Unlock legendary Duke basketball stories, Coach K insights, unforgettable NCAA moments, ACC rivalries, and exclusive behind-the-scenes ESPN broadcasting tales with Jay Bilas—ESPN’s lead college basketball analyst, former Duke Blue Devil, and Final Four veteran—on this must-listen sports podcast episode.
Jay Bilas—ESPN’s lead college basketball analyst, former Duke Blue Devil, assistant coach, and practicing attorney joins the podcast. Jay’s journey from LA to Durham under a then-unknown Coach K is the stuff of basketball legend, and today he shares stories you won’t hear anywhere else. We dive deep into the early days of Coach K, the brotherhood behind Duke’s rise, and the unforgettable battles with ACC greats like Len Bias, Michael Jordan, and Mark Price. Jay opens up about the heartbreak and triumph of Duke’s first Final Four run, the inside story of the legendary 1992 Kentucky game, and what it was like to witness LeBron James as a high school phenom.
⏰ Timestamps:
(00:01:51) – Jay’s recruitment: Choosing Coach K over other legendary coaches and the decision to attend Duke
(00:07:49) – Facing Len Bias, Michael Jordan, and ACC legends; what made the league and those rivalries special
(00:17:21) – 1986 Final Four run: From freshman struggles to national title contention and the experience of losing the championship
(00:20:29) – Why so many Duke players returned as coaches; Coach K’s mentorship and helping players beyond basketball
(00:22:24) – Jay’s early broadcasting experience: Working the 1984 Olympics, learning the ropes, and behind-the-scenes stories
(00:27:45) – Transition to broadcasting: Reuniting with old colleagues, memorable moments as an assistant coach, and Digger Phelps stories
(00:29:16) – Coaching at Duke: The 1990 blowout loss to UNLV, the 1991 upset, and lessons from Coach K
(00:34:40) – The pain of losing the 1986 title game and the emotional toll of coming so close
(00:40:27) – Inside “The Shot”: 1992 Duke-Kentucky, drawing up the play, practice memories, and Coach K’s empathy for Kentucky
(00:48:52) – Duke’s floor slap tradition: Origins, meaning, and how it became a national meme
(00:51:28) – ESPN’s Big Monday crew: First broadcast with Bill Raftery and Sean McDonough, chemistry, and favorite moments
(01:03:55) – Broadcasting LeBron James’ first high school game and the evolution of high school basketball coverage
(01:12:11) – Rapid fire: Best game witnessed, favorite postgame spots, all-time Duke starting five, and more personal favorites
💡 Key Topics:
📌 Jay Bilas’s Duke career and the rise of Coach K (Duke basketball, Coach K, ACC history)
📌 Behind-the-scenes stories from Duke’s Final Four and legendary ACC rivalries (Final Four, NCAA Tournament, ACC basketball)
📌 The making of “The Shot” and the 1992 Duke-Kentucky game (Christian Laettner, Grant Hill, NCAA upsets)
📌 Reflections on LeBron James, Len Bias, and the evolution of the college game (LeBron James, Len Bias, NBA Draft, basketball legends)
🏀 About Jay Bilas:
Jay Bilas is a former Duke Blue Devil, NCAA Final Four participant, assistant coach under Mike Krzyzewski, and one of ESPN’s most respected college basketball analysts. Known for his sharp insights, storytelling, and advocacy for student-athletes, Jay has shaped how fans experience the game—on the court and in the broadcast booth.
🎙️ About the JustIn Time Podcast:
The JustIn Time Podcast brings you exclusive, in-depth conversations with the biggest names in sports and beyond. As veteran broadcasters, Justin brings unfiltered discussions with legendary coaches, professional athletes, and influential figures who share their remarkable journeys and behind-the-scenes stories you won’t hear anywh
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