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

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 120 - "The Immaculate Reception Episode" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - NCAA: News & Storylines - - NCAA College Basketball: In the first part of this particular segment, JD & Spencer discuss & analyze a few of the most notable games from Week 13 of the NCAA College Basketball season, that has occurred within the past week, beginning with a Big 12 Conference matchup between the unanimous No.1 team in this week's AP Top 25 Poll for a fifth straight week, the Arizona Wildcats, and the No.13 BYU Cougars: Guard Brayden Burries scored 29 points and made a game-saving block in the final seconds as top-ranked Arizona remained undefeated by holding off a furious rally from No.13 BYU for an 86-83 victory on Monday night - - PG Jaden Bradley added 26 points for the Wildcats (21-0, 8-0 Big 12), who has now matched the best start in program history - - Fellow freshman AJ Dybantsa led the Cougars (17-3, 5-2 Big 12) with 24 points but struggled, shooting 25% from the field and 1-of-8 from the 3-point line, while guards Richie Saunders & Kennard Davis Jr., contributed 18 and 17 points, respectively - - After trailing by 19 points midway through the second half, the Cougars were able to trim the deficit to one with a 12-2 run that began with just more than a minute left - as forward Keba Keita's putback dunk pulled the Cougars to within 84-83 with just 16 seconds remaining in regulation - and after which, the Cougars would force a turnover on the ensuing inbounds play: On the next play, BYU guard Robert Wright III drove toward the rim and wriggled free for what appeared to be a good look at the basket, but Wildcats guard Brayden Burries said "Nah!" - - Burries came flying over from the weak side to block Wright's shot from behind, and the freshman guard was able to grab the loose ball & converted two free throws prior to BYU missing on a long heave at the buzzer - - Burries finished the game 13-of-15 at the foul line, and added five rebounds, four assists & three steals for the Wildcats, who handed BYU its first home loss despite the Cougars finishing the game shooting 50% from long distance after the halftime break. . .Q: What are your thoughts on this Arizona Wildcat basketball team? What's it going to take for a team to pull off the upset over Tommy Lloyd's squad?. . ."Purdue University is Really Going Through it:"No.12 Purdue Boilermakers at Indiana Hoosiers - - Guard(s) Lamar Wilkerson had 19 points, Nick Dorn had 18, and Conor Enright scored five of his eight points in the final 1:11 to help Indiana complete the upset over No.12 Purdue 72-67 on Tuesday night - - The Hoosiers (14-7, 5-5 Big Ten) have now won two consecutive games, and this is, to date, the most impressive win under HC Darian DeVries - and it came in his first matchup against Indiana's bitter in-state rival - and on the same night that college football's new national champions, were honored during a pre-game ceremony, on the same court where Hoosiers football coach Curt Cignetti once proclaimed "Purdue sucks," - - **NOTE: Following their win on Tuesday night, the Hoosiers have defeated ranked Boilermakers teams in four of their last five matchups at home - - F/C Trey Kaufman-Renn led the Boilermakers (17-4, 7-3 Big Ten) with 23 points and senior guard Braden Smith added 14 points, five rebounds & five assists, but it just wasn't enough for Purdue to avoid extending their losing streak to a season-worst three games - - Purdue did not look like itself: Indiana negated the Boilermakers' perceived advantage in the post, outrebounding them 33-28 while only being outscored 24-18 in the paint, in a game that had all the elements of a rivalry. . .No.5 Nebraska Cornhuskers at No.3 Michigan Wolverines - - Guard Trey McKenney made a tiebreaking layup with 1:07 remaining as No.3 Michigan rallied past No.5 Nebraska 75-72 on Tuesday night to hand the Cornhuskers their first loss of the season (20-1, 9-1 Big Ten): Forward Morez Johnson Jr. had 17 points & 12 rebounds for the Wolverines (19-1, 9-1 Big Ten), who trailed for more than 36 minutes prior to holding Nebraska scoreless over the final 3:20 in regulation: Guard Jamarques Lawrence missed a 3-pointer with 4 seconds remaining for the short-handed Cornhuskers, and guard Sam Hoiberg missed on a jumper just before the buzzer, as Nebraska played this game without F Rienk Mast (illness) and F Braden Frager (sprained ankle), who missed his second consecutive game - - **NOTE: Nebraska had won 24 straight games dating back to last season, including four victories in the inaugural College Basketball Crown Tournament in Las Vegas last April - - McKenney had 11 points off the bench for the Wolverines, while forwards Yaxel Lendeborg & Aday Mara both scored 10 points apiece, whereas the Huskers' Lawrence scored 16 of his 20 points in the opening 10 minutes of the game, and Pryce Sandfort also finished w

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 119 - The inVINCEible Bowl Episode includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - NCAA: News & Storylines - - NCAA College Basketball: It has been our intention to discuss and/or cover NCAA Men's College Basketball in some capacity since the beginning of the 2025-26 College Basketball season, however, and due to multiple factors, we have not dove into the sport near as much as we preferred. . .But, do we have some fantastic news for you Round-ball fans, this week's episode features a discussion and/or Week 11 update; such topics as the following are discussed in this particular segment: (I) the dominance of the Arizona Wildcats (18-0) & being ranked the unanimous No.1 team in Monday's AP Top 25 poll for the first time in program history, receiving all 61 votes, just a week after picking up all but one first-place votes (60); (II) the rise & fall of the Iowa State Cyclones; (III) a few other notable programs that are making waves thru Week 11 of the regular season (i.e., No.7 Nebraska (18-0), No.24 Saint Louis (17-1) & No.25 Miami (Ohio)); (IV) the "Rising/Falling" programs of the AP Top 25 (i.e., No.18 Clemson - ⬆️ four spots; No.12 Texas Tech - ⬆️ three spots; No.22 North Carolina - ⬇️ eight spots after losses last week to Stanford & Cal; No.9 Iowa State ⬇️ seven spots after losses to unranked Kansas & Cincinnati; No.15 Vanderbilt - ⬇️ five spots after losses to Texas & No.16 Florida); and (V) those programs that are "In & Out" of this week's updated poll rankings - A "Welcome Back" to No.19 Kansas, First Timers Saint Louis & Miami (Ohio) & So Long Goodbye to Tennessee (⬇️ from No.24 after blowing a 17-point lead versus Kentucky last week; Utah State (⬇️ from No.23 after suffering loss on the road to Grand Canyon); and Seton Hall (⬇️ from No.25 after suffering back-to-back losses to UConn and Butler). . .In a case that could potentially reshape college basketball & college sports in general, former Alabama standout/center Charles Bediako - who entered the 2023 NBA Draft and he went on to sign a two-way NBA contract with the San Antonio Spurs later that same year - has been granted a temporary restraining order (or a TRO) to return to the team and college basketball immediately, a Tuscaloosa County (AL) judge ruled early Wednesday morning — Bediako, who has played in the G-League for the previous two seasons, went undrafted & never appeared in an NBA game after he played on two NCAA Tournament teams while enrolled at the University of Alabama (i.e., 2020-21 & 2022-23), filed a lawsuit to sue the NCAA a day prior after it denied the school's appeal to allow him to return to the sport, citing the similar situation with James Nnaji & Baylor University — **NOTE: This is the first time a player who entered an NBA draft and signed a contract after playing college basketball has been given the chance to return to Division I college basketball. . .and it's reception has been met with much controversy and speculation — The Tuscaloosa Co. (AL) judge's monumental ruling was made just hours after NCAA President Charlie Baker reiterated that Bediako and other players who have signed NBA contracts would not be granted eligibility to play college basketball — Based on the NCAA's five-year window, Bediako can join the Nate Oats & the Crimson Tide for the rest of the regular season - depending on what happens at his next hearing - before his eligibility is exhausted — Bediako will join a Crimson Tide basketball team as it wades through its' defensive struggles (i.e., currently ranks 67th in adjusted defensive efficiency) as Alabama is scheduled to face off against the Tennessee Volunteers in Tuscaloosa on Saturday - and the question on everyone's mind: Will Charles Bediako suit up for the Crimson Tide on Saturday at Coleman Coliseum. . .Q: What do you think: Is there a chance that Charles Bediako will actually see the court against Tennessee on Saturday? Or at any point throughout the remainder of the 2025-26 NCAA college basketball regular season?. . . - NCAA College Football: It should come as little surprise that DI college football is experiencing similar issues as that of college basketball. . .Let's discuss the situation and controversy surrounding Duke QB Darian Mensah: While approximately 4,500 college football players were just waiting around for the NCAA transfer portal to open where they could make their entry & state their claim at a new program the following season, QB Darian Mensah, who led the ACC Conference in passing yards (3,973) this season as well as led the Duke Blue Devils to play the role of CFP spoiler after defeating the Virginia Cavaliers in the ACC Conference Championship Game, had made the decision on Dec. 19th to return for the Blue Devils as a redshirt junior next season after exploring the possibility of entering the 2026 NFL Dra

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 118.5 - "The Heidi Game Episode" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - NCAA: News & Storylines - - 2025-26 NCAA College Football Playoff Quarterfinal/Semifinal Round Catchup & National Championship Game Preview & Predictions Segment: No.10 Miami Hurricanes vs. No.1 Indiana Hoosiers (-8.5) O/U47.5 - "NFL > NIL:" Massive NIL offers from others schools couldn't delay QB Ty Simpson's NFL dreams, he told ON3 on Tuesday evening - Per multiple reports, Simpson rejected millions in NIL deals from programs, such as Tennessee & Ole Miss - who were offering an NIL deal worth $4M - as well as Miami, who upped the NIL offer to approximately $6.5M. . ."Everybody would just remember me as the guy who took all this money and went to Miami or Tennessee for his last year. But I was a captain [at Alabama]. I put my hand and footprints in the cement at Denny Chimes. I would have lost everything that I built at Alabama," per Ty Simpson on his decision to reject the NIL deals to remain the 2026 NFL Draft. . .Q: Where are other "Ty Simpson's" of college football with this level of loyalty? What are your thoughts on Ty Simpson rejecting millions of dollars in NIL deals for the 2026 NFL Draft?. . .As Wednesday was the official deadline for underclassmen not playing in the College Football Playoff championship game to declare for the NFL Draft, a decision loomed over Oregon Ducks QB Dante Moore -- On Wednesday per ESPN's "SportsCenter," Moore announced his decision: he has decided to return to school for the 2026 season -- By going back to Oregon, Moore gave up a chance to make nearly $50 million in guaranteed money (i.e., 2025 No.2 pick Travis Hunter made $46.65 million fully guaranteed and that number projects to go up this year) -- By returning to Oregon, Moore gave up a chance to be one of the top overall picks in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, however, it's presumed that he will project near the top of a loaded QB class for 2027. . .Moore's return makes Oregon one of the favorites for the College Football national title in 2026-27 - - as the Ducks also retained multiple key pieces on the defensive line and a strong nucleus of young WRs & tailbacks -- In his first season as the Ducks' starter, Moore threw for 3,656 yards passing and 30 TDs for the Ducks, and he also completed 71.8% of his passes and threw just 10 INTs -- Moore's decision also comes after former Nebraska QB Dylan Raiola announced that he would be transferring to Oregon, and TE Kenyon Sadiq & safety Dillon Thieneman are a few Oregon players to have declared for the NFL Draft -- Raiold is expected to serve as Moore's backup QB for the 2026 season, after which point, he potentially could be named the Ducks' starter. . .QB: Do you believe that Dante Moore, 20, made the right decision to forgo the 2026 NFL Draft and return to the University of Oregon next season?. . . - NFL - - 2026 NFL Playoff Wild-Card Round Review: In the following segment, JD & Spencer provide in-depth analysis & breakdown each of the NFL Playoffs Wild-Card Round games from the past weekend as well as discuss many of the notable storylines surrounding each of the games; the following NFL games from the NFC and AFC are discussed within this segment: NFC Wild-Card Playoffs: No.5 Los Angeles Rams at No.4 Carolina Panthers No.7 Green Bay Packers at No.2 Chicago Bears No.6 San Francisco 49ers at No.3 Philadelphia Eagles AFC Wild-Card Playoffs: No.6 Buffalo Bills at No.3 Jacksonville Jaguars No.7 Los Angeles Chargers at No.2 New England Patriots No.5 Houston Texans at No.4 Pittsburgh Steelers - NFL (cont'd) - - "Mike T. Out, Mic Drop:" Mike Tomlin has stepped down as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, ending a 19-year run with the franchise -- Tomlin, who had two years remaining on his contract, informed Steelers' players of his decision to walk away at their 2 p.m. ET meeting Tuesday, one day after Pittsburgh was eliminated from the playoffs with a 30-6 loss to the Houston Texans in the AFC wild-card round -- Tomlin, 53, is not expected to coach elsewhere in 2026, sources informed ESPN's Adam Schefter -- Tomlin leaves Pittsburgh with the unprecedented accomplishment of never having a losing season in nearly two decades at the helm of the franchise -- he clinched his 200th career NFL victory in Week 16 against the Lions and tied Chuck Noll for ninth with 193 regular-season wins in a Week 18 victory against the Ravens that clinched the AFC North title -- At age 36, he led the Steelers to a victory in Super Bowl XLIII in his second season and, at the time, was the youngest HC to raise the Lombardi Trophy, and he returned to the Super Bowl a year later but fell to QB Aaron Rodgers' Green Bay Packers - and Tomlin never made it back in his final 15 seasons as HC. . .For all his accomplishments, Tomlin ended his historic tenure in Pittsburgh with an frustrating nine-year postseason victor

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 117 - "The A-Gap Episode" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - NCAA: News & Storylines - - "A Final Challenge:" Following the previous two scandals in Ann Arbor, most recently, a scandal that would embroil the Wolverines athletic department, and eventually lead to Sherrone Moore being fired after just two seasons with the program, the University of Michigan needed a stabilizing force to help bring both its embattled football program & the athletic department back to a level of respectability among its peers - - And when looking around the market, there were very few obvious prospects available: Alabama's Kalen DeBoer & Arizona State's Kenny Dillingham both publicly announced they were returning, while Louisville's Jeff Brohm was not seriously involved in the process, according to multiple sources - and several others, such as Vanderbilt's Clark Lea & BYU's Kalani Sitake, signed long-term extensions prior to Michigan's head coaching vacancy - - On Friday, Michigan took the first step in doing so: By hiring future Hall of Famer Kyle Whittingham as the program's 22nd head football coach - - Whittingham, 66, is one of the most successful coaches of this era: Whittingham has a 177-88 career record, two Pac-12 Conference titles & a Mountain West crown as the HC at the University of Utah, where he had spent the last 21 seasons - - Per ESPN's Pete Thamel & Dan Wetzel, Whittingham's deal, which is reportedly 75% guaranteed, is comprised of a five-year deal with an average salary of $8.2 million per year - - Beyond his accomplishments, and perhaps most important, Whittingham has maintained a spotless reputation throughout his standout career, with his teams featuring very few (if any) scandals, and a strong team culture - - Now, at Michigan, Whittingham will have more resources to win than in any other moment in his legendary career - - Granted, Whittingham's age is a considerable topic of conversation as it should be, but there is very little debate that this hire was a short-term decision - - Whittingham informed his Utah team on Friday that he will not coach the team in their upcoming SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl against Nebraska on New Year's Eve, and Utah AD Mark Harlan relieved Whittingham of his duties, to allow him to travel to Orlando, FL, to get to work as the HC for the Michigan Wolverines. . .**NOTE: The No.18 Michigan Wolverines are scheduled to face off against the No.13 Texas Longhorns in Orlando on New Year's Eve in the 2026 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl - - However, three of the last four HCs at Michigan failed to make it through four full seasons - - Q: What are your thoughts on Michigan's hiring of former Utah HC Kyle Whittingham as the Wolverines' 22nd head football coach? Do you believe that Kyle Whittingham can lead Michigan to another national title?. . . NCAA College Football Playoff Quarterfinal Round Preview & Analysis: In this week's episode, JD & Spencer will discuss, review & provide a thorough breakdown/analysis from the four matchups from the Quarterfinal Round of the 2025 College Football Playoff - - Be sure to tune in for an brief discussion of the following CFP second round game(s): Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic: No.10 Miami Hurricanes vs. No.2 Ohio State Buckeyes (-9.5)         O/U42.5 Capital One Orange Bowl: No.5 Oregon Ducks (-2.5) vs. No.4 Texas Tech Red Raiders          O/U52.5 Rose Bowl Presented by Prudential: No.9 Alabama Crimson Tide vs. No.1 Indiana Hoosiers (-7)      O/U47.5 Allstate Sugar Bowl: No.6 Ole Miss Rebels vs. No.3 Georgia Bulldogs (-6.5)                 O/U55.5 - NCAA College Football Bowl Week #4 Preview & Predictions: In this episode's Bowl Week #4 preview, JD & Spencer provide their individual & independently-selected pick(s) and/or predictions for each of the following matchups from the fourth week of the college football bowl season - as well as providing in-depth analysis & reasoning to explain the justification for their selection: **Be Sure to Share Your Picks with Us via Twitter/X - - @TraditionFinest OR Send Us an Email at [email protected]! ReliaQuest Bowl: No.23 Iowa vs. No.14 Vanderbilt(-4)              O/U46.5 Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl: Arizona State vs. Duke (-3)                O/U49.5 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl: No.18 Michigan vs. No.13 Texas (-7.5)          O/U47.5 SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl: No.14 Utah (-14) vs. Nebraska       O/U50.5 Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl: Rice vs. Texas State (-13.5)     O/U58.5 AutoZone

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 116 - The One-Hundred Six-teenth Episode includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - NCAA: News & Storylines - - NCAA College Football Playoff First Round Review & Analysis: In this week's episode, JD & Spencer will discuss, review & provide a thorough breakdown/analysis from the four first-round matchups of the 2025 College Football Playoff - - Be sure to tune in for an brief recap & discussion of the following CFP first-round game(s): No.9 Alabama Crimson Tide at No.8 Oklahoma Sooners No.10 Miami Hurricanes at No.7 Texas A&M Aggies No.11 Tulane Green Wave at No.6 Ole Miss Rebels No.12 James Madison Dukes at No.5 Oregon Ducks - NCAA College Football Bowl Week #3 Preview & Predictions: In this episode's Bowl Week #3 preview, JD & Spencer provide their individual & independently-selected pick(s) and/or predictions for each of the following matchups from the third week of the college football bowl season - as well as providing in-depth analysis & reasoning to explain the justification for their selection: **Be Sure to Share Your Picks with Us via Twitter/X - - @TraditionFinest OR Send Us an Email at [email protected]! GameAbove Sports Bowl: Central Michigan vs. Northwestern (-10.5)      O/U43.5 Rate Bowl: New Mexico vs. Minnesota (-2.5)                         O/U44.5 SERVPRO First Responder Bowl: FIU vs. UTSA (-6)                    O/U59.5 Go Bowling Military Bowl: Pittsburgh (-10) vs. East Carolina            O/U56.5 Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl: Penn State vs. Clemson (-3)           O/U48.5 Wasabi Fenway Bowl: UConn vs. Army (-8.5)                      O/U43.5 Pop-Tarts Bowl: No.22 Georgia Tech vs. No.12 BYU (-4.5)                O/U56.5 Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl: Miami (OH) vs. Fresno State (-6)           O/U41.5 Isleta New Mexico Bowl: No.25 North Texas (-3) vs. San Diego State      O/U53.5 TaxSlayer Gator Bowl: No.19 Virginia vs. Missouri (-4)               O/U44.5 Kinder's Texas Bowl: No.21 Houston (-3) vs. LSU                   O/U41.5 JLab Birmingham Bowl: Georgia Southern (-7) vs. Appalachian State      O/U59.5 Radiance Tech. Independence Bowl: Coastal Carolina vs. Louisiana Tech (-9.5) O/U51.5 Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl: Tennessee (-2.5) vs. Illinois         O/U61.5 Valero Alamo Bowl: No.16 USC (-6.5) vs. TCU                   O/U55.5 Thanks for Listening!

