NBA All-Star weekend and big wins for MSU rivalry sports

It's been a great time to show off to our rivals, as MSU men's and women's basketball, as well as MSU hockey, teams defeat their U of M opposing teams. All-star weekend was also an eventful time as always. 

What is Sports Round Table from The State News?

The State News sports reporters discuss all MSU sports.

(Anthony) Take a seat at the table with us. My name is Anthony Brinson

(PJ) My name is PJ Pfeiffer.

(Brad) I'm Brad LaPlante.

(Luke) And I'm Luke Joseph,

(Anthony) and welcome back to the sports roundtable Podcast. I'm glad to be back. I'm glad PJ asked me to be back on it was kind of literally last minute. So you want to be on Whoa. Think about that. Sure. how you're feeling?

(PJ) I'm good. I've never been on this before. But I'm really excited to talk about kind of four main topics today. You know, it's been a busy two weeks with sports. So yeah

(Brad) it's a good idea to have the sports editor, sports podcast, I think that, in fact goes well

(Anthony) at least once and I never even realize you hadn't been on before. So this is pretty dope moment. We were talking a little bit before we get into the our topics today about spring break. You were mentioning that you're trying to travel a bit more around Michigan because you're not from Michigan. Where do you if you get if you're my son audience where you're gonna be at? Okay. Okay, can I look at my Oh, absolutely. Absolutely.

(Brad) Gotta look up where he's going in his email. What a crazy guy.

(PJ) Okay, Kingsford Michigan.

(Anthony) Never heard. Yeah, never heard of it.

(PJ) I'm pretty sure it's in the up. And then a couple of my roommates and I we're going to be skiing at Pine Mountain for a few days.

(Anthony) That's pretty awesome and cool. Luke, you said he'll be in Florida for a couple days and then going back home?

(Luke) Yeah, pretty much just visiting family in Florida and then just it's gonna be good. Getting back home to Philadelphia.

(Brad) Are you from Florida?

(Luke) No, I'm from Philly from Philadelphia. Yeah, my grandparents just live in Florida. So

(Brad) as most grandparents do. I gotcha. Yeah. Gotcha.

(Anthony) How is Philly if I can actually real quick

(Luke) It's fun man. Philly's pretty lively town. They really care about their sports obviously. You know it's a great place to be understandable

(Anthony) understandable and then bro Are you doing anything for spring break?

(Brad) Nope. I just went to North Carolina so I am done

(Anthony) yeah you mentioned you know didn't have the best time down there you know no

(Brad) and I don't know if we want to get into why yeah just you know

(Anthony) maybe the food on me some touching up but anyways um for our sports topic today we were talking to or they were talking a bit Off mic about hockey about MSU hockey so if I if we can go like to the left and ended on Luke about what's been going on?

(Brad) Yeah, so I am not obviously your MSU hockey reporter that is Matty's job, however, said I am a big fan, big fan of MSU hockey. Huge fan actually, I don't know if he would say the biggest but, you know, unless you hockey's been good. If you've been following the team at all, for the last like, you know, four years, you know, that it went from like, literally the upward trajectory could not be more, you know, inclined, you know. So MSU hired new head coach about two years ago. And last year went almost, I want to say from like last place in the big 10 all the way up to well, it's not like all the way there's seven teams, they went to fifth. But then in 2023 24, which is you know, this season, they took a huge turn and really turned a corner. It's been a insane season. They won three out of four games against Michigan this season, which is something I don't think they've done since 2009. They haven't I think they it's they've only they haven't won more games than last against Michigan in quite a while. So yeah, it's been a good season. And Michigan meanwhile, might miss the the tournament this year. So we are really just banking on Michigan's downfall at this point. You know how they said that Michigan traded their basketball team for their football team. It seems like they also did their hockey team just to get the football team success because that is not looking not looking good. But on the other hand, Michigan State could clinch the I think the biggest news of this all is really the Michigan State could clinch the big 10. For the first time ever, this would be the first time state clinches the big 10 title in hockey since the conference became a hockey conference in 2013. So it's it's only been like 10 years. But this would be the first time that that's ever happened. Michigan State came close. I think it was second place in 2015. But I think Minnesota won that year if I'm right. And then Michigan State lost twice, two straight games to Michigan in the big 10 tournament. So that didn't end up well. But lot I hope I'm getting that right because I think that's what I remember. I'm not I'm literally going off what's on my head. Anyway, God, I pay rent for any. I do I do that is correct, but I'm gonna go with my gut. I'm gonna go with my gut. But anyway, so yes, Michigan State plays Wisconsin this weekend and they couldn't win the big 10 title with with a sweep of Ohio State. Did I say they play Wisconsin? Yeah, they play Ohio State. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'm so correct. And they play. They play Ohio State this weekend, they can win with a sweep of Ohio State. And then Wisconsin who's in second place can win RMS needs to lose one game. So that so if Penn State can beat them once, then that's game over. Michigan State does play Wisconsin next weekend. Michigan State has I believe what it's a five point lead on? I think for i Four is went down to four. So it's a four point lead of Wisconsin, but still Michigan State would just need the just the sweep of Ohio State and a loss by Wisconsin.

(PJ) So currently, Michigan State has 46 points in the big 10. Wisconsin is 42. And then Minnesota who no one's really worried about has 37. And then so yeah, as Brad said, we're playing Wisconsin. I'm sorry. Oh, my God, I did that, too. We're playing Ohio State this upcoming weekend that Wisconsin, Ohio State, I believe is in last place in the big 10. So so yeah.

