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Final preview of March Madness 2021.
Contributors
Santiago Leon – @sleon
Nicholas Hodell from Hodell Sports – @HodellSports
Predictions
NCAA
(10) VA Tech – (7) Florida 12:15pm
NH: VA Tech
(9) Georgia Tech (8) Loyola 4:00 pm
NH: Loyola
(9) Wisconsin (8) UNC 7:10pm
NH: Wisconsin
(12)Winthrop (5) Villanova 9:57pm
NH: Winthrop
Transcript
Santiago Leon 0:13
The sports cast March 19 2021. If you haven’t yet, please subscribe to all our channels, Periscope, YouTube and Apple podcast and also on Twitch, please hit the follow and subscribe. In the end if you’re listening on Apple podcast, leave a rating and review. It will help us out tremendously. And of course visit us on the sports cast dotnet the sports cast dotnet or download our app the sports cast for iOS March Madness 2021 is here people are still fill out the brackets the game the next game will be in a few minutes. So you got to fill out your brackets by then you still have time it takes me took me about five to 10 minutes so it shouldn’t be that bad. Anyways, we got a special guest today that I found on Twitter, which we found probably half our guests on Twitter, but they’re pretty good guest Nicholas hotel. His Twitter handle is hold del sports. He’s from Arizona. I like Arizona and there have been there but I hear good things about it. Nicholas, welcome to the to the to the sports cast.
Nicholas Hodell 1:16
Thank you so much. It’s it’s a thrill to be to be with you today as we get to talk some more of college basketball, which is something I absolutely love to do. So I’m thrilled to be here. Nick,
Santiago Leon 1:27
I saw your Periscope. You were live streaming, the draw? And the selection for for March Madness. Yeah, you’re pretty good. I thought.
Nicholas Hodell 1:43
Yeah. And the fact that you know, that particular selection show last Sunday was the first one we’ve had in two years. I mean, it’s super exciting to be in that moment to finally have that opportunity to, you know, get to see the main NCAA Tournament bracket, which I am like bracket crazy this time of the year anyway with the conference tournaments. And so the fact that last year we didn’t have the NCAA tournament, that really was a heartbreaker for me. So to be in a situation to where we are going to have NCAA Tournament games. It is amazing to be to be here.
Santiago Leon 2:18
That’s right. Last year, there was no March Madness, the pandemic COVID-19 hit it hard right in the midst of March. Well, right before it began. This year. It is Nicholas, tell us a little bit about yourself.
Nicholas Hodell 2:32
Well, I’m a sophomore at the Cronkite school at Arizona State University, a place where I have you know, so many fantastic opportunities to really grow myself as a journalist and really chest as a college basketball analyst for that matter. It’s my show the college bathroom Bonanza. For those listeners, you can follow us on Twitter at college Bonanza would really appreciate that. It’s a show that I’ve done now for six years now did that for four years at my high school radio station in Jasper, Indiana. And now for two years as a member of the Cronkite school. It’s a show that I don’t just treat as a radio program but more as a brand. It’s something that is really a part of who I am. And I really just really pour everything I have into making sure that that program is the best it could be whether it’s formatting or do I’m using Twitter to have some more content on there. It’s something that is just part of who I am. And part of how I express my passion for for college basketball. And also from the state of Indiana. My college roommate was from Indiana and he tells me that basketball is king in Indiana, isn’t it? It really is. I mean High School gyms are just unbelievable. It’s like my even my high school gym. It’s a full lower bowl and then you get like nice upper bowl for about three quarters of the way through through a circle. And even though it doesn’t fill up most times, it’s still amazing to see that kind of gym, which as far as sysko can can rival a ton of D one gym so it is unbelievable. What even just high school basketball meets the state of Indiana forget Indiana basketball or Purdue basketball. There’s just a sport in general means so much to Indiana and I think that’s part of why I love college basketball so much is my Indiana heritage. It really does go through me a lot.
