From My Perspective

Selection Sunday Debates And Upset Picks For The Men’s NCAA Tournament

• Mixed Vibez Media, LLC.

Share episode

Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.

0:00 | 57:23

Send us Fan Mail

We argue the biggest Selection Sunday questions, then run through seeding complaints, Cinderella threats, and the matchups we can’t stop thinking about. We close with bold upset calls, Final Four picks, and a championship prediction that splits the room.
• Miami (Ohio) getting pushed into the First Four and why strength of schedule still rules everything 
• Auburn bubble talk making no sense with an under-500 conference record 
• St. John’s feeling under-seeded after beating UConn and what the committee values 
• Whether conference opponents should play earlier in the tournament 
• Cinderella teams that could spike attention and pull an upset 
• Duke’s guard injuries and why the overall No. 1 seed still looks shaky 
• Players and matchups we’re watching most including Houston, Arkansas and the St. John’s path 
• North Carolina without Caleb Wilson and how far we think UNC can go 
• Louisville vs South Florida breakdown plus the Michigan State and UConn worries 
• Final Four picks and who we think wins the title 
Go ahead, hit that like button, go ahead, subscribe, hit that link in the bio for some merch. 
Go to ESPN bracket challenge From My Perspective 2026 and a chance to win some stuff. 
Leave a comment of who you think is going to win it all.


https://mixed-vibez-drip.printify.me/

March Madness Kickoff And Merch

SPEAKER_02

Welcome, welcome, welcome back to another episode of From My Perspective. I'm your boy Dion. We're coming to you with a special March Madness edition. We're gonna talk about the men's bracket again. I'm your boy Dion. Go ahead, hit that like button, go ahead, subscribe, hit that link in the bio for some merch. But you might get a chance to get you some free merch. We'll talk about that here in a second. But Captain Header Q, you look cold, but how's how else are you doing?

SPEAKER_01

Hey, this is the merch. You go actually go buy you a blanket on our website. So we'll get you a blanket because you know the cold. It be cold sometimes in half. Sure, not the best boy, Mr. B. AK aka say your name up on the spot. Mine up cheetah, my. What's up, dear?

SPEAKER_02

I'm doing good. I'm doing great, actually. And we have a full house here to talk about the men's bracket. Uh I'll let the people introduce themselves, but first let's go ahead and start out with Ashley. Um, how you doing today? I know you're ready to talk about some basketball.

SPEAKER_03

I'm doing great. This is my favorite time of the year. March Madness. It doesn't get any better than this. There's some good college basketball.

SPEAKER_02

So we also got Ray, Sister of Q. How you doing today, Ray? I know you're excited to talk about March Madness. You you come every year as well.

SPEAKER_04

I am very excited about uh March Madness.

SPEAKER_02

I'm also sad, uh, but I am very excited because it's just great ED. Glad to have you. Those two lovely ladies are also the host of Ho Please. I said what I said, so go ahead and uh check them out. But we also have another person here today. Uh his only flaw in life is he's a North Carolina fan, but outside of that, great dude. Seneca, how you doing today?

SPEAKER_00

Um doing good. You know what I'm saying? Appreciate y'all having me with y'all again. And of course, ready to talk about the madness that happens in March, and especially talk about them North Carolina Tar Heels. Because I mean, might as well bring some real hoop perspective to the conversation.

Bubble Teams Miami Ohio Vs Auburn

SPEAKER_02

We'll get there, we'll get there. But first off, we gotta talk about uh probably the two teams that was probably the biggest topic of selection Sunday. Most people we know who was in, who wasn't in. There was a few teams that didn't know, but two teams that were pretty much at odds of who should get in and who shouldn't was Miami, Ohio, who had an undefeated regular season. They lost in the first round of the conference tournament, and Auburn, who was not great in the conference. They had an under-500 record. But I mean, they had a stronger schedule because they play in a deep SEC with it. But Miami Ohio, they end up getting in, but they have to play themselves in. They are in a play-in game with SMU. So, you know, that's probably their fault because they got knocked out in the first round of that conference tournament. QU was very vocal of Auburn not getting in. They didn't get in. But how do you feel of Miami, Ohio getting a first four game against a pretty good SMU team?

SPEAKER_01

Realistically, it was expected. So that's like I said, once B once BCU won their conference on that Sunday, SMU automatically has to move down because there's that's another that's a team that wasn't going to get in, that end up getting in. So they had to, you know, make some adjustments or whatever the case may be. That'd be said, but like I say, it was expected. You know how I felt about Arbor. I don't even understand why it was so much conversation about Arbor potentially getting in. Yes, you had a horror schedule. Yes, you be a beat Florida, you be some good teams. But who you lost to? Why are we talking about a team? Just I did that last week. Yeah, go ahead.

SPEAKER_02

Ray, do you have any uh thoughts on the whole Arbor, Miami, Ohio debate?

SPEAKER_04

Uh yeah, uh I was very uh sad that Miami didn't just get an automatic bid. Um but I like like you said, when you mentioned that they uh they lost in the first round, I can see why they didn't because of their the the ranking and everything. Um I would like to see them play out, but we'll get to that. Um but also said that about the girls, but but I don't have no I don't have no uh thoughts about Auburn at all. So I don't have nothing to say about them.

SPEAKER_02

Uh Ashley, got anything?

SPEAKER_03

Uh I'm the same. Auburn was not even a topic of conversation in my world. Uh Miami of Ohio, I I do think that was a little unfair to them, right? Um, I mean they went undefeated, but I also would need to look, I didn't really look at the strength of their schedule either, right? Because that is a that is a determinant factor, right? Big determinant factor. No problem. What's what's the strength of your schedule? I mean, you can go undefeated, but if you ain't playing nobody difficult, then you know.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, that's why it don't surprise me that they end up playing, because in fact, they didn't play nobody. So when you don't you like say I can beat up on everybody on my schedule, but who is on that schedule?

