Now here's Nick Coffee. All right, ladies and gentlemen, welcome man.
You made it. That's right. It is Friday, and so we get
you set for the weekend. Here Coffee and Company fueled by Thornton's on at
Sports Talk seven ninety. My name is Nick Coffee as always. I hope
you knew that. If not, now you do. It's actually Coffee and
Jennings with company as well today because Dave Jennings in the saddle and Dave let's
just get it out of the way. Yeah, yeah, we work well
together. But I know you don't want to be here on a Friday.
R Oh no, no no. I asked if I could, Oh,
okay, yes, I'll run down two other people lined up, and I
said, you know what I'd like to do that today, Senora. Want
to get home at a normal time and have a beer too early? I
get it. It reminds me a little bit of whenever I was on in
the morning, whenever there would be fillings that would come in people to you
know, whenever my producer was on vacation, whoever it was at the time,
and I would just know, like, hey, you probably got up
a lot earlier than you usually do, and there's no sinnario. You're thrilled
to be here, so you know, we just get out of the way
early. But here's what I'm hoping, hopeful that by the by the time
the show ends today, you're going to think, man, that was that
was such an experience to be a part of Coffee and Company. That's what
I'm hoping for. Yeah, ask me again every hour. Okay, well,
well yeah we'll check. How could addressing? Yeah, check the pulse
of one Dave Jennings throughout the throughout the afternoon here, but we are going
to take you up until six o'clock. So take us with you wherever you
go. Listen live on the Ahurt Radio app Listen live at seven to ninety
Louisville dot Com. As always on a Friday, we set the table.
Get you set for the weekend, and this weekend it's the Final Four.
And as I've said many many times, I've now become I guess just used
to watching the NCAA tournament from start to finish without really having rooting interest.
My rooting interest is now who I bet on. It's not a team.
You know that I have a strong allegiance to that. I have some emotional
investment in, you know, being a fan, that's what comes with it.
So I'm always excited for the final four now. But these matchups I
really do believe are going to be some pretty good games. I know Yukon
is Goliath, they look scary good, and I do believe they will win
tomorrow, and I believe it'll be Yukon that cuts down the nets on Monday.
But this Alabama team, just knowing that they have an offense that is
so high powered, it's got to make you think that this could be more
competitive than the other Yukon games we've seen in the tournament thus far. I
mean, I'm probably gonna end up taking Yukon to cover the big number because
you know, they're that good, and right now it is Yukon minus eleven
and a half. But that doesn't mean it can't be a competitive game.
I mean, Yukon has been dominant and they've led by thirty points against everybody
they've played. I know not every game has ended up in being a thirty
point beat down, but I mean not that far from them if you just
look at it. Fifty two to seventy seven was a score against Illinois eighty
two to fifty two against San Diego State. They beat Northwestern seventy five to
fiftyfty eight. Uh and of course their first round opponent was Stetson fifty two
to ninety one. That was the score. So they've been they've been dominant,
and I love it. I love the thought of getting a team that's
going to go back to back for the first time since the Florida team did
it. But then again, just you know, give us something to watch.
I don't want to be thinking about, you know, finding something else
to watch on television tomorrow night or even Monday if it's an absolute beat down.
Now, just how thick of the end of the season has been with
Alabama. So you've got Kentucky fans thinking we're going to be an eight or
and nine seed. The sky is falling. Then they go to Tennessee,
they went on the road handily, and Louisville fans go, oh, we
don't want Natoates now based on that game that was so true. And then
Kentucky gets a three seed and Natoates is in the final four. There were
a lot of roller coaster rides when it comes to coaches throughout the season.
For Louisville fans right, because I think we knew all along this was going
to end, which you did meeting the Kenny Payne era and there was a
coach that you'd feel really really good about. Then they'd lose. But if
they lost to Kentucky, it almost is if not only Loisval fans no longer
wanted them to be hired, they thought they should be fired from wherever they
are. I mean, it's just he's already got our number and we haven't
heard anybody yet. He got handled by Kentucky at Rup and and you know
this Albema teems tricky because they're so bad on defense, but yet if they
get rolling offensively, they can score a ton of points. And you know,
again they're up. They're up against it against the Huskies. But Dave,
I'm telling you, I think n C State's gonna upset Purdue. And
I'm not just saying that because I want Venetti to be sad because he's now
become this big Purdue fan with John being a student there. But this per
just hasn't choked yet. Well said, it's coming, right, It's inevitable.
