REAL TALK! with Doc and Marlon
Doc and Marlon bring you the best takes from all of sports. #REALTALK #THATSRIGHTBROTHA
REAL TALK! with Doc and Marlon
New NFL Rules, Final 4 Matchups, Ovechkin Closer to History & more with Eric in Long Island
Real Talk dives into heated sports debates with special guest Eric from Long Island, covering MLB disappointments, NFL rule controversies, and NCAA tournament predictions.
• Doc vents frustration about the Braves' 0-5 start and Jerickson Profar's 80-game PED suspension
• Eric predicts the Texas Rangers to win the American League and the Dodgers to take the National League
• Discussion of Alexander Ovechkin approaching Wayne Gretzky's all-time NHL goal record
• Passionate debate about NFL's potential ban of the "tush push" play popularized by the Eagles
• Analysis of NFL overtime rule changes and the controversial move of touchbacks to the 35-yard line
• Agreement that NIL deals and the transfer portal have killed Cinderella stories in March Madness
• Criticism of late-night NCAA tournament game start times hurting East Coast viewers
• Final Four predictions with Auburn and Duke emerging as favorites
and welcome everybody to another episode of Real Talk. Doc, you doing all right today.
Speaker 2:Yes, sir, I sure am, for the most part anyway, but we'll get into that in a few seconds.
Speaker 1:All right, and joining us today? A huge, huge Eagles fan. You hear him on all of the stations, on Mad Dog Sports Radio, most likely throughout the season, complaining about Howie Roseman and Nick Sirianni. But he joins us today, so Eric in Long Island is here. Thank you for joining us, man.
Speaker 3:Thank you guys for having me Much appreciated Very much.
Speaker 1:Of course, Right on brother.
Speaker 2:Thank you, it's our pleasure, let's do it All right.
Speaker 1:So we're going to start off with some MLB, and, doc, your Braves aren't looking too hot right now. The Padres took care of business and brought the brooms out in San Diego. I know you're not too happy about your braids, but go ahead and get it off your chest.
Speaker 2:Well, we got a section called Get it Off your Chest, eric, and this is one of the things where this is heartfelt. It's bad enough getting swept. I took the wife to San Diego Eric and Marlon to see my braids. I was all amped for the season and then it swept and shut out the last two games, saturday and Sunday. I was at the Saturday night game one night Okay, we'll come back Sunday. We're still competing for the National League East. And then boom, we get blown out 5-0.
Speaker 2:But that's second nature. I mean, you know we're 0-5 now, lost last night to the Dodgers. Okay, I'm really pissed off about that. But how stupid do you have to be to be a Braves fan and accept Jerickson Kofar and his dumb ass? This fool gets busted for 80 games for PEDs and you can't tell me that he didn't know what he was putting in his body. It's better than being 0-5, eric and Marlon and the audience out there. But now I've got to be ashamed.
Speaker 2:We gave this guy three years, $42 million and you know good and well that MLB is going to catch up to you. You come to a new city, a new team. Try to be a positive influence. Say this is what you are a veteran with a good bat and all that, and you get busted. You can't even participate in the postseason. You know, and this is dumbfounded, this is stupid. I can't like. It is brother. You know, and it's one of those things where a pro-far, he's let the whole city down, the teammates down, we're 0-5, and this just compounds the pressure, if you will, on what's going on in the division. I could have did this by myself without Profar. Why do you need to do this kind of thing? As I referenced, snickers is under tremendous pressure to get the thing right.
Speaker 2:We start out on the road in San Diego, got swept 0-4, and then we go last night and then we lose to the Dodgers. Now I smoke cigars from time to time, gentlemen. I guess I need to light a cigar because we did score one. We didn't get shut out last night against the Dodgers, but it goes noted, man. And I'll end it with this it's bad enough being a Braves fan going back well over four decades. We're playing like the 78 Braves when Dale Murphy and Bob Horner were young and we had no talent whatsoever.