Santiago Leon 4:25
definitely true Indiana, you know, breeds college basketball or basketball in general because Larry, Larry Bird came from Indiana, a great state. Okay. Let’s look at this year’s March Madness. Gonzaga. Everyone’s saying everyone’s picking Gonzaga for some reason. Tell us what do you think about Gonzaga and do you think the win this tournament?
Nicholas Hodell 4:52
I think that Gonzaga has the ability to win this tournament. I think goes deeper along the one worry I have is that the pressure at the perfect Big season can kind of really get under them. Really. I think that this Gonzaga team is incredible. Corey kispert and Jalen Suggs are the two players that really come to my mind. Bears take over a game. And it’s not just those two, it’s about two other guys. But this team has that you really have to focus in on or else they will come in and burn you as well. It is one of the most talented teams I’ve seen in quite some time. And I think that they have at least a favorable draw to get to the elite a at the very minimum, I think that this part of the bracket for Gonzaga, you know, go through Norfolk State, you get through either Oklahoma or Missouri. And then whatever happens with the crane, UC Santa Barbara and Virginia, Ohio, little quadrant there that that section to me, it’s so fascinating. And I think that whoever gets it goes up against I think that they’ll have gone through so much that Gonzaga I think will play pretty well against them. And so you get to the other part of the West region, which teams like I on Kansas, I honestly think that USC has a great shot to get to the elite as well. And quite frankly, for me USC with Mr. Mobley and Nic Mobley I think that is a really good team to watch out for an iOS a two theme that’s featured for me, I do not trust their defense to get to the Elite Eight, I’m just not necessarily feeling that. And I think that can Zagat Anyway, we’ll be able to go through whoever it is, whether it be Iowa, Kansas, a team like USC, or maybe another person that comes through there, and they just get to the Final Four. And for me, they’re non-conference gates earlier in their season proves so much that this team is everything that you could possibly want out of a top team in the country. And I know a lot of people will say, oh, Gonzaga is not really playing the West Coast Conference. Oh, I should pick a number one overall scene. I encourage you throughout this tournament even though a lot of brackets have already locked in to go watch YouTube highlights of Gonzaga non conference games because they played out of their mind early in the season. And they really stuck it through throughout. It’s just one of the most impressive teams I’ve seen in
Santiago Leon 7:06
quite some time. Nicolas is definitely putting anything a stamp of approval of Gonzaga. If you’re picking as a winner Nicholas approves, there is a case behind it. Now in the West Nicholas, which team can challenge Gonzaga. You mentioned Iowa USC, possibly Oregon, any of these teams that come close and maybe shock Gonzaga? a tiny bit?
Nicholas Hodell 7:29
Yeah, I think I will with guys like Luka Garza. I think that definitely give them a challenge. Like I said earlier, their defense just really worries me for the Iowa Hawkeyes, Kansas, a team that has had its ups and downs throughout this season. I still think that Gonzaga is a little bit superior to them. And I mentioned USC earlier. I just think that this USC team is a is a really good team. This was one of the teams that out of that Pac 12 where you had teams like USC, UCLA, Oregon, Colorado seemed like no one would step up. And for a while it looked like USC would be that TV until they stumbled a little bit down the stretch. I really love what USC has to offer there about the one team in the PAC 12 that I think can really go on a major run. I just really like what the Trojans have to offer with. And I mentioned Evan Roby earlier. He is a really, really good player. I’ll be very fastly to see how he matches up with Luka Garza. Should it be an Iowa USC sweet 16 I think that if they could really get through I was defense. I think they have what it takes to beat Kansas. And I think they have what it takes to take out I was well
Santiago Leon 8:35
something to definitely look at Pac 12 is Roman strong in this bracket east. We got a lot of Alabama fans. Nicholas What are you thoughts about this Alabama team? Can they go deep so I’m saying there’s just a a lead eight ceiling. What are your thoughts over the Roll Tide?
