all.
Speaker 7 (34:25):
Year i'm not going to put a whole lot into that.
Speaker 5 (34:27):
Game.
Speaker 1 (34:28):
Uh, Obviously florida won in a tough. Environment BUT i
think both these teams are, very very. EVEN i think
if they played ten, times they probably both win. Five
SO i think this is a very, even very maybe
a little more maybe a little bit of an edge
To florida, minor but it's not anything significant in my.
Speaker 2 (34:45):
View back to What auburn did In, atlanta how much
stock do you put on feeding off the, crowd which
they clearly did ye and you look at how they hit,
shots in Particular Denver jones And petterford hitting shots in both.
Games peterford really in both. Games but, uh will that
translate new Setting Alamo dome For Bruce pearl's.
Speaker 7 (35:08):
TEAM i.
Speaker 1 (35:09):
DO i think it's GONNA i think, AGAIN i think
this is a this is gonna Be both teams have
bigs that can.
Speaker 7 (35:15):
Play, obviously we Know brooman card.
Speaker 1 (35:17):
Well and Then we've Got, condon and we've got how
Can they've got a nice rotation In florida as?
Speaker 7 (35:22):
Well that's, right that's? Right what?
Speaker 1 (35:24):
What what's gonna be the strategy For auburn to Contain clayton?
Again we Know clayton's had tremendous last five six minutes
of games in The connecticut game and in The Texas tech.
Game how will how will they Handle clayton when it's money,
time when they know it's crunch time?
Speaker 7 (35:40):
AGAIN i expect this the game to be very tight
the last four or five.
Speaker 1 (35:43):
Minutes how Will? FLORIDA i, mean how will how Will
florida find ways to Get clayton?
Speaker 2 (35:47):
Lose is that is That Baker? Mazara you think that
will shadow him? Everywhere or maybe a couple of people
That Will.
Speaker 7 (35:53):
Jones And Baker.
Speaker 1 (35:54):
MASSARI willi be the two GUYS i would guess are
gonna be the primary defenders On, clayton especially late game.
Scenario those be the two guys THAT i would probably.
Use we Know mazarro with his feistiness and his competitiveness
in his rough play to some, degree it's OCCASIONALLY i
think he will probably do something On saturday to try
to instigate and try to of Course clayton as far
(36:17):
as to get him riled. Up so we'll see how
that goes in THE b. Agency how the officials in
this game handle this. Game will there be AN sec
official in this game that have seen these guys a
bunch of, Times being that both teams ARE, SCC i
would expect you to have at least one of the
three guys will BE sec.
Speaker 2 (36:33):
Official, probably, Probably AND i think it's a good point
that you make on knowing these teams and how to oversee.
It just one more on, this because so much has
been made On Todd golden being younger in his Thirties
Bruce pearl being in his. Sixties pearl has been there
before in twenty nineteen With. Auburn how much of an
advantage on the experience front age wise and having done it?
(36:56):
Before did you Give Bruce pearl if you give any
edge on, that.
Speaker 7 (37:00):
Because remember here's this little. Nugget Bruce pearl Hired Todd
golden back in the.
Speaker 1 (37:04):
Day, yeah they've worked, together so they probably know each
other and know their thought processes pretty. Well probably advantage
a little bit To Bruce pearl with the, Experience but
everybody has, said you know this around the, country people
are so impressed With Todd Todd golden's in game. Adjustments
he's a good, tactician he's a good play caller from
(37:24):
an offensive scheme wise. Perpecage so a little legs To
Bruce pearl because he's been. There but, again this is
a pretty even. Matchup Todd golden is a rising star
in the coaching. World from an ex as and no, PERSPECTIVE.
Speaker 2 (37:35):
Yep an amazing season here that they have put, together
NO i mean no slouch accomplishment to win THE sec
tournament in the first, place which they did in tournament
play do or die for three straight, days and now
they have gotten all the way To San. Antonio all,
right now we save the best for, last so we
think With houston and A titanic showdown With duke With cooper,
(37:58):
flag with all the, attacks.
Speaker 3 (38:01):
We have now reached. It here we Go duke trying.
Speaker 2 (38:05):
To get back in a championship game for the first
time since twenty. Fifteen Houston kruger's haven't been in a
championship game since Five slam a jama back now forty
plus years. Ago All, right somebody's gonna get there break
it down for, Me Jason powers.
Speaker 1 (38:23):
Again this is gonna be a will. Game can Can
duke withstand the will of the defensive effort Of houston
And houston is Gonna we saw What houston did The
tennessee in that first ten. Minutes they completely locked them.
DOWN i Know tennessee's not as skilled As duke by any,
means but if they, anybody as you know playing sports and,
guys we know when you get locked, down when you
(38:44):
get when somebody's up in your face every time you,
move it's it affects.
Speaker 7 (38:48):
YOU i don't care if It's Cooper, flag if it's.
Speaker 1 (38:50):
Whoever when you got somebody that's up in you every
single way you go on the, court it gets your.
Speaker 7 (38:56):
Attention And houston is capable of doing.
Speaker 3 (38:59):
That.
Speaker 7 (39:00):
Again you've made a great.
Speaker 1 (39:01):
Point on our previous podcast About houston is a much
better shooting team than we give him credit. For they
shoot the ball very well from the three point. Line
uzd's a really good. Player we Know Emmanuel sharpers from
The Tampa bay is a big shot.
Speaker 7 (39:15):
MAKER R.
Speaker 2 (39:17):
Lj cryer L. J, cryer who has an R a
national title With baylor in twenty oh one or twenty twenty,
one He CHRIER i think may be the.
Speaker 3 (39:28):
Variable if he has a.
Speaker 2 (39:30):
Three or four point three or four make game from,
three that gives them a great. Chance if he does
what he did Against, purdue where he can make, NOTHING
i believe they're in. TROUBLE i don't want to single
just one. GUY i agree he can be the difference
maker from beyond the.
Speaker 7 (39:44):
ARC i totally.
Speaker 1 (39:45):
Agree and how Does tuggler And Juwan roberts Handle Mallow?
Watch again we've talked. Before It's Cooper flagg's ability to
create stuff for other people is just as important as his.
Scoring he. IS i, mean when he gets in the
lane with the, ball he draws the. Attention and how
many lobs have we seen in this tournament with Malin?
Watch Because Cooper flag is drawing the bigs to him
(40:09):
and it sets up the soup easy super easy? Lobs,
Though can they contain that part of the game and
Make flag have to kick it out To, procter make
it have to kick it out To Sion, jones make
the other guys have to make big shots because you
can't Let Cooper flag dominate the game even if he's
not scoring.
Speaker 2 (40:27):
Thirty if they get a performance like The cooper flag
Against arizona with the thirty points you got the seven six,
SAID i ain't losing that. Game So houston's got to
contain that if they can. Listen, UH i look forward
to everything that's gonna go on On saturday with the
semi finals. Here thank. You by the, way you Like
(40:47):
duke in that, one so you Like? Dude you Like
auburn as? Well or what do you think of THE sec?
Speaker 1 (40:51):
Show?
Speaker 2 (40:52):
Lord you've Had florida all year. Long let's do, this
whatever the matchup. IS i need me some brother powers
one more. Time a national championship game. Preview let's do.
That as the weekend progresses on here on college basketball
coast to coast In San, antonio let's do.
Speaker 4 (41:07):
IT a streak for?