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, they they they was burning winning some of them games too.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, games. So yeah, so yeah, I mean that's that's kind of how I'm looking at like the strength of your schedule really does determine where you where you land too. So what's your resume for this for the year for the season? Um, but I mean they can surprise us though, you know. They've made a name for themselves because I'm gonna be honest, I didn't know anything about them before the season. So I mean, I feel like they they've done something to to accomplish some name recognition. I'll say that.

SPEAKER_02

All right, uh, Seneca, uh, how you feel? Uh Auburn, did you care about Auburn or or Miami, uh, Miami, Ohio?

SPEAKER_00

I mean, Auburn, similar to Ashley, they were not, they were not in a thought to me. Like, it was crazy to me that some people was talking about some of them analysts was talking about them being on the bubble. I'm like, yo, they are sitting here 17 and 16. They are in their conference, they are 7 and what, 11? They they are good and below 500 just in their conference. And so why are we talking about them getting getting a bid if they didn't even make it to the finals or the conference championship game? Yeah, I was like, I don't even understand why that was in the conversation, but whatever. Uh, Miami of Ohio, when they didn't win their conference tournament, I still felt like they should have been getting in. And I felt like the spot that they got in in the first four is where they should be because their strength strength of schedule was very weak. And like you said, Dion, I mean, some of them games, they were it was not like all of them games was blowouts, even though they was undefeated. They was barely winning some of them games, and so I think them being in the first four is the perfect spot for them. Um, and now you you get a chance to win a game and show that that you can be a part of the 64, but I think they're in the right spot.

unknown

All right.

SPEAKER_02

Uh, speaking of the 64, uh, want to talk about the seeding aspect, and so far I don't have too many issues with the scene. There's one glang from my perspective that was huge to me. And it involves a former Louisville coach, the coach for St. John's now. St. John's, they end up with a fifth seed. And I just thought that was kind of crazy considering UConn, a team that they beat, ended up with a two seed. I feel like Yukon could have gotten more of a three seed or something like that. But outside of that, I'm not too upset with the seeding. Uh I started with you, Seneca. Seating-wise, or was there anything that didn't sit right with you?

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, I mean, I think you hit it on the head with the St. Johns. I mean, I thought it was crazy that they got a five-seed when, like you said, the team they beat got a two-seed. They won their conference championship game. And I mean, it was a decisive win. It wasn't like it was a last second shot. So I felt like they should have been possibly like a three-seed. Um, and they came, well, I think they came into the conference tournament as the number one seed in the big east. Yep. And still two, like I get that UConn has all them quad one wins. So I can understand where UConn ends up sitting, but I think that still St. John should have at least been a three-seed. And so I feel like that underseeding is going to end up playing a big factor in that East region that they in. Uh, I guess the only other person, only other team that I can think of that I'm just wondering about their seeding is um is possibly maybe Arkansas. I mean, they are a four-seed, but I possibly, I mean, I probably would have just put them up one at a three-seed because I feel like how they finished off the season, then going in there winning their conference um championship and everything, their tournament. I feel like I could have possibly seen them at a three-seed, but I ain't gonna be mad at their four seed.

SPEAKER_02

All right. Uh, anybody else got any other issues with any seeding? Good. I mean, I feel like the men's didn't do one too bad this year.

SPEAKER_01

I got an issue with the way they seed. Okay, go ahead. I feel like it's just me. They try to they said it's a word you don't have rematches too early, and then you don't have conference opponents playing each other too early. If they try to make it to the 16, sweet 16, but with these conferences having so many teams, you it's kind of hard to do. It's just me. I feel like you should play your conference opponents early in the tournament. Get them up out the way. You couldn't if you couldn't beat them in the regular season, sure you could beat them now. Go further than this break. Y'all won't Kentucky should be playing Alabama, uh Arbor, Arbor and Alabama should be playing in the first round. Why? Because in the fact that y'all y'all already played in this conference. Why we had we got 10 SEC teams. That's five matchups. Y'all gonna play, y'all gonna play each other each other, and then we then we'll go from there. That's half at least two or three matchups. I get that you don't want one of them playing a number one seed, but I also believe that if you win your conference tournament, you shouldn't be a 16th seed. You you shouldn't be in a play-in if you win your conference tournament. The 16th seeds should be those teams that barely got in, like your Miami of Ohio's, but instead they're playing at the 11th seed. But I get it, they have rules of why they do it. I just disagree with them. Only other one, I feel like Miami, not Miami of Ohio, but Miami. The hurricane, they got the orange and green, they got a seven seed, and then people are gonna argue that they just beat Louisville and Louva got a six seed. I understand it. Right. So Miami probably could have been up, but yeah, that's just how I feel. Play your conference early.

SPEAKER_02

Ashley Ray, y'all got any issues with seeding or who is playing who when I'm just gonna piggy.

SPEAKER_03

I got two things, right? I one is on a positive note, and one is I want to piggyback off of Q. I'm gonna say though, but that the way that they do it does create the Cinderella story. That's what really makes the Cinderella, you know what I'm saying, story. If you play the same people in your comments, we just played two weeks ago. But I get what you're saying. But but I think that with men's basketball, that's what creates the Cinderellas because they don't have that opportunity to play this top-rated, you know, group in the regular season, and they come out and they show you what they're working with, you like, hey, nobody seen that happening, right? That is what that's what has created, in my opinion, the Cinderella story, right? In in men's basketball, personally. Now, the part that I just want to rave about, I don't really have no issues. Uh, I am I just gotta shout it out, right? If Howard wins, then Howard is in the tournament. We're looking at HBCU love out here. Uh, anytime HBCU can actually potentially make it into the tournament, that's a big, that's a big thing. So nothing negative to say about that. They better win so they can get into the tournament, right? But if they do, you know, shout out to them, you know, just from an HBCU perspective. I remember some years ago when ANT made it. So I, you know, I, you know, that's a conversation that we don't have a lot about in in sports when it comes to HBCUs being in these tournaments, right? You know, yeah, we root for the top schools, but our HBCUs have talent as well. And I just wish we had the funding to compete on them same levels a lot of time. So I just I'm gonna just plug that in. That's all I got. Ray, on you.