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 115 - The "Music City Miracle" Episode includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - NCAA: News & Storylines - - 2025 NCAA College Basketball [Better Late Than Never] Season Preview: In this opening segment, JD & Spencer preview & analyze the 2025-26 NCAA Division I College Basketball Season, in particular focusing on the Power 5 Conferences (i.e., Big Ten, Big East, Big 12, ACC & SEC) and providing a thorough breakdown of each individual conference as well as projecting which program(s) will go on to be crowned conference champions & how many teams per conference they expect to advance to the 64-team field of this year's NCAA Tournament. . .NCAA College Football: "Ridin' Into the Sunset on His Harley:" Kyle Whittingham,66, the all-time winningest HC in the history of the University of Utah's football program, will step down from leading the Utes and will conclude his highly successful tenure in the Las Vegas Bowl against the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Dec. 31st - - Whittingham, the head football coach at the University of Utah since 2004, has been the true embodiment of the culture & identity of Utah Football for the past three decades, led Utah to two Rose Bowl appearances, three conference championships, an undefeated season capped by a Sugar Bowl win over Alabama in 2008 - - In his 32 seasons in Salt Lake City, Whittingham has coached in 391 games and contributed to a program-record 262 wins, with a head coaching record of 177-88 (.668) - - Whittingham, the second-longest tenured HC in FBS college football, he has earned three National Coach of the Year awards, including the AFCA and Bear Bryant Awards in 2008, and the Dodd Trophy in 2019 - - Following the Utes' appearance in the 2025 Las Vegas Bowl, Whittingham will be formally replaced by Utes DC Morgan Scalley, who has finalized a deal to become the program's next head coach, sources told ESPN - - Q: What are your thoughts on Kyle Whittingham stepping down as the HC at the University of Utah following a 21-year run? Do you expect Kyle Whittingham to coach elsewhere or to 'ride off into the sunset' on his Harley-Davidson motorcycle? What are your thoughts on Utah DC Morgan Scalley being promoted as Whittingham's successor?. . .Washington State & Missouri OC Kirby Moore have finalized a deal to make him the Cougars' next HC - - Moore, aged 35, a native of Prosser, WA, and the younger brother of New Orleans Saints HC Kellen Moore, he spent the past three seasons at the University of Missouri on Eliah Drinkwitz's staff - - Replacing Jimmy Rogers, who left to become the head football coach for the Iowa State Cyclones, the Cougars are 6-6 this year with one-score losses to Ole Miss (No.6 in the CFP bracket), Virginia (ACC runner-up) & James Madison (No.12 in the CFP bracket) - - Q: What are your thoughts on Washington State's hiring of Missouri OC Kirby Moore as the program's next HC?. . .2025 College Football Awards: Numerous college football players & coaches received individual accolades on Friday night at an Awards Ceremony in New York City for their efforts throughout the 2025-26 college football season, and JD & Spencer discuss the winners of a select few of the following collegiate awards presented on Friday night: John Mackey Award (best TE): Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt Doak Walker Award (best RB): Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame Davey O'Brien National QB Award (best signal-caller): Fernando Mendoza, Indiana Maxwell Award (player of the year): Fernando Mendoza, Indiana Biletnikoff Award (best WR): Makai Lemon, USC Walter Camp Coach of the Year Award: Curt Cignetti, Indiana (**first repeat winner in 59 years) Heisman Trophy (most prestigious award/the sport's highest individual honor): Fernando Mendoza, Indiana (**first Indiana player in program history to win the Heisman Trophy) - NCAA College Football Week Sixteen Analysis & Review: In this week's episode, JD & Spencer will discuss, review & each provide their individual takeaway from the single game that Week Sixteen had to offer - - Be sure to tune in for an in-depth recap & discussion of the following Week Sixteen matchup: "Battle for the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy:" Army Black Knights vs. Navy Midshipmen - NCAA College Football Bowl Week #2 Preview & Predictions: In this episode's Bowl Week #2 preview, JD & Spencer provide their individual & independently-selected pick(s) and/or predictions for each of the following matchups from the second week of the college football bowl season - as well as providing in-depth analysis & reasoning to explain the justification for their selection: **Be Sure to Share Your Picks with Us via Twitter/X - - @TraditionFinest OR Send Us an Email at [email protected]!! Myrtle Beach Bowl: Kennesaw State vs. Western Michigan (-4)   O/U49.5 Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl: Memphis vs. NC State (-5.5)   O/U57.

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 114 - The "Woody Bowl Episode" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - NCAA: News & Storylines - - NCAA College Football Week Fifteen aka "Championship Week" Analysis & Review: In this week's episode, JD & Spencer will discuss the major topics/storylines, analyze & review the in-game stats & each provide their individual takeaway's for the Week 15 or "Championship Week" slate of College Football games from across the country - - Be sure to tune in for an in-depth recap, and discussion of the following games & topics which are included in this week's College Football Analysis & Review segment: Sun Belt Conference Championship: No.25 James Madison Dukes vs. Troy Trojans American Athletic Conference Championship: Tulane Green Wave vs. North Texas Mean Green Big 12 Conference Championship: No.11 BYU Cougars vs. No.4 Texas Tech Red Raiders SEC Conference Championship: No.3 Georgia Bulldogs vs. No.9 Alabama Crimson Tide Big Ten Conference Championship: No.2 Indiana Hoosiers vs. No.1 Ohio State Buckeyes ACC Conference Championship: No.17 Virginia Cavaliers vs. Duke Blue Devils - NCAA College Football Week Sixteen + Bowl Week #1 Preview & Predictions: In this episode's 'preview and predictions' segment, JD & Spencer (a) preview the weekly matchup between Army-Navy as well as the slate of games from the first week of Bowl season; and, (b) provide their individual predictions for each of these matchups - as well as an in-depth evaluation of this year's bowl schedule: **Be Sure to Share Your Picks with Us via Twitter/X - - @TraditionFinest OR Send Us an Email at [email protected]!! Week Sixteen: Army Black Knights vs. Navy Midshipmen(-6)                    O/U38.5 **NOTE: Navy leads the all-time series with a record of 63-55-7/ Game played in Baltimore Heights, MD Bowl Week #1: "Cricket Celebration Bowl:" South Carolina State (9-3) vs. Prairie View A&M (10-3) **NOTE: Game played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA "Bucked Up LA Bowl:" Boise State vs. Washington(-8.5)               O/U51.5 **NOTE: Game played at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA "IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl:" Troy (-4) vs. Jacksonville State        O/U46.5 **NOTE: Game played at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, AL "StaffDNA Cure Bowl:" Old Dominion vs. USF (-6.5)   O/U57.5 **NOTE: Game played at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, FL '68 Ventures Bowl:" Louisiana (-3) vs. Delaware               O/U58.5 **NOTE: Game played at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, AL - NCAA: News & Storylines (cont'd) - - 2025 College Football Playoff Bracket Reveal: The full 12-team College Football Playoff was revealed by ESPN on Sunday, with the top four seeds earning first-round byes, and eight "at-large" teams scheduled to play in first-round matchups at campus sites across the country - - The twelve (12) teams, in their exact order of their CFP seeding are: (1) Indiana, (2) Ohio State, (3) Georgia, (4) Texas Tech, (5) Oregon, (6) Ole Miss, (7) Texas A&M, (8) Oklahoma, (9) Alabama, (10) Miami, (11) Tulane, and (12) James Madison (JMU) - - **In next week's episode, we will preview, breakdown & present our independent predictions for each of the first-round matchups of this year's College Football Playoff. . .The College Football Postseason is here, and what's the best side dish to serve alongside the main 'entree that we refer to as the College Football Playoff/Bowl season: A nice slice of Drama: Despite finishing off the college football regular season with eight consecutive victories, and compiling a 10-2 record, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, a postseason mainstay, will be notably absent this bowl season: The Notre Dame Fighting Irish announced in a statement posted to social media on Dec. 7 that they have decided as a team to withdraw their name from bowl consideration following the 2025 college football regular season. . .but Why? The decision came after Notre Dame was left out of the 12-team College Football Playoff field, despite closing out the season with a 10-2 record - - Prior to their withdrawal from bowl consideration, Notre Dame was projected to play in this year's Pop-Tart Bowl, which is scheduled to occur on Dec. 27th at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, FL - - Notre Dame AD Pete Bevacqua told ESPN that the program was in utter disbelief and shock after being left out of the 12-team College Football Playoff bracket/field, and he also expressed frustration with the process, stating that any rankings ahead of the final ones are a "farce and total waste of time," - - While HC Marcus Freeman & the Fighting Irish were clearly shocked, and ther

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 113 - The "Across Enemy Lines Episode" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - NCAA: News & Storylines - - NCAA College Football Week Fourteen aka "Rivalry Week" Analysis & Review: In this week's episode, JD & Spencer will discuss the major topics/storylines, analyze & review the in-game stats & each provide their individual takeaway's for the Week 14 or "Rivalry Week" slate of College Football games from across the country - - Be sure to tune in for an in-depth recap, and discussion of the following games & topics which are included in this week's College Football Analysis & Review segment: "Egg Bowl:" No.7 Ole Miss Rebels at Mississippi State Bulldogs "Lone Star Showdown:" No.3 Texas A&M Aggies at No.16 Texas Longhorns "Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate:" No.4 Georgia Bulldogs vs. No.23 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets "The Game:" No.1 Ohio State Buckeyes at No.15 Michigan Wolverines No.14 Vanderbilt Commodores at No.19 Tennessee Volunteers "The Iron Bowl:" No.10 Alabama Crimson Tide at Auburn Tigers - NCAA College Football Week Fifteen aka "Championship Week" Preview & Predictions: In this episode's Week Fifteen preview, JD & Spencer provide their individual & independently-selected pick(s) and/or predictions for each of the "Championship Week" matchups from the Power Four to the Group of 5 Conferences - as well as providing in-depth analysis & reasoning to explain the justification for their selection: **Be Sure to Share Your Picks with Us via Twitter/X - - @TraditionFinest OR Send Us an Email at [email protected]!!                       C-USA Championship: Jacksonville State at Kennesaw State (-1.5) O/U59.5 MAC Championship: Miami (OH) vs. Western Michigan (-2.5)  O/U43.5 Mountain West Championship: UNLV vs. Boise State (-3.5)  O/U58.5 Sun Belt Championship: Troy vs. No.25 James Madison (-23.5)       O/U47.5 American Athletic Championship: No.20 Tulane vs. No.24 North Texas (-2.5) O/U66.5 Big 12 Championship: No.11 BYU vs. No.4 Texas Tech (-12.5)         O/U49.5 ACC Championship: No.17 Virginia (-3.5) vs. Duke                 O/U57.5 Big Ten Championship: No.1 Ohio State (-4.5) vs. No.2 Indiana       O/U47.5 SEC Championship: No.3 Georgia (-2.5) vs. No.9 Alabama           O/U47.5 - NCAA: News & Storylines (cont'd) - - In this segment, JD & Spencer discuss the domino-like effect of coaching hires across the NCAA Division I College Football landscape, and provide a detailed analysis regarding many of the most notable update(s) concerning the "Coaching Carousel" that has seemed to be a central theme of the sport over the past week; this discussion includes the following fifteen to sixteen FBS programs/hires: **Let Us Know Your Thoughts on a few of the major coaching changes across College Football from the previous week - - Share Your Thoughts with Us via Twitter/X - - @TraditionFinest OR Send Us an Email at [email protected]! Oregon State - - JaMarcus Shephard (former Alabama co-OC/Assistant HC & WRs coach) Colorado State - - Jim Mora (former UConn HC) Auburn - - Alex Golesh (former USF HC) Arkansas - - Ryan Silverfield (former Memphis HC) Florida - - Jon Sumrall as HC (former Tulane HC)/David Caldwell as GM (former Philadelphia Eagles Executive) Michigan State - - Pat Fitzgerald (formerly of Northwestern) Kentucky - - Mark Stoops (out)/ Will Stein (hired as HC/former Oregon OC) UCLA - - Bob Chesney (former James Madison HC) "Can't Turn a Heaux into a Housewife:" LSU - - Lane Kiffin (former Ole Miss HC) + Charlie Weis, Jr. (hired as OC/former Ole Miss OC) Ole Miss - - Pete Golding (promoted to HC/former Ole Miss DC) Penn State/BYU - - Shortly after a report was made public that BYU HC Kalani Sitake had emerged as Penn State's top target to become the Nittany Lion's next HC, BYU got to work, and per On3 Sports reporter Pete Nakos on Wednesday afternoon, Sitake is staying in Provo - as he expected to sign a new deal with the program with an approximate average annual salary of $9M to $9.5 per year. . . Cal - - Tosh Lupoi (former Oregon DC) North Texas - - Neal Brown (formerly had stints at Troy & West Virginia) Kansas State - - Chris Klieman (retired)/Collin Klein (former Texas A&M OC & Wildcats QB) USF - - Brian Hartline (former Ohio State OC) - NFL - - NFL Week 13 Review & Recap: In this week's episode, JD & Spencer will discuss, review & recap each of the following NFL games from Week 13 of the regular season - - **Be sure to tune in for an in-depth review, a highlight and discussion of the following game(s

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 112 - The "Rivalrous Episode" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: NCAA: News & Storylines - - NCAA College Football Week Thirteen Analysis & Review: In this week's episode, JD & Spencer will discuss the major topics/storylines, analyze & review the in-game stats & each provide their individual takeaway's for the Week 13 slate of College Football games from across the country - - Be sure to tune in for an in-depth recap, and discussion of the following games & topics which are included in this week's College Football Analysis & Review segment: No.22 Missouri Tigers at No.8 Oklahoma Sooners Arkansas Razorbacks at No.17 Texas Longhorns No.15 USC Trojans at No.7 Oregon Ducks Pittsburgh Panthers at No.16 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Kansas State Wildcats at No.12 Utah Utes NCAA College Football Week Fourteen or "Rivalry Week" Preview & Predictions: In this episode's Week Fourteen preview, JD & Spencer provide their individual & independently-selected pick(s) and/or predictions for a few of the most notable Rivalry Week matchups - as well as providing in-depth analysis & reasoning to explain the justification for their selection, and also discuss the historical significance of each matchup: **Be Sure to Share Your Picks with Us via Twitter/X - - @TraditionFinest OR Send Us an Email at [email protected]!!                    "Egg Bowl:"No.6 Ole Miss (-7.5) at Mississippi State   O/U62.5      "Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate:" No.4 Georgia (-12.5) vs. No.16 Georgia Tech O/U59.5 Cotton Holdings "Lone Star Showdown:"No.3 Texas A&M (-2.5) at No.17 Texas O/U51.5 "The Game:" No.1 Ohio State (-9.5) at No.18 Michigan O/U45.5 No.14 Vanderbilt at No.20 Tennessee (-2.5) O/U64.5 "The Iron Bowl:" No.10 Alabama (-5.5) at Auburn O/U48.5     NCAA: News & Storylines (cont'd) - - "Kiffin Drama:" Lane Kiffin's decision on his coaching future feels like it's holding the sport of college football hostage, however, Ole Miss confirmed on Friday that Kiffin will announce the "final verdict" regarding his future on November 29th - just one day after the Rebels meet the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the 2025 edition of the "Egg Bowl," - leaving Florida, LSU & even his own program, Ole Miss, stuck in an uncomfortable position - - The uncertainty intensified late Friday night, when reports surfaced that LSU officials were preparing to make an aggressive push to pry Kiffin from Oxford - - According to multiple reports, key decision-makers are preparing a formal offer that could reach seven years and upwards of $90M, which would place Kiffin among the highest-paid coaches in college football - - While Florida is reportedly still in the mix for Kiffin's services, LSU's surge has instantly reshaped the financial landscape, while Ole Miss is stuck navigating the fallout - - The Rebels currently sit at No.6 in the most current CFP rankings, and are tracking toward the program's first-ever College Football Playoff appearance, yet Kiffin's indecisiveness looms over an otherwise historic season - - Q: Solely based on your gut, where do you think Lane Kiffin lands: does he remain at Ole Miss and continue building upon the success that he has already established in Oxford? Although he has indicated that it's "not about the money," does he chase the paper trail to Baton Rouge? Or, does he follow the palm tree pathway to the Gainesville to lead the Florida Gators?. . .Florida State HC Mike Norvell will return for a seventh season with the Seminoles, pledging to make the much-needed structural changes within the program to enhance performance, the school announced Sunday - - Questions that had been mounting about Norvell's job security reached a boiling point after a 21-11 loss to NC State on Friday night that dropped the Seminoles to 5-6 overall - - Florida State must win on the road at Florida on Saturday just to reach bowl eligibility - - Over the past two years, Florida State is 7-16 (3-13 in ACC Conference play) & winless on the road - - Norvell, however, did win an ACC title in 2023 and has maintained his optimism to reinvigorate the program towards a successful future - - Q: What are your thoughts on Florida State's announcement on Sunday that head football coach Mike Norvell will return next season?. . .Per On3 Sports' Pete Thamel, North Texas HC Eric Morris has been hired to become the next HC at Oklahoma State - - Morris will reportedly coach out UNT's remaining games, including both a potential American Conference title game appearance and CFP bid, announced on Tuesday - - Statistically, Morris' Mean Green have the No.1 offense in the country, averaging 503.3 total yards of offense per game - The Mean Green are also the only D-I team in the country to score at least 50 points in six games t