Speaker 7 (41:07):
You what's the streak for?
Speaker 3 (41:09):
You, No, no the current the current streak would be
four in a.
Speaker 2 (41:15):
Row, overall it Is i'm calculating twenty one of the
last twenty. Five there are three THAT i did not
do BECAUSE i did not have a working way to get.
Speaker 3 (41:26):
In and then the the.
Speaker 2 (41:29):
The twenty twenty one, tournament they restricted how much media
could be.
Speaker 3 (41:34):
There SO i.
Speaker 2 (41:36):
Am twenty one of the last twenty five tournaments that
have been played.
Speaker 7 (41:41):
Eighty.
Speaker 2 (41:41):
Four we'll take. THAT i have been to a few of.
These i've been to the last three In San. Antonio it's.
Crazy and remember this.
Speaker 1 (41:48):
Stat here's here's one more little easy nugget For. Florida
auburn Can florida shoot like they shot at the free throw?
Speaker 7 (41:55):
Line, yes this regional. Final remember they came into.
Speaker 1 (41:57):
THIS i think they came into that game like one
eight three in the country in free throw. Percentage they
were terrible Against connecticut and it almost cost him from
the line and they were.
Speaker 7 (42:06):
Unbelieved what twenty five of twenty.
Speaker 3 (42:08):
Seven twenty five of twenty Seven Texas.
Speaker 7 (42:10):
Tech so free throw shooting For. Florida keep an eye
on that On.
Speaker 3 (42:13):
Saturday love this, Guy Jason. Powers thank.
Speaker 2 (42:17):
You we'll catch up with you with A National championship
game preview any. Time Love jason's insight earlier in the
week in the preview.
Speaker 3 (42:27):
Mode he'll be back later in the.
Speaker 2 (42:28):
Weekend AS i just made mention of, you how about
The gators and how well they shot it from the.
Line they were the dead last sixteenth team in free
throw percentage in the regular season in THE, sec but
still you got to get the right guys on the,
line Like jason was talking about there With clayton And
Elijah martin in the key situations as they made one
huge free throw after another in The Texas tech, comeback
(42:51):
remember there's a couple of examples here Where florida was
down nine with three and about four minutes left and
came back to Beat Texas tech In San. Francisco The
gator fans know this or else your, Home we're not
even talking about. You this, Weekend auburn was down In
atlanta by nine points Against michigan with ten minutes to
(43:11):
go in the.
Speaker 3 (43:11):
Game they were in trouble in that.
Speaker 2 (43:13):
Game we can't say the same thing About houston Or
duke that they've been trailing like that much less late
in the.
Speaker 3 (43:20):
Game Like florida.
Speaker 2 (43:21):
Was you, really you don't go back to A houston
game where they have been losing at the end of
the game since they lost in Late february To Texas.
Tech and For, duke it's Early february Against clemson where
they were losing and then lost the game At clemson
in THE acc that's the last loss for both of.
Speaker 3 (43:39):
Them but we're.
Speaker 2 (43:40):
Talking about they haven't even really had to come back
and win a game where they were, trailing much less
lost the. Game, now In houston's, case in the Produced
sweet sixteen, Game perduke got it, Tied houston was not
trailing in the final half, minute and then of Course
uzon the transfer From oklahoma on and a give and
(44:00):
go inbound Were purdue completely fell, asleep let uson on the,
baseline throw it, in get it right back as he
came back in bounds and lay the ball. In But
houston was not. Trailing what happens If duke is trailing
in the final two minutes On saturday night in The.
Alamodome it's a great question that we wonder. About All,
right we got more to come here in a couple of. Moments,
(44:21):
first let's tell us about tell you about our friends
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Speaker 3 (44:32):
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sponsor Ghost. Leaves we're gonna be here for a few
more minutes This Friday. AGAIN i make mention we're back
On saturday as, well at One eastern. Time whether you're
watching live On friday or you're seeing it Later friday
Afternoon friday. NIGHT i was coming your way Live friday
(46:10):
afternoon from The Alamos city In San. Antonio we're back
live One eastern time with a semi Final saturday. Preview
Ri A, Russell Tyler, Jones Adam zagoria Or insider and
many others will be right here with me as part
of the preview mode as everything gets, underway With auburn
And florida up first just after Six eastern, time And
(46:31):
duke And houston after That titanic. Showdown Cooper flag And
duke trying to get a duke national title for the
first time since twenty. Fifteen it would be their third
national title since twenty. Ten they won it in twenty
ten and in twenty fifteen In, indianapolis now looking for
one In San. Antonio houston's never won the national, championship
so stay tuned to see if The cougars can get
(46:53):
it done On saturday.
Speaker 3 (46:54):
Night will preview It saturday One eastern.
Speaker 2 (46:57):
Time recap on podcast and on the Tune in streaming
channel will be available after the semifinal games late Night saturday.
Speaker 3 (47:05):
Night then we're back with a live.
Speaker 2 (47:07):
Video show like what you're seeing on college basketball coast
to coast platforms, YouTube, Facebook, twitter et. Cetera coming On sunday,
afternoon One eastern time in the preview.
Speaker 3 (47:17):
Mode Again monday
Speaker 2 (47:18):
Afternoon in the preview mode at One eastern time
The Yes.
Speaker 2 (00:02):
Indeed, folks, we have reached the weekend and the event
that culminates college basketball's twenty twenty five campaign. It is
the Men's Final Four Championship from the Alamo City of
San Antonio, and.
Speaker 3 (00:18):
We are here on.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
College Basketball Coast to Coast coming to you live from
San Antonio and look forward to everything that's about to
happen with Auburn against Florida and Duke and Houston on
Saturday inside of the Alamo Dome.
Speaker 3 (00:31):
I am merely TJ.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
Reeves here on College Basketball Coast to Coast platforms, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, etc.
Thank you for finding us on this Friday, whether you
did so live as we're doing this at one Central
time too Eastern time, or you're finding us after the
fact Friday afternoon Friday evening. We're going to be here
all weekend here as part of College Basketball.
Speaker 3 (00:54):
Coast to Coast.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
It is great to be with you here on the platforms. Also,
if you're only hearing us in podcast form or on
the tune in streaming channel of College Basketball Coast to Coast,
come find the video because we've got video conversations coming
up here today previewing the games. My colleagues Ari Russell,
Tyler Jones, Deshaun Tate are all here inside of San Antonio,
(01:18):
and you're gonna be inside the Alamodome covering the SEC,
the Big Twelve, and the ACC all showing down for
who's gonna end up being the national champ for this year?
Will it be Duke for the first time in a decade.
Will it be for Florida for the first time in
eighteen years since they're back to back titles six oh seven?
Will be the first time ever for Auburn or for
(01:38):
Houston in the final four.
Speaker 3 (01:40):
We will be here.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
Throughout the weekend Saturday, Sunday, Monday on the College basketball
Coast to coast platforms.
Speaker 3 (01:48):
Again.
Speaker 2 (01:49):
We'll be live at one Eastern time on Saturday. We
will be back again at one Eastern time as well
on Sunday and Monday in the preview mode. And also
again keep track of this not just YouTube, Facebook and Twitter,
but find the podcast speed as well. We'll promo that
sitting right up there on the screen that you can
(02:11):
find us on podcasts wherever you get your podcast, Apple, Spreaker, Spotify,
postgame coverage, postgame recap shows on podcast and on tune
in the streaming channel late night Saturday night into Sunday
morning before the live show and then after the championship
game on Monday night, podcast form and streaming on the
tune in Free to Hear channel. Go to tune in
(02:33):
the mobile app and find college Basketball Coast to Coast
free streaming preview free streaming recaps of the games as
well there for those. So again, with all the promos
out of the way, it is hot in San Antonio.