SPEAKER_04

I have nothing. I didn't really care who got what. Well, uh, was like, uh, can we hurry up and get this all? I remember.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, we was watching it. Ray was just like, where's the next one? Can we just get to who's who's in it?

Cinderella Teams And Upset Predictions

SPEAKER_02

I guess I'm gonna piggyback off you actually with the whole Cinderella story. One of the best things about March Madness is the Cinderella, a team that you never heard of, wins a game. The admission rates go skyrocket. You know, you got the UNBC, you got the um uh what is it, Chicago, uh Layola. Leola, Chicago. So there's a couple teams from my perspective that I've never heard of in this bracket. Uh 16C, Sienna, they're going up against Duke. Uh, I've never heard of C, what's it? C High Point. Haven't heard of High Point. They have.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, yeah, yeah. We we know about that. We do know about that over here, Deanna. It's literally about 20 minutes.

SPEAKER_02

We know about the HPU.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, about 20 minutes up the road.

SPEAKER_02

CA Baptists, uh, CA Baptists, they've heard of High Point. I've never heard of High Point. I've heard of Kennesaw State, but they are a newer team at this level, so I'm sure most people haven't heard of them. And the 13C, I don't even know how to pronounce their name, but they're going up against Alabama. But my question for the panel: do you think any of these teams that you've never heard of can make a name for themselves, even make the game close and get them uh missions, submissions going uh skyrocket? They might try and get that uh missions applications, get that up a little bit, maybe add them a couple more students to their to their school. You think any of these no-name or just lower ranked teams in general can make some type of noise?

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, I mean, for me, I think I think High Point can make some noise with Wisconsin. I still think the Wisconsin is going to beat them, but um, I've actually seen High Point play. They play like a style of ball where they're getting up and down the court, they're trying to score some points. So that can possibly be a difference in this tournament. Also, I think a matchup that is that is interesting to me too, is the Right State versus Virginia. Um, because I watch Right State in there, like that's another thing that I love about this time of year. You get to see these ripe states and these Cal Baptists and and some of them play in their conference tournaments, and you be like, yo, they got they got a cat on there that can really hoot. Like he can he can play some ball. And so you maybe end up with somebody like that that get into the tournament and all of a sudden get hot. That that might be something. And then um Hofstra, who's playing against Alabama. I didn't think too much about Hofstra until the news today around that player from Alabama who's possibly not gonna be with the team. Now I'm like, mm, Hofster might be a problem for them because their head coach is Speedy Claxton that played in the league for a while or whatever. So so I think they they might they might be something in, you know, so those are a couple of things I'm a I'm gonna be looking at. And probably like one of the upsets that I'm that I'm really watching is um is a penn versus VCU. I mean not VCU versus Illinois, because Penn has a guy, TJ Powers, that dropped 40 in their championship game. He was at Duke, and he I think he was at Virginia, so he he was a five-star recruit. So you don't know. So that's one I'm gonna be watching just because also they got Fran McCaffrey that's done led like multiple teams to the tournament, too.

SPEAKER_02

Uh Queens is another team that printing C is going against Purdue. Never heard of them, but maybe they can make a difference itself. Uh Q, what you what you what you got with these lower level teams that we've never heard of before? How you feeling about them?

SPEAKER_01

So to speak on Queens real quick. They in Charlotte. I just assumed it was Queens, New York. They're actually in Charlotte, North Carolina. Uh the lower level teams. Okay. So the lower level team for me is McNey State. And again, I watched them. Now they just uh they of course they uh they lost their head coach to North Carolina State, but they still have won three conference tournaments in a row. And I watched their championship game versus uh I believe it was Fairfield, and after they was out there balling, you hear me hustling, fighting hard. So I got I got them beaten uh what is that Vanderbilt Vanderbilt. I got McNey State beating Vanderbilt. I also have I do I have High Point beaten in Wisconsin.

SPEAKER_05

Okay.

SPEAKER_01

So I mean, I only know High Point because I used to my sister my sister used to come get me from Louisville, and I'd be in North Carolina as well. Like I only know High Point because my sister, but so but yeah, no, I got high point. I do also I also got Akron beating Texas Tex. But I know Akron is not a lower level because they because they play in the Mac, so we are more familiar with them. They are lower level, but we're more familiar with them because of the because of basically that's football.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, and LeBron.

SPEAKER_01

I mean true, but I was talking at the school, not the city. But yeah, I feel what you said. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. So yeah, no, I got I got uh I got Akron beating Texas Tech as well.

unknown

Right.

SPEAKER_02

Uh Ray, how you feeling? Any upsets with these no lower names uh Tennessee State? They're another team, uh uh HBCU condo.

SPEAKER_01

So kinda. I used to get heat for saying kind of.

SPEAKER_02

I used to get heat for saying kind of, but they got I I I just know a lot, I know a lot of white people that go there too. That's why.

SPEAKER_01

Let me shut up. Let me let me shut up because I was about to go.

SPEAKER_04

So um upsets. I'm looking to find them because I've been scrolling up and down. Um I have Queens beaten Purdue, and somebody had to lose. So have I heard of Queens ever before? No, but somebody had to lose. Um I do have some more. You know what I'm trying to say. Yeah, let's see. I guess that's it. That's the biggest one. But Purdue usually has big guys, and I don't know why I did it, but I did it.

SPEAKER_01

I was gonna say, I just watched Purdue. I don't I don't know about that one, but okay. Hey, sometimes you got somebody got like I said, somebody gotta lose. There is going to be an upset.

SPEAKER_04

Yeah, last but not least. Oh, okay. Go ahead, Ashley. I'm sorry.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, the I think the only one I chose is an upset just because I don't like Kentucky was was Santa Clara, Claire, Santa Clara. I mean, you know, they might be the Cinderella team. They just might be the Cinderella team. I I just don't like Kentucky, y'all. So I mean that would make my day though. So it would make my day if if this Santa Clara will be Kentucky, you know, I don't care if it's by one point, as long as they win, you know? So that's the only, I think that's the only one I chose. I mean, obviously I talked a little bit about Howard. If they get into the tournament, it would be nice to see them go a little far as well. But I didn't pick them, but it would be nice to see.

