Tradition's Finest Podcast

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 129 - "The comeBACK Episode" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - NCAA: News & Storylines - - NCAA College Football: "NCAA's Appeal Denied:" The Mississippi Supreme Court denied the NCAA's petition to overturn a judge's decision that would allow Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss to play next season - - Initially, the NCAA denied Chambliss' waiver request on Jan. 9, and after Chambliss appealed, the organization's Athletics Eligibility Subcommittee upheld the denial on Feb 4. - - On Feb. 12, Judge Robert Whitwell, the presiding judge, said that he agreed with Chambliss' argument that the player's medical history was not properly considered by the NCAA - - The 23-year-old Chambliss has been in college for five (5) years, but was healthy enough to play just three (3) of those years - - Afterwards, Judge Whitwell advocated for the Ole Miss QB, stating that Chambliss would have received "irreparable harm" had the NCAA's ruling been upheld, and he further elaborated that the organization would not be damaged by allowing to play - - Chambliss and Ole Miss Athletics Department submitted nearly 91 pages to the NCAA to document how medical issues prevented him from playing two years, the judge said - - The NCAA, according to the judge, did not properly take those [medical] records into consideration, and denied the waiver's request "on pure semantics," - - Prior to transferring to Ole Miss, Chambliss began his college football career at Ferris State University, a Division II program, where he would lead the Bulldogs to a NCAA D-II national championship - - Last season, in Oxford, Chambliss completed 294 of 445 passes (66.1%) for 3,937 yards with 22 TDs and three (3) INTs for the Rebels (13-2), which set a school record for wins, including two after making the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history, while also rushing for 527 yards and eight (8) TDs on the ground. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the Mississippi Supreme Court's decision to deny the NCAA's appeal to overturn a judge's decision regarding Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss' eligibility in 2026-27?. . .Recently retired coach, Gus Malzahn, who won a national title in 2010 as Auburn's OC, will join former Cal coach Jeff Tedford on the College Football Playoff Selection Committee this spring, the CFP announced on Monday - - University of Arkansas AD Hunter Yurachek will return as the Committee chairman for a second consecutive season, and Louisiana AD Bryan Maggard will also join the group - - The three (3) new committee members will each serve three-year terms & replace outgoing members Chris Ault (a former HC), Jeff Long (a former longtime collegiate administrator), and Miami (Ohio) AD David Sayler, whose terms have expired - - Malzahn, who had a 35-year coaching career and developed a reputation for his up-tempo offensive philosophy, announced his retirement in February after serving as the OC under Mike Norvell at Florida State University - - He spent 13 years as head football coach at Arkansas State (2012), Auburn (2013-2020) and UCF (2021-2024), where he posted a career record of 105-62 - - As for Jeff Tedford, he served as the head football coach at Cal University (2002-2012) and Fresno State (2017-2019 and 2022-2023), compiling a career record of 127-79 - - At Cal, Tedford engineered one of the most remarkable turnarounds in college football history, leading a team that had won just one game to consistent bowl appearances, national rankings as well as a share of the 2006 PAC-12 Conference title - - He remains the Golden Bears' winningest coach with an 82-57 record, while guiding the team to eight (8) bowl games - - Malzahn & Tedford will join former coaches Mark Dantonio (Michigan State) and Mike Riley (Oregon State/Nebraska). . .Q: What are your thoughts on the news that former head football coaches Gus Malzahn & Jeff Tedford will be joining the CFP Selection Committee this spring? How does Gus Malzahn's addition impact Kalen DeBoer & the Alabama Crimson Tide come postseason/CFP time next spring? . . .NCAA College Basketball: "Wade Just One Damn Minute:" Just one year after signing a six-year deal to become the head basketball coach at NC State University, Will Wade made the decision on Thursday to make a jump back to LSU, where he previously coached from 2017 until 2022, while NC State was left to pick up the pieces, and like many Wolfpack fans, NC State AD Boo Corrigan was not pleased by the sudden move, stating "I'd commiserate with [fans], in terms of feeling lied to," - - After leading the Wolfpack to a 20-12 record this season, Wade has now inked a seven-year deal to become the head basketball coach at LSU - - Out of the ACC Conference, NC State got off to an 18-6 start (9-2 in conference play) prior to losing six (6) of its final seven (7) games to end the regular season, as the Wolfpack were ultimately placed in the First Fo

