1
00:00:01,159 --> 00:00:08,320
Speaker 1: Is the Matcommas Show with Ross. It is So one

2
00:00:08,359 --> 00:00:10,400
O three on Sports Talk seven to ninety.

3
00:00:10,560 --> 00:00:11,679
Speaker 2: It is our.

4
00:00:13,039 --> 00:00:15,560
Speaker 1: Big time pleasure to be joined by one of the

5
00:00:15,599 --> 00:00:21,640
great college voices of our generation. Former Seaton Hall, former

6
00:00:21,760 --> 00:00:24,559
NETS analyst on Sports Channel. That's when I used to

7
00:00:24,600 --> 00:00:25,920
go to the satellite in the middle of the night

8
00:00:25,920 --> 00:00:27,839
and try to find strange channels, and there was Bill

9
00:00:27,960 --> 00:00:30,239
Raft calling games on the Nets on Sports Channel. Now

10
00:00:30,239 --> 00:00:33,560
he's on CBS and working Tonight's game on Fox Sports

11
00:00:33,560 --> 00:00:36,600
One is the Cougars take on West Virginia. Mister Raftery,

12
00:00:36,640 --> 00:00:38,200
It's Matt and Ross. It's a pleasure have you on

13
00:00:38,240 --> 00:00:39,520
the show. Welcome back to Houston.

14
00:00:40,520 --> 00:00:43,159
Speaker 3: Thank you very much. Used to come here and watch

15
00:00:43,280 --> 00:00:45,719
those Rockets play and beat the heck out of the Nets,

16
00:00:45,759 --> 00:00:48,079
so it's nice to be back on the other side here.

17
00:00:48,439 --> 00:00:50,359
Speaker 1: Hey, I'll tell you this, it was just nice having

18
00:00:50,399 --> 00:00:53,200
you call a Houston victory because the time before that

19
00:00:53,280 --> 00:00:55,679
you didn't so take us to that game.

20
00:00:55,920 --> 00:01:00,560
Speaker 3: So I know, crazy, right, I mean, the way the

21
00:01:00,600 --> 00:01:04,200
thing turned out two opposite nights, when you think of it,

22
00:01:04,400 --> 00:01:07,840
how they won and lost, just the twist of fate.

23
00:01:07,959 --> 00:01:11,200
But you know, you just keep knocking at the door obviously,

24
00:01:11,400 --> 00:01:13,840
and the good things are going to happen. I mean,

25
00:01:13,879 --> 00:01:16,359
they're always going to be in the hunt. They're no

26
00:01:16,439 --> 00:01:20,719
longer and after sort so you know that was wouldn't

27
00:01:20,719 --> 00:01:22,319
have been a shock if they wanted. It was a

28
00:01:22,319 --> 00:01:24,920
tough way to lose it, obviously, Bell, let me.

29
00:01:24,840 --> 00:01:27,560
Speaker 1: Ask you this. I think obviously Kelvin is old school

30
00:01:27,560 --> 00:01:30,200
when it comes to everything, and look, Nil has been

31
00:01:30,239 --> 00:01:32,280
a huge part of this transfer portal, but he's still

32
00:01:32,280 --> 00:01:38,200
fundamentals about defense, aggressiveness, culture building. How many are there left?

33
00:01:38,239 --> 00:01:41,000
I know that you've got Iszo doing this thing, You've

34
00:01:41,040 --> 00:01:44,400
got Bill self and whatnot. But tell me about when

35
00:01:44,400 --> 00:01:47,599
you run around the country what the new school coaches

36
00:01:47,799 --> 00:01:49,879
are doing is compared to some of these guys have

37
00:01:49,879 --> 00:01:51,760
been around twenty thirty years.

38
00:01:52,159 --> 00:01:56,319
Speaker 3: You know, I don't think they're individually doing anything other

39
00:01:56,400 --> 00:02:00,400
than their personality. But I think the younger guys are.

