March Madness is officially underway, and the road to the NCAA Tournament is already full of surprises. On this episode of Sports IQ with Larry Smith, we break down the conference tournament chaos, the teams punching their ticket to the Big Dance, and the growing legal battles reshaping college athletics.

Independent sports journalist Matt Brown (Extra Points) joins the show to unpack one of the biggest behind-the-scenes issues in college basketball: why powerhouse programs are increasingly reluctant to schedule dangerous mid-major teams—and how the current NET ranking system is driving those decisions. The conversation also dives into the surge of legal challenges facing the NCAA, from eligibility lawsuits to NIL disputes that could reshape the future of college sports.

Later in the show, NBA champion and former UConn star Rip Hamilton joins us to talk March Madness, his Huskies’ championship pedigree, and a wild promotion where one lucky fan and three friends can get paid to watch college basketball while eating unlimited pizza during the tournament.

We also cover early conference tournament winners, major coaching changes around college basketball, the latest NFL free-agency headlines, and a fascinating Moment of Awe highlighting the landmark decision that opened Major League Baseball locker rooms to female reporters.

March is here—and the madness is just beginning.

The road to March Madness is heating up, and on this episode of Sports IQ, Larry Smith dives into two of the most compelling college basketball stories in the country.

First, the spotlight turns to the Miami Hurricanes, one of the biggest surprise teams of the season. Miami Herald reporter Michelle Kaufman joins the show to explain how first-year head coach Jay Lucas rebuilt the entire program almost overnight. With an all-new roster and coaching staff, Lucas has crafted a bruising, physical team identity that thrives in the paint, dominates the boards, and wins with toughness rather than flash. Kaufman shares insight into Lucas’s philosophy, Miami’s incredible turnaround from last season, and why this Hurricanes squad could be a dangerous matchup in the NCAA Tournament.

Then the conversation shifts to Gainesville, where the Florida Gators are surging at exactly the right time. Kevin Brockway of the Gainesville Sun breaks down how Todd Golden’s team has evolved into one of the most complete squads in the nation. With elite rebounding, improved perimeter shooting, and strong defensive play, Florida has captured the SEC title and could be pushing for a No. 1 seed when the NCAA bracket is revealed. Brockway also discusses Golden’s analytics-driven approach and how the Gators built a championship contender through development, international recruiting, and the transfer portal.

Plus, the show covers:

• A historic night for basketball superstar Breanna Stewart, adding yet another championship to her legendary résumé.

• A chaotic fight in the Sun Belt women’s tournament that led to multiple ejections and suspensions.

• NFL roster moves, including a surprising wide-receiver release and a major trade involving the Chiefs and Rams.

• NBA action at Madison Square Garden featuring the Thunder and Knicks.

• Reflections on legendary Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz following news of his passing at age 89.

And in today’s Moment of Awe, Larry shares one of the strangest stories in baseball history — the infamous 1973 Yankees “wife-swapping” saga involving pitchers Mike Kekich and Fritz Peterson.

From March Madness buzz to unforgettable sports history, this episode of Sports IQ covers it all.

March pressure is building — on the court and at the negotiating table.

On today’s episode of Sports IQ with Larry Smith, we break down a pivotal week across college basketball, the NFL, and the WNBA as major storylines begin to collide.

🏀 Indiana Basketball on the Brink
Shannon Griffith of Hoosiers.com joins the show to discuss Indiana’s late-season slide and what the Hoosiers must do to get back into NCAA Tournament position . Can Coach DeVries steady the program in year one? And how much patience does a basketball-first state really have?

🏀 New Mexico’s Quiet Surge
Geoff Grammer of the Albuquerque Journal gives us a deep dive into the Mountain West race and why the Lobos — powered by an unconventional 23-year-old “freshman” and a trio of double-figure scoring rookies — are one of the most intriguing teams flying under the national radar .

🏀 Around the Hardwood

• Florida rolls to an SEC title

• Arizona State stuns Kansas

• Texas Tech slips again

• Illinois surges ahead of the Big Ten tournament

• Miami (OH) remains the only unbeaten team in Division I

🏈 NFL Headlines

• Kyler Murray’s reported exit from Arizona

• Drew Dalman’s surprise retirement

• Daniel Jones receives the transition tag

🏀 WNBA Labor Watch
With a March 10 deadline looming, tensions rise inside the WNBPA as leaders express concern over CBA negotiations . Could the 2026 season be impacted?

⛳ Moment of Awe
On this date in 1927, Babe Ruth became baseball’s highest-paid player — and delivered one of the most iconic seasons in MLB history .

March is here. The stakes are rising. And the madness is just getting started.

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March is here — and the SEC women’s tournament might feel like the Elite Eight before the bracket even drops.

On today’s episode of Sports IQ, Larry Smith breaks down a loaded week in college basketball and welcomes two key voices from the SEC spotlight.

First up, South Carolina beat writer Lulu Kesin joins the show to talk about the defending SEC regular season champion Gamecocks and how Dawn Staley’s team has battled injuries, expectations, and the nation’s toughest conference. Is this one of South Carolina’s most impressive seasons yet?

Then, Jake Lyman — play-by-play voice of Vanderbilt women’s basketball — discusses the Commodores’ breakout year as the No. 2 seed in the SEC tournament and what it will take to make a deep March run . Could Vandy play its way onto the No. 1 line?