(Brad) And that's what's crazy, because Michigan State like it was expected. Originally, that whiskey, this last series against Wisconsin, the one in in next week, was going to be the deciding series and the big 10 it was gonna be Wisconsin, Michigan State which Wisconsin traditionally plays Michigan State at the end of the season. And this was going to be like the lead up. And by the way, these teams were in the last half of the big 10. Last season. So this is an insane shift to see like both teams like Wisconsin finished last place, and Michigan State Fish fifth out of seven teams. So now they're at the top half of the big 10. And yeah, it is a four point lead by Michigan State. And I don't even think because Michigan because Wisconsin played Wisconsin played Ohio State last weekend. And Ohio State beat them twice, won in overtime. So Wisconsin only got one point out of a possible six. And it was suggested that, you know, Wisconsin would retake the lead of the conference. And then Michigan State would have to steal it back in the final final series. But now it looks like Michigan State really has an upper hand.

(PJ) Yeah. So then if Michigan State finishes first, looking at the big 10 tournament, Michigan State would get home court advantage because how the big 10 tournament plays out, it's like the higher seed gets homecourt advantage. So actually, we would we as a Michigan State, we would get a bye week. So we wouldn't even have to play any team for the first week. It's the best of three series. And then it would be the semifinals, I believe. So then we would play. I feel like it's either the fourth.

(Brad) It's the lowest whoever's Yeah, so. So whoever wins, that's the lowest seed. So like, so if the seventh seed wins, that's the seed that that they go play. Basically, they get receded, just like the NFL recedes in the playoffs, right? How you know, the Yeah, so I think it's the only sport that still does receiving, if I'm correct. But yeah, so like, one place that, you know, one, play seven, two plays, or two plays seven, three plays six, you know what I'm saying four plays five, like, you know, you know what I mean? So they do the same thing in the next round. So so that's how that's how it work. But Michigan State will play the lowest seed. So if, if somehow Ohio State were to beat with Wisconsin again, but this time in Wisconsin, then Michigan State would play in the semi final against Wisconsin, it's only a one game, a one game thing. So yeah. But yeah, so that's, that's how that's how the money rolls for Michigan states. And it's going to be exciting. And it would also be interesting to like, if the if perchance this actually happened, Michigan State would do it on senior night. So wow, that will be Sunday. I mean, not Sunday. Sorry. Saturday night. See we do. Yeah.

(Anthony) So question. Just for clarification, you mentioned that MSU has to sweep Ohio State and then Wisconsin has to lose one, right?

(Brad) Yeah. So I'm not sure that the games would finish up to where like, by the time the Michigan State game ends on Saturday, they would know that, but shortly after they would, I'm not sure that it'll happen because like I said, but like I said, So Wisconsin's problem is that They play in Penn State. So you know, it's very hard in college hockey, you have to like to sweep teams, it's hard enough. I mean, Wisconsin's a good team, but to sweep a team on the road. That's, that's kind of a tough, tough task. So

(PJ) but it's also that's like to clinch to clinch their title next week, or this upcoming week. Sorry, because the next week, you know, it's Michigan State, Wisconsin.

(Brad) So it's like whoever. Right, right. So so if Michigan State, you know, is able to hold their lead and doesn't get swept by Wisconsin, they should next week and fight pending a total impending collapse this weekend. But if things stand as they are, if the standings are as they are, like, if if whisk if Wisconsin and Michigan State both sweep their opponents this weekend, then Michigan State would just not need to be swept in next weekend, essentially.

(Luke) I'm not a I'm not the biggest hockey guy, you know, but, you know, this year, our hockey team has been so great. And it's been really exciting to kind of get more into hockey. And, you know, I've family members who have texted me, you know, I'll go to the game, you know, you gotta go to the game. Like, we've never been this good before. And it's just an amazing experience to watch them. You know, we I believe we beat Michigan last or not last week, but the week before on the 10th. And that was just beat them twice. And it was just amazing to watch.

(Anthony) Yeah, I mean, we've kind of had you have hims number this year. And to kind of segue to basketball. I mean, we hockey, women's basketball. And if you want to talk about men's basketball, we just recently beat them and then Arbor if I'm not mistaken, right? Yeah. So yeah, take it away, PJ.

(PJ) I believe. I believe it was a season sweep. Against Yeah, because

(Brad) we want here and then I actually looked this up. And because I wasn't sure how common this is. And apparently it happened super recently. But I was curious, because I noticed so Michigan State's men's basketball team swept an unbelievably weak Michigan basketball team, right? Like very bad team. No shade. It's like I know and no shade to them. Like I personally dislike when Michigan teams aren't necessarily bad. And I know I don't know if that's an unpopular opinion or not. Because the problem I have is like if you beat a bad team, who gives a shit? Sorry, who like, who really cares, though? Like who? Like, what's the point? I guess? I guess I would rather be the team. That's good. If that makes sense. You know, like, if it seems good, it means it means more to the rivalry in my opinion. That's why like 2020 won Michigan State football that that win was insane because that ruin Michigan's perfect season, right? Like, that was crazy. Um, however, you know, in this case, you know, it doesn't it doesn't really have the same, the same mold. So I was I was so anyway, my point is, I was curious if that happens a lot where Michigan State men's and women's basketball teams do a season sweep like a clean sweep over the same season. And the last time it happened was 2019. Yeah, so not that long ago. Did you? Did you research what it was before that? No, I did not. I didn't I'm not that much of an investigative journalists. Yeah, not Alex. Sorry.

(PJ) Um, I mean, I don't know how she like, separately. Men's Basketball hasn't swept Michigan in in one season since 2018. separately. Women's hasn't done the same either. In since 2019. Together, though, in a single season. I don't know. When the last Oh, no, that was kind of embarrassing by the okay.

(Anthony) So you got to wait, you got to it. But um, based on Did you watch the game at all? Yeah, yeah. Based on watching the game. How'd they get it done in an arbor? Because I saw it was close at Friday and watch it I was like keeping up with the score. It was close at first and then we ran on with it. So for men's.