And Kevin Keats was on the hot seat that run that NC State has
been on. I mean, I know it's obvious to everyone that even follows
college basketball a little bit, it is insane. But this is where I
think, like perdue losing here. You know, they broke through to the
final four for the first time under Matt Painter, so they've already done something
they've never done in this era that is the Matt Painter era at Purdue.
But wouldn't it also be very fitting for them to lose to an eleven seed.
I mean, that would be very Purdue. So Edie and Burns that's
the big matchup, and I'm tempted to take n C State money line just
because there'd be really good value there. And I think I mean, Purdue
has been beatable throughout the tournament, and it give them credit for being a
you know, team that lost to a sixteen seed last year and they know
the I mean, the pressure is there, there's no doubt about it.
And they had a breakthrough win against Tennessee which was a really, really good
win. But North Carolina State they're not Cinderella like you typically see. I
mean, they have capable players. I mean, they should have been better
all throughout the year and clearly this run was something no one predicted. But
it's it's not as if they're a mid major with you know, I mean,
it's not like the goalkey guy for Oakland, who you know, was
a sixty year senior who'd previously played Division two basketball. These are transfers like
most good teams have now with some pretty good talent. So now, in
years past, Edie would have folded by Now, I guess a good big
man as big as he is, a skill as he is, is this
the best big man Hill have faced in this tournament? At this point,
I would have to say yes. I mean, just looking at who Purdue
has gone up against. I mean, Tennessee is a good team when they
play physical, good defensive team with Rick Barnes, but you know, they
don't have a towering presence or even a bulky presence like like DJ Burns.
Same thing with Gonzaga. Yeah, I mean, I think it's safe to
say this will easily be the best interior presence to the you know, the
that d is going to face, and I'm just curious if they're going to
guard each other. I mean, you would think that Burns would be very
very I mean they call every little foul on anybody guarding Edie, and I
think he's just become the guy that's very difficult to officiate because you know,
he'll jump up in the air and I mean, to me, it looks
like he's over the back, but maybe not, because again he's just going
to tower over everybody. So I'm hopeful that this is also a good game.
And I'm just pulling Frenzy stated. Trust me, it's not about the
acc allegiance. I mean, because Louisville has been in so many different leagues
throughout my life, I've never been someone that has felt like an emotional attachment.
It's always good for your league to do well because that makes your team
look mean, even if you have no even if you have no involvement in
said success, it's still a good thing if you are a part of the
league that wins. I mean, for example, like Kentucky. I mean,
they clearly have never had any real factor in SEC football and it being
the dominant league, but you know they're at least in the neighborhood, right,
They've got they've got occupancy, and it makes him feel better. I
wonder if Rick has texted Burns yet, see if he's available next year.
I don't know, so, I mean he's Did you realize he started his
career at Tennessee. I feel like a real idiot because I'm someone who does
claim to be a college basketball super fan and nerd, and I knew he
was at Winthrop previously, but I had no clue he actually started his career
at Tennessee, was there one year and didn't play. Some more fast facts
for you about DJ Burns, Cliffy he is. He is somebody that has
played for the new Louisville coach. So Pat Kelsey coached Burns it Winthrop prior
to going to Charleston. I think it was just for one year and it
was you know, it wasn't like he had a monster season, but there's
some familiarity there. Trying to follow these guys careers is like following rock bands.
They're sure they're the Beatles, but then they were the Quarrymen, and
then they were the Turtles before they were this, and then they were that.
So I'm not going to keep track of this free agency with these kids.
It's hard to do. And Louisville has I mean, they're gonna have
thirteen new players on this roster for Pat Kelsey in year one, and you
know, I'm following along as best I can as far as names. They
are reportedly interested in reaching out to any of the players from last year a
shot to stick around or come back. Does he want any of them?
I don't know. I don't think so. I mean, if I had
to say one way or the other, I would if I had to just
guess, I would say that there's not going to be a single scholarship player
from last year's team on this year's team. The one that I think could
potentially come back would be Mike James, but I think that's a long shot.
Brandon Huntley Hatfield actually committed to NC State. I think it was yesterday.
