Tradition's Finest Episode 125 - The "Dickie V" Episode

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast! Episode 125 - The "Dickie V" Episode includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics: - NCAA: News & Storylines - - NCAA College Basketball: "It's March, baby, with a Capital "M!" In this initial segment, JD & Spencer will discuss and provide a detailed analysis of a few of the most notable NCAA college basketball games from across the country from the previous week, and they will also acknowledge and/or mention the most buzzworthy storylines across Division I hoops. few of the more notable College Basketball games from across the country over the previous week, as well as to dive into any of the buzzworthy storylines surrounding the league. The following games are discussed in further detail in this week's episode: Friday, Feb. 27: No.21 Miami (OH) RedHawks at Western Michigan (WMU) Broncos. . . "The Race to 31-OH:" The RedHawks are chasing history with just two game(s) remaining as it attempts to finish the NCAA College Basketball regular season with an unblemished record of 31-0 - - Miami (OH) entered the week with an overall NET ranking in the 50s, while its' other metrics are not as favorable at the same juncture. . .Unfortunately for HC Travis Steele's squad, the ugly truth is this: If the RedHawks were to slip up and drop one of their remaining games during the regular season or lose in the MAC Conference Tournament next week, it could potentially be a "back-breaker" for the program - or, in other words, a loss could ruin the RedHawks' shot to secure it's first "at-large" berth into the NCAA College Basketball Tournament since 2007. . .Remaining Schedule: Miami (OH) vs. Toledo (H)    3/3 Miami (OH) at Ohio (A)      3/7 Q: Following the gutsy performance that led to a last-second win over WMU last Friday evening, do you feel even more confident in this team's ability to pull off a "perfect" 31-0 regular season?. . . No.3 Michigan Wolverines at No.10 Illinois Fighting Illini - - **NOTE: The Wolverines won their first outright Big Ten Conference regular-season title since 2014, and ironically, when they also clinched with a road victory over the Fighting Illini. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the Dusty May's Michigan squad right now? Do the Wolverines possess the necessary type of roster capable of winning a national championship this season?. . . Saturday, Feb. 28: No.20 Arkansas Razorbacks at No.7 Florida Gators - - The Gators took down the Razorbacks in a 34-point romp, which tied for the worst loss of Arkansas HC John Calipari's career, a 34-point loss against the Duke Blue Devils in 2018 while he was the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats - - **NOTE: Florida has won six (6) in a row against ranked opponents, and on average, scored at least 90 points in each of those ranked-on-ranked matchups, which is the second-longest streak in college basketball history (i.e., streak is shared with the 1989-90 UNLV Runnin' Rebels and Loyola-Marymount (LMU) Lions). . .Q: Do the Florida Gators have what it takes to repeat as back-to-back national champions this year?. . . No.17 Alabama Crimson Tide at No.22 Tennessee Volunteers - - Alabama accomplished a feat on Saturday that they haven't experienced since 2021: pulling off an epic comeback win in Knoxville, as the Crimson Tide won its eighth consecutive game of the regular season. . .Q: Where do you stand on this Alabama Crimson Tide basketball team as it enters the month of March? What are a few NCAA Tournament pro's & con's of HC Nate Oats' squad?. . . Monday, Mar. 2: No.6 Iowa State Cyclones at No.2 Arizona Wildcats - - The Wildcats secured at least a share of the Big Ten Conference crown with the victory over the Cyclones, as Arizona earned it outright by smothering Iowa State defensively to give HC Tommy Lloyd his 140th victory, the most in NCAA history in a coach's first five (5) seasons. . .Q: What makes this Arizona squad so dangerous as we draw closer to the 2026 NCAA Tournament?. . . -"An Abrupt Exit:" Nearly a year after helping the Auburn Tigers reach the Final Four, forward Chad Baker-Mazara is no longer a member of the USC men's basketball program, the team announced on Sunday - - Baker-Mazara, 26, was the team's second-leading scorer, and started in 22 of their 26 games played, for the struggling Trojans this season, including a 14-point effort in an 82-67 loss to No.12 Nebraska on Saturday, as USC has now lost five (5) games in a row, and