Speaker 2:Where the hell is my lineup? You know Ozzie Alves. Where the hell is he? Matt Olsen, who paid a grip to well over $100 million. Almost two to go for Freddie Freeman. You know Austin Riley, he's officially struggled. And then you got two shutouts on your resume. The season's still young. And then now the pro-far thing. I'm done, man, I'm done. I know it's game six or seven, whatever the case may be, eric, god bless you and the Mets. I don't think the audience know that you're a Mets fan, but at least you got two or three wins on a season. You know I got zero. So there you go, my rant, man. This is dumbfounded to me, led by Jerry Simprofar, ex-padre, by the way, marlon, you know him.
Speaker 1:Oh yeah, oh yeah, I love it All. Right, Eric, your reaction, and then, if you have anything to get off your chest on the MLB, the floor is yours.
Speaker 3:Listen, I mean, doc, what I can tell you. It's 162-game season. Pace yourself, you know. Last year the Mets started 0-5 to OMG. Wow, baseball baseball. Look at it this way. You're playing without a corner right now. Look at it this way.
Speaker 3:You're playing without a corner right now. Mlb did you no favors by sending you on the west coast to San Diego and LA for seven games. I mean, that's maybe you coming back to those fives. If you can get a win here in Dodger Stadium in the next couple of days, that's going to land a home opener. You know I'm proud of my post-mark. It's one thing. To get caught in the postseason. They're going to feel the pressure if they get to the postseason. He's not there.
Speaker 1:He's a good player.
Speaker 3:I can't believe a guy would make that type of decision, put it in his body without body, without knowing it. Just you know you let everybody down, like you said, the fan base, the city and personally his teammates as well. So I'm in total agreement with you, Doc, as far as the Braves go and listen, as far as my Mets go, listen. I'm not the biggest Mets fan, like I am with football and maybe the NHL, but I've been watching the Mets for a very long time. You know, right now the problem with the Mets is I don't think they have enough pitching. The acquisition bringing back Alonzo. The lineup is deeper with Lindor and Vientos, but right now there's no starting pitching there. Minaya's out, montag's out.
Speaker 3:The Mets are going to struggle. They should be able to score runs. I just think that NL East this year is going to be an absolute dogfight between those three teams the Mets, the Braves and the Phillies.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 3:And it usually is.
Speaker 1:It usually is.
Speaker 3:So that's my kind of rant on the beginning of the year. But I'll tell you one thing the National League looks like a deeper you know deeper than the American League this year. So you know, one or two teams can get hot in the American League. That can go a long way.
Speaker 2:That's right. Well, thank you, Eric, for at least appeasing me and calming me down a little bit. So it's going to be me and you in the Phillies down the stretch. I love it. Good response to Eric. Thank you.
Speaker 1:All right. Now, real quick, before we go ahead and jump over to the NFL your World Series prediction, eric. I'm putting you on the spot. I mean, I know it's probably just two teams you're probably thinking about, but World Series predictions.
Speaker 3:Who you got In the American League. I actually think they're going to run away with the AL West, the Texas Rangers. Bochy's a tremendous manager. They won a couple years ago. If Jacob deGrom stays healthy, I mean that to me is the X factor in the American League. Listen, it's a big if we don't know if he's going to stay healthy, but I mean when that guy is healthy. You know top two, top three pickers in sports. I just think Texas has too big of a lineup in that American League. Obviously the Yankees are taking some hits, you know, but they should be there, you know, representing the ALEs, maybe the Red Sox. I like Texas coming out of the AL. Actually, I mentioned the NL East. I'm going to go a little off the board in the sense that I'm taking it from the Dodgers. I just kind of feel like the Dodgers, you have everything right there for you. You put the guys left and right.
Speaker 1:And, eric, your service is going in and out. I don't know if you're in a bad spot at home or anything, but service is going in and out pretty bad. But, uh, we're gonna go ahead and keep growing and, um, we're actually, we've actually been on the road doc. We talked hockey, uh, I believe the past three episodes. So, uh, eric, I know you're, you're a hockey guy. So, uh, ovechkin is a little shy from making history. You think he's going to do it in a game or two.
