Interviews of the Week on 104.3 The Score: March 30-April 3
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What talent does Illinois possess for the Final Four?
Illinois possesses as much talent as these other three teams. There's no doubt about it. Their offensive talent is incredible. The rise of Keaton Wagler, now making it to the center stage. If you look at these four teams and you want to take another backcourt from a talent standpoint, you're sitting there with the guard play of Illinois. Because at the end of the day, Keaton Wagler and then the defender that is Kylan Boswell, they've got a fire and ice mix. Mully and Hall, 104.3, the score. John Fanta does a great job, NBC Sports. You want to see a compelling podcast on him and his career, check out Kevin Fishbane. He does great work, and he had John as a guest recently.
How does John Fanta view the coaching matchup in the Final Four?
And John joins us now on behalf of DraftKings, one of the most exciting teams Places to engage with March Madness. DraftKings has products available to fans nationwide, whether that be DraftKings sportsbooks, predictions, or daily fantasy sports. And John joins us now on the... The fantastic hotline, the Plumbers 911 hotline. It is always fun to have guests join us. Plumbing Emergency, call 1-833-PLUM-911, local 130 Plumbers. Get the job done right the first time. John, good morning. How you doing? Good morning, guys. It is great to be with you. Coming to you straight from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. And the hype is building. The anticipation is building. You can just feel it. We are in for some kind of final four.
Four heavyweights.
What insights does Dee Brown share about Illinois basketball's journey?
I think there's a case to be made for each of the four to win it all. And that's what makes this theatrical.
Well, we love it here in Chicago because Illinois is there for the first time since 2005. And John, loved your walk and talks with Rick Pitino at the Big East Tournament, and certainly that was something that you know great coaching when you see it. How do you see this coaching matchup in the first game tomorrow night? Danny Hurley in UConn, Brad Underwood in Illinois. Hurley has the pedigree, certainly may have the advantage, but how do you see this coach-to-coach matchup?
Well, you know, I think we should focus on Brad Underwood and his career journey. I mean, I spent a lot of time with him yesterday. I'm going to move out of doing a sound check in the stadium. I spent a lot of time with Brad yesterday. I've got a one-on-one coming out with him shortly.
How has Keaton Wagler's recruitment story evolved?
But, you know, what I love about Brad is he's adapted. He's adapted. His offense has grown over the years. This is a guy who started as a grad assistant. Forty years ago, outside of D1, Division III, Harden Simmons, a college down in Texas, and he's worked for everything that he's gotten. As a guy who was at community colleges, as a guy who was on staff at Kansas State, South Carolina, takes a job at Stephen F. Austin, has Thomas walk up in the NCAA tournament, and they become a story in the tournament. And then after the stop at Oklahoma State, takes Illinois. And, you know, what I loved about him over the weekend is he said, this is my dream. This was my dream to get Illinois to a Final Four. And he's got more dreams to accomplish than his next to win a national championship.
What are the challenges for mid-major teams in today's college basketball?
And I say this not because I'm on a station at Face.Illinois. I don't think this will be the last time Brent Underwood's taking Illinois to a Final Four. It's because he knows how to get talent. And he also knows there's a ton of international talent out there. And these guys have played pro ball. david nirkovich is phased by nothing the eviscent brothers are they're not phased by anything because they've played pro games they've played against grown men that's why illinois is prepared for this moment dan hurley has the experience on this stage there's no question about that but brad underwood he challenged his team all year they played virtually anybody they've played uconn they're not afraid of uconn yeah they got beat by him but that that was at a totally different stage of the season
Brad can win this championship. The Illini are fully capable of winning it all because they've got a competent coach. You know, it's interesting because the second game seems to be the one with the two number one seeds.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What talent does Illinois possess for the Final Four?
0:00–0:49
2
How does John Fanta view the coaching matchup in the Final Four?
0:49–1:53
3
What insights does Dee Brown share about Illinois basketball's journey?
1:53–2:45
4
How has Keaton Wagler's recruitment story evolved?
2:45–3:37
5
What are the challenges for mid-major teams in today's college basketball?
3:37–4:46
6
How does the state of college basketball affect player recruitment?
4:46–5:24
7
What led to Jaden Ivey's turbulent experience with the Bulls?
5:24–5:53
8
What are the implications of Billy Donovan's potential return to college coaching?
5:53–41:39
Speakers
5 identifiedMore from Rahimi & Grote Show
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