One Seeds Under Pressure And Duke Injuries

SPEAKER_02

All right, so you know, we obviously we talked about the lower ranked teams. You we gotta talk about the higher ranked teams. Duke is the number one overall C, but I think they're a little limpy into this tournament. Both of the guards who heard, they've had uh Cameron Boozer playing the point guard position in the ACC tournament. They nearly lost earlier. They nearly lost to Florida State. I watched that game. It was a buzzer beater chance to win the game. They didn't, but their guards have been hurt, and that's really hurt them. Also, I said pre-pod, the East is a war zone. Florida, they got a one seed, Arizona got a one seed, and then we got I just Michigan got a one seed. I'm from my perspective, I just think because of the injury, because of your injury at the guard level, and you're having a freshman that not only doesn't really play the point guard position, but a freshman playing the point guard position in the Insta tournament, I think that could be a recipe for disaster for Duke. Maybe probably not honestly, not probably I don't think in the first round, but as the tournament goes on, I'll worry about Duke. I think that's the only one seed that I think. Is not as strong, even though they got the number one overall seed. I don't have any other issues with the other one C's. I think they're all strong. I think they all should make some runs. But Q, I'm gonna start out with you with these one C's. How you feeling about them?

SPEAKER_01

I think all the one C's is deserving. Uh I don't really have no issue with any of them. Uh I wish I think I think what's gonna play into effect, like you said, with Duke, with Duke's health, they are they're losing two, they're missing two key players. So there's gonna be a it's gonna be an uphill battle for them because they was already they weren't a deep team before. And then you take away two of their two of their top players, it's gonna be it's gonna be tough for them to do it. But as far as one seeds, I don't see no issues with any of that.

SPEAKER_02

Uh Seneca lets you go next.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, I feel like all of the one seeds, uh I can agree with everyone who got a one seed in there. Yeah, I mean, Duke and them injuries, like I think uh I think I can't see Duke making it past the sweet 16 because I actually I see them probably meeting up with St. John's, and then that's they'll be to me, I think they might possibly be the first one to go down because of the fact with that bracket and them either running into a St. John's or possibly a Kansas with um with your guy, Darren Peterson. I think that could end up being a big thing for them right there in that sweet 16. Um now I don't think that all, like I said, I just had Duke going down, but I don't even think we're gonna end up with two number one seeds in the final four.

SPEAKER_02

All right. I'll let you hold that thought. We'll get to Final Fours later on. Uh Ray, the one seeds, you you like them all, or you you think some of them are gonna go down early like Seneca?

SPEAKER_04

Like Seneca, I do have them going down to uh St. John's um Duke. We're talking. Um the other six number ones are fine with me. Uh I'm not a Duke fan, and I'm not a Kentucky fan. To me, you can put them in the basket and just grab one out, and I'm just gonna hate. So it's just what it is. I would love to see them go down in the first round. I doubt they do it, but I do see them going down.

SPEAKER_03

Uh Ashley. Uh, I'm I'm good. I'm good with the number one seeds. I think the only way Duke really made it overall number one is because they beat Michigan in in Washington, D.C. a few weeks back. Uh, I do think Michigan can beat them. Uh just just in general, but I think they had an off night. Um, but I mean, as far as them all being number one seeds, the ones that have been, I don't have any any issues with that. Uh, you know, I'm not a Duke fan, so you know, guess call me a hater too.

SPEAKER_02

Before we talk about uh uh some prospective team, North Carolina and Louisville, I want to ask you guys, is there any potential matchup that you guys are looking forward to or a potential player that you think you'll look forward to possibly taking over? Uh I give mine and I'm really looking to see what AJ DeBonser does for BYU. I want to see how far he can carry this team. I think he is the best player in college basketball. Um, I I know Cameron Boozer of Bill, I know uh Darren of uh Kansas. I don't think they are on the same level as AJ. Uh I know um Darius, the point golfer Arkansas again. I don't think they're on the level of AJ. So I'm curious to see how far he can take this BYU team. They haven't been great. They got a 16 for a reason, but he's definitely been head and shoulders the best player. But he he's who I'm looking forward to the most. Uh, that's really not a matchup, per se, uh, besides Duke and um potentially Duke and St. John's. John Schneider, he's been he's came out the gate running as a coach. He's got uh three ACC championships in four years. He's doing things that even Coach K wasn't doing as early as he was. He's just had doesn't have a national championship. But he ain't Rick Patino. As good as John is, Rick Patino is a Hall of Fame coach, and I'm curious to see if they match up how that matchup goes. So, like I said, AJ, I'm looking forward to that and the potential Duke versus St. John's. Y'all had St. John's winning. Uh I don't even have Duke making it past TCU. I just don't think the guards is I don't know. I'm so concerned about the guards for Duke.

SPEAKER_01

All right, Dion. The disrespect goes a little far now. Like okay now. You know, they gonna make the sweet 16. Okay. You know, I mean we ain't got uh everybody else got them losing to Kansas. I mean, Art uh St. John's, I got them losing to Kansas. I think I think Kansas is gonna be St. John's. Uh you you mentioned AJ. Um, since you mentioned him, I do have them losing in the first round.

SPEAKER_05

Oh well.

