Tradition's Finest Episode 79 - "The Nineteen[79] Episode"

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 79 - “The Nineteen[79] Episode” includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - NBA - At this point, it does not seem like a debatable topic: there is harmful and/or hazardous waste circulating within the water supply in Texas, more specifically in the regions of San Antonio and Dallas - and we aren't referring to fluorine, or to that "poisonous waste" dispelled from the Montesanto fertilizer plant - or the Erin Brockovich-type waste that was causing the people in that California community a laundry list of significant health concerns - nope! This hazardous material in the water leads to an excess of injuries, especially when combined with physical activity & non-sedentary lifestyle (Okay, so maybe there aren't any "poisonous" chemicals in the water supply of these two towns). . .but there is certainly "something" that is affecting the NBA players within both, the San Antonio Spurs & Dallas Mavericks, organizations in terms of player injuries. . . It was first reported last Thursday that Spurs guard De'Aaron Fox will miss the remainder of the NBA season with a "finger injury," - Fox underwent season-ending surgery to repair the tendon damage in his left pinky finger. . .Then, on the following Monday, ESPN reporter Bobby Marks, reported that the Dallas Mavericks (the other team drinking from that "well") "are at risk of forfeiting games due to injuries and salary cap rules," - as the Mavericks currently have nine players sidelined due to a list of specified injuries, and are barely meeting the active player minimum for an NBA roster. . .Also, on Monday, the team announced that All-Star PF Anthony Davis is being sent to the Mavericks' NBA G-League affiliate, the Texas Legends, to get some 5-on-5 work in as he prepares for his return from a left adductor strain that he suffered shortly after being traded to the franchise by the L.A. Lakers. . .Q: What do you think - based on the "state" of the Dallas Mavericks' franchise & their injury-plagued team, should Anthony Davis return to the court this season or should he be allowed to recover, and return in 2025?. . . - NFL - The San Francisco 49ers announced last Friday that they signed QB Mac Jones to a two-year, $8 million deal - throughout Jones' four-year career with the Patriots (2021-23) and most recently with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2024), he has appeared in 52 games with 49 starts and holds a 65.9% completion percentage & a passer rating of 84.9 - Obviously, in a contract year for starting QB Brock Purdy, Jones will serve as the backup QB to a Niners team with solid wideouts & an offense built for success - Q: How does the signing of Mac Jones affect QB Brock Purdy? Or does it affect him or his production at all?. . . Former LA Rams WR Cooper Kupp recently agreed to terms on a three-year, $45 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks, the team announced last Friday evening - Kupp, who grew up roughly 140 miles SE of Seattle, attended Eastern Washington University prior to being selected by the Rams in the 2017 NFL Draft - Q: What are your thoughts on the Seahawks' signing of veteran WR Cooper Kupp? With the addition of QB Sam Darnold, Is Cupp a "good fit" for a Darnold-style offense?. . . The Cincinnati Bengals reached extensions with WR's Ja'Marr Chase & Tee Higgins, as reported by Fox Sports on Sunday - Chase agreed to a four-year, $161 million deal (with an annual average salary of $40.25 million), which now breaks the NFL record for the highest average annual salary for a non-QB. . .while Higgins agreed to a four-year, $115 million deal that is guaranteed for the first two years - QB Joe Burrow now has his top targets secured. . .Q: But, what about the Bengals defense?. . .The Houston Texans agreed to sign All-Pro CB Derek Stingley Jr. to a record extension - agreeing to sign Stingley to a three-year extension worth $90 million including $89 million guaranteed - With an average salary of $30 million per year, Stingley is now the highest paid defensive back in NFL history - and the CB market has completely been reset. . .Q: Was CB Derek Stingley Jr. necessarily worth an annual average salary of $30 million per year?. . . - NCAA Men's College Basketball - The South Alabama Jaguars Men's basketball team's season is officially over after the NCAA botched the invitational process, sending an invitation to Jaguars' HC Richie Riley. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the NIT/South Alabama situation?. . .In the lead-up to our NCAA Tournament Preview & Prediction Showcase this week, let's discuss a few of the major topics/storylines heading into the tournament: According to Duke Blue Devils HC Jon Scheyer, star freshman Cooper Flagg will play in the upcoming NCAA Tournament after suffering an ankle injury in the first half of the ACC Conference Tournament Quarterfinal game versus Georgia Tech - Flagg would go on to miss the remainder of the ACC Tournament, however, the resilient Blue Devils were able to deliver a Conference Tournament - but we have to mention a segment of their journey: In the ACC Semifinal game versus rival North Carolina, all signs were pointing to the possibility of Duke losing to UNC without Cooper Flagg, however, Tar Heels' Jae'Lyn Withers stepped over the line - literally! - Withers committed a lane violation with 4.1 seconds remaining in the game - which would lead to the Blue Devils' 74-71 victory & possibly one of the biggest mishaps in recent college basketball history. . .The University of Florida experienced no real bumps on their way to being crowned the 2025 SEC Conference Tournament Champions - the Gators also scored 104 points in the Tournament Semifinal game versus the Alabama Crimson Tide, which was a new record for the most points scored in an game in SEC Conference Tournament history. . . St. John's defeated Creighton 82-66 to win their first Big East Conference crown in 25 years under HC Rick Pitino - and were rewarded the No.2 seed in the West Region of the NCAA Tournament. . .University of Iowa HC Fran McCaffery was recently dismissed after 15 seasons with the Hawkeyes, the school announced on Friday - McCaffery is the school's all-time wins leader with 297 & a record 143 Big Ten Conference victories - In his 15 seasons, he led the Hawkeyes to seven NCAA Tournament appearances, advancing to the 2nd round four time, but never reaching the Sweet Sixteen - the Hawkeyes consistently produced some of the nation's best offenses under McCaffery, ranking in the top 20 in adjusted offensive efficiency. . .Q: Who would be a good replacement for McCaffery at Iowa?. . .It was announced on Wednesday that NC State had reached an agreement with Will Wade to become the Wolfpack's next HC - Wade is set to coach the McNeese Cowboys, who will take on the 5-seed Clemson Tigers, in an opening round game on Thursday. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the "timing" of this announcement? Does it have an overall effect of the team in their first round matchup on Thursday?. . . On Selection Sunday, the SEC Conference made history - breaking the previous record for the most teams sent to the NCAA Tournament, 11, which was set by the Big East back in 2011 - as a record 14 (out of 16) teams received the invite. . . After suffering an injury in the first half versus Florida in the SEC Conference Tournament, Alabama PF Grant Nelson is "questionable" for Friday's game versus Robert Morris - as was announced by Crimson Tide HC Nate Oats on Monday. . .Q: Did the North Carolina Tar Heels deserve to make the the NCAA Tournament over the West Virginia Mountaineers?. . .On Wednesday evening, the University of Indiana announced that they have hired former WVU HC Darian DeVries as the program's next HC. . .In the "First Four' on Tuesday night, Alabama State defeated St. Francis (PA) with a full-court heave of a pass that led to a GW bucket with 0.7 seconds left - securing the No.16 seed for the Alabama State Hornets - Up Next: the No.1 overall seed Auburn Tigers. . . The North Carolina Tar Heels were "focused" and left no doubt in their game vs. SDSU on Tuesday night - guard RJ Davis finished the game with six 3-pointers & 26 points - as UNC dominated the Aztecs 95-68 to secure the No.11 seed & to silence the critics. . . - NCAA Tournament Preview & Prediction Showcase: JD & Spencer provide in-depth, detailed analysis for each matchup in the first two rounds of the 2025 NCAA Tournament (i.e., Round of 64 & Round of 32), and provide their independent/individual pick predictions. . .JD & Spencer reveal the sixteen teams who advanced into their predicted "Sweet 16". . . Thanks for Listening!