Speaker 3:Yeah, listen, I still think he needs what three or four goals now to break the record. He did score a goal tonight, so I think he's three away from tying for the break-rescue record. Wow wow.
Speaker 3:Yeah, he's going to do it this season. I mean, if not by the weekend, maybe early next week. They're actually not too far. The Capitals are playing. The Islanders are actually not too far from where I live on Sunday, so if he can get a chance to go for the record I might have to take one of my kids out there to witness that, so that would be pretty cool to be in front of.
Speaker 2:Yeah, you sounded much better, eric. That's a good response. I'm a marginal hockey fan, to be honest with you, eric. I watched Canada versus US a few weeks ago and I really got excited about that. But growing up in the late 70s we had Willie Platt for the Atlanta Flames before they bolted to Calgary. But this Alex Ovechkin thing, this is great. I never thought the great one would be broken, much like Will Chamberlain's 100-point game, not to that extent, but this is good stuff here, eric. So, yeah, I think we had Big Ant on about three or four weeks ago and he thinks he's going to break it too this season. So, yeah, good response on that, eric. Keep us posted.
Speaker 1:Absolutely Okay. Now looking at with what Ovevechkin's done, is there anybody that you can see that's up and coming, that could even touch this goal, or is this just so far out in reach?
Speaker 3:there's nobody right now that's playing that's going to even come remotely close wow, there's not a person in the nhl I could see doing this over, you know. You know 15, 20 years the longevity of ovechkin, you know. I think it's his 19th year right now, something like that, even his 20th year. You know, the guy's a beast. I can't see anybody getting to 800, let alone 895 again, as long as the NHL exists, yeah yeah, okay, stanley Cup predictions.
Speaker 1:what do you got?
Speaker 3:Stanley Cup prediction right now Coming out of the East. I will take the. Let's see. I'm going to take the Tampa Bay Lightning. I like the goalie Vasilevsky They've won before, I think Ovechkin and the Capitals. They're more of a regular season type of team. Come playoffs it's going to get a little bit harder Ice. They're more of a regular season type of team. Come playoffs it's going to get a little bit harder. Ice is going to be a little bit smaller out there. So I think the Lightning. And then in the West, I'm probably going to lean towards the Colorado Avalanche, a rematch of a couple of years back. Colorado made some good additions at the trade deadline, bringing in a former Islander, brock Nelson. One of my Ranger players in Ryan Lindgren is certified a defense. So Colorado, tampa Bay seems like a good Stanley Cup final.
Speaker 2:Wow, this is very informative, eric. God bless you, brother. So yeah, good pick, I'm writing it down. Good luck, brother. Absolutely, absolutely All right.
Speaker 1:So getting into some NFL action we did here right now with the owners meetings and all that stuff. They're trying to uh, of course, as we said earlier, eric is a huge eagles fan and they're trying to ban the tush push. It's not gonna happen this year. We probably try to have another whack at it next year. But, um, as an eagles fan, what do you think about? Obviously the tush push works great for you. Uh, you obviously hope when you know none of your big men up front or Jalen Hurts gets hurt or anybody. But you know what are your thoughts on the tush push and teams owners possibly looking at it to get it banned in the future.
Speaker 3:I am completely dumbfounded that the Green Bay Packers actually presented this to the NFL as a rule change. I mean, when you look at this, I think the Eagles have run this play probably anywhere from 40 to 50 times in this particular season alone. There hasn't been one particular injury anywhere near that play. So for the NFL to cite the fact that they think it's unsafe and the potential to lead to injuries, come on guys.
Speaker 3:Guys blow out knees left and right. I mean, you know I highly doubt it's going to lead to some type of serious injury. But listen, you know Green Bay, to me it's still a salad race. I think there's a lot of conspiracy going on. You know one team excels at it. You know they kind of take it away. So I know I'm an Eagle fan so I'm a little bothered by this. You know, get it off your chest. So this is my segment right now, to say I just think the Eagles are getting a raw deal here from the league. If you know you get 24 owners to pass this, I'd be surprised. You know it looks like there's a lot of public play for it and we'll see how it shapes up.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, I think it's BS man, because they can't stop it. You know it's not illegal and now Green Bay is going to present. That's weak man, that's weak. That's a bunch of wusses over there in Packer. I have respect for the organization because of the winnings in the 60s and the 90s and all that Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers but to present this kind of thing to the league and as Eric referenced, there's a lot of ways to get hurt, but nobody's got hurt on the tush-push. Why don't they outlaw them all in it?
