Set 2: Could an MLB Team go 162-0? (w/ Jay Bilas)

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Izzy, I had my boots on the ground in Chapel Hill, North Carolina,

trying to get to the bottom of what's going on with their basketball program.

I found out nothing.

I found Taylor's jersey hanging in a local bar in Chapel Hill,

but I found out nothing.

And that's why we're going to have Jay Billisaw in about 15 minutes

because the boots were on the ground,

but the people weren't walking towards the boots

and weren't giving me the information that I needed.

And so I come back from Chapel Hill.

I did my best not knowing who the next North Carolina head coach is going to bid.

Do you think maybe part of your problem is you were getting that information

or trying to get that information at bars?

Well, I was trying to find Taylor's jersey because I didn't believe

that one actually hung at a bar in Chapel Hill,

but I was wrong because I found it and it was hanging.

It was hanging on a wall.

It's a popular bar there.

I can't remember the name.

It was right next to my hotel.

It's Santa Bob's.

But all I remember is Taylor's jersey hanging right next to the men's bathroom.

How about that?

So I tried to tip you off.

That the jersey, yes, it's there.

But when you were going through, I said,

I just have to warn you, it's an terrible spot.

It's like right by the bathroom.

It couldn't be closer.

How many jerseys are on the wall, roughly, in better spots?

Oh, a lot of jerseys.

Yeah.

A ton of jerseys.

So did you actually have to do work to get that jersey up there, Taylor?

Or was that sort of like right of passage?

I went there so much while I was in school that a bunch of guys from the team

that also went there gave their jerseys to Santa Bob's.

And then Santa Bob's is the one that got him framed and placed them.

I used to be right by the entrance.

And then they did like renovations.

Right.

And somewhere in the renovations, I got bumped to the bathroom.

Well, perhaps they realized whose jerseys were hanging in that place.

And they said, let's rearrange these things.

Why is Vipple is out front?

We hear this guy's shit.

The most embarrassing thing from that jersey framing.

Stu, I don't know if you noticed, but under where the jerseys is,

there's a picture of me playing football.

And that was after my sophomore year.

And they were like, hey, we need a picture of you while you played.

Oh, boy.

And I was like, hey, I don't have a picture of me playing.

Those are few and far between, sir.

Yes.

I'm like, I'm a sophomore walk on receiver.

You're not going to find too many action photos.

So what they had to do was they gave me the uniform.

And made me come in on an off day to do a photo shoot for this jersey frame.

Oh, I just showed it to you.

Yes.

It looks like whatever opposed photo from like a yearbook.

Yes.

So that photo was probably taken at about 7 a.m. on a Saturday morning during spring.

Wow.

I mean, if you're going to get hung up on, what's the name of the place?

What bubs?

Pan-tana bubs.

Pan-tana bubs.

You got to do what you got to do, you know?

Yes.

Well, I walked into Pantana bubs and I asked Bob or Pantana or whoever.

I said, where is the Vipolis jersey?

And they said, who?

You give me a couple more years here doing this podcast.

Oh, yeah.

And the radio show on Fox Sports Radio.

Legend.

That's going to be the first stop that they he stopped on the perspective students tour.

You'll be doing a live show from there pretty soon.

I guarantee it.

I'm telling you, this puts a lot of pressure.

When I saw you do that video.

Yes.

I was like, I just put a lot of pressure on Taylor for our flag football team.

Because not only was he a walk on, but he's a famous walk on.

Right.

He has his jersey somehow retired by the shitter of a sub place.

Yes.

But with no action photos.

I mean, there's action in that photo.

Yeah, there's actually there's that the longest you wore the uniform.

Uh, no, some of the games I'm just standing on the sideline just, just roasting in the

Carolina sun.

That's how you can do the weight.

I was at the, uh, the Northwestern North Carolina lacrosse game.

What a game.

Oh, a rematch of the national championship from a year ago.

Northwestern won that game.

It's the first time Carolina has lost at home in like two years.

And the last time they lost was to Northwestern.

It was a great game.

But Taylor spent the entire time texting me because he's watching it on TV.

And he's like, Hey, Bella checks there.

He's in the house to which I responded.

Bella check went to North Carolina simply to watch lacrosse.

Like that's all he does.