Nicholas Hodell 8:54
I think they can get to the Final Four. I think that it seems to me like Michigan is like the one number one seed in this year’s bracket that a lot of people are not taking to the Final Four. And has normally been teams they get Alabama or a Texas that that that they are picking. The one thing that Alabama I think people need to really be cautious of is the fact that they are a three point shooting team when they shoot the three extreme extremely well. They are incredible at offensive production when they are off on three point shots. They are vulnerable. And I think that a team like Texas can definitely take advantage of that. But also UConn if Alabama’s give you a team that goes out early it’s going to be against a team like UConn with James Bo night. So I really think that Alabama and the SEC has proven a lot of the amount of talent they have is just can teams caught catch them off on a bad three point night they have teams can do that the Alabama could be at some trouble but I haven’t my final four, isn’t they it has been that they are exceptional to me as a number two seed I think they are actually the most likely of the twos to get to the Final Four.
Santiago Leon 10:05
That has been talked about by a lot of the sports pundants. Um, you said Michigan, not a strength number one. I’ve been seeing teams. I mean people picking FSU to knock them out. Do you see this FSC team doing that?
Nicholas Hodell 10:21
I think Florida state’s in a very interesting spot when it comes to the brag because I think Colorado but Kinley ryka? Give Florida State a hard time to be quite frank, I still think Florida state’s the best team in the ACC. But I really think that four five is quite a toss up. And in the case of Michigan, I want to make something clear, and that these number one seats this season, have separated themselves from the rest of the country for a reason. They are the four best teams in the country. I think that Michigan when it comes to it, I think that Alabama and Texas is going to give them a real big run for their money as far as being able to play against them, especially a team like taxes what they did in the big 12 tournament. I think you definitely have to take that into consideration. I do see Michigan going on to the Elite Eight at the very minimum, whether it’s against Florida State or Colorado and then we’ll have to see what happens with their with either Alabama or Texas or who knows maybe you can can pull off some upsets of teams like Alabama or Texas and get to the lady themselves and be that real big underdog joy everyone’s rooting for and you can’t have a strong basketball history to do that. So
Santiago Leon 11:26
the East looks like it could be open but Nicholas has Alabama goes into the Final Four. So you guys out there that are Bama fans. Nicholas has a good intake, and that could very well happen. South Baylor University is the favorites in this bracket. Tell us Nick what have tell us a breakdown of this side of the bracket.
Nicholas Hodell 11:51
Well being the number one seed they have not been the same team compared to pre pies compared to post pies. They definitely struggled a little bit more after their COVID pies and some of their games against the big 12 which is my take a neverending gauntlet. I still think beta is in a very good position though to get to the Final Four out of the South region. When it comes to getting past the second round into the sweet 16. I do have Purdue I think that Winthrop is going to be a team that most people are picking to upset though Nova and for very good reason. As Phil noble is a little bit short handed without calling Gillespie I think they should be able to get through Purdue quite well, even though Purdue has been an exceptional team to really watch with some of their young players like Zack Ed. And then you get to the to the Elite Eight in the bottom half of the region where a lot of things can happen quite frankly, I have Ohio State getting there. But really, I really look at a potential three six, which is Arkansas and Texas Tech. I think that Texas Tech has done an incredible job of roster building under Chris beard. For my money. He is probably one of the best roster builders in the entire country. When you get those transfers like Mac McClung and Marco Sanchez, central Silva, he seems every year to be able to recruit decently well and also get those impact transfers that can really make a difference as a 16 I think that Texas Tech can really make a lot of noise and potentially get passed Arkansas. And I think that’s gonna end up happening but I think Ohio State is just a little bit too strong compared to Texas Tech and Arkansas where to advance to the sweet 16 I think that will be a really intriguing two three matchup I think Ohio State is a little bit and then really I could see Ohio State getting past Baylor but once again I absolutely think that Baylor they’re a number one seed for a reason they’ve been considered one of the two best teams there most of the season for a reason to get players like Jared Butler is there I absolutely think that he will take over that game and ensure that bainer gets on to the final for