So you know, I know a lot of these. I mean,
every one of them is in the portal, and the timing of some of
them entering the portal it was almost as if, Okay, I waited to
see who the new coach was. I met him. Now I'm going to
go to the portal because I just want a fresh start. And look,
anybody who just wanted to do something different that has been here in either just
the last two years or just this past season. It would make it would
make total sense. And it's not just the fresh start, it's the fresh
cash. Yeah, that's true, that's a big factor, But that's another
thing that like, for example, let me just give you an JJ Trainor.
He was a good role player for Louisville before he got hurt. This
year, I think he was playing his best basketball, but still never a
guy that I think would be a top tier player at this level. But
in IL at Louisville's is going to be pretty I mean, you know,
I think it already is in a pretty good spot, and it's going to
be even better if they keep raising money with the collective. So if you're
JJ Trainor, do you want to go and finish your career, let's say
it a mid major where you would get a bigger you'd have a bigger role,
you'd certainly probably have some nil money. Or would you rather be a
role guy here in your hometown and you know, probably make more money.
I guess it just I mean, everybody's probably a little different as far as
what exactly they're looking for. But I'm point now where I used to think,
well, yeah, nil, it's a factor, but it's not the
only thing. I mean, they're gonna think about this and that. Well,
now, I'm like, you know what, I think they only care
about money, and I can't say I blame them. I mean, this
is really these if you're twenty one, twenty years old, whatever it may
be, this is probably your first chance to really make some money, you
know what I mean. It's almost like getting your second contract when you're in
the NFL. Absolutely, you want to have a good year in your contract
year. Now, I would think that sponsors who pay nil money would expect
you to stick around for more than one season. I think they expect that
out of you. But if you have a great season, your nideal is
what it is. But then Clemson might come along and say we can double
that for you. Yeah, and at that point, if you are like
I know, folks give money to the collective with the monthly membership fee and
all that helps, right, it all adds up, is that the eleven
dollars a month thing. Yeah, there's different levels, and I think that's
back the base level there. But again, even if it's ten dollars a
month, five dollars a month, I mean, anything helps, and they'll
let you know that. They'll take whatever money that you're willing to give.
But what I just think is, I don't know how you would. I
don't know how you fix this because it's the NAA's fault for just trying to
force their archaic amateurism model to last forever when it's just, I mean insane.
So that led to you know, Congress getting involved and basically saying,
hey, you can't allow these kids to not be able to take money from
somebody if they want to give it to them, But we have to dress
this up as something so idiotic. We know they're getting paid to play a
sport at a certain school, but technically, you know, in the NIL
arrangement, there's nothing you know, in the contractor in the agreement that states
that they're there, that they're being compensated to play. Is there any transparentsy
can we see any of these deals? Not yet? I mean, it's
it's certainly not something that falls within like the open records request. And I'm
not sure I really believe a lot of what is said as far as the
amount of money, But then again, maybe I'm naive. Maybe you know,
maybe a transfer. You know, for example, there's a kid from
Wisconsin, good player that is transferring and he he was in Kansas, was
interest in him, and they are the nil I guess arrangement they could do
with seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars, but he said no, and he's
now he's still on the market because he wants a million dollars. I just
can't imagine somebody giving a you know, a solid big ten guard from Wisconsin
a million dollars to play for one year. But you know, I guess
tech all it takes is one person, you know, willing to put up
the money. And well, if we put the contracts on the table,
look, Chucky, you're gonna get a million dollars. But it's over two
seasons. We'll evaluate after each season. If we both agree this isn't a
fit, you forfeit the five hundred thousand that you got that might keep players
from moving. Yes, And also, I mean I I just again,
I'm not someone that would ever be in the financial position to go buy a
player to play for a team that I care about. But you know there
are people that can and do, and I just to me, i'd have
a hard time right if there was a like put it this way, let's
say Dave Jennings is the star guard on the team, and I, you
know, I know he had options to go everywhere, but I wanted to
make sure he came to Louisville. So I put up some money and it's
in an IL deal for Dave Jennings. Well, coach Pat Kelsey doesn't play
Dave Jennings. He you know, he's you know, making him ride the
pine, making him, you know, the eighth man. And I'm thinking,
hey, why did I give this money to Dave Jennings if he's not
going to be out there making an impact. And by the way, the
sticky situation, why am I not seeing the names, the images and the
likenesses of these athletes on TV and in print? Because it's a shame really
about that. Oh yeah, this is return on investments as legalized booster influence
is what this is exactly. So again we call it an IL name,
image and likeness, but it really isn't that at all. And even if
you do end up seeing somebody on a billboard or something that was gonna happen
anyway. Yeah, and they're not doing it. The companies whoever is paying
for that, they're not doing it because they really hope man, we're gonna
that's a that's a ten thousand dollars billboard. We'll make twenty thousand dollars because
of this. You know this, this spin that we just did. I
mean, the idea of name, image and likeness was it came out of
the Ed O'Bannon stuff, right where you're using the images and the numbers of
these kids in the video games, so share. If you're using your name,
image and likeness, Caitlin Clark can probably make a couple of million dollars
and she should be able to do that. That was the theory behind it.