Speaker 2:Eric, the crack-back block for defensive linemen. You know, I know they tried to do some things with that, but it still goes on, you know, and you've got to protect the big uglies. You know, on the defensive side of the ball I see it all the time they throw flags. But I just think this thing here is unwarranted. If you can't stop it, man, oh well, grab Big Kenneth Grant out of Michigan at 340. Or the Big Kenneth Florida weighs 460. If you want to stop that. That kid's massive at Florida. We'll talk about the draft later, but that's my take on that. It's weak and continue doing it. Eric, I don't have nothing against the Eagles. You got most of my Georgia Bulldogs.
Speaker 3:That's right, keep them coming.
Speaker 1:Now, eric, question for you. So from what I hear, as far as what the overtime changes, is it basically somewhat similar to what college is? Uh, now, or I know, both teams get possession, but is it more similar to what college is doing or what?
Speaker 3:what I'm, what I'm intrigued by with the new overtime role is the fact that obviously now both teams are going to possess the ball. But if you look at the way it's structured, in the postseason it's a 15 minute quarter and the regular season is only going to be 10 minutes. So let's just say, hypothetically, the first team scores a touchdown, they go on an season it's only going to be 10 minutes. So let's just say, hypothetically, the first team scores a touchdown, they go on an 8.5 minute drive up to 10 minutes. That other team's only getting a minute and a half. So I'll be curious to see how teams attack for new overtime with the fact that it's only 10 minutes versus 15, and how it plays out. But yeah, it's kind of similar to the way college is a little bit in that as well.
Speaker 3:So I like the fact that that will keep you together to bet the ball. I'll tell you one thing I don't like. I don't know if you're going to get to this, but I'll bring it up this new the ball goes to the 35-yard line. I mean guys, what are we doing here? We've been watching football for decades. It used to be the 20-yard line.
Speaker 2:Then it was the 25.
Speaker 3:Then last year it was the 30. Now it's the 35. All you need is a first down or two and you're in field goal range.
Speaker 2:They're making it a lot easier for the offense and the defense. You know that. Yeah, and they eliminated Eric Marlin. The kickoff return, one of the most exciting plays in sports, man. You know. Devin Esther, josh Cripps you know they eliminated that. I think it was on like two or three the whole year last year, and I don't like that, man. You know Football is a contact sport. You can get hurt just walking on the field See the linebacker for the 49ers in the Super Bowl a few years ago for that. But to move it to 35 is Eric Reffner. That's a joke, man. You know it's not Pac-Man football. The guys make the living on a kickoff return and I miss that element of the game. And now, like Eric Ruffin, as you get a first down, as you have a 15-yard completion, that just blows the game apart. There's no warrant there as far as earning the position, move it back to 20. Sometimes change is not good and I hate that. I wasn't aware of that new groove. So thanks, eric, continue.
Speaker 1:Absolutely All right. And then also, too, we got Christmas. We got a tripleheader on Netflix and Amazon. That's one thing. And then I think there was something about the flexing now that they need less time down to 21 days to flex a game.
Speaker 1:Two, thursday night football the Chargers were one last year where I forget who they flexed out, but they ended up getting the Chargers and the Broncos switched over to a Thursday game and I think that I don't mind if it's on a Saturday or a Sunday, you know going from a one o'clock to the night game or whatever the case is. But if you, if I'm a fan and I have plans to go to a Chargers game a certain weekend or whatever the case is and you flex that to a Thursday as a fan, I don't think it's great for the sport. It kind of screws things up. I know Amazon, you want obviously a great game and historically, thursday night games have been horrible, but that's just something that I just don't love. And now they only have three weeks now that they can go to switch that. So, um, yeah, not a huge fan, but eric your thoughts on that too as well yeah, listen, I would.