Speaker 3 (02:50):
The Mexican food is good.
Speaker 2 (02:52):
We've got the River Walk, we've got the Alamo, and
now we've got college basketball's title to be decided here
for the first time since twenty eighteen in Villanova defeated
Michigan for the national championship. I was here, Dear God,
in two thousand and eight for Kansas Tyler Jones, if
you're watching this show, stop smirking for Kansas and the
overtime win over my Memphis Tigers, who were this close
(03:15):
to being the national champs with Derrick Rose and Chris
Douglas Roberts John Calipari's team.
Speaker 3 (03:21):
Instead, it was.
Speaker 2 (03:21):
Mario Chalmers with the Big Three, Darrell Arthur and ka
U able to get the victory for Bill self and
then previously yukon a national title win over Georgia Tech
in the Alamo Dome as well. I was here for
all three of those. That was back in two thousand
and four. One previous Final four title for Kentucky over
(03:42):
Utah that came in nineteen ninety eight. Again, U Kahn
defeated Georgia Tech in four Kansas and eight Villanova in
twenty eighteen to be a totally different new champion out
of these four teams here in twenty twenty five. So
it's great to be with you on college basketball Coach coastright.
Speaker 3 (03:57):
Let me set the.
Speaker 2 (03:58):
Table for you in a few moments. Gonna hear from
analyst Mark Wise of the SEC coverage Southeastern Conference coverage
on ESPN. Mark and I have been twenty five year friends. Basically,
he's been in and around my coverage on tune in here,
in all of the platforms with college basketball Coast to coast.
(04:18):
Mark does a fantastic job with the ESPN family of
networks and the SEC network covering college basketball. He worked
both Auburn and Florida this season in the SEC. He
will size up the matchup. It's a rematch. Florida won
the game at Auburn in February, their only meeting of
the year.
Speaker 3 (04:36):
They didn't even meet.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
In the SEC Tournament at Florida won Tennessee, knocked off
Auburn in the semi finals, and then Florida went on
to beat Tennessee for the title. So Mark's got great insight.
He'll break it down. Mark also has stories from being
in Gainesville and part of the Florida Gator radio broadcast
for those back to back national titles. Heck, he even
goes back to the Purdue nineteen eighty Final four as
(04:58):
an assistant coach under Lee Row and coaching in the
Final Four as an assistant for the Purdue Boilermaker. So
Mark's got great insight. Later on in this hour, Jason
Powers is also here with me, my wingman. I'll go
back to a conversation in the preview mode I had
with him breaking down Auburn Florida Houston Duke stand by
for that. It would not be a preview show without
brother Powers. We got you here on college Basketball Coast
(05:21):
to coast in the platforms. Ari Russell has been hustling
on this Friday Friday. Traditionally at the Final Four weekend
has opened to the public practices. There's some ten thousand
in the Alamodome this afternoon to see Houston, who's only
about three hours away, to see Duke and Auburn and
Florida all work out free and open to the public.
Ari has been hustling in the interview areas getting.
Speaker 3 (05:43):
Us some interviews.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
You will hear from Florida's Thomas Howke, one of the
key role players with some big three point shots in
their win over Texas Tech. Ari spoke with Thomas Howk.
You'll hear that later on in our preview here for
a Friday. Ari also busy with Terrence Arsenal of the
Houston Cougars a little while hear from him as they
get ready to play Duke and that monstrous challenge against
(06:04):
Cooper Flag and con Kinneple and Malawatch and the Duke
guys that seem to be e ticketed here for a
national championship. Will Houston have something to say about that
in a late night game coming up on Saturday night
in San Antonio.
Speaker 3 (06:18):
Again, thank you for finding us.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
Let's get to our guests and our analyst as we
rock along on this final four Friday before the two
semi final games on Saturday. Let's begin with my colleague
Mark Wise, who I spoke to earlier this week about
Auburn and Florida, specifically the SEC against the SEC for
the first time ever in a Final four semi final
that's never happened before. Let's get to that right now
(06:42):
as part of our college basketball Coast to coast coverage.
It has been far too long, and I am sincere
when I say this, because I said it before I
hit the record button.
Speaker 3 (06:52):
I'm saying it now. I miss regularly getting to have coach.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
Wise, Mark Wise on with me for all of the inside,
especially in and around March, but we may happened for
the Final four. Hello ESPNS, Mark Wise, to help me
break down this twenty five version of the Final Four.
Speaker 3 (07:07):
Good to have you back.
Speaker 4 (07:09):
Yeah, I've missed being with you as well. It's been.
Speaker 5 (07:14):
When we look at this particular Final Four, I'm not
I don't miss Cinderella.
Speaker 4 (07:20):
So these four teams have been the four best.
Speaker 5 (07:24):
So I think we've got a heavyweight matchup on Saturday
and it'll be fine to watch.
Speaker 3 (07:28):
Love it.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
So whenever this comes around, you are ideal to reminisce,
and specifically when we're talking about Florida now being in
the Final four for the first time since twenty fourteen.
Speaker 3 (07:40):
You're great to go back kind of in the time machine.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
It is a quarter of a century ago, and you
and I were around each other in and around Florida
playing in the two thousand and Final four with Billy
Donovan and beating North Carolina eventually lost to Michigan State.
That Tom Izzo, Mattin Cleaves, Morris Peterson Michigan State team.
But when you're on twenty five years ago and Billy
Donovan getting over the hump and getting Florida to the
(08:04):
Final four, what do you think about You were on
the call with the legendary Mick Hubert of that two
thousand and Final four.
Speaker 3 (08:10):
What do you remember how surreal it was.
Speaker 5 (08:13):
I mean, I was fortunate enough at the age of
twenty four to be honest. Staff, you know, Jeff Meyer
and I were. We were two people on Lee Rose's
staff at Purdue TJ that now covers about ten different
people graduate assistant, student assistants, video people, player development. I mean,
(08:33):
all these people that they all have, it was two
guys way back then. So at the age of twenty four,
I had been in the finals of the NIT and
then in nineteen eighty in the NCAA Final four. And so,
what I always tell people in the coaching profession, and
I would tell this to Todd Golden right now, you
(08:56):
never know if you'll be back. I never went back
to the NCAA tournament after those two years. So for
me to be back in the final four, even as
a broadcaster in two thousand, it was surreal. It was
surreal to me to kind of come full circle. And then,
of course I've been fortunate enough to do it several times.
Speaker 3 (09:16):
Since, no doubt.
Speaker 2 (09:17):
So then two thousand and six, right back in Indianapolis,
the Gators win the whole thing again. What is that
like as they cut the nets down beating UCLA that
night in the championship game? What do you remember now
nineteen years ago on that one.