is playing its way out of NCAA Tournament contention - - Baker-Mazara left Saturday's home loss to the Cornhuskers early in the second half following a hard fall after he blocked a shot from Pryce Sandfort - - Baker-Mazara told Trojans HC Eric Musselman that he couldn't go back (or re-enter) the game, then sat near injured USC star Rodney Rice in an area with fans in the stands, rather than on the bench with the rest of the team - - Following Saturday's loss, the second-year HC, Musselman was asked about Baker-Mazara's potential injury and his future status at the post-game press conference: "He said he couldn't go," Musselman said, adding that he had not spoken to a trainer about the player's health - - No reasons and/or additional details for Baker-Mazara's departure from the USC program were provided in the brief statement released, as issued per team spokesperson Kristin Keller, who told the Associated Press in a text message: "We have nothing additional to add at this time," - - Of course, the program's decision to be "hush-hush" about Baker-Mazara's departure does anything put this story to rest, instead, it adds to further speculation - as well as to the trolls on the World Wide Web, who have provided a sleuth of reasons for why he is no longer with the team. . Q: What do you make of Chad Baker-Mazara's abrupt exit from the USC men's basketball program after playing in 22 of the team's 26 games to date this season?. .                         - NFL - - "[Slim] Pickens:" The Dallas Cowboys did what they were long expected to do on Friday, placing the franchise tag on WR George Pickens to secure his rights at least through the 2026 season - - The Cowboys used the nonexclusive tag designation on Pickens, sources reported to ESPN, which allows him to speak with other teams when NFL free agency begins next Wednesday (i.e., March 11th) - - Should Pickens sign an offer sheet with another team, the Cowboys will have the right to match the offer or decline to do so and receive two first-round draft picks as compensation - - The NFL set the 2026 salary cap at $301.2 million earlier last Friday, making Pickens' guaranteed salary $27.298 million for next season if he chooses to play on it - - While working out a long-term deal remains a possibility, the two sides have until July 15 to get a new contract finalized or, by NFL rule, the player must play on the one-year deal or choose to hold out - - **NOTE: This is the 11th time the Cowboys have used the franchise tag, and WR George Pickens is the eighth different player - - Pickens' first season with the Cowboys could not have gone much better after he was acquired along with a 2027 sixth-round pick from the Pittsburgh Steelers for a 2026 third-round pick & a 2027 fifth-round draft selection - - Pickens put up career highs in catches (93), yards (1,429) and TDs (9) while playing in every game, being named to the Pro Bowl for the first time and earning second-team All-Pro honors - - Pickens, 24, had five (5) games with more than 100 yards receiving, including two that came when WR CeeDee Lamb was out of the lineup due to a high ankle sprain - - **NOTE: Pickens set a franchise record with five (5) games where he accounted for at least 130 yards receiving & a TD reception. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the Dallas Cowboys using their franchise tag on WR George Pickens? Was it a smart move by team owner Jerry Jones?. . .2026 NFL Scouting Combine: It was an eventful week, with more than 300 prospects in the 2026 NFL draft class heading to Indianapolis for on-field drills, 40-yard dashes, medical testing and/or interviews with team personnel - - Not everyone participated in workouts, and some were selective in what drills they participated in, but several players improved their draft stock by putting up solid performances & exceeding expectations. . .So, which prospects did the most for their NFL draft stock at this year's NFL Scouting Combine? Who is suddenly getting buzz ahead of where they were slotted prior to the NFL Combine?. . .That's exactly what JD and Spencer discuss within this particular segment, starting with the first night of workouts, which included the defensive linemen and LBs taking center stage on Thursday: One such player that drastically improved his draft stock on Day One of the combine, was Ohio State LB Sonny Styles, the son of former NFL LB Lorenzo Styles Sr., who came into the combine as a probable top-12 pick: His on-field workout might have solidified his spot in the top 10 - and maybe