Santiago Leon 13:57
the South seems like a little bit unpredictable in a way that’s what it sounds like things could you know could shake a little bit different from the other bracket other bracket seems a little bit more like concrete. But um, do you think that Texas Tech can be more of a Cinderella team than Winthrop or vice versa
Nicholas Hodell 14:18
it’s interesting because I think that when it comes to the to Winthrop, I think they drew the perfect five in Villanova to be able to get that done and when I was watching a bunch of winter footage, it really just seems like players like Chandra fahlgren are like the perfect type of player you want. Especially when Phil Nova is going to be short handed at that point guard spot against Purdue I think it will be a different story for them. I just think that would produce the other demo of some of their young players has been fantastic. And I think they’ll be able to advance their way on pass Winthrop, Texas Tech. They get Utah State which Utah State is a really good tea down the Mountain West so that 611 could be a very interesting one. And Arkansas they still got to get past Colgate Colgate First round, which Colgate did very interesting case. They are a really good offensive team. But the big thing for me when when picking this 314 and favoring Arkansas is that Colgate only played Patriot League opposition, and in a way that computers, at least in the net have really been kind of fooled without taking preseason expectation to account and the fact they’ve only played Patriot League teams. And then a few of them are vnav did play decently well on non conference kind of throughout food. The computer’s a little bit of net and it kind of gave Colgate a big advantage, especially when they are running up scores and doing it for the net. And so to me, that could potentially be a very interesting one, how can they fare against non conference opposition for the first time it’s just for me, it’s too small of a sample size to really go go with Colgate in that particular situation, and really get back with with Texas Tech, may I have them the sweet 16 getting past Arkansas. I really think that that roster they have is extremely talented. You get Mac McClung going and when you get Marco Santos solo going in the interior as well. Those are two impact performers that can really make a big difference and I think there’s so many good let’s say we talked about USC earlier I’m sure we’ll talk about San Diego State in a little bit. The Texas Tech is right up there with I mean this is probably one of the better six lines we’ve had in quite some time.
Santiago Leon 16:27
Nicholas that’s why I have you here on the sports cast you’re very analytical you know, everything to the tee. Let’s go into the Midwest bracket. Illinois nother grade team live people are picking them to go to to the national championship game, but like going on because you brought up San Diego State, Nick, give us a breakdown on the Midwest.
Nicholas Hodell 16:48
Yeah, and I’ll start with Illinois with the duo of Iowa DeSoto and Kofi cober. Oh my god. It’s so incredible to watch this Illinois team throughout the year and my co hosts in the college basketball here to Dominic stern. He loves the Illinois fighting alumni with the dosoo and Coburn duo absolutely loves it. And I do too. I think when there was there was a certain point to this year to where Gonzaga Bader and Michigan almost punched their spot as a number one C and now fourth slot was kind of wide open and not only I went out and took it and by that time that they can turn a came around it really wasn’t all that close for the number one C in Illinois definitely deserve to really earn that particular position. And then really their second round matchup against Loyola Chicago sure to get packed. I choked protecting me that Moses right the ACC player that year could be very interested because the computers love Loyola, Chicago kenpom. net they all seem really love this Louis Chicago team and as an eight seat which many people in the bracketology side of things we’re not surprised by given the fact that they are at the Missouri Valley Conference where you do not have a lot of room for air in order to move yourself up the sidelines. That is going to be a fantastic matchup. I still don’t want to like getting past that. But I would not be shocked if we’re at a position to where like Chicago is getting Illinois a fantastic game a little bit further down the bracket. I think that Tennessee Oregon State could potentially be interesting but I just don’t see if