(PJ) Yeah. Um, you know, it was like, down to the wire from what I remember. Like, I feel like Luke

(Luke) so we got the win. I've been a little bit down on Michigan State men's basketball. You know, Michigan. They're not very good. Like they only have eight wins on the season. Oh, they and I was pretty disappointed regardless of what the final score was. I don't think we should have been it. I don't think it should have been as competitive as it was because of how bad Michigan basketball is right now. You know, and we didn't pull away until about seven minutes left in the game. There wasn't really much going on offensively. AJ, if I can pull have the stats. He didn't have his best game. He's been pretty up and down this whole season. You know, in, let me just try to get the statistics out here.

(PJ I will out real quick. I do know now that I'm remembering. So it was a tie game with seven minutes and one second left in the game. And then we kept Michigan scoreless for that the remaining. Wow. And we scored 10 points I believe so. Yeah, pretty crazy. I feel like

(Brad) MSU I didn't actually watch this game, but didn't MSU actually get out to a better start than they did at home against Michigan. Good question. Like I'm pretty sure because I remember watching did I don't know. I mean, it was was that a different game?

(Luke) I think that's a different game. I'm in Michigan at one point was up?

(Brad) No, because Michigan at home. Michigan State was down at the half 3533 Yeah. So that so and I'm pretty sure so Michigan was staying with Michigan State until they finally lost by like 19 points.

(Luke) So the second game, I mean, the halftime score in the second game, where we played it in Arbor, halftime was only 39 to 37. I mean, Michigan State was that I had at least they were, but it's like, you know, Michigan that point in time eight wins the three and 12 in the conference. It's like, I think they would rather be up by by 10. Like what the final score was. And then even during the second half, that just didn't look as good. I mean, MADI Sissoko only played seven minutes the entire game like he's just ate this whole season. He's just been kind of like, unplayable and he you know, there are reports that like he he's got something going on like with family or something personal and that's obviously none of our business to know like that's just for him. But at the same time it's just like it's just disappointing the kind of watch and play and then you know, AJ Oh guard only played 22 minutes against Michigan couldn't make a make a basket only want to have seven with six points. Jaden Aikens 310 Seven points couldn't continue to three. Neither could Tyson Walker, only one a five and three. But, and the only reliable person was Malik Cole, like Tyson Walker is, you know, he's amazing. Like, he's going to lead the team points every every single game, but from an efficient standpoint, and we call eight to 13, eight point 18 points. You know, he was probably our best player in that game.

(Anthony) So I got an interesting question for you then. So how would you personally draw the line or balance, a win win, it's still a win. And then under performing,

(Luke) I mean, this. I mean, like, this is still a win, like, regardless, it's, it's still going to be a win towards kind of seeding and stuff like that. But just for me, it's like, I would rather kind of beat them in a game where I'm not biting my fingernails, you know, it's just like, you know, I'd rather be up 10 The entire game and when by 10, rather than this kind of being like a back and forth, you know, we're not making shots, they're not making shots, and then final seven minutes, or final five minutes, you know, we pull away with a win. That's understandable. You know, if that were to happen, I'd rather be against a team like in Illinois, or like a Purdue or Wisconsin. Okay. Not a team. That's as bad as Michigan.

(Anthony) So based on their performance against Michigan, where do you see them moving forward as far as like March Madness coming up? And just the last few games of the season?

(Luke) I, I think they can. I think they obviously it doesn't help that they lost yesterday against Iowa at home aren't really there when they were a 9.5 favorite, I believe or 10 point favorite. But I think I think they have enough quad one or quad two wins, what how whatever the NCAA metric is or whatever. I think we have enough to make the tournament.

(Brad) But they definitely will make the tournament.

(Luke) But it is like, you know, we have those losses against Arizona and Duke and then earlier in the year we lost to James Madison. And then we lost to Nebraska are in early big 10 play. And you know, there's some real projections where we could be one of the pole kind of like one of those play in teams. was like one of those first four teams where we have to play for a spot so we could potentially be an 11th or even a 12th seed. Come March Madness.

(Anthony) Interesting. So if you were to give a prediction, if you've thought about it, where do you think MSE was going to end up as far as March Madness?

(Luke) I would probably based on what I've seen, probably, probably nine or 10. They don't. You know, we were projected number four. Preseason. And we have not come close to playing like that, let alone a top 25 team.

(Anthony) Yeah, Me, DeShawn and Thomas talked about that. A couple months ago, or right before the season started of just how much the how high the expectations were. And it is, it does kind of seem underwhelming for them to like, either barely be a playoff team or barely be a tournament team or not make the tournament or like just to get there. So

(Luke) yeah, I mean, this was arguably, throughout all the talk this offseason, or before the season started. This was potentially coaches, those deepest team. I mean, he said it himself that we could go 11 or 1011 players a deep. I mean, and then just seeing that we're not playing and then we're not playing as well as we should. It's just a huge disappointment.

(Anthony) Do you see any reason why or do y'all have y'all, Brad or PJ also have any thoughts as far as why they were so underwhelming this year? Or did it just happen?

(Luke) Obviously, I think center, that big man, you know, mod is a pretty undersized guy. Every time he is on the court. He's just a complete non factor offensively. Nobody on this team can really shoot. We don't have I mean, Malik can kind of shoot, you know, but he's not he was he's not a joey Howser kind of guy where it's like, he's a knockdown three point guy. You know, I think we're, we thought Jaden Aikens could really take that next step, because he was projected to be an NBA draft pick this year if he was going to play as well as he did last year. Because we saw those flashes of how good he could be. And he still hasn't done that. You know, I think I think it's been a little frustrating. Not seeing Xavier Booker out on the floor, I get it. He's a little skinny in that regard. I mean, it looks kind of like a toothpick out there. But no disrespect, no disrespect, no disrespect at all. But it's like, you know, I would like to see him on the court because he's our only big men who can actually shoot or is willing to take shots.