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 111 - The "Walk-On" Episode includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - NCAA: News & Storylines - - NCAA College Football Week Twelve Analysis & Review: In this week's episode, JD & Spencer will discuss the major topics/storylines, analyze & review the in-game stats & each provide their individual takeaway's for the Week 12 slate of College Football games from across the country - - Be sure to tune in for an in-depth recap, and discussion of the following games & topics which are included in this week's College Football Analysis & Review segment: Clemson Tigers at No.19 Louisville Cardinals South Carolina Gamecocks at No.3 Texas A&M Aggies (**largest comeback in program history - - a 1-286 record in SEC play since 2004 when trailing by 27 or more points) No.24 South Florida Bulls at Navy Midshipmen (**for a second consecutive week, the highest-ranked G5 program in the CFP rankings lost) No.21 Iowa Hawkeyes at No.17 USC Trojans (**The Hawkeyes have now lost to four ranked teams this season by a combined 15 points) No.11 Oklahoma Sooners at No.4 Alabama Crimson Tide (**Theme for the Crimson Tide: "Missed Opportunities & Turnovers") No.10 Texas Longhorns at No.5 Georgia Bulldogs (**Does Texas have a "Georgia" problem that is very similar to Georgia's "Alabama" problem?) - NCAA College Football Week Thirteen Preview & Predictions: In this episode's Week Thirteen preview, JD & Spencer provide their individual & independently-selected pick(s) and/or predictions for each of the following Week 13 matchups - as well as providing in-depth analysis & reasoning to explain the justification for their selection: **Be Sure to Share Your Picks with Us via Twitter/X - - @TraditionFinest OR Send Us an Email at [email protected]!!               No.22 Missouri at No.8 Oklahoma (-7.5)      O/U41.5          Arkansas at No.17 Texas (-8.5) O/U57.5 "College Gameday:" No.15 USC at No.7 Oregon (-9 O/U59.5 No.20 Tennessee (-4.5) at Florida      O/U57.5 No.11 BYU (-2.5) at No.25 Cincinnati         O/U54.5 - NCAA: News & Storylines (cont'd) - - Virginia Tech has finalized a deal to make James Franklin the school's next head football coach, per the sources who informed ESPN of the hire on Monday - - Franklin is the former HC at both Penn State and Vanderbilt University, where he went an impressive & combined record of 128-60 over 15 seasons at the helm - - Franklin brings a resume that includes winning more than 68% of his games, an appearance in the semi-finals of the 2024 College Football Playoff, and a Big Ten Conference championship in 2016 - - Franklin's arrival in Blacksburg will give the Hokies their most accomplished HC since Hall of Famer Frank Beamer, who retired in 2015 after 29 seasons with the program - - Since that time, Virginia Tech has endured the underwhelming tenures of Justin Fuente, and most recently - Brent Pry - as the program struggled to assimilate to modern college football. . .Q: What are your thoughts regarding James Franklin being hired as the as the next head football coach for the Virginia Tech Hokies? Is it necessarily the best overall fit for the program? If you're James Franklin, do you at the very least reach out to Hokies' legendary QB, Michael Vick, about the possibility of him joining your staff at his alma mater? . . .The third edition of the College Football Playoff rankings were released on Tuesday night, with undefeated Ohio State remaining No.1 ahead of Big Ten foe Indiana, and the top 10 experiencing some key alterations - - A pair of top-tier SEC matchups & a massive upset led to a new No.4 team in the rankings. . Alabama vacated that particular ranking/spot after suffering a 23-21 loss at home to Oklahoma, with Georgia sliding into the "first-round bye" position after the Bulldogs dominated the Texas Longhorns 35-10 this weekend in Athens. . .In the recently released CFP rankings, the Sooners now sit at No.8, one spot ahead of Notre Dame & two spots ahead of the Crimson Tide (i.e., No.10) - - University of Arkansas Athletic Director Hunter Yurachek, who earlier in the week had assumed the role as the College Football Playoff selection committee chairman, had some pretty interesting, but mostly asinine comments when it came to elaborating as to the "why" Alabama came in at No.10 in this week's CFP rankings: (1) Rushing offense struggles: Yurachek pointed to Alabama's inconsistent rushing performance as a major issue, noting that the Crimson Tide's season-opening loss to the Florida State Seminoles, was a "sign of some of the struggles Alabama was going to have rushing the ball," - He also referenced the games against South Carolina and LSU, where they ultimately won the game, but

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 110 - The One-Hundred & Tenth Episode includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - NCAA: News & Storylines - - NCAA College Football Week Eleven Analysis & Review: In this week's episode, JD & Spencer will discuss the major topics/storylines, analyze & review the in-game stats & each provide their individual takeaway's for the Week 11 slate of College Football games from across the country - - Be sure to tune in for an in-depth recap, and discussion of the following games & topics which are included in this week's College Football Analysis & Review segment: Tulane Green Wave at No.23 Memphis Tigers No.2 Indiana Hoosiers at Penn State Nittany Lions (**Josh Dasher, Official of the Year?) No.7 BYU Cougars at No.8 Texas Tech Red Raiders No.9 Oregon Ducks at No.20 Iowa Hawkeyes Auburn Tigers at No.16 Vanderbilt Commodores No.3 Texas A&M Aggies at No.22 Missouri Tigers LSU Tigers at No.4 Alabama Crimson Tide - NCAA: News & Storylines (cont'd) - - Two weeks after firing Brian Kelly, LSU remains in a standoff with its former football coach over the terms of his buyout. . .Kelly's contract - a 10-year, $95-million deal - calls for him to be paid 90% of his remaining salary for the life of his contract, which would put LSU on the hook for close to $54 million in the form of monthly payments to Kelly through 2031 - - Reportedly, LSU wanted to negotiate a smaller payment to Kelly that would give the coach a significant payout up front, but save the program money in the long run - - Per reporter Dan Wetzel, in a legal filing obtained by ESPN, Brian Kelly's lawyers state that LSU is saying that it never "formally terminated" Kelly and are now seeking to fire him "for cause" which could impact his near $54 million buyout agreement - - Kelly is seeking a declaratory judgement that LSU did fire him and that he is entitled to "full liquidated damages" - - Q: Do you expect the LSU-Brian Kelly to get pretty messy?. . . NCAA College Football Week Twelve Preview & Predictions: In this episode's Week Eleven preview, JD & Spencer provide their individual & independently-selected pick(s) and/or predictions for each of the following Week 12 matchups - as well as providing in-depth analysis & reasoning to explain the justification for their selection: **Be Sure to Share Your Picks with Us via Twitter/X - - @TraditionFinest OR Send Us an Email at [email protected]!!                       Clemson at No.20 Louisville (-3.5)         O/U51.5            "College Gameday:" No.9 Notre Dame (-12.5) at No.22 Pittsburgh O/U55.5 No.11 Oklahoma at No.4 Alabama (-5.5)     O/U45.5 No.21 Iowa at No.17 USC (-6.5)                          O/U49.5 No.10 Texas at No.5 Georgia (-5.5)      O/U48.5 - NFL - - NFL Week 10 Review & Recap: In this week's episode, JD & Spencer will discuss, review & recap each of the following NFL games from Week 10 of the regular season - - **Be sure to tune in for an in-depth review, a highlight and discussion of the following game(s) from this past weekend's slate of games: NFL Berlin: Indianapolis Colts vs. Atlanta Falcons (**Colts RB Jonathan Taylor breaks franchise record) New York Giants at Chicago Bears (**& the firing of Giants' HC Brian Daboll) Cleveland Browns at New York Jets (**Jets break franchise history in the span of 36 seconds) New England Patriots at Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans (** Backup QB Davis Mills & Texans overcame 19-point, 4th-QTR deficit to stun the Jags) And This Week's Tradition's Finest "Most Badass Celly of the Week" Award goes to. . .Jacksonville Jaguars WR Parker Washington - - Washington had a punt return TD of 72 yards where he ran down the sideline untouched that put the Jags up 17-0. . .Washington stopped just shy of the goal line, turned around & fell backwards into the end zone & his teammates began to imitate that they were performing CPR on him, for a very creative and unique TD celebration. . . - MLB - - Cleveland Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz appeared in federal court Monday on charges accusing him and teammate Emmanuel Clase of accepting bribes to help associates in their native Dominican Republic win prop bets placed on pitches they threw - - The U.S. Magistrate Judge in Boston granted Ortiz his release but with several conditions, including that he surrender his passport, restrict his travel to the Northeast and post a $500,000 bail, with $50,000 of it secured - - He also was ordered to avoid contact with anyone who could be viewed as a victim, a witness or a co-defendant in the ca

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 109 - The "Call of A Lifetime" Episode includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - NCAA: News & Storylines - - "Welcome Back, College Basketball:" Due primarily to an excessive material load, we have decided to postpone on our NCAA College Basketball 'Season Preview' segment, however, JD & Spencer elected to provide their individual Final Four predictions for the 2026 NCAA Tournament. . .There is one storyline from the Opening Night of the College Basketball season that is just too great & uplifting to not mention in this week's episode: During the postgame interview following their first game of the season, Loyola (Chicago) Ramblers head basketball coach Drew Valentine indicated that he could 'sense' Sister Jean's presence in his team's thrilling win over Cleveland State on Monday night - - Loyola Chicago guard Deywilk Tavarez hit a go-ahead three-pointer with 0.5 seconds to play, to secure the 91-88 victory in the program's first official game since the death of Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, the longtime chaplain of the program and its' globally-recognized supporter, at the age of 106 last month - - In memory of Sister Jean, who had been associated with the program since 1994, the Ramblers' uniforms will include a patch that includes a picture depicting Sister Jean in all her glory - - Q: What are your thoughts on Loyola Chicago's buzzer-beating victory in their first game following Sister Jean's passing?. . .NCAA College Football Week Ten Analysis & Review: In this week's episode, JD & Spencer will discuss the major topics/storylines, analyze & review the in-game stats & each provide their individual takeaway's for the Week 10 slate of College Football games from across the country - - Be sure to tune in for an in-depth recap, and discussion of the following games & topics which are included in this week's College Football Analysis & Review segment: No.9 Vanderbilt Commodores at No.20 Texas Longhorns West Virginia Mountaineers at No.22 Houston Cougars No.10 Miami Hurricanes at SMU Mustangs No.5 Georgia Bulldogs vs. Florida Gators (*Neutral site/game played in Jacksonville, FL) No.8 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at NC State Wolfpack No.23 USC Trojans at Nebraska Cornhuskers South Carolina Gamecocks at No.7 Ole Miss Rebels (& the firing of Gamecocks OC Mike Shula) No.18 Oklahoma Sooners at No.14 Tennessee Volunteers Kentucky Wildcats at Auburn Tigers (**& the firing of Tigers HC Hugh Freeze & potential replacements) - NCAA: News & Storylines (cont'd) - - NCAA D-I College Football Coaching Carousel: This could be the most active coaching carousel the sport of College Football has encountered in many years - - In particular, prior to the end of the month of September, five Power 4 programs were searching for new HC's for the 2026 season, and that number has since skyrocketed to twelve (counting some late-offseason dismissals) after Kent State University removed the interim tag from Mark Carney - - The 2024-25 hiring cycle was historically slow at the Power 4 level, as most programs waited to see the impact of budgeting more than $20 million for athletes in the House v. NCAA settlement, but with that revenue sharing system now firmly in place, the focus has significantly shifted back to coaching changes across the college football landscape - - In this particular segment, JD & Spencer present their individual ranking of NCAA Division I College Football's open head coaching jobs, with the ranking being primarily based on factors such as the chances for a head coach to succeed there - - Coaches want to take jobs where they believe they can be successful, and based on our independent rankings, this is how most HCs would view & prioritize the particular programs - - The 12 Power 4 open heading jobs that are ranked in this segment include the following programs: LSU, Penn State, Florida, Auburn, Arkansas, UCLA, Oklahoma State, Virginia Tech, Stanford, Oregon State, Colorado State & UAB. . .NCAA College Football Week Eleven Preview & Predictions: In this episode's Week Eleven preview, JD & Spencer provide their individual & independently-selected pick(s) and/or predictions for each of the following Week 11 matchups - as well as providing in-depth analysis & reasoning to explain the justification for their selection: **Be Sure to Share Your Picks with Us via Twitter/X - - @TraditionFinest OR Send Us an Email at [email protected]!! Tulane at No.22 Memphis (-5.5)                       O/U55.5 No.5 Georgia (-8.5) at Mississippi State                    O/U57.5 "College Gameday:" No.8 BYU at No.9 Texas Tech (-10)           O/U52.5 No.3 Texas A&M

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! & Happy Halloween to all you Cool Cats & Kittens! Episode 108 - "The CVIII Episode" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - NCAA: News & Storylines - - NCAA College Football Week Nine Analysis & Review: In this week's episode, JD & Spencer will discuss the major topics/storylines, analyze & review the in-game stats & each provide their individual takeaway's for the Week 9 slate of College Football games from across the country - - Be sure to tune in for an in-depth recap, and discussion of the following games & topics which are included in this week's College Football Analysis & Review segment: **"Feel Good, Inc:" UNT Redshirt freshman QB Drew Mestemaker "Mustve'Mader" major impact in the Mean Green's impressive comeback victory over Charlotte No.8 Ole Miss Rebels at No.13 Oklahoma Sooners No.16 Virginia Cavaliers at North Carolina Tar Heels No.18 South Florida Bulls at Memphis Tigers "College Gameday:" No.15 Missouri Tigers at No.10 Vanderbilt Commodores No.4 Alabama Crimson Tide at South Carolina Gamecocks No.22 Texas Longhorns at Mississippi State Bulldogs And This Week's "Most Badass Celly of the Week" Award goes to. . .Redshirt freshman Nickelback/Safety RahShawn Clark of the Washington Huskies: In the best game of his collegiate career, Clark snagged his first career INT off Illinois QB Luke Altmyer, which led to Clark leading a stadium-wide "6,7" celebration at Husky Stadium on Saturday (**a reference to the viral song/clip from TikTok). . . No.3 Texas A&M Aggies at No.20 LSU Tigers (**& the firing of Tigers HC Brian Kelly & potential replacements) - NCAA: News & Storylines (cont'd) - - "The Axe Cometh:" LSU OC and QBs coach Joe Sloan has been fired effective immediately, the school announced on Monday, less than 24 hours after HC Brian Kelly was relieved of his duties - - LSU's offense has struggled this season, ranking No.124 in the country in rushing yards per game (106.3), No.91 in red zone efficiency (58.6%), and No.83 in points per game (25.5) - - TEs coach & Run Game Coordinator Alex Atkins, who formerly made stops as the OC at Florida State & Charlotte, will reportedly take over as LSU's offensive play-caller, per an announcement of the program. . .NCAA College Football Week Ten Preview & Predictions: In this episode's Week Ten preview, JD & Spencer provide their individual & independently-selected pick(s) and/or predictions for each of the following Week 10 matchups - as well as providing in-depth analysis & reasoning to explain the justification for their selection: **Be Sure to Share Your Picks with Us via Twitter/X - - @TraditionFinest OR Send Us an Email at [email protected]!! No.9 Vanderbilt at No.20 Texas (-2.5)                       O/U45.5 Penn State at No.1 Ohio State (-20.5)                    O/U43.5 No.4 Alabama (-13.5) at South Carolina                O/U47.5 "War for the Okefenokee Oar:" No.5 Georgia (-7.5) vs. Florida  O/U50.5 South Carolina at No.7 Ole Miss (-12.5)      O/U54.5 No.18 Oklahoma at No.14 Tennessee (-3)                   O/U56.5 No.23 USC (-6.5) at Nebraska                           O/U59.5 No.17 Cincinnati at No.24 Utah (-10)                   O/U55.5 - NFL - - "An Episode Favorite, No.74:" Former New York Jets center Nick Mangold, aged 41, a franchise legend who endeared himself to fans and teammates with his blue-collar, every-man demeanor, has passed away due to complications from kidney disease, the Jets franchise announced on Sunday - - Mangold's passing came twelve days after he made a public appeal for a kidney transplant via social media, primarily because none of his family members shared his extremely rare blood type (i.e., Type O) - - Known for his toughness & cerebral approach, Mangold became one of the most decorated centers in the NFL: he made seven Pro Bowls, was twice named a first-team All-Pro, and most impressively, he played in the league for five straight years before he missed his first game (e.g., he wound up missing only four games in his first ten NFL seasons) - - In 2009, Mangold, a veteran in the league, was a bit of a calming influence to Jets new & turnover-prone QB, Mark Sanchez, that would ultimately help the Jets reach the AFC Championship Game in back-to-back consecutive seasons - - While he did draw interest from other NFL teams following his