Oregon State I think Tennessee with an Andre game can be one of the better teams in the entire country in Oklahoma State liberty, me getting a K cutting him that entire Oklahoma State roster all day long. I think that with K cutting and being out for a particular period of time, it really forced the rest of Oklahoma State roster to be extremely exceptional. And they were and once Cunningham came back, it made everything so much better because the other players knew they were doing and just adding in a potential number one overall pick in the NBA Draft in Cade Cunningham was incredible. I think Tennessee still could get by Oklahoma State though. Tennessee is a five could really make a lot of noise and also challenge a team like Illinois, but I still have a we’re getting to the Elite Eight. The bottom half of the bracket to me is a very fascinating with a team like San Diego State as a 16 and also more as a as a 14. I think Morehead State is that team that not a lot of people are giving any sort of credit at all, as being a potential Cinderella. They’re the 114 seat I have picked because then the OVC they’ve won 19 the last 20 games, which is no easy feat. And the OVC title game against Belmont. They pretty much wiped the floor get to Belmont team that I honestly would not have been shocked if they were a 13 seed or even a 12th if they were to get up there. This Morehead State team definitely has what it takes a b d 14 to get past a three C in this case, West Virginia, which is gonna be a very tall order but I think Morehead State has the ability. They’re hot. They’re a very solid team and in my opinion, at least for 14 I think that they that they could be the one to potentially do it. Which is part of the reason why I sent you a statement which 16 but also LEED a, I think there’s a two, no matter if it’s an ego state or West Virginia is in big, big trouble. But I do think you’ll get to at least the sweet 16 and 710 matchup here in Clemson rockers. It’s really hard for me because records I showed the it can be a really good team. I think that they are one of the worst power conference free throw shooting keys I’ve seen in a long time. And I cannot trust that in an NCAA Tournament game when you’re a bad free throw shooting team chances you’re it’s gonna cost you a game in the NCAA Tournament. And that was part of the loan reason why I had Clemson if it wasn’t for the free throws, I think Rockers, isn’t it. I think they’re much better than a 10th seed. But for that reason, I had to go up close
Santiago Leon 20:42
over rockers there. Nicholas, you are freaking amazing. And if you want to touch up on Houston, Cleveland State now Cleveland State is gonna win Houston. I know he’s just gonna win. Um, we have a lot of liberty fans that watch this show, Nick, tell us can we beat Oklahoma State or no shot?
Nicholas Hodell 21:00
I think that Liberty kind of came up against the wrong for here, quite frankly, Oklahoma State is one of the better fours in this field. And I just think that it’s unfortunate for liberty because they have been one of the better teams in the a son in quite some time, really. And I remember back to the store the year saying that, you know, you know, the theme that year that Lincecum kind of had last year, they kind of fell off the map a little bit. I honestly thought Liberty was gonna have a very similar season. But I was way wrong. In that initial projection in that this Liberty team is pretty darn good. They can shoot pretty well from the free throw line 77% from the line this year, the rebounding is going to be a problem for them. I think that when you go up against Oklahoma State roster, that could be a big problem for them. But one thing they have going in their favor is that they don’t turn the ball over too often. Which is key in any basketball game, you gotta win the turnover battle, if you want a chance to get yourself in a spot where you can win as a 13 scene or win as a 12 or 14 for that matter. And the fact that Liberty can usually win the turnover battle is going to be very critical for them. In order to win this game. If they do not win the turnover battle. They’re going to be in big trouble against Oklahoma State because that’s a roster that you got to watch out for everyone, not just Cade, and I wouldn’t be shocked if Liberty took that extra cutting. And then everyone else just decides to really pop off too. So it’s a really hard for see throw for liberty to come up against then, you know, the other four is mean Purdue, Virginia, Florida State it a little bit would have had a better chance to encourage any of those other fours, then Oklahoma State,
Santiago Leon 22:34
tough, tough set of cards that had to be dealt with. Nicholas, I know you mentioned Winthrop, and you mentioned Texas Tech. But overall Who do you think will be the Cinderella or the dark horse for this tournament?