SPEAKER_01

But that is for selfish reasons because I don't need him playing long getting hurt because my I need my faces to draft him this when the draft comes around. So I need him to go on, you know, he have a great game, but don't don't fool around, get hurt, turn it MCL, ACL, or Keely's playing for this team that you ain't gonna be there no more no longer. So I need to I need to protect my asset and AJ Defensor for my Indiana Pacers. So yeah, you go ahead, go ahead, go home, rest your leg up, don't do no draft workouts. You don't need to do none of that. I need him to be a facer tomorrow. But I understand the draft don't work like that. So next season he will be a pacer. So but uh individual players, um uh you just said his name for Arkansas, Darius Darius, Darius Acuff. I also want to see Fleming for Houston. I feel like uh Ralph Sampson, he keeps getting there to the final four. He got some final four, I won't say with three different teams, and yeah, I think he went twice with Houston. He keeps getting there, but he ain't getting over the hump. I think he has the player this year with Fleming, and they also got uh damn. I'm I'm drawing that. I just had his name, but I'm drawing blank on his name. They also have a club, they call him the club, so I can't think of his name. But this is the team that I feel like he got that could actually win the national championship potentially. Uh other matchups, like I said, I got McNeese State winning, so I do want to see that. Um UK and Santa Santa Clara. I want to watch it just because I think it is. I got UK winning, but I I feel like it's a potential UK losing. And anytime I think UK can lose, I watch their games. Yeah, I just want to point out I live with a Kentucky fan and I watch more UK fan games than they do. But that's just neither here nor there. Also, Miami and Missouri, because Missouri, the games Miami's the seventh seed, but they playing in St. Louis, Missouri. So it's a de facto home game for Missouri.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, you know what?

SPEAKER_01

I still got Miami.

SPEAKER_02

Uh Ashley, uh any player, any matchup. I mean, you you you said St. John's Duke already.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, St. John's Duke is gonna be a is gonna be a good one if it makes it like if it if it lands like that, that's gonna be a good game. And I think you touched on it. I like watching Houston play. Like, if Houston's on TV, I'm gonna stop and watch. Uh, so I just I'm ensure you anytime Houston is playing, I think he's an excellent coach, and I think he's um to that point he got to get over the hump, but they bring a level of energy and excitement to the game that I just like enjoy watching. So anytime Houston's playing, I'm pretty pretty excited about it. Um I don't think there's anybody else that that draws me in quite like the matchup that we've already talked about so far.

SPEAKER_04

Ray, what about you? I will go for um Houston. I like Houston. I don't have them going far. Uh I got them going to the sweet 16, but I don't have them going past that. Oh, let me see.

SPEAKER_01

When she said far, I was concerned. Like, whoa, what you mean far? But sweet 16, okay.

SPEAKER_04

Yeah, so with that being said, I like to I like I'm like Ashley. Whenever they are playing, uh, I like to see them. I do like their coach. Um he's not uh one of y'all said he's not a Rick Patino, but I do like him, you know. I'm I am a Rick Patino fan. Um so I would love to see St. John uh face anybody, really, to be honest. Um and I think that's about it. You know, I'm not looking for uh this is gonna be maybe I should wait, uh say it because this is controversial, especially with the crew that's on the on the on the line.

SPEAKER_02

Uh but I'm not looking for I got something I want to say controversial, but I'm gonna wait. I'm gonna let you know. I'm gonna let Seneca Seneca, I'm gonna let you go. Okay before we talk about your team, let's talk about what game, what matchups you like.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, I mean, I think y'all done already hit like on the individual players. Um, I mean, I like the I like the kid Acuff from Arkansas, watching him through that SEC tournament. I was like, hey, this this kid is nice. Like he's a baller. I think Fleming for Houston, he's a hooper. Um, but a matchup, I guess a couple of matchups that I'm looking forward to is one that I talked about before, the Wisconsin versus High Point University. Um, I just think that's gonna be an interesting game. I mean, we done all talked about the possibility of St. John's and Duke, but I think it's even interesting if it is Kansas and Duke right there, too. Um and then I think another like early round matchup for me is the possibility of what it's gonna look like if, well, I guess it ain't an early round, but it might be a later one, if we end up with um Florida and Houston matching up again with that rematch from the national title. I know these are not the same teams that they were, but that's still, you know what I'm saying? You still got a couple of players that is left over from that. So I think that could be that could be something if both of them get there too.

North Carolina Without Caleb Wilson

SPEAKER_02

All right, well, so synagogue, I really want to just talk to you now. Uh, we we wouldn't be talking about this team that much normally, but since you're on the line, we got to talk about the team in the powdered blue. I can't even though I'm not a North Carolina fan, I do like the powdered blue. This y'all probably got some of the best. But y'all don't have y'all best player in Caleb Wilson who hurt his hand. He hurt it first, he hurt one of his hands, then he was out for a little bit. Then he hurt his other hand or her just messing around out after practice dunking. So y'all don't have y'all best player. And I hate to tell you this, no, you you're probably gonna be mad, but I had VCU upsetting you guys in the first round. I just wanted to say that, but give us your thoughts on North Carolina.

SPEAKER_00

And I mean, I feel like I mean I hey, I respect it, you know what I'm saying. I mean, we don't have Caleb Williams. I mean, Caleb Williams is a I mean, Caleb Wilson is a he's a culture changer or whatever. Like when he came in, he he changed a lot of the mentality. He came in talking about we the belt boys, he was walking around with the belt and all of that. Like when they beat Duke, he went out there on Franklin Street with the belt holding it up for everybody. So it was a different type of belief. And now not having that player that brings that, like when stuff might be going wrong, I feel like he's the type that's over there that's gonna be like, you know what? Nah, we still good. We're gonna we're gonna figure this out, we're gonna win this. So we are missing him. Um, I'm gonna be realistic with my squad this year, especially after watching a couple of their games without them. Without him, I mean we went five and three without him, and that's still respectable. Um now, I do have us beating VCU, but I have us matching up with Illinois, and I don't think we're gonna get past them. Um, I think that's just gonna be entirely too tough. But um, like I said, I think it is a big change, and I feel like we ended up in the sixth uh seeds because we did not have him. I think if we would have had him, I mean, I feel like if we would have had him, especially in the ACC tournament, we would have, I felt like we could have got to that championship game. Um, because I mean we made the comeback against against Clemson, but you put yourself in like a what 17, 18 point hole and then trying to come back like that. Um, and I feel like that wouldn't have been the case if we if he would have been there. But like I said, I'm gonna be realistic. I do have us beating VCU. I think it's gonna be a matchup because VCU is a good team, but I do have us winning that one, and then I just think Illinois is just gonna be too tough. I do like the mindset that Hubert Davis is passing along to the team off the stuff I done seen where he's telling them we just going to try to win a two-game tournament in Greenville. That's what we're trying to do right now. That's how you got to look at it, and I can respect that. But also, I respect you having VCU beaten us because I mean I got South Florida beating Louisville, so it's okay.