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 107 - "The Pine Tar Incident Episode" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - NCAA: News & Storylines - - NCAA College Football Week Eight Analysis & Review: In this week's episode, JD & Spencer will discuss the major topics/storylines, analyze & review the in-game stats & each provide their individual takeaway's for the Week 8 slate of College Football games from across the country - - Be sure to tune in for an in-depth recap, and discussion of the following game(s), which are included in this week's College Football Analysis & Review segment: No.10 LSU Tigers at No.17 Vanderbilt Commodores No.5 Ole Miss Rebels at No.9 Georgia Bulldogs "Battle for the Bones:" No.22 Memphis Tigers at UAB Blazers No.7 Texas Tech Red Raiders at Arizona State Sun Devils Mississippi State Bulldogs at Florida Gators (**& the firing of Gators HC Billy Napier) No.4 Texas A&M Aggies at Arkansas Razorbacks No.21 Texas Longhorns at Kentucky Wildcats "Battle for the Jeweled Shillelagh:" No.20 USC Trojans at No.12 Notre Dame Fighting Irish "Third Saturday in October:" No.11 Tennessee Volunteers at No.6 Alabama Crimson Tide No.16 Missouri Tigers at Auburn Tigers "Holy War:" No.23 Utah Utes at No.15 BYU Cougars - NCAA: News & Storylines (cont'd) - - NCAA Division III: Approximately 10 miles south of Boston, Mass., in the small suburban area of Milton, lies Curry College - - Curry College, a Division-III private school with roughly 2,000 undergraduate students at a campus that sits on 131 acres, is surrounded by a picture-perfect tree setting - - The term "picture-perfect" is not only a valid description of the scenery that surrounds this small, private institution - but may also be used to describe the performance that was witnessed last Saturday evening: In their homecoming game, the Curry College Colonels laid the "smack down" on Nichols College in a resounding 71-27 victory - and Nope! It's NOT the score that is relevant here. . .when the dust was settled, Curry College RB Montie Quinn had taken down the NCAA record across all three divisions, by rushing for 522 yards on 20 carries (26.1 yards average/per carry) while tacking on seven TDs - - Quinn broke the standing NCAA and Division III record of 465 rushing yards set by Heidelberg's Cartel Brooks in 2013 - - **NOTE: The FBS record for the most rushing yards recorded in a single game is 427, set by former Oklahoma Sooners RB Samaje Perine in 2014 - - And the wildest part of this record-breaking story: Quinn could have finished with more rushing yards, however, he would sit out for the Colonels' final two offensive drives of the game - - To date, including his out-of-this-world performance on Saturday, Quinn has accumulated 1,450 rushing yards and 17 TDs this season for the Curry College Colonels. . .Colorado State has fired its' head football coach Jay Norvell midway through his 4th season with the program, the school announced Sunday afternoon - - The decision was made to dismiss Norvell after the Rams fell to 2-5 this season following Saturday's loss to the Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors - - Following the loss on Saturday, Norvell finished his tenure with CSU with an overall record of 18-26, and he is reportedly owed approximately $1.5M in the buyout of his remaining contract, in which he signed a five-year deal, in 2021 - - Tyson Summers, who is in his second stint as the DC for the Rams, has been named the interim coach following Norvell's firing - and CSU further announced that it would immediately begin its search for a new HC NCAA College Football Week Nine Preview & Predictions: In this episode's Week Nine preview, JD & Spencer provide their individual & independently-selected pick(s) and/or predictions for each of the following Week 9 matchups - as well as providing in-depth analysis & reasoning to explain the justification for their selection: **Be Sure to Share Your Picks with Us via Twitter/X - - @TraditionFinest OR Send Us an Email at [email protected]!! No.8 Ole Miss at No.13 Oklahoma (-3.5)                      O/U54.5 No.18 USF (-5.5) at Memphis                         O/U62.5 No.4 Alabama (-13.5) at South Carolina                O/U47.5 College Gameday: No.15 Missouri at No.10 Vanderbilt (-2.5)  O/U52.5 No.11 BYU at Iowa State (-2.5)         O/U49.5 No.3 Texas A&M (-2.5) at No.20 LSU                      O/U48.5 - NFL - - NFL Week 7 Review: In this week's episode, JD & Spencer will discuss, review & recap each of the following NFL games from Week 7 of the re

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 106.5 - "The P.U.I [Pitching Under the Influence] Episode" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - NCAA: News & Storylines - - NCAA College Football Week Seven Review & Recap: In this week's episode, JD & Spencer will discuss the major storylines, review, & each provide their individual takeaway's for the Week 7 slate of College Football games from across the country - - Be sure to tune in for an in-depth recap, and discussion of the following game(s), which are included in this week's College Football Review & Recap segment: No.8 Alabama Crimson Tide at No.14 Missouri Tigers No.1 Ohio State Buckeyes at No.17 Illinois Fighting Illini Washington State Cougars at No.4 Ole Miss Rebels Allstate Red River Rivalry: No.6 Oklahoma Sooners vs. Texas Longhorns No.7 Indiana Hoosiers at No.3 Oregon Ducks No.15 Michigan Wolverines at USC Trojans "Deep South's Oldest Rivalry:" No.10 Georgia Bulldogs at Auburn Tigers - NCAA: News & Storylines (cont'd) - - Following the results of the Week Seven slate of College Football games on Saturday, Sunday would become somewhat of a “doomsday," as three major CFB head coaches would be fired and/or relieved from their positions. . .(1) Most notably, Penn State fired HC James Franklin after 12 seasons with the program, the school announced early Sunday morning - - Franklin is owed more than $49 million, according to his contract, which is the second-largest buyout in college football history behind only Jimbo Fisher's $76 million buyout from Texas A&M - - Associate HC Terry Smith will serve as the Nittany Lions' interim head coach for the remainder of the season, and reportedly, no additional changes to the staff are expected at this time - - Penn State, ranked in the preseason as the No.2 team in the country, entered the 2025-26 season with a championship-or-bust mission, and oh boy, did things go bust! - - Franklin's program appeared to hit a new low when the Nittany Lions traveled out to Los Angeles two weeks ago only to lose to the winless UCLA Bruins, a team who hadn't previously held a lead in a game this season - - The woes traveled back with the team to Happy Valley, and with them came "Fire Franklin!" chants at Beaver Stadium on Saturday - - The Nittany Lions dropped their second straight home game this past weekend - and third overall - when they fell to Northwestern 22-21 in front of a stunned crowd at Happy Valley - - **NOTE: With the two losses, Penn State became the first team since the FBS and FCS split in 1978, to lose consecutive games while favored by 20 or more points in each game, according to ESPN Research - - In Saturday's loss to the Wildcats, the Nittany Lions struggled on both sides of the ball, committing six penalties for 71 yards in the first half alone - as they simply could never get out of their own way - and this was preceded the tragedy that would occur late in the 4th QTR: QB Drew Allar would go down, and according to Nittany Lions HC James Franklin in the post-game press conference, suffered a season-ending ankle injury - - Earlier in the season, when the losing streak began against Oregon at Happy Valley, Franklin fell to 4-21 at Penn State against AP Top-10 opponents, including a 1-18 record against AP Top-10 teams in the Big Ten Conference - - **NOTE: Franklin's .160 winning percentage against AP Top-10 teams is tied for the 3rd-worst record by a coach (with a minimum of 25 games) at a single school since the poll era began in 1936 - - The main question has to be: Where does Penn State go from here?: The school has made significant investments in facilities, NIL & other areas, and school AD Patrick Kraft is a "football guy," who wants to win at the highest level - - In regards to the recruiting trail, Penn State has access to talent in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic & Midwest, and certainly can compete for major goals on a regular basis - - In their pursuit of a new coach, the program can aim high with candidates and potential replacements, including from within the Big Ten Conference, and certainly target those with a track record of winning in the biggest moments - - After discussing a few of the most notable head coaching candidates to replace James Franklin at Penn State, both JD & Spencer each provide their pick as to who the Nittany Lions should pursue, and why (**Tune in to hear their picks!). . .(2) Next in line: Oregon State fired HC Trent Bray in the wake of an 0-7 start, the school announced Sunday afternoon - - It is the worst start the Beavers program since 1991, when they started the season 0-10 - - Bray, an Oregon State alum, who got promoted to the head coaching job after Jonathan Smith left for Michigan State following the 2023 season, finishes with a 5-14 record after taking over the program in 2024 - - Robb Akey, who was in his first year as Special Assistant to the head coach, has been named the Beavers' in

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 105 - "The Black Sox Scandal Episode" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - NCAA: News & Storylines - - NCAA College Football Week Five Review & Recap: In this week's episode, JD & Spencer will discuss the major storylines, review, & each provide their individual takeaway's for the Week 5 slate of College Football games from across the country - - Be sure to tune in for an in-depth recap, and discussion of the following game(s), which are included in this week's College Football Review & Recap segment: No.8 Florida State Seminoles at Virginia Cavaliers & the "One-Finger Salute" No.22 Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Arkansas Razorbacks & the firing of HC Sam Pittman No.21 USC Trojans at No.23 Illinois Fighting Illini No.16 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Wake Forest Demon Deacons & the Impact of a Missed "Offsides" Call Auburn Tigers at No.9 Texas A&M Aggies "The Battle for the Magnolia Trophy:" No. 4 LSU Tigers at No.13 Ole Miss Rebels - - Are Trinidad Chambliss & the Ole Miss Rebels legit? Or can we expect the stereotypical "Lane Kiffin-style" collapse at some point this season? No.15 Tennessee Volunteers at Mississippi State Bulldogs No.17 Alabama Crimson Tide at No.5 Georgia Bulldogs No.6 Oregon Ducks at No.3 Penn State Nittany Lions & HC James Franklin is now 4-21 against AP Top 10 ranked opponents - - Will James Franklin & the Nittany Lions ever get over "the hump?" - NCAA College Football Week Six Preview & Predictions: In this episode's Week Six preview, JD & Spencer provide their individual & independently-selected pick(s) and/or predictions for each of the following Week 6 matchups - as well as providing in-depth analysis & reasoning to explain the justification for their selection: **Be Sure to Share Your Picks with Us via Twitter/X - - @TraditionFinest OR Send Us an Email at [email protected]!! Kentucky at No.12 Georgia (-20.5)                          O/U48.5 Wisconsin at No.20 Michigan (-16.5)                         O/U42.5 No.14 Iowa State at Cincinnati (-2.5)                    O/U52.5 "College Gameday:" No.16 Vanderbilt at No.10 Alabama (-10.5)  O/U56.5 No.9 Texas (-6.5) at Florida                                 O/U43.5 No.24 Virginia at Louisville (-7.5)                             O/U62.5 No.11 Texas Tech (-10.5) at Houston                         O/U50.5 Mississippi State at No.6 Texas A&M (-14.5)               O/U57.5 No.3 Miami (-4.5) at No.18 Florida State               O/U54.5 - NFL - NFL Regular Season Week 4 Review: In this week's episode, JD & Spencer will discuss, review & recap each of the following NFL games from Week 4 of the regular season - - Be sure to tune in for a discussion of the major storylines from across the league - as well as an in-depth review & analysis of a few of the most notable games from this past weekend; the following topics & slate of games are discussed in this episode: Los Angeles Chargers at New York Giants & Rookie QB Jaxson Dart's impressive debut as a starter & the Giants' costly win. . . **We reveal our fourth "Tradition's Finest Most Badass Celly of Week Two" Award winner. . . Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Buccaneers & the Eagles' 20th victory in 21 games. . . **Tennessee Titans rookie QB Cam Ward & his statement regarding the team's winless (0-4) start. . . Indianapolis Colts at Los Angeles Rams & WR Adonai Mitchell's costly TD "celebration?". . . **49ers DC Robert Saleh & Jaguars HC Liam Coen's heated postgame exchange at midfield after Jacksonville's 26-21 win. . . Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs & the number of injured starters for the Ravens continues to rise. . . Green Bay Packers at Dallas Cowboys & the "abomination" of a tie as a potential outcome for a professional sporting event. . . - NFL (cont'd) - Per ESPN on Monday, Bad Bunny will bring his Latin trap and reggaeton swagger to the NFL's biggest stage next year - - as the Grammy-winning artist will headline the Apple Music Super Bowl LX halftime show at Levi's Stadium o

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 104 - The 'On the Origin of Mascots Episode includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - NCAA: News & Storylines - NCAA College Basketball: Per ESPN's Pete Thamel & Jeff Borzello, Bruce Pearl has stepped down as the Men's Basketball Coach at Auburn and will move into an ambassador's role in the Athletic Department - as a special assistant to the Athletics Director, the school announced on Monday - - Steven Pearl, Pearl's son who has been with program as an Associate Head Coach since 2017, has received a five-year contract to become the program's new HC - - Bruce Pearl, 65, is coming off a season in which he guided the Tigers to its second-ever Final Four appearance - - Pearl, who had been the head coach at Auburn for 11 seasons, led the Tigers to six NCAA Tournament appearances and both of the program's Final Four runs, helped the Tigers earn at least a share of three SEC regular-season titles & won two SEC Conference Tournament championships - - Pearl retires with a record of 246-125 at Auburn throughout his tenure with the program - - The timeline of Pearl's announcement has come under a little scrunity, as per the NCAA, the players with the program will now have a 30-day window to enter the transfer portal - but since the announcement was made so late into the offseason, the expectations are that, there will be very few transfers away from the program. . .Pearl has long been linked to a post-coaching career in politics, something he addressed in early September following monthslong rumors regarding him as a potential candidate for Tommy Tuberville's open U.S. Senate seat, but per his statement on Monday, he is not planning to run for Senate. . .Q: Do you lean more towards the direction of believing Bruce Pearl when he clarified on Monday that he will not run for U.S. Senate? While there are clearly similarities & differences between the two, is the pain Auburn fans are currently experiencing over the loss of Bruce Pearl as the Tigers' head basketball coach somewhat equivalent to how Alabama fans felt the day Nick Saban announced his retirement as the Crimson Tide's head football coach?. . .Jean Dolores Schmidt, popularly known as "Sister Jean" is retiring, as well - - The 106-year-old Cathlolic nun, a campus minister and the official chaplain of the Loyola-Chicago Ramblers men's basketball team, is stepping away from her duties due to health concerns - - Sister Jean became a viral sensation overnight by cheering on Loyola during their epic Final Four run as an 11-seed in 2018 - - Sister Jean had served in her roles at Loyola since 1991, and while she is stepping away, the Tradition's Finest crew would like to grant our "best wishes" and sincerely hope she makes it to 107. . .NCAA Division III College Football: There is a very common phrase/saying that "you learn something new every day," which basically reinforces the idea that knowledge is on a continuum - - and this is, in fact, accurate because neither of us were aware that the U.S. Coast Guard - a military branch that operates under the Department of Homeland Security, focused on maritime law enforcement, border control, port security, and search & rescue missions, using cutters, aircraft and boats to save lives & interdict illegal activities at sea - has a D-III college football program/team - - For all of you that had no clue of this either - Welcome! Allow us to introduce you to the "Coast Guard Academy Bears," who recorded one for the history books this weekend: Nichols Bison at Coast Guard Bears - - On homecoming weekend at the Coast Guard Academy, the Bears gave their proud alumni fireworks and much to cheer for with a 92-60 victory over Nichols College - - This was NOT a basketball game, this was a football game, ladies & gentlemen - - With 1:36 remaining in the game, Coast Guard and Nichols had tied for Division III history with 138 combined points - - The 92-60 final score etches this game into another niche history book as well - In the 157 years of college football across three divisions, this is the first time in NCAA history that a college football game has ended by a final score of 92-60 - - Q: Be honest, did you know that the Coast Guard Academy had a D-III college football team?. . .**Let us know via Twitter/X - - @TraditionFinest OR Send Us an Email at [email protected]!!. . .NCAA College Football Week Four Review & Recap: In this episode's CFB Week Four review & recap segment, JD & Spencer will discuss, provide a detailed analysis, and present their individual takeaways for a few of the most intriguing college football games from this past weekend's slate of games; the following games are discussed within this episode: "Stillwater Showdown:" Tulsa Golden Hurricanes at Oklahoma State Cowboys (**and the firing of the Cowboys - and second-longest-tenured HC in college football - Mike Gundy) - And this week's "Tra