Nicholas Hodell 22:47
I think it’s Ohio, in the West Region them and their match against Virginia men they’ve had to go through all kinds of crazy as recently as they would surge to the coronavirus pandemic. And I think Ohio is really good. I watched a lot of footage a few days ago in Ohio, and Jason Preston, I think is the guy that can become a household name by the end of this tournament. And he is phenomenal. But it is not just him another name to watch out for us Ben fan applause really a solid interior guy. I think it was all mid American conference 30 if I’m not mistaken there, and he’s got a good three ball as well. So you have to respect his three point shot because if you don’t, you are going to be in major trouble. And given that Virginia, their defense is not as strong as it has been in previous years. Still a good defensive side, but Virginia just isn’t quite as strong. So I really had to go with Ohio with that one. And quite frankly look a little bit further to the Creighton UC Santa Barbara matchup A lot of people have been pegging UC Santa Barbara and I honestly had a very tough time with that particular match. No, just because of guys like Marcus Lega Raskin can be an impact performer. I do pray to the sweet 16 I would not be shocked if Ohio God passed Craig neither because you’re 13 you get passed out for you’re putting yourself in a very good position to be able to take the second round game as well. And I would not be shocked if Ohio was the one double digit seed that makes it to the second week I didn’t have a lot of very very good intangibles on their side.
Santiago Leon 24:17
There you have it. Nicholas says Ohio I have not heard that but Ohio I mean I do trust them because he goes into the details he goes into the library and check out these books and make sure that everything’s intact. Players wise Nicholas which players do you really gonna see that needs to shine? Maybe they have locked in in the draft but which players are we going to see who are going to be the biggest stars in this tournament?
Nicholas Hodell 24:41
Man I mentioned Kay cutting him earlier. He is a must watch attraction here because I remember his gaming explainer on the big 12 tournament semi final and all my gosh, it was just unbelievable how he was just involved in pretty much everything. Just a fantastic performance from him. I would not be shocked if he cared but Oklahoma State team into the second weekend and who knows maybe an opposite of Illinois. Again, I don’t know it was just too strong, but I think he could definitely give Oh, annoy a very, very hard time. elsewhere. I mentioned what Gonzaga has players wise just very, very good with kispert and sucks being the two big names that stick out to me. Mention for Creighton second loski he has to perform. If not, I think Craig’s in trouble. I think that might be one of the biggest keys to what Creighton does. If Sega rasky performs he says they’re in a good position. If not, I think they’re in big, big trouble. They’re nudging you I see early on the program of guys like Evan Mobley, who can really put on a really good performance. I say Mobley as well is another key one to watch for USC and that you’re gonna have to be really, really careful with them. Also talk to Eddie for USC, in the backcourt the redshirt senior, I did see some footage of USC and where he was probably the main threat from in the in the perimeter and beyond so so do keep an eye out on him as well. In that matchup against Drake at least around number one and going for it probably be more about the mobile He’s going for but do keep an eye on him going forward. coloradan mchip write me is a huge, interesting point here. I think he can carry this team to the second weekend. If he has the ability. He is one of the better players in the entire Pac 12. And he’s the reason why Colorado is even in this position to begin with. I really love what he has to offer and what he really has taxes. Also being coached under Shaka smart. I mean, you do get a little bit of question mark under a guy like Shaka is more given that he hasn’t really been there done that before. I think a guy like Jericho Sims can really elevate that Texas team and at the start of the year of Texas privilege BB one back in really high expectations and they’ve pretty much met those expectations as a three seed. They’ve done really well in that in that entire team. It’s experience for them. They’ve been there as far as college basketball goes, but now this expectation so that’ll be a key point to watch. I mentioned UConn and James Bo night. He is exceptional. Another one of my friends at the Kroc High School a painting Gallagher loves Bo night. absolutely loves them. And him in particular. I think it’s why a lot of people actually have UConn, potentially as that seven seats in a row with a very good pedigree of experience for him. And then just really, elsewhere, a Colver for for West Virginia. He could really be good Really. Oh, Chicago camera cut reg, an all American. I think he’s one of those impact players that with Georgia Tech been without Moses right. I think he’s gonna dominate in that game. I would not be shocked if Leo Chicago were lied on him relentlessly to get by Georgia Tech and give Illinois that challenge. Coburn versus caught rig is gonna be a fantastic matchup Should we get a should should we get that of course, chaos can ensue. But if we get that match of I’m gonna be very interested in watching that. There you have
Santiago Leon 28:19
it. Those are the highlights the players that we need to watch out for the teams that we need to watch out for. And Nicolas is wow, done. They’ve done a great, fantastic job. The games have tipped off that off are like already today. But let’s start off with with predictions. Virginia Tech versus Florida. Who do you have, Nick?