Speaker 3:I would have kept it at 28 days and not 21. Yeah, I mean, as you alluded, as you alluded to marlin, you know fans travel. You need as much notice as possible if they're moving a game, and I'd rather the months versus the three weeks, especially from a planning standpoint. I could see why, why the NFL did it. You know, listen, last year it only happened once, like you said, the Bronco Charger game got moved in. I think Bengals-Browns was the game that got moved out. So I don't anticipate it happening, maybe more than once, maybe twice at most, but still 21 days versus 28.
Speaker 2:You'd rather have the extra week, especially from the fans' point of view. Yeah, roger Goodell doesn't give a crap about the fan base. Eric, you already know that more than you do, because all these exorbitant prices for not only for the game tickets I'm not tripping on that but to watch the game on Hulu or YouTube and some of the other stuff that's going on, you pay a credit in your own living room, you know, and Netflix and all that. What the hell is going on. You know. You know, and Netflix and all that. What the hell's going on. You know you got a playoff game on what was it? Peacock. Some people that are elderly, older than me, can't watch it. You know from the 60s and 70s. They can't watch Peacock and play that money. You know what I mean. You got the YouTube thing, so he doesn't give a crap about the fans, and that the, the scenario that you brought up marlin and eric responded to is it's it's dog. You stalk me. You know, I'll keep it nice there, absolutely all right.
Speaker 1:So, uh, eric, obviously you're. You know your eagles won, so congratulations to you. And and just looking at what, uh, you know you need coming up in the future, the draft is coming up in a little less than a month, so, uh, obviously, 30-second pick. What are you thinking that you guys need? What's an area that you definitely want to tone in on? Are there any guys you're looking at for maybe that first or second round picks? What are you thinking as far as the draft?
Speaker 3:Well, listen, the Eagles are going to pick 30-second, obviously, from winning the Super Bowl. Knowing Howie Roseman and knowing what he likes to do, he's going to lean towards the O-line and the D-line. You know, you look at free agency a lot of the guys Josh Sweat, milton Williams. You know Darius Slay lost another lineman. They've taken some hits on defense. They traded away Chancey Gardner-Johnson.
Speaker 3:I fully expect Howie to address the needs from the defensive side of the ball, replenish some of the guys that they lost through free agency, but also continue to go by his model of utilizing the offensive and defensive line. It worked for him before. That's what he believes in. So I expect the Eagles to go really heavy on those two positions and then so it may be a potential safety to replace Gardner-Johnson. But I know that high end is Kid Sidney Brown. He's been waiting in the wings three years, hasn't really stayed healthy, so maybe this is the opportunity for him now that Gardner Johnson's gone. But you know, listen, the Eagles are explosive, as you guys know, on the offensive side of the ball. You know those two receivers and Dallas Goddard to tight end, hurts Barkley. That O-line is the best in the business. I'm not expecting much change on the offense. It's the defense I think they look at in the draft and especially to fill some of those holes.
Speaker 2:Well, I'll tell you what. And that's a good question, marlon, because we put my man on the spotlight and he's right. Harry Roseman, he should be executive of the decade. I got three months here. And tell me what you think, eric, because I got three months here. And tell me what you think, eric, because I got you drafted into the edge rush since Brandon Graham. I think he retired, I'm not sure. Yeah, he did. Boston College, donovan Iruku. He could fall into 32. I'm thinking I'm pronouncing his name right, the kid from BC. He's a great edge. If not, you lost a big boy at right guard and went to the Chargers man you know and I like him and I got in my other mocks.
Speaker 2:his name is Jonah Savaliva, a Samoan kid, big kid out of Arizona at 32, or hoping that Josh Connolly, the big tackle from Oregon, falls down at 32. I doubt it, but those are my three mocks for the Eagles at 32, since you wanted a chip. But I think you might go edge because you love defense and your defense is sick. You've got to replace Graham. You know the kid from BC might fall. If not, you can slide one of the offensive linemen I mentioned, eric inside the guard and see what you're going to do. Connelly's a beast. I watched a little bit of Arden. But Jonah Sabal, I like to leave. Laiva, laiva, samoan kid, look him up. Arizona Massive. Yeah, take it Barney.