(Brad) So, so I know, I just want to add, I'm sorry for interrupting. I want to get this point across because I sort of like I agree with the fact that Sissoko has been an issue, because I mean, but at this point, it's like what can you do? Like I feel like is also like knows secret, you know, kind of that like he it's, it did not help him to not go to the portal. And but we all know how his own feels about the portal. Right. And he's not not a big fan. Or at least that's what I've heard. He's not a not big fan of the portal. So we know that and but again, like I said, like, what can you do at this point, if you just complain about that there's not you know, it's not going to help you. I am just going to I guess maybe this is the optimist in me, but I'm just taking a look at ESPN its current bracketology. And so if I only base this on, like if I'm if I'm just using their model, which obviously it could be anything right, so Michigan State would be projected as a seven seats. So I actually think that the that's actually more realistic, eight or seven, eight or nine is more in the realm that I can see them going at. However, I do think that like this team, because their issue and maybe their blessing also is that they're really streaky, like they do really well over courses, periods, and then they'll like just really, really suck. You know, they'll turn it on, but like earlier this season, I mean, you saw how they played against some of the teams on neutral fields or neutral courts, sorry. They'll, you know, they would play in neutral arenas and they would be like they kind of felt like comfortable or that they could do like do something you've kind of felt that they could go somewhere. However not you know, but that's the thing you get into March Madness and that's kind of where it's at. It's at neutral court. And sure, like losing like the Iowa loss very disappointing because that was at home. You were double digit favorite. I'm not great to lose to Iowa especially since you know just I don't know What went wrong there? Because I was watching that game and I'm like, You should have won that game the whole time. And, you know, it's, it's, it's almost depressing to a point. But um, but Okay, look at this ESPN model they have so the way they project is Michigan State at seven Mississippi State at 10. So that's who they would play. And so Mississippi State doesn't seem like a terrifying opponent, right? Then they go play Marquette, Marquette, who would obviously, you know, be predicted to win against Morehead State. So Marquette may be a little bit more, you know, sort of thing, I could see them losing that game. But that's like the thing if you projected as if you get a seven seed, you're gonna play the two, if you win, and then ahead of them would be either Alabama, high point, Gonzaga who's like would be in the plan. Gonzaga would be in the plan. And then Texas Tech is in that bracket as well. So so it's not like I could see them making it to the second third, you know, ish, you know, sort of realm. But it's I so that's the thing. I don't know, like, if they're streaky at that time, you know, maybe they get get it together. But now, you know, it's just so hard to tell it this team.

(PJ) I was actually going to kind of talk about that. I just think they're this season, they haven't been consistent with playing like, both as a team and individually. You know, and I think I think there needs to be some more and more and more and more consistency. You know, there's, they have four more games until the big 10 tournament. And like, honestly, I wouldn't even be worrying about the March Madness tournament right now, I'd be worrying about the 10 tournament. Point. Right now they're fighting for fighting for skipping the first day of the tournament. It starts on March 13. But like seeds, like 10 and below, or maybe nine and below, I think it's 10 play on the first day. So they're like fighting to not play that first day. And they're fighting to play March 14 For the first game. So I think they need to be more consistent these last four games, and actually try to, you know, bump up just like one or two more seeds until March 13th.

(Anthony) Well, with everything that's been building up between some of our struggles, and even some of our victories that have became pretty close, it all leads to where we are now. And it may be a pretty underwhelming season, but there's still a lot of hope. And then like Brad was saying, like, we are MSU fans, we go to MSU so we're gonna have that over while I was gonna be watching, but I guess we'll see how the season ends. Definitely. What's next on the agenda? PJ?

(PJ) Do we all want to talk about women's basketball? Sure, absolutely. Their game against Michigan kind of talked about this briefly. But they won season sweep against Michigan for the first time since 2019. So just some stats about the game Ozment are husband scored 16 hegman, scored 14 and our Aryal scored 13. I you know the women's team, they are just in my opinion, they are like, just so amazing. I think, you know, hegman is so consistent throughout has been the entire season with scoring. And she just says so like offensively, she has been you know, a powerhouse. And I would say they're definitely more consistent than the men's team. Obviously, I don't want to like compare the two teams that much, but I think they've definitely been more consistent throughout the season. And you know, the game against Michigan. Obviously the, you know, Michigan Women's Basketball, they're not in last place in the big 10. But the game was very back and forth except for you know, the second quarter or MSU kind of outscored them kind of a lot. It kind of built momentum going into you know, halftime in the third quarter. But, you know, obviously MSU ended up winning 70 to 66. It was a really close game, but really, really great game. You know, I was watching it on TV, and it went like down to the wire. I was like really nervous. But I'm so glad we got the win. Yeah. And then looking ahead, you know, they're playing Purdue this weekend. I think it should be a pretty easy win because I'm pretty sure Purdue is last in the big 10 So we'll see how

(Brad) jwell 12 Oh, 10 I got it up. However, however, I mean, it's still not that good. You know? And yeah, so that games tonight so we will you'll be in the past when this goes up.

(Luke) starts in five minutes.

(Brad) Yeah, right, exactly.

(Anthony) I mean, if they get off to a good start while recording, but I am currently and we're watching live at the sports roundtable

(Brad) but you know, what's crazy is that their women's basketball team isn't very I mean, I guess it's Not surprising. I mean, it's, I guess the disparity between there. You know, when I think of Purdue men's basketball, I just think that they're, you know, just dominate just dominating. But then obviously their women's teams a little bit more like iffy. Yeah, you know, which, by the way, by the way, Purdue's men's team. I, here's how you want to hear a hot take ready? Sure. I think in this, this might be too hot. But I think I think Purdue is going to go farther than people expect this seat this season in the hot topic in the NCAA turn a lot of people isn't that the joke? That's the joke is that produced like the laughingstock of the big 10. They, they you know, they dominate the big 10 and they do all this stuff. And then they just like are out by the first round in the in the NCAA Tournament. Like they have no playoff aspirations at all.