even in the top five (5) - as the 6-foot-5, 244-pound LB, had a historic performance, becoming the first player to run a sub-4.5-second 40-yard dash with a vertical leap of 40+ inches and a broad jump of 11+ feet at 230+ pounds since 2003, according to NFL Research - - The former safety demonstrated nice ball skills and looked fluid for his size in skills, too, which means he did everything he could possibly do to elevate his already-substantially high draft stock. . .As for the second night of workouts at the 2026 NFL Combine, the DBs and TEs took center stage on Friday, with one such player undoubtedly impressing the league's personnel with their on-field performance; this player was Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq, who measured 6-3 1/8, which put to rest any concerns that he would not reach the 6'3" mark - - His 43 1/2-inch vertical jump and 11-1 broad jump showed his elite athleticism, then he posted a 4.39-second 40 at 241 pounds, which was the fastest time for a combine TE since at least 2003 - - Unfortunately, Sadiq & fellow workout warrior (and fellow TE) Eli Stowers passed on the opportunity to display their on-ball skills. . .As for the third day of workouts at the 2026 NFL Combine, the RBs, QBs and WRs took center stage on Saturday, with a few players in particular making a lasting impression on the NFL scouts: (1) One of the most physically-gifted QBs in this year's draft is Arkansas QB Taylen Green, as it's no surprise that his athleticism was used to befuddle defenses throughout his college career, as he enjoyed a combine for the ages: The 6-foot-5 7/8, 227-pounder made history with a 43 1/2-inch vertical jump and a 11-2 broad jump, both of which were the best marks by a combine QB since at least 2003 - - Then he used his long strides to run a 4.36-second 40, the second-fastest time by a combine QB since at least 2003 - - However, his throwing session reminded us all why he's widely considered to be a Day 3 prospect, as he looked fine when he ample time to throw the ball, but when his process was sped up, his arm & feet did not work in sync with one another, so throws came out later than anticipated - - Still, he possesses the tools with which an NFL QB coach can work and develop. . .(2) The second player from day three of the NFL Combine that showed out was Mississippi State WR Brenen Thompson, who measured in at 5-foot-9 and 164 pounds: In a year where players put down blistering 40 times one after another, Thompson topped them all, running an official 4.26 seconds Saturday, that very likely would end up being the fastest time at this year's Combine - - **NOTE: Although he didn't break Kansas City Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy's record of 4.21 seconds, Thompson posted the third-fastest time by a WR since 2003, according to ESPN Research, matching Jerome Mathis' 4.26-run in 2005. . .and finally (3) it was easy to see why Arkansas RB Mike Washington Jr. was able to rank in the top 10 nationally with 6.4 yards per carry when he recorded a stunning 4.33-second 40-yard dash at 6-1, 233 pounds, the fastest time for any RB at this year's NFL Combine - - His 39-inch vertical & 10-8 broad jump were exceptional for his body type and were second at the position this year, behind only Kentucky's Seth McGowan - - Washington did, however, did not participate in the on-field drills, but we think proving his long speed was potentially enough to land him a draft slot late into Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft. . ."You Be Knuckles, I'll Be Sonic:" The Detroit Lions traded veteran RB David Montgomery (aka "Knuckles") to the Houston Texans in exchange for a 2026 fourth-round draft pick, a 2027 seventh-round draft pick, and center Juice Scruggs, as announced per ESPN's Adam Schefter early Monday morning - - Montgomery, who had 2,506 rushing yards and 33 TDs in his three (3) seasons with the Lions after being drafted & spending four (4) seasons with the Chicago Bears, was clearly unhappy with his reduced role in Detroit last season while playing alongside three-time Pro Bowler Jahmyr Gibbs (aka "Sonic"), as Montgomery had his fewest rushes (158) and touches (182) in his five-year career, despite playing all 17 games last season - - Montgomery, who will turn 29 in June and is set to make $5.49 million this season, will enter the 2026 NFL season as the No.1 RB for Houston, while also splitting time with fourth-round rookie Woody Marks, and a Texans offense that ranked 22nd in rushing yards per game (108) last