Nicholas Hodell 28:43
Yeah, it’s in progress. Right now for Virginia having a decent advantage for photo I had Virginia Tech going in to the bracket winning that I think that as a 10 seed, they are a pretty solid 10 for my eyes that they can definitely get past Florida.
Santiago Leon 28:59
I’m gonna you know, pick a few games, not all of them. But let’s pick a few favorite ones. Georgia Tech versus low Yola. 4pm. Eastern.
Nicholas Hodell 29:06
Yeah, I think that that could be a really good game. It’s a shame that Georgia Tech is without Moses right, because the matchup of right and cover would have been amazing to watch. But I had Loyola Chicago again, I think as an agency, they’re probably one of the better eights we’ve seen in quite some time. And I think they’ll be able to get past Georgia Tech, Wisconsin, UNC. This is one of the tougher eight, nine matches, I had to go again, because of just the experience of Wisconsin, which matters in the NCAA tournament, and just how North Carolina has been playing exceptionally loud as of late. I added Wisconsin going in, I’m gonna stick with that, just the experience that they have, and also going through the big 10. I think that that could matter. I think the big ticket of a big tournament and I think that could potentially start with a close eight nine win for Wisconsin. And finally,
Santiago Leon 29:53
the last game at 9:57pm Winthrop versus Villanova.
Nicholas Hodell 29:57
Yeah, and it’s for many people with It’s been hard to resist taking Winthrop, I have Winthrop and may not want loss was like a two point loss and Big South Conference. Boy if they did not have that loss. Who knows where Winthrop would it would have been seated, quite frankly. I mean, undefeated with their team. I don’t think it’s just a 12 I think they get even better than that, quite frankly. And Phil Oh, no, I think it’s the perfect five for Winthrop. I had the Eagles. There you have it. This
Santiago Leon 30:25
is March Madness begins today, Nick has given me some energy, some emotion. And I’m I’m ready to kick it off. I want to put on the TV here. My office is a kitchen room and we’ll put it on and watch some games. Nick anything else before we close out?
Nicholas Hodell 30:43
I mean, for the fact that we haven’t had you know, this type of if the NCAA tournament in two years. The first four i thought was an incredible Prelude with closed games pretty much on all four of them, quite frankly, with the 16 seats bowing out for the right to face one seeds and the way that which taught was jaw state and Drake ended and also UCLA, Michigan State go into overtime. That was the perfect Prelude for what we’re going to see today. This is probably gonna be the best day of college bass we’ve seen since the first round two years ago, and we had all those NCAA Tournament games. I am super excited to watch all these games. As a matter of fact, I ended up waking up super early this morning just to get all my academic work out of the way so that I get get focused on the NCAA Tournament. Since this is my time, man, this is March and I am just so excited to watch the NCAA Tournament.
Santiago Leon 31:39
I wish next few weeks. I wish there was a college class on this, but there isn’t, but hey, I’m glad you got up early, get your homework done. And focus on a big weekend ahead of us the first tournament without Duke since 1995. How about that, Nick?