He loves lacrosse.

They have a men's and women's team.

They're two of the best programs in the country.

And all he does, I'm told this is some told boots on the ground.

Okay.

Is he hangs around the lacrosse practice?

I mean, perhaps you should hang around the football practice.

I don't know.

So Taylor, your girlfriend was not exaggerating at all.

When you said, when she told us you are always watching sports.

Because if you're watching a women's lacrosse, I know it's stews.

But how do you find it?

Like, were you going to watch that anyway?

Or were you just watching it because stew was there?

So this is a new world for you, Izzy.

ESPN Plus has got everything you could possibly want.

All of them.

Yeah, but the thing is you want it is my boy.

I don't think I would ever want that.

I'm a sports guy through and through.

And I was really only watching that game because I knew stew was at the game.

Right.

Yes.

But for the most part, I've kind of been on the record.

I'm not watching much movies.

I'm not watching much TV shows.

If there's a Matt game on Tuesday, you can bet your ass.

I'm going to be watching it.

And if there was a game to watch, women's lacrosse, I understand people aren't interested.

I understand why I get it.

Okay.

But if there was a game to watch, last night was the game of the regular season.

That's fine.

I get it.

I was just shocked because when you were talking and you said,

Oh, there's this great.

And then Tyler just Taylor.

Taylor just jumped right in and said great game.

I was like, wait a second.

What are we talking about?

Did I hear you right?

Yeah.

And he actually just jumped in and say great game on a lacrosse game.

And he watched it from start to finish.

He did.

I believe he did.

But Taylor also has tried to convince me.

And I think he sent a message to my daughter last night, which is totally cool.

I love that.

I love the bond.

I love the friendship.

I love the support, Taylor.

Thank you for that.

But he said, I tried to convince your dad that when I watch women's lacrosse,

I'm rooting for Northwestern.

He doesn't believe me.

He thinks I'm rooting for North Carolina.

That's the truth.

I don't believe him.

First off, is he?

Yeah.

It was a great game.

Every time Carolina scored, Northwestern had an answer.

Yeah.

And they forced that game to overtime.

Yes.

Great save by the goalie.

But also, when it comes to Carolina, yes, I'm a Carolina fan.

Carolina basketball, Carolina football, even Carolina baseball.

Yeah.

Let's do the Humphrey sisters playing Carolina lacrosse.

They're good.

They, it does nothing for me though.

Really?

If I could?

No, they're, they're really good.

Oh, no, no.

I mean, she's unbelievable.

I mean, number, number two on North Carolina.

I can't remember her first name.

Is it Chloe Humphrey?

There's three of them.

She was, there's three sisters.

They played together.

Obviously, they're entire lives.

They know exactly where, where the others going to be.

One of them was the player of the year last year in college lacrosse.

But is my point to that is, I'm not rooting for people that I don't really know,

whereas for the Northwestern team, I have a connection to that team.

I, I want to see Stu Gotts' family succeed.

If I think Northwestern winning is going to make Stu Gotts' family happy

and help Rachel's legacy getting a second title, I'm rooting for that.

Thank you.

Did you know much about the Northwestern team before?

You were following Stu Gotts' daughter's career?

No, not really.

Before being honest.

So you, so you never had a tie to it.

It was just, you would have just been cheering for long.

Just my school.

Yes.

Okay.

I mean, that's fair.

And it, it is a lot of time though, like to watch an entire lacrosse game out of your day.

But hey, I mean, this is part of your job.

I mean, what are you doing?

You're even killed.

You're fair.

You care about people.

You, you know, you don't judge.

No, this is not, this is complete surprise.

I'm shocked.

So this is the level of sports fandom we're talking about.

But I'm also wondering, maybe it's just his job.

So you're surprised just that Taylor is, you're questioning whether or not Taylor's fandom

for women's lacrosse is genuine.

Again, not questioning complete surprise when he said great game.

I was like, did I just hear that right?

Or did I hear something entirely different?

Did you accidentally say basketball?

And Stu, if we're going to be honest, I probably turned off the game at halftime

and switched over to Netflix's baseball.

Oh, you missed it.

Pretty classic.

I mean, you missed a classic.

How'd you know about the save and overtime, though?

I mean, geez.

Boxcore.