season - - This trade certainly sheds light and/or gives more clarity on how the Texans plan to approach RB Joe Mixon's situation: Mixon, who the Texans acquired via trade two years ago, missed the 2025 NFL season because of a foot injury, as league sources expect for Houston to most likely release Mixon - - Following the news of the trade, and in a post to Lions' fans on Instagram, Montgomery wrote Monday that "everything I do next carries a piece of Detroit with it. The work ethic. The edge. The heart," - - Fellow RB, Jahmyr Gibbs, meanwhile, posted a broken heart emoji overlayed on an image of Sonic & Knuckles from the Sega video game on his IG story: The monikers, which were given to each RB based on their strongest attributes (i.e., Gibbs' speed - "Sonic"/Montgomery's strength - "Knuckles") and was presented to them for their successful pairing in Detroit. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the trade that sent RB David Montgomery from Detroit to Houston? What type of impact will this have on Texans QB C.J. Stroud's longevity/career?. . .The New York Jets dusted off their franchise tag, placing it on RB Breece Hall ahead of Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET deadline, sources confirmed to ESPN's Adam Schefter on Tuesday: Hall's tag is the nonexclusive version ($14.293 million fully guaranteed), meaning he can negotiate with other teams and sign an offer sheet, and the Jets will have the right of first refusal and would receive two first-round draft picks as compensation if they decline to match - a prohibitive price for a RB - - In short, this means that Hall isn't going anywhere unless he's traded by the Jets or the tag is rescinded, which is especially rare: **NOTE: This is the first time that the New York Jets have exercised the franchise tag since 2021, when it was applied to safety Marcus Maye, who never signed a long-time contract, and wound up leaving as a free agent in 2022 - - Hall, who turns 25 later this year, rushed for a career-high 1,065 yards in 2025, which is certainly no easy task on a 3-14 team - - The coaches hyped him up as a dual threat weapon who could be utilized, and would have a major impact in the passing game, but unfortunately, that never materialized, as he finished the 2025 NFL season with a total of 36 receptions, his second-lowest total in four (4) seasons spent in the league, but things could be different under Jets new OC Frank Reich - - In four (4) seasons, Hall has compiled 5,040 scrimmage yards, which ranks 14th in the NFL - - Hall, a 2022 second-round pick, has expressed frustration about the Jets' losing ways: The Jets' overall record with Hall is 22-46, under three (3) different head coaches, as he & WR Garrett Wilson are the team's only proven playmakers. . .Q: What are your thoughts about the New York Jets placing the franchise tag on RB Breece Hall, who has been relatively open about his preference to play elsewhere?. . ."This Isn't A Game, Boy:" The Arizona Cardinals have informed QB Kyler Murray that they intend to release/cut him on the first day of the new league year, which begins next Wednesday (3/11), barring a trade between now & then, sources reported to ESPN's Adam Schefter on Monday - - Arizona already owes Murray $36.8 million guaranteed in 2026, and another $19.5 million would have triggered if he was/is still on the Cardinals' roster as of March 15 for 2027 - - A former Heisman Trophy winner, Kyler Murray's time spent in Arizona has included the following feats: 2018 No.1 overall draft pick, NFL Rookie of the Year (2019), a two-time Pro Bowler, started in 87 games, accounted for 20,460 passing yards & 3,193 rushing yards, and 121 passing TDs along with 32 rushing TDs (as well as 60 INTs) - - Arizona has a new HC in Mike LaFleur and GM in Monti Ossenfort, who did not draft Kyler Murray, as they will now look to find the next franchise QB for the Cardinals, as Murray's seven-year run comes to an end. . .Q: Did you expect the Arizona Cardinals to cut tied with QB Kyler Murray prior to the onset of a new league year?. . .Veteran Pro Bowl center Drew Dalman has informed the Chicago Bears that he is retiring from the NFL at the ripe age of 27, sources confirmed to ESPN's Adam Schefter on Thursday afternoon - - Dalman, 27, is ending his professional career after just five (5) seasons, as the former fourth-round draft pick spent his first four (4) seasons with the Atlanta Falcons (2021-24) where he started 40 games - - Dalman was Chicago's marquee free agent signing during the 