Speaker 1:All right, all right, all right. So a quick, a couple of rapid fire questions for you guys.
Speaker 3:Eric, we will start with you on this one, where I mean, listen, it's got to be Pittsburgh at this point. You know, I thought you know, if we go back two, three weeks ago, I actually thought he'd end up with the Vikings.
Speaker 3:You know, and that's only because we weren't really sure if JJ McCarthy was going to be healthy to start the season or how he now wore. But you know, I thought Rodgers going to Minnesota would have been the perfect fit for the Vikings as well as Rodgers, especially until they found out what the prognosis of McCarthy was. But you know, think about where we are right now it's either Pittsburgh or retirement. I can't think of another team that would even entertain bringing him in right now. And I wouldn't be surprised if this deal was done already and just hasn't been announced for whatever particular reason. But you guys know Aaron Rodgers, he likes to, you know, drag things out through the mud anyway.
Speaker 3:We might not even have to find out for three months now that he's been a Pittsburgh.
Speaker 2:Steeler.
Speaker 1:All right, doc, kirk Cousins is not expected to be at OTAs. What's going to happen with the Falcons and Kirk Cousins?
Speaker 2:We're going to keep him in too after June. I think we saved a little bit of money. We were dumb in the first place for giving that kind of contract. He only lasted nine games as a starter, or 10, because he had nine interceptions. As you remember me calling in Eric and Marlon about the nine interceptions in four games and a four against the Chargers game alone coming off a bye, including a pick six. You and I talked about that Marlon home game against the Chargers. So to answer your question, I think we're going to keep him until we get his salary cap held if we just release him. So we've got to get something for him. Let him go to the Steelers as a back. I don't know. I don't know what they're thinking. He's not going back to the Vikings, but I say get rid of him some kind of way before the draft. Give me a fourth or something, because right now the whole league knows we're stuck with them. So you know, yep.
Speaker 1:All right, Eric, Are the Niners in full rebuild mode with, you know, guys on the trade block? Deebo gone, some other guys gone too as well. Are the 49ers just in rebuild mode? What's going on there?
Speaker 3:I don't think they're in full rebuild mode. I think it's more of a retool for them. Now will they have the same year they had last year? No, I actually think they'll be. You know, 9-8 type of team. I believe in McCaffrey staying healthy coming off the injury from last year. You figure you get more games out of him. You know, I look at Purdy. To me is he a system quarterback? That could still be debated. It would be interesting to see what happens now that Debo's in Washington and Ayuk is the only one there for him. Obviously, kittle is Kittle. So I think the Niners would be okay. Now are they a championship type of team? No, I think they've kind of taken a step back in the NFC. From being that championship type of team. They're now more of a middle-of-the-pack type of team.
Speaker 1:Okay, okay, All right. Last question, Doc is Sanders a for-sure lock at the number three pick for the New York football Giants?
Speaker 2:No, he's not a lock. The Giants have been tripping, you know, they're all over the place, man. I remember they just signed Russell Wilson to go with Jameis Winston, who has a history of turnovers. I know him personally because he played in Tampa several years ago. In fact, his last game was against Atlanta. We had a pick-six then.
Speaker 2:So it's one of those things where the Giants are a clown show. I hate to say that you know. It's one of those things where the Giants are a clown show. I hate to say that you know, but I would think that Sanders falls to Pittsburgh, you know, or somewhere like that, somewhere where he can't start right away. It'll destroy the kid's confidence, somewhere where he can learn, you know, and take it from there. Maybe the Raiders take a shot on that six if they don't get the big running back from Boise. But to answer your question, I just don't see the Giants doing the right thing and getting them there, especially if they lose or they already lost Rodgers. But if you should do a sentence, do you really want to learn from Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston? I know it's a big market and all that. So yeah, to answer your question, absolutely.