Speaker 5 (09:33):
Yeah, I had some brother in laws who came to
the championship game, and I think I've told this story before,
but after the game, I told him I would meet
up back at the hotel. But I told them, now,
it's going to be a zoo. If Florida wins. Well,
Florida wins, and it is a zoo. It's security is everywhere,
and so I met them outside the hotel and we
(09:53):
are literally walking through the roped off lines. I mean,
the hotel is crazy, okay, and I said, we're going
straight to the elevator. This is not about us, bah
bah blah. So I go to the elevator and I
turn around and my two brother in laws and their
friend they are working the rope line. Okay, they are
(10:16):
high five. I mean, it was an unbelievable moment. So
that's kind of what I remember there. The second time
it happened a year later, you know, it wasn't as
much fun for everybody that team. That's the closest I've
ever come to being involved with paparazzi because wherever they
went it was kind of a zoo. I think Yu
(10:40):
Khan has lived through that now, not only the second time,
but back to back, but then the third time and
trying to repeat.
Speaker 4 (10:47):
Florida didn't make the tournament, and okay, that wasn't an issue.
Speaker 5 (10:52):
But I will tell you this, and I think this
translates to this particular Florida team. You've often heard me
say that I think you have to have certain ingredients
in order to win the NCAA tournament or get to
the final four. You've got to have NBA talent. You've
got to be in Kim Palm's top forty offensive and
defensive efficiency. You've got to be healthy. So Jani Broom
(11:15):
comes into question now. And then lastly is you got
to catch a break. And everybody in the first title
game for Florida, everybody remembers Corey Brewer had a three,
had a baseline jumper three point play late in the
game against Georgetown in the regional semifinals, And what they
(11:35):
don't remember is Georgetown had the last shot and Corey
Brewer slipped and his guy had a wide open three,
and the basketball gods just happened to smile on Florida.
A year later, Florida, in the same game as playing Purdue,
Al Horford's got four fouls. There's a play where he
(11:56):
takes it to the rim. It's a block charge call.
It's a one point game. They called the block. It
would have been his fifth foul and would have fouled
him out and given Purdue the basketball down one. And
Florida goes on and wins back to back and rather
easily in the final four. So translate that to this
particular Florida team, and man, did they catch a break
(12:19):
in the Texas Tech game with the two miss free throws.
Speaker 3 (12:22):
Yeah, the front ends of one and one.
Speaker 5 (12:24):
One by an eighty four percent shooter, So they were
trying to they actually played analytically. With two and a
half minutes to go, they actually tried to foul Topping
and didn't get to him in time, so they fouled
Williams and he goes and misses, and then they went
ahead and fouled again in the.
Speaker 4 (12:41):
Next possession right away.
Speaker 5 (12:43):
I just don't know that there are a lot of
coaches TJ that would foul that early with two and
a half minutes to go in a six point game
that was all analytically.
Speaker 2 (12:52):
Driven, and again they made shots. You got another component.
You got to make threes. You got to make shots,
and Florida was able to do that. I love reminiscing
here with Mark Wise coach Wise he's MW hoops on
social media if you need him, and ESPN's broadcasting of
the SEC So you are ideal now at this point.
Speaker 3 (13:13):
The twenty twenty five version.
Speaker 2 (13:15):
To talk Auburn Florida and the matchup, I'm not sure
you worked Auburn at least once correct, what's the challenge?
And Florida's familiar obviously having beaten Auburn at Auburn late
in the year in February, But what is the challenge
this time around in the rematch?
Speaker 3 (13:32):
What do you think?
Speaker 5 (13:33):
Well, let's start with Auburn, because in that first game
at Auburn where Florida won, they made thirteen threes, and
if Florida makes thirteen threes Saturday, they'll win again. So
somehow Auburn's got to do a better And remember Florida
did not have Elijah Martin in that game. Now the
guy that took his place, who probably won't play Saturday,
(13:53):
clap Char made three of three from d So from
that standpoint, Auburn simply has to have a better defensive
effort than they had in that game. The problem with
guarding Florida, as you well know TJ, is if you
do guard the arc, then you open up your and
the guards are not involved in rebounding. And Auburn has
big guards who can get involved on the glass. But
(14:16):
if you don't get some guard help rebounding, Florida's ability
to hit the offensive glass, you know they get like
thirty eight percent of their misses. I mean, that's that's
like fifth best in the country. So it's kind of
a catch twenty two when you're guarding Florida. From the
Florida perspective, it's kind of a just because game. Just
(14:36):
because you beat Auburn at Auburn, that doesn't mean that
you start Saturday ahead six to nothing on the scoreboard, right,
So I think that I think both coaches will utilize
the first game trying to motivate in whatever way they can,
But I don't think it's really gonna play a big
role as it relates. As it relates to a Saturday,
(15:00):
both teams will have almost a whole week to prepare,
I think personally, I think because of that, I think
the game will be played a little bit slower than
what people think right now, and that's because of time
to prepare. So I think both teams will be on
point defensively early and then we'll see, maybe after the
(15:22):
first ten minutes if the pace of the game picks up.
Speaker 2 (15:24):
I know, as an old coach, you love the coaching
intertwined nostalgia whatever. Bruce Pearl has been around a long time.
Todd Golden's obviously in the stories, Todd Golden was on
Bruce Pearl's staff rece quctfully as a graduate assistant. How
much of an advantage is Pearl's experience, the fact he's
been in a Final four before in Minnesota?
Speaker 3 (15:47):
Do you buy into that?
Speaker 4 (15:48):
I think it always matters.
Speaker 5 (15:50):
I think everybody that goes to the Final four for
the first time there's a learning curve, and that's for
any coach, even a guy.
Speaker 4 (16:00):
You know, Bruce pearls in his sixties. So how old
was he when he.
Speaker 5 (16:03):
Went in eighteen nineteen, You know, sixty.
Speaker 4 (16:09):
I mean, but it was his first time.
Speaker 3 (16:10):
That's right.
Speaker 5 (16:11):
Everybody kind of has a learning curve with their first time.
I find it interesting that we've got two older coaches,
two younger coaches, but the two younger coaches have really
kind of etched their own way in the shadow of others.
Florida's still dealing in the shadow of Billy Doman. Of course,
John Shire dealing in the shadow of coach k Here's
(16:34):
the other thing that I find really interesting. I think
TJ in my lifetime, in my lifetime, the three greatest
resurrection jobs that have ever been done in college basketball.
And again I'm talking about my lifetime. One is Scott
Drew at Baylor where he started, where the program started.
(16:56):
Number two, and I've talked to you about this many
times because I did the American. When Kelvin Sampson took
the Houston job, you would have to see how poor
of a shape that that program was. Facilities, I mean,
hoff Heinz Pavilion was a dump. It had just it
(17:17):
had just not been taken care of or upgraded. The
program had no fan base. I mean it was it was.
It was awful. And then the third one was would
be Bruce Pearl and Auburn and what they've done in
terms of making them nationally relevant on a yearly basis.
So it's pretty interesting to me that of my three
(17:40):
favorite resurrection jobs, two of them, two of them are
in the Final four.
Speaker 2 (17:45):
Yeah, fascinating, and again just pick it up on the
youth versus the experience. Sampson, this is his third Final four.
People don't remember he was with Oklahoma in O two.
Was the head coach in that Final four, eventually won
by Maryland John Schier. Though we can't steal this short
one this as a player in twenty ten. Part of
(18:06):
it as an assistant with coach k in twenty fifteen
when they won both times in Indianapolis. All right, so
what do you make of that? What do you make
of that coaching matchup and that matchup? A lot of
people believe this is a Duke coronation ultimately, that nobody's
going to stop them.
Speaker 3 (18:22):
What do you think?