If there's a market for you, you won't make money. If there's
not, you won't. And now we're just funneling booster money to the kids.
Yeah, I mean that's exactly what I mean. I think what you
just said is quite literally exactly what is happening. And I think everybody's kind
of aware of that, that's following along. But yet we again we dress
it up as something different so we can, I guess, stay compliant within
the NCAA. But I'm telling you right now, I don't think the NCAA
has ever had less power and authority at least, you know, seemingly because
anytime I I think people are just doing whatever they want, and if they
get hit with some kind of a notice or an allegation, they just hire
a lawyer and fight it. Like the Florida State situation for those who don't
know Dave Jennings, Florida State fan. I think they probably know that.
I mean the nil. I don't know if they got did they get a
notice of allegations or was it just kind of like a warning that was now
they actually lost a couple of scholarships and something like that too because of I
don't know, oh, trying to pay players through the NIM well like everybody
else is doing. The details that came out from the In fact, I'm
pretty sure it was like n C double a's their actual what they you know,
what they accused them of doing. I'm pretty sure everybody in college athletics
read that and thought, wait a second, that's what we're doing. That's
what everybody's doing. You're telling me who we're not allowed to do this,
So that others ended up getting caught after the fact, and I believe Tennessee
was one of them, and they're, you know, they're kind of going
rogue anyway, because they've just accepted they're going to keep breaking INTOAA rules and
it's just seemingly never ending. But they lawyered up and are fighting a similar
charge I suppose from the nc double A, and that's led to it right
now. It's just a complete free for all. And the NCUBLEA has a
thing for Florida stake is they're suing him. So yeah, that was the
ACC anyway. Yeah, And by the way, have you kept up with
that much? Like I have no clue what the latest is on that lawsuit.
I saw something yesterday that whatever whatever the most recent legal step was it
was, it looked like it was a win for the ACC more so than
Florida State and Clemson. I've lost track of it, to be honest with
you. Clemson is on board with it, and it hasn't made a lot
of sense so far. But this will change college athletics if they win this
lawsuit, if they can get the grant of RICE down to a manageable level.
And I'm sure you saw where they're proposing or there's twenty people together,
university presidents, sports executives trying to put together the super League, yes of
ten divisions of is it seven teams and then a second tier like in soccer,
where you can play or win to the upper play your way into the
upper tier. Yeah that, I mean that would usher that in if Florida
State and Clemson can win this. Where do you if, in fact,
they just are out of the ACC, Because I think something that would make
if it's quite clear that Clemson and Florida State just don't like they're going to
fight until the end, I mean, wouldn't the ACC be wise to just
let them out but for a reduced rate of what the actual buyout is.