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 103 - "The Before He Cleats Episode" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - NCAA: News & Storylines - - NCAA College Football Week Three Review & Recap: In this week's episode, JD & Spencer will discuss, review & each provide their individual takeaway's for the Week 3 slate of College Football games from across the country - - Be sure to tune in for an in-depth recap, and discussion of the following game(s), which are included in this week's College Football Review & Recap segment: New Mexico Lobos at UCLA Bruins & the termination of second-year HC DeShaun Foster No.12 Clemson Tigers at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Wisconsin Badgers at No.19 Alabama Crimson Tide No.6 Georgia Bulldogs at No.14 Tennessee Volunteers No.18 South Florida Bulls at No.5 Miami Hurricanes Vanderbilt Commodores at No.11 South Carolina Gamecocks/"Win A Date with My Mom" Florida Gators at No.3 LSU Tigers No.16 Texas A&M Aggies at No.8 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Alcorn State Braves at Mississippi State Bulldogs & the Application of the "Mercy Rule" - NCAA: News & Storylines (cont'd) - - Less than 24 hours after a 45-26 loss at home at the hands of Old Dominion, Virginia Tech University announced on Sunday that it had fired head football coach Brent Pry after the Hokies fell to an 0-3 start on the season - - The Hokies trailed the Monarchs at the halftime break 31-0, and as the team headed for the locker room, the crowd did not refrain from letting the team know exactly how they felt about their performance in the first half - as the sound of excessive booing packed Lane Stadium - - Throughout his tenure with the program, the Hokies were a combined 16-24 through four seasons under Pry - - Following his termination, Pry is set to be owed approximately $6 million in his contract buyout - - Hokies OC Philip Montgomery has been named & will serve as the team's interim head coach throughout the rest of the 2025-26 college football season, while Virginia Tech will begin the search for a new HC, presumably one with previous head-coaching experience after going with a first-timer like they did with hiring of Pry - - Potential candidates to fill the Virginia Tech head coaching vacancy include: Shane Beamer (current South Carolina HC & the son of Hokies' legendary coach Frank Beamer), Alex Golesh (USF), Ryan Silverfield (Memphis), Bob Chesney (JMU) & Charles Huff (Marshall/Southern Miss) - - Interestingly, a name that has not been thrown around much in conversations as a potential replacement, and one that Spencer mentioned in this episode, that if considered, could shift the momentum & renew the spark that has been missing from this historic program - he is the greatest player to ever don a Virginia Tech jersey, finished his NFL career as the all-time leader in QB rushing yards & is the current head coach of the Norfolk State Spartans football team - you get the hint: No.7 himself, MR. Michael Vick! - - Q: Which of the aforementioned HC's do you think would be the best overall hire for the Virginia Tech program? Are there any former HC's currently without a job that would potentially be a "good fit" to replace Brent Pry in Blacksburg?. . . NCAA College Football Week Four Preview & Predictions: In this episode's Week Four preview, JD & Spencer provide their individual & independently-selected pick(s) and/or predictions for each of the following Week 4 matchups - as well as providing in-depth analysis & reasoning to explain the justification for their selection: **Be Sure to Share Your Picks with Us via Twitter/X - - @TraditionFinest OR Send Us an Email at [email protected]!! No.17 Texas Tech at No.16 Utah (-3.5)                       O/U56.5 Tulane at No.13 Ole Miss (-11.5)                            O/U61.5 No.22 Auburn at No.11 Oklahoma (-6.5)                    O/U48.5 No.21 Michigan (-2.5) at Nebraska                          O/U44.5 South Carolina at No.23 Missouri (-13.5)                    O/U46.5 Florida at No.4 Miami (-3)                                 O/U52.5 No.9 Illinois at No.19 Indiana (-3.5)            &

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 102 - The "Taming the Bull" Episode includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - NCAA: News & Storylines - - The NCAA Oversight Committee voted last Thursday in favor of a single transfer portal window in the month of January - - This new model, if approved by the administrative committee and who must deliver their final ruling no later than October 1st, would replace the previous (and most current) system, which features two separate transfer portal windows - one that occurs in the winter and one in the spring - - If approved, the single transfer portal window would open on January 2nd, and would remain open for 10 days, however, there is much debate over the timing and significance of this new window, as it conflicts with the ongoing 12-team College Football Playoff schedule - - Essentially, this would make it possible for a college football player to participate in the first or quarterfinal round of next year's College Football Playoff, and less than 24 hours later, enter the transfer portal - - Q: What are your thoughts regarding the NCAA Oversight Committee's approved proposal for a single transfer portal window that would begin in early January of each year?. . NCAA College Football Week Two Review & Recap: In this week's episode, JD & Spencer will discuss, review & each provide their individual takeaway's for the Week 2 slate of College Football games from across the country - - Be sure to tune in for an in-depth recap, and discussion of the following game(s), which are included in this week's College Football Review & Recap segment: "Battle for the Cy-Hawk Trophy:" Iowa at No.16 Iowa State No.11 Illinois at Duke Baylor at No.17 SMU USF at No.13 Florida Army at Kansas State Mississippi State vs. No.12 Arizona State No.15 Michigan at No.18 Oklahoma "Border War Rivalry:" Kansas at Missouri - NCAA: News & Storylines (cont'd) - - NCAA College Football Week Three Preview & Predictions: In this episode's Week 3 preview, JD & Spencer provide their individual & independently-selected pick(s) and/or predictions for each of the following Week 3 matchups - as well as providing in-depth analysis & reasoning to explain the justification for their selection: **Be Sure to Share Your Picks with Us via Twitter/X - - @TraditionFinest OR Send Us an Email at [email protected]!! Wisconsin at No.19 Alabama (-20.5)                        O/U47.5 No.12 Clemson (-9.5) at Georgia Tech                      O/U58.5 No.6 Georgia (-3.5) at No.15 Tennessee                     O/U50.5 No.18 USF at No.5 Miami (-16.5)                           O/U55.5 Arkansas at No.17 Ole Miss (-9.5)                          O/U63.5 Florida at No.3 LSU (-9.5)                                 O/U50.5 No.16 Texas A&M at No.8 Notre Dame (-6.5)                O/U49.5 Vanderbilt at No.11 South Carolina (-5.5)                 O/U47.5 - NFL - Five-time Pro Bowl WR Amari Cooper informed the Las Vegas Raiders last Thursday of his intent to retire from the league - just days before the team would open the 2025 NFL regular season with their Week 1 matchup at New England - - After being drafted No.4 overall by the Oakland Raiders in 2015 - prior to relocating the franchise to Las Vegas - Cooper would go on to surpass 1,000 receiving yards in his first two seasons out of Alabama - - In 2018, the Raiders traded Cooper to the Dallas Cowboys, who then traded him to the Cleveland Browns in the 2022 offseason, and was next acquired by the Buffalo Bills last October from the Browns - - Cooper's decision comes just a week after he signed a one-year deal with the organization in late August, mentioning that it was a "full circle moment," and that he still had "some juice left," - - It will continue to be a topic of speculation, but Cooper finishes his professional or NFL career with 711 receptions, 10,000-plus receiving yards & 64 TDs, and had seven seasons where he finished with at least 1,000 receiving yards, including his career-high season with 1,250 rec

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 101 - "That One Time Episode" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - NCAA: News & Storylines - - NCAA College Football Week One Review & Recap: In this week's episode, JD & Spencer will discuss, review & each provide their individual takeaway's for the Week 1 slate of College Football games from across the country - - Be sure to tune in for an in-depth recap of the games that began last Thursday & ended with the final game on Monday - - A discussion of the following game(s) are included in this week's College Football Review & Recap segment: No.25 Boise State at South Florida (FCS) Tarleton State at Army Auburn at Baylor - NCAA: News & Storylines (cont'd) - - "Give me my first love:" Following the college football games on Thursday & Friday night(s), a record 3.5-million viewers tuned in to ESPN's "College Gameday" show on Saturday morning, which took place before the huge matchup between No.3 Ohio State & No.1 Texas at the "Horseshoe," and approximately five-million viewers watched the final 15 minutes of the show, just to witness longtime college football analyst Lee Corso, a fixture of the "College Gameday" panel/crew, make his final headgear selection/pick, which took place at midfield & drew a massive ovation from the fans at Ohio Stadium - - and of course, he went out on top: Corso signed off from ESPN's "College Gameday" in his final show on Saturday, and near the end with the contemplation of his final pick, he muttered the words "Give me my first love," which led to him throwing on the "Brutus the Buckeye" mascot head gear, much in the same manner as he did thirty years ago when he made his first official mascot head gear selection - - Interestingly, as the slate of Week 1 games played out, Corso's sendoff only became more impressive - all six teams that he picked to win this past weekend came out on top, which included a "stunning" upset (**No spoilers ) - - Corso was the only member of the "College Gameday" panel to accurately predict all six games - - To take Corso's perfect weekend even a step further, every team that he has been associated with throughout his career - both as a player and as a coach - also won (i.e., Indiana, Louisville & Northern Illinois) - - Corso, 90, had announced earlier this year that he was going to soon retire from ESPN - after being a part of the Gameday crew since it became a traveling show in 1993, and has worked alongside analyst Kirk Herbstreit for more than a decade - - While "College Gameday" won't ever be the same without Lee Corso, the Tradition's Finest crew was beyond elated to witness the perfect sendoff. . . No.1 Texas at No.3 Ohio State "Aflac Kickoff:" Syracuse vs. No.24 Tennessee No.8 Alabama at Florida State "Battle for Death Valley:" No.9 LSU at No.4 Clemson No.13 South Carolina vs. Virginia Tech "Convicts vs. Catholics, Rivalry Revisited:" No.6 Notre Dame at No.10 Miami TCU at North Carolina - NCAA: News & Storylines (cont'd) - - NCAA College Football Week Two Preview & Predictions: In this episode's Week 2 preview, JD & Spencer provide their individual & independently selected pick(s) and/or predictions for each of the following Week 2 matchups - as well as providing in-depth analysis & reasoning to explain the justification for their selection: **Be Sure to Share Your Picks with Us via Twitter/X - - @TraditionFinest OR Send Us an Email at [email protected]!! "Battle for the Cy-Hawk Trophy:" Iowa at No.16 Iowa State (-3.5)    O/U41.5 No.11 Illinois (-2.5) at Duke                                   O/U50.5 Oklahoma State at No.6 Oregon (-28.5)                        O/U58. South Florida at No.13 Florida (-17.5)                          O/U54.5 No.12 Arizona State (-6.5) at Mississippi State                   O/U59.5 "College Gameday:" No.15 Michigan at No.18 Oklahoma (-5.5)     O/U45.5 Kansas at Missouri (-6.5)                                    O/U51.5 - NFL - While the "Great Depression" occurred in the late 1930's/early 1940's, and affected a significant portion of the middle- to lower socioeconomic status households across the United States, the year of 2025 could certainly be classified

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 100 - "The Wilt Conspiracy Episode" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - Miscellaneous - PGA: Everybody loves a first-time winner, especially one who had been hit across the head by a two-by-four in so many near misses - - prior to Sunday, English golfer Tommy Fleetwood has been a runner-up on the PGA Tour six times, finished in the top three in a dozen tournaments, has 30 top-five finishes, and finally, has 44 top ten finishes, which according to ESPN, were the second most by a golfer without a victory on the PGA Tour this past century - - In his 164th career start at East Lake Golf Club on Sunday, while holding a 0-163 PGA Tour record, Fleetwood captured his first PGA Tour victory in the Tour Championship to capture the FedEx Cup and its $10 million reward - - Fleetwood posted a 2-under 68 in the final round and finished at 18-under, a combined three strokes better than Russell Henley (69) & Patrick Cantlay (71), who finished the tournament in second and third place, respectively - - After covering the PGA's No.1 golfer in the world the past few weeks, we felt somewhat compelled to mention Scottie Scheffler and his performance in this week's Tour Championship - Following his impressive victory at last year's PGA Tour Championship, Scheffler was attempting to become the first golfer to win the FedEx Cup in back-to-back seasons, but unfortunately, he faced significant adversity from the start of the event on Sunday - - On the opening hole, Scheffler badly pulled his tee shot down the left side of the fairway, and his ball bounced once and shot under a fence, landing out of bounds - however, Scheffler would remain a serious threat to Fleetwood's potential first career victory through the 15th hole, when he sank a tee shot into the water, ending his hopes for a victory on Sunday as well as for a sixth victory this season of the PGA Tour - despite the rough day, Scheffler would finish with a score of 2-under 68, tied for fourth place at 14-under - - As for Fleetwood, it has been a long and exhaustive journey, but it seemed to be well worth the wait - and as a professional athlete, you have achieved some level of greatness when your long-awaited victory garners support & congratulatory posts via social media from a few of sports' biggest stars, such as fifteen-time major champion & 82-time winner Tiger Woods, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James & WNBA star Caitlin Clark - - Q: Could you imagine going 0-163 in any sport & still maintaining that resiliency necessary to pull out the victory in your 164th event, thus winning a $10M reward? What are your thoughts on English golfer Tommy Fleetwood picking up his first career PGA Tour victory in none other than the Tour Championship? Thoughts on Scottie Scheffler's ability to struggle on the course & still finish within the top five?. . .PGA golfer Keegan Bradley, who is the eighth-best American golfer in the most current world rankings, did not call his own name Wednesday while announcing the captains for the United States Ryder Cup team, as he ultimately made the decision to not become the event's first playing captain since Arnold Palmer in 1963 - - Bradley named Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Ben Griffin, Cameron Young, Patrick Cantlay & Sam Burns as his six Captain picks for next month's Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black on New York's Long Island - - Q: Were you surprised to hear the Keegan Bradley did not call his own name to serve as one of the Captains for the 2025 U.S. Ryder Cup team? - MLB - Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh aka "The Big Dumper," was already in the midst of a transcendent season, but now it's historic - - With a pair of early HRs in Sunday's 11-4 win over the Athletics, Raleigh tied, and then broke the major-league record for most HRs hit in a single season by a catcher - - In the first inning, Raleigh clubbed his 48th HR of the season with a two-run blast - and then, one inning later, he hit No.49 on the season - thus pushing him ahead of a record set by Kansas City Royals star Salvador Perez in 2021 - - On Monday, Raleigh added yet another milestone to his already impressive list of accomplishments this year: With a first-inning shot against the San Diego Padres, Raleigh extended his major-league record for HRs by a catcher, and entered some elite company - - Raleigh joined Yankees legend Mickey Mantle as the only switch-hitters with 50 homers in an MLB season - and became the 8th player in MLB history to reach the half-century mark in the month of August. . . - NCAA: News & Storylines - The SEC Conference announced last Thursday that it will play a nine-game conference schedule starting in 2026, which is a historic move that the Conference has been considering for years - and was a decision that was approved by the SEC's presidents and chancellors after a recommendation by the Athletic Directors in the conference - - Under thi

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 99 - "The Who's Who Episode" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - Miscellaneous - PGA: The No.1-rated PGA Player of the World, Scottie Scheffler, had a Tiger Woods-like moment with a trophy on the line & a club in his hand on Sunday at the PGA's BMW Championship at Caves Valley Golf Club located in Owing Mills, Maryland: On the hardest hole in the final round at Caves Valley, Scheffler hit an 82-foot chip shot on the 17th hole, that landed about 60 feet short and rolled the rest of the way - picking up speed, losing speed & dropping on the final turn - - The birdie on the 17th hole all but ensured another victory, giving Scheffler his fifth PGA Tour title this year - - Scheffler, who had to erase a four-shot deficit against Robert MacIntyre in five holes, closed with a 3-under 67 for a two-shot victory & became the first PGA golfer since Tiger Woods in 2006 & 2007, to win at least five times on the PGA Tour in consecutive years - - Scheffler, who finished at 15-under 265, now has 18 career titles in the past 3 ½ years since his first PGA Tour title in Phoenix, Arizona. . .Scottie Scheffler wasn't the only golfer at this weekend's BMW Championship that was a major contributor to the news & storylines surrounding the PGA event; however, fellow PGA Tour golfer Ben Griffin did not, on the other hand, fare so well in terms of his rollercoaster performance in the opening day of the event - Griffin started his final round at Caves Valley Golf Club with a four-putt from 4-feet out for a triple bogey, a drive out-of-bounds that resulted in a double bogey, and a bogey at the third - Griffin was (+6) for the day, but he would battle back to shoot 1-under 69 - - So what happened?. . .Did he not get enough sleep the night before? No, that's not it!. . .Was he a little hungover from hitting the bar with the boys? Nope, not that, either!. . . Fortunately, we do not have to provide an educated guess as to why Griffin's play was far below average in the opening round because he gave us a viable explanation: He overdosed after ingesting too big a dose of the supplement Creatine - "I basically just inhaled a snowball," Griffin stated at a press conference following the PGA event, further explaining that he was shaking uncontrollably, and had actually considered withdrawing from the tournament - - but nobody likes a quitter! (and neither does his caddie), who stepped in & forced him to chug an entire bottle of water to reset - - By the time Griffin reached the fifth tee, he was on the mend - and he would go on to reel off three straight birdies starting at No.7 & four more on the back nine, including a 55-footer at No.17, and he would finish the BMW Championship tied for 12th place at (-3) - - Moral of the story is. . Do Not Overdose on Creatine!. . .Boxing: A former NBA player, a few 'washed' former UFC fighters & the 59-year-old version of boxing legend Mike Tyson later, Jake Paul, by some measures, is set to test himself in an exhibition boxing match against WBA lightweight champion, Gervonta "Tank" Davis, as first reported by Mike Coppinger of Ring Magazine - - Coppinger reported that the exhibition bout has been tentatively scheduled for the date of November 15th, and will take place at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta - - In contrast to Davis who is 5-foot-5 inches tall, Paul is much larger in body physique & overall stature - standing at 6-foot-1, weighing roughly 65-lbs heavier, and possessing a much wider wing span than that of Davis - however, the specific details regarding the match's weight limit have yet to be finalized - - Despite the obvious differences in overall stature & size, to date, this will undoubtedly be the biggest test of Jake Paul's boxing career, as Davis currently holds a record of 30-0-1 as a professional boxer with 28 knockouts - - While the outcome of the fight will be a topic of debate as the date for the match draws closer, one thing is for certain: both Paul & Davis will likely secure a massive payday from a boxing event that will most likely be promoted & accessible via streaming service provider Netflix - - Q: Who do you got winning the fight between Jake Paul & "Tank" Davis? Will the obvious size differences skew the overall outcome or results for the match's winning boxer?. . . - NBA - Five-time NBA All-Star & former No.1 overall draft pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, John Wall, announced via his social media account on Tuesday that he is retiring from basketball after playing for 11 seasons in the league - - Wall, 34, played most of his NBA career alongside Bradley Beal with the Washington Wizards after he was selected with the first overall pick in the 2010 draft following his impressive freshman season at the University of Kentucky under head basketball coach John Calipari - - The five-time All-Star PG finishes his NBA career with averages of 18.7