Nicholas Hodell 31:53
Yeah, yeah, that is crazy. But to me, Duke just hasn’t really been it this year and a gown ACC you gotta at least be it and for Duke that just wasn’t the case this year. And, you know, it’s a shame as an individual talent they had but they just could never piece it together. In the ACC then they’d have a decent conference win and then they would go out and lose a team like Miami. And they just never were very consistent enough to get to the point where they needed to be and it was also a shame that they’re you’re ended with the coronavirus pandemic getting to that team because obviously you would have loved to see that Duke team go and they’re running ACC tournament against a very good team like Florida State, they would have played for the state that that wasn’t for the pandemic but still made things only Blue Bloods out Duke Kentucky as well. I mean, this definitely gives this tournament a brand new feel to those that haven’t watched the NCAA tournament, or even just college basketball I should say throughout the course of the year.
Santiago Leon 32:50
There you have it and the end the tournament will be played in one location Indianapolis the final national championship will be played at Lucas Oil Stadium. So we’ll see how that will go. Nicholas what is the best way to reach you online for people to ask Hey, my bracket messed up. What is the best way to reach online?
Nicholas Hodell 33:08
Yeah, you can reach me on twitter at Odell sports. h od e Ll and then sports would love to you know hear from from everyone and also on Twitter for the college basketball Bonanza at college Bonanza. Of course the next episode we get back out base could be a sweet 16 preview as well as going through the coaching carousel and Chancellor portal since there is a lot of things going on with the transfer portal as well in the Minnesota as Marcus Carr entered his name into the into the portal just a little bit ago which I thought was really astounding news and and some of the other parts with Bachelors of a Rhode Island and Jalen house may issue entering the portal is definitely one of my big points of emphasis in this offseason really keep a track of all that since the transfer portal in the past two years has been one of the craziest places in college basketball crazy or then traffic jams on the interstate really, it’s just, it’s crazy. Really just all the players entering and going in and out to different places. It’s hard to keep track of ROI for the casual fan, but I’m going to try my best to really keep a track of all that
Santiago Leon 34:11
it makes us sports guys talk about it a whole lot more. And you can reach us at the sports cast at the sports cast one on Twitter or at the sports cast that net follows a long lag going on and college basketball also NFL free agency and also, Nicholas is not just a college basketball fan. He’s also a man says a huge fan of Manchester City.
Nicholas Hodell 34:36
Yeah, I mean, it’s something that it’s funny since I wasn’t really into soccer, until I got my first decent video gaming which was a FIFA 12 and at the time I was more of a career mode guy and I wasn’t really thinking about choosing you know, like no smaller club to take up I was thinking of just you know, good squads to choose and Man City happen to be that squad and that year so I know I picked out and I think it just kind of stems of that loyalty. From brilliant at first people can I truly play on Sampson has been something that I’ve really tried to keep a track of. And it’s tough when college basketball is on pretty much all day and you’re really wanting to keep a track on that and covered as much as much as I do. But I definitely love to do that. I have a couple of soccer shows on blaze radio, the student run radio station at Arizona State University batcher o’clock, and the offside show those air on Fridays on blaze Radio online.com so that I am someone that I do look forward to doing you know, so that does give me a little bit of a break from the academic grind and the college basket a little bit. So something something that I enjoy.
Santiago Leon 35:40
That is great, definitely good chance. A good year for Man City could win the quadruple four trophies this year. So we’ll see how that pans out. But anyways, we’ll have Nick back again, we’ll probably have a big show around the championship weekend and have them break down what happened, what didn’t happen, and things like that because Nicholas is on the game. Anyways, I appreciate you coming out to the sports guys.
Nicholas Hodell 36:06
Yeah, thank you so much for having me. It’s been quite a thrill to be able to to appear on a show like
Santiago Leon 36:11
this. Let’s do it. Let’s go March Madness 2021.
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