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 128 - "The Naismith Episode" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - NCAA: News & Storylines - - NCAA College Basketball: The College Coaching Carousel: Quite possibly, with the most buzzworthy news surrounding it, North Carolina men's basketball coach Hubert Davis was fired by the school, bringing a conclusion to a tumultuous week after the Tar Heels' stunning loss to VCU in the first round of this year's NCAA Tournament, exiting in the Round of 64 for the second consecutive year: The Tar Heels led the Rams by 19 in the second half but collapsed down the stretch in an 82-79 OT defeat, which was the largest comeback in the NCAA Tournament since 2018 - - North Carolina went 24-9 this season, despite projected top-five NBA draft pick Caleb Wilson sitting out the final nine (9) games because of hand & thumb injuries - - In five (5) seasons as coach, Davis was 125-54, finishing with a winning percentage of 69.8% - - The school did not specify the nature of Davis' departure in its statement Tuesday night, simply calling it a change in leadership, - but in a post on Instagram, Davis said he was "let go" by the university and that his desire was to continue to coach at Chapel Hill - - The decision to fire Davis came from a recommendation from current AD Bubba Cunningham and executive associate AD Steve Newmark, who will take over the AD role on July 1 - - That recommendation was accepted by chancellor Lee Roberts on Tuesday - - Davis' exit looms large over a historic or "blue blood" college basketball program that has long leaned into alumni and the so-called Carolina Way, and opens one of the most coveted positions in all of basketball - - His departure opens the possibility of the school seeking a coach outside the North Carolina family for the first time since Bill Guthridge's three-season stint ended in 1999-2000, as Matt Doherty, Roy Williams & Davis, who each followed Guthridge, are all UNC alumni. . .Q: Is it time for North Carolina to bring back the GOAT Michael "MJ" Jordan to Chapel Hill as the Tar Heels' next head basketball coach? If the school's leadership does, in fact, seek a coach outside of the North Carolina family, who are a couple of the most notable coaches the program should pursue (i.e., Alabama's Nate Oats, Florida's Todd Golden, etc.)? . . .Providence has hired South Florida's Bryan Hodgson as its next men's head basketball coach - - Hodgson is joining the Friars after leading the Bulls to a 25-9 record, the American Conference regular-season and postseason titles, and a bid to this year's NCAA Tournament as an No.11 seed in his lone season in Tampa - - The No.11 Bulls were eliminated from the 2026 NCAA Tournament after suffering a loss to No.6 Louisville last Thursday in the first round - - Hodgson is a former Nate Oats assistant coach at Buffalo and Alabama, who brings an up-tempo style of play predicated on high-efficiency shot selection - - Hodgson, 38, will replace Kim English, who went 48-52 in his three (3) years at Providence, which included back-to-back losing seasons in 2024-25 and 2025-26 - - Providence will be the third school in three (3) years for Hodgson, who spent two seasons at Arkansas State, where he led the program to a pair of 20-win seasons, including a 25-11 Sun Belt Conference regular-season title in 2024-25, which gave the Red Wolves their first NIT bid in more than three (3) decades, prior to accepting the head coaching position at South Florida - - Hodgson now inherits a program considered well-funded in the Big East Conference, and one that is looking to get back to winning consistently, a feat the program hasn't experienced since Ed Cooley left for Georgetown in 2023. . .Q: What are your thoughts on Providence's hire of USF's Bryan Hodgson as their new men's head basketball coach?. . .Syracuse has turned to its past by hiring former star guard, Gerry McNamara, in a bid to guide a fading men's college basketball program back to prominence, the school announced on Tuesday - - McNamara, 42, aptly nicknamed "G-Mac," is returning to where he & Carmelo Anthony led the Orange to a national championship in the 2003-04 college basketball season - - Following an outstanding playing career, McNamara then spent 14 years as an assistant coach at his alma mater under Hall of Fame coach Jim Boeheim, and an additional season under his successor, Adrian Autry - - Now, he replaces Autry at Syracuse, who was fired after three (3) largely disappointing seasons in which the Orange went a combined 49-48 and extended their NCAA Tournament drought to five (5) seasons, the program's longest since 1967-72 - - McNamara returns to central New York after spending the past two seasons at Siena, where he led the Saints to a combined 37-30 record, which included a 23-12 finish this year in which they won the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) tournament & clinched their first NCAA Tournam

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 127 - The "Cinderella Story" Episode includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - NCAA: News & Storylines - - NCAA College Basketball: "Holloway's Not-So-Holiday:" Authorities reportedly found 2.1 pounds of marijuana in University of Alabama basketball star Aden Holloway's apartment when he was arrested on a felony drug possession charge Monday morning, according to the charging documents obtained by ESPN on Tuesday - - So why is the amount relevant?. . .