Speaker 5 (18:23):
Well, first of all, I've always said to this, it's
one thing to have great players, it's another to coach
great players, two totally different things. The job that he
has done with this particular group, I don't think the
average fan realizes how big.
Speaker 4 (18:40):
Duke is every position. They don't play anybody under six
foot six.
Speaker 5 (18:45):
Because of that length, they're able to switch one through
five a lot. I would also say this, We all
talk about Cooper flag Canipple as we should, the fact
that Proctor's knocking down threes just at a ridiculous rate
in the tournament. But I gotta tell you TJ. Malawatch,
(19:10):
he's a problem. He's a problem on both ends of
the floor, whether you're talking about being a rim presence
offensively second chance points, pick and roll options getting to
the rim, or on the other end where he's a
rim protector he presents all kinds of problems. I do
think there is a path to beat Duke, and I
(19:31):
would tell you this for any of the other three teams.
But that path is at the three point line. I
don't think you're gonna get a lot of second chance
points against Duke. I don't think you're gonna score a
lot of points in the pain against Duke. Because of
that length, because of that ability to rebound from all
five positions, you must have a three point presence. Now,
(19:53):
the good news for Houston fans is that this is
their best three point shooting team, top five in the
country on the NCAA stat list. They but they don't
necessarily shoot a whole lot of threes. They just make
them at a high clip because of space at which
they play.
Speaker 4 (20:11):
So here's what I'm saying. They average eight the game.
It's got to be ten.
Speaker 5 (20:15):
It's got to be ten or more if they want
to be around the end. The only team in the
NCAA tournament that's made more than ten against Duke was Arizona,
and Arizona pushed the Blue Devils a little bit. So
here's the other good news. If you're Auburn or or Florida.
Both of those teams shoot a lot of threes and
(20:36):
can make a lot of threes. So there, I think
they're both built better than Houston is to beat Duke
right now.
Speaker 2 (20:43):
Then again, Tennessee was trying to make a game of
it and Houston bang bang bang did three three pointers
to pop the lead back from eight or nine or
whatever it was back to seventeen sixteen, seventeen and put
the game away.
Speaker 3 (20:56):
They can make them in spurts.
Speaker 2 (20:58):
And will they get maliwatch and foul trare get him
time off the floor or not.
Speaker 3 (21:03):
That could be another variable. Again, we may look back.
Speaker 2 (21:06):
On this like the Gator repeat, like Yukon last year,
or like a couple of these teams, the Kentucky Dolenova then.
Speaker 4 (21:13):
The second time they marched through.
Speaker 2 (21:15):
When they march to Kentucky twenty twelve, where you look
back on it and say nobody was gonna beat them,
And maybe that's what we're looking at with Duke.
Speaker 3 (21:23):
Then again, maybe I mean.
Speaker 2 (21:24):
Houston's gonna have a lot of fans there regionally, let's see.
Speaker 5 (21:27):
Yeah, And I think they'll play a slower We know
they'll play a slower.
Speaker 4 (21:33):
For Duke.
Speaker 5 (21:34):
I think the trick will be to get to seventy.
I think if they get to seventy, I think they
win the game three point shooting for Houston and Pace
a play for Duke.
Speaker 2 (21:44):
It's gonna be wild again. I have always loved your
inside and analysis. I've always loved being around you, and
we we were there a couple of times in San
Antonio having the enchiladas on the river walk. I remember
in the eight oh the bad memories of the OA.
Speaker 4 (22:00):
I didn't think you would bring that up.
Speaker 2 (22:01):
But on the Sunday night, remember I'm gonna jog you.
On the Sunday night before the title game, they were
shooting off the fireworks after the concert, and you and
I are in the hotel near the Alamo Dome thinking
we're under attack?
Speaker 3 (22:12):
Are we under attack in the Alamo City?
Speaker 2 (22:15):
I hope that will not be the case in twenty
twenty five, but I love having you on to reminisce
for all this stuff.
Speaker 3 (22:20):
Mark Wise, this is tremendous.
Speaker 5 (22:22):
This is you know, I've kind of got a unique
perspective because I've touched the Final Four in so many
different ways. Yeah, as an assistant, as a broadcaster, being
with you for so many of those years, so it's special.
Speaker 4 (22:42):
It's special to me.
Speaker 5 (22:43):
In terms of the final I think Saturday is the
Kudi Gras, if you will, of our sport. So for
a tournament that captures our sporting imagination like none or
other for a three week period, I think it culminate.
It's not Monday night.
Speaker 4 (22:59):
I think Saturday.
Speaker 2 (23:00):
Yeah, gonna be a blast with these with these four
teams and two games on Saturday, for sure. Coach Mark Wise,
thank you for hanging with me on college basketball Coast
to coach, You're always the best to do this.
Speaker 4 (23:11):
Enjoy the games, TJ.
Speaker 3 (23:14):
Love that man.
Speaker 2 (23:16):
That again from just a little earlier this week in
the preview mode, Mark has been with me two previous
times in San Antonio. In fact, he was with me
for about eight of these on the final fours.
Speaker 3 (23:28):
But now it worked.
Speaker 2 (23:31):
The nit A bunch wants to go see the grandkids
with his wife, Mary Wise, the all time winningest volleyball
coach not only in the University of Florida's history as
she's now retired, but in Southeastern Conference history. Well deserved
to take the Final four off and watch for the Gators.
Let's see what the Gators can do in their first
Final four since twenty fourteen, looking for a national title
(23:51):
for the first time since the back to back in
six seven. How about two of the Final four participants
have been back to back with Florida six O seven
and Duke in ninety one and ninety two. My first
Final four while Mark's talking Final Four stories, was the
Duke back to back second title against Michigan in the
Metrodome in Minneapolis. I've often told the story. I was
(24:14):
in the upper deck of the old Metro Dome the
Lake Kirby Pucket used to hit the home runs in
the Metrodome for the Minnesota Twins downtown Minneapolis. I was
up in the upper deck and Christian Lightner and Bobby
Hurley and Chris Weber and Jalen Rose looked this big
and there was really only one TV. This is different technology.
No internet kids in nineteen ninety two, no cell phones.
(24:38):
You had to watch the game, and you were almost
closer back at the hotel.
Speaker 3 (24:42):
But I was there.
Speaker 2 (24:43):
But the Duke back to back in ninety two and
the Florida back to back in O seven, and I've
been privileged on tune in and the college basketball coast
to coast platforms to be here the last few years,
including the Yukon back to backs.
Speaker 3 (24:54):
We were in.
Speaker 2 (24:55):
Arizona a year ago, Houston two years ago, Arizona last year,
back to back for Connecticut in this thing. So now
we get either Duke Houston, Florida or Auburn. For Auburn
and Houston, they're looking for their first let's see what happens.
Speaker 3 (25:09):
By the way, I keep being inundated.
Speaker 2 (25:12):
And we want to let you know about our sponsor,
ticket Smarter and the ticket Smarter mobile app, because if
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Speaker 3 (25:36):
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Speaker 2 (25:37):
You know, I got to get a better competitive price
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(26:01):
downtown West Central Florida, Downtown Tampa.
