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.

The madness rolls on as the Sweet 16 is set—and the matchups are loaded. Larry Smith is joined by CBS Sports’ David Cobb to break down a tournament that’s been more “chalk” than Cinderella—but still delivering elite drama and high-level basketball.

From Illinois’ offensive firepower colliding with Houston’s physical defense, to Iowa and Nebraska crashing the party, this year’s tournament is shaping up for a heavyweight finish. Cobb explains how advanced metrics are reshaping bracketology, why upsets are becoming less frequent, and who he has cutting down the nets.

Plus, Matt Stevens from IlliniGuys.com dives deep into Illinois’ transformation—highlighting their defensive adjustments, physicality, and what it will take to survive Houston in their own backyard.

Also in this episode:

• The latest on the “Dirty Dozen” and why six contenders are already eliminated
• Major movement in the college basketball coaching carousel
• Injury updates impacting the Sweet 16
• Women’s tournament surprises, including double-OT upsets and dominant No. 1 seeds
• NBA headlines: Lakers streak snapped, Wembanyama continues historic run

🎯 Moment of Awe:
We go back to 1990, when Christian Laettner hit “The Shot Before The Shot,” crushing UConn’s title hopes and sending Duke to the Final Four.

March is delivering—brackets may be busted, but the basketball is elite.

March Madness delivered exactly what we wanted—chaos, comebacks, and unforgettable finishes—and now the Sweet 16 is officially set.

On today’s Sports IQ, Larry Smith breaks down a wild weekend of tournament action, including Iowa’s stunning buzzer-beater to knock out defending champion Florida and send the Hawkeyes to their first Sweet 16 since 1999. Plus, St. John’s returns to national relevance, Purdue rolls, and the Big Ten makes history with six teams advancing.

Duke also survives an early scare and looks ahead to a heavyweight matchup with St. John’s. Duke beat writer Anna Snyder joins the show to break down what went wrong early, how the Blue Devils responded, and what they’ll need to make a championship run.

Then we shift to the NBA, where the Lakers are suddenly one of the hottest teams in basketball. Ben Royer joins to discuss what’s changed in L.A., how Luka Dončić has taken over as the focal point, and whether this team can make a serious playoff push.

We also dive into:

• St. John’s resurgence under Rick Pitino
• Arizona, Tennessee, and Purdue making strong statements
• Coaching moves and NIL power shaping the future of college basketball
• The Lakers’ win streak and evolving identity
• Kevin Durant climbing the all-time scoring list

Plus, today’s Moment of Awe: NC State shocks UCLA in 1974, ending one of the greatest dynasties in college basketball history.

• Iowa’s buzzer-beater vs Florida
• Sweet 16 matchups and storylines
• Duke vs St. John’s preview
• Big Ten dominance in the tournament
• Lakers’ surge and Luka’s leadership
• Coaching changes and NIL impact
• Historic March Madness moments

March Madness delivered early chaos—and the bracket is already feeling it. From North Carolina’s collapse to High Point’s historic upset and Duke narrowly avoiding disaster, Day 1 of the NCAA Tournament had everything. Larry and Tony break down the biggest moments, key storylines, and which double-digit seeds could keep dancing into the Sweet 16.

Then, the focus shifts to Syracuse, where the Orange are searching for a new head coach. Syracuse.com’s Mike Waters joins the show to break down top candidates, including Jerry McNamara, and what the program must fix—financially and structurally—to return to national relevance.

Plus, NFL Draft analyst Ryan Roberts dives into the evolving draft landscape. Who’s locked in at No. 1? Which teams (like the Dolphins and Chiefs) have the most at stake? And which contenders—like the Rams—are just one draft away from a Super Bowl run?

We wrap with a look ahead to Round of 32 matchups and a Moment of Awe honoring UCLA’s historic 1965 national title win behind Gail Goodrich’s 42-point performance.

• NCAA Tournament Day 1 upsets and near-misses

• North Carolina collapse & VCU comeback

• High Point’s historic first NCAA Tournament win

• Duke’s scare vs. Siena and tournament outlook

• Syracuse coaching search and program challenges

• Jerry McNamara’s candidacy and fit

• NIL, funding gaps, and rebuilding college programs

• NFL Draft outlook: top picks, team needs, and volatility

• Teams to watch: Dolphins, Chiefs, Cowboys, Rams

• Round of 32 preview and upset potential

• Moment of Awe: UCLA vs. Michigan (1965 title game)

The madness is officially here.

On today’s episode of Sports IQ, Larry Smith dives into the opening day of the NCAA Tournament with full bracket energy—breaking down key matchups, storylines, and the teams poised to make a run.

First, Larry is joined by Tom Kakert of Hawkeye Report from Tampa, where Iowa returns to the tournament for the first time since 2023. They discuss the Hawkeyes’ defensive identity under Ben McCollum, what it’ll take to beat Clemson, and the uphill battle that could await against defending champion Florida. On the women’s side, Iowa enters as a two-seed—but is there a growing gap between the elite programs and the rest of the field?

Later, Steve Rivera joins the show to break down Arizona’s path as a No. 1 seed. With a deep frontcourt, confident guard play, and strong chemistry, the Wildcats look like a legitimate title contender—but as history shows, nothing is guaranteed in March.

Larry and Tony also make their Final Four predictions, highlight potential upset picks (watch out for those 5–12 matchups), and debate which teams are peaking at the right time.

Plus:

• NBA streaks heating up with the Hawks and Lakers

• WNBA reaches a new CBA agreement with major financial growth

• MLB considers a midseason World Baseball Classic

• NFL moves shake up quarterback depth charts

And in today’s Moment of Awe: Bill Russell and the San Francisco Dons capture the 1955 NCAA Championship—launching one of the greatest basketball legacies of all time.

March is here. Let the madness begin.

Basketball takes center stage as March Madness tips off—and SportsIQ is breaking it all down.

Larry Smith is joined by Siena assistant coach Ryan Blackwell as the Saints prepare for a massive first-round matchup against Duke. Blackwell shares what it takes to go from conference champions to facing the No. 1 overall seed, the mindset inside the locker room, and why belief—not seeding—matters in March.

Plus, CBS Sports NBA writer Jasmyn Wimbush joins the show to unpack a surprising trend across the league: tanking may be shaping the playoff picture more than ever. With a loaded draft class on the horizon, teams are making bold decisions—and it’s changing the way the NBA looks heading into the postseason.

Also in this episode:

• NCAA Tournament headlines and early game reactions

• First-year coaches making noise in March

• The latest NIL valuations in college basketball

• NBA playoff race insights and Western Conference outlook

🏀 From Cinderella stories to championship contenders—this is where the madness begins.