40
00:02:01,319 --> 00:02:04,599
I think they're not always say committed, but they know

41
00:02:04,719 --> 00:02:08,039
the rules and instead of complaining about them, they're just

42
00:02:08,120 --> 00:02:11,479
trying to go ahead and live with them. It might

43
00:02:11,560 --> 00:02:15,800
be on the outside viewed as cold, but in fact

44
00:02:15,840 --> 00:02:19,639
it is cold. Uh, you know, with kids leaving programs

45
00:02:19,680 --> 00:02:22,120
and you know, coaches happy to get rid of some.

46
00:02:22,639 --> 00:02:25,840
It's just it's become a you know, it's always was

47
00:02:25,919 --> 00:02:30,479
big business college athletics and basketball in particular, but now

48
00:02:30,639 --> 00:02:33,800
now it's it's just gotten to a level where you know,

49
00:02:33,879 --> 00:02:37,879
the old timers find it distasteful, uh, and the newcomers

50
00:02:37,879 --> 00:02:39,879
that are coaching are saying, you know what, these are

51
00:02:39,879 --> 00:02:42,280
the rules. We got to play with them and you

52
00:02:42,319 --> 00:02:45,159
know all the things we were raised with as coaches

53
00:02:45,280 --> 00:02:47,879
or players where you know, you've got to make sure

54
00:02:47,919 --> 00:02:52,080
you get through school. You know, the rules now are

55
00:02:52,120 --> 00:02:55,360
for one percent of the players. Basically, you know a

56
00:02:55,400 --> 00:02:57,120
lot of the kids, as good as they will be

57
00:02:57,199 --> 00:03:00,520
here tonight, they will not be NBA players in the

58
00:03:00,639 --> 00:03:05,159
reality is such you know, at best maybe international or

59
00:03:05,280 --> 00:03:08,479
G League with a hope. But that's what everybody is

60
00:03:08,520 --> 00:03:10,639
a dreamer, you know, we all were. We all had

61
00:03:10,800 --> 00:03:14,479
expectations we were going to be something special or be

62
00:03:14,560 --> 00:03:16,639
able to play the game you love for a long time.

63
00:03:16,800 --> 00:03:20,759
So I think that the guys understand the rules, and

64
00:03:21,479 --> 00:03:24,080
you know, they may complain about them and talk about them,

65
00:03:24,080 --> 00:03:25,680
but they know how to live by them.

66
00:03:26,199 --> 00:03:29,360
Speaker 1: My last big, big picture question, do you've seen kids

67
00:03:29,400 --> 00:03:31,639
go directly from high school to the NBA. You've seen

68
00:03:31,680 --> 00:03:33,840
the one and done. Now you are in the midst

69
00:03:33,879 --> 00:03:37,479
of calling games where transfer portal and nil moves shifting around.

70
00:03:38,159 --> 00:03:40,560
It feels like to me, Bill and watching you for

71
00:03:40,599 --> 00:03:43,520
all these years, that when you put the headset on,

72
00:03:44,319 --> 00:03:47,199
we can all still do this. As fans, we forget

73
00:03:47,199 --> 00:03:48,840
about that kind of stuff. We just focus about the

74
00:03:48,840 --> 00:03:51,000
game itself, and I feel like you're still doing that.

75
00:03:51,120 --> 00:03:53,000
Is it becoming more difficult to do with the However,

76
00:03:53,240 --> 00:03:53,960
as I say.

77
00:03:53,719 --> 00:03:57,199
Speaker 3: That, no, not at all, And that's nice of you

78
00:03:57,280 --> 00:03:59,400
to say. I think you and all of us that

79
00:03:59,520 --> 00:04:03,520
do games games that once the people at home really

80
00:04:03,560 --> 00:04:08,199
don't care about the mishacks or you know, maybe the

81
00:04:08,280 --> 00:04:12,599
lacking of the foundation that exists in the game. They

82
00:04:12,719 --> 00:04:15,199
just tune in to watch the game. And I think

83
00:04:15,400 --> 00:04:18,319
we are, in our own way privileged to just do

84
00:04:18,399 --> 00:04:21,720
the game. Maybe an anecdote or a quick comment if

85
00:04:22,279 --> 00:04:25,879
it fits, but other than that. I know myself when

86
00:04:25,920 --> 00:04:29,800
I watch anything at home or occasionally in a pub,

87
00:04:30,759 --> 00:04:33,160
you know, you just want to watch and enjoy the game.