**NOTE: The amount discovered in the arrest is significant because any amount of marijuana above 2.2 pounds - or a kilogram (kg) - in the state of Alabama can result in a drug trafficking charge, whether or not there are clear signs of an intent to distribute - - Holloway, who was "removed from campus," and is not with the team just days prior to the onset of the 2026 NCAA Tournament, informed police that he wanted to exercise his Miranda Rights (aka "plead the fifth") and/or remain silent during the search of his apartment, but then told police that he "only smokes [and does not sell or distribute]," - - Following his arrest, Crimson Tide HC Nate Oats stated at a press conference that the team was preparing to play without Holloway - who was the team's No.2 scorer, averaging 16.8 points per game, behind only star guard Labaron Philon - when it faces No.13 seed Hofstra on Friday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament - - Holloway posted $5,000 bail and was released from the Tuscaloosa County jail shortly after his initial arrest - - He has been charged with a class C felony drug possession charge, "not for personal use," and a failure to affix a tax stamp charge, both of which are felonies and carry a max sentence of 10 years in jail and a $15,000 fine - - While it's unclear what prompted the search warrant, as per the charging documents, the West Alabama Narcotics Task Force was executing a search warrant at Holloway's apartment when authorities located the marijuana in a backpack, a jacket pocket, a suitcase, in a TV entertainment stand and a vacuum-sealed bag, along with a significant amount of cash, the prescription sedative promethazine, as well as drug paraphernalia (i.e., a "rolling tray" & packaging materials) - all of which was discovered in just one room of Holloway's apartment - - Authorities also found marijuana in a box and a drawer in a spare bedroom. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the Aden Holloway situation for the Alabama men's basketball program? How does this affect the Crimson Tide as they prepare for the 2026 NCAA Tournament?. . .First Four: In this particular segment, JD & Spencer discuss & provide a detailed analysis of the First Four games of the 2026 NCAA Tournament that occurred on Tuesday & Wednesday evening, which included the following four (4) matchups: NCAA Men's Basketball Championship: Midwest Region: No.16 UMBC Retrievers vs. No.16 Howard Bison NCAA Men's Basketball Championship: West Region: No.11 Texas Longhorns vs. No.11 NC State Wolfpack NCAA Men's Basketball Championship: South Region: No.16 Prairie View A&M Panthers vs. Lehigh Mountain Hawks NCAA Men's Basketball Championship: Midwest Region: No.11 Miami (Ohio) RedHawks vs. No.11 SMU Mustangs - 2026 NCAA Tournament/March Madness Bracket Review & Prediction Showcase: In this particular segment, JD and Spencer review the NCAA Tournament first-round matchups that have already occurred - - as well as provide their individual projections/predictions for each of the remaining games in the first & second round (i.e., Round of 64/Round of 32). . .**Tune in as JD and Spencer will fill in their NCAA bracket throughout this particular segment - - Also, Be Sure to Share Your Picks for the 2026 NCAA Tournament with us via X/Twitter - @TraditionFinest - and/or by Send Us a Message at [email protected]. . . - NBA - - "Records are Wilt[ing] Down:" The legendary Wilt Chamberlain owns one less NBA record thanks to Oklahoma City Thunder superstar guard, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - - Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning NBA MVP, broke a record held Chamberlain for more than six (6) decades by scoring at least 20 points in 127 consecutive regular-season games - - His streak started on Nov.1, 2024, as he averaged 32.5 points in the 127 games - - Gilgeous-Alexander, or SGA, reached the NBA milestone in last Thursday's home game against the Boston Celtics, surpassing 20 points with a 20-foot jumper with 7:04 remaining in the 3rd QTR, eliciting a roar from the Paycom Center crowd - - He received a standing ovation and MVP chants during the next time out when the historic moment was recognized on Arena's videoboard - - SGA finished the game with 35 points & nine (9) assists in the Thunder's 104-102 win over the Celtics - - **NOTE: Gilgeous-Alexander, who won last season's scoring title and ranks second in the league, averaging 31.8 points per game this season, is on the verge

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 126 - The "One Shining Moment" Episode includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - NCAA: News & Storylines - - NCAA College Basketball: Financial penalties will be imposed on schools that do not follow the new player availability reporting process in the upcoming NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments, according to the NCAA, who released a statement regarding the update last Wednesday - - **NOTE: For the first time ever, teams will be required to submit player availability information for NCAA tournament games- - If a school does not abide by this process, it will reportedly face potential fines: A first offense will result in a penalty of up to $10,000. . .the second offense is a fine up to $25,000. . .and the third offense includes a fine of up to $30,000 for the school and $10,000 for the program's head coach - as all penalties will be assessed after the tournament - - For this year's NCAA Tournament, teams must submit an initial report to the NCAA by 9 p.m. local time the night before a game is scheduled to occur, as well as provide an update two hours prior to the scheduled tip time on game day - Both reports must list players as one of three designations: (1) available, (2) questionable or (3) out. . .Players not listed as questionable (i.e., up to a 75% chance of playing) or out are assumed to be available to play - - **NOTE: Player availability reports have become required in the five (5) major conferences over the past couple of seasons, with the ACC, Big 12 and SEC posting their initial reports the night before a game, and the Big East & Big Ten conference(s) publishing their reports the morning of games - - This will be the first time player availability reports will be used for NCAA championships, with the men's and women's basketball tournaments serving as a pilot program for potential use in other sporting events - - The reports are "intended in part to reduce betting-related pressure, solicitations and harassment student-athletes and other team personnel receive from bettors connected to playing status," per the NCAA's statement - - HD Intelligence, a service for which several of the aforementioned conferences already use, will serve as the primary provider for player availability reporting services. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the NCAA's announcement regarding the mandated player availability reports, and their use throughout the men's and women's 2026 NCAA Tournament?. . ."31 & OH:" No.19 Miami (Ohio) RedHawks at Ohio Bobcats - - Miami (OH) closed out the regular season as the only unbeaten team in Division I men's college basketball, with guard Eian Elmer scoring a career-high 32 points & grabbing 12 rebounds in a gritty 110-108 road victory over in-state, MAC conference rival, Ohio, on Friday (3/6) night - - Peter Suder scored five (5) of his total 13 points in OT for the RedHawks (31-0, 18-0 MAC), which became the first program to complete an unblemished regular season since Gonzaga in 2021 - - Guard Trey Perry added 21 points and forward Brent Byers scored 15 for the RedHawks, who topped Akron (17-1 MAC) for the regular-season league title - - **NOTE: Despite its' magical season, Miami (OH) might need to win the MAC Conference tournament this week to guarantee themselves a spot and/or to become an automatic qualifier in this year's NCAA Tournament. . .Q: How do you feel about this particular subject: should the Miami (OH) RedHawks receive an "automatic bid" to the 2026 NCAA Tournament regardless of whether they or not they win the MAC Conference championship? - - Guard Jackson Paveletzke led Ohio (15-16, 9-9 MAC) with a career-high 37 points, while forwards Javan Simmons scored 30 and Aidan Holloway added 20 points as well, as the Bobcats closed out the regular season after losing three (3) consecutive games - - HC Travis Steele's squad had a bumpy stretch over its previous dozen games, with four (4) one-possession wins & two others that they won in OT - - This time, the story wasn't much different, as the RedHawks needed some late game heroics again to win in Athens for the first time in 15 years: Ohio forward Javan Simmons' basket off a missed shot by teammate Kirr Kuany gave the Bobcats a 108-107 lead with 26 seconds remaining in OT - - Miami guard Peter Suder then sank two FTs to put the RedHawks ahead, and guard Justin Kirby made another for the final margin - - The Bobcats had an opportunity to steal the game, but guard Jackson Paveletzke missed two shots in the final five (5) seconds that could have given Ohio the lead (and win), including a 3-pointer at the buzzer - - While the RedHawks capped off an impressive and historic 31-0 regular season and an insane 110-108 victory over in-state rival, Ohio, it was what occurred after the final buzzer that was even more enthralling: Chaos erupted in the Athens arena from both sides, with frustrated Ohio fans throwing trash onto the

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 125 - The "Dickie V" Episode includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - NCAA: News & Storylines - - NCAA College Basketball: "It's March, baby, with a Capital "M!" In this initial segment, JD & Spencer will discuss and provide a detailed analysis of a few of the most notable NCAA college basketball games from across the country from the previous week, and they will also acknowledge and/or mention the most buzzworthy storylines across Division I hoops. few of the more notable College Basketball games from across the country over the previous week, as well as to dive into any of the buzzworthy storylines surrounding the league. The following games are discussed in further detail in this week's episode: Friday, Feb. 27: No.21 Miami (OH) RedHawks at Western Michigan (WMU) Broncos. . . "The Race to 31-OH:" The RedHawks are chasing history with just two game(s) remaining as it attempts to finish the NCAA College Basketball regular season with an unblemished record of 31-0 - - Miami (OH) entered the week with an overall NET ranking in the 50s, while its' other metrics are not as favorable at the same juncture. . .Unfortunately for HC Travis Steele's squad, the ugly truth is this: If the RedHawks were to slip up and drop one of their remaining games during the regular season or lose in the MAC Conference Tournament next week, it could potentially be a "back-breaker" for the program - or, in other words, a loss could ruin the RedHawks' shot to secure it's first "at-large" berth into the NCAA College Basketball Tournament since 2007. . .Remaining Schedule: Miami (OH) vs. Toledo (H)    3/3 Miami (OH) at Ohio (A)      3/7 Q: Following the gutsy performance that led to a last-second win over WMU last Friday evening, do you feel even more confident in this team's ability to pull off a "perfect" 31-0 regular season?. . . No.3 Michigan Wolverines at No.10 Illinois Fighting Illini - - **NOTE: The Wolverines won their first outright Big Ten Conference regular-season title since 2014, and ironically, when they also clinched with a road victory over the Fighting Illini. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the Dusty May's Michigan squad right now? Do the Wolverines possess the necessary type of roster capable of winning a national championship this season?. . . Saturday, Feb. 28: No.20 Arkansas Razorbacks at No.7 Florida Gators - - The Gators took down the Razorbacks in a 34-point romp, which tied for the worst loss of Arkansas HC John Calipari's career, a 34-point loss against the Duke Blue Devils in 2018 while he was the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats - - **NOTE: Florida has won six (6) in a row against ranked opponents, and on average, scored at least 90 points in each of those ranked-on-ranked matchups, which is the second-longest streak in college basketball history (i.e., streak is shared with the 1989-90 UNLV Runnin' Rebels and Loyola-Marymount (LMU) Lions). . .Q: Do the Florida Gators have what it takes to repeat as back-to-back national champions this year?. . . No.17 Alabama Crimson Tide at No.22 Tennessee Volunteers - - Alabama accomplished a feat on Saturday that they haven't experienced since 2021: pulling off an epic comeback win in Knoxville, as the Crimson Tide won its eighth consecutive game of the regular season. . .Q: Where do you stand on this Alabama Crimson Tide basketball team as it enters the month of March? What are a few NCAA Tournament pro's & con's of HC Nate Oats' squad?. . . Monday, Mar. 2: No.6 Iowa State Cyclones at No.2 Arizona Wildcats - - The Wildcats secured at least a share of the Big Ten Conference crown with the victory over the Cyclones, as Arizona earned it outright by smothering Iowa State defensively to give HC Tommy Lloyd his 140th victory, the most in NCAA history in a coach's first five (5) seasons. . .Q: What makes this Arizona squad so dangerous as we draw closer to the 2026 NCAA Tournament?. . . -"An Abrupt Exit:" Nearly a year after helping the Auburn Tigers reach the Final Four, forward Chad Baker-Mazara is no longer a member of the USC men's basketball program, the team announced on Sunday - - Baker-Mazara, 26, was the team's second-leading scorer, and started in 22 of their 26 games played, for the struggling Trojans this season, including a 14-point effort in an 82-67 loss to No.12 Nebraska on Saturday, as USC has now lost five (5) games in a row, and is playing its way out of NCAA Tournament contention - - Baker-Mazara left Saturday's home loss to the Cornhuskers early in the second half following a hard fall after he blocked a shot from Pryce Sandfort - - Baker-Mazara told Trojans HC Eric Musselman that he couldn't go back (or re-enter) the game, then sat near injured USC star Rodney Rice in an area with fans in the stands, rather than on the bench with the rest of the team - - Following Saturday's loss, the second-year HC, Musselman was asked about

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 124 - The "Miracle on Ice" Episode includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - NCAA: News & Storylines - - NCAA College Football: "Like Father, Like Son:" Four-star QB Gunner Rivers, the son of NC State University football legend & eight-time NFL Pro-Bowler (and the most recent 40-year-old QB that "Almost-led-the-Colts-to-a-victory-over-the-Super-Bowl-60-Champions" & Almost-Head Coach of the Buffalo Bills) Philip Rivers, has committed to play for the Wolfpack, he announced Monday via social media - - Rivers is ESPN's No.11-ranked pocket passer and No.142 overall prospect in the 2027 cycle - - The younger, less accomplished Rivers, is now set to follow in his father's footsteps after throwing for 2,813 yards and 44 TDs to five (5) INTs in his junior season - - A 6-foot-3, 200-pound junior at Alabama's St. Michael Catholic High School, he elected to commit to his father's alma mater over reported offers from Auburn, Boston College, Miami & South Carolina, and will have some massive shoes to fill when he arrives on campus in Raliegh, NC - - Prior to playing for 17 seasons in the NFL, Philip Rivers was a four-year starter at NC State from 2000 to 2003, emerging as one of the most prolific QBs in program and ACC Conference history - as he led all FBS passers in completion percentage (72%) and was named Offensive Player of the Year during his senior season in 2003 - and Rivers' 13,848 career passing yards remain first among both NC State and ACC QBs, and ranks 13th on the NCAA's all-time passing list. . .Q: What are your thoughts on 2027 QB Gunner River's verbal commitment to play at his father and former NFL QB, Philip Rivers, alma mater?. . .NCAA College Basketball: In this particular segment, JD & Spencer will discuss a few of the more notable College Basketball games from across the country over the previous week, as well as to dive into any of the buzzworthy storylines surrounding the league. The following game(s) are discussed within this episode: Race to 31 & OH: Friday, Feb. 20th:     No.23 Miami (OH) RedHawks vs. Bowling Green Falcons Tuesday, Feb.24th:    No.22 Miami (OH) RedHawks at Eastern Michigan Eagles Remaining Schedule/Next Up: Friday, Feb. 27th  No.22 Miami (OH) RedHawks at Western Michigan Broncos Tuesday, Mar. 3rd:       No.22 Miami (OH) RedHawks vs. Toledo Rockets Friday, Mar. 6th:         No.22 Miami (OH) RedHawks at Ohio Bobcats     Q: Based on the RedHawks' remaining schedule, do you think that No.21 Miami (OH) will finish off a perfect 31-0 season? Or will they drop one (or more) of their three remaining games this season?. . . Saturday, February 21st: Potential "Final Four Preview?"   