Northwestern goalie stood on her head.

I mean, she was unbelievable.

You were watching NBA last night, is he?

I was definitely watching NBA.

Heater's big win and Cleveland break that losing streak.

Jesus.

But I was.

There were so many more interesting things that happened in the NBA last night than that.

I know so many great dunks last night in general, but I'm curious, Taylor.

What did you think of that Netflix pregame show?

Because I didn't watch any of it, but I listened to some reviews last night,

and it was pretty Netflix heavy.

All right.

Thank you for bringing it to opening day.

It started last night.

Taylor's Yankees got a win.

That's what he was watching.

Now I have reason to question him.

The Yankees get off to a win.

The Mets are playing.

As we record this, there are five, two on the pirates.

They put up five runs on Paul Schien.

Right.

And now it was Paul Schien's fault.

Neil Cruz.

Disaster class in center field right now.

It doesn't matter.

No one pays attention to that.

No one knows who O'Neill is.

I thought the runs were earned.

Yeah, but they were.

They were.

They were.

But it should have been ruled an error.

Yeah.

What's going to happen here is people are going to start to question whether or not skiing should

have pitched in the world baseball class.

I mean, I'm just telling you right now, that's what's going to, that's what school will

didn't do it.

I mean, the trader.

I mean, seriously.

But they're going to start to question that.

And so is he the heat one last night?

The Celtics beat Oklahoma City.

That was interesting.

And bead came back last night.

The NBA.

For me, it's just starting right now.

I mean.

So Taylor, how was that pregame Netflix coverage for baseball?

I'm not sure where Stu was trying to take me there.

I forgot about that.

I just hopped off a plane.

And I'm thinking about lacrosse and the Metra scored five on fucking skiing.

How about that?

The essence skiing stands for shitty starter.

So is he?

I'm going to be careful here.

Because I love Netflix.

If Netflix ever wants to partner with us.

Yeah.

I love Netflix.

Let me be the first to preface that.

Yes.

However, that baseball game last night was a two and a half hour Netflix commercial.

So they were rolling every person in the WWE roster.

Yeah.

Because WWE now partners with Netflix.

We missed the first ABS challenge system in MLB history because they were interviewing

the Giants manager.

Was it successful?

Hmm.

It was an unsuccessful challenge.

I believe that helmet's going to Cooperstown.

I could guess till the end of time and never name the Giants manager.

Tony Vittello from Tennessee.

Oh, Tony V.

Then the score bug is, I don't know if you saw the score bug.

I did.

Disaster.

Where was it?

It was it like placed in a weird spot or was it bottom right corner?

It was in the bottom right.

Okay.

But anytime they went to an interview, they dropped the score bug.

So you couldn't tell what was really going on in the game.

And then also a staple to a score bug is saying who's pitching?

Who's hitting?

Yeah.

The font that they used was so small you needed a magnifying glass.

Really?

I mean.

Wow.

I keep laughing because I did this little fireside chat with Ted Cerandos, I think is his name.

The head of Netflix just for the NBA a few years ago.

And one of my questions was because I looked up this sort of infamous quote that he had had in the past.

And it said, are you interested?

They were asking about it.

Live sports.

And he's like, no, I'm not interested in live sports because I'm interested in profit.

And I'm like, now he's got live sports all over the place and probably not doing it that great.

He's probably got to be shaking his head to be like, man, we should have stayed out.

So James Winston couldn't save baseball.

I mean, was he one of those people?

He's part of Netflix's coverage.

So it was James Winston, the, the Usos from the WWE and is he throwing out the first pitch?

Was the show Wednesday, the, the spin off to the hand?

Was it the hand?

It was the thing.

Oh my god.

What's the name of that?

The Adam's family.

Yeah, yeah.

Yeah, of course, right.

The thing threw out the first picture.

Or tempted to throw them out first.

Did it just walk it to the plate?

How did that even work?

I didn't see it.

I think I was watching the Northwestern game still.

Now that's intriguing.

Now I got to look that up.

It's the only thing about last night's game I need to look up.

The thing has better stuff than skins.

This is my favorite time of the year on the baseball calendar.

Yes.

Because every team thinks that they've got a chance going into the season at the Marley.

Yes.

Every team's O and O, Taylor.

Yes.