88
00:04:33,199 --> 00:04:37,240
You're not interested in the frailties or shortcomings of the

89
00:04:37,480 --> 00:04:38,839
system itself.

90
00:04:39,279 --> 00:04:40,920
Speaker 2: And what has it been like for you, Bill, just

91
00:04:41,160 --> 00:04:43,800
you personally as as the game has changed, as far

92
00:04:43,839 --> 00:04:46,040
as your passion for the game, do you ever find

93
00:04:46,040 --> 00:04:48,759
yourself longing for the good old days in some way

94
00:04:49,000 --> 00:04:50,959
or just embracing this new way or a little bit

95
00:04:50,959 --> 00:04:51,279
of both.

96
00:04:52,480 --> 00:04:55,399
Speaker 3: No, you know what, when you go to these practices

97
00:04:56,079 --> 00:05:00,000
and games, you realize that all of these kids put

98
00:05:00,199 --> 00:05:03,480
all of that aside now. And now, I'm sure as

99
00:05:03,519 --> 00:05:06,360
the year progresses and the programs aren't doing well, you

100
00:05:06,480 --> 00:05:10,319
might have some negativity creep in. But it is amazing

101
00:05:10,399 --> 00:05:14,000
how they they've adjusted to the rules they you know,

102
00:05:14,079 --> 00:05:18,959
that's done with, whether it's negotiation or or a fact

103
00:05:19,480 --> 00:05:23,040
in terms of our contract. They're just here to play.

104
00:05:23,160 --> 00:05:26,399
And there's still young people enjoying enjoying the game they love.

105
00:05:26,600 --> 00:05:30,199
So I think that people are getting what they want

106
00:05:30,279 --> 00:05:34,759
watching games. I think all the commentaries basically for those

107
00:05:34,800 --> 00:05:36,120
things that they can't control.

108
00:05:36,160 --> 00:05:40,040
Speaker 2: Anyhow, Bill Raftrie with us here on Sports Talk seven

109
00:05:40,199 --> 00:05:42,439
ninety What about the x's and o's and the tactics.

110
00:05:42,439 --> 00:05:45,160
We talk about how the personnel has changed, and how

111
00:05:45,160 --> 00:05:47,160
there's the portal and all that type of stuff. What

112
00:05:47,240 --> 00:05:50,920
about on the floor, the basketball itself? How have you

113
00:05:50,920 --> 00:05:51,639
seen that evolve?

114
00:05:52,800 --> 00:05:56,120
Speaker 3: Well, you know, judging by Houston for example, I think

115
00:05:56,160 --> 00:06:01,360
the ability to guard has become of the essence when

116
00:06:01,360 --> 00:06:05,360
you go around. As good as teams score, the coaches

117
00:06:05,439 --> 00:06:08,959
probably work more on the defensive schemes against the opponent.

118
00:06:10,160 --> 00:06:12,800
You know, the level of play. You've got to be

119
00:06:12,879 --> 00:06:16,720
prepared every game, and the coaches do attack it, and

120
00:06:16,759 --> 00:06:19,920
the players too in terms of prep and going over

121
00:06:20,000 --> 00:06:24,959
a scattering report, but you know, the game itself, the

122
00:06:25,319 --> 00:06:29,399
ability to pros, particularly which you're more accustomed to. The

123
00:06:29,439 --> 00:06:32,759
centers have to be able to handle ball screens. They've

124
00:06:32,759 --> 00:06:35,560
got to be able to pick and pop where still

125
00:06:35,600 --> 00:06:38,600
in college you still have some a lot of the

126
00:06:38,680 --> 00:06:42,240
centers are role guys, ball screen role guys. Now there