Speaker 1:All right. So we put a ball on this with the NCAA tournament. We got four number one seeds, of course, auburn, florida, duke and Houston. Definitely thought Texas Tech would have taken out Florida, you know, over the weekend, but they wet the bed as Dog would say. So, eric, I know you kind of have a little get-it-off-your-chest for the NCAA tournament, so the floor is yours, my man.
Speaker 3:Listen, the NCAA tournament. They got to do something with these start times. I mean, listen, I know it's beneficial for the people on the West Coast, but the other night it's 10-13 at night and Duke and Arizona are just taking the court. I mean, guys, these games are starting way too late here. Right, and you've got some quality opponents playing people on the East Coast. They've got to figure a way out by 9.15, 9.20,. These games are tipping off on the East Coast. It drives me nuts. Every Thursday and Friday at March Madness, sitting here from 1 am in the morning my eyes half shut watching great quality basketball that I should be watching three hours earlier. So that's my take on the tournament. I know that's why they do it. It's obviously TV and ratings and all that. But getting back to the fans, they don't do the right thing by the fans. So that's to get it off my chest segment right there for you guys. Yeah, that's the get it off my chest segment right there for you guys.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that's a good response, eric. I wholeheartedly agree, even though I'm on the West coast. The East coast gets smashed on as far as start times, several events. It's just not the college basketball. It could be playoffs in the major league baseball. It could be the playoffs in the NBA. You know, guys are just tired on the East Coast, they just have to work in the office. You got to go to work in the morning. So, yeah, that's a good response, eric. That's a very good point. But do they really care? Does the NCAA, whoever it's going to go? Do they care about the fans on the East at the step, the one on the East? There must have been some great games. You mentioned Texas Tech. They blew it, but you know, against Florida, but it goes.
Speaker 1:noted, eric, the start times for some of these events in all sports need to change and move it up. All right Now, eric. Do you remember what your final four predictions were at the start of the bracket?
Speaker 3:I do. I had Auburn, I had Maryland in the west. I thought they would be the one sleeper type of team that maybe had gotten by Florida. Obviously they hooked up in the Sweet 16. Florida kind of took care of business. In the second half I had Auburn, maryland Duke and I had Kentucky. So I kind of took a shot with a three seed. But guys listen, this year in college basketball there's no Cinderella's.
Speaker 3:I mean just the NIL and the way money is moving around with athletes jumping around. I'm just afraid the days of the Cinderella might be very infrequent. We're not going to see them as much as we used to. But if you're a college basketball fan what we got in San Antonio this Saturday night with the four number one seeds you can make a case for either of those four teams to cut down the nets. On Monday, I think we're looking at two tremendous basketball games come Saturday night. It's appointment TV. You've got to watch these games.
Speaker 2:Oh, absolutely, and that's a very good point. You wanted to have a little bit of hope of seeing a VCU or St Mary's or, you know, st Peter's, something like that. George Mason, a few years ago in the Final Four. But, as Eric referenced Marlon, these kids that played two years at Division II or a smaller school and then they transfer. And then they get to look at Jani Broome you know he was at a lower level and then he, you know, transferred to Auburn. So yeah, it's killed. The lower-level teams and those kids that have stayed three or four years, five years, at a VCU or something like that, it's not going to happen because they're going to transfer. They're going to ask for their money to go to, maybe not Duke or maybe a Houston or a Tennessee, and Eric referenced Tennessee. I had Tennessee in my final four, gentlemen. You know what the hell was that against Houston?
Speaker 2:Long and easy and I followed the SEC Eric for the record and Tennessee. They blew out Auburn, they blew out Alabama. Then they hit the spring.
Speaker 3:take a step against Houston and I love Sampson.
Speaker 2:There's no way she can get blown like that, man, you know, with everything on the line. So you know it is what it is. I had Auburn, duke, florida and Tennessee, so it's not broken yet because I had Duke and Florida in the final, but it goes noted, man. College athletics, especially in basketball, has changed tremendously, you know, and that's it.
Speaker 1:Yeah, all right. And then the last thing I got for you guys, I do like Houston getting the points, getting five and a half, and then also I like I'm going to go with Florida and laying the two and a half on this one.