SPEAKER_02

Wow. Okay. Okay. Uh before we get to Louis Lania, any anybody else got any thoughts on North Carolina? Like, it's really just y'all don't have Caleb Wilson. That's such a big loss from my perspective. But Q Ashley Ray, y'all got any thoughts about North Carolina?

SPEAKER_03

Uh yeah, I it's unfortunate to say, but I think it's it's tough without Caleb. I it just is. It just is. They don't to be truthful, they don't play like the same team without him in all essence. Like he is a game changer. Like you said, the cultural, he he kind of shifts the whole thing. And you can tell that they play different without him. Um, I mean, he's a key player for them. I mean, you can just tell that, and I mean, I root for North Carolina from time to time. I do. I mean, I don't root for him, Seneca, when they play Louisville, but I do root for them when they play others, you know, when they play anybody else. Um, at one time in life I wanted to go to school with UNC. So, you know, hey, yeah.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, I hey, I respect that. And really, my Louisville pick of South Florida is gonna be if uh what's the name is playing for y'all? Brown, brown junior, if he's playing. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, man, North Carolina. Um I I got like I said, I got losing to Illinois. They got a loyalty because of the injury. Uh, I do think it is possible for them to make it to the six sweet 16 because it's still North Carolina, they got players, yeah. You know what I mean? They might not have D player, but they still have players. So, yeah, I think it's still possible for them to get to Sweet 16. I don't think they are. I think I don't, like I said, I got them moving to Illinois, but I do think it's possible.

SPEAKER_04

Uh I like to see Caleb play. It's kind of sad when he went out uh the first time, and I was like, hey, you know, but then when he went out and was out for the season, I was like, well, can he like can he shoot the ball with the other hand? Why you gotta use that? So uh so I do think I do have them going down too uh early in the round. I think I got them making it where they at. Uh I I think I got them. Yeah, I do. I got them losing to VCU too, but I just need no, not BCU round of 32. Yeah, yeah. They losing to somebody.

SPEAKER_00

I love the I love the ray analysis. The ray analysis is great. She said, can't you just shoot with the other hand? You know what I'm saying?

SPEAKER_03

Like now, I will say, I'm just gonna say this. Uh I I think you UNC can beat VCU, but VCU has been known to create some upsets in the tournament, just it just traditional history. So that's the only reason why I would I you know, without y'all having y'all main player, VCU could sneak in there. That's all I'm saying.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, it's a it's a tough matchup. Like, I don't I don't expect for that matchup to be like somewhere, hey, Carolina is running away with. And now if they do, I'm gonna be up in here excited. But hey, VCU is gonna be a tough matchup. They really are.

Louisville Vs South Florida Anxiety Check

SPEAKER_02

So um let's go ahead and slide to the the hometown team. That's Louisville. Uh, they was given a sixth seed, much better seed than it was last year. I don't think we got holes like we did last year. I think that's about right. But we are going up against you USF, University of South Florida. Seneca kind of hit the nail in the cauffe. A lot of us could try to figure out if Mikhail Brown is going to play. He's a top 10 draft pick. He, without him, we're not as good. But looking up USF, they kind of play just like Louisville, but they're not as good as Louisville, but in terms of they open they're gonna get a lot of threes up, they a lot of they push the pace, shoot a lot of threes. So if you're a betting person like I am, the over-under set at 165.5, I'll probably take that over. But I just think since they both play similar styles, Louisville just does it better. So I got Louisville winning against USF. But I said about J Way, I thought at first, no, coming to the season, most Louisville fans thought this was a Final 14. As the season going on, not so much a Final 14. My hope is to make it to the Sweet 16. That was my dream. That's what I felt like. But we gotta go up against that Michigan State, which seems to always be our ops in the NCAA tournament. We always go up against Michigan State. For some reason, they like us playing Michigan State. So, I mean, I I don't know if we can be, I don't know about I'm not confident in the Michigan State game like I'm the USF game. But if we do somehow get past Michigan State and we gotta go up against uh Dan Hurley and UConn, I have like 2% confidence in that one. But maybe hopefully soon 16. I'm more nervous about Michigan State. Uh Q, how how you feel about the Cardinals?

SPEAKER_01

Well, well, well, well, so you've been on TikTok, been on Twitter, watched the bracketology shows. Everybody just like, yeah, man, if you if you want a double digit seed to win, South Florida's the one. So everybody. Everybody, they mama, they daddy, and they little cousin is picking South Florida to be little. And I get it. South Florida got a great story. Their coach was uh uh I think he coached at Buffalo, or he's from Buffalo or wherever the case may be, wherever this game is gonna be, uh Philadelphia, wherever it's at.

SPEAKER_02

But New York, yeah.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, he's from Buffalo, New York, or he coached there, or something like that. It's on the history then because he's from there because his dad has dementia, and his dad don't get to see him coach, so it's gonna be close. The dad's gonna be at the game. It's all these sweet moments and stuff, and all of that sounds great. And then Louisville, you as we all know, we they know to choke some stuff away. They know to choke some stuff away. Women and men's basketball. Let's be real. Both of them, they know to choke some stuff away. They shouldn't be choked away. Um go to Lanchurish and turn them in versus crazy. Um, so you Dion, you you got more confidence than I do. Because I guess I look a little older than you, and I've seen a lot more Louisville disappointment than you. So I don't I Louva's, I believe Louva's going to win versus South Florida. I also believe Louva is going to win versus Michigan State. I have more confidence versus Michigan State than I do South Florida, if I'm being honest. Really? Okay. Because it's it's the story. You know, in CAA tournament times, it's always about the story, it's always about these sweet moments. But I do, I got a little, I got a little losing to UConn. I disagree with you though. If Louva makes their shots, Louva's fine 14. Louva gotta make their shots, and then you also gotta have McNeely not turning the ball over. Pay attention when you inbound the daggone ball. He right there. You ain't you ain't we got you all right, you you all right.