127
00:06:42,240 --> 00:06:44,959
are some who can make threes. But I think the

128
00:06:44,959 --> 00:06:47,839
biggest thing is the preparation on the defensive end to

129
00:06:47,920 --> 00:06:51,240
take away the strengths of the opponent. And I know

130
00:06:51,319 --> 00:06:54,240
that was always a labor of love for coaches, but

131
00:06:54,279 --> 00:06:56,720
to me, it's more with all the film and the

132
00:06:56,800 --> 00:07:01,360
adaption to what you see just just has created some

133
00:07:01,399 --> 00:07:04,639
great defensive teams and a lot of them score off

134
00:07:04,680 --> 00:07:05,279
their defense.

135
00:07:05,759 --> 00:07:08,959
Speaker 1: A few more minutes here with Bill Raftury from Fox

136
00:07:09,000 --> 00:07:11,720
Sports one and CBS, joining US Matt and Ross here

137
00:07:11,759 --> 00:07:14,600
on Sports Talk Sevronti. When I was growing up, I

138
00:07:14,600 --> 00:07:16,680
would watch you on the Big East Game of the week.

139
00:07:17,439 --> 00:07:19,360
You now move all around the country. You're here for

140
00:07:19,399 --> 00:07:21,399
the second and straight week, you do some Big ten games,

141
00:07:21,399 --> 00:07:24,319
You're doing the national tournament obviously. Is there a style?

142
00:07:24,439 --> 00:07:27,000
Is there a part of the country that is more

143
00:07:27,639 --> 00:07:30,519
ready for the likes of a March Madness run? I mean,

144
00:07:30,720 --> 00:07:33,079
I think the Big Twelve, frankly, since even with all

145
00:07:33,079 --> 00:07:36,480
of you and Texas leaving, is just a mega dominant conference,

146
00:07:36,519 --> 00:07:38,000
and I think there's three or four teams in this

147
00:07:38,079 --> 00:07:40,519
league itself could be there on Final four weekend.

148
00:07:40,879 --> 00:07:43,279
Speaker 3: No, I think you're right. I think the competition of

149
00:07:43,399 --> 00:07:46,759
this particular league and the SEC you could throw in

150
00:07:46,800 --> 00:07:49,560
there as well. The accs have the better year. Big

151
00:07:49,560 --> 00:07:52,360
East is not as strong this year. I think things

152
00:07:52,399 --> 00:07:55,720
as cyclical. I think you know, they come and go.

153
00:07:55,920 --> 00:07:59,240
Everybody who is knocking there, the GAETY and the ACC

154
00:07:59,480 --> 00:08:03,079
last year, all of a sudden they've got some really

155
00:08:03,160 --> 00:08:06,079
quality wins. It's all pretty gated on November and December,

156
00:08:07,120 --> 00:08:09,439
but you know, the game's in a good place. You know,

157
00:08:10,160 --> 00:08:12,279
it's the off the court stuff that may not be

158
00:08:12,319 --> 00:08:15,120
in a good place and will not be resolved quickly,

159
00:08:16,519 --> 00:08:19,399
or at least to my knowledge, it won't be resolved quickly.

160
00:08:19,480 --> 00:08:23,199
But I think the game in terms of interest and love,

161
00:08:23,759 --> 00:08:27,399
it still captures all areas of the country, and you know,

162
00:08:27,480 --> 00:08:30,040
everybody it's up for grams once you get into the tournament,

163
00:08:30,079 --> 00:08:33,759
as you well know, so the geographics done really have much,

164
00:08:34,720 --> 00:08:37,759
you know, to do with the decisions who you've beaten

165
00:08:38,399 --> 00:08:41,879
and where you're seated. And that's why guys is like strive.

166
00:08:42,080 --> 00:08:45,159
Every game is so important in terms of quality wins,

167
00:08:45,200 --> 00:08:47,480
and this is one for either team tonight.