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 98 - "The QB Assassin Episode" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - Miscellaneous - UFC: Days after completing its merger with Skydance, the entertainment company, Paramount, has acquired the U.S. media rights to TKO Group's UFC with a 7-year, $7.7 billion dollar deal, which is scheduled to begin next year (2026) - - Paramount is reportedly paying an average of $1.1 billion per year, totaling $7.7 billion, for UFC's full slate of 13 marquee events & 30 "Fight Nights," per the companies' joint statement which were released earlier in the week - - All UFC matches and events will be available via the streaming application, Paramount+, and select events will be simulcast on CBS - - Paramount will not charge users any additional fees for access to these UFC events, which, in turn, eliminates the pay-per-view (PPP) model that ESPN+ has used for a majority of its' premium UFC events - - Q: Will Paramount's acquisition of the media rights to UFC - as well as the elimination the pay-per-view model - be mutually beneficial for both the sport as well as the streaming industry?. . .Per the announcement of UFC President Dana White, the UFC is set to host an event on the Fourth of July next year on the White House lawn in celebration of the United States 250th birthday/independence - - White, who remains close friends with U.S. President Donald Trump, have had thorough discussions in the past regarding the possibility of the White House hosting such an event - as Trump hosted a few of the first-ever events in the sport at few of his business properties back in the early 2000's - - Q: How "America" is that - - a UFC event on the main lawn of the White House? - - What could go wrong?!. . . - MLB - "A Historical Moment:" Smashing the MLB's gender barrier, Jen Pawol, 48, made history as the first female umpire in league history to officiate a regular-season game in the majors - - Considering Pawol became the first female umpire to work behind the plate in the majors, making unprecedented history appear to be relatively routine, was especially impressive - - In Pawol's highly anticipated, and smooth-sailing, debut, which came as the first-base umpire for Saturday's first game of a split doubleheader between the Atlanta Braves & Miami Marlins - - To follow up her impressive performance at first base, Pawol moved behind home plate, placing her in the brightest spotlight for an umpire, where she breezed through Sunday's Marlins-Braves game, calling a "strike" on her first official call as a plate umpire - sadly, Braves LHP Joey Wentz & Marlins starting pitcher Cal Quantrill combined for a total of three strikeouts in Sunday's matchup - - Following Atlanta's 7-1 victory over the Marlins on Sunday evening, both team managers spoke positively of Pawol as well as to mention her professionalism on the baseball field - - Pawol was called up from the minor leagues as a rover umpire, and so, her next assignment in the majors has not yet been announced, but after her debut performance, you can expect for it to be right around the corner - - Q: What were your thoughts on Jen Pawol's 'umpiring skills' this weekend? While there were very few opportunities for disputes on the field, could you imagine a scenario (and the potential suspension that would follow) where an MLB manager ultimately 'lost his cool,' and went after a female umpire?. . .A Hawaiian real estate investor & broker are reportedly suing the MLB's Shohei Ohtani, claiming that the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar - and his agent - got them fired from a $240 million luxury housing development on the Big Island's coveted Hapuna Coast that they had brought him in to endorse - - According to the lawsuit filed in Hawaii Circuit Court last Friday, Ohtani's agent, Nez Balelo, increasingly demanded concessions from the both the developer & broker prior to demanding that their business partner, Kingsbarn Realty Capital, drop them from the deal - - Per the Plaintiffs' lawsuit, Ohtani & Balelo "exploited their celebrity leverage to destabilize and ultimately dismantle [their] role in the project - - [and] for no reason other than their own financial self-interest," - - The individual properties that were to be developed, and eventually listed by Matsumoto - the deal's broker - who was to become the listing agent for the houses, which were estimated to average $17.3 million each - - Q: What were your initial thoughts of the lawsuit filed against Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani & his agent on behalf the housing development developer & broker - was their primary motivation not an endorsement deal with one of the most high-profile athletes in the world, which would be used as a bold marketing strategy to, in turn, sell each of the properties above their respective value?. . .MLB Hall of Famer and 13-time All-Star Mariano Rivera tore his Achilles tendon while attempting to track a f

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 97 - "The BigBear/SmallerBear Episode" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - Miscellaneous - On this week's introductory or our 'Penalty Box' segment, JD & Spencer discuss & share their thoughts on "Happy Gilmore 2," which is the sequel to the original hit film, that was released in 1996. The film, which was recently released on the streaming service, Netflix, was thirty years in the making, yet it has been met with overwhelmingly negative reviews, with critics and fans calling it "lazy," "not funny," & a "depressing mess" that disrespects the original film by undoing its accomplishments. The common complaints from our fellow "keyboard warriors" include a lack of original humor, a narrative that negates the first film's happy ending, an overreliance on nostalgia & cameos, and finally, a tone that doesn't align with the original film's appeal. Allow us to be the first to say: Ignore the noise and Watch the Movie! - - and if you have a sense of humor, prepare to laugh your ass off! Yes! - the Adam Sandler film did feature a whopping total of 48 cameos, and granted, this is a bit too many - - but you cannot ignore the fact that many of the sequel's cameos, which included a slew of actors/celebrities, musicians & comedians, and notable athletes & sports figures from a wide array of professional sports - for example, the film featured a total of 19 professional golfers, including but not limited to the following: Scottie Scheffler, Rory Mcllroy, John Daly, Bubba Watson, Gilmore's former caddy from the original film - Will Zalatoris, Justin Thomas & Brooks Koepka; current & former NFL players, such as Travis Kelce & Reggie Bush, respectively; as well as Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum (WNBA). Both JD & Spencer address their individual take of the overall plot, as well as multiple aspects of the film "Happy Gilmore 2," and subsequently, they each present it with an overall rating out of 10. . .Q: What were your thoughts of the film "Happy Gilmore 2?" What rating, from 1 (horrible/waste of time) to 10 (the best movie of all time!), would you give the Adam Sandler sequel?. . . - MLB - In a blockbuster deal that was completed last Thursday, the day of the MLB Trade Deadline, that had the baseball world buzzing, the Houston Astros re-acquired shortstop Carlos Correa from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for minor league LHP Matt Mikulski & cash, after Correa agreed to "waive" the no-trade clause included in his contract - - Per USA Today reporter Boby Nightengale, Minnesota will send roughly $33 million to help cover the remaining cost associated with Correa's contract - - Correa is owed approximately $96 million through the 2028 MLB season, with club options from 2029-2032 - - Correa, who was drafted as a shortstop by the Astros with the No.1 overall pick in the 2012 MLB Draft, he would go on to become one of the most popular players & franchise icons in club history - - One aspect of the trade involved Correa's move to playing third base for Houston, after All-Star third baseman Isaac Paredes sustained a hamstring injury, and could possibly miss the rest of this MLB season. . .Q: What are your thoughts about the Astros-Carlos Correa reunion?. .In an odd occurrence, MLB in-fielder Jose Caballero was faced with a literal no-lose situation last Thursday as his Tampa Bay Rays were in the middle of playing in the final game of a three-game series versus the New York Yankees - - And then, the news broke. . .Caballero had been traded from the Tampa Bay Rays to their current opponent, the New York Yankees - - The two AL East teams were in the middle of their game at Yankee Stadium when the news broke that the 28-year-old in-fielder, who was playing second base for the Rays at the time, had been traded to the Yankees - - The deal came together partly thanks to a nearly three-hour rain delay that occurred early on in the game - - When the news broke, as is typical procedure when a player is traded during a game, the Rays removed him from their lineup, yet it was evident that this was somewhat unexpected - as the TV broadcast caught Caballero embracing his Tampa teammates in the visitors' dugout at Yankee Stadium, while no such scene occurred in the Yankees' dugout (emotion-less pricks!) - - Following the Yankees 7-5 victory at home, Caballero joked "We won the game, I guess," after playing most of the game in a Rays jersey - - Caballero has now joined a Yankees team that is looking to return to the World Series for the second consecutive season - after losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games last season. . . - WNBA & NBA - WNBA: At a press conference last Saturday evening, the WNBA informed the media that the individual who threw a "sex toy" onto the court at an Atlanta Dream game earlier in the week, had been arrested - - and went on to provide a stern warning, that, any person who

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 96 - "The Charlie Conway & the Mighty Ducks Episode" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - Miscellaneous - PGA: Despite being the PGA No.1 ranked player in the world, it was almost as if reporters at a recent press conference were shocked to learn that Scottie Scheffler "does not find his life's true fulfillment by winning PGA events," but unfortunately for his fellow golfers, this lack of fulfillment did not negatively affect his performance and/or prevent him from demonstrating that competitive edge that seems so routine, from bleeding through on one of the sport's biggest stages last Sunday - - Scheffler had all the time in the world to celebrate his latest major title, carding a 68 to cruise to a four-stroke victory in the PGA Open Championship at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland - - The outcome was never in doubt on Sunday as Scheffler finished at (-17), delivering yet another dominant performance to win his second major this year, and to grab the third leg of the career Grand Slam - - After making par on the 18th hole, the crowd erupted in amazement, and in appreciation for his spectacular performance, but for Scheffler, it appeared as just another routine win - until he encountered his wife, Meredith, their 15-month-old son Bennett & his parents - at which point, he thrust both fists into the air, pumped both arms & tossed his hat in a joyous manner - - Scheffler's behavior further demonstrated, to him, that this was just 'another victory' at a PGA major, and that the 29-year-old Texas native was far more concerned about his family & their overall excitement, and just to top it off, he does get to keep the silver Claret jug for another year - - Scheffler is a champion on & off the PGA course - - He became just the fourth player in Open Championship history to shoot 68 or better in all four rounds of the event, joining Collin Morikawa, Henrik Stenson & Jesper Parnevik. . ."RIP 2 My Childhood:" Hulk "Hulkamania" Hogan, the star who took professional wrestling to the national mainstream, and was a significant contributor to the overall legacy of the sport, died last Thursday morning on July 24th at the age of 71 - - The WWE Hall of Famer, according to multiple reports, was pronounced dead at a local hospital in Clearwater, Florida, shortly after a 911 call was placed about a victim in cardiac arrest - - Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, had been struggling with several health issues in recent years, which included a problematic, lingering back injury from his wrestling days, and had reportedly underwent a complicated heart procedure just weeks prior to his death - - While Hogan was the identity of professional wrestling for many years, later in life, and much to his dismay, Hogan became a controversial figure that somewhat retreated from the spotlight - following the release of a private sex tape that depicted Hogan with his best friend's wife - as well as a secret recording that revealed Hogan's use of racist remarks in a taped conversation with his daughter, Brooke Hogan - - Not too downplay the complex nature of Hogan's inappropriate actions over the years, it would be a disservice to the sport of professional wrestling, to not acknowledge his accomplishments and the influence he had on children growing up in the 1990's (aka JD) - - In 1985, Hogan headlined the WWF's first 'Wrestlemania' at Madison Square Garden, which drew an audience of nearly one million viewers on a closed-circuit television, and it was this particular event that many credit with taking the sport into the national spotlight - - Hogan's grudge match versus Andre the Giant at 'Wrestlemania III' took the wrestling business & his career to new heights - - Hogan was featured in the main event of the first eight Wrestlemania cards, and would go on to win the WWF (now known as the "WWE) World Heavyweight Championship belt six times, and finally, he pulled off the biggest "heel turn" in wrestling history - while working for the WWF/WWE competitor, WCW - when Hogan embraced the role of a villain, joining the New World Order as "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan - - Hogan returned to the WWE in 2002, and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005. . . - MLB - Nick Kurtz of the Oakland Athletics became the first rookie in MLB history to hit four HRs in a game, as part of a spectacular Friday night for the 22-year-old that will go down as one of the greatest offensive displays that sport has ever seen - - Kurtz finished the game with eight RBIs, six runs scored & also matched the MLB record with 19 total bases in the A's 15-3 victory over the Houston Astros - - Kurtz didn't make an out all night, as he went on to hit absolutely DINGERS in the second, sixth, eighth & ninth innings - and he also doubled on a 381-feet drive that would have been out in six major league ballparks - - **Can confirm: No MLB player has ever hit five

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 95 - "The Myles High Episode" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - Miscellaneous - High School Football : We just have a couple things to say: "Teddy Bridgewater is a Scumbag! The Salt of the Earth! A Horrible Person!". . .This GUY! - - According to a post via his social media account, former NFL QB Teddy Bridgewater indicated earlier this week that he has been "suspended" from coaching his former high school team, Miami Northwestern, for reportedly giving impermissible benefits to his players - - The 32-year-old "abomination," according to multiple reports, reportedly helped his players with uber costs, paid for player's physical therapy out of pocket, pregame meals, recovery assistance, as well as purchased the field paint that was applied to the High School football field - - If it's not utterly apparent & obvious, we are exaggerating - former NFL QB & current High School head football coach Teddy Bridgewater is an incredibly generous and very thoughtful human being, who deserves to be celebrated NOT suspended!! - - This is certainly not a good look for Miami Northwestern High School & their Athletic Department - - The news of Bridgewater's suspension has drawn much criticism from former NFL players, athletes & sports commentators alike. . .Q: What are your thoughts regarding Miami Northwestern High School's decision to suspend HC Teddy Bridgewater for reportedly giving impermissible benefits to his players?. . .PGA: Oakmont County Club, which is located approximately fifteen miles outside of Pittsburgh (PA), has banned professional golfer, Wyndham Clark, from its property after he damaged his locker following a missed cut at last month's U.S. Open event, per sources who confirmed the news to ESPN on Wednesday - - Oakmont Club President John Lynch issued a letter that was sent out to all Oakmont Country Club members earlier this week, indicating that their decision was reached after multiple discussions with the USGA & the Club's Board - - According to Lynch's letter, the ban could be lifted if Clark, 31, pays for the damaged property, makes a "meaningful contribution" to a charity selected by the Oakmont Country Club, and undergoes extensive "counseling and/or anger management therapy." - - Fortunately for Clark, he will not have to play at Oakmont again until 2033, when it is scheduled to host the U.S. Open once again. . .Q: Do you think PGA golfer Wyndham Clark will comply with Oakmont County Club President John Lynch's demands in his letter to ensure that the ban is lifted?. . . - MLB - Tampa Bay Rays owner Stu Sternberg has agreed in principle to a $1.7 billion deal to sell the franchise to a group led by a Florida-based developer, Patrick Zalupski, according to a report from The Athletic - - The deal is reportedly expected to be closed as early as September and will keep the franchise in the area, with Zalupski, a homebuilder in Jacksonville, having a strong preference to land in Tampa rather than in St. Petersburg - - This was definitely a very profitable deal for Stu Sternberg, after he purchased the Rays franchise in 2004 for $200 million. . .Seattle Mariners star & MLB Home Run leader, Cal Raleigh, became the first MLB catcher to ever win the All-Star Home Run Derby - - Raleigh joins Ken Griffey Jr. as the only two Mariners to win the event, after he totaled 54 homers at the 2025 Derby - - Unfortunately, for Raleigh, his win of the 2025 Home Run Derby was largely overshadowed by the highlight of the evening: Let's just say, if a baseball had a soul, Oneil Cruz would be a "soul crusher." - - Cruz produced the highlight of the first round when he blasted a 513-foot HR, the longest of the evening - he becomes just the sixth player to hit a Derby homer of 500+ feet since Statcast started tracking it in 2016 - - Cruz averaged a distance of 447 feet in Round 1 but was eliminated by Raleigh in the semi-finals when the latter hit 19 dingers to advance - - Raleigh wowed the crowd when he hit left-handed and right-handed during his first round, blasting 10 from the left side and another seven from the right, becoming the first switch hitter to win the contest - - Raleigh outlasted Tampa Bay Rays infielder Junior Caminero in the HR Derby Final on Monday night - Raleigh hit 18 to Caminero's 15 in the final round - and to the kid that robbed Caminero's homer in the championship round, shame on your parents, and you deserve a nice good kick to the shin!. . .Kyle Schwarber, the man, the myth, [and now] the legend - Remarkably, Schwarber, who is rather spectacular at smashing baseballs, has never won a Home Run Derby - he lost in the finals back in 2018 & failed to advance out of the first round in 2022 - - but on Tuesday night, however, the Philadelphia Phillies slugger made home run history on the All-Star stage, pulverizing three HRs on three swings in the first-ever swing-off to decide the winner