I mean, I don't know what they would do with said money. And
without Clemson and Florida State, the league really is just not I mean,
it still exists, but man, it would be so much different and it
would be worth much less money, and ESPN would want to renegotiate the already
crappy rights deal. Yeah. And for those who you know this is I
think this became a well known thing when when the additions were made of Stanford
is it Stanford? Yea? And yeah and smu jeez, the value in
adding some West Coast presence and some Texas presence, Like I don't really know
if they're it puts you into, it puts you in markets that you're not
already in. But overall, I think what the commissioner was doing there is
just really covering his own ass because you know, we hear about all this,
this the grand of Rights deal that you just mentioned. We know it's
not a good deal, and that's why teams like Florida State and Clemson are
upset. Understandably so, because they do bring more eyeballs and more value when
it comes to that. But the ESPN contract, the grant of rights,
If in fact the league gets below a certain number of teams, then ESPN
can just say, Okay, we're going to renegotiate this. And if they
do that again, schools like Louisville and other acc men, iflov has been
complaining, I think they just feel happy to have a seat at the big
boy table and be a part of the power five. But you know,
you don't want to have the heads of the table leave exactly even if they
you know, if the league dropped below a certain number and ESPN came to
renegotiate this current arrangement that everybody's complaining about, I think they could audiously say,
yeah, you're actually not even worth that. Well, we're going to
actually reset here and give you less money like this. Just I just think
the acc overall is I don't know if it's just going to completely not exist
anymore, but value, there is long, long term value in this league,
especially without the two powers that are Florida State and Clemson. It's just
to mean and there's great advice. There's an old saying, you know,
don't quit a job until you have another job. It tends to work out
better for you. So with that being said, I can't imagine Clemson and
Florida State are quitting the conference without a place to go. Have there been
back channel conversations with the SEC or the Big Ten saying, look, if
you guys can get out of there, you're in here. Somebody must have
said that, right otherwise why fight to get out? Wouldn't you think the
Big Ten would make the most sense just because the you know, the South
Carolina area and then of course Florida there's no presence for the Big Ten in
that area. I mean, the SEC would be you know, become an
even better league, and it's already the best league in college football for sure,
but they're not getting any I mean, they've already got Florida and with
you know, South Carolina already they already I mean, there really would be
no new market that you're tapping into. But then then again, sometimes it's
not just about that. It's about, hey, we were already the top
dog. These are two teams we could two schools we could add and be
even more dominant. That's my guess is that they've had conversations with the big
ten and they have a tenative offer. That's the only thing that makes sense.
Yeah, I'm with you. I'm with you, all right. So
what we're going to do coming up here on the other side, We're going
to talk to our mana mister Jeff Greer, who I got to figure out
how to, you know, how to set him up here because I think
you guys have known him for many, many years as somebody that covered Louisville
basketball for the Courier Journal, for the Athletic and now he works for Soccer
Holdings, which of course is the ownership group of the soccer clubs here in
town, Louisville City FC, in Racing Louisville. But he's gonna join us
on the other side. I want to get his thoughts on this final four,
his early impressions of one Pat Kelsey. And again we'll talk a little
soccer. There's a big, big game coming up this weekend. Can I
say game? It's match? Right? I'm sorry, I'm learning it's new.
Isn't it a match on the pitch? There we go talk a little
footy. Is that a thing I've heard? That's the thing? Not Rex
Ryan related, but you know, just the little under the table footy at
the kitchen table. All right, So stick with us. We got a
lot to get into, including a new name on the radar for the portal,
a big transfer I think that Louisville is apparently going to get involved with.
So we'll keep this thing rolling along, taking you up till six o'clock
again at is Coffee and Company, and we are a fuel by Thornton's right
here on Sports Talk seven. Now back to coffee and Company, fueled my
Thornton's on Sports Talk seven. Nine day. That's right, Friday afternoon,
Friday. Vibe is certainly strong here on a beautiful day. Well it's not
beautiful, but then again, I'll just stop mentioning weather because I realize now
that I'm in the cave. Once I enter the studio about two thirty,
I don't see outside for like four and a half hours, so I could
tell you, oh, it's beautiful day, it's great, and then like
things obviously could be much different than when I walked in. So anyhow,
let's let's bring in our man. He's Jeff Greer and he joins us here
on Sports Talk seven ninety. How we do it on a Friday, Mister
Jeffrey, I'm doing great, Nick, and I'm looking out my window here
and it is pretty nice where I am. So good. Your words are
effective on my end. Well, good, glad to know that that is
the case. So I know Racing Louisville is the club we typically talk about
with you, but we got to also talk about the other club that you
that you work with, and that's at Louisville City FC. So this is
this like the first time they've ever been televised nationally like this on a on
a platform like CBS, certainly a big matchup tomorrow with Indy eleven. Yeah,
it's the first time, at least on a network broadcast. They've had
a couple of games here and there over the years on ESPN or ESPN two,
like in the playoffs and stuff, but this is this is by far
the biggest stage that that lou City has been on with that network broadcast.
And yeah, it's another opportunity for for us to show off the stadium and
the city. And you know that game is going to be packed out,
so it's gonna be pretty fun on Saturday. And they're off to a good
start so far. Correct. Yes, it's like you know, it's like
the the Rothstein tweets like death taxes. What is it, Greg Guard?