Like, except for the Yankees, they're 1-0 and the team they played is O and 1.

So the Yankees start 1-0.

And one of the reasons why it was the first time I was in the NBA was that I was in the NBA.

I was in the NBA.

I was in the NBA.

I was in the NBA.

I was in the NBA.

I was in the NBA.

I was in the NBA.

The only reason why it's my favorite time of the year is because it makes me think of this Mike Francesca call

where you think about how well a team could do in a season and Ricardo is going to play it right now.

Okay.

Nick and New Jersey.

What's up, Nick?

Hey, Mike.

I was just wondering what the Yankees and the baseball in general.

Do you ever see a team going undefeated in the regular season?

That being as dominant as the Pats and the Dolphins where they were on the table?

162 and O?

Yeah.

Yeah, like a team being that dominant.

Do you think that could be the fact that it happened in baseball?

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah.

It's not serious, right?

It's not like we've seen anybody come close to 162 and O?

Well, didn't the Yankees have won your 120?

Okay.

Wait, wait, wait.

Yankees didn't win 120.

They won 111 in the regular season.

But still, the only 50 games away.

50, not all game, 50 games away.

Yeah, but they had 110 wins.

They were good, but they weren't as dominant as the Patriots or other teams that have...

Wait, wait.

So you think a team that you're comparing winning 16 games to winning 162?

Well, obviously football has less games.

They can have one more game.

Football has more less games, really.

Yeah.

You think they have less games?

No, I know football.

They have 16.

Right.

And the others have a hundred and six.

So you think a team could go 162 and O?

If they were that dominant, yeah.

If they had like RV...

Right.

So you think that to either...

Right.

Because the best team of all...

Now, the best team of all time, I don't know what team you consider the best team of all time.

What team do you consider the best place for the team of all time?

Maybe that murder is really Yankees team.

Okay.

Now, what do you think...

Now, that team played 154 games scheduled.

How many games do you think they won?

Oh, I don't know.

Maybe...

How many games did they lost though?

How many did they think they lost?

Maybe...

Probably 40.

Right.

So, how would you get from 40 to zero?

Well, they would need to be a lot better, obviously.

Let me know when it happens.

Okay.

Because I want to like watch.

I think about it.

I'm telling you, folks.

John and Breezy Point, what's up, John?

Hi, Mike.

What's happened?

What mental is silent?

I have no idea.

I have no idea.

Taylor.

Taylor.

How long have an undefeated streak?

Does the team have to start the season with before Mike's like,

I'm a little worried.

You would have to probably get to the...

You would probably have to get to like around the all-star break.

Right.

But...

It's my favorite thing in the year.

Just keeping track of who's the closest to going 162 and 0.

Yes.

And then once that final team loses, you kind of just have to replay this clip.

You know, it's like a roller wins though, right?

Before we get to Jay Billis, the caller wins just merely by staying on the phone that long with Francesa.

Yes.

And it's even longer than that.

I had to edit this down.

I cut this call down from like six minutes to two minutes.

That caller's calling and expecting to be hung up on.

If you put in those arguments to JetGPT, I'm pretty sure the caller wins.

Yeah.

A dominant team could one day go 162 and 0.

You haven't proven me wrong.

So Stu, this has kind of become a thing for Francesa now where people will just call in

and ask, hey, do you think a team could go 162 and 0?

And they're waiting on hold for like two hours.

Right.

And he just hangs up on them every time.

Yeah.

My favorite part of the call is the beginning.

Do-do-do-do-do.

I mean...

That's just him going through the call line.

Oh, I like what call he's going to take.

Right, because he has options.

Right, he wants you to know that he has options.

He has a ton of calls.

He can take anyone.

Do-do-do-do-do.

Stroll through the park.

Jay Billis.

Next.

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terms, and conditions apply. A great sweet 16 tips off tonight,

Jay Billis, kind enough to join us during a busy time for him. Jay, thank you for doing this.

Let's start with North Carolina. It was there yesterday. Boots on the ground. That was in

Chapel Hill, trying to get to the bottom of what's going on at the University of North Carolina,

Jay. So let's start here. Were you surprised that Carolina decided to part ways with Uber,

Davis? No, just because of the noise that was around the fan base and the program and all that.

