Preferred Walk-Ons

In three short weeks, North Carolina State has completed one of the most incredible turnarounds in NCAA basketball history. Left for dead entering the ACC Tournament, the Wolfpack have made ascended to the pinnacle of college basketball. In this episode, we outline the reasons for NC State's success and discuss what the whirlwind has felt like from a fan perspective. Topics for discussion include:

• NC State's improbable run to ...

After months of commentary about how it was a "down year" for the ACC, the conference has responded with a vengeance in the NCAA Tournament. In this episode, we talk about the reasons behind the ACC's success, analyze the first two rounds of March Madness, and look ahead to an exciting slate of Sweet Sixteen games. Topics for discussion include:

• The ethics of placing bets on rival teams
• The success of the ACC in Rounds 1 &...

After weeks of blind resumes, NET rankings, and bracketologist projections, we finally have our NCAA Tournament field. In this episode, we do a deep dive on the bracket, analyzing the most likely winners and the underdogs poised to wreak havoc. Topics for discussion include:

• NC State completing a miracle run through the ACC Tournament
• Virginia surviving a weird year on the NCAA Tournament bubble
• Bubble teams opting out of the ...

It was an eventful last day of live coverage from the ACC Tournament in Washington D.C. The finals are now set, with top-seeded North Carolina taking on its hated rival, NC State. The Wolfpack's improbable run comes at the expense of the Virginia Cavaliers, who must wait until Selection Sunday to see if they will be included in the field. In this episode, we discuss:

• NC State's magical four-day run during the ACC Tournament
• Th...

The ACC Tournament semifinals are set! North Carolina will look to make its case for a top seed in March Madness against a Pittsburgh team looking to play its way off the bubble. In the second game, NC State will look to continue its Cinderella run through the conference against a Virginia squad that escaped with an overtime victory over Boston College. In this episode, we analyze everything we saw at the arena, including:

• Wha...

What Day 2 of the ACC Tournament lacked in drama, it made up for with surprise performances. Wake Forest and NC State ensured that North Carolina will be well-represented during the Thursday slate of games, while Boston College upset Clemson in a definitive rout. In this episode, we break down all four Wednesday games and look ahead to the quarterfinals. We discuss:

• An early week appearance of the Red Panda
• Another strong ACC ...

Defense was in short supply during the first day of the ACC Tournament, as Notre Dame, NC State, and Boston College advanced after 80+ point performances. Record on locations in Washington D.C., this episode provides a behind-the-scenes perspective of the sights and sounds of a fascinating Day 1 of the nation's premier conference tournament. We discuss:

• The upward trajectory of Notre Dame and Georgia Tech
• NC State's offensive e...

While Virginia's men's basketball team struggled mightily at Duke, it was a banner weekend for the UVA women's program and for women's basketball generally. In this episode, we analyze the amazing career of Caitlin Clark and look ahead to both the men's and women's ACC and NCAA basketball tournaments. Topics for discussion include:

• Duke and UNC back at the top of the ACC in men's basketball
• The messiness of the NCAA tournament...

After several anemic offensive performances, Virginia basketball finds itself in unfamiliar territory: squarely on the NCAA bubble. In this episode, we talk about fan anxiety and address criticisms for the Cavaliers' recent play. Topics for discussion include:

• Our upcoming TheSabre.com watch party for the UVA-Duke game
• Court storming experiences and alternatives
• Mississippi Valley State completing the D1 "circle of parity"
• H...

With two weeks left in the college basketball regular season, teams are making one final push to improve their tournament resumes. In this episode, we focus on the ACC bubble picture, and what each team, including Virginia, must do to punch their ticket to the Big Dance. Topics for discussion include:

• A rant for the ages from Rick Pitino
• A frustrating week from Virginia basketball and how it impacts the Cavaliers' tournament h...

After seven consecutive wins, the Virginia Cavaliers are back in contention for the ACC title and a spot in the NCAA tournament. We discuss the reasons for the Hoos' recent success and analyze the other ACC teams vying for an invite to March Madness. Topics for discussion include:

• A vintage defensive performance from the Virginia basketball team
• The ACC's NCAA tournament outlook and whether it is a down year for the conference
...

Virginia basketball is riding high after four consecutive victories, including two on the road. Where do the Cavaliers fit in with the crowded race for ACC superiority? Plus, we take an initial look at the conference football schedule. Topics for discussion include:

• Virginia basketball's recent ascent back to the NCAA Tournament bubble
• Kevin Keatts on the hot seat at NC State
• The struggles of Louisville basketball under Kenny ...

Nick Saban's retirement has reverberated across the college football landscape. Another critical coaching domino, Jim Harbaugh, may yet fall. We discuss a chaotic start to the college football offseason as well as how the ACC basketball picture is shaping up. Topics for discussion include:

• Mascot dance offs and video game dynasties
• The impact of Nick Saban's retirement on the coaching landscape
• Jim Harbaugh exploring a return...

With the college football season over, fans can fully turn their attention to conference play in college basketball. Unfortunately for UVA fans, the Hoos have struggled out of the gate on the road. We discussed Virginia's recent poor play and what it means long-term for a program that has dominated ACC play over the last decade. Topics for discussion include:

• A thank you to everyone who came to our live watch party
• Michigan's ...

With the transfer portal open and players making early declarations for the NFL Draft, college football bowl season is more chaotic than ever. We tried to cut through the confusion with a preview of this year's biggest matchups. Topics for discussion included:

• Evaluating how our teams are doing in the transfer portal
• Chip Kelly's proposal for fixing issues with NIL and realignment
• New Year's Six bowl game previews and best bet...

The College Football Playoff is set, but it will not contain an ACC team this year. We talked about the committee's decision to leave out an undefeated Power 5 champion and how that impacts our excitement about the upcoming bowl season. Topics for discussion included:

• The controversial decision to exclude undefeated Florida State from the College Football Playoff
• The most interesting bowl matchups in the middle of transfer por...

Following a one-sided loss to Virginia Tech, UVA supporters now face a long offseason with substantial questions. We talked about the state of the Virginia football program, then looked ahead to conference championship weekend. Topics for discussion included: 

• Evaluating the good and bad from the Virginia football season and where the school goes from here
• Dunking on North Carolina after another rivalry loss to NC State
• Analyz...

Rivalry week is upon us, which means it's time for bulletin board material, obscure trophies, and a whole lot of hatred. This episode has everything you need to get ready for a weekend of turkey and regional conflict. Topics for discussion included:

• Mike Woodson's "trickery"
• How wins from NC State and UVA set up a more meaningful Commonwealth Clash
• The biggest storylines of Week 12 games, including a shocking Auburn upset and ...