It used to be po Ryan, Yes, like death taxes and Low City
like they're gonna be good every year. Last weekend they won five nothing.
So I mean they're just flying right off the start. And uh, this
is a big rivalry game, you know. I know that Indy because of
the basketball, you know, rivalries that were so used to Indy doesn't always
feel like a rivalry city. It's always felt obviously more like Lexington and maybe
Cincinnati. But I'm in the low city world. Indy is the big one,
and so they're excited to hopefully take it to them tomorrow on National TV.
Now has there ever, I mean I could be talking to them out
end here but since the club launched in twenty fourteen, I mean they've been
like good or really good almost every single year, right, Like, how
rare is it to just have a basically a startup and since day one,
I mean, fans around here have really been spoiled, right Like, since
the club's existence, I mean the down years have not really been really down
at all. Yeah. So, so last year, there are some struggles
during the season, ended up finishing fourth in the Eastern Conference, so that
should tell you the expectation level for that team. And they still made the
Eastern Conference Final, so basically the playoff semi final, and they have made
the Eastern Conference Final every single year of their existence. So it is,
Yes, it's a machine. It's very rare in any sport to have that
kind of impact right away. You know, the league has gotten a lot
better over the course of those ten years. So the fact that they're still
that powerful and that regular of a contender is a testament to just kind of
the culture that's been created and the guys who have either established themselves as veterans
and then slowly but surely passed the batons on and some of those guys are
still there. So it's it's basically set up as a winner every year and
you just kind of get used to it at being expecting them to be playing
into November. Jeff care is our guest joining us here on Sports Talk seven
ninety. So last time we talked it was right before the match against Portland
and it was another draw. So three draws, three games in. How
do you How do we feel in about about the club right now? I
mean, obviously there's no losses, but I think, as we discussed last
week, like a draw can really be viewed in different ways. Yeah.
Look, I mean I know that this. I've had many conversations over the
years with with my friends who get frustrated by ties as a result. I
do think that it does. If we had if only we had this in
other sports, I do think we'd probably end up with a lot of them.
And it's just kind of like, yeah, that probably was was a
fair result. We were the better team in the first half and quite frankly,
they were the better team in the second half, and that's okay,
But I still feel really good about the group. Got Alex Morgan and San
Diego come into town next Saturday on the thirteenth and then we've got the game
in the middle of thunder over Louisville on the twentieth, which is my birthday,
So I'm gonna be all jacked up on Mountain Dew anyway, So it's
gonna be It's gonna be a good couple of weeks coming up, Nick,
But I feel okay coming back from from Portland. We had one of our
starters get hurt out there. She'll be out for the year, which is
obviously sucked for everyone, But the vibes are still really good and I think
we'll be in good position to keep moving on. If you're someone like myself
who is still kind of learning a lot about the world of soccer at the
professional level, you know, you don't need to know much to know who
Alex Morgan is. She's a she's a superstar. What does it do for
a club when someone of that magnitude comes to town. I mean, obviously,
I think you know, even though she's not playing for for us like
that, that alone is a bit. It's got to be a big draw
for different clubs throughout the league, right, Yeah, for sure. I
mean, she's the biggest name in the league and she's a good player.
I mean, she's a good player. She's done a lot for the sport,
and and it's kind of fun with with our team because we've got a
lot of younger players, uh, players who are in their early twenties who
will say like that's who they grew up, you know, admiring and wanting
to be like. And then there was actually a funny moment two years ago
a player on our team, Kirsten Davis, who just got married, so
she's now Kirsten Wright shut out, but she was just yeah, shout out
to the offseason for them, but she she was saying that that, you
know, in the middle of a game. She was kind of like caught
in this moment of like, oh my god, that's Alex Morgan. And
you know, you hear about that from guys in the NBA with Lebron and
yeah, obviously back in the day with Michael Jordan and Larry Bird and those
guys. But that's the impact that she's had on the sport. So it's
cool and there's certainly going to be a lot of Alex Morgan jerseys in the
stadium on the thirteenth, but rest assured, we've got some racing T shirts
to hand out to those kids while they're there, so to make sure that
they've got the right colors on for next time. All right. So,
a couple of weeks ago when we talked about the the players for both teams
that that move here and make it home for however long they play here,
or maybe they make it home even after they get done playing at some point.