Speaker 3 (26:04):
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Speaker 2 (26:07):
Friends, if you're watching this, if you've got friends, if
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and the promo code is Coast twenty. All right, For
those just joining us here, we're live on Friday. We'll
be live on Saturday, one Eastern time on these same
college basketball coast to coast platforms, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter if
(26:50):
you're hearing us after the fact, as well on the
tune In streaming channel, as well as podcast, Apple, Spreaker, Spotify,
search for college basketball coast to coast on tune in,
free to hear, or on podcast, just like you're finding
us on social media with YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter. We're
here one Eastern time Saturday. When the games are over,
(27:12):
you'll be locked in on the podcast feed. You'll get
a ding, a vibration, you'll get a light, a bell,
something that'll tell you new pod. That's the recap pod.
The audio recap podcast will be on podcast form and
on the tune in streaming channel. We'll be back with
a video show, a live show Sunday one Eastern time.
(27:32):
We'll know the National Championship game matchup so again, live
preview show again on Saturday with Ari Russell, Tyler Jones here,
Deshaun Tate, our analyst, an insider, Adam Zagoria here on
scene in San Antonio. Those guys are all over in
the Alamodome right now for the open to the public
practices where Houston is practicing right now on the floor.
(27:53):
Duke is up after them. I've got the live show
going today. Those guys will all be with me tomorrow.
They'll be with me throughout the weekend recap shows Sunday
one eastern Monday one eastern in the preview show for
the national title game, recap show in podcast and on
tune in after the Monday night title game as well.
All Right, So, speaking of being over at the open
(28:14):
to the public workouts the Florida Gators, we spent a
lot of time on them. They have been working out
already today for about an hour. Todd Golden, the first
year coach, Walter Clayton, the outstanding guard leading the Gators.
Thomas Hawk is one of the role players, a scorer,
a six' nine wing player that can shoot the three.
Pointer Our Ari. Russell you won't See, ari but you
(28:35):
will hear. Him Our Ari russell was inside The florida
locker room just a little while ago and scored this
one on one interview with a guy that made a
couple of huge threes Against Texas tech to help the.
Victory let's go to that conversation right now here live
On College Basketball coast To coast on This final Four,
friday with A Florida gator.
Speaker 5 (28:56):
Guest All, Right, thomas and my first, off how much
fun has has been so far being in this?
Speaker 4 (29:01):
Environment, yeah it's been.
Speaker 6 (29:03):
Amazing so this is this has been a really great
group of guys and you know this this eventing owner
has been, uh second to. Night you, know it's been
awesome so.
Speaker 5 (29:11):
Far everyone's talking about the, mustache you.
Speaker 4 (29:14):
Know Says, yeah it's.
Speaker 3 (29:16):
Kind of like you know what hockey they, got like
the hockey.
Speaker 2 (29:19):
Beer so, yeah, yeah. Yeah is this your uh is
this your final fourth?
Speaker 3 (29:22):
Stash?
Speaker 5 (29:23):
Yeah?
Speaker 7 (29:23):
Playoff it's some Playoff, Beard it's not.
Speaker 4 (29:25):
Right you gotta get pretty close to even see.
Speaker 3 (29:27):
It so, YEAH i feel it's all. Good.
Speaker 6 (29:29):
Man, Obviously Elijah martin is one of the guys that
have the experience here at this. Point how much HAS
i been an impact as far as in the locker
room and explaining the environment and how and what to. Expect,
yeah he's been helping us all, year you, know when
starting the. Summer Like i'll say it, earlier he's been
a leader and telling, us LIKE i KNOW i need
to do to get to the st before and he's
(29:51):
kind of shaped our team in that way. Too he's
gonta leading us and leading those bikes.
Speaker 5 (29:54):
In, yeah for.
Speaker 7 (29:55):
Sure but finally just kind of scout.
Speaker 2 (29:57):
Album obviously you played them, earlier but this is kind
of a different.
Speaker 7 (30:01):
Environment it's it's not a regular season.
Speaker 3 (30:03):
Games you, know scout them more quitting what to.
Speaker 6 (30:05):
EXPECT i think they're gonna be really. Hungry you know
they're gonna be ready to play us to come out,
there it wouldn't be here have been warning great. Team
you know all these teams just surf here so far
and all we're gonna be really excited to come out
there and, playoffs trying to get their get.
Speaker 7 (30:20):
Back but you know we got to be ready in
the statement.
Speaker 3 (30:22):
Point but congratulations on getting here in good.
Speaker 2 (30:24):
Luck thank You thomas howk uh there earlier With Ari
russell on This final Four, friday and again he's one
of the keys along With. Condon they've got multiple players
that are big that can step, out uh in including
Hand glotten that can step out and create off the
(30:47):
pick and roll or shoot the.
Speaker 3 (30:48):
Three that will be a.
Speaker 2 (30:49):
Challenge and what about THAT sec Showdown auburn And. Florida
it's never happened before since the field expanded to sixty
four and then sixty eight teams for TWO sec teams to.
Speaker 3 (30:59):
Be playing in the semi.
Speaker 2 (31:00):
Final they have played before in final, fours two of
them in The final, four but never head to head
on A saturday for the. Title florida's First final four
in nineteen ninety four was a game With duke where
they were. Defeated arkansas was in the other semi final
(31:22):
game they were, victorious And arkansas was a brand NEW
sec member in nineteen ninety, four so there were TWO
sec teams In florida's First final. Four arkansas And florida
just didn't play each other in the. Semifinal like this
game will be, Again we're here live On College Basketball
coast To coast On, YouTube On, facebook On TWITTER x
(31:42):
if you're seeing us after the. Fact we were live
On friday. Afternoon we'll be back live On saturday as
well with the coverage without further. Delay let me go
to another one of my. Analysts he's been with me
all year, Long Jason. Powers it's on a fantastic, job
particularly Through march with all of our coverage of the
college basketball Champion chip. Tournaments he AND i covered The
(32:02):
Robert morris win in The Horizon. League Robert morris captured
the automatic bid and then lost To alabama as a fifteen.
Seed we also captured The Mount Saint mary's called that
game their victory in The Metro Atlantic Athletic conference title
game In Atlantic City Mount Saint mary's ended up being
a sixteen seed and losing To. Duke as it turns,
Out So jason has been with me covering all The march,
(32:25):
hoops all THE ncaa tournament. Coverage so who better to
come on here and give me some more breakdown of
these two Matchups Auburn florida And duke And. Houston let's
go to that right. Now AS i talked To jason
a little earlier this, week here we are in the
preview mode again for semi Final saturday In San. Antonio all,
right it is time for This final four to be
(32:47):
played with all the number one. Seeds as we keep talking,
About auburn And florida are up, first followed By duke And.
Houston and who better to help me break it down
even though things are going on In San. ANTONIO i
always love my, Wingman Jason powers from The Tampa bay.
Area does it do it? Justice the postcard thing is
(33:07):
wish you were?
Speaker 3 (33:08):
Here does it do it? Justice on? THAT i don't
know if it.
Speaker 2 (33:10):
Does welcome AND i know you're as excited as everybody
else for what's about to happen with these two games coming.
Speaker 1 (33:16):
Up, well we have a historic, year or that historian
a scenario that does not happen very, often with all
four one seeds making it. HERE i know you were
there the last time In wait and your Beloved Memphis
tigers vomited all.
Speaker 2 (33:28):
Themselves h, yes ruining the rest of the weekend For
kansas to win that. Game but, yeah this is the
first time since, then and only the second time in
the last forty.
Speaker 3 (33:37):
Years all, Right.
Speaker 2 (33:39):
So when we get into these Games auburn And, florida
we saw it before back In, february And florida put
ninety points On auburn. First does that really matter now
six weeks?
