Joel Anderson and Josh Levin are joined by Slate’s Ben Mathis-Lilley to discuss the College Football Playoff semifinals. Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports also joins to talk about the Detroit Pistons’ epic losing streak. Finally, we look back at our 2020 segment on the Pac-12’s #WeAreUnited movement.
 
CFP semis (5:21): How Michigan and Washington emerged victorious.
 
Pistons (29:02): How did they get so bad?
 
#WeAreUnited (51:06): A conversation from 2020 with then UCLA players Elisha Guidry and Otito Ogbonnia.
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Michigan and Washington Squeak Through

A weekly sports discussion from Slate. Hang Up and Listen features Slate sports editor Josh Levin, writer Stefan Fatsis (author of A Few Seconds of Panic), Slate writer and Slow Burn host Joel Anderson, and a selection of interesting guests from around the sports world.

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Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss the stardom of the Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving as well as Draymond Green’s stint on TNT’s Inside the NBA. Michael McCann of Sportico also joins to break down the multibillion-dollar settlement that will likely mark the end of amateurism in college sports.

Luka and Kyrie: How the Mavericks duo took over the Western Conference Finals.
NCAA: Will the settlement deal actually become reality? And how will the payments work?
Afterball: Stefan on Bill Walton, Jack Scott, and the FBI.

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Luka and Kyrie Are Running the NBA

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss the Pacers’ and Timberwolves’ Game 7 wins in the NBA’s conference semifinals. Slate’s Alex Kirshner also joins to talk about Scottie Scheffler’s arrest at the PGA Championship. Finally, they review Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker’s ultra-conservative commencement speech.

NBA playoffs (3:11): Looking back at a pair of historic road victories.
 
Scheffler (20:18): A bizarre weekend at Valhalla for the world’s no. 1 golfer.
 
Butker (35:47): The Catholic football player launched himself into a culture war.

Afterball (51:53): Stefan on where Giannis Antetokounmpo grew up and what he overcame.

(Note: time codes are only accurate for Slate Plus members, who listen ad free.)

Want more Hang Up and Listen? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page, or visit slate.com/hangupplus to get access wherever you listen.
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The Wolves Chomped the Champs

Joel Anderson and Josh Levin are joined by the Washington Post’s Ben Golilver to talk about the NBA’s conference semifinals. Jackie Powell of the Next also joins to preview all the big storylines leading into the most-anticipated WNBA season ever. Finally, one of the WNBA’s top draft picks in 2023, Maddy Siegrist, explains what the 2024 rookie class can expect in their first year as pros.

NBA playoffs (3:29): The Nuggets aren’t dead yet and the Knicks are held together with duct tape.
 
WNBA (21:25): Caitlin Clark’s debut, the Aces going for three in a row, and the rollout of charter flights.
 
Siegrist (39:49): The second-year player for the Dallas Wings on adjusting to the WNBA.

Afterball (56:22): Joel on the seeming demise of the Arena Football League.

(Note: time codes are only accurate for Slate Plus members, who listen ad free.)

Want more Hang Up and Listen? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page, or visit slate.com/hangupplus to get access wherever you listen.
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The WNBA Takes Flight

Joel Anderson, Josh Levin, and NPR’s Gene Demby look back at the epic first-round series between the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers. They also check in on the chaos inside Deion Sanders’ Colorado football program. Finally, Alex Prewitt joins Joel, Josh, and Stefan Fatsis to examine why Korean basketball players bank in their free throws.

Knicks- Sixers (2:25): How New York came out on top and what’s next for Philly.
 
Colorado (19:03): What happened to all the players Coach Prime booted?
 
Banked-in free throws (34:26): A deep dive into a mysterious phenomenon.

Afterball (49:15): Josh on the Shaq-Kobe NBA (and rap) beef. 

(Note: time codes are only accurate for Slate Plus members, who listen ad free.)

Want more Hang Up and Listen? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page, or visit slate.com/hangupplus to get access wherever you listen.
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So Long Sixers

Joel Anderson, Josh Levin, and Slate’s Alex Kirshner discuss the quarterback frenzy at the top of the NFL draft and Anthony Edwards’ star-making performances in the NBA playoffs. Then, Josh and Stefan Fatsis are joined by cross-country skiing broadcaster Chad Salmela to talk about the remarkable Jessie Diggins.

QBs in the NFL draft (4:23): Was the Falcons’ Michael Penix pick a big mistake?
 
Edwards (18:44): The Timberwolves guard looks ready for the spotlight.
 
Diggins (34:06): Why everyone should root for the American skiing sensation.

Afterballs (56:38 ): Joel on "Machine Gun" Molly Bolin and WNBA.

(Note: time codes are only accurate for Slate Plus members, who listen ad free.)

Want more Hang Up and Listen? Subscribe to Slate Plus to immediately unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page, or visit slate.com/hangupplus to get access wherever you listen.
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Michigan and Washington Squeak Through

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