You know, they seem to like Louisville. You are somebody that's a
transplant yourself, and you've made it your home. You're raising your your family
here and whatnot. But give me, is there anything you've heard from from
you know, from people who aren't from Louisville that have been here because of
work essentially, like what could what could Louisville do better to? You know?
What complaints have you heard about? You know, maybe they're not they
don't like the traffic, the construction, maybe it's food. Any anything you've
heard that that is that has been maybe a little consistent from people that are
getting acclimated to this city. Oh, that's a great question, honestly,
I mean, I I really truly don't hear a whole lot because we're right
stuff. Yeah, I mean, look, obviously I think we all wish
traffic on Shelbyville Road was better, but I think that's just kind of a
product of them being like three different either shopping plazas, their malls and all
the other places along Shelbyville Road. But you could say that about all sorts
of different roads around the city that are packed with cars. So I mean,
look, maybe more direct flights and at We love our airport partners,
and they're working really hard to to keep adding them. So that's been a
great Those have been some great additions in the last few years, but maybe
a few more would be, uh the ultimate goal, But but no,
I think the biggest one is, Uh, we love sports fans. We
want them to keep showing up to games and keep keep supporting our partners.
But no complaints. As far as I'm concerned, I would say, like
Nick previously, maybe when I was when I was a roving sports writer and
was always looking for stuff, places to go sit while I was working,
I wish there were more bagel shops. I'll give shouts to pain Street formerly
Nancies. I know there's a couple others that have popped up in recent years,
but I'm a Northeasterner and I love a good bagel, So I wish
there were maybe a couple more bagel shops. Forgot you were a bagel guy
life. Yes, sir, I'm starting to look like one too, so
that's probably a real problem. All right, let's shift gears to basketball really
quickly here. During your time covering Louisville basketball, Kevin Keats was around,
and I know you're familiar with him to an extent. What do you make
of this run that they're on. This was a guy that was most likely
going to lose his job just a few weeks ago. Now not only has
he given himself a contract extension just by the accomplishments, but now he's in
the final four. I'm starting to think they they've got a good not a
good chance, but I mean I wouldn't be totally stunned if they do pull
off the upset against Purdue, because Purdue good team. Tough matchup with Eady,
no doubt, but like Purdue, losing to an eleven seed in the
final four would be very Purdue. Yeah. Look, I love Teats.
I don't know anybody who doesn't love that guy. He is super friendly,
he's got great stories, he loves chopping it up. You know from from
the early days when I would, you know, try to get some info
and and and detail on what guys were like when they were coming through.
I think it was hardgrave where he was right he was he was somewhere in
Virginia, and so he had so much, so much understanding of what made
those guys tick when they got to By the time they got to Louisville,
I used to love talking to him about that and the process of developing players.
And then you know, once he was obviously on the staff, he
was just super helpful and and and always such an interesting guy to talk to.
So it's cool to see his team get hot like this, and and
I know we we probably all consumed the same stuff on Twitter, but to
go from literally needing a three at the buzzer basically to keep your hopes alive
to be on this run now as the beauty of the sport man, it's
it's been fun to watch and I'm excited for DJ versus Edie in this in
this final four this weekend. Wouldn't you say that this run has kind of
been a reminder to college basketball fans that in c State, despite not having
a deep run like this in a long long time. You know this.
They have a huge fan base. I mean, if you go to North
Carolina, I wouldn't be shocked if you see more Wolfpack fans than any other
team there. And I think I don't think nobody thinks there's some mid major,
but I think their success, I mean, and to see the support
they're getting from from their fans, I mean, they're this is a program
that when they have success, they're one of the best in the country.
Yeah, it's a huge program. You know, there's a reason that they
are a flagship program for apparel deals and all that stuff. I mean,
they're always thrown in with with the Kansas'es and Louisville's and Indianas and all those
names with those kind of stations on the apparel side. For a reason,
they've got a huge fan base. It's spread out, not just in the
state. There's a lot of NC State grads that I met when I lived
in DC when I was younger, And yeah, it's a it's a it's
a massive, massive school, so you're gonna have a lot of alumni.