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 94 - "The Boot Ware Episode" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - Miscellaneous - Famed competitive eater Joey "Jaws" Chestnut reclaimed his title last Friday at the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest after skipping last year's gastronomic battle in New York for the coveted Mustard Belt - - Chestnut, 42, consumed 70 1/2 hot dogs and buns in ten minutes, falling just short of his 2021 record of 76 glizzys - - It marked his 17th win out of 20 appearances for the Westfield, Indiana, eater at the internationally televised competition - which he missed last year over a contract dispute - - Chestnut bested 14 fellow competitors from across the U.S. and the world, including Australia, the Czech Republic, Ontario, England & Brazil - - Last year's winner, Patrick Bertoletti of Chicago, came in second place after gobbling up 46 1/2 hot dogs and bunds, falling short of the 58 he ate to earn the 2024 Men's title - - Q: What are your thoughts on the sport of Major Competitive Eating? Is it safe to say that Chestnut is the greatest athlete of all time (GOAT)?. . . - MLB - On 15 occasions last Wednesday, Clayton Kershaw reached two strikes with an opposing hitter and 53,536 Dodger Stadium fans rose to their feet, almost as if to propel their longtime ace to history - - They clapped, they yelled, they hoped, and often, in the end, they sighed - - By the time the sixth inning rolled around, Kershaw had accumulated just two strikeouts on the night and 2,999 for his career - - It began to feel as if one of the most hallowed milestones in baseball history would happen on the road, away from the people who spent close to two decades stirring with every pitch that came out of Kershaw's left hand - - And then it happened, at the last possible moment, with two outs in the sixth inning, on Kershaw's 100th pitch - - a backdoor slider that caught the outside corner, freezing Chicago White Sox third baseman Vinny Capra & making Kershaw the 20th player ever to reach 3,000 strikeouts - - Kershaw is just the 4th left-hander to reach 3,000 strikeouts, joining Randy Johnson, Steve Carlton & CC Sabathia - - He is one of just three active pitchers, along with Justin Verlander & Max Scherzer, the two who are often lumped with him among the greatest of this generation - - And he is one of just five to accumulate that many strikeouts with just one team, along with Walter Johnson, Bob Gibson, Carlton & John Smoltz. . .San Francisco's Patrick Bailey's entrace into the MLB record books Tuesday night began with a tight swing from the Giants catcher that sent a fastball from Phillies reliver Jordan Romano into Triples Alley - - It ended with Bailey chugging around 3rd base and then getting mobbed by his teammates at home plate after becoming the third catcher in major league history to hit a walk-off, inside-the-park home run - - The three-run homer lifted the Giants to a 4-3 victory that had the Oracle Park crowd roaring as Bailey crossed the plate. . .It was announced on Wednesday that the MLB will use the automated ball-strike challenge system (ABS) during next week's All-Star Game in Atlanta - - The decision comes after the league revealed that it could begin using ABS on a full-time basis starting in 2026 - - In this year's All-Star Game, umpires will call balls & strikes - however, each team will be given two challenges via ABS - successful challenges are retained - - Only pitcher, catchers, and hitters can request for a challenge - - Q: What are your thoughts on the MLB's decision to utilize the ABS system during next week's All-Star Game? Does the use of the ABS system, and essentially its prevention "human-related error" take away some of the "fun" of the game?. . . - NCAA: News & Storylines - "Wanna Feel Old?:" Class of 2026 WR Devin Fitzgerald, son of eleven-time Pro Bowl selection and second all-time NFL receiving yards leader Larry Fitzgerald, has officially committed to Notre Dame, he announced on Saturday night - - Oh, but we're NOT done yet: OLB Thomas Davis Jr., the son of former Carolina Panthers LB Thomas Davis, and WR Kaydon Finley, the son of former Green Bay Packers TE Jermichael Finley - are also 2026 recruits that are currently committed to Notre Dame - - Q: Do you think the unrealistic expectations placed on the offspring of former professional athletes makes it almost impossible to replicate, especially for WR Devin Fitzgerald, whose father is an NFL legend?. . .EA Sports did the University of Kentucky's punter extremely dirty with a "pathetic" rating for the recently released College Football 26 video game - - P Aidan Laros is rated the least tough player in college football according to EA Sports - - The video game gave him a rating that does not apply to any of the other 16,000+ athletes on the FBS level - - While EA Sports considered Laros to be one of the better punters in the SEC Conference

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 93 - "The Man with Multiple Names Episode" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - Miscellaneous - UFC: Jon Jones, 37, considered the greatest mixed martial artist of all time, informed UFC CEO Dana White last Friday (6/20) of his decision to retire from competition - - Following this update, White announced that interim champion Tom Aspinall has been elevated to the undisputed champion - - and according to White's statement last Saturday, the UFC plans to work closely with Aspinall to book his first title defense, which would equal the match total that Jones defended the title belt throughout his 27-month title reign, in a TKO victory over Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in November of last year - - A bout between Jones and Aspinall was discussed thoroughly among the UFC and media & would have been one of the biggest in UFC heavyweight history, but Jones repeatedly downplayed the potential matchup - which led to the online petition calling for Jones to be stripped of his title, that ultimately garnered approximately 200,000 signatures - - Along with Jones' disinterest in defending his title, his career was heavily impacted by legal issues outside the Octagon, including most recently, after a criminal complaint that was filed against Jones earlier this month for allegedly leaving the scene of a accident back in February - - Q:After confirming his retirement from the UFC, what is Jon "Bones" Jones legacy in the sport? Is his legacy somewhat tarnished by his unwillingness to defend his title and the long "laundry list" of legal issues?. . . - MLB - A 22-year-old fan has been banned indefinitely from all MLB ballparks after yelling something about Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte's late mother during last Tuesday night's game against the Chicago White Sox - - It is not publicly known what the fan said to upset the 11-year veteran, but Marte, 31, was brought to tears by the incident, which occurred while he was at bat in the 7th inning - - Diamondbacks Manager Torey Lovullo heard the comment and asked for the fan to be ejected immediately - - On the following day, Marte received a round of applause during his first at bat - - The White Sox were able to avoid the series sweep in the finale Wednesday with a 7-3 victory, yet Marte went hitless in four at-bats with two strikeouts - - Unfortunately, this is not the first incident this season of a fan "heckling" and/or yelling something inappropriate at a player on the field - but according to the source familiar with the Marte situation, the fan was remorseful for his actions, admitting to his in appropriate comments - - Q: Once again, we are reminded why professional athletes should be allowed to swing on fans that are bold and brazen enough to 'fuck around & find out!' However, it is definitely up for debate as to whether the indefinite ban to all MLB ballparks, is a bit excessive or not - What are your thoughts regarding the MLB's decision to ban the White Sox fan from all ballparks following the Marte incident? (This poor guy already has to endure the misery of being a White Sox fan - - should we show him a little bit of grace?). . ."Happy Bobby Bonilla Day:" Tuesday was the first day for the month of July, and while, to most, it is just another ordinary hot, summer day - but for former MLB player, Bobby Bonilla, it is much, much more - - it is officially time for New York Mets fans everywhere to wish each other a Happy Bobby Bonilla Day - - On Tuesday, 62-year-old Bobby Bonilla will collect a check for approximately $1.19M from the New York Mets, as he has and will continue to do so from 2011 through 2035 - - Although Bonilla has not played for the Mets franchise since 1999, he is one of the rare instances of a former MLB player who continues to receive funds associated with a deferred-money contract - - Everyone is wondering: Why does Bonilla receive this payday each July 1st? It's simple, really - In 2000, the Mets agreed to buy out the remaining $5.9 million on Bonilla's contract, however, instead of paying Bonilla the $5.9 million at the time, the Mets agreed to make annual payments of nearly $1.2 million for 25 years starting July 1st, 2011, including a negotiated 8% interest - - At the time, Mets ownership was invested in an account of former University of Alabama graduate (and prosecuted criminal), Bernie Madoff, that promised double-digit returns, and the Mets were poised to make a significant profit if the Madoff account delivered - but of course, and unfortunately for the Mets franchise, the Madoff account did not pay off and Bobby Bonilla would continue to receive a check each year. - NCAA: News & Storylines - NCAA College Baseball: 2025 Men's College World Series Championship Series Catch-Up - - Game 1: No.6 LSU Tigers (52-15) vs. No.13 Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (56-12): Ace pitcher Kade Anderson, who is No.3 in Keith Law's latest MLB mock draft, t

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 92 - "The Minister of D'fence Episode" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - Miscellaneous - PGA: J.J. Spaun, 36, turned a sloppy mess of a U.S. Open at a wet and nasty Oakmont into a thing of beauty at the end of Sunday with two stunning shots that carried him to his first major championship after he finished the 2024 season ranked No.119 in the world with only one PGA tour title in his career - - The first shot came on the driving range with a 314-yard ball-buster that landed on the green on the 17th hole for a birdie that gave him the lead, and the second came on an incredible 64-foot putt for birdie on the 18th hole, to secure a two shot victory & his first major championship - - Spaun finished his storybook U.S. Open nailing the longest putt all week at Oakmont, and was the only player to finish under par at 1-under 279 - - While the PGA event at Oakmont largely lived up to the hype, it was a calamity for so many others, including veteran Adam Scott, who was attempting to become the first player to go more than eleven years between major titles (and was always a valid selection on the old Nintendo 64 PGA video games) was tied for the lead with five holes to play, but one of the best drivers could no longer find the fairway, finishing the event shooting 5-over par with a final score of 79. . ."A Return of the Glizzy Goat:" Joey Chestnut, the competitive eating legend, announced on Monday that he will be returning to the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest after a one-year hiatus from the annual Fourth of July event - - Chestnut, the 16-time "Glizzy" champion, missed last year's event due to a dispute with the Major League Eating (yes! it's thing) over his sponsorship deal with the brand, Impossible Foods, a company that manufactures "plant-based" hot dogs - - Chestnut returns to the annual hot-dog eating contest as the record-holder after consuming 76 hot dogs & buns in 2021, but he will definitely look to top that total in 2025. . .Q: Does Joey Chestnut top his current record at the 2025 Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest?. . . - NHL - The 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Final was one to remember: three OT periods in the first four games of the series with Oilers' Draisaitl & Panthers' veteran F Brad Marchand trading heroics in the first two, prior to a Panthers' rout in the next game, yet according to most recent statistics, it was one of lowest-viewed Finals in the history of the sport, even after capturing the views of two willing participants in JD & Spencer - - Game 4: The Panthers went up 3-0 early, and it looked as though the Oilers were in serious danger of losing all of the momentum the Canadian team had built, but Oilers Forward Leon Draisaitl scored a goal in OT last Thursday evening to tie the Stanley Cup Final for Edmonton, ensuring that the championship series against the Florida Panthers could not be decided in Game 5 the following Saturday night - - The Oilers would defeat the Panthers 5-4, and the series was then tied a 2-2, setting up Game 5 as another pivotal swing point in the championship series rematch - - Following the Game 4 victory, the Oilers were actually favored to go up 3-2 & were slightly favored to win it all, according to Sportsbook. . .Game 5: Florida Panthers veteran Forward Brad Marchand was at it again in Game 5, scoring twice - - he started by giving Florida a 1-0 lead at 9:12 of the 1st period, giving him six goals in the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in his career, which is the most by any player since Esa Tikkanen with the Oilers in 1988 - - Panthers F Sam Bennett continued his glorius postseason run as he added to his already impressive stat-line with his 15th goal of the playoffs - - and shockingly enough, Oilers' captain Connor McDavid, who had not yet scored a goal through the first four games of the championship series, finally scored a goal on a sweet move in the 3rd period - - but it just wasn't enough as the Panthers would hang on to defeat the Oilers 5-2 to take a 3-2 series lead - - So what was the issue with the Oilers?: A big problem for the Oilers was their lack of chemistry and energy at the onset of the game - - Once again, they trailed after only twenty minutes into Game 5, this time down 2-0 instead of 3-0 like they were in Game 4, but the difference was that the Oilers could not complete the comeback to force OT. . .Game 6: At home, the Florida Panthers won their second straight Stanley Cup trophy in a 5-1 Game 6 romp, led by 11-year veteran Sam Reinhart's four goals - - For a second year in a row, the Florida Panthers conquered the Edmonton Oilers and lifted the Stanley Cup trophy as kings of the NHL - - With three consecutive appearences in the Stanley Cup Final, the Panthers have officially achieved dynasty status. . . - MLB: "The MLB's version of the Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade:" After signing All-Star Alex Bregman, the Boston Red Sox

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 91 - "The Justin I-bet-he Tuck it Episode" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - NHL - Spencer & JD provide a detailed review and individual player analysis for the NHL Stanley Cup Final series between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers - and the games that have occurred within the past week - - This review includes a brief discussion of the first three games of the series, including an OT thriller in Game 1, a back-and-forth matchup that leveled the series in Game 2, and a lopsided victory in Game 3. . .Q: Following the outcome(s) of the first three games of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final, are you still 'confident' in your series projection/prediction prior to the onset of the best-of-seven series?. . . - NFL - "It's Officially Official:" QB Aaron Rodgers has passed his physical - - AND unbeknownst to a significant majority of the world, got married - - and signed a one-year, $13.6 million contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers that includes $10 million guaranteed - - and could be worth up to $19.5 million with incentives, per NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport on Saturday - - Rodgers, who is coming off the two disastrous seasons with the New York Jets, took time in the NFL offseason as an NFL free agent to ponder whether or not he would return to the league for a 21st NFL season, or if he would hang up his cleats & ride off into the sunset on a white horse - - While the four-time MVP was provided plenty of time to weigh his options, nobody (and we mean "NOBODY!") thought that Rodgers would wait, and wait. . . .and wait. . .and wait. . .and wait a little more. . .before he signed with the Steelers, a franchise who has been openly discussed as what was believed to be Rodgers' preferred destination - - Rather than sign in the initial days of free agency like many of his fellow high-profile players untethered to a team, he waited & sorted out whatever needed to be sorted and continued contemplating a return to the NFL for Year No.21 - -Q: What are your thoughts on the way in which QB Aaron Rodgers waited until the very last moment of the offseason to finally sign on with the Pittsburgh Steelers? Realistically, did you think there was ever a legitimate possibility that Rodgers would NOT return next season?. . .Four-time Pro Bowl RB, Nick Chubb, has signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Houston Texans, per Ian Rapoport - - Chubb was one of best available players on the free agent market, and he landed with the Texans on a deal that could pay him up to $5 million with incentives - - Chubb was determined to sign with a new franchise after a return to Cleveland became increasingly unlikely after the Browns drafted RBs Quinshon Judkins & Dylan Sampson in the second and fourth rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft, respectively - - Chubb will join a Texans backfield that, in 2024, featured starter Joe Mixon & a cast of unreliable playmakers - - The move to Houston clears a path to playing time for Chubb, who would have found himself intertwined with the crowded RB room if he re-signed & made a return to Cleveland - - Q: How do you think RB Nick Chubb will perform at Houston next season after he experienced what could have been a career-ending injury during the 2024 season?. . .Two-straight injury-plagued seasons ultimately spelled the end of the Jaire Alexander era in Green Bay - as the Packers released the two-time All-Pro CB, who has spent the past seven years with the franchise, on Monday to end an offseason saga in which the two sides could not seem to negotiate a deal - - While Alexander had planned to report for the Packers' mandatory minicamp that began on Tuesday after skipping each day of the in-person, voluntary workouts, he would not be presented with that opportunity after the team would announce his release the day prior - - Alexander appeared in just seven regular-season games each of the past two seasons and did not play after November 17th last year - - He was placed on the "injured reserve" list the final week of the season & underwent knee surgery on what Alexander stated was a "torn PCL" - - Even with his notable absence, Alexander finished second on the team in pass breakups (7) and tied for second in INTs (2) - - Alexander was a first-round draft pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, and went on to sign a four-year, $84 million contract extension with the Packers, which made him the highest-paid CB in the league at the time - - Alexander, who was an All-Pro in 2020 and 2022, played in just 34 of a possible 68 games since the start of the 2021 NFL season - - Shortly after the 2024 seasons ended, multiple sources privately confirmed that the team no longer wanted to "play the weekly game of whether Alexander would be healthy enough to play," or would be willing to play at anything less than 100% - - Shortly after being released by the Packers, six teams made "immediate" inquiries about the CB's av

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 90 - "The Big Drizzle Episode" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - Miscellaneous - NHL: For only the 12th time in NHL history - and the second time in forty years - the same two teams will face-off again in the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Final: Florida Panthers vs. Edmonton Oilers - - In last year's Finals matchup, the Panthers jumped out to a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series before Edmonton came storming back to eventually tie the series, prior to a heartbreaking loss in Game 7 - - In contrast to the 2008 & 2009 seasons, where the Detroit Red Wings defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins in the '08 final - and the Penguins avenged their loss by defeating the Red Wings in the '09 Finals - - The Oilers are hoping for a very similar outcome & are attempting to win the franchise's first Stanley Cup since 1990 - - and to become the first Canadian franchise to hoist the trophy since Montreal Canadians in 1993 - while reigning champion Florida Panthers, are trying to become the third team this century to repeat as Stanley Cup Champions (i.e., Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 & 2017 and Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020 & 2021) - - JD & Spencer discuss a few of the major storylines in preparation of the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Final between the Panther & Oilers, and such topics as: Oilers forward(s) Connor McDavid & Leon Draisaitl's chance to cement their legacy, the contrast in goaltending consistency, the presence and impact of Panthers forward Brad Marchand & depth scoring - - Q: Will history repeat itself after the heartbreaking loss to the Panthers in 2024, and will the Edmonton Oilers become the first Canada-based team to win the Stanley Cup Final since 1993? Or will the Florida Panthers repeat as Champions, thus possibly establishing an NHL dynasty in the "Sunshine State?". . .Boxing: World Boxing, who has been granted provisional recognition by the IOC Committee, and will therefore, be the governing body over the boxing competitions for the 2028 Olympic Games, announced last Friday that they will introduce mandatory sex testing for all boxers in its competitions - - and furthermore clarified that Paris Olympics Women's Welterweight Champion, Imane Khelif, will not be allowed to compete until she has undergone one of these tests - - In a mission to deliver a competitive-level playing field for men & women across the sport, World Boxing has enforced a mandate that all athletes over the age of 18, must undergo a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) genetic test - which can be conducted by a nasal or mouth swab - to determine the athlete's biological gender. . .Chess: Chess player Magnus Carlsen is, without a doubt, one of the most recognizable faces in the "sport" of Chess - - but on Sunday, we got a brief glimpse into Carlsen's obsessive nature to win, and his raw, unfiltered reaction to unexpectedly losing a chess match - - Not only did Carlsen suffer a stunning upset in a classical matchup against Nineteen year old chess "prodigy," Gukesh Dommaraju at the 2025 Norway Chess Tournament, but a short video clip of his reaction to the "L" found its way onto social media (primarily X/Twitter) that depicted Carlsen slamming both of his fists into the table before shaking his opponent's hand & vicariously walking away - - Carlsen entered the tournament as the No.1-ranked chess player in the world - according to Chess.com - however, it should be no surprise to learn that Gukesh, himself, is currently ranked the fourth best player in the world - - Q: How do you feel about Magnus Carlsen's "temper tantrum" after being handed this "L"?. . .NAIA College Baseball: On Friday night, the LSU-Shreveport Pilots college baseball team might have, arguably, accomplished one of the most difficult feats in sports history: The Pilots defeated Southeastern University (Lakeland, Florida) 13-7 to win the NAIA College Baseball Championship, and to finish the 2025 season with a perfect record of 59-0 - - LSUS became the first college baseball team on record to go undefeated - and they have appeared in the NAIA National Tournament every season dating back to 2005 - - Under HC Brad Neffendorf, the Pilots are a combined 270-49 over the past six seasons, and have been one of the top baseball programs at the NAIA level - - After completing the season with a perfect 59-0 record, LSU-Shreveport was acknowledged by the "World Wide Leader in Sports," or by ESPN, whom of which made mention of the team per their social media account - In the post, ESPN listed some of the most notable stats from the Pilots' 2025 season, and it certainly was surprising to discover that this team was even more impressive than initially thought: The Pilots played only four games decided by one run this season, ranked second at the NAIA level averaging 11.3 runs per game, ranked 3rd with a .361 batting average, has a 2.38 ERA, and finally, led the nation with a .