(Luke) I would I can I for me, I do laugh at the fact that what is it the last three seasons, Purdue has gotten bounced out in the first two rounds, I think. And then last year, they were the one seed and then they lost in the first round. That's only the second time that's ever happened. But I just think, you know, I think everybody's gonna be like, Okay, I don't there's no way Purdue, you know, loses. I think they're too good or they're way too good. Zach. He is just he's been the best player in college basketball this whole season. You could argue RJ Davis from North Carolina or the I believe the guard from Tennessee or small Ford I forget which position he plays but he just been amazing. I just think produce way too good to lose again plus the the freshman backcourt from last year. Obviously they're both sophomores. Now they've they know what losing is in March Madness. And so I think they're going to be well more prepared for March madness that comes around.

(Anthony) Going back to March Madness. We talked about the men's aspirations on their end for March Madness and just expectation versus the potential reality. What about the women's basketball team as far as how they're looking for March Madness?

(PJ) I don't know what seed they're going to be. To be honest. I definitely think they're going to make it. But this is kind of going off, like going away straight away from MSU. But I'm so excited to watch this tournament, this March Madness for Caitlin Clark.

(Anthony) It was on my mind. It was the next question. Yeah. Yeah.

(PJ) She's just oh my god, she's so she's such an amazing player.

(Anthony) think she bringing it home this year?

(PJ) I think so. I think she's gonna she's gonna. I mean, first of all, she's gonna make history in the next few years. She's gonna break the men scoring record.

(Anthony) Oh, wow. I know, she broke the women's what? That three, which is crazy way to break that record. Just half court shot, man. It was a little past. But no, I know.

(Brad) According to the the end, like we don't really have any hard numbers. You know, between you know, we can't predict a seat or whatever. But ESPN is projection does have them as a seven seat in the Portland in the Portland regional. So Portland? Yeah, in Portland region. Oh, who they seem like they won't be playing. I'm sorry. They'll be playing Tennessee. Like I said, these are just just predictions and they don't mean anything. But, you know, seven seed is is kind of

(Luke) it could definitely be like a tall task for Michigan State to you know, obviously make it to a sweet 16 More or less when not the entire thing. But it's I think I was a really good team. And then my favorite is South Carolina. Yeah, they're on. I believe they're undefeated. They have the best head coach. I believe in women's bat and women's basketball in general. They're just, they're so good.

(PJ) and Anthony) They are. Yeah, I think sorry. No, no, you first good sir.

(Brad and PJ) Did you did you get wait one second. Did you get excited about Portland? Because you are from you're not from Oregon. I'm not somebody that was from Oregon. And I forget if it was you, um, someone from my hometown, they play for Portland women's basketball team, so I was gonna be like, Oh, then you're like, yeah, yeah. No, not the same. Not the same. Yeah. No, you

(PJ) I was gonna say I related to South Carolina coach but also the Stanford coach. I forget her name, but she just broke. She kind of recently she broke the record for most wins. She brought out a coach Kane's record for most wins. Yeah, of all time. She's been with Stanford for so long, but like, not as long as you'd expect it's just Stanford is so good. They racked up somebody wins per season, but Hmm, yeah.

(Anthony) I was just gonna say some pretty similar and I was just gonna mention that, um, do you all think Kailyn Clark and Iowa are good enough? Comparing up against Stanford or South Carolina?

(PJ) I think they are. Yeah, I think it's going to be probably, I think if they play each other, I think it'll be one of the most watched games in history. And the most one of the most exciting, they're just Yeah.

(Anthony) How are the reigning champs does your LSU how are they doing? Like, steel wise?

(Luke) There's still a contender. I know. They were I believe the number one team coming into this year. Yeah, they I know, early on, it took a little while for them to get their groove. They're currently not in three in SEC play ball just behind South Carolina. But regardless of how they started, it's about how you finish. And I mean, they got Angel Reese. And who's, I believe a top 10 pick in the women's NBA Draft. She's a special talent. And then I believe Haley been I forget I forget her last name, but she's she's a really good player. They just have way too much talent to be overlooked.

(Anthony) Yeah, definitely. And, um, speaking of college sports, I don't know. Do you guys keep up with incoming, like high school people going into college? Yeah, I do know Cooper flag is Yeah, yeah. I saw he signed with Duke. And Could somebody tell me like what's the like the story buying them because I apparently he's hated and like him going to Duke is him playing the villain. He barely even seen.

(Luke and Anthony) He's a special high school talent magazine. He nice for He's nice.

(Luke) Hurry. Okay. I mean, he's an amazing defender. He can shoot the three. He's pretty everywhere on the court. He's He is everywhere on the court. You know, he can guard he can guard the 12345 he can guard every single. Yeah, he can guard the fight.

(Anthony) Is this a forward is a forward okay, because I only I only know his name. And then apparently he's hated for some reason.

(Luke) I don't know why he's hated it. I think he's just hated because he's so good. You know, I think he's, I think he's going to be an amazing college basketball player. I think he's going to be an amazing NBA player. When he goes to the NBA. He's just he's an amazing, amazing player to watch. Yeah, there's nothing more I could say that hasn't already been said.

(Anthony) Do you think he's NBA? ready now?

(Luke) Yeah. I think birthdays. You know, obviously, with the NBA, you know, you have to go to school for one year. I think it should be you know, if you're good enough, you should be able to go to the NBA from high school. I do think he is one of those players

(Anthony) I know PJ, I think you were about to say so. I'm just one more question. I guess I get asked all the above more specifically, Luke. Is he like, number one draft pick level? Yeah. Okay. Check this guy out. Shout out. Shout out Cooper flag and Duke, but it seemed like Duke always getting the good player. Yeah. But you were you might say something, Peter.

(PJ) Oh, no, I never heard of him. So this is all new.

(Brad) I just did a Google search this this YouTube video. Why Cooper flag is a Certified Fraud.