I can't say I was surprised. I mean, I've seen this movie before there and at other places.

But I was disappointed. I was not only disappointed for Uber, who I admire greatly and I think

is an outstanding coach and one of the best people I've ever known. But it's hard to keep watching

this over and over and expect that these schools and administrations are going to act

any differently than they've ever acted in the past. So I answered the question. It didn't

surprise me. It just really disappointed me, but I'm kind of used to the feeling that way,

given some of the decisions that are made over and over again. Jay, could you just give me some

perspective on or give us some perspective on this? Because you know, I grew up, college basketball

was Carolina and Duke, and it was obviously Dean Smith and Coach Kay, and I don't need to tell you

that. And so I'm just curious today with whatever reason it is, whether it's NIL, whether it's just

a grander scope of everything where North Carolina is as a job, just not just for the coaches,

but just nationally how it's looked at. It's the same place it's always been. And I get your point

about Dean Smith and Coach Kay, but when Coach Kay was just getting going at Duke, he almost got

fired after four years. And he had an administration that stood behind him and kind of ignored

as best they could, the howls that were coming from the fan base and beyond, and oftentimes back

then the media, and look what they got out of it. And obviously not every situation is going

to be like that or come out like that. But, you know, Carolina's a great job. It always has been,

I think it always will be. It's like Kansas or, you know, UCLA or all these different things.

I mean, help people thought St. John's was was a dead end before Patino took it. And now it's

sort of been resurrected. But Carolina's as good a job as there is in college sports.

Jay, there's a lot of big names linked to this job. And most of them are still coaching,

whether it's Dusty May at Michigan, Tommy Lloyd at Arizona, TJ Osselberger at Iowa State.

Who in your opinion is the best person for this Carolina job?

I don't wait into those things. I don't mean to avoid the question, but when names are mentioned

is linked to the job. What I would say is linked by whom? It's linked by the media. You know,

it's media saying, well, this person would be a great candidate. Here's the likely list. And

they don't really know because oftentimes after all these names are thrown out, they don't wind

up hiring any of those guys. And what what that kind of thing does. And I'm not saying I'm not

participating in it. The truth is I don't know. And I'll know when they make an announcement or when

somebody, you know, is a negotiations or all that or there's actual news right now. It's not

really news yet. But what all that winds up happening is getting the coaches mentioned bigger

contracts where they are. And and rightfully so those guys use that as leverage and they should.

But you know, one of the things that kind of makes me laugh about this whole process is at the same

time that coaches, administrators, presidents and CWA officials are complaining about the transfer

portal saying there's a tampering going on. And and for players that are not under contract,

there's tampering. And what about loyalty and what about going through adversity?

These coaches are leaving left and right whenever they feel like it. Like the coaches portal is

always open. And nobody nobody's calling what's going on with Will Wade and LSU. Nobody's saying

tampering there. Right. Well, Jay Bill has just told you Taylor is he doesn't fuck around with

speculation. Okay. He deals in facts. Right Jay? Pretty much. Yeah.

But Caroline does her than you. You were you were four nicer than I was. But I was just

listen, I was inside your head. And that's what you were thinking. I know it Jay. I know you.

But Jay, I do wonder because Carolina measures itself against Duke Duke the same with Carolina.

How much do you think John Shire's instant success at Duke kind of weighed in in terms of

Carolina making the decision they just made? I don't think it I don't think that in particular

matters of coach K was still there. I think the decision would have been largely the same and the

circumstances would have been the same. So I don't think if you know, like say Duke had been struggling

a little bit or something, I don't think it would have mattered. Like Carolina would have done

what what what they were going to do no matter what. Jay heard a lot of people complaining about

not enough Cinderella's, but I don't hear anybody complaining about these sweet 16 matchups.

So I'm just curious. There are amazing. Do you have a favorite out of these a bunch of bangers?

Oh God. Like Illinois Houston will be great. Like I can't think of a matchup. I don't want to see.

And you know, that's kind of an interesting point like Cinderella's dead and all that stuff,

which which three years ago they were saying the world is flat after Florida Atlantic and

San Diego State made the final four and that was in the NIL era. So I don't really pay much attention

to that. And while people say they love Cinderella, when there is no Cinderella, the ratings go up.