Speaker 3 (33:52):
Later to?
Speaker 1 (33:52):
YOU i don't think it matters a. WHOLE i think
both teams are going to score. POINTS i don't think
the ninety number probably matters as much as the ease
at which they got. Ninety that's the probably the part
that if You're, auburn you probably want to make it
more challenging for them to be able to. Score the
guards were really good in that, game, obviously you know
they they did that WITHOUT i think Without Elijah martin, too.
CORRECT i don't Think martin that's, Right, yes that's, correct that's,
(34:15):
even you, know a little more concerning from it from
a defensive. Perspective You're, auburn but you Know. Auburn you,
know both teams have played really. Well, again they have
been consensus top four teams in the country all.
Speaker 7 (34:25):
Year i'm not going to put a whole lot into that.
Speaker 5 (34:27):
Game.
Speaker 1 (34:28):
Uh, Obviously florida won in a tough. Environment BUT i
think both these teams are, very very. EVEN i think
if they played ten, times they probably both win. Five
SO i think this is a very, even very maybe
a little more maybe a little bit of an edge
To florida, minor but it's not anything significant in my.
Speaker 2 (34:45):
View back to What auburn did In, atlanta how much
stock do you put on feeding off the, crowd which
they clearly did ye and you look at how they hit,
shots in Particular Denver jones And petterford hitting shots in both.
Games peterford really in both. Games but, uh will that
translate new Setting Alamo dome For Bruce pearl's.
Speaker 7 (35:08):
TEAM i.
Speaker 1 (35:09):
DO i think it's GONNA i think, AGAIN i think
this is a this is gonna Be both teams have
bigs that can.
Speaker 7 (35:15):
Play, obviously we Know brooman card.
Speaker 1 (35:17):
Well and Then we've Got, condon and we've got how
Can they've got a nice rotation In florida as?
Speaker 7 (35:22):
Well that's, right that's? Right what?
Speaker 1 (35:24):
What what's gonna be the strategy For auburn to Contain clayton?
Again we Know clayton's had tremendous last five six minutes
of games in The connecticut game and in The Texas tech.
Game how will how will they Handle clayton when it's money,
time when they know it's crunch time?
Speaker 7 (35:40):
AGAIN i expect this the game to be very tight
the last four or five.
Speaker 1 (35:43):
Minutes how Will? FLORIDA i, mean how will how Will
florida find ways to Get clayton?
Speaker 2 (35:47):
Lose is that is That Baker? Mazara you think that
will shadow him? Everywhere or maybe a couple of people
That Will.
Speaker 7 (35:53):
Jones And Baker.
Speaker 1 (35:54):
MASSARI willi be the two GUYS i would guess are
gonna be the primary defenders On, clayton especially late game.
Scenario those be the two guys THAT i would probably.
Use we Know mazarro with his feistiness and his competitiveness
in his rough play to some, degree it's OCCASIONALLY i
think he will probably do something On saturday to try
to instigate and try to of Course clayton as far
(36:17):
as to get him riled. Up so we'll see how
that goes in THE b. Agency how the officials in
this game handle this. Game will there be AN sec
official in this game that have seen these guys a
bunch of, Times being that both teams ARE, SCC i
would expect you to have at least one of the
three guys will BE sec.
Speaker 2 (36:33):
Official, probably, Probably AND i think it's a good point
that you make on knowing these teams and how to oversee.
It just one more on, this because so much has
been made On Todd golden being younger in his Thirties
Bruce pearl being in his. Sixties pearl has been there
before in twenty nineteen With. Auburn how much of an
advantage on the experience front age wise and having done it?
(36:56):
Before did you Give Bruce pearl if you give any
edge on, that.
Speaker 7 (37:00):
Because remember here's this little. Nugget Bruce pearl Hired Todd
golden back in the.
Speaker 1 (37:04):
Day, yeah they've worked, together so they probably know each
other and know their thought processes pretty. Well probably advantage
a little bit To Bruce pearl with the, Experience but
everybody has, said you know this around the, country people
are so impressed With Todd Todd golden's in game. Adjustments
he's a good, tactician he's a good play caller from
(37:24):
an offensive scheme wise. Perpecage so a little legs To
Bruce pearl because he's been. There but, again this is
a pretty even. Matchup Todd golden is a rising star
in the coaching. World from an ex as and no, PERSPECTIVE.
Speaker 2 (37:35):
Yep an amazing season here that they have put, together
NO i mean no slouch accomplishment to win THE sec
tournament in the first, place which they did in tournament
play do or die for three straight, days and now
they have gotten all the way To San. Antonio all,
right now we save the best for, last so we
think With houston and A titanic showdown With duke With cooper,
(37:58):
flag with all the, attacks.
Speaker 3 (38:01):
We have now reached. It here we Go duke trying.
Speaker 2 (38:05):
To get back in a championship game for the first
time since twenty. Fifteen Houston kruger's haven't been in a
championship game since Five slam a jama back now forty
plus years. Ago All, right somebody's gonna get there break
it down for, Me Jason powers.
Speaker 1 (38:23):
Again this is gonna be a will. Game can Can
duke withstand the will of the defensive effort Of houston
And houston is Gonna we saw What houston did The
tennessee in that first ten. Minutes they completely locked them.
DOWN i Know tennessee's not as skilled As duke by any,
means but if they, anybody as you know playing sports and,
guys we know when you get locked, down when you
(38:44):
get when somebody's up in your face every time you,
move it's it affects.
Speaker 7 (38:48):
YOU i don't care if It's Cooper, flag if it's.
Speaker 1 (38:50):
Whoever when you got somebody that's up in you every
single way you go on the, court it gets your.
Speaker 7 (38:56):
Attention And houston is capable of doing.
Speaker 3 (38:59):
That.
Speaker 7 (39:00):
Again you've made a great.
Speaker 1 (39:01):
Point on our previous podcast About houston is a much
better shooting team than we give him credit. For they
shoot the ball very well from the three point. Line
uzd's a really good. Player we Know Emmanuel sharpers from
The Tampa bay is a big shot.
Speaker 7 (39:15):
MAKER R.
Speaker 2 (39:17):
Lj cryer L. J, cryer who has an R a
national title With baylor in twenty oh one or twenty twenty,
one He CHRIER i think may be the.
Speaker 3 (39:28):
Variable if he has a.
Speaker 2 (39:30):
Three or four point three or four make game from,
three that gives them a great. Chance if he does
what he did Against, purdue where he can make, NOTHING
i believe they're in. TROUBLE i don't want to single
just one. GUY i agree he can be the difference
maker from beyond the.
Speaker 7 (39:44):
ARC i totally.
Speaker 1 (39:45):
Agree and how Does tuggler And Juwan roberts Handle Mallow?
Watch again we've talked. Before It's Cooper flagg's ability to
create stuff for other people is just as important as his.
Scoring he. IS i, mean when he gets in the
lane with the, ball he draws the. Attention and how
many lobs have we seen in this tournament with Malin?
Watch Because Cooper flag is drawing the bigs to him
(40:09):
and it sets up the soup easy super easy? Lobs,
Though can they contain that part of the game and
Make flag have to kick it out To, procter make
it have to kick it out To Sion, jones make
the other guys have to make big shots because you
can't Let Cooper flag dominate the game even if he's
not scoring.