(Anthony) Is that BSOLZ? Yeah. Oh my god. Oh my god. I didn't watch the video. But I saw that thumbnail. Remember the title? I meant to watch it. Cuz I'm like, who is the guy?

(Luke) Cooper flag is the real deal. You just watch him play. I've never gotten to watch him play in person. Because he plays down in Montverde Academy down in Florida. But just watching kind of his games, like on ESPN plus, I mean, if if he's getting, you know, coverage time on ESPN, you know, he's special, pretty special player. You know, I think I think he's one of the best prospects in high school since LeBron James or Anthony Davis. I think he's that special.

(Anthony) That's big a credit to give him.

(Luke) I'm a big Cooper flag fan,

(Anthony) which I'm glad somebody here was like, he even

(Luke) though he's going to Duke I would have rather him gone to Connecticut. I know. My cousin goes to Connecticut. He really wanted them there. Plus, he's from Maine. Like he's from that area. It would have been nice, you know, hometown hero type type of vibes. But he had a relationship with John Shire, who's the Duke head coach now.

(Anthony) I feel oh. But yeah, shout out to Cooper flag and to kind of segue into NBA because I know we're probably gonna touch on the All Star game. Do you have any opinions on brawny James, with his college career so far? Because it's pretty evident. Like he's Most likely gonna go to NBA just off the name alone and then LeBron, so how do you?

(Luke) I think he, I think he's a, he'd be a decent NBA player. I would like for him to stay another year. Because I do think, you know, I think he regardless of his last name, I do think if he wasn't LeBron James's son, he'd be good enough to be an NBA player. I don't know if you'd be a star, or kind of like that franchise guy. But I do think he's, he's gonna be a pretty good NBA player.

(Anthony) I saw a meme or a tweet somewhere there was like, imagine he goes to Detroit, and then LeBron come to Detroit.

(Luke) I mean, I, if Detroit got a brawny James, I, you guys should not be mad at that.

(Anthony) I mean, I'm a LeBron. LeBron is my favorite player. So if LeBron come into the city, I mean, I'm gonna be at some games all the time. But to say going into All Star Weekend, I got thoughts about it. I didn't actually watch novastar week I'd be busy. I just see from us record, we'd be busy, but I've obviously aware about it. And I've heard all the backlash. But Do y'all got some thoughts about it?

(PJ Um, I would say just like, I think the coolest and the highlight of the weekend was the Stef, for Sabrina. Three point competition. I, you know, there's always going to be people that hate on it, just because Sabrina is a woman, and she's in the WNBA. And she's like, Oh, my God, like, this woman thinks that she can like go up against Steph Curry

(Anthony) People are so weird. I was gonna call one of the announcers out buying people or when people are weird.

(Luke) But it's like, yeah, she can go against him. And she almost beat it. Like he right, great competition.

(Anthony) And she had- other than curry- had the highest score, like everybody. She had 26

(Luke) yeah, she would have been in the final if she participated in the actual three point competition.

(PJ) And, you know, it was like, people also have to realize that this is like for this has benefited benefiting the NBA and the WNBA. You know, and like, since this, I mean, obviously, there have been positives that have come out of this. And you know, people are like, Oh, well, it should be like Steph Curry and Damian Lillard versus, like, Sabrina, and like Caitlin Clark, or something like that, you know, for next year. And I think this really you can only like, you should only think of the positives about this, you know, that's a great competition. money went to charity, because both of them have nonprofit foundations. So I think it was a really cool aspect of the All Star Weekend, you know, as the brand new so I really loved it.

(Luke) I mean, yeah, it was I mean, she was shooting from NBA three point range. You know, it wasn't even women women's three point range, it was the men's and she's just a bucket. She's arguably the one of the best players in women's basketball, arguably the best player in women's basketball. You know, I think she's really good. I believe she's in her second year in the women's WNBA. Excuse me. But I mean, she's going to be here. Be here for a while. And then obviously, Caitlin Clark, and then shout out, Juju Watkins and US USC. She's a freshman and women's college basketball. And she, she's going to be the next Calum Clark. I mean, she put up 51 points, I believe against number 10. Stanford man.

(Anthony) And you mentioned a PJ while you're talking this is just incredible for both parties, especially the WNBA because I wasn't familiar with the young lady Sabrina before she played against a staff and then I'm aware of her injuries due to walk ins Caitlin Clark, like, it's a lot of big things come into the WNBA. And it may finally bridge that gap of people who don't really like tune in to the WNBA because like they're just they're sort of five buckets like regardless of NBA WNBA is just tally all around. And to give you my personal thoughts about Star Weekend, so I got a pretty I got pretty hot take as far as the all star game specifically. Because a lot of people say like, oh, it's not competitive. And I wish it was this, especially with the addition of like 65 game rules. NBA players are at their peak, or they're supposed to be at their peak every day. Give them a weekend arrest. Like it's funny to me. We're like seeing like yogurts and Luca, or like, around somebody tried to throw yogurt a lot, but he was not going for it. Like it was funny in the West all star team was so stacked but I saw a tweet that said the East got to try harder. So they go win by like 20 points, and then they actually won by a few points. So I'm, I would obviously love for it to be pretty competitive. But like my favorite years of the all star game was when they had joke around for three quarters. And if it's close, like really trying to fourth quarter, I feel like that's a perfect balance of the all star game because we expect them to try hard especially with the new 65 game rule and not being able to load manage every game of the season. So I feel like it should be it shouldn't be a requirement for them to try out. Arthur Yeah, and then as far as the rest of the weekend it's it just they don't hit the same for me All Star Weekend. Like I said, I didn't watch and I was busy but I didn't make like an effort to watch it because as far as the dunk contest, I mean, at this point, most dunks have been done at least by NBA players, most dogs that are have been done or going to be done or that have already been done. It's not going to we're not going to find new ones. Just since I'm talking about the All Star Weekend Look at the camera Aaron Gordon got robbed twice by Zach Lavine. But shout out Levine though, but this man that man sat down in the air over a mask guy and didn't win. But speaking of which, I don't know if y'all saw Shannon Sharpe. He was talking to Steven A on first take about Jalen Browns dunk over case and that and talking about how like highs and that is already pretty short. And he had them sit in a chair and then don't over him if this that was gonna be impressive. It's like we struggling.
(Luke and Anthony) there is apparently a petition to not allow Jaylen brown to ever adopt contests like ever. That's me booing him. Yeah, it was yeah, it was bad. And, like I at least appreciate Jaylen Brown for being somebody called him a stupid superstar I don't know if it's a hot so he's not a superstar but a star level player definitely. In the dunk contest, so he's I don't know if he's worthy of that huge contract. I don't think I think he's definitely worthy of getting his bag. But I don't know $65 million. I mean, I didn't go pocketwatch, so he's probably if the Celtics got it and they feel he were leading. I don't care about that. But blaming him for taking them right like but just the Celtics that's a whole nother thing Celtics need to get it done sooner rather than later. But if I gotta ask, I know Brad, you say you're never too familiar with NBA are you so just saw I'll make sure I'll leave you out.