So how do we how do we square that? Like the CBS just had its its highest rating ever. I think I was

reading for the first weekend. And last year's final four with four number one seeds,

the ratings were off the charts and the game. Well, people love to complain about things and some

of the complaints may be valid, but I don't think many of them are. You know, the the ratings are

higher than they've ever been. There's more interest than there's ever been. So I don't know. I

square all these different things, but like I think the the sweet 16 is really compelling and should

be really fun. I tend to favor I tend to favor some of the, you know, the the bigger brands that

are there. Like I don't I don't see like Michigan or Arizona losing before before the elite eight,

but you know, I didn't see Florida getting beat by Iowa either.

Jay, is there a team remaining that where it would surprise you if I told you they won the

national championship? Oh, yeah. Oh, God. Yes. I think it's different to reach a final four than

it is to win the whole thing. So there are a number of teams that are capable of reaching a final

four, especially, you know, in the Midwest region and all that stuff in the South. But but when

and when the whole thing's a different deal. So yeah, if you told me if you told me Texas came

away and won the whole thing, I'd not be surprised. I'd be shocked. Or Iowa, like I just don't see

that happening. You know, could they could they win the two games in front of them? You know,

yeah, I guess, but I don't see that happening either. But you know, they've done a great job

reaching where they are. But the further you get in the tournament, by and large, the better teams

are playing oftentimes when you get an outlier making the final four. It's because the top

seeds fell down in their region and you lost more than just one of them. Jay, I'm looking at the

East Regional great matchups there. If you can't get past Michigan State, how tough is Dan

Hurley's offense to prepare for on such a short turnaround? It's hard to prepare for a period.

They're really difficult to deal with offensively because they're passing and cutting and how many

decisions they put you in. And it's a it's a communication challenge and you're constantly moving.

And there's there's great player moving off the ball. And that's hard to deal with. And ultimately,

they pray off of defensive mistakes and they they highlight that and hunt that. You know,

I think the issue with with them is going to be their health if everybody's healthy. They've got

a great shot. I mean, I thought at the beginning of the tournament because of Duke's injury issues,

which were, you know, a big question mark for him. If Duke was healthy, I think they'd be in the

final four in this in this bracket or this region. But I chose Michigan State. And again,

we don't know like you've just kind of taken a flyer based upon, you know, the matchups and how

you feel about it. But Duke and Michigan State played earlier this year. And it was in a

slancing. It was a two possession game. And I think if they play again, I would favor, you know,

just by a hair Michigan State in that. But Duke's a better team. If they played a seven game series,

I think it would be Duke. But yeah, certainly Yukon can still beat anybody in this. They're just not

as Duke. Yukon's nowhere near as powerful as they were. Those two years, they won the back-to-backs

when they beat everybody by double digits. And nobody's ever done that. Not even John Wooden's

UCLA teams did that. So this team doesn't have the same kind of same kind of power that those

teams had. Jay. Camboosers, they're probably the highest remaining draft pick of the players left

in the NCAA tournament. I guess maybe on this A-Cuff leapfrogs or something. But if you had to

pick a singular player to win this tournament from the available players here in the sweet 16,

would it be Cambooser? Would it be somebody else? It's a good question. No, it'd be it'd be Derry

say cup junior. Like I think I think he's the one guy that can put a team on his back and and

carry him. Like boosers that are all around probably because he impacts so many areas of the game.

But A-Cuff's like he can get 40 in any given game. And he's done it. I mean, he had 49 against

Alabama earlier this year. I know it was an overtime game, but he's the real deal. They're both they're

both great. But I think I think A-Cuff's got that sort of that sort of ability. Booser kind of

says cumulative effect to him like just being so damn consistent over and over again. And I think he,

you know, they've got all these top picks. I think are going to do really well in the NBA.

Boosers probably getting overlooked because he's not as flashy as maybe AJ DeBonza or Darren

Peter Center. Derry say cup junior, but but he'll he'll be there for a long time and very productive.

Jay, that East region just going back to that for a second. It's the rare final four. It feels

like before the actual final four. It's a final four that any college basketball fan would take.

Am I being prisoner of the moment guy when I say this is the greatest sweet 16 of all time?