Plus:

• Arizona claims the Big 12 outright — and Tommy Lloyd fires back at the “soft” narrative

• Duke rolls to another ACC title while Mike Krzyzewski weighs in on NCAA Tournament expansion

• The AP Top 10 shuffle and why the SEC is dominating women’s hoops

• NFL Combine storylines — including Carson Beck getting booed in Indianapolis

• Caitlin Clark’s historic scoring record remembered in today’s “Moment of Awe”

The madness is officially underway — and the road to April starts in Greenville.

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Larry Smith welcomes legendary sports journalist for a wide-ranging conversation that spans five decades of sports history, cultural impact, and the magic of an undefeated season.

Terrance Moore — a trailblazing writer with stops at the San Francisco Examiner, Cincinnati Enquirer, and Atlanta Journal-Constitution — joins the show from his alma mater, Miami (Ohio), as the RedHawks chase perfection at 29–0. He shares stories about breaking barriers as the first African-American writer at the Miami Student newspaper and reflects on what makes the “Cradle of Coaches” so special.

Plus:

• The inside story behind his upcoming autobiography collaboration with Tubby Smith (expected Spring 2027)

• Why Miami (Ohio) continues to produce coaching legends like Sean McVay, John Harbaugh, and Paul Brown

• What it’s like covering sports for 50 years — and why he’s not retiring anytime soon

Larry also breaks down:

• UConn women completing another undefeated regular season

• UCLA’s dominant Big Ten run

• Purdue’s late-season slide

• The WNBA’s looming CBA deadline

• Wilt Chamberlain’s legendary 100-point game anniversary

Then, Jordan Lazowski of Sox on 35th joins the show to talk MLB spring training, the White Sox rebuild, and why competitive balance in baseball might still be alive and well.

It’s insight, history, humor, and momentum — just as March heats up.

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On this episode of Sports IQ with Larry Smith, we break down a massive weekend across college basketball as teams jockey for seeding, conference titles, and NCAA Tournament positioning.

🔹 Kentucky at a Crossroads – Cam Drummond of the Lexington Herald-Leader joins us to discuss Mark Pope’s high-priced roster, transfer portal swings, bubble talk, and whether the Wildcats can avoid that dangerous 8/9 line in the bracket. Is Big Blue Nation growing restless?

🔹 TCU Women’s Basketball Surging – Tori Couch joins the show to explain how Mark Campbell has transformed the Horned Frogs into a national contender. From Olivia Miles’ transfer impact to back-to-back Big 12 titles, is TCU here to stay?

🔹 Weekend Showdowns Preview –

• Michigan vs. Illinois

• Duke vs. Virginia

• Arizona vs. Kansas

• Arkansas vs. Florida

• Gonzaga vs. Saint Mary’s

Plus:
🏀 UConn keeps rolling in women’s hoops
🏈 NFL trade news and Combine standouts
🔥 Why Florida might be the team nobody wants to face in March

And in our Moment of Awe, we look back at Bob Cousy’s legendary 28-assist night — a record-setting performance that still echoes through NBA history.

March is wonderful — and it’s just getting started.

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March is almost here — and the matchups are getting bigger.

On today’s episode of Sports IQ with Larry Smith, we preview a massive Top 10 Big Ten clash as No. 3 Michigan Wolverines travels to face No. 10 Illinois Fighting Illini in a game that could decide the conference race.

Illinois radio analyst Deon Thomas joins the show to break down:

• What really happened in the stunning collapse against UCLA Bruins

• Why Illinois’ offensive identity depends on ball movement and paint touches

• Whether this team is built for a deep March run

• And why freshman star Kasparas Jakučionis deserves All-American consideration

We also recap:

• UConn Huskies dominating St. John's Red Storm in a statement win

• Florida Gators continuing their surge in the SEC

• Detroit Pistons overtaking Oklahoma City Thunder for the NBA’s best record

• The San Antonio Spurs winning streak and Victor Wembanyama’s playoff potential

Then we shift to the NFL offseason. Mark Cannizzaro of the New York Post joins us to discuss:

• New York Giants hiring John Harbaugh

• The development of quarterback Jackson Dart

• Free agency strategy and salary cap realities

• How quickly the Giants can become relevant again in December

College hoops intensity. NBA contenders reshuffling. NFL offseason intrigue.

It’s all right here on Sports IQ.

We dive into a huge week in college basketball as Duke Blue Devils rise to No. 1 in the nation and UCLA Bruins pull off one of the wildest comebacks of the season.

Larry is joined by Anna Snyder of the Fayetteville Observer to break down Duke’s dominant win over Notre Dame, what makes this Blue Devils team different under Jon Scheyer, and why the ACC resurgence could have them primed for a deep March run. With a massive showdown against Virginia Cavaliers looming, the road to the postseason is heating up.

Later, UCLA play-by-play voice Josh Lewin joins the show to relive the Bruins’ stunning 23-point comeback over Illinois — the first team ever to erase that big of a deficit against a Top 10 opponent. What does it mean for their NCAA Tournament hopes? And what’s going on with Mick Cronin?

We also cover:

• Miami (Ohio) as the last unbeaten team in Division I

• Big Ten and ACC title races tightening up

• NBA headlines including Rick Carlisle’s criticism of league fines

• NHL play resuming after the Olympic break

• NFL Combine storylines and the staggering earnings of today’s top quarterbacks

Plus, today’s Moment of Awe looks back 86 years to the first-ever televised NHL game at Madison Square Garden.

March is almost here — and the madness is building.