(Brad) I mean, I watch it. I don't really like partake in the in the the opinions of the sport like I do other sports. You know?

(Anthony) So, I guess I could ask Luke MPJ Do y'all have any ideas on how to improve All Star Weekend? Because like one of the big things I have some ideas. Oh, okay. Everybody can get some ideas. So I started off and then we could go like

(Brad) Get rid of it.

(Anthony) Okay, all right. Yeah, he had a heck of a take earlier. So go here Brett talks about it

(Brad) um, I actually I'm not I'm not actually advocating for this. Because I don't think it'll happen like at the all star the all star games and the weekends like whether it's the NHL, like if you're not familiar with because I'm a big hockey fan, you know, as everybody might know, but there was a big there was a big controversy in the NHL All Star game too, which happens in January. And because one of the best players in the in the league, I think it was cooter off basically just like just he it was like a it was in the skills competition. I think he was like, just winging it, you know, like it was literally of the passing skills competition. And I'm it's like the one of the easiest, like skills, competitions you could be in and you just have to pass it through these like these like cones or whatever, and you get a certain amount of points. And he was just like, you know, just lollygagging, like shooting the puck, like not like like it's another Tuesday or whatever. And people and the fans actually ended up booing him. It because because he just wasn't trying and people were because they were mad that they came to see the Toronto fans or you know, they came to see a team or I mean players to play their best. And he ended up just just winging it. So I get so I'm one of my point is that they this happens in every sport, you know, you see like a ton of players. I think the only real sport that I haven't really seen it affect this too much is baseball. But even then there's a superstition in baseball where the homerun Derby will like, will like compromise your swing. And you'll Pete Alonso is like proven that that's not actually the case. He just won like three of the things or whatever. But um, anyway, so yeah, I think that I would say that some sports, you could argue to get rid of it. I'm not saying the NBA is one, I won't be that bold. But I will say that I think that different things need to be done. I guess. Like, I don't know if you guys had any of these ideas, like I heard Luke talking about one earlier. And what was your idea?

(Luke) So my idea was basically, you can still have the all star game, just make it, you know, shorter, just have the instead of 12 minute quarters, just make it five minute quarters. You know, I think a lot of thing with fans is like, I mean, I believe that he's scored over 200 points. Obviously, there's no defense being played, whereas it's with five minutes, you know, on a five minute quarters, a 20 minute game. You know, everybody's going to be not as gassed or if they were to play like a regular game. You know, you can still play Uh, you can still kind of like play, kind of not as hard as like a regular season game, but you can still give enough effort to as to where it's like, okay. You know, we can have fun watching the game, have fun playing and stuff like that. And then for the slam dunk competition, my idea was pretty much, there's a lot of people out out in the world who can dunk. You know, we've seen a bunch of internet videos of just people doing insane dunks, and my idea was kind of just like, you know, have a player sponsor, one of these guys would go out and find one of these guys. And then the, the person that they get, they'll get a bunch of notoriety on social media, and then they'll make a bunch of money that way, along with if they win, you know, maybe a cash prize or something like that. I think it'd be really, it'd be really cool. You know, just kind of seeing like a no name, type get, well, maybe not a no name type guy, but somebody kind of, you know, off the street who is known to be able to dunk that I think that'd be that'd be a really cool way to kind of make the slam dunk competition. Have fun again

(Brad) do they still do the celebrity game? So do people watch it? I def? I'm just I mean, I'm just curious. I will. I'm just I'm just thinking of ways of things that the other leagues do that are kind of cool. And what they could they could possibly, you know, do to make it better. Like, well, cuz I was gonna say the celebrity softball game that the MLB as is pretty fun. However, what I don't like is they stopped like, airing it like or telling people about where it is, like, I think last year they put it on TV, but it was like on after the event had already happened or something. Or that at least that's when I found it. They didn't really message it to the right people or something like that. So they're about I guess what the NBA has that that that's kind of cool. I was also thinking like, what if they did like a street? I don't know. Like, instead of like, basketball... I mean, yeah, or I mean, yeah, I mean, I'm thinking like 3d 3d Like not even and this is going to sound bold, but not even a real game. Like like a regular kind of like Yeah, I mean, if they're not going to try anyway, just let you know. Screw it just put it to me. Yeah, like that'll be kind of cool. Like, casual game.