168
00:08:48,080 --> 00:08:50,159
Speaker 1: Last question I thought or two about this game. The

169
00:08:50,200 --> 00:08:52,840
Cougars have one loss on the year. West Virginia beat

170
00:08:52,960 --> 00:08:55,600
Kansas over the weekend. You were just finishing looking at

171
00:08:55,600 --> 00:08:57,799
shoot around to how do you see this matchup tonight.

172
00:08:59,279 --> 00:09:03,759
Speaker 3: I think it's it's going to be a fistfight, you know.

173
00:09:04,200 --> 00:09:07,639
I think this West Virginia team can match and I'm

174
00:09:07,639 --> 00:09:12,559
not saying it surpass the defensive prowess of Houston, So

175
00:09:12,759 --> 00:09:15,759
I think it's going to be very hard to get

176
00:09:15,799 --> 00:09:18,519
easy baskets. But I think that's going to be the key.

177
00:09:18,639 --> 00:09:22,200
You know, second and third opportunities I think would swing

178
00:09:22,240 --> 00:09:26,519
to Euston side because they're so good at chasing Missus

179
00:09:27,000 --> 00:09:31,720
and getting more opportunities. So I think turnovers, long rebounds,

180
00:09:31,759 --> 00:09:34,840
all of those things are going to decide the outcome.

181
00:09:34,960 --> 00:09:37,679
I think the philosophy of both programs is very similar.

182
00:09:38,399 --> 00:09:42,080
Speaker 1: All right, last question, very silly one. Onions is your catchphrase.

183
00:09:42,120 --> 00:09:44,200
We love it and always want to hear it. Why

184
00:09:44,200 --> 00:09:46,879
did you choose onions oversay like peppers or something less

185
00:09:46,879 --> 00:09:47,039
like that?

186
00:09:48,679 --> 00:09:52,000
Speaker 3: There's nothing, There's nothing in that head of mine. I

187
00:09:52,039 --> 00:09:55,440
always say I didn't go to Harvard, and it shows.

188
00:09:55,679 --> 00:10:00,840
But we were doing a irony who you know? The

189
00:10:00,879 --> 00:10:05,679
bird claims it was Orlando, thank Kevin Edwards. The nets

190
00:10:05,679 --> 00:10:08,080
were in one of those one of those dreadful years,

191
00:10:08,120 --> 00:10:13,320
you know, fifteen eighteen win years, and Kevin Edwards makes

192
00:10:13,360 --> 00:10:15,919
a corner three and I had never said the word

193
00:10:16,000 --> 00:10:19,480
before publicly or on the air, and I was just

194
00:10:19,720 --> 00:10:22,679
it just jumped in like this kid makes this three,

195
00:10:22,759 --> 00:10:25,799
you know, with their entire straits, and it just sort

196
00:10:25,799 --> 00:10:30,039
of fit the interpretations up to the listener. But I

197
00:10:30,039 --> 00:10:32,000
think you know what I mean, I do.

198
00:10:32,120 --> 00:10:33,840
Speaker 1: I just want to say there was a different interpretation,

199
00:10:33,919 --> 00:10:36,360
but I think we figured it out here. Sir, you

200
00:10:36,440 --> 00:10:38,559
are a legend. I am honored to have you on

201
00:10:38,600 --> 00:10:41,080
our show today. Please continue to do your great work

202
00:10:41,120 --> 00:10:44,919
on FS one on CBS, and hopefully I can buy

203
00:10:44,960 --> 00:10:47,519
you a cold beverage in Indianapolis, because I've already made

204
00:10:47,559 --> 00:10:49,360
him a reservation there for the Cougars to go back

205
00:10:49,360 --> 00:10:50,679
and finally win a championship.

206
00:10:51,120 --> 00:10:52,759
Speaker 3: That's the deal, and you got a good chance of

207
00:10:52,799 --> 00:10:54,080
being there, I assure you.

208
00:10:54,120 --> 00:10:56,399
Speaker 1: Thank you very much, all right, take care. You have

209
00:10:56,399 --> 00:10:57,919
a great desk YouTube Bill Raftri.

210
00:10:58,120 --> 00:10:59,120
Speaker 3: I mean, what a legend.