Yes, you are. You're being prisoner of the moment. It's the best like it's name brand wise. It's

unbelievable. You know, to have all like that that entire East region when the bracket came out. I

mean, you know, there was nothing but like national championships, national championship teams from

the past and coaches that have won national championships and final fours and all that stuff.

It was just loaded. So no other region boasted that sort of championship pedigree name brand stuff.

I don't like and I think the teams are really, really good, but it's not like their

head and shoulders better than any other region in that regard. I thought overall the region

was the hardest or at least the hardest path like for a number one seed for Duke, but you know,

it's not like like, you know, you win this thing and all of a sudden they're hand in the trophy

to you. I don't think it's going to work that way. The coaches though are amazing. So I'm wondering

here. And I'm not trying to put you on the spot, Jay Bellas, but Hurley, Patino, Shire,

Iso, the coach you would choose to coach your team, the remainder of this tournament.

Shire because he's younger, he's less likely to have a heart attack and die.

You really did. What's an amazing response, yes.

That one that one bracket, but Midwest, I mean, all the coaches are over 70.

And it's like the AARP sweet 16, you know, with Barnes and in Samsung and all that stuff.

I mean, it's kind of hilarious. Like, you know, when I was a kid, you know, growing up in LA,

John Wooden retired when I was like in fifth grade. And he was 65 years old. And I thought he was

the oldest man that had ever lived. And now these guys are coaching into their 70s and they're

pushing 80 and, you know, need walkers to get out there. But it's pretty cool. The contrast.

Yeah. I was going to say, take health, take health issues out of the equation and then give

me an answer. But that's putting you on the spot. Because no, I mean, I don't mind doing that. I mean,

you know, like, I'm not one of these guys to that sit here and say, all right, like the old,

the old coaches would say, well, he can, he can take his and beat yours and then take yours and

beat his and all that stuff. Yes. Great. Like, great coaches are great coaches. You know, I tend

to think that, that the experience level of, is though, is a factor. It's not going to make,

it's not going to be the dispositive issue. Like the players always decide these things.

But it's nice when you have that sort of experience level coming in, but all those guys have

experience. All of them have, have either one championships or been to the final four.

You know, Shire's the youngest, obviously, and it's had the least amount of time, but he's the

real deal. So, you know, I think that the best coach in this thing will be the one with the best

players at the end of it. Jay, we'll get you out of here in just a second. Arizona, Arkansas.

What does Arkansas need to do to beat Arizona, who might be the best team in the country?

Keep them off the foul line. Arizona's big and physical and they're way bigger and way more

physical than Arkansas. So Arkansas has got to turn it into an up and down game because if it's

if it's a pounded inside, you know, glass deciding game, Arizona's got an advantage. And Arizona

throughout the year has has made more free throws than their opponents have even attempted. And if

it's that kind of game, it's going to be Arizona because, you know, with that sort of physicality,

if they hang a bunch of fouls on like Trevor and Brazil and their Nick Pringle plays and all that,

and those guys are foul trouble. Those big guys are awfully good that Arizona has,

Mo Kreeboss and Cole Pete, CarChankoff at his position has positional size. They're a big

and physical team, even their guards have good size. So I, you know, like I favor Arizona in the

game, I think they're better. And I don't, Arkansas, I don't think is beating the top 10 team all year.

They beat everybody else like they're really good. But, but Arizona's a little bit of a different

animal with their size. All right, Jay. We appreciate the time during a busy time for you. I look

forward to having you on again soon and not talking about college basketball. How about that?

I will talk about anything you like as long as I don't have to speculate.

Yeah, we once asked him if Tyler Hans burrow would be drafted higher if he wasn't

white and he hung up on us. Wait, wait, wait, wait. That is revision of history. I did not hang up.

And, and I went, I went like question after question after question after question, answering

it thoughtfully. And you guys kept hammering me on that ridiculous point. And then I'd have

had enough. There's a terrible question. Well, but you guys, you mean love it, Tarn. I had nothing to do with it again.

Oh, you were in the back egg in a month. Come on. No, I was. Yeah, no, I was feeding them questions.

I was. You're right.

This will set them off. And then we'll have bumpers for 10 years.

Yes, we did. Jay, thank you for the time. We appreciate it. We will dabble in speculation after

the college basketball season. See you guys. Thank you. See you, Jay.

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