2025 NFL offseason when he inked a three-year, $42-million contract with the Bears - - The surprising news comes less than three (3) months removed from the Bears winning the NFC North division title and their first playoff game in 15 seasons, as Dalman was a key piece along an offensive line that ranked No.1 in pass block win-rate (74%) and fifth in run block win-rate (74%) - - **NOTE: The center had the eighth-highest pass block win-rate among all interior offensive linemen with 406 wins in 423 passing plays, after he started all 17 games for the Bears last season - - Carmen Vitali, a host on Fox Sports Radio, made a very interesting & compelling point, in a post on X: "Drew [Dalman's] dad was a player and a coach. He's seen first-hand life after football and the effects the game can have. If anyone is going to make an informed decision on when it's time to hang 'em up, it's Drew." . .Q: First off, how lucky is this guy?!? Capable of retiring at the age of 27! What do you make of Drew Dalman's surprising and sudden announcement to retire from the NFL after just four (4) seasons? - MLB - - Atlanta Braves DH Jurickson Profar is facing a 162-game suspension after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug (PED) for the second time in the last year, sources informed ESPN on Tuesday - - **NOTE: Profar, 33, is the sixth player to receive a 162-game ban for PED use since Major League Baseball increased the penalty for second-time offenders to a full season in 2014 - - Profar will forfeit the entirety of his $15 million salary, and will be ineligible for the MLB postseason, as well as for the upcoming World Baseball Classic, where he was set to represent the Netherlands, whose team includes players from his native country of Curacao - - The loss of Profar is a significant blow for the Braves, who have already lost starting pitchers, Spencer Schwellenback & Hurston Waldrep to elbow injuries, as Atlanta attempts to rebound from a 76-86 season - - The 2025 MLB season started inauspiciously as well with Profar's 80-game suspension on March 31 for Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG), a hormone typically made during pregnancy that can encourage and/or increase testosterone production - - Atlanta previously signed Profar to a three-year, $42 million contract last January after he had a career year with the San Diego Padres in 2024, as his most recent suspension came following the fourth game of the season and, after returning in early July, he went on to hit .245/.353/.434 with 14 HRs and 43 RBIs while playing left field. . .Q: Obviously, I don't want to "bad mouth" the guy, but how much of a moron can you be to follow up an 80-game suspension (attributed to a failed test for PEDs) by failing a second consecutive drug test (yes, for PEDs)?. . . - Miscellaneous - - NASCAR: Tyler Reddick's latest win drove him straight into the NASCAR record books: Reddick held off hard-charging Shane van Gisbergen over the final 20 laps at the Circuit of the Americas on Sunday to become the first Cup Series driver to win the first three (3) races of the season - - Driving a Toyota car, co-owned by Michael Jordan, Reddick won the season-opening Daytona 500, and was victorious a week later at EchoPark Speedway in Atlanta, then won from the pole position in the first road course race of the year - - Jordan, the basketball Hall of Famer & six-time NBA champion, was with Reddick's 23XI Racing pit crew, exchanging high-fives as he cross the finish line - - History was made for a team and ownership group that has been making a lot of it: The team took on NASCAR with a federal antitrust lawsuit - as the settlement in December was considered a major legal victory that secured a permanent franchise-style model & ensured the team would remain in business for the long term - and that particular "team" has been unbeatable on the racetrack ever since: "I'm proud of the team we put together," Jordan said, as he credited co-owner Denny Hamlin, who is also a driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, with being the "mastermind" behind its' racing success - - Jordan also indicated that he will be in attendance at the next race in Phoenix to see if Tyler Reddick can do the unthinkable & extend the winning streak that has built a commanding 70-point lead in the NASCAR driver's championship. . .Q: What percentage probability do you give Tyler Reddick & the 23XI Racing crew to pull off the "four-peat," thus, winning at Phoenix Raceway next weekend?. . . Thanks for Listening!