SPEAKER_03

You just went off. You all right over there?

SPEAKER_01

Bring it back in. Bring it back in. I'm gonna kill y'all, we all see this for free though. Let me tell you something. I I ain't gonna rant too much because we got so many people on the pod, so I wanna make sure everybody gets their time. But I do want to say this if McNeely keeps on dribbling that daggone ball, you don't get your butt over in that corner and shoot that ball. He missed two threes back to back in the same spot. You got one job. When I say one job, I mean one job in the show ain't defense, it ain't the dribble. Shoot the ball. You missed it.

SPEAKER_02

That's an important thing.

SPEAKER_01

The turnover right there. You was See you. You don't see dude right there. Yeah, go ahead.

SPEAKER_02

Go ahead.

SPEAKER_01

It just don't make nothing.

SPEAKER_03

I was not expecting that. But I feel like, you know, it was disappointing to watch Q. It was with McNeely. It was. It was. It don't make no sense. It's dope. I actually, you know, Pat, he he Kelsey can coach it. And I think that they can win. I don't have them. I have them all the way up to playing UConn. I don't think we'll, if we get that far, we will, we will beat UConn. I don't believe that. I think you know UConn is going to help us. Although, watching St. John stump a hole in them may give me a little bit of faith. Because Saint John came out and put the whooping on them jokers. I'm thinking if we do that, we might compete UConn. But I do not have Louisville beating UConn. I got us getting past the Sweet 16. I think, you know, Mike Helbron is in a tremendous factor, but I also understand why we we're trying to rest him. We trying to, you know, we're trying to preserve as much as we can, right? So that is a determinant. But I will say I'm impressed. You know, Cornwell been been balling, you know, a little bit. I, you know, I think if he steps, I need him to step up just a little bit more. I think I gotta go with with Rick Bettino, what he told his his his player. He's talking about I need you to dig deeper. That's all it is.

SPEAKER_02

I think I yeah, need him to dig. I need McNeil to show up because he Cornwell, he be doing his thing.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, he do.

SPEAKER_02

Marquel Brown ain't playing. You gotta do something, McNeil. You can't just be doing nothing. Please. Yeah, but you know, Kevin H. That man, Ryan, because he be balling.

SPEAKER_03

When you're a shooter, though, you you do have off nights, though. Y'all do know that. Let's hope that his off night is not gonna continue. What'd you say, right?

SPEAKER_04

It's a lot of off nights.

SPEAKER_03

Oh well, okay, all right. Okay.

SPEAKER_01

I mean, don't know he he right there behind you. You still gonna down the bottom? He's right there behind Carl. You still sorry, it just don't make no sense.

SPEAKER_04

So my controversial uh comment uh is I am not excited to see Lova play. And the reason why is because my anxiety can't take it. My heart watching them play, and like Quinn said, you hear about all these stories in South Florida is they, you know, South Florida, they saying, hey, this is gonna take, you know, take Louisville down. You don't want to hear that as a as a fan. I haven't I haven't played, I haven't seen South Florida play, so I can't say, oh yeah, they that good, or oh no, we got them. I haven't seen it. Um so I can't say that, but that is one of the least teams that I want to watch right now, is because the anxiety behind it um is breathtaking. And then I'm watching it with my mom, and my mom is saying, Oh, come on, Wolf, why are you like, why you always falling? And I'm looking at her and I'm looking at the TV, and I'm looking like I can't take her anxiety and my anxiety, it's just too much. With that being said, you know, I'd rather see anybody else play, but I do have them beating South Florida. I just can't have, I just as a fan, I just can't have my team going down in the first round, you know. Um, but I don't see them going past Michigan State. So I'm being realistic, like you, Seneca. I just can't be, I have to be realistic, but in the same sense, telling you, they don't play call them cardiac cards for nothing.

SPEAKER_02

Seneca, you got any thoughts on the cardiac cards?

SPEAKER_00

I mean, like I told y'all earlier, if uh Mikhail Brown is playing, I think it's I think it's a difference. Um, and I think you hit it on the head talking about the style of play of South Florida that matches up with Louisville's style of play. I think if um I think if Mikhail Brown is not playing in that first game, that's why I said that I could see South Florida beating them. Now, if he's playing in that, and the thing is, like I watch Louisville play, and when like you said, if y'all are hitting your shots, McNeil and you ain't out there having brain farts. I don't not trying to get you going, Q, but you know what I'm saying? If you don't have that going on, like Louisville is a Louisville is a good squad. They are a really good squad. Like, I could see them getting to that sweet 16 matchup, the UConn, and that being a real good matchup. But like I said, you got Mikhail Brown playing, and then them them going back to playing how they were at like I guess like earlier mid part of the season when they was when they really had stuff going. Um, but I don't know if it's if it's not that, I cannot see y'all getting past Michigan State.

Final Four Picks And Title Predictions

SPEAKER_02

I agree. I I hate Michigan's late. We played them a bunch in the tournament, but we'll see. I agree, Seneca. But let's go ahead and start talking about Final Fours. I I'll start out and give minds. I personally, from my perspective, I have St. John's and Houston, Arizona and Michigan, and I got Houston versus Arizona, and I got the running-ups of last year finally taking it home this year. I got Houston. I agree with all y'all. I love watching Houston play, especially watching them last year in the tournament. I think they're on a mission this year. Some players, not all the players is back, but some of them are back. So I got Houston winning it all playing Arizona, and I got Rupertino, he gets him another final four. Uh, Ray, I'll let you give me your final four next.

SPEAKER_04

Uh, I have Michigan State, and I have Houston, I have Arizona, and I have Alabama. So, and Arizona, I have taken it off.

SPEAKER_02

Okay. Uh, before before we um do you know the what's going on in Alabama right now? Do you you don't think that issue is gonna affect them? I have no idea what's going on in Alabama. One of their players got arrested.