But because of the Duke UNC vacuum, it's just that that sucks up so
much of the attention, and obviously for for justifiable reasons. As much as
I think everybody just kind of is sick of hearing about them a lot of
the time, they they've warranted it a lot of the times too, So
it's tough to be sort of that third and sometimes even for a fiddle if
Wake Forrest is having a good sports year, either in football or basketball or
whatever it is. So they have always felt like a sleeping giant. And
I certainly have loved seeing all the Valvano stuff that has been popping up to
that's such a great reminder of another credible underdog story. And in d NCAA
tournament history is that NC State team back in the eighties, so super cool
and it's fun to see them kind of crashing the party over the last couple
of weeks. All Right, last question, Final four? Who do you
think? I mean? Is I mean, can somebody stop the shoe Con
team? They look pretty unstoppable right now. I don't think so, I
do. I have felt like Purdue is gonna be at least in the Final
four, if not the championship game pretty much all year. I felt like
they kind of had the Virginia arc to them. Of just the massive choke
followed up by a big run. So if anyone can do it, it's
them. But man, Yukon just looks like an incinerator. I mean,
like, like I remember I put my phone down during the Elite eight.
It was like, right at the end of halftime, I put my phone
down. I forgot what I was doing, but I like went off and
got a drink and was like talking to somebody, and I came back and
they were up like twenty. So that it's hard to pick against Yukon.
How about you? Is that all assumption too? I just think that they're
clearly the best team, and Hurley has found a way to manufacture some real,
you know, chip on the shoulder type of stuff, right. I
Mean, nobody's saying they're not the deserving favorites, but I think they truly
believe that there's been a level of disrespect there, and you know, I
just don't see them getting complacent. Therefore, I could see them Honestly,
it wouldn't be good for you know, entertainment, But I wouldn't be totally
stunned if they end up winning these next two games by fifteen or plus.
And it's not because these other teams are playing are terrible. They're just that
good. Yeah, yeah, it's crazy. I mean it's crazy that they've
gotten to this level. So we're kind of watching a similar Florida run from
the mid two thousands, and even those Florida teams weren't as dominant. So
I'm with you. We'll say how it plays out, but I'm excited.
I hope that. I hope it's Purdue Yukon in the title game, with
all their respect to my guy DJ Burns, I'm hoping that's Yukon Perdue.
Those are the two best teams in the country. I want see wanting to
play for a national title. Jeff, you are the man. Appreciate you
making town for us on a Friday. Enjoy the weekend. We'll talk sooner,
right brother, all right, thanks Nick, we'll see you soon,
all right, take care again. That's Jeff Greer, appreciated making town for
us. Always a good conversation. We gotta take a quick break. We'll
come back on the other side and wrap up at three o'clock hour. As
we know, and it's not a big issue now. I think everybody seems
to be pretty pleased with Pat Kelsey, but obviously he wasn't Louisville's first choice.
Well, Arkansas opened up yesterday and it sounds like their first choice also
turned them down. We'll tell you who that is and more on the other
side right here on Sports Talk seven ninety. That's right, Coffee and Company
rolling along here, wrapping up at three o'clock hour. Appreciate you hanging out
with us. Also appreciate our friends over at Thornton's. We are fueled by
Thornton's. Make sure you sign up to become a member of the Refreshment Awards
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I've got three. I got three hundred and four thousand on my FOURD
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change? That's impressive? Thank you. What has it been just longevity or
has there been a handful of really long drives? There were a lot of
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driving smooth as ever, My man, love it. I'm going for half
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when you were younger, it's like Lisa car every two years, you always
have something new. Now it's like, no one, I want five hundred
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to see how long this thing could last? Is that's actually a shot of
getting old, righty? Yes, all right? So look, if you
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Chris Beard was the top target for Arkansas and he has turned them down to
stay at Ole Miss. I don't know if we're gonna get any details that
what you know as far as what led to him deciding to stay. But
I have a theory as to why Chris Beard is not going anywhere and he's
staying down in Oxford. So we'll get to that and a lot more.
Another name to monitor, I suppose when it comes to the transfer portal for
Pat Kelsey and Kentucky, we'll talk about them a little bit because I'm starting
to wonder how many of these guys that don't look like surefire NBA draft picks.
So they're gonna stick around, They're gonna hit the portal because Caliperry,
he won't be in the same situation as Pat Kelsey, but it could be
another another roster overhaul in Lexington, all right, don't go anywhere. We
got two more hours left right here. Coffee and Company Filbeth Thornton's on Sports
Talk seven ninety