No.4 Arizona Wildcats at No.2 Houston Cougars/Edward Jones Capital Showcase: No.1 Michigan Wolverines vs. No.3 Duke Blue Devils - - Duke's win over Michigan has propelled the Blue Devils to a familiar perch: No.1 in the AP Men's Top 25 poll after claiming 56 of the total 61 first-place votes to supplant the Wolverines, who's stay atop the standings only lasted a week. . .                                - NCAA College Baseball: While the NCAA College Baseball season remains relatively young, what occurred on Tuesday could only be referred to as "Mid-Week Madness," after four (4) of the top six (6) ranked teams in Division I College Baseball suffered losses to unranked, in-state opponents, causing significant early-season chaos in the rankings - - This mid-week upset trend highlights the high volatility and competitiveness that is present in early-season NCAA college baseball. . .In this segment, JD & Spencer discuss the following four upset(s) that occurred on Tuesday that sent a shockwave through the sport:         (1) Arkansas State - 12 No.6 Arkansas - 4 (2) Georgia State - 9 No.5 Georgia Tech - 4 (3) McNeese - 7 No.2 LSU - 6 (4) San Diego State - 4 No.1 UCLA - 3 - NFL - - Former Purdue & NFL star WR Rondale Moore passed away on Saturday at the age of 25, as police in his hometown of New Albany, Indiana, informed the Associated Press that Moore was found in the garage of his house with a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound, while his death remains under investigation - - Moore grew up in New Albany - just across the Indiana border from Louisville, Kentucky, and after committing to play college football at the University of Purdue, he was named a first-team All-American as a freshman in 2018 - - As an all-purpose player that season, Moore also won the Paul Hornung Award as the most versatile player in college football - - In his three (3) seasons spent with the Boilermakers, pri

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 123 - "The 3ARNHARDT Episode" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - NCAA: News & Storylines - - NCAAM College Basketball Week in Review: Week 15: In this first segment, JD & Spencer discuss & review a few of the most notable NCAAM college basketball games from across the league, as well as evaluate some of the most buzzworthy storylines of Week 15 of the NCAA D-I Men's College Basketball season; in particular, the following NCAAM college basketball games are discussed in greater detail: Friday, February 13th:                No.23 Miami (OH) RedHawks vs. Ohio Bobcats Tuesday, February 17th:            No.22 Miami (OH) RedHawks vs. UMass "The Race to a Perfect Season:" Miami (Ohio) remains the lone unbeaten team in NCAA D-I Men's College Basketball after winning their 26th straight game over UMass on Tuesday night, 86-77. . .On the docket, the RedHawks' remaining schedule includes the following matchups: Miami (OH) vs. Bowling Green (H) Miami (OH) at EMU (A) Miami (OH) at WMU (A) Miami (OH) vs. Toledo (H) Miami (OH) at Ohio (A) Q: Based on the RedHawks' remaining schedule, do you think that No.22 Miami (Ohio) will pull off what many will consider to be an "improbably perfect" 31-0 season? Or will the RedHawks drop at least one of their final five games to close out the 2025/2026 college basketball season?. . . Saturday, February 14th:              No.17 St. John's Red Storm at Providence Friars: Guard Dylan Darling recorded 23 points & eight (8) rebounds as No.17 St. John's scored eight (8) straight points following a massive brawl that resulted in six (6) player ejections to take the lead and earn its' 11th straight victory, a 79-69 victory over Big East foe, Providence, on Saturday - - Forward Bryce Hopkins had nine (9) points & nine (9) rebounds for the Red Storm (20-5, 13-1 Big East), and the ex-Friars star was in the middle of it all when he was taken down by a hard foul with 14:25 left and Providence (11-15, 4-11 Big East) up 40-39 - - Hopkins, who spent two seasons as one of Providence's top players before tearing his ACL in 2023-24 and transferring to St. John's, was excessively booed during warmups & the Providence student section cheered after each unsuccessful shot attempt - - The Friars were up by one point prior to the bedlam eruption in Amica Mutual Pavilion less than six (6) minutes into the second half of the game - as Friars' graduate forward Duncan Powell committed a Flagrant 2 foul on a driving Hopkins, which led to the fight that resulted in six (6) of the game's seven (7) ejections, that included four (4) St. John's players & two Providence players - - Following a stoppage in play that lasted close to 20 minutes while the officials sifted through the punishments, Rick Pitino's squad took control of the game & took down Providence 79-69 in a testy, Big East contest - - The seventh player ejection came later in the second half when Providence's Jamier Jones was booted from the game after being called for a Flagrant-2 foul committed on St. John's star forward, Zuby Ejiofor. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the six-player scuffle/brawl that took place on Saturday in the St. John's-Providence matchup?. . . Monday, February 16th:             No.2 Houston Cougars at No.6 Iowa State Cyclones: Guard Nate Heise hit a go-ahead 3-pointer and Tamin Lipsey came up with a huge offensive rebound in the final seconds to cap No.6 Iowa State's rally in a 70-67 victory over Big 12 Conference leader, No.2 Houston, on Monday night - - Heise was 3-for-3 from three-point range, just hours after his sister, Taylor Heise, scored a goal to help the U.S. Women's Olympic Hockey team defeat the Swedish national team, 5-0, to reach the gold-medal game in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan - - The Cougars had two chances to tie the game or possibly take the lead, but was called for a shot-clock violation with 43 seconds to play, then Houston forward Chris Cenac Jr. missed a shot with four (4) seconds remaining on the clock - - The Cyclones (23-3, 10-3 Big 12) closed the game on a 17-4 run to take down a second top-10 team in three (3) days, after Iowa State defeated the No.8 Kansas Jayhawks 74-56 on the Saturday - - Meanwhile, the Cougars (23-3, 11-2 Big 12) had their six-game winning streak snapped, and their stronghold over the Big 12 Conference lead, was cut to just a half-game over No.4 Arizona for the top spot, as they head into a pivotal matchup versus the Wildcats at home this upcoming weekend - whereas with the win, Iowa State is now third in the Big 12 Conference standings, one game behind Houston. . . Tuesday, February 17th:      

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 122 - The "Whack Heard 'Round The World" Episode includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - NCAA: News & Storylines - - NCAA College Basketball: Charles Bediako's college basketball career is officially over, Again. .after an Alabama circuit judge denied his motion appeal for a preliminary injunction on Monday, ending the 7-foot center's season with Nate Oats & the Alabama Crimson Tide - - Tuscaloosa County Circuit Judge Daniel F. Pruet halted Bediako's bid to regain eligibility after he left Alabama early to enter the 2023 NBA Draft, and although he went undrafted, he did sign a two-way NBA contract with the San Antonio Spurs & played the past three (3) seasons in the NBA's developmental league (i.e., G-League) - moves that ultimately disqualified him from collegiate competition, according to the NCAA - - Judge Pruet ruled that Bediako did not have a "reasonable expectation," that he would be allowed to return to college basketball when no other player has been granted such eligibility under similar circumstances, although Amari Bailey, the former UCLA standout guard, who was drafted in the second round of the NBA Draft & physically competed in 10 NBA games throughout his two-year career, and is now attempting to regain eligibility to play at the collegiate level - - The Bediako ruling, whether you agree or disagree with the result, should serve as a precedent for the NCAA and college sports universally: in other words, if you give up eligibility and decide to turn pro, and are willingly drafted, you are not entitled to return to college sports just because you aren't the 'star player,' or if you spend more time on the bench than you do on the court (or field, etc.) - - Shortly after the ruling on Monday, NCAA President Charlie Baker released a statement, stating that he was glad that the court "upheld the rules of our members,". . .Q: What are your thoughts on the Tuscaloosa County (AL) Circuit Judge's ruling to deny Charles Bediako's appeal for NCAA eligibility? Should this particular ruling serve as a precedent for other prospects that are attempting to regain eligibility at the NCAA (or college) level?. . .In this next section, JD & Spencer discuss a few of the more impactful and/or notable NCAA men's college basketball games from across the country that occurred this past weekend, including, but not limited to the following matchups: the Seth Trimble "buzzer beater" in the heated rivalry between No.4 Duke Blue Devils and No.14 North Carolina Tar Heels (Saturday 2/7); the Darryn Peterson-less & No.9 Kansas Jayhawks pull off the upset over No.1 and previously unbeaten Arizona Wildcats (Monday 2/9). . . - NFL - - "The 15th Annual NFL Honors:" On Thursday, and three (3) days prior to Super Bowl 60, the NFL wrapped up the 2025 season by recognizing its' top individual performers, at the 15th Annual NFL Honors Ceremony, which were hosted by actor Jon Hamm, at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, where it once again served as the forum for the league to reveal the winners of its' most prestigious awards: this included such awards as the Offensive & Defensive Player of the Year as well as the AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year, and finally, the Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award, which were presented by a variety of celebrities (i.e., Druski) and NFL Hall of Fame legends (i.e., Jerry Rice) - - The Pro Football Hall of Fame also unveiled its five-person class, which had already been a topic of speculation & controversy after it was revealed last week that Bill Belichick, Patriots owner Robert Kraft & former New York Giants & Super-Bowl winning QB Eli Manning, had been omitted as first-ballot Hall of Famers - - Let's examine the outcome & discuss our thoughts regarding each individual award that was presented at this year's Honors' ceremony: AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award: The 2025 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award was presented to Cleveland Browns DE Myles Garrett - - Garrett, the preeminent EDGE/pass rusher of his generation, he took advantage of the 2025 league year, turning it into a record-breaking season, which subsequently led to him winning his second DPOY award - - Garrett's 23 sacks broke the single-season record that was previously shared by Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan & Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt - - **NOTE: Garrett achieved this feat despite being double-teamed or chipped on 39.5% of his pass rushes this season, per NFL Next Gen Stats, more than any other pass rusher in the NFL - - Also, his 33 TFL were the second-most by a player since the year 2000, trailing only J.J. Watt's 39 in 2012. . .Q: What are your thoughts on Browns DE Myles Garrett being awarded the 2025 AP NFL DPOY award? Do you think Myles Garrett will go down in NFL history as the most proficient/explosive EDGE to ever play in the league?. . . AP NFL Offensive