SPEAKER_04

Oh, really?

SPEAKER_01

Yes, he got arrested for drug charges.

SPEAKER_04

Oh my goodness. Well, is it too late to fix my stuff?

SPEAKER_02

I had to ask. I had to ask because I feel like that's a I mean Alabama, they've had a lot of couple controversial, like a lot of the issues the past couple years. So look, I think maybe they can handle it, maybe they know how to handle it, but when it I don't know how good this play is. I don't know. Maybe is he a star player or not? But I feel like that's gonna affect the players. Like when your teammates get arrested, it's probably gonna affect you on the court.

SPEAKER_01

Why is always something in Alabama? Is Georgia football? Alabama basketball seems like you're always doing something.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, right. Oh, this this player too, he they second leading score on the team. Second leading score.

SPEAKER_04

So I just changed it.

SPEAKER_02

I got our state. Okay, I just I just had to I just had to make sure because that's a big deal. I I feel like I got them going out early. I just think that's gonna affect that milk too. But uh, Seneca, go ahead and give me your final four and champions.

SPEAKER_00

Uh my final four is Michigan State, Houston, Arizona, and Michigan. Okay, and I have Houston and Arizona in the national championship game, and I'm gonna go with the Q Cougars. Get me Houston. I think Kevin Sampson, they finally get theirs. I think he finally got that one this time.

SPEAKER_03

Ashley, I'll let you go next. All right, my final four. I actually went Yukon, Florida, Arizona, Michigan, and I have Florida and Arizona, and I have Florida taking it home.

SPEAKER_02

Q, I'm gonna let you go last, but before you give us your final four, please tell the people what we got going on for this uh tournament.

SPEAKER_01

Well, if like always, like I say, you go into a bracket anyway. So why not join the from my perspective? From my perspective, 2026 bracket challenge on ESVN. We going to first place is gonna get uh uh basically a mixed vibe bag. You're gonna get some stuff from mixed vabs from my perspective, hold up, maybe even some hold up, uh hold please. I said what I said second through four, uh second through five, y'all gonna get a from my perspective t-shirt and six through ten, y'all gonna get something. I ain't quite figured that out yet. Give me give me a little minute, but but we go, y'all go get something, y'all gonna get a small thing as well. But yeah, just look uh go to ESPN bracket challenge from my perspective 2026 and uh and a chance to win some stuff.

SPEAKER_02

Yep, we had a great turnout last year. I was it was like what 30 some people? Yeah, we got like 30 something, yeah. So hopefully we can get more than 30, maybe we can double it and get to 60. But thank you, Q. Go ahead and give us your final four and champions now.

unknown

Cool.

SPEAKER_01

Uh first I do want to say I got Akron beating Alabama. Um, because the you know what I'm saying, you can't be losing, you can't be losing important people, especially this late. Um, I have Houston going against Connecticut with Houston winning. Then on the other side, I have Arizona versus Michigan, two one seats. I have Arizona winning. Um, this is going the championship game is going to be Arizona versus Houston. It's gonna be interesting because Arizona is known to be a power, but they've been struggling to get past the sweet, get to the Swiss 16 or past the Sweet 16 since the uh national championship run early in the early 2000s. Then, like we said, we already documented Houston's history. So I want Calvin Sampson to get one, but I do not think he's beating Arizona. I'm going, I am going with Arizona to beat Houston in a national championship game.

SPEAKER_02

And if if that comes true, that'll be the first team west of the Mississippi to win a national championship since Arizona did it back in like 1999. So we'll see if that comes to tuition. I got Houston. Q has Arizona. Ashley, who do you got again? I went with Florida. With Florida, Ray, who you got? Arizona. Arizona, Seneca, you got Houston, right?

SPEAKER_00

Yep.

Plugs Comments Merch And Goodbye

SPEAKER_02

So we got uh two Arizonas, two Houston, and a Florida. We will see who turns out to be right. Thank you guys for joining us for another episode. I have to thank the guest, Ashley Ray and Sika. Thank you guys for joining us as well. Before we get out of here, does anybody have anything they want to plug?

SPEAKER_04

Yes, I would like to plug my podcast. It's whole please. I said what I said. You can find us on Amazon Prime, you can find us on podcasts, Spotify. We're there. You hear me? We're there, and we do got a YouTube channel, so make sure you check us out.

SPEAKER_02

Seneca, do you have anything you want to plug?

SPEAKER_00

No, I ain't got nothing this time. You know, just uh appreciate y'all for having me again, and you know, looking to looking to hopefully come away with some prizes from this bracket challenge with y'all.

SPEAKER_02

Well, again, thank you again for joining us. Go ahead, like, go ahead, subscribe, uh, leave a comment of who you think is going to win it all. You can hit that link in the bio and get you some merch. But like my man Q said, we have this bracket challenge from my perspective 2026. Please join. You said one through five get something, and uh six through ten might get something not big, but something one first place go get a kick, gonna get a whole bag.

SPEAKER_01

Uh I don't know if I want to call it a swag bag because swag bag feel kind of old. You know what I mean? But two through five, go get a from my perspective t-shirt. Six through ten, y'all gonna get something as well. This ain't gonna be a t-shirt, but yeah, but like I said, man, make sure y'all put y'all uh Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, whatever email, whatever name, whatever, something so where we can find you once the tournament is over.

SPEAKER_02

Again, uh, seven people in it so far. We are going, we're trying to get to at least 60 guys, like it was last year, it was about 30. Let's get it, let's double it to 60. We will greatly appreciate it. Again, please like, please subscribe, hit that link in the bio. If you don't think you're gonna win, you can just go ahead and buy it. Just say you can go ahead and buy it. Ain't nothing wrong with it. Once more, leave it leave a comment section in leave a comment in the comment section. I'm your boy D Dion. Love you guys so much for listening to us every episode. Q, go ahead and take us home.

SPEAKER_01

Man, you already know the badge is your boy, Mr. Bell. AK AK say your name up on his pod. Mind not with you tomorrow. We're gonna catch y'all on the next one. Peace.