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 89 - "The Iron Mike Episode" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - Miscellaneous - Congratulations to the Tradition's Finest Duo - - Spencer & his wife got married on Sunday & enjoyed a beautiful wedding ceremony surrounded by their close family & friends . . .while JD & his wife celebrated their seven-year anniversary on Tuesday. . .Ya boys are growing up!. . ."A Penny for You, Thots:" The U.S. Treasury Department has taken a large step toward finally eliminating the penny (or the "one-cent" coin) - - those dull, bronze coins engraved with Abraham Lincoln's face that you randomly see on the ground at every gas station in America - - as the Department recently announced that it placed its final order of penny blanks to print its final batch of these ancient coins that our great-grandfathers used to purchase a gallon of gas from the way-back - - After this new development, it is expected that new pennies will stop being put into circulation around early 2026 - - Both Donald Trump & Barack Obama, the current & former United States President, respectively - as well as both chambers of Congress - have advocated for the elimination of the one-cent coin as rising production costs essentially mean that the coins cost more to print than their overall value or worth - - In February, the U.S. Mint, which is responsible for the printing of all currency within the country, estimated that it lost approximately $85 million in the production of three billion pennies last year (2024). . .Q: Should people begin to "stock up" and/or collect their excess pennies for the possibility of financial gain or increased value in the distant future? Or will the overall value of these one-cent coins continue to dramatically decline as factors such as the use - as well as the ease of access - of debit/credit cards & advancements in technology (i.e., Apple Pay, Venmo, etc.) continue to increase exponentially over time?. . ."Chestnut's Popcorn Rivalry:" Sixteen-time Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest winner, Joey Chestnut, spent his Memorial Day, like most Americans , consuming a large quantity of net carbohydrates & fats - - Chestnut spent his Memorial Day holiday at the Rural King in Terre Haute, Indiana, to take on one of his many food challenges - - Hundreds of residents collectively packed into the Rural King parking lot, for a sole purpose: to watch Joey Chestnut crush his original world record in the consumption of popcorn. . .Chestnut's world record prior to this event is almost unfathomable to imagine - - it included him eating thirty-two 24-oz bags of popcorn in eight minutes! - - On Monday, he would not let the people down as Chestnut went on to break his own world record by wolfing down 42 servings of popcorn in eight minutes. . .Q: Albeit an odd question, how do you generally eat popcorn (i.e., a handful or single?) Do you typically take a bite from each side of the flake OR do you consume it all at once?. . .**Asking for a friend (and co-host). . .. . ."USA! USA! USA!:" Buffalo Sabres star forward Tage Thompson scored the game-winning goal with just over two minutes into the first OT period, and Team USA outlasted Team Switzerland 1-0 in the final of the Ice Hockey World Championship at Avicii Arena on Sunday evening - - This was the first on-ice trophy for United States Hockey in this tournament in 92 years, claiming their last title in 1933 - - Sunday's victory surely cemented Team USA's legacy, but it was also a "storybook ending" that led to an emotional moment on the ice: As the players for Team USA posed for its championship photo at center ice, they made sure to include the No.13 jersey of Johnny Gaudreau, the former NHL & USA Hockey star, who tragically passed away last August along with his brother, Matthew, after they were struck by an alleged drunk driver while cycling in their home state of New Jersey, the night prior to their sister Katie's wedding. . . - MLB - After the Philadelphia Phillies shut out the Colorado Rockies 2-0 last Thursday evening to sweep a four-game series - - the Rockies fell to an 8-42 record this season, which is the worst 50-game start in Major League Baseball's modern era (since 1901) - - Prior to that, the Louisville Colonels had a worse start to begin the 1895 season with a 7-43 record - - Not too long ago, the Rockies had a loaded roster, that included Charlie Blackmon, who spent his entire 14-year career with the franchise, and now, the Rockies are 5-20 at home - - and are on pace to lose 136 games this season, which would pass the 1899 Cleveland Spiders (20-134) for the most losses by an MLB team (by contrast, the Chicago White Sox set the modern-era record with 121 losses in the 2024 season) - - The Rockies have been shut out eight times this season, and their 45 errors through 50 games are the most by an MLB team since the 2019 Seattle Mariners. . .Ronald Acuna Jr. cru

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 88 - "The CD Lamb Episode" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - Miscellaneous - On last Wednesday, the streaming service, Netflix, announced a three-part documentary focused on the life of Colorado Buffaloes' HC Deion "Prime Time" Sanders, that is expected to be available for streaming in 2026 - - The docu-series, which is aptly titled "PRIME TIME," is reported to offer an inside look at Sanders' unique journey from being a two-sport phenom in both baseball & football to becoming the head football coach for the University of Colorado's college football team, as well as his ascent to becoming a significant figure in the media world - - According to the press release as issued by Netflix: "PRIME TIME will provide an in-depth look at one of professional sports' most electrifying and polarizing figures, exploring his evolution from a two-sport pro phenom to a culture-defining coach & media personality. For the first time, Sanders opens up about deeply personal aspects of his life, including his relationship with his biological father, surviving an attempted suicide, and near-death health scares,". . .Following the fall in draft stock for both of his sons - Shilo & most notably Shedeur - Deion began to receive a significant amount of criticism concerning his ability to develop players' on- or off-the-field as well as to whether Deion's persona & media-centric personality is a negative or positive influence on the college football program & for those closely associated with him. . .Q: Do you think that this three-part docu-series is being released to provide viewers with a more suitable representation of the "real Deion Sanders?" Are you looking forward to watching this documentary about Sanders? Is it more likely to foster a change in the way in which Sanders is viewed in the media, or to "add more fuel to the fire?". . .PGA: Three hundred & sixty-six days after the release of his booking mugshot following the unfortunate events that occurred at last year's PGA Championship, Scottie Scheffler, the world's No.1 golfer, raised the Wanamaker Trophy for everyone to see last Sunday after he captured his third career major at the 107th PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club - - Scheffler posted an even-par 71 in the final round of the event, which led to a five-stroke victory over Harris English, Bryson DeChambeau & Davis Riley - - At the onset of the final day of the event, it seemed inevitable that Scheffler would walk away with his third major, but of course, he remained true to form, and flirted with a dramatic finish - as early on & after taking a turn for the worst, Scheffler found himself tied with the Spainard, Jon Rahm - before stepping on the gas on the back nine. . .On the "Green Mile," which is the name/title aptly issued to Quail Hollow's treacherous three-hole closing stretch, Rahm ultimately imploded - which allowed Scheffler to swiftly improve his match standing, and finally, pull out his third career major event title. . .Former NFL & Pittsburgh Steelers WR Antonio Brown was briefly detained by Miami-Dade Police Department early Saturday after an altercation occurred, which led to gunshots being fired outside of a celebrity boxing event, hosted by popular streamer Adin Ross - - Multiple video clips were posted to social media that showed Brown involved in a fight with several people outside the boxing event, and after which point, he was seen apparently holding a pistol as he pursued someone. . .Brown posted to social media that he had been "jumped by multiple individuals who tried to steal [his] jewelry and cause physical harm to [him],". . .Q: Does it seem as though that people have forgotten that Antonio Brown is a former NFL player?. . .While his style might be somewhat unconventional, it should be noted that he was a professional athlete, and in more instances than not, these are NOT the type of people you want to pick a fight with. . .According to a shocking new report that was released per The New York Times, 24-year-old Jordon Hudson has informed "at least one person" that she is "engaged" to be married to University of North Carolina head coach & 73-year-old Bill Belichick. . .Q: What are your thoughts regarding the possibility that Jordon Hudson & Bill Belichick are engaged? Do you believe that the news is legitimate or is it merely a rumor?. . . . - NCAA: News & Storylines - NCAA College Basketball: After withdrawing his name from the 2025 NBA Draft, former Arkansas Razorbacks guard Boogie Fland, announced that he had entered the NCAA transfer portal - - On Monday, Fland, the No.8 player available in the transfer portal according to CBS Sports, reportedly visited the University of Florida. . .It was not long afterwards, that ESPN first reported that Fland had officially committed to Todd Golden & the defending champion Florida Gators - - this was a major addi

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 87 - "The Taylor Swift's Boyfriend Episode" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - MLB - The Colorado Rockies fired GM Bud Black on Sunday, just one day after suffering an embarrassing twenty-one-run loss to the San Diego Padres at Coors Field. . .Despite the tragedy that is the Chicago White Sox, collectively, the Rockies players within their dugout seem to have lost their "spark" for the sport of baseball - as Colorado is off to an MLB-worst 7-33 start to the 2025 season - even after defeating the Padres 9-3 on Sunday in an attempt to remedy the pain following their 21-run loss the day prior. . .Even with the Rockies' victory over the Padres on Sunday, the team officially has the worst 40-game start in MLB history since 1988 (i.e., the Baltimore Orioles: 6-34). . .It's not very often that we - as a sports-affiliated podcast - have the opportunity to embrace the influence and overall impact that we have on the sports community and just the sports world, in general - - In last week's episode & during the "FAQ segment," Spencer & JD discussed & debated the topic of whether or not former MLB players, such as but not limited to Pete Rose, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa & Barry Bonds should be allowed into the Pro Baseball Hall of Fame after their controversial, yet isolated, incidents as it relates to sports gambling and/or the use of PEDs (or performance-enhancing drugs) - - Clearly, we did NOT contribute in any way and/or influence the MLB Commissioner's decision regarding this particular topic (*In other words, it is nothing more than a coincidence that we discussed this particular topic the week prior - - and we did like to think that, maybe - just maybe - we did influence this story primarily because it was a massive "ego boost!") - - In a historic, sweeping decision made last Tuesday, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announced the removal of Pete Rose, "Shoeless" Joe Jackson, and other deceased MLB players from the league's permanently ineligible list. . .Manfred ruled that the league-issued punishment of being banned from the sport of baseball, ends after the player is deceased - - therefore, Rose is now presumably eligible for election into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. . .Q: What are your thoughts regarding MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred's decision or declaration that former players who have been banned from the sport, are no longer banned after death?. . .Are we really going to have to wait the next thirty to forty years for players such as McGwire, Sosa & Bonds to pass away before witnessing them being inducted into the Pro Baseball Hall of Fame?. . . - NCAA: News & Storylines - NCAA College Football: Last Friday morning, a report was released that University of North Carolina head football coach Bill Belichick's 24-year-old girlfriend, Jordan Hudson, had been "banned" from the UNC Athletic facilities - - A few hours later, UNC, per On3 Sports, was forced into a corner and once again, would need to publicly acknowledge the strange personal life of their legendary head coach - - In a lengthy statement posted via social media, the University declined the report that Hudson had been banned from the on-campus athletic facilities - while also making sure to acknowledge within the statement that she "is not an employee at the University or Carolina Athletics," - - The denial comes on the [Tar] heels of the latest episode of Pablo Torre Finds Out, a national podcast channel from Meadowlark Media Group that features former ESPN & Around the Horn sports analyst, Pablo Torre - According to Torre, two sources with direct ties to the North Carolina Athletic Department reported that Hudson was "no longer allowed in the football building or on the team's practice field," - and Torre also reported that a source close to Bill Belichick's family indicated that there is "deep worry about how detrimental Hudson can be for [Belichick's] reputation,". . .Q: What are your thoughts regarding the way in which this particular story involving UNC HC Bill Belichick & his 24-year-old girlfriend have come about? Do you have any personal theories on this story? At this rate, would it shock you if Bill Belichick is not the Tar Heels head football coach by Week 1 of the 2025-26 college football season?. . .Per On3 Sports, a potential 16-team college football playoff bracket is "gaining support" by both the Big Ten & SEC Conference(s) after an in-person meeting last Thursday in New York - - The 16-team bracket would include four automatic bids for both Conferences (i.e., Big Ten & SEC) while the ACC and Big 12 Conference(s) would each get two automatic berths - the Group of 6 would get one, and finally, the final three spots would be "at-large" bids - - In addition, "inner-league-play-in-games" could also be in the cards at the end of the college football season, which would set up the following type of

Episode 86 - "The Heinz Ward Episode" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - Miscellaneous - Throughout our brief existence as a sports-affiliated podcast, we can almost assure you that we have never discussed Horse racing, NHL Hockey & the Announcement of a new Pope in a single sitting - - but leave it to us to group these three topics into one GIANT category, aka our "Miscellaneous" category this week So, let's go- After a full day of rain at Churchill Downs, all 19 horses were forced to run through very muddy conditions At the 151st Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs - located in Louisville, Kentucky (shocker, I know. . . ) - the Bill Mott-trained horse, Sovereignty, who prior to the race, closed at 7-1 odds, would go on to win the first leg of the Triple Crown, crossing the finish line at 2:02.31 - while the early-morning favorite, Journalism, who closed at 3-1 odds, would come in second place. . .Per ESPN on Wednesday evening, the "Utah Mammoth" has been revealed as the new name for the Utah Hockey Club, and permanent identity for the NHL franchise after a lengthy 13-month process that included over 800k ballots cast by fans in multiple rounds of voting - - "Tusk Up?". . .The Utah Hockey Club was the temporary name used by the club in its inaugural 2024-25 NHL season after the Smith Entertainment Group purchased the Arizona Coyotes franchise & made the decision to relocate the franchise to Salt Lake City. . .I think we can all agree that the one factor about the NHL that separates it from other professional sports leagues, are clearly their team logos (although, like most other sports leagues, the team name/mascot for a particular city generally seems inappropriately "out of place") - - for example, when is the last time you encountered a Grizzly Bear in Memphis? Or heard "Jazz" [music] playing in Utah?. . .On Thursday, just after 6 p.m. local time, white smoke began to rise from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City - - which symbolized that the papal conclave had reached the two-thirds majority vote necessary for a new Pope to be crowned. . .Hailing from the United States, the home of the Chicago Bulls & the Chicago White Sox, Robert Francis Prevost has been elected as the leader of the Roman Catholic Church - - The new pontiff, Prevost, has chosen to go by the name Leo XIV & will assume the role of the new Pope - just two weeks after the passing of Pope Francis at the age of 88. . .Of course, each story that we encounter, we attempt to view it from a different lens; Most of the time, I ask myself a very simple question when listening to the news: "Will it Sport?" - - This concept is very simple. . .No matter what you are reading, what you hear or see on television, your computer screen - - Ask yourself this very simple question. . .In other words, is there a way to integrate the topic of sports into the topic and/or news story? - - Instantly, when it was announced that there was a new Pope, and that he was from the United States, I KNEW IT WOULD SPORT! = Pope Leo XIV graduated from the University of Villanova in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Mathematics, and he was actually glued to the television screen a few years ago when Kris Jenkins hit the game-winning shot in the NCAA College Basketball National Championship Game to win Wildcats HC Jay Wright his first (of two) championships. . . - MLB - A Pittsburgh Pirates fan remains in critical condition after falling from the 21-foot high Clemente Wall in right field at PNC Park during last Wednesday night's game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs. . .The man was identified on Thursday as Kavan Markwood, who was a 2022 graduate & standout athlete from the Southern Allegheny School District, and was the MVP of the football team his Senior year. . .An update was provided on the following Wednesday that Markwood had suffered a broken neck, back & collarbone - - and despite his injuries, he is now awake, alert & able to speak - and he even stated in an interview that he remains in pain and self-described his injuries as the feeling that he "broke everything,". . .Markwood obviously still has a long road to recovery ahead of him, but we are all pulling for this guy. . .As of last Saturday evening, the GoFundMe page set up for Markwood had raised approximately $28,000 to contribute to his recovery. . . - NCAA: News & Storylines - For months, Clemson head football coach Dabo Swinney had joked with Ian Schieffelin that the 6-foot-8 PF for the Tigers' men's basketball team would make an excellent TE, but Schieffelin assumed it all was all in good fun - - Fast forward to two weeks ago, however, Schieffelin received a call from HC Dabo Swinney with a serious proposition: Swinney requested for Schieffelin to spend the next six months with the Tigers football team & see what happens. . .Schieffelin announced on his IG account on Friday that he is taking Swinney up