Speaker 2:Did you guys put any bets in yet? No, not yet, not yet. It just seems like Bruce Pearl, and I haven't been a fan of him, especially as a Tennessee, but it seems like this is his year. And then you got Janiah Broome. To me he's my college player of the year. The Cooper flag is balled out, man. But when you take a school like Auburn, a football school, and do what he did with one arm the other day and a leg of Cypress, anybody else would have been out. You know there's something about this Auburn team. You know, uh Bedford, whatever his name is, and and and and. Uh, big man in the middle, I might take Auburn in the points. I might. You know, uh, the other one, duke's, on the on business. I just, you know that would be, that would be good right there. But you know I'm not a Florida guy. Obviously, eric, I'm a Georgia fan. But Florida has that Clayton kid. But don't sleep on Auburn, that's all I'm saying, you know.
Speaker 3:Eric, listen, I agree with Doc. I love Auburn. I think they've been the best team from November to now. I know they hit a couple of speed bumps at the end of the regular season, right in the SEC tournament. You can make a case that they were going through the motions at that time, just getting ready for March Madness to begin.
Speaker 3:Bloom is, you know, listen, he's probably playing with one arm right now, but he gutted it out the other day and is you know, listen, he's probably playing with one arm right now, but he cut it out the other day. And, Doc, you alluded to a kid Pettiford To me he's the X factor on this team. He makes big shots, he's tough, he gets to the basket, he's got the instant offense off the bench. The old Vinnie Johnson, the microwave, that's what he reminds me of, he's instant offense. So I think Auburn actually revenges a regular season loss to Florida at home. That's right. They get them in the Final Four and I think they're going to be able to make it to the championship game.
Speaker 1:And.
Speaker 3:I also like Houston getting the points. I think Duke wins a tight game, but five and a half I'm not really sure. I think it comes down to a possession at the end of the game. But I'll take Duke to win it, but I'll take Houston to cover. But either way, guys, I mean whatever matchup we get Monday night between these four teams is going to be tremendous for the sport.
Speaker 2:You know that. Yeah, absolutely Good response, especially about Houston man. Yeah, I tell you that guy with one kid man, you know he should have won it last year. Jamal Shedd was hurt, you know, and he was a main cog, but Credit Samson's coming right back and doing the thing. But yeah, good response to Eric, I like it.
Speaker 1:Absolutely All right guys. So who's winning it all? You like Auburn or Duke to win it all.
Speaker 2:What do you guys like?
Speaker 3:I like Auburn. I've been high on Auburn all year. I can't get off them now. I think they'll figure out a way to get enough offense to beat Florida. They'll show why the SEC is a little bit better than the other conferences going up against either Duke or Houston in that championship game.
Speaker 2:I'm going. Chalk man Flag is important. He's very good. He only had 16 the other day and they still did the number. The other kid the supporting cast the Nigerian kid in the middle and he got Knipple. Whatever his name is, he's a shooter. It just seemed like Shire and I remember him playing you do too at Duke. I just think it's Duke's year, even though I really love all of them. I would like to see the upset, but Duke's got it all. This kid Flagg we heard about him before the year, but when he played against the Pan Am and some of the NBA players and showed out this kid's special, I saw him rock North Carolina for 42 in Chapel Hill. You know. Something like that wasn't in camera and so I got to go with Duke. To be honest with you.
Speaker 1:I love it. I love it, I love it.
Speaker 2:All right.
Speaker 1:Eric got anything else for us before we get out of here.
Speaker 3:No, listen, guys. Like I said, it's a tremendous honor coming on the show. Anytime you guys want me back in the future, just reach out. You guys are doing a tremendous job hearing you guys on the Mad Dog Radio, so keep doing what you guys are doing. And, doc, don't worry about those Braves. All right, don't turn it around. All right, you're throwing, so just stay patient, will you please?
Speaker 2:Yes, sir, Sure will Eric. Thanks for coming. I appreciate it, brother. We really enjoyed it. We'll have you on during the hockey playoffs. I'm sure Marlon will hook that up.
Speaker 3:That.