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 121 - "The Super Bowl Episode" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - NCAA: News & Storylines - - NCAA College Basketball: In this particular segment, JD & Spencer introduce and have a brief discussion on the most recent and/or updated Week 13 release of the AP Men's College Basketball Top 25 Poll - - as well as to dive into a few of the most notable NCAAM basketball games from across the country this past week, including but not limited to: (1) last Friday's Top-25 matchup between the Michigan Wolverines & Michigan State Spartans, (2) the Top-10 battle between Big Ten Conference foes, Illinois & Nebraska, and finally, (3) Sunday's SEC Conference showdown between the Crimson Tide & the reigning national champion Florida Gators. . .As we entered into this week, or the first week of February - and with "March Madness" just around the corner - the Arizona Wildcats & the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks are the last two unbeaten teams standing, and with the release of the Week 13 AP Top 25 poll, only four (4) teams' rankings remain unchanged from the previous week - - The Wildcats held on to the unanimous No.1 ranking for a third consecutive week, as Arizona has its best start in program history, and it's 22-0 record is also tied for the longest winning streak in school history (i.e., The Wildcats won 22 straight games in 1914-17) - - Saturday, Jan. 31st: No.1 Arizona Wildcats at Arizona State Sun Devils - - Koa Peat scored 21 points, fellow freshman Brayden Burries came off the bench to add 17, and No.1 Arizona defeated in-state rival Arizona State 87-74 on Saturday, setting a school record with their 22nd straight win to start the season - - Arizona (22-0, 9-0 Big 12) is one of just two undefeated teams in the nation, along with No.23 Miami (Ohio) - - **NOTE: The Wildcats' winning streak also tied the Big 12 record to start a season, which was originally set by the Kansas Jayhawks in 1996-97- - Arizona State led for much of the first few minutes of the game, but the Wildcats used a 13-2 scoring run to take a 25-18 lead with 7:00 left in the first half, as Koa Peat made a layup to cap the run, finishing through contact that left him bloodied around his left eye - - The Sun Devils recovered, tying the game at 38-all just before the halftime break when Sun Devils G Noah Meeusen made a 3-pointer with two seconds remaining - - The Wildcats, who shot 60% from the field in the second half, scored the first six (6) points to begin the second half, to take a 44-38 lead & never trailed again - - While the gritty Sun Devils cut into the deficit several times, they never could generate enough offense to keep pace with the Wildcats - - Stat Leaders: Noah Meeusen scored 16 points, while guard Maurice Odom added 15 for the Sun Devils, and Arizona State (11-11, 2-7 Big 12) has dropped nine (9) of its last 11 games, whereas C Motiejus Krivas fought through foul trouble to finish with 15 points, and forward Tobe Awaka had a career-high 13 rebounds - - **NOTE: The Sun Devils fell to 2-10 all-time against the nation's No.1 team, as their last win over a top-ranked program came when Arizona State knocked off Kansas in Dec. 2018. . .In the Week 13 AP Poll, the Wildcats are followed by the Michigan Wolverines, which flipped spots with the UConn Huskies (No.3) to move up to the No.2 spot, following their conference wins over previously-unbeaten No.5 Nebraska, as well as their in-state rival in Tom Izzo's Spartans, as the Wolverines are 5-0 against ranked teams this season - with four (4) of those wins coming by double-digits - - As for the No.3 Huskies, they improved to 11-0 in Big East Conference play for the first time since its' 1998-99 NCAA title run - - **NOTE: UConn is on a 17-game winning streak, its longest single-season win streak since winning 19 in a row in the 1998-99 season - - Friday, Jan. 30th: No.3 Michigan Wolverines at No.17 Michigan State Spartans - - Prior to tipoff, Michigan State fans serenaded Michigan HC Dusty May with expletive-filled chants, but it was the Wolverines' HC that would ultimately have the last laugh in this one: Forward Yaxel Lendeborg had 26 points & 12 rebounds, guards Elliot Cadeau scored 17 and Morez Johnson added 12 points to lead No.3 Michigan to an 83-71 victory over the 17th-ranked Spartans in East Lansing on Friday night - - With the win, the Wolverines (20-1, 10-1 Big Ten) moved into sole possession of first place in the Big Ten Conference, whereas the Spartans (19-3, 9-2 Big Ten) missed 14 of their 18 shots (22%), and they finished the first half with more turnovers (11) than FGM (7) and trailed the Wolverines by 16 points at the halftime break - - Michigan State went on a 13-2 run early in the second half to pull within three (3) points and F Jaxon Kohler, who finished the game with 12 points, made a game-tying 3-pointer with 7:57 left in regulation - - G Jeremy Fears, who scored a