Preferred Walk-Ons

Dynasty Modes

Despite the tumultuous nature of college basketball, both the men's and women's seasons ended in predictable ways. In this episode, we analyze both NCAA National Championship games and look ahead to an off-season of player and coach movement. Topics for discussion include:
The dominance of South Carolina and UConn on the path to tournament titles
The 5th anniversary of UVA basketball's title
John Calipari's surprising decision to leave Kentucky for Arkansas
Watching the transfer portal with the basketball season over

Survive and Advance

In three short weeks, North Carolina State has completed one of the most incredible turnarounds in NCAA basketball history. Left for dead entering the ACC Tournament, the Wolfpack have made ascended to the pinnacle of college basketball. In this episode, we outline the reasons for NC State's success and discuss what the whirlwind has felt like from a fan perspective. Topics for discussion include:
NC State's improbable run to the Final Four
Frustration among the UNC fanbase
UConn's continued dominance and Final Four picks
The star power remaining in the women's tournament

Sweet Redemption for the ACC

After months of commentary about how it was a "down year" for the ACC, the conference has responded with a vengeance in the NCAA Tournament. In this episode, we talk about the reasons behind the ACC's success, analyze the first two rounds of March Madness, and look ahead to an exciting slate of Sweet Sixteen games. Topics for discussion include:
The ethics of placing bets on rival teams
The success of the ACC in Rounds 1 & 2 of the NCAA Tournament
Evaluating Virginia's season after another early exit from March Madness
Whether you should root for your rival's success for the good of the conference
Other observations from the opening weekend of the tournament, including NC State's dramatic win over Oakland
Picks against the spread for every Sweet Sixteen game

Why Not Us? A 2024 NCAA Tournament Preview

After weeks of blind resumes, NET rankings, and bracketologist projections, we finally have our NCAA Tournament field. In this episode, we do a deep dive on the bracket, analyzing the most likely winners and the underdogs poised to wreak havoc. Topics for discussion include:
NC State completing a miracle run through the ACC Tournament
Virginia surviving a weird year on the NCAA Tournament bubble
Bubble teams opting out of the NIT after not getting an invite to March Madness
Analysis of each part of the bracket with our picks, possible upsets, and teams to root for
Data to help select upsets in your bracket
Predictions for UVA's First Four game against Colorado State

ACC Tournament Recap: Day 4

It was an eventful last day of live coverage from the ACC Tournament in Washington D.C. The finals are now set, with top-seeded North Carolina taking on its hated rival, NC State. The Wolfpack's improbable run comes at the expense of the Virginia Cavaliers, who must wait until Selection Sunday to see if they will be included in the field. In this episode, we discuss:
NC State's magical four-day run during the ACC Tournament
The agony of Virginia's last-second loss
A preview of the ACC Championship game
What we heard from players and coaches behind-the-scenes

ACC Tournament Recap: Day 3

The ACC Tournament semifinals are set! North Carolina will look to make its case for a top seed in March Madness against a Pittsburgh team looking to play its way off the bubble. In the second game, NC State will look to continue its Cinderella run through the conference against a Virginia squad that escaped with an overtime victory over Boston College. In this episode, we analyze everything we saw at the arena, including:
What we learned from all four quarterfinals games
How Thursday's results impact ACC bubble teams
The experience of masking our rooting interests as members of the media

ACC Tournament Recap: Day 2

What Day 2 of the ACC Tournament lacked in drama, it made up for with surprise performances. Wake Forest and NC State ensured that North Carolina will be well-represented during the Thursday slate of games, while Boston College upset Clemson in a definitive rout. In this episode, we break down all four Wednesday games and look ahead to the quarterfinals. We discuss:
An early week appearance of the Red Panda
Another strong ACC tournament performance from Florida State
Wake Forest's attempt to remain on the NCAA bubble
NC State's dominant second half against Syracuse
Boston College not acting like an 11 seed
Our favorite moments from the first two days of the tournament

ACC Tournament Recap: Day 1

Defense was in short supply during the first day of the ACC Tournament, as Notre Dame, NC State, and Boston College advanced after 80+ point performances. Record on locations in Washington D.C., this episode provides a behind-the-scenes perspective of the sights and sounds of a fascinating Day 1 of the nation's premier conference tournament. We discuss:
The upward trajectory of Notre Dame and Georgia Tech
NC State's offensive explosion without leading scorer DJ Horne
The final nail in the coff for Kenny Payne's tenure at Louisville
Quentin Post and BC ending a perplexing season for Miami basketball

Mo-Mentum for Women's Basketball

While Virginia's men's basketball team struggled mightily at Duke, it was a banner weekend for the UVA women's program and for women's basketball generally. In this episode, we analyze the amazing career of Caitlin Clark and look ahead to both the men's and women's ACC and NCAA basketball tournaments. Topics for discussion include:
Duke and UNC back at the top of the ACC in men's basketball
The messiness of the NCAA tournament bubble
Caitlin Clark becoming the NCAA's all-time leading scorer
Kymora Johnson leading Virginia to a win in the Commonwealth Clash and a preview of the ACC women's tournament
 

Life on the Bubble

After several anemic offensive performances, Virginia basketball finds itself in unfamiliar territory: squarely on the NCAA bubble. In this episode, we talk about fan anxiety and address criticisms for the Cavaliers' recent play. Topics for discussion include:
Our upcoming TheSabre.com watch party for the UVA-Duke game
Court storming experiences and alternatives
Mississippi Valley State completing the D1 "circle of parity"
How Virginia fans should navigate the unfamiliar territory of "the bubble"
Fan reactions to Virginia's recent struggles on offense
NC State's outlook for making the 12-team College Football Playoff and initial betting lines
Excitement about the return of college sports to video games