Speaker 2 (40:27):
Thirty if they get a performance like The cooper flag
Against arizona with the thirty points you got the seven six,
SAID i ain't losing that. Game So houston's got to
contain that if they can. Listen, UH i look forward
to everything that's gonna go on On saturday with the
semi finals. Here thank. You by the, way you Like
(40:47):
duke in that, one so you Like? Dude you Like
auburn as? Well or what do you think of THE sec?
Speaker 1 (40:51):
Show?
Speaker 2 (40:52):
Lord you've Had florida all year. Long let's do, this
whatever the matchup. IS i need me some brother powers
one more. Time a national championship game. Preview let's do.
That as the weekend progresses on here on college basketball
coast to coast In San, antonio let's do.
Speaker 4 (41:07):
IT a streak for?
Speaker 7 (41:07):
You what's the streak for?
Speaker 3 (41:09):
You, No, no the current the current streak would be
four in a.
Speaker 2 (41:15):
Row, overall it Is i'm calculating twenty one of the
last twenty. Five there are three THAT i did not
do BECAUSE i did not have a working way to get.
Speaker 3 (41:26):
In and then the the.
Speaker 2 (41:29):
The twenty twenty one, tournament they restricted how much media
could be.
Speaker 3 (41:34):
There SO i.
Speaker 2 (41:36):
Am twenty one of the last twenty five tournaments that
have been played.
Speaker 7 (41:41):
Eighty.
Speaker 2 (41:41):
Four we'll take. THAT i have been to a few of.
These i've been to the last three In San. Antonio it's.
Crazy and remember this.
Speaker 1 (41:48):
Stat here's here's one more little easy nugget For. Florida
auburn Can florida shoot like they shot at the free throw?
Speaker 7 (41:55):
Line, yes this regional. Final remember they came into.
Speaker 1 (41:57):
THIS i think they came into that game like one
eight three in the country in free throw. Percentage they
were terrible Against connecticut and it almost cost him from
the line and they were.
Speaker 7 (42:06):
Unbelieved what twenty five of twenty.
Speaker 3 (42:08):
Seven twenty five of twenty Seven Texas.
Speaker 7 (42:10):
Tech so free throw shooting For. Florida keep an eye
on that On.
Speaker 3 (42:13):
Saturday love this, Guy Jason. Powers thank.
Speaker 2 (42:17):
You we'll catch up with you with A National championship
game preview any. Time Love jason's insight earlier in the
week in the preview.
Speaker 3 (42:27):
Mode he'll be back later in the.
Speaker 2 (42:28):
Weekend AS i just made mention of, you how about
The gators and how well they shot it from the.
Line they were the dead last sixteenth team in free
throw percentage in the regular season in THE, sec but
still you got to get the right guys on the,
line Like jason was talking about there With clayton And
Elijah martin in the key situations as they made one
huge free throw after another in The Texas tech, comeback
(42:51):
remember there's a couple of examples here Where florida was
down nine with three and about four minutes left and
came back to Beat Texas tech In San. Francisco The
gator fans know this or else your, Home we're not
even talking about. You this, Weekend auburn was down In
atlanta by nine points Against michigan with ten minutes to
(43:11):
go in the.
Speaker 3 (43:11):
Game they were in trouble in that.
Speaker 2 (43:13):
Game we can't say the same thing About houston Or
duke that they've been trailing like that much less late
in the.
Speaker 3 (43:20):
Game Like florida.
Speaker 2 (43:21):
Was you, really you don't go back to A houston
game where they have been losing at the end of
the game since they lost in Late february To Texas.
Tech and For, duke it's Early february Against clemson where
they were losing and then lost the game At clemson
in THE acc that's the last loss for both of.
Speaker 3 (43:39):
Them but we're.
Speaker 2 (43:40):
Talking about they haven't even really had to come back
and win a game where they were, trailing much less
lost the. Game, now In houston's, case in the Produced
sweet sixteen, Game perduke got it, Tied houston was not
trailing in the final half, minute and then of Course
uzon the transfer From oklahoma on and a give and
(44:00):
go inbound Were purdue completely fell, asleep let uson on the,
baseline throw it, in get it right back as he
came back in bounds and lay the ball. In But
houston was not. Trailing what happens If duke is trailing
in the final two minutes On saturday night in The.
Alamodome it's a great question that we wonder. About All,
right we got more to come here in a couple of. Moments,
(44:21):
first let's tell us about tell you about our friends
At Ghost leaves and The Ghost leaves kinesiology sleeves that
we have here.
Speaker 3 (44:32):
From Ghost. Leaves there you.
Speaker 2 (44:33):
Go you see it right now on the, screen our
sponsor that we have here on college basketball coast to,
coast the therapeutic sleeves for the, knees the. Elbows the
kinesiology technology helps with several. Things as you, see if
you're with us on the video. Audience it helps with
blood flow and therefore helps the ability to recover and most,
importantly manages your, pain the stiffness and the, soreness. Etc
(44:54):
you're seeing on the video. Screen this is great for,
jogging for, banking, pickleball, tennis basket. Ball if you are
a weekend warrior of any, kind use these sleeves for the,
knees for the.
Speaker 3 (45:05):
Elbows for the.
Speaker 2 (45:06):
Calves they've got some great products coming out later on
this summer and later in the. Year it is go
time here With Ghost, sleeves proud sponsors of what we
do on college Basketball coast to, coast and we even
have a promo code for you as. Well take a
discount off with our friends at Ghost. Leaves that promo
code is ghost leaves dot com SLASH. Tj take fifteen
(45:29):
percent off of your order with Ghost leaves for the,
knee the elbow, sleeve the calf. Sleeve they got some
prototypes of a pair of shorts that help your hamstrings
and your lower, back as well as an ankle brace
that is therapeutic with the kinesiology tapn for the blood
flow in and around the ligaments and the.
Speaker 3 (45:49):
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Ankle you go see it all ghost leaves dot. Com
use that promo CODE tj for an extra discount with our,
sponsor Ghost. Leaves we're gonna be here for a few
more minutes This Friday. AGAIN i make mention we're back
On saturday as, well at One eastern. Time whether you're
watching live On friday or you're seeing it Later friday
Afternoon friday. NIGHT i was coming your way Live friday
(46:10):
afternoon from The Alamos city In San. Antonio we're back
live One eastern time with a semi Final saturday. Preview
Ri A, Russell Tyler, Jones Adam zagoria Or insider and
many others will be right here with me as part
of the preview mode as everything gets, underway With auburn
And florida up first just after Six eastern, time And
(46:31):
duke And houston after That titanic. Showdown Cooper flag And
duke trying to get a duke national title for the
first time since twenty. Fifteen it would be their third
national title since twenty. Ten they won it in twenty
ten and in twenty fifteen In, indianapolis now looking for
one In San. Antonio houston's never won the national, championship
so stay tuned to see if The cougars can get
(46:53):
it done On saturday.
Speaker 3 (46:54):
Night will preview It saturday One eastern.
Speaker 2 (46:57):
Time recap on podcast and on the Tune in streaming
channel will be available after the semifinal games late Night saturday.
Speaker 3 (47:05):
Night then we're back with a live.
Speaker 2 (47:07):
Video show like what you're seeing on college basketball coast
to coast platforms, YouTube, Facebook, twitter et. Cetera coming On sunday,
afternoon One eastern time in the preview.
Speaker 3 (47:17):
Mode Again monday
Speaker 2 (47:18):
Afternoon in the preview mode at One eastern time
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