(Anthony) I feel like it's very it should be way easier than the NBA at least makes it seems to fix All Star Weekend either. I'll go try it and like dunk contest for example. I either do one of two things either your idea I have people instead of NBA players like people around the world or fans do it or just remove it entirely and replace it with a one on one tournament? I generally don't understand why this isn't a part of All Star Weekend yet like you could just imagine like Kyrie versus Steph LeBron versus if Kobe was still alive Kobe during that time and just like that'd be awesome thing and that's I've seen that idea for years but so either whether you take away dunk contests or not I'd add a one on one tournament and then with the three point contest keep doing what they do like stuffer Sabrina if they put Kailyn Clark and all that super unconscious I feel like it's fine. And I felt like they should do a really cool thing with bringing in like 2k YouTubers or basketball content creators to like do commentary instead of like the typical people that do commentary and then with the all star game so I just thought this idea while y'all were talking, if they mixed the all star game and the celebrity game together like just imagine like like Kai snap player or matter of fact flight reacts playing with Steph Curry on the same court like that wouldn't be entertained marry you if they keep the offside game the same shortening maybe and then have different judges like I feel like it's way easier than they like it should really be like if you just think about like these are just ideas we've taken off top of our head some people with the one b one tournament thing has been idea for years and even with the one v one tournament for example, I feel like a big thing they could start doing more is more fan engagement like have fans play NBA players or like NBA YouTubers who like play basketball play NBA players to show like the fans involved Yeah, and like to show the difference between like an NBA player or like a content creator or have like Brad's ideal pickup game how they do like you're not an NBA player to be going to like those like random gyms and be hoop and like some like that for the All Star Weekend. I feel like it's one of those situations where some people criticize I don't know if you have heard people criticize like magnet to K for being like the same game or they like since they know people are gonna buy it anyway they don't put much effort into it. I feel like that's kind of what it is All Star Weekend. Like regardless people go be there so they don't really like change it much. And they're just finally starting to throw some little things in there. Like the three points, Steph is Sabrina stuff.

(Luke) I mean, if if I will say shut up Adam Silver, because regardless of the All Star Weekend or whatever, at least, like they're trying to, you know, they recognize that, you know, it's not doing as well and they want to fix it. Like with some other, you know, commissioners, you know the NFL commissioner MLB Commissioner, it's they kind of seem like that they don't really care as much compared to you know Adam Silver where he's like, alright, this is obviously problem what we have two addresses but PAMP piggybacking on what Brad said, if they did a, like a three V three, game like pickup game in, in like Dykeman which which is in New York City. It's a really famous basketball court if they did a three on three in that setting, or like if they did in Los Angeles where they have the basketball courts like along the beach coast, coast or beach side that would definitely be an insane watch if you were a fan. I think that would definitely get fans more involved in being able to watch them

(Anthony) And then put some more bread on the line like I feel people always say like, Oh, these guys are rich, they don't need like we say how they play for the In-season tournament they play hard you know why? Because he was getting 500,000 per person on the team so put like, same meal on the line or however much is in the budget to for like extra money because I think I saw a tweet I didn't do research to confirm it. But NBA players I'll talk about in the scenes on wanting more money for the all star game because the big issue here is like you can't force somebody to do something they want to do like a gala LeBron James but I questioned why he's never been in the dunk contest probably has he just never wanted to do it. So if NBA players aren't there and they want to chill for the all star game, they're gonna cheer for the all star game so either do our ideas or put some money on the line I feel like these problems can be easily solved

(Brad) You know real quick you know what the NHL does for the all star game for the All Star Weekend so they have like a regular All Star Weekend this year is was actually kind of cool. They had like the regular skills competitions and things like that fastest skater but you know what they did is they had I don't I think this is new because I haven't been paying attention too much to the all star games like in the NHL because I just never cared but they they had a mascot game like the mascots play each other would have been the NBA do something like that. I mean, I don't know if that it works with well it might it might work. But like the NHL video games have always had like since I remember have always had mascots in the games and you can actually play as the mascots and like you know whatever.

(Anthony) Or like Hear me out y'all know what the masked singer is right? Yeah like in the costumes and they get singer so imagine this a mascot game but like you're trying to guess who's the NBA player or like they do certain contests you trying to guess like who it is like I don't you can make fun Yeah, but
(Brad) so they also had a mascot dodgeball caught like competition that was really cool. Like that was just random. It's not hockey. But it's like the NHL mascots are playing each other in dodgeball. Yeah, it's crazy.

(Luke) I mean, no disrespect to NHL mascots, but I think NBA mascots are pretty more well known.

(Brad) I mean, they are just because basketball is more popular. Although to be fair, I don't know any basketball moss.

(Luke) I mean, who wouldn't want to watch Benny the bull versus Rocky, which is the Denver Nuggets mascot? Who wouldn't want to watch them play dodgeball? I mean, we see Ben in the bowl all the time that bowls games. He, you know, has a big thing of popcorn. He always goes in the stands and then he accidentally you know, spills it all over fans. I mean, it's just a fun time being with a mascot, so we're gonna watch a mascot like dodgeball

(Anthony) and then even with the like All Star Weekend like we clearly see them play basketball all the time. If we do something else in there I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing of like dodgeball are

(Luke) kind of like do what the Pro Bowl did what they do date so they they don't have an actual game
like the NFL they don't have a you know, an actual game anymore because they realized that fans don't really care watching it because I mean, they're not gonna want to tackle people for something like that. So what they did is they they have literal events, you know, they have like their own kind of skills competition. They have like a dodgeball event and then they have a flag football.

(Anthony) And then they leave a collab like the big three ice cubes Lee and preachers Ice Cube league of legends like put Jordan and LeBron we finally see Jordan LeBron or something like that as a lot ideas they could do, but we've talked about allowing this episode. Is there anything else on the agenda PJ to hit on? On the mic real quick?

(PJ) I think we're good. Yeah, I think that was it.

(Anthony) Right? Well, I really appreciate both of you to specifically especially PJ this your first time being on sports roundtable and didn't ask him to be on it. And Brad given his thoughts and everything as well. And with that being said, this has been the sports roundtable podcast with myself Anthony Brinson

(Luke) Luke Joseph,

(PJ) PJ Pfeiffer

(Brad) Brad LaPlante

(Anthony) And hope you guys take a seat with us next time. Thank you.