Sports IQ with Larry Smith sets the stage for a huge sports weekend. Larry, and Tony break down the men’s NCAA Tournament as the Elite Eight begins to take shape, including Iowa’s historic run, Illinois’ dominant form, Purdue surviving a scare, and Arizona setting up a showdown with the Boilermakers. The crew also looks ahead to Friday’s Sweet 16 matchups, with Rick Pitino and St. John’s chasing history and several Big Ten teams continuing their surge.

Yahoo Sports’ Lo Yarnall joins the show to talk women’s basketball as the Sweet 16 gets underway. She discusses the rise of teams like Virginia, Kentucky, and Vanderbilt, the impact of home-court sites in the women’s tournament, UCLA’s path forward, and which non-No. 1 seed could crash the Final Four. She also shares thoughts on the WNBA’s new landscape, expansion, player protection decisions, and how the NCAA Tournament can reshape draft stock.

Tom Kakert of HawkeyeReport.com stops by after Iowa’s win over Nebraska to discuss the Hawkeyes’ surprising march into the Elite Eight, their first trip this far since 1987. He previews Iowa’s matchup with Illinois, reflects on Ben McCollum’s first-year impact, and explains why this border-state showdown means so much to fans in the region.

Later, Tony sits down with veteran broadcaster Paul Crane to kick off baseball season. They revisit a thrilling World Series, discuss the excitement and future of the World Baseball Classic, debate MLB’s automated ball-strike challenge system, and preview the biggest storylines in both leagues as Opening Weekend arrives. The episode closes with a Moment of Awe honoring the first-ever NCAA men’s basketball championship game in 1939, when Oregon defeated Ohio State for the inaugural title.

The Sweet 16 is here—and the matchups are loaded. 🏀

On today’s episode of Sports IQ, Larry Smith is joined by Hall of Fame college basketball insider Mike DeCourcy to break down the biggest storylines heading into the next round of March Madness. From elite matchups to coaching drama at University of North Carolina, this is a must-listen for hoops fans.

We also dive into Purdue Boilermakers’ late-season surge with insider Dylan Sinn, plus what makes them a real threat in the West Region.

⚾ Plus:

• MLB Opening Day reactions
• NBA expansion talks heating up
• Key headlines from around the sports world

🏀 Topics Covered:

• Sweet 16 preview and best matchups
• Purdue’s resurgence and tournament ceiling
• UNC coaching search and top candidates
• Illinois vs Houston breakdown
• Transfer portal vs recruiting strategy
• MLB Opening Day thoughts
• NBA expansion in Seattle & Las Vegas
• Magic vs Bird: the game that changed basketball

🔥 And in today’s Moment of Awe:We revisit the iconic 1979 NCAA Championship—Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird—the rivalry that helped save the NBA.

On today’s Sports IQ, Larry Smith breaks down a packed sports landscape—from major league labor deals to college basketball’s shifting power structure.

The WNBA and its players reach a long-awaited agreement, bringing labor peace and massive salary jumps across the board. Associated Press insider Doug Feinberg joins the show to unpack what the deal means, how quickly the league must pivot into free agency and expansion, and why this could reshape the future of women’s basketball.

Then, the focus shifts to March Madness and one of the tournament’s most compelling storylines: John Calipari’s resurgence at Arkansas. Jackson Fuller joins to explain how the Razorbacks have reemerged as a serious contender—and why this version of Cal might be more dangerous than ever.

Plus, a major shakeup in Chapel Hill as North Carolina parts ways with Hubert Davis, raising big questions about the future of one of college basketball’s most iconic programs—and whether traditional “blue bloods” are losing their grip on the sport.

🏀 WNBA CBA breakdown and what players gained🏀 Sweet 16 preview and Arkansas’ rise under Calipari🏀 North Carolina coaching search and shifting college hoops power🏀 NIL era impact on traditional programs

And in today’s Moment of Awe: Cincinnati shocks Ohio State in the 1961 NCAA title game, proving once again that March Madness always delivers.